**Parish of Great Clacton (Registered Charity Number 1130241)** **St John’s with St Mark’s (Diocese of Chelmsford) Annual Reports 2022 APCM - Sunday 23rd April 2023** 36 ## INDEX Statutory Reports Pages 3 - 10 Activities Report Pages 11 - 20 Accounts Report Pages 21 - 35 ## **Statutory Reports Index** - Minutes of 2022 Annual Parochial Church Meeting 3-4 - • Minutes of 2022 Meeting of Parishioners 3 • PCC Proceedings 2022 5-7 • Statistics for Mission 2022 8 • Electoral Roll Report 2023 8 • Churchwardens’ Reports 2022 9 • St John’s Building Report 2022 10 • Deanery Synod Report 2022 10 • Trees Report 2022 10 2 35 |
|**Statement of Financial Activities**|**for year ending 31st December 2021**|Note Unrestricted
Designated
New Hall
Schools &
Training Building
Total Funds Total Funds|Families|Funds
Funds
Fund
Fund
Fund
Fund
2021
2020|**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**|**Income and endowments from:**|donations and legacies
2a
80,714
2,636
21,746
432
2,122
107,650
118,226|income from charitable activities
2b
17,502
307
44
1,960
19,813
10,581|other trading activities
2c
0
0|investments
2d
32
2
34
82|other income
2e
167
167
1,072|**Total Income and endowments**
98,415
2,943
2
21,790
432
4,082
127,664
129,961|**Expenditure on**|raising funds
3a
16
16
85|expenditure on charitable activities
3b
83,729
1,882
1,998
33,795
387
121,791
118,944|other expenditure
3c
1,329
1,329
1,251|**Total Resources Used**
85,074
1,882
1,998
33,795
387
0
123,136
120,280|**Net Incoming/(outgoing)**
13,341
1,061
(1,996)
(12,005)
45
4,082
4,528
9,681|**Gross Transfers IN**
685
400
4,440
1,000
6,525
5,160|**Gross Transfers OUT**
(5,840)
(685)
(6,525)
(5,160)|**Net Movement of Funds**
8,186
776
(1,996)
(7,565)
45
5,082
4,528
9,681|**Balances Brought Forward**
6,537
150,363
22,804
42,839
923
2,192
225,658
215,977
|**Balances Carried Forward**
14,723
151,139
20,808
35,274
968
7,274
230,186
225,658|| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ## **Annual Church Meeting and Meeting of Parishioners Minutes** ## **Sunday 8[th] May 2022** **Welcome** Rev’d Mark Mulryne (Chair) welcomed everyone to the meeting. **Opening Prayer** led by Rev’d Mark Mulryne **Appointment of Clerk** PCC Secretary, Helen Brown was nominated to be clerk for the meeting. All agreed. **Apologies for absence** were received from Mel Price, Stephanie Cuthbert, Pam Dench, Josie Kennard and Anita Newbery. ## **Introduction** The meeting followed a joint service held in St. John’s Church and was well attended. The minutes of the last meeting were agreed and signed. There were no matters arising or items for AOB. **Electoral Roll Report.** Paul Harding is the current Electoral Roll Officer. There are currently 132 entrants on the Roll, 25 of whom live outside of the parish and worship regularly with us. **Annual Reports** These were circulated ahead of the meeting via email and printed copies were available. The preceding service was used as an opportunity to highlight aspects of these reports and give thanks for the goings on in the church and parish. There were no further questions. **Finance Report** A brief summary of the report was given by Gary Newbery, with the full report having been circulated ahead of the meeting with printed copies available. Gary highlighted that in the last two years the church financial reserves have grown to £21,000, owing to an increase in church giving with lots of people using the PGS and reviewing and increasing their giving annually. Grants have been awarded to the church for the School and Family Ministry. Expenditure decreased over the past year owing to lockdowns meaning a saving on utility bills as the church wasn’t being used as much. These bills are set to increase now we are out of lockdown and with national energy price increases. We are currently in a contract but will feel the increase when this comes to an end. The church also receives an income from hiring its spaces but this incurs an additional cleaning cost. The Treasury Team has been budgeting for full Parish Share contributions but discounts have been granted to the church taking into account the fact we are not a wealthy parish. Although savings have been made over the past year there has also been a lot of maintenance work that wasn’t able to be completed because of the lockdowns which now needs to be done, some of which will be very costly and grants will be pursued. There were no further questions. The meeting gave thanks to God for his provision. And also to Joan and the Treasury Team for all their work. ## **APCM Adjourned** **Meeting of Parishioners opened.** **Clerk:** Helen Brown The minutes of the last meeting were agreed and signed. **Election of Church Wardens** Mark Solosy and Stephanie Cuthbert agreed to stand for another year. All agreed. There were no other nominations. The meeting thanked them for all they do and for agreeing to stand again. **Meeting of Parishioners closed.** 34 3 ## **APCM reopened** **Election of PCC members** We can have 12 elected members. Gary Milton has taken the decision to resign from the PCC. Stuart Baker has come to the end of his term and did not wish to stand again for the PCC. The meeting thanked them, and all members for all they do. Helen Brown and Gary Fellowes have come to the end of their 3 year term and had nominations to stand again for another three years. All agreed. Adrian Goody was elected to re-join the PCC following a year’s break and Rob Harper agreed to stand, he was proposed and seconded and his nomination form completed. Ti Chase is an ex-officio member of the PCC as Curate. |**PCC members 2021**|**PCC members 2022**| |---|---| |Mark Mulryne - Vicar|Mark Mulryne - Vicar| |Stephanie Cuthbert – ex officio|Stephanie Cuthbert – ex officio| |Mark Solosy – ex officio|Mark Solosy – ex officio| |Ti Chase – ex officio|Ti Chase – ex officio| |Andy Brown (until APCM 2023)|Andy Brown (until APCM 2023)| |Helen Brown (until APCM 2022)|Helen Brown (until APCM 2025)| |Stuart Baker (until APCM 2022)|Gary Fellowes (until APCM 2025)| |Gary Fellowes (until APCM 2022)|Gary Newbery (until APCM 2023)| |Gary Milton (until APCM 2023)|Shelia Neale (until APCM 2024)| |Gary Newbery (until APCM 2023)|Adrian Goody (until APCM 2025)| |Shelia Neale (until APCM 2024)|Rob Harper (until APCM 2025)
_[Rob resigned during the year for health reasons]_| |Danielle Fenton-Jones co-opted|Christine Sanders – Deanery Synod
Rep| |Christine Sanders – Deanery Synod
Rep|_Rosie Fellowes (elected at the first PCC_
