MISSION COMMUNITY

Appointment of Team Rector

January 2020

AN INTRODUCTION TO

he Benefice of Totnes with T Bridgetown, , Brooking, , and .

A note from the Archdeacon

Every place is special in its own way, but the ancient of Totnes and the beautiful of in which it is set are exceptional. Both the town itself, with its distinguished history and considerable present interest, and the rural communities surrounding it offer an unusually rich and varied cultural life, from the firmly traditional to the decidedly unconventional.

Totnes has long been a centre for those seeking forms of spirituality and lifestyle alternative to the mainstream, at the same time retaining all the inherited elements of a fine old West Country market town. With , Schumacher College, the Sharpham Estate, and other local organisations operating in the area of the benefice, the range of cultural and educational opportunities on offer locally is high, drawing people to Totnes from across the country and beyond.

The villages are home to a mix of incomers and those with local roots. There are areas of great wealth within the benefice, and also areas of severe poverty and social deprivation.

In all this, the churches of the benefice demonstrate a clear and increasing engagement with their vocation to grow in prayer, make disciples, and serve the people of their communities with joy.

The person called to be the next Team Rector will need to demonstrate the capacity to exercise strong, clear, loving leadership in mission and service, working with a gifted and motivated team of colleagues to develop and implement the impressive action plan to which the churches are committed.

He or she will be a person whose deeply-rooted Christian faith is confident enough to be open to dialogue with people on a wide range of spiritual paths; who has the ability to exercise a ministry which is genuinely collaborative; who enjoys working across a wide spectrum of liturgical styles and human types; and who remains a parish priest at heart.

Additionally, the new Team Rector will need to be equipped with the skills and experience to oversee and inspire a £4 mission fundraising and reordering project at the historic priory church.

I commend to you this significant opportunity for a ministry of leadership and service as you think about whether that priest might be you.

Douglas Dettmer

View of showing Ashprington’s Sharpham House with Totnes and in the background

As a national centre for alternative THE TOTNES BENEFICE therapies, Totnes attracts people with an

interest in a holistic way of life: Sharpham Who are we? House, Bowden House, Schumacher College and Dartington Hall fall within the The Totnes Benefice consists of the parishes parishes and offer opportunities for of Totnes with Bridgetown, Dartington, Berry engagement through inter-spirituality and Pomeroy, Ashprington, Cornworthy, Marldon eco-spirituality. They have a reputation for and Stoke Gabriel: Seven parishes with two cutting-edge learning through nature-based town churches and seven rural churches. education, personal transformation and

collective action and this is reflected in the The market town of Totnes and surrounding emergence of community hubs like the villages offers a vibrant, unique and diverse Network of Wellbeing and Caring Town place to minister. Totnes is an historic market town situated on the scenic river Dart. Midway Share Shed and Totnes Connection Hub. between Dartmoor and the It is a place where, largely due to its coast, the South Hams District contains a 337 proximity to Dartington Hall, the arts and square kilometre Area of Outstanding Natural music flourish whilst many people are seeking meaning and spirituality in their Beauty. lives.

Totnes has a main line station and is three Whilst the South Hams is perceived as hours away from London by train with easy being a haven for wealthy retirees, the housing is mixed, reflecting all strata of access to the Devon Expressway and M5 by society and this diversity is reflected in the road. The cities of and are local parishes and schools within the within thirty miles. The area is quite well team. New housing developments have served by buses but the local roads have not recently been built in Marldon, Stoke kept pace with the expanding population and Gabriel, Totnes and Dartington with plans are frequently congested, especially in the for further development, which offer further Summer. opportunities for mission in the future. QUALITIES SOUGHT IN A TEAM RECTOR

SPIRITUAL LEADER - a thinker and inspiring teacher who is a good communicator of the gospel.

• to promote spiritual development in the churches of the mission community • to be open-minded and imaginative regarding liturgy • to have vision and an ability to carry people with them while recognising diversity in churches and liturgy

TEAM BUILDER - sensitive to others, inclusive and a good listener • to develop a strategic plan to move the MC to the future to deliver on the Mission Action Plan • to grow involvement of laity in worship, admin and pastoral work to share the heavy load on clergy and readers. • to be a bridge builder, nurturing existing relationships while inspiring new ones. • to develop an admin support structure to free clergy to deliver their core roles. • to further develop creative engagement with local communities. • to bring people of differing views together and to step back as necessary to allow others to flourish.

MANAGER OF CHANGE. with energy, tact and enthusiasm and an understanding of the needs of both the church and local communities.

• to grow the mission community and to help it realise its potential for serving the people of Devon • to respect the character and tradition of individual churches - liturgy, music, social justice, pastoral, youth work ,worship, while encouraging adaptation to current need. • to support the St Mary’s Heritage Trust as they seek to manage the project to save a Grade 1 listed building and reorder it to meet the needs of congregation and community.

Current priorities in the Mission Community:

• There are workload issues for clergy which need addressing and an obvious need for administrative support - this is currently the topic of on-going discussion.

• There is a pressing need for an effective strategic plan for taking the Mission Community forward to achieve its considerable potential

• St Mary’s development project is a major partnership with the the town and heritage organisations and presents exciting prospects for future growth in the centre of this vibrant town.

What is on offer?

