G M I M Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
Annual Report 2008/9
Contents Subject
Page
Contents
2
GMIM Trust by the Chair of GMIM
3
GMIM Council Members
4
St Antony’s Centre for Church & Industry
5
Retail Chaplaincy ~ Ashton and ASDA
6
Greater Manchester Police
7
Life at the Airport
8/9
Bolton Town Centre Chaplaincy Oldham Town Centre Chaplaincy
10/11 12
Middlebrook Retail Chaplaincy
13
Farewell to Fr Joe Carter
14
GMIM Team Changes and News
15
Financial Statement
15
GMIM Chaplaincy Team Contact Numbers
16
Front Cover Pictures: Top ~ Induction of Rev Wendy White at The Reebok Stadium Middle ~ Fr Joseph Carter Bottom ~ Learning Routes Bus at The Credit Crunch Roadshow in Bolton
Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
2
Annual Report 2008
GMIM Trust By David Tomlinson, Chair Introduction Over the last 12 months we have seen the fall out of the world economic crisis; jobless totals rising inexorably, the increase in petty crime and in particular the loss of faith in politicians. This report contains some wonderful messages of hope and the constancy of the Christian message. The faithfulness of Fr Joe Carter, refreshing news of Chaplains‟ involvement in the world of work and the growth of relationships across the whole of the faith community in Greater Manchester. It is a tremendous privilege to be involved in an organisation that is delivering in a very practical way Christ‟s message of love, care and concern to those who are not in touch with “Churchy stuff” and may never have heard anything about it. Chaplaincy is a growth industry and as the recession retreats we need to be around to pick up the gauntlet and allow people to renew their confidence through training support and other life skills. GMIM are perfectly placed to do this, and we do rely on and require Church leaders and other faith groups to help and support this activity. Too often, churches, industry, commerce, the public sector, police etc work in their own widely separate compartments. This report signposts a way forward. Let us hope and pray we can build on the opportunity. Thank you to all the chaplains and volunteers, all who have supported us this year and for Kevin and his team who have put this report together. If having read this report you would like to support the work of GMIM or assist the development of the Trust and Chaplaincies, do not hesitate to give us a call. Enjoy the read and thank you for your continued support.
on
ins D Toml
Chair, GMIM Council
Annual Report 2008
3
Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
GMIM Council Members The following members have served on the Greater Manchester Industrial Mission Council during the year 2008/2009. The Council members are Trustees of the GMIM Trust. GMIM Council Members: The Right Rev Terence Brain Rev Dr Keith Davies
Bishop of Salford Chair, Manchester & Stockport Methodist District Representatives from the Presidents of Greater Manchester Churches Together Mr David Tomlinson Rev Graham Kent Mr James Callaghan Mr Kevin Flanagan Rev Brian Tomkins Rev Kevin Ball Rev Chris Baker Rev John Piper Mr David Parkinson Rev Philip Brooks
Chair, GMIM Council GMCT Ecumenical Development Officer Centre for Church & Industry ~ Treasurer GMIM Team ~ Centre for Church and Industry GMIM ~ Bolton Town Centre Chaplaincy GMIM ~ Manchester Airport Team William Temple Foundation Oldham Town Centre Chaplaincy Middlebrook Chaplaincy Social Cohesion, Bolton
The Council meets quarterly to oversee the management of GMIM GMIM Treasurer: Mr James Callaghan If you would like to contribute to the work of GMIM and can offer any help or support at a practical level, GMIM would be pleased to hear from you. All enquiries should be directed to GMIM c/o: St Antony’s Centre, Eleventh Street, Trafford Park, Manchester M17 1JF. Registered Charity No: 1091274
Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
4
Annual Report 2008
St Antony’s Centre for Church & Industry By Kevin Flanagan, Director During the past year the Centre has continued to develop its training programmes to meet the needs of those facing redundancy or unemployment as a direct consequence of the economic crisis. The Centre is working in partnership with the GMB Reach Out Project, TUC Unionlearn and with local employers and employees. Together we have established a range of Learning Centres in employers‟ premises as well as initiatives to respond to urgent redundancy situations resulting in several hundred employees receiving special training and support in the run up to redundancy. The Wincanton Depot in Trafford Park sadly faced this situation earlier this year. The Centre Team responded by providing support and advice as well as a range of courses to assist the employees to gain new skills and employment opportunities.
the GMIM Team and Council as well as the development of Chaplaincies at Oldham Town Centre, which have progressed well, and the bringing together of the Bolton Social Cohesion Project as part of GMIM. Early in 2009 the Centre decided to open a new facility in Lancashire responding to the needs of Migrant Workers, especially the East European and Polish Community. The new Accrington Community and Training Centre (ACT Centre) based in Accrington was opened in August 2009.
