AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR MISSION Thank you for taking an interest in our Parish and this exciting Pioneer role at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Sandhills, Leighton Buzzard. We do hope this Parish Profile answers many of your questions regarding the role and our vibrant young Church. We are sure that you will have your own questions too so please do contact us if you would like any further information. God Bless THE CHURCH OF THE www.goodshepherdsandhills.org.uk GOOD SHEPHERD Team Rector, The Revd Canon Grant Fellows 01525 373217 [email protected] PARISH PROFILE 2016 CONTENTS CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................... 1 WELCOME AND OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................... 2 Our Story ............................................................................................................................................ 2 WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? .................................................................................................................. 3 WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU? .................................................................................................................... 4 FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE CHURCH ..................................................................................................... 4 WORSHIP AT THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD .............................................................................. 6 Our Services ‐ held at Greenleas Lower School, Kestrel Way ................................................................ 6 Communion with Junior Church ........................................................................................................... 7 Messy Church ...................................................................................................................................... 7 All Age Worship ................................................................................................................................... 8 FUTURE PLANS FOR THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD ................................................................... 9 ENCOURAGING AND EXPLORING OUR FAITH ........................................................................................... 9 GROWING CHILDREN AND YOUTH WORK ......................................................................................... 10 IN THE COMMUNITY .............................................................................................................................. 11 Outreach in the wider Community ..................................................................................................... 11 ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS, BILLINGTON ........................................................................................... 12 MINISTRY TEAM .................................................................................................................................... 13 Parochial Church Council ................................................................................................................... 13 The Ouzel Valley Team Ministry ......................................................................................................... 13 LEIGHTON BUZZARD ‐ A GROWING TOWN ........................................................................................ 14 NEW OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN A GROWING TOWN ....................................................................... 14 The vicarage .......................................................................................................................................... 15 CONTACT DETAILS ................................................................................................................................. 16 1 WELCOME AND OVERVIEW Welcome to The Church of the Good Shepherd. We are a relatively new but established family friendly, Pioneer Church based in a modern lower school building in the heart of a growing community in Leighton Buzzard. Under the leadership of our previous minister, we have created something very special with our contemporary approach and informal worship style, which thrives and benefits from involvement across the broad congregation in all areas of church. We have a very strong focus on the development of our young children as they grow in their faith with God. The main focus is on mission to the new estates and to develop this through The Church of the Good Shepherd. In addition, pastoral responsibility for the small village of Billington, with its delightful medieval church, provides another opportunity for outreach as a venue for the occasional offices. OUR STORY Church of the Good Shepherd started four years ago with a regular 'Messy Church' in the Community House of the new Sandhills estate in Leighton Buzzard. A strong core team of leaders and regular families was quickly established, and within a year, the new church was formally launched. Over the course of the last three years, we have grown as a Church, and as individuals in our personal relationship with God, which The Church of the Good Shepherd continues to nurture. We have celebrated three birthdays, and welcomed new members through Baptisms and Confirmations. This role marks the next chapter in our story, with an amazing opportunity to be part of the continuing journey of a vibrant, young and forward looking Church. 2 WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? This Pioneer role requires a person that can demonstrate the following attributes and personal skills: You have a tremendous passion for people and are an excellent and enthusiastic communicator. You have a natural gift for evangelism and are able to engage with people of all ages especially our children whom are an essential ingredient of our success and what contributes to making The Church of the Good Shepherd so special. You have real vision for mission and can continue to build upon an already established team committed to it to develop an integrated and sustainable vision for mission across the Town. You are comfortable with an informal and contemporary style of praise and worship. You will enable and foster a growing faith and deepening spirituality across the Church and the people within it to continue their personal journey with God. And you must like cake! Messy Church ‐ building Noah’s Ark 3 WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU? We are a young Pioneer church with many opportunities for mission, ministry, outreach and growth. Our congregation is all age, friendly, very engaged and welcoming. Our weekly worship is based in a modern lower school building, Greenleas, whose leadership, from inception, have been hugely supportive of our church. Members of our congregation are actively involved in aspects of weekly worship such as Junior Church, Messy Church, music, leadership, welcoming the congregation and intercessions. The church forms a ‘Conventional District’ within the Parish of All Saints Leighton Buzzard, part of the wider Ouzel Valley team of churches. The team churches offer a variety of support and opportunities ranging from joint mission through to shared administration. A very supportive PCC receptive to change and new ideas. Leighton Buzzard is a fantastic historic market town in Bedfordshire located in the midst of the beautiful Chilterns ‐ an area of outstanding natural beauty. We have a variety of good schools serving the town. A rapidly growing town, with huge opportunity to expand the message of God’s love into new housing areas. FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE CHURCH Financially we are in a good position and able to meet our Parish Share and other responsibilities. Currently we benefit from a discretionary adjustment to our Parish Share that will taper out over the next 2/3 years. The PCC consider that at some time in the future it would be beneficial to implement a stewardship campaign to raise awareness of church finances and help put us in a stronger position. Our aim is to be fully financially independent in the future. Expenses are paid in full by either the Team or Church Treasurer. 4 Celebrating the 2nd birthday of The Church of the Good Shepherd 5 WORSHIP AT THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD We are a newly established Church, part of the Ouzel Valley Team, in the Diocese of St Albans. We are only three years old, but have grown to be a thriving, worshipping community in the heart of a growing housing estate. Our worship is informal, contemporary and accessible to all; liturgically structured, but relaxed and friendly. We offer a wide variety of differing opportunities to respond to the love and generosity of God. Our services are “bookless” and are led by the vicar but supported by a huge and extremely talented group of volunteers that on any given Sunday, set up and take down the church, meet and greet, provide music accompaniment, AV support, refreshments, Junior Church etc., the list goes on. OUR SERVICES ‐ HELD AT GREENLEAS LOWER SCHOOL, KESTREL WAY 1st and 3rd Sunday Communion with Junior Church 2nd Sunday Messy Church 4th and 5th Sunday All Age Worship Greenleas Lower School where The Church of the Good Shepherd meets every Sunday 6 COMMUNION WITH JUNIOR CHURCH On 1st and 3rd Sunday mornings, we offer a Communion Service at 09:45, during which our children have the opportunity to engage in Junior Church. Junior Church During the service, our children enjoy their own teaching, suitable for various age groups