Mission Area

Application Pack November 2020 A Profile of the of

The is a diverse and hopeful community of faith. With roots in the Celtic church and a wealth of character and tradition, we seek to continue to uncover our shared vocation as God’s people in the Church in in the north east of the Province. We are a Diocese in good heart and seek to persist in responding joyfully to God’s challenge.

The Diocese follows the English/Welsh border in the east, whilst the western edge is delineated by the Valley. The northern boundary runs along the North Wales coast as far as , but only takes in part of that . The southern boundary runs from the lower end of Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala) across to Dolfor, just south of Newtown in . Ecclesiastically it is bordered by the of , Lichfield and Hereford on the northern and eastern sides. To the south we border Swansea and Brecon Diocese and to the west, Bangor.

The Diocese is predominantly rural, with many parishes having populations of less than 1000. However, there are important and continually developing industrial and commercial areas around (one of the largest industrial parks in Europe) and Wrexham and significant smaller developments along the two main arterial roads (A55 and A483).

The coastal strip is home to traditional holiday resorts and tourism is an important industry in many parts of the Diocese. The largest employers are the local authorities through education and the health services with two large general district hospitals at and Wrexham. Wrexham hosts a refugee and asylum seekers support centre (supported by the Diocese), while migrant worker groups in the region (largely white EU) are involved in both industry and agriculture. A significant number of care workers come from the far- east. Together with many of the rural areas in the UK, the agriculture sector within the Diocese has endured many shocks and changes, including the foot and mouth crisis, the changing structures of agricultural support from the EU, increasing fuel costs and the unfolding impact of global warming. and St Asaph have two of the largest livestock markets in Europe.

The Diocese has 51 Church Schools, nearly a third of the total schools, and these are spread across 6 local authorities. St Joseph’s Anglican and Catholic High School in Wrexham is the only shared faith school in Wales and all our schools are an important way of providing mission and ministry to the young people of Wales.

About Wrexham…

Situated on a relatively flat plateau between the lower Dee Valley and easternmost mountains of Wales, Wrexham is the largest town in north Wales. Originally a market town with surrounding small villages, Wrexham is now coalesced with a number of urban villages and forms north Wales' largest conurbation.

Historical Context Archaeological evidence testifies to the activity of people in the Wrexham area as far back as 1600BC. With the gradual increase of population, Wrexham became divided into two distinct townships, Wrexham Regis (under the control of the Crown) and Wrexham Abbot (generally the older parts of the town,belonging to ). In the period prior to the industrial revolution, Wrexham was recorded as a market town with a population of under 2000, which had developed a reputation for its leather and nail making industry.

In the mid 18thcentury, however, the town grew rapidly as one of the centres of the Industrial Revolution in North Wales. In 1762, the entrepreneur John Wilkinson (1728–1808) opened Ironworks which was followed bythe smelting plant at in 1793. All these developments went hand in hand with corresponding improvements in the means of transportation. The Act for the North Wales Mineral Railway was passed in 1845 and by amalgamation with the Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Cheshire line, it became the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway, which was opened in 1849 and five years later absorbed into the GWR.

In the mid to late 19th century Wrexham had over 35 breweries, and grew a proud tradition of brewing both ale and lager. In 1882 German immigrants set up Britain's first lager brewery under the name ofWrexham Lager. One by one, however, the brewing concerns either migrated to or passed under the control of, the great English centres of the industry.

Just 2 miles (3km) south of Wrexham town centre, , a National Trust property, was home to the Yorke family until 1973. Its last resident, Philip Yorke, handed over a house in need of restoration as years of subsidence caused by the workings of had caused a lot of damage. The house is today one of the most popular stately homes in the UK.

The latter part of the 20 century saw much decline in industry in the town. The leatherworks in Petrefelin and Tuttle Street, the many coal mines in the area, thebrickworks in , Brymbo Steelworks and the breweries all closed (although Wrexham Lager was revived in 2011 to serve the pub trade and is now available in various pubs throughout the county).

