Parish Profile COMBE TO COMBE BENEFICE 2021

Parish Profile COMBE TO COMBE BENEFICE 2021

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CONTENTS

A MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHDEACON OF BARNSTAPLE -

INTRODUCING OUR PARISHES -

ROLE DESCRIPTION -

PERSON SPECIFICATION -

ST PHILIP & ST JAMES (PIP & JIM'S) ILFRACOMBE -

PIP & JIM’S - WHO WE ARE -

TOWN & COMMUNITY / PHOTOS -

PIP & JIM’S - WHAT WE DO -

COMMUNITY, NEIGHBOURS & US / PHOTOS -

PIP & JIM’S - WHERE WE ARE GOING -

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -

OUR BUILDINGS / PHOTOS -

ST PETER AD VINCULA, COMBE MARTIN -

ABOUT US -

OUR LOCATION -

COMBE MARTIN COMMUNITY EVENTS / PHOTOS

ST PETER’S, BERRYNARBOR -

OUR CHURCH -

OUR VILLAGE -

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A MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHDEACON OF BARNSTAPLE

This post presents a fantastic opportunity for an imaginative and creative

priest to work with a committed group of parishes seeking to deepen their

working together as a Mission Community, to bring together church and

community, and to grow in faith and discipleship. We would hope that the

right candidate will bring experience, energy and innovation to this role of

Vicar, as part of a committed ministry team, lay and ordained.

OUR DIOCESAN VISION

We seek to be people who together are:

Growing in Prayer

Prayer is conversation with God and is part of a healthy Christian

life. Prayer is a life-giving activity that opens up deep places within

us to God’s transforming grace. It is essential if we are to become the people and the Church God calls us to be:

Making new disciples

As the Christian story is less and less known, we must find new

ways of telling the story, of explaining the faith and giving a reason

for the hope that is in us. With Jesus Christ as our companion and

guide, we can travel through life differently.

Serving the people of Devon with joy

As followers of Jesus Christ, we want to make a difference in the

world and make God’s love and justice known. In our church life, we

seek to be local, participatory, and outward-looking.

Further information regarding our Diocesan Vision can be found in our

Next Steps document at

www.exeter.anglican.org/who-we-are/vision-strategy

LIVING IN MISSION COMMUNITIES

Our strategy centres on Mission Communities - parishes working together

to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ more effectively in Devon. The phrase

Mission Communities sums up what we need to be as a Church in the 21st

century: mission-orientated, community-focused, and locally-rooted.

Mission Communities help us to work together and support one another

better. They enable us to be more flexible in our mission and more

responsive to the different contexts and cultures of Devon.

A Mission Community aims to express the fullness of the life of the Church

locally. This will include:

regular prayer and worship pastoral care

evangelism and mission, often in collaboration with ecumenical

partners

opportunities for learning, teaching, nurture and growth for disciples of

all ages

youth and children’s work and worship

http://www.exeter.anglican.org/who-we-are/vision-strategy


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equipping members for ministry in the community and the local Church

connecting with the local community, especially in service to the poor

good administration and stewardship of time, resources and buildings

If our Mission Communities are to flourish, they need to be more than just

a structure. They need to live and embody the life of Jesus Christ and to

share that life with others. Jesus came so that we can have life in all its

fullness. That is our vision and our hope for the Church in Devon.

In this Profile, you will find something of the vision and challenges of this Mission Community. I commend it to your study and prayer as you seek

to discern your next step in ministry.

DEANERY AND DIOCESE

The Mission Community falls within the Archdeaconry of Barnstaple, and

so under the care of the Bishop of Crediton. The Mission Community is in

the Shirwell Deanery whose Rural Dean is The Rev’d Rosie Austin. Rosie

is a member of the Shirwell Ministry Team.

In the Diocese of Exeter, we are working together to live out our three

diocesan priorities - to grow in prayer, to make new disciples and to serve the people of Devon with joy. We aim to be a diverse and truly

representative diocese, and particularly welcome applications from

women and those from black and minority ethnic groups. Not only is

Devon a beautiful place to call home, but we believe the Diocese of Exeter

is a great community of which to be a part.

You are warmly invited to contact me directly if you would like a

confidential conversation about the post.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Diocese.

The Venerable Verena Breed

Archdeacon of Barnstaple


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INTRODUCING OUR PARISHES

Thank you for showing an interest in the position of vicar for the Combe

to Combe Benefice: St Philip and St James, llfracombe (Pip and Jim’s),

St Peter ad Vincula, Combe Martin and St Peter, Berrynarbor. We have

been a benefice for the last three years, and are looking forward to a new

season as a community of three churches.

