We welcome you to our Parish Profile

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1 THE PARISH OF ST AIDAN AND ST CHAD CHADSMOOR We welcome you to our Parish Profile St Aidans St Chads

2 Our Parish and The Area The Parish of St Aidan & St Chad, Chadsmoor consists of 2 Parish Churches in an ex-mining community on the edge of Cannock Chase. Both Churches were originally part of the Cannock Parish which had 6 churches until 2010 when we became the Parish of St Aidan and St Chad, Chadsmoor, Staffordshire. Chadsmoor is an urban settlement in the Cannock Chase District in the County of Staffordshire. It is thought that St. Chad, the patron Saint of Lichfield Cathedral, may have visited the area in the 7 th century and Chadsmoor may have been named after him, although this is not certain. Chadsmoor has an area of about 3.5 square kilometres and a population of approx.15,000, with 97% of people born in the U.K. The town of Cannock is about a mile away and lies just south of Cannock Chase: An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which consists of mixed countryside with a range of flora and fauna including 800 Fallow Deer and a small herd of Red Deer. Cannock is well connected to the rest of the West Midlands and wider country with easy access to the motorway network. We have a rail link between Birmingham and Rugeley, having stations at both Cannock and Hednesford, both within easy reach. Education facilities in the area are wide ranging, including state schools, a private school and college facilities. There are opportunities for leisure and sport, both in Cannock and the wider area. What Do We Value About our Churches? We value the ambiance of our Churches They give a feeling of home, safety, peace and prayerfulness. Our congregations are welcoming and friendly, supporting newcomers, regulars and each other, without prejudice, in their search for God. We nurture our existing flock as well as reaching out to the local community. We continue to look for a renewed closer relationship with God and acknowledge we all have a part to play in ministry and taking the Gospel to everyone. Our joint Advent and Lent Groups giving us the opportunity to develop our knowledge and love of God together. We are currently being cared for by an interim minister and continue to grow and work together. We are in good heart but need someone to come and live and serve among us.

3 The Challenge Helping us all to identify what God is calling us to be and develop spiritual growth Both churches have older congregations primarily retired. Recognising that each member of the community/congregation, regardless of age, has something of value to offer. Encourage the two congregations to continue to work together whilst acknowledging their individual strengths, limitations and own distinctive character. Have a commitment to initiate and promote work with children, young people and families. Moving the relationships with all the local schools forward making them feel a valued part of the parish and community. Someone who can guide, lead and enable us all to recognise the skills and gifts within us, both as individuals and as Churches, that will take us into the future. an exciting prospect for someone who enjoys a challenge. Develop our existing gifts, to enable and encourage people who are around the community edges, to come a little closer to the warmth of the fire of God s love: so that we can take it to the people who are not even around the edges. Inspiring growth in others through learning and example and by acting as a model of the love of God in action. Role Description To lead our outreach in the parish To guide us in spiritual growth and discipleship To develop relations with the wider community and external organisations to promote positive links with the Church. To be a Foundation Governor in the Voluntary Controlled School To plan organise and conduct programmes of teaching which support and develop the discipleship of our congregations. To offer worship and teaching appropriate for people of different ages and stages in faith. To ensure that our governance in PCC and related committees is fit for purpose; paying particular attention to safeguarding in all our activities. To love and pray for us and the community in which we live. Person Specification Satisfactory completion of assessment at the end of Initial Ministerial Education A spiritual leader who, by prayer and teaching, can grow both new and existing congregations in their faith. Ability to effectively manage two different Churches whilst maintaining a good sense of humour. Experience in working with primary schools in order to take a lead in school worship, take part in religious education and governance roles. Good inter-personal skills that develop and maintain effective working relationships ensuring that structures and resources for parish organisation are appropriate, including clear boundaries and accountabilities of roles. Have a passion for sharing in pastoral care, giving support to those in need as appropriate, including baptism and marriage preparation, care for the sick and dying, bereavement, individual support and visiting. 3

