St Mary the Virgin and St James West Derby Diocese of Liverpool

Parish Profile

Summary This is a United Benefice with the neighbouring parishes of St Mary and

St James in West Derby, Liverpool

St Mary’s is a liberal catholic church with a strong choral tradition. We have a

Eucharistic style of worship that includes the use of vestments and incense. Our

congregation appreciates strong preaching.

For more information go to www.stmarywestderby.org

St James’ West Derby has a traditional congregation in many ways but we are also

open to new ways of worshipping. The church enjoy the use of screens and

projectors in worship, are welcoming of baptism families and all age worship and

are open to the introduction of new types or service. Increased involvement of young

people from the Junior Church is particularly an area for further development.

Email stjameswestderby@gmx.com Facebook: stjameswestderby

Although not without challenge, both parishes have the potential to offer an

interesting, varied living for an energetic and engaging priest. This is a good place to

live, work and minister and we have a strong support network in place.

The principal challenge as we stand on the threshold of a new phase in the life is to

grow the Church in West Derby. If we are to flourish we need to attract more

committed members, which will be inextricably linked to creating a firm financial

base to enable the church to meet its various obligations.

This profile offers an overview of the United Benefice. The Role Description and

Person Specification offer an understanding of the type of priest we seek.

About St Mary’s

Styles and patterns of worship

Sunday 8:00 a.m. Holy Communion (Common Worship Order One with traditional

language. BCP once a month.) or Service of the Word. Attendance mid twenties

Sunday 10:00 a.m. Parish Eucharist. ( Order One) Uniformed Organisations attend

on the second Sunday of the month with Baptisms during Eucharist on every fourth

Sunday. Attendance 124 average

Sunday 4:00 p.m. Informal family service Attendance 50’s

Sunday 6:30 p.m. Evensong (BCP) Attendance around 20

Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Eucharist (occasionally Service of the Word) Attendance

around 20

Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals.

St. Mary’s is an extremely popular venue for Baptisms and Weddings. Many married

couples choose to return for their children’s baptisms and we have many requests

from non-church couples to be married here. We try to accommodate all requests.

Baptisms: 2012, 48 2013, 49 2014, 52+

Weddings: 2012, 39 2013, 27 2014, 28

Funerals: 2012, 22 2013, 21 2014, 21+

Staff and support

At present we have four Readers with differing ministries and levels of contribution

according to their skills, work and family commitments. We have a volunteer

sacristan and a Verger, paid for a small number of hours each week. We also have a

Eucharistic Ministry Team, some take communion out to housebound congregants.

The Parish Administrator is employed for three days a week. The church wardens

and some (retired) PCC members perform various supportive roles

A team of three look after “The Vestry Hour” each Monday evening, interacting with

members of the public who are seeking to book weddings and baptisms. A retired

registrar looks after the baptism and marriage registers.

We have a paid Director of Music / Choirmaster and assistant organist, both are

experienced musicians who have a high level of performance. We also employ a

pianist to lead the singing at our 4pm Sunday Service.

We are an ideal parish to offer a wide range of training for a curate and although we

don’t at present have one, we would encourage this if at all possible.

Mission and Pastoral Visiting

We have taken some preliminary steps to put into position a Children’s and Youth

Ministry Team, which will oversee, advise on and support the Junior Church, First

Communion Preparation, Confirmation Preparation, Servers, Choir and the ongoing

ministry to under 18’s

Our Open the Book team has recently been formed to take the Bible out to schools,

where popular Bible Stories are performed dramatically. The initial reception at both

Blackmoor Park School and at St. Mary’s School has been most encouraging.

Pastoral Visiting is an area which needs strengthening. A visiting team is in its

infancy and would benefit from some input and training and encouragement from an

experienced practitioner

Church Finances.

Although a legacy enabled the church to tackle the Heating and Lighting projects,

the underlying finances are not as healthy as we would like. Falling numbers have

contributed in no small measure to our current position. Some renewed energy and

leadership would be welcome to rectify matters.

Church organisations

Junior Church

Junior church takes place during the

10:00am Parish Eucharist. The children and

helpers stay until the end of the first hymn

before moving to the adjoining Millennium

Centre to study in three age groups. Their

activities normally correspond to the day’s

theme with Bible stories and a variety of

craft work - usually shown to the

congregation towards the end of the

service. Each age group has a nominated

leader, supported by helpers and parents.

