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Parish of St Mary, Whitegate, Cheshire

Parish Profile 2018

Contents

Page 4 Where and who we are

Page 5 Organisations in the parish

Page 7 Ministry Team and lay participation

Page 8 The PCC

Page 9 Church groups & activities

Page 10 Worship at St Mary’s

Page 13 Church buildings

Page 16 Finances

Page 18 Church Education

Page 20 Whitegate School

Page 21 Outreach and mission

Page 22 Are you called to be our new Vicar?

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OUR PARISH

Whitegate is a small village in Cheshire located between the towns of

Northwich and Winsford, with easy links to motorways and mainline

railways.

The ecclesiastical parish includes parts of Winsford, Hartford and

Sandiway and has a population of 2907.

There is a mixed population of retired, middle-aged and young families

which includes professional, executive, manual and unemployed people.

Whitegate has approximately 95% owner-occupied properties with

approximately 5% being rented either from the local authority or

privately. The parish also contains 4 residential park home sites.

The main industry is agriculture which continues to go through change.

Nowadays, a large proportion of the parish population commutes to

outside the parish for work.

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Whitegate Church of England Aided

Primary School sits next to the church,

at the heart of our community.

Brownies and a Scout group meet weekly in the parish.

They occasionally attend special services, in particular

Remembrance Sunday.

The village has a strong WI Group which holds a monthly

“Soup & Sandwich” in The Mews.

The Petty Pool Trust is an outdoor centre

and college for young people with learning

disabilities. Our fresh harvest produce was

delivered to them in October 2017.

Whitegate Pre-School Nursery is open every day in the

Recreation Room.

Our local pub/restaurant, The Plough Inn is a well-

known meeting place, hosting our popular Hub in the

Pub every January.

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Vale Royal Abbey is now a Golf Club and Banqueting

venue. St Mary’s has strong links with it for wedding

receptions, choral and orchestral concerts and other

parish events.

Winsford Rock Salt Mine, operated by

Compass Minerals, lies in the parish

alongside the River Weaver at

Meadowbank. Having a high degree of

mechanisation, the plant now employs

fewer people than in the past. In recent years a Remembrance service has

been held at the war memorial situated at the gates of the mine.

Parishioners, staff and former employees attend and the refreshments

that follow the solemn ceremony offer a grand opportunity for reminiscing

and exchanges of family and military history.

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MINISTRY TEAM AND LAY PARTICIPATION

The Ministry team comprises:

• The Vicar

• SSM Curate (part-time)

• Reader Emeritus

• Licensed Pastoral Worker (part-time)

• Qualified Children’s Worker (part-time)

We share this team with St Peter’s Little Budworth.

At St Mary’s, enriching our worship and ensuring the smooth-running of

the services, we also have:

• A dedicated organist and choirmaster

• A choir with 16 members

• 4 chalice assistants

• 3 sacristans

• 2 churchwardens

• A team of 21 who read

Lessons

• A team of 17 sidespersons

Our Children’s Worker leads the Sunday school (Little Fishes). Our baby

& toddler group (Minnows) is led by the Pastoral Worker, assisted by the

Children’s Worker.

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THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

The PCC is a vibrant body which meets nine times a year. The incumbent

chairs these meetings. The elected officers are Secretary, Treasurer and

Vice Chairman. The Head teacher of Whitegate C/ E Primary School is an

ex officio member.

The PCC operates through several committees and officers.

• Standing Committee

• Fabric and Churchyard Committee with a remit for Health and

Safety under the guidance of a Fabric Officer

• Church Magazine Editor and Team

• Social and Fundraising Committee

• Pastoral & Fellowship Committee

• Village Fair Committee

• Mission and Giving Group

• The Mews Management Committee

• The PCC is responsible for electing a number of the school governors

• Gardener sub-contracted by the PCC

Many other voluntary roles are undertaken by

members of the congregation and PCC.

• Mews (Church Hall) Letting Officer

• Church Cleaning Team

• Sunday Coffee Team

• Pastoral Visiting Team

• Clock Winding Team

• Banking Team

Flower Group

The talented Flower Group at St Mary’s portrays the message of the

Gospel using flowers and floral art, incorporating artefacts, especially at

Festival Seasons to enhance spirituality and prayer. Each sacred area of

the church is used to remind people of the Christian pathway.

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OTHER CHURCH GROUPS

• A Mothers’ Union group was re-established in 2011 and has grown

to 17 members.

• Crafty Coffee is a group of up to 16 ladies who meet weekly in The

Mews. Various crafts are undertaken over a cup of coffee and a chat.

