Rainhill St Ann
Parish Profile 2014 1
Parish Profile 2014
Rainhill
St Ann
Rainhill St Ann
Parish Profile 2014 2
Our vision for the future:
To keep Christ at the centre of all we do.
To become a church which is truly for all ages, and which can hold our children as they
grow.
To continue to build a church where every member feels valued and involved, and
everyone feels they have a voice which will be heard.
To continue to be a friendly, welcoming church family.
To become a more mission-minded congregation, and to increase our outreach activities.
To see increased lay involvement in the leadership of the church and its services.
WHERE ARE WE HEADING?
We are looking for a Vicar…
…who values and is comfortable leading both traditional, liturgical services
and more modern, informal services (including Fresh Expressions)
…who is a team player, enthusiastic about lay involvement in all areas of
church and community life, and who will nurture and develop the gifts of the
laity in order to make this a reality
…who can teach the Bible and preach in an accessible and engaging manner
…who is a strong, diplomatic and spiritual leader who will work with the PCC
to further God’s work within the parish
…who has the skills and experience to maintain and further develop our work
with children and young families
…who takes seriously the discipleship of the congregation and the need to
find new ways of reaching out to the local community with the Gospel
…who will empathise, encourage and support people at different stages of
their journey of faith
…who will strengthen our ecumenical links
…who will maintain and strengthen our relationships with staff, parents and
children at the Church School
Rainhill St Ann
Parish Profile 2014 3
As a church we feel that our strengths are:
We have a good variety of services, mostly with a sacramental focus.
We have attracted a significant number of new young families to the church through our
All-Age Worship Services and Stanley Bear Club (our church service for 0-5s).
We have a good relationship with our Church School.
We are financially stable with a committed planned giving scheme.
We have a faithful and committed PCC, supported by the congregation.
We recognise that the local community feels a sense of ‘ownership’ of the church and our
buildings are regularly used by schools and other groups.
We have well-maintained buildings.
However, we recognise that we need help in other areas:
We need help to recognise and develop the gifts of the laity, and encourage people
towards licensed lay ministries.
We need to develop our outreach and evangelism to the local community.
We would like to strengthen our ecumenical links which have dwindled over recent years.
We need to develop both the prayer life of the church and the biblical literacy of the
congregation.
We need to develop activities/services which appeal to older children and teenagers.
We need to expand our lay pastoral visiting scheme.
WHERE ARE WE NOW?
All Age Worship Service Stained glass window Scarecrow Festival
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Parish Profile 2014 4
Rainhill lies on the outskirts of Liverpool
diocese, 12 miles from the city and 4 miles
from St Helens. It is part of the deanery of
St Helens.
There are excellent transport links (road, rail
and bus).
St Ann’s Church lies in the heart of the
original village.
The postal address is:
St Ann’s Church, Warrington Road, Rainhill,
L35 0NS.
WHERE ARE WE?
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Parish Profile 2014 5
The population of Rainhilll is approximately 16,000 and continues to grow due to new housing
developments. The area is socially mixed with areas of significant wealth, pockets of
deprivation and everything in between. The population spans all age ranges and is
predominantly white British.
There are 7 schools in the parish (1 nursery, 4 primary, 1 secondary, and 1 private school for
ages 0-16). Medical care is readily available with 3 medical centres, 2 pharmacies, a dentist
and Whiston Hospital. There are also several residential homes for the elderly. There are 4
other churches within the parish (Roman Catholic, Methodist, Independent Evangelical, Free
Church) and a Village Hall.
Despite the rapid growth of the population of Rainhill, the centre of the parish maintains a
‘village feel’. There is a good selection of shops, including a small supermarket, fruit shop,
flower shop, butcher and card/gift shop. There is a café, a few restaurants and a selection of
pubs. The library is near to the church.
