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All Saints Stand

Parish Profile

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Contents pages

3. Our Mission statement

4. Summary

5. General information

6. Clergy housing

7. The Parish

8/9. All Saints CE School

10. The Church building

11. Worship and the Church family

12/13. Mission

14. Finance

15. The next Parish Priest

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Parish Profile

Our Mission statement

All Saints is a thriving, welcoming and inclusive family. We want to attract people of

all ages and backgrounds to a Christian faith which adds meaning and purpose to

life and helps us share the GOOD NEWS of God’s unconditional love and care

through worship and service.

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Summary

These are 5 key characteristics of All Saints Stand

We are a warm, welcoming and inclusive church family.

We are growing the number of families attending our 2nd Sunday service

We are engaging with Social media and but need help to develop the potential and extent

of our engagement.

We offer a variety of services regularly during the year which satisfy a number of worship

expressions.

We are committed, responsible stewards of our Grade 1 listed place of worship.

These are the top challenges for the future at All Saints stand:

The encouragement of regular and committed stewardship from our church families.

The development of engagement with the wider community through heritage events.

The expansion and development of engagement with 2nd Sunday families and their

children.

The production of an action plan in line with Fit for Mission – Church for a Different World

(see Manchester Diocese website for further details).

Grow the church community to ensure our future given the current age profile of the

congregation.

These are the 5 key qualities we are looking for in our new incumbent.

Will be mindful of the traditions of the Parish, yet able to carry the church forward

with understanding.

Gifted in preaching.

Someone who is committed to collaborative leadership and the encouragement and

development of lay leadership/involvement.

To be aware of the benefits of Social media and to develop its use in the parish

context.

Human and caring.

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General information

Parish of All Saints Stand

Patron - Lord Wilton

Area Dean – Revd Deborah Sandercock-Pickles

Age of building - consecrated in 1826

Approximate seating capacity 300

Church Hall adjacent to church

Official population of parish 15,800

Number on electoral roll 212

Average Sunday attendance adults 90 / under 16s 11

Average Sunday communicants 80

During the last 12 months Baptisms 31 in 2017

Weddings 9 in 2017

Funerals 46 (19 in church, 27 at crematorium)

No. of Christmas communicants 112

No. of Easter communicants 134

Publicity Parish Magazine, monthly; NewsStand, Bi-Monthly

Website address standchurch.com

Facebook - Stand Church – All Saints, Whitefield

Twitter – @Stand_Church

Officers:-

Churchwardens;

Mrs Ann Smith, 23 Hillsborough Drive, Unsworth, Bury BL9 8LE 07748770885

Mrs Mandi Davies, 38 Cromwell Road, Whitefield, Manchester M45 7RQ 07714545655

Reader Emmeritus Arthur Clayton

ALMs Mandi Davies: Worship, Parish Administration

Ann Smith: Pastoral care, Parish Administration

Debbie Winstanley: Prayer and Spirituality

Neil Nelson: Worship, Prayer and Spirituality

Safeguarding officer: Neil Nelson

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Debbie Winstanley, Ann Smith, Mandi Davies, Neil Nelson – Our Authorised Lay Ministers

…………………………………………………………………..

Clergy Housing

The Rectory at 32 Church Lane Whitefield is currently the residence of the incumbent. It was

originally a farmhouse and believed to have been converted by Charles Barry, the church

architect. It is a Grade 11 listed Georgian house. The accommodation comprises a lounge, sitting

room, dining room, kitchen, study, utility room, downstairs cloakroom. On the first floor there are

4/5 bedrooms one of which is ensuite and a separate family bathroom and cloakroom. There are

further attic rooms on the second floor. There are cellars and outside a detached garage. There

are large gardens surrounding the house and ample parking. The property is carpeted throughout.

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The Parish

The Parish of All Saints Stand is situated in the township of Whitefield in the Metropolitan Borough

of Bury. The Church and Rectory are part of a conservation area.

Whitefield has a mix of housing both private and social, with pockets of deprivation. In the area

there are other churches of Christian traditions including

St.Bernadette’s RC

Whitefield Methodist

Besses United Reformed.

There is easy access to good public transport links, buses, Metro system and a short distance to

access the M60 and other routes. In the locality there is a good range of restaurants and 2 parks

for leisure activities. Local shops are limited but the nearest town centre, approximately 3 miles

away, is Bury with its ‘world famous market! The motorway gives access to the Trafford shopping

centre. The Garrick Theatre is based in Whitefield and has 6 productions a year.

