BASILDON, ALDWORTH & ASHAMPSTEAD

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In West Berkshire

OUR THREE PARISH

BENEFICE PROFILE

We are looking for a new Vicar to come and develop further God’s work and ministry here. We offer an opportunity which we hope will excite you. 15 minutes from Reading and within easy reach of Oxford and London, the position comes with house and garden within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The position offers an opportunity across a range of congregations. Each of the three churches and congregations contributes differently. All are bound together in striving to grow in faith, in fellowship, in Christ and within our community. You will have the help of supportive congregations, six enthusiastic churchwardens, PCCs in each parish and a strong Ministry Team. All parishes in the Benefice are financially sound and our parish share has always been paid in full and on time.

We look forward to meeting you.

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T H E R T R E V ’ D O L I V I A G R A H A M , B I S H O P O F R E A D I N G

The Basildon Benefice is a really attractive balance of every aspect of rural parish ministry. Two beautiful historic Churches and a modern Church with exceptional facilities. Village living and ministry within easy reach of Reading. Three separate parishes who understand each other and want to work more closely together without losing their own identity and life. A committed ministry team looking for new ideas and clear collaborative leadership. A range of worship styles and theological understandings which are not partisan or entrenched. Good links with the community and the Church School which could be even stronger and even more transformative. If you’re attracted by the idea of village ministry in a confident Archdeaconry and a Diocese which is engaging compassionately, contemplatively and courageously with God’s call to be the Church for the good of God’s world then read on. There is much that is already good and effective in the Benefice and there is the promise of so much more to come. Rev’d Richard Lamey, Acting Assistant Archdeacon of Berkshire.

A R C H D E A C O N R Y I N T R O D U C T I O N

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C O N T E N T S

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T H E B E N E F I C E

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

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Y O U R M I N I S T R Y T E A M

Both Clergy and Lay

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T H R I V I N G C . E . P R I M A R Y S C H O O L

A Close Relationship

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O U R M I S S I O N

& Services

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Y O U R M I S S I O N

& Vicarage

6 & Attendance Figures

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O U R T H R E E C H U R C H E S

& Financial Position

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O U R A C C O U N T S

T H E D I O C E S E O F O X F O R D

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Working alongside the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Olivia Graham

T H E B E N E F I C E

I N A N A R E A O F O U T S T A N D I N G N A T U R A L B E A U T Y , 6 0 M I N U T E S F R O M L O N D O N & 3 0 M I N U T E S F R O M O X F O R D

Our United Benefice includes the parishes of Basildon, with Ashampstead and Aldworth. The Benefice, covered by a large area of downland farming and woodland, includes areas of Special Scientific Interest as well as being in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The whole triangular area is bounded by the

River Thames with the town of Goring to the

north east, and the town of Pangbourne, with

Basildon Park to the east. Yattendon and its

large estate are to the south and west, while

the north west boundary is formed by the

rural Berkshire Downs and the ancient and

popular Ridgeway Path.

Basildon and Lower Basildon are linked to

Pangbourne, Goring and Streatley with a

reasonable bus service.

Pangbourne, (seven minutes from the

Vicarage) and Goring & Streatley have

frequent train services to London and

Oxford; they have also local shops.

Most people who live in the area depend on car transport. Major trunk roads: A34, M4 and M40 are all within a few miles with Oxford 25 miles north, Reading 8 miles east and Newbury 11 miles south west.

The Benefice is networked in with full fibre

broadband. The villages have their own

websites and magazines, ‘The Country

Neighbour’ and ‘The Leaflet’.

The Benefice website is:

www.churchat.squarespace.com

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Y O U R M I N I S T R Y T E A M

I was ordained as a deacon at Christ Church Cathedral in June 2019 – one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

I was called to Ministry after a career in business at director level, and latterly, as an independent consultant and coach specialising in leadership and change management. I believe God is calling me to bring the grace and love of Christ into the lives of everyone here in the Benefice of Basildon and to give them a real sense of wonder and sheer joy in being one with Jesus.

I am passionate about music (performing and listening), gardening, real tennis, reading and travelling, but most particularly I value the mutual love and support of my husband, David.

R E V . K A T Y W E S T O N , C U R A T E

I lead services and preach in all three churches in the Benefice across all traditions of worship, from BCP to Breakfast Church (Service of the Word). I also co-lead a home group and frequently take collective worship at the local primary school.

