PROFILE for the BENEFICE of Eye with Braiseworth Occold and Bedingﬁeld

PROFILE FOR THE BENEFICE OF Eye with Braiseworth Occold and Bedingﬁeld

Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich The Beneﬁce of Eye with Braiseworth Occold and Bedingﬁeld Patrons: The Society for the Maintenance of the Faith Lt. Cdr. Gordon Marshall The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich (jointly)

The Beneﬁce of Eye with Braiseworth, Occold and Bedingﬁeld is looking forward to St Peter & St Paul, Eye welcoming a Vicar to serve within the Hartismere Deanery Group Ministry in this rural corner of North Suffolk.

We operate with three Parochial Church Councils, with some items of Beneﬁce business co-ordinated

St Michael & All Angels, Occold by a Beneﬁce Council.

St Mary the Virgin, Bedingﬁeld www.eyeparishchurch.org What we are looking for in our new Vicar

We hope for a person of deep spirituality who is an experienced and gifted Parish Priest, to replace our previous incumbent who left after nine years of valued ministry. Someone of vision who is approachable and adaptable, willing to lead with understanding and compassion; who will build on existing strengths and explore new aspects of worship to meet the needs of the modern rural community we serve. Key strengths we are looking The Benefice… for are… The Benefice pays the Vicar’s working expenses an ability inspire all ages through thoughtful in full and biblical preaching There is a Benefice Council which considers the a desire to work collaboratively levels of contribution to the Vicar’s expenses of office, oversees the benefice accounts and acts as a practical enthusiasm for pastoral care a liaison good communication skills The Parish Share is paid in full throughout patience and understanding, with a good sense of the Benefice humour good administrative skills the ability and flexibility to work with parishes with differing styles of worship Priests (Ordination of Women) an appreciation of the rich musical tradition in Measure 1993 the Benefice Note should be taken that Eye PCC has passed the enthusiasm to care for the ancient buildings Resolutions A and B under the Priests we worship in (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993. All an ability to further work with families PCC members were present when the vote and engage with the wider community was taken. Resolution A was retained from a previous vote, the vote on this occasion was 8 What the Benefice can offer in favour and 8 against (1 abstention). the new Vicar… Resolution B was passed by 12 votes to 5. It was decided not to vote on Resolution C. loving, prayerful support and encouragement warm friendship and the opportunity for social It is clear that there is a division of opinion, interaction and sensitivity will be required of the new Vicar. a variety of skills to assist in the day to day work of the Parish/Benefice It is important to note that no votes have been local knowledge taken either at Bedingfield or Occold, and that well-maintained churches the ministry of a woman is acceptable. a comfortable, historic Vicarage However, under the terms of the Priests full payment of expenses (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993 Resolutions A and B are in place for the administrative support through the Benefice appointment of the next priest of this Secretary Benefice. three parishes which enjoy working and worshipping together Facts and figures Regular Sunday Services Service St Peter & St Paul St Michael & All Angels St Mary the Virgin time Eye Occold Bedingfield

8.00 am Eucharist Common Worship Traditional Language Average attendance: 10

9.30 am Morning Prayer Holy Communion 1st Sunday 1st & 3rd Sundays Eucharist Average attendance: 12 2nd & 4th Sundays Average attendance: 12

10.30 am Sung Eucharist Common Worship Modern Language Average attendance: 60

11.00 am Holy Communion 2nd Sunday Morning Prayer 4th & 5th Sundays Average attendance: 12

6.30 pm Evensong & Benediction Evensong Quarterly 3rd Sunday Taizé Worship Average attendance: 6 Quarterly Weekday Services St Peter & St Paul Day and time Eye Tues. 9.30 am Eucharist Weds. 8.00 am Eucharist Thurs. 6.45pm Eucharist Fri. 10.30 am Eucharist Sat. 8.00 am Eucharist Average attendance: 2-6 The Beneﬁce of Sung Eucharists at 7.30 pm… The Epiphany, The Presentation, Eye with Braiseworth Corpus Christi, Ss. Peter & Paul, Occold The Assumption, All Souls, All Saints Average attendance: 40 and Bedingﬁeld Service materials