_meeting to filla casual vacancy)_| **Deanery Synod Rep** The church can have 3 representatives to Deanery Synod. Christine Sanders was willing to remain as Rep for a further 3 years. There were no other nominations so there is currently a vacancy. **Appointing of Independent Examiner** Dave Wiggins was appointed as Independent Examiner for 2022. ## **Prayer for those elected** led by Rev’d Mark Mulryne Thanks were given for all the work that takes place in the Parish. The meeting thanked Mark for all his work and a round of applause was given for him. **The meeting closed with The Grace.** 4 33 |Total
Total|Unrestricted Designated New Hall
Schools & Training Building
Funds
Funds|Funds
Funds
Fund
Families Fund Funds
Funds
2022
2021|**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**|Fixed Assets
124,112
124,112 124,112|Current Assets
25,512
32,154 20,819
24,581
1,217 14,827
119,110 106,514|Current Liabilities
(1,157)
(1,157)
(440)
|Totals
24,355
156,266 20,819
24,581
1,217 14,827
242,065 230,186|**11. Contingent Liability**|The Diocese have agreed that should the vicarage site be developed to assist the refurbishment of the church|then 90% of net proceeds after financing a new vicarage may be used by the PCC/Trustees towards the|refurbishment costs, but they reserve the right to reclaim the £30,000 grant made in 1996.|**12. Comparative SOFA 2021**|An analysis of Statement of Financial Activities for year ending 2021 is shown for comparison on| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ## **PCC Proceedings 2022** ## BACKGROUND The PCC of Great Clacton Parish Church has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for both church buildings, 112 Woodlands Close and the church hall situated opposite the tower end of St John’s Church. ## MISSION STATEMENT The Mission Statement of Great Clacton Parish Church is:- “To help people know Christ, grow in Christ and go for Christ.” ## MEMBERSHIP Members of the PCC are either ex officio, co-opted, or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. ## REPORT OF PCC MEETINGS IN 2022 The PCC met 6 times over the course of the year with the average attendance at meetings being 84%. All of the meetings took place at St. John’s Hall. The PCC met on Wednesday 15[th] June for the first time since the APCM. They appointed Sidespeople for both churches; Gary Fellowes and Christine Sanders for St. John’s and Brenda Berry and Peter Mann for St. Mark’s. Helen Brown was re-appointed as PCC Secretary. The PCC also elected Helen Brown to be a Deanery Synod Rep alongside Christine Sanders, because of a casual vacancy. There are currently casual vacancies on the PCC and Rosie Fellowes asked to stand for a position on the PCC. The PCC approved her request and welcomed her to join but as she has joined after the APCM she will be able to stand for 1 year and be elected at the next APCM if she wishes. The PCC continued to monitor the safety of meetings and worship in the light of Covid and increasing cases at the start of the year. Over the course of 2022 restrictions eased and as people felt safer chairs were moved closer and services began to look like they had pre covid. Christine has been authorised by the Diocese to provide Safeguarding training and participates will be able to receive a certificate. Work required at St. John’s was discussed. Work doing to the path on the north side of the church and a resolution was passed to allow the Fabric committee to apply for a Faculty to complete this in June. Planning Permission was sought and discussions took place with the DAC. This is still ongoing! The PCC approved and reviewed the wonderful events which took place over the Jubilee weekend; they were so well supported within the church and the community in both attendance and volunteers. It provided a special time of connection and celebration which we hope to be able to do more of in the future. Ti and his team supported families with food parcels over the year and were able to work with the school to ensure this could continue over the summer holidays. Following the passing of Clive there was renewed enthusiasm among volunteers to keep the Frydays ministry going in his memory. Ti has been able to coordinate and the ministry resumed in September. The Gathering started in January and Ti regularly reported to the PCC. The average attendance in 25, a large percentage are children and young people Joan provided a report on the finances at every PCC meeting. The church is in a better financial position than the previous year after the lift in lockdown restrictions meant we could hire our spaces again. Changes in Parish Share calculations meant our contribution is increasing, but Joan had anticipated and planned for this. 32 5 Living Out is an organisation set up to encourage churches to engage with issues of sexuality and faith and how to be a biblically inclusive church in teaching and actions. They have produced resources which the PCC considered in detail. As well, the PCC watched some videos produced by the CEEC on these topics. There were many interesting discussions but overwhelmingly the PCC agreed that a welcome to worship was to be extended to all but that the church would maintain a biblical teaching on sexual relationships being reserved for men and women in a married relationship. The PCC were very aware of the rising cost of energy and it’s impact on the community. The decided to trial ‘Warm Spaces’ to be provided at both churches each week for use by the whole community. Following Sight loss Sunday on 16[th] October, Andy spoke to the PCC about things the church might be able to do differently to ensure it is accessible to all. The PCC were committed to ensuring that no one is excluded from hearing the word of God and took on board Andy’s suggestions. ## CHARITY STATUS The Parochial Church Council were registered with the Charity Commission as an independent charity on 19th June 2009 (Charity Number: 1130241). Previously they were a charity excepted from registration with the Charity Commission. This means that all PCC members are also Trustees of the _‘Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Great Clacton’._ ## COMMITTEES The PCC operates through committees, which meet between the full meetings of the PCC. ## Standing Committee This is the only committee required by law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. ## Pastoral Care Team To carry out effective pastoral care for all in need in our Church Family. To arrange the annual Memorial Service. ## Mission