Diocese of York Profile of the Parish of St Michael le Belfrey with St Cuthbert, York

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1 THE BELFREY is a city-centre, resourcing church in York. We are called to be serving God s transformation of the North of England. This is our vision - to see God s kingdom come and will be done, here in York and the North, as it is in heaven. York is the historic capital of the North of England. Whilst other cities are now bigger and probably more economically and culturally dominant, York continues to be a city of great leadership and influence. It remains the ecclesiastical heart of the North and one of the most visited places in the UK. York was an important city in Roman, Viking and medieval times and during the industrial revolution became a centre for railway manufacture and chocolate-making. Recently it has become the first city in the UK to be given UNESCO status as a city of digital media.

2 At the heart of this city lies the iconic York Minster - arguably the finest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe - and in its shadow lies St Michael le Belfrey Church. There has been a church on the site of York Minster/ St Michael le Belfrey since the 7th Century, when the first Christian king of the North, Edwin was baptised there by Bishop Paulinus, who built a church in the ruins of the Roman principia. Since then various church buildings have been located where St Michael le Belfrey now stands, with the present building being completed just before the English Reformation, in the early years of the reign of King Henry VIII. No-one knows for sure why the church is named St Michael le Belfrey. It has been speculated that it was once the belfrey - the bell-tower - to the Minster. This now seems increasingly unlikely given that the word belfrey is an old middle-french word that had nothing to do with bells and much to do with strength, often being translated seige-tower, watch-tower or strong tower. St Michael refers to the Archangel Michael, the chief of all angels, the protector of saints. It is therefore more likely that Belfrey relates to Michael, with the name then meaning St Michael the Strong Tower or St Michael the Strong One. It is not insignificant that when the church of St Michael le Belfrey has faithfully proclaimed the good news of Jesus, prayed and trusted in the power of the Holy Spirit, then it has grown, thrived and been a place of strength - both for the city and the wider church in the region and nation. This was true during the evangelical awakening when Revd William Richardson led the church for 50 years and it developed a reputation as a preaching-house in the North. Similarly under the ministry of Revd David Watson, the community of St Cuthbert's planted into St Michael le Belfrey in the 1970s, establishing the church as a strong centre for mission and ministry. Under the present leadership The Belfrey seeks to be a strong church for the region, praying and working for the evangelisation and social transformation of the North. To play our part in this, The Belfrey is a church committed to making disciples, nurturing disciples, developing leaders and planting churches. We can pursue this agenda with passion in our day, knowing that we have a good Father, a faithful Son and an empowering Holy Spirit who equips us with every good gift we need. It is wonderful that the Father has been pleased to give us the Kingdom (Luke 12:32). This Parish Profile is a formal document full of statistics and factual information. Behind the information are people. Ordinary people who have discovered an extraordinary God in Jesus Christ. For more information on the everyday life of The Belfrey, do visit our website at: Matthew Porter (Vicar) December 2016

3 Diocese of York Profile of the Parish of St Michael le Belfrey with St Cuthbert, York Population Approximate Population Changes - Static Type of Parish - Urban Predominantly - Retired Ethnic Groups - Predominantly white Employment Types - Professional/Retail/ Retired Percentage unemployed - Unknown Housing Owner Occupied - 50% Local Authority - 50% Schools Church schools in the parish - None Other schools in the parish - York Minster Song School Role of St Michael le Belfrey clergy in these schools - None Places of worship of other Christian denominations in the parish St Wilfrid s Roman Catholic Church Activities church engages in with other churches (include reference to both Minister and Congregation) See attached documentation Other Denominations Over the years, The Belfrey has been involved in many of the interdenominational events that have been organised across the city. There is an ecumenical steering group called One Voice which meets on a regular basis and about 30 of the leaders and key ministers of York churches meet each week for prayer, including our Clergy. The Belfrey has involvement in the One Voice ecumenical events held in the Minster each year at Pentecost and the ecumenical baptisms conducted outside by the Archbishop of York on the Minster steps each Easter Saturday. The Belfrey also strongly supports the York Schools and Youth Trust (YoYo).

