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Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford St Mary & St John; St Alban’s; Bartlemas Chapel PARISH PROFILE NOVEMBER 2014
Parish of Cowley St John,
Oxford St Mary & St John; St Alban’s;
Bartlemas Chapel
PARISH PROFILE
NOVEMBER 2014
Foreword from the Archdeacon of Oxford
If you visit Oxford and its famous university, but never venture
across Magdalen Bridge, then you will have missed its most
vibrant and diverse neighbourhood, the streets clustered around
Cowley Road - a popular area for students, shopping, restaurants
and nightlife.
Parish-wise it is shared between the open evangelical parish of St
Clements and the liberal catholic parish of Cowley St John. Both
parishes will receive new incumbents over the coming year, which
should be a real gift to this whole area and an opportunity for further creative collegial
working. Serving such a multi-cultural area we are looking for at least one of those
incumbents to have a significant interest in inter-faith matters, and build on the existing good
links with other faith groups in the area.
Cowley St John is set within a supportive deanery, and is a key parish in the Oxford
Archdeaconry and the Episcopal Area of the Bishop of Oxford
The parish is looking for a creative, prayerful and purposeful parish priest. Could that be
you?
Martin Gorick Archdeacon of Oxford
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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Introduction
“To be so rooted in the love of God that we
bear the fruits of hospitality and service”
The Parish of Cowley St John is a vibrant, diverse & inclusive community in the heart of East
Oxford on the Cowley Road. The worship is in the liberal catholic tradition, having a strong
liturgical and musical tradition, as well as a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Founded by the Cowley Fathers in 1875, the parish began as part of the heady days of the
Oxford movement, and with it reclaimed Sacramental Liturgy, offered retreats and spiritual
formation to clergy and laity alike, and reached out – through slum-priests and laity – to
support the poor and destitute in East Oxford as well as far-off lands.
The parish continues to attempt to gather together a people of prayer and sincerity,
unlocking a spiritual community. Members both contribute and are sustained through liturgy,
music and the sacraments, through ecological activities based around St Mary and St John
Churchyard, and via proactive engagement in the community.
The parish consists of three churches, St Mary and St John in the heart of the Cowley Road
Community, St Alban the Martyr, a small quiet child-friendly church on the corner of Charles
Street and Catherine Street in East Oxford, and a medieval chapel, Bartlemas Chapel, which
is the site of occasional services. More details about the churches can be found on page 16.
The following websites provide an overview of the parish, its history and ongoing activities:
http://www.stmaryandstjohn.org/
http://www.stalbansoxford.org/
http://www.ssmjchurchyard.org.uk/
http://ssmjhall.org/
The parish is now looking for a pastor with a God-given love for all people who will, by
example and leadership, lead them deeper into the love of God. Up to now we have worked
in an improvised way, initiating many worthwhile projects which we describe in this profile.
But we have lacked coherent and strategic thinking and need someone who will unite us in
our wish to bear yet richer fruits of hospitality and service. At the same time, we seek
someone who can balance the seriousness of what we are about with lightness and humour.
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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About the parish: Where it is and what it is like
Oxford
Oxford is often rated as a most attractive city to live in. As a city it is well known as a centre
of learning and tourism and may need no introduction, but see also:
http://www.oxfordcity.co.uk/. Oxford has all the normal facilities of a town its size, for leisure,
museums, theatres, music, shopping and sports. For Oxford as a whole, in figures, see
http://www.oxford.gov.uk/Library/Documents/Statistics/OxfordProfile2013web.pdf
Oxford is well connected being less than an hour from London by train and indeed home to
many commuters. Within Oxford, many people are employed in education, health care, and
also publishing.
The parish
The parish is centred on the Cowley Road, a commercial thoroughfare. The mostly Victorian
housing includes many small terraced dwellings and larger middle class homes. A range of
social flats and houses are scattered throughout the parish. Much of the housing is in
multiple-occupation. The old working class people of East Oxford (car workers, college
servants) are being replaced by professionals and students. There is a substantial transient
population including students and asylum seekers, and others. Successive waves of
immigration have brought in first West Indians, then Asians, and now Africans and Eastern
Europeans. Cowley Rd is the “Asian high street” of Oxford with 20+ ethnic food outlets, and
several mosques around the area.
In the map above, the main pin shows the parish church of St Mary and St John, number 3 is
the location of the daughter church of St Albans, and number 2 the medieval Bartlemas
Chapel. The vicarage is at the bottom of the lane leading to Bartlemas.
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The parish is not representative of Oxford as whole. The Cowley Road, most famous for its
multi-cultural carnival every summer, http://www.cowleyroadcarnival.co.uk is also a focus for
night life with a variety of restaurants and night clubs serving primarily, but not exclusively, a
large student population within the parish and beyond. In the day, there are two main
supermarkets and a variety of smaller, specialist shops. There is a farmers market in a
school on Saturday morning.
No one in the parish is more than two miles from the centre of Oxford: there are excellent
bus services and many people cycle.
Our parish has one of the lowest rates of religious affiliation in the UK. However, it does
contain a large population of people of Pakistani and also Bangladeshi heritage, who would
predominantly identify as Muslim. There are several mosques in the parish. Relationships
with the mosques, while not close, have been cordial.
Schools
The parish has close relationships with the parish school, St Mary and St John Primary
[http://www.ssmj.oxon.sch.uk]. The vicar is an ex officio member of the governors (see page
20) and also takes weekly religious assemblies. The school celebrates Christmas and
Easter in the parish church, and classes will visit the church to support the curriculum. St
Mary and St John School is unusual and possibly unique in the Diocese in having no faith
requirement for admissions.