Committee To envision and develop a mission-minded attitude in our church family. To direct and coordinate support for our missionaries and the overseas missionary organizations, which we support. To develop our links with the Banyole people. ## Finance Committee ## This committee is authorised:- - to oversee the finances of the church and to suggest improvements in procedures - to arrange for the setting up of the annual accounts and the budget - to submit up to date reports to the PCC - to authorize Stewardship campaigns when necessary. ## Fabric Committee To oversee the upkeep and maintenance of the buildings, the upkeep of which the PCC is responsible - St John’s, St Mark’s, the Church Hall, & 112 Woodlands Close. (During the year, the 900 Committee, which had looked at replacing the Church Hall joined with this.) ## BANKERS The PCC retained Barclays Bank plc as their bankers for 2022. Due to a change in our banking terms and conditions, under which we would incur substantial bank charges we changed to online banking in March 2019. As part of the set-up process we reviewed and made changes to our list of bank signatories. The following are now authorised signatories for Barclays Bank Accounts: Joan Bruce, Ann-Marie Chappell, Stephanie Cuthbert, Anita Newbery and Rev. T Mark Mulryne. ||Fund balances|carried forward|**£**||24,355||6,517|20,819|2,065|21,734||24,581|1,838|124,112||14,827|1,217||242,065| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |**9. Statement of funds December 2022**|Fund balances
Incoming Outgoing
Gains and|brought forward Resources Resources Transfers Losses|**£**
**£ £ £**
**£**|**Unrestricted**|General Fund
14,723
100,278
81,716
(8,930)|**Designated**|Discretionary Fund
2,069
5,123
1,075
400|New Church Hall Fund
20,808
11|Overseas Missionary Bursary Fund
1,295
240
530|Reserves
21,734|St John's Hall Fund
28
28|Schools and Families Worker Fund
35,274
21,788
35,481
3,000|Youth and Children's Fund
1,901
734
797|112 Woodlands Close Fund
124,112|**Restricted**|St John's Building Fund
7,274
2,553
5,000|Training
968
419
170||Totals
230,186
131,146
119,267| 6 31 ## SAFEGUARDING We are committed to safeguarding children, young people, victims/survivors of domestic abuse and vulnerable adults. Safeguarding is an item on every PCC Agenda. The PCC has adopted the Church of England’s policies and best practice on safeguarding which may be found on the Church of England’s website: https://www.churchofengland.org/ more/safeguarding Our safeguarding officers are Kathryn Hall (Children and Young People) and Christine Sanders (Adults) who may be contacted at church or via the church office. ## REVIEW OF ANNUAL CHARITABLE GIVING At the PCC November 2022 meeting it was agreed that annual charitable giving for 2023 would remain unchanged with a provision to review in six months if required. Giving as follows:- ||CPAS
£250
Historic Churches
£150

Friends of Essex Churches
£250
Christian Institute
£250
The Church Society
£250
UCB
£150
Essex Clergy Charity
£200
CAP (local Debt Centre)
£500
Discretionary Giving transfer
£400
Honorarium Payments
£150 per person
WAGE REVIEW
The PCC held a wage review in November and agreed to increase the salaries
with effect from 1stJanuary 2023 to:-
Church administrator
£13.65
Weddings/Banns Secretary
£12.05| |---|---| ## HALL RENT REVIEW The PCC agreed not to increase the rent for St John’s Church Hall or St Mark’s but kept it at £10/hr and £15/hr respectively. St Mark’s hire charges will be reviewed in the Autumn of 2023 when our first fixed contract utility account comes up for renewal. 30 7 ## **Statistics for Mission** ||2022|2021|2020|2019|2018| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Baptisms|2|2|0|9|18| |Thanksgivings|1|1|0|9|14| |Confirmations|0|0|0|0|5| |Weddings|6|1|1|3|4| |Funerals|21|21|24|29|26| |Average Sunday attendance|||||| |Adults|87|76|--|113|107| |Children|11|9|--|9|10| ## CHURCH ATTENDANCE The average Sunday morning attendance, counted during the 2022 October count in our buildings, was 43 adults at St John’s, and 47 adults and 10 children at St Mark’s. However, there were others joining in on YouTube, and some others coming to the afternoon services as well. ## **2023 Electoral Roll Report** The revised Electoral Roll, in preparation for the APCM in April 2023, displayed for the statutory period, has 144 entrants, 38 who live outside the parish but worship regularly with us. 8 29 ## **St John’s Churchwarden’s Report 2022** Finally, a near normal year at St. John’s after the years of Covid disruption! A year which saw some times of celebration but also some times of sadness. In February we hosted a 3-day Half Term Holiday Club – a happy time welcoming children in from the community and church family. In June we celebrated, along with the whole country, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. We enjoyed an afternoon tea at St. Mark’s, a special joint service at St. John’s followed by a picnic which should have been in the churchyard but rain forced us inside. We welcomed some in from the community and enjoyed games and quizzes together. This was followed by another successful week-long Holiday Club at the end of July. Sadness came in September after the death of our beloved Queen and St. John’s opened its doors for all to pay their respects, spend time in silence or prayer and sign a book of condolence. We held a Service of Commemoration the day before the Queen’s funeral which we showed live on TV in the church for people to watch together. A bell was tolled for an hour before the funeral along with other churches throughout the country. Christmas was once again a busy time with many opportunities to engage with the community as well as the schools coming for their Christmas services. My thanks go to Mark and the staff team for all their hard work, guidance and pastoral care which goes on every day, much of it unseen. Thanks also go to Gary Fellowes & Christine Sanders for their work as deputy wardens and everyone who help fill the many rotas which keep the church running smoothly (most of the time!) **Stephanie Cuthbert** ## **St Mark’s Churchwarden’s Report 2022** 2022 saw things returning to normal at St Mark's, with the building being used more for various things. This has meant a little more maintenance, but nothing major. The bulk of the work is in the garden and external areas; once again, much appreciation for Peter Mann who has dealt with this. The ivy on the south wall had proved a problem, but eventually, Peter