HOLYTRINrrY JESl+lOND Parish of Holy Trinity Jesmond Annual Parochial Church Meeting Sunday 25th April 2021 at 12.15pm Annual Reports and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31rt December 2020 Bank Co-00 Banl Grey StreeL Newcastk Upon Tyne Independent Examinew". Anita ACI..1A CGKIA THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND
PARISH OF HOLY TRINITY JESMOND STAFF, OFFICERS & MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES IN 2020
(from last APCM – 15[th] October 2020)
Clergy
Tim Sanderson (Vicar) Colin Smith (Supporting Minister)
Church Wardens
John Clarke, Liz Cook
Deanery Synod Representatives
Liz Cook, Ruth O’Hagan
Parochial Church Council
2018 Rachael Barkman-Astles, Lilian Lovelock (PCC Treasurer), Jean McEwan Andrew Wood, Paul Wright, Mark Thomas
2019 Christine Dunbar, Rachael Farrimond, Helen Johnson
2020 Ros Johnson, Margaret Lawson (PCC Lay-chair), Jonathan Wake Alison Edwards (co-opted as Operations Manager – PCC Secretary)
Staff
Steve Booth (Caretaker/verger) Adam Dixon (Parish Worker) Alison Edwards (Operations Manager) Emily Emmerson-Finch (Youth and Outreach Worker) Abby Grogan (intern) Dot Lee (Discipleship – voluntary) Steph Sanderson (Children’s and Family Outreach Worker)
Standing Committee
Vicar and PCC Officers (Wardens, Lay-chair, Treasurer and Secretary)
Parish Safeguarding Group
Christine Dunbar (Parish Safeguarding Officer), Emily Emmerson-Finch, John Clarke, Liz Cook, Douglas Lovelock, Margaret Nicholson, Steph Sanderson, Tim Sanderson,
Members of the HT Trust (2020-23)
Jonathan Grogan, Douglas Lovelock, Paul Wright.
Electoral Roll Officer
Ros Johnson
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PARISH OF HOLY TRINITY JESMOND ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING (ZOOM) Sunday 25[th] April at 12.15pm
AGENDA
1. Welcome and Opening Prayer
2. Apologies for Absence
3. Minutes of Previous Meeting
Annual Parochial Church Meeting on Sunday 15th October 2020.
4. Matters Arising
5. Election of Church Wardens (Vestry Meeting)
6. Election of PCC Members & Deanery Synod Representatives
7. Appointment of Accounts Examiner
8. Financial Statement of Accounts and Independent Examiner’s Report To be received by the annual meeting.
9. Reports including Electoral Roll Officer’s Report
10. Vicar’s Comments
11. Any Other Business
12. Closing Prayer
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ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING & VESTRY MEETING OF THE PARISH
Minutes of the Annual parochial Church Meeting and Vestry Meeting of the Parish of Holy Trinity, Jesmond, held on Thursday 15[th] October 2020 at 7pm.
Present: Rev’d Tim Sanderson (Vicar), Mr D Lovelock (Lay Chair). Mrs A Edwards (Minute taker). Approx 23 members of the congregation.
1. Welcome and Notices
Rev’d Tim Sanderson welcomed those present and opened the meeting in prayer.
2. Apologies for Absence
Due to the Coronavirus restrictions currently in place, the meeting will only record the number of people present rather than list the apologies from those unable to attend.
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the APCM on Sunday 28[th] April 2019 were accepted as a true record with one abstention.
4. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising
The Lay Chair took the chair
5. Election of Wardens (Vestry Meeting)
Mr J Clarke and Mrs L Cook were nominated to stand for election as churchwardens. It was agreed that both would serve as churchwardens for 2020/21. There were two abstentions.
6. Election of PCC Members & Deanery Synod representatives PCC
The PCC has 15 elected members, each serving for a period of three years. Two members of PCC stood for re-election and their nominations were received. Mrs R Johnson, Mr J Wake were both re-elected to stand for a further three years. One other nomination was received and Mrs M Lawson was elected to serve a three years term.
