Save The Parish - Cornwall

 As the Diocese of Truro struggles with its On The Way restructuring plans and the aftermath of the failed Transforming Mission project, a new programme has been announced for work in schools in two of the TM areas. Ruth Marriott, the Diocese's Director for Change and Renewal, has announced that three schools in Cornwall will be part of a new network - part of the Church of England's Growing Faith Foundation This new programme aimed at taking religion into schools in an innovative way - or, as Ms Marriott puts it: "An initial two-year pilot programme will introduce these worshipping communities through the partnering of education and church settings with children and young people at the heart of the decision making across 40 sites and 12 dioceses. Truro is one such diocese with 3 locations here in the Duchy." Ms Marriott does not mention the cost involved in this programme: however, a source close to the project said around £3 million has been allocated to this nation...

A list of new Diocese of Truro Synod members, with names of key officers. At last Saturday's Synod, Diocesan Secretary Simon Cade said that controversial On The Way deanery plans would be implemented and a 'change of leadership style' was needed.  Save The Parish Cornwall fervently hopes that the Episcopal College will show a new openness in listening to the concerns of churchgoers. Certainly the Diocesan Synod will be a key forum for debate. Click here for the list of members Sadly some deaneries e.g. Carnmarth South and Falmouth - where Transforming Mission sadly failed to reach its targets - remain without representatives.

 It's hard to locate on the Diocesan website - but a bit of detective work unearths a link to an important piece of work by the Rt Rev Graham James, a Cornishman and former Bishop of Norwich.  Bishop Graham is looking into the importance of small churches and - as almost all of Cornwall's rural churches are by definition small - this is an important piece of work. Click here for more details - and Bishop Graham's questions for you....  To contact Bishop Graham, click here . “I am pleased to lead this project on behalf of the diocese, and thank Bishop Hugh and his colleagues for asking me to do so," says Bishop Graham. " Since my return to Cornwall five years ago I’ve loved going to some of our smaller congregations, and have marvelled at the faithfulness of many of our lay people. They are salt and yeast in their communities, even if they do not always recognize it. "I’ve also noticed many of them are tired, sometimes through doing too many jobs, and feeling...

 Key background documents for anyone wanting to know more about proposed pastoral re-organisation in the Roseland.  The process stalled due to a large number of objections received with only one person supporting the proposals (and that was the priest scheduled to be appointed as Oversight Minister managing the new benefice). Click here to read the objections.  Click here to read the original proposals.  

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 A splendid piece on BBC Radio 4's Sunday programme at 720am today (you can catch up on BBC Sounds). Carl Hughes, Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Archbishop's Council Finance Committee said; "I fervently believe that the thing we need to be investing in is frontline ministry. Every study shows that not having a priest does not lead to growth." This comes after some years of a policy of reduction of local parish priests at Diocesan level.  Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent spoke later about C of E finances.  All in all it was a great way to mark Save The Parish's third anniversary. Click here to read a letter by Marcus Walker, who set up STP three years ago, and mentions Save The Parish Cornwall - "Save the Parish Cornwall is the first local group to be set up and is very active. Rather than just accepting their fate, and rather than just moaning about proposed changes, they have put their money where their mouths are and made a serious prop...

A message from Save The Parish founder, Marcus Walker  Three years ago Save the Parish was founded on August 3 at a public meeting at my church of St Bartholomew the Great. From our inception we have been a grassroots movement and have been entirely volunteer-run. This gives us the strength that comes from being close to the realities of life on the frontline, and the weakness that comes from relying on the free time of people who are already busy – often trying to save our own local parishes as well as doing our bit for the national church. On this three year anniversary, I would like to reflect on a few things that have happened over these three years. 1.      We have organised. General Synod elections occurred less than three months after we launched and over 150 candidates were elected using our logo or identifying themselves with us in a clear way. Of these around 80 regularly vote with us in Synod, although General Synod does not have a formal whi...