St Laurence, Appleton with Besselsleigh
Worshipping, Sharing, Caring in the name and love of God Parish Profile
1 Contents
Foreword by the Bishop of Dorchester 3
Could you be our new Rector? 4
Welcome to St Laurence 6
Church Life 7
Our Vision 9
Worship and our Worshipping Community 11
Appleton with Besselsleigh 13
Organisation and Finance 14
The Church and Churchyard 16
Our Work in the Community 17
Working Together 19
Where will you live? 20
Appendix 1 Role Description 23
Appendix 2 Person Specification 28
Appendix 3 An Introduction to Appleton School 29
2 Foreword by the Bishop of Dorchester
Appleton is a wonderfully ‘buzzy’ village and whoever goes there as its next Rector needs to be someone who thoroughly enjoys an active village life as well as a lively church one. I was aware when I read this profile that it could leave would-be applicants thinking that what is being looked for by the PCC is someone who will be working there full-time rather than on a House for Duty basis. However, I think they are realistic about the latter and what they are looking for is someone who will do the core job (in church, school and community) and who will also delight to delegate the plethora of other opportunities (as well as routine tasks in such fields as administration and finance) to a group of very committed active and capable lay people. The previous incumbent has left some very good foundations to build on both evangelistically and in terms of deepening discipleship and there will be lots of opportunities to take these further. Also now that the saga of making Besselsleigh’s Church Building into one that is cared for by a Trust (with the PCC remaining responsible for the open churchyard), there will be interesting opportunities to see how this can best be used for the community, not least with some new housing coming into the village. As you can tell this is a post I am very enthusiastic about and I warmly commend it to you.
The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher OBE Bishop of Dorchester
3 Could you be our new Rector?
We’re looking for a - Compassionate, and comprehending of Rector with a strong welcoming to our inclusive and Christian faith who everyone, and broad-church loves people and committed to pastoral approach, maintaining enjoys parish care, with a heart for balance and being ministry in a vibrant, those who are sensitive to the needs all-age context. We suffering, providing of the whole church spiritual support and and wider community. pray that our new comfort to those in Rector will be: special need and fostering Christian - Someone with a discipleship. warmth of humanity - An inspiring, and a sense of stimulating bible humour, with a proven teacher and role - Approachable, a ability to delegate to model with a visible good listener, and work with a team commitment to prayer, experienced and of volunteers, and an willing to share their skilled in ability to get along with own ideas and our communicating with many different people. wish to develop our children, young approach to praise, people, families, and prayer and worship. working & retired Passionate for adults and willing to church growth engage with the local - Passionate for and a personal heart for church growth and a primary school, and missional gospel personal heart for who loves teaching about Jesus. ministry. missional gospel ministry, looking for further opportunities to - Forward-looking, take the church out respecting of the into the community traditions of the with Christ-centred Church of England, love. 4 We are a village with a strong sense of community
5 Welcome to St Laurence
Worshipping, Our electoral roll is We are currently caring and sharing approximately 100, thinking, for instance, in the name and about 50-60 of whom to seek some love of God. typically attend at consistent least one of our administrative help Sunday services. for a new incumbent. Who are we? We have a thriving We are therefore We are a welcoming volunteer base who praying that the right and active church lead a variety of candidate will family with strong aspects of ministry. present themselves to us, so that ties to our We have been together we can work ‘outstanding’ Church blessed over the to grow the House of England Aided years by being able for Duty post into a Primary school which to have, or effectively full-time role. sits next door. have, a full time Our church Rector in our Parish. welcomes and When the position includes a wide became a house for The church range of people, Duty Post in 2007 family including a number the incumbent had a reflects a of young families, husband who was range of and Sunday able to support her Christian congregations and when the backgrounds include the very position became and traditions. young up to those vacant again the over 90 years old! PCC were able to The church family find means to enable reflects a range of the candidate to work Christian full time in the backgrounds and Parish. traditions.
