The Parish Church of

Part of Deanery In The Diocese of Rochester Our Patron – Dean and Chapter

Website: www.hoochurch.org.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/hoochurch/ A Church Near You: www.achurchnearyou.com/church/19900 “Building a welcoming, caring church family that is growing in Faith and reaching out with God’s love”

A church at Hoo was known to be in existence as long ago as 1080-1086. The present building was probably started about the middle of the 12th century. St Werburgh’s Church is constructed of rubble stonework. Dressed stonework is in Kentish Ragstone and 19th century Bath stone. The lower sections of the Western Tower have some ‘Tuffa’ stonework that pre date 1100; however, the majority of the Nave and Aisles date from the 13th century with elegant arcades. In the 14th and 15th centuries the aisles and clerestory were significantly altered. The chancel dates from the 13th and 14th centuries and the Nave and Chancel in particular retain magnificent late medieval roofs. The spire is covered with Oak shingles and is 61 feet in height with a further 7 feet from its summit to the ball. The whole is surmounted by a 4-foot tall weather vane. It is set on a battlemented tower of 55 feet in height, making a total of 127 feet. During 2015 due to a problem with woodworm and crumbling floor timbers and with funding from the Heritage Lottery, grants from various charities and organisations and our own fund raising, we have been able to re-order the main part of the church.

We now have underfloor heating; a tiled floor and we replaced the pews with chairs with seating for 200-240 making an area which is far more user friendly for services and community use. Our lighting is due to be renewed this August and this is being funded through a generous legacy from a previous parishioner. We also have permission to start Phase 2 which will include new toilets, a new kitchen area, meeting room and storage area for chairs and an upstairs meeting room at the back of the church. We have started grant applications for this and will also be concentrating on fundraising for this project over the next year or so. However, we recognise that though the money is vital to realise our vision, so is the need not to become too focused on money, and our in-house fundraising will incorporate social events which further build relationships within our church family and wider community

St Werburgh

St Werburgh was a devout Saxon Princess – a member of the Mercian Royal Household Born sometime during 640/650 AD and died on the 3rd February 698 or 699 (Her Saint Day) Her Father was: King Wulfhere (First Christian King of ) Her Mother was: Queen Eormengild Sexburga (Werburg’s Grandmother) founded a nunnery at Minster on the Isle of Sheppy Werburgh was related to four Great Kingdoms – , Mercia, The Franks and The East Angles Hoo St Werburgh Hoo St. Werburgh is a village situated by the River in North Kent, within the Diocese of Rochester, on the . The village is surrounded by the to the south and farmland on the other three. The population is approx.11 000 – 12 000 and still growing. The housing is made up of social housing, owner occupied and rented accommodation. A building project to erect another 1 000 homes has already started and is due to be completed. There are plans for further building within the Medway Towns Structure Plan. We have a sheltered housing complex for the elderly within one of the new estates, a residential care home and private retirement apartments. Next to the river are two communities – Hoo Marina Park, comprising of approximately 300 park homes of various sizes and Port Werburgh which is a community of house boats and deluxe park homes. Person Profile

The Person we are looking for would be from the “central/broad tradition”, at ease with broader informal worship, enjoys welcoming people of all ages into the church family and does not tend to extremes of churchmanship.

➢ Someone who will lead and develop us spiritually What we offer ✓ The support of the ➢ Someone who is prepared to be part of the village, to be seen Churchwardens, The Ministry around the village and become Team, The PCC and The Laity, who involved with village activities will make you very welcome and ➢ Willing to work as part of a team devote time and energy to work and to value the skills and strengths people have and to with you within our parish. develop them; lead experienced ✓ An experienced and dedicated and competent lay ministers where their gifts are acknowledged, team of Readers who are strong valued and utilized, and is open to, and supportive. and encouraging of, increased lay involvement. ✓ A congregation who are friendly and hospitable. ➢ Will maintain existing links with ✓ Real concern for the welfare local schools, the local community, local businesses and, where and wellbeing of the incumbent possible strengthen those links. and their family with an ➢ Open to working collaboratively understanding they have a with neighbouring parishes and the need for a private life outside Deanery. the church. ➢ Is friendly and welcoming, ✓ A beautiful 13th century Church particularly towards families, children and the older members of with a modern versatile interior the church and most importantly after re-ordering have a “Good Sense of Humour.” Church Statistics

