Profile of the Parish of Clayton with Keymer
October 2016
1 2 Contents
Parish Profile 1
Contact Details 7
St John the Baptist Clayton 8
St Cosmas and St Damian 11
St Francis of Assisi 15
Appendix
Plan for Mission and Development
Clayton with Keymer Parish Profile 2016 3 Clayton and Keymer parish is looking for a new Rector. This will be an exciting and challenging job for the right person, someone who wants to make a difference and grow the church. Hassocks is a growing village with many young families moving into the area. It has three good schools within the parish. There are three churches within the parish- one in Hassocks, one in Keymer and one in the small hamlet of Clayton and the congregations are looking forward to supporting the new rector. The parish also has the dedicated services of an active lay-reader and a part time house for duty priest provided for under the Shand bequest. We are currently advertising for a youth leader and have funding for the post for an initial period of two years.
This map shows the positions of the 3 churches, top left, bottom left and middle right
Hassocks is part of the Hurstpierpoint Deanery in the Diocese of Chichester. The parish plays an active part with three members attending most meetings. There was a review carried out on all the churches in the Deanery details of which can be found on the http://www.beaconparishes.org/docs/1311_Deanery_Review_Final_Report.pdf website.
Quality and Attributes Desired of the New Rector
a spiritual leader who will build up the congregations by faithfully preaching the gospel and applying it in today’s context.
a strong team player who will work with and motivate clergy, lay reader and laity in order to use and encourage the capabilities and the ministry of all to build up vibrant Christian communities.
someone who is able to lead, encourage and develop the worship in each of the three churches which each have different styles of worship.
a leader who is able to balance sensitively the needs of an older traditional congregation as well as reaching out to families and young people to sustain Christian worship throughout the parish.
4 The Parish can offer
long-serving congregations with a number of young families which are faithful, loyal and friendly and receptive to constructive change.
laity who take responsibility for the everyday running of the church and who do a considerable amount of informal visiting.
the opportunity of developing the potential growth of the church considering the number of young families living and moving into the parish.
the chance to work with the youth worker to develop contacts with each of the three schools.
varied church services which can give flexibility and room for change
a famous and historic Grade1 listed Saxon church which was mentioned in the Doomsday book. The church also has some beautiful wall paintings
a large and well maintained rectory.
life in an area which is adjacent to the newly created South Downs National Park, an area of outstanding beauty including the famous Jack and Jill windmills
three schools rated as good and outstanding by Ofsted covering reception through to GCSEs level
Good rail transport links to London and Brighton
5 Provision of a part time administrative assistant
Parish Aspirations
Centred on Christ, we will worship God in a variety of ways, and maintain a distinctive Anglican presence in our communities. Working closely with our fellow-Christians we will be active in our community inviting others to share in the life of faith. The PCC has a five year Mission Action Plan which is reviewed regularly. There is a copy attached in the appendix 1.
Ecumenical Relations
The Parish is part of a strong Ecumenical group which includes Anglicans, a URC Church and a Roman Catholic Church from the village as well as other people who live in the village who worship elsewhere. ‘Churches Together in Hassocks’ meet five times a year and hold several joint services and events including a Lent Course and Stations of the Cross. There is a living Nativity during the ‘Light Up Hassocks’ event in December with all denominations taking part. Ecumenical Messy Church is well established and supported in the village and holds sessions six times a year.
Communications
There is a monthly Parish magazine with a print run of 400. A weekly ‘pew sheet’ is produced which lists names of the sick, those in need and includes a rota of roads within the Parish which we will be particularly praying for that week.
The parish has a web site which needs revamping. However the parish has been given a grant from the deanery which will support the setting up of a professionally designed site.
Church Buildings
There are three churches, each with a hall attached in the parish. Details of which can be found in the individual church profiles.
