Monmouth Diocesan Profile 2019

“Becoming the people God calls us to be.”

Monmouth Diocesan Profile 2019

The Diocesan Prayer

God, and Father of all,you have planted the Good News of your love

in the faith communities of our Diocese.By your Spirit at work in us,

grant us to grow strong in Christso that our lives of devotion and service

may reveal to your world the power of your love,which is able to do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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The Mission Monmouth Prayer

www.monmouth.churchinwales.org.uk

@MonmouthDCO @monmouthdiocese

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The Mission Monmouth Prayer

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Foundation: 1921, following Disestablishment, created out of the Diocese of Llandaff.

Newport Cathedral: The Parish Church of St. Woolos (St. Gwynllyw), Newport, founded about 500 A.D., became the Pro-Cathedral in 1930, attaining full Cathedral status in 1949.

Archdeaconries: Newport (Deaneries of Bassaleg and Newport); Gwent Valleys (Deaneries of Pontypool and Bedwellty) and Monmouth (Deaneries of Abergavenny, Monmouth, Netherwent and Raglan and Usk).

Ministry Areas: There are 175 churches in 122 parishes formed into 25 Ministry Areas.

Ministry: We budget for 51 stipendiary clergy posts along with 20 House for Duty posts. There are an additional 34 Non-Stipendiary clergy and 37 Licensed Lay Ministers.

Civil Administration: The Diocese comprises Newport (city Status 2002), Torfaen, almost all of Monmouthshire, most of Blaenau Gwent, half of Caerphilly and most of East Cardiff.

Other Churches: Whilst two of the earliest dissenting chapels are in the Diocese, (at Penmaen and Llanvaches), traditional Nonconformity has been in sharp decline except for some chapels still in valley communities. There is a Roman Catholic presence in most parts of the Diocese. In recent years there has been a growth in large new Independent churches which attract good numbers of young people.

Tourism: The Wye Valley in the East and the Black Mountains in the North are Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The coastal levels contain Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Blaenavon, home of iron and steel, is a World Heritage Site and there are a few castles in Monmouthshire!

Language: Mostly English speaking, but with a resurgence of interest in the Welsh language. There has been an increase in interest for Welsh Medium education.

Other Faiths: Growing Muslim presence in the Diocese and small groups of other religions. Communities in the valleys have some of the UK’s highest percentages of people declaring they have no religion.

Diverse communities: There is increasing ethnic diversity within communities across the Diocese.

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The Character of the Diocese The Diocese of Monmouth covers a relatively small geographical area, which enables

clergy and laity to get to know each other well. The compact nature of the Diocese enables good communication and co-operation within the Diocesan family. We are diverse and inclusive, tolerant and innovative.

The Diocese is situated in a very anglicised area of Wales. However, being part of the Church in Wales defines its identity. Monmouthshire in particular is a border county that looks both east and west and is a bridge both socially and economically between England and Wales. There is huge potential to collaborate and celebrate both ecclesiastically and economically. A bridge between east and west.

The priority of the Diocese is Mission and Evangelism having fostered many new initiatives that are often replicated in other areas. Although much work is still to be done and even more to explore, we continue to build on the good work already under way. A bid for monies from the Provincial Evangelism Fund is opening up a promising future for new work to broaden and deepen our Missional and Evangelistic life. Mission Monmouth will continue to work consciously for the fulfilment of the God-given potential of every person. Love without limits.

We affirm the ministry of both women and men; both lay and ordained, in the life of the Diocese. We strive to be inclusive, collaborative, engaging, inspiring and accessible.

The Diocese faces the challenge of serving existing, and often, small congregations and also encouraging and engaging actively in new initiatives which will enable the church to grow in different ways. We are continually seeking to discern and follow wherever the Spirit is leading.

We are striving to change and challenge our self-perception as a declining institution concerned with self preservation, to concentrate on being more clearly mission focussed. We are seeking to be a community which yearns for healing, reconciliation, holiness, prayer, learning and hope for human kind and the world. Striving to change a culture in the Ministry Areas to enable us to be fit for purpose to serve all the people of God.

