St Mary and All Saints, The Parish Church of Bingham
Registered Charity Number – 1131217
Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council
For the year ended 31 December 2023
PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARY AND ALL SAINTS BINGHAM ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2023
BACKGROUND
St Mary and All Saints’ PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the Rector to promote in the ecclesiastical parish of Bingham, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
The aims are stated as: to worship God, to serve the community, to show God’s love to everyone, to care for those in need and to introduce people, young and old, to our Lord Jesus Christ.
The PCC is also responsible for Old Church House.
MEMBERSHIP
Members of the PCC are either ex-officio, are elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM), have been co-opted or have filled a vacancy during the year in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. During the year the following served as members of the PCC:
Incumbent: Revd Jon Wright Church Army: Capt. Alan Cooper CA MBE Wardens: Mr John Woodman Mrs Wendy Forbes-Buckingham Hon PCC Secretary: Mrs Lesley Black Treasury Team: Mrs Susan Price, Mr John Woodman, Mrs Vivien Dyer Representatve on the Deanery Synod: Mrs Kate Gent
Elected Members:
Mrs Vivien Dyer until APCM 2024 Mrs Mieneke Hedges until APCM 2025 Mr Peter Kirkbride until APCM 2025 Mr John Miller until APCM 2024 Mrs Linda Walden until APCM 2025
COMMITTEES
The PCC operates with the help of two committees or groups which meet between full meetings of the PCC:
Standing Commitee
This is the only committee required by law. It has powers to transact the business of the PC between meetings subject to any direction given by the PCC.
Old Church House Management Group
This committee considers the financial situation and the maintenance of Old Church House.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE
There are currently 73 people on the Electoral Roll
The average weekly adult attendance counted during October 2023 was 70 The number in attendance on Easter Day 2023 was 120; on Christmas Eve and Day the number was 145.
There was 1 baptism, 3 weddings and there were 15 Bingham parish funerals.
****
RECTOR’S REPORT
Dear Friends
After 15 years of ordained ministry, it was great to be able to take a 3-month sabbatical in the summer of 2023, not only for rest and spiritual refreshment, but also to think and pray about developing new initiatives within the church.
The outcome has been the formation of different teams leading in the areas of prayer and pastoral support, evangelism, worship and children's work. A new daytime home group is also being led by Andy and Jenny Moxon our pastoral and prayer coordinators.
I am extremely thankful to Chrissy Sanderson, Jenny and Andy Moxon, Lesley Black, Gill & Steve Oxley who are heading up these teams, as well as to everyone involved. I am also very grateful to Anthony Watts for his contribution to our 9am Communion services.
A small working party has also been set up to plan events for our upcoming 800th Anniversary next year.
November saw us hosting Rev. Bryony Wood who led an evangelistic outreach event based on the Sound of Music which was well attended.
Our Christmas Services were particularly well attended, especially the Carol service where our worship included the Vale Voice Choir, who have been invited again this year.
The project of removing pews from the back of church in order to make a more adaptable space for children's work, the outreach cafe, and other community events, has been more expensive than anticipated, and is therefore going back to the 'drawing board' to see if a more affordable alternative can be achieved.
The outreach cafe continues to be a popular meeting place for the wider community, and I'm extremely grateful to Maria and all the volunteers who serve week in week out to make the cafe such a success. It's also very encouraging to be able to make new friendships and support people who don't usually come to church.
We have also welcomed a number of new people to both our 9am and 10:30 services and seen a considerable number of children join us which is a great encouragement. This has led to 4 children making a public declaration of faith during our 10:30 service!
I would also like to thank everyone for their support over the last year, not least our Wardens John Woodman and Wendy Forbes Buckingham, and St Mary and All Saints PCC, and to everyone who serves behind the scenes.
Last but not least, I would like to say a very special thank you to Wendy in her role as licensed lay minister who ably led the church during my sabbatical.
