The Parish Church of Hoo St Werburgh

Part of Strood Deanery

In

The Diocese of Rochester

Our Patron – Dean and Chapter

Website: www.hoochurch.org.ukFacebook: www.facebook.com/hoochurch/

A Church Near You: www.achurchnearyou.com/church/19900

however, the majority of the Nave and Aisles date from the 13th century with elegant arcades. In

the 14th and 15th centuries the aisles and clerestory were significantly altered.

The chancel dates from the 13th and 14th centuries and the Nave and Chancel in particular retain

magnificent late medieval roofs. The spire is covered with Oak shingles and is 61 feet in height

with a further 7 feet from its summit to the ball. The whole is surmounted by a 4-foot tall

weather vane. It is set on a battlemented tower of 55 feet in height, making a total of 127 feet.

During 2015 due to a problem with woodworm and crumbling floor timbers and with funding

from the Heritage Lottery, grants from various charities and organisations and our own fund

raising, we have been able to re-order the main part of the church.

A church at Hoo was known to be in existence

as long ago as 1080-1086. The present

building was probably started about the

middle of the 12th century.

St Werburgh’s Church is constructed of rubble

stonework. Dressed stonework is in Kentish

Ragstone and 19th century Bath stone. The

lower sections of the Western Tower have

some ‘Tuffa’ stonework that pre date 1100;

“Building a welcoming, caring church family that is growing inFaith and reaching out with God’s love”

We now have underfloor heating; a tiled floor and we replaced the pews with chairs with seating for 200-240 making an area which is far more user friendly for services and community use.

Our lighting is due to be renewed this August and this is being funded through a generous legacy from

a previous parishioner. We also have permission to start Phase 2 which will include new toilets, a

new kitchen area, meeting room and storage area for chairs and an upstairs meeting room at the back

of the church. We have started grant applications for this and will also be concentrating on

fundraising for this project over the next year or so. However, we recognise that though the money is

vital to realise our vision, so is the need not to become too focused on money, and our in-house

fundraising will incorporate social events which further build relationships within our church family

and wider community

St Werburgh was a devout Saxon Princess – a member of the

Mercian Royal Household

Born sometime during 640/650 AD and died on the 3rd February

698 or 699 (Her Saint Day)

Her Father was: King Wulfhere (First Christian King of Mercia)

Her Mother was: Queen Eormengild

Sexburga (Werburg’s Grandmother) founded a nunnery at Minster

on the Isle of Sheppy

Werburgh was related to four Great Kingdoms – Kent, Mercia,

The Franks and The East Angles

St Werburgh

Hoo St WerburghHoo St. Werburgh is a village situated by the

River Medway in North Kent, within the Diocese of Rochester, on the Hoo Peninsula.

The village is surrounded by the River Medway to the south and farmland on the other three.

The population is approx.11 000 – 12 000 and still growing. The housing is made up of social housing, owner occupied and

rented accommodation. A building project to erect another 1 000 homes has already started

and is due to be completed.There are plans for further building within the

Medway Towns Structure Plan. We have a sheltered housing complex for the elderly within

one of the new estates, a residential care home and private retirement apartments.

Next to the river are two communities – Hoo Marina Park, comprising of approximately 300 park homes of various sizes

and Port Werburgh which is a community of house boats and deluxe park homes.

➢ Someone who will lead and develop us spiritually

➢ Someone who is prepared to be part of the village, to be seen around the village and become involved with village activities

➢ Willing to work as part of a team and to value the skills and strengths people have and to develop them; lead experienced and competent lay ministers where their gifts are acknowledged, valued and utilized, and is open to, and encouraging of, increased lay involvement.

➢ Will maintain existing links with local schools, the local community, local businesses and, where possible strengthen those links.

➢ Open to working collaboratively with neighbouring parishes and the Deanery.

➢ Is friendly and welcoming, particularly towards families, children and the older members of the church and most importantly have a “Good Sense of Humour.”

Person Profile

The Person we are looking for would be from the “central/broad tradition”, at ease with broader informal worship, enjoys welcoming people of all ages into the church family and does not tend to extremes of churchmanship.

