Welcome from the Vicar of the Benefice

Thank you for your interest in the vacancy at St. John’s.

As part of this process we invited the whole community to share their views. It was clear that the church is very much at the heart of village life and held in high regard by the residents of Churt and Rushmoor. The role is exciting and challenging. It involves being part of the benefice team and taking day to day responsibility for the parish. The church school enables us to engage with many people and offers opportunities for growth in our work with children and families. This is an area which we want to prioritise. However, this is a village of all ages, and a church which seeks to reach out to everyone, so we seek a leader who has both the desire and the skills to serve the whole community. There is also a need for a person who can sensitively hold together those who value traditional ways of worshipping and those who appreciate a more contemporary approach. Located in beautiful countryside, benefiting from a well maintained building, offering support from clergy and laity, and enjoying a central role in the village, we believe that this is an attractive role for a prayerful leader and we hope you will want to explore it further.

Yours in Christ – Revd Richard Bodle

Contact details: Reverend Richard Bodle Email: [email protected] Call: 01428 605 305

A letter from the Archdeacon of

Churt is one of Surrey’s delightful villages. It is a very desirable place to live with a strong sense of community. The vacancy in the post of Resident Minister provides an exciting opportunity for an ordained priest to build on strong foundations that have been laid in this Church community.

St. John’s Church celebrated 150 years of serving the village in 2018. Whilst giving thanks for the past, it now looks to the future as it seeks to continue its proclamation of God’s love to the whole parish and serve its inhabitants. It has identified clear priorities to grow its youth and children ministry; to reach beyond its borders; and to communicate effectively.

The next minister will need to share a passion for these priorities but, above all, will need to love the people of Churt in the name of Jesus Christ. Whoever God calls to this role will be blessed with the love and encouragement of Richard Bodle, the very able and experienced Incumbent of and Churt, and a very supportive ministry team.

If you do feel prompted to test this call, I would encourage you to be in contact with Richard for an informal conversation. If you’d value a wider perspective of the Diocese, you’d also be very welcome to contact me. I earnestly pray that God will call the right person to lead this able and energetic community in the next phase of its kingdom ministry.

The Venerable Paul Davies - Archdeacon of Surrey

Our Parish Profile

Welcome to our Church

St. John’s is a friendly, active church in the village of Churt in south-west Surrey. Our parish also includes the neighbouring community of Rushmoor.

St. John’s is part of a joint benefice with St. Alban’s Church in nearby Hindhead. For over 150 years we have been at the heart of our local community. Everybody is welcome and we seek to be a church where everyone can find a spiritual home.

Our Community

Churt and Rushmoor are vibrant places with a strong sense of community.

In Churt we have a school, a Post Office and convenience store along with a small number of specialist shops. We also benefit from a restaurant, a garage, the Crossways pub, the Churt Club, a popular village hall, a well-equipped sports pavilion and a Scout Hut. The businesses in Rushmoor include a large pet supply store, a garage and the Bel and the Dragon pub.

We have many well supported groups and societies. These include: amateur dramatics; the horticultural society; a heritage society; Cubs, Scouts and Beavers; a literary society; Bridge Club and a thriving Women’s Institute. Our village fete, pantomime, flower shows, and other local events are always popular and well attended.

We have a large sports ground with a pavilion and children’s playground. There are tennis and cricket clubs for all ages, and a very active football club for youngsters.

Churt Village Hall is well maintained and in constant use and is one of several meeting places in the village.

Activities on offer include: walking in beautiful countryside; cycling; sailing at Pond; golf at Hindhead and Hankley Common and enjoying all that the neighbouring market towns of , and Guildford have to offer.

The Parish

Our local area

The parish is situated in attractive, protected countryside, near the borders of both West Sussex and . It is within the Green Belt and the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The community has a good social mix and a balanced age profile with a growing younger population. The area includes small estates, large country properties and a range of both private and social housing. Overall, the parish is relatively prosperous, although there are also areas of Round and About significant need. The nearest towns of Farnham and Haslemere are A number of people commute to work to nearby both about 6 miles from Churt. Guildford is only 13 towns or to London, but others are based in the miles away. We are 3 miles from the A3 and 13 parish or work from home. miles from the M3. Waterloo can be reached in around 54 minutes from either Farnham or o We are mostly a rural Haslemere stations. It is easy to get to Portsmouth community, with several and the coast, and we are just an hour from Heathrow and Gatwick airports. agricultural employers and some local industry and office employment. o Some families have lived here for many generations, whilst others have moved here recently. o Our parish population is approx. 2000 comprising 780

households. o Around 21% of us are aged 0-

17, and 17% are over 70.

