Sharing, supporting and praying together

CURATE PROFILE KESWICK ST JOHN S WITH BORROWDALE IN THE KESWICK MISSION COMMUNITY Photo: www.jennywoolgarphotography.co.uk Sharing, supporting and praying together www.keswickstjohn.org.uk www.carlislediocese.org.uk www.godforall.org.uk

Contents Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Pages 11-14 The area, context and our hopes! Welcome Working within a mission community context God for All Working Together Working within a mission community context (cont d) Churches Together in Keswick Wider mission community The Church and its churchmanship Our church The Church and its churchmanship (cont d) Messy Church & Church Groups What the parish and town offers for ministerial experience The house, the vicar and colleagues A Lake District village Meet the vicar The house, the vicar and colleagues (cont d) Other valued colleagues Important contact Appendix (taken from a recent Parish Profile) 2

The area, context and our hopes! Welcome Photo: www.jennywoolgarphotography.co.uk Sharing, supporting, praying together It is exciting because....there is a real piece of work to be done here. We are looking for a curate who is open to challenge and hard work; who is rooted in the faith, but open to questions; wants to see the church grow but is keen to work beyond the boundaries with the whole community. Keswick is the heart of the northern Lakes region of the Lake District National Park. With a resident population of about 5,000, this can grow to 20,000 in peak holiday season. The town has a large retired population; but don t let that deceive you there are many young people and families here, but these are almost hidden by the tourists and the retirees. The town has an excellent Church Primary School, St Herbert s, and Secondary School, Keswick School. In the area are also three other primary schools. Due to its reputation, Keswick School draws its pupils from the whole of northern Cumbria. Borrowdale is one of the most beautiful valleys in England. It also has a resident population of about 350 people and two small churches (Sunday worship alternates between the two). Keswick Mission Community The Appendix is lifted from recent Parish profiles for the appointment of incumbents to give you a fuller flavour of the area. 3

Working within a mission community context God for All Working together... The Churches of the Keswick area are clustered together in a Mission Community. Mission Communities (MC) are part of the countywide ecumenical God for All strategy which aims to share the Christian faith with all who live in Cumbria or visit the county by 2020. Mission Communities are about how local churches working together can better share resources, ideas, talents to further the mission of the church. For the Keswick MC this means we have four focuses: Sharing of good ideas and experiences of mission across the area as we learn from us each; Supporting each other by sharing training and learning opportunities; Sharing back office functions, particularly amongst the smaller parishes, so that people are freed for mission and ministry; Praying with and for each other, either through weekly Morning Prayer or through special events. Sharing, supporting, praying together Keswick Mission Community By 2020 every person in Cumbria of all ages and backgrounds will have had an opportunity to discover more of God and God s purpose for their lives, so that they will discover more of Jesus and the Good News and become followers of Jesus within a Christian community. 4

Working within a mission community context (cont d) Churches Together in Keswick In the Keswick area we also have a very effective Churches Together (CTiK). Wider mission community In the wider Mission Community area, our other colleagues are: Over the years this has been to the development and delivery of the local credit union, the community housing trust delivering affordable local housing, and support to the Foodbank. CTiK also holds regular joint services marking Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Fairtrade week too. The Rev d Judith Ashurst is part-time at Braithwaite, Thornthwaite and Newlands and has been here since 2017. Dr Susi Wood is the Lay Minister (Reader in Charge) of Threlkeld, St John s in the Vale with Wythburn a unique appointment in the CofE a lay person running a parish with the support, mentoring and supervision of a clergyperson. The Rev d Andy Murphie is the newly appointed Priest in Charge of Crosthwaite (the parish with ¼ of the Keswick town and rural hinterland) joining us after 20 years in his last parish in Derby. Sharing the gospel. Regular joint services. Making connections. 5 Churches Together in Keswick

The Church and its churchmanship Our churches There are two Anglican churches in Keswick. St John s sees itself as liberal catholic while Crosthwaite as low traditional evangelical. These labels don t really do justice to the two traditions! St John s could be described as barely catholic; with an appreciation of orthodox beliefs, enjoying bible based sermons, a desire to grow in the faith as we wrestle together with difficult questions and issues, prepared to live with difference and a desire to be inclusive. The regular, resident, congregation for the 10am Sung Choral Eucharist is about 65 adults plus four young people but can change with the level of visitors joining us so that we can have 150 in Church. Special services such as the Christingle and Remembrance can attract significantly more. A desire to grow in faith Keswick St John s 6

