ASSOCIATE VICAR FOR ALL SAINTS’ DISTRICT CHURCH INTRODUCTION secondary schools, all with excellent The Parish of covers two- reputations and results, now work thirds of the town of Harpenden together in a trust. There is one private (population 30,000) and the village of high school, whilst a fourth school is East Hyde. This area is divided between under construction. three District churches each with their own distinct character and ethos. St THE PARISH Nicholas’ is in the town-centre, (Electoral The Parish church is St Nicholas. The roll 585), St Mary’s in the north (Electoral Parish is administered under a strong roll 118), and All Saints’ in the east committee structure. In addition to the (Electoral roll 77). The parish staffing in PCC and Churchwardens each of the recent years has comprised the Rector, three Districts has a District Committee with particular responsibility for St and District Wardens. Nicholas’ district, two Associate Vicars with responsibility for St Mary’s and All Since 2011 there have been 2.8 Saints’ respectively, and a curate-in- stipendiary posts across the parish. training. The Parish office is staffed by Each stipendiary staff member has a part-time administrator and part-time responsibility for the mission and ministry secretary. across a District and District Church. Each clergy person also co-ordinates LOCATION areas of ministry across the parish. Harpenden is a thriving commuter town in located half way The clergy meet regularly as a staff team between , in whose district to pray, plan and share work. Additionally, the Parish of Harpenden lies, and there are a number of licensed Readers, in Bedfordshire. is around 30 an SSM (who works mainly in St Mary’s), minutes by train into St Pancras with and two retired clergy. onward links to mainland Europe. There are excellent transport links, including The Associate Vicar will take a turn in Luton Airport, train services to Bedford Parish ministry covering weekday Eucharist and beyond, the A1, the M1 and M25 at St Nicholas and (possibly) St Mary. All motorways nearby. There are a range of the parish clergy officiate at baptisms, Hertfordshire Local Authority Primary weddings and funerals across the parish. Schools, a Church of Primary Parish clergy ‘rotate’ around each other’s and private primary schools. Three LA district churches six times a year.

Harpenden ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH AND BACKGROUND AND BUILDING DISTRICT LOCATION An All Saints Church has served this All Saints’ serves a community of 6000 district since the 1860’s when a daughter people in Batford, East Harpenden and church to St Nicholas’ was founded by the hamlet of East Hyde. This is almost an the then Rector of Harpenden. This All entirely residential area comprising both Saints’ Church building was built on its private and social housing with two small present site in Station Road in 1964. Its light industrial estates at Coldharbour unique modernist architectural style was and Batford Mill. Many who live in the influenced by the liturgical movement, area commute into London, Luton or with the pews set on three sides around St Albans to work. The main Bedford the sanctuary to reflect the gathered to Brighton rail line serves Harpenden community of worshippers. The church railway station and is within walking has benefitted from some re-ordering distance of All Saints District. Bus to make it more inclusive in the last five services run to Luton, Garden years. The church hall is housed within City, Potters Bar as well as Harpenden the same structure as the church and and St Albans. There are several very enjoys direct access from it. The hall is good local primary schools (Manland, very well used and hired out throughout Sauncey Wood, Crabtree, High Beeches), the week. It has undergone considerable and one very good secondary school (Sir refurbishment in the last five years John Lawes) within the church district. A including a new kitchen, flooring and new high school (Katherine Warington) is insulated ceiling. Both church and hall under construction in Batford. benefit from AV resources including projectors and screens. There is plenty of Nearby the vicarage and church is a large parking in the church’s car park. park, Batford Springs Nature Reserve. There is the nice pub, The Amble Inn. We work in close partnership with the Convenience shops include The Shop people of Batford Methodist Church, who by the Park and the Co-op Food Shop. are invited to our festival services and There are some nice take-aways nearby social events. as well. Harpenden Town Centre is a thriving and lovely place to shop with a large Sainsbury and Waitrose. THE WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY Festivals; All Saints’ has a well-deserved reputation as a welcoming and friendly church • Joint services are held on festivals which is frequently commented upon days during the liturgical year. These by visitors and new members alike. Its are a mixture of Eucharistic and word churchmanship is largely central, with an services. We celebrate our patronal evangelical flavour. festival with a major service and often include lunch afterwards. Other There are two main Sunday services; festivals are marked by a special Eucharist often followed by fellowship • 9.30am Holy Communion (Common together such as daybreak Easter Worship Order 1), a traditional breakfast, Mothering Sunday cake weekly Eucharist, including hymns and Harvest Supper. accompanied by organ and cornet. Vestments are worn and a sermon • Lent and Holy Week are marked with is preached. The average attendance Ash Wednesday evening service is 22 adults, many of whom are where ‘ashing’ is offered. There is over retirement age and have a weekly Lent study opportunity worshipped at All Saints for most for those who wish it. Palm Sunday of their lives. includes the dramatised gospel reading, while on Maundy Thursday • 11am Worship Service (Word Service we hold an Agape style meal, designed to make worship accessible celebrate Holy Communion, Strip to all and with seasonal options) the Altar and hold Vigil. Good Friday with a more contemporary flavour. observance includes an outdoor walk These services are attended by a and act of witness. greater number of families and so the worship reflects this – often with • During Advent there is an Advent instruments for the children and Carol service, a nine lessons and flags for others to wave. The services carols service, Christmas Eve are lay led by members of the Local Children’s Carol service and Midnight Ministry Development Team, working Communion. alongside the Associate Vicar, on three Sundays in the month. On the Evening Worship; first Sunday of every month there is Worship with Holy Communion • All Saints hosts Parish Evening Service which the Associate Vicar Worship at 6.30pm on the third leads. The 11am service is delivered Sunday each month. This may using the projector and screen. be seasonal or thematic, ranging Average attendance is 25 adults and from full Choral Evensong to Celtic 12 children. Evening Prayer.

