Growing Disciples Priest Wider, Younger, Deeper June 2016 1
THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHWELL & NOTTINGHAM GROWING THE CHURCH WIDER, YOUNGER AND DEEPER A statement from the Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, the Rt Revd Paul Williams and the Archdeacon of Newark, the Venerable David Picken The Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham incorporates the City of Nottingham, the whole County of Nottinghamshire and five parishes in South Yorkshire. The population is 1.15 million 51% live in the greater Nottingham conurbation, 31% in ex-mining areas and 18% in rural. There are 305 churches (252 parishes), served by 142 stipendiary clergy and licensed lay workers. In 2011 the Diocese reaffirmed its commitment to Joining Together in the Transforming Mission of God with a focus on three core strands: Living Worship, Growing Disciples and Seeking Justice. A deployment plan for 2020 ensures that overall levels of stipendiary ministry are maintained at 2012 levels. The process involved wide engagement from clergy and laity, refocusing parishes on growth. Following the arrival of a new diocesan bishop in June 2015 we are now looking beyond 2020 at what kind of church we would like to be in 2025 and 2030. As a diocese we have made a refreshed commitment to care for every soul in the diocese with an increased focus on growing disciples. The Senior Staff team has established the first stage of a vision to grow the church wider, younger and deeper. Wider in that we will seek to grow disciples in every part of the diocese, with no retreat from any community: urban centre, outer estates, rural villages or market towns. Younger in that we will seek fresh ways to harness the boldness and creativity of children, students and young people across the diocese, not least in Nottingham which is the 4th youngest city outside London. Deeper as we grow in knowing Christ, so that as his disciples we can be an increasing blessing to the people among whom we live and serve in the workplace, family and community. As part of a renewed strategy for growth we aspire to be purposeful and imaginative in: welcoming new disciples into the fellowship of Christ and his church; commissioning younger leaders (16-30) inspired and equipped to serve God s purposes in the world; and serving as 1 church united in contending for the gospel. We long to welcome new and younger disciples in every community across the diocese, aligning our energies and resources around this quest. In this new chapter every parish has an opportunity to review its role within the diocesan mission, so that it can play a significant part in the strategic commitment to growing the church wider, younger and deeper. Bishop Paul has said: It is my hope that each worshipping community will develop a compelling picture of its own future in God s purposes with an expectation of growing numerically and in the scope of its mission. It is my prayer that the new Growing Disciples Priest in this cluster of parishes will have the creative leadership and imagination to develop discipleship, plan for growth and reach out to the unchurched of all ages in the locality. 2
Growing Disciples Wider Younger Deeper You will see in the attached paper and outline from Bishop Paul and myself a description of the vision which is behind the way in which this diocese is developing ministry. This Growing Disciples Priest post is a direct result of that development. Following the retirement of a priest from a longstanding ministry and an existing vacancy elsewhere, we have reconsidered the best shape of ministry for this area. Ollerton is a major centre and focus for local civic life and is a substantial community. The Church there has a vibrant presence and is a demanding, yet developing community. In making the incumbent ministry there a significant oversight role we are seeking to free up possibilities for ministry across a wider area. In our original planning the retirement of the priest from the northern parishes of this grouping would have seen a replacement on a 0.5 basis. In introducing Bilsthorpe and Eakring in the south from a former, informal grouping we are allocating a 1.0 Growing Disciples post. The intention is that the person appointed will exercise elements of traditional parish ministry (Sunday worship and occasional offices). However, a significant part of their time will be spent across the grouping, leading on the Growing Disciples element of our diocesan vision. This means working with existing congregations but also leading on the local response to our diocesan vision to welcome 7000 new disciples into our churches in the years ahead. The priest appointed will have a base in Bilsthorpe whilst working across the parishes. It is envisaged that the new cluster of parishes will consist of Ollerton and Boughton and villages to the south (Eakring Bilsthorpe) and east (Kneesall et al). The Growing Disciples Priest will be of incumbent status but will relate directly to The Revd. Zoe Burton, the priest in Ollerton. The ministerial team in due course will help the diocese to reflect on the best form of pastoral