ANNUAL REPORT STOKE ST MICHAEL'S COVENTRLI 2023 CONTENTS Aims and Purposes Objectives and Activities Achievements and Performance Reports Account Summary I AIMS AND PURPOSES Stoke. St Michael's Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the Rector in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral. social and ecumenical. It has maintenance responsibilities for the churches and church centres at Stoke, St Michael's OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES As a PCC we subscribe to the threefold Diocesan commitment to worship God, make disciples and transform our communities. The parish seeks, in its own understanding of this vision, to inspire people to be alive to Christ's presence, to worship God and to serve the diverse community of Stoke and Wyken. In particular, we rry to enable ordinary people ro live out their faith as part of our parish community through.._ Worship and prayer - learning about the gospel and the love of Jesus Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish Mission and outreach to people living in the parish and beyond To facilitate this work we seek to maintain the fabric of the churches, church centre, and a worshipping presence in several local schools, in addition to this the church is committed to staffing missional projects across the city including, Street Pastors, Carriers of Hope, Clothing Coventry and Coventry Foodbank. 3. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE 3.1 Electoral Roll 2022123 The total number of people on the Elettoral Roll is currently 127. The changes since the last report are that 15 people have been added and 4 people have been removed. There are 53 living in the parish of Stoke St. Michael's, and 74 live outside. Malcolm Vanston-Rumney, Electoral Roll Officer 3.2 Attenddnce dt Services The average weekly worshipping attendance in October 2023 was as follows: Adults 90 Children 8 3.3 Diqitdl Enqdqement This year we continue to use our digital platforms as a way of promoting what we do and social interaction with our congregation and community. We continue to live stream our services on Facebook. Website J2n-June 2023 Overall Page Views 3,269 Users 1,018 Facebook Current page likes 721 an increase of 88 over the year. Yearly Organic Reach 14.4k 18.2% increase) Our top posts were:. Christingle and Crib service 2,484 Chri5tma5 Fayre 1,953 Annual Carol Service 1,554 3.4 WORSHIP AND PRALJER On Sundays, the following services take place.. yi 8.00am Said Eucharist 9.30am All Age Worship I I.00am Sung Eucharist During the week, the following service takes place.. Wednesday l 0.00 am Said Communion Our worship is predomin2nrly Euch2risric but our 9.30 is 3112ge worship where we have communion once a monch. All worship, priestly and pastoral work is supported by a strong team of Readers and our Curate. Once 2 month our Mother's Union group meet in the centre for worship and fellowship. Occasional Offices last year included... Weddings I Baptisms 8 Funerals 38 4. REPORTS l )I'(f11 Rector's Report Once again we have had the most amazing year together. as our church has come back to life in its fullest since Covid. Ic continues to be a real privilege co be your Rector ac Stoke, St Michael's. It has been lovely co welcome some new faces into our congregation, this year, watch our children grow and continue to be a place of peace and tranquility for all who pass through our doors. I could not lead such a thriving church without the help of all of our volunteers who week in week out play their own part, whether that be cleaning our church, singing in our choir, being a member of our PCC, leading worship, welcoming people each week, keeping people safe. counting our pennies, ringing our bells. loving the kids at Mikes Tikes, decorating our church or being part of the social committee. A massive thank you. could not help but mention and give great gratitude to our five Readers, Janet, Ann. Sue. Chris and Suzanne who have their own unique ministries, its joy to work alongside you all. The hard work of our three churchwardens, Chris, Jim and Neal. Our talenred musical director. Linda and our superb administrator Lynda. Finally I need to give acknowledgment to our wonderful curate Dan. who we sadly said goodbye to as he completed his placement with us. On a personal noce, chis has been probably been the hardest year of my life. the kindness. space. understanding and love that you have all given me. I will be eternally grateful for. That's the biggest thank you of the year! Love you all xxx Churchwdrdens Review 2023 The biggest challenge when trying to review a year in the life of a church if thac church is active, has a good membership and is the significant pillar within its community. is that it is difficult to know where to begin and just what to include. Thankfully that's just the challenge I face as I wrice this year in a review and l am heartily glad of it. Each year we have to report on something the Diocese refers to as Scatistics for Mission. Ic is. for want of a more simple summation, a fancy way of reporting on the 'class register, that is to say. we report back how many Souls have walked through our doors throughout the year at various times. As part of chat I collace the 'numbers' for each service and see how we're getting on. I'm pleased then, to confirm, as I did last year that our numbers conrinue to grow we 2re making more Chrisciansl A12s we still have a little work to go to get our family back ¢0 our pre-COIVD size but crucially we're moving in the right direction and that is something to celebrate. Indeed as I prepare to lisc out some of che highlights of the year, you'll see we did more lasc year than in 2022. 