The North Meols Team Ministry

Transcription

1 The North Meols Team Ministry St Cuthbert, Churchtown St Stephen, Banks St John, Crossens Church at the Centre, Banks 1

2 The North Meols Team Ministry St Stephen in the Banks, St John Crossens, St Cuthbert North Meols, Church at the Centre The North Meols Team Ministry came into effect on December 1 st The Team is a United Benefice of three Parishes, St Stephen in the Banks, Crossens, St John and North Meols, St Cuthbert. Since the Teams inception a Fresh Expression, now an Independent Place of Worship The Church at the Centre, has developed. The Cure of Souls, in the area of the Team Ministry, is shared by the Team Rector and the Team Vicar, who both have equal status to that of an Incumbent of a Benefice. Both are licensed under Common tenure. Under the provisions of the Pastoral Measure (1983) and the Team and Group Ministries Measure (1995), the PCCs of the Team were able to produce their own scheme, whereby each Council continues to take responsibility for its own Church and Parish, the Parishes continuing distinct. The Priest appointed will be given lead responsibility of the Parishes of St Stephen in the Banks and North Meols, St Cuthbert, but will be expected to work collaboratively the Team Rector on all aspects of mission within the Team and Deanery Partnership (See Area Dean s comments). It is essential that the Priest will support the development of a Shared Ministry Team to work across the three Parishes. All of the PCC s have agreed to this in principle. A Team Council has been established. It consists of the members of the Team and three elected lay members from each Church. Its main function is to promote and encourage closer co-operation between the Parishes and to regularly review the common ministry and mission of the team. It has an advisory role for the PCCs on matters of common concern. Our Team prayer God our Father, In the name of Christ and in the power of the Spirit, we commit ourselves to you and to one another, to live, work and pray as one body in Christ; to do apart nothing which we can do together, and to do together what we cannot do apart; give us vision, give us courage, and give us joy, that the world may believe that Jesus is Lord to your eternal glory. Amen. 2

3 Area Dean s Comments: The Deanery comprises 16 Worship Centres (with populations varying from 2,500 to 13,000) this includes a previously Diocesan funded Bishop s Fresh Expression (CatC - Banks). Two of our parishes fall in the Diocese s 10% most deprived. The total population is around , being 95% urban and 5% rural in the north. As a Deanery, we have considerable resources in terms of people. Two parishes have Ecumenical Partnerships with Methodist Churches. Similarly the Deanery contributes to other town-wide Ecumenical Initiatives i.e. Street Pastors and the Schools Worker Trust. We consider ourselves to be a Praying Deanery led by God s Mission but with an emerging culture accepting of both structural and considerable change within our Parishes. Exploring and embracing exciting new ways of being Church and the imaginative use of our resources, whilst working towards a mixed economy. The recently accepted Deanery Mission Plan ( ) puts The North Meols Team in our Northern Partnership which includes St. Stephens Banks, St. Cuthbert s, Church at the Centre, St. John Crossens, and Emmanuel Churches. The Partnership is to be staffed by 3 Clergy and enjoys the added ministries of 1 curate (Emmanuel) and 5 Readers. If we are to have a consistent missionary imperative at the heart of our thinking and doing the Deanery has accepted we need to develop a Can do mind set across all churches; that by developing a Mission Focus we can utilise the experience of those churches with evangelistic experience to others in the Deanery who would appreciate such help. It is hoped that any new member of the Deanery Team will recognise the full potential of New Ways of being Church and will be enthusiastic about developing a culture of thinking more flexibly about our resources, people, buildings and finance, a culture of going with people rather than to people, releasing and encouraging individual potential. We have adopted the Partnership principle as it seems reasonable that the churches in a particular area should be able to determine the most productive placing of Clergy and where mission and worship can be effective as the congregations and their Clergy alone know the locality and its needs. To this end we see the future as fluid and have not tried to be proscriptive in determining the shape of each partnership. I would encourage anyone who sees themselves as being open to the above to apply for the post of Team Vicar in the North Meols Team and to join a Deanery that is about to start on a new and exciting phase of missional outreach. 3

