st george’s church, tolworth parish...

09 April18 January 2017

ST GEORGE’S CHURCH TOLWORTH

Part of the Tolworth Hook and Surbiton Team Ministry

Our vision

A church family at the heart of our community, sharing Jesus and growing in discipleship

St George’s Church, Tolworth Parish Profile

Summary

St George’s Church, Tolworth is part of a strong, 3 parish team ministry set in the suburbs of South West London. The Team Ministry covers an area with a population ranging from high earning commuters to long -term unemployed and homeless. Geographically it includes multi-million pound private houses to semi-rural village.

The specific parish of St George’s is primarily middle class professional and semi-professional families, retired and young couples. It is ethnically diverse with a significant Indian and Sri Lankan population.

50% of St George’s congregation actually live in St George’s parish. The congregational profile is largely white, British, middle class, retired, middle-aged and 3 families with children under 12.

1. Our Vision and Values

St George’s Church, Tolworth is a small church family (2017 ER 45) with a vison and desire to become:

A church family at the heart of our community, sharing Jesus and growing in discipleship

The PCC and church members have spent time during the vacancy in prayer, reflection and consultation with our church family to develop our vision set out above and to identify our values. We believe God wants us to become a church over the next 3-5 years with the attributes and values described in the table below:

HUB Family Worship & discipleship

• •

• •

•

Outward looking Open to & hub for the community Outreach Building on what we already do Specific community projects

• • • • • •

Fellowship Friendship Togetherness Supporting each other All ages Encouraging young members

• Enliven and open to

new approaches to worship

• Prayer at the heart • Spirit filled • Learning together • Bible study

2. Our New Incumbent

We have begun to explore how St George’s might take forward its vision and are excited by the potential opportunities this offers. As we look forward to a new exciting phase of mission at St George’s we are seeking a leader who has the enthusiasm, energy and vision to nurture, guide and inspire our future ministry to the wider community. Our PCC and lay leadership team are committed, strong, and welcoming; our new incumbent should have the resilience and experience to harness and focus that energy into achieving our vision.

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Role Profile

Summary

The challenge for an incumbent at St George’s is to halt the decline in congregational attendance while reaching out to the parish community. At the same time maintaining a sensible work/life balance. You would be welcomed by a highly experienced Team Rector and Vicar together with committed and capable lay leadership who are keen to support you in determining your priorities in terms of preaching, pastoral work, outreach and discipleship.

A further challenge is posed by the local Islamic Community Prayer group who wish to build a mosque in the parish and have already offered cash to purchase the site of the local scout group. St George’s church, church centre and grounds is also a highly sought after development site. As a PCC, we believe the way forward is three -fold:

1. To nurture and develop our existing, aging congregation, spiritually and pastorally.2. To share the love and word of God with our wider parish community, particularly

young families.3. To play a full and active role in developing the Tolworth Team ministry as a powerful

advocate for God in Tolworth, Surbiton and Chessington.

As you help us discern our priorities in the light of our Mission Action Plan (annex 1) you will:

i. Develop and nurture individuals and groups in their spiritual journey by: • Inspirational preaching, teaching and worship • Helping us discover and use our strengths and skills • Enhancing and developing the existing ministries • Nurturing and developing people in leadership roles including training leaders for

example for Alpha & Emmaus • Providing strong pastoral leadership and care to an ageing, long-standing

congregation and a diverse local community

ii. Develop St George’s in its mission to the community including being

representative of and visible to the community it serves by proactively: • Strengthening existing, and building new links with schools and other children’s

groups • Strengthening existing links with other organisations and groups which use the

Church Centre

• Building strong relationships with community and business leaders, and local Council Officers

iii. Commit to an equal partnership in the Team Ministry (THiS), working with St Paul’s

Hook and St Matthew’s Surbiton (the other two churches in the Team) respecting, encouraging and enabling unity and diversity.

