THE PARISH OF ST BARTHOLOMEW St Osyth Deanery Diocese of Chelmsford CELEBRATING THE LOVE OF GOD WHERE WE ARE 1
OUR CHURCH AND OUR FUTURE St Bartholomew s Church is a small church with enormous potential. We are looking for a Lay Missioner who will help us grow in faith and numbers and who will enable us to fulfil the diocesan vision of being a transforming presence in our community. We need someone who is prayerful and able to engage with people. Leadership is collaborative and we would wish this to continue. A sense of humour is a must! We are situated in a seaside setting with a large number of retirees as well as younger families, many of whom have children at the local primary school with which we have a good relationship. While our congregation tends to be older, the potential to draw others in is huge. We need to find new ways of being church to meet the needs of today s rapidly changing society. Of special concern is a more effective ministry to newly retired people and the younger generation. St Bart s is a church where vestments are worn and incense is occasionally used. We have a small choir, which we are hoping to expand. Regarding baptism it is the Church s policy not to turn anyone away but to encourage families to attend services before the baptism. As we are in an area with many people of retirement, age funeral ministry, care for the dying and sensitivity to the elderly are essential requirements for any member of our team. We are fortunate in having an SSM Assistant Curate, The Revd Susan Wiggins, licensed to our parish. Churches in our deanery are being linked together and St Bart s is now connected with St Paul s in Clacton-on-Sea. The Vicar of St Paul s is an Associate Priest at St Bart s. We are still in the early stages of working together but we believe that good things can be achieved. We are part of the Central Family group of the deanery and are looking for ways of working collaboratively. The diocese has sold our old, unsuitable vicarage. This means that the successful candidate will have a say in choosing a suitable property in which to live. Our Mission Statement is: Celebrating the love of God where we are because where we are is our place of opportunity. 2
Inside St Bart s THE CHURCH AND ITS PEOPLE The Church Patronage Trust is represented by Preb. Charles Marnham Ministry Team SSM Priest: The Revd Susan Wiggins Assistant Curate in training (Year 2) Associate Priest: The Revd David Lower, Vicar of St Paul s, Clacton-on-Sea Pastoral Assistant: Pat Wightman The Congregation There are around 100 people on the Electoral Roll. The average Sunday attendance is 60; 15 at the 8am BCP Service and 45 at the l0am Sung Eucharist. The mid-week Eucharist averages 15. The All Age Service, which takes place on the first Sunday of the month, has a higher attendance. The good news is that numbers have grown recently and we hope to develop this further as we move to enhance our ministry with families. We are a child-friendly church and the PCC, recognizing that this is an area in need of revitalization, hopes to review our way of doing Junior Church. Our welcoming attitude is belonging before believing, giving newcomers the space to be. We are a tolerant and friendly church, with a wide range of gifts and talents, and are open to change and new experiences as we journey together into the mystery of God. The PCC This group meets on alternative months. Its members are actively involved in sharing the ministry and leadership of our parish. We meet our Parish Share and our financial position is sound. The Fellowship Group Open to All This meets monthly with an average attendance of over 20. Speakers reflect the varied interests of the group. A generous hearted group, their fund-raising often provides donations towards the church finances. They end the year with a well-attended carol service in the church. Post-Funeral and Bereavement Care The Pastoral Assistant co-ordinates post-funeral follow-up. Most of the bereaved who have been contacted are well supported by family and friends. Visits are set up for anyone who would like to speak with one of our small team of trained Bereavement Visitors. Bible Study/Lent Groups A small group has met monthly at the Vicarage for Bible Study led by the Vicar. Lent study groups have been a regular feature over many years, involving about 16 people in two groups. Bible Study is an area that we would love to see developed. We do not, as yet, have prayer or house-groups. The Flower Guild We have a wonderful flower arranging team headed by a diploma holder in flower arrangements. The weekly displays are stunningly imaginative and especially so at major festivals. 3
THE CHURCH AND THE COMMUNITY Weddings, Baptisms & Funerals We welcome weddings. Parents are encouraged to have their children baptized in the main morning service. Children attending the Bart s Bears are the most likely candidates for baptism. Forty six percent of the residents in our parish are over the age of sixty-five and our funeral ministry team is kept very busy with this important area of outreach in the parish. Home Visits/Care of the Elderly Home visits to the sick and housebound and regular administration of home communion is at the heart of our pastoral ministry and spiritual care of our elderly population is one of our core values. Visits are made on a regular basis to two residential homes and one nursing home. An informal service takes place at one residential home on a monthly basis and is attended by residents and staff. St Bart s Bears This was formed more than twenty years ago. Bart s Bears meet every Friday morning during term-time. There are currently between 12 to 15 children in the group plus mothers and child-minders. Ages range from toddlers to four years old. This joyously riotous little crowd takes part in a short service every session. Some of the Bears are baptized at the church and attend the monthly All Age Service with their parents. Schools Outreach Holland Haven Primary School is situated in the parish. While it is not a church school the parish has strong links with it. The Head Teacher in turn is very supportive of the church. The school has a pupil roll approaching 400. Regular assemblies are currently taken by our retired Church Army Captain. In 2013 Captain Mike was involved in three separate Carol Services in the church for the school in order to accommodate nearly 600 pupils and parents. This contact provides a good opportunity for outreach. Missionary Giving We are committed to supporting mission, both inland and overseas. We prayerfully and financially support OMF missionaries Alex and Marguerite McCann and their children in Cambodia. Ecumenical Links These are maintained through the Holland Churches Working Together initiative linking us with All Souls Roman Catholic Church, Holland Methodist Church and Holland Baptist Church. This unity allows us to join together for special services and social activities, ensuring that our different gifts can be used for the greater good of our community. Social Outreach The social committee works tirelessly in organizing functions and events. These are occasions where the church and the wider community can come together and have fun. Activities include concerts (the church has good acoustics), quiz nights, beetle drives, themed party nights with games and dancing, murder mystery evenings, auctions and a well-supported Christmas market. 4
