Annual Reports 2002 Bible Study Coordination & Planning Christ the King Deanary Synod

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REPORT ON THE WORK OF DEANERY SYNOD

Like Holy Trinity/Christ the King, the Deanery suffered the trauma of the unexpected departure of Chris Hardman for pastures new. However, the selection and installation of a new Rural Dean is a whole lot quicker! Rev'd Geoffrey White (St Mary's, Shephall) received his commission at the September 2001 Synod.

The Deanery continues to engage with topics which affect the lives of parishioners and parishes today although much of the year's activity was receiving updates on projects started in the previous year. For example, the debate we had shared with Hitchin Deanery about "Marriage in church after divorce" has now been sent forward (to General Synod) by the Diocesan Synod, who approved the motion: "This Synod accepts the principle that there are circumstances in which a divorced person may be married in church during the lifetime of a former spouse." [More or less the existing situation]

We heard that the Living Room project continues to grow and has engaged the services of a full-time Project Leader and a Practice Manager who are supported by numerous volunteers (many from the Stevenage churches). With the taking on of a lease (subject to planning permission) in the Glebe, the project will be able to aid more clients - through counselling and also through the example or rehabilitated addicts, one of whom delivered his own testimony in word and song.

The Deanery Marriage Preparation Course (in which Aris Mariner plays a major part) is being made available to all those who are to marry in the Deanery. With the emphasis on the "marriage" rather than the "wedding" the course will cover such topics as Children, Money and Rows! The Course costs £20 per couple and will be travelling around the Deanery.

At the final Synod of the year, we studied and discussed Mental Health and looked at ways in which churches respond (or not) to the mentally ill and, indeed, to those who care for them. For instance, how would you respond to the person sitting next to you in the pew if, through dementia, he or she behaved in an "un-churchlike" manner? Would you accept and encourage the person, or reject him or her?? Would you offer to help "baby-sit" or "granny-sit" for the carer(s)???

John Morgan (S/L)