The Preparation and Consultation Meetings for the Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council (SMPC) were facilitated by members of the Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Life Team between 24 July 2022 and 13 December 2022. Fifty-two meetings were held in local parish churches, parish and school halls and other venues across the Diocese, including two meetings that were conducted online. The Meetings were designed to be a prayerful experience for participants, providing information about the proposed SMPC; time for personal reflection and listening and dialogue in small groups; and the opportunity to give written feedback. 

A total of 905 participants provided almost 1000 small group responses, the fruit of their prayerful listening and dialogue. 

Overall, the proposed SMPC was well received by the people of God, as was the commitment by the bishop to broad consultation on the initiative through the Preparation and Consultation Meetings held across the Diocese. Many of the faithful also raised concerns. 

You can read about these concerns and the five key themes which emerged from the consultations in the default Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council Preparation and Consultation Meetings Final Report (3.03 MB) .