Team Rectorfor the

Bromsgrove Team Ministry

CONTENTS

The Diocese of Worcester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Role Description and Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

BROMSGROVE TEAM MINISTRY

Who we are and our vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

The Ministry Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Finances of the Churches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Bromsgrove Deanery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

The Church in Bromsgrove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Churches Together in Bromsgrove (CTIB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Parish Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

All Saints Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

St Godwald’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Christchurch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

St John the Baptist Church and St Andrew’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Holy Trinity and St Mary’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

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THE DIOCESE OF WORCESTERThe Diocese of Worcester covers an area of 671 square miles and includes parishes in Worcestershire, the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, and a few parishes in northern Gloucestershire, south-east Wolverhampton and Sandwell . It has around 170 parishes, 280 churches, around 120 stipendiary and 30 non-stipendiary clergy and 170 Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers) . There are 100 church schools, 97 primary and 3 secondary . The diocese is divided into the Archdeaconry of Worcester, with six deaneries, and the Archdeaconry of Dudley, with seven deaneries .

KINGDOM PEOPLEWe are committed to mission, seeking to bring the good news of God’s love in Jesus to all who live in our cities, towns and villages and to show how the gospel is relevant today . We are developing new patterns of ministry for changing times . Growing numbers of people from across traditions are offering themselves for ordination or for licensed and authorised lay ministry, and the diocese has a genuine ‘family feel’ .

Our Diocesan Synod has adopted an imaginative ‘Kingdom People’ vision . This is a vision for a Church which enables its people to be:

• Deeply rooted in prayer and study of the scriptures

• Renewed and transformed by regular worship

• Equipped to witness to the gospel of love, compassion, justice and freedom

• Dedicated to helping children, young people and young adults to belong and be nurtured in faith

• Devoted to growing deeply in discipleship, offering our time and talents and money to God

• Resourced and released to minister to others

• Ready to engage with and serve our community

• Committed to making our buildings fit for purpose as a spiritual and community resource .

Kingdom People aims to be a gift to the parishes and not an additional burden . It aims to provide a framework in which churches might flourish and grow, rather than impose a blueprint of how every church should look .

Within our Kingdom People vision, we have identified four main priority areas which shape our strategic plan to engage with children and young people, strengthen stewardship, deepen discipleship and develop buildings for mission .

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BROMSGROVE TEAM MINISTRY SEEKS NEW TEAM RECTOR

Bromsgrove Team is a thriving team in North Worcestershire . We are now seeking a new Team Rector to take us into the future .

The Team consists of six Churches with two full time team Vicars . Each has responsibility for two Churches and the Rector will also have responsibility for two churches .

This is now an established and supportive Team that encourages and enjoys lay leadership in the form of Readers and Authorised Lay Ministers .

The parish takes its responsibilities seriously regarding health and safety and safeguarding . Our safeguarding policy is reviewed annually and safety recruitment guidance is adhered to .

ROLE DESCRIPTIONWE WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME A TEAM RECTOR

• with collaborative leadership skills

• Who is well organised and a good communicator

• Forward thinking

• Willing to embrace new ways of working, including social media

• Encouraging of involvement in discipleship and lay ministry

• Is a person with a broad and deep perspective on life and theology

• Is willing to help us refresh the Christian message

• A priest who will enjoy nurturing the different gifts and talents within All Saints and St . Godwald’s .

• Is experienced in reaching out in new ways to all .

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THE VICARAGE

The modern purpose built vicarage with ground floor under-floor heating is situated next to St Godwald’s church . It has four bedrooms, one with a dressing room and one with en-suite shower room plus a family bathroom .

Downstairs there is a good sized study, a lounge, dining room and large kitchen with utility room off with a door into the double garage . Doors from the kitchen and from the lounge give access to the easily maintained wrap around garden with lawn bordered by shrubs and space for a vegetable garden .

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WHERE WE ARE AND OUR VISIONBromsgrove Parish Team began its formation in 2010 with the appointment of a Team rector and two team Vicars .

It has gone from strength to strength as each of the Churches has embraced the Team ethos and supported the clergy team and one another . The diversity within the team is a strength and there is a good relationship based on mutual support, openness and good humour .

