Profile for the position of Interim Minister Serving the Parishes of: Coton-in-the-Elms, Croxall, Immanuel Stapenhill, Linton, Lullington, Netherseal, Overseal, Rosliston and Walton-on-Trent 1 In a first for Derby Diocese, two benefices have come together to seek the appointment of a full-time interim minister for a two year term. The nine parishes long to see growth in their churches, improve their The Vision outreach to young people and improve their pastoral care. They are concerned about the lack of leadership, declining congregations and resources. These discussions arose out of the practical coincidence of two groups of parishes becoming vacant at the same time, due to the retirement of one incumbent, and an early move of the other incumbent. Over the last few years different configurations of the parishes have been tried between these two benefices. However, there is not a clear shared vision on the shape of the future benefice(s). There are concerns over mix of rural and urban churches, concerns about the incumbent being over-burdened, suggestions over the possibility of Joint PCCs, but concerns over the implications of that. There is a desire to create a shared vision for the parishes and to create a shape that is sustainable and missional. Whether that is as one group of parishes, or several. We are therefore looking for someone to work with the PCCs, congregations, Area Dean and diocese to discern God’s future for the parishes, to empower the congregations, to start some of this change, and to produce a clear agreed report on the best way forward. The parishes look forward to the appointment of an interim minister to provide this leadership and to explore a way forward for effective ministry and mission. “It will require a great deal of prayer, consultation, conversation, concentration, and compromise to see our best way forward. To this end, we think an Interim Minister would be a good appointment to help us see our way”. 2 2 Purpose of the post o provide leadership during a time of change and exploration of future T ministry. o enable the parishes to equip themselves more effectively for mission, The role T prepare the way for a future pattern of ministry and determine the kind of ministers required in the long term. Main duties and responsibilities o work collaboratively with the parishes to identify their mission priorities and to provide T support as these start to be developed. T o provide leadership and pastoral support, particularly for lay leaders and clergy colleagues. o enhance the links with all local schools (which includes the four church schools), and existing work with children and young T people. T o develop a sustainable pattern of worship, in collaboration with colleagues and parishes. T o identify how the future shape of the benefice/benefices can best enable mission and ministry. T o explore how this future shape can be best overseen, including through the creation of joint PCCs. T o identify and start to develop opportunities for making better use of the church buildings for mission. 3 3 Where are we? 4 4 The parishes are mostly rural, although Immanuel Stapenhill is part of the urban area of Burton. The whole area is part of the National Forest, with the villages surrounded by active farmland and National Forest plantations with miles of Where are quiet countryside for walking and cycling, and two Forestry visitor centres with small shops and activities for children. Rosliston Forestry Centre holds a number of log cabins for holiday rental in a beautiful setting. We are very we? close to the National Memorial Arboretum and the Peak District National Park is within an hour by car. Local attractions include Alton Towers, Drayton Manor Park, Barton Marina (just across the River Trent) and Twycross Zoo. Catton Hall is open to visitors on selected dates throughout the year and hosts a number of national events – including a spectacular November Firework Festival. Stapenhill boasts a wonderful Riverside Garden and Walk with an Arboretum, while the National Trust property of Calke Abbey is close by. There are regular buses to Burton-on-Trent and Swadlincote, with fast connections to Derby. There is also close access to major roads such as the A38, A5, A444, M6 Toll, M42 and M1 and cities such as Birmingham, Stoke on Trent, Nottingham and Leicester and of course the Cathedral Cities of Derby and Lichfield. There are excellent national rail services from stations at Burton on Trent, Tamworth, Lichfield and Nuneaton, while both East Midlands and Birmingham Airports are convenient sources of air travel. There are medical practices at Overseal, Rosliston, Stapenhill, Swadlincote, Barton under Needwood and Measham. There are major hospitals at Burton upon Trent and Derby, both of which provide Accident and Emergency cover, and smaller hospitals at Tamworth and Lichfield. There are a wide variety of sporting clubs