ST MARK S BELLERIVE PARISH PROFILE 2017
Contents Location & Context 3 Our Foundations 4 Our Vision for St Mark s 5 What we value at St Mark s 7 Our Ministries 9 Our Ministry Team 16 What we hope for in a Rector 17 Buildings & Facilities 19 Finances 21 Stipend, Benefits & Housing 22 Living in Clarence 23 Resources 24 Contact 25 2
Location & Context St Mark s Anglican Church is located at the heart of the community of Bellerive, within the City of Clarence. An historic area on Hobart s Eastern Shore, Bellerive maintains a village atmosphere with residents spanning a range of ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. The centre of the village consists of a small but lively shopping precinct, with a variety of shops, restaurants, businesses and service providers. In the immediate vicinity are a number of schools (both private and state), a wide range of recreational facilities and easy access to the magnificent Derwent River. St Mark s Church has been an integral part of the Bellerive community since Tasmania s first Anglican clergyman, the Reverend Robert Knopwood, conducted the first worship service in close proximity to the current church in 1826. The first church building, known as the Chapel of Ease, was constructed in 1852 and is an ongoing reminder of Christian ministry in Bellerive. The current building was opened in 1904 with great celebration by the Bellerive community. The church holds a very prominent location on the corner of a major arterial road and opposite a popular food store with constant vehicle and pedestrian traffic throughout the day. The church has maximised this prominent location to advertise activities such as the Alpha Course and outreach events which bring the church out into the community. Of particular appeal to sporting enthusiasts, is the fact that the Blundstone Arena sports ground is within a block of the church. 3
Our Foundations St Mark s is an Evangelical Anglican church with a strong connection to the local Bellerive community. Our goal is that every aspect of our church life be based on the following six foundation beliefs, outlined in our vision statement 2016-2021. These are: We come into a relationship with the living God through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, by God s grace alone We live our lives to God s glory alone Our authority for our belief and behaviour is the Bible alone (it tests our traditions, intellect and experiences) We are connected to the wider Anglican church in Tasmania and the world, and to God s people in every time and place We are the church of the people with our services and mission in the language of the local culture We hold to orthodox Christian belief expressed in the historic creeds With these truths providing our firm foundation, we seek to establish and grow every member s relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ to create a strong and vibrant community of believers. As the body of Christ in Bellerive, we seek God s guidance and wisdom to reach out to Bellerive and beyond to make disciples of Jesus. 4
Our Vision for St Mark s Our vision document for the next five years (2016-2021), states that: We aim to be a vibrant and caring local church community, with highly committed missionary disciples of all ages. Over the past 10 years, as a church, and as disciples of Jesus, we have adopted a three-pronged approach to proclaiming Christ in Bellerive. We have chosen to give equal energy to: 1. Looking up to love and praise God (worship) 2. Looking in to build up and love each other (personal faith) 3. Looking out to spread the good news of Jesus Christ (outreach) Thanks to God s goodness, we have seen considerable growth in each of these three areas: 1. Attendance at weekly services in the past 10 years has almost doubled with about two-thirds of our members attending a service every week. Over 300 people are currently on our address list, which is an increase of more than 100 in the past five years. We give God the glory that our church has especially seen substantial growth among children and young people. 5
A recent restructuring of our service times has deliberately created the physical space to allow for further growth in the future. To cater for the increased attendance over the past 10 years, we have also upgraded our facilities and extended our worship space. 2. Numbers participating in our Connection groups have also grown. The importance of these Connection groups was cited as one of our strongest features in the 2016 Natural Church Development report. In 2016, we also introduced the BELLS program to strengthen relationships within the church, encourage members in their spiritual growth and to encourage evangelism. The BELLS acronym stands for: Bless, Eat, Listen, Learn and Send. (Michael Frost) 3. We have a significant number of outreach activities both within the Bellerive community and further afield (see Our Ministries). 6
