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PARISH PROFILE

CONTENTS

THE PARISH

OUR VISION

OUR VICAR AND WHAT WE OFFER

WORSHIP

ORGANISATION

OUTREACH

BUILDINGS

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

MISSION ACTION PLAN (Appendix)

St Bartholomew’s Church, Church Hill, Wednesbury, WS10 9DG

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WEDNESBURY An ancient market town, in the C19th Wednesbury was the home of

heavy industry including steel making. Now lost, those industries have been replaced by

smaller factory and commercial units and the area is primarily residential, having a mix of

private and local authority housing.

The town has a busy shopping centre with a Morrisons supermarket and a retail park on its

outskirts with large stores such as Ikea, B&Q, Next, Currys and Boots. It also has a newly-

built Leisure Centre with gym and swimming pool, a Green Flag park, library and art gallery.

There are clubs and societies, some of which meet in the Church Hall, catering for a variety

of hobbies and interests. As indicated, there are excellent transport links with countryside

as well as the cities of Birmingham and Wolverhampton within 30mins to 1 hour travelling

time.

LIBRARY

AND

PARK

LOCAL SCHOOLS OFSTED RATINGS

PRIMARY

Albert Pritchard Outstanding

Old Park Outstanding

Wood Green Satisfactory

St John’s C of E Satisfactory

St Mary’s R.C. Good

SECONDARY

Wood Green Academy Outstanding

Stuart Bathurst R.C. Requires

Improvement

RSA Academy Good

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St Bartholomew’s Church, Church Hill, Wednesbury, WS10 9DG

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THE PARISH

St. Bartholomew’s is currently in the process of merging with

the Parish of St. James and St. John Wednesbury, which has

been without an incumbent for a number of years and whose

church is closing.

That process should be completed in 2017. The Parish of

St James and St John was a C19th creation from the old

parish of St Bartholomew, Wednesbury and so its return is

a homecoming.

The Parish population is

predominantly White British

(80%). The largest ethnic

minority, at 11.5%, being of

Indian, Pakistani or

Bangladeshi descent.

Within parish boundaries,

are a Roman Catholic, a

Methodist and a Baptist

Church. One Pentecostal

church, the Eternal Sacred

The Parish population is predominantly White British (80%).

The largest ethnic minority, at 11.5%, being of Indian,

Pakistani or Bangladeshi descent.

Within parish boundaries, are a Roman Catholic, a Methodist

and a Baptist Church. One Pentecostal church, the Eternal

Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim, operates from the

St James Church building and another, the New Life

Worldwide Apostolic Church, from its former hall and school.

There are also a number of small mosques.

A number of nursing and residential homes, to which our clergy and pastoral team minister,

are in the Parish. There are 4 primary schools and a secondary school, with a further

2 secondary schools a little distance outside the Parish. (For details of our involvement with

schools see Outreach section on p10) (For school details see Local Schools section at p2).

LOCATION Wednesbury, West

Midlands

POPULATION St. Bartholomew 7,704

St James and St John 4,877

LOCAL AUTHORITY Sandwell MBC

TRANSPORT LINKS; Junction 9 of M6 1.1 ml

Bus station 0.3m

Railway stations:

Bescot 2.3ml

Tame Bridge 3.5ml

Sandwell and Dudley (main

line) 4.7ml

Midland Metro stations:

Great Western St. 0.7ml and

Wednesbury Parkway (Park and Ride)

0.8ml to Birmingham and

Wolverhampton

Birmingham International Airport

20ml

(Distances from Church)

ADDRESS

St Bartholomew’s Church,

Church Hill

Wednesbury WS10 9DG

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OUR VISION

We are a Christian family seeking an ever

closer relationship with God, a deeper

understanding of his teachings and a

strengthened commitment to follow

them. As families grow and welcome new

members, so we, as a church family, look

to promote the knowledge and love of

God to all generations, within our parish

and beyond.

Key Aims

To be a community of all ages, ethnicity and backgrounds.

To reach out, in service and support, to all in the parish.

To grow spiritually and numerically.

The Mission Action Plan is available as an Appendix to this document.