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The Socio-Economic Context The population in the diocese is around 525,000. The M4 corridor connects the populations on the East West axis in the south and there is a second east-west link in the north of the diocese connecting Monmouth, Raglan and Abergavenny and the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road. The Eastern Valleys run mainly north-south and although transport connections are improving, historically each valley has quite a self-contained culture.

In common with much of Wales the economy is heavy reliant on public investment and public sector jobs. Wales has lower than average gross weekly earnings (87% of UK), lower than average property prices (73% of UK); higher unemployment and greater incidence of health disabling economic activity. Major industries have ceased or are in substantial decline in the main centres of business. The rural parts of the Diocese continue to be underpinned by agriculture but are increasingly diverse in their economic life. Most economic activity is along the M4 corridor and the scrapping of the tolls on the Severn crossings has increased commuter traffic and house prices.

The south in and around Newport has the biggest concentration of population, the best transport links and much of the retained employment. Indeed, Newport has the highest percentage of new housing growth in the country. It also has the largest proportion of minority ethnic residents (20%) in the Diocese. Its traditional city centre retail and professional centre has struggled in the face of competition from out of town superstores, Cwmbran’s more compact town centre with free parking and the substantially revived attractions of Bristol and Cardiff.

The north and the northwest (Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and parts of Caerphilly) are mainly former mining and metal areas with less adequate infrastructure and higher levels of economic inactivity despite significant structural funding from the EU. There are 55 areas of marked deprivation in the Diocese, almost half (23) in Blaenau Gwent alone.

The most westerly part of the diocese falls within the Cardiff local authority and is largely but not exclusively residential with a wide range of incomes.

To the east and northeast lies rural Monmouthshire, and whilst there are pockets of rural and small town poverty, it is generally more affluent, has lower density population and has little of the post-industrial landscape that constrains the other areas. It also has a higher level of incomers and commuters with possibly the largest percentage of population not born in Wales. Parts of the county are as affluent as rural areas in Southern England.

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Mission and Ministry

Mission @MissionMonmouth is the underpinning of our response to God’s Mission, in recognising and celebrating successes, encouraging new endeavours and giving permission to dream dreams. Launched in October 2018, following the appointment of the Director of Mission, it hopes to emphasise the Diocese’s desire to transform lives and communities by proclaiming God’s love in many and varied ways. Sharing God’s Mission is what we are all about!

The Church in Wales has created a substantial Evangelism Fund (£10million) for which dioceses can bid in order to enable them to initiate significant new initiatives. Our bid will focus on building a vibrant network of pioneers, lay and ordained, in partnership with other agencies such as the Church Army, throughout the Diocese. Pioneers will be tasked with working within geographical areas, age ranges, social media and developing communities. The desired outcome will be planting nine new worshipping communities and establishing a network of volunteer pioneers, so as to express the #lovewithoutlimit belief of @MissionMonmouth.

This will build on the encouragement of pioneering by the last three bishops which led to the appointment of a Pioneer Ministry Development Officer who has recently moved on to a regional role with Church Army. However, the work continues through a network of pioneers which meets regularly for mutual support, challenge and encouragement. Some of these pioneers are in designated ‘pioneer’ roles, others in Ministry Area Leader roles, and still others are lay people whose pioneering ability has been recognised. All of these have contributed to a ‘bubbling up’ of creative forms of church and mission which we want to see growing and taking root in every part of the Diocese.

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MinistryThe concept of Ministry Area Leadership was pioneered about 10 years ago in response to decline both in numbers of stipendiary clergy and the size of congregations. The expectation that clergy could extend the inherited patterns of ministry to oversight of ever-increasing numbers of parishes, was failing. A new way to approach the task was needed. The goal was not merely to sustain what had gone before but to enable all God’s people in the diocese to fulfil their lives and ministries in the extension of God’s Kingdom.

Once the Ministry Area Leader role had been understood and described, a training program to equip clergy for the new role was created. Work to re-shape the diocese into Ministry Areas was also begun and that shaping is now almost complete.

The priorities in ministry for a Ministry Area Leader are:-

Evangelism and the nurture of personal faith Enabling the whole church to see and engage in God’s work of mission Maintain a strategic overview of local and national life in order to lead the church in

effective and relevant mission Guard their own and the churches spiritual vitality.

