Resources

You can read more about Bishop Trevor's vision for the Diocese here.

Pastoral Reorganisation

Pastoral reorganisation is the procedure by which parish, deanery and archdeaconry responsibilities are changed in order to better support the mission and ministry of the Church in the time and culture it finds itself. Unfortunately, such change is often portrayed as a defensive cost-saving measure instead of being understood as an opportunity for releasing new forms of ministry to meet the opportunities before us. Bishop Trevor spoke of this at the recent Diocesan Synod.

Ministry, of course belongs to all of us by right of our baptism. It is not a preserve either for those of us who are ordained or for those of us who bear a particular lay authorisation. But within that royal priesthood of all believers, patterns of particular ministry continue to change and I would argue must continue to change if we are to continue to offer Christian witness in the presence of every community.

Bishop Trevor, Diocesan Synod 13 Nov 2010

Reorganisation is currently affecting us at two levels:

  1. Bishop Trevor, with the overwhelming support of the Diocesan Synod, is choosing to appoint a third Archdeacon instead of a replacement for the Bishop of Maidstone. A new Archdeaconry of Ashford will be created from the Deaneries of Ashford, Dover, Elham and Sandwich. This will be headed by Archdeacon Philip Down who will change titles to become the first Archdeacon of Ashford. Therefore the Parish of Saltwood (being in the Deanery of Elham) will be part of the new Archdeaconry of Ashford.
  2. Having begun to share ministry with Lympne, we will in due time form a Benefice with them. This will be a formalisation of the relationship that is already beginning. The PCCs and Churchwardens of both parishes are already giving this process prayerful consideration. During the coming year there will be various opportunities to worship and witness together, for example, during Lent and Holy Week and in the marriage preparation that we offer to couples seeking marriage in our three churches. Please take advantage of these times to discover new friends and new ways of being Church.