A full-time stipendiary post, which offers an exciting opportunity to minister with a team of committed people, lay and ordained, in a unique setting with a diverse group of parishes offering new opportunities for mission. The Team comprises: A Team Vicar, who is also Rural Dean and Diocesan Interfaith Adviser. The Team Vicar lives in Bridgetown. A House for Duty Associate Minister and a Reader based at Stoke Gabriel. Two other Readers, who minister across the benefice. Two priests with PTO, officiating at St John`s, Bridgetown and St Mary`s, Berry Pomeroy The benefice is a well-established place for training curates and our current Curate lives in Marldon. He finishes his term in July. We have a part-time Totnes Team Administrator, who is currently employed for 6 hours per week mainly dealing with bookings for St John’s which acts as a community centre. St Mary’s - TOTNES

www.stmarysandstjohnstotnes.org

Geography

Totnes is an historic market town situated on The Church attracts orchestras, musicians the scenic river Dart, midway between and bands for special events, including Dartmoor and the South Devon coast in an contemporary. The church conducted the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. following occasional offices over the last Bridgetown is situated across the River Dart. two years: 3 Baptisms 12 Funerals, 2 Weddings (averages per year) and has an Our Community active team of Bell Ringers. The town itself is known for its large Bohemian population and its environmental The Friends of St Mary’s was founded in track record as ’s first Transition 2008. Last year, it raised over £9,000 for Town. It is a place where, largely due to its repairs and improvements to St Mary’s proximity to Dartington Hall, the arts and church. There is a very successful Tuesday music flourish whilst many people are morning café during the summer months, seeking meaning and spirituality in their lives. which greets visitors with tea, coffee and The local economy is largely based on toasted tea cakes and ploughman`s tourism and farming. It has two primary lunches. schools, a secondary school and an independent school. There is a small The Daily Office is said corporately on community hospital, two care homes and four Monday mornings at St John`s, Bridgetown retirement /sheltered housing centres, with and a Prayer Group meets in St. Mary`s on more planned. Totnes still boasts a number Tuesday and Thursday mornings for 45 of local shops that are not part of any national minutes. The Church is open throughout the chain. It is well served by local amenities: day and is well used for quiet prayer and A newly refurbished library and two group reflection. The children`s play area and surgeries, two cinemas, a museum, several Friends of St Mary`s shop is also popular. art galleries and numerous venues for the House Groups are well established and performing arts. Totnes also has a large meet throughout the year with additional leisure centre, rugby, tennis and bowls clubs, study groups in Lent. Confirmation, baptism a skate-park and a youth club. We have and marriage preparation is offered across extremely good ecumenical relationships with the team. all the churches in the town Totnes with Bridgetown Parish has up to Musical Tradition date safeguarding training and an appointed The church has a fine musical tradition with Safeguarding Rep. The Quota for 2019 has a paid Director of Music who has brought a been paid in full. high standard of music to our Sunday Eucharist and Monthly Choral Evensong. She has built links with choirs across the team and community and is a developing a Junior Choir which has brought in new families.

St Mary’s choir and junior choir Our History

The Parish and Priory Church of St Mary’s, Totnes: The present building is over 500 years old but there was a church and monastery on site 1000 years ago. It was redeveloped in the 13th and 15th centuries to include the exquisitely decorated and unique stone rood screen. During the Reformation, Henry VIII dissolved the Priory, destroying many of the church’s decorative features. The Church survived, and various features have been added including the beautiful brass candelabra, the tower bells and the prestigious Willis Organ. St Mary’s Church Hall caters for some local activities including Yoga and has a well-equipped kitchen and a piano.

As the Church sits in the heart of the town, it attracts an estimated 50,000 visitors per year. Its seating capacity is well over 300. The current challenge is to renew this historic building to ensure it is safe, fit for purpose and sustainable both as a place of worship and for wider community use. To achieve this, St Mary’s Totnes Heritage Trust was established and registered as a charity in 2019. (Further details about the project are attached as an Appendix)

Our Vision and needs. Totnes Town is a unique place to minister because of its rich heritage and the opportunities that it offers culturally, socially, spiritually and environmentally. As a Civic Church at the heart of the market town, the plans to restore and reorder the Church offer an important opportunity to serve the wider parish in the future, to ensure that the Church is a vital, relevant, spiritual hub, offering enrichment through its community engagement, arts and music programme, social action and ecological activism in a sacred setting and sympathetically re-ordered church.

Who are we looking for? Someone who is a creative thinker and a person of prayer, who can catch the vision and the possibilities for the next season and re-imagine a new way of being Church; A bridge-builder who can nurture existing relationships and inspire new ones so that we grow in spiritual depth and outreach; a person who understands the social, cultural and environmental needs of our time, works collaboratively, listens respectfully and enjoys actively engaging with the community.

Appendix - St Mary’s Church Restoration and Reordering Project

St. Mary's Church, Totnes, is a Grade 1 The Projects outcomes include listed building and is in urgent need of restoration, refurbishment and reordering Sustaining the church’s place at the in order to ensure it is safe, fit for purpose heart of the community by revitalising and sustainable both as a place of worship the building and planning a and for wider community use. programme of activities used and valued by all.

A scheme has been prepared which has Creating heritage experiences and been priced in the region of £4 million. The interpretation that reveals the PCC has decided to proceed by a phased distinctive stories of the area, approach and this has taken into account celebrating its traditions of social and the urgency of repairs, the appropriate cultural dynamism. combining of different work items, and the Creating a new high-quality community rewards that the church will derive from space, with improved facilities and a achieving each stage. programme of events to attract new audiences and income for the The Phase 1 works, costing in the region church. of £1.5 million, include the most urgent Repairing and conserving the fabric of items of repair, such as the failing floor, as the listed building and introducing well as an expansion of the church’s usage sensitive adaptations to make it by creating a welcoming and thriving more flexible and accessible to a community facility that provides an wider range of users inspiring, fully useable and fit-for-purpose Raising the profile of the church as one place for worship, music, performing arts of the most important buildings in and arts display serving the community the area and thereby attract and and visiting tourists. welcome new visitors to discover its

rich heritage and surrounds.

