In God, One Team, One Vision,
and One Purpose
Team Profile
The Maghull Team formerly consisted of three churches: the neighbouring parish of St
Thomas, Melling was added in 2009. St Peter’s and St James’ were both made Parish
Churches at that time, with the team served by a Team Rector and two Team Vicars. Each
church has a PCC, and 3 representatives on the Team Council. The Team Council has
recently come up with a Team Mission Statement: “In God, One Team, One Vision, and
One Purpose”.
The Team Rector and Team Vicars are responsible for parish duties across the team. They
are assisted by our licensed Readers.
Section 1- Summary
An exciting, dynamic opportunity to inspire and lead a Team Ministry that works; set in and around the pleasant, semirural area of Maghull and Melling.
We can offer you the opportunity to build:
•
•
•
a collaborative and supportive ministry team including team vicars and licensed readers
a mix of four churches in the surrounding area, three in Maghull and one in Melling
a fantastic place in which to live and minister
We would like you to
•
•
•
lead us in the next stage of our Christian journey together
enable and help us as a Christian community to see opportunities for growth and mission in our churches and
in the wider community
support and continue to develop our Christian ethos and work with our schools in the area
We invite you to join our team and walk with us in prayer and faith.
Contents
Section 1- Summary .......................................................................................................................................................... 1
Contents ............................................................................................................................................................................ 1
Section 2- What kind of Team Rector do we want? .......................................................................................................... 2
Section 3- Parish Context .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Section 4- About the Churches.......................................................................................................................................... 4
St Andrew ...................................................................................................................................................................... 4
St Thomas ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6
St James ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7
St Peter.......................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Section 5- Ecumenical Links ............................................................................................................................................. 9
Housing ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Finances ........................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Appendix.......................................................................................................................................................................... 10
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Section 2- What kind of Team Rector do we want?
Maghull & Melling Team Ministry
are seeking a Team Rector who:
U Will lead the development of our mission and
vision across our 4 churches in making Maghull
and Melling a place of love, peace, faith and
hope.
U We would like you to lead us to a fresh vision
as a team.
U Is able to preach and teach the Gospel to all
with an ability to apply Scripture to everyday life
in a contemporary, imaginative and creative
way.
U Is a good listener with strong pastoral skills and
an ability to be empathic.
View from St Thomas’ Church Tower
U Can motivate, encourage and inspire others in
their faith journey along with developing prayer
and mission.
U Is comfortable with traditional and modern, central and evangelical ecclesiology.
U Has a natural ability to relate to the wider community, irrespective of age, gender or background.
U Is an effective and inspiring communicator.
U Is able to have an affinity with all those who find mainstream Christianity difficult or problematic.
U Can continue to build good relationships with our local schools.
U Will be a visible presence in the local community and engage in social activities within our churches and
community.
U Is able to prioritise competing demands.
St Andrew’s Church School have
also said they would like
someone with:
§
§
Experience of working with children.
Experience of worship – interactive singing
and stories.
The role of the Team Rector will be (specifically)…
Oversight of the Team… and he/she will also be
§
§
§
§
§
Trustee of Maghull Ancient Chapel
Governor of St Andrew’s C of E Primary School- the role is traditionally ascribed to the team rector.
A member of the Tithebarn Committee (Melling)- chairperson of the committee.
Trustee of St Andrew’s Parish Hall- chairperson of the committee\
The role of the Team Vicars will be varied and it is expected that the role(s) will be collaboratively discussed and
decided with the Team Rector, the Team Readers and the Team Council.
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Section 3- Parish Context
The Parishes of Maghull & Melling
The Maghull and Melling Team are comprised of four parish churches: St Andrew, St Peter, and St
James in Maghull, and St Thomas in Melling. All four parishes are situated on the outskirts of
Liverpool in a semi-rural and suburban area of Merseyside with proximity to the history and seafaring traditions of Liverpool. In the 2011 census, Maghull and Melling’s combined population was
approximately 24,000 adults, and is not ethnically mixed.
Maghull is a modern town with a fairly static population though rising a little and with areas of
mixed or low income. The majority of people work in the larger towns and cities surrounding the
area, as there are good bus, rail, motorway and airport links to other parts of the area and the
country. Maghull has its own Mayor, Town Hall and Town Council. There is a central shopping
area and easy access to out of town shops e.g. Asda and B&Q connected by a local bus service,
which also goes to Aintree Hospital. There are many good schools in the local area. There are
three Secondary schools: one Roman Catholic and two non-church schools. There are eight
primary schools, two Roman Catholic and one Church of England. There is also a local Children’s
Sure Start Centre in Maghull near St Peter’s church. Nearby there is Ashworth High Security
Hospital which has a chaplain.
