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The United Benefice of Stafford St John the

Baptist and Tixall with Ingestre

Benefice Profile 2017

Stafford St John the Baptist

Littleworth

Stafford

ST16 3RP

St John the Baptist

Tixall

ST18 0XT

St Mary the Virgin

Ingestre

ST18 0RF

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Contents:

1. Our New Rector p 3

2. Children’s Wish List p 4

3. Benefice Area Map p 5

4. Staff p 6

5. The Rectory p 7

6. St John the Baptist Littleworth p 9

7. St John the Baptist Tixall p 16

8. St Mary the Virgin Ingestre p 22

9. Stafford Deanery Profile p 28

10. Diocesan Themes p 29

11. MAP and conclusion p 33

Finances in Appendix

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1. Our New Rector

Could this be you?

We are praying for a person of prayer who has God at the centre of their ministry and who will continue to grow in their personal faith and discipleship.

Loves the Bible and uses it for preaching and teaching.

Is sensitive to the guiding and enabling of the Holy Spirit

Has a sense of the sacred and leads worship that lifts, inspires and takes people into the heart of God.

Supports the vision and needs of individual churches, including use of appropriate music and resources, to encourage the building of communities of faith.

Leads the churches in Mission Action Planning.

Has a heart for work with all ages and lifestyles within the churches and wider communities including returning and new Christians.

Identifies and works towards meeting pastoral needs.

Is organised in the management of people, information and time, and has the ability to delegate.

Works with PCCs and their officers to ensure that decisions are properly made and acted upon.

Can ensure that policies and processes in relation to occasional offices including health, safety, finance and staff management meet Diocesan and legal requirements.

Has good interpersonal skills and can empathise with people in their personal situations.

Discerns, encourages and enables other people’s gifts and ministries.

Has the imagination, vision and enthusiasm to take our churches forward.

Is flexible and has a sense of humour! We realise this is asking a lot, but equally we

want you to have high expectations of us.

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2. Children’s Wish List

“To have parties about Jesus”

“Love, compassion and perseverance”

“Really needs to love God and pray”

“Have good ideas to make Church better”

“Be good at praying so that it reminds us of God”

“Be happy, kind, generous, joyful,

confident and cheerful”

“Be able to sing

because we sing

lots of songs”

“To make us excited

because we like

exciting worship”

“To use water pistols to

baptise people”

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3. Benefice Area Map:

The Benefice has an urban area and two villages and is well placed, being sited

alongside the M6 motorway and having excellent rail links with Birmingham to

the South and Manchester to the North, as well as local bus routes.

Nearby is Cannock Chase, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Peak

District is within an hour’s drive.

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4. Staff

This currently comprises:

A Curate (in her third year)

Two Associate Ministers

A Youth and Children’s Minister (Littleworth)

A Lay Reader

Two Trainee Lay Readers (one in first and one in second year)

A Benefice Administrator

A Cleaner (Littleworth)

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5. The Rectory

The Rectory, adjacent to the rear door of St John’s Church Littleworth, is a

modern four-bedroomed property, with the usual separate WC and study at

the front, ensuring the family are not overly disturbed by church business.

There is a large lounge, separate dining room (with patio doors to rear garden)

and a good-sized kitchen. Upstairs, there are three double bedrooms and a

smaller single one, plus a family bathroom and separate WC.

Dimensions (approximate) are:

Ground Floor:

Study 12’ 4” x 15’

Hall 20’ 6” x 8’

Kitchen 11’ 10” x 9’ 6”

Dining Room 11’ 10” x 11’ 10”

Lounge 13’ x 7’ 8”

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First Floor:

Landing 17’ x 8’

Bedroom 1 13’ 4” x 12’ 4”

Bedroom 2 12’ 4” x 13’ 2”

Bedroom 3 12’ 4” x 15’ 2”

Bedroom 4 8’ x 9’ 7”

Bathroom 9’ 8” x 7’ 3”

The front entrance has a garage and a grassed area, plus parking for several

cars. The rear garden is a large private area of lawn, surrounded by mature

trees and high wooden fencing.

