2020-12-31-accounts

St Michael and All Angels Church Middlewich Annual Report and Accounts Year ending 31[st] December 2020 Registered Charity No. 1127335

All For Christ + Christ For All

Annual Report for Middlewich Parish Church to 31 December 2020

Contents

Introduction by the Rector, Simon Drew ............................................. 3 Section 1: Trustee's Report (for Charity Commission): ..................... 3 Aim and purposes ................................................................................ 3 Objectives and Activities ...................................................................... 4 Achievements and performance ........................................................... 4 Financial Review .................................................................................. 5 Reserves Policy ................................................................................... 6 Development of Financial Systems ...................................................... 6 Volunteers ............................................................................................ 7 Structure, governance and management ............................................. 7 Administrative Information .................................................................... 7 Restoration Project ............................................................................... 8 Section 2: Achievements and Performance ...................................... 11 Church Wardens’ Fabric Report. ........................................................ 11 Number 28 Activities .......................................................................... 12 Pastoral Care – the Circle of Care...................................................... 13 Schools, Families and Young Peoples Work ...................................... 14 Music, Services and Worship ............................................................. 15 Section 3: Evangelism, Ecumenical Relationships and Mission ..... 17 Church@28 ........................................................................................ 17 Messy Church@Cledford ................................................................... 17 Card Group ........................................................................................ 18 Mothers’ Union ................................................................................... 18 Street Pastors .................................................................................... 18 St Michael and All Angels Ringing Team (SMAART) ......................... 19 Home and Overseas Mission Support ................................................ 20 Save the Family .............................................................................. 20 Christian Service Unit - Khammam ................................................. 20 Congo – ABC Link .......................................................................... 21 Appendix 1 – Financial Statements Year Ended 31 Dec 2020 .......... 22 Appendix 2 – Proposed Table 1 for Year Ended 31 Dec 2021 .......... 23

Annual Report for Middlewich Parish Church to 31 December 2020

Introduction by the Rector, Simon Drew

The year 2020 is one which we will not forget very easily as our nation has lived through the Covid19 pandemic. It has been a difficult year for all of us and church life has been severely disrupted with churches being closed and our services/activities significantly restricted. The hard work and dedication of many of our church members in establishing an alternative way of worshipping and working has been greatly appreciated.

Normal church life came to an end in March 2020 when the first lockdown was announced. The church & No28 were closed and most meetings cancelled. In response we began to offer an alternative way of doing church. The ministry team took on the task of offering pastoral care via the telephone to everyone on our membership list. Weekly emails, Facebook and the website became the core of our communication strategy. Worship and teaching was offered as a pre-recorded YouTube video, and also live on Facebook. Meetings and study groups began again using MS Teams and Zoom where appropriate. Then when we were able to run services again with all the social distancing and personal hygiene measures in place we introduced the live streaming of services for those who could not attend.

After the success of last year’s stewardship campaign the Covid19 restrictions once more put our finances in a difficult situation, like many other churches. In response we held another stewardship campaign. My thanks to all who responded financially so that, despite Covid19, we ended 2020 with a small surplus.

So we have learnt how to do things differently but it is still all done in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We have engaged a new group of people with the Gospel by going ‘online’ but I hope and pray that we have managed to maintain our care and support of the church family as well. I am very grateful to the staff team and the PCC for their ongoing support during this difficult year. We will as always continue to work on being ‘All for Christ & Christ for All’ through our goals: Committed to Discipleship, Effective in Mission and Faithful in Stewardship.

Section 1: Trustee's Report (for Charity Commission):

The contents of this section are specifically required by the Charity Commission.

Aim and purposes

St Michael & All Angels, is the only Anglican Church in the mid Cheshire town of Middlewich. Due to its prominent and imposing position in the centre of the town, St Michael’s is a landmark when approaching from any direction.

Middlewich Parish has a population of 15,000 and is part of a benefice joined with Byley-cumLees a nearby small country parish with 900 inhabitants.

Our incumbent is the Reverend Simon Drew. The incumbent at St Michael’s is supported by Reverend Liz Woode (Associate Priest), Reverend Thia Hughes (Associate Priest) Reverend Lorraine Reed (Associate Priest) and Revd Alison Boulton (NSM Curate), Reverend Simon Hamill-Stewart (a retired minister), Revd John Hughes (a retired minister), Jeremy Coles (Director of Music & Family Work) and Beth Deakin (Office Manager).

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Our seven Readers, Jacqui Briscoe, Steve Broadfoot, Christine Hamill-Stewart, Tony Woode, Anne Latham, Duncan Goodwin and Julie Hassall along with Sylvia Bosomworth, Sue Ikin and Elaine Reynolds (Pastoral Care Workers) form our team of ten lay workers.

The aim and purpose of the Church according to the Westminster Catechism is ‘to glorify God and enjoy him forever’. The Rector, supported enthusiastically by the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and the lay and ordained staff, prayerfully pursues this objective in planning the services, outreach and pastoral ministry of the Church in the community. We hope a rather different set of activities during 2020 have still brought us nearer to meeting our objective.

