The Cotteridge Church 24 Pershore Road South, B30 3EJ www.thecotteridgechurch.org.uk We aim to be: A Place of Reconciliation - where hurts are healed & barriers broken down A Place of Proclamation - where beliefs are respected & dialogue encouraged A Place of Service - where community needs are met A Place of Celebration - where the good things of life are celebrated

The Cotteridge Church, set in a busy suburb of south Birmingham, is highly visible, at the centre of its community and open seven days a week.

The ecumenical Congregation, combining Anglican, Methodist and United Reformed members, is socially and theologically mixed with a high proportion of young families.

The Church Coffee Bar is open every day, welcoming members of the community for food, drink and a chat.

The Church Older Adults Care Services provide the elderly and housebound with daily activities and a hot meal.

The B30 Food Bank, in partnership with B30

Churches Together, feeds about 100 people a week.

Contents' ' ' ' ' ' p! Introduc)on** * * * * * * * * * * **3*

Our*Mission*Statement*** * * * * * * * * **4!

The*Congrega)onal*Mee)ng,*Joint*Church*Council and*Finance*** * * * * * * * * * * **4!

Governance*** * * * * * * * * * * **5*

Priori)es*2015** * * * * * * * * * * **5*

The*Congrega)on*** * * * * * * * * * **6*

PaEerns*of*Worship** * * * * * * * * * **7*

Junior*&*Senior*Church** * * * * * * * * * **8*

The*Boys’*Brigade*** * * * * * * * * * **8*

Older*Adults*Care*Services** * * * * * * * * **9*

3*C’s*(CoEeridge*Church*Coffee*Bar)*** * * * * * * **9*

B30*Foodbank** * * * * * * * * * * **9*

Other*Ac)vi)es** * * * * * * * * * ***********10*

Publica)ons*** * * * * * * * * * ***********11*

Loca)on** * * * * * * * * * * ***********12*

History** * * * * * * * * * * ***********12!

Building** * * * * * * * * * * ***********13 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX* What*is*our*vision*for*the*future?** * * * * * * ***********13!

What*are*we*looking*for*in*a*Minister?** * * * * * ***********13!

The*Role*Descrip)on** * * * * * * * * *****14X15*

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX** Appendix*1:*Summary*of*church*financial*posi)on*2014X5** * * * * ********16X17* !

Page%2%of%17% Introduction

The Cotteridge Church is an Anglican, Methodist and United Reformed Church Local Ecumenical Project in South Birmingham and is a busy seven day a week church well known in the area as the heart of the community.

Our ministerial team previously comprised one Anglican minister, who also works with Young Ethnic Minorities within the Diocese, one Methodist minister with responsibility for two other Methodist Churches, one URC minister with another church and further synod responsibilities in the city, plus an Anglican non-stipendiary minister who work together alongside Lay Preachers and volunteers. The ministers meet regularly to agree areas of work, make future plans and support general outreach in the community.

We are now looking to combine the previous part time Methodist and URC posts into a single post, full time (if possible) which will represent both denominations. The prospective Minister should have experience of inclusive ecumenical and team work, either inside or outside the Church, with an open theological approach, including a commitment to the use and development of our joint liturgy. S/he must also have an understanding of and empathy for collaborative work and be a positive spiritual influence in worship, pastoral care and education of the congregation, volunteers and the community. The dynamic of the church has changed recently, losing one long-standing minister to retirement and two ministers being called to new areas in quick succession. This has been challenging and we now look forward to a time of stability and spiritual growth.

The busy cafe (3C’s - Cotteridge Church Café) is a centre for outreach in the community, external groups and organisations. Open six days a week and staffed entirely by volunteers, it provides light meals and snacks. Hot meals cooked on the premises by church catering employees are also provided on week days. This is a vital part of church work and visibility in the community, offering welcome and sustenance of all kinds to everyone who comes through our doors.

The church also has an Older Adults Centre, employing 4 full time staff, which cares for elderly folk by providing a range of daily activities, promoting independence and well-being.

Overall, The Cotteridge Church employs 8 part time staff including an Administrator who co- ordinates much of the day to day business of the church.

A large number of people cross the threshold for a variety of reasons and the desire to feed them not only physically but spiritually is strong.

