About St. Andrews United Reformed Church, Marton
Background
St. Andrews church was founded as a Presbyterian Church in the 1960s in the then developing suburbs of Nunthorpe and Marton. Following the donation of land from one of the builders, the current multipurpose premises were constructed in 1973. A later extension provided an additional school room.
Worship and Faith Life
A service is held at 10.00am each Sunday morning. Worship includes communion on a monthly basis. An organist and pipe organ encourage congregational singing. The services are currently being lead by a number of local retired ministers, assisted by lay preachers, and occasional services by our worship team. Volunteers provide tea and coffee after worship, in return for donations to a charity of their choice. Available Hymn-books are ‘Rejoice and Sing’ and ‘Worship Today’.
The church supports Commitment for Life for anyone who wishes to participate.
We are a fair trade church using Fair Trade supplies of tea, coffee and cleaning products. The Traidcraft Christmas catalogue is available for the purchase of gifts and cards.
We are members of Churches Together in Marton and Nunthorpe and contribute to their activities including shared worship and lunches for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Membership
As of March 2018, there are 45 members and 11 attendees listed as ‘friends’ of the church. The majority of members are aged between 70 and 90 years. There are no children of church members although the attached Boy’s Brigade attend a monthly all age worship and parade service. Over recent years the membership has been gradually reducing. In the last five years, the closure of nearby Linthorpe Church resulted in an influx of additional members. Our more elderly members are finding it increasingly difficult to attend on a regular basis.
There are four serving elders who provide leadership to the congregation. They are supported in providing care to the members by ten pastoral visitors. The elders work closely with the elders in the other group churches. The joint working was initially introduced to support ministry across the pastorate and is now seen as a way of co-ordinating the limited resources available.
Officers of the church include the church secretary and treasurer. The latter is supported in his duties by an assistant treasurer responsible for freewill offertory and banking; and a member who co-ordinates the tax reclaim.
Principally because of age we are finding fewer people willing to take on the duties of the church, which is putting more strain on those already carrying out these duties.
St. Andrews church was founded as a Presbyterian Church in the 1960s in the then developing suburbs of Nunthorpe and Marton. Following the donation of land from one of the builders, the current multipurpose premises were constructed in 1973. A later extension provided an additional school room.
Worship and Faith Life
A service is held at 10.00am each Sunday morning. Worship includes communion on a monthly basis. An organist and pipe organ encourage congregational singing. The services are currently being lead by a number of local retired ministers, assisted by lay preachers, and occasional services by our worship team. Volunteers provide tea and coffee after worship, in return for donations to a charity of their choice. Available Hymn-books are ‘Rejoice and Sing’ and ‘Worship Today’.
The church supports Commitment for Life for anyone who wishes to participate.
We are a fair trade church using Fair Trade supplies of tea, coffee and cleaning products. The Traidcraft Christmas catalogue is available for the purchase of gifts and cards.
We are members of Churches Together in Marton and Nunthorpe and contribute to their activities including shared worship and lunches for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Membership
As of March 2018, there are 45 members and 11 attendees listed as ‘friends’ of the church. The majority of members are aged between 70 and 90 years. There are no children of church members although the attached Boy’s Brigade attend a monthly all age worship and parade service. Over recent years the membership has been gradually reducing. In the last five years, the closure of nearby Linthorpe Church resulted in an influx of additional members. Our more elderly members are finding it increasingly difficult to attend on a regular basis.
There are four serving elders who provide leadership to the congregation. They are supported in providing care to the members by ten pastoral visitors. The elders work closely with the elders in the other group churches. The joint working was initially introduced to support ministry across the pastorate and is now seen as a way of co-ordinating the limited resources available.
Officers of the church include the church secretary and treasurer. The latter is supported in his duties by an assistant treasurer responsible for freewill offertory and banking; and a member who co-ordinates the tax reclaim.
Principally because of age we are finding fewer people willing to take on the duties of the church, which is putting more strain on those already carrying out these duties.
