The Parishes of

Sutton Hill and Woodside

Faith in the Community

Vacancy for Vicar - Designate

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PREFACE

Firstly can I thank you for looking at this profile. I hope you will find it an inspiring

opportunity for someone with a real heart for innovative mission in the heart of this lively

community working hard to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this large area of outer

estates. Church members have worked hard to be an open and welcoming group of people

reaching into society to bring the Kingdom of God nearer, and they have been encouraged to

see a community changing in openness and confidence in recent years as it has matured and

settled from its beginnings as the first part of what was the 'new town' of Telford. As the

parishes come to terms with the aftermath of COVID there will be many opportunities to build

upon the relationships the church has already as you will join with colleagues and parishioners

in ‘Proclaiming Christ ; growing disciples.’

The Diocese of Hereford has warmly supported the parishes since their foundation with

the financial support necessary to staff the parishes, and we expect this to continue. Indeed in

recent years we have also added an Intergenerational Missioner to this support in order to

strengthen our opportunities in the area and capitalise on our strong links ecumenically, and in

the local schools.

The post is for a ‘Vicar designate’ and we are delighted to work with CPAS in this as they

are the long term patrons of the benefice and will expect to give support to the incumbent and

benefice into the future. At present the process of pastoral reorganisation has not formally

concluded, but to date there is no objection to the course of creating a group ministry that has

been carefully worked out and consulted upon with all parties and the deanery. It may even be

that the scheme will be in place before the new appointee is licenced.

The new incumbent can expect to be well supported within the diocese with housing,

training and personal development. All newcomers to the diocese are given a mentor for their

first six months in post alongside senior staff support, and an incoming induction programme.

I hope as you read this you will be inspired; feel the big

heart of this community, and that God will guide you in your

discernment as you weigh whether to apply.

Simon Cawdell, Assistant Archdeacon of Ludlow

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INTRODUCTION FROM THE RURAL DEAN

Sutton Hill and Woodside Benefice is one of the four benefices which make up the

Deanery of Telford Seven Gorge. The four benefices include nine churches in ten parishes with a

total population of around 33,000 spread across the deanery. We are an active Deanery with a

Chapter which has built good personal relationships over many years.

The Deanery Synod meets four times a year and working towards meeting the aims of

the Deanery Mission Action Plan. We have a good and supportive Chapter and Greater Chapter

operating in our Deanery. Our benefices support and encourage one another even though a

wide church tradition is seen across the deanery. Our Deanery Leadership Team is rather looser

than others across the diocese being made up of: Rural Dean, Lay Co-chair, Secretary and

Deanery incumbents. We have the support and attendance from all our PCC’s.

Severn Link Group is in the final stages of launch. That being; Coalbrookdale, Ironbridge,

Little Wenlock, Madeley, Sutton Hill and Woodside in a “Group” together. The group will cement

the excellent close working relationships within the group, and our collaborative style in which

we seek not to do separately things we could better do together. We also want to raise the

status and profile of Sutton Hill and Woodside by making them independent parishes with their

own incumbent for the first time.

We have historically met parish share asked of us, but this has not been on a level with

the cost of four incumbents. Grants have been given by the diocese to enabled ministry to carry

on at a four-incumbent level over the years, although for four years our deanery did dip down

to three incumbents. More recently we have built up a strong and supportive ministry team

including readers, curates, ministers in secular employment, retired clergy as well as our

Intergenerational Missioner.

The Deanery will provide a warm and supportive

welcome to the new incumbent of the Sutton Hill and Woodside

Benefice, and we look forward to welcoming you to our parishes

soon.

Ian Naylor, Rural Dean.

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MISSION IN THE COMMUNITIES OF

SUTTON HILL AND WOODSIDE.

- Come and lead us as we build on a foundation of

pioneering mission in our close-knit community.

- Work with our Intergenerational Missioner to

continue sharing God's love with all people here.

- Inspire our big hearted, determined and wonderful

people of faith to serve the needs of our community.

OUR PLACE IN GOD'S WORLD

Sutton Hill and Woodside are situated in the east Shropshire town of Telford, which was created

as a new town in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Sutton Hill was the first estate to be built for the new

town, with Woodside following soon after. Before any buildings were erected, a foundation

stone was laid by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1966, on the site of Sutton Hill Church.