• All Saints’ mid-week Communion • There are no regular Sunday evening Service is at 10am fortnightly services at All Saints’ but Parish on Thursday mornings. On the clergy and Lay Readers take turns in first Thursday the service is leading choral evensong at St. Common Worship Order 1, whilst Nicholas’ on Sunday evenings. on the third Thursday it is from the Book of Common Prayer. 8-10 Reserved sacrament is kept for home attenders. communions. CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE The Local Ministry Development Team is episcopally mandated every four years to Sunday Club runs every week in term support the church and Associate Vicar time during the 11am Worship Service. in ministry. The team was re-mandated in We have a good team of Sunday Club 2019 until 2023. There are 8 team members leaders with three groups to Year 5 including three who lead 11am Worship, the meeting. Ynots is the senior group Associate Vicar and Lay Reader. Their focus catering for 10-15-year-old children. is on worship, welcoming and pastoral care. There are approx. 12-15 regular attenders. One person is waiting to be trained as a All Saints hosts the parish youth group Lay Leader of Worship. A retired priest SAS (St Mary, All Saints, St Nicholas) has permission to officiate in the parish fortnightly during term time. This group and attends All Saints. meets on Sunday evenings and caters for children aged 10-14. PASTORAL CARE & CHURCH LIFE All Church members are asked if they wish MUSIC to join the Pastoral Contact Scheme which We have a small choir of 4 members who is a network of trained lay leaders and lead the singing at the 9.30am service pastoral care team who each ‘look out’ for accompanied by the organ and cornet. about 8-10 other people providing pastoral We have no regular paid organist, but care with a light touch. The Associate are well served by several organists who Vicar administers the scheme and has support a rota to play at the 9.30am supervisory oversight for the carers. service and festival services. Church members are encouraged to join We have a digital piano used at 11am and one of the weekly Home Groups for Bible we are fortunate in having two classically study and fellowship. trained pianists who are members of the congregation. The music includes All Saints has a District Church both traditional hymns and the best of Committee to lead in the administration contemporary worship songs. and governance of the church. From its membership are drawn representatives to MINISTRY SUPPORT the PCC and Deanery A Lay Reader based primarily at All Synod. We have teams under the Saints preaches regularly and leads direction of the District Committee to co- the 11am Worship from time to time. ordinate various aspects of the church’s The Lay Reader is licensed to take Holy life: Local ministry development team, Communion by Extension and funerals. pastoral care, children & youth, social One or two parish Readers periodically and catering, flowers and decoration of preach at All Saints. church and premises maintenance.

SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES 1 & 2 and visiting Years 2 & 5 annually. Busy Bunnies is a weekly outreach to We have hosted and run ‘Experiences’ parents and carers of 0-3years children. It at Christmas and Easter over the last 7 meets weekly during term time providing years which up to 600 children attended. a safe space for children to play, adults We anticipate holding these in the to relax and make new friends. It has an future. The Associate Vicar has held a excellent reputation in Harpenden and it Community Governor post in one of is run by the Associate Vicar, members of the local Hertfordshire Local Authority St Mary’s and Batford Methodist Church. schools in the district. It is a good place to gently encourage encounter with church. Guiding UK runs two Rainbow units, one Brownie Pack and a Guide unit out of Tea, Cake and Chat is a parish-wide initiative All Saints, though none of the units are based at All Saints. Bi-monthly tea for church sponsored. Harpenden District seniors who are often on their own. This Beavers hold their annual Christmas event has grown in popularity. In December Church Service at All Saints. Sir John this becomes an afternoon concert given Lawes School have held their annual by the bands of Sir John Lawes High School Christmas Concert for families at All and a Christmas party for seniors from our Saints for the last 25 years. The Associate surrounding community. Vicar takes an active part in these events.

