ANNUAL REPORTSFor the year ending 31 December 2018

Approved by Archbishop’s Council Thursday 13 June 2019

forPresentation at Diocesan Synod

Wednesday 10 July 2019

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CONTENTS PageResource, Management and Compliance Services 4

Safeguarding 8

Children, Schools and Young People 10

Licensed Ministries and Local Church Development 19 Mission and Ministry Committee 22

Communities and Partnerships 25 Church Buildings (including Diocesan Advisory

Committee)27

University of Kent at Canterbury Chaplaincy 29

The Deaneries of Jersey and Guernsey Island Reports Jersey 42 Guernsey 45

Resource, Management and Compliance ServicesAnnual Report 2018

As noted in last year’s Annual Reports, Resource, Management and Compliance is no longer a formal framework. However the various services are essential in supporting the work of the other frameworks, ensuring that the organisation is well run.As we continue to face the challenge of declining attendances in our churches whilst at the same time retaining the levels and enhancing the quality of ministry within our parishes, our key long-term objectives remain as:-• Growth both spiritual and numerical• Reimagining Ministry• Building partnerships with our communities

Changed Lives → Changing Lives StrategyIn 2017 there was significant energy put into developing and agreeing the Diocesan Changed Lives → Changing Lives Strategy. 2018 was about starting to turn that into delivery. In March 2018 we were joined by Colin Evans as Strategic Programme Manager in a three-year role funded by a capacity building bid to the Church Commissioners. Colin brings a wealth of experience from Local Government and the private sector in leading the development and delivery of strategy and ensuring the effective governance of projects and programmes.In addressing our long-term objectives, our strategy has five key strands:-• Engaging with disadvantaged communities (Key Project: Ignite)• Prioritising Young People (Key Project: Youth Hubs)• Innovations Hub (Key Project: Missional Learning Communities)• Enriching Leadership (Key Project: Recruiting & training additional Curates)• Changing Lives Prayer Network (Key Project: Establishing the Changing Lives Prayer

Network)

To help focus our thinking on our strategy we are starting to ask two key questions:-• How has knowing Jesus changed your life?• How can we best support one another to be seven-day-a-week disciples?These were prompted by work on the national Setting God’s People Free initiative. Pilot groups began to ask these questions of each other in 2018 ready for a wider rollout in 2019.

IgniteIn June we received confirmation from the Church Commissioners that our bid for Strategic Development Funding (£0.8M) for our project to replicate our proven Ignite model in nine new locations had been successful. Patrick and Debbie Ellisdon became project leaders in July and began the task of recruiting two enablers for each plant in conjunction with the host incumbents in each location. Most of the enablers were in post by September/October, although a few positions took a little bit longer to fill. The enablers commenced a training programme in how to deliver the Ignite model and began the first task of establishing contacts within the community, especially among the disadvantaged communities. This is the foundation on which regular Ignite meetings will be launched during 2019.

Youth HubsWe also put in a Strategic Development Funding bid to the Church Commissioners later in the year to help take our Youth Hubs project forward, with a vision to see a youth hub in each

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archdeaconry to reach non-church-going teenagers for Christ and to nurture them as both disciples and leaders. The bid was not successful but the Church Commissioners encouraged us to pilot the model, recognising that it was breaking new ground in an area where the wider Church of England has not had great success. They promised to take our investment into account to help expand the pilot once the approach is proven. We appointed Louisa Ley to be the Youth Hub Leader for our pilot in Sittingbourne deanery just at the start of 2019.

Missional Learning CommunitiesIn 2018, Steve Coneys developed the Missional Learning Community approach, based on many hours spent listening to incumbents about the issues they faced and especially the difficulties of engaging with the complex cultures of multi-parish benefices. His diagnosis was that the situation the situation is serious and requires a deep culture change on our part. There is no simple cost-free way to achieve this. A set of initiatives won’t do the job.Missional Learning Communities have twin culture changing processes:• Action Learning in the practice of mission• Disciplined pursuit of Six Spiritual Practices

Research shows that this approach should lead to growth in our churches. Our pilot wave of Missional Learning Communities was launched at the start of 2019. Incumbents and lay teams from several benefices are meeting together to learn the principles that underpin the approach and to learn together as they plan missional activities. Further waves in future years will see every benefice given the opportunity to participate and benefit.

Recruiting Additional Ordained MinistryIn 2017 a commitment was made to increase the number of curates from 6 to 9 per year supported by an accessible vocation discernment programme. This is progressing well with numbers of curates and ordinands in training increasing, naturally subject to the variances of the discernment process, with an intake of 7 stipendiary and 1 self-supporting curates in 2018.

Changing Lives Prayer NetworkIn 2018 we appointed Barbara Wallace as our prayer network coordinator. She spent lots of time with people from across the Diocese listening to what was needed from the prayer network. It will seek to deepen the ways that we are:• listening and discerning God’s direction for mission through our prayer• connecting more purposefully with one another and sharing stories of God at work• equipping one another to pray more – and to pray more deeply.

Specific plans for 2019 include the launch of seasonal prayer cards, prayer gatherings, a Diocesan Day of Prayer and Pilgrimage, content for the PrayerMate app, and enhanced material in the daily Diocesan prayer diary.

Mission Resources GroupThe Diocesan Mission Resource Group acts for the Board of Finance to specialise in targeting parishes which can most benefit missionally and ministerially. In 2018 the sum of £585,853 was paid in grants by this group as follows:

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Parish Purpose AmountDover Deanery Support of town ministry £46,000West Sheppey Missioner Post £44,878Ashford Deanery Support of Town Ministry £46,000Aylesham Benefice Mission Support in deprived area £46,000St Laurence Team Mission Support in deprived area £46,000Deal St George Youth, Children & Families Worker £35,000Maidstone All Saints Developing Mission Support £36,000Canterbury All Saints Children’s & Families Minister £30,000Canterbury All Saints Support for Missional Post £29,900Sittingbourne St Michael & St Mary Missional Support £23,000Hawkinge Support for Missional Post & Children’s Minister £23,000Parkwood Maidstone Missioner Post £23,000Milton Regis Support for Missioner Post £23,000Ramsgate, St George Ignite Mission Enabler £14,000Lydd Support for Missional Post £23,000Ramsgate St Mark Support for Missional Post £13,800Margate St John Mission Support in deprived area £23,000Romney & Tenterden D’ry Marsh Academy School Chaplain £16,333

Homewood School Minister £5,000Maidstone St Martins Mission support in deprived area £10,000Margate/Ramsgate Ignite Project £2,609Dover Crosslinks Community Centre £7,000Rolvenden Agricultural Chaplaincy £7,000Faversham Town Funerals Administrator £6,333Swalecliffe St John Children’s & Families Minister £6,000

Human ResourcesWithin HR, significant work has been undertaken developing the organisation strategically as job roles have been redefined and a number of organisational design exercises have been undertaken. The key service areas that have experienced change are within Licensed Ministries Framework/Local Church Development, Safeguarding, Hospitality and Office Management and lastly a significant restructure within the Finance team. These change processes have resulted in 4 redundancies overall and new contracts and job descriptions being negotiated in a number of other cases. HR is an important partner in our strategic work Changed Lives→Changing Lives and in the business of the Diocese and this is reflected in the review and revision of the job description to HR Director (Sarah Marsden), currently supported by Tessa Metcalfe. Looking ahead and due to a period of maternity leave for Sarah additional resource is being made available to support administratively the HR function to ensure our routine employment practices continue. A great deal of time still remains spent on supporting managers and staff with employee relations matters. In particular, with a significant increase in staff turnover as well as the strategic initiatives, recruitment is a busy

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area with 17 recruitment exercises having taken place – including the selection and support of 8 Ignite Enablers. Clergy management cases continue and employment advice is also offered to parishes on an as required basis.Priorities for 2019 in HR will be the smooth-running of the HR function to cover the period of maternity leave, continuing organisational design work in a number of other key service areas and the creation and development of a people strategy which Sarah anticipates to be able to feedback on next year.

PropertyThe role of the Property department is to help all members of the Diocese implement the Diocese’s strategy of Changed Lives Changing Lives by maintaining clergy housing to the best state possible within the agreed budget, and by giving advice about property matters generally. During 2018, this work has included: 800 repairs and safety checks to clergy houses, plus 25 planned quinquennial inspections

and 35 refurbishments for new occupations. Renting empty houses where possible on Assured Shorthold Tenancies. The total rental

income in 2018 from property was £366,000 which has been used to reduce Parish Share across the Diocese.

The houses in three deaneries were revalued for annual accounting purposes. Doing this work in-house saved having to pay valuation fees of many £’000s.

We provided advice to PCCs on a number of issues, including the leasing of parish land, removing travellers who were squatting on parish/school field, assisting a PCC with a threat to block the access to a parish carpark, selling and buying houses to improve clergy accommodation, and reviewing the glebe and other land holdings to see whether there was potential for development.

A second parsonage that is not currently needed for ministry was used to house a family of refugees.

We also began looking at ways of making the Diocesan House office building more efficient and compliant with current legislation.

2018 was a busy year but there are plenty of challenges remaining in 2019!

CommunicationsIn 2018, the Communications team continued to produce and distribute Outlook Magazine to all our parishes and our revamped e-newsletters to more than 3,000 people across our diocese. We have expanded our social media presence, creating more video content and sharing more local good news stories than ever before. Our signature Novena Resource, produced in partnership with Thy Kingdom Come, reached more than 155,500 people worldwide. We also provided essential GDPR training and advice for staff and parishes, as well as carrying out crucial data protection compliance work. We are working towards the launch of a new Diocesan website in Autumn 2019. The IT team provided equipment and support for 75 staff across six locations, as well as offering technical support for Diocesan Synods, elections and other key events. We continue to develop our systems so that they become more resilient and reliable for the future.

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Safeguarding Annual Report - 2018

The report sets out the work undertaken by the Diocese’s Safeguarding Team, which during 2018 comprised of 2 self-employed Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors, 2 safeguarding administrator, a safeguarding trainer (changing from self-employed to an employment status during the year). During 2018 work was commissioned to establish a new safeguarding team structure, which was implemented on 1st March 2019. This comprises of 2 employed Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors (Paul Brightwell and Fiona Coombs), a Safeguarding Trainer (SJ Martin), and a Safeguarding Administrator (Karen Carolan-Evans). The safeguarding team also provide safeguarding advice and support to the Channel Islands (since 2014).

Operational oversight of the work of the safeguarding team is provided through the Risk Assessment Group (RAG), whilst strategic oversight and delivery is undertaken via the Safeguarding Management Group (SMG).

This is what we did in 2018

30 face to face safeguarding training courses delivered to clergy, readers and lay readers 700 people trained at C2 000’s of staff and volunteers completing the online awareness training at C1 and C0

levels A specialist safeguarding workshop provided for Ignite workers Timely and responsive safeguarding support and advice provided to clergy and their

teams across the diocese and the Channel Islands – with a further 109 new cases opened requiring ongoing work from a DSA (an increase of 28% compared to 2017)

976 enhanced DBS applications were undertaken. This compares with 711 in 2017 – an increase of 28%

Quarterly safeguarding newsletters providing news and updates Annual Safeguarding Conference (November 2018) with 100 people from within the

diocese attending.

