St. John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead Vicar of St John’s Menston Bishop’s Statement

St John’s Menston is a church with significant potential within the Episcopal Area and the Diocese of , and the opportunity to be an important focal point in its local community. The congregation is faithful and generous - both financially and also in time devoted to caring for the church building and work in the local community. The average age is high, despite good work in continuing with a monthly service “Let’s Worship”, which has been an important commitment to making church more accessible to families.

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 can inspire church growth. (S)he must be able to play a strong and creative role in the life of the village and local community, relate the gospel to the issues of life affecting those who live in Menston (many of whom commute out of the village each weekday), and provide fresh vision and clear, firm leadership to enable the congregation of St John’s to “grow younger”.

There has been significant new-build housing in Royds Park and Chevin Park, and I am looking to the new incumbent to help the church to be proactive in reaching out to those newly arrived in the parish, as well as developing the church’s outreach to more settled residents. This should also include making the most of links with Menston Primary School and the uniformed organisations. The new incumbent will also need to build strong relationships with Menston’s civic and community leadership and draw others into these relationships. This local engagement parallels a wider engagement that the Bradford Metropolitan District Council is seeking with churches and other faith and civic communities at a time of rapid and fundamental change. Against a backdrop of Council cutbacks, the church has a great opportunity to play a leading role in the life of the village, building on its record of trusted presence and engagement over many years. The vicar therefore needs to be able to engage strategically with the local community to develop a vision for the prospering of the village and for the place of the church in the village.

In combining this part-time role as vicar with the part-time role of Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocations, we are seeking someone who is able to discern the gifts and potential of others, and ways in which they can grow and be deployed in God’s kingdom. (S)he will need to work with a spirit of generosity in sharing wisdom and insights about ministry across the Episcopal Area, as well as locally in the parish and new Deanery of South and . There is also a need for personal resilience and excellent personal organisational skills in working the two roles, and creativity in order to maximise the potential synergy between them. The part-time nature of the parish role means that the post-holder will need to focus their time strategically to equip and envision the saints of St John’s to help grow the church and focus on working a ‘mixed economy’ of existing forms of church alongside new ones which are aimed at families.

The new Deanery of South Craven and Wharfedale has a number of parishes similar to St John’s where the church has the potential to be at the heart of the village or local community. Many of these churches are experimenting with mixing new approaches to worship and mission alongside inherited patterns. The new vicar will therefore find a group of creative and supportive colleagues in the Deanery chapter, all of whom will be deeply familiar with the joys and challenges that each other faces.

+Toby Bradford, 10 February 2017 What we are looking for in our next vicar.

We need a person of faith, who knows the joy of Jesus in their life and who will embody this in their ministry:

● To energise, motivate and inspire the existing congregation and grow it by reaching out to the whole community.

● To maintain an active presence in the village and to make the church relevant and a Christian focal point.

● To develop and lead ministry amongst young people and children, building on the opportunities presented by our schools and uniformed groups.

● To be a person of prayer and reflection, able to encourage and inspire the prayer life within the parish, sustaining Bible based preaching and the teaching of the Gospel of Christ.

● To support pastoral care to nurture and cherish those members of our church family who are in any sort of need at the different stages of their faith journeys.

STILL INTERESTED?

Read on to learn more about our parish.

The Parish

This consists of Menston village, the hamlet of , and a new development, Chevin Park, now nearing completion on the site of the former High Royds Mental Hospital, which will have over 500 mixed dwellings. The parish boundary also encompasses neighbouring rural areas, including parts of Rombalds Moor. The total population is around 7,000. Menston is a very attractive village, conveniently located off the A65 with excellent rail links to Leeds (20 mins), Bradford (25 mins) and (10 mins). London can also be reached within three hours. The bustling market town of is 2 miles away. There is still a rural feel, open country is in easy walking distance in any direction, including the popular Dales Way which has a feeder route passing through the village. There is a selection of shops, including a post office and Co-op, a library, four pubs, a doctor’s surgery and a popular primary school. Kirklands Community Centre hosts a multitude of clubs and leisure activities. There is a thriving Scout and Guide Group as well as two nurseries, a pre-school and a Sure Start Centre. The village also has lots of sporting clubs including cricket, bowls, junior football, badminton and a well maintained tennis court in the park. There is little ethnic diversity but quite a wide socioeconomic range and a strong feeling of community. Village events are well attended, including the church Summer Fair which is held in the grounds of the primary school. Many people choose to live here because of the rail links to employment, art and culture in Leeds and Bradford and proximity to Ilkley and Harrogate. Families are attracted by the excellent schools and many children’s activities whilst retired people appreciate the convenient amenities such as easy access to shops, doctors surgery and chemist, as well as social events for the elderly and Scouts and Guides assemble for Remembrance Parade excellent pastoral care. There is also a modern, purpose built Abbeyfield sheltered housing complex, which has excellent links with both local and church communities.