I was licensed as a Lay Reader in 1986, and have served in both the Rochester and Oxford Dioceses, as well as a Tokyo Baptist Church when I was working in Japan.

I work part-time as a business economist, with my own consulting company and am married to Rosemary with two grown-up daughters. My passions are off-road cycling and mountain walking.

J O N A T H A N S A N D B A C H L I C E N S E D L A Y M I N I S T E R

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I am committed to communicating faith to young people and enjoy taking collective worship regularly at Basildon primary school.

I was licensed in 2018 and lead services at all three churches, from BCP to Breakfast Church. I am beginning to develop my preaching ministry. I co-lead a home group and would like to be more involved in the pastoral side of the church’s ministry doing more visiting.

I sing, play guitar and lead the music group at St Stephen’s. My personal love is contemporary Christian music.

As an accountant I have worked in the finance functions of two Christian overseas missionary organisations and for a Christian charity in Reading.

I have written about 15 major theological books and undertaken several speaking tours of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands, as well as South Africa and the Philippines.

I spent nine years in the USA as a pastor of a grace church, returning to Upper Basildon in 1991. In the village I help run the Baby and Toddlers group in the village hall and have been a school governor. I lead services in all three churches and run a Wednesday evening Bible Study.

At present I work part-time for the Open Bible Trust editing their magazine Search. I have been chair of Churches Together in Reading for ten years and this year I was elected chair of Churches Together in Berkshire.

I have been on the Advisory Committee to Reading University Christian Union for the last nine years, and have been lead chaplain at Reading College for 8 years. Over the years I have been involved in the Inter-School Christian Fellowship, the Association of Christian Teachers and the University and Colleges Christian Fellowship.

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R O S E M A R Y S A N D B A C H L I C E N S E D L A Y M I N I S T E R

M I K E P E N N Y , A S S O C I A T E M I N I S T E R

T H R I V I N G C . E . P R I M A R Y

S C H O O L

The Church plays a major role in the flourishing local C.E. primary school

encouraging, funding and working with the youngsters of the Benefice.

A village primary school with 153 pupils.

• Outstanding, SIAMS

• Good, Ofsted

• Strong team ethos

• Talented, committed and passionate staff ” We strive for academic excellence while fostering a nurturing, supportive, Christian culture to ensure every child thrives and achieves their full potential. We are always looking for ways to develop our curriculum and resources to provide the education our children deserve with the skills they will need for life in the 21st century.”

Miss Melissa Cliffe HEAD TEACHER

As a Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School we enjoy a close relationship with the Parish Church of St Stephen’s. (The Vicar and two members of the Church are Foundation Governors.) Members of the Ministry Team are regular visitors to the school taking Collective Worship & members of the congregation take part in ‘Meet & Eat’ in school to hear children read and share lunch. At the end of each term the school has a service in St Stephen’s Church to which a good number of parents and church friends come. The school is assisted financially by St Stephen’s, with specific projects, from a Trust which the PCC administers. In 2019 it provided funding of £10,825 for:

• Mud kitchen and astro-turf;

• New classroom;

• Bursary Fund & Governor Training.

• Support to create a ‘Forest School’ is planned for early 2020.

“Our mission at Basildon is to prepare children for God’s world. Our values are Excellence, Respect and Resilience, based on Philippians 4.13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” “Christian values have swiftly and effectively been woven throughout the school like a golden thread. The impact of these values is clearly articulated by every member of the school community”.

SIAMS 2018

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During our vacancy we have sought to discern where God might be calling us at this time.

This section reflects what has emerged so far. It leaves room for you, our new incumbent,

to join this journey as we refine and mould this vision together and as we continue to consult and engage more widely across our congregations and community.

O U R S T R A T E G Y

O U R M I S S I O N

Greater participation and collaboration

Will allow our churches to grow together, pool resources and yet, maintain their

individuality. The greater the participation the stronger the bond between us.

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Creating within the Benefice an active and sensitive ministry which will involve the current

enthusiastic, hardworking Ministry Team.

An active and sensitive ministry

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O U R C A L L I N G

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, to show to everybody in word and action the relevance, transformation and truth of a living Christian faith.

To see people coming to faith, living and growing as disciples in Christ’s love.

To work in partnership with those in our community; our churches central to community life.

We are aiming to raise the Church’s profile in our villages and beyond. We provide a warm welcome to everyone and our churches are open every day.