1 hope the coming year will be an equally exciting time for celebrating our faith. enjoying fellowship, proclaiming the gospel and making new believers.. So for 2023 we returned once again to Holy Island where our hearty pilgrims 'mudscapades' were enough for some of our number to grace the Covencry Diocese social media pages, if not for our piery but for our commitment co complete the Pilgrim's Walk in a variety of states! We introduced, in partnership with Clothing Coventry, a clorhing rail in The Centre to provide much needed support for those in need of clothing. As further community outreach we also partnered with the Community Green Growthers in turning our often water logged overtlow car parl otherwise known as The Centre lawn, into an allotment growing all manners of things. Our Social Commiccee returned with its firsc full year of events running two quizzes, a wonderfully enjoyable evening of Bingo, che best Afternoon Tea in Coventry, possibly the entire Midlands region, a Barn Dance which was both energetic and fun for all involved and an amazing Christmas Fayre chac raised over £2600 for che church. There was also support offered to help with flowers for special events and refreshments for such things as our Carol Service. We walked together in Holy Week, worshipping in The Round in readiness for an Easter celebration at both 6am and 10am. sandwiching in a wonderful breakf2St of sausage and bacon batches. For our younger generation we held a number of Messy Churches and other activities including a Light Party (with St Margaret's) and a Wildlife Hunt in our own churchyard The highlight of our May was the celebration of the Coronation of King Charles which saw a Coronation Peel rang by our commitced and talented bell ringers and a 'Big Lunch, for everyone else who came along. As a diocese we said goodbye co Bishop Christopher as he moved to take up the role of Dean of Windsor and closer to home we said goodbye to our tslented curate Dan and his lovely family as he moved on the embark in the next step of hi5 training. Finally, although I'm sure there will be plenty of other things I've missed. our Lunch Club has continued to grow, almost exponentially, throughout 2023 and into 2024 and whilst it is thoroughly hard worl we have a wonderful team of volunteers who are providing something I personally see as a vital service within our communiry. In closing, after reading back all the above I'm proud of what we h2ve done and what we have achieved in 2023. It felt like a real posicive year of growth. It should go withouc saying thac we owe a huge amount of debt to Rev Claire for all her hard work last year in what was an especially difficult year- thank you. we're looking forward to 20241 And of course thanks must also go to (in no particular order) Linda our musical director, Lynda our hard working Parish Administrator, our choir, our bell ringers, sidespeople, flower arrangers, those who help with coffee, chose who tidy the churchyard, for my part Jim my 'churchwardening' partner who is a pillar or wisdom and commitment and of course each and every one of you that makes Stoke St Michael's our home and its people our family. Let's have a wonderful 2024 folks! Blessings Chris. Fdbric Report 2022/23 The redecoration of the rear of the church above the kitchen area, is a project in progress awaiting a start date. The general condition of che Church is good, and a book exchange area has been introduced by the font. The Vestry refurb layout requires confirming with the various users and then we can move co to obtaining quotations for the work to start. The Community Centre continues to attract new voluntary groups and fees paying bookings. New users include Clothing Coventry and rhe NHS baby team. An exciting new project which has now been established next to the Centre is the gardener5 Growthers Team who are working really hard to provide an organic allotmenr. They would be very pleased to see new gardeners to help develop the range of produce. See notice sheet for dates throughout the coming Summer. The community payback team continue to do an amazing job each week maintaining the churchyard. We have several potholes in the drive and car park which have been filled. Music dnd St Michdel 5 There is little to report this year but our choir membership remains stsble and its singers h2ve served us f21thfully throughout 2nother year of the choir's long existence. It's good that Faith is able to join us for imporrant events, recurning from universicy. We have welcomed one new member, Ola who is joining us for occasional services as she undergoes her training. Notable events last year were King Ch2rles' coronation and we introduced a new anchem at our service marking this - 