St Arilda’s Church INTRODUCTION

St Mary’s Parish Church

UNITED BENEFICE OF

Thornbury 1 Oldbury PARISH PROFILE PARISH

St Mary’s, Shepperdine Parish Church

I came that they“ may have life, and have it to the full

John 10:10

St Paul’s Hacket OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED UNITED BENEFICE OF Thornbury Oldbury INTERACTIVE CONTENTS INTERACTIVE INTERACTIVE CONTENTS

The Benefice of SUMMARY: Thornbury Oldbury with Thornbury and Oldbury The Challenge Shepperdine with Sheperdine and Patrons

The Monthly Pattern Ministry Of Services Throughout Children’s Activities Thornbury Vicarage 2 The Benefice

St Mary the Virgin, St Arilda’s Oldbury Use of Church St Mary’s C of E VA

Thornbury & St Paul’s on Severn & Buildings Primary School PROFILE PARISH

at the Hackett St Mary’s Shepperdine

Oldbury C of E VC Music for Worship Primary School Parish Activities Consultation Music for Outreach UNITED BENEFICE OF THORNBURY AND OLDBURY OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED SUMMARY: THE CHALLENGE

The United Benefice of Thornbury and Oldbury with Shepperdine

Thank you for enquiring about the position of Priest-in-Charge THE CHALLENGE SUMMARY: (Vicar Designate) of the Benefice of Thornbury and Oldbury-on-Severn with Shepperdine.

This document summarises some of the life of the Benefice and the community we serve. There are very active congregations across the Benefice and we face both challenges and opportunities for further growth and transformation: we seek a new Incumbent to lead us forward: We would like to appoint a vicar who…

= There have been various successful initiatives in recent years to grow …is a person passionate“ about their faith younger congregations, we wish to build on these and encourage their and can communicate that to others. involvement in sustaining the life of the church Consultee 3

= We need our new leader to cherish the contributions, and foster the talents and enthusiasms of members of every age in what is a very active and diverse worshipping Benefice

= Thornbury is growing rapidly with many new housing developments, offering opportunities for outreach and welcome to our churches PARISH PROFILE PARISH

= We wish to continue to build on the excellent links between the churches and our two church schools

= Finances are good but we need to work to maintain the level of giving

= We have always welcomed trainee curates and so would need to appoint a training Incumbent

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED 4 PARISH PROFILE PARISH

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED THORNBURY THORNBURY

= Attractive ancient market town – = Small industrial estate for local employment = Museum and Leisure centre welcoming and Inclusive = Easy Motorway access – 5 miles from M4/M5 = Good choice of town cafes and restaurants = Good local shopping for day to day = Fairtrade town and a Farmer’s Market = Many sports, activity and other needs – also the Mall Shopping Centre just interest groups 15 minutes away with free parking = Annual Arts Festival and Carnival = Large U3A = Good schools both primary and secondary = Britain in Bloom award winners = Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, = Thriving community – many commute = Population of about 13000+ URC and Quaker churches in addition to to = Planning permissions for 1200 new homes C of E – Thornbury Churches Together 5 PARISH PROFILE PARISH

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED 6 PARISH PROFILE PARISH

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED OLDBURY WITH WITH SHEPPERDINE SHEPPERDINE

= Oldbury is a lively small village 3 miles from Thornbury = Cricket and Football Clubs = Population about 700 = Thornbury Sailing Club based in Oldbury OLDBURY WITH WITH SHEPPERDINE OLDBURY = Shepperdine is part of Oldbury Parish and lies a few miles to the north = Dairy farming is principal industry in the Severn Vale = Thriving community with Anchor Pub and Memorial Village Hall = Oldbury Power Station being decommissioned = Community shop staffed by volunteers = Working population mostly commute to work outside the village – many to Bristol = Playing fields with pavilion, all weather sports courts, children’s playground = C of E VC Primary School – OFSTED rated “Good” = Local secular magazine covering 4 villages largely produced by church members

