prayer mission service hospitality The Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales Statement of Needs for a Priest-in-Charge (Rector Designate) The Parish of Leeds City 1 prayer mission service hospitality Contents Welcome 3 1.0 Introduction By Bishop Nick, Bishop of Leeds 4 2.0 Overview of the City of Leeds and the Region 5 3.0 The Parish of Leeds City 8 4.0 Introduction to our Worshipping Communities 12 5.0 A View from the Interim Priest 28 6.0 The Challenges we face 30 7.0 Who do we seek? What do we offer? 32 Summary 33 2 prayer mission service hospitality Welcome… And thank you for taking an interest in the post of Priest-in-Charge of the City Team (Rector Designate) We hope that this booklet will help introduce you to our mission, ministry and ministry and challenges we face. We pray that God will lead the right person to join us at this exciting moment in our life and witness. Please visit us online www.leedsminster.org Useful contacts: The Venerable Paul Hooper— Archdeacon of Leeds 2 Wike Ridge Avenue Alwoodley LEEDS LS17 9NL T: 0113 269 0594 (Office) E: [email protected] E: [email protected] (PA to the Archdeacon of Leeds) Leeds Minster Office St Peter’s House Kirkgate Leeds LS2 7DJ Telephone 0113 245 2036 3 prayer mission service hospitality 1.0 Introduction by The Rt Revd Nicholas, Bishop of Leeds “We are seeking a priest with resilient faith, appropriate experience and exceptional leadership qualities to build, re-shape, inspire and encourage the Leeds City Team and to make a significant contribution to the life of the City. The two churches of the parish, Leeds Parish Church (designated a Minster in September 2012) and Holy Trinity, Boar Lane, each have a rich heritage and history as beacons of Christ’s presence and centres for mission in various forms. Cognisant of this legacy, the new post holder will take responsibility for grasping the many opportunities and responding to the significant and urgent challenges which are described in this Statement of Needs. Central priorities are: to refresh the spiritual life and discipleship of the congregations, to renew partnerships for the sake of the Gospel, and to reconnect with the life of the City and its civic institutions. Over the last nine months, and with the effective support of an Interim Minister, the PCC has be- gun the task of auditing their mission and ministry, developing an agenda for spiritual and numerical growth and reviewing their relationships with the wider community. The seriousness of this endeavour has been demonstrated by the release of a significant sum of money to pay their current Parish Share and to offset a considerable proportion of their historic share. Work is due to start on the Minster Precinct Project which will involve reviving the two Victorian buildings to provide apartments for the Rector (if appropriate) and for the Verger, a Parish Office and commercial office space which will yield a future income stream. The Priest in Charge, who will be an Honorary Canon in the Diocese (with a stall at Ripon Cathedral), will have the full support of the Bishop of Leeds, the Bishop of Richmond and the Archdeacon of Leeds. Once the necessary pastoral and legal framework is in place, the Priest in Charge will be instituted and inducted as Rector of Leeds. Subsequently, and in consultation with the post holder, the Bishop intends to appoint one (and possibly a second) Associate Rector who will work alongside the Rector to realise the full potential of the parish to make Christ known and to contribute to the building of God’s kingdom in the vibrant and diverse city of Leeds (which has Illuminated copy of the Poet Laureate, the biggest retail centre and legal services hub outside London). Leeds aspires to be “Best City” by Carol Ann Duffy’s poem for Leeds to celebrate 2030. We believe that the Minster and parish can contribute to the realisation of that ambition.” ‘Minster Making’ 4 prayer mission service hospitality 2.0 Overview of the City of Leeds and the Region Leeds Firm J W Myer, was the last flat cap manufacturer in Britain before production was moved to China in 2000 Leeds, close to the scenic Yorkshire Dales – could conjure up a picture of a place where people ‘wear flat caps and walk whippets’ or a picture of what it is today - a vibrant, exciting metropolis in the north England with over 750,000 people of diverse cultural and religious heritage, at the heart of which lies the Parish of Leeds City. The city has significant ethnic minorities, notably black and black British and Pakistani communities but is increasingly attracting migration from Europe as well as asylum seekers and refugees. Leeds Curry Festival The Yorkshire Dales were featured in the recent television coverage of the Tour de France, with