Each Team Vicar and the Rector is responsible for two churches .

At present Rev’d Ray Khan is responsible for St . John’s and St Andrew’s and Rev’d Beverley Robertson is responsible for Christchurch, Catshill and Holy Trinity with St . Mary, Dodford . On the 5th Sunday of the month all the Churches in the team share in a Team service .

We are seeking a Team Rector who would also have responsibility for St . Godwald’s, Finstall and All Saints, Bromsgrove .

Our vision is to continue to allow the Team to evolve and meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of the community of Bromsgrove . We have a ‘Churches Together in Bromsgrove’ community and regularly meet with the ministers of other denominations . Where possible we share activities, services and support .

We currently have a Mission Enabler on placement with us and we have identified several areas in which we can improve our outreach and ministry to children and young people . These areas include inter-generational work, schools work and worship . As a parish we are engaged in a youth project that is reaching out to disengaged young people and we are hoping to appoint a part time detached youth worker . This work will be a priority for the next three years .

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THE MINISTRY TEAMSTIPENDIARY CLERGY

Team Rector (Vacancy)

With responsibility for St Godwald’s and All Saints and chaplain to Heart of Worcestershire (HOW) College Bromsgrove

Rev’d Beverley Robertson (Team Vicar)

With responsibility for Christchurch, Catshill, Holy Trinity and St . Mary Dodford

Rev’d Ray Khan (Team Vicar)

St . John’s and St Andrew’s, chaplain to Bromsgrove District Council

READERS

Janet Hewer, Rosemary Sumner

Hilda Roxborough, Philip Bowen

Geoff Westwood, Sally Burdet

There are also several Authorised Lay Ministers in all the churches .

FINANCES OF THE CHURCHESAcross the Districts of Bromsgrove finances are tight . Parish Share targets have been, and remain challenging, and in a few cases have not been paid in full, despite stewardship schemes and campaigns . Within the Bromsgrove Parish, each District continues to make its individual contribution to Parush Share, retaining responsibility for its own assets and finances . The Parish Share for each District is notified by the Diocese using the Worcester Fairer Share survey methodology .

BROMSGROVE DEANERYBromsgrove is within the Bromsgrove Deanery of the Diocese of Worcester . The Deanery covers the towns of Bromsgrove and Redditch, some 5 miles to the East,

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and the surrounding rural areas . Redditch is a 1960s New Town development with a population of 85,000 and is administratively its own Borough, separate from Bromsgrove District . There are three team parishes in Redditch and a total of 17 churches across the deanery, most operating as team parishes .

The Deanery has pioneered local links with the Methodist Church under the terms of the Anglican Methodist Covenant and is recognised as one of the most active partnerships in this respect across the country .

THE COMMUNITYBromsgrove, and the communities surrounding it, are great places in which to live and work, combining the best of both rural and urban life . They are within striking distance of the world class amenities of Birmingham and the West Midlands, but rooted firmly in the peaceful and beautiful rural county of Worcestershire .

Bromsgrove lies some 16 miles NE of Worcester and 12 miles SW of Birmingham . There has been a settlement here since before Domesday . In recent years the community has grown as a commuter town but also has significant industry of its own . The foundation of this was the 17th century nail industry, in which Bromsgrove firms were pre-eminent and which led to specialist manufacturing and iron working . The Bromsgrove Guild of skilled craftsmen was responsible for unique examples of the iron maker’s craft, including the gates of Buckingham Palace . A major locomotive and wagon works was a significant employer in the first part of the 20th century but was closed in the 1960s . The legacy of these industries is still seen in the town .

Originally a compact town based around the High Street and St . John’s Church, the development of housing surrounding the town centre of Bromsgrove, particularly in the 1950s and ‘60s, saw the population of the town grow to its present size of 28,000 and include the community of Finstall to the east, which though part of the town since the nineteenth Century, retains its village identity . The population continues to increase as new housing developments are built .

