St George s Church Weald

Our next Vicar We hope that you have enjoyed reading this profile. We are excited by the next steps in the life of St George s and we look forward to the arrival of our new Vicar (part- time: 4 days per week, including Sunday duties: 2/3 stipend). We look forward to supporting and working with our new Vicar and we are surrounding the appointment process with our prayers. We hope that our new Vicar will be someone: who has Jesus at the centre of their lives. whose ministry is underpinned by prayer, reflection and listening to the Holy Spirit. who has a passion/ heart for mission and can help us establish God s vision for our future plans. who will encourage us to develop our faith, gifts and abilities. who has proven leadership of working collaboratively in leading a church. who will engage with mission, scripture and worship in creative ways, which connect with different age ranges in both church and non- church groups. who when preaching can apply biblical teaching to today s issues, leaving us with a challenge. who is able to encourage a strong team to help lead the church. who wants to live in the village and take part in the life and activities of the church and the village. recognises that St George s is the only church in the village and needs therefore, to carry on being a "broad church" that enjoys a variety of worship styles and recognises the importance of children s participation in Holy Communion and following an open baptism policy. 12 I love the fact that generations have worshipped and prayed in St Georges this glorious building and that the church is a key part of village life in this community, welcoming all. Weald is a true community, just about everything is here for young and old and St. George s is in the middle of it all. Being a Christian here is a huge opportunity to live out one s faith amongst people both with and without faith, where on all fronts there seems to be an openness to hear and learn more. www.stgeorgesweald.co.uk

St George s Church Weald Welcome to our Parish Profile. We are delighted that you are expressing an interest in our church and in joining us as our part- time vicar (4 days per week, including Sunday duties). Whilst a small church, we are excited about where God is leading us and are keen to have someone leading us who will move us onwards in our ministry, someone who is full of ideas, energy and vision for reaching out to our community and the village of Weald. Our Vision We are a lively, friendly church seeking to serve God in the community of Weald. Our vision is to Make the life and love of Christ real in the community. We do this through Glorifying God, ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit and loving the Lord with our whole heart Worship Serving others with the compassion, grace and generosity of Jesus Ministry Proclaiming the good news of Jesus through words, work, and witness Evangelism Building a Christ- centred community that welcomes and accepts all Fellowship Growing in faith, love and knowledge of God and in the character of Jesus Discipleship Our Worship At St George s we have a lively congregation, and we offer fellowship and a network of friends of all ages. We provide a range of modern, traditional and informal worship and they vary throughout the year. 2 11 Our Surrounding Area and Amenities Local and Comprehensive Shopping: Sevenoaks (2 miles), Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Bromley and Bluewater Shopping Centre. Mainline Rail Services: Sevenoaks (2 miles), Hildenborough (2 miles) provide frequent fast service to London, Ashford, Dover and Hastings Bus Service: Services to Sevenoaks, Tonbridge; Tunbridge Wells, Bluewater Pre- school: Weald Pre- School Primary Schools: Weald Community Primary School Non Selective Secondary Schools: o Trinity (Christian School), Knole Academy in Sevenoaks; o The Hayesbrook School, Hillview School for Girls, Hugh Christie Technology College in Tonbridge; o Bennett Memorial Diocesan School in Tunbridge Wells Grammar Schools: o Judd Boys Grammar, Weald of Kent and Tonbridge Grammar in Tonbridge; o Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar, Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar, The Skinners School for Boys in Tunbridge Wells Other Schools: o The New School at West Heath in Sevenoaks o 3 major public schools and 8 preparatory schools in Sevenoaks and Tonbridge. Medical care: Hildenborough Medical Centre with a daily surgery in the village on weekdays, and other practices in Sevenoaks; Maidstone and the Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury Leisure Facilities: Bridle and footpath walks in the local area, Sevenoaks Swimming and Leisure Centre, Nizels Golf and Leisure Centre in Hildenborough, Knole Golf Club in Sevenoaks and Wildernesse Golf Club in Seal Road Communications: The M25 and A21 interchanges at Chevening (approximately 2 miles) provide access to London, Dartford Tunnel, south Coast and Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted airports, as well as to Ebbsfleet International Station with its high speed rail links into Europe.