6 Church Life
We sustain a varied with many staying for biweekly basis to and active a chat. study God’s word and support each Church life There is a sung other in prayer. What do we do? Evensong two Currently we hold a Sundays a month There are monthly mixture of ‘All-Age’, (BCP liturgy). midweek and weekly Communion and Thursday morning We hold festival ‘Service of the Word’ prayer meetings, and services at key 10am service in recent times, points in the church’s formats on Sunday we’ve added year that attract wide morning. We also ‘Christianity support from the have twice monthly Explored’ and ‘Just village community. 6pm sung Evensong for Starters’ courses, Some of these are and monthly 8am as well as occasional held in village Communion guest services and locations other than services. an outreach wreath- the church building. making event in Our Sunday Club, We’ve also enjoyed comprising about 10 Advent. hosting school pupils children of primary We provide a and parents in school age, meets in church for services monthly parish the school buildings newsletter and and refreshments on during the middle other days. maintain our own part of the 10am website Sunday service and We lead weekly (www.stlaurenceappleton.org) is led by assemblies in School We are involved in a congregation and end of term members. services and range of community maintain close links work. Sung worship on with school life Latterly, we held a Sunday mornings throughout the year. comprises a mixture 24-hour prayer event of traditional and Over the past four during which church members prayed for contemporary hymns years, four home and songs. There is groups of 8 – 10 the church, including during and after the Wealways want coffee after to supportmembers have our been vacancy, and for the the 10am services, meeting on a appointment itself. community 7 Involvement in the day to day life of our Primary School is important to us 8 Our Vision
We are excited by the how we can expand This part of our future God has in store and grow our congregation has for our Church Christian fellowship. grown significantly in We are enthusiastic the last 2 – 3 years. What is valued at and want to share the The ongoing St. Laurence? gospel amongst our strengthening of our We value our place as village community. relationship with an integral part of a We are receptive to families through strong and caring ideas which enable us school is also central, local community. Our to reach out more as is continuing to Church is open every through community prepare candidates day and is often used events, and to build and their families for for quiet prayer and on the heartening baptism, confirmation contemplation by attendance at and marriage. members of the Festivals and other community. The many older special services, and members of our We value our time success of the church family are also together on Sundays Women’s Breakfasts, of great importance to to read and hear ‘Tea and Chat’ and us. God’s word preached, community café. pray, sing His praises, A wish to maintain If possible, we want to share in Holy and support continue to offer Communion, as well discipleship through courses and groups as support and home groups is also a such as ‘Just for encourage each other. key priority. Starters’ and We look for ‘Christianity Explored’ We would like to seek opportunities to show to provide a next step to facilitate and God’s love and share for those learning encourage greater His word with those more about Jesus biblical understanding, around us. Christ. personal prayer and practical involvement Our ministry to What is our vision in our worshipping families and young for the future? community and people is very Mindful of the time church family. important to us. available, we are open to new ideas as to 9 We are excited by the future but realistic about what can be achieved 10 Worship and our Worshipping Community
We aim to provide We have a one Average attendances for and be manual chamber for regular services welcoming to all organ and an throughout 2019 and parishioners. electronic piano, and attendances for a rota of four festivals and one-off organists. services in 2019 can How are our be seen in Appendix We have a strong services 6 Other. structured? tradition of bellringing Services are led by with bells rung for 10am and Evensong ordained clergy, lay Our services and other ministers or by Worshipping members of the PCC special events. Community when clergy are is active and unavailable, with healthy wider participation in How big is our reading lessons, worshipping leading intercessions community? and assisting with The Electoral Roll in March 2019 was Great the chalice. numbers declared as 96 at the attend key There are typically Annual Parochial festivals three, four or five Church meeting on hymns or songs at 24th March 2019. the ‘All Age’ and Communion services, including In 2019, there were 6 Regular traditional and Funerals, 1 Baptism Sunday services contemporary music. and 2 weddings. attract 50 + There are 2 As well as hymns, a people weddings booked for psalm, the Magnificat each week and Nunc Dimitis are 2020 sung at Evensong. 11 Welcoming to all parishioners 12 Appleton with Besselsleigh
St Laurence Church Besselsleigh or Marylebone Station sits at the heart of community by over 40 can be reached by Appleton, an attractive new dwellings. train from nearby rural village Didcot or Oxford Appleton is a caring, stations in under an friendly parish with a Where are we? hour. well-supported Appleton sits five community shop, part- miles south west of time post office, pub, Oxford, with a strong village hall and sense of local Mission Chapel. Appleton is a community amongst caring, its population of Eaton and friendly around 900. Besselsleigh each parish with a have a pub. well-supported It is surrounded by community farmland and woods, With around 30 clubs shop. with the Thames and societies, a nearby. children’s playground, tennis courts, football Worshippers from the and cricket pitches, nearby hamlets of it’s worthwhile to visit Eaton and our village website to Besselsleigh join gain a taste of the Appleton residents at activities on offer in Sunday services at St our lively village Laurence following (www.appleton-eaton.org). the recent merger of the Appleton & Oxford, including its Besselsleigh two fine universities parishes. and theological colleges, can be A new housing easily reached by car, development will bus or bike, and shortly extend the London’s Paddington