Catshill, just to the north of Bromsgrove town and part of the district, has grown from a village into a sizable community of more than 10,000 people . Again, its roots are in the nail industry, and today many who live here commute to work in Birmingham and the Black Country . Increasingly the two communities of Bromsgrove and Catshill have grown towards one another and, although still distinct, together make up the main urban community of this part of Worcestershire .

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Dodford is an extensive rural community a few miles to the west of the town, with just 700 people living in and around the village . In the 1840s, the Chartist Movement saw the building of a number of Chartist cottages, many of which survive today . There is a thriving village community focused around the village hall, school and church .

Local government is split between the County Council and Bromsgrove District Council, which covers most of the North East of Worcestershire, and has its council headquarters in the town centre . With extensive rural areas the total population of Bromsgrove District is more than 97,000 including outlying villages, nearly half of whom live within the parish .

Bromsgrove is perceived as a relatively prosperous community in the West Midlands, although this masks a considerable range of income and relative deprivation . Unemployment is lower than the regional average . Nevertheless the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance has increased in line with most communities in the UK . There are three wards with indices of multiple deprivation that place them in the most deprived 30% of wards nationally .

The town and surrounding area are well served with schools, hospitals and a busy commercial life . This area of Worcestershire has a three tier education system and, in the area covered by the new parish, there are 7 first schools, 4 middle schools, 2 high schools and 2 special schools as well as the independent Bromsgrove School . The Heart of Worcestershire College has a campus in the town, with two other sites in Worcester and Redditch . The Bromsgrove site offers excellent drama facilities at the Artrix . The Artrix Arts Complex is a modern centre for music, theatre, and the visual arts . Each year there is a renowned Arts Festival in Bromsgrove, which includes an Art exhibition in All Saints and an organ recital and concerts in St . John’s . The Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, on the outskirts of Bromsgrove, houses a unique collection including a small chapel .

The Princess of Wales Community Hospital provides a wide range of health services, though not complete Accident and Emergency cover, and there are numerous local G .P . surgeries . The Primrose Day Hospice is located close to St . Godwald’s and, like the Hospital, has its own chaplain .

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Bromsgrove has a busy and distinctive High Street with a street market on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday and a wide range of retail businesses, including three large supermarkets .

Bromsgrove is linked with towns in Europe and there is an active Town Twinning Association .

Bromsgrove is an easy place to get to by road and train . It is close to the M42 and M5 with excellent links to other regions of the country, and is on the main rail line between Birmingham and the South West . Birmingham International Airport is just 30 minutes away and provides easy connections world wide .

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THE CHURCH IN BROMSGROVEThere has been a Christian church in the town for nearly 1,000 years . St . John’s is the oldest church building with parts dating back to the 12th century . As Bromsgrove, Finstall and Catshill expanded so new parishes were formed, with their own churches in Catshill (Christ Church 1838) Finstall (St . Godwald’s 1884) and Dodford (Holy Trinity and St . Mary 1908) . All Saints Church was built just north of the town centre in 1874 .

In the 1960s two smaller multi-use buildings were developed . St . Andrew’s, in the middle of the Charford Estate, is part of St . John’s parish; a service is held there every Sunday . St . Luke’s in Marlbrook, at the eastern side of Catshill, is now used mainly by community groups .

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BROMSGROVE (CTIB)

Church leaders meet regularly for fellowship and discussion . Regular open fellowship evenings are opportunities to share worship and news .

CTIB has several major projects in progress

• Open The Book

• Street Pastors

• Street Prayers

Regular annual events include: - Procession of Witness on Good Friday, Songs of Praise in the park for Pentecost Sunday, Christian Unity Week service, Women’s World Day of Prayer, Ash Wednesday service, weekly lunch-time study groups in Lent, Christian Aid collection and Sunday lunch, Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration and Christmas Carol service, organised in conjunction with the Council

CTIB also supports

• Bromsgrove Young Homelessness Forum

• New Starts Community furniture re-use project, also providing an emergency food bank and training opportunities

• Crosslinks - a Methodist inspired project which provides companionship for single old people in the town .

• Children’s holiday club at the Baptist church

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Bromsgrove Parish churches collaborate with other Bromsgrove churches in advertising services at festival times .

