Interim Minister of St Mary's Hale with Halebank and St Mary's West Bank - Liverpool, United Kingdom - The Church of England

Description

Hale Village lies in the Borough of Halton, in the deanery of Widnes within the archdeaconry of Warrington and St Helens. The village sits along the banks of the river Mersey and is famous for its rows of whitewashed thatched cottages and as the burial place of John Middleton, the 'Childe of Hale'. A church has occupied the site since the 11th Century, with the current grade 2 listed building dating from the mid 18th The building underwent renovation to the roof and interior in The population of Hale Parish is around 3750, and a strong village identity remains important to the church community, who are deeply committed to a mission and ministry that builds on their context. Halebank is a village in the western part of Widnes and approximately 1 mile from Hale. Halebank has an industrial heritage and is home to some 1900 residents of all ages and soci-economic backgrounds.
St Mary's West Bank, is situated on the banks of the river Mersey, on the outskirts of Widnes town centre where the local population is around 64,000. The area boasts excellent rail and road links to Liverpool, North Wales and Manchester. The church belongs to the South Widnes Benefice, in the Archdeaconry of Warrington and St Helens. West Bank is known locally as the "village" due to it being outside the main residential area of the town, and is itself home to approximately 2000 residents. Although declared an area of deprivation by the government, most families tend to stay within the West Bank area, giving the parish a strong, community feel and a proud sense of itself.

The church of St Marys is a large, grade two star listed building opened in 1910. Sitting on the Mersey waterfront, this 'church between two bridges' has received generous grants from English heritage over the years, including a total rewire, a major restoration of the tower, the re-roofing of the north side of the main roof, and more recently the re-roofing of the vestry. The church community however, are realistic about the financial challenges they face, and the long-term sustainability of the building. They remain passionate about the community to which they belong, and drawing on significant local knowledge seek to build on their missional work and identity.
While the neighbouring churches of Hale and West Bank occupy different socio-economic contexts, both represent close knit communities and face similar challenges and opportunities for missio n. This two-year interim role will require a commitment and willingness to work across the two neighbouring parishes, developing a realistic vision for the shape and long-term ministry of both. The primary focus for both, is to witness to the gospel, and building on the relationships currently enjoyed with the wider parish and community, to introduce more people to God through Christ. The diocese's commitment to 'Fit for Mission' will play a significant role in the life of the deanery in the coming year, and the post holder will be expected to lead the parish in serious engagement with this initiative.
Closing date: 29th April 2024 Interviews: Tuesday 4th June 2024

For more information please contact: Fr Harry Wood, Associate Archdeacon of St Helens and Warrington on:

The Priorities:

• To Lead the parishes in serious engagement and conversations around Fit for Mission, with the aim of making this programme workable in the deanery in the next few years.
• Continue to develop the current vision for mission and ministry with the local communities.
• To shepherd and spiritually care for the existing congregations and wider church community, encouraging all to live out their faith and vocation within the context of their everyday lives.
• Build on the relationship and missional opportunity with the uniformed organisations at St Marys West Bank, developing a realistic and sustainable vision for the mission of the church in that place.
• Develop serious proposals for the future of the church building in West Bank, discerning with church and other stakeholders a realistic plan for what that future might look like.
• Be confident in leading and supporting the existing traditional styles of worship in both contexts