Details of the project together with the

PCC’s partnership with the St Mary’s Totnes Heritage Trust are at

www.stmarystotnesheritagetrust.org :

Community events like the Sea Change Festival and the Party in the Town regularly draw capacity audiences

The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at St Mary’s

ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST

The Church of St John the Evangelist, Bridgetown dates from 1832. It was built by the eleventh for the tenants of his estate and was a Chapel of Ease to Berry Pomeroy. In the early 1970s, St John’s became part of the Parish of Totnes and in 2004 the name of the parish was changed to ‘Totnes with Bridgetown’. In 1976 the church was gutted by fire and re-opened in 1980 as a multi-use building on three levels, with a flexible worship area on the ground floor and other spaces for community above. In 2018 funding was obtained from Heritage Lottery and other funders for replacement of ten windows which had deteriorated badly since 1980. We also installed a new kitchen and servery, and toilets in the ground floor welcome area. We called our project ‘Windows of Opportunity’ and we are making further plans for the development of our building so that we can serve our community better. At present we are working on a bid to the Reaching Communities programme of the Lottery Community Fund.

Our Community: Bridgetown is a distinct community, although only just across the river from Totnes. There is a noticeable diversity, with expensive ‘new builds’ alongside one of the highest levels of social deprivation in the south-west. ‘Friendly’, ‘creative’ and ‘resilient’ are all words which Bridgetown uses to describe itself – the ‘Bridgetown Safari’ ( https://www.trailart.co.uk/malcolm- curley-2019/ ) has been featured on BBC Spotlight and is a ‘must’ for any visitor! But isolation is a problem – both the elderly and single parents – and as a church we seek to build community. We have strong links with St. John’s School and are strengthening our links with the next-door Daisy Family Centre. On Monday the Toddler Group attracts around 50 families, and on Wednesday the St. John’s Community Café brings the whole community together. Community use accounts for at least 85% of the footfall in the building.

The St. John’s Community: We are ‘a caring and welcoming Christian community with no strings attached’. Our congregation of 40-45 does not entirely reflect the diversity of Bridgetown community.

Our age profile is quite high, but we are working on these issues. 9.30 a.m. on a Sunday is not a great time for families and we would like to do something about this. Meanwhile we are looking to re-start Messy Church, which has been taking a break for a couple of years. We also host Sacred Space, which reaches out to those who are looking for a different experience of worship. We know that we don’t always get it right, but we try; and although some of us are quite elderly we are not comatose! Above all, we like each other (most of the time!) and enjoy having fun together.

Our Vision and Needs: Our vision is to grow – as Christians, as a church and as a community across the age groups. For this to happen we need our worship to be more diverse and accessible, we need more in the week to nurture us and we need to develop our talents and skills as teachers and pastors. We want to be more a part of the Totnes Team. Most of the time it doesn’t feel like we are a team and imaginative leadership is needed to bring us together. We are aware that our relationship with our sister church of St. Mary’s needs building and we need to heal the divisions of the past in order to move forward. We are a concerned church, and want to be the ‘salt’ in the community of Bridgetown: concerned about the environment/climate change - we have started a group to reflect on this - also exploring issues of social justice as we try to make people’s lives better. We are proud of St. John’s and want to make it available for all.

Who are we looking for? Someone with vision who can work collaboratively, build relationships and build us up as a Team, is a listener and able to reflect, an enabler, enjoys a challenge and is willing to take risks, is open-minded and can think outside the box, also willing to step back and allow others to flourish. Needs to have experience of working with church schools (four in Team) and training curates.

THE RURAL CHURCHES

OF THE

TOTNES MISSION COMMUNITY

St David’s Ashprington

St Mary the Virgin Berry, Pomeroy,

St Peter’s Cornworthy

St Mary’s Dartington with St Barnabas Brooking

St John Baptist, Marldon

St Mary and St Gabriel Stoke Gabriel

St. Mary the Virgin, Berry Pomeroy

Our Community

Geography: Berry Pomeroy is a small pretty hamlet situated between and the South Hams about a mile East of Totnes. It is an Estate community linked with the Dukes of Somerset for 500 years. Most of the hamlet lies in a conservation area and the beautiful countryside surrounding it is designated an Area of Great Landscape value. The Parish population is divided between the hamlet (with its surrounding rural buildings and farmland) and part of Bridgetown (with town houses adjacent to Totnes).The combined number of electors is approximately 600. Amenities: Berry Pomeroy Primary School has 100 pupils and regularly uses the church for services and drama productions. The Village Hall stands next to the school which uses it during school hours. It is a popular venue for parties etc. A bus service links the village to Totnes and Torbay Monday to Friday. The romantic ruined Berry Pomeroy Castle stands about a mile from the church and is run by English Heritage. A small garden centre, service garage and nursing agency are local commercial enterprises but there is no shop, post office or pub!