13 Organisation and Finance
We thank God that the subgroups doing We introduced the we have a committed the work with all key Parish Giving Scheme PCC, who will work decisions ratified by in 2019. We organise with you to support the whole PCC. events to raise money both for Church and you as Rector. The current sub- other charities. groups are Finance How does the PCC and Risk, Children and The Rector and operate? Youth and Churchwardens are We have two Communication and trustees of the Church Churchwardens, an Events. Details of Repair Charity. Funds active PCC of 14 these subgroups are can be used, at their members plus the available on request. discretion, to help incumbent with We also have PCC cover costs of repairs Treasurer and members in positions to and maintenance of Secretary. PCC of responsibility for the Church building. Safeguarding and members are reflective Appleton St Laurence Sung Worship. We of the St. Laurence’s Heritage Trust recently adopted the broad demographic, (ASLHT) was set up in CoE Model Parish with members’ ages 2013 by villagers and Safeguarding Policy, ranging from under 40 parishioners who are and follow Diocesan to over 80! interested in the and National maintenance and We have proactively Safeguarding upkeep of the church recruited people into Guidance. the PCC with skills in and churchyard. This communication, How are our is an independent fundraising, finance, finances? community led charity risk, music and We are financially which supports the ministry. There are five stable in terms of both upkeep of the Church full PCC meetings a giving and fundraising building and its year and subgroups including planned environment. Current meet a minimum of giving. We always pay funds are circa three times a year. our Parish Share in £30,000. Wherever appropriate, full; our Parish Share detail is devolved to for 2020 is £27,303. 14 We organise events to raise money for Church and charity 15 The Church and the Churchyard
The church and which included a new are currently also churchyard are in a limestone floor with members of our good state of underfloor heating, a PCC). PA and loop system, repair. The Parish of a WC and a floristry Besselsleigh was room. How are the divided and the area church and The churchyard west of the A420 has churchyard surrounding the become part of our managed? church is open for Parish. The Grade II 12th burial and is cared Century Norman for by a contractor Church lies adjacent and village to the ancient Manor volunteers. house and primary St. Lawrence school at the heart of Besselsleigh recently the village closed and its Conservation Area. It churchyard is now is of great officially under our architectural interest. management. St Laurence is a The church building loved and well- is managed by a maintained Church Trust and occasional We have a with a strong history services are held in long and a tower housing the church. Although 10 bells. the Churchyard is tradition of bell ringing Sensitively designed under our new lighting, installed management it is in 2003, saw the being cared for the culmination of major by Trust (two renovation work members of whom
16 Our work in the community
In various ways we For special gives educational try to reach out to occasions volunteers grants to young our local come together to people. This trust community and form a Community meets twice a year, those in need Choir. and there’s no paperwork involved The Rector is a for the Rector. How do we trustee of the three engage with the centrally located The Rector is local community? thatched Church normally a Governor The Church reaches Almshouses, of Appleton Church out to the local although the day to of England aided community through day responsibility lies Primary School, regular events such with the although not typically as a Ceilidh and a Churchwardens. the chair. Harvest Party, We help those in Christmas Bazaar, need by financially Wreath making, supporting local and Carols under the national charities Stars. through our The village gathers fundraising events. for refreshments in The Rector is the Village Hall after involved (mostly the Armistice Day nominally) with trusts Memorial Service at and activities run by the War Memorial. volunteers. The Church We produce a reaches out monthly Parish The Appleton trust to the local Newsletter called the exists to support community Appleton Advertiser members of the and we regularly through village suffering update our website. regular hardship and also events
17 We want to support our community
18 Working Together
As a congregation based locally, who we respect your are also willing to free time, family help out. and personal We encourage our commitments Rector to participate in clergy conferences How will we support and ministerial you so you can development. support us? If you’re married, We’re keen to help your spouse will be you and this is encouraged to demonstrated by a participate freely in strong and the life of St. supportive PCC as Laurence. well as other If you have children, members of the they’ll find a warm We’re keen congregation who welcome from our to help you. help with preaching children and young and leading services. people and an We are well invitation to join in connected with a widely. number of large churches and Committed theological colleges PCC and in Oxford who pro-active provide a visiting congregation preacher when called upon. We are also very well supported by retired or non-practicing clergy members
