2021-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St John The Baptist, Chapeltown

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ST JOHN?S CHAPELTOWN Annual Parochial & Vestry Meeting 2022 2021 REPORT BOOK

CONTENTS	PAGE
Annual Vestry Meeting Minutes 23rd May 2021	3
Annual Parochial Meeting Minutes 23rd May 2021	5
Vicar’s Report 2021	9
St John’s Parochial Church Council Trustees Report and Unaudited Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2021	11
Annual Reports	32

St John’s Chapeltown Minutes of Annual Vestry Meeting Sunday 23[rd] May 2021, 11.45am

Present:

Rick Stordy – Chair Andy Mumford VIA ZOOM Pat Smith – Secretary Barbara Rodgers Georgina Battey Sam Bacon Paul Ruddlesdin Stephen Battey Fiona Battey Helen Ruddlesdin Rod Belt Paul Battey Paul Smith Sian Belt John Boldock Frank Snow Lisa Lenton Jim Crossley Gail Stordy Brian Salt Carmen Franklin Anne Whitehead Shirley Salt Michael Hannaford David Whitehead Monica Sharp Alan Smith Eileen Smith Nicky Wareing Val Wilson Christine Woodcock

Apologies:

Ann Beech Emma Harpur Colin Beech John Harpur Ron Boot Catherine Jackson Margaret Bryan Ruth Langan Peter Bryan Brenda Smith Andrew Dickinson Ian Watson Shirley Dickinson Lindsey Watson Sally Hall Andy Woodcock

1. Opening Prayer

After his initial welcome Rick Stordy opened the meeting in prayer

2. Apologies for Absence

As above.

3. Minutes of Meeting of 18[th] October 2020

The minutes were proposed as a true record by Fiona Battey seconded by Sam Bacon. They were approved.

4. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

5. Election of Churchwardens

Before electing this year’s churchwardens Rick thanked the existing churchwardens - Barbara has served for 5 years and John is in his first year. Rick thanked them not only for all their hard work on Sunday mornings but also all their day to day effort throughout the week, for their thoughtfulness and prayerful support. This will be Barbara’s 6[th] year as church warden and after this year she will stand down. It would be good to be praying about who might serve from next April.

Churchwardens were nominated for the coming year.

John Boldock: proposed by Helen Ruddlesdin, seconded by Gail Stordy
Barbara Rodgers: proposed by Sally Hall, seconded by Pat Smith

As there were no other nominations, Rick declared both duly elected, and prayed for them both. They will be sworn in at Sheffield Cathedral on Thursday 1[st] July, please remember them in your prayers.

6. Any other business

None.

St John’s Chapeltown Minutes of Annual Parochial Meeting Sunday 23[rd] May 2021

Present: As Annual Vestry

1. Apologies for Absence As Annual Vestry

2. Minutes of Annual meeting of 18[th] October 2020

These were approved as a true record. (Proposed :Monica Sharp, seconded : Nicky Wareing).

3. Matters arising

None.

4. Elections and appointment of independent examiner

Rick expressed his thanks to all members of the PCC who have served through the past year and have managed to keep meeting via zoom. Particular thanks were given to Steve Battey who has completed 3 years on PCC.

There were 5 vacancies for PCC members and 3 nominees. The nominees were:

Nicky Wareing: proposed John Boldock, seconded Anne Beech
Steve Battey: Proposed by Sam Bacon seconded by Rob Lenton
Shirley Dickinson: Proposed by Michal Lipka, seconded by Frank SNow

There being no other nominations, these three were duly declared elected.

There was 1 nomination for Deanery Synod. The nominee was :

Andrew Dickinson : proposed by Michal Lipka, seconded by Frank Snow

There being no other nominations he was duly elected.

The first meeting of the new PCC will be on Monday 14[th] June via Zoom. There is a PCC Awayday on Saturday 3[rd] July which it is hoped will be in person.

Jennifer Copley has agreed to continue as independent examiner. She was elected after being proposed by Andy Mumford and seconded by Gail Stordy.

In addition there are two Deputy Churchwardens who are available to help and support the Churchwardens. Geoff Newbould and Rob Lenton have carried out this role and have agreed to continue this year. Thanks were expressed to Geoff and to Rob.

Prayers were said for all those elected.

6. Finance

The figures have been audited and approved by the independent examiner and the PCC.

Tresurers report to APCM:

It’s been a very strange year for us all and what a time to start a new role as Church Treasurer?

I’ve found it difficult, a bit isolated, not got my head fully round it and to be honest, I’ve stumbled through trying to put numbers together, present them to the PCC without any quality answers to the issues and then formulate the accounts.

So point number one for the last year you have had a Treasurer that’s been low quality and inconsistent!

However point number two is that we have a congregation that has been high quality and consistent, with their giving. Throughout the turbulence and unknowns of the year we have generally seen stability in offerings. So on behalf of the church, thank you, thank you, thank you.

There is a wider team involved in the finance activities and I would also like to extend my thanks to them and absolutely honestly, I would not have lasted two minutes without them.

To the accounts, the headlines are

That we have survived the year, with an almost break even position.
Giving has been inevitability been adversely affected but we already know the impact of the pressures of the last year on personal and family finances.
We have been able to offset the shortfall in income by cutting costs, for example the costs associated with this place. However, we have had to reduce our contribution to the diocese by £5k, out of £60k.

I asked for questions or comments in advance and thank you for bearing with me in that. There was just one point about the allocation of funds between general fund and youth worker fund. Sometimes when gifts and donations come in the giver requests that they are used for a certain purpose, for example youth work. We have to account for the cash in that way. It’s called a Restricted Fund in charity accounts. So in conclusion, the church has stepped up to the mark in terms of quality and consistency in giving which means that we can move onwards with the vision and all of us share and contribute to the achievement of our 2021 objectives and beyond.

Rick thanked all who help in the finance team. Particular thanks were expressed to George Birkinshaw who has been on the finance team for about 20 years. His book keeping is meticulate. He has decided that now is the time for him to stand down. Rick will visit him this week with a card and gift as an expression of our thanks to him. Chris Woodcock has kindly agreed to take on George’s role.

Thanks also expressed to Steve Brook who is still working hard behind the scenes and to Monica Sharp, Ron Boot and Alan Smith. Thanks also to Andy for his work as a treasurer and taking on this role at such a difficult time

7. Electoral Roll

Fiona Battey reported that there were 131 Church members on the electoral roll last year and this year there are 129. She was thanked for all the hard work she puts into keeping this and for agreeing to do it next year

8. Fabric, congregational ministries, groups and organisations

There were no formal presentations as all written reports were in the Reports Booklet 2019 which was circulated prior to the meeting.

Church Fabric – The Terrier lists all property belonging to St John’s and is kept at the Parish Centre. It was present at the meeting if anyone wanted to see it. It hasn’t changed since last year

Thanks were expressed to the Parish Centre Management Team in particular Brian Salt who goes in regularly, Steve Brook for his help with decorating. Also thanks to those who have been involved in maintaining the parish centre gardens Nicky Warring, Alan Irvine, and Jemimah Lipka.