Outside Groups Many groups hire the hall on a regular basis. These include Brownies, Guides and Rainbows, who attend parade and special occasion services, as well as art, embroidery, drama, weight watchers, carpet bowls, flower workshops, and sewing and knitting groups. Saturday Coffee Mornings These provide a place to stop awhile and enjoy coffee, tea and cake, a chat after the weekend shop. The Parish Magazine The magazine is produced bi-monthly. It is printed at the church and distributed free to over a hundred homes in the parish. Articles are provided by the Editor, the Clergy and other members of the congregation. Details of all up-coming services and events are featured, as are reports of PCC and other meetings. Special Community Links It would be good if our new Lay Missioner can build up links with the wider community. Our previous Vicar was Chaplain to the local rugby club, a school governor at the primary school in the parish and served on the local police committee. All of these activities served to raise awareness of the church. THE CHURCH AND ITS BUILDINGS The Church Complex The present St Bartholomew s Church was built in 1972/3 on the site of two previous churches, each in its turn getting progressively larger. The church is of a modern 1970s style with an eight-sided feature roof, with ample windows at a high level making the church very light and airy. The main body of the church has seating for approximately 100 people on movable pews. The clergy vestry opens off the sanctuary, as well as the nave. The church is approached through a vestibule, which gives access to the choir vestry, main hall and toilets. We are exploring the refurbishment of our kitchen and toilets. The choir vestry doubles as a small hall. The main hall can comfortably seat 80 people, and is served by an adequately equipped kitchen. The main hall is very well used by local organisations. The whole complex is designed for easy maintenance. It is also a warm, airy, and welcoming building. The church is wheelchair friendly with everything on one level with no steps at all (except for the sanctuary area). The church has a reasonably sized private car park at the rear. The approach to the church is by an in and out circular block paved drive. The gardens are set to shrubs with some lawned areas. 5
On the 9 th June 2015 the St Bart s PCC met to conduct a SWOT analysis. Strengths A friendly congregation A loving and supporting church A united PCC and Church Helpful church members Buildings in a great location Some bereavement support and counselling A successful lent group Close working links with other churches Some existing outreach (flower & bowls, social and coffee clubs) Stable finances and some rental income Good musicians and choir Weaknesses The welcome of children in services No housegroup/bible study groups Not much prayer (outside of services) Poor communication across the church and congregations An aging congregation Not much (if any) outreach Little involvement or links with the community A low church profile Opportunities Outreach Schools Bart s Bears Guides, Rainbows, Brownies Older people Messy Church Pub ministry Development of funeral ministry A choir Christmas Enquiries courses Lonely people Threats Lack of energy (within the church) Lack of interest (outside church) Secular attractions Poor facilities (toilet & kitchen), but plans to improve 6
THE AREA The Village Holland-on-Sea is a seaside village in North East Essex, located directly north of Clacton-on-Sea. There are four churches in Holland on Sea; St Bartholomew s, All Souls Catholic Church, a Methodist and a Baptist Church. The village has several independent shops, two medium-sized supermarkets, a public hall and library, one main hotel plus a number of guest houses and pubs. There is a doctor s surgery, two pharmacies and an optician. A large farm borders the outskirts of the parish. The environment Holland-on-Sea is a pleasant, calm place with a justifiable reputation as a retirement area as it boasts a clean, uncluttered sea front fully accessible to lovely coastal walks. It is quite flat, making it a great area for cycling. The sea-front is currently undergoing a massive refurbishment and this will make it more attractive for both visitors and residents. A regular bus service runs to Clacton, Frinton and Walton on the Naze. The railways station is one and a half miles away in Clacton, with hourly trains to London, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich. Housing is mostly post-war to present day, well maintained, private and mainly detached. There are no obvious problem areas and vandalism is infrequent. There is a group of sheltered accommodation, a retirement/nursing home and a specialist home for the disabled. Although recognised as a retirement area, there have been an increasing number of younger families moving into Holland. Recreational Facilities Holland-on-Sea has bowling greens (indoor and outdoor), tennis courts, pitch and putt and a snooker hall. There are two golf clubs in the immediate vicinity, a sailing club and a boating club. There is an aviation club operating out of a small, grassed airfield in West Clacton. A caravan park opens its facilities to locals during the winter months. Numerous clubs meet in available halls. The local authority maintains several green areas, some with play facilities. The Holland Haven Country Park has been developed from land behind the cliffs to the marshes. It is now a managed natural site suitable for exercising dogs, walking and kite flying, with access to the beach. A secluded bird observation hide is a little known bonus and an excellent place to spot migrant birds. Holland derives its peaceful atmosphere from its parish borders of the sea, marshes, farmland, railway line and the residential border of the neighbouring parish. Schools in the area In the parish: Holland Haven Primary School. Chase Nursery. 7
There are four Church of England primary schools in the deanery: St Andrew s Church of England School, Weeley St Osyth Primary School Great Clacton Primary School Rolfe Church of England School, Thorpe-le-Soken. Other schools in the area include: Holland Park Primary School Oakwood Infant School, Clacton County High School Clacton Coastal Academy Tendring Technology College Shorefields School (Special Needs) 8