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2024-12-31-accounts

Parish of Great Clacton (Registered Charity Number 1130241)

St John’s with St Mark’s (Diocese of Chelmsford) Annual Reports 2024 APCM - Sunday 11th May 2025

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INDEX

Statutory Reports Pages 3 - 10 Activities Reports Pages 11 - 20

Accounts Reports Pages 21 - 35

Statutory Reports Index

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Annual Church Meeting and Meeting of Parishioners Minutes

Sunday 28[th ] April 2024

During the service before the APCM, three areas were highlighted that should encourage us, as we reflected on the year gone by. Hopefully, these set the scene for the APCM and the receiving of the Annual Reports -

Hannah encouraged us that children and young people she meets in school and at our church clubs are a lot more interested in the Christian faith than they often seem. We’re looking to extend the Schools and Families Project for another three years – and there are real opportunities to share the Good News with young people, who are interested to hear it.

Anita reported on the project funding. It requires about £44,500 per year - and the project restarts 1[st] September 2024. At the end of March 2024 there was already nearly £20,000 in the bank, because of the response within church to the appeal we launched, and this will rise through gifts that have been promised and regular giving. This is an incredible achievement for a church this size. Thanks to everyone for their prayerful giving. Please pray as we look for support from outside the church family to help us, which means applying for grants.

Ti encouraged us, on this his last APCM Sunday. He will be moving on sometime during the next year. His highlights recently have included the Thursday evening group as they have been studying Revelation together for the past year. Also, with the food bags he has been able to share the work with others, as they have come alongside him to help. It’s encouraging that the congregation supports this ministry to enable it to continue. As well, the Gathering kept going after Alpha, over the last year, as many on the course wanted to continue meeting. Other fruits of the Alpha course will be seen at the Confirmation Service, which is coming up. It’s good to see that the Lord has been calling new people to Himself and into his family - it’s beautiful and encouraging that he counts us worthy, as a church, to be entrusted with these people.

In preparation for the APCM, during the service preceding it, Mark preached from Luke chapter 10 vs 17-24 . The week before he had preached on vs.1-16. These passages were part of our series on Luke’s Gospel, but Mark had wanted to focus on them specifically before the APCM, because they remind us of some very important things that are relevant to us now. As we look forward to the future, we are using a very old vision for our church – a 2000 year old vision - that Jesus said to the 72 disciples when they were sent out. Last week it was the sending out (we looked at the instructions Jesus gave and how he told them to pray) – this week we look at the returning back.

The disciples “returned with joy” because they had seen God at work through them – and Jesus confirmed that this was because of his authority. At a time when we have seen new people come to church and we have been encouraged by this, it is good to remind ourselves that this is Jesus’ doing – it’s only through his power.

However, Jesus then turned the disciples thoughts from what they saw as successes towards the blessings they had received from God – being part of His family and witnessing what Jesus was doing. So at a time when we may be excited about seeing God at work in the life of our church, we should be even more joyful and thankful that he has chosen to be at work in our lives, even though we don’t deserve it.

So, as we go forward into the future, with the many challenges that it will have for us, let’s remember that it is God’s work, accomplished through Jesus’ power, and let’s remember that, however well or badly things go, we are still part of God’s family, through his grace.

Annual Church Meeting

Welcome

Rev’d Mark Mulryne (Chair) welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Opening Prayer led by Rev’d Mark Mulryne

Appointment of Clerk Ann-Marie Chappell was nominated to be clerk for the meeting. All agreed.

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Apologies for absence

were received from Mark and Pauline Solosy, Jackie Rowe, Monica Beaman, Jill Ross, Joan Millie, John Disney.

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

There are currently 139 entrants on the Roll, 36 of whom live outside the parish and worship regularly with us. Mark thanked Paul Harding for keeping us up to date and legal. The electoral roll reopens after the APCM today, for anyone not on it and who would like to be.

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. Mark encouraged us to read the annual reports as a good record of what’s happened over the last year – what we’ve done and how it’s been paid for.

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.

Our total income for the year increased by £11,841 to £142,987. Our giving increased overall. A number of those giving through PGS increased their giving annually when asked, which has helped to grow the income. Other areas which have seen noticeable increases were fund raising events, hall lettings and income from Stewsdays, and Bank interest. Overall, a solid performance in difficult times.

Expenditure for the year increased by £23,919 to £143,186 which is slightly more than our income. This is the first time we have exceeded overall income in recent years and is mainly due to the increase in our Parish Share. The way of calculating this altered and we no longer receive any of the allowances we previously did. However we fared favourably compared to other churches in the Deanery. Other areas that increased notably were utilities and Insurance costs. There were also Professional fees for the Architect to begin planning for the stonework on St. John’s and for a Survey Report for the sale of 112 Woodlands Close. The sale of 112 will provide a substantial boost to finances and the PCC will need to carefully consider what is the best use of these funds.