Ministries

Rick thanked everyone who is involved in running ministries and groups within the church some of these groups have managed to keep going despite Covid limitations. Thanks were expressed to Colin Beech and Monica Sharp who serve on the Newton Hall committee. Thanks were also given to the many people who serve during our Sunday Morning worship including those who lead prayers, read, welcome, and those who help with the children’s work. Thanks to those who lead worship faithfully every Sunday

Thanks were expressed to both readers, in particular to Paul Ruddlesdin as he has decided to stand down after 32 years as a reader. We have all valued his service in leading and preaching. He will be presented with a gift during a church service once we are back to something more normal!

Thanks also to other clergy Lewis Atkinson and Jane Truman who help with services.

Thanks were also given to church staff –

David Whitehead, who is also very busy working at the hospital and has been able to spend time with church members who had to stay in hospital when Rick was unable to
Jim Crossley who is still looking forward to meeting those church members he has not yet met. His advice is invaluable and church members have benefitted from his pastoral skills
Michael Hannaford who has had to cope with all the changes of last year and has, at times been quite isolated due to covid restrictions. Despite these restrictions we have seen new faces join youth work
Thanks were given to Fiona Battey she has adapted to different ways of working and taken all the changes in her stride

9. Vicar’s Remarks

A written report was passed round and Rick spoke to this. (Attached to these minutes).

10. Any questions or comments

There were no question but thanks were expressed to Rick for all that he does by Fiona Battey on behalf of us all

The meeting closed with the Grace.

Learning the lessons of Covid:
Partnering with St. Saviour’s:
Keeping the main thing the main thing:

Rick Stordy 23[rd] May 2021

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHAPELTOWN

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Charity Registration No. 1131768

ST JOHN'S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Address

St John’s Parish Centre 21 Housley Park Chapeltown Sheffield S35 2UE

Clergy

Revd Richard Stordy – incumbent Revd David Whitehead –curate Revd Jim Crossley

Independent Examiner

Jennifer Copley

Bankers

Virgin Money Sheffield S6 2LY

Charity Number

1131768

ST JOHN'S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Ex Officio Members of the PCC

Clerks in Holy Orders beneficed in Revd Richard Stordy – Vicar - Chairman or licensed to the Parish Revd David Whitehead – Curate Revd Jim Crossley -Curate Lay Workers Mr Michael Hannaford – Youth Minister/worker Church Wardens Mrs Barbara Rodgers Mr John Boldock Readers Mr Ian Watson Mr Paul Ruddlesdin. (until May 2021) Standard Representatives Mr Sam Bacon Mrs Georgina Battey Mr Stephen Battey Mrs Ann Boldock Mrs Sylvia Charles (Deanery Synod Representative) Mr Andrew Dickinson (Deanery Synod Representative; from May 2021) Mrs Shirley Dickinson. (from May 2021) Miss Ruth Gardiner (until September 2021) Mr Andy Mumford (Treasurer) Mrs Helen Ruddlesdin Mr Paul Smith Mrs Nicky Wareing (from May 2021) Mrs Val Wilson Officers of the PCC Secretary Mrs Pat Smith Safeguarding Officer Mr Michael Hannaford Vulnerable Adults Officer Mrs Sylvia Charles Giving Secretary Mrs Monica Sharp Electoral Roll Officer Mrs Fiona Battey

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021.

Structure, governance and management

St. John's church is based at the Parish Centre, 21, Housley Park, Chapeltown, Sheffield. Due to the legal closure of its building in 2003, the congregation meets for worship both at the Parish Centre and at the Newton Hall on Cowley Lane in Chapeltown. St. John's is part of the Diocese of Sheffield within the Church of England.

The PCC has enjoyed charitable status since 23 September 2009 (Charity number 1131768).

The PCC has up-to-date policies which are regularly reviewed: a Safeguarding Children Policy (updated and approved in November 2019), covering all issues relating to the safeguarding children and young people, a Vulnerable Adults Policy, a Health & Safety Policy (both updated and approved in July 2018) and a Domestic Abuse Policy (approved in November 2019).

The trustees who served during the year were:

Rev Richard Stordy (Chairman) Rev David Whitehead Curate Rev Jim Crossley Curate Mr Sam Bacon Mr Stephen Battey Mrs Georgina Battey Mrs Ann Boldock Mr John Boldock Mrs Sylvia Charles Mr Andrew Dickinson Mrs Shirley Dickinson Miss Ruth Gardiner Mr Andy Mumford (Treasurer) Mrs Barbara Rodgers Mrs Helen Ruddlesdin Mr Paul Ruddlesdin Mr Paul Smith Mrs Pat Smith (Secretary) Mrs Nicky Wareing Mr Ian Watson Mrs Val Wilson

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and to stand for election to the PCC.

New trustees are welcomed and receive training in their duties and responsibilities at their first PCC meeting after the Annual Parochial Church Meeting each year. They also receive a leaflet published by the Diocese of Sheffield on the responsibilities of Trustees. At each PCC meeting any further questions or issues are dealt with as they arise.

The PCC member who served during the year and is not a trustee of the charity was Mr Michael Hannaford (Youth Minister/worker).

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

In planning our activities for the year we kept in mind at our trustee meetings the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.

The activities of our church provide tangible benefits to many in our community, and in particular by

The provision of weekly public worship open to all.
Pastoral work, including visits to the bereaved and the sick.
Teaching of the Christian faith through sermons, courses, special events and our cell groups.
Taking of religious assemblies in schools.
The provision of a youth group in a locality which has no other significant youth work of any kind.
Supporting other charities in the UK and overseas.

Objectives and activities

St. John's PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the vicar, Revd. Rick Stordy, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church: pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical, in accordance with the Church's vision statement:

St. John’s is a church here for God, here for you , aiming to grow UP towards God, IN with each other and, OUT to others

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

The PCC has responsibility for running costs and maintenance for the Parish Centre, which (so far as possible during Covid-19) was used for a weekly communion service on a Sunday morning, a midweek communion on the first Wednesday of each month, the Element and ElementPLUS youth groups, the Bumps & Babies and St. John’s Tots groups and Wednesday Friends who use the Parish Centre each week and contribute to the Parish Centre income. There were a number of occasional or less regular users, including the Nigerian Anglican Church who met at the Parish Centre on Sunday mornings, after our 8am Communion. The church office is also based at the Parish Centre.

Impact of Covid-19

Though not as severe as in 2020, Covid-19 meant 2021 remained a very challenging year, bringing many changes to our worship, witness and life together. We had periods when we could meet in person; and periods when we could not. At one moment, we seemed to be heading back to something like normality, only to find that we were soon having to return to life with restrictions. From the end of April 2021 we returned to in-person meetings, at least on Sundays. This worship was also live-streamed online, until the end of July. The online option ceased after careful research revealed that by then we were no longer attracting many viewers who were not already committed to St. John’s. We then weighed the needs of a really small number who could only watch us online against the demands this was making on a very small (but loyal) team of those who provided the live-stream. We were also keen to encourage one another to gather physically so far as possible.

Electoral Roll & Sunday worship

There was a negligible decrease on the Electoral Roll from 130 to 129, of whom 33 are non-residents in the parish.