reorganisation to aid the growth of the church in these communities. The priest will be joining a significant and growing ministerial team. By the summer there will be a deacon joining the Ollerton with Boughton parish. Already there are four Readers and an active SSM, as well as an engaged laity. This post represents an exciting opportunity to work with inherited church structures but to develop new ways of being church. The high levels of occasional offices and a general goodwill to the church that exists needs to be consolidated into a more embedded numerical growth in church life and, it is anticipated, in new worshipping communities. Inevitably, the information in this pack gives factual details. The real excitement here is that the post opens up a new future which it is difficult to define or describe at present but which we believe will see existing potential turned into new life as we continue to Join in the Transforming Mission of God in this diocese. David Picken, Archdeacon of Newark June 2016 3
Job Specification Key features of the role are: - Lead on establishing and developing existing nurture and study groups across the parishes - Nurture disciples within existing congregations and new Christians - Develop new forms of outreach in Bilsthorpe and advise other communities on mission - Work collaboratively with the other members of the ministerial team to enable church growth. - Play your part in leading worship in the churches of the cluster on Sundays. - Play a lead role in Growing Disciples in the schools of the cluster - Support and encourage the parishes engagement with the desire to Grow Disciples Wider, Younger, Deeper in accordance with the diocesan vision. Housing & Expenses We are currently exploring the best option for housing for this post from several options available to us but our preferred option is that you would be based in a new home in the centre of Bilsthorpe Village. Expenses of office will be met in full and you will be paid at the Incumbent stipend rate in the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham. 4
The Parish of Ollerton with Boughton - Population: approx. 14,000 The Parish of Ollerton with Boughton is a rural town composed of an ex-mining village (New Ollerton) situated between 2 rural villages: Ollerton Village and Boughton. The Parish is working class with an IMD ranking in parts of the Parish placing it in the bottom 10% for multiple deprivation nationally: of those of working age, 20% receive out of work benefits and 40% have no qualifications. A quarter of all families with children are lone parent families. There is a mixture of owner-occupied, private, rented and council accommodation including a Housing Association for the over 55 s. A quarter of all households live in social rented housing. A traveller community also resides within the Parish. There are 3 Church of England churches in this Parish: St Giles, Ollerton Village, St Paulinus, New Ollerton and St Matthews, Boughton as well as a Roman Catholic Church, Methodist Church and Lifespring Pentecostal Church. Churches Together partner together on some social action projects, including a Food Bank. The 'community garden' and 'wildlife garden' are partnership projects with other local organisations. Adjacent to St Paulinus, is the St Paulinus Community and Church Hall which is a managed independently of the Church and leases the hall from the church. It has full kitchen and toilet facilities and is available for use by the Church and community groups in addition to private hire. We use the hall for the Little Angels Parent and Toddler group, Messy Church, Young Followers ('Sunday school') and Mothers' Union. Other Church groups include a home group, a discussion group on Christian basics, Parish Prayers and a bereavement support/friendship group. There are five schools in the parish one primary school, one junior, one infant, one Roman Catholic primary school and one secondary (The Dukeries Academy). We have good links with the community primary school, junior and infant school. We have tentative links with The Dukeries which could be built upon. The Dukeries site is also home to the Leisure Centre, Further Education, Surestart Centre, Dukeries Young People s Centre and the Newark and Sherwood (Whitewater) Day Centre for adults with learning disabilities. The Parish is home to 5 pubs, several social clubs and sports clubs, uniformed organisations and the Royal British Legion. Health and social services include: the Rosewood Involvement Centre, Health Centre, the Whitewater Day Centre, Surestart and four care homes. The Sherwood Forest Crematorium is also found within the Parish. 5