Closing remarks and Questions

John Disney has stepped down from overseeing repairs to St John’s. Mark publicly thanked him for all he has contributed to this work.

Stuart Baker raised the following questions:

Have the PCC looked at the CEEC pack regarding how best to respond to the publishing of the Prayers of Love and Faith?

MARKS ANSWER: Yes, we are looking at material being produced by CEEC (and by Bishop Rob) to help us navigate the situation at the moment. Keeping up to date with what’s happening in the LLF process has been on most PCC agendas. We have especially found the CEEC videos to be helpful.

Will the prayers produced by John Dunnett (from CEEC) for churches to use on May 12[th] (calling for a day of prayer in response to the Living in Love and Fatih process), be used as part of our service when Bishop Rob is here (on that date)?

MARK’S ANSWER: Yes, Keith Beaman is planning to include them in his prayers during the service.

The third query was around a designated sum for the new parish hall that is currently held in the New Hall Account.

MARK’S ANSWER: This money could be used towards a new church hall, if building one becomes possible (e.g. if we received a grant or gift that would make this feasible). If the PCC felt that this was not likely in the near future, it could be re-allocated to another project, once those who made donations have been consulted and given their consent.

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APCM Adjourned

Meeting of Parishioners opened

Meeting of Parishioners

Clerk: Ann-Marie Chappell was nominated to be clerk for the meeting. All agreed.

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed and signed.

Election of Church Wardens

Mark Solosy and Gary Fellowes had been proposed and seconded on their nomination forms. Mark had agreed to stand for another year. This was the first time Gary had agreed to take on this role. There were no other nominations. All agreed and they were elected unopposed.

The meeting thanked them for their willingness to serve as churchwardens.

Mark gave Stephanie a very big thank you as she steps down as Church Warden after 11 years. Stephanie was presented with a gift and thanked everyone for their support and advised Gary F “to be ready for anything” once he’s started as the new Church Warden!

Meeting of Parishioners closed

APCM reopened

Annual Church Meeting (continued)

Election of PCC members

We can have 12 elected members, each serving for a 3 year term. Each year there are 4 vacancies.

Sheila Neale had come to the end of her 3 year term and had been nominated to stand again for another three years.

Nomination forms were received for Lynne Holden and Albertha Braithwaite. No other nominations were received. Therefore the 3 candidates were elected unopposed. All agreed.

PCC members 2023 (until APCM, Apr ‘24) PCC members 2024(until APCM, May ‘25)
Mark Mulryne (Vicar) - ex officio Mark Mulryne (Vicar) - ex officio
Stephanie Cuthbert (Warden) – ex officio Gary Fellowes (Warden) - ex officio
Mark Solosy (Warden) – ex officio Mark Solosy – ex officio
Ti Chase (Curate) – ex officio Ti Chase – ex officio until end of curacy
Gary Newbery (until APCM 2026) Gary Newbery (until APCM 2026)
Andy Brown (until APCM 2026) Andy Brown (until APCM 2026)
Hannah Ward(until APCM 2026) Hannah Ward (until APCM 2026)
Ann-Marie Chappell (until APCM 2026) Ann-Marie Chappell (until APCM 2026)
Rosie Fellowes (until APCM 2025) Rosie Fellowes (until APCM 2025)
Adrian Goody (until APCM 2025) Adrian Goody (until APCM 2025)
Helen Brown (until APCM 2025)
[Helen resigned during the year]		 Lynne Holden (until APCM 2027)
GaryFellowes(until APCM 2025) Albertha Braithwaite(until APCM 2027)
Shelia Neale (until APCM 2024) Shelia Neale (until APCM 2027)
Christine Sanders – DeanerySynod Rep Christine Sanders – DeanerySynod Rep
Donna Benbow - was co-opted as a PCC
member-but resigned at the end of 2024

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Deanery Synod Rep

The church can have 3 representatives to Deanery Synod. There has to be an election every 3 years - the next one will be in 2026. However, Christine Sanders is our only Deanery Synod Rep at the moment. Therefore, there was the possibility of electing up to 2 further reps to be on the Synod until 2026. However, as there were no nominations for this position, those spaces remain unfilled.

Appointing of Independent Examiner

Dave Wiggins was appointed as Independent Examiner for 2024. All agreed. Mark asked for our thanks to David to be noted - for all the help he had given over the years.

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.