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Person Profile

The successful candidate will :will:

• Live out your love for Christ in our congregation and community

• Be spiritually mature, resilient and willing to challenge and coach

• Be approachable, welcoming and have a great sense of humour

• Be ready to lead a church with a very strong commitment to lay involvement

and responsibility

• Encourage and develop the gifts and ministries of all

• Build relationships with community groups and businesses

• Think creatively, initiate projects and build teams

• Be a gifted bible based teacher and preacher

• Be comfortable with a breadth of spirituality and liturgy

• Encourage the active participation of all ages

• Be a person of prayer and spiritual depth whose life and ministry is shaped by the love of Christ

• Be a gifted team leader with a deep commitment to mission and able to inspire others

to unite around a shared vision, values and commitment

• Bring excellent people skills to pastoral ministry and collaborative leadership; able to encourage and developing the gifts and ministries of all.

• Have the passion and experience to develop a fruitful, authentic and culturally appropriate evangelistic ministry to all people, especially to those who feel lost or in need.

• Be a gifted teacher and preacher, committed to the authority of the bible and able to

bring its relevance into people’s lives with enthusiasm and energy

• Be able to engage effectively in the local community, building strong relationships with those who live and work there.

• Be experienced in and comfortable with a breadth of spirituality and liturgy, both formal and informal, inspired by the Holy Spirit.

• Be committed to and skilled in encouraging the active participation of young families, children, young people and older members in the life of the church.

• Be able to think creatively, initiate projects and build teams amongst volunteers.

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3. The Post

The post is for a House for Duty Priest, with incumbent status, serving for 20 hours a week. This could be pro-rated over a month to suit the incumbent and parish needs. The post title is Team Vicar.

Our longer-term vision is that we grow congregation numbers and at a point when the finances allow we would then discuss with the Diocese a full time incumbent position. We are looking for a leader who can help us grow in numbers.

The parish has a strong lay leadership who can preach and lead services as well as carry out pastoral care. The lay leadership will work closely with the incumbent to enable the incumbent to use his or her time as effectively as possible.

St George’s Parish was formed in October 2015 and is part of the Tolworth, Hook and Surbiton Team Ministry consisting of St Matthew’s Church Surbiton, St Paul’s Church, Hook and St George’s Church, Tolworth. Previously, St George’s shared a parish with St Matthew’s. St George’s falls within the Kingston Deanery, in the Kingston Episcopal area. The Team Rector is Rev Helen Hancock who is based at St Matthew’s.

4. Our Congregation

We are small in number and with a majority now in the older age brackets. We have a small number of families with children mainly in the junior school age bracket. We have a heart for growth and a realisation that this means adapting and being open to changes in the way we worship so that we can relate to the community in which we are situated. We are open to exploring new ways of “doing church” whilst providing opportunity and service content for church members who prefer more traditional forms of worship.

At the end of 2012, our then incumbent retired due to ill health. The Diocese, because of its own financial situation, intended to turn the post at St. George’s into a House for Duty post. However, we were able, with assistance from another church in the Diocese, to self-fund the post. This was the situation for the 3-year period of the next incumbent, but St George’s could not sustain its funding for the post as the congregation numbers and church finances did not grow sufficiently over the period. This led to the current vacancy, the new post becoming a House for Duty, and, to several church families leaving St George’s for other churches.

The PCC has refocused and spent time in prayer and reflection along with the congregation to seek God’s next steps for us. As mentioned above, this led to the development of our vision and values. We are currently reviewing our existing activities against our vision and values and considering the way forward.

With the expected sizable growth in the number of houses and flats in the parish, there is huge opportunity to take mission to our area.

We see ourselves as a church family that welcomes newcomers and provides a supportive and caring community.

