The Parishes of Rowlands Castle, Blendworth, Chalton and working together with The Parishes of and Clanfield

Parish Profile

House for Duty Associate Minister The Parishes of Rowlands Castle, Blendworth, Chalton and Idsworth

Are you called to share in the ministry across four churches in this attractive part of Diocese, situated in a beautiful area of near the South Downs and close to the city of Portsmouth, local beaches and many amenities?

Our House for Duty Minister will support the Priest-in-charge for the Benefices of Blendworth, Chalton and Idsworth and Rowlands Castle. Together they will work with the Priest-in-charge of the neighbouring Joint Benefice of Catherington and Clanfield to develop mission and ministry across all six parishes, bringing spiritual depth, inspiration and leadership to the congregations and communities and to grow God's kingdom. All six churches across the two Benefices are welcoming and inclusive with a variety of churchmanship ably supported by lay and clergy teams. New housing, social and demographic changes and the upkeep of church buildings are challenges faced by the congregations but also offer opportunities for mission and outreach. The house provided for this post is located in the village of from where all six parishes can be visited with ease. We would like our new House for Duty Minister to

• be a team player supporting the clergy and lay teams and sharing duties across all parishes;

• establish and maintain close links with the community be it through schools work or community activities;

• nurture discipleship and spiritual development within the Church families and wider communities.

The Diocese of Portsmouth is made up of 11,000 or so worshippers in 139 Church of parishes across south- and the Isle of Wight. It is led by our Bishop, and includes clergy, Readers, retired clergy, chaplains, paid staff and thousands of volunteers who work in our parishes. Our diocese is also divided into seven deaneries, each of which co-ordinates the mission and ministry of parishes in their area. Further information about the diocese can be found at www.portsmouth.anglican.org

Our strategy: live | pray | serve We have a framework to envision our diocese in the future - and it can be summed up in just three words: live | pray | serve will be our motto for the future, as we seek to equip people to live as disciples of Christ; to pray, individually and together as worshipping communities; and to serve our local neighbourhoods and society together. www.portsmouth.anglican.org/our-strategy

The Parishes of Rowlands Castle, Blendworth, Chalton and Idsworth lie within Deanery, which covers the Borough of Havant and parts of East Hampshire District. The Joint Area Deans, Revd Ian Snares and Revd Andrew Sheard, are keen to grow the relationships and friendships across the deanery, and in particular support for clergy across our parishes.

Portsmouth is about ten miles away to the south west, Chichester lies a similar distance to the east and a few miles to the north. To the south, the interesting coastline of Langstone and Chichester harbours are easily accessible as are the hills of the South Downs National Park a few miles to the north.

Four Parishes working together

Revd Vickie Morgan was licensed at Priest in Charge of our four parishes in September 2019. This has brought together the United Benefice of Blendworth Chalton and Idsworth with the Parish of Rowlands Castle. Under Vickie’s leadership and guidance, the parishes are establishing new relationships as they seek to grow together in mission and ministry.

ww.bcichurches.org.uk

Blendworth, Chalton and Idsworth have worked together as a United Benefice (known locally as ‘BCI’) for many years. This has enabled a high degree of collaboration, fostering development and growth and a sharing of gifts and skills, for example through shared benefice communion services, a small Prayer Group (which meets to hold sick people in the benefice before God), a Visitors and Listeners Group that visit the sick and/or housebound, a Bible Study group and a Marriage Preparation Workshop team running courses for those marrying or having blessing services in the United Benefice. A benefice secretary assists with the administration of all three churches.

The parishes are set in an area of outstanding natural beauty with congregations drawn from rural and semi-rural areas, although Blendworth's makeup is predominantly suburban. Our churches draw their congregations mainly from outside of their catchment areas.

www.saintjohnschurch.org.uk

Rowlands Castle is a village of about 3,000 people situated in the south east corner of Hampshire. There have been many changes in St John’s Rowland Castle over the past thirty years or so. The incumbents during this period recognised the need for change, in order to see a growth in both membership and maturity. Each has had a different emphasis which has made St John’s what it is today as a church family. The aim is that the four streams of evangelism, pastoral care, discipleship, and social action can all be developed in a complementary and balanced way, while maintaining focus on the reason for our being – as worshipping believers.

