The and the Bishop of Leeds wish to appoint an Interim Priest to St John the Evangelist, Bierley,

and St Chad, Lane, Bradford

St John’s Bierley & St Chad’s Toller Lane, Bradford Bishop’s Statement

I am committed to ensuring that we retain a strong and viable presence of the accessible Catholic tradition within the Anglican church in the Bradford Episcopal Area and the Diocese of Leeds. St John’s and St Chad’s Bradford are two significant parishes from within that tradition in the of Bradford. St John’s Bierley is a great example of a Church of church in the modern Catholic tradition that engages well with its parish and context alongside a commitment to playing a full part in Diocesan life. Great efforts have been made in recent years to refurbish St John’s so that it is a both a fine place for worship and a community space where people can meet and feel at home when they come to Messy Church. There is a great resource in the flourishing church charity shop which is a real help to members of the local community and also generates funds which support St John’s. I understand that the church school is also an impressive contribution to the wider community and it is good that church members are involved in it. St Chad’s is a church with a strong traditional Anglo-Catholic heritage. It has an eclectic congregation and is set in an inner city parish with a predominantly Asian Muslim population. The church building and its adjacent modern church hall are both in good condition. St Chad’s enjoyed the ministry of its previous vicar for some 47 years until his retirement last September and now therefore needs to face the challenges associated with a new season as well as working out how to share a priest. There will also be a particular additional role here to help St Chad’s positively engage with the developing Anglican structures in that part of Bradford (at the moment the neighbouring parishes of St Paul’s Manningham, St Barnabas Heaton and St Martin Heaton are exploring how they can support each other). I am convinced that the future lies in churches working together more than ever before. As we look at the parishes across the and plan for a shared future within the new Diocese, I want St John’s and St Chad’s to play a full part in those conversations. How may we encourage one another and be accountable to one another as we grow in confidence in Christ and in our neighbouring churches?

We are therefore proposing to appoint a full-time priest to a shared role serving both St John’s and St Chad’s. This would be a three-year interim appointment. The main reason that we are making the appointment interim for three years is to give an opportunity to ascertain whether combining a priest for both parishes can:

 Enable both churches to flourish, with there being growth and sustainability in both parish contexts;  See the best provision within the City of Bradford for worship and pastoral provision with Extended Episcopal Oversight for Anglicans who are not persuaded by the ’s decision to ordain women;  Lead to both parishes playing an appropriately full part in the life of their respective deaneries, the Episcopal Area and the Diocese;  Be a sustainable and manageable post for the priest concerned in terms of workload.

I am pleased that good progress is already taking place in the way in which both parishes are co operating in shaping this post. For example they are exploring ways in which they observe Holy Week together and have agreed changes to the times of Sunday worship.

A monitoring process will be put in place, with a review point at the end of two years at the latest, enabling a decision to be taken as to whether the arrangement between these two parishes should be extended, made permanent or the appointment reviewed and changed. This will allow the decision to be implemented during the third year of the interim post. The criteria for the review would be based on the four bullet points above.

Our vision as a Diocese is about confident clergy equipping confident Christians to live and tell the good news of Jesus Christ. In appointing to this post, we are looking for someone who has a joyful and confident faith which can inspire church growth, both numerically and spiritually. We are also seeking someone with the skills to be able to lead these two congregations through uncertain times and manage change sensitively.

St Chad’s and St John’s are located in the new Deaneries of Inner and Outer Bradford respectively. These Deaneries are comprised of parishes similar in demographic context to St Chad’s and St John’s, many of whom are experimenting with mixing new approaches to worship and mission alongside inherited patterns. The new incumbent will therefore find a group of creative and supportive colleagues in Deanery chapter, all of whom will be deeply familiar with the joys and challenges that each other faces. The new post holder will therefore be expected to work with a spirit of generosity in sharing wisdom and insights about ministry within the Deaneries of Inner and Outer Bradford and across the Episcopal Area.

This is an exciting time to be a Church of England congregation in West . Let us pray for one another as we seek to follow where God leads. May God lead to Bierley and Toller Lane a priest rooted in prayer, imaginative in vision and committed to seeing God at work amongst us.