Deanery Synod
There were two vacancies for Deanery Synod representatives. One nomination was received from Mrs L Cook. A second nomination from Ms R O’Hagan was received at the meeting. It was agreed that Mrs L Cook and Ms R O’Hagan should serve as deanery Synod representatives for 2020/21.
The Rev’d Tim Sanderson took the chair
Rev’d Sanderson thanked all those who had served on PCC over the past year during the vacancy. He particularly thanked Mr D Scott who stepped in to take on the role of churchwarden to support the recruitment process. A small token of appreciation was presented to Mr Scott.
7. Appointments of Accounts Examiner
The Rev’d Sanderson, thanked Ms A Morris for all her work as Independent Accounts Examiner for 2019. Ms Morris is willing to stand for another year and the chair proposed that Ms Morris be appointed for 2020/21. This was agreed by the meeting.
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8. Financial Statement of Accounts and Independent Examiners Report
The financial Statement of Accounts for 2019 were received.
The Independent Examiner’s report for 2019 was received. (Against 0: Abstentions 1)
There were no questions from the meeting but the Treasurer answered a question received via email from Mr J Smith.
Mr J Smith asked if the 10% of the budget allocated to mission was to be continued. Mrs Lovelock advised that, as last year, the commitment was for 10% of planned giving to be allocated to mission and not 10% of the total giving. This is because it is not possible to give 10% of restricted funds.
Rev’d Tim Sanderson thanked the Treasurer and others who help with the account for all their work and diligence throughout the year.
The Lay Chair took the chair
9. Reports Including Electoral Officers Report
There were no questions on the reports and all were accepted.
The Electoral Roll
The Electoral Roll Officer’s Report (P11) was accepted. The number on the roll as of March 17[th] 2020 is 182 (164 at last report +21-3)
Rev’d Tim Sanderson addressed the meeting.
10. Vicars Comments
Holy Trinity has seen a time of huge transition since the last APCM. The Rev’d Mark Wroe’s appointment as Archdeacon of Northumberland in March last year, created a huge amount of work as the process to appoint a new vicar began. Rev’s Sanderson thanked all those who had been involved in the process and all who had supported the work here at HT during the vacancy.
The current Coronavirus pandemic has also been a huge challenge this year. Tim thanked the church for trusting the staff team and the PCC to make appropriate and necessary decisions while the church was closed.
The Rev’d Sanderson also thanked Mr D Lovelock and Ms P Purves who are stepping down as Lay Chair and PCC Secretary respectively. Both Mr Lovelock and Ms Purves have served on PCC for many years. A small token of appreciation was given to Mr Lovelock and will be passed on to Ms Purves, in appreciation of their years of long service.
11. Any Other Business
There were no items of any other business
12. Closing Prayer
The Rev’d Sanderson closed the meeting in prayer.
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Financial Statement of the Parish of Holy Trinity, Jesmond for 2020. Charity Number 1132722
Bankers : Lloyds TSB, Co-operative Bank, Virgin Bank, Skipton Building Society.
Approved and adopted by the Parochial Church Council at its annual Parochial Church Meeting on April 25[th] 2021 .
Signed:____
Signed ____
Financial Statements of Holy Trinity, Jesmond
The statement of Financial Accounts for year ending Dec. 31st 2020 have been audited and present a True and Fair view of the incomings and outgoings for the Calendar Year 2020, with no material misstatements noted.
Financial Summary 31st Dec 2020
| Total Income 2020 | £203,324 |
|---|---|
| Total Expenditure 2020 | £194,897 |
| Salaries Fund 31.12.20 | £ 12,755 |
| Reserves 31.12.20 | £ 64,520 |
| New Build Fund 31.12.20 | £ 83,925 |
| (Monies from B&J’s sale is held by HT Trust) |
I should like to thank all those who have generously contributed to Holy Trinity’s income during the ‘Pandemic’ which has made the task of treasurer relatively easy and has been greatly appreciated.
