HOWRAH SANDFORD PARISH

Profile

Page 2 of 19

Table of Contents

WHO WE ARE 3

OUR VISION AND MISSION 4

GROUPS AND COMMUNITIES 5

MINISTRIES 7

PATHWAYS AND OUTREACH 9

STAFF AND LEADERSHIP 11

BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES 13

PARISH RESPONSE TO THE

NATIONAL REDRESS FUND ORDINANCE 15

FINANCE 16

LIVING IN CLARENCE 17

RESOURCES 19

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Who We Are This Parish is situated on the Eastern Shore of the

Derwent River, taking up the southern reaches of the

City of Clarence. Geographically it encompasses

everything south of Pass Road and the Eastern outlet

to the South Arm peninsula, with St Thomas’ at

Howrah (11 kilometres or 15 mins drive from Hobart)

and St Barnabas, South Arm in the far south of the

Parish, 35 minutes’ drive from Howrah.

To the west the Parish reaches Wentworth Street

where it adjoins Bellerive Parish. The Parish of

Lindisfarne is to the north-west along the shore of the

Derwent River and the neighbouring Parish of Sorell,

Richmond and Tasman to the north and east.

On 1st July 2015 the former Parish of Howrah and

Parish of Sandford amalgamated to form the new

Parish of Howrah Sandford. The Parish of Sandford was

no longer able to afford a full-time Rector and the

deteriorating condition of St Matthews Church at

Rokeby meant meeting inside the Church was no

longer viable.

The Sandford Parish had a rich history passing

back to the time of the first clergyman of

Tasmania, the Reverend Robert Knopwood.

Indeed, Knopwood conducted the first service in

the area in October 1821 and took an active part

in the development of the area becoming

chaplain of the area in 1826 until his death in

1838.

Whilst the amalgamation came with some

sadness, it also enabled the new combined

Parish to have a larger and stronger group of

people meeting together, from which we hope

future mission to the area will be grown.

0

10

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St Barnabas St Thomas8.30am

St Thomas10.00am

Wednesday

Congregations

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Our Vision and Mission

Our Vision

‘A growing Christian community of all ages, reflecting

the diversity of our local community and living out

God’s Word in our daily lives’

We dream of:

Enjoying quality worship and thriving together in

praising God.

Being known as an actively loving and sacrificially caring Christian community towards all people, enthusiastically prayerful and welcoming in character.

Being a church where the Bible remains central and is taught as the primary and ultimate source of authority in matters of life and faith.

A church which connects with many parts of its various communities with generosity and a servant heart, while actively seeking to share its relationship with Jesus.

A church where the gifts and talents of every member are affirmed and celebrated and all are active ministers.

A community increasing in size across several congregations, supported by committed, fruitful, visionary leaders.

A church which equips, nurtures and grows disciples of Jesus.

A church where the effectiveness and use of our infrastructure is multiplied to facilitate the ministries of our Parish.

Our Mission

We exist to be a Christian Church of influence and

significance in our community, making Jesus

known and bringing abundant life and hope to the

people of our communities and beyond as we …

Love God and his people through our

thoughts, words and actions, sharing in worship

and praise which is worthy of the God we adore,

who has showered us with his unfathomable

grace, and by demonstrating the teachings of

Jesus every day in our own behaviour.

Grow to be more like Jesus praying that the

Holy Spirit will guide and empower our lives.

Share the message of Jesus’ love from God’s

Word, with people in our communities and

beyond.

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Groups and Communities

Services

There are two regular services per week at St Thomas’ and one at St Barnabas on a fortnightly basis. The

congregation is an ageing one, but they are dedicated, faithful servants with true

hearts to serve the Lord. Many are still active on Parish rosters and open to new

ideas. The total number of parishioners on the

last Parish roll was 100.

At St Thomas’, Howrah

Sunday 8.30am Holy Communion

Around 30-40 adults approximately 50 years

and over attend this Holy Communion service,

based on A Prayer Book for Australia with lively

traditional hymns.