+Toby Howarth Area Bishop of Bradford

The Parish Church of St John the Evangelist, Bierley

Serving the people of Bierley with humility and proclaiming the love of God in word and sacrament since 1766

The Parish of Bierley

The parish of Bierley lies 2 miles south of Bradford city centre and runs alongside the and the A650 Street, which are the gateways to Bradford from the south and the M62 corridor.

There has been a settlement on this site for centuries - in 1861 the population was 12,500 when there was work in local mines and iron works. All these have now closed. In recent years the parish has seen an immense regeneration. The old local authority housing stock from the 1930s has been almost entirely replaced by a mix of private and social housing, with modern accommodation ranging from one-bedroom flats to five-bedroom detached properties.

There are two care homes within the parish serving elderly residents. The Cygnet hospital provides assessment, care and treatment for a number of mental health conditions and the Listonshiels Resource Centre which caters for people with physical and mental disabilities. Bierley Life Centre (http://tlcbierley.co.uk/), run by the Bierley Community Association, offers a wide range of activities and services each day of the week, partnering with external agencies to provide: Benefits advice, Counselling, Sports sessions, Zumba, Gentle exercise for the over 60s, Job clubs, Various youth projects and clubs, Kids clubs, community lunches, Friday Friends, Messy Play, access to computer suite for job searching, internet browsing and document writing. One of the Readers from St John’s is a Director of the Community Association.

The parish is home to a diverse population of about 7000 - single people, young families, and older people - from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, with the majority being white British (72%, Parish statistics 2016) The age profile of the population is younger than average, with only 10% aged 65 or older. Essentially this is a young parish ripe for evangelisation. Bierley Bethel Community Church (http:// bethelcommunitychurch.org.uk/) is found towards the southern edge of the parish. This church is currently led by an Anglican clergyman who is interested in exploring working together with St John’s in the local community.

Despite the major refurbishment of the housing stock, Church Urban Fund rates this parish as deprived (rated 11,808 out of 12,600 parishes nationally) with the challenges that brings. The needs of the area explain why St John’s can run such an effective second-hand shop which stocks clothes and a growing range of other items.

There are several light industrial, commercial and distribution centres in the parish, and these, together with opportunities in nearby Bradford, Leeds and Greater Manchester provide employment for residents.

The Parish Church of Bierley

The church is a fine Georgian building, listed at Grade II*, and the second oldest Anglican church in Bradford. The church was built in local sandstone ashlar as a private chapel in 1766 for the Richardson family at Bierley Hall (demolished in 1968). John Carr of York (The Crescent, Buxton and Harewood House) designed the church. An extension was added to the north side in the 19th Century in keeping with the Georgian style of the original chapel. English Heritage has funded maintenance and repair work on this ‘little gem’.

The interior of the church was tastefully refurbished in 2005 and makes a very useful multi-purpose space for worship in the Catholic tradition within the Church of England and also for activities during the week. The church is well heated and comfortable, and the fabric is sound. There is a fine organ in need of some attention.

The building’s 250th anniversary was celebrated on St John’s Day 2016.

Church Activities - weekly pattern of worship

Sunday 10.00am Sung Family It is proposed to change the Mass time to 9:30am to allow the new priest time to travel to St Chad’s 4.00pm 4 Praise (monthly)* Monday 9.00am Morning Prayer Tuesday 9.00am Morning Prayer 3.30pm Messy Church * Wednesday 9.00am Morning Prayer 10.30am Said Mass

* Paused during the vacancy Common Worship contemporary rite is used for celebration of the Mass. Full vestments are worn, and incense and bells are used. The PCC wants this high standard of liturgy, with lay participation, to be maintained.

*Messy Church attracted a regular congregation of over 30 adults and children. During the interregnum there has been no one to lead Messy Church or 4 Praise and the activities have temporarily suspended. It is hoped that the new incumbent will revive these and develop a team able to lead this valuable outreach.