In the 1980s and 90s funded in part by the Welsh Development Agency, a major dual carriageway (part of the A483) was built, extending the existing bypass and connecting it with nearby Chester, which in turn had connections with other big cities such as Manchester and Liverpool. A new single carriageway was also built to improve, links towards Shrewsbury and Birmingham

Manufacturing, Services and Construction Following the demise of heavy industry in Wrexham, there has been a shift to major high techmanufacturing. Approximately 25% of employment in is now in the manufacturing sector. Most of the manufacturing industries are based in the Wrexham Industrial Estate(the UK's second largest industrial park) and the industrial parks around the A483 corridor to the west ofthe town. Major companies include Brother, Cadbury, Cytec Industries, Calypso, J.C. Bamford, and Kellogg's.International pharmaceutical and chemical companies are also well represented including Flexsys, Ipsen and Wockhardt. In addition, there are a growing number of jobs in service, financial and technology industries.

Shopping Wrexham houses one of the largest shopping centres in North Wales. In addition to the main shopping streets in the town centre, a cluster of retail parks are situated around the inner ring road at the Border and Central retail parks. Central and Island Green retail parks are in the town centre close to Wrexham Central railway station. and Berse retail parks are on the outskirts close to the A483. Thenewest development, at Eagle's Meadow (connected to HighStreet via a bridge) includes Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, H&M, Next, River Island, TenPin Bowling and Odeon. There are three traditional covered markets (Butter, Butchers and People’s Markets) plus North Wales' largest open air market based in the town centre each Monday. In recent years a number of smaller independent retailers have started trading in and around the town centre with many of the larger stores under pressure from online shopping and now covid 19. The recent development of ‘Ty Pawb’ as an arts centre with small trading outlets and a communal eatery has been a positive development as is the location of ‘Xplore’ formerly ‘Techniquest’ in a former department store.

Prison HMP Berwyn situated on the industrial estate is currently the largest jail in Europe catering for over 2,000 prisoners. It was opened progressively from 2016 and is a major employer in the town. There is a dynamic chaplaincy team supported by many of the town’s churches.

Education Within the Wrexham Mission Area there are fourteen primary schools and four high schools in addition to St Christopher’s Special School. In addition, Coleg Cambria now one of the largest FE colleges in the UK offers a wide range of courses from Further Education to HNCs and Foundation Degrees for full and part time students, apprentices and part time community learners. Glyndwr University was granted full University status in 2008 having been a member of the University of Wales since 2003. The University has approximately 8,000 students including over 500 from outside the UK.

Mapping and Insight information

Up to date socio-economic and demographic information about Wrexham Mission Area is available on the diocesan website using our Mission Area Insight and Mapping application: https://churchnearme.co.uk/resources/wrexham.html

The Mission Area Leader Revd Jonathan Smith welcomes any informal discussions about life in the Mission Area, 01978 350797, or by email [email protected]

About All Saints Church…

We celebrated our centenary in 2012. Many of our congregation live locally, either in the Edwardian terraced houses or in newer estates. Our congregation varies in age, from 4 years to 91 years. Newcomers comment upon what a welcoming and friendly church we are and how we make them feel at ease. Each January we support Women’s Aid, with a toy service, and we are always overwhelmed by the kind donations from our congregation of bedding, toiletries, games and toys, that are needed so desperately by this organization. Church Hall activities

Sunday School is held every Sunday morning in the hall at 10.30: towards the end of the service, the children join us in church and share with us what they have been doing. We have a shared lunch in the hall after our family service which is held on the first Sunday of each month. Craft Group is held every Monday afternoon from 2pm-4pm. Youth Group is held every Thursday evening from 7pm—9pm during school term time. We hold a coffee morning every first Saturday in the month, with cake stall, bookstall, raffle etc. We hold several church functions throughout the year, such as afternoon tea with bingo; quiz nights; annual summer fair; hog roast and harvest supper. The hall is also let for children’s parties; to the local Portuguese community for functions; Zumba; Tai Chi and Wrexham U3A local history group.