'Give me wings, by John Rutter. The choir also sang as usual at che service for All Souls and the annual carol service. We are currently working on a special piece of music for the Friday immediately before Holy Week which tells the story of the Israelites journey through the desert to the Promised Land and gives an opportunity to reflect on our personal journeys through Lent. For 2024 we are currently discussing a joint service with Mary Magdalene's choir to celebrate a significant anniversary of that church, a possible return visit to Stow on the Wold and perhaps taking part in 2 concert here with Myton choir- watch chis space! Linda Green. Director Children's dnd Fdrnilies Jesus said 'Let the little Children Come to Me, As Scoke St Michael's we are truly blessed with the children, young people and families who have come through our doors into church and cencre. 9..30am all-age service - our weekly café style service with story and crafts, singing 2nd dancing pr2ying and sharing has never ceased to amaze me with the depth of percepcion and knowledge and understanding from our young people. We have such fun. Young and old we worship and learn together, and this past year we have benefited from power-point skills of one of our teenagers! Once a month we seek to have an all-age service of Holy Communion and each Sunday we keep to a readinglcheme from the Sunday lectionary as appropriate. (weekly average of about 9-10 children). Recently we have started to make the craftlcolouring available for any children who attend the I I..00am service of Holy Communion. We must not forget che joy that they give to our church family too! At celebratory points in the year such as Pentecost, Christmas. Mothering Sunday and E2Ster we have had the pleasure of combined Services with the 9:30am and I 1:00am and sometimes 8:00am worshipping communities, bringing the church family as a whole together. It has been lovely to have children from Mikes Tikes attend too. On Good Friday and on a Thursday in 1/2 term in October 2nd February, wich the help of some great volunteers, we have held some very enjoyable sessions of Messyfvvild Messy Church involving crafts. games. story. song, food and fun in and around church and churchyard. In these sessions we have been blessed with regular church children, Mikes Tikes children and others coming together. In one session it wa5 like the Pied Piper of Hamelin had come co Sc Michael'sl Mikes Tikes has a dedicated team of volunteers we run a weekly pre-school playgroup where children from the community attend with their parentlgrandparentlcarer. This is weekly on a Thursday during cerm time. We have up co about 20 children. It has proved to be a time of followship and support for the parentslcarers as well as their children. This past year we have bought some fun new toys including wooden shop, vet'5 trolley, washing machine, train set. We have play time, sn2ck time and song time. Father Christmas never fails co visit at Chriscmas time and the Eascer Bunny does not forget too! 31 23 Both Mikes Tikes and our 9:30am All age service, have proved valuable resources and links for our baptlsm families. Here our baptism families have found a place of supporc and belonging. Schools visits - We are blessed in that our Rector takes an active role a Governor in two of our local schools (Stoke Primary and Ravensdale Prim2ry). We are blessed with school visits. This pasc Chriscmas hundreds of children and their families came into church for carol services, scratch nativity and even trying on vestments! We all very much enjoyed ourselves. Rev Claire and myself had the very unexpected pleasure of being part of Singing group along wich the vicar and 2 members of Sc Margarets church, to entertain the masses at the Christmas end of term festivicies at Stoke Primary. Children. young people, family, church and community coming together, and enjoying the pleasure of God's company, that is my dream. Building those life-giving, life-affirming links. l am so blessed and privileged that my ministry as a Reader has been moving in this direction and I have been given more responsibility for integrated children's work this past year. Suzanne Sapiano - Reader- Stoke St Michael's Church Mother s Union Mothers, Union is a worldwide community of both women and men, which began over 140 years ago, ( in modern time5 you no longer need to be a mother, married or a woman). An organisation that promotes and supports family life and aims to make a safer, fairer world for families, and encourages parent5 to develop the faith of their children, to maintain a worldwide fellowship of Chriscians united in prayer, worship and service and helps those whose family life has met with adversity. An organisation thac campaigns on social issues regarding families, women and children. Ic is acknowledged chat MU needs to continue co be relevanc in today's society where family structures take many forms. Here at St Michael's we usually meet on the first Thursday of each monch at 2.00 pm in che Church Centre, chere is a varied program, of speakers, discussions, a Christmas meal a summer afternoon tea and prayerful worship, a supportive and pleasant place for fellowship and easy