st. margaret’s church draycott-le-moors trustees annual ... · roberts intention to review the...
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St.Margaret’sChurch
Draycott-le-Moors
TrusteesAnnualReport
JanuarytoDecember2015
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AimsandPurposes
StMargaret’sParochialChurchCouncil(PCC)hastheresponsibilityofcooperatingwiththerector,theRevd.JonathanRoberts,inpromotingintheparishthewholemissionofthechurch,andspecificallyfulfillingthePCC’sMissionStatement–‘TohelppeopleintoarelationshipwithJesusChristandtohelpthemgrowinthatrelationship’.Thisisundertakenthroughpastoral,evangelisticandsocialactivitiesandcooperationwithStPeter’sForsbrook,whosharethesameMinistryLeadershipTeam(asanindependentlegalparish,StPeter’sisnotcoveredbythisreport).
ThePCCisspecificallyresponsibleforthemaintenanceoftheparishchurchofStMargaret’s.
AdministrativeDetails
StMargaret’sParishChurchislocatedintheecclesiasticalparishofDraycott-le-Moors,coveringthecommunitiesofDraycott-le-MoorsandCresswell.
Location: ChurchLane,Draycott-le-Moors,Stoke-on-TrentST119AGPostalAddressisc/o TheRevd.JonathanRoberts
TheRectory,CheadleRoad,BlytheBridge,StaffordshireST119PWTel:01782437600Email:[email protected]
Website: stmargaretsdraycott.org.ukBank: NationalWestminster,Cheadle,Staffordshire.Rector: Revd.JonathanRoberts. ChairmanChildren’s&YouthLeader: VacantLicensedReaders: MrsKateBradshaw PCCTreasurer MrCliveLilley
MrGrahamStokesLayPastoralWorker LeighSilcockHonAssistantclergy: TheRevd.NoreenRussellChurchWardens: MrDavidMeller SecretarytothePCC MrsPaulineClarkeElectedMembers: MrsSusanHughes 2012-2015 DeputyWardenMrsWendyMears 2012-2015 SundayschoolleaderMrsNolaWard 2012-2015MrMattPointon 2012-2015MrJohnClarke 2013-2016MrSelwynEdwards 2013-2016MrTonyFletcher 2013-2016MrsJaneMeller 2013-2016 DeputyWardenMrRobertBrown 2014-2017MrsJoyceMoore 2011-2017MrsAPretty 2014-2017MrsChristineWibberley 2014-2017 DeputyWarden
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MembersofthePCCareelectedinaccordancewithCanonLawattheAGM
ReportonthefabricofSt.Margaret's.
ThisreportcoverstheperiodfromJanuary2015toDecember2015.
TheWardensarecontinuallycheckingthefabricoftheChurch,andactaccordinglyregardingmaintenanceingeneralandrepairsandservicingofequipmentetc.Theyareassistedbymembersofthecongregationwhobringtotheirattentionmattersofconcern.Wherepracticalanyrepairsarecarriedout‘inhouse’andourthanksgoouttoallourhelpers.
IngeneralthefabricofSt.Margaret’sisingoodrepair.Theforthcomingyear,2016,willseethenextQuinquennialvisit.
Thebuildinginsuranceisuptodate.
TheWardenswishtothanktheDeputyWardens,sidespersons,verger,readers,servers,prayerleaders,bellringers,flowerarrangers,cleaners,clockwinders,magazinedistributors,moneycounters,hedgecutters,lawnmowers,andeverybodywhosupportsandhelpswiththerunningofSt.Margaret’sonadailyweekly,monthly,annualbasis.
Asnotedabove,thisreportcoversJanuarytoDecember2015,buttheWardensthoughtthatthefollowingshouldbebroughttotheattentionofthecongregationatthistimeandnotinthe2016reportwhenitwouldnotbeoftoomuchrelevance.SadlyinFebruary2016,bothLillianHollinsheadandMollyBurgessarenolongerabletocommittoregularmonthlysidepersonduties,andhavedecidedtostepdownfromtheprayer,readingandserverrotas.Noamountofthanksorpraisecanequaltheamountoftime,work,andeffortthattheyhaveexpendedintheserviceofSt.Margaret’sChurch.ThankfullytheyhavebothindicatedthattheyintendtocarryonworshippingatSt.Margaret’s.