In recent times, two other local primary schools have also visited the church as part of their
religious education.
We also have close links with Oxford Spires Academy, http://www.oxfordspiresacademy.org
where the vicar and members of the congregation help in the prayer space.
Other churches and faith communities
Within the parish there are many other churches including (this list is not comprehensive):
The Methodist Church on Cowley Road, Greyfriars Roman Catholic Church on Iffley Road,
Magdalen Road Evangelical Church, meeting in Mary and John School, The Christian Life
Centre, based in Magdalen Road; James St Church, describing itself as Evangelical Open
Brethren. As well as the mosques there is a Chabad house, and a Buddhist centre. There
are 3 other Anglican institutions in the Parish: St Stephen's House Theological College and
the religious communities of the Sisters of the Love of God at Fairacres and All Saints'
Sisters of the Poor.
Issues and concerns
Oxford is now known as one of the least affordable cities in the country, and the area is
characterized by a lot of HMOS (Houses of Multiple Occupation, many filled with students.)
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The Church Urban Fund reports that the parish is among the most deprived. What follows is
taken from data collated by the Church Urban Fund (www.cuf.org.uk)
The population of Cowley St John is 15,200 and the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) rank
is 10,205 out of 12,775 (where 1 is the least deprived parish in the country). The most
poverty-related issue in this parish is the relatively high rate of pensioner poverty. The next
most significant issue is the relatively high rate of child poverty. In this parish child poverty,
pensioner poverty and lone parenthood are higher than average compared with other
parishes in the country. Male life expectancy is lower than average compared with other
parishes nationally and female life expectancy is higher than average. A table of poverty
indicators is available in Appendix 3.
On top of this, Oxford, and the Cowley Road in particular, has recently been the focus of
Operation Bullfinch, which revealed that Child Sexual Exploitation was taking place within
the parish. This continues to be a policing priority (see
http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh/yournh-tvp-pol-area/yournh-tvp-pol-area-oxon-
oxfd/yournh-tvp-pol-area-n450.htm)
Despite these difficulties many people actively choose to live in this part of Oxford, valuing its
tolerance and vibrant community, which can feel like a small village within the larger city.
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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About the Church
Who we are
We rejoice in the diversity (both socio-economic and ethnic) of our congregation and parish.
Many worshippers come from widely different traditions including Welsh Baptist and African
Pentecostal, yet are held together by a commitment to be the people of God in this place.
We are pleased to be tolerant and inclusive, and a place of acceptance and belonging - e.g.
for people with a range of mental health needs.
We have a vibrant PCC, a solid core of active volunteers and a committed ministry team,
more on page 10
We have a congregation gathered together from the parish, with most people living within the
parish boundaries rather than “commuting” to church. At the moment, we are relieved to find
ourselves financially stable and solvent, and blessed with a competent and witty parish
administrator. The three church buildings, the halls and the churchyard all contribute to our
present life and mission as a parish (page 16).
As a congregation we are a little bewildered at the way that traditional “church” fails to
connect with contemporary culture, and cannot yet quite discern how to make our 19th
century resources serve a 21st century community.
The following sections are intended to give a flavour of the sort of activities that we are
currently involved in: they cannot be comprehensive, and we are sure there are many things
that have been omitted.
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What we do
Our life now is characterised by:
Being rooted in the love of God with compelling, steady and prayerful liturgical life, that
itself draws and grows the church and encourages development through preaching, Lent
groups, book groups, and pilgrimages. Our thoughtful and joyful worship is consciously
liberal Anglo-Catholic with a strong emphasis on liturgy and music. We have a recently
refurbished organ at St Mary and St John and splendid organists, one coming up from within
the congregation. We also continue to send a steady stream of vocations forward for
ministerial training, with over five vocations in the last ten years.
Bearing fruits of hospitality with occasions such as coffee after church, talent shows and
parish meals, opening our church for community events and welcoming many. St Alban’s
parish has a strong children’s ministry including Godly Play and All-Age worship, largely run
by the congregation themselves. We like nothing more than an opportunity to celebrate with
a good party.
And fruits of service are borne with active engagement in the community, and an ongoing
nurturing of the lived environment through the Churchyard and ecological mindfulness.
Many members of the congregation are already dedicated to a variety of communities and
groups across the parish. We have good relationships with many other local institutions
ranging from mosques and churches to local shops, the community police, the City and the
Catholic Worker house. We also have one of the highest densities of Anglican institutions
possible in the parish, including two convents - one contemplative and the other active, a
theological college, a church school, and a social club. Many members of the congregation
are willing and able to offer their gifts and talents for the common good. Quite often it is not
a lack of money but people, not a lack of gifts but time to exercise them that holds us back.
The congregation is geographically, economically and spiritually well situated to reach out to
serve the many needs of the neighbourhood and the wider world
.
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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Our vision for the future
Mission is a conscious and enthusiastic priority at this time. A PCC retreat focused on
‘Church Growth’, delved into how this entails both growth in the sustained number of
worshippers, and spiritual growth among us all. Possible mission points of entry vary greatly
from youth to interfaith work, to spirituality and study, and to outreach to the marginalised
and dejected. Conversations relating to our Church hall catalysed a thoroughgoing
assessment of our resources and priorities of our own place in a very dynamic and changing
community.
