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VICAR'S LETTER

17 Sundon Road     
Streatley      

March, 2005      

Dear All 

The end of January saw the publication of The Luton Review. This review, commissioned by the Diocese of St. Albans, looks at the future organisation of the church in Luton. Its aim is to point the way towards a more viable church in which ministry is more closely matched to what the church can supply and what the church can support. To this end it recommends the creation of larger pastoral units and encourages the clergy to develop specialist skills, which they can then make available to the Deanery of Luton as a whole.

The encouragement of larger pastoral units is in two forms. Some parishes are to be encouraged to marry, these are: 

  • St Christopher's, Round Green and St. Anne's

  • St. Matthew's, High Town and Christchurch, Bushmead

  • St. Saviour's and St. John the Baptist, Farley Hill

  • All Saints, Caddington and St. Andrew's, Woodside. 

In the context of these marriages it is proposed that St. Matthew's and St Saviour's are demolished and their sites re-developed, though that development could include the provision of a worship centre.

Other parishes are encouraged to enter upon a courtship (or, in church-speak, "to explore the possibilities of collaborative ministry"). These are: 

  • St. Augustine's. Limbury, Holy Cross, Marsh Farm and Holy Trinity, Biscot

  • St. Luke's, Leagrave and St. Mary's, Sundon

  • St. Thomas's, Stopsley and St. Francis

  • St. Paul's and St. Saviour's / St. John the Baptist

  • St. Andrew's and All Saints with St. Peter's. 

Three parishes, presumably considered unmarriageable, are left alone. These are: 

  • St. Mary's, Luton

  • St. Hugh's, Lewsey

  • St Margaret's, Streatley.

The other major recommendation in the report is for full time clergy to develop areas of specialism ('portfolios'), which they will then make available to the Luton Deanery. The suggested specialities are:

  • Lay Training, 

  • Parish Administration, 

  • Vocations, 

  • Ministerial Training, 

  • Clergy Support, 

  • Lay Reader Support, 

  • Buildings, Stewardship, 

  • Schools, 

  • Sector Ministry (e.g. Industrial Chaplaincy), 

  • Community Projects, 

  • Industrial Relations, 

  • Civic Links, 

  • Parish Links.

 A parish whose incumbent is also running a portfolio would receive a reduction in quota of £4000 per year. It is also proposed that all quota shortfalls be written off.

As of time present the proposals of the Review are simply recommendations. The process of consultation is now under way and there is at time of writing no way of knowing how many of them will be put into effect. A copy of the full review (125 pages) is available in church.  

All best wishes

Roger

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