UNITED BENEFICE PROFILE Stansted, Birchanger, Farnham, Takeley and Little Canfield Stansted Birchanger Takeley Farnham Little Canfield 1 Contents Page 3 : Where we are (with map of the area) Page 4 : A word from the Churchwardens Page 5 : A Benefice Overview (our blessings and our challenges) Page 6 : Experience and qualities we wish to see in our new Priest-in-charge Page 7 : The Parish of Stansted Mountfitchet Page 10: The Parish of Birchanger Page 12 : The Parish of Farnham Page 14 : The Parish of Takeley and Little Canfield 2 Where we are The Benefice lies in the Diocese of Chelmsford and the Deanery/Mission and Ministry area of Dunmow and Stansted. It is one of eight deaneries in the Colchester Episcopal Area and one of four in the Archdeaconry of Stansted. Stansted Mountfitchet parish is a large Essex village situated some three miles north of the Hertfordshire market town of Bishop’s Stortford. The village has a mainline railway station and is close to the A120/M11 motorway junction, both of which provide easy access to London and Cambridge. Birchanger parish is a “linear” village built along the line of Birchanger Lane, situated to the south west of Stansted Mountfitchet. The parish lies in a rough triangle of green belt. Farnham parish is a small village situated in the heart of agricultural countryside, some three miles to the west of both Stansted and Birchanger and some two miles from Bishop’s Stortford. Takeley and Little Canfield parish is made up of two small but growing semi-rural villages; Takeley and Little Canfield and a number of ‘ends’ and ‘greens’. A number of new housing developments have shortened the distance between the two villages, further uniting the two parishes. All five parishes are relatively close to Stansted Airport, which does have some impact on the infrastructure of the area. Stansted & Takeley Benefice Map 3 A word from the Churchwardens The Benefice of Stansted, Birchanger and Farnham and the Parish of Takeley with Little Canfield intend to join together. This is an exciting opportunity and a new beginning for all of us. As we write this, our churches are operating under Covid 19 regulations. Since the beginning of 2020 when St John’s Stansted started streaming its service by Zoom (first from the Rectory and then from the church), some members of all five churches have logged in. Therefore we feel we are already getting to know each other and feel a connection. We have also been involved in the Connect 120 collaborative venture to strengthen and build the connections between schools and communities with local Christians and churches. All schools within the Stansted, Takeley and Great Dunmow corridor have been involved. The initiative started in 2017 and for the first two and a half years Tara, a School & Community Missioner, was employed. She has now left the project and the steering group is considering what to do next. Now that she has left, we are assessing how we should proceed for the remainder of the project. For full information about the project see the website www.connect120.org.uk In common with many churches, we are moving forward in leaps and bounds as far as our technological skills are concerned. However, it is probably fair to say that we have a lot to learn about how to reach out through social media, and some sort of co-ordinated approach to this would be desirable. In each of our parishes there are still many people who do not wish to engage with the internet, and we are aware that we need to find ways to ensure these people are still involved in the life of our churches. For the purpose of this Benefice profile, the parishes have each compiled their own sections to best represent themselves, but we have tried to give a cohesive vision of the future for our new Benefice. We are all keen to work together and with God’s help we are ready to support our new priest-in-charge in meeting the challenges which lie ahead. Cheryl McGreal (Stansted) Gary West (Stansted) Jo Wilson (Farnham) Pam Lee (Birchanger) Alan Parkinson (Takeley) Stretch Fulcher (Little Canfield) Profile compiled and approved by all PCCs January 2021 4 A Benefice Overview Our Benefice’s blessings include … The ordained and lay ministry team who are leading the benefice during the interregnum. We currently have a third year SSM curate (living in Great Dunmow) who gives three days plus Sundays to the Benefice. Stansted also has a newly-commissioned Pastoral Assistant. Takeley have a Licensed Lay Minister. The worshippers who make up our church families, including the many volunteers who help in our various activities. New housing developments offering new opportunities. Dedicated choirs, organists and musicians. Experienced church administrators. Connect 120. Good relationships with other Christian denominations. The opportunity to become involved in chaplaincy at Stansted Airport Our challenges include … How we, with the support of our new priest-in-charge, can offer pastoral care to those in need in our communities. How we can assist our new priest-in-charge to find a way to divide his/her time between us. How to create a united community within our four parishes which reflects God’s vision for us. How to nourish spiritual growth and reach out to bring others into the knowledge and love of Christ. How to encourage others to use their talents to the full. How our churches can best maintain financial viability. How to build on the success of Connect 120 and strengthen our involvement with all the schools in the benefice. How to reach out to all generations by developing use of social media. 