Objectives and Activities

The PCC and staff team are committed to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the community of Middlewich through word and action – All for Christ + Christ for All ! As such our mission statement is: Committed to Discipleship, effective in Mission, and faithful in Stewardship.

The following are still our objectives but during 2020 we were significantly limited in those that we could actively pursue:

DISCIPLESHIP: Implement a programme of teaching and training on discipleship, using a mixture of different styles/formats.

MISSION: Strengthen our existing areas of community engagement: No28, Smilers, Street Pastors, Festival Choir, Song Stars, Card Group, Church@28, Foodbank, Good Neighbours, and Messy Church@Cledford. Develop mission in the Cledford area, building on Messy Church@Cledford.

RESOURCES: Move forward with the Restoration Project Phase 2. Maintain a healthy level of financial stewardship

To facilitate these objectives St Michael’s seeks to maintain a committed team of staff and volunteers, and usable and effective resources in the shape of the church building and No 28, our parish centre.

Achievements and performance

Worship and prayer

Our usual pattern of worship and prayer has been disrupted by the Covid19 pandemic. A new pattern has emerged during 2020. The key elements are our weekly pre-recorded Sunday service, live worship and prayer events on Facebook and twice weekly reflections shared by email and also on Facebook. When the lifting of restrictions allowed we held socially distanced Sunday morning services at 9:15am & 11am, with the 11am service being live streamed via YouTube. We have also encouraged church members to use the daily office/readings at home.

We hope this mixture of resources for worship and prayer has both strengthened the faith of our existing members, and enabled us to reach out to a new group of people within our community who have not previously engaged with the church of Christian faith.

At 31 December 2020 there were 129 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll. The weekly average attendance for services which took place during October was 93 adults and children, but the number of people engaging at home (online) during October was estimated to be 250 each week.

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As well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of life, in marriage public vows are exchanged with God’s blessing and through funeral services friends and family express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and to commend the person into God's keeping. This year baptisms and weddings were significantly curtailed by the pandemic.

We have celebrated 2 baptisms, 1 wedding and held 14 funerals in our church this year. However the ministry team also conducted 21 funeral services at various local crematoria, and 9 graveside funerals.

Deanery Synod

The Middlewich Deanery Synod met once during 2020. St Michael and All Angels were well represented by both ordained and lay representatives. Our Rector, Simon Drew, is currently the Rural Dean.

Pastoral care

Pastoral Care remains an important and integral part of ministry at St Michael’s and comes under our Circle of Care initiative. It is about living our faith in action as we care for one another, and that includes people in our wider community. This year the Covid19 pandemic has made the core we offer to others even more important, even if for long periods this was only possible by telephone.

Mission and Evangelism

As part of its commitment to mission, St Michael’s Church continues to be actively engaged in mission and evangelism. Further details are given in sections 2 & 3 of this report. The pandemic has curtailed many of our outreach activities.

Evangelistic activities usually include Church@28, the Card Group and Messy Church@Cledford. Mission initiatives within Middlewich include Street Pastors, Middlewich Good Neighbours, Middlewich Food bank, Nursing Homes services, schools & youth work and the No 28 Drop-In. Supported charitable mission includes St Luke’s Hospice, Save the Family, Christian Service Unit - Khammam and the Congo ABC Link.

Ecumenical relationships

Churches Together in Middlewich continued to meet together during 2020, although our usual round of joint services and activities were unable to take place. Mutual support and prayer have been to core of our meeting together, usually in a virtual context.

Financial Review

The accounts show a surplus for 2020 of ₤2,769 with total receipts (excluding the parish weekend) down by ₤6,283 on 2019. There was an increase of £5,768 in voluntary income, a decrease in money received through Church Activities (fees from weddings and funerals) of £19,832 and an increase in investment income of £203. No 28, our parish centre, produced a net deficit of £3,867 in the year (compared to a surplus of £276 in 2019).

Overall payments (again excluding the parish weekend) decreased by ₤9,435 on 2019.

Total charitable giving to our four charities was £2,316 (₤1,254 lower than in 2019), and 2% of our voluntary income.

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Fixed assets in the shape of No 28 Hightown stand at ₤295,000, the property being revalued in May 2015. Total funds available to the PCC were ₤21,615 higher than at the end of 2019 at a year-end value of ₤316,987. The restricted funds, which are not available to the PCC were ₤2,752 higher than 2019 due to the revaluing of some funds. The year-end value of these funds stood at ₤52,363.

Reserves Policy

See table 3 in Appendix 1: The PCC has allocated ₤202,000 to church development to improve the interior of the church. ₤83.137 has been kept in reserve to cover 6 months running costs for church and No 28. ₤8,851 is allocated for further refurbishment work to No 28, and we propose the remaining ₤23,000 for ongoing outreach and spreading the gospel in Middlewich.

