Introduction to Profile
From the Vicar of St Andrew’s Biggleswade and Rural Dean of Biggleswade.
Thank you for your interest in the position of Associate Priest. This is a newly
created position where it is envisaged that the Vicar of Biggleswade will also accept
responsibility as priest-in-charge of the rural parishes of Dunton, Wrestlingworth
and Eyeworth working collaboratively with the appointed priest.
We are seeking a prayerful and reflective colleague and team member who
welcomes exciting opportunities and challenges. The parishes are distinct in
character, but they are all excited at the prospect of working supportively with a
new Associate Priest. The person appointed will need to develop and communicate
a vision as to how the parishes can best work together to share God’s love.
It is envisaged that the Associate Priest will spend 0.5 of their time in three adjacent
rural communities; and the remainder of their ministry just south west in the rapidly
growing parish of Biggleswade, a traditional market town expanding at an
exponential rate as new residential developments are established. It is anticipated
that modern 4-bedroomed accommodation will be available in the village of Dunton.
A willingness to work with all ages, and participation in a range of worship styles is
essential, as is enthusiasm to explore new ways of ‘being church’ within our
neighbourhoods. We hope the successful candidate will be happy to provide a visible
presence in each of the parishes and encourage an openness to embrace change. A
sense of humour would be helpful, as would a willingness to be vulnerable and a
preparedness to take risks.
Our parishes enjoy excellent access to road and rail communications: we are located
some 15 miles south west of Cambridge and central London may be reached in
approximately 40 minutes by train from Biggleswade. The area is well served by a
number of colleges, schools and nurseries – many with 'outstanding' OFSTED reports
and with close links to our churches.
Guy
Revd Guy C Scott
Contents
1. New Associate Priest Profile Page: 1
2. We are able to offer Page: 2
3. Accommodation Page: 3
4. Location Page: 4
5. Our Vision Page: 5
6. Community Page: 6
7. Education Page: 7
8. Worship Page: 8
9. Pastoral and Ecumenical Page: 9
10. Leadership Page: 10
11. Ministerial Team Page: 10
12. Organisations Page: 11
13. Buildings Page: 12 / 13
14/15. Finance & Expenses of Office Page: 14
16. Communications Page: 15
17. Strengths and Opportunities Page: 15
18. Priorities for the Next Five Years Page: 16
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1. New Associate Priest Profile
Who has a versatile approach to worship from traditional to a
less formal style
Who can relate
to all ages and can continue to build on our work already established
with the church schools
Who will encourage our pastoral work
Who will promote
unity and communication across
all the parishes
Who is
willing to be part of the
community life’s outreach
With the understanding to
develop the growth of spirituality through a balance of tradition, teaching, practical
interpretation and a down-to-earth
philosophy
Who will contribute to mission and
out-reach
Who will accept the challenges of small
rural churches and a growing market
town
Are You
This
Priest ?
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2. We are able to offer
Excellent
communication links
Road, rail, air and
popular schools
for all age groups
A vision
for the future in
three rural
communities, and a
thriving town within
a rapidly growing
population
Reaching
New People diocesan
funding and
expertise for mission
outreach
Accommodation
Enthusiastic
leadership teams,
who are open to new
ideas and
approaches
Welcoming and
supportive
communities of faith
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3. Accommodation
29 Fen Reach, Dunton,
Bedfordshire
Detached Family Home Three Separate Reception Rooms Four Very Good Sized Bedrooms En-Suite & Jack & Jill Bathroom Excellent Garden Size Large Kitchen Dining Room Double Garage & Driveway 'Outstanding' Ofsted Local School 3.9 Miles To Station Energy Rating: C/77
Location
Proceeding from Biggleswade into
Dunton along Dunton Lane that
becomes Biggleswade Road, continue
straight over the roundabout and into
the village. Proceed to the left and
take the turning on the left into Boot
Lane. Continue along Boot Lane where
the road becomes Fen Reach.