Parish Handbook October 2018 – this has been developed by the National Safeguarding Team as a resource for local parishes. From July 2019 the Diocese will be formally implementing the Parish Handbook as the diocese’s safeguarding procedures and are developing a supplementary handbook containing local information and practice protocols.

Serious Incident Reporting – in 2018 the Charity Commission introduced statutory guidance which requires all charity’s to report any serious incident to them. The National Church have worked with the Charity Commission to produce guidance on how this is to be done, which for safeguarding issues involves DSAs identifying and reporting serious incidents to the Charity Commission. An audit of 2018 cases is to be undertaken by DSAs over the summer of 2019.

Ignite – in 2018 Bishop Trevor commissioned a DSA led workshop to support Ignite Enablers in recognition of the particular challenges that the Ignite projects presents in relation to safeguarding because of the vulnerability of those attending these services. This took place in 2018 with very positive feedback and a further workshop is being planned in 2019.

Parish Noticeboards and Websites – the NST have issued guidance on what safeguarding information should be included on Parish Notice Boards and Websites. Paul and Fiona are undertaking an audit of all parish websites in June 2019 in order to establish how well this is being done and the findings of these audits will be incorporated into the data used by the Parish

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Dashboard to identify each parish’s readiness to respond to a safeguarding concern. Work is also taking place with the Diocese’s communication team to review and update the Diocese’s safeguarding website pages.

Work with survivors – the Safeguarding Team work closely with the Living Well to help ensure that survivors and local parishes are supported when working with survivors of abuse. This also includes overseeing the delivery of the Authorised Listener service within the Diocese, which is a highly bespoke service focussing on the needs of each survivor; providing up to 4 free counselling sessions with an independent registered counsellor. During 2018, 3 referrals were made for an authorised listener. Work is taking place to help raise awareness of the service within parishes – including revamping the authorised listener service poster that parishes can use on their noticeboards. Supporting survivors is a challenging and humbling experience but extremely important and very rewarding when it is done well.

David Kemp – Chair, Safeguarding Management Board

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Children, Schools and Young People FrameworkReport for the Year Ended 31 December 2018

1. Introduction

The Children, Schools and Young People (CSY) Framework is involved with ministry with children and young people whether in schools or parishes, and encompasses the work of the Canterbury Diocesan Board of Education (‘the Board’) and the Children and Young People’s (ChYP’s) Ministry team. It is committed to sustaining authentic relationships and offering relevant advice and training, inspiring events and high level advocacy both locally and nationally.

The Board is a statutory body, established in accordance with the Diocesan Boards of Education Measure, 1991, so some of its workings are necessarily different from other Frameworks. It is required to provide an annual report to Diocesan Synod on its statutory responsibilities - primarily these are to:

Promote education within the Diocese of Canterbury, according to the faith and practice of the Church of England

Promote religious education and religious worship in schools in the Diocese Watch over the interests of Church schools and secure the provision of new schools Give advice as to matters affecting Church schools and Church educational endowments

within the Diocese

2. Vision and Values

The CSY Framework is inspired by a vision statement developed in accordance with the Diocesan objectives of growing the church numerically and spiritually, re-imagining ministry and building partnerships that enrich communities:

‘To ensure that every child and young person in the Diocese is at the heart of mission, having the opportunity of a life-enhancing encounter with the Christian faith and the person of Jesus Christ; that they reach their God-given potential and are an integral part of church life.’

This statement is illuminated through the Framework’s vision document entitled ‘Seeing the Child’. It is a vision for children that expresses something of our journey over a number of years; a statement of values and ways of thinking that underpin all the aspects of our work in the spheres of church, school and home.

It is a vision of acceptance and welcome that resonates through the life and message of Jesus Christ, focused on the children and young people themselves. It seeks to ask questions about how we value each individual as they present in the ‘now’, with openness to possibilities and opportunities to hear their stories.

‘Seeing the Child’ translates into three themes:

The community with the child: A place of sanctuary and a safe place to tell our story; it may be expressed as intergenerational Whole Church or the wider school community, and all leaders, ministers and staff are included. In this community, children and young people will encounter the idea that God loves them. 

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The child as Fellow Pilgrim: In recognising children’s innate spirituality, we see them become equal members of our community and worshipping life.

The Learning Child: Learning and exploring in a space that encourages listening and asking questions, not the passive transmission of a canon of knowledge.  Here we find a sense of belonging, a thirst for discovering the ‘what else’ and each one’s God-given gifting. Schools can be signs and expressions of fullness of life; our whole school philosophy declares that every child is known as a child of God, a spiritual, embodied being with all the grandeur and wonder that entails.

In community, as a fellow pilgrim and as a lifelong learner, we give our children and young people the opportunity to grow through their experience of God’s love.  

3. Strategy

Our key actions for 2018 were rooted in these three themes of the ‘Vision for Children’, combined with responsibilities and objectives linked to the statutory duties of the Board, and priorities from the Diocesan Strategy Changed Lives → Changing Lives:

3.1 The Community with the Child

Continue to accompany churches where teenagers are involved in intergenerational worship: ongoing visits, finding and sharing stories

Gathering data to inform case studies: comparing the percentage of children and young people attending different styles of service against local demographics

Facilitation training for the ChYP’s Ministry Adviser – the intention to offer support to youth ministers, youth ministry teams, PCCs and school leadership teams on focusing on vision casting and resilience

Hosting ‘The Conversation’ conference in Canterbury Diocese: Re-imagining ministry with children and young people through Faith, Formation and Community

Supporting schools and parishes in creating places of prayer

3.2 The Child as Fellow Pilgrim

A focus on children’s spirituality, intentional discipleship and intergenerational worship:

Continuation of the Faith and Nurture project, including Novena materials, promoting ‘Spirituality across the Curriculum’ and consideration of the Godly Play research report with future proposals

Collating links with training incumbents and curates relating to dialogue and training concerning children’s spirituality

Fellow Pilgrims course Establishing diocesan-led Character Education projects in schools

3.3 The Learning Child

Seminars for church schools and Academy Trusts focused on discerning and forming Christian vision

In light of the new SIAMS Evaluation Schedule, beginning to identify, engage and support leading schools offering best practice in RE, Collective Worship or children’s spirituality and which have a deep, symbiotic relationship with the local parish

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Church of England Foundation for Educational Leadership (CEFEL), South-East pilot project:

- Diocesan Education Leaders Programme - Peer Support Networks (Leadership in Community, Small and Rural Schools) - Church of England National Professional Qualification for Headship

3.4 Statutory Duties

The Board seeks to promote effective and distinctively Christian communities of learning, underpinned by values sourced in the Gospel narrative, that enrich the whole educational experience. Key actions include: Continued preparation for church schools relating to changes to the Statutory

Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) framework Broadening connections with community schools in the provision of religious

education and religious worship within the diocese Reviewing the DBE’s relationship to Academy Trust structures including oversight,

quality assurance and reporting; subsequent training on the role and responsibilities of Church Academy Members and Directors

Preparing guidance for Local Governing Bodies and Academy Trusts: principles and protocols for appointing school leaders

Capital projects in Voluntary Aided schools: completing priority projects for 2017-18 and drawing together a programme for 2018-19

4. Activities and Achievements of the Board of Education

4.1 The Board serves 103 Church of England schools and academies within the diocese, equating to approximately 25 200 pupils and students. Its support for church schools takes many forms: this includes representation and advocacy at county (Kent County Council) and national (Church of England Education Office, Department for Education, Ofsted) level, school improvement advice, consultancy and training, in addition to offering materials, policy and guidance on issues relating to Christian Character. The Board engages closely with its schools as they strive to provide a high-quality education which enables every child to flourish in their potential as a child of God.

4.2 In 2018 the performance of diocesan church schools was above Kent and National figures overall, comparing achievement measures at Key Stage 2.  In addition, the number of church schools graded Good or Outstanding by Ofsted remains significantly above both Kent and National figures, reaching above 97% as of December 2018. Officers analyse inspection reports and performance data, offering possible responses and undertaking improvement actions in liaison with other educational partners. In addition, the Deputy Director of Education monitors the impact of commissioned interventions within our standalone sponsored academies, in consultation with improvement consultants. As a result, standards have remained consistent across sponsored schools and all standalone sponsored academies are currently judged as Good by Ofsted and SIAMS.

4.3 Leadership

The Board has continued to engage in a South-East regional pilot for CEFEL, with the ambition of sustaining and developing a movement of inspirational leaders. The intention is to invest in, nurture and grow leadership at all levels so that education fosters wisdom,

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hope, community and dignity and enables children to flourish regardless of their background or starting point.

Component parts of our engagement with CEFEL include:

Hosting a regional conference for rural schools and attendance at the national conference

The bespoke Church of England Professional Qualification for Headship, which holds national accreditation: four candidates from the diocese are working towards the award in the current cohort.

Running Peer-to-peer Support Networks: our Rural Schools network involves 45 schools and offers access to online resources and training

The Diocesan Education Leaders Programme, being undertaken by the Deputy Director of Education

A support network for Multi-Academy Trust leaders, involving the CEO of Aquila

The Board also affords a high priority to the induction, well-being, and nurture of headteachers, complemented by a clear strategy for recruitment and succession planning:

Headteachers new to church schools are provided with an experienced mentor and offered a bespoke induction programme. The Board has established an invitational programme with The Living Well for leaders in crisis situations and runs several well-being days. Aspiring headteachers are tracked and offered bespoke training and support for the next stage of their career

Acknowledging that senior leaders in schools are supporting families with complex and severe social issues on a regular basis, the Board continues a specialist supervisory support service brokered through Canterbury Christ Church University

Officers continue to engage with partners to bring creative and alternative recruitment approaches, broaden potential professional networks and find and attract high calibre candidates to make applications to senior leadership positions. Officers also work closely with Local Authority officers to appoint leaders with a significant and demonstrable commitment to distinctive Christian ethos in our schools

4.4 Resourcing and Working Together

To promote or assist in the promotion of religious education and religious worship in schools in the diocese, officers have delivered central and bespoke training to further support leaders, staff and governors in preparation for SIAMS, RE and Collective Worship.

Many of the bespoke training sessions have been delivered to groups of schools, including community and independent schools, which has widened the impact and enabled teachers and leaders to work together, sharing ideas and resources. Bespoke training topics have included: An introduction to the Understanding Christianity resource, Great RE teaching, Planning and assessment in RE, Ethos enhancing outcomes, Effective monitoring, Leading effective Collective Worship and Worship in the classroom.

All courses have been well attended, leading officers to repeat some of the sessions due to holding a waiting list. Feedback from staff and governors following the training has

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been incredibly positive, commenting on the impact it has had on staff enthusiasm, subject knowledge and confidence in teaching RE and leading Collective Worship.

All diocesan church schools are now fully trained in the Understanding Christianity resource. Catch-up days will be run in 2019 for trained RE leaders, continuing to upskill them as leaders and reflect on the impact the Understanding Christianity resource is having on staff and pupils.

Training for governors has also been well attended including introductory training for new governors, updates for established governors and introductions to the CEFEL materials.

Following the implementation of the new SIAMS Evaluation Schedule in September 2018, a large number of leadership teams have attended training on creating a distinctive Christian vision. These days have been incredibly productive, with most schools leaving with the beginnings of a distinctively Christian vision that encapsulates their school. There is also a continued commitment to the professional development of new and existing SIAMS inspectors through local and national training, in preparation for inspecting under the new SIAMS Evaluation Schedule.