St Peter & St Paul St Michael & All Angels St Mary the Virgin Eye Occold Bedingﬁeld

Common Worship Common Worship Book of Common Prayer Traditional Language Modern Language Common Worship Common Worship Book of Common Prayer Traditional Language for Modern Language Morning Prayer

New Revised New Revised King James Bible Standard Version Standard Version

The New English Hymnal Hymns Old and New Hymns Old and New

Occasional Ofﬁces over the last 12 months

St Peter & St Paul St Michael & All Angels St Mary the Virgin Eye Occold Bedingﬁeld

Baptisms 11 2 3

Weddings 42 0

Funerals 12 6 1

Good Friday Children’s Passion Play. St Peter & St Paul, Eye

Electoral Roll There is one small retirement development, two blocks of The number on the church electoral roll is 120. sheltered housing and one care home. The Community The town is gradually expanding. The population of the town is 2154. Employment Housing The town is centred in an agricultural area which There is a wide range of housing, a central core of offers some employment. The town’s largest medieval buildings in a conservation area employer is a meat packaging plant. There are two surrounded by more modern development. There is industrial estates where some food production takes one large estate of original council homes, some of place along with power generation and other light which are now owner occupied; there are three industries. In the town there is a good retail base small modern developments, two of which contain with a bank and post ofﬁce and other services e.g. some social housing. There is a higher percentage of medical centre, dentists, complementary health private housing compared with council housing. centre, schools, electricians, builders and plumbers. Schools

St Peter and St Paul Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School (www.eyeprimaryschool.co.uk) serves Eye and some surrounding villages. There are around 200 pupils and there is provision for children from age 3 – age 11. The Vicar will be ex-ofﬁcio Governor of the school and Chairman of the Trustees. He will lead Collective Worship once a week and take School Masses twice a term, linked to Key Stage 1 “Small Services”. Each term there are end of term services in church, and occasional services e.g. Harvest. The Fishy Club – run by the church operates as an after-school club. Eye Primary School Children are prepared for First Communion by the Other Community Institutions Vicar at school. Fire Service, Police, Medical Centre, Hartismere Hartismere School Hospital providing a Birthing Unit and community (www.hartismere.com) care also a Complementary Medicine Centre, is the 11-18 provision for the Beneﬁce and serves a Library, Brownies, Cubs, Scouts and Guides, much wider catchment area; it has an annual Carol Women’s British Legion, Women’s Institute, Town Service in Eye Church. The Sports Centre provides Hall with Town Council, Community Centre with facilities for local sports clubs in the evenings. Community Council, Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Cross Street, Eye Eye Town Hall The Church The Church of St Peter and St Paul is a large medieval building which forms one of the focal points of the town. Its 101 foot tower dominates the surrounding countryside and is renowned for its flint decoration and the interior of the building is impressive. As such it is a tourist attraction, and with the benefit of toilets and kitchen facilities it is used as a venue for concerts. The church is open daily and has a small shop. The churchyard is “closed” and in the care of the Town Council who maintain it, there is free access and the footpaths are open all the time. Church Organisations which supports the regular maintenance of the Choir, Serving Team, Sidespeople, Bellringers, church. Julian Group, Pastoral Care Group, Saturday Club There is involvement with promoting the church as (Youth Group), Angels and Pinnacles, Church a tourist venue through the ‘Angels and Pinnacles’ Shop. scheme. Others licensed to minister in each parish or across the Benefice Areas for development There is currently a Reader and 1 Lay Elder in the Youth work, working with children and families to Parish. There is also an active retired priest. ensure that there is a continuation of attendance at Retired Clergy church through all ages. Fr Daniel Gooderham We have a First Communion Group – children who have classes in school (out of hours) and finally take communion before confirmation. The marriage of divorcees, who have a partner still living, is at the Vicar’s discretion, in accordance with Diocesan policy. Relationships with other Churches/Faiths We have an open relationship with other churches. Preachers from the Gospel Centre and Baptist Church are welcomed to assist in Civic Services.