triumphed over it and all is well. Thanks too go to Brenda Berry, who with Peter form the Deputy Warden team. ## **St Mark’s Fabric Report** During 2022 we had minor problems with various aspects of plumbing which was resolved without too much fuss. In the Summer, we had a painting party to maintain and spruce up the outside of St Mark's. This was well attended by people from our fellowships from teenage upwards and has made quite a difference to the impact of the building. **Mark Solosy** ## **Church Family (Wardens’ Report)** During 2022 we sadly lost 5 much loved members of our Church Family. We said goodbye to Rosemary Arnold, Clive Upton, Michael Bass, Ros Harden and Roy Allen. We drew comfort that they loved the Lord and are now safe in His presence. Our thoughts and prayers also went out to members of the Church Family who lost close family members – Julie Howard, Clare James and Len & Marion Freeman. We did have some joyful times too when Mark & Caroline celebrated their Silver Wedding in July and again on 1[st] October, when several of us went to St. Stephen’s in Colchester to celebrate Ti’s ordination as priest. **Mark Solosy/ Stephanie Cuthbert** 28 9 ## **St John’s Building Report 2022** ## **Church** Extra spikes were placed on outside lights and ledges to deter pigeons. Emergency light replaced under gallery. Flaunching between Chancel roof and nave wall on the south side had deteriorated, three rows of tiles were removed, new felt fitted, tiles replaced and flaunching redone. Loose slates on spire were fixed. ## **Churchyard** One of the bollards had to be re-seated. Post used to secure the gate open was replaced. Latch on gate had been removed by vandals and was replaced. ## **Hall** ## Water heater was repaired. Some electrics were replaced around the front doors after water damage. The exterior of the hall was repainted after some repairs to the joins. Fire doors readjusted as one had dropped and was difficult to open. **John Disney** ## **Deanery Synod Report 2022** The Parish of Great Clacton is part of St. Osyth Deanery, along with 16 other churches in the area. Each church has representatives who sit on the Deanery Synod based on congregation size. St. John’s can have 3 representatives, we currently have 2; Christine Sanders and Helen Brown. The Deanery Synod met 3 times over the year and for one of the meetings welcomed Bishop Guli as speaker. Part of the work of the Deanery Synod includes supporting Christians Against Poverty’s work in Clacton and Jaywick, some of the most deprived areas in the country. Over this year CAP supported many households to manage their finances. ## **Helen Brown** ## **Trees Report** After an inspection on 3[rd] . February 22 by Tom Opperman of TDC, it was found that three lime trees will need to be replaced at some stage. There were also other various trees needing attention. We asked if there could be some new trees planted for the Queen’s Jubilee. The answer was yes, in the winter months, budget allowing, but as of February 23 as I write this report there has been no action. On 19[th] February we experienced a gale when considerable damage was done to the S.E. firtree with huge branches coming down. The lilac and various other smaller trees suffered branch damage as well and the TDC came and dealt with all of them at the beginning of March. On 20[th] May, a large cherry tree was removed because of health and safety concerns as the tree was diseased with canker. Two small malus were also removed because of disease and broken branches. A sycamore suckling growing between two gravestones was removed. **Stephanie Cuthbert** 10 27 ## Annual Activities Reports 26 11 |**Annual Activities Reports**
**Groups**

House Groups
Pastoral Care Team
Prayer
Music Group - St Mark’s
**Schools Report**
**Administration**
The Church Office
Weddings and Banns
**Mission Links**
Mission Committee Report
**Worship Services**
Sunday Morning Services
The Gathering
‘Together’
Together Again
‘Wednesday Worshippers at St Mark’s
Havenvale Communion Service
**Youth and Children’s Activities**
Family Events
Little Fishes
Searchlights
Tea Time Church
Holiday Clubs
Sunday Funtime
Ignite Youth Group
**Community Activities**
Stewsdays
Craft Group
Frydays
Coffee Mornings
Bethany Bereavement Support
Food Bags
**Miscellaneous Activities**
Used Stamps for Mission|**Page**| |---|---| ||
13
13
13
14
14
15
15
16
16
16
17
17
17
17
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
19
19
19
19
19
20
20| |**The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Great Clacton**|**Statement of Financial Activities**|**for year ending 31st December 2022**|Note Unrestricted
Designated New Hall
Schools &
Training Building Total Funds Total Funds|Funds
Funds
Fund
Families Fund Fund
Fund
2022
2021|**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**|**Income and endowments from:**|donations and legacies
2a
84,566
5,533
21,788
419
374
112,680
107,650|income from charitable activities
2b
15,596
564
2,171
18,331
19,813|other trading activities
2c
0
0|investments
2d
0
34|other income
2e
116
11
8
135
167|**Total Income and endowments**
100,278
6,097
11
21,788
419
2,553
131,146
127,664|**Expenditure on**|raising funds
3a
297
124
9
430
16|expenditure on charitable activities 3b
79,904
1,776
35,472
170
117,322
121,791|other expenditure
3c
1,515
1,515
1,329|**Total Resources Used**
81,716
1,900
0
35,481
170
0
119,267
123,136|**Net Incoming/(outgoing)**
18,562
4,197
11
(13,693)
249
2,553
11,879
4,528|**Gross Transfers IN**
6,031
6,931
3,000
5,030
20,992
6,525|**Gross Transfers OUT**
(14,961)
(6,001)
(30)
(20,992)
(6,525)|**Net Movement of Funds**
9,632
5,127
11
(10,693)
249
7,553
11,879
4,528|**Balances Brought Forward**
14,723
151,139
20,808
35,274
968
7,274
230,186
225,658
|**Balances Carried Forward**
24,355
156,266
20,819
24,581 1,217 14,827
242,065
