The village of Broadway is situated in the north-west corner of the beautiful Cotswolds, within 15-20 miles of Worcester to the West, Cheltenham to the South and Stratford upon Avon to the North. The market town of Evesham, six miles to the West, has several supermarkets and shops to meet most needs. There is a limited bus service. An Activity Park, which has recently been extensively refurbished, is proving to be very popular.

The village has two first schools, a parent and toddler group and two playgroups, one of which uses our hall on two mornings each week. Doctors, dentists, opticians, banks, post office a number of other shops are all located on the High Street. Convenience food shops are situated near the main centres of population in the village.

The total population of Broadway, as recorded in the 2001 census, is 3025, of which 37% are over 65. Further details are shown in Appendix 1.

Driving into Broadway from Evesham, you pass the large blocks of retirement flats and nursing homes and admire the view that they have of the Dumbleton Hills and the Vale of Evesham. You continue up the wide High Street (the Broad Way) with its trim greens and gaze upon the attractive honey-coloured buildings, largely dating from the 17^th and 18^th centuries, with fascinating shops inviting you to browse. Continuing to the Upper High Street, past the United Reformed Church and Manse, you marvel at the ‘chocolate-box’ view of the magnificent houses with Broadway Tower in the background, gateway to the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

But there is another side to Broadway. The large number of retirement flats and nursing homes indicates that a high proportion of the population is elderly. In the High Street, you realise that what you are looking at comprises, chiefly, hotels, guest houses, restaurants and pubs together with shops which sell antiques, fine art and gifts. This is an ‘all year round’ tourist village. The properties in the Upper High Street are, in the main, beyond the price range of most local people and many are occupied by multi-millionaires and ‘second home’ owners. For the ‘real’ people of the village, you need to look behind the attractive façade and to the two estates on either side of the Leamington Road: on the one side, the modern estate, largely owned by retired professional people and, on the other, the former council estate (now mostly owner-occupied). There is also a recent development of about seventy houses on a former industrial site and further small developments are in the process of construction. It is in these areas that most of Broadway’s community, and our concerns, are found.

The surrounding countryside is devoted to agriculture and market gardening (The Vale of Evesham) but both are struggling in the present economic climate. There is some light industry in neighbouring villages.

Pictures of Broadway needed to insert here

Map of Broadway needed to insert here

The congregation is, in the main, a settled one and mirrors, to some extent, the age profile of the local community, with a large percentage over 65. The majority have a ‘retired professional’ background, with a wealth and variety of experience. As indicated elsewhere in this Profile, this experience is put to good use in both church and the local community. It is likely, because of the nature of Broadway, that we will continue to have a strong need to minister to the older generation and, to this end, see Pastoral Care as very important. At the same time, the exciting development of our work with young people (which is described elsewhere in this profile) opens up opportunities to interact with the younger age range, especially with the parents of our Pilots.

There are many members of the congregation who have a deep personal faith and others who are still exploring the Way. A number take Bible Reading notes and the URC Prayer Handbook. Over the last two years, the Church has followed parts of the Emmaus Course, allowing members to explore together, and discuss, their faith. About one-third of the church family has been involved in this and has found it to be beneficial. An incoming minister might like to develop this further.

Our theology is generally on the liberal side, although there are some who tend to a more fundamental ideology. There is a tolerance of these differing views which does not cause any difficulty and sometimes enhances discussion.

The spacious hall and kitchen at the rear of the church was built in the 1960s. In the last five years, it has had a new roof and new flooring. A sound system with inductive loop has been installed and, recently, 35 new comfortable chairs have been bought.

Studies have been made into the possible development of the area between the church and the hall. These plans have been put on hold for the time being but we are proposing to erect a timber-framed building which will provide storage and a small meeting room. (See Appendix 2 for a list of regular non-church users of the hall)

The recently-refurbished Manse is adjacent to the church and is a two-storey detached house in Cotswold stone. The house is centrally heated and double-glazed. It comprises a hall with cloakroom, two reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, study, four double bedrooms, bathroom, secluded garden with shed and parking for cars.

Broadway is in the West Midlands Synod, about one hour’s drive from the Synod office. Representatives attend Synod meetings when possible but the congested roads around Birmingham make this difficult when meetings are held in the north of the region.

Broadway was previously in the Hereford and Worcester District. With the creation of Areas, churches to the north and south became separate areas. We remain linked with churches in Kidderminster, Worcester and Malvern, the nearest of which is twenty miles away. Prestbury URC (in the Cheltenham group) and Stratford upon Avon URC, in Warwickshire, are both a little nearer in terms of both distance and travelling times but, historically, we have not had as much contact with them as we have had with the Worcestershire churches. We feel that the URC needs to do more to make Areas work, particularly in rural areas, so that members feel part of a larger Church.

Services are held each Sunday at 10.30am. The average attendance at Sunday services is about 35 - 40, of whom most are church members. We occasionally welcome visitors on holiday in the area.

