Deanery Standing Committee
Dear Deanery Synod Reps,
As you know, we are now in a new triennium, or three year period, and hope that you will find our meetings valuable and productive.
We want Deanery Synod to be a place where you get the opportunity to meet reps from other churches and we all learn from each other. We also hope to be good conduits for conveying messages from the Diocese to parishes and from parishes to the Diocese.
At Synod meetings we want to prioritise the goals and plans of the Diocese and Area, but we also want to address the things that you and your parishes want to discuss and cover. So do please let us know your suggestions.
We are looking for people to serve on the Deanery Synod Standing Committee to make plans for future meetings and to try to ensure that we are using and respecting your time and commitment. Do let us know as soon as possible if you are interested to serve in this way, as we need to elect Standing Committee members at the next meeting on the 3rd of October.
We hope that you have an enjoyable summer. As you know, Bishop Emma is our guest at Synod on 3rd of October at St Michael’s Elmwood Road, W4 3DY. She will preach and preside at Holy Communion and we’ll have the chance to get to know her better through a Question and Answer session. We gather at 7pm for refreshments, with the meeting formally starting at 7.30pm.
All warmest wishes and God bless,
Martine Oborne and Simon Surtees
Area Dean & Lay Chair
June Synod Minutes
I’m sure you’ll all join me in thanking St George’s Church, Hanworth for hosting last month’s informative Deanery synod on disability and the church. The minutes of the meeting are here and these include information on the recommended additional resources. Do let me know if you have any questions or notice any changes needed in the minutes. We’d also be very grateful to receive feedback on how you found this meeting and any suggestions you might have as to how we can improve and make more valuable the time we are spending together as Synod.
Lay Chair Election
As mentioned above, we started the new triennium at the beginning of July and we’ve reached out to all of your to confirm your current deanery synod reps. Following this, we will be sending out nomination forms for the Lay Chair election on Friday. Please make sure we have the correct details for your deanery synod members because if we don’t know about them, they can’t be counted!
Deanery Updates & Notices
Admission of Church Wardens to Office – All Churchwardens must be admitted to office each year they are elected by no later than 31st July. If you have not been sworn in yet, please email Victoria ONeill urgently to make alternative arrangements.
Growing Younger Retreat – 13-15 September 2023. Collaborating with the Diocese Children & Youth team, the Kensington Area Growing Younger Team are hosting retreat for employed children and youth workers at Ripon College, Cuddesdon (Cuddesdon, Oxford OX44 9EX). For more information, reach out to the Diocese of London Children & Youth team.
Black History Month – October 2023. This year, Black History Month will be dedicated to honouring the achievements of black women who are often the forgotten heroines. We’d love to hear how churches are planning to celebrate this important occasion. Please email communications@london.anglican.org
Autumn Deanery Synod – 3rd of October, 7.30pm. The last synod of 2023 will feature several important deanery votes as well as opening the triennium with communion. Our guest speaker will be the Rt Rev Dr Emma Ineson, the new Bishop of Kensington. After presiding over communion, she’ll be talking us through her vision for the area followed by a Q&A session. Hosted by St Michael’s Elmwood Road, the synod will be on the 3rd of October, starting at 7.30pm, with refreshments from 7pm. Join us to hear from our new Bishop and bring your burning questions!
Holy Land Study Tour – Monday 2nd – 11th October. With the Rev Preb Andrew Corsie, Willesden Area Director of Ministry, and Dr Salim J Munayer, Founder of Musalaha. A Study Tour offering insights and fresh understanding gleaned from over 30 years of pioneering “conflict resolution delivery“ set against the intense backdrop of the Israeli/ Palestinian violent conflict. For more information, click here.
Creative Growth – As part of the London 2030 vision, the Creative Growth ambition wants to see that estates are fully included in the vision for every Londoner to encounter the love of God in Christ. In partnership with the area Bishops and Directors of Mission, an Area Estates Advocate has been chosen for each area to work with the Diocese Estates Enabler. Our own Revd Fi Budden is the Advocate for Kensington Area. If you are interested in exploring estate ministry, or highlighting the estate ministry you are already involved with, please contact Fi who would love to hear from you!