Benefice of Martock, Kingsbury Episcopi and Ash - Benefice Profile January 2020 - Diocese of ...
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Benefice of Martock, Kingsbury Episcopi and Ash
All Saints’, Martock St Martin’s, Kingsbury Episcopi Holy Trinity, Ash
Benefice Profile
January 2020
The Benefice of
Martock, Kingsbury Contents
Episcopi and Ash
Welcome and introduction 3
Our Vision 5
What can you bring? 6
What can we give? 8
Worship in our Benefice 9
Our Parishes
All Saints’, Martock 11
St Martin’s, Kingsbury Episcopi 14
Holy Trinity, Ash 17
The Vicarage 20
Financial Report 21
Our Team 22
The Vision From the Diocese 24
Ivelchester Deanery - from the Area Dean 25
Find us on Facebook at ‘Churches of Martock, Kingsbury Episcopi and Ash, Somerset’ / @MartockKingsburyAshChurches
Welcome and introduction
Thank you for your interest in our vacancy.
We are delighted that you are taking the time to read our Benefice Profile. We hope that it fairly reflects who we are and where
we feel the Holy Spirit is leading us. We pray that this helps you to judge, with God’s discernment, whether you are the right
minister to help us move forward as God’s people, living and telling the story; and that we are the right benefice to provide you
with a rich and rewarding opportunity for ministry.
Our Benefice is relatively new, having been established in its present form in April 2014, when Kingsbury Episcopi was added to
the existing Benefice of Martock and Ash. Each parish is served by its own church, and PCC; and there are clear opportunities
to grow closer as a Benefice.
Our current time of vacancy has offered a rich opportunity for the Benefice to come together to pray and seek God’s will for our
future. We sent out a survey to the wider community in all three parishes to understand how the Church was viewed by parish-
ioners, especially those who did not attend the church. We also carried out a SWOT analysis and invited all three congregations
to participate in a Vision Away Day (with approximately 60 attendees) in order to determine who we are now, who we need to
become for the future and what we would like our new priest to bring to us. A number of us meet regularly across the parishes to
pray for our Benefice, and during the vacancy, for those involved in the search and selection of a new incumbent, and for pro-
spective candidates like you as you go through your own search.
We face the same common challenges as most churches today. As a Benefice, we do not always
agree with each other, but we seek to find the way through challenges prayerfully, with love and
respect for each other. Our congregations are committed and open to spiritual growth, but modest in
number and ageing.
Our communities are friendly and active, but view the church as a quaint tradition that is largely
irrelevant, there for high days and holy days. However, there is a desire to see the church grow in
numbers and spiritual experience, and be more closely integrated with the community, meeting the
community in its day to day life, beyond the church gates.
Welcome and introduction
We recognise that, as a church community, we will need to be open to change; and engage in new projects and expressions of
worship to enable effective outreach, discipleship and ministry in our churches and communities. For some, this is a challenging
prospect, and there are diverse opinions on the ways our challenges and opportunities should be addressed. Therefore we are
looking for a strong leader who is sympathetic to our fears, but prepared to take us in a new direction.
Our Benefice comprises the rural parishes of Martock, Kingsbury Episcopi and Ash. It is situated in South Somerset northwest
of Yeovil, in the Diocese of Bath and Wells (Wells Archdeaconry) serving a total population of approx. 6800 people. Well served
by transport links, we are close to the A303 and within 30 minutes from the M5. There are rail links from two stations in Yeovil
and Bristol Airport is just over an hour away. Public transport within the benefice is limited, with a small bus service.
The Benefice is full of large, historic and beautiful golden limestone houses, which give the impression that the area is a pros-
perous one. There are, however, some very real pockets of rural deprivation and challenge. These include transport for those
without a car; loneliness, depression and isolation especially within, but not limited to, our aging population; little to do, and a
lack of employment opportunities, for young people.
We are blessed with close ecumenical relationships across the Benefice with Martock Christian Fellowship, Kingsbury Episcopi
Methodist Church, Bower Hinton United Reform Church and Mid Lambrook United Reform Church.
Our Vision
In common with many old church school buildings, in one of our parishes, over the door a motto reads, ‘’Neglect not thy opportuni-
ties’’! This provides us with focus, as we believe that our opportunities to become a relevant Christian community that serves and
connects with people of all ages, in all corners of our benefice, are boundless.
Some in our congregations will feel drawn to doing ‘more church as we know it already’. Others will be prompted by God’s Spirit to
leave ‘decoration’ behind; to experiment with fresh ways of engaging with people who haven’t yet had the opportunity to explore
what a life of worshipping God in Jesus might mean. Both approaches are vital. They need not compete. We want to continue to
nurture the faithful to worship God in Jesus Christ in all aspects of their lives and we want to join with God in what He is already
Everything else is decoration. Some of it may be very necessary, useful
doing, and is about to do, in the wider community of which we are a part.