During the year we continued to supervise the placement of Mike Aspinall as part of his Training for Ministry. Mike assisted in the production of a new resource pack for Churches in response to Workers Memorial Day. The information was used in Penzance with fishermen and in a major shopping A significant development has been the facility in the north east. Mike will be decision to formally close St Antony‟s Parish ordained in September 2009 and we wish him as a mass-going Centre on a Sunday due to well in his Ministry. the retirement of Fr Joe Carter who has been a significant player in Industrial Chaplaincy in Greater Manchester for the past 30 years. A separate article appears in this Report on the work of Fr Joe. The Centre Team along with members of the Greater Manchester Industrial Mission Team have paid tribute to his work and the contribution that St Antony‟s Parish made to Industrial Chaplaincy throughout its recent history. The Centre is in discussions around the future of Chaplaincy on the industrial estate as well as the development of the Parish of St Antony‟s as a Centre for Reflection, Worship and Chaplaincy in Trafford Park. The Church has been placed under the auspices of the Centre and its World of Work Apostolate. The Centre has continued to provide the administrative and team base for work with
Annual Report 2008
5
Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
Retail Chaplaincy in Ashton By Rev Bob Davies Many readers will be aware of the fire in May 2004 which destroyed in the interior of Ashton Market Hall. I have reported previously on the difficulties of traders, and the value placed on a chaplain‟s listening ear, after the move into the temporary Phoenix Market Hall.
talk about Chaplaincy. I use it as an opportunity to reinforce ASDA national policy of having store chaplains and to encourage trainees to enquire about a chaplain in their home store. Colleagues at ASDA do find the odd moment to chat. I have supported in bereavement and marriage breakdown as well as sharing the joys, for instance, of grandchildren.
The old Market Hall rebuilding and refurbishment was completed in Autumn 2008 and opened for trade on 28 November, just in time for Christmas trade. It was marked by busy work for all, with many traders employing extra staff to cope with the increase in customers.
2009 has brought new possibilities for chaplaincy in the town. The Anglican Parish of the Good Shepherd (5 churches covering much of the town) has appointed Rev. Roger Reece as a part-time missioner with the title „Town Centre Chaplain‟. Roger and I meet regularly to talk about our work and share ideas for the future.
In the weeks up to Christmas I was able to arrange for choirs from local church schools (one 90% Muslim) to entertain shoppers with Christmas music in the Market Hall. This continues the tradition of the past few years but in a new location.
Your continuing prayers are valued and bear fruit.
One of the intriguing aspects of the increase in business now the hall is open is that workers have less time for chatting with the chaplain. That is causing a rethink in approach and also scope of work. Fortunately the market office staff usually can find time for a few words, with shared stories of family and personal illness as well as relief at being „back home‟. Contacts in ASDA are maintained. The Ashton store is a „Store of Learning‟ where new department managers from across the North West go for a month‟s induction training. I am encouraged to drop in on the first day of each course to
Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
'
Security Guard keeps Chaplain chatting before police pounce'
6
Annual Report 2008
Greater Manchester Police Chaplaincy By Rev Charles Nevin The work of Chaplaincy continues across all Divisions of Greater Manchester Police.
the leader of the Black Apostolic Church. We hope to make some more appointments later in the year.
The new (or nearly new) Chief Constable Mr. Peter Fahy continues to inspire the staff with his particular focus on Community Policing. Mr. Fahy is also a committed Christian and a member of his local Roman Catholic Church. His faith is very real to him and he has spoken at a number of Christian led events including a major Building Communities event in the Wythenshawe Forum. Also on the 7th April he attended a Police service at Salford Cathedral presided over by the Bishop of Salford.
The work of the Police continues with particular emphasis on Community Policing and the Police Community Support Officers and perform a very effective role in this area. The Credit Crunch has impacted on robberies and burglaries of all types and the growth of Cannabis Farms in particular has added to the issues faced by today‟s Police Service. The GMP Police Chaplaincy continues to be part of the National Association of Chaplains to the Police and a national training course will be held in Manchester during October. The Vice President of NACP is Matt Baggott who was recently appointed to be Chief Constable of the Northern Ireland Police. The President Baroness Harris of Richmond joined us for a meeting of GMP Chaplains earlier in the year and at that same meeting we were also joined by the Chief Constable.
