mossley hill team ministry · youth worker in 2004 st matthew and st james and all hallows jointly...

TEAM AND PARISH PROFILES

Mossley Hill Team Ministry

CONTENTS:

TEAM PROFILE

PARISH PROFILES

ALL HALLOWS, ALLERTON

St BARNABAS, PENNY LANE

St MATTHEW and St JAMES, MOSSLEY HILL

Team Profile 17 June 2015 Page 1 of 4

TEAM PROFILE

THE TEAM

Mossley Hill Team Ministry comprises the three churches of All Hallows, Allerton; St Barnabas, Penny Lane; and

St Matthew and St James, Mossley Hill. The three parishes all share common boundaries with each other in

suburban south Liverpool. All three churches are part of Liverpool South Deanery, and are also covenanted

together in Churches Together in Mossley Hill. The parishes include a significant local retail area, and student

Halls of Residences and family houses.

The area is well established, although in keeping with national trends the population is now more transient than it

was. Within the churches there are approximately 600 on electoral rolls and about 400 people worship on a

typical Sunday.

The individual Parish Profiles provide more information on the history, ministry, strengths, weaknesses and

opportunities and challenges facing us as we learn and strive together for God’s purpose.

St Barnabas St Matthew and St James All Hallows

Penny Lane Mossley Hill Allerton

PASTORAL COMMITTEE

Following a Deanery pastoral review, the Mossley Hill Team was formally established in March 2005. Until 2014,

the team had two ministers serving the three churches. Following the Diocesan recommendation that each

church in the diocese should have a Local Missional Leader, a third minister was appointed to the team.



OUR VALUES

Our journey together is expressed in our shared values:

B eing Family

L earning and Growing

E ncountering God

S haring Christ

S erving God and Neighbour

OUR MINISTRY

CLERGY

Team Rector and All Hallows Local Missional Leader (post vacant).

Team Vicar and St Matthew and James, Mossley Hill Local Missional Leader: Rev’d Alan Kennedy.

Self Supporting Team Curate and St Barnabas Local Missional Leader: Rev’d Bill Addy.

READERS, WORSHIP LEADERS AND RETIRED CLERGY

Readers take part in services within the team. All Readers have a ‘home’ church at which they have a particular

responsibility for worship and ministry.

All Hallows: The parish has four Readers and a worship leader who take a full part in parish ministry.

St Barnabas: The parish has a retired Reader whose licence has been extended and takes a full part in Sunday

ministry.

St Matthew and St James: The parish has two worship leaders, but at present has no Readers.

Further assistance is provided by a number of retired priests who live in the area.

YOUTH WORKER

In 2004 St Matthew and St James and All Hallows jointly agreed to appoint a Youth Worker to develop ministry

with and amongst young people. In 2014 he left in order to explore the possibility of ordination. Due to financial

constraints, the churches have not at present proposed a replacement.

TEAM GOVERNANCE

When the team was initially established, a Team Council was a required part of the structure for a minimum of

five years. The council was advisory, and a forum for discussion and to enable communication between the

churches. Initially the team also had a core group, whose role was purely advisory.

Following a review of the structures, it was made dormant and replaced in 2012 by the Staff Team meeting,

comprising the two ministers and the Youth Worker together with one lay representative from each church. This

met on a weekday morning, and was suspended following the Youth Worker’s departure. However, the team

clergy have continued to meet regularly together at all times.

TEAM ADMINISTRATION

The Team employs an administrator, who has an office at All Hallows. The office provides support and resources

to the team, including general administration, printing facilities, and is the first point of contact for people wishing

to get in touch with the churches and personnel in the team.

SUNDAY MINISTRY PLANNING

Each church plans its own worship within a general framework agreed between the ministers. This is presently

coordinated by the Team administrator.


LOCAL LEADERSHIP TEAMS

When the team was first established, it was considered important to continue the individual character and identity

of each church. To this end, each PCC agreed to set up a Shared Ministry Team (SMT)to work alongside the

clergy. Whilst this was achieved at All Hallows and St Matthew and St James, it was not possible to set up an

enduring team at St Barnabas. In the restructuring in 2012, the SMT’s were replaced by Local Leadership Teams

(LLT) which had a three year term of office. The term of the LLT at All Hallows has been temporarily extended

pending the arrival of a new Local Missional Leader. The team at St Matthew and St James is currently under

review.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN MOSSLEY HILL

The three churches of the Mossley Hill Team are also all part of Churches Together in Mossley Hill.

