Welcome to the Benefice of St Mary’s, Lamberhurst and St Luke’s, Matfield

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WelcomeWe are delighted that you are expressing an interest in our Benefice and we pray that you will gain a real sense of who we are. We hope this profile will help you to discern whether God is calling you to join us and serve as our “Vicar”*. We thank God for bringing us to this point and trust He is calling the person of His choice to be the next Vicar here. We believe there will be challenging and exciting times ahead and we look forward to a new Vicar who will help us develop and live out our faith as individuals and as a church community.

*Vicar – initially “Priest-in-Charge” [please see ‘The Vicarage’ section], but he/she will still be thought of as our “Vicar”!

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Our Vision

We seek to give glory to God, proclaim the Gospel and to serve all with compassion and understanding to:

• build a Christ-centred community that welcomes and accepts all

• grow in faith, love and knowledge of God in the character of Jesus

• listen to the needs of the old, the very busy, the youth, children and families

• share the Gospel with our communities

We recognise that in order to fulfil our vision we will need to work more closely as two parishes in one Benefice, and with our neighbouring churches in Brenchley and Horsmonden

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Our hopes for the new Vicar What we can offer our new Vicar

• Congregations who want to learn more about discipleship in order to develop their relationship with God and each other.

• Two Christian communities that are friendly and welcoming to all; who are striving to make their churches accessible to everyone; and are always on the lookout for new and effective ways of spreading the Good News of Jesus in the wider community.

• A team that is enthusiastic, loyal and hardworking and which is active and supportive in church services and behind the scenes.

• Very strong links to both Church of England Primary Schools within the Benefice.

• An efficient Parish Office where a wide range of administrative tasks is carried out for the Benefice.

• Very active fund-raising teams. Both sets of villagers are very supportive, helpful and generous.

• The opportunity to make the most of the beautiful rural setting and be part of the lives of the two villages that the Churches serve, which have a wide range of local societies and clubs.

• A Deanery Chapter which meets regularly and is warm, welcoming and supportive.

Based on feedback from the two congregations we hope you will:

• have Jesus Christ at the centre of your life, where your ministry is underpinned by prayer, reflection and listening to the Holy Spirit

• focus on Bible-centred teaching to encourage and deepen our faith

• have a heart for mission, helping us to establish and work towards implementing God’s vision

• promote pastoral care for people of all ages and backgrounds within the Church and the wider community. Work with and encourage others in pastoral care and prioritise this as a mission of our Church

• continue to work with the schools, young people and families, and expand the youth work of the Church

• prayerfully lead us through the period of change which will deepen ties within our Benefice as well as develop new links with the churches in Horsmonden and Brenchley

• engage with mission, scripture and worship in creative ways• help us to develop our gifts and abilities as we live out our

faith day by day• support and encourage our Churches’ musical talents

And be able to do all of the above and maintain a sense of humour.

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Worship

We aim at relaxed dignity in our worship. Sunday morning services at both St Mary’s and St Luke’s are Eucharistic, using liturgies based on Common Worship.

• First Sunday services are “All Age”, 9.15 am at St Luke’s and 11.00 am at St Mary’s.

• Second, third and fourth Sundays, the 9.15 am service is at St Mary’s and the 11.00 am service at St Luke’s.

• Fifth Sundays and Patronal Festivals (and fourth Sundays during the interregnum) there are “Come Together” services at 10.00 am, alternating between the churches

Average Sunday morning attendance at St Mary’s is 50 adults and 9 children. Junior Church is held in the church. Monthly Prayers for Healing are said at 6.30pm. There is a mid-week said communion service.

St Luke’s average Sunday morning attendance is between 30 and 45. The Connection (youth group) meets in the Village Hall. A monthly BCP evensong is held, and there is a mid-week said communion service (suspended for the interregnum).

In Holy Week, various meditative services are split between the churches. At Christmas a combined carol service is held, and

on Christmas Eve, both churches host very popular Christingle Services and Midnight Mass. There are Christmas morning services at both churches. In spring each year, each church holds a Snowdrop Service for those mourning the death of loved ones. Lamberhurst school comes to the church for services at Harvest, Christmas and Easter.

