Mission Action Plan
for the Parish of
St Mary Magdalene, Enfield (18.28)

Introduction

The Parish of St Mary Magdalene (SMM) entered a new period of ministry after the retirement of the Reverend John Sampford in January 2001, and the arrival of The Reverend Gordon Giles in January 2003. In January 2004, a Parish weekend away was held at Launde Abbey, with a brief to hold discussions and envision a new Mission Action Plan.  This document emerges from those discussions and from the observations and hopes of the present incumbent. It is very much a working paper, intended as both a snapshot and a spur to future ministry and development for all involved in the parish and community. The MAP is launched in summary form at a special event at Pearson's Department Store, Enfield in May 2004, and will be available thereafter. Periodically specific elements will feature on the Agenda of the PCC, and the MAP will be reviewed annually.

Background: The Church and Parish

The 2001 census data tells us that the parish of SMM has a population of 5496 people. The geographical area covered by the parish extends from Enfield Chase Station to Chase Farm Hospital, taking in Enfield Golf Club and part of Bycullah Road, and area of 130 hectares. In April 2004 the electoral roll stands at 184 people.  91% of the parishioners are white, 4% Asian and 2% black. Those aged between 30 and 44 make up nearly a quarter of the parish population.
52% are females, and 47% of everybody are married, and only 7% are separated or divorced. Another 8% are widowed. 70% of the population of this parish have described themselves as Christian. 20% didn't say what religion, or said they are of no religion, which leaves about 10% from the other faiths put together. This racial and creedal mix is not generally typical of the Borough of Enfield as a whole. 

The congregation of SMM does contain a few members of other ethnic backgrounds. A significant proportion of the congregation do not actually live in the parish, and it must also be realised that there are Christians in the parish who worship elsewhere.

There is no school in the parish. Children of the parish have to apply to St Andrew's or St Michael's School if they wish to attend a Church School. Attendance at SMM has, with only one exception, proved sufficient for admission to these schools. In 2001 there were about 700 school age children living in the parish. The housing in the parish in invariably owner-occupied, either in large houses, or, increasingly in flats and apartments, which have replaced some of the older, large houses. Even these new flats are very expensive to buy. There is a parade of shops and a small supermarket at the bottom of Windmill Hill.

The parish church is situated at the top of Windmill Hill, on the junction with Slades Hill and The Ridgeway. This is a commanding position, and the tall spire is a local landmark, visible from the M25. At night the recently rebuilt tower is lit up, at parish expense.  Built by Butterfield in 1883, the church also has architectural merit (Grade 2* listed), and has an attached Hall and Vestry complex. The church can accommodate about 250 people, and is usually more than half-full at the Sunday 10am eucharist. A number of times a year the church is full, at high seasons and for baptismal services. Concerts also take place, both as a regular second Wednesday of the Month event, and also on an occasional basis. In 2004 Fauré's Requiem was performed with local support, and the choristers of St Paul's Cathedral came and sang Evensong in the church, which was full on both occasions.

Neither the Church nor the Hall have any parking facilities, although local side roads often suffice. Various groups use the Hall, including a Bridge Club, Playgroup, Yoga group and other smaller groups.  Occasional bookings also occur, and the Hall is a resource for parish activities and fundraising events. The Hall is managed by a committee, answerable to the PCC, and is a centre for certain local community activities. The recently formed Fabric Committee of the PCC take responsibility for the upkeep and restoration of the Church and Hall, while the Memorial Garden is administered by a separate committee (chaired by the Vicar), who maintain a certain degree of financial independence as trustees of the Memorial Garden, in which ashes are interred on a regular basis. The PCC itself meets six or seven times a year (usually on a Sunday evening after Evensong), each meeting being preceded earlier in the week by a meeting of the Standing and Finance Committee. Members serve for three years, and must take a year off before being re-elected. Essential members can be co-opted. Churchwardens serve on the same basis, which means that two out of three years, a new churchwarden is required.  This means that many people have served in office in the church and there is a wealth of experience and knowledge around. The parish does not employ anyone as secretary or administrator, but a member of the congregation very generously gives a morning a week to assist the Vicar in the preparation of service sheets etc. A Parish Office was created in the Vicarage in 2003, at the suggestion of the Vicar, and it is well furnished with Risograph Machine, Computer, wireless network and photocopier. This room although part of the Vicarage can be accessed separately, and the privacy of the Vicar's home can be ensured. The parish has a very well-produced website: www.saintmarymagdalene.org.uk.

