_Praying, learning, serving, sharing_ **Annual Parish Church Meeting 12 May 2024 and Report of Parish Activities 2023-24** **----- Start of picture text -----**
A King
and a
Queen
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## **Oakham Team Clergy** **Revd Stephen Griffiths** _Team Rector (Oakham & Langham)_ 01572 869483 stephen@oakhamteam.org.uk **Revd Deborah Marsh** _Team Vicar (Whissendine, Teigh, Ashwell & Market Overton)_ 01664 474652/07919 385314 deborah@oakhamteam.org.uk **Revd Jenni Duffy** _Team Vicar (Braunston, Brooke, Hambleton & Egleton) 07507 442539_ jenni@oakhamteam.org.uk **Revd Shakeel Nurmahi** _Team Curate –_ 01572 722239 shakeel@oakhamteam.org.uk ## **Lay Ministers** **Mr Michael Ellard** _Reader –_ 01572 722060 michael@oakhamteam.org.uk **Mr John Feehally** _Reader –_ john@oakhamteam.org.uk **Mr David Pattinson** _Reader –_ 01572 723884 david@oakhamteam.org.uk **Mr David Perril** _Reader –_ 01664 452117 david.perril@oakhamteam.org.uk **Mr Alan Rudge** _Reader –_ 01572 755570 alan@oakhamteam.org.uk **Canon Vyv Wainwright** _Reader –_ 01572 755752 vyv@oakhamteam.org.uk **Mrs Gail Rudge** _Parish Evangelist –_ 01572 755570 gail@oakhamteam.org.uk ## **Ordinands** **Mrs Madeleine Morris** madeleine@oakhamteam.org.uk **Mrs Alison Long** alison.long@oakhamteam.org.uk ## **Churchwardens at All Saints Oakham** **Ann Blackett** ann.blackett@oakhamteam.org.uk **Adam Lowe** 07801541389 adam.lowe@oakhamteam.org.uk ## **Director of Music** **Harry Jacques** BA(Hons), PGCE, ARCO directorofmusic@oakhamteam.org.uk **Acting DoM** James Thomas ## **Oakham Team Office** **Mrs Liz Needham** _Team Administrator –_ 01572 724007 office@oakhamteam.org.uk Office hours are Monday – Friday 9am – 1pm. **Mrs Sue Willetts** _Finance Assistant –_ 01572 724007 finance@oakhamteam.org.uk **Ann Blackett** _Parishes Support Officer –_ 01572 724007 pso@oakhamteam.org.uk ## **Safeguarding Officers** **Mrs Cally Griffiths** _**Oakham** Parish Safeguarding Officer_ 01572 869483 safeguarding_oakham@oakhamteam.org.uk **Mr Derek Cullen** _**Oakham** Deputy Parish Safeguarding Officer_ 01572 490760 derek.cullen@oakhamteam.org.uk **2** ## **All Saints Oakham** ## **Meeting of Parishioners for the Appointment of Churchwardens and Annual Parochial Church Meeting** **Sunday 12[st] May 2024 10.30am at All Saints Oakham** _Reading:_ **'Now this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.'** _**John 17:3**_ _Prayer_ ## **A Meeting of Parishioners for the Appointment of Churchwardens** - Present - Apologies for absence - Minutes of the previous meeting on 21 May 2023 (below) - Election of Churchwardens 2024-25 and vote of thanks ## _All Saints Church, Oakham_ _Meeting of Parishioners for the Appointment of Churchwardens and_ _Annual Parochial Church Meeting Sunday 21[st] May 2023, 11am_ ## **Minutes of the annual Meeting of Parishioners for the Appointment of Churchwardens held on 21 May 2023** _1. Welcome and opening prayer_ Revd Stephen Griffiths opened the APCM in prayer at 11am. _2. Present and Apologies_ There were 61 persons present for the meeting. Apologies were given by: Catriona Drye, Peter Harrison, Denise McDonald, Sheila Latham, David Pattinson, David Perril _3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting 8 May 2022_ Joan Cooper proposed and Patsy Clifton seconded the approval the minutes of the previous meeting on 8 May 2022. Approved nem con. **3** _4. Election of Churchwardens_ Two nominations were received. Ann Blackett and Adam Lowe were therefore elected as churchwardens. The congregation thanked them for their service as churchwardens with a round of applause. Revd Griffiths acknowledged the service of Mark Nicholls as deputy-churchwarden. _Revd Griffiths closed the meeting at 11:06am._ _Approved_ _Date (2024 meeting)_ _Signed_ ## **Annual Parochial Church Meeting** - Present - Apologies - Minutes of the previous meeting on 21 May 2023 (see below) - Approval of minutes and signing - Matters arising - Declaration of questions and any other matters for later in the agenda - Statutory reports (see following pages) ## **Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on 21 May 2023** _1. Welcome_ Revd Griffiths opened the APCM meeting at 11:06. _2. Present and Apologies_ There were 61 persons present for the meeting. Apologies were given by: Catriona Drye, Peter Harrison, Denise McDonald, Sheila Latham, David Pattinson, David Perril _3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting, 8th May 2022_ Mark Nicholls proposed and Derek Cullen seconded the approval the minutes of the previous meeting on 8 May 2022. Approved _nem con_ . _4. Matters Arising and AOB_ There were no matters arising. ## **4** ## _5. Statutory Reports_ _a. Parochial Church Council – Secretary’s Report_ The reported was noted, with thanks to Marilyn Tomalin (former PCC secretary). Revd Griffiths highlighted the need for a new PCC secretary. _b. The Electoral Roll_ Mark Nicholls (ER officer) gave a summary of the ER, adding that since his report was published, he has received 7 more ER forms to bring the ER back up to 236 (the same as at the 2022 APCM). Revd Griffiths encouraged people to join the ER if they have not already done so. _c. Financial Report for 2022_ Revd Griffiths thanked everyone one for their financial support and encouraged people to consider whether they could increase their giving or start giving if they are not already doing so. Mrs Clifton asked people to prepare and get ready for the Autumn Fair, an important church fundraiser (which raised over £3000 in Autumn 2022). Peter Kinal proposed and Jack Pearce seconded that the APCM receive the Financial Report. Approved _nem con_ . _d. Fabric Report_ Revd Griffiths offered a formal thanks to Paul Wiggin on behalf of the church for all his work in successfully leading the church window project in 2022. Revd Griffiths invited the churchwardens to address the meeting. Ann Blackett gave a summary of Fabric Report and thanked everyone for their support. AB also raised the challenges of the church finances and our current lack of mission giving and said it is important to consider how we can give to support our local community. She offered her thanks to the finance group and fabric group, as well as her thanks to her fellow churchwarden, Adam Lowe. The meeting showed their thanks in a round of applause. _e. Deanery Synod_ John Tomalin gave an update about what Deanery Synod does and invited people to consider filling the remaining vacancy on DS. Revd Griffiths thanked everyone for all their hard work and contribution to the life of the church. Revd Griffiths encouraged people to look at the reports separately to see some of the great work going on in our church. Revd Griffiths reminded people of the provision of the Everyday Faith booklet to encourage people in their faith. Patsy Clifton offered her thanks to Revd Griffiths and Revd Nurmahi for their fortnightly services in Saxon Gardens. The meeting showed their appreciation in a round of applause. Revd Griffiths said that post Covid we **5** have