LATEST UPDATE ON DIOCESAN FORUM

Positive feedback from Rural Deanery Meetings

During the summer planning for the Diocesan Forum in November continued apace. Feedback from Step 2 of the 4-Step process, Rural Deaneries meetings, has been very positive. The four meetings had almost full attendances and participants commented favourably on the way in which they were organised and on the input of David Meredith, who acted as facilitator at each meeting.

At each meeting participants were asked to identify priority issues which the diocese should be tackling. These were then voted on. In all including responses to the advert. in May's Church Review 84 issues were raised. These were collated under 14 broad headings. In early summer a summary of the issues raised and the votes they received were sent to all participants. Anyone who was inadvertently overlooked can obtain a copy by ringing David Meredith at 086-823 2317.

During the summer the Forum Planning Group met to decide the issues to be discussed at the Forum itself. The following five issues received the highest number of votes and will be discussed at the Forum:

• Planning/Attracting and Keeping Members
• Youth and Children
• Ministry/Support for Clergy
• Social Ministry & Care of the Elderly
• Faith Development

The Planning Group has also been beavering away at arrangements for Step 3, the Forum itself in All Hallows College on Saturday 24 November 2001.