TOTNES MISSION COMMUNITY
Appointment of Team Rector
January 2020
AN INTRODUCTION TO
The Benefice of Totnes with
Bridgetown, Ashprington, Berry Pomeroy Brooking, Cornworthy
Dartington, Marldon and Stoke Gabriel.
A note from the Archdeacon
Every place is special in its own way, but the ancient market town of Totnes and the
beautiful South Hams of Devon in which it is set are exceptional. Both the town
itself, with its distinguished history and considerable present interest, and the rural
communities surrounding it offer an unusually rich and varied cultural life, from the
firmly traditional to the decidedly unconventional.
Totnes has long been a centre for those seeking forms of spirituality and lifestyle
alternative to the mainstream, at the same time retaining all the inherited elements of
a fine old West Country market town. With Dartington Hall, Schumacher College,
the Sharpham Estate, and other local organisations operating in the area of the
benefice, the range of cultural and educational opportunities on offer locally is high,
drawing people to Totnes from across the country and beyond.
The villages are home to a mix of incomers and those with local roots. There are
areas of great wealth within the benefice, and also areas of severe poverty and social
deprivation.
In all this, the churches of the benefice demonstrate a clear and increasing
engagement with their vocation to grow in prayer, make disciples, and serve the
people of their communities with joy.
The person called to be the next Team Rector will need to demonstrate the capacity
to exercise strong, clear, loving leadership in mission and service, working with a
gifted and motivated team of colleagues to develop and implement the impressive
action plan to which the churches are committed.
He or she will be a person whose deeply-rooted Christian faith is confident enough
to be open to dialogue with people on a wide range of spiritual paths; who has the
ability to exercise a ministry which is genuinely collaborative; who enjoys working
across a wide spectrum of liturgical styles and human types; and who remains a
parish priest at heart.
Additionally, the new Team Rector will need to be equipped with the skills and
experience to oversee and inspire a £4 mission fundraising and reordering project at
the historic priory church.
I commend to you this significant opportunity for a ministry of leadership and service
as you think about whether that priest might be you.
Douglas Dettmer
Archdeacon of Totnes
THE TOTNES BENEFICE
Who are we?
The Totnes Benefice consists of the parishes
of Totnes with Bridgetown, Dartington, Berry
Pomeroy, Ashprington, Cornworthy, Marldon
and Stoke Gabriel: Seven parishes with two
town churches and seven rural churches.
The market town of Totnes and surrounding
villages offers a vibrant, unique and diverse
place to minister. Totnes is an historic market
town situated on the scenic river Dart. Midway
between Dartmoor and the South Devon
coast, the South Hams District contains a 337
square kilometre Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty.
As a national centre for alternative
therapies, Totnes attracts people with an
interest in a holistic way of life: Sharpham
House, Bowden House, Schumacher
College and Dartington Hall fall within the
parishes and offer opportunities for
engagement through inter-spirituality and
eco-spirituality. They have a reputation for
cutting-edge learning through nature-based
education, personal transformation and
collective action and this is reflected in the
emergence of community hubs like the
Network of Wellbeing and Caring Town
Share Shed and Totnes Connection Hub.
It is a place where, largely due to its
proximity to Dartington Hall, the arts and
music flourish whilst many people are
seeking meaning and spirituality in their
lives.
Totnes has a main line station and is three
hours away from London by train with easy
access to the Devon Expressway and M5 by
road. The cities of Plymouth and Exeter are
within thirty miles. The area is quite well
served by buses but the local roads have not
kept pace with the expanding population and
are frequently congested, especially in the
Summer.
Whilst the South Hams is perceived as
being a haven for wealthy retirees, the
housing is mixed, reflecting all strata of
society and this diversity is reflected in the
local parishes and schools within the
team. New housing developments have
recently been built in Marldon, Stoke
Gabriel, Totnes and Dartington with plans
for further development, which offer further
opportunities for mission in the future.
View of River Dart showing Ashprington’s Sharpham House with Totnes and Dartmoor in the background
QUALITIES SOUGHT IN A TEAM RECTOR
SPIRITUAL LEADER - a thinker and inspiring teacher who is a good communicator of
the gospel.
• to promote spiritual development in the churches of the mission community • to be open-minded and imaginative regarding liturgy • to have vision and an ability to carry people with them while recognising diversity in
churches and liturgy
TEAM BUILDER - sensitive to others, inclusive and a good listener
• to develop a strategic plan to move the MC to the future to deliver on the Mission
Action Plan • to grow involvement of laity in worship, admin and pastoral work to share the
heavy load on clergy and readers.
• to be a bridge builder, nurturing existing relationships while inspiring new ones. • to develop an admin support structure to free clergy to deliver their core roles. • to further develop creative engagement with local communities. • to bring people of differing views together and to step back as necessary to allow
others to flourish.
MANAGER OF CHANGE. with energy, tact and enthusiasm and an understanding of
the needs of both the church and local communities.
• to grow the mission community and to help it realise its potential for serving the
people of Devon • to respect the character and tradition of individual churches - liturgy, music, social
justice, pastoral, youth work ,worship, while encouraging adaptation to current
need.
• to support the St Mary’s Heritage Trust as they seek to manage the project to save
a Grade 1 listed building and reorder it to meet the needs of congregation and
community.
Current priorities in the Mission Community:
• There are workload issues for clergy which need addressing and an obvious need
for administrative support - this is currently the topic of on-going discussion.
• There is a pressing need for an effective strategic plan for taking the Mission
Community forward to achieve its considerable potential
• St Mary’s development project is a major partnership with the the town and heritage
organisations and presents exciting prospects for future growth in the centre of this
vibrant town.
What is on offer?