• Men’s Breakfast is held on the second Wednesday of the month at

the Red Lion in Little Budworth. It is attended by between 10-20

gentlemen from St Peter’s and St Mary’s.

Many activities are organised by the Pastoral & Fellowship committee:

❖ Gentlemen’s

dinner twice a year

❖ Ladies Brunch

❖ Ladies Afternoon

Tea

❖ Lent Lunches

❖ Summer Lunch

❖ Advent Lunch

Our current church wardens are:

Mrs Christine Ball

Marton Sands House

Marton

Winsford

CW7 2PY

Tel: 01606 593260

E-mail:

chrisball2015@gmail.com

Mr Peter Hayward

Broomhay

59 Carnoustie Close

Winsford

CW7 2LQ

Tel: 01606 591766

E-mail: peter@broomhay.co.uk

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WORSHIP AT ST MARY’S

Our worship follows the liberal

catholic tradition and

vestments are worn by the

clergy. We seek to ensure a

warm welcome to everyone

and want our services to be

accessible to all in our diverse

rural/village/suburban

population.

Music plays a very important part in our worship and our enthusiastic

choir gives a strong lead in the Sung Eucharist and Choral Evensong

services. Hymn books used at the 9.30am service are ‘Hymns Old and

New’ and the ‘New English Hymnal’ is used in an evening.

The average weekly attendance during 2017 was 85 adults and 10 under

sixteen. However, this increased at festivals.

The electoral roll stands at 302 of which 140 are resident within the

parish.

Our regular pattern of worship

Day Time Service

1st 3rd & 5th Sunday 9.30am Sung Eucharist (CW)

2nd Sunday 9.30am Morning Worship(CW)

4th Sunday 9.30am All Age Worship (CW)

1st 3rd & 5th Sunday 6.30pm Evensong (BCP)

2nd Sunday 6.30pm Choral Evensong (BCP) shared

with St Peter’s

4th Sunday 6.30pm Holy Communion with Prayers for

Healing (BCP)

1st 3rd & 5th

Wednesday

9.30am

Holy Communion (CW)

2nd & 4th Wednesdays at St Peter’s

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Special Services

All Age Worship in

January

9.30am Lambing service

Candlemas 9.30am Blessing of candles

Ash Wednesday 7.30pm Sung Eucharist with Ashing (CW)

Maundy Thursday 7.30pm Sung Eucharist with stripping of the

altar

Good Friday 10.00am

11.00am

2.00pm

Children’s Workshop

Family service with Hot Cross Buns

around the cross on the Village Green

One-hour devotion

Ascension 7.30pm Sung Eucharist (CW)

September 9.30am Patronal Festival

Second Sunday

October

9.30am &

6.30pm

Harvest

November 9.30am Remembrance service

November 6.30pm All Souls Service

December 6.00pm Christingle

Christmas Eve 4.00pm Crib Service

Christmas Eve 11.30pm Sung Eucharist (CW)

Christmas Day 9.30am Sung Eucharist (CW)

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OCCASIONAL SERVICES

During 2017 there were 11 baptisms.

These services are usually held at

1.00pm and are attended by our

Pastoral and Children’s Workers,

together with a member of the

Mothers’ Union. (St Mary’s has an

open baptism policy).

10 weddings were held during the year

and 9 funerals. There were 5 burials in

the churchyard and 5 sets of ashes

were interred also.

A confirmation service is usually held

each year, alternating with St Peter’s.

In October 2017 at St Peter’s, Bishop

Libby confirmed 7 adults, of whom 5

were from St Mary’s.

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CHURCH BUILDINGS

St Mary’s Church and

churchyard

Historical records suggest

that there has been a church

on the present site since

1277. The current building

dates from 1875, when it was

reconstructed by the

eminent Cheshire architect,

John Douglas.

The church, which is

Grade II Listed, displays

the characteristic

features of Douglas,

namely Cheshire brick

and red sandstone and

the interior is dominated

by a fine oak frame and

timber pews. There is a

fine organ and clock,

both of which have been

rebuilt in recent years.

Church seating capacity

is about 210. There is an integral vestry and a separate robing area for the

choir.

The churchyard occupies land adjacent to the main building and has been

developed in two phases. The available space has almost completely been

utilised and the church has developed a new one-acre churchyard

extension on land kindly donated by a parishioner (Whitehead Fields).

The consecration and opening took place in November 2013 and there are

now 17 graves in the new burial ground.

