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2021-12-31-accounts

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M I S S I O N S T A T E M E N T

Welcome -

Friend and stranger, young and old, all are welcome here. As followers of Jesus, our journey of faith is one of love, compassion and justice for all.

1) AIM AND PURPOSES

The primary objective of Mid-Wyedean Churches Parochial Church Council (PCC) is the promotion of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England. The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Reverend Sarah Bick, in promoting in the whole mission of the Church within and beyond the ecclesiastical parish, and working with ecumenical partners. The Anglican Communion has agreed these marks of mission:

The Church of England is a broad church, containing within it differing views and approaches to the promotion of the gospel. Mid-Wyedean Churches PCC has adopted a position of explicit inclusion, valuing the presence and Godgiven gifts of people of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientation and social backgrounds. We believe this is important to our Christian mission in the 21st Century, and entirely consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ. To support our convictions regarding inclusion, we also highly value the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. We seek to serve all the residents of our parish, whether in town, village or rural location.

Responsible stewardship of all the gifts God has given us is important in fulfilling our mission. This includes care for creation: environmental concerns, including our carbon footprint, impact all our decision-making.

The PCC is also specifically responsible for the care of the five church buildings within the united parish, and the cemetery chapel at Clearwell, and seeks the best use of those buildings to fulfil the mission of the church and for the benefit of the communities in which they are found.

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2) OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Written by Rev'd Sarah Bick (Incumbent)

Our parish encompasses a number of distinct geographical communities, some with church buildings, but all of which we seek to serve. In seeking to fulfil our purposes as a multi-church parish, we aim to hold governance and broad strategy at parish level, but deliver mission and ministry at community level. Rather than seeking to consolidate in the ‘centre’ (known as the Minster model), we value the presence and potential growth of worshipping communities and effective ministry in every place, facilitated by a local minister (lay or ordained) acting as a team leader in each of our congregations. The EMEP (Effective Ministry in Every Place) team forms the leadership team of the United Parish, under the oversight of the incumbent.

The Covid 19 Pandemic continued to be disruptive of parish life throughout 2021.

The EMEP team met on a monthly basis, in person or on Zoom as most appropriate.

(For governance structures see paragraph 10.)

It continued to be the specific objective for 2021 for each EMEP minister to keep in touch with the people from ‘their’ place to ensure that they knew what was going on with their Church and to make sure that everyone had the support that they needed. In addition, the PCC addressed the matter of a worship pattern to balance needs and resources across the parish, using the break in worship pattern due to Covid as an opportunity to establish something new.

Parish Review process

Early in 2021 two significant moments led to the instigation of a parish review. The first was the vicar asking to see the Archdeacon of Gloucester to talk through the fragile state of parish finances, the reasons for it, and some ways to address it. The second was that the LIFE development fund withdrew the final year of funding for our parish administrator. Archdeacon Hilary and Bishop Robert,, the Bishop of Tewkesbury, suggested that a colleague from another parish could be seconded to us for a day a week to help conduct a parish review. We are grateful to Rev Katrina Scott for her time and her thoughtfulness in conducting this review. In conjunction with this process, and with the help of the Archdeacon, some substitute funding was found for the parish administrator post to carry us through until March 2022. However that is with a funding gap of four months at the beginning of 2021, creating a significant dent in our diminishing reserves. A draft review report was produced in December. A meeting to discuss the report is expected in early

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  1. As part of this process, Rev Scott surveyed the leadership, governance and structures of the parish, met with ecumenical colleagues, and reviewed the vision and direction of the parish. We look forward to engaging with the Bishop and Archdeacon over the contents of the commissioned report.

Activities across the whole parish during 2021 continued to be limited due to the Covid regulations in place.

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The Salvation Army Corps have started receiving food donations from a local Morrisons supermarket and offering food parcels to local people. We integrate our response to people in need as far as we can. Baby bank collections resumed during this year.

Volunteers and gifts in kind:

Except for the Incumbent and the Parish Co-ordinator, all ministry and community service is offered by volunteers, including all the local ministers. The time and talents they and others offer are invaluable, and the ministry of the church would be significantly diminished without them. St John’s Church of England Academy kindly supports Mustard Tree to meet at the school without charging for use of the premises.

