• St Lawrence,
  Gnosall
• St Mary's,
  Moreton
• St Peter's,
  Norbury
• St Mary's, High
  Offley
• Christ Church,
  Knightley
• St Michael & All
  Angels, Adbaston

 

BENEFICE NEWS

2010 - A time of transition

It remains the vision of Church of England to be present in every community in the name of Jesus Christ. In this way, local people are helped to sharein worship, mission and ministry. Two key stages in the story of holding on to this vision so far have been the decisions made in the Eccleshall deanery from 2003 about how many stipendiary (i.e. paid) clergy the deanery could afford, and in 2009 the conversations that took place between the parishes of Gnosall and Moreton, served by St Lawrence and St Mary's and the parishes of Adbaston, High Offley with Knightley and Norbury, served by St. Michael and All Angels, St. Mary's, Christ Church and St. Peter's to join together at some time in 2010.

These discussions resulted in the acceptance that the way forward was in coming together, though recognising the challenges that would be involved, especially as regards to a loss of one full time stipendiary priest.

The newly created benefice of five parishes, with six churches and two Church of England schools would be served by one full time stipendiary Priest, a benefice administrator working twenty hours a week (appointment effective from July 2010), an Ordained Local Minister assisting in the parishes of Gnosall and Moreton offering Sunday plus one and half days during the week; a House for Duty Minister offering Sunday, plus two full days a week assisting in the parishes of High Offley with Knightley, Norbury and Adbaston and a Lay Pioneer Minister, working 25 hours a week in the parishes of Gnosall and Moreton and a further five hours a week at the Church of England school in High Offley with Knightley. There is also the possibility of the wider benefice continuing to have two Readers to assist.

Unofficially from July, with the Incumbent's retirement from Norbury, Adbaston, High Offley with Knightley in June 2010, ministry will be undertaken across the combined benefice (excluding Sundays and funerals). Officially at a date to be confirmed in October, 2010, a service will take place legally bringing the two benefices together.