Average Sunday attendance can only be measured from the end of April, and shows a marked decrease from prepandemic levels, at 71 adults and 8 children (compare our 2019 figures: 109 adults and 15 children). However, these figures reflect the fact that quite a number of the congregation were taking time to feel confident enough to return to gathered worship, and fit exactly with what churches across the country have seen. The signs from 2022 so far are that the average attendance is now beginning to return to something like normal.

Our worship, both online and in person, was led by a team of clergy, our youth minister, readers and other preachers, and our music group. All of them gave of their time and skills with great generosity. All continued to work hard and with creativity, offering online worship for the first part of the year, and then adapting to various forms of in-person gatherings.

Our children’s groups, crèche and Sunday Club resumed in person in September, not only with smaller numbers, but with a much smaller team able to run them. We were extremely blessed by all our loyal volunteers who gave so much time, both in online sessions in the first part of the year, and in the in-person group that resumed in the Autumn. A particular highlight in the summer was an open-air Sunday Club Celebration in the Parish Centre garden: not only was

there glorious sunshine, but for many of the children it was their first meeting with their leaders and friends for several months.

Christian teaching and learning

The heart of our spiritual diet is the reading of Scripture and preaching each Sunday, and that kept going, whether online or in the flesh. The year saw several sermon series:

Origins: sermons in Genesis 1-4 (January-April) & Genesis 5-11 (May-July);
Songs in the Night: Psalms for the Weary (August);
Last Words: Paul’s letter to the Philippians (September-November);
we ended the year with a short Advent series on Mark 13, Your Kingdom Come .

Audio recordings of all these are available online on our website and this resource is regularly used by those who miss any particular Sunday.

Our Lent course was a particular joy this year, being shared with our friends from St. Saviour’s on Tuesday evenings via Zoom. We used The Bible Course , a wonderful video teaching resource from Bible Society which attracted really good numbers: about 60 each week.

In September, 65 of us – both adults and children – enjoyed our delayed bi-annual weekend away, held for the first time at the Hayes Conference Centre at Swanwick. Though we took slightly less folks than normal, due to Covid, a number joined us for the first time. The Bible teaching from our old friend and former curate Mike Gilbert was inspirational; the youth and children’s sessions were very well received and our music group were on fine form. The feedback was very positive: the new venue was much appreciated and the icing on the cake was a wonderfully sunny weekend.

Cell groups

Alongside weekly Sunday worship, our cell groups continued to be the other side of the coin in our core activities. Throughout the year, Cell members managed to keep in contact via Zoom, telephone, WhatsApp or in similar ways. As the year progressed, most of our Cells moved from meeting on Zoom to meeting in person, either at the Parish Centre or returning to each other’s homes. At year’s end, there were about 70 people involved in a Cell, in one of our 8 groups.

One-to one discipleship

Much as we love to encourage each other to form intentional one-to-one partnerships, centring on friendship, Bible reading and prayer, the pandemic made developing these harder. Established partners have kept going; one or two new partnerships have formed. In all, this feels like an area we need to renew as we move to a more normal future.

Pastoral care

Our vicar, retired clergy and licensed Pastoral Worker managed to visit members of the congregation and wider parish regularly. Over the year, the clergy visited the bereaved and conducted 17 funerals, 2 less than in 2020. 5 of these were funerals for High Green.

We were delighted in the Autumn to resume conducting our monthly services in at least one of the care homes in the Parish, though initially only clergy were able to visit.

Mothers' Union

We have a committed and active Mothers' Union group, which promotes and supports family life. The group has 22 members (and 2 ‘Friends of MU’). Members kept in touch via letter, telephone, a WhatsApp group and Zoom from January, until September when to their huge relief normal meetings restarted.

Witness & serving our community

The pandemic continued to affect our regular evangelistic and community activities that bring people together to hear the gospel. However we still took what opportunities we could to allow others to explore Christian faith and see a Christian community in action. These included:

Enquirers’ group: we had a most encouraging start to 2021, with our first ever Christianity Explored course online, via Zoom. This proved to be very fruitful, with a couple of people committing to Christ for the first time.
Our Monday morning Bumps & Babies and St. John’s Tots resumed in September and quickly saw a good number of new parents and children joining us. Both teams worked hard to make this Covid-safe and yet enjoyable for all who came. By year’s end, each group was seeing 15-16 coming each week, with even more families ‘on the books’.
Our Christmas activities: it was a great joy to hold Christmas activities once more, though to keep everyone Covidsafe, numbers were restricted to a maximum of around 90 in each congregation. We had a special joint churches family show called ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ in mid-December. We saw really encouraging numbers, including many visitors, at our Nativity, Carols by Candlelight and Christingle. We were invited once more into Wetherspoons Wagon & Horses to lead a Community Carols, along with the Chapeltown Silver Prize Band and our friends from the Methodist Church and the Christian Community Church. We gave out invitations to Christmas services, shared a brief gospel message, and it was very well-received: the staff gave us an especially warm reception.
Wednesday Friends: this group for the over-50s, offering a weekly gathering for friendship and support, resumed with great enthusiasm in September, and saw steady but marked growth in the numbers coming week by week.
The Men’s Wednesday Night Football group met regularly for much of the year and continued to grow. The team invited those who were not yet Christians to a new three-week evangelistic course for the New Year 2022, Hope Explored .
Foodbank: our involvement in the St. Saviour’s Foodbank remains steady, with a number helping with the weekly deliveries.
Pastoral care: our Pastoral Worker and clergy continued to visit those in particular need. A particular blessing over the year was the fact that one of our curates, David Whitehead, is a hospital chaplain. He was therefore able to visit church members in hospital when the regular clergy were not.
Community links: we were delighted to host an in-person annual Remembrance Service, though in a different format this year. There was a much smaller service at the Newton Hall, to which we welcomed the deputy Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, as well as our local MP, Miriam Cates. This was followed by a public gathering at the War Memorial in Chapeltown Park, led by our clergy.
Regular worship: week by week, we began to see visitors joining us once again, partly as baptism ministry resumed, and partly as newcomers joined us on Sunday mornings.
The daily witness of the whole congregation: though unseen, we see continually the faithful witness of our church members in their streets, schools and workplaces, being salt and light for Christ. This resulted in several new faces joining us for regular Sunday worship during the Autumn.

Youth work

The youth work went through various changes which our youth team rose to with great creativity and willingness. The year began with the youth work still online, which Michael, our youth minister, worked really hard at. They saw about 12 teenagers a week attending Element via Zoom, including two or three new faces. D:Group had a regular group of 6 or 7 meeting online. 2 of the teenagers also joined the adults for the online Christianity Explored . Added to this, a group of 3 teenage lads met with Michael and Jim our curate for some months to read Mark’s Gospel together – even during Covid restrictions.

After Easter, Element and Element:PLUS resumed, with a total of 15 teenagers coming along week by week. D:Group also started meeting again, with 2 new members.

A particular highlight was in August, when our young people joined the youth from several local churches (Oughtibridge Parish Church, Christ Church Endcliffe and Christ Church Walkley) for a new larger youth gathering called Connect ,

and enjoyed a residential weekend away for 50 youngsters. We hope this will develop into holding further gatherings, both social and for teaching and worship.