4 St Cuthbert, North Meols Welcome to our Parish Profile and thank you for taking the time to read it. We hope to give you an understanding of our parish and a taste of what it would be like to join us as part of the family of St Cuthbert s Church. We are blessed with many people who are willing to use their gifts and talents in the service of the church although the numbers regularly attending church and becoming involved in church life are declining. We recognise the need for growth and the need to better communicate the Christian faith to those in the wider community. We are a long standing church community and value many aspects of our traditional style of worship. We need the new incumbent to lead our church community into greater confidence in its faith and in sharing faith with others. Many people of all ages attend functions or use the church premises for various reasons, but we see very few of them at church services. A recent review of worship has resulted in the setting up of our new Café Church as an alternative to the traditional church services. This is still at an early stage and we would like someone who is encouraging of our efforts to provide an opportunity to engage with people who might not otherwise come to church. We are aware of the need to use all our resources wisely and are at a point where some difficult decisions need to be made. We need to plan how to make best use of our buildings, improve our financial position and to consider how the skills and talents of church members can be best employed in the mission of the church. We hope that the following pages will enable you to prayerfully consider what we need in our new Rector and should you decide to apply, we very much look forward to meeting you. Our Vision Statement St Cuthbert s welcomes all to share the good news of Jesus Christ The same yesterday, today and tomorrow Growing closer to God through: Worshipping, praying and learning together Loving and supporting one another Showing Gods love in reaching out to the wider community 4

5 The Parish of St Cuthbert St Cuthbert s Churchtown is the ancient Parish Church of North Meols, the Mother Church of Southport and still regarded by many of the residents of the village as their Church. Churchtown is the original village from which the busy town of Southport developed in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Churchtown village is now a conservation area which has retained much of its character from a bygone age. There are a number of Grade II thatched cottages in the village and a variety of specialist shops including a chocolate shop, bakery, deli, a homeware shop, dress shop, fabric shop, a blacksmiths, restaurants and tea shops. The original village of Churchtown, with the Church, the two local pubs, Meols Hall and the Botanic Gardens, attracts many visitors, particularly in the summer months. Today, the Parish is mainly residential with a mixture of Victorian detached and semidetached houses, purpose built flats, retirement properties, cottages and two residential care homes. There is a variety of shops and local businesses beyond the village and a large, successful Primary School within a short walk of the church. The population within the Parish boundary is around 3,500. 5

6 The Church and its people The style of the main Services at St. Cuthbert s Church would be described as traditional and robes are worn. Music is a feature of our Services and other events and we benefit from the support and direction of an excellent organist who also leads the choir. Our hymns are chosen from the Complete Anglican, Old and New. Our congregation is made up of a high proportion of older people, with many families involved through the very well supported Uniformed Organisations and the Sunday Club. Our current range of Sunday Services includes both traditional and contemporary worship with a Family Parade Service once a month. Refreshments and fellowship are enjoyed in the Parochial Hall after the 11.00am service. Following a review of the pattern of worship, we are in our first year of St Cuthbert s Café Church, which meets in the Parochial Hall on Sunday at 10.00am. This informal style of Service has already attracted a number of baptism families and wedding couples and is something we would wish to build on in the future. The normal pattern of Services is: First Sunday Second Sunday Third Sunday Fourth Sunday Fifth Sunday 8.30am 10.00am 11.00am 6.30pm 8.30am 10.00am 11.00am 8.30am 10.00am 11.00am 6.30pm 8.30am 10.00am 11.00am 8.30am 10.00am 11.00am Holy Communion (BCP-T) Café Church Holy Communion (CW-C) Evening Prayer (BCP-T) Holy Communion (BCP-T) Café Church Parade Family Service Holy Communion (BCP-T) Café Church Morning Prayer (CW-C) Evening Prayer (BCP-T) Holy Communion (BCP-T) Café Church Holy Communion (CW-C) Holy Communion (BCP-T) Café Church Holy Communion (CW-C) Wednesday 10.30am Holy Communion (BCP-T) 6

7 This pattern of Services will vary on special occasions such as Mothering Sunday, Rose Queen Festival, Harvest and Christingle. A special Service is held in the evening of the last Sunday in October to remember all those who have died in the previous year. There is also a Service of Holy Communion at 10.30am every Wednesday morning. Every month, communion is taken to the residents of the two nursing homes in the Parish and also to people s homes. Staffing at St Cuthbert s Church The Rector, who is also Vicar of St Stephen in the Banks Wedding Verger Funeral Verger Part-time Parish Administrator and PCC secretary Gardener Organist There are also many dedicated volunteers who offer a great deal of service in many different ways including: Three Church Wardens One Reader Two retired clergy Baptism Vergers A team of lay people who are licensed to administer communion in Church and who take communion to the sick and housebound and to two local care homes for the elderly. A team of lay people who read the lessons, the Epistle at communion and lead the intercessions. A team of Sunday Club Leaders A team of Worship Leaders and refreshment providers at Café Church Flower arranging team Parish Magazine and Pew Sheets Team Envelope scheme and Gift Aid Secretary Visitors Welcome Team Church Cleaning Group Rose Queen Committee Catering team Safeguarding Officer and DBS Verifier Other groups and activities: Sunday Club Guides Brownies Rainbows Scouts Cubs Beavers Bible Study Group 7

