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Parish Profile and Role

Descriptions

for a

Team Rector

Designate May 2015

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Contents About the City Page 4 Map of Portsmouth Page 5 About the Parish Page 6 -7 Who are we? Pages 8 Worship Page 9 St Francis’ Church Pages 10 -15 St Mark’s Church Page 16—17 St Nicholas’ Church Page 17 Parish life Page 18 The Leadership Team Pages 19 - 21 Our Houses Page 22 What next exploring our mission Pages 23—25 Team Rector Role Description: Pages 26—31 Benefice summary pages 32—33

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About the City Portsmouth (population around 250,000) is a thriving place for the young and old, with a wide range of schools and sporting facilities. It is a twin-cathedral city, with both Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals (with good links between them). The Portsmouth University has a large campus in the centre of the City, and is a hub of intellectual endeavour as well as a home to many thousands of students. The city is served by the Queen Alexandra, St Mary’s and St James’ Hospitals.

Portsmouth’s past as a primarily naval city is reflected in its continuing (but now reduced) naval dockyards, and historic ships. The massive ship-building that took place in the past has resulted in a very high density of housing (the City is said to be the most densely populated in Europe), with many streets of Victorian terraced housing. However, following major bomb-damage in the second world war, many parts of the city have been widened, modernised and landscaped, providing attractive shopping and leisure facilities. A large part of the water-side naval establishment, Gunwharf, has been added to the city’s stock of top-quality restaurants, cinemas, shops and housing, and boasts a ‘Spinnaker Tower’ as a tourist attraction.

The City is full of history. Nelson’s Flagship, the HMS Victory is here, together with the Warrior (the first iron-clad warship) and Henry VIII’s flagship, the Mary Rose. The water-front has Southsea Castle, a historic pier, rose-gardens, canoe-lake, a natural history museum, and the common land of Southsea Common. There are numerous other local historical sites, including the Roman Portchester Castle, and Portsdown Hill Forts. The City is equidistant between the beautiful medieval cities of Chichester and Winchester.

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A passenger-hovercraft operates from the beach at Southsea (to the Isle of Wight). We also have a Marina and leisure complex at Port Solent which is just outside the City Centre, plus another marina in Eastney at the South East corner of the island - home to numerous sailing clubs.

Portsmouth has good rail links to London (1hr 30 mins.) motorway links and ferries to the Isle of Wight and France. There is also an excellent bus service and numerous cycle tracks. Just outside the city, within easy reach, are miles of Hampshire countryside to explore, including the Queen Elizabeth Country Park – on the edge of the South Downs.

Portsmouth’s people are as diverse as their environment. Students, naval-personnel and Portsmouth businesses high tech and defence: e.g. Rolls Royce Marine Electrical Systems and EADS (Airbus and Astrium) [satellite manufacturers]& Ben Ainsley sailing. are part of a mix with a mainly working-class majority. There is a strong work-ethic in the town, combined with a passion for the local football-club, Portsmouth FC (Pompey).

Map of Portsmouth

Google Maps - ©2015 Google

St Nicholas

Parish

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About the Parish

The Parish of North End Portsmouth Team Ministry has a population of approximately 20,000 people and is a densely populated urban Parish, covering the northern portion of Portsea Island (North End and Hilsea). Much of the Parish consists of owner occupied housing, typically terraced or semi-detached in style, mainly in the period early/mid 20th century. The Parish contains areas of poverty and social problems. We also have a naval community within the Parish (opposite St Francis) as well as multi-occupancy dwellings for rent, (privately and through registered social landlords) and a range of housing for the elderly. Within the Parish are two of the City’s largest secondary schools: The Trafalgar Academy and Mayfield all through school. There are also several Primary schools including Gatcombe Park and Northern Parade as well as many private and local authority Pre-School groups and Nurseries. There is also an Academy for children with moderate learning difficulties, which is situated adjacent to St Nicholas. The parish is well served by local shops and doctors’ surgeries. The North End ‘High Street’ (on London Road) is the local shopping area. It has a range of owner-occupied shops, plus a Co-operative supermarket and various charity shops, ‘discount’ shops, and fast-food outlets. Many are struggling from the commercial pressures of out-of-town shopping, but the area continues to be vibrant. Other churches in the parish are few, and include the Roman Catholic church of Corpus Christi, Chinese church and the Society of Friends (Quakers), the British Orthodox churches hold monthly meetings in St Marks. Our three church buildings (and, of course, our congregations) are therefore a vital visible sign of the Kingdom of God in this area.