Hillsborough
Window
There are various sport and leisure facilities to suit everyone and located in the Town Hall there is
a leisure centre with a library and swimming pool.
Perhaps our best-known local citizen was Frank Hornby the inventor of Meccano. His grave can be
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found in the Ancient Chapel graveyard. To commemorate the 150 year anniversary of his birth in 2013, a community
event was held which included a Flower Festival, a Fete on the Town Hall field and a service in St Andrews church. Many
people took part including the churches, town council, schools and businesses; we even made the local 6.30 BBC North
West news.
Melling is an area to the east of Maghull: the church itself is in the rural hamlet
of Melling, though much of the population lives in the wider area bordering
Kirkby. In keeping with country traditions, Melling holds its annual Scarecrow
Festival and Country Fayre each June, at the Tithebarn and last year raised
£712 for St Thomas’ with the community enjoying traditional stalls, Morris Men,
Tug ‘o War, Maypole dancing, donkey rides and traditional refreshments to
name but a few attractions.
We also hold the Bethlehem experience as this is a popular event with the
community, bringing alive the true meaning of Christmas, stars are placed in
the heart of the village simply saying "follow the star” thus leading to Melling
Tithebarn.
Melling Bethlehem
Experience 2016
th
2016 marked the 200 year of the Leeds and Liverpool Union Canal that runs
through Maghull and Melling. It is very pleasant to meander slowly upstream or
downstream on the canal by boat or to walk, run or cycle along the towpath,
which is close to all four churches.
Three best things about living here:
•
•
•
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Close to major cities (Liverpool and Manchester)
Close to open countryside and the coast
Good transport links by road, rail and air
Melling Scarecrow
Festival 2016
Section 4- About the Churches
St Andrew
The church of St Andrew, Maghull is the largest of the four churches within the Maghull and Melling Team. It is situated
adjacent to the A59 Liverpool to Preston Road. The church is in the Victorian Gothic style and is Grade II listed. It was
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built in 1880 but prior to that people worshipped in the Ancient Chapel which dates back to the 13 Century. Only part of
the building survives today but it is still used for regular worship. It is the oldest ecclesiastical building in Merseyside and
has a large graveyard area. St Andrews has an open graveyard.
St Andrews congregation is composed of mainly retired or older people and our worship is generally traditional. However,
most people recognise the need to reach out to younger people and families and understand the need for change and
development, which is why we decided to share our mission statement with our church school: ‘Together in God’s love we
learn and explore and grow’. We also have our Guides, Brownies and Scouts who have a parade service one a month.
There is a weekly BCP Holy Communion at 8:15 a.m., and occasional Evensong and Compline services. The organ is
relatively newly installed in 1969 and overhauled and expanded in 1994. It is well maintained and in excellent condition.
There is a robed choir who sing at the 10.00 a.m. service and Evensong; and we have Prayers for Healing once a month.
Our monthly Youth/Family Service is called Keystone and has just expanded to include a monthly service at 11:30am.
Livewires is our Sunday morning teaching and worship session for children between 3 and 10 years of age, following the
Roots Teaching Aid. The leaders have worked together for quite a number of years and offer a structured learning
process with modern lively worship.
We have a weekly Wednesday morning service of Holy Communion followed by coffee and also regular home study
groups. A small team provide Home Communion and we also support our CMS Mission partner Dr Ruth Hulser in
Tabora, Tanzania, she will be visiting us for a service and lunch in May. We also hold a weekly lunch club providing a hot
meal and companionship. Our social events are varied and include a Bunny Drive at Easter and our Christmas Carol
Service which is followed by sherry and mince pies.
At our Quinquennial Report it was found that some of the stonework needs re-pointing so this will be investigated. The
body of the church comprises central, north and south aisles and seating for 350 people. The church and hall are fully
alarmed as is the roof.
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The church has a multi-channel sound system, screen system and
hearing-aid loop plus all parts of the building are accessible to
wheelchair users. In the Tower is a four face clock, maintained in
good working order and a carillon of eight bells rung for some
services and weddings. These are currently being repaired. The
money is also in place to alter the area around the chancel wall,
removing 2 rows of pews to make a new plinth which would enable
us to have more interaction with the congregation via school plays,
concerts and choirs which we already have but which sometimes
proves a little difficult.
