January 2023
From the Churchwardens
Dear Parishioner,
Back in January 2022, we held two meetings in Church chaired by the Associate Archdeacon Reverend Ian Parkinson about the future of St.Nicholas’ when Alan retired. We were asked to think about Focal Ministry. Since then discussions have taken place with a view to Reverend Dan Brown, Minister of Wadsley Church and Oversight Minister of St.Polycarp’s, being put forward as Oversight Minister for St.Nicholas’. Reverend Brown has grown the congregation at Wadsley Church from 40 to over 100 in seven years. He is prepared to come along on Sunday, 5th February at 12noon after morning service, to talk to us about his proposals and answer any questions you may have.
We would like to share the main points of his proposal for your consideration:
- Rev. Brown and the PCC will identify ordained persons who could be interviewed for the position of Focal Minister for St.Nicholas’. The Minister will be trained at Wadsley Church for a season and during this time would call a few people to move to Bradfield Church with her/him, with a view to establishing their leadership of the church in Autumn 2023. If required, the services between now and then could be resourced with preachers and worship leaders from Wadsley.
- He will ask the Diocese to provide the Rectory as a ‘house for duty’ for the Focal Minister, so enabling the Minister to live and work within the Parish.
- Focal Ministers are generally not paid, so St.Nicholas’ would need to provide some form of salary or financial support. The Diocese will also require St.Nicholas’ PCC to pay an amount to the Common Fund.
- Rev. Brown does not expect that there will be major changes to the style of worship at St.Nicholas’ and that in general, it will maintain its traditions so that this style is not lost.
- He indicates that some people from Wadsley who like the more traditional style could come to St.Nicholas’ to join the congregation and contribute their missional and leadership skills. Through them, fresh ideas and new perspectives can be brought into the Church.
Because of the difficulties and demands of this historical and treasured Church, the PCC after much discussion think this would enable them to maintain weekly
worship and attend to parishioners’ spiritual needs. An increase in congregation would help with the upkeep of the Church. However, if you have other suggestions, then we and the PCC will welcome them. Should you wish to comment on or discuss issues raised by this letter, please attend the meeting on the 5th February. Otherwise, contact the Churchwardens or a member of the PCC.
Yours sincerely,
St.Nicholas’ Churchwardens
John Barrand 0114 2862926
Judy Hodson 0114 2862285
Bulletin No.3 October 2022
St Nicholas’ Church, Bradfield
We are pleased to be returning to something like normal thanks to the visiting clergy who are providing us with a regular Sunday morning service as well as baptisms, marriages and funerals. It is expected that this will continue for the foreseeable future.
The Church Wardens and PCC are working hard to ensure that general matters and maintenance continue but it has become evident that not everyone understands the difficulties we face without a resident Rector. Much of the background administration, decisions and maintenance of the building are now their responsibility. A number of comments have been made on social media about the upkeep of the Church and graveyard. The following are the main concerns:
Complaints about the upkeep of the graveyard have been made because of the sheep which are there to keep the grass and weeds down. Naturally, they leave droppings on the path but we do try to keep the path cleared when services are due. This is not always possible. An alternative is to hire a contractor to cut the grass around the gravestones but this would cost the Church at least £500 in the summer months.
- Like any other household, the Church requires regular cleaning. This is done by volunteers when they have time but this is no small task. Any help with this would be most welcome when cleaning days are advertised.
- This Grade 1 listed building is expensive to maintain. At present, attention is being given to the completion of the Jane Street wall but there is also an urgent need to replace two gas boilers for heating, to repair two stained glass windows which may not survive the winter, as well as roof repairs. Apart from these matters, the heating and lighting costs of this large building are substantial.
Although the maintenance of the building and grounds is often of concern, we are fortunate in having a Church with bell ringers, choir, organist and some dedicated people who work to provide festivals and community events. We expect to have our usual Harvest service, Barn Dance, Remembrance observance, Ploughman’s Lunches, and in December, a Christingle service and Christmas Day Service. We look forward to these events and hope you will be able to attend and support us at least on one of these occasions. You are assured of a warm welcome.
St. Nicholas’ Church Wardens and PCC
Bulletin No.2 May 2022
St Nicholas’ Church, Bradfield – the future beyond July 2022
The previous bulletin in February outlined the financial difficulties currently faced by the Diocese of Sheffield and the impact this will have on St.Nicholas’ Church when the Rector leaves in July. Many concerns have been raised through the questionnaire, and at the meetings in January held by the Associate Archdeacon and the Director of Focal Ministry. Since then, the PCC at St. Nicholas’ has been addressing these concerns about the future of the Church in Bradfield whilst also trying to deal with current maintenance problems for the church, including restoration of stained glass windows, roof repairs, the need for new gas heating boilers, and rebuilding the collapsed wall in Jane Street.
What has happened since February?
The PCC has sent a letter directly to Bishop Pete making the case for St. Nicholas’ Church to be viewed as a special case for reasons of its historic significance as a Grade 1 listed building, its rural location, and need to safeguard its existence as a place of Christian worship in the future. Communications with Bishop Pete are still in progress.