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Bromsgrove Team Ministry showing Districts

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We also share the church with St Joseph’s, a Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church whose members originate from Kerala . They hold their main service on the first Sunday afternoon each month . Everyone is very welcome at each other’s services .

All Saints Church has been described as “a friendly, sociable and thinking church .” We always welcome people and we are keen to look beyond the church community to the needs of the local and world community

ALL SAINTS CHURCH BUILDINGIts foundation stone was laid in 1872 and the building completed in 1874; the tower was added in 1888 . The building is Victorian Gothic in style with many interesting windows and interior decorations .

Its higher Anglican tradition is reflected in the interior of the church including the carved rood . There is a high altar and a nave altar . The seating capacity is about 300 .

MUSICWe use The Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New .

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The church has an unusual and distinguished, modern Italian organ . It is a two manual Tamburini drawstop organ situated to the rear of the church .

The church also has an electronic Allen organ .

We also have a small but very talented and committed adult choir, anthems and psalms are sung regularly by the choir . Choir practice are on Friday evenings . The Musical Director is Mr Julian Manchee who has established a quality and variety in the music within our worship . The church is affiliated to the RSCM .

We have a new upgraded sound system with an induction loop covering both sides of the church and the chancel

OPENING THE CHURCHFrom April until the end of October the church is open every Thursday from 10 .30 to 16 .30 . There are always stewards present to welcome visitors and offer refreshments . Information available for visitors covers history, church features and activities . We would like to keep the church open at all times but it is necessary to have stewards present .

FABRIC OF THE CHURCHThe church is sandstone with a brick lining and tiled roof . The interior of the church is in good order . The roof is also of reasonable condition although it does need some work . The sandstone has had some renovation work over the last few years and looks in reasonable condition .

Part of the tower was restored in 2001, the cost of the first phase was £65,000 . In 2011/2012 a further £125,000 of work on the church was assisted by grants from English Heritage, the National Churches Trust and Worcestershire and Dudley Historic Churches Trust . The electrical wiring and lightning conductor have had repairs and have the necessary certificates . The church has fairly new boilers, donated by local business and a fairly modern heating system .

CHURCH HALLThis is on the other side of the road and has been upgraded recently . There is a good sized, modern kitchen, new toilets and storage facilities . In 2017 the hall was decorated inside and out . The floor has a surface suitable for children’s activities and dancing . The roof has mainly been renewed and the heating system has been upgraded . We have a voluntary hall manager from the congregation and we pay a cleaner . The building is well used by the church and the local community and operates at a profit .

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CHURCH GROUNDSThe grounds are attractive and well maintained . They are also freely open to the public . The trees are inspected and work carried out regularly . There is a brook which runs through the road side area of the grounds . Over the last few years we have encouraged the return of the water vole, an endangered species . Local school children regularly come to visit the area .

There is no church yard attached to the church .

There is a First World War memorial in the grounds . This had been damaged but this year we paid to have the plaques replaced in resin (very close in appearance to the original plaques) . We had a very moving service of re-dedication in the summer of 2017

There is a car park behind the church which we rent out to a local garage and insurance company . There is plenty of free parking near the church .

SERVICES HELD AT ALL SAINTS

Lay services

Lay led services are well established . Members of the congregation read at services and there are a small number who lead prayers of intercession . A number of people licensed to act as Eucharistic Assistants assist with the chalice, three people are approved to take Home Communion

Sundays

Common Worship is used and the Revised Common Lectionary is followed .

08 .00 Service - this is a Said Eucharist using C W on the 1st and 3rd Sunday’s every month . Usual attendance is between 12-15 people .

10 .15 Service on the first Sunday of the month - this is an all age worship led by our Lay Reader Mrs Rosemary Sumner .

10 .15 Service - second and fourth Sundays . Sung Eucharist using CW . We use lay Eucharistic assistants and intercessors . Usual attendance averages 40 people .

10 .15 Service - third Sunday is lay led by our three Authorised Lay Ministers who take it in turn to lead the service .

18 .30 Service - forth Sundays is Sung Evensong led by the choir with psalms and anthem . Attendance varies for this service .

