Louth parish profile 2014 by Diocese of Lincoln

PARISH PROFILE

Parish of Louth, Lincolnshire

Diocese of Lincoln in Archdeaconry of Stow and Lindsey INCUMBENT The Reverend Nick Brown BMus BTh FMusTCL The Rectory 49 Westgate Louth Lincolnshire LN11 9YE 01507 603213 njwbrown@btinternet.com Date of Ordination:

Deacon: Priest: Length of time in parish: Licensed:

Sept. 2009 June 2010 10th January 2013

Previous Experience: 2009 – 2013 Assistant Curate, Warminster St. Denys with Upton Scudamore, Diocese of Salisbury 2010 – 2013 Deputy to the Precentor, Salisbury Cathedral 2011 – 2012 Secondment to the Ministry Team within the Diocese of Salisbury

The Rev’d Nick Brown is Priest-in-charge of the Parish of Louth, and took up this post in January 2013. Prior to this he worked as part of the ministry team in a similar sized market town in the Diocese of Salisbury. In the Diocese of Salisbury he was also involved in lay training courses and some specific work supporting people during IME. This included teaching courses on Parish Mission, Liturgy and Leading Worship on the Diocese of Salisbury’s Lay Learning Programme. In addition, Nick was involved in the organisation and presentation of Archdeaconry mission events, aimed at promoting the sharing of good practice between parishes. Nick sees the task of those exercising oversight at a parish level to be building up a missionary church that is collaborative in its approach and overseen by a local ministerial team that is collegial in its exercise of oversight. A particular question in this task is finding ways of recognizing and validating lay ministry without clericalising it. The Anglican tradition of corporate prayer and worship, including the choral tradition, is an important part of his own spirituality. Prior to ordination Nick combined working in management and consultancy with his interest, as an organist and choir director, in church music. Nick’s first degree (in Music) was taken at Royal Holloway University of London and led to some research into the effect of the Reformation on the cultural and musical activities of communities in the West Country. Whilst preparing for ordination Nick took the degree of Bachelor of Theology of the University of Oxford and he is now trying to find the time to complete a Masters degree in Christian Ministry. He is married with two young boys.

TRAINING POST FOR: Deacon who expects to be ordained Priest 1

Married couple in ministry

THE PARISH SETTING Louth is a country market town in the northLindsey District Council (one of the largest in eastern part of Lincolnshire, set between the country) is based at a former airfield at the Lincolnshire Wolds and the coastal the nearby village of Manby and is a Marshes, while to the south are the Fens significant local employer. As well as that extend down the east coast towards traders/retailers and the local authority, the Wash. The population of the town is further employment is provided by a between 17,000 and 18,000 and it has a significant influence on the local area. Louth is not just a historic market town, but remains so, with three street markets a week and a weekly livestock market. The centre of the town largely retains its mediaeval pattern of streets, though now lined with fine Georgian and Victorian buildings. Alongside its markets, Louth supports a wide range of independent number of manufacturing businesses, many businesses, including many good quality associated with agriculture and packaging. food shops. With its architectural heritage There are also a number of businesses in and continued role as a market town for the the town associated with the agricultural surrounding area, Louth remains a place nature of the surrounding area, including accountants, legal companies and estate agents/surveyors. Louth County Hospital, located not far from the town centre, is also a significant source of employment in the town. Notwithstanding these sources of employment, there is a significant amount of under and unemployment which affects the standard of living of a significant proportion of the population, a fact that is often masked by the prosperous of much character and is a significant draw appearance of the town. The surrounding for tourists visiting the area. It was villages are marked by a combination of recognised as the UK’s favourite market local employment (largely agriculture town by BCC’s Countryfile magazine and based) and those who are retired or work was listed as one of Britain’s ‘coolest places further away. to live’ in a recent Times feature. ‘…a thriving market town, brimming with ‘…an almost perfect focus for rural life.’ community spirit, alive with character and Telegraph steeped in tradition.’ BBC Countryfile Having had a Corporation until the early part of the 19th century, Louth became a Borough with the reforms of that period, becoming a Town Council in the reorganisations that took place in local government in the 1970s. The local East

Today Louth retains its role as a significant local centre, with a thriving cultural scene and it has a natural role as the hub for local trade. It has all the facilities that are normally needed including a health centre, 3

a hospital, primary and secondary schools. The nearest other significant towns are Grimsby (15 miles) and Lincoln (24 miles). From Grimsby, Lincoln and Newark there are railway services to a wide variety of destinations, and there are daily coach services from Louth Bus Station on several routes, including direct to London.