The parish has already taken a number of decisions and bold steps that demonstrate an
investment in greater mission. The range from investments in liturgy – via a new organ and
appointment of splendid organists – to financial stabilisation – selling property and
reorganising our church hall and property rentals to solidify our resource base – to
considering our human resources – for example we are poised to engage a children’s
worker with a new incumbent, and are exploring funds for an assistant priest – to laying the
groundwork for mission – by renovating our church hall and pondering its use, and
continuing our active nurturing of the Churchyard – to building lay leadership – as the
interregnum calls out the generosity and skills of many.
In preparation for a new vicar, the PCC have consulted the main Sunday congregations, and
found a significant appetite for opportunities to deepen faith through serious study, a hunger
for a greater pastoral connection within the congregation, and a desire to reach vulnerable
groups around us, particularly the lonely, the elderly and children.
One of the strengths of joining the parish at this time, is that there are multiple potential
avenues for mission, each of which are of interest to some in the parish – and not all of
which can be done at once with existing resources. Certainly, not all of them can be done by
a single vicar, and the PCC are realistic about that, seeing the real possibility of future
appointments (curate, focused workers) to complement the skills of the new vicar, who will
however, need a track record of people management (of both paid and unpaid workers).
Together the incoming incumbent and the PCC will need to work together to discern the
sequence and priorities of the coming phase of our life together, which are likely to build
upon some of those mentioned above.
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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Our people
The parish is supported by lay leadership in many and diverse forms. The Churchwardens
shoulder a great deal of responsibility, and not just during the interregnum. The Ministry
team includes those who assist in Sunday worship, who are as follows.
Sabina Alkire (director of Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative) assists regularly
with Sunday worship, presiding and preaching (when in town) and dividing her time between
here and Magdalen College Chapel. She is a consultant member of PCC and is actively
involved in supporting Parish policy and strategy. She lives locally and is very committed to
the Parish.
Janet Proudman (LLM), a recently retired Senior Lecturer in Nutrition at Oxford Brookes
University, preaches and assists regularly with Sunday ministry in the parish including the
healing ministry. She is a voluntary Chaplain at the Churchill Hospital and a regular Day
Chaplain at Christ Church Cathedral. Janet is the 4th Day Representative for Oxford
Diocesan Cursillo, and was Lay Rector of Oxford Cursillo Weekend #14 in May 2014.
Petronella Spivey (LLM) has recently resumed her LLM ministry. She preaches and assists
regularly with Sunday ministry in the parish. She is also the main link between school
governors and PCC, and edits and produces The Crucible, the Parish magazine.
LLMs take on the full role of Deacon in the Liturgy.
Other clergy who occasionally assist include Sr Barbara June SLG (preaching once every
other month, depending on health), and the Revd Susannah Reide.
Shei Crowther is currently an ordinand at Cuddesdon. She is a member of the ministry
team, assisting in services and preaching. She is due to be ordained in the summer of 2015
will serve her title post outside the parish.
Rosy Hancock is a long standing member of the congregation, an enthusiastic participant in
the choir at Mary and John and a devoted churchwarden.
Ruth Rundle is a churchwarden, with a significant professional understanding of the parish
through earlier work as a parish administrator of a prominent church, and current work for the
Diocese of London. Ruth is also Church Safeguarding Officer.
Verona Harris is a long standing member of the parish and acts as sacristan at St Mary and
John.
Zoe Randall is the sacristan at St Albans, and is PCC secretary. In her professional life she
is one of the secretaries at St Mary and St John School.
Hilary Davan Wetton is a recently appointed Director of music at St Mary and St John and
he ensures a high standard of congregational, choir, and keyboard music. He is well
supported by Cynthia Hall FRCO.
Susanna Gimson co-ordinates the music at St Albans, and has recently dedicated herself to
the task of learning to play the organ.
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Alan Baker is the part-time Parish administrator and works for the parish three days per
week from St Mary and St John church. Tasks are varied but include finance and banking,
support for pastoral services like baptisms and weddings, office work and correspondence,
coordinating the bookings and maintenance of buildings and much else besides. Alan is
also Parish Treasurer.
Our worship
Sunday Worship
The Sunday Eucharists at St Mary and St John and St Alban are at the heart of our Parish
life. These depend on the ministry of teams of sacristans, servers, chalice assistants,
readers, intercession leaders, welcomers and coffee makers.
At St Mary and John, the services are:
Said Eucharists 8am & 6.15pm (with 2–10 at each)
Sung Eucharist 10.30am (60-70 attendees)
Prayer for healing is now established as a regular feature of parish life. Individual prayer for
healing is offered monthly at St Mary and St John’s parish Eucharist.
And at St Alban’s,
Sung Eucharist 9.30am (25–35, often one quarter or one third of the congregation are
accompanied children)
As of 31st December 2013, there were 99 names on the electoral role, with usual attendance
at normal Sunday worship across all services being 90 adults (91 in 2012) and 13 children
(15 in 2012).
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Weekday services
Tue: 7.45am Morning Prayer, 5.15pm Evening Prayer & Eucharist (BCP)
Wed: 7.30am Morning Prayer & Eucharist, 10.30am Toddler Eucharist*
Thur: 7.45am Morning Prayer, 10.30am Eucharist* This Thursday service is attended by
about twelve communicants, mostly retired, and is often followed by the opportunity to clean
the church or attend a book group, which meets fortnightly.
Fri: 9.00am Morning Prayer & Eucharist*
Sat: 9.00am Morning Prayer & Eucharist
(Asterisked services only are being sustained during interregnum):
There has been a strong tradition of laity attending Morning Prayer before work, but this has
dwindled away to the point where it could not be sustained during the interregnum. People
make their own arrangements for Evening Prayer – though in the last couple of years the
outgoing Vicar had congregations for Tuesday and Friday evening prayer.
