THE BENEFICE

How the Benefice is currently organised.

THE STAFF TEAM comprises of the Rector, two OLM Priests, one OLM Deacon, two retired but very active Associate Priests, three Readers, one NSM ordinand, one Reader in Training, our part-time Youth Ministers and a several Lay Assistants. This group meets fortnightly.

THE BENEFICE ADMINISTRATOR. This is a paid appointment supported by the six PCCs. She acts AS THE Rector’s personal assistant, taking all the administrative work of the benefice as directed by the Rector.

THE CHURCHWARDENS’ MEETING is the business and administrative heart of the benefice and meets under the chairmanship of the Rector. The meeting acts as a very effective form of communication to the PCCs and all important initiatives come through these meetings.

THE MINISTRY TEAM acts as the spiritual hub of the benefice.

It endeavours to:-

The team consists of:-

The Rector

Ordained staff, Readers and those in training

One representative elected by each PCC at the APCM

Further members by invitation of the Rector to form a team of about sixteen. All terms of office to run from the APCM.

THE PCCS – to build up the church in each parish, but doing those things together that can be done more effectively in that way.

YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S WORK – An Earsham couple are our part-time Youth Ministers. Between them they work about 20 hours per week. Their stipend comes from direct giving from the congregations and the Earsham Church Trust. The Youth Ministers head up a Youth Task Group which has a brief to widen the scope of our Youth work across the benefice. The Youth Ministers lead our Youth Group and are involved in schools work. They are responsible for the co-ordination of after school clubs and the planning and management of our annual Holiday Club under the direction and authority of the Rector.

SCHOOL LINKS – There are three church school – Ditchingham VC Primary School, Earsham VA First School and Alburgh with Denton VC Primary School. The Rector is a governor at Ditchingham and at present has delegated her governor’s duties at the other schools to the two OLM’s. Assemblies are taken weekly at the three schools.

THE PATTERN OF SERVICES – We endeavour to ensure continuity of worship in each parish every Sunday, mostly at a regular time for each parish. Our services range from informal to traditional. Whilst not seeking to label ourselves, we have been used to evangelical, gently charismatic ministry. We are first and foremost, however, village churches with ‘fuzzy edges’ seeking to be welcoming to all and our pattern of worship reflects this.

PRAYER AND HEALING – Prayer ministry forms an integral part of the work here. There is a healing group, set up by the Ministry Team and developing healing services and prayer ministry. We have regular Morning Prayer in each of our churches on one day of each week. There are prayer triplets operating, a monthly prayer diary bringing the benefice together in prayer, a prayer chain and occasional half days/half nights of prayer.

PASTORAL CARE – Monthly services are held in the three residential homes. Bungay House in Broome, Scudamore Place in Ditchingham and The Moorings in Earsham.

HOME GROUPS – We have five, independently run groups at present, each with their own distinctive character and are all looking to expand.

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OUR CHURCHES

Click on the links below to view information about our churches

• Alburgh

• Broome

• Denton

• Ditchingham

• Earsham

• Hedenham


PEOPLE & CAUSES THAT WE SUPPORT

 

Please pray for Simon, Melissa, Charlotte and Matthew Snell as they have just moved to Bolivia to work for a Charity called Food for the Hungry UK. They are going to live there for the next 18 months. Here is what they have asked prayer for:
Growing trust in God's provision for us (Prov 3:1-6); Language training and adjusting to new culture in Bolivia; Children to settle and be happy adjusting to new life and culture;. Becoming effective in our work and establishing relationships;. Sufficient support to cover our expenses.