LAUNCESTON CENTRAL METHODIST CHURCH ANNUAL REPORTS SEPTEMBER 2021 TO AUGUST 2022
Christian Aid
We had a very good Christian Aid Service at Central on Sunday 15[th] May. This was followed by a Soup Lunch. About 70 attended which was more than we were expecting. We raised £1,361.42 for Christian Aid work. This included a coffee morning on the Tuesday after which raised £126. In August we raised £ 940 for the East Africa Appeal. We also had a coffee morning in December which raised £95.
Chris Gaunt
LADIES FRIENDSHIP GROUP
The Friendship group meetings have continued on the first Thursday of each month. We are usually a group of between 10 – 14 and often meet just for a coffee and chat at various different venues. We have also enjoyed a walk at Roadford, bowling and some craft activities. The Christmas lunch at Trethorne is always popular.
All ladies are welcome to join any or all of the meetings – please ask for a programme.
The fellowship from these meetings continues on the second Thursday of the month as a Knit & Natter (now held at Gateway church café next to the library) and on the third Thursday of the month as a Bible study led by Liz Miller at 10.30 am. All welcome.
Julia Boundy
PASTORAL REPORT Y/E 31 OCTOBER 2022
The new ‘pastoral bubbles’ system has now been in place for one year. A meeting of the pastoral bubble contacts was held in September followed by the annual pastoral committee meeting and it was generally agreed that the new system is working well. The amount of contact within the bubbles does vary considerably due to the character, age or infirmity of the bubble members – so we do all need to be vigilant and ensure no-one is being over-looked. It is important that the ‘bubble contacts’ ensure everyone knows who their contact is, who else is in their bubble and encourage them to all keep in touch and support each other.
Bubbles are flexible and naturally evolve, and already ‘bubbles within bubbles’ have developed, ie 2 or 3 people have accepted responsibility for each other, but still come under the umbrella of a ‘bubble contact’. This is probably the way forward for the system as it is more practical than splitting into more and more smaller bubbles which would be difficult to manage. As you will see below, we are delighted to welcome several new members.
Summary of membership y/e 31.10.22
New members
Andrew & Lisa Johnson, Chris Hockin, John & Sarah Harris, Helen Stephens, Marvin & Suzanna White 8
Transfer out members
Alan & Marjorie Banbury, John Colwill, Toni Cox,
Michael & Angela Noakes, Gillian Goodman 7
Out by Death Members
Ruth Wood, Anthony Carter, Ann Goodman, Stephen Dolley, Mary Hills, Sue Hindley, Chris Paxman, John Maunder, 11 Jenny Colwill, Lilian Creeper, Eric Parnell.
(adherent: Avis Gliddon)
Membership at October 2021 133 New members --8 141 Transfer out and by death -18 Total membership 31 October 2022 123
Report from Milltown Farm House Group
We continue to meet on Tuesdays, fortnightly, at 2.30pm at Milltown Farm, where Jacqueline generously provides us with tea and delicious cake while we catch up on each other’s news.
The afternoon usually has a regular pattern with a short prayer, followed by a time of Bible study and discussion. This year (2022) we continued reading through the story of King David up to the point when he became king, and found much to help us with our walk with the Lord, despite our situations and problems being rather different from his.
This year, following the request from some members, we are planning a series of studies looking at the book of the Revelation. It has been a great encouragement to find that Revd. David is covering this too at 245 services, so it seems timely that we have the chance to talk about it in the smaller group.
We end with a time of open prayer where we often share personal concerns and include prayer for each other, relatives and friends, the work of the church and wider issues.
The opportunity to share and to try to understand each other’s problems is a real source of support, blessing and encouragement.
We would love to welcome new members who would like to join us. Please contact Jacqueline Robbins or myself for details of dates. We can and do arrange transport for those for whom it is helpful.
Pat White
Report from Flower Team
Our grateful thanks to all the members of the Flower Team who continue to produce lovely flowers and displays in Central to aid our worship on Sundays and on special festivals.
Christmas, Easter and Harvest are times when many of the team work together to decorate the front of the church, window sills and entrance porch. Most other Sundays see fresh flower arrangements placed at the front of the church. Our thanks also go to those who support the team giving donations which help with the costs.