The Church and its churchmanship (cont d) A lot s happening... Messy Church is starting in September 2018 being led by a group of lay people with clergy support. Our aim is to grow a new congregation that is family-friendly in timing and ethos. We also have one home group that meets to pray started in response to the aspirations of members of the congregation. We have had Lenten groups and hope to develop other home groups over time. Our aim is to grow a new congregation Keswick St John s We have had study sessions on questions of What is Mission and Church, Sexuality and Theology; and in September will be having one on the Environment and Theology. 7

What the parish and town offers for ministerial experience It s a time of change A new Curate would be joining St John s and the Keswick Mission Community at a time of transition. A wide range of worship styles and opportunities from formal to informal, choral to said, high to low. People, clergy and lay people, are open to change and new possibilities. The Mission Community offers the Curate the experience not just of a town centre / holiday church, but also of rural ministry in small churches and communities. A wide range of experiences in which a curate can specialise in light of their experience and expertise and the needs of the parish and MC. A chance of work collaboratively within a parish, across parishes and traditions, and denominations, with the MC and CTiK contexts. Prayerful support, What can we offer: Prayerful support. A change to engage in the civic and voluntary side of life in the town. and unity in mission Keswick St John s 8

The house, the vicar and colleagues A great spot to live A Lake District village Meet the vicar The curate s house will be the vicarage in Bassenthwaite village. The property dates from the late 1990s and is a purpose-built, four bedroom, detached vicarage. It s situated about 600m outside the village. A Lake District setting and a mission to perform. This is approximately seven miles from St John s and so is well placed for an easy commute alongside Bassenthwaite Lake to Keswick. The Rev d Charles Hope is the Vicar of Keswick St John with Borrowdale. Charles is also the priest in charge of Threlkeld, St John s in the Vale with Wythburn and Rural Dean of Derwent. He was ordained in 1990 in Newcastle Diocese and has served as curate and vicar for 13 years in Meadow Well & Percy Main in North Shields ( inner city ) and then for a further 13 years is Prudhoe, Northumberland ( commuter/ market town ) before coming to Keswick 9

The house, the vicar and colleagues (cont d)...more from Charles in 2016. He is also a Chaplain with the Army Reserves. Charles has long been fascinated by how the church can be an agent of change in the world, as part of extending God s kingdom as we share in God s mission. Charles will also be reducing his workload so that he has capacity to support the new curate. He is married to Kathryn with three teenage daughters....extending God s kingdom sharing in God s mission. Keswick St John s Other valued colleagues In the wider Mission Community area, our other colleagues are: At St John s there is also a Reader, Susan Leighton who leads on pastoral visiting and chairs the PCC ministry committee amongst other things developing a prayer team and prayer ministry. We have the support of an NSM, Rev d Helen Marshall, who works as a chaplain in Penrith and leads our youth work, but is also training and supporting a lay person to take on that role. We also gratefully value the support of several retired clergy. Important contact If you would like to explore this curacy formally please contact our Diocesan Director of Ordinands: The Rev d Canon Peter Clement peter.clement@carlislediocese.org.uk 07823 415815 10 Photo: www.jennywoolgarphotography.co.uk

APPENDIX (taken from a recent Parish Profile) What is Keswick like? From the early nineteenth century Keswick has grown into a small market town with a population of around 5,000 residents, 75% of whom live within St John s parish. Situated in the northern part of Cumbria s beautiful Lake District, it has acquired an international reputation as a holiday destination for walkers and climbers as well as catering for more sedentary holiday makers. There are reputed to be 10,000 bed spaces in Keswick in the many bed and breakfasts, hotels and holiday cottages. It is easily accessible from the M6 which runs about 16 miles away. The nearest train station is at Penrith and is accessible by bus. Because of its all year round tourist industry, Keswick has many facilities which do not normally exist in a small town. There is a library, leisure centre and gym, a cinema and professional theatre, the latter operating nearly 50 weeks of the year. The town hosts a number of festivals, such as Jazz, Beer, Literary, Film and Music as well as its own Keswick Festival. Many of the businesses in Keswick are tourism related so it has, over recent years, gradually lost many of its normal retail facilities and is now renowned for having a remarkable number of outdoor/activity clothing shops and eating places. There are two principal supermarkets. Carlisle, Penrith, Cockermouth and Workington provide the nearest access to national shopping chains. Schools There are two excellent schools serving the town. St. Herbert s C of E Aided Primary and Nursery School, of which we are very proud for the fine quality of its education and care and the strong Christian ethos that exists there. Keswick School is a large first class comprehensive school, drawing pupils from the town and surrounding villages. It was recently adjudged by OFSTED to be outstanding in every area and regularly sends pupils to Oxbridge. Other amenities We are fortunate to have two GP practices in Keswick and a small community hospital incorporating a minor injuries unit. Keswick has three dental practices and three pharmacies located centrally in the town. For local people there is a plethora of social activities catering for all ages and tastes. 11