Lilian Lovelock April 2021.
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| EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES | INCOME CATEGORIES | |||||
| Code | Category | Expenditure 2020 | Code | Category | Income 2020 | |
| Grants and Charitable Giving total | Voluntary Income | |||||
| P1a | Mission Partners | £10,000 | R1a | Planned Covenanted Giving | £143,475 | |
| P1b | Short-term & Local mission | £2,250 | R1b | Collections | £605 | |
| R1c | SundryDonations | £0 | ||||
| Ministry Costs total | ||||||
| Mission & Ministry | ||||||
| P2a | Discipleship& Nurture | £409 | Other Voluntary Income | |||
| P2b | CommunityEngagement | £255 | R2a | Donations for Restricted Purposes | £3,980 | |
| P2b1 | Pop-UpCafe | £0 | ||||
| P2c | Vintage | £0 | Income from Events and Activities | |||
| P2d | Service Costs | £463 | R3a | Fees for Weddings and Funerals | £3,246 | |
| P2e | Music & Choir | £20 | R3b | HolidayClub | £0 | |
| P2f | Flowers | £71 | R3c | MessyChurch | £0 | |
| P2g | Special Function Catering | £394 | R3d | Alternative Christmas Fayre | £0 | |
| R3e | Vintage | £0 | ||||
| R3f | Splice of Life | £0 | ||||
| Youth Work | R3g | SundayLunches | £0 | |||
| P3a | Scramblers & Explorers | £159 | ||||
| P3a1 | Pathfinders & CYFA | £251 | ||||
| P3b | HolidayClub | £0 | Other Ordinary Income | |||
| P3c | MessyChurch | £0 | R4a | Income Tax Refund | £30,707 | |
| R4b | Other | £264 | ||||
| Staffing | R4c | Bank Interest | £0 | |||
| P4a | Incumbent's WorkingExpenses | £476.97 | ||||
| P4b | Assistant Minister's Expenses | £0.00 | ||||
| P4c | Curates Expenses | £0.00 | Lettings | |||
| R5a | R5a Church & Hall Lettings | £3,005 | ||||
| Minister's Housing Costs | ||||||
| P5a | Water Rates | £123.00 | ||||
| P5b | Council Tax | £1,455.56 | Extraordinary Income | |||
| R6a | Bequests | £0 | ||||
| Associate Minister's Housing Costs | ||||||
| P6a | Water Rate | £197.60 | ||||
| P6b | Council Tax | £682.68 | Total of split | £185,282 | ||
| Salaries | ||||||
| P7a | Administrator's Salary | |||||
| P7b | Children Workers Salary | |||||
| P7c | Youth Worker's Salary | **TOTAL INCOME 2020 ** | £203,324 | |||
| P7d | Verger's Salary | Virgin Interest | £317 | |||
| P7e | HMRC + NI + Salaries | £39,463.20 | Ass. Min Acc. | £17,485 | ||
| P7f | Nest | £1,941.45 | **Main Acc ** | £185,282 | ||
| Continued on Page 11 | Others interest | £240 | ||||
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| EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code Category | Expenditure 2020 | ||||
| Parish Share | |||||
| P8a | Parish Share | £99,640 | |||
| P8b | Fee Payments | £1,947 | |||
| Running Costs of Buildings & Grounds Total | |||||
| Church | |||||
| P9a | Heating& Lighting | £5,789 | |||
| P9b | Maintenance & Minor Repairs | £1,423 | |||
| P9c | Quinqenial Expenses | £0 | |||
| P9d | Capital Expenses | £0 | |||
| P9e | Water Rate | £81 | |||
| P9f | Organ | £0 | |||
| Hall | |||||
| P10a | Heating& Lighting | £1,771 | |||
| P10b | Maintenance & Minor Repairs | £600 | |||
| P10c | Window Cleaning | £305 | |||
| General Expenses | |||||
| P11a | Insurance | £7,753 | |||
| P11b | Cleaning | £2,554 | |||
| P11b | Cleaning Materials/Consumables | £135 | |||
| P11d | Grounds Upkeep | £1,577 | |||
| Administration Total | |||||
| P12a | Supplies & Admin. Expenses | £720 | |||
| P12b | Web Site | £158 | |||
| P12c | Copyright Licences | £1,150 | |||
| P12d | Publicity Costs | £0 | |||
| P12e | Administration Capital | £0 | |||
| Banking | |||||
| P13a | Expenditure of Restricted Giving | £4,057 | |||
| P13b | Bank Charges | £0 | |||
| P13b1 | Bank Transfers | £0 | |||
| P13c | Buildings Development Budget | £0 | |||