Strengths A regular, committed core congregation, some of whom come from the surrounding area. An Anglo Catholic tradition including a daily Jazz Concert 2013 Eucharist. There is also a Low Mass on Sundays to provide a wider range of practice. A strong musical and choral tradition, with a Director of Music and a full adult choir. There is a well established quarterly Family Mass. Annual civic services including Mayor Welcoming, Remembrance Sunday and Christmas Carol Service attract congregations of 200-300. At All Souls-tide a non-eucharistic Service of Remembrance is held (average attendance 60-70). The Laity is involved in the Pastoral Group. Enthusiastic teams of sidespersons and servers. There is a voluntary cleaning team. There is an active fundraising committee accessing grants and running events e.g. Open Gardens Weekend, concerts and social events, supporting the development of the church building, the organ and bells. There is also a major annual Art Exhibition Annual Art Exhibition School Mass is celebrated twice a term. The Vicarage There is a well appointed Georgian Vicarage with with separate WC. There is a garage adjoining the lovely views of the church and the adjacent castle house and a further garage/shed within the enclosed mound. On the ground ﬂoor there is a study and a yard area. The well laid out gardens have potential large reception room, a kitchen/diner with a for both decorative and vegetable gardening. scullery, a utility room and ofﬁce space and a downstairs toilet. Upstairs there is a further large reception room and four bedrooms, a bathroom St Michael and All Angels, Occold

Electoral Roll The number on the church electoral roll is 15. The Community Population The Parish has a population (taken from the Parish Council electoral roll) in the region of 400 adults, with a complementary number of children. There is a reasonable mixture of young and old, although many young adults have to leave the Parish to find work or choose to do so for other reasons (such as the cost and availability of housing). There is a Occold Village Hall mixture of social classes. Other institutions Housing The Parish has an active Baptist Chapel, whose There is a reasonable mixture of housing available activities were recently merged with the branch of in the Parish, but limited affordable or supported the Grove Evangelical Church. In secular terms, housing. There were a few significant developments there is a good village pub which is run by a young (up to 24 houses) carried out through the 1970’s couple with strong links to the village; and a very and 1980’s, but there has been little new substantial active village/community social committee who run housing built since around 1986; new development activities at the “new” (now three years old) Village has been limited to infill sites. There are a few larger Hall. There is a Parish Council. There is a branch of houses, mostly being farmhouses or ex-farmhouses. the Women’s Institute in the village. A youth group The Parish is a fairly typical example of a North is organised by the Chapel. The Friends of the Suffolk village. School are also active in arranging fundraising events and youth activities. There is a lunch club Employment which meets at the Village Hall, a monthly craft fair, Very few in the Parish are unemployed, although a and various social classes take place in the Village significant number are retired. There is a fair Hall (ranging from belly dancing through to line number of professionals, who commute to work dancing and bowls). (mostly reasonably locally), and many of whom work in middle management. A few people are still employed on the land. Schools There is a village Primary School (www.occold.suffolk.sch.uk) and the secondary schools are in Eye and Debenham. Local people run a very active and successful pre-school group which meets in the Village Hall; there are nurseries (privately run) locally. Links with the Primary School were notably strengthened by our last Vicar, and are being maintained by our very supportive Reader currently. Occold Primary School The PCC has deferred to the incumbent priest to determine policy on such issues as communion before confirmation and marriage of divorcees, but seeks to be broad minded in approach and welcoming to all. The PCC welcome members of other faiths to any service and indeed have benefitted in the past from thought-provoking (and entertaining) presentations of other forms of worship when celebrating Inter- Faith Week. The PCC also supports the ministry of women. Services Average attendance at regular services is 10-12, all (considerably!) over the age of 16. We use the The Beaconsfield Arms current version of Hymns Old and New and are well served by two parishioners who kindly play the The PCC is very appreciative of the support organ at services. There is no choir. particularly given by the St Michael’s Flower Guild, which meets once a month – the church is During 2012 there were no baptisms, one wedding decorated for every service through the efforts of and two funerals. So far in 2013 there have been Guild members and we benefit from their support two baptisms, two weddings, and four funerals (one throughout the year. conducted as a Baptist service, when the PCC was happy to welcome the congregation into the The Church church). Associated organisations Building There are none. The earliest part of the church dates from the 13th century and the building is mainly 15th century. We have been fortunate in the recent past to secure substantial grants and have now carried out repair and renovation such that the building is wind and watertight, the vestry and tower are stable, and the real remaining work is decorative rather than structural.

