Trinity Church,

Diocese of

Parish Brochure

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TrinityChurch, Ossett

Parish Brochure

Index to Sections

1. The Diocese of Leeds

2. Summary

3. The Priest we want

4. Our Parish

5. Our Church:

A. People

B. Community

C. Buildings and Grounds

D. Finance

6. The Wider Church

7. Photo Gallery

8. Location Maps

3 The Diocese of Leeds

In this new diocese, less than three years old, we are working with three core objectives:

. Confident Christians: Encouraging personal spiritual renewal with the aim of producing clergy and laity who are confident in God and in the Gospel.

. Growing Churches: Numerically, spiritually and in their mission to the wider world.

. Changing communities: For the better, through our partnership with other churches and faith communities, as well as government and third sector agencies.

The Diocese came into being at Easter 2014 following the dissolution of the historic dioceses of , Ripon & Leeds and . This followed a three-year process of debate and consultation driven by the Dioceses Commission. Background papers to the reorganisation process can be read at www.wyadtransformation.org

The Diocese comprises five Episcopal Areas, each coterminous with an Archdeaconry. This is now one of the largest dioceses in the country and its creation is unprecedented in the history of the Church of . It covers an area of around 2,425 square miles, and a population of around 2,642,400 people.

The Diocese comprises major cities (Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield), large industrial and post-industrial towns (Halifax, , ), market towns (, Skipton, Ripon, Richmond and ), and deeply rural areas (the Dales). The whole of life is here, along with all the richness, diversity and complexities of a changing world.

The Diocese is dissected by major motorways (M1, A1M, M62) and major trunk roads (such as the A650, A59), making road communications good. Access to other forms of transport is also good, with rail links to and many Northern towns and several airports in easy reach.

The Diocesan Bishop is assisted by five Area Bishops (Bradford, Huddersfield, Richmond (with responsibility for Leeds), Ripon and Wakefield) and five archdeacons (Bradford, Halifax, Leeds, , Richmond & Craven).

Within the Diocese, there are 323 stipendiary clergy, 165 self-supporting clergy and 398 clergy with Permission to Officiate along with 408 Readers, 125 lay pastoral ministers and 52 chaplains in 656 churches with 256 church schools.

The Diocese is unique in having three , Bradford, Ripon and Wakefield, and over the past year the cathedrals have begun to work together on the key diocesan services as well as developing three strands that they will offer to the diocese – pilgrimage, civic engagement and apologetics. This new diocese, led by the bishops, is working out how best to create a diocese with more than one , and to develop the ministry and outreach of these cathedrals in a way that secures their future and recognises their distinctiveness.

The Diocese has inherited strong partnership links with the Sudan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Southwest Virginia, Skara (Sweden) and (Germany).

4 Parish Brochure

Summary

The Priest:  As a Parish we are in need of a strong, engaging and collaborative leader, to encourage, enable and motivate the whole congregation to help us discern God's plan for us  A people person who is approachable and engaging and can build relationships with the existing congregation  Sociable, empathic; enthusiastic, flexible and with a sense of fun  Resilient in what can be a challenging but very rewarding role.

The Task:  To continue to build and develop our relationships with the wider community  Enable stimulating and thoughtful worship and preaching  Demonstrate concern for pastoral care with sensitivity in both joys and sadness  Encourage and develop relations with our neighbouring Anglican church  Address operational challenges relating to the Childcare provision.

The Buildings:  The Grade II* listed Church building is in reasonable condition but further work is needed now that heating has been installed so experience with capital projects and grant funding would be an advantage  A large flexible space with a seating capacity of 200/250 suitable for not only usual worship and civic services, but also hosting a wide range of church social and community events  The Centre has recently been refurbished and is used for child care and hired to community groups but needs further development

The Location and Vicarage:  The parish has an excellent modern vicarage in a quiet cul-de-sac within minutes of the Church  The parish is in a good location with lots of amenities and excellent road, rail and bus transport links  Local primary and secondary schools with good reputation and is ideal for family life  We recognise the stresses of modern leadership in the church and support our priest regarding holidays and training.

5 Section 3

The Parish

Location: The town of Ossett and village of Gawthorpe are close to the M1 and M62 road networks making it a good location to live for those who work in nearby cities such as Wakefield, Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester. There are also good public transport links, both bus and rail; and the local primary and secondary schools have excellent reputations.

