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The Diocese of
Monmouth

PART TWO: DEANERY MISSION PLANS

2.7 Netherwent
(Allocated 7 stipends)

The Deanery outlined what it felt was needed to achieve growth.
They included:

  • vision for the transformation of lives and communities in accord with the Gospel.

  • worship which is renewing and inspiring.

  • commitment to outreach, witness and service to the local community.

  • opportunities for the nurture of people in their faith through Bible study and courses such as Alpha or Emmaus and the deepening of spirituality in prayer groups and informal acts of worship.

  • programmes of welcome and encouragement of newcomers.

  • resourcing for ministry specific to children and young people.

  • opportunities to mark and celebrate significant moments in the lives of individuals and communities.

They saw the seven stipendiary clergy as leaders within five Centres of Mission in the deanery. They acknowledged the importance of schools as being at the heart of possible future growth and said particular attention should be given to the connecting of schools with the Centres of Mission. Each of the Centres of Mission comprised a grouping of parishes to achieve at least 100 regular worshippers.

Where ecumenical ventures were in existence, these should be strengthened whenever possible and appropriate.

While encouraging vocations to the ordained ministry, there is also a need to encourage parishioners to let go of the expectation that every local christian community will have its ‘own’ priest. The ministerial gifts of all lay and ordained persons should be developed more widely and readily across the deanery. It was proposed to establish a Deanery Pastoral Committee to undertake the work of promoting the deanery plan and bringing the reformed structure into being through a process of continuous evaluation.

The Centres of Mission were identified as:

Chepstow with St. Christopher's (1 stipend)
Mathern, Mounton, St. Pierre, St. Arvans, Penterry (1 stipend)
Magor, Redwick, Undy, Goldcliff, Nash, Llanwern, Langstone, Bishton, Wilcrick, Llanmartin (3 stipends)
Caldicot, Rogiet, Portskewett (1 stipend)
Caerwent, Llanfair Discoed, Shirenewton, Newchurch, Kilgwrrwg, Itton, Devauden, Llanvaches, Penhow, St. Brides, Llandevaud (1 stipend).

The plan also envisaged two possible curates at Chepstow and Caldicot.