19 Where will you live?
An attractive and The majority of our cinemas, museums, well-appointed late children attend music of every kind 1980s house seven Appleton’s Church of and annual arts and minutes walk from England aided literary festivals to Church primary school access (around 180 pupils) (www.dailyinfo.co.uk). The Rectory and then Matthew Abingdon is also Upstairs there are Arnold Secondary steeped in history two double and two school (1,100 pupils) and as an expanding single bedrooms with (www.appleton.oxon.sch.uk market town, offers a and www.maschool.org.uk). built in wardrobes, a number of good family bathroom and We are close to The supermarkets and a separate WC. John Radcliffe leisure centre, sports Hospital, The Nuffield facility with indoor Downstairs there is a Orthopaedic Centre, and outdoor tennis spacious kitchen and The Churchill courts, swimming utility room, dining Hospital and Sobell pool, squash, room, living room, House Hospice, badminton and sauna downstairs cloakroom Helen & Douglas (www.better.org.uk/venues/ and a large study. House Children’s white-horse-leisure-and- tennis-centre). Outside there is a Hospice and the large single garage Warneford Hospital. with generous roof There is a minor storage and an injuries unit in attractive garden to Abingdon. The main front and rear with GP practice is The wood store. Malthouse Surgery in Abingdon The property is (www.malthousesurgery.co.uk) connected to fibre Our close proximity to optic broadband internet. Oxford and its world class universities Schools, healthcare means that there is a and leisure facilities rich arts and culture in the area are good. scene with theatres,
20 The Rectory is a four bedroom house with lovely gardens 21 Appendices
1. Role Description
2. Person Specification
3. An introduction to Appleton School
22 Appendix 1: Role Description
Section One: Details of Post
• Role title: Rector • Type of Role: Part time, House for Duty • Name of benefice: Appleton with Besselsleigh • Episcopal area: Dorchester • Deanery: Abingdon • Archdeaconry: Dorchester • Conditions of Service: Please refer to Statements of Particulars document issued in conjunction with this role description • Key contact for Clergy Terms of Service: Archdeacon of Dorchester. This role falls within the Clergy Terms of Service formally known as Common Tenure. The Archdeacon of Dorchester is the designated person by the Bishop of Oxford to issue the Statement of Particulars for the post holder. • Accountability: Priests share with the Bishop in the oversight of the Church. Whilst, as an office holder, the individual is expected to lead and prioritise work in line with the purpose of the role, they are encouraged to inform the incumbent (in case of assistant priests) and Archdeacon and Church Warden/s (in case of incumbents) about any issues exceptional or otherwise that have the potential to affect ongoing delivery of ministry • Additional Responsibility: N/A
Section Two: Context
As a diocese we are committed to holistic mission, working through the framework of ‘A more Christ-Like Church’ contemplative, compassionate and courageous for the sake of God’s world. You can read much more about this by following the link below you to the Oxford Diocese’s mission page: https://www.oxford.anglican.org/mission-ministry/towards-a-common-vision/. You can also read about the local context at the Deanery and Parish level by following the links under “Key facts and parish information”.