Recently, there have been evening Iona services held monthly, organised by members of the
congregation, although these are not happening at present.
Occasional Offices
Baptisms: 12 per year, almost all in Sunday Sung Eucharists
Weddings: 0 – 6 per year (highly variable)
Funerals: 12 per year (mostly congregation or existing pastoral contacts – half of these are
for the Afro-Caribbean community and are very distinctive and important community
occasions)
There is usually an annual Confirmation service in the period after Easter, with up to eight
candidates.
Confessions: a small number of parishioners who come for confession by appointment.
There are monthly Eucharists at John Kallie Court (sheltered housing for the elderly), and
Communion at home is offered to the housebound.
Children in the life of the Church
The Parish makes provision for children of different ages through
The weekly Toddler mass (“Noah’s Ark”) for parents with babies and pre-school
children; it is quiet at present but has been a growth area and has continuing
potential.
“Children’s corner” facilities in both churches; in St Mary and St John this enables
families to be present throughout the service:
A table set up in church with activities related to the readings for children to do during
the sermon and intercessions at St Mary and St John.
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A full children’s programme at St Alban’s Sunday Eucharist (monthly cycle of activities
in the hall, “Godly Play”, and all-age worship.)
The PCC has adopted a policy of admitting children to communion before
confirmation, and where required, members of the ministry team will prepare children
for this.
Although youth groups existed in the past, there is currently no special provision for
secondary age young people. A local group of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts is loosely
associated with St Mary and St John, and has sometimes taken part in Remembrance
services. The Brownies and Guides based at St Albans will sometimes take part in a
Mothering Sunday service. There may be scope to strengthen links with both these groups.
A parish safeguarding policy is in place. As of April 2014, there are 14 church members
that have been fully checked through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Each
member has to be endorsed by the PCC before taking up their responsibilities.
Through the year with Cowley St John
Early in Advent, there is usually a joint Christingle service with hOME at St Alban’s. In recent
years there has been an advent Carol service. There is a popular Christmas Eve Crib
service with as many as 200 families and children attending, before a large midnight service.
For the last few years members of the ministry team have offered to visit people’s houses to
bless Christmas trees or cribs as required. The opportunity for an Epiphany house blessing
proved so successful that last year we distributed “blessed chalk” and invited people to do it
themselves. In an annual joint service we celebrate Candlemas at St Stephen’s House, who
have traditionally hosted us for an evening meal.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has recently been marked by Churches Together in
East Oxford through “congregation swaps” - where each church has sent two members
elsewhere, and welcomed two visitors - and a joint evening service.
The main means by which the regular Sunday and weekday services are supplemented is
during Lent, when we hope to provide a varied programme of fresh opportunities to deepen
faith and fellowship. Recently these have included:
Adult Catechism sessions
Praying with the stained glass windows in our school hall
Spirituality “Toolbox” with the Home Community
Book Group (Fahrenheit 451 was a recent book, for example)
Iona-Taize Liturgies
Study day on Food
There was also good take-up of the Hour Out opportunity offered by members of the ministry
team, inviting individuals for one-to-one conversations about faith and life.
On Palm Sunday, we process with singing along the local streets, from St Albans Church to
St Mary and John’s before hearing the passion narrative. Every other year we are joined by
St Stephen’s House for this service. On Good Friday there is a walk of prayer, based on the
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Stations of the Cross, along the Cowley Road. In 2012 this was replaced by a very
successful Passion Play produced by Christians from local churches, and it is hoped that this
will be repeated in 2016.
In 2012, the Passion Play re-enacted the crucifixion on the stairs of the nearby Health Centre
In May, local artists often use the church buildings especially St Albans and Bartlemas for
exhibitions, bringing many visitors in through the doors.
In June we organise a coach to take people to the city and cathedral of St Alban’s for the St
Alban’s day pilgrimage. We will usually have a joint Sunday morning service at St Alban’s to
celebrate that patronal festival. There is also an Oxford wide, inter-faith walk in June.
The Cowley Road Carnival takes place in early July: in 2013 SS Mary and John provided a
base for children’s activities during the July carnival. In 2014, the congregation worked with
other Christian churches to provide a successful prayer space. An advent carol service held
at St Mary and St John in December 2013 raised funds for the carnival.
The church participates in Oxford city’s “Open Doors” weekend in early September. This is
combined with Ride and Stride, a fundraiser for the historic churches fund. All three
churches do their best to provide a rota of people to keep the churches open and welcome
visitors. There will also be a joint Sunday service at St Mary and St John’s for its patronal
festival. A member of the congregation organises a pilgrimage to Walsingham in
September.
For All Saints’ and All Souls’ days we offer a candlelit evening requiem that is often sung,
and is an annual fixture for some. The families of those who have died in the parish in the
last year are invited to All Souls’ Vespers, which is usually held on the evening of
Remembrance Sunday.
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Local Partnerships
The previous Vicar was a visible resident of the Cowley Road and participated in the
Community Leaders’ lunches held twice a year to provide an opportunity for politicians,
police and other local figures to meet and discuss matters of common interest. St Mary and
St John is also the venue for meetings of the local Neighbourhood Action Group, a forum for
the police to meet local people to discuss policing priorities.