The meeting closed with The Grace.

PCC Proceedings 2024

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 (until it was sold) 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 2024

The PCC met 8 times over the year. All of the meetings took place in St John's Hall.

Gary Newbery and Andy Brown were confirmed as joint treasurers.

Donna Benbow was co-opted onto the PCC, as she had agreed to serve as Secretary (and she was then appointed to this role). Unfortunately, she was unable to continue with this and stood down before the end of 2024.

The PCC regularly reviewed church policies including Safeguarding. In fact, Safeguarding was an item on every PCC agenda.

An important ongoing item for discussion was the best course of action regarding 112 Woodlands Close, the decision having been made to sell the property and to make bast use of the funds. The sale eventually was completed in the autumn of 2024.

Another important area regularly discussed was what our church’s response to the Church of England’s Living In Love and Faith process and authorised prayers for same-sex couples. The PCC remained united on maintaining a biblical teaching on sexual relationships whilst also being inclusive and welcoming to all who attend.

Another regular item on the agenda was preparation for the stonework repairs on St John’s. This was done in close consultation with the Fabric Committee, taking advice from the architect. The contract was given to Bakers of Danbury and the work was scheduled to begin in April 2025.

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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 co-ordinate 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:-

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.

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.

BANKERS

The PCC retained Barclays Bank plc as their bankers for 2024. 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.

There is also a New Hall Fund, for which we used Lloyds Bank. This had a separate list of authorised signatories. However, during 2024 this fund was moved into the main Barclays accounts, although it is still accounted for separately.

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REVIEW OF ANNUAL CHARITABLE GIVING

At the PCC November 2024 meeting it was agreed that annual charitable giving for 2025 would remain unchanged with a provision to review in six months if required. Giving as follows:-

CPAS £250 per annum Historic Churches £150 per annum Friends of Essex Churches £250 per annum Christian Institute £250 per annum The Church Society £250 per annum UCB £150 per annum Essex Clergy Charity £200 per annum CAP (local Debt Centre) £500 per annum (as long as the local Debt Centre remains open) Discretionary Giving transfer £400 per annum Honorarium Payments £200 per person (to our Reader and our ALP)

WAGE REVIEW

The PCC held a wage review in November 2024 and agreed to increase the salaries with effect from 1[st] January 2025 to:-

Church administrator £14.98 per hour Weddings/Banns Secretary £13.22 per hour

HALL RENT REVIEW

The Finance Committee recommended to increase the rent for St John’s Church Hall to £12 per hour to take effect from the 1st January 2025, but to keep St Mark’s rent at £16/hr, as it had been raised to this on 1st April 2024. (This recommendation was accepted by the PCC in the Nov 2024 meeting.)

Statistics for Mission

2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
Baptisms 14 4 2 2 0 9
Thanksgivings 6 6 1 1 0 9
Confirmations 10 0 0 0 0 0
Weddings 3 6 6 1 1 3
Funerals 19 19 21 21 24 29
Average Sunday attendance(throughout the year)
Adults 99 104 87 76 -- 113
Children 5 7 11 9 -- 9

Average Sunday attendance (throughout the year)

Adults 99 104 87 76 -- 113
Children 5 7 11 9 -- 9

NOTE: 6 of the 14 baptisms in 2024 were for adults and young people (not children).

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THE OCTOBER COUNT — MEASURE OF CHURCH ATTENDANCE

The average Sunday morning attendance, counted during the official 2024 October count in our buildings, was 51 adults at St John’s, and 53 adults and 8 children at St Mark’s. However, there were others joining in on YouTube, and some others coming to the afternoon services as well.

2025 Electoral Roll Report

The revised Electoral Roll, in preparation for the APCM in May 2025, displayed for the statutory period, has 128 entrants, including 35 who live outside the parish but worship regularly with us.

St John’s Churchwarden’s Report 2024

We had another very busy year with many events and celebrations taking place, including witnessing the Coronation of the King. In February we held the half term Holiday Club, welcoming children from the community together with Church family children. In May we welcomed Bishop Rob Munro together with members of St Paul’s Church and young people from the Ignite Youth group for our Confirmation service, when 20 people were confirmed (10 from Great Clacton).

In June we welcomed Andy Robinson from Living Out for a talk which was attended by not only Church members but also churches in the surrounding area.

At the end of June we held a Flower Festival with a History Display, celebrating the 900 years of our church’s history. The display was organized by George Hardwick. The whole event was well attended and appreciated.

In July, we held another week long Holiday Club for local school children. Christmas was once again very busy with Carol Services both inside and outside the church building, all being well attended by the local community and schools.

