THE BENEFICE OF HIGH CROSS AND THE BENEFICE OF THUNDRIDGE (HELD IN PLURALITY)

Transcription

1 THE BENEFICE OF HIGH CROSS AND THE BENEFICE OF THUNDRIDGE (HELD IN PLURALITY) Our Local Community: A group of small villages within easy reach of London A strong community Commuters and retired people Our Church: Mainly traditional style of worship A friendly and welcoming ageing congregation Links with our village Church schools The benefices comprise two churches and a chapel of ease set in rural Hertfordshire the postcode of Thundridge is SG12 0SS 1

2 PROFILE SUMMARY PAGE Introduction 1 The Vicar we are looking for 3 What we can offer 3 The House for Duty 4 Our Mission, Priorities and Goals 5 CHURCH ACTIVITIES Pattern of services, Music 6 Attendance 7 Communication 7 Delivery 7 Pastoral Care 8 House Groups and Children s Groups 8 Courses 9 Management and Finances 9 Our Electoral Roll 9 Involvement of the Church with the Community and Schools 10 OUR CHURCHES St Mary the Virgin, Thundridge 11 St John the Evangelist, High Cross 12 St Mary s Chapel of Ease, Colliers End 13 ABOUT OUR VILLAGES AND THE BENEFICES Location and Surroundings 14 Our Benefices History 15 Living in the Benefices 15 Buildings of the Benefices 17 Work in the Benefices 17 Community Activities and Groups 17 FINAL WORDS Where we are today 18 2

3 THE VICAR WE ARE LOOKING FOR: We are praying for a committed and compassionate priest who will: Be community minded and develop networks of relationships locally Support the church community through change and enable creative thinking about our Mission Action Plan Nurture individuals in their own ministry and encourage collaborative working Preach with sensitivity and understanding, communicating the Gospel in an inclusive and engaging style Enable the church community to grow in depth, breadth and age range Be resilient, caring and sociable What We Can Offer: Active Lay involvement A committed but ageing congregation An opportunity to develop the role of our churches closer to the centre of the wider community A willingness to work positively with the new incumbent A strong tradition of worship and Christian values A modern House for Duty in a peaceful location in a nearby village 3

4 The House for Duty The modern bungalow is set in a quiet village location. It is three miles from the parish via country lanes and has: A two-roomed study with ample bookshelves Living room Dining room Four bedrooms Kitchen Laundry room Large rear garden backing onto open countryside Patio Mature apple trees Oil-fired central heating Double garage Driveway having room for three cars to park 4

5 OUR MISSION We are experiencing population growth because of the central government s plans to encourage houses to be built. We are seeking ways to meet the evolving needs of our local community. Our priorities are: 1. Improving links with local Church schools. 2. Enhancing collaboration with local churches. 3. Communicating more effectively to the local community. In the light of these priorities our key goals in the short term are: 1. Further developing Monday Church, and Sparklers. 2. Forming closer relationships between High Cross & Thundridge churches by such means as enhanced PCC communication, interchanging personnel, or joint services. 3. Considering using alternative service structures such as Church Lite. 4. Communication enhancements such as: Ensuring a consistent Village Life magazine presence with clear information and contact points for upcoming events. Internet presence such as a Village website, Facebook, BLOGS, etc. Developing the LYCIG programme to run courses which may help to reach out to new members of our community, to aid confirmations or re-energise existing church members. LYCIG course preparations 5