A Stewardship Committee takes responsibility for annual stewardship campaigns, a concern which involves not only fundraising, but the annual trip to Launde Abbey, and other Parish Pilgrimages (A Pilgrimage is journeying around to Turkey in October 2004). The finances of the church have been well-managed in recent years, and SMM invariably offers and makes a contribution to the Diocese of London that exceeds the cost of clergy for the parish.  The PCC owns a house in Comreddy Close, which is currently let. The PCC also have a Social Responsibility Committee, who organise Christian Aid and other charitable activities, also links with The Children's Society; and also a Children's Committee who organise the Sunday School programme. Another, Planning Committee, oversees and arranges social events and trips that take place several times a year. The PCC has a child protection policy and is currently implementing the new regulations concerning CRB checking.

The Church is proud of its musical tradition, having an enthusiastic, but sometimes depleted Choir. The choir is sometimes increased by local 'extras', particularly at Christmas-time, and it is hoped to do this more often. The church organ is in good condition, and is maintained properly. A Children's Music Group meets on most Sundays during term-time, immediately after the 10 service, and the children often lead a hymn or two at Family Communion. Recently an older music group has also contributed to the music at the eucharist.  Lunchtime Concerts take place on the second Wednesday of each month and are often well-attended.

Bell ringing is popular and accomplished at SMM, and the newly restored tower and brand new bells, attract other teams to come and ring.  Each Sunday morning, at weddings and other occasions, the bells are rung, and a high standard of bell ringing is maintained. From time to time a peal is rung, and a board duly commissioned.

The SMM Drama Group celebrated its fortieth anniversary in 2003, and still presents a dramatic production twice a year, performing it on three evenings. It has a separate committee, but the Vicar is the President and links with the congregation are very strong.

A Fellowship Group, mostly made up of older people, meets monthly in the Hall, usually with a guest speaker, or sometimes a service in church. On three Wednesdays a month, a light lunch is served to those who drop in. There is also a church-based rambling group, who walk together once a month. A Bible Study Group meets on Monday evenings, and other groups meet periodically for courses: in Lent 2004 up to thirty people met weekly for a Lent course.

The parish still runs computer courses. These are low priced, originally having been create with school-excluded children in mind. The course are now more often subscribed to by retirees, but a couple of courses usually take place each year.

A Parish Magazine is produced monthly, and does well for contributions and material. Special publicity is produced at Christmas and Easter and is distributed through letterboxes and at shops and the railway station in the parish.

The parish has had for a few years, a ministry of healing, exercised through a group of volunteers. This has evolved into the Prayer and Care Group, who meet monthly to pray for those who are sick or bereaved, or who simply ask for a bit of prayerful care or support. This group forms the pastoral heart of the parish, and represents a considerable lay ministry exercised in the community on a daily basis. The Group also organise and lead Healing Services in the Church, two or three times a year. As well as the Vicar (and Curate, in due course), one of the two retired clergy in the parish has a key role in this group.

A recent development is the link that the parish has with the 'Imagine' charity in Mozambique. Members of the congregation are involved in a separate giving scheme, to a project which is nurtured through personal links that parishioners have with charity workers in that part of the world.  Banners have recently been commissioned from artists in Mozambique, with whom we have links. (This arrangement is not actually part of the Diocese's ALMA link scheme).

In the past, the parish has supported a Mothers' Union and a Youth Club, but neither exist at the moment. Similarly the Mother and Toddler Group no longer exists, but may revive. The Playgroup is run independently in the Hall, but they come into church at least once a term for a brief service with music. The so-called 'Baptismal Group' no longer exists.

The liturgy of the church avoids extremes, and attracts a broad base of worshippers. The BCP is used at the Thursday morning Communion Service, and sometimes at Sunday Evensong or Monday Mattins. The 8am and 10am services on Sunday mornings employ the Common Worship material.  Common Worship was evidently introduced sensitively and creatively, and so a good range of the new material is used in the course of the year. Seasonal variation is very much the current theme. In 2003 a Family Eucharist was constructed and introduced, again using Common Worship material, and this has attracted the local cubs and beaver groups to attend on the second Sunday of the month (generally).