Ossett is a within the metropolitan district of the , West and together with Gawthorpe village they have a strong sense of community and their own identity; both have excellent amenities for all ages and there is a mix of housing and socio economic groupings. There are also a number of industrial areas, mainly in the service sector, providing local employment.

History: Ossett has been served by chapels and churches since 1409 and the original Church was in the town centre but, with the population growth, a larger building was needed. The current church, Trinity, was built in 1865 on the outskirts of the town. With its size and scale it has become a well-known landmark and has been likened to a miniature cathedral.

Parish Background: The parish of Ossett & Gawthorpe was formed in 2002 with the amalgamation of Holy Trinity, Ossett and St Mary’s, Gawthorpe and Heath; this followed agreement by both PCC's that this was the most effective way of serving the people of Ossett and Gawthorpe; as a result St. Mary’s Church was closed and the two congregations successfully merged. The Patron of the parish is the Rector of Dewsbury.

With new energy, and new vision the Church building was refurbished and developed as a flexible, large space suitable for a variety of congregational and community needs; in parallel, the Trinity Centre building was developed for community use, with two halls, a fully equipped kitchen, full disabled access facilities and a small office.

In 2003, the Churchyard at Trinity was closed to new burials and is now maintained by Wakefield Council, and two new Gardens of Remembrance were also created.

Our parish covers the northern two-thirds of Ossett plus the whole of Gawthorpe, with a population of around 16,000 people. We are one of two Anglican Churches in the town; the other is Christ Church, South Ossett. Trinity is currently part of the Wakefield Deanery, in the Wakefield Episcopal Area of the Diocese of Leeds.

Governance: Ossett & Gawthorpe Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co- operating with the priest, in promoting the mission of the Church – pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical – and it is entrusted with the care of Trinity Church and its ancillary buildings. In September 2013, the PCC voted not to consider resolutions A, B or C.

We have 3 licenced Lay Readers who fulfil many duties in the Parish. There is also a retired Permanent Deacon, and a retired Priest who both hold Permission to Officiate.

We have Enabling Groups, made up of both members of the PCC, and the congregation with the Priest in Charge and Church Wardens ex-officio within each group. The groups have specific roles and are responsible and accountable to the PCC, these roles include: worship; children and young people; the childcare business; buildings and grounds; and the wider church. This is an important way in which anyone can play their part and use their abilities in the life of the church. 6 Section 4 A

People

The main office bearers are: - Deacon: - Anthea Shackleton (Local Ordained Minister with Permission to Officiate) Retired Priest: - Revd. Marion Gaskell (Permission to Officiate) Reader and PCC Lay Chair: - Duncan Smith Readers: - Linda Musgreave and Katherine Brackley Church Wardens: - Simon Brackley and Peter Holden Music Co-ordinator: - Nicky Fleming PCC Treasurer: - Duncan Smith PCC Secretary: Vacant Parish Administrator: - Donna Nestor Business and Finance Manager: - Victoria Hunter

 We meet every Sunday at 10.00am for an all age Holy Communion service, except for the second Sunday of each month when Holy Communion is held at 8.30am, followed at 10am by a Service of the Word for families. We have a Mid- Week Communion on Wednesdays.

 Every Sunday we offer creative activity for children from 10-11.15am, with experienced adults. This usually begins in the TrinityCentre and then the children join parents later on in Church during the service. Every fourth Sunday, TrinityFamilies meets from 4pm-5.30pm in the TrinityCentre offering activities, stories, songs and food. This provides a relaxed atmosphere for families to worship and socialise together making new friends and learning more about God and offers an alternative way of engaging with TrinityChurch.

 Our congregation comprise a mixed age range from babies to people in their nineties and have a variety of opinions, tastes, musical preference, and social backgrounds. The average Sunday attendance is 67 adults, of which 47 are adult communicants, and 14 children under 16, the youngest being 1 year old and eldest 10 years old.

 We have 108 people on the electoral role, of which some 30% live outside the parish.

 Churchmanship: Central Anglican (a mix of traditional and modern hymns and songs)

 Courses such as “Jesus Shaped People” and “Leading Your Church Into Growth” have been run, but with limited response. We need a new leader to engage, motivate and encourage the congregation. We run baptism preparation meetings and a prayer meeting on Mondays. A ringing group practice on a Thursday night and ring on a Sunday morning.