Ensuring that St. Stephen’s Church and the Ministry Team continue to play a major role in the development of the local C.E. primary school. To encourage the pupils to flourish, we would like them to feel that they are part of the Christian Church and that they may go on to lives

loved and blessed by God.

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Development of the local C.E. primary school

A warm welcome

All three churches aspire towards improving pastoral care; a worshipping, praying and

caring role for their varying communities.

A worshipping, praying and caring role

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WE HAVE A BROAD CHURCHMANSHIP FROM THE 1662 BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, TO INFORMAL SERVICES, WE RELISH THE FACT THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS OF WORSHIPPING AND COME TOGETHER TO SERVE & CELEBRATE CHRIST WITH A WIDE RANGE OF PARISHIONERS.

R E G U L A R S E R V I C E S

1st SUNDAY OF THE MONTH 8:00am Holy Communion at Aldworth 9:30am Breakfast Church at Basildon

10:00am Family Service at Ashampstead 6:00pm Praise & Prayer informal service at

Basildon

2nd SUNDAY OF THE MONTH 8.30am Holy Communion at Ashampstead

10:00am Holy Communion at Basildon 6:00pm BCP Evening Prayer at Aldworth

3rd SUNDAY OF THE MONTH 9:30am Breakfast Church at Aldworth

10:00am Morning Worship at Basildon 6pm BCP Choral Evensong at Ashampstead

4th SUNDAY OF THE MONTH 8.30am Holy Communion at Ashampstead

10:00am Holy Communion at Basildon 6:00pm BCP Evening Prayer at Aldworth

5th SUNDAY OF THE MONTH 10:00am Morning Worship at Basildon

10.00am Family service at Ashampstead 6:00pm BCP Evening Prayer at Aldworth

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Y O U R M I S S I O N

As minister to the communities of Basildon, Aldworth and Ashampstead

-To work with appreciation of each parish’s strengths and weaknesses, and have the vision to guide our worship across the Benefice. -To be a lynchpin in further developing pastoral care for our communities and to give the Christian faith practical meaning in all our lives. -To support, lead and co-ordinate the Ministry Team, PCCs and Congregations to explore God’s purpose among us and within our local community, and with our mission partners.

-To continue to celebrate and deepen the links we have with local schools.

WHAT THE ROLE ENTAILS

-Is led by the Holy Spirit.

-Is excited about working with a range of worship styles, across a range of congregations.

-Will promote and develop our current services, ensuring inclusive worship for all.

-Is a people person who will reach out and listen to all types of people, both within the church communities and wider afield.

-Is an enabler who will lead our committed ministry team, develop our congregations, their faith, skills and talents.

-Has presence, authority and good communication skills.

-Is prepared to challenge us and help us to explore what it means to be a Christian today.

-Is passionate to see people coming to faith, living and growing as disciples in Christ’s love.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR A PERSON WHO

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T H E V I C A R A G E

The present vicarage was built in 1928 of brick under a tiled roof. It is a large 6 bedroomed house and garden with oil fired central heating and connections to all the main utilities.

The house stands adjacent to St Stephen’s Church, Upper Basildon and comprises: entrance hall, three reception rooms, study & cloak-room, kitchen, including utility and walk-in larder. Six bedrooms, family bathroom and separate shower room. Whilst offering this property to the new Incumbent, the Oxford Diocese is in consultation with the Benefice. This could result in a new vicarage being built or bought in the vicinity of the present house. It is our intention that the Incumbent, the Benefice and the Diocese will work closely together to develop any plans.

There is a wide range of public and private

schools in the area including the village C.E.

Primary School a short walk away. There are

excellent secondary schools at Theale and

Compton. Some children travel further afield

by bus to Reading and Abingdon.

T H R E E A T T R A C T I V E C H U R C H E S

T H E P A R I S H O F B A S I L D O N , S T S T E P H E N ’ S

St. Stephen's is a warm user-friendly church aiming to be Christ-centred. We welcome families and have services using Common Worship, with hymns accompanied by pipe organ. On other Sundays our music is led by a worship group. The church building recently celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its consecration. Attached to the Church is the spacious centre, hall with a kitchen, toilets and a separate meeting room / office. The centre serves as a base for a twice weekly pop-up Post Office and a church outreach cafe. It is regularly used by the community and a wide variety of local clubs. The versatile main worship space is warm, comfortable, well-lit and with a sound and video projection system also suitable for conferences and lectures.