Thanks go out to Mark and the Staff Team for their hard work guidance and pastoral care throughout the year.

Thanks also to Christine Sanders and David Rippard for their roles as Deputy Church Wardens and everyone else on the many rotas which help keep the church running all year. Gary Fellowes

St Mark’s Churchwarden’s Report 2024

2024 saw more hiring out of St Mark’s building; various weekly groups and a few single occasions. Sunday attendance has been varied with numbers increasing slowly towards the end of the year.

Once again, thanks go to Peter Mann for keeping the garden in check and together with Brenda Berry, for keeping an eye on everything, in their role as Deputy Wardens.

Mark Solosy

Church Family (Wardens’ Report)

During 2024 we sadly lost 7 much loved members of our Church family. We said goodbye to: Pauline Malins, Henry Irving, Derek Ranshaw, Pam Smith, Jim Clarke, June Smith and Stan Grint. We draw comfort that they loved the Lord and are safe in his presence. Our thoughts and prayers also went out to the Church family who lost close family members.

Mark Solosy/Gary Fellowes

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St John’s Fabric Report 2024

Church Building

During 2024 no major work was carried out on the church but preparation is being made for major stonework in early 2025. The reveals in the belfry were fixed by Holland Roofing and the heat exchanger on one of the heating boilers was replaced in an attempt to solve the ongoing problems with the church heating. Ongoing maintenance and tidying up continued throughout the year which included new down lighters being fitted. Gary Fellowes

Churchyard

Holes in the car park were filled in and levelled by Peter Mann. 200 more snowdrops were planted and we had two general tidying up sessions during the year. Gary Fellowes

Church Hall

A burnt out socket was replaced in the kitchen and wiring reseated of the plug for the fridge which was replaced during the year. The rear emergency ramp was replaced and we also replaced panels on the front of the Hall which were then painted. Also the soffits were replaced—all this work completed by David Rippard. One of the toilet cisterns needed replacing in the ladies’ toilets, which was carried out by a plumber. The inside of the Hall was also repainted by work parties over two Saturday mornings. A very big thank you to all who took part. Gary Fellowes

St Mark’s Fabric Report

We have obviously had some wear and tear on St Mark’s building, but it is holding up well. Some things have had to be replaced, such as the water boiler in the kitchen, and some things repaired, like the vacuum cleaner. The sound mixer desk is showing its age and will need replacing one day, but we muddle through in the meantime. Mark Solosy

Trees Report (St John’s Churchyard)

A bay tree behind the Hall split and fell against the Hall, this was removed and shredded by the Council. No other problems were encountered with the trees in the churchyard, only slight pruning needed which was done by Tendring District Council . Gary Fellowes

Deanery Synod Report 2024

We have had a few speakers this year, including Beverly Vincent who has spoken on Living in Love and Faith. Our new CAP worker, Jessica, has been in place since Autumn 2023, and she was scheduled to do a presentation, however she was unwell and unable to do it. Unfortunately, Jessica did not feel able to continue in her role for a second year and stepped down at the end of 2024. Discussions have started as to whether it is viable for the provision of a local CAP worker, funded by the deanery to continue. There will have to be a Synod vote on this in 2025.

Christine Sanders & Mark Mulryne

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Annual Activities Reports

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Annual Activities Reports
Groups

House Groups
Pastoral Care Team
Prayer
Music Group - St Mark’s
Thursday Night Group
Schools Report
Administration
The Church Office
Weddings and Banns
Mission Links
Mission Committee Report
Worship Services
Sunday Morning Services
Alpha Jan 2024—March 2024
‘Together’
Community Cuppa
‘Wednesday Worshippers at St Mark’s
Havenvale Communion Service
Youth and Children’s Activities
Family Events
Little Fishes
Tea Time Church
Holiday Clubs
Ignite Youth Group
Sunday Funtime
Community Activities
Stewsdays
Craft Group
Coffee Mornings
Bethany Bereavement Support
Food Bags
Miscellaneous Activities
Used Stamps for Mission		 Page

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Groups

Homegroups & Lent Meetings

Throughout the last few years many of our Homegroups have gone through times of change - and this continued through 2024. Some people have had to leave groups while others have been keen to join. We have tried to accommodate as many requests as possible, though sometimes it is difficult to find a group meeting at the right time, with enough space. During 2024 the homegroup that Ti had been running came to an end, but another small group formed - so we still have 8 groups at the moment. This means that we hope to be able to accommodate more new people in the coming months.

At our Leaders’ Meetings it becomes clear that each group is adapting things so that the time, frequency and size of the group suits those involved. This is just one sign that Homegroups are somewhere where members of our church family can find encouraging teaching, fellowship, care and love - they are appreciated by many – and this is great news! We are very grateful to the leaders who do so much to make this possible.