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LOWEST IN COUNTRY

LOWEST IN

DIOCESE NEPTM

HIGHEST IN

DIOCESE HIGHEST IN COUNTRY

Child Poverty (% of children in poverty)

0 3 20 49 65

Pensioner Poverty (% of pensioners on low incomes)

0 4 13 37 69

Working age poverty (% of adults receiving key out-of-work benefits)

1 4 11 32 60

Life expectancy (boys) (life expectancy at birth)

66 yrs 70 yrs 76 yrs 81 yrs 88 yrs

Life expectancy (girls) (life expectancy at birth)

70 yrs 76 yrs 80 yrs 87 yrs 99 yrs

No qualifications (% of working age adults without any qualifications)

1 10 25 46 63

Social housing (% of households living in social rented housing)

0 1 12 72 87

Lone parenthood (lone parent families as % of all families with children)

0 5 26 57 67

Ethnic diversity (% of population who are not white British)

1 2 12 33 97

Older population (% of population who are aged 65 and over)

1 8 13 40 59

Socio-Economic Information The Parish is very diverse with some significant parts having levels of deprivation within the most deprived quartile of the population and another in the least deprived quartile (Source: ONS 2015)) The population of the parish is 20610 and the IMD rank is 9893 out of 12,660 (where 1 is the least deprived parish). (Source: Church Urban Fund 2012). Across the parish as a whole, the most significant poverty-related issue in this parish is the relatively high rate of lone parenthood. The next most significant issue is the relatively high rate of child poverty. Child poverty, pensioner poverty, working age poverty and lone parenthood in this parish are higher than average compared with other parishes in the country. Female life expectancy and qualification levels in this parish are lower than average compared with other parishes nationally. In some parts of the parish, these issues have a marked impact on the quality of life and educational outcomes.

CUF 2012

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Who are we? There are three churches in the North End Portsmouth Team Ministry - each of which has an average weekly congregation (in 2015) of between 35 and 60 people. There are currently 163 adults on the electoral roll each church has its own ‘pastor’ - one of whom is also Team Rector for the whole parish, while the other two are Team Vicars (one ‘house for duty’ post is currently vacant). Each church has its own District Church Council, chaired by its local Team Vicar or Rector, responsible for the ministry and mission of each congregation. DCCs then appoint representatives to the Parochial Church Council, chaired by the Team Rector. There are two Church Wardens (known as Parish Wardens), supported by six Deputy Wardens (two per church). We work closely together, sharing ideas, visions, and resources to serve the approximately 20,000 people in our parish.

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Worship & spirituality For the last five years we have been working to a five year plan We are a broad family, of diverse opinions: something which we are proud to be.

See http://www.northendteamchurches.org.uk/archives.htm ) .

During that process we have described ourselves as a “praying, learning, serving, visible church that is diverse and all-inclusive”

Our styles beliefs and Spirituality:

Broadly described as central to liberal catholic by which we mean:

• we are a community of Christians who worship in a variety of different styles ranging from traditional to ‘fresh expressions’

• Most (but not all) of our services are traditional in style (with a set liturgy and music).

• we embrace the ministry of female priests • we occasionally use catholic traditions (like incense and bells),

encouraging our worshippers to use all their senses to encounter God

• we use various music and worship styles, sometimes with video or data-projection.

• we treat the Bible enormous respect, believing it to contain all the guidance that is necessary to find spiritual healing and one-ness with the Creator and sustainer of the universe.

• we also believe in respectfully listening to, and learning from, other people and traditions who have experienced and been touched by God.

• Our spirituality is therefore open and exploratory.

We yearn to see Godly principles of justice and joy established in our own lives, as well as the world around us - and we delight in working with others (of all faiths and none) our fundamental commitment to love, reconciliation and peace.

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St Francis’ Church The Church of St Francis of Assisi is located in Hilsea, one of the more deprived parts of Portsmouth, and the site of some considerable development of social housing, alongside more established homes.

Located at the northern end of Portsea Island, for most of its history Hilsea was a small hamlet on the Portsmouth to London road. The boundaries of Portsmouth were extended to encompass the hamlet in 1832. The last working farm in Portsmouth, Green Farm, was located in the area up to the 1990s. This area is now a residential estate and is marked by a pub and hotel known locally as the Green Farm.