A very successful recent venture is The B30 Food Bank in conjunction with The Trussell Trust. Volunteers from Churches Together in B30 and many more from the community, work together feeding people referred to the Food Bank by outside agencies.

At the last count the usual Sunday Attendance figure for those aged 16 and over was 141 with 24 under 16. The current membership role numbers 198. The church has a membership list, but this does not cover all the worshipping community as some attendees are not members. Last Easter there were 154 worshippers with 212 at Christmas.

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Our Mission Statement

We seek to: Serve by meeting the needs of the community Proclaim the Gospel, respect beliefs and encourage dialogue Reconcile by breaking down barriers and healing others’ hurts Celebrate good things through openness in worship and belief ( 1985)

The Congregational Meeting

As an ecumenical project, the Congregational Meeting is a forum for all Church Members to play a role in the development of the Church. This meeting takes place 3 times a year. We have experimented with holding this meeting at various times, including after Sunday services, to increase the involvement of the congregation in the future direction of The Cotteridge Church.

The Joint Church Council (JCC)

The governing body of the church is made up of elected members of the church, each of whom is appointed for a three year period of service. Some members of JCC also serve on other committees who report to and are answerable to JCC. Finance and Property and Older Adults Care Services are permanent committees. Occasionally JCC sets up new committees to oversee certain projects e.g. Image, Governance and the Staffing Consultative Group. The office of Chair rotates on an annual basis and until now has been a member of the clergy.

Finance

The main financial resource is from Congregational giving and Gift Aid refunds. Other income comes from room hire, catering, Book Centre, Traidcraft, Annual Fairs and other activities. The Cotteridge Church is registered for VAT. We aim to give away 10% of donated income to agreed charities, including missionary societies. Other funds are raised for specific projects at home and abroad and appeals for world disasters. Appendix 1 gives a summary of the 2014- 2015 accounts.

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Governance

Priorities 2015 We are currently looking at four priorities.

Older Adults: how can we care for those vulnerable members of our community? The Older Adults Care Services, with full time paid staff, is undergoing a change in its service to the community. Negotiations are underway for a part-time paid Older Adult Pastoral Worker to be appointed with a view to increasing this work and aligning it with our mission.

Spiritual Growth: how can we grow in faith as a congregation of God’s people? In a recent survey the congregation asked specifically for more spiritual support and guidance, especially following a period of change. Many of our volunteers do not attend any church, not necessarily because they have no spiritual aspirations, but because they do not see a role for conventional “church”. Our vision for the future is to encourage and support all our communities in their spiritual growth.

The Young People: how can we develop and nurture our young people’s walk with Christ? What is our church of the future going to look like? We have a healthy number of young people who attend our Junior and Senior Church and beyond. How do we keep and grow with them?

Governance: how can we structure our work to be more effective and efficient? We are continuing to bring our working practices, policies and procedures into a more coherent framework which underpins our mission. It is not anticipated that the minister will attend every group!

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The Congregation “The Cotteridge Church is a warm, The congregation is a social, theological, ethnic and age welcoming hub for the community. mix – as you might expect from an urban ecumenical It is not merely a church for church. There are many young families and established members who join together for a variety of worship Sunday, but very active and patterns, to which all contribute. The main Sunday engaging within its locality and morning service is generally attended by families and a space. It fuses a mix of traditions well-established nucleus of long standing members. The and expressions. I challenge anyone congregation look forward to a mixture of participative to attend for a period of 4 weeks worship with the integration of technology, as well as and to not leave feeling drawn in.” services with more traditional formats and liturgy.

Age Profile Apart from Sunday services, we provide for the 65+ spiritual needs of our congregation by encouraging other study groups such as Lent 24-64 groups or ‘faith in foodbanks’, using outside 16-24 materials. -16 Joint choirs from the B30 area are the focus in services during Advent or Easter.

The evening service attracts a smaller adult group, “When I first came to The expecting a more reflective kind of worship, whilst Café Cotteridge Church I was Church (once a month) has a worship group more geared to attracted by the concept discussion and challenge. There is a small weekday service where different which attracts a number of older attendees who know denominations come together about the church via the Coffee bar. as one in worshipping the one true God. In Him, who The Cotteridge Church is a great deal more than just a calls us into His family, we Sunday Church. Many members found taking part in a are all brothers and sisters in whole range of activities within the building during the Christ and children of God.” week, both in the daytime and the evening.

