St. Mark's Bilton

St Mark's felt that there were a number of areas where a sharing of resources could take place, i.e., we have some experience in setting up a bereavement group/training as well as a solid team offering marriage preparation mornings which could be opened up to the rest of the deanery.

We have recently gone through the process of setting up several Cell groups and could lend the benefit of our experience here too.

Some among us highlighted the role of the Rural Dean as the one who should facilitate sharing and closer working together.

There was also some concern about the workload that clergy were under which meant that greater use of developing lay ministry was essential.

We saw the need to develop vocations across the deanery and as a parish who has just got an OLM into training we should explore ways of encouraging other vocations.

Stewardship and the need to share fund raising practices and information was also mentioned.

The issue of communication between parishes and the deanery and diocese was stressed as was the need to share youth resources to help churches that have little or no youth work to begin work in these areas.

It was also felt that the deanery should promote the idea of being a family.

It was also felt that in terms of the diocese, Bilton could offer a training post for a curate in the future.

What does it mean for us a PCC?

We need to communicate with others what we are doing more effectively and

be prepared to share. We would like other churches to do likewise.