St Philip and St James, Ilfracombe (known locally as Pip and Jim’s) is a

dramatic Victorian landmark in the harbour area of Ilfracombe; while the

medieval St Peter ad Vincula nestles at the top of the large coastal village

of Combe Martin, on the edge of Exmoor. St Peter, Berrynarbor is the

beautiful and historic focal point of this pretty village lying between

Combe Martin and Ilfracombe. Situated in this stunningly scenic part of North Devon, we belong to the

Coast and Combe Mission Community, which consists of nine churches

working together in the Shirwell Deanery: Pip and Jim’s, Holy Trinity and

St Peter in Ilfracombe; St Peter ad Vincula, Combe Martin, St Peter,

Berrynarbor, and St Peter, Bittadon; St Sabinus, Woolacombe, St

Matthew, Lee and St Mary, Mortehoe.

The Mission Community has a team of 2.5 full time clergy, one self

supporting associate priest, three retired clergy, and four readers. There

is a good relationship between the Anglican churches and clergy in the

area, and working with other clergy is a key part of our post. Within the

Mission Community our Combe to Combe Benefice has one full time vicar,

two retired clergy, one reader, a mental health lay worker and a number of people in lay ministry.

The creation of this profile has been a collaboration of the three Combe to

Combe Benefice PCCs. As congregations we have been praying that God

is already preparing the way for exactly the right woman or man to be

interested and available to come and lead us.

We are thankful to God for all that He has done in and through our

churches over recent years. We are optimistic and hopeful about the

possibilities that lie ahead. We recognise that this new chapter in the

lives of the three churches will mean transition and change. We wait

expectantly for the arrival of the individual whom God has led to help

move us forward.

Ephesians 3 v 20 ‘Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably

more than all we can ask or imagine …’

As a group of churches we hope most of all that you can sense the heart

of a people who dare to ask, dare to imagine and dare to believe.


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ROLE DESCRIPTION

The core tasks we have identified for the immediate future across the

three parishes are as follows:

Be an inspirational lead for our worship, preaching and

teaching. Help us to meet Jesus, providing space and opportunity for worship that is transformative and engaging of whatever style,

informal, contemporary or liturgical. Be open to Fresh Expressions.

Be a visible and active presence in each of our parish communities,

including the schools.

Provide strategic leadership and planning for the three

congregations.

Discern the gifts of church members, training and releasing them

for the various ministries, including through small groups.

Encourage ministry to children and young people and engage

with their parents. Train, support and release church members into

this work.

Enable and support teams to share pastoral care in each parish.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

We are looking for a leader who is aligned with the vision of each

congregation, who can demonstrate the following characteristics:

Passionate spirituality Is a prayerful and Spirit-led lover of Jesus,

who moves actively in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and who will inspire

others to be the same.

Empowering Leads and empowers church members to identify their

gifts through mentoring and training, so that the responsibility for

ministry is shared. Recognises that every ministry can be performed by

every member regardless of gender.

Evangelistic Creates opportunities for people to hear the gospel,

explore the Christian faith and become disciples.

Has good people skills Is an approachable people person,

comfortable building relationships in the community and recognised as

the ambassador for the three churches. Able to maintain and build

relationships with neighbouring congregations of all denominations.

Strategic thinker with good organisational skills Experienced in a leadership role and not afraid of dealing with challenging situations.

Can guide the leadership teams within each congregation in developing

effective strategies and structures to further their vision and mission.

Is prepared to delegate and use fully the gifts and ministries of non-

ordained leaders.


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ST PHILIP & ST JAMES, ILFRACOMBE

PARISH DESCRIPTION

PIP & JIM’S – WHO WE ARE

St Philip and St James Church is known by everyone in Ilfracombe as Pip

and Jim’s. We are in the Diocese of Exeter and the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) is our patron. We share our vicar with St Peter ad Vincula,

Combe Martin and St Peter, Berrynarbor.

OUR PURPOSE

Recently, the church members were called to prayer for God’s vision for

the congregation. In many ways it seemed like the opening of a new

chapter in the life of the community of Pip and Jim’s. We see the vision as

four themes, which we are continuing to unpack and embed during the

vacancy:

Building bridges

Changing culture

Finding faith

Growing community

..... together, because of Jesus.


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OUR CONGREGATION

We are an Anglican congregation in the evangelical tradition made up of

families with young children through all ages to retired people. We have

66 on the electoral roll. We are joined during the summer months by

numbers of visitors, many of whom holiday in Ilfracombe regularly and

return to worship with us whenever they stay here.

Our congregation is mainly resident within the town of Ilfracombe and

reflects the population of the town, with those who are from local families

joined by newly retired people who have chosen to settle in Ilfracombe

and a number who have moved to the area to work.

We come from a variety of worshipping traditions as well as Anglican, and

this brings a diversity of understanding and experience which is valued.

We have strong participation from the congregation in all our activities

including the PCC and committees, Sunday worship, children’s activities,

community outreach and small groups. The vicar is actively supported by

the churchwardens. There is also a part time parish administrator.

A wider group of local people in the town and parish look to Pip and Jim’s as their local parish church for their baptisms, weddings and funerals, and

attend Pip and Jim’s for the major festivals and particularly our popular

Christingle service. These longstanding links have been built up over

many years through the schools and our various community groups and

events.

The congregation is friendly and welcoming, and we place great

importance on ensuring that visitors feel comfortable and valued when they join us for worship.