In 1996 the ten churches in the area signed a covenant to form Churches Together in Mossley Hill. This was re-

covenanted in 2006 and to be reviewed every 5 years. The group is now nine churches and includes the three

Anglican churches of the Mossley Hill Team, two Roman Catholic, one Methodist, one Baptist, one United

Reformed, and one Welsh Presbyterian. The focus of Churches Together in Mossley Hill has been ministry

exchange, local mission and occasional joint worship. In recent times the pattern of provision of ministers in the

member churches has changed, such that many are either part-time or responsible for churches outside the local

area. This has contributed to the recent difficulties in engaging the churches in ecumenical activity.

SUMMARY ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Survived 10 years as a team!

Access to each other’s resources

Team administration

Joint working (eg Marriage Preparation)

All churches engage with the community

Each church has an individual identity which is respected by the other churches

Extensive lay involvement.

WEAKNESSES

Rarely choose ‘team’ over local parish

Few formal mechanisms for dialogue between churches

Lack of youth work (too much reliance on paid Youth Worker?)

Communication needs to be improved.

OPPORTUNITIES

Willingness of church members to grow ‘team’

To develop team connections with the community: schools, commerce, retail areas common to all

parishes

Change to Local Missional Leadership still to be developed fully (due to sabbatical leave and resignation of

Team Rector, All Hallows have not yet had the opportunity to take this forward).

THREATS

Apathy

Independence

Finance

Inaccessibility


PERSONAL PROFILE

The vacancy has arisen following the departure of the Team Rector who has been appointed Team Rector in

Carlisle Diocese.

All three ministers are shared across the team, but each is the Local Missional Leader with particular

responsibility for one of the three churches.

The recent change to Local Missional Leadership has significantly changed the foundation and working of the

Team and requires a new collaborative vision to be established and developed, under the leadership of the Team

Rector.

The most significant aspect of any appointment additional to the current staff is the importance of collaborative

ministry – providing skills complementary to existing ministers, working both as the Local Missional Leader at All

Hallows, but also across the three churches, particularly by discerning, encouraging, enabling and supporting lay

involvement in all areas of ministry.

We are looking for an experienced priest who is called by God to this position. He or she will enthusiastically

bring their own gifts and qualities of spiritual leadership and will encourage, inspire and develop the Team.

Our Team Rector should:

have a breadth of proven leadership experience prior to or since ordination and be able to embrace,

share and develop the team vision and parish vision of All Hallows, Allerton;

be committed to, and demonstrate experience of, collaborative ministry;

be able to relate to and work effectively with members of staff, Readers and lay leadership;

be able to relate to and encourage effective relationships with the other churches in the area, especially

those covenanted to Churches Together in Mossley Hill;

be passionate for the Gospel of Christ providing leadership in the task of mission facing the church to

take God’s message to the people of the local community and growing the Kingdom of God;

respect and work with the traditions of each of the three churches;

encourage by example the development of worship, and ordained and lay ministries in all their forms.

30 WORD SUMMARY

Established in 2005 Mossley Hill Team comprises three adjoining parishes, sharing a Team

Rector, Team Vicar, Local Missional Leader and Administrator.

A team learning and striving together for God’s purpose.

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Registered Charity 1133124

Part of together with St Matthew & St James

& St Barnabas, Penny Lane

A Church on the way – calling everyone to the way of Christ (Our Mission Statement)

A Community of Blessing:

Being Family:House-groups, Luncheon Club, Mothers’ Union, OpenChurch, Craft Group, Marriage Preparation,Baptism Team, Baptism Outreach, Pastoral Care Team,Messy Church, Children’s Ministry, Choir, Worship Band,Open Gardens, Social Gatherings etc.

Learning & Growing:Children’s groups, house-groups, Lent/Advent courses,Emmaus/Alpha/Confirmation courses,

Encountering God:Sunday Services, Prayer and Praise evenings, midweekservices, social gatherings

Serving God and Neighbour:Outreach (Maundy Thursday money, Christmas Carol singing in community, Calderstones School,Samaritans Purse, Children’s Society, CMS, Christian Aid, ACAT) Pastoral Care Team, Asylum Link,Churches Together in Mossley Hill (CTMH)

Sharing Christ:Messy Church, Open Church, Man 2 Man, Picnic in the park, HOPE

Website address: http://www.allhallowsallerton.org.uk/

A member of Churches Together in Mossley Hill (CTMH)

All Hallows has a strong core committed congregation with an average attendance at our 10.15am service of90-120 ; an average attendance at the 6.30pm service of between 18-25 and at the Wednesday mid-week service an average of 10-20. The age profile is 24% of the church being 70+, 24% 50-69, 21% 30-49,2% 18-29, 5% 11-17, 22% 0-10.

