Diocese of Manchester archdeacons’ visitation news

Spring 2020 - issue 16

Thank you for digging deep

You would think that an object such as a bunch There have always been fuzzy edges, but now we of keys could be found quite easily because of have less certainty, and frayed edges. It definitely the sound, and the irregularity of their shape. feels like we shall need to go on digging deeper But on many an occasion when digging deep than ever before. and wriggling around beyond the receipts, purse, More than ever, we shall need to look for new pen, CW diary, mobile and whatever other worldly keys and new locks that open up into a vast new goods lurk, the keys can be difficult to locate. kingdom world to continue to share the Gospel So, we turn said bag upside down. Tip contents of Christ. We shall find ourselves opening up into out. Rummage through and at some point, we new ways of worship that reflect old and new hear the jangling of the keys and then these ways of sharing, serving and ultimately growing keys take us into a new place. in friendship and becoming more like Christ. Since March, lockdown has metaphorically This article has been revised since the spring taken away our keys and locked us out. and perhaps that too is an example of the shape Refused us permission to be where we wanted of our ministry for the future. We have always to be. Not that the locks were changed, but needed to be alert and ready to adapt, but the the pandemic ensured our keys were redundant pandemic propelled us quicker than we could for a while. ever imagine. We need to be ready for further But amazing Churchwardens, along with revisions of church, but also revision in the way colleagues and congregations in parishes, dug in which we live our lives and witness to the deeper and found amazing ways to continue power of Christ the King. to be a living presence as the body of Christ in Thank you all for negotiating ministry through unprecedented circumstances. a spring of immense challenge and change. Thank you doesn’t feel quite sufficient, but a We face winter challenges too, and often keys, huge thank you to you all for your perseverance, locks and doors can get quite sticky, and need your stamina, your patience, your determination a little extra strength to prise open. The analogy and your willingness to dig really deep into your is clear, but we hold onto the truth of our power spiritual reserves to sustain the ministry of the resting only in Christ our King who gives us the Church. strength to do all things. There is a deadline from publishers as I write Through every door, old or new, we shall find this article, and deadlines put pressure on, but something of Christ waiting to be discovered and they also give some finality and conclusion. celebrated. A different phase has begun for us in Quite different from the way in which we have Manchester Diocese and may God bless you and had to work with so many unknowns. your part in becoming Church for A Different World. Churchwardens’ Training Our experience of continuing ministry in our Venerable Tue 7th July – CANCELLED re-formed world is not so neat and boundaried. Sat 3rd October – CANCELLED PCC Secretaries’ Training Tue 29th September – CANCELLED

Produced and printed by

The Venerable The Venerable Karen Lund The Venerable David Sharples and Salford Archdeacon of Manchester

www.ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters We are also keen to encourage the idea that any parish church can plant a new Church Growth: congregation of their own, perhaps in a different style from the parent church (for Finding a Manchester Blend example, on an estate in the parish). Refresh types of church in different parts of the Diocese, Building with the Refresh is about helping our more traditional bricks we have particularly to appeal those with no current churches keep an outward focus and church involvement. At the same time, Refresh Builders and bricklayers put in place helpful stepping stones for means helping our more traditional churches newcomers and fringe members to find sometimes talk about the grow, in a way that feels authentic to them. Manchester Blend (pale faith. Such stepping stones might include: enquirers’ courses; making Sunday worship tan bricks, with a quality Fresh handmade appearance, more welcoming; creative use of baptisms, Part of our Fresh strategy is to set up some since you ask). For me, weddings and funerals; making the most of new ‘resourcing’ churches, aimed particularly the Manchester Blend is a helpful way to think school links, toddler groups and social action at young adults. We are currently bidding for projects, and so on. about growth in our Diocese. central church funds to help us do this. Another Refresh involves equipping our clergy, lay Mention church growth, and people in local key player in Refresh is Manchester Diocese’s leaders and chaplains with skills to grow their churches can feel nervous. It can trigger fears own Antioch Network of small church planting. churches and faith communities. It also means of unrealistic expectations being imposed on The goal of Antioch is to plant new worshipping helping develop confidence in personal faith- them, or whizzy new marketing fads being communities, outside the walls of our existing sharing among leaders and church members, imported from another part of the world. churches: in community centres, homes... even so everybody feels able talk about their faith I’m keen to dispel those fears. restaurants! In each case, the aim is not to grow to friends and colleagues, in a natural and a large congregation, but to keep on planting I was appointed as Head of Church Growth for honest way. more and more small congregations. the Diocese a year ago. For me, growth means We are currently planning some lively one-day us, together, finding a Manchester Blend. In events for later this year, full of Refresh ideas. other words, it is about this particular group And I promise they will be neither guilt- of people, in this particular place, and how we inducing nor faddish! can grow these particular churches. It is about building with the bricks we have, not the bricks Our message when it comes to church growth we don’t have. is simple: growth can happen, and it can happen here. Refresh is about offering realistic Fresh and Refresh next steps which any local church can take to make growth more likely. Our Growth Strategy centres on two words: Fresh and Refresh. Fresh means starting up new Mike Starkey

