Parish of Bampton with Clanfield
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Parish of Bampton with Clanfield St Stephen, St James, Aston Clanfield St Mary the Virgin, Bampton St Mary, Shifford Holy Trinity, Lew Introduction Welcome to the Parish of Bampton with Clanfield. We are a group of five churches serving our communities in the Cotswold villages of Bampton, Aston with Cote and Shifford, Clanfield and Lew in West Oxfordshire. We have been working in partnership for many years and are looking forward to welcoming and serving with our next priest-in- charge (vicar designate). This profile will tell you about our mission: how we would like to work with you the role: what we are looking for the support we can offer you the home we can provide for you who we are, both as individual churches and as a united parish We hope that you enjoy reading our parish profile and are encouraged to find out more about us. If you would like further information or to arrange a visit, then please contact our Parish Administrator, Dr Roger Preston, at [email protected] or 01993 850415. Christingles at Messy Church 2 Easter Garden Our mission To support each other in our Christian faith and daily walk with God To share the light and the love of Christ with our neighbours To serve our communities and the diverse needs of all who live here, together with other local Christian fellowships To support the work of our Church of England primary schools who seek to educate and nurture each and every child To be part of the world-wide Anglican communion Each of our churches has a congregation of socially diverse backgrounds, including both those who have lived most of their lives in the parish and newcomers to the area. In the same way, we are at different places in our journey of faith, but find great support, comfort and strength from worshipping together regularly. Many of us enjoy the beauty of the powerful words of the liturgy, but are open to exploring a range of approaches to worship. We have been encouraged to live out our faith: acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God, and are continuing to do so throughout this period of vacancy. We look forward to welcoming our next vicar who will continue to help us support each other in our Christian faith. We believe that we are called to love one another as Christ has loved us, and that we are to love our neighbour as we love ourselves. Although some of our neighbours question the relevance of the Church in the 21st century, many feel that our message is enormously important, and is needed now more than ever. It can feel as though we live in a dark world, but we try to share the Light of the world with those around us through our actions and our words. The churches serve our village communities, providing a focal point at each of the Church’s Festivals, a place of support in times of need and grief, and supporting wider village life. Our churches are open daily for visitors to pray or to simply rest awhile amidst the peaceful surroundings. We would seek to serve our communities better by reaching out to all who live here. Aston with Cote, Bampton and Clanfield Church of England Primary Schools are a key part of our parish, and enjoy a healthy relationship with their own church. The vicar’s frequent visits to school are welcomed, and the children regularly visit their own church. In each school, Foundation Governors support the work of staff as they teach and care for the children and encourage all to be happy, confident learners. Looking forward, we would like to develop and capitalise on these successful partnerships to bring more families into the church community. We are also aware of the wider world in which we live, and the challenges and opportunities experienced by Christians internationally. We would like to work with our next vicar to continue to develop our links with the wider Anglican communion and with Christians around the world. 3 The role We are looking for a vicar who will lead, support and encourage us as we work towards our mission: Nurturing our spiritual growth through a variety of church services and Bible groups and through praying together Building and facilitating a team of volunteers, lay ministers and clergy within each church and across the parish Enabling the churches – both buildings and people – to be the spiritual heart of each village Teaching the next generation about our faith, what having a faith entails and how to enter into a life of faith, and helping us to deepen our relationship with our church schools Working together with the wider church family From right, clockwise: Morris dancers in Bampton, an annual event; spring blossom in Clanfield churchyard; the Bampton shirtrace, another annual village event of much hilarity; beautiful arrangement at one of the annual Flower Festivals. 