Come follow Christ

Curacy in the Diocese in the footsteps of St Chad of Lichfield

suburban | evangelical/charismatic A beautiful parish on the southern edge of Stoke-on-Trent yet just 5 minutes from M6 jn15 Welcome to Lichfield Diocese

Cradled at the intersection of the Midlands and Moorlands and Welsh Borders. A caring diocese number of higher education centres the North, and the interface between England can be found in Stoke, Keele, , and Wales, the Diocese of Lichfield is the And we embrace the widest spectrum of church Lichfield Diocese is one of the largest in the Shrewsbury, Telford, Wolverhampton ancient centre of Christianity in what was the traditions – evangelical and catholic, liberal country, covering an area of 1744 square miles and Walsall. Kingdom of Mercia. and conservative, choral and charismatic, as we and serving a population of more than 2 million. journey together – as a colleague recently put Vocation and mission of all We are rightfully grateful for the inheritance it, it is our goal to be a ‘spacious and gracious The diocese consists of three episcopal areas we have from St Chad that leads us to focus diocese’. with three Area Bishops (of Wolverhampton, Our vision for the diocese is that all on Discipleship, Vocation and Evangelism as Stafford and Shrewsbury) ministering alongside people, lay and ordained alike, will we live and serve among the communities of the Diocesan Bishop, each overseeing a different grow ever more deeply into their , northern Shropshire and the Black geographic area. This indicates the diocese’s vocation as disciples of Christ. We Country. ‘...a spacious and commitment to its different contexts, and to the hope to become a Church where all “Our time as a family in my pastoral care of our clergy. our members are equipped to know they are curacy in rural Shropshire Wherever in the Diocese you may be placed, gracious diocese called by God to worship and to be the eyes, has been one of the best of you will benefit from being part of a wider Homes and schools hands, feet and mouth of Christ in their own our lives. I’ve learned that family, mixing with people serving in a wide contexts. the priestly role is vital in the variety of contexts – from the grittiest inner- It is my determination and that of my episcopal We aim to provide To further these aims, community. I’m particularly city neighbourhoods of Stoke and the Black colleagues that your calling to a title post will be high quality housing and to develop creative enjoying working with Country, to the leafiest rural parishes of a time of encouragement, ongoing formation, for our clergy with a patterns of ministry, we seniors, and enabling the Staffordshire and Shropshire, to the sparsest challenge and (while rarely unbridled) joy. Our continuous programme ask all training parishes giftings of others which upland communities of the Staffordshire colleagues among the diocesan staff keenly of improvements to to offer ‘sixth-day’ resulted in a successful bring their various specialisms both spiritual houses and responsive, opportunities for Messy Church starting in one As we follow Christ in the footsteps of St Chad, we pray and practical to serve our parishes, fresh specialist contractors for curates – which might of the villages. I give thanks that the two million people in our diocese encounter a expressions, schools and chaplaincies. emergencies. be a chaplaincy to God for this special time, attachment (school, and for everyone who’s been Church that is confident in the gospel, knows and loves its hospital, prison or there for me and supported communities, and is excited to find God already at work in As well as the 208 Church hospice), involvement me throughout.” the world. We pray for a church that reflects the richness of England schools in with local gardening and variety of those communities. We pray for a Church that the Diocese, there are ventures, night- Revd Jassica Castillo-Burley +Rt Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave many good schools and shelter involvement partners with others in seeking the common good, working Bishop of Lichfield colleges that will welcome – to mention just a few for justice as a people of hope. clergy’ children, and a possibilities. (Diocesan Vision Statement) 2 3 Everything but the sea