The Ministry Area Leader will also oversee the traditional pastoral and administrative work of the church which will be mostly undertaken by other local ministers.

Schools and Young PeopleOur Diocesan Director of Education heads up the work of our 15 Diocesan Church Schools with great commitment and skill. There are nearly 4000 children in the schools. The potential for a more intentional work in and through our schools is enormous. They could all be churches – some of them already are. As energy and resources permit this work will be a priority.

Close relationships are enjoyed with all four of the Local Authorities involved in which there are Church Schools as they are with all other Educational Supporting bodies. Amongst many other commitments, termly meetings are held for Head Teachers for sharing support and encouragement.

In addition to work with schools the Director of Education has oversight of our two CYFMAs (Children, Youth and Family Ministry Advisors) who work mostly amongst our parishes in support of their work in these areas. The two CYFMAs are establishing network groups to develop confidence and good practice in youth and children’s work and actively supporting training in Godly Play, Messy Church, Open the Book and other faith resources.

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All our parishes are encouraged to develop as close links as possible with their local schools – whether they be Church Schools or not - and many now have very close and mutually fruitful relationships. This work is also resourced by the CYFMAs

Newport Cathedral The ancient parish church of St Woolos became the cathedral for the Diocese of Monmouth in 1949.

In recent years the nave of the Cathedral has been completely opened up with the replacement of the pews with chairs. This has allowed for a hugely increased use of the Cathedral for concerts, exhibitions and events. It has also allowed for more creative use of the space for worship. For the last three years the Cathedral has been a host for the Newport Night Shelter during the winter months.

There is a small Cathedral Shop which is staffed by volunteers for a couple of hours a day. Volunteers also act as welcomers and support all aspects of the life of the Cathedral.

Much work has been done to enhance the Cathedral as the focal point for diocesan life and to raise its profile as the centre of worship and prayer for this area of Newport.

It is a small Cathedral with great ambition which will be taken forward by the development of a former pub nearby which the Cathedral now owns.

The Cathedral is staffed by the Dean plus one Residentiary Canon (presently vacant). The Archdeacon of Newport also fulfils the role of Precentor. An active retired priest assists with pastoral offices and Sunday worship. There is a half time verger and half time administrator.

The Daily Office and Eucharist are maintained by the Cathedral clergy and a faithful band of lay people. The Choir has been enhanced under the leadership of the Director of Music. The traditional choir of boys and men has been augmented with the establishment of a girls’ choir nearly three year ago. The boys and girls now sing an equal number of services.

A new form of governance which reflects best practice is presently being introduced. This will enable the Cathedral to express its life and mission to the City of Newport and the Diocese much more effectively.

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Highveld Link The agreement to form a Companion Link between the dioceses of Monmouth and the Highveld was signed by Bishop Dominic Walker and Bishop David Beetge on 19 th November 2003 in St. Woolos Cathedral.

The link was formed: to strengthen mission and evangelism in the church communities of both dioceses to increase awareness between us of our solidarity in the cause of Christ to respect and learn of and from each other’s cultural heritage.

The agreement is reviewed and evaluated at the end of each five year period and the link is celebrated in parishes across both dioceses on the designated Link Sunday. Parishes include the Link in their intercessions. Link parish representatives meet together twice a year to share ideas and exchange news.

Visits between dioceses have helped to strengthen the Link. In 2010 a group of parish representatives visited Monmouth and in 2017 a group from Monmouth Diocese made a pilgrimage to visit communities and see projects run by the Highveld Anglican Board of Social Responsibility (HABSR). Several parishioners from both dioceses have also made the journey to their parish links. Bishop Charles May of the Highveld visited the Diocese in August 2018.

Following a visit to the Highveld by Bishop Richard, Archdeacon Ambrose and Dean Lister in 2016 and the group visit in 2017, a need was recognised in Mayflower, near the Swaziland border. HABSR runs an Early Development Centre and Safe Park in the grounds of the church and more classrooms are needed to improve the very cramped conditions for the increasing number of vulnerable children requiring their help. In 2017 the Bishop’s Lent Appeal raised the money for a building to be completed to provide classrooms, a place for the Safe Park to meet and for community use and also to improve the irrigation system.

