PROFILE

TheUnitedBeneficeof

TrinityChurch,Sissinghurst

with

St.Mary’sChurch,Frittenden

Allenquiriesaboutthisvacancyshouldbeaddressedto:TheRevdJohnCoyne,PatronageLeadershipSpecialist,CPASEmail:jcoyne@cpas.org.uk

Sissinghurstwebsite:www.trinitychurch-sissinghurst.org.uk Frittendenwebsite:www.frittendenchurch.org.uk

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ContentsPage

1. OurVision 3

2. OurSpirit 3

3. OurHopesfortheFuture 3

4. WhatdowewantournewIncumbenttodo? 4

5. OurBenefice 5

6. OurChurches-TrinityChurch,Sissinghurst 7

7. OurChurches-StMary’sChurch,Frittenden 12

8. Workingtogether 18

9. TheRectory 19

10. OurPrimarySchools 20

11. SecondaryEducation 21

12. Transportlinks 21

13. Shopping 21

14. AFinalMessagefromtheWardens 22

15. Usefullinks 22

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1. OurVision

‘WearecommittedtobringingtheGospelandtheloveofChristtoallinourcommunities.’

Atourpre-vacancymeetingPCCmemberswereaskedtonotedownwhattheywouldliketoseeinthechurchesonpostitnotes.Aselectionoftheseareincludedthroughouttheprofileasblue‘postit’notes.

2. OurSpiritFrittendenandSissinghurstChurchesareblessedwithcoresofstrong,committedandprayerfulChristians.Wedescribeourselvesasdedicated,friendly,caring,andenthusiastic.Althoughtraditionalandlowchurchinourchurchmanship,wearealsoevangelicalinwantingtoreachouttoourcommunitiesandareopenmindedabouthowtodothis.Weareambitioustomoveforwardandarekeentoseeourchurchesflourishingandfurtherengagingpositivelywiththecommunity.WeareinvolvedintheDiocesaninitiatives,‘Changedlives,changinglives’andhopetojointhe‘MissionalLearningCommunities’initiativewithournewIncumbent,togiveustheconfidenceandthetoolstomakeadifference.OurschoolsalsohaveastrongChristianethos.ThishasbeenstrengthenedinthelastfiveyearsandissomethingthatistreasuredbyboththeChurchesandschools.

3. OurHopesfortheFutureSissinghurstandFrittendenaresmallbutvibrantvillagesintheWealdDeanery.Eachchurchhasadistinctidentitybutverymuchcomplementeachothersharingawarmandcaringrelationship.Althoughwehavebeenaunitedbeneficesince1973thechurcheshaveoperatedmoreorlessindependentlyovertheyears,withonlyafewcombinedevents,suchasjointservicesonMaundyThursday,GoodFriday,AscensionDayandAdvent.Wearenowcommittedtoworkmuchmorecloselytogetherand,withtheencouragementoftheArchdeacon,thePCCshaveagreedthat,asapossiblenextstepweshouldlookatcombiningthetwoparishesintoone.ThisisajourneyweareonandpresentsopportunitiesforournewIncumbenttorealisethebenefitsofalargerteam,simpleradministrationandnewwaysofbeingchurch.Therecentsuccessofjointinitiatives,suchasMessyChurch,encouragesusonthisjourney.

What would you like to see in the church? – a

wider age range…

• A place where families are welcome and are

present.

• Helping families envisage how to bring God

into their homes and lives.

• Reaching across all ages and social situations.

• More young people coming to our church

regularly.

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AttheheartofourvisionforthefutureistheneedforclearbiblicalpreachingandteachingtoequipthecongregationtogooutandspreadthegoodnewsofJesusChristtoallinourcommunitiesandtolivelivesthatdisplaythetransformationalnatureofthegospel.Webelievethatthis,togetherwithandsupportedbyprayer,isfundamentaltofuturegrowth.BothvillageshavewellrespectedChurchofEnglandprimarySchoolsandourchurchesbasedinthecentreofeachvillageareverymuchtheheartofthecommunity.Despitethis,overthelastfewyearswehaveseenadeclineinthenumberofchildrenandyoungfamiliesattendingourmainservicesinbothchurchesandwehavebeenexperimentingwithotherwaysof‘doingchurch’toreachouttothesegroups.Thecombined‘MessyChurch’hasbeenasuccessinthisdirection.ThechallengeofcontinuingtorunservicesforthecurrentcongregationwhilstalsoreachingouttofamiliesandyoungerpeopleisoneinwhichweneednewideasandleadershipfromournewIncumbent.TheChurchiswellrespectedandvaluedinbothvillagesandbothchurchesworkhardtoreachoutandsupportthecommunities.Therearehoweverlimitedhumanresourcesfornewinitiativessoweneedtobecreativeinhowweworktogetherandlookfornewwaystodrawothersin.So,welooktoourfuturewithoptimism,andwepraythatournewIncumbentwillleadusforwardwithenergyandvisiontoachieveourgoals.Werecognisethatgrowthislikelytorequirechangeandarepreparedforthat.

4. WhatdowewantournewIncumbenttodo?

• Provideclear,visibleandprayerfulleadershipacrossthebenefice,groundedonastrongpersonalandcorporateprayerlife.

• Provideconcise,yetinspirationalbiblicalpreachingandteachingbasedonaprovenabilitytoconnect,energiseandencouragediscipleshipacrossawiderangeofparishioners.