 There are 6 ministry teams made up of a mixture of people, old and young, and new parishioners. Their role is to offer pastoral care to their team to ensure all are welcomed, nurtured and encouraged to take an active part in Parish. On their duty Sunday each team provide: bible readers, intercessors, chalice administrators, welcomers, refreshments etc.

 A small-dedicated group of volunteers take on various tasks, from laundering altar cloths, completing Baptism certificates, hosting Bible or focus groups and preparing service sheets.

 Our aim is to encourage, nurture, and promote growth to individuals in their Christian journey and to share fellowship with one another. To offer practical and prayerful support to all those in physical, emotional and spiritual need. To provide home visits, hospital visits, and home communion visits where required.

7 Section 4 B

Community

 In 2019 we have had 5 weddings, 37 baptisms, 32 funerals.

 Groups who meet in Trinity Centre: o Trinity Tots and Babies o TrinityChildcare o Youth theatre Group o Ukulele group o Pilates group o Keep fit group

 Home communion to members of the congregation by members of the Ministry teams. Bethany group (see section 4A).

 Links with schools, Holy Trinity, Flushdyke and Gawthorpe academy. We host special services such as Easter, Christmas and Harvest.

 Holy Communion to 2 independent living schemes and a nursing and residential home all within the parish. Links with local Foodbank (Resource), we are a collection point and 2 members of congregation volunteer on a regular basis.

 Members of the congregation are involved in the Maypole Committee, and the World Coal Race. We support community events in the town through Building Ossett Better.

 Though Ossett Christians Together we support the Walk of Witness at Easter, the sunrise service on Easter Sunday and the yearly prayer bus that visits all churches in the town. In the past we have shared Holy week services with Christ Church.

 We give 5% to charity each year; this includes local, national and international charities.

 The Alpha and Omega Club is based at the Trinity Centre and it provides Ofsted registered before and after school care for children in the local area. It operates in two primary schools Monday-Friday [during term time]; Holy Trinity and Gawthorpe Academy. During the school holidays Trinity Childcare provides a holiday club.

 The Bethany group meet on the last Saturday of every month 12.30-4.30pm in the Trinity centre, providing an opportunity for anyone to share a simple meal to enjoy some gentle activities including an optional prayerful reflection session. It is particular suitable for people who are going through a difficult or stressful period in their lives or those who are depressed, anxious, lonely, isolated or bereaved. There is also a weekly 'drop-in' on a Wednesday from 1-3pm in the Trinity Centre.

8 Section 4 C

Our buildings and our grounds

Oversight: The upkeep and maintenance of our buildings is overseen by a Buildings and Grounds Enabling Group who meet 4/5 times a year and report regularly to the PCC. They also consider, plan and develop capital projects and search for possible funding sources.

The Church: Built in an English Gothic style in 1865 and designed by William Crossland, it is a Grade II* listed building. The main features include: 226ft spire, one of the tallest in Yorkshire; a 16 bell Belfry, allowing a unique 15 bell peal; magnificent stained glass windows; an Isaac Abbott organ; an original four faced Potts turret ; and significant Last Supper reredos, pulpit and stone carvings.

Over the last 15 years considerable work has been carried out in partnership with Historic England and other funders. This has included the restoration and repair of: the roof; masonry; spire re- pointing; both the East and West principle windows; new electrical wiring and lighting; and in July 2019 a new heating system was installed which means it can be used throughout the year. This and the earlier internal re-order has created a large flexible space with a seating capacity of 200/250 suitable for not only normal worship and civic services, but also the hosting of a wide range of church social and community events.

Considerable further work remains to be done, including: internal re-decoration; re-ordering the entrance lobby; re-use/disposal of carved screens/choir stalls dismantled during re-ordering. Priorities need to be established and funding secured. Annual repairs continue to be needed to various parts of this large building; the most recent have been to the high and low level guttering. This is a drain on our finances as unfortunately our grant applications for this work were unsuccessful. Our next Quinquennial Inspection is due in October 2020.

The Centre and Parish Office: Built in the Church grounds in 1989, it was fully refurbished in 2013. The Centre has two modern multi-function rooms, full kitchen and disabled facilities; it is used regularly by our Childcare group who run a before and after school club and also by our Trinity Tots and Baby group. In the evenings and weekends it is used by a range of community groups. This provides the opportunity to develop our mission in the community and also helps towards maintenance costs.