Diocesan Mental Wellbeing Youth Worker, Amy Sixsmith writes...

As Diocesan Mental Wellbeing Youth to now, we have delivered this training for Worker, my role is to provide support for staff in both secondary and primary schools, our Diocesan schools, parishes and youth clergy, youth workers, parents and carers. groups in supporting young people’s Alongside this, we have able to provide mental health and wellbeing. Through this post we are able to resource, equip, other aspects of training across the train and support those working alongside Diocese to raise awareness of mental young people to encourage positive mental health issues for young people and provide health and wellbeing. My role developed appropriate skills in effective support. out of the recognition that currently 1 in 8 We have been able to support schools in young people experience a diagnosable a number of key areas in developing their mental health condition (NHS England, own strategies of pupil wellbeing. A few 2018) and understanding that there is a examples of this work include training need without our schools, parishes, youth pupil mental health champions, developing work and communities to provide early school policies, facilitating group intervention work, one-to-one drop-in’s support around this, as well as signposting and professional services, in order that we on to further supports. and whole staff training. can ensure a holistic approach in supporting One aspect of this role has been delivering My role hopes to break down the stigma young people’s wellbeing. Youth Mental Health First Aid training that often comes with talking about mental This role continues to develop over time and across the Diocese. As an Instructor in health openly and promote the importance we are excited about the future areas we this course, I have been able to deliver this of positive wellbeing for all individuals, as will be able to explore in order to continue to training to over 200 people and provide key well as equipping young people with the provide this support to our schools, parishes skills in recognising the signs and symptoms tools to look after their own wellbeing. and communities. of mental ill-health in young people and Throughout my role, I have been eager to provide initial support and guidance. Up build relationships with outside organisation Amy Sixsmith promotionalContains We have donated more material than £325,000 to churches around the UK Trust130 is a special promotion to increase our support to local churches and their communities. It was initially introduced as a one-off giving programme in 2017 to celebrate and thank our church customers for trusting us over the previous 130 years. Do you need

SPRING 2020 financial advice you can trust?

We know how important having reliable guidance about your finances can be. That’s why our GOLD RIBBON Ecclesiastical Financial Advisory CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE Service (EFAS) provides expert, Home Insurance unbiased, independent financial advice for clergy, church people and PCCs including: fully-independent pension and retirement planning advice about the clergy pension, other church pension schemes and all other plans and schemes you or your partner have from previous Raise money for your church employers or insurance companies If you or your church family would across the market with a Trust130 donation – now like to know more, or to get a quote, extended until 31 December simply call us on 0800 783 0130 saving and investing for your future 2020 quoting AVNEWS20 or visit: (including ethical investments and www.ecclesiastical.com/trust130 PCC funds) Trust130 is very simple… For every new life assurance and protection for direct home insurance policy taken out with 1 you and your family Ecclesiastical, we offer to donate £130 Has your church benefited from one of to an Anglican church or cathedral of the our Trust130 donations? We’d love to hear mortgage advice and specialist policyholder’s choice. how the money has helped your church. advice for those living in tied Please send your story to: accommodation who want to buy a A donation of £130 may not sound much, home, or re-mortgage. but churches and congregations have used [email protected] the donations to fund all sorts of things. From 1 Subject to terms and conditions – please visit To find out more about the advice we the restoration of church artworks to new www.ecclesiastical.com/trust130 can offer, contact our team on sound systems, from family BBQ and fun days 0800 107 0190 or email: to new chairs to replace pews, and from [email protected] structural repairs to new noticeboards and kitchen equipment, the money really does Please note: the value of investments make a big difference. can go down as well as up and you may not get back the amount invested. There is no limit to the number of donations Your capital is at risk. Your home may you can receive, so start spreading the word. be at risk if you do not keep up the If you would like some posters or postcards repayments on any mortgage to help you promote this locally, please don’t secured on it. hesitate to contact us on 0800 783 0130.

