Dear All

Following lengthy discussions with churches in the deanery - A significant change is coming our way!

The Diocese of St Albans is proposing changes to the Benefice of Meppershall and Shefford - to become in future the Benefice of Campton, Meppershall and Shefford. That means that the Church of St Michael and All Angels Shefford will become part of the Benefice of Campton, Meppershall and Shefford. At the time of change - Revd Roni will continue as first incumbent/ Rector of the new benefice.

There is a formal consultation process ahead of this change, and I am asked to let people know of the proposal, and that anyone may make representations for or against all or any part or parts of the draft Scheme. If you would like to make your views known (please include the reasons for your views) preferably by email or by post to the Church Commissioners at the following address no later than midnight on Monday 2 August 2021. If they have not acknowledged receipt of your representation before this date, please ring or e-mail them to ensure it has been received:

Mr Matthew Crowe

Church Commissioners

Church House

Great Smith Street

London

SW1P 3AZ

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tel 020 7898 1784

This draft Scheme provides for:

  • the dissolution of the four benefices of Campton, Clophill and Haynes;
    Maulden; Clifton and Southill; and Meppershall and Shefford
  • the creation of three new benefices of (i) Campton, Meppershall and Shefford; (ii) Clophill and Maulden; and (iii) Clifton, Haynes and Southill, for the appointment of their first incumbents and their places of residence, and for the future patronage arrangements for each new benefice; and
  • the transfer of the parsonage house of the benefice of Campton, Clophill and Haynes to the Saint Albans Diocesan Board of Finance for diocesan purposes

A notice giving the objects of proposed pastoral reorganisation affecting this parish has or will be displayed near the main door of the Church and is available on the Church of England website www.churchofengland.org/consultation

All Pastoral Schemes follow the Diocesan Principles of Pastoral Reorganisation agreed in 2018. These are publicly available on our website: www.stalbans.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/Pastoralre-organisation-principles-2018.pdf

If they receive representations against the draft Scheme, the Church Commissioners will send all representations, both for and against, to the Bishop whose views will be sought. Individual representors will then receive copies of the Commissioners’ correspondence with the Bishop (including copies of all the representations) and they may comment further in writing to the Commissioners in light of the diocesan response if they so wish.

If there are no representations against the draft Scheme, the Commissioners will make the Scheme and arrange for it to be brought into effect.

You can download the original source document here

Source: Emma Critchley - Diocesan Pastoral and Advisory Officer

Date: 17th June 2021