Our services are mainly traditional in style and content but we are not resistant to new forms or hymns. The service on the first Sunday of each month includes Holy Communion.

Several services each year involve our Pilots, who participate in reading from the Bible, preparing and reading prayers and singing. We are pleased that the young folk seem ‘at home’ in the church and are happy to chat with the ‘slightly older’ members of the congregation who, in turn, are equally happy to welcome and interact with them.

From time to time, members of the congregation join together to lead worship. This will, no doubt, be more necessary during our interregnum, as there are not very many retired ministers or lay preachers in the area. Most members of the congregation are on the rota to present Bible readings at all services, and some occasionally lead the Prayers of Intercession.

The main hymnbook in use is ‘Rejoice and Sing’. Other hymns or songs are displayed via a computer and projector, using Powerpoint. We have a rota of three organists and some good musicians. We have Hymn Quest and the Methodist Powerpoint discs.

On the second Wednesday of each month, at 12.00 noon, there is a service of Quiet, Healing and Holy Communion; this is attended by a small, but appreciative, number of the church family. The Ministry of Healing was flagged up as desirable in our last profile and these services came out of that wish. It may be that there is a need to look further at the format or timing of these in order to meet a wider need.

For many years, the church has had a monthly magazine. The person who has undertaken the production of this was recently forced to ‘retire’ due to ill-health and, so, we are considering what should happen to this publication. In addition, we use the "Sunday Link", which is an Ecumenical bulletin produced weekly, with comment based on the Common Lectionary. The reverse side is used to give details of the service, pastoral news and notices of future events. It also has a section outlining concerns for which prayer is asked.

The church does not receive many requests for either Baptisms or Weddings and does not have a set policy. The Elders would normally expect the Minister to discuss the requests with them.

Church Meetings These are held ten times each year (not in August or December). The average attendance is between 20 and 25. The Annual Church Meeting, at which Elders and committee members are elected and accounts presented, is held in March.

Elders Meetings are normally held monthly. There are currently eight serving elders and a number of non-serving ones. Recent Elders Meetings have concentrated on pastoral concerns, the Wychavon District Council’s decision to build on the car park nearest to the church and its implications for users of our premises, the Child Friendly Church award, the future of the church magazine and the preparation of this Profile. Money matters and building maintenance are normally dealt with by the Finance and Premises Committee unless more significant matters are at issue.

Pastoral Carers There are currently seventeen pastoral carers, most of whom are serving or non-serving Elders.

Study Groups From a small enthusiastic Bible Study group led by a retired minister of the Church of Scotland, came the proposal to study the Emmaus courses which are designed to help Christians to think, and talk more effectively, about their faith. About a third of church members attended these two groups and they were much appreciated. There is scope to continue these further.

Church in Society This is the church’s conscience on world concerns and needs, and aims to inform and educate the congregation on these. The group supports and promotes Christian Aid, including Commitment for Life, CWM (one member of the group is a CWM advocate), One World Week and Trade Justice. We had a regular Traidcraft stall until local stores stocked Fair Trade goods. Church members also support the Leprosy Mission and Chernobyl 2000. The Church has set aside a small amount of money, donated by the congregation, to enable sums to be sent quickly to areas hit by disaster. This is controlled by the Group.

In 2009, the Group organised a study day on the situation in Palestine/Israel and the Occupied Territories with a speaker from Christian Aid’s team. Members of other churches supporting Palestine through Commitment for Life attended the day.

We are a member company of the National URC organisation

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Since the 1970s, we have hosted the village Children’s Activities. These comprise a week of activities in August and one morning’s activities on Good Friday and before Christmas. The leadership comes from this church, with help from the other churches and from people not connected with any of them. In the Summer of 2009, 33 adults and young people led (10 of them from our church) and helped over 70 children to enjoy themselves.

The format on Good Friday and the Christmas activities mornings is to start with a game, have a short Christian message (by one of the Broadway clergy), sing some religious fun/action songs, have some juice and biscuits and then take part in up to five art/craft activities.

The format of the Summer Activities is similar each day; opening game, DVD/Story, Comment, Memory Verse, Drama, Songs, juice and biscuits, split into age groups for two hours of appropriate art, craft, dance, indoor and outdoor activities. On the Thursday, we often have a coach Outing for all the children and helpers and any parents who want to come. This is very expensive as we try to make the children’s trips cost-free – coach and entrance fee. In recent years, we have been to Cadbury World, The Sculpture Trail in the Forest of Dean, The Cotswold Wildlife Park near Burford, The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust Educational Centre at Lower Smite Farm, near Worcester, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm near Bristol and, in 2009, due to lack of funds, a walk up to Broadway Tower and back. In 2010, we hope to visit Weston-super-Mare and have a day at the seaside.