Modern Hilsea is a mixture of residential and industrial areas. One of the major routes into the City, HM Dockyard and Naval Base and to the Continental Ferry Terminal, the A3, still runs through the area. Hilsea Halt, a small railway station is located on the eastern fringe.

In the years after 1926, Hilsea expanded with the building of the Hilsea Crescent Estate (social housing) which was constructed on former allotments. This estate still has many of the original families’ descendants in residence and it forms a tight community, which makes use of St Francis Church for funerals and baptisms in particular. Another estate, including some naval quarters is also located almost opposite the church.

Located on the A3, our seemingly unremarkable, brick-built church contains a good sized hall with toilets and a kitchen, and a bright and airy church space separated by a retractable, glazed wooden folding partition. This facilitates larger services (150+), as well as fairs and community events, e.g. our Pentecost family day. However, being set-back from the road and with signage parallel to the road, the church often goes unnoticed by those just passing by.

The original worship building on the current site of St Francis Church was a temporary, iron structure dedicated to St Joan. St Francis Mission, the

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older part of the current building, was built in 1936 and was consecrated on 6th June of the same year, as a daughter church to St Mark. We have started commemorating this date each year.

The church’s lay-out lends itself well to community use and also to the parish’s new (October 2014), but thriving Messy Church (23 children with additional adults in March 2015), and to running courses (e.g. Pilgrim, pastoral visitors training, confirmation).

Originally, [the Church] was a single span rectangular hall. In 1955 a sanctuary was added .

The white interior is unexpectedly spacious, and, with the sanctuary revealed it has the feel of a church. The sanctuary is dignified (Offord, 1989:31).

The Screen with the magnificent Christus Rex was inserted, a portion of the building was established as a permanent nave, and the

re-ordered Church was consecrated in 1991.

A brass plate reveals that the organ was also installed at this time. The family of the first organist said that this replaced an harmonium that had previously been used. Offord, J. (1989) Churches, Chapels & Places of Worship on Portsea Island, Southsea: John Harrison

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Our pattern of worship is:

Messy Church – monthly 4pm-6pm, usually first Thursday of the month; Mid-Week Holy Communion – 9.30 am every Tuesday – Order 1 Said Communion - 8.00 am every Sunday – Order 2 in traditional language Sundays 10.00am – Order 1 - we try to involve people of all ages in worship: readers, intercessors, acolytes, crucifer, servers and chalice assistants, as well as in a welcome ministry.

First Sunday – Family (All Age) Eucharist, involving a range of people as fully as possible and yet in a slightly more relaxed style e.g. children involved in responsive Eucharistic prayer, as well as serving;

Second Sunday – ‘Solemn Mass’, it has been our practice to make full use of incense and sanctuary bells and to sing an increasing proportion of the service;

Third Sunday – as fourth and fifth Sundays, but a Sunday Club operates;

Fourth & Fifth Sunday – Eucharist with hymns and some parts of setting sung.

Evening Services: in addition to seasonal services such as Ascension Day, All Souls’, Lenten Stations of the Cross and Maundy Thursday, on fifth Sundays of the month we often hold ‘Songs of Praise’ services.

The worshipping community at St Francis has grown both on Sundays and mid-week over the last three years.

Sunday Attendance (All)

Weekly Attendance

Weekly Attendance (Over 16)

Weekly Attendance (Under 16)

Average All Services 2012 46.1 61.5 55.2 4.8

Average All Services 2013 49.1 67.5 62.2 4.4 Average All Services 2014 53.4 73.7 68.4 5.4

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In short, our worship combines the traditional and a more modern, informal approach. Music is mainly led by a long established singing group using a guitar and other instruments. There is a small pipe organ, which is played on occasions, when an organist is available.

St Francis is the base for the Parish’s Reader, Miss Doris Bealing, who has permission to officiate. Among her parish duties, Doris organises serving and intercessors’ rota and runs a ’Julian’ prayer-group. Doris has been a Reader in the parish for over 25years, a ministry which she has carried out principally since she retired after a long teaching career.

Close-by there are a number of sheltered housing units, including the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth’s Eventide Coronation Homes (the priest at St Francis has often served as a trustee on the board) and a City Council Development.

The Trafalgar School (see above) and the Northern Parade Schools, with whom there are strong links are all within walking distance.

The Church and its ministry of welcome into the community is greatly valued by local residents, who truly see it as their own church – this is evident at the occasional offices and at extremely well-supported fairs, lunches and jumble sales.

