THE BECK AND TRENT CHURCHES We are six rural parishes of varying size. Each church is distinctive but together we form a whole which provides a clear Christian witness and mission in this attractive part of Nottinghamshire. There is easy access to the local towns of Tuxford, Newark and Southwell, and beyond that to Nottingham, Lincoln, Retford, Mansfield and Ollerton. The A1 and the East Coast Mainline provide excellent contact with London and the north and Scotland (see map). It is a lovely area in which to live with good local facilities. There are also three primary schools within the parishes (two of them voluntary controlled C of E) which feed outstanding secondary schools in Tuxford (C of E Affiliated) and Southwell (C of E). Some facts Diocese Southwell and Nottingham Deanery Newark and Southwell Parish Church Population(2011) Sutton on Trent All Saints 1,331 Norwell (including Norwell Woodhouse) St Laurence 490 Caunton St Andrew 483 Cromwell St Giles 232 Carlton on Trent St Mary 229 Ossington Holy Rood 100*estimate Total population 2,865 Our name is taken from the River Trent which forms the eastern boundary of our parishes and The Beck which flows through some of the parishes. Our vision The six churches have been working together for two years under the inspiring guidance of our priest in charge who left due to family relocation. A Group Council meets several times a year to plan services and other events and to deal with Diocesan and Deanery directives. We are exploring our shared vision for rural churches. There is a desire to nurture those who are strengthened by a traditional approach to worship. There is also an openness to new and imaginative ways of worshiping and a wish to reach out to those with little church background so that they discover a spiritual dynamic in their lives. A special focus is to develop work with children and young people. We recognise the importance that each church has in its own parish and value the support given by the community. Our vision is that we will be truly united in God’s work, but that we will also celebrate the diversity of the churches and through that be an open and welcoming Christian presence in each parish. Our new priest The six parishes have much to offer. We warmly invite applications from those with experience as we feel that there are many opportunities for development. We would also welcome applications from those looking for their first incumbency as we have the experience and expertise to support them. An ideal applicant would have a living faith and spiritual wisdom the ability to communicate their own faith and share it with inspiration and enthusiasm both in formal worship of a range of traditions, and in other more informal situations an understanding of rural parishes willingness to be a pastoral presence in the community at the same time as being aware of what is possible in the context of six different parishes collaborative leadership; and be a good organiser with the ability to recognise the strengths of others and to delegate effectively enthusiasm to work with young people and with the schools in the parishes and encourage links between them and the churches a desire to work ecumenically imagination and a desire to experiment in outreach willingness to support and promote a variety of musical activity a good sense of humour and lots of energy. The Vicarage The Vicarage is a spacious detached house situated on Main St Norwell , in a pleasant village location with good sized plot and open fields to the rear. Accommodation is briefly sitting room, dining room, kitchen, utility, hallway with separate lobby to cloakroom with wc, and large office. On the first floor are 4 large bedrooms, bathroom with white suite including bath and separate shower. Mains water, electricity and drainage are connected. Oil fired central heating, with option of LPG gas for cooking. Single attached garage and secure gated parking, plus large drive and turning area, with parking for several cars. Extensive front and rear gardens, the rear being fully fenced, with enclosed patio/ courtyard area. The office forms an excellent working and meeting space, self-contained from the main accommodation. Organisation of worship All churches offer a mixture of styles and types of worship which makes possible traditional worship and more modern approaches for engaging younger families and others less traditional. Experimental styles of worship are explored. Services are arranged so that it is possible for the priest in charge to take all Eucharistic services. Other services are taken by lay readers or other lay leaders. There is one lay reader licensed to the six churches and another available to take services; there are in addition trained lay worship leaders. All congregations come together for a ‘Group service’ which takes place on fifth Sundays; a combined group of singers helps lead these services. They also come together for worship on other special occasions. Churches have their own festival services and themed services as appropriate. Other activities Between them the churches organise a full range of activities which means that each church is a very real and visible Christian presence in its own community. Beck & Trent Parishes All Saints, Sutton on Trent Overview of Church All Saints dates from around 1200 and there has been a Church here since Saxon times. It is in fine original condition having escaped Victorian renovation. Recent improvements have included relocation of the organ, creation of self -contained meeting room, roof alarm, installation of solar PV panels. Quinquennial report done 2014: good condition overall with some routine work required, currently in hand. Groups – Christian Women’s Fellowship, Rummikub, Bell Ringers. Overview of Worship Current Sunday worship pattern includes one 9.00am Holy Communion (CW); a 10am Morning Payer (CW); and a new ‘Village Service’, at which guest speakers talk about varied topics, previous topics have included Tuxfood Food Bank, Notts Police Aid Convoys, and the Christian Motorcycle Group. Every Thursday at 9.15am there is a said CW Holy Communion with a regular congregation of over a dozen. Currently 27 on the Electoral Roll Occasional Offices 2013 2014 Baptisms 8 6 Weddings 1 3 Funerals (Church and or 7 8 (to end of Oct) Crem) Parish Finance All Saints has financial reserves, due to sale of the Church Hall site some years ago. This has been wisely managed and has enabled sensible renovation and improvement. However due to the large parish share, reserves are now being diminished every year. A Funding Campaign in 2014 did result in increased giving but not to full target, despite wide initial support. 100% Parish Share continues to be paid. Context of Village and Community Sutton on Trent is the largest village in the Group with a population of about 1,500. Mixed socio- economic groups, with a large council estate built on the edge of the village, many still social housing. Good facilities include one pub, large Co-op store, primary school (over 100 children), two hair dressers, two butchers shops, library (limited hours), garage, doctors surgery, several large manufacturers & employers, and .a community/ sports centre situated at the edge of the village Several working farms are situated in and around the village. Regular bus route between Retford and Newark, and Marshall’s coaches is based and operated from Sutton There are strong links between the Methodist Chapel and the Anglican church, in particular to special services: Remembrance Sunday, Village Festivals and Harvest Festival. Strengths Weaknesses High profile in the village. Church in good condition, Regular congregation small in number (averaging with open useable grounds. less than 20 people) Strong link with Methodist Chapel Congregation mainly retired people. Good links with village primary school Large Parish Share to pay, erosion of reserves Potential for increased work with young families and Lack of large function space (no church/village some valuable groundwork already done (Tea time hall) Praise) Strong support for social events and fund raising initiatives, including ‘Acoustic Nights’ well supported by different groups of villagers. Beck and Trent Churches Parish of St Laurence Norwell Overview of the church A church in Norwell was recorded in Domesday Book. The building is Grade 1 listed and has a wealth of architectural features from the 12th to the 16th century. Its Victorian restoration was sympathetic and most of the earlier features were retained. In the last 20 years parts of the church have been adapted for catering and socialising; for a children’s play area; for meetings and quiet meditation; and for displays. There is full disabled access to the church, and toilet facilities for the disabled have been put into the base of the tower. The condition of the church is generally sound; lead was stolen in 2011 and three lead roofs have now been replaced with terne- coated stainless steel; the current challenge is death watch beetle in some of the floors. There are six bells and these are rung by a joint team from Norwell and Caunton. The churchyard is extensive and peaceful with many mature trees and views over open country. It is well cared for and some areas are managed for wildlife. There is also a grass labyrinth. The churchyard is still used for burials and has a designated area for cremated remains. The church building is open throughout the day and is used for a wide range of social activities including talks and lectures, themed concerts, teas and lunches, displays (frequently in conjunction with Norwell Parish Heritage Group) and a Christmas Festival. People are encouraged to drop in, and the play area is sometimes used by mothers and children during the day.