WYKEHAM BENEFICE Deddington Deanery Diocese of Oxford Parishes of Broughton with North Newington Epwell Shutford Sibford Swalcliffe Tadmarton Benefice Profile June 2020 relationship, evangelism, discipleship Wykeham Benefice Profile Relationship, Evangelism, Discipleship Contents • Foreword by the Bishop of Dorchester _________ 3 • Statement from Deddington Deanery __________ 4 • Benefice Profile ___________________________ 6 • Our Ideal Priest __________________________ 11 • Parish Profiles (as written by each parish) o Broughton with North Newington _____________ 12 o Epwell __________________________________ 14 o Shutford ________________________________ 17 o Sibford _________________________________ 21 o Swalcliffe ________________________________ 24 o Tadmarton ______________________________ 27 • Our Benefice ____________________________ 29 • Appendix: Services in a typical month ________ 30 • Appendix: Further information _______________ 32 2 Wykeham Benefice Profile Relationship, Evangelism, Discipleship Foreword by the Bishop of Dorchester When I became the Bishop of Dorchester here in Oxfordshire twenty years ago I knew very little indeed about the North of the County. The larger villages to the South of Banbury were something of a mystery to me, as were the smaller ones both there and, as in the case of the Wykeham Benefice, the much larger number to the North and West of the town. Over the past two decades I have come to enjoy and appreciate the individuality of these communities, and some of their distinctive characteristics as well as the beauty of the countryside around them. Unlike Banbury, which has seen the growth of several large areas of new housing, the villages of this benefice have remained quite similar physically though, sadly, some of their amenities have been lost in the meantime. What they have retained is a vibrancy to their lives and any new incumbent needs to be someone who wants to play a full part in their communities as well as their congregations. You don’t need to be a musician or an actor but, if you are, opportunities will present themselves. Of course it remains to be seen what the long-term effects of COVID will be but I have a strong suspicion that these villages will continue strongly as communities not just for the next 20 years but probably for the next 200 (at least). They are remarkably resilient in their social fabric. For a priest who loves people, and who values the small as well as the larger, this is a great post and I warmly commend it to you. The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher OBE Bishop of Dorchester 3 Wykeham Benefice Profile Relationship, Evangelism, Discipleship Statement from Deddington Deanery Deddington Deanery is one of the larger and more diverse deaneries in the Diocese of Oxford. In all, there are twenty-nine parishes, with thirty-four churches (in twelve benefices). The resident population exceeds 66,000, with c.47,000 in the largest town, Banbury. Our demographic covers everything from affluent villages to significant deprivation. Chapter In our deanery incumbent status clergy, including house for duty, are encouraged to make a priority of the regular lunches, which took place most months before Covid. This is an informal and confidential space which is greatly valued by deanery colleagues amongst those who engage. During the pandemic we have Zoomed on a fortnightly basis to support one another. We have built trust and strong support networks, supported by two mini breaks to Bournemouth in the last few years to worship, plan and grow together. There has been considerable changes in clergy within the deanery over the last year and several more anticipated. Combined with the challenges post pandemic, there are many opportunities ahead for mutual support and growth. In addition, there are opportunities throughout the year to bring together all Licensed and retired clergy and lay ministers for discussion and spouses are welcome at social gatherings. Deanery Synod The Deanery Synod meets up to four times a year at different venues throughout the deanery and there has been a conscious effort to improve the hospitality and tone of these meetings so that they feel more purposeful and enjoyable. There is often a keynote speaker or a workshop to consider items of mutual interest. The Area Dean is assisted by two Associate Area Deans who work closely with the Lay Chair and deanery treasurer. The Standing Committee is increasingly taking a strategic approach to the work of the deanery and trying to free up synod’s agenda to provide space for key note speakers such as the diocesan Disability Advisor and Lead Chaplain amongst Deaf People. Locally based training has included parish websites, safeguarding, eco church and leading all-age worship. A quiet day was held last summer in a beautiful garden in the north of the deanery. 