4 What We Have To Offer Support and prayer for you and your family We will respect your days off and holiday entitlements to enable a work life balance for you. Full reimbursement of any expenses incurred Support for time for ongoing training. Enthusiastic and committed congregations. The Church Leadership 2 Priests with PTOs who lead Sunday services 1 Priest with PTO leading funerals, weddings and baptisms 1 retired Reader who assists with services Eccumenical In the Chadsmoor area there is also a Methodist and a Baptist Church. An Ecumenical Remembrance event takes place at the War Memorial as well as a joint Service on the nearest Sunday rotating between, St Chad s, Methodist and Baptist churches. An Ecumenical prayer meeting takes place on the Women s' World day of Prayer. Clergy have bi-monthly meetings along with the Salvation Army; Methodist, Bethany Church, St Luke s Cannock and Roman Catholic priest from Cannock. Services Church Day Time Details St Aidans 1 st, 3 rd & 4 th Sunday 9.15 a.m. Holy Communion followed by coffee in Church Hall St Aidans 2 nd Sunday 4.00 p.m. Alternating Celtic Prayer & Evening Prayer St Chads 1 st, 2 nd & 3 rd Sunday St Chads 4 th Sunday 4.00 p.m. Evening Prayer followed by Afternoon Tea in the Church Hall St Aidans & St Chads a.m. Holy Communion 5 th Sunday a.m. Whole parish Eucharist alternating between the two Churches. St Chads Wednesday a.m. Said Holy Communion 4

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7 Styles and Traditions of Worship Churchmanship at St Aidans is Central. Vestments are worn at all services. Regular Sunday attendance 22 Common Worship used at the Holy Communion services Memorial service for those who have died during the previous 6 months is held twice a year at a 4 p.m. service. Lay involvement in reading and intercessions in the morning services. Music An organist plays for most Sunday services and there are others who will play for funerals and weddings. Electric organ and piano are used. Sound system also used in the Church with extensive collections of hymns on CD. The Congregation 37 on Electoral Roll Most over 60. Most retired with only a very small number still working A couple of children The Church Building The Church was opened in Seating capacity of around 125 people. The Church has fixed wooden pews and is carpeted in the aisle and the chancel step. There is an induction loop and sound system with microphones at the lectern and altar. The Building in good state of repair The Church Hall with The Church Hall adjoins the Church a separate entrance. The Lounge area can be shut off from the main hall with a folding door. 2 kitchens. The Hall is in regular use during the week o Group for Vulnerable adults o Choir for practise evenings o A A Group o Over 60's group o Wednesday morning community drop in with tea and biscuits. All welcome 7

8 The Churchyard No Churchyard The Vicarage Modern house next door to the Church and Church Hall. Accommodation comprises; Ground Floor o Study o Lounge o Dining Room o Kitchen o Toilet Upstairs which is accessed by staircase directly from the lounge o 4 Bedrooms o Bathroom Parish Activities and Programmes Periodic social events such as quizzes and a Harvest supper Monthly craft and coffee morning Weekly drop in and chat morning. Monthly film night Children and Youth Work No Communion prior to Confirmation New Sunday School with 2 children at present Schools Work Contact with 2 state primary schools via assemblies and coming into Church a couple a times a year Schools work over the past year classroom work has been developed and the number of times all schools come into Church has increased. Each School has been visited at least twice during each term. When asked what the value of the relationship with the Church and what would they look for they replied o It has been valuable for the children to learn about Christianity from a member of the Church. We have also worked with the Church to develop a Christian ethos alongside our School values. It is also great for the children to know where their local Church is as many of them may not have visited a Church before. o We would like to further develop the relationship, by visiting Church more frequently and developing the community link. The children look forward to visits from the Vicar and enjoy asking questions to find out more about Christianity and faith in general. 8

9 Communication The main vehicle for communication both within and outside the Church community is the notice boards in the hall and outside the Church. Pastoral Offices Baptism o Baptisms take place on Sunday mornings once a month at a.m. after the morning services. o We have just started a system so that when a Baptism is requested we send out documentation and they are asked to return the completed form at one of our services. Once details received we then look at booking the Preparation meeting and date of baptism. Weddings o Numbers of weddings in o Re-marriage of those who have had a previous marriage dissolved is conducted after due consultation with the Incumbent and in line with the current policy of the Church of England o Renewal of vows is also offered. o All marriages and retaking of vows are preceded by preparation with the Minister conducting the service and a rehearsal o A verger will be present. Funerals o Funerals are conducted by a Minister o 2017 saw 9 at Church and 11 at Stafford or Bushbury Crematoriums o A verger will assist with the funerals in Church o Visits are made to the bereaved families by the Minister conducting the service. o An organist will play as well as CDs requested by the family Church Finances St Aidans is in a stable financial position. The Parish share is paid each year in full Support for Children s Society, the Bishop s Lenten Appeal, Water Aid, Embrace the Middle East, SPCK and Cannock Chase Churches Housing Coalition on a regular basis and other charities from time to time. An envelope gift scheme is operated, some of which are Gift Aided. Quarterly the two Churches join together to support a local charity 9

