St Mary and St Hugh, Old Parish Profile

Deanery of Harlow, Serving God through Episcopal Area of Service to One Another; Barking Serving the Community; Serving the World FOREWORD Contents WELCOME by the Bishop of Barking Foreword ...... 2 A warm welcome from us at St Mary’s as we explore together the Welcome ...... 3 right person to lead us forward over Our Values ...... 4 the coming years. We hope and pray that as you read our Parish Our Vision ...... 5 Profile, you feel the warmth, support, challenges and excitement Our New Incumbant ...... 6 that await you in this single church benefice in the heart of West . Our Partnerships ...... 8 As you explore the pages, we have tried to Organisation ...... 10 give you a glimpse into who we are, what Challenges ...... 11 we’re like, what we do and the person we believe God is calling to this place. The Diocese of calls its Our Worship ...... 12 parishes and leaders to be a Transforming Presence in the communities they Mission – Serving serve. The parish of St Mary & St Hugh, the community ...... 14 Old Harlow most certainly fulfils that commission and offers an exciting Serving one another ...... 17 and challenging missional leadership Serving the world ...... 18 opportunity for its next incumbent. What we can offer The next vicar will find a strong Gospel the incumbent ...... 19 foundation to build on and a loving and supportive church family who wish to Town and Parish ...... 20 continue to thrive and grow through good biblical teaching and varied and lively Buildings ...... 22 worship. Finance ...... 23 Following the encouragement in and passion for community engagement Further information ...... 23 under the previous incumbent, the new housing developments within and around the parish give even more opportunity to serve a growing population and point them to the Lord Jesus Christ. I commend this parish profile for your consideration and the vision and challenge in Christ it describes for its next vicar. May you know His presence and guidance as you seek His will for the next chapter in your ministry. If you want to know more please contact Simeons Trustees, our Patron + Peter Barking initially by email at: [email protected]. 2 3 OUR VALUES OUR VISION “I truly believe that St Mary’s has shaped me into a better person, We are a loving, caring and Our vision for St Mary’s is to bring even though I’m still only 15. welcoming church with a heart for God’s abundant blessing to the Through Kingdom Kidz, and now the community. The sense of family people of Old Harlow and beyond. Je?us youth group, I found out how is very much at the centre of St to put my faith into practice, and We want to: Mary’s. I’m learning what it really means be a visible and welcoming family to be Christian. St Mary’s has We are blessed with a number of people to all those moving into the new allowed me to explore who I am as who serve in lay ministry roles such as developments within our parish, with a person, and especially who God leading services, preaching and leading wants me to be. a desire to see more young families our sung worship. We are committed to Jodie join us. being Word-fed and Spirit-led. encourage and disciple newcomers to the church in their faith. We value the… develop and extend our outreach activities, becoming more mission- importance of scripture- focussed with a spiritual impact, to grow the body of Christ. based teaching to be a prayerful body of Christ where encourage and inspire our individual and corporate prayer life us to grow in our faith is central to supporting each other and and discipleship. the wider community. be a nurturing church and develop our pursuit of Spirit-led house groups further. worship for bringing us see a greater outpouring of the into the presence of God. Holy Spirit to increase and deepen personal relationships with Jesus,  to equip us to serving each other and collaborative working sharing the gospel. with the wider body of deepen our knowledge of the Bible Christ, using our links through good teaching, so that we have with other churches a better understanding of what we believe. within Harlow, including those of other denominations, in shared We asked our 10.30am congregation to think about mission and ministry. our church in the future…

4 5 OUR NEW INCUMBENT

This is an exciting time to join St Mary’s church and the team in Harlow Deanery. There is already a significant partnership between Christian churches, across town and villages. “We believe that God is equipping and leading us as we seek to take the increasing and many opportunities to be salt and light through mission and evangelism in the wider community.” (Harlow & Villages Mission Deanery)