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What do we want from our Missional Leader?Essential

A person who:

¨ is called by God to this position and is a prayerful person.¨ is a strong leader, decisive and willing to make tough decisions who encourages lay ministry.¨ will work as part of the wider team to improve communication using their gifts to the

benefit of the whole team whist providing a leadership focus at All Hallows.¨ is enthusiastic, encouraging, and committed to developing the gifts of all members

of the congregation regardless of gender, age, ability and disability.¨ will help us to develop our work with families, young children and youth.¨ Is comfortable leading liturgical worship, but also innovative and creative in

developing new forms of worship suitable for different groups using both traditionaland modern music.

¨ is open, welcoming, with a warm personality and a kind heart.¨ Sound financial acumen and computer literacy skills.

Desirable

¨ Able to be innovative and creative in driving a growth agenda at All Hallows.¨ Is outward looking and will lead us to grow and develop outreach within our local community.¨ Is a pastor who can organise us to care and support our families, friends and neighbours

in both life and ministry.¨ The ability to keep sermons engaging and thought provoking, without being verbose,

to encourage more people to attend.

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ABOUT THE PARISHGrid Ref SJ400 875

All Hallows is situated in south Liverpool, an attractive, affluent suburb composed of mainlyprofessional/clerical workers and their families with also a large number of retired people.The area is popular with young families seeking school eligibility.

The total population is around 15,000. Housing consists of mainly owner occupied semi-detached properties with some detached, terraced and a small percentage of councilproperties.

There is one council primary school, one RC primary school, one prep school and one largecommunity comprehensive school.

The Merseyside Police Training Academy including dog and horse section is in the parish.The largest employer in the parish is a Tesco Superstore. Also in the parish is

¨ a National Trust property – Paul McCartney’s childhood home¨ Reader’s Association in Calderstones Park¨ Friends of Calderstones & Harthill Gardens¨ Bill Kenwright’s family home¨ TA barracks¨ University Playing Fields¨ Beechside Nursing Home¨ Library

Three good things about our parish are:

¨ Good Transport Links¨ Quality Schools¨ Local shops and amenities

Views from the Church Tower

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ABOUT THE CHURCHAt All Hallows we have a varied pattern of worship endeavouring to meet the needs of all of ourcongregation and local community. We are open to new ideas and exploring other styles such asTaize, Celtic Services, Compline and Café Style Church. The overall churchmanship of All Hallowscould be described as low to middle church.

Sundays Sunday 10.15amSunday 6.30pm

The Pattern of Sunday worship is:1st Sunday 10.15am Holy Communion 6.30pm Choral Evensong2nd Sunday 10.15am Parade Service 6.30pm Holy Communion (CW)3rd Sunday 10.15am Baptism 6.30pm Choral Evensong4th Sunday 10.15am All age Communion 6.30pm Healing & Wholeness Service5th Sunday 10.15am Morning Worship 6.30pm ‘Interesting’ service

MidweekTuesday 7.15am Morning PrayersWednesday 11am Holy CommunionThursday 7.15am Morning Prayers

Monthly 1st Wednesday 7.30pm Prayer & Praise evening

We presently have four readers, one worship leader, a Director of Music (choirmaster & organist)and a team of Lesson Readers, Intercessors and Holy Communion Administrators.

The Worship Band lead the music on 2nd & 4th Sunday mornings, some Baptism & Healing servicesand the Monthly Prayer & Praise evening.

All other Sunday services are led by organ & choir. All Hallows has a tradition of Choral Music whichenhances the worship at these services. We have a choir of 30 in total, of all ages including childrenwho also receive training in music and worship.

We currently have Sunday Clubs for children aged 3-11 during the 10.15am services on the 1st and3rd Sundays but are working towards having Sunday Clubs on three out of four Sundays. Childrenstart in church and then move to the church centre. There is a crèche in church each Sunday. Wehave been awarded the Child Friendly Church award and continue to train and develop ourchildren’s work leaders.

We have house groups meeting monthly in people’s homes.

At present Messy Church happens on various occasions i.e. Good Friday, Lite Nite, and Christmas. Itis hoped that this can be resumed as a monthly/ every other month happening.

