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‘Our vision for Growth’ 2 Onny Camlad Benefice Introduction ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish’ Prov 29 v18 When the Benefice met to discuss the appointment of a new incumbent, we agreed that the changes we have started aimed at focusing the work of the Benefice, sharing the workload and simplifying the administration should continue. Despite our ageing population and congregations, there emerged, independently from each parish, a wish to ‘try something different’ to sustain the growth we had witnessed recently. New forms of worship were mentioned many times. Ways to bring in new people were discussed at length. ‘How can we best support the new incumbent?’ brought forth a welter of ideas.

Out of this came the theme of this document; ‘Our vision for Growth’

By ‘growth’ we mean spiritual growth of our existing congregations, as well as growth in numbers by reaching out to the members of our communities who currently have little or no involvement with our churches. We hope that as you read it you share our vision and that the challenges here excite rather than concern you. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and may God have already put in your heart a desire to live and work with us.

Onny Camlad Benefice Index 2. Map of the Benefice 3. Introduction 4. Person Specification 5. Benefice Profile 7. The Rectory at Wentnor 8. Worship 9. Mission Parish Profiles 10. Churchstoke 11. 12. Lydham 13. More 14. Myndtown 15. Norbury 16. Ratlinghope 17. Snead 18. Wentnor

‘Our vision for Growth’ 3 Onny Camlad Benefice Person Specification

“They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples.” Acts 14 v21

We believe that our new Priest will have the following qualities:

A Person of faith who: A Minister who: Has a natural and freely expressed relationship Is a capable facilitator able to delegate with Jesus Christ. appropriately. Is reflective and prayerful expecting to see the Demonstrates leadership skills, tempered by Holy Spirit at work in their life. sound emotional intelligence. Has knowledge of scripture, and its application Can inspire others through well developed to contemporary life. communication skills, and openness, adapting to different audiences and groups. A Pastor who: Can mentor and support current and emerging Can build bridges into our communities, lay leaders within the congregation. supporting activities and engaging where Will inspire and encourage parishioners to act appropriate. with courage and integrity to share the message Will support and facilitate lay initiatives and of Jesus’ love. help their sustained development enabling Builds on existing structures to shape a stronger, parishioners to reach out into their sustainable Benefice. communities. Can listen well, learning and adapting as a result Someone, who can foster the strengths of each of what is heard. church, whilst helping us continue working towards greater unity. Will represent the Benefice externally, in consultation with PCC’s.

An ability to walk on water would also be useful!

‘Our vision for Growth’ 4 Onny Camlad Benefice Benefice Profile

‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing’ 1 Thess 5v11

Onny Camlad Benefice The Benefice is part of the Clun Forest Deanery, which is one of the more rural areas in the . Onny Camlad is made up of nine parishes spanning the border between and . It is a very rural area, made up of villages, hamlets and remote farmsteads, with livestock farming and tourism the dominant industries. The English parishes are in the Hills AONB (‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’).

Group Parish Church Responsibility Onny Camlad Churchstoke, St Nicholas Priest in Charge Rector Hyssington, Powys St Etheldreda’s Rector Lydham, Shropshire Church of the Holy Trinity Rector More, Shropshire Church of St Peter Rector Myndtown, Shropshire St John the Baptist Rector Norbury, Shropshire All Saints Rector Ratlinghope, Shropshire St Margaret’s Rector Snead, Powys St Mary the Virgin Rector Wentnor, Shropshire St Michael and All Angels Rector