As we look forward to the next year, please pray for our continued growth, as we build on being a family friendly church, that loves God, Shares Christ, and Serves One Another.
Every blessing,
Jon
****
REVIEW OF THE YEAR - 2023
The full PCC met 5 times with an average attendance of 87%.
The following matters were discussed and acted upon:
SAFEGUARDING
All PCC members have completed the safeguarding module, either on-line or face to face. The church is therefore compliant with Diocesan Safeguarding Policies and Procedures. No safeguarding issues were brought to the PCC throughout the year. Gill Coult (Safeguarding Officer) could not attend the PCC meeting in May as arranged, but had previously circulated amended and updated Safeguarding documents, which were formally adopted by the PCC. Wendy Forbes-Buckingham has undertaken a course on domestic abuse.
OUTREACH
The Christianity Explored Course, which ran during Lent, was well attended (14) and enjoyed by teenagers and older folks alike.
The Leading Evangelism Course concluded this year, and the PCC is looking at ways to keep evangelism at the forefront of church life as we go forward in mission.
Outreach events included a visit from the Bishop of Sherwood on Palm Sunday, which we saw as an opportunity to invite friends who had never met a bishop!
On Mothering Sunday in the churchyard and the market square we handed out flowers, with a laminated prayer card and a booklet entitled "Is Easter Unbelievable", which were well received.
The church hosted a successful outreach event entitled "The Sound of Musings" from the book written by Bryony Woods. Bryony spoke on her book on Saturday evening and preached at the next day Sunday service.
Children from a new school in Bingham were shown round the church and given a leaflet promoting services and the outreach café.
Outreach café ‒ the café continues to be well attended by members of the wider Bingham community. We now have regulars and pray that, as relationships are forged, folks will feel confident to come to church on Sundays. So successful is the café, it has outgrown our old, dated kitchen and plans are in place for a refurbishment.
The added 7 steps to the Diocesan Vision Refresh Initiative (growing disciples ‒ wider, younger, deeper) were outlined by the Rector to the PCC. The vision is to grow disciples who are compassionate, confident and courageous. The 7 steps are ‒ inspiring worship, reaching younger people, growing leaders, enhancing diversity, encouraging generosity, nurturing prayer and enabling commitment. We will commit all of this to prayer and look forward to the way the Lord will lead us in the year ahead.
Youth Worker ‒ discussions were had around the idea of applying for funding to employ a Youth Worker. There are various processes to go through with the diocese, so this is an ongoing project.
EVENTS AND SERVICES
The British Legion informed the Rector that their Remembrance Day Service was to be held in the Market Place, as it was in 2022, and not in church. Our usual Sunday service was held in church, including an act of Remembrance.
The usual Carol, Christingle, Crib, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services were held ‒ the Carol Service being a particular success with the inclusion of the Vale Voice Choir. There was no midnight service on Christmas Eve due to the disruptions from revellers last year.
Lesley Black
****
OLD CHURCH HOUSE REPORT
Old Church House has continued to serve the community and is greatly needed in Bingham.
Interest groups:
U3A ‒ gentle fitness, Art, Yoga, Private dance practice, Private martial arts, Historical dance ‒ meet and pay full rent.
Dancing school meet Tues, Weds, Thurs & Saturdays; Uniformed groups (Scouts, Rainbows, Guides); Mother & Baby groups meet Thurs and Fridays ‒ pay a concessional rate.
The concessional rate is St Mary & All Saints’ opportunity to help the community.
The timetable of availability has been changed to clear Tuesday morning, Friday afternoon and Sunday morning/early afternoon. This time allows our caretaker William to clean and maintain the building. He is also gradually redecorating the interior.
We now have a regular date to clear for Election Voting, whenever the need arises. We can also rearrange Sundays for Sunday School as we have in the past. During school holidays we are available for parties (pre-school and infant school age only).
Church members are welcome to hold events, wakes etc which have often been catered for by our congregation members.
