Diocese of Leicester

Welcome to the

FOUR SAINTS BENEFICE

ThankyouforyourinterestintheroleofRectoroftheFourSaintsBeneficeinthedeaneryof Guthlaxton.IamdelightedthatyouareexploringthepossibilityofapplyingforthisroleandIwantyou knowthattherearemanyofushereintheDioceseofLeicesterwhoareprayingforyouasyouseekto discernGod’scalling. YoucanreadmoredetailsofourDiocesanvisionandstrategyatwww.leicester.anglican.org,butIwant tohighlightacoupleofareasasyoubeginthisexploration.

Firstly,asakeypartofourdiocesanstrategyforgrowingthenumbersofdisciples,thedepthofdiscipleshipandgrowingourcapacitytoserveourcommunities,thisrolewillincorporatealocalresponsewithadiocesanwidecommitment.AspartofthisstrategywehavediscernedGod’scallingtoestablish300freshexpressionsofchurchby2030(thisequatestothenumberofexisting‘inherited’modelchurches).Thisisanambitiouscalling,andwillonlybeachievedthroughprayer,intentionalinvestmentoftimeandresourcesandafocusonequippingallbaptisedChristianstobesentoutinmission.Youwillneedtoshowusthatyousharethisvisionandcommitment,andwanttobepartofamovementofpeopleinmission.Secondly,aswemoveforwardinthisendeavour,wedon’tknowhowGodwillraiseupthePioneersandotherministersneededforthefreshexpressionsofchurch.Wedon’tknowhowGodwillgrowthecultureofgenerousgivingwithinthediocesetomakethisworksustainableforthelongterm.Wedon’tknowexactlyhowwewilltrain,equipandresourcepeopleforthisnewwork.Thereismuchthatwedon’tknowandhencemuchthatwewillneedtolearn.Youwillneedtoshowusthatyouareopentolearning,committedtoworkinghumblywithothercolleaguesandaboveall,apersonofdeepfaithandtrustinGod.Ifyoufindyourselfbothexcitedanddauntedbytheprospectofwhatwearedoinginthediocese,thenitcouldbethatGodiscallingyou.Pleasereadon,andtalkwithArchdeaconClaireWood,01162615309oremailclaire.wood@leccofe.orgIhopethatImayhavetheopportunityofmeetingyouinthenearfuture,butinthemeantimebeassuredofmyprayers.

YoursinChrist,

TheRtRevdMartynSnowBishopofLeicester

INTRODUCTION

WHERE ARE WE?WearepartoftheDioceseofLeicesterwithintheArchdeaconryofLoughboroughandtheDeaneryofGuthlaxton.

ThevillagesofTheFourSaintsBeneficearesituatedafewmilessouthofLeicesterneartheM1andM69motorways.TheBeneficeiswithineasyreachofEastMidlandsAirportandBirminghamAirport.TherearealsoexcellentrailservicesfromRugbyandLeicester.NopartoftheBeneficeismorethanthreemilesfromtheVicarage.Thrivingcommunitylifeexistswithinthe Benefice,includingshops,aHealthCentre(GP),libraries, populargardencentres,uniformedorganisations(Scouts&Guides)andsportingactivitiesforallages.Aswellasaprimaryschool,thereareseveralpre-schoolproviders andsecondaryschoolsnearby.

Population:7,000andgrowingElectoralRoll:109PCC:20Churchwardens:MalcolmThompson& MikeDarlow

PARISH AND VILLAGECountesthorpeisalargevillage,sixmilessouthofLeicester-amixtureofsuburbanandrural.ThevillagehasagoodsociallifewithVillageHall,U3A,etc,afewshopsandlocalbusinesses,aprimaryschoolandasecondaryschool,aHealthCentre,publichousesandawiderangeofsportsclubs.Italsohasacrematorium.Therearethreechurches:Anglican,BaptistandMethodist.

OUR CHURCH AND USStAndrew’sChurchisaGradeIIListedBuilding.Itwasrebuiltin1907,butits13thCenturytowerwasretainedandnowholdseightbells.Inmorerecentyearsthechurchhasbeenmodernisedfor21stCenturyuse.

Therearethreepartstoourcongregation,worshippingat9amand11amonSunday,andMessyChurchononeSaturdayamonth.AverageSundayattendanceis85adultsandsevenchildren.TherearelargenumbersattheChristingleservices,MidnightCommunionandthecarolservice.AverageMessyChurchattendanceis51(86includingthehelpers).TherearesmallgroupsmeetingduringtheweekforfellowshipandBiblestudy.YoungpeoplehaveagroupcalledBreathewhichmeetsmidweekandonsomeSundays.Thereisaweeklymothersandtoddlersgroupcalled‘Let’sGo’.ThereareweeklyFriendshipTeasandamonthlygrouptosupportcarersandthebereavedcalledTranquillity.Thereisministrytothelocalresidentialhome.ThechurchhasaMothers’Unionbranchandamen’sgroupcalledMAFIA.AweeklynewsletterisproducedforthecongregationandStAndrew'shasapageinthelocalvillagenewspaper.