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Patterns of Worship Sunday Members’ location 9.00am Holy Communion 50% of the congregation live less 10.30am Morning Worship than 2 miles from the church All-Age Worship, Parade and Baptism on 1st Sunday of the month Communion on 2nd & 4th Sunday Junior Church (including crèche) 3% Experimentation (!) on 5th Sunday

6.30pm Evening Worship 50% Holy Communion on 1st, 3rd & 5th Sunday th 15% Evening Prayer on 4 Sunday 4% Cafe Church on 2nd Sunday

Tuesday 16% 10.00am Weekday worship with Holy Communion

[The Cotteridge Church uses its own joint liturgy representing all three denominations. All clergy New members administer the Sacraments according to each of the denominational practices on a rota basis.] We welcome new members into the Church during a Confirmation Service which is held periodically when either the Bishop of Birmingham or the Bishop of Aston attends one of

our morning services. “Every time I come into The

Cotteridge Church I seem to Young people (and also older people) will have discover a new group doing received training on the meaning of church something I didn’t know membership and taken part in discussions on the happened here!” role of a committed Christian.

Those to be confirmed are blessed by the Methodist and URC ministers and the Bishop. Baptisms, Weddings We have received 23 new members in the last 5 and Funerals years.

As The Cotteridge Church is also the New members are asked which denomination local parish church, we are they wish to belong to. Most say, “The Cotteridge comfortable providing a range of Church”, giving them shared membership of our services for our local community, three denominations. including baptism of babies or adult believers.

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Junior and Senior Church The young people in The Cotteridge Church (known as both Junior and Senior church) are actively encouraged to take part in services, often writing and performing their own material, with a real interest and skill in incorporating technology, music and dance. Led by a strong team they are committed and enthusiastic fundraisers. They regularly “sleep out” to raise funds for St Basil’s, a homeless charity in the city. Fundraising for a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne was followed up by a presentation to the Sunday morning congregation and a brilliant evening at Café Church. The Seniors also organised a World Food Evening, where friends from the community, along with the congregation, sampled various food cultures.

Some of their ideas about a new minister...

“We would like someone who comes “We want a minister. who can relate into Junior Church to do stuff with stories to their own experience and is us” good with all ages. Someone who can interact with the congregation, so that we can hear other people’s opinions. Someone who uses videos and pictures as “A minister who uses stories and readings but well as readings” makes them relevant to our own lives would be great. Who uses stories to explain things.

“We’d like to see more drama

“Can we have someone who connects Junior during the service - not just by kids, Church with the whole congregation?” but the adults too, so that we can watch and learn.”

The Boys’ Brigade

Founded in 1907 The Cotteridge Church Boys’ Brigade Company (7th) is one of the oldest in Birmingham. At present there are over 30 boys and 10 staff in the four different sections. In recent years a number of young men have been awarded the Queen’s badge, the highest award in the BB. The Summer Camp and the Peckwood week-end are still looked forward to each year by all of the boys.

What the boys like about Boys Brigade...

“It’s helped shape me into the person I am today while giving me friends and memories that I treasure”

“It’s something everyone can be involved in. It can strengthen and create new friendships and everyone feels like a family”

“To me BB is a fantastic place to go to because it offers freedom and independence”

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The Older Adults Care Services

Caring for older adults who are coping with depression, isolation and learning difficulties both in the centre and in wider outreach work, the Day Centre aims to promote independence and well-being by encouraging and helping people remain in their own homes and share ideas, memories, skills and new friendships. A range of daily activities including outings, visiting speakers, Tai Chi classes, chiropody and musical events are enjoyed.

3C’s (Cotteridge Church Coffee Bar)

The busy cafe is a centre for outreach in the community, external groups and organisations. Open six days a week and staffed entirely by volunteers it provides light meals and snacks. Hot meals cooked on the premises by church catering employees are provided on weekdays. This is another vital part of church work and visibility in the community ensuring a welcome and sustenance of all kinds to everyone who comes through the doors.

