THE ROTHWELL, LOFTHOUSE, OULTON with WOODLESFORD and METHLEY with MICKLETOWN TEAM BROCHURE

Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Rothwell, LS26 0QL Parish Profile

THE ROTHWELL, LOFTHOUSE, OULTON WITH WOODLESFORD and METHLEY WITH MICKLETOWN TEAM BROCHURE

January 2018

Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Rothwell, LS26 0QL Parish Profile THE OPPORTUNITY

We are looking and praying for a Team Rector who will lead us, and bring new energy to support us in collaborating our Mission & Ministry across our four parishes. THE TEAM, ITS PARISHES AND THE AREA

TEAM LOCATION All four parishes cluster around the M1/M62 intersection in easy reach of both Leeds and Wakefield. Many of our people have coal mining in their blood and the Benefice encompasses the world-famous Rhubarb Triangle. DIVERSITY ACROSS THE TEAM For all our geographical closeness, each community has a distinct character. Rothwell was a large mining village which has grown into a significant suburban centre and feels like a small town. Lofthouse is a ribbon development of mining and agricultural communities along a main road where in recent decades many housing estates have grown up. Oulton with Woodlesford combines historic housing of the wealthy with some challenging estates and has a good selection of shops and other facilities. Methley is a large village set amidst the estate of its aristocratic lords of the manor which is joined with the mining centre of Mickletown where most people live. TEAM HISTORY Two parishes are in the Domesday Book, but all owe their population growth to coal mining and associated industries. They all now attract commuters into the cities and so all communities within the Team continue to grow.

TEAM CHURCHMANSHIP There is a wide diversity in our style of worship, but are all respectful of each other’s traditions. TEAM FORMATION

Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Rothwell, LS26 0QL Parish Profile The intention to form the Team was declared in 2014 and it was constituted in January 2015. TEAM STRUCTURE We unanimously chose the format of four separate parishes within one benefice, so that our PCCs have primacy over the Team Council. The PCCs delegate to the Team, not the other way round. This format is up for review after five years. TEAM RECORD As a Shadow Team we performed well and learned a lot. Since the Team was formed there has been a lack of energy and leadership. We have met infrequently. TEAM SUCCESSES In the process of forming the team and appointing a Team Vicar in 2014 and since then we have:

o got to know, trust and even love each other o negotiated a timetable for Sunday which has made it possible to cover holidays and absences without recourse to external clergy o benefited from a rotation of priests around our churches. o introduced Team Services and so got to know each other’s worship practices o added some joint social events to our calendar o shared the resources of our talented and committed Team Vicars to launch fresh expressions, notably our ARK BUS ministry to young people o made significant progress on a major structural project in one church building which is currently closed. TEAM STRENGTHS We share faith, hope and love – and the greatest of these is love! We feel blessed with the Vicars in place within the Team. Rev. Mandy has a broad brief encompassing children’s ministry, whilst Rev. Sarah has experience in Youth Ministry. Our Team Rector will need to complement these strengths and harness them to build a stronger Family Ministry across the Benefice. TEAM CHALLENGES We face:

o one major restoration project in a Grade II* listed church currently closed due to lead theft and flooding. o another Grade II church requiring major expenditure on a new roof. o A third church also Grade I, eager to improve access and facilities so as to encourage wider usage and appreciation of its heritage. Against the background of declining, ageing congregations with few young families, a shortage of active lay members. TEAM NEEDS AND WANTS We are an embryonic team and we will welcome fresh leadership, once the new incumbent has listened to us and understood us. We want to be more active and effective as lay members of our churches.

Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Rothwell, LS26 0QL Parish Profile We want to maintain, improve or restore our historic and beloved buildings without their taking over all our energies and funds. There is plenty for a Team Rector to do to support, energise and enthuse us in all aspects of our work, especially outreach. OUR CLERGY TEAM

The Reverend Mandy Rhodes Team Vicar Christ Church, Lofthouse I am the Team Vicar at Christ Church, Lofthouse and I hold a brief for Children’s Ministry and the development of Cursillo within the team area. Before Ordination, I enjoyed other roles in life, namely as a Dispenser, self- employed Painter and Decorator; along with ongoing roles as wife to Chris and mother to Kris (Kit) and Hayley, aged 27 and 25 respectively. Born in Leeds, I trained for ministry with the Northern Ordination Course whilst living and worshipping in York Diocese. After ordination in 2007, I served my Title at Kippax and Allerton Bywater in Ripon and Leeds Diocese, initiating a flourishing Messy Church ministry there. I am the Diocesan Spiritual Director for Leeds Anglican Cursillo and very much believe that the Movement has much to offer as a potential tool for mission and encouragement of lay ministry in any parish. I am also Chaplain to the Rothwell branch of the Royal British Legion and head up the Team initiative for mission and outreach, the ARK Bus Ministry, which uses a double-decker bus to meet and interact with young people across the Team area. The Reverend Sarah Hancox Team Vicar St John’s, Oulton with Woodlesford Team Vicar St Oswald’s, Methley with Mickletown I'm the Team Vicar for both St John the Evangelist Oulton with Woodlesford and St Oswald's Methley with Mickletown. I've been here since September 2014 and before this I served my curacy in Doncaster, part of Sheffield Diocese. I'm from Wigan originally, but we don't talk about the other side of the Pennines! I live in Methley Rectory with my Civil Partner, Anthea (also ordained and a chaplain at Sheffield University), a badly behaved terrier and two long-suffering cats. I do my best to share my time between both parishes. I'm a member of OneBodyOneFaith and WATCH and am involved in national campaigning efforts. When I have some spare time I enjoy sci-fi films, walking the dog, or stargazing in the Rectory garden with my telescope, and I'm also learning to ski at the local XScape. The Reverend Sheena McMain Curate Holy Trinity, Rothwell (in vacancy) I’ve been Curate in the Team, based at Holy Trinity, Rothwell for four years. I’ve been covering the early part of the vacancy. I’m beginning to look for an incumbent position, so I expect I won’t be here for too long! I enjoy being creative, and enjoy the outdoors. I’m an Associate member of the Iona Community.

Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Rothwell, LS26 0QL Parish Profile Rob Harper Ordinand at St Hild College, Mirfield Holy Trinity, Rothwell

I have worshipped at Holy Trinity for 19 years. Last year I was successful in being accepted for training and I started studying at St Hild college in September. I will be living in Rothwell while I train. I am married and we have two teenage children, our daughter has special needs and worships church in her own way. I am currently a member of the Team Council and have numerous roles in the church, including administering the chalice, leading intercessions, I lead hospitality in the parish, I am involved in fundraising and I run the Beer Festival Kitchen. As I am training to be an Assistant Minister I will be leaving the parish when I am ordained.

OUR LAY READERS

Dr. Ann Whitfield Lay reader St Oswald’s, Methley

I have been Reader since 2002 when I retired from General Practice. I moved from Nottingham to Methley in 2011 and have learned to love Yorkshire. Peter and I have been married for over 50 years and we have a son, a daughter and seven grandchildren.

Joyce Blakey Lay Reader Holy Trinity, Rothwell

I am a retired widow with a grown-up family and four grandchildren. I came to Holy Trinity thirty-one years ago and was made very welcome. My children and I joined the choir three years later and I still enjoy singing with the choir. I became a Reader in 2002 after three years training. My past roles within the Church have included setting up the Parish Office and working there for two years. I then became PCC Secretary for ten years. I hope to continue my ministry at Holy Trinity while ever I am able. My faith and my Church family are very important to me.

Chris Singh Lay Reader Holy Trinity, Rothwell I am a Communications Trainer with over 35 years of broadcasting experience in India, Seychelles, Sudan and the UK. I have run regular training courses in the UK, Africa and other parts of the world. Completed my MA in Communications Studies from Oxford Centre, University of Wales in the UK and Post Graduate Certificate in Education and Training from Huddersfield University (UK). Recently, I completed an assignment with United Nations as Chief of Training in Sudan for the UN Radio Miraya FM, preparing for the Independence of South Sudan, the newest country in the world. I have been a Reader with Church of North India (CNI) since 1981 and I am now Reader at Holy Trinity, Rothwell.

Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Rothwell, LS26 0QL Parish Profile Simon Smalley Lay Reader (in Training) Christ Church, Lofthouse

I am an electronics engineer, working in medical services. Born in Worcester, I lived in Gloucestershire until 1988, when I became a CMS Mission partner, serving as a Medical Service Engineer in Uganda. On my return, my work brought me to Yorkshire and I eventually settled in Lofthouse and into the congregation of Christ Church. Having previously explored training for Ordained Ministry, in 2008 I began training for Lay Readership, but put this on hold in 2010 to become Church Warden during a vacancy. In 2015 I decided to reapply to become a Reader and am now in the second year of my training.

THE MISSION FOR OUR TEAM RECTOR

The Parish Profile Proforma asks the questions in the attached table. At our Team Council we have discussed this and agreed that these Mission Statements are held in common across the team.

1. List areas of Church life which you Outreach through an increasingly consider in need of development. visible presence of the Church in our community. Strengthening of lay ministry.

2. What are the main areas of mission that Strengthening of bonds between you think the new Team Rector should clergy, PCCs and laity in the four prioritise in their ministry? parishes. Sharing of gifts and resources.

3. In summary, what are the top three To help our Priests in ways which will challenges with which you and the Team 1. Make the Gospel more visible in Rector need to engage? the community 2. Halt the decline in the Adult Worshipping Community – or even preside over growth! 3. Reach out to and engage with young people

Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Rothwell, LS26 0QL Parish Profile OUR TEAM RECTOR

In the same way each PCC has developed its own wish list for an ideal candidate (we do not expect anyone to fulfill them all!). We have condensed the key words into the following person specification to which all parishes in the Team subscribe: TEAM RECTOR PROFILES – A COMPILATION SKILLS

 a LISTENER who LEARNS  a UNIFIER  a TEAM STRATEGIST  a SPIRITUAL LEADER  a PRACTICAL MANAGER of projects and resources  an ENABLER of the priests and PCCs in their care  a TEACHER and COACH, encouraging LAY MINISTRY EXPERIENCE

 in a TEAM/CLUSTER or

 ONE LARGE DIVERSE PARISH with a proven track record of

 managing CHURCH GROWTH  OUTREACH to young families, teenagers and children PERSONAL QUALITIES

 ENERGETIC  HONEST, OPEN, INCLUSIVE  OF INTEGRITY  OPEN MINDED TO DIVERSITY IN PEOPLE, COMMUNITIES and WORSHIP  OUTGOING  DIPLOMATIC  DISCREET  COMPASSIONATE  SENSITIVE  WITH A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOUR Combining a repair man/woman, Bob the Builder, Superman/woman and Jesus Christ to be OUR TEAM RECTOR We now turn in detail to the home parish of Rothwell and the role of Team Vicar there.

Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Rothwell, LS26 0QL Parish Profile Holy Trinity Church, Rothwell

Contents Section Content Page Number

1 Introduction 2 2 About Us 4 3 Mission and Outreach 8 4 Strengths and Weaknesses 10 5 Buildings 11

Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Rothwell, LS26 0QL Parish Profile

Section 1 – Introduction

In this Parish Brochure and in the Parish Profile which follows, we describe our community, set out where we currently are as a Church, what we offer to our parishioners and what we aim to do in the future. We then describe what kind of person we are seeking as our Team Rector and Parish Priest to lead us on this journey of discipleship and mission.