| P14 | 2% Contingency | ||||
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE 2020 | £194,898 | **TOTAL INCOME 2020 ** | £203,324 | ||
| **Ass. Min. Acc.2020 ** | £6,627 | Virgin Interest | £317 | ||
| Main Acc. 2020 | £188,271 | Ass. Min Acc. | £17,485 | ||
| **Main Acc ** | £185,282 | ||||
| Others interest | £240 |
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ELECTORAL OFFICERS REPORT
These are the changes to the electoral roll of March 2020
New members: There have been 2 additions Kim Fewell, Valerie Liddell
Deleted: 10 names have been deleted Moved away - Chris de Leeuwe Katrina Sodzi, Lucy Wood, Joanne Wright Deceased - Margaret Green, Betty Cooper. Moved church - Edwin Pakpahan, Emelia Parwonga Other - Michael Hutchins, Rachel Hutchins
Change of address: Stephanie Sanderson, Caroline Wroe
Number of names on the roll is 174 (182 at the last report +2 -10)
Ros Johnson April 2021
MINISTER’S REPORT (on 2020)
‘Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…’ Ephesians 3.20 (NIV)
2020 was a year like no other.
In February I was installed as vicar of Holy Trinity Church, imagining we would surge forward in the plans God had for us. I imagined we would quickly distil a fresh sense of vision that celebrated all that was good at Holy Trinity but also clearly outlined the areas in which God was calling us to ‘stretch’. I imagined we would begin to address the opportunity of re-imagining our church hall and the builders would arrive on site before the year was over.
I imagined 2020 would be a year we looked back on as a time characterized by growth and flourishing for Holy Trinity, with more people stepping into new areas of ministry, new people finding their way into our church family and a new lean, focused vision that enabled us to see clearly where we were heading.
But then COVID-19 struck and our world turned upside down.
In this time of anxiety, dislocation and restrictions, God has called us to function as his church family and as the church in this community in new ways we could not have imagined: on-line church services, zoom-based small groups and children’s work, intermittent in-person church services complete with social distancing, facemasks and no singing, foodbanks, eco-projects,
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fresh ways to serve and engage with our communities, acts of kindness and a deep sense of caring for one another that has exceeded all my expectations.
This is the new flavour of church that God has called us to be.
We have had to take church outside our walls and far outside our comfort zones. It has been both difficult with the sense of loss we have felt and amazing because of the fresh opportunities we have been given. This year has been exhilarating and exhausting, encouraging and costly, yet we can testify to the faithfulness of God with us, in us and working through us and our roots have gone deeper and our imaginations broadened.
I particularly want to mention Douglas Lovelock and Pauline Purves who both stood down in 2020 from their respective roles as Lay-chair and secretary of the PCC. Both have served in these positions for many years, offering stability, wisdom and guidance to at least the last three vicars! We are so grateful to both of them for all they have contributed to the life of Holy Trinity in these roles.
So, I simply want to say thank you to every person who makes up the family at Holy Trinity. Thank you to everyone who has contributed in a hundred different ways to do more than survive and instead push forward and take hold of the opportunities we have. Thank you to the PCC, Staff team and Wardens for the relentless energy and creativity during this year.
