Wath 2 Mission Area

ThurnscoeBilham, Adwick upon Dearne, Ardsley, Barnburgh with Melton on the Hill, Darfield with Great Houghton Contents Bishops’ Statement------3 The Opportunity------4 The Wath 2 Mission Area – A clergy perspective------6 The Parish of Thurnscoe------7 The Parish of Bilham------10 The Parish of Adwick upon Dearne------13 The Parish of Ardsley------14 The Parish of Barnburgh with Melton on the Hill------16 The Parish of Darfield with Great Houghton------17 Additional Demographics, Map and Statistics------19 Role Description------21 Person Specification------24

2 Bishops’ Statement

Dear friend,

There is no denying it: these are challenging times in the Diocese of . But by the same token, these are exciting times for us. No-one has any doubt that in 2029 the Church of in South and the East Riding will look very different from the way it is now — but equally no one is yet very clear about the shape it will take. Our plan is an ambitious one and we are hungry for change. We are asking tough questions: Will the whole people of God be mobilised for the whole mission of God? What will morale be like, among key lay and ordained leaders? Will attendance figures be in decline or growing? Will there be more stipendiary incumbents or fewer? Will there be more congregations or fewer? Will we raise up a dynamic community of ‘Lights for Christ’? Will we grow a praying community of 2025 by 2025? These questions were already pressing ones for us before the present pandemic: they will surely be even more urgent for us now.

In this context, the appointment of a new ‘Oversight Minister’ for the Wath 2 Mission Area in the Deanery of Wath is therefore all the more important. As one of our most socially and economically deprived communities, the parish of St Helen’s Thurnscoe (where this ministry will be primarily focused) is strategically a key one for future flourishing of the Diocese. This is one of the 22 parishes in the Diocese to which LinC funding applies (ie, Lowest Income Communities funding) and we long to see the church of Christ flourish here – with every person who is baptized confident to shine as a light for Christ in the world to the glory of God the Father. This appointment will also be taking responsibility for the parish of Bilham, a neighbouring rural community consisting of 4 historic churches set in Brodsworth, Hooton Pagnell, Frickley and Marr, whilst sharing authority for a further 4 parishes alongside two other Oversight Minsters in the Mission Area.

In this Gospel adventure for the sake of the coming kingdom of God, the leadership of these church families is going to be vital. It will require someone who is able to exercise an enabling oversight, with a passion for teamwork, for developing leaders and for empowering the whole people of God for the whole mission of God. It will require someone able to raise up leaders to take on responsibilities as ‘focal leaders’ in every congregation and someone who understands that overseeing the ministry of the body of Christ does not mean doing everything personally, but releasing the gifts and ministries of others.

We are praying that the Lord will bring to us a person with a strong sense of vocation to this task at this time; a person of faith and hope and love in God; a person who laughs easily and has a zest for life in Christ; a person with a sense of adventure, unafraid of failure and reliant on the grace of the Holy Spirit. If that might be you, we would love to explore with you the possibility that the Lord is calling you to this role.

With every blessing

The Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox The Rt Revd Sophie Jelley Bishop of Sheffield Bishop of 3 The Opportunity The is made up of Church of England organisations located throughout and the southern parts of the East Riding of Yorkshire. It comprises parishes, schools, chaplaincies, missional communities and other organisations all united by their common Christian faith.

It is an Anglican diocese that is made up of a diverse community of mission-focused people who are seeking to transform their lives, and the lives of others, by sharing the Christian faith. Since the creation of the diocese in 1914, the shape of the villages, towns and cities may have changed but the people are still vibrant, energetic and passionate about serving our Lord Jesus Christ.

In December 2020 the Diocese of Sheffield was awarded a grant of 4.92 million pounds from the Church of England’s Strategic Investment Board to support our ambitious transformation strategy over the next 5 years. This will enable us to recruit and deploy a number of parish facing roles who will support the work of our Oversight and Focal Ministers as they Renew, Release and Rejuvenate the parishes of the Diocese. Included in those roles, alongside our Associate Archdeacon Transition Enablers, will be teams supporting Parish Finance and care of our Buildings. There will be enhanced support for the nurture and development of Focal Ministers. As we seek to mobilise the whole people of God for the whole mission of God our Lights for Christ programme will help churches develop their members’ discipleship so that every baptised person shines as a Light for Christ in the world to the glory of God the Father.

Our Vision As a diocese we have been “called to grow a sustainable network of Christ-like, lively and diverse Christian communities in every place which are effective in making disciples and in seeking to transform our society and God’s world”. Every day around the diocese, dedicated, creative and passionate people are working together in the mission of God, who long to see the Body of Christ grow in depth and in numbers. We long to see every disciple and the whole Church serving our wider society as salt and light.

Our Context Thurnscoe, Bilham, Adwick upon Dearne, Ardsley, Barnburgh with Melton on the Hill, Darfield with Great Houghton form the Wath2 Mission Area which is the largest Mission Area in the deanery of Wath in the archdeaconry of Doncaster. There is some diversity within the Mission Area, with the western side of the mission area looking towards and the parishes of Barnburgh and Bilham perhaps more closely tied to Doncaster. However, there is a strong affinity as they are all based within the South Yorkshire Coalfields and serve communities which have been impacted by their links to the coal mining and agricultural industries.

The parishes within the Mission Area are currently working hard to build a platform of support, trust, and understanding, which is particularly challenging during a period of a global pandemic.

