The Benefice of Ross-on-Wye with Walford and Brampton Abbotts Appointment of Rector, 2019 - Parish Profiles rawchurch.org.uk Page 1 Is God calling you to come to Ross-on-Wye? rawchurch.org.uk Welcome Thank you for your interest in our profile. We hope and pray that it will help you to feel prepared and ready to share with us in our journey as we work to enlarge and reach wider within our Christian communities. The Benefice of Ross-on-Wye with Walford and Brampton Abbotts consists of three parishes of some 14,000 people in the market town of Ross-on-Wye and two neighbouring villages in South Herefordshire. We are ‘middle of the road’ Anglicans, with a commitment to inclusivity. We are seeking a new Rector ready to take up the challenge of sharing in our vision to reach people of all age groups and backgrounds, strongly supported by (and supporting) our con- gregations, our Local Ministry Development Group and our staff team, which includes an Intergenerational Missioner appointed in January 2018 for a 5 year term. Our vision is: Our Ideal Candidate will be: To be an inclusive, forward-looking church serving the growing Committed to growing Christians and church of all ages and back- population of Ross-on-Wye and two neighbouring villages – there grounds. for all ages and backgrounds. A leader of change with great communication skills. To transition into churches that truly reflect the ages and Committed to inclusivity and flexible in worship styles. backgrounds of all the people of Ross, Walford and Brampton Abbotts – with a ‘mixed economy’ of congregations, (days, styles A ‘team player’ committed to growing the gifts of all. etc.) while being interconnected as one Anglican family. To be a strong, generous benefice able to help to support and resource others – in mission and financially. Page 2 Is God calling you to come to Ross-on-Wye? rawchurch.org.uk A message from the Rural Dean Thank you for taking the time to look at the profile of Ross and Walford with Brampton Abbots. Parish of Brampton Abbotts This benefice is at a significant point in its history, with some great opportunities and challenges facing the congregations. It is a time of change in Ross, with new housing swelling the population, and significant social outreach from the Anglican and other churches to meet the needs of those on the edges of our society. If you are looking for an easy ride in a nice market town, then this not the post for you! The Benefice is looking for someone with energy and vision to Parish of Ross work with the existing congregation, lay leaders and Intergenerational missioner to shape a church that is outward looking, spiritually deep, warmly welcoming and socially active. If you think that God is calling you to use your talents here, then please read on and reflect on the parish profile, the potential developments and the hopes of the church members for this place over the next few years. You will also find a warm welcome from your Chapter colleagues as we work together to support the mission and ministry of the church across this lovely part of Herefordshire. Revd Mark Johnson, Rural Dean and Rector of the Wormelow Hundred Benefice Parish of Walford Page 3 Is God calling you to come to Ross-on-Wye? rawchurch.org.uk Our next Rector We have thought long and hard about the skills and characteristics we Committed to inclusivity and flexible in worship styles believe our new Rector will need if he or she is to help transform the Ross As we build new younger congregations, we anticipate they will require an Benefice in a positive and Missional way. offering of greater variety of services with less formal styles of worship. He or she will need energy, ideas and flexibility of mind, perhaps prepared Are you willing and able to lead an Order One Eucharist with a robed to take some calculated risks in order to work with us to make the changes choir at 0930 then a Messy Church at 1100 and on to a Fresh we know we must make to develop and grow during the next 10 years. Expression youth gathering in the evening? In short a Priest who is a leader, communicator and collaborative, who wishes to plant new seeds in our Benefice and nurture them. A ‘team player’ committed to growing the gifts of all The Ministry Team of priests, lay readers and Intergenerational Missioner is Committed to growing Christians and church of all ages and experienced and hard working. There are also many willing lay leaders in a backgrounds variety of roles. If the changes we need are to be carried through Our Key Mission is to spread the word more widely and deeply, growing successfully they all need to be engaged, encouraged and coordinated to achieve the result we are all praying Christians– existing and new. As we transition to a broader deeper more relevant presence in our parishes, all members of the church communities for. old and new, will need support as they grow and develop. Are you able to lead effectively, Do you believe and know that growing Christians is an integral part of calming those trying to charge your skill set? If yes, you