What we value at St Mark s The recent consultation undertaken by the St Mark s congregations sought to identify the aspects of our church life which members felt most important to ensure that St Mark s continues to grow under God. The four most important aspects identified were: Biblical preaching The continued development of the Children s and Youth Ministry The friendships and relationships between members of the church The four worship services conducted each week. Biblical preaching: Among the St Mark s congregations, there is strong unanimity in the central role of scriptural preaching and teaching. Preaching at St Mark s is expository and so the Bible sets our patterns for belief and practice. Teaching from the Sunday sermon is then built upon through participation in the Connection group Bible studies that focus on the particular Scripture passage for the week. Members are encouraged to place a high value on their personal study of Scripture. Through this approach, members develop a high level of Biblical literacy. Children and Youth Ministry: The rapid increase in the number of children and young people attending St Mark s has been a great blessing to our church. At the beginning of the previous incumbent s tenancy, there were a 7
handful of children in the church. The 10am service now has up to 20 children with their families attending each week. The combined numbers for the two youth groups is nearing 30. Last year, the church advertised a position of Children s and Families Worker, which has not yet been filled. We are hopeful that God will continue to bless this important ministry by providing us with the right person for this position. Fellowship within the Church: Visitors to our church often comment on the caring, nurturing, loving atmosphere at St Mark s, displayed both within services and interactions with the broader community. Numerous groups within the church foster this sense of care and concern amongst church members. These groups include the Friends of St Mark s (FOSM) group that was started in the early 1960s by a number of young mothers, an ABM group, a Mother s Union group, and male and female Cursillo groups. The four weekly worship services: These each have their own style and are communities in their own right. On occasion, they gather together for a combined service. These services are outlined in further detail on the next page. 8
Our Ministries Services There are four services at St Mark s each week, ranging from traditional to contemporary: Sunday 8:30am Up to 30 adults attend this traditional service of Holy Communion. Sunday 10.00am Up to 80 adults and 20 children attend this family friendly service. This service includes Markies, a program catering for children from pre-school up to grade 6, lead by volunteers from the 10am and 6pm services. Activities are run in the church halls with children returning to their parents towards the end of the service. Every six to eight weeks an All Together service is held. In this childfocused service, families are together for the whole service with an emphasis on shared fun and worship. Sunday 6pm Up to 40 teenagers and adults attend this contemporary, relaxed service each week which has a strong focus on contemporary Christian music. Friday 10am Up to 30 adults attend this traditional service of Holy Communion that attracts people for whom this time and style is more accessible. 9
Connection Groups Nine connection groups meet at various locations across Hobart from St Mark s, to homes and coffee shops. The focus of these groups is grow in maturity in Christ by being transformed through God s word, prayer, and the building up of one another. There has been a pleasing growth in the number of young adults joining Connection Groups. Pastoral Care Team The pastoral care team ministers to church members in need at St Mark s. It also cares for members living in local nursing homes and retirement villages and non-church residents. Prayer Personal and corporate prayer provides a foundation for all the activities at St Mark s. Prayer is an important aspect of the Connection Groups and our youth groups and children s ministry. Our weekly bulletins provide extensive prayer points relating to both the church and the community. A weekly prayer meeting is also held on Fridays. Markies This is the children s ministry that runs during the Sunday 10am service for crèche to grade 6 children. It is run by volunteers from the 10am and 6pm services. About 20 children attend each week. Alive & Crosswired Alive and Crosswired are Friday night youth groups that run during the school term. Alive is for grades 3-6 and consists of various games and activities, followed by a Bible talk and some hot food. Crosswired is for grades 7-12 which includes combined activities and prayer, which then lead into three Bible studies. Combined numbers for the two groups is nearing 30. 10
St Mark s Playgroup Playgroup runs on Monday mornings, and sees up to 20 children aged 0-5 and their carers enjoy structured play. It is held in the church halls and the outdoor playground. Attendance is a mix of St Mark s members and people from the wider community. Theological College Missions St Mark s has been fortunate to have visits from students from Moore Theological College, Ridley Theological College, and Sydney Missionary and Bible College. Students and St Mark s work together to organise a range of activities to both reach out both to the local Bellerive Community, and also develop our church life. These have included women s and men s events, leading Bible studies and preaching. Bellerive Primary School St Mark s has long had a close relationship with this local school. Teachers and children from the school walk across Clarence St to the church for annual Easter and Christmas services. For many years, the St Mark s youth trainee and other members of the ministry team, have led a lunchtime play activity on Wednesdays at the school called JAFFA. Currently, about 15 primary school children participate. Clarence High School Breakfast Club For a number of years, St Mark s has held a weekly breakfast club at the local high school, which is now supported by other churches in Clarence. As well as providing nutritious food, the club is an opportunity to build relationships with the students. 11