The Deanery covers the south west of Shropshire, Lay leadership within the Benefice is in robust west of the South Shropshire Hills, and over the heart! While our previous incumbent was on long border into the Welsh county of Powys. The area term sick leave, Churchwardens examined the includes the traditional market town of Bishops administration of the Benefice and have centralised Castle, with outlying villages such as Lydbury North admin systems to make it easier to manage the and Clun typifying the rural tranquility. Benefice and resource mission in the future. These include the appointment of a Benefice The ancient Offa’s Dyke runs north to south Administrator who will assist the incumbent, the through the area, marking the approximate border setting up of a Benefice Account to simplify between England and Wales. financial arrangements between the parishes, and A feature of the area is the extent to which residents the joint purchasing of consumables. These changes appreciate, and care for, their environment: a have been paid for by a small levy on each parish. typically British, pastoral countryside, with scattered A small group of parishioners lead worship in villages making up each parish. People are self churches when an ordained priest is not available. sufficient with many traditional ideas, attitudes and We look to our new incumbent to develop and skills. Each settlement has its individual qualities, support shared worship and to work with while the Long Mynd and Stiperstones hills provide churchwardens to delegate appropriate aspects of ample walking cycling and more sedentary pastimes Benefice and parish leadership. for residents and tourists alike.

‘Our vision for Growth’ 5 Onny Camlad Benefice Facilities within the Benefice Other local facilities There are two primary schools within the Benefice. The market town of Bishops Castle is located about Norbury Primary School and Nursery has been five miles south of the Benefice and provides access categorised Outstanding in its latest Ofsted to the following facilities: report.www.norbury.shropshire.sch.uk. Churchstoke • Doctor’s surgery Primary School is designated bi-lingual, • Community College (secondary school) and teaching in English and providing classes in Welsh primary school speaking.www.churchstoke.powys.sch.uk. Both • SPARC (Leisure and Arts centre with swimming schools use the local churches for services pool) throughout the year. They have both indicated that • Veterinary surgery they will welcome the opportunity to work with the new incumbent to explore new ideas and ways of • Small supermarkets and artisan shops working with the church. The nearest secondary • Sports clubs (e.g. rugby, football, cricket, school is The Community College, Bishop’s Castle, hockey, tennis, etc) third in the county league table for exam results. Bishops Castle is an active community, running a www.communitycollegebc.org.uk number of annual carnivals, fairs and unique events The community enjoys the benefits of four village such as the tandem triathlon. halls, at Churchstoke, Hyssington, Lydham and Beyond Bishops Castle and the Benefice itself, the Norbury. All are well-utilised and provide valuable nearest towns of significance are (15 facilities within the community. For example, miles north, with the nearest hospital), Ludlow (15 Lydham hosts a regular Friday market, Hyssington a miles south east), and Newtown or (15 community Book Club, Norbury a range of miles west). The nearer towns of Church Stretton Sports, Arts and Social events, including a and Craven Arms have railway stations on the main community choir. Manchester to Cardiff line. Churchstoke has a large supermarket (which includes a petrol station, cafe and popular Sunday market). There is a convenience store and post office at Wentnor, a health food shop in Lydham, and a number of public houses throughout the area.

‘Our vision for Growth’ 6 Onny Camlad Benefice Accommodation - The Rectory, Wentnor My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Isaiah 32 verse 18

The Rectory is a 4-bedroom bungalow set on the edge of the quiet village of Wentnor. It is a spacious home with stunning views over the South Shropshire countryside.

The kitchen, which is light and airy, has a fitted The Rectory has a large parking area leading to a oven and separate grill, plenty of storage and space garage and the front door. When entering the for a table in the back corner. Off the kitchen is a property there is a room on the left, which has generous utility room with the back door leading previously been used as an office, to the right is a out onto the garden. large toilet. This is a good aspect of the rectory as the office area is separate from the main living area There is a bathroom and four bedrooms. All the so visitors do not have to enter the main home. bedrooms have integrated wardrobes and are of a good size. Some have fitted vanity sink units.

The bungalow has oil-fired central heating and an open fireplace located in the living room. The windows are UPVc double glazed units. The Rectory is connected to a BT broadband and landline service.

