St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Rev'd John Hartley writes about his present job, as Minister of Hanford and Faith-in-the-City Officer.

Our new vicar's background

Dear Church Members,

Roger asked me if I’d like to write a “vicar’s letter”, but I think I shouldn’t do that until after the big day in May. But you’re probably wondering about me and my family: so I thought I’d write three short pieces before I arrive. We’re looking forward to coming! You’re probably wondering why I got chosen rather than some other vicar, and what experience I have relevant to Eccleshill? Here’s a bit about my present job.

Hanford is a little village on the edge of Stoke-on-Trent, one mile from junction 15 of the M6. It has a population of 3,182, one fifth of Eccleshill’s 16,009. The church had a lot of problems which I might tell you about sometime, but the first obvious fact was that the congregation numbered only 36, and was almost all elderly.

The 9.30am service was very formal, and there was nothing for children and young families. Believing in keeping the church together, we first tried to liven up the service by introducing children’s songs and an occasional all-age talk, but these didn’t really work: the families stayed at home, and the congregation felt uneasy at the loss of their traditional service.

So after about 6 months, we launched a new service at 11.00am. The traditional 9.30am service continued as before; but the new service had more modern hymns and songs, and either children’s activities during the sermon or an all-age talk. In fact, very similar to what you do at Eccleshill. I guess this is one reason I was shortlisted. Actually we don’t run the two services like that any more, because the death rate caught up with us and the 9.30am service became unviable.

Because the population of Hanford is below 6,000, it doesn’t warrant a full-time clergyman of its own - so the other part of my job is to be “Faith-in-the-City - Potteries Officer.” It means I go round Stoke and Newcastle helping churches to set up and run projects to reach out to needy areas of their communities, and to help them get money from the Church Urban Fund. So I’ll bet you can guess the other main reason I think I was shortlisted: somebody wants a vicar with some experience of work in places like Ravenscliffe.

Next month I’ll write a bit about my family. God bless until then!

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. March 2000, Page 3.
Home Page. Index of articles. New Vicar: background, his son, his holidays. In this issue: (March 2000) New Vicar, Bradford T&A.	Rev'd John Hartley writes about his present job, as Minister of Hanford and Faith-in-the-City Officer. Our new vicar's background Dear Church Members, Roger asked me if I’d like to write a “vicar’s letter”, but I think I shouldn’t do that until after the big day in May. But you’re probably wondering about me and my family: so I thought I’d write three short pieces before I arrive. We’re looking forward to coming! You’re probably wondering why I got chosen rather than some other vicar, and what experience I have relevant to Eccleshill? Here’s a bit about my present job. Hanford is a little village on the edge of Stoke-on-Trent, one mile from junction 15 of the M6. It has a population of 3,182, one fifth of Eccleshill’s 16,009. The church had a lot of problems which I might tell you about sometime, but the first obvious fact was that the congregation numbered only 36, and was almost all elderly. The 9.30am service was very formal, and there was nothing for children and young families. Believing in keeping the church together, we first tried to liven up the service by introducing children’s songs and an occasional all-age talk, but these didn’t really work: the families stayed at home, and the congregation felt uneasy at the loss of their traditional service. So after about 6 months, we launched a new service at 11.00am. The traditional 9.30am service continued as before; but the new service had more modern hymns and songs, and either children’s activities during the sermon or an all-age talk. In fact, very similar to what you do at Eccleshill. I guess this is one reason I was shortlisted. Actually we don’t run the two services like that any more, because the death rate caught up with us and the 9.30am service became unviable. Because the population of Hanford is below 6,000, it doesn’t warrant a full-time clergyman of its own - so the other part of my job is to be “Faith-in-the-City - Potteries Officer.” It means I go round Stoke and Newcastle helping churches to set up and run projects to reach out to needy areas of their communities, and to help them get money from the Church Urban Fund. So I’ll bet you can guess the other main reason I think I was shortlisted: somebody wants a vicar with some experience of work in places like Ravenscliffe. Next month I’ll write a bit about my family. God bless until then! John Hartley
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