The Church employs a part time administrator for four mornings a week. In addition to undertaking secretarial and administration duties and church centre bookings, she also acts as Parish clerk (for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals), and as PCC Secretary.

The village web site (www.rowlandscastle.com) provides a comprehensive view of activities and interests in the area.

Please see our websites for more information.

St John the Baptist Rowlands Castle

We are a warm and friendly church. Our church congregation is drawn both from the village and the surrounding area. We are evangelical and gently charismatic in outlook. Our main service is informal with more modern worship and an emphasis on biblical teaching (average attendance is around 40-50 adults and 10 or more children). We are blessed with five Readers and a congregation who strive to practice every-member ministry and seek to have an impact for the Kingdom of God in the local community through mission, outreach and service.

St John’s is a popular venue for weddings. The churchyard is currently open for both burials and interment of ashes. Our modern Church Centre provides halls, a kitchen and even a full-immersion baptistry.

Outreach Fellowship and Pastoral Care We believe that God has called We believe in the Body of us to share the Good News of Christ, that together we are Jesus Christ to all people. We united in Him. Therefore, we strive to be an outward-looking learn, play, laugh and weep church, always looking for together. When one of us is opportunities to move beyond hurt, we all suffer. When one of the walls. us is joyful, we all celebrate. We strive to be better listeners than speakers.

Worship We believe we were created to worship God in spirit and in truth. Not just in church services, but in all we do – at work, in our homes, in our community.

Service Discipleship We believe that we should not We believe that discipleship only serve each other, but also happens best in small groups care for our community and but that biblical teaching forms beyond through sacrificial the context. Therefore, we servanthood and giving of meet in homegroups to seek ourselves – time, resources and God, study the bible, pray, money. support each other and have fun together.

Home-groups Women’s Fellowship There are currently four home- This has a membership of about groups meeting weekly - 15, mainly elderly but fairly approximately 50 people attend active ladies, and meets twice a these groups. The format of month on Tuesday each varies but typically includes afternoons. The meetings are fellowship, worship, bible study generally social in nature with and prayer. In addition, there talks, demonstrations or are occasional Study Group’s discussions and always that address themes, including commencing with a hymn. films, Bible Book Club and teaching from various events.

Little Fishes A thriving group for young children, parents and carers - Little Fishes Playtime includes structured play, Bible stories and songs.

Relationship with other Young Church Churches Young Church sessions are run We have a good relationship in the Church Centre during the with the Church-on-the-Green, a 10am service every Sunday United Reformed Church. Joint during term-time, except for the events take place, particularly at first Sunday of the month when Easter. the children remain in church We have links with Churches for an All Age Service. We also Together in Horndean and run a crèche as required. church members take part in the Young Church leaders and production of the Havant children play a key part in Passion Play. leading the All Age Service.

St John’s Primary School is a Messy Services Church of England State- We typically run Messy Services Controlled School for which the for Christingle, Palm Sunday, church currently provides three Harvest and Mothering Sunday. Foundation Governors. We They are typically attended by currently have a team of people 30-50 children plus family who lead Collective Worship members who enjoy crafts using the Bible Society’s ‘Open related to the occasion in the the Book’. The school use the Church Centre, followed by a church for occasional services short interactive service in and class activities in support of church and then lunch or the curriculum. refreshments back in the Church Centre.

St John’s Church Centre

The 1926 church hall was replaced in 2001. The current centre consists of a large hall which can hold 120 seated; a small side hall capable of seating 60 persons; and an upper room of 20-25 seated capacity. The centre has a modern well fitted kitchen, toilet facilities including disabled facilities and an office for the parish administrator. There is a full-immersion baptistry under the stage at the front of the main hall.

As well as for church activities, the church centre is regularly used by local organisations such as the Bridge Club, Pilates, Baton Twirlers, Line Dancing and Egyptian Dancing. It is also used to hold conference and training events by organisations including Community First, East Hampshire District Council, Portsmouth Diocese and NHS. It is also regularly hired out for parties, wedding receptions, baptism celebrations and funeral teas.