All Saints Youth Group

Youth Group is held every Thursday evening during school term time, 7pm—9pm in the church hall. We have 24 10-16 year old regular attenders. We have organized visits to the fire station, and we have good links with the local PSCO, who arranged for the group to do litter-picking in the streets around the hall and the workers were rewarded with a meal from McDonald’s and then presented with an X-Box and a TV. We have indoor pursuits such as table tennis, the Wii, snooker tables, table football, and crafts such as card-making or painting. Weather permitting; we go outside where we have facilities for football and basketball. We have a tuck-shop selling crisps, drinks, sweets etc. which is run by two of the youngsters with adult supervision. We are fortunate in having an annual grant from Wrexham County Borough Council, which enables us to buy new equipment. Some of the boys took part in an under-12 inter-church 5-a-side football competition and won the trophy. We were proud to be involved in the centenary celebrations of our church and the youngsters made a “tree of life” which is now used in the church as a prayer tree. We have a senior youth group leader and two youth group assistants and usually a couple of parents to supervise. All Saints Sunday School All Saints is blessed in having a thriving Christ-centred Sunday school. It is founded on sharing the truths of Christ’s teaching in a contemporary and fun way. We have the simple ethos of sharing with the children the Gospel message, via various media therefore allowing them to choose for Christ themselves. We have an average of 25 children each week, and the morning is split into sessions of play, teaching and craft activity to provide a well-rounded presentation, to ensure all the children are engaged. The first Sunday in each month is a family service, in which the children take an active role from intercession and reading through to performing songs or plays. We have a shared family lunch after the family service during term time, which is a great opportunity for everyone to get together socially. At the end of Sunday School year we have a day trip out which is looked forward to by both children and adults alike. All Saints Choir

All Saints Church has an enthusiastic and loyal organist and choir, affiliated to, the RSCM. We support and lead all services and sing both traditional and modern hymns to suit the needs of all ages and groups in the congregation. We enjoy learning new items from a variety of sources. All Saints Craft Group

The craft group at All Saints was started in October 2007 when it was suggested that kneelers for the length of the communion rail could be designed and made as part of the All Saints centenary celebrations. The group started with a few church members but grew quickly, and everyone is welcome, church members and non-church members and people of all abilities and various crafts. At present we have about 24 crafters who come to our group which takes place in the church hall on Monday afternoons from 2pm-4pm. We have also completed tapestry cushions for the church chairs and pews, knitted teddies for Africa, blankets and hats for the premature baby unit at the hospital as well as items for the Christmas and Easter fayres with proceeds going to church funds The group was started with a goal in mind but has gone on from strength to strength.

Caring for our sick and housebound church members Here at All Saints we try to pay special attention to those of our church members who need individual care and love. We have a team of church members who are licensed to give home Communion or prayer time to members of our congregation who are unable to worship regularly for a particular reason, for example short or long term illness, work or family commitments, on an individual or family basis. We also ensure that we keep in regular contact either by telephone or home visits, so that these folk feel part of our church family. We pray regularly for both housebound and sick in our intercessions each Sunday.

About Holy Trinity Church…

Holy Trinity Church serves the area of Wrexham. It is a large, mainly residential area, with a population of approximately 3000. It lies approximately 2 miles south-west of Wrexham and the Church is situated on the main village road. It was built in 1876 and is a traditional sandstone building, surrounded by a churchyard which is maintained by the local Community Council. The churchyard is adjacent to Erddig Hall that is owned by the National Trust. In the Church we have two meeting rooms, a small but adequate kitchen and a toilet. Our Sunday Services are 9.30am Sung Eucharist, with a Family Service on 1st Sunday of the month the attendance at our regular Sunday services are approximately 20 but this increases considerably at Easter and Christmas. Our Sunday School also meets at 9.30am with an average attendance of 10-15 children every Sunday. We have joint services with the Presbyterian Church on Remembrance Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Monday Service is followed by supper. Every Friday during Lent we join together for Frugal Lunches, the proceeds from the lunches we donate to local charities.

