All Saints Clifton PARISH PROFILE

ALL SAINTS CLIFTON - PARISH PROFILE

INDEX A The Parish of All Saints’ Clifton 1. Location a. The village b. Education c. Leisure and recreation

2. The Church and its Community a. b. c. d. e.

Church in the community Worshipping congregation Shared ministry Communication & Activities Finance

3. Buildings a. Church and churchyard b. Rectory c. Church Hall

4. Strengths and Challenges Ahead

Joint Benefice of All Saints’ Clifton and All Saints’ Southill Benefice Profile B Future Priorities C New incumbent profile D Deanery

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A.1

LOCATION

a THE VILLAGE The Benefice comprises the neighbouring parishes of Clifton and Southill in Central Bedfordshire. Clifton is located close to the A1M (approx. 4 miles) and M1 (about 20 miles) and the nearest rail link at Arlesey, is about 2 miles away, for trains to Kings Cross (35 minutes) and to the north via Peterborough. The housing in the village consists of a mix of old cottages, housing association properties, modern estates and a few private estates. The village is surrounded by farms and has many well established routes for walkers and riders. The population of 3000 is very much a mix of age groups and the majority of people work in the towns nearby or commute to London. There are a number of small local businesses serving the needs of the community. The village is served by an active Parish Council and in 2003, 2005 and 2009 the village won the Calor Gas Bedfordshire Village of the Year Award. The village Community Centre, Church Hall and School are used regularly for both public and private events including sports and exercise classes. There is a Residents Association and a very active and well supported Care Scheme operates within the village. There are two Baptist chapels in the village and Methodists and Roman Catholic churches in the surrounding area. b EDUCATION Bedfordshire operates a three-tier education system. Children from 4 to 9 years of age attend All Saints VA Lower School in Clifton which shares its site with The Woodlands nursery unit both of which have had outstanding Ofsted Reports. http://www.allsaints.beds.sch.uk/contact/in dex.htm The 9-13 year age group is educated at Henlow VC Middle School in the adjoining village and the 13-16+ group at Samuel Whitbread Community College which also provides adult education and evening classes. Some children attend school in Bedford (both public and private sector) and those aged 11+ may also attend the boys or girls grammar schools in Hitchin.

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c LEISURE, RECREATION AND FACILITIES There is a general store with Post Office, an independent butcher, two public houses, a popular Indian restaurant and a garage/petrol station in the village. The nearby town of Shefford has a new health centre due for completion this year, supermarket, chemist, library, bank, public houses, restaurants and take-aways. There are many excellent restaurants within easy reach.

There are many interest groups for all ages: WI, Drama, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides (Cubs and Scouts meet in Henlow), Elder People’s Club, an excellent football club and a cricket club based at a picturesque ground on the outskirts of the village.

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A.2 a

THE CHURCH AND ITS COMMUNITY CHURCH IN COMMUNITY The Church plays an active role in the social calendar of the village and in the community events. In recent years we have held very successful, cross community events to celebrate the Millennium (2000), the Golden Jubilee (2002), a fund raising event for victims of the tsunami (2005) and the Year of the Child (2009) – the organising committees for these events consisted of members of the congregation working with representatives of other village groups. Other Church events have included Barn Dances, Open Garden Weekends, Gardens Competitions, Summer Fetes and Christmas Bazaars – again all well supported by members of the village community. A village magazine, Clifton Chronicles, is produced under the leadership of the Church by a team of over 40 volunteers a month. There are ten editions per year delivered free to each of the 1300 dwellings in the village. It is entirely self-supporting, income coming from advertising of local businesses and services and a grant from the Parish Council. Each issue includes a letter from the Rector, contributions from the school and other village groups. See: http://www.clifton-beds.co.uk/ChroniclesPB/Chroniclesboard.htm. A web site, www.clifton-beds.co.uk is managed by the church and financially supported by the Parish Council for the benefit of church and village. This contains a calendar of church activities and entries from the many rotas for lay involvement in services. All Saints VA Lower School receives a donation from the Church each year. Many Church members serve on the Governing body and the new incumbent would be expected to take an active role in the school by continuing the tradition of weekly assemblies, occasional services in Church, and also by serving on the Governing body traditionally as Chair.