10 .00 Service – on 5th Sunday a Parish Team Service is held at All Saints . Led by clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers from team ministry .

After the morning services we have fair-trade tea and coffee served in the church hall

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Other services

Baptism services are held on second Sunday at 12 .00 noon;Thanksgiving services for children are held on a different Sunday from Baptism services

Weddings

Funerals

Cremations – mainly held at the Crematorium in Redditch

Christmas services for local organis-ations include the Regional Scout service which is lay led and Lickey End First School and Meadows First School carol services which are teacher led

SCHOOLS Schools in the vicinity of All Saints Church:

Meadows First School (5-9)

Lickey End First School (5-9)

Parkside Middle School (9-13)

North Bromsgrove High School (13-18, 1000+ pupils)

We have good links with local schools and at least 2 of the schools come to us for special services . These are links we would want to continue .

Throughout the year and during Festival periods there are a variety of services and activities led by a lay team .

LINKS TO LOCAL COMMUNITY PROVISIONThe Princess of Wales Community Hospital is very close by . The main hospital for the area is the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch . There are several General practices in the area and we have had some input with the Psychiatric Unit at the local hospital .

Between Bromsgrove and Redditch there is a main prison and we have had links in the past .

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MISSION AT ALL SAINTSThe mission is guided by the Five Marks of Mission . Money raised by All Saints Mission and Pastoral Care Committee is used to support various charities including: United Society Partners in the Gospel and the Church Housing Trust . We have Traidcraft stalls and All Saints takes a very active part in the annual collection for Christian Aid . This is organised by our Reader, Rosemary and the church’s own collectors raised £2,300 this year . We also have an auction of produce after harvest festival and the money raised also goes to Christian Aid . In the past we have organised a large town wide collection of tools for Workaid which sends renovated tools abroad .

We usually celebrate One World Week with a speaker at the service and a simple lunch afterwards . Fairtrade Fortnight is marked by a pancake morning on Shrove Tuesday and the church is opened with special activities for the Heritage weekend

We actively support The Children’s Society by members having collection boxes and the Christingle service collection .

Leaflets about All Saints and its activities are delivered to new housing estates in the parish and cards are sent to children on the first anniversary of their baptism .

Several members are very active with the scheme – Open the Book . They go into local schools frequently and are well received .

In addition All Saints supports the local homeless project – The Basement Project .

ALL SAINTS ORGANISATION AND ACTIVITIESThe Church Council meets about 6 times a year . Other committees within the church are the Worship Committee, Social Committee and the Buildings and Finance Committee .

There is a Mothers’ Union which meets monthly and contributes greatly to the life of the church . Last year they celebrated 100 years and as it is the only one in town there are members from other congregations .

The Chattery is an informal, social gathering held in the church hall every Wednesday . Tea, coffee, jigsaws and a good chat are the order of the day . It is a very effective outreach opportunity as people from churches or just neighbours attend regularly .

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The Bromsgrove Festival

Is a well-known, very well attended local festival of the arts . During the festival times we have a very popular two weeks art exhibition in All Saints Church . It features all local artists and part of the profits are donated to the church

Activities in the church hall

The church is well used and popular with local clubs . There is an Art Club, Flower arranging, keep fit and yoga, Brownies, we have a rock choir, drama group and regular antiques fair .

Social Events

There is a well-attended annual church lunch held at the golf club .

The Social committee run a very popular Murder Mystery evening and we have also had a poetry and puddings event . They contribute to most social and fundraising events and have held popular quiz evenings, musical evenings, dancing, fish and chip suppers and afternoon teas .

FINANCE AT ALL SAINTSIn recent years we have paid our parish share in full and are on course to do the same this year .

All parochial and clergy expenses are paid .

STEWARDSHIP AND PLANNED GIVINGThis system has been in place for many years . It is renewed each year when the Stewardship Officer writes to all on the electoral roll . We manage our finances carefully with a team of people who have the needs of the congregation and church at the centre of what they do .

OUR NEW PRIESTWe are an outward looking congregation and would welcome a priest who is able to communicate with all ages . Our congregation is a thinking and a practical group and we enjoy being challenged . We are a close and compassionate community .