230,186|**Comparative figures for 2021 are shown on Page 36**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| 12 25 ## **Groups** ## **House Groups & Lent Meetings** At the beginning of 2020 there were 8 house groups meeting in the usual way, with about 60 people involved, and our Lent Meetings on Thursday evenings, when most of the groups met together, started as usual. However, with the beginning of the lockdown in March 2020, everything changed, the Lent Meetings moved online and continued well beyond Lent, and Homegroups were disrupted and the picture was very mixed throughout 2021 and into 2022. However, as 2021 went on, and the situation with Covid eased, some of the Homegroups felt that they could start to meet again, although others were still not ready to do so. Such decisions depended upon who was in the group, how vulnerable they were, and the space they had to meet in. Other groups started to plan to meet again in 2022, while for others the changes caused by the pandemic seemed as if they might be permanent. Yet all the groups made real efforts for everyone to keep in touch with each other, one way or another. We therefore decided to try to get everything up and running more normally during 2022. We were able to have our Lent Meetings in St Mark again, where we used some of the “Life Explored” materials, before Ti organised an interactive Maundy Thursday service for us. We advertised the Homegroups, including for new members, and encouraged all of those that could to start meeting by September. Two new groups were also launched, so that by the end of the year 8 groups were running. At a recent Leaders’ Meeting it became clear that each group was adapting things so that the time, frequency and size of the group suited all involved. This is just one sign that Homegroups are once again somewhere where members of our church family can find encouraging teaching, fellowship, care and love – and this is great news! **Mark Mulryne** ## **Pastoral Care Team** Throughout another year the ten members of our pastoral care team have faithfully and lovingly cared for those in the church family needing help during illness or old age. In some instances this may be doing the weekly shopping or taking someone for a doctor’s appointment in an emergency. But it also includes visiting people in their home or hospital or care home and listening to their concerns and praying for them. Our visits are not just for the frail or elderly but to anyone in need in the church family. We are encouraged as we see individuals being helped and sustained in times of trial. And we are also encouraged by the fact that lots of caring goes on informally by other church family members who are not in the team. The prayer chain is also part of our ministry as we feel that prayer is a vital part of caring for one another. If you would like a visit, or have an urgent prayer request or know of someone in need, please do not hesitate to contact us. **Jackie Rowe** ## **Prayer Meetings** As a church We try to give people lots of opportunities to pray together. This includes the prayers in our services, chances to ask for personal prayer at the end of services, praying together in Homegroups and in small groups, as well as our Morning (and Friday Evening) Prayer Meetings. These happen on Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings at St John’s, and on Wednesdays on WhatsApp, which lets people join in from their own homes. Thursdays are dedicated to praying for the persecuted church across the world. Then on Friday evenings we meet to pray for our mission links. A small but very committed number gather on each of these occasions – and any others who can make it would be very welcome. We have also constantly promoted the use of our Prayer Diaries, so that we can pray for similar things from our own homes daily. It’s been important to keep praying together though all that’s happened over the last few years. **Mark Mulryne** 24 13 ## **Music Group - St Mark’s** Our group continues to enjoy meeting week by week, usually in Jackie’s home, to prepare for Sunday services. We try to learn some new songs from time to time which we can include in our times together, as well as many well known favourites. At St Mark’s it has been lovely to welcome some of our children who have been learning to play the recorder, we hope to gradually increase their repertoire! Thank you for your continuing prayers and encouragement.. **Pam Dench** ## **Local Schools’ Report** ## Great Clacton Although there are no members of staff that join us to pray at the moment, Mark and I still go in first thing on a Monday morning. It’s a good time for an informal chat and to find out about anything specific we can pray for. Mark and I also do at least one whole school worship (assembly) each half term. I was asked to run a weekly prayer space that started after February half term. Each week I choose a prayer activity which involves something practical to help us focus on what we want to pray for and then we pray in a variety of ways at the end. This runs during Wednesday morning registration and it’s totally optional. For a while there were 2 children that came, this increased to about 8 for a while and continued to grow throughout the year until we got to more than 20. I currently meet with a more manageable 16 - a core of these children come every week and others dip in and out. I continued to meet with the Community Ambassadors (a bit like school council) although on a slightly less regular basis and in September when the school choir re-started after quite a long break, volunteered to help with that. We spent the Autumn Term practising Christmas carols that we went to sing in a Care Home, at the Together Christmas Special in St John’s and also at their school Carol Services. At Easter I went and did an Easter egg hunt in the school grounds with each class (that the Community Ambassadors had suggested). Each class had an egg that had something representing part of the Easter story in it which I then used in the Easter Services. Mark and I went to hand out Bibles to Year 3s as part of an RE lesson last year, instead of a service in St John’s. The Year 4s came to pack their shoeboxes one morning in November, they also did a few other activities linked to the Shoeboxes before we had a short service which was attended by a number of their parents. The whole school came in at the beginning of December for a Christingle service. Year 3 came in one afternoon to learn about the Nativity, including hunting for the characters and dressing up to re-enact the story. The whole school came in two halves for their Christmas services which were both well attended by parents. ## Cann Hall My weekly teaching sessions continued last year. I spend a half term with each year group and teach topics like “Who is Jesus and what did he teach?”, “The importance of the Bible to Christians”, “How do special words and stories impact the lives of Christians and Jews?”, “Sacrifice and Salvation”, and “Special Things in Nature”. In the Autumn term I was invited to re-start my half termly assemblies and Mark, Phill and I went to school to take their Harvest