Job Vacancy - Administrator for Barnsbury Parish, Islington

Do you want to be part of a vibrant parish that has great plans for the future? We are recruiting for a skilled Administrator to support two busy churches in Islington and you will manage the administrative systems and processes to help us achieve our mission.

Our ideal candidate will be comfortable working with members of the public, contractors and teams of volunteers, managing and refining back office systems and confident with IT and social media.

This could be a full-time role (40 hrs p-w), a job-share or other configuration for the right applicant(s). Please apply if you think you can support us here.

This is a crucial role ensuring that our services and teams of volunteers are running smoothly, our finances and hire agreements are well organised, and that our buildings are being maintained and looked after. 

You will be the first point of contact for many people dealing with the Church, so you’ll need a friendly, approachable, professional manner. You’ll be enthusiastic about our mission and extending God’s welcome to those you encounter in your work.

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate initiative, in-depth experience of office organisation and systems, excellent IT skills and a “can do” attitude, and will thrive working with and contributing to a friendly and supportive team of clergy and volunteers.

You will be expected to review, develop and implement processes and procedures to ensure smooth, efficient and effective Church office operations

More information can be found on the accompanying job description here.

Salary: up to £28k per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week, occasional evenings required
Interview date:  We will be interviewing candidates as applications come in and advise an early application.

Application – CV and covering letter to recruitment@churchonthecorner.org.uk

Complimentary Spring Concert

Come and join us for a complimentary Spring concert!

On Wednesday 10th April at 7pm we will be serving drinks and nibbles followed by an evening of light classical and classic pop music from Mozart to Irving Berlin performed by the Soave Singers and friends, including our own Revd Caroline and organist Jack Bicker.

There will be pizza and drinks to end the evening at around 9pm. No charge but donations to the St Andrew's Building Fund very welcome.

St Andrew's receives a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to restore the church building

St Andrew’s Church, Thornhill Square has received a £94,535 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the restoration of the church building, it was announced today. Made possible by National Lottery players, the project aims to lay the solid foundations that will underpin St Andrew’s long-term future by putting in place a professional team to oversee the next phase of project development. Additionally, the project will engage local people including school pupils, university students, residents from local estates and local business owners to share and celebrate the local heritage by collaborating in a community exhibition at St Andrew’s Church.

The project will ensure the future of St Andrew’s is planned in a robust, sustainable way, as well as providing members of the local community with fun, relevant, creative and rewarding ways to learn about, feel part of, and contribute to their local history. Creative workshops will provide participants with practical new skills in heritage research, exhibition creation, mixed media art and photography, with volunteers given training so they can help care for the resulting exhibition.

St Andrew’s church building is set within an impressive urban landscape, Thornhill Square, the largest, best preserved early Victorian square in Islington. The Neo-Gothic, Grade II-listed church was consecrated in 1854, and has been used for worship, community activities and social action over the years.

Commenting on the award, the Bishop of Stepney, the Rt Revd Dr Joanne Grenfell, said: “St Andrew's, Thornhill Square has stood at the heart of Islington for over 150 years, providing a safe, welcoming space for the local community to come together, worship and support one another. Today's news of a grant from the The National Lottery Heritage Fund is very welcome, and will help safeguard St Andrew's future for many more years to come.”

Would you like to be part of the project to restore St Andrew’s, Thornhill Square? We are currently recruiting for the following roles. Please click the links below to see the full role brief:

For more information, please contact Rachel Walker at admin@standrewsthornhillsquare.org.uk.

Carolling in the community

Christmas is coming! And we’re looking forward to being out and about in Barnsbury bringing festive cheer. The St Andrew’s pop-up choir will be joining in the celebrations at the Cally Lights Switch On this Saturday 9 December, and will be leading the singing from 3.45pm. The festivities start from 1.30pm so come along and join the fun!

We’re also having some informal carol singing in the middle of the gardens in Thornhill Square (in the 'round' area near the playground) on Sunday 10 December at 6pm, followed by mulled wine, soft drinks and snacks in St Andrew's Church, Thornhill Square at 6.30pm.

And the following Saturday 16 December at 5.30pm, we’ll be joining in with the Friends of Barnard Park and Thornhill Primary School for a Christmas sing-along at Barnard Park.

We really enjoyed singing carols in Thornhill Square last year. It was a great experience - we even had a well-timed sprinkling of snow! If you want to join us at any or all of these events, it would be good if you could bring a torch or lantern with you so that you can walk safely and see the carol sheet, which we will provide.