5 Experience and Qualities we wish to see in our new Priest-in-Charge Experience…. The successful candidate should demonstrate experience or understanding of : The opportunities and challenges of ministry in a multi-church benefice encompassing different styles and traditions of worship. Growing congregations by developing an effective mission in the local community. Working with schools and families to equip people of all ages to live out their Christian life in their daily contexts. Leading and supporting a team of lay people from varying backgrounds and nurturing their talents. Encouraging future leaders. Qualities …. The successful candidate should demonstrate that they…. Are energised by faith – always seeking to find out what God wants and putting prayer at the heart of all our activities. Make connections between faith and daily living by being a presence in our communities. Can be a practical leader, with good organisational and communications skills, keen to strengthen relationships with local people and the wider community. Have a pastoral heart and are genuinely inclusive, making room for everyone in our church communities; loving and welcoming everyone equally. Will do all they can to help worshippers reach their full potential by supporting and encouraging them. Are willing to try new ways of worship whilst recognising that for some people and some of our churches this will be challenging. Are able to fully engage with children and parents/carers of young children Can lead, and/or encourage others to lead, bible study and prayer groups. Are someone who will develop relational communities and encourage and enable teamwork. Are willing to maintain good relations with ministers of other denominations in the villages, particularly in Stansted where Churches Together have a strong presence. 6 The Parish of Stansted Mountfitchet Stansted Mountfitchet Parish is located in the District of Uttlesford, Essex, three miles north east of Bishop’s Stortford. The M11 runs to the east of the Parish, providing a direct route south to Harlow and London, and north to Cambridge. The A120 is located two miles south of Stansted Mountfitchet village, providing good access to Stansted Airport and beyond to Braintree and Colchester in the east, and Hertfordshire and the A10 to the west. Stansted Mountfitchet village has a train station providing regular services south towards London and north towards Cambridge, in addition to direct access to the Stansted Express. There are six bus routes which pass through the village providing regular services to surrounding villages and beyond. It is estimated that the Parish has a population of 9,091 residents predominantly residing in the large village of Stansted Mountfitchet. The village of Stansted Mountfitchet is the third largest settlement in Uttlesford District and it has observed significant growth since the 1950s. New housing estates have regularly been developed on the edges of the settlement, incrementally increasing the size of the village both north and south of the railway line. The most recent major housing development was Forest Hall Park, where 715 new dwellings, and a new primary school have been built to the south of the village. The new Walpole Meadows development of 147 dwellings, on the northern edge of the village, is currently under construction, with Elms Farm, a development of 53 dwellings, situated close to the railway station. The village includes two local centres: Cambridge Road and Silver Street at the top of the very steep Chapel Hill, with the second area at the bottom of Chapel Hill along Lower Street and Station Road. The majority of shops, restaurants and public houses are located on Silver Street, Cambridge Road, Chapel Hill and Lower Street. The Parish contains a range of community facilities, including a library, leisure centre, GP surgery, four churches, several pre-schools, three primary schools and a secondary school. In addition, Stansted Airport College (part of Harlow College) has recently opened on the Airport site, providing technical and professional courses in Aviation, Engineering, Business, Hospitality and Events. Local recreational facilities include allotments, a skate park, a number of amenity greenspace areas and children’s play areas, a recreation ground and private sports facilities for bowls, tennis, cricket and football.