A full-time stipendiary post, which offers an exciting opportunity to minister with a team of
committed people, lay and ordained, in a unique setting with a diverse group of parishes
offering new opportunities for mission.
The Team comprises: A Team Vicar, who is also Rural Dean and Diocesan Interfaith Adviser. The Team Vicar lives in Bridgetown.
A House for Duty Associate Minister and a Reader based at Stoke Gabriel.
Two other Readers, who minister across the benefice.
Two priests with PTO, officiating at St John`s, Bridgetown and St Mary`s, Berry Pomeroy
The benefice is a well-established place for training curates and our current Curate lives in
Marldon. He finishes his term in July.
We have a part-time Totnes Team Administrator, who is currently employed for 6 hours
per week mainly dealing with bookings for St John’s which acts as a community centre.
St Mary’s - TOTNES
www.stmarysandstjohnstotnes.org
Geography
Totnes is an historic market town situated on
the scenic river Dart, midway between
Dartmoor and the South Devon coast in an
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Bridgetown is situated across the River Dart.
Our Community
The town itself is known for its large
Bohemian population and its environmental track record as England’s first Transition Town. It is a place where, largely due to its proximity to Dartington Hall, the arts and music flourish whilst many people are seeking meaning and spirituality in their lives. The local economy is largely based on tourism and farming. It has two primary schools, a secondary school and an independent school. There is a small community hospital, two care homes and four retirement /sheltered housing centres, with more planned. Totnes still boasts a number of local shops that are not part of any national chain. It is well served by local amenities: A newly refurbished library and two group surgeries, two cinemas, a museum, several art galleries and numerous venues for the performing arts. Totnes also has a large leisure centre, rugby, tennis and bowls clubs, a skate-park and a youth club. We have extremely good ecumenical relationships with all the churches in the town
Musical Tradition
The church has a fine musical tradition with
a paid Director of Music who has brought a
high standard of music to our Sunday
Eucharist and Monthly Choral Evensong.
She has built links with choirs across the
team and community and is a developing a
Junior Choir which has brought in new
families.
The Church attracts orchestras, musicians
and bands for special events, including
contemporary. The church conducted the
following occasional offices over the last
two years: 3 Baptisms 12 Funerals, 2
Weddings (averages per year) and has an
active team of Bell Ringers.
The Friends of St Mary’s was founded in
2008. Last year, it raised over £9,000 for
repairs and improvements to St Mary’s
church. There is a very successful Tuesday
morning café during the summer months,
which greets visitors with tea, coffee and toasted tea cakes and ploughman`s
lunches.
The Daily Office is said corporately on
Monday mornings at St John`s, Bridgetown
and a Prayer Group meets in St. Mary`s on
Tuesday and Thursday mornings for 45
minutes. The Church is open throughout the
day and is well used for quiet prayer and reflection. The children`s play area and
Friends of St Mary`s shop is also popular.
House Groups are well established and
meet throughout the year with additional
study groups in Lent. Confirmation, baptism
and marriage preparation is offered across
the team.
Totnes with Bridgetown Parish has up to
date safeguarding training and an appointed
Safeguarding Rep. The Quota for 2019 has
been paid in full.
St Mary’s choir and junior choir
Our History
The Parish and Priory Church of St Mary’s,
Totnes: The present building is over 500 years old
but there was a church and monastery on site 1000
years ago. It was redeveloped in the 13th and 15th
centuries to include the exquisitely decorated and
unique stone rood screen. During the Reformation,
Henry VIII dissolved the Priory, destroying many of
the church’s decorative features. The Church
survived, and various features have been added
including the beautiful brass candelabra, the tower
bells and the prestigious Willis Organ. St Mary’s
Church Hall caters for some local activities including
Yoga and has a well-equipped kitchen and a piano.
As the Church sits in the heart of the town, it attracts
an estimated 50,000 visitors per year. Its seating
capacity is well over 300. The current challenge is to
renew this historic building to ensure it is safe, fit for
purpose and sustainable both as a place of worship
and for wider community use. To achieve this, St
Mary’s Totnes Heritage Trust was established and
registered as a charity in 2019. (Further details about
the project are attached as an Appendix)
Our Vision and needs. Totnes Town is a unique
place to minister because of its rich heritage and the
opportunities that it offers culturally, socially,
spiritually and environmentally. As a Civic Church at
the heart of the market town, the plans to restore and
reorder the Church offer an important opportunity to
serve the wider parish in the future, to ensure that
the Church is a vital, relevant, spiritual hub, offering
enrichment through its community engagement, arts
and music programme, social action and ecological
activism in a sacred setting and sympathetically
re-ordered church. Who are we looking for? Someone who is a
creative thinker and a person of prayer, who can
catch the vision and the possibilities for the next
season and re-imagine a new way of being Church;
A bridge-builder who can nurture existing
relationships and inspire new ones so that we grow in
spiritual depth and outreach; a person who
understands the social, cultural and environmental
needs of our time, works collaboratively, listens
respectfully and enjoys actively engaging with the
community.
Appendix - St Mary’s Church Restoration and Reordering Project
St. Mary's Church, Totnes, is a Grade 1
listed building and is in urgent need of
restoration, refurbishment and reordering
in order to ensure it is safe, fit for purpose
and sustainable both as a place of worship
and for wider community use.
A scheme has been prepared which has
been priced in the region of £4 million. The
PCC has decided to proceed by a phased
approach and this has taken into account
the urgency of repairs, the appropriate
combining of different work items, and the
rewards that the church will derive from
achieving each stage.
The Phase 1 works, costing in the region
of £1.5 million, include the most urgent
items of repair, such as the failing floor, as
well as an expansion of the church’s usage
by creating a welcoming and thriving
community facility that provides an
inspiring, fully useable and fit-for-purpose
place for worship, music, performing arts
and arts display serving the community
and visiting tourists.
