The United Benefice of Elmton with Creswell and Whitwell with Steetley
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The United Benefice of Elmton with Creswell and Whitwell with Steetley In the Diocese of Derby Welcome to the profile for the United Benefice of Elmton with Creswell and Whitwell with Steetley We hope that you see in this the next stage for your Ministry. The Benefice is located in a semi-rural area of North East Derbyshire that was once reliant on coal mining but now the local population mainly commute to the local towns of Chesterfield, Worksop and Mansfield. We are surrounded by beautiful countryside with easy access to the M1 motorway to the west and the A1 to the east and are within easy reach of the Peak District National Park. The World Heritage site of Creswell Crags is located within the Benefice. Clumber Park (National Trust) is just a short drive away. The four Churches are in good order and the Church family is about 96 strong with 50-70 communicants on Sundays. We became a United Benefice in March 2018. Page | 1 From the Area Dean 2020 is an exciting year to join Derby Diocese. There is a sense of anticipation as we all work together with our recently appointed Diocesan Bishop, the Rt. Rev’d Libby Lane, towards a clear vision for the Diocese, its churches, congregations and communities. The new Rector of this United Benefice will be able to be a part of this, joining a welcoming and strong Chapter, a Deanery with a clear identity and willingness to work together, and churches who know there are challenging times ahead but are committed to see their churches grow in every way. Please read this profile with a heart and mind open before God, asking Him if you are who He is calling to come to pray, learn, tell and serve together with us here in North- East Derbyshire. We look forward to hearing from you, Rev’d Canon Karen Hamblin Area Dean, North East Derbyshire Deanery Page | 2 Contents The Priest we are looking for Page 4 Introduction to the Benefice Page 5 The Churches Page 6 Church Life Page 10 Across the Benefice Page 11 Finances Page 11 Mission Activity Page 12 What’s working well Page 14 Things to develop further Page 14 The Villages Page 15 The Rectory Page 18 Schooling Page 18 Transportation Page 18 Further Information and next steps Page 19 Page | 3 The Priest we are looking for This position offers a challenging opportunity for a Priest to nurture and develop the spiritual life of our congregations and enable growth. We hope this person will: Deepen and strengthen our love of God Be both a teacher and a leader who has an earnest concern for people to know Jesus and who will work towards nurturing and growing disciples Enable growth in every way Work with us to lower the age profile of our worshipping community Be open to introducing new styles of worship whilst being sensitive to the needs of our existing worshipping community Have a pastoral heart for the congregation and sensitivity towards our differences Have an ability to enthuse others Recognise the gifts, talents, strengths and calling of our Church family Look for ways of reaching out to the residents moving into the new housing developments within our Benefice (approx. 950 houses in planning) Sense God is calling them to this post In return we will: Pray for you and with you Protect and respect your days off and holidays Support and encourage you in your ministry Work with you to develop our outreach into the communities we serve Be prepared to change Share the burden of administration Pay your expenses in full Page | 4 Introduction to the Benefice The Benefice lies in the extreme north east corner of the Derby Diocese within the Chesterfield Archdeaconry and North East Area Deanery. The combined population of the Parishes is 10,466 (Bolsover District Council data 2017). All Saints Chapel Steetley St Lawrence Church Whitwell St Peter’s Church St Mary Magdalene Church Elmton Creswell Page | 5 The Churches – Fabric and Facilities St Peter's, Elmton The church at Elmton is not the original; it’s the third church on this site and we know it goes back to well before 1080 as it is mentioned in the Domesday Book and it is the earliest historical reference to the parish and Church of St Peter’s of Elmton known to us. The present Church dates from 1771. The building is in good condition with three bells in the tower (which can be chimed). The Church houses a restored Brindley organ. The Church has a small vestry but no other facilities. The Elmton School Room, located next to the Church, has benefitted from refurbishment. This is a pleasant meeting room with kitchen and disabled toilet facilities. Page | 6 St Mary Magdalene, Creswell St Mary Magdalene Church owes its existence to His Grace, the 6th Duke of Portland. Dating