We have gathered information from as many people as possible, using a number of different methods. We have incorporated as much of this feedback as possible to give an honest and true reflection of what we expect, want and need from applicants and, ultimately, the person who is called to be our Team Rector.

The post box/suggestions box The vacancy notice board

Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Rothwell, LS26 0QL Parish Profile

A brief message from the Churchwardens (Kim and Wendy – below left and right respectively)

“We hope that what you read appeals to you and that you find your way to us because Rothwell has prayed fervently about this period of vacancy and will continue to do so until the appointment.”

A PRAYER FOR HOLY TRINITY ROTHWELL

Father God,

We ask that you guard and grow this church in this period of vacancy.

We pray that you will help us to share responsibility, work together, love one another, reach out to others, welcome newcomers and move forward in faith and trust in your plan and vision for us.

We ask that you speak to the heart and mind of all applicants who are seeking a new church for their ministry. Lead the right person towards Rothwell and guide those who are responsible for placing them to make a fair decision for the benefit of all so that together we may discover your way for the future and see your kingdom grow.

We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team Section 2 – About Us

a. Rothwell and its History

The Saxon village of ‘Rothwell’ is first mentioned in the Domesday Book. With a value of £8.00 it held far more value than its near neighbour Leeds, which was valued at £5.00. Following on from the Norman invasion of 1066 the lands around Rothwell eventually came under the control of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster who had a Royal Hunting Lodge in the centre of the town. It is recorded that King John came to hunt in Rothwell in the 13th Century and King Edward III in the 14th. The town was granted a Market Charter in the 15th century.

In the nineteenth century Rothwell developed into a mining community; with 6 Pits in the area most people were employed in the mining industry. Since the closure of the last pit in the 1980’s, Rothwell has matured into a bustling commuter town, within the boundary of its much larger neighbour, the City of Leeds. It is also close to The City of Wakefield and within easy reach of motorways.

Our thriving high street boasts a large supermarket, a wide range of national and independent retailers, pubs and service businesses, which means that Rothwell can supply most of the day to day needs of its residents. It offers excellent facilities for recreation with a large and beautiful park and a nearby Sports Centre with swimming pool and gym.

The majority of our 12,000 residents work in administrative, managerial and professional jobs. Yet there are pockets of urban deprivation with 10% of residents reliant on state benefits.

The present church was founded by the Monks of Nostell Priory at around 1130 AD on the site of a previous church. It was extensively restored and extended in the Victorian era and is Grade II* listed. Its situation on a small hill just behind the main street means that it has been a highly visible and a welcoming Christian presence in the heart of Rothwell ever since.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team

b. Congregation

Rothwell’s congregation is dedicated, hardworking, friendly and tight-knit. The pews are filled with committed, reliable and lifelong Christians who gladly volunteer in the running of the Church and our worship.

There are a number of strong characters and natural leaders in Church and Rothwell is blessed with an able congregation whose members all have different talents and abilities. We work well as a team and come together when it matters the most, but often it is the same volunteers who help with events time after time. We can improve our teamwork Sometimes logistical problems do arise and we could improve our teamwork if we were all ready to trust each other more and share what we each know.

Our volunteers are enthusiastic and able, even though the congregation is aging and reducing in numbers. This list is just a very small selection of the events which our lay members team make possible. The pictures show the lively fellowship we enjoy.

 Barn dance;  Annual Autumn Fayre;  Queen’s 90th Birthday Tea;  40’s Night; and

 H ymns and Fish and Chip Supper.

c. Services and Worship

Rothwell’s style of worship is broadly Anglo-Catholic. We want to make our worship as attractive, accessible and engaging to everyone as possible so that we can worship God, share our faith and continue to serve God by helping the community.

To do this, we offer a variety of services during the week and at different times of the day to fit in with a range of personal commitments and busy lifestyles and so meet the needs of as many people as possible. Each service is slightly different. The 8am said Eucharist is a short, quiet and peaceful service, whereas the 11am Parish Eucharist is more traditional with processions and music led by our organist and choir. Attendance at the Sunday Parish Eucharist is the largest in a normal week.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team All Age Services cater for children and are much more energetic and interactive with more modern hymns and musical instruments. Some of these services are held in the Parish Centre, where more space and a more relaxed atmosphere encourages a more informal style of worship.

Harvest Festival 2017 – ‘Canimals’

We also draw large numbers to special services throughout the year. The clergy at Rothwell Holy Trinity lead the Remembrance Day service with the Royal British Legion. The main service is held in church followed by a parade to the Cenotaph with the local uniformed groups and the Rothwell Temperance Band. Over 100 people attended the service in church in 2016 and hundreds more attended the short service and Act of Remembrance at the cenotaph. A considerable amount of effort goes into this service from a number of different angles. For example, the local police assist with the crowds and road closures.

The major Christian Festivals, which attract a larger congregation include Easter Sunday (approximately 100 people), Harvest Festival, Shoe Box Sunday, the Carol Service with the Rothwell Temperance Band (300 people) and Christmas services such as the Crib Service (with real animals and approximately 400 attendees) and Midnight Mass (over 100 people/communicants). Later in the year we invite bereaved families to join us for a Service of Commemoration for their loved ones.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team

Here are the individual patterns and preferences of worship formats :-

How often people attend % Once a week 57 Less than once a week to every two weeks 14 About once a month 14 Two or more times a week 6 Other 10

Favourite Service % 8 AM Said Eucharist 18 11 AM Parish Eucharist 37 9:30 AM Service (first Sunday of the Month) 4 11 AM All Age Service (first Sunday of the Month) 8 Specific Services (e.g.: Midnight Mass, Carol Service, 33 Harvest Festival, Easter Day etc)

In our differing worship formats, we aim to strike a balance between some services with a more modern and popular style and others which preserve and respect those time- honoured traditions and values which are important to the core congregation. However, there are plenty of times during the year when we all come together and celebrate and worship as one Body of Christ.