5. Description of the Parish.

The Parish is situated in the south west corner of the Diocese of Southwark, with part of the Parish boundary also forming part of the Diocese boundary. It lies within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. The parish is divided geographically by the A3 which forms a

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significant physical barrier. It is diverse, with a mix of owner occupied and rented housing to the north end of the Parish. This includes a static travellers estate and plot for 400 new homes on land behind the local Girls high School. T, and to the south of the A3 there is an estate of former social housing, an industrial estate and a large area of Green Belt land. Housing varies from council housing to substantial private dwellings. The housing stock is primarily 1930’s and a few social housing estates. Owner occupier housing ranging in value from upwards of £390,000. Kingston University students rent accommodation in Tolworth.

Tolworth Broadway and Ewell Road are regarded as the centre of Tolworth. There are approximately 140 shops and 33 restaurants and take-aways. There is a M&S food store and Boots along with many coffee shops, both independently owned and national chains, used regularly by church members. Approximately 35% of the shops are managed by people originating from outside UK. There is a small public library to compliment the larger libraries in Surbiton and Kingston.

CLC own a Christian bookshop called Refresh (the only Christian bookshop in the borough) with a ministry to customers as well as the sale of books. This is well used by members of St George’s.

A significant institution within the parish is Tolworth Hospital, which provides mental health facilities (including a secure unit), elderly rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation and physiotherapy services.services. This is due for significant redevelopment over the next couple of years. There are also several elderly care homes nearby. The Tolworth Recreation Centre(TRC) shares its site with Tolworth Girls School, a high achieving secondary modern school. The TRCwhich offers a range of facilities and activities including gym, sports halls and group activity studios has been used by Churches Together in Surbiton for worship services. This is one of four leisure centres in the Borough.

Public transport is provided by many bus routes through the Parish, serving Kingston, Surbiton, New Malden, Dorking and further afield. Southwest Trains service Tolworth Station with a twice hourly service to London Waterloo, the route going via Wimbledon. Surbiton Station is not far from the Parish with fast trains to Waterloo and connections across the country.

The population of the Parish is 8,8521 and has a significant (44%)2 ethnically diverse community reflected in the 50 plus languages spoken in the local non-selective primary and secondary schools. There has been a been a significant ethnic demographical change in recent years. There is a good cross section of the community in all age brackets.

There is low unemployment within the parish. Large numbers of people commute for work either from Tolworth or Surbiton Railway Stations to London and Guildford, or by bus and car to Kingston, Surbiton and other major towns. Employment within the Parish is mainly light engineering, unskilled parts assembly and warehousing. There is part-time working in local schools and shops by mothers. Professional occupations range from doctors, lawyers, accountants and many medical workers in private care homes, Kingston Hospital and borough GP practices.

Tolworth is part of the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames which operates a selective 11+ entry to the 2 borough grammar schools, Tiffin School for Boys and The Tiffin Girls’ School. Overall all borough schools, including those in the Tolworth Parish, are rated above

1 Church Urban Fund website accessed on 9 Jan 2017 2 ibid

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national standards for achievement and progress. All High Schools in the borough (except Chessington Community College) are independent academies. Both grammar schools and the range of independent Prep and High Schools are a short bus ride away. In the Parish, there is 1 single sex girls’ High School (Tolworth Girls) with a mixed-sex 6 th form. There is a boys’ High School (Southborough High School) with a mixed 6th Form on the St Paul’s Hook Parish boundary. Attend this school.

There is 1 primary school within the Parish, serving the Sunray Estate. There is a large primary school and nursery (Tolworth Nursey, Infant and Junior School with 4 form entry) on the St Matthews, Surbiton Parish boundary which serves most children in Tolworth together with St.

Matthew’s Church of England primary school. Attendance at St George’s meets the entry requirements for St. Matthew’s school. There is a large children’s nursery along the Red Lion Road attracting children from across Tolworth and Surbiton.