All schools getting closer to their next SIAMS inspection have been invited to arrange a ‘SIAMS ready’ visit. This supportive engagement allows schools to have a professional dialogue with an inspector about their progress so far and areas for development. In terms of larger events, the annual Conference for Headteachers, Chairs of Governors and Clergy invited contributors to explore the theme of ‘Fellow Pilgrims’ and engaged delegates in how everyone can ‘do theology’, with strategies for thinking theologically together. The CSY team also organised three Cathedral Schools’ Days in conjunction with Canterbury Cathedral Schools Department, which engaged children in different forms of worship as well as interactive prayer stations designed by pupils.

4.5 Capital Investment

Capital investment in Voluntary Aided (VA) Schools through the Locally Controlled VA Programme (LCVAP) was prioritised in 2018 on a strategic basis against information from schools, site visits and health and safety requirements. Funding was committed toward projects including: window and door replacements, roof refurbishment, playground resurfacing, essential heating and electrical works. An additional 'one-off'  pot of funding called the 'Healthy Pupils Capital Fund' was applied towards playground exercise equipment in a school. During the year, further Department for Education (DfE) funding was granted for 'little extras' for schools, paid directly into their Devolved Formula Capital fund, which gives schools direct funding for the priority capital needs of its buildings.

Benenden Church of England Primary School is to be relocated under the DfE’s Priority School Building Programme, from the current site to a consolidated new site. The Board has provided advice and guidance to site trustees about remaining compliant throughout the proposed sale of the current school site and the best means of transferring equity into the new school site.

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5.        Aquila – The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust

5.1    2018 proved another highly successful and positive year for Aquila.  The strength in the school leadership teams, a supportive and engaged Trust Board and excellent relationships with the Diocesan Board of Education have enabled the Trust to continue to develop its ethos, capacity and potential.  Most importantly, these early foundations are now being reflected in impressive results.

5.2      Staffing

As the Trust centralised more of the finance function for schools, thus reducing overall costs on back office functions, another part-time finance assistant was centrally appointed, in addition to increasing the team of Clerks. The Trust also has a part-time HR manager, again reducing the back-office workload for schools. In response to the massive challenges schools have reported in accessing support for the most vulnerable pupils, Aquila appointed its own Educational Psychologist in September. By keeping the central team small and only making appointments which are financially sustainable, the Trust has been able to prioritise spending on rapid school improvement.

5.3 Board of Directors

There has been some change of personnel, however this has given the Trust the opportunity to review the skills required to run a large Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) and bring in individuals with appropriate experience and strengths. The new Trustees have brought a broader range of skills; this was recognised by an external audit of the effectiveness of governance arrangements, which resulted in a very positive report.

5.4      Impact

Performance data for the Trust as a whole continues to improve. During 2018 Aquila’s approach was externally validated through Ofsted and SIAMS inspections. There have been five Ofsted inspections: three were of sponsored schools which had been inadequate prior to academisation, one school was graded as Good and the other two showed significant improvement to be graded Outstanding. The other two inspections were of Good schools which maintained this grading, but showed improvement within the grade.

SIAMS inspections in schools show that the Trust continues to place equal importance on the distinctive values of the schools as Christian communities. One of the Aquila Key Performance Indicators was for all schools to be graded at least ‘Good’ under the current SIAMS framework by the end of the academic year 2017-18, and this was achieved. During 2018 there were three SIAMS inspections: one school improved from Satisfactory to Good, the other two schools improved from Good to Outstanding.

In addition, Kingsnorth CE Primary has been recognised by the DfE for its consistently high levels in phonics and early reading - the school was successful in its application to become one of 32 English Hubs across the country. The school is being funded by the DfE to support up to 85 other primary schools across Kent, Sussex and Surrey to improve their phonics scores, develop early reading and foster a love of reading.

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Although the Trust was only successful in some bids through the Condition Improvement Fund process, over £1,000,000 was spent improving the condition of school buildings.

5.5 Training

The Trust has provided a number of free training courses to schools, including core subjects, leadership development and training on the management information systems, risk management tool, finance system, budget tool and support for the interpretation of data. It provides training for governors and site staff and during the year ran bespoke cohorts of the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leaders and National Professional Qualification for Middle Leaders.

Recruitment for the third cohort of Initial Teacher Training is going well. The Trust has created a bespoke pathway into a teaching career which focuses on what makes working in Church of England schools distinctive and different. Similar training is in place for Newly Qualified Teachers (and those recently qualified) in Aquila.

5.6 Academy Conversions

There was ongoing work during the year with All Souls’ CE Primary, Cheriton, in advance of the conversion date scheduled for 2019.

6. Activities – Children and Young People’s (ChYP’s) Ministry

6.1 Prioritising Young People

January began with work on the ‘Prioritising Young People’ strand of the Diocesan Strategy, and an ambition to invite proposals from parishes or deaneries for suitable projects that might be included in a bid to the Church Commissioners for Strategic Development Funding (SDF). Archbishop’s Council determined a focus on ‘Youth Hubs’, commencing with a local project from Sittingbourne Deanery to initiate a Hub at St. Mary’s Church Centre in Sittingbourne. The Youth Hub Project Board began meeting in April and plans were developed throughout the year. Although the SDF application was unsuccessful at Stage 1, the Project Board recommended the continuation of the Sittingbourne project as a pilot Hub, and a recruitment process began in the Autumn for a Youth Hub Project Leader.

6.2 LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®

Murray Wilkinson had the privilege of attending a course on the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology in February 2018. As a trained facilitator, he has been able to offer workshops on helping teams to explore their vision and values, team building and personal development using the LSP methodology. These workshops have proved very beneficial to those groups who have taken it up. Participants and events have included All Saints (Canterbury) PCC Away Day, Holy Trinity Sittingbourne Team, Ashford Youth Residential (looking at our image of God) and supporting Paula Gooder at the Celebrating Ministry Day for Ministry Leadership Teams in June. More workshops have been planned for 2019.

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6.3 The Conversation 2018

Canterbury Diocese was once again a key partner in ‘The Conversation’, a national conference which curates a space for innovative conversations about children, young people and the church. Our Children and Young People’s Ministry Adviser co-founded the conference, and the CSY team were pivotal in hosting this second iteration of the event, which focused on how an intergenerational approach to ministry with children and young people provides the environment for nurture and release, rather than an attitude of ‘capture and conquer’. 

6.4 Faith and Nurture Project

The Faith and Nurture Project has now been running for three years, seeking to find ways to support the worshipping child across the three spheres of church, home and school. As previously reported, throughout the initial three-year period, an ongoing frustration was the difficulty of finding churches eager to engage with the project; but schools continued to jump at the chance to explore ways that they can improve or expand the spiritual exploration of their children. The most effective engagement has been in a few places where the idea of ‘sacred space’ has been developed as collaboration between school and local church. The most exciting evidence of the three-way link was found in schools where (usually lay) Christians facilitated a Godly Play story and the children were given time to explore the impact of the story on them as spiritual beings, either as part of RE or as an after-school club.

The third sphere, ‘home’, remains a difficult area to get right, but the Advent Prayer Pack and Novena Prayer Pack were well received and will hopefully form the basis of similar projects in the future.

The research aspect of the Faith and Nurture project ended in July 2018. Weekly observations of two school groups using Godly Play in an after-school setting, allowing a small group of pupils to explore ideas of faith, had taken place through the first half of 2017. The sessions were recorded, with parental and pupil permission, and once anonymised were analysed over the summer and written up for publication. The Faith and Nurture Adviser submitted the resulting paper, presenting a seminar at the International Journal of Children’s Spirituality Conference in July 2018.

The position has now received further external funding, found a fresh direction and been extended into two days a week for two years, working within secondary schools and church youth groups asking teenagers the question ‘what enables you to flourish?’ The results of this will be reported back to churches, so that we might understand how best we can support and facilitate spirituality in young people.

6.5 Training

A comprehensive training schedule was introduced this year called the ‘ChYP’s Menu’, with training events offered from July 2018 onwards. Training covered Intergenerational Ministry, led by Mary Hawes and Murray Wilkinson, Children’s Spirituality led by Ronni Lamont, Parish ChYP’s Ministry Teams Guidance, Church in a Café Style and dealing with challenging behaviour. Most courses were well attended and excellent feedback was received. Two of the planned courses were cancelled due to low bookings; however the ChYP’s Ministry Adviser offered to run bespoke individual sessions with those who had

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booked a place. These smaller sessions have been very successful as they offered tailor-made information and discussion with teams. This method of training has been offered in previous years, without much interest, but clearly is an area to promote and develop in the future.

7. Framework Structure

As part of the Diocese’s commitment to prioritise evangelism and discipleship with young people, Archbishop’s Council supported the commencement of a new Children and Young People’s Framework which has begun in 2019.  This has replaced the Children, Schools and Young People Framework, which was one and the same with the Board of Education.  Membership of the Framework is drawn from around the Diocese as well as having common membership with the Board of Education, including the Chair, John Moss.   Its priority is to encourage, support, help resource and network ministry with and for children and young people across the Diocese in church, home and school.  It has met three times so far in 2019 and has begun to focus both on connecting what is happening across the Diocese and also discerning the challenges of what we need to do. This change gives us now two bodies, the new Framework and the Board of Education, working closely together, focused on this priority.  

Quentin Roper John MossDirector of Education Chair of the Board of Education

Jo Kelly-MooreCo-Chair of Children and Young People’s Framework

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Licensed Ministries Framework and Local Church Development Framework Report 2018

The appointment of Neville Emslie to Director of Mission and Ministry in September 2018 immediately aligned the work of the two Frameworks broadly concerned with ‘mission’ and ‘ministry.’ Neville’s work has largely been to coordinate the work of the Officers and administrative staff according to the Changed Lives → Changing Lives strategy, whilst ensuring key and fundamental resources to the diocese continue: for instance selection processes of Readers and ordinands, continuing ministry development, leadership training, the ministry development review, training of lay leaders, stewardship and capital fundraising, resourcing pioneer ministers, the curacy programme, and so on. New initiatives include the development of the Canterbury Diet, a systematic and programmatic method of resourcing and developing healthy clergy, and a Supervision Training Programme so we can offer Supervisors to support, mentor and nourish new Incumbents. The Frameworks have been well supported by the work, ministries and wisdom of Archdeacon Darren and Canon Andrew Sewell over the last couple of years.

30 stewardship campaigns were deployed 2018, and of those parishes which supplied results the average increase in planned giving was 39%. Because of GDPR we can no longer use ‘pass-it-on packs’ to encourage people to respond. Parishes haven’t been following up responses as recommended and this is having an impact on increases in planned giving. We have developed a strategy in mitigation, which we will implement and monitor as we go on.

20 parishes were supported with their capital funding projects, resulting in £315,810 in grants - £15,000 on average.  Further, the stewardship department delivered two successful ‘Building Planning’ workshops and a communicating fundraising workshop in 2018. A number of publications have been revised and will be available on the diocesan website while Liz and Charlotte have been involved on a variety of national and local steering and resource groups related to funding, mission and resourcing.