8 Handwork Group Mothers Union Handbell Ringers Christian Visitors Men s Supper Club Prayer Group The Parochial Church Council The PCC is chaired by the incumbent and consists of twelve elected members, three Churchwardens, Reader, three Deanery Synod representatives and an Honorary Treasurer. During the last year a number of other groups have dealt with various matters and reported to PCC. These have included: Standing Committee Worship Group Buildings and Churchyard Group Hall and Annexe Committee Stewardship Group Objectives addressed during Prepare and plan for a way forward for the Parish Hall & Annexe Review our worship Giving in Grace Looking to the future During 2014, it is the intention of the PCC, with other members of the congregation, to: Continue to progress work on the parochial hall and annexe Work with the Stewardship Group to address the financial situation Review the work with, and follow up of, those in contact with St Cuthbert s through the occasional offices (Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals) The church has been awarded the Child Friendly Church Award and is now working towards re accreditation. We are also working towards the Disabled Friendly Church Award. The PCC has also identified the following key areas for action from the Growth Planning Framework 1. To produce a welcome pack and train welcome team to use the pack. 2. Ongoing introduction of new 9.30am informal worship (now 10.00am Café Church) 3. To provide teaching for children on prayer and bible reading. 4. To deliver one Christian basics course per year 5. To identify three ways in which the "have a go" approach will be encouraged. 6. Ongoing PCC currently reviewing charitable giving. 7. Ongoing - PCC objective To introduce special service for those linked to occasional offices. 8. To recruit and train new pastoral/home communion visiting team members. Parish Office The Parish Office is open Monday to Friday from 10.30am to 11.30am and is run by the Parish Administrator/PCC Secretary who works 15 hours a week. Her role includes managing the day to day running of the office, managing the website, dealing with initial wedding enquiries and baptism bookings from initial contact to writing of baptism cards and registers. She also deals with family history enquiries and families wishing to locate graves in the graveyard. As PCC Secretary she attends Standing Committee and PCC meetings, taking and distributing minutes. 8

9 Financial review In 2013 a large proportion of our income was received through tax efficient giving schemes; as a result we were able to recover an additional 7,648 from HM Revenue & Customs. In addition to this 4,264 was donated and we were very grateful to receive 2,510 of legacies and 8,739 from fundraising events. However, our expenditure exceeded income and our total reserves decreased from 414,170 to 364,485. The majority of this decrease was as a result of a reduction in our overall income and ever increasing costs, particularly gas and electricity. This pattern has continued during The Church and the community Schools Churchtown has one primary school, Churchtown Primary School, which is situated on St Cuthbert's Road. The school is a community school (i.e. not a church school) but is closely associated with St Cuthbert's Church. The school holds its annual Year 6 Carol Service and Leavers Service in Church and pupils visit for assemblies and project work. Gifts to Charities In 2013, the following gifts were made to charities: Leprosy Mission Queenscourt Hospice Southport Food Bank Bible Society Disaster Emergency Committee Rotary Carol Service Diocesan Board of Finance & Norm Meols Deanery Links with other churches The Nexus Group is an ecumenical discussion group which meets once a month led by people from the different churches involved. The local churches in the Nexus Group are St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Marshside Methodist Church, Churchtown United Reformed Church, Crossens Methodist Church, St John Crossens and St Stephen in the Banks. The churches also join together for an ecumenical service in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January. 9

10 Churchtown Christian Visitors This group, made up of members of different denominations, has now been in existence for over thirty years. Members make regular visits to housebound people in the area. The Church and its buildings The Church The Church was completely rebuilt between 1730 and Substantial alterations and enlargements were made in 1805, 1860 and 1909 when the present chancel and porch were added. As part of the Millennium Project, facilities for people with disabilities were added, along with the crèche, the heritage and display area and the side altar. The Church is open every Saturday and Sunday afternoon and visitors comment on the beautiful simplicity of the building and in particular the fine stained glass windows and the remarkable woodwork. The Churchyard There is a large churchyard and a Garden of Remembrance and although there is no longer space for new graves, there is limited space in the Garden of Remembrance for the burial of ashes of those who lived in the parish or were on the Church Electoral Roll. A gardener was appointed in December 2013 and a small working group ensure the Garden of Remembrance is maintained. 10