There are a variety of sports clubs in Whitefield including Stand Cricket Club, Whitefield Bowling

Club and Sedgley Park Rugby Club and two golf clubs.

As recipients of Heritage Lottery Funding we are committed to opening the church to the

community. With this in mind we have held in the last 12 months a large exhibition about ‘The

History of Whitefield Through the Ages’. This led us to hold 3 Reminiscences afternoons, followed

by an afternoon about Isaac Dawson a local WW1 soldier. These events attracted almost 450

visitors to church.

Church has been used for a variety of concerts open to the community including,

Bolton Chamber Orchestra

Bury Choral Society

Dr Jazz and the Cats

Besses Boys Band

In house concerts organised by choir members.

The Church hall is used every day.

SUNDAY

10 to 10 club Morning coffee Messy Church (bi monthly)

MONDAY

Painting (rents hall) Relaxation dancing Dancing School (rents hall)

TUESDAY

Little Uns & Co Little Uns & Co. Guiding group

WEDNESDAY

Coffee morning (Occasional) Dancing school (rents hall)

THURSDAY

Luncheon club (monthly) Mothers Union (monthly)

FRIDAY

Painting group (rents hall) Dancing school (rents hall)

SATURDAY

Dancing school (rents hall) Dancing school (rents hall)

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A local special needs high school has students who come to the monthly Luncheon Club where

they put into practice life skills learnt in the classroom. The students have also made visits to

the church building.

Within the parish boundary are to be found the following schools

All Saints CE Primary school

Phillips High School ( state funded senior school for boys and girls)

Higher Lane County primary School (part of an academy trust)

Elms Bank High School. (all students have a statement of special needs)

All the above schools have visited church for their carol services at Christmas and

curriculum led visits.

Outside the Parish boundary are to be found:

Whitefield Community Primary School

Bury Church Of England High School

Private independent schools

It would be desirable in the future to strengthen contact with all local schools

All Saints CE Primary School.

This is a voluntary controlled school. The Rector has been on the board of governors at the school

along with a foundation governor from the congregation. The Rector had regular involvement with

school taking part in and leading school assemblies.

The children have been welcomed into church for Experience Easter and Pentecost.

The annual Year 6 Leavers service is held in church.

The children support Christingle, Harvest and Nativity services.

School have been responsible for taking All Age services.

School visits to church as part of the curriculum.

Here are the children’s ideas for a new vicar.

The head teacher lead an assembly specifically to talk about what sort of person the children would like to have as their new vicar. Their views were collected by the worship committee who are in Year 6. This is what they have put together for the Parish Profile. Job Description

Teach some R.E. in lessons, teach songs and Bible stories

Come into school for special occasions.

Services for school in church, i.e. Leavers’ service. Blessings in school. Help appoint head boy/girl, deputy head boy/girl. Lead assemblies in school regularly.

Inspire us to believe in God. Participate in All Saints Day (if in term time). Come into school/class so we get to know you.

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R.E. club after school. Attend children’s worship committee meetings. Help the children explore the church.

To join in on an occasion with our school council Be a governor.

Person Specification

To listen/respect other people’s ideas. Be enthusiastic, inspiring and creative. Be approachable so people can ask for help/friendly/loving. Be tolerant. Sense of humour/joyful/smiling

Follow our school’s Christian Values. Be positive and thoughtful with a good attitude. Patient and responsible. Faithful and calm. Enjoy being with children.

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The Church

A Commissioners’ church designed by Charles Barry, built in stone. The church consists of a nave,

north and south aisles, a chancel with a canted apsidal east end, and a west tower. The tower is

slim, and contains an open porch, lancet windows, clock faces, and an embattled parapet with

crocketed corner pinnacles. Along the sides of the nave are two tiers of windows, and all the

parapets are embattled and have pinnacles. The church is Grade 1 listed.

There is a large open churchyard maintained by Whitefield Community Graveyard Group, made up

of members of the congregation and community. They work each week maintaining the

churchyard to a high standard.

