The United Benefice of

ST LUKE’S, MORTON & ST MARY’S,

page Information 2 Bishop's Statement 3 Information 1. Introduction 4 2. Community 5 2a. About our communities 2b. Schools in our 6 communities 2d. Other Christian 7 churches in our communities 2e. Our work in the 8 community

3. Our churches 10 3a. Our church St Luke's Church fellowships Morton Lane, 3b. Our ministry team 12 BD20 5RS 3c. Our regular pattern 13 https://goo.gl/maps/32Rnfg8Bg8B2 of church services 3d. Occasional Offices 13

4. Our church 14 buildings 5. Finances 15 5a. Our church finances 5b. Diocesan Share 15 allocation 5c. Charitable giving 16

6. What we can offer 17 the new Incumbent St Mary the Virgin 7. The task for the 17 Banks Lane, Riddlesden new Incumbent BD20 5PA 8. Our new 18 https://goo.gl/maps/r6VQsydRJr72 Incumbent Useful links 19

2

Vicar St Mary’s Riddlesden & St Luke’s Morton

Bishop’s Statement

These two parishes form a significant joint benefice within the Episcopal Area and the Diocese of Leeds. Over the past few years, there have been some great developments in growing lay leadership, and also in making the joint benefice more of a reality.

We are looking for a visionary and enabling leader who can work with the congregations of the two churches to grow them, and also develop relationships within the villages in entrepreneurial and creative ways.

Our vision as the 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 has inspired a track record of church growth, both numerically and spiritually. There is a particular need to develop outreach and ministry among families, building on the work begun under the last incumbent’s ministry, the relationships with the church schools in each village and the links with the various community and uniformed organisations in both villages. This role demands excellent team building skills and the ability to work a ‘mixed economy’ of both new forms of church alongside existing ones, as well as the increasingly different ethnic mixes of the two villages.

In this joint benefice, there is also the challenge of continuing to deepen the relationships between the two churches, enabling them to be a support and encouragement to each other.

In all of these relationships we are looking for someone who is able to foster a spirit of generosity in sharing gifts within the church, the villages and across the Episcopal Area.

+Toby Bradford 14 November 2016

3 PARISH PROFILE OF ST LUKE’S, MORTON &

ST MARY’S, RIDDLESDEN Wedding, St Luke's Harvest, St Mary's

1. Introduction The United Benefice of the Parishes of St Luke’s, Morton and St Mary’s, Riddlesden sits on the south facing hillside of the Aire valley, nestled between the towns of and . The two churches have shared a priest since 2004 and in 2015 became a United Benefice. Although the two parishes do operate largely independently there is increasing and improving communication and sharing across the Benefice. A joint parish weekend at Scargill House was held in September 2016 and the current interregnum is solidifying this relationship. Both churches would describe themselves as welcoming, friendly parish churches serving their local communities. Both churches were built in the mid 19th century as the local populations grew following the industrial development of the Aire Valley.

Keighley Bingley

St Mary's West Morton St Luke's Micklethwaite

Riddlesden Waterside Fold (new estate) East Morton Village Sandbeds

4 2. Community 2a. About our communities Morton and Riddlesden were both mentioned in the Domesday Book – we've been here a long time! There are a small number of very old buildings in each parish – the best known being built in 1642 which Morton Village is now a popular National Trust property. East Morton grew in the Industrial Revolution when a number of mills developed whereas West Morton remained a much smaller farming community. Riddlesden was a village and although it still has a village feel, has become more a suburb of Keighley, and Morton village has strong links with both Keighley and Bingley.

The parishes are surrounded by beautiful countryside including spectacular moorland – the famed town of lies just over the ridge of the hill – yet have urban links, particularly to Keighley. Skipton, known as the ‘Gateway’ to the Dales is a fifteen minutes’ drive away; while the bustling cities of Leeds and Bradford can be reached in a twenty-minute train journey. The Leeds/Liverpool canal links the two parishes.

