Our Parish Profile. The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin Shenfield, Essex

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1 The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin Shenfield, Essex Our Parish Profile Welcome to St Mary the Virgin, where Christians have learnt to love and worship God for hundreds of years Please visit our website:

2 The Diocese: A message from Bishop Stephen In the Chelmsford Diocese we believe that God is calling his church to be a transforming presence. Our vision is that the church - that is the people of God here in Essex and East London - should be a transforming presence in every one of our parishes. These are our priorities To inhabit the world distinctively To evangelise effectively To hold ourselves accountable to one another and to God for the stewardship of the gospel To re-imagine the way we minister so that each ordained minister and each individual Christian discovers their part in God s ministry and so that each church flourishes. To this end we are looking for priests who are excited by this vision of becoming a church which is itself transformed, and which is becoming a more visible and effective presence in the huge diversity of communities that make up this most exciting and energetic part of England. There are many challenges ahead of us. We are a diocese generously subsidised by the national church. We need to become financially selfsufficient. Leadership often seems distant. We are creating patterns of leadership that are closer to the parishes. And we are looking to develop missionary leadership at all levels of church life. Nearly half our clergy will retire in the next ten years. We need to find out how to minister with fewer stipendiary clergy and with a re-imagining of how stipendiary ministry works. We need to reorganise the way parishes relate to each other in what we are calling Mission and Ministry Units. Some of our congregations still think ministry is what Vicars do. We have a vision of ministry where the whole people of God are involved in the whole of God s ministry. We are also experimenting with new forms of authorised lay ministry. Church must be a safe place. All those in ministry will be expected to undergo training that will equip them to respond well in situations associated with safeguarding. Levels of church going are below the national average. We need to get evangelism on to the agenda and into the lifeblood of every church. We encourage and train churches to put on weekends of mission and outreach. One of our aspirations is that every benefice should have a trained lay evangelism enabler. We are developing missionary discipleship, so that every church in the diocese is a place where Christians are formed in order to be sent out in witness and service. Despite planning for a future with fewer stipendiary clergy, we remain as committed as ever to the local church. And what is the local church, but that community of men and women gathered around Christ, and living and sharing the gospel in the networks and neighbourhoods of their lives? But we need priests to lead and to serve. We know we need to change. We can only be a transforming presence when we have allowed God to transform us. Therefore at the heart of all we do is a longing for intimacy with God and a renewed life of prayer. First and foremost a priest is a minister of the word and sacrament. All ministry flows from this. But a priest shares the ministry of the bishop, therefore presbyteral ministry will increasingly be a ministry of oversight, guiding, nurturing and directing the mission of God s church in the communities we serve. It is an exciting time to be part of God s missionary movement for the world, and the Diocese of Chelmsford is an exciting place to serve. We have a clear vision and we are looking to appoint clergy who will share this with us. In every parish we long to see each person and each community grow in faithfulness and ministry so that together we may serve in the world and Christ may be made known. +Stephen 2

3 Vision Statement: We believe that our beautiful church of St Mary the Virgin should be a church for people of all ages, bringing God s message to the community of Shenfield and ministering to their needs. OUR CHURCH St Mary's is a thriving church in the central tradition of the Church of England. For us, this means we have a wide range of people in our congregation with a strong focus on Eucharistic worship and a modern approach to interpreting the scriptures. We are looking for a minister to join us who will guide and lead our parish as we take our next steps on our journey of faith and mission. We do not have all the answers, nor do we expect you will have too, but we are seeking someone with leadership and ideas to take us forward. WE NEED A RECTOR WHO WILL:- Have creative and imaginative leadership skills and be able to work collaboratively with the established Ministry team in order to take St Mary s to the next level of growth. Have the ability to nurture the spiritual growth of our congregation in such a way that this can be seen within the life of the church and in people s daily lives. Develop our work with young people and their families both in church and in school Promote outreach into the wider community Work with us to move forward our exciting church extension project (see page 17) to enable our buildings to facilitate our current ministry and future growth. Promote and support the activities of Churches Together in Hutton & Shenfield RECENT QUESTIONNAIRE We have undertaken a survey of our congregation and others associated with the church. The aim was to obtain a broad understanding of what our parishioners currently feel about St Mary s and what they expect of a new Rector. With 143 responses, we are comfortable that the survey reflects the opinion of the general congregation and in the light of this we are looking for someone who:- has good leadership, organisational and communication skills, inspiring confidence and trust relates well to people of all ages, but especially young people and seniors is approachable, accepting and welcoming to all is enthusiastic, compassionate and a good listener, with a relaxed attitude is able to connect the Bible to everyday life in a modern, imaginative and creative way can develop the ministry of lay people, both within the church and in their wider lives, and promote a sense of vocation moves people to experience God s love, especially through the worship of the church, and develop their spiritual lives 3