We work with other congregations within the Mossley Hill Team at Festival times to offer a range of‘team’ services such as Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

The Local Leadership Team (LLT) was set up and commissioned for 3 years in 2012 and has recently beenre-commissioned for 12 months. It comprises of 4 Lay readers, a worship leader and 2 lay members.

There are 259 on the electoral roll – 162 residing in the parish and 97 outside.

Our parish share is paid monthly and we have a planned giving scheme in operation.

The church is currently solvent however our expenses exceed our income and we are reviewing waysof maintaining a balanced budget.

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The Church and the community· During 2014 there were 41 baptisms, 9 weddings, 9 funerals plus 18 services taken by clergy at

the crematorium.· We have a baptism team who visit and follow up as well as a marriage preparation team.

Pastoral Care visit those who have been bereaved and those who are ill.· We have an annual Remembrance Service for relatives of all those who have been bereaved.· Our evening services are audio taped and available, and delivered to housebound members of

the congregation.· We have a weekly lunch club run by members of church which is available to elderly members of the

parish.· A monthly service of Holy Communion is held in Beechside Nursing Home.· We support Asylum Link by collecting food, clothes etc. as well as collecting items for

Shoeboxes for Samaritan’s purse.· We also actively support CMS, The Children’s Society, Christian Aid, Compassion, Church Urban

Fund, and ACAT and have various coffee mornings in church to support charities e.g. StrokeAssociation and British Heart Foundation.

· Ten percent of regular planned giving is given to missions and charities.

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The Church and its buildingsThe Church building is Grade 1 listed with Burne-Jones/William Morris windows and was consecrated in 1876.It is in good condition but as with any old building it requires maintenance which is incorporated into ourbudget. Substantial alterations were made when toilets with facilities for people with disabilities wereadded with a small recess for use as a kitchen. Recently the AV system was updated as well as a few pewsremoved to create a social space at the rear of the church.There is an adjacent Church Centre which has two halls, two rooms, toilets and kitchen. The Team Officeis located above the church centre.

Our Church &Church Centre areused by a variety ofgroups both churchaffiliated andgroups hiring thehall.

Church Groups:Sunday Clubs, Mothers’ Union, Messy Church, Lunch group, craft groups, Open Church, Coffee Mornings.

Hirers:Kumon Maths training, Badminton, Keep Fit, Toddler groups, Uniformed Organisations, Slimming Group,Blood Transfusion Group, Table Sales, Allerton Singers, Private Parties, Patchwork & embroidery groups,school groups.

The Church Centre is run by a Hall’s Management Committee appointed by the PCC.

There is scope to make more use of the church and church centre.

The Vicarage is a detached house across the road from the church and church centre. It comprises of fivebedrooms, one bathroom, downstairs toilet, two reception rooms, study, kitchen, utility room, garage,gardens and driveway. It is double glazed throughout.

About the wider contextWe have a few paid staff and many unpaid volunteers.

Paid Staff include:Team Administrator, Music Director (Organist & Choirmaster), Church Cleaner, Funeral/Wedding Vergers.

Voluntary Staff include:4 Readers, Worship Leader, 2 Church Wardens, Worship Band Leader, Communion Administrators,Lesson Readers, Pray-ers, Sunday Club Leaders, Flower arranging team, Pew sheet team, EnvelopeScheme & Gift Aid Secretary, Visitors Welcome Team, Catering Team, Safeguarding Officer & DBS Verifier,Gardner, PCC Secretary, Treasurer, Sound Team, Sidespersons, Retired clergy.

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The Congregation were invited to contribute to this parish profile and made the comments listedbelow:

STRENGTHS

· Welcoming and friendly

· Team of lay readers and dedicated LLT

· Variety of music – all styles led by choir or worship band

· Good social space

· Excellent AV system

· Good balance of services – traditional & modern

· Encourages many to participate

· Good pastoral care

· All age communion

· Sense of family

· Shared leadership

· Team of flower arrangers

· Sunday Clubs

· Strong Mothers’ Union

· Good at consulting the congregation on church matters

WEAKNESSES

· No youth work – need to reach out and provide more discipleship opportunities

· Internal and external communication could improve e.g. website, noticeboards & socialmedia. Sometimes too many notices read out in church which interrupts the service

· Not enough follow up when people leave

· Some sermons that spend a lot of time explaining/retelling the readings rather than giving amessage to take away to reflect on and challenge us

· Lack of younger people (11-29)

· Small congregation at evening services and early midweek Morning Prayers

· Need to pray together more

· Finances

· Lack of volunteers

· Lack of support for church events

· Heavy demands on key people

· Limited engagement with local community

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OPPORTUNITES

· Popularity with Baptism families and with wedding couples

· Lots of young families living in the area

· Large comprehensive school and large primary school in the parish

· Developing a greater sense of unity within our church family

· Service/mission to wider community

· To find creative ways to reach out to all under 30, including single people and young families.