• Bepresentandactiveinbothlocalschools,asafoundationgovernorandinleadingworship.Toreachbeyondthechildrentotheparentsandstafftostrengthenlinkswiththechurches.

• Bevisibleandpresentinbothcommunities,recognisingthevalueofpastoralvisitinginruralvillagesandofbeingatangiblepresencereadyandwillingtoconnectwithallpeople.Inparticular,toreachouttothe30-50agegroupandtheirfamilies.

• Todevelopthevisionoftwoparishesworkingtowardsbecomingone:challengeandinspiretheteamandreleasetalentandresourcestomakethishappen.

What would you like to see in the church? – focus

on the community…

• The people of the church looking out to the

needs of the community.

• An active church at the heart of the

community – serving and leading a

‘congregation’ much wider than the

committed regular worshippers.

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• Behappytoleadtraditionalandcontemporaryformsofworshipandbewillingtotrynewapproachestoconnectwiththosewhodon’tnormallycomeonaSunday.

Otherrelevantinformation:

• Asthereisnopublictransportlinkingthetwovillages,accesstoacarandanabilitytodriveisessential.Reasonableexpenseswillbereimbursed.

5. OurBeneficeThevillagesaresituatedthreemilesfromeachotherinthepicturesqueWealdofKent.Thecommunitiesareamixoffarming,retired,professionals,includingcommuterstoLondon,andfamilieswhohavebeenintheareaforgenerations.Demographicsofthevillages:ThewardofFrittendenandSissinghursthasapopulationof2,180inthe2011census.Justunderaquarterofthepopulationareunder19,justoveraquarterare65+andthereisadipinadultsage20-39.Over2,000ofthepopulationin2011werebornintheUKandover99%areethnicallywhite.Inthatcensusover1500peopledescribedthemselvesasChristianbutunfortunately,theydon’tallcometochurchregularly…yet!SissinghurstThevillageissituatedontheA262midwaybetweenGoudhurstandBiddenden.Thepopulationofsomethingover1100peopleisspreadoversome500homes.TheprettysmalltownofCranbrookisnearby.Manyofthehouseswhichmakeupthevillageareonthemainroadalthoughtherearenewerdevelopmentstothenorth.Theareaisnotableformanyfinehistoricalhomesandbuildingsandisaconservationarea.ThereisavillageshopwithPostOffice,anIndianTakeawayandanevent

cateringvenue.ThepopularMilkHousepubsuccessfullyrelaunchedsixyearsagounderitsnewname.

ThePrimarySchoolisverypopular.Itmovedintoamagnificentnewbuildingeightyearsago,includingapre-school.TherearenumerousvillageorganisationsincludingScoutsand

What would you like to see in the church? –

mission focus ….

• Outward-looking to the world (support

for other Christians and worldwide

needs).

• A church of action that carries out what

it talks about.

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Beavers,TennisClub,FootballClubandCricketClub,alongwithawiderangeofsocietiesandclubsandavillagehall.ThereisalsoaverypopularannualfeteinAugust.Sissinghursthasseenagradualincreaseinsizeoverthelast25yearsbuttherehasnowbeenalargernewhousingdevelopmentinSissinghurstoverthepastyearprovidingsome60newhomes,bothopenmarketand‘affordable’newhomes.Thereisthepossibilityofapproximatelyafurther80newhomesbeingdeveloped.CollectivelythesemaywellprovideopportunitiesfornewfamiliestocometoTrinityChurch.

SissinghurstCastleGardenwithitsworld-famousgardenisamilefromthecentreofthevillage.ItisoneoftheNationalTrust’smostpopularattractions.SissinghurstfallswithinTheHighWealdAreaofOutstandingNaturalBeauty.OtherlocalplacesofinterestincludetheprettymarkettownofTenterden,ScotneyCastle,BewlWater,BedgeburyForest,GreatDixterandRyeandthelovelybeachatCamberSands.

Sissinghurstisexpandingandwearelooking

forwardtoredevelopmentofthevillagehall.

FrittendenFrittendenisaquietvillageofabout900people,some330houses,attheveryendoftheHighWeald.Itismainlyagriculturallandinterspersedwithpatchesofwoodlandandorchards,makingitadelightforramblersanddog-walkersandasafe,pleasantandverydesirableenvironmentforchildrentogrowupin.ThereisaPre-schoolandPrimaryschoollocatedinthecentreofthevillagewhichattractschildrenfrombothFrittendenandsurrounding

What would you like to see in the church?

– more outreach….

• Living and lively. • Meeting people where they are at. • A church reaching out to the

young, less able, old, sad, lonely, strong.

What would you like to see in the church? –

varied styles …

• Encouragement through preaching,

sharing and caring in the community –

prayerful.

• A place of welcome and learning.

• Churches together sharing a common

vision and purpose but with unique

distinctives for each village.

• A prayerful church ready to be surprised

by the answers it receives to prayer.