OUR PARISH

Our vibrant and diverse parish sits within a coastal conservation area of

outstanding natural beauty, encompassing Ilfracombe’s working and

leisure harbour and quayside with its unique coastal charm. The parish

spans over the historic hill of Hillsborough to Hele, Chambercombe and

our rural areas. Situated on the pier you will find Damien Hirst’s statue of

Verity, along with a number of excellent restaurants and shops serving

our holidaymakers and locals alike. Within the area are the many local

organisations that we are connected with such as the RNLI, Sea Cadets,

Yacht, Gig, Dive and Sailing Clubs.

Our resident parish population of approximately 3000, sits within

Ilfracombe’s population of 11,184 (2011 parish census), rising

significantly in the tourist season. The town has a very strong community

feel with numerous clubs, associations and town events happening

throughout the year, giving our church many opportunities to join in.

In addition to our sister Anglican parish of Holy Trinity and St Peter’s,

Ilfracombe is home to Baptist, Roman Catholic, Methodist/United Reform,

Salvation Army, and two Independent Evangelical Churches. Members of


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Pip and Jim’s participate in various collaborative church activities including

Remembrance Day Service, Good Friday Walk of Witness, Befrienders and

Joint Churches Prayer.

OUR TOWN

Ilfracombe is a working commercial harbour and also has moorings for

local and visiting boats. In the summer, popular boat trips take visitors

along the coast and across the Bristol Channel to Lundy Island and South

Wales. Pip and Jim’s is situated in the midst of the holiday area between

the harbour and seafront, and is a familiar sight in the town. Besides

Ilfracombe’s many beaches, attractions include the Landmark Theatre,

Jubilee Gardens and bandstand, the museum and aquarium, with

wonderful walks in stunning scenery, including the South West coast path.

Ilfracombe also enjoys North Devon's only Green Flag award winning

park, Bicclescombe Park.

The town is gaining an increasing reputation for great food, and has two

Michelin starred restaurants. The Michelin inspector who visited the town’s

restaurants recently compared the town to Padstow - made famous by

celebrity chef Rick Stein - saying Ilfracombe looked set to give the

Cornish town ‘a run for its money’.

Ilfracombe has a good range of sporting facilities with all weather tennis

courts, a swimming pool, diving, gig racing, golf, football and rugby clubs.

Work has begun on a new Watersports Centre, due to be completed in

2022. This is an Arts-rich community with many galleries and creative

projects. There are three very active local amateur dramatic societies, a

community choir and many more clubs for both youth and adults.

Ilfracombe has a mixed economy and employment opportunities that

mainly centre around tourism. It is one of the more successful seaside

towns in helping itself regenerate. Evidence of this can be seen in the

reinvestment occurring in the town’s properties and the style of new

businesses working from home. However, there are pockets of severe

deprivation where there is a high dependence on benefits.

Ilfracombe Church of England Academy (11-18) serves a large catchment area from Woolacombe to Lynmouth and engages well with the

community, as do the Junior (CofE) and Infant Schools. Both Ilfracombe

parishes work with the schools. The local clergy attend assemblies in all

three schools.

The vicar of Pip & Jim’s is an ex officio trustee for ICE Ilfracombe

(Initiatives in Christian Education), a youth work charity jointly funded

and managed by the Academy and Ilfracombe churches. The project was initially set up in September 2014 through the school, Ilfracombe Anglican


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churches and the Diocese of Exeter. It is now supported by all nine

Ilfracombe churches and jointly funds a full time youth worker based at

the Academy, and also runs Delta, a youth drop in cafe in Ilfracombe High

Street. It has a number of trained volunteer team members who work

directly with young people at Delta and in the school, helping with

lunchtime Christian clubs and individual mentoring. Several members of

the congregation support ICE Ilfracombe as trustees, mentors to students

at the Academy or volunteer helpers at various youth events and groups.

OUR BUILDINGS

The Church was built in the 19th century and consecrated in 1854 and its

purpose was to serve the area of the quay and the crew of visiting boats,

along with the visitors. From the outset it has had a strong evangelical

tradition. It is a landmark within the town with its signature text

positioned on the spire beneath the clock, ‘It is time to seek the Lord’. The curtilege is also consecrated but does not have a churchyard. The

main area is used as a car park and also for various church events during

the summer months. It has a flower border and a shelter planting of holm

oaks. The imposing church building is in the Early English style and is

Grade 2* listed.

During recent years there has been some internal re-ordering to create

some more modern facilities at the west end. Currently this includes an

informal area with sofas, cafe style tables where we serve refreshments, a children’s play area and a disabled toilet. The recent staging at the front

of the nave has opened up many opportunities to use this area more

freely during services, and also for community events such as the annual

Academy concert. Our Flower Festival and Christmas Tree Festival make

wonderful use of the church’s spacious and inspiring interior.

The Pip and Jim’s Community Centre is situated alongside the church in St

James Place and is very important as a facility and venue for church activities, including the children’s work. It is hired out for numerous clubs

and events and is a key community venue in the vicinity.