At the first gathering of the proposed Mission Area Steering Group in October 2020 the following words were given at the end of the meeting to express how individual members felt about the future:

4 We found that these words demonstrated an honest and realistic sense of anxiety about the way forward, whilst also a holding a faith- based sense of hope for the future.

The parishes of Ardsley, Darfield and Thurnscoe have been in a previous Mission Partnership relationship between 2013 and 2020 and are keen to explore and extend the benefits they discovered there across the wider area.

As the roles of Oversight and Focal ministries develop and become more established, it is hoped that they will build on these foundations and develop vision, enabling growth in collaborative mission opportunities and leading to more fruitful ministry throughout the Mission Area. The Diocesan plan envisages three Oversight Ministers (2.5 stipends) for the Wath2 Mission Area based in Thurnscoe, Ardsley and Barnburgh. Working collegially, they will oversee mission and ministry across the whole Mission Area, providing vision, direction and leadership for a cluster of existing and new congregations.

The current Vicar of Ardsley and the Priest in Charge of Barnburgh, Adwick upon Dearne and Bilham will also be appointed as Oversight Ministers at the same time as this new appointment.

The Patrons have all been consulted by the Archdeacon of Doncaster and, understanding the wider context as well as the particular situations in their parishes, have given their full support to the direction of travel and the diocesan strategy.

The Oversight Ministers will work closely with and be supported by the Archdeacon, Associate Archdeacon-Transition Enabler and colleagues from Church House including our Parish Support team. As the new diocesan strategy, plan and structures are implemented, they will draw others into a constructive process of change. With a commitment to collaborative teamwork at every level, they will build and enable Focal Ministry teams for each congregation and a Mission Area leadership team. They will work particularly closely with Focal Ministers, providing supervision, support and mentoring. In turn they will be supported and mentored by their Associate Archdeacon Transition Enabler.

At the heart of their work Oversight Ministers will be growing outward-facing Christian communities which demonstrate the love of God and His Kingdom to be “Lights for Christ” in the local communities and the world. The Oversight Ministers will support the churches in developing their understanding of faith and practice in the Church of England, the Five Marks of Mission, the Diocesan Strategy (Renewed, Released, Rejuvenated), and the way this is lived out in the local context.

The key challenge is to achieve a culture change, in which every Christian (whole people of God) is mobilised for the service of God (for the whole mission of God) in the world. The exact outworking of the role of an Oversight Minister will vary according to context, but will exhibit the same priorities in all places. Collaborative working will be an essential quality and practice, comprising a number of inter- related ministries and mission communities. As we move to the oversight ministry model, developing lay leaders and focal ministry teams in each of the parishes will be vital for fruitful and sustainable ministry, worship and mission. Forming a new sustainable service pattern in agreement with all parishes will be needed to release resources for mission and outreach. 5 The Wath 2 Mission Area – A clergy perspective

The Revd Fiona Kouble (Vicar of Ardsley) and the Revd Canon Kathryn Herrod (Assistant DDO and Priest in Charge of Adwick upon Dearne, Bilham, Barnburgh with High Melton) write:

"During the last year, even with the Covid-19 pandemic we are beginning to realise the real benefits that may be offered in this new way of working in forming the new Wath2 Mission Area. Serving as Ministers in our own parishes there is much to be done, and it can often feel a lonely place. However, we are gaining much from a partnership that helps us to share in the joys and the challenges of ministry.

Our regular meetings are becoming fruitful times for support, for developing new ideas, for prayer and discovering God’s call afresh in our communities. We actively support each other in the cover of our services of worship and in the preparation and delivery of occasional offices throughout the partnership (including the support of 3 of our lay ministers with the funeral ministry). Fiona’s experience in the previous Mission Partnership of Ardsley, Darfield and Thurnscoe is also helpful in uncovering and exploring future resource sharing, for instance the shared youth Group (4th@4), the development e.g. Gravetalk Cafes and then Life after Loss Bereavement Support, and shared online services and ministry discovered in 2020.

We have recently shared the leadership for Advent and Lent Courses across the 11 churches and were therefore able to give the opportunity for daytime and evening sessions (via Zoom). We envisage that as we move into a new post covid world that we will be able to take part in some “pulpit swapping” services, to enable us to be more visible across the whole Mission Area.

Our eleven churches are very different. They serve different communities and have different stories; as such we are hoping not to create a ‘Mission Area Brand’ but to support one another to dream our own dreams, or at least to seek God’s dream!

Already friendships and the ideas that we have seen being shared across our communities are wonderful to see, and there is a real sense of hope for further development and growth in the future.

Currently we envisage that we will work across the whole Mission Area as Oversight Ministers together, but will each take a particular responsibility for being a first port of call for particular parishes, so that each parish has a sense of who to contact in the first place. We are delighted that we currently have an ordinand in the middle of a three year placement and are also about to welcome a new curate to join us.

We are look forward to welcoming a new ordained colleague to come and join us in this way of working, a place of real support and encouragement."

6 The Parish of Thurnscoe

Our Vision To grow what exists, explore new opportunities and use the people and church of St. Helen to bring God’s love in Jesus to the heart of the community of Thurnscoe.