What we offer

✓ The support of the

Churchwardens, The Ministry

Team, The PCC and The Laity, who

will make you very welcome and

devote time and energy to work

with you within our parish.

✓ An experienced and dedicated

team of Readers who are strong

and supportive.

✓ A congregation who are friendly

and hospitable.

✓ Real concern for the welfare

and wellbeing of the incumbent

and their family with an

understanding they have a

need for a private life outside

the church.

✓ A beautiful 13th century Church

with a modern versatile interior

after re-ordering

Our Remembrance Service is very well attended (2018 300+ Adults & 120 Children)

A Fresh Expressions congregation, Messy Church, is held once a month on a Saturday.

This starts with something to eat followed by activities on a Biblical theme, worship,

singing and prayers. The average attendance is 35, though Good Friday and Christmas

Messy Church attendance rises to 50+.

As and when – Songs of Praise and Festival Services

Village Green Carol Singing

Statistics2018

Baptisms23

Funerals48

Weddings11

Attendance10.am Service

30 - 40

Church Statistics

Attendance8.30am Service

4-10

Time Service Day

8:30am10:00am

Holy Communion 1662 (Said)Morning WorshipParish Communion (with Hymns etc)

Weekly

6:00am8:30am 10:00am

Day Break Service – Holy Communion with BreakfastEaster Holy CommunionEaster Parish Communion

Easter Day

6:00pm Carol Service (Average Attendance 140) Sunday before Christmas

4:00pm Crib Service (Average Attendance 119 + 87 Children) Christmas Eve

11:15pm Midnight Communion (Average Attendance 70-90) Christmas Eve

1st Sunday 2nd 3rd 4th

During the interregnum services will take place on the first and third Sundays of the month.

Sunday

There are 72 membersOn the Electoral Roll

Monday2-Pilates ClassesPeninsula Choir

Bell Ringing Practice

ThursdayToddler GroupPilates Class

Dementia Café is run by ‘Alzheimer’s Society’ 3rd Friday of the Month

SaturdayOpen Door 10 – 12noon

WednesdayKnit & Give Group

FridayDementia Café

TuesdayFree

Sunday8:30 Service

10:00 Service

*

*

Church Activities

Summer and Christmas Fairs Annual Memorial Service(for those who have lost loved ones)

Vicar’s Garden Party Baptism follow up Party (Annually)

Musical Concerts every few months Occasional Bible Study Courses(6-8 weeks duration)

Sunday Brunch (after 10am Service -(Approximately 6-8 weeks)

Lent Study Groups (daytime & evenings)

Easter Passover Meal

Occasional Church Events

CAMEO (Come And Meet Each Other)

This group started at the request of some recently bereaved ladies back in 2014 who wanted to meet other ladies in a similar situation.In 2018, we decided to rename the group to CAMEO and it is open to anyone who wants to come along for refreshments, time to talk and share and meet others. We sometimes do gentle exercise, which involves a lot of laughter; have discussions and go on local outings.

Run by the Church but held in the LibraryCraft Club (Every other week) 1:00pm

CAMEO 1st Friday of the month 2:00pm -3:30pm

☺Parish magazine – “The Beacon” (Circulation about 200 copies a month)

☺ School assemblies.

☺ Village Green Carol Singing

☺Taking Communion to the housebound, care homes (Yew Tree Lodge and Chimnies),

retirement apartments (Willow Grange) and visiting and taking Communion when

required to those in hospital.

☺ Baptism, Wedding and Funeral visits

☺ There has been a Youth Emmaus group, 2 of whom went on to Confirmation.

☺ This group is going to continue, in a new format in September for children in Year 5

upwards and their friends on a midweek evening, with the emphasis on fun, games

and social activities with a ‘God Slot’ at the end.

☺ The Toddler group has now been running for over 18 years and has proved a great

success. It meets in term time and goes from strength to strength with an average of

25 families attending.

Our Churchwardens regularly inspect and maintain the fabric of the church, where

possible.

Cleaning of the church by the Congregation last Saturday of the month – All Welcome

There are 2 ladies who arrange the flowers for the church and for weddings and our

special displays at Christmas and Easter when flowers are sponsored in memory of

loved ones.