We say farewell to Sheila Cox after six years as Adviser for Women's Ministry. Sheila heads to retirement, and has been a wonderful advocate and role model for many female, and male, priests over the years. Estella Last now takes up the baton and we welcome her presence and contribution very warmly. During Sheila’s time we celebrated the 20 th Anniversary of Women's Ordination to the Priesthood and saw the first women to be consecrated as Bishops. In May 2018, women clergy came together for lunch and conversation and there are plans afoot to hold a similar gathering soon. Sheila notes that there is much to celebrate in the complementary ministry we enjoy with our male colleagues as well as nurturing the distinctiveness we bring to our ministerial roles.

In vocations, one of the things the DDO, Joss Walker, and her team have consciously been addressing is how to promote vocations across many areas of the life of the Church. Developing better publicity and more effective strategies, particularly for the development of young vocations, have been key areas, as presented to Archbishops Council in June 2018 and to Diocesan Synod in October. The Explore More course ran three times in 2018 with 21 attendees. Six are now in discernment for ordination, one has begun Reader training and two are exploring ALM roles. The remainder continue to be in conversation with vocations advisors or exploring other aspects of ministry (for example, ‘I am discovering that I am already in the place God has called me to be’).

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Discernment events allow our candidates to grow and pray together as a peer group rather than feeling isolated in the process. In 2018 we held these on a quarterly basis and this year have included three sessions around improving resilience and dealing with conflict.

9 candidates went to BAP in 2018 and 7 of these were recommended. Another three who had been conditionally recommended in 2017 were approved to begin training in September 2018.This year we are sending 16 candidates to BAP and look forward to a healthy diaconal cohort in 2020 with numbers of self-supporting curates significantly increased. We have addressed GDPR legislation, improved our internal processes and worked hard to manage the Resourcing Ministerial Education budget, now delegated to Dioceses by Ministry Division. Jacqui Town has worked hard behind the scenes administering these complex processes.

The Local Ministries and Growth Advisor, Peter Ingrams, notes that over the past year two new strategy projects came to birth while maintaining the positive momentum in resourcing churches and their leaders with events and activities that develop lay ministry, discipleship, team work and spirituality.

The deanery mission accompaniers from among diocesan house officers have helped deaneries to work through various mission initiatives and in some cases to address big challenges. Developing ministry has included the Celebrating Ministry Event with Paula Gooder and Serious Play Lego, worship leaders have been trained, dozens of people have participated in Deepening Discipleship, over 150 churchwardens and officers attending training events, numerous facilitations involving conflict resolution, vision days, MAPing, and profile preparation, and Working with Conflict training for 20 clergy and lay leaders. Our Canterbury Pilgrim Prayer Pack, Spiritual Accompaniment Network and training provide a valuable resource that is very well used in different parts of the diocese.

The Changing Lives Prayer Network has begun to help us hear the story of God in local churches more fully with the new Calendar of Prayer and the seasonal prayer cards are stimulating the prayer we offer for renewal and growth- much more to come. The Changing Lives Conversations has 15 churches piloting simple questions that are seeking culture changing conversations about our relationship with God and how we support one another to follow Christ. It has been exciting to see how hungry people are for prayer and to nurture faith, and even to venture to new places of faith together.

Within the Innovations Hub, the key element of diocesan strategy is the formation of Missional Learning Communities. MLCs have been designed with an eye to the issues facing the Diocese of Canterbury. Rooted in spiritual practices, the process will lead to longed for renewal in mission – and growth in numbers, depth and vitality in our churches. The First Wave of MLCs, began in January 2019, comprised teams from Maidstone, Folkestone, Kingsdown and Creekside and the Len Valley. The vision is for subsequent Waves each year. The experience so far is both learning-full and joyful. The key issue and challenge is to encourage more and more churches into the process so that the diocese as a whole is transformed.

Innovations Hub work also includes early exploration of Pioneer Learning Communities – a kind of MLC equivalent specifically for Fresh Expressions of church – and the development of a series of seminars a means of engaging with emerging ideas with curiosity and a learning stance. Other core LCD continues, such as the Creative Mission Forum, deanery and local church accompaniment and facilitated events including mission action planning.

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There are now just over 160 active Readers in the diocese. During 2018 seven people entered training and five were admitted and licensed following completion of the 2 year initial training course delivered by St Augustine’s College of Theology. A Readers Day and Quiet Day were re-introduced to provide opportunities for refreshment and renewal of ministry. A cohort of Readers were trained and authorised for funeral ministry.

The Administrative Team has worked to integrate and streamline its functions to enable LCD and LMF to work more closely together. This has resulted in clarity and efficiencies in areas such as the website, finance, MDR and admin related to all meetings. The team has also created capacity and flexibility to support the work of the strategy by delegating administrative lead for specific events and courses. The Administrative Team serve three core strands of the strategy, namely, Changing Lives Prayer Network, Enriching Leadership and Innovations Hub (including Missional Learning Communities). In addition to this, the team provide support for the Setting God’s People Free agenda. The Administrative Team consists of Sarah Lucas (Administrator) and Marianne Hambrook (Development, Training and Events Co-ordinator). There is currently a vacancy following the resignation of the Administrative Assistant.

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2018 Annual Report: Diocesan Mission and Ministry Committee

It sometimes becomes clear within or across deaneries that the pattern of deployment of ministers, or parish, benefice and deanery units, or the use of buildings, no longer correspond to local needs and resources. In collaboration with the Deanery Mission and Ministry Committees, the Bishop and Archdeacons, the Mission and Ministry Committee advises on matters relating to ministry deployment in the deaneries and the diocese and oversees the enacting of any changes under the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011. The Bishop is required to gain the consent of the M&M Committee where there are proposals to suspend a benefice.

Membership:

Ex-officio membersThe Bishop of DoverThe Reverend Dr Stephen Laird ChairmanThe Archdeacon of AshfordThe Archdeacon of CanterburyThe Archdeacon of Maidstone

Other membersThe Revd John Mackenzie Nominated by Archbishop’s Council (Ashford

Archdeaconry)The Revd Andy Bawtree Elected by Diocesan SynodMrs Carole Gabriel Bishop’s Nominee (Ashford Archdeaconry)Mr Bruce Rylands Nominated by Archbishop’s Council (Maidstone

Archdeaconry)Revd Lorraine Apps-Huggins Bishop’s Nominee (Maidstone Archdeaconry)Mrs Charlotte Coles Elected by Diocesan SynodRevd Richard Braddy Bishop’s Nominee (Canterbury Archdeaconry)Mr Steve Sheath Nominated by Archbishop’s Council (Canterbury

Archdeaconry)In attendance

Emma Sivyer M & M Executive Officer & Secretary to M & M Committee until July 2018

Nigel Collins Pastoral Secretary to the M&M Committee from September 2018

Julian Hills Diocesan SecretaryThe Revd Caroline Pinchbeck Communities & Partnership OfficerThe Revd Jenny Corcoran Bishop’s ChaplainThe Revd Steve Coneys Mission & Growth Adviser

The Work of the Committee during 2018

The Committee oversaw the completion of the following Schemes and Orders under The Mission & Pastoral Measure 2011.

Benefices Type of SchemeRingwould, St Nicholas with Kingsdown, St John the Evangelist and Ripple, St

Union of Parishes (Ringwould, St Nicholas with Kingsdown, St John the

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Mary the Virgin with Sutton by Dover, St Peter and St Paul

Walmer

Evangelist and Ripple, St Mary the Virgin with Sutton by Dover, St Peter and St Paul) to create the parish of Cornillo

Union of Benefices with Walmer to create the benefice of Walmer and Cornilo

The A20 Benefice Union of Parishes and alteration of benefice and parish name to Stour Downs

Benefices of Aylesham with Adisham and Nonington; Barham Downs

Littlebourne and Ickham with Wickhambreaux and Stodmarsh

The Bridge Benefice

The Canonry Benefice

Creation of three new benefices: (1) Aylesham (2) Barham Downs with Adisham (3) The Canonry Benefice.

The creation of two group ministries: (1) Littlebourne and Canonry (2) Barham, Bridge and Ayelsham.

Dover Town

Guston

St Martin Dover

Termination of the group ministry created by scheme in 2014.

Dissolution of the benefices of St Martin Dover; and Guston (the parishes transfer into the Dover Town benefice).

Amendment to the Dover Town Team ministry Patronage Board.

Birchington with Acol and Minnis Bay

Wantsum Group

Westgate-on-Sea St Saviour

Establishing the Seamarsh Group ministry.

The Committee oversaw the preparation of the following draft Scheme which is awaiting a decision from the Church Commissioners hearing process following representation against the proposals.

Benefices Type of SchemeRamsgate Holy Trinity and St George Dissolution of the benefice to create two

new benefices: (1) Ramsgate Holy Trinity; and (2) Ramsgate St George.

The Committee oversaw the consultation on the following draft Proposals which are awaiting the publication of the notice consultation by the Church Commissioners in early 2019.

Benefices Type of ReorganisationNorth Downs Union of the parishes of Detling; and

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Thurnham.

The Work of the Committee in 2019

A new Committee will take office in January 2019, following induction of new members the committee will continue to:

Support appropriate provision of ministry in every parish.

Encourage collaboration between ministers, parishes and within and across deaneries.

To work with parishes and deanery M&Ms to help them understand what is possible.

Engage in on-going development of the Committee’s awareness of possibilities under the legislation.

Nigel Collins, Pastoral Secretary, January 2019

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Communities and Partnerships Framework

Introduction from the Framework Co-ChairsFor I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

The Communities and Partnerships Framework has had as always, an interesting and varied year as it seeks to work with local churches and their communities to further the work of the Kingdom, and embodying the Diocesan strategic aim Changed Lives: Changing Lives.

The quotation from the Prophet Jeremiah has been much in the minds of the Framework offices in various of the projects undertaken during the course of 2018. The year saw the fruition of long discussed partnership work the main excitement being the appointment of the Calais Refugee Project officer which is a partnership between the Diocese in Europe, our Diocese, the USPG and the local chaplaincy in Pas-de-Calais. Revd Kirrilee Reid was licensed in November which had been the culmination of discussions which had taken three years as the Diocese through its communities and people continue to seek how they respond to the ever-growing global issue around internally displaced people.

Within Kent, the Diocese saw the opening of the very first “Place of Welcome” in Kent at St Michael’s church, Sittingbourne. This is adding to the mission and ministry of St Michael’s as it is one of the Ignite communities as well. Working with St Michael’s and others in Sittingbourne we were able to resource and support the growth of “Community Wardrobes” into other local churches and communities. This will develop again as we work in partnership with the Diocesan Mothers’ Union and its local members to have more coverage across the Diocese.

Our Partnerships continue to be sustained and develop more broadly. Notable in 2018, was our partnership with the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Arras, Lille and Cambrai as we sought to commemorate the First World War Centenary and to reflect on the messages for our time in their International Conference “Faites La Paix”. We have also been able to bring new members of the Diocese into the long-standing partnership with two German areas, Markgraflerland and Zossen Flaming. As always, we explore the common issues both in our churches and our communities as we seek to serve God by our witness.

Always the issues surrounding our church buildings and how we might make them our servant and not our master is one the whole Framework seeks to resource parishes from the various portfolios. Our buildings can be a great asset to our mission, and this will be a major focus for the March Diocesan Synod.

I would like to pay special thanks to all of the Framework officers for their passion and commitment to seek the flourishing of both individuals and communities in each of their portfolios.