The office is based in a Portacabin and this needs to be replaced or the office re-located in the near future. Again this will be dependent on finding suitable funding and location.

The Vicarage: The Vicarage consists of a large detached four-bedroom house, with a separate study, an integral garage, all in good condition. Standing in its own established garden, it is a short five-minute walk away from the Church in a quiet residential cul-de-sac.

Trinity Churchyard: This 5½ acre site surrounds the Church; it contains many Victorian monuments and has nearly 16,000 graves including 15 war graves. It is now closed, however, burials continue to take place in existing graves with space. Two special Gardens of Remembrance continue to be used for the internment of ashes. It is also a source of much information for those interested in their own family and local history.

9 Section 4 D

The church and its finances

As a Church we are thankful to God for all he has provided for us and we recognise that each of us can make a significant contribution through our persistent prayers, our generous giving and our faithful support.

 As custodians of a Grade II* listed building we will always have to make sure we have a financial strategy to manage maintenance works.

 The biggest obstacle to further growth and development at Trinity has been a lack of adequate heating for the Church. For many years we sought to secure funding to remedy this and have had to focus our fundraising into securing this much-needed heating system, which was finally installed in 2019.

 Our church finances have been under pressure over the last few years with the passing of a number of long standing and generous members of the congregation.

 Trends of ‘planned giving’ have continued on a downward trend over the past 5 years. We would very much prefer to be in a position where regular giving forms a larger part of our income rather than depending on other sources of income and fund-raising.

 A stewardship campaign was held in 2018 with the aim of encouraging the congregation to review their giving. There remains the potential to increase income through more teaching on giving, particularly for newer members of the congregation. There has been active encouragement for people to join the new Parish Giving Scheme, whilst also reviewing the amount of their giving from time-to-time.

 The Church supplements its income through the hire of the TrinityCentre (Trinity Hall and St. Mary’s Room) which is widely used by the local community as well as for TrinityChildcare, the church’s ‘wrap around’ before and after school childcare provision. Although we receive income from the Centre, some of this is used to cover the Centre running costs. There is some scope for further lettings.

 In 2019, against forecasted income, the PCC set a budget to pay £42,000 as a contribution towards the Common Fund and was on course to achieve that. However, the PCC received reduced income from its childcare provision, with fewer children attending provision due to increased competition from childminders; one school starting its own provision and increased costs from National Living Wage and pension increases. There has been little scope to increase charges due to competition. As a consequence, the PCC was only able to pay £37,000 of the £52,931 requested. The previous Priest’s expenses were met in full.

 The PCC allocates 5% of its income to charitable causes, and has achieved this in recent years. The Wider Church Enabling Group proposes local, national, and international charities each year for these funds to be distributed to, whilst other charities are contributed to on a more ad- hoc basis.

10 Section 5

Wider Church context

 Informal relationships with other churches include Ossett Christians Together whose vision is to see the Churches in Ossett working together and supporting each other. To reach out into our community with God's love. Its mission is to support God's work in His world through sharing and caring for Ossett & Gawthorpe and its people. It meets at Christ Church South Ossett, in the Parish Centre on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7-30pm - Events include: Christian Unity Service Walk of Witness – Good Friday Dawn service – Easter Day Regular meetings with other clergy in Ossett; Ossett Christmas Lights switch on and Remembrance Sunday

 We do not have a formally commissioned Shared Ministry Team. We do have a leadership team that includes a deacon, 3 readers, 2 churchwardens and worship leader.

 In September 2013, the PCC voted not to consider resolutions A, B or C.

 We have accepted the Wakefield Area Mission and Pastoral Committee’s recommendation to the Bishop that the patron’s right of presentation to the benefice be suspended for a period of up to five years. Ossett and Gawthorpe PCC recognises that this proposal would allow flexibility and time for discussions to take place on future arrangements for mission and ministry in this part of the deanery of Wakefield, including possible pastoral re-organisation.

 TrinityChurch has a long history and connection with the traditions and heritage of our local community. The Church is involved through the Gawthorpe Maypole Committee in organising, running, and participating in the May Day celebrations that date back 146 years and are based around the permanent Maypole in Gawthorpe village (one of only 3 in the UK) and the famous World Coal Carrying Championship dating back 57 years. The May Queen service is held at TrinityChurch on the first Sunday in May and our previous Priest was a past president of the Maypole Committee. A number of the congregation are current Maypole Committee Members and Trustees of the Maypole Committee land.

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