The Rectory is situated adjacent to St Cosmas and St Damian church with a path connecting the two. It was built in the 1950s. It has two double bedrooms and two single bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. Downstairs there is a kitchen, dining room and a living room the latter two with glass doors opening on to the garden. There is a recently installed oak laminated floor throughout the downstairs. The churchwardens have requested the Parsonage board to improve the whole kitchen. There is also a separate study adjacent to
6 the front door and a
downstairs cloakroom. There are large gardens mostly given over to grass.
The Parish and the Village
Hassocks is situated at the edge of the South Downs National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty. It has a population of 7,667 people according to the 2011 census. However since then a large estate has been built on the northern side of the village. The neighbourhood plan also proposes that another 350 homes will be built during the next 14 years predominately on the northwest side of Hassocks.
Hassocks has three large schools.
The infant school rated as outstanding by Ofsted has a three form entry. However from September it has introduced a fourth reception form and is planning to have a four form entry.
Windmills Junior School currently has a three form entry but also recognises that it will have to grow to four forms to cater for the growth in the number of children in the pipeline. It has also been rated as good by Ofsted
Downlands Community School is a large comprehensive school which caters for children up to GCSE level. It has a current role of 1200 pupils. This is a specialist school in Science and maths. In summer 2016 74% of the pupils achieved 5A*-C including English and maths at GCSE level and 27% of all grades were A*/A.
7 There are no Six Form Colleges in Hassocks and pupils either go to BHASVIC or Varndean in Brighton, to South Downs College in Lewes or St Pauls in Burgess Hill.
The village has a vibrant community with a number of shops including two small supermarkets, butcher, hardware, newsagents, post office, a number of cafes etc. Both Burgess Hill and Brighton provide a wider assortment of shopping provisions.
There are good transport links including a railway station with three trains per hour to both Brighton and London and beyond on Thameslink in the off-peak supplemented by many more in the rush-hour. There are also good road links.
The Finances
For the last financial year to 31st December 2015, the accounts show a total income from unrestricted and restricted funds of £173,519, an increase of around £12,000 over the previous year, against expenditure of £126,012, approximately £3,500 higher than the previous year. At present the Parish has a significant shortfall between its Parish Ministry Costs and what we are able to pay towards them. The Standing and Finance committee is looking at how to grow our income in order to try to meet our full Parish Ministry Costs. There is substantial repair work to be undertaken at Clayton Church and we are mindful that these will make considerable inroads into our restricted and endowment funds.
Legal Responsibilities
The parish has a fully functional Health and Safety Policy which is supported by risk assessments of the individual church’s activities, plant and buildings.
The parish also has a Safeguarding Officer in each of the churches.
There are three churchwardens and their contact details are below:-
Janet Sharman 01273845194
Kate Sims 01273844802 [email protected]
Christopher Moss 01273842201 [email protected]
8 Profile of St. John the Baptist, Clayton Profile
Clayton and Keymer are two ancient settlements noted in the Domesday Book. Today, Clayton is a small hamlet nestling below the downs, its beautiful Saxon church standing just below the well-known pair of windmills “Jack and Jill”.
This Saxon church with its well-known pre- Reformation (C11) wall paintings and location in the hamlet of Clayton merits mention in Simon Jenkins' book "England's Thousand Best Churches". It is kept open during the day and receives many visitors from home and abroad. There is an excellent, fully modernised hall opposite the Church.
Average Sunday attendance is 26 adults plus 8 children at the monthly Family Service. One Holy Communion service a month and Evensong in the summer are from the Book of Common Prayer, with readings drawn from the Common Worship Lectionary, other services are from Common Worship. The style of worship is traditional rural.
The monthly pattern is a follows: Week 8 a.m. 11.15 a.m. 6.30 p.m. 1 Holy Communion Family Service 2 Holy Communion (CW) 3 Holy Communion (CW) 4 Holy Communion (BCP) Evensong (Summer time) 5 Holy Communion (CW)
There is a professional organist and the psalms and canticles at Evensong are usually sung by the congregation. The hymn book in use is "Common Praise". The Church is popular for weddings and baptisms and the churchyard is still open for internments.
