frindsbury parish profile...parish profile – frindsbury with upnor and chattenden 3 introduction...

The Parish of Frindsbury with

Upnor and Chattenden

Parish Profile

Parish Profile – Frindsbury with Upnor and Chattenden

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CONTENTS

Introduction 3

Mission and Vision 4

Description of the Parish and Surrounding Area 5

Person Specification 6

The Team 7

Information and Statistics 8

Outreach 9

The Buildings 10

The Diocese and Deanery 11

Finances 11

Useful Links 13


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INTRODUCTION

Welcome to our Parish Profile. We are delighted you are interested

in this exciting ministry. We feel we have strengths to offer the new

vicar, but warmly welcome someone keen to move us forward; full of

ideas, energy and vision for reaching out to our community and

congregation.

We are an open and tolerant church aiming to welcome all who will

step over our threshold, while seeking to reach those who find this

too hard to do, finding other ways for them to meet Jesus.


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MISSION AND VISION

VISION

Our current Vision, that we hope our new vicar will influence, is:

To experience God’s presence

loving as the Father loves

serving as the Son serves

living by the guiding power of the Holy Spirit

and bringing others into the liberating freedom of the kingdom of God

CHALLENGES AND STRENGTHS

Our current challenges include:

• Reaching out to our local community and growing our church membership

• Developing our mission to children and young people

Our current strengths include:

• A welcoming congregation

• Different patterns of worship and music

• Our strong team of men and women including

o A woman priested pioneer curate, and a priested curate shared

with two other parishes

o A parish administrator

o 2 Readers , 3 Evangelists, a pastoral assistant and

bereavement team, and an engaged PCC and churchwardens

o Many others who contribute

• Our outreach supported by this team includes

o A Drop-In Café

o Presence at local boot fair

o Kids’ church and Sunday@4 at Chattenden

o Baptism and marriage preparation and links with schools

o A series of events: Cre8tive Easter, Christmas Fair etc.

• Three well-equipped churches and a parish hall

• OUR AIMS FOR 2015-16

• Reach out to Youth and the 20s to 40s

• Develop our outreach in Chattenden, building on Kids’ church and Sunday @4

• Build on our outreach to new housing

• Create new communication links within our parish

• Re-establish men’s fellowship

• Refresh our 4th

Sunday worship to be more contemporary


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DESCRIPTION OF THE PARISH AND AREA

The parish (population 10,800) is on the outskirts of Strood

(between the Thames and Medway estuaries), and forms

part of Medway council (population 270,000). The main

church of All Saints has breath-taking views of the river

Medway, Rochester Cathedral and the surrounding area.

All Saints Frindsbury draws its congregation from Frindsbury

and Wainscott, which are predominantly residential

neighbourhoods. There has been growth of housing in the

last 15 years. St. Philip and St James is in Upnor village which is mostly residential with a

castle, pubs, sailing, and sports clubs. Bishop Gundulph church at Chattenden, is in an ex-

military area where plans to develop 5,000 new homes are under consideration.

OUR MAKE-UP

45% of residents are between 30 and 59; while our typical congregations have a higher

proportion of older people. There has been a reduction in the number of young people

involved in church life, and this is a key group of people we wish to welcome back.

There has been slight growth in the number of ethnic minority groups represented in the

parish and congregations, which together total 8% of the local population. There are few

people in the parish who do not speak English well.

The parish is mixed in economic terms, with some affluent areas, but when taken as a whole

the parish falls in the lower half of deprived areas. People with no formal qualifications are

similar to the national average, but those with a degree or higher are fewer. 75% of homes

are owner-occupied, 11% privately rented and 14% social rented.

TRANSPORT AND EDUCATION

Access to London and elsewhere is excellent. Strood station is in walking distance; trains to

St. Pancras via High Speed take 34 minutes. The M25 can be reached in 15 minutes as can

Ebbsfleet International Station, giving links to the continent. Dover is an hour’s drive away.

The stunningly beautiful Kent countryside is within easy reach, including the North Downs.

There is a wide range of good primary and secondary schools. In terms of secondary schools

Medway operates a selective system, and there are single-sex and mixed grammar schools,

a variety of high schools and some comprehensive options. The Universities at Medway

campus (Kent, Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church universities) is close by, as is the

newly built Mid-Kent College, offering further education. There are five primary schools

within the parish. (See Useful Information for website links)

SHOPS AND LEISURE

The parish is well-served. In addition to high streets in Strood and Chatham, the major retail

and entertainment complex at Bluewater is approximately 15 minutes’ drive away. A

cinema, retail outlet centre and variety of inexpensive restaurants lie close to the

Universities’ campus. The historic town of Rochester, a significant tourist attraction and site

of regular festivals, with further quality restaurants is two miles away. There are high-quality

municipal and private golf courses, and other sports facilities, close by.