- Amanda Cottrell (Co-Chair, Communities and Partnerships)

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Stephen Taylor writes: “ for whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark’s Gospel 9:40)

2018 began the period of the biggest change that Communities and Partnerships has faced since its inception some nine years ago and has begun to embody what ‘Changed Lives’ is all about while continuing a common commitment to “Changing Lives”

Caroline Pinchbeck declared her intention to move on as the C&P Director to a new role in Yorkshire and left in early 2019.

Amanda Cottrell’s term of Chair of C&P came to an end at the end of this year and we began a process for finding a successor to the slightly remodelled role of co-chair alongside Archdeacon Stephen who became co-chair during the year.

Nadine Miller joined the Framework as our media/comms person and has already begun to give a greater profile to the amazing activities going on as we engage with a wide range of social justice issues.

One of the biggest changes has been the start of the Ignite program which has seen Patrick and Debbie Ellisdon employed as the Ignite Project Leaders and a dozen Ignite Enablers across the potential worship venues in Guernsey, Sittingbourne, Sheerness, Maidstone, Ashford and Herne Bay, joining the existing projects in Dover, Cliftonville and Newington Ramsgate.

Together Canterbury has faced serious challenges as demand for its engagement increases but financial support for its work decreases. Keith Berry has really stood up to these challenges well but has had his hours reduced.

Teresa Bennet from the Wye benefice took up the reigns as Chair of our diocesan Environment Working Group where, among other things, we continue to promote Eco Church and push to gain an award for our diocese as an Eco Diocese.

Kent Workplace Mission continues as the Churches Together’s vehicle for Chaplaincy and David Slater is our Port Chaplain in Dover.

Kirrilee Reed is our newest recruit and a joint appointment between ourselves, USPG and the Diocese in Europe. As well as 0.2 Chaplain to the English-speaking congregations in Pas-de-Calais, she is our Refugee Project Officer, mirroring the work of Domenica Pecoraro on this side of the Channel.

Karen Adams is our worker with the Green Pilgrimage project across Europe and in partnership with KCC she supports Interreg Europe pilgrimage activities.

Steve Hughes retired as our Diocesan Interfaith link. Sadly, shortly after his retirement to Wales, he fell down the stairs of his new home and died shortly afterwards. AD Stephen was able to speak at his funeral.

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Our engagement with the Rural aspects of our diocese remained strong throughout the year with a strong presence on the Counties Boards and a presence at the Annual Fruit Show, the County Show and Land Matters.

Our DAC team of Edmund Harris and Chloe Ewen are now more settled, and we trust that with the DAC Chair Richard Morrice and the DAC committee provide a good service of advice to the Commissary General and support the churches in the process of applying for a faculty.

Kathryn Janman continues to be the oil that helps the Framework function easily and as the Directors PA is there is a the main point of contact for the Framework.

- Stephen Taylor (Co-Chair, Communities and Partnerships)

CHANGING LIVES IN THE DIOCESE CHURCH BUILDINGS - Diocesan Advisory Committee and Care of Churches Officers Though the situation with funding for church buildings may be challenging, there has been no shortage of casework to keep the Diocesan Advisory Committee busy in the last 12 months. The energy and enthusiasm with which parishes have been pursuing conservation and development projects have been truly impressive, and the DAC has done its best to respond by promptly providing support and guidance from the earliest stages.

The variety of casework never ceases to surprise, and has encompassed everything from the analysis of the remains of St Eanswythe, patron saint of Folkestone and founder of the first nunnery in England, to an exciting reordering project at St Peter’s Church in Canterbury which could see this currently under-used building revitalized as a home for charity L’Arche; from the installation of ground connections for wireless broadband transmitters on bell towers, to the conservation of the celebrated Norman carvings at Barfrestone; from an artwork involving 3D-printed figures, to showers for people walking the North Downs Way and the Via Francigena.

That said, there are certain recurring themes. Every DAC meeting considers at least one scheme to equip a church building with a toilet and kitchenette, which are frequently tied in with proposals to provide level access into the building. Such facilities are essential to make historic churches fit for purpose in the 21st century (at St Michael’s in Sittingbourne this is also allied to the use of that church by Ignite) and the DAC and its officers can put at the disposal of parishes a considerable body of professional expertise, knowledge and experience, much of it generously given by volunteers. Thanks to this, it is able to guide them through the process of developing a scheme, all the way from the first site visit - where they may not even be as much as a scribble on the back of an envelope to discuss - through to a finished project.

The renewal of electrical wiring and defunct heating and lighting systems also comes to the Committee on a regular basis. We are lucky to have among our many expert consultants people who are specialists in these fields and able to provide expert impartial advice to PCCs. Such proposals have an important role to play in the Church of England’s ‘Shrinking the Footprint’ campaign to reduce its carbon emissions. There is a steady incoming flow of applications for works in churchyards of all kinds (last year’s centenary of the end of World War I saw a crop of applications for restoring and adding names to the war memorials), a reminder of how important these places are as a focus of remembrance and devotion, and also as public amenities.

There is always plenty to be done keeping church buildings in good shape and following up recommendations made in quinquennial inspection reports. These can sometimes lead to major

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restoration schemes, such as that now entering its final stages at St Martin’s in Herne – a tribute to the enormous efforts put in by the parish to secure funding and manage the project. Thanet Bed sandstone for the job – no longer commercially available - could only be obtained by getting special permission to extract the material from Reculver Beach. There is, happily, no shortage of young conservation architects looking to work with historic churches and interviews in September resulted in new accessions to the DAC’s approved list. It is hoped that major repairs carried out at a number of churches will allow them to be removed from this year’s Historic England ‘Heritage at Risk’ register.

Edmund Harris and Chloe Ewen, who in November 2017 took over the DAC office as Care of Churches Officer and Assistant Care of Churches Officer respectively, have worked hard to deal promptly and efficiently with casework, using the streamlined procedures (List B or standing committee) wherever they can. During their 18 months in their posts, they have made efforts to build up background records, such as photographic surveys, to produce guidance literature and to forge better links with the Registry and secular partners in heritage and local government. All this has helped to ensure that faculty applications from parishes have a faster, smoother ride through the approval process. Several long-running cases have been brought to a close in the last year and contractors are now on site.

Take-up of the on-line faculty system, a major advance introduced in 2017, has continued to grow, and both Edmund and Chloe have helped to coach everyone responsible for the upkeep of churches through the process of familiarizing themselves with it. Events such as the Care of Churches event held at SS Martin and Gregory in Wye back in October 2018, the Diocesan Synod devoted to church buildings held in March and presentations given by both Edmund and Chloe at archdeaconry training sessions for churchwardens have broadened the DAC’s outreach and helped to demystify its workings.

The responsibility of looking after an historic church should never be under-estimated and unforeseen contingencies such as damage by extreme weather or the periodic spikes in lead theft can thwart the best laid plans, but the DAC takes seriously its role as partner and guide, supporting parishes and showing just what is achievable to keep their building at the service of their mission and not vice versa.

- Edmund Harris

TOGETHER KENT (Joint Venture)

Together Kent (previously Together Canterbury) is a joint venture between the Diocese and Church Urban Fund with a vision of seeing people and communities across Kent flourish and enjoy life in all its fullness. The Aims of the joint venture align with the Diocesan strategy of Changed Lives-Changing Lives :

To grow the church by building greater trust between churches and communities, sharing best practice and upskilling volunteers.

To re-imagine ministry through more effective church based social action, by supporting Mission Priests and by working to improve trust in the voice of the church.

To build partnerships that enrich communities by raising awareness of the work of churches and connecting them with appropriate external partners.

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The work of the joint venture also feeds in to the national Together Network to better inform both local and national work and policy. Following closer working with the Diocese of Rochester the name change was effected in January 2019.

Credit Unions and Community Hubs

Connecting Canterbury operates two church hubs that provide practical and emotional support to those in need across the city through partnerships with CAP, Citizens Advice, the Canterbury Foodbank and Kent Savers Credit Union. Further independent hubs operate at churches in Herne Bay, Murston and Tenterden. All hubs have seen increased usage with financial hardship being the most common difficulty. The projects receive ongoing practical help and advice from Together Kent.

Kent Winter Night Shelter Forum

The forum is formed of representatives from all Kent Winter Night Shelter projects plus Together Kent and Housing Justice. The aim is to share night shelter problems and best practice, and to highlight homelessness across the county. It is a collaborative partnership with more established projects supporting newer ones and projects sharing client history/wellbeing in order to better support the individuals.

Homeless Ex-Offenders

Together Kent continues to work with the homeless charities CampaignKent, Catching Lives and Porchlight and with HMP Elmley on the Break the Cycle project aimed at providing accommodation for ex-offenders released into homelessness. Such ex-offenders are much more likely to re-offend than when released into supported or stable housing. Discussions with the Diocesan Property Department have identified a vacant Vicarage to be used as supported accommodation. The project has the support of the local PCC and will be seeking funding during 2019.

The Year in Numbers

32 projects were supported, 19 of which were new projects and 9 were partnerships. 44% of projects involved a church and 29% involved a church building. Projects were engaged in improving people’s access to resources (48%), building and

strengthening relationships (21%) and increasing people’s confidence (19%). Projects responded to loneliness (32%), money matters (27%), community engagement

(16%) and homelessness (11%). Nearly half of the support provided by Together Kent was on project development.

- Keith Berry

UNIVERSITY OF KENT

Anglican Chaplain

“To grow the church numerically and spiritually”

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The Anglican Chaplain at Kent University leads an ecumenical and multi-faith team which has enjoyed another year of success in attracting students to prayer, worship and social events whilst maintaining high levels of respect from the University authorities and wider staff body. 2018 brought some unique challenges, with a fast-shifting student demographic (there are many more students from Greater London, often black/Asian minority ethnic) and the loss of a long-standing and very active ecumenical colleague. Kent University, as an institution, is in the middle of a period of change and transition. Highlights of the Chaplaincy year included the rich and diverse events of Interfaith Week; the University’s Cathedral Carol Service; and collaboration with the Cathedral in the provision of opportunities for Canterbury’s wider student population, including the new Sacred Space initiative.

‘Prioritising Young People'

The Diocesan Strategy has a focus on secondary school aged children. In a few short years approximately 40% of them will have moved on to Higher Education. University chaplains and student Christian groups are in a unique position to reach out to the 18-24 age demographic and for this reason Canterbury Diocese maintains a strong commitment to Chaplains in Higher Education, particularly at Kent University which is ‘its own city on the edge of Canterbury’. Chaplains traditionally encourage and nurture a ‘core group’ of students to pray, worship and share at the heart of their ministries. At Kent University students and staff take part in a rhythm of prayer and worship on campus each week in term-time, the ‘C of E’ focus of which is the 12noon Sunday Communion Service which is normally attended by a good number of students from the UK and overseas. Other activities are designed to foster community life and growth in the Christian faith. At present 5 recent Kent University graduates (four male, one female) who were part of the Chaplaincy core community have completed discernment and training and have begun their professional ministries in other dioceses. A staff member, recently ordained priest, is serving a title in the Canterbury area on a self-supporting basis and assists with Chaplaincy ministry, along with a lay-volunteer. The Chaplain’s 6-year stint as a Bishops’ Adviser (Education) at BAPs has enabled him to provide good advice to any ministry candidates who emerge from the ranks of the staff or the students.