The Harlow Deanery mission vision for 2025 specifies the key priorities for a new incumbent to focus mission outside the walls of the church. As Parishes are grouped together the vision of the Deanery is very much that clergy will have St Mary’s church is in view of new housing developments and as a church the heart and eyes that look beyond parish family we have a positive approach to seeking and creating mission boundaries and that the gifts you bring will opportunities within our Parish. help take forward the vison and mission of the To help us make our vision a reality we are wider church in Harlow. Specifically, we envisage looking for a new incumbent who will: that St Mary’s will work closely (as a Mission & Could you help provide strategic leadership to Ministry Unit) with Church Langley LEP and with grow our congregation and increase shape and St Mary Magdalene, Potter Street.* the number of families and children contribute to the A desire to work strategically and collaboratively attending at all levels, ecumenically within the Deanery is encourage and equip individuals to vision and ministry essential. You will also need to foster lay ministry grow in their faith and use of spiritual of the wider and enable Christian learning to equip us as a gifts, especially new believers church and individuals for ministry and mission. be an inspiring preacher and teacher, church in Harlow? rooted in Scripture, trusting its authority Do you have the be nurturing to help develop new and gifts and qualities existing leaders within lay ministry lead with passion and discernment, to nurture and with a heart for pastoral care lead St Mary’s be relational in nature to join us in being a community-loving and as part of the community-loved church wider mission for be collaborative in their approach for Harlow? partnering with ecumenical churches within the Deanery 6 * page 23 7 OUR PARTNERSHIPS

We are used to working together with the community and other churches within the town. For the last ten years, we have co-ordinated and hosted the monthly Heart 4 Harlow (H4H) Prayer Service, where Christians from various denominations meet to pray and worship together. Worship and the prayer times are led by people from different churches. This has helped to bring Christians together throughout the town and partnerships have developed in different charities and ministries. These include Foodbank; Maybury Open Door; Street Pastors; Hope 4 Harlow (working with homeless), Harlow Healing Rooms.

Heart 4 Harlow We work well with the local Baptist Church for a joint Heart 4 Harlow has been central in children’s outreach called Kidz impacting the deanery vision for Klub, including a week’s holiday supporting 5 areas of partnership club during the summer holidays and engagement across the town: where in the past few years, Commerce (shops and Business) there have been an average of 100 primary school children Civic (Local authority and councillors, MP, police and fire services) attending. There are also a series of joint Kidz Klub ‘Fiesta’s’ Art, Culture and Education (schools, throughout the year to maintain college, arts associations) St Mary’s bell ringing team assist contact with these children.

other churches for weddings and Health and well-being (charities and community groups, NHS and the care this in turn is reciprocated. Local sector) bell ringing teams often visit us since the bells have been retuned Churches and chaplaincy. and re-set making them easier to The Walk of Witness through the town use and several quarter peels have centre on Good Friday and a Carol been rung. Service in the Harvey Centre are other opportunities for us to worship together. 8 9 ORGANISATION CHALLENGES

Our PCC is made up of 14 members (three of whom are deanery synod We want to deepen our representatives) who meet bi monthly. Each coming from quite differing “We see new housing estates individual and corporate backgrounds, there is always lively debate, plenty of humour, honest and growing up all around us…. so relationship with Jesus open questioning and a deep sense of togetherness and unity. Over the past we need to develop a Christian and grow our spiritual years we have grown together, facing many challenging and exciting issues presence in and for every gifts. We are excited at around ministries and our buildings. Occasional Away days have enabled community. focused times on key topics. Stephen Cottrell the opportunities for (Chelmsford) making Jesus known in our Our Parish Administrator works 24 hours community. a week supporting the administrative life of the church and dealing with day to day enquiries. Our Parish Office is open 4 mornings a week. Additional hours are given to the office for social media / website support enabling an easy to use shop window into our church life and activities.

What are the challenges to make this happen at St Mary’s? The Ministry Leadership Team, including our 2 churchwardens (set up 5 years ago) We already organise lots of activities The different teams that facilitate that have the potential to be successful our fellowship, worship and care for meets monthly, supporting our incumbent mission-focussed ministry, but we each other need to grow in numbers; and taking on board selected areas of need to be strategic and realistic in our development of pastoral support would church life and direction planning with the resources available. bring care to more church members. Although we have started to deliver Only around half of the congregation welcome bags to new residents, the are actively involved in housegroups Whilst it cannot be guaranteed, engagement with new housing will be a “ which provide opportunities for we hope to be able to secure huge priority for several years. some additional strategic fellowship, prayer, pastoral support and mission funding to enable the To improve channels of communication discipleship. appointment of a pioneer lay / to our local community e.g.to further The relationship with the local Church of ordained minister to work in this develop our website. school needs nurturing. area of new housing. The age range of our congregation is not We want prayer to become a church Vanessa Herrick representative of the population within family-wide priority and essential to (Archdeacon of Harlow) the parish. We would love to see more cover all of family life and outreach. families and especially young people. 10 11 OUR WORSHIP

There are three services each Sunday

Time Type of Worship Average attendees

08:00 Morning worship – Piano / organ accompaniment; lay lead based on NT Wright’s Lectionary readings. 12 2nd Sunday - Communion.