7 We would like to appoint a vicar who… … is keen to work“ with “Thornbury Churches Together” whenever possible. Consultee PARISH PROFILE PARISH

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED OLDBURYTHE BENEFICE WITH SHEPPERDINE OF THORNBURY AND OLDBURY WITH SHEPPERDINE AND PATRONS BENEFICE THE

= The of the Benefice lie within the Diocese of = The Benefice is within the Deanery of Wotton = The Patronage for both Thornbury and Oldbury belongs to the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church Oxford

BENEFICE FACTS AND FIGURES 8 The Electoral roll for Thornbury for 2019 stands at 212 and Oldbury at 24 The average Church attendance for Thornbury St Mary’s and St Pauls combined is approximately 170 per Sunday and Oldbury 20 PARISH PROFILE PARISH THORNBURY OLDBURY Baptisms 22 ? Confirmed 2 Adults ? Weddings 6 ? Thanksgiving for Wedding 4 ? Wedding blessings 1 ? Funerals 26 ?

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED 9 PARISH PROFILE PARISH

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED OLDBURYMINISTRY WITH SHEPPERDINE MINISTRY

The benefice is blessed with a strong team of ministers: = The Revd Joy Ludlow – stipendiary curate (ordained priest in 2018) = The Revd Chris Verey – honorary assistant priest (retired) = The Revd Tom Keates – honorary assistant priest (retired)

The team currently also includes four other retired ministers and four lay readers at differing points in their ministry.

We also have a team of people ministering to: Kids Praise, Muddy Church, Dads and Kids and Refresh. And pastoral outreach supporting We would like to appoint a vicar who… bereavement and home/residential care visiting and worship. … is a leader with vision who“ recognises the value of every For many years the Benefice has enjoyed the ministry of a curate under member of our church family; old to young, spotting those training, and we need a new Incumbent who will continue this. who have talents which are not yet in use! 10

Consultee

ADMINISTRATION Gemma Martini and Anna Ballard – job share secretaries in the parish office, located in St Mary’s Church. PARISH PROFILE PARISH

MUSIC Malcolm Kittle – Director of Music Katie and Richard Usherwood – Organ Scholars, St Paul’s Andrew Gazard – Oldbury Organist

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED THE MONTHLY PATTERN OF SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE BENEFICE MONTHLY SERVICES MONTHLY

FIRST SUNDAY THIRD SUNDAY FIFTH SUNDAY 8.00 Eucharist (St Mary’s) 8.00 Eucharist (St Mary’s) 10.00 Benefice Service (alternating venues) 9.15 Eucharist (St Paul’s) 9.15 Eucharist (St Paul’s) 10.30 All-Age Service (St Mary’s) 10.30 Eucharist (St Mary’s) = Services are held each month in our three 6.00 Evensong (Summer Shepperdine/ 2.45 Muddy Church children’s service local, residential care homes (twice monthly Winter St Arilda’s) (St Mary’s) in Beech House), led by clergy and laity 6.00 Choral evensong (St Mary’s) 6.00 Evensong (St Mary’s) = On Wednesdays a midweek Communion 6.00 Holy Communion (St Arilda’s) service is held at St Mary’s at 10.00 = Healing prayers every Thursday at St Paul’s are led by a team of lay people, once monthly SECOND SUNDAY FOURTH SUNDAY this includes a Healing Eucharist 8.00 Eucharist (St Mary’s) 8.00 Eucharist (St Mary’s) 11 = Daily prayer is said at St Mary’s throughout 9.15 Eucharist (St Paul’s) 9.15 All-age Service (St Paul’s) the week at different times, often with simple 10.30 Refresh All-age service (St Arilda’s) 9.30 BCP Communion (Shepperdine) Communion at St Mary’s on Saturdays 10.30 Eucharist (St Mary’s) 10.30 Eucharist (St Mary’s) = Our retired clergy and members of our congregations hugely support the leading 4.00 Kid’s Praise children’s service (St Mary’s) 6.00 Evensong (St Mary’s) and planning of worship at the churches 6.00 Evensong (St Mary’s) 6.00 Evensong (St Arilda’s) across the Benefice PARISH PROFILE PARISH