There are 10 leaders and an average of

around 30 children in attendance each week.

The children return to church to receive communion or a blessing at the Eucharist.

Choir

We’ve had a robed choir of men and boys from the earliest days of the church. In

recent years the choir has welcomed girls and currently we have 50% boys and 50%

girls, supported by 8 – 10 men. It is one of our most cohesive and active groups.

Scouts

The 17th Fairfield Scout Group has a longstanding relationship with St. Mary’s and

continues to meet regularly in the nearby Scout Hut.

Guides

The 23rdA Liverpool Guides enjoys a similar standing to the Scouts and continues to

function under the leadership of a small group of dedicated Guiders.

The Boys’ Brigade and Girls Association

The company was formed only four years ago and is run jointly between St. Mary’s

and the neighbouring parish of St. Christopher’s, Norris Green, in whose hall the

meetings are held. The company has grown rapidly from 5 to 50 youngsters.

The Women’s Fellowship

This longstanding group with 20 members meets each Monday afternoon in the

Millennium Centre. It is well organised and follows an interesting programme of

events from illustrated talks and demonstrations to games and occasional outings.

The Mothers’ Union

The M.U. is currently “resting” although there is evidence of some enthusiasm to

breathe new life into it and resume meetings in the near future.

Pram Club

The Pram Club has been in existence since the late 1970’s and provides an

opportunity for (usually) mums and their youngsters to join for some play and

fellowship. It has suffered a fall in numbers but continues with dedicated leaders.

Luncheon Club

The Luncheon Club attracts about a dozen or

so regulars each Wednesday lunchtime. A

small group of volunteers provide a varied

menu of simple meals at a moderate price.

The meetings provide a good opportunity to

catch up on the latest news and to chat

informally with at least one of the clergy who

attend fairly regularly.

5K@StJ

This is a drop-in café jointly operated by St. Mary’s and St. James in the latter’s

building each Thursday lunch time.

The electoral roll

At the beginning of October 2014 the Electoral Roll stood at 283.

Of this number, some 95 people live outside the parish boundaries.

The overall total gives an entitlement of Fifteen Elected Members to the Parochial

Church Council, apart from those who have places on the council ex-officio.

St Mary’s School

St. Mary’s School is run in partnership with the City Council. It has been described

on occasions as a Jewel in the Crown of the parish.

The staff work closely with the church and enjoy a good relationship after some

uncertain times.

The new Headteacher is keen to work in tandem with the church in the nurture of

the younger members of the church family, a view which is reciprocated.

www.stmaryswestderby.co.uk

The vicarage

We are committed to providing the most suitable property for any minister. We

understand that the vicarage is an important base for a minister. The previous

rectory is no longer suitable for the demands of 21st Century Ministry and is in the

process of being sold. We have not yet found a new, more suitable location and

there may be an opportunity for the successful applicant to become involved in the

search for a suitable property.

About our church building

There has been a chapel in West Derby since the mid-14th century and most

probably considerably earlier. The present church replaced a 17th century building

which was on a neighbouring site. The decision to build the present church reflected

the growing importance of West Derby as a residential area, which gradually

engulfed the whole village centre.

St. Mary’s is a most impressive, imposing building. It has Grade II* listed status and

was designed by George Gilbert Scott, a prolific English Gothic Revival architect of

the Victorian era and grandfather of the designer of Liverpool Cathedral.

The foundations were laid in 1853 on land gifted by the then Earl of Sefton, resident

in the neighbouring Croxteth Park in Croxteth Hall. It was consecrated in 1856 and

stands proudly as a symbol of God’s presence at the heart of West Derby. With the

great crossing tower, the building has been described as having something of the

feel of a Minster church. It is the massiveness of scale that gives the church its

distinctive character. The tower can be seen from a considerable distance.

The church is set within its own low-walled churchyard behind the historic buildings

of the village. The churchyard includes a garden of remembrance.

The fabric of the building is largely sound. The Tower was re-pointed in 2000 and

following some minor damage at a high level was closely inspected by a stone mason

and our architect in the summer of 2014 and found to be in good condition.

The Quinquennial Inspection of 2012 drew attention to some defects (none serious)

which form part of an on-going phased maintenance programme overseen by the

PCC’s Buildings Committee.