YEAR OF THE CHILD FESTIVITIES AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE

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WORSHIPPING CONGREGATION The electoral roll currently has 110 members, 32 are from outside our Parish. We have added 4 new entries to the roll in 2010 all of which are regular Church attendees. The average attendance at the main Sunday service is 60 adults and 3 children under 16. Currently the pattern of worship is: SUNDAYS Holy Communion (Common Worship, last Sunday in month BCP)

8.00 am

2nd, 4th, 5th Sundays

11.00 am

All Sundays Parish Communion: sung Eucharist, Common Worship Last Sunday Family Communion: simpler format, Common Worship, of month occasionally non-Eucharistic

6.30 pm

All Sundays

Sung Evensong (BCP)

WEDNESDAYS 10.00 am

Wednesdays

Holy Communion, Common Worship

In addition to the variety of liturgy in our regular Sunday services we celebrate most major festivals and have other special services, many of which are during the week. Most services are based on Common Worship and we have produced, in-house, quite a number of service booklets to cover the range of services. Special services include: Ash Wednesday, Ascension Day, Maundy Thursday, Healing Service at St Luke’s Tide, Holy Week daily services, Nine Lessons and Carols, Christingle, Advent Carol Service, Crib Service Christmas Eve, Candlemas, Commemoration of the dead at All Saints, Mothering Sunday, Harvest Festival and a dedication at the War Memorial followed by a service in Church on Remembrance Sunday. Most of our services are led by our organist and choir and we have occasional anthems and choral evensongs. Mid-week services and Patronal Festivals are often held jointly with the Southill congregation. The numbers of occasional offices in the last year are: 15 Baptisms; 3 Weddings and 13 Funerals. There is regular lay participation within the services: sides-people, readers, choir, intercessors, servers, crucifers and chalice assistants. Children often take some of these roles in the family services and we serve Fair Trade tea and coffee after the 11.00 service as part of our outreach and welcome. There is a full range of vestments in both traditional and modern styles. An alb and chasuble (or stole) are worn for most communion services. For evensong a surplice and stole are usually worn.

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b SHARED MINISTRY There is an ordained NSM living in the parish and we have a newly licensed Reader who has developed his ministry within the parish. Support is also given from retired clergy (one of whom lives in the parish). In addition to the high levels of lay involvement in services the incumbent will receive support from the sacristan, a home communion visitor, the Baptism Group, a Bereavement Group is being established and we hold marriage preparation days. We have an active prayer group which meets monthly for group discussion, meditation and prayer. The services in Holy Week are often led by this group and one of the members leads a house group. We have also had a number of Quiet Mornings and Evenings led by our Reader. We have held both Alpha and Emmaus courses. We currently do not have a Sunday School but there is a monthly Saturday Club for 5-12 year olds to participate in crafts and fun. An Under 5s group meets in Church on alternate Thursdays for songs, stories and activities. The Crew (ages 11-18) meet in the homes of the leaders for discussion and activities, and enjoy trips away.

The PCC consists of the incumbent, two churchwardens, 12 ordinary members and 3 members who also represent the parish at Deanery Synod. The age range of members is from 40-80 with the average age about 55. The group meet 10 times per year. A Standing Committee, consisting of the incumbent, churchwardens, PCC secretary, PCC Treasurer and one member elected from the PCC also meet 10 times per year to agree the agenda for PCC meetings and discuss any other issues.

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THE CHURCH AND ITS COMMUNITY

c COMMUNICATIONS AND ACTIVITIES A Joint Benefice weekly pew notice sheet is produced. This contains contact details, details of weekly services and meetings, a prayer list and the Sunday readings together with other notices of interest (e.g. village/church events). The pew sheet and service sheets are produced in large print for those with sight impairment. Church activities are also promoted and recorded in the Clifton Chronicles and on the church/village website and Saturday Club has its own website. An annual report is produced which contains entries from the 10 sub-committees and 13 groups within Church. The Report for 2010 can be found on the website http://www.clifton-beds.co.uk/ChurchPB/APCMbooklet2011.pdf Committees include: Chronicles, Worship (chaired by the Rector), Fabric, Eco Group, and Church Hall. Groups include: Prayer Group, Bell-ringers, Flowers, Cleaning, Baptism Visitors, Missions, Choir and a group which chooses hymns for morning services which are mostly traditional with some contemporary, especially at family services.

