St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings and Christ Church Ironville
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PARISH PROFILE Priest-in-charge of St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings and Christ Church Ironville & Associate Priest of St Thomas Somercotes St Martin St James Christ Church Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017 Contents 1. Description of the area 2. What we’re looking for in a priest and our vision for the future 3. Information about our churches 4. Details at a glance 5. St Martin Alfreton 6. St James Riddings 7. Christ Church Ironville 8. St Thomas Somercotes 9. Accommodation 10. Finance 11. Hardwick Deanery and Derby Diocese 12. Maps 13. Contacts 2 Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017 1. Description of the area. The parishes of Alfreton, Riddings and Ironville lie to the east of the county of Derbyshire in the East Midlands. The market town of Alfreton has a long history, though the popular claim that it was founded by King Alfred the Great is questionable. It came to prominence as a centre for coal mining, and has some fine examples of 18th century architecture such as the old George Hotel and Alfreton Hall, built by local mine owners. After the closure of the mines in the 1960s, the Hall’s estate was bought by the County Council, and is now part of a public park with swimming and sports facilities, while the Hall itself is a popular venue for weddings. The town has modern shops and services including supermarkets, banks, high street chains and independent retailers. The village communities of Riddings and Ironville are within three to four miles of Alfreton and have good transport links. There are primary schools in all three parishes, and a secondary school in Alfreton. There are also secondary schools in the neighbouring parishes of Swanwick and South Normanton, and in Ripley and Denby. Derbyshire is a large area geographically with diverse landscapes. Much of the county is rural with agriculture the dominant industry but there is also a long history of mining and quarrying. Busy market towns such as Chesterfield, Bakewell and the spa towns of Buxton and Matlock are set in beautiful countryside and there are many picturesque and historical villages. The county has its own identity and traditions including Well Dressings and the famous Shrovetide Football Match in Ashbourne. Britain’s first National Park, the Peak District, covers 500 square miles, three quarters of which lies within the county boundaries of Derbyshire. The parishes are in easy reach of both the National Park and the Derbyshire Dales. The city of Derby is nearby and there are good links to Nottingham, Sheffield, the M1 and national rail services. The county has long been popular with tourists and continues to offer much to the visitor including the impressive historical homes of Chatsworth, Hardwick, Haddon and Kedleston, as well as leisure activities such as climbing, walking and fishing; Carsington Water offers sailing and other water sports. The city of Derby boasts Pride Park Stadium, home to Derby County Football Club, a velodrome, cinemas, a library, museums and theatres as well as a large shopping centre and a university. 3 Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017 2. What we’re looking for in a priest and our vision for the future. The communities of Alfreton, Riddings and Ironville were shaped by mining and other heavy industries. Since the closure of the mines, there has been redevelopment and regeneration, but they have yet fully to embrace a new identity. National statistics reveal that unemployment is quite high and educational qualifications quite low. The Diocese has just appointed the Revd Imogen Black (currently licensed to these parishes as Associate Priest) to a new role as Area Missioner. We are therefore looking for a priest with vision, energy, and enthusiasm, and compassion for all people, who will work alongside her in bringing God’s love to these communities. In particular, we are looking for a priest who: • has a passion for the Gospel, and for mission and outreach • is approachable and supportive, with the ability to nurture and develop people’s gifts and potential • works well collaboratively • is a good communicator, well organised, and can prioritise tasks • can work comfortably within the churches’ current mix of Liberal Catholic and Central traditions, while being creative in how to engage new people in the congregations • has a good sense of humour and who will: • develop the connections with local schools, especially David Nieper Academy in Alfreton (the secondary school) • encourage families and young people to join our worshipping communities • explore how the churches can help improve the lives of disadvantaged people locally • raise the profile of the churches in the community • nurture the existing congregations in their discipleship • engage with the local community including businesses, local government, community