Sunday 10.00am Contemporary Service

Around 30 adults and up to 5 children attend

this all-ages service, with contemporary music

and Holy Communion three Sundays a month.

An alternative service is held on the other

Sundays. All-age talks take place based on the

key Bible passage with activities for children to

follow.

Wednesday 10.00am Holy Communion held monthly

A shorter Holy Communion service with Senior Friends gathering afterwards

for a cuppa and chat.

At St Barnabas, South Arm

Sunday 4.00pm Holy Communion held fortnightly

Around 6-15 adults attend a Holy Communion service fortnightly. A budding

new musician currently provides traditional hymns. A light shared meal

follows. Easter and Christmas services are well attended. A solid relationship

exists with the local RSL where the Rector acts as Padre.

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Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals

These services are conducted as requested

and provide an opportunity to reach out into

our community. An Alpha pre-marriage course

is used for marriage preparation. Funerals are

held either in the church, crematorium or at

the graveside. Baptism services are held in the

church, or where full immersion is requested,

have been held at little Howrah Beach.

Special Services

Throughout the year, the Parish hosts various

seasonal events including Anzac Day services at

South Arm, the Nine Lessons and Carols at St

Barnabas at Christmas, Remembrance Sunday.

A Paschal Meal incorporating a communion

service is held each Maundy Thursday.

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Ministries

Connect Groups

Groups meet weekly in homes for making friends, praying and caring for one another, getting into the Bible and exploring how God is working in our lives. Groups meet at the following times and places.

Children’s Ministry

A small team of parishioners prepare suitable activities for our youngsters to do during the sermon at the

Contemporary service at St Thomas on Sundays.

Holiday activity days are held a couple of times a year which attracts children not regularly members of our

congregation.

DAY TIME LOCATION

Monday 7.45pm Howrah

Tuesday 9.30am Lauderdale

Tuesday Noon Bellerive before a light lunch

Tuesday 6.30pm Mornington following a shared meal

Friday 10.30am South Arm

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Hospitality

An active group caters for various special events,

such as quiz nights and a high tea, or supporting

Diocesan events. They serve morning teas after

both 8.30am and 10.00am services. There is also a

small team working on the cleaning and flower

roster.

Prayer

There is an active Prayer Chain with 11 members.

Small Prayer Groups meet on Wednesday morning

and Friday evening.

The Order of St Luke group (an international and

inter-denominational religious order dedicated to the

Christian healing ministry) is the oldest Chapter in

Tasmania and continues to meet on the third

Thursday of every month.

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Pathways and Outreach In late 2018, the Parish undertook Pathways4Mission planning (see pathways4mission.com). It was decided

that we would first begin by focusing on reaching retirees with the Gospel. This has resulted in an active

seniors’ ministry with many activities being undertaken and a growing number of participants.

There is a desire to reach out to families with young children however the Parish does not currently have the

resources to do this – it is hoped a new Rector can lead us in this area.

Retirees and Seniors Ministry

The following groups enable us to contact and form relationships

with people who don’t yet know Jesus.

Quiddler - A game based around building words with cards,

play on 4th Monday of the month in the St Thomas hall from

1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Craft Group - Ten regulars and it meets on the first, third and

fifth Mondays.

Fitness with Friends - Held Friday mornings at 10.15am at

St Thomas. Exercises and workouts that enable people to

maintain their strength and physical abilities as ageing occurs.

Currently 10 participants.

Chat ‘N’ Eat - A monthly lunch at various venues attended by

20-30 regulars, church and non-church members is advertised

in the Eastern Shore Sun, a local paper.

Movie Nights - Held Friday evenings once a month.

Howrah Men’s Shed - Into its fourth year of

operation. Membership of 80 with members of

our church attending and a number of founding

fathers.