Operation Christmas Child Shoe boxes 2017

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team

Section 3 – Mission and Outreach

a. Our Mission

In 1998 Holy Trinity Church put together a ‘Mission Statement’.

“Our mission is to proclaim the love of God for all people through our faith and hope in His Son Jesus Christ.” Today our assessment is that we are a welcoming church who do a lot during the year on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. We endeavour to offer something for everyone, as can be seen from the variety of groups and services that run during the week.

Yet we do all this without a updated mission plan. Our model is very much ‘we are in here, why not come in?’ rather than a proactive approach of ‘we will go out and find you’. The Parochial Church Council recognises the urgent need to discuss, develop and implement a positive discipleship programme, nurturing the whole congregation to be more confident in talking about their faith and in sharing the Gospel with others in the community.

We hope that a new Vicar will guide us to revisit and update our mission, devise a strategy for our future and refocus our efforts in a plan of action which will be at the very heart of everything we do at Rothwell in the future.

b. Outreach Our congregation are engaged in many activities to engage with and attract members of the local community. Here are some current ones and others we have tried in the past.

Monthly Weekly + Messy Café + Coffee and Communion + Food bank collection + Tea Cosy Café + Girls Friendly Society + Buggy Praise + Youth Club (no longer running) + Ladies Club Annually + Weekly Pew Sheet/Newsletter + Rothwell Beer Festival + Bell ringing + Men’s Group (Rugby Trip) + Choir Practice + Community Magazine (seasonal) + Parish Centre is hired out (daily) + Autumn Fare + Website and presence on social media + Shoe Box Appeal + Carol singing in local care homes and seasonal services + Host school events/services in Church and at School

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team

Holy Trinity clearly does a lot to reach out to the local community and attract people to Church, share our faith, spread the good news of the Gospel and to see those far from God raised to a life in Christ. However, we cannot yet claim either increase in the worshipping community or in committed regular giving as measurable results for all this hard work.

Charitable giving is an important part of outreach, but other commitments mean that we do not have the funds to devote to the causes we would like to support. However we do respond to emergencies via special collections and by supporting Christian Aid. At Christmas we run a Shoe Box appeal and collect a selected local, national and international charity. The South & East Leeds has a Food Band centre in Rothwell to which members of Holy Trinity donate time, goods and money in an area of increasing need.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team

Our strongest hope is that we can reach the hearts and minds of our young children, and several of our activities are aimed at them. During Parish Eucharists we offer a Sunday School, using materials linked to the Lectionary. One Sunday a month we run Buggy Praise for mothers and carers of babies and toddlers and teaching bible stories using songs and props. Worship is led by a retired school teacher from our congregation. Families come and go, as parents return to work. In September four families attended.

Messy Cafe takes place on one Saturday towards the end of every month. Children have the choice of a variety of toys and art activities, whilst parents can relax with a drink and a selection of snacks. Bible story books are available and we are planning to introduce a Messy Church element in the art activities. In the summer holidays the Café opens every Friday, and attendance reaches 40 adults and children.

Fortunately many families in Rothwell hold to the tradition of Baptism. We welcome them, visiting their homes, holding preparation classes and ensuring that they attend church as part of their preparation. We also offer a more informal Messy Baptism for those who prefer that. We recognise that these contacts are an opportunity if contact could be maintained by further visits or invitations to church events.

Our Church is actively involved on our Church primary school, Holy Trinity Rothwell C of E Academy.

For older children the main initiative is the Girls Friendly Society. This very popular group is involved in fundraising events and major festivals in church. For example, they decorated cans as part of the Noah’s Ark display at Harvest Festival, sing carols at the Carol Service every year and run “The Gingham Café” at the Autumn Fayre.

There is a need for youth work as there are instances of delinquency among the teenagers of Rothwell. As the church has no youth club, we give financial support to the Team initiative THE ARK BUS and look forward to the its first visit to our area.

Overall, our volunteers invest much time and effort in welcoming new families and providing for their children. This takes faith, as the numbers are small.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team Section 4 – Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths Weaknesses

Friendly, especially our welcoming team. Declining congregation numbers

Committed, loyal and caring parishioners Elderly but able congregation A lack of pastoral care to the wider community Strong culture of volunteering Difficulty coping with change The congregation must be empowered with better training on how things work in the church. Variety of services No meetings for prayer in the week

Heritage No up to date mission statement or strategy for growth

Location and a landmark Our outreach needs to be better.

Too focused on the building because it is expensive to maintain and drains our resources and funds Popular for weddings and baptisms Poor follow-through after bereavements, weddings or baptisms

Good music with a choir, a permanent organist and other instrumentalists Parish Hall with good facilities and wide usage Needs major re-roofing and modernising. Reducing income and increasing maintenance costs. Parking Fundraising activities (Autumn Fayre, 100 Financial uncertainty Club) and rental income

Opportunities Threats Popularity of major Festivals and life events Increasingly secular society Contact with community via use of the Parish Indifference and apathy towards Centre organised religion Attendance at Rothwell Beer Festivals Wealth of rival attractions to young people Families reliant on benefits and food bank

Closer links with Church Primary School

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team Social and health needs in society eg Alzheimers

Section 5 – Buildings

a. The Church Building Our beautiful building, Holy Trinity, Rothwell is over 800 years old and the largest church in the Team. Our congregation are immensely attached to, and proud of, the place in which we worship. We attach some pictures of the interior and exterior.