A map showing parish boundaries can be found here:-


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http://www.achurchnearyou.com/parishfinder.php?frindsbury

3. Person Specification

We are looking for a man or woman:

• Who has a heart and energy for mission; able to reach, encourage and enable those

who have not yet started their journey, as well as those who did so a long time ago

• Who is able to demonstrate strategic thinking and planning and lead the church

forward in worship and mission

• Who is a good team leader, harnessing the gifts of paid and unpaid workers

• Who is confident in their personal relationship with God

• Whose biblically based preaching has sound application to the world, that challenges

our thinking;

• Who has strong pastoral skills, and working with others, can relate to people of all

backgrounds

• Who has strong and effective communication skills, particularly with younger people

• Who is comfortable with a wide range of worship styles

• Who leads by example

In return we can offer:

• A welcoming fellowship with diverse gifts, open to change and ready to move

forward

• A supportive and gifted staff team and parochial church council

• A strong culture of lay ministry

• An ecumenical support group from within the local area churches

• Proximity to the Cathedral and Diocesan office


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THE TEAM

The Staff Team comprises the Vicar, Pioneer Curate, two Churchwardens, two Readers, a

Pastoral Assistant, three Evangelists and two parishioners who have permission to lead and

preach within the parish. The Staff Team meets bi-monthly for planning and support, and

from time to time for social events. We are mutually accountable.

PIONEER AND SHARED CURATES

Pioneer Curate

Over the last three years the Parish has had the benefit of a woman Pioneer Curate. This

post covers the whole of the Strood Deanery and centres on outreach work. This is a unique

position within the diocese. She will continue for at least another year.

Strood Cluster Curate

The three churches that cover Strood (All Saints, St. Nicholas and St. Francis) are developing

a cluster that enables mission and ministry to be shaped more effectively. They share a man

priested curate.

ADMINISTRATOR AND LAY MINISTERS

The Parish Administrator works Tuesday to Friday mornings based in the parish office.

Two Readers assist with preaching, teaching and leading worship. There are two additional

members of the congregation who have permission to lead and preach within the parish.

The Pastoral Assistant leads the Team who visit the sick and elderly, offer bereavement

support, take home communion visits and have regular contact with residential homes.

The three Evangelists work together on projects with the Mission and Outreach Team.

Parish Church Council (PCC)

The PCC draws members from all three churches. There are a number of working groups

including Finance and Stewardship; Mission; and Buildings and Churchyard.


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INFORMATION AND STATISTICS

Worship and Music

A range of worship styles take place across the three churches. Themes for these are taken

from the lectionary, or a sermon series decided by the vicar. Music fits the style of service

and is provided by a range of musicians, including organists, singers and bands.

Sunday Services

Other Services

In addition there are occasional services such as an

annual service for the bereaved, Easter sunrise service

followed by breakfast, carol services etc.

Electoral Roll 166

Funerals 7 church 36 crematorium

Weddings 8

Baptisms 21

Confirmations 3

Easter Attendance 222

Christmas Attendance 492

Average Sunday Attendance 105 adults 12 children

Church 1st

Sunday 2nd

3rd

4th

5th

All Saints

8:00 am Holy Communion BCP - average congregation 16 people

St Philip &

St James

9:00 am

Holy communion or Morning Worship. Average congregation 18

All Saints

10:30am

Average

congregati

on-70

Holy

Communion

(CW)

Organ music

All Age Worship

Music by a band

Holy

Communion

(CW)

Organ music

4th

Sunday

Worship

(informal style)

Music by a band

Holy

Communion

(CW)

Organ music


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DISCIPLESHIP

Home Groups

Six home groups meet fortnightly for fellowship and bible study led by members of the

congregation or staff team

OUTREACH

The following sets out a selection of our outreach activities

Meeting Point Drop in Café

The Drop in Café is open on a Wednesday morning in the Parish Hall and provides a place

for people to meet and have a chat over coffee and cake, soup or bacon roll.

Baptism Preparation

Baptisms take place during All Age or Fourth Sunday. The Baptism Preparation Team invites

parents and Godparents to an evening of preparation.

Marriage Preparation

The Marriage Preparation Team meets with couples to be married for 5 sessions of

preparation using the HTB Marriage Preparation Course.

Kids’ Church Chattenden

Kids’ Church is held on Saturday morning at Bishop Gundulph church in

Chattenden. 25 children aged between 5 and 11, together with some teenage

helpers, learn about God in a lively and interactive style.

Sunday@4

This is a relaxed service for families and consists of a number of ways to

engage those not wanting a traditional service or used to church.

Boot Fair

A boot fair is held on Sundays during the summer. For two years a group from

All Saints have run a stall there.

.

Cre8ive

Cre8ive takes place on

Good Friday and

occasional other

times. It is a chance for families to come and be creative

together whilst learning about the true meaning of

Easter.


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THE CHURCH BUILDINGS

All Saints Parish Church – a building dating from Saxon

times capable of holding 200 seated worshippers. It

has a new toilet and kitchen area and improved west

entrance. A high quality electronic organ has been

installed. There is a bell tower housing eight restored

bells which are rung every Sunday. The Church is in

good repair. There is easy yet secure access to the

Vicarage from the Churchyard

St Philip and St James, Upnor – this is a small, picturesque mid-Victorian church in good

condition. It has an electronic organ, PA system, toilet and

movable tea/coffee bar. A small area of graveyard

surrounds the Church.