Our Community Thurnscoe is one of 150 communities throughout the country who are part of the “Big Local” project – each community, identified as deprived – has been awarded one million pounds to be used via a locally based trust to make massive and long-lasting positive differences in their communities. The Big Local in Thurnscoe have the following vision to make Thurnscoe an even better place to live, and base these around the following priorities; • Bringing the community together • A community where everyone knows what’s going on • A healthy environment for everyone to enjoy

These are laudable and much needed priorities in a community that lost much when the local mines were closed. Whilst Thurnscoe at its height just fifty years ago was served by a Methodist chapel, Pentecostal congregations and two Anglican churches - St Helen is now the only Christian community worshipping in Thurnscoe – in a newly pastorally reorganised parish – drawing together what were the parishes of St Helen and St Hilda. St Helen is now in a position and is keen to work alongside local organisations such as the Big Local to ensure that the community does indeed improve, but more importantly that they have the chance to discover the name and the Light of Christ.

Thurnscoe as a village dates back to the Domesday Book and was originally a small farming village located around St. Helen’s Church. With the sinking of the coal mine in 1892 to the east a second parish of St. Hilda developed, forming a large mining village made up of two parishes separated by a railway line. Thurnscoe is now a former mining village, these have been described as Urban Priority Areas surrounded by countryside. Whilst it is surrounded by fields with a private golf course on the edge of Thurnscoe and despite having clear boundaries, it is not a typical village or small market town. The urban environment, especially at the Eastern end, is more akin to a council estate without the closeness to the range of facilities that would be found in most towns. Barnsley, and Doncaster are each between 6 and 8 miles away. The eastern side of Thurnscoe (formerly St Hilda’s parish) is the 79th most deprived parish in the country, the 4th most deprived in the Diocese.

There are two primary schools in the village and whilst they are not church schools we are developing positive and active relationships with them. There is also the Robert Ogden School, which is the largest specialist autistic school in the country. Two nursing homes in the village and also the residential Ivy Lodge for up to 10 residents with learning needs offer opportunities for pastoral ministry and mission.

7 The church of St. Helen dates back to Saxon times, although much of the existing building was renovated in late Victorian times. It is situated at the South Western edge of Thurnscoe, not far from the cemetery. Furnished with pews it includes a small kitchenette under the tower, and semi-open choir and vicar’s vestries at the south east end. The Parish consists of those parts of Thurnscoe to the West of the Railway line. For most of the 20th century the two separate parishes of Thurnscoe were served by their own priests. In 1999 the parishes formed a united benefice with the vicar of St. Hilda becoming priest-in-charge at St. Helen also. This led to the introduction of some more catholic elements to the worship at St Helen though these are not a part of the worship there now. St. Helen’s Church welcomes the ordained ministry of both men and women as bishops and priests. We have welcomed and derived great help from the regular ministry of the Rev. Fiona Kouble, Vicar of Ardsley when the parish moved into interregnum in 2011 and, whilst still in interregnum became part of the “4 for Mission” Mission Partnership with the parishes of Ardsley and Darfield in 2013.

Sadly, St Hilda’s church closed in 2018 and the parish is currently completing the formal pastoral reorganisation into the new unified parish of Thurnscoe St Helen.

What do we think about St Helen’s church and Thurnscoe? Comments from church members and visitors from a community engagement survey in 2019: • “Our church is special because of its age, its timeless beauty and the welcoming nature of its congregation.” • “The village attracts people from all classes and cultures and has a good community spirit.” • “St. Helen’s is a well-kept church and the people are very friendly.” • “The church is an iconic part of the village and has stood proud and majestic for over 1000 years.” • “The village seems to be recovering after the closure of Hickleton Colliery.” • “The people of Thurnscoe are served well by this church; by people who are dedicated to looking after the friends and residents of this lovely village.” • “We have a hard-working group of people who have wonderful innovative ideas. Every village needs a church and we are lucky that we have St. Helen’s.” • “Thurnscoe is a friendly, neighbourly community with many old families living here. Our high street is always busy, with every shop still open! We have a Community Centre and our church is always open for events.”

Our Worship

Pre-covid: Our pattern of services consisted of a Holy Communion service at 9am every Sunday and Morning Prayer every Wednesday at 8:30am. The traditional Sunday morning service is valued by an extremely loyal congregation of about 30 people but they are open to change. Whilst we have been a part of the 4 for Mission, Mission Partnership changes have gradually been introduced on Sundays which have encouraged a more relaxed, engaging and welcoming environment and have included introducing an ‘All Age’ service which, whilst still incorporating communion, is in a slightly adapted format with a ‘Welcome’ for any families who have had children baptised during the previous month. These Baptisms usually took place on one Sunday afternoon each month.

8 Post-covid We have provided on-line worship with a main service at 10.30am on Sundays as well as Morning and Night Prayer throughout the week. These services have been offered on the parish Facebook pages for the parishes of Ardsley, Thurnscoe and Darfield. We have also weekly hosted “storytime” sessions and now offer a monthly zoom-based family praise service. We have also provided a pattern of weekly news sheets etc for those unable to engage with worship on line.

Our Challenges The greatest challenge is empowering and developing new Christian leaders in a church family where many are in the older generations, and in a community where many feel disempowered. The Covid-19 period has interrupted people’s experience and expectations of church going.

Our Opportunities for Mission • We have an active role in our community for the occasional offices and both our Baptism and Funeral ministries open many doors for conversations and relationships • The newly appointed Families and Children’s Worker offers, alongside the new Oversight Minister and the wider church family, the chance for engaging with the community and developing new forms of worship and discipleship • An eagerness to grow the church family and to share God’s love • Post Covid, a growing awareness of the need and willingness to try new things!