Thank you for your trust and willingness to be positive and supportive even when things have seemed lacking. Thank you for your quickness to spot the areas of need and respond. I am so proud and blessed to be vicar of Holy Trinity.
This year’s collection of reports are a celebration of all God has been doing among us and a testimony to so many people’s ongoing commitment, service and faithfulness. I hope you read them all with joy and gratitude as God continues to direct us at Holy Trinity. We continue to look forward and will emerge out of lockdown a different, re-shaped church. Our challenge is to continue to respond to God’s leading and learn more about how he is calling us to stretch in this new season.
Revd Tim Sanderson April 2021
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CHURCH WARDENS’ REPORT (October 2020 to April 2021)
The past six months have been strange again, with much time spent studying coronavirus regulations and guidance from the Government and Church of England, analysing how it impacts on Holy Trinity, and praying and deciding how to respond.
Whilst online services continued, services in the church building were suspended from the beginning of the year until 28th March. The church was open for foodbank collections and we are grateful to members of the church and local community who give generously to those who are finding it difficult at the present time. Pastoral care also continued, mainly via phone calls and doorstep visits, particularly to those who are on their own or are less mobile.
Church and Hall Buildings and Grounds
Repairs and maintenance to the buildings continued throughout and included: roof repairs to the organ chamber, side chapel, and south aisle, minor joinery, plumbing and electrical repairs, and the City Council cutting a number of branches from trees on its land which were overhanging the church hall.
Normally our buildings are cleaned by N&P cleaners and Steve Booth spends his time setting up furniture for the various weekly activities. However, as activities were suspended and the buildings not used, Steve kindly agreed to carry out the weekly cleaning for which we are grateful. Unfortunately, we missed our annual spring clean by volunteers last year, but hope to be able to arrange one this summer coronavirus restrictions permitting.
John Samway, our gardener retired last October. We are grateful for his dedication and service and send him our best wishes. Our gardening this year is being carried out by Tommy and Joe Park.
In the next few weeks, the buggy park under the canopy to the hall is to be paved and a cycle rack installed. Abby Grogan and volunteers are also going to replant the large flower bed, next to the stone retaining wall, which they have cleared.
Later in the year, it is hoped to obtain a faculty and raise the floor in the baptistery in preparations for holding an exhibition there in 2022 as part of the celebrations of the centenary of the consecration of the nave and tower.
Support and thanks
Finally, we are very grateful for all the prayers and spiritual and practical help we have received from the clergy, staff team, PCC, and members of the church generally.
We are also thankful to God for the great team of assistant wardens and welcome team members who have supported services in church, and for the musicians and all those who have led, assisted with and produced services online.
John Clarke and Liz Cook. April 2021
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PCC SECRETARY REPORT
Annual Report of the PCC Secretary for the Year 2021
At the last APCM, Douglas Lovelock stepped down as PCC Chair and Pauline Purves stepped down as PCC Secretary. Both Douglas and Pauline have served in these roles for many years and their collective wisdom and knowledge on all things PCC related will be a huge miss. At the PCC meeting on the 26th of January, Margaret Lawson was appointed as the new PCC Chair and Alison Edwards was appointed as the new PCC Secretary. Lilian Lovelock was appointed Treasurer and Ros Johnson as Electoral Roll Officer.
Meetings
PCC has met three times since the last APCM in September 2020. In December, PCC met socially distanced, in the church building. For the January and March meetings we met via Zoom. Each meeting begins with a meditation on a bible passage and prayer. There is often a time of prayer at the centre of the agenda.
Business
The Agenda includes Minutes of the previous meeting and any Matters arising. The Treasurer gives a Financial update and the Wardens report any building/grounds maintenance and repair work. Other decisions made include:
8th December 2020
The members of the HT trust were re-elected for another three year term.
A letter was sent to Bishop Christine requesting the contained suspension of public worship until the 21st February 2021.