In recent years the area has been a focus of mission for the Diocese with pioneering mission

activities and the engagement of an Intergenerational Missioner working with the incumbent.

In 2019 this work was recognised with a visit from the current Archbishop of Canterbury.

Sutton Hill and Woodside have strong links with St. Michael’s Church in nearby Madeley and the

benefice of Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale and Little Wenlock. We collaborate in many areas of

ministry including Sunday Services, occasional offices and small groups. We are completing the

process of re-organisation to form a Group Ministry with three incumbents of equal status.

Collaborative and shared ministry is an established feature of the new Severn Link Group. Each

Parish is responsible for its own affairs and has its own distinctive character and traditions, but

we strive for unity as we respect and celebrate our differences. We are united in the love of

Christ and seek to live a life which is rooted in worship of Him, responsive to the Holy Spirit and

in obedience to God our Father.

Members of Sutton Hill

Church have prepared this

profile with the support of

Severn Link Group clergy.

CPAS are patrons of Sutton

Hill, Woodside and Madeley

parishes and support their

deeply rooted evangelical

tradition.

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STATEMENT OF NEEDS

Our challenges and opportunities

We are a welcoming and friendly congregation with a growing programme of activities and a

strong sense of mission, in a place where ministry has many challenges and opportunities. The

church is currently only engaged with a relatively small proportion of the population although

attendance has grown steadily during the past 5 years especially with young families. Parts of

Sutton Hill and Woodside are affected by significant levels of deprivation, so the church meets

not only spiritual hunger but practical, social and material needs.

We believe with the right leadership, God will continue to do great things here!

In summary the call is for a minister who:

1. will prayerfully teach us, challenge us and work with us to make our vision a reality and

help us to grow as disciples who share God’s love with the people we meet.

2. will help us to reach out to our community with the good news of Jesus and to grow our

congregation in numbers and impact.

3. has experience of estate ministry and a heart for people on the margins of society.

4. collaborating with the Intergenerational Missioner can build on our strengths, working with

children, teenagers, young families and older people.

5. will actively participate with community groups including local schools and community

hubs.

6. will collaborate in developing plans for improving the church building.

7. can, together with our PCC, ensure our annual budget is balanced with enough to fulfil our

commitments through developing stewardship and generous giving.

8. will embody an equal yet distinctive collaborative leadership role for Sutton Hill and

Woodside within a diverse group of parishes.

The leadership we need

To teach us, challenge us and focus our plans and help us to grow as disciples of Christ, we are

praying for a new Vicar who will:

Teach the Bible faithfully, to grow committed disciples of Christ and a mission-focused

church.

Build upon our Sunday worship and Messy Church to reach more members of our

community, especially families.

Help us to break down barriers and attract new believers as we spread the gospel of

Christ through our ministry

Motivate and enable us to use our talents to the full.

Be effective in application of Diocesan safeguarding policy in a wide range of challenging

situations.

Skills

We also pray that at interview we will find you to be:

A confident and effective communicator who is approachable and compassionate.

Creative and courageous in ministry and worship.

Well organised with a good understanding of work-life balance.

A problem solver with resilience and flexibility.

At ease working with people of all ages, backgrounds, denominations and cultures both

inside and outside the Church (willing to roll up his or her sleeves and work in reaching

out to the community).

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THE PARISHES

The benefice is on the northern edge of the Hereford Diocese,

the eastern edge of mid- Shropshire, and the South of

Telford. The M54 is 15 minutes’ drive to the east, and

Birmingham is under an hour away; the Welsh border is about

1 hour's drive to the west, via Shrewsbury. There are regular

bus services connecting the area with the centre of Telford.

Sutton Hill

Sutton Hill Church is situated in the middle of a lively estate

alongside Alexander Fleming Primary School and Nursery

(Ofsted – Outstanding) and the Hub on the Hill (Community

Centre). The Hub hosts various organisations including 7

Academy Dance, Cliff Edge Barbers and Food Bank, Tai Chi,

Singing, Dance Dynamics and Families In Telford (parent and

toddler group). It also has a coffee bar serving affordable meals. During school holidays, the Hub

and the Church jointly provide a variety of activities. The centre also has a small supermarket

including a Post Office, and a Fish and Chip shop. There is a Medical practice and Pharmacy on

the perimeter road of Sutton Hill.

