Parish Profile

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In this profile we invite you to learn more about our parish, our church, our congregation, our community and our vision for the future.

 

Our statement of who we are and who is welcome at our church was drawn up by the congregation in discussion with our former vicar and the congregation has been consulted as to the sort of person we would like to lead us and to develop us in the coming years.

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St Wulstan's Church aims to be a place of welcome for all who come to the church. You are welcome at St Wulstan's regardless of colour, race, physical ability, culture, gender, age, marital status or sexual orientation. We believe in the statement that "All are welcome, none are excluded".We are a strong, prayerful and worshipping congregation who places God at the heart of everything we do. We endeavour to give a warm welcome to all our visitors and regular worshippers. Our intercessions, we hope, are the prayers of the people and for the people.

The people of St Wulstan's want to be...

...people who learn from one another
...a fellowship of different ages together
...a group in which young people feel comfortable
...a community which reaches out  to the whole estate
...a community which celebrates diversity
... united in mission and enjoying our differences.

... ready to share ideas with other churches
...relating our church life to everyday life within our community
...listening to people both inside and outside the church
 

The beginning

 

Warndon Estate (Old Warndon) began in the late 1950’s / 1960’s. As the estate grew one of the residents felt that the young families in the area needed a church, a focal point where they could bring their children for services, for Christenings Marriages etc. and for social events. She wrote to the Bishop with her vision of a church in Warndon and set about raising funds with other residents in the area. The communion service was first celebrated on the Warndon Estate on her kitchen table in Patterdale Drive in the summer of 1962.That marked the beginning of the life of the Church of England here, and as the estate grew, a Sunday school was set up in the local school. The present Church building on Cranham Drive was dedicated for worship on St Wulstan’s Day, 19th January, 1963, and so St Wulstan’s Church was born.

 

We celebrated 55 years of faith in this community in 2018 and this became the year to look back at our achievements and to look forward to our future within the community.

 

St Wulstan’s is situated at the heart of “old Warndon” but on the edges of a modern, purpose built housing estate that we know as “Warndon Villages”. The church serves mainly people who are low-income families, single parents and sick or unemployed. There are many elderly people who are the original inhabitants of Warndon. The estate originally was local authority owned, but as the years went by and circumstances changed, many of the Local Authority properties were sold off under the right to buy scheme. There are still a number of Worcester City Housing Association owned properties that are occupied by single parent and low-income families.

 

The church has easy access to the city by public transport and sits between shops, a public house, sheltered accommodation and a thriving community centre. It also has three primary schools within the parish. Oasis Warndon Academy is situated behind the church; St. Joseph’s R.C Primary School is a stones throw away and next to St. Joseph’s church. At the end of Cranham Drive is Cranham Primary School. Several pupils from this school attend services at St. Wulstan’s.

 

The area itself has many young families who were born in the area and have settled with their own families. There are several generations living locally. Many people in our congregation were part of the original set of new comers to the church in 1963 and so the faithful are an ageing population.

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There are few young families that come to church. We need to build upon this and take forward the work to the younger people in the community and to encourage them to our church or indeed find a way of taking Church to them in a way that they engage with.  

 

School links

 

Traditionally, the Church has maintained links with The Oasis Academy ,Cranham Primary School, Regency High School (Special School) and Tudor Grange Academy. The vicar has links with Bishop Perowne C. of E. College for Performing Arts and together with colleagues in the Cluster Group has involvement in the Chaplaincy team, assemblies and worship services at the College.

 

The Foundation Stage and KS1 at Oasis Academy and Cranham Primary School make regular visits to the church. The vicar takes assemblies at both Oasis Academy and Cranham Schools and has been a governor at Cranham. Phillip Howell, our licensed lay Reader, during a previous vacancy, was also invited to a school assembly at Cranham to celebrate Harvest with the staff and pupils. Links with Cranham Primary School, in particular, are very strong.

