Archdeaconry of Hertford Stevenage Deanery

Transcription

1 Archdeaconry of Hertford Stevenage Deanery Profile for the Benefice of All Saints Pin Green The Oval, Vardon Road, Pin Green, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 5RD Are you "A rebel with a cause"? We're a cause worth getting behind! We will support a new pioneering mission priest who can help us to reawaken our radical roots to fully serve the community of Pin Green by finding new ways to bring the residents of the area to Christ.

2 Contents All Saints... 2 Our strengths and weaknesses... 2 Mission and Growth... 2 The new Incumbent... 3 Leadership... 3 Mission and Community... 3 Ecumenism... 3 Personal Attributes... 4 In Return... 4 Pin Green and Stevenage... 5 Location... 5 Community... 5 Education... 6 Leisure and Recreation... 6 Worship... 7 Pastoral and Ecumenical... 9 Leadership... 9 Ministerial Team... 9 Electoral Roll... 9 Organisations... 9 Buildings Finance Expenses of Office Communications The All Saints Prayer

3 All Saints When the church opened in 1974 All Saints was unique. It was the first church building in the country to be included in a community complex and shared by three denominations, Anglicans, Methodists and Roman Catholics. From the earliest time the three congregations regularly shared worship together, including a monthly con-celebration of communion. We dared to be different for God. The Church of England and Methodist congregations have worshipped together since Advent 2008 and continue to grow together. Sadly the Roman Catholics withdrew from this and another LEP within the town in 2013 due to difficulties with staffing. Our strengths and weaknesses As a part of our mission to proclaim the good news of the kingdom our Church endeavours to offer a warm and friendly reception to all. We try to teach and nurture new believers through our Sunday children's work and through working with local Junior Schools, practically through the Christmas and Easter Journey projects in partnership with the Bridge Builders Christian Trust. We hope we respond to human need by loving service, although we recognise the need to increase our efforts. We feel we could also do more to proclaim the good news and make new disciples. We recognise that we don't do enough to nurture new believers, particularly babies and their families when they come for baptism from outside our regular congregation. We are a strong and willing team with organised lay responsibility to help with the running of services, special events and initiatives. The congregation will be willing and able to offer every assistance to the new Priest in a covenant for mission. All Saints is currently financially challenged as is mentioned in the Financial section. We are being helped and supported by our diocese which is committed to our life and mission. Mission and Growth Together with our new pioneer priest we want to: Reach out in hospitality to those unconnected to the church and welcome them; Create fresh expressions and pioneer ministry; Engage in social action to address local needs; Help individuals grow their personal faith; Grow the faith of children and young people 2

4 The new Incumbent The Joint Church Council is seeking a Sacramental Pioneer Priest that the PCC can appoint to lead us in discerning the spiritual needs of the residents of Pin Green so that we can find new ways to bring the love of God to all the people of the parish. Leadership The person we are seeking should lead by the example of Christ and be: A good listener, approachable and able to hear the views of everyone; Communicate efficiently both in formal and less formal situations; Encourage people to use their gifts and abilities; Mission and Community A pioneer mission priest will want to be involved with and reach out to the community. We want to join in a partnership with a new priest in developing the areas of mission where we know improvements are needed. We have identified some intentions as set out above; we look for help and guidance to carry them out. Challenges - The area: Includes many young families sometimes; o isolated from their wider families; o single parent households; Lacks a good sense of community cohesion; o Includes many for whom Stevenage is a dormitory town; Has a below average level of belief or faith in any religion. Opportunities We believe we could improve our mission of care to: Young families, particularly those that contact us for christenings; Those who are lonely or isolated and the residents of sheltered accommodation; The bereaved; Those from the parish requesting banns; Those that use the various community buildings in the parish, especially the community centre in which our church is located; Those that are perhaps more vulnerable for any reason; Those that only attend occasional and seasonal services; The community by being open and welcoming to people of all faiths and none. Ecumenism As a Local Ecumenical Partnership of Anglicans and Methodists we require a Priest who: Will maintain our Church community as one united in Christ. Will be sensitive to the existing traditions of All Saints, in Word and Sacrament Is deeply committed to, and is enthusiastic and passionate about, ecumenism. Will be open to the possibility of becoming an Authorised Methodist Minister. 3