Atthetimeofcompilingthisreport(March2016),bothWardenshaveindicatedthattheyarenotpreparedtocontinueforaneighthyearinofficeandarestandingdown.TheybothwishtothanktheMinistryLeadershipTeam,thePCCandthecongregationfortheirsupportoverthelasttwelvemonthsandthroughoutthelastsevenyears.
P.Clarke. D.Meller.
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PCCConstitution
TheParochialChurchCouncilisacorporatebodyestablishedbytheChurchofEnglandandthePCCoperatesundertheParochialChurchCouncilMeasure.ThePCCisexceptedbyorderfromregisteringwiththeCharityCommission.
ObjectivesandActivities
ThePCCiscommittedtoenablingasmanypeopleaspossibletoworshipinourparishchurchandtobecomeapartofthecommunityofStMargaret’s.ThisisundertakenaccordingtothedoctrinesandstructuresoftheChurchofEngland.
ThePCCmaintainsanoverviewofworship,thecareofthechurchbuildingandmission.OurworshipisledbyaMinistryTeamwithtwoorganistswhocovertheplayingofmusicintheservices.
WorkwithchildrenandyoungpeopleisledbyapaidparishYouthWorker,whosetimeissharedwiththelocalMethodistchurch.
MissionActionPlan: SeeBelowAppendix1
AchievementsandPerformance
StMargaret’scurrentlyholdsatraditional8-00a.m.CommunionserviceonthesecondSundayofthemonthusingtheBookofCommonPrayer.Themainserviceisat10-00a.m.‘PraiseandWorship’takesplaceonthe2nd,4th&5thSundaysandHolyCommunionaccordingusingCommonWorship,onthe1st,3rdSundays.SpecialservicesarearrangedforoccasionssuchasRemembranceSundayandotherservicescanbeadaptedforlocalinitiativeandneed,suchasBaptismservices.
Wehavean‘open’Baptismpolicy,whichfollowsinstructionandattendanceforanumberofSundays.Weddingsarepopularinthishistoricalchurch.Weconsiderthere-marriageofpeoplewhosepreviousmarriagehasbeenterminatedfollowingdiscussionwiththeRector,whofollowsnationalCEguidanceinthediscernmentofsuchcases.Funeralsfromtheparishregularlytakeplace.Detailsofallourservicesand‘ritesofpassage’canbefoundontheparishwebsite(stmargaretsdraycott.org.uk).
ThechurchfamilyrunsaweeklySundaySchoolduringtermtimeinthebelltower.MishMashhastakenplaceinthehallonThursdayeveningsuntiltheAutumnwhenitbecamenolongerviableduetolownumbers.
BellTeam
StMargaret’shasapealof8bellsandateamthatmeetregularlytoringandpractice,usuallyonaMondaynight.Wearecurrentlyinthepleasantpositionthatwehavemoreringersthanbellssocompletionto‘sitout’onpracticenightsiskeen!IntheabsenceofaTowerMasteranycontactregardingthebellsshouldbemadeviatheWardens.
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Mission:
StMargaret’sispartofaunitedbeneficewithStPeter’sForsbrook,andvariousactivitiesarerunincommon,includingtheyearly‘Alpha’courseforenquirersandLentcourses.Wearecurrentlyreviewingandre-writingourMissionActionPlanwhichenablesustoplanandresourceGod’smissioninthisarea.
FinancialReview
SeeattachedAppendix4forthestatementofaccounts.