Key aspects of the village include: The parish church of St. George is the only place of worship in the village as both the Methodist and Roman Catholic Churches have closed. St George s offers a broad range of churchmanship. Weald Community Primary School, adjoining the village green, currently has about 150 pupils and a Good Ofsted rating with an enthusiastic PTA who contribute much, including an annual village fete. The village has one general store and post office, a garage, an award winning pub and restaurant (The Windmill) and a first class restaurant (Giacomo s). Other businesses include several farms and B&B s, a riding school, a private contractors and fuel suppliers firm and to the south of the parish a small industrial estate. Many people commute to London from the village There is a good community spirit within Weald and many well supported village organisations and amenities which include allotment gardens, a new multi- use games area including tennis courts, a children s play area, the Church Rooms and Church Hall, a village Memorial Hall, a Scout Hall and recreation grounds for football and cricket in addition to the village green. Village clubs and organisations include: Brownies Beavers Cubs Scouts Guides Art Group History Group Homemakers Horticultural Society Cricket Club Badminton Club Football Club Keep Fit Club Tennis Group Women of Weald Book Clubs Wolves Junior Football Club 10 Our Church St George s Church has stood on Hubbards Hill since 1822 and is a sign of God s love and care for the whole village. It was built as a small chapel of ease so that parishioners did not have the long climb to St Nicholas, in Sevenoaks. St George s became a parish in its own right in 1861. Throughout its history the church has been expanded and developed to meet the needs of its congregations with major improvements being the addition of a chancel in 1871, the building of a new church hall and car park in the 1970 s and a major extension to the church completed in 2007 to provide a kitchen, meeting rooms, toilets, a vestry and storage space. The church is located in the Sevenoaks Deanery within the Diocese of Rochester. Our Churchyard The original churchyard surrounding the church became full by 1907 and a new churchyard was consecrated a short distance away. This was extended in 1987 and is still in use. Our Church Hall A large church hall, including a stage, was build adjacent to the church in the early 1970 s, along with a car park. The hall is used daily throughout the week for a pre- school and regularly in the evening and weekends for clubs and societies as well as being hired out for special occasions. The hall, along with all our buildings, has undergone a comprehensive programme of repair and improvements over the past 3 years. Our Vicarage The four bedroomed vicarage, which lies adjacent to the church and car park, was completed in the 1970 s and enjoys beautiful views across the Village and countryside. 3

Our Services Our services utilise Common Worship and the Book of Common Prayer and robes are worn by clergy at the main services. During 2014, average Sunday attendance was around 64 adults and 12 children. In 2014 there were 8 baptisms, 2 weddings and 7 funerals. Church attendance over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 2014 totalled about 240 adults and 90 children and approximately 250 attended the Carol Service. The main pattern of services each month is: 1 st Sunday: 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) No Music 10.30am Family Worship Band 2 nd Sunday: 10.30am Parish Communion Organ (Winter/Summer) 5.00/ 6.30pm Informal Service Varies 3 rd Sunday: 10.30am All Age Parish Communion Band 4.00pm Messy Church Varies 4 th Sunday: 10.30am Morning Prayer Organ (Winter/Summer) 5.00/ 6.30pm Holy Communion Varies 5 th Sunday: 10.30am Parish Communion Organ We encourage children to take communion after they have completed a short course and we have an open baptism policy with baptisms taking place during morning services. There are three parade services each year and the church welcomes the village school to use the church for its Harvest, Christmas, Easter and Leavers services each year. Reflective prayer and meditation days based on the Labyrinth are held several times a year. We are committed to praying for each other, our community and village and the life of the church and prayer ministry is available after services or throughout the week. In particular we have a Telephone Prayer Link (TPL), with individuals praying daily and in confidence for those who request it and have a prayer shawl ministry. 4 9 Our Village Sevenoaks Weald is a village and civil parish in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, in South- East England. Until 1894 the village was simply named Weald and is the name most residents use today. The village is set within gentle, hilly countryside which is designated an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (equivalent to a National Park in terms of landscape quality). It has a warm and lively community offering many opportunities to be drawn into a network of friendships that make up Weald s life. The village has developed over the past 600 years and has retained its attractive village atmosphere with a traditional village green at its centre. Adjacent to the green is the village school, Pub (The Windmill) and the village store (The Old Bakery and Post Office). Today the village has approximately 540 residences with a population of approximately 1,250 made up as follows: Age Profile Years Parish Population (2011) % of total 0-4 50 6% 5-15 200 15% 16-64 750 61% 65+ 250 19% The village, the church, the school, the community: small, close knit and very, very, friendly.