· Use of church facilities to reach out to the community

THREATS

· Sunday is a busy time for families and leaves no time for church

· No church led children or youth work other than Sunday Club/Messy Church especiallyduring the week.

· Expenditure exceeds income

· Decreasing numbers

· Apathy.

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A Profile of

A brief history of St Barnabas Church: The foundation stone for the church was laid on the 11th June 1912. The church replaced a “tin church” that was located not far away but had grown difficult to maintain. The first vicar of St Barnabas, the Rev J. Kirk Pike, was installed on the 11h June 1914. Eventually a church hall was acquired in nearby Dovedale Road, but sadly, after many years of intensive use, it became difficult to maintain financially and was sold in 1965. The church is a Grade II listed building. Location: St Barnabas is located in a prime position in South Liverpool at the corner of Penny Lane in a large residential area and close to the shops and business premises on Penny Lane/Allerton Road area. The church is a popular destination for tourists including fans of the Beatles. The interior of the church is very attractive, well maintained and clean.

JGH June 2015 2

The number of people living in the parish is some 5,500, which comprises a mix of all ages/social status/ethnic origin. At present, the number of people registered on the electoral roll is 71. There is a small refectory and this has proved a valuable facility as it has encouraged the usual congregation and visitors to stay on after services for refreshments and social chat. St Barnabas does not have a church hall and this restricts some activities. In recent years a number of pews were removed from the rear and the area carpeted. This has created a useful space for church and community use. The church has undergone much change over recent years; this has been hard for some to digest. The church has a web site pennylaneliverpool.merseyside.org/ Church roles and organisations In the latter part of 2014, the Rev Bill Addy became Self-Supporting Mossley Hill Team Curate and the Local Missional Leader for St Barnabas. Our Reader at St Barnabas, Derek Atherton, supports him. During services, members of the congregation lead Intercessions, read Lessons and serve at Communion. The table below indicates other church roles and organisations.

Church roles

Organisations

Wardens (2) Girls Friendly Society Assistant Wardens WINGS (Women in God’s Service) Treasurer Guides, Brownies and Rainbows Sidespersons Youth Club Giving Officer Credit Union Worship Team Writers Group Director of Music and choir Bell Ringers Health & Safety Officer Safeguarding Officer Communications Team Fabric Team Cleaning Team Flower Team Fund Raising Team Refreshments Team

JGH June 2015 3

Worship style:

The church has a current mix of worship style comprising Common Worship Communion services, Café services, All-Age services and BCP services. There is a strong desire to move towards services that appeal to families – including children - but at the same time retaining Anglican tradition. Traditionally, the music ministry has been based on organ and choir (especially so for Evensong). During the monthly 10.30am Café service a more informal style of music is gradually being introduced.

Regular Services

Average Attendance

Sunday at 8.30am (Holy Communion BCP)

11

Sunday at 10.30am (Common Worship Communion services, Café Services and All-Age Services)

40 (inc choir of 3)

Sunday at 6.30pm (Evensong BCP with Holy Communion once a month

22 (inc choir of 12)

Thursday at 10am (Holy Communion BCP)

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Children’s work: Over recent years the children’s work during Sunday worship had ceased. There are now signs of growth and new children’s work has started using the Roots material as its basis for teaching. Attendance is slowly increasing. Activities Youth activities take place on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. On Friday a Writers Group meets to discuss and exchange ideas on their work. On Tuesday mornings, coffee, tea and refreshments are available and both the church community and visitors make good use of this. Each Tuesday the church hosts Lodge Lane Credit Union. This is very popular and offers the usual range of credit union services. Currently negotiations are in hand to add a Citizens Advice service.

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A number of social and fund raising events take place throughout the year. Popular events are the Autumn Fair and the Beatles Weekend (that coincides with the Liverpool Music Festival), and the annual Christmas/New Year party. Organ recitals take place over a number of weeks each summer. Projects

• Renewal of heating – underway • Renewal of sound system – underway • Giving in Grace initiative – ongoing and resulting in increased giving. • Installation of the church bells - completed. • Installation of mobile phone equipment – completed. • New toilets and improved refreshment facility - planned • Autumn Fair, fund raising events, community focused events – ongoing • Support of a Christian worker (Anna Simms) in Peru.