Development of Financial Systems

Background

For many years, and certainly since 2010, we have been seeking to improve the reporting of our financial data, and progress had been made in improving our banking and utilities management systems. However the need for faster progress was emphasised in February 2019 when the extent of the deficit in 2018 came to light. At that point the PCC agreed the following objectives:

1. An annual budget would be prepared and agreed before the end of the previous year

2. Every quarter the PCC would receive a standard tabular report, detail increasing over time, showing performance against budget and predicting with some assumptions the outturn at the year end

3. The FSC would meet at least quarterly

4. The structure of the Annual Financial Report would be improved

5. Shortly after the APCM every year the result for the previous year would be presented orally and in writing to the whole congregation at a relatively high level

6. Consideration would be given to using a database instead of the current system of spreadsheets to process the financial data

Progress

By early 2020 significant progress had been made, but it became apparent that we would not be able to meet all our objectives without the employment of a web based accounting database. After consideration of two systems, both of which were designed for the use of Charities, it was decided to use a system called ExpensePlus. Work started in October 2020 to set up the system, and it was ready for use for the financial year 2021. The benefits of the system are:

• It is Cloud based which allows data to be input directly by a number of people, reducing the amount of work required by the treasurer in assimilating reports, emails, meeting notes etc. and spreading the load of data management over a number of people.

• Management of the data and production of reports can be done by more than one person, so that we are less vulnerable to the unavailability of individuals because of work pressures, sickness etc.

• The data is held securely in the Cloud so we are less vulnerable to the failure or unavailability of an individual’s computer.

• We have developed and incorporated a standard accounting structure, which means that management reports will be more detailed, easily understood and consistent from

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year to year. A pro forma of the summary level Table 1 for next year’s Finance Report is included as Appendix 2.

• The system includes tools for budgeting and forecasting which provide an element of protections against unpleasant surprises.

• Gift Aid data is held within the system, simplifying hugely the process of application to HMRC.

Conclusion

We expect that 2021 will be a learning year, but by the end of it all our objectives should have been met. The annual cost of employing ExpensePlus is £300, but this is in my view a small price to pay for the benefits which will accrue.

Volunteers

Once again, heartfelt thanks to all our amazing volunteers, too numerous to mention by name, who, despite the Covid19 pandemic have enabled our church to be such a key and vibrant part of community life.

Structure, governance and management

The method of appointment of Parochial Church Council (PCC) members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St Michael’s the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent (our Rector), Churchwardens, Deanery Synod representatives, two of the Readers selected from amongst the seven of them, members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church, plus co-options as required. All those who attend our services/members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

In Middlewich sufficient parishioners are prepared to stand for the PCC so that it is sometimes necessary to hold elections. It has therefore been possible to require members to stand down every three years for at least one year. This enables fresh ideas to be put forward, which in our opinion more than offsets the possible disadvantage of some members not having a longstanding exposure to detailed PCC procedures.

PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent, updating policies on safeguarding, health & safety and GDPR, and also the Church’s strategy. The Standing Committee (SC) – a sub-committee of the PCC - has delegated financial authority, provides a forum for detailed discussion on some complex issues and makes decisions on matters which do not require a full PCC discussion. All SC proceedings are reported to the PCC.

Administrative Information

The PCC and the SC usually meet on alternate months and sometimes have additional meetings as required. The PCC met 5 times during the year with an average attendance level of 80%. The Standing Committee met 11 times to deal with various matters relating to lockdown restrictions and church life over the year, with an average attendance level of 90%.

PCC members who served during 2020 were: Ex Officio members: Incumbent and Chairman: Reverend Simon Drew Associate Priest: Reverend Lorraine Reed Associate Priest: Reverend Liz Woode

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Associate Priest: Reverend Thia Hughes

Churchwardens:

Keith Yearley, Chris Coney, Steve Bailey (re-elected as Churchwardens at the AMP in October 2020).

Deanery Synod Representatives: Hugh Malkin & Sylvia Bosomworth (both until October 2020) Anne Latham & Godfrey Davies (both from October 2020)

Reader’s representatives: Tony Woode, Steve Broadfoot (until October 2020)

Co-opted members:

Neil Clewes (Treasurer) has served as a co-opted member since the APCM in October 2020.

Elected Members:

Graham Ikin, Carl Birkenhead, John Currie, Christine Malkin (Secretary), Mike Reed (Vice Chairman), Ian Jeffery and Kate Mayne were members throughout the year.

Bridget Anton, Neil Clewes and Robert Reed were members until October 2020 but retired in rotation. We thank them for their important service to the church. The following people were elected at the APCM in October 2020 to serve on the PCC for three years: Paul Hassall, Rachel Pendleton, Elaine Reynolds, Bret Ritchie.

Standing Committee members who served during 2020 were:

Simon Drew (Chairman), Neil Clewes (Treasurer), Christine Malkin (Secretary), Keith Yearley (Churchwarden), Chris Coney (Churchwarden), Steve Bailey (Churchwarden), Mike Reed (Vice Chairman), Graham Ikin (until October 2020), and Elaine Reynolds (from October 2020).

Other Committees:

Working groups drawn not only from the PCC also met during the year to consider work to the church building, fundraising, stewardship, organ repairs, safeguarding and health & safety.

Staff Team:

Throughout the year, the day to day activities of the Church are coordinated through a weekly meeting of the Staff Team. This is an informal meeting to which the ordained and lay staff and churchwardens are invited. The maximum possible attendance is 19, and the average attendance is about 12.