23 Section Three: Role Purpose and Key Responsibilities
General: A. To exercise the cure of souls shared with the bishop in this parish in collaboration with colleagues including the praying of the Daily Office, the administration of the sacraments and preaching.
B. To have regard to the calling and responsibilities of the clergy (as described in the Canons, the Ordinal, the Code of Professional Conduct for the Clergy) and other relevant legislation including bringing the grace and truth of Christ to this generation and making him known to those in your care. • instructing the parishioners in the Christian faith • preparing candidates for confirmation • diligently visiting the parishioners of the benefice, particularly those who are sick and infirm • providing spiritual counsel and advice. • consulting with the parochial church council on matters of general concern and importance • to the benefice • bringing the needs of the world before God in intercession • calling your hearers to repentance and declaring in Christ's name the absolution and forgiveness of their sins • blessing people in God’s name • preparing people for their death • discerning and fostering the gifts of all God’s people • being faithful in prayer, expectant and watchful for the signs of God’s presence, as he reveals his kingdom among us
C. To share in the wider work of the deanery and diocese as appropriate, for the building up of the whole Body Christ Key responsibilities specific to the local situation If you have worked with the Living Faith headings, you can insert them into these sections as indicated: • Mission and Outreach (Making Disciples, Making a difference in the world): Passionate for church growth and a personal heart for missional gospel ministry, looking for further opportunities to take the church out into the community with Christ-centred love • Leadership and working collaboratively (Shaping confident, collaborative leadership): Approachable, a good listener, experienced and skilled in 24 communicating with children, young people, families, and working & retired adults, while willing to engage with the local primary school, and who loves teaching about Jesus • Worship and preaching (Sustaining the sacred centre): An inspiring, stimulating bible teacher and role model with a visible commitment to prayer, willing to share their own ideas and our wish to develop our approach to praise, prayer and worship • Pastoral Care (Developing vibrant Christian community): Compassionate, welcoming to everyone, and committed to pastoral care, with a heart for those who are suffering, providing spiritual support and comfort to those in special need and fostering Christian discipleship • Stewardship and benefice organisation (Developing vibrant Christian community): Forward-looking, respecting of the traditions of the Church of England, and comprehending of our broad-church approach, maintaining balance and being sensitive to the needs of the whole church and wider community • Personal development and spirituality: Someone with a warmth of humanity and a sense of humour, with a proven ability to delegate to and work with a team of volunteers, and an ability to get along with many different people
The key responsibilities listed above may be supported by long and short term objectives to be agreed between the post holder and the incumbent (in the case of an assistant priest) or the Archdeacon and Church Wardens (in the case of incumbents)
Other responsibilities • Participate in the Bishop’s Ministerial Development Review scheme and engage in Continuing Ministerial Development • Carry out any other duties and responsibilities as required in line with the benefice needs. • Take care for their wellbeing including health and safety and building a good repertoire of spiritual and psychological strategies
Section Four: Benefice Summary
• Benefice: St Laurence Appleton • Patron(s): Magdalen College Oxford • PCCs: Roger Mitty (Churchwarden), Stuart Gibson (Churchwarden), Carol Dodimead (Secretary), Jane Cranston, Peter Day, Stephen Day, Richard Dick, Tian Davidson (Treasurer), Ben Elvidge (10am Service Music Director), Victoria Marcham (Safeguarding Officer), Martin French, Alison Jeffreys (Comms + Events), Lucinda Lewis-Crosby, Annewen Rowe • Churchwardens: Roger Mitty and Stuart Gibson • Ministers: None
25 • Lay Minister with PTO: Martin French • Benefice paid staff: None • Benefice unpaid staff/ volunteers: Many • Buildings: St Laurence Church • Churchyard(s): St Laurence Appleton and St Lawrence Besselsleigh • Resolutions: None • Church Tradition: Anglican • Pastoral Reorganisation proposals: None
For more detailed information, please refer to the Parish Profile.
