PARISH PROFILE 2018 OF St MARY the VIRGIN, GREAT PARNDON, HARLOW, CM19 4HT INTRODUCTION This appointment is to a full time post shared equally between St Mary’s Great Parndon, and St Peter’s, Roydon. The post would be held ‘in plurality’. He or she would live in the Great Parndon Vicarage. Great Parndon is a parish of around 10,000 people in the south west of Harlow. There are four primary schools / academies in the parish. Though there are not yet specific proposals, there is the possibility of new build in the adjoining parish of Roydon, though near to St Mary’s. The new Great Parndon parish was formed in 2014. There has been a period of interim ministry following this and other changes. The parish now seeks to appoint a Priest in Charge to take forward the mission and ministry. Partnership working will be an important part of this future as the Deanery develops mission unit [s], as the existing partnership of the South Harlow Covenant (see below) is built upon and as possible links to Roydon are explored. St Mary’s church is a Grade One listed building, dating from the 15th century, built on a Norman foundation of the ancient parish. A continuous line of Clergy dates from 1190. Until 2014 St Mary’s was a single parish with St James Staple Tye (a church plant) partnering ecumenically with HAEBEA (Herts & Essex Borders Ecumenical Association) in which the Methodist and United Reform churches locally work together. In 2014 St Mary’s and St James became separate parishes. There have been Interim Ministers since late 2015 as the new parish is established. With this appointment the interim period of ministry will cease. The parish became part of the South Harlow Covenant, (working closely with St James Staple Tye, and St Stephen’s Tye Green and Netteswell) in October 2013. Together with this you should have received: an application form a booklet of reports from our 2017 AGM the 2017 accounts If you would like to find out more about the parish that isn’t in this document, please contact the Churchwardens: Peter Button 01279 865046 Ray Curtis 01279 418699 or the Area Dean, Martin Harris 01279 411100 Applications should be sent to: The Archdeacon of Harlow’s Office, Glebe House, Church Lane, Sheering, Bishop’s Stortford CM22 7NR; or by email to [email protected] WORSHIP The preaching tradition is broadly lectionary based. Laity are involved in leading worship, as well as reading lessons, leading intercessory prayers and the occasional sermon. We have a Reader and two have completed the Chelmsford Diocesan Course in Christian Studies (CCS). Seven lay persons are licensed to administer the chalice. Our Deputy Churchwarden serves as a volunteer Chaplaincy visitor in the local hospital. Our current pattern of Sunday services is currently as below, but this is likely to change in view of the parallel appointment to Roydon. There has been discussion between the parishes but the final decision awaits the appointment. Week Time Service First 9:00 am BCP Holy Communion 10:30am Holy Communion/Morning Worship Second 9:00 am Common Worship Holy Communion 10:30am Common Worship Holy Communion Third 9:00 am Common Worship Holy Communion 10:30am Common Worship Holy Communion Fourth 9:00 am Common Worship Holy Communion 10:30 am Common Worship Holy Communion Fifth 9:00 am Common Worship Holy Communion 10:30 am Songs of Praise/ Morning Worship. We have a prayer book where anyone may write prayers. These are offered up at each Communion Service. There is also an area to light candles/ pray, for children to draw during services and where refreshments are consumed, which is a popular part of our church. The style of worship at St Mary’s is traditional, except the Morning Worship services which are more informal and often lay led. St Mary’s has an organist, who plays at Sunday services, bell ringers who ring before the 10:30am service, but no choir. The hymnal “One Church, One Faith, One Lord” is used for all services. 2017 2018 Baptisms 15 11 Weddings 5 5 Funerals 3 3 Although we have 2 baptism visitors, the bulk of the liaison with baptism, wedding and funeral families is carried out by clergy. This includes the collection of fees. Usual Sunday attendance is between 30 and 40; slightly more at Morning Worship. Services at Christingle and Christmas Eve can exceed 80, and on occasions over 100. In addition, a short said Morning Prayer service is held every Thursday at 9:00am, currently led by clergy. Other Sunday Services Annual services with a special character have included: Mothering Sunday, Renewal of Baptism Vows, Messy Church, Battle of Britain Sunday, Harvest, Pet Service, Remembrance Sunday and a memorial service for Funeral families. There is a short service at the village War Memorial on the Battle of Britain and Remembrance Sundays. (Pre 2016 there were good links with the RAFA, where the Air Training Corps attended the Battle of Britain