Statement of Conditions, Needs and Traditions For The Benefice of Trelawny In The Diocese of Truro INTRODUCTION This document details our need for a new Incumbent. It aims to provide a brief outline of church life in this newly constituted and friendly Benefice of Trelawny. It includes both organisation and activities. The Benefice is in the Diocese of Truro and is part of the Deanery of West Wivelshire which covers five largely rural Parishes in south east Cornwall. The Parishes are: • Parish of Lanreath • Parish of Lansallos • Parish of Lanteglos by Fowey • Parish of Pelynt • Parish of Talland St Marnarch Lanreath St Nun Pelynt St Saviour Polruan St Wyllow Lanteglos St Tallanus Talland St Ildierna Lansallos St John Bodinnick CONTENTS: Letter from Bishop Philip Introduction by the Rural Dean, Revd Steve Morgan Vision of the Benefice The New Incumbent Ministry Team in the Benefice Benefice administration The Benefice The Parishes Benefice Statistics Charities we love to support Monthly Service Rota Schools Other Churches Appendices Publications and Websites Schools Reports from Head Teachers Statement of Ecumenical Need from Methodist Minister The Rectory LETTER FROM BISHOP PHILIP In this Diocese of Truro we are deeply committed to following what we call ‘The Saints’ Way’. We see ourselves as part of a story of the grace of God, made manifest in Cornwall, which stretches back many hundreds of years, possibly to the very earliest days of the Christian faith. It’s a story that calls us on into the future too, in loving mission, ministry and service. https://trurodiocese.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/The-Saints-Way.pdf As we follow ‘The Saints Way’ we will be deeply committed to Christ and to all that he calls us to be and to do; and to Cornwall, this very special place with its own particular culture, history and identity. We can only follow that Way faithfully if we see it as our corporate calling, as the body of Christ. So we encourage ministers of the gospel to come and join us here who are committed to setting the whole people of God free in their God-given calling, to make Christ known here in Cornwall, today. So we seek clergy of missional imagination and heart; those with a pastoral passion for people and communities and their flourishing. We are looking for joyful and hopeful disciples and ambassadors of Christ: people who share the Gospel with energy and commitment, in word and deed - and above all with love – and who enable the communities they lead to do the same. We are looking, therefore, for people who, on this journey, are imaginative and realistic, creative and determined and are deeply hopeful of a better future. But we also want to work with those who recognise that they are not perfect and will sometimes fail, who learn from their mistakes and will take the initiative in seeking reconciliation with others. We are convinced that all ministers need the support and companionship of others and we help priests in a number of ways so that they never work alone. In this spirit, we encourage those who can forge good relations with others, and actively collaborate with them for the sake of the Kingdom, to join us here in the Diocese of Truro. I pray that as you consider this opportunity you might discern God’s calling and purpose for you in this next chapter of your own discipleship, mission, ministry and service. +Philip Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen Bishop of Truro Introduction by the Rural Dean, Revd Steve Morgan West Wivelshire Deanery has a vision for mission of which Trelawny benefice is a central part. The Church Commissioners have funded a major mission project in Truro Diocese as part of the Renewal and Reform programme. Transforming Mission is now a reality in Cornwall and the church identified as a resourcing church for south east Cornwall (Liskeard St Martin’s) borders the Trelawny benefice. Over the next few years there will be new and exciting opportunities to transform the way we do mission in our deanery and some resources to help that become reality. We are looking forward to working with the new incumbent in Trelawny. We have some ideas of our own, but would love to hear and support a vision that you have to make Jesus known in our area. Diocese showing deanery Deanery showing benefice Trelawny benefice is a significant part of our deanery – due to its large geographical area and its importance for our shared mission. There are no large areas of population within the benefice which can present challenges as well as opportunities. A lack of local facilities can encourage people to look outwards, but recent community initiatives (such as the community shop in Lanreath) have really helped to bring people together. This is the great strength of the area and one in which the new incumbent will be encouraged to develop. There are some great opportunities for the churches to engage missionally with the hopes and creativeness of the local community. Trelawny benefice is working increasingly well together and has recently appointed an administrator to help this process to continue further. This is a great opportunity for a creative person to lead Trelawny into the next stage of its mission together. You will find a supportive chapter, which values encouragement, fellowship and pub meals rather than simply downloading information. You will find a benefice that wants to grow and is becoming increasingly confident in its vision for that. You can also look forward to exploring with us the riches and wonder of working for Jesus in this incredible place. VISION OF THE BENEFICE Since the Benefice of Trelawny came into being as recently as 13th February 2018, steady progress has been made towards unity and co-operation between our Parishes although each retains its particular character and traditions. At the same time, the Parishes continue to look at new ways of working better together in spiritual development and church management and a growing sense of fellowship across the Parish boundaries is developing. Much of this document describes the current situations in our five Parishes. Our vision for the Benefice going forward is as follows and we would want our new Incumbent to help us in the fulfilment of it. • We are committed to share the love of Jesus Christ with our communities through word and action. To this end, our new incumbent will be well supported by a strong team of Lay Readers and Local Worship Leaders helping to spread the word of the Lord. • We are working towards a closer sense of unity as a newly constituted Benefice. An increasing number of Benefice services are taking place in each of our Parish churches and they are well attended by communities from across the Benefice and from further afield. • We are committed to making our churches more accessible to the wider community and, in this context, our church doors are always open and we warmly welcome visitors be they walkers or holiday makers both young and old. • There is a strong tradition and love of music and singing within the Benefice and we believe that music can often speak louder than words in bringing people together in the service of the Lord both in church and in the wider community. • We wish to build on the close relationships already existing with our local communities and improve our ecumenical relationships and would look to a new Incumbent for further guidance in this endeavour. • We want to encourage and enable all ages to worship with us and be actively inclusive. With the intention of encouraging greater numbers into our fold, our church communities are therefore very active in leading initiatives such as Messy Church, Open the Book, Sing a New Song, Kidz Club, Youth Club and Holiday Club to name but a few. • We want to continue the work of the church in our local schools. A great deal of time is dedicated to working with and nurturing the close relationships with our schools in the Benefice as can be seen in the section below on Schools. • Through bonding together more closely as a Benefice, we can benefit from greater support on our spiritual journeys and learning about our faith. • Help all our Parishes to achieve financial security. • We want our new incumbent to be in a position to devote maximum time to the pastoral needs of our communities across the Benefice. We have therefore appointed a Benefice Administrator to take on the organisation and administration of, for example, baptisms, marriages, funerals along with other time consuming tasks so that the Incumbent is free from administrative matters and can concentrate on leading our new and vibrant Benefice on its journey with Jesus Christ. THE NEW INCUMBENT We are looking for a new incumbent who will, with our love and support, exercise strong, dynamic yet sensitive leadership. He or she will be someone who is enthusiastic, friendly, reliable and has a good sense of humour! We are looking for a priest who will: • widen the mission of our churches in Christian witness • encourage, co-ordinate and enable both ordained and lay ministry • be a thoughtful and dynamic preacher and teacher who can explain and apply scripture in a warm and engaging manner, have excellent interpersonal skills and a genuine ability to listen • have a flexible approach to worship and feel at home in the variety of traditions that exist across the Benefice • embrace all elements of Common Worship including the Book of Common Prayer • be understanding of the importance of music in our worship • enrich the spiritual life of the Benefice with study and quiet days • sustain