The Village The centre of the village is mainly the older generation who have lived in all their lives, but we also have two new housing estates where there are many young families.

The village is a former mining community, before the closure of the colliery in 1986. In the village there is a Presbyterian Church, Crematorium, Post Office, Off-licence, Village Store, Two Public Houses, Indian Restaurant & Take-away, Chinese Takeaway, Two Hairdressers, Doctors Surgery, a Bowling Club and a Cricket Club. There is a Primary School in the village. There are regular bus services to Wrexham, Chester and Oswestry and two railway stations in Wrexham with good connections to the North and South.

Sunday School

We have 20 children on our register with between 10 & 15 attending every Sunday. Their ages range from 3 to 11. Our Sunday School meets in the side rooms of the church at the same time as our Sunday Worship. We have two dedicated ladies who lead the Sunday School, Mandy and Ruth. They have their own opening service, followed by a short story and then craft work which is based on the lesson for the appropriate Sunday. They join the congregation for a blessing after the communion and then proudly show their work to the congregation. In a rota the children read out a prayer.

In Holy Week they have a work shop where they prepare for Stations of the Cross on Good Friday and for their Easter Sunday Service and Egg hunt. There is always a warm and friendly welcome for all new children.

Mothers Union Our Mothers Union is a group of 15 dedicated ladies who meet in the afternoons on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. We open all our meetings with a service taken from the Mothers Union Service Book. We also observe the Wave of Prayer.

We enjoy outings, speakers and joint meetings with other branches throughout the year. We take active parts in Deanery and Diocesan festivals and are 'hands on' at all church events. On a rota we donate and serve the Frugal Lunches.

Ladies’ Guild

This group meet in the evenings on the last Thursday of the month. This is an Inter-denominational group with members from the Anglican, Presbyterian and also non-religious backgrounds, but connect together socially to enjoy friendship and fellowship. We enjoy a varied range of speakers, quiz games and outings.

We celebrated our 40 year anniversary last year and invited past members to join us for a meal at a local Hotel.

Organists

We have two Organists: Miss Anne Hughes A.L.C.M. and Director of Music Mr Christopher Jones L.mus L.C.M., A.muc.T.C.L. A.L.C.M.

We sing from three hymn books:

• Hymns old and new (Complete Anglican) • Ancient and Modern New Standard • Celebration Hymnal for Everyone

Leadership

The congregations of All Saints and Holy Trinity have worked together to prepare the following statement to explain what they would like from their new Priest in Charge: · To lead our parishes in spiritual growth and to help us engage with the other churches in the Wrexham Mission Area and the diocesan vision · To work energetically and collaboratively · To encourage, motivate and develop the gifts of others · To build on the strengths of All Saints Church and to grow the small committed congregation at Holy Trinity Church · To work with the more Catholic tradition at Holy Trinity and the less formal worship at All Saints · To have the ability to develop the prayer life in our churches · To be rooted in the Bible and its message and open to the possibility of developing a Bible study group. · To be warm-hearted and open, open with good interpersonal skills, able to reach out to churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike

Job Description

Post: Priest in Charge, Wrexham Mission Area

Purpose: To support the Bishop as Chief Shepherd, Pastor and Minister of the Diocese, as a visible sign serving the Church’s unity and continuity in apostolic life, mission and ministry.

Responsible: In collaboration and full co-operation with the local church in the Diocese and Mission Area for: People Mission Teaching Preaching Finance Buildings and property

Principal tasks & duties (in collaboration and co-operation with others)

Preaching and teaching 1. To preach the Word 2. To administer the Sacraments 3. To lead people in praise and thanksgiving to God through the reverent, regular, careful and inspiring ordering of worship 4. To lead people in mission and evangelism. 5. To teach the Faith 6. To bring new members into the Church by Baptism including the appropriate preparation of candidates, parents and godparents 7. To prepare and present candidates for confirmation. 8. To prepare people for holy matrimony and officiate at the service.

