THE BRIERLEY HILL TEAM MINISTRY
IN THE DIOCESE OF WORCESTER
CHRIST CHURCH, QUARRY BANK, ST JOHN’S, BROCKMOOR,
ST MICHAEL’S BRIERLEY HILL, ST PAUL’S, HAWBUSH
The Brierley Hill Team Parish Profile
Contents
1. The Local Area of Brierley Hill, Brockmoor and Quarry Bank including local amenities.
2. The Team Parish
3. The Four Churches of the Team
4. The Kingdom People Vision
5. The Diocese, The Deanery and The Borough
6. What is the Parish looking for in a Team Vicar?
1
THE AREA OF BRIERLEY HILL, BROCKMOOR AND QUARRY BANK
Brierley Hill is a former steel making and manufacturing town situated in Dudley Metropolitan Borough. At
the end of the 1970s and in the early 1980s the borough experienced the fastest rate of increase of
unemployment in the country. This was perhaps symbolised by the closure of the Round Oak Steel works
which was located in the town, but this should not disguise the collapse of other major employers, such as
the Marsh and Baxter meat processing plant; at one time the largest in the country. By 1984 the
unemployment rate in Brierley Hill was in excess of 25%.
A number of regeneration initiatives have taken place over
the last two decades, notably the establishment of two
enterprise zones in the town, the building of the Merry Hill
shopping centre, the Waterfront office complex, and the
construction of a new transport infrastructure and health
facilities. Other regeneration projects have included a new
£25 million ‘LIFT’ health centre to serve local residents.
Stourbridge College has opened the £12 million first phase
of their new Arts, Design and Creative Industries campus in
The Royal Glassworks: an example of local regeneration
with the glassworks being transformed into modern
housing.
the town. Whilst housing development is seeing much
former industrial land being transformed.
The Merry Hill Shopping Centre is managed by Intu. It is a major shopping complex open twelve hours a
day. It has continued to expand since its opening in the 1980s and is now home to over two hundred and
fifty shops and includes a large ‘food court’.
The plans for regeneration include linking Merry Hill with the Brierley Hill town centre but the economic
uncertainty of recent years has delayed this.
The statistics recorded for the parish on the Church Urban Fund site paint a picture of an area in which
there is much deprivation with child poverty at 25% and pensioner poverty at 19%. 26% of housing comes
into the social housing sector and perhaps most striking 36% of working age adults have no qualifications.
Yet the parish also borders Saltwells Wood which was designated as the first Local Nature Reserve in the
West Midlands metropolitan county in 1981. Now covering
over 100 hectares, it forms one of the largest urban nature
reserves in the country. In season, the bluebells are a sight
to behold.
The Parish is also within easy reach of other urban ‘beauty
spots’, a large network of canals and the Staffordshire
countryside is a short drive away.
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Brockmoor has suffered for many years from the closure of
the iron and steel works. There are only a few shops in the
Brockmoor area, along with a popular Italian Restaurant,
“Michelangelo’s” (pictured). The local primary school is a
short walk away. St John’s is near the shops.
Quarry Bank is an urban town whose origins are to be
found in the chain and nail making industries. It is an
area proud of its heritage demonstrated by art work
included in the iron railings of the new primary
school. The economic downturn has affected the area
badly, with a decreasing number of shops in the High
Street alongside the loss of local facilities. However,
there is a good community spirit, which includes an
Christ Church, Quarry Bank built in 1847,
at a time when the local community was
prospering.
.
established Community Centre. A survey produced a
couple of years ago suggests that 50% of the population
of Quarry Bank are either under eighteen or over sixty
and that almost 40% of households do not have cars. Historically Quarry Bank has seen itself has a separate
entity from Brierley Hill indeed part of its growth being its location along the main thorough-fare from
Cradley Heath to Brierley Hill. The thorough-fare which now forms one of the major routes into Merry Hill
and the new town of Brierley Hill.
There are a number of primary schools within the parish as well as a large eleven to sixteen community
college. There are also several eleven to sixteen schools/colleges just outside the parish boundary.
Education beyond sixteen is available at various colleges/schools based in Stourbridge and Dudley, both of