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villages.TheMemorialHallhostsmanyclubsandsocietiesandaCricketcluboperatesjustoutsidethecentreofthevillagewhichhostsaverypopularbonfirecelebrationeachyear.Farmingisthebiggest‘industry’inFrittendenwitharable,fruit,cattle,sheepanddairyfarmsaswellasalargeeggproductionfacility.Therearealsosomesmalllocalbusinessesincludingafencingprocessingplant,andonthewesternfringeoftheparishaplantcentre,signmanufacturer,atransportcaféandpub,theKnoxbridge.Therearealsoseveralself-employedpeopleinthevillage,aswellasmanyLondoncommuters.InthemiddleofFrittendenthereisawell-regardedresidentialcarehome,ausefulgarageandawell-runpub,theBellandJorrocks.Apostofficeoperatestwice-weeklyintheMemorialHall.Thereisanexcellentsenseofcommunityinthevillageanditisunusuallyinclusiveandsupportive.Frittenden’sveryactiveCommunityFacebookpageillustratesthecareandconcernshownforoneanotherinourvillage.

6. OurChurches-TrinityChurch,Sissinghurst

TrinityChurchwasfoundedin1838tomeetthe spiritual needs of the people ofSissinghurst (which was then called Milk-House Street). An original document statedthat:"...someanxiousfriendsoftheEstablishmenthavedetermined,withtheconsentoftheDiocesan,tobuildaChurchatMilkhouseStreet,beingthemostcentralsituationinwhichthepureandsimpletruthsoftheGospelmaybeheard.TheappointmentoftheMinisterwillbevestedinTrustees,astoinsureforever,asfaraspossible,theservicesofafaithfulMinister."In1973TrinitywasunitedwiththebeneficeofSt.Mary's,Frittenden.There isa longevangelical traditionandourbeliefsandpracticesremain“lowchurch”.TheElectoralRollnumbers56andusualSundayAttendanceisaround33adultsand5childrenbutcanriseconsiderablyonspecialoccasionsuptoamaximumcapacityofaround200.

Overthelastfiveyearswehaveaveragedperyear;

• Funerals:6• Weddings:2• Baptisms:3

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ThreepeoplefromSissinghurstwereconfirmedinSeptember2018attheDeaneryserviceheldatSt.Mary’sFrittenden.

Ourservices

Ourmainservicesat11.00ameachSundayareasfollows:1stSunday–AllAgeWorship2ndSunday–MorningPrayer(CommonWorship)3rdSunday–HolyCommunion(CommonWorship)4thSunday–MorningPrayer(CommonWorship)5thSunday–MorningPrayer(CommonWorship)Thereisalsoan8amBCP(1662)serviceonthe1stSundayofthemonth.

Ourworship

Music isplayedontheorganorelectricpiano. WeuseMissionPraiseandread fromtheNIV.ArobedchoirtakespartonoccasionalSundaysandmajorservices.

A PowerPoint screen presentationwith notices precedes each service and is occasionallyusedasapreachingaid.

Abouthalfthecongregationlivesoutsidetheparishandmaytravel6-7milestocometochurch.Thereareoldermembers,youngfamilies,butnotsomany50yearoldsorteenagers.Leadership&Participation

OurservicesarenormallyledbytheIncumbentwhopreachesonmostSundays.WehavealocalLayReaderwhopreachesonceamonth,aswellasothervisitingpreachers,includinglocalretiredclergyandrepresentativesofChristianorganisationsthatwesupport,twolaymembersandothersonspecialoccasions.

IntercessionsareledbylaymembersandfamiliesleadprayersatAllAgeWorship.

WehaveaverydedicatedteamrunningSundaySchoolwithtwogroups,oneforyoungchildrenAge3+andanotherforAge10+.Thishasattractedquiteafewyoungfamiliesintherecentpastbutishowevergoingthroughafallowpatchnowmakingthisanimportantprioritytoregenerate.

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WestartedamonthlyMessyChurchincollaborationwithSt.Mary’sFrittendeninJanuary2018(see“WorkingTogether”section.)

TherearetwoHomeGroupsoneonaThursdaymorningeveryweekandoneonaThursdayeveningeverytwoweeks,bothtakeplaceinmember’shomes.

Outreachtothecommunity

• A“Parent&ToddlersGroup”hasmetweeklyduringterm-timetillrecentlyandisduetoberesumed.

• OurOpentheBookteamcurrentlyleadswholeschoolCollectiveWorship,weekly,inSissinghurstPrimarySchoolfor160pupilsplusthestaffduringtermtime,see“WorkingTogether”sectionbelow.

• APrayerBreakfastintheParishRoomonthelastSaturdayofeachmonth.

• AmonthlypopularCoffeeMorningandbring-and-buysaleisheldintheParishRoom.Thisencouragesinteractionwiththevillageandraisesgoodsumsformissionsandcharities.

• TrinityCafé,heldintheParishRoom,providesaverypopularmonthlylunchforolderpeople.

• APastoralVisitingTeamvisitsthehousebound,sickandlonelymembersoftheparish.

• ThepopularSissinghurstParishmagazineisrunbythechurch.Itisprintedinfullcolourandcarriesmanyinterestingarticlesandlocalnewsaswellaschurchrelatedmatters.Itgetsdeliveredfreeto540homesintheParishandisfinanciallysupportedbyadvertisinganddonations.Italsoavailableonlineonthechurchwebsite.

• Amonthly“PopUpCafé"isbeingplannedinTheParishRoomforanyonetocomealongto.

• A‘Welcometoyournewhome’letterfromtheRectorandtheChurchwardensisdistributedtogetherwiththeParishMagazinetonewresidentsinthevillagegivingdetailsabouttheChurch,ChurchServicesandtheParishRooms.

