Lord God, Renew Your Church and Begin with Me

Monmouth Diocesan Profile

2013

Monmouth Diocesan Profile - 2013

The Diocesan Prayer

Lord God, renew your Church and begin with me.

Heal our wounds, give us joy in our faith,

draw many to share your life,

and use us all in your service.

For Jesus Christ's sake, Lord of the Church,

make us the Church of the Lord. Amen.

Index

Map of the Diocese3

Introducing the Diocese4

The Socio-Economic Context5

Newport Cathedral6

The Ethos of the Diocese7

Mission and Ministry in the Life of the Diocese8

Administrative and Financial Resources12

Statistics13

Diocesan web-site: -

The Archdeaconry of Newport

1Bassaleg Deanery

2Newport Deanery

3Pontypool Deanery

4Bedwellty Deanery

The Archdeaconry of Monmouth

5Netherwent Deanery

6Raglan & Usk Deanery

7Monmouth Deanery

8Abergavenny Deanery

Introducing the Diocese

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

Cathedral: Parish Church of St. Woolos (St. Gwynllyw), Newport, founded circa 500 A.D., became the Pro-Cathedral 1930, full Cathedral status 1949. Known as Newport Cathedral, St.Woolos King and Confessor.

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

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: Two of the earliest dissenting chapels are in the Diocese, at Penmaen and Llanfaches. But traditional Nonconformity is in sharp decline except for a strong Baptist presence in some valley communities. Strong Roman Catholic presence in Newport and certain rural communities. In recent years there has been a growth in large Independent churches which attract a large number of young people.

Local Ecumenical Projects: There are LEPs in Cyncoed Rectorial Benefice and in the St. Mellons housing estate in East Cardiff, and certain church communities work closely together in other areas of the Diocese

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. Blaenafon, home of iron and steel, is a World Heritage Site.

Language: Largely monoglot English speaking, but with a resurgence of interest in the Welsh language especially among the professional classes. There has been an increase in interest for Welsh Medium education.

Other Faiths: Growing Muslim presence in Newport and small groups of other religions.

Diverse communities: In recent years there has been settlement mainly in the Newport area of Filipino, Polish and other Eastern European communities.

The Socio-Economic Context

In common with much of Wales the people and communities of the Diocese, whilst demonstrating substantial individual variations, exist within a slow economy which is more heavily reliant on public investment and public sector jobs, has lower than average gross weekly earnings (94% of GB) lower than average property prices (79% of Eng & W); 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 underpinning of rural parts by traditional agriculture is increasingly fragile and in danger of being diverted by commuter convenience.

The south in and around Newport has the biggest concentration of population, the best transport links and much of the retained employment. It has however by far the largest proportion of non-white residents (10%) and a stubborn core of deprivation. It also has seen its traditional city centre retail and professional centre decimated by the competition of out of town superstores, Cwmbran’s more cohesive town centre management and the substantially revived attractions of Bristol and Cardiff.

The north and the northwest (Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and part Caerphilly) are mainly former mining and metal areas with a higher preponderance of European aid, less adequate infrastructure and higher levels of Economic Inactivity. Relative deprivation is measured by Local Statistical Area: 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.

The east and northeast is covered by the new Monmouthshire and whilst there are pockets of both rural and small town poverty it is generally more affluent, has lower density population and has little of the narrow post industrial landscape that constrains the other areas. It also has a higher level of incomers and commuters with by far the largest percentage of population not born in Wales.

The variations across the Diocese are explained partly by location and in part by industrial history. They are most graphically illustrated by income; Monmouthshire and Newport have the highest income per head in Wales, the Gwent Valleys almost the lowest.

Newport Cathedral

The ancient parish church of St Woolos became a cathedral in 1949. The eastern extension will be fifty years old on the day the new Bishop is enthroned.

The Cathedral has a complex form of governance which vests authority in the Chapter but financial responsibility in the PCC. This can lead to conflicting interests between the needs of parish and the diocese. The Dean has initiated meetings between the Chapter and the PCC beginning with a 24 hour conference facilitated by the Dean of Salisbury.

Services are sung during term time on Wednesday and Friday evenings in addition to Sunday services. The Wednesday Evensong has been suspended this year while work is done to strengthen the boys’ singing. The Chapter is currently reviewing the Cathedral’s musical needs and the cost of meeting them.

The Cathedral is staffed by the Dean plus one stipendiary Minor Canon. They are assisted by a retired priest as Residentiary Canon, a House for Duty priest who acts as Administrator, and the Archdeacon of Newport who increasingly offers support when he is available.

The daily Office and Eucharist are maintained almost exclusively by the Cathedral clergy.