St Francis has links with numerous community groups through their use of our hall, including Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, as well as martial arts and ball-room dancing lessons. Fellowship and fundraising events are held throughout the year. The Christmas Fair is famous across Portsmouth, but is just one item on a list of events that includes: Spring and Summer Fairs, Party at Pentecost, jumble sales, fish and chip and lent lunches, quiz nights and musical teas.

St Francis has a very strong network of friendships and relationships, and some extremely hard-working volunteers who keep the building well-maintained. A programme of improvements to the building is well underway with much achieved already.

The congregation is outward-looking and keen to make whatever adaptations are needed (to the building and worship-patterns) to communicate God’s love to the people of Hilsea and beyond.

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Our Parish Messy Church meets monthly (usually First Thursday in the Month from 4.00pm to 6.00pm at St Francis Church, Hilsea for fun, crafts, celebration and food.

Refreshments are served from 3.30 pm so children can come straight from school.

Everyone is invited, young and young at heart alike, children and teenagers, carers, parents, grandparents. Children are accompanied by an adult. Everyone comes as friends and currently it is free.

Messy Church@St Francis

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Thu 2 Oct 14 Would you Believe it! Doubting Thomas

Thu 6 Nov 14 Light Up the Darkness. Lk 11:33; Autumn;

Claiming Halloween back

Wed 3 Dec 14 Messy Advent. Mary & Joseph getting ready for a journey

Thu 5 Feb 15 Fresh Start: Creation

Thu 5 Mar 15 Fresh Start: Noah & Flood

Wed 1 Apr 15 Messy Easter

Wed 6 May 15 New Life in the Spirit. Preparation for Pentecost

Thu 4 Jun 15 Joseph

Thu 2 Jul 15 Moses

August 3 sessions towards end of August (?) e.g. Bible Mountains, Bible Roads, Bible Seaside

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St Mark’s Church St Mark’s is situated in the centre of North End, close to the local shopping area. With many people passing the building every day, it is ideally situated for mission. The building was opened in 1970, replacing a Victorian predecessor. The modern building has a well designed worship-space of its time, providing a beautiful and rich liturgical setting, with flexible seating. Worship in the building is complemented by a Grade 1 organ, and a choir of up to 20 members. One evening service per month provides an opportunity for Choral Evensong. Worship at St Mark’s is varied - though based on a traditional format. The main 10am Sunday Service is Eucharistic, with choral Mass settings in full use. The team rector has taken pastoral and liturgical responsibility for St Marks with assistance from self-supporting Curate, Rev’d Kim Weeks. Average Sunday attendance in 2014 was 43 adults, plus approximately 5 children. Many improvements have been made to the interior and exterior of the building in recent years, and more are planned. The building is constructed on two levels, with the worship-space at the top. The lower community hall is used by a wide variety of local groups, including Weight Watchers and Slimming World, ball-room dancing lessons, the Poetry Club, Alcoholics Anonymous. There is a monthly table top sale, which is well attended by local people. On Monday to Friday morning till 1.30pm our parish Community Café - offers a free hot drink and inexpensive food, the aim is to provide a warm comfortable place where local people can meet and find company, build friendships where support can be sought. (Staffed by volunteers).

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Some of the car parking spaces in the rear car park of St Marks are let out to commercial car parking to generate income and support local trade and visitors to the area.

A Pastoral Visiting Team works across the Parish and has bi-monthly support /training meetings at St Marks on a Tuesday afternoon, currently led by Rev Kim Weeks. Recent training has covered issues such as safeguarding, dementia and end of life care. Some of the visitors support a lay lead monthly service of the Word at Hilsea Lodge, a council care home for those affected by dementia.

St Nicholas’ Church

St Nicholas Church was built in 1929 to serve a newly developing residential area to the northeast of the parish church. The worship at St. Nicholas is broadly-speaking ‘liberal catholic’ although the congregation are more than willing to experiment with alternative worship styles. Average weekly attendance in 2013 was 37 adults with around 3 children. Once a month there is

a more reflective Meditation Communion, where music replaces the hymns and a meditation replaces the sermon. The church also has a history of experimenting with ‘fresh-expression’ of church as we seek to find new and relevant ways to proclaim the Gospel. St Nicholas church also enjoys a relationship with Cliffdale Academy who come to the church for their Harvest Festival and Christmas celebrations as well for class visits. Northern Parade Infant School also come for their Christmas Nativity production and our Christmas Eve Crib Service still attracts a congregation of well over 200 people. Adjacent to the church are two church halls used by local organisations and groups, including a pre-school, Scouts, a local choir and so on. However the halls are nearing the end of their useful life and the congregation is beginning to look at the potential for redevelopment here, possibly through the re-organisation of the site and disposal of some land for sheltered housing use.