Given the legacy of religious life and mission in this parish, and the active participation of the
All Saints’ Sisters of the Poor in parish life, the parish naturally seeks to support the renewal
of the religious life, and affirmation of new forms of the religious life.
Partnerships with Other Christians Cowley St John plays its part in the life of the Deanery (see Area Dean’s letter in the
Appendix) and in Churches together in East Oxford. A Serbian Orthodox congregation
meets on alternate Sundays at St Albans.
More significantly, the hOME Community (a “fresh expressions” congregation) is part of the
Diocese of Oxford, though completely separate from Parish structures, legally and
financially. Formally, they are “tenants,” who pay to rent worship space from us. They use
St Alban’s Church for their Sunday afternoon Eucharists. Their priest who works half time for
them, worked half time for the Parish (focused on St Alban’s) until September 2013 when the
funding for this position expired. Occasionally we do things together (e.g. Lent course
sessions, and Christingle services), and with hOME’s “alternative” style of worship and
outreach, they represent an important development in the life and mission of the Church in
the Parish. See http://www.home-online.org/
The Convent of All Saints Sisters of the Poor (http://asspoxford.org/) is based in the parish,
and the sisters are part of our worshipping community. The hospices, Helen and Douglas
Houses, and St John’s Home for the elderly are also in the parish. The Centre for Muslim-
Christian Studies (http://cmcsoxford.org.uk/) is based in the Song School at St Stephen’s
House.
Interfaith Concerns
As well as through the life of the Deanery, partnership is especially manifest through
Churches Together in East Oxford. The previous Vicar served on the Diocesan Committee
for Interfaith concerns. There have been attempts at greater outreach (for some time the
parish supported an inter-faith worker) but it is been hard to see the impact of this work.
Relationships with religious leaders in the mosques and the Buddhist Thrangu house are
cordial.
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Organisation
There is a single PCC, with 14 members, including 3 Deanery synod representatives. It
meets roughly 6 times a year and has an annual general meeting in April.
There are committees for each church which meet to deal with local matters, as well as a
Standing Committee, a Finance Committee and a development committee.
Money
The parish is solvent:
Income in 2013 was £240,408k, of which £155,502 was voluntary income; £26,116 was
activities for generating funds, and £55,588 was investment income. The 2013 Parish share
was £42,952, although we have been notified this will rise soon.
The 2013 audited Accounts may be found in Appendix 1.
Our buildings
The Churches
Parish Church of St Mary and St John Church
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A Quinquennial inspection has recently been undertaken and we are waiting for the report;
therefore, the current parish profile cannot draw from it but shares the main points of which
the PCC are aware. St Mary and St John Church is built upon a foundation stone laid in
1875. The present Decorated Style building in Charlbury stone was designed by Alfred
Mardon Mowbray and put up in instalments as the money trickled in. A memorial to Fr
Richard Meux Benson, founder of this parish and the Cowley Fathers, is located in the
churchyard. The building contains a church, side chapel, tower, vestry, and all purpose
room (office, tea, storage) and services. It is not normally open.
The PCC intend to undertake significant structural improvements to St Mary and St John to
the fabric through a project internally known as ‘Phase 2’. These improvements would
strengthen the heating system to improve its effectiveness, energy efficiency and reduce the
church’s carbon footprint, create a disabled toilet, and may construct a church office and
community kitchen at the West End, as well as making better use of the space at the base of
the tower. Plans are being drawn up for this Phase, and grants have been identified for
application once plans are available. This church has also had a number of significant
recent actions and expenses related to roofing and pigeons.
Church of St Alban the Martyr
This church, built by Thomas Lawrence Dale, opened its doors in 1933 ( following on from
the original “Tin Church” of 1899) being built to meet the expanding need for worship space,
and reach newly built housing on the river side of Iffley Road. It contains a notable series of
panels depicting the Stations of the Cross by the sculptor and typographer Eric Gill and a
Tympanum by John Henry Brookes. The complex includes a church (with piano and organ),
vestry, church hall, small kitchen alcove, and services. Internal redecoration of the Church
and Hall was carried out in autumn 2012. No structural issues are evident in the buildings. It
is not normally open.
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Bartlemas Chapel
Bartlemas Chapel is our oldest church building. It was part of
St Bartholomew's Hospital founded and endowed by Henry I for
twelve lepers in 1126. It is much valued for its “step back in
time” feel. At present, there are sung evensongs on the last
Sunday of the month, weekly Wednesday liturgies at 7:30am
from May-September, and occasional services such as carols
by Candlelight at Christmas. Bartlemas is not kept open.
Churchyards
The Grounds of Bartlemas Chapel are cared for by Sally Jeffrey on behalf of the
‘custodians’ of the chapel, Christopher and Sarah Franks.
St Alban’s Church has a small yet blossoming garden which is structurally in good repair.
The garden wall was derelict for some time, and the wall has now been rebuilt, and new
landscaping provided. The churchyard is compact and not high maintenance. On very
occasional designated Sundays, parishioners stay back to address key needs; other times
volunteers put in a few hours on a particular project.
St Mary and St John Churchyard is large and has its own website, which describes it as
follows:
It is a quiet green space that invites appreciation of the protected wildlife. It is closed for
burials. It is also used as a meeting place for local street drinkers. One of our ongoing
challenges as a community is balancing our ministry to the drinkers with ensuring the
churchyard is a safe and welcoming place for all.
The Churchyard is maintained by a small and diverse group of volunteers under the long-
time leadership of Ruth Conway, a member of the congregation. A part-time paid
Churchyard Warden has been employed in the past and could be considered again in the
future.
