St John s Church, Long Eaton Parish Profile Following Jesus, Sharing His Blessings
Contents Introduction... 1 Long Eaton & the Parish... 2 The Town... 2 Schools... 3 Facilities... 3 Parish... 3 Our Church... 4 Church membership and attendance... 4 Our Services... 4 Service resources... 4 Children and Young people... 5 Growth Groups... 5 Occasional offices... 5 Resources... 6 Parochial Church Council... 6 The Church Buildings... 6 The Vicarage... 7 Staff... 7 Finances... 7 Relationships... 8 Deanery... 8 Local Area... 8 Community involvement and outreach... 9 Schools and families... 9 Adults and older people... 9 Church Halls... 9 Uniformed Organisations... 10 Financial Mission... 10 Mission Action Plan... 11 Diocese of Derby Vision... 13 Contact Details... 14
Introduction Welcome to this profile of the benefice of Long Eaton St John. Our declared commitment is to Follow Jesus and Share His Blessings. If that resonates with you then please read on. We are a single church parish that covers about one half of the town of Long Eaton. There are many active members of the church family who support activities within the church and outreach opportunities. Both these areas have long established patterns but as the availability of people to assume responsibilities reduces we recognise the need to reflect on whether we can carry on regardless. We look forward to working with the new incumbent to develop the ways in which we follow Jesus and share His blessings. We are offering a group of Christian believers committed to St John s who yearn to see God s blessings shared with everyone in the parish or with whom we have a contact appreciate a range of styles of worship and have been willing to explore new opportunities value the contribution made by lay members in the provision of worship and outreach have established close links with three local primary schools, which are not church schools but welcome visits on a weekly basis recognise that, without an identifiable geographical community, we must share God s blessings in imaginative ways are adequately resourced financially enjoy good building resources that provide opportunities to touch community groups who use our facilities We are looking for someone with a heart for parochial ministry in today s world who will help us realise God's vision for us and reach out and share His blessings with the people of St John's parish, communicating the gospel message clearly and authoritatively who would be at ease encouraging a congregation at a Book of Common Prayer service in the morning, then dressing up in front of a school class of 5-year-olds in the afternoon who will enjoy having fun with the cub scout pack and then sit with a recently bereaved elderly person who lived in the parish but with no church connection who will foster and encourage the lay members in worship and outreach, helping us move deeper into God s word, and have the discernment to identify and help nurture other talents willing to work collaboratively in all areas of church and parish life, including the wider ecumenical and Anglican structures P a g e 1
Long Eaton & the Parish The Town Long Eaton town is situated approximately halfway between Derby and Nottingham, lying just within the county of Derbyshire. Historically Long Eaton had significant lace, upholstery and rail industries, which drove the growth from small village to town during the late nineteenth century. Today the town has some industry left (mainly producing high-end furniture), but is predominantly residential with people commuting to the surrounding cities to work. The town centre has fought to retain its identity, and still contains everything needed for day-to-day. There are three market days a week which see stalls setup down the pedestrianised high street. Long Eaton has excellent transport connections with the M1 motorway, mainline train services to London and Sheffield and local services to Birmingham, Nottingham and Derby, and East Midlands Airport. There are also good local bus services. Although the parish is urban, it is easy to escape into the countryside: the Peak District National Park, the National Forest and the Derbyshire Dales are all within a 40 minute drive whilst closer at hand are the footpaths along the River Trent and across local fields. Key 1 - St John s Church and parish boundary 2 - St Laurence s Church P a g e 2
Schools There are a number of schools within the parish boundary: Four state primary schools, Wilsthorpe state secondary, Brackenfield special school and two independent schools, including Trent College. Facilities West Park provides a large green space at the centre of the town and is used by many sports clubs both in summer and winter. Next to the park is the local Leisure Centre with both swimming pool and gym. Other services include a library, GP Practices, a Health Centre and a small Arts Centre. When Long Eaton doesn t have what you need the close proximity of both Nottingham and Derby means that everything from hospitals to international sporting events is within easy reach. Parish St John s grew out of the provision of a mission church from the parish of St Laurence to serve an area of new housing in the early twentieth century. The parish covers the north-western part of Long Eaton, now predominantly a residential area although there is also some light industry. A detailed breakdown of the parish can be found in the Statistics for Mission on the diocesan website. P a g e 3