Schools

Within the village are two primary schools; The Hundred of Hoo Primary Academy and Hoo St

Werburgh Primary School which also has the Marlborough Centre, catering for pupils with

Statements of Autism. This provision continues at the secondary school in the St Werburgh

Centre - Our Associate Minister took assemblies in Hoo St Werburgh Primary School.

The intake is from around the Peninsula and Strood area, The Academy campus also

accommodates The Hundred of Hoo Nursery and Kids Club, which provides care from 8am

until 6pm.

Our previous incumbent had regular contact with all the schools and was a school governor

at the secondary school and took assemblies and RE classes.

One of the Lay Readers is maintaining these links with all the schools. One of the primary

schools and the Academy use the church for Christmas services/concerts and visit as part of

the curriculum.

The Hundred of Hoo Academy and Sixth Form,

and the St Werburgh Centre with about 1300 on roll.

At the 10.00am service the intercessions are led by members of the congregation.

Several members of the congregation are Chalice Assistants.

We have organists for some services and use digital music for others.

We have a small female choir,

A band of ringers who ring to welcome the people to the 10 o’clock morning service

Children’s group - Children@10, between the Gloria and the Peace on 2 Sundays of

each month.

Coffee is served after the 10.00am service and people enjoy the opportunity to sit and

chat to each other.

The Ministry Team

Within the church we have:

PTO retired Vicar

Three Lay Readers

One with PTO

One who is able to officiate at funerals and is an Anna Chaplain

One is involved with Children’s Ministry and has taken over going into schools, leads

the Toddler Group and teaches one module on the Diocesan Foundation in Christian

Ministry course.

They all assist the Vicar with services and preach regularly.

We have a Pastoral Assistant with permission to minister.

Within the congregation we have a Street Pastor with the Medway Street Pastors, who

patrols Rochester High Street on a Saturday night.

There is currently one member of the church who is just completing the first year of the

Foundation in Christian Ministry course and is a Chaplain with South East Coast

Ambulance Service. She has just been accepted to continue her training for LLM.

We have a small team of Baptism Visitors who make the first visit to parents wishing to

bring their child for baptism. Our PTO vicar co-ordinates this team.

The Helpers

The majority of our congregation are retired

although there are some families with younger

children now attending regularly. Over the past

years we have lost members of our Sunday

congregation and, despite some younger families

joining there is potential for growth both

numerically and spiritually.

We are a happy and friendly church who are very

welcoming to all visitors

Like elsewhere, we have problems with damage

to the church - graffiti and vandalism which in

today’s world we have to cope with the best way

we can.

Church Bits and Bobs

Finances

We have a congregation who give generously and have been able to

meet our obligations so far. Like many churches we have an ageing

congregation and have lost a number of supporters through death

and relocation. Consequently, our finances are now greatly stretched

and are a cause for concern.

2018’ Annual report is available on request.

The Bells and Ringers

The church contains a very fine ring of eight bells,

hung anticlockwise, the oldest dated 1588. In 1995,

the six bells were augmented to eight and rehung

in a new steel frame situated lower in the tower.

The original oak frame is retained in the belfry.

We have a band of ringers who ring for the 10 o’clock

Sunday morning service, Weddings, special occasions

and toll for funerals if requested. They also ring Peals and

Quarter peals and host visiting ringers. Practice night is a

Monday and visiting ringers are always welcome.

Relationship with other Churches and the Parish

We have good relationships with other churches in the area and collaborate in a number of joint ventures. The Family Trust run King’s Squad at St Werburgh’s School.

Relationships with other organizations in the parish, youth groups (Scouts and Guides etc),Social Clubs and Pubs and The Parish Council are good.

Generally, there is a positive attitude towards the church, and to a lesser degree a sense of ownership.

The vicar and members of the church are welcomed into all village activities, and parishioners support church events.

Since 2014 the churches on the Peninsula have been part of The Peninsula Group Ministry but this is an area which has a potential for development. Members of the Hoo Ministry Team take services at Stoke and Grain.

Photo by: Tony Board

The Windmill

Hoo Village Institute

The Vicarage

is situated to the southwest

of the Church

It is a modern 4-bedroom detached house

with a garage

and panoramic views over farmland

to the River Medway.

There are well kept large gardens

to the front and rear