Service. At Christmas, Key Stage 2 visited St John’s for their Carol Service with around 70 parents attending too. ## Other schools A small number of students from Clacton Coastal Academy came to lay a wreath in St John’s on Remembrance Day, and watched an interview we recorded with Rose, to find out about the life of an evacuee. Burrsville came for their Harvest Festival and Mark also continued to do Easter and Christmas Assemblies there. Whitehall Academy had planned to come for two evening Carol Services again, but just came one evening in the end due to fewer families wanting to attend. **Hannah Ward (Schools and Families Worker)** 14 23 **Administration** . ## **The Church Office** So, I have been working in the Church Office for over six years now. I continue to love my job and the very many varied tasks and jobs that I encounter, from the changing of the toilet rolls in the hall to booking Funerals. It is so great to be able to serve the Lord and all the Church Family with the skills the Lord has blessed me with. Life in the office has somewhat returned to normal during 2022. It is nice to have the team back together working alongside each other rather than in different buildings. It is also nice to be having staff meetings in person rather than over zoom. As most of you are aware, we prepare a Newsletter and a Prayer Diary fortnightly, on alternate weeks, except when we prepare special one-off prayer cards for Easter, Summer Holidays, Christmas and New Year. On an annual basis, we prepare service sheets for any special services, APCM reports, things for Holiday Club, the Church Directory and the church family birthday list. I also have to liaise with the Church Wardens to prepare an inventory on an annual basis - a bit like a stock take for both churches and the hall. I also deal with the church insurance and PAT testing. I deal with any telephone calls coming into the office regarding the hiring of both churches and the hall and invoicing them accordingly. I would like to say a big THANK YOU to Joan, Hannah, Catherine and Anita for making the Church office such a wonderful place to work. Thanks also to Stephanie and Mark Solosy who are always available and willing to help. My thanks goes to Catherine who comes in every week to fold, chop, stick and whatever else is thrown at her (metaphorically speaking), and without whom I would be lost! Thanks also goes to Mark, Hannah and Joan without whom life would be a lot harder. **Ann-Marie Chappell** ## **Weddings and Banns** 6 weddings took place in St John’s Church during 2022, but no wedding blessings this year. There were also no Renewal of Wedding Vows. 5 sets of Wedding Banns were read out for weddings happening elsewhere. There are five definite weddings for 2023 and maybe a sixth - and each couple comes into the office as they start making their plans! We continue to offer three Marriage Preparation sessions for all the couples having weddings with us - this includes a Marriage Morning on a Saturday, with a lunch at the end. Most years this is held jointly with St Paul’s Church (and sometimes other churches from our deanery). This gives the couples a chance to meet and chat to lots of others who are also planning weddings and thinking about married life. Please continue to pray for all the couples who have been married in our church and especially those planning to be married this year. **Anita Newbery (Weddings and Banns Secretary)** 22 15 ## **Mission Links** ## **Mission Committee Report** Thankfully we have been able to meet in person this year both for our committee meetings and for services, although we have continued to use films from our mission partners to enable them to share their news with us when it is difficult for them to visit in person. In March our Mission Sunday service featured a film by Catherine Porter from Sendai in Japan where she spoke and played the harp for us. However, in October we were blessed by a visit from Mark, Ruth, Harvey and Sophia Cuthbert as well as Jacob and Ainoa, two other members of the Betel community. Jacob was able to share the amazing work God has done in his life, freeing him from drug addiction. We also supported the Tearfund Harvest Appeal in September as we do every year. Throughout the year we continued to pray for our mission partners and to channel the church’s support to them. Our mission partners are: Gift and Kathryn Asiku (Wycliffe, Uganda), the Lunyole Old Testament Translation Project (Wycliffe, Uganda) and Mark and Ruth Cuthbert (Betel, Birmingham). This year we were also able to make additional Christmas gifts to our mission partners and increase the amount of money in our bursary fund for those travelling on mission projects as the mission committee budget was larger than in 2021. We offer prayer support for Catherine Porter (WEC, Japan). We also offer prayer support for Hannah Ward (our schools and families worker) and for our local CAP worker, Alice. The members of the committee are Jackie Rowe (chair), Caroline Mulryne (treasurer), Stephanie Cuthbert, Helen Wadwha, Ti Chase and Mark Mulryne (ex officio). **Caroline Mulryne** ## **Worship Services** ## **Sunday Morning Services** After a couple of years of having to constantly change the format of our Morning Services, 2022 was a return to a stable and more normal pattern. Most people, who were able, returned to the services in our buildings and so the numbers attending grew, though possibly not to quite prepandemic levels. We encourage as many of our church family as possible to attend either of our morning services, as these are our main gatherings for the week. ## Accounts Report We had a number of preaching series, including ones learning from 1 Corinthians, Daniel, and “Psalms you can sing”, which looked at psalms that have inspired well-known hymns and songs. Coming up to Christmas we began a major new series working our way through Luke’s Gospel, which we will continue in 2023. The services in our buildings are complimented by our 11am YouTube service, which has become a regular feature, both for those who can not attend a “live” service for any reason, and for those who enjoy it in addition to coming to one of these. We have continued to have special services marking the major Christian festivals and other important days, and at St Mark's we usually try to include the children and teenagers in these, making them all-age services, which most adults also enjoy! We hope that what we do Sunday by Sunday is a real time of learning, encouragement