APPENDIX1–SummaryReportoftheMissionActionPlan
St.Margaret’sChurchMissionActionPlan(MAP)
FollowinghisarrivalintheBeneficeinSeptember2015,Revd.RobertshasbeenincontactwiththeDiocesanDirectorofMission(Revd.GeorgeFisher)regardingSt.Margaret’sMAP.ItisRevd.RobertsintentiontoreviewthecontentsofSt.Margaret’sMAPwiththePCCoverthecomingyearastheyconsiderthevisionanddirectionforthefuture.TheDirectorofMissionagreedthatthiswasanappropriatewayforwardandthattherewasnorequirementtoreviewandpreparearevisedMAPforthe2015TAR.
Itis,however,worthremindingourselvesofourexistingmissionstatement,andthecurrentoverarchingvisionforStMargaret’s:
MISSIONSTATEMENT.
TohelppeopleintoarelationshipwithGodthroughJesusChrist.Tohelpthemgrowinthatrelationship.
OverarchingvisionforSt.Margaret’s.
• Tofocusongrowthandwitnessratherthandecline.• Tobeenergizedbyfaithandwitnessratherthanmerelykeepingthingsgoing.• Tobeoutwardlooking,inclusiveratherthanexclusiveandtofocusonbuildingarealsense
offellowshipandcommunionwithinthechurchandthelocalcommunity.• ToseekthroughprayeranddiscussionGod’swillforthechurchandtobeopentothework
oftheHolySpirit.• Totakerisksandembracechangeratherthanbeingcomfortablewiththefamiliarand
resistingchange.• Tocontinuetomeetourfinancialobligations,includingpaymentoftheparishshare.• Toplananddeliverlively,relevantandchallengingworshipwhichisbasedonsound
teaching,andwhichengagesandencouragesthosewhoworshiptogether.• Toseekwaysofencouragingnewpeopletojoin,especiallyyoungerpeopleandfamilies.
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Appendix2-Rector’sReport2015
Thisismyfirstreport,havingonlybeenappointedlastsummerandinstalledasRectorattheendofSeptember2015,andsoitreflectsjust3monthsof2015andthefirstthreemonthsof2016.
MyfamilyandIhavereceivedawarmwelcomefrombothchurchesinthebeneficeandarefeelinghappilysettledattheRectory.Weareenjoyinggettingtoknownewpeopleandplacesinthisareaandalsounderstandingthe‘stories’ofbothStMargaret’sandStPeter’sChurches.
Forbothchurches,2015hasbeenayearofchangeandtransitionasyouhavesaidgoodbyetoDavidandGillianBickerstethandJohnandAngelaPretty;engagedwiththeprocessofseekinganewRectorandthechallengesandopportunitiesthataninterregnumbrings(albeitafairlyshortonecomparedwithmanychurches);andseenthearrivaloftheRobertsfamily.Thattransitionaljourneywillcontinueinto2016asweseektoadapttotheseeventsandrespondafreshtoGodashebeckonsustofollowhimandtofulfilourcallingasaworshippingcommunityofmissionarydisciples.Myprayeristhatwewillbeabletocommunicateourhopesandfearstogether;encourageoneanothertofollowJesusfaithfullyasweserveusingthegiftsGodhasgiventous;andprayerfullydiscerntogetherwhatitisthatGodwantsustobeandtodointheyearsahead.
IthasbeenajoytodiscoveratStMargaret’s,alovingchurchcommunitywhoofferawarmwelcometonewcomersandworkhardinallsortsofways–somevisibleandsomebehindthescenes.ThisissurelywhytheBibledescribesthechurchasa‘body’–eachpartcontributingtothewholeforthecommongood.ThefirsttimeIcametoDraycottfollowingmyappointmentwastoattendtheinfamousDraycottSummerFayrewhichwasawonderfuldemonstrationofthis.Iamlookingforwardtothe25thFayrein2016.
Itwouldbedifficulttosingleoutindividualsassomanygivegenerouslyoftheirtime,talentsandtreasure,butitwouldbeinconceivablenottomentionafewinparticularinthisreport.
