Benefice Profile 2020 - Church Times jobs
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Benefice Profile 2020
1
Overview of church activities.
Name of All Saints, St. Peters, St. Swithins, St. Dubricius, St. James,
Church Bishopswood Dixton Ganarew Whitchurch Wyesham
Residents 400 250 in parish but 140 1495 2500
people come from
outside parish
Local Retirement age School next door. Nearly all retired. Mixed, many General mixed
Community mainly not too Mostly owner commute. housing with 53
many young occupiers. Many new houses bring-
families retired. On edge ing in new families
of Monmouth
town.
Average 10 10 12 32 15-25
number of
worshippers
Average age of 60 -85 68+ 65 65 70+
worshippers Plus some middle
age
Description of Endowed in 11th Century with Grade 11 Victorian Parts date back to Victorian. Plans to
the church 1841 Victorian addi- built in 1850 to 13th century modernise. Within
tions. Grade II* replace an earlier walking distance of
Listed. Very near Saxon building the vicarage.
River Wye so
occasional floods.
Repair of Good Chancel roof Reasonable repair Good Reasonable repair
Church replaced 2019.
Reasonable
repair. Good
heating system.
Warm and Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
welcoming to
all
Mid-week None None None Thursday said com- Weekly prayer
Church munion followed by group. Monthly
Activities a discussion. 2nd prayer group with
Friday Taize Service. local Wyesham
Hosts reflection days Christian Fellow-
ship
Nearest Town Ross on Wye Monmouth Monmouth Ross on Wye Monmouth
with large
shops and
doctors surgery
Church Services.
The five parishes have a variety of services through the month. In general the services are
Holy communion, Sunday Praise, with a Benefice Service once a month in a different
church. Lay led services take place as well as Taize services at St Dubricius.
2
Thank you for showing an interest in the role of Priest in Charge (Vicar designate) for the Wye
Reaches group of parishes.
This is an exciting post in a vibrant and friendly Benefice.
A great deal of prayer, thought and planning has gone into the preparation of this Benefice pro-
file. It provides an outline of the role, the skills and experience that we are looking for. This is an
exciting time to join in the work of this group of parishes and the Diocese. As the Vicar you will
have pastoral oversight for the communities and churches and also play a major role in mission
across the whole Benefice in line with the gifts which you bring. There is considerable potential
for growth and a willingness to engage in mission.
As a diocese we are committed to spiritual and numerical growth – growing Christians of all ages
and backgrounds, contributing to the common good and reimagining ministry. Our vision is one
of proclaiming Christ, growing disciples and inspiring each generation to follow Jesus Christ.
There is a real energy to reconnect with our communities and reimagine our calling as God’s
church for this and future generations. And of course we are greatly looking forward to welcom-
ing Bishop Richard Jackson to lead us as our new Diocesan Bishop in early 2020.
More information about the diocesan context is provided as a separate file.
Unusually this post may require the person appointed to live in temporary accommodation
whilst the new vicarage is built, however we are committed to providing a modern, newly built
vicarage for the successful applicant. All costs associated with moving will of course be met by
the Diocese.
Thank you for taking the time to consider and pray for this opportunity. If this is a role that ex-
cites you, we would very much like to hear from you and look forward to receiving your applica-
tion. If you would like an informal conversation about any aspect of the post please do get in
touch.
Please submit your application on the application form downloadable from Pathways.
Yours in Christ’s name and service
Ven Derek Chedzey, Archdeacon of Hereford
3
Introduction from the Rural Dean.
Welcome to the Wye Reaches Benefice. Thank you for taking the time to have a look at this
group of five parishes in Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. We are part of a large Deanery
covering the market town of Ross on Wye and many villages and hamlets.
We face a number of challenges as we continue to proclaim the good news of Jesus in our
Deanery. One of those challenges is how we best use the skills of lay people and clergy. As a
Clergy Chapter and with the Deanery Mission and Pastoral Committee we are looking at how
we deploy those talents across the Deanery. This means a change in the way that clergy work
and we are keen to break out of the fixed parochial roles that clergy have traditionally held.
In view of this, we are hoping that the new person will be able to split their time with 80% going
to support the parishes and 20% to the Deanery. We are looking for someone who has skills in
helping the churches reach the unchurched, younger generations. We know we have lots of
contacts, but turning them into followers of Jesus can be a difficult job, but supporting each
other can be a way of helping us grow the kingdom of God.
You will find a welcoming and supportive Chapter and Churchwardens, PCCs and other officers
and people keen to develop the church and its mission in the area of south Herefordshire and
Monmouthshire.
Please feel free to contact me informally at any time on either 01981 540390
or via email revmark100@yahoo.co.uk.
Mark
Preb. Mark Johnson, Rector of the Wormelow Hundred Group and Rural Dean.
Our Team.
