Introduction to Profile From the Vicar of St Andrew’s Biggleswade and Rural Dean of Biggleswade. Thank you for your interest in the position of Associate Priest. This is a newly created position where it is envisaged that the Vicar of Biggleswade will also accept responsibility as priest-in-charge of the rural parishes of Dunton, Wrestlingworth and Eyeworth working collaboratively with the appointed priest. We are seeking a prayerful and reflective colleague and team member who welcomes exciting opportunities and challenges. The parishes are distinct in character, but they are all excited at the prospect of working supportively with a new Associate Priest. The person appointed will need to develop and communicate a vision as to how the parishes can best work together to share God’s love. It is envisaged that the Associate Priest will spend 0.5 of their time in three adjacent rural communities; and the remainder of their ministry just south west in the rapidly growing parish of Biggleswade, a traditional market town expanding at an exponential rate as new residential developments are established. It is anticipated that modern 4-bedroomed accommodation will be available in the village of Dunton. A willingness to work with all ages, and participation in a range of worship styles is essential, as is enthusiasm to explore new ways of ‘being church’ within our neighbourhoods. We hope the successful candidate will be happy to provide a visible presence in each of the parishes and encourage an openness to embrace change. A sense of humour would be helpful, as would a willingness to be vulnerable and a preparedness to take risks. Our parishes enjoy excellent access to road and rail communications: we are located some 15 miles south west of Cambridge and central London may be reached in approximately 40 minutes by train from Biggleswade. The area is well served by a number of colleges, schools and nurseries – many with 'outstanding' OFSTED reports and with close links to our churches. Guy Revd Guy C Scott Contents 1. New Associate Priest Profile Page: 1 2. We are able to offer Page: 2 3. Accommodation Page: 3 4. Location Page: 4 5. Our Vision Page: 5 6. Community Page: 6 7. Education Page: 7 8. Worship Page: 8 9. Pastoral and Ecumenical Page: 9 10. Leadership Page: 10 11. Ministerial Team Page: 10 12. Organisations Page: 11 13. Buildings Page: 12 / 13 14/15. Finance & Expenses of Office Page: 14 16. Communications Page: 15 17. Strengths and Opportunities Page: 15 18. Priorities for the Next Five Years Page: 16 1. New Associate Priest Profile With the understanding to develop the growth of spirituality through a balance of tradition, teaching, practical Who will promote interpretation and a Who has a versatile unity and down-to-earth approach to worship communication across philosophy from traditional to a all the parishes less formal style Who can relate Who is to all willing to be part Are You ages and can continue of the to build on our work community life’s This already established outreach Priest ? with the church schools Who will accept the challenges of small Who will encourage rural churches our pastoral work and a growing market town Who will contribute to mission and out-reach ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Biggleswade, Dunton, Wrestlingworth & Eyeworth Combined Profile Page: 1 of 16 2. We are able to offer Reaching New People diocesan funding and expertise for mission outreach A vision for the future in Excellent three rural communication links communities, and a Road, rail, air and thriving town within popular schools a rapidly growing for all age groups population Accommodation Welcoming and supportive communities of faith Enthusiastic leadership teams, who are open to new ideas and approaches ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Biggleswade, Dunton, Wrestlingworth & Eyeworth Combined Profile Page: 2 of 16 3. Accommodation Location Proceeding from Biggleswade into Dunton along Dunton Lane that becomes Biggleswade Road, continue straight over the roundabout and into the village. Proceed to the left and take the turning on the left into Boot Lane. Continue along Boot Lane where the road becomes Fen Reach. 