Seniors’ Expo - Our seniors groups are holding

an expo in October to encourage retirees in the

neighbourhood to consider joining us in some of

our activities.

To help us take the next step of explaining the Gospel to these seniors, we are hoping to run Alpha for Seniors soon.

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Local Mission and Care

Anglicare Youthcare - A dedicated

group of cooks make wonderful

treats weekly for teenage boys in

crisis accommodation. This has been

an ongoing commitment for 13

years. Christmas gift boxes are also

provided each year.

Girls Brigade (Rokeby Company)

- Over 30 girls on the roll with a one of our ladies

being a leader. At meetings, two other ladies assist

with washing up after the meal.

Chaplaincy - Support for Christian Chaplain at

Bayview Secondary College, Rokeby Primary and

Clarendon Primary schools.

Global Mission

The Parish has had a long-standing commitment to contribute

to the growth of God’s Kingdom with generous support of

International, national and local groups working in this area. In

recent times the emphasis has been on:

A regular CMS commitment to support a worker in South

Asia.

TEAR Christmas Shop support and Operation Christmas

Child gift boxes.

Financial support to the following organisations:

Nungalinya College (NT), BCA, Scripture Union, ABM,

Epilepsy Tasmania, White Ribbon and Esther’s house.

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Staff and Leadership The Parish is blessed with a number of retired and honorary clergy:

Reverend Neil Vearing - Neil has acted as locum tenens on a number of occasions and will be locum

tenens following the Rector’s retirement at the end of

November. He also leads a weekly Connect group.

Reverend Leonie Silk - Leonie moved to the Parish in

2018. She regularly leads, presides and preaches at both

traditional and contemporary services on a Sunday and

monthly Wednesday services. Leonie also provides

assistance to the Parish Treasurer on a monthly basis and to

the Rector as required.

Reverend David Le Rossignol - David is a retired

Minister from the Sandford Parish and now serves across the entire Parish as and when needed. He is

rostered on the Ministry Team for the Healing Service at St David's Cathedral held on Fridays each week

and is Chaplain of the Howrah Chapter of Order of St Luke (OSL) Ministries. He preaches at the local

Presbyterian Church on the second Sunday each month.

Training Curates

The present incumbent successfully trained two Curates who are now in ministry in Tasmania. When

funding sources are available, the Parish willingly supports and nurtures those new to ordained ministry

with the added benefit of providing an extra resource to the Parish for ministry across the broad

geographical area. A new Rector will be able to lead us in considering additional paid ministry staff options.

Lay Ministers

There are a number of lay people with licenses to preach and lead worship. Some parishioners in

leadership positions have completed the Bishop’s Certificate in Theology & Ministry and the Ridley

Certificate of Bible and Ministry and others are completing the Preliminary Ridley Certificate in Bible &

Ministry.

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Our New Rector

We are praying for a Rector who will guide and lead us to fulfil God’s mission in the Howrah Sandford

community.

We seek a leader who will help us step out into new forms of ministry and will draw upon their previous experience to

inspire and encourage us. The following four areas have been identified as important attributes we seek in our new

leader.

Character

An enthusiastic and energetic servant leader who follows Jesus.

A leader who values diversity within the congregations.

Open to collaboration across other Parishes and Christian denominations.

Believes the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for God’s people today.

Personal qualities of Christlikeness, integrity, persistence and prayerfulness.

Gifts

Essential

A good teacher who preaches the Bible as God’s authoritative word to us.

Effective communication skills with all ages.

Ability to open people up to new paths of discipleship.

Able to lead us through healthy change.

Desirable

A competent Administrator.

Experience

Has shown Godly leadership and an ability to lead a team.

Demonstrated the role of Anglican faith in the community.

Encourages parishioners to exercise their spiritual gifts.

Capacity to lead a Parish through complex and challenging situations.

Ability to train an assistant minister.

Key Areas for Parish Development

Commitment to grow church numbers to include young people and families.