The practical arrangements for the Christmas services under Covid restrictions was discussed. Work started on putting together a five year plan for the future was put on hold because of the pandemic.
26th January 2021
PCC officers were elected (see above). Public Worship is still suspended.
The 2020 Safeguarding Policy was accepted for now with plans to rewrite and update this by June 2021.
Ben and Sandeep Wildman were accepted as new Mission Partners.
16th March 2021
The role of Treasurer was reviewed.
A decision was made to reopen church on the 28th of March for in person worship. This will follow the previous pattern of alternating between 9.30 am and 6.30pm each week, the online service at 11 am will remain for now.
Both Adam Dixon and Abby Grogan will be moving on this summer.
Alison Edwards April 2021
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NEWCASTLE CENTRAL DEANERY REPORT
In the year to 31 December 2020 Newcastle Central Deanery Synod met on 18 Feb in person then on Zoom on 26 Nov due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The May meeting was cancelled. The Deanery Development Group and Standing Committee met on 6 May , 22 July and 4 Nov. The new Synod was elected during the year. Deanery Synods potentially have a significant role in the synodical system. They are located between PCCs at parish level and the higher synodical levels of Area and Diocese.
One area of work to celebrate is the diocese’s fresh focus on mission and growth. In the November meeting the Synod welcomed Rev’d Rob Sainer-Haigh, Newcastle Diocese Director of Mission and Ministry. Rob outlined some of the work surrounding the new ‘Transformation’ agenda that the diocese will be implementing as part two of the wider Growing Church Bringing Hope vision over the next few years. However, there are many challenges ahead with the fastdeclining attendance figures and shrinking finances of the wider diocese. We pray that God is using this time to prune his church in Newcastle diocese and enable it to experience fresh growth and new opportunities.
Tim Sanderson April 2021
THE HOLY TRINITY TRUST REPORT
There has not been a huge amount of activity within the Trust since last year's report. The funds which the Trust received from the PCC following the sale of St Barnabas and St Jude's church remain invested, pending any decision to proceed with the new build project at HTJ. The current trustees are the churchwardens plus Jon Grogan, Douglas Lovelock and Paul Wright. Jon Grogan (Trustee), April 2021
CYFA REPORT
At the start of the pandemic, CYFA swiftly moved online for Sunday sessions and we began an extra session midweek too. Each week we have explored the Bible together, played weird and wonderful online games and used the time to check in with each other. Many in CYFA described these sessions as a 'lifeline' during a time of such change and upheaval and that our meetings have been helpful for their mental, emotional and spiritual health.
We have worked our way through Mark and 1 John, the Youth-Alpha Course and explored topical issues such as Black Lives Matter. CYFA has led two online encounter services during the last year, adapting our usual style to the screen. We’ve also had some fabulous socials including a very messy pancake party and an egg-tastic Easter celebration.
One thing to celebrate is the amount of young people who have connected with CYFA over the last year and the great times of fellowship and connection we’ve had together. Looking ahead, please pray that those who have lost touch with CYFA during lockdown would feel able to reconnect. Please also pray for more volunteers, as we will be in particular need for more leaders come September.
Emily Emmerson Finch April 2021
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WORSHIP REPORT
Due to the pandemic, music and worship have had to evolve and adapt. This has meant prerecording most of our music individually and then mixing them. Not only have members of our Worship Team played a pivotal role in recordings, we have been able to involve members of our congregation too! The Blessing video was a great success and proved to many of us that we could still honour God through worship even when we’re apart. It’s been great to see some of our young people develop their worship style and confidence. From the Scramblers to CYFA, we have had some great contributions! Hopefully that will continue as part of the culture of Holy Trinity coming out of restrictions.
It will be interesting to see how worship develops in the coming year but right now I’d like to thank all those who have recorded, played and mixed music over this past year! Adam Dixon April 2021
HTJ 100 PLANNING GROUP REPORT
Despite the current restrictions the Planning Group has made good progress this year. Unfortunately the events planned to mark the laying of the foundation stone in October were postponed, but that centenary was commemorated in the online service (4th October).