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The local community

 

Warndon is an area of deprivation with many pockets of severe deprivation. Housing is predominantly less expensive, with more people seeking jobs and living on benefits in Warndon than in Worcestershire or other areas of England.

 

The estate has a part time Police presence that run an office from a unit at the local shops. We have good relations with the police and Community Support Officers.

 

Many of the local shopkeepers have often donated to the church funds. One local shopkeeper donates oranges for the Christingle service every year.

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We have many groups that meet at St Wulstan’s to suit all age groups:

• "Friends" Cafe

• 'Pink Ribbon' Pilates keep fit group    

• Wednesday Crafts and coffee morning                                  

• Cubs, Beavers and Scouts                    

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In addition to the above, we hold a regular coffee morning on the first Saturday of the month. This is partly fund raising for the Church, but is also a chance to provide revenue to donate to outside agencies for example, Christian Aid, Us and a local charity also, Macmillan’s Coffee Morning, the Children’s Society and "Send a Cow".

We also have "Open Church" on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month where people can make arrangements for Weddings and Baptisms.

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In 2017 we were able to pay the Parish Share in full for the first time since 2010, and the Parish now has good financial reserves.

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So, who are we?

 

We have an electoral role of 42 names and many of these are regular worshippers. 

 

Our Sunday morning, Parish Eucharist at 10am is well attended with an average of 30 communicants.

 

We were awarded the Worcester Diocesan Spirit Mark Bronze award in January 2011 for our children and young people’s work. But sadly we have few children who regularly attend services at the moment, however our former vicar focussed on building relationships with the schools, encouraging attendance at seasonal informal services for groups from the schools and uniformed groups, including Easter Bonnet, Sea Sunday, Christingle and Crib Services, and on taking 'the church into school' for assemblies and seasonal services.

 

We have a house group/informal service, PCT@5, that meets at 5pm at the home of two of our parishioners on the first Sunday of every month, we also take the small evening congregation to a local residential home (Brookthorpe Close) for evening prayer on the third Sunday of the month.

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On Wednesday (at present) we have a midweek Eucharist at 10:30am and morning prayers are said every day in our prayer room which we call “the Miriam Room”.

 

We have a Licensed Lay Reader who began his ministry in June 2011. We have a number of lay-led services , including intercessions during the Eucharist. We have a team of altar /Eucharist assistants who are experienced and who take a full part in the worship, life and leadership of the church. We are always looking to recruit more people to take on this important role within our services.

 

In addition to the services that we hold, members of the First United Church of Jesus Christ have met at St Wulstan’s for over 25 years on Sunday afternoons.

 

St Wulstan’s has always had a group of people who enjoy socializing as well as praying together and this has seen many ideas for fun and fund raising over the years.

 

In previous times we have had BBQ’s, choral events, flower festivals, a “Good old days” evening, bring & share suppers, safari suppers, film nights, afternoon tea at various people's homes, cream teas, trips to Severn Valley railway and many other outings that have been enjoyed by all and that have raised funds for the church and for charitable organizations.

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Pastoral Care

 

We have a small group of people from the Church who visit the sick and infirm regularly and take home communion to those who request it. We are a church that encourages care and support for all those who seek it. Our prayer room has become a focal point for those who wish to pray silently. It is also a place where clergy and lay ministers can seek sanctuary before and after services, calling for the strength needed to complete pastoral duties that are bestowed upon us all.

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Our church building

 

Within the last 10 years, the church has undergone a great deal of improvement. This was achieved through fund-raising, legacies and the small core of people who have done invaluable D.I.Y work within the church.

 

The hall has been updated with new electrics and low energy lighting. 

New radiators and UPVC double-glazed windows were fitted, display boards put up for those clubs using the hall, and the hall re-decorated. Very importantly, the roof was renewed. New stacking chairs, sponsored by the congregation, were purchased and the curtains were re-modelled.

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The improvements to the hall have benefited not only the church but the local community which regularly uses the hall.