Among the patrons of the living are the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church, Oxford. Christ Church is in the happy position of being able to support There is a sizable living room with dual aspect the incumbents of its ninety livings through the French doors leading out onto a patio area and large revenues of the Dr South Trust, which is able to lawned garden with mixed shrub borders. There is assist with grants for study, administration and also a large dining room which could be used for holidays, as well as offering a biennial conference meetings if required. and loans for the purchase of a car.

‘Our vision for Growth’ 7 Onny Camlad Benefice Worship “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for these are the kinds of worshippers the Father seeks.” John 4 v23

With nine places of worship in the Benefice the increasing in our churches, thanks to the inspiring structure of Sunday services has evolved over the work of the previous incumbent, and this has years. A Benefice service, when there is a fifth continued despite her absence on long term Sunday in the month, has been held at various sickness. We want to ensure this encouraging trend churches and more recently at the new village hall can continue. at Norbury, which offers warmth, comfort and catering facilities. It is also viewed as ‘non- There are concerns as congregations get older threatening’ for those who don’t normally attend reflecting the demographics of our area; church and ‘neutral’ for those who do; it is a fertile nevertheless, we need to develop our worship across area for growth. the Benefice so that it is flexible, attractive and accessible to all. The message of the Good News of During the interregnum, new forms of worship have Jesus Christ is timeless and we can make it relevant been tried out, that have been generally welcomed. to young and old alike! A group, comprising the reader and a number of lay-worship leaders, has enthusiastically led the non-Eucharistic services and are willing to support the new Incumbent in this way. A lay-led Lent group was held for the benefit of those in the Benefice, and was well-received.

Exploring Faith currently includes an Alpha course at Churchstoke (an earlier one took place some years ago at Ratlinghope). A new-style all-age service featuring drama, prayer stations and new songs has been running in an attempt to engage with young families and it is proving popular with older people too; prayer ministry is available at every service.

Festivals, special events and celebrations of christenings, weddings and funerals are well attended. Visitors are welcomed warmly; we are looking at ways in which the ‘ministry of welcome’ can translate into attendance at worship. In most Parishes, we have seen numbers of worshippers

‘Our vision for Growth’ 8 Onny Camlad Benefice Mission Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.’ Acts 13 v15

Our Mission in the Church community Within the wider community, we are active in the Our new Priest will find a growing awareness of the following areas: need for Mission in all our churches. We have a • People from our Benefice have attended good foundation of lay-led services and throughout diocesan ‘Follow’ events to encourage us in the Benefice there are people who are committed to mission and a growing number regularly attend worshipping and praying together. In the past we ‘Filling Stations’, where they receive good have been inspired by excellent training in lay led teaching, ministry and encouragement in worship and we have recently discussed developing a evangelism. training event with the Diocesan lead. Similarly the • Churchstoke Shopping Centre and Sunday Benefice has benefited from a very active ‘Local Morning Car Boot sale have a Chaplaincy and Ministry Development Group’ which has rather Christian presence provided by the Mission withered on the vine with the departure of the Priest and church members. original Members. We are keen to revive this Group • Whole community festivals and events. which lay at the heart of many lay led initiatives. • A Youth group – IGNITE – has been led by the There is enthusiasm for reaching out into each Mission Priest. Open to the whole Benefice, it locality. Church members are active in a range of features youth worship (teenage culture) and environmental, social and community based Christian teaching as well as fun activities. initiatives, we will welcome encouragement, Following this there is a growing involvement in development, and leadership from a Rector who will Sunday worship and a Confirmation Service is help us to develop a shared vision for mission. booked. • A team from the congregation in Churchstoke The Benefice’s parishioners have a wide range of leads a children’s after-school Christian club and work skills, coming from jobs as diverse as farmers, do Open-the-Book. agricultural contractors, teachers, nurses, architects, • Tourism is an important part of our economy social workers and managers of their own businesses and our church buildings offer quiet time and to name a few. We look to work with our incumbent comfort. Many come here as visitors and join us to develop and use these skills to create an active later as parishioners. outward looking group of Parishes confident in our abilities and engaged with local people to create • Our two Primary Schools are keen to see communities where church and people work imaginative support from their local Church together in harmony. communities.