Extensive lists of people exist for readers and about fifteen people take their turn as intercessors. There are many Sidesmen who do regular duty, although little if any provision is provided at 8am and Evensong.  Coffee is invariably provided after the 10am service, and the Church holds a license for a Bar. There is a group of Church Cleaners, but their numbers are dwindling (this needs to be addressed). Lay people always administer the chalice at Holy Communion. A devoted and experienced group of Servers cover every main service, and the group includes three young people. The parish welcomes a female NSM curate in June 2004. Recently students from Oak Hill College have been attached to St Mary Magdalene's, and this link will hopefully continue, as will a link with the NTMTC.

With very few exceptions, baptisms take place within the context of the Family Communion on the second Sunday of the month. This can result in a very full church, which is a joy to behold. Baptism families are always visited, but there is not a great deal of follow-up going on, other than with those who attend church regularly or occasionally. In 2003 there were eight confirmation candidates, two of whom have subsequently been elected onto the PCC. Funerals in church are quite rare, and there are not as many as might be expected taking place from the parish at the local crematoria. There has been a noticeable increase in weddings recently, and couples are tending to come to church as well. Several couples have joined the electoral roll and attend accordingly. The SMM team of skilled arrangers, who are a real asset to the church, usually does wedding flowers and there services are now charged for on a more realistic basis, as are the choir, virger/sacristan and bell ringers. 

Candles are always available for people to light in prayer, and are extensively used. The Church grounds and garden are well cared for, looked after both by the Memorial Garden Committee and gardener, and by the Parish Pump.

Within the parish there are various sets of sheltered accommodation, such as Ingleborough; Spring View, a residential home, at which about a dozen of the residents attend a monthly home communion service; Arnold House, a Leonard Cheshire Home; and the North London Nuffield Hospital. Individuals are taken communion both regularly, and as the need arises. Chase Farm and Kings Oak Hospitals are just outside the parish.

In the last year a Disability Audit has been carried out, and some projects identified. These include another handrail at internal steps, and an external sloped access to the Hall. Some furniture was moved slightly within the Church to facilitate wheelchair manoeuvrability. An Asbestos check is imminent. The Sound System has been recently improved.

SMM is part of the Enfield Deanery, and shares in a newly-formed 'Cluster' Group with St Michael's, St Andrew's, Jesus Church, and St John's/St Luke's. The Chaplain of Chase Farm Hospital is also part of this informal, friendly group.  SMM is also part of the North-West Enfield Group of Churches, and ecumenical council of churches, which does not include the town centre churches. Ecumenical services are held each year, usually at Pentecost and two other occasions. The main ecumenical event of the year takes place as an act of witness on Good Friday, with silent procession through the town centre.  SMM has good and friendly links with neighbouring churches. There is a Mormon Church situated in the parish, but there is little contact there.

St Mary Magdalene's Church seeks to be a centre of Christian worship, spirituality, prayer and action located at the heart of the local community that is defined by the parish boundaries. We seek, through praise, preaching, and prayer, to share the faith with all whom we encounter. We want to speak of Christ to our community in a welcoming way that is also grounded in reality, encouraging, loving and valuable.  We believe that all have a part to play in our common life, and seek through friendship, fellowship, care and prayer to minister the light and love of Christ in every possible situation. Through our links in the wider world we hope to take an active part in international affairs, especially where there is poverty, danger or injustice. We hope that the love and care found in our midst can attract and infect others, so that they may turn to Christ, and be joined in fellowship with him and his people.

An area in which we are fortunately assisted by parishioners, but also in need of expert, efficient and clear advice concerns the maintenance and restoration of our buildings. Getting work approved and carried out seems to be un unnecessarily long-winded process, and we would value some more support in these areas.

Budget

We are currently very fortunate in that the parish finances are expertly and sensitively administered by the PCC by the good offices of our Honorary Treasurer. A Fabric Fund has recently been established, and this earmarks monies for building works, which loom in the coming years.  Some centralisation of funds has recently taken place, to make our accounts more 'transparent', and this process is very much in hand.  Future budgeting is envisaged.