:
The Projects outcomes include
Sustaining the church’s place at the
heart of the community by revitalising
the building and planning a
programme of activities used and
valued by all. Creating heritage experiences and
interpretation that reveals the
distinctive stories of the area,
celebrating its traditions of social and
cultural dynamism.
Creating a new high-quality community
space, with improved facilities and a
programme of events to attract new
audiences and income for the
church.
Repairing and conserving the fabric of
the listed building and introducing
sensitive adaptations to make it
more flexible and accessible to a
wider range of users
Raising the profile of the church as one
of the most important buildings in
the area and thereby attract and
welcome new visitors to discover its
rich heritage and surrounds.
Details of the project together with the
PCC’s partnership with the St
Mary’s Totnes Heritage Trust are at
www.stmarystotnesheritagetrust.org
Community events like the Sea Change Festival and the
Party in the Town regularly draw capacity audiences
The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at St Mary’s
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST
The Church of St John the Evangelist, Bridgetown dates from 1832. It was built by the eleventh Duke of Somerset for the tenants of his estate and was a Chapel of Ease to Berry Pomeroy. In the early 1970s, St John’s became part of the Parish of Totnes and in 2004 the name of the parish was changed to ‘Totnes with Bridgetown’. In 1976 the church was gutted by fire and re-opened in 1980 as a multi-use building on three levels, with a flexible worship area on the ground floor and other spaces for community above. In 2018 funding was obtained from Heritage Lottery and other funders for replacement of ten windows which had deteriorated badly since 1980. We also installed a new kitchen and servery, and toilets in the ground floor welcome area. We called our project ‘Windows of Opportunity’ and we are making further plans for the development of our building so that we can serve our community better. At present we are working on a bid to the Reaching Communities programme of the Lottery Community Fund. Our Community: Bridgetown is a distinct community, although only just across the river from Totnes. There is a noticeable diversity, with expensive ‘new builds’ alongside one of the highest levels of social deprivation in the south-west. ‘Friendly’, ‘creative’ and ‘resilient’ are all words which Bridgetown uses to describe itself – the ‘Bridgetown Safari’ ( https://www.trailart.co.uk/malcolm-curley-2019/ ) has been featured on BBC Spotlight and is a ‘must’ for any visitor! But isolation is a problem – both the elderly and single parents – and as a church we seek to build community. We have strong links with St. John’s School and are strengthening our links with the next-door Daisy Family Centre. On Monday the Toddler Group attracts around 50 families, and on Wednesday the St. John’s Community Café brings the whole community together. Community use accounts for at least 85% of the footfall in the building. The St. John’s Community: We are ‘a caring and welcoming Christian community with no strings attached’. Our congregation of 40-45 does not entirely reflect the diversity of Bridgetown community.
Our age profile is quite high, but we are working on these issues. 9.30 a.m. on a Sunday is not a great time for families and we would like to do something about this. Meanwhile we are looking to re-start Messy Church, which has been taking a break for a couple of years. We also host Sacred Space, which reaches out to those who are looking for a different experience of worship. We know that we don’t always get it right, but we try; and although some of us are quite elderly we are not comatose! Above all, we like each other (most of the time!) and enjoy having fun together.
Our Vision and Needs: Our vision is to grow – as Christians, as a church and as a community across the age groups. For this to happen we need our worship to be more diverse and accessible, we need more in the week to nurture us and we need to develop our talents and skills as teachers and pastors. We want to be more a part of the Totnes Team. Most of the time it doesn’t feel like we are a team and imaginative leadership is needed to bring us together. We are aware that our relationship with our sister church of St. Mary’s needs building and we need to heal the divisions of the past in order to move forward. We are a concerned church, and want to be the ‘salt’ in the community of Bridgetown: concerned about the environment/climate change - we have started a group to reflect on this - also exploring issues of social justice as we try to make people’s lives better. We are proud of St. John’s and want to make it available for all. Who are we looking for? Someone with vision who can work collaboratively, build relationships and build us up as a Team, is a listener and able to reflect, an enabler, enjoys a challenge and is willing to take risks, is open-minded and can think outside the box, also willing to step back and allow others to flourish. Needs to have experience of working with church schools (four in Team) and training curates.
THE RURAL CHURCHES
OF THE
TOTNES MISSION COMMUNITY
St David’s Ashprington
St Mary the Virgin Berry, Pomeroy,
St Peter’s Cornworthy
St Mary’s Dartington with St Barnabas Brooking
St John Baptist, Marldon St Mary and St Gabriel Stoke Gabriel
St. Mary the Virgin, Berry Pomeroy
Our Community Geography: Berry Pomeroy is a small pretty hamlet situated between Torbay and the South Hams about a mile East of Totnes. It is an Estate community linked with the Dukes of Somerset for 500 years. Most of the hamlet lies in a conservation area and the beautiful countryside surrounding it is designated an Area of Great Landscape value. The Parish population is divided between the hamlet (with its surrounding rural buildings and farmland) and part of Bridgetown (with town houses adjacent to Totnes).The combined number of electors is approximately 600. Amenities: Berry Pomeroy Primary School has 100 pupils and regularly uses the church for services and drama productions. The Village Hall stands next to the school which uses it during school hours. It is a popular venue for parties etc. A bus service links the village to Totnes and Torbay Monday to Friday. The romantic ruined Berry Pomeroy Castle stands about a mile from the church and is run by English Heritage. A small garden centre, service garage and nursing agency are local commercial enterprises but there is no shop, post office or pub!
