HARDWICKE, ELMORE & LONGNEY

I will point out the road you should follow, I will be your teacher and watch over you. Psalms 32.8. CONTENTS

„ Welcome „ St Nicholas, Hardwicke „ We would love you to … „ St John the Baptist, „ Our Benefice Elmore „ Our Life Together & „ St Laurence, Longney Opportunities „ Challenges „ Our Church Schools „ Benefice Service Pattern „ Our Music „ Profile Data „ The Vicarage „ In Conclusion „ Thank you WELCOME

„ Thank you for taking the time to look through our Benefice Profile and hopefully we will have the opportunity to discuss our future with you.

„ We support a spirit of hospitality and fellowship as we seek to celebrate God’s love in both traditional and more modern ways. We are an inclusive Benefice welcoming all people on their personal journeys of faith style.

„ As a Benefice and within each Church we aim to work as a collaborative team encouraging everyone to find and use their talents to serve as the holy spirit moves among us.

„ We are supported by our assistant retired priest and Readers and and a team of church wardens, PCC members and willing helpers from the congregation all of whom offer a warm welcome.

„ We are a Benefice that has nurtured individuals to follow their calling to serve Christ. WE WOULD LOVE YOU TO …

„ Be passionate with fresh ideas to challenge us. „ Enable us to continue on a path of discovery into a life focused on Jesus. „ Be happy to support a variety of worship styles. „ Nurture and strengthen relationships with our schools. „ Lead, enable and encourage outreach to our growing communities. „ To help and show us ways to extend our mission into new housing developments. „ Have a Sense of humour – probably advisable. OUR BENEFICE

„ The Benefice of Hardwicke, Elmore and Longney lies in the picturesque Severn Vale, with easy access to the Cotswolds, Bristol and Forest of Dean. and Cheltenham offer shopping, theatre, restaurants and nationally recognised literature, music and science festivals. Gloucester Cathedral is only 15 minutes drive away. „ The Benefice enjoys the variety of three distinct . Hardwicke, a semi–urban , is seeing significant expansion with some 4,000 homes planned for the next 10 years and a new population of 10,000. Elmore and Longney are rural, more traditional communities and both churches are set in open countryside overlooking the . „ The different parishes’ distinct characteristics allow more contemporary worship to coexist with traditional forms. All three parishes have a ring of bells. „ The Benefice has had links with the Swedish Benefice (5 parishes) of Kungsåra in the Diocese of Västerås. It would be good to hold exchange trips after the appointment of the Vicar. „ The PCCs enjoy good relations with the ministry team and their congregations. The churches have a track record of fund raising with support from their communities. „ Elmore and Longney parish finances are currently sound, Hardwicke as with many Churches can be a challenge. All the churches are well maintained.

OUR LIFE TOGETHER & OPPORTUNITIES

We aim to provide something for everyone in The Vision for the Diocese of our Benefice:- Gloucester 2017-2022. „ Opportunities to meet people from both Leadership: committed to transformation inside and outside of our the benefice. „ Confirmation Classes & Communion before Confirmation Imagination: Opening new paths „ Established Primary School. to faith „ Open the Book Team „ Worship Team Faith: Living as adventurous „ Fusion Group – For Spiritual Development followers of Jesus Christ Young People. „ Prayer Line – Prayer support network. Engagement: Living out Christ’s love „ An amazing team of organisers of Open and hope Church, Fetes, barn dances, quiz nights, flower festivals and other events. OUR CHURCH SCHOOLS

Hardwicke and Longney both have church schools. Hardwicke is a larger urban school (420 pupils) and Longney a smaller rural school (102 pupils).

