Brookdean-Benefice-Profile-2018-5March.Pdf
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The BrookDean Benefice January 2018 Benefice Profile Benefice Profile, Page 1 The BrookDean Benefice January 2018 Welcome to the BrookDean Benefice (Parishes of Drybrook, Lydbrook & Ruardean) The three Parishes of Drybrook, Lydbrook and Ruardean became one united Benefice in 2006. Each of the Parishes have their own respective Parochial Church Councils. The Benefice’s legal name is actually ‘The United Benefice of Drybrook, Lydbrook and Ruardean’. Recently all three PCCs, in an effort to redesign and make a more united Benefice chose an informal name of ‘The BrookDean Benefice’. This has yet to be made legal, but as you will see it has been referenced in this document. The BrookDean Benefice is located in the Forest of Dean, a geographical, historical and cultural region in the west of the County of Gloucestershire. It forms a roughly triangular area bounded by the River Wye to the west and northwest, Herefordshire to the north, the River Severn to the south, and the City of Gloucester to the east. Benefice Profile, Page 2 The BrookDean Benefice January 2018 Life and Worship ‘All the nations you have made will come and worship before you’ Psalm 86:9 The services provided in the three Churches across the Benefice follow an orthodox style & teaching within the Anglican tradition, although there is flexibility in the variety of services. Currently, across the Benefice, services held include: Holy Communion (including Said BCP) Sung Eucharist Family Communion Worship for All Evensong (BCP) Celtic Evening Prayer Healing For more information as to the current pattern across the Benefice, please see Appendices. The three Churches in the Benefice engage with the local communities through the following activities: Mothers’ Union Branch – opened in 2014 & has representation from each Church. During term time members help monthly at Noah's Ark Mother and Toddler Group, support Gloucester Royal Hospital neo-natal unit & Eastwood Park Women's Prison. In addition, members fundraise for AFIA (Away From It All Holidays) for needy families and for Mothers' Union work overseas. Benefice Profile, Page 3 The BrookDean Benefice January 2018 SALT - Sharing and Learning Together – a group that meets with the purpose of helping members of all three congregations in “Growing deeper in our relationship with Jesus and each other”. A key element of this group is the sharing of food and exploring the scriptures. The Shop on the Cross – a Registered Charity Shop selling both high quality new and used good. It is a source of Christian outreach for the community, with Christian books and literature given away. Children & Young People’s Outreach – includes a mother & toddler group, after-school & holiday groups, ‘Open the Book’ (in local Primary schools) & Sunday School. Hospitality – including Soup & Pudding, Café market, Light Lunches, Parish breakfasts and Sunday roasts across the three churches. Further detail of the life and current activities of the three churches is set out in the sections below. Communications with the congregations across the Benefice and with the wider community is provided through a comprehensive weekly Pew Sheet in addition to postings on the Benefice Web Site and Facebook page. Holy Trinity, Drybrook A few statistics for our Parish: Electoral Roll – this is in the process of revision, with an estimate of about 75. Around 50% of this number live outside the parish Usual Sunday attendance – average around 55 adults and 8 children Parish population - c 4000 Overseas link – the church sponsors a child in Burkina Faso with Plan UK The church has a mix of both traditional and modern services. The focus is on catering for all parishioners, with particular attention paid to encouraging a family atmosphere – all are welcome - we are regularly joined by worshippers from Orchard Trust, and large print copies of hymns and services are available weekly for the partially sighted. Services reflect this healthy mix and are complemented by our outreach and the additional clubs we run. SPECIAL SERVICES Drybrook has a busy set of these throughout the year as outlined below - for these and other important events, the church is decorated by an enthusiastic group with flower arrangements, thought-provoking prayer stations etc.: Christingle Service – Christmas Eve 4 p.m. The service is led by our children’s, youth and families outreach officer, Jonathan Kear, and is usually attended by about 200 local people of all ages. Carols are led by a regular music group of keyboard, guitars and drums. Midnight Holy Eucharist – Christmas Eve 11.30 p.m. A well-attended service of around 60-80 parishioners At the Mothering Sunday service posies are presented to all the ladies present, and on Palm Sunday we have been joined by a donkey who parades around the churchyard. On