4 ministers in a collaborative way, developing the talents and spiritual awareness, not only of the ministry team, but also of the wider congregation enhance communication of information to all MISSION AND MINISTRY As the adult congregation at St Mary s covers a wide age range from young parents to people of senior age, we are keen to continue building up our community life and to reach out both through our worship and through a variety of church activities and organisations. We place great importance on nurturing the faith of existing church members and creating opportunities to attract others to experience its richness, particularly through our services in church. We have a thriving crèche (Foot Steps) meeting each week in the Choir Vestry, as well as a growing Sunday School (Trekkers), but we are conscious of the need to develop activities for older children, particularly for those who have recently been confirmed. Bible story time in the Crèche There is a strong sense of fellowship within the congregation, which spans the generations, leading to a friendly atmosphere and warm relationships. The level of concern people have for one another is constantly reflected in the care they show, particularly in times of difficulty or suffering, and in the way they go out of their way to offer support. The church gives a warm welcome to those who come to its services and special events, as well as to those who visit the church at other times, such as Welcome Sunday each year. Cards are available for newcomers to complete so that a later visit can be arranged. We also encourage the use of visiting cards so that anyone going to churches elsewhere can take with them greetings from St Mary s. We also see it as a vital part of our mission to reach out to the wider community of Shenfield and beyond, ministering to the needs of all who turn to us. We are very aware of the impact to be made by individual church members in their daily lives, maintaining and fostering a distinctive Christian presence in the wider world. Equally important too is the role of the monthly Parish Magazine, which circulates well beyond the regular church congregation. Within the St Mary s community, commitment is high and opportunities are sought to involve as many people as possible in the worship and activities of the church. Lay involvement is encouraged, whether it be in reading, leading intercessions, the ministry of communion, serving at the altar, singing in the choir, or ringing the bells. The Altar and Reredos Respect is shown for different styles and traditions of worship by maintaining the use of Book of Common Prayer services alongside Common Worship Order One, as well as by exploring different forms of worship through the monthly Open Door sessions. As far as possible, we maintain an open approach in our response to requests for baptisms, weddings and funerals. We give a generous welcome, seeing such occasions as opportunities to demonstrate the love of God to those seeking such ministry. We have always been an inclusive church in everything that we do. We are keen to promote knowledge of the work of missionary and caring organisations engaged in the broader work of Christ, whether locally or abroad. Each year we select a number of such organisations to support financially, regularly publicising their work through articles in the Parish 4

5 Magazine and occasional talks from their representatives. We aim to raise money for this through a number of targeted collections and, in the past, by holding a range of events which attracted not only churchgoers, but also others who would otherwise have had little reason to take part in church life. The fellowship generated by these events has not only enhanced the life of the church, but has also helped to build links with the wider community both in the parish and beyond. However, over recent years these have become more difficult to run and to gain support for them; so, for the present, we have had a temporary pause in holding these activities and need a fresh impetus to restore this important part of our work. A message from the Area Dean, Canon Paul Hamilton The Anglican Deanery of Brentwood is rich in diversity and reflects every tradition and churchmanship. Relationships between churches are very good and form a genuine supportive network. We worship together with rotating services throughout the year and have just begun periodic Bible Studies for church leaders and those on the vocational journey. The Deanery has recently been blessed with the Course in Christian Studies meeting locally which is helping people take their faith further and discern their vocation. We would welcome a Priest who is keen to take their place within the family of Anglican churches in Brentwood Deanery. To facilitate our shared life we are asking each parish to discern which areas of ministry are common sense to share with a neighbouring parish and are hopeful this functional and stewardship approach to supporting one another will help with the development of our Mission and Ministry Units. In addition we are keen to welcome a priest who will play a full part in the Deanery through regular Chapter meetings, Deanery Synod, Deanery Worship, encouraging vocations throughout the whole family of churches and meeting with other ministers to study the scriptures (The Theological Pub Club). Our ecumenical links are good and Churches Together in Hutton and Shenfield actively promote and assist with the development of our shared life with brother and sister denominations. We offer you a genuine welcome into the Deanery family, supportive professional relationships free from competitiveness, practical assistance to cover services in time of need, a breadth of traditions that enables corporate theological reflection upon the issues of the day and a genuine desire to see you and your church flourish. Rev d Canon Paul Hamilton Area Dean of Brentwood 5