Worship and Eucharist is at the heart of All Saints church and members of the church are involved in many aspects of the life of the town, the county and overseas work .

We hope our new priest will continue to involve the members of the congregation in worship and leadership within the church . We hope they will also foster outreach

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locally and more widely and will help us to explore how to make full use of the buildings of All Saints church .

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ST GODWALD’S FINSTALLSt Godwald’s is a community of two halves: suburban Aston Fields (with traditional housing and modern estates) and rural Finstall . Standing at the border of Aston Fields and Finstall is the Victorian church building, with attached community hall, a smaller room known as the Ruth Heald Room and the Parish office .

The modern purpose built vicarage with its own garden is situated next door to the church .

Over the railway, beside the famous Lickey Incline, is the quiet, wooded churchyard .

St Godwald’s Church buildings, fixtures and fittings are all in good order . All the necessary checks on equipment and installations are conducted to the relevant specified time frames; inspections and repairs as listed in the most recent quinquennial (2015) have been addressed as advised by the architect . The churchyard is well maintained in accordance with Diocesan requirements .

Aston Fields has a variety of small shops including a Post Office .

Finstall Rugby Club is opposite the churchyard and ‘Bromsgrove Cricket, Hockey and Tennis Club’ is along St Godwald’s Road opposite the Primrose Hospice . Bromsgrove Railway Station is a few minutes’ walk from the church and there is a good bus service into Bromsgrove town and further afield .

WORSHIP Our regular Sunday Church services demonstrate the breadth of our approach, encompassing the traditional liturgy of 1662 Holy Communion at 9 .00 am, Common Worship Communion or lay-led Morning Worship at 10 .30 am, and a lay-led ‘Four for All’ service at 4 .00 pm on the third Sunday of the month, alongside innovative occasional services .

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Weekday Services in church include Morning Prayer from 8 .30 am to 9 .00 am Monday to Wednesday and Totwald’s - a special service for babies and pre-school children with their parents and carers on Monday mornings at 9 .30 am .

There is a Modern Evening Prayer service at 5 .00 pm on Mondays and

a Wednesday morning Communion Service at 10 .00 am in the Ruth Heald Room .

We give a choice of Baptism or Thanksgiving services . These and Weddings are booked at our Vestry Hour on Monday evenings held from 6 .30 to 7 .30 pm . Baptisms are usually on Sundays at 12 .30 pm with Thanksgiving services and Weddings by arrangement .

OUTREACH Local schools – Finstall First School, Aston Fields Middle School and Rigby Hall School are encouraged to visit and to hold services in our church . We support them with one to one involvement .

For the past five years pupils at Aston Fields have exhibited art work in church, based on a religious theme chosen by their teacher in conjunction with their Religious Studies lessons .

Rigby Hall, a school for pupils with special needs, has opened a community Café on Monday lunchtimes in the Ruth Heald Room, run by the sixth form students, assisted by their teachers .

Use of Hall The church hall is used daily by the community, including two Brownie packs, various music and dance groups, exercise classes, weight watchers and a monthly Railway Club .

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Income We have a stewardship scheme to which a good number of our congregation subscribe .

In recent years we have managed to pay our Share in full and hoped to continue to do so . However, 2017 has been particularly challenging and we will not meet our Share allocation . We are preparing an action plan to improve our finances during 2018 .

FELLOWSHIPA committed and enthusiastic congregation is involved with a broad range of activities, many of which draw in the wider local community .

These include Ladies Fellowship with around 40 members who enjoy monthly Wednesday afternoons in the Ruth Heald room with interesting speakers and/or social activities followed by light refreshments . The meeting ends with saying the Grace . Before the AGM, they have a Holy Communion Service in church . Once a year they meet with members of other Ladies Fellowship groups within the Diocese, taking it in turns to host a church service and refreshments . At Christmas there is a Carol Service held in church .

Our ‘Memory Lane’ Café, held in the Ruth Heald Room every other Friday morning, is open to anyone who is in need of company to come and take part in activities or just to chat over coffee and cake .

A sewing group meets once a fortnight and has produced many intricate and beautifully crafted items for the church and for sale .