which are a short distance away, and also in Brierley Hill itself.
There are a number of local G.P. surgeries and a major hospital (Russells Hall) is just outside the parish.
Merry Hill Shopping Centre being situated within the parish means that there is access to most high street
chain stores. There is a choice of supermarkets in the area.
The cities of Wolverhampton and Birmingham, with their theatres and other places of interest, are in easy
reach. Public transport links are good. There is a major bus terminal at Merry Hill and easy access to the
railway network. London is less than 2 hours away. The motorway system via junction 4 of the M5 (for the
South/London) or junction 2 for the M6 and the North is also readily accessible.
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THE TEAM PARISH
The Team Parish of Brierley Hill came into being in 2007, comprising the former parishes of St Michael’s,
Brierley Hill, Christ Church, Quarry Bank and St John’s, Brockmoor with St Paul’s, Hawbush.
The set-up of the Parish provides for there being one P.C.C. with each district having their own D.C.C. to
which is delegated financial responsibility.
With two stipendiary clergy amongst four places of worship there is need for a high level of mutual cooperation and support between the team rector, team vicar and other members of the parish staff.
Following retirement, a vacancy has arisen for a Vicar in the Team. The post-holder will have a specific
responsibility for St John’s Brockmoor with St Paul’s, Hawbush as well as being a supportive member of the
parish staff with a role across the parish as a whole.
The previous post-holder has retired,
at the age of sixty five, after only
three years in post due to long term
health concerns. These three years
have seen St John’s develop into a
small
but
energetic
missional
community. There is a strong desire
within the parish and the diocese to
appoint a new vicar in the team who
will be able to make a positive impact
on the continued development of
mission within this part of the parish
in particular.
A back view of St John's
The post-holder will also serve across the Team Parish as a whole, working with the staff team (currently
Team Rector, NSM Associate Minister, Curate, Licensed Reader and Reader-in-Training) to resource
worship and mission. It is hoped that the staff team will develop a supportive way of working which
enables each member of the team to use their particular skills in the best way possible to forward the
development of the Diocesan Kingdom People aspirations.
The Team Rector has specific responsibility for Christ Church and is the curate’s training incumbent. The
curate was ordained deacon in 2013. The Associate Minister serves across the team. The Licensed Reader
is based at St John’s whilst the Reader-in-Training will be licensed in June, based at Christ Church.
Together, the staff team will have responsibility for maintaining worship at St Michael’s.
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St John’s Brockmoor
Church building
St John’s church was erected in 1845 and was
extensively refurbished in 1991 creating a building
on two levels. There is a main, flexible space (with
pews removed) for worship and social events
downstairs. There are also two side rooms, one
used for smaller acts of worship, the other for
storage and a well fitted kitchen. Upstairs, there are
other usable rooms which, through grant funding,
have been developed for community projects and a
Messy Church @ St.John's
church office. A new central heating boiler has been
installed along with a phone line. It is hoped to develop an I.T. hub for community use.
The building is generally in good shape and maintained well, except for extensive water ingress damage to
the east end. The brick work here needs external repair, followed by plaster being stripped out, replastered and re- decorated. The architect has drawn by a scheme of works which will cost around £60,000
and take around ten months, with drying out time, to complete. Initial grant funding of £20,000 has been
attracted, whilst grant applications are being made for the balance.
It is hoped that once repairs are completed that more of the rooms can be rented out to external groups
which will in turn help fund the building and extend the church’s community links.
The churchyard remains open for new ash burials and is cared for from parish funds.
The Vicarage
The house is a very nice spacious building with four large bedrooms. one bathroom and a downstairs
cloakroom. It is practical and economical and comprises a hall, with a good sized study, kitchen and utility