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d FINANCE The full Financial Statements of the PCC for the year to 31 December 2010 are available on request to the PCC Treasurer (01462 851 816). Total income in 2010 across all categories was £68,211[f1] and we showed an overspend on the undesignated funds of £3,555 [f2]over the year; we are actively embarking on a Stewardship Campaign to help recover the situation. In these difficult financial times the PCC are determined to meet the target income required by the 2011 budget, a challenge in the face of increasing costs for VAT and Parish Share, the removal of transitional relief on Gift Aid and changes in the LPW Scheme. There are no major debts, nor are there major building works or other schemes in hand needing much money to be raised. The Parish Share has been paid in full every year; in 2011 it will be £32,333; as a joint benefice the Parish Share and expenses of office are split between Clifton and Southill with Clifton paying two thirds of the total. We are a Stewardship Parish encouraging planned regular giving using Gift Aid. We also raise funds through events designed to embrace outreach and fellowship including; Lent Supper, Open Gardens, Summer Fete, and Christmas Fayre. The Church Hall has become self supporting over the last year, and with fund raising events that raised[f3] £1,743 in 2010 is looking to make major repairs and improvements to the building. It is the policy of the PCC to support mission giving each year by regular donation from our undesignated income, in 2010 this amounted to £1,900. We also organise specific fund-raising events and appeals for mission purposes, during 2010 we supported; Christian Aid, the Bishop of St Albans Harvest for the Hungry Appeal, The Children Society, The Haiti Disaster Appeal, The Pakistan Flood Disaster. The total giving in this respect was £3,100 during 2010.

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A.3

BUILDINGS

a THE CHURCH AND CHURCHYARDS

The church is a 13th/14th century listed building (grade 2*) containing many interesting features, such as a restored Rood Screen (late 14th or early 15th century). The tower contains eight ringing bells, three chiming bells and the only working carillon (commissioned in 1879) in Bedfordshire. The organ is a ‘Father Willis’, built in 1886 by Mr. Henry Willis. We have a guide to the church which is available free in the church and can also be accessed on the website: http://www.clifton-beds.co.uk/ChurchPB/ChurchGuide2011.pdf. The fabric is in good order and all items requiring attention at the last Quinquennial report in 2008 have been completed. Our sound enhancement system incorporates a hearing loop; we have removable ramps and are currently seeking to install handholds to improve access for people with disabilities. We have a toilet and a small kitchenette. In recent years restoration work has been carried out on the Tower, sound control has been installed for the bells, the lighting system has been replaced and the bells themselves have been refurbished.

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Where possible, laity maintains the fabric and grounds of the church through the Fabric Committee, regular working parties and a grass cutting rota for the front churchyard. A paid contractor carries out grass-cutting in the rear Churchyard; a small grant from the Parish Council offsets part of the cost of this to the parish. In addition to the closed churchyard surrounding the church we have an open churchyard for burials and a newly built Garden of Remembrance for the interment of ashes. GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE Wherever possible the churchyard is managed to maintain and develop the biodiversity of the area and we have two areas identified as of special interest which are managed on a separate cutting scheme. The church building is also used for Under 5’s, Saturday Club, occasional concerts, for meetings and our Fair Trade stall.

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b CHURCH HALL The Church Hall is located separately from the church and is administered by a sub-committee of PCC. It is self-funded and its accounts are incorporated within the general church account. The hall is in regular use by village and church based organisations. c THE RECTORY The Rectory is a relatively modern, detached four bedroomed house with well stocked garden and double garage, situated in a small close to the rear of the Church in a quiet cul-de-sac.

FRONT OF RECTORY The PCC have installed, and fund the annual maintenance of, a burglar alarm. Double glazing was installed in 2006. The Quinquennial Inspection was carried out in 2010 and a new central heating boiler has been installed. A ground floor room in the Rectory has been used as a study for the incumbent and has appropriate office equipment although there is no secretarial support.

BACK OF RECTORY

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A.4

STRENGTHS AND CHALLENGES AHEAD a

STRENGTHS:

•

The church is an established part of the community and church members are active in a wide range of activities and organisations

•

The church produces the village newsletter (Clifton Chronicles) and manages the village website which provides excellent communication across the community

•

A resourceful, committed and friendly congregation prepared to take responsibility for church activities and work in partnership with Southill

• •

Variety of worship and willingness to try new formats

• • •

Proactive management of resources and facilities to attain financial stability

b

CHALLENGES AHEAD

A strong tradition of church music with choir and Father Willis organ which supports most services including a weekly evensong The attractiveness of the church building, grounds and surrounding village An enthusiastic and active bell-ringing team with members from both congregations; based in Clifton ringers also cover Southill weddings

•

We find it difficult to encourage new members into the church: to grow wedding couples and baptism families into regular worshippers and to maximise our links with the school and other village organisations to encourage their members to participate in our church life

•

Although there is a wide range of ages in the congregation, we currently have reduced proportion in the under 40 age group

•

We currently have relatively low numbers in our choir and there is no Sunday School at the moment and would like to rebuild these to previous levels

•

We need to increase income to meet rising costs and to carry out planned improvement works such as the sound enhancement system and lighting and to fund Church Hall development to improve facilities

•

We do not have full access & facilities for people with disability and impaired mobility in the church

•

Plethora of committees and groups all seeking support and guidance from the incumbent

•

We would like more links to other churches in area

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Joint Benefice of All Saints’ Clifton and All Saints’ Southill Benefice Profile Sections B - D B.