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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Other buildings
St Albans Hall
This is a modern hall next to St Albans church with small kitchen, toilets, including disabled.
It is used by regular groups like a bingo club, and Brownies and Guides, who have a loose
affiliation to the church, as well as yoga and a ballet school, who do not. It is also used for
ad hoc events like parties.
It generated £18,425 in rental income during 2013.
St Mary and St John Church Hall
The Church hall is a Grade II listed building; it was condemned due to rotten flooring. After
exploring various options over the past few years, the parish in late 2013 decided to raise the
funds and invest some of its own capital (previously earmarked for another purpose) to
renovate the church hall for community use. The renovation includes a large hall, a small
hall, improved heating, and a new kitchen. At this stage, the church has the needed funds
for the renovation and permission is being sought from the City Conservation Commission to
proceed with the work. The church anticipates opening the Hall in the first quarter of 2015.
The hall now has its own website at http://ssmjhall.org. Community and church consultations
showed that there is interest in the space for a wide range of activities and we hope that it
we be financially sustainable once it is open and in use.
14 Magdalen Road
This is a former mission house, now divided into seven small flats that are rented
commercially, with the help of a professional agent. They are now on a sound financial
footing, with a fund set aside for repairs and maintenance. The flats generate an income of
£55,502 (in 2013), which is in large part responsible for the financial stability of the parish.
An associate priest was previously housed in one of these flats on a house-for- duty basis.
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
20
Trusts and responsibilities
The Vicar is ex officio a member of the Governors at St Mary and St John Primary School.
This is an active and engaged Governing Body that has worked hard in recent years to adapt
to the changing education environment. The Vicar is expected to play his/her part in this:
this involves at least twelve evening meetings in the year. At the moment the Governors are
engaged in trying to relocate Years 1 and 2 from the traditional Victorian Irving building, of
which the PCCs are the trustees, to the more modern Isis building where years 3 to 6 are
already based. This has involved some complicated legal and financial negotiations
between the PCC, Governors and Oxfordshire County Council. It is hoped that these will all
be completed by September 2015.
The Vicar is ex officio a trustee of the Elder Stubbs, a charity that supports mental health
through Restore, organises allotments and runs an annual local festival. This meets four or
five evenings a year to distribute £20,000 funds annually.
The Vicar is ex officio president of the Gladiator Club, a traditional social club with a building
on the Iffley Road. This requires the vicar to take the Chair at the club’s AGM.
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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Role Description
SECTION ONE: DETAILS OF POST
Role title: Vicar of Cowley St. John
Type of Role: Full time stipendiary
Benefice Cowley St John
Episcopal area: Oxford
Deanery: Cowley
Archdeaconry: Oxford
Conditions of Service: Please refer to Statements of Particulars document issued in
conjunction with this role description (after appointment)
Key contact for
Clergy Terms of Service: Archdeacon of Oxford. This role falls within the Clergy Terms
of Service formally known as Common Tenure. The
Archdeacon of Oxford is the designated person by the Bishop
of Oxford to issue the Statement of Particulars for the post
holder.
Accountability Priests share with the Bishop in the oversight of the church.
Whilst, as an office holder, the individual is expected to lead
and prioritise work in line with the purpose of the role, they
are encouraged to inform the incumbent (in case of assistant
priests) and Archdeacon and Churchwarden/s (in case of
incumbents) about any issues exceptional or otherwise that
have the potential to affect ongoing delivery of ministry
Additional N/A
Responsibility
SECTION TWO: CONTEXT
Wider Context
As a diocese we are committed to holistic mission, working through the framework of ‘Living
Faith for the Future’. We have defined our purpose as ‘to join with God in creating a caring,
sustainable and growing Christian presence in every part of the Diocese of Oxford, enabling
every Christian and every Christian community to live and share the love of God, seen in the
life of Jesus Christ.’
Within the Living Faith framework we are inviting every parish, benefice, Board and
Committee to paint their own unique work of art using the colours of:
Sustaining the Sacred Centre
Making Disciples
Making a Difference in the World
Shaping Confident, Collaborative Leadership
Creating Vibrant Christian Communities
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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These priorities are supported centrally by resources, training, conferences, workshops,
missioners and much more. We are inviting benefices and their priests to share a vision
rather than demanding a response.
We encourage a priest to have a ministerial interest beyond the benefice which is a personal
specialism and may be made available to the wider church – a ‘sixth day ministry’. Above
all, we want all our priests to flourish in ministry and to deepen their enjoyment of God.
SECTION THREE: ROLE PURPOSE AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
General:
A. To exercise the cure of souls shared with the bishop in this benefice in collaboration with
colleagues including the praying of the Daily Office, the administration of the sacraments
and preaching
B. To have regard to the calling and responsibilities of the clergy (as described in the
Canons, the Ordinal, the Code of Professional Conduct for the Clergy) and other relevant
legislation including:
bringing the grace and truth of Christ to this generation and making him known to
those in your care
instructing the parishioners in the Christian faith
preparing candidates for confirmation
diligently visiting the parishioners of the benefice, particularly those who are sick and
infirm
providing spiritual counsel and advice
consulting with the parochial church council on matters of general concern and
importance to the benefice
bringing the needs of the world before God in intercession
calling your hearers to repentance and declaring in Christ's name the absolution and
forgiveness of their sins
blessing people in God’s name
preparing people for their death
discerning and fostering the gifts of all God’s people
being faithful in prayer, expectant and watchful for the signs of God’s presence, as he
reveals his kingdom among us
C. To share in the wider work of the deanery and diocese as appropriate, for the building up
of the whole Body Christ
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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Key responsibilities specific to the local situation:
Mission and Outreach within the richly varied environment of east Oxford needs to
be outward looking and able to confidently engage with its high street, multi-cultural
setting, whilst enabling the whole church to be good news in its community.