There are 51 names on the electoral roll. The congregation at the Sunday 10.00am Mass averaged just over 40 prior to this vacancy and is now usually c30. During the Mass there is a Sunday Club for children, led by committed leaders. The Sunday Club presents their learning at the end of the service.

4 Praise The last vicar supported the 4Praise service that was planned and led by a lay team. It took place monthly on Sunday afternoons. We were seeing an encouraging and growing attendance.

Other activities

The restoration and re-ordering of the church in 2005 has made it suitable for a wide range of activities - a well-attended mums and toddlers group (Little Gems) meets in the building twice a week, together with a Youth Club and a pastoral group from St John’s school.

A Youth Group meets every Monday offering a wide range of activities. The group is led by an enthusiastic lay team who regularly participate in Diocesan youth activities.

We are committed to church growth and are disappointed that there has been a decline in family attendance over recent years. This is explained in part by a change in the admission criteria of the church school. St John’s offers the usual occasional offices. A dedicated Baptism team offer Baptism preparation and remain in contact with Baptism families.

Attendance

Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Average Sunday 49 51 33 59 35 33 attendance Average Wednesday attendance 12 12 12 12 12 13 The worshiping community is c50

Occasional offices 2016

Baptisms 4 Weddings 4 Funerals in church 7 Funerals at 7 crematorium

St John’s is blessed with a high level of lay participation that has enabled past incumbents to focus on their priestly role. There is an Associate Priest and 3 licensed Readers with diverse talents. St John’s sees itself as ‘Modern Catholic’.

The congregation includes members for whom it is important to have a male priest as the incumbent. The PCC passed resolutions A & B in 1994 and this issue has been revisited at each vacancy since. Following General Synod’s decision on the consecration of women to the Episcopate the PCC, whose members are reflective of the wider congregation holding wide ranging opinions, discussed the issue at length. As an act of generosity and respect for all they unanimously decided to ask the Diocesan Bishop to provide for Extended Episcopal oversight.

The wider context is that there has been only one other Church of England congregation in or near to Bradford that has requested Extended Episcopal Oversight. St John’s welcomes those wanting Extended Episcopal Oversight alongside its commitment to playing a full part in Diocesan life.

New-2- U Charity Shop

Our charity shop opened in 2010, and has gone from strength to strength. Not only does it generate a healthy surplus,(2016 - £14000) boosting our income and helping to pay about half our parish share, it has proved to be a wonderful means of outreach into the wider community.

The shop is housed in the Old School building close to the Church. As well as offering goods for sale, the shop is also seen as a significant outreach ministry for the church in the wider community, offering support to struggling families with food parcels, clothes and furniture to those in need of emergency assistance. The shop welcomes patients from the nearby Cygnet Hospital as they prepare for discharge into the community by helping in the shop. We have been delighted to welcome patients and ex-patients at church services.

Finance

The PCC operates a balanced budget with an income in 2016 of £55,000 and expenditure of £55,000. At 31st December 2016, the church had reserves of £20,000. The parish share for 2016 was £29703 of which the Parish paid £24277 Following the merger of the dioceses Bradford, Ripon & Leeds and Wakefield a review of the differing share systems was undertaken and the calculation now takes into account the social deprivation factor. St John’s share for 2017 is £26576. The base figure before capping adjustments is £18474. Average net personal weekly giving is £8.75 with 78% gift aided

Capital projects are being planned to the graveyard (c£150k) and the organ (c£150k). Both projects will need substantial grant funding. The Little Gems leader is also paid from PCC funds.

St John’s supports home and overseas mission. In 2016 £1,000 was given to missions and charities. These include Mission to Seafarers, Save the Children, The Children’s Society, Water Aid . The PCC also supports a child’s education Africa.

The Parish Share

Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Request 23,924 26,917 26,804 27,729 27,902 28390 28887 Paid 23,924 26,917 26,804 27,729 27,902 23658 24277

The PCC was disappointed that it was unable to meet its share commitment in full for 2015 and 2016. This is due to reduced income during the current vacancy. There has been a drop in attendance over this period and some of the more generous benefactors have either died or left the parish.