conversacion. We have had some interesting speakers, a Romanian gipsy, a talk on the work of MU in Kapsabet. Kenya, Ball Hill clean up, and a solicitor from the Law Cencre. We have given financially to enable disadvantaged families to have a holiday, provided flowers given on Mothering Sunday and hosted a Diocesan MU meeting here at St Michael's. Please pray for the work of the Mothers. Union worldwide, and for our branch, as we meet together each month to worship God, enjoy each other's company and support each other at special times and times of illnes5 and sadness. Rev Claire is supportive, we appreciate the times she is able to join us. For more information contact, Janet Pocklington, (branch le2der) Bell Rinqinq The bell ringing activities ac St Michael's have thrived throughout the past year continuing to provide a very audible indication of various activities at the Church co those close enough within the local community co hear the bells. This is down to the dedication and commitment of the relatively few people who are the regular members of our band of ringers. Our prime focus remains ringing before the Sunday morning Eucharist and ensuring that there is ringing at other major Church festivals. There was not a single Sunday during the past year when we have not been able to meet this weekly commirmenr. There are also our weekly practices on a Wednesday evening that ensure we can undertake various aspects of teaching and training to ensure the continuing high standards of both the ringing heard as well its technical complexity that provides greater satisfaction and progress to those who partake in it. Ringing remains 2 public expectation for major national events. This year we had the joyous occasion of che Coronacion of King Charles111. The bells were rung at various times throughout this extended weekend in celebration of what was a firsc event of its kind in the ringing lifecime of all of those taking part here at Stoke. This is not the only more "social aspect" of ringing we underrake and explains why there may well be ringing ac times when there are no other activities in the Church. Quite a lot of this ringing is there to help consolidate learning by providing some extended extra practice time. As ringers we also like to have celebratory ringing. and take part in it, for major events in our own lives. Most notable this year was a full peal in honour of our tower captain Ray Sheasby's 60thanniversary of starting to learn bell ringing. As many of us ring and supporr ringing on 2 regular basis elsewhere wichin the local area. we are well known as a tower and one that is usually readily available to others for addicional practice time. Helping in ensuring a longer term future of ringing in general, we have regular gatherings of young ringers from across the Diocese for their special practices. All three of our youngsters, Noah, Oliver & Zack Poulton, are key members of chis activity and show the benefits they derive from being totally supported, together with the opportunities provided, by all our own very well experienced ringers. Noah & Zack both rang their first full peal in January this year although for various reasons it was at their great grandmocher tower of South Wigston in Leicester. this being a truly noteworthy achievement at cheir age chac also received good coverage within national ringing reportage. With all this posicive activity going on, then the negacive aspect to reporL is the gradual deterioration of the bell fittings themselves. A5 many of the band age this makes the physical aspects of ringing the bells more challenging and will eventually become a limiting factor in our ability to continue to manage the bells to the standards we sec ourselves. Looking forwards towards keeping our level of activity in succeeding years. and indeed for fucure generations, then we need to keep craining new ringers. This is far easier when the band is, as at present, in a strong state rather than when numbers are already below a critical mass. We are part of the wider community in Stoke, and we hope an activity that is well cherished, so would be keen to be part of any initiarives to get more local people involved as volunteers for the many diverse accivities here at Stoke, all of which would also welcome additional support. In common with all activities these days in church, voluntary or otherwise, then we are obliged to meet numerous requirements and regulacions that cover a diverse range of secular aspects of the modern world and chis encompasses, amongst others, the fields of Safeguarding, Health & Safety and GDPR. We as ringers have ensured compliance with the most recent recommendations on Safeguarding and an agreed implementacion for ringing specific matters. As ever the offer of educating the wider congregation is there should any other church group wish to include something about ringing, or bells in general, as parc of their programme. Equally, we are quite happy co see visitors on a Wednesday evening who have any interest in knowing more about us, especially anyone who has previously rung and now finds they have the cime to re-acquaint themselves with this service to the Church and absorbing pastime. We remain very grateful