Church tradition In Occold this could be described as reasonably traditional but in a contemporary way – we use Order One modern language from Common Worship. Services are generally held once a week at 9.30am on a Sunday; other than marriages and funerals (baptisms usually taking place within the framework of the regular services); the only additional service is a Festival of Five Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve, which is extremely well supported. Harvest Thanksgiving is also very well supported. Assistance We are greatly assisted by Angie Baldwin, our current Reader in the Benefice and we receive help from retired clergy to conduct Eucharistic services. Strengths On a Benefice level, the form of worship adopted by the three parishes is different, but flexibility and adaptability of those providing ministry means that this is not a stumbling block. We see this as a strength, allowing the Benefice to cater for a wide range of expressions of faith. Occold has a strong community spirit, and although not all supporters of the church may attend many services, there is a deep-rooted strength to the Parish (evidenced at least annually by the huge and enthusiastic attendance at the carol service on Christmas Eve, 160 people hanging from the rafters!). The general Parish attitudes are liberal and inclusive, with many members of the community willing to provide support for the incumbent in a variety of ways. The PCC is reasonably stable financially and has successfully raised extra funds through participation in various events over the years (Churches Bicycle Ride, plant sales, exhibitions and similar).

Areas for development An Occold Flower Festival There is presently only limited integration of the parishes into one benefice. This could be overcome with determination. However, the parishes do get along and there is no antipathy, despite differing in their approach to worship. Working with three different concepts of church tradition in one benefice could be a challenge, although may be seen as a strength as evidence of flexibility. There is a perceived need for pastoral care. A new Vicar needs to be seen to continue the work of the last incumbent, in visiting homes and the school. St Mary the Virgin, Bedingfield Electoral Roll The number on the church electoral roll is 27. The Community There are approximately 250 people resident in the Parish. The housing is a mixture of owner/ occupied, tied cottages and Council houses and a few holiday cottages. There a number of large manor houses some of which still maintain their connection with the land. The predominant industry in the Parish is in agriculture although the actual number of people working on the land is low. At a rough estimate the percentage of farm workers is 20%, those who commute to nearby towns 50% and retired folk 30%. Schools The educational pyramid for local primary age children is at Occold with children of high school age going to Eye or Debenham. There is a 6th form at Eye. Other institutions Regular events There is a Village Hall, a Bowls Club and a Parish Although the congregation is small (normally12) we Council. There are also Parish Charities. have a regular calendar of events throughout the year: The Church building In May, Rogation with the choir from Eye and we The 14th century Parish Church has, over recent beat the bounds. years, been greatly improved. The electrical system In July, the annual Flower Festival over 2 days, has been completely renewed and, thanks to a attracts many visitors locally and from further bequest and various grants, the crumbling interior afield. The large and pretty churchyard has stalls plaster and decorations have also been repaired and and refreshments. This is the main fund raising renewed. Of course there is still work to be done event of the year. but the building is fundamentally sound In October, Harvest Festival with lunch in the The regular pattern of worship is a Book of Village Hall is very well supported. Common Prayer Holy Communion on the 1st, 2nd On November 11th we hold a short service of and 3rd Sundays with a Morning Prayer on the 4th Remembrance at the War Memorial in the Sunday and the 5th Sunday when this occurs. Churchyard – weather permitting! In November a Quiz in the Village Hall usually Assistance sells out. The Reader and 1 Lay Elder assist in the Parish. At Christmas a service of Nine Lessons and There is also a retired priest who assists with the Carols with mulled wine and mince pies attracts a Eucharist when necessary. congregation of 40 people. Rogation Sunday 2013 Relations with other Churches There is a Baptist Church in the adjoining village which some people from Bedingfield attend and the congregation from the Baptist Church occasionally attends at the Parish Church for special services. Strengths There is an opportunity to attend a wide range of services within the Benefice and there are many advantages to living within a close-knit rural community. Areas for Development Concern at lack of younger people to take on responsibility as the present officers retire. Bedingfield Village Hall