Holy Trinity Blendworth

Holy Trinity church, situated in Blendworth close to Horndean, is predominately suburban. The church draws its congregation mainly from outside of the parish boundary. Worship patterns are an area needing review and are currently fairly ‘middle-of-the-road’ using contemporary Common Worship liturgy. The worshipping congregation at 8am Holy Communion is approximately 8-10 and at 11am services approximately 40-50. At present very few children and young families attend services at Holy Trinity, this is an area of concern and we are working to develop a vision for the future that will help us to grow a ministry to children and families. We have two organists, a director of music and choir who sing at Sunday 11am services.

Grandparents and Toddlers Group Mothers Union Monday mornings at the Church The group meets regularly for Centre Grandparent’s and worship and fellowship they toddlers meet together for play, are active within the parish snack and fellowship. The group and Diocese. They currently usually have a Nativity Service in run the Grandparents and church at Christmas. Toddlers group, assist with a day out for families in the Summer and host a Lady Service.

Blendworth Church Fete An annual event usually in June which raises funds for the parish but more importantly brings together the local community.

Coffee Shop & Table Tennis Blendworth Church Centre Thursday mornings in the Church Just a short distance from Holy Centre, a time to meet together Trinity the Church Centre is enjoy coffee and chat or a game of used by many community table tennis! groups and fundraising events.

St Michael & All Angels Church Chalton

The beautiful church of St Michael & All Angels lies in the centre of the hamlet of Chalton, in the South Downs National Park. It is approximately one mile east of the A3 and just south of the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. A footpath runs through the churchyard and many visitors stop at the church and are delighted to find that it is always kept open. Chalton has a population of 70 in the village and surrounding area. There is a service held every Sunday and the average weekly attendance is 12-14 including 2 children. An annual programme of concerts, talks, afternoon teas and community events has been developed over the last few years, which have proved very popular.

Concerts Afternoon Teas The church has wonderful During the summer months acoustics and particularly lends regular afternoon teas are held itself to unaccompanied singing. in the church to engage with Concerts are held regularly and those walking the South are well attended by the Downs. community.

Community Events In recent years there have been talks and community events in the church. We are currently building a relationship with the local pub in Chalton to engage in future events.

Come and Sing Evensong Christmas Evensong is a popular service on Services at Christmas are well the 5th Sunday of the month, in supported in Chalton. This year recent years it has been 250 people attended our supported by local choirs. This interactive Crib Service and we year we are trying out a Come had a packed church for the and Sing event to draw singers Carol concert followed by from all our churches. mulled wine in the pub! St Hubert’s Church Idsworth

St Hubert’s church Idsworth is fondly known locally as ‘the little church on the hill’. It is situated in the South Downs and set in a field north of . It is a unique thousand-year-old Grade 1 listed church, with nationally important fourteenth century wall paintings and new Millennium Fresco. St Hubert’s is always open during daylight hours so that its history, beauty and stillness may be shared with those form all corners of the world who venture to the top of the hill. There is a service at St Hubert’s every Sunday which is usually traditional. Average Sunday attendance is 20-30 including a few children.

Friends Organisation Quiet Evening Prayer and launched in 2016 and has been Mindful Drawing spectacularly successful in The PCC is currently reviewing raising the profile of the church how to reach out to the many locally and broadening support visitors who enjoy the church both from the community and building who describe the South Downs National Park themselves as spiritual but not Authority. A flourishing religious programme of concerts and other events has greatly expanded the footfall of visitors.

Weddings St Hubert’s is very popular for weddings due to its setting. Many couples married at St Hubert’s become regular worshippers there.