“To re-imagine ministry”

Kent University and its Chaplaincy feature in the publication Christianity and the University Experience (Bloomsbury 2013) by R. Warner, M. Guest, K. Aune & S. Sharma. Large parts of this excellent volume describe and explore Christian life and the work of the Chaplaincy at Kent University, but its wider observations and conclusions about the faith-grounding of young people make it required reading for those involved with planning and implementation of aspects of the Diocesan Strategy. In 2019 the outcomes of more recent research into the role of University Chaplains will be published by Church House. Anglican Chaplains are aware that their core groups typically consist of students who are used to mainstream manifestations of Church of England/Anglican culture. Many of these students will be from overseas. Chaplains everywhere need ‘to run to stand still’ in order to maintain these core groups, as it is now recognised that the kind of UK students traditionally associated with these groups (and perhaps remembered - from previous generations - by many readers of this report) are increasingly hard to find. At the same time it is more important than ever to maintain an Anglican identity amongst a very (and, at its fringes, worryingly) diverse Christian scene on campus.

“To build partnerships that enrich communities”

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Chaplains fit into the University’s structure of welfare-provision for both students and staff. Much time is devoted to the pastoral care and nurture of individuals. At Kent University we have a team of chaplains representing diverse world faiths and major Christian denominations: the chaplains keep up-to-date with what each other is doing, and - where possible - work together, not least in the planning and delivery of interfaith initiatives such as the well-attended Knowing God symposium (5 world religions represented) in Interfaith Week 2018. Chaplains also act as bridges between groups on campus and religious communities and congregations in the local area and wider region. Christian and Muslim Chaplains work together in solidarity when it is necessary to mark a world event, such as an atrocity, publicly.

There are numerous opportunities for a chaplain to become involved with the academic, cultural and social life of the University. It is a requirement, not an option, to make full use of these. It is also a privilege. Greater involvement comes through being a recognised part of the Student Services Department, participation in University committee work and attendance at special lectures, seminars, concerts, degree days and other occasions. For all these reasons, the support of chaplaincy in education is a key part of the national strategy of the Church of England.

The Church of England at Kent University

Many faces from the staff body of the University are seen in local parish churches on Sundays and weekdays, often in leading roles. The Church of England is strongly represented and promoted within the life of the University of Kent in all sorts of specific and high-profile ways. The Michael Ramsey Chair of Modern Theology (held by Professor Gordon Lynch) is a key component of the Theology and Religious Studies Department.

There are ecumenical/‘jointly-owned’ events including the University Cathedral Carol Service (the biggest event in the University’s annual calendar, where people from all walks of life within the University hear the Christmas message together). In 2018 the service was organised by the Anglican Chaplain with the help of students from the committees of various denominational societies. Interestingly, data from 2018 reveals that almost double the proportion of both staff and students at Kent University identify as ‘Christian’ compared with the ‘sector-average’ for universities nationwide.

During 2017 it was announced that in 2020 our campus will become the venue of the next Lambeth Conference. The current Anglican Chaplain took the role in 1998 as Coordinator of the International Student Volunteer Teams; and in 2008 as Rapporteur within an Indaba group of 38 Bishops and co-leader of the ‘Post-Conference Conference’ for Student Volunteers and served as a member of the Canterbury Local Committee on both occasions. At present he is part of a top-level University Committee convened to consider and respond to the special challenges posed by the Lambeth Conference planned for 2020.

- The Revd Dr Stephen Laird

IGNITE

It has been a busy time since the project was officially launched at the beginning of July 2018.

We have recruited twelve Community Mission Enablers (CME) who are based in six parishes across the Diocese; Herne Bay, Sittingbourne, Ashford, Sheerness, Maidstone and in one parish on the island of Guernsey. Within these parishes there are plans to establish two projects

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in both Herne Bay and Ashford. We have committed a considerable amount of time getting to know the churches as well as the newly appointed project enablers, helping them to build relationships with each other and seeking to teach them the ways of ‘the Ignite model’.

Training has taken place both in their parishes and together as a group and while training continues to be on-going, So far we have looked at such topics as understanding the values and ethos of Ignite; managing conflict; how to listen affectively; exploring what relational, long-term evangelism looks like; understanding how the ‘five marks of mission’ fit into the work we are doing within the different communities; and how to deliver effective short talks / sermons within an Ignite service.

A large part of a CME’s role, is intentionally engaging with the local community, and in particular, making meaningful relationships with those who are socially deprived, or find themselves on the margins of society. We are pleased to report that this being done very diligently and successfully across all of our Ignite Projects. As our CME’s have gathered people around themselves through forming relationships, they have also been holding social events which have brought local churches and communities together. At the time of writing this report we are pleased to say that two projects have reached the stage of having launched a weekly Ignite evening. The first was St. Francis in South Ashford which is engaging with marginalised adults and the second was in Herne Bay at St. Andrews which is working with marginalised families. Both are seeking to use Ignite resource material creatively with both the adults and children who attend.

Our current focus is on working with all of the other projects to enable them to move forward to a point of launching their own weekly programmes. The speed that this will happen depends on many factors but it is most important that they move forward at a pace that is right both for them and the communities within which they are placed. At the same time we need to keep previously existing Ignite communities supported and equipped. These are in Cliftonville (where we personally run a weekly programme) and Ramsgate. We also offer ‘consultative’ advice to an Ignite community in Dover, which launched independently just over a year ago.

Another area of our work is to enable the ‘Ignite model’ to reach a wider audience outside the diocese. We have begun to think about this and to this end we are booked to attend some conferences where different expressions of church will be represented. In addition to these conferences we have been asked to speak at the New Wine summer conference, presenting Ignite at one of their seminar streams.

- Patrick & Debbie Ellisdon (Ignite project leaders)

RAMSGATE CME

The St. George’s Community Project has now been running for 3 years and has grown year on year. The first 2 years met the needs of 150 individuals each year, averaging 40 individuals each week for a meal and community. This last year we have met the needs of 270 individuals and averaging 50 individuals each week.

This last year the St. George’s Community Project has been ministering to the complex needs of 270 marginalised individuals who’s needs range from, homelessness, drug addicts, alcoholics, ex-offenders, vulnerable adults, learning difficulties and just plain isolated in the community.

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This is done through the commitment of 1 paid person who is paid for 8 hours a week and 15 dedicated volunteers, who put their heart and soul into the Project.

This last year we have seen many positive changes and growth in the volunteers engagement, new leadership, growth spiritual awareness and our first 2 individuals to give their lives to the Lord and a growth in the provision of services we are providing.

We continue to walk through Ramsgate Town centre and personally invite people to the meal. These are sometimes known to the team, but often they are people new to the area either begging or obviously homeless.

Growth in spiritual awareness.

This has come on the back of the firm foundation that had been laid in the first couple of years.

We continue to have the cross as a central feature where they can put their prayer requests. All prayer requests are prayed for during the St. George’s church services. It has been good to note these prayer requests have become more heartfelt in their requests. And this has also led to individuals requesting to be prayed for directly by the team.

There is a greater respect shown when saying grace before the meal.

This year we focused on Christmas and had an advent candle where we refocused on what Christmas was about and we did something similar for Easter. Short bit size Christian teaching. This has been revived well.

Two individuals have come to the Lord this year with several more asking searching questions.

Growth in provision of services.

We still continue to provide a cooked meal and a desert. However we are now providing fresh fruit for them to go away with to encourage healthy eating.

We provide donated food and clothes which we distribute to those in need.

Also to the homeless we supply when available tents, sleeping bags and blankets.

We have also started a community library and have distributed bibles to those who are interested in going further.

Growth in self-awareness

We are now seeing individuals who have become regular attendees who are turning away from alcohol, one individual who has gone nearly 3 month without drinking. Another who has gone nearly 6 months without smoking weed. These maybe small steps, yet these will have a profound effect upon their lives and those around them.

At the core of the St. George’s Community Project is relationship it threads through the project like DNA. And through the relationships that have been created there is a true sense of community, one where they support each others practical needs and emotional.

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Having said all this there is a desire and a passion to do more within this community.

To make the hall accessible for a longer time frame to allow the homeless to shower and do washing, to bring in outside services to run surgeries to support individuals in accessing services.

To draw things to a close we try where possible to work collaboratively the St. George’s Community Project carries at its heart the ethos of the Ignite Project that came out of St Pauls Church in Cliftonville, Margate.

There has been a good working relationship between the Diocese of Canterbury and Church Army, however there has been no further input from the Church Army since Pete Bone moved into his new role last year.

Another significant partnership has been between the project and the Thanet Winter Night Shelter.

- Nigel Clarke (St George’s Community Project, Community Mission Enablers)

RURAL ISSUES

Kent God’s Acre Project and Sacred Space Awards

In 2018, the Diocese reviewed the Kent God’s Acre project and developed a resource pack that can be used by Churches to encourage children to become more involved in the life of their churchyard and see the wide diversity of flora and fauna that exist there. This is ongoing along with work to see how we can better link with the national Gods Acre project.

Kent is Delicious Schools Competition

In its seventh year, the Kent is Delicious continued to go from strength to strength. The theme for 2018 continued to be breakfast as this ties in well with breakfast clubs at schools. A newsletter was developed and has been well-received and the Framework has been able to work with schools and partner organisations in providing classroom resources and visits throughout the year. 2018 had the highest number of entrants including a number of Rainbow groups and an independent group of three children who had joined together to take part. We will continue to encourage groups as well as schools to enter.

- Karen Adams

RURAL BUSINESS CHAPLAIN

The Rural Business Chaplain is a funded post in partnership with the Diocese of Chichester, and the Farming Community Network it is a unique post and has attracted attention both nationally and internationally.

 2018 began as 2017 did with our annual gathering at Rochester Cathedral for the annual Plough Sunday Service at Rochester Cathedral. This service continues to bring the farming community together in an act of worship, praying for the year ahead and learning something of what the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution does to help farmers, and those who work in

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the agricultural sector, who are in crisis. As usual I attended as chaplain to the Kent branch of the Farming Community Network as I sit on the committee of RABI Sussex.

This year we also had a service to celebrate lambing and the work of our Shepherds at Chichester Cathedral which I was asked to attend. This service gathered together the farming community from across Sussex as well as a very well behaved sheep.

To hear the work of what these two organizations do and to play a small part within them grounds the Rural Business Chaplaincy firmly within the Diocesan strategy of ‘Changed Lives → Changing Lives’ as it is often those who these charities have helped, that go on to help others and the church has a huge role to play in that.

My work within Ashford Cattle Market and Hailsham Cattle Market continued throughout 2018. During the year I had many conversations with market users about a wide range of problems, some had nothing to do with agriculture, many were about dementia, but each showed how the lack of services in our rural communities is having an effect on those who live and work in rural areas.

I have been working with a colleague at Hailsham Market to help two farmers in particular who have been struggling for the last two years. We continue to have conversations with them and to sign post them to the relevant organisations where they can find help.

Attending the cattle markets, agricultural shows, ploughing matches and various meetings across Kent and East Sussex continues to be a privilege as I build up relationships with our farmers, farmworkers and those who live and work rurally. Many people who I speak to are surprised that the ‘church’ is interested in the problems that they face!

During the year I was also able to attend some conferences. These included the British Food Fortnight, Rural Officers’ Gathering, and the IRCA conference in New Zealand.

The ‘International Rural Churches Association’ conference was held in Lincoln, New Zealand and rural officers from all denominations and from across the world gathered together to listen to each other and learn from each other.