increased our presence and visits to the care homes in response to the Covid pandemic. ## _6. Elections and Appointments_ _a. Election of Representatives to Rutland Deanery Synod_ This year is an election year for Deanery Synod members. All Saints has up to five places at Deanery Synod. Four nominations were received, Ann Blackett, Araminta Mathias, John Tomalin and Marilyn Tomalin. Pat Munro proposed and Peter Kinel seconded that the meeting welcome their appointment. Approved nem con. _b. Election of Parochial Church Council Members_ Nomination of Mark Nicholls and Beth Harding to fill two of the five remaining PCC vacancies. Revd Griffiths encouraged people to put themselves forward to PCC or Deanery Synod during the year if they would like to serve. ## _c. Appointment of Independent Examiner_ Richard Harris has stepped down in his role as Independent Examiner after three years carrying out the role. Ian Bain has offered to serve as the PCC’s Independent Examiner. Mark Nicholls propsed and Peter Hill seconded the appointment of Ian Bain as the Independent Examiner. Approved nem con. ## 7. Questions and any other business _None_ 8. Closing Prayer _Revd Griffiths closed the meeting in prayer at 11:37am._ Approved Date (2024 meeting) Signed _____________________________________________________________________ **6** ## **Statutory Reports** ## _**1 Parochial Church Council – Secretary’s Report, May 2024**_ Your PCC of 16 Members, chaired by Revd Stephen Griffiths, met six times during the year May 2023 to March 2024. The PCC is responsible for overseeing the running of the church. This includes looking after finance and fabric, but also supporting the mission and ministry of All Saints Church in Oakham and as part of our wider Rutland deanery. There were financial challenges faced in 2023 regarding the general accounts but thankfully we were able to balance this by the end of the year. A huge show of thanks must go to our treasurer, Sue Willetts, and the financial sub-committee. Following the successful completion of the window restoration project, the PCC has turned its attention towards a new and redeveloped lighting system led by our PCC member, Michael Latham. The faculty has been granted and our current fundraising efforts have reached £40,000. More is still needed for the project so please pray about whether giving to the project is something you. Thank you Michael for all your hard work in getting the project to this point. If you would like to support the project in other ways, the lighting project is in need of someone to take the lead on fundraising efforts. Please do speak to Michael or Shakeel if this is something that interests you. In March 2023, we hosted a wonderful weekend celebration of the 1000[th] anniversary of the birth of Queen Edith. The weekend would not have been possible without the hard work of PCC member Paul Wiggin. The event highlighted the important part Queen Edith plays in our national history. All Saints PCC is an exciting space and opportunity to support and encourage what is going on in the life of our church. As a PCC, we seek to listen to God’s call for our church in its ministry and mission to our community. If this is something that sounds exciting to you, then why not consider joining the PCC? If you have a heart and ideas for shaping our church and bringing the positive and growth towards growing in the spirit of Christ, then we would love to have you on our PCC. Please pray and consider if God is calling you to join our PCC. If you have gifts and skills in administration, please consider whether God could be calling you to serve our church as our PCC secretary. Currently, Shakeel (me), has been acting as PCC secretary alongside Stephen. If you would like to know more about the PCC Secretary or joining the PCC, then please do speak to Shakeel, Ann, Adam or a member of our PCC. We would be delighted to tell you more. Finally, a huge thank you must go to the whole PCC for their continual work throughout the year, especially during this three month period of Revd Stephen’s sabbatical. We wouldn’t be who we are as All Saints Church without you. **7** ## Thank you and God bless. ## Shakeel Nurmahi (Acting PCC Secretary) _Revd Shakeel Nurmahi, Assistant Curate in the Oakham Team Ministry_ ## _**2 The electoral roll**_ The total on the Electoral Roll as at March 2023 stands at 229. There are 224 residents and 5 non-residents. This is a net loss of 7 over the year from March 2022. _Mark Nicholls - Electoral Roll Officer_ ## _**3 Financial reports for 2022**_ _See accounts in supplement._ ## _**4 Fabric report 2022**_ _See report on_ _**pages12-13.**_ ## _**5 Deanery Synod**_ _Report to follow_ ## _**6. Elections and appointments:**_ - _**1) Election of representatives to Rutland Deanery Synod**_ - _**2) Election of Parochial Church Council members**_ - _**3) Appointment of independent examiner**_ ## _Questions and any other business_ _Closing prayer_ _**At the time of going to press not all the reports were in – more will appear in a supplement with the Finance reports.**_ **8** ## **Reports for 2023-24** ## _**From the Vicar**_ ## Dear friends, Just a few lines from me to say that I will be thinking of you 12 May when you gather for the APCM. My sabbatical is going well, although I did feel a bit lost at first. It took quite a while to come down from the wonderful celebrations on Easter Day, and the busyness of Holy Week, but I am now enjoying the chance for rest, retreat and renewal. My research into discipleship is shaping up with some interesting conversations with people leading discipleship in different contexts. I have also had chance to revisit my favourite biblical theme: the wisdom tradition. Here is a bible verse to ponder on this subject 'But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere' (James 3:17). These are great aspirations for our growth discipleship. Thank you to everyone who has shared the load in order to make my sabbatical possible. With love in Christ and every blessing to you. _Stephen_ ## _**From the Churchwardens**_ Report to follow. ## _**Curate report: Revd Shakeel Nurmahi**_ I have just completed my third and final year of curacy. My focus has remained on the parishes of Oakham and Langham with additional visits to other parishes. During this past year, I have held the role of Curate in Charge of Langham, taking over from Simon Aley. This third year of curacy has been a year of strengthening my role and identity as a priest and developing my ministerial skills and experience. I regularly preside at communion and lead services in the parishes of Oakham and Langham at 8am, 10.30am and occasionally 6pm service. This past year also included more visits to the Southern parishes during the vacancy. I regularly take part in mid-week communion services including our Oakham Team communion on Tuesday mornings, Langham monthly BCP communion and at St John and St Ann’s. Home communion visits have also become a regular part of my week visiting people in their homes and in the various care