5 Personal Attributes The ideal candidate will: Be a team player Be able to inspire us Be approachable by all Have a sense of humour In Return The congregation of All Saints will offer its love and support to our new Priest. We will support the risk-taking work of the new person and share with them in their work and ministry. We are very aware of the importance of time off and quiet time and will encourage the taking of annual leave and days off. We are open to new ideas and look forward to working in partnership with a clear focus on mission and service. 4

6 Pin Green and Stevenage Location The Parish of All Saints is located in the Pin Green area of Stevenage and is bounded by Grace Way, Martin s, Way Gresley Way and Fairlands Way. Stevenage New Town was developed as a number of neighbourhood communities of which Pin Green is one. All Saints Church is located within The Oval neighbourhood centre which, in addition to the Church, comprises a Community Centre, shops, flats and a members club. The Church was opened in 1974 and shares a building with the Oval Community Centre. Community The Town: Stevenage was designated Britain s first New Town in 1946 and has since grown from a small market town with some 5,000 residents to approx. 80,000 today. The town now comprises a number of neighbourhood communities and a New Town Centre all of which surround the original Old Town. Stevenage has Fair Trade status. The Parish: Much of the Pin Green area was built by the Development Corporation during the 1960 s and early 1970 s; the development included both private and social housing. There is continuing, mainly private, development. Parish Population: The parish currently has approx. 12,600 residents in which all age groups are represented. In common with the rest of Stevenage the population is largely white but many ethnic groups are represented within the parish. A mosque serving the whole of Stevenage is located in Pin Green, together with other places of worship. Local Authority: Services in Stevenage are provided by Hertfordshire County Council, Stevenage Borough Council and North Herts District Council. There are no Parish Councils in Stevenage, these services being provided either by the Borough Council or by North Herts District Council Community Centres: There are fourteen Community Centres within Stevenage, three of which are within the parish of All Saints. Employment: Many residents of Stevenage work locally, either in one of the two industrial areas, or in the offices and shops spread throughout the town. Major employers include GlaxoSmithKline, 5

7 Airbus Space and Defence, and MBDA. In addition, there is a substantial commuter community which utilises the easy access to neighbouring towns and London. There is a frequent train service to Kings Cross which is 40 minutes from Stevenage by train. Travel within Stevenage is facilitated by good roads, regular bus services and a substantial network of off road cycle tracks. Community Involvement: The Church s involvement with the community is largely via its association with The Oval Community Centre, work with the local schools and collaboration with the Deanery, the Methodist Circuit and Churches Together In Stevenage (CTIS). In addition the Church has regular contact with two care homes. There are several sheltered housing schemes within the parish with which the Church does not currently have regular contact. Education Town Schools: There are 33 mainstream schools in Stevenage, 18 primary (combined infant and junior) schools (one is Church of England and two Roman Catholic), four junior schools and four infant schools. Of the seven senior schools in Stevenage one is Roman Catholic, none are Church of England. There are also four special schools. Parish Schools: Within the parish of All Saints there are three primary schools (none of them faith schools), and one special school. The church works closely with these primary schools, visits are made for assemblies etc. and the schools visit the church as part of their RE studies. In recent years the church has worked extensively with Bridge Builders (a local Christian charity) to host dramatized events aptly named Christmas Journey for Year 2 children and Easter Journey for Year 6 children. The schools also attend All Saints for their carol services or invite our clergy to the school. These events gives us contact with some 1500 children and a similar number of adults. Further Education: North Herts College of Further Education has campuses in Stevenage and other towns in North Hertfordshire. Leisure and Recreation Stevenage offers a wealth of leisure facilities which include the 120 acre Fairlands Valley Park (pictured), holder of a Green Flag award, which has extensive woodland and grassland areas and 20 acres of water across four linked lakes. It also includes two equipped children s play areas, a water play facility, showground, sailing centre and café, orienteering trail and trim track. In addition there are several other parks and open spaces offering football pitches, cricket pitches, tennis courts, bowling greens and children s play equipment. Stevenage also boasts a leisure centre (combining a theatre, concert hall, sports halls, squash courts and indoor bowling hall), swimming pool, golf course (including pitch and putt), athletics track, football stadium (which is home to League Two Stevenage FC), football academy, cricket club, rugby club, multiplex cinema, ten pin bowling, a variety of gyms, children s indoor play area, a number of night clubs and numerous restaurants and pubs. The town is also host to many clubs and societies 6

