Christ Church Cinderhill Parish Statement 2014 Patron Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham Welcome Thank you for taking the time to consider applying for our vacancy. We hope that you find this document informative and inspiring. We pray for all parties in the process for God’s guidance and wisdom to make the best appointment for all concerned. Christ Church Cinderhill is one of England’s most deprived parishes; running on small budget where we struggle to pay out Parish Share. It is a beautiful and historic church which has been recently refurbished to high specification. Standing in its own grounds and visible from one of the main roads into Nottingham; it is the first church that visitors using junction 26 of the M1 will pass. A congregation which spans the age range and is ready to move to continue its journey in faith. We believe the foundations have been laid for something remarkable to happen here. We welcome any further questions you might wish to ask or to arrange a visit prior to your application. Please contact one of our Church Wardens Mr Michael Elliott [email protected] 0115 916 7971 Mr. Christopher Simcock [email protected] 0115 975 0249 Christ Church Parish Statement 2014 Page 1 Contents Vision Page 3 Our New Vicar Page 3 Worship Page 4 Collaborative Ministry Page 6 Weddings and Remarriage Policy Page 7 Baptism and Confirmation Page 8 Location and Community Page 9 Deanery and Wider Church Page 11 Church Buildings and Gardens Page 13 Vicarage Page 14 History Page 15 Appendices Finances 2013 Page 16 Deprivation statistics Page 20 Map Page 21 In Pictures Page 22 Christ Church Parish Statement 2014 Page 2 Vision Our vision is for God to remain at the heart of Christ Church, for us to be more widely known in the community and for people to be drawn to us by the Spirit inspiring the image we portray. As people are drawn to us by God through the Spirit it is hoped that the core church membership will grow, with more people feeling empowered to participate actively in the life and service of God. It is hoped that there can be a supportive structure for the congregation, nurturing it and helping it to grow in Christ by encouraging participation in house groups and prayer groups. We would like to see the variety of services continue and for us to explore new formats in a non-threatening way so as not to ‘push away’ our existing members. Underpinning all of the above our vision is for the buildings at Christ Church to be used to their full potential, including being able to open the church for a few hours each week for those who wish to find a quiet space in the busy-ness of the world. Our New Vicar We would like our next vicar to be an inspirational, strong leader, one who is able to delegate, and allow people to grow in faith and responsibility, with the ability to know when to step back and when to give support and guidance. They should be a pastoral carer with a compassionate heart, able to recognise where hurts need to be healed and lead people gently into Christ’s love. We would like them to be a preacher who is able to get across the strong message of Christ’s Gospel in an accessible way, making it relevant to our lives today. We are seeking evolution, not revolution. We need someone who is able to take our vision, and the foundations that have been established in the last few years and build upon them, not dig them up and start again. Christ Church Parish Statement 2014 Page 3 Worship Tradition The style and format of worship at Christ Church can best be described as semi-traditional. The main communion service is from Common Worship, and has been formatted into several variants of user-friendly booklets for use in different seasons. A separate sheet for all age services exists, and is more relaxed whilst retaining the required elements of Common Worship. Parts of the communion services are currently sung, e.g. the Gloria, the Agnus Dei, to a relatively modern setting. Whilst traditional and formal services have been maintained, new approaches to worship have been generally well accepted with sensitive introduction and discussion. Clergy and Readers dress formally except at family and all age services Music The majority of musical accompaniment is provided by a Wyvern electric organ and there is a keyboard for selected music, for instance when accompanying the children’s choir. We have a regular organist and in the event that the organist is away a selection of CDs is available to be played through the PA system. A small robed choir leads worship from the chancel. Musical styles are mixed with organ, keyboard, guitar and children’s instruments. We sing hymns from the very old to the very new, and are not averse to learning new things. Another important aspect of our worship are The