Judgement Statement

Statement on the judgement of the Chancellor

 As you are aware on Friday 11^thof June this year, His Honour, Judge David Hodson, Chancellor, held a public hearing of the Diocesan Consistory Court in our Church.

On Friday 10^th September the petitioners and the objectors, received copies of his judgement.

As the plans in the exhibition in church remind us the proposals are all embracing, including the provision of a new kitchen, refurbishment of our office and toilets, the improvement of the heating and lighting, some re-plastering, redecoration of the entire building, restoring of the timber floor, making creative spaces for meetings and small group worship and the refocusing the main worship space where the chancel steps are now. This will make an attractive focus not only for worship but also for the performance of music and drama. All of this is to enhance and support our mission to be mutual, open and inclusive to all ages and to all in the neighbourhood who accept our welcome in Christ’s name.

The Chancellor has now decided that a faculty will be issued subject to:

• the condition imposed by the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), requiring the introduction of another colour, or a pattern, into the carpeting to be considered
• confirmation from the DAC that it does not wish to alter the certificate given in respect of the said works
• the said works to be completed within five years from now.

Now this judgement is in the public domain you will be wondering what happens next.

The Faculty document will arrive in the Parish in the course of this week.

The two formal objectors, should they wish to appeal against this judgement have, of today, 19 days to negotiate with the Chancellor whose permission they would require.

As the representatives of our community, the Wardens and all the members of the PCC have received a paper copy of the judgement, and they will be meeting briefly after the 10am service to reflect on this.

Copies of the judgement are available on the Parish website, and if you do not have access to a computer, or would like a paper copy of the judgement they will be available after the service.

Please talk to the Wardens if you have any questions.

As you read through the Chancellor’s judgement please pray for those who will find the outcome difficult.

As spiritual leader of the community I wish to say that we have been in this process now for considerable period. The Chancellor has made it clear that everyone has had their opportunity to be heard. It is now time to give thanks for the past and to move on.

The Wardens and Staff are united in leading us with confidence into the our celebration, from 2011 to 2012, of 100 years of worship on this site. This will draw together the renewing our Mission Action Plan, making a start on our redevelopment work, and the continuation of the necessary fundraising. We propose to do this under the banner of a ‘Year of Spiritual Pilgrimage’.

I believe that we should we proud of the way that we have handled this together and now should move forward showing that the redevelopment of the building is key element, but only one element within our Mission to the people of Monkseaton.