First, the Church exists to worship God in Jesus Christ. Second, the
GROWTH is crucial to our vision and we trust, in faith, that by focussing on our positive growth in Christ, we will be able to
++Justin Welby – Inaugural Lambeth Lecture - March 2015
address our challenges and meet our goals.
Church exists to make new disciples of Jesus Christ.
We seek to grow as a church in GOD. Helping us to have a deeper, whole-life, understanding and experience of our faith as
or wonderful decoration - but it's decoration'
disciples and followers of the Way of Jesus Christ. Deepening our spiritual awareness and relationship with God whatever
our age or faith level.
We seek to grow as a church in RELATIONSHIP. To become closer as a Benefice of church communities and in our
ecumenical partnerships, working and co-operating more fully together; pastorally supporting and loving each other without
reservation.
We seek to grow as a church in OUTREACH. Through living the story, we aspire to show the love of Christ collectively, and
as individuals, in both word and action. We seek to develop in service, mission and pastoral care, offering compassionate,
informed, faith based
interactions to our communities that allow us to serve as His hands and feet.
We seek to grow as a church in WORSHIP. Developing our ambitions in the depth and breadth of our worship expression as
a “both…and” church, offering the familiarity of traditional services and seeking fresh expressions of worship. This will
allow us to provide a contemporary bridge for seekers and younger generations to join the worshipping community in a
way which meets them where they are.
We seek to grow as a church in TELLING THE STORY. Through developing evangelism, we aspire to engage in a variety
of ways from being confident to talk about our personal faith experiences; to engaging in well-grounded, faith based
conversations with local people and organisations on social, justice and environmental issues; to having an effective social
media presence.
We seek to grow as a church in HOSPITALITY. We want our church spaces to be a place of warmth, inclusive acceptance
and welcome. They will provide the right facilities for a warm, accessible, environmentally friendly and flexible space for
use by the community, to support living and telling the story.
What can you bring?
Our congregations contain a range of perspectives about our future and are understandably apprehensive over change. We are
keen to understand how best to achieve our vision and see our church develop with a common focus to become a thriving, out-
ward-focussed, Christ-hearted community.
Therefore, we are looking for a prayerful leader with a mature personal faith and personality who can take on the challenge to
listen, discern and compassionately lead the change required to meet these aspirations. More importantly, we would like you to
help us find the way forward the Holy Spirit is calling us to, and not be inhibited by our expectations.
We are a benefice blessed with gifted and dedicated lay workers in areas such as pastoral visiting and leading worship; and
would like our new priest to be comfortable leading, inspiring and encouraging, a team. Between them, this team would cover all
areas of ministry and not expect our new priest to take on every role themselves. Therefore, our church community would like to
see in our new priest:
Experience:
• A strong, spiritually grounded leader; able to demonstrate in either a previous parish or a previous role, that they are
capable of and enjoy leading through change and dealing with complexity.
• Familiarity with a variety of techniques and activities to promote deeper biblical understanding, discipleship, prayer,
spiritual gifts and the connection between everyday life and faith.
• A person with a heart for evangelism who has a passion for reaching out to people, including those who are unchurched,
introducing them to Jesus.
• Someone who can inspire others to do the same for the man and woman in the street or
work place or school or kitchen table.
General Attributes:
• God centred, and Spirit led. Strong in their faith with spiritual maturity and authority, who
leads by example.
• An approachable, charismatic and confident
person with a modern outlook who can inspire
others.
• Insightful, with a good sense of humour and a
positive outlook on life.
What can you bring?
Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
• An exciting communicator: able to reflect, explain and discuss scripture in ways suitable for a wide variety of ages and
backgrounds, relating teaching to how many people live their lives today.
• A builder of community: able to bring together different groups to form a single body.
• An encourager of disciples: able to nurture and encourage the spiritual growth of others.
• A people person: able to talk with, listen to, and empathise for and with others
• Strong organisational skills and a good dose of common sense.
• Able to use IT-based tools for work and communication
Values:
We are looking for someone who values:
• The richness of tradition and the opportunities for innovation.
• The Eucharist, within a flexible framework.
• The Bible as the prime source of inspiration, wisdom, teaching and preaching.
• The breadth of views and values in the benefice, and thrives on holding the views and people together in creative tension.
• Ministry beyond the church building; being a visible presence in our schools, care homes, businesses, farms and the wider
community.
• The needs of their congregation – not just the new people but also the quiet
and long serving
What can we give?
There is a strong, established ministry team with a growing, engaged group of lay people. All willing to use their time and talents
to grow and experience ministry. The wider ministry team comprises:
• A number of active, retired clergy with Permission to Officiate (PTO)
• A complement of church wardens and PCC officers in each church
• 2 experienced lay readers
• 4 commissioned lay worship assistants
• 1 ordinand in training
In addition, we are blessed with excellent and efficient administrative support in the form of a part-time Benefice Administrator
who works 3 days a week, and a number of experienced lay people who also help with the co-ordination of services and ministry
activities across the Benefice.