Christmas in the Parish of Barnsbury

We have some exciting events planned over Advent and Christmas at both St Andrew’s and Church on the Corner (our sister church). You are very welcome to join us!

  • Saturday 2nd December: Messy Christmas at St Andrew’s, 11am-1pm
    During Open Church, we’ll be running Christmas crafts, fun and games, stories and songs for families. Refreshments provided.

  • Sunday 3rd December: Advent Carols at Church on the Corner, 7pm
    Welcome in the season of Advent with carols and other festivities in our Sunday service at Church on the Corner.

  • Saturday 9th December: Decking the Halls at St Andrew’s, 11am-1pm
    We’re decorating St Andrew’s and making our wonderful building look fabulously festive. All welcome to join in!

  • Saturday 9th December: Cally Lights Switch On by Jean Stokes Centre, Carnoustie Drive, 1.30pm-4.30pm

    The St Andrew’s pop-up choir will be singing carols from 3.45pm, and we’re running a table of Christmas crafts for all to enjoy.

  • Sunday 17th December: Carols by Candlelight at St Andrew’s, 6pm
    Come and enjoy atmospheric carols by candlelight, followed by refreshments. All welcome.

  • Sunday 24th December: Christingle service at St Andrew’s, 4pm
    Join in the fun at our family Christingle service! This is always a festive favourite - come and share in the message of hope.

  • Sunday 24th December: Christmas Eve services at St Andrew’s
    We celebrate our usual 9am and 10.30am services on Christmas Eve, as well as a special Midnight Mass at 11.30pm.

  • Monday 25th December: Christmas Day service at St Andrew’s, 10.30am
    Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Join with us as we celebrate Christ’s birth and remember what it means for us today.

Institution and Induction of the Revd Caroline Titley as Rector of the Parish of Barnsbury

We’re delighted that on Sunday 8 October, the Revd Caroline Titley will be instituted by the Right Reverend Dr Joanne Woolway Grenfell, Bishop of Stepney, and inducted by the Venerable Peter Farley-Moore, Archdeacon of Hackney, as the Rector of the Parish of Barnsbury. This follows the parish reorganisation and the establishment of a newly-elected PCC for St Andrew’s and Church on the Corner.

All are very welcome to join us for the celebrations at our 10.30am service that morning, followed by refreshments. We would be glad if you could come, and look forward to seeing you there!

Please note that the 9am service will not be running on Sunday 8 October, but will resume as normal on Sunday 15 October.

Restoring St Andrew's

We’re opening a new chapter in the life of the church! We want to:

  • Repair the building’s exterior, safeguarding it for generations to come

  • Update the interior space, making it more accessible and flexible

  • Create more opportunities to serve our amazing community

Your support can make the world of difference.

There are many ways to get involved. To find out how, please contact us at standrewschurchislington@gmail.com or on 020 7607 4552.

We are hiring for a Project Manager/Fundraiser at St Andrew's

Are you ready for a new and exciting challenge?

This is a fixed term, freelance contract for 12 months for a Project Manager/Fundraiser to support the Parish of Barnsbury, Islington to develop a first round application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and project manage the process. This is to cover the cost of repairing and re-ordering St Andrew's Thornhill Square, a grade 2 listed church. You will be working on a 1-2 day a week basis, working with the Priest-in-Charge and Parish Administrator. For more details and a role description, please email revdcaroline@standrewsislington.com. Budget £30k. Closing date 19/12/2022.


New Priest in Charge appointed

Announcement from the Bishop of Stepney:

"I’m pleased to be able to let you know that we have been able to make an appointment to the post of priest-in-charge of Barnsbury, to be incumbent of the proposed new parish. It is announced that the Revd Caroline Titley will be taking up the role in the new year.

"Caroline is curate of Wilton, in Salisbury Diocese, and has had a varied career before ordination, including being Chief Executive of Bracknell Forest Homes for ten years. She’s also had extensive lay involvement in church and community, with experience of a large building project. She will be moving in January, along with her husband Robert, who until now has been Canon Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral. I have every confidence that she will be an excellent vicar and has the leadership skills and experience to encourage every member of St Andrew’s and Church on the Corner, to help you develop a vision for mission in Barnsbury to help you grow, and to tackle the building issues at St Andrew’s.

