Heysham bloomin’ wins again
Heysham wins Britain in Bloom large village award again. Is the church involved?
Yes and no.
“I’ve deliberately set about fudging the edges”, Rector David Tickner said. Coming from a senior post in the forces chaplaincy his commitment to parochial ministry is to the traditional Anglican involvement in every aspect of local life. In the ever expanding place of Heysham, Lancashire, his style of partnership working makes it possible for everyone to engage with the church at their own level of spiritual readiness. He believes that, for many, belonging comes before believing. So the emphasis is on helping others to provide a social framework around the church which may bring them into regular contact with the church – as building, as a place of worship, as a place for private contemplation, a sacred space
to enable people to celebrate their sacred moments.
His approach is to encourage everyone to know that “this is your church”, thus creating a sense of “ownership” which develops into involvement. A failing youth club gave way to a popular karate club and a dance club, with members paying fees and providing a small income to the leaders. A toddlers group gives parents and grandparents mutual and professional support. Some 2000 people are now using the church hall and monthly family services attract 300 people.
“It was the adversity of the church porch being about to collapse which led to the most creative period”, David says. With St. Peter’s being in the centre of the old village it is easy to see why people have responded to a clear need and parochial debts have been cleared. But it has required a
style of leadership which, by being inclusive, does not alienate the general public by an exclusive attitude.
The strategy of working in partnership involves social services, police and local employers like the nuclear power station, but most of all those who do not attend church regularly.
The Britain in Bloom committee share in caring for the one acre “glebe garden” which is a beautiful quiet area adjacent to the
graveyard. No wonder this
community is capable of winning one of the Britain in Bloom awards again.
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
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rural life and ministry
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