Above all, we know that we are imperfect and exist through grace. We do not expect our priest to be perfect either. We under-
stand, and appreciate, the pressures and challenges of full time ministry and are supportive of our priest’s well-being and per-
sonal growth. This includes:
• An excellent programme of Continuing Ministerial Development provided by the Diocese
• Opportunities for study leave and sabbaticals
• An excellent network of spiritual and pastoral care for clergy and their families
• A very supportive and sociable Deanery
• Working expenses paid in full
We value our priest having their day off each week, and holidays, and do everything we can to ensure
they are taken.
We also want to assure you of our willingness and commitment to building a mutually supportive and
empowering
relationship where you can be yourself; bringing your faith, humour, charisma, energy, gifts, ideas,
wisdom and leadership to help us shape our future journey
together with God.
Worship in our Benefice
We believe worship is a central part of our life as individual Christians and as a Christian Community.
We are able to provide a wide variety of worship, led by a mixture of clergy and lay, from BCP communion through to a contempo-
rary monthly worship service and a bi-monthly contemplation group. Communion is an important part of Sunday morning worship
in all three churches, along with a mix of morning praise and family services at least once a month. On Wednesdays and Thursdays
Holy Communion is offered in Martock, and Morning/Evening Prayer and Compline are often held across the Benefice.
Our monthly service pattern established with the Benefice Ministry and PCCs during the Vacancy.
All Saints All Saints Martock Holy Trinity Ash St Martins Kingsbury All Saints Martock
Martock
8.00am 9.30am 11.15am 6.30pm
Wk 1 Holy Communion Morning Praise 11.15 Morning Prayer Evening Prayer
Wk 2 Morning Praise 9.30 Holy Communion Holy Communion
Wk 3 Holy Communion Holy Communion 11.15 Morning Praise Evening Prayer
Wk 4 BCP Holy Communion 9.30 Holy Communion Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Wk 5 11.00 Benefice Morning Praise Evening Prayer
Worship in our Benefice
We also aim to engage with the wider communities for significant festivals and commemorative services such as Advent, Christ-
mas, Lent, Easter and Remembrance where our attendance numbers increase to 200-300.
As with any church, we are blessed to play a part in the major events in peoples life journey through the provision of baptisms,
weddings and funerals. Across the benefice we delivered
Baptism Weddings Funerals
2018 Martock 12 3 19
Kingsbury Episcopi 4 0 4
Ash 1 1 2
Total 17 4 25
2019 Martock 12 7 9
Kingsbury Episcopi 1 3 5
Ash 3 1 2
Total 16 11 15
We are very blessed to have a small but dedicated team that support the preparation for baptisms and funerals, and very well
respected Lay Readers who take a number of the funeral services throughout the year. Our Lay Readers and pastoral assis-
tants arrange pastoral visits, and a home communion team provides monthly visits for a number of home bound parishioners in
the benefice.
The Benefice provides a monthly service for Bearley House and La Fontana Care Homes as part of “Martock Active Living”, and
a popular, weekly coffee and chat group in the community in Ash. We also participate as part of the steering group for Martock
Dementia Action Alliance and support the Martock Bereavement group. In addition, the minister, the chaplains assigned to the
Church schools, and a small group of lay volunteers support termly school assemblies, Christmas Carol Services and Leavers
services in their respective churches and schools.
The benefice has a number of small, discipleship groups that meet regularly across the Benefice. They use a variety of programs
including Pilgrim and Nooma.Our Parishes: All Saints’, Martock
Sitting on the edge of the picturesque Somerset levels, Martock is the size of a small town while maintaining its village
atmosphere. A once thriving gloving industry and its rich surrounding farmland gave rise to a splendid church and large houses
built of the warm, golden stone quarried from nearby Ham Hill. The village has since expanded to include newer housing estates,
a shopping precinct and industrial park. With a population of over 4,800 the parish includes Bower Hinton, Coat, Hurst, Parrett
Works and Stapleton.
Historically a prosperous market town, Martock consists of many local, independent businesses. With its range of facilities, such
as the well-equipped parish hall and a large recreation ground - popular with dog walkers and the village sports clubs - Martock
is able to serve the wider area, including many outlying villages. We are also fortunate to have a bus service that runs daily
(except Sundays).
Martock has a large proportion of retired and elderly people, along with families and those of working age. There are extremes of
wealth and poverty in Martock and there is a great need for social care within the village.
We produce a monthly parish magazine - The Messenger - which includes local interest stories, church news and upcoming
events and is delivered to over 500 local residents and businesses.
Our Church and Ecumenical Life
Dating from the 13th Century (although there has been a church on the site since Anglo-Saxon times), All Saints’ is the second
largest parish church in Somerset, and a Grade 1 listed building. The superbly carved ‘angel’ roof, majestic organ and uniquely
complete set of painted apostles attract many visitors to the church, which is open daily, usually from 8am to 6pm.