• AnannualRogationWalktakesplaceinSissinghurstwhereweprayforvariouslocalbusinessesandcommunityorganisations,praisingGodandofferingfellowship.WeatherpermittingweendthewalkwithafamilypicnicaroundalakeatSissinghurstCastle.

• WealsohaveaFamilygatheringonceinthesummeratBewlWaterwherefamilieshaveapicnicandenjoyaninformalgameofcricketandotherballgames.

• Forthefirsttimein2018wehadaChristmasTreeFestivalinthechurch.Ithelpedtobringtogetherthecommunityandthechurch,with17localorganisationsdisplayingatree,

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andwasviewedasagreatsuccessraisingsome£2700towardstherefurbishmentofourParishRoomkitchen.Weplantoholdfurtherfestivalsinthefuture.

• Thereisalong-standingtraditionofCarolsingingroundthevillageinwhichasmallgroupofmembersandfamiliessing,raisingmoneyforthehomeless.Theeventendswithawell-attendedgatheringatTheMilkHousepub.

Widerlinkswithmissionorganisationsandcharities

Wesupportwithinterest,prayersandgiving:• RevEricandRhenaCloustoninIndiawithCMS. • CaptGrahamNunnofChurchArmyworkingin

schools.• Tearfund• TheChildren’sSociety

WearemembersoftheEvangelicalAlliance.Wesupportvariouscharitiesthroughourpopular10timesayearfundraisingCoffeeMorningevents.Charitiessupportedinclude:CMS,Fegans,Crossroads,KentSurrey&SussexAirAmbulance,Crossways,KentAssociationfortheBlind,LeonardCheshireDisability,HospiceintheWeald,CrisisatChristmas.

OurBuildings

Thechurchbuildingitselfis181yearsold,Grade2listedandingoodcondition.In1992therewasaconsiderablere-orderingoftheParishRoomincludinganewvestryandconnectinglinktothechurchbuilding.In2013thechurchwasentirelyre-decorated.In2016extensiverepairsanddesignimprovementswerecarriedoutonourParishRoom.In2017webenefittedfromaddingasuperbmajornewwingannexedtoourParishRoomgivingusafurthertworoomsforchurchandcommunityuse.Thewingwaspartoftheadjacentoldprimaryschoolthatwasvacatedsome8yearsagowhenitmoved

tobrandnewpremises.TheDioceseofCanterburyverykindlydonatedpartofthebuildingtoTrinityChurchtogetherwitharenovationbudget.ItwasofficiallyopenedbyTheBishopofDoverinJanuary2018andisusedforMessyChurch,SundaySchoolandotherchurchactivities.TheParishRoombeingthelargestofourchurchroomsisextensivelyusedbythechurch,outsideorganisationsandvillagegroups.In2019wehavecompletelyrefurbishedtheadjoiningkitchen.

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Wehaveconsideredusingthesmallerupstairsroominthenewwingasanoffice/meetingplaceinSissinghurstfortheIncumbent.

Thereisacemeteryalittlewayfromthechurch.Thisisadministeredbythelocalauthority,(Cranbrook&SissinghurstParishCouncil)thechurchhavingnograveyardofitsown.OurFinancesMostofourgivingisbyplannedstewardship.AStewardshipCampaignisheldeverythreeorfouryears.Althoughthereisalwaysaplateatthedoor,collectionsareonlytakenupduringtheserviceonspecialoccasionsandforcharities.WemeetourdiocesanParishshare,albeitwithlittletospare.Asummaryofthelasttwoyearsaccountsisshownbelow:

(AsuccessfulGiftdayaddressedtheexpecteddeficitin2019andrebuildingreserves)

The“FriendsofSissinghurstChurch”hasbeeninexistenceforabout10yearsandfinanciallygreatlyassistsuswithbuildingprojects,renovationsandrepairs.Manyexcitingprojectshavebeenmadepossiblewiththeirsupportincludingthecompleteredecorationofthechurchin2013,majorrepairsandalterationstotheParishRoomin2016,extensivenewoakcupboardsinthechurchin2017,thenewwingin2017,newflooringintheParishRoom2018,thenewkitchenintheParishRoom2019.

UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTALRECEIPTSRegularGiving 28,271 28,271 29,626 2,042 31,668Collections 1,920 1,119 3,039 3,207 3,207OtherGiving 902 902 493 493CoffeeMornings 1,452 1,452 1,547 1,547Taxrecovered 6,138 102 6,240 7,647 532 8,179ParishRoomHire 1,937 1,937 1,307 1,307Events 285 532 817 151 467 618SundryIncome 1,128 1,128 1,471 1,471Parishmagazine-surplus 808 808 413DesignatedAccounts 491 491 406TOTALRECEIPTS 40,581 4,504 45,085 43,902 5,407 48,490

EXPENSESParish&Ministry 37,791 37,791 36,018 36,018Churchexpenses 9,795 9,795 6,187 6,187CharitableGiving 3,513 3,513 4,818 4,818DesignatedAccounts 429 429 638TOTALEXPENSES 47,586 3,942 51,528 42,205 5,456 47,023

EXCESSOFRECEIPTSOVEREXPENSES (7,005) 562 (6,443) 1,697 (49) 1,467

2017TRINITYCHURCHSISSINGHURST-SUMMARYACCOUNTS

2018

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7. OurChurches-StMary’sFrittendenThemissionofStMary’sChurchistobringtheChristianmessagetothepeopleofFrittenden.Ithasbeendoingthisforover700years.Itaimstobethefocalpointinthelifeofourfriendlyvillage.