Our Church Building: There is evidence that a church stood on this site in 1125 and was rebuilt in the C15 by Sir Richard Pomeroy. The magnificent rood screen and fine monument in the Seymour Chapel attract visitors. The church is open every day. The Grade 1 listed building has undergone major structural repairs in the last 15 years to the tower and bells. Further repair is planned to the North aisle roof and Parvis room. The closed churchyard surrounds the church. Burials now take place in the Southfields churchyard a short distance away. The church was used in the film Sense and Sensibility staring Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant.

Our Worship Tradition: Retired vicar, Revd. Pauline Lewis leads the worship assisted by 3 Readers on a rota basis and an organist. The Holy Communion booklet was formatted for ease of use by the congregation and is used for most services. Our Congregation: The electoral roll is 44. The average congregation numbers 20 – 30, mostly pensioners who travel here from outside the parish. 3 regular attendees come from the village. Weekly tower bell ringing practise welcomes ringers from any church. A Torbay team ring for our Sunday service once a month as Berry Pomeroy has not had its own team for many years. Berry Pomeroy Hand bell ringers practise weekly in the church and perform at Christmas etc.

Social: An annual summer fete is held in the Manor House garden and is well supported by the local community. Other open events include seasonal coffee mornings and a quiz evening. The “Nones” service in May is followed by afternoon tea and Harvest Festival finishes with a shared lunch.

Challenges: The upkeep of a medieval building is a financial challenge. “The Friends of Berry Pomeroy Church” plan to help with building projects outlined in the 2019 Quinquennial Report. Ways to encourage more visitors are being investigated with other fund- raising events.

Berry Pomeroy has been blessed with the leadership of Revd. Pauline Lewis. The challenge will be when Pauline retires!

Berry Pomeroy Church is a welcoming, open, supportive community which strives to further develop the Christian faith. St David’s - ASHPRINGTON

Our Community Geography: St David’s Church serves the rural ‘estate’ village of Ashprington, together with the hamlet of and the settlements of Painsford, Yetson, Sharpham Barton and the original estate house of Sharpham. It serves an adult population of 400. The village has a public house, a modern village hall which is well used by numerous external organisations and local clubs including a vibrant WI, a short mat bowling club and art group. The village also benefits from a two acre recreation field open to all. Our Worshipping Congregation

Worship tradition: Most services are Eucharistic. Once a month, we are invited to join the parishioners at St Peter’s, Cornworthy. St David’s reciprocates on another Sunday. On every fourth Sunday, we tend to follow an informal Village Worship but other forms of service are introduced from time to time. Remembrance Sunday, Christingle, Harvest,

Christmas and Mothering Sundays attract significantly greater numbers but our current average congregation numbers fourteen. We have a nominated Safeguarding Officer.

The Electoral Roll: is 22.

Occasional offices: In 2018 there was one baptism, four weddings and two funerals.

Community links: Three members of the church congregation run a weekly coffee morning in the village hall, which can be attended by up to 25 people. Another established a community choir which is led by the church organist and typically attracts eighteen villagers. The choir often uses the church for its practices and sings at festival services. Another runs a hugely popular quiz in the village hall. Another member of the congregation established and runs ‘Open the Book’ and ‘Roots and Fruits’ in seven primary schools in the area.

Our Buildings St David’s Church, as seen today, was originally built in medieval times with its fine tower dating back to the end of the thirteenth century whilst the red sandstone Norman font probably pre-dates the current building. The church is Grade 1 listed. From time to time we host concerts for up to 120 adults. Visitors regularly use the church, which opens from 10 am to 5.30pm, leaving prayer messages and often commenting on its beauty and peacefulness and the incredibly fine woodwork which is considered to be some of Herbert Read’s best work.

Our Vision

To keep St David's as a vibrant and living Church that shares the Gospel of Christ by virtue of its welcome, worship and fellowship. We recognise the role of the Totnes Mission Community as providing its congregations with a range of skills and gifts from both stipendiary and lay people for the greater glory of God.

To offer weekly worship and celebrate the major festivals of the Church. We see St David's as being inclusive and receptive to all parishioners and visitors and a great venue for concerts and other secular activities

St Peter’s - CORNWORTHY

Our Community: Cornworthy parish has 350 households, most of which are located within the village. The Church and adjacent Village Hall, and the Hunter’s Lodge Inn down the hill, form the focal points of community life. Community events include periodic Church festivals – Christmas, Easter, Harvest Festival and a Flower Festival in midsummer. The volunteering ethos is high and this has particularly benefited the fabric of the Church, as well as village suppers to celebrate Halloween, New Year’s Eve and other events. An active group rings 6 bells Thursdays and Sundays.

Our Church: Since the 12th Century it has stood at the eastern head of the Cornworthy valley and is balanced to the west by the remains of the Augustinian priory, founded in 1238 and managed by 13 nuns until Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536. Notably, the Grade I listed Church has a Norman Font dating from 1150-1175, a Nave dated to 1350-1375, the Harris Monument of 1611 and Georgian Box Pews from 1788. Largely unaltered since then it is a light, quiet and very beautiful place. Over the period 2007- 2019 community volunteers have raised over £400,000 to restore and repair the building and its contents, as well as painting the interior.

Our Congregation and worshipping tradition: There are 42 on the Electoral Roll and the average attendance is 20 but peaking at over 50 for Christmas and Easter. The Electoral Roll needs editing to match reality. Three communions a month, one by a priest, two by extension by lay preachers, are supplemented by one village worship by volunteers. Reciprocal services with St David’s Ashprington occur twice a month. There are popular weekly lunches during Lent and for Harvest Festival. As a spiritual centre it has hosted two secular services in the last four years. Christening and Marriages average 2-3 a year and in 2018-19 there were four funerals. There is no choir and children’s activities are minimal.

