MORETON, WOODSFORD AND CROSSWAYS WITH TINCLETON BENEFICE PROFILE 2020 Benefice Profile - Crossways docx final 2020 Page 1 Contents 1. Introduction to the Profile by the Bishop of Sherborne 3 2. General Description of the Benefice 4 3. What we are looking for in our new Rector 5 4. A Snapshot of the Benefice 6 5 The Churches in our Benefice 7 5.1 St. Nicholas, Moreton 7 5.2 St. John the Baptist, Woodsford 8 5.3. St. Aldhelm, Crossways 9 5.4. St. John the Evangelist, Tincleton 10 6. School Link 11 7. The Rectory and Local Area 12 8. The Dorchester Deanery 13 9. What we can offer You 14 Benefice Profile - Crossways docx final 2020 Page 2 1. Introduction to the Profile by the Bishop of Sherborne In Dorset we have been working hard to make rural ministry both a joy and a delight. In recent years significant changes have been made in the way clergy are supported and encouraged, leading to a greater sense of collegiality in our rural and our urban areas. The Dorchester Deanery, in which the Benefice is situated, seeks to be a supportive place bringing together the rural clergy with those in the County Town. There will be a warm welcome amongst this clergy grouping for whoever comes to this Benefice. The parishes here enjoy beautiful rural countryside yet are within easy reach of Dorchester. Whilst some of these parishes remain as they have been for hundreds of years, and contain some exquisite churches, Crossways, in particular, is an expanding village aimed at attracting a mixed population, including a large number of families, and the newly built church here, adjacent to the school, creates a significant opportunity for the church to open its doors to minister to all those who live in that community. The expectation is that the incumbent will be involved in the life of the school, and in engaging those who make up the congregation to further reach out to their neighbours and offer a warm welcome to those who choose to join in with church life. There is significant scope here to train up lay teams, to expand the number of active lay ministers and to build on the best of traditional and modern. Partnership with others in the Deanery is to be encouraged as is the sharing of resources including the large number of retired clergy in the Deanery. In the Diocese there is a commitment to encourage the life of the rural church, to develop Lay Ministry, and there are local programmes of training to develop Lay Pastoral Assistants, Lay Worship Leaders and Lay Pioneers which are proving to be successful particularly in our multi-parish benefices. Should you wish to know more about this vacancy please do not hesitate to contact either myself or the Archdeacon of Sherborne, the Ven Penny Sayer and come and have a look around the Benefice. This vacancy brings together great opportunities, wonderful countryside and some deeply spiritual places of worship and retreat. Bishop Karen (01747 811960) Archdeacon Penny (01305 269074) Benefice Profile - Crossways docx final 2020 Page 3 2. General Description of the Benefice The Benefice lies in the valley of the River Frome between the County Town of Dorchester and Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. It comprises three ecclesiastical Parishes: Moreton, Tincleton and Woodsford. The growing civil Parish of Crossways with its new church building comes within Woodsford Parish. The Benefice is situated in a holiday area and therefore the population of the rural parts of the Benefice increases considerably during the summer months. Moreton is visited by many throughout the year to visit the grave of Lawrence of Arabia who is buried in the new cemetery, and to see the church windows engraved by Sir Lawrence Whistler. Tincleton is a small village comprising of about 84 houses with a population of approximately 210. Woodsford is a hamlet of 25 houses that are grouped round the church, Woodsford House and the Manor Farmhouse. Significantly it is Crossways which has grown from the site of the Warmwell WW2 airfield. It now has a population of about 3000 with plans for extensive further housing development. The Rectory is situated in Crossways and is within easy reach of the other villages. As a Benefice, although each church has its own identity and PCC, we have traditionally joined together for united services, community outreach activities and to support each other with fundraising, especially the annual Flower Festival. The ‘St Aldhelm Amblers’ is a monthly walking group for walkers from the Benefice, and includes some that do not attend church. We benefit from the support of a Licensed Lay Minister, a retired Priest and Lay Pastoral Assistants who assist across the Benefice. The Benefice has a choir and they form a pivotal part of worship, attending one service on a Sunday in the