About us

Some of us have been here pretty well all our lives. Some of us are new to this church, some are new to the Christian faith.

We try to work as a family together, supporting one another - and knowing our differences!

In January 2004 Ordsall Parochial Church Council agreed to join the Inclusive Church Network, and signed up to this statement:

We affirm that the Church's mission, in obedience to Holy Scripture, is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in every generation.

We acknowledge that this is Good News for people regardless of their sex, race or sexual orientation.

We believe that, in order to strengthen the Gospel's proclamation of justice to the world, and for the greater glory of God, the Church's own common life must be justly ordered.

To that end, we call on our Church to live out the promise of the Gospel; to celebrate the diverse gifts of all members of the body of Christ; and in the ordering of our common life to open the ministries of deacon, priest and bishop to those so called to serve by God, regardless of their sex, race or sexual orientation.

We made this decision following discussion in the PCC and across the congregation. This doesn't mean that everyone in the church (or even on the Church Council) will all be 100% happy with such a statement or commitment.

Nonetheless as a parish we wish to affirm our openness to all who wish to worship with us - locally or across the world (and recognising that every church has its limits).

ANNUAL REPORT - PRIEST IN CHARGE 2008

I will be leaving the parish at the end of April and I would like to record my very deep gratitude to all those in the parish who have consistently supported cared and prayed for me through the almost 12 years I have been here.

The first half of my ministry seemed busy, purposeful, and cheerful. Some of that continued into the second half, but in these last few years there have also been some significant challenges to deal with.

Those troubles are now behind us and I have every confidence that Ordsall faces a strong and ebullient future in its worship, it’s mutual care and in looking outward to the community around us.

The pattern of worship has remained largely unaltered during the year. I continue to be grateful to Frank Beech, to Tony Kerswill and to the Readers for regularly leading worship and I know they will continue to do so.

The PCC is well organized and led and its working groups have shown themselves to be competent and capable of dealing with all aspects of Church life. The groups will continue during the vacancy and I am confidant there will be no loss of momentum.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to so many people, and I’m sorry there isn’t more space to thank all of you by name.

My thanks especially to Barbara and to John as wardens and to all those who have served as churchwardens over the last 12 years.

Thanks to Collin and to Jean for their faithful, unstinting, and often unsung contributions to the worshipping life of the parish.

Thanks to Tony, Brian, Richard, Peter and all involved in administration of the church.

And thank you to everyone whose contributions to the life of the church over the last decade and more have helped make it the vibrant, friendly, caring place that it is.

COMMUNICATIONS GROUP-Annual report 2008

The group met mainly to plan and organise Flyers and Posters for the Flower Festival 2007 and 2008, giving information about the Flower Festival Week-end and the Parish Christmas Card for 200, advertising Christmas Services.

This information is sent to people on the Electoral Roll, CEE Magazine, local newspapers, the Parish Magazine, weekly news letter, local flower clubs, other churches in the deanery, local and town shops, library, schools and Retford Tourist Information Office.

A "parish diary" for 2007/2008 was produced by the Worship Group for each member of the PCC giving dates of Group Meetings, PCC and Standing Committee.

A "parish diary" for 2008 has recently been produced and distributed. This gives dates of Special Services and Events.

Other good sources of communication have been emailing, phoning or talking to one another "face to face".

My thanks go to all members of the Communications and Worship groups for helping in the organisation and putting up with me "encouraging" them. My thanks also to those people who take the flyers, posters and Christmas Cards for distribution.

BUSINESS GROUP-Annual report 2008

Over the last few months the group has not met as regularly as in the previous year. The reason being that the projects under taken by various members of the group have either been completed or still in the process of being done.

This years main project will be deciding what to do with the hall. A structural report has been carried out, and now it is time to start looking to the future of the hall. The PCC has recommended that full quotes are received before any final decisions are made.

PASTORAL GROUP-Annual report 2008

Pastoral care: Our meetings begin with prayers for people within the parish who especially need our prayers that day.

This year we have been responsible for the organisation (leaders, venues etc) of blocks of Friday Discussion groups during October, in Advent and for the current Lent Groups.

The PCC discussion paper “Pastoral Care in Ordsall Parish” which was last looked at in 2004 is under review by the group. To date we have brought to the attention of the PCC how very much valued the Memorial Services are and want to record our thanks to Carole and Ann and Paul who together have made these Services so successful.

