An Open Consultation on Assistant Clergy in Rural Areas
Friday 19th November 2010, 11.30am-3.00pm
The Sumner Room, Old Alresford Place, Alresford, SO24 9DH
One of the very welcome developments in parish ministry over recent years has been the number and spread of assistant clergy. This has been particularly evident in rural areas and has helped to balance the decreasing number of stipendiary parochial clergy.
Assistant clergy work in a great diversity of contexts. They may be stipendiary curates, self – supporting ministers, or house for duty Priests, associate Vicars …. There are subtleties of relationship, role, status, how they are perceived and how they perceive themselves. It seemed timely to offer an opportunity to share experiences and insights of those concerned and explore the issues together.
So this consultation is for all involved in rural churches. It is for lay people, those of incumbent status, and of the rainbow variety of assistant clergy in Hampshire. The Revd Norman Boakes, Continuing Ministerial Development Officer for the Diocese of Winchester, has kindly offered to be available to share his insights in discussion with members.
Bring your own lunch but coffee and tea will be provided. Everyone is welcome, but it will be very helpful if you could let the Hampshire Rural Group convener know if you intend coming: Canon Martin Coppen, revd.coppen@dsl.pipex.com 01264 738308.