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED 12 PARISH PROFILE PARISH

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

FAMILY SERVICES CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES CHILDRENS St Mary’s – 1st Sunday of the month St Paul’s – 4th Sunday of the month

KIDS PRAISE 2nd Sunday of the month at St Mary’s - A service for 0-7 year olds with worship through songs and stories, crafts and a snack tea!

HOPSCOTCH 9.15am Every Thursday during term time at St Mary’s Church. For babies and pre-schoolers and their parents/carers. Craft and playtime followed by songs, a bible story, prayer and nursery rhymes.

13 “I like playing with my friends” Idris, age 4

MUDDY CHURCH 3rd Sunday of the month at St Mary’s - A service for families based on the outdoors! A short walk to collect materials, followed by craft, worship and a snack tea. PARISH PROFILE PARISH

“I like all the fun stuff we get to do there and going for a walk with my friends” Seren, age 6

DADS AND KIDS MORNING Every other month 10am -12noon St Mary’s church hall. This is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your kids, meet other Dads and give Mum the morning off! Plus, coffee and bacon rolls!

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED 14 PARISH PROFILE PARISH

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED THORNBURY VICARAGE

= Purpose built detached house = Adjacent to Church THORNBURY VICARAGE THORNBURY = 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms = Convenient for town = Kitchen, dining room, living room = Large established garden = Separate study, with adjacent toilet = Water feature and pond = Double garage = Lawnmower provided by Patron = Plenty of parking space

15 PARISH PROFILE PARISH

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED OLDBURYST MARY WITHTHE VIRGIN,SHEPPERDINE THORNBURY

= Grade 1 Listed Building

= Norman North & South Doors and Font HACKETT & THORNBURY = Majority built late 15th Century = Seats about 400 = Faculty awaited for Porch Glass Doors = Faculty awaited for new lighting = Enthusiastic bell ringers

… is happy in a variety of worship styles, including more modern and inclusive forms, We would like to appoint a vicar who… not forgetting that St. Mary’s has a strong tradition of church music. Consultee “ 16

ST PAUL’S AT THE HACKETT

= Located at opposite side of Parish PARISH PROFILE PARISH = Stone built mission Church = Centenary in 2005 = Seats about 100 = Recently refurbished = New heating and lighting

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED OLDBURYST ARILDA’S WITH OLDBURY SHEPPERDINE ON SEVERN

= Grade 2* Listed Building mostly rebuilt after 1897 fire = Stands in prominent position on hill overlooking Severn SHEPPERDINE & OLDBURY = Attracts many visitors to admire views and churchyard = Open every day = Fabric in good order due to generous restricted legacies

17 PARISH PROFILE PARISH ST MARY’S SHEPPERDINE

= Small chapel close to the open every day = Christian presence here since at least 1350 = “” is in good order = Present building celebrated its centenary in 2014 = Small enthusiastic congregation for monthly BCP Communion in summer months

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED OLDBURYUSE OF CHURCH WITH SHEPPERDINE BUILDINGS

ST MARY’S

= Regular monthly Sunday concerts BUILDINGS CHURCH OF USE = Events and concerts by local schools = Thornbury Arts Festival = Thornbury Eisteddfod = South Heritage Day = Flower Festivals = Civic Services e.g. Remembrance Day = Many community Christmas events = Experience Christmas, Easter, Pentecost for schools

18 We would like to appoint a vicar who… … Is able to build on the excellent children’s work already being undertaken, inspiring the laity who enjoy being part of this scene. A “Pied Piper” touch! Consultee“