The challenge of building a strong cohort of young people and families alongside our mission to seniors

will require a clear prayerful strategy and a pathway.

Reaching deeply into the need to discipling and reaching out to others, is an important area for teaching

and training in the future as we grapple with the Diocesan challenge of Making Disciples.

Engagement with other nearby Anglican Parishes as well as other denominations is seen as vital to

develop a big picture of shared resources and ministry across the Eastern Shore.

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Buildings and Facilities Structural changes in the Parish have taken considerable resources to manage (such as the bringing together

of the two former Parishes as well as the sale of the Sandford footprint and re-location of that

congregation).

St Thomas

An original church plant from

Bellerive in 1968. The church was

dedicated in July 1970 and was

designed as a versatile building that

could also be used as a hall. Ten

years later a hall complex was added,

making the church what it is today.

St Barnabas, South Arm

A picturesque wooden church with arguably the

best sea views in Australia. It has an active cemetery

adjacent, a columbarium and a hall with kitchen

nearby.

St Matthew’s, Rokeby

St Matthew’s is a sandstone church with an attached active cemetery. It is the burial place of the Reverend

Knopwood and many First Fleeters and is of significant historic interest. Unfortunately, due to subsidence of

its foundations and cracks in the drummy render/plaster this church is no longer in a useable condition.

Restoration of St Matthew’s has attracted various interest over the years with the internal structural changes

and outside stonework maintenance beyond the financial capacity of the Parish to undertake. There is a

modern Parish centre adjacent to the church which is currently leased for 10 years to Mission Australia, who

work locally supporting this region.

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Rectory

The Rectory is adjacent to St

Thomas’ Church in Lorne

Crescent, Howrah. It was

originally built as a standard

Jennings 4-bedroom home.

Several decades ago, it was

extended to add an office,

with its own external access,

and a small TV room off the

lounge. It also had a double

garage added.

In recent months the Rectory has had major

work done: painting inside and out, double

glazing added to reduce traffic noise, a new

kitchen and main bathroom and new window

and floor furnishings.

It also has a new heat pump and energy

efficient lighting fitted. It has a small enclosed

rear yard, but between the church and the

Rectory there is a small child-safe fenced

playground.

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Parish Response to the National Redress Fund Ordinance As part of the Diocesan response to the National Redress scheme, St Barnabas church, hall and cemetery,

South Arm is listed to be sold. We are looking to continue to meet the needs of the congregation of South

Arm and other regions south of Howrah.

Although the upcoming sale of St Barnabas has caused a great deal of anguish within the South Arm area, a

community group has been formed with the view to purchasing the property for community use.

The sale of this property will allow the parish to meet its redress commitments and facilitate the release of

funds enabling the parish to redefine and make possible a new approach to the delivery of gospel ministry in

the southern sector of the parish beyond Rokeby – an exciting prospect for God’s purposes in this parish.

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FinancesAnnual turnover of the Parish since becoming

the Parish of Howrah Sandford in 2015-16 has

averaged over $200,000. The income consists of

75% live giving with the remainder being

received from rental or interest on the trust

accounts held by the Diocese.

The Parish has been committed to providing

mission support of 10% of our live giving.

In the last financial year our live giving income

has reduced which has been reflective of the

reduction in the number of service attendees.

Additional equity of approximately $380,000 is

held in the trust accounts for both specific

purpose and general Parish use.

Further information is available upon request.

Stipend, Benefits and Housing

The Parish offers the Rector the following:

Full-time stipend set by the Diocesan

Remuneration Commission, currently (2019-

20) $58,112 per annum for an Incumbent;

Superannuation contribution: 18% of

stipend;

Fixed travel allowance: $6,900 per annum;

Variable travel allowance: 26.5 cents per km;

Costs associated with Synod and

Clergy/Ministry Leaders Conference;

Professional Development Allowance of

$2,000 per annum;

Four weeks Annual Leave per annum;

10 days personal leave per annum;

50% home energy and telephone/internet

costs reimbursed by the Parish;

A mobile phone for ministry purposes;

Housing – two options, including:

o Rectory provided rent free (5 bedroom

recently renovated home next to St Thomas’

Church – see page 14); or

o Receive a housing allowance, as per

Diocesan policy for a house rented or

purchased by the Incumbent.