could be the person for us. ahead too fast, encouraging others to catch up and join in A leader of change with great communication skills with the necessary changes This is a key time our Benefice. The reordering of both churches creates a while delegating to encourage much more welcoming and flexible space accessible to all, but currently development and ease your primarily used by a congregation aged sixty plus. A series of gradual but own load? Our resources are continuous changes will be needed to attract new Christians. finite, to grow we need to grow generosity as well as faith – As our new Rector will you be prepared to help create, encourage and this too will need leadership. develop and most importantly communicate all these new initiatives to a wide audience, some of whom may not really want to listen? Page 4 Is God calling you to come to Ross-on-Wye? rawchurch.org.uk Developing our vision To be an inclusive, forward - looking church serving the growing To transition into churches that truly reflect the ages and backgrounds of population of Ross-on-Wye and its villages all the people of Ross, Walford and Brampton Abbotts We have realised that to grow, we must adapt and genuinely reach Our Intergenerational Missioner, with the previous incumbent, has out to more ages and backgrounds than we do at present. We need to now laid the groundwork for this and we need to continue to work communicate this effectively, and exploit the myriad opportunities together in new ways, to reach people of all ages and backgrounds offered by our reordered church buildings in Ross and Walford. while maintaining and supporting our existing congregations. To be a strong, generous church able to support and resource others. We are already blessed in the many ways that we, and individual Could you help us achieve our vision? church members, serve our community. Our ability to extend that service is dependent on the generosity of our congregations, a vital gift which needs to grow both in kind and in money’ Page 5 Is God calling you to come to Ross-on-Wye? rawchurch.org.uk Fulfilling our mission—what we do now We already have a wide range of ministries supporting and following up Baptism and Marriage, helping the bereaved, administering home communion. We are beginning to see the fruit of the Intergenerational Missioner’s work with more engagement with children and their parents. Shared Priority 1: Growing Christians and Church of all ages and backgrounds A wide range of services including Family and All Age Good music at our services Home communion for the housebound Three fortnightly Bible study groups, with extras in Advent and Lent Two monthly prayer groups Groups to encourage conversation about faith - Talking Jesus: a discipleship course, Thinking Film: discuss life’s big issues portrayed in film ‘Sunday Kids’ during the Sung Eucharist at St Mary’s twice monthly Paddle & Praise for Toddlers A weekly ‘Toast Club’ for young mothers and toddlers A monthly LEAF club for 11 to 15 year olds Open the Book in local schools and other schools programmes Life Events Ministry Alpha starting January 2019 With you, our new Rector working with us and with our Intergenerational Missioner, we want dramatically to increase our engagement with and relevance among younger generations, helping them to find their faith. Very likely this will involve forming new congregations with different worship styles at unconventional times to meet this need. Page 6 Is God calling you to come to Ross-on-Wye? rawchurch.org.uk Fulfilling our mission- what we do now- continued Shared Priority 2: Contributing to the Common Good Bereavement Café Jobs Club Support to Food Larder Summer Sunday Teas Mothers Union Just Church Remembrance and reconciliation work in Schools Jobs Club Christian Giving Hospital visiting Led by you, our new Rector, using the opportunities presented by our reordered churches, we want to relate to our wider community more effectively and deeply, to make a real difference to people and their lives. Page 7 Is God calling you to come to Ross-on-Wye? rawchurch.org.uk Fulfilling our mission- what we do now- continued An open church welcoming people in An Inclusive Church Open every day for private prayer or tourist visitors Coffee mornings Concerts and exhibitions Flower Festivals and Christmas Tree festivals Local ministries (started by the Local Ministry Development Group) Baptism visiting Marriage preparation Bereavement café Other ministries Hospital visiting Community Larder (food bank) run by Churches Together in Ross Tuesday club for the unemployed Other organisations and facilities Mother’s Union Men’s Supper Club St Mary’s Hall is used for Flicks in the Sticks and other community events Led and inspired by our new rector, we want to increase our involvement with and service to the local community, including the many visitors to Ross Page 8 Is God calling you to come to Ross-on-Wye? rawchurch.org.uk Working with young people Sunday Kids runs on alternate Sundays during the 9.30 Sung Eucharist at rehearses once a week.