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Some glimpses of Parish Life

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OurTeam We became a Team Ministry in June 2006. When we use the word ‘Team’ around here, it is helpful to draw a distinction between our ‘leadership team’ and the wider team of congregations, churches and groups. We believe firmly in the principle of ‘every-member-ministry’ and collaborative ministry. Without our small army of volunteers we simply could not function. People volunteer to work together in many smaller ‘sub-teams’. We are a Team of teams. Teams work on committees, run the Community Café, provide Sunday Schools, maintain and clean churches and land, serve at altars, play organs and guitars, sing in choirs and music groups, visit the sick, welcome visitors, account for finances this list is endless. We are not a team of priests with a few volunteers helpers - we are a team of God’s people, led by a small leadership team, some of whom have been set-apart for priestly ministry. Our Leadership Team currently consists of: a stipendiary Team Rector, based at St Mark’s. Vacant Post a stipendiary Team Vicar, (currently Fr Charles Keay) Based at St Nicholas a house-for-duty Team Vicar based at St Francis ( vacant). A self-supporting Team Curate, ( Rev’d Kim Weeks) two Parish Wardens. We are blessed with a number of retired ministers with permission to officiate and to have the voluntary help of a reader Doris Bealing. We also have available the services of three retired priests: Linda Denness (former Team Vicar for St Francis), Colin Towner, and Jeffrey Bell former vicar of St Marks Being a team allows us to be flexible and to respond to the evolving needs of the Parish as well as providing a good foundation for the

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development of lay ministry. We are committed to sustaining and nurturing our three church communities and ideally to having a priest to pastor each church. It is our vision to see each church develop as a confident and lively community with a strong sense of mission and commitment to Christ and the Parish. We believe that our strength lies in clergy and laity working together. Working as a Team enables us to deploy our limited resources where they are needed in order to enhance the ministry we have, and to respond to the opportunities of mission. It also gives us the chance to develop a coherent, inclusive and confident ministry for both clergy and laity. The life of the team is sustained through regular prayer, meeting together and mutual accountability. The members of the Team reflect different insights, enthusiasms and skills, working together collaboratively to bring a sense of vision and calling to this Parish. Through listening to God and working with His people we seek signs of God’s Kingdom and, in the wider ministry of all Christians we pursue ‘new ways to touch the hearts of all’. This is a time of opportunity for us as a Parish. We are broadening and developing our worshipping and spiritual life, and at the same time being pro-active in offering what we have to the wider community. With this in mind we are flexible and imaginative in worship. All of our different styles of service help us to meet the needs of the whole Parish whilst being sensitive to the variety of experience that exists within our community. As a team we meet regularly. The staff and senior lay-people meet regularly for prayer during the week - with two weekly opportunities for Morning Prayer/Communion. In addition, we hold a ‘standing committee’ every month, which all members of the Leadership Team and associated clergy attend. A ‘Parish Chapter’ is also held monthly, to which all clergy and readers are invited.

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The Parish Office: We have an established Parish Office (within St Mark’s Church) with an administrator (Christine Watkins) who is employed for 12 hours a week . This office deals with enquiries regarding Baptism, Weddings and Funerals and offers a link to the general public. Currently our occasional offices number approximately 20 baptisms, 1 Wedding and 40 Funerals annually. Christine also serves voluntarily as Electoral Role Officer, Safeguarding officer, and manager of our Parish Community Café. We aim to be:

“A praying, learning, serving, visible church That is diverse and all-inclusive”