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ILFRACOMBE - TOWN AND COMMUNITY

Bicclescombe Park – acres of beautiful

recreation spaces

Surveying our parish - looking West from Hele Bay along the

coast to Ilfracombe harbour and

Pip and Jim’s Church

Ilfracombe’s High Street on

a pre-Christmas afternoon

The lifeboat and harbour

with The Harbour Church


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PIP & JIM’S – WHAT WE DO

SUNDAY SERVICES

Sunday services start at 10.30am. The style is informal and robes are not usually worn. Most services have a high contribution from the

congregation through eg, leading, intercessions, readings. In addition to

our vicar we have a small team from the congregation who preach. Space

is provided at most services for testimony and stories of what God is

doing in the lives of the congregation. Prayer ministry is always available

each week by the small prayer team and this is an area of ministry that

we would like to expand. The service typically ends at around 12.00pm

and is followed by coffee and biscuits and a chance to chat and share.

Music is usually led by the sung worship team (guitars, keyboard, drums)

drawing on a wide repertoire of modern songs alongside traditional

hymns. Words and images for the service are projected onto a large

screen. When an organist is available the pipe organ makes a welcome

contribution to our music.

Holy Communion, on the first and third Sunday of the month, is often led

by one of the group of lay leaders, leaving the minister to celebrate the

Eucharist. We use a variety of versions of the Eucharist sourced from Common Worship and the Anglican website.

Morning Worship is frequently led by a member of the congregation.

Where a month contains a fifth Sunday, we meet with our partner

congregations at one of the three churches in the benefice.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

We care passionately about children at Pip and Jim’s and want them to

have fun, be safe and grow up knowing God loves them and that Jesus is

their friend.

Children’s church

At our Sunday worship services small children enjoy a variety of toys and

activities in their own attractive area at the back of the church, so their

parents are still able to participate in the service.

We are currently running sessions for the children each first and third

Sunday of the month. The children leave after the first few minutes for

their own activities in the well equipped and attractive children’s room in

the Community Centre, returning in time for Holy Communion with their

parents. Our children’s coordinator and helpers are committed to

presenting the Bible and Christian faith in an age-appropriate way.

Youth The youth work at Pip and Jim's is fairly new, and we are starting up

sessions for the young people, every first and third Sunday of the month.

Our aim is to encourage our young people to engage with the Bible, and

apply this to their lives. We want our young people to feel like they have


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a safe space to ask questions, to use these questions to lead our sessions

and help them grow in their own faith.

Parent & Toddler Group

Up until the Covid pandemic this group was a long serving, popular and

flourishing outreach attended by over 50 parents plus their children,

spread over two sessions once a week on a Monday in the Community

Centre during term time. This was overseen by a leader and a team of

committed helpers and much enjoyed by parents and children alike. Since Covid this work has been suspended, like many other activities, and

its future is uncertain. Time has moved on and the circumstances of our

leader and some of the team have changed. Coupled with the new

demands of safety and risk factors with regard to Covid we are having to

assess the situation. Parent and Toddler Group is something we have

valued over time and it would be sad not to resume it. However we have

to consider all aspects. We will be seeking God’s guidance as we consider

what the future may hold and what this group might look like should it

resume.

DISCIPLESHIP AND EVANGELISM

Home groups

Currently there are three home groups, which meet in homes in and

around the parish for Bible study and fellowship. The character of each

group is different although all share the aims of building friendships, deepening faith through Bible study, prayer and by sharing stories. At

times all the groups study the same material or theme eg, during Advent

or Lent. We believe small groups are a key way that the congregation can

‘make disciples’.

Pastoral team

The pastoral team is a small group of people who visit and support those

of the congregation who are in need. This includes the elderly who can’t get to church regularly and also those with particular needs, including by

providing meals after surgery or childbirth. Some of the team are able to

deliver Holy Communion at home to those who need it.

Prayer meetings

Monthly whole church prayer meetings are held on the first Wednesday

evening in the month. The style is varied and aims to allow space for

members with different approaches to prayer to come together to hear

from God and to intercede on behalf of others.

Other connect groups

Pip and Jim’s hosts a weekly lunch club as part of our reaching into the

community. We have a seasonal women’s walking group, which has fun

combining healthy activity with friendship building. There is a newly

purposed men’s group aimed at developing meaningful accountable

relationships between men.


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There are a number of people who work together on social events such as

quizzes, meals, coffee mornings, a 60's Night etc, and we wish to have

more of these, both for us at Pip & Jim's but also as opportunities to invite

folk to a 'not church' event.

In recent years, the church has hosted a weekend away for Pip and Jim’s,

Combe Martin and Berrynarbour congregations at Lee Abbey near Lynton.