By the year’s end we were seeing about 19 regulars between Element and Element:PLUS , and 8 at D:Group each Sunday. The year also saw three of our young people decide to seek Confirmation, which would have taken place at the end of November, had it not been snowed off!

The youth work is wonderfully supported by the whole congregation, especially our volunteer team of leaders who give their time and care week by week – without them it simply would not happen.

Schools work

The vicar, youth minister and a team of volunteers kept in touch with all the local infant and junior schools during the year: for the early part of the year, we sent the schools classroom assembly videos for Easter. But by September, at least three of the four primary schools invited us back in for in-person assemblies. The children were obviously glad to see us back.

Charitable giving

A total of £122 was given to two charities, the Leprosy Mission and St Saviours Foodbank

Achievements and performance

The full PCC met 7 times during the year with an average attendance rate of 78%. Meetings were via Zoom from January until our PCC Awayday in July, after which we returned to more normal meetings. The Standing Committee (Development Team) met between meetings, and their deliberations were received by the full PCC where necessary.

Financial review

Total receipts were £114,114 of which £102,888 was the main giving from the congregation (planned giving, collections and one-off giving). Giving to the General Fund was down by £1,555 compared with the previous year. Regular giving by the congregation to the restricted Youth Worker fund was £756 less than in 2020. So overall regular giving by the congregation decreased by £2,311. This was the fourth year in which the total costs of the Youth Worker Fund were met by the congregation without any grants from outside agencies.

Of the expenditure £78,373 (see below regarding apportionment of Parish Centre Income and Expenditure) represents unrestricted (general) funds. The Church opened a savings account in 2014 in order to achieve interest on the funds in the Youth Worker restricted account. However in 2021 this account was not used owing to reduced funds and the very small interest payable.

The Parish Centre has now little spare capacity and has a number of regular bookings. There have been a number of donations but these were not sufficient to cover expenditure. Whilst expenditure was tightly controlled in 2021, there was a loss of £1,249. The income and expenditure for the Parish Centre is split between the church charitable activities and the availability for rental income on a 60/40 basis, based on an analysis of availability and excluding the cost of running the church office.

A review of the structure of the Parish Centre highlighted the need for a number of repairs and as a result of this a £9,180 which was placed in a restricted fund in 2019, ‘PC-Hidden Gem’ (see note 13). Of this £2,293 was spent in 2021 and was mainly spent on repointing the stone work in the spring.

In considering the accounts the General Fund and Parish Centre Fund need to be considered together.

£16,225 was transferred from the General Fund to the restricted Youth Worker Fund to cover the cost deficits in this restricted fund.

£50,000 was paid towards the Diocesan Common Fund, which largely provides stipends, housing for the clergy and all central support of the parish and its clergy (e.g. Church House and the various Diocesan departments like the Parish Support Team). This was a decrease of £1,030 from 2020. The Parish remains committed to paying its full contribution

in terms of supporting ordained ministry across our region, and this is a good contribution for a church of our size in a community such as ours.

The ongoing Covid 19 pandemic has not only caused disruption to the running of the church but has also had an adverse effect on church finances. Giving has reduced which has not all been offset by cost savings. A result of this financial hardship is the reduction in the payment to the Diocesan Common Fund.

The net result for the year was a deficit of £5,635. This means that the total balance carried forward at 31 December 2021 was £194,624.

Staffing

In July, by mutual agreement, Michael Hannaford’s duties and post changed. He ceased being our youth minister, and re-started employment as a youth worker until the end of January 2022. We were delighted that as that date approached, Michael was able to move directly back into teaching. We are incredibly grateful for the hard and creative work he put into maintaining and growing our youth work during a very challenging year. In the meantime, following a recruitment process in November, the PCC appointed a new youth minister, Mikey Gilmour, who is due to start work on 25[th] April 2022.

Reserves policy

The charity aims to have a cash balance of between 5% and 10% of annual income. Currently this is not being achieved but income against expenditure is monitored monthly and any remedial action taken to remedy any cash flow or unexpected changes to income or expenditure.

Restricted reserves are to be carried forward as they represent monies received in advance of expenditure for restricted purposes.

Going Concern

The charities income is predominantly from contributions from individual church members (94% of total income) and the number of members has stayed consistent over the last 10 years and the church continues to attract new members to replace those who have moved away or died. The PCC closely monitors the charities expenditure has reviewed the structural condition of it’s building in 2019 to mitigate against any major repairs. There are no material uncertainties about the charities ability to continue for the foreseeable future. The charity is a public benefit entity. The Diocese of Sheffield strategy review 2019 confirms that the Diocese supports the church’s ongoing ministry and discussions would occur with the Diocese if any material uncertainties occur.

Future plans

Two significant events led to major changes in our vision priorities over 2021 and as we look ahead. First was of course the effects of Covid-19, and all the demands that brought in adapting our life and witness through the various twists and turns of the year. Second was our growing relationship with St. Saviour’s, which was strengthened by sharing online worship and our Lent course, as well as our vicar’s increasing commitment to supporting the churchwardens there. This was further encouraged by our Diocese, which is asking all parishes to seek to form ‘Mission Areas’ in which they share in mission together, under the oversight of one clergyperson. In other words, it will no longer in future be one vicar per parish, but often one vicar overseeing several parishes.

For this reason, in July 2021 the PCC held a joint Awayday with the PCC of St. Saviour’s High Green, led by the vicar and the new Associate Archdeacon, Revd. Ian Parkinson. As a result of this, a ‘transition team’ was set up, made up of members of both PCCs, chaired by Jim Crossley. This team sought to make practical recommendations as to our future growth together as one Mission Area. These were then considered by both PCCs, and at time of writing, the following steps have been taken:

A decision by our own PCC to release our vicar for support and exploring closer work with St. Saviour’s.
A formal decision of the St. Saviour’s PCC to invite our vicar to become their Oversight Minister.

Both PCCs, agreed a Joint Statement of Intent, on their commitment “to actively seeking God’s will on how our partnership might grow for the benefit of our communities and the glory of God.”

At time of writing, two further steps lie before us:

Both PCCs need to agree the Role Specification for the vicar as our shared Oversight Minister
Both PCCs to agree a change in Sunday service pattern, with a view to our vicar starting work as Oversight Minister on or about 1st May 2022.

These discussions have, understandably, taken a good deal of energy, thought and prayer on the part of our PCCs, wardens and clergy. We are encouraged by the openness and warmth of many of our friends at St. Saviour’s, and pray that this closer partnership will increase the growth and fruitfulness of both churches. For that to happen, we have three particular prayers:

For wisdom and vision as both churches seek to call and equip a leadership team known as a ‘Focal Ministry Team’ for each parish, to work alongside the Oversight Minister.
Not to lose our gospel focus, so in the midst of these structural changes, we do not lose sight of Jesus: knowing him and making him known in a needy world.
And most of all: for a courageous and confident faith in the Lord, remembering that is lovingly at work in all these changes for our good and the blessing of others (Romans 8:28).