PARISH PROFILES (the villages beyond the town of Ollerton with Boughton) St Mary (Our Lady Of) Egmanton Pop. 250 E.R. 10 A shrine Church set in the middle of rural Nottinghamshire. Attracts visitors to worship at the Shrine of Our Lady, (annual Pilgrimages) and visitors who come to see the restoration carried out by Sir Ninian Comper. The Church has been described as a hidden gem. Small village with good Pub. The Church Hall is leased to the Village who are responsible for its maintenance. Well used by local community. Holy Trinity Kirton Pop.280 E.R. 15 The Church is set on top of the hill and requires climbing 39 steps in order to gain access. Over the past ten years major restoration and refurbishment has been carried out to the Church. Lottery funds have been granted and the village has responded generously to raise the remaining funds. The village has no other amenities now except the Church. The Fox at Kirton is currently closed and there is no indication as to when it might re-open. It is difficult to organise community events as the Church is not accessible to all and there can only be social activities if people open up their own properties for village use. St Bartholomew Kneesall Pop. 200 E.R. 10 The building serves as both the Church and the Village community centre. The Church was converted about 15 years ago when the Church was in need of urgent restoration and the village hall was deemed unfit for purpose. Worship is held in what was the Knave and the remainder of the building can be used for social events and fund raising opportunities. During the week it is used by the pre-school play group. The way that the building has been reorganised is often held up as a role model as to the way rural Churches might be used in the future. The village has a Church of England primary school which has an excellent reputation in the area. There are good relationships between that Church and school and these can easily be built upon as the school is very aware of its status as a Church school. End of term services, Harvest etc. are held in the Church. There is a joint annual school/village Carol service that is extremely well attended. Village has a pub and a farm shop that is also used for monthly village gathering. 6
St Michael the Archangel Laxton Pop.300 E.R. 20 Laxton is another very well visited Village as it is unique in as much that it still follows the ancient tradition of allocating the fields to local farmers on an annual basis. Hence the Church also attracts many visitors over the year. The services of the Church reflect its connections to the farming year with Plough Sunday, Rogation Sunday, Lammas and Harvest. Each has its own traditions and are well supported. There is a Pub and Village hall. Both are well used and Laxton has a very good sense of identity and people work hard for the local community. There is also a very active local history group. The Church has an important part to play in these activities and in the future it might well be that though needs to be given as to the best way of utilising such an asset within the community As part of the parish there is a beautiful Chantry Chapel in Moorhouse. This is used for services once a month between Easter and Christmas. The chapel is in one of the fields owned by the local farmer and is particular unique. Harvest and Christmas Eve are especially major events in the calendar. St. Swithin Wellow Pop.650 E.R.18 Wellow s claim to fame is its Maypole on the village green and the annual crowning of the May Queen and dancing on the late May Bank Holiday Monday each year. The church has an annual service the night before. The village has two pubs, a Memorial hall and an old School room that is currently undergoing restoration. It is intended that this will become a home for a history of the village and a visitors centre. Some funding has been forthcoming and more is being sought. The church plays a part in the maintenance of the local heritage and members support local activities. Wellow is also responsible for Rufford. Until recently a Service was held there once a month but it became more difficult to find provision of a suitable room for our meetings. Wellow House School sits on the edge of the village and has good relationships with the Church. Pupils come for Harvest and end of term services. They would be very acceptable of greater involvement if possible. New opportunities as new head is also starting in September. 7
St Edmund Walesby with St. James Haughton Pop. 1200 E.R. 18 The village of Walesby whilst having the largest population suffers in the same way from the other villages in as much that it has two pubs, a village hall and a Church School. There was a Post Office/shop until recently but is now closed. The Post office from Tuxford comes to the village three times a week and uses a room in the Village Hall. The Church owns a small meeting room opposite the Church and this is used for small social activities and meetings. The school has also good relationships with the Church. They also use the Church for services and welcome input from local ministers. There are vacancies on the Governing body for foundation Governors and this might be a good opportunity for someone who is interested in schools ministry to become involved with the school this way. There is a disused Chapel in the woods of Haughton that has just recently had some restoration work carried out and might be a good resource in the future. Once members of the Parish held an annual service there on the feast of St James but has not happened recently because of the state of the monument. As can be seen none of these