We are registered with the Charity Commission No 1134643 and we
implement a Team Safeguarding Policy as set out by the Diocese
and in the future we would like to obtain a “Child Friendly Award”.
The Ancient Chapel
St Andrews is currently quite well supported, yet will offer the new
team Rector some challenges if the congregation is to be maintained and increased e.g. how can contact with the high
numbers of people “passing through” our beautiful church be developed? We are blessed with many willing and loyal
volunteers without whom the church could not function and would offer our new Team Rector their respect and support.
St Andrews Church Services
1st Sunday
U 08.15 am
U 10.00 am
U 4:00 pm
2nd Sunday
BCP Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Compline
3rd Sunday
U 08.15 am
U 10.00 am
U 11.30 am
U
U
U
U
08.15 am
10.00 am
2.30 pm
6.30 pm
BCP Holy Communion
Family Service
Baptism
Evensong
4th Sunday
BCP Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Family Service
U 08.15 am
U 10.00 am
U 2.30 pm
BCP Holy Communion
Morning Prayer
Baptism
5th Sunday
U 08.15 am
U 10.00 am
BCP Holy Communion
Holy Communion
St Andrews C E Primary School
The school has won the Church Partnership Award in 2014 and 2015. Currently there are 380 pupils on the school roll.
For the past 3 years’ confirmation classes have been held with year 6. They also share Wednesday communion twice a
term either in church or the church goes to the school. The children take an active part and it works well for everyone.
For Pentecost this year children were in church “Experiencing Pentecost”, another venture between church and school.
The children also come across to church once a month to help serve meals at the Church’s Thursday Luncheon Club.
The church and local primary school (St Andrews C E) share a mission statement: “Together in God’s love we learn,
explore and grow”
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St Thomas
St Thomas Church is the newcomer to this Team Ministry. Previously, it was in
partnership with Bickerstaffe, however, since joining St Andrews, St James
and St Peters, St Thomas has thrived within a strong union.
The majority of the church congregation are retired people. At St Thomas’ as
well as our usual services, we used to hold a weekly Prayer Group, which we
hope to reform and we have a shared Shawl Ministry with the rest of the
churches in the team. We have Messy Church once a month. We have an
active Social Committee which raises funds for the church by putting on
events in our church hall which is actually Melling Tithebarn, down the road.
The Barn dates back to the 1700s and is well used by the community.
The church has an open graveyard which is open to all, denominations who live in Melling.
We have a large group of volunteers from a
small congregation who give up a lot of their time
for the church. We have a committed PCC. We
have recently raised funds, albeit mainly by
donation of £21,000 to have the heating system
in church replaced.
The motto for our church and congregation
should be “higher, deeper, wider, further”
inspired by the words from Ephesians 3:18.
St Thomas’ has a strong bond with the Primary
School in Melling.
As well as having shared services with St.
Kentigerns RC church in Melling, we also strive
to reach out to liaise with other churches in other
areas e.g. Kendal Parish Church, who we
offered support to during the flooding at the end
of 2015. We would like to get involved by
supporting an overseas cause.
St Thomas’ current vision is “Loving and serving our community” to be a welcoming, friendly and community centred
church, growing in the love and service of God, to the community of Melling.
St Thomas’ Church Services
1st Sunday
U 10.00 am
2nd Sunday
Morning Prayer
3rd Sunday
U 10.00 am
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Holy Communion
4th Sunday
Morning Prayer
5th Sunday
U 10.00 am
U 10.00 am
Holy Communion
U 10.00 am
U 4:00 pm
Holy Communion
Messy Church
St James
Our church is located on Green Lane, Maghull. It is a non-traditional church building with
its own car park and church hall.
The congregation although small, consists mainly of retired people with an average
weekly attendance of 20-30. We are, though, keen to grow in number, we want to
engage in activities that will promote growth. Along with our usual Sunday services, we
have a Bible Study Group which meets fortnightly, we are actively involved in the team
Prayer Shawl Ministry and Ufie (young person’s group) We have good links with Green
Park Primary School situated next door that we hope will continue. We are a child
friendly church with a very welcoming congregation.
We hold annual services at Cornmill Lodge for Easter, Harvest and Christmas along with a monthly Holy Communion
Service and an annual Memorial Service and other services of prayer and reflection, alternative worship as required. We
regularly participate with whole team and community services at various times throughout the year.
There is an active social programme to suit all tastes including: Summer and Christmas Fayre, Seder Meal, Team Quiz
led by a small social committee. Recently a musical evening provided by SOS Maghull Choir helped to raise £250.00 for
St James and an enjoyable time was had by the congregation and the local community. There is a dedicated PCC and
the congregation and all those who volunteer aim to help the team churches as much as they can.
