Over-View for the United Benefice of Royston St the John Baptist and Felkirk St Peter's
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OVER-VIEW FOR THE UNITED BENEFICE OF ROYSTON ST THE JOHN BAPTIST AND FELKIRK ST PETER'S We are seeking the appointment of a Vicar to the United Benefice of Royston St John the Baptist and Felkirk St Peter's Churches. We are looking for a Priest, male or female, who will be able to inspire the two congregations spiritually and further develop the already strong connections within the local communities. The new Incumbent will have the assistance of a retired female Priest who is actively involved in both Parishes. He or she will also enjoy the support and encouragement of the Churchwardens, the PCCs and energetic and enthusiastic lay people who will be mindful of the work-load and the need to ensure that days off are taken. The Benefice was formed between the two 12th Century Churches three years ago. Both retain their PCCs and individual identities but closer ties of friendship have developed between the two Parishes with a number of regular collaborative ventures and a shared service pattern throughout the year. Royston St John the Baptist is in the centre of a busy urban village, which is part of the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, with a catchment population of approximately 11,500. The vicarage is adjacent to the Church. Felkirk St Peter's lies three miles distant from Royston in rural open countryside on the border of West and South Yorkshire, between the village of South Hiendley and Shafton. It has a catchment population of approximately 5,300. PARISH PROFILE FOR ST JOHN THE BAPTIST ROYSTON Parish Profile 2 September 2017 LOCATION Formerly a predominantly mining village, Royston is a rapidly growing community, with an abundance of new housing and a current population of approximately 11,042 (2011 census), 97% of which are white British. The deprivation rank is 1826/12554. It is situated eight miles from Wakefield and five miles from Barnsley, with good transport links and proximity to the M1. There are railway stations in Barnsley and Wakefield. Royston is in the Wakefield Episcopal Area of the Diocese of Leeds and is in the Barnsley Deanery. The Church stands in a prominent position on the main road, with the Vicarage and grounds adjoining. To the rear of the Church is the St John the Baptist C of E Primary School. There is no Church Hall, but functions are held in Church or, for larger events, in the school and grounds, by arrangement with the Head Teacher. THE CHURCH The Church dates back to 1234 and is Grade I listed. It was built by the monks of the nearby Priory of St Mary Magdalene at Monk Bretton. An extremely unusual feature is the tower's five-sided oriel window in the ringing chamber, one of only a few in the country. The Chancel was re-ordered in the 1980's, when a pre-Reformation Altar Stone was discovered, buried in the floor of the Sanctuary. It was restored and fixed to a base that incorporates stones from Monk Bretton Priory, the Shrine of Our Lady of Rocamadour and the now demolished National School. The High Altar also contains a Relic of St Justin, martyred in 165. Parish Profile 3 September 2017 An illustrated leaflet, which gives brief details of the Church and any interesting features, is available for visitors. The Inspecting Architect has recently undertaken the Quinquennial Inspection and the building was found to be in good repair, with no major work necessary. There is some minor repair work to be done, alongside the routine maintenance. The Church is part of Barnsley’s Hudson-Taylor trail, marked by a red plaque near the lych gate. A native of Barnsley, missionary James Hudson-Taylor founded the China Inland Mission, one of the largest Christian Movements in the world. Born on May 21st, 1832, he died in Changsha, Hunan, China on June 3rd, 1905, aged 73 years. His great grandfather, James Taylor, was married to Elizabeth Johnson in Royston Church on February 1st, 1776. THE VICARAGE A path leads from the Churchyard to the well-appointed detached Vicarage, which was built in the mid 1950's. It has a large enclosed garden, which is mostly lawned but also has shrubs and trees. There are also sheds and a garage. Downstairs there is a lounge, dining room, kitchen, utility room, study and toilet. Upstairs there are four bedrooms and a boxroom, a bathroom and a separate toilet. There is useful storage space in the loft. The property has gas-fired central heating and an alarm. Parish Profile 4 September 2017 CHURCH SERVICES Common Worship is used and the vestments are worn. Prior to the vacancy, there were two mid-week said Eucharists, on Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings, with an 8am said Eucharist and a 9.15am sung Eucharist on Sundays. The Book of Common Prayer has been used on the