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The Mews

The parish also owns adjacent land

which includes the village green and

The Mews, our hall which is newly

renovated and re-opened in April

2017. As well as an attractive main

hall, it has excellent kitchen and toilet

facilities, new insulation and heating,

extra storage capacity and much

improved access for wheelchair users.

A mezzanine floor was installed,

and the first floor now offers a

room for further storage and a

small office, equipped with

computer and printer for parish

documents. We have recently

installed a much-needed

telephone landline and

broadband and wi-fi for internet

access. In the main hall there is

a wall-mounted digital projector and screen, enabling presentations,

photos and films to be projected in excellent conditions.

The Mews is a practical and

welcoming venue both for

church activities and for

social and club events for

all the local community; a

building that is truly fit for

the 21st century.

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The Vicarage

The vicarage is

situated close to

the church

grounds, on the

edge of the

Whitegate

Conservation Area.

It is a purpose

designed building

constructed in the

1980’s.

Accommodation comprises an entrance vestibule with access to WC and

parish office. The inner hallway leads to lounge, dining room, kitchen and

utility room. The first floor has 4 bedrooms, bathroom and separate

shower room. In 2012 the vicarage underwent considerable renovation

with new windows and doors, new kitchen, utility room and floor

coverings in the ground floor rooms being installed. There is an attached

tandem garage. There are manageable gardens to the side of the building

and a vegetable area, together with adequate car parking.

At present the Parish

Council with the full support

of the PCC and school

governors have plans to

create a ‘safe drop off and

collection area’ for the

school and community, on

land behind the Vicarage.

Access to this area which is

known as Vicarage Green is

alongside the entrance to

the Vicarage.

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FINANCES

The day-to-day running of the church

The PCC’s objective is to break even without the use of interest from

deposits on the day-to-day running of St Mary’s. The cost of running the

church in 2017 was around £75,000, more than half of which was the

Parish Share. (Whitegate pays two thirds of the Parish share with Little

Budworth paying one third). More than half our income came from Gift-

aided donations and the associated reclaimed tax.

Children’s worker

The Parishes of Whitegate and Little Budworth fund a part-time

Children’s Worker for 8 hours a week. (Whitegate pays two thirds with

Little Budworth paying one third).

Charitable giving

The PCC gives 5% of its day-to-day income to charitable foundations. The

choice of charities is recommended by the Mission and Giving Group. In

2017, 60% of the total was for overseas charities. In addition, donations

are made to our own Church School and collections are organised

annually for several national charities.

Reserves

St Mary’s has over £260,000 in reserves. These are invested in a range of

short term fixed bonds, stocks and shares and instant access variable

interest accounts.

Clergy expenses

The Vicar is reimbursed for costs incurred, including a standard mileage

allowance for business travel, postage, business telephone calls and other

legitimate expenses, against receipts. The Curate’s expenses are also

reimbursed. A claim form is used by both.

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Fundraising

Social and fundraising events play an important part in the life of the

church and village.

St Mary’s principal fundraising event is the Village Fair which is held each

May. It is a big collaborative effort that brings together many members of

the church and village family. Children from the school dance around the

Maypole and church, school and parish volunteers run stalls and

sideshows of all types on Church Green and in the school playing field.

The Fair raises on average £4600 which in the past has been for church

funds, but in 2018 we are planning to share the money raised with our

church school.

The social committee organises several events throughout the year. Some

of the recent events have included a Harvest Supper, Burns Night, French

Lunch, Apple Pressing and Carol Singing in the Village and at The Plough

Inn.

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CHURCH EDUCATION

Children’s Work

Little Fishes (Sunday school)

runs every Sunday, except the

fourth in the month, when there

is All Age Worship. Children are

taken out of the service by the

Children’s Worker and at least

one other adult and escorted

down to The Mews. At the end of

the session the children re-join

the main congregation before the

Eucharist.

‘Roots’ material is used to plan the sessions and most include a retelling

of the Gospel reading from the main service and a craft activity. The

children are encouraged to take their craft home and share it with their

families. There are also age appropriate toys and books available for

toddlers and babies.

We give prizes for attendance at Little Fishes and these are presented once

a year at a special All Age Service.

In July 2017, the existing Toddlers’

Group in The Mews came to its

natural end and that was seen as an

opportunity to set up a similar but

new venture with mums/carers and

children of pre-school age.

Minnows started in September

2017 and after a slow start, it now

boasts a goodly number of children,

mostly babes in arms. It has

attracted grand-parents (now very

commonly the carers) and even a set of great-grandparents. This weekly

gathering is led by the Pastoral Worker, with help from the Children’s

Worker and offers a nurturing environment for babies, toddlers and their

carers, to encounter the Christian story and to have valuable social time

too. Gradually the families are taking an interest in church services.

