Proposed United Benefice of Benson with Ewelme - Profile Proposed United Benefice of Benson with Ewelme Profile of the proposed benefice and its parishes 1 Proposed United Benefice of Benson with Ewelme - Profile Proposed United Benefice of Benson with Ewelme Profile of the proposed benefice and its parishes Contents Pages Welcome 3 Background 3 What we are looking for 4-5 What we can offer 6 The Parishes in detail: Benson Parish 7-13 Ewelme Benefice: 14-15 Brightwell Baldwin 16 Cuxham with Easington 17-18 Ewelme 19-20 The Vicarage 21 Beyond the Parish: Area Dean’s Statement 22 Message from the Bishop of Dorchester and the Archdeacon of Dorchester 23 Appendix 1 – Current schedule of services 24 Appendix 2 – Role Description 25-28 2 Proposed United Benefice of Benson with Ewelme - Profile Welcome St Helen’s Church is in Benson, a thriving village in the heart of the Thames Valley, positioned on the River Thames, close to Oxford and Reading with easy access to London and the Midlands. The Ewelme Benefice comprises three rural parishes (four churches) at the foot of the Chiltern Hills. We are now recruiting a Priest in Charge of St Helen’s in Benson who is expected to become the Rector of the proposed Benefice of Benson with Ewelme in due course. We all very much look forward to meeting a new Minister and hope that they will find the post rewarding, enjoy living amongst us and leading us in our spiritual lives. Background The Deanery Plan for Pastoral Re-Organisation proposed that on the retirement from, or relinquishment of, either the House for Duty Post in the Ewelme Benefice or the position as Vicar of Benson, these neighbouring parishes should work together and create a new United Benefice (“the proposed Benefice”) for the benefit of both the clergy and their congregations in the future. A draft scheme has been prepared. The proposed Benefice will comprise the parishes of Benson, Ewelme, Brightwell Baldwin and Cuxham with Easington (combined population is approximately 3,900, excluding the RAF base.) This proposed Benefice is in the central region of the Aston and Cuddesdon Deanery within the Diocese of Oxford. The new Rector will be assisted by the current House for Duty Priest of the Ewelme Benefice, who lives in the Rectory in Ewelme. All the churches have Churchwardens, Sidesmen, Welcomers and Treasurers who ensure the smooth running of the business of the churches. All parishes have representatives on the Deanery Synod and parishioners from Brightwell Baldwin and from Benson are representatives on the Deanery Pastoral Committee. There are currently no Lay Readers in the proposed Benefice. All the churches are in a good state of repair and the Parish Shares are paid in full. Patrons Among the patrons of the living are the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church, Oxford. Christ Church is in the happy position of being able to support the incumbents of its ninety livings through the revenues of the Dr South Trust, which is able to assist with grants for study, administration and holidays, as well as offering a biennial conference and loans for the purchase of a car. Other patrons of the living are: HM The Queen (exercised by the Prime Minister), Brigadier JNB Mogg DL and The Warden of Merton College, Oxford “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” (Numbers 6: 24-26) 3 Proposed United Benefice of Benson with Ewelme - Profile What we are looking for We are looking for a passionate, sensitive and energetic priest who will be committed to continuing the process of combining our two benefices. We have already held joint Advent and Lent courses and continue to hold joint services on 5th Sundays. You will be: A prayerful and God-centred individual, with a deep regard for the sacraments. A positive and visible presence in our villages with a heart for mission and so participating in the life of the whole community to share the Gospel and help those in need. Outward looking with the vision and enthusiasm to further develop relationships within our wider community and not just existing congregations. Committed to discerning and developing God-given gifts and skills and passionate about encouraging all individuals to use their talents to further the ministry and mission of our churches. Able to preach and teach from the Bible in a way that is relevant to today’s world. Enthusiastic about further developing ministry for children and young people and willing to take an active part in their continuing religious education. Committed to leading the provision of sensitive and consistent pastoral care for the congregations and the wider community and by taking the Church to where people gather. At ease with the ethos of traditional rural communities, with an understanding of country life and the needs and challenges this brings. Sensitive to the traditional and diverse liturgy for each individual church, with a real desire to lead these services whilst also, where appropriate, developing new ideas and Fresh Expressions of church and to help our congregations to flourish and grow. Wholly appreciative of the importance of music in our worship. Able to inspire, motivate and empower our Churchwardens, PCCs and the many parishioners who serve in our churches. Willing to maintain and increase the close relationship with the two Church of England Primary Schools. A good organiser and leader. Someone who is willing to work closely with the House for Duty Priest and ensure a good pattern of worship and regular services in each church on Sundays throughout the year and at major festivals. Some of the school children were invited to specify their requirements for the new priest. They would be keen to have someone who: Tells Bible stories in a memorable way Is kind Is gentle Teaches about God Teaches about prayer Is funny 4 Proposed United Benefice of Benson with Ewelme - Profile What we are looking for (contd.) “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you” (Matthew 7:7) 5 Proposed United Benefice of Benson with Ewelme - Profile What we can offer This is an exciting time of change for our parishes. After a challenging 18-month vacancy period in Benson, we are ready to welcome a new priest to St Helen’s who has the energy, enthusiasm and vision to work with us through this time of change as the village continues to grow. This is also an exciting time of change for both the Benson and Ewelme benefices as we progress towards being a united Benefice in the future. As well as being supported by a part time House for Duty priest, in each parish there are supportive churchwardens and effective and experienced PCCs. The proposed Benefice includes five well maintained and supported churches, which are financially stable and have loyal congregations. Our churches have varied sizes and styles; some are historically significant and one has featured in the award-winning film “Les Misérables”. We are proud of the diverse pattern of worship across the five churches which includes the Book of Common Prayer and Common Worship. This diversity enables us to appeal to wide congregations, which we greatly value. In Benson we have been pro-actively looking at different forms of worship in order to engage effectively with the wider community across all ages including a Fresh Expression. Messy Church runs several times a year and is well supported by many families who do not attend our traditional Sunday services. Music plays an important part in our worship, to accompany the diverse liturgy and includes robed choirs and an orchestra, alongside the traditional organ music. There are two Church of England primary schools, in Benson and Ewelme. There will be the opportunity to continue to strengthen our links with these schools, with weekly assemblies in school or church, pastoral support to school staff and end of term services. The accommodation is a spacious four bedroomed detached vicarage next to the church in Benson, which is a lively village with excellent amenities (see page 22 for more details of the vicarage). The proposed Benefice is a desirable location in which to work and encompasses a larger growing village as well as attractive rural Oxfordshire villages steeped in history. It is in the heart of the Thames Valley and at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, with easy access to Oxford, Reading, Henley-on-Thames, the Midlands and London. We warmly invite you to learn more about our beautiful churches and thriving, busy parishes…… 6 Proposed United Benefice of Benson with Ewelme - Profile THE PARISHES IN DETAIL BENSON Benson is situated on the east bank of the River Thames just north of Wallingford in South Oxfordshire, about 12 miles from Oxford and 15 miles from Reading. The Church and Vicarage are situated on Church Road which is off the A4074, Reading to Oxford Road. Benson benefits from regular direct bus services to Reading, and Oxford. The closest train station is Cholsey, just under 6 miles away, which is on the Oxford to London Paddington line. Oxford to London coach services can be boarded at nearby Lewknor or in Oxford. The M40 motorway (junction 6) is about 15 minutes away by car. Benson is surrounded by fertile land and farming was the main source of employment until the 20th Century. There is still much farming in the area and a small village centre supports the local economy.