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As a lively village we have a range of clubs and activities including junior football teams and a tennis club, pilates classes, horticultural shows, ‘tea and chat’ afternoons, film nights, a bridge club and an amateur dramatic company.

The parish comprises the villages of Upper and Lower Basildon bordering the National Trust’s Basildon Park. These have populations of 1200 and 400 respectively. Working residents either commute or work from home.

St Bartholomew’s in Lower Basildon is maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust. It is still consecrated and has a lively and enthusiastic team of supporters and its own choir. It continues to play an active part in our community with services and concerts held here about six times a year.

It is a busy and thriving community in the heart of the countryside. Homes here are chiefly spread along quiet country lanes and a housing estate of approx. 80 homes. As well as the primary school there are two pre-school nurseries, a village hall, public house, garage and fuel station within the parish.

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Aldworth Parish which includes the hamlet of Westridge Green, is the smallest in the Benefice, with a population of approximately 250. Farming was originally the main occupation and now all the village area lies within the Yattendon Estate.

T H E P A R I S H O F A L D W O R T H , S T M A R Y ’ S

There is a new village hall which is the focus for many community activities, including a thriving weekly community shop, local cricket club, mother and toddler group, art and craft groups and fitness clubs. There are two popular and historic public houses which bring many visitors into the village. Households range from small cottages and farmhouses to larger houses and converted barns. The local Housing Association provide two bungalows and eight family houses built in 1998 in addition to some older stock. Many village occupants are commuters travelling either to London or to the growing centres of Reading, Newbury, Harwell, Abingdon and Oxford.

The church holds its own fund-raising events: a variety of concerts and, every week, during the summer months, well attended afternoon teas attract visitors from far and wide. Other major visitor attractions include the well maintained and famous Aldworth Giant Effigies of the De La Beche family in the church itself and also the historic Ridgeway Walk. Another afternoon tea group for “local oldies” is held regularly in private homes.

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Ashampstead has a mixed age population numbering 350-400. Whilst we no longer have a pub or a post office, we are proud to have one of the finest farm shops in the south of England - well stocked and with a cosy coffee shop.

We have a thriving community spirit and hold a number of regular fun and fund-raising events throughout the year for all ages ranging from our monthly pub night in the village hall to annual fireworks displays, open garden events, theatre visits, afternoon teas for elderly residents and many more.

T H E P A R I S H O F A S H A M P S T E A D , S T C L E M E N T ’ S

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St Clement’s stands at the heart of Ashampstead. Originally constructed in the late 12th century our Grade 1 Listed church contains some spectacular medieval wall paintings that attract visitors from far and wide. They were plastered over during the Reformation and only rediscovered in the late 19th century. We have a regular worshipping congregation of approximately 18 which has been increasing steadily in recent years and rises to 60 or 70 at special services and festivals.

St Clement’s offers a weekly Sunday service, either Holy Communion, Family Services or Evensong.

The busy PCC is keen to involve the community with St Clement’s and also the wider Church.

We have in place a significant renovations programme to restrict damp penetration and also to

install a P.A. and audio loop system.

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A T T E N D A N C E I N 2 0 1 9

S T S T E P H E N ’ S ,

Electoral Roll: 37

Average attendance: 24

Attendance at services for Easter: 75 Attendance for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: 59 Attendance for Remembrance Day: 51 Baptisms. 0 Marriages. 0 No funerals, or ashes interred

B A S I L D O N

S T M A R Y ’ S ,

S T C L E M E N T ’ S ,

Electoral Roll: 29 Harvest Festival. 32, Attendance for Carol Service: 82, Attendance for Candle service: 48 & 28 children Attendance for Remembrance Day: 256, because it was our turn for the district. Baptism: 2 Marriages: 2 Funerals: 0. + 2 ashes interred

A L D W O R T H

Electoral Roll: 51 Average Sunday attendance: 15 Baptisms: 3 Marriages: 0 Funerals: 1 full + 5 ashes interred

