Notes from the Hampshire Rural Group Meeting held 30 June 2009 at Crawley Church Rooms, near Winchester
Pastoral reorganisation – why is this viewed negatively, asked the Bishop? Churches need to be revivified, not stultified. It is a challenge, not a regrettable lapse. There can be huge gains.
In response to HRG Paper on Mega-Parish Benefices, Bp Trevor argued:-
1. There is not one model for pastoral reorganisation. Linking rural and urban parishes can be revivifying. Mega-parish benefices can work and can produce life.
2. History can freeze present life, but rural life has never been static. Mary and George Sumner started very badly at Old Alresford when they reduced servants from 37 to 18. The walls and fences of North Hampshire ... There needs to be a healing of memory.
3. Takes points made about the inadequacy of the concept of sustainability. It is really about ‘critical mass’. No one church, no one ministry can provide all that is needed. The churches of Itchen Abbas were saying in interregnum, “We don’t need a vicar.” A critical mass is needed so that church can be experienced in all its fullness.
4. There is a seeking of colleagueship and companionship in ministry and the new configurations offer better opportunities for this.
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