As many of you will be aware one of our longest serving Chaplains, Canon Joe Carter, was forced to resign through ill-health. Joe has been a Chaplain at Divisional and Headquarters levels and his gentle and supportive presence was welcomed by all members of the Police service from Constable to Chief Constable, and from Clerk to Director. On Maundy Thursday the 9th of April a number of us met at St. Antony‟s Presbytery where the Chief Constable joined us to present Joe with a commemorative scroll. It was a very special event and I know Joe appreciated the Chief taking time out of his day to visit Joe. We continue to recruit new Chaplains but are still looking to fill some gaps. A recent recruit at Force level has been Bishop Doyé Agama,
Annual Report 2008
7
Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
The Chaplaincy Story of 2008 By Rev Kevin Ball The Chaplaincy, a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, is going from strength to strength with its continued diversity and development.
Registered Company No: 3664008 Charity No: 1074781
providing input to Group literature and the Intranet and it is anticipated that there will be a training and familiarisation conference for the Group Chaplains in the North West this year.
This year it has completed a Continuing Ministerial Education session for A new Chaplaincy Centre will have been the British Isles and Eire Airport Chaplains at handed over to The Chaplaincy Team by the the Morley Retreat Centre. builders by the time this report is published which will mean a purpose built area for In order to serve the needs of all the Prayer, Work and Counselling. passengers and staff at the Airport negotiations are taking place in order that our multi faith The programme on BBC4 Airport Secret Lives response can be extended with further was broadcast and brought quite a reaction volunteer chaplains of other faiths due to the from people within and outside of the airport. extra flights to places such as Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi. It is also anticipated that we will Radio 4â€&#x;s Morning Service was broadcast increase the number of other Christian from Terminal 2 Prayer Room on Easter Monday and numerous interviews with the volunteer chaplains also. media have taken place. The Chaplaincy Team have provided assistance to those affected by the We have provided advice to retail, business restructuring exercise of some of the Airport and public bodies in relation to prayer rooms Companies and have been welcoming the new and chaplaincy services and continue to retailers that have recently opened for business provide training for people training for in the terminals following the completion of Christian Ministry and also the Senior Chaplain is involved in training Muslim the retail refurbishment. Chaplains at the Islamic Centre as part of their A number of Faith Leaders have been University Course. welcomed to the Airport including the Chief Rabbi the head of the Egyptian Coptic Church A new venture is the provision of blessings of and the President of the Methodist Conference marriages and renewal of marriage vows on board Concorde at the Concorde Centre. as well as other Bishops and church leaders. A holistic approach has now been agreed with the Occupational Health Doctor and practitioners in a joint Health, Human Resource and Chaplaincy provision for staff employed by Manchester Airport and associated companies. This will commence in the near future. As Chaplaincy to Group Headquarters we are now considering the Chaplaincy Provision across the Group and are
Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
8
Annual Report 2008
Concorde has been licensed for civil marriages and ceremonies for some time with the Manchester Registrar. A French couple travelled from Paris to renew their vows on board.
Daily Prayer at the airport sustains the Chaplains, staff and passengers who join together in the prayer room to pray and it is not unusual to have Christian, Jewish and Islamic prayer taking place at the same time in the prayer room and on leaving all sharing a The service took place in the back cabin with sign of peace. flowers and bows and service book with quiet music playing as they left the aircraft and a In addition to celebration drink of champagne or orange our normal juice before a tour of the aircraft. keeping of remembrance The Chaplaincy continues to tide this year work in partnership with The the team, Foreign and Commonwealth working in Office, The Forced Marriage p ar tn er sh ip Unit, UK Borders Agency, with The Concorde Centre; intend to produce a Ministry of Defence and other mini tattoo and festival of remembrance under Non Government Organisations who provide the wings of Concorde on 10th November. pastoral care and assistance for British During December in conjunction with retail it Citizens. This is a 24/7 responsibility and it is intends to produce “A Celebration of not unknown for all of the team to have been Christmas Home and Away� with the theme of out on call over a weekend and through the Christmas from areas of the world covered by night. airlines from Manchester involving music and The team continue to meet bereaved families drama from participants of schools and returning from holidays without loved ones or colleges around the area. who need to be told, on their return, that a The Manchester Enterprise Academy, of loved one has died. which Manchester Airport is the lead industry, A protocol has now been devised with the is being supported by staff from the Airport Chaplains working in partnership with North including the Chaplains in joining with other West Ambulance Service, Greater Manchester chaplains and ministers to provide mentoring Police, Airport Staff and Airline staff to deal and pastoral and spiritual support to staff and with incidents of passengers dying on board a students. flight inbound to Manchester.