homes in our parishes. It has been a great joy to share with others in bread and wine. I have had the privilege of being involved in several occasional offices. There have been a lot of funerals, but also lots of weddings, wedding blessings and baptisms of **9** both infants and adults. At the start of December 2023, we had a confirmation service. I took the lead in organising the confirmation service and running the confirmation classes. It was a joy to see seven confirmed at our service at All Saints, Oakham, as well as another two of our candidates confirmed at St Mary’s, Ketton. The majority of our candidates were teenagers and young adults, which was a great joy to see. Many other parts of my ministry have continued from the previous year such as taking part in morning prayer, leading collective worship at Oakham Primary and Langham Primary, and other mid-week services. I am the Chaplain to the Rutland Air Cadets, and I have taken on the role of a school governor at Langham Primary. In Langham, I have continued leading our weekly Bible Study and overseeing our parent and toddler group, both of which have increased in strength. A special new addition to this past year is the Langham junior choir that sang at Christmas time, and a smaller group in the build up to Easter. I have been a regular part of Churches Together in Oakham (CTiO) acting as CoChair of CTiO alongside Stephen Griffiths as chair. I am part of the CTiO schools’ team that oversees our collective schools’ work. Additionally, I organised the CTiO Lent course for Lent 2024, which was well used and received across a variety of home groups. I have enjoyed opportunities to work and communicate more widely with the community. This includes regularly writing the weekly message for Worship for the Week as well as occasional pieces for Rutland Times’ Christian Corner and Rutland and Stamford Sound’s Sunday Morning Thought. I have also had the privilege of being involved in civic occasions such as the Coronation celebrations and Remembrance Sunday. Since Pentecost last year, I have been acting as Curate in Charge of Langham. It has been a joy to serve Langham in this way. This has involved leading the PCC and helping to shape the worship pattern of Langham. I led a vision day for the Langham PCC in November, which offered a lot of food for thought and Langham church will consider exploring this further in the coming months. I also oversaw the planning for Christmas, which went very well this year. Overall, it’s felt like a very positive past year and Langham feels in a good place. In addition to the work in the parish, there are regular curate training days and events that I have attended. These days are usually once a month, plus two residentials. The curate training sessions have looked at ministry in tough parishes, stewardship giving, youth work, reconciliation, confession, managing change, and preparing for our next steps in ministry. This has been a wonderful year in the Oakham Team. Now that I have been signed off on my curacy, I will begin to discern where God might be calling me next. The **10** Oakham Team has been an excellent place to serve my curacy and I have enjoyed every minute of it. However, I will not be going straight away as remain here in the team to cover Stephen’s sabbatical after Easter. Thank you to everyone who has supported my life and ministry in the past year and throughout my curacy. I would like to note a special thanks to Stephen as my training incumbent and for seeing me through my curacy. It will be sad to leave when I do but I celebrate the huge array of good things from my time in the Oakham Team that I will take away with me. Every blessing, _Shakeel_ _Revd Shakeel Nurmahi, Assistant Curate in the Oakham Team Ministry_ ## _**Electoral Roll 2023-24**_ The total on the Electoral Roll as at the end of March 2024 stands at 237. This figure comprises 232 residents and 5 non-residents. The figures pleasingly show a small gain of 8 on the same time last year. In 2025 we are required to prepare a new Electoral Roll and all existing members will be contacted early in the New Year to begin the process. _Mark Nicholls Electoral Roll Officer_ ## _**Fabric group**_ The fabric committee members consist of, Des Cook, Ann Blackett, Andy Compton and Monica Compton. The committee aims to meet a minimum of five times per year and supports the PCC in decision making on the fabric of the church. The window project led by Paul Wiggin commenced in April 2021 and has been successfully completed in April 2023. The lighting project was approved by the PCC and the work is being led by Michael Latham. We have received the Faculty for this work to go ahead and Michael is now in the process of obtaining quotes. The Quinquennial Inspection was conducted in May 2023 and the majority of the immediate work has been completed. The only outstanding work is to provide a safety rail in the silence chamber in the bell tower and the fabric group is working with the bell captain to find a solution with the water ingress. A long-term solution is required for the heating of the church and Andy Compton presented an options paper to the PCC, this was outside of the fabric group remit. The following maintenance work has been overseen by the committee: - ➢ Electrics fitted in the ringing chamber - ➢ Repair lock to bottom tower door - ➢ Repair cross on the roof of the Lady Chapel - ➢ Repairs and maintenance of the boiler **11** ➢ Cracks in the drainage channel around the base of the outside walls of the church have been repaired. _Monica Compton_ ## _**Lighting Project**_ Work on developing the Lighting Scheme continues. We have received Faculty permission for the scheme which will expire in July 2025. We have now raised roughly half of what we think the scheme will cost. The final technical plan for the work is about to be completed by Illuminous, our designer, and after this is delivered we will be able to invite tenders for the installation of the new lighting. Only then will the actual final cost be known. The church must keep up its fund-raising efforts for the more difficult second half of the amount required. The PCC has agreed that the existing pendant lights will be removed. It may be possible to sell these fittings. Stephanie Norris, our architect, has suggested that the internal faces of the clerestory windows, together with their cills, should be cleaned whilst we have access. Furthermore, the area of loose plaster on the north wall of the nave should be repaired. We are applying for List B approval for this work from the Diocesan Advisory Committee. If funding allows, we would very much like to undertake the work in the early months of 2025. It is envisaged that the work will take around 7 or 8 weeks to complete. _Michael Latham_ ## _**Safeguarding Report**_ This report covers the year to April 2024. This year we welcomed Cally Griffiths as Parish Safeguarding Officer and Derek Cullen as her Deputy. They work with Peterborough Diocese to ensure that we as a church are progressing in line with the policies and procedures set out by the Diocese and the Church of England. ## **Safeguarding role** The Safeguarding Officer also processes the DBS checks. A training tracker is maintained by the safeguarding officer and training needs are reviewed and updated during the PCC meetings. This year Cally and Derek have led successful and wellattended Basic and Foundation safeguarding training for PCC members, churchwardens and others involved in ministry across the whole team. ## **Displayed information.