We have a congregation of around 60 regulars, many of whom take part in the day to day running of the church and services.
This includes one Lay Reader, three Lay Worship Assistants and a small number of retired clergy. We also have many dedicated
congregants who organise and take part in the cleaning, refreshments, transport etc.
We enjoy a varied program of services, including traditional communion, a monthly informal ‘Morning Praise’ and semi-regular
Sunday morning Baptism services, all of which end with refreshments and time for conversation, which often stretches into the
late morning. Our regular congregation is boosted during our extensive Remembrance and Easter celebrations, and over
Christmas when we enjoy an almost full church for the Christmas Eve Christingle service and the popular Midnight Eucharist.
http://www2.cuf.org.uk/parish - Sept 2018Our Parishes: All Saints’, Martock
We are blessed with a community who feels passionately about the church building and cares about it’s conservation and upkeep,
and are supported by the Guardians of Martock Church, who fundraise for the maintenance of the church building through
concerts, raffles and other events. The Guardians have raised £70,000 since 2002, and with their support we have recently been
able to update the electrical wiring in the church, install smoke alarms and add a number of new plug sockets. We have also
recently had all of our stained glass windows refurbished, helped by a grant from the National Churches Trust.
All Saints’ has good relations with the other two churches in the village – Martock Christian Fellowship (MCF) and the United
Reform Church in Bower Hinton, with whom we enjoy a ‘Pulpit Swap’ and joint Easter service each year.
In 2016 MCF reopened one of the older pubs in the village – The George – and turned it into a popular not-for-profit café, run by
volunteers. Members of the benefice congregations regularly volunteer in the café.
A small number of the All Saints’ congregation have recently become involved in the Street Pastors organisation operating in
Yeovil, which brings together members from many churches in the area. We were pleased to support them as one of our official
charities in 2018.
Groups and clubs
Include:
• History Society • Youth Club & Army Cadets • Slimming World & Weight Watchers
• WI • Scouts and Guides • Short Mat Bowls
• U3A • Boys and Girls Brigade • Pantomime and Players Society
• Gardening Society • Bereavement Support Group • Running club
Within the church we have a dedicated group of bell ringers who ring every Sunday morning and often welcome visiting ringers,
and talented flower arrangers who decorate the church throughout the year. Tiddlers, on Thursday mornings, is a thriving
children’s group providing play and worship for 30+ pre-school children and their families. Though our Children’s Worker has now
left to pursue a different post, the group is still being run by a dedicated team of volunteers, while the PCC look’s the appoint a
new Children and Families Worker.
Our choir recently disbanded, but we do have a singing group who perform on special occasions during the year, led by our Musi-
cal Director and organist. Our Mothers’ Union (with Ash) currently has 12 members, with the Branch Leader and Branch Secretary
commissioned at All Saints in January 2016 as Deanery Leaders.Our Parishes: All Saints’, Martock
Local events
In the past All Saints’ ran a church fete every summer, but in recent years this has proved too much of a challenge for our aging
congregation. In 2018 the mantle was taken up by a group of local residents trying to restore the fun of the fete in Martock with
support from members of the church congregation, who, in 2018 and 2019, ran a hog roast and cake stall at the fete. Additionally,
a hugely well-attended bi-annual Fireworks Night is organised by villagers and held at the recreation ground.
Yandles Wood-Working Centre runs two extremely popular Wood-Working and Hobby Shows in April and September, and due to
the influx of visitors to the village, All Saints’ hold a quilting exhibition and provide lunches in the church on the same weekend.
This contributes a large amount to our annual fundraising. We also hold an annual Harvest Lunch and a Christmas Market in
church, money from which goes towards that year’s nominated charities and church funds, respectively.
We have a skilled and industrious catering team who are able to provide both light refreshments and extensive lunches from our
kitchen area after services, on special occasions and for weddings and funerals, when requested. Their efforts, as well as those
who organise our regular events and ‘one-offs’ such a Quiz Night and the recent Jonathan Veira concert, significantly contribute to
the success of events we’re able to host at All Saints.
Our school and family outreach
Built in 1974, Martock Church of England VA Primary School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 4-11. There are
currently 215 pupils at the school, who attend key services at All Saints throughout the year. The school choir also performs at All
Saints’ on special occasions such as the Christmas market.
The school has always enjoyed a close relationship with our incumbent, and a Lay Reader currently holds the position of School
Chaplain. The school has a strong PTA and team of Governors, including members of the All Saints’ congregation. We currently
support a new Christian school club called ‘Jesus and Me (JAM)’, which is run by a member of the school staff.