and opportunities both in the parishes and nearby. These include cricket at Lullington and Walton, tennis and rugby in Burton-upon-Trent, and various football clubs including Burton Albion, and Gresley Rovers. There is a rowing club in Stapenhill, sailing at Branston Water Park, and two very 5 5 well equipped leisure centres, one in Burton and one in Swadlincote. There are a number of riding schools in the area, together with cycling and motorcycling clubs while Donnington Park Motor Racing is nearby. There are also cinemas, libraries and theatres in the local area. There are a variety of village shops, with shopping centres in Stapenhill, Burton and Swadlincote, whilst Derby offers an enormous range of shopping and leisure opportunities. 6 6 The Church The Building St Mary, The church was built in 1846 and has a slender steeple on a tower with one bell. The spiral staircase to the clock, which Coton-in-the-Elms provides the village with accurate (sometimes!) hourly time signals, also serves as shelter for some 100+ butterflies over the winter period.The church was renovated in 2000 with the aid of National Lottery funding and now has a large light and airy Nave, which is carpeted (the old pews being removed), a raised Chancel behind a carved wooden choir screen and curtain which is closed during secular events, with choir stalls and a small pipe organ. The church now has a small kitchen and has toilet facilities and Gas fired central heating. There is a weight bearing balcony above the Kitchen which, with suitable stairway access installed, could be used for additional seating.The total capacity of the Nave is approximately 120 with a further 40 possible on the balcony, if access can be provided.The church has various stained glass windows with a large plain glass window behind the sanctuary giving attenders a visual impact not present in most churches. The older part of the churchyard was cleared of Memorial stones (with family permissions) some time ago and these have been re-sited to the south of the church land. This work has given us a very large, and well maintained, grassed area to the South and East of the church building. Burials continue to the East side of this cleared area. Cremation plots are at the far East side and around the church building. A memorial to Russell Aston RMP, a local man killed in action in Iraq, is erected to the South of the West door.The far East side of the Churchyard adjoins the Community Centre land but at present has no pedestrian access Finance The Common Fund is paid to a level that funding allows Services We are renowned for being a very friendly church. Services are ‘middle of the road’, no bells, no incense, with both BCP and Common Worship services being held and ‘Iona’ based services. Currently we hold 7 7 Communion Services on the First (CW, 6 pm) and Fourth Sunday (Iona, 11:15 am) and we have a lively Family Service, with refreshments, on the Second (at 11:15 am) and an Evensong (BCP, 6 pm) on the Third and a ‘Songs of Praise’ (6 pm) on any Fifth Sundays. Attendance varies with regularly 5 or 6 people and 10-20 for some Family services. The annual Carol Service, and School Services will have 100+.We hold baptisms either as part of the main services or separately and we also have a number of Weddings each year, the area surrounding the church being good for photography.Being close to the National Memorial Arboretum groups of Bikers meet up annually at St. Mary’s so that they can complete their ‘Ride to the Wall’, and on the Saturday before Remembrance Day a large group of Bikers gather in church for a short ‘Service of Remembrance.’ The community St. Mary’s also takes part in the annual ‘Ride and Stride’ event where sponsored bicycle riders and walkers travel from church to church in the area so coming many miles. venuesThe church has regular flower arrangers and cleaning is also carried out by volunteers.The PCC consists of some 8 members and we have an electoral roll of 9. Mission Opportunities Apart from Services, the church is used weekly by a local ‘Rainbows’ group and a monthly Whist Drive is held. There are monthly ‘Coffee Mornings’ and concerts, evening events, etc. to raise funds for the church, and the annual Village Fete is held in the Church Grounds. Other funding comes from support from the community and from the ‘Coton Chance’ lottery whose proceeds go specifically into a fabric fund.We also produce the three monthly ‘Newsletter’ distributed to everyone in the parish, which details news of what is happening in the village both at the church and other The Parish The village of Coton in the Elms is mentioned in the Domesday Book and has a current population of about 950 of the full age range in mixed housing.It is situated in the Western part of the National Forest and is at the furthest point from the sea in the UK being 66 miles from the nearest coast (Ordnance Survey data).