Ecumenism There has been a shift from structural to relational ecumenism across the Diocese. Local initiatives are being encouraged wherever feasible, appropriate or possible. Examples include:

Many Street Pastor schemes and night shelters in Newport and Monmouth Raven House Trust in Newport providing food and furniture across Gwent Various Food Banks especially in more deprived communities Local Ecumenical Partnerships in Cardiff East and Blaenau Gwent

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Supporting Mission and Ministry

Senior StaffAt present the Senior Staff team in the Diocese consists of the Dean of the Cathedral, the three Archdeacons, the Diocesan Secretary and the Director of Education. It meets generally fortnightly for half a day.

The role of the Staff Team is to determine and oversee policy and direction for the diocese in co-operation with the Area Deans, Ministry Area Leaders and all those with whom they minister. Regular meetings are held with Area Deans and Ministry Area Leaders. Especially close working relationships are enjoyed between the Senior Staff, the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Conference and the various Councils of the Diocese. The modelling of good practice in collaborative working for the whole diocese is a constant objective.

Diocesan Office TeamIn support of the work of the Diocese there is a highly motivated and excellent central diocesan staff team which presently includes the Diocesan Secretary, Diocesan Director of Education, Diocesan Accountant, Communications Officer, Churches Development Officer, Projects Officer, Property Manager, Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Council, two Children Youth and Family Advisors and supporting administrative staff. All this team demonstrate exemplary levels of commitment, engagement and flexibility.

Diocesan OfficersOther officers in support of Mission and Ministry across the Diocese generally hold other positions of responsibility. One is an external consultant. They include:-

A Diocesan Director of Mission (presently one of the Archdeacons). A Diocesan Director of Ministry (presently one of the Archdeacons). The Diocesan Director of Vocation (presently a half-time role held with a half time parish

appointment). There is an assistant Diocesan Director of Vocation (also a Ministry Area Leader) and a Young Vocations Advisor (also an Associate Priest in a Ministry Area).

A Continuing Ministerial Development Officer presently one of the Ministry Area Leaders. A Support team for the training and development of Lay Ministry who are a married

couple (one a Ministry Area Leader). A New Ministries Officer (also presently a Ministry Area Leader) responsible for the

ministry of those in their first three years of licensed lay or ordained ministry A Spirituality Officer for the development of Spiritual accompaniment and the fostering of

a deeper culture of prayer across the diocese who is also a half-time Team Vicar. A Bishop’s Advisor for Healing (an NSM associate priest in the Diocese) and two Advisors

on Deliverance Ministry (both Ministry Area Leaders).

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Freelance grants advisor - to provide hands-on support to parishes to research and submit grant applications to external funders.

Within the diocese are Colleges, Schools, Prisons and Hospitals which are served by chaplains and voluntary ministry teams.

Ministry Area DevelopmentThe Diocese has been encouraging this in recent years through: Bishop’s Audit - 5-year rolling programme to look in detail at every aspect of church life

and help them develop a plan for their future. Churches & Pastoral Committee – supporting Ministry Areas to take forward their Bishop

Audit recommendations. Diocesan grant programme –

o amalgamating the Diocesan Grants with the RB grant to be able to offer larger grants to parishes for church buildings.

o Offering Diocesan grants for church halls as well as church buildingso New start up grants from Children, Youth and Family Ministry Advisors (CYFMAs)o Ministry Area Development Grant to help parishes within Ministry Areas to work

collaboratively e.g. Ministry Area office set-up and funding Data Development software and Churchsuite.

o Diocesan Advisory Committee – giving parishes advice in sensitively developing their buildings.

Communication Communication plays a vital part in the life of the Diocese.

The Communication Officer oversees this work, circulating news through the Diocesan website and social media pages and the Diocesan Newsletter (Grapevine). She is press officer for the Bishop and provides general support for work with media and publications.