We accept the present format of services may change as we embrace the possibility of working with our neighbouring churches. We hope to explore variety in our service times, styles and location and involve the creative arts and all-age groups.

“Exploring Prayer” meetings have been introduced in recent weeks and have been well received.

Music

At both Churches music at Sunday morning worship uses the “Anglican Hymns Old & New”, is led by robed choirs, and accompanied primarily on pipe organs. At St Mary’s children and adults join the robed choir on the first Sunday in the month to form an All-Age Choir, and recently others of all ages have been encouraged to become part of a “Pop-up Choir” with really encouraging results. We hope to maintain and grow our current Choirs whilst exploring the introduction of other forms of musical expression.

Church Life

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Occasional Offices

In recent years, funerals have averaged just over 20, weddings 8, and baptisms approximately in the mid-teens, before a sharp recovery from an unusually low level in 2014 to almost 30 in 2015. The churches have an open baptism policy, and recognise the significant pastoral opportunities that occasional offices present. A Confirmation Service is held annually with Brenchley and Horsmonden. The location of the service moves from church to church each year. The Pilgrim Course is being used this year for the preparation of confirmation candidates.

Staff Colleagues

Our Associate Priest is non-stipendiary/self-supporting and, in addition to Sundays, is committed to one day per week in the Benefice. There are three Readers linked to the Benefice, one of whom preaches regularly, and there is a paid organist for both churches. The Ministry Leadership Team meets informally every month for mutual support and to discuss issues of common interest and concern. There is a salaried parish administrator who works two days a week in the Parish Office.

Community Life of the Churches

The community life of our Church is inextricably linked to the villages that we live in. As well as the informal gatherings of the Church family, the Churches host many other events for their respective villagers. These include annual events, such as Lent Lunches, Harvest Suppers, Carols in the Pubs, Open Gardens, and Holiday Clubs; Lamberhurst’s Teddy Bears’ Picnic and Welcome Party; Matfield’s Village Fete and Christmas Fayre; and occasional events such as Auctions of Promises and Hog Roasts.

The Churches seek to reach out to the elderly and vulnerable of all ages across the Benefice. Members of the congregations are involved in volunteer driving schemes, and quarterly tea parties are organised for the elderly. In Lamberhurst the Caring Group visits the sick, and especially the elderly. Love Matfield organises events within the village, in conjunction with the Church, including monthly coffee mornings, and The Connection reaches out to all young people.

Church Life

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Children and Family

Both Churches are working hard with young people and children and members of the congregation are governors at both village schools.

In Matfield, The Connection is a Christian-centred youth group that meets regularly and has a core group of committed young people. The clergy lead assemblies regularly in the Church primary school. Lamberhurst has strong links with the Church Primary School where the clergy also regularly lead assemblies and a monthly prayer group. Junior Church continues to thrive and Tinies Church meets once every fortnight for pre-school children. The Holiday Clubs in both parishes in August have been popular. With over 100 children in recent years they are a strong outreach into the villages and surrounding areas.

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Lamberhurst is in attractive undulating countryside in the south of Kent. The centre of the village is in the valley of the River Teise, with St Mary’s Church on higher ground to the North. The vicarage and parish office are in the village centre.

The parish population is around 1,700, of whom 22% are under 16 and 16% are over 64 (2011 census figures). Just 2% come from a minority ethnic background. About 450 of the 700 households are owner-occupied. The number on the electoral roll is 85.

A busy general store and post office is in the centre of the village, along with a pub, a restaurant and a unisex hairdressing salon. The Memorial Hall, originally built in the 1920s, hosts many activities including a monthly farmers market and a renowned annual pantomime.

The local doctor’s surgery is at the South end of the village where there are also two popular pub/restaurants. The large vineyard is now run from elsewhere, but there are rented commercial units on site.