Staffordshire prides itself on being ‘the Creative Road and rail links can provide it. And then there’s many museums County’: Shropshire is the birthplace of the including Walsall’s New Art Gallery and the RAF Industrial Revolution and the Black Country is museum at Cosford; not to mention excellent renowned for its industry and all have significant sporting options for both watching and opportunities for spouses who wish to develop participating – from premiership football to the careers in any sphere. Tamworth Snowdome. Along with , theatres and cinemas, restaurants and superb Wulfrun Centre in Wolverhampton is one tea shops just begging to be discovered… of many shopping destinations in the region © Roger Kidd -/ geograph.org. Dovedale (location of one of the Diocese’s two residential retreat uk/p/1171894/ CC BY 2.0 For those days off when you need space away centres) / Shaun Dunmall (wikipedia) / CC BY-SA 2.0 4.0 from the parish, the area has everything you Leisure and pleasure David Rayner (Wikipedia) / Stoke-on-Trent could wish for – except the sea: wild landscapes, Bottle Kiln / CC BY-SA 2.0BY-SA 4.0 cultured museums and stately homes. Sports of Lichfield Diocese has everything but the sea. many kinds (including Premiership football) and For walkers and climbers, there’s an extensive at least two theme parks network of canals, Cannock Chase, The Roaches, and the Shropshire—Welsh borders (for example). If you’re into more organised fun, For those with family and friends in other parts Alton Towers and Drayton Manor Theme Park of the country, the Diocese has great transport Wightwick Manor nr Wolverhampton / Tony Hisgett (Wikipedia) / CC Shrewsbury Flax Mill – the prototype skyscraper / Tk420 (Wikipedia) / CC BY-SA 4.0 BY-SA 4.0 links: the M6/M6Toll bisects the centre of the Diocese north-south, and the M5 originates at Apedale Valley Light Railway near Stoke with the adjacent country park and Heritage Centre is one of many transport and leisure museums in our southern tip. Heading west, the A5/M54 the Diocese / Simon Jones Alton Towers near Uttoxeter / Jeremy Opening of the Lighthouse Project at give easy access to north and mid Wales, while Thompson/Flickr / CC BY 2.0 Kingsland CE Academy, Bucknall the A50, A5 and M6Toll give swift access to the If shopping is your thing, there is a range of M1, M42 and A38 for the East Midlands and the options, from the chic boutiques at Barton south-east. Marina, and Shrewsbury to large malls in or near the urban centres. We’re fortunate in being the Rail links are also good with all major home of many fine ales and beers brewed in towns having direct services to London and Burton on Trent (the museum is well worth a Birmingham and four major airports surround visit), and Staffordshire oatcakes are a unique our borders – Birmingham, East Midlands, local delicacy to be discovered. Manchester and Liverpool.

4 5 The parish of Trentham

• Trentham is the southernmost suburb of • The church site is within the boundaries of Services in the church(es) the city of Stoke-on-Trent. Roughly half way the beautiful which is a large between Birmingham and Manchester. It is recreational and retail facility including gardens, Every service is seen as an opportunity to an ancient settlement written about in the a lake, parkland and a monkey forest as well as encounter God through Jesus in the power Domesday book. It is suburban with easy the retail units and a large garden centre. The of the Holy Spirit. We have a great variety of access to the city centre and rural Staffordshire/ south door of the church building opens directly musicians who lead worship in several bands Shropshire. onto the Italian gardens. and a gifted organist who plays our Binns organ.

• The parish population is around 12000 mostly • There are three good schools in the Pre-covid we held three Sunday morning living in pleasant modern estates, with some neighbourhood – two primary and one services: older homes around the Trentham Estate. There secondary. is a good spread of ages living in the parish with • 8am BCP Holy Communion (10-20 lots of young families. The church is probably • There are excellent local amenities including people) more ethnically mixed than the community. three doctors’ surgeries, pharmacies, • 9.30 CW - alternating Morning convenience stores, two post offices and a Worship with Holy Communion (70-90 • The area is mostly spacious and leafy. The dentist. These are situated at several locations in people) Trentham Estate brings a special character the residential developments within the parish. • 11am Informal worship/communion to Trentham which, along with the canal and with children and youth and everyone woodlands, create a lovely environment in • There are several major supermarkets and involved in the ‘together@11’ monthly which to live and minister. larger shopping areas a short drive away. service (70-120) • Wednesday 1030 informal Holy • Trentham has been a centre for Christian • Recreational facilities include two golf clubs, Communion (20-40) worship since the 7th century. St Werburga gyms a short distance away and canoeing and Building(s) / community initiated a Christian community at the rowing clubs on the lake in the Trentham Estate. There have been termly school services in intersection of the river, which is where the church as well as other services and celebrations The Church: Trentham has been a place of faith church now stands. • The church has deep spiritual roots by the throughout the year. since at least the seventh century, the oldest relic . Over recent centuries, Trentham with being the base of a Saxon cross, which sits in • The city of Stoke-on-Trent is known for its its gardens and lake have represented a place of the centre of the church yard. There is evidence ceramic industry. Trentham tended to house the refreshment and retreat to the city and beyond. that Werburgh, daughter of the King of Mercia, business owners and managers, away from the created a small Saxon nunnery here and she polluted factory air. became abbess around 680AD, and thus began the tradition of being a centre for healing.