Thoughtful leadership needs to be exercised across the two churches, working
collaboratively within the parish and across Cowley Deanery. Cowley St John and
St. Clements Oxford parishes share the lower end of the Cowley Road between them
and good collaboration between the incumbents is key to their effectiveness.
Worship and preaching in a parish with a liberal catholic tradition and congregations
diverse in background needs to be accessible yet deep, intelligent but not complex.
Pastoral Care needs to be organised and shared with a developing ministry team,
drawing in the whole church in caring for one another and the wider community.
Stewardship and benefice organization is key with unusually good resources for
an inner city parish. The value of each church in the mission and ministry of the
whole benefice will need to be explored and evaluated. Progression routes for
growth in discipleship need to be identified and enabled.
Personal development and spirituality should be taken seriously in a parish that
values highly the personal qualities of their Vicar.
The key responsibilities listed above may be supported by long and short term objectives to
be agreed between the post holder and the Archdeacon and Churchwardens.
Other responsibilities
Participate in the Bishop’s Ministerial Development Review scheme and engage in
Continuing Ministerial Development
Carry out any other duties and responsibilities as required in line with the benefice
needs
Take care for their wellbeing including health and safety and building a good
repertoire of spiritual and psychological strategies
SECTION FOUR: BENEFICE SUMMARY
Benefice: Cowley St. John
Patron(s): St Stephen’s House
PCCs: See profile for these items.
Churchwardens: Rosy Hancock, Ruth Rundle
Ministers: SSM Priest: Sabina Alkire; LLMs: Janet Proudman, Petronella Spivey
Benefice paid staff: Alan Baker, Administrator
Buildings: St Mary and St John Church, St Alban’s Church, Bartlemas Chapel
Churchyard(s): St Mary and St John
Resolutions: none
Church Tradition: Liberal Catholic
Pastoral Reorganisation proposals: none currently
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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SECTION FIVE: KEY CONTACTS FOR THE ROLE
Generic and specific to the role
Groups & committees
The PCC
Deanery Chapter
Deanery Synod
Deanery Pastoral Committee
Oxford Council of Faiths
In the benefice
Churchwardens
Ministerial Colleagues
Administrator
Head teacher of local school
Support structures
Area Dean of Cowley, Tim Stead
Archdeacon of Oxford, Martin Gorick
Bishop of Oxford
Staff at The Diocesan Office with key responsibilities for various aspects of
supporting parochial ministry
SECTION SIX: OTHER
Relevant Documentation
This role description is issued alongside and should be read in conjunction with the following
documents:
The Ordinal
The Canons of the Church of England
Guidance for the Professional Conduct of Clergy
Bishop’s Licence
Statement of Particulars issued to the office-holder on successful appointment
Diocesan Clergy Handbook
Parish Profile
Ministry Action Plans (MAPs)
Any objectives discussed and agreed between the post holder and the supervising minister
Draft Role description signed off by: The Venerable Martin Gorick, Archdeacon of Oxford
___________________________________
Date: 14.10.14
To be reviewed next on: Three months after institution
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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Person Specification
Above all the parish wants a pastor, – a people person with
human warmth – who listens, who understands the problems
people address, who nurtures and cares for this congregation
and provides fellowship. The congregation seek a priest who
nurtures and encourages people’s skills and activities, and
releases them to lead. The new vicar must be outward
facing – able to work with other faiths, with groups in East
Oxford, with those ‘on the edge’ – which requires an impartial,
non-judgmental, inclusive stance. Naturally, it is anticipated
that the vicar will have a love of liturgy and music. In
matters practical the vicar must have courage and realism in
addressing finance and the church fabric, and be a good
manager of volunteers, colleagues and staff alike. A sense
of humour is essential. Finally, and very strongly, many
thought the most important strengths of the new vicar would
reside in personal qualities – seeking a priest who is prayerful, holy, with ‘real faith’,
wisdom, and humility.
Qualifications/Training
Essential: The candidate should
Be an ordained priest with a sense of calling to this post and a keen desire to share
with the bishop in the ‘Cure of Souls’ in Cowley
Have satisfactorily completed Initial Ministerial Education
Have demonstrated skills of community leadership, or the willingness to engage in
further training to enhance the skills of community leadership
Experience
Essential: The candidate should
Be able to engage with and offer pastoral support for people from many backgrounds
and in many stages of life
Have relevant experience in a complex organisation having substantial resources
(people and buildings) to manage and maintain, and also an ability to demonstrate
good examples of when they have managed volunteers, colleagues or other staff
Have proven professional experience in vision setting and team development
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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Knowledge/Skills and Competencies
Essential: The candidate should have
An ability to preach and teach well in a variety of styles and formats to a broad range
of listeners with varying outlooks, ages and understanding
A passion for and the ability to identify and respond to opportunities for mission
A desire to work with other faith communities and with individuals and community
organisations whose involvement with the Church is limited
Leadership skills including the ability to motivate, inspire and effectively coordinate
volunteers
A collaborative working style, especially with volunteers
The ability to organise resources effectively to meet a large number of demands
The ability to work well with both men and women
General Attributes
Essential: The candidate should have
Empathy with the values of the diocese and those of the parish
An ability to thrive in a church that is liberal catholic in ethos and worship style, and
show evidence of producing liturgy that is both creative and well planned. Evidence of
a deep prayer life and ability to draw on a wide range of spiritual resources
Evidence of a practical and reasoned approach to increasing the church’s impact in
secular society
Desirable
A commitment to public daily offices
An ecumenical outlook and willingness to work with local churches and faith groups
A good singing voice
Other
A passion for learning and personal development
The ability to work to a safeguarding policy
An ability to delegate
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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Resources
Support
Fundamentally, the parish community is healthy, and the relationships with previous
incumbents, curates and associate priests have been appreciative and constructive, while
recognising the need for boundaries and privacy, and adjusting to the particularities of each
person. As a parish, ministry team and congregation:
We are aware of the challenges we face and are ready to meet them. The ministry
team provides mutual support and collegial fellowship. The team meets every 4-6
weeks for prayer, breakfast, to discuss parish matters and plan upcoming events.