Church Premises
The premises provide: Entrance lobby and toilet facilities including disabled provision Main hall used for worship complete with raised dais, pipe organ and piano. Upholstered chairs, hard chairs, folding tables and worship furnishings are available for use as required. Two school rooms with chairs and folding tables Small lounge with easy chairs Vestry Large kitchen, recently refurbished An additional school room is used as a workshop by our former cleaner
The premises remain in good order. We have recently completed a refurbishment of the kitchen and replaced much of the external woodwork. Floors in the two school rooms have been replaced. Whilst we have undertaken temporary repairs to a flat roof we are expecting a permanent repair in the near future.
A small Property and Finance Committee is responsible for day to day matters. We have an employed cleaner who assists in day to day care of the premises.
Social Life
The social committee puts on several events each year. Recent events have included a quiz, strawberry tea, Christmas Bazaar, and Christmas Social, as well as quarterly coffee mornings. The money raised goes to church funds or a charity such as Christian Aid.
Outreach
The church has an attached Boys’ Brigade which uses the premises for weekly meetings of the Anchor Boys, Junior and Company Sections as well as the Brigade Band. They participate in local and national competitions as well as holding an annual camp. Members are encouraged to attend a monthly parade service held as part of our Sunday worship.
Brownies also use our premises without charge although they are not formally associated with or supported by the church. They hold an annual fund raising activity on behalf of the church.
Community Use of Premises
Also using church premises are dancing classes, a bridge club, choir and band, various keep fit type classes, adult education classes and a recorder group. These groups use the premises under a licence agreement and are expected to make an appropriate financial contribution to the church.
Church Finances
The church is financially sound and able to meet its current commitments. Our two main sources of income are members’ donations and financial contributions by user groups for use of premises.
Statistics
Number of members 45 / Number of elders 4 / Number of children 0 / Baptisms in last five years 0 / Number of adherents 11 / Marriages in last five years 0 / Number housebound 5 / Funerals in last five years 3
The premises provide: Entrance lobby and toilet facilities including disabled provision Main hall used for worship complete with raised dais, pipe organ and piano. Upholstered chairs, hard chairs, folding tables and worship furnishings are available for use as required. Two school rooms with chairs and folding tables Small lounge with easy chairs Vestry Large kitchen, recently refurbished An additional school room is used as a workshop by our former cleaner
The premises remain in good order. We have recently completed a refurbishment of the kitchen and replaced much of the external woodwork. Floors in the two school rooms have been replaced. Whilst we have undertaken temporary repairs to a flat roof we are expecting a permanent repair in the near future.
A small Property and Finance Committee is responsible for day to day matters. We have an employed cleaner who assists in day to day care of the premises.
Social Life
The social committee puts on several events each year. Recent events have included a quiz, strawberry tea, Christmas Bazaar, and Christmas Social, as well as quarterly coffee mornings. The money raised goes to church funds or a charity such as Christian Aid.
Outreach
The church has an attached Boys’ Brigade which uses the premises for weekly meetings of the Anchor Boys, Junior and Company Sections as well as the Brigade Band. They participate in local and national competitions as well as holding an annual camp. Members are encouraged to attend a monthly parade service held as part of our Sunday worship.
Brownies also use our premises without charge although they are not formally associated with or supported by the church. They hold an annual fund raising activity on behalf of the church.
Community Use of Premises
Also using church premises are dancing classes, a bridge club, choir and band, various keep fit type classes, adult education classes and a recorder group. These groups use the premises under a licence agreement and are expected to make an appropriate financial contribution to the church.
Church Finances
The church is financially sound and able to meet its current commitments. Our two main sources of income are members’ donations and financial contributions by user groups for use of premises.
Statistics
Number of members 45 / Number of elders 4 / Number of children 0 / Baptisms in last five years 0 / Number of adherents 11 / Marriages in last five years 0 / Number housebound 5 / Funerals in last five years 3