Schools

St John’s Church of England Foundation Primary school is shared between St John’s Bierley and the neighbouring parish of St Christopher's, Holme Wood. The school is rated by OFSTED as outstanding, (Ofsted May 2010) and is exploring academisation.

An excellent working relationship exists between both churches and school. The incumbent is an ex officio member of the Governing Body. A further governor who also plays an active role is nominated by the PCC. The school makes use of the church building for curriculum based activities as well as attending worship from time to time. A parents’ group uses the church on a weekly basis.

St John’s school recognises the important relationship with the Church and says on its website: As with all relationships, those worth keeping need continual two- way effort and encouragement. We know that much of the true Christian ethos of our school originates in the influence which our churches have on the daily life in school. We are lucky that both of our vicars, when in post, take an active part in promoting the interests of the school and are often to be seen performing a variety of roles in our everyday routines. In this way we continue to work closely with our two parishes to ensure that this church influence is as strong and effective as it possibly can be.

Newhall Park Community Primary is situated close to the church. There are no high schools in the parish, but within walking distance are Tong High School (11-18) and Bradford Academy (3-18) (sponsored by the Diocese) which are just over the parish boundary, as is a new Diocesan sponsored 11-16 Academy (Bradford Forster Academy).

The Parish Church of St Chad Toller Lane, Bradford

The Parish of Toller Lane

The parish of Toller Lane lies approximately 1.5 miles north west of Bradford city centre on the B6144 which leads towards , and Skipton and out to the Yorkshire Dales

St Chad’s is located within the Toller electoral ward, which includes parts of Manningham, and Heaton. The area is fairly densely populated with much late 19th and early 20th century housing, of terrace and semi detached, which is mostly private housing, though the house for let market is growing. There are a few small pockets of social housing, but no significant (former local Authority) housing estates or flats. The plan below shows the parish boundary.

The top two thirds of the parish is predominantly housing, and represents a densely populated area, whereas the bottom one third is given over to more industrial and retail properties. There are several care homes within the parish serving elderly residents, notably Sherington House and Lister Care Home, and Alms Houses of Tradesmen’s Homes Heaton Road, and Musgrave Homes Ashwell Road.

The nearby Hanover Close complex provides sheltered housing for over 55s. Parish statistics 2016 The parish population (2016 Parish spotlight) was 6471 with 34% under the age of 16,. The ethnicity is 7% white British and 82% of Asian (mainly Pakistani) origin, with the balance including African, Syrian and refugees and Asylum seekers. In recent years the area has seen an increase in the numbers of residents who are Eastern European including those of a Roma background - 3.4%.

Parish population 6471 The occupations listed by people in Toller are Process, plant and Under 17 34% machine operatives 16.8%, Aged 18-64 58% Elementary 15.6%, Professional Aged 65+ 8% 13.9%, Elementary administration Faiths and service 11.7%, Sales and customer service 11.6%, Transport Christian 11% and mobile machine drivers and Muslim 70% operatives 11.0%, Road Transport Others 19% Drivers 10.6%, Caring, leisure and other service 9.7%, Administrative and secretarial 9.1%, Sales 9.0% (2011 Census). Statistics show a worrying trend of the levels of deprivation in the ward, with a high percentage of residents claiming JSA compared to the district and area averages, this is more apparent for the 18 – 24 year olds. The Parish Church of St Chad

Originally started in a hired ‘Upper Room’ in Whetley Hill in 1904, the Church grew and moved to premises at 54 Toller Lane, later moving again to an ‘Iron’ Chapel on the site of the present Vicarage and Parish Hall around 1910. The present Church was built between 1911-1913 and consecrated in October 1913. The Church is built in the form of a Basilica in Byzantine Revival Style, the fabric being mainly local (Heaton) quarried stone. It has a bell turret at the west end, and two Apses to the east, one above the High Altar, and the smaller to the Lady Altar.