6 7 The parish of Trentham

The church has a rich history (the parish of Your Training Incumbent Context Value#2: Preaching the authentic gospel Trentham having a priest recorded in the Trentham Church Family believes in Preaching Doomsday Book), and stands on the west Revd Preb Adrian Stone Trentham church has always been a place of prayer the Authentic Gospel. The power of Jesus’ life, bank of the river Trent on the edge of the The Vicarage, Trentham Park, and Bible teaching, healing and openness to the death and resurrection as laid down in the Bible Trentham Estate. This was the seat of the Dukes Stoke-on-Trent ST4 8AE Holy Spirit. The earliest Christian Communities are is the truth on which we stand. We believe of Sutherland, and the present church was reported to have waited, before doing anything, that this truth has the power to transform lives completed in 1844 by the duke in order to be • Trained: St John’s Nottingham for the Holy Spirit to guide them into action. and heal our relationship with God, heal our more in keeping with the style of Trentham Hall. • Ordained: 2003 Lichfield This is the principal that we are building on. relationships with each other and bring healing Approximately 14 years ago the patronage of • Curacy: Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury There are so many good ideas and projects that to our wider community. the church passed from the Sutherland Estate to • Rector: since 2017 we could undertake but we know we are called the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS). to ‘keep in Step with the Spirit’ (Gal 5:25). Value#3: Valuing each other and Identifying gifts Adrian says... At Trentham Church we believe Everyone is The Church Centre: Adjacent to the church we Therefore the vision document has grown out Valuable and has Gifts to Offer. We want every have a separate two floor building which over ‘I am fully committed to training and developing of weekly prayer gatherings, Visionary PCC person who is able, to play their part in God’s the years has housed several church activities. myself and others. I have a heart to see meetings and Leadership team meetings. The family by getting involved in some way. We The basement area of the church is used by the everyone taking steps on their journey with image of a tree planted by a river (in various recognise that serving and giving is an act of youth of Trentham Parish Church and also our Jesus whatever stage they find themselves at. places in scripture) encourages us to draw worship that helps us to grow as disciples. We Friday night ‘Basement’ youth group for the I love to create an environment for people to on the Holy Spirit through our deep roots. By all have a part to play in identifying gifts and wider community. The children’s step out in faith – safe in the knowledge that, meditating on scripture and listening to each encouraging involvement and caring pastorally groups occupy the centre on even if everything other we have identified five key values: for each other. Sunday mornings. The centre goes pear-shaped, it has benefitted from a major will have been a great Value#1: Seeking the Heart of God Value#4: Intentional Discipleship refurbishment as it is a very learning opportunity! In Seeking the Heart of God, we want Trentham Trentham Church is a place where we are important part of our church I’m really looking Church Family to be focussed primarily on our Intentional about Discipleship. We have a vision life. The PCC are considering forward to getting to relationship with God. Our vision is for every where everyone, whatever their age, knows how further improvements to the know and learning service to be an encounter with God’s love they can take another step on their journey with kitchen and lavatories. from what will be my through our living Lord Jesus in the power of Jesus. Our church isn’t just about worship on 4th curate.’ His Word and Spirit, for everyone. We love Sunday mornings; it is about living everyday as inspirational worship and Bible teaching. a follower of Jesus. Whatever our daily routine, Everything we do as a church family is rooted in work, family situation we believe we are all Seeking God’s Heart and will. full time disciples of Jesus. We have a variety

8 9 The parish of Trentham

of small groups that run during the week to • Alpha course and follow on courses Housing and Accommodation encourage 24/7 discipleship. The ministry • Mothers’ Union • Living rooms – women’s study groups The Diocese of Lichfield either has a curate’s Value#5: Outreach to the Community At Trentham you will find friendly active • Midweek Life Groups house in the benefice or a ‘strategic’ house for Trentham church is committed to Outreach congregations where everyone is encouraged • Men’s ministry - regular breakfasts curates in close proximity of the benefice. These in the Community and beyond. We believe to ‘get involved’. As well as Sunday services we with speakers are good houses, mainly with three to four that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life for all have a strong small group structure called Life • Open The Book in local Primary bedrooms. If there is no curate’s house in the people everywhere. Jesus commanded us to Groups – at present there are 14 small groups schools benefice and where such a strategic property go and make disciples and the early church with two new groups emerging from the recent exists within easy reach of the proposed gives us a picture of how the Holy Spirit Alpha Course. Our occasional offices are steady and give training parish this will be the preferred can use us to take the good news of Jesus good opportunity for forming relationships curate’s house. If there is no strategic housing into our community. We recognise that we Many church members take part in leading and connections with the community. You will available nearby the diocese is committed to are called as a church to help those in need services, worship ministry, prayer ministry as get plenty of opportunity to take weddings, providing appropriate accommodation for and are committed to connecting with the well as bible readings and intercessions. We funerals, thanksgivings and baptisms. all those entering ministry. We generally do wider communities of Stoke-on-Trent, North have developed a preaching team to encourage not offer rented accommodation except as an Staffordshire and around the world. learning in our preachers as well as reflecting on Specific responsibilities will be discussed with emergency short term measure. Our curates our practice. There are several opportunities to the curate and will be in line with their calling, can be confident that their home will be of a These five values have led us to commit to the develop preaching and reflective learning. gifts and experience/development priorities. consistently high standard. If you wish to know action plan as shown on our website vision However, it does seem clear that we need to further details about the house, the DDO will be document. Other groups and ministries in the church: ‘grow younger’ as well as deeper and wider as a able to provide you with more information. “We’re really grateful for all the support we got from the Diocese, starting with the church family. DDO, who went out of her way to help in finding a good match, and to work out • Little Stars preschool worship and play practical matters. (Tuesdays) The schools’ work in the parish has great scope • Sunday groups for children: Trekkers for development and will be a focus in our “My vicar has been very supportive, through planning carefully together and weekly (age 3-11) InTransit (age 11-16) desire to connect with our community. supervisions, where we reflect on different areas of ministry. I have been given new • Friday lunches once a month: Elderly challenges progressively, all done sensitively and fitted to the stage I was at. Our • Basement (11+) youth Club – Friday churches have been so welcoming to the whole family, and very supportive of my night ministry, even when this involves less regular ideas, like planting a tree during a sermon (only in a pot, I regret to say!).”