** The following information is displayed / available - Safeguarding ‘who’s who’ photographs on board **12** - ‘We take our Safeguarding seriously’ posters in several places around the Church and Church Hall with contact details - Details of Safeguarding officers on website and in Worship for the Week - Safeguarding policy folder in Mayhew Room Our thanks go to Cally and Derek for taking on these necessary roles. Ann Blackett Adam Lowe ## _**Home groups**_ ## **Home Group** _at 6 Peterborough Avenue_ During the first part of the year we continued with our studies from St. Matthew’s Gospel. We were very pleased that Margaret Catlow was able to come to expound and discuss with us the wonderfully encouraging concluding Chapter 27. Our interest then moved to Romans, which we studied during the Autumn - and still have some chapters to deal with. But there was a break in this during February and March, as we followed Shakeel’s excellent Lent course, ‘A Holy Journey’. On 16th December we joined with the Home Group led by Corinna Woods at the church. Corinna had arranged for us to be able to offer to passers-by warm drinks and mince pies, as well as singing carols. _Patrick Wilson_ ## **Home Group** _at Corinna Woods’ home_ After the great leadership of Catriona Drye for many years I accepted her role in the autumn of last year. We are now a group of about ten new and old members and meet fortnightly. During this time we have spent our first thirty minutes sharing coffee, news and a short prayer time, and then move into Bible study. We started by exploring the Biblical meaning of ‘Fellowship’ using the Anglican series, ‘Holy Habits’. It was thought provoking and entirely focussed on the Bible. We followed this by a very excellent DVD series , ‘The Bible Course’ from the Bible Society. This has proved really interesting in the way it ties the Bible together showing how each section of the Old Testament links to the New Testament, and we will follow it with the same presenter teaching on the book of Romans, also using a visual format with discussion time built in. In addition to these studies we met for a group meal at Christmas, have been to the cinema, and a garden talk and a live stream of Covent Garden opera in Stamford, and will be planning other more social things for the summer. Home groups can become an important pastoral arm of the church as we support each other, and we look forward to the coming months. Anyone who thinks they **13** would like to try the group will be welcome; please check with Corinna for dates and time. _Corinna Woods._ ## **Prayer Quartet** _**- a response to Everyday Faith Guidebook**_ Having been invited to a church members home for coffee one morning along with a few others, our conversation turned to All Saints Guidebook for Everyday Faith. We explored ways of Everyday Learning, Everyday Serving and Everyday Sharing but our conclusion was that we could not easily do any of the above without Everyday Praying. From this discussion we decided to meet twice monthly to support each other in our Faith Journey. We pray for each other, our family and friends, for the ministry and mission of All Saints Church and the community that the church serves. We pray for the worldwide church and situations in the world that need God’s healing touch. Praying in a quartet is both a privilege and a blessing, it is encouraging and challenging and supportive on our individual Faith Journeys. _Helen Vickerstaff, Corinna Woods, Geraldine Feehally and Catriona Drye_ ## _**Friends of All Saints Church – Chairman’s report**_ It scarcely seems possible that we are at the start of another Friends year, the past one having flown by. We have had several new recruits to our ranks over the year and I do hope that they have enjoyed the programme of events as much as we have. Great thought is put into planning a varied programme, so if any of you ever have any suggestions, then we should be very pleased. We began our year of events with a visit to the beautiful gardens at Coton Manor in Northamptonshire. This was a new venue to many of the group but it proved to be such a success that we have decided to visit again later this year in September, when many of the early Autumn flowers and plants will be at their best. In May we were all gripped by King Charles III’s Coronation and a good number of us enjoyed a Coronation Afternoon Tea in the suitably decorated Church Hall, and dressed in patriotic colours. We organised a ‘Best Hat or Crown Competition’ with many of the entrants being highly inventive ad causing much amusement. In June, we visited St Alban’s Cathedral for a guided tour, cream tea and sung Evensong. We were extremely lucky that it was a beautiful Summer’s day and we were able to enjoy the local park, the extensive street market and the town Museum. The latter caused many chuckles, when we found we were sitting in the courtroom for our coffee, some even in the dock, and later on visiting the loos in the old cells! The Cathedral with its medieval wall paintings, was most interesting and we had two superbly informative guides, who really brought history to life. **14** July saw our annual visit to Tolethorpe to see The Lady in the Van by Alan Bennett, on what was a very wet and cold afternoon. The performance was superb, one of the best we’ve seen, but sadly we had to forgo our usual al fresco picnic and head quickly for home. In September we held a well-attended Coffee Morning on behalf of Dove Cottage Day Hospice and we were able to raise substantial funds for their vital work in the community. In October we held a wonderful concert of music from Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas by the acclaimed group The Wandering Minstrels. The concert, in the church, was extremely well attended and we were able to donate the profit of over £1750 to the new Lighting Fund Campaign. Our grateful thanks must go to all our many sponsors from the town, who gave of their money and prizes, which helped to make the event the success it was. My thanks especially must also go to the rest of the Committee, without whose dedication and hard work, we would not have been able to go ahead. In November the annual All Saints Tide Lunch was held at the Wisteria Hotel and our lovely speaker from Dove Cottage gave us all an insight into the running of the Hospice and the work done for people with end if life care. It was a lovely afternoon and much enjoyed by all who were there. In December a small group of us visited Harlaxton Manor, to see it decorated for