Iwouldliketothankallthoseresponsibleforensuringthesmoothrunningoftheinterregnum;thewardens,PCCmembersandofficersandministryteaminparticularwillhaveshoulderedmuchoftheadditionalresponsibilityandforthatIamverygrateful.IamverymuchenjoyingworkingalongsideourMinistryLeadershipTeamofLayMinistersandWardensandhopethatwewillgrowasateamthroughregulartimetomeet,reflect,study,prayandplan.
IwouldliketothankthePCCforagreeingtousethesavedfundsforRectorydecorationtohelpusmakeTheRectoryourhomeandespeciallytothosewhoworkedtirelesslyintheRectorygardenbeforeourarrival,totryandclearthegroundandgiveusafightingchanceofkeepingittame.Thiskindnesswasverymuchappreciatedbymywholefamily.
PaulineClarkeandDaveMellerhaveservedasChurchwardensatStMargaret’sforsevenyears.AlthoughIhaveonlybeenhere6months,itisevidentthatthefaithfulnessanddiligenceIhavewitnessedpersonallyhascharacterisedtheirwholetermofoffice.Iampersonallygratefulforthewayinwhichtheyhaveenabledmetosettlein–theirgentlewordsofadviceandencouragementhavebeenmuchappreciated–aswellastheircareforbothpeopleandourbuildings.I’malsogratefulfortheirwillingnesstodowhateverisnecessarytogetthings‘right’.Theirexampleandwillingnesstoimpartalltheyhavelearnedwillbesohelpfultotheirsuccessorsastheytakeonthisimportantroleinthelifeofourchurch.
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MickSmith,ourYouthWorkerforjustoverayear,hasworkedwithenthusiasmandenergyalongsideagreatteamofvolunteerstoministertoanumberofchildrenandyoungpeopleacrossthebenefice.WearegratefulforMick’sministryamongstus,inparticularhisabilitytorelatetoallsortsofpeople,andalthoughhiscontractexpiredinJanuary2016,Iamsurewewillseehimaroundthelocality.TheJMT,responsibleforthemanagementoftheYouthProject,hasledthereshapingofthispostandwearecurrentlyintheprocessofappointingaChildren’sandYouthLeader,whowillhopefullytakeupthispostinMay2016.
IamstilldiscoveringotherswhoarefulfillingallsortsofroleswithinthechurchcommunityandwanttoexpressongoingthanksforalloftheseactsoflovingserviceforGodandothers;thosewhoworkwithchildrenandyoungpeople;thosewhoattendtothepracticalmaintenanceandcareofourbuildingsandgrounds;thosewhoringthebellsandhelptheleadingofworshipthroughplayingmusic,readingtheBible,preaching,leadingintercessionsandassistingatHolyCommunion;thosewhoofferwelcome,actassidespeople,arrangeflowersandmakerefreshments;andthosewhodemonstrateGod’sloveandcarethroughtheirprayerfulnessandpastoralcareofthoseinparticularneed.
Thecomingyearwillcontinuetobeatimeoflistening,reflectingandseekingtodiscerntherightshapeofourmissionandministrytogetherandacrossthebenefice.WewillbeabletoreflecttogetheronourprioritiesandourresourcesandworkouthowwecanmosteffectivelyfurtherGod’skingdomhereintheparishofDraycottintheMoors.
IamverymuchlookingforwardtoseeingwhatGodhasinstoreforusandtoworkingalongsideyouallatStMargaret’s.Pleasejoinmeinprayingforoneanother,thiscommunityandforthecomingofGod’skingdomhereonearthasitisinheaven.
JonathanRoberts
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Appendix3:FINANCEREPORT
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APPENDIX4:ACCOUNTS
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APPENDIX5:
Report on the Electoral Roll of St Margaret’s Church Draycott
There were 38 names on the Electoral Roll as at March 2016, Angela and John Pretty having moved away and George Jones deceased.
Eight people have since applied to be on the Electoral Roll so the total is now 46. Several church members are not on the Electoral Roll so it may be a good idea to mention this at a couple of services at different times to ensure that they have the opportunity to go on the Roll.