Emergency Planning, Diversity Training, Dignity at Work, Hate Crime Reporting, Independent Advisory Groups, North West Regional Government, Black Clergy Association, IACAC, involvement with local churches, faith groups and local communities all go on but with so little time to tell it all.
Christian Pilgrimage Tours are greeted whenever the team are aware of the travel arrangements and work with the airlines to ensure a smooth and pleasant experience for the pilgrim. This is just a snapshot of what has been The team will soon be happening throughout the year as The looking at the provision for Chaplaincy Board, Group Chaplains and all Hajj flights as we have just colleagues in Chaplaincy have supported us. completed Ramadan and last season. The Team were involved in meetings with ACPO and the Home Office which resulted in there being no particular problems at Manchester last year.
Annual Report 2008
It has been such a thriving time for The Chaplaincy Team and they have enjoyed every minute particularly with the feedback being so positive and encouraging.
9
Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
Bolton
Bolton Town Centre Chaplaincy By Rev Alan Scantlebury
Changing Times: As we write this report, Town Centre the credit crunch is Chaplaincy having an impact on our „parish‟, the retail sector. In June a new link with Woolworth‟s staff began, with monthly visits by a new volunteer serving tea in the staff rest room over a lunch period. Unfortunately, the management changed in September, and since then the company has been in deep crisis. We pray for the staff who are undergoing a worrying time of uncertainty. This Christmas we tried to build on our Advent experience in Costa Coffee at Waterstones from last year. However, it was difficult for shop staff to attend as they are so busy at Christmas and often don‟t get a lunch break at all.
chaplaincy this year, and wish her every success as she takes up a full-time role as a college chaplain.
Chaplaincy Associates: There are three volunteer a s s o c i a t e chaplains: Pat Rea, URC lay worker, Dilys Tomkins, a Methodist lay worker and Revd Peter Waterson, an Anglican non-stipendiary priest. We are extremely grateful for their tremendous loyalty and hard work. We are always looking for more volunteers who have good pastoral skills, who are in good standing with their own faith community and who have an interest in workplace chaplaincy. Many people take up chaplaincy roles in order to test out and develop a calling to offer a ministry to the community. We have also appreciated the involvement of Mike Aspinall, a URC student minister on placement with us this year.
Throughout the year our team of volunteers has had regular fortnightly contact with approximately 80 retail outlets in the Town Centre. Conversations range from day to day pleasantries to family matters, from celebration of achievements to dealing with bereavement. One Travel Agency worker remarked “It really makes our day when you Chaplaincy Reflective: drop in!” In April, chaplains from different parts of Bolton (e.g. university, BWFC, hospitals and Changing Places: hospice) met again together to share good Following the closure of the Town Centre practice, resources and expertise. The focus Management Company, in May the Chaplain was on Community Cohesion. In preparation, moved from the Old Turkish Baths in Great each chaplaincy conducted its own audit and Moor Street to The Hub on Bold Street, where the data was analysed. The results showed we “hot desk” with the team from the what a major role chaplaincy plays in bringing Christian Community Cohesion Project. communities together, an issue high on the agenda for local and national government Changing Faces: Jean Hurlston moved on in September, and Alan Scantlebury was appointed as the new Chaplain in October. Alan previously served as a local church leader in Bolton and in May he joined the Christian Cohesion project. We thank Jean for all the work she has put into the
Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
Nite Café: Bolton has a vibrant night life when it comes to bars and clubs. After much discussion and consultation, a Night Time Café project was finally trialled over the summer of 2008. The three month pilot scheme began in July at
10
Annual Report 2008
Bank Street Unitarian Chapel, situated right in the heart of clubland! Open from 9.30 pm to 2.30 am each Saturday, volunteers in the Café served non alcoholic drinks, toast and teacakes, whilst offering a helping hand, a listening ear and a loving heart to revellers in distress. Between 30 and 40 people were referred to the Café by Police or Town Ambassadors over the three months. Plans are afoot to re-launch the project next year in a more sustainable and effective way. Meanwhile, in response to requests from the Police, the café re-opened for two weekends before Christmas.