Invoices amount to approximately £22,000+. Outgoings (gas, bins, insurance, electricity, water, supplies and caretaker wages) amount to approximately E13,000+. We therefore run at approximately E8,000 profit.
Old Church House is in need of urgent roof work, the electrics need attention, and the place is in need of upgrading. William can manage some of the work but outside tradespeople may be needed very soon.
Old Church House has jogged along for decades and is very valuable to the community. It has held many fabulous events in the past, both for the church and for Bingham people who are not members of the congregation.
We now have to think of its future and how we are going to manage and maintain it for us and for Bingham.
Linda Walden
Booking Clerk for OCH
****
FLOWER GROUP REPORT
The team has been small, consisting of three ladies. At Christmas three new ladies joined, which each one of us are guiding. We hope after Easter the new ladies will take a turn on the rota.
We have a notice and chart at the back of church to encourage new volunteers. Also to encourage special occasion displays and to encourage help with the cost.
To help the cost, with so few members we have bought as cheaply as possible and made the blooms last longer than we would have done in the past. We hope the displays have given a little to praise the beauty of the earth.
We look forward to a larger team in the future.
Linda Walden
****
CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2023 FABRIC, GOODS AND ORNAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
Nave Platorm
Restoration of the platform was completed, and new carpet laid.
Lightng
A fault in Chancel and Rector's Vestry was repaired by CLS the company that had installed LED lighting in 2022. Although the exact fault was not identified, a way was found to circumvent it and it was clear that it had not resulted from LED installation. The historic wiring in that area is not properly understood or mapped and may still be vulnerable.
Removal of Pews
Faculty has been granted to remove pews at west end of nave. The following works will be required after removal of the pews and timber platform.
The ground will be excavated, and spoil removed in order to lay a limecrete floor with foam glass insulation that will retain the breathable nature of the floor whilst providing additional insulation.
Existing adjacent flagstones, ledger stones and quarry tiles will be retained and complemented with a new stone finish to the proposed floor.
Additional heating will be provided via electric radiators connected to the existing heating and electrical systems.
2 tenders were received from the 4 firms invited to tender. However, the quotations far exceeded architect's estimate, so further tenders have been invited.
Tower Clock and Bells
The clock is serviced every year by Smith of Derby, but they came for a second visit when clock kept stopping and chimes became unsynchronised.
4 bell ropes have been repaired.
Kitchen
This has been refurbished with new units.
Churchyard
Lychgate ironwork was repainted in accordance with faculty previously granted.
Quinquennial Inspecton
This is due and will take place early 2024.
Retrement of Alan Morris
Alan is in our prayers as he is seriously ill.
We thank him for a lifetime of support for our church. He was Tower Captain and bell ringer for many years and undertook countless practical works around church and churchyard.
We are greatly indebted to him and miss him sadly. We send him our best wishes. John Woodman, Wendy Forbes-Buckingham
EAST BINGHAM DEANERY SYNOD ANNUAL REPORT 2023
Deanery Synod met three times in 2023, worshiping and praying together and sharing positive news from around the deanery. Area Dean Revd Canon Stephen Hippisley-Cox kept us updated with what is happening in the diocese, and at Diocesan and General Synod.
This year saw the start of the new triennium, so standing committee was elected again. Lesley Haig was elected as Lay Chair with thanks for her work and agreement to stand again. We welcomed Kate Macfarlane (as Secretary) and Elaine Rawlins for the first time. Roger Scothern and Revds Paul Massey, Ruth Colby and Tim Chambers agreed to continue in post. We thank Revd Jon Wright and Tony Darby for their service, as they have now stood down and pray for God's continued blessing. The position of Treasurer remains vacant.
Standing Committee meets regularly for prayer and reflection, in addition to business meetings, and the Mustard Seed prayer group has been praying for the deanery throughout the year. Coordinated by Lesley, everyone is encouraged to join in these monthly prayer meetings, and to send in any prayer requests to the administrator Portia Newling to share with the group.