11 The Parochial Hall and Annexe St Cuthbert s has two large halls adjacent to the church. The Parochial Hall and its annexe are both in regular use by church groups and other organisations. Various church functions, such as the Harvest Supper, Christmas Fair and attic sales make use of the hall and annexe. Sunday Club and Café Church are held in the hall at 10.00am and coffee is served after the 11.00am service. Both the hall and annexe are used by a number of other groups such as the Handwork Group, Mothers' Union and the Guiding sections of the Uniformed Organisations. St Cuthbert s Preschool and Play group meet in the hall and annexe during term time. All the Trustees are members of St Cuthbert s Church. Harvest and Christmas celebrations have included short services in Church for the children and their parents and the families and teachers take part in the annual Rose Queen Festival. Our current financial situation, unfortunately, means that we will be unable to sustain the maintenance of both the church building and the hall in the future. The PCC has started to research the possibility of reordering the church building and disposing of the church hall. The project is in its very early days and it is thought that this could take up to 4 years to complete. An architect has been appointed to draw up initial plans and outline costs which will enable the PCC to make a decision about the future of the buildings and their use. The Rectory The Rectory is a 1930s detached house comprising of four bedrooms, two bathrooms two reception rooms, office, kitchen, utility room, downstairs toilet, garage & workshop and an easily maintained garden. There is also a full height loft on the third floor. t is centrally heated and double glazed. The house is located on a local road away from the main routes that go through the parish, and is about ten minutes walk away from the church. 11

12 Conclusion Thank you for taking the time to read our Parish Profile. We hope we have given you an insight into the life of our parish and a taste of what it would be like to join us as part of the family of St Cuthbert s Church. In conclusion, we would like to highlight the three main challenges we face in the short to medium term. 1. Buildings As it has become apparent that our current financial situation will not allow us to run and maintain both the church and the Parochial Hall, the PCC is facing the challenge of making important decisions about the future of these buildings. 2. The need for growth As our congregation is declining in numbers, we need to look for different ways to engage with people who, at the moment, do not choose to come to church. We need to retain the best of our traditions while looking forward in mission and developing and growing our church. 3. Finances As our expenditure exceeds our income and our financial reserves are declining, we need to recognise and make plans to address our financial situation. We need to re-engage with our congregation and revisit Giving in Grace. In summary, we are looking for someone who can provide decisive leadership, pastoral care and support to help us meet the challenges ahead. We recognise that we cannot just continue as we are and doing nothing is not an option. Do you have the energy and enthusiasm to lead us as we respond to these opportunities? Can you work with us to shape our vision and move us forward? Are you ready to take up the challenge? We certainly are! 12

13 SWOT analysis St Cuthbert s Church, November 2014 Strengths Beautiful church building in an enviable position in heart of Churchtown Strong musical tradition with an excellent organist Lots of social activities Commitment to one another and care of those in need Positive relations with other denominations Hardworking volunteers who get things done A belief that the church will survive Heritage centre Full complement of Church Wardens and PCC Retired clergy who generously support us Large numbers of children and young people involved in Uniformed Organisations Special services are very well supported eg Mothering Sunday, Remembrance Sunday, Christingle, Harvest Established Sunday Club Popular and successful Rose Queen and Christmas Fair Weaknesses Volunteers continue to be thin on the ground for particular activities. Resistance to change Heavy demands on key people A lack of people in their twenties and thirties Limited engagement with local community Conservation area/ historic building and site constraints Internal and external communication could improve eg website, notice boards, social media Age and availability of the congregation No track record of Christian basics courses We can no longer afford to run both the Church building and Parochial Hall Opportunities Popularity with Baptism families and with wedding couples Popular tourist area lots of visitors around in the summer Lots of young families living in the area Large primary school in the parish Working with other churches and sharing the resources we possess Developing relationships and understanding with other faiths Developing a greater sense of unity within our church family Service/ mission to wider community To find creative ways to reach out to all under 30, including single people and young families Café Church Generous legacy means we currently have sufficient funds to make plans for the future Giving in Grace Well known for events in the local community eg Rose Queen and Christmas Fair Threats Sunday is a busy time for families and leaves no time for church Declining numbers in congregation and Sunday Club Time pressures and age profile of current volunteers. Not good at addressing / managing our difficulties Poor change management Trying to conserve what we've got - maintenance instead of mission, change and growth Over-reaching ourselves No church led children or youth work other than Sunday Club Retired people ageing and in ill health Expenditure exceeds income Possible DAC rejection of re-ordering plans 13