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A poetry group meets once a month at the home of one of our members .

Twice a month on Tuesdays at 10 .00 am a church led ‘Ambling’ group meets in the Ruth Heald Room and completes a two to four mile walk along country lanes and across fields to the Worcestershire canal, returning for a hot drink and home-made scones .

Our Little Stars Baby and Toddler group is held on Mondays in the church hall at 10 .00 am and is run by members of the church .

We have a Junior Choir for school children from year 2 to year 4/5, under the auspices of our organist .

Members of ‘The Friends of St Godwald’ raise funds for the maintenance of the church and churchyard . An annual Concert is organised in church by the committee of ‘The Friends’ .

MISSION We support a variety of Charities during each year, both local and further afield .

In our wider world:

• Mission Aviation Fellowship, Christian Aid, Water Aid, Operation Christmas Child (Shoe boxes) .

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In our local community:

• St Basil’s in Bromsgrove – A centre for homeless youngsters aged from 16 to 25 years

• ‘New Starts’ – A Christian Community who run a Social enterprise open to the public .

• Street Pastors – Volunteers on the Street and Prayer team in Bromsgrove .

• ‘Open the book’ – Participating in two of our local schools .

In the UK:

• The Children’s Society - Collection boxes and donations of money collected at our Christingle service on Christmas Eve .

• Mission to Seafarers - on Sea Sunday .

We feel that it is very important to be aware of the needs of others in our wider world and in the community around us, not only with financial help but with visits to the elderly, housebound, those with long term illnesses and those who are in crisis . We remember all these in our prayers and take Holy Communion to those who cannot get to church any more . All these things and many more are part of our Mission in God’s world .

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OUR THOUGHTS FOR THE FUTUREAN EXTRACT FROM OUR VISION DAY REPORT.

Vision Day 17th September Report

After a shared communion service people gathered in the hall and Ruth Heald Room to consider five different areas of church life and reflect on what St Godwald’s fellowship does well and where we need to develop or change, considering the needs of people of all ages and experiences . Children and adults met initially in separate groups and then came together to share thoughts .

Worship

What we do well:

• Encouraging the young, involvement of children in Worship For All, FourforAll, baptisms

• Wednesday morning communion, informal worship that includes caring for each other

• Offering a breadth and choice of service and liturgy .

• All occasional and seasonal services

• Welcome and hospitality . We are an inclusive and happy church

Growing in discipleship

What we do well:

• Totwalds

• Encouragement to follow a Christian way of life is given in all our services

• Tuesday Discipleship Group

• Weekly newsletter lets everyone know what is happening at church especially those who can’t come to services . Value of the emailed letter .

• Use Morning Worship for teaching and discussion .

• We pray for people

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Serving the community

What we do well:

• School contact – individuals involved in voluntary work at school and PTA for example and school use of our buildings for services, concert and art exhibition

• Little Stars

• Open the Book – our contribution through Churches Together in Bromsgrove to other schools in the town .

• Involvement by individuals in Street Pastors, Street Prayers, Churches Together projects, chaplaincy at the Primrose Hospice, support for St Basils and New Starts

• Offering opportunities for other agencies to be involved in church – Community Payback (maintaining churchyard), Rigby Hall School (maintaining churchyard and cafe) and to use our buildings - Brownies and so many more .

• Giving to and supporting mission, Christian Aid, Children’s Society, Water Aid etc

Sharing our faith and values

What we do well:

• Vestry Hour

• Services that appeal to people who don’t generally come to church – Christingle, carols by candlelight, baptism and thanksgiving services, funerals, summer festival

• Confirmation preparation/discipleship meetings

• Meetings to share faith things through Lent or Advent

• Our welcome and hospitality

Using the buildings

What we do well:

• Good use of buildings by community and church groups

• Re ordered church provides more flexible space

• Ruth Heald Room is comfortable and warm – an excellent resource

• Use of church for concerts, art exhibition

• Unlike some other churches, it’s open during the day

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Young People’s Feedback

What we like:

• Messy Church

• Singing Loud

• Helping in Church . Reading/Collection/Prayers

• Singing the Peace

• Shaking everyone’s hands in the Peace

• FourforAll service

• All age services

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CHRIST CHURCH, CATSHILLCHRIST CHURCH CATSHILL WITH ST. LUKE’S MARLBROOK

Christ Church is at the heart of the growing and lively community of Catshill and has historic links to the poet A .E . Housman, who was baptised there as an infant . The Victorian building is a grade II listed, the stonework of which is now in need of considerable renovation, provides an excellent setting for worship .