© Thomas Morris Estate Agents
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• Church of St Peter
Church Lane, Wrestlingworth, SG19 2EU
• Electoral Roll: 32
• Small rural village on border with Cambridgeshire
• Church School
• 6.3 miles from Biggleswade
• Approximately 300 houses
• Population: 750+ people
• Church of St Mary Magdalene
High Street, Dunton, SG18 8RR
• Electoral Roll: 43
• Small Bedfordshire Village
• Church School
• 3.5 miles from Biggleswade
• Approximately 275 houses
• Population: 700 +
• Church of All Saints
High Street, Eyeworth, SG19 2HJ
• Electoral Roll: 12
• Small rural village
• 4.7 miles from Biggleswade
• Population: 90
© AA Media Limited 2016
• Church of St Andrew
Shortmead Street, Biggleswade, SG19 0AT
• Electoral Roll: 133
• Market town, with extensive housing developments during last
decade which are continuing
• Church Lower and Middle Schools
• Population: c.25,000
4. Location
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We will help to build strong
communities within the parishes.
• We will play a positive part in our
local communities by engaging in
local issues.
• We will provide community events,
and/or a venue for events where
appropriate, seeking to enhance the
life of our area.
We will reach out in mission.
• We will invite people to share in the life
of the church. This may be to services of
worship, but equally it may be to social or
community events.
• We will place mission at the heart of all
that we do.
• We recognise the importance of children’s
work for engagement with young families
and commit ourselves to exploring ways of
sustaining and developing this work.
• We will worship with joy, grow in faith, and serve with love and welcome all.
• One of our priorities will be to establish a Christian presence in the continually
growing market town, as we work together with our partner parishes.
5. Our Vision
As God’s people in the Benefice of Dunton, Eyeworth and Wrestlingworth, we recognise the challenges
and opportunities facing us as rural parishes, believing that God’s future is one where we share a
vision of people coming to and growing in faith, offering a welcome to all, sharing God’s love in word
and deed, reaching out in mission and helping to build a strong presence in our communities.
We will work and pray
together to further the
mission which God calls us
to share.
• We will seek to support
each other in our
mission and ministry by
recognising that worship
is the springboard into
mission.
• We will pray for each
other and to worship
together regularly to
build up the life and
witness of the church.
• We will take the
opportunities to grow in
faith and understanding.
We will offer a welcome
to all.
The gospel is for all people
and we want to be as
inclusive as possible in
everything we do.
• We will seek to offer a
warm and effective
welcome to everyone
who attends our church
services. Initially by
those who act as sides-
people but recognising
that this is the
responsibility of the
whole church family.
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Market town adjacent to AI, and on mainline rail route London to Edinburgh.
Rural village close to Biggleswade and A1 with majority of commuters and some local employment.
Population c.25 000 Population of 750+ with a mixture of ages.
Within new residential developments many families, singles, couples of all ages: many commuting to the Capital, Cambridge, Bedford, Milton Keynes
Church School, Village Hall, Recreation ground with Pavilion. Parish Council. Mixture of housing including small new development
Leisure facilities include Sports Centre and indoor swimming pool, many pubs, hotel and numerous restaurants and coffee shops. Traditional market square, with twice weekly market and various shops, some independent.
Leisure facilities include the village pub (The March Hare), and community garden. Large number of village organisations including Youth football teams, Youth Club, WI, Book Groups, Singtastic ladies’ choir. Dunton Folk presents concerts in the church of national and local folk groups, and the Big Weekender which organises village events.
Football, rugby and cricket teams for men, ladies, children and young people.
The Church is fully involved in the community, supporting village events, holding Christmas and summer fairs, quizzes and hosting concerts and fund-raising events.
Large retail park south of the town: includes M&S, Outfit clothing stores, Cotswold Outdoor, TK Maxx, Matalan, Boots, Homebase, Laura Ashley, Next, and 24 hour McDonalds soon to open.
Dunton Church hosts high speed broadband on the church tower so that it can be used throughout the village.
Small rural village, originally agricultural but now mainly commuters.
Rural village close to Cambridgeshire border, mainly commuters.
Population of 90 people with a mixture of ages. Population of 750+ with a mixture of ages.
Small amount of expansion over recent years Mixture of housing with some new development
Modern Village Hall Church School, Village Hall. Village preschool. Joint Parish Council with Cockayne Hatley.
The Village Hall is used for Church and village fund raising and social events.
Leisure facilities include the village pub (The Chequers) which serves food and hosts some village clubs such as the Darts team and Petanque . Large number of village clubs and organisations, including WI, Friends of Wrestlingworth School, Badminton Club, History Society, Carpet Bowls, Youth Club, the Parish Walking and Wildlife Group and the Goodwill Fund.