6 THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN SHENFIELD For more than 750 years prayer has been offered in St. Mary s and it has soaked into the walls, giving the church a special atmosphere. St Mary s is the only Anglican church in the Parish of Shenfield. It is in the Deanery of Brentwood and the Diocese of Chelmsford. The Meeting House of the Society of Friends is within the parish. The Redeemed Christian Church of God Shining Light meets in Shenfield Parish Hall. The neighbouring parish of Hutton contains two Anglican churches, All Saints and St. Peter s. Hutton and Shenfield Union Church, Hutton Free Church and St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church are also all within its boundaries. The Hope Community Church also meets at Long Ridings School in Hutton. All of these churches enjoy strong relationships with each other and have collaborated for many years. St. Mary s Church has a comprehensive Parish Service Scheme and local representatives cover all roads. They offer residents information about the church and the area, the hand of friendship and any practical support needed, thereby strengthening the Christian spirit within our community. THE CONGREGATION The congregation is a cross-section of local people with a mixture of long-term residents and people moving into Shenfield. In recent years, there has been an encouraging increase in younger families attending the 9.30 am service. A good number of these newcomers have become valuable members of St Mary s church. The electoral roll for 2016 stands at 501, of which 339 are resident within the parish and 162 are resident outside the parish. The average attendance on Sundays for the last three years for people worshipping at ALL services at St Mary s is 165. The 9:30 Parish Eucharist is the most popular having an average weekly attendance of 127 (ranging from 80 to 220 and sometimes 300 for special occasions). Holy Communion is celebrated at 8 am with the First Sunday using the Book of Common Prayer service and Common Worship on other weeks. Our Foot Steps crèche is open every week during the Parish Eucharist and we welcome up to 40 children. Trekkers Sunday School is open in the School Hall across the road except on First Sundays and during the school holidays. Both the Foot Steps and Trekkers children join the adults just before communion each Sunday. A range of evening services is held at 6.30 pm. Matins is sung on the second Sunday of the month at 11 am. The Thursday morning Eucharist has a steadily increasing attendance of 18 for those who cannot get to the Sunday services. Although Matins and some of the evening services are not so well attended, it is strongly felt that they are a vital part of the life and worship for some members of our congregation, and so should continue as long as there is a need. The crèche children taking part in a service 6

7 WORSHIP AT ST MARY THE VIRGIN, SHENFIELD DAY TIME SERVICE Average weekly attendance Sunday 8 am Said Holy Communion: 22 First Sunday - BCP; Other Sundays - CW Order One. Sunday 9.30 am Sung Parish Eucharist (Crèche provided): First and third Sundays - Celebrating Together (a booklet based on Common Worship); (First Sunday sometimes includes a Parade Service). 127 Baptism is often included on Third Sundays at 9.30 am and sometimes at 11:30 as a separate service. Second, fourth and fifth Sundays - CW Order One. Second Sunday 11 am Sung Matins - BCP. 16 Sunday 6.30 pm Evening Services: 20 Thursday 11 am Said First, fourth and fifth Sundays - Evensong BCP. Second Sunday - Open Door (informal worship and discussion); Third Sunday - sung Eucharist CW Order One. CW Order One. 18 SPECIAL SERVICES Beside the normal weekly services, we hold: Sung Eucharist on Ash Wednesday, Ascension Day and on Christmas Eve at pm. Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals. During 2015 there were 8 Weddings, 46 Baptisms and 22 funerals (15 Funeral Services in Church, 9 Ashes Burials and 5 Burials). In 2016 there are 6 Weddings and 25 baptisms booked (as at June1st). Two Christingle Services are held due to the level of attendance, on the Sunday two weeks before Christmas. The total attendance for the two services in 2015 was 510. Three Family Carol Services with Nativity on Christmas Eve achieve a total attendance of over 1,200. Members of the Ministry Team regularly take Communion to the housebound, the sick and those in local care homes. 7