Good Friday a Walk of Witness takes place between the three churches carrying a cross. Easter Day starts with a dawn service on Pan Tod Beacon (the highest point in the Forest) Benefice Profile, Page 4 The BrookDean Benefice January 2018 The main Eucharist service is attended by over 100 parishioners. Trinity Sunday 2017 saw the church celebrate its 200th anniversary with a barbecue after the special service, and an exhibition and activities in the schoolroom. Further events are planned for later in the year. At the All Souls’ Service all who have had a family funeral during the past year are invited to attend, and the names of the deceased are read out. Refreshments are provided after the service for the bereaved. Church in the Forest Three or four times a year a Celtic evening Eucharist is held outdoors at Woorgreen Lake on a midweek summer evening. A lovely tranquil hour spent in peaceful prayer in a beautiful setting – sometimes accompanied by the ducks! CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH WORK All the activities listed below are led by our Children’s, Youth and Families Outreach officer, Jonathan Kear. Noah’s Ark Baby and Toddler group was set up 7 years ago and provides a warm and welcoming environment on a Wednesday morning for parents, grandparents and carers of local pre-school children with the provision of numerous toys and activities for the children in a safe setting, whilst at the same time developing further links between the community and the church. Noah’s Ark Toddler Group Facebook page has proved a great forum, and now boasts over 60 members. Benefice Profile, Page 5 The BrookDean Benefice January 2018 Friday Kings Kidz The after-school group takes place on a Friday for up to Year 4 at Drybrook School. There is a regular attendance of over 20 children a week. They learn about the Bible through stories, craft, worksheets and songs. Some children have attended for the last 4 years. Kingdom Kidz Some 15 – 20 9 -11-year-olds attend most Fridays in the Schoolroom from 5 – 6.30 p.m. Teaching is through a DVD series called ‘What’s in the Bible’. With outdoor activities in the summer months, the children have energetic fun, whilst gaining a basic knowledge of the Bible. Kaos carries on from Kingdom Kidz on a Friday evening in the schoolroom, and is for secondary school young people, providing a seamless progression as they mature. They are further challenged on their Christian faith and values. The timeslot following a DVD promotes a question and answer session. Holiday Club The 4-day holiday club runs each year for around 50 7-11 year olds. Last year’s was entitled ‘Guardians of Anchora’ where the children learnt that God’s love is far wider, longer, higher and deeper than they could ever imagine, and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The whole event was masterminded by 2 of our own young people, who did a superb job, supported by a regular band of volunteers. Each of the six teams was led by an adult through the various activities of craft, music, prayer, ending with a superb lunch. Third Sunday Service Third Sunday Worship is an informal service designed to encourage individuals and families less familiar with the structured Sunday services. The service is led by the Children's Youth and Families Outreach officer, Jonathan, supported by the music group. Benefice Profile, Page 6 The BrookDean Benefice January 2018 Sunday: Kings Kidz - Led by two couples with children who regularly attend, this Sunday School group is held on 2nd and 4th Sundays and is aimed at 3 – 11-year olds. During each session the Bible is studied using song, craft, Bible readings and videos. It connects the youth work more closely with the church and acts as a stepping stone for both children and family members on their journey with Christ. Light Party and Activity mornings The Light Party provides a positive event on 31st October, All Saints’ Eve. This is a popular event with games, food, Bible story and craft. Throughout the year various themed craft activity mornings are held, where children can enjoy making and decorating items, cooking, painting etc., designed to provide stepping stones for families in a warm, loving, family environment. OUTREACH The Local Ministry Team regularly take Communion to the housebound and a local nursing home and prepare baptism families. They also run a course for wedding couples. The Holy Trinity Open the Book team regularly visit three local Primary Schools: Drybrook, Steam Mills and Ruardean Woodside, using the materials provided by the Bible Society. The children enjoy our visits very much, especially when they can dress up and participate as soldiers, servants and followers. The Shop on the Cross A Friendship Café and a Prayer Group are held on a monthly basis at The Shop on The Cross. This Charity shop in the village is run by Trustees who are members of the church family.