The estate has suffered from poor

quality housing and a high proportion

of absentee landlords, contributing to

a level of social deprivation. A £6

million programme of redevelopment

of housing and improvement of

infrastructure has been completed

which has brought long term social

benefits. Part of Sutton Hill has been

awarded “Village Green” status.

Bluebell Wood, sports field and play

area are also situated on the

perimeter road.

On the outskirts of Sutton Hill is the Telford Golf and Spa Hotel with swimming pool and gym.

Sutton Hill is within walking distance of the famous Ironbridge (UNESCO World Heritage Centre)

and Blists Hill Victorian Town, leading into the beautiful Shropshire countryside.

Sutton Hill Church is a modern versatile building built fifty years ago at the time of the new

town. Money was raised to extend the church, with each step grounded in prayer, and faith that

God would provide.The Church accommodates 80 – 100 people on moveable chairs. Adjoining

the Church is a coffee bar area with folding doors which can be opened to provide additional

seating for worship. There is another small area which can be used for meetings. The Church is

enhanced by banners made by members of the congregation, giving a warm and welcoming

atmosphere. The Church is available for hire for community groups.

Archbishop Justin in The Hub

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Plans are being developed to improve the church building, including a joint entrance with the

Hub on the Hill. The vision is for a combined church and pastoral centre, which will provide a

community centre catering for body, mind and soul. There will be an opportunity for the new

incumbent to share in the development and implementation of these plans. Our previous Vicar

was a Trustee at the Hub on the Hill and on the governing board of Sir Alexander Fleming

Primary School. There is a curates house on Sutton Hill which is owned by Hereford Diocese and

is currently occupied by the curate of St. Michael’s Church.

Archbishop Justin meets the community in the centre of Sutton Hill

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Woodside

The Woodside estate is slightly large, similarly lively area on the other side of Madeley. Most of

the housing was built in the 1960’s and 1970’s, with new affordable housing added recently.

The Park Lane centre is at the heart of this community, hosting a variety of groups including a

Nursery, a Youth Drop-in, Toddler group, Craft group, Tea & Dance, a mental health group

(Challenging Perceptions), an addictions group (A Better Tomorrow) and Age UK. During school

holidays, the Centre and the Church jointly provide a variety of activities. There is a Dentist,

Medical Centre and Pharmacy, a small Tesco and hairdresser. Nearby there is an Assisted Living

residence.

Currently there is not a congregation meeting on Woodside, there is no PCC or Church Wardens

and the only church building is the Vicarage. Over the years various church planting and

outreach initiatives have taken place on Woodside, and there are a number of resident active

Christians who worship at other local churches. For several years until 2019 a number of groups

including Messy Church, a drop in for carers and toddlers, a youth group met in a suite in the

Park Lane Centre called The Living Room, as part of collaboration with Madeley Baptist Church.

Due to problems with the lease this ended in 2019. There is a desire to re-establish ministry on

Woodside, using similar patterns to those already in place on Sutton Hill, with the support of

other churches. The new incumbent will have the opportunity to shape this potential area of

ministry working with the Intergenerational Missioner and with support from the other local

churches, building on the recent history of active ministry on the estate.

WORSHIP

Worship is a mixture of liturgical and informal, with a focus on the ministry of the word and

effective engagement with the good news of Jesus Christ for our community. The service is

available for all to see on two screens, and music is via a computer. Our congregation has a mix

of young families and older people – all ages! Some members of the church participate in

readings and intercessions. We like to include songs and activities for children and families as

part of our worship, and to include a range of styles.

Sutton Hill is host to the other churches in the Severn Link Group for the Agape Meal and

service on Maundy Thursday.

Regular Timetable of Services and Meetings

Sunday 10.30am Morning Worship with Communion every other

week, Café Church once a month.

Monday 7.00pm Men's Bible Study (alternate weeks)

Tuesday 9.30am Cross Stitch craft group

Wednesday 3.15pm

8.00pm

Messy Church (Monthly)

Bible Study(zoom)

Friday 9.00am

1.00pm

Big Stories for Little People

Open Church

Electoral Roll for Sutton Hill - 40, with average Sunday attendance of 26 adults and 10 children.