Our Church Building

Our church building dates from 1838, is situated on the village green, and was consecrated in 1868. It is the only place of Christian worship in the parish and seats about 150 people. The building is well maintained and has a high-quality Audio-Visual system, which includes a projector and screens, as well as a good sound system and digital hymnal. The Church benefits from its own internet access.

Following extensive work the organ is in very good condition and the building has often hosted concerts and shows. There is a modern, integral church room with a kitchen and disabled toilet. We aim to keep the building open every day.

Next to the church are The Stables which house the parish office and provide an additional meeting space with a kitchen and toilet.

The Churchyard remains open and has plenty of space. The Garden of Remembrance offers a beautiful and tranquil environment. A group of volunteers assist a contractor by mowing during the summer and sweeping leaves in the winter.

The Vicarage

We will provide a large house, located on a quiet road next to the churchyard. Downstairs there are two large reception rooms, a study, a cloakroom, and a generous kitchen. Upstairs there are five good sized bedrooms. The vicarage is double glazed and centrally heated. As well as a garage, there is plenty of room for parking on the driveway. The back garden is extensive and bordered by the Stables, the churchyard, and a neighbour. It has many trees and plants, and two patio areas. The house will be decorated in consultation with the new minister.

Our Benefice

Our parish is geographically amongst the largest in the Diocese. In 2003 it joined with the next-door parish to form the United Benefice of Churt with Hindhead, under the leadership of the Vicar of St. Alban’s, Hindhead. The post became ‘house for duty’ but this developed into a half stipend post with the title of ‘Resident Minister’. The exact nature of this exciting post is flexible and open to discussion.

St. John’s retains a fully functioning PCC with two churchwardens, and controls its own finances. The PCC has several sub-committees including a Standing Committee, Mission Support Group and Buildings Committee. The two churches of St. John’s and St. Alban’s work closely together whenever possible. In addition to the Deanery, the Benefice is also linked with the Haslemere Ministers’ Network which brings together church leaders of all denominations.

Our Deanery

We are part of the Farnham Deanery which consists of 13 parishes. The Deanery extends from just above Farnham in the north, almost down to Haslemere in the south. The Deanery Synod meets three times a year. The Clergy Chapter gathers each month for lunch, and for occasional quiet days or other events. This can be a good source of encouragement and mutual support.

Our Team

Many people devote a great deal of time and energy to the Church, reflecting a strong sense of ownership. There is committed involvement for essential roles, including sides-people, readings, prayers, children’s activities, pastoral care, Communion assistants, maintenance of the fabric and grounds, flower arranging and so on. In addition to our active Wardens, we also have a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader), and employ a skilled Parish Administrator. The clergy team consists of Richard Bodle, Vicar since 2008, and the associate minister at St. Alban’s, Derek Holbird. The Vicar and Resident Minister of St. John’s have met together regularly in recent years.

Our Services

At the 2019 APCM the electoral roll was 75. On Easter Day 2019 we welcomed 81 adults and 21 children. At the 2019 Christmas Crib service we celebrated with 145 adults and 75 children.

The Sunday service pattern, together with average attendance is as follows:

Time Service 2017 2018 2019

8.00am BCP Communion 18 15 18 (Fortnightly)

9.45am Morning Worship 38 33 33 (2nd and 4th Communion)

6.00pm Lay led Evensong 11 12 14 (Monthly) Occasional offices

2017 2018 2019 Baptisms 5 3 5 Weddings 2 2 3 Funerals 13 7 5

Other services

We have other services shared across the benefice, such as an All Soul’s Service for the bereaved, Ascension Day and Ash Wednesday. We also gather for a weekly prayer meeting and a monthly midweek Communion. We have a prayer ministry team available on Sundays and whenever appropriate. There are monthly Communion services at Park Nursing home and at Quinnettes Barn for the residents of Eddystone Housing Association and others. We have enjoyed carol singing in the Churt Club.