Restoration Project

Introduction

The Church Restoration Project was conceived in 2012 as a consequence of the large amount of structural work identified in the 2012 Quinquennial inspection and the PCC’s stated intention to develop the interior of the building to improve the facilities for the congregation and community, and to comply with current legislation.

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It consists of a major project split into large phases, and a number of minor projects. The project, including fundraising, is led by a Restoration Project Group. which generally meets once a quarter. Its members are: Mike Reed (Chair); Chris Coney (Warden); Simon Drew (Rector); Elaine Reynolds; Steve Broadfoot; Ian Jeffery. The group met only twice in 2020.

Overall Strategy

We are conscious of the need to coordinate the conservation of the fabric and artefacts with improvements to the interior of the building. We are committed to making the heritage represented by our building more accessible to the public, and are also mindful of the need to press forward with work which enables the mission of the church, and to keep these aspects in balance. The plan, influenced by the 2018 Quinquennial Inspection, looks like this: Phase 1 Roof, rainwater goods and associated high level stonework – North Side - £290k – Completed in 2017

Phase 2 Major Scheme incorporating three types of work:

• Conservation Work - mainly to the South Aisle and Bell Tower

• Heritage Work – restoration of the Venables Screens; opening the bell tower to the public; developing the heritage trail; generally improving the condition of some historical artefacts

• Internal Development Work, making the building : fully accessible; usable for many purposes; compliant with modern legal requirements; provided with up to date facilities

This is expected to cost over £1m and may start in about 2022 Phase 3 Lower level exterior stonework and timber repairs (Around £250k; about 2024)

Progress in 2020

Main Project

Progress on Phase 2 of the main project continued to be affected by the need to divert the efforts of members of the team to improving the church financial systems and performance: the unexpected impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was also an issue. However, the pandemic raised our awareness of the need to improve hygiene in the building, and simultaneously several sources of ‘Covid-19 Recovery’ funding became available. This led us to break out the mains drainage aspects of Phase 2 into a minor project with the addition of some temporary hot water, hand washing and dish cleaning facilities. Our quantity surveyor agreed to update an old estimate free of charge and a total cost, including VAT of about £43,000 was determined. An application was put into the National Lottery Heritage Fund, but this was unsuccessful. Other sources of funding are available and further grant applications will be made.

Minor Projects

Smaller pieces of work have also been carried out as part of the Project.

• The Pigeon deterrents work carried out in 2019 is proving to be effective.

• The five yearly electrical Inspection of the building has been carried out and remedial work is in progress.

• The Lady Chapel floor has been sanded and re-varnished.

Fundraising

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Fundraising events have been curtailed by the pandemic, and the only income to the Restoration Fund was a small number of donations amounting to £350 including one from as far afield as Anglesey, an award of £130 from Ecclesiastical Insurance and a legacy of £2,000. As reported above, an unsuccessful application to the NLHF was made for the Covid-19 Recovery (Drains) Project.

Documents relating to a Legacy Campaign were issued to the congregation in February, although of course this is not aimed solely at raising money for Restoration. A photograph by Steve Broadfoot was entered into a photographic competition run by Ecclesiastical Insurance, but it was unsuccessful.

The balance of the fund at the end of December 2020 was £4,830.

Thanks

Thanks are due to those who have worked on the project over this difficult year: the project has several years to run and your prayers for team stamina and wise decision making would be appreciated. Offers of help would be very welcome.

Mike Reed Project Coordinator

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Section 2: Achievements and Performance

These reports are presented in addition to the Charity commission’s statutory requirements

Church Wardens’ Fabric Report.

The church fabric is generally in good condition and despite the problems with Covid 19 and social distancing etc., work has continued on both the Church building and no28.

The buildings maintenance committee has met a couple of times on “Teams” during the year to ensure that necessary maintenance and updating of the Church building and no 28 has continued. The schedule of inspection and maintenance tasks that need to be carried out at regular intervals has been put on hold temporarily as it is at a stage where face to face meetings and discussions need to be held on site to finalise the health and safety aspects of the schedule.

As noted in the 2019 fabric report an ongoing list of tasks is kept by the group and each is ticked off when successfully completed. A defects logbook has also been started and is accessible via the office administrator. This should be completed whenever a fault is found or a maintenance task requested, either in church or in number 28, in order that this is effective consistent input from all volunteers and staff is vital.

A number of maintenance and other improvement tasks have been completed during 2020, some of which were in fact easier to complete due to the Church building and no28 being closed for considerable periods of time during the year, thus allowing access to areas that would normally not be easily accessible for longer periods of time, such as wood block floors. These are highlighted below:

Church building

•  The church has been reorganised to operate within the rules laid down for safe services and prayer during the Covid 19 pandemic. This work has included organising safe seating layouts, one way movement within Church and automatic hand sanitiser dispensers being fitted at entries, along with all necessary signage.

•  The Lady Chapel floor was sanded and varnished.

•  Gutters and downpipes have been inspected and cleared twice.

•  The weather vane on the tower roof has been cleaned and repainted.

•  The Wi-Fi antenna has been repositioned to improve the signal between Church and No 28.

