| On Tuesday 29 November 2005, Bishop Michael published his response to the Cheltenham Deanery Plan, which sets out the future strategy for Church of England Churches in Cheltenham. Detailed below are the two particular paragraphs that directly concern St Luke's. |
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| "East Cheltenham would bring into collaborative relationship the parishes of Holy Apostles, St Luke's, St Michael's and St Mary's Charlton Kings. Although this is quite a natural grouping, and one with strong ecumenical relationships already in place, it would mean a change for St Mary's, which has hitherto been part of the South Cheltenham cluster, but that ought not to be too difficult. This will bring into existence a group that would transcend "Churchmanship" differences, but I believe we ought to be able to create groups, and even teams, where this is both possible and creative." |
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| "The proposed East Cheltenham Mission Area will from January have two stipendiary priests of Incumbent status (at St Mary's and Holy Apostles), since by then both St Luke's and St Michael's will be vacant. Our recommendation is that this number be increased to three by the appointment of one priest, living at St Michael's vicarage, to serve both St Michael's and St Luke's. We believe that St Michael's with its ecumenical input and the existence of a Community Worker, can be served by a half-time priest, supported by the other clergy in the Group, as can St Luke's, with its already strong Lay Leadership in a church community where there can be further development of this. St Luke's has been anxious about its future, but it is a strong community and it would be foolish, simply because the church building is close to others and because its style of church life is not so very different from others close at hand, to close it. It has grown and has potential for further growth. We believe that an able priest will be able to lead both St Michael's and St Luke's in a way that will enable them both to flourish... The St Luke's vicarage would be maintained as a clergy house, initially for the Associate Minister (new) at St Matthew's." |
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| The Bishop in the report makes mention of the fact that Cheltenham has too many church buildings. However, only one is recommended to close at this point and that is St Peter's, Tewkesbury Road. It is proposed in the report that the Mission Areas should begin to consider further closure of buildings as necessary. Should no new thinking on this be evident by 2009 then the Bishop feels it would probably be necessary to appoint an Independent Commission to make recommendations. |
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| Whilst this would leave us short by half a vicar the report also made recommendations for the Mission Areas across Cheltenham to consider Local Ministry Teams and Ordained Local Ministers. It is accepted that St Luke's has survived the Interregnum reasonably well to date. However, this is only possible due to an unsustainable degree of hard work on the part of a small number on individuals and considerable support from local clergy, both currently serving and retired. If this is what the Diocese mean by "strong Lay Leadership" then we will only survive through further expanding and sharing the work of running St Luke's. We need therefore to have discussions with the Diocese regarding this recommendation and how it may be achieved. |
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| To this end a meeting has been arranged between Bishop Michael and the PCC on 19 December 2005. Members of the congregation may also attend this meeting as observers. Whilst observers do not normally have a voice at PCC meetings any questions may be given in writing to the Churchwardens and PCC members prior to this meeting for them to raise on your behalf. |
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| The next stage is consultation with PCCs prior to a meeting of the Diocesan Pastoral Committee on 04 January 2006. Following this meeting the final recommendations will be endorsed by the Deanery Synod on 14 February 2006. It is hoped that appointment of the Priest for St Michael's and St Luke's could be made at the earliest by Easter 2006, whilst the appointment could be made by this time, they are unlikely to take up the post for some months. |
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| Please feel free to contact either Simon, any PCC member or myself to discuss this further. |
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| Peter Ralphs (01452 613443) and Simon Barton (01242 515890) mailto:wardens@stlukes-church.org.uk |