Annual community events

We have a dedicated and talented team who put on our Pip and Jim’s

Flower Festival each August. It draws many people into the church

building and is a regular favourite with locals and tourists alike. There are

special church links with the RNLI and Ilfracombe’s Maritime Festival and

there is a Civic Service each year. Our very popular Pip and Jim’s

Christmas Tree Festival is part of the town’s lead up to Christmas, with

local traders and church members decorating trees, bringing large

numbers of people into our church and raising funds for local charities.

The year culminates with our own church Christmas services, including our traditional Christingle when the church is always packed! Ilfracombe

Academy holds its Christmas concert at Pip and Jim’s, along with music

and drama presentations through the year.

Car parking

The Church offers its car park for use by visitors (for payment) during the

summer. This unlikely outreach offers opportunities to share the love of

Jesus and to pray with visitors, in addition to being a welcome income stream. The car park also hosts a book exchange library.

Mission

10% of the general giving is contributed to a number of local and

international Christian based activities and charities to help alleviate

poverty and suffering. These are agreed annually and include workers

who are closely associated with the congregation, local mission

opportunities and those wider afield. In addition, the Church is committed

to making a substantial contribution towards ICE Ilfracombe. Further fundraising activities enable support to local and youth activities, along

with help towards disaster appeals.


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COMMUNITY, NEIGHBOURS AND US

Christmas Tree

Festival with 100+

local groups, and

raising money for

local charities such

as On the Doorstep

Worshipping on Weatherspoon’s roof!

Fellowship

weekend at

nearby

Lee Abbey


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PIP & JIM’S – WHERE WE ARE GOING

We are embedding our church vision into the life of Pip & Jim’s using the

four themes Building bridges, Changing culture, Finding faith and Growing

community..... together, because of Jesus. These themes have become

the lens through which we view everything we do or plan to do, enabling

us to develop, measure and prioritise all in-church and in-community

activities and projects. HOME GROUPS

We consider our home groups to be the heartbeat of our growing together

as family; places where we can share openly and honestly, find

encouragement and support, and also pray and study together.

About half of the congregation are part of one of these groups and we are

hoping to promote and prioritise them as we aim to encourage a much

greater proportion of the church to become involved. This would create a

more cohesive approach to caring for one another as everybody would

belong to somebody, which would underpin and help the work of our

excellent pastoral team.

TEAMS

Identifying and affirming the gifts of others is fundamental to the spiritual

health of the church and the functioning of the body as a whole. During

2021 we have identified nine Teams to cover all areas of our work and mission at Pip and Jim’s. Each team is made up of volunteers from the

congregation, with a dedicated PCC link person to allow a flow of

communication and to provide encouragement and support. While giving

people freedom to use their gifts can be messy, we want to use the teams

to help us learn to work together, get connected, reach out, make Jesus

known and shape lives.

GROWING LEADERS – THE NEXT GENERATION

Identifying and affirming the gifts of others is fundamental to the spiritual

health of the church and the functioning of the body as a whole. At Pip

and Jim’s we would not want to suffocate or neglect the growth and

empowering of others as they seek to discover their God given gifts and

hopefully this ‘vacancy’ may become an exciting breeding ground for lay

ministries.

We also see this approach as an opportunity to encourage, not just our

own generation but also those that are to come; that a future generation

may stand on our shoulders, as we have stood on the shoulders of others,

a vital and important principle which we would want to encourage and

develop.


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DEVELOPING CONTINUITY

We recognise that there are gaps within the demographic of the

congregation and understand the difficulties churches face in attracting

and keeping young families, as we have experienced in the recent past.

This is equally true for our young teenagers, who often find that the

structure of ‘Church On Sunday’ doesn’t really excite or appeal to them and despite trying different approaches, a longterm solution, if this exists,

has yet to be found. However, by its very nature, it is a changeable

situation and therefore would need a continual process of review.

We hope that our support of an ICE youth worker within the Ilfracombe

Academy and the new Delta youth cafe will play a major part in changing

this culture, as we learn more from one another, find areas of compromise, and breakdown the stereotypes that exist. We pray for a

major revival and the finding of faith for many children and young people

throughout Ilfracombe. This will have to become and remain a high

priority if we are to find a greater measure of continuity at Pip and Jim’s.

MOVING IN MISSION

We currently participate in or host a variety of community activities and

are beginning to find our place in the community. We regularly commit to praying for all the streets and businesses in our parish and the feedback

has been overwhelmingly positive, with many people being grateful for

our input and ‘surprised’ that the church still does this!

Our study of Fruitfulness On The Frontline has elevated the profile of

personal evangelism within Pip and Jim’s and engaging our frontline from

a needs based perspective rather than ‘just preaching’ has been a

welcome revelation to many in the congregation. Finding more innovative and authentic ways of engaging and meeting the needs of our community

will certainly be our basis for mission in the future.

SUMMARY

There is definitely work to be done, but there is also the feeling that we

are ‘catching the wave after many years of paddling’ and there is certainly

a sense of momentum being built in all areas of church life. We want to

more accurately represent Jesus to our community and base our mission

on developing treasured frontline relationships that open opportunities for

true needs based evangelism. Long term we would love to see Pip and

Jim’s become the hub of our community, a place of warmth and a place of

acceptance and safety, where voices can be heard, troubles shared and

needs met ... A place where people can experience and know the

transforming power of God in their lives.


