THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHWELL & NOTTINGHAM GROWING DISCIPLES WIDER, YOUNGER AND DEEPER

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2 THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHWELL & NOTTINGHAM GROWING DISCIPLES WIDER, YOUNGER AND DEEPER A statement from the Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, the Rt Revd Paul Williams and the Archdeacon of Nottingham, the Venerable Sarah Clark The Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham incorporates the City of Nottingham, the whole County of Nottinghamshire and five parishes in South Yorkshire. The population is 1.15 million 51% live in the greater Nottingham conurbation, 31% in ex-mining areas and 18% in rural. There are 305 churches (252 parishes), served by 142 stipendiary clergy and licensed lay workers. In 2016 a refreshed diocesan vision was embraced across the diocese, recognising the imperative for Growing Disciples: Wider, Younger, Deeper. 2 Wider in that we will seek to grow disciples in every part of the diocese, with no retreat from any community: urban centre; outer estates; rural villages; or market towns. Younger in that we will seek fresh ways to harness the boldness and creativity of children, students and young people across the diocese, not least in Nottingham which is the 4 th youngest city outside London. Deeper as we grow in knowing Christ, so that as his disciples we can be an increasing blessing to the people among whom we live and serve in the workplace, family and community. The Bishop s Senior Staff, Bishop s Council and Diocesan Synod have demonstrated their clear commitment to sharing in all aspects of this vision and strategy. In autumn 2016 more than PCC members attended 5 vision evenings around the diocese. We have discerned a series of emerging priorities that will facilitate growing new disciples in every parish across the diocese. Compelled by the love of Christ by 2023 we will seek to: Welcome 7000 new disciples into the fellowship of Christ and his church Commission 1000 younger leaders (especially year olds) equipped and inspired to serve the purposes of God in the Church and society. Plant or graft 75 New Worshipping Communities (NWCs) across the diocese to increase our reach in telling the story of Jesus to all. Grow 25 larger Resource Churches with clear commitment to develop leaders, plant New Worshipping Communities, and disciple the young. Serve and pray together as 1 Church contending for the gospel in every community and sphere of public life in our city, county and region. In this new chapter every parish has an opportunity to review its role within the diocesan mission, so that it can play a significant part in the strategic commitment to Growing Disciples wider, younger and deeper. It is in the context of this vision that the Bishop together with the Team Rector of the Parish of Clifton seek to appoint a Team Vicar. A collegiate, mission focused priest with an evangelistic gift and a desire to enable discipleship and numerical growth will flourish in this setting. It is a parish where opportunities for the establishment of new worshiping communities that welcome and nurture faith in a way appropriate to Clifton, complimenting the present ministry, are clearly present. Bishop Paul has said: It is my hope that each worshipping community will develop a compelling picture of its own future in God s purposes with an expectation of growing numerically and in the scope of its mission. It is my prayer that the new Team Vicar in Clifton will have the creative leadership and imagination to work with the Team Rector to develop discipleship, plan for growth and reach out to the unchurched of all ages in its locality. April 2018

3 West Bingham Deanery The West Bingham Deanery is made up of 23 parishes situated to the south of Nottingham. They comprise a range of diverse contexts including the suburban areas of West Bridgford to the North, the urban development of Clifton and village of Ruddington across the centre and the more rural villages around Gotham and East Leake to the South. This is a great time to be joining the Deanery as we discern how we can work together more effectively to grow disciples Wider, younger and deeper. On appointing the Team Vicar we will then have a full complement of clergy within the Deanery along with many gifted and experienced lay ministers in all sorts of different roles. Deanery Synod meets at least three times a year to focus on a different aspect of our Diocesan Vision. These are opportunities to learn from each other, to share resources and ideas, to be encouraged by what God is already doing amongst us and dare to pray for new growth. Clergy meet as chapter on a regular basis for mutual support, prayer and friendship. In the coming years in our Deanery we want to see:- A deepening heart for prayer seeking God s kingdom and God s will to be done across all our parishes A few churches growing in generosity as resource churches prepared to serve and support other churches across the Deanery and beyond A number of new worshipping communities established within the Deanery that serve communities and networks of people that we are not currently engaging with. Every parish working in collaboration with at least one other parish in a way that benefits and challenges all parties. A growth in lay ministry across the Deanery with a particular focus on encouraging younger leaders. We would love the new team vicar to share something of this shared vision for the Deanery as well as making an exciting contribution to mission and ministry in the parish of Clifton. 3 Mark Fraser