A copy of the newly updated Roll is now displayed at the back of the church.
Joyce Moore
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APPENDIX6:
REPORTONTHEYEARSPRECEEDINGSOF
ST.MARGARET’SPAROCHIALCHURCHCOUNCIL2015
AppointmentofthenewRector.
AftereightandahalfyearsintheBeneficeRevd.DavidBickerstethretiredfromtheParish.ThePCCmeetingheldinMarch2015wasthelastonehechaired,andhislastserviceatSt.Margaret’swasheldon12thApril2015.
Revd.J.PrettyalsolefttheParishfollowinghismovetoWalsallWood.
TheprocesstofindanewRectorstartedpriortoRevd.Bickersteth’sleavingtheparish,andatthePCCmeetingheldon25thJanuary2015,adraftParishProfile(PP),wastabledfordiscussion.ThePPisadocumentcoveringtheBeneficeandwascompiledbytherepresentativesfrombothPCC’s.Therewereseveraldraftsuntilthefinalversionwasagreedandpublishedtogetherwiththeadvertisementforthevacancy.
St.Margaret’sPCCelectedK.BradshawandD.MellertorepresentthemontheinterviewpanelwhichalsoincludedG.StokesandB.SammonsfromSt.Peter’sandBishopGeoffAnnas.
TwocandidatescameforwardandfollowingatouroftheBenefice,andlunch,theinterviewstookplaceatSt.Peter’sChurch.
Rev.JRobertswasthepreferredcandidateandhewasinductedatajointserviceoftheBeneficeatSt.Peter’sonthe27thSeptember2015.
Duringtheinterregnum.
FollowingthedepartureofA.PrettytherewasnoViceChairtothePCC.KateBradshawofferedasaone-timeoccasiontobeViceChairattheAGMheldonthe26thApril2015.AtthatmeetingM.Edwardsagreedtostand,aswasdulyelectedtobethePCCVicechair.
TheWardensworkedhandinhandwiththeRuralDeanandtheWardensatSt.Peter’sandprovidedservicesthroughouttheinterregnum,howeverthepatternofserviceschangedconsiderablytothatprovidedwhenRevd.BickerstethandRevd.PrettywereinPost.
K.BradshawhandedoverthepositionofElectoralRollOfficertoJ.Moore,andM.SmithwasappointedtothepositionofYouthWorker.
WorktowardstheChurchoutsidelightingapprovalcontinuedthroughouttheyearandinto2016.
AtthePCCmeetingheldon23rdSeptember2015,priortohisinductiontotheBenefice(on27thSeptember),Revd.J.RobertsacceptedthePCC’sinvitationtobeChairmanofSt.Margaret’sPCC,andwasdulyelected.
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FollowingtheappointmentoftheRector.
Intheformofashortquestionnaire(referredtoas‘TheTask’)Revd.J.RobertsenquiredfromthePCCwhattheyexpectedofhim,andwheredidtheyseeSt.Margaret’sintenyearstime.Heinvitedwrittenresponses.
Revd.RobertsinformedthePCCthathewascarryingoutasimilarexerciseatSt.Peter’sandtheresultswouldbecollatedanddiscussedwithbothPCCs.
Revd.RobertshasassuredSt.Margaret’sPCCthatitisnothisintentiontomergethePCCwithSt.Peter’s.HealsostatedthatfollowinghisappointmentheinformedBishopGeoffthathewasnotheretomanagedeclineand‘TheTask’wasanaidtoestablishingfuturestrategies.
AsreportedelsewhereRevd.RobertswillconsultwiththePCCinthenearfutureonthecontentsofourMissionActionPlan.
Revd.Robertshasstatedhisintentiontoreviewthepatternofservicesatbothchurchesandthatcommunionbyextensionwillonlytakeplaceinexceptionalcircumstances.
D.Meller
PCCSecretary
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APPENDIX7:SUNDAYSCHOOLREPORT.
WearestillholdingourSundaySchoolintheChurchduringthe10.00amservice.Istillbelievethisishasbeenagoodmove,beneficialtoboththechildrenandourcongregation.