The current church building dates from 1130AD and has a tower which dates back to 1480, is over 70 feet high, has a spiral staircase of 94 steps and houses the eight bells which can be heard across the town.

Inside, the church is spacious and impressive. Its heritage and most ancient stonework are displayed in a dedicated area in the North aisle. Elsewhere sculptures and plaques illustrate the history of the church. Perhaps the most notable feature of the nave are the 126 pews with their oak “poppy head” pew ends. Carved in 1858 by the Leeds based picture framer Edmund Bates, assisted by Charles Gibson, the 19-year-old son of the church clerk, they are fine examples of the Gothic Revival movement with images of animals, flowers and foliage.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team

As can be expected with any building of such age, the Church now shows signs of wear and tear. Amongst the many issues needing urgent attention – drains, guttering and weathering of the masonry -our Quinquennial Inspection highlighted the need for substantial roof repairs and in the last two years there have been leaks in bad weather. We have to leave this unsightly damage until the stone dries out. There have since been a fault, not noted in the report, which has caused unforeseen water ingress to the Organ Loft. Permanent solutions to these problems are expected to involve substantial investments of time and cost. In the meantime we make temporary repairs and wait for something else to pop up – or drip down!

The building also needs some basic improvements in its access and facilities. It meets minimum statutory requirements, but it is not wheelchair or pram friendly.

To that end, Rothwell commissioned an architect to draw up plans to improve the church. Out of a more wide-ranging proposal on how the church could be remodelled, it became clear that the immediate priorities are better access with fewer steps and a wheelchair friendly toilet with baby changing facilities within the church. These need to be done sensitively without disrupting the historic interior. We will welcome the experience and leadership of our new Team Rector in the design and funding of this project, a first stage in improving our church.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team b. The Parish Centre Within the churchyard is a Parish Centre with a large working kitchen, a fully stocked bar, an office, an upstairs meeting room, a large hall with a stage and toilets including a wheelchair friendly toilet with baby changing facilities. It was recently cosmetically refurbished with new carpets, curtains and paint, thanks to contributions from hall users and volunteers from the congregation.

The Parish Centre is an important source of income for the Church, as it is hired by local businesses, groups and charities, and the local community use it to host parties and events throughout the year. The diary is often fully booked and never more so than in April when the Parish Centre is used for the Rothwell Beer Festival. The festival attracts

hundreds of locals and visiting beer and cider lovers alike!

The Parish Centre holds a special place in the congregation’s hearts as it was inspired by, built during the time of, and is dedicated to, a previous incumbent who sadly died in post. However, the building is now nearly 40 years old and has a flat roof which is well passed its life expectancy. The roof alone is a very expensive liability for Rothwell. In the past year heavy downpours have caused leaks and the attempted repairs have had a serious impact on our funds.

When the architect drew up plans for the Church, he also created proposals to renovate and modernise the Parish Centre. The plans are impressive and allow Rothwell the potential to offer better facilities to the local community which would in turn increase our income. However, the plans for development of both the Parish Centre and the church are currently on hold, because of other priorities which require funding. These bold plans have, however, inspired us to visualise how both church and hall can be made fit for purpose in the future. We trust that in time and under the right leadership, these bold plans can be realised, so that we can fulfil our mission by reaching out to more people.

c. The Vicarage The vicarage has 4 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, a modest kitchen, a garage, 2 bathrooms and a large, fairly easy-to-maintain garden. This charming family home was not originally

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team designed as a vicarage and therefore has some features, for example bay windows at the front and the back, not usually found in a clergy house.

d. Other Property Lastly, Rothwell owns two properties in the local community which were bequeathed to the Church some time ago.

The properties are a pair of a semi- detached homes, each with two bedrooms, a spacious living area, a kitchen, a garden to the rear and a driveway which offers off-street parking.

These properties, which are let privately have been very expensive to maintain in the last year. However, they are on balance an asset to the Church, as a steady source of monthly income.

e. Buildings, Finance and Outreach The deterioration in the structural condition of church and parish hall in the last few years is a major source of concern and a significant drain on our energies and on our finances. We are concerned that this distracts us from the spiritual and caring priorities in which we feel called to engage. With our attentions focused on financial matters, it is very difficult, even for the lions amongst the congregation, to drum up enthusiasm and momentum for the existing projects and activities.

Even if money ceased to be a problem and the buildings could be restored, new initiatives would not easy to introduce, as our culture is one of caution towards, and even resistance to, change. This is why we are hoping and praying for a Team Leader with the qualities and experience to energise and guide us through both the practical and spiritual challenges we face.

We have mentioned throughout this document that we do not have an up to date mission statement. The second challenge is therefore to develop a strategy and then design, publish and implement a mission plan of action which we live and breathe so that our outreach is stronger and more effective.

The third challenge relates to our buildings; we must upgrade them so that they are fit for purpose, legally compliant, safe, efficient, attractive to the local community so that they can be used for a variety of events to ensure that they are also a source of income themselves.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team

Christ Church Lofthouse, Thorpe, Carlton & Robin Hood

Mission Statement: “Working to encourage transformation individually, locally and globally through a growing awareness of God's love and grace"

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team Introduction

The parish is comprised of four villages: Lofthouse, Carlton, Robin Hood and Thorpe, each with its own identity. This is a former mining area but now largely relies on farming and small businesses. It is popular with commuters working in Leeds and Wakefield because of the easy access to main roads and motorways. Housing is mainly owner-occupied. The church building is at Lofthouse, on the A61 between Leeds and Wakefield. From the church the M1 can be accessed in around 7 minutes and the M62 in 4 minutes.

