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We are in an interregnum and looking for a new vicar.
Are you the person that God has called to this place?
If so, read on......
We believe that our Parish needs would be met by a vicar who is a natural communicator, a person of prayer and an enthusiastic Bible teacher who cares deeply about people. We would like our vicar to be an 'enabler' who is willing to listen to varying opinions but is strong enough to make decisions that enhance the life of the parish. We would expect our vicar to encourage others, however small the task may be, recognising the unique value of each person.
The parish of St. John's supports women in ministry; two curates trained here - one is now the Bishop's Chaplain and the other Area Dean. It has trained curates, lay readers and encouraged parishioners to complete the Course in Christian Studies.
After much thought and prayer, we believe that our new vicar should:
The parish lies at the eastern edge of Central Ilford in the London Borough of Redbridge. It is bounded by Ley Street to the west, Seven Kings Water to the east, Eastern Avenue (A12) to the north and Benton Road and Cameron Road to the south. It is approximately three quarters of a square mile in area and has a population of about 14,000 people. It comprises Areas 5 and 7 in the London Borough of Redbridge's Local Area Planning Committee system.
The age distribution is very mixed, with a growing mobile population. Our economic classification for the Family Purse assessment is 'C'.
The parish is densely populated with a high proportion of owner-occupied houses. There are two parades of local shops and two recreational parks within its boundary.
At the southern end of the parish lies Seven Kings train station served by commuter trains to London Liverpool Street and Romford, Chelmsford and connections to East Anglia; the services are currently provided by One. At the northern border of the parish is Newbury Park station which is served by Transport for London's Central Line. This provides commuter services to Leytonstone, Stratford, Liverpool Street and central London. Bus services run along the north and south borders of the parish running between Romford, llford and Stratford. A local bus service, 364, passes by the front of the church serving Ilford in one direction and Dagenham in the other.
King George Hospital and Goodmayes Hospital in Barley Lane are on the fringe of our parish. A few minutes drive away are the recreational areas of Fairlop Plain and Hainault Forest.
The building itself was completed in 1904. We celebrated our centenary in 2004 and in January 2005, installed a new stained glass window in the west end of the worship area.
The building was substantially redeveloped between 1989 and 1990, and was re-dedicated in September 1990, reconfiguring the interior of the main building into a worship area and new parish centre. The general 'feel' of the original building has been maintained by limiting the amount of intrusion that the new layout required. A new vicarage was purchased at the other end of the parish.
The church and halls are under the same roof, with a 'loop system' for the hard of hearing in the church and wheelchair access throughout. The new layout has proved very successful.
The accommodation comprises the following:
The style of worship at St. John's has changed gradually over the years to meet the needs of a changing community. It is Anglican, traditional with some vestments and candles, becoming more evangelical in preaching and teaching. There is a team of servers, a small but dedicated choir capable of singing a wide range of music, and a music group which leads the All-age worship.
The Sunday Services are a broad mix:
During the week:
Baptisms are usually held as part of the All-age service.
We do not have a 'resident' organist and rely on visiting organists to play at our 10.00 am services. Our hymn books are "Hymns Old and New" and "Songs of Fellowship" but we regularly use worship music from other sources e.g. "Spring Harvest" songbooks.
Electoral Roll has 134 members, 47 live outside the parish.
The parish has a substantial racial mix. Local schools have about 75% non-indigenous pupils, mainly Asian and West Indian, both groups being represented in our congregation, although there is quite a mix of people from many other countries.
Non-Christian religions mainly represented in the parish are Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam and Judaism.
Curate: Canon Dubem Okwuosa, NSM, is linked to St. John's, although he lives in Brentwood.
Reader: Mrs Jean Richards has been a reader here for more than sixteen years.
Lay people. Five are licensed to administer the chalice. About 20 members are on a rota for reading and prayers.
United Free Church in Meads Lane.
St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Avenue.
St. Peter's, Aldborough Road North, Aldborough Hatch.
Our Seven Kings Fellowship of Churches (SKFC) includes the three above and Seven Kings Methodist Church in Seven Kings Road. The current SKFC team leader is Revd. Claire Nicholson from St. Peter's.
St. John's Choir combines with St. Peter's choir for three or four services a year.
Annual accounts are available for past year. Income for 2005 £63,623; Expenses (one-off investment expenditure) £91,483. Parish Funds for 2006 £102,441. The church is able to pay its Family Purse in full each year and supports the clergy in the usual way.
Planned Giving Scheme.
New expenses planned - new hall floor; upgrade sound system in hall.
| Church | Non-church |
| PCC Sub-Committees: | Keep Fit (2) |
| • Peace and Justice | Martial Arts |
| • Building Management | Kumon maths |
| • Mission and Pastoral | Meljon Singers |
| • Social and Fund-raising | Blood Donors |
| Choir | Dance Group |
| Music Group | Trefoil Guild |
| CYPECS | Uniform Groups: |
| House Groups | • Brownies |
| Mothers' Union Branch, plus | • Rainbows |
| Contact Centre every Saturday and | |
| Pram Club every Monday | |
| Youth Group | |
| Playgroup | |
| Banner/Needlework Group | |
| Friendship Group | |
| Downshall Playschool | |
| Over 50s Fellowship Group |
Previous vicar was a Governor at the Primary school and classes come on church visits as part of their curriculum.
Opposite the church is the Downshall Centre, a community meeting venue in the building of an old school.
The Ilford Branch of the British Legion meets in the Parish and previous vicars have been invited to be the Chaplain.
St. John's was a founder member of the Redbridge Night Shelter, now permanently in Ilford, but still supported by St. John's.
The leader of St John's Mothers' Union is designated by the vicar. (St. John's MU celebrate 100 years in 2009)
In the past, the Vicar has also been the Mayor's Chaplain by invitation.
We would like our vicar to become a dear friend and family member,
because that is what we are, a family.