Consultee PARISH PROFILE PARISH

ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL = 1970s building, 200 capacity = Key asset in the Town = Used by 21 different community groups = Used for Church meetings and social events = A major outreach into the community = Well maintained and profitable

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED 19 PARISH PROFILE PARISH

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED ST MARY’S C OF E VA PRIMARY SCHOOL

= Strong links with the Church = Clergy visit school frequently = Regular worship services in School

= Open the Book scheme SCHOOL PRIMARY VA E OF C MARY’S ST = 175 years old but modern in outlook = 8 Foundation Governors = Outstanding OFSTED and SIAMS = Website www.stmarysthornbury.com

WHAT THE CHILDREN WANT IN A NEW VICAR Truthful, honest, helpful and fun • Share with them and listen 20 “ Tells interesting stories A mind for justice, caring for people equally Passionate about sharing their faith Fight for them as children and as a school Regular School Eucharists in Church • Start of Year service PARISH PROFILE PARISH

Nativity services • Crib service Children help at Wednesday communion

WHAT THE CHILDREN SAY ABOUT CHURCH

Love being involved • Excited about someone new OTHER THORNBURY SCHOOLS

Continue to be involved in services = “ RC Primary plus 4 state primary schools Special services every few months • More people and more events = Open the Book in nearly all primary schools Services for children • Services that jumble everyone together = Castle School state secondary school BACK to

CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED OLDBURY C OF E VC PRIMARY SCHOOL

= School is “Voluntary Controlled” = 50 plus pupils and small classes

= Attracts children from outside the village SCHOOL PRIMARY VC E OF C OLDBURY = 160 years old = OFSTED rated “Good” = Clergy visit school frequently and are involved as Foundation Governors = Regular Christian Assemblies = Activities in church at major Christian Festivals and at end of school terms = PCC members participate in school 21 activities such as “Open the Book” and fund raising events = Website www.oldburyschool.org.uk PARISH PROFILE PARISH

We would like to appoint a vicar who…

… has “a sense of humour (a recurring theme!)

Consultee

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED 22 PARISH PROFILE PARISH

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED MUSIC FOR WORSHIP

= St Mary’s has a strong musical tradition supporting both worship MUSIC WORSHIP FOR and outreach = Gifted young Organist and Director of Music = Committed adult choir sing a wide range of choral music = The organ has recently been upgraded = Choral Eucharist and monthly Choral Evensong = 1st Sunday All-age services using less traditional music style sometimes led by a local children’s choir OCTAVES = 4th Sunday Recitals by local musicians = Church used by local choirs for concert venue (see next page) = St Paul’s has a modern electronic organ

= St Arilda’s has a good pipe organ and two organists are available. We would like to appoint a vicar who… 23 Traditional chants and psalms are used at Evensong … understands the importance“ of care for the environment, as we work together in the Diocese Eco Scheme and on our own Eco-church initiatives.

Consultee PARISH PROFILE PARISH

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED MUSIC FOR OUTREACH

St Mary’s is recognised as a community resource for concerts and civic events. MUSIC WORSHIP FOR We encourage the use of the church as a means of outreach to the secular community. Below are a just a few examples of musical events in St Mary’s.

CADENCE and OCTAVES Children’s Choir Castle School Panache Band

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Alveston Singers Messiah Celli Peppers PARISH PROFILE PARISH

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED 25 PARISH PROFILE PARISH

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED PARISH ACTIVITIES PARISH ACTIVITIES PARISH COMMUNICATIONS = Monthly CH@T Newspaper goes to some 700 homes = A weekly Newsletter is distributed in Church and by email = Notices are placed on the Church and Town Notice Boards = Contributions to the Thornbury and Oldbury Community Magazines

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INTERNET = Thornbury Parish Website www.thornburycofe.org.uk = Oldbury Parish Website www.arildachurcholdbury.co.uk ENVIRONMENT = Through the Thornbury Parish Facebook page = We embrace the Fifth Mark of Mission “Creation” with a Parochial Environment Policy and three PCC appointed Environment Champions PARISH PROFILE PARISH