Section Five: Key Contacts for the Role
Generic and specific to the role
Groups & committees • The PCC and its Sub Groups • Cluster Group • Deanery Chapter • Deanery Synod • Deanery Pastoral Committee
In the benefice • Churchwardens • Head teacher of Appleton Church of England Aided Primary School
Support structures • Area Dean of Abingdon, Area Dean: Revd. Helen Kendrick (https:// www.abingdondeanery.org.uk/whoswho.htm) • Archdeacon of Dorchester, The Venerable Judy French (https:// www.oxford.anglican.org/who-we- are/dorchester/archdeacon-judy/) • Bishop of Dorchester, The Right Rev’d Colin Fletcher OBE (https:// www.oxford.anglican.org/who-we- are/dorchester/bishop-of-dorchester/) • Further information can be found on the Diocese of Oxford’s website: https:// www.oxford.anglican.org/
26 Section Six: Other Table of Church Service average attendance
Service All Adults Children All Age 50 39 11 Communion (8am) 10 10 Communion (10am) 54 44 10 Service of the Word (10am) 43 34 9 Evensong 13 13 Good Friday 41 30 11 Easter Sunday 97 83 14 Harvest Festival 62 45 17 Remembrance Sunday 211 151 60 Christingle 40 31 9 Christmas Eve (Crib Service) 122 80 42 Christmas Eve (Carol Service) 329 320 9 Christmas Day 87 75 12
Relevant Documentation This role description is issued alongside and should be read in conjunction with the following documents:
• The Ordinal • The Canons of the Church of England • Guidance for the Professional Conduct of Clergy • Bishop’s Licence • Statement of Particulars issued to the office-holder on successful appointment • Diocesan Clergy Handbook • Parish Profile • Ministry Action Plans (MAPs)
Any objectives discussed and agreed between the post holder and the supervising minister. Role description signed off by: The Venerable Judy French, Archdeacon of Dorchester.
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Appendix 2: Person Specification Qualifications/Training • Ordained priest within the Church of England, or a Church in communion with it, or a Church whose orders it recognises • Have satisfactorily completed Initial Ministerial Education • Willingness to engage in further training that enhances the skills of community leadership
Experience • Church ministry in an all-age and mixed tradition context • Working with families and young people as well as with working and retired adults • Engagement with primary schools
Knowledge/Skills and Competencies and General Attributes
An inspiring, stimulating bible teacher and role model with a visible commitment to prayer, willing to share their own ideas and our wish to develop our approach to praise, prayer and worship.
Passionate for church growth and a personal heart for missional gospel ministry, looking for further opportunities to take the church out into the community with Christ-centred love.
Compassionate, welcoming to everyone, and committed to pastoral care, with a heart for those who are suffering, providing spiritual support and comfort to those in special need and fostering Christian discipleship.
Approachable, a good listener, experienced and skilled in communicating with children, young people, families, and working & retired adults. Willing to engage with the local primary school, and who loves teaching about Jesus.
Forward-looking, respecting of the traditions of the Church of England, and comprehending of our broad- church approach, maintaining balance and being sensitive to the needs of the whole church and wider community.
Someone with a warmth of humanity and a sense of humour, with a proven ability to delegate to and work with a team of volunteers, and an ability to get along with many different people.
28 Appendix 3: An Introduction to Appleton School This introduction has been written by the Governors of Appleton School and is included in full and unedited, with their approval. Appleton Church of England Primary School is a C of E Voluntary Aided School, served by the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education. It is located next to the church, in Church Lane, Appleton and is a vibrant and important part of our community. Appleton School has traditionally had very close ties with the Rector of St Laurence and local church family, as well as with the wider community. The school, staff and governors are keen to continue with all of these ties. The school receives significant support from the Diocese and the rector is an ex officio member of the governing body. He/she has a key role in leading regular collective worship with the pupils in addition to taking an active part in the life of the school. The School’s vision reflects its strong Christian ethos, with its vision and values statement specifically including the three Christian virtues of Respect, Kindness and Responsibility. In addition the school teaches mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs as well as those with no faith. Governors and staff are keen to continue to promote all these values. It is hoped that our new rector will have a passion to engage positively with the children and also be able to provide individual support for busy staff. The relationship with the School should be both supportive and sustainable, working to the benefit of pupils, staff, school, the church family and the wider community. For further information, see Appleton school website at: https://appleton.oxon.sch.uk
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