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Over the past few years we

have run a Good Friday

Workshop for children of all

ages culminating in an All Age

Service in church and a

sharing of Hot Cross Buns on

Church Green. We also run a

Summer Holiday Club, during

the first week of the school

holidays with a special All Age

Service on the following

Sunday where the children can

share what they have been

learning.

Adult Education

In conjunction with St Peter’s we currently run Lent and Advent courses.

These usually follow the York course and have been both clergy and lay

led.

In the past we have had a Home Group, which the leaders are keen to start

again.

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WHITEGATE SCHOOL

Whitegate Church of England Aided Primary School is situated next to the

church. The Incumbent will be an Ex-Officio member of the governing

body. Seven members of the church are Foundation Governors appointed

by the Diocesan Board of Education. The total number of pupils on the

roll is 129.

At the last Ofsted inspection in 2013 the school was described as ‘A good

school’.

The section 48 report states ‘Whitegate Church of England Primary

School is a calm and well-ordered school committed to its Christian

ethos. It is a happy school where the atmosphere is one of Christian care.

The head teacher, staff and governors are very effective in promoting its

Church of England foundation.’

The Vicar and Children’s Worker take the weekly Collective Worship in

the school, and monthly

Collective Worship is held in

church led by school. Special

services are always held in St

Mary’s at Festivals and at the end

of term.

Where possible, the incumbent

also attends School productions,

concerts, Sports Day and other

key events.

Christian Club

Our Children’s Worker also runs an after-school club called Christian

Club, held on Mondays during term time. Similar to a Sunday school

session, the club aims to cater for the children who do not attend church

on a regular basis. The themes tie into the lectionary readings and any

crafts or ‘big art’ can be shared at All Age services to encourage school

families to attend church and foster links between school and church.

The Children’s Worker also runs the Christian Values Group within the

school. This is a group of children who have expressed a commitment to

become involved in helping develop the core Christian values and

distinctiveness of the school. They meet for weekly Bible Study and

undertake craft and display work within school as well as leading

Collective Worship once a term.

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OUTREACH AND MISSION

The church gives a warm welcome to those who come to its services. There

is a strong sense of fellowship within the congregation, spanning the

generations, leading to a friendly atmosphere and warm relationships.

The level of concern people have for one another is reflected in the way

they care for each other and go out of their way to offer support.

Since our Pastoral Worker was licensed in 2014 she has been much

involved in encouraging parents and very young children into our church.

This has been through contact with baptism families, from the initial

enquiry through to preparation and the baptism service. She handles all

the administration along that journey.

Care of the Sick and Elderly

The main hospital for parishioners is Leighton Hospital, Crewe and the

Incumbent and Curate take on hospital visiting, passing on details for

later Home Communion or pastoral visiting.

Two members of our Pastoral & Fellowship Committee have been on an

Acorn Listening Course and undertake home visiting when required.

Our Incumbent and Curate offer Home Communion visits.

Transport to church is given to a small number of the less able.

During severe weather a “Ring Round” system is initiated.

Our Pastoral Worker also leads the monthly Prayer Meeting, at which

prayers are made for requests left on the Prayer Tree in church and in the

Prayer Request book in the church porch. Repeat requests are common,

for people know that their prayers are part of our service in the parish.

The two parishes come together to say farewell to Canon Chris & Barbara

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ARE YOU CALLED TO BE OUR NEW VICAR?

Are you enthusiastic, out-going, a good communicator who can connect

the Bible to everyday life in an imaginative way?

Are you warm, compassionate and ready to listen?

Are you willing to take a leadership role in the management and running

of church affairs?

Will you help us to build for a sustainable future?

We set out below what we believe to be the key areas for development and

growth. If you feel you can help us, we’d love to hear from you.

• Continue to encourage our Minnows group and baptism families to

attend All Age Worship Services and Little Fishes.

• Build on and develop existing Baptism Preparation breakfast,

wedding and Confirmation preparation.

• Encourage a wider participation in Lent and Advent courses.

• Encourage use of our prayer tree and attendance at the monthly

prayer meeting.

• Reinforce our existing bonds with our C/E Primary School, by

leading assemblies and continuing the close ties with the head

teacher, staff, pupils and parents.

• Maintain and enhance pastoral care for all.

• Encourage and enable every member of our church to recognise and

use their gifts in the service of God.

• Develop our mission and promote the church as a communal focus

for the parish.