The People and Worship

The Electoral Roll stands at 127. The Parish Administrator works for 16 hours a week, spread over 3 days supported by a small team of dedicated volunteers. We have a long serving Lay Reader.

“Sundays without attending a church service seem incomplete and St. John’s has always felt welcoming.” A parishioner Service Pattern

Our current service pattern is:

● 8 am service BCP (average attendance 12) ● 10 am Parish Eucharist, CW, (average 54); except on 2nd Sundays when the Parish Eucharist is at 10.30 ● 9.15 am Informal “Let’s Worship” family service on 2nd Sundays (average 20). ● 9.30 CW Holy Communion on Thursdays (average 12). ● Evensong is held occasionally during the summer months. We have a robed choir and two organists who play the 2-manual Binns organ. We use A and M New Standard with material from Worship Songs reproduced on paper. Our pew and lectern bibles are NRSV. Let’s Worship

“Lovely worship and friendship.” A parishioner

We offer a warm welcome to newcomers and have run “START” courses for enquirers and baptism parents. Last year we also ran the “LYCiG local” course promoted by the Diocese.

In 2016 there were 5 Baptisms, 5 Weddings and 9 Funerals in church, whilst another 3 funerals were taken by the clergy at the crematorium. A volunteer verger is on duty on a rota basis for weddings and funerals. We already “The church is a beacon for the values it espouses.” have six weddings and five Baptisms Survey respondent booked for 2017.

Aside from regular worship and occasional offices we organise a number of fundraising and social activities for the whole village including the biennial Summer Fair alternating with a flower festival, concerts in church which have recently included presentations by the local company, ‘Follow the Fleece’, walks to ‘Beat the Bounds’, churchyard ‘open days’, bridge drives and recently a ‘Big Sing’ with carols in the park attended by over 200 people.

Beating the Bounds

Summer Fair

Summer Fair We are part of ‘Churches Together in Burley and Menston’, which includes 2 Anglican, a Roman Catholic, a United Reform, and 2 Methodist churches and has occasional joint evening services. We enjoy good relations with Menston Methodist Church, sharing a number of The Big Sing specific services. We work together in collecting village wide for Christian Aid and delivering a Christmas card to each home in the village . A Christmas party for the elderly and housebound is another successful shared annual activity. We have mutual representatives attending PCC and Church Council meetings.

The congregation is very loyal and “Beautiful church and grounds - feels very loved.” members carry out many tasks for their Visitor’s book church, mostly as part of organised groups. As a result both church and “Lovely to find this church open and so welcoming.” churchyard are kept clean and in good Visitor’s book order. The church is open during the day so we welcome people for private prayer and reflection as well as to services. Those helping in the office prepare weekly Parish Notes as well as occasional orders of service and the Parish Magazine (distribution 250) is produced monthly in house and distributed around the parish by volunteers. A team of 8 presents “Open the Book” stories in the Primary School every week supported by props made and organised by the Otley Christian Resources Hub. This gives us a chance to reach the children of non church-goers.

A pastoral care team, led by 2 coordinators, ensures that visits to the sick or needy are made and church members are also active in village initiatives such as Menston Cares, who visit the housebound and arrange trips out, the Bereavement group, Cameo lunches for the housebound or lonely and the Horizon group for the bereaved.

Other church groups/rotas include: ● Sacristans, Flower Guild ● Sidespersons, Offertory, Coffee ● Lesson Readers, Intercessions ● Church cleaning, Churchyard maintenance ● Transport to church ● Healing Prayer, Prayer of Quiet ● Communications/Website ● Outreach Rainbows said, “Thank you for making us welcome, we had a lovely time looking for the mice.” Visitor’s book Finance In 2016 there were 115 regular givers, giving £10.50 per week on average, 90% of that amount is gift aided. A very successful Stewardship campaign was held in September 2014 and we now have an annual ‘top up’ event. Along with the fund raising events mentioned above this income has enabled us to maintain the church in good order, pay our share in full (up to present) and last year give a total of £5000 to the charities of USPG, the Otley Christian Resources Hub, A Rocha UK and a clinic in Malawi (with a family connection to a member of our congregation). The parish has a proud history of paying its parish share in full. A new parish share calculation has been brought in by the Diocese for 2017 onwards, and this has led to a significant increase in our assessed share. We are having discussions with the Diocesan finance team about this, as we believe we will struggle to meet our new assessment in full.