Since Covid and especially since the illness of our dear friend Joan Cottrell, it has been more difficult to distribute flowers from Central to those we know who are unwell or confined to home. If anyone would like to take flowers to someone then please ask if the Sunday flowers are available. If it’s easier to go and buy some yourself to take as a gift to someone, please feel free to ask for your expenses to be reimbursed.
If you would like to take a turn at arranging flowers for a Sunday, please get in touch as it would be great to have you on the team.
Pat White
Online Church
We began at the beginning of covid as we experimented with zoom before making tentative steps into live-streaming. Our small team has continued to grow in confidence as has our user base. At the time of writing we have broadcast 234 videos illustrating a variety of church activities. Our YouTube site has been visited 70,000 times for a total of 3,250 hours and we have nearly 350 subscribers to our channel. We have been able to handle special events such as the recent departure service for Jo Smart, welcome for John Haley and the ‘churches together’ events at the Town Hall. We have also streamed and recorded several funerals both in house and elsewhere. We are currently experiencing some technical issues but we are continuing to put out high quality recorded content. Online church is here to stay, the church now has ‘glass walls’ and we look forward to the many possibilities that this new way of doing things has to offer Mike Carpenter
Children’s Work
Sundays
The number of children attending Sunday morning Church services remains small, although we have a fairly consistent core of about 6-8 children. We continue to provide activities and toys within the service and encourage the children to participate in songs, with musical shakers and ribbons.
Family Fun Events
These events take place approximately every 4 weeks on a Saturday morning and are well attended, averaging about 25 children plus other family members. The team plan activities around a theme including crafts, food activities, challenges, quizzes, a short video and modern songs. We also provide sports equipment and toddler toys. There are always snacks, cakes and drinks available. We are seeing some families returning each month and there is some connection with Chattabox families and Love Your Neighbour families.
Chattabox
Chattabox toddler group continues to be busy, with between about 12 and 35 babies / toddlers attending each week with their parent/s or carers. Activities are planned each week around a theme and include craft, messy/sensory play, small world play, ride on toys and large blocks; and a song / story time. The children are provided with a healthy snack and parents enjoy tea/coffee and biscuits. Val Carpenter
Love Your Neighbour – Food distribution
The model of distributing food to needy families is developing and changing. Some of our volunteers have had to stand down and after 2 years of delivering food to about 70 families we took the decision to encourage families to come into Central Dingley Hall to pick up their own food. Some families have done this and enjoy being able to choose what food they take. However quite a few families have not come in, nor contacted us to arrange delivery; but we continue to deliver to those families who requested delivery. We are now offering food as a community larder and we are seeing new families coming in once a fortnight, sometimes once a week if we are given a lot of short dated and fresh produce. Fareshare are giving us more chilled and fresh food; and we also receive fresh fruit and vegetables from the Gleanings Scheme, where surplus food is dug up in local farmers’ fields and distributed free to food charities and projects. We have also taken the opportunity to invite the people to stay for a cup of tea and a chat which quite a few have done and it has given us opportunities to get to know them better and invite them to other events, such as family fun days. Mike and Val Carpenter
Overnight Shelter
The shelter continues to be in use quite frequently and we have now obtained food and washing vouchers from the Gateway Centre for the occupants to use.
The terms and conditions have been updated and a small group created to manage the day to day arrangements. Occupants are now to be offered the room on a 7 day basis, to be reviewed each week up to a maximum of 28 days; and then may possibly be extended at the discretion of the Church Council, if the occupant is adhering to the terms and conditions and engaging with the relevant authorities.
Mike and Val Carpenter
Central Kitchen
In August 2022 we took part in the Cornwall County Time to Move Scheme which provides physical / sporting activities in the school holidays, for children who are entitled to free school meals. The activities took place at the Leisure Centre but there was a need for someone to provide hot lunches for up to 20 children and sports coaches, so we prepared these meals in the kitchen at Central and delivered them to the leisure centre. There is a plan for this to take place again at Christmas 2022 and Easter 2023. Mike and Val Carpenter
Musical Support – inc 245 Alive & PAL Services 2021-22
Musical support for the various styles of services is provided by a team of organists, the Church Worship Group and a singing group that uses song tracks.
Our thanks for the time and commitment go to our organists Jenny Worth and Richard Cottrell.