Revd John Beswick Pallister

10 11 Curacy in Lichfield Diocese IME2 to equip for ministry

Supporting learning and formation Pattern of training At the heart of the programme are residential Curate learning, formation and development The programme focuses on grounded and events which bring together a year-group of is strongly valued and affirmed in Lichfield situated learning and prioritises the Diocese‘s curates. They reflect the diversity of the Church, Diocese. Curates receive ongoing supervision focus on Discipleship, Vocation and Evangelism: while the different ministry contexts reflect and reflection on ministry in the parish, the diversity of the Diocese. This cohort is complemented by our curate-training • In Year 1 establishing you in your new the primary context for the essential learning programme in which you share with your ministerial context and practice, and supporting and formation to develop your ministries, year-group of peers. The aim of the training your preparation for ordination as priest. focusing on ministerial formation, and on the programme is to enable each person to flourish development of relationships which enable in their ministry and inhabit more deeply • In Year 2, deepening your practice and mutual flourishing for all. their vocation as deacons and priests. This understanding of mission and ministry with programme supports learning and formation the theological tools and skills you need to Opportunities for academic awards through a partnership between the Diocese and contextualise this. Care for curates and families The Queen’s Foundation. And it takes place in Alongside the IME2 training you may wish to the context of parish supervision and reflection • In Year 3 helping you prepare for continue studying on an accredited pathway The wellbeing of clergy and their families is very on ministry. life-long ministry and to take up a post of with Common Awards. Curates who already important to us. In addition to the supervisory responsibility to be entered into with skill and have a Diploma award from IME1 may register aspects to curacy, we have a free, confidential The programme provides space and an confidence. for a BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission. counselling service (the Listening Ear scheme) environment beyond the parish context in Others who already have a degree or higher for all clergy, diocesan staff and their families. which curates come together with skilled tutors award or are recognised as potential theological to learn with and from each other’s shared educators have opportunities to further their More info experience, so that they can better integrate studies alongside their curate programme. their practice and reflection, develop their – contact the DDO (details on back cover) or personal qualities, spiritual, ministerial and visit lichfield.anglican.org/curacy professional gifts and skills, and deepen their “We have had amazing support from the diocese over the 6 years through both of our curacies and desire to learn. that’s not always been straightforward- particularly when ‘life’ sometimes gets in the way!

“But the support, through thick and thin has been fantastic, particularly discerning Adam’s call to

The curacy experience is very much a collective one, often gathering at Lichfield pioneering ministry and curacy under ‘pioneer’ supervision.” Diocese’s centrally-located Shallowford House for study, prayer, retreat and de-stressing with peers (pandemic permitting): as such, it’s a much less scary venue during IME2 than as a base for a BAP! Revds Adam & Charlotte Gompertz

12 13 Curacy in Lichfield Diocese For further information Trentham Parish Church In the first instance, please contact: Sharing the Love of Jesus The Revd Romita Shrisunder, Bishops’ Director of Ordinands Come to the river, [O] 01543 306220 be filled with The Spirit, and [M] 07949 033091 [E] [email protected] overflow in the world!

Over recent centuries Trentham, with its gardens and lake, has represented a place of refreshment and retreat to the city and beyond. We believe God is calling us to make the invitation to those who will hear…

‘Come to the river and rest from the Find us on: wounds of life, so you may return refreshed to live for Christ’

AChurchNearYou: achurchnearyou.com/church/4560/ Looking for a great challenge?

Website: Sense this might be where God www.trenthamchurch.org.uk is calling you? Get in contact

Facebook: and let the journey begin… facebook.com/TrenthamParishChurch/

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