Approved by the PCC on 28 March 2022 and signed on their behalf by

Rev Richard Stordy (Chairman)

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ST JOHN'S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

		Unrestricted funds	Designated Funds	Restricte d funds	Total 2021	Total 2020
			Note 14	Note 13
	Notes	£	£	£	£	£
Income and endowments from
Donations and legacies	2	91,972	250	10,665	102,887	104,284
Investments	3	-	-	-	-	-
Charitable	4a	1,305	-	5,635	6,940	3,027
Activity for generating income	4a	-	3,080	-	3,080	642
Other	4b, 5	1,206	-	-	1,206	2,371
	───		───────	──────	─────	──────
		────────
Total income		94,483	3,330	16,300	114,113	110,324
	───		───────	──────	─────	──────
		────────
Expenditure	6
Charitable expenses		78,010	-	36,796	114,806	106,345
6 Costs of raising Funds		62	4,579	-	4,641	5,028
Losses on fixed assets		-	-	-	-	-
Governance		300	-	-	300	300
		──────	──────	──────	─────	──────
Total resources expended		78,372	4,579	36,796	119,747	111,673
				──────	─────	──────
		──────	──────
Net income/(expenditure) before transfers
		16,111	(1,249)	(20,496)	(5,634)	(1,349)
Transfers between funds General and Youth		(16,208)	-	16,208	-	-
Net movement in funds 13,14		(97)	(1,249)	(4,288)	(5,634)	(1,349)
Funds brought forward at 1 January 2022		125,620	64,446	10,192	200,258	201,607
Fund balances at 31 December 2021
13,14,15b		125,523	63,197	5,904	194,624	200,258
		════════	═══════	══════	═════	══════

ST JOHN'S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021

		2021	2020
	Notes	£	£
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets		192,535	195,389
	10,15a
Current assets
Debtors	11	2,678	2,924
Cash at bank and in hand		5,521	7,359
Total		8,199	10,283
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year	12	6,110	5,415
			5 415
Net current assets less liabilities		2,089	4,868
Total assets less current liabilities		194,624	200,258
		══════	═══════
Income funds
Restricted income funds	13	5,904	10,192
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds	14	63,198	64,446
General fund	15a	125,522	125,620
		194,624	200,258
		══════	═══════

60% of the Parish Centre has been moved to the General Fund as a result of the proportion used on church activities as opposed to rentals, note 14

The accounts were approved by the Trustees on 28 March 2022

Rev Richard Stordy (Chairman) Trustee

ST JOHN'S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

1 Accounting policies

1.1 Basis of preparation

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 1997 as amended by the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2015) and the Charities Act 2011.

1.2 Incoming resources

Donations, legacies and other forms of voluntary income are recognised as incoming resources when receivable, except insofar as they are incapable of financial measurement. This excludes Athe balance at 31 December 2021 was £5,192 (2020 £4,238). Agency funds are where the charity f d handles the income and expenditure of small funds on behalf of others.

All incoming resources are included in the SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

1.3 Resources expended

Liabilities are recognised when there is a legal obligation committing the charity to pay out

All expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

1.4 Accumulated funds

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the accounts.

Unrestricted funds are funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the accounts.

1.5 Taxation

St John's Parochial Church Council is a registered charity and its activities are not subject to taxation.

1.6 Volunteer help

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts.

1.7 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Property 1% straight line Fixtures and fittings 33% or 10% straight line Office Equipment 33% Assets costing less than £1,000 are not capitalised.

ST JOHN'S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

2 Donations and legacies

					Restricted	Restricted
			Unrestricted		/Designated			Total	Total
				funds	funds			2021	2020
				£		£		£	£
	Donations		90,972		10,915			101,887	104,284
	Legacies			1,000		-		1,000	-
	Total		91,972		10,915			102,887	104,284
3	Investments
								2021	2020
								£	£
	Interest receivable							-	-
4a	Income from charitable activities
						Restricted
			Unrestricted		Designated	2021			2020
			funds		funds	funds		Total	Total
			£		£	£		£	£
	Charitable activities			1,305	3,080	5,635		10,020	3,027
	The comparative amounts	2020		977	-	2,050		3,027
4b	Activities for generating income		Unrestricted		Designated	Restricted			2020
			funds		funds	202	funds		Total
			£		£	£	T	l £
	Parish Centre rentals			720	-	-		720	£ 642
5	Other income and expenditure
			Unrestricted		Designated	Restricted			2020
			Funds		Funds	2021 Funds		£	£
	Insurance claim			486	-	-		486	2,371
	Parish Centre rentals_(as per Note 4b above)_			720	-	-		720
	Total`		1,206		-	-		1,206

ST JOHN'S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

6	Expenditure
		Staff	Other	Grant	Total	Total
		costs	costs	funding	2021	2020
		£	£	£	£	£
	Expenditure on raising funds	-	4,641	-	4,641	5,028
	Charitable activities
	Charitable activities	31,771	83,035	-	114,806	106,645
	Governance		300		300
		──────	──────	──────	──────	──────
	Total	31,771	87,976	-	119,747	111,673
		══════	══════	══════	══════	══════
	The comparative costs for	Staff		Other		Total
	2020	costs		costs
		31,451		80,222		111,673
	Other costs includes the
	Common Fund paid to
	Sheffield Diocese				50,000	51,030
7	Grants payable
					Total	Total
					2021	2020
					£	£
	Grants to institutions:
	No Grants were made in 2021 or	2020			0	0
					──────
						────────
					0	0
					══════
						════════

8 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year, but the Vicar was reimbursed a total of £2,262 (2020: £2,157) for travelling expenses and expenses related to the vicarage. The aggregate value of identifiable unconditional donations made by the Trustees in 2021 was £15,110 (2020: £13,360).

ST JOHN'S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

9 Employees

Number of employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

	2021	2020
	Number	Number
Charitable objectives	3	3
	═══════	═══════
Employment costs	2021	2020
	£	£
Wages ,salaries and pensions	31,771	31,451
	═══════	═══════

Included within the number of staff are 2 (2020 – 2) part time employees.

NI Salary costs for 2021 were £nil due to employers NI allowance of £4,000.

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.

Chapeltown St John PCC participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of CWPF for lay staff. The Scheme is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the assets of the separately from this of the Employer and other participating Employers. The Church Workers Pension h F d has a section known as Pension Builder Classic and a cash balance section known as Pension Builder 2014

The Scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. This because it is not possible to attribute the Pension Builder Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific

and that contributions are accounted for as if the scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pension costs charged to the SOFA in the year are contributions payable of £1,992 (2020: £1,845). (These are the total costs including the employees’ contributions).

Costs do not include the Vicar and Curates who are employed by the Diocese of Sheffield.