Taking a sabbatical in 2021?

Ecclesiastical’s Ministry Bursary Awards provide financial support for members of the clergy taking extended study leave, and we are now accepting applications for sabbaticals taking place in 2021. You can find out more about the Awards, check the eligibility criteria and apply on our website. Find out more: www.ecclesiastical.com/mba Parish 2

Regional winners 1

Risk Advice Line Show your We know that managing the risks associated with church premises can 4 Our Movement be a demanding responsibility. That’s support! why we offer a Risk Management Advice for Good awards Line. Whenever you need information The first stage of our Parish Pixels competition about managing risk, and can’t find what Ecclesiastical has always believed in you are looking for on our website, our is complete. supporting the experts are here to help. Congratulations to our nine Regional winners. 3 causes that can make We also have a preferred supplier Now our judges would like your help in deciding a positive difference network of market leaders in their to people’s lives. chosen fields offering a range of risk the overall National winner. Please ‘show your That’s why we work closely with the management products and services support’ for your favourite entry by voting online at: communities we serve to tackle the available at preferential rates. issues that are important to them. www.ecclesiastical.com/parishpixels 6 Call our Risk Management Advice Line We recently launched our Movement for Good awards for 2020 – a programme 0345 600 7531 or email us at: designed to give £1million to charities.1 [email protected]. These awards are a way of recognising Please have your policy number to hand Vote now and supporting the efforts of these when you call. The line is open from dedicated men and women – people who 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday devote their energies to changing excluding Bank Holidays. people’s lives for the better. 5 We’ve opened up the awards to exempt charities so are delighted that churches can be nominated for a donation – don’t Information at 1 Scotland 5 West Midlands forget to tick the exempt box on the St Cuthbert’s: Like the ice St Luke’s: The St Luke’s registration form. your fingertips family has been sparkling appears to break the window, More details about the awards we are a beautiful church in a like a diamond at the centre More than ever, it’s important to feel 7 programme can be found on our website of the community of informed. Please also feel reassured broken world doing our best to at: www.ecclesiastical.com/ Kingstanding for over 80 years, that we continue to be here for you. live as Jesus commanded. movement-for-good shining out the love of God for all to see. 1 Please note, anyone can nominate but only eligible charities We are updating our website regularly 2 North East can win an award. Go to the website address above to view with the latest COVID-19 advice. The the full Terms and Conditions. St Stephen’s C of E Church: website is also a fantastic source of 6 Wales We are a church family that is information from safety to security and St Teilo’s: A place for quiet open and active every day to grants to outreach, plus our products reflection. and services. support our local community through the beautiful chaos of 7 Eastern 9 Find out more at: life and help people to discover St Paul’s: www.ecclesiastical.com/church the love and grace of God. We are open every day of the week, welcoming For our latest COVID-19 statement 8 all, offering space, time and please visit: www.ecclesiastical.com/ 3 North West hospitality to our local church/coronavirus Freedom Church: We may community and beyond. not have our own church building and we may live in 8 South East an area of deprivation, but we Parish Church of St Stephen: Do we have up-to-date believe that it doesn't matter Inspired by the angels, our choir where you meet to worship fills our beautiful building with contact details for you? God, as long as you meet to uplifting music to worship If you need to update us on changes worship God. the Lord and feed our souls. to names, email addresses, phone numbers and changes to PCC members, 4 East Midlands 9 South West you can do this by calling our team on St Stephen’s: We will not be All Hallows: We celebrate 0345 777 3322 beaten by metal thieves! our faith joyfully. Another million pounds to support church youth work Another million pounds is being made available by Allchurches Trust – owners of Ecclesiastical Insurance Group – to support churches and Funeral plans Christian organisations to connect with young people.

