Parish Connections

The Rector by one of his favourite views

Welcome to the Benefice of Brimpsfield with Birdlip, Syde, Daglingworth, The Duntisbournes, Winstone, Miserden and Edgeworth – seven parishes with about twelve discrete communities and nine Church buildings. These communities are set in a stunningly beautiful area in the triangle between Cirencester, Gloucester and Stroud.  

The word ‘benefice’ originally meant an estate held for life in return for certain services, especially military service. A church or ecclesiastical benefice is a temporal endowment attached to any permanent office in the Church. So, as the Rector in this Benefice I have the office of the ‘cure of souls’ in the communities within the Benefice. 

This all sounds rather stuffy and ‘churchy’. What does it mean? Well, the collection of parishes in the Benefice is arbitrary but the best possible way of making use of the available clergy. The parishes have greater affinity with some than with others. The communities within parishes work together in the larger grouping of the Benefice while retaining their strong local identities. This very strong local identity is important but is balanced by maintaining an outward view in our dealings with the wider world.  

What is the role of the Church in the countryside? Well, the Church is the community of those who have faith in Jesus Christ; and is always ready to welcome those outside the Church. It is not an exclusive club. As the Rector of this Benefice my desire is to love people into the Kingdom of God, into the society of Jesus Christ. Knowledge of Christ is a life-giving and transforming experience. The Church is about making known the love of Christ. My vocation is to equip and encourage the Churches in the Benefice in this shared joy of making known the love of Christ. We do this by who we are and what we do – in and through all aspects of village and community and life. Yes, the Church is an institution, but it is primarily a community bound together in the love of Christ. 

By definition, therefore, the Church welcomes all people. As far as I am concerned, this is one of the most important aspects of our joint ministry – Jesus was always hospitable and had the ability to meet people where they are. I hope that you will find a welcome in the Churches in this Benefice; in the beautiful buildings but more importantly, by the community of faith in this place. Why not come to some of the services – you will be very welcome.  

On the subject of welcome: I welcome enquiries about weddings and baptisms; and funerals for that matter. Do not let the fact that you do not regard yourself as a ‘regular churchgoer’ put you off making an approach. John Jessop, Rector

The rector again