This Briefing marks the first in a series which parish and people is producing in conjunction with the Church House Deaneries Group (CHDG). There will also be booklets in the series and it is hoped that this joint venture will enhance the service offered by the Deanery Resource Unit.

The Functions of a Deanery Synod are set out in paragraph 5 of the Synodical Government Measure 1969 viz. 1) to consider matters concerning the CofE and to make provision for such matters in relation to their deanery, and to consider and express their opinion on any other matters of religious or public interest; 2) to bring together the views of the parishes of the deanery on common problems, to discuss and formulate common policies on those problems, to foster a sense of community and interdependence among those parishes, and generally to promote in the deanery the whole mission of the Church, evangelistic, social and ecumenical; 3) to consider the business of the Diocesan Synod, and particularly any matters referred to that synod by the General Synod, and to sound parochial opinion whenever they are required or consider it appropriate to do so.

Roles and responsibilities of Deanery Synod members A working hand list (compiled by Canon Alan Wilson of the Oxford Diocese)

People serve on Deanery Synods as parish delegates, or as licensed or beneficed clergy or as members of other synodical bodies. Their other work brings its own responsibilities but, as members of the Deanery Synod, they are there to work in collaboration with the Bishop, diocesan officers, other members, rural/area dean and officers of the Deanery to forward the mission of the Church.

This involves a commitment to:

1. Live and grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, sustained by word and sacrament within the fellowship of the worshipping Church;

2. Represent the best interests of the parish on the Deanery Synod, by all means available, including turning up to meetings! Be a point of contact between deanery and parish, participating fully in the life of the PCC, and remembering that a prime purpose of the deanery is to support and enable work in parishes, but not to direct it.

3. Help develop forward looking deanery projects to support the parishes in their local mission and ministry.

4. Collaborate in the development, monitoring and implementation of deanery mission plans, including discerning the appropriate level at which work can most effectively be undertaken.

5. Take an interest in the healthy and effective functioning of sector ministries within the deanery.

6. Elect and support the officers of the deanery, treasurer, lay chair, secretary and Standing Committee, and to contribute to the shaping of deanery synod agendas.

7. Support the mission of the Church by prayer and personal example; to seek out and support good practice in collaboration between parishes and ecumenically. To promote honest and harmonious working relationships throughout the Church in the deanery.

8. Seek out ways of linking into the structures of society within which the deanery is set, including local government. To participate fully in the corporate life of the area in Christ's name, seeking new ways of understanding and communicating with its communities and people.

9. Inform themselves of issues under discussion at diocesan and national levels.

10. Act as electors to diocesan and General Synods.

11. Work to grow cultures of generosity and genuine stewardship within the Church, which honour and develop the gifts and ministry resources of all.

12. Take an interest in relationships which link what is going on locally into the diocese and the world church.

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WHERE'S THE LINK?

You voted for the election of a new Diocesan Synod in 2003 and also for a new General Synod in 2005. So when the voting is over where is the link between your new elected representatives and you, the Deanery Synod member?

WHO ARE THEY? .................You will probably know the Diocesan Synod representatives, but will you know those who will be elected to General Synod to represent the Diocese? Make sure their names, at least those from your archdeaconry, are in the Deanery Synod minutes so that every one knows their identity, and a bit about them. For example, what are their special interests? You can glean some of this information from their individual election addresses when they are nominated.

WHY ARE THEY? ..................Their function is to represent you, and to be available to you, as part of the synodical government process, and to communicate both ways, up and down, within that process. But don't let them get away with the idea that communication is the be all and end all of the Deanery Synod's life.

WHERE ARE THEY? .................To communicate, you need to be able to contact them. Make sure that their addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and their e-mail addresses are generally known and available in the diocese, probably in the Diocesan Year Book.

WHEN DO THEY REPORT? ................You probably receive a Diocesan Synod report at the following Deanery Synod meeting, but how often do you receive a report from General Synod - annually, every two years, or after each General Synod meeting?

WHY DO THEY REPORT? ..................For you to know what is going on, and to be able to contribute, you need to receive information. Regular reports from General and Diocesan Synod members are the way in which information is communicated, but don't let them take up too much time at Deanery Synod meetings.

WHAT DO THEY REPORT? ................Do your representatives report everything that goes on, blow by blow, perhaps using the summary reports issued by the Diocesan and General Synod secretaries, or do they, best of all, just pick out what's relevant to the Deanery Synod - if anything? (The Church Times reports of General Synod proceedings are another good way of accessing this information.)

HOW DO THEY REPORT? ................In some dioceses each General Synod member takes on communication with one, or more deaneries. Do you know who has responsibility for your deanery? Do they report in person, or by written report sent with the agenda?

HOW YOU WANT THEM TO REPORT.............. Make sure that the elected representatives know what you want from them, and how long they have to report, perhaps circulating a written summary in advance, backed up by verbal highlights at the meeting, with the opportunity for direct questions and answers. DON'T let them hog your meetings! .

HOW DO YOU RESPOND? .................For communication to work effectively within the synodical process, you need to play your part by ensuring that your views are made known, either through the Deanery Synod or directly, using the communication channels mentioned above.

THE MISSING LINK?......... The remaining gap is between the deanery and the parish, and you are the missing link:

a) in reporting to the parish and the PCC from Deanery Synod (preferably in writing);

and b) in ensuring that parish views are presented to synod at Deanery Synod meetings.