CountesthorpeWho we are:

WORSHIPWeare"lowchurch"-abroadchurchwithevangelicalleanings,using'CommonWorship'.Ourworshipat9amisatraditionalHolyCommunionwithorganmusicandhymns,andat11amworshipisinnovative,variedandinteractivewithmodernsongs,projectorandscreenandamusicgroupplayingavarietyofmusicalinstruments.Thereisanincreasingnumberofbaptismsofadultsandchildrenwhichtakeplacewithinthemorningservice.

BUILDINGSWehavetwootherbuildings.ThereisachurchhallcalledThe Cornerstone,whichishiredbyvariousgroups.Thechurch'spremisesat1MainStreetincludeashopandaflat,whicharebothlettotenants.Therestofthebuilding,calledTheBridge,isforourownuse,andhasakitchen,toilets,thechurchoffice,theRainbowShopandthenewmeetingroom.TheRainbowShopisacharityshopwhichraisesmoneyforChristianAidandisadrop-intearoom,opensixdaysaweek.APeaceGardenisbeingdevelopedatthebackoftheBridge building.

FINANCEOurfinancialpositionishealthy,andwehaveuntilrecentlypaidourParishContributiontotheDioceseinfull.Wehavebeenabletomaintaintherecommendedreserveamount.However,ourBuildingProject,nowcompleted,hasrequiredasizeableloanfromtheDiocese,whichwillbepaidbackoveraperiodoftenyears.

WORKING GROUPSStAndrew’shasaMissionActionGroupwhichworkswiththeincumbenttoplanmissionandministryalongsidethePCC.ThePCChasseveralsub-groups,forexampletheBuildingsGroup,theStaffingandPersonnelGroupandaFundraisingandSocialCommittee.

WORK WITH OTHER CHURCHESWehavelinkswiththeMethodistChurchwithafewjointservices,andStAndrew’shoststheannualRemembranceDayserviceforthevillage.

FOSTON Population: ElectoralRoll:36 PCC:8 Churchwardens:RosDudleyPARISH AND VILLAGESituatedtwoandahalfmilesfromCountesthorpe,Fostonchurchstandsaloneatestamenttoaoncethrivingvillagewhichsadlywasdecimatedintheearly17thcentury.Todayonlythechurch,therectory,nowprivatelyowned,andafewcottagesremain.Fostonisalostvillage.

OUR CHURCH AND USStBartholomew’sChurch,probablyoneoftheoldestinLeicestershire,isenteredfromBarleyLanethroughawell-keptchurchyardboundedbyacurtilageofmaturetrees.Thebuilding,traceabletothe10thCentury,reflectsvariousstylesinrepairsthroughthecenturies.Overalltheatmosphereisoneofmodestpermanencedespitethecracksinthewallsandthewell-wornseating.Ourchurchbecomesbusyandwellusedatourannualthree-dayFlowerFestival.Insidethechurchbecomesastunningarrayofthemedflowerarrangementscourtesyofmembersworkingwiththelocalflowerguildandothers.

WORSHIPThelonghistoryofworshipatourchurchcontinuesonthe1stand3rdSundaysandisoftenpalpable.WorshipperscomefromawidespreadareafromCountesthorpetoWigstonandRugby.WeareagatheredcongregationwithanaverageattendanceonSundaymorningof20.AffinitytoStBartholomew’sisbasedontheformofservicewhichreflectstheageingcongregation.Weareahappyfamilywhoarealwaysreadytogiveawarmwelcometostrangers.OurchurchisusuallyfullattheCarolServiceandtheoccasionalweddingandfuneral.FINANCEThePCCisfinanciallystable,andtheParishSharehasalwaysbeenpaidinfull.