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Sutton Hill and Woodside are governed by Telford and Wrekin Council with a population of

169,400 in Telford itself (June 2016, Telford and Wrekin Council)

The area is represented in Westminster by the MP for Telford, Lucy Allan (Conservative).

Sutton Hill Woodside

Total population 5400 7000

Christian (Census) 60% 51%

Lone parent households with dependent

children 29% 36%

Under 18 22% 30%

aged 18 - 64 59% 58%

over 65 years 19% 12%

SCHOOLS WORK

Members of the clergy team and other church members regularly visit eight primary schools

and two large secondary academies within the group local primary schools for assemblies

including Open the Book, sometimes jointly with Madeley Baptist, for collective worship and

festival celebrations, and there are many more opportunities to be developed. There is one

secondary and three primaries are within the boundaries of Sutton Hill and Woodside. Many

school groups visit the churches to explore or hear about what it means to worship in Church as

a Christian, such as Experience Harvest. The schools are rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.

The clergy within the group work together to offer ministry within these schools while reflecting

the special relationship between schools and particular parishes.

Open the Book

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Intergenerational Missioner

Beckie Dotson was appointed Intergenerational

Missioner (IM) for Sutton Hill and Woodside in

2018. She has a degree in Children’s and

Family work and Theology from Oasis College,

and experience as a Family and Children’s

worker in SE London.

Beckie says 'There is still a lot of potential to

reach those who don’t attend church and it

would be wonderful to journey alongside

somebody who has a passion to do this in

the Church and in the community and

further God’s kingdom together. '

The Intergenerational Mission project:

There are 6 IMs in our Diocese, funded jointly by the Church Commissioners, the Diocese and

the local church. 80% of the time is spent in parish and the other 20% with the Diocese as

part of the IM team, training, share experiences and help with Diocesan projects.

Intergenerational Mission at Sutton Hill

- Messy Church has been popular and

successful in growing disciples, and we are

currently involved with a Messy Church

Discipleship pilot, involving families with

social action. Special events and online

activities during the pandemic have helped

to build links with many families.

- Café Church is an informal monthly

service with refreshments and worship in

small groups.

- Open Church provides a quiet place to,

‘be still,’ reflect or light a candle. We listen, offer prayer and allow people to enter the church

without pressure, to make it accessible for everyone.

- Toddler group is a new and growing, with intentional faith aspects in song time with nursery

rhymes, Christian toddler songs, a Bible story and activity. We have seen a number of

Christenings from the group. The group has received support from Asda, has put on a

Christmas party for the Church members.

- Craft group started just before the pandemic,

arising from the Shoe Box appeal, for those who

were so touched they wanted to learn new skills to

create gift items to donate.

- Discipleship Courses have included START,

Moving On, Shape, as well as lent courses and

currently the Bible Society Course on Zoom.

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- Prayer Meetings monthly on a Saturday morning with a lovely mix of generations praying

together.

- Community Hub links including Fit and Fed

a summer holiday programme helping families

who struggle to feed their children, with

activities and a meal provided.

Intergenerational Mission at Woodside

Woodside is very different as there is no ‘church’

building.

- Messy Church within the Park Lane

community centre has run successfully but is

currently paused, although there is a lot of

potential if practical problems can be overcome.

The IM has attended other community groups including a Knitting Group and Age UK with an

unofficial chaplaincy role.

- Dewdrops Toddler Group with Madeley

Baptist Church, has gone through challenges but

includes some firm friendships, and requires

fundraising, such as a toddler walk from

Woodside to Coalbrookdale which was enjoyed by

old and young alike.

- Summer Fun at the vicarage included food,

games and activities and outings. One was to

the Madeley Orchard where Sutton Hill and

Woodside groups for scavenger hunts, insect

bingo and picnic.

Areas for growth in Intergenerational Mission

- Primary Schools work where there are plenty of

opportunities

- Experience Harvest has proved to be a success

and we are trying to open it up to more schools.

- Secondary School ministry, working with the

Engage Telford Schools Project, launched with the

GSUS Live bus, which is an interactive online

computer experience at Madeley Academy, plenty of

room for growth.