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Our Houses Alongside our three church buildings and community halls, careful stewarding by previous generations has endowed us with two houses, used to provide accommodation to our Team Vicars, or to Curates. (Our Team Rector’s accommodation is provided by the Diocese of Portsmouth). Our Team Rector’s house is The Rectory at 3A Wadham Road, equidistant from all three churches, and is provided by the Diocese of Portsmouth. The house has four double bedrooms, and generous downstairs rooms - including lounge, dining room, kitchen/diner, utility room, study and cloakroom. With a double garage (with electric doors!) and a substantial rear garden, the house is generously proportioned in comparison to the other, mainly terraced housing in the area. St Francis House is situated immediately adjacent to St Francis Church. The house has three double bedrooms, a kitchen-diner, lounge (with patio doors) and separate dining room (currently used as a study). There is a single garage (at the rear), and off-street parking for a further two or three cars. Two convenience stores are situated on either side of the church/house plot, which is protected from the road by a mature tree. The house has been carefully maintained by the parish and is double-glazed throughout. The central heating system has recently been completely overhauled. In addition to St Francis House, we own St Nicholas’ House - currently occupied by the Team Vicar for St Nicholas. It is four-bedroomed property on land adjacent to St Nicholas’ Church. It has parking for two cars directly in front of the house.

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What next? Exploring our Mission

Within the overall framework of our ‘Future Directions’ document, we have (for the past year) been developing firm plans for improving the standard of our buildings, and their capacity to serve the local community. This work has been led by a ‘Parish Development Officer’, who has been employed with funding from the Diocese’s ‘Mission Opportunities Fund’, and a legacy for work with young people. The Parish Development Officer has been mainly focused on the buildings at St Nicholas and St Mark. (St Francis is a smaller building, which is well maintained, and in need of less critical assistance at present). Here is a summary of proposals for the two sites:

St Mark “Every Square Inch”: St Mark’s has some significant spaces which are currently either under-used, or set-up for shared use (which is limiting). For example, our Community Café has to be set up and taken down each day, which is both tiring for volunteers and stops us from developing the Café as a high-quality, permanent provision. The ‘Every Square Inch’ programme (which has attracted some modest lottery funding to date) is intended to bring all available spaces at the Church centre into maximum use. This includes refurbishment of meeting rooms, and the major refurbishment of a former Scout Hall at the rear of the premises, to form a ‘Studio’. This will create additional programme space for other building users, and enable the present Community Hall to be refurbished as a permanent community café (with a programme of evening and afternoon events). Plans are also being drawn up (and funding being actively sought) for a major re-modelling of the concrete ramps at the front of St Mark’s. These stepped ramps present wheelchair users with significant challenges. We aim to provide a ground floor entrance to the building, with a lift to other floors.

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St Mark’s New Frontage—Conception

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St Nicholas The church benefits from being situated on a significant parcel of land, which presently incorporates the church building, two community halls, and a vicarage. Plans are currently being developed with a local Housing Association which may well lead to the sale of some of this land (including the Vicarage and the footprint of one ancient community hall).

In their place, we hope to construct a sheltered housing scheme which, among other benefits, will enable elderly parishioners to remain living in the parish. With the proceeds, we aim to buy or build a new, more suitable Vicarage, and build a replacement community hall—as well as modernise the remaining hall, and link the halls physically to the church.

Most significantly the scheme will link the church and the halls into one unified building with a shared entrance intended to revitalize St Nicks as a strong Christian presence in the area.

Plan—showing how the new arrangement of buildings could work

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Team Rector Designate: When we asked the congregations of the three churches what they would like to see in their new Team Rector these were some of the things that they mentioned: In terms of spirituality: • A person of evident spirituality, who has an infectious love for God

and is committed to both personal and corporate prayer as well as the celebration of the sacraments.

In terms of personality: • a friendly, approachable person who is good with all ages and has a

sense of humour; • a visionary leader but also a team player; • someone open to the ideas of others yet decisive; • someone devoted to the pastoral and loving care and support of

those within our church communities; • someone who will minister to the people of St Mark’s but also be

eager to draw the three churches together as a team. In terms of qualities: • someone who values inclusivity and diversity; someone who not

only values those within the parish but relishes the opportunity for wider community and ecumenical engagement;

• who will value our liturgical traditions but is also eager to explore new and relevant ways to worship in the 21st century, including the use of technology and social media;

• someone who is down-to-earth and engaging in their preaching and teaching;

• someone with good management skills and who is sensitive in the way they bring about change;

• enjoys church music with perhaps some musical skills; • a hands-on approach with a knowledge of buildings

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The Leadership Team Note: This summary is only broadly reflective of where we are, and partly reflects where we think we are heading, as God makes our future more clear. We aim to be ‘competence-led’ - using the skills that God has brought together in this Parish to the best effect. The allocation of specific areas of responsibility is therefore flexible, and dependent on the skills and competencies of the post-holders at any given time. Our structure is as non-hierarchal as possible - allowing for the fact that certain posts have certain legal duties attached to them. Our emphasis is on collaboration and consultation before action.