Our Church Building: There is evidence that a church stood on this site in 1125 and was rebuilt in the C15 by Sir Richard Pomeroy. The magnificent rood screen and fine monument in the Seymour Chapel attract visitors. The church is open every day. The Grade 1 listed building has undergone major structural repairs in the last 15 years to the tower and bells. Further repair is planned to the North aisle roof and Parvis room. The closed churchyard surrounds the church. Burials now take place in the Southfields churchyard a short distance away. The church was used in the film Sense and Sensibility staring Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant.
Our Worship Tradition: Retired vicar, Revd. Pauline Lewis leads the worship assisted by 3 Readers on a rota basis and an organist. The Holy Communion booklet was formatted for ease of use by the congregation and is used for most services. Our Congregation: The electoral roll is 44. The average congregation numbers 20 – 30, mostly pensioners who travel here from outside the parish. 3 regular attendees come from the village. Weekly tower bell ringing practise welcomes ringers from any church. A Torbay team ring for our Sunday service once a month as Berry Pomeroy has not had its own team for many years. Berry Pomeroy Hand bell ringers practise weekly in the church and perform at Christmas etc.
Social: An annual summer fete is held in the Manor House garden and is well supported by the local community. Other open events include seasonal coffee mornings and a quiz evening. The “Nones” service in May is followed by afternoon tea and Harvest Festival finishes with a shared lunch. Challenges:
The upkeep of a medieval building is a financial challenge. “The Friends of Berry Pomeroy Church” plan to help with building projects outlined in the 2019 Quinquennial Report. Ways to encourage more visitors are being investigated with other fund-raising events.
Berry Pomeroy has been blessed with the leadership of Revd. Pauline Lewis. The challenge will be when Pauline retires! Berry Pomeroy Church is a welcoming, open, supportive community which strives to further develop the Christian faith.
St David’s - ASHPRINGTON
Our Community
Geography: St David’s Church serves the rural ‘estate’ village of Ashprington, together with the
hamlet of Tuckenhay and the settlements of Painsford, Yetson, Sharpham Barton and the
original estate house of Sharpham. It serves an adult population of 400. The village has a public
house, a modern village hall which is well used by numerous external organisations and local
clubs including a vibrant WI, a short mat bowling club and art group. The village also benefits
from a two acre recreation field open to all. Our Worshipping Congregation
Worship tradition: Most services are Eucharistic. Once a
month, we are invited to join the parishioners at St Peter’s,
Cornworthy. St David’s reciprocates on another Sunday. On
every fourth Sunday, we tend to follow an informal Village
Worship but other forms of service are introduced from time
to time. Remembrance Sunday, Christingle, Harvest,
Christmas and Mothering Sundays attract significantly greater numbers but our current average congregation numbers fourteen. We have a nominated
Safeguarding Officer.
The Electoral Roll: is 22.
Occasional offices: In 2018 there was one baptism, four weddings and two funerals.
Community links: Three members of the church congregation run a weekly coffee morning in
the village hall, which can be attended by up to 25 people. Another established a community
choir which is led by the church organist and typically attracts eighteen villagers. The choir often
uses the church for its practices and sings at festival services. Another runs a hugely popular
quiz in the village hall. Another member of the congregation established and runs ‘Open the
Book’ and ‘Roots and Fruits’ in seven primary schools in the area.
Our Buildings
St David’s Church, as seen today, was originally built in medieval
times with its fine tower dating back to the end of the thirteenth
century whilst the red sandstone Norman font probably pre-dates
the current building. The church is Grade 1 listed. From time to
time we host concerts for up to 120 adults. Visitors regularly use
the church, which opens from 10 am to 5.30pm, leaving prayer
messages and often commenting on its beauty and peacefulness
and the incredibly fine woodwork which is considered to be some
of Herbert Read’s best work.
Our Vision
To keep St David's as a vibrant and living Church that shares
the Gospel of Christ by virtue of its welcome, worship and
fellowship. We recognise the role of the Totnes Mission
Community as providing its congregations with a range of skills
and gifts from both stipendiary and lay people for the greater
glory of God.
To offer weekly worship and celebrate the major festivals of the Church. We see St David's as
being inclusive and receptive to all parishioners and visitors and a great venue for concerts and other secular activities
St Peter’s - CORNWORTHY
Our Community: Cornworthy parish has 350 households, most of
which are located within the village. The Church and adjacent Village
Hall, and the Hunter’s Lodge Inn down the hill, form the focal points
of community life. Community events include periodic Church
festivals – Christmas, Easter, Harvest Festival and a Flower Festival
in midsummer. The volunteering ethos is high and this has
particularly benefited the fabric of the Church, as well as village
suppers to celebrate Halloween, New Year’s Eve and other events.
An active group rings 6 bells Thursdays and Sundays.
Our Church: Since the 12th Century it has stood at the eastern head
of the Cornworthy valley and is balanced to the west by the remains
of the Augustinian priory, founded in 1238 and managed by 13 nuns
until Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536. Notably, the
Grade I listed Church has a Norman Font dating from 1150-1175, a
Nave dated to 1350-1375, the Harris Monument of 1611 and Georgian Box Pews from 1788.
Largely unaltered since then it is a light, quiet and very beautiful place. Over the period 2007-
2019 community volunteers have raised over £400,000 to restore and repair the building and its
contents, as well as painting the interior.
Our Congregation and worshipping tradition: There are 42 on the
Electoral Roll and the average attendance is 20 but peaking at over 50
for Christmas and Easter. The Electoral Roll needs editing to match
reality. Three communions a month, one by a priest, two by extension
by lay preachers, are supplemented by one village worship by
volunteers. Reciprocal services with St David’s Ashprington occur twice
a month. There are popular weekly lunches during Lent and for Harvest Festival. As a spiritual centre it has hosted two secular services in the
last four years. Christening and Marriages average 2-3 a year and in 2018-19 there were four
funerals. There is no choir and children’s activities are minimal.
