All Saints' Church, Cleadon - Parish Profile

What follows is an account of the life of the Church at Cleadon, bringing together the views and contributions of representatives of our Parish.
The production of this profile has been very much a team effort in consultation with the congregation. We have tried to provide you with as much useful detail as possible about the life in our Parish, but most of all we hope that the warmth of our welcome can be discerned from within these pages.
All Saints’ PCC
Cleadon Village
October 2007

THE PARISH
ALL SAINTS is the Parish Church of Cleadon Village.
It is part of the Locality comprising Whitburn, Cleadon, East Boldon, West Boldon and Hedworth Parishes.
The village is on the edge of South Tyneside, close to the sea, in what remains of the Green Belt separating South Shields from Sunderland.
It was first mentioned in the “Boldon Buke “of 1183 and remained a small agricultural village until after the second world war, when some of the present new housing estates were built.
There is a Conservation Area around the village centre with attractive, large properties and mature trees. The newer housing estates are around the edges of the village.
There are over 2,000 households with a resident population of about 5,000. Almost all the houses are owner-occupied.
The population is 18% under 16, 54%, 16 to 60 and 28% over 60.
It is classed as 96% white and 85% state that they are Christian!
Cleadon tends to be a dormitory for South Shields, Sunderland or Newcastle. Consequently car ownership is high.
There are also a number of families with one parent working abroad.
The village Church of England Primary School has recently moved into a brand new building. It has the advantages of being well led, with a dedicated staff and an effective P.T.A. All Saints maintains close links with the school. The vicar traditionally acts as Chairman of the Governors and some parishioners are Foundation governors.
We also have close links with Oakleigh Gardens Special School, situated beside Cleadon Hills. This caters for children with learning difficulties in South Tyneside.
Council Nursery School facilities are available in East Boldon and Whitburn. There is also a private nursery.
At the age of 11, children tend to go to Whitburn Church of England School or into the private sector.
The nearest Health Centre and Library is in East Boldon, (about three miles away.)
The Methodist Church is a short distance away from All Saints.
Community meetings take place in All Saints’ Parish Hall, the local Methodist Hall or in a small Community Meeting Room in the village centre.
It is understood that community meeting facilities will also become available when the new school building becomes fully operational.
We have our share of crime, mostly burglary and teenage disturbance.
There is a well-supported Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
In the village centre there are two pubs, a post office, theatre, garage, petrol station, a restaurant, the private nursery and some specialist shops. There is also a small parade of shops at the west end of the village. There are numerous supermarkets within a two- mile radius.
There are adequate public transport links to South Shields, Sunderland, Washington and Newcastle, including to the airport.

ALL SAINTS
THE CHURCH seats around 200 people comfortably in moveable pews. Public access is via the south porch to the rear of the building or via the vestry. There is limited space for welcoming people, notice boards or pram storage but it is hoped this will be addressed when the cloister is built. The most striking effect on entering is the chancel murals.
We have recently installed a gas central heating system with under floor heating. We have also replaced the nave floor. There is an efficient sound system with a loop system for the hard of hearing. The Harrison organ benefited from a total overhaul in 2004.
The Quinquennial Visitation was carried out in January 2007 and, subject to some minor recommendations, was satisfactory.

THE PARISH HALL is licensed for 200. It has a traditional stage with storage space underneath, and a small room behind, which is used as the Parish Office. The toilets include facilities for the disabled and the kitchen was upgraded in 2004. Upstairs there is a further meeting room.
This year (2007) the hall has been totally re-wired, a new fire alarm system installed, modern vertical blinds fitted and newly decorated.
There is also access to the original old school building adjoining.
The Hall is used extensively by various Church groups. It is available to hire by other persons or organisations, bookings being made through the Parish Administrator.
Health and Safety and Child Protection aspects are constantly monitored, the P.C.C. kept informed and any necessary action promptly taken.

THE CAR PARK is between the Hall and the Vicarage. It has a narrow entrance (though there are advantages to this.) It holds 15-20 cars. The surface is not brilliant. The vicar’s garage, along with various sheds and outhouses belonging to the hall, is situated in the car park.
Access to the Church can be gained via the steps at the back door of the Vicarage. This route is probably the most used access to the Church.