Team Vicar

(St Francis - Self-Supporting) Incumbent Status Pastoral Oversight of St Francis (and Chair of DCC) Takes the lead on either Discipleship or Worship and Pastoral Support (depending on skills - cf St Nicholas Team Vicar)

Team Vicar

(St Nicholas - Stipendiary) Incumbent Status Pastoral Oversight of St Nicholas (and Chair of DCC) Takes the lead on either Spiritual Development and Discipleship or Worship and Pastoral Support (depending on skills - St Francis Team Vicar) Takes the lead on Schools Ministry Co-ordinates and trains home-group leaders. Takes a lead on theological education within the parish

Assistant Curate (s) (if any)

Training Posts, responsible to Team Rector—priest in charge To learn all aspects of parochial ministry

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Reader

Occasional preaching and teaching Occasional leading of non-Eucharistic worship Being a ‘sign of the Kingdom around parish events and groups (e.g. Community Café, fellowship groups, etc.) Leading of Julian Prayer Group

Ordinand (if any) Training Post, responsible to Team Rector To have the opportunity to put into practice learning gained through normal training. To begin acquiring the skills of day-to-day parochial ministry

Associate Priests and Priests with Permission to Officiate: Mainly Leading Worship and Pastoral Services

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Team Rector Designate (Stipendiary) Role Description

General To share with the Bishop both in the cure of souls and the responsibility for Co-operating with the Holy Spirit in growing the Kingdom in the parish. This particularly involves working with other parishes and colleagues in The deanery to develop the deanery plan for mission and ministry (the development of the plan is the responsibility of the Area Dean and Deanery Pastoral committee and Synod) To have regard to the calling and responsibilities of the clergy as described in the Canons, the Ordinal, the Code of Professional Conduct for the Clergy and other relevant legislation, such as the Declaration of Assent To be rooted in the community, to offer pastoral care to all, and to show the love of God by responding to local needs. To nurture the congregations through a ministry of word, sacrament, prayer and service. To oversee the organisational life of the churches by attending to matters of health and safety, finance, legislative requirements, administration and people management. Incumbent of the Parish, including legal duties as defined by statute Chairs Team Meetings, Chairs PCC Co-ordinates Long Term Vision and Strategy through PCC Pastoral Oversight of St Mark’s (and Chairs St Mark’s DCC) Takes the Lead on Mission, Outreach and Promotion Takes the lead on fostering vocations Represents the Parish to Diocese and City Line Manager for Parish Administrator, Licensed Lay Ministers, Assistant Curate (if any) and Ordinand. In your office as a priest you are called • To say Morning and Evening Prayer daily • To be servants and shepherds among the people to whom you are sent • To be messengers, watchmen and stewards of the Lord • To teach and to admonish • To call your hearers to repentance and to declare in Christ’s name the

absolution and forgiveness of their sins • With all God’s people, to tell the story of God’s love. • To baptise new disciples in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and

of the Holy Spirit

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• To unfold the Scriptures, to preach the word in season and out of season, and to declare the mighty acts of God.

• To preside at the Lord’s table and lead his people in worship • To bless the people in God’s name. • To resist evil, support the weak, defend the poor and intercede for all in

need. • To minister to the sick and prepare the dying for their death. • To help discern God’s will for the churches and people whom you serve

through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to release and foster the gifts of all God’s people that the whole church may be built up in unity and faith. • To prepare couples for marriage and conduct wedding services • To prepare parents of young children for baptism • To prepare for and conduct funeral services Specific responsibilities • To co-operate with the PCC in the whole mission of the church, which is

spiritual, legal, financial, Synodical, pastoral and missionary • To encourage and enable clergy and lay colleagues, churchwardens, PCC,

parish staff and volunteers, to participate fully in planning and decision making, tasks and activities to ensure that gifts and talents are identified and used effectively

• To oversee the planning, organisation and conduct of worship, making appropriate use of available resources to give glory to God and to nurture the faith of all within the life of the Church

• To inspire, motivate and empower all members of the Church in their own discipleship, and where appropriate use and develop classes and courses

• To oversee preparation for confirmation, marriage and baptism • To identify pastoral care needs within the parish’s communities and ensure

appropriate structures and people are in place to provide the necessary support

• To nurture and develop relationships with all local schools, • To nurture and develop relationships with community groups and other