Two significant capital

projects are in train at the

time of writing. Faculty

applications are lodged

with the diocese for the

replacement of the

Lighting System and

associated cabling along

with the replacement of

the boilers which power

our heating system. The

projects are being funded

through a legacy. It is

anticipated that both

projects may be completed

by Christmas 2014 or

early in 2015.

For the future, some re-ordering is being considered

as a means to providing improved office

accommodation and to modernise the chancel /

sanctuary areas. The focus will be on either a nave

altar and dais at the crossing or a redesigning of the

sanctuary steps to facilitate the president’s facing

the congregation at the Eucharist.

Internal decoration and some minor cosmetic work

is long overdue and while it would be welcome,

other matters have higher priority.

We had theft from the roof in the summer of 2014.

This left the roof of the North and South Aisles in a

poor state. Temporary repairs were speedily carried

out. The replacement of the stolen lead is in the

hands of roofing specialists and our insurers.

Other properties

The PCC is responsible for two other properties. No. 2 West Derby Village lies on the

entrance road to the church grounds and was formerly curates’ accommodation.

No. 4 The Armoury was previously home for the Associate Priest and our last curate.

Both properties are managed on our behalf by an estate agent located in West Derby

Village and currently have tenants.

St Mary’s Millennium Centre

Although structurally linked to the church the

Millennium Centre does not belong to St.

Mary’s. It is run as an entirely separate

charity and is designated a community centre.

The centre is well run and in excellent

condition some 14 years after its opening. It

stands as a valued resource available to the

parish.

Relationships went through a rather rocky

period in the relatively recent past, but that

has been resolved and put behind us. The church enjoys a good working relationship

with the centre. We are able to rent rooms for various church activities at

substantially discounted rates and, given a reasonable amount of notice, it is rare

that we are not accommodated.

There is always the opportunity to discuss further use as occasion demands

About the parish

St. Mary’s parish is amongst the largest in the diocese, numerically speaking. It is

located approximately five miles to the north-east of Liverpool City Centre, beyond

the ring road in a largely middle-class residential area. It is, however, bordered by

less affluent areas in most directions.

From the City Council’s perspective

West Derby ward, which geographically speaking is broadly similar, though not

identical to St. Mary’s Parish, is described in City Council ward summaries as a

relatively stable residential suburb to the North East of the city.

It is considered one of the more desirable wards, with unemployment, deprivation

levels, crime and mortality rates all low.

The ward population is given as 14,375, which is smaller than that of the parish

since areas 6, 7, 8 and 11 of the parish as mentioned in the earlier description are

not part of the ward. This pushes the parish population up to something in excess of

18,000.

Unemployment is significantly below Liverpool averages, but higher than national

rates. Some 70.6% of the population is engaged in economic activity. 90% of

properties are either privately owned or privately rented, though average house

prices are below the city average.

The Crime Rate is below the Liverpool average. Life expectancy is similar to the

national average, with mortality rates amongst the lowest in the city.

The Educational Attainment Rates of pupils living in West Derby are amongst the

highest in Liverpool at Key Stage 4 ( GCSE level), but curiously, Key Stage 2 results

are below the Liverpool rate.

What is not certain and which would need further research, is how representative of

the West Derby Ward St. Mary’s congregation is.

About St James’

History

The foundation stone for St James’ Church was laid on

11th July 1845. The church was consecrated on 26th

June 1847 and was finally given its own Parish in 1927.

A church hall for St. James was built in 1889, and in

1937 an extension was added, creating two halls for the

use of the parish. In 1911, St James vicarage was

purchased. The spire was removed in 1972 and in 1996

the pews were removed and an integrated church

complex was created, consolidating everything under

one roof. The sale of the old church halls helped to

finance this project.

About the Parish

The Parish Church of St James’ is located on Mill Lane between Queen’s Drive and

West Derby Village. The parish was subject to pastoral reorganization in the early

2000s when part of the parish was given to St John’s Tuebrook and part to St Paul’s

Stoneycroft to reduce the size of the united parish.

The parish has an area of social housing around Tollerton Road and Queen’s Drive

and an area of very high priced housing in Sandfield Park. There are a number of

small new estates – at Marlowe Drive, Trefula Park and St James’ Court.

