What is the Petersfield Deanery?

Part of me feels that the deanery is like a front room that is never used or a reference book that is never opened by which I mean it has so much potential but has only a minimal function.

But what of the nuts and bolts, the deanery is a group of about a dozen parishes staffed with about ten full time clergy, several volunteer clergy (nsm), retired clergy and Readers and we are coordinated by the Rural Dean, in our case in the Petersfield deanery, April Richards. In all, the entire Diocese has eight deaneries, two on the Island and the other six scattered about east Hampshire.

In July we celebrated the Deanery Day, the main service was cancelled in each parish and we joined together at Churcher’s College for a Sunday that included workshops, children’s activities and a Eucharist on the cricket field. Those who attended had a useful insight into what the deanery might be.

Each year after the Annual Church Meetings the elected churchwardens are sworn in by the Archdeacon and addressed by him on topical matters of concern (drinks at the pub afterwards). The clergy meet together regularly at what we call the chapter meeting and we are sometimes joined by the readers or retired clergy. Just at the moment the deanery is responding to the Strategic Review which means we are encouraged to think about new styles of ministry which encourage cooperation, partnership, the sharing of resources and flexibility. It is hoped that this will prepare us for the necessary changes that lie ahead.

The deanery is a necessary filter between the Diocese and the Parish.