There are a large number of voluntary organisations and interest groups in and around Rainhill,
catering for all ages and interests. These include, amongst others: a Rotary Club; Civic
Society; toddler groups; sports clubs; pensioners’ lunch club; Scouts; Guides; dance groups;
and amateur dramatics society.
Rainhill has a unique place in history, being the site of the famous Rainhill Trials carried out in
1829 to decide which locomotives should work the world’s first inter-city railway.
LIFE IN RAINHILL
A new housing estate Shops in Rainhill Warrington Road high street
Whiston hospital Rainhill Gala
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St Ann’s Church is a Grade II listed building which was
consecrated in 1839. It is a large church, seating 400 people.
The building is in good order. The most recent quinquennial
inspection found only minor issues, all of which have now been
rectified. The graveyard is closed. We recently experimented
by removing a section of pews to create more space for our
Fresh Expressions services. This more flexible space has
proved very useful and the
possibility of further
re-ordering is being considered.
St Ann’s Millennium Centre is a separately registered
charity which stands alone. It was renovated in 2000 with
grant funding, and is a community facility for use by both
the church and the wider community.
St Ann’s is a traditional church which is committed to the Diocesan Growth Agenda. We are
excited that we are becoming more ‘mixed economy’ and continue to strive to find ways to
help people of all ages and backgrounds encounter God in worship. We are an ageing
congregation but are very encouraged by the number of young
families who have been attracted to the church due to new
initiatives.
We have two morning services each Sunday: 8.30am BCP
(average attendance 26); and 10.30am Common Worship (100).
Vestments are worn at Eucharistic Services and the Sacrament is
reserved, there is usually a Gospel procession and members of
the sanctuary guild assist at services. Music is played on the
organ, and we have a robed
choir which sings at 10.30am.
On the first Sunday of each month, the 10.30am service is
All-Age Worship (116 + 30 children). This is a more informal
liturgical service, without a Gospel procession, sanctuary guild
etc. At this service we usually welcome to the church children
who are due to be baptised shortly. In conjunction with the
clergy, a team of lay people are involved in planning and
leading All-Age Worship services.
THE CHURCH
THE BUILDING
View of Church from graveyard
THE WORSHIP
10.30am service
All-Age Worship
St Ann’s Millennium Centre
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Baptisms usually take place during a separate service at
12.00noon on the second and fourth Sundays.
Evening services are at 6.30pm on the first and third Sundays
of the month. The first Sunday is Evening Prayer/Evensong
(14) and the third Sunday is ‘Soul Café’ (18) – an informal,
café style service engaging with topical issues in the context
of worship.
Stanley Bear Club (80 adults and children), our church service
for 0-5s and their carers, meets on Monday mornings. Stanley
Bear Club is lay-led at present.
There is a midweek Communion service each Thursday at
9.30am (28), alternating between BCP and Common Worship.
Until recently we held a Messy Church style afterschool club in
St Ann’s School. We are investigating re-starting this.
There is one Bible study homegroup which meets fortnightly.
Currently Morning and Evening Prayer are said every week day,
and Morning Prayer is also said on Saturdays.
We recognise that our patterns of worship may need to be
revisited with the arrival of a new incumbent.
Lay people are involved in Bible readings, leading
intercessions and administering Communion. Baptism
preparation is currently led by members of the PCC in
conjunction with the Methodist and Roman Catholic Churches.
Other special services throughout the year include:
Christingle; Carol Service (ecumenical); Christmas Eve Family
Service; Midnight Eucharist; Ash Wednesday Service; Mothering
Sunday; Lenten Lunches (ecumenical); Passover Meal; Good
Friday Service (ecumenical); Easter Saturday Vigil; Harvest
Thanksgiving Service; Memorial Service; Remembrance Service
(in conjunction with Royal British Legion). For the last few
years, the 10.30am services on Christmas Day and Easter
Sunday have been All-Age Worship. There are also occasional
pastoral services, such as blessings on wedding
anniversaries.
