Bolsterstone and Deepcar with Stocksbridge Cornerstone Mission Statement A diverse group of Anglican churches with a shared aim to worship God and fulfil his mission in the community Cornerstone Mission Partnership The parishes that make up Cornerstone are geographically and historically linked. The three parishes are looking toward a pastoral scheme to create a united benefice of two parishes, Bolsterstone with Stocksbridge Christian Centre and Deepcar with Stocksbridge. Bolsterstone is a popular venue for weddings and baptisms, and, with an active churchyard, pastoral ministry through the occasional offices is an important part of the mission of the church. All the churches have an open baptism policy, and good ministry to older people, including nursing homes. Midweek services include Holy Communion, Morning Prayer and a service for pre-school children. With a tower housing 8 bells it is popular with tower bell ringers and there is also a group of hand bell ringers. Connections with the local male voice choir and brass band create opportunities for concerts during the year and they have good relations with the church. There is an annual village fair in the village square. This is popular across the region. Stocksbridge Christian Centre is an Anglican Methodist LEP and is part of Bolsterstone parish. They have regular events for the community including a lunch club, Girl s and Boy s Brigade and various fundraising themed meals. At present there is a Methodist minister providing pastoral oversight at the Christian Centre. St John s was reordered in 2000 providing a flexible worship space as well as being a location for other events. The church school children come into the church 4 or 5 times a year, along with their parents, for the church festivals. There are also regular school visits and at the end of the school year the Y6 pupils spend time in church prior to moving onto secondary school. There is an Open the Book group who take regular assemblies in the school. There is also a church hall with a variety of groups from the church and community making use of it. There are good connections between the parishes with services and events for festivals and through the church year. A joint service on 5 th Sundays rotates around the churches and other joint events take place. The ministry of women and men, lay and ordained is accepted at all levels and is part of the worship and life of all the churches. There is an active Churches Together in the Valley. This provides opportunities for worship together as well as delivering Christmas parcels to the over 80 s, working in the Community Bridge Shop, sharing during the week of prayer for Christian Unity of witnessing across the valley during Holy Week.
The history of the community The parishes lie in the north west of Sheffield. The township of Stocksbridge began as a rural farming community around the local manor and estates. It developed during the mid C19 when steel production began. The area continues to be both urban and rural. The steel works extended across the parishes and used to be the major employer in the area. High-grade steel is still produced to the present day but the employment it created has since declined. The area has recently had seen regeneration of the area with the new Fox Valley retail development build on part of the site of the steel works. This has enhanced the area. In April 2017 it was the final stage of the Tour de Yorkshire. Many people continue to work locally but with good transport links people also commute to the city of Sheffield and the towns surrounding the area. The majority of commuters use private transport but the public transport infrastructure is good with a regular bus service to Sheffield and Barnsley. There are good connections to the M1 and across the Pennines. The vicarage The House set aside for this post is situated in the village of Bolsterstone with views across the valley. It is a modern, well-appointed 4-bed detached house with a separate garage, within a pleasant garden. It has recently been refurbished. Bolsterstone Vicarage from the front Bolsterstone vicarage from the garden
The area and the church buildings
Deepcar St John Every member a missionary All of God s work carried out by all of God s people Reordered around 2000 Deepcar has seen the church being used in many ways for worship and activities. Activities include Hope Café, Tuesday service, Monthly Prayer and cleaning morning, Knit and natter, Messy Church, Sunday club, GA s (God s Ambassadors) for pre-teens, Costa group for young people, over 45 people involved in weekly fellowship groups The Great St John Bake Off brought people together from across churches, community and school. The Mission structure for the church, ensuring that we are working towards following God s vision for the church, is divided into 3 areas: mission development, Community development and mission support.
Bolsterstone with Stocksbridge Christian Centre The present church at Bolsterstone, built between 1872-78, replaced an older church. The first positively identified chapel was in 1412 There is ecumenical link with the Methodist church at Stocksbridge Christian Centre A churchyard group meets to share the work with the sheep and enjoys working together There are 8 tower bells with a team who ring regularly for Sunday worship, weddings and other occasions and also a handbell group. Activities include the village fayre, Village community group, under pre-school service, Women s fellowship, senior citizens lunches, Boys and Girls brigades. Fayre Day with stalls, Deepcar Brass Band and Bolsterstone Male Voice Choir.