Atpresent,thereare75membersontheElectoralRoll,allbut6ofwhomareresidentintheparish.OurusualSundayattendanceisaround34adults,almostallofwhomliveinthevillage.

Overthelastfiveyears,wehaveaveragedperyear:

• 3Baptisms,• 2weddings,and• 5Funerals/intermentofashes

ThreeyoungpeoplefromourcongregationwereconfirmedatStMary’s,togetherwiththreefromSissinghurstandothersintheWealdDeanery,byBishopTrevorinSeptember2018.

Ourservices

Overamonthlycycle,weofferarangeofstylesofworshipsothatallwholovetheLordorareseekingtoexploretheChristianfaith,howevertentatively,canfindatimewhentheyfeelcomfortableinworshippingwithus.Wehaveoneprincipalactofworshipat9.30amonSundays,(toallowtheIncumbenttimetoreachSissinghurstforthe11amservice)andtheservicesfollowthefollowingpattern:

1stSunday HolyCommunion(1662) 2ndSunday AllAgeWorship 3rdSunday HolyCommunion(CommonWorship) 4thSunday MorningPrayer(CommonWorship) 5thSunday MorningPrayer(1662)

On2ndSundaythereisalsoan8.00amHolyCommunion(1662),butthisiscurrentlyunder review. OurWorship

OnmostSundaysmusicisprovidedbytheorganandledbyourchoir.Ourorganist,whojoinedusin2017,leadsthechoirandisdevelopingtheirrepertoire.Wefeel thatmusic, which has always been important to us,is nowa notable feature of ourworship. On 4th Sundays the choir sings a short anthem. The choir has a core of 10membersbutexpandsconsiderablyforspecialservices.

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InNovember2016,wemovedtousingthe2013editionofAncientandModern,HymnsandSongsforRefreshingWorship,agoodmixoftraditionalandnewhymns.

MusicforAllAgeWorshipisaccompaniedbyaClavinovasupportedbyasmallgroupofotherinstrumentalists.

OursuccessfulbandofBell-ringers,whoregularlyringthe8bellsinthetower,ringforhalfanhourbeforeeachservice.

Leadership&Participation

OurservicesareusuallyledbytheIncumbentwhopreachesonmostSundayswiththeLicensedReaderpreachingonceamonth.Visitingspeakers,includinglocalretiredclergyandrepresentativesofChristianorganisationswesupport,alsopreachonspecialoccasions.Anexcellentlaymemberalsopreachesfromtimetotime.RecentlywehavebeenfollowingtheLectionaryformostoftheyearbutinthepasthavehadamorethematicapproachtosermons,whichwewouldbehappytoreturnto.Wevaluebiblically-basedpreachingandpracticalapplication,drawnfromthoughtfulandsensitivestudyofscripture.Intercessionsareledbyasmallgroupofmembersofthecongregation.Alllessonsarereadbylaity.Priortothelastinterregnum,in2012,aMinistryLeadershipTeamwasestablishedtotakeresponsibilityforkeymissionalactivities.ThiswasverysuccessfulandhasnowevolvedtobeaparallelmeetingtothePCC,meetingfourtimesayear,wherethefocuscanbeonnewideasandinitiatives,unencumberedbytheminutiaeofthenormalPCCmeeting.ThereisinevitablyanoverlapinthemembershipbutthenotesofthemeetingsarepartofthePCCagenda.

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OurSundayClubisheldonthe1st,3rd,4thand5thSundays,forchildrenage3-10.Childrenre-jointheirparentsforCommunionorinthefinalhymn.Theaverageattendanceofchildrenage0-16was2to3in2018,butsadlythereareSundayswhen,becauseofthelackofprimaryagechildren,thereisnocallfortheSundayClub.

OnthefirstandthirdWednesdays,asimplehalf-hourreflectiveserviceisheld,ledbyourLayReader.ItiscalledS.P.A.C.E.,standingforSilencePrayerAndCommunion,Endingat9.30.TheRectorusuallyattendstheseservicesandpresidesatHolyCommunion.

MessyChurchinthebeneficehasalwaysbeenajointventuresinceitslaunchinJanuary 2018.HoweversinceFebruary2019Frittendenhasnowbegunhostingiteveryothermonth onaSaturdayafternoon.[Seebelow-WorkingTogether.]

AHomeGroupmeetseachweekusuallyinamember’shome,butrecentlythewholegroupattendedaseriesofVideolecturesheldatGoudhurstChurch,aspartoftheWealdSchoolofTheology.OneortwoLentGroupsreplacestheHomegroupduringLent.

MovingMountainsmeetsonthefirstMondayofthemonthintheChurchtoprayfortheneedsoftheParishandthewiderworld.WednesdayQuestiontimeisanewventurereachingouttothosebothintheChurchandonthefringesorbeyond.Weareholdingaseriesofthreeeveningsessionslookingatquestionssuchas“Doesthescaleanddepthofhumansufferingcallintoquestiontheexistenceofanall-powerfulgoodGod?”

Outreachtothecommunity

WhathappensinChurchisimportant,butwhathappensoutsideChurchisvitalandwhere wemayfindouropportunityformission,ourfrontline.

Open the Book is a weekly dramatization, with costumes and props, of a bible story atwhole school collectiveworship in FrittendenPrimary School for100pupilsplus the staffduringtermtime.[Seebelow-WorkingTogether.]