3) HIGHLIGHTS AND CHALLENGES

Written by Rev'd Sarah Bick (Incumbent)

The undertaking of a parish review, referenced above, was the most significant highlight of this year, in terms of visioning and planning for the future.

The work of the Centre of Mission and the Pioneer Evangelist Debbie Orriss continued until October. Sadly, Debbie felt she could no longer continue in this role and stepped down. After discussion between diocese, Church Army and parish, it was felt that any new appointee should be placed closer to the other mission partner in Gloucester. Covid and its attendant challenges continued to be part of life during 2021. There were some highlights too, including the priesting of our curate, Rev Bea Erskine.

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M I S S I O N , M I N I S T R Y A N D B U I L D I N G M A T T E R S W I T H I N L O C A L C O M M U N I T I E S THE VILLAGES

All Saints', Newland

Written by Rosemary Ward (Parish Warden) and Bea Erskine (Curate)

Building -

Gigaclear installed a broadband connection this year in preparation for the new AV system. The Falculty for the AV system has been submitted and funds, through grants and the Friends are in place. This was approved by the Chancellor and is scheduled for fitting February 2022.

All the work from the Covid recovery fund which covered the repointing of the

external East wall of the St Nicholas Chapel, the clearing of the gulley's and the repair of the clerestory window and the Brickdale memorial window and Celestry windows has been completed.

The reredos restoration was completed in September.

The low walls along the entrance to the church yard from Almshouse Road have been repaired. The re-surfacing of all the paths in the church yard was to be done this autumn but this was delayed.

A mock-up of the proposed new vestry has been done.

The new children's area is being used regularly by visitors.

Tree surgeon Oli Field has given a quotation for work on the trees throughout the church yard, which the Friends have requested. Scheduled to be carried out in September 2022.

Friends continue to cover the cost of mowing the church yard.

We had two successful church yard clear up mornings in the spring and the autumn.

Church -

The Archdeacon Visitation Service for our Deanery to swear in the new Churchwardens was held at All Saints.

The production of The Secret Garden was well supported with 81 tickets sold. Beer and Carols was well supported by people inside and outside the village. The Snow Queen tickets sold well.

Thank you, as always, to the Friends for their continued support both financially and all the work they do for All Saints' Newland.

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All Saints', Staunton

Written by Rosemary Ward (Parish Warden) and Denise Hogan (Reader)

Building -

The Stained-Glass window which was damaged in 2021 was eventually replaced by Brockweir Glass.

Re-ordering of the building: Two LCCs have been recommended that a survey take place to investigate the damp issue, this took held to discuss this after a meeting with the DAC place in May. The report was received from the damp survey with recommendations to improve drainage and removal of render. Also, we have received a grant from Churchcare of £1400 towards the cost of the Environmental Assessment into the damp problems. It is hoped that in the meantime some ventilation in the windows will suffice for this. Also, the roof and ground level gutters have been cleared. The roof was surveyed by David Elias and work has been carried out to reset the stone tiles.

The clock has been fixed and is now working.

Church -

Our aim and purpose is to try and build up the congregation, now having 2 regular services a month does seem to be helping make this happen.

On special Sundays Denise advertises the service which is getting her out and about in the village meeting people.

The piano stool has been cleaned and reupholstered, 3 bookcases have been acquired and now offer a book exchange. Also, a children's area has been made in the Lady Chapel plus a space has been made for refreshments and services. Though there is still more clearing to be done this is working very well especially with space for people (mainly walkers) to sit, pray, make themselves a drink and look around the building.

Denise attended the Staunton Parish Council in August to ask for support in looking after the church. One of the councillors suggested putting a list of jobs that needs to be done of the noticeboard, he was sure people from the village would help.

We had poor turnout for All Souls Service.

We had good turn out for Remembrance Sunday.

More and more people are coming into the church, both on Sundays and during the week. It has been a challenge and hard work but has paid off.

Plan for the future is hopefully to grow even more, get more children into Church, maybe the odd coffee morning.

I know word is getting around the village that things are happening in Staunton Church.

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St Saviour's Church, Redbrook

Written by Rosemary Ward (Parish Warden) and Mark Bick (Reader)

Building -

The toilet and ramp were completed in early autumn, which opens up a lot more potential for the use of the building.