room, separate dining room and sitting room leading off from it. The garden is a good size and well
maintained. The garage can be entered without leaving the property. The house is situated directly
opposite the church.
The Church Community
The electoral roll stands at thirty eight. Every member plays a part and is encouraged to use their gifts and
skills as much as possible within the boundaries of their health and age. The average attendance is twenty
five on Sunday mornings, twelve on Wednesday mornings. The monthly memorial service attracts
approximately twenty. The Christmas carol and memorial service had one hundred and seventy people
attending in 2014. There is a leadership team consisting of three authorised lay ministers, two wardens,
two deputy wardens. The District Church Council is made up of twelve dedicated people, committed to the
growth and development of St John’s.
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Worship
Services are of a contemporary nature, designed to
be meaningful whilst remaining forward thinking.
PowerPoint is used. There is a variety of Sunday
morning services and a midweek Communion
service. “Messy Church” has been running on a
monthly basis for two years with an average
attendance
of
eighty.
Lay
members
take
communion into the care home next door to the
church once a month.
Communion @ St John's
Occasional Offices
Baptisms take place within the context of all age worship
services where possible and we encourage baptism families to
come to church prior to the baptism.
In 2014 there were nine baptisms, one wedding and ten
funerals held at St John’s. The post-holder will share funeral
and wedding ministry across the team; sixty seven funerals in
churches or crematoria and ten weddings were conducted in
2014.
Candles lit during
Christmas Carol & Memorial Service
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House Groups
Different house groups have met over the last few years including a “Table Talk” discussion group, the
“Start” Course, a “Kingdom People” course as well as Lent and Advent groups. These groups are much
appreciated.
Recent Developments
St John’s community sees itself as a missional community focusing on evangelism and pastoral care, with a
desire to serve the local community; the training of A.L.M.’s in pastoral care and evangelism being an
indicator of where priorities lie. A number of people have been confirmed recently and two of them are
now involved in church activities. “Open the Book” is being taken into two schools, Brockmoor and
Hawbush, and is growing in momentum. It is completely lay led. A youth project was set up two years ago
following a £2,500 grant, staffed by a dedicated tem of volunteers, average attendance being thirty young
people with varying needs. The most recent development, set up with a £1,000 grant, is a parent and
toddler group. The average attendance is ten parents and ten children. The 3C’s group (Cuppa Cake Chat) is
a joint parish venture, meeting at St Paul’s. The group offers friendship for the more isolated members of
the community, the elderly, lonely or bereaved. The group is planning to extend its activities to bring in
craft demonstrations and social outings. There is also a desire to offer space for specialist groups offering
(with trained personnel) activities for people with dementia whilst providing a break and support for
carers.
Ministry to Schools
The head teacher of Brockmoor Primary School has expressed much appreciation of the church’s work
amongst the school community and through this, the opportunity to work in Brockmoor, and also Hawbush
Primary, school has increased. This involvement has been a key area of community engagement.
Assemblies take place in both schools. Brockmoor School visits St John’s as part of their curriculum; holding
Easter and Christmas services in the church. There is a good relationship with both schools offering mutual
support in advertising church events and some administrative help. Hawbush School would welcome the
opportunity to visit St John’s, but the distance is a problem. However opportunity remains to extend
involvement.
Finance
Historically, St John’s has struggled to fund its portion of parish share which is around £12,000 in 2015. The
share was paid in full, from reserves, in 2013 in the expectation that increased income through room lets
would enable share to be paid fully in 2014, but 61% of the share was paid. All other costs are met in full.
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Potential for Growth
The community at St John’s is keen to further develop its mission and the following projects have been
highlighted:

