Synod met three times during the year.

For the meeting in May at Stebbing, the main speaker was Canon Roger Matthews, Bishop’s Adviser for Mission and Ministry, who spoke on “Mission Shaped Church”.

This presentation referred to the church report with the same title which encourages churches to find ways of moving their focus from maintenance to mission and perhaps look at new ways of being “church”.

With more people being busy on Sundays, some churches are planning to hold more services and activities during the week and perhaps in places other than the church.

Roger’s presentation was a challenge to all churches to review the way they operate, especially when it comes to reaching out to the wider community.

At the September meeting which was held in Takeley, Will Crane from the Anglican Stewardship Association gave a presentation on Stewardship. His focus was the stewardship of money and he outlined the “Full Measure Project” which he takes to parishes who ask for his help in developing stewardship.

This was a particularly appropriate topic at a time when parishes in the Deanery continue to struggle to meet their share of the ever increasing Family Purse.

In January at Great Bardfield we welcomed members from Stansted, Birchanger and Farnham to our enlarged Deanery.
The theme for the evening was children and young people. Paul Godfrey, Diocesan Children’s Adviser spoke on the importance of good forward planning and work of high quality with the children in our churches. He also introduced the Rev. Jean Halliday, newly appointed Diocesan Child Protection Adviser.

Emma Jarrett provided an interested and lively update on youth activity in Dunmow, Felsted and Stebbing. This includes regular lunchtime visits by Emma to Helena Romanes School, where she now has a permanent base.

Deanery services have again been held throughout the year.
Meetings of Synod regularly include a presentation on an aspect of church life and are open to everyone. They provide an excellent way of keeping up to date on wider issues which impact on activities in individual parishes as well as an opportunity to share ideas and concerns.
Do join us. Lifts can usually be provided.

Rosemary Ayles
Eileen Bell