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6. Littleworth St John

“Open Doors, Deep Wells”

Worship at St John’s centres round prayer and the Holy Communion services

on Sunday at 9.30am and Wednesday at 2pm, and there are many activities

throughout the week too. We have some wonderful singers and musicians to

enhance and lead worship.

Our usual Sunday attendance is between 65 and 80.

The newly introduced church@four on Sunday is taking shape with worship,

music and a talk, culminating with bring and share food. On two Sundays each

month this incorporates Messy Church or Hot Potatoes. The latter includes

worship and separate discussions on a current topic finishing with a hot potato

meal.

Children’s Church and Praise and Play, involving between two and twelve

children, take place during Sunday morning services and we hold regular

services each term with children from St John’s Primary Academy.

In 2015 we began working with the Diocese alongside Rev George Fisher on a

Five Year Plan for Growth. We have already made changes to services to

accommodate families with young children with different and sometimes more

difficult lifestyles. We look forward to encouraging more involvement in the

wider church family.

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We have prayer times at 7.30am on Monday and midday prayer on Tuesday,

Wednesday and Thursdays in church, and we have an extensive prayer chain

via mobile phone and e-mail.

We have a thriving Youth and Children’s ministry serving all ages from birth to

eighteen years old. Activities are many and varied dependent on age group:

Key stage one and two enjoy Praise and Play sessions and Children’s Church.

Key stage three and four take part in Sunday Noon Project (SNP), meeting

together following the Sunday morning Communion service.

Zone is our outreach group for young people transitioning from St John’s

Primary Academy to Weston Road Academy in the Parish.

We operate Open Doors on Tuesday and Wednesday morning for a drop in

coffee and chat where someone is always available for prayer. We have a Soup

Lunch at one pm on the first Wednesday of the month. M&M’s (Martha &

Mary) meet each Tuesday morning, with up to twenty people, in the church

hall for fellowship whilst enjoying crafts of many descriptions along with bible

study and worship.

We have house groups meeting regularly in the Parish sometimes joining

together for courses i.e. Lent or Advent.

Links with St John’s Primary Academy are excellent. The Principal writes: “The

Academy is a two-form entry school with over 400 wonderful pupils on roll. We

are an academy within the Church of England Central Education Trust

(CECET). Our links with St John's Church play an important role within our

Other activities include Sunbeams on

Monday morning (pictured) with

Praise and Play on Tuesday afternoon

for Pre-schoolers and their carers’,

preceded once a month by Pit Stop

soup lunch.

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school. From shaping the future direction of our school to supporting our

Christian ethos, our links with the church are vital.

Our Rector needs to be a visible presence within school. This is not only for our

wonderful pupils but for our parents and staff. Our Rector needs to be proactive

in playing a very important role in our school and they will need to be fully

committed in serving our school community.”

The Rector is automatically a member of the Local Governing Body and various

members of the church lead Worship in school weekly, Messy Church monthly

and take part in other activities at school. The pupils also come to the church

regularly, to mark major festivals and to end each term. The most recent

OFSTED rating was “Good”, with an “Outstanding” in the SIAMS Report.

Contact is maintained with both Weston Road Academy and the newly built

Veritas Academy (a primary which serves the needs of the Ministry of Defence

families).

The former Stafford campus of Staffordshire University is due to be converted

into an international school and specialist university. The Sports Centre is to be

re-opened after refurbishment in the summer.

We benefit from being part of both the ‘Love Stafford’ and ‘Love Littleworth’

organisations. Events have included hosting a Restoration and Repair Day, as

well as a Repair Café; the latter had experts available to do small repairs of

every description.

St John’s was originally a daughter church of St Mary’s in Stafford. Services

were held in Tithe Barn Road, at what is now the Sikh Temple. Thanks to

donations from local residents, the present church building was begun in 1926,

but ran out of steam after the stone front end was built. The rest of the church

was finished as a temporary building and, thanks to generous donations from

local residents, work was restarted in the 1960s. The present church was

finished and decorated throughout in 1972.