The Thursday Night Group provides an alternative to traditional homegroups - it’s becoming a group that people can dip in and out of, that uses a series of courses (see below).

Our Homegroup members, once again, helped to lead our 2024 Lent Meetings, which were encouraging times. It is always lovely to see some different people “up front” and these meetings provide a good opportunity for this. We used the “321 Couse” produced by Speak Life , which covers many of the fundamental Christian teachings (including the Trinity), but comes at them from a slightly different angle and in an engaging way. We hope to use this course again, maybe with people who are new to church. For 2025 we’re planning to have guest preachers at our Lent Meetings, speaking on the theme of encouragement. A big thank you to all who were willing to take part in these meetings. Mark Mulryne

Pastoral Care Team

Throughout another year, the members of our pastoral care team have faithfully and lovingly cared for those in the church family needing help during illness or in 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. And we try to be mindful of people’s spiritual needs as well as practical ones, usually reading the Bible with them.

We are encouraged as we see individuals being helped and sustained in times of trial, and also 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 contact us.

During the last couple of years the way we are coordinating our pastoral work has evolved. Mark or Christine are now the people to speak to if you have a concern. Mark Mulryne

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 from their own homes. Thursdays are dedicated to praying for the persecuted church across the world, and Friday evenings 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 also constantly promote the use of our Prayer Diaries, so that we can pray for similar things from our own homes daily, and these are used regularly by many. It’s been important to keep praying together through all that’s happened over the last few years.

Over the last couple of years we’ve also organised occasional prayer meetings for all that is going on in the Church of England, especially following on from the LLF process. Many people have been very concerned about this, and it has been good to see these concerns being turned into prayers. More recently Bishop Rob has encouraged us to pray for revival, as the ultimate answer to the church’s problems. We are therefore planning monthly prayer gatherings on Sunday evenings, praying for a Great Awakening. Mark Mulryne

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Music Group - St Mark’s

Thank you for your continuing prayers and encouragement. We all enjoy serving in this ministry of music, both as we meet to practice week by week, and as we lead the sung worship in Sunday services. Thanks as always to Jackie for opening up her home to us, to Caroline who has joined us on a more regular basis, and to Daniel who joins in during the holidays. Pam Dench

Thursday Night Group

We spent the first half of 2024 finishing our one-year study of the book of Revelation. During this time, the group grew from an average of 6 people each week to about 12 people! After taking a break for the summer, we changed to a different format. Rather than studying one specific book of the Bible, it became more of a ‘Bible clinic’, where each week we discussed any passages that group members had questions about. This format made it very easy for people to drop in and out from week to week without missing any part of a longer narrative. Some weeks there were 15-16 of us taking part!

Since Ti will no longer be here after early 2025, this group came to a close in December 2024 in its present format. Mark is planning to run it in a slightly simpler way in 2025. TI Chase

Local Schools’ Report

Great Clacton

Mark and I now each do a whole school worship (assembly) every half term.

I continued to run prayer space up to the end of the summer term, including a two-day prayer space at Easter that all children attended class-by-class instead of coming to church for an Easter Service. This began with a short video of the main events of Easter, followed by a variety of activities that encouraged prayer and reflection on different topics related to this. The weekly prayer space was entirely Year 6 by the Summer Term, so in the Autumn Term, I gave it a break to think about how best to re-launch it to the whole school. During the last 2 weeks of the Autumn Term, each class had a day where they were invited to come and make a Christmas decoration that we then used to help them pray. There were 10 spaces available each day and the vast majority of these were filled.

I continued to support crochet club and choir each week, giving me a chance to get to know some of the children better.

The Community Ambassadors visited Little Fishes a couple of times, and enjoyed playing with the toys as well as helping out at story and snack time. Year 6 came to church to have their Bible re-presented to them at the end of the Summer Term and we welcomed the whole school round in the Autumn for Harvest and Christmas. The lower school also came into church a few extra times - Year 3’s to receive their Bibles and learn more about the Christmas story, and Year 4’s to pack Shoeboxes at the beginning of November. Both Year groups came back at the beginning of December for a Christingle service.

At the end of the Autumn Term, the Executive Head left. The Head of School continues to be responsible for the day-to-day running of the school.

Cann Hall

I went to school for the Easter, Harvest and Christmas services this year. My weekly teaching sessions continue, I spend each half term teaching a different year group.

At the end of the Autumn Term, the Head left and an existing Senior member of staff was given the job.