14 The Parish Church of St Stephen in the Banks Church Road, Banks, Southport, PR9 8ET Parish Profile Location of the Parish Banks is situated on the very northern perimeters of Southport, surrounded by expanses of agricultural land and countryside providing a pleasant rural area. Banks borders on Martin Mere, an important wildfowl and wetlands area, part of which is managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. The expanse of reclaimed Marshes along the natural coastline has increased the agricultural area by 500 acres, as well as providing a haven for wildlife, including several rare species of duck and wading birds. The area of Banks Banks is a thriving village with several new housing developments Whilst there is a considerable elderly population, the new developments uphold a middle generation and also young people and children. There are two Caravan Parks housing largely residential occupants and both sites are currently being developed to provide additional housing. Population The Parish population is approximately 4146 including children. Amenities The Village is served well by a wide range of shops and facilities. We have a controlled school, known as St. Stephen's C of E School, with pupil numbers at 139, parishioners go into the school regularly to hear the children read. Banks is fortunate to have the Services of a very talented Brass Band, with musicians drawn almost entirely from local people. During the summer months, a weekly and very popular Car Boot Sale is held each Saturday in the village. We have a small Community Centre where we hold our PCC meetings as it is free to use for any organisation in the Village, there is also a Post Office in the Community Centre 2 days a week. St Stephen's Club is available for hire, they have Bowling, Snooker etc. We use this club for some of our events, i.e. Harvest Supper, Autumn Fair, and the Mothers Union for supper after their Carol Service. 14

15 Industry Banks is widely involved in the agricultural industry and has several large companies situated on the borders of the Village producing vegetables, salads, gourmet produce and annual bedding plants and flowers. Shrimping is a very old occupation in the Village. There is an industrial park with various units employing local people. The Parish Church The Church was consecrated in 1868 and is considered by the Heritage and Environmental Unit as a Church with local and historical interest. Externally the building is in an excellent state of repair, visually pleasant and in keeping with a village setting. Internally, the Church is approaching time for redecoration but is non-the-less a pleasing environment. As our 150th Anniversary is approaching we will focus on having a church building which is accessible for all and is suitable for use seven days a week. This will enable the building to be the spiritual centre for village which it was always intended to be. The Parish has its own Churchyard which is full and also has a Garden of Remembrance. We do not have a Vicarage or a Church Hall. General Information We are part of the North Meols Team Ministry with links between the three Churches strengthening and developing with the passage of time. We have one licensed Reader. There are currently 114 entries on the electoral roll. The PCC Committee is a dedicated team of members who strive to serve the Church and the Parish. Also, St. Stephen's Social Committee is actively involved in organising and promoting fundraising to supplement income. A Coffee Morning is held on the last Wednesday of the month, at the home of one of our Churchwardens, which is attended by not only Church people but people from the village and other organisations in the Village. There have been four successful Flower Festivals over the years. Within the parish is a Fresh Expression Church, The Church at the Centre, it is a stand alone project. The Harvest Festival is undoubtedly the highlight of the year and defines us as a Parish with the event focusing on tradition and respect for the farming communities in our area. The church regularly supports Christian charities. Churchmanship The style of our worship is developed from the evangelical side of middle of the road embracing BCP and Common Worship. The main Sunday Service is held 10.30am, varying between Common Worship Morning Prayer, and Holy Communion; coffee is served after the morning service. At 4.00 pm we have BCP Evening Prayer or Holy Communion. Every Thursday at pm there a Service of Holy Communion with coffee and fellowship after the Service. We have a Sunday School - St. Stephen s Young Adventurers, they meet at 10.30am every Sunday in St. Stephen s Primary School. We have a team of people who take Communion to anyone who is sick or housebound. 15

