Revd Preb Nick Shutt LLM RectorWest Dartmoor Benefice12 Blackbrook Close Walkhampton Devon PL20 6JF01822 854653 nick.shutt@dsl.pipex.com June 2011.Dear Friends
The Benefice Service Pattern
When I took on the role of Priest in Charge in 2008 the service pattern changed in the Benefice; the number of services reduced because of the reduction in ministers available to take services. Since 2008 we have been joined by Princetown and from August this year we will be joined by Sampford Spiney and Horrabridge. The principle behind the 2008 service pattern changes was a desire to maintain a pattern of services so that every Sunday (except 5th Sundays) in every parish there would be a service, regardless of the size of the parish. To date this pattern has been maintained by the goodwill of the ministerial team, most of who give of themselves selflessly in their retirement.
With an expanded Benefice we face challenges in maintaining our service pattern and so, in order to ensure that we can continue to deliver the existing commitment to a weekly service in each parish into the foreseeable future, I have been looking at ways in which we can adjust the service times to allow minsters to “double up” on Sunday to conduct an early service followed by a later service. The challenge we have is that our present pattern means that we need at least 5 ministers on duty on some Sundays to deliver services. With holidays, absence and illness etc it has been a struggle to ensure the provision of services that everyone requires.
You will also be aware that four Parishes have set up Worship Teams, and over the last year or so they have delivered a Service of the Word each month. I am extremely grateful to all those who undertake this ministry in the Benefice as their efforts have ensured that we have been able to maintain our service pattern. Their role will continue to develop over the coming years as their contribution is invaluable but what they provide is not a full solution to our problem.
Realising that it will become increasingly difficult to maintain the status quo, a few months ago, I asked a small group of PCC members from across the Benefice to meet to consider the existing service times. They grappled with the complexities of our situation. They then reported back to me and went to the PCCs of the Benefice to discuss their conclusions. The PCCs in turn looked at the proposals and recommendations of this small group. It has not been easy to tease out a way forward and I have been acutely aware of how difficult it has been to find a solution that is acceptable to every parish. Some parishes have had to consider significant changes to their service times which have meant that they have sacrificed what would be their preferred service time to allow other parishes to have their services at suitable times. I have been aware of the struggles that some have gone through to accept that change is required. To them I am extremely grateful.
The new Service pattern which will be brought into effect from Sunday 4th September results from this detailed consultation process:
Saint Paul’s Yelverton
9.30am Service – every week
8.00am Book of Common Prayer Communion – 2nd Sunday each month only
6.00pm Evening Service – 4th Sunday each month only
Saint Peter’s Meavy
10.30 Service – every week
Saint Leonard’s Sheepstor
11.15am Service – 1st, 2nd & 4th Sunday each month
4.00pm Service – 3rd Sunday each month
Saint Mary’s Walkhampton
9.00am Service- every week
Princetown Church
11.00am Service – every week
Horrabridge
9.00am – 1st Sunday each month only
10.30am Service – every week
Saint Mary’s Sampford Spiney
3.00pm – 1st Sunday each month
9.15am – 2nd, 3rd, 4th Sunday each month.
For the moment the types of service across the monthly cycle will remain the same as in the past. It is only the service times that will change. With the Worship Teams continuing to provide a service each month the requirement for ordained ministers to maintain the service pattern is reduced to 3 each week.
When there is a 5th Sunday in a month we will continue to hold a united Benefice Service which will move around the Benefice. These services provide an excellent opportunity to meet together and to realise that we are part of the larger body of Christ here in West Dartmoor. Meeting together to worship with over 100 of us gathered together can be an uplifting experience and enhances our worship. I know some see the 5th Sunday as an opportunity for a Sunday off but I would ask everyone to see it as an opportunity to express our common life in Christ in a way that brings us all together and gets us looking beyond the parochial boundaries.
Ministerial availability is not the only reason for making this change in service time. Another important reason for adjusting the service times is to allow sufficient time at the end of each service for the conducting minister to have those very important conversations that take place on the church door. I have found it very unsatisfactory to have to dash from one church and another, missing out on the fellowship and conversations that help build relationships over a period of time. Sometimes it has been necessary to leave before the service is over. No one likes this – least of all me. The new pattern will mean that there will be no more rushing around the Benefice.
I have written at length so you can be aware of what has been going on behind the scenes over the last few months and the reasons for making the changes from September. Giving God his worth is what worship is all about. My hope is that the revised service timings will make this easier for ministers and congregations alike.
With every good wish,
Yours in Christ
Revd. Preb. Nick Shutt
Rector