There are plans submitted to the local planning authority for significant residential developments within the Parish. These include

• Expansion of Tolworth Tower with the addition of 3 more towers comprising 400 new homes and 60 serviced apartments

• Redevelopment of land at Tolworth Hospital to fund a further £60m investment in Mental Health facilities at the hospital

• 100 new homes nearing completion on land at the rear of Tolworth Girls’ School • Redevelopment of former Government offices site behind Tolworth Railway Station –

965 residential units for approx. 2,500 residents. Currently at 3rd planning application stage. In anticipation of Cross-Rail 2 Project extending to Tolworth.

• Current Transport for London plans anticipate the Cross-Rail 2 Project extending to Tolworth and beyond.

St George’s Church sits in the middle the area affected by these proposals and has been described as “the best community facility in Tolworth.”

A copy of the book “The Story of Tolworth” by Pat Ward (a member of St George’s) and Bob Philips will be given as helpful background reading to shortlisted candidates.

6. Our Worshipping Life

Worship at St George’s follows a monthly pattern with services held at 10.00 am.

• 1st Sunday - All Age Service preceded by doughnuts. The Brownies attend this service on alternate months. The target is to be easily accessible for all ages not just young people, and visitors who are new to church. Short, fun and “pithy”. The service often includes drama, live music, puppets and prayer through activities with a succinct yet significant Biblical message.

• 2nd and 4th Sundays - Holy Communion using Church of England liturgy with accessible language and a blend of traditional and contemporary worship.

• 3rd Sunday - Morning Worship - usually informal with contemporary worship. • 5th Sunday -is flexible. • 4th Tuesday of the month, traditional Holy Communion held in an informal setting in

the church lounge.

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Services include contemporary worship including traditional hymns with opportunity in most services for back to back worship songs to enhance the worship.

Visiting clergy usually wear rRobes for are worn for Communion services.

There is a small music group that play about once per month at services (guitars, woodwind and brass). For other services, music is from CDs / computer downloads / midi.

The PCC, as part of the Mission Action Plan is currently reviewing the structure of services to ensure that they meet the new vision statement and values, the needs of the congregation and that they are relevant to welcoming newcomers to the church.

There are 2 main prayer meetings held regularly either in the church or homes of members.

• 8.30 am Saturday mornings • Tuesdays, once a month

7. Young People

We have a small Sunday School group called Shine. This has c8 primary school aged children. Teaching is based on the Scripture Union Light material.

The Church Centre hosts a weekly Brownie pack and the Wiggles mother and toddler group who meet weekly (joint project with The Community Church).

8. Fellowship and Study Groups

Bible study - There are two Bible Study groups, both following the same literature. These meet on alternate Thursday mornings and Monday afternoons.

Fellers - meet twice a month to support the male members of the congregation through Bible Study and social events.

Radiance – ladies group meets once a month for study, fellowship and social events

Silver Threads – a monthly meeting for retired people – church and non churchnon-church members

Bereavement Support - twice a month

Leadership of primary school Bible Club – a small team lead an Insight3 organised club at Knollmead School in the Parish.

9. Mission Events

We have run the following mission events in the recent past:

• Christmas Tree Festival including handing out candles in Tolworth Broadway to high light our presence and share Christmas service times

• Family fun days on the front lawn of the church with children and adult activities to provide opportunity to meet the community and to share our faith

3 Insight is the Kingston Schools Christian Workers Trust Charity Number: 801025

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• Annual Christingle Service draws in local people

• Inside, Outside Church where church members went out into the community to join local community projects, prayer walked, met the community in a local cafe instead of a church service on a Sunday.

• The church actively supports Kingston Foodbank and is considering establishing a food bank distribution facility in the church.

• Church members regularly visit friends who are housebound, in local care homes and hospitals

• The Wiggles mother and toddler group who meet weekly (joint project with Surbiton Community Church). Wiggles has run parenting and first aid courses.