Penny originally from rural Devon has
spent time in Tanzania, trained as a
further education teacher. She was
licensed as a Reader in 2003 and then
ordained as a priest.
Jill was brought up in North Hereford-
shire where she trained as a nurse.
She was licensed as a reader in 1998,
ordained as a deacon in 2006 and or-
dained as a priest in 2013. She has a
Revd. Penny Powdrill Acting Vicar special ministry as Chaplain to local Revd. Jill Stephens
Nursing Homes. 4
What we are looking for in our new Vicar.
A leader who will take the five parishes forward.
Someone who is keen to get involved with all aspects of parish and community life.
A good listener who can put ideas into action.
The ability to understand the different needs of all five churches. To continue to maintain
meaningful worship.
To encourage the parishioners and the wider community to grow in faith.
To bring pastoral care to all generations.
The challenges for the future.
A need to increase the number of people who attend and support the five churches.
An ageing church population.
A need to attract all generations back to worship.
How to spread to the wider community the warmth and optimism shown by parishioners .
What we have to offer.
Five individual parishes each with its own distinctive character and plans for the future.
Strong and enthusiastic clergy team
All five parishes work well together in harmony.
Well maintained churches
Fairly good finances. Nothing of concern.
Welcoming churches led by welcoming parishioners.
A popular parish magazine written in conjunction with the neighbouring “ Borders Group” bene-
fice.
Lay led services.
Involvement with Whitchurch C of E , Primary School, Wyesham Primary School and Agincourt
pre -prep School. Plus many care homes in the area.
Talented and dedicated organists.
A strong and enthusiastic non stipendiary team
As a Benefice we have an ecumenical attitude to all worshippers.
5
Location of the five parishes.
St. Peter’s Church— Dixton St. Dubricius Church—Whitchurch All Saints Church—Bishopswood
Historical heritage of
AONB which attracts the vibrant market
tourists throughout the towns.
year for walking and
activity holidays.
St. James Church- Wyesham St.Swithin’s Church- Ganarew
Good schools in all nearby towns.
Excellent cultural events with local
theatres and cinemas. Abergavenny
Food Festival and Hay on Wye
literary festival close proximity.
Monmouth to Cardiff - 1hour Easy access to M50, M4 and
M5.
Ross to Hereford - 3/4 hour
Easy access to the Forest of
No longer tolls on Severn
Dean , Brecon Beacons and
Bridge.
many other scenic treats.
6
The five distinct church communities.
Bishopswood—All Saints Church.
Referred to locally as ‘the church in the woods’, All Saints is nestled within the trees
high above the River Wye. The church has strong links with the Village Hall – a well
established popular hub for the lively village community. All Saints uses the hall on
the 1st Sunday of the month to host a Big Breakfast fundraiser. Working both ways,
the church supports and shares events at the hall – It is a ‘village affair’ in Bishops-
wood! All Saints Church - Bishopswood
Whitchurch—St Dubricius Church.
A church school within the parish with lots of links with parishioners on the Gov-
erning Body. Good, close links with the community. Church runs Knitter and
Natter, Good Neighbours Coffee Mornings, Sticky Fingers Playgroup. Thursday
said communion followed by a discussion with a Taizé service once a month on a
Friday. Community lunches are held every other week. The most utilised church in
the parish. There is always something going on. St. Dubricius Church—Whitchurch
Ganarew— St Swithins Church.
Easy to get to and in an idyllic setting, there is a loyal and welcoming congregation.
Two services each month as well as two in the adjacent care homes. The active PCC
organises unusual well attended fund raising events, reaching out to a wider com-
munity of more than just one parish. There are plans underway to run an
Eco– Church at the local farm.
St.Swithin’s Church- Ganarew
Dixton—St. Peter’s Church.
A loyal group of parishioners who come from near and far to worship at
Dixton. The church has put on exhibitions of art and music concerts. The building is
much loved by walkers, as it is on the Wye Valley Walk, and by many in Monmouth
who do not worship there, some of whom recently volunteered to help paint the
exterior. It is open all day every day. The church is next door to Haberdasher's
Agincourt School, who use it on a regular basis. St Peter’s Church—Dixton
Wyesham - St. James. Church
The church is at the centre of the community in Wyesham with the vicarage within
easy walking distance of the church. Members of the church are Governors at the
local school and links are well established. A weekly prayer meeting involvement
with other church groups in the area. Once a month a community Coffee Morning
with the best cakes in Monmouth. A “pop up” café in the summer months in the
church, has brough the community together and forged lasting links. St. James Church - Wyesham
Please note all of our five churches are steeped in history. For more further details please look online.
7
The five distinct church communities and how we work together.
Just a short note explaining how the Wye Reaches Benefice Profile was compiled. A
representative of the five churches worked together to come up with ideas. A draft form was
taken to each individual PCC for comments and those views and changes were then incorpo-
rated in the final document approved at a joint PCC meeting.
8
You can also read