St James’ Church is in good condition with well-maintained grounds and a recent Memorial Garden for the burial of
ashes. The church hall is in good condition and serves as a venue for various community activities including: Scouts,
SOS Maghull Choir and regularly hosts children’s parties.
We look to someone to help us grow numerically, and to reach out more fully to families, young people and all who live
and work in our community.
St James’ Services
1st Sunday
U 11:15 am
2nd Sunday
Holy Communion
3rd Sunday
U 11:15 am
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Family Service
4th Sunday
Holy Communion
5th Sunday
U 11:15 am
U 11:15 am
Morning Prayer
U 11:15 am
Morning Prayer
St Peter
St Peter's is a friendly, welcoming place with a congregation mostly
aged 50+ but with a child-friendly-orientated feel to its worship due
to the breadth of traditional and modern style, and with young
people actively involved in worship.
St Peter’s has a small, mostly elderly congregation but holds
a variety of different services including monthly parade
services with our Rainbows, Brownies and Guides. There are
occasional Café-style services, which are popular with
families. When weather permits, we sometimes hold an
outdoor service on the adjoining church field.
We have a time of Quiet Prayer on 2 Saturdays per month.
There is an annual Memorial Service.
School assemblies (for Hudson Primary) are held regularly and alternate between school and church. Festival
services, with both the parents and children from the school attending, are held in St. Peter's throughout the
year and there is also a biannual Air Training Corps enrolment service.
The Focus Bible Study group meets in church once a fortnight on Monday morning.
St Peter’s is a modern (1994), well-looked after building in good repair. The sanctuary has capacity for 110 but
the church hall can be opened up to extend the size of the sanctuary. There is a vestry, meeting room, foyer,
toilets and disabled toilet, kitchen, car park and a field.
St Peter’s church building is used by: Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Craft Group, Keep Fit, Stay & Play toddler group and
Keep Fit for youngsters.
We hold a Monthly Coffee morning, Community Fun days, August afternoon teas, and Summer and Christmas
Fayres.
Church members run ‘Kids For Christ’ (KFC) after-school club at Hudson school, are Street Pastors in Ormskirk, work
voluntarily with a local youth group for the disabled, are involved in regular inter-church events for the town's children and
are part of an inter-church group to be an outreach presence at the local car boot sale.
St Peters’ Services
st
1 Sunday
rd
11.15 Family Service
3 Sunday
11.15 Morning Prayer
5th Sunday
11.15 Healing Service
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2
nd
Sunday
11.15 Holy Communion
4 Sunday
11.15 Holy Communion
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Section 5- Ecumenical Links
Local church leaders meet together regularly for prayer and there are ecumenical church services for Easter and Advent.
There are various joint outreach activities including “Collision” for Years 3-6 children, which is supported by members
from St Andrew’s, St Peter’s and the local Baptist church. Each year in conjunction with the Baptists’ we provide “Bubble
Gum Christmas” and “Easter Eggsperience” events at St Peter’s, St James’, and St Andrew’s. St Thomas’ have good
links with the local RC church of St Kentigern, sharing a walk of witness on Good Friday.
Housing
Within the area there is a modern four-bedroom house available as a vicarage by Maghull train station.
Finances
Each of the four churches has a treasurer, and the accounts are separate. Clergy expenses are paid in full, with the total
amount divided across the team in proportion to the Parish Share.
Thank you for the taking the time to read our profile.
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Appendix
Usual Sunday Attendances and Parish Shares
Church
Average Sunday Attendance 2016
(2015)
Parish Share (2016)
St Andrew
147
(166)
87,288
St James
39
(38)
27,582
St Peter
30
(30)
22,489
St Thomas
36
(37)
20,280
Average child Sunday attendance 2016 (2015)
St Andrews
22 (33)
St James
1 (2)
St Thomas
5 (4)
St Peters
5 (5)
Occasional Offices in 2016
Weddings: 8
Funerals: 71
Baptisms: 69 children and 4 adults
Useful links
St Andrew, Maghull
standrewmaghull.com
St Peter, Maghull
stpetermaghull.org
St James, Maghull
achurchnearyou.com/maghull-green-park-estate-st-james
St Thomas, Melling
st-thomas-melling.org
Ancient Chapel
ancientchapelmaghull.co.uk
St Andrew’s School
standrewsmaghull.com
Maghull Town Hall
maghulltownhall.co.uk
Liverpool Diocese:
liverpool.anglican.org
April 2017
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