Strengths

• An excellent location and a fine listed building with a beautiful interior. • A warm and welcoming church community. • Although we are gradually attracting a bigger congregation and expanding

our community outreach, there is great potential for further growth. • Because of the Beatles/Penny Lane connection we attract visitors from the

UK and the world. • Church website. • A number of people who are willing to move forward and embrace new

ideas. • Hard working people that support the church. • Refectory area for use by church members and the local community. • Building relationships with the other 2 churches in the Team Ministry. • St Barnabas is a member of the Churches Together in Mossley Hill; a group

of 10 churches across all denominations. Two of these churches are on the doorstep – the Elm Hall Methodist Church and the Welsh Bethel Chapel.

• People get on very well together and these friendships continue outside church.

Weaknesses

• St Barnabas still struggles to establish a new identity within the Team Ministry.

• Finances are a serious concern due to a limited resource base and high running costs.

• A tendency to rely on a small group of people to get things done. • No Church hall or similar facility.

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· The congregation has diminished significantly over recent years. Althoughnumbers have stabilised and are showing some increase, we still need todevise ways that will encourage and retain the existing young families whoattend as well as attracting new ones. Integrating them with the olderchurch community will be essential too.

· Music and worship has yet to reflect the aspirations of the maincongregation.

Aspirations and challenges

· Good potential to develop St Barnabas church, which is in one ofLiverpool’s prime locations.

· Growth. Find ways and means to attract more people to our churchcommunity. Including worship and music ministries that will encouragefurther growth across all ages; especially appealing to families andchildren.

· Improve our financial position.· Further develop our vision for St Barnabas based on sound gospel

teachings and practice, develop people’s faith, and improve communityoutreach.

· Improve our efforts to work with and retain families and attract new ones toour church.

· Increase our efforts to build children’s work.· Extend pastoral care.· Improve the existing facilities for church organisations activities, social

occasions and community use.· Improve overall communications – including the church website.

7th JUNE 2015

St Matthew and St James, Mossley Hill Parish Profile PCC approved 14 June 2015 Page 1 of 6

The church on the hill

PARISH PROFILE

OUR CHURCH

St Matthew and St James has a committed core

membership, with a typical average Sunday attendance of

160 at the main 10:15 service, and about 280 on the

Electoral Roll.

We have a mixed age range, but face challenges retaining

young families.

The church and vicarage were constructed in 1875, with

Matthew James Glenton, a local merchant, the

benefactor. In our 100th year, the church rooms were

built adjacent to the church. In 1986 a new vicarage was

built, and the church acquired the old vicarage and

renamed Kilimatinde House, which was used for meeting

rooms, parish office and student accommodation. In

2014, Kilimatinde House was sold and it has been

converted back to a private residence. We are actively

engaged in a major redevelopment of our existing church

rooms, and church reordering.

LOCATION

The church is located on Rose Lane at the top of the hill

– the highest point in Liverpool – and is highly prominent

and visible. It is close to the Rose Lane retail and business

area, and adjacent to a number of University Halls of

Residence. It is an imposing building, which is both a

strength and a challenge.

OUR PARISH

The Parish is a settled suburban community, with a number of longstanding residents, but also attractive to young

families moving into the area. The total population is about 10,500, with a significant but decreasing number of

students in the Halls of Residents. A number of the large merchant houses had become care or nursing homes,

but now only 3 remain. The parish also contains Mossley Hill Hospital, which is now principally providing services

to older people.

MOSSLEY HILL TEAM MINISTRY

St Matthew & St James


Riding Lights ‘Inheritance’ (March 2015)

PATTERN OF SERVICES

SUNDAY

8:30am Common Worship (Order One) said Communion with short address (attendance 10 to 12 most

weeks).

10:15am Family Worship with JAM (Sunday School) (attendance160 with 30 under 16).

1st Sunday: Family Worship or Parade

2nd Sunday: Common Worship (Order One) Family Communion

3rd Sunday: Informal Worship with contemporary music

4th Sundays: Said Holy Communion followed by a Baptism Service at 12:30 (bimonthly)

5th Sundays: special services as appropriate.

4pm Choral Evensongs on 3rd Sunday

Special Services: e.g. Christingle (340); Remembrance (480).

MIDWEEK

Monday, Tuesday, Friday Morning Prayer (attended by laity as well as clergy on a regular basis).

Wednesday 11am fortnightly Holy Communion (with short address) Alternating Common Worship Order One

and Order Two. Takes place weekly during Advent and Lent.