We pay our Parish Share in full every year.

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We use a portable altar for most services, allowing the celebrant to face the

congregation. The West Window has a stunning stained glass design which

was installed in 1972. The current pulpit, from St Chad’s in Stafford town does

not quite face forward as can be seen on closer inspection.

The church is set in pleasant grounds and includes a newly refurbished car

park. We have conveniently situated shops including a Co-op, a fish and chip

shop and a Post Office, as well as Chinese and Pizza take-away establishments.

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Two public houses, a launderette and a hairdresser’s are close by on the main

A518 Weston Road running through Littleworth. From St John’s Church it is a

short walk to the town centre and the recently opened shopping mall of major

retail outlets. Stafford is well served by all the major supermarkets and

Littleworth is expanding with new house-building in many areas alongside

existing mixed housing and rental accommodation.

The County Hospital, also in the parish, gives excellent care with wonderful

staff. Katharine House Hospice, Salvation Army Citadel, Littleworth

Community Church, Beacon Baptist Church and a Sikh Gurdwara are in the

parish.

We have a major Ministry of Defence establishment including 22 Signals

Regiment, Ghurkhas and a small Royal Air Force contingent, on the edge of the

parish. Staffordshire County Council is a large employer in the town, along

with Alstom Power and Perkins Engines, both internationally renowned

engineering companies.

There are numerous restaurants, cafés and bars within easy reach. The leisure

centre, complete with swimming pool, is nearby. We have a cinema, with a

new multi-screen planned, main theatre and small studio theatre which attract

well-known actors, musicians and shows to suit every taste. Stafford boasts

excellent Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Societies. The annual open-air

Shakespeare production held at the ruins of Stafford Castle, situated on the

outskirts of the town, is known nationally and has included TV and West End

renowned stars in the cast.

The church hall has recently been upgraded by:

The building of a stud wall to create a secure storage area

Provision of a projector and screen for meetings

WiFi Internet connectivity

It is well used by groups from the church and the community. A typical week’s

activities at St John’s looks something like this:

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Monday am Sunbeams for pre-schoolers

Tuesday am Open Doors to drop in for tea/coffee and a chat, incorporating: Martha & Mary (M&Ms) for craft activities, a Bible Talk and prayers

Tuesday pm Praise and Play for pre-schoolers Wednesday STARS (Second Time Around) Singers

Open Doors, ending at 2.00pm with a Communion Service Soup Lunch on first Wednesday of the month

Wednesday eve “Zone”, Youth Club for School Years 5-7 Music Group Practice

Thursday eve Dance Group Exercise Class

The hall is also hired by families for birthday parties and is well used by the

Diocese for meetings and conferences.

Various social events are held, including an over 60s Christmas Party, Meals

(themed and/or fund-raising), Cheese and Wine Quizzes, Coffee Mornings for

Christian Aid and other good causes.

The PCC and the Standing Committee meet monthly. The PCC is a strong and

supportive group and has completed several fabric matters recently, including

the demolition of two old classrooms and the laying of a new car park.

Plans for a faculty to re-order the church seating are currently being prepared.

The intention is to replace the wooden pews with chairs to provide more

flexibility for worship and other church and community uses, including our

mission of Open Doors.

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“What makes St John’s a special place for you?”