Fund-raising events include village coffee mornings. The church is represented in most of the village organisations and involves itself in all aspects of community and village life.
6. Community
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7. Education
There are excellent links between the churches
and the schools. The schools celebrate all church
festivals and end of term services in the churches.
The incumbent led fortnightly Acts of Worship.
This has continued during the vacancy and is led
either by a retired priest or a member of the
church. In addition, there is a presentation of
Open the Book to both schools every term, by a
group drawn from both Dunton and
Wrestlingworth churches.
There are two Church of England VC Lower schools in
the village parishes, with the majority of children
going to one of these schools. The schools are
federated, with Dunton having 65 children and
Wrestlingworth 54. Both schools have been assessed
as Outstanding by Ofsted and with Good SIAMS
judgements. Dunton school provides wraparound care
for pupils where required. Recently the school had
permanent buildings built to replace temporary
classrooms. Wrestlingworth has a privately-run pre-
school based in the Memorial Hall.
Biggleswade offers St. Andrew’s C of E Lower School on
two sites, one on the new development for ages 4 to 9
and Edward Peake C of E Middle School, near to the
development for ages 9 to 13. Additionally Biggleswade
Academy offers education for ages 4 to 13 and Lawnside
Lower School for ages 4 to 9. Stratton Upper School
caters for students between 13 and 18. Ivel Valley
School is a co-educational school for ages 3 to 19 living
with special needs.
There are numerous pre-school establishments both in
central Biggleswade and on the new development area.
In the past the incumbent has
been an ex-officio member of the
joint Governing body for Dunton
and Wrestlingworth schools and
members of both PCCs are
foundation governors
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Biggleswade
Sunday 8:00 Holy Communion
9:00 Worship in the Community
(at the East Site of St Andrew’s Lower School)
10:00 Sung Eucharist followed by refreshments
10:00 Family Communion * (1st Sunday of the Month)
12:00 Baptism (4th Sunday of the Month)
18:00 Choral Evensong at St Andrew’s
20:00 Sunday @ 8 – Informal Worship, lay led (2nd Sunday of the Month)
Tuesday Wednesday Friday
9:00 Ministry Team Morning Prayer
Feast Days Monday to Friday
19:45 Sung Eucharist (with incense)
Tuesday 19:15 Eucharist (said)
Thursday 9:30 Eucharist (said, with sermon and a hymn- followed by tea and coffee)
No Sunday School and no service at St Andrew’s School. This service is mostly held at St Andrew’s, but occasionally at St Andrew’s East Site School
Dunton Eyeworth Wrestlingworth
1st Sunday 9:30 Parish Eucharist 11:00 Parish Eucharist
2nd Sunday 8:00 Holy Communion 9:30 Parish Eucharist 11:00 Sunday Praise
3rd Sunday Benefice Eucharist
4th Sunday 9:30 Sunday Praise 15:00 Family Praise 11:00 Parish Eucharist
5th Sunday Benefice Eucharist
8. Worship
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9. Pastoral and Ecumenical
There is a street representatives network covering
the Parishes, working out of the individual
churches. These Street Reps, in addition to
delivering the church newsletter, try to be a
neighbourhood friend by keeping an eye out for
those who may need support due to ill health, the
birth of a new baby etc and send cards when
appropriate. They do not undertake pastoral
visiting.
Within the Parishes, Dunton has had a
Local Ministry Development Team since
June 2014, which was re- mandated in
May 2019. Reflecting its mission
statement ‘To share the love of Christ
within the whole community’ it is
known as the Dunton Church Community
Team (DCCT). There are currently
seven lay members supported by a
retired priest. As well as supporting the
PCC and priest, the DCCT provides
informal pastoral support with several
members acting as baptismal visitors.
These visitors accompany the vicar to
meet the family before the baptism and
support the family at the service.
Contact after the baptism is
maintained. A card is sent on the first
anniversary and the family and friends
invited to celebrate with other baptism
families at a Teddy Bears Picnic in the
summer.
Within the south aisle of St Mary
Magdalene there is a prayer corner
which is updated monthly.
There are no churches of other
denominations within the Village
Parishes and neither are the
parishes part of a Churches
Together. However, there are
members of other Christian
denominations who regularly
worship within the Parishes.