Thechildrenarethereforthebeginningoftheservice,thengointothebelfryforBiblestories,followedbyacraftactivity.Wethenre-jointhecongregationforthefinalpartoftheservice.
Thenumbersofchildrenattendingdoesvaryweekonweek,butweareIfeelaveryenthusiasticlittlegroup!!IwillcontinuetoendeavourtofuelthisenthusiasmbecausetheyarethenextgenerationofourChurch.
PleasekeepourSundaySchoolinyourprayers.
WendyMears.
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APPENDIX8:GiftAidReportJanuarytoDecember2015.
TheTreasurerinformedthemeetingthatthemoneyreceivedbyStMargaret’sGiftAidSchemeoverthelasttwelvemonthshadincreased.Thiswaspartiallyduetothisbeingthefirstyearofthesmalldonationscheme.TheTreasureroutlinedtheschemeandalsothevariouswaysthatmoneygiventoStMargaret’s(notjustonthecollectionplateandtheGiftAidenvelopes)couldbelegitimatelyincludedintheGiftAidScheme.
TheTreasurerthankedallthepeopleinvolvedinthecountingandrecordingofthedonationsgivenattheservices,andalsothepeoplewhoweregenerousintheirgiving.
K.Bradshaw.
Treasurer.
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APPENDIX9:
CHEADLEDEANERYSYNOD
ANNUALREPORT2015
ThefirstDeanery‘event’for2015tooktheformofaDeaneryQuietDayonSaturday7thMarchledbyPatMarsh,Christianwriterandretreatleader,atDovedaleHouse.DespitethefactthatSynodsubsidisedthecost,attendancewasdisappointing.VeryfewoftheHouseofLaityattendedalthoughattendancefromtheHouseofClergywasalmost100%.DeanerySynodrepresentativesmissedanexceptionallygoodday;theweatherwasextremelykindtousallowingfulluseofthegrounds(itwasactuallywarmenoughtositinthesunshine!),thefoodwasexcellentasusualandleadershipofthedaywasthoughtfulandchallenging.
TheDeanerySynodhasconvenedonthreeoccasionsduring2015.Ateachmeetingnews,datesanddetailsofeventswerereportedfromeachparish,thisprovingaveryusefulexchangeofinformationasweallendeavourtoengageandinteractwithourlocalcommunities.Attendancewasdisappointingat50%(alittlelowerthanthepreviousyear)overall,althoughonmostoccasionsthereasonsfornon-attendancewereaclashofdatesorillness.
Thefirstmeetingwasheldon29thAprilatStAndrew’sChurchCentre,WestonCoyney.TheguestspeakerwasDebTonks,aDebtCentreManagerinStafford,fromChristiansAgainstPovertyandshespokespecificallyaboutJobClubs.
MsTonksexplainedthatCAPhadbeenfoundedbyJohnKirkbyin1996.HebelievedGodwascallinghimtosacrificehiscareerinfinanceandusehisknowledgeoftheindustrytohelpthepoor.Therearecurrently270centresintheUK,879CAPMoneyCourseshavebeenheldinchurchesand26CAPReleaseGroupsintheUK.TheyareintheprocessofsettingupinAustralia,NewZealandandCanada.MsTonksreadMatthew25.31-41toSynod,statingthatCAPfeelsthatthispassagedefinesusasChristians.SheshowedaDVDentitledBreaktheSilencewhichexplainedthattherearecurrently2.4millionpeopleindebtintheUK.
TheCAPMoneyEducationProgrammeisthelargestmoneymanagementprogrammeinthe|UK;ithaschurchattheforefront.Thecourseisaimedateveryone;anyonecanattend;theydonothavetobeindebt.Itaimsatgivingpeopleanewviewoftheirpersonalfinances.
MsTonksexplainedthatthereare3elementstoaCAPjobclub:
Community–aJobClubisconnectedtoachurchcommunity
Befriendersgowiththevisitortopickupontheemotionalneedsofthefamily,etc.