APPENDIX (taken from a recent Parish Profile) Worship A variety of worship takes place at St John's but the main service is the Sung Eucharist every Sunday morning. There are in addition 8am said Eucharist and a variety of evening services, plus special services of different kinds throughout the church year. Please see the appendix 'Full Pattern of Worship' for more details. Our worship sits in the liberal catholic tradition where vestments are worn and the Sacrament reserved. However we are a broad church welcoming and valuing amongst the members people from many different theological viewpoints and non Anglican backgrounds. We hope we are a friendly church and we have plenty of practice in welcoming visitors from around the world every Sunday, many of whom find us through our website. We have a strong ministry team consisting of a part time NSM Associate Priest Rev d Helen Marshall and a lay minister (reader), Mrs. Susan Leighton. We can also call on help from a reader emeritus and several retired clergy, one of whom acts as chaplain to the hospital and local care homes. Lay people exercise ministry in many areas both in church and the community. They read the lessons, lead intercessions and assist with the chalice every Sunday. Music Music plays an important part in the worship of every church and we are fortunate to have a strong musical tradition at St John s led by one of the finest organists and choirs in the diocese. The current post-holder is a retired professional musician and former assistant cathedral organist who has written and arranged music for the choir. The high standard of our music attracts both people from the area as well as tourists and is often commented upon. The SATB choir of about 20+ is a friendly and enthusiastic group, most of whom are also very active in the general life of the church. They are frequently augmented by musicians who come to stay in the town. They lead the singing on a Sunday morning and provide a motet or anthem at the end of the administration of communion. Further, they sing on Ascension Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Ash Wednesday, Remembrance Day and at the traditional Carol Service. The emphasis of our music is very much on congregational participation supported by a good choir. 12

APPENDIX APPENDIX (taken from a recent Parish Profile) Music (cont d) The music at the evening service is varied depending on whether it is a sung evensong, Eucharist or more informal style of worship. The choir do not normally attend unless it is a special service, but an organist or pianist is usually available. For more informal acts of worship we have the option of using a grand piano or an electric keyboard. We are fortunate to have two organists in the congregation who are willing to deputise on Sundays and there are a number of organists in the area who can be called upon to help out. There is a facility to play recorded music on appropriate occasions too. Because of its fine acoustics the church is a much sought after venue for concerts. Church governance The churchwardens, Val Molly Montgomery and David Leighton, give an able lead in overseeing the smooth running of services and the maintenance of the building. Together with the incumbent, associate priest and lay minister, they are part of the PCC which has nine other elected members, two of whom sit on the Deanery Synod. There are a small number of sub committees. There are 13 sidespeople. Finance A summary of our annual accounts and Annual report is available on request. St. John s is in tolerably good shape financially and could possibly be described as secure but this is only with continued active management. The PCC has always paid its Parish offer in full and in addition seeks to make significant contributions to various mission causes. A Stewardship programme has just been undertaken. It has had an encouraging but not sufficient impact so further work is required to stop the shortfall of the past five years. 13

APPENDIX APPENDIX (taken from a recent Parish Profile) Church building St John s Church, listed Grade II*, designed by Anthony Salvin, was consecrated on St John s Day, 27th December 1838. It was built to serve the new community in Keswick that had expanded with the coming of the railway (now no longer here). The Quinquennial Inspection took place in April 2015 and the architect reported that the building is generally in good condition and it is well cared for by a committed team. A considerable amount of work has been carried out since the last report including several new windows and new lighting. The church does not have any additional buildings and small meetings take place in the rear of the south aisle. This is an issue which will need to be considered in the near future. It does however have a large churchyard which is under active management. Regular mowing and maintenance costs over 10,000 a year for which the parish receives no support from the local authority. In addition a group of volunteers meet monthly to undertake maintenance projects in the churchyard. There are also several faithful teams who clean the church, polish the brass provide flower arrangements or cater for Sunday morning coffee, church lunches and fund raising events. Church groups and organisations There are a number of prayer and study groups such as Julian Meditation Group (fortnightly), an active prayer chain, Lent groups and Pilgrim courses. There are no regular home groups. Also meeting are: Mothers Union (fortnightly October to Lady Day) with members from other churches; CAMEO Ladies Group (monthly from Sept to July) is open to members of other churches, Social groups such as: - Knit and Natter (monthly), Men s group (periodically). For young people there are Tygers Youth Group (monthly), Treasure Kids (Sunday School) for 5-10 year olds (teaching, activities and joint sessions with the Churches Together Sunday 4 U) and Little Treasures (0-5) who have an area at the back of the Church 14