Thereisawell-establishedandactivePrayerChainwithoverfortypeoplecommittedtoprayingforneedsthatarecirculatedbyemail.Runbythelaityitisalsoknownbynon-churchgoersinthevillagewho,fromtimetotimereferpeopleforprayer.Permissionisalwayssoughtinadvancethattherecipientishappytobeprayedfor.

Coffee+wasarecentinitiative.Itwassupposedtobeanopportunityforparentstogettogetherafterschool/pre-schooldropoff,forcoffeeandcake,tomeetandchatinthesocialspaceoftheChurch.Howeverthisdidn’tproveverypopularsoceasedbutwearestilllookingatwhetherthiscouldbeadaptedtoreachthewidercommunity.

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TwiceayearthechurchputsonaCommunityLunchinthevillageMemorialHall.Thisisafreeeventforaroundeightypeoplefromthevillage,includingfolkfromLarchmere.Sometimeschildrenfromtheschoolcomeacrosstosingtotheguestsafterlunch.

MembersoftheChurchstartedaYouthClubwhichisnowrunverysuccessfullybytheYMCA intheMemorialhall,everyFriday,throughouttheyear,from6-8pm.Itcurrentlycaters,forapprox.20+childrenage10-14.

TwiceamonthmembersoftheChurchvisitLarchmere,thelocalresidentialcarehome,firstlyforamonthlyCommunionserviceandsecondlyforamoreinformaltimeofhymnsinging.AParishMagazineisproduced10timesayearbytheChurchanditcontainsmanyreportsandarticlesaboutthewidervillage.Itisdeliveredto220homes.

CAMEO(ComeAndMeetEachOther)providesmorningtea/coffeeonceamonthaimedat thoseolderormoreisolatedmembersofourcommunity.

AnannualRogationWalkusuallytakesplace,prayingforlocalfarmsandbusinessesinthevillage,praisingGodandofferinganopportunityforfellowship,oftenendingupatourfamilyfriendlypub.

CarolSingingroundthevillage,isaverylongstandingtradition,inwhichasmallgroupfromthechurchsingsatnearlyhalfthehousesinthevillageduringtheweekbeforeChristmas,raisingmoneyforchildren’scharities.

ThechurchalsoorganisesaChristmasFayrewhichhasbecomeavillagesocialevent,asmuchasafundraiserforthechurch.In2018,£2200wasraisedforthechurch.

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Ajointchurch-villageworkingpartymaintainstheMillLaneBurialGround,whichisnowmanagedonawildlife-friendlybasis.Thechurchyardsurroundingthechurchisnowclosedfornewburials,thoughtherearestillplotsavailablefortheintermentofcrematedremains.ChurchburialsnowtakeplaceintheMillLaneBurialground,whichislegallyanextensiontotheChurchyard.

Widerlinkswithmissionorganisationsandcharities

ThePCCiscurrentlyreviewingtheorganisationswearesupportingtobringaclearerfocus.OurgivinghasbeenlargelythroughdedicatedSundaycollections,specialappealsduringLentandatHarvestandwhenwehavehadavisitingspeaker.Inthelastfewyearswehavesupportedthefollowing:

Tearfund;EmbracetheMiddleEast;Fegans;ChurchArmy–GrahamNunnFarmingCommunityNetwork;TheChildren’sSociety;LeprosyMissionMissionAviationFellowship;MaidstoneHomelessCare;OperationMobilisationChurchMissionSociety;TheWealdFamilyHub;CarefortheFamily;ScriptureUnionKenwardTrust;RoyalBritishLegion;CPASPatronage.

OurBuildings

TheattractiveGradeII*listedbuildinglargelydatestothe1840’s.Itisafineexampleofchurcharchitectureofthatperiod.However,untilrecentlyitdidn’tmeetthe21stCenturyneedswithnorunningwaterintheChurch.So,overthelast5yearstherehasbeenacomprehensiveseriesofworksthathasvastlyimprovedourfacilities.MostofthishasbeenfundedbylocalfundraisingbutwewerealsogreatlyhelpedbyaHeritagelotterygrantof£125,000.

• Theorganwasrenovatedandmoved.• Twotoiletswereinstalled,oneforthe

disabled.• Akitchenwasbuilt.• Our ‘Upperroom’wasbuiltabovethekitchenandtoiletsallowingforSundayClub

andmeetingstotakeplaceintheChurch.• Floorswere levelled in thechurch toallowbetteraccessibilityandabankofpews

wereremovedtocreateasocialspace.

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• Some stained-glass windows have been removed, restoredandreplaced.

• Leadworkontheroofandstoneworkonthetowerhasbeenrepaired.

Althoughthereisstillmore,relativelyminorwork,wewouldliketodo,theChurchisinagoodstateofrepairandisstructurallysound.

OurFinances

St.Mary’shasalwaysfullymetitsfinancialcommitmentsandensuredthatasaParishwearegenerousinsupportinghomeandoverseasmissions.Asummaryofthelasttwoyears’accountsisshownbelow:

Note:The2017and2018resultsaredistortedbylargereceiptsandpaymentsfortherestorationandrenovationprojects.However,inbothyears,weachievedaneverydaysurplusofincomeoverexpenseswhichwasinexcessof£8,500.

UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTALRECEIPTSREGULAR&TAXEFFICIENTGIVING 30,490 30,490 31,680 31,680COLLECTIONS 10,065 8,579 18,644 10,271 6,992 17,263OTHERVOLUNTARYRECEIPTS 11,335 77,411 88,746 8,703 171,910 180,613TAXRECOVERED 9,684 31,500 41,184 7,305 45,136 52,441EVENTS 2,415 1,487 3,902 2,401 1,478 3,879CHURCHACTIVITIES 2,327 2,327 2,031 2,031OTHERINCOME 2,481 2,481 5,168 5,168TOTALRECEIPTS 68,797 118,977 187,774 67,559 225,516 293,075

EXPENSES PARISHSHARE 34,869 35,953 35,953MINISTRYEXPENSES 2,360 2,733CHURCHRUNNINGEXPENSES 12,413 132,100 144,513 9,207 208,323 217,530UPKEEPOFSERVICES 2,722 2,722 1,315 1,315OTHEREXPENSES 24,863 60 11,381 60CHARITABLEGIVING 2,800 11,146 13,946 1,000 9,491 10,491TOTALPAYMENTS 80,027 143,306 223,333 61,589 217,874 279,463

- -EXCESSOFRECEIPTSOVERPAYMENTS (11,230) (24,329) (35,559) 5,970 7,642 13,612

20172018STMARYS'S-SUMMARYACCOUNTS

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8. WorkingTogether

Inrecentyearsthreejointmissionalactivitieshavedevelopedinthebenefice:“OpentheBook”

Thefirstis“OpentheBook”fromtheBibleSociety.Our Open the Book teams lead whole schoolCollective Worship in both schools each week,acting out a Bible story in costumes using simpleprops, children participating, a narrator, anappropriate worship song or hymn and a shortprayer. Volunteers from Year 1 right through toYear 6 are keen to participate. Two teams ofvolunteers from the two churches act out thestories, but the planning and props are a sharedresource. There are about ten people from bothSissinghurst and Frittenden Church who regularlytakepartintheseassemblies.

OpentheBookisverywellreceivedbythechildrenandtheschoolanditiscurrently,alongwithMessyChurch,oneofthehighlightsofourChurches’mission.WearekeentoseethiscontinueandwouldwelcomeinvolvementfromournewIncumbent.

MessyChurch

SinceJanuary2018MessyChurchhasbeenoperatingmonthlyonaSundayafternoon,runbyajointteamofFrittendenandSissinghurstchurchmembers.Itfollowsthecommonformatofactivities,atimeofstorytellingandworshiptogether,followedbytea.AtthelastMessyChurchwehad11adultsand15children,representingsome8families.Forthefirstyear,ittookplaceonlyinSissinghursthowevernowithasbecomeestablishedwearerunningitonalternatemonthsinFrittendenonaSaturday

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afternoon.OuraimistobuildonthecoreoffamilieswhohavebeenattendingatSissinghurstanddrawinnewfamiliesfromFrittendenandthattheywillallfeelcomfortablecomingtoboth.Men’sBreakfast

Overrecentyearsmen’sbreakfastshavebeenheldeitherinthepubinFrittendenorintheParishroominSissinghurst.SpeakerstalkusuallyabouttheirlifeasaChristianinthefieldofworkandspeakershavecomefromawidevarietyofbackgroundsincluding,thecharitablesector,theprofessionsandthemilitary.InMarchabreakfastwasheldinFrittendenwithover30attending,someregularchurchgoers,othersnot.ThespeakerwasIanSoars,CEOofFegans,lookingattheissueofyoungpeople’smentalhealth.

9. TheRectoryTheRectoryissituatedalmostimmediatelyoppositethechurchinTheStreet,Frittenden.Thehouseisaspacious,comfortablefamilyhome.Itwasbuiltinthe1890sandisknownasOakleavesCottage.AstudyfortheIncumbentandakitchen/dinerwereaddedinthe1980s.The“new”mainentranceistothesideofthehouse,nexttothestudy.Theoriginalfrontdoorisnotinuseandtheinnerporchprovidesusefulstorage.

Thelargelounge(orlounge/diner)runsacrossthewholewidthofthehousewithtwosetsofwindowstothefrontandfurtherwindowstoeachside,providingalight,airyspacewithanopenfireatoneend.Adjacenttotheloungeisasmalldiningroom/extrastudy/playroomwithaFrenchdooropeningontothegarden.Thisroomcanbeaccessedfromthehallorthekitchen.Alsooffthehallthereisadownstairscloakroom,includingashowerandusefulfullheight,shelvedfitted

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cupboardforstorage.Thekitchenisspacious,equippedwithplentyofcupboardsanddrawers,adishwasherandintegratedelectricovenandhob.Fromthewindowsonthreesidesthereareattractiveviewsoverthegardenandbeyondtothecountryside.Thegoodsizestudyhasfittedbookshelveswithcupboardsunderneathallalongonewall.Onthefirstfloor,therearetwogood-sizeddoublebedrooms,eachwithfittedwardrobesandalargesingleroomwithasmallfittedcupboard.Thebathroomhasashoweroverthebathandaheatedtowelrail.Thetoiletisaseparateroomadjacent.Asecondstaircase

leadstothesecondfloorwheretherearetwofurther,spacious(bed)roomswithaccesstotheloftoneachside.