A newly appointed, part-time caretaker is the sole employee.

A very small Cathedral Shop is staffed by volunteers as are many aspects of maintenance and ministry. Thanks to such volunteers the Cathedral is open every day of the year, usually from at least 9-4.

The fabric of the cathedral is in constant need of major restoration/conservation. Over £1M has been spent on the current restoration plan, with at least as much again needed.

There is general agreement that the building is in need of major re-ordering to fit it for worship and mission in the 21st Century. The ancillary facilities are inadequate for Cathedral ministry today.

The Dean has spent his first year helping to build up relationships between the Cathedral and the wider Diocese. A Week of Accompanied Prayer was held for clergy of the Diocese in 2013 and was appreciated by the many who took part. This fits with Bishop Dominic’s charge to the Dean to make the Cathedral a centre of prayer and pilgrimage in the Diocese. The emphasis on spirituality marks a new way forward in the life of the Cathedral as it seeks to reinforce its role as the Mother Church of the Diocese.

There is modest but much appreciated schools’ ministry with regular ‘Cathedral days’ now organised in-house by the Residentiary Canon for schools throughout Gwent.

There is much work to be done in reaching out to the parish and City as many people in Newport do not realise that there is a Cathedral here.

The Ethos of the Diocese

The Monmouth Diocese covers a comparatively small geographical area, which means there are good opportunities for the clergy to get to know each other well.

This sense of fellowship is further bonded at the residential clergy conferences, which are held every three or four years, and regular Bishop’s Days for clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers.

The Diocese has just ended a Year of Pilgrimage, initiated by the Bishop, which involved many parishes and groups going on pilgrimages both near and far. The Bishop led a clergy pilgrimage to Brittany and a mixed group to the Holy Land.

During Lent 2009, 2011 and 2013 the Bishop led a series of very well attended Bible Studies each weeknight for five weeks in five different parts of the Diocese. Studies were on John, Luke & Acts and Paul’s letters. This was greatly appreciated across the Diocese.

The compact nature of the Diocese potentially enables easier communication and co-operation and makes it possible for the bishop to be readily accessible to the clergy and people.

The Diocese is situated in the most Anglicised area of Wales. There is an observable awareness that the Diocese is very much a part of the Church in Wales and it is this that defines its identity

Monmouth is a border Diocese that looks both east and west. Whilst its loyalties are most definitely to Wales, there remains an ambiguity of identity and strong links to its neighbouring English counties from which many come to live.

The Diocese has had the courage to initiate a number of experiments in collaborative ministry and pioneer ministry and has fostered significant developments in ecumenical relations and practice.

The Diocese has benefited from and affirmed the faithful ministry of clergy with a wide range of approaches to churchmanship and different styles of ministry. Easy relationships exist between clergy of different groups and there is mutual respect by those who hold differing views.

Women in ordained ministry increasingly play significant roles in the Diocese, although there is still work to be done in securing a better gender balance in the councils of the Diocese.

The Diocese is trying to faceup to the challenge of serving existing, often small, congregations and is engaged in encouraging new initiatives which will enable the church to grow. There is an economic need to reduce the number of stipendiary clergy but also a desire to foster more vocations to local ministry both ordained and lay within new Ministry Areas.

Mission and Ministry in the Life of the Diocese

The Diocese of Monmouth has sought torespond proactively to the changing needs of the world and Church over the last 10 years or so. In the early 2000s there was a realisation that reducing numbers of stipendiary clergy and financial constraints needed to be planned for. This led to a consultation process with Deaneries which resulted in the publication of Hope for Monmouth in October 2005. Further planning and consultation have continued resulting in a proposal published in May 2012 which reconfigures approximately 70 benefices into about 35 Ministry Areas. This principle was incorporated by the Church in Wales Review team in their report. We are committed to pursuing and resourcing this important change in the way mission and ministry is delivered in the Diocese. We know that we need to work in a focused yet flexible way as we take this forward, always being open to the different needs of our diverse communities and the guidance of the Spirit.

Bishop’s Staff

The Bishop’s Staff consists of the Bishop, the Dean, the 2 Archdeacons, the Director of Ministry, the Diocesan Secretary and the Diocesan Communications Officer. It meets fortnightly to determine policy and direction for the Diocese in co-operation with the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Conference and the various councils of the Diocese. As we seek to develop a truly collaborative way of working across the new Ministry Areas so the Bishop’s Staff seek to model this in the leadership of the Diocese.