•  The electrical safety survey has been completed and a number of issues were found. These have mostly been corrected during the year by Paul Hassall contractors, with some assistance from Volunteers Steve Bailey and Graham Ikin in the running in of some of the new cabling for the power and lighting.

•  Replacement boiler controls were fitted and these now allow for remote monitoring and operation which is very helpful.

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No28

•  Upgraded gas piping from meter to boiler and cooker by accredited contractor.

•  Fitted new steel sheet to the outside of the back door of No28 to improve security.

•  Fitted letter box on back gate to ensure post can be delivered when no one is present.

•  Reinforced the boiler house door following an attempted break in.

•  Painted and decorated the cafe area.

•  Sanded sealed and re-varnished floor in cafe area including reworking of the front door area which is now much safer.

•  Fitted automatic hand sanitiser dispensers and necessary Covid safety signage.

•  Removed the right hand window display area (looking from outside), then made the area good with wooden flooring and fitted a safety rail in front of the window. This will allow for better and safer spacing of tables in the café area, and easier to see that it is a café from outside.

•  Re-modelled the work and serving area to be more user friendly for volunteers and fitted clear safety screens for covid security of volunteers. This was completed in early 2021 and some further work is anticipated in this area in anticipation of us being able to reopen the café as soon as we are allowed.

No 28

The general fabric of Number 28 remains in good condition and it is anticipated that in 2021 further redecoration and improvements will be made especially with regards to reopening the café area of the building in a Covid safe manner.

The raised area of the kitchen floor continues to be monitored but this has not recurred during 2020

And finally, thanks to our team of volunteers who look after the day to day maintenance and running of the Church and no 28. Especially this year to Graham, Paul and Steve who have carried out most of the above works.

Churchwardens, Chris, Keith and Steve

Number 28 Activities

As we are all aware, 2020 was a painful year for many people and the effects of Covid 19 continue to be felt globally.

We began the year at No 28 full of optimism for the year ahead but it wasn’t long before reports began to circulate in the national media about a new virus which began to spread at an alarming rate. Several of our volunteers were understandably nervous about front facing roles in No 28 and we did struggle with fulfilling the demands of the rota, especially when the

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Government guidance became more restrictive, with advice on handwashing and hand sanitizing.

By 23[rd] March 2020, the Prime Minister had announced that the country was to enter a national lockdown. The decision to close No 28 was then taken out of our hands as everyone was instructed to stay at home.

The office phone has been diverted to a mobile phone which Beth now has at home and answers during office working hours. Occasional visits are made to the office as some work can’t be done from home (eg. Writing cheques).

Annual maintenance has been undertaken in No 28 so it is still Health and Safety compliant (fire alarm checks, fire extinguisher checks all up to date).

The shop area has been decorated, the floor has been repaired and sealed and the counter area has been completely re-organised and plastic screens erected so that when we do reopen, we can provide a Covid safe environment. One of the window areas has been opened up to create more floor space so that the tables and chairs can be more distanced.

Thank you to everyone who has been involved in the renovations of No. 28, it looks amazing! We are working towards opening up No 28 again and being a part of the community once again. Obviously, this has to be done in a Covid secure way so there are many discussions which have to happen first but we are hopeful that we are moving towards this. Many thanks to all our volunteers, hope to see you all again soon.

(Beth Deakin)

Pastoral Care – the Circle of Care

It was decided that the best way to offer friendship, support and care in a very challenging and difficult situation would be to set up a telephone contact network. The Church Family was shared amongst members of the Ministry Team and Circle of Care members so that people would be kept in touch and not feel isolated.

I think that everyone has appreciated the contact, conversations and prayer. We have tried to include everyone but didn’t have contact details for some people. We were aware that not everyone was online and couldn’t access the services. Mike and Lorraine very kindly produced DVDs of services which they sent out regularly, and these were gratefully received. Sadly, most of our regular visiting hasn’t happened because of Covid 19, but some of us have done ‘window’ visits, ‘garden’ and ‘garage’ visits.

Perhaps our most difficult challenge was supporting and helping those who have been bereaved. All the relatives have received phone calls within 2 weeks of the funeral assuring them of our prayer support. We did manage to hold 2 ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving’ services in Oct/Nov but, sadly, the third had to be cancelled due to lockdown. We are producing a ‘Bereavement Prayer Bag’ to give to relatives which we hope will give them some comfort and hope as they face this very sad and difficult time particularly with the current restrictions on funerals.

Thank you to everyone who has been involved and gone the extra mile. Never has Pastoral Care been so needed as people have struggled to cope as we fulfil this ministry to which God

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has called us. We remember Jesus’ words, “Just as I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

Praying in the power of the Holy Spirit that God will reach out beyond the walls of our Church into the community we serve, that the Gospel will be proclaimed in Word and action, that God’s Kingdom will come here on Earth as it is in Heaven. We have a God-given opportunity and responsibility to share that love now.

(Thia Hughes)

Schools, Families and Young Peoples Work

This report will obviously be quite different for the year 2020 due to the Corona Virus Pandemic.

The role of family worker was created to support, develop, coordinate and add value to existing ministries within St Michaels and develop new opportunities within the wider community. In August this year (2020) I had been in post for 15 years.

