More than 300 Christians from Island parishes celebrated the official launch of the new Isle of Wight Deanery together.

Worshippers in Cowes Yacht Haven. Credit: David Bennison

Excited worshippers gathered at Cowes Yacht Haven for the event that would unite the former East Wight and West Wight deaneries into one single structure.

The Anglican Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Christopher Foster, senior members of diocesan staff, and Island churchgoers were joined by the Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Major General Martin White, the High Sheriff, Ron Holland, leaders from other Christian denominations and heads and chairs of governors from church schools. They heard the formal reading of the Pastoral Order that created the new Isle of Wight Deanery.

Before the event started, those attending saw displays about the important work being done by parishes all over the Island to help their local communities. Those displays included details of the monthly community café in All Saints Church, Gurnard, for those who need someone to talk to; the regular Messy Church sessions held in St Francis C of E and RC School in Ventnor; and the work done to help those with dementia, based at St John’s Church, Ryde, among others.

The event itself included worship, led by a joint choir of more than 80 singers from across the Island, and a music group drawn from Island parishes. The head boy and head girl from Christ the King College gave Bible readings, and a short video entitled ‘Your Kingdom Come’  set the scene, explaining why the Isle of Wight is such a special place. Click here to watch it.

Worshippers from around the Island brought forward symbols to reflect characteristics of life on the Island, including an ancient book to remind people of its history, a bucket and spade to reflect the importance of tourism, and a white ensign to represent its sailing tradition.

The Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight, the Ven  Peter Sutton, gave an update on the Isle of Wight Plan, which had been originally drawn up last year. He explained how parishes on the Island would be split into six different ‘clusters’. Churchgoers in each cluster will be invited to work together on ways of engaging in local mission and ministry. By 2017, each cluster will be invited to identify a specific mission priority for the next three years.

Individual churches may see radical development as festival or pilgrimage churches, or as churches that focus on areas such as healing, tourism or ministry to second home owners. By 2017, each parish will also be invited to identify one mission priority for the next three years.

The bishop has initiated a review into the role of Newport Minster, which will be undertaken in 2016 by the Very Rev Jane Hedges, Dean of Norwich Cathedral and Canon Peter Leonard, residentiary canon of our cathedral.

There will be a Ministry and Vocations Strategy for the Isle of Wight which will include appointing brand new pioneer ministers to create new worshipping communities, outside the normal structures of church buildings and parishes. These new worshipping communities could meet in coffee shops, schools or people’s homes, and explore new ways to share their faith. There will be two courses each year for lay pastoral assistants, and courses for lay worship leaders and lay preachers, as needed, as well as the Exploring Christianity Course.

Parishes will also be invited to consider how they can use their buildings more effectively to serve and transform their local communities, and to develop their links with church and community schools.

Bishop Christopher preached and read the Pastoral Order that created the new deanery, which was followed by an act of commission and prayers for the work and ministry that lies ahead.

The bishop said: “We gather here today to celebrate one very particular and special place: the Isle of Wight.  The symbols you’ve brought today remind us that we experience life on the island with all our senses – with the smell of the sea air, the taste of the food that’s grown here, the sound of the announcements on the Isle of Wight ferry, the sight of tourist attractions that people travel miles to enjoy, the touch of money changing hands and goods exchanged.

“Each of these experiences deepens our love for this place and our belonging together. And they are the gifts that, as one united deanery, form the core tools of your witness as together you minister and teach, comfort and evangelise in Jesus’ name.

“Whether you choose to provide encouragement in the form of chocolates from Ryde or Godshill; whether you provide hospitality perhaps including some locally grown garlic or chillis or tomatoes; whether you decide together to launch a new mission to the boating community on the island or sense God’s call to reach out to tourists in fresh ways, the advent of the new deanery releases you to work collaboratively in fresh and exciting ways.  You all have a stake in tourism; you all have a stake in agriculture, in the poorer estates of the island, in the sea faring communities, in the history and heritage of this place.

“So work together, grow together, enjoy this opportunity to make new friendships between individuals and fresh connections between parishes that previously had little contact.  And do so always in the name of Him who, in the words of St Paul, “by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine” – Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Click here for a gallery of photos taken at the event.