“A friendly, welcoming church, with good musical talent, committed clergy and an excellent car park”

“The companionship of others, as we walk through this life together; whether we stumble or celebrate, we are sustained and elevated by other people, particularly in our house groups”

“The generosity

of giving to those

less fortunate”

“I am welcomed and meet with Jesus and I have the

freedom to worship in the way that is right for me:

whether I want to genuflect, lift up my hands or

jump up and down and dance”

“Coming before God and being surrounded by love and prayers and friends”

“The presence of the Lord is always outstanding and the peace and fellowship is just wonderful”

“We are a praying church and always seek God’s guidance for what we should do”

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7. Tixall

HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF TIXALL CHURCH

There has been a church at Tixall since at least the 12th century, when it was a

free chapel under the jurisdiction of the Dean of the Collegiate Church of St

Mary, Stafford. In 1772 an earlier small stone church was rebuilt “in a very

plain style, and of less than its former dimensions.” The new church was “a

small neat edifice calculated to contain about 80.” It had box pews. The

present church was built in 1848 by the Hon. John Chetwynd Talbot, 3rd son of

Charles Chetwynd, 2nd Earl Talbot of Ingestre, as an act of piety and to be his

mausoleum, and was consecrated on Whit-Tuesday 1849.

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Simon Wakelin provides the earliest physical link with

the present church, although in fact the building he

knew was two rebuilds before the present one. The

white marble oval memorial, in the north aisle, is no

doubt the result of the £50 left in his will for a

memorial, although he had asked to be buried near

the altar. Translated it reads:-- To the memory of

Simon Wakelin, only son of William Wakelin of

Uttoxeter and Dorothy his wife, the Rector of this

church, to which, besides other benefactions in his

lifetime, he left at his death a paten and a chalice of

silver. Died 23rd March 1697 aged 38. In 1817, Clifford records “Against one

side of the chancel is an oval monument of white marble ...” The memorial was

probably moved to the north aisle when the church was rebuilt in 1848. We

still use the small Communion Cup inscribed “The gift of Dorothy Wakelin

mother of Simon Wakelin Rector to the Church of Tixall May 24th 1690”. The

large paten and chalice donated at his death are kept at the Lichfield Heritage

Centre Treasury.

TIXALL CHURCH LIFE IN 2017

Services from the Book of Common Prayer are held at 11.15am on the first and

third Sundays of every month, with Holy Communion on the 1st Sunday and

Matins on the 3rd. Matins includes a spoken psalm and some of the 1662

Canticles are sung. There is an additional 9am Holy Communion at Christmas

and Easter. We are lucky to have a regular organist.

Members of the church at Tixall look outwards and pray for local people who

are going through difficult times. Consequently we have a page of local prayers

compiled by a churchwarden and included in the prayer section of services. In

addition we have a small group from both Ingestre and Tixall who meet about

once a month in private houses to share Christian Fellowship and pray for

those in need.

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The Carol Service involves local children, and is followed by refreshments in

the Village Hall. Harvest Festival is also followed by refreshments in the Hall.

We have been delighted to welcome the Andante choir on occasional visits.

Local children read most of the lessons at the Carol Service which is well

attended. The special services attract a good congregation, including people

who attend other churches, or none at all. The average church attendance is

around ten and includes people who come from outside the parishes for the

“old prayer book” services.

Refreshments in the

Village Hall after

Harvest Festival

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A member of the congregation takes Communion to those who are unable to

attend church.

The church is open during daylight so that it is available for quiet prayer and

contemplation. There are many favourable comments in the visitors’ book to

show their appreciation of an open church.

It is interesting that we have three church families who have been actively

involved with Tixall Church for four generations.

We have recently started Messy Church sessions with

Ingestre. Members from both congregations working

well together to plan and deliver the activities and

worship. Although only a small number of children

attend Messy Church at present it is a good opportunity

for interaction between the villages and also allows

church goers and non-church goers to socialise, many

of the children are from outside our parishes. Children

from Ingestre and Tixall attend different schools in Haywood, Colwich, Stafford

and elsewhere.

The Village News Sheet is delivered free of charge to every household and

includes Church News for both Tixall and Ingestre.

A new heating system was installed in 1979, and the wooden flooring was

replaced over concrete sub-floors in 1990. The church roof was repaired with

the help of various grants in 1998 and the rest of the fabric is now in good

order.

The churchyard is still open for burials and has an area set aside for cremation

ashes. We benefit from a bequest for churchyard upkeep from the Nesbitt

family many years ago, which is topped up with a grant from the Parish Council

and pays for mowing.