The parish Church is well served by buses with the 12,13 and 15 passing outside and

the 60 and 81 stopping nearby on Queen’s Drive by the Jolly Miller Public House

Parish Audit

St James is a Parish Church, and seeks to serve its local community. The nature of

that local community is shown in the recent Church Urban Fund report

http://www.cuf.org.uk/parish/220094

The population of the parish is 1300 people. The most significant poverty-related

issue in this parish is the relatively high rate of working age poverty. The next most

significant issue is the relatively low qualification levels.

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.

Congregational Audit

The Electoral Roll has a total of 55 members. A more detailed analysis of those on

the roll reveals the following age profile:

Age 16-25 25-50 50-70 70+

Numbers 4 9 13 23

The average congregation size is 30

About our Building

St James’ is listed Grade II.

Recent Quinquennial reports

by the Church’s architect have

highlighted that previous

problems with the building are

not as bad as initially thought.

The church had been told that

repairs of between £140K and

£180K would be necessary to

the roof, but the most recent

report suggests that major

repairs are unnecessary at

present.

The PCC is working on the basis that repairs will be carried out as a need arises but

have recently agreed that the drive is in urgent need of repair, a faculty is being

requested and planning permission sought so that the drive and parking area can be

resurfaced, improved and extended to include accessible parking.

In 2013 the PCC considered the possibility of leaving the United Benefice with St

Mary’s and the diocese suggested that a non-stipendiary, missional leader might be

appointed, the church were agreeable to this but decided to remain in the Benefice

until such a person was appointed.

The use of the building

The building is frequently used.

The Victory Church and Liverpool

Church for the Deaf also worship

in the building on Sundays. West

Derby Churches Together holds a

regular ecumenical service at 11

am on a Thursday – usually

monthly.

St James’ hold the 5k@ST J Café (a joint project with St Mary’s), an indoor bowling

group, Friday night socials and regular monthly quiz attracting 20 or so people.

Church Fairs and other events throughout the year aim at encouraging the

community into the church and give the congregation an opportunity to work and

grow together as well as just raising funds.The building is used by the Liverpool 9th

Boy Scouts (Cubs, Beavers and Scouts) Miss Claire’s Dance School, Rebecca’s Irish

Dancing and the Helen O’Grady Drama School.

Going Forward: Growth and Renewal

The Bishop’s Growth Agenda led to a group being set up to look at how growth may

be fostered. This group was well attended and the PCC is keen to see this work

continue. In particular the PCC endorses the proposals of the group to improve the

welcome, raise the profile of the church locally, look at new types of service

including all age worship, nurturing faith with the Start course and then developing

other small groups. Developing the work with children is seen as a particular priority.

Worship

The PCC recognizes worship as being at the heart of church life. A regular pattern of

2 communions a month and 2/3 services led by Readers has been established. The

screen and projector are used more often facilitating a variety of teaching styles and

opportunity for interaction; new worship songs are occasionally introduced. A

children’s slot happens regularly during communion services and a season of

invitation of welcoming all-age services from September to Christmas 2014 is being

piloted. If this is successful it will be extended and developed throughout next year.

The worship booklets are under review and the possibility of a new hymnbook or

computer software for worship needs to be considered. It is proposed to explore

joint services with the Victory Church.

We have a traditional, but relaxed style of worship with the focus firmly on God and

where He is leading us. We try to be accessible to both long-term church members

and to people who have no church background.

Spiritual Growth

A recent Start course attracted several from St James’s and it is proposed to

continue regular small groups and other courses from time to time. The pew Bibles

are being used more and the parish took part in the Bishop’s Bible Alive challenge.

The possibility of starting a midweek meeting is being considered.

Mission

We have asked the diocese for guidance about how

we might explore mission and growth over the next

5 years. We are considering the idea of a parish

questionnaire, and ways of engaging with local peo

ple who use the church hall for community events.

We have recently set up a Facebook page and

acquired an email address to be added to all church

advertising and literature. We want to create a

welcome pack so that any visitor or newcomer to the church has something to take

away with them.

The Rev O’Neil and a group from the church are exploring ministry around the needs

of the recently bereaved.

Leadership

Revd Eddie O’Neill, a retired priest, offers a

great deal of support as well as carrying

out 2 communions a month. We have a

Reader, Catriona Richardson and a Reader

with permission to officiate, Richie Harley.

Help has been offered from Blair and

Amanda Bushnell, Readers from St

Andrew’s in preaching on Sundays.

Uncertainties about future leadership, are

a concern to the PCC.