Biggleswade has a Parish Visiting Group
who visit those who for health reasons or
seniority are unable to come to church.
Part of their remit is to take Communion to
individual’s home and Nursing Homes.
House Groups take place during school
term times.
There are First Steps Baptism Courses for
those seeking Baptism.
During Lent there are Study Groups.
There is a Churches Together Organisation
which include St. Andrew’s, Trinity
Methodist, Baptist, Roman Catholic,
Community and Pentecostal Churches who
all meet together for a number of services
which include Good Friday and Pentecost.
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St Peters, Wrestlingworth The PCC consists of nine members, including a Church Warden, a Deputy Church Warden and one Deanery Synod Member, who meet on alternate months, with other meetings convened as and when required. The PCC are loyal and active, working to maintain the status and standing of the church in the community. The age range of the PCC is between 50 and 80.
St Mary Magdalene, Dunton The PCC of Dunton has five elected members, one co-opted member one Ordained Clergy, one Deanery Synod Member and one Churchwarden who meet on alternate months. The PCC has a small standing committee that meets occasionally and then reports back to the PCC at the next meeting. With one exception the current age group of the PCC is over 50.
10. Leadership
All Saints, Eyeworth
The PCC of Eyeworth has six members, which include
one Church Warden and one Deanery Synod Member.
The PCC meets on alternate months. The age range of
the current PCC is over 40.
St Andrew’s Biggleswade
The PCC of Biggleswade has eighteen
members, which include the Vicar (Chair of
Deanery Synod), Reader (Lay Chair of
Deanery Synod), two further Deanery Synod
Representatives, two Churchwardens, twelve
voted PCC Members and one PCC Secretary.
The PCC meets every 6 weeks with a
Standing committee of Vicar, Church
Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary deciding
the Agenda for the PCC meeting and, if
necessary, making urgent decisions.
Biggleswade has a Child and Vulnerable Adult
Team and all those working in these areas
must have up-to-date DBS certificates. The
age range of the PCC is 20 years upwards
11. Ministerial Team
There are visiting
ordained ministers and
lay-readers who are
supporting with
services, prayer
meetings and pastoral
care within the
Benefice during the
Vacancy.
Biggleswade Ministerial Team consists of
Rev. Guy Scott, Rural Dean and 4 readers:
Rosemary Bentley (Deanery Lay Chair)
Colin Dixon and
Christine and Tony Elcombe
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Dunton
A monthly Sunday Club is held. The current age range is from reception to young teenager and
the average attendance is 12. The club is faith based with prayers and a Bible story on which
games and crafts are based. Recently there has been some success in maintaining attendance
after young people move up to Middle school. During the summer a Holiday Club is run on 3
mornings at the church, with a trip out on the fourth day.
Little Angels is a group for carers and toddlers. The format is faith-based with stories, songs
and play. Although attendance has dropped we are working to engage with families.
There is a small choir which robes for services.
Friends of Dunton Church support the church by organising fundraising events including social
evenings, Harvest Supper, cream teas and carol singing around the village.
Eyeworth Ad-hoc coffee mornings are held throughout
the year. These are all well attended by
most ages.
Wrestlingworth Monthly coffee mornings and afternoon teas
are held. These are well attended by the
local community.
12. Organisations
Biggleswade 10+ for children in school year 5 and above.
14+ for children in school year 9 and above.
Both groups enjoy a very varied programme of activities including games and trips out.
St. Andrew’s also supports uniformed groups of Rainbows, Brownies and Guides.
A Holiday Club is held in the Summer, when 180 children make lots of noise, enjoy activities, games and crafts linked to a Christian theme during the first three days, followed by a trip out on the fourth day.
St Andrew’s has a broad musical tradition. There is a robed choir which sings at the 10.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. Sunday Services and on other special occasions, which is accompanied by the rich tones of the newly refurbished traditional church organ.
The musicians of the St. Andrew’s band lead the modern songs of worship during the Family Communion and some other services.
The bell-ringers ring for the main services on Sundays and celebratory and special occasions. The bell tower has 10 bells and is a training facility.
The Friends of St. Andrew’s supports the continuing restoration of the church building.