6 CHURCH ACTIVITIES Services The pattern and nature of services depends on the time of year as well as the number of Sundays in the month: On the first and third Sundays of the month, there is a BCP Holy Communion service at St Mary s (8.00), and a Holy Communion service at St John s (10.30). On the second Sunday, a service is held at St Mary s Chapel (9.15). On the second and fourth Sundays, there is a Holy Communion Service at St Mary s (10.30). If there is a fifth Sunday in the month, there will be a service in one of the churches, which may alternate between St John s and St Mary s. Monthly services for the young: Monday Church, at St John s, (15.20); and Sparklers, at St Mary s, on a Sunday (9.15). Special Sunday and mid-week services are held as appropriate. Our services in our churches are generally traditional in nature, with altar cloths and vestments being used. Generally there will be four hymns, two bible readings, one gospel passage and a sermon. Whilst the congregation at St Mary s is happiest with a traditional structure, those at St John s is more flexible. There a shorter Church Lite service has been run. This used a more informal style, including: a piece of music; a reflection on current affairs from a national newspaper; the consideration of the role of God in our current world; a prayer; and one hymn, all in 30 minutes. Music at our services is also traditional. St Mary s has a pipe organ and makes regular use of an organist. At St John s an organist is used for special occasions, though generally recorded music is used to lead the hymns. It is not possible to maintain a choir in our village churches. 6

7 Attendance Attendance at services at St John s and St Mary s is generally in the region of fifteen to twenty-five. At St Mary s chapel it is approximately five to ten. Special services attract more worshipers. With the exception of special services and family services, the age range of worshippers tends to be from forty and above and the profile of ages within that is heavily skewed towards the higher end of the range. Attendance at both Children s services, Monday Church and Sparklers, is up to ten children, plus a similar number of adults Possibly because of traditional inter-village rivalry, the churches tend to attract their own distinct groups of worshipers. There are however a small minority who worship wherever a service is held. In addition, some participate in shared social events. However, it is not possible to state that there is a widely held sense of belonging to a church family within the benefices as a whole. Delivery The delivery of these services across the three locations each month naturally relies to some extent on the support of our five Lay Leaders as well as other experienced members of the benefices. We have parishioners who form teams who provide the support roles needed to run services. Communication We are fortunate to have a high quality full colour monthly magazine, distributed to subscribers in the villages which is partly paid for by advertising for local businesses. Included is the rota for the support roles each Sunday, with members making informal exchanges as necessary. Other magazine features normally present are a letter from our Priest-in-Charge, information about church services, fund raising and other happenings, local plays, clubs, societies, and charities. There are also competitions: photography; a Junior crossword puzzle; articles and photographs of local scenes, both current and from years gone by. Information from Thundridge Parish Council and the Neighbourhood Plan are also featured. 7

8 Pastoral Care The previous incumbent was particularly energetic in taking Christ to the people, developing a tremendous network within and knowledge of the benefices. This led to a number of the current regular members joining the congregation or becoming otherwise active in church affairs. This work was and continues to be supported by that done by the Lay Leaders, and others: prayers for those in need; visits and telephone calls to the elderly and sick; support with shopping; transporting to clinic appointments; hospital visits etc. Other pastoral initiatives include visiting all the occupied newly built houses in High Cross. House Groups There are two house groups within the benefices. One operates in the mornings, run by a Lay Leader and the other is run in the evenings, led by a retired Minister. These groups enhance an understanding of the Bible and encourage the closeness of participants. They are also enjoyed and highly valued by those who attend. Children s Groups Children s services are held monthly in St John s and St Mary s. Sparklers service, St Mary s One of these groups is run by a hard-working and faithful parent, supported by a Lay Leader. The other is operated by a Church Warden. They each have their links to their adjacent primary school. Though numbers are fairly modest, they are clearly enjoyed by the children and highly thought of by the parents of those who attend. 8