The B30 Foodbank

The B30 Foodbank opened its doors at The Cotteridge Church in September 2013 after a year in the planning, in partnership with The Trussell Trust and with the full support of the B30 Churches Together Network. Currently working with over 100 local agencies, after a year in operation over 5000 men, women and children have been fed.

50 regular volunteers enable the Foodbank to open on two afternoons per week. Local churches all have food collection points and provide about 40% of our food stock. Another 60% comes from supermarket collections. The B30 Foodbank produces a bi-monthly news sheet and has its own website, app and Twitter account, which enables everyone to keep in close contact.

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Other Activities

A huge range of groups meet at The Cotteridge Church or in church members’ homes for a wide variety of activities. Not all are Church based or Church run activities but they are generally open to all. [* = groups run by or predominantly for church members]

*The Book Centre. Saturday 10.00 – 1.30 pm Provides Christian literature, children’s books, greetings cards and a range of Traidcraft goods (also available throughout the week via 3C’s.)

*Bible Study Group. Monday 2.00-3.00pm. A small group who meet to explore the Bible, seeking to apply the teaching to their lives, supporting one another and keeping in touch with the wider world.

*Tuesday Guild. 1st Tuesday of the month 2.00-3.00pm. This friendship group arranges regular speakers and sometimes entertainment.

*Women’s Evening Fellowship. Wednesday (fortnightly). A small group of (age 50+) ladies who meet to listen to speakers, appreciate music and poetry.

*The Church Choir. Thursday 7.00pm. The church choir, though small, enjoys singing and making a contribution to Sunday worship. They always welcome new members.

*Film Group. 2nd Friday each month. A variety of films watched, enjoyed and discussed.

*The Lower Room Meets in a local pub after Café Church and provides an opportunity to spend some time with other members of the church and get to know each other better.

*Book Group. Approximately every six weeks. A home group that meets to discuss a pre-read book.

Tai Chi. Thursday 10.30am – 11.30 am Gentle exercise for Birmingham residents over the age of 50.

B.O.A.T. Tuesday & Wednesday 10.00am – 4pm. The Birmingham outreach alcohol team.

Overeaters Anonymous. Friday 7.30pm – 8.30pm

Advice Sessions. Local Councillor. 1st Wednesday of the month 5.30pm -7.30pm

*Men’s Keep Fit. Monday 8.00pm -9.00pm Exercise group for men of all ages. Warm up and volley ball.

*Ladies’ Keep Fit. Monday 8.00pm -9.00pm Small group for gentle exercise and occasional Tai Chi.

Black Adder Clog Dancers. Thursday 8.00pm (not 1st Thursday) Friendly dance and music group open to all ages.

*Cotteridge Country Walkers. Saturday once a month. Open to all of any age (including friendly dogs) who enjoy long and short walks in the Midlands countryside.

*Luncheon Club. Friday 12 noon – 1.15pm. A group of older people (average age 85) who meet to have a hot lunch served from the church kitchen.

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Alcoholics Anonymous. Tuesday 7.00pm – 9.00pm!

Coffee and Chat. Thursday 8.00 – 9.00pm. A mental health support group!

M.P.’s Surgery 3rd Saturday 10.30am – 12noon. Local MP holds drop-in sessions for constituents! !

For the Children and Young People (School Term only)!

*Boys’ Brigade. Friday 6.30- 7.30pm Anchor Boys. 7.30 -8.30pm Junior Section!

Rainbows. Tuesday 6.00-7.00pm. Rainbows are the youngest members of Girl Guiding UK. For girls aged 5-7 years who enjoy craft, games and making new friends.!

Brownies. Tuesday 6.30 – 8.00pm. Girls aged 7-10 years meet to have fun, learn new practical skills, take part in team games and learn about team work.!

Girl Guides. Tuesday 7.30pm – 9.00pm. For girls aged between 10 and 14 years.!

Rangers. Monday (alternate by arrangement). For girls aged between 14 and 18 years.!

Parent & Toddlers Tuesday and Friday 9.30 – 11.00am. A group of parents and grandparents who meet for coffee and a chat, whilst children play in a warm safe environment. Open for a small charge per family to all ages from 2 months to school age.! ! Publications!

