The Cranmer Group of Parishes Aslockton, Hawksworth, Orston, Scarrington, Thoroton and Whatton ‘To know Christ better and make him better known’ Welcome We are the Cranmer Group of parishes We embrace the Bishop’s vision of growing formed in 1967 embracing the villages of disciples wider, younger, deeper. Each parish Aslockton, Hawksworth, Orston, Scarrington, has its own character and style of worship Thoroton and Whatton. We are proud of our and we celebrate this diversity and view the connection to Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, variety across the group as important. former Archbishop of Canterbury at the time of Henry VIII. Cranmer was born in Aslockton In the following pages we hope that you will and worshipped in Whatton church. learn something about the sort of community we are, and some of our hopes and aspirations In 2016 we formed a Joint Benefice Council. for the future. This is still in its formative stage and we are building on the firm foundations to become a cohesive team, working in the best interests of each parish. What we offer … • semi-rural villages with lots of • welcoming, hospitable, committed community groups and local and caring congregations businesses • strong social aspects to our church • engagement and involvement with services (refreshment and fellowship) two local primary schools (one of and church lives which is Archbishop Cranmer C of E Primary Academy where the incumbent • innovative services producing growing will be an ex-officio governor) congregations • a desire to work with the incumbent • a thirst for a greater experience of to maintain and grow each local church prayer and bible study community and work more effectively as a benefice • a range of worship styles and preferences across the Benefice • a skilled part-time administrator who varying from a modern café church provides support for the vicar to BCP services Welcome to the Cranmer Group… Formed in 1967 (originally 4 parishes, 2 more joining later) it embraces the villages of Aslockton, Hawksworth, Orston, Scarrington, Thoroton and Whatton. We are proud of our connection to Archbishop Cranmer, who was born in Aslockton. Essentially a rural community, farming is no longer the main industry, with several local businesses, and many people commuting or working from home. Around the villages Around the villages Where are we now… wider, younger, deeper As a Benefice we have reflected on the • weekly Discovery Group operating Bishop’s vision for growing disciples wider, as a bible study and prayer group younger, deeper and have come up with ways of supporting this through our parishes. • monthly Christian Book Club reading This has given us a backbone for our a range of books on a Christian theme current ministry and helped us to plan for reach out to schools and uniformed the future • groups We currently … We also have a vision of … Support café church which is an • establishing Messy Church and informal, all age service attracting • groups for young people a wide variety of parishioners. This is a growing congregation having • promoting tradition through the trebled in size since its inception. Cranmer Connection, deepening our It is supported through a ‘resource community’s knowledge and faith church’ style model What we hope to see – our vision for the future We recognise that we live in times of • integrating new members into the life considerable change and uncertainty, of the churches and we need someone to help us journey into the future with confidence and hope. • bringing the six parishes together to Someone who will help us adapt from a act as one benefice; working together view of single parishes within a group to a with the common purpose of growing more holistic benefice. These are things we disciples wider, younger, deeper hope to see in 2 or 3 years’ time: • church becoming recognised as caring growing congregations for its communities (pastoral care - • but with the vicar not necessarily • more younger people (under 50) being the only person to deliver it) becoming involved in church life • our vicar encouraging and developing • increasing number of creative services lay leaders and working with them to plan how a shared vision for the area • engaging younger adults whilst also can be delivered - encouraging them supporting and encouraging older and to help them identify what God is more traditional members calling us to, to work out how to • older people feeling embraced and valued progress and to support evangelism Personal Qualities and Gifts we hope to see in our Vicar • a clear and manifest commitment to • sensitive to the diverse needs of and the Gospel and a passion to live this visible within the wider community out in everything they do • inspiring creativity in our services • desiring to further God’s mission for and within our villages • an effective communicator able to explain their faith confidently in ways • an enabler who will lead us to others easily understand confidently and sensitively towards new ways of being and experiencing • listening carefully and paying church attention to the ideas, needs and concerns of others and fostering a • focusing on inspiring people to spirit of cooperation a shared vision of the future • ability to balance traditional and • discerning and encouraging more modern worship styles people’s varying gifts, helping their spiritual development, providing direction and guidance Are you the person we are looking for? A person to help us grow as individuals • Passion - for our plans for growth and as a Benefice. We are very happy to have a man or a woman who will bring: • Living faith - a love of the Bible, bedrock of our shared journey in faith • Leadership - thoughtful, supportive, bringing out the best in others; We commit to exhort one another to believing in people’s potential, gifts pray constantly that God will send us the and talents; able to communicate with person he wants for us people at all levels • Vision - someone who will support our vision and challenge us to further growth • Compassion - for the wider community • Enthusiasm - to cater for the diversity of the Benefice Our Parishes We asked each PCC to write about their Parish, and this is what they said … Aslockton Aslockton is the largest village in the Group We also have the Thomas Cranmer with a population of over 1700. There are Centre attached to the church. Opened in a good number of families as well as an 2009 this wonderful facility is the venue increasing retired population. And we are for a wide variety of activities including growing in size. Several new houses have Guides and Brownies, yoga and pilates, been built in recent years and there is a table tennis, art club, concerts, parties and 74-property development currently under meetings, and a successful fair-trade shop. construction on the outskirts of the village. We hold a monthly coffee shop. We have regular bus and train services to surrounding towns and cities. St Thomas’ church, built in 1891, is Grade II listed. Designed by Sir Arthur Aslockton is a lively village with many Blomfield it was paid for by Mrs Sophia interest groups. The village has a shop with Hall in memory of her son Thomas, vicar Post Office, a pub, a tearoom, a hairdresser of Whatton, who lost his life when RMS and several other small businesses plus Quetta was shipwrecked off the north a Church of England Primary School. coast of Queensland. Aslockton Church and the Thomas Cranmer Centre Aslockton Church and the Thomas Cranmer Centre This event is depicted in one of the beautiful Members of the congregation take part modern stained glass windows in the church. in reading the lessons and leading St Thomas’ has a red brick interior, giving intercessions. The services are followed it a warm and welcoming feel, and also by refreshments and fellowship time. We houses a fine organ. also have a weekly Discovery group which meets in a parishioner’s home. There is a service in St Thomas’ every Sunday at 10.45am. We have a well Thanks to active and successful fundraising, attended and thriving Café Church on the St Thomas’ is able to pay its Parish Share first Sunday of every month, starting with in full and has benefitted from a grant (AV breakfast, where a small band provides the and a coffee machine) from the Diocesan music. It attracts all age-groups, including Mission Development Fund. We support families with young children and many of international, national and local charities our older parishioners. Using Common and in 2016 established a “Vicar’s Fund” Worship, Holy Communion is the third where moneys are available to make a Sunday and the remaining Sunday services one-off gift to anyone in the parish in are Morning Praise. immediate need. A variety of fundraising events takes place throughout the year including a well- established Craft Fair, fashion shows, various concerts and our really successful Rock Night may become an annual fixture. We also hold an ever-growing Christmas Tree Festival which attracts many visitors to our church. We are actively considering enhancements to our church building and go forward in confidence, strengthening our links with young families, encouraging new members - growing disciples, wider, younger, deeper - and sharing God’s love in this place. Around Aslockton Hawksworth Hawksworth is one of the smaller villages Services are held once a month alternating in the Cranmer Group, with 51 households between Holy Communion and a Family and a population of 117. There is a healthy Service. Congregation numbers are on mix of commuters, children and retired average 10. The easy-going congregation villagers. is forward looking and willing to try new ideas. The last incumbent suggested that St Mary and All Saints Church is a Grade II* we serve breakfast after the service and listed building much loved by the villagers.