Section 2 – About Us

Christ Church is an established and strong Christian Community and lay workers play an important part in the life of the church.

Lay workers, including one 16 year-old, are licensed as Chalice Ministers and two take Home Communion to those unable to attend services. Lay people are also involved in Fresh Expressions, providing support and leadership in Messy Church, Tiddler Praise, RE:FRESH (Café Church) and Soul Food. The Ark Bus initiative to teenagers and isolated adults is also well supported. These groups are growing in strength.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team

We welcome all who are baptised to take Holy Communion and this has strengthened our links with the young people from Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts who are eager to participate in the services. The monthly Parade Service is usually followed by bacon butties in the hall following the service, prepared by group leaders, extending the fellowship already established.

Fundraising and social events supplement our regular giving so we have been able to pay our Parish share in full over recent years.

We have close links with the local Methodist Church, which is just across the road. Revd Rhodes is licensed to preside and preach in the Methodist church as is the Methodist Minister licensed for Christ Church. There are no other faith communities represented in the parish.

Section 3 – Mission and Outreach

Christ Church invites and welcomes all.

There are no church schools in the parish but three Primary schools in Carlton, Robin Hood and Thorpe. Revd Mandy Rhodes is closely involved in all three, taking regular assemblies and talking to classes. Each school visits the church taking part in discovery sessions, holding seasonal services and performing concerts. One Reception class recently held a mock wedding. Rodillian Academy is also in the parish.

The church tradition is liberal Catholic with full vestments worn for Eucharistic worship and there is reserved sacrament. A midweek service of Said Eucharist is held every Wednesday morning. There is an established pattern of Sunday worship:

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team  first Sunday of the month is an All-Age Eucharist with the flags of all our uniformed groups being paraded and the young people taking an active part in the service;  fourth Sunday we hold a lay-led RE:FRESH café-style service in the hall in the morning with an afternoon Sung Eucharist at 4pm;  Sung Eucharist is held at 9.30am on the other Sundays.  Messy Church is well supported each month, as is Tiddler Praise each Thursday morning during term-time.  Monday evening group “Soul Food” Christian Contemplative Prayer and Celtic Compline.  Monthly study group meets in a local hotel, following the Pilgrim series of publications.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team Section 4 – Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths Weaknesses Friendly and open-minded congregation Aging congregation Versatile church hall is well used and Greater occupancy would maximise encourages un-churched/de-churched into income. Flexibility of space the building. (particularly in the church) would enhance daytime usage possibilities. Beautiful building that all say has a Maintenance/Upgrading will cause welcoming atmosphere of love and comfort. financial stress in near future on top of expected rise in Share. Outreach and integration of the community is Conversion of contacts and “friends” strong. into disciples could be improved. Fears for continuity into next generation. Strong, but small, team dedicated to Fresh Lack of integration between Fresh Expressions and Outreach. Expressions and other regular Sunday congregations.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team Section 5 – Person Specification of our Team Rector Christ Church, Lofthouse subscribes to the agreed Team specification (see Preface) Section 6 – Buildings

The Church building dates back to 1840. Twenty-six years ago, a major reordering project raised part of the church floor, removing a flight of stone steps to give level access through the church. This also resulted in opening up the space beneath to create an

enlarged hall space,

complete with toilet

facilities and a kitchen.

The church hall and kitchen are used regularly by all the uniformed youth groups, Messy Church, Tiddler Praise, Mothers’ Union, monthly Parish Lunch Club and social events. It is also hired out for children’s parties, keep fit group and as a Polling Station.

Major fundraising is on the cards as we prepare to repair and restore the leaded windows along the side of the church and replace the boiler.

We are lucky to benefit from the work of a Community Payback Team and have provided a Christian welcome and developed a meaningful relationship with the workers. They join us in the hall for refreshments on Sunday mornings and have shared in our Harvest Thanksgiving lunches.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team