Baptisms There are 72 members 23 On the Electoral Roll

Funerals Weddings 48 Statistics 11 2018

Attendance Attendance 8.30am Service 10.am Service 4-10 30 - 40

Time Service Day

8:30am Holy Communion 1662 (Said) Weekly 10:00am Morning Worship 1st Sunday Parish Communion (with Hymns etc) 2nd 3rd 4th Sunday 6:00am Day Break Service – Holy Communion with Breakfast Easter Day 8:30am Easter Holy Communion 10:00am Easter Parish Communion 6:00pm Carol Service (Average Attendance 140) Sunday before Christmas 4:00pm Crib Service (Average Attendance 119 + 87 Children) Christmas Eve 11:15pm Midnight Communion (Average Attendance 70-90) Christmas Eve

During the interregnum services will take place on the first and third Sundays of the month.

Our Remembrance Service is very well attended (2018 300+ Adults & 120 Children) A Fresh Expressions congregation, Messy Church, is held once a month on a Saturday. This starts with something to eat followed by activities on a Biblical theme, worship, singing and prayers. The average attendance is 35, though Good Friday and Christmas Messy Church attendance rises to 50+. As and when – Songs of Praise and Festival Services Village Green Carol Singing Church Activities Monday 2-Pilates Classes Peninsula Choir Bell Ringing Practice

Sunday Tuesday 8:30 Service Free 10:00 Service

Saturday Wednesday Open Door Knit & Give Group 10 – 12noon

Friday Thursday Dementia Café Toddler Group * Pilates Class

* Dementia Café is run by ‘Alzheimer’s Society’ 3rd Friday of the Month

Occasional Church Events

Summer and Christmas Fairs Annual Memorial Service (for those who have lost loved ones) Vicar’s Garden Party Baptism follow up Party (Annually)

Musical Concerts every few months Occasional Bible Study Courses (6-8 weeks duration) Sunday Brunch (after 10am Service - Lent Study Groups (daytime & evenings) (Approximately 6-8 weeks) Easter Passover Meal Run by the Church but held in the Library Craft Club (Every other week) 1:00pm CAMEO 1st Friday of the month 2:00pm -3:30pm

CAMEO (Come And Meet Each Other)

This group started at the request of some recently bereaved ladies back in 2014 who wanted to meet other ladies in a similar situation. In 2018, we decided to rename the group to CAMEO and it is open to anyone who wants to come along for refreshments, time to talk and share and meet others. We sometimes do gentle exercise, which involves a lot of laughter; have discussions and go on local outings.

☺Parish magazine – “The Beacon” (Circulation about 200 copies a month) ☺ School assemblies. ☺ Village Green Carol Singing ☺Taking Communion to the housebound, care homes (Yew Tree Lodge and Chimnies), retirement apartments (Willow Grange) and visiting and taking Communion when required to those in hospital. ☺ Baptism, Wedding and Funeral visits ☺ There has been a Youth Emmaus group, 2 of whom went on to Confirmation. ☺ This group is going to continue, in a new format in September for children in Year 5 upwards and their friends on a midweek evening, with the emphasis on fun, games and social activities with a ‘God Slot’ at the end. ☺ The Toddler group has now been running for over 18 years and has proved a great success. It meets in term time and goes from strength to strength with an average of 25 families attending.

 Our Churchwardens regularly inspect and maintain the fabric of the church, where possible.  Cleaning of the church by the Congregation last Saturday of the month – All Welcome  There are 2 ladies who arrange the flowers for the church and for weddings and our special displays at Christmas and Easter when flowers are sponsored in memory of loved ones. Schools Within the village are two primary schools; The Hundred of Hoo Primary Academy and Hoo St Werburgh Primary School which also has the Marlborough Centre, catering for pupils with Statements of Autism. This provision continues at the secondary school in the St Werburgh Centre - Our Associate Minister took assemblies in Hoo St Werburgh Primary School.

