SG Profile 3 21st November 2014
Parish Profile of the Church of St Mary and St Gabriel
SG Profile 3 21st November 2014
Parish Background
The parish of Stoke Gabriel is a predominantly rural community situated in beautiful countryside on the Torbay side of the River Dart, between Totnes and Paignton, within the South Hams District. The parish includes the village of the same name and the
OS Map of Stoke Gabriel and its environs adjoining hamlets of Aish, Duncannon, Port Bridge, Sandridge and Waddeton. The village has a Post Office and a variety of shops, two cafes, two pubs and several guest houses. Just outside the village are several holiday parks. There are families who have lived in the parish for many generations and there are also retired people and younger professionals, with children of school age, who continue to relocate to it. The population of the parish is in excess of 1300 and is growing. A development of 43 properties has recently been completed and further developments are planned with completions due within the next five years. The village is popular with tourists and annually experiences a significant summer influx of holiday makers.
The village has a toddler’s group, pre-school and primary school (not C-of-E). The village has many clubs and societies including an Art Group, Boating Association, Cricket and Football Clubs, Scout and Beavers’ Groups, Women's Institute and Royal British Legion. There is an annual village pantomime and carnival.
Parish Church
The church, dedicated to St Mary and St Gabriel, is a Grade 1 listed, mediaeval church located on a steep bluff in the centre of the village adjacent to the parish orchard and SG Profile 3 21st November 2014
the Mill Pool. Believed to be built on a Saxon site in the 13th century, the church is made of classic Devon stone with a slate roof and comprises a bell tower and choir vestry, nave and chancel, and vicar’s vestry. The church is reached from the village via the lychgate at the southern end of Church Walk, a
View of the church from the quay across the picturesque cobbled path that connects with Mill Pool Paignton Road.
The churchyard completely surrounds the church and is bounded by a stone wall on three sides and by local flora and fencing on the other. It is likely to be full within 5-10 years. It contains one of the oldest yew trees in the country, said to be about 1000 years old.
The wide nave has a main and two side aisles with box pews along the north and south walls. The chancel has a lady chapel on the north side and a recently refurbished former RSCM Harrison pipe organ on the south side with choir pews in between. The whole church is in a good View of the church and yew tree from the churchyard state of repair and seats up to about 200.
View of the nave and chancel
The church owns the Old Schoolroom, which is used for church meetings and functions and is also available for hire, the Verger's Cottage, and the Church House Inn, all of which are located along Church Walk.
A new boiler and heating system has recently been installed in the church along with some minor re-ordering. It is planned to re-develop the South Porch to equip it with a toilet and kitchen facility. Repair work to the Old School Room has recently been undertaken and new kitchen units have been fitted. Longer term plans include the need to make improvements to the Church House Inn. View of Church Walk towards the lychgate SG Profile 3 21st November 2014
A modern, recently refurbished, purpose-built, four-bedroomed vicarage is located some 200 metres from the church in School Hill. It affords ample accommodation for a single person or married couple with or without family and is equipped with an office, garage and parking for several or more cars.
The Vicarage
Church Ministry
The parish of Stoke Gabriel is part of the Totnes Mission Community under the leadership of the Team Rector, Rev Julian Ould. It comprises, in addition to Stoke Gabriel, Ashprington, Berry Pomeroy, Cornworthy, Dartington, Marldon and of course Totnes with which it has a strong cultural identity. It is within the Totnes Deanery, part of the Totnes Archdeaconry, Diocese of Exeter.
The church’s ministry to the parish is led by a House for Duty priest (3 days per week). As chairman of the PCC, the priest also takes an overarching role in the administration of the church’s affairs. The church has a Lay Reader and Verger who may also take or assist with services. Many other laity are sidespeople, readers, prayer leaders and/or chalice bearers.
The current list of services is attached as Appendix 1 together with an indication of the size of the congregations. Festival and other special services are well attended and the church can often be full. Typical Sunday congregations are 1.5 times the Diocesan average and the numbers of Christmas and Easter Communicants has shown only a modest decline since the turn of the century. The church is a broad church with a range of services of wide appeal. Occasional high and low aspects of churchmanship are generally acceptable.
There is an informal pastoral care network that provides care and support for the sick and bereaved and also an outreach committee that looks after senior and lonely members of the community. There is an active Mother’s Union and an enthusiastic, award-winning team of bell ringers. The sung services of the church benefit enormously from a SATB choir that comprises twenty or more adults, most of whom turn out for the main Sunday and festival and other special services. The choir participates in RSCM events and a number also sing in Totnes church and other local choirs. The church presently has a vacancy for a Director of Music to play the organ and lead the choir. SG Profile 3 21st November 2014
The Friends of Stoke Gabriel Church is a separate organisation which aims to preserve the fabric of the church and organises fund raising events to help meet such costs as arise from time to time. The success of this organisation, together with the generosity of parishioners and the rental income from the Church House Inn, enables the church and the PCC in particular not be pre-occupied with fund-raising to make ends meet but to focus more on the key challenges of mission. A copy of the Mission Action Plan is attached as Appendix 2. The church’s Common Fund for 2014 and 2015 is in excess of £40,000 and it expects to be able to pay it in full and on time.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Stoke Gabriel Church
Unlike most rural parishes, the population of Stoke Gabriel (presently about 1350) is growing. Indeed, in percentage terms, the population is planned to grow faster than any other parish within the South Hams District. This presents the church with real opportunities for growth across all sectors of the population.
