CHRIST CHURCH NORTHAMPTON A WELCOMING PARISH CHURCH WITH A MULTI- NATIONAL CONGREGATION
Are YOU the Priest who can lead us in growing our Church further in the service of God? WE are: Christ Church Northampton A group of approximately 80 communicants across Sunday and Wednesday morning services Of wide diversity of ethnicity and nationality Well known as being a welcoming church Aware of our good things that can always be improved and new activities that can be started A congregation aged 80 to 8 and below (once 5 days!) A 100-year old building very close to the centre of Northampton A substantial modern vicarage with garage on the Church site A member of the St Crispin Group of 4 Town Centre Churches 11 Baptisms, 3 Confirmations, 2 Funerals, 1 Wedding, 1 Thanksgiving Service during the past year Home for community activities and our Work Club THE FULL, DETAILED PROFILE FOLLOWS
Northampton Town: Northampton is an expanding market town, home to people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. Its geographical position approximately mid way between London and Birmingham, with easy access to Milton Keynes, makes it a popular town for businesses and commuters. There are good motorway links M1 can be accessed at 3 junctions and excellent rail links from a recently modernised rail station. Plans are underway to redevelop sites in the town centre to include a new coach station as well as shops and leisure faculties. For sports enthusiasts Northampton has a first division football team, and a premiership rugby team. There is also a county cricket team which has won the t20 twice. Present population is approximately 212,000. A new University building is under construction and due to open in 2018. Divided into two parliamentary constituencies at present represented by Conservative party MP s Christ Church Parish: This came into existence in the late 19 th and early 20 th century with the housing expansion in the Wellingborough Road area for the then thriving boot and shoe industry employees. Christ Church was built on the main Wellingborough Road opposite Manfield Shoe Factory, the front facade of which still exists. The site has been redeveloped as Burlington Care Home for the elderly, in the corridors of which are interesting photographs of the working factory. The church is about a mile east of the town centre and close to the much loved and well used Abington Park with lakes, cafe, sports facilities, small museum and children s play area. It is the venue for occasional community events and fun fairs and the band stand is in use most Sunday afternoons in the summer. Around the church is a busy multicultural community with a variety of businesses, shops, restaurants and pubs. Within the thriving residential area are two primary schools and a church of England primary school, several senior schools and Malcolm Arnold Academy are all easily accessed. There are two residential care homes, one for the elderly already mentioned and the other caring for younger adults. A medical centre with dental facilities is within walking distance and the busy general hospital with Accident and Emergency facilities is about a mile away. (Googlemaps, 2016)
The Church Building: The foundation stone was laid on the 8 th June 1904 by the wife of the then Bishop of Peterborough, Lady Helen Glyn. The local architect, Matthew Holding, also designed four other Churches in the town St Matthew; St Mary; St Paul and Holy Trinity. The church was designed in the Decorated Style of the period between 1290 and 1350 because he was inspired by the Gothic church of Europe. The church, built from local stone was consecrated by the Bishop of Peterborough on the 31 st May 1906. It was never completed as Holding intended, a temporary brick wall remaining in place at the west end until the modern west front was added in 1985. The East End with sanctuary, Lady Chapel and vestries was completed and dedicated in 1925. One of the most striking features is the beautiful East window depicting various saints, which was given as thanksgiving for peace after the First World War. The Lady Chapel contains a window depicting Our Lady and the names of those from the Parish killed in that war.
The East Window: Other noteworthy features include the large Victorian painting of The Finding of Moses in the Bulrushes In the area of the South side of the church, now used as a children s corner and the nearby Nativity window.