The structure of the Church is basically sound, and the Tower Restoration in the 1990s was an excellent job well done. It is our hope and delight to support the Diocese as much as we reasonably can, but we are aware of our limitations and would not wish to overstep them. We are by no means complacent about our financial situation, and there are always careful measures that can be taken, and we keep a close watch on issues of stewardship and giving, while always holding to the truth that stewardship is not always or exclusively about financial gifts. We hold regular collections for external charities, and many in the congregation are separately committed to the 'Imagine' project in Mozambique.

In terms of future budgeting, we have for many years been desirous to restore the interior of the Chancel to its former glory. It is becoming clear that the church heating system needs attention, and possibly replacement. A need for new hymn books has also recently been identified.  We would always hope to meet costs such as these, but always welcome advice on grants and potential sources of funding. We may need some assistance with a youth worker, especially if the Deanery Youth Initiative (EDY) yields any rewards that we might build upon.

Appendix (Review of October 2005)
Future Plans Update 2005

While school links have almost dried up, we have been able to foster links with a local award winning nursery school, and are delighted to be launching a Youth Club in October 2005. This has emerged from a confirmation class group, and will hopefully attract other young people. It was a vision expressed last year, that our younger children would grow into a youth club, and this seems to have happened.

In recent months we have experienced a major increase in Weddings, which has brought contact with people, income and of course, lots of work for many people. A typical wedding, with all the trimmings involves twenty four people from the parish, but the enthusiasm for assisting with choir, bells, flowers etc has not waned significantly. Personal contact and parties for wedding couples are very popular and are appreciated, and some couples remain with us after their wedding day has passed. The increase in the number of weddings allied to the commitment in time the clergy invest in them can produce workload issues, but these are not insurmountable. Baptism enquiries continue to be made, and baptisms usually take place within the context of main Sunday eucharistic worship. With the very welcome arrival of a Curate our Funeral ministry has blossomed and the fees we now pass onto the Diocese reflect this encouraging development. Relationships with Funeral Directors in the Borough have not always been satisfactory, but the situation has improved over the last year or so. Confirmation classes remain a feature of our teaching programme, with 11 candidates, both adults and young persons studying and being confirmed together.

Confirmation Classes are demanding, especially as general Christian knowledge diminishes, but we are continuing to address this with additional ‘Emmaus’ style courses, and Lent and Advent Study courses. A brand new Bible Study group was launched in September 2005, with about a dozen members. Relations with Middlesex University students is a bit haphazard and depends on approaches from them.

One student made a recording in the church in 2005 and a dance troupe made a video in 2004. We have learned that this is not really a priority, but we are alert to any potential that particular situations might bring.

Having students from Oak Hill Theological College has been very rewarding and they have been a great asset so far. As well as benefiting from their enthusiasm, talents and friendliness, we like to think we are making a valuable contribution to their preparations for ordination in the Church of England. An even greater delight has been the arrival of Jackie Fish our Curate, priested at St Mary Magdalene’s in July 2005. She has brought us skills, experience and a personality will all value and appreciate. Issues over the ordination of a woman to the priesthood have been few and far between and sensitivity and generosity have prevailed. We think that a total of three people have moved elsewhere in consequence of a development that most others have found exciting and rewarding.

The Choir continue to sing on Sundays and special occasions, and maintain a loyalty and commitment that is admirable. Other music in the church also flourishes, and we have had a number of high quality concerts from outside groups.

The Fabric of the Church remains an important issue. At last in July 2005 the coping stones on the Hall roof were repaired, but the ladies’ toilet ceiling then collapsed. Discussion with the architect and contractors continue, but some changes and new approaches are certainly necessary and imminent. The garden has been improved at the front, but the rear garden needs attention and care. Tree felling has taken place in recent months and continues, with a view to improving our environment. We do need however, to address more serious environmental issues in our corporate life. The heating was completely replaced in Church and Hall after it broke down in the summer of 2004, and we are grateful for Diocesan assistance in this matter. It had not been envisaged as a ‘plan’ for 2004/5, but emergency action was required and the job was done.

While the electoral roll remains steady, and there seem to be more people on the fringes of our church life, our main Sunday attendance seems to have dropped slightly. This may be because of an increasing trend to travel at weekends and take holidays over longer periods, and it is of course also due to the fact that in the 2004/5 period we lost about a dozen regular worshippers who died. As well as being sad for us all, their passing highlights the inherently regenerative nature of our local community and reminds us that mission must never be far from our the forefront of all of our activities. With this in mind we are building links with local estate agents whenever a site is developed, with a view to gaining access to new mini-communities as they form.