4 Relationship of the parish to the Deanery We enjoy a very healthy and strong relationship with the churches in our Deanery. We experience a high level of support from clergy colleagues by way of cover for holidays having a particularly close relationship with the neighbouring parish of St. Peter, Ruddington. A number of their congregation helps us in our music group and one of the Readers is on our rotas for leading and preaching at our services. It is hoped that she will soon be licensed to both parishes as a Lay Pioneer Minister. The relationship is two way as we too offer support and ministry to Ruddington. It is hoped that we might form a covenant relationship with each parish. This is still to be fully discussed and would need be formalised and celebrated. Introductions and welcomes from the Team Rector, Associate priest and the Wardens Owen Page Team Rector Our new Team Vicar will find a warm and friendly welcome in Clifton and will find it a good place in which to be a priest. 4

5 S/he will be joining a gifted, experienced and friendly ministry team comprising: 1 Team Rector 1 Associate priest (Self-supporting) 2 licensed Readers 1 Reader with permission to officiate 1 Reader who is on long term sick 1 lay pioneer minister (to be confirmed) We are all passionate about serving the community of Clifton; both the worshipping and wider community. We are a mixed bunch who all contribute our gifts in differing ways. Gill Page Associate Priest We look forward to a new colleague joining our happy ministry team and community. People in our churches care for and look out for each other and also share the love of God with those around our parish. Clifton is an exciting place to be and has a strong sense of identity. Many people have lived here since the estate was built and it has also become home for a succession of young families. Clifton is a place where it is easy to develop your unique ministry style, it can be challenging at times and also extremely rewarding. Come and share our vision. Learn and laugh with us and be part of this special and dynamic parish. 5

6 Joanne Naaktgeboren Kevin Lancashire Wardens of Holy Trinity with St. Francis 6 The Parish of Clifton now has 2 churches Holy Trinity with St Francis and St Mary s. There were 3 churches 2 on the estate and 1 in the village. Holy Trinity and St Francis were built in the 1950s to serve the residents of the newly built housing estate on the outskirts of Nottingham. When the church of St Francis closed in September 2016 the congregation transferred to Holy Trinity. We are a small, faithful and sociable congregation that is adaptable to change. We have plans to refurbish the building to include extra toilets with disabled access and baby changing facilities and to fit a kitchen, so enabling us to reach out to the wider community as part of our mission.

7 Warden of St. Mary s Clare Ashton Welcome to St Mary s Church. It is a beautiful and historic Grade 1 listed building situated in the old Clifton Village and is referred to in the Domesday Book and Simon Jenkins 1,000 best churches. It is a place of peace and tranquillity, where you can feel the presence of God. It is much loved by all the Clifton community, who often use it for weddings, baptisms & funerals and in times of need. It is also blessed with wonderful acoustics providing a focus for a wide range of musical events. We have a fairly small but welcoming and faithful congregation with a range of ages. We are aiming to make the church more appealing to the young and to build on our historic and musical heritage to reach out to the wider community. 7

8 A recent Ceilidh at St. Mary s Mission 8 The parish mission statement is Building church and community We have a strong desire to build on what is already being done in our churches but also to seek new partnerships and ways to do church in our local communities. We are on a progressive process known as partnership for Missional Church. (PMC):

9 Through this we have begun to build some strong partnerships within our community and have started to engage with new groups of people. We are keen to follow the Diocesan vision of growing disciples wider, younger and deeper and hold this as our frame work in our entire mission. We have a Missional group that works to achieve all of the above by meeting regularly, praying together, reading the word of God and working out how to apply all that we do in a practical way. Our parish is in the genesis of an exciting time of practical application, exploration and discovery of God s preferred and promised future. So what is our story? A: Saturday breakfast: we meet once a month at the church of Holy Trinity with St. Francis (HTC/SF) for prayer, dwelling in the word of God, sharing experiences and offering hospitality to others outside of church life as well as those within. Growing disciples deeper. B: Toddlers & Toast: This is a new group which meets every Monday morning in school term time at Holy Trinity with St. Francis (HTC/SF), delivering a simplified Gospel message to our young families, offering Messy Church and family services in a friendly and informal way. Growing disciples younger. 9

10 C: Highbank community centre: Seeking and encouraging a new worshiping community, meeting people where they are and working out what the Gospel might mean to them. We work in partnership with them in the lead of a community choir which now stands at 14 members. These members participate with the Church worship band in some of our services and participate in many community events. We join them with their Thursday night jamming sessions, building on a social level to strengthen relationships. We are looking to encourage a START course with this group in the near future. Growing disciples wider. D: To encourage social nights both for existing worshipping community and for those on the periphery, to strengthen relationships and build community, growing disciples both wider and deeper. We do this through many different social opportunities: Dog racing Liverpool trip 10