While attendance is above average for the Diocese, it mostly comprises middle aged and senior members of the local population. There are not many young people and children who attend church services on a regular basis, yet there is no shortage of young people in the parish. As a key priority, the church needs to establish a Sunday school or other facility for young people and take steps to draw younger people into its membership.
There are many lay people willing to assist the priest in worship and several local priests are prepared to take services as needed. There are also many willing and able volunteers available to help with tasks around the church and churchyard that arise from time to time.
Role and Characteristics of a House for Duty Priest
The key duties of a House for Duty priest will be to lead the worship, the continuing spiritual development of the parish and its pastoral care with the overall aim for the parish to grow substantially in faith. Involvement of the whole parish, newcomers and holiday makers and in particular children and young people in the life of the church is key to its long term health and sustainability. Having joined the Totnes Mission Community within the last year, it will also be important to fully integrate it into the pre-existing community. The primary focus of the priest will continue to be on the parish, but there will be occasions when the priest will need to take services at other SG Profile 3 21st November 2014 churches within the Mission Community. Together with the Team Rector, the House for Duty priest will need to bring about this key change.
The priest should have an engaging and outgoing personality with leadership skills in worship, faith and outreach. Key requirements specifically include: Insightful teaching of scripture to all ages, Thought-provoking addresses and sermons, Creative liturgy, avoiding the week to week sameness that risks the congregation’s attentiveness, Meaningful intercessions, and Keen musical tradition.
The priest should be of broad churchmanship and supportive of women in the ministry of the church. Participation in extra-curricular village activities would be welcome and a sense of humour would make it all so much more enjoyable!
Stoke Gabriel church choir and their winning “Best in Show” entry in the Village Carnival 2014 SG Profile 3 21st November 2014
Appendix 1 Church of St Mary and St Gabriel, Stoke Gabriel Current Services
Date Service Congregation 1st Sunday of the month 08.15: Holy Communion BCP 10-25 11.00: Holy Communion CW 40-60 2nd Sunday of the month 11.00: Holy Communion CW 40-60 18.30: Evensong BCP 10-20 3rd Sunday of the month 08.15: Holy Communion BCP 10-25 11.00: Matins BCP 40-50 4th Sunday of the month 11.00: Holy Communion CW 40-60 18.30: Evensong BCP 10-20 5th Sunday of the month 11.00: Holy Communion CW 40-60 Every Wednesday 10.00: Holy Communion BCP 5-15
Reflecting the parish’s strong musical tradition, a special service of Choral Evensong has been introduced this year. It is planned to hold such services on a quarterly basis. Two have been held this year and the level of attendance has been high at about 55-65 (including the choir) and seems to be attracting new people from near and far. Light refreshments have been provided in the Old School Room for fellowship and social interaction immediately after the service. SG Profile 3 21st November 2014
Appendix 2 Church of St Mary and St Gabriel, Stoke Gabriel Mission Action Plan
Vision Statement for Mission:
In an ideal situation, what would the church look like at Stoke Gabriel 5 years from now?
Vibrant expression of the Christian faith throughout the parish of Stoke Gabriel, as witnessed by:
Enhanced level of connection of the church with the parish and beyond More developed and more widely shared understanding of Christianity and scripture Range of services and prayer meetings of wider appeal with more people drawn into fellowship with the church Action Plan:
What specific actions are required to deliver the vision? What is the timetable to accomplish them and which individuals have accountability for their delivery?
Priorities Action Status
1 EVANGELISM Restore the Sunday school and integrate activities into services Drawing people of all ages and all Adapt services to accommodate baptisms within services backgrounds into where practical fellowship with Christ Evaluate and make changes to our services/music/singing to attract more people – of all ages and all backgrounds – to the church
2 DISCIPLESHIP Widen the appeal of the study of the Christian faith, whether through structured course work or home study Developing and deepening one’s faith Continue & develop seasonal courses, eg Lent or Advent courses
Continue & develop the practice of pilgrimages and/or day trips
Consider the use of retreats & day courses
3 VOCATIONS SG Profile 3 21st November 2014
Encouraging and nurturing vocations
4 MINISTRY AND LEADERSHIP
Developing leadership
skills and establishing effective Ministry
Teams
5 THE LOCAL Improve links with village and parish organisations, COMMUNITY whether religious or secular, residential or tourist
Working within the Organise occasional reunions for baptised children and local community their parents and married couples
Enhance the level of effective communication with the parish through the parish magazine
Establish a village organisations email contact list for dissemination of social events
Update the church web site and publish the church services in local papers
Develop pastoral care for the elderly/infirm/sick and the provision of care & support for the single over 60’s
6 STEWARDSHIP OF Develop the church building to make it fit for the next FINANCE & decade and beyond BUILDINGS Produce and implement an integrated plan for the Growing and financial support of the repair and improvement of sustaining mission church-owned property resources Enhance awareness amongst parishioners of the cost of church and its ministry
Increase level of planned giving
Develop use of working parties for ad hoc tasks in the church and churchyard SG Profile 3 21st November 2014
7 STRUCTURE Integrate the parish into the Totnes MC & develop links with other member parishes Creating an effective Mission Community Produce a mission action plan for the MC, if one does not already exist
Consider the establishment of MCC (Mission Community Council) to have oversight and responsibility for cross- community issues (cf. PCC for parochial issues)
Join MC together in worship at evening services or on special occasions/festivals
Publish the work of the MC in its member parishes