THE FUTURE AND PRIORITIES We are a rural benefice already covering a large area, within Southill Parish the population is scattered across 4 villages, and it is likely in the future that another living may be added to meet the Diocesan deployment indicators. We are therefore seeking an incumbent who could manage any future change and maintain and develop effective communication and integration across the benefice now and in the future. We are facing other practical challenges of ageing congregations, limited income and rising costs. We are looking for an incumbent who has a clear vision for mission and outreach in a rural community to implement the Bishop of St Alban’s ‘Living God’s Love’ initiative against this background. Specific priorities for the benefice include:

•

Stimulate Christian, spiritual growth within the congregations through preaching and other activities

•

Use the gifts of lay members of the congregations and develop individual ministry and vocation

•

Improve communication and integration within the benefice while maintaining and valuing the unique characteristics of our communities

• • • •

Provide a firm foundation of pastoral care within the benefice

•

Grow links with other denominations within the benefice and in the surrounding area

Develop and invigorate music within the parishes Continue and develop links with local schools and work with young people Ensure that the church plays an active part in the wider community and encourage use of our buildings as an integral part of the community

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C.

NEW INCUMBENT PROFILE GENERAL

•

The new incumbent should have the necessary experience, maturity and skills to be able to work with all the various groups within the parishes.

•

He or she should be prepared to work from where we are, to use what we have and to take us forward in developing new patterns of mission and ministry at a suitable pace for our congregations.

PERSONAL QUALITIES AND EXPERIENCE

• •

A spiritual leader with a deep faith to implement ‘Living God’s Love’

•

Have experience of working with groups and teams of people especially with volunteers and be able to motivate and encourage participation

•

Excellent communicator with individuals from all age groups as well as good presentational, meeting management and preaching skills

•

Good interpersonal skills with knowledge and understanding of training and developing individuals in ministry and vocation

•

Good person management skills including a consultative approach to ensure change and development is managed in a positive way

Good organisational and time management skills to balance and support the needs of a wide range of groups within a possibly enlarging benefice

CHURCHMANSHIP Churchmanship in both parishes is middle ground Anglican and we are seeking to:

•

broadly maintain this while wishing to be open to opportunities to develop our worship

•

maintain our tradition of a range of liturgy and celebration of festivals throughout the church’s year

•

embrace and encourage the existing traditions of the two parishes such as: bell ringing, choir, Sunday School, Saturday Club and family worship.

•

maintain our sense of wider Christian mission by continuing support for such charities as Christian Aid, Children’s Society and other local, national and international organisations.

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D

SHEFFORD AND AMPTHILL DEANERY The former small Deanery of Shefford merged with neighbouring Ampthill Deanery on 1 January 2011. The rationale was that both Chapter and Deanery Synod would become more viable and effective bodies, and that more opportunities would be created for collaborative ministry and sharing of resources. The new Deanery is served by two Rural Deans and Lay Chairpersons. The first meeting of the Synod was held on March 2nd, at which a vision for the future of the Deanery was outlined. The former Pastoral Committees have amalgamated, to which all beneficed clergy and one lay person from each benefice are invited. The Chapter is planning to hold Deanery services at various churches in the summer to focus on aspects of the diocesan ‘Living God’s Love’ initiative. Fellowship is very much part of Deanery life, as experienced at a recent coach trip to St Albans Abbey for an evening pilgrimage. The Synod meets on four occasions each year with a speaker for the opening session to which all are welcome, followed by a business meeting and exchange of parish news. The future offers the prospect of a challenging period and we need to appoint an incumbent who can lead us through this potentially exciting time. To bring about all the necessary changes we need a strong leader with a gift of teaching to bring more people of all ages into God’s family. They should have good pastoral skills, be a proven collaborator with the personality to inspire the faithful, and be committed to developing good links within the overall community – particularly with young people.

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