11 Cocktail & quiz nights Bingo nights Skate Board Park Jamming/open mike nights Clifton s got talent Community choir events Worship bands from across neighbouring parishes and the community choir performing together. E: Breakfast walk: This takes place 4 times a year by meeting at St. Mary s church for a bible reading and then a walk along the river with prayer stops and finally resting at the pub for breakfast. This walk includes our Boys Brigade and Girls Association families, friends of regular church goers, dog walkers, Toddlers & Toast families and people on the fringe of Church life. This walk can attract 40+ people with the majority of them being on the fringe of Church life. 11

12 We feel that our church and the wider community offer lots of freedom to explore and to build friendships. Clifton is an extremely exciting place to be, in terms of mission. We have found that the local people are very welcoming to us as Church and they have shown they are true people of peace. The dwelling in the word passage we have used was Luke This passage has inspired us to be daring in our witness. The PCC recently had a day of prayer, reflection, discussion and worship to agree some mission priorities in the light of the appointment of a Team Vicar. These were the agreed areas: 1. We aspire to develop closer relationships with our children and young families, especially by working with the Boys and Girls Brigade, the newly formed Toddlers group and with our schools to help us grow disciples younger 2. To seek help in further growing disciples wider and to build upon the excellent work of our Missional (PMC) group (see above) 3. We want to deepen our faith together by way of developing further the ongoing work of our home and prayer groups 4. Many of us value the centrality of Holy Communion in our worship and we would love to work alongside someone who respects this sacramental emphasis - even if it might not necessarily be their personal background 12

13 The PCC is aware these priorities for mission should be reviewed and is open to fresh perspectives and suggestions. We are in the middle of exciting times in Clifton and we are convinced that God has great plans for us. As we seek to grow our church and communities we are aware that we also need to support and encourage our longer standing folk. Our new Team Vicar We seek a priest who:.is a mission minded priest who is passionate about evangelism and will help us grow in number, making disciples and seeing new worshipping communities established.will take over from the Team Rector as Spiritual leader of our Missional group.will serve among us in being a pastor to God s people and have a particular responsibility for our newly formed 4 O clock Sunday congregation - a congregation that enjoys a more informal, innovative and contemporary style of worship.will develop existing links with our 7 schools and explore setting up a chaplaincy team at our secondary school AND.will help to undertake and develop worship, conduct services on a rostered basis, and to share in the occasional offices.who will build on existing foundations to help develop the vision and strategy for the ministry and mission of the Parish.will work ecumenically in the parish and within the Deanery and Diocesan family 13

14 Personal Profile Experience Skills and Knowledge Essential At least 3 years of a broad range of practical experience as an ordained member of the clergy within the Anglican Communion Able to make and take opportunities to communicate and teach the gospel to a wide range of audiences Able and willing to deputize in the absence of the Team Rector Desirable Working with families. Working in schools with children and young people. Experience of the Partnership in Missional Church (PMC) programme An ability to link the ordinariness of life to the Gospel 14

15 Broad theological outlook; a respect for a sacramental ministry, at home with PCC policies (see appendix) within a welcoming and affirming tradition and willing to explore alternative forms of worship Willing to step out into the unknown and take risks Proven experience of collaborative working in a team Committed to community outreach and ecumenical work Able to see things through to the end Good influencing and conflict resolution skills and a good listener Basic and word processing skills Good at building relationships within the Church and in the wider community Effective instigator and leader of change. 15

16 Personal Qualities An approachable pastor and confidant for a wide range of people; A person who encourages involvement & development of skills Wisdom & discernment in dealing with people Appropriate personal and spiritual resources and resilience The Parish of Clifton Brief history and description The village of Clifton is situated three miles west of the city of Nottingham on the southern side of the River Trent. In order to meet the housing demands of Nottingham City after the Second World War, the City Council purchased the land around the village of Clifton. Construction of the Clifton Estate started in the early 1950s and there have been various stages of development over the decades since it was originally conceived. This has led to a variety of housing and accommodation within the parish, which includes semi-detached and detached houses with gardens, high-rise flats and maisonettes. The parish has a population of 23,000 and rising (2011 census). Clifton has a variety of shops clustered in small groups around the estate, with the largest concentration at the Clifton Town Centre often referred to as The Top Shops. 16