“A peaceful church to be in even when you are on Church Buildings your own.” A parishioner

The church was built in 1871 and is a well maintained and attractive building on a prominent site in the heart of the village conservation area. The traditional pews were all made by ‘Mouseman’, Robert Thompson of Kilburn. The north aisle was extended in 1971 to incorporate a Lady Chapel, choir and clergy vestries and a toilet. The Parish Office now shares space in the choir vestry. Within the last 5 years we have installed a new sound system and replaced the heating system. The last quinquennial inspection in 2013 suggested that parts of the slate church roof would need replacing by 2018 but after further inspection by the Architect’s recommended contractor this work was deemed less urgent.

“Full of character - a warm welcome was also given by a parishioner.” Visitor’s book

The Parish Room, situated to the rear of the church was built in the 1970s and extensively renovated in 2000 and consists of one large room with room divider, modern kitchen and toilets. The room is used weekly by two toddler groups and a cub pack as well as for church functions and meetings and is for hire for parties etc. The room has just been re roofed with enhanced insulation. Our challenges

We have an obvious demographic imbalance within the church community as at present around 80% of the congregation are over 70 and female. We have a shortage of families, young and even middle aged adults, especially men. With the Chevin Park development the village has seen a significant growth in numbers but this has not been reflected by an increase in our congregation and we currently have no families with children from the village school attending church.

We need to support the existing, mostly elderly congregation whilst reaching out to potential new members and making the Church relevant to their Chevin Park busy lives.

This is not a backwater, rather it is a growing, changing and vibrant village community. We seek a priest who will help us to flex and adapt to achieve a modern church that is central and necessary, someone who can reveal the relevance of Christianity to a modern and diverse parish community. “you're there if needed.” Survey respondent What we can offer

“A spacious four bedroomed detached property offering well proportioned and versatile accommodation conveniently situated within the sought after village of Menston. The property enjoys two reception rooms, a study, kitchen with utility room and four double bedrooms as well as benefiting from standing on a generous corner plot with a garage, off road parking and surrounded by lawned gardens to three sides in an enviable cul de sac location.”

The vicarage is just 200 yards from the church and is a modern, comfortable, four bedroom detached family home with a low maintenance garden, the main area facing south. It has a separate study accessed from the hall ensuring a private work area away from the family home. There is a double garage and off street parking. We believe that this post offers a great opportunity for a candidate with strong vision, energy and purpose who can energise, motivate and inspire the existing congregation as well as enlarge it by reaching out to the whole community, which shows great potential for growth.

The congregation, in return, will offer their loyalty, talents, hard work and faith to make sure the vision becomes a reality.

Challenging uphill path to church

Useful links:

Our website Welcome to Village websites: ● Official and alternative ● Menston village facebook group - need to register ● Menston Community Association ● Menston Primary School ● Community Groups ● Chevin Park Local area websites: ● Ilkley: ▪ Literature Festival ▪ Art Trail ● Leeds - and another ● Bradford - a surprising place ● , heritage centre ● Wharfedale Terms of Appointment and Accommodation

The role of part-time incumbent of Menston is being combined with that of part-time Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocation to make a full-time appointment. The incumbency part of the appointment will be made 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.

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.

A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the DBS will be required.

Is God calling you to this post?

“A beautiful church, with loads of potential ...are you the one to unlock that potential?” PCC Member

To arrange a visit or conversation, contact: Archdeacon of Bradford, Ven. Dr. Andy Jolley, [email protected] , 01274 405720; 07973 458403 or Parish Representatives: Mr Roger Banister, [email protected] 01943 874220 Mr Jonathan Gadd, [email protected] 01943 874301

For more information about the Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocations role, please contact: Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocations, Rev’d. Canon Derek Walmsley, [email protected] 0113 3530 262

Application packs are available from Carmel Dylak: [email protected] (01274 407471) or the website: http://leeds.anglican.org/vacancies-bradford Closing Date: Send completed application forms to Carmel by noon on Tuesday 2nd May Interviews will be held on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th May followed by a further meeting with the Diocesan Bishop prior to a final offer of the post. 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 consultation driven by the Diocese's Commission. It covers a region whose economy is greater than that of . 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 . 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 ), 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 Wakefield) and five archdeacons (Bradford, Halifax, Leeds, Pontefract, Richmond & Craven). In addition, 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 53.2 stipendiary posts serving 68 parishes 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).