The Benefice of Bisley, Chalford, France Lynch, Oakridge and with Eastcombe

House for Duty (Sundays plus two days) An exciting opportunity to join our Christian community as we seek to implement the Diocesan vision

Leadership Imagination Faith Engagement

• Community-minded, friendly people in six lively and different churches • A benefice-wide role working and living alongside a supportive ministry team with equally committed lay involvement • The opportunity to live in a glorious part of the

Leadership • We are becoming a more cohesive Benefice and would welcome a House for Duty priest comfortable with a range of churchmanship and with a collaborative approach to ministry working closely with Rev Sue Murray, our recently-appointed in-post Incumbent, throughout the benefice • A role developing the opportunities for lay leadership in all areas of church life including admin, worship, mission and specific projects may interest you and we seek to use your gifting to identify our own. Imagination • Our churches offer a variety of worship from liberal-catholic to moderately evangelical • We are reasonably diverse as we hold Forest Church, Taizé services, Beer & Carols, Hymns & Pimms, prayerful silence in the Meditation Group and in Compline, and a regular celebratory Benefice service alongside Bible study groups, occasional quiet days and Messy Church • There are established and valued links with four church schools through Open the Book, collective worship, staff support and curriculum advice • A role suggesting additional ways we could develop a range of accessible services and share the message of Jesus Christ to transform lives may be what enthuses you. Faith • You may feel helping us to strengthen our faith through Bible study and deepening our relationship with our God through prayer is what you are called to do. Engagement • Village funerals are always well attended and there is an important ministry to the bereaved and elderly • You may have the skills to help us engage with social media to make us more real to younger generations. What you might like to know

ü We promise to support you in prayer and we seek to share spirituality

ü We have an active overseas link with Norrbo, a benefice in Sweden

ü Each parish currently covers its running costs and the benefice met its Parish Share contribution although one parish is finding its commitment to the 2018 Parish Share challenging

ü This is a beautiful place to live and work, with attractive villages, stunning views, a large housing estate, few street lights and some good pubs (although some think it is the back of beyond and the ability to drive is a must)

ü There is a modern, four bedroom vicarage in Bussage village

ü Local shops and services vary between the various villages: nearby has a selection of supermarkets and shops as well as rail and coach links

ü There are good primary and secondary, including grammar, schools locally and tertiary education facilities in , Cheltenham, Bristol and Bath.

ü The area is good for walking, riding and cycling (if you do not mind hills)

Please see www.bisleybenefice.org.uk for details of services and look at the Bisley Benefice Facebook page. About All Saints, Bisley Population c750 Electoral Roll 48 Average weekly attendance 27

Bisley entered recorded history in 896AD and has been connected with various well-known names down the centuries. Reconfigured by Canon Thomas Keble in 1862 (against vehement opposition from villagers) the interior is a good example of Victorian church architecture, seats around 400 and is difficult to heat effectively. A number of 20th century changes have been made, including a glazed ringing chamber, a meeting room and an impressive oak-gabled church lavatory.

The Church The Community Church and village enjoy many links and Bisley Blue Coat pupils are There is a thriving pre-school and primary school and many local regular visitors for Open the Book, school services and events. businesses including farms, pubs, petrol station, mechanics, Advent begins with the knitted Holy Family staying in a different builders, tradesmen, an excellent village store and tea room, farm home each night. The Crib Service and Christmas services are well shop, antique shop, photographers, therapists, writers, cooks, attended as is the pub-based ‘Beer and Carols. Ecumenical links carers, landscape gardeners and many other locally-based workers with the Roman Catholic community are strengthened by joining as well as commuters. The Bisley News, published six times a year, them to observe the Stations of the Cross and Resurrection, services is available online. (www.bisleynews.co.uk) of reflection with Taizé and processions on Palm Sunday and Good Friday. On Ascension Day the pupils of Bisley Blue Coat School Bisley is a friendly place with well-supported social groups and process through the streets to dress the Wells and receive a activities including the allotments, community orchard and blessing and on Remembrance Sunday many gather to honour the composting scheme; WI, pantomime society, Friendship Club, Open fallen. The church year ends with ‘In Loving Memory’, a service to House, walking and book groups and a toddlers’ get-together. remember those who have died. The congregation comprises Fundraising events, whether for village events or outside charities, mainly retired people, many of whom have worshipped here for are well-supported and annual events such as Open Gardens and decades. The lay ministry team leads a monthly informal service, the Church Fete and Flower Show, attract many visitors. The there is a pastoral visiting group, a monthly Bible Study, a monthly Feoffees, a mediaeval church charity and the Charity of the Ancient lunch and a prizewinning team of accomplished bell ringers. Parish of Bisley give generously towards church projects. Fundraising for the major works identified in the Quinquennial Survey is on-going.