A 2017 SIAMS inspection gave an ‘Outstanding’ rating, and in 2018 Martock was listed as ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
As part of our outreach to children and young families we hold an annual Christmas tree decorating event, Easter crafts, summer
drop-in sessions, and in the last couple of years we have taken part in a village-wide school holiday ‘Fun Day’, with a bouncy
castle, games and activities in the church.Our Parishes: St Martin’s, Kingsbury Episcopi
Located three miles north west of Martock, on the edge of the Somerset Levels, Kingsbury Episcopi is a civil parish of c1,300
inhabitants with the largest demographic between the ages of 45 and 64, slightly higher than the deanery average. Sitting
beside the River Parrett, and surrounded by farmland and orchards, the quietness and pace of country life are much valued.
The parish comprises the rural village of Kingsbury Episcopi and several small hamlets; Thorney, Lower Burrow, Burrow Hill and
Stembridge.
The parish has a mixture of traditional and modern buildings including two popular village pubs, the Wyndham Arms in Kingsbury
Episcopi and the Rusty Axe in Stembridge, both of which allow St Martins and the Kingsbury Episcopi Methodists Church to hold
Harvest and Christmas sing-songs for the Parish. A new community centre with village shop and café provides a hub for the
secular social life in the village, and has deservedly come second place in Somerset Village shop of Shop of the Year 2018. The
people in the community have a wide variety of occupations and interests including farming, ex and currently serving military, self
-employed, stay-at-home parents, and business professionals. There are a group of regular home-workers and a significant
group of home schoolers.
Community Life
Kingsbury Episcopi is very socially active, with a strong community spirit. The popular May Festival, Christmas pantomime and
Party by the Parrett music event are all held annually and well attended by both locals and visitors. There are well supported,
regular film nights and a large number of craft, hobby, activity and sporting groups that meet at venues across the village.
Members of St. Martins help out with the monthly Community Breakfast. We were delighted to win both “Somerset Medium
Sized Village of the Year” and “Overall Somerset Village of the Year” in 2018.
The wider community come together for important commemorative services and major festivals, swelling the congregation for
Harvest, Remembrance, Easter, Mothering Sunday, Christingle and Christmas Carol Services. The Christmas Tree Festival is
an opportunity for local groups, the local school, clubs and businesses to participate and our annual Christmas Toy Service
provides toys for donation to the Salvation Army.
Regular, themed dinner and entertainment events are put on in the Church Hall, for example Burn’s Night, St George’s Night,
where diners enjoy the chance to dress in the appropriate costumes. Apart from being most enjoyable, they all contribute to the
fundraising activities for our church.Our Parishes: St Martin’s, Kingsbury Episcopi
Our Church
St. Martin's church is located at the far end of Church Street, in the village’s Conservation Area. The church boasts an ornate,
100ft (30m) Somerset Tower and is a Grade 1 listed building, with its origins lying in a much older Saxon church. The 14 th
century building that replaced the Saxon church suffered the ravages of Cromwell's soldiers and later fell into disrepair before
being renovated between 1845 and 1849. Both the church and the hall are serviced by a small 12-15 vehicle car park.
The newly refurbished St. Martin’s Church Hall is located near to the church. The interior has been extensively renovated this
year, as part of an ongoing plan, and is able to accommodate seventy persons seated at tables. The new features of the hall are:
• Central heating • a new, well equipped kitchen • new patio doors
• a lovely wooden floor • a committee room • toilets with disabled access
As well as hosting church events, the hall is available to hire for small events and regular clubs, the profits from which contribute
to our fundraising.
The church is open every day to worshippers and visitors. There is a small, committed, friendly and informal congregation of
regular members worshipping God with a mixture of modern, traditional and alternative authorised liturgy. The church is blessed
to have a regular organist, and a small, enthusiastic choir. Most services begin with the six bells being run by the small team of
ringers. All morning services end with tea, coffee, exceptional cake and a chance to chat. The church, hall and car park play a
key venue role in the annual village May Festival. Concerts are also held in the church on a semi-regular basis, adding to the
church fundraising.
As small congregations facing similar challenges, St Martin’s enjoys a close, but informal, ecumenical relationship with Kingsbury
Episcopi Methodist Church and Mid Lambrook United Reform Church. We hold regular joint services and support each other at
key points throughout the year, examples being the Methodist annual Covenant Service and the annual “pulpit swap”. There is a
clear desire to strengthen these bonds and work collaboratively to build meaningful bridges into the community.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has a full complement of officers and meets regularly, along with providing representation
to the Benefice Tri-PCC. The PCC is committed to building a strong working relationship between the clergy and laity. The
church is currently fully meeting its financial liabilities.Our Parishes: St Martin’s, Kingsbury Episcopi
The St Martin’s Team
St. Martin’s believes strongly in the part that lay people play in the life of the parish, and is blessed with two dedicated Church
Wardens, a Reader, a Lay Pastoral Assistant and a Lay Worship Assistant. In addition, we have a committed team of volunteers
who regularly clean the Church, decorate with flowers throughout the year, and maintain the churchyard. The team is made up
of a cross-section of the community, both worshippers and those who attend less regularly.