The Church School, and other schools within the parish, use
the church at various times of year for special services and
other activities.
Occasional offices
Last year, we had 13 weddings, 57 baptisms and 68 funerals.
Stanley Bear Club
Wedding
Christingle
Christmas Eve Family Service
Remembrance Sunday
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Other groups/organisations/services at the church include:
Socials committee: organising events such as quiz nights, concerts, fashion shows, bingo.
The Rocket magazine (600+ distribution)
Mothers’ Union (very active and supportive with 90+ members)
Flower Guild (St Ann’s is the home of CEFAA)
Bell ringers
Weekly ecumenical coffee morning (Thursday)
Saturday coffee morning
Mums and Tots
Friends of the choir
Annual men’s dinner
Parish lunches (1 or 2 per year)
Volunteer church cleaning group
The Church is involved with the wider community in a number of other ways:
Monthly Communion Services at local residential homes (led by clergy with the Mothers’
Union)
Monthly Home Communions
St Ann’s is a collection point for the St Helens
Foodbank.
The PCC tries to give 10% of its income to
home and overseas mission but unfortunately
finances mean this hasn’t always happened in
recent years. Recipients of donations
include Tearfund, The Children’s Society,
Shelter and Bp Peter Bartlett in Paraguay
Church members sit on the Village Hall
Committee and Rainhill Gala Committee
The church is regularly hired out for festivals,
displays and concerts
St Ann’s Church of England Primary School
St Ann’s is a Voluntary Aided Church School with 430+ pupils. In 2014 it
was assessed by OFSTED as ‘outstanding’. The church has a good
relationship with the school. The clergy have taken RE lessons, held end
of term services, and worked with the school on their Arts Week
Celebration Service, amongst other activities. Clergy and laity sit on the
school Ethos group. The governing body comprises 13 members, 8 of
whom are Foundation (i.e. Church) Governors. The school are keen for
both clerical and lay involvement to continue and develop further.
THE CHURCH AND THE COMMUNITY
Men’s dinner
WANTED: A New Vicar
The children of St Ann’s School have
thought about what they would like in
their new Vicar. They said they would
like someone who is:
● Always a friend ● Kind ● Wise ● Cheerful ● Good with children and adults ● Holy ● Funny
And… Knows a lot about Jesus!
The Church School
Rainhill St Ann
Parish Profile 2014 9
The staff team at St Ann’s currently includes an Assistant Minister (contracted until July 2015),
an Assistant Curate (until July 2014) and a Reader (until July 2014). There is minimal
administrative support. A lay team lead Stanley Bear Club and assist with planning and leading
All-Age Worship.
St Ann’s is part of St Helens Deanery, which has a reputation as a progressive and
forward-thinking deanery. Chapter meetings are well-attended and the chapter takes a yearly
retreat together. A Deanery Mission Plan has been produced, with all parishes producing their
own Mission Plans. (See Appendix 1for the Church’s most recent Mission Plan). Clergy from
within the Deanery and beyond are willing to provide holiday cover.
St Ann’s in considered ‘Healthy and Viable’. We recently embarked on a process of
encouraging the congregation to increase their monthly giving. This proved successful and
needs to be continued. Financial statements are attached (Appendix 2).
The large vicarage, which is situated next to the church, was built in the 1960s. The ground
floor comprises: entrance porch; study (accessible without entering the rest of the property);
hallway with cloakroom; living room; dining room; modern kitchen; utility area (with shower
room); and attached single garage. On the first floor there are 5 bedrooms and a bathroom
with separate toilet. There is a very large garden to the rear, and a small garden at the front.
The property is in a good state of repair, requiring only decoration. It has a full alarm system
and CCTV.
The church also owns a property currently inhabited by the Curate.
