This is the Parish Profile for St. Matthew and Nathanael’s.

It provides a snapshot of our church at a time when our vicar has retired, and we are looking forward to his replacement.

It sets out what we are like now and how we hope to be in the future. It also describes the sort of person we would like to be our new vicar.

There are many different kinds of people at St. Matthews, each one individual and unique. These are the people that make our church what it is. This profile is about all of them—many have contributed and all are included.

The parish is in the Kingsdown area of Bristol, on top of Cotham Hill overlooking the city centre. The area includes a very wide social mix, but is a predominantly white middle-class area.

The parish is close to the Bristol Royal Infirmary and Bristol University, and is within easy walking distance of the city centre.

Most of the parish is residential, mainly dating back to the Victorian expansion of the city. Many of the larger houses are converted into flats. There is relatively little modern development nearby.

The area has problems with crime, traffic congestion and parking, but overall it is a very attractive place to live and work.

A wide variety of people in the parish use our building in some way, and many are part of the congregation. Some also travel to St. Matthews from outside the parish—a few from considerable distances.

OUR BUILDING

Our church was built in the mid 1830’s to accommodate a growing population. It was originally a very tall church with galleries either side of a central space and traditional forwardfacing pews.

In 1989 the church was altered and a new floor was inserted at the same level as the galleries to create an upstairs worship area and a downstairs hall. The pews were removed and a wide central staircase was added, along with a lift and other improvements.

The building is now very flexible and allows for different kinds of worship, groups and meetings. Just over a year ago, the east window was restored. Some stonework was replaced and the stained glass was re-leaded. During this work, problems with the roof were noticed—some of the roof truss ends had been eaten away by death-watch beetle and urgent repairs were needed.

The church building is now in good condition internally although further expensive work is needed to put the whole roof in good order. Externally much of the masonry is weathering badly and needs repointing, and other windows need attention.

THE VICARAGE

The vicarage associated with St. Matthews is in nearby Redland. It is a substantial family home with room for church meetings.

For a while the vicarage is being lived in by the new vicar of St. Stephens in central Bristol. He and his family will eventually move into a new city centre flat. The Diocese will then decide what to do with the vicarage.

SERVICES

There is a service every Sunday morning and evening. One of these is always a Communion service. About once a month the morning service is for all ages together. There is a crèche available for babies and toddlers, and Sunday School for children up to the age of 11. Older children have a group called n:counter.

As we don’t have our own vicar, we rely on our Lay Ministers to prepare services, with help from other members of the congregation. For Communion services we are supported by visiting clergy, either from neighbouring parishes, Trinity Theological College or elsewhere in the Diocese.

MEMBERS of the TEAM

Whilst we don’t have a vicar, our Churchwardens have overall responsibility for the church, on behalf of the Bishop. They are supported by the PCC, the Lay Ministers, and a team of staff and helpers.

The Wardens and the Lay Ministers meet every week and offer support to all of the other group leaders and helpers that contribute to the running of the church.

There are many people involved in running the church—people who look after the building, singers and musicians, people who provide pastoral care, youth and children’s leaders and helpers, prayer coordinators, and many, many more.

GROUPS and ORGANISATIONS

The following groups are part of St. Matthew’s:

PCC and Standing Committee
Missions Committee
Building Committee
Technology Group
Deanery and Diocesan Representatives
Focus Group
Lay Ministers Group
Worship Group
Music group
Choir
Pastoral Group
Prayer Planning Group
Home Groups
Link Groups
Youth Club
Playgroup
Sunday School
N:counter
Reflections
Tuesday and Friday Toddlers
Saturday Playtime
Bell Ringers
Tea and Chat

The following also use our building:

German Playgroup
Bristol and Avon Archaeological Trust
The Liberal Democrats
Brownies
Guides
City of Bristol Choir
Phoenix Choir
Exultate Choir
And numerous charities, organisations and individuals who use our building for one-off events.

PARTNERSHIPS

We have formed a partnership with neighbouring churches St. Paul’s (Clifton) and Cotham Parish, and plan to develop this further.

This partnership is an expression of our wider Anglican family. It also allows us to share resources and ideas, and to achieve more than we could do on our own, in particular in shared mission.

In September 2005 we agreed a joint statement with out partner churches – shown opposite.

We are also part of a wider cluster of local churches – all in the area north of the city centre. We plan to develop these relationships as well.

FINANCES

Our Treasurer has had a difficult job since he took over the role last year. The 2005 budget had not envisaged the extent of repair works necessary and so our expenditure far outweighed our income.

We had 2 gift days during the year and our congregation was very generous in its support. We also received the promise of some grant support from English Heritage.

Unfortunately we were unable to pay our full Parish Share in 2005 and barely managed to close the year without a deficit.

We hope that 2006 will make less demands on our limited income.