Volunteers demolished the derelict and dangerous former coal store. The tower steps & door were repaired with Covid Recovery Grant funding. The first Masonry Training took place from Friday 10th - Sunday 12th September. led on a voluntary basis by Toby, our architect. They made substantial repairs to the outside vestry walls and windows. There was very positive feedback from participants and an intention to run it again in 2022 (depending on funding).

Repairs to the high-level nave gable masonry were completed in late autumn, leaving the inside to dry out before re-plastering. External lighting was repaired.

All this work has been made possible through a combination of local donations and grants. See full list on grant providers elsewhere in this report.

Services -

Due to lockdown there were very limited services from Jan to September. Harvest and Remembrance both involved the school and were well attended. Most of the congregation are either vulnerable to Covid themselves, living with or caring for someone who is vulnerable, so return to worship in person has been limited.

House Group -

This continued fortnightly on Zoom.

School -

Mari Hutchings (who led Art Angels) has linked with retired teacher Bernadette Kilty to run weekly school Open the Book assemblies in the church building.

Mark had been doing school assemblies fortnightly but that stopped at lockdown and has not yet re-started.

We held a harvest service with the school, linked to "Reduce, Reuse and

Repair" event on the Millennium Green, organised by the Civic Parish Council.

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Use of the Building -

A full vision and business plan document has now been agreed by the PCC which should enable the building to fully cover its fixed and variable costs including admin and insurance, through increased use by both the school and community.

With the toilet in place, use is already growing, despite the restrictions of ongoing building work and very frustrating delays in getting a faculty for a full kitchen.

The ChurchSuite online booking system has made it easier for our

administrator, the school and other users to manage bookings.

A flexible approach to fees has been taken to support growth, while ensuring that everything covers full additional costs.

It is exciting to see use that supports church engagement with the local community. Uses have included:

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St Peter's Church, Clearwell Written by Rosemary Ward (Parish Warden)

Building -

In January it was discovered that a lot of masonry had fallen around the West End of the building - most of which had fallen off from the sandstone tiles on the spire. Ian Bishop came and did a preliminary ground level inspection of the spire and other falling masonry and slipping tiles. He liaised with the Cherry picker people to arrange a date to come and remove any loose masonry and do some running repairs. There may be further work to be done but this can’t be seen from the ground. He will send a report once he has been up there. The falling masonry was eventually repaired. Though there is some damp in the vestry and the surface paint and plaster is peeling.

The radiators have been drained down and the Oil and tank removed The organ was not working very well. Ross Daley the organ tuner who has put it down to the fact that the Church is now damp and cold. He has suggested a heater be left on near the organ. Ideally it would be good to air the building, but we will have to wait until the roof and falling masonry have been sorted. Will Ruck has pulled the bell ropes up into the first-floor level of the clock chamber for safety since we are no longer using the bells. He also reported that he has stopped the clock as the faces were showing different times. It was hoped to get another grass cutting quote, but this not happened. During the year we did have an accidental flood when the water was put back on but that was quickly resolved.

A rota has been set up in the village for opening and closing the Church. Betty is regularly checking the Church and the Cemetery once a week. Despite the lack of heat a decision was made to continue if the weather allows. Services -

All Souls Service of light – 31st October 3pm

Remembrance Sunday – 14th November. Clearwell Scouts attended. Also, it was planned to have a short carol service before Christmas.

School -

School contact resumed in September, with Robert and Chris leading Open the Book sessions each Tuesday. Chris led a Christmas service for the school community in December. The school continued to use St Peter's grounds as additional outdoor space. We are also grateful to the school for making a contribution to grass cutting costs at St Peter's.

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Cemetery Chapel -

As far as the cemetery chapel is concerned, we are still waiting to hear from London re transfer to the Diocese. A hole had appeared in the cemetery which is connected to the Culvert - a fence has been put around the hole. Also, the front wall next to the cemetery house has developed a hole so this part of the wall is cordoned off. The Wall on the other side of gates is also in need of repair.

COLEFORD TOWN

Covid Response

Written by Rev'd Sarah Bick (Incumbent)

The Coleford Community Meals project continued, as referenced above. As we approached the end of 2021, the government seems to want to take the approach of learning to live with Covid. Therefore, we are not sure what funding might be available come the New Year. Future planning is therefore not easy, but we are clear we don't want to lose the contacts we have made if at all possible. It would also seem to be a need within the community for people to get back to being able to meet in person, for the sake of mental well-being. We are considering the idea of a lunch club in the Broadwell area as a way of meeting these combined needs.