CLERGY SUPPORT
FINANCES
THE VICARAGE
Top left: kitchen; Bottom left: Vicarage; Above: Rear garden
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St Helen’s Deanery: Some comments from Mark Cockayne, Area Dean
The Deanery of St Helens has long had a reputation for being a progressive and forward
thinking deanery. The Clergy Chapter is well attended, providing a supportive and encouraging
place to pray, learn and grow together. Each year we have a retreat at Sandymount where we
set the chapter agenda together for the coming year.
All Parishes and Teams are committed to the Deanery Mission Plan, and since 2007 each parish
has produced an annual mission plan outlining goals for growth and development in the coming
year. In March 2012 Deanery Synod agreed that the Deanery would welcome and embrace the
emerging pattern of mixed economy “Lake and River” church that is developing in the
Deanery. Each Team has agreed to produce a mixed economy Team Plan that will outline the
pattern of ministry and the resources required, including buildings and paid staff.
The Deanery Mission Plan is our local response to the Bishop’s Growth agenda.
St Ann Rainhill
St Ann’s is classed as “Healthy and Viable” in the Deanery Mission Plan. In recent years it has
embraced the Deanery decision to develop the mixed economy style of church, with a number
of emerging fresh expressions of church developing alongside the more traditional church
based services and ministries. The Deanery would like to support St Ann’s search for a mission
minded Priest who is able to grow the church in this direction.
At the moment St Ann’s is the only parish in the Deanery not in a formal Team or informal
group with other parishes. The Deanery Mission Plan requires St Ann’s to develop links with
other churches in the Deanery, with a view to becoming part of a formal team or informal
group or Mission Partnership. Initial conversations between the clergy of St Ann’s and the
Sutton Team have taken place and this will need further exploration when the new Incumbent
of St Ann’s is in post. However there are no plans for pastoral reorganisation while St Ann’s
remains Healthy and Viable, and we believe that this is an exciting time for the parish which is
well positioned for growth.
THE DEANERY PERSPECTIVE
Remembrance Sunday parade Stanley Bear Club
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APPENDICES
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St Ann Rainhill
Deanery Mission Plan 2014
Thinking about our priorities for the coming year and the longer term future of the parish are
at the forefront of PCC thinking and deliberations. As we are now in interregnum it would be
unfair of the PCC to formulate fixed plans for the future without the thoughts and input of the
future incumbent.
Our priority for 2014 is to continue the process of creating a more coherent structure, and
enable the PCC and more of the worshipping congregation to engage with our priorities, and to
seriously think about the future of the parish and change which may be necessary to continue
the work of God.
Despite the serious challenges we face, we are not downhearted. We look forward to a future
with a new incumbent in place and continuing the work of the PCC under new and fresh
leadership.
The parish will continue under the pastoral care of Rev Christopher Perrins, Rev Michael
Leyden (until July 2014), and Anna Leyden our lay reader (until July 2014). Services will
continue as 2013 until a new appointment is made. During 2014 we intend:-
To continue with the Stanley Bear Club, a fresh expression, this has just celebrated its
second birthday, and draws in forty plus young adults and their 0-5s children, or in some
cases grandparents or other carers. A lay team carries on this work under the
leadership of Anna Leyden.
To continue with our All Age Worship on the first Sunday of the month, this again has a
regular core of young adults and children attending with up to 40 children.
To continue with Cafe style church in our Millennium Centre which allows for a more
relaxed but more thorough look at contemporary issues, using topical issues and news
stories, and trying to see how our Christian faith can shed light on these.
Continue to develop our relationship with our Church School and mutually deepen our
understanding of what that might really mean, when many of our parents and a
proportion of staff are in reality not wholly sympathetic to our aims.
To deepen our corporate and individual prayer life in order that we may remain
completely faithful to God’s will and truth.
The major emphasis for 2014 will be preparing to welcome a new incumbent to the post of
Vicar at St. Ann’s and we would ask for support and prayers from all in the Deanery of St.
Helens.
APPENDIX 1
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APPENDIX 2
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