Roundabout - The Cotteridge Church bi-monthly magazine.!

Points - bi-monthly magazine of Churches Together in B30.! ! Weekly Notice Sheet - details of services, activities, notices and prayer column.!

Web Site - gives a wide range of information about the church and its activities. http://www.thecotteridgechurch.org.uk! ! ! ! !

Page 11 of 17! ! Location (Birmingham, B30 3EJ)

Cotteridge is a suburb of south Birmingham with extremely good travel links to the city. Many bus routes run through Cotteridge and Kings Norton station is almost opposite the church. Birmingham city centre is only 15 minutes away by train.

Cotteridge is also close to the countryside, including the Lickey and Clent Hills and within a short distance of many parks and gardens such as the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Winterbourne Gardens, and the medieval buildings of Kings Norton green.

Less than a mile away is Bournville, where the Cadbury family built the garden village and factory and now where many visitors come to Cadbury World. Birmingham University campus is in Edgbaston, only two miles from Cotteridge Park Cotteridge and there are several excellent primary, secondary and grammar schools in the area.

The History

During 1903-4 St Agnes' Church of England, Kings Norton Methodist Church and Kings Norton Congregational Church were all built in sight of one another. Nearly 80 years later the three congregations decided that the right way forward was together. On June 7 1981, the Cotteridge Local Ecumenical Project was inaugurated, with a pledge to use jointly the resources of people, money and buildings as efficiently as possible in the service of God and the community.

After several years of intense legal, organisational and practical problems the three congregations came together in the refurbished Methodist Church which, in 1985, became The Cotteridge Church.

Plans were drawn up for a major refurbishment and extension of the Methodist Church. In January 1988 the people moved out of the old premises for a "year in the wilderness" with organisations scattered and worship continuing in a hired school hall. In February 1989 a united congregation, with common communion and baptismal liturgies, returned to the church which had been extended and refurbished at a cost of £800,000. The church now incorporated a community coffee bar and a purpose built day centre for older people with dementia. The new Cotteridge Church was determined to ‘put a heart into its community’.

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The Building

The building is a huge asset in that there is a variety of rooms and space with good transport links. The recent departure of the Day Centre has left the church with a space that could, with the right vision, be used for the good of the community. Discussions are ongoing for the continual development of our property.

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What is our vision for the future?

Worship is at the centre of our life - but so is the coffee bar - and alongside them our many activities which reach out to, and draw in, the surrounding community. Almost 500 people come through the front door every week.

We need to be a place where local people - both regular worshippers and non- worshippers - can touch and be touched by the love of God communicated in concrete form.

What are we looking for in a Minister?

We are looking for an urban visionary, committed to inclusive ecumenical work, with an understanding of, and empathy for, collaboration with those from many different backgrounds both within and outside the Church. We recognise that we are in need of thoughtful leadership and a positive spiritual influence in worship, pastoral care and education of the congregation and volunteers.

We are a practical Church, but we understand that while we are good at ‘doing’, we may be in need of deeper spirituality and understanding of why we do it.

The challenge for a new minister would be to lead The Cotteridge Church, which has undergone major ministerial changes, into a more stable and spiritual, but also dynamic and growing community.

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The Cotteridge Church

Role description

1. Details of the post

Free Church Minister (Methodist & United Reformed Church) of The Cotteridge Church, Birmingham

2. General description of the role

To work with the Joint Church Council (JCC), the ministerial team, the congregation and volunteers towards the development of The Cotteridge Church as described in the church profile at the time of your appointment and church targets agreed subsequently, and to review these areas for development regularly with the JCC.

To contribute to the spiritual life of The Cotteridge Church through thoughtful and well considered preaching, teaching and leading of worship.

To ensure that a high standard of pastoral care and outreach is provided.