4 Wykeham Benefice Profile Relationship, Evangelism, Discipleship Deanery Mission & Pastoral Plan The Deanery Mission & Pastoral Plan is in the process of being revised. In light of the current pandemic we must recognize the limits of human planning. However we need to ensure • We engage with the emerging priorities of the national church and the Diocese, including the Diocesan Common Vision (to become a Christ like church for the sake of the world) • We allow churches to take their own approaches to address the missional opportunities and challenges within their own unique location e.g. extensive new housing, population growth, schools, older people, developing a mixed economy of church. • We provide support and an opportunity to share good practice • We have the right ministerial deployment and resources to support all this. We have a clear sense that we are called to be an enabling deanery – helping parishes as they seek to live out God’s mission in their places rather than dictating how mission and ministry should be approached. The deanery has many church primary schools so there is a lot of wisdom to share on governance and parish engagement. We are a diverse deanery and we hope that the new incumbent will wish to share in this ministry with us. We will work hard to provide the successful candidate with a warm welcome and supportive colleagues. Join us as we seek to work towards becoming a more Christ-like church which is more courageous, contemplative and compassionate. 5 Wykeham Benefice Profile Relationship, Evangelism, Discipleship Benefice Profile Parishes of Broughton with North Newington, Epwell, Shutford, Sibford, Swalcliffe and Tadmarton DEDDINGTON DEANERY DIOCESE OF OXFORD The six churches of the Wykeham Benefice are all situated within a five mile radius. 6 Wykeham Benefice Profile Relationship, Evangelism, Discipleship The area covered by the benefice lies just west of Banbury, on the edge of the Cotswolds. It is predominantly rural, but there is much local industry and commerce nearby. The nearest of the parishes to Banbury is Broughton which is about two miles away. The other parishes are up to five miles north and west of there. The Local Area Walking – there are numerous well signed walks around the villages, and further afield many designated bridleways and walks in nearby villages. Cycling – the Oxfordshire Cycle Way has around 30 miles of its route within the Cherwell area. Arts & Events – Theatre, music, dance, traditional crafts and art exhibitions are available in the area, at The Mill in Banbury, Banbury Museum, Adderbury, the Chipping Norton Theatre, and further afield at Stratford upon Avon and Oxford. The nearest cinemas are in Banbury, Chipping Norton and Stratford. Sports & Recreation – The Spiceball Park Sports Centre in Banbury has a 25m pool, activity and sports halls and squash courts, sauna etc. Sibford School makes their swimming pool available at certain times to local residents. There is a gliding club and a number of golf clubs up to 5 miles distant. Transport - There is a bus service which runs 5 times daily between Stratford upon Avon and Banbury calling at Swalcliffe, Tadmarton and Broughton. Once a day only there is a separate service between Shutford and Banbury. A car is essential for shopping in Chipping Norton or Shipston-on-Stour. Schools There are two primary schools in the benefice: Bishop Carpenter VA School in North Newington, and Sibford Gower Endowed School. Both belong to the Warriner Multi Academy Trust. The Warriner is our feeder secondary school located in Bloxham. Over the last few years a rich relationship has been developed between school, church and community. This is greatly valued and is important to us all. As the school with the church foundation, Bishop Carpenter is used to the rector leading an act of worship every two weeks, enabling a family service every term, running Godly Play with the classes once a term and visiting to support the teaching of RE and governance. Sibford Gower primary school also values good relationships with the Church community. We would expect our new rector to enable these to develop and flourish. 7 Wykeham Benefice Profile Relationship, Evangelism, Discipleship Bishop Carpenter School requests that the amazing work begun in their school be remembered and valued, and be pivotal to the appointment of a new rector for the parish and the school. The Worship Team would be delighted to share the work that they are doing in school and hopes that the next rector would be able to take this on, and allow them to continue on this path to grow and develop their Christian ethos. Other schools in the benefice are Sibford School, an independent mixed school of some 400 pupils from 3 to 18 with a Quaker foundation, and Swalcliffe Park School, a special school for boys on the autistic spectrum. There is a college of Higher Education and a Sixth Form College in Banbury. Healthcare The nearest doctors’ surgeries are at Sibford, Bloxham, Shenington and Banbury. There are numerous care homes for the old and sick in the vicinity including Banbury, Chipping Norton, Shipston, Wroxton, and Bloxham.