Parish of
St Peter’s Waverton
Annual
Report 2011
Looking back over the year one of the big differences
for me and particularly for Bruera and Aldford is that we’ve had the benefit of
having Trevor as Associate Minister in Bruera and Aldford. I said more at their
AGMs this week, but his appointment has affected the whole benefice. It’s
obviously made a big difference to my workload. But more than that, sharing
ministry with others is a much healthier way of doing church ministry. Praying
together, sharing ideas, planning for services and so on, and especially on
those rare opportunities when we can lead services together, as we did on Ash
Wednesday. Trevor has been a loyal and supportive colleague for which I’m very
grateful.
Looking ahead, we
look forward to Nic and Kathryn Deane coming from Essex to be with us. Do
continue to pray for them as they prepare to move not only house, but also away
from friends and neighbours. It was felt that Nic and Kathryn were suitable in
temperament and experience. And the Licensing Service will be on Friday 24th
June at Aldford.
Let me highlight
some of the things that have happened this year.
Our work with
children
One of the Growth Action Plan Goals was to
improve the quality of our all-age Family Service. The Sunday Club Leaders and
I have been meeting at regular intervals throughout the year to make comments
and observations and make suggestions for improvement. I have to say, for
myself, just having it as a goal and meeting has motivated me to get the pitch
just right and the choice of songs. It’s hard to ever say “We’ve reached the
goal” but we’re beginning to see a swell of families coming regularly (and
often!), and more involvement at the front with prayers and readers and
audience participation. There’s always more that can be done and one of the
things we’ll be looking at this term is a fresh modernised order of service.
Numbers at Sunday Club have been steadily
climbing over the year – often up into the high teens. Something seems to be
happening! Anticipating this last year we asked people to help out as Sunday Club helpers and I’m hugely grateful therefore not just to our
Sunday Club Leaders Lorraine, Sharon and Andrea, but to all those who help out
from time to time.
“Little Fishes” has
also grown slightly. People often tell
me what a welcoming Toddler Group it is. And as a bridge
into the life of the church we still see people coming to church… it’s not a
stampede but in ones and twos. So again a huge thank you to
the team for all the hard work and planning that goes on each week.
Socially, some
great events; the harvest supper with 90+ all sitting down for a feast in the
Burley Hall plus some wonderful music and entertainment; a Pampered Chef
evening; Rectory Garden Party; trip to Llandudno. The outing to Blackpool was
an experience with quite a different feel.
Plough Service,
Rogation, Harvest and Remembrance Sunday all remain
significant events in our church calendar. But it was tremendous having the
Uniformed Organisations in for 2 of those services last year, building our
links with the community and on one occasion packing the church!
Christmas services were all down in number due to the freezing weather except for the 10.15
Christmas Day service which was up slightly. But it’s not always about numbers!
The atmosphere felt really good at all of them. My prayer is always that people
will experience something of the presence and the love of God in our services.
Like the Family
Services we’re always trying to tweak them to be better than before. The Crib
Service, Nativity Service, Christingle, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
services are all great opportunities for us as a church. And the Carol-singing
with extra instruments to add harmony made a real difference (for anyone who cared
to open a door or window).
Pastorally, I’ve been especially aware of several members of our church family on
the electoral roll who’ve died over the past year or so, including Alan Hulme
and Vera Jeffreys (just over a year ago), and Walter Punshon, Monica
Schottelvig, Vi Parry, Joan Jones, Dinah Heyes and Pat Bostock (all since the
last AGM). Many close friends and family members.
The Pastoral Care
Scheme
It was thrilling to
see so many people volunteer their services for helping in different ways for
the PCS another of our GAP goals.
There are still a few little details before its
officially launched, but it means we have now a safety net for anyone who needs
practical help in their time of need.
It occurred to me recently that the GAP initiative, for all its danger of
so formalising new initiatives (in an organised and corporate way) that
individual Christian ministry can be stifled. Realistically, a local church may
want to do what Save the Family does or what Street Pastors does (at a very local
level) but most local churches lack the expertise and resources. The reality
is, I think God sometimes calls individual Christians to get involved in other
Christian organisations outside of the church where people have gifts and
skills that we cannot (whether or not the church itself formally supports it).
What I’m saying is that both can happen: what we do together as a church
more formally and what we do individually. The one shouldn’t exclude the
other.
The great strength of the GAP initiative has been that for churches that
have been preoccupied with finances have been able to turn outwards and get on
with the important job of evangelism and outreach in the communities, and a
helpful stimulus to serve. This year we’re probably not going to meet like we
did at Tattenhall last year. We had enough ideas to keep us going for some
time. Instead some PCC members are going to re-evaluate and make some proposals
based on your ideas from last year.