St. Oswald’s Church

and the communities of Methley with Mickletown

Full house at Christingle Rev. Sarah Hancox

The Warden Team

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team

1. Introduction When the Team was first brought together in 2014, one of our first tasks was to appoint a new Team Vicar for Methley with Mickletown. The four parishes in the Team first learned to work together in that process and, with the appointment of the Reverend Sarah Hancox, the outcome has been a happy and successful one. Now, as we collaborate to appoint our Team Rector, we pray that we will again be led to a candidate well equipped to draw both clergy and lay people even closer in teamwork and to enable us to be more effective in mission. About us Our parish and its history Methley with Mickletown or Methley for short, brings together two distinct village centres in one of the largest parishes by area in England. Methley itself is rich in heritage as the home of the Waterton and Savile families whose seat, Methley Hall, was demolished in the 1960’s. Their Grade 1 listed church remains, rich in monuments to their ancestors, in the centre of the farmland which gives this part of the village a rural character. A conservation area, comprising Church, Cricket Field, the Boundary House pub and some early nineteenth century houses defines Methley, and this image makes it a popular place to live. In the nineteenth centre mining changed the character of the area. A mile away from the church the newer community of Mickletown grew up around Savile Pit and successive generations have continued to build, creating a sprawling village which follows the course of the River Aire. Here is our Main Street with Primary School, Health Centre, Post Office, Chapel, Church Hall, shops and other amenities. Nearby is an extensive nature reserve of former open cast mines, now developed by the RSPB as a haven for wildlife, walkers and cyclists. Motorways and urban regeneration have turned Methley into a dormitory village with new families moving in and new housing still being built. Mining stock and incomers have learned to live together in a friendly atmosphere. We all have in common that we love to live in our village Our congregation St. Oswald’s Church is a resilient fellowship which over the past decade has shown its readiness to accept change. We are a small and loyal congregation who provide a warm welcome to all who join us at our services. However, as the congregation ages and dwindles, we have a limited number of active volunteers. Our enthusiasm for new ventures is not always matched by the lay hours available to complete them.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team Our services We worship in the church on Sunday mornings at 11.00. The first Sunday in the month is an All Age service with a simpler more inclusive form of liturgy and more upbeat songs, ably led by Rev Sarah (guitar and vocals). The remaining four Sundays are Sung Eucharists with time devoted in the fourth Sunday to Healing Prayer. Every Tuesday at 10.00 there is Said Eucharist in St Margaret’s Hall on Main Street, convenient for those who are unable to attend Sunday worship. We hold Messy Church on one Sunday afternoon a month in the Hall. This style of worship attracts young families who do not otherwise come to church and has grown steadily since we launched it in 2012. Baptisms are popular at St. Oswald’s, and are often booked a full year ahead. Our historic building and its setting also make St. Oswald’s popular for weddings. Joint services with the Methodist Chapel are a feature of our year, at Candlemas, Covenant Service and notably at Christmas. The largest attendance in the year comes for the hugely popular Christingle service on Christmas Eve attended by some 350 people. Talents and resources from both congregations are shared in this wonderful act of family worship Our style of worship Worship at St.Oswald’s can best be described as “Central Church”. Our Eucharistic services are more solemn and our monthly All Age Worship is engaging, participatory and visual, led from the screen. All our services combine both traditional hymns and more upbeat songs from Mission Praise. We welcome new and diverse forms of worship. Under the leadership of Rev Sarah all our service formats have been modernised and we are happy to learn new hymns and songs. In our services we regularly express our vision in the Methley Parish Prayer:- Spirit of God, move among us here in Methley; make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love. Humble, caring, selfless, sharing; Spirit of God, fill our lives with your purpose and love. Amen.

Section 3 – Mission and Outreach Our vision statement Under the Lordship of Christ, through the quality of our worship and our outreach work, we seek to make God’s love known in our community. Our mission priorities To show Jesus working and walking in our community – through our words and actions. To worship together joyously and wholeheartedly. To offer all talents and efforts up to God’s work. To understand our brothers and sisters and not to judge – all effort is worthy of God.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team Our outreach Our church reaches out to the community by:- Visiting the sick in their homes or in residential homes and administering the Sacraments Holding weekly Coffee Mornings in support of local and national charities Our support, jointly with the Methodists, of Christian Aid Week Articles in the Methley Messenger village magazine Leadership and support of Brownies and Rainbows Active support of the Team youth initiative THE ARK BUS Visible involvement of Christians as in community events such as MethleyFest (village fete/music festival), Jo Cox Memorial Day under the Churches Together banner. Widening use of our historic building for Open Days, School Visits, concerts and other community events. Section 4 – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

Strengths Weaknesses Faithful, loyal, welcoming congregation Reducing numbers of ageing people Open minded attitudes to change Outreach to new younger families Relatively sound finances Reliance on rent from nursery school Modern excellently sited Parish Hall Church site away from village centre Unique heritage church building High maintenance in time and money

Section 5 – Person Specification of our Team Rector St Oswald’s Church, Methley subscribes to the agreed Team specification (see Preface)

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team Section 6 – Buildings The Church buildings and other properties: The Church of St. Oswald

There has been a church on this site since Saxon times and its foundations can be seen under the floor of the 12th century nave. A South aisle, porch and tower were added in the 14th century. In the 15th century the glory of our church, the Waterton funerary chapel was added with its magnificent effigies. Two alabaster tombs link with the history of Henry IV and later with the Wars of the Rose and the Battle of Towton. The Savile family tomb commemorates distinguished members of the courts of Elizabeth I and James I. Later monuments of 18th century are by distinguished sculptors including Joseph Wilton, a founder member of the Royal Academy.

The chapel features our only Medieval stained glass, but all the other windows are of fine highly coloured Victorian glass. Our artefacts link us to two icons of British culture. The East window was endowed by a friend and sponsor of Sir Edward Elgar. The range of sculpture had a profound influence on the young Henry Moore. The extensive churchyard forms part of a Conservation area and its cedars and yews are protected. It is maintained by voluntary efforts and is almost full.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team

St. Margaret’s Hall In 2011 a modern Parish Hall with a sprung dance floor, kitchen, office and a spacious lawn was built on the site of the former church of St Margaret in Mickletown. The Hall is ideal for weekday services, Messy Church, Brownies/Rainbows, coffee mornings, dance classes and private parties.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team The Parish Centre and House This was formerly the Church of England Infants school. Since 2004 this building has been used as a day nursery. The rent is a major source of income for the church. The Vicarage Built in the 1960s, the vicarage is a four-bedroomed home with a spacious garden.

For more information about and photos of St. Oswald’s and Methley in Mickletown please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/st.oswalds.methley/

and

http://www.rothwelldistrictcofechurches.org.uk/

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team St John the Evangelist, Oulton with Woodlesford

Introduction Our church has faced a lot of challenges over the last 3 years following massive lead theft and devastating flooding in November 2014. Together we’ve reviewed the use of our building and conducted surveys with the community about future use of the building, and we’re now committed to a large repair and reordering project that will hopefully create a multi-purpose church building. Our dream is that this will ultimately be a springboard for our mission and outreach and service in the community. The PCC initially felt that in our new Team Rector we would be looking for someone who was a combination of Bob the Builder/Wonder Woman/Superman/Jesus! But in reality, we would hope the new Team Rector for the Team would work alongside our Team Vicar and PCC to help us realise our dream.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team Section 2 – About Us Population: 8,000 and growing! Our parish consists of the two villages of Oulton and Woodlesford. These are now commuter suburbs with good transport links to Leeds, Wakefield and beyond. The villages mainly consist of owner occupied housing, with some smaller areas of council housing, and a large new housing development has recently been begun on the edge of the villages. We have good links with the two primary and one secondary school in the parish. Rothwell Leisure Centre sits within our parish and is soon to be modernised. St John’s Church is a Grade II* Listed Building, set within the parkland of Oulton Hall, now a hotel and golf course. The church was designed by Thomas Rickman in 1829 and described in an 1831 account as “one of the most chaste and elegant churches of pointed architecture to be met with in the Kingdom”. It is one of the earliest, rarest and finest examples of the Gothic Revival, belonging to both Georgian and William IV eras, ‘post-classical’ but not yet ‘heavy Victorian.