The old Church School was built in 1850, but ceased to be used as a school in

1901 and was extended in the 1950s. In 2003 Lichfield Diocese and Lord

Shrewsbury, gave up any future claim they might have, to enable a new

Charitable Scheme to be set up for the building to become a village hall for

Tixall and Ingestre.

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There are eight Trustees, two from Tixall PCC, two from Ingestre PCC and two

from the Parish Council, plus two others. The Hall has helped provide a focus

and renewed community spirit in the area, e.g. via the monthly Produce Sales

which include sales of home-made soup and Guinness cake.

CHALLENGES WE FACE

In common with many other small communities we have a small

congregation. The parish is very spread out with some houses 3½ miles

apart by road. Most of the residents are area commuters or retired.

There are currently 188 local electors in Tixall. (cf 166 in Ingestre).

It is especially important that new residents are made welcome, and a

Welcome pack prepared by the Parish Council includes church contacts

and a message from our Rector. There is no doubt that the rural

residents set considerable store on being visited by the clergy, especially

when they first arrive and at times of special stress or importance.

Because the regular congregation is small, the normal collections and

church fees have been insufficient to service the annual running costs of

the church, especially the parish share. We have had to rely on regular

fund raising events, supported by non-church members in order to meet

these costs. Although this is a challenge it is also a great opportunity as it

allows non-church goers to meet with the congregation outside church.

Apart from the church and the village hall, there is nowhere residents

can regularly meet. New activities at the village hall have provided more

opportunities for social interaction.

We need to establish a more effective means of communication

between the Rector and Tixall and Ingestre.

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RESPONSES FROM MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION TO: "WHAT MAKES ST

JOHN'S CHURCH AND COMMUNITY SPECIAL FOR YOU?”

“The kindness of the congregation. The dignity of the services and their

simplicity. The quality of the preaching; the Welcome given to strangers; the

use of the church for Messy Church (and Hall!) and other events such as

concerts – a lovely acoustic.”

.

The Tixall and Ingestre website is www.tixall-ingestre-andrews.me.uk

“Friendly Congregation. Small pretty

church. Welcomes all ages and new people.

Traditional services encourage people from

other areas who enjoy this service. Many

people have helped St John’s for very many

years and continue in this service. We are

willing to embrace new ideas, such as

Messy Church, and support this work.”

“Small, homely church with

a friendly congregation

welcoming new and

younger members to the

congregation.”

“St John’s is an interment

and peacefull place to

worship. The

congregation of St John’s

are very welcoming and

friendly.”

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8. Ingestre

ST MARY THE VIRGIN INGESTRE

INTRODUCTION We seek a new Rector to encourage and teach us as we all grow in faith.

Ingestre is a small village five miles east of St John’s Church Littleworth. It has a

population of nearly 200 people. There is a true sense of community in Ingestre

which encompasses the village, the church congregation and our visitors. We

offer friendship and care to all; many come to see our church as a place of

peace and worship, as well as an architectural gem.

HISTORY

St Mary’s Church is the only parochial church in England attributed to Sir

Christopher Wren, the architect of St Paul’s in London. It is listed as Grade I and

is of national importance. Although it only has a capacity of 120 people it

mirrors exactly his magnificent London churches.

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The building is in excellent repair and underwent a major restoration in 2005.

The last quinquennial inspection was completed in July 2016 when no

significant problems were discovered. The building is administered by a Fabric

Committee which is responsible to the Rector.

Ingestre Hall is the former seat of the Earls of Shrewsbury and the present Earl

is the patron of the living. The hall is currently run as a Residential Arts Centre

by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.

The church has a parish share of £5616 per annum and this is paid up to date.

Our sources of income are planned giving, wedding fees, collections at services,

fund raising events and visitors' donations. We practise regular charitable

giving.

The building is open all daylight hours for the benefit of parishioners and

visitors seeking peace and quiet. We give many talks to groups of all ages -

children attending Ingestre Hall Arts Centre, history groups etc. We are a

popular venue for weddings, particularly in conjunction with the adjacent

Ingestre Hall. The church is our polling station for elections.