Our Church Church membership and attendance The Electoral Roll numbers 126 members of whom 90 are resident within the parish. The number of adults attending worship during a typical week is approximately 75. The age profile of adult church attendance is approximately: 20s & 30s: 20% 40s & 50s: 35% 60+: 45% Services at St John s cater for a broad range of churchmanship traditions and worship styles. With St Laurence's church in the town centre being of a high church tradition, St John s attracts people from beyond the parish boundary. Many older people in the congregations will have never worshipped anywhere other than St John s. Those in their 20s to 50s are rather more likely to have moved into the parish and to have experienced worship elsewhere and in other denominations. Our Services The regular service pattern is as follows: Sunday 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) typical congregation about 8. Sunday 10.30am (Our main service) Two services per month are Holy Communion (CW), one is Morning Worship (CW). On the first Sunday of the month we have an All Age service at which we are joined by the Scouting and Guiding groups four times a year. On fifth Sundays we are presently trying something different. Children and young people go out to their own groups each week, except at the monthly all age service. Sunday 7:30pm Sacred Space (first Sunday) a meditative and creative service using material from sources such as Taizé and Iona. Prayer Meeting (third Sunday) Wednesday 10.00am Holy Communion (BCP), typical congregation about 8. Service resources A worship group, five to eight strong, leads the music at 10.30am services; both keyboard and organ are available. The building has modern sound amplification and data projection equipment and the song words and liturgy are usually projected although standard service sheets and Mission Praise are available where required. P a g e 4
We benefit greatly from the input and service-leading of a retired school chaplain and one lay reader who are long-standing members of the church. Members of a Prayer Support team are ready to pray with individuals at the 10:30 service, particularly during Holy Communion services. Children and Young people Sunday Club and a Pathfinders group (school year 6 and above) meet during the 10.30am service, spending the first 10-15 minutes in church before going to their own activities; at Communion services they usually rejoin the service for the administration. Sunday Club regular attendance is 8; Pathfinders has 10 on its register but numbers vary significantly. Recruitment of Sunday Club leaders has always proved difficult but we do presently have sufficient leaders and helpers. The PCC has resolved to move to offering the bread and wine to children, subject to agreement upon an appropriate policy. Growth Groups Four home groups ( Growth Groups ) meet weekly or fortnightly, studying a range of material occasionally based upon a sermon series. In Lent, the groups have sometimes combined. Occasional offices There are very few weddings at St John s and relatively few baptisms. Most funerals conducted for the parish are held at the local crematorium several miles towards Nottingham. In 2014 there were 30 funerals conducted by clergy from St John s. P a g e 5
Resources Parochial Church Council The PCC meets eight times a year and plays an active role in the life of the church. Individuals or groups support the work of the PCC including Safeguarding, Fabric, Social Committee, Mission Giving and Worship Planning. The Church Buildings St John s church was built in 1923 as the first stage of a much larger project but the later stages were not pursued. In 1972 there was a major re-ordering of the church interior, including a 180 degree turn! Apart from the font all the furniture is moveable providing scope for innovative use of the space. As well as the main worship area there is an office, large storage space, prayer room, vestry and room equipped with materials for a crèche. The interior was redecorated in 2015 although it is recognised that the flooring still needs attention. As part of our Mission Action Plan we now serve coffee after the main Sunday service in church. The facilities are temporary and we are currently looking at installing a permanent servery with related facilities but this will impact on the use made of the vestry. The church halls were built in 1957 and comprise one large hall with a stage, a small hall, 3 smaller rooms, kitchen and toilets. The toilets serve both hall and church. Ideas have been considered to create a single entry for both church and halls but the cost has been prohibitive. The exterior of the church and halls and the church grounds are not particularly church-like or attractive. As part of our MAP, efforts have been made to make the church building and surrounds more distinctive from the neighbouring factories! P a g e 6
