Bishops Visit Deaneries

The Bishops extended an open invitation to Deanery Synod representatives, clergy and churchwardens from our Deaneries to meet together via Zoom.

The visits are an opportunity to give thanks to God and share all we are doing as churches and schools during the pandemic, but are also an occasion to look together at how, as a Diocese and as individual churches, we can confidently look ahead to the future.

On Tuesday evening (20th October) Bishop Nicholas hosted a meeting with the Poole and North Bournemouth Deanery, while Bishop Karen hosted the Blackmore Vale and Bishop Andrew was with the Alderbury Deanery.

With over 80 people attending across the meetings, there were some lively discussions with members sharing good practice and a wealth of ideas as well as their concerns over finances.

Speaking after the meetings, Bishop Nicholas said:

“In these strange and tumultuous times we need to talk together about what we are thinking, praying, doing, so we see more clearly what God is teaching us in the time of this pandemic. As Christians and as churches, how will we continue to Renew Hope in the places where we live, work and serve?

“I was left with a stronger sense of the scale of the challenge as well as with a deeper hope about how together we will respond creatively and positively. The first 3 meetings of Beyond the Present were useful and went well. Thank you to everyone who took part.”

Representatives were invited to take the discussion back to their deaneries and parishes and a video and a set of reflective questions and Bible study for groups has been made available at http://bit.ly/beyondthep to help with this.

During November the Bishops will continue to meet with the Deaneries to listen and talk with them.

On 3rd November, Bishop Karen is with Purbeck/ Poole and North Bournemouth Deanery, Bishop Nicholas is with Sherborne/Lyme Bay, and Bishop Andrew is with Bradford.
On 10th November, Bishop Nicholas is with Salisbury Deanery, Bishop Karen is with Milton and Blandford, and Bishop Andrew with Chalke.
On 11th November, Bishop Karen is with Dorchester/ West Dorset, Bishop Andrew with Devizes and Marlborough, and Bishop Nicholas joins Calne and Pewsey.
On 12th November, Bishop Andrew is with Stonehenge Deanery and Bishop Karen is with Wimborne.
On 18th November, Bishop Karen is with Weymouth and Portland, and Bishop Andrew with Heytesbury.