Christmas, on what was a glorious, sparkling, sunny day, extremely cold but with a thick hoar frost coating the trees and bushes. What a magical sight and one we shall definitely repeat. Which virtually brings me up to date with the latest legendary Shrovetide party and quizzes. Well-attended as usual with a lot of fun and laughter. All in all a very good year. Which brings me to my final paragraph. I have been Chairman for the past six years and now feel that it is time for someone else to take up the role. To that end, I am giving one year’s notice that I shall step down after the AGM in 2025. We do not have anyone waiting in the wings ready to take over, so I do feel that if the Friends wish to continue as a group, then it will be incumbent on all of us to try and find a successor. Otherwise the Friends accounts will be closed and the money donated to the church. _Liz Plummer_ ## _**Children and Young People ministry**_ ## **Sunday School** Sunday School meets every Sunday during term time, apart from the 4[th] Sunday when we join together with the rest of the church family for the All Age Service. We welcome all primary age children and currently have a roll of six children. We use resources provided in the _Roots_ magazine which provides activities linked to the chosen theme based on the lectionary readings for the week. Our aim is to provide a fun, stimulating programme for our youngest congregation members. The **15** session is 45 minutes and we then come across to church to take part in communion and the children enjoy sharing their activities with the rest of church. One of the highlights of the year was the Sunday School picnic held at the Vicarage in September, we had a lovely afternoon where the sun shone and the children enjoyed playing and the adults relaxed in the garden. Christmas celebrations continue to flourish with Christingle and Crib Services very well supported. The Nativity Service performed by Sunday School was a joy to share with the congregation. I would like to thank the small, dedicated team of Sunday School leaders and helpers, the preparation takes some time, they are all greatly appreciated. We are always looking for leaders and helpers, so please do speak to me if this is an area where you feel you can share your skills. _Nativity service 2023_ ## **School Ministry** Throughout 2023 we have continued to enrich our work with local schools, in particular Oakham C of E Primary School. Revd Stephen and Revd Shakeel lead whole school worship every Monday. The school were welcomed into church to celebrate Easter, Harvest and Christmas along with their parents & carers. Each of these services are led by the children themselves and is a showcase for their engagement with worship. We also welcome other local schools into church at various times, including Brooke Hill, Brooke Priory and Catmose Primary. As school governors myself and Revd Stephen have been working closely with the RE lead to enhance and develop the programme for whole school worship and in monitoring the provision of RE within the curriculum. We have also been supporting **16** the school in developing an outdoor area for reflection and the church funded some banners to reflect the seasons of the Christian calendar. _Liz Needham_ ## **Tiny Tots 2022-2023** Once again the time for this report has arrived amazingly fast. Fortunately, this year has been relatively uneventful if by eventful we mean troubled. The number of families who come to join us on Thursday mornings has shown a significant increase compared with immediately preceding years, although we are still not quite back to pre-Covid levels. We also recorded a new record with our youngest ever attendee aged one week. His sisters have been regular members so it was natural that he should join as well. I think our only current concern is how our numbers will be affected by the proposals for increased free childcare. Obviously some parents are likely to opt for this. However, at least in the short term, I would not expect the difference to be very great. Not all parents will wish to make that choice and I doubt that in Oakham at present, sufficient places will be available for the entire child age group. So for now, we are likely to continue much as usual. Our programme, of course, does not vary greatly from year to year. It is largely seasonal and, with small children, they do not seem to object even if an activity they have done before reappears. We always try to introduce a few new elements and there are often special events to recognise as with the Coronation last year. This report always gives an opportunity to acknowledge the kind help and support we receive from many people in a great variety of ways. This year we were exceedingly grateful for a kind donation from the Mothers’ Union to help with our costs, especially for materials and special events. It has been a great pleasure to welcome Sandy Baker to our team. She has been a wonderful support in every possible way. Nothing is ever too much trouble and she always perceives any extra need. We depend greatly on friendly help from Liz Needham and Ann Blackett in the office. Sue Willetts is a tower of strength, always willing to join us when help is needed. We wish Helen Vickerstaff very well and hope that when she is ready and fully recovered she will be able to join us again. Last, but by no means least our thanks to our members, parents, grandparents and childminders. There would be no group without them. _Denise McDonald Alice Clarke._ ## _**Church Walking Group**_ 2023 was another enjoyable year exploring the countryside around Oakham with lunches out in the winter months and picnics when summer allowed. **17** The year saw some slight changes to reflect feedback from the group. The walks have been shorter, non-walkers are invited and encouraged to join for the meal after the winter walks to share fellowship. These changes have continued into 2024. The planning of walks, pre-walking, arranging places to eat etc, fell on few shoulders. We look forward to inviting as many as possible to join the group and enjoy the wonderful countryside on our doorstep. _Liz & Richard Plummer_ ## _**Open House**_ We have had a good year and our programme is now back in full swing. Sarah Bilsdon organises the rota for monthly coffee mornings held in parishioners’ homes and produces a programme to advertise the events. These are aimed at new and old members of the congregation and all are welcome. Numbers are generally up from last year – we have had more than 30 people at times! If you’d like to meet new people please take a programme and come along. ## _**All Saints Flower Guild**_ Thank you to our Flower Guild volunteers who decorate the church at Festival times and for the altar arrangements throughout the year. They are lovely to see. Thank you to John Tomalin for his altar flower arrangements at Christmas and Easter which always look amazing. We had a fun workshop in the Church Hall in October last year experimenting with different containers for our flowers. Thank you