We have our own website www.stmaryschurch-ingestre.co.uk

FACILITIES

Although the church has the outward appearance of a 17th century building

we have the amenities expected of a modern one.

The building has superb acoustics for services and concerts. The restored 1876

Banfield organ is used at all our services.

There is a ramp to assist wheelchair access, and adapted toilet facilities, from a

generous restoration grant. We have a modern sound broadcast system

complete with a hearing loop. We have facilities for hot and cold drinks, so that

at the end of every service we offer tea, coffee and biscuits to all. Strangers are

warmly welcomed and encouraged to return, which they do.

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We have a group of bell ringers for our six bells and they practice each Tuesday,

ring for services, at weddings and funerals. They are affiliated to the North

Staffs Association of Change Ringers.

We are an enthusiastic and active PCC which is involved with all church and

village activities.

SERVICES

Services are held twice a month on second and fourth Sundays, alternating

with Tixall. On the second Sunday, we have Morning Prayer, and on the fourth

Holy Communion. We use a service card based on the 1662 Book of Common

Prayer. We sincerely hope that a new Rector would continue this practice. Our

services conclude with the greeting “Peace be with you” and the shaking of

hands.

On the Mondays when we have not had a service the preceding day we have a

short midday service. During Lent we have held a weekly series of prayer

meetings.

We have an attendance of 25 to 30 at our regular services, people coming from

locally and far afield, including for years after their weddings, and returning for

baptisms. Our attendance figures are growing as ten years ago the average

congregation was ten people. On Easter Day we had more than 50 and at

Christmas Midnight service the church is full. At Christmas time we hold a

service of nine lessons and carols, and sing carols round the village and in one

another’s houses, sharing food and hospitality, as Jesus did. We have

demonstrated that a warm and welcoming attitude is a key ingredient to

increasing attendances.

Ingestre and Tixall recently introduced Messy Church, Christingle and Posada

which have proved very popular particularly with small children. At the last

service there were about ten adults and fifteen children, as increasing numbers

of families are moving into the village.

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We value collaborative ministry by ordained and lay leaders, and appreciate the

advantages of being part of this three parish benefice.

In the last year we have had nine weddings, two blessings, five baptisms and

two funerals.

MUSIC

'Concert Ingestre' present a diversity of music in church – choral, classical, jazz,

operatic and folk. We support and provide rehearsal space for 'Andante' and

'Chetwynd', local choirs who give concerts and contribute to services. We are

part of the Stafford and Lichfield Summer Musical Festivals and present

concerts on their behalf. This year we shall be presenting the third

performance here by Catrin Finch, lately harpist to the Prince of Wales.

Each summer the courtyard at Ingestre Stables is transformed for musical

theatre shows, where the church is represented. The current Rector's

performance in Jesus Christ Super Star is well remembered; this show also

toured to Littleworth.

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VILLAGE FEATURES

Ingestre is a small and vibrant village, all in the Conservation Area, with many

listed buildings - the church, Ingestre Hall, the Orangery, the Old and New

Stables.

Activities here - traditional and modern - include:

Ingestre Stables, the world class equestrian teaching establishment.

Riding for the Disabled Centre at stables.

Ingestre Orangery restoration project.

Ingestre with Tixall Parish Council

Ingestre Festival (next 23 September 2017)

Ingestre Park Golf Club

Ingestre Community Garden

Little Ingestre Residential Care Home

Two farms

Our nearest shops, schools and doctors are two miles away in Great Haywood.

CHALLENGES

Like many villages we have a disproportionate aging population, some of whom

need increasing pastoral care, which we aim to provide.

We are very concerned about access to our church and villages during

construction and operation of the planned HS2 railway, so monitor this very

carefully.

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CONCLUSION

We dearly love our church both for what it is, for what it represents and what it

can become. We take comfort in the knowledge that we are continuing a

tradition inherited from our predecessors.