Pictures to be inserted from 2009

OPEN THE BOOK A team of members from various churches takes Assembly once a week at each of the two primary schools in Broadway. We are now in our fourth year with one school and third year with the other. We follow the Ofsted-approved ‘Open the Book’ syllabus, a national Scripture Union-backed scheme, where we act out Bible stories each week. We include the children in the acting and crowd scenes as much as we can; every request from us for help is met by a forest of hands! Many of the children come to Pilots and Activities. A new departure, at Christmas 2009, was when we held Assembly for both schools together in our church. This was deemed to be so successful by the schools that they asked if we could do the same at Easter. Hopefully, this will be a pattern for the future. The feedback from individual children is extremely encouraging.

Fun and Fundraising Group This group organises social and fundraising events, including two fairs on the village green and a popular Christmas Tree Festival. A catering group occasionally provides lunches and teas for coach parties visiting Broadway, as part of our outreach.

Finance and Premises Committee This oversees the maintenance of the premises and all aspects of finance.

Vision Group This considers ideas for the future of the church, predominantly buildings and major alterations projects where grant-seeking may be required. Proposals are placed before the Church Meeting for discussion, alterations and final approval.

As will be seen from the statistics, the pastorate has two distinct characteristics:

Its age profile. Although a high percentage of the congregation is over 80, most are relatively active and involved in the life of the church. A number of them are non-serving Elders and provide the church with a wealth of experience and ability.

The geographical spread. Under one half of the congregation lives in Broadway, the rest living in small towns or villages within a fifteen-mile radius.

Both of these characteristics impact upon the active mission of the church. The infirmities of age do limit the mobility of a number of our members and the extent to which some can become involved in outreach, but this does not hamper their ongoing involvement in pastoral care.

Members have a range of abilities and take leading roles in many of the local non-church activities, in particular:

Although our previous profile is only four years old, there have been quite a few changes in that time and the preparation of this document has enabled us to take stock and to see how we are meeting our Mission Statement, which is:

Spiritual development and Preaching Although we have made a start with the Emmaus course, with its encouragement to members to develop and discuss their faith, we still see the need for further spiritual development and preaching to increase our knowledge of our Lord. A deeper understanding and increased confidence should help us to be more effective sharers of the Gospel, especially with those outside the church family.

Pastoral Care Given our age profile, and that of the communities we serve, Pastoral Care continues to be a vital part of our mission. We perhaps need to help the carers to develop their skills.

Children and Young People Thanks to the enthusiasm of dedicated leaders, our work with young people (as outlined elsewhere) is encouraging. We must continue to develop and support this part of the Church’s life, including ministering, where possible, to the families from which the children come.

Evangelism and Church Growth It is hoped that, by concentrating on the previous three priorities, we can encourage more people to share with us in our worship.

Action for Justice See the note on Church in Society in a previous section.

Community Development A number of church members take a strong and active part in local non-church groups serving the community.

Stewardship There is a need for us to take stock of our resources, both human and financial, so that they are used as effectively as possible.

There are three other churches in Broadway – Anglican, Roman Catholic and Methodist. The four churches form Churches Together in Broadway (CTIB). The main joint events are the Good Friday Walk of Witness, Lent Studies and lunches, Christmas Carols on the Green and the Children’s Activities mentioned above. The Christian Aid Week collections are also CTIB undertakings. The relationships between individual members of the congregations is good. A new, young, Catholic Priest has recently been appointed.

There have been close links with our Methodist neighbours for many years. We have a number of joint services each year. It is unlikely that some of the present members of the Methodist Church would agree to an LEP but this should not prevent us continuing to share as much as possible. The local Methodist Circuit is in the process of re-organisation and there may be scope for a closer working relationship.

We are looking for a minister to share, and guide us, in the continuing ministry and mission of this church. In a close-knit church and village community such as this, we feel it is important for a minister to be a ‘people’ person who will give pastoral care and help us to develop our own knowledge of, and witness to, our Saviour.

We seek a minister who is ecumenically minded to help us in our discussions with the local Methodist church, with the CTIB and with wider ecumenical relations.

As mentioned earlier, the Ministry of Healing is important to us but our present arrangements need to be reviewed in order for us to reach out to more people.

(Something wrong – 1515 missing!! Who can check these, please?)

Playgroup 2 weekday mornings

Guides Monday evenings

Garden Club Last Monday of the month

Tai Chi Tuesday evenings

Beavers Wednesday early evening

Music Makers Wednesday evenings

Pilots Every Friday evening during term time

A) Number of members

Under 45   0

46-64        5

Over 65    48

                                                 Total 53

Residing in Broadway 21

Residing elsewhere 32

Number of adherents 9

B) Changes to Church Roll in the last five years (Michael Eden to supply)

C) Number of households 41

D) Within the last five years, there have been the following: (ME to supply)

Baptisms 1  Marriages 0 Funerals ??

Appendix 4 Church Accounts.  Available on request.