Christian communities within the parish as appropriate • To support discussions within the deanery in the light of future plans for

pastoral reorganisation • To make full use of resources and buildings in order to develop the mission

and outreach of the parish • To find ways of attracting those on the fringe, to draw them into the life of

the church • To develop your own faith and that of those within the congregation

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through regular worship, prayer, reflection and study • To make time for yourself and God, and for yourself and your family • To maintain a balanced and healthy life style by attending to personal

physical and spiritual well being and needs • To build a greater sense of unity, common purpose and

cooperation between the parishes in the benefice

Key contacts and relationships

Diocesan and Deanery • The Bishop and Archdeacon • The Area Dean, Deanery Chapter, Cluster Chapter and Deanery

Synod • The Diocesan Secretary and Diocesan Staff • The Cathedral and its staff

Local Ministers of other Christian traditions: Parish: RC Priest, Society of Friends. Cluster: URC, Baptist, House Church

Parish Licensed and authorised colleagues (eg Readers, assistant clergy) The Churchwardens, treasurers and PCC members of the parish The Parish Safeguarding Adviser and any other significant lay volunteers or employees (i.e. Organist, pastoral assistants, Parish Secretary, Caretakers) Any schools within the benefice including, Church of England schools, Church affiliated schools and community schools Any Children and Youth Work leaders and volunteers Any commercial, local institutions or community organisations as

appropriate Role Context

Parish Plan: See http://www.northendteamchurches.org.uk/archives.htm

The Deanery Plan is an evolving process. Diocesan context: Strong emphasis on ‘ministry for mission’.

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Benefice summary Parishes: One Patrons: Bishop, Father Bob White Licensed Ministers at January 2015: Eight: Vacant – Team Rector (stipendiary) Rev’d Charles Keay – Team Vicar (stipendiary) Rev’d Tony Forrest – Team Curate (stipendiary) Rev’d Rachel (Kim) Weeks – Self-Supporting Curate Rev’d Linda Denness – PTO (Retired) Rev’d Colin Towner – PTO (Retired) Rev’d Canon Jeffrey Bell – PTO (Retired former Vicar of St Mark’s) Miss Doris Bealing – Reader with Permission to Officiate Number of PCCs: One (with three District Church Councils) Number of Churchwardens: Two – with two deputies for each of the three churches in the parish Buildings – including churches with listings, church halls, parsonage house: St Mark’s Church (Derby Road) – including car park, former scout hall (currently let as storage) and Community Hall (beneath worship centre) St Francis Church (Northern Parade) – including community hall space and parish-owned clergy house. St Nicholas Church (Battenburg Avenue) – including car park, two community halls and parish-owned clergy house. Parsonage House: The Rectory, 3A Wadham Road (owned by Diocese) Churchyards – to note whether open or closed: No churchyards, except a small burial plot (for ashes only) at St Nicholas (open) Average Sunday Attendance: 136 (plus 12 children) Number of occasional offices per annum:

Weddings: 3 Funerals: 22 Baptisms: 30

Parish Share: £51,000 approx Church tradition: Liberal catholic Pastoral Reorganisation: Pastoral Measure 2006 created a Team Ministry out of

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the Benefice of St Mark, Portsea Population: 20,000 Significant shopping area – North End, Mountbatten Centre – Major Sports facility & swimming pool attracts users from across the City Schools : Mayfield all through and Trafalgar Academy Primary Schools: Northern Parade, Gatcombe Park and Cliffdale (No Church Schools in parish) Residential Homes Only one significant residential home – Hilsea Lodge. (Some smaller private homes). We have strong links (including management committee membership) with ‘Coronation Homes’ – a major provider of semi-independent housing for the elderly. Character: The parish is largely a residential ‘dormitory’ for other parts of the city and area. No significant local industry. Parish is largely made up of terraced housing. No particularly vibrant places to gather, especially after dark. Parking pressures make parishioners reluctant to leave their homes in the evenings. Territorial Army centre in north of parish – drawing recruits from across the area. Lots of day-time/early evening activity in our community facilities: community café, slimming clubs, scouts, guides, St John etc Other churches: Roman Catholic (Corpus Christi). Society of Friends (small house-based). Christian Scientist (tiny congregation in large facility). No other denominations have a presence in the parish…though URC, Baptist and churches are present on the borders.