THE CHURCHES The Parish of Louth is part of the Deanery of Louthesk. It is currently in the Archdeaconry of Stow and Lindsey, but is likely to be in the Archdeaconry of Lincoln following the implementation of proposed changes to diocesan structures. The parish covers the whole of the town of Louth and the villages of South Elkington, Welton-le-Wold and Stewton. There are five parish churches, and a licensed place of worship in the Parish of Louth and a brief description of each is given here: The Parish Church of St. James, Westgate, Louth St. James’ is the historic parish church of Louth and is a significant physical presence in the town. St. James’ is home to the largest Sunday congregation in the parish. It is also the main focus for the Ministry Team’s daily rhythm of prayer for the town and parish, as well as playing a part in the civic and community life of the town. As well as these two roles within the parish, St. James also has a significant ministry as a place for visitors; and one of our challenges is to help these visitors be touched by the spirituality of the place so that they become pilgrims rather than tourists. The church also has a significant role as Civic Church and regularly hosts the Annual Mayor’s Civic Service, the Remembrance Sunday Service and a Town Carol Service. This civic role extends to the occasional offices – particularly in the case of funerals, where it is not unusual for find the church full for the funerals of people who have played a significant role in the town or surrounding area. The Parish Church of St. Michael, Church Street, Louth St. Michael’s has been a presence to the south of the town centre for the past 150 years, and witnesses to the Anglo-catholic tradition within the Church of England. In addition to the gathered congregation that meets here on a Sunday morning, there is a significant ministry undertaken through the occasional offices in St. Michael’s. There is a monthly Baptism Service on the afternoon of the 1st Sunday of the month and a significant number of the weddings and funerals in the parish take place here. Another area for thought and development is the relationship with St. Michael’s School, a Church of England primary school, which is located a five minute walk 5

away. The school uses the church for worship on a termly basis, but there is the potential for the church to offer more to the school as relationships grow and develop. Worship at St. Michael’s is focused on the weekly Sung Mass on Sunday mornings. There are some discussions at the moment as to how additional services might help the wider church and community engage and appreciate the traditions that St. Michael’s holds dear.

The Parish Church of St. Andrew, Stewton St. Andrew’s is physically the smallest church building in the parish and is home to a congregation that draws both on people from the rather scattered village of Stewton as well as people who journey out from the town of Louth. St. Andrew’s has achieved some fame (though without shouting from the rooftops) as the prototype for the village church in Hornby Railway’s ‘Skaledale’ range of buildings – many people have a model of Stewton’s church without knowing it. The congregation is close-knit, and personal relationships are strong – not a surprise with such an intimate space to worship in! From time to time there are social events and those from the wider parish and surrounding communities are welcomed. In terms of worship, Stewton has a fortnightly service of Holy Communion at 11am. This is occasionally replaced by an afternoon service for events such as Harvest and Christmas Carols.

The Parish Church of All Saints, South Elkington South Elkington is located a few miles to the west of Louth and is primarily an agricultural community. As well as the regular worshippers there is a real connection with the wider village community through family events, and the regular frequenters are swelled in number for certain occasions in the year by those who attend regularly but at less frequent intervals! The church is situated on a beautiful rise at the end of the village and is surrounded by a tranquil churchyard. The chancel has a highly decorated ceiling based on the Te deum, and the recently restored organ has a case in matching style. There is a service here every fortnight, alternating between Holy Communion and Matins. A recent innovation has been the reintroduction of chanted singing for some parts of Matins; a challenge that the congregation have risen to!

The Parish Church of St. Martin, Welton-le-Wold St. Martin’s is tucked away on a wooded hillside above the small village of Welton-le-Wold. It retains its Victorian furniture in the chancel and nave, but the north aisle has been converted into a flexible space for the local community. St. Martin’s relies on a small group of people to care for it and maintain a worshipping presence, and they are currently looking at ways to broaden engagement with the wider community. One of St. Martin’s ways of engaging with the wider community is through hosting concerts under the Lincolnshire Rural Touring Scheme. There is an early morning service of Holy Communion once a month, and a mid-morning service of Morning Prayer which also takes place monthly. As with the other village churches there are also occasional afternoon services to mark certain times in the agricultural or liturgical year.