8 CONFIRMATION Confirmation classes are held annually. We share the confirmation service with St Peter s Hutton, holding it in each church alternately. Classes are held in school for the children, and the adult classes are held in church In April 2016, in St Mary s church, 17 young people were confirmed from St Mary s together with 1 adult and 6 children from St Peter s, Hutton. CHURCHES TOGETHER IN HUTTON AND SHENFIELD St Mary s has always taken an active role in the work of Churches Together in Hutton and Shenfield, supplying two members to the lay committee and giving enthusiastic support to its activities. Three united services are held during the year, at different churches in turn for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, for Christian Aid Week and for Peace on the evening of Remembrance Sunday. Discussion Groups take place in Lent and Pre-Advent, carol singing at the Shenfield Christmas Fayre and among the shoppers on the weekend before Christmas, and a Walk of Witness on Good Friday. Leaflets giving details of special services at each of the churches are prepared and distributed to homes across the two areas at Christmas and Easter. MUSIC Confirmation candidates 2016 Music plays an important part in our worship and parish life but it was also identified in our recent parish survey as a focus for development. We have a young and enthusiastic Director of Music, who joined in 2014 and expertly plays our relatively new three-manual organ. The choir mainly comprises experienced singers and there is a particular need to recruit new members. With this in mind, a Junior Children s Choir has been formed and takes part on first Sunday services. The adult choir in 2016 with Director of Music in back row 4th from left 8

9 BELLS/TOWER We are fortunate enough to have a tower with six bells and an enthusiastic band of about 15 ringers spanning all ages. In the Tower there are six bells and there have been some notable peals rung on these bells over the years. The Captain of the Tower holds regular practice sessions. A number of Junior Ringers have been trained, and some have already progressed to ringing a quarter peal. More junior ringers are being trained this year. OUR MINISTRY TEAM AND LAY PARTICIPATION Our wonderfully dedicated and loyal team comprises: a part-time self-supporting Associate Minister a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) a Parish Lay Worker a Lay Evangelist 11 Lay Ministers of Communion 6 Servers 2 Churchwardens and 3 Deputies 26 Sidespeople a team of over 50 who read lessons or lead intercessions during services a paid part-time caretaker, residing in Church Cottage a baptism team led by young mothers The Rev d Eileen Lockhart - Associate Minister The Parochial Church Council, made up of 23 members, is a vibrant body containing a mixture of ages. The Rector chairs this committee, which meets five times a year. The PCC operates through a number of committees, officers and working parties consisting of members of the PCC and the wider congregation. The list is as follows: Standing Committee/Finance Committee Communications Committee Mission and Unity Committee Charities Fundraising Group Social Committee Stewardship Committee Health and Safety Committee Fabric Officer Land Officer Tree Officer We encourage all people to offer their gifts in the service of God in their work, their local communities and the world. Canon Paul Betts Licensed Lay Minister 9