10:30 Evangelical / charismatic style worship with songs led by various worship groups. Testimony slots included. Children very welcome. Kingdom Kidz for primary age morning children meet during the service in the adjoining hall on attendance: 92 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th Sundays. Children 2nd Sunday – baptism when required – Full immersion (under 16): 16 baptisms arranged on specific Sundays during the year. Adults: 76 3rd Sunday - Family Communion. 4th Sunday - Café style ‘All Age Worship’. 5th Sunday – Morning worship

17:00 The Church welcomes our local schools 3rd Sunday only – Come Closer. Joined by other (Churchgate Primary (C of E aided); congregations for a time of meditative worship and 20 Harlowbury Primary; St Nicholas individual prayer. Independent School; Mark Hall Secondary 18:30 Academy) for services at Christmas and 1st Sunday – Informal evening worship including communion Easter and for special events e.g. around 2nd Sunday - Informal evening worship. Remembrance Sunday; ISingPop and for 4th Sunday – Heart 4 Harlow (H4H) service – Prayer for teaching such as mock weddings. evening Harlow, coordinated and hosted by St Mary’s, but led and attendance: attended by people from a range of churches across the 21 There are joint services with Harlow town. H4H - Average Baptist Church for Kidz Klub. 5th Sunday – contemplative prayer soaking service, where number of churches We also have special services throughout “My wife and I have been regular people can write their own poems, prayer requests, record represented: 13 the year – e.g. Pentecost in the Vicarage and committed worshippers here prophetic words, give prayers of thanks giving amongst People: 41 Garden; Christingle and a memorial at St Mary’s for over 60 years. During this time we have seen a background of soft music with different themes; and a service for families who have lost loved multisensory opportunity to allow reflection and a time to many changes; all of them good. ones. rest with the Lord. God is building His church here Joint outreach occurs with Harlow Baptist as He promised, and there are 4th exciting times ahead as we move Occurs during coffee shop – some people choose to Church with carol singing in The Crown Tuesday on under His unfailing guidance join the service in the transept; others continue to enjoy Pub and there is also liaison with the Midweek 14 and love. refreshments, chatting and playing games. Services vary local Traders Association in Old Harlow service to include: Communion; songs of praise; morning worship. arranging carol singing in the High Street Norman and Mildred 10:30 for turning on the Christmas lights. 12 13 MISSION: SERVING THE COMMUNITY Questions Group – We found that we had some new members Mary’s has a passion for mission to share the love of Jesus and encourage of the church who were asking others with their faith journey. We have a Mission Action Partners (MAP) questions about the Christian Faith. team, which advises the church on support for and provides links with They did not want a formal group, overseas and home mission. just to be able to ask questions in Men’s breakfast – Food is a safe environment. The Questions important to the men’s group which Group was set up at Church on a Starfishes – is our popular toddler group which meets weekly during term meets monthly for breakfasts and Tuesday lunchtime, where we have times, providing opportunity for chatting and supporting parents, grandparents, a variety of activities including a bring and share lunch and Bible child minders as well as getting to know the children. Festivals such as Christmas speakers - sometimes from within and Easter are celebrated. based chat about faith and what the fellowship, other times guest they have been reading or what has speakers. The group also goes for challenged them in services. “Starfishes is such a lovely walks and gets involved in other friendly group. My son loves activities such as going to watch coming – what are we going to the cricket. Men are encouraged do next week when it’s not on? to invite people from outside the Parent fellowship. Occasionally other members of the family are invited to join them e.g. for the legendary family breakfast! Coffee shop– provides LITTLE opportunity for young and old alike to have a chat and /or play games. Night Shelter – (Hope4Harlow) FISHES Members of the community provide The church and the local community plants, local produce, bake bread, make jams / chutneys which are sold work together to provide hot food and the proceeds are presently going and accommodation on Saturday to Streets2Homes which support nights during January and February local people who are homeless. across 7 different churches in House of Prayer – Pre–School Harlow. representatives from 5 churches have met at St Mary’s for lunch Little Fishes Pre-School – is and prayer monthly for the last open for morning sessions in the 6 years. hall during term time. The children bring their parents to church to watch them participate in services Baptism and Marriage several times a year. Quite a few of Preparation – are organised and the parents drop into Coffee Shop led by lay teams when required. and Starfishes when taking their children to Little Fishes. See Further Information.