Challenges: While there is substantial support from the community for Church-related events, this is not so for financial contributions to the clergy and Common Fund (CF). A reduced presence of the clergy within the community, once-a-month appearances of a Priest and active management by volunteers underlies this lacuna. It is only in the last four years that we have failed to meet our CF quota. Next year the annual CF quota will increase to £9,500 and a major fundraising initiative is planned for 2020. This is the most significant financial challenge faced by the church community.

Vision: For St Peter’s to remain inclusive of all villagers and visitors who need a place for reflective calm, warmth and grace, and spiritual nourishment. To expand St Peter’s as a convening centre for the growth of Christianity and the community.

St Mary’s - DARTINGTON St Barnabas - BROOKING

Parish background

Geography The parish of Dartington lies to the north-west of the market town of Totnes. The population is approximately 1900, though there have been several new housing developments recently and more in the pipeline, so the number may be higher. The main area of housing is around the junction of the A384 and A 385, where there is a Post Office store, a garage with shops, a small industrial estate and the Shops at Dartington. The award winning Cott Inn is nearby. The rest of the parish is mainly farmland with scattered farms and small settlements. Transport links are good to Plymouth, Exeter, Torbay and .

Churches: There are 2 churches in the parish. The bellringers meet weekly, offer training to new recruits, and ring for many of the weddings which take place at St Mary’s. The church of St Mary, Dartington was relocated from its ancient site at Dartington Hall in the 1880s in order to be nearer the village population. Both buildings are in reasonably good order, and routine maintenance is carried out regularly. Both churchyards are open for burials and have financial support from the Parish Council.

St Barnabas, Brooking, also a Victorian building, was built as a chapel of ease for

those who lived on the edges of the parish.

Worship tradition: varies between the two churches. St Barnabas follows a traditional pattern based on the Book of Common Prayer. St Mary’s has more variety of services including Celtic Communion, Dart Praise and Common Worship Holy Communion. There is also a Wild Church/Wild Monastics gathering. The Team Rector, Team Vicar and 2 Readers lead the services on a rota basis. There are also some lay-led services. A Team Service at one of the team churches is held on the 5th Sunday of the month. The electoral roll for the 2 churches is 26. The congregations are small but loyal. There is a weekly Prayer Group which meets in the Lady Chapel at St Mary’s. Carol services and Christingle service are very popular.

Church trail: A NADFAS church trail has been introduced at St Mary’s to guide children around the most interesting parts of the building, to explain their meaning, and to help answer any questions. Finances: Dartington and Brooking have an active and combined P.C.C. We paid our Common Fund in full for 2018 and are on track to do the same for 2019. We have an envelope/Gift Aid scheme, and are starting to consider the Parish Giving Scheme as a way to increase more regular income. Dartington has a higher than average number of weddings which provides a good income from fees

A Coffee and Chat group was started to engage with the local community and to discuss new fund- raising ideas in support of the fabric of the Church . We have 3 concerts in the diary at present. We hold cake sales with coffee mornings and Quiz nights, all of which have regular support.

Church Hall The hall is situated across the road from the church and was recently refurbished to provide a warm, clean and pleasant meeting place. It is well-used for music rehearsals, bodywork classes and various other groups. It provides a welcome income stream, and also contact with people outside the normal church congregation.

Schools and Colleges: Dartington Primary School is situated just across from the church in new modern buildings. A new Head had recently been appointed, and we look forward to improving contacts there. The clergy and staff have had good relationships in the past and have taken assemblies and services in church for special celebrations such as Christmas, Easter, Leavers service. The parish has many other educational establishments including a Steiner School, Park School, Bidwell Brook special school, Lifeworks, Schumacher College, and various others.

Dartington Hall and Estate: We are fortunate to have the Hall and Estate as our neighbours. There is a programme of residential courses, the Summer Music School, Ways with Words, and a programme of recent films at the Barn Theatre. The Hall gardens are open to the public and attract many visitors. Estate and Church contact has been rather intermittent, and it would be good to expand on that, and to reach out to the artistic community in the area.

Parish needs: A recent SWOT survey revealed the following. We have small, declining congregations, meaning loss of income and manpower. Brooking has little local community with which to grow. We feel we need to engage with the people in the new housing, re-connect with those who were churchgoers in the past, with younger people, and to become a more visible presence in the parish.

Person Specification: Of course everyone wishes for the ‘perfect priest’. Our hopes are for someone who is a good communicator of the Gospel, who is open-minded and imaginative regarding liturgy, and who is ready to reach out to alternative groups in the area. We need help with pastoral care to the elderly and needy in the parish, and someone who will be interested in making further links with the schools and the Hall. We feel the loss of a parish based priest and need contact, experience, patience and the guidance of a leader. St John Baptist - MARLDON

www.marldonchurch.co.uk

Our Community Geography: Marldon is a beautiful rural parish in the South Hams, comprising Marldon and the hamlets of Compton and Westerland. The population is about 3000 – farmers, retirees, and younger professionals. It has two inns, a Post Office, shops, garage and holiday cottages. Marldon Village Hall: houses functions, Toddler and Pre-School playgroups; there are numerous societies, an annual pantomime where church members perform, and an Apple Pie Fair. Marldon C of E primary school has around 200 pupils; the church leads fortnightly ‘Open the Book’ sessions and hosts regular assemblies. Our Church: Our Worshipping Congregation