The Sunday pattern of worship includes a said Communion service (BCP) twice a month at 8 am, while the main service at 10 am has a congregation of around forty . This alternates between Common Worship Communion and a family service of the Word, usually led by our ALMs and Reader who are members of the congregation . This reflects the extensive lay ministry of the church which includes pastoral visiting, regularly, taking communion to the housebound, as well as good links with local schools that use the church for special services .

There is a very well attended ‘fresh expression’ in the form of a meditation group, which is held once a month at the vicarage . This serves both congregation members and several others who do not come to church .

There is also a very established group of crafters that also include people from church and non- church people .

We have a strong mission minded vision that is always searching for new ways of reaching out and welcoming people, as part of a caring and inclusive worshipping community .

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ST LUKE’S, MARLBROOKSt . Luke’s is about a mile from Christ Church . Although built for both worship and community use, services are no longer held there . St Luke’s is now used almost exclusively by Marlbrook pre-school, and is a valuable source of income .

Team Vicar Rev’d Bev Robertson

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ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH, BROMSGROVE

St . John’s is the Civic Church of the town and hosts a wide variety of civic events, concerts as well as gatherings for the community . The Team Vicar supports the civic life in many ways including being a chaplain to the Council, Scouts, British Legion and Court Leet . There is a Middle School associated with the church . The church has a long history of being at the heart of the Town centre and is a landmark building in the townscape . It is a Grade 1 listed, 14th Century building and there is currently underway a major fundraising project to repair and improve the building .

The committed and enthusiastic congregation are involved in a wide range of activities including many events in the local area . We have a small Sunday School and Youth Fellowship, a thriving choir and bell ringing team . There is a hall that has an office and administrator, who administers the funerals for the whole parish as well as the day to day administration for St . John’s and St . Andrew’s . The church has recently drawn together a Mission Action Plan for the next 5 years .

Our regular Sunday services are mixed and varied and include CW Choral Morning Prayer, All Age Worship, two CW Holy Communions and a monthly BCP Choral Evensong . In addition to these we also host the town’s annual Remembrance Service, the Remembrance Service for Srebrenica in partnership with the Muslim Community, Baby Loss Memorial Service, Churches Together in Bromsgrove Christmas Carol Service for the town and other civic services .

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ST. ANDREW’S CHARFORD

St . Andrew’s is part of the district with St . John’s . The multi-purpose building is located in one of the more deprived areas of Bromsgrove . The building is used to serve the needs of the community and has recently undergone refurbishments to the kitchen and community areas .

The vision for St . Andrew’s is for it to be a place of mission where the love of God is made real in word and action . We already have a Parent and Toddler Group and we are looking at developing partnerships with other churches and Christians to start up new projects and fresh expressions of church .

The congregation of St . Andrew is a small and faithful bunch of people who meet at 9 .15am on a Sunday morning . They have two CW communions a month, a family service and a Songs of Praise service .

Team Vicar Rev’d Ray Khan

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HOLY TRINITY & ST. MARY DODFORD

This architecturally outstanding church is, spiritually and culturally, at the heart of a small scattered community . Distinct from the urban area, the village has a strong sense of community reflected in the church congregation, though attendance rates are falling as people get older and newer residents do not have a culture of church attendance .

Services are broad based ranging from Book of Common Prayer, through Common Worship, to informal Family Services with one form held each Sunday .

Although size limits the range of church based activities, varied events are organized; a harvest festival, fundraising evenings and the like . A young people’s workshop meets three times a year and enjoys strong links with the village primary school .

This has led to innovative monthly family worship which is attended by all ages .

Dodford is part of the team but a separate Parish .