14 15 MISSION: SERVING THE COMMUNITY SERVING ONE ANOTHER

Welcome Team and Home communions - there Garden Party – The Annual Sidespeople – provide a warm are a team of people who will take Garden Party last year was held in welcome to the church communion to people who are unable conjunction with the Queen’s Head to get to church. Public House and was very well Housegroups - provide pastoral supported by the community. The support for those within their group, Church socials – e.g. walks; money raised is used to support as well as giving opportunity for dances; picnics outreach work for Kidz Klub (a joint discipleship and for people to develop initiative with the Baptist Church their gifts and confidence in leading in a Kingdom Kidz / Je?us Group - which is held for a week in the ‘safe’ environment. They also encourage Our Sunday School is called Kingdom building up of trust and prayer networks. Kidz. We have had on average 8 children summer holidays and also half day Messy Church – 2 sessions There are 7 housegroups presently. each week, although more recently this sessions on occasions through the of Messy Church occurred last has increased to up to 18. The teenagers year for primary age children.) year. This was a new venture for Flower Group and Banner meet once a month as the Je?us group. the church and proved to be very We have a small group of teenagers Group – aid our worship by enhancing popular, with 34 and 43 attendees. who get involved in ministries in the our church building. We have a new leader who has church on the weeks when there is no stepped up to continue this, so we Je?us group - including being part of the are looking forward to extending Prayer Ministry – is available after worship group; managing the computer this outreach. services. Special days and nights of for services; helping with the children’s prayer are arranged on occasions. work; PA.

Fitzwilliam Court afternoons – Fitzwilliam Court is a supported housing complex. A team from church go to chat, take refreshments, organise a quiz and build relationships with the New Homes Outreach – We residents on a fortnightly basis. This have started distributing welcome is well received. packs to Gilden Park (one of the new local developments). This is an ongoing commitment and we also want to take welcome packs to the latest New Hall development, which comes within our parish boundaries. The number of homes in the parish will double in the next four years.

16 17 SERVING THE WORLD WHAT WE CAN OFFER

St Mary’s is continuing the tradition of nurturing, sending and supporting THE INCUMBENT mission partners. The MAP team distributes prayer focus news from A beautiful detached house built in the 60’s with huge garden and 5 the 7 individuals / families that the bedrooms. Together with your input we would want to help you decorate church support financially or in and refurbish before you arrive. Many a football game and outdoor services prayer and assists in hosting and have taken place on the hallowed lawns. It has its own drive and garage organising events when mission nestled in a secluded estate within Churchgate village, the house is just a partners visit us. short walk from the Church although not obvious that it is the vicarage.

We support several mission agencies, Our Parish Administrator will provide you with ongoing support and is able to deal with including Tearfund; Trans World Radio, daily Parish issues. Church Mission Society, Mission Direct We offer a monthly hospitality allowance and a yearly book allowance. and other organisations such as Fairtrade (we are a Fairtrade Church and have a stall We would want to protect your days off and encourage very much that you take your several times a year); Christian Solidarity annual leave entitlement. Worldwide; Christian Hope International; Compassion (several members sponsor children including the Je?us Group who communicate with and pray for a child. The church contributes to individuals going on short term mission trips abroad with different agencies and several members of the congregation have been involved with this. The Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Box appeal is very popular and last year 130 boxes were sent.