Close by the Church is the scenic course of Lamberhurst Golf Club. To the East of the village is Scotney Castle, a popular National Trust property, and only a short distance further on is Bewl Water, a large reservoir with facilities for visitors.

Village Life in Lamberhurst

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The countryside generally is a mixture of farmland and woodland, and there is a wide network of footpaths.

There are many organisations and societies within Lamberhurst and these include; History Society, Pantomime Society, Brownies, Little Lambs Baby Group, Gardening Society, Book Clubs, and the Royal British Legion.

Lamberhurst Church produces a free Parish Magazine which is distributed to over 600 households.

Lamberhurst Music Festival is run by members of the Church and other villagers and is an independent charity. Its sole purpose is to put on outstanding music to raise money that will ultimately benefit the fabric of the Church. It uses the Church as a venue as well as Bayham Abbey (a nearby ruin managed by English Heritage) and the Memorial Hall, and concerts are diverse – from gospel choirs, to opera. Lamberhurst has benefitted from hearing some world-famous musicians.

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Matfield is an attractive village with a number of local groups and clubs. It has the largest village green in Kent, where cricket is played. It is also the location for our annual Matfield Village Fete.

The village centre has a small general store, a hairdressers and butcher/fruit and vegetable shop and three pubs. There is a also a new cricket Pavilion and a large Village Hall, both of which host a number of community and sporting activities throughout the year.

The parish population is around 1,000, of whom 18% are under 16 and 18% are over 64 (2011 census figures). Just 3% come from a minority ethnic background. About 300 of the 400 households are owner-occupied and are mainly high-end. The number on the electoral roll is 72.

Matfield is situated in a lovely rural area and we are lucky to have many beautiful footpaths around the village.

Village Life in Matfield

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• Local Towns with a good range of banks, shops and supermarkets

• Hospital with A&E department, and Hospice• Primary schools – Lamberhurst St Mary’s and Brenchley

& Matfield (both Church of England)• Secondary schools - a range of grammar schools,

comprehensive schools and the outstanding Bennett Memorial Church of England school in Tunbridge Wells.

• Other churches within the villages – Strict Baptist Chapels. The Orthodox Church uses St Mary’s Church, Lamberhurst, once a month.

• Roads – both villages are very close to the A21 that runs from Hastings to London

• Railway services – local stations offer good access to London and the Coast

• Buses – there are good local services and a National Express coach service to London

Facilities within or close to the Benefice

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St Mary’s Church, Lamberhurst

A church of some sort has stood on this commanding site for many centuries and was first consecrated in 998. Over the years the Church has been added to. Thanks to the dedication of the villagers it was rescued from the threat of ruin some 50 years ago. It now has modern facilities. The Church has a peal of 6 bells. It is an unusual and highly regarded building with many interesting features, which contribute to its Grade I listing.

The Church has a separate chapel, the Scotney Chapel, that is enclosed by oak and glass doors. This allows a large space for Junior Church to run alongside the service and a place for parents with young children. It is used for meetings.

The large, undulating graveyard is still in use and is lovingly cared for by volunteers. It is particularly impressive during February when it is carpeted with snowdrops and attracts many visitors.

Of particular interest is the yew tree which stands at the South Door. It has been estimated to be over 1500 years old. A well used public footpath runs through the churchyard and down to the river or through the golf course. The golf course runs to the South and West of the churchyard and gives an openness and country feeling to the Church.

Our Buildings

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St Luke’s Church, Matfield

St Luke’s Church is situated a mile outside the village and is a Grade II listed, near original Victorian building, surrounded by a well-kept churchyard noted for its wild flower display. Matfield was originally part of the ecclesiastical Parish of Brenchley. Completed in 1876, St Luke’s Church was commissioned by the Vicar of Brenchley who felt that Matfield needed its own Church. St Luke’s was designed by his nephew Basil Champneys, an architect well known for his ecclesiastical and educational buildings. Brenchley’s Vicar installed his son as the first Vicar of Matfield.