and fellowship, through which God ministers to us. **Mark Mulryne** ## **The Gathering** The Gathering was a new informal, evening service that started in January 2022. It met at St. Mark's from 5 pm. It started with a bring-and-share meal, followed by an extended time of singing (and sometimes dancing!) and all-age teaching. When the Gathering was started, it was uncertain who would be attracted to this service, but it was soon clear that most of the people who attended were church members who came to a morning service at either St. Mark's or St. John's and then returned in the evening for 'more church'. The time of fellowship around the dinner table was especially important to many of those who came. Attendance at this service varied each week, but the average attendance during 2022 was 25-30 people, including children. At the end of 2022 it was decided that from January 2023 the Gathering would take a one-term hiatus, so that those who attended could help to run the Alpha course at that time in the same location. **Ti Chase** 16 21 ## **Food Bags (& other work based in the Church Hall)** During 2022 the church hall team has continued to concentrate on providing food bags for those in need, especially focusing on families from local schools who have requested this help. Ti continued to co-ordinate this work, and the number of bags provided has grown during the year. Great Clacton Juniors, Cann Hall and Whitehall schools participate in this scheme. They each identify families that could benefit from the scheme, and the bags are delivered to the schools each week, where the families pick them up. (The church does not need to know which families receive this help.) From time-to-time the number of families needing this changes, and the schools let us know. Some of the food for the bags comes from local supermarkets’ Food Share schemes(mostly fresh produce), but this is supplemented with tins and long-life food that is donated by several organisations, businesses and individuals - including what is given at our Harvest collection. The hall team is also working with Peter Mann to make sandwiches that are given out through the Hope Centre at Trinity Methodist Church. A very big thank you to all who have worked so hard to make all these things possible. ## **Miscellaneous Activities** ## **Stamps for Leprosy Mission** We thank the church for their donation of stamps and a special thanks to Mick Chittock for the stamps and donation but above all thank you all. **Len and Marion Freeman** ## **Together** (alternate Thursdays at St John’s) We have had many new members joining Together this year. The parables of Jesus led us through the first half of the year and we started to look at the minor prophets in September which took us through to the new year. We have enjoined studying them together and it is a joy to have people asking questions and continuing to look them up at home. We pray for God’s blessing to continue with this ministry and help us reach new members. **Christine Sanders** ## **Together Again** (the other Thursdays) At the beginning of 2022 I took over the running of Together Again from Mary Grint. Mary had been in charge for many years and I would like to thanks her so much for all her hard work. We meet at St. John’s Church Hall every other Thursday from 10.30am - 11.30am. We enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit and are able to have good chats and laughs with each other. It would be lovely to see more people come along. My thanks to Christine and Jan for the support they give me. **Brenda Berry** ## **Wednesday Worshippers at St. Mark’s** Wednesday Worshippers was able to run as normal throughout 2022. The numbers attending gradually picked up through the year, we started with around 10-15 people coming regularly and finished with around 15-20. Some of these were people new to Wednesday Worshippers. We continued the same pattern of services: Holy Communion every week, except the First Wednesday which has a special theme. For the Spring and Summer terms we studied the book of Revelation, and then in the Autumn we studied the prophet Micah. The service is friendly and welcoming, and we would love to see you any Wednesday! **Phill Sacre** ## **Havenvale Communion Service** During 2022 I continued to take a Communion Service for a small number of residents from the sheltered-housing flats in Havenvale, on a Monday afternoon, once a month. After a couple of years when these services were very disrupted, they are now back as a regular feature of the Havenvale diary. We have sadly lost a couple of those who attended regularly, but those who are able to come along are very appreciative. Towards the end of the year, Christine Sanders started to join me for the services, which has been a great help, especially in encouraging people to stay at the end and chat over tea and coffee. As last year, we organised carol singing at Havenvale one afternoon in the run-up to Christmas. This time we had to stay inside throughout, due to the weather! However, the residents who came along were very grateful. **Mark Mulryne** 20 17 **Youth and Children’s Activities** **Community Activities** ## **Family Events** 2022 was a much more settled year, with almost all of our children’s and youth work back faceto-face and without any Covid restrictions. We held our usual Pancake Party in March, which drew in over 90 people this year – chaotic but fun! After a few years at St John’s, we moved Christingle back to St Mark’s this year. St Mark’s was full and we enjoyed the usual carols, Christingle building and lighting, with the addition of the puppets too. This was followed by a festive buffet. Thank you so much to all of you that give your time, prayer and other resources to help out with all the events we run for children and families, (the regular ones and the occasions ones!) you are _all amazing_ and without you we wouldn’t be able to run nearly as much as we currently do. ## **Little Fishes** Little Fishes continued to meet on Mondays and we finished the year with a regular crowd of around 20 (although not the same 20 every week!) meeting to chat, play, craft and then sing, pray and join in with a Bible story before refreshments. It’s great to see the enthusiasm for the praise time, some of our regular children rush up to the front as soon as we open the screen up! ## **Searchlights** This is our after school club, which runs on Monday, 3.15-4.30 pm. Each week there are games, crafts, Bible teaching and lots