Other schools

Burrsville came to church for their Harvest Festival with Mark in October. Mark also goes into their school to take special assemblies before Easter and Christmas.

Hannah Ward (Schools and Families Worker)

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Administration

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The Church Office

So, I have been working in the Church Office for over eight 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 is very varied from day to day, week to week.

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.

This year I have also taken on extra duties in Finance as Joan has retired. She still comes into the office to keep an eye on what I am doing and correcting my mistakes! I hope these will become fewer and fewer as the months go by.

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, Gary Fellowes 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, Ti, Hannah and Joan without whom life would be a lot harder.

Ann-Marie Chappell (Church Administrator)

Weddings and Wedding Banns 2024

3 weddings took place in St John’s church during 2024, and one wedding blessing.

There were 4 Renewal of Wedding Vows.

There are five definite weddings booked for 2025, but no Renewal of Vows so far.

Please continue to pray for all couples who have been married in our church, and especially those planning to be married this year.

Anita Newbery (Weddings and Banns Secretary)

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Mission Links

Mission Committee Report 2024

During 2024 we organised two Mission Sundays, as well as monthly world focus slots at both St Mark’s and St John’s, to inform both congregations about God’s work in Clacton and the wider world, and to encourage us to pray. In March, Mark and Ruth Cuthbert visited us from Betel in Birmingham and again in October, Gerry Blake, a retired teacher from Ipswich came to speak about the work of Wycliffe Bible Translators. Both were very encouraging and well received. We also supported the Tearfund Harvest appeal in September as we do every year. At the end of the year we were eagerly anticipating a return visit from Gift and Kathryn Asiku, who were due to visit us from SIL Uganda (Wycliffe’s partner in Uganda) in January 2025.

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 as well as a gift to Anglican International Development in South Sudan. We also increased the amount of money in our bursary fund for those travelling on mission projects as the mission committee budget was larger than in 2023. A bursary of £200.00 was given to Laurelin Chase, who returned to Romania last summer to assist on the annual proDeo church summer camp for children. We offer prayer support for Catherine Porter (WEC, Japan). We also offer prayer support for Hannah Ward (our schools and families worker). In 2024 Ti Chase resigned from the committee in anticipation of the end of his curacy and we welcomed Christine Sanders as a new member. The other committee members remain Jackie Rowe (chair), Caroline Mulryne (treasurer), Stephanie Cuthbert, Helen Wadhwa (now Cooper). Mark Mulryne (ex officio).

Caroline Mulryne

Accounts Report

Worship Services

Sunday Morning Services

We encourage as many of our church family as possible to attend either of our morning services, running each week at St John’s and St Mark’s, as these are our main gatherings for the week.

In 2024 we had a number of preaching series, helping us to learn form different parts of the Bible. These included continuing to work our way through Luke’s Gospel (although there is still some to finish off), a series from the early chapters of Genesis thinking about our “Identity” as people created by God, and also looking at what the letter of James teaches us. In the weeks before Christmas, this year we used the early chapters of Matthew.

The services in our buildings are complimented by our 11am YouTube service, which has become a regular feature, both for those who cannot attend a “live” service for any reason, and for those who enjoy it in addition to coming to one of these. We are moving to using the same Bible passage on YouTube as in our other morning services, so those who miss a week at church can catch up with what we have looked at.

We have continued to have special services marking the major Christian festivals (Christmas, Easter, Harvest, etc) - we try to make these especially accessible to visitors - 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! In 2024, we also had a couple of Mission Sundays (see above).

One highlight of the year was welcoming Rob Munro, the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, to preach at a joint morning service and then to stay in the afternoon to take our Confirmation Service, when we were joined by members of St Paul’s Church and the Ignite youth group. In the middle we had a church lunch together. This was a wonderful day that many found very encouraging. We very much appreciated Bishop Rob’s ministry to us.

Through the year we were delighted to see some more visitors popping in to see what goes on in our churches - we always try to make sure they are welcomed and catered for. However, over the last year fewer have returned to become more regular - this is something we want to pray for. We hope that our services are an encouragement to all who attend, and hope to welcome many more people over the coming months. Mark Mulryne

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Food Bags

During 2024 we continued to operate this much needed ministry from our Church Hall. Ti Chase has been in overall control with Paul Saunders assisting. Paul’s duties remained the same, collecting, sorting, dispatching, stock control and volunteer management. Gary Fellowes assists in a clerical role, and also collecting and delivering. A big thanks should go to our many volunteers: Richard, Mick and Rita, Gerald, Davina, Ian and Tyler.

We still receive donations from many local supermarkets and have also added KFC and occasionally B&Q to the list of shops that contribute. Any excess food is put on the wall outside the hall and sent to the Hope Centre at Trinity Methodist Church where Peter Mann is involved.