Our Internet/social media presence

Achurchnearyou St Helens Church Thurnscoe Facebook page Zoom

9 The Parish of Bilham

Our Vision To grow our committed congregations in discipleship, through prayer, worship, Bible teaching and fellowship, encouraging families and young people while supporting and engaging with all age groups.

Our Community The Parish of Bilham comprises four attractive rural villages – Brodsworth, Frickley with Clayton, Hooton Pagnell and Marr. All are desirable places to live and each has its own listed church. Located approximately 7 miles north- west of Doncaster, the total population is c.1,050. The villages are always being refreshed with newcomers whilst retaining many lifetime and long term residents. The population is generally older than the national average and schools are located outside of the parish except for a small Church of England Primary School in Hooton Pagnell, where our current priest is a governor. Businesses in the area include several farms, pubs/restaurants, a farm shop and tearoom, a wedding venue and the English Heritage site Brodsworth Hall, which is adjacent to St Michael and All Angels, Brodsworth. Leisure and social activities are varied within the communities. There is a thriving local Cricket Club at Hooton Pagnell, with reputedly one of the best pitches in Yorkshire, local keep fit classes, cycling, walking and horse riding.

The four churches are located within 5 miles of each other, and the members share common goals and get on well together. There is considerable goodwill towards the churches from many villagers and businesses in the area with support at special services and fundraising events including open days, fetes, and Christmas events. The churches also work together to actively support local charities.

Each church has many appealing aspects, including: • The bells at All Saints, Hooton Pagnell play a different song every three hours between 9am and 3pm, an unusual and rare feature for such a small church. • The organ case at All Saints, Frickley is by Ninian Comper and is listed in the British Institute of Organ Studies’ Register of Historic Pipe Organs as being an instrument of importance to the National Heritage. • St Michael and All Angels, Brodsworth was once the church for the estate of Brodsworth Hall and the relationship between the two provides excellent opportunities for mission. • St Helen, Marr stands at the heart of the village and is probably the warmest church for many miles around!

10 Our Worship

Pre-Covid: Sunday services are traditional services of Common Worship Holy Communion, and are held at 11am each week, rotating around the four churches with a bi-monthly family service at Hooton Pagnell Church. All Saints, Hooton Pagnell is popular for weddings, being located next door to the wedding venue at Hooton Pagnell Hall.

Lay members lead the intercessions and read at most Sunday services and we have one retired Reader in the Parish. Andrew Taylor is our organist, who plays at the services for all four churches and the music used in services ranges from traditional to quite contemporary. All Saints, Hooton Pagnell hosts the school for special services at festival times.

Congregations vary according to the time of year but generally are of the order of: All Saints, Hooton Pagnell 15 to 20 All Saints, Frickley with Clayton 12 to 20 St Michael and All Angels, Brodsworth 25 to 30 St Helen, Marr 20 to 25

These figures exclude special services like Carol Services, Plough Sunday and Remembrance Sunday, where congregation attendance can reach 100.

Post-Covid: During the Covid pandemic, worship has largely been by a zoom service at 10am, where we have joined with members of the other three churches in the care of our priest. These services have reached over 100 people with a typical Sunday congregation of 55- 60.

We have also engaged in the Advent and Lent Courses offered by our clergy via Zoom across the wider Mission Area.

11 Our Challenges • Sharing a 0.5 priest with an additional three churches inhibits our ability to be missional and grow. • Despite support from the local communities with fundraising and special services, weekly congregation numbers are low; growing them has proven difficult. We have gained some young wedding couples, but limited ministry resources means that we struggle to keep them. • The frequency of the services alongside rural locations and small populations means that members of the community need to travel further to attend services. With little or no public transport, members of the congregation rely on each other for transport to the churches. • The communities are proud of the beautiful church buildings in their villages that date back to the 11th century, with their unique and interesting history attracting visitors on open days. However, maintaining these buildings and developing them for modern use is a challenge, particularly with the availability of volunteers and within the financial constraints. • Raising up ‘Focal Ministers’.

Our Opportunities for Mission • Growing disciples in the many wedding couples who attend church through their desire to marry in the parish. • Supporting and engaging with the elderly in the community. • Greater involvement in the Church of England Primary School in Hooton Pagnell. • Growing mission opportunities provided through the links with Brodsworth Hall and through the farming community. • Continuing to develop links with local charities and businesses.

Our Internet/Social Media Presence achurchnearyou Brodsworth Church Facebook Page Parish Whatsapp group Local Whatsapp group

12 The Wider Mission Area The Parish of Adwick upon Dearne

Our Vision To provide a focus for worship in the village and to encourage mutual care and support.

Our Community The church serves a small community of 333 people of mixed age range but with few children. It is located approximately 8 miles west of Doncaster. There is no school in the village and there are no amenities apart from a pub restaurant, which is well used. St. John the Baptist Church in Adwick is a very small Grade 2 listed building traced back to 1090. It has a double bellcote rather than a tower or a steeple and was covered in stucco by the Victorians. Inside its original stonework is an unexpected surprise.

Our Worship Pre-Covid: In normal times there is a monthly service as we are part of the United Benefice of Barnburgh, High Melton and Adwick-upon-Dearne. There is a service in the benefice every Sunday at 9.30am, so during the month each of the three churches hosts Holy Communion and on the first Sunday of the month there is a Family Service at Barnburgh.