‘Our vision for Growth’ 9 Onny Camlad Benefice St Nicholas ’, Churchstoke

Our Building and Our Parish Church members are often at the The village of Churchstoke, forefront of community events: we population 1200 approx, nestles on work with the school for the the English/Welsh border. We have a Christmas Bazaar; local businesses County Primary School (30 children), participate in our Christmas Tree a village hall, two pubs, Chinese Festival by decorating a tree; takeaway, a care home and several residents at the Care Home are small businesses. We have Bowling waited on and blessed at the church Club, Tennis Club, Guides , Strawberry Fayre. Brownies , Rainbows and playgroup. Much work has been done in clearing Churchstoke has a unique large the west end of the churchyard and supermarket complex, including a we now have paths and viewing area Sunday Market. Our church is a with a bench. Grade 2 listed, substantial stone Our Vision for Growth building situated in the centre of the old village. We have a lively programme for mission including: Our Congregation • Kidz Klub once a month, enabling In October 2014 a Mission Priest of children to learn about God and Churchstoke (stipendiary, half-time) parents to engage in adult worship was appointed, to have responsibility and hear a thought-provoking for worship, mission and ministry in sermon. Churchstoke; she and her husband live in the vicarage. There is an • Ignite - A youth group, for school experienced Reader and a PCC years 7 - 9. They use drama and committed to growth in Church and games, study the Bible and worship Kingdom. Jesus in both loud and quiet worship songs. The young people are Sunday Pattern of Worship: All following the ‘Youth Alpha’ course. services at 10.30am • The Mission Priest and Reader 1.Morning Praise with Kidz Klub lead a service of Holy Communion 2.Holy Communion CW in the Care Home on two Fridays per 3.Sunday Central month. Throughout the year church members visit residents and the 4.Holy Communion CW Reader and Warden take Harvest and Over the past four years we have Christmas services in the Home. experimented and developed new Some residents come to Sunday ways of worship. On the third worship. Sunday we have ‘Sunday Central’ - • CoffeeCraft Led by a church relaxed and lively worship with member, this is a group providing drama, meditation and fun activities friendship and support for all for all ages. 7 families with children comers. regularly take part and some help • Foodbank – run by church lead. We have incorporated and • Confirmation - we plan a members, we are an outpost of Clun ‘open mic’ slot for testimony and Confirmation Service every year Community Larder. words of knowledge. • Supermarket Complex. The • We are planning a significant We worship with traditional hymns Mission Priest is Chaplain to the reordering scheme: Faith for the and modern ‘New Wine’ type songs, Shopping Centre and spends Future, incorporating new heating, sometimes with flags; sometimes with Thursdays 1-2pm in the store, talking toilets and a meeting room. Much food and drinks served from our and praying with staff and customers. work has been done on this and we kitchen; sometimes with prayer • We have run 5 Alpha courses in plan to start later this year. stations around the church building; the last 4 years and these have • Website: sometimes praying for each other in contributed to growth in maturity www.stnicholaschurchstoke.org.uk our seats or at the altar. and in numbers.

‘Our vision for Growth’ 10 Onny Camlad Benefice St Etheldreda’s Church , Hyssington