16 Ecumenical Links We are now forging stronger links with the local Methodist Church joining together for our annual Walk of Witness and several joint services. The Parish has a wide variety of organisations including Brownies, Rainbows, Guides, Beavers and Cubs. We have a strong Mothers' Union. Many Church members have an active role in other local organizations the Women's Institute and the Village Luncheon Club. Church members are also active in the Bowling teams, which have a popular local following. Other annual events organized by the church are the very popular Parish Meal, and the 3 Churches Croquet Match. The school runs a breakfast club and after school club. Parish Magazine and Website Two hundred copies of the magazine are produced each month by a parishioner. Additionally, the Church has its own website which is very comprehensive in content and is regularly updated. The Person for the Job The Team Vicar would be someone who would recognize and be sensitive to the traditions and worship style of our Parish, a person who would preach the Gospel and be a Church Builder, recognising, encouraging, using and developing the talents of the laity. The Team Rector is currently Vice-Chair of the School Governors but it is expected that the Team Vicar should attend Governors meetings and maintain the strong ties with St. Stephen s school. The Team Rector/Vicar will continue to promote and encourage stronger ties with the Church at the Centre and the local Methodist Church. There is a well established Pastoral Care network in the parish so it is expected that the Team Vicar with the Team Rector should work towards supporting and developing this work. The Team Vicar would be confident that he/she could meet the needs of each Parish within the Team, treating each with fairness and equality. It is expected that the person appointed would continue to strengthen and develop the Mission and outreach to the wider community, that God might be known and glorified in this place. 16

17 The Parish Church of St John the Evangelist Rufford Road, Crossens, Southport The love of God comes close where stands an open door to let strangers in, to mingle rich and poor, young and old. The love of God is here to stay, embracing all who walk His way. May we be mindful stewards of this precious gift which we call Church. Amen The Parish Crossens is located at the very northern end of Southport on the border of West Lancashire, just off the marshes and close to expansive beaches. Preston is 15 miles to the north and Liverpool is approximately 20 miles to the south. The parish can be considered to be of a general social mix, with a growing number of ethnic groups. There are a number of council estates within the parish, which give a good mix of both retired and younger families with children. The parish is still growing with small new developments being expanded on a regular basis. Population The parish population as per the Diocesan figures is approximately Although Southport is a seaside town, the parish is located far enough away from the centre as not to be affected by the influx of tourists. Crossens is still considered as a village on the edge of a larger town. Amenities The village of Crossens has its own parade of shops, which provide for the everyday needs of the parish. These include along with the general shops expected, a pharmacy, Post Office, a car dealership and a choice of takeaway restaurants. The Church Crossens became a parish in The current building was based on a Mock-Gothic style, and is the second church on this site. It was consecrated in 1885 and celebrated its centenary in It is now a Grade II listed building. The church in the main is in good repair, was re-roofed in 1991 and redecorated internally in The bells are in full working order having been re-hung and the bell tower was restored in This included the re-tying in of the bell frame. The tower was re-roofed in The church underwent a major refit in 2008, when a community room, complete with toilet and kitchen, was installed. The church has its own yard where burials and the internment of ashes still take place. The Scarisbrick Mausoleum stands in the south frontage of the churchyard and is a Grade II listed building. At the front of the churchyard is a war memorial dedicated to the fallen of the parish. 17

18 Church School The school is adjacent to the vicarage and close to the church, so all together form a focal point for the village. The school was renamed in 1997 from Crossens Church of England School to St John s Church of England Primary School. This was to emphasise its closer links to the Church in general and St John s in particular. The current Head teacher is keen to promote the Church links by involvement of the clergy in the school and by special services being held in the church for the school children. The school hall is used for social events. The Vicar of St John s is traditionally the Chair of the Governing body of the school. General Information The PCC is a dynamic working group committed to the church and the parish of Crossens. The income of the parish is supplemented by fundraising events such as the Summer Gala, Christmas Fair and smaller events such as coffee mornings, Summer Barbecue and Ice Cream Sunday. The electoral roll as at the last General Meeting is 121, of which about 80% reside within the parish. The parish has the services of two extremely dedicated licensed lay readers, along with the assistance of a number of retired clergy who live and worship in the parish. Although the larger body of the congregation is retired, there is a steady influx of younger families with children. We have seen an increase in the number of young families as links with the church school have improved. We are always looking for ways to encourage more people into the church community. The parish has one member on the Diocesan Synod House of Laity and three members on the Deanery Synod. Services In terms of churchmanship, currently we are the high side of middle of the road. The main Sunday services are Eucharist based and are taken from the Common Worship. We welcome families and adopt a nearest adult is responsible policy, allowing children to roam freely during the service. Evensong is held every Sunday evening, and there is a Eucharist service every Wednesday morning. Experimental worship takes place regularly using Celtic, Taize and other forms. The services are enriched by the involvement of intercessors and readers from the congregation. We have a number of people licensed to administer communion both in church and in people s houses. We have held several very well attended and popular Messy Church meetings, and have more planned. Service Times Sunday 10:00 Parish Eucharist and Sunday Club 18:30 Evensong (Taize and Celtic styles as announced) Wednesday 10:00 Holy Communion and Coffee Morning Ecumenical Links We have a strong link with the local Methodist church, which is the only other church in the parish. Services are shared during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Harvest and Remembrance Sunday. We share the running Luncheon Club that meets twice a week during school term and meets at the Methodist Church. We also have strong links with the other churches in the area through our ecumenical Nexus group. 18