Worship tradition: Most services are Eucharistic. On every fourth Sunday, we follow the Celtic Communion and Junior Church joins us. Marldon’s choir, with organist Sally

Martin, has attracted new members including youngsters. Junior church meets in the Village Hall then always joins us for

communion, and children help in Harvest, Remembrance Sunday, Christingle and Mothering Sunday services. House Group meets fortnightly for discussion while a Pastoral Care

Team delivers Home Communion. Our team includes visiting clergy and readers, Junior Church workers, a lay Youth group leader, lay ministers and bell ringers. The Youth Group meets monthly, helping young people to investigate Christianity, whilst developing relationships with other young people. The Uniformed Organisations join us for special occasions. Churchwardens, organist and Belltower captain have had Safeguarding Training. The Electoral Roll: is 78, with 32% from outside the parish. Special services like the Christingle, Easter, the School’s Christmas service and Leavers` Service and the Community Carol Service see a full church.

Occasional offices: In 2018 there were 10 baptisms, 3 weddings and 11 funerals. Figures for 2019 are: 10 baptisms, 7 weddings and 9 funerals. Community links include an Annual Parish Meal, Church Christmas fair and charity events, while Carol Singing supports local hospices. A Monthly Lunch Club is

organised by a PCC member, and donations are sent to Totnes Food Bank at Totnes Connection Hub.

Our Buildings

Marldon’s Church of St. John the Baptist was built in medieval times and first recorded in 1348, the font dating from the rebuild in 1450; Grade 1 listed, the church is a fine building of local limestone in the late Perpendicular style. The church hosts concerts for up to 150 adults, whilst local and international organists perform on a Goetze and Gwynn organ. Visitors regularly use the church, which opens from 10 am to 5.30, taking away prayer messages available in pews and commenting on its beauty and peacefulness.

Our Vision: Our main strengths are a thriving Junior church, good pastoral care team and many volunteers. The value of the church in the community is reflected in the number of baptisms, weddings etc, and the building is well maintained. We also have an attractive website. Our challenges are an ageing congregation especially when accessibility is difficult up Church Hill, while planned giving does not keep up with costs. Priorities involve deepening our engagement with the missing generations, growing lay leadership and providing more opportunities for our teenagers and young people to deepen their faith and spirituality. St Mary and St Gabriel - STOKE GABRIEL

www.stokegabrielchurch.co.uk

THE PARISH The parish of Stoke Gabriel is a predominantly rural community situated on the east side of the River Dart, some 6 miles from Totnes. The parish includes the village of the same name and the adjoining hamlets of Aish, Duncannon, Port Bridge, Sandridge and Waddeton.

The population is about 1300 and growing, with several recently completed housing developments. There are families who have lived in the parish for many generations and also retirees and young families with school age children who relocate to the area, providing opportunities for growth in the church and the congregation. There is a strong sense of community with a tradition of involvement in a wide spread of activities.

THE PARISH CHURCH With its origins in the 13th century, the building is Grade 1 listed and stands, surrounded by its churchyard, at the end of Church Walk - a pretty, cobbled street of medieval houses linking village and church. It overlooks the Mill Pool and the River Dart in an area of outstanding Natural Beauty. The building is well- maintained, has good updated facilities and received a sound quinquennial report in 2016.

The church also owns the Verger’s Cottage and the Old School Room ( Church Hall) in Church Walk and at the village end of the street, the Church House Inn, run by a tenant landlord - the rental from which helps to support the mission of the church in the parish. The modern vicarage is occupied by the house-for-duty priest who is an integral part of the parish community.

CHURCH MINISTRY The church has been at the centre of parish life for generations and remains so in the 21st century, living the gospel in the parish, bringing people together, caring for and supporting the wider community and marking significant events in individual, parish and national life

In worship, prayer is a key part and is enhanced by liturgy, good choral music and a strong sense of individual members being the living presence of Christ.

PERCEIVED STRENGTHS • A strong, welcoming and inclusive congregation involved in both liturgical and caring aspects of church life. • A broad church with a traditional mix of BCP and CW liturgy in Choral Eucharist/Matins, intimate Communion services and BCP Evensong • A Strong Choral tradition. with an adult SATB choir and organist at 11.15/18.30 and all festival services • Positive two-way engagement with the village and parish. with ‘outreach’ activities and services inclusive of local councils and organisations.

The Team Rector is the incumbent, chairing PCC meetings and taking an active role in the life of the parish, together with Associate Priest, Reverend Gill Still, who as a house-for-duty priest is resident in the vicarage. She leads worship in the church and in small study groups, provides formal and informal pastoral care and leads the church in its mission to the parish. They are supported by a Lay Reader, a Verger, Church Wardens and PCC and by the active involvement of a committed and loyal congregation.

As members of the Totnes MC we value the leadership of team clergy in our services, in weddings, funerals and in the pastoral support not only of the church but of the wider community. We are particularly appreciative of the presence in the parish of Gill Still whose day-to-day input to the local community is extensive and highly valued. We participate with others in combined MC services and support Totnes Connection Hub and other local charities and through our common fund, the less favoured churches in the community.

FACT FILE:

• An informal pastoral care network, both clergy and laity, provides care and support for the sick and bereaved and for others for whom life presents difficulties and challenges.

• An ‘outreach’ group of lay volunteers, run a twice a month lunch club for the elderly and those living alone, serving up to 60 individuals from across the parish in most months.

• A bereavement group, led by Gill Still, meets monthly in a local bistro for conversation and peer support.