8 including sports clubs, art groups, drama societies and choirs. The entrance to Knebworth House and Park is located off the Stevenage South junction of the A1(M). Worship Local Ecumenical Partnership: All Saints Church is a LEP involving The Church of England and The Methodist Church. The Church of England and Methodist congregations have worshipped together since Advent Churchmanship: A broad range of Anglican tradition can be found within the Churches of Stevenage Deanery. Anglican worship at All Saints is within the catholic tradition. The Priest wears alb, stole and chasuble for communion services and alb and stole for other services. Surplice and stole are worn for weddings and funerals. The Sacrament is reserved for the sick and housebound. Methodist Minister: Our Methodist Minister has other Churches in his care; consequently he is only able to regularly lead worship at All Saints for two or three services per month. Services: Sundays: We have just commenced holding two services, at 9:00 and 10:30 am. The initial pattern is as follows: Week Service 1st 9:00 Holy Communion 10:30 Morning Worship 2nd 9:00 Morning Worship 10:30 Holy Communion 3rd 9:00 Holy Communion 10:30 Morning Worship 4th 9:00 Morning Worship 10:30 Holy Communion 5th 9:00 Holy Communion 10:30 Morning Worship There is a young people s group ASK (All Saints Kids) which meets every Sunday in term time except first Sundays. The children contribute to services on occasion but recently attendance has been low and very irregular. 7

9 Wednesdays: Holy Communion service at 10:00am Other Services There is a monthly Eucharist in a senior citizens Home. Healing prayer is available one Sunday per month after the 10:30 morning service. There are ecumenical bible study and healing groups which meet on a regular basis. A Julian contemplative prayer group meets monthly in Church. Attendance: The average joint Anglican/Methodist attendance on Sundays is about 50. On Wednesdays attendance is between 20 and 25. Members of the congregation are predominately middle aged and older but there are some young people and families with young children. Lay Involvement: There is lay involvement at all services involving lesson readers, intercessors, servers and communion assistants. Music and Data Projection: During our services we sing a range of traditional and more modern hymns for which we are accompanied by our excellent organist. Hymns are usually chosen from either Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New, Hymns and Psalms" or "Singing the Faith". The church now benefits from the use of a fixed data projector to display hymns, images and worship text. Fellowship: We continue our fellowship over tea and coffee on Sundays and after communion on Wednesdays. Banns: During 2015 banns were read for seven couples whose weddings were held elsewhere (many of which were held in the neighbouring medieval St Nicholas Church). Baptism: We have held seven baptisms so far in 2016 with a further five booked at the time of writing. Funerals: There were two funerals held in church in 2015 and five at the local crematorium. Confirmation: All Saints takes turns with the other Churches in the Deanery to host confirmations. Advent and Christmas: Christingle, Carol and Crib services are held during Advent. Midnight Mass is celebrated on Christmas Eve. There is a Family Eucharist on Christmas morning. Lent: On Ash Wednesday the 10.00am service includes the imposition of Ashes. During Lent we observe The Stations of The Cross as part of our Wednesday morning service. 8