3. Key tasks specific to this appointment

To participate enthusiastically in the ecumenical teamwork and shared leadership of the church To contribute to the continuing development in discipleship of those of all ages within the church community through appropriate occasions for study, nurture and strengthening prayer and connections between faith and daily life To further encourage the equipping and support of effective lay leadership within the church To contribute to the on-going development of forms of worship, including liturgy and music appropriate for a diverse, all-age congregation To address ways to strengthen links between the Sunday worshipping community, the midweek activities and social outreach as an aspect of mission To lead and support initiatives in mission and evangelism that will provide opportunities to encourage people to explore and grow into the Christian Faith To give attention to sustaining and developing partnerships with local organisations in support of the role of the Church within the local community To encourage a sense of stewardship, both of finance and voluntary work, to assist in sustaining the work of this Church To enable connections to be made in the development of mission initiatives at The Cotteridge Church in liaison with the Methodist Circuit and the URC Synod, including regular attendance at the relevant meetings of both organisations To have a regular, visible presence in the Church buildings

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4. Key contacts and relationships

Churches Together in B30 URC Synod Moderator Chair of the Methodist District Church of England Birmingham Diocese Local Ecumenical Partnerships, the Ecumenical Officers for the Methodist and URC Churches Local community organisations

5. Any other relevant information that has implications for fulfilling the Key Tasks

The Cotteridge Church requires an informed management and leadership team to deal with the day to day running of the Church The Church has had a significant time of change in the ministerial team and requires a major period of stability The Church is planning to appoint an Older Persons’ Pastoral Worker in the near future The Governance structure and procedures are currently being updated. Previous URC ministers have lived in a URC-owned house within walking distance of the church. Final arrangements may be determined by denominational decisions. If a new minister wished to have room on the premises, this could probably be accommodated.

Signature: ...... Date ......

Chair of Joint Church Council, The Cotteridge Church

Signatures ...... ……... (URC) Date ......

Signatures ...... (Methodist) Date ......

Regional Denominational Representatives

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Appendix 1: Summary of the Church financial position [31 Dec 2014]

For the year 2014, Cotteridge Church saw a modest rise in finances. For this past year, there was an unrealised increase in the value of long-term investments of £5.5K compared to £11K in 2013. The value of the Church’s long term investments is circa £140K. It is the intention to retain £30K in the current account. The Cotteridge Church Day Centre had funds in excess of £70K at the end of 2014.

Income for the year 2014 was up only £300 on the previous year equalling an insignificant rise. Congregational giving remained on par from the previous year averaging £70K per year, sufficient to pay the three denominational assessments. Room rental is the Church’s secondary income increasing by 10% on the same period which totalled in excess of £40K this past year.

Expenditure overall dropped from £356K in 2013 to £341K in 2014. This was partly due to a decrease in maintenance costs by £7K and Catering Services by £15K. There were increases in Church Assessments by £2.5K and Utilities by £1.6K. Church Assessments to the three denominations was a total of £66K in 2014.

The Gift Aid refund continues to provide the church with much needed income, totalling in excess of £17K last year. Over £48K is given to the church via Standing Orders; the balance by envelopes and cash in the plate. The majority of receipts are gift aided.

The challenge for 2015 will again be to increase income through room rental and attempt to reduce expenditures especially in the repairs and utility spheres. With the loss of the Weatheroak Centre income from the City Council, there will be a strong drive to attract new room hire tenants and return Catering Services to profitability.

The Cotteridge Church will continue to use the services of their fund raiser, who in the past had focussed his efforts on The Cotteridge Church Day Centre. This will be extended to raising funds for church projects to offset expensive repairs and other capital projects.

The Church is in a strong position in relation to its reserves and good performance of its investments.

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In addition to The Cotteridge Church Profile, the following documents are available as a full information pack:

Copy of the latest Church accounts Copy of the latest Church magazine - Roundabout Copy of the latest Church Directory (organisations)

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For further details please contact:

The United Reformed Church Synod Office Digbeth-in-the-Field URC Moat Lane, Yardley Birmingham B26 1TW

Tel: 0121 783 1177 Email: [email protected]

Or

Revd. Graham Sweeney BA, MPhil Interim Moderator of The Cotteridge Church Birmingham URC Ecumenical Officer Birmingham URC Area Minister

Tel: 0121 373 9118 Email: [email protected]

Or

Helen Gale Chair Ministerial Vacancy Group The Cotteridge Church

Tel: 0121 680 8544 Email: [email protected]

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