9 Special services are well supported by local people but most regular churchgoers come from outside the hamlet. In general the church has an older congregation, who are very welcoming and supportive of one another.
A monthly family service has been running since November 2007 and this has built up a small but committed number of families, who have been welcomed by the existing congregation. This begins with craft activities and cake in the hall, before moving into the church for a simple act of worship lasting about 30 minutes.
Palm Sunday procession through Clayton village to St. John’s Church
The Patronal Festival weekend in June is a highlight of the year, with activities including a flower festival, fair, concert and pet service. The hall is in regular use throughout the year for meetings and functions for local people, and social activities (such as barn dances) are arranged by Church members for the benefit of the local people
Harvest Festival The church’s hopes are to: Ensure that the many visitors to the church should find it to be a House of God as well as appreciating its significance as a historical building. Encourage the local population to become more a part of the church community.
10 See the congregation growing and embracing younger members.
We have, also, the Revd. Tom Cameron, an assistant priest provided through the auspices of the Shand bequest, which is tied to St. John’s Church in particular, even though his services are used throughout the Parish. We are also fortunate in being able to draw upon the willing assistance of a number of other retired priests living in the surrounding villages.
11 Ss Cosmas & Damian Church Profile.
Keymer Church functions as the Parish Church for the Benefice and it is here that the daily offices are kept and most mid – week services take place. The Church is of the Liberal Catholic tradition striving to be inclusive and welcoming to all. Its worship is Eucharist based with the Reserved Sacrament and incense is used at the major festivals and there is full celebration of the Liturgies of Holy Week. The church is open daily from 9.30 until dusk.
Our church offers a Said Holy Communion at 8.am. on most Sundays and has a loyal congregation of approximately 15. The main Sunday service is a Sung Eucharist at 9.45am. attended by around 50 communicants. Mid-week services are held on Saints’ days and there is a monthly Requiem Mass. We are supported by a dedicated team of sacristans, servers and bell ringers who enthusiastically provide a peal of six bells.
Traditional music is an important part of our church life with a robed choir of around a dozen singers, on a good day! This is led by a talented and dedicated Director of Music, Pauline Stone GRSM ARCM who is responsible for providing not only weekly music in our services, but also for important festival occasions, liaising closely with clergy. The hymnal most frequently used is ‘Ancient & Modern Hymns and Songs for Refreshing Worship’. We are fortunate to have a small, reliable team of organists who provide vital support for our worship.
12 Once a month, we have a Family Service which is slightly less formal but which remains Eucharist based, appealing to both young and older members of our congregation. However, its structure is under review at the moment. There is a lively Junior Church run by a team of leaders who work closely with clergy and parents to deliver a balanced and interesting programme of Christian life and teaching. We would very much like to increase our numbers as we are mindful that this is the future of our Church and we don’t wish to ‘die on the vine’!
Keymer Church supports a cell of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham with at least 25 members and meets once a month for Mass followed by breakfast. All are welcome to join in a Parish Pilgrimage held at least once a year and is an opportunity to refresh the spiritual soul whilst supporting friends at England’s Nazareth!
Walsingham Pilgrimage 2015
Mothers Union has enjoyed a monthly Corporate Communion and remains active in supporting the valuable work of the M.U. both nationally and internationally.
M.U visit to Goring’s ‘Sistine Chapel’
The church of St. Cosmas & St. Damian has a commanding position in the village of Keymer close to the South Downs National Park. It was founded in Saxon times and originally comprised the Apse and a small nave similar to our sister church St. John the Baptist at Clayton. The church was rebuilt in the 14th Century and again in 1866, retaining some of the original stonework, especially the characteristic Sussex flints. It is surrounded by a well – kept churchyard, maintained by a hard working team of volunteers. The churchyard is almost full and is now closed to new burials. You will experience a well-kept, bright interior
13 to the church including some fine stained glass windows, artefacts and floral arrangements, all tended to by dedicated teams of altar servers, sidesmen, cleaners and flower arrangers.