We make a positive point of welcoming all; we hope we have set an example of

love and faith to our successors. We are all God's children and we should all

feel equally loved.

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9. Stafford Deanery and Ecumenical Links

The Deanery Chapter and Synod meet regularly for support and sharing of

ideas. The Rural Dean is Revd Philip Daniel and the Lay Chair is Mr John Clark.

Ecumenically, “Love Stafford” is the branding for Churches Together in Stafford

and District. They hold a joint service in January to mark the Week of Prayer

for Christian Unity, a Walk of Witness on Good Friday in the town, a Sonrise

Service on Easter Sunday at Stafford Castle and Forums through the year, as

the need arises (e.g. at General Elections or times of particular local need).

“Soul Survivor” Week A is currently held in the Parish, at the County

Showground, annually.

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10. Diocesan Themes

With the new Diocesan Strapline (above), come three points of focus

• Discipleship:

o Being a disciple is a choice to continually learn about Jesus and what

it means to take his teaching seriously and to follow his example

• Evangelism

o The Good News of Jesus is meant to be shared! We are all invited

through our words, actions and lives to tell others about Christ’s

invitation to follow him and to be part of the growing kingdom

of God.

• Vocation

o Every person is called by God. Individually and together, we are given

gifts and opportunities to serve God and grow the kingdom. Vocation

is knowing who God calls us to be and living the life God invites us to

live.

The marks of our desired culture are:

• Warm

• Relational

• Prayerful

• Humble

• Willing to transcend traditional boundaries

• Everyone committed to life-long learning

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11. Mission Action Plan Littleworth St John

Last year was a year of reflection for the PCC with opportunities to consider

where we are as a church and where there are opportunities for growth and

development. Alongside this the teaching program last year called us to take

our discipleship seriously and be grown through our life experiences, work,

church and family life to be more like Jesus. If we are serious about growing as

a church then we need to have our own personal growth, and the growth of

our church family as a priority that:

God’s vision of ‘Open Doors...Deep Wells’ may go ‘Wider… Deeper…’

Let us Welcome Everyone as if we are entertaining angels (Hebrews

13:2)

Grow in encouraging more people to get involved in one group within

church life

Creative Café / Soul Survivor Church Family List Holiday club?

Back of church Repair Cafés

Let us Go out to those who God leads us to and love them as God loves us

(Mark 16:15)

Grow in strength of connections with others in our town and community

Pastoral Care for church family—who is missing from church? Are they

ok?

Hospital—At this difficult time will need support in pastoral care

Schools—Hold their doors open to us Pastoral Care

Prayer walk directory Baptism team

Let us lean on God’s word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths—

allowing the living word to challenge and direct us (Psalm 119:105)

Grow in knowledge and understanding of the Bible

Encourage more people to be part of a Growth group

Growth Useful to have notes Healing service

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Let us Be open to God’s Holy Spirit—working on us all from the inside out,

speaking to us through scripture and through others in this world. (1

Thessalonians 5:23)

Grow space in services and groups to allow God’s spirit to renew us

Encourage people to receive prayer ministry

Renewal Event

Let us Pray without ceasing for our community and one another—listening to

the whispers and leading of the Holy Spirit (1 Thess 5:17, Mark 11:24-5)

Encourage people to take advantage of the opportunities for prayer.

Prayer is a place for personal growth and growing together in unity in

God’s will.

Prayer focus to be agreed Persecuted church outreach

Let us Continue on the Building plan trusting God for the resources and

offering ourselves to be part of the solution. (Ephesians 2:22)

Sound system – internet Blinds Exterior maintenance Lawns

Organ loft Assess kitchen needs Back of church fences

Continue working on 3yr plan

Having reached the end of our Benefice Profile we pray that you will see that

we are three communities of faith who are seeking to follow in Christ’s

footsteps.

We pray that God will lead to us a Rector whom we can worship with, learn

from, pray with and pray for, and with whom we can work to further God’s

kingdom.