Archdeacon Phil Williams visited to explain the Parish Refresh process, which has led to 2024's Diocesan Vision Evenings. He updated us on the position across the diocese regarding recruitment.
Deanery share ‒ our giving is generally consistent, with some congregations having been particularly generous in their support of the deanery. The new diocesan Head of Finance has worked with diocesan and deanery leadership teams to calculate the figures for 2024 and a major review is underway, which we hope will be ready for 2025.
We held three deanery events, all of which were valued by those who came ‒ a prayer walk around Cotgrave county park; an Evening with Bishop Paul, where he shared reflections on his life and journey of faith; and visiting Southwell Minster for the Advent Procession.
Towards the end of the year, we welcomed the Revds David and Pixie Rowe to Wiverton. Plumtree and Tollerton continue in vacancy. We are very grateful for the support of our retired clergy who give so much in all our parishes
ANNUAL FINANCE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023
Planned giving has increased in 2023, as has the amount received in envelopes and collection plates. Donations are considerably down, but we are extremely grateful for personal donations towards new audio equipment and the kitchen refurbishment, as well as that from the Friends of St Mary & All Saints towards repairing and improving the platform at the front of the church.
This year the Parish Share demand was considerably higher than 2022, and as a result we have paid a total of £52,000 i.e. 82.3%, compared to 86.2% in 2022.
Income from Butter Cross magazine has remained at a similar level to the previous year, but the growth of Bingham housing and associated printing costs has resulted in a much reduced profit margin.
Income from Old Church House lettings was much higher in 2023, but this is as a result of most Autumn 2022 invoices not being paid until January 2023, therefore giving receipts for four terms instead of three. An overall profit over expenditure for 2023 was £16,000, which will not be the case in 2024. Additionally, it must be borne in mind that future repair/redecoration of OCH may be required.
The funds in Reserves have been called upon this year, beginning the year with £58,085 which includes a legacy for the Pews Project, £3,250 of which has been used in year for architect’s plans for this project. The final balance of £55,991 at year end includes a ringfenced donation of £3,000 towards the kitchen, and approximately £2,500 has been used in general church running costs.
Without the Reserves, together with the OCH profit, the church would have had a shortfall on expenditure over income of around £18,000, and therefore some budget planning is required to decide how best to proceed towards future years.
Having taken over as Treasurer during the autumn, my thanks go to outgoing Treasurer, Simon Kirsop and to John Woodman for their support. Also, to Viv Dyer for administering the planned giving and to Linda Walden for her demanding task of booking and invoicing for use of OCH.
Susan Price
Treasurer
ZJTL LI Jrn.? iys JIEa JJ1 ILTYIY IL JL54 JBury JUAYA LYAII htdry JP.LY
IEfJ ijw. J71LI J?J JYA5 VJ ZLS.H UYblAY JJSYLJ ISLYA IL4JUJ iJ.pi sp 7rJE Al 1rr.wwd Glk 2L% %L7a SYJLJ CTru4Tid rir• IrrJLt eknc Ll. l]Ls.Lo
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees of St Mary & All Saints Bingham On accounts for the year end 31 Dember 2023 Charity no (if any) 1131217 Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. r8sponslbilltles of The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and exarniner under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examin6 the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145{5)(b) of th8 Charities Act. and to state whether path'cular mattefs have come to my attention. Basis of indepondont My examination was Carried out in accordan with general Directions gNen oxamlnor's statomont by the Charty Commission. An examination includes a reVW of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideralion of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and ¢onsequentty no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair. view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent In connection wth my examination, no material matters have come to my examinerfs statement attention which gives me cause to believe that in. any rnaterlal respect.. accounting records were not kept in aGrdance with $8ction 130 of the Charities Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have come across no other malters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the a¢Unts to be reached. Signed: Date: Name: Address: KJ