The needs of the school families seems to be declining a bit, but the number of individuals that ask for our help seem to have slightly increased. We praise the Lord that we are able to provide for that need. We also thank the whole church family for their continued invaluable support and for donating food items to our store cupboard. Gary Fellowes

The Gathering organises Alpha (January - March 2024)

Alpha ran from January to March. People gathered from 5.00 pm at St. Mark's for a freshly cooked meal, then watched a video together and finally separated into three smaller groups to share their thoughts on what they had seen and heard. Each week hot food was provided by two different members of the church family, with a total of 10 couples/individuals contributing over the length of the course.

Almost 40 different adults in total attended at least one Alpha session, with many of them being people who had already done Alpha in early 2023 and had continued to meet at The Gathering throughout the rest of 2023.

There was an average weekly adult attendance of 24 across all 11 weeks. In addition to the weekly Sunday evening meetings, there was an additional 'Holy Spirit' Saturday held in early March. This was attended by 16 adults.

The Gathering finished at this point, after several successful years. Most of the people who had attended continued to come to one of our Sunday Morning Services. Ti Chase

Together ( 2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month at St John’s, alternating with Community Cuppa)

During the last year we continued our study on the Psalms which everyone enjoyed. It was very rewarding looking at them in depth. In the autumn we started looking at James and Peter. It is always encouraging to see how these bible passages have touched many of those who attend. We continue to be blessed with new members as we reach out to the community.

We thank God for his continued love, support and blessing in this ministry. Christine Sanders

Miscellaneous Activities

Stamps for RNIB

Like so many charities, The Leprosy Mission no longer collects used postage stamps to raise funds. After some research, we have found an alternative in RNIB who can sell the stamps for £20 a kilo.

We have boxes at both churches and we just ask that envelopes are trimmed so that there is a border of around 1cm around the stamps.

Our first batch has already been sent so thank you to everyone who continues to save them.

Pam Dench

Community Cuppa

Community Cuppa meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month in St. John’s Church hall from 10.30am to 11.30am. It alternates with Together.

We would like to see more people join us for a cup of tea/coffee and biscuits and enjoy sharing fellowship together. We always finish with a prayer. Brenda Berry

Wednesday Worshippers at St. Mark’s

We meet each Wednesday through term time with a regular pattern of Holy Communion taken by either Mark or Ti. We have worked our way through the book of Ephesians and then in September we began to learn from the book of Hebrews.

The exception is the 'First Wednesday' which is an informal service of reflection, a special theme or Songs of Praise format, which often welcomes visitors. Numbers for all the services have continued to be good and people stay afterwards for refreshments, fellowship and prayer when needed. Stephanie Cuthbert

Havenvale Communion Service

During 2024 I continued to take a monthly Communion Service, which is open to the residents from the sheltered-housing flats in Havenvale, on a Monday afternoon. It is just a small group of regulars at the moment, but those who are able to come along are very appreciative. Christine Sanders joins me and helps with the services. It is always great to have her there, especially in encouraging people to stay at the end and chat over tea and coffee.

Once again, we organised Carol Singing one afternoon in the run-up to Christmas, singing both outside, then in the lounge. All who came along were very grateful.

As the Carol Singing was well received, the manager has asked us to come back and do an Easter and a Harvest Songs of Praise in 2025. The team of musicians and singers were keen to agree to help with this. A big thank you to them. Mark Mulryne

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Youth and Children’s Activities

Sunday Funtime

Family Events

80 guests packed into St Mark’s for the usual fun and chaos that is the Pancake Party on Shrove Tuesday. We watched a short video, ate pancakes buried under various toppings and then enjoyed some pancake races and competitions.

The Holiday Club Fun Afternoon was attended by a good number of families that enjoyed their picnic lunches in the vicarage garden with lots of members of the team to chat with. Then there were lots of games and activities to join in with around the garden. 8 families joined us for the Holiday Club Service and enjoyed an outdoor lunch with the team after the service. The Christingle Service was well attended once more and we welcomed families both known to us and new to us. Thank you to the many helpers who gave out the right things at the right time, for the Christingles to be made throughout the service so we were able to finish the service in the usual special way, by enjoying the Christingle lights shining in the darkness.

Little Fishes

This year we’ve taught some of Jesus’ parables and revisited what happened the first Easter. We’ve thought about what prayer is and some of the people Jesus met. Then we thought about God’s creation through colour and what God is like, before hearing all about the first Christmas in December.