Troubadours a two piece band who regularly perform and accompany the congregation. Christ Church Parish Statement 2014 Page 4 Sunday Services There is a service of Holy Communion at 10am every Sunday except the third Sunday of the month which is All Age Worship. Sunday Club for children take place every Sunday except at All Age Worship and during the school summer holidays. Messy Church is held on Sunday afternoon, usually the second Sunday of the month. Weekday Services An outreach service is held at the Keverne Close sheltered housing complex at 10.30am on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Each Thursday in church there is a service of morning worship at 10am which is followed by a coffee morning. Congregation Statistics On a normal Sunday we can expect to be joined by on average 40 adults and 13 children. Regular Worshipping Community Attendance 2013 Total 93 Children (0-10 years) 19 Young people (11-17 years) 9 Adults (18-69 years) 47 Adults aged 70+ 18 There were 59 people on the Electoral Roll at January 2014 Christ Church Parish Statement 2014 Page 5 Collaborative Ministry The word ‘team’ is sometimes misused; however we are proud of the team of people who bring the word of God to our congregation. People participate in all aspects of worship, including acting as sidespersons, children’s work, intercessors, reading lessons and the Gospel, serving at communion and distribution of the chalice. There are three licensed Readers who lead and preach as well as taking part in many of the activities mentioned above. Christ Church Parish Statement 2014 Page 6 Weddings and Remarriage Policy Weddings 2012* 3 Weddings and 2 Wedding Blessings 2013* 2 Weddings and 2 Wedding Blessings 2014 Weddings booked 6 2015 Weddings booked 8 *numbers down because of the church refurbishment but now showing signs of recovering. Remarriage Policy Remarriage at Christ Church has been at the discretion of the incumbent, endorsed by the PCC. Christ Church Parish Statement 2014 Page 7 Baptism and Confirmation At present infant baptism is encouraged hand in hand with pre-baptism visits and church attendance. Baptism of older candidates is approached on an individual basis. Confirmation preparation is carried out as needed. In 2012 there were ten baptisms and in 2013 there were 13. In 2013 there were four confirmations and in 2014 there were ten. Christ Church Parish Statement 2014 Page 8 Location and Community Cinderhill parish lies approximately 3 miles to the north west of Nottingham City Centre. A map of the parish is contained in appendix A. In summary the parish comprises the Bells Lane estate and half of the Aspley estate which were built originally as social housing. These estates are demarked by Sherborne Road, the lower half of Minver Crescent and Hilcot Drive. There are newer private housing either side of Stockhill Lane and Bagnall Road. The church is situated on the very busy A610 trunk road between Nottingham and junction 26 of the M1. We have good transport links to and from Nottingham with the Tram system every 12 minutes. Buses provide a regular service to Nottingham and north bound to parts of Derbyshire. The community activities include SALTAR (Stockhill & Ladbrooke Tenants & Residents Association), Bells Lane Community Centre and Aspley Training Centre. Whilst public services include Stockhill Fire Station (currently under threat of reduced service), local library, a college of further education (currently under massive changes and rebuild plans) and 1 private children’s nursery. We have links with a local Age UK day centre and Keverne Close, a residential warden aided complex. LAG (Local Action Group) is an organisation made up of community and statutory members who currently meet monthly in the church. There are 3 local primary schools and 1 secondary school within the parish and links exist between the church and schools through assemblies, church visits (supporting curriculum development) and involvement in fundraising activities. There is no heavy industry within the parish but a light industrial estate, Phoenix Park, lies at the tram terminus and provides employment opportunities to local people. There are also two large hotels, the Gateway and a Premier Inn. Christ Church Parish Statement 2014 Page 9 There is no central shopping area in the parish but there are several local shopping precincts providing mini-marts and a variety of takeaway food outlets. Situated next to the church is an Iceland supermarket and on the opposite side of the road is a Tesco Express and filling station. Leisure facilities include Cyril’s Gym, a close neighbour of the Vicarage; Stockhill Park provides football pitches and open play areas whilst Basford Hall (former Miner’s Welfare) offers a venue for receptions and parties.