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All Saints, Eyeworth The church is a Grade I listed building originating from about 1320 AD and added to in the 15th century with some major repairs done in the 18th century. The steeple was struck by lightning in 1967 which resulted in the demolition of the tall steeple but did allow the use of modern materials that have improved the floor and heating. Of particular interest are the monuments to the Anderson family, a stained-glass window in memory of the daughter of Viscount Peel of Sandy, and a memorial plaque to the Reverend Maurice Peel who died in action in 1917.
13. Buildings
St Mary Magdalene, Dunton
The church is a Grade II* listed building first mentioned in 1189 when Richard I confirmed its possession to the priory of Holywell in Middlesex. The building of the present Church started about 1330 with the nave, chancel, tower and south aisle using grey ‘clunch’ stone from Burwell near Cambridge for window moulding. It was not until the early 15th century that the north aisle and arcade of the nave were constructed. It was at this time that the clerestory windows over the nave arcades were added and a shallow roof constructed over the nave. All priority 1 items from 2013 quinquennial have now been completed. The 2018
quinquennial identified urgent masonry repairs needed to east window in south
aisle and a chancel buttress. In addition, plant growth on turret should be
removed and stone work repaired.
All priority 1 items from 2013 quinquennial have now been
completed. The 2018 quinquennial identified urgent masonry
repairs needed to east window in south aisle and a chancel
buttress. In addition plant growth on turret should be removed
and stone work repaired.
St Peter's, Wrestlingworth
The church is a Grade I listed building built of sandstone, flint and clunch. The original construction of an aisle-less nave and chancel dates from the 12th century, parts of which are still visible. The south aisle was added in the early 13th century and the north aisle towards the end. About 1330, the chancel was remodelled, and a new chancel arch built. The tower and turret were added in the 14th and 15th centuries and the clerestory in around 1500. The last
addition was a Victorian porch to the south door. The 19th century
seating was replaced with chairs in 2009. The quinquennial inspection report of 2017 highlighted the turret and windows as high priority restoration projects. In October 2018 a large quantity of lead was stolen from the roof. Sourcing and funding a suitable replacement is now a priority.
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St Andrew’s Biggleswade
This is a Grade II* building. The manor of Biggleswade was first given to
Lincoln cathedral in 1132 and by 1200 the building became a Royal
Peculiar and consisted of a small part of the south aisle and the priest’s
room for visiting friars. The church had first vicar in 1262. At the arrival
of John Rudying in 1467, the north wing was added and therefore the
made body of the church became roughly the size it is now. He added
his own tomb in the Chancel but it has never been used. In 1687 the
original tower fell down and a new tower was built in 1720 using grey
ashlar stone, with the base still as the body of the church made of dark
ironstone rubble. The tower now has 10 bells and is used a training
facility. The church was used as a refuge when in 1785 a fire destroyed
over 100 dwellings in the town. During the 1870’s the church was
reorganised with the building of the Choir vestry and the pews were put
in. The east window, north stained glass window and three south
stained glass windows replaced old windows. Behind the vicar’s stall
there is a “Leper’s window” replacing the original doors.
The Vestry was added in
1954 after a fire in the
Chancel and in same year
two more stained glass
windows were added near
the Memorial altar. In
2000 the “Millennium
window” replaced a plain
window and this portrays
some of Biggleswade
history and old buildings.
St. Andrew’s has new
interior doors and
disabled access south
doors. These lead to the
hall which has three
separate rooms using its
divider. If the divider is
removed two of the rooms
become one large space.
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The current benefice arrangement for paying the stipend contribution of the parish share splits it between the three
parishes: Dunton – 40%, Wrestlingworth – 40%, Eyeworth- 20%. Both Wrestlingworth and Eyeworth have received Pastoral
Aid Support Grants (PASG) from the Diocese for several years. Parish shares for 2019, as adjusted for PASG, are as
follows:
Dunton £18,659
Wrestlingworth £14,763
Eyeworth £ 3,353
Biggleswade £73,924
The parishes have paid their Parish Share, albeit with the aid of PASG where granted, for the last few years with two
exceptions: Wrestlingworth in 2016 and 2018 and Eyeworth in 2017.