Good Shepherd, Broadwell with St John, Coleford

Written by Rosemary Ward (Parish Warden) & Rev'd Sarah Bick (Incumbent)

Building -

On the 15/16th April the Church was burgled in broad daylight. They broke into the vestry through the side door. Once in the vestry they broke into the locked cupboard (using the brass cross as a crowbar) and stole the laptop. They also took the large TV screen (from All Saints Newland) and the speakers, Amplifier and mixer which

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had been donated by the Ward family and the new wall safe which hadn’t yet been installed which replaced the one the thieves damaged during the first break in last September. They used the wheelchair to remove the items, but this was dumped and has been recovered. The SOCO attended and made some recommendations as did the PC who attended later. It was considered a repeat crime as we had a burglary in 2020.

It was decided to look into making the cupboard behind the organ more secure.

The outside of the building needs re-rendering and painting. We have had a quote for £20468.00 to do this work but we need to do some further fundraising first. We have already raised about £4000 towards the work. Services -

Resumed in the building on Easter Sunday and they are live-streamed on our Facebook page.

St John's Academy

Written by Rev'd Sarah Bick (Incumbent)

Sarah leads school worship fortnightly via a recorded session to watch in class bubbles, continues to serve on the governing body, and assists with curriculum RE and staff training.

Staff morale has at times been quite low because of the attritional effect of working through the Covid pandemic. Before the October half term, we

used some monies from the Vicar's discretionary fund, to give each member of staff a little goodie bag to take home for the half term holiday.

The school has been wonderfully helpful at advertising Mustard three sessions whether online or in person.

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The Mustard Tree: Family, Fun, Faith & Food

Written by Wendy Williams and team. Access to the school building has still been impossible due to the level of Covid in the community.

We had a very successful meeting in the school grounds with picnics, making Easter nests and lots of fun games (including; put the bird in a nest, treasure hunt and hug a tree games)..

We also introduced our new Mustard Tree where we ask people to decorate a leaf and add it to our new tree as a sign of membership of Mustard Tree.

The supporters team built an Easter Garden in the

school grounds which was apparently very popular with the children. This was later moved to The Church of The Good Shepherd for Easter as the school was closed for the holiday.

Still unable to use the school building, we met after school in the Angus Buchanan park for games and a picnic tea. This was such fun that we met throughout the summer for picnics and games and this served to keep contact with the group and we had a lot of Family, Fun, Faith and FOOD. After the summer holidays we were able to get back into the school and we had a joyous meeting and some new members. We introduced the plan for the next 3 sessions. We were looking at preservation of this wonderful world that God gave us and in particular re-using things and not wasting. As a group we made a large picture (based on Psalm 8) using rubbish to make the trees, birds, bushes, fish etc. (this can now be seen in The Good Shepherd). During this time we had several new members and some parents and grandparents who helped. We learnt songs and during those pre Christmas meetings we practised to sing in the Baptsit Church at their Christmas Concert (the performance was subsequently cancelled due to the high number of covid cases in the area).

Despite the covid restrictions, this year, Mustard Tree has had a good time of regrowth but during the lockdowns several of our children became teenagers and it became evident that there is a clear need for teen provision to follow.

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P A R I S H - W I D E , A N D B E Y O N D

PARISH OFFICE & PARISH COORDINATOR

Written by Sarah Bick (Incumbent)

As referenced above, the funding that we had thought was secure for this post until November 2021 was unfortunately withdrawn, with alternative funding needing to be found. With the parish review underway, the future of this role and the way in which it can be funded will form a significant element of the review.

Alison Stuttard held this post until early September 2021 having handed in her notice in June. Sadly, the unsettled nature of the future of the post led her to the decision to take early retirement. The parish is extremely grateful to her for her dedicated work over a number of years. The new post holder is Charlotte Butcher who has worked in church admin and as a children's and families

worker. She brings to the post different gifts and strengths, and we look forward to seeing how this role might develop in her hands. The funding we have available for this currently takes us to the end of March 2022. We very much hope that a solution will be found to making this crucial role secure for a more extended period. The work performed in this role is crucial to the smooth and effective running of the parish and releases clergy and lay leaders for ministry rather than administration.