from 1900 this is a spacious Church with vestries for the Vicar and choir. The original organ is still played at all services. There are eight bells in the tower. There are kitchen facilities and toilet facilities suitable for use by the disabled. In recent years a nave altar has been added and glass inner doors provided. There is accommodation for 400. Recently the pews were removed from the North and South aisles to provide a more flexible meeting and worship space. The installation of a drop down screen and projector have added a new dimension to Church events and offer future worship possibilities. The Church received a grant of £23,750 in mid-2019 from Viridor Credits Environmental Company for repairs to the Church Roof, internal redecoration, provision of a disabled access ramp and replacement protective window coverings. The Church Rooms adjacent to the Church are well used by the Church and the wider community. Having in recent years been the subject of renovation and refurbishment, the Church Rooms offer a good sized meeting room with toilet facilities with disabled access and a modern well equipped kitchen. Page | 7 St Lawrence, Whitwell St Lawrence is the Parish Church of Whitwell with Steetley. A church in the area was mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086). The present building, which is Grade 1 listed, is mentioned in Simon Jenkins’ book, "Thousand Best Churches" as having a warm, friendly and lovely atmosphere. The Nave, circa 1180, has clerestory windows which are rare in village churches at that time. The Chancel and Transepts are 14th century. There is a fine organ and good tower, although the peal of bells is not in use. Modern additions include the parish room with kitchen facilities and toilet. Page | 8 All Saints, Steetley Steetley Chapel is very special, a gem of early architecture and the most complete and beautiful specimen of Norman work to be found anywhere in Europe. The Chapel dates from circa 1150 but following the ruination of the village after the Black Death the Chapel began to deteriorate and was only restored in 1880. The chapel is just 56 feet long. It is divided into three parts; the Nave, rectangular in shape, the Chancel and the Apse, which is semi-circular in shape and contains the altar. Steetley Chapel is also mentioned in Simon Jenkins’ book, "Thousand Best Churches”. The Chapel is situated in an isolated location and is the perfect place for time of quiet reflection. More information regarding all the church buildings can be found on the Benefice website www.ecwst.com Page | 9 Church Life Regular Holy Communion Services across the Benefice (average attendance shown in brackets) Sundays First and third Sundays 8.30am Whitwell (27) 10.30am Creswell (12) 6pm Elmton (15) Second and fourth Sundays 8.30am Creswell (24) 10.30am Whitwell (25) 3.15pm Steetley (second Sunday only) (12) 6pm Elmton (15) There is a single 10.30am United Benefice service when there is a fifth Sunday in a month. The location of this service rotates between Elmton, Creswell and Whitwell. Wednesdays First and third Wednesday 9.30am Whitwell (10) Second and fourth Wednesday 9.30am Creswell (12) Traditions The Benefice is middle/high in its tradition. Vestments are worn. A Eucharist bell is rung at elevation of Host and other times during the communion services. Common Worship and Common Praise Hymns are the main service books in use but others are available. Recorded bell peals are played from the Whitwell tower before main services, Creswell has an eight bell peal which is rung before services when ringers are available. Additional Services There are additional services held throughout the year to celebrate the main Christian festivals. There is also an annual Open Air Service held at Steetley and Rogation Sunday is celebrated at Elmton by walking the Parish boundary. The incumbent and reader officiate at either Creswell or Whitwell Remembrance Day Service each year. Baptism services are held monthly in each parish. Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals (2018 figures) Baptisms Marriages Funerals Elmton 5 5 0 Creswell 4 3 22 Whitwell 18 6 26 Steetley 1 1 0 The Churchyard at Steetley is open. The Churchyards at Creswell, Whitwell and Elmton are now closed and are the responsibility of the district council. Page | 10 Across the Benefice All four Churches have the benefit of a gifted organist. Participants available for services include a gifted and dedicated Reader Emeritus, Sides Persons, Eucharist Assistants, Lesson Readers and Intercessors. There are cleaners and flower arrangers for all the Churches. A joint magazine for the Benefice is produced on a monthly basis. This was introduced in May 2019 to combine the separate magazines previously produced in each parish.