We would like to be more effective in our outreach to those of all ages in our community and explore ways of developing the wider use of the church building in Bisley life.

About St Michael and All Angels, Bussage Population c 3,200 Electoral Roll 35 Average weekly attendance 18

This beautiful church, set on a hillside and associated with the Oxford 20, has a high ‘Anglo-catholic’ church tradition. This included being under Resolution C until 2013 when St Michael’s became a full member of the diocese and came into the Bisley Benefice in 2014 with a House for Duty post an integral part of that. The first post holder was instrumental in drawing the parish of Bussage with Eastcombe into the Benefice but the new minister will work more widely across the Benefice.

The Church

Some regular worshippers enjoy, and continue to prefer, traditional The challenge is that this has not yet translated into increased worship with some parts of the service sung. There is also an attendance at church services. There are many Christians in the appetite for outreach and to develop more inclusive and accessible community but not all have been drawn to worship in our church. forms of worship. The school has been used as the venue for There is still plenty of potential for our happy and dedicated church services one Sunday a month for many years. We believe this family to grow. remains a key opportunity for outreach.

With the school team and foundation governors there has been focus to strengthen the Christian ethos of the school with Open the The Community Book, Singing, Experience visits and Values based assembles, as well Bussage is a large community. The old village grew by a thousand as Messy church. We were pleased with the most recent SIAMs homes between the 1980s and early 2000s. There is a primary report with stated ‘The outstanding relationships promoted by the school, surgery, take-away, chemist, convenience store and other school’s Christian values, and particularly friendship, have a strong local shops and businesses. A weekly-run community café is impact of children’s personal development and well-being. pastorally supported.

With leadership and imagination can we make going to church cool for our young families while meeting the needs of our older generations? About Christ Church, Chalford Population c2,300 Electoral Roll 16 Average weekly attendance 15

This fine 18th century Arts and Crafts Movement church nestles into the hillside of the picturesque Golden Valley and visitors often comment on the ‘lovely smell of polish’ and the beautiful flower arrangements. Inside are many works by distinguished craftsmen, including , and some of the stained glass is by Edward Payne. The font features carved fish and reflects the church’s proximity to the River Frome.

The Church

The church is cherished by its small but welcoming, supportive and Carol Service alternating between Christ Church and France Lynch. committed congregation; what we lack in numbers we make up for We hold Taizé services and the church has hosted ‘Experience’ Days in enthusiasm. Services are neither high nor low church but for the local schools as well as regular Open the Book. The former vestments are worn. Church acoustics are outstanding and we have church rooms have been leased to the community under the excellent organist support and a well-maintained pipe organ. There Albermarle Scheme and are used by local groups and for private is a ring of six steel bells that are currently not rung regularly. There parties. The churchyard is closed and maintained by the local is a well-equipped children’s corner and a small kitchen serving council although there is provision for the burial of ashes. refreshments after the service once a month.

To attract people into the church we embarked on a programme of The Community mission and outreach that included concerts and some quieter, The parish stretches several miles along the main Stroud to more reflective services. The joint Parish War Memorial stands just road and up the hill behind. The housing consists inside the churchyard and on Remembrance Sunday the mainly of privately-owned cottages and houses. The community congregation swells to about 300 with local groups in attendance. supports a volunteer-run village shop and a pub and there are a The Crib and other Christmas Services are popular with the annual number of flourishing small business including a sculpture foundry, a farm shop and a successful tearoom. This is a popular recreation ground at the far end of the village.

As a congregation we are a happy, relaxed group of people willing to pray, work and laugh. We ask for support, enthusiasm and inspiration as we grow on our journey About St Augustine’s of Canterbury, Eastcombe Population c800 Electoral Roll 34 Average weekly attendance 22

Built in 1868 as a Chapel of Ease, it was used as a school for a while before returning to its original use as a place of worship. In the early 1980s the chapel, which seats about 75 people, was modernized and refurbished and stained glass installed. We have a joint PCC with St Michael’s and have a similar history with the diocese and benefice. Once a month we worship together at Bussage School.