• Children’s activity afternoons held on Saturdays at times of the key Statistics: 2018/19 festivals of the Christian Calendar introduce local children to the message of the gospel and bring them into the church community. Electoral roll -96 Attendance - 60 • An adult SATB choir of some 20 members, led by an accomplished Christmas/Easter - 100 organist, sings at 11.15 and 18.30 services, at weddings and funerals and in special services and events throughout the year. The choir joins with St Weddings 6; Mary’s Totnes from time-to-time for team services and other occasions with Baptisms 7 Funerals 8 regular cooperation between organists. Common fund • An enthusiastic team of call change ringers ring for most services, for £47553 weddings and funerals. They also participate in competitions and have won numerous competitions including the county championship.

• A loyal and talented team of flower arrangers provide displays each week and at festival times dress the church with beautiful memorial displays.

• Day-to-day organisation of the church and the old school room is provided by the verger, who is also a mine of information on local church and parish history.

• A separate ‘Friends’ organisation provides very valuable financial contributions to the maintenance of the church buildings, churchyard and surrounding walls.

• Through careful stewardship our substantial common fund contributions are paid in full and on time.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE In its parish church, Stoke Gabriel has a sustainable Christian community which has the potential for growth, given migration to the village of families and retirees. It is fortunate to remain the first port of call for many in the parish at times of need and continues to serve and be respected by that community.

We appreciate the loyalty and involvement of members of the community, not just regular church goers in many of the activities of the church. CRIB SERVICE

The Associate Priest is seen as the face of the Church, being among and of the parish she serves.

In looking to the future, the PCC and church officers wish to:

• keep and grow the congregations, • deepen the faith of its members through good teaching • continue to bring the gospel to the parish in a practical and appropriate manner Service • continue to work with young people and their parents • maintain and extend the care of the lonely and vulnerable • protect the very special relationship with the parish we serve.

To this effect, we look to the clergy of the Mission Community for :

• Leadership of our principal services • Inspiring Christian teaching in spiritual and pastoral matters • Continuation of the residency of a priest in the vicarage, with a clear role in the spiritual and pastoral life of the parish. Service by Dart

SUNDAY SERVICES ACROSS THE TEAM

First Sunday in month

Totnes St Mary’s 08.00 BCP Holy Communion Stoke Gabriel St Mary’s 08.15 BCP Holy Communion Marldon St John’s 09.15 Sung Eucharist Brooking St Barnabas 09.15 BCP Holy Communion Cornworthy St Peter’s 09.15 Sung Eucharist Bridgetown St John’s 09.30 Sung Eucharist Stoke Gabriel St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Eucharist (CW) Berry Pomeroy St Mary’s 11.15 Holy Communion Totnes St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Eucharist Ashprington St David’s 11.15 HC by extension Dartington St Mary’s 11.15 Common Worship HC Totnes St Mary’s 18.30 Sung Compline Bridgetown St John’s 18.30 Sacred Space on alternate months

Second Sunday in month

Totnes St Mary’s 08.00 BCP Holy Communion Marldon St John’s 09.15 Sung Eucharist Brooking St Barnabas 09.15 BCP Holy Communion Cornworthy St Peter’s 09.15 Sung Eucharist Bridgetown St John’s 09.30 Sung Eucharist Stoke Gabriel St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Eucharist (CW) Berry Pomeroy St Mary’s 11.15 Holy Communion Totnes St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Eucharist Ashprington St David’s 11.15 HC by extension Dartington St Mary’s 11.15 United service with Brooking Stoke Gabriel 18.30 Evensong (BCP)

Third Sunday in month

Totnes St Mary’s 08.00 BCP Holy Communion Stoke Gabriel St Mary’s 08.15 BCP Holy Communion Marldon St John’s 09.15 Sung Eucharist Brooking St Barnabas 09.15 Matins Cornworthy St Peter’s 09.15 United with Ashprington Bridgetown St John’s 09.30 Sung Eucharist Stoke Gabriel St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Matins Berry Pomeroy St Mary’s 11.15 Holy Communion Totnes St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Eucharist Ashprington St David’s 11.15 Sung Eucharist Dartington St Mary’s 11.15 Dart Praise

Totnes St Mary’s 18.30 Choral Evensong

Fourth Sunday in month

Totnes St Mary’s 08.00 BCP Holy Communion Marldon St John’s 09.15 Celtic Communion Brooking St Barnabas 09.15 United with St Mary’s Dartington Cornworthy St Peter’s 09.15 Village worship Bridgetown St John’s 09.30 Sung Eucharist Stoke Gabriel St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Eucharist (CW) Berry Pomeroy St Mary’s 11.15 Holy Communion Totnes St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Eucharist Ashprington St David’s 11.15 Village Worship Dartington St Mary’s 11.15 Celtic Communion Stoke Gabriel 18.30 Evensong (BCP)

Fifth Sunday in month 10.30 Team Eucharist held in one of the team churches

Wednesday Mid-week Eucharists take place each week in Stoke Gabriel Parish Church at 10.00am and St Mary`s, Totnes at 10.30 am.

TOTNES RECTORY

The Rectory is a 1930s build with internal Art Deco features. It is a detached house with double bay windows creating a spacious living room and study and two large double bedrooms. The house also has two additional single bedrooms, a dining room looking onto the back garden and a well-appointed kitchen and utility room. Upstairs, there is a spacious

bath-room with separate shower cubical and bath.