Internally the most significant features are the mosaics which line the two apses. There are also some 12th and 13th century stained glass incorporated into the roundels in the Lady Chapel, otherwise internally the church remains very much original, with only significant changes being the modern lighting, sound system, a coffee area and a Binns Pipe Organ installed circa 1988, which replaced the original. The Church setting occupies an elevated position, in a well established urban area. The Church yard predominantly given to shrubs and trees, with garden to the west, north and south which are well kept.

Integral with the church site is the Parish Hall which has kitchen facilities, meeting rooms with capacity for 50 fully accessible to the disabled. This is used for Sunday School, social events and lettings. The hall and the vicarage were both built in 1990/91.

The Church was listed Grade 2 in October 2010, and the centenary of the consecration of the church was celebrated in 2013.

Church Activities - weekly pattern of worship

Until the start of the interregnum in October 2016, we enjoyed a daily Mass 7 days per week, plus Solemn Sung Mass on Sunday mornings and Evensong with Benediction on Sunday evenings. Currently we have: Sunday 10.45am Solemn Sung It is proposed to change the Mass time to Mass 11:30am to allow the new priest time to travel

6.30pm Evensong Wednesday 7.30pm Low Mass CBS Holy Hour (monthly) (monthly) Rosary Angelus (daily if possible) All major festivals are celebrated on the day. There are 53 names on the electoral roll. The congregation at the Sunday Mass since the interregnum is averaging just over 30. Prior to the vacancy the average attendance was 41.The attendance at Wednesday mass is 18. We have a fortnightly Sunday School, which join the Sunday Mass at the Offertory.

Other activities We have in recent years installed a Coffee Area in Church along the south aisle which is well used after Mass on Sundays, and we have over 200 hours per year of Church open days, though visitor numbers are few, we attract some favourable comments from those who do visit us.

Church recording is currently taking place by a group from NADFAS, of which some of our number participate, and which keeps throwing up some interesting facts and comments. This is particularly interesting following recent restoration work undertaken by English Heritage, with significant local fundraising to complete the work which was predominantly to the outside of the building.

Indeed the congregation is very active in social events to raise funds for the Church, and for some outside charities also (see a copy of our accounts for 2015). Below is a list of these activities:

EFFORTS AND EVENTS

2015 2014 2015 Income 2014 Income Expenses Expenses Coffee Mornings 1914 1962

Shipley summer sale 470 50 463 46

Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust 142 128

Summer fair 751 Sponsored walk 731

Quiz 16

St Chads Pens 20

Cream teas 122

Cheese and wine social 160

Christmas Fair 1330 47 1510 47

Fruit and Vegetables 14 Easter raffle 30

Jacobs Well Christmas dinner 140

Father Crowe talk 10

Father Crowe book 315

Alcan recycling 13

Social 31

Cards calendars and postcards 355 382

Jacob’s Well beer 150

May Fair 625

Afternoon teas 213

Totals 5230 479 6385 93

We have parish membership of Church Union, and are active in the relatively small Bradford Branch which meets typically 4 times per year for worship, convivial interaction and an AGM. As members we promote the evangelism and proclamation of the Gospel as well as supporting the distinctive ministry of the clergy. One of our laity is the Chair of the Bradford Branch, and St Chad’s hosts some of the annual events. One particularly large annual event for which St Chad’s is well known in Church Union/Catholic circles is Vespers on the Eve of Corpus Christi. This is attended by many Priests and Laity from other churches along with our own people. It is followed by food and refreshments in the Parish Hall.

Following our last vicar’s retirement the level of lay participation including that at Mass has increased. which has been beneficial and has enriched our service., We now have for example, 6 regular members reading the Epistle and Prayers at Sunday Mass.

We have access to one licensed Reader which is by arrangement with Holy Trinity .

As can be seen in the photos, full vestments are worn, Incense and bells, together with the accoutrements which one would expect of a traditional Anglo Catholic Church are used.

In the last year candidates were presented to the bishop for confirmation:

St Chad's is affiliated to the Society of St Wilfrid and St Hilda and is registered with Forward in Faith UK. St Chad's is home to the Ward of Saint Faith of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament. Our principal activity is the monthly Holy Hour when we spend time in prayerful contemplation before the Blessed Sacrament.

