Hmmm, "super-benefice" sounds suspiciously like a Methodist circuit. "parish hubs", well each Methodist Minister has several chapels within the circuit under his care. "train laity to take on clergy responsibilities", well of course Methodism has always relied on its Local Preachers to take a larger percentage (possibly majority) of services. Perhaps Welby has been studying Wesley? — J Martin Rushton
Sorry Alan but that's not accurate. A circuit will usually have more churches than clergy, this has always been the case. The superintendent minister (aka "the super") has a similar role to a bishop (in American practice he is called a bishop), approving preachers (ordained clergy, local preachers, on note and on trial), and being responsible for dogma and discipline. One big job every quarter is drawing up the preaching plan to ensure that all the ministers rotate around the churches in the circuit. Local preachers are free to be more restrictive in their availability. The rotating clergy of course are required for Holy Communion which is much less frequent than in the CofE. Pastoral care of the churches is from a particular minister. A minister might easily have four churches, one larger on and then smaller ones, a bit like a united benefice.Methodist circuits, in theory, provide a minister for each church (rotate after 3 years I think) — Alan C
Perhaps the CCCBR could organise a new bell ringing centre in Wigan so that bell ringers own the bells they ring. In that case, some-one is going to need deep pockets. — Alan C
It will require a lot of money and a lot of vision. — Tristan Lockheart
Bell ringing as a pastime has been compared to cycling and running, but I think heritage railways are probably a closer fit. It’s an activity that can only take place in a limited number of locations, using expensive and heritage methods. — Alan C
Which sorts of place are most at risk? Is is small country parishes with disappearing congregations but strong local community support for the building? Or big Victorian piles built in times of urban expansion where there is n — Simon Linford
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