18 19 TOWN AND PARISH THE PARISH

Harlow is a rapidly developing town. It is a great place for business, Churchgate Street is a picturesque education and to call home. village on the outskirts of Old Harlow, with a popular village shop, pub and The town has a rich history of innovation, 2 schools. The church provides a culture and entrepreneurship. meeting place and is well used for There are good road and rail links community use. The congregation to London, and Stansted work well with the local Residents Airport. Preliminary works to the new Association, who have socials in the junction 7A to the M11 are now in church. The annual ‘Garden Party’ is progress. held in and around the church and organised jointly between the church

There is a good choice of schools and The Queen’s Head Pub. within the town, including our local church school. The college has a good There are close ties with the Alms Houses reputation nationally. Harlow has beautiful green wedges (Godsafe) next to the church and with Fitzwilliam Court, which provides supported Public Health England (PHE) is re-locating through the middle of the town, making to Harlow creating around 2,500 new it a very pleasant place to live. The River living for more senior residents. jobs. Stort provides chances for kayaking, The parish is a rapidly developing area with and the canal paths offer opportunity two new areas currently being built – New Harlow has been recognised as an for walking, cycling and fishing. The Hall and Gilden Park. The proposed Harlow Enterprise Zone – focusing on life Town Park is landscaped with facilities sciences. and Gilston Garden Park would also be for children, has Pets Corner and events within our parish. There is also a new primary school on such as a free Firework display and New Hall which opened in September concerts in the summer. The Lee Valley The schools currently within the 2018 and another primary school planned Regional Park and Hatfield and Epping parish are: on Gilden Park. Forests are within 10 miles. *Mark Hall Academy (secondary); Around 50% of the congregation live *Harlowbury Primary, There are good sporting facilities – outside the parish. We have a few with a new rugby club; football club; *Fawbert and Barnard Primary young families, but the majority of the Leisurezone; tennis facilities; cricket club; *Churchgate C of E Aided primary congregation are more senior in age, golf course; table tennis and several *St Nicholas Independent School. although young at heart! bowling greens. There is an outdoor pursuit centre with a climbing wall and opportunity to do open water swimming at Redricks Lane. Harlow Playhouse allows varied performances in the main auditorium and the studio. There are also several small theatres for local productions around the town and 2 multiplex cinemas. 20 21 BUILDINGS FINANCES

Our main church building dates back At St Mary’s we are privileged to have friends and a congregation who to the 12th century and is situated continually give so generously. within a large, well maintained churchyard. The latter includes Over the last few years there has been a surplus in the General Fund. The PCC has a large number of graves, with given and is giving more Parish Share to the Diocese than has been requested. In 2018 recent permission to re-use some approximately 14% of our total expenditure (excluding Little Fishes Pre-School costs) was of our grave areas. The peaceful Mission and Charitable Giving. In 2017 it was approximately 16%. and attractive site is well cared for by volunteers, including our local The last approved accounts are available on the Charity Commission website (See Payback Community Team, together Further Information below) with a paid part time gardener. A recent tree survey has flagged up considerable work to be done which flooring, an additional small kitchen, is now being completed. disabled toilet / nappy changing area, FURTHER INFORMATION sound desk and a complete re decoration. This total project has enabled the space to be used for a variety of purposes including 2018 2017 2016 2015 school services, concerts, musical evenings, film nights, outside training and Baptisms 10 27 13 24 large-scale family suppers. Wi Fi is available throughout all our Thanksgiving 1 2 0 0 buildings. Weddings 4 3 8 7 Through a series of gifts, grants and church family donations our bells and bell Funerals in chambers were totally restored, cleaned 4 7 2 7 Church and repaired in 2016. Within the gardens we have created a The Parish office is located in the Funerals at the Garden of Peace for those wanting to 5 7 4 7 converted original church hall within the Crematorium come and spend time remembering loved churchyard. It has also an upstairs room ones who have passed away. that can cater for groups up to 10-15. Notes: The baptism figures are the number of individuals, not the number of services. We added a large hall, toilets, entrance The Parish owns 2 three-bedroom lobby in 1987 and recently refurbished For more information about Harlow Church website: properties in Old Harlow. These are the kitchen and a comfortable upstairs http://www.discoverharlow.co.uk/story https://www.stmaryschgate.org.uk currently rented out through a local estate  meeting / activities room. https://www.harlow.gov.uk agent. All of our buildings have been well https://www.essexhighways.org In 2011 we had a £500,000 “makeover” maintained and are in good repair. Most which has now given our main church of the key tasks arising out of a recent Information on accounts: building a warm, welcoming and multi Quinquennial report have been actioned http://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0®id=1131774 user feel. The work included removing including new stonework and parts of the all the pews, a new heating system, new roof have been repaired. * Additional information will be sent to all applicants. 22 23