MISSION

We commit 10% of our general giving to mission. We provide support, both financially and in prayer to several different people, including:

Peter Kent: Street evangelism with Europe Now in France.

Jo Withers: Training on a TIMO (Training in Ministry Outreach) team in Mozambique.

Richard and Kara Thompson, with Kristi, Kyle, Cody & Cady: involved in street outreach & training young people in evangelism with YWAM in USA.

Colin and Roni Jackson: with A Rocha Kenya—conservation and communication

Adrian and Jane Shutt with Ben, Rebecca, Bethany & Robert: Working as a surgeon at Kisiizi hospital in Uganda.

Ruan & Lisa Crew with Emily, Hannah & Tim: supporting OMF work in Asia, based in the Netherlands.

Church Pastoral Aid Society: Training and resourcing church and youth work in the UK.

Busoga Trust: Providing wells for safe drinking water in Uganda.

VISION

St. Matthews includes a wide range of people, from different places and backgrounds.

Some at St. Matthews have studied the Bible over many years, and some are hearing Gods word for the first time. We welcome everyone and hope to share in our Christian journey together as a church and as part of the wider Anglican community.

We want to:

OUR NEW VICAR

We would like our new vicar to:

We know that our new vicar may not be full-time, and may have significant commitments elsewhere. We hope that this will be an opportunity to develop our existing partnerships and to make new ones.

We would hope that our new vicar’s role is well defined at the outset, but also flexible enough to adapt to future plans.

OUR CONGREGATION

This profile is about our church, and in particular its people.

Everyone at St. Matthew’s has been invited to contribute to this profile and to say what St. Matthew’s is to them. What they said is included on the following pages.

The family of God at St. Matthew’s is like any family—it has its ups and downs, sadnesses and joys—but essentially it is united at its core, and that core is Jesus Christ.
St. Matthew’s is—my parish church! It is/should be at the heart of the community, a tremendous asset to be used for the benefit of all.
I like St. Matthew’s because it is very welcoming and friendly. It is a very active church which seeks to serve God in the community.
St Matts is…an extended family…a place of healing…filled with happy memories…full of friends…solace at the end of a tiring week…a Youth Club…where we got married…a chance to share faith with Young and Old…a place of food and wine…a chance to give in return for some of what we've received…where our children were christened…where we said goodbye to friends…a place for adventures…a time of prayer…a place of music…a Church.
St. Matthew’s is an inclusive fellowship—not boring—blessed with a hardworking team of lay ministers and director of music. With the music group, intercessors, readers and dramatic personae we are given much to think about, and time to think in the different types of service. It is good to worship the Lord in this fellowship, and to learn about Him. We do need to look more to outreach.
St. Matthew’s is my parish church and therefore this is the church I attend.
St. Matthew’s embraces an excellent mixture of anglocatholic and evangelical traditions. Worship includes thought-provoking sermons, lively drama, a variety of music and quiet reflection. Becoming acquainted with the Bible is encouraged. The church welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds. You can take part in as much or as little as you want. No-one tries to force you to do anything you don’t want to do.
St. Matthew’s is a place which feels comfortable.
In reflecting on what we are like as a church I'm struck, as always, by what a diverse bunch we are: as people, in our church traditions and our spirituality. In this perhaps we reflect the wider Anglican Church, of which we are part, and it means that we have to work out how we live with our diversity and what it is to love each other—sometimes tough but real. I value our worship and the liturgy which holds to the richness of our Anglican tradition yet is flexible and fresh. I think, as a church, we are at a really exciting point in our journey with God.
If St. Matthews was a car, it would be a people carrier. Quite a fancy one—maybe even a bit sporty—a limo at a wedding one day, a van for moving on another—and always room for more!
St. Matthew’s is managing very well during the interregnum period. This has proved an opportunity for several members of the congregation to use their gifts and talents. No doubt it has involved many in a great deal of work in planning and organising the services and other activities, but all seems to be running smoothly & to good effect. I just hope the leaders are not too exhausted.
St. Matthew’s is good at organising events.
St. Matthew’s is caring and positive about young people.
St. Matthew’s has two main attractions for me; the opportunities for worship using a variety of hymns and songs both old and new & accompanied by excellent music and singing. Also, I thoroughly enjoy the fellowship of my home group where I now have the confidence to speak freely and to learn.
St. Matthew’s is—love, friendship, support. Traditional but alive with the Spirit.
St Matthew's is…accepting…at an exciting new beginning…open to a varied expression of worship
I want St. Matthew’s to be a place where I am, and we are, regularly stimulated and challenged in my/our beliefs and life as a Christian.

MORE INFORMATION

We hope that this parish profile has been helpful.

For more information please contact us on any of the following:

St. Matthew’s Church, Clare Road, Kingsdown, Bristol BS6 5TB, England Telephone:0117 944 1598

Email:

… or why not come and visit us?