The Local Ministry Team
The local ministry team has been part of the life of All Hallows for many years. It was originally a diocesan initiative, taken up by quite a few parishes, in which local ministry team members were given training to help them exercise their individual ministries. In time this scheme largely faded away in other parishes, but at All Hallows we developed the concept to suit our own ethos. We retained the name ‘local ministry team’, although it doesn't indicate very clearly what we’ve been about, because no one managed to come up with a better one!
Thus the main aim of the local ministry team has been to encourage and support everyone in the church to develop and use their gifts in ministry. To do this we have met roughly every six weeks. Our meetings have typically lasted about three hours, of which the first hour or so was a shared meal together — very enjoyable.
We have tried to start by listening and being aware of people’s concerns within the congregation, which we could then consider and hopefully do something about them. We have also discussed issues and planned action, submitting proposals to the PCC where appropriate. For example:
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We have been involved in the planning of events, such as the With Heart and Mind courses, Advent sermon series and Lent events.
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We have discussed congregational, spiritual and pastoral issues.
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We have explored the life of the church, through practical theological reflection.
The members of the local ministry team have been chosen by the congregation through a process of discernment. Ray Gaston, as vicar, has also been part of the team ex officio. Up until summer 2004 the members of the team were as listed in the table below.
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Ray Gaston |
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Elaine Wilford |
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Laura Smith |
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Phil Gardner |
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Rachel Parkes |
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Sarah Fishwick |
An ending and a new beginning
For various reasons, in recent times the LMT has not worked together as effectively as hitherto, and in summer 2004 two of its members decided to resign. It was clear that the team could not continue in its present form, and the time seemed right for a rethink.
The PCC decided on a process for forming a new team by means of prayerful discernment, and this happened during Epiphany 2005, resulting in what is provisionally called the ministry leadership team.