10 GROUPS ASSOCIATED WITH ST. MARY S Name of Group Foot Steps (Crèche) Held during every 9:30 communion service in the vestry at the back of church. Weekly craft to correspond with the theme in church and a wide variety of toys. They sing the Foot Steps song every first Sunday at the family service. Footprints Baby and toddler group is held every Wednesday afternoon during term time in the Parish Hall for preschool age children. Lots of toys, songs and fun with a bible craft every fortnight. Age & numbers 0-5 years (but all ages welcome) Attendance Max 40 average years Trekkers (Sunday School) Meets every Sunday during term time (except first Sunday due to the family service in church) in St Mary s School hall. Activities are varied to suit ages and abilities but follow whatever theme is being used in church. The groups return to church to join the congregation for communion. Beavers/Cubs/Scouts 1 st Shenfield Beavers (6-8s); Cubs (8-10); Scouts (10-15s) and Adventure Scouts (15+) are all affiliated with St Mary s, but not a sponsored group, and attend occasional parade services in the church at First Sunday services. Rainbows/Brownies/Guides Shenfield Guiding District consists of Rainbows (5-7s), two brownie packs (7-10s); Guides (10-14s) and Rangers (14-18s.) They are also affiliated with St Mary s but not a sponsored group. Along with the Scout association groups they attend parade services. Mothers Union There is a large and thriving branch in this parish encompassing members of a wide age bracket. Many are fully involved in the life and work of the parish, in particular, taking part in diocesan projects designed to assist struggling families locally and strengthen family relationships. St Mary s Open Branch The group formed in 1967 and membership is open to all women. Members meet monthly in the Parish Hall to hear speakers cover a large variety of topics. Theatre trips and coach outings to places of local and national interest are arranged throughout the year and Corporate communions held quarterly years Attendance children per session 6 18 years 5 18 years Adults Membership 47 Adults Currently 90 members 10

11 SHENFIELD ST MARY S CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL St Mary s Church fully endorses the 1999 General Synod resolution that Church of England schools stand at the heart of the mission and ministry of the Church and works very closely with our linked primary school, wishing to develop this even further. It is the only infant and junior school in the parish and the Christian character of the Church school should ensure that every child at the school has a life enhancing encounter with the Christian faith whatever the beliefs of the children or their families. Shenfield St Mary s Church of England Primary School, is an academy with approximately 420 children on roll and is situated opposite the church. The school has an outstanding Ofsted report and provides a safe, secure and caring Christian environment, where every individual is accepted and respected. It endeavours to give access to a curriculum and a range of learning experiences of the highest standard. There is an active contribution from the clergy and regular weekly services are held in the church or school. The school backs onto the Courage Playing Fields, where children and their families are able to enjoy the wonderful green space and its newly developed play area after school. The Role of the Rector in school The Rector of St Mary s Church is also the spiritual leader of Shenfield St Mary s CE Primary School. He/she will have a broad role across the academy trust, including: representing the church on the board of members of the trust, ensuring the academy provides the best possible education for its pupils being a member of the school governing body, holding the school leaders to account in line with DfE and Diocese expectations and monitoring the effectiveness of leadership of collective worship and religious education, on behalf of the governing body leading a weekly service for the whole school community, either in the church or at school, following the school s half termly Christian Value theme, providing inspiration for the pupils leading a Eucharist service for the school community once a term supporting the school with termly special church services such as at Harvest Festival, Christmas, Easter and the end of each academic year providing emotional and spiritual support to members of the school when required enabling pupils and staff members of the school to be confirmed, furthering their understanding of Christian life 150th Anniversary Painting by a local artist providing the link between church, school and local community, supporting the school with clubs, events and activities 11

12 THE SHENFIELD AREA AND LOCAL COMMUNITY Situated on the borders of Essex and ideally located for London and the East Anglian coast, Shenfield is a great place to live and work. Shenfield is a green and leafy suburb of the Borough of Brentwood, the town of which lies less than a mile away. Nestled on the edge of the Essex countryside, it is a lovely part of the world, offering numerous opportunities to enjoy local country parks, such as Thorndon and South Weald, with the coast at Southend less than an hour away. North Kent and East Anglia Central section of the Parish of St. Mary's 12