19 Organisations The parish has Rainbows, a Brownie pack and Guide Company, and a thriving Sunday Club. For older members of the congregation there is a craft club that meets every other week. We have an active bell-ringing group, who are always looking for new members. Every Friday morning during school term-time, we hold coffee mornings that have proved popular with parents with pre-school children. Charity Work We have close ties with the local food bank, and make annual collections for WaterAid, the Children s Society, Cancer Research and Christian Aid. Vicarage The vicarage is a large modern purpose built four bedroom house in spacious and private tree lined grounds located between the church and the school. It is well set back from the road down its own gated driveway. All of the rooms, including the fully fitted kitchen are of generous proportions, and include a separate Vicars study. There is a detached garage to the side of the property. Financial Due to declining attendances, we have an annual deficit of between per annum. We do have a significant proportion of planned givers, and we are exploring options such as the Parish Giving Scheme. 19

20 The Church at the Centre Section One Summary of the profile We are a fresh expressions church planted nearly 10 years ago and based at a Leisure Centre in Banks, Lancashire. Our missional remit is distinctively different. Whilst maintaining a relationship with the established village church, we at the CATC by focusing on God at the centre of all we do, seek to be a church that is actively pursuing its vision of whole life discipleship. This emphasis on whole-life evangelism in the workplace, the playground and home makes the CATC distinctly different to traditional church. We focus Sunday as a place of nurture, celebration, prayer, learning, support, recharging and sharing fellowship. We have a cohesive leadership team who are using their skills to lead worship, plan and deliver church through a range of activities. For example Knit and Natter group Community Centre Tea at 2 - Community Centre Messy Church Leisure Centre Café Church Leisure Centre Food Bank Community Centre Fund- Raisers - Various Story in the Stable Youth Drama club Performance at St Stephens Institute Sunday Kids Club and 7Up teen club Leisure Centre Links with Guides, Brownies and Rainbows. Our Vicar would provide support and guidance and a further reaching vision as we minister to the settled neighbourhood and the new residential developments following the imagery of lake and river. 20

21 Section Two Essential An energetic, enthusiastic, modern thinking vicar with ideas and clear focus to support us and lead us as we pursue our Visions, Values and Goals. The Great Commission.Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always,to the end of the age. The Greatest Commandment. Matthew 22:37-40 Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. OUR VISION By focusing on God at the centre of all we do, we seek to be whole life disciples. OUR VALUES Upwards worship, prayer, the Bible Inwards community, ministry, growing Outwards... service, mission, unity 21

22 Essential continued A burning desire to work with families, children and youth within the church and beyond. Commitment to treating our church equally within the team. Desirable Experience of family and youth work. Confident in outreach and making connections. 22

23 Section Three Banks Village is on the edge of the Liverpool Diocese in the county of west Lancashire. The village was originally a farming community and whilst a farming community is still present it has become a commuter residential area. There have been a number of phases of residential development over the years gradually moving away from the village centre towards the dual carriageway the A565. This has led to a change in the community in Banks. Housing A large part of the Greaves Hall Hospital site has become a large residential development, mainly detached houses with some apartment blocks. Young professional families were attracted to this development as were many single people and couples. The new housing development continues to grow encompassing a brand new care home and another new estate of family homes. St Stephens School A number of years ago the school moved out of the old school building to a redeveloped former Greaves Hall hospital building near to the dual carriageway. Our previous minister used to visit the school and take assemblies, now we are linked with the school through our parental contacts. Village Life The centre of Banks Village has changed over the years with the closure of the old school and many of the shops and the bank. The new residents tend to access the dual carriageway to take them towards Southport and Preston. It was in the context of this situation that a church plant was initiated in 2004, to be based in the new school close to the housing development and the influx of young families. We have since moved from the school to the Leisure Centre as our base. 23