Our Building and our Parish is one of eight sites across Wales to St Etheldreda’s, Hyssington is a be chosen for their ‘Biodiversity small rural parish situated in an area Hotspots in Wales’ Project. of outstanding natural beauty and is Working closely with Caring for one of the Benefice’s Welsh God’s Acre, the special training day parishes. It consists of the village of this year will be about the use of the Hyssington and the much smaller, Austrian Scythe. scattered hamlet of . Our Our Congregation population is largely made up of the St Etheldreda’s has been a focus of local farming community but also Christian worship in the Onny includes others who have moved Camlad valley for nearly 900 years. into the parish in recent years, many We have 31 names on our parish of whom are retirement age. We electoral roll and average 16 at our have a well-used Village Hall, a social regular services. We hold a monthly club, book club, friendship club, Holy Communion Service. We local history group and our celebrate major church festivals with community is warm hearted and a Christmas Eve Candlelit Service, welcoming. an Easter Vigil and a Harvest Our church is well maintained and Festival. We also hold an annual generally in good order as our parish Advent Party for our young people volunteers work hard to keep the and their families and an Open church and churchyard in good Churchyard Sunday with a service of order. We have large numbers of Thanksgiving followed by an visitors to the church and it is enormous tea and entertainment in opened daily. Altar flowers and the churchyard. All these events and floral displays enrich our services festivals are widely supported, not and festivals. We hold a variety of just by Church members, but by the regular fundraising activities which whole community and they enable enable us to involve the wider us to welcome new faces and visitors community in our church and to to our Church. Music is an meet our financial obligations. important part of our worship. We Our present church was built of enthusiastically tackle ‘new’ hymns the way we use our Church building. local stone in 1875 but has a much and include music in every service. We may have to make difficult older, possibly Anglo Saxon Our Vision for Growth decisions but we must put our foundation. We retain items from We thank God for our church and mission before every other previous buildings, for example, our look back over our long history of consideration. We will be sustained 12th century font, a finely carved serving Christ in this place, and and upheld by our faith in Jesus 16th century pulpit and our two forward to the future of our Church Christ. bells. St Etheldreda’s Church is also with confidence and Faith. We famous in folk lore circles for the know that we cannot be complacent. legend of the Bagbury Bull. We need to grow our membership, The ‘Caring for God’s Acre’ Team particularly amongst younger people have won funding from Natural in our community. This may require Resource Wales and St Etheldreda’s us to look anew at our worship and

‘Our vision for Growth’ 11 Onny Camlad Benefice Holy Trinity Church , Lydham

Our Building and our Parish Church, and a few parishioners are Aware of the need for regular willing to keep the fabric of the maintenance and quality repair work church and the churchyard in good on this over 800 year old building, order. This will entail Insurance, listed Grade 11*, extensive repair boiler maintenance, cleaning, repairs work was carried out on the East and upkeep of the churchyard. We wall and its attractive Georgian do have enough money in hand to Window in 2011. Costing £79,000 cover these commitments for a few this was possible because of generous years, or until those willing people grants plus active community fund are unable to carry on. raising. Structurally the building is Our Vision for Growth sound. We hope that the new Incumbent is The Village, a mix of private and active, communicative and one who social housing, has 48 households, a will appeal right across the spectrum, population of approximately 110 especially to the younger members of with Holy Trinity Church situated in our community, who may welcome the centre. There is no School, Post new ideas and a new pattern of Office or Pub, though there is an services. Organic Wholefood Shop and a Weekly Market is held in the Village Hall, supplying fruit & vegetables, meat, bread, cheese, and various crafts. Apart from agriculture and forestry work, there is a motor repair garage and a steel fabricating business manufacturing cattle and sheep handling equipment. A wood burning stove manufacturer is just over a mile from the village. Overall the Parish has 85 houses and approximately 190 population. Our Congregation Unfortunately our congregation has dwindled to such a degree that normal Sunday Services are no longer viable. We do have a reasonable congregation for an afternoon Memorial Service on Remembrance Sunday, due to the fact that we have a War Memorial at the entrance to the Church. At present we are exploring the possibility of becoming a Festival

