The Deanery in Detail
THE DEANERY
“We are the Church of people and place, not just congregations and parish church.”
(Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell)
We are trying to make this a reality in Abbeydore Deanery which covers a large part of South-West Herefordshire numbering 35 churches and 32 parishes. Our Deanery operates as a Group Ministry and we operate on a principle of collaboration between clusters of parishes supported by a team of leaders, both layand ordained. Our vicars have been commissioned as Rural Pioneer Priests, sharing their time between ministry and mission.
DEANERY DETAILS
The current team of Rural Pioneer Priests are Rev Luci Morriss, Rev Cate Thomson and Rev Simon Lockett .
They work as part of a wider Deanery Leadership Team which also includes:
Rev Jane Rogers (Co Rural Dean), Bill Giles (Lay Chair), Geoff Holder (Self-supporting Curate), Nigel Sellar (Treasurer) and Anne Lloyd (Coordinator).
There is then a much wider team, too many to name, which includes retired clergy,
local lay worship leaders, missioners and pastoral visitors together with the many
churchwardens, other officeholders and volunteers who collaborate together for
mission and ministry in this area.
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CURRENTLY
Following discussion with parishes and the Joint Council, the Deanery Synod,
approved a proposal for changing the benefice boundaries in late November 2024.
This will mean that some parishes will move and form different benefices (groups).
There will then be four benefices in the Deanery (rather than the current five). A
formal consultation on the reorganisation of benefices within the Deanery is about to
take place.
The information below shows the parishes within the proposed re-organised benefices.
1. Cagebrook
Plus Allensmore, Clehonger, Eaton Bishop,
Kingstone, Thruxton, St Devereux,
Kilpeck and Wormbridge
2. Ewyas Harold/Black Mountains
Abbeydore, Bacton, Ewyas Harold,
Kentchurch, Rowlestone, Walterstone,
Clodock, Llanveynoe, Craswall,
Michaelchurch Escley, Newton and St
Margaret’s.
3. Borderlink (no change)
Blakemere, Bredwardine, Moccas,
Preston-on-Wye, Clifford, Cusop,
Dorstone and Hardwicke
4. Wyedore (no change)
Madley, Tyberton, Peterchurch,
Vowchurch and Turnastone
JOINT COUNCIL
Abbeydore Deanery is the first Deanery in Herefordshire to form a Joint Council, and possibly the first in England!
The Joint Council members are a mixture of lay representatives from each benefice and members of clergy who, together, are responsible for planning mission and ministry across the deanery.
They meet at least 3 times per year. At each meeting, key points are identified for sharing across the deanery.
In 2025 these have included the:
- Agreeing the core principles for the Mission Action Plan and appointing Joint Council members to support clergy in each of the areas.
- Reviewing the contributions to deanery costs from parishes
- Approval of the Deanery Budget
- Planning for an Abbeydore Deanery Service to be held at Hereford Cathedral on 31st May 2026
- Arranging a “Thank you Breakfast” for those who support our churches.
Joint Council Meeting Dates for 2026: 3rd February, 2nd June, 1st September.
DEANERY SYNOD
This is the decision-making body for the deanery. It meets at least twice a year, usually as part of a larger meeting which we call The Gathering. The Deanery Synod is made up of representatives from each parish within the deanery.
Deanery Synod/Gathering Dates for 2025: 18th October.
Deanery Synod/Gathering Dates for 2026: 15th April, 8th July, 17th October