Benefice of Fulford-in-Stone with Hilderstone PARISH PROFILE January 2017 Page: 1 WELCOME to Fulford-in-Stone with Hilderstone Our Profile Outline Page Vision & Mission: About us 3 Vision & Mission: About You 4 The Vicarage 4 Combined Benefice Statistics: Fulford-in-Stone & Hilderstone 5 Fulford-in-Stone: The Church of St Nicholas 7 Church Groups 8 Village Life 8 Hilderstone: Christ Church 10 Village Life 11 Church Groups 12 Local Activities 13 Welcome to the Area Culture 14 Recreation 14 Schools & Colleges 15 Diocese of Lichfield 16 Appendices Fulford-in-Stone: Mission Action Plan 17 Hilderstone: Mission Action Plan 18 Combined Financial Statistics 19 Page: 2 WELCOME to Fulford-in-Stone with Hilderstone Vision & Mission: About Us We are: welcoming, warm, hospitable, approachable and good-humoured willing, flexible and committed to promoting the church within the two parishes outward looking and prepared to be innovative We have: good relationships with well-established village groups a desire to see the church grow within our respective communities an opportunity for increasing links between the two churches and the communities they serve Our challenges include: adapting worship to suit modern lifestyles attracting people of all ages to explore their faith encouraging those who attend our churches for celebration/special occasion services to become regular worshippers offering more opportunities for personal/spiritual development enabling more people to share their time and talents Page: 3 WELCOME to Fulford-in -Stone with Hilderstone Vision & Mission: About You Are you: an approachable person who can communicate effectively with all ages? a confident leader who is willing and able to encourage active participation in church life? a good listener who will work with us to develop our vision for pastoral care within our communities? willing to maintain traditions whilst exploring with us other new styles of worship? sympathetic to rural ministry and willing to participate in village life? a prayerful priest who can encourage us all on our faith journey? Can you work with us to: unite two churches and their communities? exercise and encourage pastoral care within our rural communities? enable people to develop their spiritual well being through teaching and prayer? We offer a warm welcome and we shall: honour your days off pay your expenses support, hear and work with you The Vicarage: Built in 1980, the Vicarage is a good sized family home on a quiet residential road in Fulford. The house has four bedrooms and two bathrooms (an en-suite to the master bedroom and a family bathroom). The large lounge is suitable for hosting meetings of 10 to 12 people, whilst the dining room has glass doors opening to the garden. There is an attached single garage and a separate entrance to the study via a wide corridor with a cloaks/W.C., a shelved wall and a recess which houses the photocopier and a store cupboard. The study, kitchen and dining room overlook agricultural land at the rear of the property. There is a gas-fired central heating system and an intruder alarm. Page: 4 WELCOME to Fulford-in-Stone with Hilderstone Combined Benefice Statistics Populations: Fulford 1502 Hilderstone 415 Average Sunday Attendance: Adults Children Fulford 22 2 Easter 64 10 Christmas 171 21 Hilderstone 14 2 Easter 34 7 Christmas 111 38 Attendance at Baptisms, Harvest and other special services has not been included here. Please note: the ASA for children is MONTHLY. Occasional Offices: Fulford Baptisms Weddings Funerals 2014 1 2 12 2015 0 3 3 2016 1 7 8 Hilderstone 2014 4 0 3 2015 1 2 2 2016 2 3 2 Page: 5 WELCOME to Fulford-in-Stone with Hilderstone Combined Benefice Statistics Electoral Rolls: Fulford 68 of whom 13 are outside the parish Hilderstone 31 of whom 9 are outside the parish Service Times & Details: Fulford Hilderstone 1st Sunday 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP Revised) 11.15am Family Communion 2nd Sunday 9.30am Holy Communion (Modern Rite) 11.15am Holy Communion (Modern Rite) 8.45am* Holy Communion (BCP) 3rd Sunday 11.15am Holy Communion (Modern Rite) 10.00am Family Service 4th Sunday 9.30am Holy Communion (Modern Rite) 11.15am Holy Communion (BCP) 5th Sunday Combined Service alternating between the two churches, at either 9.30am or 11.15am. * During the Interregnum, this service has been brought forward to 8am. Both parishes are served by civil parish councils: Fulford Parish Council The Parish of Fulford is one of the largest in Stafford Borough and includes four wards, one of which is Fulford (which includes Cross Gate/Moss Gate, Saverley Green and Stallington communities). Until 1940 the civil parish boundaries were almost contiguous with the ecclesiastical parish, then subsequently the Meir Heath area was transferred to Meir Heath ecclesiastical parish and Blythe Bridge was transferred to Forsbrook. Hilderstone Parish Council The Parish Council comprises seven Councillors who represent