‘Our vision for Growth’ 12 Onny Camlad Benefice St. Peter’s Church , More

Our Building and our Parish other events. People around are More Parish is a scattered parish, always willing to help. encompassing a large tract of rural Our Vision for Growth upland, and includes the More is a rather small and isolated community of Linley; there are village. We feel that we could best approximately 150 residents. St grow by working with our close Peter’s is a Grade Two Listed neighbours Lydham and Norbury in Building in good repair. It was partnership to share resources and replastered and decorated in 2009. ideas. Perhaps one day the largest The church was built in the 13th building in the benefice will be full! century, then rebuilt and extended in the Victorian era. The tower is topped with a distinctive, timber double pyramid. Inside, the church is fairly plain, with box pews which have a small gate into the aisle. The North transept is a crypt to the More family. The small mosaics around the font are from a 19th century excavation of a roman villa near Linley. Our congregation Our congregation is small (8- 12 people) at our regular, two services a month - One Holy Communion and Morning Praise- winter Months , Evensong – summer months (both Book of Common Prayer)) . Easter and Harvest are highlights of our year when we have 20 – 40 people. The Benefice Carol Service is always held at More because it is the largest Church. Also, the United Pack holds their Carol Service here. These are both well attended, 120 – 150 people. Our finances are supplemented by a monthly draw, Coffee Mornings, Jumble Sales and

‘Our vision for Growth’ 13 Onny Camlad Benefice St John the Baptist , Myndtown

Our Building and our Parish Our Congregation Myndtown is a rural parish set in the Congregations typically range from 7 foothills of the Longmynd, on the – 10 (standard service) up to 40-50 edge of the Onny Valley, near to the for special services. Fund raising is village of Wentnor. It is made up of on-going with the aim of raising in around two dozen homesteads – the region of £1,500 to £2,000 each about 60 people in total - including year. This, along with the offertory a number of working farms, from services and visitor donations, smallholdings, private houses and helps to keep the finances for several holiday homes. The parish Myndtown stable. Events such as includes a full cross-section of quiz nights, harvest suppers and people, ranging from retired couples, occasional banquets organised by the younger professional couples and incumbent families have to date families with children. The maintained the required annual population includes long standing funding. residents (with several generations preceding them in the parish) to Our Vision for Growth relative newcomers. As a parish we would not be adverse Employment within the parish is to new ideas, and would welcome a exclusively agriculture-related, but a clear, concise and modern approach number of residents commute to worship, making the church outwards to work in Bishops Castle, relevant not just to the current Church Stretton, Ludlow, generation but to the younger Shrewsbury and further afield. people coming through. St John the Baptist church is in the Most of all we seek a family person vicinity of Myndtown Hall Farm on with a love of the countryside, an the Plowden Estate, and dates back understanding of rural issues and a to the 12th Century. In 2016 the strong empathy with the younger church was awarded a Heritage generations. An interest in the local Lottery Fund (HLF) grant to carry (Norbury) primary school is out urgent structural repairs, considered important as is an ability stimulate visitor numbers and to communicate well with a broad promote community engagement. spectrum of inhabitants. Work was completed in 2017 and the church is now in good order and attracts a steady stream of visitors. Under normal circumstances services are held monthly. These are usually Holy Communion, apart from seasonal services such as Harvest Festival, Christmas Carols and other special services agreed on rotation with other parishes in the Benefice.