Beyond regular worship, a number of our congregation volunteer in the village shop. There is a small, active pastoral team
visiting locally to reach out to those in need. A fellowship and bible study group; and an “open to all” contemplation group meet
regularly. “The Gathering”, the monthly informal, contemporary worship service held in the Church Rooms, is currently “resting”.
The Mothers Union meet on the first Tuesday of every month. Martock and Kingsbury Episcopi Mothers Union groups have a
close tie, and meet together up to four times a year. Members of St. Martin’s provide a ploughman’s lunch and social afternoon,
with a game of bingo or a beetle drive at the end of each month. We are keen to do more in this area in order to build
relationships for witness into the Community.
Kingsbury Episcopi Primary School
Although not a Church School, St Martin’s has a close and positive relationship with the primary school, situated in Stembridge,
going into the school a few times a term to take morning assembly, judge the Easter Bonnet parade, and host the school for their
end of term services, Carol Service and Leavers Service every year. The school choir and dance groups also take part in
commemorative events in the church like the 1700th celebration of the birth of St. Martin, and the bi-annual church flower festival.
Kingsbury Episcopi Primary School has an active and enthusiastic PTA and board of Governors and regularly gets involved with
village events. In 2017 the school was given a ‘Good’ rating by Ofsted.
Stanchester Academy in Stoke-sub-Hamdon, Huish Episcopi School in Langport and Yeovil College provide secondary and
further education.Our Parishes: Holy Trinity, Ash
Ash is a quiet, picturesque village approximately one mile from Martock, three miles from Kingsbury Episcopi and six miles from
Yeovil, with a population of 569. An hourly bus service connects Ash with Yeovil and Martock. The Hamlets of Milton and
Witcombe are less than a mile away.
Within the village we have a well-cared for recreation ground, ‘phone box book share’ and a successful village pub, The Bell
Inn, which serves as a popular hub and function space for residents and visitors.
Our Church and congregation
Holy Trinity Church was built in 1845 as a Chapel of Ease at the junction of the three parishes of Ash, Witcombe and Milton; to
cater for worshippers travelling to Martock Church. The original building consisted of just a Nave. A Chancel was added in 1889,
followed by a vestry in 1903 and a porch in 1913. The Tower was added in 1919, as a Thanksgiving for Peace and is believed
to be the only War Memorial in the form of a tower in the country. The Tower was rededicated in November 2018 to celebrate
the hundredth anniversary of the ending of the First World War.
The congregation at Holy Trinity, although small in number, is strong in its beliefs and sincere in its worship. Members are
extremely loyal, not only to the church and the ministry team, but also to each other. We are a loving, caring and supportive
congregation, dedicated to maintaining “the church” in Ash and have a talent for welcoming newcomers.
Most of us have known each other for a long time and, though this gives the feeling of an extended family when we meet on a
Sunday, we embrace the opportunity to invite and welcome visitors.
Our congregation is conservative in its musical tastes and feels most comfortable with familiar material; we do not have a choir
but always manage to fill the church with strong and joyful voices.
About half of the congregation are part of the Prayer Partners Scheme – where participants are randomly allocated a ‘partner’ to
pray for, eventually revealing themselves to each other after three months of diligent prayer. We hope to continue growing this
initiative in the future to help enhance our prayer life at Holy Trinity.Our Parishes: Holy Trinity, Ash
Members of the congregation contribute to the running of the Church in a variety of ways; there are rotas for Sidesmen/women,
cleaners, Vestry duties, flower arranging and teas and coffees. We have an excellent Bellringing Team, and our bells are
frequently used by visiting teams as the bells are lighter than many others and therefore better for younger and novice ringers.
Our PCC is a committed and efficient group, but despite being made up of 25% of the congregation, we are limited in numbers
and would benefit from additional members. The PCC meets bi-monthly, and a Standing Committee meets during the other
months to deal with matters requiring more urgent attention and action.
Around half of our congregation are “planned givers” through the envelope scheme and Gift Aid their collections. This is the
third year in succession that we have paid our Parish Share in full and we see no obvious reason at present why this should not
be continued.
The local community
The village community is very good at coming together for special occasions, such as Christmas and Easter. Our
Remembrance service in November this year was fantastically well-attended and was felt to be a very profound and spiritual
gathering of regular congregants, local villagers and visitors.
Despite this enthusiasm for special services, the local community appears reluctant to commit to regular worship on Sundays,
and we are seeking new opportunities in this area.
Our local community does, however, have the ability, interest and commitment to react to particular needs of the Church. A
village appeal was made in 2017 when £9,000 was needed to repair a hole in the church ceiling. This figure was raised and
exceeded in less than three weeks! It is clear that the local community does support and value the Church’s existence in the
village, even if they are not actively involved in its day-to-day activities.
The village is blessed with a beautiful Millennium Wood, ideal for walking and quiet meditation. It is owned by the Parish Council
and cared for by a team of volunteers, whose aim is to provide a natural haven, sustainability and community involvement
through conservation and access to the wood. The volunteers run a popular, educational open day once a year, which draws
many visitors to the village.Our Parishes: Holy Trinity, Ash
Groups and events
Our annual Christmas Fayre, which includes stalls, activities and refreshments, is another major fund-raising event for Holy
Trinity, and is very popular both within the village and beyond.