Riddlesden parish is a mixed community of approximately 4,500 people. The population is mobile of mixed age group, with 45% aged between 30 and 59. In 2011 18% of the population was aged 14 and under. In 2001 79% of the population considered themselves Christian, dropping to 61% in 2011, when a East Riddlesden Hall larger proportion ticked the “no religion” box. The 2001 census recorded 2% of the population as Muslim, which increased to 8% in 2011, the majority of these being of Pakistani/Bangladeshi Muslim extraction. The parish takes in the urban edge of Keighley, but is separated from Keighley by the and the Leeds/Liverpool Canal and has a distinct village character. There is a wide variety of housing types from farms and large detached to small terraces and apartments. Houses are predominantly privately owner occupied with just 2% privately rented. The area is generally prosperous but there are poorer areas closer to Keighley.

5 Riddlesden is home to two pubs and a variety of shops, including a Post Office and a well - stocked community friendly co-op. There are hairdressers and garages plus a flourishing tennis club and cricket club, Riddlesden Co-op many of which support the Parish News and the bazaar. There is one care home - Riddlesden Rest and Convalescent Home

Morton parish has a population of 3,500 and is centred around the village of East Morton but also takes in the hamlet of West Morton, a part of Micklethwaite village and an area on Bradford Road known as Sandbeds. About 12 years ago a modern housing estate of 400 houses was built which connects the two parishes. The development of new housing around the village has seen an increase in the number of families – the 2011 census showed that children under 16 made up almost 25% of the population.

Many people from the parish commute daily to Leeds and Bradford using the local station. There is a care home – Morton Close - within the parish and also a Council run Children's home. The village of East Morton is a prosperous, predominantly white community with a thriving Village Institute and one pub – The Busfeild Arms (yes it is spelled that way!). Currently it has no village shop although there are plans to develop a community shop. There is a hairdressers in the village and a small business centre. Along Bradford Road there are also two convenience stores, two garages, a hotel and restaurant, two takeaways and a further pub and a nightclub/venue.

2b. Schools in our communities Both parishes include a church school. In Riddlesden the local primary school, also called St Mary’s, is a voluntary aided church school and has strong links with the church. Approximately 80% of the pupils are of south east Asian background. The school has recently been classified as ‘Good’ by Ofsted and also after the SIAMS inspection. The school catchment area covers Riddlesden and also an area of some deprivation nearer the centre of Keighley. The instrument of governance of the school identifies the Vicar as an ex-officio governor and Foundation Governors make up the majority of the Governing Body. The annual church bazaar and the community Riddlesden Gala have been held in the school and grounds for very many years and for the last four years the church has used the school premises to run Messy Church. 6 East Morton CE Primary School (VC) is an excellent school and is regularly oversubscribed. The Vicar is an ex-officio governor and there are two Foundation Governors.

Crossflatts Primary School, although technically outside the parish, regards St Luke's as their church. Crossflatts is rated by Ofsted as good and many children from both Morton and Riddlesden attend this popular school. Clergy and members of the congregations in both communities have good relations and regular involvement in both schools which will be a priority to be maintained.

2c. Other Christian churches in our communities There are two other churches in Riddlesden parish, Methodist and United Reformed, and close links are maintained with them through the Riddlesden Christian Churches. In 1994 a statement was signed by the three churches, committing them to work Riddlesden Gala together. Three joint services are held every year and a committee plans social events with the proceeds going to charity. Joint Easter and Christmas cards detailing services at the three churches are distributed throughout the parish and there is also collaboration in providing Christian witness at the annual Riddlesden Gala. There is an annual Carol Service for the community in the Barn at East Riddlesden Hall. St Mary's is also part of Carol Service in the Airedale Barn Keighley Churches Together.

In Morton the only other church in the parish is a Congregational Chapel, sited very close to St Luke's. There is a very close relationship with the Chapel with several combined services a year, especially their Anniversary Service, Harvest Service and the Remembrance Sunday Service, which is held in the Chapel and is a village community event. 7 2d. Our work in the community

Both churches play an important part in the life of their community and work hard to have a strong Christian presence in the community.

Riddlesden has a modern parish meeting room which is regularly used by the thriving Toddler group, SMarts arts and craft group and Rainbows and Brownies. All these draw from the community. Toddlers visit the church at Christmas and Easter and the uniformed groups have a monthly parade service. SMarts holds an annual show for church funds. The Book Group meets in members’ homes. At Christmas the choir visits Riddlesden Rest Home as well as carol singing round the village.