Post-Covid: At the moment services across the benefice are suspended but are being conducted via zoom. The usual congregation numbers about 25 and is comprised mainly of older people. We have also engaged in the Advent and Lent Courses offered by our clergy via Zoom across the wider Mission Area.

Our Challenges Sharing a half time priest with 6 other churches and having a mainly elderly congregation has meant that it has been difficult to grow with limited resources. A particular challenge is in encouraging more people to join us for worship and obtaining more support and help with our fundraising events. Raising up ‘Focal Ministers’ Our Opportunities for mission We hold four fund raising events during the year; a Snowdrop festival in February, Strawberry weekend in June and Harvest Festival weekend in October and Harvest Supper. The church is open all weekend serving lunches and afternoon teas and exhibitions of interest. As we are a very small church we look upon these as part of our mission opportunities.

Our Internet/social media presence achurchnearyou

13 The Parish of Ardsley

Our Vision To share God’s love through prayer, worship and teaching both in the parish and wherever he calls.

Our Community The parish of Ardsley, through which runs The Trans-Pennine Trail, covers about 2 square miles. It is on the eastern edge of Barnsley. We serve the communities of Ardsley, Stairfoot, Hoyle Mill and Aldham. The parish has an eclectic mix of families and older residents. The area supports over 300 businesses, including retail outlets such as McDonald's, Dunelm Mill and Tesco, along with various convenience stores. The church has been developing a positive relationship with The Oaks Working Men’s Club which is opposite the church building, and also with local Council Ward Alliance, enabling the church family to connect in with other local initiatives.

There are 2 primary schools in the parish, neither of which are church schools. There is a growing relationship with Oakhill Primary Academy which, due to its location on the parish boundary Hunningley Primary School, is supported by neighbouring St Andrew’s Church, Kendray.

The 36th Barnsley Air Scouts use the Church Hall, which is leased to them as their Scout Hut. This is an active Group including Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers. The Vicar sits on their Management Committee.

For over 23 years the church family have offered a weekly lunch Club for the over 60 years. This important service has been interrupted by the recent pandemic, and is unlikely to return until planned reordering work has been undertaken to ensure the building offers a more appropriate space.

The church family has an active relationship with Highgrove Nursing Home. Prior to Covid-19 we hosted both a monthly service and a monthly Craft ‘n Chat session. We have supported their summer and Christmas Fairs and see this relationship as an important part of our mission.

Our Worship

Pre-Covid: The church offered a monthly pattern of Sunday morning services comprising an all-age service (often with baptisms), Service of Morning Prayer and 2 Eucharists. Monthly, on the first Sunday there was a shorter, more meditative/reflective Eucharist. There was a Messy Church on the second Sunday of the month, established in 2015. A monthly group, “4th at 4”, catering for 11 to 17 year olds offered Christian Discipleship for the young people across a previous mission partnership with the parishes of Darfield and Thurnscoe. Morning Prayer took place in church at 9am on Monday to Thursday mornings. A projector, screen and sound system enhanced the worship.

14 Post-Covid: We have provided on-line worship with a main service at 10.30am on Sundays as well as Morning and Night Prayer throughout the week. These services have been offered on the parish facebook pages for the parishes of Ardsley, Thurnscoe and Darfield. We have also weekly hosted “storytime” sessions and now offer a monthly zoom based family praise service. We have also engaged in the Advent and Lent Courses offered by our clergy via Zoom across the wider Mission Area.

When conditions allow on-site worship to be re-established and as the new Mission Area takes shape, this will allow the opportunity to reflect on the overall shape and balance of the church’s worship, though it is most likely to include a blend of on-site and on-line services and events.

Our Challenges • Increasing our efforts to find new ways to reach out to young people in our community. • Extending our already diverse ways of being inclusive within the parish.

Our Opportunities for mission A bold new reordering plan to make the church the community centre for the village enabling a more open and willing use of our building and giving more scope to develop new ideas. Children and Families worker in place to enhance the church’s mission.

Internet/social media presence Christ Church Ardsley Facebook achurchnearyou.com We have had a blogspot but are now in the process of creating our own Webpage.

15 The Parish of Barnburgh with Melton on the Hill

Our Vision To grow disciples, both in number and in depth, and find ways of encouraging of the people of our villages to interact more fully in the worship and work of both our churches.

Our Community St. Peter's Church Barnburgh and St. James' Church, Melton-on-the-Hill comprise one parish. St Peter also covers Harlington village, which conjoins Barnburgh. The populations are approx. 2,000 for Barnburgh and Harlington and 350 for High Melton. The villages are semi-rural, agricultural and commuter villages, situated seven miles west of Doncaster. Barnburgh/Harlington has a village primary school, pubs, a chemist and a GP surgery. High Melton has no amenities in the village.

The Church Hall in Barnburgh is well used by groups including Brownies, Mothers' Union, two choirs, local art group and a computer class. It is available for hire for events and gatherings. The hall also houses the Parish Office where our part time administrator works, serving all 7 churches for which our priest is responsible.

St. James' Church is part Saxon, mainly 1153 AD. St. Peter's Church is mid C12th to C15th. Both churches are listed and both have beautiful and interesting features of architecture and history. St Peter’s church is home to the ‘Cat and Man’ legend.