10 Tangible Fixed Assets

	Parish	Fixtures	Total
	Centre	& Fittings
Cost
At 1/1/21	250,000	5,039	255,039
Additions	-	-	-
Disposal	-	-	-
At 31/12/21	250,000	5,039	255,039
Depreciation
At 1/1/21	57,500	2,150	59,650
Charge for the year	2,500	354	2,854
Disposal	-	-	-
At 31/12/21	60,000	2,504	62,504
Net Book Value
At 31/12/21	190,000	2,535	192,535

The agreed estimated cost of the Parish Centre was brought into the accounts from 1 January 2012 as a functional asset on the basis of cost less 23 years depreciation from the opening date of 15 October 1997. The Parish Centre asset has in the past been fully included in the Designated account. However, from 1 January 2019 the proportion of usage (60%) for church activities has been put into the General account. The remainder will remain in the Designated account for use for generating income from

t l

ST JOHN'S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

11	Debtors	2021	2020
		£	£
	Other debtors	2,678	2,924
	Prepayments and accrued income		-
		2,678	2,924
		═══════	═══════
12	Creditors: amounts falling due within one year	2021	2020
		£	£
	Accruals	6,110	5,415
		6,110	5,415
		═══════	═══════

13 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

			Movement in funds	Movement in funds
	Balance at	Incoming	Resources	Transfers	Balance at
	1 January	resources	expended		31 December
	2021				2021
	£	£	£	£	£
Newton Hall	-	2,529	2,314	-	215
Church weekend away 2021	3,013	5,635	7,827	-	821
Youth Worker Fund	17	8,136	24,361	16,208	-
Hidden Gem	7,162	-	2,294	-	4,868
Total	10,192	16,300	36,796	16,208	5,904

Newton Hall fund – specific donations received to pay rent of Newton Hall Youth Worker Fund – grants and donations received to employ a full-time youth worker Hidden Gem- specific donations received to pay for repairs to Parish Centre. Weekend away-- specific donations received to pay for church weekend away

ST JOHN'S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

14 Designated funds

The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:

		Movement	in funds
	Balance at	Incoming	Resources	Transfers	Balance at
	1 January	resources	expended		31 December
	2021				2021
	£	£	£
Music Group	-	-	-	-	-
Parish Centre	62,032	3,330	4,579	-	60,783
Ministry Development	2,414	-	-	-	2,414
	64,446	3,330	4,579	-	63,197
	═══════	══════	═══════	══════	═══════

The Parish Centre fund is used to run the Centre which is a base for the Parish office, the Youth Work, Bumps and Babies and Toddlers and Wednesday Friends groups. There are also rooms available to hire by the community. This balance in this fund is made up of a proportion of the asset and a negative cash balance as shown in note 15a

The Ministry Development is a fund set aside for future developments in ministry and its use is at the discretion of the PCC.

15a Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds
	Unrestricted	Designate	Restricted	Total
	funds	d funds	funds
	£	£	£	£
Fund balances at 31 December 2021
are represented by:
Tangible assets	116,336	74,876	1,323	192,535
Current assets	7,075	(9,209)	10,333	8,199
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year	(2,110)	2,469	5,751	6,110
	125,521	63,198	5,905	194,624
	═══════	═══════	═══════	═══════

Comparative totals for 2020 were: Tangible assets, £195,389, current assets, £10,283, creditors amounts falling due within one year £5,415.

Cash in hand includes £5,192 in Agency accounts. Agency funds are where the charity handles the income and expenditure of small funds on behalf of others.

PA ST JOHN'S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL O

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)

31 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021 DE

JO15b Apportionment of assets

PAROCHIA PAROCHIA

From 1 January 2019 the Parish Centre asset has been apportioned between the Unrestricted fund and the Designated Fund on the basis of a 60%/40% split between church activity usage and rental availability

16 Contingent liabilities

There were no contingent liabilities at the year end.

17 Capital commitments

There were no commitments at the year end.

18 Related party transactions

The Vicar was reimbursed a total of £2,262 (2020: £2,157) for travelling expenses and expenses related to the vicarage. The aggregate value of identifiable unconditional donations made by the Trustees in 2021 was £15,110 (2020: £13,360). The Vicar’s employment costs are paid by the Diocese of Sheffield and are met from our (and other Church of England churches) contribution to the Common Fund.

The Common Fund to the Diocese of Sheffield was £50,000 (2020: £51,030).

There were no outstanding balances with related parties at 31 December 2021.

ANNUAL REPORTS

DEANERY SYNOD ........................................................................................................................... 32 MUSIC GROUP .................................................................................................................................. 33 MOTHER’S UNION ........................................................................................................................... 33 PARISH CENTRE COMMITTEE ..................................................................................................... 34 PRAYER CHAIN ................................................................................................................................ 34 READER’S REPORT ........................................................................................................................ 35 ST JOHN’S RAMBLERS ................................................................................................................. 35 T-WALKS ............................................................................................................................................ 36 WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL GROUP .............................................................................................. 36 WEDNESDAY FRIENDS .................................................................................................................. 36 YAK ...................................................................................................................................................... 37 YOUTH AND CHILDRENS WORK REPORT ............................................................................... 37 Ministry and Mission to Children and Young People at St John’s Chapeltown ................................. 37 Partnership with St Saviour’s High Green ......................................................................................... 37 Element ............................................................................................................................................. 37 Bumps & Babies ................................................................................................................................ 38 St John’s Tots (18 months - 4years, midweek) .................................................................................. 38 Scramblers ........................................................................................................................................ 39 Sunday Club and Rooted Sundays (4-14’s Sunday’s) – ...................................................................... 40

DEANERY SYNOD

Ecclesfield Deanery Synod meetings 2021

There were three meetings during the course of 2021 as detailed below: -

Joint meeting with Hallam Deanery Synod on 18 March via Zoom

Jane Doran presented a summary of the results of a survey that had been presented to parishes beforehand. People had been asked to submit their hopes, concerns and questions. Ian Parkinson, the Associate Archdeacon: Transition enabler, explained that stipendiary clergy will become Oversight Ministers overseeing ‘Mission Areas’ (comprising two or more parishes). A major part of their role will be to motivate and equip the church members in their area and a priority will be to develop a new type of leadership, called Focal Ministers, within each of the congregations that they are responsible for.

Christine Gore, the Director of Formation for Ministry gave a presentation in which she outlined in more detail the principles behind the plans to create the above-mentioned Focal Ministers. She went on to explain how focal ministers should be selected, trained and supported in their ministry.

Meeting held at Christ Church, Pitsmoor on 20 July

Dr Cathy Rhodes delivered a presentation entitled ‘Eco Church and Net Zero in Sheffield Diocese: overview and next steps.’ Members of the Synod were encouraged to ask their PCCs to consider some or all of 13 different possible courses of action. These centred around becoming better informed and taking various forms of local action.

Joint meeting with Hallam Deanery Synod on 30 November

Bishop Pete gave a presentation entitled ‘Vision and Strategy Update’ in which he described the process of transition to the new pattern of working (see above), which has been necessitated by what has previously been described as ‘The Four Headed Beast’: - declining attendance, lack of money, aging and unsuitable church buildings and aging congregations. He explained how a grant of £5m is being used to make various 5-year appointments of people whose role is facilitate this transition. We heard three very encouraging reports from our local area describing how the process has been working out. There was a question-and-answer session in which some concerns were raised and possible ways forward suggested.

Andrew Dickinson

MUSIC GROUP

Over the last year, we have continued to provide music on a Sunday morning and at occasional other event. Despite covid restrictions this has been a little bit more of a “normal” year. We were joined this year by Sonia Crossley on keyboard, and that has been a great blessing both musically, and to the group as a whole. I am sure you will agree that this brings an added dimension to the music on a Sunday morning.