first and third Sundays at 8am, while the 9.15am service on the first Sunday of the month has taken the form of a Family Service, with particular attention to children. There is no choir but there is a regular organist. We also have the services of another organist/pianist and a flautist, both of whom play for a small singing group that leads the Communion hymns on two Sundays per month. There are at present a varying number of teenage servers. OTHER CLERGY We have been indebted to the care shown to us at Royston, as well as Felkirk, by retired Priest Rev. Patricia Taylor, who is based at Felkirk. Over the last few years she has always been willing to provide holiday/absence cover and she has generously offered her time during the vacancy to provide cover for Eucharists, Weddings, Funerals and Baptisms. CONGREGATION There are 111 people on the Electoral Roll and the majority of the congregation is female and in the over 50 age range. There is, however, a thriving children's corner with up to 25 pre-school and primary school children meeting every Sunday in an area at the back of Church during the 9.15am service. Parish Profile 5 September 2017 LAY MEMBERS Eight lay members of the congregation administer the Chalice at services and/or take Communion to the housebound. Three lay members lead the intercessions at the 9.15am Sunday service. Other laity read, take the Offertory to the Altar, act as sidespersons and welcome people into Church. The Churchwardens prepare the Church on a Saturday evening, see to the ordering of supplies and are on duty on a Sunday. Members of the laity attend the daily offices, some of them taking turns to lead and read. Two cleaners also undertake some of the duties of a verger. There is a safeguarding officer, a health and safety officer and a Baptism Co-ordinator who attends Parish Office and books Baptisms for both Royston and Felkirk. Other volunteers also attend the afternoon Baptism services and provide support. There are regular group meetings to plan social and fund-raising events. Members of the congregation are invited to attend these meetings to put forward ideas and suggestions, which are always welcomed. Parish Profile 6 September 2017 OTHER SERVICES An intercessions group meets fortnightly, after the Wednesday morning Eucharist. Lenten services are held, followed by a frugal lunch, and Lent courses and a "Start" course have also been arranged. Members of the congregation join with Evening Prayer on Monday and Morning Prayer on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The neighbouring village of Notton is in the Parish of Royston and a monthly fresh expression "Church in the Hall" service has been held in the village hall, with differing forms of service, e.g. Eucharist, Morning Prayer etc. There is a nursing home and a residential home in Royston. Monthly services have been held in both but these have been discontinued because of declining attendance at one and lack of co-operation at the other. The PCC has taken part in annual retreat/discussion days and the congregation has been on a Parish Pilgrimage to Walsingham. POLICIES There is an open Baptism policy, with Baptism preparation sessions held every month. Divorcees have been married in Church, after appropriate discussions and consultation with the Bishop. Marriage preparation sessions are held at regular intervals and there are wedding rehearsals. CONFIRMATION Confirmation preparation is available for Church School candidates in their final year, and there are also classes for adults. SCHOOLS There is an excellent relationship with the local Church School. The Church School is one of four primary schools in Royston. Church School services/Eucharists are held in Church on a regular basis and the other schools also come in to Church for services, although less frequently. The Priest has also gone into the schools to lead assemblies etc. and there are good relationships with the staff and pupils for the regular collective worship and other visits. A fair number of children from Royston go on to attend Holy Trinity School, a unique joint RC/CE through school, which is in a neighbouring parish. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT The Church has close links with the Royston Ward Alliance and regularly assists with the "Love where you Live" projects, as well as providing refreshments/stalls for the annual Gala and summer band concerts in Royston Park. In addition, the Church has organised a May Day Gala every year in the Church School grounds. Monthly coffee mornings in Church are widely supported. Parish Profile 7 September 2017 Church members have set up a "Knit and Natter" group which meets in a community centre. Garments have been knitted for the "Fish and Chip" babies of Africa, twiddle blankets have been made for the local hospital and items are knitted for Church fairs.