to everyone who raided their garden for this event. We are trying to be more sustainable by not using floral foam as this is not an environmentally friendly material. We have been using more vases and other containers which lend themselves to more natural looking arrangements. We use seasonable garden material whenever possible. However, this year we purchased flowers for Mothering Sunday posies due to the early date in the calendar. Other churches are having similar thoughts on using sustainable floristry. There is a website for ideas at www.suschurchflowers.com . Ely Cathedral have been floral foam free now for two years, see www.elydiocese.org.uk . Salisbury Cathedral held an Eco-Foristry Festival in2022 www.salisburycathedral.org.uk Depending on the time of year we are sometimes short of volunteers to provide an arrangement at the altar pedestal, to overcome this we will be using silk or dried flowers in some arrangements. If you have an interest in flowers but no flower arranging experience you are most welcome to join us please contact me. Anna Oliver (oliveranna101@gmail.com) 07184027523 **18** _Lovely arrangements from the Flower Guild!_ **19** ## _**Bereavement Support Group**_ The Bereavement Support Group continues to provide help for anyone in the Oakham area – of all religions or none, and whenever they suffered bereavement. It is a peer support group led by Madeleine Morris, with the help of a team of volunteers from our congregation, the Benefice Team and Grace Price (a trained Bereavement Counsellor). The **Drop-In Group** meets in the Parish Hall at 10.30-12.00 on the last Friday of the month, even in December! People can turn up for all or part of that time with no prior booking. Time is spent both talking one to one, and also talking as a group. We usually have 10-15 attendees (including the helpers) and it is encouraging that many support each other between meetings. We can signpost people to other sources of support including local projects such as the Bereavement Help Points (who run weekly support meetings in Oakham, Uppingham and Ketton) and Dying Matters Rutland. We are grateful for the continued prayer for those who have died and their relatives. **Intercessions** during services include the names of those who have died recently, and sometimes those whose ‘years mind’ falls that day. **Prayer Cards** are sent to the next of kin on the first anniversary of their bereavement and the annual **All Souls Service** in November is much appreciated by the wider community. For more information please contact _Madeleine Morris_ madeleine@oakhamteam.org.uk _Parish Office 01572 724007_ ## _**All Saints Concerts Society**_ The Concerts Society was able to put on a full programme of lunchtime recitals during Oakham School holidays as well as a number of evening concerts. We were delighted to welcome our new Director of Music, Harry Jacques, to our committee. Harry gave an organ recital and a song recital as well as an evening programme with Anne Bolt in May. As usual, we marked Bank Holiday Mondays with an organ recital followed by a buffet lunch. These recitals by distinguished organists are always very popular and well attended. In May and June we were fortunate enough to enjoy two excellent evening recitals from Anne Bolt: firstly with the cellist Naomi Pavri and a secondly a concert of piano duets with Fali Pavri. In November the pianist, James Kirby made a most welcome second visit and entranced the audience with a programme of Beethoven, Schubert and Chopin. Our final programme of the year was by two very talented young musicians, Rustan Khanmurzan on piano and Sasha Canter on the trumpet. **20** We are responsible for providing a programme of lunchtime recitals in July and August and this is an excellent opportunity to showcase some of the talented local musicians. As a result our programme was very varied, ranging from saxophones to oboes and trumpet to guitars and song recitals. Half term holidays are also our responsibility and in October two organ recitals took place. We were delighted to welcome Stephen Griffith for a recital of theatrical music and Paul Butler for some classics music from the organ repertoire. John Dobson continued to delight audiences with a series of 4 pre- Lenten piano recitals. Sadly we have lost a number of committee members during the past year and we would welcome newcomers. We are very grateful for all the practical help we received from the Parish Office over the season. _Diana Dixon_ ## _**Music notes 2023-24**_ Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to those who have helped to support music-making at All Saints church and around the Oakham Team Ministry, for the commitment shown by a team of organists in our churches and, in particular, those who have played at All Saints’ and Langham. A huge thanks to Paul Butler who gave his time and skills to keeping the choir going prior to my arrival. Thanks also to Ann Blackett for her guidance over the past year with liturgical wisdom, to Derek Cullen and Helen Gammage for organising and cataloging the choir library and to Laudamus Committee for their encouragement and feedback. My first Sunday as Director of Music at All Saints’ church came the day after the coronation of King Charles III, which meant the chance to begin with some uplifting music, including the RSCM commissioned anthem, _The Mountains Shall Bring Peace_ by Joanna Forbes-l’Estrange. From May to August, I settled into my new role and found the rhythm of the regular services and choral involvement. The quality of congregational singing at All Saints impressed me at an early stage and showed me that the choir needed to build its sound in order to lead what was likely a discerning congregation! For the morning services over the past year, I have been keen to ensure greater confidence in singing four-part a cappella pieces during communion from the Trinity Chapel. Without the logistical issues of playing and waving across a stream of people heading to the altar rail during communion, the choir seemed to warm to the greater musical connection and found renewed confidence in their singing. Singing around the piano has become part of our regular routine too; without a dedicated conductor, its percussive nature keeps things moving more effectively than the organ can. One of the biggest challenges has been planning music according to the number of singers who will are actually available to sing on any given Sunday. My aim has been to generally increase choir numbers to ease such issues. In the past year, we have welcomed new and returning members to All Saints’ choir: Maria Fryday, Joanne Pedder, Margaret **21** Pattinson, Liz Plummer, Sandy Baker and John Crook. Sadly, we also have some departing members, including Colette Evans, Ken Forrest, Jilly Lovejoy and Marjorie Port. We would like to thank them for their years of contributions to our worship through their singing. Opening our first Sunday choral evensongs to extra guest singers in a ‘come and sing’ format has enabled us to sing