Youth Trainees Over the past 10 years, St Mark s has had four youth trainees, all of whom have served the church for two years. This scheme provides young people with a desire to serve the Lord, with the opportunity for training and ministry. Their service to the church especially with children and youth is of great value and it is a joy to see the trainee grow and mature in their faith. Operation Christmas Child St Mark s has been a strong supporter of Operation Christmas Child for many years. Currently a team of church members work through the year to build up supplies of education materials, small items of clothing and toys. The church now dedicates one Sunday in October where all congregations help pack the boxes. Op Shop And Coffee Shop The St Mark s Op Shop and Coffee Shop are important ministries of the church. Started in 1963, the Op Shop opens on Wednesday and Friday and attracts customers from the immediate Bellerive community as well many passers-by. Run on a commission basis, the Op Shop has a wide range of stock, including second-hand goods and clothes, plants, freshly baked goods and bric a brac. The funds raised are an important contribution to the church, but in many ways the importance of the Op Shop lies in its outreach to the marginalized and isolated in the Bellerive Community. The central location of the church, means that there are many regulars customers with whom church volunteers have built strong relationships. The Friday Coffee Shop is also an important community outreach allowing for personal interaction. Nutritious but low-cost meals and refreshments attract regular customers, many of whom would normally have no contact with a church. 12
Facility Hire During the past five years, the church has actively managed the hire of its facilities to the community. As we have upgraded and improved our facilities, so their use by the community has increased resulting in ongoing contact with members of the community, many of whom may never before entered a church building or had contact with Christians. Regular users of our facilities include self-defence groups, fitness classes, dance groups, circus skill groups, the local history group and a local school. Our facilities are used every weekday and since the construction of the outdoor playground in 2012, the church hall has become especially popular at the weekend for children s birthday parties. Local Nursing Homes And Retirement Villages The Pastoral Care team provide ministry to two nursing homes in the area and a large retirement home. These are Lillian Martin, Riverview, and Fairview Rise. Ministry is available to both St Mark s members and those requesting Anglican ministry. We have also established a relationship with Bayview Lodge, an Anglicare facility which provides safe, affordable long-term communal housing for singles and couples on low incomes. Missions St Mark s supports CMS (our link missionaries David and Prue Boyd located in the Democratic Republic of Congo), ABM and BCA. A portion of our budget goes to these organisations, and regular fundraisers and mission spots contribute to their support. Crosswired youth group also raises money for India Village Ministries and ministry in Nepal. A parish mission representative is formally appointed each year to aid with the coordination of this work. 13
Music Ministry Music plays a vital role in Sunday services with different styles of music reflecting the different character of the three services. At the 8.30am Sunday service there is a mixture of traditional hymns and choruses, while contemporary Christian music is played at both the 10am and 6pm service. God has especially blessed the 6pm service which now has three separate bands consisting of talented young people. The St Mark s community look forward to the music ministry at our church continuing to grow in the future. Prison Ministry A small group of women from St Mark s regularly visit women in the Risdon Women s Prison. Building Community During the past 10 years, there have been a variety of activities that have brought the St Mark s community together for fellowship and to build each other up in faith. These include: Newcomers Lunches This enables newcomers to our church to develop friendships in a relaxed environment. Passover Meal In recent years, the parish has held a passover meal in the church hall with up to 100 people attending. This is a time of fellowship but also preparation for the Easter services as we re-enact the centuries old Jewish traditions. 14
Prayer Breakfast On Easter Sunday Our Easter services and celebrations this year, included for the first time, a dawn prayer service Easter Sunday on Bellerive Beach followed by a shared breakfast. With its close proximity to the church, Bellerive Beach is a familiar location for youth group activities, children s picnics, and often, full immersion baptisms. The dawn prayer service will no doubt become an important part of our Easter celebrations in the future. Specific Outreach Events For Men And Women In recent years, there have been annual men s and women s events which provide an opportunity for fellowship within the church, as well as a welcoming environment in which to invite non-christians to a church event. The men s event A is for Ale has proved a great success, while the women s event includes high teas and breakfasts. 15