From the Children – they would like a vicar who has :- ² A good sense of humour ² Likes children - ability to present interactive acts of worship where children can participate ² Enthusiastic ² A good story teller ² A regular visitor to the school ² A participant of Open the Book Read our School reports :- ² Approachable Hardwicke School Longney School OUR MUSIC

Music features very strongly in the Benefice. Elmore and Longney have a committed and well respected choir, who sing each week at the the Sunday morning service. The Choir also sing for a service on Good Friday, for Nine lessons and Carols and Midnight Mass and at other major festivals. They attend the RSCM Diocesan Festival at Gloucester Cathedral and perform concerts at local venues.

Hardwicke celebrate using traditional hymns on the organ and modern worship songs by The Hardwicke Music Group who have performed at church events. The music Group are supported by a growing band of enthusiastic singers – ever increasing. THE VICARAGE

The vicarage is a modern comfortable house. The vicarage and churches are all within 10 – 15 minutes of one another (this can vary with obstacles such as cows, canal bridges and the odd combine harvester).

Key Features : - ² Detached House ² 4 Bedrooms ² 2 Reception Rooms (plus Study) ² 1Ensuite ² 1Bathroom ² Downstairs Cloak Room ² Garden Location: - ² Off-road Parking for 2+ Cars ² Within walking distance of primary and secondary schools. ² Easy reach of bus route. ² The M5 is within easy access (Junction 12) ² Within exceptional Grammar School Area ² Corner shop within walking distance and supermarkets only a short drive way. ² London Paddington 2hrs by train. ² Bristol only a short commute away. ST NICHOLAS HARDWICKE HARDWICKE PARISH

St Nicholas church dates back to 1092 and is situated in a rural setting yet serving an ever-expanding urban community. „ We need a leader to bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to work collaboratively with us in building our church community. „ There is potential for growth in numbers and in spirituality with new estates being built. „ We tithe ten percent of our open plate income to Mission Aviation Fellowship and also support the Food Bank and Mission in Mozambique as part of our charitable giving. OUR LIFE AND HOPES TOGETHER

„ Sunday School meets twice a month during the morning service, using the Montessori style teaching ‘Godly Play’. „ All Churches have a ring of bells, however Hardwicke has a chime bell ringer. „ Prayer Shawl Ministry „ ‘Tea Cake and Something Else’ Ministry to people in sheltered housing and care homes. „ New School in Hunts Grove opening in September 2019. „ Whilst valuing the historic features connected to the Tr ye family, such as the table top tombs and Laudian Rails (dating back to 1640). We are investigating the re- ordering or our Church to maximise the use of our building. „ We have a closed Church yard, that is maintained by the Parish Council. „ We have a children’s charter. ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, ELMORE ELMORE PARISH

Elmore is the most northerly of the three The churchyard is maintained by volunteers parishes in the Benefice, lying between the who regularly mow, maintain trees and Gloucester – Sharpness canal and the River completed a major job to create long term Severn. It is an historic, rural village with houses burial space. Some of the finest table top tombs and farms throughout its length. in the country are found here, recognised The population of 219 includes families many of nationally and Grade 1listed . whom have been in Elmore for generations. The distinct character of Elmore is its unique community spirit, coming together for fund raising, gatherings and celebrations throughout the year. St John the Baptist church was consecrated in 1315. The building is in respectable condition; the tower, north wall and pew foundations have been repaired in the last 15 years, the roof is in reasonable order and oil fired heating was installed in 2003. In 2017 a toilet with disabled access and kitchenette was built. A security system was fitted in 2018. The maintenance plan includes roofing, decoration, lighting and gravestone repairs. OUR LIFE AND HOPES TOGETHER

Longney and Elmore share an excellent choir, two organists and bell ringers. The PCC is highly supportive with backing from Finance and Fabric Committees. Elmore Court is an historic landmark and now runs as a nationally known wedding and events venue. It is as a result of close co-operation between our previous incumbent and the Elmore Court Weddings Team, that many of the weddings are held at our church. It is an important part of our ministry and one which brings additional modest income but with attendant significant obligations for management, cleaning and repairs. It is gratifying to note how many of these families are now returning to St John the Baptist for baptisms, worship and visits from across the UK. The Village Hall, originally the school, is active and much used. The Women’s Institute, Village Players, Toddler Group, Bridge Group, Pilates and Yoga classes and Brownies all meet here. The Hall is used by the PCC for church fund-raising including the Harvest Supper, Christmas Lunch and PCC meetings during the winter months. ST LAURENCE, LONGNEY LONGNEY PARISH