‘Our vision for Growth’ 14 Onny Camlad Benefice All Saints , Norbury

Our Building and Our Parish lies at its heart. Whilst congregations The parish consists of a village and are small, the influence of two hamlets. Norbury has a congregation members is substantial population of approx 50 whilst the and village events are usually associated hamlets, Whitcott and planned by and emerge from ideas Hardwick combine for a further 20. formed by church members. Worshippers reflect the community, We are proud of our simple country between 7 and 12 people aged church, and its atmosphere of quiet between 50 and 80 attend the three contemplation. The church is largely services a month - early communion, a Victorian renovation of a Norman mid-day sung communion and chapel with a small chancel evening service. Congregation addition. The tower is the original members regularly lead worship and 12th century structure. It is well we are seeking to adopt different cared for, with a new heating system styles of worship. We ‘tythe’ 10% of and restored porch; we have recently church income to ‘Medecins San redecorated the interior and created Frontiers’ as part of our wish to look a meeting space at the west-end. In beyond the community and meet the churchyard is our other treasure, the needs of those suffering the a magnificent 2800 year old yew effects of war. Whilst the tree. We look after the Churchyard population is ageing like all villages with the help of ‘Caring for Gods in the immediate area, we accept this Acre’ volunteers, they are helping us challenge and actively seek to widen to create a wildlife friendly space our membership and reach. alongside the church to attract local Congregation members act as Parish people, visitors and the schools. Councillor Chair, Chair of the Norbury Village has a pub which Village Hall Committee and so on, opens occasionally and functions and have enthusiastically engaged mainly as a restaurant and B&B. with the new parish gift system. The new Benefice Village Hall lies in Our Vision for Growth Norbury; the local playgroup operates from the hall as does WI, Church membership is ideally over 60's and discussion club. The positioned for growth with the new local primary school is in the parish Village Hall and the school's too, now part of the Shropshire Hills increasing popularity. To take Federation. It has a school roll of 70 advantage of this our new rector or so and is extremely active in the needs to engage with and feel local community, running a monthly enthusiasm for rural life, capable of lunch and coffee event at the Village supporting lay leadership in worship Hall for local people. This is very well and action in the community. We supported and the model has been look for a person who understands copied for other schools in the area. the challenges facing local people of all ages who will facilitate action to Our Congregation deal with them. This is a community in which the church physically and emotionally

‘Our vision for Growth’ 15 Onny Camlad Benefice St Margaret’s Church , Ratlinghope

Our Building and our Parish ‘Caring for God’s Acre’. In 2018 our The Church of St. Margaret serves a charitable giving amounted to just scattered community accessible only under £1,000. by narrow winding lanes. Our Vision for Growth Ratlinghope boasts a pub and a We are a thriving, active Church Youth Hostel and a population of with many events taking place approx 100, of whom 52 are on the through the year. Our PCC is keen, Electoral Roll. The Bridges pub is with several younger members, enjoyed by the many visitors to the striving to move our church forward. area, mostly walkers, who also visit Our congregation is open and the Church. St. Margaret’s modest receptive to new ideas, patterns of size of building, is most suitable for service and ways of doing things. our small congregation. However on We are able, organized, prepared to some occasions, Harvest or the take on various roles within the Carol Service etc., we are bursting at the seams. There are two music church, and there are leaders of festivals held every year in worship amongst our congregation. Ratlinghope, one being 'jazz' We need a priest who will: orientated and the other a 3-day • be a spiritual guide to our children friendly-festival where many dispersed, rural community and families come and camp for a week. who will be a visual presence in the life of our community; Our Congregation • encourage all ages in their The regular congregation numbers worship, ministry and service, about 16. We are a cohesive, and who is able to undertake cheerful body, informal, yet thoughtful and prayerful respectful of tradition. While we worship and preaching. exercise kindness and concern • maintain and develop the gift of amongst ourselves, visitors are our lay ministry. warmly welcomed. • encourage us in our outreach We have many willing volunteers within the community caring for the maintenance and • communicate with those in our running of our beautiful, historic community, by developing links Church, and support and leadership with all families for special services at Easter, • lead worship which is uplifting, Christmas etc. is good. Adjacent to spiritual, exciting, informal and informative. the Church is a well used camp site and campers are welcome to attend our services. We endeavour to keep our church and churchyard in good repair as we are members of the Shropshire Church Tourism Group which attracts a number of visitors each year. Also we are part of

