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‘Resolutions’ parishes in team ministries

From the Revd Andrew Gair
Sir, — As one who, by God’s good grace, now lives locally and is fortunate enough to worship at Covehithe, I suggest that you do yourselves a grave disservice by reflecting only selectively on the facts regarding the proposed pastoral reorganisation at Covehithe and of the Sole Bay Team Ministry, of which it is presently a member (News, 29 February).

Covehithe, as it reiterated at its recent PCC meeting, has no desire to leave the Sole Bay Team. This move to remove it has been brought about entirely by others. and much to the annoyance of the local church community itself. The plan that you refer to is to place it under the pastoral care of a Priest-in-Charge some 20 miles away, which is extraordinary.

This proposal arrived on the parish’s doorstep for the sole reason that, having passed resolutions A, B, and C under the Act of Synod in the early 1990s, it did not give in to the recent immense pressure to rescind the resolutions. The consequence was: be removed from the Team.

Now Covehithe has no desire to curb the choices open to other members of the Sole Bay Team over the appointment of the next Team Rector. It has found itself, by dint of diocesan arrangement into a team, in this troubled position. But how such a plan as proposed now by the diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich can be in Covehithe parish’s best interests is beyond those who worship there, whatever our integrity.

You comment that the parish is small. How can the measure meted out against a small group of disciples accord with the Gospel injunction to be faithful in the small things so that they may be given responsibility for the large?

There are alternatives to the diocesan plan, but seemingly little will at diocesan level to explore them.
ANDREW GAIR
18 High Street, Wrentham
Beccles, Suffolk NR34 7HB

From the Revd James Mather
Sir, — Like the rest of the Church of England, the rural West Norfolk deanery of Fincham and Feltwell in the diocese of Ely is facing the challenge of pastoral reorganisation: 31 parishes into five new groupings.

Clearly, every area has to look for its appropriate solution. Lest readers should come away with a partial view about pastoral reorganisation and “resolutions” parishes from your report about Sole Cove, this is what the Huntingdon and Wisbech archdeaconry pastoral committee has to say about the situation here in Fincham and Feltwell.

“The deanery has the highest proportion of ‘resolution’ parishes in the archdeaconry. Given that there are only three parishes which have passed all three resolutions, there is a longstanding tradition of ‘resolution priests’ working well in non-resolution parishes. It is anticipated that this will not be an issue of concern in the future as parishes and priests will continue to work well together” (my italics).

I appreciate that it may come as a surprise to some readers, but with Christian good will, and a determination to stick to what the Episcopal Ministry Act of Synod 1993 actually says, that “the highest possible degree of communion should be maintained,” and that “the integrity of differing beliefs and positions concerning the ordination of women to the priesthood should be mutually recognised and respected,” it is amazing just what is possible under God.
JAMES MATHER
Rural Dean of Fincham and Feltwell
The Rectory, King’s Walk
Downham Market
Norfolk PE38 9LF


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