SCHOOLS Middlewich Primary School Cledford Primary School Byley County Primary School Wimboldsley Community Primary School St Mary’s (R.C.) Primary School Warmingham (C.E.) Primary School (neighbouring parish)

The church’s support for school assemblies and R.E. lessons continued until the UK went into official lockdown at the end of March 2020.

Many activities were sadly suspended including the big end of term services with Cledford School, the Folk and Boat Weekend and the usual Advent and Christmas interactions with the schools.

From the beginning of lockdown I was able to maintain daily live-streamed events through Facebook for under 5s (SMILERS age) and 5-11s (Primary School age)

These were well received by many families with smaller children but didn’t effectively meet the need of schools. Since then it has only been possible to lead occasional assemblies directly into certain schools by ‘zoom’ (remotely). Daily streamed events were eventually cut back to twice weekly with a ‘Praise Party’ special at the weekend. This will be reviewed in the New Year

SMILERS (St Michael’s Early Years) Mondays 1.15-3.00pm

Suspended from March 2020 due to Covid pandemic

KINGDOM KIDS (including KINGDOM TOTS) Sundays 11am

Suspended from March 2020 due to Covid pandemic.

Activities were adapted during periods when church services were functioning inside the building. The outdoor craft activities were well received during the ‘SHINE’ events

AWOL Youth Group

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Sundays 6:30pm

The AWOL group has established a new pattern of meeting fortnightly on a Sunday evening via Zoom. The group has been led by Simon Drew & Sarah Olbrich and around 7 young people participate in the group.

MESSY CHURCH

Suspended from March 2020 due to Covid pandemic

Many thanks to Elaine Reynolds, Emma Nicholl and Sue Ikin for their continued support of activities aiming to support Messy Church families and others in the Cledford area of town. Many activity/lunch bags have been distributed over the year. Thanks to Margaret Byrne and Lorraine for the wonderful prayer activity bags distributed throughout the year.

Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel. Jeremy

- Jeremy Coles Director of Music and Family Work

Music, Services and Worship

CHURCH CHOIR & WORSHIP GROUP

Much of the choir and worship group activity was initially suspended from March 2020 due to the Covid pandemic

SERVICES

Services were transferred online in March 2020 in the form of pre-recorded acts of worship. Hymns and songs were recorded by the choir and worship group where possible and sometimes by individuals. Many thanks to Mike Reed, Alistair Griffiths and others for their help with the technology and recordings.

Music was reintroduced into ‘on-site’ services at church where lockdown rules permitted, with the 11am SHINE service being transferred outdoors during the summer months. Initially this was ‘performance’ type pieces. Congregational singing has unfortunately been suspended due to government legislation.

A special thank you to Paul Humphreys for his continued development and running of the P.A. system and online filming and recording of live-streamed events.

The church’s online presence has grown considerably in the last year. The new initiative of live streamed worship, prayer and ‘fellowship’ from the LIVING ROOM has reached many new people and reconnected many in our community with the church family. This was initially every night at 7pm for the first few months then scaled back to Wednesdays and Sundays. It has been wonderful to see people from around the UK and other countries joining us for worship and a renewed sense of hope and belonging. Special thanks to Duncan, Trish, Leanne and Sally for their faithfulness to providing song words during the live services during the year.

We were able to live-stream the Light Party, Christingle and Christmas Services among other events during the year.

Thank you to everyone who has regularly given us feedback and commented upon how much they appreciate all that we have been able to offer

FESTIVAL CHOIR

Suspended from March 2020 due to the Covid pandemic

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SONG*STARS

Suspended from March 2020 due to the Covid pandemic

CHURCH@28

Suspended from March 2020 due to the Covid pandemic

Jeremy

- Jeremy Coles Director of Music and Family Work

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Section 3: Evangelism, Ecumenical Relationships and Mission

Church@28

Church@28 is now well established in St Michael’s and All Angels Church life. Our first service was back in January 2011, shortly before Simon Drew joined us that summer. The service enjoys fantastic support from a wide range of folk, both in Middlewich and Byley.

The service aims to be relaxed, informal and different. As the name might suggest, it is held at Number 28. It has always been the heart of the service to be accessible and engaging to all – not just Church regulars. All are welcome - sceptics , seekers, doubters and believers. It starts at 6:30pm and is monthly.

2020 was of course the strangest of years with just two services in January and February, which were attended by 43 and 33 people respectively.

When COVID 19 arrived and the first lockdown started, Church@28 services were stopped. In more normal times I may have experimented with an online version.

However, on a personal basis 2020 was a particularly busy year - I launched a new business and my wife gave birth to our first child in the August. So, the format was rested and I suppose to a degree, so was I!

When times become more normal, we will be very keen to restart the service and once again develop the ministry.

Robert Reed

Messy Church@Cledford

Messy Church was a very strange affair during 2020. We were able to hold Messy Church on the 14[th] January, 11[th] February and the 10[th] March and then went into our first lockdown.

It was decided to provide Messy Church bags once a week during the school summer holiday. These contained a drink, a lunchable, biscuits and crisps and a craft activity. The craft activities were themed and included Daniel, Jonah and Noah. The bags were assembled by Elaine and Emma and distributed in the carpark at Cledford School.