THE VICARAGE, adjacent to the Church, is in good repair. It was built in 1906 and features 4 bedrooms, bathroom, 2 reception rooms, downstairs toilet, a large kitchen, utility room and a study.
It is set at a slightly lower level than the Church, with which it shares the garden. The gardens are well maintained with mature trees, many plants and a small greenhouse. At the front of the house is a paved area with double gates to Sunderland Road.
During the vacancy the Diocese intends to carry out electrical re-wiring and install a new shower.

WORSHIP
MINISTRY
All Saints has one lay Reader (Emeritus,) two persons licensed for Communion by Extension and a further two for Home Communion.

SERVICES
These are very responsive, involving the congregation as much as possible.
Lay people read the lessons and the Gospel. They lead intercessions, set the table and administer Communion. They are also involved in Baptism services and Crib and Carol Services at Christmas.
Drama is sometimes used in place of the sermon in the monthly all-age services to illustrate the meaning of the Gospel.
Healing services are organised so that each congregation in turn may be blessed by the laying on of hands.
Twice a month there are alternate evening services with the Methodists.
The Primary School is encouraged to partake in various services or organise their own on occasions such as Education Sunday, Harvest and Christmas.
The Special School also holds its own services in the church once a term.

LITURGY
With the introduction of Common Worship in 2000, we created our own service booklets using a wide variety of the available alternatives, making the most of the richness of the new liturgy. Each season has an illustrated service booklet with additional booklets for other services such as All-Age and Healing.

MUSIC
Our acclaimed organist maintains our strong musical tradition. In conjunction with the Methodists, our Cantamus group gives concerts under his leadership.

YOUNG SAINTS
Children from infants upwards (and parents) gather in the church hall at 9.55am for activities prepared weekly by a dedicated team of helpers. These activities include songs, prayers and practical work usually based on the Bible reading for the day. There are three groups, creche, infant and junior. They join the congregation in time for Communion. Before the last hymn they tell us what they have been doing.
They also have their own occasional services, such as Saints Alive at 10.45 and a Nativity at Christmas.
There are six children who were recently admitted to Holy Communion.

HEALING
A Ministry of Healing group meets regularly for prayer and study. Their spiritual preparation assists them when helping to conduct the monthly healing services.

STEWARDSHIP
We have an active, committed, caring P.C.C. with Deanery and Diocesan involvement.
There is a Buildings and Finance Group led by the Treasurer, which meets regularly to review finances and recommend actions to the P.C.C.
The church is financially viable. It uses planned giving envelopes, mostly gift aided.
The Parish Share has always been paid and the vicar’s agreed expenses met.

MISSION
Through C.M.S. our Partners in Mission are Eric and Sandra Read and their family in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
We also support mission at home and abroad such as Christian Aid and The Children’s Society
The Open Doors is a mission project to build a cloister. Its aim is to build bridges between church and community by opening the doors of our church building to welcome anyone needing company, refreshment or a listening ear. We have secured approximately one third of the money and we are seeking further grants and donations. A review of the project took place in January 2008.
We are a Fair Trade church with an equal opportunity policy.

THE WIDER CHURCH
The Locality of Whitburn, Cleadon and The Boldons is at an early stage of development. Our priest will be the first incumbent to be appointed since its introduction.
We are active members of Churches Together, which consists of five churches, the Anglican and Methodist in Cleadon and the Anglican, Methodist and Catholic in Whitburn. We hold joint services in each other’s churches and meet for Advent and Lent Courses.
We support interfaith services.