Our Ministry Team Assistant Minister & Locum (full-time) Sam Pursell Sam works on the children s, youth and young adults ministries at St Mark s. Associate Minister (non-stipended) - Dennis Quinn Dennis co-ordinates the Pastoral Care for the Parish assists with the regular services on Fridays and Sunday mornings. Associate Minister (non-stipended) Fraser Herbert Fraser assists with the regular services on Friday and Sunday mornings, and specialises in the area of pastoral care to the community. Youth Trainee (part-time) Suraj Nepali Suraj works part-time with the youth and the children s ministries. Admin volunteers: church administration is undertaken by a small team of dedicated volunteers. The church s adoption of the Elvanto software has increased administrative efficiency in recent years. 16
What we hope for in a Rector We believe that the Lord will provide the right person to be the next rector of St Mark s. We also believe that our description of our vision and goals and who we are as a congregation, will help applicants determine if God is calling them to our church. While we do not believe we should set strict criteria for the position, we do believe our next Rector will have certain character traits and skills. These include being: An Evangelical minister. A gifted preacher who can maintain the church s commitment to expository preaching which inspires and encourages the congregation to live Godly lives. Someone who displays discernment, wisdom and good interpersonal skills with people from a range of ages and backgrounds. Familiar with a range of service styles from traditional Anglican to more contemporary services aimed at encouraging families and young people. Our next Rector should also be someone who has: Shown Godly leadership and an ability to lead a team. A proven ability to foster church growth and development and help us make disciples of Jesus. A proven ability to lead a parish in complex and challenging situations. Personal qualities of Christlikeness, integrity and prayerfulness. 17
Challenges We acknowledge God s goodness to us over the past 10 years, in enabling our church to grow in numbers and faith, especially among children and young people. We also realise that we need to remain relevant and true to the Gospel in an increasing secular world. Our challenge for the future is to grow members who desire to live like Jesus and are committed to regular church attendance. This is in the context of a society where church attendance and spiritual growth are no longer seen as priorities in many people s busy lives. We also need to ensure we give opportunity for members to use their gifts to serve and that we develop enough well-trained lay leaders and volunteers for all our ministries. We acknowledge that we need to encourage our younger parishioners to take on roles and responsibilities for which long-serving parishioners may no longer be available. We will be facing significant generational change in the next few years, and it is vital that we are strategic in the activities we choose to adopt as a church. While encouraging growth, we also need to develop strategies to ensure pastoral care and personalised contact is maintained in a growing congregation, and that personal contact is maintained even with marginal members. In a secular world of rapid technological change, it is important that the church is open to new ways of doing church without diluting our foundational truths. 18
Buildings & Facilities We believe that the heritage-listed buildings at St Mark s are significant assets to our church, since it is through our buildings that we can build community. At the core of the church complex is the substantial brick church consecrated in 1904. In 1927 a brick hall was built, separate to the church. In 1953, the church and hall were joined by the construction of a parish centre which now houses the Op Shop, offices, a store room and an entrance foyer. A new entrance to the church was constructed in 2013, to increase seating capacity into the existing foyer, as well as improving disabled access into the church. The church now comfortably seats 100 and has the capacity to accommodate up to 120 people. The parish also owns the first church in Bellerive, called the Chapel of Ease, a solid stone building consecrated in 1852. A Development Approval has recently been gained for subdivision of part of the land on which the chapel is built. Currently the chapel is leased out for commercial purposes. The rectory is no longer considered suitable for residential use and is leased out to Scripture Union and CMS on commercial terms. 19
In the 2017 review of the building audit all the buildings were considered to be basically sound. Roofing of the parish centre complex is the only issue that needs addressing. Over the past few years significant resources have been put into refurbishing the hall, supper room, and foyer areas making them more attractive and inviting for the youth and children s ministry, the Op shop and Coffee shop, social occasions and for those who hire the hall on a regular basis. The recent purchase of lounge chairs and small tables, as well as leasing a commercial coffee machine has also enhanced our times of fellowship. Further funding has been allocated this financial year for refurbishment of toilets. It is planned that new carpet will be laid in near future and that current heating issues will be addressed. We thank God for his provision in enabling us to create comfortable facilities which are inviting and practical for both church and community members alike. 20