There were also light party bags distributed at the end of October when Jeremy also recorded some songs and games.

This has been a very disappointing year for Messy Church as we had started to provide a hot meal for the families ensuring that they had at least one hot meal on the day of Messy Church. It also ensured that these families were engaging with scripture and church at least once a month.

Sadly there has been no discussion as to when we might start up again.

Alison Boulton

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Card Group

The group has been unable to meet this year because of COVID 19 but we intend to start again as soon as restrictions are lifted.

We continue to be self-financing, relying on donations and the sale of cards we make to finance materials and equipment and we are very grateful to everyone who has supported us by buying our cards. Even in lockdown I am able to accept commissions so if you would like a card for a special occasion please let me know.

Lorraine Reed

Mothers’ Union

The theme for 2020 was "Building Hope and Confidence", both of which everyone needed during the past year of restrictions and lock down periods.

The year started well with a lunch at the Rising Sun in January. This was followed in February by our AGM and afterwards we had poetry readings from a book compiled by Eileen Lees of Whitegate Mothers' Union, which included contributions from Julie Barker and John Currie. For the meeting in March we welcomed Sue Cowlishaw, Charity Ambassador of Care UK, based in Northwich and where much of our knitting goes.

The March meeting was our last meeting this year due to the pandemic so the rest of our programme was cancelled. Hopefully we will be able to invite those speakers when we can finally resume meetings at No. 28

The main activity this year has been the knitting and Chris Overton has been busy collecting and dealing with the items members have been making during lock down. Thanks go to her for the work she does in that respect.

So the hope for 2021 is that we will be able to get together before too long.

Susan Hawkes

Street Pastors

Due to the fact that Street Pastors operate closely with the local community, especially the younger people in our town, our work during 2020 has been greatly restricted due to the social distancing rules introduced by Government as a response to the Covid 19 epidemic. 2020 has unfortunately been a long period of inactivity during which we entered our eleventh year of operation.

Following the Christmas and New Year period where we do not normally go out on duty, Street Pastors teams started to go out on Friday nights in early February, but it was decided after the first 3 Fridays that the risk of close contact with other people potentially with the virus was too great for some of the older Pastors. Mainly due to the recommendation that those of a

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certain age should be shielding, we ceased going out until further notice. This remains the situation at the time of writing this report in early 2021.

Our AGM was held on 24[th] February 2020 and it was noted that financially our team is in relatively good health but that this may change as the Ascension Trust, our umbrella body, are looking to revise the way contributions from local teams are worked out and that this would negatively impact smaller teams such as our Middlewich group. This has been actively followed up during the year and may lead to our approach to Street Pastoring in Middlewich being changed. Thanks to Christine and Hugh Malkin for their work as Secretary and Treasurer for their contribution in this area.

Along with other members of Middlewich Churches a number of Middlewich Street Pastors attended the Redeeming our Communities (ROC) meeting at the MCC conference room in Brooks Lane on 27[th] February 2020. This was very positive and there has been sporadic feedback during 2020 but the initiative will need reviving once the Covid19 threat has reduced to manageable levels.

We continue to be represented in various initiatives within Middlewich, and Ruth Speed our Street Pastors co-ordinator is still working with the town council, Middlewich Vision and ROC on various projects and this makes sure that the profile of the team within the town and wider community continues to be acknowledged. and that various partners are made aware of what we do.

It is very likely that when the time comes that we are able to go out onto the streets again that for various reasons our numbers may have reduced further. It will then be very important that we encourage new people to become Street Pastors and carry on the work started almost eleven years ago.

In more normal times Middlewich Street Pastors are the only team of Christians that go out onto the streets of Middlewich to represent our churches. Whilst we are out, we talk to many people of all ages and we may be the only Christian people that they ever have contact with. We hope that it will not be too long before we can go out again and gently communicate the word and works of Jesus, and I’m sure we all look forward to this time. Keith Yearley

St Michael and All Angels Ringing Team (SMAART)

What a strange and disappointing year this turned out to be. Our only outing was a talk to Weaverham Mothers' Union in March. We have decided in principle to discontinue this type of activity. Although they are well received there is not the same enthusiasm for them within the team and this is beginning to show.

As might have been expected our normal rehearsal venue at Willowmere has not been available to us since the first national lockdown in March. However, in the autumn we were able to have a few practice sessions in Byley Village Hall. These were limited to a maximum of six ringers, socially distanced of course! For these sessions we used the hand chimes. Hitherto these had seen little use, but we soon adapted to the different techniques required to play them.

We are looking forward to the time we can resume practices of any sort. Apart from the music making, we are all missing the camaraderie which goes with group activities.

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David Hawkes

Home and Overseas Mission Support

Save the Family

Each New Year begins with such enthusiasm and determination to raise as much money as possible for our church charities. As 2020 progressed we were thwarted by the ‘Covid Crisis’. Our first fund raising function was to be a coffee morning on 26 March, but our lives of faith and service changed dramatically for each of us from 23[rd] of the month as we entered our first ‘lockdown’.