Each year we enjoy events like the lighting of the village Christmas tree, singing Christmas carols, the gardening club sale and
the annual cricket match between the villagers and The Bell Inn.
The PCC recently moved a weekly Coffee and Chat session from the Church to the Pavilion in the recreation field, which is
more central in the village, and this has been very well supported and is also proving to be a valuable conduit for our mission of
Pastoral Care, with the sharing of news and providing awareness of the special needs of residents in the village who need to be
visited or helped. All donations for teas and coffees are shared between four village groups or charities.
Within the village we also have:
• A Women’s Institute • Craft and lacemaking group • Sport 50
• Village newsletter • Quilting group • Tuesday Tea Club
• Gardening Club • Art group • Bell ringers
Ash Primary School
The primary school, with approximately 170 pupils, was given an ‘Outstanding’ rating by the most recent Ofsted report, and a
SIAMS rating of ‘Good’. The school runs a number of sports, academic, music and nature clubs as well as the Ash Forest School
and Scallywags Playgroup for pre-school aged children.
There are close relations between the school and the church, with major church festivals, and some school occasions,
celebrated in Holy Trinity, being generally well supported by parents and grandparents. A member of the Benefice Ministry Team
is the Chaplain at Ash school and has built a strong relationship with the staff, pupils and parents, as well as running an after
school club for the children.
The school organises the annual Ash Excellent Eight Races- a series of ‘fun runs’ of varying length and difficulty around the
village and surrounding countryside. This is a popular and well-supported community, fundraising event, now in it’s 22nd year.The Vicarage
The Benefice vicarage is in Martock, approximately 160 metres from All Saints’, on Water Street.
It is a modern, spacious four bedroom detached house; with two reception rooms, kitchen and utility and a large garden with
rear access and pond.
The Benefice Office is attached to the house with separate access. It is well equipped with a Priests’ study, administrative area,
kitchen and toilet.
The vicarage is within walking distance of all the village facilities.
Within easy walking distance of
the vicarage:
• Recreation ground
• Doctors’ Surgery & Pharmacy
• Martock Primary School
• Yandle's Gallery and Café
• The George Café
• Bus stop, Post Office, library
• The White Hart pub &
restaurant
• Spa shop, Co-op,
newsagents, butchers,
bakery, florist, hardware
shop, pet shop
• Gym
• Chinese and pizza
takeaways, fish and chip
shopMoney in our Benefice
As a Benefice we are relatively modest in our expenditure and aim to funnel the majority of our funds towards covering our
standard costs; improvements for the churches and how we operate (such as recently purchasing a new computer for our Bene-
fice Office) and investing in small projects for outreach and community work.
All substantial expenditures are approved through the PCCs and are undertaken only after careful research and tendering. On
occasion we will approach our congregations and parishes for donations towards specific one-off purchases, and a measured
but pleasing response is often received.
Our three churches have a strong tradition for fundraising through popular, well-run events, which are supported by both our con-
gregations and local communities. In addition to working hard to increase our own church funds, we also feel it is vital that we
support external charities and select a number of organisations to support each year. We recognise the importance of identify-
ing, and securing, multiple funding streams; and as a consequence put time and effort into seeking grants and funding from local
and national sources where appropriate, for example to help with the improvement works to the church buildings. The leaders
and parents of All Saints’ Tiddlers group recently obtained a donation of over £5,000 from the Co-Op’s Local Causes initiative,
for new play and sensory equipment for children with additional needs.
There have, and continue to be, significant efforts to fund Quinquennial works and improvements within all three churches within
the Benefice. All Saints’ is fortunate to be supported by The Guardians of Martock Church, and extensive work has been carried
out with their support. St Martin’s, however, is facing significant Quinquennial works, which are due to start shortly and will be
paid for mainly through parish legacy reserves. Holy Trinity has in the past faced significant challenges in meeting its financial
commitments with major Quinquennial costs and a ceiling collapse; but through enormous efforts by the small regular congrega-
tion and incredible support from the village, all requirements are now being met.
In general, the financial attitude to giving is restrained and varies. Understandably, within an largely aging congregation, availa-
ble funds for regular giving are limited. There are also individuals who give generously for specific projects when approached,
who are not regular members of the congregations.