"I hope that you will join me in praying for Caroline as she prepares to take up the role, and please know that you are all in my prayers too"

Update on July 21, 2021asing of restrictions

Yesterday evening Roland and Stephanie, our churchwardens, met to discuss the easing of restrictions following on from the Church of England releasing their guidance. As slightly expected the onerous is on each church to proceed as they wish but with guidance from the Government and Church of England to proceed with caution.

Given that at present cases are clearly rising quickly and London is behind other places in terms of vaccinations, we feel it is important to protect ourselves, each other and to help the vulnerable feel safe in our church by not making any major changes at present with regard to our worship on a Sunday morning.

Therefore our guidance is as follows:

Time of Service - We will continue with one service at 10am until further notice.

Social Distancing - We will continue to keep the chairs socially distanced as they are but if you come to church and would like to now sit with a friend we are happy for you to move your chair and do so. Please ask the person you would like to sit with before doing so and be respectful that they may wish to still sit alone.

Masks - Whilst these are no longer mandatory in church, masks do protect us and other people. The Government advice and the churchwardens preference is that masks are still worn inside St Andrew's Church. Obviously we cannot force this but please do be respectful that there may be people who do not wish to wear a mask anymore.

Singing - Whilst guidance does now allow us to sing inside it is recommended that we wear masks whilst doing so. The churchwardens still consider this high risk at present so singing will remain outside with a hymn at the end of the service during August.

Communion - This will continue in one kind with communion being brought to you in your seat. This will limit movement inside the church and not put anyone at risk by sharing the common cup.

Refreshments - These are now permitted, but as we normally take a break from refreshments over the summer we will hope to begin this in September.

Track and Trace - We are no longer required to take your details as you enter church on a Sunday morning so we will be stopping this from this coming Sunday. If you have the Track and Trace App and would like to check in then please do so using one of the QR codes dotted round the building.

The churchwardens ask that you do not attend church if you are feeling unwell for the protection of yourselves and those in church on a Sunday morning.

The above restrictions will be reviewed again at the end of August.

We are aware that there may be those who will be disappointed with the decisions above and those who will be relieved. Please do be respectful of each other and personal choices of how to approach the easing of restrictions.

Stay and Play on Fridays!

We are relaunching what was our Friday Playgroup as an Under 5’s Stay and Play. This will run every Friday during term time from 9.30am - 11.30am. The cost is £2 per child or £3 per family. Government guidelines apply and adults will be required to wear a face mask unless exempt. To book a place please email standrewschurchstayandplay@gmail.com with your name, child’s name and their age.

We look forward to meeting you

Copenhagen Street Foodbank wins Civic Award

We are thrilled that the Copenhagen Foodbank which is supported by donations and volunteers from St Andrew’s Church has been awarded a Civic Award by Islington Council. St Andrew’s collects donations for the foodbank on a weekly basis and has a number of volunteers who help with the distribution of the food to those in need. Well done everyone! Please see below for the article in the Islington Gazette

https://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/islington-council-s-2021-civic-award-winners-7903288?fbclid=IwAR0QNvpZmWV9-rlgqd8zzR5vQsYe9t8TkCfXdhdGfeXZzuk_R-u1DUyORRI

 

Could you be the next Priest in Charge at St Andrew's?

We are delighted that after a long wait and a lot of hard work the post of Priest in Charge for St Andrew's is being advertised. The closing date for the advert is the 10th May and the shortlisting and interview process will take place in late May early June. If we find the right candidate, we would hope to make an announcement at the end of June and the successful applicant can be with us from mid September. Please be praying for those considering applying and for all those involved in the shortlisting and interview process. The advert can be viewed here:

https://jobs.churchtimes.co.uk/jobs/Priest-in-Charge--in-London-and-Home-Counties-jn9124

Please see the main page for a link to download the Parish Profile.

Open for Public Worship

We are delighted to be open again for public worship on a Sunday morning at 10am. Covid restrictions will be in place but we look forward to opening our doors to the church family and local community.

Our services will continue to be livestreamed to our Facebook Page and are available to watch anytime under the Videos tab

https://www.facebook.com/standrewschurchthornhillsquare

Reopening for Public Worship

After careful consideration and in discussion with public health Islington and the Church Wardens we are delighted to be opening again on Sunday 28th March. This is Palm Sunday and it will be wonderful to be back in our church for Holy Week as we look towards the joy of Easter Day.

Social distancing will still be in place and will signing in and handwashing. Wearing facemasks will be mandatory.

Until we are able to remove the social distancing aspect of the service we will continue to hold one service at 10am which will be Holy Communion.