The Church The Community The services are traditional in structure, relaxed and friendly in The village of Eastcombe is a lovely community with a pub, village style. Despite our strong desire to welcome families and children, shop and post office, businesses, secondary and primary schools. the congregation are aged 40+ with the majority being 60+ although Several clubs and societies are based in the village hall, which is there are younger visitors occasionally. We linger to have coffee next door to the church. ‘Screen on the Green’ shows monthly and catch up after Sunday services. A key event in our calendar is films. our Carol Concert which is always over-subscribed. In 2017 we joined with St Michael’s to run a successful Alpha course, including an away day at nearby Harnhill Centre for Christian Healing. As well as giving a great opportunity to deepen relationships and grow in faith, two regular house groups arose out of this and continue to thrive.

We would like our church to be more of a village hub. We are working to build relationships with all ages and share God’s love.

About St John the Baptist, France Lynch Population c 1,500 Electoral Roll 78 Average weekly attendance 42

In 1827 Thomas Keble, the younger brother of the more famous John, became vicar of Bisley and arranged for the building of a church at France Lynch. Keble chose G.F. Bodley as the architect and the church, dedicated to St John the Baptist, was consecrated in 1857. Visiting students of church architecture appreciate many original features.

The Church The Community The church is open every day and is in good order, clean and tidy The villages of France Lynch and Chalford Hill grew up in the 17th and the churchyard is well cared for. Regular annual services, at All and 18th centuries as cottage weavers settled on the hills above the Souls, Christmas and Easter, are well attending with over 100 mills that lined the River Frome valley. Many weavers’ cottages attending the Christmas Eve Crib Service. A small faithful group survive to this day, adding to the mix of modern private houses, ex- maintains daily prayer in the church throughout Advent and Lent. A local authority houses, retirement bungalows and a small 1970’s monthly church breakfast is held after the 8am BCP Holy estate. There are varied facilities for all: there is a playground, Communion. nursery school, a state primary school and Thomas Keble secondary school. The France Lynch Church Rooms are a venue for many Our visiting team visits the sick, housebound and the bereaved, community events with the managing committee promoting a taking home communion, when requested. We take giving to monthly film show, lunch club and quarterly live stage shows. charity seriously and give on-going support to the Stroud Food Regular users include the Cubs, Scouts, Mothers Union, WI, Friday Bank, the Beresford Group and the Nelson House Trust in addition Evening Group and several keep fit groups. Our church is much- to national and international charities. The Social and Fund Raising loved by residents and the social events held are appreciated by Committee organises monthly coffee mornings and four fund- many. ‘The Herald’ parish magazine, edited by church members, is raising events a year with the funds shared between the church and the main source of information about the many different local clubs charity. and interest groups and also publicises church events thus providing a link between the church and the community.

Our congregation has shown itself to be open to new ideas, willing to try new things and excited by growing parish and benefice opportunities. We seek to continue to be inspired and to move forward.

About St Bartholomew, Oakridge Population c 650 Electoral Roll 55 Average weekly attendance 23

The church, which sits below the village green and opposite the primary school, was built in 1837 as a Chapel of Ease at the instigation of Thomas Keble, then vicar of Bisley. The interior is a very simple, light and airy design with lime-washed walls and barber poling decoration. Although ashes may be interred, the churchyard is closed to further burials and is maintained by the Parish Council.

The Church The Community We are known as a welcoming, friendly congregation and, led by a Oakridge is known for its strong community spirit even though the small choir, we sing joyfully and enthusiastically. We call ourselves parish is scattered. Oakridge Lynch, the main village, is surrounded the Church in Oakridge as members of the Methodist Church joined by the hamlets of Far Oakridge, Waterlane, Bournes Green and us when their chapel closed in 2008. Lay people prepare for the Tunley. Oakridge Lynch has a shop/post office, a village hall, a services, act as stewards, read the lessons, lead the intercessions recreation ground and a voluntary-aided primary school. It boasts a and assist with the chalice at communion. There is time for coffee wide range of groups and societies and members of our after the Sunday Services and ‘Breakfast at Barts’ is served after the congregation play key parts in these. Village groups include the WI, monthly Family Service. The Bible study group meets fortnightly. A an inter-village lunch club, a walking club, wine club, history society, Harvest Supper is held in the village hall and a Carol Service is held garden club, cricket club, amateur dramatic society and the annual on Christmas Eve, both of which are popular. We hold a biennial Show committee. exhibition of nativity cribs and this is a valuable opportunity to connect with our local community.

We are keen to help Oakridge Parochial School continue to develop its Christian distinctiveness. The pupils come into the church for Open the Book every fortnight, for Achievement Worship twice a term and take part in services on Mothering Sunday, Harvest Festival and Christingle. We would like this to lead to more families becoming involved in the regular Family Service.