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MISSION AND OUTREACH

Within the Severn Link Group, Sutton Hill

Church is involved in a range of mission

and outreach activities. The focus of

mission activities is to proclaim the Good

News of the Kingdom, responding with

compassion to the needs of those in the

local community, teaching, baptising and

nurturing new believers, as well as

working for greater justice in society and

care for the environment. Mission

activities generally operate collaboratively

with other churches in the group.

Baptism

Parents who wish to have their children

baptised, as well as adults seeking

baptism, are asked to attend preparation

meetings, prior to the date being

arranged. Baptisms can be held at Sutton

Hill Church or at St Michael's and are

family friendly so everyone is warmly welcomed.

Creative Groups

Cross Stitch is a craft group run at Sutton Hill Church. It has grown from small beginnings and

has proved to be an excellent form of outreach and fellowship, truly intergenerational.

Men’s Group

A Men’s Group meets on alternate Monday evenings in the Church for prayer and Bible study

and fellowship and includes non-church members as well as those within the Severn Link Group.

Big Stories for Little People

Every Friday morning, we hold a toddler

group. It is well attended and provides a

good opportunity to chat with mums and

dads in our area. Many mums have come to

faith through this informal route. This

includes a simple Bible story, songs and a

prayer.

START! and SHAPE

These courses are periodically run

throughout the year for those seeking to

explore the Christian faith and for nurturing

new believers.

Young People

There are a large number of young people on Woodside and Sutton Hill, offering an opportunity

to engage them purposefully. In recent years there was a church run youth club which ceased

operating due to behaviour problems.

Open air baptism with the Bishop outside Sutton Hill Church

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Credit Union

In 1990 a Credit Union was opened to tackle

the problem of local families getting into debt

using unauthorised lenders. It was initiated by

members of Sutton Hill Church and two

members still have key roles within the

organisation. Its office is in Jubilee House,

Madeley.

Visiting Elderly and Housebound

A member of the clergy visits residential

homes, and church members who are

housebound are offered communion and

pastoral support.

Food Bank

Churches within the SLG actively support the Food Bank run by Telford Crisis Network. The

Food Bank is located in the Severn Walk building adjacent to Sutton Hill Church in the Hub on

the Hill.

Messy Church

One of our most popular gatherings is Messy

Church. Occurring monthly, it is a specific

outreach to our local primary school children

and their families. Although suspended at

the moment due to Coronavirus, Sutton Hill

regularly has an attendance of between 40

and 50.

(Woodside saw similar numbers attending).

ROC Café

A friendly drop in cafe for vulnerable adults,

many of whom live on Sutton Hill or

Woodside operates at St Michael's run by a

group called Redeeming Our Communities

(ROC), which has built important links and

enabled outreach to people with a range of

needs including mental health, housing and

addiction.

Monday Fellowship

A group for retired people meeting for talks and fellowship at St Michael's, attended by

members of churches across the group and open to anyone.

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WOODSIDE VICARAGE

The Vicarage was built in 1996 and is a well- appointed and spacious detached home, standing

in its own gardens and grounds, fully enclosed. Downstairs has a lounge with an open fire,

dining room, kitchen and utility room, cloak room and a study with a separate entrance.

Upstairs has four good-sized bedrooms and two bathrooms with showers. The attic space is

boarded providing ample storage space. It has gas central heating throughout.

The study looks out onto the front garden and drive.

It is designed so the vicar can welcome parishioners into the study directly, thus ensuring

privacy to the rest of the family. Outside has a large single garage with front and rear gardens.

There is ample parking space on the driveway in front of the property.

Local Area

The Park Lane Centre (Woodside Community Centre) is approximately a two-minute walk away.

Within the Centre is a Nursery, Dentist, Café and Pharmacy. Adjacent to this is a Doctor’s

surgery. Beside the Park Lane Centre is a hairdresser and a Tesco Metro. In the vicinity are

primary and secondary schools.

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SEVERN LINK GROUP (SLG)

The proposed Severn Link Group is the group of parishes being formed comprising of

Coalbrookdale, Sutton Hill, Woodside, Madeley, Ironbridge and Little Wenlock, within the

Diocese of Hereford.

There will be three vicars of equal status in the group.

