On Monday-Wednesday of next week, Galleywood Vicarage garden is going to become a slum. Inspired by "slum survivor", a ministry of the youth movement Soul Survivor, six young people are going to be building a slum out of plastic, corrugated iron and wooden pallettes, and living in it for three days and two nights. The rules are: no toiletries, no food except rice and lentils cooked over a camping stove, no coming indoors except for the toilet. It's about raising funds for slum dwellers in southern Africa (over £1000 raised so far), but it's also about standing in solidarity with those who have no option but to live like this every day and every freezing night. The media have already started to show an interest, but make sure you drop by and see them too. Don't bring them chocolate, though - it not allowed! Galleywood Vicarage is at 450 Beehive Lane (next to Thriftwood School).
Every parish in Chelmsford South Deanery was asked to produce a parish vision. Collating these and analysing every sentence and clause relating to vision, values, plans and strategies, a small team noticed that over half of these sentences and clauses related to one of three themes:
1. Equipping, training, inspiring and mobilising existing church members. Phrases such as "sharing the burden with a bigger core", "helping members to identify and utilise their spiritual gifts" and "every member a minister" were common. This was mentioned more often than any other theme by urban and rural congregations, "high" and "low" churches alike.
2. "Serving" and
3. evangelism (with their various synonyms) received exactly equal numbers mention from the parishes - more than any other theme except "equipping".
The "values" we identified were all also major themes in the parish vision documents.
Next, the vision to be presented for discussion at September's Synod, and some (minor) changes were made based on feedback received there and by subsequent correspondence. Every PCC is now being asked before November's synod to discuss it, identify which parts of the vision would be easiest and most difficult for their parish to embrace, and formally mandate their Deanery Representatives to vote for or against the Vision at Synod. We would also really appreciate it if at least one member of each PCC contributed either to this page or to the section of this website entitled "have your say".
Our Vision:
We look to God for power to EQUIP every member to
SERVE South Chelmsford and to
TELL of God’s love.
Our primary values:
-affirmation of God's delight and love for all creation
- worship that connects people with God through Christ
- working together across parochial boundaries and with our ecumenical partners
- a longing for more disciples for Jesus and the extension of God's Kingdom
- in all we are and all we do, to bring honourand glory to God
In adopting this statement of vision and values we intend that it will be central to deanery policies, actions and visitations. Also that it should be integral to the parishes, as each contributes to the vision for Chelmsford South. We will look for this vision to be owned by all those who make decisions on the allocation of resources in the deanery. We recognise that we are all part of a unified diocesan vision, and are committed to this.
How will this vision statement be used?
The great advantage of having a vision statement is that it can regulate every aspect of what we do - from the agenda at synods and chapter meetings to the questions asked at visitations.
In addition, the archdeacon has assured us that, if adopted by synod, this statement will be kept central to appointment of new clergy, appraisal, and pastoral organisation for the deanery.
In 2001 the Diocese of Chelmsford took part in the National Church Life Survey, which revealed the following percentages of church membership (based on 1,955 responses).
Age Range
Up to 19 ...... 3%
20-29 ...... 5%
30-39 ...... 12%
40-49 ...... 14%
50-59 ...... 19%
60-69 ...... 19%
70 plus ...... 28%
A survey of 3,500 members conducted in 2002/3 revealed, as might be expected, an increase in the 61-plus age-groups and a decline in the younger age groups:
Age Range
Up to 20 ...... 1.3%
21-30 ...... 3.7%
31-40 ...... 8.7%
41-50 ...... 13.1%
51-60 ...... 17.7%
61-70 ...... 21.2%
71 plus ...... 34.3%
By comparison, the age profile of the Diocese was as follows in 2001:
Age Range
Up to 19 ...... 6.1%
20-29 ...... 16.3%
30-44 ...... 29.0%
45-59 ...... 23.4%
60-74 ...... 15.9%
75 plus ...... 9.3%
Data from CAM. I'd be interested to know whether this is representative of Chelmsford South Deanery!
Revds Tudor and Tricia arrived at St Paul's Great Baddow with Harriet nearly eight years ago - Baddow's first ordained couple! Some of you may be surprised to discover that St Paul's was Tudor's church, as many children in Larkrise, Beehive Lane and Baddow Hall schools knew him through assemblies and special school services he held at St Mary's, at Christmas and Easter. Those who went always enjoyed them and learnt new things. Tudor was especially well known and loved at Larkrise where he was governor for many years. Tricia too was a governor for Beehive Lane School for a while.
At St Paul's Church itself, they brought change and creativity. Six years ago they started the 9.30 Sunday service (still going strong) for young children and their big people to come to. This innovative service, full of fun songs, bible stories and activities, just 30 minutes long, has been invaluable to many of us at St Paul's, providing a chance to worship alongside our children and to see the bible and God with fresh young eyes. From this they started the ALF club on a Friday for primary aged children. Then came Holiday Clubs in the summer with special children's activity mornings at Easter and Christmas. Another major innovation was Puppets. Tudor made his first puppet whilst a missionary in Peru from papiermâché. He now has an intriguing puppet family which can appear any time, any place, anywhere (even weddings)!
At St Paul's they ran the Alpha and Freedom in Christ courses, which have been a blessing to many people. Tricia has run a regular bible study with childcare on a Friday and has encouraged people into a deeper way of praying through her prayer groups. As if this isn't enough they've also taken St Paul's to 'New Wine', a big Christian conference in the summer.
They have been with St Paul's through the building work, upgrading the toilets and kitchen.
With Tudor being the Mayor's Chaplain last year, St Paul's had its grandest moment yet when all the councillors came for the Mayor’s farewell service.
Tudor, Tricia, Harriet and Theo will be missed greatly by us at St Paul's. Their welcome, warmth, sense of fun, and friendship is irreplaceable. They have worked tirelessly on our behalf. We wish them well as they head west to Lydiard Millicent, Swindon and begin their ministry there.
The Revd Mones Farah writes:
"It was a privilege to work and serve with the Revds Tudor and Tricia Roberts for the last 8 years here in Great Baddow. Through their time here they brought so many gifts to the team of clergy, to the parish and to the whole Diocese. Tudor and Tricia ministered with main responsibility for St Paul’s Church in Loftin Way, during their time there a renewed emphasis was placed upon the Alpha course and on children work.
"Two areas of ministries flourished at St Paul’s: seeing new people come to faith in Jesus through Alpha; and introducing and running summer holiday clubs, new youth work called Alf and a lot of school work through assemblies and other involvement in the life of the schools in St Paul’s area and beyond...
"After their eight years here they are moving now to the Diocese of Bristol, to a parish in the Swindon area. We shall miss them greatly as colleagues, friends and gifted members of the leadership team in the Parish, but we send them out to continue their amazing work for God and his church."
This article first appeared in "Baddow Life"; it is reproduced with permission.
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