24 Section Four About the church The CATC has links with the Parish Church in Banks and continues to celebrate community events by attending St Stephen s Church. Mother s Day Easter Day Walking Day Harvest Festival Remembrance Service We meet every Sunday at our local Leisure Centre for a range of different styles of service. Café Church Messy Church Guest Speakers Special Celebrations Agape/Communion services We offer Sunday School and Youth Group each week. The children have opportunities to attend drama club. We hold a weekly Wednesday night house meeting with a variety of themes Bible study Prayer meetings Leadership meetings Social gatherings Film Night with Bible theme Throughout the year other events include: Stable Story/Christmas Drama Bonfire party Fundraisers Breakfast with Santa BBQs 24

25 We are small congregation of approximately adults and children. We have many regular attenders and others that attend more sporadically. Our Services are very informal and we are a child friendly church, our children make a positive contribution to services with appropriate songs, drama and discussions about their Sunday Club activities. Although we actively encourage families we do have a mixed age range congregation who are welcomed and we ensure everyone who attends is given every opportunity to take part in all our activities. Most of our congregation is local or from a nearby village. We leaflet drop our local housing estates, the school and have a regularly updated newsletter service. We have a strong leadership team with a range of skills and life experiences. We truly work as a team and during this interregnum period, we have risen to the huge challenge of continuing to offer a variety of services and other events. We are keen to promote the Church and our family as a place that welcomes everyone, developing friendships which will encourage an interest in learning, prayer, celebration and fellowship. We are full of energy and enthusiasm, however we all work full time in demanding careers, with family commitments and therefore we are time poor, some level of leadership would be appreciated. We are determined to promote our whole-life evangelism whenever we can; in our church activities, with our families and in our workplaces where some of us hold bible studies in our lunch breaks and encourage work colleagues with prayer. 25

26 We are keen to encourage the church and non-churched to join us and become familiar with a new way of being church, become part of God s family every day in everything we do. We support baptisms and recently celebrated 5 of our young peoples confirmation. We have sponsored a boy in Ecuador for the last 9 years, through Compassion. We work with the local food bank. We serve at the local annual Village Carnival. We support various charities such as Derian House Children s Hospice and Forum Housing. We also look to support various speakers that have visited our church such as the Bible Society and Street Preachers collecting and giving whenever we are able. Since we meet on Sunday mornings at a Leisure Centre we use a local community room and a local Institute for other activities. We are currently supported by the vicar at All Saints, who joins us once a month to preach and sometimes attends our Bible and Prayer groups, this support ends in August We also have a retired minister in our congregation who kindly preaches once a month. One of our Leadership Team leads everyone in musical worship and the younger ones are encouraged to join in with dance, actions and use the blow-up musical instruments for fun! 26

27 Section Five About the Wider Context We have a reduced parish share that we pay using our weekly gift offering, fund raising and by claiming gift aid. As we are time poor we struggle with regularly updating our finances and applying for the gift aid, this is something that we hope to tackle in the near future and to make progress with. We created a flyer explaining how the money people give is spent in order to encourage giving, as we have an informal service and we do not hand round the offertory plate we encourage our congregation to give by direct debit wherever possible. We have a small room rental that we pay and our other needs are covered by donations and gifts from the congregation. Come in, sit down, and make yourself at home Come with your family or even come alone It doesn t matter who you are, if it s your first time Don t worry we don t bite, you will be just fine Help yourself to bible notes they are absolutely free And have a mingle afterwards and a nice cup of tea We have tapes and CD s that you can take away Our bible notes will you give you a thought for the day We hope that you enjoy our service and want to come again In no time at all you ll have made lots of new friends It would be fab if you could help to keep our church straight By leaving a donation in the offertory plate So thank you for joining us at the Church at the Centre You ve been now so please don t be scared to enter In the future we would like to have more links to other churches, joining up for events and taking our drama group out to perform at other churches wherever possible, as well as to continue to try and build more links with the local school. We strive to continue to spread the word in Banks and make positive links with the people and families who live here, we are dedicated and with God s help we are determined to grow, we look forward to the future with a positive attitude and a love for God s word. The Church at the Centre 27

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29 Other Information Electoral Rolls 2014 St Cuthbert, Churchtown 139 St John, Crossens 118 St Stephen, Banks 112 Occasional Offices 2013 St Cuthbert St John St Stephen Church at the Centre Baptisms Weddings Funeral Services in Church Burials in Churchyard Average Attendance at Services 2013 St Cuthbert St John St Stephen Church at the Centre 16+ attendance on normal Sunday main service Attendance at early Sunday Service Child attendance on normal Sunday Attendance at midweek service 18 Attendance at Café Church Attendance on Christmas Eve & Day Attendance on Easter Sunday