A funeral plan from Ecclesiastical is an ideal way to make financial provision for your funeral, as well as reducing the worry for your loved ones at a difficult time. You can pre-plan your funeral in as much or as little detail as you like. Making your funeral wishes known in advance and providing for the cost makes sound financial sense. Please contact us for your FREE information pack or visit www.funeralplans.co.uk to find your nearest funeral director. Call: 0800 055 6503 Email: [email protected] The latest round of grants Under Growing Lives, grants of up to took the total amount of £25,000 are available and the amount Growing Lives funding depends upon the cost of the project awarded by Allchurches and the level of need in the community, Trust to over £1.3 million ranging from 10% of project cost to 80%. pounds, benefiting more Churches can apply for a grant under this than 140 projects. St Margaret’s Church in programme even if they have received Aspley, Nottingham, has a £7,000 Growing funding from Allchurches in the last two Lives grant to develop its ‘Bee family’ years, as long as it is for a different project. programme – an after school community The programme is also open to cathedrals. group aimed at young families who live on You can find out more at: the local estates. www.allchurches.co.uk/growinglives With demand for grants still high, Allchurches has decided to continue the Car insurance Growing Lives programme into 2020, making another million pounds available. St Margaret’s Church tailored for the in Aspley, received a Allchurches Trust chairman, Tim Carroll, “ clergy said: “Our Growing Lives grants programme supports a wide range of projects with Ecclesiastical Insurance Services offers young people at their heart. It’s always £7,000 inspiring to read about the innovative ways extra tailored motor insurance to the grant to develop its clergy, with benefits including business in which the organisations we fund are use (relating to the church), no direct working together to meet local need and ‘Bee family’ programme... charges, no administration fees for realise the power of young people to changes to the policy, and up to £500 strengthen community.” cover for church goods in the car. Our Clergy Motor Insurance isn’t ” available through price comparison Keeping in touch sites or online, because we think it’s More than ever, it’s important to keep in touch. We hope that you, important to speak to you so we your church and community are well and finding new ways to understand your specific needs. stay connected. Give us a call today to find out more. We send updates and useful advice by email once a month. Call: 0345 450 9396 If you or anyone else in your church would like to be added to www.ecclesiastical.com/church/ the list, please visit: www.ecclesiastical.com/signup. If you no car-insurance longer wish to receive them, you can unsubscribe at any time. involved in a daily act of Christian worship Director of Education, within our schools. I am being kept busy visiting as many schools as my diary allows. However, I would very Deborah Smith writes... much like to visit deanery meetings to talk about the diocesan mission to children, young I took up my role as Director of Education for Manchester people and their families through the work of schools and would welcome any invitations to Diocese at the end of October 2019, so still consider myself meet with you. I am very keen to find out from to be a newbie... you your views on how, as a Diocesan Board of Education, we can further support schools It has been a busy start as I become familiar and churches in their work. Please do get in touch if you’d like to chat. with the workings of the diocese as well as the geography, not to mention the traffic. My desire is that all connected with our schools It is certainly very different from my previous are aware that they have a loving God, in whose experience of travelling around Carlisle image they are made and that He came so ‘they Diocese. However, as a city girl, born and bred may have life in all its’ fullness.’ (John 10:10). in Liverpool, one I feel comfortable with. I am I am very much looking forward to working loving the role that God has called me into. alongside you all as we seek to serve the children and families throughout this diocese. Manchester Diocese serves 194 church schools with 58,000+ children and young Deborah Smith people attending them. We are around the third largest diocese nationally. It is such a privilege to be involved in supporting schools in delivering their Christian vision. During those of us involved with schools and these first few months I have been so churches within Manchester Diocese. impressed by the commitment to children and families that is evident through the work of our I get really excited when I consider the schools and ministry of our churches. I have fact that each of our already seen some great examples of how schools is required to have a Christian vision, schools and churches are working together to underpinned by Biblical teaching, that bring the love of God to their local communities. children, young people and families My prayer is we continue to work together to understand and experience in practice enhance the lives of all who live in our diocese. through the life of the school. Alongside this, I have no doubt that God has big plans for 58,000 children and young people are