Longney lies in the Severn Vale, about eight miles south of Gloucester. The church stands at the top of the village, opposite the thriving village school. The population of 200 is scattered around the road joining Elmore with Longney and , which has The Anchor public house on the banks of the River Severn.

St Laurence’s Church has a wonderful atmosphere with strong natural light from the major elevations. We have a reputation for enthusiastic worship and for welcoming visitors. Our strong musical tradition is led by the outstanding choir and organist and also by the bell ringers, (all shared with Elmore). Eucharist services take place twice monthly, and we alternate with Elmore for the major festivals.

The church building and churchyard are well maintained by volunteers from the church. OUR LIFE AND HOPES TOGETHER

The church primary school (NOR 104) was rated The PCC is also keen to broaden the use of the as ‘good’ by OFSTED in 2018. There are two Church beyond that of the school. As an example, church representatives on the governing body there are currently no toddler groups in the and the incumbent traditionally takes a weekly village or opportunities for the elderly and those assembly in the school. The Harvest Festival on their own in Longney to get together. It is felt celebrations and Nativity Play fill the church that the Church could be a catalyst to help every year. facilitate this. An opportunity for the new incumbent will be to The PCC is currently exploring with other enhance and build on the relationship with Parishes to understand the availability of Longney Primary School. The involvement of the alternative grants and funding that may be School within the community and the Church available to help the Church develop its offering. itself is very important for the future of the These initiatives are something that we would Parish. The PCC has made some progress in expect a new incumbent to consider as an planning to redevelop parts of the Church to opportunity to take forward. make it more user friendly for the school. Longney church has plans to alter its layout and add a kitchen and toilet to support the school and provide for local community use. BENEFICE SERVICE PATTERN

1st Sunday 2nd Sunday 3rd Sunday 4th Sunday 5th Sunday Weekday

Longney 9.30am Parish 9.30am ‘Story 10.45am Wednesday Eucharist Teller/ Family Hardwicke 9,30am Eucharist School – Hardwicke Benefice Café Church – style Church Benefice Communion Hardwicke 11.00am Parish 11.00am ‘Story 11.00am Parish 11.00am ‘Simply Eucharist Teller/ Family Eucharist Worship (Sunday School) Eucharist (Sunday School) Eucharist

Elmore 9.30am Parish 4.00pm Sung 9.30am Parish 4.00pm Said Eucharist Evensong Eucharist Evensong (With Hymns)

PROFILE DATA Parish Parish Special Special Sunday Sunday Average Services Services Population Population Occasional Occasional Attendance Attendance Electoral Roll Electoral % of Electoral Electoral %of Role living o/s o/s living Role

Hardwicke 3,901 68 42 24% Carols By Candlelight Crib Service Midnight Mass Christmas Day Baptisms Christingle Weddings Ash Wednesday 219 30 28 40% Renewal of Vows Elmore Holy Week Funerals Agape World Peace Day Easter Service All Souls Requiem Harvest

Children in Need Longney 285 35 22 75% Remembrance Pentecost Thinking Day (Guides)

IN CONCLUSION

Ø We hope you will have some great ideas on how we can work together even more collaboratively so we can all grow and move forward as a Benefice. Ø We are a benefice that is on the move, and we want you to be part of our journey. Ø We have a Benefice website www.hardwickechurch.info and Hardwicke has both FaceBook and Twitter.

Now that you have made it this far we very much hope that you feel equipped for such challenges and are still keen to meet us and find out more!