9 Courses Members have recently attended St Albans Cursillo events, including afternoon and weekend sessions. There are now several active Cursillistas and a seed group in the benefices. Other courses attended within the diocese include: Leading Your Church into Growth; Safeguarding; Managing Large-Scale Church Projects and Fund Raising. A number of our parishioners have in recent years attended retreats at Walsingham. Several courses have been run in the benefices recently. In 2015 a session was run on prayer, which was highly appreciated by participants. In 2016 a cockpit team was formed from members of the parish and with the support of the incumbent the LYCIG course Start was delivered. This comprised six one hour sessions, delivered weekly in each of our two churches. An 87% approval rating from participants encouraged the group to plan the second course Moving On. However, work on this was paused when the planned retirement of our incumbent became known. Management and Finances There are two PCCs, each chaired by a Church Warden. There are also a number of sub-committees and action groups. There is also Deanery Synod Representation. Analysis of the accounts for 2016 show that the combined capital and reserve assets are just over 71k. Whilst the finances are generally balanced each year, there was a loss of just over 3k in that year. The reason for this was that over 5k was spent on building work following the 2015 quinquennial review. The Parish Share at 26k is a burden, but fund-raising activities are generally just able to cope. Our Electoral Roll The current total is ninety members, of whom thirty-two are non-resident. 9

10 Involvement of the Church with the community. There are various activities or events held in the churches which fall outside the heading of services. Examples include: coffee mornings; lunch-time meals; a flower festival; the Parish Christmas Bazaar. On a regional level, St John s church has for many years acted as a rest and refreshment break for pilgrims carrying a cross from London to Walsingham. Walsingham pilgrims arrive Fund-raising meal in a garden 10 Lunch in St John s As the churches do not have their own halls, many of the local events happen off church property in the three village halls. However, congregation members play roles in the operation of the halls and various events, some of which form important parts of our fundraising. Such things as: Race Night; Bingo, Quiz Night; Square Dancing, etc. In addition there are events which are held elsewhere, such as lunchtime or evening fundraisers in the homes of congregation members. Schools Monday Church Group. build a harvest-time scarecrow There are schools for three to eleven-year olds in each of our larger villages: Puller Memorial Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, High Cross. Thundridge Church of England Primary School. We maintain close relationships with both. A retired vicar, who is active in the benefices, makes regular visits to the former, whilst one of our Lay Leaders is a Foundation Governor at the latter. The nearest Secondary Schools are in Ware and in Hertford.

11 OUR CHURCHES St Mary the Virgin, Thundridge, Grade II listed, it is the Southern-most church in the benefices. It was built in a commanding hilltop position in 1853 and has a lofty interior and several fine stained-glass windows. There are some superb late eighteenth and early nineteenth century carved wall monuments. The tranquil churchyard has many mature trees and views across the villages of Thundridge and Wadesmill. Carved Wall Monument 11

12 St John the Evangelist, High Cross It is approximately one mile to the north of St Mary s. Erected in 1847, it is also Grade II listed. There are two aisles, fine stained-glass windows and the brass eagle lectern dates back to The peaceful, tree lined churchyard, with lych gate, contains the grave of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Martin-Leake. He is a nationally recognised hero from the parish who was awarded the Victoria Cross twice for bravery in conflicts on different continents. Brass Eagle Lectern 12

13 St Mary s Chapel of Ease, Colliers End The northern most of the churches in the benefices, just under one mile from St John s. This was dedicated in 1910 and was built from bricks from the local Colliers End brickfield. The weather vane which was added to celebrate the Queen s Jubilee in The interior is quite exquisite, incorporating fascinating examples of woodcarvers skills. Very little land is used by the chapel but there is a miniature lych gate by the road. Weather Vane Our Churches and churchyards are generally well cared for. The greatest challenge here relates to maintaining the chapel of ease. 13

14 ABOUT OUR VILLAGES Location and Surroundings Relationship to wider area Local area The heart of the benefices is approximately twenty-four miles north of the centre of London and has the postcode SG12 0SS. Junction 25 of the M25 is about seven miles to the south and the A1(M) and M11 are also close by. Nearby there are two railway lines providing links to London and to the north. The towns of Ware and the County Town of Hertford are each a handful of miles away. The New Towns of Harlow, Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City are each within fifteen miles. 14