The organ is regarded as one of the best in the locality and was presented to the church by the Barratt family in 1961. It requires major restoration to maintain it in the long term. Church Facilities: The church yard consists of some flower borders, a few trees and a grassed area. There are no headstones. A small area is consecrated for the interment of ashes near the north church wall. The church hall is adjacent to the Church, with a small car park accessed from Christchurch Road. There is one main hall, several smaller rooms and a recently refurbished kitchen. There is disabled access to church and hall. Adjacent to the hall and car park is a large comfortable four bedroom, detached vicarage, built in the late 1950 s and kept in good repair. The church owns the adjoining Tesco site from which the parish derives a small rental. The Vicarage: The Church: Established Anglican tradition with the Eucharist at the heart of our life and worship. Vestments worn Provision for use of incense but very rarely used. Parish Mission statement To know God better, and make him better known, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Sunday Worship: 10am Family Eucharist. Common Worship followed with adaptation on first Sunday of the month with the aim of increasing children s involvement in the service. Easy to follow service books are used for each season with provision for inclusion of Baptism. There are Rotas for laity to read and lead intercessions. There are trained lay Eucharistic assistants. There is a small choir and serving team and there about 65 communicants weekly. Children s area at front of side aisle. Children proudly show their work at the end of the service. Coffee is served in church after the service. 6.30pm April-October or 3.30pm November-March Evensong. Book of Common Prayer order which is attended by about 20 people. The New English Hymnal is used, supplemented by hymns from other sources when required. The choir sings a motet during Communion and Anglican chant to the psalm. Weekday Worship: Wednesday 10am, said Eucharist with 20-25 communicants. Coffee is served in church after service. Friday 11.30-1pm the church is open, with prayers and short meditation at 12.30 which is led by clergy or laity. Coffee is available following this. Electoral Roll: There are currently 78 on the electoral roll, 32 of whom are resident in the parish. There is a church website and we can be found on Facebook. We pride ourselves on our reputation of being a welcoming church. There is a rota for welcomers at services, visitors and newcomers always are invited to stay for coffee and usually do. We were given very positive and good feedback from a recent visit from a mystery worshipper. Lay support: 1 Intern. 1 Reader 2 Churchwardens. PCC Members Several Eucharistic Assistants help during services and with home communions Safeguarding officers Social and Fundraising committee arranges occasional coffee mornings, a summer cream tea afternoon, summer and Christmas Fayres. There is scope for expanding the social aspect of church life. Study, Prayer and Other Groups: Monthly intercession groups are attended by a small number of people from the St Crispin group of Churches. Mothers Union combined with St Michael s church group which meet monthly. The Monday Work Club for job seekers Scout group meet in the church hall and is expanding. Weekly Lent study group meets at Christchurch. Sessions attended by approximately 20 people from the St Crispin group of churches and conclude with Compline. Over the past 2-3 years five Pilgrim courses have been available.
Confirmation and Baptism preparation as required. A Wellbeing and Happiness course was recently held. Areas of particular ministry: Visiting of those unable to attend church and general pastoral visiting. There are a number of regular home communicants Monthly home Communion at Burlington Care Home. Christ Church has a growing number of young families with variable Sunday attendance. There are no special mid week activities for young people or children. Efforts to develop all age worship are already underway. The PCC has agreed that increasing our provision for families, children and young people should be a priority. Areas of cooperation: Christ Church belongs to St Crispin group of churches in the central Northampton area, the other churches in the group being St Michael and All Angels, Holy Sepulchre, Holy Trinity with Saint Paul. Each church hosts a joint Eucharist on its Patronal Festival followed by lunch. Joint services are held in Holy Week and other occasional times. The clergy from all churches in the group meet regularly. A group council meets three times a year. A Group magazine is produced regularly For several years Christ Church has hosted the ecumenical Good Friday Service at the conclusion of the Walk of Witness, followed by coffee and hot cross buns in the church hall. Young people are encouraged to join Deanery youth events. Mothers Union charities Autumn Fayre is held in the church hall. United Life Church meets in church hall on Sunday afternoons. Other Church activities: Christ Church is used as a venue for Choral and Orchestral concerts and musical events. The Bible Society holds its annual Carol Service at Christ Church and our own Carol Service is combined with the Marie Curie Lights to Remember event. Other Hall Users: The hall is used by a range of non-church groups and organisations: Art Group Folk dance group Bowls group. Third Thursday group for the over 50 s. Line dancing group. Friday lunch club for the over 60 s The hall is available for hire for private functions accommodating 120 standing or 100 seated.