Rogation Sunday 2013 Deanery overview The Hartismere Deanery is situated in rural North Suffolk. There are 19 parishes in 4 Beneﬁces; Eye; North Hartismere; South Hartismere; and Redgrave cum Botesdale and the Rickinghalls. The Beneﬁces of the Deanery form a group ministry.

There is a regular cycle of “Pulpit Swap Sundays”, include: Children’s Work and Café Church at which fosters a sense of shared ministry through Thorndon, Healing Services in North Hartismere Clergy and Readers leading worship in different Beneﬁce, Alpha Courses in Redgrave cum Botesdale churches in the spring and autumn each year. and Rickinghall and North Hartismere, Taizé There are 4 stipendiary clergy, 1 self-supporting Services in Eye. These are advertised and promoted minister, 6 Readers and 20 Lay Elders. Retired on a deanery level through the Annual Deanery clergy also work within the Deanery to assist with Directory. Sunday worship. The Deanery provides support There is a well established Deanery Lent Course groups for those involved in particular ministries to which has allowed us to come together in an provide a forum for the sharing of good practice informal setting to consider some of the most and resources. fundamental aspects of faith and Christian Life in Certain parishes have developed particular the 21st century. ministries and worship styles – examples of these

Paul Chandler, then Chief Executive of Traidcraft plc speaking in Eye Church at one of the Deanery’s Lent Course meetings in March 2013. The Mission Focus for the Deanery includes varying work in all four beneﬁces. In the Eye Beneﬁce such initiatives include…

‘Back to Church Sunday’ as one of four Family Masses at Eye. Greater engagement with the wider community in Occold and Bedingﬁeld, through hosting exhibitions in church on village life. The promotion of Fairtrade through the Eye Church Shop.

Parish Share Since 2011 the Deanery has undertaken a phased introduction of A.U.R.I. (Annual Unrestricted Regular Income) as a means of establishing a fair sharing of the expenses of ministry. A new Parish Share system (The Centenary Share) will be introduced in 2014.

Administrative support Eye Benefice Part-time Administrator (paid) North Hartismere Benefice Part-time Administrator (unpaid) South Hartismere Benefice Eye Church Shop – promoting Fairtrade. Part-time Administrator (paid) Redgrave cum Botesdale and Rickinghall Limited administrative support available (unpaid) Diocesan overview The Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich was founded in 1914 and includes the county of Suffolk, except for an area of North East Suffolk around Lowestoft, and one parish in the county of Essex.

It serves over 631,000 people living in a geographical area of over 1,400 square miles. Out of this population over 25,000 identify themselves with the Church of England by being members of the church electoral roll and over 19,000 attend church services every Sunday. Signiﬁcant plans are in hand to celebrate the Centenary of the Diocese in 2014.