Finances As St Mark s has been growing in regard to service and activity attendances, so it has been growing financially. In the past ten years, total income has grown every year such that it has almost doubled over that period. This has been largely driven by growth in live giving, for both parish purposes and external mission, which has increased by 145% over the period, from 45% to 59% of total income. During that time the parish has progressively grown its stipended ministry team from one, the Incumbent, to two full-time members Rector and Assistant Minister and a part-time Youth Trainee. Through God s provision and supportive congregations, our income has risen to meet the additional costs involved. The Opportunity and Coffee shops, although part of parish outreach, contribute, on average, approx. 18% of parish income. Rental of church property makes up around 13% of income. As with many Anglican Parishes, we tend to fully commit our income to furthering God s work in Bellerive and beyond, and leave little for contingencies. However, under God, we have delivered a small surplus in eight of the past ten years and, in aggregate, have made a net contribution to reserves for that period. 350000 300000 250000 200000 150000 100000 50000 0 Total Income and Giving 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Giving Income Over the past five years, the parish has been using its financial reserves to improve the amenity of its buildings through both extension and refurbishment. The works have been undertaken in accordance with the parish s strategic plan and will be substantially completed during the 2017/2018 financial year. A modest reserve fund will remain to support operating performance. 21
Stipend, Benefits & Housing St Mark s offers the Rector a stipend at 10% above the base rate, and benefits in line with recommendations of the Diocesan Remuneration Commission. See http://www.anglicantas.org.au/assets/stipends_2017-18.pdf. Full-time stipend (110% of base rate): $59,382.40 Fixed travel allowance: $6,700.00 Variable travel allowance: 25.00c per km Professional development: $2000.00 50% of home energy and telephone/internet costs reimbursed by the parish Superannuation contribution: 18% of stipend Four weeks annual leave Housing - options include: o Reside in a house leased by St Mark s o Receive a housing allowance, as per Diocesan policy, for a house rented or purchased by the incumbent. 22
Living in Clarence The suburb of Bellerive is located in the City of Clarence on Hobart s Eastern Shore. Clarence is widely regarded as an ideal place to live and raise a family, with a clean environment and a friendly, safe and connected community. Located in the south east of the state and situated on the Eastern shore of the River Derwent, residents enjoy panoramic views across the harbour to Hobart and majestic Mount Wellington. While it has all the services and facilities found on the Western Shore, Clarence has easy access to a range of public open spaces, nature reserves and sporting facilities. More than one third of Clarence remains untouched bushland. The population of Clarence is almost 54,674. The Clarence CBD is just 10 minutes from the centre of Hobart and a 15-minute drive to the Hobart International Airport. Data from the last census shows that the median wage in Clarence is $47, 405, and the median age is 40. Recreational possibilities in Clarence are many, and opportunities for maintaining health and fitness are plentiful. With its proximity to the Derwent River and local beaches, there is a strong focus on outdoor sport and recreation. This includes golf, cricket, sailing, surfing, horse riding, swimming, fishing, cycling and beach and trail walking. Previous members of the St Mark s ministry have enjoyed being part of Eastern Shore soccer teams. There are a wide variety of educational institutions in Clarence including state primary schools, high schools and a senior secondary college (for years 10-12). There are also a number of Christian schools on the Eastern Shore. Two Anglican schools the Hutchins Boys School and St Michael s Collegiate are located on the Western Shore. The University of Tasmania, also located on the Western Shore is experiencing rapid growth into the Hobart CBD. It is currently ranked among the top 300 in the world. 23
Resources St Mark s website: stmarksbellerive.org.au St Mark s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/st-marks-bellerive/522018377842126 The Anglican Diocese of Tasmania: anglicantas.org.au A Vision for the Diocese of Tasmania: youtu.be/cez1fatopx4 The Hutchins Anglican boys school: hutchins.tas.edu.au St Michael s Collegiate Anglican girls school: collegiate.tas.edu.au University of Tasmania: utas.edu.au Clarence City Council: ccc.tas.gov.au 24
Contact For enquiries and applications for the full-time position of Rector at St Mark s Bellerive, please contact: Mr Robert Wallace The Registrar Diocese of Tasmania GPO Box 748 Hobart TAS 7001 registrar@anglicantas.org.au 03 6220 2019 25