Close to the church is Keymer Church Hall which is well used by the local community. Adjacent to it is a small car park for disabled users of the church and hall.
The church is in frequent use by the local Hassocks community and we continue to seek meaningful ways to serve those who live and work in the surrounding areas. We have an open Baptism policy preferring to baptize during our Sung Eucharist but offering the opportunity to have an afternoon service if requested. We have a varying number of weddings and are prepared to marry those who are divorced. Marriage Preparation courses are available. We work closely with local undertakers to provide appropriate, dignified Christian funerals and continue support of the bereaved by hosting ‘Light a Candle’ and All Souls services to remember family and loved- ones
We actively encourage links with the wider community collecting for the Burgess Hill Food Bank and are members of Churches Together in Hassocks offering joint activities including Messy Church, Stations of the Cross during Lent, Lent Study programmes, Good Friday Act of Witness and children’s Stations of the Cross. In the lead up to Christmas we are part of the live Nativity at the ‘Light Up Hassocks’ event. At Christmas we hold a successful Nine Lessons & Carols service which is well attended by many members of the community.
14 At Ss.Cosmas & Damian we have worked hard to ‘build’ our church family and there is a good feeling of fellowship. We not only worship together but we socialize and are there for each other. Working with the other churches in our Parish we have put together social and fund raising events including concerts, flower festivals, quizzes, Murder Mystery evening, Harvest Suppers and the Christmas Fair to name but a few. This year we have introduced a programme of summer musical concerts which proved very popular and we hope to continue with this theme. These events are crucial if we are to reach out to the wider community and beyond and demonstrate that being a Christian is very fulfilling!
South Downs in Winter
15 Saint Francis of Assisi Church Profile
St Francis Church is situated in the north-west of Hassocks in a modern brick building constructed in 1975. The church sits within a residential area with a growing number of young families. The population is likely to increase still further in the near future as a large development is being proposed on this side of the village. It was originally a church plant from the Parish Church in 1959 and services were initially started in the guide hut not far from its current site.
We have a committed, long serving congregation, visitors comment on the loving, nurturing, inclusive feeling within our church community. Our present congregation tends to be older generation with some families. It includes people from a range of backgrounds from evangelical to central tradition. We are receptive to constructive change and are looking for someone who can lead us forward, in Christ, on the next stage of our life as a church. We are interested in exploring ways in which we may develop our worship to be more inclusive to the wider community. There is an average of 31 adults attending our services plus children.
Our premises are currently undergoing some improvements thanks to generous legacies from past members. We have recently re-roofed the church and are now adding a disabled access toilet in the vestry. This will enable the church and the hall to be self-contained. By raising the level of our patio we will be able to provide easy access to wheel chair users. Future plans are underway to make vast improvements to our church hall. This is already part funded and a small sub- committee is looking into possible grants and match funding. This will be beneficial to both church members and local residents. The intention of the complete refurbishment package is to re-establish the church as a community focal point.
The hall is well used by the Church and the wider community. A local Boot Camp also uses our grounds on a regular basis. We are currently sending questionnaires to users and possible users in order to develop a Requirement Specification for the refurbishment.
16 Our worship would be described as Common Worship focused on proclaiming the gospel and reaching out to our community. We also tend to the informal.
Worship at our weekly Eucharist is enriched by a talented and enthusiastic music group. The group has also led services at churches of different denominations as well as playing at church fairs and other functions. We currently use the ‘Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New’ hymn book supplemented with modern songs under licence. Once a month we welcome The Rev. Sylvia McLarnon, from a nearby parish, to lead our Sunday Service. The church enjoys a monthly non Eucharist Family Service, which includes breakfast. This is led by Robin our Lay Reader, who together with Junior Church Leaders and others plans this service. The church is also equipped with Wi-Fi and a permanent projection system which is used to enhance our worship.