13 LOCAL AMENITIES The heart of Shenfield is known as The Shenfield Broadway and runs through the centre of the town, and here you will find a variety of independent shops and bars, all of which are well supported locally. One of many cafés Shenfield Public Library Local Bakery There is a strong community feeling within Shenfield with many established families choosing to stay in the area and lots of new families moving in too. Many of the people in the area are motivated and well educated professionals. We think this strong sense of community is very special to our parish, and it is not uncommon to see familiar faces wherever you go, be it at the preschools, church groups, coffee shops, or one of the many sports and fitness clubs that run in the area. There is a thriving public library, several pubs and a well-used Parish Hall. Shenfield Parish Hall Shenfield Parish Hall is a separate registered charity and a real focal point of Shenfield hosting many groups, clubs and activities, whilst also being available for private hire. The trustees and secretary act as the management committee, who run the hall for the benefit of the local community. The constitution currently states that the Rector of St Mary s is the Chairperson, and the St Marys Parochial Church Council appoints two other trustees. The parish hall is less than 10 minutes walk away from the church, at the heart of the community. Local leisure opportunities are widespread ranging from music groups and arts and crafts to fitness centres and golf courses. Shenfield Cricket Club The Courage playing fields and children s play area, near to the church and school, contain a cricket pitch and are home to Shenfield Cricket Club. The Courage Playing Fields 13

14 The nearby Brentwood Centre has a concert hall attracting national and international acts. It has a large state of the art gym, two swimming pools and is also a huge exhibition venue. Brentwood Community NHS Hospital Brentwood NHS Community Hospital, built in 2008, also lies within the parish and provides excellent medical services, clinics, blood tests and stroke care for the local area. In the past the Rector has undertaken some Chaplaincy here. There are also the Nuffield and Spire private hospitals in the Borough of Brentwood which undertake some NHS operations as well as private ones. Road and rail links are excellent, with very easy access to the M25 motorway and direct access to the A12. There are frequent fast commuter trains linking Shenfield railway station to London Liverpool Street Station and these take less than half an hour. These benefits make Shenfield a very desirable place to live, keeping house prices high and predicted to increase with the opening of Crossrail (the Elizabeth Line) in Several new housing schemes are already in various stages of development which will expand our community in the coming years. Shenfield Main line railway station The popular shopping centres of Lakeside and Bluewater are also an easy drive away and Westfield shopping centre at the Olympic Park in Stratford is just a 20 minute train journey. Lakeside shopping centre Shenfield provides everything the modern Christian family could need in a peaceful, yet thriving setting and is a place where everyone is welcomed with open arms. Further afield, it is easy to escape the trappings of modern life and experience the beauty of the East of England coastline and all it has to offer by rail or road. Brightlingsea 14

15 SCHOOLING IN THE AREA It s not just the abundance of nice properties and green areas that attract families to Shenfield. There are also excellent state and private schools in both the primary and secondary sector. The church has a link with Shenfield High School Academy, the local secondary school within the parish. It is a high-performing, mixed, state school with its own sixth form and we have visits both to and from the school, particularly at Christmas. Just outside the parish, there are three other good secondary state schools; Becket Keys Church of England Secondary School Brentwood County High School St Martin s Secondary School There are also two independent schools; Brentwood School (3 years 18 years) Herrington House Prep School (3 years 11 years) There are also many options in terms of pre-schools and day nurseries to cater for childcare of the under 5s. 15

16 CHURCH AND GROUNDS We know there was a Rector here in 1249, so there must have been a church too. The nave, the oldest existing part, was probably built at that time. Some 250 years later the church was enlarged by adding another aisle. To do this, one wall had to be demolished and in order to support the roof, the wooden columns forming an arcade were erected. This is the most distinctive feature of the church and although not unique, is very rare. Each column is hewn from an individual oak tree. The splendid porch, tower and shingled spire were built in the 15th century. In the 19th century a new chancel was added on, the existing one becoming part of the nave. In the 20 th century a new floor, choir and clergy vestries and toilets were added. The churchyard consists of three parts, the more ancient, surrounding the church itself, and two on the other side of the road. There is a Garden of Remembrance with a memorial wall, upon which are inscribed the names of those whose ashes have been interred there. The Butterfly Meadow, opened in 2005, has captured the interest of the wider community. Many people are The main aisle willing to help maintain this pleasant and peaceful area next door to the main graveyard. This 1.3 acre field was given to St. Mary s Church by the Courage family early in the last century for eventual use as a graveyard. In 2005, we recognised that we would not need the site for this purpose for several years. We asked for ideas about how the meadow could be used for more immediate community benefit, and the idea of the Butterfly Meadow was born. Today it is a significant nature conservation area. A willow structure The Butterfly Meadow before the Willow structures developed 16