more demanding and exciting repertoire with a conductor, accompanist and on numerous occasions, up to 24 singers. With a teabreak added in as well, this has made for some enjoyable musical and social which showcases what is possible when the choir is in healthy numbers. Special occasions for the choir in the past year have included: the Harvest service at Teigh; the Justice Service, and an evensong marking the celebrations for Queen Edith. A particular highlight for me was the Advent carol service, where the choir captured the atmosphere of the occasion just right, having sung for the Confirmation service earlier in the day! After briefly mentioning how nice it would be to have a new mass setting for All Saints’, I was delighted that Peter Davis composed _Mass for All Saints_ , which we premiered at our patronal festival in November. A deliciously smokey harmonic language with linear and logical melody to sing makes this fun for the organist whilst being intuitive for the congregation. To mark the commitment and achievements of singing through December, its various church services, carol services and even carolling at Aspen Manor Care Home, which was well-received, it was lovely to have a choir dinner at the Wisteria Hotel in January. Many thanks to Derek and Ann for organising the dinner and the quiz. For services in Holy Week, we had the assistance of James Lloyd Thomas and Ewan Stockwell, who were able to support services for which I wasn’t available. It was really encouraging that Laudamus were able to put together the Victoria Passion for Good Friday with a minimum of preparation time available. _Harry Jacques_ ## _**Church Hall**_ 2023-2024 saw a continuing recovery in financial and booking terms. By the time of the March 2024 meeting, the Treasurer was able to report that despite continuing pressures of utility costs, the overall situation was getting back to pre-Covid levels. Regular bookings were also encouraging and occasional bookings increasing slowly. An improvement to the lighting of the main entrance had been made. Our wonderful, efficient and conscientious Treasurer, Mrs. Helen Totaro, resigned and Mr. Monty-Knight-Olds replaced her. As always the successful running of the Church Hall has been due to the interest, enthusiasm and hard work of the **22** Committee members. In particular, mention should be made of the retiring Treasurer and of Mrs. Liz Needham, who has managed the complexities of booking arrangements with astonishing success and dedication. We are fortunate also to have in Stephan Johnson a reliable and unassuming cleaner and maintenance man. _Peter Kinal_ ## _**Mothers Union**_ We were fortunate to have very worthwhile meetings, during the past twelve months. On six occasions we had the benefit of listening to local speakers,who came to share their experiences with us. Examples of topics were ‘Hands that do’, The Family vicarage, The God of surprises, Working in Education. The Christmas Carol meeting in December was the final gathering under the leadership of Carolyn Pattinson. She had headed up the Branch for four years, and we are much indebted to her for this. Mary Sumner Day, in August, was celebrated with a meeting in church, followed by lunch at a local garden centre. Early 2024 got underway when a Church member shared experiences of working in Nepal and, more recently another member of the congregation spoke about working in a local school. A few of us have attended Deanery meetings, in Uppingham and Wellingborough this year. These are worthwhile gatherings, and keep us informed of MU activities across the diocese. AFIA (Away From It All) holidays, hosted at MU properties in the West Country provide much needed respite, when appropriate. As a branch, we value the support of Church members. Thank you. _Helen Bush_ ## _**Deanery Synod report**_ Report to follow. ## _**Churches Together in Oakham and District**_ Annual report for All Saints AGM 2024 Stephen was the Chairman of the Churches Together Committee for the year 2023-24. Our first class and long-serving Treasurer, Alan Rudge, retired and we were very glad (and thankful to God) to be able to welcome Revd. Steve Holland as his replacement. Activities included some which have now become regular: the Good Friday Walk of Witness, shared services on fifth Sunday evenings, Songs of Praise in Cutts Close and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Prayer Breakfast. The Breakfast was hosted, **23** as last year, by OBC. Several aspects of the potential for the rôle and work of Churches Together was showcased and prayed for. The Schools Co-ordination Group has met regularly and several primary schools have been visited by the ‘Open the Book’ team. There was a successful joint “Easter Experience” activity for schools at All Saints. An excellent Lent course written by Shakeel, “A Holy Journey”, was available and used this year. A very significant decision was taken to introduce a weekly ecumenical prayer meeting for half an hour each Thursday at 1.00 pm. The meetings have met in, and been hosted by, the different churches, each for two months at a time. Meetings have had patchy support. From the start members from OBC have regularly numbered a dozen or more, but this has not been the case elsewhere. The enthusiasm and commitment from OBC strongly contrasts with the weakness or virtual nonexistence of support from the other churches. I cannot help wondering if there could be any connection between this fact and the obvious growth and activity of OBC, where it is standing room only for Sunday morning services and that there were 7 baptisms on Easter Sunday. The Hope into Action project has occupied quite a large proportion of time and prayer for Churches Together. There were problems of administration and finance. But adjustments are in progress. Things have stabilised and are moving forward well. Patrick Wilson **24** PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OFALL SAINTS OAKHAM Statement of Financial Activlties for the year ending 31 December 2023 EiidowmEiIt funds Note lunds Total 2023 Total 2D22 INCOME& ENDOWMENTS Voluiit3ry Income Activities foi. genEratln8 funds Incnme from investments Church actlvities TOTAL INCOME 143.636 6.368 167 43,446 193,618 51071 3,101 8,748 204.455 9.410 167 2(YJ,2S6 11.790 16 21dl 5S,172 8,748 257,538 257,311 EXPENDITURE Church activities 197,198 60.436 8,748 266,383 6,080 272,463 247,248 5,589 252,837 31bl TOTAL IxpfNDITURE 203,278 50.436 8.748 NET INCOME / IEXPENOITUREI TRANSfERS BETWEEN FIJNOS NET MOVEMENT IN FUND5 19,6611 15,2641 114,9251 4,474 19,6611 15,2641 114,9251 4,474 Total funds brought forward at ljanuèry 346,677 39,645 386.322 381,848 Tot81 funds tarrfed forward at31 De￿mber 337,016 34.381 371,397 386,322 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OFALL SAINTS OAI(HAM Balance sheèt at 31 December 2023 Not Unrestrlcled funds Restricted Ertdowrnent funds fLJnd5 Total 2023 Total 2022 FIXED A55ETS Freehold L8nd & Building5 275.000 275.000 275,000 CuRRE￿rAsSETS Cash In bank Short term deposlts Debtors & prèpayment5 36.586 11,860 14,946 35,544 72.130 11,860 14,946 88,081 11,093 16,098 98,936 115 271 LIABILITIES Credltors- arnountfalllngdue In one year 1,376 L163 1539 3.949 NET CURRENT ASSETS / ILIABILITIESI 62.016 111.322 TOTAL NEfASSETS 337 016 34,382 371.397 386,322 Represented bv PARISH FUNOS 337,016 34.382 371,397 386,322 Approved by the Parochlal Church Councll on 12 (Vlay 2024 and 51gned on thelr behalf bv .I,IL* The notes on pages 4 to 7 form part of these accounts. PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS OAKHAM NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 DecembèT 2023 I ACCOUNTING POLICIES The PCC is a public benefit entity within tlie meaning of FRS102. The flnancial statemenrs have been prepared under the Charitle5 Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governlng the individu81 accounts ol PCCS, and wltl) the Regulalions true and falr vlew" piovislons, and under FRS102120161 as the applic3ble accountine Standards and the 2016 version of the statement of ftecorrmendE.d PrclCti£e, Accountlng and Reporting by Chariiles ISORpIFR510211. ASSETS Consecrated and benellce propertv In so far a5 consecrated ènd beiielice property ol any kind Is excluded from the statutory definitlon of 'charSty' by Section 10121 lal and Icl of the Charities Act 2011 such assets are Trot capitalised in the lindnilal 5latements. Other sjropertv The owner5hlp of the church hall is vested In the council. ThSs was independently valued In 2016, and that valLiation is Included in these accounts. The council h35 decided that It. is not necessary for the value of the hall to be depreclated. MDveable church furnlshlngs These are capltallsed at cost and depreci3led over Ihelr useful economic life other than where insvfli¢lent cost Inloimation is available, In th15 case the itom is not capilallsed. but all items are Included in the Church's inventory in any case. Item5 costlng £IOOO or less are written off in the year of acquisition. Tanglble fS¥ed asse15 These are ¢apitalised if they c3n be used for more than Dne year, and cost at least EIOOO. They are valued at tost tsr else. for gifts-ln-klnd, at a reasonable estimate of their open market value Dn recelpt. Depreclètion is calculated to write off the capitèlSied cost of fixed assets less thelr currently anticipaled resldual lair v31ue over their estimated u5e.lul lives as lollows.. Lznd Fixtures & Fittin85 5 years No dp.pr9.ciation is provided on biiil(ling5 as th& current pstimated residual value of the properties is not less than their carrying value and the iernaining useful life of these assets currently exceeds SO years, so that any depTeciation charge5 woiild be Smmaterial, An impairment revlew is carriod out at each year-end and any resultant loss identlfied included in expenditure lor the ye3r. Short term deposlts These are cash held on deposit at the bank. FUNDS Unrestricted funds These represeiil the remaininE income funds of the PCC that are available for spendlng on the general purposes of the PCC, including amounts deslgnated by the PCC for fixed a55ets lor its own use or lor spending on a future prolect and which are therefore not included in its 'free reserves. as dlsc105ed In the trustees, report. Restricted funds These are income funds that must be spent on restrlcted purposes and details of the fund5 held and restrlctlons provlded are shown In the notes to the accounts. INote 81 Endowment funds There are no Èndowinent lund5 under the control ol the PCC. 2. INCOMEAND ENDOWMENTS Unrestricted funds Restricted funds En(Sowment funds Note Total 2023 Total 2022 2 lal Voluntary Income Glft Aid donation5 Tax r&covererJ ollectlons Grants Donatlons appeals etc Legacles Other l(Q,450 29,340 7.759 7,290 625 404 38.164 5,503 107,740 29,965 S,162 46,912 IL217 372 85 204,455 97,268 30.921 7,510 22,622 50,936 8&9 8,748 5,715 372 85 143.636 8,748 209 256 2 Ibl Activities forgeneratiTrg fund5 Fund raislng events Concerts 3.101 3,101 5.332 6,458 11.79D 6,368 3,101 9,470 2 Ic I Income from Investment5 Interest 167 167 16 2 Idl Church actlvities Fees Iweddings. funerals etcl Hire of Church Hall Recharge of shared costs Other 5,783 15.6?.3 21,263 777 43,446 5,783 15,623 2L263 777 4.441 10,761 19,626 1,415 36,248 TOTALINCOME 193 618 55,172 8,748 257,538 257,311 EXPENDITURE Note Unrestrlcted funds Restricted rund5 Endowmeht funds Total 2023 Total 2022 3 lal Church activities Missitsnary 8lvln8 Overseas Home 2.OOD 3,495 5,495 2,000 io 5,495 Mlnlstry.. diocesan parish share Other mlnistry costs Church running & maintenance ajor repalrs Church Hall runnlng costs Printing & statirinery Independent examiners honorarium 94,250 15,285 70,Q34 94,250 19,221 73,136 62,047 8.853 3,281 95,500 14,024 75,284 50.627 9,402 2,313 3,936 3. 102 57,235 4,812 8,853 3.281 loo ,436 197,198 8,748 266,383 247.150 3 Ibl Rè¥slng funds Concert expenses 6,080 6,080 6,0 6.080 5,687 5,687 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 203.278 60,436 8,748 272,463 252,837 4. STAFF COSTS 2023 2022 Wtgps & salaries National InsurantÈ Pensioft 43,777 40,231 410 44,187 313 40,544 AveraBe number of (part timel employoes During the year the PCC Èihployed a Director of Music. administrator, accounts clerk, support offlcer, vergor & caretaker (Church k13111, all OF whom are part tirne. No stsclal Security costs were payable because the employer's contribution due fell below l.he de minimls limit. Throe employees were pntltled to a Workplace Ponsion. 41al Related Parties No payments or expense5 were paid to any meinber ol the PCC, per5on5 closely connected to them or to related partles. Donations from Re1atÈd Partle5 IPCC members & thelr close famllyl totalled £15.350. Vnre5tricted fund5 Aestrlcted funds Endowment funds Total 2023 Total 2022 DEBTORS Prepayments Tax I'ectsverable Other debtors 1,438 8,288 5,220 14.946 1,438 8.288 5.220 14,946 1, 189 9,383 5.526 16,098 6. CURRENY LIABILITIES At¢ruals for utilities & other tosts Other ci'edltors DefeTred income IwoddinE deposltsl 1,376 1,376 3.446 103 4(K) 3,949 1,163 2.539 1,376 1.163 7. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND FlxÉd assets Oebtor5 Cash & sliort term depos£ts 27J,000 14,946 275,(KM) 14,946 83,990 373,936 275,000 16,098 99,173 390,271 3,949 386,322 35,544 35,544 1,163 34.381 338,392 1,376 337,016 Current liabilitles 371.397 8. SUMMARY OF FUWD YALANCES Balance 31.12.22 Transfers In¢omln8 Resourc@s Outgolng resources Balance 31.12.23 Unrestritted funds Rp5tricted funds Fabric fund Vicars, & Wardens, fund Endowment fiind Total fund5 346,677 193.618 203,278 337,016 37,287 2,358 54,822 350 8,748 257,538 59,582 855 8,748 272,463 32,527 1,853 386.322 371,.397 Purposes of restricted funds.. Fabrir fund Repairs & renovatlOn5 of the Church and its other properties Vlcars, & Wardens. fund Minc)r expenditures at the discretion of the vitars & wardens Endowment fund Approx. 45% devoted to chlirch muslc and 55% on the fabric Df the chur¢h GRANTS RECEIVED Unrestricted futTrds Restricted fundg Endowmeiit funds Total 2023 Total 2022 Royce & Oakham Church Estatès Oal