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OUR VICAR

WE ARE SEEKING A PRIEST WHO:

Will help us grow in faith and numbers

Has a commitment to pastoral work

Will encourage Christians of all denominations, within the town, to work

collaboratively to enlarge our faith community and be an active presence

in the community life of the town. An incumbent is likely to be invited to

serve as a school governor at St John’s C.E. school.

Will provide spiritual and practical leadership.

Previous parish experience is desirable; a sense of humour, engaging personality

and respect for diversity in worship are important.

WHAT WE OFFER:

A warm welcoming environment.

The support of an effective pastoral team.

An engaged management/leadership team of wardens and church council.

A modern vicarage close to the church

Respect for the incumbent’s privacy, personal space and family life.

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WORSHIP

The Church currently conducts the following regular services;

SUNDAYS

8.00a.m. Holy Communion rite Book of Common Prayer

Attendance numbers 6-10.

10.30a.m. Sung Eucharist rite Common Worship

This is the main weekly service.

Attendance adults children

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Following the 10.30 service, refreshments are available giving an opportunity for

fellowship and extending a welcome to newcomers.

TUESDAYS

10.00am Holy Communion

ADDITIONAL REGULAR SERVICES

SUNDAY BI-MONTHLY 12.30p.m Baptisms

QUARTERLY 6.00p.m. Memorial Services

SERVICES celebrating major feasts and festivals.

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The tenor of worship is “middle of the road” Anglican with choir and organ. During the

main Sunday service younger children are offered faith based educational sessions in the

vestry.

The Church has recently experimented with monthly All Age Services held on Sundays at

10.30a.m. These have been discontinued pending exploration of the feasibility of a

service with content more user friendly for young families and at a time, later in the day,

more congenial and consistent with the demands of modern family life.

OCCASIONAL OFFICES

As a result of its long association with the town and historical connections with local

families the Church is often the preferred choice for weddings, baptisms and funerals.

The current policy is to conduct a careful preparation of those seeking marriage in the

Church and to approach applications from divorced persons seeking remarriage with

charity and sympathy.

Our practice is, after appropriate preparation, to offer baptism to all children whether

their carers are regular Church attenders or not.

The PCC would wish to continue these policies in respect of marriages and baptisms.

STATISTICS 2016

Baptisms : 23

Weddings: 7

Funerals Church: 30

Crematorium: 13

Thanksgiving: 4

PRAYER AND BIBLE

STUDY MEETINGS

These are currently

held on Wednesday

evenings at the curate’s

home.

EXPLORING FUTURE PATTERNS OF WORSHIP

Consistent with our agreed Mission Action plan and strategy to encourage

diversity, we are currently discussing the introduction of a Sunday act of worship

at a time and with a format which differs from the traditional.

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ORGANISATIONS AND PEOPLE

WARDENS: The two church wardens are assisted by two deputy wardens and a team of

sides people.

THE CHURCH COUNCIL: Has eleven members and reflects the composition of the

congregation in respect of age, length of attendance at St Barts and liturgical preferences. It

meets monthly. Its primary objectives are those set out in OUR VISION while at the same

time managing finances, church buildings and furnishings.

The council is also committed to encouraging individual members of the congregation to

take on leadership roles.

CURATE*

The Reverend Simon Skidmore

PASTORAL TEAM Sheila Golcher, Rachel Mason, Alison O’Neil, Leanne Smith, Alison Spencer, Linda Stockall, Joyce Turner

EDUCATION FINANCE OFFICER Alison O’Neil, Liz Whitty Mike Warner

SAFEGUARDING FLOWERS AND LINEN Alison O’Neil, Joyce Turner Liz Whitty

CHURCH CLEANING SECRETARY David Hopkins, Janis Pheasant Lynn Castillo

VERGER/ASSISTANT VERGER OPEN TABLE Brian Broome/ Linda Stockall LInda Stockall/Joyce Turner

OPEN THE BOOK COORDINATOR MUSICAL DIRECTOR Leanne Smith Derek Whitty

FUND RAISING AND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Wendy Bird, Lynn Castillo, Donald Griffiths, Joyce Turner

*At the time of writing we have a curate in training. How long he will remain is a

matter for discussion between himself and the Bishop but it may be that he will be

moving on in the course of 2017.