Ministry

The Diocese is committed to re-form itself into Ministry Areas which are community based. This requires not only a structural but also a cultural change in working towards collaborative ministry. The work needed in supportincludes:-

The training of Ministry Area Leaders (with Ripon College Cuddesdon) into the newly defined role
The sourcing and development of appropriate formational learning for the future ordained ministry of the Diocese
Resourcing the development of mission and ministry teams to serve Ministry Areas
Discerning, calling and training lay and ordained ministers to serve Ministry Area Teams and the wider church – working in co-operation with external bodies and other dioceses where appropriate and helpful
Providing and where necessary delivering learning and formation for discipleship and ministry within Ministry Areas
Serving the ongoing Provincial and Diocesan provision of Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD) and the provincially agreed programme of Review
Working in partnership with the other dioceses of the Province in developing as much good and shared practice as possible

In all these tasks the Diocese is presently served by a full-time Director of Ministry. The appointment of a Diocesan Learning Advisor (full-time) is pending. Their role will be to continue to develop the successful Living Faithcourse and co-ordinate lay ministry training. There is also a part-time Initial Ministerial Education Officer to support the ongoing formation of the newly ordained in their first three years of ministry. Teams of volunteers within the Diocese are being developed to serve the growing needs of local learning and also in the discernment of call to both lay and ordained ministry.

Diocesan Education Work

Eighteen Diocesan Church Primary Schools (ten Voluntary Aided & eight Voluntary Controlled) spread across four Local Authority areas.
Diocesan Director of Education (part-time) whose duties include:
Advising the Bishop on all education matters
Oversight of the work of the education team
Offering support, advice and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to Headteachers and Governors
Contributing to the appointment of Headteachers and Deputy Headteachers
Supporting clergy in relation to school based issues
Liaising with officers from local and national government and other education agencies
Diocesan Schools’ Officer (part-time) whose duties include:
Offering support and advice in relation to Collective Worship and Religious Education:
Helping with the preparation for inspection
Arranging CPD for RE Co-ordinators
Co-ordinating the work of the Bishop’s Visitors
Five Bishop’s Visitors (part-time) whose main role is to offer pastoral support to the schools
The Diocese also offers support to the HE and FE sectors through the work of:
HE Chaplain (part-time) working at the University of South Wales
FE Chaplain (part-time) working at Coleg Gwent

Council for Young People

The Council is responsible for formulating a Diocesan strategy through its policy and oversight of mission and ministry with Children and Young People (age 1-25).

The Council is project based and supports clergy in nurturing children and young people within the life of the local Christian community.

The work is focused in three ministries:

Full time Youth Advisor who oversees the Diocesan YES community (Youth Eucharistic Services) and provides training for clergy and lay workers.
Part time Children Advisor who works alongside parish communities and schools and provides training and resources for clergy and lay workers, including the development of Messy Church.
The Lab Project Community engages in mission work with young people in schools and in deprived areas of Newport.

The Diocese has invested greatly in this area of work and sees it as a significant development for the future.

Pioneer Ministry

The Diocese has been exploring Pioneer Ministry for some years and believes it to be an important area of mission that will help shape different and vital expressions of church community in the future.

The Lab is the flagship of this work. Based in Newport it is an experimental church for young adults. The young leaders live and work together in community. Its aims are:

To grow a community which is welcoming to young adults who have little or no experience of church and is committed to growing together spiritually.
To transform lives, engaging in mission with young people in their communities in disadvantaged areas.
To develop young leaders to lead the church into the future.

There are also other pilot schemes in the planning and it is hoped that a Benedictine style community with young people can be set up this year in Abergavenny.

Chaplaincies

Chaplains operate in various ministries across the Diocese:

at Usk prison
covering all hospitals with both full-time and part-time Chaplains
at both the Haberdashers schools in Monmouth
at the newly created University of South Wales
across the campuses of Coleg Gwent
with responsibility for the Deaf community

Parish Development

The Diocese has sought to increase the resources for Parish development in recent years:

Appointment of a part-time Parish Development Officer
Churches & Pastoral Committee – refocusing to be more proactive in helping parishes
Development Network Action (DNA) – a small group of committed laypeople with development expertise who can assist parishes
Stewardship – offering guidance through a volunteers group
Diocesan Advisory Committee – giving parishes advice in sensitively developing their buildings

Ecumenism

The Diocese continues to work ecumenically at various levels through:

Local Ecumenical Partnerships, most significantly in Cardiff East
Many Street Pastor schemes and the Newport Night Shelter
Raven House Trust in Newport providing food and furniture across Gwent
Various Food Banks especially in more deprived communities

Highveld Link

In 2003 the Diocese entered into a five year companion link with the Diocese of the Highveld in the Province of South Africa which was renewed in 2008. It is hoped that it will be renewed for a further