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£-

£20,000

£40,000

£60,000

£80,000

£100,000

£120,000

Yr 2016 Yr 2017 Yr 2018 Yr 2019 Yr 2020

Pip & Jim's Financial 2016-2020

Receipts Expenditure

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

VICARAGE

The vicarage is in a quiet area about a mile outside the parish overlooking

the beautiful Bicclescombe Park, with a private gate leading directly to the

park. Situated in extensive grounds it is an attractive large and modern

five bedroom house with ample car parking and a double garage.

GOVERNANCE

The PCC meets once a month and at present consists of 13 members plus

the vicar.

COMMUNITY CENTRE

We are fortunate to have use of our Church Centre which is owned and

run by a separate Trust. This multi-functional space, of a hall and four separate rooms along with a kitchen, has served the community for many

years and has been subject to major renovations during the Covid-19

lockdown periods. It is rented out to a wide range of community usages

from health projects, AA, fitness clubs, table top sales and children’s clubs

and parties to name but a few.

FINANCE

The Lord has truly blessed us over the years to be able to have balanced

the books and paid our common share. Our challenges are similar to

many churches today in that are giving is not sufficient, though our

income from the seasonal car park assisted considerably. It is also a

major mission and outreach opportunity to our locals and tourist. As we

look to the future, 2021 is forecasting a deficit and with the major costs

of our critical renovations, mentioned in the fabric report, we will be using up much of our limited reserves.


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OUR BUILDINGS

Building bridges in the car park

– just a stone’s throw from the

harbour, seafront and High St

St James Vicarage, next

to Bicclescombe Park

Our Community Centre across

the road from the Church

Ilfracombe

parishioners celebrating in

our beautiful

church


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FABRIC

Our historical church is grade II* listed, dating from 1854. Regular

maintenance is undertaken to keep the building in a safe and operational

way.

We are undertaking a major six phase Heritage Restoration Project aiming

to ensure the church is future proofed structurally, and to be fit and safe

to open for multiple uses helping to serve our community. The first two

phases ensure the safety of the tower and the bells, followed by phase 3

which involves major works to the West wall and windows. Phases four

and five will see better disabled access and catering provisions, along with

scheme to enable a historical interpretation of the church internally and

externally. Then finally, phase six will look at a new, environmentally

better way to heat the church.

USEFUL WEBSITES

Combe to Combe Benefice combetocombechurches.co.uk

Find us on Facebook Pip and Jims Church - Ilfracombe

Diocese of Exeter exeter.anglican.org

ICE Ilfracombe iceilfracombe.org.uk

Ilfracombe visitilfracombe.co.uk and

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilfracombe

CPAS cpas.org.uk

http://www.exeter.anglican.org/

http://www.ilfracombeacademy.org.uk/pastoral/ice

http://www.visitilfracombe.co.uk/

http://www.cpas.org.uk/


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ST PETER AD VINCULA, COMBE MARTIN

PARISH DESCRIPTION

We are looking for a vicar to help us develop a vision of where God is

leading us as a church and draw up a mission action plan for its

implementation. Areas we have been considering include developing

pastoral care, particularly through lay ministry; creating more

contemporary and inclusive styles of worship: encouraging us to find our

gifts and use them; and reaching out to families and young people.

ABOUT US

We are a congregation of 20-25, mostly retired, and most of us are active

in the life of the church in some way. There are currently 33 on the

electoral roll. We are fairly traditional but open to new ways and ideas.

We have a PTO priest, a PTO lay reader and three lay people who have

been trained to lead worship.

OUR WORSHIP PATTERN

Holy Communion (CW) on the 1st and 3rd Sundays, with Parish Worship

(variety of styles and services) on 2nd and 4th Sundays. On the 5th Sunday

we share worship with Pip and Jim’s, Ilfracombe and St Peter,

Berrynarbor at one of our three churches. Before lockdown we had a

midweek communion service on a Wednesday morning, preceded by an

ecumenical prayer meeting. This has not restarted so far.


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At festivals and village events (eg, Carnival Week) we hold special

services. Remembrance Sunday is especially significant to the village and

the church is full at this service.

LAY MENTAL HEALTH WORKER

Out of a desire to share God’s love in the community, a grant from the

Diocese in 2020 enabled Combe Martin and Berrynarbor churches to

employ a lay mental health worker for 20 hrs a week on a two year

contract, with the option to extend a further year. Over this period it is

hoped this person will help train the churches in mental health first aid, as

well as be a mental health advocate in the community, and support

people in accessing longer-term services.

HOME GROUPS

We used to have two home groups that met weekly and during lockdown

we held a weekly zoom bible study. We are hoping to restart a group in

the autumn of 2021.

MESSY CHURCH

For a number of years we held a Messy Church on a Saturday morning at

the village hall supported by other churches in the village. This was well

attended by families, many of whom with no association with any church,

but stopped with lockdown and we are reviewing the way forward.