29 Fen Reach, Dunton, Bedfordshire Detached Family Home Three Separate Reception Rooms Four Very Good Sized Bedrooms En-Suite & Jack & Jill Bathroom Excellent Garden Size Large Kitchen Dining Room Double Garage & Driveway 'Outstanding' Ofsted Local School 3.9 Miles To Station Energy Rating: C/77 © Thomas Morris Estate Agents ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Biggleswade, Dunton, Wrestlingworth & Eyeworth Combined Profile Page: 3 of 16 4. Location • Church of St Peter Church Lane, Wrestlingworth, SG19 2EU • Electoral Roll: 32 • Small rural village on border with Cambridgeshire • Church School • 6.3 miles from Biggleswade • Approximately 300 houses • Population: 750+ people • Church of St Andrew Shortmead Street, Biggleswade, SG19 0AT • Electoral Roll: 133 • Market town, with extensive housing developments during last decade which are continuing • Church Lower and Middle Schools • Population: c.25,000 • Church of St Mary Magdalene High Street, Dunton, SG18 8RR • Electoral Roll: 43 © AA Media Limited 2016 • Small Bedfordshire Village Church School • • 3.5 miles from Biggleswade • Church of All Saints • Approximately 275 houses High Street, Eyeworth, SG19 2HJ • Population: 700 + Electoral Roll: 12 • • Small rural village • 4.7 miles from Biggleswade • Population: 90 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Biggleswade, Dunton, Wrestlingworth & Eyeworth Combined Profile Page: 4 of 16 5. Our Vision • We will worship with joy, grow in faith, and serve with love and welcome all. • One of our priorities will be to establish a Christian presence in the continually growing market town, as we work together with our partner parishes. As God’s people in the Benefice of Dunton, Eyeworth and Wrestlingworth, we recognise the challenges and opportunities facing us as rural parishes, believing that God’s future is one where we share a vision of people coming to and growing in faith, offering a welcome to all, sharing God’s love in word and deed, reaching out in mission and helping to build a strong presence in our communities. We will offer a welcome We will work and pray to all. together to further the mission which God calls us The gospel is for all people to share. and we want to be as inclusive as possible in • We will seek to support everything we do. each other in our mission and ministry by • We will seek to offer a recognising that worship warm and effective is the springboard into welcome to everyone mission. who attends our church services. Initially by • We will pray for each those who act as sides- other and to worship people but recognising together regularly to that this is the build up the life and responsibility of the witness of the church. whole church family. • We will take the opportunities to grow in faith and understanding. We will reach out in mission. • We will invite people to share in the life of the church. This may be to services of We will help to build strong worship, but equally it may be to social or communities within the parishes. community events. • We will play a positive part in our • We will place mission at the heart of all local communities by engaging in that we do. local issues. • We recognise the importance of children’s • We will provide community events, work for engagement with young families and/or a venue for events where and commit ourselves to exploring ways of appropriate, seeking to enhance the sustaining and developing this work. life of our area. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Biggleswade, Dunton, Wrestlingworth & Eyeworth Combined Profile Page: 5 of 16 6. Community Market town adjacent to AI, and on mainline rail route Rural village close to Biggleswade and A1 with majority London to Edinburgh. of commuters and some local employment. Population c.25 000 Population of 750+ with a mixture of ages. Within new residential developments many families, Church School, Village Hall, Recreation ground with singles, couples of all ages: many commuting to the Pavilion. Parish Council. Capital, Cambridge, Bedford, Milton Keynes Mixture of housing including small new development Leisure facilities include Sports Centre and indoor Leisure facilities include the village pub (The March swimming pool, many pubs, hotel and numerous Hare), and community garden. Large number of village restaurants and coffee shops. organisations including Youth football teams, Youth Club, Traditional market square, with twice weekly market WI, Book Groups, Singtastic ladies’ choir. Dunton Folk and various shops, some independent. presents concerts in the church of national and local folk groups, and the Big Weekender which organises village events. Football, rugby and cricket teams for men, ladies, The Church is fully involved in the community, children and young people. supporting village events, holding Christmas and summer fairs, quizzes and hosting concerts and fund-raising events. Large retail park south of the town: includes M&S, Outfit Dunton Church hosts high speed broadband on the church clothing stores, Cotswold Outdoor, TK Maxx, Matalan,