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OUTREACH

Consistent with our vision, we take every opportunity to communicate our faith within

the parish, alongside seeking a cohesive unity within the congregation. The unity of

purpose of our church family we regard as a useful asset in attracting new members,

providing a welcoming environment and enabling a growing in faith and numbers.

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come

and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit

with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” Philippians 1:27

Outreach examples are;

OPEN TABLE LUNCHES held monthly in the Church Hall provide a fellowship opportunity

for church members and are open to the wider community.

ST BARTS LITTLE FISHES is a weekly opportunity to introduce those with very young

children to the church family while offering care and play activity.

LOVINGLY CRAFTED, the church craft club, meets monthly in the Church Hall. As well as

providing an opportunity for church members to come together, the club is open to the

local community and its regular Craft Fayres again showcases the Church to the

community.

FELLOWSHIP AND FUN AT OPEN TABLE

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OPEN THE BOOK performance of bible stories for children provides an opportunity to

bring knowledge of and stimulate interest in the Bible in schools. This started in one

school and has now expanded to others, where it has proved a popular much

anticipated event.

THE VISIT OF THE SHEPHERDS

JESUS AND ZACCHAEUS

THE LAST SUPPER

THE JUDGEMENT OF SOLOMON

CALMING THE STORM

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PASTORAL WORK. The work of the pastoral team is many faceted and seen as an essential

part of offering the church to the community. Whether holding a carol service in a nursing

home or individual sick visiting that work lies at the centre of outreach.

We also attempt, through holding events in the church such as concerts and presentations,

to attract visitors and familiarise our local community with the church.

2016 CHRISTINGLE SERVICE

THE QUEEN’S 90TH BIRTHDAY

CONCERT IN THE CHURCH HALL

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C16TH MONUMENTS

IN THE CHURCH

BUILDINGS

THE CHURCH

The Church stands atop a hill over-looking the town and is

clearly visible from miles around. There has been a Church

on the site since the C12th. The present building has its

origins in the C15th but was subject to two extensive

C19th alterations; the first in the 1830s the second in the

1880s.

The interior has decorations in the high Victorian style

with some surviving monuments from earlier times.Its

beauty is enhanced by a set of stained glass windows by

Kempe and the building is grade 2 listed.

A theft of roof lead, a decade ago, necessitated

replacement with steel, a material less attractive to

thieves. The church, some five years ago, was re-wired

and new lighting installed. The central heating boiler was

subsequently replaced and a new alarm system has very

recently been installed. There is a lavatory and small

kitchen in the building.

The building has a hearing loop. There are fixed and

mobile microphones and equipment to play CD

recordings.

There is a ramp from the road providing mobility impaired

access.

There are some areas of the interior in need of decorative

improvement, otherwise the fabric is sound.

THE CHURCHYARD

The churchyard is closed for

burials.

There is a small area available for

the burial of ashes.

The local authority maintains the

churchyard through grass-cutting

and tree pruning.

THE EASTERN ELEVATION

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THE VICARAGE

The Vicarage is conveniently located some 200 metres away from the Church in Little

Hill, a small road of four properties. In an elevated position, its rear windows afford a

panoramic view of the town.

A modern property comprising four bedrooms, bathroom, upstairs and downstairs

lavatories. Ground floor accommodation comprises of sitting room, dining room,

study/parish office and a kitchen re-furbished some 5 years ago.

The whole building is centrally heated.

There is an integral garage and the tarmac driveway is capable of accommodating

several cars. Otherwise, the gardens front and rear are chiefly laid to lawn and easily

maintainable.

The parish subscribes to the Diocesan Decoration Scheme for the Vicarage.

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THE CHURCH HALL

Sited a short distance from the Vicarage in Church Hill, the hall was built in the 1960s.

It has a well equipped kitchen, main hall with a large stage at one end a number of

smaller rooms off the main hall and lavatory facilities.