Appendix (Review of March 2007)
Church Urban Fund Toolkit

We experimented with a resource from the CUF, and according to agreed figures we entered, learned that our ‘footfall’ is 27, 564 and our estimated total contribution to the local area is valued at £154, 290 and the monetary contribution to the parish we make is £114, 900. 482 people are in regular contact with our church and 102 children. 6-7% are from minority ethnic groups.

Action Sheet Update 2007

As recommended by the Diocese’s approach to Mission Action Planning, strategies and deadlines for action were considered, and since 2005 the picture is as follows (tasks in bold have been completed, tasks in italics are new, and other item are ongoing, requiring further attention. Some goals have changed in priority.

Fabric
Establishment of a parish office – mid 2003
Re-lay Pathway around South Side of Church – Fabric Committee/memorial
Garden Committee – Summer 2004.
Handrail commissioning and installation – Autumn 2004
Hall roofing repairs – Fabric Committee/DAC – Summer 2005
Integration and Clarity of parish funds and finances – end 2004
Church Cleaning rota – mid 2006
New heating system – Summer 2004
More security on church locks and efficient distribution of keys – Autumn 2004
Implementation of minor features of Disability Audit – Summer 2004
Pigeonholes for cong. at back of church – Easter 2005
A signalling system for the Bell Tower – Spring 2007
Front Garden tidying – begun but ongoing – Spring 2005
Under stage clearout/tidying – end 2005
More concerts in church – 2005 and ongoing
Fire Precautions – Alarms/Understage ceiling/lighting end 2007
Organ tidy-up/improvement - 2007

Ministry
New Chapel cruet, linen etc. – Spring 2005
Short Courses – continuing – end 2004 and beyond
Taize worship – mid 2005 and ongoing
Launde Abbey weekends – early 2004 and ongoing
Enhanced Choir – ongoing
CRB checking – Section X Checker and others – end 2004 and ongoing
A rota for a member of the PCC to be on duty each Sunday with a specific brief for welcoming newcomers – Autumn 2007
Youth club launched – Autumn 2005
Bible Study group relaunched Autumn 2005
Bolstering of Sunday Evening Worship (Gospel Evening Praise – Autumn 2006
Beginning a link with the Missions to Seafarers in Tilbury – Summer 2006
Focussed involvement with NWEGC and Cluster Group churches - ongoing
Parish Pilgrimage to Turkey – Autumn 2004 Parish
Pilgrimage to Egypt – early 2006
Parish Pilgrimage to Santiago – June 2008
Young people’s music group - 2006
Improved connection with Scouts etc - 2006

Fabric
Remedial maintenance work – Fabric Committee/Architect – end 2007 ongoing
Photos of PCC etc ‘Rogues Gallery’ end 2005
New Signage – mid 2006
Disabled Access/toilets in Hall – Fabric Committee – end 2008
Rear Garden improvements – end 2008
Environmental Audit – end 2008
Inclusion of ‘experts’ on committees – mid 2007
Sound system overhall
Lighting system overhall
Comreddy Close fabric audit 2007

Ministry
New Hymn Books – deferred from 2005 until absolutely necessary – April 2006
Mothers’/Toddlers’ Group – 2005-6
Full computerisation of Magazine – mid 2005
Create Publicity Team and bolster magazine circulation and advertising.
Revise role of Events/Social/Planning Team – mid 2005
Choral Evensong at least annually - 2005
Systematic approach to new properties in the area, esp. flats (eg. creation of a visiting team) – begun, but ongoing
Banners in church – end 2004-2008 - begun, but ongoing
Ongoing Sunday School development – significant improvement mid 2006
Continuing development of Parish Webpage

Fabric
Chancel Restoration – Fabric Committee/DAC – 2015?
Restoration of Butterfield Altar Cloths – 2010?
South Clerestory Windows – if necessary – 2010?

Ministry
Oberamagau - 2010
Active Youth Group – from 2006
A Lay Reader
A Music Group of older, experienced musicians

Other ideas:

Opening the Church to passers by more regulary - 2008
Revive/create Prayer Group
Revive Mothers’ Union - 2008
Badges for Church Wardens and welcomer to wear