Financial Challenges
• Planning for the long term financial stability of all three churches when considering the current demographic profile of the
congregations, and the likely ongoing maintenance and investment work required to improve the flexible use of our church
buildings
• Prioritising spending to achieve remedial works highlighted in Quinquennial Reports
Financial Strengths
• We hold annual stewardship campaigns to ensure that where possible we increase or at least maintain planned giving
levels. Gift Aid Schemes are in operation
• All three parishes have shown that through either Charitable Trust or community spirit, there is support within each of the
parishes for their churches – as buildings within our communities as well as places of worshipOur Team
Lay Reader
Bridget Jones
Licensend in 2012, I lead some family services at All Saints’, preach across the
Benefice, and visit the local nursing home monthly. I am a member of the
baptism preparation, home communion and healing and prayer teams, and
undertake funeral ministry. I am also involved with the Tiddlers pre-school group
and a member of the All Saints’ PCC. I am the chaplain to Martock Primary
School and part of the ecumenical team leading assemblies in both our church
schools. I have recently become a mentor to the Lay Worship Assistants.
Benefice Administrator
Sarah Nicholas
Lay Reader
Denise Peacock
I have been a licensed Reader since 1998. I now have PTO and I am
responsible for coordinating Pastoral care in Martock and Ash. I combine this
role with being a Hospital Chaplain at Yeovil District Hospital.
I am in my 5th year as the SEND link Governor at Martock Primary School
working closely with the appointed SENCO and I am the joint lead of the
Bereavement Group which meets regularly in the George, Martock.
Children's’ Worker
(Martock)
Position vacant
Church Wardens
(Martock) (Kingsbury Episcopi) (Ash)
Rosemary Marshall Grace Dunton Barbara Moore Graham Beckinsale Barbara WoodhouseOur Team
Lay Worship Assistants Crucifer
(Martock, Kingsbury Episcopi, Ash) (Martock and Ash)
Kathryn Marson Sally Howells Grace Dunton Dickon Allen Lee Stott
PCC Lay Chairs Treasurers
(Martock) (Ash) Kingsbury Episcopi (Martock) (Ash) (Kinsgbury Episcopi)
Ivan Childs Ken Witcombe David Wakely Ellen Howard Caroline Halfhide Richard Brooks
Musical Directors Transport Co-ordinator/ Parish Safeguarding Officers
(Martock and Ash) (Kingsbury Episcopi) Magazine Editor (Martock) (Martock and Ash) (Kingsbury Episcopi)
Steve Salisbury Jess Bromfield Chrissy Allen Steve Salisbury Sylvia Shuttleworth
The Diocese is centred on the medieval city of Wells. The Diocese stretches from Portishead in the north to Crewkerne in the
south, Minehead in the west to Frome in the east; and loves and serves 940,000 people who live here through its family of 466
parishes and 181 church schools.
Everything the diocese does is underpinned by prayer and worship; and is driven by its vision - that in response to God’s
immense love for us, we seek to be God’s people, living and telling the story of Jesus.
This vision speaks of the story of Jesus; his life, teaching and work, his death and resurrection, the story which is the context of
our faith and the content of our message. We seek to live this story as disciples of Jesus Christ in the world and to tell it, both
in sharing the good news and by the way in which our lives speak about Him.
The diocesan strategy is built around three priorities:
To place mission and evangelism at the heart of all we do
To re-align our resources towards mission.
To identify, develop and release the gifts of all our people.
The priorities provide a framework for decision-making and planning at parish, benefice, deanery, archdeaconry and diocesan
levels.Ivelchester Deanery
Martock, Ash and Kingsbury Episcopi are 3 of the 26 parishes that constitute the historic deanery of Ivelchester (founded in 1218).
The deanery has a population of some 29,000 spread across 180 square miles. The declared membership in 2018 was 814. The
parishes of the deanery are grouped together into 7 benefices. Within these you will find 8 primary schools and 2 secondary
schools. Employment is considered ‘full’ by national measures but like many rural parts of Somerset the incomes generated by
households is mixed and dependant on whether high income skilled aerospace jobs are held or agricultural and ‘cottage’ industries
undertaken.
The opportunities and challenges for parishes to be places of mission and worship are at the core of both the Deanery Mission
Plan and those generated by each parish. The DMP is a plan forged by the parishes with the core aims of supporting the parishes
in their local mission and worship through enabling partnership and facilitating development of, and sharing of ministries. As a
deanery we have a ‘Mission Development Facilitator’ and we are about to appoint a ‘Discipleship and Prayer Facilitator’ under a
Bishop’s Mission Order. We are a deanery with
really active Lay authorised ministries, our
Readers, Lay Worship Assistants, Lay Pastoral
Assistants, our Wardens and our Lay Dean.
Partnership and the sharing of ministry and
experience is a key way in which our parishes
are looking to fulfil their calling. The Deanery
Chapter recognises its need to model the
gifting and sharing of experience and
resources where called for across the
parishes. As such it is hoped that any new
incumbent within the deanery will be open to
sharing their expertise in enabling and
equipping all for their local mission.
Talking of chapter, we are a sociable group,
supportive of colleagues. We meet monthly on
rotation about folks homes for either
Communion or Bible Study, and above all for
the chance to share and care for each other in
our ministry. We also take the opportunity at
Easter and Christmas to get to the pub and
have a good lunch together!You can also read