ACTIVITIES
Prayer and Bible study groups.
There is a weekly Emmaus Group. This group has been going for more than 15 years. It started when the congregation looked at 'Emmaus' and house groups were formed. This group was the outcome of those meetings.
There is a prayer group, which meets monthly.
An ecumenical prayer group meets on a regular basis.
There are two Bible study groups, one of which meets to study the Gospel for the following week.
The Pastoral Care group meets monthly to pray, discuss and take practical action.
It works alongside the Methodists as and when possible. The group has developed an excellent Cleadon Churches Together Network, which includes delivery of the Cleadon information booklet to all newcomers.
Baptismal visits are a priority, with each family being visited by a member of the group. Follow up continues until school age.
There is an organised rota for visiting the sick and housebound in the parish.

The Communications group is a dedicated group that organises the church magazine, The Cleadon Courier, both its contents and its delivery.
They are responsible for the printing of the annual Information Booklet and the Easter and Christmas cards, which are distributed throughout the parish.

The Mothers Union, Men’s Fellowship and Married Couples are all active Church Groups, which meet on a regular basis giving support to the church and to each other.

The Friends of All Saints’ Church was originally founded in 1865. In 1968 they provided the present organ. In 2001 they were re-established and gifted the digital bells in 2004. Members come from far and wide. They include Christians of several denominations as well as non-church goers.

Cleadon Day Club is run ecumenically. Willing people make and serve lunch in the church hall on Fridays to senior citizens from the village. There is transport provided for those who need it. This is an outreach group providing a good meal, friendship and social contact.
The church hall is open on Tuesday lunch times for Soup 'n' roll. This is attended by a wide range of ages, again an outreach to those who want to socialise.

Social activities take place about once a month. There is no Social committee to organise these, but individuals rise to the occasion. There are coffee mornings, dances, big bands, ceilidhs and many other events.
The church hall is the meeting place for the many 'Church Organisations', Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows, all ably led by enthusiastic volunteers. Mums and Toddlers meet every week giving mums and carers time to socialise in company with each other.

Although the link with some of these organisations is tenuous they do come under the umbrella of All Saints.

HOPES FOR OUR FUTURE INCUMBENT
Gathered at an open meeting with the congregation
Someone who
· Is prepared to work alongside the other priests in the Locality team as they progress in the sharing of responsibilities in the future.
· Is seen as a leader who is decisive but not confrontational, who recognises the need for tolerance and compromise in the role of parish priest.
· Is seen to be open and fair-minded, using consultation, teamwork and communication in a holy, prayerful approach to their ministry.
· Recognises the great need for personal involvement in pastoral care.
· Has an interest in music. (We love singing!)
· Can identify with the spiritual needs and aspirations of the younger generation as well as of the old and who can help forward the church’s outreach to young families.
· Is experienced in chairing meetings, especially with their involvement with the Governing of Cleadon Primary School.
· Has a good sense of humour
· And is definitely an I.T. literate person.

WHY COME TO CLEADON?
· To grow with us and alongside us, guiding us in our desire to move further in our own faith.
· To help us to reach out to people where they are and to show them God’s love.
· To develop our outreach to the wider community, ecumenically and ethnically.
· To meet the challenge of attracting and keeping young families (and older children) interested and involved in worship.
· To encourage and nurture closer bonds with the Primary and Special Schools, both in teaching and worship.
· To sustain the existing members by fostering prayer, study, healing and the use of different liturgies.
· To harness our willingness, energies and commitment into more ways of serving the Lord.


The Deanery of Jarrow
The Locality of the Boldons, Cleadon and Whitburn

Locality role linked to Cleadon: 35% Locality 65% Parish

Focus: Children, Young People and Younger Families

1. To be part of the Locality group of clergy developing further collaboration in ministry and mission.
2. Where appropriate to assist with training and provide resources for baptism preparation.
3. To help all the churches of the Locality review their post baptismal contacts and assist with developing strategies for further contact with younger families and the nurture of the newly baptised in the life of the church.
4. To seek to establish a “Sowing the Seeds’ Task Group within the Locality to encourage work among children and young people. This will link directly to the Deanery Task Group and the Archdeaconry Project worker. To be a facilitator and resource to this group.
5. To provide hands on support when necessary across the Locality to local leadership for children's and youth work.
6. To develop a series of Locality activities for children and young people.
7. To encourage and enable positive links with schools within the Locality.