Our Children and Young People

St John’s actively encourages work with children and young people.

Our strong relationship with the school, naturally connects us with many young families. However, our involvement with children on Sundays has been in decline as we are increasingly competing with sports and other attractions. We feel passionately that outreach to this age group needs reviewing and reinvigorating. We recently trialled a successful 4.00pm Sunday family event.

St. John’s does have a long running, expanding and very popular weekly toddler group. We also join with St. Alban’s for our annual summer holiday club which has attracted over 100 children.

o Our friendly village toddler group for pre-school children welcomes parents, grandparents and carer’s. o We have created a baby friendly area in the south transept of the church. o During Sunday services we have a fun, crafty, area for children aged 3 to 7. It’s a chance for children to spend time together, with activities that link to the sermon in church. o Every year more than 100 children from the local area get together in the first week of the school summer holiday for Holiday Club.

Our School

St John’s Church of Infant School (Voluntary Aided) is in the centre of Churt and has a total of about 90 pupils – the School is rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

The Church enjoys close links with the school and pupils come to the Church for major festivals such as Easter, Christmas and Harvest, and for their end of term Leavers’ Service. They also come at other times as part of their studies and on their weekly walk to Forest School.

Clergy have led regular assemblies and other activities at the School and have been on the governing body. http://www.stjohns-farnham.surrey.sch.uk.

An independent nursery school runs from Churt

Village Hall and they welcome connection with the Church too. http://www.churtcommunitypreschool.co.uk

With smart special clothes Someone nice We asked our school children: If and kind you were looking for a new vicar Someone you for St. John’s Church what sort of can trust person would you look for?

Someone who makes things interesting

Who will learn and sing with us

Fun, happy and entertaining

Our Outreach and Discipleship

We have run a number of courses including Alpha, the Marriage Course, the Parenting Course and regular Lent courses. These are often held in partnership with St. Alban’s. We want to grow in our faith and understanding, so we encourage one another to join a home group. It is hoped that all these will continue to develop.

How we care

As a Church we put a strong emphasis on visiting and on pastoral care. Guided by the Resident Minister, we have a large pastoral team, currently knowns as the ‘Care Team’. This includes trained volunteers who seek to support in whatever is the most appropriate way. Within the parish there is voluntary car service operating to take patients to medical appointments. We also work with the Churt Welfare Trust, a registered charity, which provides financial support in situations of need in the village.

Residential Homes

There are two homes in the area. The church has ministered to the residents at Melbreck House, a home for young people with profound learning and physical disabilities, brain injuries and associated complex health needs. We also give Communion at Tilford Park Nursing Home, which caters for the elderly and mentally infirm. We also seek to take Communion to those who are housebound. In addition, the Eddystone Housing Association provides subsidised accommodation for those of retirement age.

Our Support for Mission

We are committed to sharing God’s love in Christ Jesus with our nation and our world. We have a Mission Support Group which ensures that we are focused in our prayers and financial giving. We currently give away 10% of our unrestricted giving.

We are currently supporting the following charitable groups:

 The Whitechapel Mission  Tearfund – the Kubatsirana project  Crosslinks  Place of Grace Ministries in Bangkok – supporting the Robinson family

The remaining money provides Bibles for students leaving St. John’s School at the end of their final year and the Churt Community Centre, Acorn Christian Healing Foundation and Crossways Counselling.

MISSION SUPPORT

Tear Fund Crosslinks 20% 20%

Bibles for School leavers, Whitechapel Acorn CH Mission Foundation, 20% Crossways Councelling 20% CMS 20%

Our Friends

The Church is supported by a dedicated and creative team the ‘Friends of St Johns’ who raise money for the upkeep and general repairs of the buildings and maintenance of the churchyard.

The Friends are very much part of the life of the Church and the financial picture is greatly helped by their work. Through events such as concerts, barbeques and safari suppers, they raise money specifically for the fabric and thus enable people who might not have strong links with St. John’s to support their village church.

As well as raising money, the Friends seek to reach out with the love of God and thus draw people into the worshipping life of St. John’s. In 2019 the Friends raised £6,000 and since their creation in 2002 have raised around £154,000 for the Church.

How we communicate

The new church website can be found at www.stjohnchurt.org.uk. We will be developing this further.