Challenges: While there is substantial support from the community for
Church-related events, this is not so for financial contributions to the
clergy and Common Fund (CF). A reduced presence of the clergy within
the community, once-a-month appearances of a Priest and active
management by volunteers underlies this lacuna. It is only in the last four
years that we have failed to meet our CF quota. Next year the annual CF
quota will increase to £9,500 and a major fundraising initiative is planned
for 2020. This is the most significant financial challenge faced by the
church community.
Vision: For St Peter’s to remain inclusive of all villagers and visitors who
need a place for reflective calm, warmth and grace, and spiritual
nourishment. To expand St Peter’s as a convening centre for the growth of Christianity and the
community.
St Mary’s - DARTINGTON
St Barnabas - BROOKING
Parish background
Geography The parish of Dartington lies to the north-west of the market town of Totnes. The
population is approximately 1900, though there have been several new housing developments
recently and more in the pipeline, so the number may be higher. The main area of housing is around the junction of the A384 and A 385, where there is a Post Office store, a garage with
shops, a small industrial estate and the Shops at Dartington. The award winning Cott Inn is
nearby. The rest of the parish is mainly farmland with scattered farms and small settlements. Transport links are good to Plymouth, Exeter, Torbay and Newton Abbot.
Churches: There are 2 churches in the parish. The bellringers meet weekly, offer training to
new recruits, and ring for many of the weddings which take place at St Mary’s. The church of St Mary, Dartington was relocated from its ancient site at Dartington Hall in the 1880s in order to be nearer the village population.
Both buildings are in reasonably good order,
and routine maintenance is carried out regularly. Both churchyards are open for burials and have
financial support from the Parish Council.
St Barnabas, Brooking, also a Victorian
building, was built as a chapel of ease for
those who lived on the edges of the parish.
Worship tradition: varies between the two churches. St Barnabas
follows a traditional pattern based on the Book of Common Prayer.
St Mary’s has more variety of services including Celtic
Communion, Dart Praise and Common Worship Holy Communion.
There is also a Wild Church/Wild Monastics gathering. The Team
Rector, Team Vicar and 2 Readers lead the services on a rota
basis. There are also some lay-led services. A Team Service at one of the team churches is held on the 5th Sunday of the month.
The electoral roll for the 2 churches is 26. The congregations are
small but loyal. There is a weekly Prayer Group which meets in the
Lady Chapel at St Mary’s. Carol services and Christingle service
are very popular.
Church trail: A NADFAS church trail has been introduced at St Mary’s to guide children around
the most interesting parts of the building, to explain their meaning, and to help answer any
questions.
Finances: Dartington and Brooking have an active and combined P.C.C. We paid our Common
Fund in full for 2018 and are on track to do the same for 2019. We have an envelope/Gift Aid
scheme, and are starting to consider the Parish Giving Scheme as a way to increase
more regular income. Dartington has a higher than average number of weddings which
provides a good income from fees
A Coffee and Chat group was started to engage
with the local community and to discuss new fund-
raising ideas in support of the fabric of the Church .
We have 3 concerts in the diary at present. We
hold cake sales with coffee mornings and Quiz
nights, all of which have regular support.
Church Hall The hall is situated across the road
from the church and was recently refurbished to
provide a warm, clean and pleasant meeting place. It is well-used for music rehearsals, bodywork classes and various other groups. It provides a
welcome income stream, and also contact with people outside the normal church congregation.
Schools and Colleges: Dartington Church of England Primary School is situated just across
from the church in new modern buildings. A new Head had recently been appointed, and we look
forward to improving contacts there. The clergy and staff have had good relationships in the past
and have taken assemblies and services in church for special celebrations such as Christmas,
Easter, Leavers service. The parish has many other educational establishments including a
Steiner School, Park School, Bidwell Brook special school, Lifeworks, Schumacher College, and
various others.
Dartington Hall and Estate: We are fortunate to have the Hall and Estate as our neighbours.
There is a programme of residential courses, the Summer Music School, Ways with Words, and
a programme of recent films at the Barn Theatre. The Hall gardens are open to the public and
attract many visitors. Estate and Church contact has been rather intermittent, and it would be
good to expand on that, and to reach out to the artistic community in the area.
Parish needs: A recent SWOT survey revealed the following. We have small, declining
congregations, meaning loss of income and manpower. Brooking has little local community with
which to grow. We feel we need to engage with the people in the new housing, re-connect with
those who were churchgoers in the past, with younger people, and to become a more visible
presence in the parish.
Person Specification: Of course everyone wishes for the ‘perfect priest’. Our hopes are for
someone who is a good communicator of the Gospel, who is open-minded and imaginative
regarding liturgy, and who is ready to reach out to alternative groups in the area. We need help
with pastoral care to the elderly and needy in the parish, and someone who will be interested in
making further links with the schools and the Hall. We feel the loss of a parish based priest and
need contact, experience, patience and the guidance of a leader.
St John Baptist - MARLDON
www.marldonchurch.co.uk
Our Community
Geography: Marldon is a beautiful rural parish in the South Hams, comprising Marldon and the
hamlets of Compton and Westerland. The population is about 3000 – farmers, retirees, and
younger professionals. It has two inns, a Post Office, shops, garage and holiday cottages.