The Quinquennial report’s arrived. More lead poet in ripped from the roof, rain pouring in. Two youths have broken through the vestry residence, Andrew Rudd writes... door, taking turns to star in the CCTV We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12.1). as they take up the offering. The trustees meet with another glass or two Immediately I get a vision of thousands parish, between people and place. Those of Tony Jolly’s ale, steady themselves of people who see something that other connections, those invisible lines, are for the latest bill. How to restore people don’t see, and have a faith that where God’s love flows from one person to the damaged pipes and levers? changes their lives and the world in which another. Here’s a poem I wrote about those they live. And as a Churchwarden, or one of kinds of connections: How to eke out this field those who look after the church – people for another harvest? I want so much and buildings – you are one of those saints, Organ Lot to believe this line will hold. those witnesses. The road turns, sweeps downhill This unpretentious grass, the thankful I have the privilege to be poet in residence past this two-acre field, the Organ Lot, people as they come. at the Cathedral in Manchester, but I whose rent was used to pay the organist. How do we keep these connections alive worship at a much smaller parish church I imagine a thread – it spools out and flourishing in today’s very secular world? in Cheshire. There is something wonderful from this patch of ground, between trees, I get the sense that almost everybody would about walking into either church. At past settlements of the living, rather a church was there than not there. Frodsham St Laurence, people have The building itself, the bells: the church is worshipped for more than a thousand across the churchyard, in through the huge still part of the pattern and coherence of life. years. The story of these people is spelled oak door, to the organ stool. So that, It’s a place in which care and relationship out in stone, glass and wood. And that sustained by this soft ripple of barley, occur – something to cherish. story continues in those who maintain these few cattle clustered with their calves, and keep it alive as a community. Maybe How do people use your church? How can these cartloads of corn, the chancel might that’s why the Churchwardens are so we help to make it a place where people have resound with Magnificat (Set B, after Handel) important? You are people who keep the deep and transforming encounters with the connections intact – between people in though in a lean year, there’d be scarcely God they don’t even know? May God bless the church, between the members and the enough to fund a Lenten dirge. you in your particular and unique work. incremental, some of them fundamental – to help us all achieve our dreams and hopes Chief Operating Officer/ for our church and reverse the decline. We’re focusing this year on ‘Setting God’s People Diocesan Secretary, Free’ and supporting and encouraging all people – lay and ordained – to feel more confident in expressing and sharing their faith Helen Platts writes... with others. Another important opportunity is our work with children and young people and I joined Manchester Diocese as Chief Operating Officer/Diocesan their families. I’m working closely with the Secretary in February 2019 – what an inspiring and challenging Diocesan Director of Education, Deborah first year it’s been! Having worked in London for many years, Smith, who also joined us in 2019, on how we best reach out to children and young families I’m finally coming back to my roots and it’s great to be home. to ensure a vibrant future for our church communities. And in the second half of 2020, Although it would have been easy to get stuck congregations, full of confident Christians we will be following up on our discussions behind my desk in the first few months given able to talk about Jesus and their faith, and about changes to the deanery arrangements, the demands of the job, it was a priority for me churches leading the way on social action in with debate and dialogue about local ministry to get out and about in the Diocese, getting to every local community. and changes to the way we organise ourselves know as many of you as possible and visiting in our parishes to ensure a sustainable future. I joined the Diocese at a time also of over 50 churches in my first year. I also significant challenge. As we all know, Church I’ve had tremendous support since I joined appreciated the opportunity to meet many attendance continues to decline and this is you – from my colleagues on the Bishop’s of you at your Deanery Synods, last winter. having a direct impact on our finances and the Leadership Team, the senior lay people Given the restrictions of the last few months number of clergy we can afford. As we know, who give so freely of their time and energy, since the start of the coronavirus crisis, these many of these challenges have increased with the team at Church House, and clergy and visits are even more precious to me. as a result of the pandemic. laity across the Diocese. I recognise that It’s been inspiring to find out about the many In my first year, we made good progress with the progress we’ve made so far is with the wonderful things going on in and around developing our 10-year vision and strategy, building blocks for change. As I continue in our churches, and to see the love of God at so we have a very clear focus and set of the role, it will be important to assess our work. Over the last year we’ve been sharing priorities which we are absolutely committed impact on the ground in terms of church the good news from around the Diocese to delivering. This is especially important given growth and sustainability. While these tangible with you – through our Vision video, Crux, our financial challenges and the fact that we positive results may still seem some way off, e-news and Twitter – to help us create a have limited resources. through our energy, effort and prayer, I’m culture of confidence and hope, as we start confident we will be able to create the sort to make the fundamental changes necessary My second year is all about making sure we of church God is calling us to be. to build a sustainable future for our church. provide practical help to help clergy and laity The future we all want to see, with growing alike make changes – some of them Helen Platts

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