 

The inside of the church had a major facelift when it was decorated professionally throughout. The Dormer window was renovated and the fascias and sofits by the vestry were replaced. The church now has an amplifier and hearing loop system, which hopefully we will eventually be able to use effectively. We have an electronic keyboard.

 

We have recently undergone a quinquennial inspection which has resulted in minor works being undertaken to bring the building up to standard. The fabric of the church is maintained by a small Fabric Committee headed by the Churchwardens who bring the findings to the PCC to discuss and to authorize expenditure.

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There are no major works that need to be undertaken; however the Churchwardens have the full report that can be accessed.

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We aim to keep our Church building and grounds up to a good standard and our church lawns and borders are maintained by a group of supervised young offenders. An additional parking area was recently created improving 'off street' parking for those attending the church for services and other events.

 

The wider community

 

Links with other churches in the area are important to us, especially our nearest neighbours at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church with whom we have close contacts.  

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Previously, joint services have been held on Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and Good Friday. A united Walk of Witness has taken place on Good Friday over the past 3 years. There have been weekly Lent Study Groups at both churches in the past which have followed the same format and are open to either congregation. We would hope that this relationship might continue subject to the RC priest, Fr. Andrew and our new incumbent being able to work together.

 

The Vicar of Warndon has a close working partnership with his/her colleagues at St. Nicholas’ Church, Warndon and St. Barnabas with Christchurch parish. Anglican Cluster Services are held on the 5th Sunday of the month with services rotating round the cluster churches. The most recent project being the Tolladine Mission. We have built strong links with the Missioner who has been appointed to oversee this important outreach project and have provided practical help and prayerful support. There is also a plan to bring forth a community cafe which is a joint venture between St Wulstans, Christchurch Tolladine and a Pastor at the recently closed Rainbow Hill Baptist Church. 

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The Vicarage

 

The Vicarage is adjacent to the church, and is a purpose built 4 bedroom detached property (less than 50 yds away). It stands in mature gardens.

 

There is a separate garage and driveway with provision for several vehicles. 

 

Our vision for the future of St Wulstan’s

 

St Wulstan’s  celebrated 55 years of ministry and service to this community in 2018.

 

The vision of the church is simply to continue its ministry to those within the community and to provide the vital link between the secular and spiritual world in which we live. The church building is a focal point for the local area and provides the people with a sense of belonging. The heart of Warndon beats at St Wulstans.

 

The needs of the church in Warndon are much as it is in many other parishes.

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We have the will power to support our church and the wider world financially but our funds are limited. With prayerful support and the generosity of the congregation and the wider community we aim to continue our worldwide giving as well as supporting the Diocese with our Parish Share.

 

We would like to see a growing congregation of young families that may provide a stable base for the growth of the church in the foreseeable future.

 

The three main developments that we wish to see in the future life of St Wulstan's are:

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• Building on the work with our former incumbent, that we should increase our outreach to the community around us, to all ages and all types of people – being salt and light, and demonstrating both the truth and the practical relevance of the gospel to those around us.

• that we should continue to develop the diversity of services and worship styles we currently embrace – while also building our sense of being one body.

• that lay ministry should be encouraged, developed and supported by our new incumbent, thus enabling us both to maintain our diversity of worship and to reach out more widely and effectively to others.

 

 

We have put together the following criteria for the incumbent that we would ideally like to see apply. We believe these are the qualities required to lead us forward in these aims.

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So, what we looking for in our new incumbent ?

 

We would like our incumbent to have the following gifts and skills:

 

• a person deeply rooted in his or her faith, and seeking constantly to grow in his or her own Christian life and prayer – under some form of spiritual direction

 

• a person who is approachable and encouraging, sensitive to both the varied needs and the gifts of individuals, with a sense of humor

• both a good listener and an excellent communicator.

 

• a heart and vision for effective, community relevant outreach initiatives – and the ability to equip and inspire others to help make them happen.He/she needs tyo be visible in the wider community.