Riddlesden's Messy Church sessions held at the school have catered in particular for families who have had little or no contact with church; there were about 40 regular attendees with others coming intermittently. Although these sessions are currently 'on hold' during the interregnum period, there is strong support within the congregation for these sessions to be restarted in the future. In the meantime, plans are afoot to support the CLiKS (Christian Links in Keighley Schools) co-ordinator. Members of both churches also support the work of CLiKS at Christmas (year 4), Easter (year 5) and the end of the summer to help with transition for year 6 pupils.

St Mary's social committee is very active and imaginative and plan a wide range of events each year from Quiz Nights and Harvest Suppers, to events to celebrate special occasions – such as the recent exhibition to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday and the Tour de Riddlesden which took place after the Tour de France passed through Keighley. All these events are open to the whole community and are popular and very well attended.

8

World War 1 Concert Jigsaw Festival St Luke's is an important part of village life and events both in church and in the Village Institute provide key opportunities to serve the local community. Quiz nights, fashion shows, wine tasting, 'Good Old Days' concerts have been held in the Institute as well as concerts of music and readings in Church. The uniformed organisations in the village join with St Luke's for various occasions such as Mothering Sunday and Harvest.

Morton Meet At Christmas our evening 'Carols and Candles' event attracts over 100 people and 600 children and adults come to the two Christingle services on Christmas Eve.

Once a month, Church members take over the running of the weekly 'Morton Meet' (tea/coffee and cakes) in the Institute which is an important social event in the village both for older people and also for parents and children who call in after school.

The Church also plays an active role each year in the very popular Morton Gala.

In 2016 the two parishes joined to support the Wave of Prayer week leading up to Pentecost with events and displays in both churches and a prayer walk around the whole of the two parishes.

9 3. Our churches 3a. Our church fellowships At St Mary's there are currently 83 people on the electoral roll though 4 of these were wedding couples who have now moved away. (8% of the roll are not resident in the parish). The congregation is predominantly active but retired; they are loyal, committed and give of their time and talents willingly. There is a real desire to be of service in our community and to provide an ongoing Christian witness and a great deal of prayer and effort goes into trying to achieve this. Newcomers and visitors always comment on the warmth of their welcome and on the lovely caring atmosphere. On a Wednesday morning an increasing number of the older generation attend a shorter, quieter Holy Communion service, which is followed by coffee and fellowship at the back of church. Home Communion is taken out fortnightly to those who are housebound and this is done by a small team of very able lay Eucharist assistants. There is also an ecumenical Healing Prayer group which meets monthly in a private home. St Mary’s is a very caring church family with a network of people who take responsibility for pastoral care. Members of the church try to be aware of those in need of support from both within and outside the regular congregation. The vicar was kept informed of those who are in need of particular ministerial care, but many others also provide a listening ear as well as practical help, visiting the sick and housebound, offering lifts to the less mobile and ensuring that cards and flowers are sent. Prayer blankets, made from squares knitted by church members, are sent out to those in special need of prayer, both within the parish and further afield.

Both St Luke's and St Mary's have very able, well led and enthusiastic choirs. Music forms an integral part of worship at Sunday services, and concerts and musical events give great pleasure both to the congregations and the wider communities.

Both churches have a House Group which meets twice a month and during Lent four groups meet across the benefice.

10 At St Luke's there are currently 62 on the electoral roll (16% not resident in the parish). Church members are actively involved in running the services, producing a weekly newsletter, seeing to the upkeep of the Church building and grounds, pastoral work within the parish and fellowship through informal events eg Morton Meet, Curry nights and a new Youth group. A small team have been meeting to look at the pastoral care needs of the church and the wider community. This is also a regular item on the PCC agenda. Communion is provided at Morton Close Care Home and also home communion is available as needed. The new weekly prayer meeting is also an opportunity to focus on those who are in need of prayer and practical support. The 9.30 Sunday services of Communion and Morning Prayer include a mix of modern and traditional music with organ accompaniment and with occasional piano and guitar accompaniment for more contemporary music. There is also a fortnightly relaxed, child friendly service with singing, bible stories, craft and prayer. Attendance varies and is predominantly, but not exclusively, families with young children. From 2015 children have been welcome to partake fully in communion services after they have followed an agreed programme of teaching. Family Service activities at St Luke's

During the year the congregations of these services come together to mark special occasions such as Christmas Day, Easter Sunday, Mothering Sunday and Harvest.