We encourage all members of the ministry team to maintain a sustainable ministry,
including days off, holidays, retreats, opportunities for learning and development, and
adequate time for family life, friendship and recreation. Some financial support for
retreats and ministerial development may be available.
The PCC is a forum for authentic, open, and constructive interactions with the PCC:
when disagreements arise, views may be shared openly but discord rarely lingers and
decisions are respected: shared commitment to problem-solving.
Members of the congregation are always keen to provide hospitality and friendship.
Support in the daily offices has been forthcoming.
The PCC is open to the idea of employing extra staff, such as a Children’s Worker
and Associate Priest or Curate subject to financial resources being available.
Vicarage
The vicarage is a spacious red brick building built
in the 1980s. It is an attractive family home, set
back from the Cowley Road, and a short distance
away from the church of St Mary and St John.
On the ground floor is a study off the entrance
hall before entering the main body of the house.
There is a large sitting room with French doors
opening onto the back garden and, a very good
sized kitchen/diner. Off the kitchen is a utility
room with doors leading into the garden and
garage. There is also a downstairs cloakroom.
On the first floor there are four bedrooms, two of which are double and a bathroom and
separate WC. In front of the house is a large garden laid to lawn and to the rear is also a
good sized garden, mainly lawn and with some mature trees.
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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Living and working in Oxford generally and East Oxford in
particular
Page 3 attempts to give a flavour of life in this part of Oxford. For a family intending to move
to Oxford, it may be helpful to have the following list of schools:
Preschools in and near the parish
St Clements Christian Pre School http://stclements.webden.org.uk/children/pre-school/
Little Troopers Day Nursery http://www.littletroopers.co.uk/
Comper Foundation Stage School http://www.comper.org.uk/
Primary Schools
St Mary and St John CE Primary School (the parish primary school)
http://www.ssmj.oxon.sch.uk/
Larkrise Primary School http://www.larkrise.oxon.sch.uk/
East Oxford Primary School http://www.east-oxford.oxon.sch.uk/
Secondary Schools
Cheney School http://www.cheney.oxon.sch.uk/
Oxford Spires Academy http://www.oxfordspiresacademy.org/
St Gregory’s School http://www.stgregory.oxon.sch.uk/
For admission to state primary and secondary schools, see
https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/starting-school
There are many other schools, both state and independent in the wider Oxford area, as well
as a college of further education, and of course, two universities.
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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Appendices
Appendix 1: The Church Context
Cowley Deanery
The Area Dean, Tim Stead, writes:
It is very much hoped that the successful candidate for this post will be willing to engage
creatively with the Deanery of which they are a part and so here is a short introduction to
Cowley Deanery.
Cowley Deanery broadly covers the eastern and southern parts of Oxford City. This is
mostly a densely populated residential area but with huge diversity in terms of social mix. It
contains 5 of the most deprived wards in the whole of Oxfordshire but also some fairly well-
to- do areas as well. Such diversity means that, as a Deanery, we survive and thrive only
through extensive mutuality and especially financial support for one another. The 13
parishes also have a degree of diversity in liturgical tradition but we have worked hard to find
our common ground which we find essentially in our common experience of ministering to
our own local areas rather than our being primarily eclectic congregations.
Priorities recently suggested for areas we might work together on as a Deanery include:
Poverty; Interfaith issues; the environment; Isolation and loneliness; Adult education.
Parish of Cowley St John, Oxford
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Appendix 3: Poverty Indicators from the Church Urban Fund
Lowest in
Country
Lowest in
Diocese
This
parish
Highest in
Diocese
Highest in
Country
Child Poverty
(% of children in poverty) 0% 1% 21% 37% 65%
Pensioner Poverty
(% of pensioners on low
incomes)
0% 2% 18% 39% 69%
Working age poverty
(% of adults receiving
key out-of-work
benefits)
1% 1% 7% 40% 60%
Life expectancy (boys)
(life expectancy at birth) 66 yrs 71 yrs 75 yrs 88 yrs 88 yrs
Life expectancy (girls)
(life expectancy at birth) 70 yrs 74 yrs 82 yrs 90 yrs 99 yrs
No qualifications
(% of working age
adults without any
qualifications)
1% 1% 9% 36% 63%
Social housing
(% of households living
in social rented housing)
0% 1% 14% 50% 87%
Lone parenthood
(lone parent families as
% of all families with
children)
0% 0% 22% 67% 67%
Ethnic diversity
(% of population who
are not white British)
1% 3% 39% 83% 97%
Older population
(% of population who
are aged 65 and over)
1% 1% 7% 33% 59%