Members of the PCC have met with the Area Dean, Rev. Pip Salmon to raise questions with him about the future of St. Nicholas’ after the Rector’s departure. Many issues relating to the services, the management of the Church building and grounds were discussed and some answers reassured the PCC that their concerns are being heard.
Other churches in the area are forming groups or partnerships, preparing to share their ministry and clergy. The location of St. Nicholas’ does not immediately suggest an easy link or relationship with another church in the Ecclesfield Deanery to which we currently belong. There are avenues to be explored and the outcome for St. Nicholas’ Church is yet to become clear.
In the next few months?
It may be some time before St.Nicholas’ has an appointed Minister so could remain ‘in vacancy.’ Nevertheless, we are hoping that there will be a regular Sunday morning service taken by visiting priests after Rev. Isaacson leaves. Some members of the congregation have some experience in leading prayers and worship so may be able to support future services, and we are hoping to form a "Lay Ministry Team".
In the meantime, the Rector is asking for volunteers to act as link persons or representatives for some of the responsibilities he has. This particularly relates to the support for Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals so that these services can be organised after he leaves. Volunteers are being given support and training for their roles whilst he is still in post. Clerical assistance will be needed to ensure that events, services and Church activities are not in conflict .
There is obvious regard and appreciation for St. Nicholas’ s shown in the attendance at meetings and in the many concerns expressed about its future. The PCC need the support of the congregation and community in keeping the building and churchyard in good repair. Offers of help and /or finance are being sought for the repair of the roof and heating system, as well as the rebuilding of the Jane Street wall. The continuation and maintenance of this beautiful Church remains a challenge so any support you are able to give will be much appreciated. Further information and updates can be found on our website: www.achurchnearyou.com/bradfield-st-nicholas or Friends of Bradfield Church (Facebook).
Bulletin No.1 February 2022
St Nicholas’ Church, Bradfield – the future beyond July 2022
First of all, a huge ‘Thank you’ to the many people both from the congregation and the wider community who turned out for the meetings at St Nicholas on Tuesday, 25th January. It was lovely to see, hear and feel the support for our wonderful Parish Church.
We are aware that there have been rumours around the Parish regarding the future of our church, so we have decided to put this statement out to ensure everyone knows and understands the facts.
What is happening?
• Rev Alan Isaacson retires this summer, it is unlikely that he will be replaced with a full-time resident Rector.
• St. Nicholas’ Church will not close.
• Regular services, Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals will continue to take place.
• It is expected that St Nicholas will remain an independent Parish, but may join a Mission Area with
one or two other neighbouring parishes with whom we will share a priest (known as an ‘Oversight
Minister’) and other clergy.
• Services will be resourced by a combination of members of the congregation and the priest and
clergy we share with a neighbouring church or churches.
• Running a church in this way prevents what is happening in some areas of the country, where some
churches only have one service every month or every two months. We can have a weekly service if
enough people are prepared to help.
• The Rectory, which is owned by the Diocese and not by the church, will be retained and will either
be rented out to tenants or occupied by a minister with responsibilities across the Diocese. The Diocese will not be selling the building and they will be managing its occupation as long as St. Nicholas’ remains a parish in its own right.
Why is this happening?
• The Diocese cannot afford to fund enough priests for every church to have their own.
• The Diocese of Sheffield is quite poor compared with many Dioceses in our country as it is quite a
modern Diocese and therefore does not have access to the same historical financial reserves as do
some of the older Dioceses.
• After a lengthy period of consultation, the Diocese of Sheffield has decided that the most
sustainable way forward for all Church of England churches in the Diocese is for a Priest to lead a number of churches and train and support members of the congregation in leading services, pastoral work etc.
When is this happening?
• The end of July 2022.
How will this affect our future?
• We are facing change and trying our hardest to find the best way forward for our Church.
• All churches in the Diocese are going through change, not just ours.
• Although we may not have our own Rector for the foreseeable future, the Diocesan strategy is put
forward in the hope that it will enable churches to grow stronger and in due course enable more clergy to be deployed once again.
What happens next?
• At some point in the near future, we will discuss possibilities around which church or churches we might be linked with and meet their clergy.
• As a church, whether or not we join with another church or other churches quickly, or whether we are "in vacancy" until a new priest is appointed with responsibility for St.Nicholas’, we should develop a Ministry Team from members of the congregation which can share responsibility for leading services and other ministries. The Ministry Team will receive training and support.
• Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals can continue to take place and, when Rev Isaacson leaves, we will issue a point of contact to arrange these.
• We will need support from the whole community, both in terms of support in attending services, and in raising funds to maintain our unique Grade 1 listed church.
• We need everyone to pray for our church and the decisions that are being made.
We hope this will ensure everyone is aware of what is happening at St Nicholas Church. It may not be the way forward that we had all hoped and prayed for, but we have to work with the Diocese on this to ensure the best outcomes for our Parish. It is important that we all look forward to a positive future, where we all work together to maintain services and the church building and churchyard. We will keep everyone updated through the Church websites, www.achurchnearyou.com/bradfield-st-nicholas, Friends of Bradfield Church (Facebook) and the Church magazine.
If you require any further information, please contact the Churchwardens:
John Barrand 0114 286 2926 or Judy Hodson 0114 286 2285
St. Nicholas’ Church PCC