Summary of latest audited accounts:
BIGGLESWADE DUNTON EYEWORTH WRESTLINGWORTH
Income from giving,
including gift aid
80,273 23,849 1,364 10,413
Income from fundraising 19,391 4,651 539 948
Other income 162,276 8,853 15,618 21,444
Total income
261,940
See Note 1
37,353 17,521
See Note 2
32,805
See Note 3
Parish share 71,491 18,659 2843 10,163
Other expenditure 182,844 14,062 21,240 15,334
Total Expenditure 254,335
See Note 1
32,721 24,083
See Note 2
25,497
See Note 3
Charities supported See Note 4 Christian Aid, The
Bishop’s Harvest
Appeal, Children’s
Society (Christingle
Service)
Christian Aid
Milton Children’s
Hospice
Christian Aid, The
Royal British Legion,
The Bishop’s Harvest
Appeal
Note 1 – This includes income and costs associated with the organ repairs and south doors exceeding £99,000.
Note 2 - This includes grants and costs associated with roof repairs exceeding £19,000.
Note 3 – This includes costs and grants associated with ongoing roof repairs exceeding £17,000.
Note 4 - Charities Supported
Hands at Work: parish partnership with Mafambisa community in South Africa including annual visits
Christian Aid
Bishop's Harvest Appeal
Children's Society [Christingle Service and collection boxes]
Christmas Toy Service
Leprosy Mission [collection boxes]
Save the Children Yemen Appeal £1000
Hands at Work rebuilding Cyclone Appeal £1600
Lent USPG
250 Shoe boxes sent through Operation Christmas Child
St Andrew’s pay for part time secretarial support. There is no support expenditure in the village parishes
EXPENSES OF OFFICE
Clergy expenses are met in full.
14 /15. Finance & Expenses of Office
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17. Strengths and Opportunities
16. Communications
There is a weekly notice sheet which is used in services listing the readings, current and future events across the parishes. The 'A Church Near You' website is used to provide information about the three churches. Dunton publishes a monthly Parish Newsletter and advertises in the Dunton News Magazine. Eyeworth and Wrestlingworth use the Village Link magazine to keep the community informed about key news and dates. Facebook enables the Benefice to reach a wider audience, and times of services appear in the Biggleswade Chronicle. Dunton’s website is www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7686/ Wrestlingworth’s website is www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7696/
St. Andrew’s produces a weekly notice sheet and a sheet which contains all
the readings for each Sunday.
There is a Monthly Magazine which includes a letter from one of the
Ministry Team.
The website is under review and will be updated in the near future.
www.biggleswadeparishchurch.co.uk
Within the Benefice each church is friendly and
welcoming, with a faithful core of worshippers. Making worship more accessible and inclusive
to all in order to grow our church family.
The churches reach out to engage with
the local community in faith and love.
We have a monthly Bible Study, Lent courses
and prayer groups within the Benefice.
We are not afraid to try
new forms of worship.
We are continuing to develop
more Benefice-wide activities.
St Mary Magdalene has a
strong and thriving LMDT. Building on our work with children and association with
local schools to make us more relevant to children.
We need a wider age range of people to help
support the Benefice.
Developing the fabric of our churches to give
us more amenities for our communities.
Enabling us to speak with confidence about our faith and bring
others to faith by example; developing our lay ministry.
Maintaining the fabric of our beautiful historic
churches remains a priority.
In Biggleswade we have begun to develop a
church community within new residential areas.
Reaching New People through Mother’s Union activities such as
Drop in Coffee and Play sessions for parents and toddlers. We look forward to
increased ministerial support
To take existing groups into the wider
community beyond church buildings.
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18. Priorities for the next Five Years
1. Growing Together
A priority for integration, finding ways of
working and sharing together.
2. Sunday Worship
To continue to develop skills in the way
we lead services, to make them more
accessible.
To be innovative and daring in how we
explore and include all in our worship.
• 3. Children and Young People
To build on the existing strengths and
successes of our current work.
To work with our church schools through
Open the Book, good communications and
shared resources
• 4. Continue to sustain the contacts made in the community by trying out new initiatives such as Café Church (at Wrestlingworth), Lunch Clubs, and Saturday Family Breakfasts with worship themes and craft activities.
5. To plan for change, including
possible church re-ordering in
Dunton and Biggleswade, in
appropriate ways in order that we
may fully engage in transforming
worship, as well as in mission and
service to the wider communities.