WORKING GROUPSFostonisspecial,inthataswellasourregularattendees,ithasanoutercircleofsupport.‘TheFriendsofStBartholomew’sChurchFoston’wassetupasaregisteredcharitytoraiseawarenessoftheancientbuildingandforraisingfundstomaintainthefabricofthechurchforfuturegenerations.TheyorganiseaChristmasTreeFestivalinDecember,andacharitynightatthelocalIndianrestaurant,whichnotonlyincludesthecongregationbutfriendsandneighbours.ThreemembersofthePCCareelectedtothe‘Friends’;theRectorisexofficio.ThePCCorganisestheFlowerFestival,aplantsaleandtheCarolservice.WORK WITH OTHER CHURCHESTherearenootherdenominationsinthelocality

PEATLING MAGNA Population:180 ElectoralRoll:9 PCC:3,meets4timesayear Churchwarden:MrsMargaretIssittOUR VILLAGEPeatlingMagnaisafarminghamletofaround80dwellings,includingoutlyingfarms.Therearenostreetlights,onesmallpavement,noshops,nobusservice,asmallpubservingmealsintheeveningsandSundaylunch.Thereisasmallvillagehall.APostOfficeCounteropensonMondayandThursdaymorningsforbasicservices.ThereisasmallWIgroup,whichholdsamonthlymeeting,andasmallWritersClassheldfortnightly,bothwhousetheVillageHallasdoestheParishMeeting.ThereisnoParishCouncilaswearenotalargeenoughentity.OUR CHURCH AND USAllSaintsChurchisamagnificentGradeIlistedbuildingwithuniquefeaturesofarchitecturalimportanceinsideandout.Itstandsmajesticallylookingoverawonderfullandscape,andsurroundedbyatruecountrychurchyard.OneofthefewKingEdwardbellshangsinthebelfry.Sadlyalltheseuniquehistoricalfeaturesandthewholefabricofthechurchisbeingruinedbythetheftoftheleadroof,stillawaitingurgentrepairs.Whileaninfestationofbatscontinuetowreakfurtherdamage.Thereareonlytworegularmembersofthecongregation.TheChurchOrganistisalsothechurchwarden.Thetreasurerorganisesanymaintenanceworkaswellasmowingthegrass.Thereisabeautifullypeaceful,well-keptchurchyardwithcommandingviewsoverthesurroundingcountryside.Awonderful,quietplacetositandmeditateandtorememberone’slovedones.OUR WORSHIP AND SERVICESAHolyCommunionserviceisheldonceamonth(BCP)at3pm.Therehasbeenonebaptismthisyear.FINANCEOurtreasurerhasdoneawonderfuljobkeepingussolvent.WORK WITH OTHER CHURCHESTherearenootherdenominationsinthevillage.

Willoughby Waterleys

WilloughbyWaterleysisarural,linearvillageabout8milessouthofLeicester,withmanyactiveretiredpeople,somefamilieswithchildrenandworkingcouples.

St Mary’s Church: isofftheMainStreet,andcanbeapproachedfromMainStreetorChurchFarmLanebyafootpath.ThevillageisaconservationareaandthechurchislistedasII*.Thechurchhasanave,withatoweratthewestend,chancel,northaisleandisenteredviaaporchonthenorthside.

TherearetwoSundayserviceseachmonth(MP&HCfromCommonWorship)withhymnsaccompaniedbytheorgan.ThereisacarolserviceandChristmascommuniononChristmasEvewhichiswellattended.SungEvensong(BCP)hasbecomeanannualeventandattractspeoplefromotherparishes.ThePCCorganisessocialevents,involvingmanyinthevillage,andrecentlya‘Gilbert&Sullivan’eveningwithsingersfromtheCathedraltoraisefundsforrepairingtheroofafterleadthefts.

Church Finance: incomeisjustsufficienttocoverinsuranceandacontributiontotheDiocese;withsuchasmallcommunityincomefromfeesisnegligible.Recentlythevillagehasrespondedgenerouslytoanappealforfundstorepairthechurchroof.

The Village: hasaVillageHall,apub,butnoshopsorschoolsandnopublictransport.AnextensivedevelopmentbetweenthevillageandCountesthorpeisproposedwithanew‘gardenvillage’of3,500housesandalogisticspark-thisisbeingcloselymonitoredbythevillageResidentsAssociationThereisthe‘WomenofWilloughby’orWoWgroupandaReadingGroupwhichmeetsregularlyinthepub.TheVillageHallalsoorganisessocialevents.Thevillagehasabi-monthlymagazine,‘What’soninWilloughby’whichcanrunto24pages.ThereisanactiveParishCouncil,with5councillors.

InJulyagroupofvillagersopentheirgardenstosupporttheNationalGardenScheme(NGS).