To date we have:
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produced a new Visitor Guide
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met with some members of the Diocesan Advisory Committee and received feedback on our proposals for the Baptistery. A faculty is being prepared.
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designed 15 x A1 exhibition boards for the Baptistery display
Work is underway to produce
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an attractive magazine-style coffee table book called Living Stones
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a new guide to the church windows displays to be mounted in the nave during the exhibition
In 2021 we also plan to
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put together a time capsule produce a children’s tour guide
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arrange the planting of 100 trees
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work with CYPECs groups to facilitate their input
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complete the baptistery alterations
“The Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” (Psalm 100 v5)
We continue to pray that through the centenary activities and events people will encounter the living God and come to trust in His love and faithfulness for themselves. Margaret Nicholson April 2021
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HOLY TRINITY WALKS REPORT
Having our walks on the first Saturday of the month meant that we managed to get a walk in March 2020 before lockdown was announced, which gave us something to remember! After that, the next few walks were cancelled in the hope that the position would ease over the summer.
Unfortunately, numbers remained restricted to 6 outside, so our plans for the summer walks also had to be abandoned including, sadly, the trip to the Lakes to climb Scafell Pike. With the second wave of COVID-19 meaning we could not re-start in the Autumn, a year has gone by with no Holy Trinity walks at all and we have missed the fresh air, beautiful countryside and the great conversations we all enjoy.
It has been really encouraging to have e-mails from members of the group and to know how much they enjoy our time together and that they are, very much, looking forward to meeting again.
If the timetable for easing the lockdown goes ahead as given, then we have planned walks for the end of May and the beginning of June and July.
Ros Johnson April 2021
MESSY CHURCH REPORT
Our March 2020 Messy Church was just about to take place when the Coronavirus pandemic began and suddenly it had to be cancelled. It was going to be impossible to hold such events.
In October 2020 it was decided to try running a ‘Messy Church at home’ event. If people weren’t allowed to come to church for Messy Church, we would take Messy Church to them, in their homes!
So, the team helped to prepare 80 Messy Harvest bags. In each bag there was a combination of 6 crafts, a bible story, a prayer activity and a traybake. Everything was based around the theme of ‘harvest’ with the message that God is the creator of our beautiful world.
Since then, we have prepared 112 Messy Christmas bags, 112 Messy Valentine bags and now 110 Messy Easter bags!! It is incredible how such a simple idea of filling a bag with activities and treats can be used to share the truth and good news of Jesus and reach out to so many families. We have been so encouraged to see how many more people we are actually engaging with during this time.
Please pray for us as we consider where we go from here. How and when can we safely open back up again?
Steph Sanderson April 2021
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TRINITY TOTS REPORT
When we first went into lockdown in March 2020, Trinity Tots came to an abrupt end. We couldn’t meet face to face but we could meet online, by zoom. The team were keen to keep going as best we could. And so, Song time was born!
Almost a year later, we have got into a new weekly routine. We meet on line for half an hour of singing, sharing craft ideas and celebrating birthdays. Rainbow bird (a puppet) joins us each week for prayer time and of course, we still finish with ‘Sleeping Bunnies’! We have such fun and a good old laugh together! Our meetings are so full of joy not only for the parents and their children but also the team.
As a team, we too have met regularly on zoom to chat and support each other and as a result we have grown closer.
Recently, we also felt it would be good to offer our parents the chance to meet together without the children. So now, once a month we run a ‘Time to chat’ session. It is really appreciated by the Mum’s who come and it is allowing us to make deeper connections with them. Please pray for us as we consider how and when to open up ‘face to face’ sessions safely, again. Steph Sanderson April 2021
CYPECS REPORT
This past year has been very different! Shortly after the pandemic began Pathfinders and Explorers started meeting together weekly online, by zoom. Initially I was sending Sunday School material to Climbers and Scramblers via email to do at home with their parents but then in October we started meeting by zoom too.