The monthly midweek
communion continues to be a highlight and a time of great encouragement and
fellowship for many people… with as many as 21 on one occasion. We sing
favourite hymns, share the Lord’s Supper and finish with tea and cake. Thank
you to all who have helped out in different ways.
In terms of
courses, we’ve had two Confirmation Classes, squeezing a second one in
before finally getting a date for the Bishop. These have been fun times. With 8 adults (in their 20’s and 30’s) and one teenager. The
Service will be a week on Sunday (17th April) at 6.30pm at Aldford
with Bishop Keith officiating. I hope we’ll all take the effort to really
support them. Tom
Bramall, Kim Chadwick, Phil Crowe, Steve and Gilly Edwards, Mark and Kerry
Forrester, Axel Tuft and Susan Welch.
Looking ahead...
One of my personal
hopes for the year is to strengthen the 6.30pm service. We think the temporary
merge with Bruera at 6.30 had a detrimental effect on numbers here. But I think
it’s probably not too late to try to give it a fresh impetus and try to raise
attendance again. When that happens it would be wonderful to see people from
the morning coming to help make it work. I’m a huge believer in the power of
presence. That we come to support services and events not
because “it’s my thing” or avoid them because it’s not, but because we’re here
as a church family to support and help each other. In other words we go
to church asking “How can I best serve others today?”
Finally, my thanks
as ever goes to everyone who plays a part in the life
of the church. They are literally too numerous to mention, it’s probably
everyone! And that’s one of the marks of a healthy church. However small the
job, however backstage, I am deeply grateful.
But special thanks
should go to Peter and Joy for their unstinting work as churchwardens. They’ve
been brilliant at helping with the smooth running of the church, with their
encouraging words, positive spirit, wise advice, and practical support.
Whatever part of their work we may happen to see – it’s really just the tip of
the iceberg.
Christ’s blessings.
Revd Jules
Beauchamp (Rector)
PCC Accounts and Treasurer’s Report
Summary
Total monies held
at end of 2010 stood at £53,677.63, a fall of £2,347.19 in the year.
General Fund
incurred a loss of £871.36, compared to a deficit of £5,213.28 in 2009 – but
see below.
Fabric Fund reduced by £1,105.14 to £19,075.35.
Interest earned
down from £642.56 to only £218.67.
General Fund
By far the most active fund covering the day to day running of the
church. Balance held of over £23,000 in 2007 and now reduced
to £15,281.06 at year end. Without two adjusting entries from 2009 the deficit
would have increased by over £3,500, bringing balance down under £12,000.
Parish share up 3% to £34,358.40 (£32,721.96 in 2009).
Giving not keeping pace with expenditure.
Fabric Fund
Apart from interest
received only two cheques issued for £1,190.22 to meet retention monies on West
window and Burley Hall office extension
Other Funds
Only small
variations on other funds balances, though Parish Development Fund reduced by
£530 to meet cost of GAP lunch.
Little Fishes Fund
renamed Children’s and Outings Fund.
Registered Charity
With turnover
exceeding £100,000 in 2009 we were obliged to apply for charitable status in
our own right and on 17 May
2010 the Charity
Commission confirmed that St. Peter’s had been entered in the Register of
Charities in the name of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical
Parish of Waverton, but with a working name of St. Peter’s Church
Waverton, Registered no. 1135962
Richard Gomersall
Treasurer
Fabric, Goods and Ornaments
Fabric.
The 2010
Quinquennial Inspection Report received careful scrutiny by the Parochial
Church Council and subsequently Mr Graham Holland, Architect, was instructed to
prepare a schedule for attention to the major items of remedial work identified
in the Report. Upon receipt and
acceptance of the Schedule the PCC authorised the formal application for a
Faculty to undertake this work. Accordingly, following due process, a Faculty
was granted by the Consistory Court of the Diocese of Chester.
The two major
projects included in this Faculty are (i) Re-slating of the nave aisles and
chancel roofs, building in appropriate insulation; renewing eaves, gutters and pipes.
(ii) Re-leading of windows to the aisles and chancel and the fitting of new
guards. This work is currently being undertaken and the contact allows for it to
continue for up to 14 weeks. The
duration of the work is, of course, weather dependant but the likelihood is
that it will be completed well within the contract period. Although the
majority of this work is external it is evident that some dust and grit will
penetrate into the church. Accordingly, the organ has been carefully protected
with plastic sheet and at the end of the work it will be re-tuned.