service. RAF history is strong in the area, which is close to North Weald airfield.) Seasonal Services Christmas: Christingle Service. Carol Service. Christmas Eve Crib service, 11:30pm Holy Communion Christmas Day. Lent/ Easter: Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday – 8pm Holy Communion. Good Friday 10:30am Easter Egg hunt with Children service. Good Friday – Last Hour service – 2pm to 3pm. Festivals: Ascension Day 8pm Holy Communion Patronal Festival – 8th September. All Saints day. Other Activities: Christian Aid Week. There is a biennial Flower Festival, usually held in July on even years. There is a biennial Summer Fete and fun Dog Show, usually held in July on odd years. There have been no house groups meeting since 2017, when the leader moved away. RECENT HISTORY Interim Ministry Since October 2015 St Mary’s has had two interim ministers. The first, in 2016, enabled us to look at our past history and identity and to identify our priorities for the future. Our second interim minister was appointed in December 2016 for two years. This was a half time post, spending the rest of her time within the South Harlow Covenant as a whole, focusing primarily on pastoral care. Interim Ministry reports are available on request. South Harlow Covenant This was formed in October 2013 and comprises the neighbouring Harlow parishes of St James’ Staple Tye, St Stephen’s Tye Green and Netteswell, and St Mary’s Great Parndon. The main positives have been the sharing of resources, namely clergy, services and lay training. See further the Deanery paragraph below. PASTORAL LEADERSHIP Administration: A lay team assists with the booking and administration of Weddings and Funerals. Latterly this has been carried out by the Interim Minister. Baptism Preparation/ Visiting: We have two baptism visitors preparing families for baptism. Marriage Preparation: At present this is carried out by a meeting with the minister who will officiate at the service, other visits at the minister’s discretion and a rehearsal. Home Communion: Our Reader has extensive ministry in various care homes within and around the parish and at parishioners requests. Two other PCC members are authorised to give Home Communion FAMILIES AT ST MARY’S Over the past 18 months there have been Messy Church sessions primarily aimed at baptism families with children of a primary school age. Other young person oriented services have included an Easter Egg Hunt in the churchyard on Good Friday, a Pet Service in the autumn and Christingle and Crib services before Christmas. These have been supported by our cubs and scouts with their families. A monthly Morning Worship service is aimed at families. THE CHURCH COMMUNITY PCC. The PCC meets every 2 months with an annual meeting around Easter. A standing committee is called if the need arises. Fellowship Groups. The Course in Christian Basics is offered at St Stephen’s church in Bush Fair. A number of our retired congregation attend the Wednesday Morning Worship service at St James church. St Mary’s Morning Worship service Planning Group. This meets once a month to plan and reflect upon the monthly service. Uniformed Organisations. We are associated with groups of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts who meet at Risdens Park, Harlow. They attend the Mothering Sunday and Remembrance Day Services and the scouts camp overnight in the churchyard during Flower Festivals. Women’s World Day of Prayer. This is supported in the town and parish every March. Our Reader was recently the Harlow Branch leader. Bellringers. St Mary’s has an active team of bellringers who ring before the 10:30am Sunday service, practise every Tuesday evening and take part in bell ringing competitions across the diocese. They also ring for many of our weddings. Foodbank. St Mary’s is closely associated with the Harlow Foodbank with a collection point at the back of the church. One of the Churchwardens is a volunteer one day per week. Part of the proceeds of our Harvest Festival is donated to the Foodbank. Street Pastors. We were involved with the setting up of the Street Pastors in Harlow, where one of our PCC members served as a Street Pastor. Two PCC members continue to serve as Prayer Warriors. Streets2homes. One of our PCC members is Chair of Trustees. The remainder of the proceeds of our Harvest Festival is donated to Streets2homes. Miscellaneous. Last but not least, mention should be made of those who help to clean the church, maintain the churchyard, provide refreshments after services and provide flower arrangements. Some are not regular members of the congregation. FINANCES The 2017 accounts are attached. The church aims to provide funds to support a wide range of missions and charities under the policy of the PCC to donate 10% of income post Parish Share, although one of the challenges facing the parish is the full payment of Parish Share.