Cornerstone links with the community and across the valley Bridge community Shop, Community Christmas parcels, schools work and Christmas events and services Cornerstone brings people together to share the love of Christ Confirmation service Open the book team from across the mission partnership take regular services at Deepcar St John s Junior School Churches Together Lent lunches take place across the valley Christingle service at St Mary s Ecumenical Ascension Day walk to the Trig Point Map of the parishes
Role Description Details of Post Role Title: Benefice: Deanery: Archdeaconry: Associate Priest (House for Duty) Cornerstone (parishes of Bolsterstone and Deepcar with Stocksbridge) Ecclesfield Sheffield and Rotherham Role Purpose 1. To exercise the cure of souls in collaboration with the Incumbent and the bishop 2. To grow Christ-like, lively and diverse Christian communities in this place which are effective in making disciples and in seeking to transform our society and God's world 3. To represent the Church of England in the wider community 4. To support, encourage and resource colleagues in the deanery and diocese, as together we seek to realise our diocesan vision General Responsibilities 1. To fulfil the responsibilities of clergy as described in the Canons, the Ordinal, the Guidelines for the Professional Conduct for the Clergy and other relevant legislation. 2. To watch over yourself. 3. To ensure that a high standard of worship, preaching and pastoral care is offered. 4. To develop the ministry of the laity such that all are using their gifts for the common good and to develop a ministry team. 5. To offer the gospel in a lively and engaging way to those who are outside the church
6. To offer a way for people to explore the Christian gospel for the first time leading to baptism and confirmation. 7. To offer clear pathways for young Christians to grow to maturity as Christian disciples. 8. To lead the church in responding to human need by loving service. 9. To participate in diocesan, national and international initiatives to transform unjust structures of society. 10. To seek at all times to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth. 11. To encourage Christian stewardship of people s time, money and abilities. 12. To collaborate with Churchwardens to ensure the church building(s) serve the church s wider mission in the community. 13. To seek ecumenical cooperation wherever appropriate and possible. 14. To collaborate with the deanery in mission and ministry and cooperate in the implementation of the deanery plan. 15. To ensure full compliance at all times with the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy. 16. To explore opportunities for pioneer expressions of mission and ministry wherever appropriate and possible. 17. To fulfil the bishops requirement of full engagement with continuing professional development through Leading Well, Continuing Ministerial Development and diocesan events that aim to inspire and equip lay and ordained leaders. Specific Responsibilities Core ministry: Leading and preaching across the churches at Holy Communion or Morning Prayer, as agreed with the Incumbent, with a willingness to work across different styles of worship, music and spirituality. Building on the missional opportunities afforded by the traditional understanding of the church being an essential part of the community, and there to be turned to as a partner in community events, processes and groups. Other possibilities: Ministry to older people linked to care homes and care groups. Building links with schools; 1 secondary and 5 primary schools (one CofE primary). Sharing in occasional offices and developing pastoral care to all who seek the church. There is an open baptism policy in the mission partnership, a much loved and used churchyard at Bolsterstone, and weddings mainly through the summer. The post would be for 2 or 3 days a week plus Sunday
Key colleagues within the church (local, deanery, diocese and ecumenical) The Bishop of Sheffield and the Bishop of Doncaster The Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham The Area Dean and Lay Chair of Ecclesfield Deanery Chapter, Deanery Synod and Diocesan Synod together with church related groups. Church Wardens and PCC Readers and other lay leaders Methodist minister of Stocksbridge Christian Centre and other ecumenical colleagues Churches Together in Stocksbridge and District (CTSD) Key partners in the wider community (individuals and organisations) Schools and care homes Bolsterstone Male Voice Choir and Deepcar Brass Band Stocksbridge Town Council The Bridge Shop (run by CTSD) Review Date: Signature of Office Holder: Signature of Archdeacon: Date: Date:
DIOCESE OF SHEFFIELD THE BENEFICE OF CORNERSTONE (PARISHES OF BOLSTERSTONE AND DEEPCAR WITH STOCKSBRIDGE) PERSON SPECIFICATION Criteria Essential Desirable Qualification / training Ordained priest in church of England. To be genuinely collaborative in approach, but capable of taking the Spirituality and prayer life Knowledge Experience Skills and abilities lead when the occasion demands. Willing to worship across the diverse traditions of the different churches and congregations. Passionate about sharing the gospel. Diligent in prayer. Committed to working ecumenically. Open to the work of the Holy Spirit. Accepting of women s ordained ministry. Commitment to bible study and teaching. Proven experience of working in teams. Proven experience in developing groups and volunteers to build up the life of the church and across the community. Demonstrable experience of walking with people on their faith (life) journey. Stimulating preacher and bible teacher. Able to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds. Good communication skills. Accessible for prayer support. Committed to providing an accessible Christian presence. Understanding of wider church issues and relationships. Motivated to supporting pastoral work across the parishes. Experience of relating the church to the wider community. Outreach to wider community. Ability to build on the diversity of the churches. Ability to encourage the whole church to share in mission and ministry. Personal attributes Commitment to developing gifts in individuals. Commitment to join in with what God is doing. Open, warm and approachable. Car driver essential.