During the autumn term we had around 17 family groups each week and through the year they enjoyed our annual end of term events: egg hunt, teddy bear’s picnic in the vicarage garden and Nativity service with dressing up and photoshoot in the stable!

Tea Time Church

Teatime Church was well-attended in 2024, averaging 23 people (mainly non-church families) each month. We worked our way through the book of Genesis, looking at characters like Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Joseph. We continue to spend the first half an hour on crafts and activities to help us think about the story, then some songs and some thoughts from the Bible before our buffet tea. Many thanks to Ian (Bingley), who prepares and clears up our buffet tea each month.

Holiday Club & Half Term Holiday Club & Holiday Club Reunion

Our Summer Holiday Club is the main event, with a shorter Holiday Club in February half term and a Saturday morning in October, which helps us to keep in touch with anyone who wants to throughout the year.

In February, we looked at the Old Testament king Josiah, in the Summer we were ‘On the Road’ with Jesus, learning from Him as He made His way to Jerusalem for the final time, thinking about the people He met and the teaching He gave. In October, we remembered the time that Jesus healed 10 lepers and only one came back to say thank you. These different parts of the Bible are all brought to life by the usual stories and songs we enjoy altogether, then further embedded through the crafts, games and activities we do in smaller groups. Then it’s activity time where all the space we have in St John’s enables us to put on a whole range of fun activities. We had a particularly large group of teenage helpers, which seems to be growing year by year – praise God! Hannah Ward

Ignite

Ignite youth group had a great year in 2024 and continues to be a fruitful ministry which we run in partnership with St Paul’s Church. Attendance at Ignite increased a little through 2024, with an average attendance of 24 young people a week by the end of the year. We covered a range of different Bible books and topics over the year, including “How can I grow in my relationship with God”, Easter, Ecclesiastes, “People Jesus met”, Acts and “Friendship”. In June we invited year 6’s to come and try out the group, and we gained 6 new young people from this. We had some exciting Ignite special events in 2024 including a weekend away at Birch Hall and a trip to the youth event ‘Sorted Nano’ at a church in London. 3 of our Ignite youngsters also attended a CPAS summer camp, which we were able to subsidise. Rachel Harding

We currently have four Sunday Funtime Teachers: myself, Caroline, Hannah and Pauline. We only had two helpers on the rota Katrina and Katherine but we have been trying to recruit some new helpers. Sadly we lost Katherine as a helper at the end of the year so our teachers have been covering. This has been manageable, but we would love some more help.

We have had some visiting children this year, albeit for a short time only. We currently have about 3 to 5 children per week in Funtime.

Looking forward, it would be good and exciting to welcome new children (with their families) into Sunday Funtime together with some new helpers.

We are now happily using the end room at St Mark’s for our Funtime sessions. Ann-Marie Chappell

Community Activities

Stewsdays

Thanks to the wonderful team, Stewsdays continues to flourish. We have welcomed some new guests in the past year and everyone enjoys the opportunity to share a good meal and chat. Some of our guests have started to show an interest in other things at St John’s and St Mark’s and have come along to events and services. Please pray that the short “Bible Bit” will be well received each month and that there would be a positive response. Pam Dench

Craft Group

Craft Group has grown this past year and consists of a good number of folk from outside the immediate Church Family. We tackle a variety of different crafts throughout the year in a friendly and fun atmosphere, mostly with a good degree of success! This is a great opportunity to draw people along to something in our church buildings and invite them to special events and services. There is always lots of chat and laughter. If you feel this is something you’d like to help with / be a part of then please have a word with me. Pam Dench

Coffee Mornings

Our monthly coffee mornings continue to be well supported by the church family and the community. We moved into the church again this year for the Christmas one and it was so well attended that we raised a record amount for the Building Fund! Our aim is to not only raise money, but to build friendships in the community and be a safe, friendly place for people to come and chat and enjoy fellowship.

I am thankful for all who bake, make things, donate things, serve on the day, clear away afterwards and those who come and support us. Stephanie Cuthbert

Bethany Bereavement Support

We have had another successful year welcoming many new friends to our meetings. We still meet on the 2[nd] and 4[th] Mondays of the month in St John’s Hall. Our average numbers have increased during the year, and at times, have reached more than 20. This has left the team rather stretched, but we have been grateful to members of the church family who have offered to help out making the teas and coffees. I am so grateful to the loyal and faithful team members, who sit and listen to people’s bereavement experiences. It is such a joy for all of us when we see friends who come to us in tears, some weeks later sharing with other bereaved folk. Our real joy is when they stop coming because they no longer feel they need us. All the team pray for those who come, and we all count it a joy and a privilege to serve God through this ministry. Jan Chittock

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