Further human resources and funding, would enable the development of “Messy Church” in
Hawbush.

A midweek group at St John’s with a more Christian focus for those members of the youth group
ready for it.

An I.T. team with the right kind of leadership. We have acquired five computers ready to be used
once repairs can be completed to the upper room.
St Paul’s, Hawbush
St Paul’s, Hawbush was attached to St John’s at the time
of the formation of the team. The area of Hawbush
contains a large amount of social housing. The church
was built in the 1950s as a multi-purpose building;
church and community centre. The building is now
managed by a volunteer management committee, on
which the team vicar will sit, with the management
committee having responsibility for the care and
maintenance of the building. Over the last four years, the
committee have managed to win much grant funding which has allowed essential building maintenance
and this in turn has led to an upturn in groups hiring the facility; putting the community centre on a sound
financial footing.
Worship takes place twice a month at St Paul’s, which is attended by a very small congregation.
St Paul’s is also the home of the 3Cs group which offers hospitality and friendship to the bereaved and
lonely, meeting once a week. The 3Cs was designed has a team parish venture and it appears to be
meeting a significant need. Recent developments have included the offering of an optional act of worship.
It is hoped that the group might also be able to work in partnership with organisations specialising in
dementia care to offer support to those cared for at home and their carers.
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St Michael’s, Brierley Hill
Situated at the top of a hill, St Michael’s is two hundred
and fifty years old and is a Grade 2 listed building. It has a
seating capacity of two hundred and twenty. It is used on
Sundays and Thursdays for services and is let out to
organisations where possible. It has refurbished side
rooms and kitchens. Its general condition is good and it
has recently been extensively redecorated through the
gift of a local benefactor.
The care of the congregation at St Michael’s along with
the conduct of worship and occasional offices will be a
shared responsibility amongst the staff team under the oversight of the Team Rector. There are currently
three weddings booked for 2016. The average Sunday attendance is currently fourteen, with a few others
attending midweek. There is a thriving ‘seated’ exercise class which meets on a Thursday morning and is
led by an outside consultant.
There is potential for building on the weddings ministry at St Michael’s with the side rooms being used as a
venue for small receptions. The Team Rector is interested in exploring this possibility.
Historically, parish share has been paid in full through the use of historic reserves. A commitment has been
made to keeping St Michael’s open whilst it remains financially viable.
A view towards St Michael’s
Remembrance Sunday @ St Michael's
The seated keep-fit class
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Christ Church, Quarry Bank
Christ Church was built in 1847 and has a seating capacity of
around one hundred and fifty. The Church is used for worship
on Sundays and once during the week when an informal,
reflective style communion service is held, with the church
also being open as a place of prayer and hospitality. A ‘knit
and natter’ group also meets in the building through the
week.
Christ Church’s average Sunday attendance is forty nine with
there being a variety of services through the month, including
a monthly informal all-age worship event. Much work has
been put into developing work with children – including
“Open the Book”, craft and worship sessions in the school
holidays and the leading of primary assemblies. In 2014
fifteen funerals were conducted, thirty two baptisms and
seven confirmations (six of whom were new worshippers at
Christ Church). The Team Rector holds specific responsibility
for Christ Church and during this time there has been a
steady flow of newcomers to church. It has the feel of a
church in transition and is very aware of the need to change and adapt to a new mission situation. The
architect has produced a report with thoughts on internal reorganisation to create more usable space and
this is being worked through at this time.
There are both an early morning and evening Sunday services, but there is currently a consultation about
introducing an extra all age afternoon event in place of one of the evening services. It is envisaged that the
team vicar will share in leading worship at Christ Church.
In 2015, seven weddings are planned to take place at Christ Church.
Community events such as monthly coffee mornings and concerts attract good numbers into the building.
Historically, the parish share has been paid in full.
Crosses decorated by visiting school children during
a visit for Open the Book at Easter
The Harvest Foodbank Collection being loaded
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THE KINGDOM PEOPLE VISION
Mission and Ministry in the Diocese of Worcester
The Diocese of Worcester is committed to mission in
every aspect, seeking to bring the good news of God's