Pastoral care 1. To minister to the sick and dying 2. To officiate at funerals 3. To minister to the bereaved 4. To offer a pastoral ministry to all people within the Mission Area 5. To share Christian service with others 6. To minister to all who are in need of support and spiritual counsel 7. To proclaim the righteousness, mercy and forgiveness of God to those who are troubled in spirit 8. To seek those who have strayed 9. To liberate and nurture God’s people for the good of all and the glory of God. Administration 1. To encourage and enable the Mission Area Conference to consider and define a mission policy for the church, taking into account: - • the call of God • the needs of the local community • the needs of the Mission Area, Diocese and Province • the needs of the wider church • the needs of the congregations • the promotion of Christian Stewardship in all its aspects

2. To comply with the law of the land and church regulations in relation to the following: - • marriages and deaths • child protection • financial accountability • health and safety

3. To share in an effective, competent and courteous administration of the Mission Area

4. To consult and co-operate with churchwardens and the Mission Area Conference in matters of concern and importance in the Mission Area

5. To maintain the necessary records of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, burials and other services (where appropriate)

6. To support the work of the Electoral Roll Officer

7. To encourage, support and participate in the administrative business of the Mission Area including: • appointments • organising meetings • maintenance of accounts • inventory of furniture, fittings and artefacts • care of church buildings

8. To ensure that the statutory requirements of the law, the services and procedures approved by the Church in Wales are complied with in a shared and collaborative ministry.

Church and community 1. To encourage good and courteous relationships with members of other Churches and Faith communities. 2. To support the laity in their social, pastoral and money raising activities which further the mission of the Church in the local and wider community.

Mission Area Appointments Local needs and opportunities will also apply such as:- • to enable and encourage Church members in developing their prayer life and worship • to encourage Church members to be ambassadors of Christ • to strengthen links between the Mission Area and local schools • to develop strong links with community groups and encourage their involvement in church life • to liaise with statutory bodies where appropriate.

Person Specification (prepared by the congregations of All Saints and Holy Trinity, with support from the Mission Area)

1. A committed Christian Anglican priest who is constantly developing her/his relationship with God in Christ through prayer and the reading of the scriptures. 2. Will be committed to the regular and respectful administration of the Eucharist, other sacraments and occasional offices as required. 3. A priest who has been in ordained orders for 2 or more years and can demonstrate the ability to lead and pastor regular members of the congregation helping them to grow in understanding of their faith and in spiritual maturity. 4. Is able to teach the Christian faith in a variety of contexts including preaching in church, using various online platforms and in small groups and has an ability to communicate effectively with all age groups and social backgrounds. 5. Is prepared to give time to building on links and relationships in the community formed by the church in schools, care homes, workplaces and with community groups. 6. Is prepared to look for new and innovative ways in which the church can extend its reach to those not yet sharing its faith; to do the work of an evangelist and encourage others to give a reason for the faith that is within them. 7. To work with others in administering the life of the churches. Reasonable IT competence is expected. A willingness to support efforts to raise the income of both churches through stewardship work, tax efficient giving and other means is vital at this time. 8. Is excited by the prospect of becoming part of a dynamic team of mission leaders both ordained and lay in the Mission Area. This means undertaking to play a full role in the life of the MA and to support all shared efforts to enhance the life of the churches and their outreach. 9. Is not too hidebound on a particular church tradition. Both churches are essentially ‘community churches’ welcoming people with a variety of Christian outlooks although Holy Trinity is more catholic in character. To maintain a balance within the Shared Ministry Team in Wrexham, we would welcome a priest with a catholic background but this is not essential. 10. To encourage every member of the church to share in ministry, particularly working to draw newer people into the life of the churches and encourage them to take on leadership roles.