groups and care and residential homes 4 Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017 Our vision for the future Currently, the three parishes are not a legal entity – while Riddings and Ironville have been a United Benefice since 1986, Alfreton is a separate Benefice. However, the three parishes have shared an Incumbent since 2008, and expect this to continue. Somercotes, again, is a separate Benefice, which has only started working with the other three since 2015; this is a much looser arrangement, as the church still makes decisions as an independent parish. For example, the four churches have chosen to share Advent and Lent courses, but there are no plans for Somercotes to join in the current pattern of “fifth Sunday” united services. It is possible that, in due course, the four churches will become a Team Ministry, but any such decision is still some way in the future. For the present, the churches are committed simply to working together to spread the Gospel in these communities. In doing so, we have a shared desire to: • be places of love and welcome for all people, regardless of background • invite people to discover, or deepen their experience of, the life-changing presence of God • support and resource each other, sharing our gifts, our knowledge and experience, and our ideas • help the people of our parishes, and especially those in need, towards the fullness of life promised in the Gospels • work alongside other groups in the community in spreading God’s love It is also our hope that, through working more closely together, we may not only find support from each other, but will be enabled to focus on our particular sense of calling. While the old parish model tended to expect every church to offer all things to all people, by sharing in mission and ministry, each of our four churches will be freed to work to its own strengths and aspirations. 5 Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017 3. Information about our churches Worship The churches’ tradition is a mix of Liberal Catholic and Central; full Eucharistic vestments are worn at St Martin’s and St James’, and the Sacrament is reserved in all three. All use Common Worship Order One on Sundays but there is some use of BCP midweek. All churches also have an open baptism policy. Service times and activities can be found in the next section. Colleagues The Revd Julian Penfold – NSM Curate to all three parishes, in his third year of training. Mr Peter Singleton – Reader and Chaplain to the Police Force. Peter is based at St Martin’s but works across all three parishes. The Revd Imogen Black – Priest in Charge of St Thomas, Somercotes and Area Missioner. She currently holds a licence to Alfreton, Riddings and Ironville as Associate Priest. The churchwardens for all three parishes and that of St Thomas, Somercotes, meet on a regular basis to discuss shared business. 6 Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017 4. AT A GLANCE St Martin’s, Alfreton St James’, Riddings Christ Church, Ironville Sunday Worship 8am – Holy Communion 9:15am – Parish Communion 11am – Parish Communion 9:30am – Sung Communion 5th Sunday – United Churches 5th Sunday – United Churches 5th Sunday – United Churches Communion Service with Communion Service with Communion Service with Riddings & Ironville Alfreton & Ironville Riddings & Alfreton Owing to the vacancy, some Communion Services are currently replaced by Morning Prayer. There may be some desire to continue this when the vacancy is filled. Midweek Services Thursday 10am – Holy Fortnightly House Communion Monthly Holy Communion Communion (BCP) Occasional Offices (2016) Baptisms – 8 Baptisms – 7 Baptisms – 1 Weddings – 7 Weddings – 1 Funerals – 9 Funerals – 7 Funerals – 5 Electoral Roll (2016) 48 32 28 Average Sunday Attendance 35 22 16 Other information There is a small serving team. Members of the congregation Members of the congregation Incense is used, though not serve, read, lead intercessions read, lead intercessions and every week. and administer the chalice. administer the chalice. Members of the congregation also read, lead intercessions and administer the chalice. 7 Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017 AT A GLANCE St Martin’s, Alfreton St James’, Riddings Christ Church, Ironville Regular Activities Open the Book Starter & Sweet Club Walking Group Foodbank Monthly Coffee Morning Study Group in Advent & Lent Bell ringing Study Group in Advent & Lent Parish Magazine with Riddings Churches Together Parish Magazine with Ironville Study Group in Advent & Lent Parish Magazine Special Events Christmas Tree Festival Annual Parish Holiday Flower Festival Flower Festival Advent Fayre Christmas Tree Festival Ecumenical Good Friday Walk Easter Egg hunt Heritage Days of Witness Flower Festival School services St George’s Day Parade Service School services Occasional concerts Remembrance Sunday Parade Occasional concerts School services Occasional concerts 8 Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017 5.