Family Service Ascension Day Service The introduction of this service Last year the six churches joined means that St Hubert’s offers a for an Ascension Day service and service monthly where all ages picnic as they began thinking can worship together. about the future working together. The event was so successful we are joining again this year. Service Pattern

Time of Service Type of Service Church

First Sunday of the month 8.00am Holy Communion Rowlands Castle 8.00am Holy Communion Blendworth 9.30am Holy Communion Chalton 9.30am Morning Prayer (BCP) Idsworth 10.00am All Age Worship Rowlands Castle 11.00am Holy Communion Blendworth

Second Sunday of the month 8.00am Holy Communion Rowlands Castle 8.00am Holy Communion Blendworth 9.30am Moring Prayer Chalton 9.30am Holy Communion Idsworth 10.00am Morning Worship Rowlands Castle 11.00am All Age Worship Blendworth

Third Sunday of the month 8.00am Holy Communion Rowlands Castle 8.00am Holy Communion Blendworth 9.30am Morning Prayer Chalton 9.30am All Age Worship Idsworth 10.00am Holy Communion Rowlands Castle 11.00am Holy Communion Blendworth

Fourth Sunday of the month 8.00am Holy Communion Rowlands Castle 8.00am Holy Communion Blendworth 9.30am Family Service Chalton 9.30am Morning prayer (BCP) Idsworth 10.00am Morning Worship Rowlands Castle 11.00am Holy Communion Blendworth

Fifth Sunday of the month 8.00am Holy Communion Rowlands Castle 8.00am Holy Communion Blendworth 9.30am Holy Communion Idsworth 10.00am Morning Worship Rowlands Castle 11.00am Morning Prayer (BCP) Blendworth 6.00pm Evensong Chalton

Our linked parishes - Catherington and Clanfield

All Saints Church, Catherington

All Saints is situated in the rural village of Catherington. It is an attractive early 12th century Norman church, Grade II listed. With its picturesque and attractive location, the church is a popular choice for weddings and marriage blessings. The PCC are currently working to resolve the subsidence issue of the Lady Chapel wall and plan further restoration work. A number of fundraising events are held to support the restoration work including annual Flower, Crafts and Produce Show, Hymns and Desserts evenings and Christmas Sing-along. Church services take a mid-traditional approach to common worship. Average congregation size on a Sunday is 50 and includes a Sunday Club. There is a weekly Baby Group (for up to 1 year), Toddle On (for 1-5 year olds) and Bereavement Coffee mornings. Messy Church is held jointly with St James Clanfield each month. There is a Church of England Infant School within the parish situated close to All Saints’ Church and a Church of England Junior School in Horndean. Next to the church is the parish hall which hosts a variety of community events throughout the week.

St James, Clanfield

St James Church is situated in the village of Clanfield, just south of Buster Hill in the South Downs and near the A3. It is a semi-rural parish with a population of approximately 4500. St James uses a wide range of music and enjoy different styles of worship at their main service. Average weekly attendance is approximately 30 people. Which includes communion services, monthly non-communion service, Messy Church and Café Church. They also hold a biannual Pet service which is well attended and enjoyed by the community. The church hall situated next to the church is extensively used throughout the week by numerous groups including the local Nursery school, Brownies, a local dramatic society, Ukulele group and Quilters. St James has two established House Groups and is part of the New Wine Network. The Mother’s Union Baby Group has been running for 10 years on a Wednesday morning (with Catherington), primarily reaching out to first time mothers. There is a good relationship between the church and the local Infant School where the ministry team have been leading assemblies every half term.

The Parishes’ Ministry Teams

The Parishes of Rowlands Castle, Blendworth, Chalton and Idsworth

Priest-in-charge Revd Vickie Morgan

PTO clergy Revd Wendy Kennedy, Revd Terry Louden and Revd Sarah Baker

Readers Terry Monahan, Mary Close, Bob Railey, Chris Hollis and Zoe Skinner

Reader-in-training Coleen Jackson

The Parishes of Catherington and Clanfield

Priest -in-charge Revd Richard Hutchins (from 14th March 2020)

Associate Priests Revd Angela Johnson and Revd Anne Gothard

Readers Deb Henning-Vears and Christine Hoskins

Average Sunday Attendance

Rowlands Castle 58 Blendworth 49 Chalton 12 Idsworth 21

Occasional offices in 2019

Weddings Funerals Baptisms Rowlands Castle 3 8 3 Blendworth 5 7 8 Chalton 1 3 3 Idsworth 6 0 4

The House

For the Associate Priest appointed to the House for Duty vacancy there is a modern detached residence available at 6 Idsworth Close, Horndean PO8 0DW. Adapted to allow visitors on church business to be welcomed without the requirement to access the house directly, this property is close to open countryside and local amenities, including schools.