Both churches have a weekly notice sheet and a parish website. Morton - http://stlukesmorton.moonfruit.com/ Riddlesden - https://riddlesden.wordpress.com/

At St Mary's a monthly Parish News is distributed both within the congregation and in the wider community. Postcards are also distributed across both parishes for Easter and Christmas. Both churches maintain contact with Wedding and Baptism families with invitations to appropriate services.

Both PCCs have recently re-confirmed their willingness to have a woman priest.

11 3b. Our ministry team

The ministry team for the two parishes includes, in addition to the incumbent, Curate Rev. Jenny Ramsden (working Sundays and one weekday), retired SSM Rev Tony and two licensed Lay Readers Mrs Ruth Copping and Mrs Sal Browning. There is also a paid administrator Mr Lee Senior who works 6 hours per week. In addition Rev. Andrew Tawn, who is Director of Clergy Development for the Diocese and who lives in Morton Vicarage, currently takes a service each month – predominantly at St Luke's.

In both churches clergy wear robes for services apart from the family services where vestments are not always worn. Riddlesden choir wear robes but Morton choir do not.

In both parishes lay people lead many key initiatives including house groups, prayer groups, social and musical events.

Both churches also have teams looking into potential redevelopments of the church buildings.

In 2015 leadership groups were set up at St Luke's for the 9.30 Communion/Morning Prayer services and the 11am Family Services. The groups are lay led and meet a number of times a year to discuss arrangements for these services.

Lay Readers

Rev Jenny Ramsden Rev Tony Cullingworth Ruth Copping Sal Browning Curate

12 3c. Our regular pattern of church services

Sundays 8.00am BCP Holy Communion - alternates between St Mary's and St Luke's (7 – 10 adults)

9.30am Family Service 1st Sunday at St Mary's (46 adults, 9 children) Holy Communion 2nd and 4th Sunday at St Mary's (45 adults, 3 children) 1st and 3rd Sunday at St Luke's (24 adults), 5th Sunday in both churches. Morning Prayer 3rd Sunday at St Mary's (45 adults, 2 children) 2nd and 4th Sunday at St Luke's (24 adults)

11am Family Service 2nd Sunday at St Luke's (14 adults, 8 children) Family Communion 4th Sunday at St Luke's (18 adults, 10 children)

6.30pm Lord's Supper 1st Sunday at St Mary's (9 adults)

Tuesdays 7.00pm Evening prayer St Mary's (6 adults)

Wednesdays 10.00am Holy Communion St Mary's (15 adults)

In addition, on the 3rd Tuesday of the month Evening Prayer is also an ecumenical service in Riddlesden. A monthly Messy Church session has been held in St Mary's Primary School (40 attendees) – currently sessions on hold. St Luke’s has Midday Prayer on Wednesdays at 12 noon which is lay led and there are occasional Sunday evening Taize and Evening Prayer services.

3d. Occasional Offices in the last year St Mary's - 3 Baptisms, 4 Confirmees, 6 Weddings, 5 Funerals + 3 taken by clergy not in church. St Luke's - 12 Baptisms, no Confirmees, 6 Weddings and 5 Funerals + 2 taken by clergy not in church.

13 4. Our church buildings Both churches had quinquennial reviews carried out 4 to 5 years ago but no formal reports were received although both churches were informed verbally that the buildings were in good order. St Mary's church building is well maintained and cared for and is in a good state of repair. A sound system, hearing loop and projection system have been fitted in the last few years, a new boiler installed and the century old organ given a complete overhaul. The churchyard is maintained by Bradford Metropolitan Council, the church gardens and overall care by parishioners. The churchyard is closed for burials but there is an area for cremated remains. The church is on the hillside overlooking Keighley and the Aire Valley, which means the recently installed illuminated cross above the porch is visible across the valley, announcing the church’s presence to the surrounding area. The PCC has recently committed to upgrading the entrance to make the church easily accessible to all and also to improving the toilet facilities. A group is currently exploring funding opportunities. The parish has a small meeting room which was completed in 2004 and is situated on the opposite side of the road to the church. This building is used for meetings by various church groups. A team is at present working on better ways of marketing this facility to maximise its potential.

St Mary’s vicarage will be the home for the new incumbent and is adjacent to the church and has a superb view over Keighley and the hills beyond. It is built on the hillside and the entrance leads into the upper floor which has the kitchen, dining area, living room, study and a bathroom.