Some of the group have been involved in weddings this year led by Steve Battey. Firstly in August with the wedding of Tim Gardiner & Millie, and then in October with Liam & Kathryn. It was great to hear them at those services, and also some new songs too.

Steve Battey also continues to help with leading music on some Sunday services and that is a great help to me, giving me a break from leading every week.

I would like to thank everyone in the team for their help and support this year, and of course the many members of our congregation who take the time to say thank you, that is very much appreciated.

We are always open to new people, so if anyone is interested please come and have a chat.

Paul Battey

MOTHER’S UNION

Many of our meetings in 2021 were once again cancelled due to the Covid pandemic. In August we held a well supported Coffee Day in memory of Kathleen Marsden who was one of our Members. The money raised went to support the work of Mothers' Union overseas and locally. We also held a pampering evening organised by the Body Shop which was also well attended and very enjoyable.

Would you like to learn to knit or crochet? Then come along and join us at Craft and Chat on the 3rd Saturday of each month in the Parish Centre from 10.00 - 12.00. Cost: £1 includes coffee and cake. We would love to see you.

Judith Thompson

PARISH CENTRE COMMITTEE

Well, we are almost there!

Our Parish Centre is no longer quiet.

A few groups have returned, and Monday mornings are alive with the noise of children playing. We are getting more bookings so perhaps we can say a fond farewell to Zoom.

By the time of this APCM we should have had a couple of trees pollarded with a couple more to be done next spring. We have started changing the lights to LED with the hope it will eventually save money on the electricity bill

A cleaning party took place between Christmas and New Year (socially distance and no booze) to clean out the central heating radiators, evidently they should have been cleaned yearly but it looks like they hadn’t been done for a very long time. It has improved the heating a little but with still having to well ventilate the rooms we are still losing heat out of the doors and windows. Our thanks go to a dedicated group of people who are looking after the Parish Centre Garden, it looks great. We are however looking to cut the grass ourselves at a saving of approx. £700 per year but so far, no volunteers. Our thanks also go to Alan who opens and locks the Parish Centre before and after non church groups use the building

With the help of an amazing management team we will continue to look after our Parish Centre so it continues to be a good place for worship fellowship and fun.

Barbara Rodgers

PRAYER CHAIN

This year we have had many varied prayer requests.

Some good, some bad (in our eyes) but that’s the point isn’t it? Our answered by God in the way he wants not the way we want, which can be hard.

We also need to remember that the prayer chain isn’t an opportunity to keep up to date with gossip but a privilege to bring our requests to God.

If you aren’t on the prayer chain and would like to be please contact me 07814 918972 and I’ll get you added.

Thank you for all your prayers and keep going .

Fee Battey

READER’S REPORT

This has been an odd year due to COVID . Details as follows :

St Johns Chapeltown Preached 5 times ( 3 online) Led: 8 times ( 3 online)

St Leonards Wortley Led and Preached 3 times

Sheffield Central Housechurch Preached 4 times

I have attended 4 Diocesan training sessions including the Readers Diocesan AGM with Bishop Sophie and other topics on prayer , Preaching and Poetry and Future of Readers in the Diocese.

I have also attended 5 PCCS and 3 preaching meetings within the parish. ( incidentally, since 1987 I have attended around 300 PCC meetings …. No dropping PCC after 6 years for Readers!)

I have also completed Safeguarding Training to Standard 3 ( Reader requirement) and have recently updated my DBS check for 3 more years. I note I have 4 years left on my current Reader licence before renewal and 7 years to go before I retire as a Reader .

In 2022 I will be concentrating my preaching and leading on the Chapeltown/High Green mission Area

Ian Watson

ST JOHN’S RAMBLERS

Boots squelching, rivulets of water running, sleet falling, wind rustling, twigs snapped, branches broken, angled trees, streams racing and thundering, hats on, cagoule pulled tight, gloves wet, underwear a little damp; thoughts racing, heart pumping, body exhilarated, joy filled, hope and life renewed, expectations heightened as our bodies fight against the elements.

Descending, we leave the high lands behind. We enjoy the green and grey of the woods, its shade, the dampness, the trees jostling for the heavens, snaking their roots across the path to trip the unwary. Downward we go, ever closer to the valley. Those green meadows beckon. Meanwhile, every sinew and fibre of our body flushes with energy, adrenalin, vigour and strength. Fear is there, even anxiousness, so is assurance and steadfastness when your foot is placed down assuredly. Those conflicting emotions manifest themselves with every step during the tricky elements of the route. Sometimes our emotions abate, calm is restored. Then, another expanse of mud, ice or rocks protrude awkwardly, or a swollen stream needs to be crossed? Anxiety raised. Our thoughts interrupt. Is God here? Of course, he is. Here he dwells. Even in the chaos and aftermath of a storm, the obstacles that confront us, the sun and the heat, God resides. Our heavenly Father lives and thrives at the heart and centre of the rambling group. Our darkest thoughts are shared, the heartbreak of loss, the brokenness of health, of illness, even of loneliness,

our hopes and fears, our vulnerabilities. We listen, we discuss, we pray, we grumble, we laugh, jokes are shared, politics reviewed, friendships forged.

The hills are walked, the sun burns us, animals startled us, plants intrigue us, rain cools us, the wind buffets, trails are blazed, bodies are refreshed.

In April 2021, we were able to resume our circumnavigation of Sheffield that had been interrupted in the previous twelve months. From April onwards we have walked from Midhopestones onto Linacre Reservoir, near Chesterfield, via Bolsterstone, High Bradfield, Moscar, Bamford Edge, Hathersage and Longshaw. Occasionally we dallied to explore some areas a little deeper. This coming year we will walk up the eastern flank of Sheffield.

For our weekend away we went to Much Wenlock, Shropshire to spend time on Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge. In December, we joined with the T-walkers for a Christmas meal together at The Plough, Lower Bradfield, where twenty-four enjoyed communion and friendship.

Andrew Woodcock

T-WALKS

Between May and October 2021, we walked every fortnight then once a month until the years end. As Delta waned and Omicron flourished the group continued to fellowship together. The walks have been a respite for a couple of hours in the great outdoors, then gathering for chat, comradeship and food in the garden of a nearby café or hostelry near the end of the walk. Inside, when the temperature cooled.

Over those eight months thirty individuals have participated in the thirteen organised walks, an average of twelve per walk.

Those who have especially relished the fellowship are the widowed, widower and divorced. That companionship with others, it being a valued part of their social life. The walks provide togetherness, wellbeing, a place to belong, an absence of loneliness for a few hours. Indeed, that is the case for all, even the couples. An opportunity to recharge batteries, to be enlivened, our bodies and minds stimulated. To enjoy peace and calm. A few hours away from a pandemic obsessed world.

The walks usually last two and a half hours, a distance of five miles is travelled and our total ascent rarely exceeds six hundred and fifty feet.

In April 2022, we will revert to walking once a fortnight every other Tuesday. If you are able, do join us.