Cypecs leaders have risen to the challenge and adapted their way of working so that God’s word is still taught and shared with the children and young people. Many of our children and young people have wanted to engage with this way of doing Sunday School. In fact, we have probably seen more children attending each week than we would normally have done had we been meeting in person.
Explorers held a virtual cake stall and raised money for Ben and Sandeep Wildman’s missionary work with SIM’s Ministry of Sports Friends Malawi. They also collected unwanted football kit to be used by the charity too.
Pathfinders have watched films and cooked together via zoom and helped with car washing to raise money for our Eco church plans.
Pink bird (a puppet) has featured weekly with the younger children.
As we look to coming out of lockdown the challenge for us is to know how best to start to meet in person again. Please pray for us as we consider new ways of meeting outside. Steph Sanderson April 2021
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SMALL GROUPS
Small groups have continued to meet regularly during the pandemic using online platforms. Who’d have thought we would all master ‘zoom!’. Joking apart I’m thankful that we have been able to carrying on meeting. Virtual meetings have been a tremendous way to keep in touch with one another and support one another pastorally and prayerfully. Being able to meet virtually has helped us feel connected as a faith community.
The provision of study materials through the church website has been fantastic and is very much appreciated by group leaders/members. We have seven small groups serving about eighty people. My thanks go to the leaders of these groups for their commitment to leading their group. The challenge that lies ahead is developing the small group network as our current groups are all at full capacity. Without new groups/leaders/hosts we cannot grow and develop our small group network. If you could host a group or lead a group please get in touch. Dot Lee April 2021
MISSION PARTNERS REPORT
Our current mission partners are: Jes & Jane Bates in Malawi Hugh & Debbie Skeil in India Ian & Anne-Marie Prescott focused on Vietnam and the Vietnamese diaspora Youth for Christ North East here in Newcastle Eric & Sandra Read in the Philippines Ben & Sandeep Wildman going to Malawi
This year I have focused on getting regular updates to our members with prayer requests. It has been great to have some of our mission partners join our online services, when they haven't been able to join us here in Newcastle. I hope we can build on this to strengthen links. Communication with some partners is easier than others: the challenge in the coming year will be to establish firmer links with all our partners.
Rachel Barkman-Astles April 2021
VINTAGE REPORT
It is a year ago since we served our last meal at Vintage . We celebrated Valentine's Day together with chocolate and roses and had great plans for a special Easter meal..sadly ..that was not to happen. But what greater message of love could we share than of that of our Great Shepherd in psalm 23. A letter of my testimony and copy of psalm 23 was sent to each of our guests to encourage them as they navigated the thought of lockdown.
At Easter we sent cards with a chocolate and Christmas card, chocolate and a light to burn to remember the 'light that came into the world' . These are practical outreaches but each of us as a team in our own way has prayed and chatted to people as we've felt lead to. This year hasn't brought much 'actual food' (except chocolate!) but I firmly believe has brought the introduction of
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'spiritual food' for our guests which hopefully having developed a foundation of love and friendship over the years at Vintage will allow it to satisfy hearts that are hungry.
When I was walking on the beach one day with Ruth a special Vintage team member I had the picture of a beautifully ripe apple being plucked from a tree...I believe this was a picture of Vintage as we knew it and that It had reached its time of ripeness.
We don't know as yet what the future holds for Vintage however the picture confirmed to me that my season for leading Vintage has come to an end. I could never have walked away from Vintage as I adored it but it seems my season is over. Therefore I have stepped down as leader.
We know that sometimes a seed has to fall to the ground to bare more fruit and I believe that God who has started a work in people's hearts WILL bring that work to completion by the power of his Holy Spirit. Vintage to date has been a powerful work and I'm sure that God will show his plans and purposes ahead for a new season when the time is perfect. Clare Green April 2021
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