The ‘245 Alive’ evening services are well established with music support from the live worship band. Considerable thanks is due to the group, Alison Bumkum, Jennie Kernow, Robin Parnell, Ray Prout and Glenn Douce. The band rehearses every Saturday and are a very important part of the church’s worship.
Our thanks is also due to Mike Carpenter and the singing group are used in the church hall on the third Sunday in the month at the evening ‘Praise & Learning’ (PAL) service and also at other services.
Opportunities to explore new songs are always taken by all the musicians and, in consultation with the preacher, decisions are then made on the music to fit the service theme and readings. David Rogerson
Projectionists for Sunday Morning Worship 2021-22
The Duty Projectionists role at Central is to liaise with the worship co-ordinator and/or preacher for any given Sunday morning (and some evening) services to discuss the details and requirements for their service.
This detail is used to create a ‘schedule file’ which may include video links and PowerPoint files in the computer’s Easy-Worship program.
The iSingWorship program is also sometimes used to play song tracks with audio via the sound system. The projection team are very willing and I must take this opportunity to thank them all for their patience in meeting the challenges that new programs present.
The team for the reporting period was as follows:
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Jenny Cook
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Joan Helme
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Pat White
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Liz Miller
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David Rogerson (Janet Rogerson)
There is a real need for new helpers to join the team. If you feel you could help you would be most welcome. This important job may seem a little daunting at first, but anyone with a basic knowledge of computers and with some simple training is able to undertake the task.
The projectionist role is not too onerous and is a real contribution to the life of the churches worship.
Sound System Operators for Worship/Church Activities 2021-22
The Duty Sound System Operators role at Central is to liaise with the worship co-ordinator, musicians and/or preacher for any given Sunday morning (and some evening) services to discuss the details and requirements for their service.
Currently the team is as follows:
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Andrew Johnson
-
David Allen
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Eric Rowland
-
Mike Carpenter
The sound desk does present a challenge for us in the church and we really are always on the lookout for new helpers of all ages for the team, so if you feel you could help you would be most welcome. This responsible job is really important but not too onerous and is a real contribution to the life of the churches worship.
If you have any questions please speak to Eric Rowland or a member of the team. David Rogerson
Central’s Presence on the Internet 2021-22
The Central and Circuit web sites - www.central-methodist.org.uk www.lamc.org.uk
The Central and Circuit web sites continue to provide a modern, informative presence on the Internet, enabling people in the local community and indeed across the world to be aware of our work and fellowship. The sites are hosted and run at a very low cost and have proved to be very useful in keeping people informed about what is on at the church, our work and worship.
A daily diary of Central’s events, the weekly bulletin, a quarterly list of the preachers, organists, readers, coffee rota, flower rota and Coordinators at Central together with the circuits ‘Spotlight’ magazine are always available. The site includes full information on what is on at Central with news of forthcoming events as far ahead as the summer holiday club. You can also catch up on most recent sermons at Central which are available online.
A reduced copy of the circuit plan showing preachers and services can also be accessed on both sites with all documents being in an easily printable PDF format. There are also a number of links to other sites including the Methodist Church and Cornwall district web sites.
Central has an excellent Facebook page which is run by Gillian Goodman. Running a Facebook page can be time consuming so we must thank Gillian for her work and her diligence with the page.
The greatest challenge is to keep the sites vibrant and up to date with the news of what is happening. Indeed, it is hoped that they truly reflect everything about what happens at Central and the circuit. If you have any information, articles or photographs for inclusion on the web sites please don't hesitate to contact David Rogerson on 01579 370412 or by email at david@lamc.org.uk David Rogerson
Worship Co-ordinators for Sunday Morning Worship 2021-22
The duty Worship Co-ordinator liaises with the preacher for the Sunday morning service to discuss worship, music, facilities and other requirements for their service. This specific role is very similar to that undertaken by a steward in other Methodist churches and has successfully been in place since 1997 when the specific need for continuity was identified due to the differing styles of Central’s worship.
There are currently just two Worship Co-ordinators to cover services. They are Maggie Macoun and David Rogerson. Other help is given by Mike Carpenter and Rev David Miller.
The co-ordinators for the quarter are listed in the worship contacts collated by David Rogerson and available on line on the church website at www.central-methodist.org.uk.
It should be noted that the online copy is always the most up to date version and every effort is made to ensure that changes to the listing are promptly made. It is inevitable that changes will happen during any given quarter.