Our Worship Pre Covid: Common Worship is used on Sundays, apart from the first Sunday, when it is Family Service. The usual congregation numbers 30-45 at St Peter and 15-20 at St James. Special services such as Carol Services attract full churches. The school celebrate key festivals in church as a whole school, as well as helping to decorate the church at Christmas, and members of the school council participate in special services such as Plough Sunday and Remembrance Sunday. Advent and Lent courses are run annually.

Post Covid: During the pandemic, services have been held by zoom. We have also engaged in the Advent and Lent Courses offered by our clergy via Zoom across the wider Mission Area.

Our Challenges • Maintaining and developing our historic buildings to continue to be fit for purpose and meet the needs of the community in the 21st century. Finances are on ongoing challenge. • Growing and deepening discipleship when we share our priest across 7 churches and another half time role. Many of the congregation share their gifts but on the whole the congregations are elderly. • Growing the church ‘younger’ and raising up ‘Focal Ministers’. • Sharing our half time priest across 7 churches has meant that it has been difficult to grow and develop opportunities for mission. • Our Opportunities for Mission • Developing relationships with the local school • Working across the parishes, benefices and Mission Area to share good practice, support one another and share resources.

Our Internet/social media presence achurchnearyou.com, Church WhatsApp group; Zoom Services; Online Giving.

16 The Parish of Darfield with Great Houghton

Our Vision We aim to be a visible spiritual presence in our communities as we strive to make Jesus known to all.

Our Community The Parish of Darfield has two Church buildings: All Saints (Listed Grade 1) serving the larger community of Darfield and St Michael and All Angels (Listed grade 2*) serving Great Houghton, Little Houghton, Middlecliffe and Billingley.

All Saints has a Church Hall and Rectory Cottage, which is used as a useful office space and our Mission Area Administrator is based here. All Saints Churchyard is open for burials and has an independent volunteer group, the Friends of Darfield Churchyard who undertake regular maintenance tasks. St Michael has an attached meeting room with kitchen & toilet.

Darfield was formerly a community built around mining but now it is more of a dormitory area with no significant industry within the Parish. There are some recent new housing developments.

There are three primary schools in Darfield, including our church school All Saints Academy, which is part of a local Academy Trust based in Barnsley. Netherwood Academy for 11-16 covering both Darfield and is also in the Parish. There is one primary school in Great Houghton.

There are two Methodist Chapels in Darfield and one in Great Houghton. We have had some shared services and Lent courses with them.

Our Worship Pre Covid (and pre-Mission Area): A morning service was held in each church and an evening service in All Saints. In 2019, the average Sunday attendance at All Saints was around 65 and at St Michael around 10. Both churches share the same morning service liturgy based on Common Worship. The evening service at All Saints used a home devised less formal Evening Praise format. We have a tradition of lay involvement with leading Services and Preaching. Two Readers with permission to officiate plus four others assist with leading including one occasional preacher.

Occasional mid-week services are held in All Saints on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Ascension Day and All Saints’ Day. The Maundy Thursday Communion Service was shared with the Darfield Methodist Churches. There is a Choir and Bellringers who enhance our worship, and the bells help announce our presence and prayer to the wider community. There is a pattern of weekly Fellowship Groups and a monthly Prayer Meeting. Annual Remembrance and Carol Services are well supported by the local communities.

Post Covid: Initially we hosted weekly Zoom services supported by local clergy. Since October 2020 we have been joining with Ardsley and Thurnscoe and joining in with Sunday morning worship and weekly Daily Offices shared on the parish Facebook page. We have also engaged in the Advent and Lent Courses offered by our clergy via Zoom across the wider Mission Area.

17 Our Challenges • Age profile particularly at St Michael • Developing leadership, ie one warden across two churches, youth group & toddler group. • Small number on DCC at St Michael • Service leaders currently restricted by shielding and other family circumstances. • Financial – loss of income during 2020 and in projections for 2021 • Buildings and their facilities • Working within an extended Mission Area & Oversight/Focal ministries • Financial implications for Installation of Toilet and refreshment facilities in All Saints

Our Opportunities for Mission • Toddler Group at All Saints [started 2019] Youth Group [started March 2020] • Christianity Explored and similar courses as required • Links with All Saints’ Primary Academy, our local Church School • Monthly service in Thornhill House Care home with Methodists • Bereavement Ministry and Life after Loss café in conjunction with local GP surgery • Annual events eg Garden Party, Christmas Fair, strawberry teas • Heritage openings in both Churches • Weekly Knit and Natter at Great Houghton • Shared community events

Our Internet/Social Media Presence Website (darfieldallsaintschurch.org.uk) A Church near You (Separate for All Saints and St Michael but much common content) Facebook Weekly parish news sheet for physical distribution and online on all three platforms

18 Additional Demographics, Map and Statistics

19 Population to Barnburgh & Adwick Whole Thurnscoe Bilham Ardsley Darfield Nearest 50 High Melton on Dearne Mission Area 0-4 550 50 200 100 0 650 1,550 5-15 1,400 100 600 300 0 1,750 4,150 16-65 5,200 650 2,800 1,400 150 6,900 17,100 65+ 1,500 250 1,000 550 50 2,150 5,500 Total 8,650 1,050 4,600 2,350 200 11,450 28,300