• Sensitive pastoral skills, with the ability to build and strengthen a pastoral network.

 

• clear, effective biblical teaching and communication skills  to under-gird                                                                              all the church’s work and to lead us in leading others to Christ.

 

• effective team-leading and collaborative skills to empower church members to use their gifts in many different potential areas of lay ministry – while educating the whole congregation in the value of lay leadership.

 

• openness to the Holy Spirit working through and developing the church’s diverse styles and traditions – with the skill and vision to develop imaginative new service styles.

 

• enthusiasm for both liturgical and informal worship be that inside our outside of the Church building

 

• financial and business awareness – if necessary through wise delegation –                                                                         that will help St Wulstan’s build and develop.

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 The Diocese of Worcester

 

The Diocese of Worcester covers an area of 671 square miles and includes parishes in Worcestershire, the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, and a few parishes in northern Gloucestershire, south-east Wolverhampton and Sandwell. Founded about 679 by Theodore of Canterbury, today it has 175 parishes, 280 churches, around 120 stipendiary and 30 non-stipendiary clergy and 170 Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers). There is also a growing number of Authorised Lay Ministers (ALMs) being trained to support and resource ministry in their own localities.

There are 100 church schools, 97 primary and 3 secondary. The diocese is divided into the Archdeaconry of Worcester, with six deaneries, and the Archdeaconry of Dudley, with seven deaneries.

 

The County of Worcestershire

 

Worcestershire comprises six districts: Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, Redditch, Worcester City, Wychavon and Wyre Forest. It has a combined population of 557,400, with a larger number of older people than the regional and national average. The county has an outstanding and rich natural environment and is home to spectacular features such as the Malvern Hills. A large part of the county consists of a combination of fields, orchards, woodlands, meadow, ancient forest and rivers.

Agricultural land and open countryside dominate the landscape, but 64% of the total population live in urban areas. Agriculture, horticulture and food processing are still significant elements of the local economy, but manufacturing, local government services, financial services and tourism are important factors, providing employment and income. Worcester University is one of the fastest growing of the ‘new’ universities in the country.

 

The county is adjacent to the West Midlands conurbation and has generally good road access to and from the national transport network. Many who live in rural areas experience difficulty accessing services. The perception of Worcestershire is that it is affluent, free from social disadvantage and an attractive place in which to live. In reality there are pockets of deprivation and some very specific, and sometimes conflicting, challenges that the diverse nature of the county poses. The 2007 Indices of Deprivation highlights seven areas that are in the top 10% most deprived areas in England and Wales, with education deprivation, income deprivation and crime of particular concern.

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Diocesan ministry and mission

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As a diocese we are committed to mission in every aspect, seeking to bring the good news of God's love in Jesus to all who live in our cities, towns and villages, and to make the gospel relevant to their everyday lives. We are developing creative new patterns of ministry in these changing times: though there are fewer stipendiary clergy than in the recent past, there are now more people offering licensed and authorised lay ministry than ever before. Differences in ‘churchmanship’ are not divisive in this diocese which has a genuine ‘family feel’ to it.

 

We are implementing, after much reflection and consultation, an imaginative ‘Kingdom People’ vision and resource which seeks to help churches become better at their core task of proclaiming the Kingdom. As Kingdom People, our vision is for a Church which enables its people to be:

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• deeply rooted in prayer and study of the scriptures.

• renewed and transformed by regular worship.

• equipped to witness to the gospel of love, compassion, justice and freedom.

• dedicated to helping children, young people and young adults to belong and be nurtured in faith.

• devoted to growing deeply in discipleship, offering our time and talents and money to God.

• resourced and released to minister to others.

• ready to engage with and serve our community.

• committed to making our buildings fit for purpose as a spiritual and community resource.

 

The Bishop looks to appoint those who will work collegially with clergy and lay people in the deanery to encourage and sustain the wider mission and ministry of the church. It is normal for a priest to have a ministerial interest wider than the benefice itself that takes something in the region of 10% of their working time.