There remain
several other smaller recommendations within the Q I Report which will not
require a Faculty and which can be undertaken locally. These items will be
dealt with in due course.
The matter of
replacing the lighting in the church remains under discussion. Advice has been
received from two lighting contractors and their proposals are currently being considered . The
existing system remains problematic, particularly in respect of the short life
of some of the lamps and the difficulty and cost involved in changing the
bulbs.
Goods and Ornaments.
A Memorial Book, which was provided in memory of Alan Hulme, has been
placed in the Lady Chapel. Parishioners are invited to make appropriate entries
in this book if they so wish.
Grateful thanks are
due to our Verger, David Andrews, for his careful attention to all matters
connected with the fabric of the building.
Peter Williams — Churchwarden
Burley Memorial Hall
During the past
year the level of bookings has remained consistent and in line with previous
years. The financial year which ended on 31st December 2010, showed a surplus
of income over expenditure of nearly £3000. This has been transferred to the
Maintenance Fund. Maintenance expenditure has been fairly low during this year,
and apart from the purchase of additional tables and chairs for the ‘Little
Fishes’ group, capital expenditure has also been low. Maintenance expenditure
is expected to increase significantly during 2011/12 to cover the redecoration
of the hall inside and where required outside, as well as the refurbishing the
main hall floor.
There has been no
increase in the hourly rental rates since 2009, so in the light of increasing
operating costs - essentially gas, electricity and cleaning - they will be
reviewed in July and implemented in time for the winter season start in
September.
The committee would
like to thank Coral Candlin for the work she does cleaning the Hall and also
David Andrews for his unstinting efforts in ensuring that the Hall operates
smoothly on a daily basis. These include taking the bookings, opening and
closing, communicating with the hirers and paying close attention to the
various maintenance and safety needs.
Mike Day (Chairman)
4th April 2011
We are very lucky
to have the loyal band of fellows willing to give up their time in the pursuit
of keeping our Churchyard tidy to the standard it is. There is one plot still
needing a carer, please.
During the year the
PCC discussed the need to approach the Grosvenor Estate with a view to
extending the burial ground and also to make some sort of soak-away to take the
surplus surface water away from the low lying areas.
Another matter of
concern is the vandalism of the notice board that posts the conditions of use
with regard to memorial decorations, these conditions have been discussed and
agreed by the PCC and any assault on them can be considered an assault on the
Church family. If anyone has difficulties with any of these conditions they
should bring it to the notice of the wardens, tearing up the notice is
vandalism. If you see this happening please let us know.
Once again I ask for a
volunteer for one patch of mowing in south side of the old Churchyard, level
with the vestry windows.
Andrew Bate
Deanery Synod Report
The Malpas Rural Deanery consists of about 20 Parishes
under the leadership of the Rural Dean & Ruth Clarke our Lay Chairman.
During the year our Rural Dean Revd Leslie Thomas retired to be replaced by the
Revd Keith Hine. St. Peter’s had 4
representatives, the Rector, June ,who is the Deanery
World Mission Representative & is also on the Diocesan Synod, plus Maurice Sutherland and myself, your elected
Deanery Synod representatives.
We meet mainly
in the spring and autumn at different venues throughout the Deanery. In 2011 we
have already volunteered to host the November meeting here in the Burley Hall.
I will attempt to briefly give examples some of the
reports and items that you may find interesting.
Diocesan Board of Education - report included -
[a] Mission statement “ To
support the church’s ministry among children and young people in the Diocese of
Chester by seeking to spread the good news of God’s kingdom to those who have
faith and maturing those who are part of the Christian Community.” My own view being that this is important when
R.E. is in danger of being removed from the core curriculum in schools.
[b] Presentation on the Academies Act. - various
papers have been produced to give advice to schools. The Bishop’s Blue Coat
High School Chester & Delamere CE Primary School have
been given permission to apply for academy status.
2. Items from Diocesan Synod Nov 2010 meeting. 2011 budget was
approved - Standard parish share- £52,043.00 {this is the amount we would be
paying if we were still a single parish not linked to Aldford & Bruera}.
This equated to a rise of 2.1% in the total Parish Share for the Diocese. Synod
ended with a request by the Chadkirk Deanery to the Bishop’s Council to arrange
for a review of the structure of the Parish Share system in respect of the size of
parishes and their ability to pay. This was subsequently changed to include all
matters arising after consultation.