Our Strengths and Opportunities We are a committed and enthusiastic group at St George s, and have many strengths as well as opportunities for the future. Our current strengths include: Our Team 3 Pastoral assistants, 3 Readers, volunteer Junior Church and youth workers, Bible study/ prayer group leaders, Director of Music and Organist and an administrator. A welcoming congregation. Involving different ages in our worship and reaching out to different groups within the community. Different patterns of worship and music in our services. Our involvement in the life of the community (See Outreach section). Well maintained buildings with comfortable and modern facilities, car park, and a purpose built 4- bedroomed vicarage adjacent to the church. Opportunities include: Making church relevant to individuals in the changing world. Reaching out more to our local community. Attracting more young families to the church. Helping more of the community to see the church as central to the village and not on the edge of it. Developing our children s and young peoples work and developing closer links to Weald Community Primary School and Weald Pre- School Recruiting a part time paid youth worker and additional volunteer children s and youth workers. Offering mid- week opportunities for those not yet ready for church. Improving our prayer and small group bible study programme. I ve lived in Weald for over 50 years and really wouldn t want to live anywhere else. It is a perfect village with so many activities for young and older people. Besides the church, school and village shop there is beautiful countryside to walk in. 8 Our Music The music at St George s church encompasses a variety of styles and it is hoped that this variety brings a richness to our worship. St George s has a traditional robed choir that aims to sing an anthem about every 6 weeks and the choir is augmented on special occasions when over 30 adults and, at Christmas, 10 children participate. This is another outreach as the choir is open to all those who would like to join in, whether on a regular or occasional basis. Twice a month a band called Revelation lead us in worship. At other services music is played on the organ, piano or occasionally recorded and this is organised by the Music Director /Organist. Both Revelation and the choir contribute to the wider village life such as leading services on the Green, playing/ singing at Christian Aid concerts, and we welcome the Salvation Army band once a year for a service on the Green. Quotations are being obtained for a new audio- visual system in the church to provide better reliability and flexibility. Our Finances We manage our finances carefully in order to support key initiatives and to look after the fabric of the Church buildings and grounds. For 2013, total incoming resources were 144,539 whilst total resources expended were 122,419. We pay our full Parish Share and use at least 10% of unrestricted incoming resources for missionary and charitable giving. During 2013/14, a major programme of refurbishment to the Church fabric and grounds was completed. A copy of the 2013 Annual Report and Financial Statements is available on our church website. I enjoy the variety of the worship at St George s, one Sunday we may have a choir, the next just the organ, and the next the band (Revelation) - it means that we can express our worship in different ways. 5

Our Children and Young People The changing face of children and youth fellowship is currently represented by two broad age groups at St George s: Children from about 3-10 years of age form Junior Church and are either taught as one group or two depending on numbers and age range. The older group of young people ranges from 11-17 years old. We have large numbers on the registers, but attendance has fallen over recent years and currently have about 8 children and young people on a Sunday morning. A thriving weekly midweek group for 7-11 year olds, attracting about 25 children each week, and the annual Holiday Club for about 50 children have recently had to be put on hold pending the recruitment of a new part time paid Youth Worker. I really love junior church because it s so much fun and we do lots of activities. Recently, the older and younger children met for a session to consider their contribution to the Parish Profile. They were asked to think about 'what we like' and 'what we could improve' about the church and wider area. These included: What we like We celebrate birthdays Social time and seeing friends and family Upbeat songs/ Revelation Communion for all Different services e.g. Labyrinth, Christingle, Parade, Family, Baptism, Christmas services and Messy Church The different clubs e.g. Thursday club Events e.g. Church Big Day out, Panto What we could improve Shorter and more child friendly services More people to come to junior church Cakes or doughnuts instead of biscuits occasionally More variety of activity in Junior Church and promote messy church Sunday evening youth group More church events e.g. walks, parties Help in the village more 6 Our Outreach and Mission 7 We are committed to outreach both within the village, the wider community and throughout the world. As a church we see our commitment to village life as integral to the mission of the church. Examples of some of our activities include: Restarting the Alpha course and annual Lent courses. Christian Aid week every May with a whole week of planned activities in which the whole village participate. The annual Safari Supper with an average of 80 people taking part. The St George s 10km run every September, which attracts over 400 people and is preceded by a service on the green. The Teddy s group for parents and pre- school children Cameo a monthly club for the retired, with an annual holiday club. Working with community groups. Christmas charity lunch, Harvest and Shrove Tuesday celebrations, barn dances, BBQs, concerts, and monthly coffee mornings. Home visits and communion, prayer ministry and house blessings. Local events are supplemented with our support to: The local food bank in Sevenoaks Loaves n fishes Supporting a family working with the Salvation Army through London City Mission in Nunhead Hosting the children from Nunhead for a day on Westwood Farm Nationally and Internationally, the church has supported missionaries and organisations over the years e.g. the Bible Society, CMS, CSW, The Kenward Trust etc. Currently we are supporting: A family in South Africa through Christians Abroad A family working in Chad with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) Palliative care work and other work in Uganda along with the Change a Nation Programme with Tear Fund and New Wine