The Covenant
This covenant is due to be renewed at Sturminster Newton Parish Church on Sunday 10th June 2012.
Continuing Christian Education
1.
Our aim is to promote the Mission of the Church
by working together in all areas where collaboration may be more effective than
working on our own. We remain committed
to our responsibilities within the Deanery and the wider Church.
2.
To
encourage shared ministry between clergy and laity within and between benefices
and specific fostering of collaborative working and local vocation.
3.
To
enable local communities to give of their best to God in worship.
4.
To
promote a wide range of learning opportunities which will
meet the needs of local communities and the different stages of faith.
5.
To share
expertise and experience in the creative and practical use of church buildings
and the human resources of the Church.
6.
A forum
will be established consisting of the authorised ministers and one
representative of the laity from each of the 19 parishes. The forum will agree upon an action plan and
monitor its implementation.
7.
We shall come together once a
year to renew our Covenant in the company of the Bishop, or his representative,
and to commit ourselves to the action plan.
8.
Every fifth year, we shall
invite a suitably qualified person from outside the deanery to monitor our
implementation of the covenant.