Evening Communion and/or 11am Communion on Major Festivals – e.g. Ash Wednesday.

Daily evening worship and meditation during Holy Week – sometimes across the Team.

CHURCHMANSHIP

Worship: we remain faithful to the legal forms of service but aim to use them as a framework within which to

express the life and variety of a very mixed congregation. Ceremonial is simple.

Theology: we tend towards an evangelical biblical base. However, we remain a comprehensive church and are

open to, and include, parishioners from all traditions.

Communion before Confirmation: we provide for Communion before Confirmation.

MISSION

Local: Mission is regularly monitored and a

planned programme of events is maintained.

Baptism, funeral and marriage visiting and

preparation are major tools for witness and

mission.

Summer Holiday Club attracts over 120 children,

including without church connections.

CAMEO ministry to young families.

Wider: the church tithes its disposable income,

giving to Local, UK, and International causes.

Individuals are involved in both working and giving

abroad including the Children’s Society and

Christian Aid.

Practical help: Harvest gifts are distributed to

people in their homes.

Links through Mission agencies – CMS, OMF and

Wycliffe – and with partners in mission in Tanzania,

Nigeria and Cambodia.

A typical Sunday morning service


BBC Northwest Tonight Christmas Special

OUR VALUES

Our journey together, in common with the team, is expressed in our shared values:

B eing Family

L earning and Growing

E ncountering God

S haring Christ

S erving God and Neighbour

Which are worked out through our mission statement:

‘Empowering, equipping and enabling people for whole life discipleship’

MUSIC

The church has a strong musical tradition. Our worship regularly includes items from the traditional hymnody of

the church (A&M revised and modern) and contemporary worship songs. There is a fine organ and a skilled

organist / choirmaster working alongside a music group. There is an adult choir, who regularly contributes to our

worship.

Beyond services, the church is used for concerts by CPC music, for organ recitals and by others.

CHURCH ORGANISATIONS

The church caters for a wide range of groups which are detailed in the Annual Report.

OUR MINISTRY

LOCAL MISSIONAL LEADER

The Local Missional Leader is Rev’d Alan

Kennedy, who is also the Team Vicar.

READERS

The parish presently has no Readers, but

has significant lay involvement in the leading

of worship.

RETIRED CLERGY

A number of retired clergy are involved in

ministry within the parish. Their

involvement has been encouraged and

welcomed.

YOUTH WORK

This was carried out across the team, based at All Hallows. However, since the departure of the paid Youth

Worker, this work in abeyance.

LAY INVOLVEMENT

In formal worship: Laity read, lead intercessions, assist at Communion (and take extended communion) and

assist with prayers for healing. During the summer holiday period the pattern is adjusted to reflect holidays and

particular summer activities.

In pastoral care: In partnership with the Clergy, Lay people coordinate and undertake Baptism preparation and

visiting, Marriage Preparation (across the team), and pastoral visiting.


Remembrance Service

In parish administration: The vast majority of parish administrative tasks are carried out by lay people, and

through the Team Office and Team Administrator.

OTHER AREAS OF MINISTRY

There are 3 care homes in the parish (as this profile was being written, a further home closed with 1

week’s notice). Communion is taken to some of these at least at Easter and Christmas.

Regular assemblies are taken by Ministers in Dovedale, Booker Avenue, Greenbank, Liverpool College, St

Margaret’s, St Hilda’s, Archbishop Blanch and Calderstones schools.

OUR PARISH AND THE COMMUNITY

The local Scouts, Guides etc worship with us regularly and many church members are involved in their leadership.

The church runs a very successful group for Mothers and Toddlers for those living in the area (CAMEO).

A Playgroup, not run by the church, uses the church buildings 4 mornings a week.

The Royal British Legion occupies the former Church

Institute premises in Rose Lane (the Rector,

Churchwardens and PCC representative are trustees

of the Church Institute fund). The Legion attends the

Remembrance Sunday Service in the church.

The church also previously owned a school, since

demolished and the land sold. The Rector,

Churchwardens and PCC representative are trustees

of the School fund, which is used to fund educational

activities.

Members of congregation are actively involved in

school PTA's, as Parent Governors, lead Christian

Clubs in schools and many are involved in charity and

other work in the local community, city and nation.

SPECIAL NEEDS

The community consists of many lonely and elderly people, alongside a young student community. The closure of

many nursing homes and the breakdown of normal community care patterns have resulted in a greater need for

the church to build up caring relationships for people within their own homes.