Essential personal attributes: Person Specification for our New Priest: A person with enthusiasm, energy, commitment and a genuine love of people of all ages. An ability to perpetuate and develop the welcoming, joyful and hopeful culture of Christ Church. Ministry: Treasure and build on the established Anglican tradition of this church. Strengthen and encourage the expanding ministry with families, children and young people. Willingness to develop and delegate to a lay ministry team. Continue the good pastoral care Be prepared to build on the relationships of the past few years in our multicultural church family. Encourage further development of faith e.g. through study groups/courses. Outreach: Will work within and actively support the St Crispin group of Churches. Will strengthen links in local community with schools and care homes. Will recognise the importance of and encourage expansion of social events as a means of strengthening Church family and encouraging new members. Will build on ecumenical links established in the area.
Financial Matters For full details please see the attached Financial Statement and Report for year ending 31 st December 2015 Parish Share: This is always paid in full. The 2016 share is 38,709. Church Fabric: Based on the most recent Quinquennial Report (QA) dated December 2015, cost of the essential work to the roof of the Lady Chapel and adjacent areas is 41,844+VAT. Fund raising during the past two years and others money and grants have now made it possible to proceed with this work. A faculty has been obtained and the work is now scheduled to commence in Spring 2017. Essential electrical work required by the QA has been completed. Church Lighting: Replacement of old fashioned and inefficient lighting in the Nave and Transepts is being investigated. Provisional estimated cost is 7,000-10,000. Barratt Organ: Although still in regular use this instrument requires extensive renovation. Provisional estimates are well in excess of 100,000.
The congregation in their own words What I like about Christ Church is the friendly atmosphere I have always felt comfortable and very welcome particularly when I first started coming several years ago, this is one of the reasons I come and the family feeling I get when each time I attend whether it be a service or gathering, I felt extremely honoured to that I was asked to do the chalice and of course i come to worship too and give thanks to god. S.F. I come to Christ Church to join with other Christians in the worship of Almighty God within the catholic, apostolic church founded by Christ, in which I believe, to develop my faith and explore ways in which we can serve Him better. A.C. Did anyone welcome you personally? Yes and a wonderful welcome it was! The two welcomers said, "Good morning and a warm welcome." This church really has got its welcome in order. So thank you, * and *, for your excellent welcome. Warm but not intruding. The top of the pew sheet also repeated this welcome. (Mystery Worshipper, June 2015) I come to Christ Church to see my Church family, I try to visit them every week, I feel at home, the diversity in the people there and to seek out friendship advice and shared worship makes me want to return every week. I have returned to the choir, I have missed singing the anthems and seasonal hymns, I will try and encourage others to join. L.B. I like Christ Church because there is always a cheerful Christian welcome. The organ begins and I quietly prepare to worship God, and through hymns and prayers I am ready to receive Holy Communion. listening to the organ voluntary at the close of the service I thank God for his blessings. I come because I feel comfortable within this church. J.S. I had such a warm welcome and feel very comfortable there. E.G. I like Christ Church because the Parishioners are very welcoming and friendly. When I attend Church I do feel at ease with myself. In general, I do appreciate in partaking of the holy Sacrament and at the end of the services I do feel uplifted. I enjoy the social aspect of meeting everyone afterwards to share coffee and a chat. S.E. By the time i came to join my wife in the UK in 2004, she had already joined Christ Church after she had worshiped in more than four churches of different denominations. From experience since I joined Christ church, I can say that Christ Church is an Anglican church to the core. The mode of worship is unique, the church is non discriminatory, its welcoming stance is unparalleled, the members are friendly and accommodating. C.A. The Sunday Morning Communion Service (always meaningful); the concern for social justice, e.g. the Work Club, Northampton Soup etc.; the way that children are valued; the opportunities to explore the faith outside of Sunday mornings (Pilgrim & Lent courses etc.); and the people - kind, discreet, committed. Feeling (as another comparative newcomer) welcomed into the community, and finding lots of opportunities to serve - and then there is - what was it?!-ah yes -the" joyful, hopeful culture"! Y.H. It is a beautiful building and (usually) a peaceful place in which to worship, and in the words engraved above the west door of Little Gidding church, and which must also surely apply to Christ Church - T S Eliot This is none other than the house of God and the Gate of Heaven. C.B.