The Chapel of Holy Trinity within the Trinity Centre, Eastgate, Louth The Chapel of Holy Trinity is part of the Holy Trinity Church Centre (see below), and is licensed for worship – including the solemnisation of marriages. The Minstry Team gather in the Chapel once a week to say Morning Prayer as part of the rhythm of daily prayer that is maintained in the parish. There is also currently a monthly service of Holy Communion on a Sunday, which takes place prior to the Parish Lunch, but the worship space seems to have a natural potential that has not yet been realised.

Worship on Sunday and during the Week SUNDAY 8 30am 9 30am 10am 11am

Holy Communion at Welton-le Wold on 4th Sunday only Sung Mass at St. Michael’s Sung Eucharist at St. James’ (Morning Worship on 4th Sunday) Holy Communion at Stewton on 1st and 3rd Sundays, at South Elkington on 2 nd Sunday and at

11am 3pm 6pm

Trinity on 3rd Sunday Matins at Welton-le-Wold on 2nd Sunday and South Elkington on 4th Sunday Baptisms at St. Michael’s on the 1st Sunday, other churches by arrangement Choral Evensong at St. James’ (Choral Eucharist on 4th Sunday)

MONDAY 8 30am

Morning Prayer at St. James’

TUESDAY 8 30am 11am

Morning Prayer at Trinity Holy Communion (BCP) at St. James’ (At Trinity Centre on 1st Tuesday)

WEDNESDAY 8 30am Morning Prayer at St. James’ THURSDAY 8 30am

Morning Prayer at St. James’

FRIDAY 8 30am

Morning Prayer at St. James’

In addition to the church buildings the Parish owns or has the use of several other buildings. Perhaps the most significant of these buildings is Trinity Centre, located on Eastgate, but there is also Church House on Upgate and St. Michael’s Church House in Mount Pleasant. Each of these has a part to play in the life and work of the Church in the parish: Trinity Centre, Eastgate Holy Trinity Church Centre was built to replace a Victorian church that was largely destroyed by fire in the early 1990s. On the ground floor it has a worship space (see above), foyer area and Hall, whilst upstairs there are a number of meeting rooms in different configurations. As well as many of the church’s community outreach activities, Trinity Centre hosts a wide range of activities organised by external bodies – ranging from Guides/Brownies and a Dance School to local authority provision and use for training and meetings by the wider church. Church House, Upgate Church House in Upgate houses the Deanery Office, which provides administrative support to the whole of the Louthesk Deanery. There is also a meeting room on the first floor, whilst downstairs there is a small hall that is used by a few local organisations. The second floor is taken up by a flat that is on a long-term let to a tenant. St. Michael’s Church House, Mount Pleasant St. Michael’s Church House consists of three distinct areas, including a first floor Hall which is used by, among others, a local community association and a Dance School. St. Michael’s Church House also has two separate areas that host the St. Michael’s Playgroup and the Humbug Club (which provides activities to less able adults). Supporting both of these activities is considered part of the church’s outreach. The Church Institute, South Elkington This building is a short walk from the church in South Elkington. It is used for occasional social events by the church and more regularly by a range of other community organisations.

MINISTRY IN THE WIDER WORLD Social inclusion and outreach Engagement with the wider community is an important part of the life and witness of the parish. There is a well-established programme of outreach into the wider community aiming at growing social cohesion. Often these activities have no overt evangelistic purpose, but seek to witness to God’s love for all in the world. Much of this work is based at Trinity Centre, and includes: • Food and fellowship events (a weekly Fish on Friday lunch and two monthly lunches; Tasty Tuesday and a Sunday Parish Lunch) • A weekly ‘Drop-in’ in partnership with the local authority, where all the local social agencies are accessible • Hosting a branch of the Lincolnshire Credit Union – ‘The Louth Community Bank’ • Facilitating the work of the local Community Larder, which provides food to those in immediate need and links into the local authority led Lincoln Community Assistance Scheme (LCAS). In addition to these regular activities there are

schools, and we are now involved to varying degrees in each of the pre-secondary schools in town. Among these links are particular links with St. Michael’s School (a CofE School) and Kidgate School. We also have strong links with King Edward VI School, who use St. James’