Also, on the ground floor, a large glassed in porch and WC discretely tucked in under the stairs. One of the attractive features of the house is that it is surrounded by garden, but of a manageable scale. Parking is located at the back of the house with hard standing for two cars. Interesting outbuildings and a garage which is useful for storage.

The house is well located in part of Castle Street (Northgate), being central to the town and main church of St Mary’s, as well as retaining a good amount of privacy. It is also five minutes’ walk away from Totnes station.

TOTNES MISSION COMMUNITY - AN INTERIM ACTION PLAN 2019-2020 a working document for a period of change and challenge

PRIORITY FOR 2020 - appointment of new Team Rector to lead MC into the next stage of its development

This Draft Mission Action Plan (MAP) represents our collective aspirations about key elements of mission across the Totnes Mission Community, during the next twelve-month period. The aim is for the MAP to be reviewed each year. As the Mission Community contains nine very different churches, not all aspects of this MAP will be applicable to each church or parish. This MAP has been written recognizing that each parish has its own character, its own local needs and opportunities, and that what may work in one place, may not work in others. Our PCCs, in supporting this MAP, are supporting opportunities for growth across the Mission Community, rather than committing themselves to any particular activity in mission within their parish. This document expresses our hopes about some of the positive initiatives that we pray will bear fruit across the Totnes Mission Community. AIMS ASPIRATIONS OPPORTUNITIES TO RESOURCE AND TRAINING for the MC EXPLORE AND EVALUATE IMPLICATIONS

PRAYER SPACES IN CHURCHES People to develop and manage spaces and to encourage the role of prayer in the church

TO Maintain a living and reflecting local community spiritual Training in differing approaches to Christian prayer and GROW relevant Christian concerns spirituality IN presence in the INCLUSIVE WORSHIP STYLES Survey and explore attitudes to worship in the PRAYER parishes of the MC community

appropriate to a wide range of people Consider Team Liturgy booklets and further to grow congregations opportunities for worshipping and working together.

Training of appropriate worship leaders PRAYER AND PERSONAL STUDY Inspiring Christian teaching.

Promote spiritual Help in drafting and using “Rule of Life’ materials development in the Use of ‘RULE OF LIFE’ resources & churches. Team Prayer Card SPIRITUAL & PASTORAL Enable clergy to resume their spiritual and pastoral leadership roles LEADERSHIP Recruitment of Staff/volunteer administrators? CLERGY ADMIN SUPPORT Office space and equipment? Finance implications?

AIMS ASPIRATIONS OPPORTUNITIES RESOURCE & TRAINING for the MC TO EXPLORE AND IMPLICATIONS EVALUATE SHARING OUR FAITH Lay people in each parish with a heart for engaging with un-churched people

TO Draw people of all ages training resources to help parishioners to Spiritual conversation workshops MAKE and from all walks of share their faith NEW life into fellowship in DISCIPLES Christ COMMUNITY ACCESS EVENTS Possible input from the Diocesan Mission Enabler; lay planning and staff team Consider at least one well-planned and well-prepared access event in each parish each year ANNUAL DISCIPLESHIP COURSES Reviewing the different discipleship courses available – obtaining materials Develop and deepen Group leadership training discipleship within congregations SMALL GROUPS Small group leader training

RESPONSE Community consultations and evaluation of Understand the opportunities for increased community access. E.g. “St changing values, TO CHANGING NEEDS Mary`s Project” (St. Mary`s, Totnes) and “Reaching language, interests, and Communities” (St. John`s Bridgetown) Ensuring that our historic churches are fit concerns of our local for purpose and changing needs communities

Capable members of the MC who are willing to offer LAY LEADERSHIP themselves as potential leaders Recruit and train the next generation of Leadership training programme and mentoring parish and ministry Use of lay members in services opportunities leaders Review Marriage and Baptism Policy and Preparation. ON-GOING CONTACT Maximize the positive Bereavement visiting and follow-up contacts obtained following weddings, baptisms and funerals through occasional Training of lay ministers in pastoral care A structure for engaging with those offices encountered through these occasional offices

AIM ASPIRATION OPPORTUNITIES RESOURCE & TRAINING TO EXPLORE AND IMPLICATION EVALUATE COMMUNITY NEEDS Lay people to engage with meeting the identified community need Creative engagement TO with communities Evaluate local needs. Risk assessment SERVE THE across the MC Identify and seek to meet one community need PEOPLE OF DEVON WITH JOY INVOLVEMENT OF UNCHURCHED Local Ambassadors PEOPLE Risk assessment

Invite unchurched people from our local communities to join us in meeting community needs

DBS-checked lay and ordained link workers

To grow effective links LIAISON WITH SCHOOLS Schools’ work co-ordinators for the whole MC with our local schools Lay or ordained link workers Advice and help from the Diocesan Education supporting the children, parents and staff Department in new as well as, traditional ways

MC ENVIRONMENT SUPPORT TEAM Co-ordinate interested lay or ordained people to help Take a lead in growth in ecological ecologically and to provide guidance to the parishes on ecological and environmental issues Issues and awareness of Eco Church guidance environmentally responsible ways Development of Emerging Church and pioneer ministry of living as a (Growing the Rural Church) community

SUSTAINABLE MINISTRY MODEL, A ministry audit of the MC

Improve our Explore the possibility of a Team Council stewardship of time, enable people to use their spiritual gifts, talents and finances operate effective financial planning and Develop MC Treasurers` and Fundraising Team use wisdom in undertaking major building projects Develop MC Capital Projects Team

Advice and help from Diocesan Finance and Mission Resources Team