The list is also promulgated on the notice board in the vestry. If you would like a personal copy please speak to a steward or David Rogerson.
The team is in real need of more helpers, so if you feel you could help you would be most welcome as, currently the two coordinators are often stretched to fulfil all the needs. The job is important but not onerous, requiring a little time on the phone during their duty week to contact the preacher, organist or musicians and the readers to ensure they are all aware of the details of the service.
The Launceston Central Family Album 2021-22
The Central Family Photograph album is currently under abeyance as the implications of GDPR are considered.
David Rogerson & Julie Boundy
Stewards' Report
At the beginning of the period church services were beginning to take on normality – the ribbons had been removed from the chairs – distancing was still encouraged. Pat is doing the monthly notice sheet.
As we approached Christmas we were able to relax more of the Covid rules, allowing us to open the Church and hall for Late Night Shopping, providing fun and games and refreshments for all ages. A display of nativity scenes was organised in the Church along with storytelling and a treasure hunt. Bags of love were also distributed to members if the congregation who have been unable to attend services. The services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were led by David Miller and were well attended.
Marion and I are sharing the Senior Steward’s role - she is the organised one and I’m her scatty counterpart. As we said goodbye to Andrew Baker, Trevor Barriball and Neville Helme we have welcomed three new stewards - Maureen Jiggens, Andrew Statton and Maureen Teixeira.
We are enjoying getting back to normal after Covid with the numbers attending being relatively consistent. Many people are giving via the bank or using the card reader to donate their offerings.
We have hosted several funerals, some filling the Chapel to capacity, and more! We have been honoured to welcome the Mayor, Leighton Penhale and the Councillors, for the Civic Ceremony. Along with our Harvest Thanksgiving a successful Gift Day was held, rising £16,000 so far. Gifts for harvest were donated to the Food Bank and Love Your Neighbour, while flowers were taken to various members of the congregation who were unable to attend.
Wednesday Fellowship
We meet every Wednesday in the Church Hall from September to May when a variety of speakers kindly give up their afternoon to lead us in worship and fellowship—with a mixture of varying topics and religious services. This is always followed by refreshments and chat. In May we held our annual cream tea at 40 Dunheved Road , blessed with good weather again and the house was full of chatter and laughter—many of our speakers joined us for the afternoon as well.
As we do not meet in the summer months we go out on an outing. This year we travelled firstly to Laneast church and were kindly shown around by the church warden—admiring the medieval glass window and many other lovely features. We then travelled via Crackington Haven (to see the sea) to Boscastle Farm Shop for afternoon tea.
In August we welcomed the Fellowship group from Tavistock Methodist Church to join us for afternoon tea - this was also very enjoyable and this exchange may continue as we had previously visited them.
In December we enjoy our Christmas lunch at Trethorne.
Each week we have a collection and this is shared with Central for expenses and local charities—this past year to Foodbank, Launceston Street Pastors and Christian Aid.
Angela Noakes, who organised our whole programme, has moved to South Petherwin chapel and we thank her for all that she did for us at Wednesday Fellowship.
Jenny Worth and Marion Allen
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| Internal Organisations |
Receipts | Payments | Net Receipts/Payments |
Adjustments | Opening Balance |
Closing Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Church | 934 | 120 | 814 | 4455 | 5269 | |
| Benevolent | 4943 | 3954 | 989 | 1790 | 2779 | |
| TuesdayGroup | 377 | 385 | (8) | 13 | 5 | |
| Flower Fund | 60 | 80 | (20) | 137 | 117 | |
| Chatterbox | 1,056 | 1,590 | (534) | 1172 | 638 | |
| Wednesday Fellowship |
300 | 300 | 0 | 415 | 415 | |
| Kids Club | 0 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 81 | |
| Sub total | 7,670 | 6,429 | 1,241 | 8,064 | 9,305 | |
| Cash Funds Held at 31st Aug.2022 |
Opening Balance | Closing Balance |
||||
| Current Account |
7,660 | 7,444 | ||||
| CFB | 90,693 | 74,327 | ||||
| Total | 106,417 | 91,121 | ||||
| Other Assets | ||||||
| Investments | 191,557 | 197,698 | ||||
| Buildings | 5,676,114 | 6,294,738 | ||||
| Loans | To Circuit | (18,000) | ||||