Marldon Village Hall: houses functions, Toddler and Pre-School playgroups; there are
numerous societies, an annual pantomime where church members perform, and an Apple Pie
Fair. Marldon C of E primary school has around 200 pupils; the church leads fortnightly ‘Open
the Book’ sessions and hosts regular assemblies. Our Church: Our Worshipping Congregation
Worship tradition: Most services are Eucharistic. On every fourth
Sunday, we follow the Celtic Communion and Junior Church joins
us. Marldon’s choir, with organist Sally
Martin, has attracted new members including
youngsters. Junior church meets in the
Village Hall then always joins us for
communion, and children help in Harvest, Remembrance Sunday, Christingle and Mothering Sunday services.
House Group meets fortnightly for discussion while a Pastoral Care
Team delivers Home Communion. Our team includes visiting clergy and readers, Junior Church workers, a lay Youth group leader, lay ministers and bell ringers.
The Youth Group meets monthly, helping young people to investigate Christianity, whilst
developing relationships with other young people. The Uniformed Organisations join us for
special occasions. Churchwardens, organist and Belltower captain have had Safeguarding
Training.
The Electoral Roll: is 78, with 32% from outside the parish.
Special services like the Christingle, Easter, the School’s
Christmas service and Leavers` Service and the Community
Carol Service see a full church.
Occasional offices: In 2018 there were 10 baptisms, 3
weddings and 11 funerals. Figures for 2019 are: 10 baptisms, 7
weddings and 9 funerals. Community links include an Annual
Parish Meal, Church Christmas fair and charity events, while
Carol Singing supports local hospices. A Monthly Lunch Club is
organised by a PCC member, and donations are sent to Totnes Food Bank at Totnes Connection Hub.
Our Buildings
Marldon’s Church of St. John the Baptist was built in medieval times and first recorded in 1348, the font dating from the rebuild in 1450;
Grade 1 listed, the church is a fine building of local limestone in the
late Perpendicular style. The church hosts concerts for up to 150
adults, whilst local and international organists perform on a Goetze
and Gwynn organ. Visitors regularly use the church, which opens from
10 am to 5.30, taking away prayer messages available in pews and
commenting on its beauty and peacefulness.
Our Vision:
Our main strengths are a thriving Junior church, good pastoral care team and many
volunteers. The value of the church in the community is reflected in the number of baptisms,
weddings etc, and the building is well maintained. We also have an attractive website. Our
challenges are an ageing congregation especially when accessibility is difficult up Church Hill,
while planned giving does not keep up with costs. Priorities involve deepening our engagement
with the missing generations, growing lay leadership and providing more opportunities for our
teenagers and young people to deepen their faith and spirituality.
St Mary and St Gabriel - STOKE GABRIEL
www.stokegabrielchurch.co.uk
THE PARISH The parish of Stoke Gabriel is a predominantly rural community situated on the east side of the River Dart, some 6 miles from Totnes. The parish includes the village of the same name and the adjoining hamlets of Aish, Duncannon, Port Bridge, Sandridge and Waddeton.
The population is about 1300 and growing, with several recently completed housing developments. There are families who have lived in the parish for many generations and also retirees and young families with school age children who relocate to the area, providing opportunities for growth in the church and the congregation. There is a strong sense of community with a tradition of involvement in a wide spread of activities.
THE PARISH CHURCH With its origins in the 13th century, the building is Grade 1 listed and stands, surrounded by its churchyard, at the end of Church Walk - a pretty, cobbled street of medieval houses linking village and church. It overlooks the Mill Pool and the River Dart in an area of outstanding Natural Beauty. The building is well-maintained, has good updated facilities and received a sound quinquennial report in 2016.
The church also owns the Verger’s Cottage and the Old School Room ( Church Hall) in Church Walk and at the village end of the street, the Church House Inn, run by a tenant landlord - the rental from which helps to support the mission of the church in the parish. The modern vicarage is occupied by the house-for-duty priest who is an integral part of the parish community.
CHURCH MINISTRY The church has been at the centre of parish life for generations and remains so in the 21st century, living the gospel in the parish, bringing people together, caring for and supporting the wider community and marking significant events in individual, parish and national life
In worship, prayer is a key part and is enhanced by liturgy, good choral music and a strong sense of
individual members being the living presence of Christ.
PERCEIVED STRENGTHS • A strong, welcoming and inclusive congregation
involved in both liturgical and caring aspects of church life. • A broad church with a traditional mix of BCP and CW liturgy
in Choral Eucharist/Matins, intimate Communion services and BCP Evensong
• A Strong Choral tradition. with an adult SATB choir and organist at 11.15/18.30 and all festival services
• Positive two-way engagement with the village and parish. with ‘outreach’ activities and services inclusive of local councils and organisations.
The Team Rector is the incumbent, chairing PCC meetings and taking an active role in the life of
the parish, together with Associate Priest, Reverend Gill Still, who as a house-for-duty priest is
resident in the vicarage. She leads worship in the church and in small study groups, provides
formal and informal pastoral care and leads the church in its mission to the parish. They are
supported by a Lay Reader, a Verger, Church Wardens and PCC and by the active involvement
of a committed and loyal congregation.
As members of the Totnes MC we value the leadership of team clergy in our services, in
weddings, funerals and in the pastoral support not only of the church but of the wider community.
We are particularly appreciative of the presence in the parish of Gill Still whose day-to-day input to the
local community is extensive and highly valued. We participate with others in combined MC services
and support Totnes Connection Hub and other local charities and through our common fund, the
less favoured churches in the community.
FACT FILE:
• An informal pastoral care network, both clergy and laity, provides care and support for the sick and bereaved and for others for whom life presents difficulties and challenges.
• An ‘outreach’ group of lay volunteers, run a twice a month lunch club for the elderly and those living
alone, serving up to 60 individuals from across the parish in most months. • A bereavement group, led by Gill Still, meets monthly in a local bistro for conversation and peer
support.