Our concern for the sick in body and mind is expressed in our membership of the Guild of Health and St Raphael.

The sick are prayed for at every service and their needs form the special Intention of one Wednesday evening Mass each month.

We publish a very good quality monthly magazine – St Chad's Journal.

Our Home Mission is Additional Curates Society, and overseas we support the work of Health Care in Southern Malawi.

Starting on Trinity Sunday each year, the children of the Sunday School choose a charity to support.

We regularly support Traidcraft.

We have an annual Christingle Service to support the work of the Children’s Society which is incorporated into our Sunday worship. Away from the sacramental, a good deal of practical issues associated with the running of the Church, eg church heating, has fallen on the congregation to manage since the vacancy.

Finance

The PCC operates a balanced budget with an income in 2015 of £59,239 and expenditure of £57,274. The church has reserves of £19,000. The parish share for 2015 was £28,390 and in 2016 this will rise to £28 500. Average net personal weekly giving is £8 with 78% gift aided. We also raised £700 from the sale of votive candles and cards.

There are currently no major capital projects beyond the normal maintenance.

St Chad’s supports home and overseas mission. In 2015 £2,707, these include:

ACS Martin House Children’s Hospice Guide Dogs Barnado’s Children’s Society

Christian Aid street collection £650.00

The Parish Share:

Year 2015 2016 2017 Requested 32.033 32,595 29,986 Paid 32,033 30,000

The PCC was disappointed that it was unable to meet its share commitment in full for 2016. However following a reduction in the Share, we feel we will be able to meet this in full in 2017.

The New Incumbent

St John’s and St Chad’s are seeking an energetic, forward-thinking, priest grounded in the Anglo Catholic tradition of the Church of England who through his ministry will communicate easily with parishioners and be a priest for everyone in the parishes of Toller Lane and Bierley. He will lead by example, maintain a catholic ethos through preaching, teaching and model Christian vocation and godly life. The new incumbent will be confident of his own identity in Christ and as a priest, work with the current congregations to ensure that St John’s and St Chad’s are welcoming churches to the people of their communities as well as to those from a wider area wanting to be part of catholic worship. We pray for a parish priest who will nurture the talents to be found within the congregations, so that together priest and people may work for the continuing development of school and community links, seeking through mission and evangelism to grow Christian outreach to those in the parishes who have little or no experience of church.

The Post

The Post is a full time interim ministry post appointed for an initial three year term as Vicar of St John’s Bierley and Priest in Charge of St Chad’s Toller Lane. Provision of the house includes water rates and Council Tax. All expenses are paid. Removal costs and a resettlement grant of £2344 is available.

Terms of Appointment and Accommodation

The appointment is made under Common Tenure and is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the DBS. There are six weeks holiday per annum plus Bank Holidays (or time in lieu) and a full day off each week. Participation in annual Ministerial Development Review and in-service training is required and an annual retreat is strongly encouraged

The new priest will live at St. John’s Vicarage a detached 1960s house, on Bierley Lane adjacent to the church and churchyard. The spacious accommodation comprises 4 bedrooms, house bathroom, shower room, study, lounge and dining room. It has a low maintenance, manageable private garden to the rear. The property has benefited from improvements over recent years.

Is God calling you to this post?

To arrange a visit or conversation, contact: , Ven Dr , [email protected] , 01274 405720; 07973 458403 or Parish Representatives: St John’s Jeremy Shoesmith 01924 402405 [email protected] Robert Smith 01274 683942 [email protected]

St Chad’s Richard Longcake tel 01274 541955 Email: [email protected] David Sugden 01274 495284

Application packs are available from Carmel Dylak: [email protected] (01274 407471) or http://leeds.anglican.org/vacancies-bradford Closing Date: Send completed application forms to [email protected] by noon on Monday 6th March 2017 Interviews will be held on 23rd and 24th March followed by a further meeting with the Diocesan Bishop prior to a final offer of the post. An enhanced DBS will be required.