PASTORATE PROFILE

The church is situated in the suburban southern area of Hayling Island at the centre of the village of Mengham.  Most of the island to the north is rural.  We are connected to the mainland by a bridge at Langstone.  The population, mostly in the south, is about 17,000, predominantly white and a fair proportion is of retirement age.  The island is a seaside holiday resort with three holiday camps, sailing clubs, caravan sites and summer-let properties, but tourism has declined in the last fifteen years. 

We are at the eastern edge of the Portsmouth District of the Wessex Synod.  The District has varied congregations and situations - from inner-city to rural and seaside.  Our District therefore includes the city of Portsmouth churches, extends northwards to Petersfield and Liss on the South Downs, to Gosport, Fareham and a new LEP at Whiteley to the west.  It also includes the Isle of Wight to the south.  It is easy to become insular on an island but we do play our part in Wessex by having members involved in District and Synod matters. 

OUR CHURCH

The first Non-Conformist chapel on Hayling Island was built on the present site in 1830 and some time later joined the Congregational Union.  The original building was damaged by a land mine in 1941.

Worship continued in a temporary building known as the 'tin hut' until the new church was built and opened in 1956.  The church, which has a substantial balcony, seats 200 and also has a Rodgers electronic two-manual organ, recording facilities and the loop system.

The Main Hall has a stage with curtains and lighting and there is a partitioned side-room (the 'Parlour'), which can be opened to extend space when needed, providing seating for approximately 200 together.  The 'tin hut' was replaced by a new Small Hall in 1998.  This new hall is linked to the other buildings and can be used independently or in conjunction with all the premises.

 It has its own ancillary rooms and is carpeted.  Both halls are used extensively by church groups and for community activities on a regular basis.  All are well maintained.  The manse is to be found in St Catherine's Road about one mile from the church.

THE CHARACTERISTICS

Our church believes that, as Christians, we endeavour to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ, God's Son, Our Saviour.  We teach, baptise and nurture new believers and serve the community in fellowship with other Christians.

Because we are the largest mainstream nonconformist church on the island, we have a congregation made up of people with diverse theological persuasions and backgrounds - sometimes called a 'broad church'.  Many local people in the village feel a friendly ownership of the church although they may not attend worship on Sundays.  We aim to provide a warm and friendly welcome and inclusive worship.  Music is a strong element in our services and we use "Rejoice and Sing" and "Mission Praise".  We understand that the church is well thought of in the community as a caring church.  We have a strong Junior Church with dedicated leadership.  All children come with supportive parents and/or grandparents.

We found that there are many within the church family giving generously of their gifts, skills, time, money and in prayer.  The calling to follow Christ and active discipleship is manifest and evident in our people in tending, caring and an enthusiasm to be taught.  At the same time, we seek greater maturity in faith and spirituality. 

We realise that, as a church, we must "lift our eyes from the limited horizons of our own locality" and we promote Commitment for Life and Christian Aid.  As we are an island, we have chosen the island of Jamaica as our partner.  We have an annual sponsored walk for Christian Aid, which raises about £700, and many of our people take part in the door-to-door collection in May every year.  Other collections are taken during the year in response to crisis and need.  The Junior Church has sponsored a child through Action Aid and we have supported three of our teenagers to travel abroad on short-term work situations in Developing Countries.  We take a collection for the Bible Society at Christmas, toys are given to the Portsmouth Family Welfare Association and packaged Harvest gifts are given to St. Paul's House, a refuge for homeless women.

THE FUTURE

We have a building plan called a 'Vision for the Next Century'.  When the new Small Hall was opened in 1998, it was the first stage of three in this plan.  We are now working towards the second stage, which is to in-fill the space between the Church and the Main Hall to create a user-friendly vestibule.  The present vestibule is very small and the prospects for outreach with a new one will be greatly enhanced.  The entrance will be angled towards the village and there will be space for a coffee lounge, a bookstall and Traidcraft goods and therefore the possibilities for use within the community are exciting.  The third stage will be to modernise the sanctuary to create a more flexible working area and to add a new vestry and office.  All the plans have been approved by the Wessex Trust.

THE ECUMENICAL SCENE

Ecumenical relations between churches on the island are cordial.  Churches Together on Hayling Island (CTHI) grew out of a request from Christians of several denominations who met together for Lent Discussion Groups in 1986.  The Ecumenical Council comprises clergy and lay representatives.  The churches join together in services for One World Week, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and other annual events such as Carols for the Community and children from the various Junior Churches join together on a Carnival float.  There are Lent Discussion Groups every year and each church hosts a lent lunch for Christian Aid.  There have been other successful one-off events - for example, a millennium production of "Hopes and Dreams" and a Pentecost Celebration, "Praise in the Park".  The churches place a joint advert in the local paper for Christmas services and the minister takes a turn in writing a monthly letter.