of fun. Although the numbers have been quite low this year, we have some very committed children and appreciative parents. We also have a great team of helpers - and so have the chance to grow in the future. ## **Teatime Church** Teatime Church had a big drop in numbers at the beginning of the year, but has steadily grown again and we have around 20 regulars that we meet with each month, including one family that started coming regularly after Holiday Club in the summer. We looked at a series answering the question “What is God like?” Amongst that we had Easter, Summer, Harvest and Christmas specials. A big thank you to all who help run this each month. ## **Holiday Club & Half Term Holiday Club & Holiday Club Reunion** We ran our half term holiday club in person again last year and enjoyed the usual songs, Bible stories, craft and puppets! Our Summer Holiday Club was based on Daniel. We had a good number of children and the teenage helpers (some of whom are on the fringes at St Paul’s and come to Ignite each week). Lots of children and their families brought a picnic lunch on the Wednesday and then we watched some short films together back inside. We had jacket potato lunch for families on the Sunday after the Holiday Club service. Both of these family events were well attended. A number of those that had been to the club in the summer joined us for our Holiday Club Reunion one Saturday morning in October. We continued the story of Daniel, and the morning was focussed on the lion’s den. **Hannah Ward** ## **Sunday Funtime** We currently have four Sunday Funtime Teachers: myself, Caroline, Hannah and Pauline. We only had two helpers on the rota Katrina and Phil and so were doubling up as helpers for each other when we weren't down to teach. Looking forward, it would be good and exciting to welcome new children (with their families) into Sunday Funtime. We are now happily using the end room for our Sunday Funtime sessions and for extra room and more comfort sometimes use the lounge. **Ann-Marie Chappell** ## **Ignite** Ignite youth group had an average attendance of 18 young people a week in 2022. We have covered a range of different Bible books and topics over the year, including Ruth, Easter from John, The Lord’s Prayer and stories of people who met Jesus. In June we invited year 6’s to come and try out the group, and we have gained 4 new regulars from this. We had some exciting Ignite special events in 2022 including 2 weekends away at Birch Hall and a trip to the youth event ‘Sorted’ at a church in London. **Rachel Harding** ## **Stewsdays** The number of guests at Stewsdays has continued to grow. We normally serve between 35 and 40 meals and it has been great to welcome some new faces. Church family members who come along take time to make newcomers welcome and chat over the meal, this is such an important part of the ministry. Stewsdays provides a great opportunity to invite folk into our church buildings, enjoy good food and friendship and hear a very brief thought on a verse of scripture. There are plenty of ways you can support the team, thanks to those who have offered lifts and come to help as an extra pair of hands. If you would like to be involved, please do have a word with me, I can find a task that is tailored just for you! **Pam Dench** ## **Craft Group** Our little group of crafters has grown and we continue to meet most months to be creative together, always going home with a little project lovingly made. We welcome those in our community to join us and get to know us as we chat over our crafting and a cuppa. Back in November we had a special workshop day when Helen Brown taught us the art of lino cutting and printing, it was great and we were all delighted with our efforts. **Pam Dench** ## **Frydays** After a two-year break (due to Covid restrictions), Frydays Community Cafe was finally able to start up again in March 2022. It started as a one-off event to gauge how much interest there was in having it return. We wanted to make sure we had both enough volunteers to run it and enough people who wanted to come and eat. The menu for Frydays was set as an all-day English breakfast served from 9 am - 1 pm. Due to the success of this one-off event, it was decided that Frydays Cafe should return for good, but on a monthly (rather than a weekly) basis. Since then we have held Frydays Cafe on the second Friday of each month (only missing out August in 2022). Attendance at the monthly Frydays Cafe was steady throughout 2022 and attracted people from both the church family and the local community. Likewise, the group of volunteers who run the cafe is a good blend of Frydays veterans and current church members. The monthly community cafe has carried on into 2023, and we hope to keep it going indefinitely. In order for this to happen, though, it is essential that we continue to have church members volunteering to come along and help it to run smoothly. **Ti Chase** ## **Coffee Mornings** We held coffee mornings every month during the past year except in August & December. Numbers have been consistently good with church family and people from the community enjoying fellowship together. Money raised goes to St. John’s building fund and is always much needed, but our primary aim is to be a welcoming, friendly place to meet, chat, listen and share about church activities whenever the opportunity arises. There are many ways to help if you feel able and would like to be part of our team. ## **Stephanie Cuthbert** ## **Bethany Bereavement Support** Bethany Cafe meets in St John’s hall and we continue to be encouraged that this is welcomed by those attending. At most meetings we have new people. Some come regularly for a few meetings and others come when they feel the need. We welcome all who have been bereaved, regardless of how far they are on their journey through their grieving process. Everyone who comes for the first time receives a booklet called the Path Not Chosen, which many have commented that they found it very helpful, and a comfort. We were averaging around ten which is a nice number – time for us to meet with all and not so big that it’s intimidating for those attending. However recently, and mostly through the Look magazine, our numbers are now around 16. We praise God that He is with us as we support the bereaved. It is both a privilege and joy for all the team members to see our new friends, both male and female coming to terms with their loss, and coping with life again. **Jan Chittock** 18 19