love in Jesus to all who live in our cities, towns and
villages, and to make the gospel relevant to their
everyday lives. We are developing creative new patterns
of ministry in these changing times: though there are
fewer stipendiary clergy than in the recent past, there are now more people offering licensed and
authorised lay ministry than ever before. Differences in ‘churchmanship’ are not divisive in this diocese
which has a genuine ‘family feel’ to it.
We are implementing, after much reflection and consultation, an imaginative ‘Kingdom People’ vision and
resource which seeks to help churches become better at their core task of proclaiming the Kingdom. As
Kingdom People, our vision is for a Church which enables its people to be:
• deeply rooted in prayer and study of the scriptures.
• renewed and transformed by regular worship.
• equipped to witness to the gospel of love, compassion, justice and freedom.
• dedicated to helping children, young people and young adults to belong and be nurtured in faith.
• devoted to growing deeply in discipleship, offering our time and talents and money to God.
• resourced and released to minister to others.
• ready to engage with and serve our community.
• committed to making our buildings fit for purpose as a spiritual and community resource.
The Bishop looks to appoint those who will work collegially with clergy and lay people in the deanery to
encourage and sustain the wider mission and ministry of the church. It is normal for a priest to have a
ministerial interest wider than the benefice itself that takes something in the region of 10% of their
working time.
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THE DIOCESE, DEANERY AND BOROUGH
The Diocese of Worcester
The Diocese of Worcester covers an area of 671 square miles and includes parishes in Worcestershire, the
Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, and a few parishes in northern Gloucestershire, south-east
Wolverhampton and Sandwell. Founded about 679 by Theodore of Canterbury, today it has 175 parishes,
280 churches, around 120 stipendiary and 30 non-stipendiary clergy and 170 Licensed Lay Ministers
(Readers). There is also a growing number of Authorised Lay Ministers (ALMs) being trained to support and
resource ministry in their own localities. There are 100 church schools, 97 primary and 3 secondary. The
diocese is divided into the Archdeaconry of Worcester, with six deaneries, and the Archdeaconry of
Dudley, with seven deaneries.
The Borough of Dudley and The County of Worcestershire
Set at the heart of the Black Country, Dudley Borough has a rich heritage. Alongside Dudley’s historic castle
there is Dudley Zoo and the Black Country Living Museum; the latter keeping alive the contribution towns
like Dudley and Brierley Hill made to the industrial revolution. Today there remain various light industries
around the borough and there are attempts to stimulate tourism.
The Borough itself was formed in 1974, with the amalgamation of Dudley, Stourbridge and Halesowen to
form the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley. Most of the Council's offices, including the Council Chamber,
are situated in the town of Dudley.
Overall, the borough has a population in excess of 300,000 and is bounded by Birmingham to the east and
Wolverhampton and the rest of the Black Country to the north.
Much of the Diocese of Worcester is, of course, in the County of Worcestershire which is a county with an
outstanding and rich natural environment, including spectacular features such as the Malvern Hills. A large
part of the county consists of a combination of fields, orchards, woodlands, meadow, ancient forest and
rivers.
Kingswinford Deanery
The deanery has 17 churches and under the current Deanery plan there are 11 full time stipendiary posts.
The majority of the parishes lie within Dudley Metropolitan Borough. Clergy are encouraged to work
collegiately within the Deanery in order to support each other in ministry and to share gifts and skills
across parishes.
Chapter meets every 2 months and there is also an away day which is usually at Holland House. Synod
meets each quarter.
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WHAT IS THE PARISH LOOKING FOR IN A TEAM VICAR?

Someone with an urgent desire to share God’s love to the whole community.

A good leader who will be able to creatively develop recently begun work in a missional community.

Someone with the desire to grow disciples, enabling the ministry of all to flourish.

Someone who can motivate, preach and teach; empowered by the Spirit.

Someone who is pastorally sensitive, comfortable with people from a variety of backgrounds.

A team-player willing to work alongside both ordained and lay colleagues in a supportive manner.
THE POST-HOLDER WILL BE EXPECTED TO:

Have a specific responsibility for the mission of St John’s Brockmoor; covering the area of
Brockmoor and Hawbush.

Work collaboratively with the staff team in supporting work throughout the parish enabling the
gifts of all to be used to their best.

Be supportive of the Kingswinford Deanery as a whole; working in co-operation with the clergy
chapter.
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