Chaplaincy Partners and Funding: The initiative for the Chaplaincy began with Christians Together in Bolton Town Centre (CTBTC), and is supported by Bolton Council. Throughout the past five years, the Chaplaincy has grown and developed supported by the Churches & local Charitable Trusts.
To date this initiative has cost over £42,000 with, in addition, considerable help of „gifts in kind‟. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have contributed to the support and development of the Chaplaincy. The Chaplaincy is managed through Greater Manchester Industrial Mission (GMIM), a registered charity which draws together other Key Milestones of 2008: February Involved in leading sessions on the workplace chaplaincies such as the well Lent Course run by Christians respected Manchester Airport Chaplaincy. Together in Bolton Town Centre March Good Friday procession and Easter Management Group: Overseeing the operation of the Chaplaincy is celebration in Victoria square April Chaplaincy Reflective at Bolton a group comprising representatives from both the business and faith sectors, as listed below:University May Civic Service at Bolton Parish David Tomlinson Church Chair, Greater Manchester Industrial Mission Chaplaincy office relocation to the Hub Kevin Flanagan June Fund raising event for Burma and Director, Centre for Church & Industry, China in Victoria Square Trafford Park July Pilot for the Nite Café begins Rev Phil Mason (through to October) Superintendent Minister, October Nite Café evaluation Victoria Hall Methodist Mission November Recruitment drive for Nite Café volunteers Rev Dr Brian Tomkins December Costa Coffee Advent reflections Minister, Nite Café re-opens for Christmas Victoria Hall Methodist Mission by special request Phil Glanvill Chaplaincy Treasurer Tony Edisbury URC of St Andrew & St George Rev Philip Brooks Project Manager, Bolton Christian Community Cohesion
Annual Report 2008
11
Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
Oldham Town Centre Chaplaincy By Rev John Piper This year has seen the Oldham Town Centre Chaplaincy formally adopted by the GMIM Council as one of GMIM‟s supported projects. The Oldham project has been in close liaison with GMIM since it was born in 2006, but this formal adoption by the Council was an important milestone in the project‟s life. It recognised the ongoing development of the work in Oldham and, in particular, the establishment of a local management group including representatives from Oldham Town Centre Churches Together, the Oldham Interfaith Forum, and the local authority.
In the mean time, we use our limited resources as effectively as we can to meet, support and develop relationships with those who work in the town centre. Some of us have been working with Council officers and others develop a Credit crunch road-show that will operate over the next year. Also, as part of the town‟s Festival of Diversity this year, we staffed a stall in Spindles, the town‟s main shopping precinct, for three days. We had scores of interesting conversations and received over 100 prayer requests that were taken back to our own churches to be included in our prayers of intercession. One person returned one afternoon to tell us that the prayer request he had left in the morning had already been answered. „O ye of little faith‟! Isn‟t it amazing how, when we think we are being really brave and adventurous, we find that God is already there ahead of us?
The aims of the project remain as they were: to be a caring supportive presence for all those working in Oldham town centre – people of all faiths and none; to provide a „listening ear‟; to do what it can, as part of the Oldham town centre community, to enhance the working environment in the town; and to promote understanding between people of different faiths and none. There is great need for this work in Oldham and a great desire from all the faith communities to make it happen. It is regrettable that we are currently seriously constrained by the limited time available to the five current members of the chaplaincy team, who are doing this work on a very part time basis alongside their many other responsibilities. Thus, the main priority at the moment is to put together a „business case‟ that might enable us to attract funding for a paid co-ordinator post. This would enable us to recruit, train and support other people to operate as volunteer chaplains in the town centre.
Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
John Piper September 2009
PICTURED (from the left) are: Janet Appleyard, Jutta Kuhn, Edvin Nyathi and the Rev Rick Preston from the Oldham Baptist Church
12
Annual Report 2008
Middlebrook Retail Chaplaincy By Rev Wendy White The Chaplaincy at Middlebrook started as a pilot scheme to „test the water‟ for four months from April 2008. It was enthusiastically received by both retailers and management and consequently Revd Wendy White was ordained as the Ecumenical Co-ordinating Chaplain on 1st November 2008. It has been a busy year. A short Armistice Service which was designed to be accessible to both staff and shoppers was held on 11th November but most initiatives have been much less formal. Weekly visiting to the majority of stores at Middlebrook led to fascinating and challenging conversations. It also leads to a few surprises! (see picture!) In addition we have explored how to support stores during their peak times. This resulted in a pre-Christmas initiative encouraging shoppers to say „thank you;‟ to staff as they shopped, to offer „thank you‟ cards and to express their appreciation for particularly good service. Stores and staff appreciated this and several shop managers noted the „thank you‟s on staff records and ensured that staff efforts were recognised internally. In addition, as volunteers handed out cards to arriving shoppers for them to pass on we had many interesting conversations – shoppers were particularly impressed with the idea of churches working together and no donations being requested! At Easter the Park Management encouraged the chaplaincy to explore the possibility of being
Annual Report 2008
„visible‟ in the Park and Wendy undertook story-telling‟ based in various shops, entertaining children with a version of the events leading up to Easter through the eyes of the gardener ‟s children. It has also been a year for training. In the autumn the Chaplaincy supervised a placement for an Anglican OLM in training, which he survived and even enjoyed! In addition the chaplaincy has built into its founding documents the encouragement to involve churches in economic life and not to be distant from the work of the chaplaincy. As Wendy has been invited to preach, or lead worship, across local denominations there has been much interest and therefore through May to July there was a training course, based on IMA outlines, for anyone exploring the possibility of volunteering for the team. Also open to chaplains and explorers from the town centre chaplaincy this has resulted in six chaplains currently being introduced on Middlebrook with a seventh to come online after Christmas. This is enabling Wendy to extend the chaplaincy to other stores which the chaplaincy had not previously had the resources to gift. The interest has been such that there are plans to rerun the course in October for more people interested in being involved – which would enable the chaplaincy to be extended into the vast surrounding business park – which was always part of the original vision.
We noticed (bottom left hand corner) that perhaps Partyland was offering a surprising service!
13
It feels like a blessed, but whirlwind year. Over October we will be involved in the support for Cancer Awareness and then the cycle from November will start over again!
Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
Farewell to Fr Joe Carter The Annual Report for 2008/9 could not be complete without a tribute being paid to Fr Joe Carter who was part time Industrial Chaplain and Parish Priest of St Antony‟s Church, Trafford Park. Fr Joe became involved in Chaplaincy originally to the Police Service at Greymare Lane Police Station in the 1980‟s which was later developed as Chaplaincy to the Police Headquarters, Chester House in Old Trafford. He continued to serve as Chaplain to the Police up till 2009. Recently Chief Constable Peter Fahy made a presentation to Fr Joe in recognition of the service he has given to the Police and Chaplaincy in Greater Manchester.
further recognised by the Trafford Park Business Forum who appointed Fr Joe as their Chaplain.
Fr Joe was instrumental in helping to establish the St Antony‟s Centre for Church & Industry with the co-founder Kevin Flanagan, the present Director and a member of the GMIM Team. Throughout the late 1980‟s and „90‟s, Fr Joe served on the Trafford Park Development Corporation Community Liaison Committee, again reflecting the needs of the Churches and the community on the key issues of economic development. He worked for a number of years alongside the Rev Rowland Goodwin who was also appointed to serve on the Industrial Estate. The trio of Kevin, Rowland and Fr Joe were Fr Joe‟s Industrial Chaplaincy started when he significant influences on the development of the was curate in the Parish of St Alphonsus at Old area and key community links for churches and Trafford in the 1970‟s through his contact with people in the World of Work. Rev Brian Cordingly. When he was appointed Fr Joe throughout this time retained a very as the Parish Priest of St Antony‟s, Trafford active Parish of St Antony‟s despite the removal Park in 1975, he very quickly started to develop of the residents of the area in the early 1980‟s. a response to the needs of the community living The Parish continued to flourish with people in the heart of Trafford Park which were under drawn to the style of ministry and engagement threat of re-development and compulsory that Fr Joe offered. Many felt they had obtained purchase orders. Working with members of the a personal chaplain. Fr Joe‟s energies were community and local churches, he established unbounding with his service as the Chaplain to the Trafford Park Residents Association which the Centre for Church & Industry, as Chair of was to become a significant group representing the National Conference of Priests, Chaplain to the interests of local people as they dealt with the Salford Diocesan Young Christian Workers the consequences of re-development and the movement and for a period serving as YCW loss of their houses. He eventually joined the National Chaplain. He also served as the Greater Manchester Industrial Mission Council Chaplain to the National Catholic Lay and was Chaplain to the Kellogg Company of Association (NCLA). Great Britain which was later added to with Chaplaincies at Mr Kiplings Wythenshawe It is without doubt that the list of contributions Bakery, Brooke Bond later to become Fr Joe has made not only to the World of Work Batchelors Fine Foods and to Duerrs Jam but to the important area of the Adult Lay originally in Old Trafford. In the late 1980‟s a Apostolate and encouraging people to become video was produced by a team from the active in their own workplace, Trade Union or University of Manchester Media Studies Unit Community from a Christian perspective is which dealt with the work of Fr Joe as Chaplain significant. The Church as a whole and and Parish Priest in the area of Trafford Park Trafford Park in particular owes Fr Joe a “Industrial Strength”. The video captured very significant debt for his unstinting contribution to well the person centred approach of the serving people offering a great witness as a Chaplaincy that Fr Joe has always offered and Priest and Chaplain to people in work. the warm appreciation by local employees to his Fr Joe retired to Gainford in July 2009, we wish style of ministry and his commitment to walking alongside those in the World of Work. This was him every blessing for the future.
Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
14
Annual Report 2008
Bolton Christian Cohesion The Bolton Christian Community Cohesion BCCC development team is now in its second year under the revised Area Based Grant format. This past year has been a very exciting journey. There is now a staff team of five with an expanded work brief, reaching a much wider audience. BCCC is represented on numerous forums and partnership meetings across the Borough. This increase in knowledge, networking and involvement has served to highlight the valuable work of churches and Christian groups operating at grass roots level across Bolton.
The trail celebrates the positive aspects from the different faiths that unite us, rather than focusing on the differences that separate us. The project is supported by an active and committed management team. These are a group of church leaders across the denominations and leaders of Christian organisations in Bolton working together with GMIM. The practical help, skills and support this partnership brings, enables us be very effective in our endeavours as we seek to live out God‟s Kingdom.
Thank you GMIM for your much valued The current phase of funding ends in 2011 support. but the aim is to produce a five year strategic plan. There are two key objectives. The first focus is to empower our Christian partners with the right training, support and resources to practically help our neighbours here in Bolton, bringing back a sense of community and belonging to our neighbourhoods. A practical example of this has been the Xchange conferences which have been running throughout the year. One of these events focused on funding and volunteering. The aim was to empower the Christian community with the skills and information to locate the resources required for the community work it seeks to undertake. BCCC‟s other focus is to bring better understanding of the various aspects of the main faiths in Bolton. Through this interfaith working, barriers of misunderstanding can be broken down, enabling neighbours to live together in harmony through a shared understanding and a respect of each other‟s beliefs. This has been practically worked out in the successful faith trails which have been running predominantly for local schools. This is where pupils have the opportunity to learn about cohesion and faith communities by visiting a mosque, temple and church.
Annual Report 2008
15
Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
Meet the GMIM Team Rev Alan Scantlebury Area: Bolton Town Centre 07887 710690
Rev Brian Tomkins Methodist Area: Bolton Town Centre 01204 845 049
Rev Wendy White
Rev Kevin Ball Anglican Area: Manchester Airport 0161 489 2838
Area: Middlebrook Retail Park Rev Bob Davies Methodist Area: Ashton Town Centre 01457 837485
Rev Charles Nevin Anglican Area: Greater Manchester Police 0161 485 3397
Rev John Piper United Reformed Church Area: Oldham Town Centre 0780 156 1312
Rev Terry Simms Roman Catholic Area: Manchester Airport 0161 489 2113
Mr Kevin Flanagan Roman Catholic Area: Trafford Park And Trade Unions 0161 848 9173
Bolton Christian Cohesion Project Workers Nadine Waterhouse; Tracey Kane; Karen Openshaw and Caroline Wyke The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton BL1 1LS 01204 546 138
Rev Philip Brooks Project Manager
GMIM Office Address St Antonyâ€&#x;s Centre for Church and Industry Eleventh Street, Trafford Park, Manchester M17 1JF Tel: 0161-848 9173 ~ Fax: 0161-872 9480 E-mail: ~ www.stantonyscentre.org.uk
Greater Manchester Industrial Mission
16
Annual Report 2008