UNITED PARISH WORSHIP

Written by Sarah Bick (Incumbent)

After a short break in January, a single united parish service continued at the church of the good Shepherd for a number of months. After Easter, a new worship pattern came into being which returned worship to each of our other churches alternating week on week with a continued single United parish service.

UNITED PARISH DISCIPLESHIP

Written by Sarah Bick (Incumbent)

Rev Bea Erskine ran a bookclub for Lent.

And the well-being group “Health and Salvation” continued throughout the year.

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WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS

Written by Charlotte Butcher (Parish Administrator)

Due to the slight lift in Covid guidance throughout the year we were able to conduct 10 weddings (compared to 7 in 2020) but the same number of Baptisms, 5, as in 2020.

There were 38 Funerals, graveside committals and cremations compared to 43 in 2020.

HOME/COMMUNITY COMMUNIONS AND VISITING

Written by Sarah Bick (Incumbent)

We still don’t know when we will be allowed back in to take services in the Coombs. Similarly, offering communion at home to those by definition who are vulnerable, has except in a few cases not been possible. As mentioned elsewhere, EMEP leaders were delegated to check up on the members of their worshipping community, which happened in different ways.

Some interest has been shown in developing a pastoral team. We hope to make this a reality for 2022.

CHURCH ARMY CENTRE OF MISSION, FOREST

Written by Sarah Bick (Incumbent)

Debbie Orriss Worked on a number of different things until her departure in October. The most significant of these in terms of partnering with the parish being her input to Mustard tree, and the Coleford community meals project (see above).

FOODBANK, SALVATION ARMY FOOD SERVICE AND BABY BANK

Written by Rev'd Sarah Bick (Incumbent)

Please see further comment above. The services are back up and running and we support them where we can. The baby bank collection point at the vicarage has been very well used!

ECUMENICAL LINKS

Written by Sarah Bick (Incumbent)

We value our connections with Christians of other denominations, both for Christian fellowship and for partnering in engagement with the wider community in mission and evangelism. With a new appointment of a minister and trainee minister at Coleford Baptist Church, the time is starting to feel right to further pursue our vision of an ecumenical shared building in Coleford. Informal discussions have taken place between ourselves, Coleford Baptist Church and the Roman Catholic Church in the Forest of Dean (the Catholics are considering options across the Forest for a new building).

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SHALOM

Written by Miriam Goldby

The Shalom groups have continued to meet weekly online via Zoom. Once the Covid restrictions started to lift, we have been able to meet again in person. Currently this is happening once a month for a Get-Together and a shared picnic tea. We meet at the Good Shepherd Church, in Broadwell from 5.30pm to 7:30pm. People have really enjoyed reconnecting together in person. On the other weeks of the month we continue to meet online via Zoom. We have grown in number in the online meetings and people are beginning to join the calls who live beyond the Forest area. This has been really encouraging.

This last year has also seen us successfully be awarded charity status as 'The Shalom Network'. The new Charity has incorporated the Shalom Groups plus another local ministry called Musiclusive. This now means we are able to offer more opportunities to people of all abilities to be able to participate in the activities, projects and life of the charity alongside developing and gaining more life skills. This will enable people to be more active within their local communities, churches and society as a whole. We have also been successful in being awarded funding from a number of funding providers. One in particular is from Gloucestershire County Council. We have been awarded funding for a year to work with people who have no speech. We are teaching and enabling them to learn how to use digital technology which then enables them to have their voices heard.

As of the 1st of January 2022 we have moved to being an independent Charity. We would like to take this opportunity to thank again the Churches of the MidWyedean parish for all your support, prayers and interest in this ministry.

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REDBROOK YOUTH CLUB

Written by Mark Bick (Reader) and Charlotte Butcher (Youth Worker) When discussing use of the building at a zoom Local Church Council meeting in January 2021, Emily Fordham suggested a Youth Group. Lucy Hayward had wanted to start one a year or so previously. This

time we worked together over zoom to plan it, drawing in other volunteer leaders from non-church background and deciding to have one paid person to coordinate and do the paper work. Aimee Blease-Bourne was the first person in this role, then Charlotte took over as Aimee was busy with other things. We started fortnightly from 4-5pm on Fridays in the Village Hall in June 2021 with a pizza making evening. Young people pay £2 per session. The group created a brilliant video about saving the River Wye. We initially used parish children's and youth funds, then secured a grant from Newland Civic Parish Council. We went to Go Ape during the summer holidays and continued in the church once the toilet was completed (autumn 2021).