The building remains largely unchanged except for a 1965 extension for the choir vestry. The short tower at the West end contains a single bell. A statue of St Luke is set in the North external wall. The Church has a number of richly tinted stained glass windows. The interior consists of a nave leading to a chancel with an aisle on the South side

In 1991 a unique glass sculpture was installed depicting baptism as a first step to eternal life. It is at the West end of the Church close to the font. The sculpture was designed and engraved by Jenny Clark of Horsmonden. She also designed the attractive engraving on the glass doors which were installed in 2012. There is a large new churchyard close to the Church.

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The Vicarage

The present vicarage is in the heart of Lamberhurst and is a large Georgian property in extensive grounds.

Options are being considered by the Diocese for the construction or purchase of a new vicarage. It is expected that our new Vicar would live in the current Vicarage as a temporary measure until a suitable replacement is available.

The Patrons’ Rights of Presentation have been suspended by the Bishop in order to facilitate the way to achieving a new Vicarage. The incoming parish priest will thus be “Priest-in-Charge” initially, but, after he/she has moved into the replacement Vicarage, the Suspension of Presentation Rights can be lifted, opening the way forward for the parish priest to be able to become the Vicar.

The Parish Office

The Parish Office in the centre of Lamberhurst deals with the administration of the Benefice. It is a good ‘shop window’ for the Churches, and receives many visitors and calls from the wider community.

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St Mary’s expenditure exceeded income in 2014 and away giving was paid through our savings which were boosted considerably during 2014 by a generous legacy left to the Church. In the future we are faced with an essential and costly capital project to repair the stonework of the Church and the possibility of increasing the size of our graveyard.

Our Finances

St Mary’s Lamberhurst - Expenditure 2014

The finances are overseen by Treasurers in Lamberhurst and Matfield. We always aim to fulfil our financial obligations to the Diocese.

St Mary’s Lamberhurst - Income 2014

£70,000

£60,000

£50,000

£40,000

£30,000

£20,000

£10,000

£0

n Fund Raising

n Fees from church services, magazine etc

n Regular donations

2014

£70,000

£60,000

£50,000

£40,000

£30,000

£20,000

£10,000

£0

n Cost of fund raising

n Work of the church

n Parish share

n Premise running costs

n Cost of vicar, vicarage, parish office and admin

2014

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The main source of St Luke’s income is the generous giving of its congregation, fees from weddings and funerals, and fund-raising events including the Village Fete, Open Gardens and the Christmas Fayre. St Luke’s is fortunate to have a reserve and we also recognise that St Luke’s Church is a popular wedding venue.

St Luke’s Matfield - Expenditure 2014St Luke’s Matfield - Income 2014

£70,000

£60,000

£50,000

£40,000

£30,000

£20,000

£10,000

£0

n Fund Raising

n Fees from church services, magazine etc

n Other voluntary income

n Regular donations

2014

£70,000

£60,000

£50,000

£40,000

£30,000

£20,000

£10,000

£0

n Work of the church

n Parish share

n Premise running costs

n Cost of vicar, vicarage, parish office and admin

2014

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Postcodes of our churches: Matfield TN12 7LH Lamberhurst TN3 8DU

St�Marys�Church

St�Luke’s�Church

Cranbrook

Benenden

Goudhurst

Ticehurst

Wadhurst

RoyalTunbridge

Wells

Southborough

Hildenborough

Sevenoaks

Otford

Maidstone

Headcorn

Smarden

Biddenden

Tenterden

Rotherfield

Crowborough

Hadlow

Tonbridge

Loose

Kings�Hill

West�Malling

Matfield

Lamberhurst

Lenhan

AylesfordM26

M20

M20

M2

M2

M20

M25

M25

M25

A229

A229

A228

A21

A21

A21

A228

A26

A21

A20

A20

A22

A22

Edenbridge

East�Grinstead

Lingfield

Our websites: www.stlukeschurchmatfield.org www.stmaryslamberhurst.org.uk facebook.com/lamberhurstandmatfieldbenefice