Church for several services during the year. One of our ways of engaging with young people is through the choir that sings at St. James’, and we are seeking to build on existing links and widen recruitment to this – both for children and adults. We are in the process of launching a group for Parents and Toddlers to meet informally for a drink and play and to realise hopes for a Pram Service in co-operation with St. Michael’s Play Group. Over the summer of 2013 we plan to run some Messy Church events, with the aim of establishing a regular programme in the autumn. However, this is an area that needs further thought and development, something that we are currently reflecting on as a Ministry Team and PCC. Pastoral and sacramental care Another focus of our work in the wider community is the Pastoral and Sacramental care given by the Church. In this respect the occasional offices are a key part of our ministry within the wider community – witnessing to Christ’s presence alongside people in their daily lives. There were 67 baptisms in 2012 and 32 weddings (with 31 booked for 2013). During 2012 there were 55 funerals in church, and 38 funerals taken in a crematorium by a member of the Ministry Team. We are currently reflecting on ways of using these occasions to affirm God’s presence in their daily lives and build better links between our gathered congregations and those who have faith but live it at a greater

frequent short term projects, often in partnership with external bodies – one recent project has aimed at raising awareness of the problems of debt (loan sharks and pay-day loans) in co-operation with the Trading Standards and a local school, and we are currently planning a project to help people gain vital life skills, such as learning how to cook. Young people One of the key focuses of our outreach at the moment is to develop and grow our relationships with young people and families. This has seen a renewed engagement with local

distance from the institutional Church. The first stage of this has been to introduce Marriage Preparation sessions, and we are now moving on to look at how we can involve lay ‘baptism partners’ to make links between families and the church. We are also introducing an All Souls Service to cater for the longer term needs of families who have been bereaved – to complement the various Christmas Tree/Memorial services offered by some of the funeral directors. General pastoral care is also seen as important within the team and there is a monthly meeting to co-ordinate this work across the parish. The Reader-in-training is starting to develop deeper links with Retirement and Care Homes and it is envisaged that coordinating this ministry will be a part of her role in the parish when she is licensed in late 2013. We also have links with a local Hospice and into Hospital Chaplaincy through shared roles within the team.

this is dependent on the faith (or none) of the holder of that office. Formal civic ministry is focused on the annual civic services (normally twice a year) but crosses over into services such as the Annual Carol Service. At a different level civic engagement is undertaken at a more institutional level – work that is led by the Lay Missioner/Community Initiatives Adviser. This work aims to develop a two-way relationship between the local authority as a statutory service provider and the practical work of the Church. Buildings as sacred spaces A further area where the wider world touches the Church is in our buildings. Again this is particularly noticeable in the role that St. James’ has as a place for visitors to come whilst in Louth. We are lucky to have a good team of Guides who, together with Shop and Coffee

Civic ministry Civic ministry arises naturally from the key place that St. James’ Church has in the town and is also driven by the work of social inclusion and outreach that is described above. The Priest-incharge is also responsible for civic relationships

Shop volunteers, provide a much-valued ministry of welcome throughout the week for much of the year. We are alive to the potential that the building has to touch people with wonder and are seeking to use the building itself as a way of telling the Christian story. The ministry of our buildings as sacred spaces is not, however, restricted to St. James’; each of the village churches is part of a tourist ‘cascade’ scheme to encourage visitors, and the Chapel in Trinity Centre is much valued in a different way as a quiet space for those who visit and use the Centre.

on behalf of the Louthesk Deanery, and is Deanery Civic Chaplain. He is also often asked to be Chaplain to the Mayor of Louth – though

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

In February 2013 the PCC agreed that the following aspirations should be a part of our life in the coming years, grouped by three aspects of our life:

Developing the Ministry Team and resourcing the Church This area of work within the local Church might well include: - Developing a common life of prayer and service at the heart of the parish to draw together the whole body of Christ and resource it for its task of making God known across the parish. - Identifying and building a Ministry Team that draws widely on the talents of people; both lay and ordained. - Providing a forum for the development of life across the Parish that seeks to build up the body of Christ, witness to God’s presence in our lives, and promote good stewardship of the resources we are entrusted with (both human and material).

Community outreach Within the Parish of Louth, the work that already takes place in this area is an obvious area of pride, and one to be nurtured, supported and further grown. As well as existing work, further developments in the future might well deepen this work to include: - Development of existing work in areas of social inclusion. - Engaging with civic bodies to articulate issues of faith in and to wider society. - Developing work with young people, building deeper links with educational establishments. - Engaging with those who seek the sacramental ministry of the Church in marking significant life events (e.g. Baptism, Marriage and Funerals) - Seeking to develop the ministry of our buildings as ‘sacred spaces’ both for the local community and those who visit us.