4 Person specification Qualifications/Training Essential Ordained priest within the Church of England, or a Church in communion with it Have satisfactorily completed Initial Ministerial Education Willingness to engage in further training that enhances the skills of community leadership Experience Preparing to feed the congregation Essential Engagement with and pastoral support for people of all ages Experience of doing forms of worship in creative, engaging and imaginative ways. Priestly ministry involving vision setting and team development Desirable Working in a multi-church parish Leading mature and thoughtful all age worship Able to work in sympathy with the Eucharistic tradition of the churches and use a range of mission-centred liturgical traditions Working with churchwardens to care for, maintain and develop the buildings Knowledge/Skills and Competencies Essential A bellringers’ summer outing Ability to preach intelligently in a variety of styles and formats to a broad range of listeners with varying outlooks, ages and understanding The ability to identify and respond to opportunities for mission in a rural environment An ability to work with individuals and community organisations whose involvement with the Church is limited. Leadership skills including the ability to motivate, inspire, appropriately delegate and effectively coordinate volunteers, lay minister and clergy Ability to organise resources effectively to meet a large number of demands Desirable A passion for learning and personal development and enabling the development of others Desirable General Attributes Empathy with the values of the diocese and those of the churches An appreciation of the opportunities provided by the church’s place within the existing secular structures for developing links with those not actively involved Evidence of a deep prayer life and ability to draw on a wide range of spiritual resources An ecumenical outlook and willingness to work with local Christian denominations Good singing voice, good computing skills, able to drive and good time management skills 5 The support we will offer you We will encourage you to maintain a sustainable ministry, through both formal and informal provision. You will have agreed times for holidays and retreats, and a weekly day of rest that we will respect – no “I know it’s your day off, but…!”. There will be an expectation that you will have adequate time for family life, and we will seek to arrange parish meetings and other commitments around the need for a work-life balance. Within the parish there are active Bible study groups and prayer groups to support your task of fostering our Christian lives – helping us to continue to move from milk to bread! These are self-sustaining, and will welcome you joining, but should be considered a place for you to have fellowship rather than be required to play a leadership role. The various rotas in each church are filled by capable volunteers, with the active churchwardens leading much of this organisation. The team of retired clergy, licenced priest and lay ministers will work with you to lead the Sunday services across the parish and occasional offices. We currently have a volunteer Parish Administrator who will continue with this role initially when you take up the post, and would hope to employ a person in that role later. Above all, we will be welcoming and friendly, looking to include you and any family you may have into our vibrant church family. Enjoying the sunshine for a Messy Church activity 6 The vicarage The vicarage is located in a small development within the conservation area of Bampton, a short distance from the church; the market square is about 2 minutes’ walk and Bampton Church of England Primary School only slightly farther away. Constructed using Cotswold stone in the mid- 1980s to an architect’s design in sympathy with surrounding houses, it combines modern standards within a visually traditional shell and incorporates all the facilities expected by modern living. The garden is substantial but not large, set to grass and shrubs with some apple trees, and there is ample provision for parking. After 21 years of continuous occupation by the previous incumbent, the house is in need of some refurbishment prior to full redecoration: replacement double glazing, new gas central heating boiler, new kitchen fittings and new porcelain ware. These should be completed long before the new incumbent requires access. However, the redecorating colour scheme will be to the choice of the incumbent. Floor plans and room sizes Dining Living Room S.I. units mm Imperial units Room Living 6356 3991 20’-10”13’-1” UP fireplace Dining 3650 2827 12’-0” 9’-3” wc Inner Hall Kitchen/breakfast 3727 3334 12’-3” 8’-11” Garage Kitchen/ Utility 3523 2730 11’-7” 8’-11” Utility Study Breakfast Hall Study 4274 3450 14’-0” 11’-4” Garage 5330 3125 17’-6” 10’-3” GROUND FLOOR Bedroom 1 4412 3450 14’-6” 11’-4” Bedroom 2 3725 3650 12’-3” 12’-0” Bedroom 3 3650 2827 12’-0” 9’-3” Bedroom 3 Bedroom 4 Bedroom 4 3450 2525 11’-4” 8’-3” DOWN Shower / Bathroom 3725 1816 12’-3” 5’-11” wc Landing Shower Bedroom 1 Bedroom 2 and Bath FIRST FLOOR 7 The parish of Bampton with Clanfield Situated in West Oxfordshire, the parish encompasses both the Cotwolds and the upper Thames valley.