A S H A M P S T E A D

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Basildon summary accounts

£ 2019 2018 2017 2016

Receipts

Giving & reclaimed tax 37,663 44,707 30,206 44,355

Rents, fees, interest & other income 12,864 10,511 11,998 11,161

Total receipts from unrestricted funds 50,527 55,218 42,204 55,516

School House fund, rents & interest 9,474 14,531 14,562 14,459

Total receipts 60,001 69,749 56,766 69,974

Expenses

Parish share 35,541 35,195 33,933 34,838

Parish expenses 14,808 17,751 19,262 8,446

Donations 2,948 319 3,145 6,400

Total expenses from unrestricted funds 53,297 53,265 56,340 49,684

School House fund, costs & grants 19,772 9,535 8,465 10,710

Total expenses 73,069 62,800 64,805 60,394

Surplus / (Deficit) - Unrestructed 2,770- 1,953 14,136- 5,832

Surplus / (Deficit) - Total 13,068- 6,949 8,039- 9,580

Financial reserves at 31st December 2019

Unrestricted 71,507

Restricted 29,444

Total 100,951

Notes:

School House is a Restricted Fund receiving income from renting the house and using surplus

funds for the benefit of the school or young people more generally.

The church currently has 37 regular donors through bank Direct Debits, 8 of which are through

the Parish Giving Scheme.

£0

£10,000

£20,000

£30,000

£40,000

£50,000

£60,000

£70,000

£80,000

2019 2018 2017 2016

Total receipts Total expenses

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Ashampstead summary accounts

£ 2019 2018 2017 2016

Receipts

Giving & reclaimed tax 28,366 16,966 12,202 16,547

Rents, fees, interest & other income 2,015 1,410 2,187 3,729

Total receipts from unrestricted funds 30,381 18,376 14,389 20,276

School House fund, rents & interest - - - -

Total receipts 30,381 18,376 14,389 20,276

Expenses

Parish share 13,912 13,507 13,179 13,494

Parish expenses 16,299 6,305 8,469 5,030

Donations 380 465 25 271

Total expenses 30,591 20,277 21,674 18,795

Surplus / (Deficit) - Total 210- 1,901- 7,284- 1,481

Change in investments 19,273 1,544 9,565 11,186

Final Surplus / (Deficit) 19,063 357- 2,280 12,667

Financial reserves at 31st December 2019 105,000

Notes:

Note: Maintenance projects 2020 - £35,000

£0

£5,000

£10,000

£15,000

£20,000

£25,000

£30,000

£35,000

2019 2018 2017 2016

Total receipts Total expenses

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Aldworth summary accounts

£ 2019 2018 2017 2016

Receipts

Giving & reclaimed tax 21,619 20,156 56,721 23,102

Fund raising, rents, fees, interest & other income 3,897 7,200 9,379 7,543

Total receipts 25,516 27,356 66,100 30,645

Expenses

Parish share 11,902 11,905 11,460 11,431

Parish expenses 15,030 17,893 9,717 21,233

Donations 482 - - 1,038

Total expenses 27,414 29,798 21,177 33,702

Surplus / (Deficit) - Total 1,898- 2,442- 44,923 3,057-

Financial reserves at 31st December 2019 80,585

Notes:

2019 figures not yet available

£0

£10,000

£20,000

£30,000

£40,000

£50,000

£60,000

£70,000

2019 2018 2017 2016

Total receipts Total expenses

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The Diocese of Oxford serves the mission of the Church in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. The Diocese comprises more than 600 parishes, with over 800 churches, serving a diverse population of more than 2 million people located in all types of settings. Working alongside the Bishop of Oxford we have three Area Bishops who exercise considerable strategic and pastoral oversight for their areas. The Bishop of Reading is the Rt Revd Olivia Graham who has been the Area Bishop since 2019. Stephen Pullin is the Berkshire archdeacon designate who will take up his post in March 2020. Since the appointment in 2017 of the Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft as Bishop of Oxford, a common vision has emerged for the Diocese of Oxford. The vision is based on the qualities described in The Beatitudes and addresses what kind of church we are called to be:

a more Christ-like Church for the sake of God’s world: contemplative, compassionate, courageous.

Together we have identified five focus areas: • making a bigger difference in the world

• catechesis and discipleship

• growing new congregations

• serving our schools, children and young people

• celebrating and blessing the city of Milton Keynes

These are not a description of everything that we do and will not all be reflected in the vision for each parish church, but these priorities are being supported centrally by

resources and training. The diocese is inviting benefices and their clergy to share a vision rather than demanding a response. It wants all its clergy to be motivated by hope rather than being driven by anxiety, and thereby to flourish in their ministry. It is hoped that clergy appointed into the Archdeaconry of Berkshire will want to commit to this vision and encourage their benefices to share in becoming a more Christ-like church for the sake of God’s world.

T H E D I O C E S E O F O X F O R D A N D T H E A R C H D E A C O N R Y O F B E R K S H I R E