8weekcoursetoassistwithpracticalities,e.g.writingaCV,volunteering,fillinginforms
Everybodygets1-1helpfromatrainedcoachandundergoesapersonaldevelopmentprogramme.Peoplewithinthechurchcanhelp.CAP’svisionisforthenumberofcentrestoincreaseto500,toincreasethenumberofpartnersto2500andtoengage500churches.JohnKirkbywantstomoveforward.TheyreceivenogovernmentfundingandtheorganisationfollowsChristianvalues.TheArchbishopofCanterburyhasbecometheirfirstpatron.20%ofthechurchesworkingwithCAPareChurchofEngland.
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FollowingDeanerySynodelectionsthenewandreturningrepresentativeswerewelcomedtothesecondmeetingoftheyearwhichwasheldon17thJuneatStChad’sChurch,Freehay.ThespeakerwasCaptainGordonBanks,ChurchArmy,StaffordAreaMissionandGrowthPartner.
CaptainBanksintroducedSynodtoa90minuteworkshop(FromChurchCongregationtoFaithCommunityUsingStory)toexplorehowwecanrehearsefivekeystoriestohelpustobuildFaithCommunities.HeusesthechurchLiturgicalYearasaframework.HestressedthatitisimportantforacongregationtolivetheChristianway–books,preachingetc.aresecondarytoabelievingcommunity.
ItwasreportedintheChurchTimesrecentlythatthereisadropinthenumberofAnglicansintheUK.Thetruthhehadfoundwasthattheyoungergenerationdidnotseethedenominationallabelasanissue.TheirfirstprioritywasthattheywereChristiansandthesecondthattheybelongedtoanauthenticcommunity.
CaptainBanksoutlinedtheworkshop:
January–PersonalFaithStory.HetalkedaboutconversionChristiansandcradleChristiansandinvitedSynodtotalktoeachotherabouttheirexperiences.
February–TheFaithCommunityStory.Thekeywastohavegoodsocialeveningswhereeverybodywasintroducedonetoanotherina‘GettingtoKnowYou’session.WhoareweasthepeopleofGod–ourpeople,ourcommunity,stewardshipfollowedquitenaturallyfromthis.Itwasinterestingandusefulforpeopletolearnofeachother’sexperiencespluscongregationswereoftennotawarejustwhatandhowmuchpeoplehadtodowithinthechurchcommunity.
Lent/Easter–TheJesusStory.AgoodideawastocreateaJesusLifeline.
Pentecost–ContextualCommunityStory.Whatisoutthere?Wethinkweknowbutdowereallyknow.Youcouldcreateajunkmodelofyourcommunitypatch.
Advent/Christmas–TheGodStory,the‘metanarrative’.Howdoweseeheaven?Areweaboutredemptionofthecosmos?
ThelastSynodoftheyearwasheldon21stOctoberatHolyTrinityChurch,Meir.SynodstartedwithaDeaneryEucharistledbyRev’dPaulBennettwiththeRuralDeangivingthesermon.
Themeetinghadbeendeclaredanopenmeetingandmembersofourcongregationsinvolvedinchildren’sandyouthworkwerewelcomedforaforumregardingeverythingrelatingtothoseagegroupsintheDeanery.Althoughaconsiderableamountisbeingorganisedforouryoungpeople,itwasevidentthattherewasaneedformore.TheRuralDeansuggestedthatwemightthinkofarrangingaDeaneryYouthEvent,maybeatDovedaleHouse.Shethankedeverybodyforsharingtheirthoughtsandexperiences.Shestressedthat,ifwehavegoodthingsgoingon,weshouldencouragepeopletocomeandseeforthemselves.
Proposeddatesfor2015: Wednesday13thApril2015
Wednesday13thJuly2015
Wednesday19thOctober2015(venuestobeannounced)
SueWarren
Secretary
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APPENDIX10:ChurchHallReport
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APPENDIX10:ChurchHallAccounts