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Assistance with appropriate relocation

expenses; and

Transferable Long Service Leave between

Australian Dioceses.

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Living in Clarence The Parish is made up of many suburbs in the City of Clarence and outlying townships on Hobart’s Eastern

Shore. They include Howrah, Tranmere, Rokeby, Clarendon Vale, Oakdowns, Acton Park, Seven Mile Beach,

Roches Beach, Lauderdale, Sandford, Cremorne, Clifton Beach, South Arm and Opossum Bay.

Clarence is widely regarded as an ideal place to raise a family, with a clean environment and a friendly, safe

and connected community. Located in the south east of the State and situated on the Eastern shore of the

River Derwent, residents enjoy panoramic views across the harbour and river to Hobart, majestic Mount

Wellington (kunanyi) and the southern suburbs of the Western shore (Taroona, Kingston and Tinderbox).

While it has all the services and facilities found on the Western Shore, Clarence has access to a range of public

open spaces, nature reserves and sporting facilities. There is 191 km of shoreline and over 30 beaches. More

than one third of Clarence remains untouched bushland. The population of Clarence is almost 54,819 with the

median wage $58,448 and aged 43 (2016

census).

Recreational possibilities in Clarence are many,

and opportunities for maintaining health and

fitness are plentiful. With its proximity to the

Derwent River and local beaches, there is a

strong focus on outdoor sport and recreation.

This includes golf, cricket, horse riding,

swimming, fishing, cycling, mountain bike trails

and beach and trail walking. Carnival at Clifton Beach

Source: themercury.com.au

Little Howrah Beach

Source: beachsafe.org.au

Little Howrah Beach

Source: beachsafe.org.au

Seven Mile Beach

Source: hobartphotographertasmania.com.au

Page 18 of 19

Blundstone Arena in Bellerive is the home of

Tasmanian Cricket and hosts Test Matches, BBL

games, local football as well as the occasional AFL

game.

There are a wide variety of educational

institutions in Clarence including state primary

schools, high schools and a senior secondary

college (for years 10-12). There are also several

Catholic and Independent Christian schools on

the Eastern Shore. Two Anglican schools - The

Hutchins School (boys) and St Michael’s

Collegiate (girls) – are located on the Western Shore.

The University of Tasmania is located on the Western

Shore and is experiencing rapid growth, particularly

amongst the international student cohort and is

moving into the Hobart CBD.

It is currently ranked among the top 300 in the world.

Carnival at Clifton Beach

Source: themercury.com.au

Little Howrah Beach

Source: beachsafe.org.au

Blundstone Arena

Source: www. Hobarthurricanes.com.au

Page 19 of 19

Resources

Parish Website www.stthomashowrah.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HowrahAnglican/

Parish Vision and Strategies https://www.stthomashowrah.com/about-us.php

Email Office office@saintthomas.org.au

Phone Office (03) 6247 9700

Street and Postal Address 3 Lorne Crescent, Howrah 7018

Anglican Diocese of Tasmania https://anglicantas.org.au/

Anglican Diocese of Tasmania Safe Church Communities

https://anglicantas.org.au/Parish-resources

2019 Synod Presidential Address https://anglicantas.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Presidential-address-2019.pdf

Anglican Diocese of Tasmania Media Releases

https://anglicantas.org.au/media-releases/

The Hutchins Anglican Boys School https://www.hutchins.tas.edu.au/

St Michael’s Collegiate Anglican Girls School

https://collegiate.tas.edu.au/

University of Tasmania https://www.utas.edu.au/

Clarence City Council https://www.ccc.tas.gov.au/