There is strong support from the laity who take responsibility for the everyday running of the Church acting as readers, sidemen, intercessors and visitors to the sick. Members of our congregation also take the lead in a Bible Study Group, monthly Prayer Meetings, Christian Aid Fund-raising and Mission links. Currently we are pro- actively investigating the setting up of Home Groups.
Our children benefit from weekly Junior Church meetings. These are age specific in 3 groups, for 3-16 years and led by Carol and Jacquie. The children join the congregation in church towards the end of Communion, for a blessing and to share their learning with the adults. We are looking to develop provision for a teen-age group and pray that the potential engagement of a Youth Leader in the near future will assist with this. Our teenagers have enjoyed annual May Camp at Plumpton for the last three years.
17 Two years ago as part of our outreach we circulated a questionnaire around the local area. As a direct result we started a thriving Bumps, Babies and Toddler Group who meet weekly in the church hall. This benefits from the leadership of Gill and Jacquie two of our active congregation. The Mums enjoy the time to socialize and enjoy a slice of homemade cake provided by our church members.
With God's blessing and through the talents of our members we have organized Quizzes, Musical Evenings, Coffee Mornings and a BBQ that have all helped to raise money for the Church, charities and to provide outreach to the local community.
At Christmas-time we enjoy seeing our Church full to bursting for our Crib Service which has wonderful support from the surrounding community.
Through the leadership of Saint Francis members and supported by ‘Churches Together’ we are able to provide a Boxing Day Tea party at Age-concern for those who may otherwise have been alone at Christmas. This event is enjoyed by old and young alike.
18 PLAN FOR MISSION AND DEVELOPMENT (Update October 2016)
Centred on Christ, we will worship God in a variety of ways
and maintain a distinctive Anglican presence in our communities
Working closely with our fellow-Christians we will be active in
our community inviting others to share in the life of faith.
19 Growth Aim: People of all ages and stages are enabled to grow in their discipleship; numbers of active church members grow each year. Action: Priority Target Action by: Funding Completed date: date: source:
Hold Study Course on Church Growth A To begin Rector July 2014 May 2014
Mothers’ Union – new meeting time & B Sept members Format and leadership; encourage membership 2014 meeting times from across parish changed Nov 2014
Appoint new youth worker (either to A 2016 Rector & Parish and Current round work directly in C&K or with others); youth leaders diocese of recruiting end 2016 establish and support them in developing Youth Ministry & outreach
Additional services in different styles B Suspend during vacancy
Analysis of attendance statistics to B Keymer P&M understand patterns of attendance/ & childrens growth/decline (Keymer Family service) leaders
Review the parish’s current patterns of B nurture and Christian education of children and plan for development & growth
Study groups – Review current provision B of study & nurture groups
Hold “Christianity Explored” course B (Alpha-type Christian basics)
Develop plans for a parish pilgrimage B Participants (overseas)
Worship Aim: All our worship is well-resourced and led, glorifies God, and energises faith. Action: Priority Target Action by: Funding Completion date: source: date:
Purchase of new hymnbook (St C&D) A Easter Keymer P&M Legacy (Wyn Easter 2014 Bedford) 2014
Congregational rehearsals to introduce A Easter Pauline Stone N/A 2015 20 new hymns/music (St &D) 2014
Parish Services – review progress since Jan B Nov PCC Parish social Nov 2014 2014 with new time (10.30am), more 2014 fund? active involvement of all 3 churches & PCC social activity
Plan a sermon series for Autumn 2014 B 31 May CP/TC/RH N/A May 2015/ 2014 Sept 2015
Parish Services – invite a “higher profile” B Expenses: preacher at least once/year to widen appeal in the community General Fund
Safeguarding & Risk assessment Aim: every effort is made to guarantee that our buildings and activities are safe places; all safeguarding procedures are fully implemented. Action: Priority Target Action by: Funding source: Completion date: date:
Complete implementation of all A Safeguarding General Fund May 2016 safeguarding procedures team
Conduct risk assessment review & report to A Risk assess- General Fund May 2016 wardens/PCC ment team
Communication Aim: Our internal communications effectively disseminate decisions and information. Our external communications use all available media to build up the body of Christ. Action: Priority Target Action Funding Completion date: by: source: date:
Complete & launch parish website B 1 April N/A August 2014 2014
Increase content and use of website; B July Outreach fund 2016 or deanery consider professional re-design to improve grant effectiveness for internal/external communication
Upgrade website B Deanery funding
Review internal communications (how decisions & C needs are communicated within churches; use of website for internal comms;) Review external communications C (noticeboards, banners, shops, village magazines, websites – what message do we give to others?)