‘Our vision for Growth’ 16 Onny Camlad Benefice St Mary the Virgin , Snead

Our Building and our Parish Our Congregation Snead is one of the smallest Our congregation size varies from parishes in Wales. The current 25 to 9 depending on the type of population is 32. The small service. There are 24 electoral roll historical church, which is in an members and a PCC of 7 idyllic rural setting, was originally members. Our regular organist lives built as a 12th century Augustinian in the parish. The PCC consists of Priory and is located on an ancient 4 working professional people, two raised churchyard close to the River with young families and 3 retired Camlad, which here forms the members. Members of other border between England and Benefice churches attend services Wales. It is open every day in at Snead. Our modest income daylight hours. Away from the comes from planned giving by a A489 main road it is not always small group, some of whom are not accessible to vehicles. A small church-goers. The small churchyard grassy parking place on private land is managed by volunteers with help serves as a Car Park, and the layby occasionally from the charity ‘Caring for God’s Acre’ Task Team. at the top of the lane leading to this can be used for parking in Our Vision for Growth winter and wet conditions. A It is hoped that having clergy-led or footpath along a hedged path leads lay-led services regularly across a field to the church. The throughout the year will be possible building is in good condition as we aim to continue using the generally but has a deteriorated church as a place of worship. wooden floor in the Nave and Efforts will continue to raise the Chancel due to dampness. profile of the church through our Architect’s Plans have been drawn Facebook page ‘Snead Church, up for a replacement floor, Powys’, and through membership of Shropshire Churches Tourism drainage and ventilation to ensure Group, Small Pilgrim Places and the continued use of the church. A ‘Caring for God’s Acre’. Also by Faculty has been obtained and planning future events and grant support has been received. community activities which will Escalating costs have resulted in a draw people to us. With the considerable gap in funding, so previous Priest-in-Charge we fund-raising is on-going. The introduced new services such as a sustainable and welcome being part hamlet of Snead is essentially celebration of Twelfth Night and of a Benefice which has plans for agricultural farmland and an Open Air Churchyard service increased mutual co-operation and dwellings. There are two poultry which attracted newcomers. We bringing together all nine parishes farms and small businesses such as hope that more people will to extend Ministry, membership B&B, a Caravan Park, an Antique discover Snead Church and be able and giving in an innovative way. Furniture Centre, a Wood-turning to share its unique peacefulness. supplier and Farm Machinery We recognise the need to look for Workshop. additional ways of becoming

‘Our vision for Growth’ 17 Onny Camlad Benefice St Michael and All Angels , Wentnor

Our Building and our Parish gained in popularity with the The church, which dates back to encouragement of the previous Norman times, lies in the heart of incumbent and lay readers. the village of Wentnor. It was Importantly, the congregation restored in 1866 and has immense positively supports worship in the charm, with individual, locally-made, church and has an active core of multi-coloured kneelers that helpers with cleaning and flower characterise every pew. Of the many arranging. There are annual events visitors, virtually all, comment on including a Grand Fete for four local the beauty and tranquillity of this parishes, a harvest supper and a well unique place of worship, which is in attended and successful Flower a good state of repair and has an Festival held every five years. adequate heating system. It seats Our Vision for Growth around 100. The heart and soul of our The total parish population is community is generously minded estimated at 200. The average age is and willing to provide active support higher than many would like, with to the new incumbent, and to assist only a few younger families in the with lay worship to preach and community. disseminate the Word of God. We The local economy is a mix of hill look for a person who understands farming and local businesses which the challenges facing local people of in many cases operate from home. all ages who will facilitate action to Recent investment grants from deal with these and encourage us in have assisted our outreach within the community. many households with improved broadband service. However, the principal character of this rural locality remains broadly unchanged adding to its general attractiveness. The village of Wentnor is served by a village store with ‘outreach’ post office and two pubs. Our Congregation This congregation is no different to many others, in having a small group of regular worshippers, in our case averaging ten in number. Historically, Worship has largely been Traditional in nature, however, more recently the Common Worship version of the Eucharist (in preference to any new Patterns of Worship i.e. Evangelical) have

‘Our vision for Growth’ 18 Onny Camlad Benefice