villages have much in the way of resources for shopping etc. Because of their locations and diverse natures there is no one centre to which the majority of people would be drawn to. Hence people tend to gravitate towards either, Retford, Newark, Worksop, Mansfield, Ollerton or further afield. ST. ANDREW S CHURCH, EAKRING Eakring is a conservation village with approximately 470 inhabitants, located 2½ miles from Bilsthorpe and 7 miles from Farnsfield. Working arable farms predominate, but the village is also home to the National Grid Training Centre, the offices of Carmalor Construction and other small business units. There is a pub in the village, but there are no shops and no school. There are strong community groups within the village, including a thriving Women s Institute, gardening club, village choir and kurling group. 8
The Cator Hall is located next to the church and is a valuable village resource. The Hall is Diocesan owned but leased to the Parish Council on a peppercorn rent. It is managed by the Cator Hall Management Committee. Eakring is noted for its production of oil during the Second World War, right through to the 1960 s. There is a small museum and memorial located just outside the village at Duke s Wood. Worship A service is held at 9.30am every Sunday, other than 5 th Sundays in the month, which are cluster services. The first Sunday is a Family Service, third Sunday is Morning Praise and the second and fourth Sundays are Holy Communion. Common Worship Holy Communion is used, whilst at the Family Service and Morning Praise, services produced by the Ministry Team are currently in use. The regular congregation varies between 15 25 people dependent on service type, with some services seeing congregations of 60+. The age range is currently between 4 and 80. The church has an organist, John White, who is also Bell Captain. We have a group of regular bell ringers. The church has strong community support, with volunteer groups (not necessarily regular church goers) who are prepared to help decorate the church at festival times, help with fundraising activities or offer other assistance. The church runs The Rainbow Club in the Cator Hall once a month. This is a children s club, with games, stories, craft activities and music. There is also a Youth Group which takes young people on activities such as ice skating, climbing and bowling. The electoral roll stands at 35. There are 11 members of the PCC. Weddings, baptisms and funerals are relatively infrequent. Heather Brown is a Reader resident in the parish. We have a church web-site www.st-andrews-eakring.org.uk. 9
ST MARGARET S CHURCH, BILSTHORPE Originally a Viking settlement, Bilsthorpe was a small farming community until 1925 when work began to sink the local colliery (closed in 1997). Rapid growth was then experienced in the form of new housing for the miners followed by a council estate and private housing development. This development continues today, the village having a growing population which currently stands at approximately 3,400. The social mix of the village is from middle to working class with a high percentage of low income and state benefit supported families. There are no major employers left in the village so most people travel out of its boundaries to work. There are 3 industrial parks of varying size. The main landowner and farmer is Strawson Ltd, plus a few independently owned small farms. Bilsthorpe has a number of mixed retail outlets, a public house and Bilsthorpe Welfare (ex-miners club). Other facilities include a health centre, community centre, county council primary school, nursery, Surestart centre, library and village hall. There are two centres for the elderly at The Green and Burton Court. A local authority youth group meets at the community Centre. Crompton View Primary School visits the church for a carol service and ministers join with an ecumenical group from the Methodist church for activities such as a Christingle service and Easter workshop experiences. Other village organisations include the British Legion, St John s Ambulance, Beavers and Scout groups (both with their own huts),over 50s Club, Gardening Club, plus other social and sporting clubs. There is also a thriving Heritage Society whose members have opened a small mining museum adjacent to the Village Hall and there is a fishing club enjoying activities by a small lake. Wycar Leys (which lies just outside the village) is a home offering independent living accommodation for adults with learning difficulties. 10
The maximum seating capacity is 120. Churchmanship and style is open to continual renewal with reference to structures of worship. We have informal links with the Methodist Church within the village and are seeking to rebuild a programme of ecumenical events which may be held in various locations. A joint Christmas card with a seasonal message and service times for both Churches is distributed to every house in the village. A lively Sunday school of between 3 and 8 children meets in the side chapel of the church during the Sunday morning service. There is a small church choir with 5 members and an organist. 11