4 Local Church Services 9am Morning Worship Every Sunday 9am Average adult attendance Average child attendance - 4 Total average attendance XI - Family Worship with youth & children s groups Every Sunday 11am Average adult attendance Average child attendance - 40 Total average attendance the6 - Evening Worship Every Sunday 6pm Average adult attendance Average child attendance - 7 Total average attendance Faith in the City - Lunchtime Service Every Wednesday 12:30pm Average adult attendance - 53 Average child attendance - 0 Total average attendance - 53 Hymn Books used - None Vestments worn - at 9am morning worship only Coloured stoles worn - Special services only Scarf & hoods worn - Special services only Label we would use for church tradition - Charismatic Evangelical Areas in need of development St Michael le Belfrey church building, Culture of Invitation, Volunteering Holy Communion Holy communion is once a month at XI & the6 and twice a month at the 9am. PCC s Baptism Policy The Belfrey actively encourages new believers to be baptised or have their baptismal vows renewed, and they may do so either by full immersion or sprinkling with water. A clear distinction is made, in the liturgy, between those being baptised and those renewing their baptismal vows. Believing families are encouraged to have their infants baptised in a public act of worship, Baptism - Adult Baptism - Child Weddings Funerals Confirmations Last 12 Months Previous Year usually XI. Thanksgivings are offered if that is the preferred option of the parents of the infant

5 List any regular Special Services held (eg Pram Service/OAPs etc) Wednesday lunchtime services Courses for those interested in the Christian faith? The Belfrey runs Alpha courses several times a year in different styles and venues. Electoral Roll 652 of whom 5 are resident in the parish Church organisations for both adults and children (more details on belfrey.org) Belfrey Groups x 36 Student ministry Alpha courses throughout the year Welcome lunches for newcomers Internationals social events House of Prayer Women s events (Women of Worth) Women s leadership training Men s events Regular prayer meetings Prophecy courses throughout the year Parochial Church Council Prayer ministry Music and Worship teams supported by technical teams Never Give Up Group Belfrey Doors welcoming visitors into the church building during the week World mission support and trips abroad Children s work for 0-11year olds Youth work for year olds Retail Chaplaincy Service Pastoral visitors Ways in which Lay persons have taken responsibility for, or shared in the ministry of the church in recent years. Lay workers share in the ministry in all areas of the life of the church. They lead services, preach, lead small groups, lead music, lead areas of ministry including Alpha, youth and children s work, student work, prophetic ministry and prayer, pastoral visiting, women s and men s ministry etc. Please see the church website for a taste of the lay-led life of the church. Special responsibilities of the Incumbent to any local institutions. The Incumbent is pastorally responsible for events at Holy Trinity Church Goodramgate (a redundant church). The incumbent is a member of two local charities holding limited funds for the relief of the poor in the parish. Is the above responsibility shared in any way with the PCC or congregation? No. Very limited responsibility.

6 Buildings Anglican Buildings St Michael le Belfrey (Built 1536) St Cuthbert (Built 1400) Year of Last Quinquennial Inspection for both Major repairs to the above churches carried out over the last five years - None State the significant items of repair still outstanding from the Quinquennial Inspection Recommended stonework repairs on both buildings. Recommended roof replacement at St Michael le Belfrey IMPACT The Impact project is intended to re-order St Michael le Belfrey Church. Currently in the planning stages, the desire is to completely re-order the inside of the church as well as carrying out all necessary repairs to the external stonework and re- ordering the forecourt of the church. Internal work could include removal of the pews and complete re-ordering of the worship area and the possible creation of meeting rooms on the balcony of the church. The predicted cost for the work is several million pounds. Church Hall, accommodation The Belfrey Hall is situated at 52 Stonegate in the Centre of York and is a building from the late 19th Century which was originally a school and which was gifted to St Michael le Belfrey in the early 20th Century. An extension was built in The hall consists of a main room which will accommodate people, a fully equipped kitchen, male, female and disabled toilets and a small meeting room above the kitchen. The hall is in use most days of the week and also provides valuable income to the church via semi commercial lettings. Hall use by secular / non secular organisations The hall is primarily used for church activities or for activities which are being run by church members. When it is available it is let to outside organisations for meetings, parties and conferences. It is fully equipped both in regard to catering and technology. What other church owned property is there in the parish? The church owns two houses (not in the parish). One is a three-bed semi-detached property in Burnholme which is occupied by a retired staff member (verger). The other is a 4-5 bed detached property in Heworth which is occupied by a number of the Interns. In addition to the owned property, the church rents a further 3 properties which are used to house Interns.