A wide range of communities exist in the diocese – from small rural villages to urban centres such as Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Haverhill, Sudbury and Beccles. The region has many sites of historic interest among which are Sutton Hoo, the Saxon village at West Stow and the ruins of the old Abbey at Bury St Edmunds – where, in 1214, the barons of England met and swore to force King John to accept the Charter of Liberties, later known as the Magna Carta. The whole county, together with its Heritage coastline, is also a haven of delight for lovers of natural history. The A14 provides rapid access from Felixstowe, one of the largest container ports in Europe, across the St Edmundsbury Cathedral. county to the A1 and the Midlands. The A12 links London with the county at Lowestoft, and the rail The communities of the diocese are served by 445 connection from Ipswich to London Liverpool parishes within 130 benefices and 18 deaneries. Street takes just over one hour. There are 478 church buildings of which 457 are listed. There are around 150 stipendiary clergy and Oversight and mission 70 self-supporting ministers, some 130 Readers, a few Licensed Lay Pastors and Local Evangelists, and The diocese is overseen and led in mission by the almost 600 commissioned lay assistants (Lay Elders) Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich, supported by in the parishes. There are 90 Church the Bishop of Dunwich,the Dean of St Edmundsbury of England Controlled and Aided and the Archdeacons of Suffolk and Sudbury. The schools in the diocese. Cathedral Church of St James and St Edmund, the mother church of the diocese, has been a place of pilgrimage and tourism for centuries and remains today a focal point for the Christian faith in Suffolk. Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan overview The Anglican churches across the diocese seek to Parish Share develop close links with other Christian Parish Share enables all the people of the parishes to denominations and to build understanding with contribute towards costs, with a priority of members of other faiths. The diocese also has close maintaining mission and ministry across the whole ties with churches across the world, most especially diocese. Occasionally there are genuine financial a link with the diocese of Kagera in Western difficulties in parishes, but parishes are expected to Tanzania. pay the Parish Share in full. Lay and ordained officers and parochial clergy encourage realistic and Administration sacrificial giving by upholding, teaching and The diocese works through the synodical structures preaching this Gospel imperative. A new Parish and is served by a small team of diocesan office staff Share scheme – the Centenary Share – is to be led by the Diocesan Secretary and Chief Executive introduced for 2014. Officer, most of the team is based in modern offices in the centre of Ipswich. The diocese has a total Support annual revenue budget in excess of £8 million and Parochial clergy benefit from a highly supportive the Diocesan Board of Finance manages a total and rigorous process of Ministerial Development balance sheet of £80 million. The office staff provide Review, introduced in line with the Ecclesiastical administrative, financial, secretarial property, offices (Terms of Service) Measure to enhance the communication and general support to clergy and existing Episcopal Review process. Rural Deans and parishes, as well as supporting the Church of deanery chapters provide immediate local support England schools across the county. and high priority is given to participation in chapter meetings and deanery synod. Lay and ordained staff Mission and Pastoral Policy and officers are supported through the DBF Staff As a diocese we seek to live by the Five Marks of Development and Support Scheme which also Mission of the Anglican Communion: includes annual review. There are a number of To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom diocesan networking forums both regionally and To teach, baptise and nurture new believers within the national church structures. To respond to human need by loving service To seek to transform unjust structures of society Ministerial development To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth Both personal and professional/ministerial The Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee development is strongly encouraged and regular works to policies approved by the Diocesan Synod support is readily available for all staff in a number which seek to encourage Church growth and of ways. All licensed and commissioned ministers allocate resources across the diocese in order to receive an annual training allowance, and guidance provide leadership in mission and ministry in all its in Continuing Ministerial Education is available. communities. The policies encourage collaboration Study leave for all ministry officers and parochial and the diocese and/or region provides training and clergy is available on a 10-year rolling programme. support for local and licensed ministries, ordained and lay. Lay and ordained officers and parochial clergy work collaboratively, sharing ministry with all types of ministers both lay and ordained, to encourage and nurture vocation to various ministries both formal and informal.