10. Cross- Parish and Team Working

Within the Tolworth Hook and Surbiton Team Ministry, St George’s has played a role in developing shared values across the 3 churches. St George’s contributed to the first two Team services and will be leading the first Team Evening Praise and Worship service to which the Churches Together in Surbiton have been invited.has offered practical support to the 2nd. St George’s promotes and participates in team outreach breakfasts, quizzes and special services.

The Church fully participates in the Deanery and is a member of Churches Together in Surbiton (CTS) which has been established for many years. It hosts the annual CTS quiz.

A small group of church members attend the New Wine summer festival and other New Wine conferences. A number of men attend events organised by Christian Vision for Men.

Other areas include:

• The Church supports Kingston Welcare using the annual Toy Service to raise awareness and to collect gifts.

• The Church collects for Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness, the Children’s Society and Leprosy Mission

• Church members support the Christian bookshop on Tolworth Broadway.

11. Leadership Team Vicar Vacant Reader Mrs Becky Whiting (licensed to the THiS Team) Churchwardens Mr Christopher Gretton and Mr Gordon Raybould PCC There are 9 elected members of the PCC, each serving a three year

term, which is renewable once. In addition, the Churchwardens, 2 Deanery Synod reps and the Reader are members of PCC.

Lay leadership St George’s has a strong lay leadership team who can preach and lead services as well as carry out pastural care.

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There are church members that act as welcomers, serve teas and coffees, arrange flowers, maintain the church and grounds etc

The PCC employs a part-time Caretaker with responsibility for the maintenance of the buildings.

12. Administration

At the time of writing administrative support is provided on a voluntary basis by a couple of church members. They have indicated a desire to give up this role and concentrate on other activities. It may be necessary to pay for future administrative support.

13. Finance

As at 31st December 2016 the church had liquid assets of some £98,000. The budget for 2017 shows a deficit of some £5,000, although the income does not include any allowance for one off donations. The pledge to the Diocese’s Parish Support Fund is £10,000 in 2017. However the PCC has agreed that it will make a one off voluntary donation to the PSF at the end of 2017 if the actual financial out-turn is better than budget.

Many of the older members of the congregation already give sacrificially. A number of the younger generation need to be encouraged in giving. All eligible church members give under Gift Aid.

For a number of years the PCC has given 10% of its income to outside charities. However over the last couple of years this has been reduced to 8% with the balancing 2% being used for local evangelism.

14. Church Buildings

The building of St George’s dates from 1934 when it was planted by St Matthew’s Surbiton in the then newly developing housing.

The church layout is in a semi-circular to promote closeness and fellowship. The building has recently been refurbished and redecorated and is in a good state of repair. There are 2 projector screens used for worship songs, liturgy and teaching. There is also a sound desk.

Attached to the church is a large hall that is used by various community groups on a regular basis, ranging from the local Karate Group to an International Dance Group. When required the hall is used as a Polling Station. The hall has an attached kitchen. There is a vestry/office room, a lounge for smaller gatherings, a further larger room (the Jubilee Room) and male, female and disabled toilets.

15. Vicarage

Originally built as a 3 bedroom detached house, the Diocese has in recent years extended the building to have 6 bedrooms and a separate study and public area. There is also a good sized garden and off street parking for 3 cars. It is situated at 127 Hamilton Avenue a few doors away from the church, giving easy access while maintaining privacy.

16. Wider Geographic Area

Tolworth is less than 3 miles from Kingston Town Centre which has a theatre, cinema complex, many restaurants and virtually all leading shopping stores are present including

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John Lewis. Nearby are Richmond and Bushy Parks, and lovely walks along the River Thames. The historic palace of Hampton Court, once occupied by Henry VIII is close by.

Tolworth’s location on the route of the A3 makes it easy to drive out to the Surrey Hills for walks and pub lunches. It also makes accessing the M25 straightforward and therefore travelling to other parts of the country easier. The South coast is an hour away.

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Annex 1

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Annex 1

st george’s church, tolworth parish...

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