10 Holy Week: Services are held in the evening on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On Maundy Thursday a Eucharist is held in Church at 7.30pm followed by a supper. A short vigil is then held in Church. On Good Friday afternoon a service of reflection is held at 3pm. On Good Friday morning we join with Christians of all denominations for a walk of witness within the town. Worship Advertising: Our calendar of services and events is advertised on a notice sheet, on a screen in the foyer of the Community Centre and on the Church website. We also have a seasonally changing display window in the foyer. Pastoral and Ecumenical As stated above All Saints Church is a Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP) of Church of England and Methodist congregations who worship together but with separate finances and legal identities. Churches Together in Stevenage (CTIS) also provides the opportunity to work with local Christians of all denominations and organises a series of Lent lectures each year. Stevenage is twinned with the town of Kadoma in Zimbabwe; as part of this All Saints has informal links with Churches in Kadoma. There are a number of pastoral projects working in the town; for example within schools, youth projects, people recovering from addiction and street pastors. (Further information is available in the Associate Members section of the CTIS website ). Leadership Until now, the Churchwardens have largely seen their leadership as best used in organising the laity to support and assist the Priest in the smooth running of Church services and events. The Churchwardens are involved in the preparation of rotas for servers, lesson readers, sidespersons, coffee bar etc., and in ensuring the execution of these tasks. The Churchwardens are also involved with the planning and execution of most Church events and activities. For the future, the Churchwardens want to play a key role in helping our congregation work with our new priest in the task of mission. The PCC consists of the ministerial team, the Churchwardens and ten members of the laity. The PCC meets in conjunction with the Methodist Church Council (MCC) as the Joint Church Council (JCC), usually six times per year. Other than the Standing Committee there are currently no subcommittees or task groups, but these are appointed as necessary Ministerial Team In addition to the Priest and the Methodist Minister the ministerial team consists of one Reader and two Methodist Worship Leaders (the equivalent of Lay Leader of Worship). Our current assistant minister (SSM) is due to retire during Electoral Roll The number on the Anglican electoral roll as at April 2016 was 68. The Methodist membership is 22 and combined community roll for all our contacts is 96. Organisations There is a Women s Network fellowship group which meets regularly with guest speakers. 9

11 There is also a weekly All Saints Walking Group. This involves country walks of four or five miles and usually ends with lunch. The Church hosts a drop in facility for vulnerable people on Monday mornings. This was originally organised by YMCA Space with help from church members but has now been fully taken over by the church following the loss of their funding. Elim Pentecostal Church hires the church on Wednesday evenings for a prayer meeting. The Community Centre, with which the Church shares a building, provides a range of community activities including a pre-school (ages two to four years), a mother and toddler group, baby clinic and a senior citizen friendship group. Other activities held in the Community Centre include martial arts tuition, dancing classes and dog training. In addition the local Children Centre is housed within the building. Buildings The Church The Church, which seats 200, shares a building with The Oval Community Centre. This is a modern building opened in It is a very flexible space with individual chairs that can be rearranged as needed. Two areas can be separated off using folding partitions. There is an office and vestry space with washing up facilities. The freehold of the part of the building occupied by the Church is owned by Shared Churches in Herts and Beds Ltd, a company set up for that purpose by The Church of England, The Methodist Church and The Roman Catholic Church (The Roman Catholic Church were part of the LEP until 2013 but no longer worship at All Saints, they do however still have an interest in the building). 10