Barnburgh Whole Adwick Demographics Thurnscoe Bilham Ardsley & High Darfield Mission on Dearne Melton Area %age White 99% 98% 99% 99% 99% 99% 99% British %age Christian 69% 76% 73% 79% 77% 70% %age other 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 1% religion %age no religion 30% 23% 26% 21% 23% 29% or not stated 216 2,275 2,363 4,890 4,039 4,039 National 2% most 18% 19% 39% most 33% most 1,027 Deprivation Rank deprived most most deprived deprived 8% most /12,425 deprived deprived deprived

Diocesan 16 86 87 116 109 53 Deprivation Rank /175

Church Barnburgh & Adwick Whole Statistics Thurnscoe Bilham Ardsley Darfield High Melton on Dearne Mission Area (2019) USA adult 30 28 63 35 6 80 242 USA Child 3 0 8 0 0 5 16 WC Adult 29 50 89 55 10 109 312 WC Child 3 4 21 0 0 17 45 Baptisms 15 9 7 15 2 3 51 Weddings 2 6 2 5 1 6 22 Funerals 39 7 14 15 1 27 103

*USA = Usual Sunday Attendance WC = Worshipping Community

20 Role Description

Details of Post Role Title: Oversight Minister for the Mission Area of Wath 2 with particular responsibility for Thurnscoe and Bilham Name of Parishes: Thurnscoe, Bilham, Adwick upon Dearne, Ardsley, Barnburgh with Melton on the Hill, Darfield with Great Houghton Deanery: Wath Archdeaconry: Doncaster

Context: This is an exciting role in a newly formed mission area of six parishes serving a diverse socio- economic context. Inspiring leadership by three stipendiary Oversight Ministers will be needed, working collaboratively for the development of the parishes of the Mission Area and to form lay licensed and focal ministries to serve the mission of God. The information pack provides details about each of these parishes, their contexts and worshipping communities, and conveys something of the potential for growth that exists in the Mission Area. This post is supported by the Lowest Income Communities funding received by the Diocese of Sheffield, and will be based at St Helen Thurnscoe also taking on the parish of Bilham and in shared oversight responsibility for all the parishes in the Mission Area. It is anticipated that the appointee will be licensed as Priest in Charge of Thurnscoe and Bilham and then Associate Priest of Adwick upon Dearne, Ardsley, Barnburgh with Melton on the Hill, Darfield with Great Houghton and Oversight Minister in the Mission Area. The role of the Oversight Minister is to work in partnership with the Bishops, fellow Clergy and Lay Leaders, and all the baptised members of the people of God, to help realise our vision to be a flourishing and generous Diocese of Sheffield by 2025: Renewed, Released and Rejuvenated! We seek to be a Diocese renewed in the grace and power of God, by a constant reliance on the Holy Spirit. We seek to be a Diocese released from the constraints which hold us back from mission, and released, as the whole people of God for the whole mission of God. We seek to be a Diocese rejuvenated — partly through a dedicated and sustained programme of outreach to families, children and young people, and partly through the creation of 75 new congregations, including 25 in our church schools.

Role Purpose The role of the stipendiary incumbent is defined ‘semi-episcopally’ as an Oversight Minister, to work collaboratively with others in four interrelated ways: 1. To oversee mission and ministry in the Mission Area, managing change and providing vision, direction and leadership; 2. To grow a healthy church, watching over the well-being of the whole people of God and equipping them for the whole mission of God; 3. To ensure mission and ministry in the Mission Area reflects the Christian faith as understood in the Church of England; 4. To keep watch over the leaders in the Mission Area.

General Responsibilities Oversight Ministers will oversee mission and ministry across the Mission Area, providing vision, direction and leadership for a cluster of existing and new congregations. Wath 2 Mission Area will be served by three Oversight Ministers (2.5 stipendiary ministers) working collegially. Working closely with the Associate Archdeacon Transition Enabler, as the new diocesan structures are implemented, they will draw others into a constructive process of change. With a commitment to collaborative teamwork at every level, they will build and enable Focal Ministry teams for each congregation and a Mission Area leadership team. They will work particularly closely with Focal Ministers, providing supervision, support and mentoring.

At the heart of their work will be growing outward-facing Christian communities which demonstrate the love of God and his Kingdom.

21 Oversight Ministers will play a key role in sustaining a healthy church, through equipping and resourcing lay leaders, volunteers and whole congregations. They will work with Focal Ministers and other leaders, ensuring provision for the worshipping life of the church and for learning for discipleship and mission. In collaboration with St Peter’s College, they will identify and as appropriate provide training for individuals and groups in order to build up the mission and ministry of the Body of Christ.

They will support the churches in developing their understanding of faith and practice in the Church of England, the Five Marks of Mission, the Diocesan Strategy, and the way this is lived out in the local context. Oversight Ministers will act as a channel between church, Mission Area and diocese, facilitating healthy working relationships and ensuring full compliance with Diocesan policies, accessing deanery and central services support.

They will ensure the ministry and mission of each church is rooted in prayer. They will lead by example in self-care and in personal ministerial development, supporting and enabling all leaders to do the same. This model of ministry maintains our commitment to having a worshipping Christian community in every place, which makes disciples and seeks to transform our society and God’s world. The key challenge is to achieve a culture change, in which every Christian is mobilised for the service of God in the world. The exact outworking of the role of an Oversight Minister will vary according to context, but will exhibit the same priorities in all places.