Ministering to the large student population both in Halls of Residence, student houses and others still living at

home.

BUILDINGS

The church was built in 1875 of Woolton Quarry sandstone and was restored in the 1950's following major war

damage. That restoration has meant minimal repair work has been necessary for many years. However, a major

programme of refurbishment was undertaken in the 1990s, costing in excess of £100,000 and aided by a grant

from English Heritage. An adjoining church hall was built in 1975 as part of the centenary celebrations.

A major part of the Vision plan is to ensure the wider use of the church and other buildings. As part of developing

our Vision plans, we have carried out recent enhancement works, which are ongoing, and include: new electrical

wiring and lighting; new Dais; a new glazed screen to the Memorial Chapel.

Kilimatinde House, the old Vicarage, was bought by the Church Council in 1986, and has recently been sold, and

is now a single private residence. It housed the Team Office, meeting rooms, prayer room and student

accommodation. The church is at present seeking DAC approval to use the proceeds to extend and refurbish the

church rooms, remodel the back of church, and replace the pews with chairs. This work is intended to provide

flexibility, and increase the potential uses of the church and adjacent buildings throughout the week.

An attractive, new Vicarage was built adjacent to the church grounds in 1986.


OTHER MATTERS

Parish Area: This is a residential suburban parish situated between

the airport and the city centre, with mainly semi-detached and

terraced housing. The population is estimated to be 8,000 with an

additional 2,500 students in University term time. There is one

Academy school in the parish. The area is an attractive and pleasant

area in which to live and there are good shopping facilities within

walking distance of the church.

Parish Boundary: The natural catchment area of the parish is not

reflected by the boundary. The church building is situated at the

narrowest part of the geographical parish and attracts members from

'outside' who think they 'belong' to us. It is a long way from the two

farthest ends. People at these extremes naturally look to other

churches in the first instance. This affects involvement in, and

relationship to, the community.

The Parish as a Resource for Ministry. The parish has nurtured

and raised many Readers and Ordinands. The community is a mobile

one and many of the Readers move to other areas of the country.

Inevitably the Ordinands don't remain either. The nurture of these

vocations for the benefit of the wider rather than the local church

requires proper resourcing and commitment from the staff.

The Parish and the Community. The parish has developed a number of community links: Mossley Hill

Business Association, 156 Transport Regiment (particularly around Remembrance). The parish was a focus for the

commemoration of the 100 year anniversary of WW1, with significant assistance and involvement from the BBC.

The Parish and the Arts: the church has held art exhibitions, and was a recent venue for a Riding Lights drama

production ‘Inheritance’, and we are at present developing a Heritage Trail.

Finance: See 2014 accounts.

SUMMARY ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Good number of adults, families and young people attending on a regular, if not weekly, basis and good

electoral roll (280);

Variety of gifts of members of the congregation;

Committed pool of church members of all ages;

Highly visible building;

Most of the community educated and in work (or not working through choice);

Reasonably good age spread – not 'elderly' membership;

Strong outside (international) links;

Strong links into the community, and a commitment to engage;

Not afraid of big ideas – church members get involved;

Prayer potential, and individuals committed to prayer, prayer diary, Prayers for Healing at monthly

communion.

WEAKNESSES

Not always succeeding in drawing those on the periphery into the centre of church life (e.g. poorly

developed small-groups);

Reducing numbers, and especially fewer u16s and young families;

A Beacon on the Hill.

The church tower is illuminated

through Advent and Christmas


Some are wary of the grandeur and size of the building;

Failure to tap financial potential;

Prayer life outside formal worship not as strong as was.

OPPORTUNITIES

Developing the buildings to be ‘fit for purpose’ – flexible use including for community organisations;

Relationship with, and access to schools;

To deepen engagement with the local business community;

Re-engagement with student community;

To engage with families seeking school places;

To build on opportunities presented by Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals.

THREATS

Ageing money;

Failure to attract and retain families;

Failure to reverse recent trend in reducing congregation numbers;

Building maintenance costs.

MAJOR CHALLENGES

The resultant challenges that we face are:

Keeping an appropriate balance between

the 'structured' and 'informal' elements

in the congregation.

Dealing with Youth Culture and the

more 'pick and mix' attitude of both

adults and young people due to more

diverse working patterns and lifestyles.

Ministering to individuals in the

community and in their employment.

Developing small-group life in the

church.

Finances.

mossley hill team ministry · youth worker in 2004 st matthew and st james and all hallows jointly...

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