7 Leadership Vicar: Associate Vicar - Theologian & Missioner: Training Curate: Curate: SSM Curate: SSM Curate: Readers: Churchwardens: Staff: Head of Music and Worship (full time) Facilities Manager (full time) Head of Youth and Children s Work (full time) Youth Worker (full time) Children and Families Worker (part time) Assistant Youth Worker (part time) Senior Administrator (full time) Administrative Assistant (part time) Vicar s PA (part time) Associate s PA (part time) Creative Media Manager (part time) Creative Team Administrator (volunteer) Head of Prayer (part time) Evangelist and House of Prayer volunteer Head of Prophecy (part time volunteer) SOZO leader (part time volunteer) Retired Clergy, living / assisting in parish Rev Matthew Porter Rev Greg Downes Rev Ben Doolan Rev Christian Selvaratnam Rev Jim Roberts Rev Liz Ransford Canon Peter Collier Dr Walter Stockdale Prof Tom McLeish Mrs Bernadette Burbridge Mr Barrie Stephenson Mrs Natasha Fletcher Miss Julie Caddell Mr Christopher Dobson Tom Holmes Rob Hill Lee Kirkby Adam Norton Liz Hunt Rosie Brabbs Ian McElligott Jo Briggs Ruth Somerville Kerstin Wandel Alasdair Elmes Cathryn Fergie James Fletcher Paul Myers Kerstin Wandel Gail Brook Rev Neil Hogg Rev Michael Nokes There is a team of office volunteers who manage the office reception and help with various administrative jobs. There are five House of Prayer volunteers There is also a team of 13 Interns, called Forgees who are on a year long leadership training discipleship course based in various areas of ministry across the church (running from September to July). You can see more information about current staff on our website belfrey.org

8 Church Life Three events from the last three years with significance for Christian life and witness 1. The Belfrey has become more outward focussed in its events (eg organising an Outreach cafe while the York Marathon runs past the building) and in offering its resources to other churches in the area eg The Belfrey has developed its prophetic ministry among the congregations and offered this to other churches in the York area and the House of Prayer is a resource for all to use 2. Belfrey Staff and volunteers are very involved in taking a lead at New Wine events nationally, regionally and locally 3. The development of a Youth and Children s venue in the centre of York which attracts not only church families but young people and families with no other connection to the church For more of a flavour of what is going on you can watch our video here -

9 The City of York Few cities look as completely medieval as York. It began life as a fortress, built in AD71 by the Roman 9th Legion and grew into an important city known as Eboracum. The Vikings gave York its name, derived from Jorvik, during their brief but flourishing reign. Jorvik Viking Centre in York is built on the site of Viking remains discovered by archaeologists beneath Coppergate and provides a vivid description of Viking Age York. Norman rule lasted longer and Normans made the city a vital centre of government, commerce and religion for the North, preparing the city well for its important role in the reigns of the Plantagenet kings. In 1485 when this era ended and the Tudor age began, York was already at its Zenith. The pride of York is its magnificent Minster which towers over the whole city. It contains England s greatest concentration of medieval stained glass, the two most famous windows being the Five Sister s in the north transept and the great east window which covers 2000 square feet, thought to be the largest area of medieval coloured glass in the world. The Minster took 250 years to build and was completed and consecrated in The medieval centre of the city is reached through the four great bars in the city walls, Micklegate, Bootham, Monk and Walmgate bars. A walk around the walls, built during the reign of Henry II ( ) is a good introduction to the city. In the Middle Ages York was an important wool-trading centre and fine cloth was woven in the city. The prosperity that this trade brought allowed other trades and crafts to thrive in the city, such as goldsmiths, silversmiths, saddlers, barbers, butchers and shoemakers. The craftsmen lived and worked in Stonegate (a significant street in St Michael s parish), Goodramgate and the Shambles (the old butcher s quarter). Today these streets are filled with shops which appeal primarily to the thousands of tourists who visit the city each year. The Industrial Revolution for the most part passed York by but the city did become a great railway centre when the first railway line to York opened in The city has a splendid station and the National Railway Museum is located in York Besides the railways, the other major employer in York as for many years been the confectionery trade. Rowntrees (now owned by Nestlé), Terry s and Craven s all began in York but the chocolate industry has now all but moved from the city. Tourism is also a major source of income for York and St Michael s is visited by approx 50,000 tourists each year. The centre of the city is extremely attractive and the City of York Council has been extending pedestrianisation in recent years. There is a wealth of good restaurants, cafés and bars in the centre. On the main streets of the city you will find all the usual chain stores and a refreshing amount of independents. The city s population is approx. 206,000 and is mostly white.