Dear Friends,
I have been asked by Bishop Stephen if I would take up the role of Rural Dean for Heytesbury Deanery. This would be in addition to the role as Team Vicar for the White Horse Ministry Team. I thought it might be helpful to explain a little about what the role would encompass, bear in mind that this is a new role to me so I will be learning as I go!
There are some specific responsibilities and duties that accompany the role which I shall outline:
The Rural Dean is the Co-Chair of the Deanery Synod and Chair of the Standing Committee, with all the implications for handling synodical business and ensuring that parish shares (quotas) are paid.
- The Rural Dean convenes the Clergy Chapter (all the clergy working within a Deanery), enabling the clergy to meet together regularly for study, fellowship, prayer and reflection.
- During a period of vacancy within a parish the Rural Dean is responsible, with the church wardens, for ensuring the provision of services and pastoral care, and when new clergy are appointed of “inducting” him or her into the Deanery. (There are at present three vacancies in the Deanery.)
- The Rural Dean is to share with the Bishop in the pastoral care of clergy and families, advising him on the needs of individuals and parishes, and also to represent the Archdeacon in matters relating to the general welfare of parishes, their property and records including arranging site visits as new clergy take up positions.
It is also intended that I should be a channel of communication between the parishes, clergy and the Bishops and Archdeacons this includes liaising on matters such as confirmations, licensing, institutions and visitations.
I also need to be a networker supporting collaboration and co-operation within and beyond the Deanery, working ecumenically, and encouraging lay leadership affirming and connecting people together.
This seems like a lot to ask of one person who is already in a full-time role, thankfully I can count on colleagues for their support especially the assistant Rural Dean. The clergy team across Heytesbury is talented and very skilled. The role of Rural Dean is to help bring those skills, wisdom and knowledge to the fore to help each as individuals to flourish supporting the ministry and mission in their own Benefices but also in support of the work across the Deanery and Diocese. Since the pandemic, we have seen a lot of changes to our local churches. At Deanery Synod we are currently working together to form a Deanery Profile to help us understand each other’s needs better, also to celebrate the many and varied ways that individual churches are seeking to spread the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Please pray for me as I take up this new role,
Yours in Christ,
Rev’d Caroline
We congratulate Caroline on her new appointment. Caroline’s licensing will take place in Warminster on 1 March 2023