Since September we have been meeting fortnightly on a Friday evening from 5-7pm. There are usually between 6 and 10 young people in attendance, we have had up to 13 during a School holiday 'special' in October. The young people play games, run around, chill out - it's just a space for them to be themselves but we do offer something slightly more structured if they would like to participate; these have included a board games night, a walk and marshmallow toasting evening and a Christmas craft evening. Making food together continues to be a significant part of the Youth Club and some temporary facilities have therefore been put into church.

The leaders are Charlotte, Lucy Hayward, Aimee Blease-Bourne and Mark Bick (Emily Fordham was involved until she left for university in September). You can watch the young people's report for Newland Civic Parish Council meeting here or by scanning the QR code below.

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4) FINANCIAL REVIEW 2022

Treasurer's Report to APCM

Written by Rev'd Alan Wearmouth (Treasurer)

The accounts for 2021 have been circulated and are available to anyone who wishes to read them. I would suggest to anyone who wishes to investigate the financial affairs of the Parish that they also study the PFC reports as they become available throughout the year. A PFC report for December 31st 2021 is readily available - please email the Treasurer if you wish to have a copy. The Independent Examiner has found nothing untoward concerning the accounts for this period so I shall move to a few comments which may be of interest to parishioners.

Grant aid is an essential element of funding for many Churches and Parishes including Mid-Wyedean. The activity and achievements at St Saviour's, Redbrook, during this period were entirely (or almost entirely) funded and therefore enabled by grant aid from various sources. The post of Parish Coordinator (of great usefulness and value to the Parish in my opinion) was funded in large part through grant aid but parishioners should be aware that this is likely to continue for only 25% of the next reporting year (2022) and funding thereafter remains very insecure.

The pattern of recent years continued with Mid-Wyedean paying its full promised Parish Share but that promise was less than 50% of the requested amount before a Deanery subsidy was applied. This is despite the fact that our Parish Giving per head is above the Diocesan average, for which we are extremely grateful. It is of great benefit to us that so many parishioners are members of the Parish Giving Scheme which meant that during Covid our direct giving fell much less than it did in many other Parishes.

Although our reserves look relatively healthy I must point out that they are likely to diminish at a quick rate, depending upon the Parish Share to which we commit. The immense burden of our buildings (insurance costs alone accounted for almost 50% of our regular giving through the Parish Giving Scheme) means that unless there is a significant upturn in giving I can see no way of guaranteeing that the Parish will be able to function financially within the next decade.

A highlight of 2021 was the raising and spending of significant funds in supporting families during Covid by providing nutritious, subsidised meals, often delivered to home.

Please feel free to contact me by email if you have any query or comment.

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5) SAFEGUARDING

Written by Mark Bick (Reader & Safeguarding Officer) The safeguarding officer is Mark Bick who can be contacted on 01594 836418, 07815 459468 or mark@markbick.co.uk. The deputy officer is the vicar, Rev Sarah Bick who can be contacted on 01594 835476 or at vicar@midwyedeanchurches.co.uk.

The PCC has adopted the national C of E safeguarding policy statement. Guidance, adapted to the needs of our parish, was adopted on Feb 26th 2020 and reviewed in Nov 2020. A further review is underway, using the new Parish Safeguarding Dashboard. We are now being asked to do a lot of extra things. Some are useful, others less so, but it is all very time consuming. I am deeply concerned that the C of E is going down the road of ever changing and more onerous safeguarding procedural and training requirements, which take up a lot of time with little benefit (other than making it look as if the National church is “doing something”). I would encourage everyone to focus on building positive and supportive relationships with people, being alert and sensitive to concerns and issues which may arise, and ensuring that they are reported, even if you are not sure if they are significant.

Six safeguarding concerns were reported to Mark or Sarah in 2021, three were reported to the Diocesan Safeguarding team. The other three were low level and were resolved e.g. a vulnerable adult’s heating breaking down, a health concern about a community meals recipient.

All PCC members, activity leaders and helpers are now asked to do C of E free national online safeguarding training. It is very well presented and thoughtful. The Parish Administrator will be in touch with reminders, but it is helpful if people can just get on with it. Ask if you need support and let the office know when you have completed.