the interests of the village of Hilderstone on behalf of Stafford Borough & Staffordshire County Councils. Many of the Councillors are also active members of other community bodies in the village including Christ Church and the Village Hall. Page: 6 WELCOME to FULFORD- in-STONE FULFORD: Church of St. Nicholas The Grade II listed church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, was “The old yews in St. Nicholas’ churchyard point to the built in 1826 on the site of an older chapel and features a church being a very early place of worship, and it semi-circular apse and vestry at the East end and an certainly was well established as a Chapelry in the 14th century, being listed among the Churches of Pirehill embattled West turret. The East window shows Christ in Hundred.” glory, with St. Nicholas to the left and St. Chad (holding Extract from “Fulford and its Church” by Roger Keight. The past Lichfield Cathedral on his palm) to the right. The bell tower incumbents of the church are recorded continually from 1682. houses two bells and the church has a hearing loop system. With seating for 140, the church is situated in a conservation area at the edge of the village and is bordered by agricultural land. It is well signposted from both ends of the village and has the advantage of a large car park next to the church. The open churchyard, with public footpaths, is visited regularly. Fulford war memorial is on the right of the footpath and the Roll of Honour hangs inside the church. The building was extended in the 1990s when an annexe was added, providing a meeting room, with a facility for providing hot drinks, and a W.C. suitable for disabled use. There is level or ramped access (and on into the nave of the church), with separate wheelchair access from the car park. The church’s tradition is central, with cassock, surplice (or cassock alb) and stole. The average Sunday congregation numbers have remained reasonably static for some years, which is seen as a sign of hope for the future. Members of the congregation read both Epistle and Gospel, lead intercessory prayer and assist at the altar. Two of the Eucharistic Assistants are also licensed to distribute extended communion. The weekly services aim to provide a mix of ancient and modern liturgies and there is a monthly non-communion service which incorporates baptisms from time to time. The most recent Quinquennial Inspection was undertaken in 2015 and the PCC is addressing the more urgent issues, including the need to fell an Ash tree in the churchyard. Page: 7 WELCOME to FULFORD- in-STONE Church Groups: Lent Courses: Lent courses have been held regularly over the years and have been well attended. More recently, parishioners from Hilderstone have joined the Fulford group. Start Courses: There have been two Start courses in the past and there is a weekly prayer group meeting, but we recognise the need for more teaching and would be glad to see the prayer group grow numerically. Baby & Toddler Group: This meets weekly in the annexe and provides a welcome opportunity for mutual support as mums, dads and grandparents chat whilst the children play. Varied activities include treasure hunts and decorating the church for Harvest and Christmas. Social & Fundraising Group: St. Nicholas Church has a well-established and committed social and fund raising group which organises events such as the popular “Fulford Open Gardens”’, lobby lunches (lobby being a traditional North Staffordshire stew), coffee mornings, an annual Christmas Draw and Harvest Suppers. Other events, slightly further afield, are also organised, including dining evenings on the Churnet Valley Railway. These events bring the whole of the village together while at the same time raising funds for the church. FULFORD-in-Stone: A Brief Outline The Parish of Fulford-in-Stone comprises four distinct areas: Fulford Village, Saverley Green, Cross Gate/Moss Gate and Stallington. The majority of people live in Fulford village, where the Church of St. Nicholas is to be found. FULFORD VILLAGE Fulford is an attractive and welcoming semi-rural village, surrounded by beautiful countryside. In 2015 it won Small Best Kept Village in the Stafford area. It has a primary school, an active village and farming community and events take place throughout the year, providing enjoyment for the local community and visitors. Information of forthcoming events can be found in the monthly church magazine, the quarterly village newsletter and by visiting the village website (www.fulfordvillage.com). The Fulford Village Group (FVG) is an enthusiastic group which provides information about our village and events which are taking place. FVG co-ordinates our entry into the Best Kept Village competition and organises a range of activities, including an annual “Fulfest” music festival, monthly walks from Autumn through to Spring, carols and mulled wine on the Village Green and other social activities throughout the year.