the ‘Grand Depart’ from Leeds city centre, drawing over one hundred thousand people into the city, giving an indication of the importance of Leeds to the region. As the largest retail and legal centre outside London, the city is at the heart of the newly created Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales. With three Universities Leeds has the fourth largest student population in the country and is the fourth largest urban economy, being a major financial and commercial centre. Leeds is one of the largest business centres in the United Kingdom, around a quarter of a million people are employed in the financial and professional sector in the Leeds City Leeds West Indian carnival which started Region with an output valued at £13 billion per year. Financial and professional services are in 1967 is said to be the oldest carnival largely based around the traditional business quarter in the city centre, as well as the newer in Europe area along the South bank of the River Aire. Many companies have regional or national offices in Leeds, including KPMG, First Direct, Lloyds Banking Group (HBOS) and HSBC. The Bank of England has their second office on King Street in the heart of Leeds business quarter. Around 463,700 people are employed in the Leeds economy. Two million people live within a thirty minute drive of Leeds City Centre, and for the last 5 years Leeds has ranked within the top 5 UK cities with the lowest unemployment. 5 prayer mission service hospitality 2.0 Overview of the City of Leeds and the Region (cont’d) Leeds Market and Trinity Centre Leeds is also a city of contrasts, with ambition and prosperity rubbing shoulders with those who struggle with poor housing, access to jobs and unemployment. Over 150,000 people in the city rank among the 10% most deprived in the country and the city centre seeks to cater for all. The city centre has 3.5 million square feet of retail floor-space, five miles of shopping streets and one of the country’s largest pedestrianised shopping areas, much of which is found within the Parish of Leeds City. Features of note include: Leeds Waterfront Victoria Quarter—ornate glass-roofed Victorian arcades housing fashion designers shops Festival and high-end department stores including Harvey Nichols (the first store to be opened outside the capital), Louis Vuitton etc. Trinity Leeds—Leeds biggest and newest shopping centre with 120 shops, bars, restaurants and cinema, sitting at the centre of the city. Chinese New Year Leeds Corn Exchange—just one of three Corn Exchanges in the country still operating as a being celebrated in centre for trade by housing independent retailers. Kirkgate Market—celebrated as the largest indoor market in Europe, it’s array of traders and products that set it apart as a truly unique shopping experience. The market is where Michael Marks first opened his Penny Bazaar (1884) which was to lead, ultimately, to the foundation of Marks & Spencer, in 1890. Homeless in Leeds Centre and below the Victoria Shopping Arcade voucher system run by St George’s Crypt 6 . prayer mission service hospitality 2.0 Overview of the City of Leeds and the Region (cont’d) Leeds annual Light Night Festival 2014 Leeds has a vibrant cultural life with: The Grand Theatre and Opera House—designed by James R Watson and opened in 1878 The West Yorkshire Playhouse attracting national productions—”the WYP stages more productions each year than any other theatre outside London” Northern Ballet– “some of the most important events of 2015 will take place outside the capital, courtesy of Northern Ballet”, Debra Craine, (The Times) Leeds ‘First Direct’ Arena hosting international artists from music and comedy The Royal Armouries housing part of the Imperial War Museum collection The Henry Moore Institute featuring art of renown and work from emerging artists Leeds City Art Gallery—”has the best collection of 20th century British art outside London" (The Times). Leeds First Direct Arena The city is renowned for its thriving nightlife, with a club scene to beat any in the north, as well Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien was a lecturer as numerous bars and restaurants drawing many into the city from throughout the region and at Leeds University. beyond. Leeds is also the home of some famous sporting venues for sports lovers: Headingley Cricket Ground, home of Yorkshire Cricket Club. Headingley Carnegie Stadium, home of Leeds Rhinos and Leeds Tykes. Leeds is the home of the Elland Road, home of Leeds United Football Club formed in 1885 by Leonard Cooper. ‘Best Tall Building in the World’ (Council for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Leeds is also one of the greenest cities in Britain, with a large number of parks and open Awards 2010).