Outside-thereisasinglegarageonthesideofthe study and an attractive, south-facinggarden to the side of the house with a neathedge to the street for privacy. There is auseful garden shed, about three years old, attheotherend.

Heatingandhotwaterareprovidedbyanoil-

firedboiler(newin2013).Theoiltankisinthegardenanda‘watchman’indicatorisfittedin the kitchen to show the level in the tank. The Rectorywas extensively refurbished in2013andisingoodorder.

10. OurPrimarySchools

Manyoftheprimaryandsecondaryschoolsintheareaareregardedasexcellent.Frittenden(VC)CofEPrimarySchoolhasarollofabout100infourclassesandhasagoodreputationlocally,attractingchildrenfromneighbouringvillagesaswellaslocals.Thechurchmaintainsandvaluesitscloselinkswiththeschool.In2012,theschoolbuiltsomeexcellentnewfacilities–alargehall,library,ITroomandaccommodationforFrittendenPre-School.InthemostrecentOfsted(June2017)andSIAMS(March2018)inspectionstheschoolwasawardedthegrade“Good”.

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Sissinghurst(VA)CofESchoolwasformanyyearsadjacenttothechurchbutitwasrelocatedin2011tooutstandingnewpremiseshalfamileaway.Theschoolhasarollofaround160andhas6classesaswellasapre-schoollocatedonsite.Theschoolattractschildrenfromneighbouringvillagesaswellaslocals.SissinghurstSchool’smostrecentSIAMSinspectionReport(June2018)foundtheschooltobeOutstanding(inallfivecategories).Theschool’smostrecent(short)Ofstedinspection(February2018)reportedthat“theschoolcontinuestobeGood.”Bothschoolsholdregularservicesintheirrespectivechurches.Bothchurchesarewellrepresentedonthegoverningbodiesoftheseschools,includingtheRector(exofficioinboth),andwewouldhopethenewIncumbentwillcontinuewiththisimportantlink.

11. SecondaryEducation

InCranbrook,theHighWealdAcademyisamixedsecondarynon-selectiveschoolofjustunder400students.CranbrookSchoolisahighly-regardedSelectiveGrammarDayandBoardingSchoolforboysandgirlsaged11–18whichfeaturesinthetopleaguesofstateschools.TheRectoryfallswithinthecatchmentareaoftheseschools.ThereisalsoanexcellentChristiannon-selectivesecondaryschoolinTunbridgeWells-BennettMemorialDiocesanSchool.Childrenfrombothchurcheshaveattendedthisschoolovertheyears.TherearefurtherGrammarSchoolsinTunbridgeWells,Tonbridge,AshfordandMaidstone.HomewoodSchoolatTenterden,isalsowellregarded.

12. TransportlinksOutsidecommutinghoursthereisahalf-hourlytrainservicetoLondonfromStaplehurststation,whichisfourmilesaway.MosttrainsgotoLondonBridgeandCharingCross.ThejourneytimetoLondonis60minutes.SissinghursthasabusservicebutthecentreofFrittendendoesnot.

13. Shopping

ThereisasmallandfriendlyshopandPostOfficeinSissinghurst,aconveniencestoreatthelocalpetrolstationandagoodrangeofshopsintheprettytownofCranbrook,fourmilesfromFrittenden,includingaCo-opsupermarket.Banks,doctors,dentists,vetsetc.,canalsobefoundinCranbrook.ThepopularmarkettownofTenterden,ninemilesaway,offersawiderselection

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ofshops,cafes,supermarkets-includingWaitroseandTesco,goodrestaurantsandamarvellousSteamRailway.TunbridgeWells,18milesfromtheRectory,offersexcellentshoppingandentertainment.

14. AFinalMessagefromourWardens

“Thankyouforreadingthisprofile.WedobelievethatGodhas

someoneinmindforusandareprayingthatHisplanswillberevealedaswegoforwardtogether.IfyoufeelthatGodmaybecallingyouto

ourbenefice,pleasecontactourPatron,theChurchPastoralAidSociety.AverywarmwelcomeawaitsyouintheWealdofKent.”

15. UsefulLinksChurches:TrinityChurchSissinghurst-https://sites.google.com/view/trinitychurchStMary’sChurchFrittenden-https://frittendenchurch.org.ukSchools:Frittenden(VC)CofEPrimarySchool-https://www.frittenden.kent.sch.uk//Sissinghurst(VA)CofEPrimarySchool-https://www.sissinghurst.kent.sch.uk/CranbrookSchool-https://www.cranbrookschool.co.uk/HighWealdAcademy-https://www.highwealdacademy.kent.sch.uk/BennettMemorialDiocesanSchool-https://www.bennettmemorial.co.uk/ParishCouncils:FrittendenParishCouncil-http://frittendenpc.kentparishes.gov.uk/SissinghurstParishCouncil-https://cranbrookandsissinghurstpc.co.uk/

Clubs&Societies:FrittendenHistoricalSociety-http://frittendenhistoricalsociety.co.uk/FrittendenGardeningSociety-http://frittendengardeningsociety.co.uk/FrittendenWW1ArmisticeExhibition-https://www.frittendenarmistice.co.uk/

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SissinghurstCastleGarden–www.nationaltrust.org.ukSissinghurstScoutGroup-http://www.wealdscoutdistrict.org.uk/ SissinghurstCricketClub-http://www.sissinghurst.play-cricket.com/ SissinghurstTennisClub-https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/SissinghurstTennisClub