The Vicarage The vicarage is a 5 minute walk away from the church. It was built as a vicarage in the 1970s and is in good order. Downstairs there is a study and WC separated by double glazed doors from the living area that comprises a lounge, dining room and kitchen. Upstairs there are four bedrooms, a WC and a bathroom. Outside there are large lawned areas with flower borders and fruit trees. A large garage is incorporated within some nineteenth century coach houses. Staff St John s employs an administrator located in an office in the church. Her current hours are 9.15am to 1.15 pm, Monday, Thursday and Friday reduced during school holidays. Finances The church finances are reasonably healthy but there are no large reserves for major development. Most of the income arises from contributions by members and hall fees there is limited scope for extensive fund raising or external funding. The Common Fund is paid in full as well as all the vicar s expenses. 10% of regular giving is tithed to Mission support. The accounts for the last two years are summarised below; a full set is available on request. Whilst we aim to cover the hall running costs with letting income all the funds flow through the same account 2014 2015 Income 81,936 96,600 Regular giving 54,464 50,332 One off receipts (including restricted legacy) - 25,003 Other church related income 7,018 6,083 Hall lettings 20,454 15,182 Expenditure 79,303 82,523 Common fund 34,896 35,592 Mission giving 5.810 5,319 Other church costs 18,554 25,897 Hall costs 20,053 15,715 P a g e 7
Relationships Deanery St John s is strictly within the Deanery of Erewash but as part of a Diocese of Derby project called Developing Deaneries a larger deanery is being trialled that will include all the benefices in the Erewash and Heanor Deaneries and one from the Alfreton Deanery. An Area Dean is currently being recruited and the intention is that deaneries will become a focus for training, mission and mutual support. It is not yet known whether all the clergy in the new deanery will meet as a single Chapter, separate North and South Chapters or a mixture of the two. The Deanery Synod is expected to meet three times a year and a member of St John s serves as the Lay Chair of Erewash Deanery. Local Area As part of a Diocese of Derby initiative a few years ago a Mission and Ministry Area was set up involving local Anglican Churches. Although that initiative has faded there remains a strong informal alliance between St John s and the churches at Sawley, Sandiacre, Breaston and Draycott. Joint MMA services are held on Advent Sunday, Ash Wednesday and Ascension Day and the clergy meet for mutual support. The Long Eaton Churches Fellowship is an ecumenical grouping of churches from all denominations in Long Eaton and Sawley. It holds a joint evening service and prayer meetings to support the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, holds a joint service and march of witness on Good Friday, has a presence at the Long Eaton Carnival event (in recent years including a joint open-air service), hosts carol singing in Long Eaton Market Place and organises a standard Christmas poster for use by all churches. It also organises occasional outreach events. Again the ministers meet over lunch occasionally for mutual support. P a g e 8
Community involvement and outreach Schools and families Teams visit three local primary schools on a weekly basis to lead Open the Book assemblies, and these schools visit the church for Experience Christmas and Experience Easter events each year (organised in conjunction with the MMA). Increased contact with the local senior school has led to an annual Christmas concert being hosted by the Church. Members of St. John s also serve on Governing Bodies. For many years the church has hosted an event on Good Friday which brought in many children to hear the Christian message through music, drama, and craft. This was rebranded as The Mix on Good Friday, with other smaller events such as a film show and meal as an alternative to Halloween. A drop-off of people willing to lead this large event meant that last year a smaller more in-house event took place on Good Friday, with more emphasis on whole family participation. While people still like the idea of having an event on Good Friday, this is something which needs fresh input or vision to take it forward. Adults and older people An 'Open the Book' style event takes place on a monthly basis at the Outlook Centre, which is run by Derbyshire County Council and provides day services for adults with learning disabilities. St John's has established links with two Nursing Homes. Visits are made on an ad-hoc basis and include hymn singing, informal worship and, occasionally, Holy Communion. St John's Lunch Club has been running for over twenty years in the Church Hall and offers a monthly cooked meal for elderly people, many of whom are church folk. Transport is provided for those attending. However many of those involved in providing this service are elderly themselves, the number attending is falling, and the couple who run it are stepping down in July 2016, so this is another area where a decision to end the activity or take it forward in a new way is needed. Church Halls More details about the church halls are in the section 'The Church: Buildings'. Many local groups use the hall including playgroups, dance groups, exercise classes and the uniformed organisations. St John s Players is a local amateur drama group that has an historic link with the church. Some members belong to the church. They put on various plays during the year, which are well attended and much appreciated. The halls are a significant point of contact with the local community, but there is potential to use them as a means to build more bridges. P a g e 9