The Bishop’s office has published a Friday email, which was sent to all clergy and lay ministers. This email gives up to date information on a weekly basis and includes a weekly Ad Clerum written by the Bishop. A weekly notice email is sent out from the Diocesan Office.

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Administrative and Financial Resources The Diocese has two administrative centres, located close to one another in Newport.

The Bishop has an office with additional meeting rooms adjacent to Bishopstow, the Bishop’s residence, with a Personal Assistant whose salary is met by the Representative Body (RB). The Diocesan Office is in a separate building about half a mile away with office and meeting space plus parking and reasonable access to public transport.

The Diocese acts through the Executive of the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) which is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity, whose Directors / Trustees are responsible for the overall management of the organisation’s assets and the employment of its staff. The Property Board (a sub Committee of the DBF) manages and maintains some 90 clerical and other residences within the Diocese on behalf of the RB in whom the freehold or long leasehold is vested.

There is a separate Diocesan Trust which owns, manages and maintains the Church Schools in whole or in part.

The DBF is responsible for raising the income required to meet the operational expenditure of the Diocese and these needs are agreed annually with the Bishop and senior staff. It has set a break-even budget for 2019 (see pie chart attached)

The DBF income comes from two main sources; a block grant from the Church In Wales of approx. £1m, and ministry share of £2.15m. Collection rates for current share are close to 100% thanks in part to a rebate scheme for paying by quarterly standing order. There are clearly issues which some parishes are having in meeting this but the DBF seeks to maintain a close contact with any parish or ministry area with a problem.

The expenditure Budget for 2019 is £3.4m of which £2.7m will be spent on clergy stipends and associated costs (e.g. pension contributions, housing and training). The remainder is spent on support for Ministry Areas, grants and office costs.

The budget and ministry share for 2020 will be drafted in the early summer and agreed by the DBF at its September meeting.

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2019 Budget

Income

Ministry Share ; 2,152,000

Representative Body of the Church in Wales - Block

Grant; 1,005,000

Investment & Other Income ; 108,000

Surplus b/fwd; 145,000

Income - £3.410m

Ministry Share

Representative Body of the Church in Wales - Block Grant

Investment & Other Income

Surplus b/fwd

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Expenditure

Min-istry ; 2,709,000

MA Sup-

port ; 272,0

00

Grants,

Gov-er-

nance & Of-fice

Costs ;

422,000

Surplus; 7,000

Expenditure - £3.403m

Ministry MA Support

Grants, Governance & Office Costs Surplus

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A PROFILE FOR THE NEW BISHOPWe are seeking someone who believes that God can change the world through the lives of his people, transformed into the image of his Son, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our former Bishop was away from his duties for nine months and took early retirement on the grounds of ill health. During this period, the Diocese experienced a fractious year of uncertainty, rumour and speculation.

The Diocese now needs to look to the future with hope so that we can once again proclaim the Gospel of Christ in action and word.

This post is an ideal opportunity for the right person to bring life to the mission of the Diocese.

We are seeking a Bishop who will be:-

secure in God’s love and at ease in showing the face of God to the world

an example of the being and life of Christ

a leader in prayer and stillness

grounded in an orthodox, compassionate and inclusive theology

a true focus of unity, embracing those with widely differing views

committed to a flourishing of faith and discipleship in all people

a pro-active, enthusiastic and engaging teacher and communicator of the Christian faith

caring, clear, firm and discreet

a good manager of their personal work/life balance

willing to delegate and accept help to allow time to grow their own faith and be kind to themselves

instinctively collaborative

a skilled listener

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and who will therefore:-

embody Christ-like servant leadership in guiding the Diocese forward with pastoral, relational and emotional wisdom

offer effective pastoral care and walk along side those in need

take a lead in safeguarding all who come into contact with the Church, especially young people and adults at risk

work to heal any hurt and division within the life of the Diocese with patience and good humour

affirm and energise the gifts of all God’s people in the exercise of God’s mission of love in all the communities of the Diocese

encourage and promote engagement with all Schools and in the youth and children’s work in our churches and Ministry Areas

be a missional outward looking focus for the Diocese

champion Mission Monmouth and #lovewithoutlimit

understand the challenges of management in a diverse Diocese and provide strategic leadership

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