Bishop Gundulph Church, Chattenden – until 1998 this was

the Garrison Church of the Royal Engineers. It was gifted to

Rochester Diocese, and the parish became partly

responsible. Built in the 1960’s it has fixed pews, a small

hall, two toilets, two small rooms and an organ.

Parish Hall

The Parish Hall was rebuilt in 1993. It includes a large well-

equipped hall (including kitchen) which can hold up to 140

people seated. The Upper Room is suitable for smaller

meetings. The Parish Office is located at the hall and is the

base for the Parish Administrator.

Vicarage

The vicar is able to live in a good sized 1950’s built

vicarage close to All Saints. It has gas fired central

heating (new boiler fitted January 2014) and double

glazing. It comprises two reception rooms, a study, a

well fitted kitchen and utility room, downstairs

cloakroom, 6 bedrooms (3 doubles and 3 singles) and a

large family bathroom. There is an integral garage and

driveway with parking for several cars. The Vicarage is

surrounded by gardens, with pedestrian access through the graveyard to All Saints Church.


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THE DIOCESE OF ROCHESTER, AND STROOD DEANERY

The Diocese of Rochester is served by two Bishops, the Rt. Rev. James Langstaff, Bishop of

Rochester and the Suffragan Bishop of Tonbridge the Rt. Rev. Dr Brian Castle. Rochester

Diocese is split into three Archdeaconries. Bromley & Bexley, Rochester and Tonbridge and

the parish is within the Rochester archdeacontry. The Diocesan office is situated 2 miles

from Frindsbury, within the Cathedral Precinct, and provides advice, support and training to

Clergy and laity.

The Archdeaconry of Rochester stretches from Dartford to Medway, encompassing the area

north of the A2 and some of the area south of it. A large part of the long planned Thames

Gateway development will happen in this region and there are important challenges in

shaping the Church of England’s historic commitment to the people as new communities

emerge.

Strood Deanery is the largest deanery within the Diocese, and includes parishes from Cuxton

and Halling in the south, to the Hoo peninsula and Isle of Grain in the North. The Strood

Clergy have regular contact with ecumenical colleagues and there is a mutual support

group.

PARISH FINANCES

OUTTURN FOR 2013

ITEM

ACTUAL FOR 2013

INCOMING RESOURCES

Voluntary Income £88,150

Activities for Generating Funds £ 2,537

Income from Investments £ 3,172

Income from activities £ 28,254

Other Incoming Resources £ 1,500

TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES £123,613

RESOURCES EXPENDED

Church Activities £106,861

Generation of Voluntary Income £ 664

TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED £107,525

Net Incoming Resources before other Recognised gains and losses

£ 16,088

Revaluation £ 250

Gains on Investment Assets £ 6,008

SURPLUS £ 22,346


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BUDGET FOR 2014

ITEM

BUDGET FOR 2014

INCOME

Planned Giving (not Gift Aided) £ 778

Planned Giving (Gift Aided) £ 40,448

Tax Refund (Gift Aid) £ 10,112

Give As You Earn £ 4,000

Collections £ 7,003

Fees Receivable £ 15,736

Investment Income £ 2,473

Magazine Income £ 1,408

Other Income, fund raising £ 2,177

Other Income, Donations, Appeals £ 3,632

Other Parish Income £ 1,067

Other Income, Parish Hall £ 13,725

TOTAL INCOME £102,558

EXPENDITURE

Clergy Expenses £ 17,752

Parish Share £ 21,200

Church Running Costs £ 13,441

Parish Administration Support Costs £ 3,331

Parish Administrator £ 6,987

Service Expenses £ 1,500

Outreach, Mission £ 880

Outreach Emmaus £ 816

Youth Work £ 915

Training £ 250

Communications, (Magazine etc) £ 1,100

Pastoral Care £ 244

Repairs & Maintenance £ 4,000

Churchyards £ 4,310

Charitable Giving £ 844

Church Hall Costs £ 13,725

TOTAL EXPENDITURE £ 91,295

BUDGETTED SURPLUS FOR 2014 £ 11,264


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8. Useful Links

Parish website

http://www.allsaintsfrindsbury.co.uk/

Rochester Diocese

http://www.rochester.anglican.org/

Medway Local Authority

http://www.medway.gov.uk/

Schools in the Parish:-

Chattenden Primary School

http://www.chattenden.medway.sch.uk/

English Martyrs Catholic Primary School

http://www.thelifecloud.net/schools/EnglishMartyrsCatholicPrimarySchool

Hilltop Primary School

http://www.hilltop.medway.sch.uk/

Temple Mill Primary School

http://www.templemillprimary.co.uk/

Wainscott Primary School

http://www.school-portal.co.uk/Grouphomepage.asp?GroupId=382817

frindsbury parish profile...parish profile – frindsbury with upnor and chattenden 3 introduction...

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