PARISH CONTACTS = In 2018 the Church gained a Bronze “Eco Church Award” = Provides a contact person for every street in Thornbury, delivers cards and invitations

“HOLY MOWERS” MAKE POVERTY HISTORY = St Mary’s Churchyard is closed – it is maintained by a parish group – = An ecumenical group of Thornbury Churches Together, Town Council provides the mowing machines. St Arilda’s Churchyard looking at issues of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, remains open and is managed sustainably by volunteers globally and locally

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED PARISH ACTIVITIES CONTINUED PARISH ACTIVITIES PARISH BAPTISM PASTORAL VISITING & = There are on average three baptisms BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT a month held on the 4th Sunday in = There is a bereavement team of 10 St Mary’s and 3rd Sunday in St Arilda’s. pastoral visitors in the Benefice. They = Meetings are held confirming dates, support the clergy in the aftercare of the complete forms and explain the service bereaved and visit the infirm and frail, = Families are invited to a child friendly arranging outings and events service to receive a certificate, book, and candle ELDERLY PEOPLE’S LUNCHES = At the anniversary of their baptism they receive an anniversary card for 4 years = Sunday lunches prepared in people’s homes once a month. = Eight times a year a group of 30+ mainly elderly single people taken to local pubs MISSIONS LOCAL & 27 for lunch GLOBAL CONCERN = Supports charities financially and through prayer = Raises awareness through displays and inviting PARISH PROFILE PARISH speakers = We have links with CMS and a parish to parish link MARRIAGE PREPARATION with Bufumbo, Uganda = An evening of friendly discussion about married life (2x visits in each direction) = Emphasis on communication = Supports our local Foodbank, Sisters of Mercy, = Led by one of two couples from the Benefice collect clothes for Julian Trust Night Shelter

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED PARISH ACTIVITIES CONTINUED PARISH ACTIVITIES PARISH

MOTHERS UNION = Monthly branch meetings, which include speakers and services. The MU has a strong foundation of prayer, social activities and caring

BENEFICE AWAY WEEKENDS 28 FAITH SHARING GROUP = Group arranges weekends away spending time together, teaching and having fun = This group is primarily an outreach group, sharing its faith through activities, services and events around the town. Promoting ways in which = A variety of speakers have led our weekends, in 2017 Bishop we can encourage growth in faith in the community Rachel and previously Bishop Martyn PARISH PROFILE PARISH

THORNBURY CHURCHES TOGETHER = A group of seven churches (TCT). They join for Lent House groups, Good Friday walk of witness, Thornbury carnival, Christmas Lights, carol singing and a weekly Fairtrade stall

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CONTENTS OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED UNITED BENEFICE OF Thornbury

Oldbury CONSULTATION

CONSULTATION

Following consultation with our church communities and schools, we would like to appoint a Vicar who ...

= Is able to engage with young people and young families to bring them into the church and bring the church into the heart of the new communities around Thornbury and Oldbury.

= Is able to build on the excellent children’s work already being undertaken, inspiring the laity who enjoy being part of this scene. A “Pied Piper” touch! 29 = Is happy in a variety of worship styles, including more modern and inclusive forms, not forgetting that St. Mary’s has a strong tradition of church music.

= Is keen to work with “Thornbury Churches Together” whenever possible.

= Is a leader with vision who recognises the value of every PARISH PROFILE PARISH member of our church family; old to young, spotting those who have talents which are not yet in use!

= Understands the importance of care for the environment, as we work together in the Diocese Eco Scheme and on our own Eco-church initiatives

= Has a sense of humour (a recurring theme!)

= Is a person who is passionate about their faith and can communicate that to others. UNITED BENEFICE OF THORNBURY AND OLDBURY OLDBURY AND THORNBURY OF BENEFICE UNITED