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13 Styles and Traditions of Worship Churchmanship at St Chads is central using Common Worship. Vestments are worn at all services. Regular Sunday attendance 25 Common Worship used at the Holy Communion services Memorial service for those who have died during the previous 6 months is held twice a year at a 4 p.m. service. Lay involvement in reading at all services. Music A regular organist plays once month Sunday services. There are organists that will cover funerals and weddings The organ was built in 1901 and is an electrical powered wind instrument with 3 manuals. Good sound system also used in the Church with extensive collections of hymns on CD. The Congregation 37 on Electoral Roll Most over 60. Most retired with only a small number still working The Church Building The Church was opened in Seating capacity of around 200 people. Has fixed wooden pews and is carpeted in the aisle and chancel and part of the sanctuary which is also tiled. Has a Lady Chapel. Induction loop and sound system with 2 lapel and 1 fixed microphone 13

14 Building in good state of repair The Churchyard No Churchyard The Vicarage The Vicarage at St Chads is still owned by the Diocese but has been leased in the past. The Church Hall Church Hall was built in 1965 and is attached to the Church via a covered portico. It has a well-equipped kitchen. Hall can be divided into 2 with the use of folding doors. Chairs and folding tables available to seat 80 Recently repainted internally. It is used daily by a wide range of local community groups. o Guides, Brownies and Rainbows o Choose to Change Group o Beetle Drive o St Chad s Flower Arrangers o Line Dance o Local Council Surgeries o Zumba Gold o Widows Club o Coffee Mornings Parish Activities and Programmes Active successful community social events calendar takes place in the Hall 14

15 o o o o o Monthly Bacon Roll morning Cheese and Wine Evenings Last Night of the Proms Evening Summer and Christmas Fayres Strawberry Teas Children and Youth Work No Communion prior to Confirmation Schools Work Contact with 1 community Infants schools via assemblies and coming into Church to visit for special lessons One Church Voluntary Controlled Junior School. o 3 Foundation Governors from the School, one to be the incumbent o Come into Church for Christmas, Easter, Welcome to Year 3, Leavers Services, all which their parents are invited to. o Excellent relationship with newly appointed Executive Head When asked what the value of the relationship with the Church and what would they look for Chadsmoor Junior VC School said: o We value the fellowship and support from its members. Regular contact with the Vicar and other parishioners. Allowing us to hold worship in Church, particularly at special/key times of year o Someone who is willing to help the school move forward with its Christian Distinctiveness, a commitment to the school. Developing close relationships with the school stakeholders and build links with our Infant school. Build on our federation vision of Enjoying, Achieving, Together. Over the past year classroom work has been developed and the number of times all schools come into Church has increased. Communication We ensure our notice boards both the Church and inside the Church Hall are up to date with the latest information. 15

16 We have a welcome desk in the hall entrance that also has up to date information on it. A weekly pew news is printed and distributed to the congregation and copies are also on the welcome desk for hall users and general public. Pastoral Offices Baptism o We have an open baptism policy. o Baptisms take place on Sunday mornings once a month at a.m. after the morning services o We have just started a system in that when a Baptism is requested we send out documentation and they are asked to return the completed form to one of our services. o Once details received we can then look at booking of the Preparation meeting and date of baptism. Weddings o Numbers of weddings in Renewal of vows - 3 o Re marriage of those who have had a previous marriage dissolved is conducted after due consultation with the Incumbent and in line with the current policy of the Church of England o All marriages and retaking of vows are preceded by preparation with the Minister conducting the service and a rehearsal. Funerals o Funerals are conducted by a Minister o 2017 saw 14 funerals in Church followed either by cemetery or crematorium and 5 at Stafford or Bushbury Crematoriums o A verger will assist with the funerals in Church o Visits are made to the bereaved families by the Minister conducting the service. o An organist will play as well as CDs being used as requested by the family Church Finances St Chads is in a stable financial position We supplement our income with fund raising events. The Friends of St Chad s donations are used for the general upkeep and items required for the Church An envelope gift scheme is operated, some of which are Gift Aided Parish share paid each year in full Support for Children s Society, the Bishop s Lenten Appeal Quarterly the two Churches join together to support a local charity 16