I found that I had 12 beautifully knitted Easter chicks, each containing a Cadbury’s egg. During Easter weekend I was in the garden and heard Izzy next door playing. She was a member of our Smilers Group. We both climbed step ladders and met at the top of a fence. I gave her a little chick; she was so pleased and said it was her best Easter present. Her smile said it all.

I owe a debt of gratitude to some fund raisers at St Michaels, namely: David and Miriam Sant, Elaine Reynolds and Graham Ikin, who managed to raise money for the church charities at the beginning of 2020, with a sum of £148.96 for Save the Family.

I have been in touch with Save the Family throughout 2020, but no visits were allowed. When Christmas approached, the staff wanted to create a virtual winter wonderland for the children. They were helped by some very talented volunteers and local businesses. John Lewis and Partners donated many gifts, toys for the children, clothing and homeware for the adults. Other companies, Moneypenny, 106.3 and Dandy’s Topsoil & Turf all carried out campaigns to provide toys and gifts. All the families, those resident and those supported through outreach, had a truly blessed Christmas and were not forgotten.

Jo Hulse

Christian Service Unit - Khammam

Background

As in the UK, events in Andhra Pradesh have been overshadowed this year by the Covid pandemic, with social distancing regulations preventing most of the activities of CSU. The general population are only allowed out between 6am and 11am for essential purposes so, all CSU admin tasks have to be completed between these times.

Because of travel restrictions, any activities which involve staff visiting other places have been stopped. This means that CSU are unable to distribute charitable gifts, HIV food packets and free lunches, or to visit the leprosy colony

Regional health workers, pastors and evangelists are unable to travel. Church services are forbidden. Day care centres are closed.

Schools and children’s homes have been closed, and the children dispersed to live with parents or relatives. Construction work on the school extension has been stopped. The Nursing School and the School of Evangelism have been closed, and the students dispersed.

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The government has requisitioned 1000 sets of PPE from CSU, which they must provide at their own expense, a sum of about £1000.

The Work Continues

The homes for the aged are operating normally, and are able to provide free lunches for anyone who calls.

The hospital is still running, albeit with minimum staff, and for emergencies only. CSU can give help to anyone who is able to visit the CSU premises.

The sewing centres are closed, but some trainees are working from home, stitching masks. Empty school buildings are being used as Government Supply Depots. CSU have been given government permission (and petrol) to use the school minibus for transporting itinerant workers who were trapped away from home by the lockdown.

Items for Prayer

The 120 Pastors and Evangelists are not paid a regular salary, and rely entirely on offerings from the church services they lead in remote villages. But church services and travel are both forbidden, and they have no other source of income. CSU do not have funds to support them, but are appealing for funds to give each of them a gift of £10.

Franklin has a bad tooth, which cannot be treated, because the dentist’s surgery is closed due to the lockdown. He has also had a bout of covid. We have not heard from him lately but, last time he wrote, he was recovering.

Thank You

Franklin, his family, the CSU staff, and all those who benefit from their work, send their love and greetings, and thank the fellowship at St Michael’s for your continuing support.

(Steve & Ruth Broadfoot)

Congo – ABC Link

Relationships between the Diocese of ARU and IPASC have had a very difficult and challenging year resulting in an unworkable situation.

BOGA Diocese. Many of those who were kidnapped earlier last year have either managed to escape or have been released. Obviously they have suffered considerable physical and mental trauma.

COVID 19 has also made an impact on both Dioceses, alongside Ebola – though this is now less of an issue. HIV continues to be problematic with patients in Aru unable to get to Uganda for treatment.

Please continue pray for the ABC link and especially for reconciliation and resolution between IPASC and the Church in Aru, that justice will prevail.

(Thia Hughes)

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Appendix 1 – Financial Statements Year Ended 31 Dec 2020

(To be printed separately)

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Appendix 2 – Proposed Table 1 for Year Ended 31 Dec 2021

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Independent Examinerfs Report on the Accounts Independent Examinerf5 Report to the members/trustees of St Michael & All Angels Church, Parochial Church Council. I report on the accounts for the year ended 31° De￿rnber 2020. Charity No.1127335 Respective responslbllltles of the Trustees and Independent Examlner The tharitvs trustees are responsible forthe p￿Par￿tIon of the accounts. The Charivs trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under sertion 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 Ithe 2011 Act) and thot an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under sertion 145 of the 2011 Act,. follow the procedures laid down in the general Dirertions given by the Charity Commlssloners section 1451Sllbl of the Charivs Act,. and State whether particular matters have come to rny notice Basls of Independent Examlnerfs Statement My examination was carried OLrt in accordance wlth the General Direction 8iven by the Chadty Commission. An examination Includes a review of the attountin8 records kept by the charlty ènd a comparlson of the occoynts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanation from the management committee conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in full audit, and consequently no opinion 1$ given as to whether the a¢¢ounts present a "true and fai view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the 51atement below. Independent Examlnerfs Statement In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention which give reasonable course to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Att.. or to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met: or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in orderto enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Fatima Perriman 50 Thrush Way, Winsford. Cheshire. CW7 3LN th 16 April 2021