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Worship and the Church Family

1st Sunday 8am Holy Communion 10am Parish Communion 4pm Evensong

A said service A main service of Holy Communion with hymns Said service with hymns

2nd Sunday 8am Holy Communion 10am All Age worship 4pm Holy Communion

A quiet said service An informal service for everyone Said service with hymns

3rd Sunday 8am Holy Communion 10am Parish Communion with healing Prayers 4pm Evensong

BCP prayer book A main service of Holy Communion with hymns Said service with hymns

4th Sunday 8am Holy Communion 10am Family Communion 4pm Evensong

A quiet said service A shorter informal service Common Worship based Said service with hymns

Wednesdays 10.15am Holy Communion A quiet said service using BCP

Baptisms are held on the 4th Sunday of the month by arrangement

We use a mixture of Common Worship and BCP liturgy in our services. Templates are used for the

All Age and Family Communion Services.

We also have Ten to Ten - our Sunday activity for children and their parents which takes place during service. The children join the congregation for a blessing during communion and at the conclusion of the service share what they have been doing. Our objective is to help our children to learn about God and his love for us. Messy Church – takes place 6 times a year following a theme in Messy church format Once a month there is ‘Breathing Space’ – a quiet time with space in which to pray The Compline

service is used to frame the service which lasts an hour.

Bible and Beaker is an informal monthly Bible study group, on a Wednesday following the

Communion service. The group study the next Sunday’s gospel reading, followed by a simple soup

lunch.

The Fellowship group meets fortnightly in church, following a designed course.

An important part of the ministry at All Saints is the distribution of Home Communion by a team of

lay assistants, to individuals in their own homes and also to those in residential care homes.

On the 3rd Sunday of the month we offer Healing Ministry during communion in the side chapel for

anyone who needs this ministry.

The normal vesture is alb and stole but at the Minister’s discretion.

We would describe the worship at All Saints as central and traditional. The congregation is

proportionally weighted towards the upper age ranges. A recent Age Profile recorded shows the

following results;

0 -10, 11%; 11 – 17, 4%; 18 – 39, 6%; 40 – 69; 29% and over 70, 50%.

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The average number of under 16s attending weekly is 11. We have a mix in our congregation

which covers the full social spectrum. 35% of the congregation live outside the Parish.

We have one Reader Emeritus, Arthur Clayton, who is available for Burial of Ashes only and

supervises the Healing Ministry team.

Vocation to various forms of ministry has been through the discernment of the Rector and by

her encouragement and development this has resulted in 4 ALMs being licensed.

The ALMs are an integral part of the Ministry team at All Saints. They are involved in:

Planning and leading services.

Visiting residential homes

Community engagement

The ministry of the congregation is understood and exercised through:

Being encouraged, enabled and supported in ministering to the communities and

networks in which they live and work.

We offer lunch, dancing, a walking group, Knit and Natter

Individual members support spiritually and prayerfully each other.

Mission

All Saints Mission Statement

All Saints Church is a thriving, welcoming and inclusive family. We want to attract

people of all ages and backgrounds to a Christian faith which adds meaning and

purpose to life and helps us to share the Good News of God’s unconditional love

and care, through worship and service.

The Mission Action Plan process has been started and the following are the areas we are

focusing on.

1. Family Ministry - The growth of committed families

2. Stewardship

3. Communication channels.

1. Family Ministry

Not only ministry to parents with children but also developing a family ethos in the church. We are

all God’s children, each one of us a beloved and important family member. Our aim is to

encourage people by offering attractive, informal worship each month. In 2017 we introduced, on

the third Sunday a new Family Communion service, designed to be accessible to all ages, shorter,

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less wordy, more informal but firmly based in the solid Common Worship style and hopefully

encouraging to those who are not yet confirmed to begin to move deeper into faith and worship

2. Stewardship

This includes the need for committed and significant financial giving to the church so that we can

continue to develop what we offer in ministry and mission. We have always been committed to

paying our Parish Share in full. We need to encourage newcomers to understand that

stewardship is part of Christian commitment both financial and in time and talents. . There is a

huge variety of great ministry taking place at All Saints and beyond. We need to draw more

people in to what we do and this could include job sharing and ‘shadowing’ before the ‘old hands’

relinquish their tasks and responsibilities.

3. Communication

In common with family ministry and stewardship, communication is about relationship building,

engagement and invitation. We use Facebook, Twitter, Text messaging, A Parish Magazine and

NewStand. We have a website. It is about talking to one another and to people outside church.