17 These include a large Morrison s, Wilkinson, Boots and Iceland with other small shops and businesses, bank and Post Office facilities. The estate also has three GP surgeries, two dental surgeries, a leisure centre with swimming pool, 3 community centres, the Cornerstone building which houses two of the GP surgeries and local council and community facilities. Clifton also has a library, various playing fields including a skateboard park, a police station which is no longer open to the public, a Royal British Legion club and three Public houses. The Nottingham Trent University campus is situated between Clifton Village and the Fabis Drive area. A new development is due to be completed this summer - known as The Clifton Triangle. This will include another supermarket, shops, restaurants and residential properties. 17

18 In addition to this new development there are to be 3000 more homes built at Clifton Pastures on the Clifton boundary with Rushcliffe. Clifton is only three miles from Nottingham City Centre with good public transport links. The A453 runs through Clifton providing good access to the M1 junction 24, the East Midlands Airport and the East Midlands Parkway train station to the west, and the Nottingham Ring Road and A52 to the east. The new tram network (2015) runs through Clifton providing excellent communications to Nottingham Train station, the City centre and beyond. Clifton has several places of worship which include, St Mary s, Holy Trinity with St. Francis (both C of E churches), a Roman Catholic Church, Methodist and URC churches and Hope (AOG) church which meets at the new Hope Centre. There is also an AOG plant on the Nobel Road estate. The Parish The parish is within the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham and is part of the West Bingham Deanery. It is a team Ministry and covers the Clifton Estate, Clifton Village and the Barton Green, Nobel Road and Fabis Drive (locally known as the Clifton Grove) areas. These areas are collectively referred to as Clifton. It incorporates the two parish churches of St Mary s dating from late 11th century and situated in the historic village of Clifton and Holy Trinity with St Francis dating from the late 1950s and situated within the Clifton Estate. The two churches have a total of 134 people on the electoral roll. A few years ago the parish dismantled the three former District Church Councils (DCC) and streamlined the management, administration and representation apparatus by forming a reorganised Parochial Church Council (PCC), whilst endeavouring to maintain the use of the two churches, all of which continue to have modest and loyal congregations. 18

19 Services are held in both churches on Sundays. These services range from a Common Worship Eucharist Rite 1, with Morning Worship and less formal Worship for All services held once a month. On a 5 th Sunday we have a well attended joint Sunday service which moves around the churches. The St. Mary s singers provide a choir at St. Mary s on the first Sunday of the month. A dedicated team of licensed lay people helps lead and preach at services and together with our Wardens and deputy Wardens participate in the Mission and Ministry team. Service day & time HTC/SF Sunday 9.30am St. Mary s Sunday 10.45am HTC/SF Sunday 4pm Total Usual Sunday attendance adults 3 children 32 adults 4 children 23 adults 4 children 77 adults 11 children Usual Sunday attendance adults 2 children 29 adults 3 children 18 adult 4 children 68 adults 9 children 19

20 The Team currently provides support and input to five primary schools, one special needs school and a secondary school. There is potential for future development in these areas. There are four senior citizen residential homes and five independent living schemes for the elderly. The parish works in partnership with Hope Church to give support to the NG11 Food Bank and an after school club on Thursday afternoons. RISE (Reaching the ISolated Elderly) is a senior citizens charity that meets for meals and activities on Fridays. The Team Rector is on the management committee of this valuable venture. Our Easter and Christmas Experiences in the church attract groups of children and staff from most of the Clifton schools. The parish office is situated in Holy Trinity with St. Francis and is open one evening a week from 6pm -7pm. A communion service is also held in Holy Trinity with St. Francis on Tuesday 10am and is followed by a newly formed Chat N That craft and coffee morning group. The Boys Brigade & Girls Association meets in the church on a Tuesday evening. Our newly formed Community choir meets in HTC/SF every Monday evening followed by a prayer group and music group practice. The newly formed Toddlers group meets each Monday morning in HTC/SF in term time. A bell ringing team practices once a week at St. Mary s and rings at both Holy Trinity with St. Francis and St. Mary s on Sunday mornings as well as at weddings and funerals. Both churches regularly host visiting ringing teams. 20

21 The Team Vicar s house is situated in Clifton village and it is a modern four bedroom detached property, with a garage and off street parking. There is a garden to the front, and a medium sized mature garden to the rear. Please note the lamp post no longer exists... as a result of some near misses with cars!!!! Finances We have just completed a most successful promises and giving programme. This has resulted in an increase in regular and planned giving of some 8000 per annum. The full accounts are available on our website: 21

