Longnor, Quarnford, Sheen and Warslow with Elkstone

• St Bartholomew's Longnor (with St Paul's Newtown and St John's Reapsmoor)
• St Paul's Quarnford
• St Luke's Sheen
• St Lawrence's Warslow
• St John the Baptist Elkstone

Training Incumbent:
The Revd Preb John Baines SCL

Trained: Ripon College Cuddesdon in Oxford. Deaconed: 2002

Vicar here since 2020.

I have trained 3 curates and have been involved in the training of many Readers. In my last diocese I was an Assistant DDO. I enjoy rural ministry especially the pastoral aspects and being part of communities where the church still has an important place in people's lives.

The context

This is an exciting time in the life of our deanery - we are working together to become a Rural Mission Area. There are 19 churches in the deanery shared between 4 benefices (each with their own incumbent); and we are spread over an area bigger than Liverpool but with a population of less than 6,000 people. The parishes of this benefice include the highest village in the country (Flash is 1580 feet above sea level) and one of the largest growing churches in the country (Elkstones has risen from a USAA of 1 five years ago to a USAA of 14 today)(statistics!). This s a place where the church is still valued; and where tradional pastoral ministry is appreciated. We try to engage our communities in tradtional ways and in new ways such as 'Wild Church'. We try to be fully involved in the life of our communities; reminding them about God and reminding God about them.

We would be looking to use the Prayers of Love and Faith as part of our ministry here at Longnor, Quarnford, Sheen and Warslow with Elkstone.

Mission statistics (2023)