Discipleship/Spirituality and Liturgy The Parish Profile identifies this aspect of the Church’s life in Louth as a particular area for development; focused on finding ways to nurture people’s faith and deepen their experience of God. This area of work within the local Church might well include: - Developing ways to nurture people’s faith – including the promotion of courses, support to regular small groups and seeking to help people articulate their own Christian vocation. - Supporting congregations across the Parish to deepen their spiritual resources as a community of prayer. - Promoting pastoral and sacramental care that engages all in ministering to the needs of their neighbor. - Building a sense of community at all levels by promoting social events and other means of sharing the company and experience of fellow members of the body of Christ.

THE PARISH MINISTRY TEAM The Parish is currently in the process of developing structures for ministry following a period where the Team Ministry was suspended. A formal Team Ministry is to be retained, by which the Bishop’s cure of souls is shared with the Rector and a number of ordained colleagues. However, this oversight of the local church is to be shared more broadly with a Parish Ministry Team that aims to be both collaborative in its scope and collegial in its exercise of oversight. We also enjoy a close degree of co-operation with ecumenical colleagues. At the current time the Parish Ministry Team is made up of the following people: The Rev’d Nick Brown (Priest-in-charge) The Rev’d Steve Johnson The Rev’d Robert Mansfield The Rev’d Keith Tomlin The Rev’d Lorraine Turner Dr. Paul Hill (Lay Reader) Mrs. Peta Hill (Lay Missioner) Mrs. Sylvia Pounds (Lay Reader-in-training) These licensed/commissioned ministers are supported by the valued work of a number of retired ministers living in and around Louth: The Rev’d Ian Chisholm The Rev’d Moira Davies The Rev’d Canon Alan Hayday The Rev’d Daphne King The Rev’d Ian Partridge Mrs. Ronnie Partridge (Lay Reader) Whilst it is easy to list the formal ‘Ministry Team’, one of our current challenges is finding ways to recognize, articulate and affirm the contribution that a wider range of people make to the ministerial work of the church as it engages in a common life of worship and service. This wider team (which we are currently terming the Extended Ministry Team) encompasses a wide range of roles such as: • Those who support worship (vergers, servers, musicians etc.) • Pastoral Assistants, including lead volunteers within the various programmes at Trinity Centre • Pastoral visiting • Baptism partners As well a common life of prayer and a shared ministry within the parish, it is hoped that the Ministry Team can move towards providing elements of training and mutual support for our work – and to encourage members of the congregation to share in our own development as ministers. 13

The parish is supportive of the ordination of women, though one of the churches has had a sometimes painful journey following the ordination of women to the priesthood. We would welcome a male or female priest within the Ministry Team.

WHAT THE PARISH OF LOUTH MIGHT OFFER YOU… You will join the Parish of Louth as it seeks to respond both to changes within the Diocese and in the local community. The context of the last two years has been of a long vacancy of both stipendiary posts in the team, and there is therefore a good deal of reflection and re-evaluation of our task as a church. The Ministry Team is currently finding its feet, and an Assistant Curate would play a key role in helping to embed patterns of ministry, and enabling the church to respond to God’s call in this place. Within the parish there is the opportunity to engage in the joys and challenges of ministry in a sizable market town, alongside the opportunity to experience ministry in rural villages that are served by a ministry that operates along ‘Minster ministry’ lines. The opportunity to undertake placements elsewhere in the second part of the curacy would allow for experience of rural ministry in different ways in some of the other nearby benefices – each of which has a slightly different approach to ministry. Though it would need negotiation there may also be the possibility to work on placement with the chaplaincy at Louth County Hospital, at one of the local schools, or with a Rural Chaplain (often working from Louth Livestock Market). The incumbent’s own training included placements and the opportunity to exercise pastoral oversight and, having valued this himself, he would seek to provide appropriate opportunities for the development and exploration of future areas of ministry. Possible Areas of Responsibility/Additional experience in the second part of the curacy Experience of multi-parish benefice ministry Oversight of one of the village congregations/Districts Community Development Mission and Outreach Education chaplaincy The Purpose of a Curacy To share in the mission and ministry of the People of God in a particular place and - to establish patterns of prayer which will shape and sustain ministry, in order - to acquire the knowledge, skills and expertise in ministerial, representative and sacramental leadership in the local church and the Church of England; - to reflect, in supervision, upon a wide range of experiences, in order to develop ministry in the curacy and for the future. Participating fully in IME will also be part of this; - to encourage personal development through integrating past experience, spirituality, and theology with the practice and understanding of ministry. Bishop’s Notes for Training Incumbents and Curates

ACCOMMODATION Housing is provided for whomever is appointed. The Diocese of Lincoln is aware that this is an issue of major importance to prospective candidates and is committed to providing a high standard of housing for all clergy.