Godstone Deanery Synod

Report on the meeting held at Limpsfield on 7 June 2006

Introducing SPIDIR (SPIritual DIRection)

Our speaker was the Chair of SPIDIR, Revd Lyndon van der Pump, a retired Anglican priest from a musical background.  His parish was St Mary’s, Primrose Hill, home of the English Hymnal, before which he had been a professional singer and singing teacher and spent many years as professor at the Royal College of Music. 

There has been a long history of spiritual direction, although it has changed over the years, from the old desert fathers, through the monastic tradition and the authoritative and directional Roman church.  Today it is practised by the laity and others in the secular world and is seen more in terms of accompanying on a journey rather than providing answers. 

SPIDIR was set up by Southwark Diocese 25 years ago to train people for this ministry and is now international.  Courses of about 15 are run in the evenings and day time over two years, costing £50 per term.  The aim is to raise awareness of the pitfalls and develop listening skills rather than suggesting a technique.

“Spirituality” is sought in a variety of ways and contexts by different groups and individuals and has become a “buzz word”.  However,  for Christians it is the product of the Holy Spirit of God, with many manifestations which “blows where it will”.  We recognise this “otherness” in those moments of wonder, when we are lifted out of ourselves, for example by poetry, nature, drama or music, and God shows us a glimpse of eternal life.

Spiritual Directors are carefully matched with those requiring spiritual direction.   People who would like a spiritual director should contact the SPIDIR referral secretary, www.spidir.org.uk/

There were, as usual, more questions than we had time for at the end:  What I would really have liked to ask was whether he would sing for us!

Business Meeting

Elections to Diocesan Synod

Bob Charlton (Dormansland), Michael Lawrence (Godstone), Sue Mallinson (Tandridge) and Catharina Stibe Hickson (Oxted) were elected as lay representatives on the Diocesan Synod; and Peter Moseling (Bletchingley) and Catherine Wood (Limpsfield Chart and Tatsfield) as clergy representatives; first meeting is on 11 November. 

Deanery Re-organisation

This has been under discussion for some time and the Archdeacon is to prepare a paper for debate.   Within Reigate Archdeaconry, Reigate Deanery with 23 parishes is very large; Caterham with only 9 is small and Godstone falls within the recommended range of 9-14 parishes.  It was originally planned that some Reigate parishes would join with Caterham for a more even distribution of numbers.  However, a new proposal is to leave Reigate as it is, with Caterham and Godstone combining to form one deanery.   

The meeting felt this would not be beneficial for Godstone Deanery.  Peter Moseling, Rector of Bletchingley (Godstone Deanery) and Nutfield (Reigate deanery) said Reigate’s size makes it unwieldy and unworkable.  We felt all parishes should be involved in the consultation process; a straw poll showed the majority overwhelmingly in favour of maintaining the status quo.

Other matters

• The annual accounts were approved.

• New members were welcomed to the meeting: Nicky Tredennick (Godstone), Barbara Cottier (Felbridge), Gerald South (Tatsfield), Richard Holroyd (Lingfield) and Fiona Tarrant (Bletchingley).

• Graham Paddick (Dormansland) has been appointed by Bishop Nick to stand in as Area Dean during David Butlin’s absence on sabbatical leave, from 24 July until the end of October time.  The deanery sound system (available for anyone to hire) will reside with Catherine Wood.

• Volunteers are sought to help in the rest tent at the Oxted & Edenbridge Show, August Bank Holiday.  Please contact Richard Holroyd (Lingfield) 01342 833776, e-mail beachhutbooks@aol.com.

Next Deanery Synod Meeting 

Monday 13 November 2006, Bletchingley Village Hall.  The speaker will be the Revd Canon Nicky Tredennick.

Janet Harman, Deanery Synod Secretary