Arden Valley Group of Churches PARISH PROFILE The Diocese of Coventry Page 1 of 26 BISHOP’S INTRODUCTION Recent rounds of consultations with rural parishes across the Diocese have shown the deep commitment of most to them to engage with the reality of mission and ministry in the 21st century with creative energy and godly resolve. Each group of village churches is unique, and will need to assess how they can serve and reach their communities in their own particular ways. It is humbling and inspiring to see our rural churches rising to this challenge of contemporary mission. The Arden Valley group is no exception. I think you will find in their Parish Profile a genuine desire for where these church communities would like to be and a disengaging honesty about their desire for help to get there. The Group of churches have not worked a great deal together but they are a wonderful group of people with whom it should be a delight to work. And to live in this beautiful part of the country is sheer gift! The Diocese of Coventry is a forward-thinking Diocese which likes to allow innovation and creativity. We would welcome applicants who would like to join us in creatively engaging with our rural churches and communities as we seek to extend the kingdom of God in rural Warwickshire. I commend this post to you. With my prayers Page 2 of 26 DEANERY SUMMARY A warm welcome from the Alcester Deanery awaits the person God sends to join the Churches of Arden group. Our Deanery is situated in rural Warwickshire and has a vision for ministry built upon the diocesan priorities to worship God, make new disciples and transform community. Alcester Deanery is increasingly being focused on the importance of lay and clergy being inspired to work together, and there is a need to be at ease working with our many small but faithful church families who have varied styles of worship. Currently, the greatest challenge to the rural church is ageing church congregations, and there is a pressing need for an enthusiastic and open- minded approach to explore new and appropriate ways of ministering and doing mission in the countryside. The Deanery is committed to supporting the three-fold Diocesan Mision purpose of Worshipping God, Making New Disciples and Transforming Communites by implementing Natural Church Development principles. Although the role of Area Dean is vacant, a situation we hope to rectify shortly, the Chapter continues to meet monthly. The clergy are in good spirits and find these meetings helpful and supportive. They provide valuable opportunities for sharing faith, prayer and fellowship as well as growing a common heart for mission and learning. We very much look forward to welcoming to our mostly rural Deanery a colleague who will face the challenges and share the joys of rural ministry alongside us. Page 3 of 26 BACKGROUND TO POST The post of Rector to the Arden Valley Group of churches has become vacant following the retirement of the previous incumbent. He had been the Priest in Charge of the old United Benefice of 3 churches since 1996. In 2006 two larger parishes were added, and in 2013 the Arden Valley Group was formed. A year later the incumbent was made Rector. The Arden Valley Group is situated in a delightful part of south Warwickshire close to Stratford-on- Avon and the county town of Warwick, with its adjacent major transport networks. Whilst the 5 village communities share many similarities, there are specific talents, needs and ambitions within each of them. There are 3 PCCs – 1 Norton Lindsey and Wolverton with Langley – total population c700, 2 Snitterfield - c1200 and 3 Bearley - c724, which have tended to operate independently. To help the parishes grow individually and collaboratively for the benefit of all, will be one of the opportunities provided by this post. We are perhaps typical of many rural churches; small in number, elderly, and predominantly female with traditional service patterns. We want to be more inclusive, vibrant and attractive to newcomers, especially the younger generation. We would therefore welcome a priest who will help us in achieving these aims. ROLE SPECIFICATION The role of this post is to lead the 5 churches in fulfilling the Diocesan Mission Purpose of: Worshipping God Making New Disciples Transforming Communities. This will be achieved by developing 8 Essential Qualities in the lives of healthy churches: Empowering Leadership Gift-oriented Ministry Passionate Spirituality Inspiring Worship Holistic Small Groups Need-oriented Outreach Loving Relationships Functional Structures Page 4 of 26 PERSON SPECIFICATION We therefore welcome applications from priests who will help us in delivering the 8 Essential Qualities and in growing us spiritually and numerically, and who: Have experience of attracting families and young people into the life of the church (preferably in a rural context) and creating worship which is inspiring for all particularly the young. Have developed significant levels of lay leadership across all ages in the ministry and mission of the church. Have navigated effective change resulting in spiritual and church growth. Are able to develop a sense of partnership across the 5 churches in worship and outreach. Have an affinity with and enjoy the benefits of living and working within rural communities. Are able to maintain a good work balance and enjoy life. THE ARDEN VALLEY GROUP OF CHURCHES AND THE 8 ESSENTIAL QUALITIES We have undertaken the Natural Church Development (NCD) survey over the past two years, and are growing in our understanding of what and how each essential quality affects the life and health of our churches. The initial relatively small sample taken may not have given a true picture. We would readily admit that at first sight the survey results do not look encouraging, but we ask that potential applicants view our potential, as well as us viewing theirs! We acknowledge that much work is to be done if we are to change and attract more people to our church communities and need guidance to develop further. Empowering Leadership In rural areas much depends on the abilities of lay leaders, and there are a number of our members who regularly take responsibility for leading worship, preaching and intercessions. However, there have been no discernible processes established to identify and develop the skills of people who would be capable of taking on leadership responsibilities other than the minister recognising and encouraging participation in services and working groups. We would welcome an incumbent who would enable more training and support for our existing leaders and identify and train into leadership those of a younger outlook. We respect tradition but recognise that there are new possibilities and would value a priest who can love us and at the same time help us adapt, change where necessary, and create new opportunities where appropriate. We believe that the opportunity for personal leadership mentoring and development is possible in these relatively small parishes in a way that would not be possible elsewhere. Page 5 of 26 Gift-Oriented Ministry Everyone in our congregations has the opportunity to become involved in the life of their church and is encouraged to do so, though the age profile of our members and the small numbers means a lot of the day to day work of the churches rests with only a few people. Having said that, most people enjoy the tasks they are given or volunteer for e.g. Churchyard maintenance, cleaning, flower arranging groups etc. and look forward to working as part of a team. Members are encouraged to take part in services, reading, leading intercessions and preaching. Many residents of the villages feel very connected to their local church and contribute with support and time, even though they may not regularly attend the worship services. We do acknowledge the time and effort put in by others, thank them openly for what they have done, and pray for them. We only have a few children and younger adults in our churches so it is difficult to maintain momentum though the leaders of our youth groups, Sunday schools and toddlers group are enthusiastic and fully committed to the work they do with our young people. There have been regular groups of young people prepared for confirmation. Everyone agrees that we want our churches to grow and flourish including young people and young adults so we would welcome help with how to achieve this. Mothers & Toddlers Group Passionate Spirituality We want the spiritual temperature in our churches to be raised! We would wish to present a caring, loving and spiritual faith to all in our communities but need help to discern what this should look like and how to make it effective and relevant, especially amongst younger people. There are opportunities for members to pray together and some members are trained to lead services and prayer sessions. Some will pray openly and thank God openly. Prayer slips, on each pew, can be filled in by members of the congregation, or visitors, asking for prayers to be said for themselves or others. A prayer group meets on the first Monday evening of each month at Snitterfield and monthly in Norton Lindsey, Wolverton and Langley. Page 6 of 26 Inspiring Worship We are currently traditional in most of our church services. Robes are worn for all services of Holy Communion, marriages, funerals and major festivals. People in each village associate strongly with their local churches which are full for the annual festivals (Christmas, Mothering Sunday, Easter, Harvest, Rogation, Wakes and Remembrance Sunday), but there are smaller congregations for the regular services through the rest of the year.