The four bedrooms and other bathrooms are downstairs and some of the rooms have access to the lower gardens which are grassed. There are also mature apple trees and a pear tree. Gardens surround the building and the top church car park is used by parishioners who otherwise could not attend services.

14 St Luke's church building is large and has a traditional layout. The building is in good repair with a sound system and a new heating system (2014). The church stands at the entrance to the village and has good disabled access and toilet facilities. There is a large churchyard which is maintained by members of the

congregation and with support from 'Morton in Bloom'. For many decades there have been discussions and plans for reordering the church and making it a more flexible and usable space. Costed plans have recently been drawn up and a Faculty has been granted. A small group are currently looking at funding opportunities for the proposed development.

5. Finances

5a. Our church finances Riddlesden parish pays its Diocesan Share in full each year and also contributes to other charitable organisations operating locally, nationally and internationally. Until 2014 Morton parish paid its Share in full but since then has not paid the full Share allocation – the congregation has grown in this time and giving has increased but has not matched the very large increases in Share allocation. Clergy expenses are paid in full by both parishes. Average weekly giving is £473 (92% gift aided) for St Mary's and £567 (84% gift aided) for St Luke's.

5b. Diocesan Share allocation Riddlesden 2015 Share requested - £35,771 and paid in full. 2016 Share requested - £36,397 and paid in full. 2017 Share requested - £33,485

Morton 2015 Share requested - £36,871. Amount paid was £32,000 (87%) 2016 Share requested - £37,516. Share paid (up to end of 2016) - £29,000. 2017 Share requested - £37,019

15 5c. Charitable giving

Both churches support local, national and international charities through annual giving and one off collections.

In 2015 Riddlesden gave £3156 and Morton gave £2,966. Charities supported by both churches include Leprosy Mission, Zephaniah Trust, Children's Society, CLiKS (Christian Links in Keighley Schools), Project 6 (Keighley drug and alcohol charity).

Morton has an overseas link with a missionary worker in Brazil, supported by funds raised from the 'Morton Meet' each month.

Both churches support the work of the Salvation Army in Keighley and Bevan House in Bradford (working with asylum seekers) by food donations.

16 6. What we can offer to the new Incumbent

 A strong ministry team and growing lay leadership.

 Strong connections with the two local CE schools and with Crossflatts Primary School.

 Growing population of young families linked to church through the two church schools, regular informal worship services and Messy Church initiatives.

 Enthusiastic congregations of the active retired.

 Opportunity to re-order and redevelop both churches to make them more accessible and useful to their local communities.

 Opportunity to forge links with other faiths and with deprived communities.

and....a vicarage with the best view in the Aire Valley!

7. The task for the new Incumbent

 Build on the growth already begun with families with children, both within the church

building and through local schools and Messy Church.

 Develop and utilise the skills and talents within both the ministry team and the wider

church fellowship to strengthen our place within our local communities.

 Support and develop a range of worship styles from more traditional services through to informal fellowship.

 Develop ways to bring the different, distinct parts of the church family closer together through shared initiatives and opportunities for fellowship.

17 8. Our new Incumbent We are looking for a Priest who is:

 confident in their faith and knows the joy of Christ in their life; can embody this in their ministry, enthusing and guiding us in our worship and witnessing opportunities and encouraging us to push the bounds of our faith.

 able to provide bible centred teaching both within services and through less formal opportunities, allowing for friendly and challenging discussion and relating bible teaching to the life experiences of people today in the light of current thinking within the Church of .

 able to nurture and support the growing prayer life in both churches.

 a good team leader and who will continue to make full use of the licensed ministry team and the lay leadership teams which have been established.

 a good communicator both with individuals and groups and also uses electronic communication methods to keep people informed.

 an enabler who will encourage and make use of the considerable gifts and skills among the laity in both churches.

who will:

 be committed to the community and be a visible presence in both parishes, being approachable and accessible to all members of our communities.

 be committed pastorally to the community.

 cherish and respect the older members of our congregations and value their skills and experience.

 be able to engage confidently with families, children and young people, building on foundations for outreach already laid and will actively engage with our local schools and community organisations.

 continue to encourage the strong musical tradition in both churches.