The congregation visit two residential Individual church members and the care homes providing a worship service. church as a whole have been deeply All Saints has a programme of social and involved in a number of community fund raising events which in 2019 will initiatives over the years, including a day include Harvest Barn Dance and Supper, centre and workshop for those suffering ‘All Saints’ got talent’, Table top sale, Bring from mental health problems, a contact and Share lunches, quiz night. centre for estranged parents and their children and a debt advice service, as Knit & Natter monthly afternoons continue well as charities supporting a school a long tradition of women’s fellowship at in Uganda. Some of these initiatives All Saints and at least twice a year the have gone on to be adopted by the fruits of the labours of many older knitters town or wider groups as in the case of from Sweden to are displayed the Uganda link and the Money Advice in church and blessed on their way to centre (which is still hosted at All Saints). those in need around the world. All Saints is heavily involved in charity We have had strong links to three work for Christian Aid, Hertfordshire primary schools and the high school in historic churches trust, British our district. The Associate Vicar delivers Humanitarian Aid, Open Door Homeless Key Stage 1& 2 RE curriculum aspects Charity in St Albans and collects to by hosting visits to All Saints for Years support Harpenden Foodbank in Batford. FINANCE we invest in a vision for All Saints to Finances are administered centrally as become a flourishing Christ-centred a parish. All Saints support the Church church of all ages. As a result of this of England’s Giving Scheme as does the decision the Associate-Vicar post at All entire parish. All Saints has an operating Saints has been upgraded from .8 to budget each year and a budget for full-time with the proviso of the post church hall income. Generally speaking, becoming a distinctive ‘mission-focussed’ the hall income offsets the operating appointment. We are looking for a clergy costs of the church and hall. person with mission and evangelistic gifts to lead and implement creative ADMINISTRATION/OFFICE SUPPORT outreach, community engagement, The Parish Office based at St Nicholas and fresh expressions of church in the Church with Parish Administrator and district to grow All Saints numerically Parish Secretary support all three and spiritually, while maintaining and churches, including All Saints. developing the spiritual and church life that is there already. In addition, there HOUSING are outreach projects referred to above A substantial very nice four bedroomed that are already happening which are a detached house with two ground floor good foundation for ongoing mission. reception rooms, study, and toilet is provided by the parish. The house has All Saints and the Parish are committed recently been rewired and installed a to this vision. The Annual District heating upgrade with new boiler and a new Meeting voted unanimously to support kitchen. There is a small garden laid to lawn this initiative. The congregation at All and borders, patio and garage/workshop Saints are open to change and willing plus off-street parking. One annually to support this mission vision. Whoever renewable parking permit is issued free to is appointed will have to nurture and the property by St Albans District Council. articulate this vision into a specific action plan and help the congregation to grow THE MISSION AND MINISTRY VISION and develop to support any mission All Saints is a well-established and lively faith initiatives. community. However, in the past few years, it has experienced what many Anglican The diocese is also supporting this. parishes have experienced, a natural The diocesan Mission Team has helped decline—at All Saints, about 15% decline. us in the consultation process and in This in comparison with St Nicholas and St developing the person specification. The Mary’s which has maintained numbers, if diocesan project, Reaching New People, small growth. The decline at All Saints has provides training for congregations been mostly due to the elderly dying or no to develop and implement a vision for longer attending and families moving on. mission and a resource team to assist There have been some new families and clergy and others leading mission. people who have started attending. We hope this appointment will primarily After a consultation in the Parish impact the mission at All Saints, but will and at All Saints, it was agreed that also enhance the mission of our parish. ALL SAINTS in the Parish of Harpenden

We are seeking someone who: It would be desirable to have a candidate who: • is nourished by their own personal faith and prayer and seeks to help • can build on existing relationships others encounter God in worship, in with local schools. relationships, and in the community. • has a vision for developing the faith • has particular gifts in mission to of teenagers. reach out to love and serve the wider • has a keen interest in using music community in creative ways and in (both traditional and modern) to fresh expressions in order to reach enhance our worship. new people and grow All Saints as a church for all ages, whilst building on existing strengths and foundations. In return we can offer: • can provide lively and thought- provoking biblical teaching to nurture • A church that is proactive, creative and inspire us, challenging us to grow and open to change and to embrace spiritually and to apply our faith to the mission vision. our everyday life and witness. • A strongly supportive and active • has effective pastoral and excellent laity, who expect to work closely with communication skills, with an ability their ordained ministers, developing to relate to people of all ages. vision together with trust and • is keen to encourage occasional but imagination. regular worshippers to deeper faith • An opportunity to develop ministerial and involvement within the parish. skills in a variety of settings across • Has a gift for encouraging and the parish. nurturing the gifts and talents of the • The support of a local lay ministry whole congregation and develop lay team at All Saints and of the clergy leadership and teams. team for the parish.

• values the present and the traditions • The support and assistance of the of the Church of England but has diocesan Reaching New People Team the creativity and vision to pioneer for the mission vision of All Saints. and re-imagine how church can take shape in today’s modern world. • Very good housing and outstanding local schools. • Will use their gifts to contribute to the mission and ministry of the • A lovely and well-resourced town whole parish. with good transport.