Pevsner says that “the church is beautifully placed in the grounds of the Hall.” Its 155ft spire is a landmark across the village and a welcome sight to weary parishioners after a long journey. The Oulton and Woodlesford Neighbourhood Forum have described the church as central to views of the village. St John’s has been a gathering place and a focal point for the parish at times of sadness and of joy for over 185 years. Generations of families are buried in the churchyard and so many villagers see the church as an integral part of their own history. Congregation Our congregation averages 35-45 each Sunday, and 20-28 on Thursday mornings. Our Sunday congregation are faithful and dedicated but our average age is increasing with most worshippers over 65. Once a month we have our Café Church, an All Age service, which attracts a distinct congregation including baptism families and more young people.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team

Some of our Café Church congregation We have a dedicated and hard-working team of two Church Wardens and two deputy wardens, who meet regularly with the Team Vicar to plan strategy or events. Working as a team of wardens helps us to share the load.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team

On the left are our two lovely, hardworking Church Wardens, Tony Watson and Elizabeth Tonks, together with the equally hardworking Wardens team from Methley and our Team Vicar, Sarah.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team Section 3 – Mission and Outreach We see the building project at St John’s as a budding opportunity for mission, and a chance to recreate and generate new links between our church and community. We would welcome a new perspective and new ideas, and hope our new Team Rector will work alongside our Team Vicar to freshly encourage and inspire us in our outreach. Some of our congregation have become volunteered for our ARK Bus ministry, and we look forward to this getting fully up and running. One of our concerns is the aging profile of our main Sunday congregation. Again we would welcome fresh perspectives and ideas on how to better engage with the younger part of our parish. We would encourage our new Team Rector to work with our Team Vicar and PCC to produce a new Mission Action Plan, taking into account our hopes and dreams for St John’s church building. Section 4 – Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths Weaknesses Friendly and open-minded congregation Aging congregation Large building project at St John’s has great Large building project at St John’s is potential for outreach and development very time consuming and requires great deal of resources Re-engaging with our parish through St Funding for final (largest) stages of John’s project repairs and development of St John’s not yet secured Very dedicated Finances are tightening Friends of St Johns and Parish Events Lack of integration between Café Committee very good at organising regular Church and other regular Sunday events congregations

Section 5 – Person Specification of our Team Rector

St John the Evangelist, Oulton with Woodlesford, subscribes to the agreed Team specification (see Preface)

Section 6 – Buildings a) Church

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team In November 2014, shortly after our Team Vicar took up her post, a major lead theft devastated St John’s, affecting the entire length of the nave and chancel roofs, and even some of the guttering and hoppers. The sound of torrential rain pouring in was the first we knew of this. Needless to say, we were all devastated but thankfully could move into our church hall for our Sunday services. Plans for the church building were soon drawn up and the first phase is under way.

Here you can see the mould and damp that’s taken hold in St John’s

We consulted with the community and found that almost everyone was in favour of keeping the church and making it a more useable space. So we formed an informal joint community and church “Friends of St John’s” group, chaired by Revd Sarah and tasked with raising awareness and enthusiasm for our hopes for the church and with fundraising. The community has rallied round at several Open Days and in all kinds of fundraisers.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team

In November 2015 we were successful in a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a total of £210,000. The Development Phase and investigative works took 12 months, but almost 2 years on, the repairs to the roofs and rainwater goods are very almost complete. We now await the outcome of a further bid to HLF to repair the side roofs (also damaged in the theft) and part of the spire. Meanwhile the inside of the church dries out.

Following advice from the Diocesan Building for Missions Advisors, Historic England and the Church Commissioners, we are in the early stages of plans to repair and reorder the interior of the church for its long-term sustainability to include new seating, lighting, heating and improved parking and security. Our goal is a space which community groups can hire or make use of during the week, thus generating income to ensure a sustainable future for our church. Following advice from the Diocesan Building for Missions Advisors, Historic England and the Church Commissioners, we are in the early stages of plans to repair and reorder the interior of the church for its long-term sustainability to include new seating, lighting, heating and improved parking and security. Our goal is a space which community groups can hire or make use of during the week, thus generating income to ensure a sustainable future for our church. We hope our new Team Rector will be a support to our Team Vicar and PCC, offering a sounding board along our journey and so helping us to achieve our vision for a space for our whole community.

The Rothwell, Lofthouse, Oulton with Woodlesford and Methley with Mickletown Team

b) Parish Hall

We are fortunate to have our Parish Hall where we now meet for all our worship whilst repairs are ongoing at St John’s. The Hall is well used by the community, bringing us regular income, although there is scope for more. The PCC have recently appointed a new Caretaker and Lettings Officer, and we’re hopeful that these changes will bring new advertising and new groups. Woodlesford Brownies and Guides are one of the groups that use our hall and we aim to strengthen our links with them to encourage attendance at our Café Church services.