• Children’s activity afternoons held on Saturdays at times of the key festivals of the Christian Calendar introduce local children to the message of the gospel and bring them into the church community.
• An adult SATB choir of some 20 members, led by an accomplished
organist, sings at 11.15 and 18.30 services, at weddings and funerals and in special services and events throughout the year. The choir joins with St Mary’s Totnes from time-to-time for team services and other occasions with regular cooperation between organists.
• An enthusiastic team of call change ringers ring for most services, for
weddings and funerals. They also participate in competitions and have won numerous competitions including the county championship.
Statistics: 2018/19
Electoral roll -96
Attendance - 60
Christmas/Easter - 100
Weddings 6; Baptisms 7
Funerals 8
Common fund
£47553
• A loyal and talented team of flower arrangers provide displays each week and at festival times dress
the church with beautiful memorial displays. • Day-to-day organisation of the church and the old school room is provided by the verger, who is also
a mine of information on local church and parish history. • A separate ‘Friends’ organisation provides very valuable financial contributions to the maintenance of
the church buildings, churchyard and surrounding walls. • Through careful stewardship our substantial common fund contributions are paid in full and on time.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE In its parish church, Stoke Gabriel has a sustainable Christian community which has the potential for growth, given migration to the village of families and retirees. It is fortunate to remain the first port of call for many in the parish at times of need and continues to serve and be respected by that community.
We appreciate the loyalty and involvement of members of the community, not
CRIB SERVICE
just regular church goers in many of the activities of the church.
The Associate Priest is seen as the face of the Church, being among and of
the parish she serves.
In looking to the future, the PCC and church officers wish to:
• keep and grow the congregations, • deepen the faith of its members through good teaching • continue to bring the gospel to the parish in a practical and
appropriate manner Service
• continue to work with young people and their parents • maintain and extend the care of the lonely and vulnerable • protect the very special relationship with the parish we serve.
To this effect, we look to the clergy of the Mission Community for :
• Leadership of our principal services • Inspiring Christian teaching in spiritual and pastoral matters • Continuation of the residency of a priest in the vicarage, with a
clear role in the spiritual and pastoral life of the parish. Service by Dart
SUNDAY SERVICES ACROSS THE TEAM
First Sunday in month
Totnes St Mary’s 08.00 BCP Holy Communion
Stoke Gabriel St Mary’s 08.15 BCP Holy Communion
Marldon St John’s 09.15 Sung Eucharist
Brooking St Barnabas 09.15 BCP Holy Communion
Cornworthy St Peter’s 09.15 Sung Eucharist
Bridgetown St John’s 09.30 Sung Eucharist
Stoke Gabriel St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Eucharist (CW)
Berry Pomeroy St Mary’s 11.15 Holy Communion
Totnes St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Eucharist
Ashprington St David’s 11.15 HC by extension
Dartington St Mary’s 11.15 Common Worship HC
Totnes St Mary’s 18.30 Sung Compline
Bridgetown St John’s 18.30 Sacred Space on alternate months
Second Sunday in month
Totnes St Mary’s 08.00 BCP Holy Communion
Marldon St John’s 09.15 Sung Eucharist
Brooking St Barnabas 09.15 BCP Holy Communion
Cornworthy St Peter’s 09.15 Sung Eucharist
Bridgetown St John’s 09.30 Sung Eucharist
Stoke Gabriel St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Eucharist (CW)
Berry Pomeroy St Mary’s 11.15 Holy Communion
Totnes St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Eucharist
Ashprington St David’s 11.15 HC by extension
Dartington St Mary’s 11.15 United service with Brooking
Stoke Gabriel 18.30 Evensong (BCP)
Third Sunday in month
Totnes St Mary’s 08.00 BCP Holy Communion
Stoke Gabriel St Mary’s 08.15 BCP Holy Communion
Marldon St John’s 09.15 Sung Eucharist
Brooking St Barnabas 09.15 Matins
Cornworthy St Peter’s 09.15 United with Ashprington
Bridgetown St John’s 09.30 Sung Eucharist
Stoke Gabriel St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Matins
Berry Pomeroy St Mary’s 11.15 Holy Communion
Totnes St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Eucharist
Ashprington St David’s 11.15 Sung Eucharist
Dartington St Mary’s 11.15 Dart Praise
Totnes St Mary’s 18.30
Choral Evensong
Fourth Sunday in month
Totnes St Mary’s 08.00 BCP Holy Communion Marldon St John’s 09.15 Celtic Communion Brooking St Barnabas 09.15 United with St Mary’s Dartington Cornworthy St Peter’s 09.15 Village worship Bridgetown St John’s 09.30 Sung Eucharist Stoke Gabriel St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Eucharist (CW) Berry Pomeroy St Mary’s 11.15 Holy Communion Totnes St Mary’s 11.15 Choral Eucharist Ashprington St David’s 11.15 Village Worship Dartington St Mary’s 11.15 Celtic Communion Stoke Gabriel 18.30 Evensong (BCP)
Fifth Sunday in month 10.30 Team Eucharist held in one of the team churches Wednesday Mid-week Eucharists take place each week in Stoke Gabriel Parish Church at 10.00am and St Mary`s, Totnes at 10.30 am.
TOTNES RECTORY
The Rectory is a 1930s build with internal Art Deco
features. It is a detached house with double bay
windows creating a spacious living room and study
and two large double bedrooms. The house also has
two additional single bedrooms, a dining room looking
onto the back garden and a well-appointed kitchen
and utility room. Upstairs, there is a spacious
bath-room with separate shower cubical and bath.
Also, on the ground floor, a large glassed in porch
and WC discretely tucked in under the stairs. One of
the attractive features of the house is that it is
surrounded by garden, but of a manageable scale.