We need to develop these strands of communication better. We are using these tools to remind or

invite people to what is going on which is very much ‘a work in progress’. It is a ministry that

needs to be harnessed, focussed and shared. Information needs to be consistent. We need to

learn to be more media aware and make better use of the Press and outside bodies

The 2nd Sunday All Age service attracts families on a regular basis. We have seen a significant

increase in attendance at special services e.g. Christingle, Crib service and Harvest. One particular

challenge we face is to use the growth in attendance at special services as a catalyst for growth in

our traditional Sunday weekly services.

Further to our successful All Saints Weekend in 2017 the exhibition ‘Whitefield Memories’ from

local archives, followed by a series of ‘Come and Remember Whitefield Memories ’ afternoons,

when congregation and community were encouraged to ’chat about Whitefield’ – this has been

followed by - ‘Telling the Stories’ . The first in January told the story of Isaac Dawson, a local

man and WW1 soldier. We hope to develop further engagement with the local community,

through our Open Days, Heritage events, concerts and more use of the church building.

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Finance

Good stewardship is practised and encouraged and the last renewal was in November 2017.

Total commitment of our congregation both in time, talents, stewardship and support,

continues year on year. The PCC are fully committed to paying Parish Share and have always

felt morally bound to pay in full. We have seen an increase of 18.81% in or share from 2015

to 2018. It is recognised that weekly/monthly donations plus cash collections now do not cover

the amount required.

The Rectors expenses are paid in full. £1,434 was paid in 2017.

We have a generous congregation who each year support various charities. In 2017 the

following were supported:-

The Children’s Society Mary’s Meals

Leprosy Mission Marie Curie

Christian Aid Greater Manchester Preservation Society

Mission to Seamen Lancashire Ringers Association

Porch Box Project Water Aid

Barnabus,

The Good Shepherd in Uganda

Support for the Poor of Whitefield through Trusts

During 2017 over £6,000 donated.

In past years, the receipt of a large bequest prompted the PCC to share in the good

fortune and £10,000 donated to charities.

The church is Grade 1 listed and the PCC are committed to a programme of Restoration of the

Building, Bells and Organ. Phase 6 of the Restoration of the building was completed in 2017

with the completion of the Restoration of the Tower following the finding of a crack. The value

of the work was £270,222 plus VAT. Grants were applied for and secured with the PCC having

to find some £50,000. The South side of church has been fully restored in phases 3 4 and 5.

Further Restoration is required on the North side of the church plus re-decoration.

The church houses one of the finest organs and is well known by organists across the country.

The original organ was built in 1826 by Samuel Renn of Manchester, in 1880 Frederick Jardine

moved it from the west gallery to the north aisle. In 1956 Charles Smethurst installed a new

organ using 3 of the original Renn stops and 4 from the Jardine organ plus some Harrison

pipework. In 1996 Nicholson & Co from Malvern carried out extensive improvements. Mostly

utilising the existing pipework and re-voicing and re-intoning to provide a lovely blend of

sounds. Nicholson produced a wonderful organ which is the envy of many and tempted some

of the country’s finest organists to play in recitals. A thorough clean of pipework and

soundboards, re-leathering of all the sets of bellows, replacement of damaged wooden sound

board and the renewal of a significant number of electrical parts took place in 2014/15 by

Chris Holford & Co at a cost of £70,000, this was financed from a large bequest which had

been received. From the organist: - ‘the quality of the organ is well known and a wonderful

asset to All Saints both for Service accompaniment and as a recital instrument’.

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The tower houses a full set of bells, in 2012 the bell frame was cleaned and repaired, the bells

fully serviced and restored at a cost of £21,000. During Phase 6 the Bells and Ringing room

have been restored to good condition after the extensive tower work.

THE NEXT PARISH PRIEST

We are hoping that you will be an encouraging and energising presence committed to the

long term growth of our church, enabling us to reach out to those who need us, whilst inspiring

and supporting our current congregations. We are keen to develop our Pastoral ministries and

our relationships with families and schools.

Experience of creating, communicating and delivering a vision for a church with specific challenges.

The gifts to enthuse, motivate and engage the parish community. A compassionate and pastoral nature, A lively and enthusiastic approach to ministry Develop ministry with families and young people.

The sensitivity and insight to discern, nurture and develop lay talents, skills and ministry. A consultative and collaborative approach to parish work and comfortable with delegation Insight into and experience of utilising the power of social media to raise the church profile

and attract new church members.

Someone who is a good communicator who is willing to listen as well as talk. A warm, open person, to whom people are drawn.