Follow this link https://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org/index.php? you will then need to sign up and receive an email to access the training. You get a certificate at the end.

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6) STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The Parish of the Mid-Wyedean Churches is a church of England parish service the town of Coleford in the Forest of Dean and many of the surrounding villages.

Under the Pastoral Scheme that created our United Parish, the name of the parish is “The Parish of The Mid-Wyedean Churches of All Saints Newland and Staunton; Good Shepherd, Broadwell; Saint John, Coleford; Saint Peter, Clearwell and Saint Saviour, Redbrook”. It is part of the Diocese of Gloucester within the Church of England. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. However, in March 2019 the Bishops Council authorised an amendment to the interim constitution which stood for the first 5 years of being a United Parish. This enabled each congregation to be better represented on the PCC.

All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

Relevant officers attend Diocesan training events for Churchwardens and Treasurers.

The PCC has a Standing Committee and a Finance Committee. Membership of the Standing Committee comprises the incumbent, Parish Churchwardens, PCC Secretary, and Treasurer. The Finance Committee includes these same members and 2 additional reps nominated by local congregations and ratified by PCC.

Each congregation has an EMEP local minister (lay or ordained), a local warden and an informal LCC (Local Congregation Council) which can feed in information and raise issues to PCC, and receive suggestions and requests from PCC for consideration or action, reflecting our commitment to local expression of Christian community.

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7) ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Mid-

Wyedean Churches

Including worshipping communities based in our buildings at:

And further worshipping communities:

Also:

Registered Charity No: 1132171

The Licensed Staff Team (All are volunteers, unless otherwise indicated) Rev'd Sarah Bick 01594 835476 Vicar (Stipendiary)

Mark Bick - Pioneer Reader Readers: Mr Chris Howell - Reader Mrs Denise Hogan - Reader

Rev'd Sarah Bick - Coleford & Broadwell EMEP Team: Mark Bick - Redbrook Denise Hogan - Staunton Chris Young - Clearwell Rev'd Bea Erskine - Newland Wendy Williams - Mustard Tree Miriam Goldby - Shalom

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We also have six licensed Worship Leaders: Fred Meek Wendy Williams Margaret Winter Chris Young Alison Studdard Bea Erskine Curate: Rev'd Bea Erskine

WE are grateful for the support of retired Clergy Rev'd Alan Wearmouth & Rev'd Robert Simpson

Church Officers

Parish Wardens: Rosemary Ward also at The Good Shepherd, Broadwell Vacancy (ex-officio) Assistant Wardens: Sue Simmons - All Saints', Staunton Lucy Hayward - St Saviour's, Redbrook PCC Secretary: Vacancy (ex-officio)

Parish Treasurer: Alan Wearmouth (Non PCC) Church Reps: Daphne Baulcomb - St Peter's, Clearwell (Elected member 2019) Betty Weaver - St Peter's, Clearwell (Elected member 2019) John Simmons - All Saints', Staunton (Elected member 2019) Daniel Kidger - St John's, Coleford (Elected member 2019) 2 Elected member Vacancies

Deanery Synod Reps: Susan Sparkes 2021 (Next elections 2023) Wendy Williams 2021 (Next elections 2023)

Electoral Roll officer: Susan Sparkes (ex-officio)

Parish Administrator: Alison Studdard - Until September 2021 Charlotte Butcher - From September 2021 Both paid staff, funded by grants

Independent Examiner: Lucy Clutterbuck of Wildin & Co (paid)

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8) INFORMATION OF GRANTS RECIEVED

Redbrook Church Capital Grants 2019-2021

Allchurches Trust £2k Barnwood Trust £8K Bernard Sunley CVharitable Foundation £5k Coleford Area Partnershp £1,000 (plus £2k towards kitchen) Cultural Recovery Fund £2k (tower steps and tools) Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust £3k plus £3k The Langtree Trust £400 National Churches Trust £3k Rank Foundation - Pebble Grants £1,100 Warneford Ecclesiastical Charity £500 and £1,280 Wye Valley AONB via Herefordshire Community Foundation £2k Private donations £6,250, other local fundraising and small donations £880

These include re-plastering the chancel arch, and some work on the kitchen, which is carried forward into 2022.

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