Most recently we have proposed and the PCC have agreed that we re introduce the sending of anniversary of baptism cards. On the 4^th anniversary the families will be visited and the children invited to come and share in our children’s activities.

Worship: It seems to have been a busy year with the group being responsible for arranging special services for Back to Church Sunday and the Church 130^th anniversary and a special Songs of Praise for the Flower Festival. New initiatives we have suggested and the PCC have approved are the afternoon Peace Service to complement the Remembrance Sunday Service and an Advent Carol Service.

And we are well ahead for 2008! Thanks to Carole’s computer skills you will find in church a comprehensive spread sheet of special services and events planned for 2008 – so get your diaries out and make sure you don’t miss out!

EXTERNAL LINKS GROUP-Annual report 2008

Ghana: Donation sent to Ghana as a token of our friendship and in acknowledgement of 50 years independence in Ghana.

Methodists: Met a number of times with representatives of Ordsall chapel. Sadly the chapel closed in October 2007.

Elkesley: Clive Andrews is still in post, his date of departure still not known. Communications with the Elkesley group are to be built on in regard to the parish profile, outlining the future post and describing sort of person required once Paul and Clive have left.

PRIEST IN CHARGE Annual Report 2007

This has been a year of some personal turmoil which, inevitably but necessarily, has affected the life of the parish. I am very grateful to the PCC and others who shouldered the task of running the parish when I announced my intention to leave. I am particularly grateful to Carole Robinson who, as PCC vice-chair and chair of the communications group, took on the greatest responsibility without adequate guidance and support.

The pattern of worship has remained largely unaltered during the year and I am grateful to Frank Beech and Tony Kerswill for leading worship regularly at All Hallows.

Discussion groups – both on Mondays and Fridays – have continued and those who attend value both the challenge they provide and the fellowship in addressing the issues.

I have now decided to remain in Ordsall for the next couple of years or so. I hope that this will provide some consistency but change continues, not least with the expected formal association with the Elkesley group of parishes on the retirement of Clive Andrews at the end of 2007.

COMMUNICATIONS GROUP-Annual report 2007

The aim of this group is to make sure everyone knows what is happening inside and outside the church.

This is done by: Talking to one another u Parish magazine u Weekly notice sheets u Leaflet drops u Web Site u Letters u E.mail u Phone u Newspapers u

This has not always been successful, with the group experiencing problems in the early stages – who does what, who do we turn to, can we really do this, what if we get it wrong, but after some set backs and talking with the other group leaders, sometimes having a good moan, we seem to be going forward.

It has been an interesting learning experience. More people in the group are taking responsibility for jobs they have never done before.

BUSINESS GROUP-Annual report 2007

July 07 saw the first business meeting take place. The idea was to look at the building and maintenance work that is needed to be done and decide on a plan of action. The group decided that where ever possible each person would take on a job seek quotes and report back to the PCC.

The roof: This is going to be a major job and the architect is working on this.

The replacing of the porch gates: Papers have been submitted to apply for a faculty.

The lych gate: There are concerns regarding the state of it, quotes are still being sought.

Although faculties will be needed for these jobs it is hoped that by the end of the year we will be well on our way to completing them.

PASTORAL GROUP-Annual report 2007

Ø the worship of the church, including Sunday and mid-week services, Special services and occasional offices (baptisms, weddings and funerals)

The group has met 8 times in the year and produced a suggested programme of services for the expected vacancy, trying to keep as close as possible to the existing pattern. We also looked for ways of involving Saturday Club and other young people in the Sunday services on a regular basis. The group organised a series of bring and share supper discussion groups in the autumn. Those who attended enjoyed them and decided to continue into Advent and then from the New Year up to the next planned series of Lent studies. This year the Lent Studies are on the book of Jonah, looking at ways in which we can become closer to the Lord.

NEGOTIATION GROUP-Annual report 2007

Ordsall Methodist Church will close on October 7th and All Hallows congregation will be invited to the Anniversary Service held on that day. We will keep in communication with them and hopefully they will be joining us in future services at All Hallows.

Ghana. This is the 50th anniversary of Ghana’s independence. It was suggested that a sum should be sent perhaps from the Flowers Festival in September in addition to the annual donation.

Elkesley Group. Members of the Elkesley Group attended a special Epiphany service and two meetings have been held to discuss hopes and fears for our future association.