The Hall is used by the church community as the base for: Open Table, St Bart’s Little

Fishes (for 0-3 year olds and their carers) and The Craft Club (see Outreach).

It is also used by Brownies, Rainbows and Guides.

Various outside organisations regularly rent the hall including;

Probus

Slimming World

Kick Boxing

Kickstar Kids (Cheerleaders)

Weightwatchers

It is also available for private function hire and is used by the local authority as a polling

station for elections.

The building is structurally sound. The roof was refurbished in 2016 and a new entrance

door fitted in 2015. It could benefit from some re-decoration and modernisation. It is

centrally heated and has a car park at the rear.

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THE CRAFT CLUB HOLDS A SALE

OF WORK IN THE CHURCH HALL

2016

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OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

As a Church community we face challenges which are not uncommon.

The Church building is larger than our present needs and expensive to maintain.

Yet the building has beauty and is valued by the people of Wednesbury for its history

and the continuity of faith which it represents. This goodwill and interest provides an

opportunity to increase visitor numbers and hence congregation size.

Currently there are some manageable arrears in Parish Share payments. The

challenge is to save costs and encourage personal giving, while at the same time

maximising other income streams, e.g. from church hall hire, and seeking outside

funding in support of particular projects. There is a need to continue and promote

focussed productive fundraising. Not only do fund raising efforts serve to unify our

membership, they assist in the discharge of our financial commitments. We regard it

necessary that the new incumbent should have a practical approach to finance.

Further details on finance are available on request from Keith Vaughan, email

hillhousewednesbury@tiscali.co.uk

While the size of the congregation has fallen in successive decades, this is more than

compensated by its devotion and energy.

“None of us …ever do great things. But we can all do small things with great love and

together we can do something wonderful” [Mother Teresa].

The healthy number of occasional offices held at St Bartholomew’s provides an

opportunity for our church community to reach out in welcome.

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APPENDIX A

MISSION ACTION PLAN

Presented to PCC and agreed on 11th July 2016.

There are good things happening. There is a good balance of services and there has been recent improvement at 8am. There are good contacts through occasional offices (baptisms, weddings and funerals). Reaching New Generations through Sunday Club, Little Fishes, Open the Book and Uniformed organisations.

Key areas for year one of the growth plan are:

Welcome. The Everybody Welcome Course has been done. Look for a welcome coordinator plus deputy and develop a welcome leaflet. Welcome needs to be a high priority in all you do.

Communication. Review of communication strategy. The couple doing the parish magazine are laying this down in the new year so this review is important. Explore:

parish newsletters three or four times a year (free);

pastoral letters to the congregation every two months (or as needed);

weekly notice sheet;

web provision and social media.

Plus, notice boards – outside and inside – need attention.

Pastoral. It is great that you have a Pastoral Team. Develop a ‘Church Family List’. Do an analysis of who has left and why, including new as well as long term members.

In addition to these three items the renovation of the church hall and the decoration of the interior of the church are to be explored.

Over five years look at:

Service pattern. Look at how to market present services effectively and look to develop a new service aimed at families at a different time from Sunday morning, possibly using the hall. Explore whether the midweek BCP Communion service should be later and social time attached to it.

Discipleship. Small groups are vital. These grow from:

a. Enquirers and nurture courses. 3-2-1 done regularly (every half term?) b. One-off courses which attract people because time limited but some enjoy and

decide to join long term group. c. Enthusiasm of those who are in a group inviting new people to it.

Key principle – ‘go with the goers’.

Key resources: LICC Frontline. Community of St Chad.

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Occasional offices are important for community connection and new members. ‘Baptism Matters’ in the autumn.

Vocation and calling exercises so it is not the same small group doing everything.

Finance.

Photo display of all regulars.

Don’t be afraid to stop things that are not working.

As this is regularly reviewed, I recommend the following questions:

a. The things we said we would do and have done. (Celebrate!)

b. The things we have said we would do and have not done, and are never likely to do.

c. The things we said we would do and have not done but would still like to do.

d. New things that were not on the plan but we would now like to include.

The Growth Plan will then be alive and serve you through the years.