Parking is located at the back of the house with hard
standing for two cars. Interesting outbuildings and a
garage which is useful for storage.
The house is well located in part of Castle Street
(Northgate), being central to the town and main
church of St Mary’s, as well as retaining a good
amount of privacy. It is also five minutes’ walk away
from Totnes station.
TOTNES MISSION COMMUNITY - AN INTERIM ACTION PLAN
2019-2020
a working document for a period of change and challenge
PRIORITY FOR 2020 - appointment of new Team Rector
to lead MC into the next stage of its development
This Draft Mission Action Plan (MAP) represents our collective aspirations about key elements of mission across the Totnes Mission Community, during the next twelve-month period. The aim is for the MAP to be reviewed each year. As the Mission Community contains nine very different churches, not all aspects of this MAP will be applicable to each church or parish. This MAP has been written recognizing that each parish has its own character, its own local needs and opportunities, and that what may work in one place, may not work in others. Our PCCs, in supporting this MAP, are supporting opportunities for growth across the Mission Community, rather than committing themselves to any particular activity in mission within their parish. This document expresses our hopes about some of the positive initiatives that we pray will bear fruit across the Totnes Mission Community.
AIMS ASPIRATIONS for the MC
OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE AND EVALUATE
RESOURCE AND TRAINING
IMPLICATIONS
TO
GROW IN
PRAYER
Maintain a living and
relevant Christian
presence in the
parishes of the MC
PRAYER SPACES IN CHURCHES
reflecting local community spiritual
concerns
People to develop and manage spaces and to encourage the role of prayer in the church
Training in differing approaches to Christian prayer and
spirituality
INCLUSIVE WORSHIP STYLES
appropriate to a wide range of people
to grow congregations
Survey and explore attitudes to worship in the community
Consider Team Liturgy booklets and further opportunities for worshipping and working together.
Training of appropriate worship leaders
Promote spiritual
development in the
churches.
PRAYER AND PERSONAL STUDY
Use of ‘RULE OF LIFE’ resources &
Team Prayer Card
Inspiring Christian teaching.
Help in drafting and using “Rule of Life’ materials
SPIRITUAL & PASTORAL
LEADERSHIP
CLERGY ADMIN SUPPORT
Enable clergy to resume their spiritual and pastoral leadership roles
Recruitment of Staff/volunteer administrators?
Office space and equipment?
Finance implications?
AIMS ASPIRATIONS
for the MC OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE AND
EVALUATE
RESOURCE & TRAINING
IMPLICATIONS
TO
MAKE NEW
DISCIPLES
Draw people of all ages
and from all walks of
life into fellowship in
Christ
SHARING OUR FAITH
training resources to help parishioners to
share their faith
Lay people in each parish with a heart for engaging with un-churched people
Spiritual conversation workshops
COMMUNITY ACCESS EVENTS
Consider at least one well-planned and
well-prepared access event in each parish
each year
Possible input from the Diocesan Mission Enabler; lay
planning and staff team
Develop and deepen
discipleship within
congregations
ANNUAL DISCIPLESHIP COURSES Reviewing the different discipleship courses available –
obtaining materials
Group leadership training
SMALL GROUPS Small group leader training
Understand the
changing values,
language, interests, and
concerns of our local
communities
RESPONSE
TO CHANGING NEEDS
Ensuring that our historic churches are fit
for purpose and changing needs
Community consultations and evaluation of opportunities for increased community access. E.g. “St Mary`s Project” (St. Mary`s, Totnes) and “Reaching Communities” (St. John`s Bridgetown)
Recruit and train the
next generation of
parish and ministry
leaders
LAY LEADERSHIP
Use of lay members in services
Capable members of the MC who are willing to offer
themselves as potential leaders Leadership training programme and mentoring
opportunities
Maximize the positive
contacts obtained
through occasional
offices
ON-GOING CONTACT
following weddings, baptisms and funerals
A structure for engaging with those
encountered through these occasional
offices
Review Marriage and Baptism Policy and Preparation.
Bereavement visiting and follow-up
Training of lay ministers in pastoral care
AIM ASPIRATION OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE AND
EVALUATE
RESOURCE & TRAINING
IMPLICATION
TO
SERVE THE
PEOPLE OF
DEVON
WITH JOY
Creative engagement
with communities
across the MC
COMMUNITY NEEDS
Evaluate local needs.
Identify and seek to meet one community
need
Lay people to engage with meeting the identified community need
Risk assessment
INVOLVEMENT OF UNCHURCHED
PEOPLE
Invite unchurched people from our local
communities to join us in meeting
community needs
Local Ambassadors
Risk assessment
To grow effective links
with our local schools
LIAISON WITH SCHOOLS
Lay or ordained link workers
supporting the children, parents and staff
in new as well as, traditional ways
DBS-checked lay and ordained link workers Schools’ work co-ordinators for the whole MC
Advice and help from the Diocesan Education Department
Take a lead in
ecologically and
environmentally
responsible ways
of living as a
community
MC ENVIRONMENT SUPPORT TEAM
to provide guidance to the parishes on
ecological and environmental issues
Co-ordinate interested lay or ordained people to help
growth in ecological Issues and awareness of Eco Church guidance
Development of Emerging Church and pioneer ministry
(Growing the Rural Church)
Improve our
stewardship of time,
talents and finances
SUSTAINABLE MINISTRY MODEL,
enable people to use their spiritual gifts,
operate effective financial planning and
use wisdom in undertaking major building
projects
A ministry audit of the MC
Explore the possibility of a Team Council
Develop MC Treasurers` and Fundraising Team Develop MC Capital Projects Team
Advice and help from Diocesan Finance and Mission Resources Team
Recommended