We also share news and information on various social media platforms. Every week we produce a newssheet which is printed and also emailed to the community.

St. John’s publishes a vibrant and popular parish magazine with a monthly circulation of around 300. All aspects of church and village life are covered, and at Christmas a free magazine is taken to over 800 homes.

Our Policies

Baptism: We offer baptism to all those living in the parish or who are on the Electoral Roll, after suitable preparation. This has been a great way to engage with young families and those involved in our school. We occasionally have requests from those outside of the parish but with strong links through a family or the school. Any such baptisms only take place with the knowledge of their parish priest. Confirmation usually follows after a period of appropriate preparation.

Marriage: This is offered to all who can show a Qualifying Connection. Occasionally we receive requests for marriage following divorce. It has been the custom to consider each request individually and if appropriate to offer such services following the House of Bishops’ guidelines and after careful preparation.

Our Finance

Our finances are managed by our Treasurer, our Assistant Treasurer who looks after Gift Aid, and our Stewardship Officer.

Our Church – Our Challenge

Recently we asked members of our community, including the School, PCC and friends and neighbours of the Church for feedback. The following lists the results; in terms of our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Strengths Weaknesses

We are at the heart of a strong local Reduction in numbers, particularly children. community. We have lost several church members, and Local people see us as ‘their’ church. There is a despite dedicated volunteers, our ministry great deal of warmth towards St. John’s as being amongst children has reduced considerably. the village church. We are always very busy at Lack of leadership for sung worship. major festivals. Following changes in personnel, we benefit Active and loyal lay involvement. from some committed musicians but lack Many people are involved in the life of St. John’s. consistency and overall direction. This committed participation extends to those Struggling to reflect the diversity of the whole who do not regularly attend our services. community Good location and facilities. St. John’s is seen as a welcoming and friendly The church is in a good position and enjoys church, but our regular congregation does not ample parking. Whilst the building is not always represent the whole parish. flexible, it is well equipped, and has been used

for many events.

Threats

Opportunities Changes in Society, particularly concerning Sundays

It is a challenge to engage with people on Our Village School We have always enjoyed a good relationship traditional days and times. This is particularly

with staff, pupils and parents. There are ongoing true for busy young families and those with opportunities for mutual support. children, who have so many demands on their Our Pastoral Team and Friends of St. John’s time and energy. Our recently formed pastoral team and long- Financial Viability standing Friends group enable us to reach out to Whilst we have a strong finance team, many the whole parish in caring and creative ways. people on the giving scheme, some generous Small groups and Courses givers, and successful stewardship initiatives, With the right vison and encouragement, we viability has too often been due to timely gifts and legacies. hope to build on a history of home groups and Rising Age profile relevant discipleship courses. St. John’s is known for welcoming everyone and we enjoy a good mix of young and old. But, overall, our congregation is ageing.

The Role of the Resident Minister

This is an Associate Minister’s position, but the person is known as the ‘Resident Minister’. The Minister will take local responsibility for St. John’s, leading the Church, Chairing the PCC and working alongside the Vicar of the Benefice.

It is a part time post, which involves working on Sundays and some days during the week. For example, it could be a half time post or a House for Duty position. The exact structure of the week will depend on individual circumstances and is open to discussion and negotiation, so that it works well for both the Minister and the Church. Our PCC is supportive of both men and women in ordained ministry.

What we can offer you…  An active church with a desire to develop and grow,  A strong team, including willing and skilled lay support,  Flexible hours to suit your situation,  A good house, popular school and a beautiful area,  A welcoming and interesting village community.

Who we are looking for…  A strong leader, able to inspire, encourage and motivate, and who can delegate and work collaboratively.  A good teacher, committed to modelling prayer and discipleship.  An empathetic listener with proven pastoral skills, who sees the care of the community as a priority.  A warm person who can build and develop relationships with all ages across the whole community.  Someone who can balance traditional and contemporary spirituality and worship, serving an existing congregation whilst helping us to reach out, especially to young families.

If you feel prompted to test this call, please contact our Vicar Richard Bodle for an informal conversation. A warm and heartfelt thank you from the St. John’s team.

For more information about our Church, its people, and its work visit: https://www.stjohnchurt.org.uk/