FOLLOW-UP TO THE DIOCESAN FORUM
COUNCILS GIVE GO-AHEAD TO EXCITING INITIATIVES

The Diocesan Councils have unanimously agreed to accept in principle 12 exciting and radical initiatives arising from the Diocesan Forum last November.

They included the organisation of

• A Welcome Pack
• A Faith Development Handbook
• The Post of Parish Co-ordinator/Development Officer
• A Youth Ministry Project
• A Confirmation Programme
• A Clergy Forum
• A Leadership & Motivation Course for Clergy
• Spiritual Support for Clergy
• A Feasibility Study on Collaborative Ministry
• Action on Social Ministry Issues
• A Programme for Worship Development
• An Ecumenical Programme for Worship Opportunities

A thirteenth proposal that a Diocesan Development Officer be appointed was deferred for further study. Details regarding responsibility for overseeing each proposal, the starting date and the cost of implementation were presented with each proposal. A number of the proposals are already underway.

Expectations that Exciting Things will Happen

In an address to the Councils David Meredith, who acted as facilitator to the Forum process, recalled how the process developed at Easter Vestries, through rural deanery meetings to the Forum itself at All Hallows’ College. He said, “It built up expectations that exciting things will happen. There was a great buzz and tremendous positivity that we were not just looking at our own parishes but at wider areas. The presence of people, amongst them many young people and women, who were not generally involved in Councils and synods meant that we were breaking barriers in our mindset.”

He said that the consultative process was organised in such a way as to allow people to come up with their own ideas. 5 issues emerged from the process : 1. Planning and Keeping members 2. Youth & Children 3. Ministry/Support for the Clergy 4. Social Ministry and Care of Older People and 5. Faith Development

Huge Amount of Goodwill Displayed

He went on, “There was a remarkable consensus on issues and a huge amount of goodwill and positive thinking. An amazing energy was displayed as new people showed themselves willing to get stuck into issues.”

Presenting the recommendations he said that the vast majority of the proposals formulated at the Forum were “simple, practical ideas, designed to address issues which were on people’s minds. They were structured in such a way as to make it absolutely clear what is talked about, how it relates to the Forum, the cost involved, and responsibility for starting and finishing.”

The archbishop, who was in the chair, noted the Planning Group’s emphasis that each of the proposals stood or fell on its own merits and its request that the Councils should consider each proposal individually. He said that the Forum Planning Group was now dissolved and it was up to the Councils to continue its work.

Taking part in the lively discussion which followed Geoffrey Perrin, chair of the Forum Planning Group, paid tribute to David Meredith’s role in the process. He said that due to sponsoring the process had cost the dioceses nothing and pointed out that. most of the proposals were based on the principle of self-funding or part funding by parishes.

Following acceptance in principle of the 12 proposals the matter was delegated to the Glebes & Finance Committee to oversee their implementation.

-ENDS-

With the compliments of the Diocesan Communications Officer 12/07/02

THE CHURCH OF IRELAND
DIOCESES OF DUBLIN & GLENDALOUGH
DIOCESAN COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER VALERIE JONES
TEL: 01-4935 405/087-2356 472 (H) 01-4946 202 FAX: 01-4944 720
E-mail:dco@dublin.anglican.org