Collaborative working will be an essential quality and practice, comprising a number of inter-related ministries and mission communities:

Within the Diocese • Diocesan Bishop and Suffragan Bishop • Parish Support Team • Archdeacons • Associate Archdeacon Transition Enabler • Area Deans • St Peter’s College

Within each Mission Area • Oversight Ministry other ordained colleagues • Focal Ministers (lay or ordained) • Steering Group comprising ordained & authorised lay ministers & Parish Representatives (we expect this to be a transitional body) • Churchwardens and PCCs • Existing and new church congregations • Church Schools

Specific Responsibilities 1. To oversee mission and ministry in the Mission Area, managing change and providing vision, direction and leadership: • To share with the Bishops the cure of souls in the Mission Area • To foster the culture and practice of collaboration and teamwork • To provide oversight, guidance and leadership for the Mission Area leadership team and for the Focal Ministry teams, in the discernment and implementation of vision • To develop Mission Action Plans for the Mission Area, focussing on releasing and enabling leaders, facilitating new congregations and refreshing inherited congregations • To lead through change: starting from the current context, drawing others to engage in a constructive process of transformation, including positive engagement with conflict and resolving disputes • To be the Priest in Charge in the Parishes in which there is a particular responsibility, and then also Associate Priest for the rest of the Mission Area parishes, having regard to the calling and responsibilities of the clergy as described in the Canons, the Ordinal, the Guidelines for Professional Conduct of Clergy, and other relevant legislation and guidance. 22 2. To grow a healthy church, watching over the well-being of the whole people of God and equipping them for the whole mission of God: • To support the churches and congregations in the Mission Area in the core practices of healthy church • To seek to grow new congregations • To ensure the Mission Area and its congregations are sustained through the ministry of word and sacrament • To discern, release and develop the gifts of others • To ensure that the people of God are equipped to make Christ known • To provide regular support, supervision and mentoring for Focal Ministers, so that the mission and ministry of the local churches is sustained.

3. To ensure that mission and ministry in the Mission Area reflects the Christian faith as understood in the Church of England: • To foster a working understanding of Christian faith and practice in the Church of England • To attend to and advance the priorities described in the Diocesan Strategy of Renewed, Released, Rejuvenated • To ensure excellence in safeguarding and care for all God’s people, and full compliance with Diocesan and national Safeguarding guidelines, policy and procedures • To maintain good stewardship of finance, resources and administration, accessing deanery and central services support • To facilitate healthy and effective working relationships within and between the congregations, Mission Area, deanery and diocese • To be the person to whom Focal Ministers are accountable

4. To keep watch over the leaders in the Mission Area: • To hold the Mission Area before God in prayer • To lead by example, participating in the diocesan programme of learning and to engage in support and supervision for Oversight Ministers with the Associate Archdeacon and St Peter’s college • To support and enable Focal Ministers and other leaders in reflective practice, learning and personal development • To facilitate opportunities for learning as appropriate in the churches / Mission Area • To support leaders in their practice of self-care, attending to their self-understanding, patterns of life and ministry, their spiritual life, and their desire to continue growing • To monitor individual learning plans for Focal Ministers, reviewing their learning needs and helping them develop and use the tools and skills of reflective practice

Self Care The Bishops are committed to the health and wellbeing of all lay and ordained leaders in the Diocese. This is a demanding role and the post holder is encouraged to work within the pastoral guidelines issued by the Bishops on holiday entitlement and time off.

23 Person Specification An Ordained Minister

• In Holy Orders for not less than three years; Qualifications • Recommended by their Bishop as suitable for Common Tenure Primary and personal Responsibility; attributes • Experienced in leadership; • Able to demonstrate the calling, character, gifts and skills to oversee a number of local churches and ecclesial communities in a range of parishes, institutions and networks; • Show capacity to foster collaboration between lay and ordained ministers (licensed, commissioned and authorised) and lay leaders; • Commitment to mutual flourishing envisaged in the Five Guiding Principles. • Models leadership on the example of Christ • Collaborative • Excited about mission and the diocesan vision and strategy • Committed to the breadth of tradition in the Church of England and mutual flourishing • Strong and mature personal faith, nourished by well-established patterns of Character prayer, worship, reflection and study • Willingness to be accountable • Open to lifelong learning and development • Recognised as resilient, stable and trustworthy • Self-aware and self-accepting • Cares for self and for key personal relationships • An understanding of the importance of pastoral relationships Mission and Ministry Essential: • Leading, managing and consolidating change • Helping others shape and engage in mission and evangelism appropriate to the local context • Holding the big picture • Energising and enabling others in forming vision and in strategic planning • Understanding of the priority of Safeguarding and current Safeguarding practices Desirable: • Entrepreneurial skills, including responsible risk-taking • Organisational skills and administration Experience • Knowledge, understanding and experience of diocesan and church structures, policies, and practices including, finance and governance

Team Building Essential: • Building and facilitating teams and communities, shared decision-making • Working collaboratively, exercising accountability and delegation • Discerning, nurturing and developing the skills of others, enabling them to reflect, review and develop the mission and ministry of the church Desirable: • Conflict management

24 Relationship Essential: • Able to handle a complex workload, prioritise and balance competing demands • Take responsibility for personal well-being and nurture • Enable others in their practice of self-care and personal development • Inter-personal skills, including listening, communication, and exercising emotional intelligence • Pastoral supervision and reflective practice Experience Desirable: • Working with different generations and inter-generationally • Coaching and mentoring • Working with different theological perspectives, church tradition, culture and life experience • Initiating and enabling working relationships between church, Mission Area, deanery and diocese • Making appropriate pastoral provision for leaders

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