However, we are holding our annual Teddies from the Tower event in

September as a fun afternoon for families in the community.

We no longer have an organist,

although we have an organ and

grand piano which are used

occasionally. Music for worship is

provided by Hymn Technology’s

Hymnal-Plus through our new

sound system. We had a music group in the recent past but some

members have moved away and

fresh blood is needed.


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BELL RINGERS

We have a proficient band of bell ringers who are hoping to restart ringing

for services and weddings soon.

ECUMENICAL LINKS

We are part of Christians Together in Combe Martin and Berrynarbor,

along with the Baptists and the Methodists. This has held a variety of

mostly monthly events, welcoming both village and church members. We have had cream teas, walks, family board games in a pub, games on the

beach, film afternoons, and also shared worship on the beach, café

church, carol singing etc. As a church we also support the World Day of

Prayer and Thy Kingdom Come with the other churches in Combe Martin

and Berrynarbor.

OUR BUILDINGS

St Peter ad Vincula is a Grade 1 listed medieval church noted for its lofty

tower and its rood screen. The rood screen is considered to be of national importance and was restored and conserved in 2012. This was financed

by the Heritage Lottery Fund (80%) grants and the village community,

and there is a commitment to undertake educational and other activities

in response.

We have made some limited changes to the layout of the church by

removing some pews both at the front of the nave and by the font. The

former gives more flexibility of use in worship and the latter gives more

space both for baptisms and for children.


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We are in the final stages of installing a new sound system and loop. As

well as improving the sound quality for worship, this will provide

opportunities for holding church and village concerts.

The building is, on the whole, in a good state of repair and we have been

able to deal with the major items identified in recent quinquennial

inspections. We have just had our most recent inspection and are

awaiting the report. However in conversation with the architect we feel we

will be able to deal with the issues he identified.

There is a church hall with parking for about 30 cars next to the church.

The hall is available for community use and is used by the art club,

gardening club, Women’s Institute, as well as occasional children’s parties.

Friends of St Peter’s

For the last 15 years this independent registered charity has provided

financial support to maintain the fabric of the church and churchyard.

They have enabled us to carry out repairs to the church and church hall;

most recently they donated £5,000 towards the repair and painting of the

church tower clock.

Sadly, they have just decided they can no longer continue as finding new

committee members to carry on the work has proved impossible. We will

miss both their fundraising and the social events they organised which

were enjoyed by church and community.

FINANCE

Our regular giving is mainly through the Parish Giving Scheme with a few

still giving by weekly cash collections. The church is committed to making

our Common Fund contribution in full, which was £14,710 in 2020.

A number of years ago the sale of a former glebe property realised a sum

of money for mission at home and overseas, and a fund still remains for

the work of the church in the village.

We will miss the financial support of the Friends, but in the past the

Coffee after

the morning

service


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community has responded well to specific appeals, eg rebuilding the

churchyard wall, and individual members of the Friends have offered their

support and expertise for any fundraising we might do.

OUR LOCATION

Combe Martin is a rural parish with a population of 3,941 (2011 Census).

It is built along a valley that runs down to a small harbour and beach. The

village is a mini seaside resort amid the spectacular coastal and moorland

scenery. It is popular with families, who can enjoy kayaking and water-

sports, and explore the rock-pools and caves.

GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY

Our South facing slopes are steep but fertile and used to be significant for

the growing of strawberries. Combe Martin was also famous for its silver

mines, and the surface workings and some of the tunnels of one these are

being carefully restored. The steep valley slopes have an impact upon the

availability of the number and variety of housing.

ECONOMY AND DEMOGRAPHY

Permanent employment is based on small tradesman, farming, some light

industry and commuting to Barnstaple. In summer there is also a

significant amount of seasonal employment with the influx of holiday makers. Income from fulltime and seasonal employment tends to be less

compared to regional and national averages. We are in an area with a

significant number of people coming to retire. This together with the

growth of holiday and second homes has distorted the housing market

and many local people are unable to find housing. Combe Martin has a

high proportion of private rented housing.

There is a primary school with a preschool and nursery. Secondary and further education takes place in Ilfracombe and Barnstaple. There is a

Medical Centre which is part of Combe Coastal Practice based in

Ilfracombe.

We have four convenience stores distributed through the village; also two

bakeries, a butcher, a pharmacy, two car repair garages and one petrol

station. There are five public houses and a variety of food outlets, several

of which are open throughout the year. There are a number of caravan

and campsites both in the village and on its surrounding hills.

Public transport is limited, although there are regular bus services to

Ilfracombe and Barnstaple, the major town in north Devon. There is a

weekly free bus service provided by Tesco to its Barnstaple store. The

lack of private transport can be a serious limitation, especially for the

elderly and infirm, and the villages of Combe Martin and Berrynarbor have

established a community car service to help out. There is a community

shop run by volunteers which is a source of funding for many village

organisations.