18 Useful links:

The Diocese of Leeds: www.leeds.anglican.org/

Church websites St Luke's : stlukesmorton.moonfruit.com/ St Mary's : riddlesden.wordpress.com/

Schools St Mary's Primary: www.riddlesdenstmarys.net East Morton Primary: www.eastmortonceprimary.co.uk/ Crossflatts Primary: www.crossflatts.bradford.sch.uk/

Morton Village Society: www.mortonvillage.org.uk/ East Riddlesden Hall: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/east-riddlesden-hall

To see more of the countryside surrounding our Benefice, please follow the link below: https://youtu.be/d4PI670kwn4

United Benefice of St Luke's, Morton and St Mary's Riddlesden 2016

19 Terms of Appointment and Accommodation

The Post is a full time incumbency appointed under Common Tenure. Provision of the house includes water rates and Council Tax. All expenses are paid. Removal costs and a resettlement grant are available.

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

Is God calling you to this post?

To arrange a visit or conversation, contact: Archdeacon of Bradford, Ven Dr Andy Jolley, [email protected] , 01274 405720; 07973 458403 or Parish Representatives:

St Luke's: Mrs Mary Morgan [email protected] 07800 815 520 Mrs Barbara Cullingworth [email protected] 01535 601187

St Mary's: Mrs Margaret Smith [email protected] 01535 602990 Mrs Pat Lane [email protected] 01535 604625

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 30th January

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th February followed by a further meeting with the Diocesan Bishop prior to a final offer of the post. An enhanced DBS will be required.

20 The Diocese of Leeds

In this new diocese, less than three years old, we are working with three core objectives: Confident Christians: Encouraging personal spiritual renewal with the aim of producing clergy and laity who are confident in God and in the Gospel. Growing Churches: Numerically, spiritually and in their mission to the wider world. Changing communities: For the better, through our partnership with other churches and faith communities, as well as government and third sector agencies. The Diocese came into being at Easter 2014 following the dissolution of the historic dioceses of Bradford, Ripon & Leeds and Wakefield. This followed a three-year process of debate and con- sultation driven by the Diocese's Commission. It covers a region whose economy is greater than that of Wales. Background papers to the reorganisation process can be read at www.wyadtransformation.org.

The Diocese comprises five Episcopal Areas, each coterminous with an Archdeaconry. This is now one of the largest dioceses in the country and its creation is unprecedented in the history of the Church of England. It covers an area of around 2,425 square miles, and a population of around 2,642,400 people.

The three former dioceses were created in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to cater for massive population changes brought about by industrialisation and, later, mass immigration. The diocese comprises major cities (Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield), large industrial and post- industrial towns (Halifax, Huddersfield, Dewsbury), market towns (Harrogate, Skipton, Ripon, Richmond and Wetherby), and deeply rural areas (the Dales). The whole of life is here, along with all the richness, diversity and complexities of a changing world.

The diocese is dissected by major motorways (M1, A1M, M62) and major trunk roads (such as the A650, A59), making road and rail communications good. Access to airports is also good, with Leeds-Bradford in easy reach and Manchester only an hour away.

The Diocesan Bishop is assisted by four Area Bishops (Bradford, Huddersfield, Ripon and Wake- field) and five archdeacons (Bradford, Halifax, Leeds, Pontefract, Richmond & ). In addi- tion, the dormant See of Richmond has been revived and the new Suffragan Bishop is now taking responsibility for the Leeds Episcopal Area on behalf of the Diocesan Bishop who remains the Area Bishop for Leeds.

There are 323 stipendiary clergy, 165 self-supporting clergy and 398 clergy with PTO along with 408 Readers, 125 lay pastoral ministers and 52 chaplains in 656 churches with 256 church schools. In the Bradford Episcopal Area there are 58.7 stipendiary posts serving 67 benefices with an average weekly attendance of 5,949 from a population of over half a million.

The Diocese is unique in having three cathedrals: Bradford, Ripon and Wakefield and over the past year the cathedrals have begun to work together on the key Diocesan services as well as developing three strands that they will offer to the diocese – pilgrimage, civic engagement and apologetics. This new diocese, led by the bishops, is working out how best to create a diocese with more than one cathedral, and to develop the ministry and outreach of these cathedrals in a way that secures their future and recognises their distinctiveness.

The diocese has inherited strong partnership links with Sudan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Southwest Virginia, Skara (Sweden) and Erfurt (Germany).

21