‘We are followers of Jesus from all over the world with a call to minister in communities in rural areas. Ninety-four people from India, Sri Lanka, Romania, Switzerland, France, England, Scotland, Canada, USA, Korea, Fiji, Tahiti, Australia, and New Zealand gathered at Lincoln University to explore the theme Growing Together. For us all, local and visitors, it has been an unforgettable experience, meeting and talking with rural Christians from other parts of the world, truly an opportunity for practical and spiritual enrichment. In worship, music, presentations, workshops, and times of fellowship, we immersed ourselves in the faith that unites us, looking at the contexts we inhabit through the lens of biblical narrative. What is different between us, culturally and denominationally, is not a barrier but rather a source of inspiration and growth. We came together to encourage each other and learn from one another, in our work of serving God and our communities so that they can flourish. Sharing deeply, in a great variety of accents and perspectives, inputs reflected both our diversity and our commonality as rural people. Our common goal is for our churches and communities to live the vision God dreams for the world’

(Jerry Marshall – Chairperson (Ambassador, Germinate, the Arthur Rank Centre, UK)

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This was a truly amazing three weeks for which I am extremely grateful as I was able to spend time on the Canterbury Plains experiencing agricultural practices in a unique environment.

As always the conferences I attended have been of great help in understanding some of the issues facing our rural communities and in discerning where the church can meet those who are suffering because of rural change and how we need to re-imagine ministry that meets not only the needs of rural people but speaks to them in their language where they are.

During the year I was asked to speak at an NFU branch meeting, a local church breakfasts, a church’s harvest festival and at the RABI Harvest Supper.

Locally we continued with our agricultural focus at both St Mary the Virgin, Rolvenden and St Peter, Newenden by having our own Plough Sunday service, Shepherd Sunday, Lammas, and Harvest Festivals.

- Revd Chris Hodgkins (Rural Business Chaplain)

CHANGING LIVES GLOBALLY

Environment

The Environment Working Group continued to work towards achieving an Eco Diocese award.

The official licensing of Teresa Redfern as Diocesan Environmental Officer (DEO) by Bishop Trevor took place at Diocesan House on 6th February. This was followed by a licensing service at St Gregory and St Martin’s Church, Wye on 18th February with the address given by Archdeacon Stephen Taylor.

The Environment Working Group met four times in 2018 (12 th March, 6th June, 10th September, & 10th December) to discuss and pursue environmental matters. The National Diocesan Environmental Officers Conference held in September in Salisbury was attended by Archdeacon Stephen Taylor.

Eco Church

By the end of 2018, 34 churches had registered as an Eco Church, including Canterbury Cathedral (which registered in 2018). As some registrations covered more than one church, the actual number of churches committed as Eco Churches amounted to 40. Four of the registered churches had reached a bronze level award and two had achieved silver. On paper, Diocesan House had achieved a bronze level award but was unable to receive a certificate as it does not constitute a church.

Embedding environmental issues

The Bishop’s Breakfast held on 6th June was on the theme of the environment. Around 40 people from a range of organisations attended the event held at Singleton Environment Centre, Ashford.

The other major event of the year was the Faith and the Environment conference, held on Saturday 6th October at Holy Trinity Church, Sittingbourne. Following the welcome from Bishop Trevor, we heard from: Archdeacon George Tenai, Diocesan Environment Officer of Kapsabet,

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Kenya; Dr Ruth Valerio (Tearfund) on Laudato Si: caring for our common home; Helen Stephens (A Rocha UK) providing an overview of Eco Church; Rev Joyce Addison (St Martin’s Church, Maidstone) on Climate Change, art and faith; Esther Stewart (National Stewardship Team) talking about Parish Buying; Canon Caroline Pinchbeck (C&P) on bringing life to our churchyards; Ruth Knight (CoE, Environmental Policy Officer) on working towards an environmentally sustainable church; Canon Giles Goddard (St John’s Church, Waterloo) on the work of the Faith for the Climate Network; with closing worship led by Rev Liz Resch.

During the course of the day there were two break-out sessions with the opportunity to share good practice on the five themes covered by Eco Church: worship and teaching; buildings; land; community and global engagement; and lifestyle. A variety of displays filled the church including a display of amazing school art work from Oaks Primary Academy brought the message home on what climate change means to them and the world we live in.

Christian Aid displayed their photo exhibition which tells the story of the extraordinary journey made by three women to Bolivia to witness how gifts in Wills are making a lasting difference. Outside there was a display of electric cars with advice on use and benefits. The conference also featured vegan catering. Despite relatively low number of attendees (around 30), the conference was considered a huge success with a buzz of noise and energy throughout.

- Teresa Redfern

Pilgrimage – Interreg Europe funded project

The Diocese of Canterbury is continuing as an advisor on a five year large scale Interreg Europe project looking at Green Pilgrimage with a view to promote awareness and growth of environmentally friendly pilgrimage across the continent, this will eventually lead to the creation of practical projects to develop and support pilgrim pathways in regions like Kent.

The Diocese acts as a broker between local authorities and faith groups who manage pilgrimage routes and destinations. The Diocese will advise the partners throughout the project on existing best practice across Europe as well as being available for advice and consultation throughout the lifetime of the project.

The Diocese attended study visits in both Norway and Sweden in 2018 along with partners from eight European countries and representatives from partner organisations in the UK. There was opportunity to take part in day pilgrimages and learn from the experiences of partner organisations with regard to technology and pilgrimage as well as seeing how Pilgrims are welcomed and the hospitality on offer.

- Karen Adams

BRINGING CHURCHES TOGETHER?

German Partnerships

The Diocese of Canterbury has a partnership with two regional churches in Germany – Zossen-Flaming near Berlin and Markgräflerland near Basel in South West Germany. These churches belong to the Evangelical Churches in Germany (EKD), a fellowship of 20 regional Lutheran, Reformed and United churches. Each regional church is governed by a synod and can be likened to our own dioceses.

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Every year the partnership meets at one of the three locations and in 2018 it was the turn of Basel to host the meetings. Church officers and workers from Germany met up with representatives from the Diocesan staff and parishes to discuss a range of subjects. The programme started with a visit to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Many didn’t realise that the UK will be staying a member of this organisation and the Court of Human Rights after Brexit. The EU flag is actually the flag of the Council of Europe.

We visited a community centre in Strasbourg that runs a one stop shop for aid to migrants and refugees. Around 80% of those seeking help were from Eastern European countries. This centre ran a foodbank and helped migrants by baking and mending clothes with volunteers thereby teaching them skills, conversational German and giving them social contacts.

The group attended an Ecumenical day at which the Diocese had some promotional material available and talked about the partnership with the German churches. We attended a joint service on Sunday morning, and a Synod meeting on Monday at which several members of the Canterbury party spoke on how the church is engaged with helping refugees in the UK and France. Bishop Trevor spoke at all events.

All agreed that partnerships, such as this one, continue to grow in importance as the UK leaves the EU.

The 2019 partnership meeting is being hosted by Zössen-Flaming, will be based near Berlin and have a theme of Cultures of Remembrance. Anyone interested in joining the Canterbury partnership team should contact Keith Berry in Communities & Partnerships.

- Keith Berry

REFUGEES

During 2018 the Kent Refugee Project continued building partnerships to enrich communities. Following up from the work started in Sept 2016, the Kent Refugee Project has continued to seek out and strengthen joint ventures with service providers, statutory organisations and civil society, working with refugees and asylum seekers. Further work has been developed with parishes, community groups and schools to raise awareness and positive understanding of the challenges refugees and asylum seekers face and means of involvement. We continued offering tools to support refugees and asylum seekers, as well as, designing, fundraising for and delivering social cohesion projects.

Specifically, the Kent Refugee Project has been involved in the following outputs:

East Kent Network of Sanctuary

Managing of the network- events and dissemination of material. Kent Schools of Sanctuary Project: Delivered awareness raising workshops on asylum

and refuge to an audience exceeding 600 pupils. Represented East Kent at Parliament together with three young asylum seekers from

Canterbury.

Syrian Vulnerable Person Relocation Scheme (SVPRS)

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With the ‘’Home’ ’Project, the Diocese of Canterbury took a fresh approach working with refugees arrived in our region through the SVPR scheme. ‘’Home’’ was a community cohesion project that brought together newly-arrived Syrian refugee mothers with mothers, their families and the wider community who are long-term residents of Ashford, Kent. The project, delivered between April and November 2018, was designed by the Diocese of Canterbury.

The Diocese also secured £15,000 from the Arts Council. The project was delivered in partnership with Ashford Borough Council, and arts charity People United. encouraging a sense of belonging for both refugee and local women involved, and would support social cohesion through artistic and human connections. The project asked questions such as what makes a place a home after forced displacement and in chancing communities? Participants shared stories across borders and commonalities though textile arts overcoming language and cultural barriers. ‘’Home’’ explored participant’s unique universe of sense making to depict the universally need to feel at home wherever we are.

The Home project in numbers:

196 participants Audience (live) 1,000 1,000 Audience (broadcast, online, in writing) 157,121

Kent Syrian Families Stakeholders Meeting

Set up in February 2017 and convened by the Diocesan Refugee Officer, members meet on an ad hoc basis to discuss and liaise on matters arising. The meeting is attended by 30 key stakeholders in the Kent region, including local government, NGOs, faith groups and civil society. We met twice during 2018.

Community Sponsorship

Kent Community Sponsorship Event with Bishop Trevor in March 2018. Supported emerged Community Sponsorship Group in Canterbury throughout 2018. Organised additional Community Sponsorship Event in Canterbury in Sept.2018.

Direct contact with refugees

Ongoing support is provided to Syrian refugee families in East Kent.

Awareness Rising

We delivered talks locally, nationally and internationally on the work that the Diocese is undertaking with refugees- comprising of radio interviews.

These include:

Invited speaker at Canterbury Cathedral during Lent 2018. Invited speaker at City of Sanctuary Regional Event. Invited speaker at Lutheran German Synod. Invited speaker at the University of East London, Social Work Dept. Presented the work of the Diocese to Lutheran representatives in Canterbury.

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Delivered workshop as part of the ‘’Away Day’’ for University of Kent International students.

Memberships

Member of the Link Group- (local representatives of national and internationals NGO). Member of the South East Strategic Partnership for Migration group. Member of the Ethnic Minority Independent Council. Member of the Migrant Communities Network. Member of the Young Refugees Stakeholders Meeting. Member of Canterbury City Council Steering Group with Refugees. Member of the Advisory group on refugees matters for the Diocese of Southwark. City of Sanctuary lead for East Kent. Representative for our Diocese, The Clewer Initiative on Modern Slavery. Vulnerable Children Advisory Group – University of East London, Social Work Dept.

Events

Co- organised Refugee Week Event 2018 at the Gubelkian Theatre, University of Kent, with Kent Refugee Action Network – June2018.

Supported Arabella Dorman’s ‘’Suspended’’ installation at Canterbury Cathedral -April 2019.

Organised exhibition and panel discussion with Caritas France at St Margaret of Antioch church in Dec.2018.

Co- organised Home project final exhibition at County Square Shopping Centre in Ashford November and December 2018.

International involvement

Supported Diocesan Vicar finding volunteer placement in Calais at Catholic Workers House in Calais.

Strengthened relationships with faith and secular partners in Northern France.