different churches. Choir practice takes place weekly at Moreton Church. The new church at Crossways adjoins Frome Valley CE First School which is the only school in the Benefice. The school caters for approximately 140 children including a Pre-school. A Community magazine, “The Bridge”, is provided free to all houses in the Benefice. The Incumbent usually writes a monthly article and information is provided about Services and other church events. Benefice Profile - Crossways docx final 2020 Page 4 3. What We Are Looking for In Our New Incumbent The three parishes are looking for a Rector who will build on the best within the benefice and help us all to reach out to the wider community. We are looking for someone who will enjoy being part of our local communities, and who will lead and inspire us, so our own faith is nurtured and those who live and holiday amongst us can be supported through the challenges of life. If you have energy, vision, spontaneity, enthusiasm and can work with us to see and make the most of our opportunities, then you are the kind of person we need to help us move forward. The challenges and opportunities as we see them are as follows: The need for our churches to be relevant and welcoming to those moving into our communities, including children and families. We have some wonderful and varied church buildings, we would like to make the most of them. The need for someone to oversee the work of our pastoral assistants and to develop our pastoral care for those in hospital, parishioners in their homes, and reach out to new residents. On-going demand for occasional offices – baptisms, weddings and funerals and the opportunity to meet people and make connections through these. A commitment to offer a variety of worship reflecting the needs of those who come, providing a breadth of styles in our different contexts, and to try new things; to make the most of our music and benefice choir. The opportunities we have to build on the close relationship with Frome Valley CE First School. Extensive new housing planned for Crossways which will attract many new families. Benefice Profile - Crossways docx final 2020 Page 5 4. A Snapshot of our Benefice 3000 62 £33,216.00 Crossways & Woodsford Crossways & Woodsford Crossways & Woodsford 400 24 £11,776.00 Moreton Moreton Moreton 210 15 £7,560.00 Tincleton Tincleton Tincleton Benefice Profile - Crossways docx final 2020 Page 6 5. The Churches in our Benefice 5.1 St. Nicholas, Moreton. It is very likely that you will have heard about St Nicholas’ Church, Moreton because of its famous Sir Lawrence Whistler windows and as the burial place of Lawrence of Arabia. Most importantly, our church is a place for quiet reflection, prayer and worship. Keeping with tradition, St Nicholas’ Church follows the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) for all its services. The exception to this is the well-attended monthly Morepraise Service, which has a less traditional format for all age groups with special interest for young people who participate. The congregation at Moreton is small but very loyal and a challenge for any new Incumbent will be to develop and grow the congregation. Normal Pattern of Services:- 1st Sunday 9.00am Holy Communion 2nd Sunday 6.00pm Evensong with choir 3rd Sunday 10.30am Matins with choir 4th Sunday 6.00pm Morepraise: A Service for all ages St Nicholas’ historic significance brings many visitors throughout the year. We provide hospitality through a well-supported Welcome Group (comprising PCC members) who conduct organised group tours of the church as well as fund raising events. The main annual Benefice fund raising event is the Flower Festival held in May at St Nicholas’ Church. We are very fortunate to have been able to extend the facilities at the church following the building of the ‘Befriend Lodge’ providing meeting space, tea/coffee making facilities and accessible toilets. In the 1930s owing to the churchyard being full the ‘new’ cemetery was opened on the edge of the village, not far from the church. This cemetery is now nearing capacity and very soon alternative arrangements will have to be considered. The Church in Moreton has very close links with the Village Hall, supporting each other to encourage community spirit and welfare. Moreton PCC is very active and has a full complement of members. A website for the church is available giving more details at http://www.stnicholasmoreton.org.uk/. Another useful link : https://moretonvillagehall.btck.co.uk/ Benefice Profile - Crossways docx final 2020 Page 7 5.2 St. John the Baptist, Woodsford. Woodsford village sits beside the River Frome with a population of some 80 people. The thirteenth century church was largely rebuilt in 1861-2 by the noted Victorian architect Thomas Henry Wyatt.