The Hundred of Hoo Academy and Sixth Form, and the St Werburgh Centre with about 1300 on roll.

The intake is from around the Peninsula and Strood area, The Academy campus also accommodates The Hundred of Hoo Nursery and Kids Club, which provides care from 8am until 6pm. Our previous incumbent had regular contact with all the schools and was a school governor at the secondary school and took assemblies and RE classes. One of the Lay Readers is maintaining these links with all the schools. One of the primary schools and the Academy use the church for Christmas services/concerts and visit as part of the curriculum. The Ministry Team Within the church we have:  PTO retired Vicar  Three Lay Readers  One with PTO  One who is able to officiate at funerals and is an Anna Chaplain  One is involved with Children’s Ministry and has taken over going into schools, leads the Toddler Group and teaches one module on the Diocesan Foundation in Christian Ministry course.  They all assist the Vicar with services and preach regularly.  We have a Pastoral Assistant with permission to minister.  Within the congregation we have a Street Pastor with the Medway Street Pastors, who patrols Rochester High Street on a Saturday night.  There is currently one member of the church who is just completing the first year of the Foundation in Christian Ministry course and is a Chaplain with South East Coast Ambulance Service. She has just been accepted to continue her training for LLM.  We have a small team of Baptism Visitors who make the first visit to parents wishing to bring their child for baptism. Our PTO vicar co-ordinates this team.

The Helpers

 At the 10.00am service the intercessions are led by members of the congregation. Several members of the congregation are Chalice Assistants.  We have organists for some services and use digital music for others.  We have a small female choir,  A band of ringers who ring to welcome the people to the 10 o’clock morning service  Children’s group - Children@10, between the Gloria and the Peace on 2 Sundays of each month.  Coffee is served after the 10.00am service and people enjoy the opportunity to sit and chat to each other. Church Bits and Bobs The majority of our congregation are retired although there are some families with younger children now attending regularly. Over the past years we have lost members of our Sunday congregation and, despite some younger families joining there is potential for growth both numerically and spiritually. We are a happy and friendly church who are very welcoming to all visitors Like elsewhere, we have problems with damage to the church - graffiti and vandalism which in today’s world we have to cope with the best way we can.

Finances We have a congregation who give generously and have been able to meet our obligations so far. Like many churches we have an ageing congregation and have lost a number of supporters through death and relocation. Consequently, our finances are now greatly stretched and are a cause for concern. 2018’ Annual report is available on request.

The Bells and Ringers The church contains a very fine ring of eight bells, hung anticlockwise, the oldest dated 1588. In 1995, the six bells were augmented to eight and rehung in a new steel frame situated lower in the tower. The original oak frame is retained in the belfry. We have a band of ringers who ring for the 10 o’clock Sunday morning service, Weddings, special occasions and toll for funerals if requested. They also ring Peals and Quarter peals and host visiting ringers. Practice night is a Monday and visiting ringers are always welcome. Relationship with other Churches and the Parish

We have good relationships with other churches in the area and collaborate in a number of joint ventures. The Family Trust run King’s Squad at St Werburgh’s School.

Relationships with other organizations in the parish, youth groups (Scouts and Guides etc), Social Clubs and Pubs and The Parish Council are good.

Generally, there is a positive attitude towards the church, and to a lesser degree a sense of ownership.

The vicar and members of the church are welcomed into all village activities, and parishioners support church events.

Since 2014 the churches on the Peninsula have been part of The Peninsula Group Ministry but this is an area which has a potential for development. Members of the Hoo Ministry Team take services at Stoke and Grain.

Photo by: Tony Board

The Windmill

Hoo Village Institute The Vicarage is situated to the southwest of the Church It is a modern 4-bedroom detached house with a garage and panoramic views over farmland to the River Medway. There are well kept large gardens to the front and rear