3. Other items reported from the General Synod included - The Big
Society - regarded as a concept at this stage but a possibility that the church
might be compromised. Marriage and qualification for
marriage. Banns of marriage must use the words of the prayer book
otherwise they are not valid.
During the 1st meeting chaired by our new Rural Dean - The
Revd Keith Hine asked members to go into small groups to answer several
questions about the Deanery Synod meetings. Here are a few of the questions and
their answers :- Q What is the best thing about being
here this evening? Answers - Meeting one another/fellowship. Going home!
Getting here! (the meeting was at Hargrave but I know
the feeling from when I have gone to a meeting at Bickley) Q What have been the
most valuable things the Deanery Synod have done?
Answers - Tools with a mission. Raising issues to go up to
the Diocesan Synod. Q What would make the Deanery Synod an even more
positive experience for you? Answers - Meet in licensed premises!, Finish in good time! More discussion! Make progress
through working groups! David
Morgan-Jones
Sunday Club
It’s been another
good year for Sunday Club with our numbers remaining in double figures most
weeks where we average 11 children. Our new helper’s rota is working out well
both for us and for the four mums on it. We get an extra pair of hands for
helping out with crafts and also at Feast time. Feast time is when we have our
juice and biscuit and reflect on our morning with a short prayer and a discussion
on the bible story.
The children have
worked extremely well from our Easter project last year which was very well
attended and variety of crafts and Easter cards were made. This was followed by
a short Easter story and prayer. We then had the outing in July to Llandudno
this was well attended and a lot of fun. Harvest decorations and food parcels
and our spelling of Harvest in the church next. Then Christmas, how we get the
children to do anything when they are so excited is anyone’s guess but as usual
they rose to the occasion and the Nativity play was a great success. Telling the story of Jesus birth in a style unique to St Peters
Church. Where we get little babies in angel costumes, rehearsals start
early in Waverton, to adults remembering when they were a shepherd or a king.
Everyone made a marvellous effort to help out with not many rehearsals! Our new
costumes were brilliant and many thanks to all those who contributed and made
them. The Children looked super and certainly enjoyed the dressing up to help
with the characters. We held our Christmas party afterwards that’s a
celebration of our year as a Sunday Club and Jesus birthday. The food was
delicious and the children’s entertainer did a great job of involving the
children in his act and kept them entertained.
Thanks to the St
Peters Family for all their support and prayers this year this means a lot to
Sharon, Andrea and I.
Also thank you to
all those who supported our fund raising evening, the Pampered Chef. Sharon and
Andrea worked very hard for this. Thank you to Sharon and Andrea for being so
nice to work with. Thanks to Judy Moulds for all she does to look after us and
our well being. On a personal note thank you for the lovely presentation in
church to celebrate my outlasting four Vicars/Rectors! It doesn’t seem like 30
years since I started doing Sunday Club and all the children over the years
have made it very rewarding and enjoyable. I hope to continue for a little
while longer. Lorraine Booth
Little Fishes
In the last 12
months, Little Fishes toddler group has continued to be an enjoyable and
expanding outreach from the St Peters church family to the local community. A
change of committee in September said goodbye and thank-you to Jan and Freda
for their considerable hard work in setting up and establishing Little Fishes,
and welcomed Kim and Gilly on the team. Joy has recently stepped down from the
regular commitment, but happily attends and assists when she is able to.
Little Fishes
reputation has developed a strong reputation that has meant the number of
children attending has increased since last year, where numbers averaged at
18-22, now numbers are approximately 22 -30 a session. As a committee we
recognise that Little Fishes will be hard to manage beyond this size, so no further
advertising is taking place until the numbers reduce. The joyous news is that
several of the little fishes’ families have attended church recently, and (the
majority) a high proportion of children registered at little fishes come from
the village of Waverton (19 children).
On a weekly basis
Julia, Rachel and Kim attend, kindly assisted by Ann and the other volunteers
who serve the refreshments, we are very appreciative of this assistance and the
help we receive to set up or put away the tables, chairs and toys (lots of
toys!), also behind the scenes Gilly acts as treasurer as work commitments
prevent her attending the group.
Since September,
there have been no large financial outlays as toy supplies are sufficient,
spending has purely been on craft materials and snacks weekly (on average £1 to
£3), plus party supplies for the Christmas party. It has been wonderful for Little fishes to be involved with Sunday Club for their
Christmas celebrations and to be involved with the forthcoming Good Friday
Craft Event.
We hope Little
Fishes continues to be so successful and joyful.
Regards, Kim Chadwick (Secretary) on behalf of Julia
Beauchamp, Rachel Davies and Gilly Edwards