17 THE NEED FOR AN EXTENSION TO OUR CHURCH While other churches are facing reduced congregations, St Mary s are maintaining our numbers and looking to expand, with the growth of crèche and Sunday school especially. It is also difficult to arrange refreshments after a service because we have so little social space in which to congregate. The choir vestry can only be reached by two steep steps from the church floor level and there is very little space outside of the pews. Foot Steps crèche is often bursting at the seams; this could be a safety hazard and uncomfortable for attendees. Similarly, Trekkers Sunday School meets in the school hall across the lane and faces its own difficulties by being physically separated from the church. We need to escort the children across a dangerous bend in the lane to come into church to join their families for communion and a blessing. To this end, and after extensive consultation with the congregation, it was decided that we need an extension which will: Accommodate both Foot Steps crèche and Trekkers Sunday School Provide a space which is adaptable and suitable to use for church social activities, including coffee after the service and church meetings Maintain the same floor level as the church, to eliminate the safety issues of steps. Incorporate our treasured Tudor doorway as a feature in the new space and act as an entrance to the extension. Use an upper floor level for storage of documentation and office space. Include a fitted kitchen We had strong support initially from the Diocese and have carried out a feasibility study against our needs statement with a grant from them. We are continuing to work with them to refine our designs, but the project is currently on hold while we re-evaluate the plans. We have strong support from our parishioners and we believe that we have a good chance of financing the project. We are looking forward to making progress, with the support of our new Rector. The Tudor doorway 17

18 FINANCE St Mary's benefits from a core of committed regular givers, many of whom are Gift Aid registered which allows us to reclaim tax on their donations. The Church is also fortunate to have a small number of very generous benefactors who have made large donations in the past couple of years, much of which is restricted to our planned extension project. St Mary's is given the largest Parish Share in Brentwood Deanery due to its high Electoral Roll figure and a considerably larger weighting than any other parish in the Deanery. Although we have not been able to fully meet this commitment for a number of years, St Mary's is still the largest single contributor to Parish Share in the Deanery, contributing 120k a year in both 2014 and Other running costs include clergy expenses, utilities, insurance, church service costs and the costs of employing a Director of Music and a part-time caretaker. The caretaker lives across the road from the Church in accommodation owned by the PCC. The caretaker is also employed on a part-time basis by St Mary's School and Shenfield Parish Hall. The Fabric and Churchyard restricted funds enable us to maintain the Church and keep it in good condition. Each year the Fabric Officer advises the PCC on essential repairs to be carried out to ensure the Church's structural integrity. In 2015, capital spend included repairs to the Church roof and installation of a new Churchyard fence. The extension project is supported by the vast majority of the congregation and to date there is over 250k available to fund this. The total projected cost of the project is likely to be in the region of 700k. The PCC hopes to raise funds via a combination of specific gifts and fundraising from the congregation. This will be a significant undertaking and will require enthusiasm and leadership to encourage the congregation to fully get behind the project. Clergy submit a claim for expenses, which are met on a monthly basis We have a strong Stewardship Scheme run by the Stewardship Committee. Members of the congregation are encouraged to donate under Gift Aid. The PCC owns the caretaker s house. The PCC has provided a computer for the use of the incumbent. 18

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20 THE RECTORY The Rectory is located about half a mile from the church, positioned in a sought after road in the heart of Old Shenfield. It is a large double-fronted house built in 1901 and extended in This house has been well maintained and has secluded front and beautiful rear gardens with a shed and off street parking. Besides being a minute walk from the church it is also approximately the same distance from Shenfield's mainline train station, shops and amenities, and a ten minute drive from the M25. The house has a very substantial sized lounge, a dining room, a well fitted kitchen and a large study for the Incumbent. There is also the benefit of a downstairs cloakroom. Upstairs there are five good-sized bedrooms and two spacious bathrooms. The Rectory (includes the wing on the right of the picture) 20

21 This completes the statement of the aspirations of this church. We pray that God will guide the right person to become our Rector We encourage you to visit our web site for further information or Contact: Norman Randall (Churchwarden) or John Bridger (Churchwarden) June 2016 Ref: St Mary s Parish Profile 2016 NR 21