Vicar of Sutton Hill and Woodside Vacant

Vicar of St. Michael’s Rev Alan Walden

Vicar of Coalbrookdale, Ironbridge & Little

Wenlock

Rev Ian Naylor (Rural Dean)

Everyone works collaboratively as far as is appropriate in all areas of Church life particularly in

outreach, ministry and training. The working motto is ‘Not to do things separately that we could

do better together’. There is a commitment to foster in the parishes a sense of being a part of

the wider group (SLG) as well as the Telford Severn Gorge Deanery and the Diocese of

Hereford.

All the clergy meet weekly for prayer, business and forward planning. They enjoy an excellent

working relationship. Lent Groups, Messy Church, Occasional Offices and Marriage Preparation

are examples of the growing number of

ways in which the ministry is shared.

Each PCC retains its independence

within the SLG. However, no parish or

incumbent may unilaterally withdraw

from the Group. There is a Group

Council comprising of incumbent clergy

and one representative from each PCC.

This Council has a communicating and

liaising role between the PCC’s within

the Group. The council meets five times

a year and is chaired for one year in

turn, by each of the incumbents.

The group has two Curates, an Associate

Minister (SSM), a retired priest with

permission to Officiate, two readers.

Incumbents have pastoral oversight of their respective parishes and the expectation is that the

Vicar of Sutton Hill and Woodside would worship at Sutton Hill Church on approximately three

Sundays out of four, and swap with other clergy across the group on other Sundays.

There is also lay involvement in services, including reading and leading prayers, resulting in

members of the church family furthering their ministry. Over the last two decades there have

been a number of vocations to both ordained and reader ministry across the group.

All member parishes in the Group have an up to date Safeguarding Policy, based on the

Diocesan model, with an experienced and trained Safeguarding Officer.

Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge are home to the Ironbridge and Coalbrookdale Museums and

World Heritage Site. These two local parishes are a mix of working communities and tourist

sites.

Ironbridge museum

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Little Wenlock is a small rural village with its own

Church and village hall. It sits in the shadow of the

Wrekin and the Ercall, the start of the Welsh hills.

THE DEANERY

Sutton Hill and Woodside are part of Telford Severn

Gorge Deanery which is the most diverse deanery in the

Diocese of Hereford. From the highly populated urban

South Telford to the deeply rural villages of Little

Wenlock in the south, the contrast between the dense

housing of Sutton Hill and Woodside to the sparsely

populated country areas could not be greater.

The Deanery is divided by the River Severn. To the north

lie the urban parishes of Madeley, Sutton Hill and

Woodside, (total population c.21,000). Also, north of the river are the parishes of Ironbridge,

Coalbrookdale and Little Wenlock (population c. 4000) with their rich industrial heritage. South

of the river there is a group of parishes centred on the old industrial and mining town of

Broseley, along with Jackfield and Barrow (population for the group c.8000).

There are historically close links between this deanery and the deanery of Telford which forms

part of the Lichfield diocese. Within the Severn Gorge Deanery, there is a move to work more

collaboratively across the parish and benefice boundaries, developing a collective approach to

mission and ministry in the area.

ECUMENICAL RELATIONSHIPS

There are positive links with the Baptist, Roman Catholic and other Anglican churches in the

area through our membership of South Telford Association of Churches (STAC). STAC is one of

the local associations of churches, sponsored by Telford Christians Together. The church leaders

of STAC meet regularly and take part in an annual ‘Pulpit Swap’ during the Week of Prayer for

Christian Unity. The churches unite for an Act of Witness on Good Friday and co-operate for

Christmas and major public events.

Telford Christians Together is an umbrella organisation bringing together the churches across

Telford to worship, witness and work together. It acts as a sponsoring body for local ecumenism

and co-ordinates joint mission activities across Telford. It also engages in ministry to businesses

and shoppers in Telford Town Centre, industry and young people. There is an expectation that

clergy will take an active part in the work of Telford Christians Together.

FINANCES

Keeping our annual budget balanced with enough to fulfil our outward giving commitments has

been difficult in recent years, due to limited scope for increased giving, and we are grateful for

support from the diocese, the Group and the Deanery. There is no debt, but reserves are small.

Little Wenlock

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Mission statement: Inspiring our generation to follow Jesus Christ