Publications:

Dr Lucy Williams, University of Kent commissioned a research on the Home project. The research aims at proving a tool kit for other faith and secular organisation willing to explore the Diocesan model for community cohesion projects.

- Domenica Pecoraro

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS

Partnership Engagement – Bishop’s Breakfasts

There were four Bishops Breakfasts held in 2018 which covered a wide variety of the work that Communities and Partnerships undertake.

The first breakfast in March was to bring together people at The Old Palace in Canterbury to link together people in Communications for local organisations as well as members of the local and national press. Although small in number, some important relations were developed in that time.

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In June we had a breakfast in Ashford at the Singleton Environment Centre for the work of our Environment Officer. This was particularly well received and a large number of people attended.

In October we had a much larger scale breakfast In Wye hosted by the Care of Churches department to bring together local and national organisations linked to Church buildings. This breakfast was particularly to allow our Care of Churches Officers to develop a closer working relationship with other relevant groups and build their network. This was followed by a Care of Churches morning at which presentations were given by local and national officers on the role of church buildings including funding opportunities and the faculty process.

We also run an annual breakfast at the County Showground for those attending the Kent County Show to bring everyone together prior to the three day event.

The breakfasts that we hold allow the various project officers involved to see how best to engage with the communities they need to work in and see where the opportunities for new work exist. It allows relationships to develop in a more informal setting which encourages conversation and the sharing of knowledge. In 2018 we had over 230 people attend a Bishops Breakfast.

- Karen Adams

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2018/19 Annual Report for the Deanery of JerseyCHANGED LIVES → CHANGING LIVES.

To grow the church numerically and spirituallyTo re-imagine ministry

To build partnerships that enrich communities

2018/19 has seen some significant changes and developments in the life of the Island of Jersey and the Deanery.

Island wide

A general election in May 2018, saw a significant changeover of deputies (MPs) in the States Assembly, in which the Dean is Chaplain and in which he is able to speak in debates. This extraordinary privilege also means that the Church is consulted in the deliberation of major legislation where moral, spiritual and ethical matters are concerned. The Church in Jersey continues to have a voice in the public sphere and at major civic events. It underscores the importance of key relationships within the community that are still part of this unique culture but it is a privilege that needs to understand that the Church is there as a servant and not as a licence for privilege.

As in Guernsey in the previous year, Jersey is now wrestling with issues surrounding Assisted Dying and a proposition is likely to come before the States within the year for debate. Faith communities and ecumenical partners are now working together to address the ethical and spiritual questions arising from the possibility of this becoming law. We have invited some key stakeholders together to begin some conversations around these issues. The Senior leaders of the main faith communities meet regularly for fellowship.

The Commission and Episcopal oversight

Although Bishop Trevor has now retired as Bishop of Dover, he continues to provide episcopal oversight to the Islands until such times as the Archbishops Commission determines the future relationship with the wider Church of England. The Commission, chaired by Lord Chartres, former Bishop of London, visited Jersey in May for two days and met with the Island Synod, Standing Committee and individual Clergy, as well as key Island public figures and representatives of the Crown, the Island and the States. These were very positive meetings and we now await the report which will determine how we can best flourish as a Church in a

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meaningful and positive relationship with the wider Church. In parallel with this work, the Jersey Canons are being revised.

We are indebted to Julian Hills and his team at Diocesan House for their care for the Islands and the services and support that we receive from Canterbury, particularly in the areas of training, administration, vocation and of course, safeguarding. New safeguarding guidelines have now been produced in keeping with national safeguarding guidelines and good practice. Training for Laity and Clergy has taken place on Island (C1 to C3) and C4 for Senior Staff. We continue to appreciate the support we receive from the two DSA’s in Canterbury and the Safeguarding Officer for the Deanery, Rev Beverley Sproats, who works closely with them.

We cannot underestimate the importance of belonging to the wider Church and we thank Canterbury for their continued hospitality to us and for the engagement at senior level at EST, which the Island Deans attend and into which, they have input into the Diocesan Strategy. We have enjoyed visits to the Islands from various Diocesan Officers and the networking and connectivity has been crucial for our continued wellbeing and flourishing.

Ministry provision

This last year has seen some significant events that have encouraged us as a Church. We were delighted to have a Petertide ordination on the Island of the two Curates who are serving their titles here who serve at St. Mark’s and St Ouen’s with St George. We had a celebration of Lay Ministry and the licencing of two lay readers and a children and family worker at Trinity Church and we are about to appoint a Children and Family Advisor worker across the Island, to facilitate and equip local churches in their children and young people’s work and to be an advocate for the Church in Children’s services in the Island.

Clergy continue to travel to Canterbury for various training events and we also received a superb training day on Resilience from the Cognacity Group. Training for Clergy is bespoke on the Island and we bring in speakers from the mainland for various workshops and training days. Chapter meetings are particularly significant in an Island community and are well attended and form the framework for our training needs.

This year has seen some turnover in personnel. Two Clergy have retired and two have moved away from the Island and appointments will be made to these posts in the coming months. We continue to wrestle with pastoral reorganisation but this is a complex issue in the Island with the law requiring a separate Rector for each ancient parish (of which there are twelve) and the churches and Rectories being owned by the ratepayers.

In St Helier, this could be alleviated by the reduction of one post and the pastoral reorganisation of some of the St Helier Churches. Confidential conversations continue as to how ministry and mission might be re-shaped and re-imagined and, as part of these conversations, we have begun negotiations to convert a redundant Church into housing for vulnerable people, which includes a community and commercial space. This is potentially an exciting project and will mirror some of the work being done by ‘Ignite’. This also reflects the latter two Diocesan objectives and we are very excited about this. This is a lengthy process and we are currently looking for a donor. In the next three years, we will see further retirements, including our Chaplaincy roles in the hospital and prison, which will require some creative thinking strategically.

The Deanery Team

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The Deanery Office is staffed by the Dean’s PA, Mrs Dawn Thomas and the Deanery Executive Officer Mr David Smith (like a Diocesan Secretary but for the Island). They are an incredible support to the Dean and Deanery and they have been wrestling with new local GDPR legislation, a new Jersey Charities Commission, the building of a new Deanery website and individual visitations to all the parishes, conducted by the Dean, Executive Officer and Finance Team, as well as day to day administration. The Jersey Deanery Board of Finance is responsible for all aspects of the Finance and collection of Share and financial operation of the Deanery. Whilst Jersey contributes share as an Island to Canterbury, the breakdown of that share to individual parishes is determined locally, which gives us the flexibility of working with individual churches that are struggling and creates a culture of generosity and cohesion as a Deanery.

The Dean’s multiple roles as Rector of the Town Church, the Bishop’s Commissary in the Island, the head of the Anglican community in Jersey and as a member of the States of Jersey (the Jersey parliament) continue to give enormous opportunities for mission and engagement in the public square and in the media and in topics that impact the Island, such as provision for refugees and homelessness strategies. The Dean attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Westminster in 2018 and will attend the International Prayer Breakfast in 2020.

Mission

Each Church has engaged in a MAPPing process in the last 18 months and the follow up for this has been through the visitation programme as the Deanery Team visits each Church over a three year period. These take the form of a visit by a small team to encourage the churches in their ministry and mission, to share a peer to peer MDR for ordained colleagues, to offer resources and help where appropriate, as well as the usual items associated with an Archdeacon’s visitation. Principally, however, it is to enable and facilitate the release of local churches in numerical and spiritual growth, to help them re-imagine ministry and to encourage them in building partnerships that enrich the communities into which they are called.

The Island continues to enjoy its overseas links with the Dioceses of the Congo and one of our Clergy visited there in 2018 and we are looking forward to welcoming Bishops from the DRC during Lambeth 2020.

We have plans for a Deanery Strategic Planning Day but until such times as the Commission has determined where we will flourish in relationship with the wider church, we have put this on hold.

Very Reverend Mike Keirle, Dean of Jersey, Ascensiontide 2019

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The Deanery of Guernsey continues to be under the episcopal care of the Right Revd Trevor Willmott following his retirement as Bishop of Dover.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has established a Commission on the relationship of the Channel Islands to the wider Church of England. It is expected that the Commission will report to the Archbishop later in the year and the recommendations will, in due course, be made public.

In the meanwhile, we are most grateful for the continuing willingness of the staff of Canterbury Diocesan Board of Finance to provide support and services, particularly in the area of safeguarding. It is essential that we comply with the very best practice in safeguarding, and much appreciate the support of the DSAs and the people from the Diocese of Canterbury who support them.

It has been encouraging to be able to welcome new clergy to Guernsey during 2018. The Revd Stuart Tanswell has moved from Surrey to be Rector of Vale; the Revd Daniel Foot has moved from Bedfordshire to be Rector of St Martin; the Revd Janice Fowler, accompanied by her husband, the Revd Tony Fowler, has moved from Suffolk to be Vicar of Alderney; and the Revd Scott Lamb moved from South London, in the Diocese of Rochester, to be Rector of Castel and Vicar of Cobo, and Deanery Safeguarding Lead. The Revd Tim Dack resigned as Rector of St Sampson in September 2018, moving to New Zealand with his wife, the Revd Karen Dack, on her appointment as rector of a parish in the north of New Zealand.

The Revd Claire Claxton, a Guernsey native, was instituted and inducted as Rector of the Forest in May 2018; Claire is the first woman to be the Rector of a Guernsey parish.

We are conscious that Guernsey has been extremely fortunate in the number of clergy we have, especially when compared with many areas of England. However, this brings significant financial responsibilities, as we are entirely dependent on congregational giving within Guernsey to fund our mission and ministry, and receive no external support from the wider Church of England. Financing our work has been one of the main topics at meetings of the Deanery Synod and the Standing Committee. We have prepared initiatives for mission action planning and for refocussing on stewardship, which will be major initiatives during 2019.

The responsibility for church buildings is very different in Guernsey in that the maintenance of the ancient parish churches is the responsibility of the ratepayers. A new law has changed the arrangements slightly and we are seeing the benefits of increased co-operation with the constables (who lead the equivalent of parish councils in England). Guernsey does not have a Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches and the arrangements for approving work in church buildings is different, with the Dean chairing the Ecclesiastical Court and issuing

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faculties, rather than the Commissary General or Chancellor, as in Canterbury and the other mainland dioceses. However, the Faculties Sub-Committee has been reinvigorated to assist parishes that are planning work on church buildings.

We much appreciate the work of our clergy and others who engage in chaplaincy at Guernsey Prison, the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, nursing homes, schools and local businesses. This is a very significant part of our ministry and mission. We have taken the opportunity to hear from our chaplains at meetings of the Deanery Synod during the year.

The spring of 2018 was dominated by a debate in the States of Guernsey about whether assisted dying should be introduced in Guernsey. The Guernsey churches united in raising concerns about the proposed legislation and worked with a number of other groups, including organisations representing disabled people. The debate in Guernsey attracted significant media attention from the UK and elsewhere. The States defeated the proposal with a larger than expected majority.

Guernsey has not been immune from the debate about the UK’s continuing membership of the European Union. Our finance industry has received some unhelpful and inaccurate criticism, but Guernsey believes that its probity in this important area of our economy is good.

After five years of uncertainty since the change in our relationship with the Diocese of Winchester, we are much looking forward to the report of the Archbishop’s Commission and to the possibility of some stability and consolidation so that we can further the work of the Church in the Deanery of Guernsey.

Tim BarkerDean of GuernseyMay 2019

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