15 ABOUT THE BENEFICES Our Benefices History The principal villages in the benefices, which began to be formed in 1868, are Colliers End, High Cross and Thundridge. There are currently two parishes within the benefices: High Cross, which includes Colliers End; and Thundridge. Historically, Colliers End and High Cross was attached to the Parish of Standon to the north, whilst Thundridge was included with Ware to the south. Living in the Benefices We are surrounded by beautiful Hertfordshire countryside. It is said that landscape architect Lancelot Capability Brown, having reviewed the grounds of Youngsbury estate at Wadesmill, stated that he could with difficulty improve on what nature had provided. Amongst the pleasures of its rural location are many attractive, diverse and peaceful signposted footpaths and bridleways. Some of the pleasures of country life The benefices straddle the ancient roman road of Ermine Street, which connects London with Cambridge, Lincoln and York. This road is now classified as the A1170, since the A10 bypass was constructed about half a mile to the east, early in the twenty-first century. The consequent reduction of through traffic has removed demand for both up-market and mass-market catering establishments. There are currently two public houses, one of which offers accommodation, an Asian restaurant and takeaway, a petrol station with minimarket and a village store with tea room. 15

16 Being on an ancient coaching route, travel and hospitality were always significant to our villages. Historically there were many coaching inns, though most have now been adapted to residential use. Former Inn, High Cross The steep hill at Wadesmill, situated between Thundridge and High Cross, became the world s first toll road, made legal under the Turnpike Act, of This was when an entrepreneurial local realized that the owners of heavily laden barley wagons, supplying the brewing trade, would pay for safe passage when the surface was maintained. Part way up Wadesmill hill, a memorial to Thomas Clarkson can be found. This marks the spot in1875 where, during a rest whilst travelling northwards, he resolved to devote the remainder of his life to campaigning for the end of the slave trade. The community was traditionally largely rural, with farming being very important. There were large country houses and estates, which employed many people. There were also natural resources such as clay deposits, brick works; and gravel extraction. The area now faces the commonly found challenges with village life in this era. The young have to travel to find secondary, further or higher education. Traditional rural forms of employment are in decline and the young generally look elsewhere for work. The younger people of the region are largely unable to afford homes in the area. Therefore, the average age of those living in the villages is increasing. However, the presence of new and future housing developments can be expected to slow these demographic trends. It should be noted that Thundridge Parish Council, whose administrative district is similar but not identical to the benefice, currently has just under two thousand residents. 16

17 Buildings of the Benefices We have buildings which are very mixed in style from vernacular to twenty-first century. Alms houses, cottages, terraced, detached family houses to large country houses. There are over sixty listed buildings in Thundridge Parish Council area. Fifty seven new houses were completed in High Cross in 2016 and more can be expected in the near future. Vernacular house, Colliers End New housing development, High Cross Work in the Benefices There are forty businesses known to Thundridge Parish Council. Many of these are concentrated in a small business park and an engineering works. There is also a championship standard golf course, five-star hotel and country club, two pubs and restaurant. There are many outworkers and home workers. But probably the largest part of the working population of the parish commute to London, Cambridge or the surrounding towns. Community Activities and Groups The community is strong in a number of ways. For example, a group of volunteers recently formed, to gather the views of local people and to develop the Parish Plan. This will be submitted to the District Council to aid the Town Planning process in our area. It may reduce the possibility of inappropriate developments at a time of population growth. Other groups in the benefices include: the Womens Institute; Thundridge and High Cross Society; and the Monday Club. There are activity groups such as: Beavers and Cubs; a Cricket Club; Football Clubs; a Table Tennis Club; a Tai Chi group and a Forever Active (over 50 s) Group. 17

18 FINAL WORDS Where We Are Today An honest appraisal of our position Strengths Opportunities A tradition of worship Knowledge and experience in church affairs Welcoming, friendly, sociable Five Lay Leaders Active House Groups Links to local schools New housing developments bringing families into the parish Potential support for an outreach initiative by running Start and Moving On courses Weaknesses Threats An ageing congregation Too few taking most of the responsibilities Fragmented management A failure to pool resources and ideas A greater focus on maintenance than mission Clinging to old habits and approaches Resistance to change Lack of younger people in the church Potentially unable to continue operating all our churches 18