Andrew Woodcock

WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL GROUP

Wednesday football group is a group of men, and some women, who meet on a Wednesday night 8.15 to 9.15 at Concord leisure centre. The weekly group is 20 people plus 10 or so irregular people. The group includes a good mixture of Christians and non-Christian people. Recently four members of our group attended the Hope Explored course. For more information, please ask John Harpur

John Harpur

WEDNESDAY FRIENDS

Wednesday Friends for over 60’s has been running for six and a half years. We meet at 10.30am every Wednesday (including half term and holidays) in the Parish Centre. Recently numbers have grown and we now have an average of 15-19 people. We chat, drink

coffee or tea and have some very interesting and stimulating discussions on many topics ending with a short prayer acknowledging God's goodness to us

Val Wilson

YAK

The Young Adults with Kids (YAK) group has about 8 families that aim to meet once a month at one family’s house for food and company. The group currently consists of families from St John’s but we recognise an opportunity to invite non-church families so that it becomes an outreach group. We have had three meetings so far and all have been well attended. We have also had some families attend who have felt they could not return to church yet so it is an opportunity for them to stay in the church community

Emma Harpur

YOUTH AND CHILDRENS WORK REPORT

Ministry and Mission to Children and Young People at St John’s Chapeltown

God has blessed us with many children and young people at St John’s. We have disciples of all ages within the church family. On Sundays, Scramblers nurtures our preschool children, and the Sunday Clubs teach our 5–14-year-olds. The new Youth Spoons grows our 15–18-year-olds in the morning, and they gather again for D-group in the evening. We also have meaningful relationships with children and young people of all ages outside the church family through the week. On Monday mornings, Bumps and Babies serves new mums and mums to be, and St John’s Tots serves pre-school children and their parents at the Parish Centre. On Thursday evenings, the Element youth group reaches out to young people from the area between 11 and 18 years of age.

Partnership with St Saviour’s High Green

As we grow our relationship with St Saviour’s High Green, youth and children’s work is very much on the agenda. Currently St Saviour’s has no regular young members and no regular contact with children or young people outside the church. The St Saviour’s PCC would like this to change. They are planning a thoroughgoing consultation within the church to discern if there is a will to invest in growing such a work in partnership with St John’s.

Element

There has been substantial change in the group over the last year. Four key members of the group started college in September and have lost contact with us along with the friends, girlfriends and siblings that occasionally came with them. Four others are at a similar stage and their attendance has become irregular. One church family with two young people has also stopped coming for the time-being. As a result, numbers are down from around 25 most months to around 15.

Consequently, in October the two midweek youth groups (Element and Element Plus) combined to create a slightly fuller single group as restrictions lifted. The Youth Team met in January to discern

the way forward. We concluded that the group has gradually changed over the years from an ‘outreach’ formula to a ‘discipleship’ formula. Now is the time to return to outreach mode. On that basis we are currently recruiting a wider team to run a wider range of activities, changing the aim and reducing the length of the bible talks, and engaging the Christian young people from D-group to re-connect with Element and invite their friends from school.

Please pray for Element in outreach mode that we would attract new young people; for those joining the team; and for the young people who have moved on from Element without making a clear commitment to Jesus.

Jim Crossley

Bumps & Babies

The group reopened in September and we anxiously waited to see who would come on the first day, the babies from pre Covid would all now be too old for the group. We needn’t have worried, a group of about eight Mums turned up, it was lovely to get to know the Mums and their little ones. To try and be as safe as we could we opened the group into both the lower function room and the servery with plenty of fresh air and open windows. This proved a real success and one we are continuing, the Mums with tiny babies seem to enjoy the intimacy of the smaller room. The numbers increased each week and it was gratifying to meet and greet new Mums who were quickly bonding with each other and forming new friendship groups.

The register grew to twenty or so and we were able to hold our usual Christmas party complete with Father Christmas who gave each baby a gift.

Recently our numbers topped 21 and we are once more planning our summer trip to Cleethorpes which we are all looking forward to.

We are a team of five and between us we provide refreshments, informal chats, sing along and other activities

It is a privilege to be a part of this group.

Sylvia Charles

St John’s Tots (18 months - 4years, midweek)

St John's Tots re-started in a September 2021, following over a years break due to the pandemic. The group continues to be a real encouragement for both its leaders and local parents of 2-4-year olds. We have around 40 toddlers on the register, with a regular attendance of around 18 Tots and their carers.

The Tots planning follows a 2-year plan, the termly themes of which are:

You are loved by God / Jesus is God
Trust in God / Trust in Jesus
Jesus is our guide / Jesus is with us always
Gods plan and promise
Old Testament kings / Jesus is the true King
Jesus is here / God is in control

Each week is based around a Bible passage, with a linked craft activity for the toddlers, songs, bubbles and a prayer to end. The parents and carers hear a two-minute thought linked to the Bible passage.

The group strives to provide an environment where the children can play, and parents can feel loved and supported whilst making new friends.

Please pray for the leading team to grow, and that the families who attend see Gods love, hear Gods word and want to find out more

Lisa Lenton

Scramblers

The last year of Scramblers has been an interesting experience - a mixture of online and in person teaching, a small number of children, changes in leadership and children.

This time last year covid meant we were videoing ourselves leading sessions so the children could watch with their parents at home.

This was quite a fun experience as a leader but not necessarily the best way for the children to engage with church. The team at the time was myself, Sally, Caroline and Michael.

Since September Scramblers has been back up and running, with myself and Sally leading. Sessions have been somewhat limited, due to leadership capacity and therefore sessions were available on the first, second and fifth Sundays.

Returning to church has been great. It’s so nice to see the children and help them to learn more about God while we play, stick, draw and read stories. We follow tried and tested materials for children’s work with a focus on teaching the children bible stories and how God loves them in many different ways.

We find that the children are really enjoying this experience and have settled well into the group. It’s also great that their parents have an opportunity to engage with worship.

The New Year has brought a few new opportunities.

Keren will shortly be joining the team which will mean Scramblers will be available as it was preCovid: on all Sundays apart from the family service.

And as our church babies grow, our numbers will, as over the year they will be introduced to the group.

Sally and I would like to thank:

Caroline and Michael for their support during covid.
Our parents for helping out by supporting us. This ensures sessions are held in accordance with safeguarding practice.
Keren for coming onboard.
Our children for being excited, engaging and brilliant!

Over the next year pray for our little ones as they grow to know God more and for more little ones to join us.

Louise Potter

Sunday Club and Rooted Sundays (4-14’s Sunday’s) –

The Rooted Sunday’s group has 3 regularly attending young people. Climbers and Explorers have 9 children regularly attending. We have been blessed recently with a few visitors to the group. Every week we study the Bible together, pray together and discuss how we can live our lives with and for God.

Our Rooted Sunday’s group at present continue to support the younger Climbers and Explorers. This year we have followed the main congregation sermon series, through Genesis, Philippians and Acts and enjoyed being part of the Sunday Club Celebration and Nativity service. Please pray for this group to grow, for more volunteers and for the children to grow in their understanding God’s authority and His amazing unending love.

Ann Martindale, Ruth Langan and Lisa Lenton