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ACTIVITIES

Combe Martin has a range of activities and clubs for all ages. They include

kayaking, judo, badminton, football, lawn bowls, darts and skittle

leagues, gardening and women’s institute. There is a public sports field

and two children’s playparks. The village hall is the main indoor public

space, where a monthly farmers’ and craft market is held. The tourist

information centre and village museum are run by volunteers from the

village and offers a range of activities throughout the year.

Local festivals in normal years draw in lots of visitors, such as the Hunting of the Earl of Rone, at the late spring bank holiday weekend; a strawberry

fair in June; and a week-long carnival during the second week of August

with processions, raft races, a flower festival.

In summary, Combe Martin is a mix of local, long-established families and

newcomers, many of whom fell in love with the village and surrounding

area while on holiday and have taken the opportunity to move to work or

retire in the area.


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COMBE MARTIN COMMUNITY EVENTS

Earl of

Rone

Christians

Together

Raft Race

Village

Farmers’

Market


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ST PETER’S, BERRYNARBOR

PARISH DESCRIPTION

OUR CHURCH

St Peter’s is the only religious building in this rural parish of about 750

people. The church is a grade 2 listed building in the centre of the

conservation area and an area of outstanding natural beauty. The bell

tower was restored in 2001, and the church’s twin roofs together with

major repairs to the roof gulleys, external masonry and stained glass

windows were finally completed in September 2021 at great cost. All this

work was funded by Berrynarbor PCC’s prudent investments spanning

many years.

The churchyards are maintained to a very high standard by our gardener

and villagers and visitors have remarked on their beautiful condition. The

Village War Memorial (situated in the old churchyard) has recently

received Grade 2 listing from Historic England.

Worship at St. Peter’s is at 11am on Sundays, with the Village Service on

the 1st Sunday, Holy Communion on 2nd and 4th Sundays, and a Songs of

Praise held on the 3rd Sunday. A joint service with Combe Martin and Pip

and Jim’s churches is held on the 5th Sunday when that falls within the

calendar month. Intercessions and the first reading are led by a member


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of the congregation. Worship is spiritual and traditional - but informal with

gentle humour. Church members are actively involved with the

community and offer pastoral care to many who are confined to their

home due to illness or disability.

As with many churches throughout the land, church choirs have suffered

during the Covid pandemic and resultant lockdowns. Our choir has not

sung for the last 18 months, but hope to restart practice in the months

ahead. The choir is of a high standard and sang with the Chivenor Military Wives Choir at two special concerts held in Berrynarbor church in 2016

and 2018.

Berrynarbor also prides itself with six expert bell ringers and yet another

six ringers (including several ladies), who train and practice regularly.

Our strength in Berrynarbor is the wonderful friendship that is ever

present between members of the congregation and the village as a whole,

and the willingness to help one another when necessary.

Berrynarbor has been ably supported by the Priest in Charge and a retired

rector who lives within the village, who together cover most church

services. We are also grateful to a lay preacher from nearby Combe

Martin Church and also from Pip and Jim’s Church in Ilfracombe. We

currently do not have a churchwarden, but this role is shared by all PCC

members until this position can be filled.

Berrynarbor’s main requirements for the new candidate are to be a

bridgebuilder with vision within our community, and to stimulate the link

between our church and church school; to reintroduce Messy Church and

stimulating projects to encourage the children to engage in new exiting activities. In addition we would like the candidate to actively involve

him/herself in the role of pastoral care within the village.


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OUR VILLAGE

Berrynarbor has a core indigenous population mostly engaged in

agriculture, tourism or are those that have retired. In summer, local

tenting and caravan sites increase the population by several thousands.

There is a modern community run Post Office and shop which is

celebrating its 13th anniversary! The three ladies employed to run the Post

Office are ably assisted on a daily basis by many local volunteers. The

establishment has its own large free Car Park which is beneficial for

visitors and others who reside in nearby villages. This Community Shop

has won several nationwide awards for its wide range of products and operating efficiency.

Berrynarbor has an excellent village hall, The Manor Hall, which is held in

trust for the village. Activities include badminton, keep fit classes, a pre-

school group, a wine circle group and a snooker club. The horticulture

show is one of the highlights of the year, and the hall is regularly booked

for wedding receptions throughout the year.

We are blessed with an excellent voluntary controlled primary school

which serves a wider catchment area. The school’s board of governors

includes church representation from our Priest in Charge, and one

governor appointed by the Berrynarbor Parish Council.

Our village regularly wins awards for Best Kept Village and Britain in

Bloom. The parish includes National Trust footpaths, and access to nearby

beaches with magnificent cliff views across the Bristol Channel to South

Wales.

Berrynarbor has a strong independent community and a tradition of support for neighbours in need. There are many flourishing local

organisations which strengthen the life of this vibrant community,

including a bi-monthly village newsletter which is published

on www.berrynarbor-news.co uk .

http://www.berrynarbor-news.co/

Parish Profile COMBE TO COMBE BENEFICE 2021

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Transcript of Parish Profile COMBE TO COMBE BENEFICE 2021