22 Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds INCOME Donations 50, ,715 53,001 Events 20,760-25,000 45,760 33,475 Investments 1, ,461 1,723 Total 72,762-26,175 98,936 88,199 EXPENDITURE Fundraising cost 1, ,862 2,343 Charitable activities 64,636-1,033 65,669 88,206 Total 66,499-1,033 67,532 90,549 Transfer between funds 6,263-25,142 31,404 (2,350) Net gains/losses 1,025 - (1,025) - - Net movement funds Reconciliation of funds 4, , ,390-24,117 35,507 (1,854) Total funds B/F 67,812 4,798 5,619 78,229 80,083 To 79,201 4,798 29, ,735 78,229 22

23 Clifton Parish Clifton Community Challenges 1 Clifton has areas of high social deprivation. The 2015 Parish deprivation ranking for Clifton is 757 cf 12,599 parishes (where 1 is most deprived) Low educational achievement within the community. (42% of working age adults with no qualifications) Low educational and career aspirations among young people. Lone parenthood (33%) Unemployment is around the national average, however many people are employed on low wages. Working age poverty is at 21%. There are high rates of ill health including cancer, heart disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) diabetes and mental health issues as well as significant issues associated with smoking, obesity and domestic violence. 1 Statistics taken from the CUF

24 Strengths/opportunities Clifton has a strong sense of community. The Parish is now in its 4 th year of the missional PMC process. The two/three congregations are commited to building a sustainable and exciting future together. There is the potential and desire further to develop and to deepen links with the local schools, local groups and organisations. A core of commited lay people. Progress is being made with home groups. We are beginning a START group for explorers of the Christian faith. Mission opportunities due to the relatively high number of occasional offices. Weddings/blessings Baptisms Funerals We are intentional about encouraging ministerial vocations and have fostered 3 candidates to ordination. The Team Rector is an assistant DDO. Challenges for the Parish St Francis church is now unofficially closed. We await full authorisation for the effects of consecration to be removed and for the site to be sold. This is now imminent. Holy Trinity with St. Francis church is in need of a full refurbishment to make the building fit for purpose. The 1 st phase of this refurbishment is about to commence providing a kitchen, disabled 24

25 25 toilet facilities, St Mary s requires restoration work to drains, floor, wall and the tower. These are also planned for Ageing congregations. Apathetic attitude toward organised religion within the community at large. The A453 is a physical and in some regards a psychological barrier within the area.

26 Appendices A Terms of Appointment The appointment is made jointly by the Team Rector and the Bishop and is to the benefice of Clifton. A comfortable, well located house is provided in accordance with Diocesan guidelines. Expenses of office will be met in full by the Parochial Church Council in accordance with agreed Diocesan scale of reimbursement for car mileage, telephone, postage, home entertainment and other approved expenses of office agreed by the PCC. B Ordination of women The parish enjoys and welcomes the ordained ministry of both women and men The parish currently has a female Associate Priest The PCC affirms the ordination of both women and men as bishops 26 C Baptism policy We maintain an open policy on Baptism and we also recognise the need to respect the nature and importance of this sacrament We are also mindful of the provisions of Canon Law and the rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer and Common Worship Prayer Book Baptism will normally take place on a Sunday at one of our main services

27 A member of the Clergy may for good and valid pastoral reasons and at her/his sole discretion celebrate a Baptism at another time Parent(s) and/or adult candidates will receive preparation prior to the baptism Godparents and parents acting as sponsors for a child will normally need to be: a. Baptised themselves b. Sixteen years of age or over The Baptism of those who live outside of the parish (who are not on the Electoral roll in Clifton) will only take place having sought the permission of the priest of their parish of residence. D Marriage after divorce The practice of welcoming marriage after divorce has been in existence for many years in the parish. This is the practice of the current Team Rector and Associate priest The Team Rector follows the guidelines as set out in The Winchester report with particular reference to paragraph 3 entitled: Issues and questions you may wish to consider in the light of the Church s doctrine of marriage. ( E Reception of Holy Communion prior to Confirmation The PCC welcomes all the baptized people of God to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion and we use the Diocesan guidelines and the following as guiding principles: They must be baptized Preparation must take place 27

28 For a child under 16 years of age parental/guardian s consent must be obtained The child will normally be of school age In the case of those 16 years of age or over the candidate would normally be desirous of confirmation The candidates (both children and adults) will be encouraged to come to Confirmation in line with the Diocesan guidelines 28