Population:c300ElectoralRoll:12PCC:8includingExOfficio,meets4times+APCMannuallyChurchwarden:MrsValerieConnelly

OUR PATTERN OF SERVICES

DAY Countesthorpe Foston PeatlingMagna WilloughbyWaterleys

1stSunday 9.00amHolyCommunion11.00amHolyCommunion 9.15amHolyCommunion 11.00amMorningPrayer

2ndSunday 9.00amHolyCommunion11.00amAllAgeService 3.00pmHolyCommunion

3rdSunday 9.00amHolyCommunion11.00amAllAgeCommunion 9.15amHolyCommunion 11.00amHolyCommunion

4thSunday 9.00amHolyCommunion11.00amWorshipPraise

5thSunday 9.00amHolyCommunion11.00amMissionActivity

3rdSat 4.00pmMessyChurch

Thursday 9.30amHolyCommunion

OUR VISIONWesharethevisionoftheDioceseinthat……

ShapedbyGodinourlivesandcommunitiesweseekthe growth of His kingdomin:

•thedepthofdiscipleship

•thenumberofdisciplesofJesus

•lovingserviceintheworld

LOOKING TO THE FUTURESt Andrew’s CountesthorpeWewishtoreachouttothevillagewiththeGospelofJesusChrist,especiallythenewhousingestates.WealsowishtocontinueoureffortstoserveallagesandsectorsofthelocalcommunityandtoservetheworldviaagenciessuchasChristianAid,includingengagementwithFairTradeandclimate issuesWeneedprayerfullytodiscernGod’splanandwalkmorecloselywithHim.

St Bartholomew’s FostonWeseeourselvesasachurchrealisingtheneedtoinvestinthefutureforGodandtheKingdomthatwillcarryforwardbeyondourlifetime.Wewillcontinuetoprayerfullyreviewhowtorespondasagatheredchurchwithitsinherentchallenges.

All Saints’ Peatling MagnaOurwishistogainmoresupportfromthevillageandtherebybecomeamoreintegralpartofvillagelife.AlargerchurchattendancewouldencourageagreaterloveofthejoyofbeingaChristian.Wehopethiswillspreadtruefellowshipandreachouttoinfluenceallofourvillagecommunity.

St Mary’s Willoughby WaterleysWelooktofurtherstrengthenthelinksthathavebeenbuiltwiththevillageoverrecentyears,toestablishnewwaysofgettinginvolvedwiththem,toincreasethespreadoftheGospelandtoencouragevillagerstoseethechurchnotasanancientbuilding,butasavibrant,supportiveandvaluedcommunityseekingtofollowtheteachingofJesus.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? Weneedsomeonewhofeelscalledtoministertosuchdiversecommunities,andwhowould:

• Accommodateandencouragearangeofworshipstylesandbroadexpressionsoffaith, beingsensitivetotheneedsofallandensuringthateveryoneismadewelcome;

• Teach,guideandnurtureourcongregations,buildingtheminfaithandinnumber;

• Guideandfacilitatethecongregationstoworkmorecloselytogether,growthe presenceofthechurchwithinourcommunitiesandincreasethespreadoftheGospel;

• Lead,cultivateandenthuseourlayteam,retiredclergy,andteamsofvolunteers;

• Beavisibleandknownpresenceinourparishes– beingopen,approachableandsupportive.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

First and foremost, we can offer you ourselves as welcoming congregations and dedicated Christians who are willing to work together for God’s purposes.

We will:

• Give our commitment to developing our future.

• Provide a good ministry team made up of lay and ordained people including skilled musicians to work with you.

• Give our prayerful and practical support.

• Offer administration support five days a week.

ThepurposebuiltVicaragewasconstructedinthegroundsoftheformerparsonagein2014.AnentranceporchleadstothestudyandWCwithaseparate,lockabledoorleadingtotherestofthefamilyhomewhichcomprises,hall,livingroom,diningroom,kitchen&utilityroom. There is access from the utility room to the rear of theintegralgarage.Oakstairsleadtothefirstfloorandfourbedrooms,oneofwhichhasanensuite.Thefamilybathroomcontainsaseparateshower.Thereisanintegraldoublegarage.Agas-firedboilerheatsradiatorstoallprincipalroomsandissupplementedbyanimmersionheater.AllwindowsanddoorsareuPVCdoubleglazed.Thedrivewayaffordsspaceforseveralcarstothefrontelevationandgardensarelaidtolawn.

WHERE YOU WILL LIVE

MEET THE TEAM

Rev Mick GillespieAssistantMinister

Rev Rod AllardAssistantMinister

June AingeReader&PioneerMinisterforMessyChurch

John FrakesReaderMinister

Helen StokesReaderMinister

Laura Turton WorshipLeader&SafeguardingCo-ordinator

Anthony JohnsonChurch

Administrator

Mike OatesReaderMinister

Gail MackleyPastoralMinister

Michael TurtonLayEvangelist

Chris DavidsonPioneerMinister

FORMOREINFORMATION

Formoreinformationaboutthispost,oraninformaldiscussion,pleasecontactClaireWood(ArchdeaconofLoughborough)on01162615321.

Completedapplicationformsshouldbereturned,preferablyase-mailattachmentstowendydunnington@leccofe.orgorpostto:

MrsWendyDunnington,StMartinsHouse,7PeacockLane,Leicester,LE15PZ.

THANKYOU