Uniformed Organisations Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows meet weekly in the church halls. The Scout Group is formally sponsored by St John s. Tremendous commitment and energy goes into running these groups which provide local children with fun activities in a Christian moral framework and informal outreach to young people with no church contact. The organisations attend parade services four times a year and their presence is marked by the presentation of their flags. Financial Mission The Mission Giving Working Group allocates money based on 10% of the freewill giving of the previous year, in 5:3:2 proportions International:National:Local. In 2015 we supported Tear Fund, CMS and the 'Love Calais' project which is building shelters for the refugee camps in Calais. In 2016 we will also support the Bible Society. We also support an Anglican Youth Worker in Uganda who has visited St John s on two occasions. Nationally we have supported Scripture Union, Christian debt organisations, Church Army and Church Urban Fund. Locally we have donated money and goods to Canaan Trust (homeless charity) and the Foodbank. P a g e 10
Mission Action Plan Flourishing worship More intentional pastoral care Review our service structure and styles Establish a Worship Planning Group to coordinate future provision of worship, ensuring a good variety of styles Consultation with regard to the admission of children to Communion before Confirmation Draw together and train a team of pastoral carers who will nurture church attendance Follow up contacts with families who bring children to baptism Review how we welcome people who are new to church Improved publicity Deeper discipleship Greater promotion and coordination of Growth Groups Create opportunities to address contemporary issues Seek a person with creative talent to overhaul our publicity at all levels Delivery of church magazine free to a number of homes each month Stage congregational activities to improve the neighbourhood Offer events in church of a 'neutral' kind with broad appeal to the public as a springboard for more direct evangelistic events P a g e 11
St John s was part of a pilot in the Diocese to draw up a Mission Action Plan in 2011. We developed a number of strands of activity to support our mission statement Following Jesus, sharing His blessings : Developing discipleship a fresh focus on small study groups Being better known in the community, through information and action a revamped website, new notice boards, involvement in setting up a Foodbank Opening up the church building to the community celebrations for the Royal Wedding, Diamond Jubilee, Eurovision night Developing our church buildings and keeping them in good order Maintaining the nurturing and support of the younger and older members of the church family A completely new Mission Action Plan for 2015-2017 was approved by the PCC in January 2015 to build on this previous work through deeper discipleship more intentional pastoral care flourishing worship improved publicity undertaking modest public 'works' together The PCC has resolved it is appropriate for children to share bread and wine at St John s subject to a suitable policy being drawn up and approved. A Pastoral Care co-ordinator has been appointed to work with a small team of others to contact, by phone, email or a visit, those whose attendance at church tails off. A Worship Planning Group was set up and continues to meet to ensure quality and variety. We had a period of preaching on worship in the summer of 2015, but any review of service structures has been put on hold. One hundred copies of our monthly church magazine are being delivered free every month to different homes across the parish. Live and Local music events have been held, with a further planned in 2016. Thank you for taking the time to read about our church and parish. Is our mission to follow Jesus and share His blessings with the people of Long Eaton something on which you can walk with us? Our prayer is that God may bless you with discernment and His peace at this time. P a g e 12
Diocese of Derby Vision P a g e 13
Contact Details For more information please contact: The Venerable Dr Christopher Cunliffe Archdeacon of Derby Derby Church House Full Street Derby DE1 3DR Tel: 01332 388676 E-mail: archderby@derby.anglican.org For further information about the parish or to arrange an informal visit please contact the Parish Representatives: E-mail: ParishReps.StJohnsLE@gmail.com For applications forms: Miss Claire Beavis, PA to the Bishop of Derby, The Bishop of Derby s office 6 Kings Street, Duffield, Belper, DE56 4EU Tel: 01332 840132 E-mail: pa@bishopofderby.org P a g e 14