21 Structures Aim: All our groups and committees have a clear purpose and serve the needs of today’s church. Action: Priority Target Action Funding Completion date: by: source: date:
Parish Office – review workings of parish office & B July Rector & June 2014 Rector’s Secretary & draw up plans for more effective 2014 Robin operation Holford
Agree restructuring of PCC B Jan PCC N/A Apr 2015 2015
Implement restructured PCC with responsibilities for A May 01/05/16 each member 2016
Review structure and work of P&M / subcommittees – B PCC sub- N/A present terms of reference to PCC for approval group
Pastoral Aim: As lay and ordained members, we know we are cared for, support one another in joy and pain and share the love of Christ with those around us. Action: Priority Target Action by: Funding Completion date: source: date:
Community survey to identify local needs B N/A Feb 2014
Commence Bumps, Babies & Toddlers B May Jacquie Drake, P&M/ May 2014 group (St Francis) 2014 Gill Pinchbeck fundraising
Consider need for distribution centre for B Pastoral Fund B.Hill Foodbank & establish if req’d
Agree policy for lay and ordained pastoral B Rector/Fr Tom to N/A ministry (including home communions & write visits)
Agree policy for Baptism, Wedding & B Rector/Fr Tom to N/A Funeral follow-up write
Recruit, train and organise volunteers for B N/A the above
Plan for fulfilling other identified local B Pastoral Fund needs
Complete Contact Scheme to cover all B parts of the village
22 Money Aim: All who are committed to the Church’s faith are enabled to give according to their means; there is sufficient for our full parish share and our agreed priorities. Action: Priority Target Action Funding Completion date: by: source: date:
Prepare written policy for use of each parish fund A July 2014 Standing (central parish and local church funds) PCC & Finance
Consider/adopt Parish Giving Scheme A Nov 2015 Standing Sept 2015 & Finance
Advertise halls to increase lettings A Oct 2015 Standing General on-going & Finance Fund
Prepare budget for 2017, including progress towards A End 2016 Standing full ministry costs & Finance
Establish a pattern for annual budgeting and review B End 2016 Standing of giving & Finance
Buildings Aim: All our buildings are fully used as centres of worship, mission and community life, and are equipped for today’s needs. Action: Priority Target Action by: Funding Completion date: source: date:
Re-roofing of St A End 2015 St F P&M Legacies July 2016 Francis Church
Refurbishment of St F P&M with St Francis’ A Q4 2016 project Legacies. On time premises: B Q4 2017 architect Fund raising On time vestry toilet and disabled access Hall refurbishment Installation of B Easter 2016 Clayton Donation / handrail (Clayton) P&M/wardens P&M
Plan for Keyner B P & M’s fundraising Hall refurbishment
Review signs & B P & M’s disability access at all premises & plan for any improvements needed
23 Social Aim: We make time to enjoy one another’s company and have fun together Action: Priority Target Action by: Funding Completion date: source: date:
Write terms of reference for Parish Social B Committee
Establish Parish Social Committee with B reps from all churches/age groups
A requires immediate action B to begin as soon as possible
C longer-term plans / in need of further discussion & decision
Completed Current Priorities Hopes & expectations
24