THE CHENIES BENEFICE PROFILE 2018 OUR PRAYER Heavenly Father, we thank you for your blessing and provision in the past We pray for the people you have drawn to read our profile, We seek your will in appointing the right person to lead us in Worshipping you and bringing Glory to you in our communities Page 1 Contents Our vision ................................................................................................................................................ 3 Our future ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Our new Priest-in-charge/Rector Designate ........................................................................................... 4 The Ministry Team .................................................................................................................................. 4 St. George’s, Little Chalfont .................................................................................................................... 5 St Michael’s, Chenies ............................................................................................................................ 10 St. Mary Magdalene, Latimer ............................................................................................................... 13 St Mary Magdalene in Flaunden ........................................................................................................... 15 Finances ................................................................................................................................................ 17 Benefice Houses .................................................................................................................................... 18 Useful websites ..................................................................................................................................... 18 Services in the Benefice ........................................................................................................................ 19 Description of Diocese and Deanery.................................................................................................... 20 Appendix 1 ............................................................................................................................................ 21 Detailed Person Specification ........................................................................................................... 21 Appendix 2 ............................................................................................................................................ 22 Detailed Role Description ................................................................................................................. 22 Page 2 Welcome to our Churches Thank you for reading this Benefice Profile. We are four churches within three Parishes with individual identities and a common vision to serve God in our communities. We are praying for a new Priest-in- Charge who has a deep and sustaining faith and who will help us discern how God is leading us and have the courage to follow. As you read this profile and consider applying for this role, please be assured of our prayers for you. Our vision Our common vision is: To know Christ and to make Christ known Through personal discipleship Praising God in a variety of styles. Seeking God in prayer and scripture Through community action Being “salt and light” in our communities Caring for and showing the love of Christ to those living in our communities Being a visible presence in our communities and schools Through taking an active part in the church family Using our gifts to support our leadership team. Caring for each other within our church families. Deepening our relationships with God and each other Our future St. George’s (St. G’s) Little Chalfont, has already fostered new relationships in its urban setting and is ready and willing to build on this progress; especially as a significant increase in households is likely in the district. St. G’s is currently actively working on plans for the redevelopment of the church and grounds to further facilitate outreach and mission. Significant progress has already been made and the new Priest-in- charge /Rector Designate will need vision and leadership ability to take this project to fruition. St. Michael’s Chenies and the two St. Mary Magdalene’s at Latimer and Flaunden are at the heart of three prosperous villages with a similar worship style that is distinct from that of St. G’s. In time, we hope to appoint a minister who will have the time to connect more fully with these three village communities. Initially, our new Priest-in-Charge will minister equally to the needs of the Parish of Chenies and Little Chalfont and work with two colleagues who minister in Latimer and Flaunden. Then, engaging fully with our PCCs and taking into account the retirement plans of our two Associate Priests, our Priest-in-Charge will lead us through the transition which will result in the appointment of a new Associate Priest to cultivate the life of the three village churches, allowing the Rector to focus on the further growth of St G’s and its work in the developing community of Little Chalfont. The churches share this vision which would change the shape of the ministry in the Benefice to create a more sustainable and effective pattern of ministry in all four churches. Page 3 Our new Priest-in-charge/Rector Designate We are praying for a priest and leader who: has a deep faith in Jesus Christ and a strong sense of calling will meet us where we are will lead us forward as together we worship God and serve Him in mission and evangelism in our communities We will offer you: Welcoming congregations and committed and supportive PCCs Prayer support for you and your family A supportive ministry team and lay leaders An opportunity to live in a community surrounded by beautiful countryside with excellent local schools and good transport links to London Encouragement for your professional and self-development Full reimbursement of expenses The Ministry Team Rt. Rev. John Went (Former Bishop of Tewkesbury) Rev Ruth Boughton Associate Minister/House for Duty Associate Minister with particular responsibility for with particular responsibility for St Mary Magdalene, Latimer St Mary Magdalene, Flaunden Philip Lovegrove Licensed Lay Reader Mrs Pat Ansell Licensed Lay Reader Page 4 St. George’s, Little Chalfont Our Church, Community and School St. George’s Church was built in the 1930’s as a mission church and is situated in the residential area of Little Chalfont and Amersham Common. We have strong links with the nearby St George’s voluntary controlled church infants’ school. (For more information, see page 8) Little Chalfont is a commuter town which has a socially diverse population and there is a constant demand for new homes to be built. A new estate of around 250 dwellings has been built behind the church and planning is being sought for at least another 700 homes locally. St. George’s is a very friendly, welcoming church with a loyal congregation which reflects the diversity of the population of Little Chalfont. We have regular volunteers who are generous with their time in helping to run the church and serve the needs of the surrounding community. We have noticed that our Sunday school numbers have fallen over the last few years and we are committed to outreach to local families. We are blessed with a very supportive pastoral team. Page 5 Worship St. George’s (St. G’s) currently has a 10am Sunday Morning Worship service with Holy Communion on alternate weeks. We successfully combine traditional hymns with contemporary worship songs to satisfy all tastes with an organist and a guitarist leading. Our guitarist and a small group of singers meet regularly to practise and take turns to choose the music. We have a mid-week communion on a Thursday at 12.30pm comprising mainly older members who are devoted and value it very much. This is followed by a fellowship lunch and attendance has grown consistently over the last six months. Our services are led by a rota of people and our Clergy and laity share the teaching and leading. Many people in our church family meet regularly in home groups. There is a regular Monday morning prayer group and a group meets regularly to pray for the suffering church. The first Friday evening of each month is P3T (Pudding, Praise, Prayer and Teaching) a very precious and informal spot to meet with the Holy Spirit and attended by Christians from other local churches. We often have an invited speaker. Page 6 Outreach and Mission Outreach is one of our strengths: Oasis café: meets every Friday in term time, providing a safe space for young mums to relax, share Christian conversation and prayer. Our hope is to help people to see the church as a relevant, caring place in today’s society. Pavilion outreach: offers free crafts and refreshments for children and families in Westwood Park during the Easter and summer holidays. The aim is to show God’s love for all. This has been running for many years and is greatly valued by the families it serves. Village day: We actively support Village Day and we are often a presence on the Green on a Saturday to offer prayer and conversation and to promote St. G’s in our community. Fellowship lunches: take place once a month after the Sunday service and are open to all. This provides a wonderful opportunity for fellowship