12 The community centre part of the building is owned by Stevenage Borough Council but leased to The Oval (Stevenage) Community Association who administer that part of the building. The halls, rooms, coffee bar etc. form part of the community centre and therefore the Church has no direct control over them. The Church, however, does have exclusive use of the whole centre on Sundays until noon, and for the whole of Sunday on four occasions per year. The Church hires additional use of the facilities as necessary. Maintenance and upkeep of the Church is the responsibility of the JCC. Both Churches contribute financially to an Administration Fund which was set up for this purpose. The main points of the last Quinquennial report concerned the electrical supply and the glazing above the altar. These matters have been attended to by the Fabric Officers of The JCC Ecumenical Council. The next Quinquennial inspection is due during The Vicarage The house is in Derby Way, Stevenage, which is within the parish approximately half a mile from the Church, and one and a half miles from the New Town centre. It is a large end-of-terrace house which has been extended to provide office space and enlarge the sitting room, dining room and kitchen. It is an attractive and comfortable family home. The house has brick elevations under a tiled roof, was built in 1973 and was extended in The ground floor comprises a porch, hall, cloakroom, study, L-shaped sitting room, dining room, kitchen and utility room. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms, bathroom and under eaves store. Outside there are easily maintained front, side and rear gardens, mainly laid to lawn. There is a detached brick built garage which is accessed from a service road at the rear. 11

13 Finance Within the last two years All Saints has lost the benefit of several extremely generous givers through relocation and sadly death. The value to the church of this giving was in excess of 12,500 pa when the associated gift aid is also considered. In addition during this period the Roman Catholic Church withdrew from holding services at All Saints which resulted in greater building related costs falling on both Anglican and Methodist finances. As a consequence of this financial difficulty the diocese has awarded mission aided status to the parish resulting in All Saints being awarded a grant of 18,000 pa for the three years 2015 to This grant is due to be reviewed during Without the grant the full parish share for 2015 would have been 37,482. All Saints, Pin Green Parochial Church Council Accounts January to December 2015 Budget Actual Variance Notes Receipts Planned giving 18,311 19, Tax Refund 4,102 5,266 1,164 4 Collections 1,701 1,279 (422) 5 Donations 1,197 2,307 1,110 6 Fees 1, (703) Fund Raising 1,750 1,035 (715) 7 Coffee bar (15) Other receipts 5 0 (5) Total 29,116 30,399 1,283 Payments Parish Share 19,482 19,482 0 Ecumenical Council Share 6,290 4,580 1,710 8 Charitable Giving 0 0 Church Running Costs (30) Clergy and Reader Expenses 1,750 1, Other costs 1,200 1,268 (68) Total 29,117 26,946 2,171 Surplus/(Deficit) (1) 3,453 3,454 Notes 1 The balance of the PCC's bank account at 31 December 2015 was 8,351 of which 1,767 is held in restricted funds 2 Overall, the PCC has a surplus on the year of 3,362 as a result of both an increase of receipts against budget of 1,283 and a reduction of payments against budget of 2,080 3 There has been a small (c. 5%) improvement in planned giving. 4 The tax refund in the year was 28% above expectation, as a result of claiming 2 years tax relief under the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme 5 The average amount in the weekly collection plate was a disappointing Donations were twice what was expected. 7 Fund raising did not go well over the year, achieving only 60% of the target The amounts raised were:- Cake Stall Bike & Hike Plant sales The payments to the Ecumenical Council have turned out 27% less than budgeted for as a result of the charges for the use of the Community Centre on Sunday mornings being reduced. Paul Boielle PCC Hon. Treasurer 16th. February

14 Christian stewardship is practised through giving by envelope and by standing order. Gift aid is fully utilised. Retiring collections are taken for specific charitable giving, for example in response to emergency appeals. All Saints also participates with three other Churches under the aegis of SCIMP (Stevenage Churches Interdenominational Missionary Project) which over the last thirty years has funded a variety of annually chosen projects. Recently annual amounts raised have been in the order of Expenses of Office Receipted claims for travel expenses, stationery, postage etc. are paid in full. The Church has no office or secretarial provision at present. Communications There is a news sheet giving information about forthcoming services, meetings and events. The Church also has a web site which displays full details of services, events and contacts. A window in the foyer is used to provide attractive and topical monthly displays. A screen in the foyer also displays up to date church information to community centre users. The All Saints Prayer Eternal Father Look with love on your people of All Saints And pour upon us the gifts of your spirit. Draw us to you and to one another That our growing unity may bring healing and life to all; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen We seek a priest who can help meet the challenge of "bringing healing and life to all". 13