co Rev Claire, particularly with her very complimentary social media posts. and the rest of the Church for their interest and active support for our activities and ability to exercise our ski115 Wlth little restriction. Andrew Alldrick on behalf of Stoke St Michael's Bell Ringers J( Sdfequdrdinq Here at Stoke St Michael's (SSM) we seek to ensure we creace a safe culture and environment for all who worship and visic both our Church and Church Centre. I thank Flev Claire, Rev Dan and our PCC for all their support since I was appointed to the role of Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) in April 2023 Safeguarding in the Church of England has had a high profile in the media during 2023 due to safeguarding investig2tions in other Dioceses that were extensively reported on social media and in the press. Professor Alexis Jay was appoinced by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in 2023 co report on how the Church should structure its safeguarding systems. the focus being on how to achieve a safeguarding body that was independent of che Church. Professor Jay published her report at the beginning of Feb 2024 commenting that the challenge to us all is how our safeguarding structures and processes reach the same standards throughout all the Dioceses. The report was di5CU5sed at General Synod on Feb 24th. Synod decided not to immediately adopt Professorjay's recommendation of creating two independent charities to carry ouc and scrutinise che Church's safeguarding work in favour of further consultation. 171 There have been a number of referrals to our safeguarding te2m at Diocesan level. They have supporced both myself and Rev Claire in the actions taken to both prevent and ensure safery for those in our midst. I have attended several training events with the diocesan safeguarding trainer via zoom including an induction session for new PSO'S 2nd an in person evening to meet the diocesan safeguarding team along with ocher PSO'S from around che diocese. My main task5 thi5 year have firstly been to raise 3W2reness of safeguarding within our parish. Rev Claire allowed me to speak at all three services on 19 November 2023. designated as Safeguarding Sunday. I shared what my role as PSO entails, what we currently have in place at SSM and what we are working towards achieving. I produced a quick reference guide to safeguarding at SSM which was handed out at the services and continues to be available at che back of church.There is also a folder at the back of church with a current copy of The Parish Safeguarding Handbook and details of the National Safeguarding Standards that the Church of England wants all parishes to achieve in its safeguarding work Secondly I keep our parish dashboard that reports to the diocese up to date. This system requires me to continually report our progress ensuring as a parish we are compliant with our national and diocesan policies and procedures. Currently our score is 8470 we are fully compliant in five areas and have accions still to complete in three areas. Areas I reporc on are: • Annu211y the PCC review, approve 2nd adopt required safeguarding policies and procedures. These documents and information are displayed in church as required Those in leadership positions both paid and voluntary confirm they understand their role in safeguarding Church leaders and volunteers complete mandatory craining renewable every 3 years - some training has stillto be completed Annually the PCC review and authorise each church activitylgroup e.g. choir, bell ringers, Mikes Tikes. Each activity requires a risk assessment that is reviewed annually. Where appropriace all DBS checks have been compleced. Since January 2024 all leaders and members of church groups are required to confirm they have read and followed section I l of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook entitled A Safe Environment and Activities- this is currently a work in progress Since January 2024 the PCC has authorised a lisc of non- church activities e.g. Slimming World, craft group. Kings Church etc. that take place in our church building5 and grounds. Groups now have to sign a hire agreement that includes 3 safeguarding 2ddendum The PCC receive and approve a safeguarding action planderived from the parish dashboard ac each PCC meeting. A safeguarding report is given to the APCM In conclusion l expect that SSM will receive a safeguarding audit in 2024 to see how we are performing parcicularly as it is likely that more changes are on the way that will determine how the Church of England will expect dioceses and parishes to manage safeguarding in 2024 and beyond Audrey Alldrick- Parish Safeguarding Officer Administrdtive Informdtion Name of Charlty. The Parochlal Chuirh Councll of the Ecclesiastlcal Pai'lsh of Caludon, Covencry Worlm investments 45 45 ChiiiLh activities 48,300 48.3 24207 Oihw. iThconic 2.053 2,053 1,921 TotAI Incomt 104,057 12,770 116.827 25fj,245 Exyendltur Cliiiiyh arliviti J36,301 12,770 149,071 125,J45 Raising fiinds 1,590 1,590 8,422 Total exppRditure 137.891 12,770 150,661 133,767 Net movemont In funtls for thE yCRr 133,834) {33.834) 12147 Th'Hnsfgrs betsyeen fu￿0% 15 N¢t mov¢in¢nt iii funds (33,834) (33,814} 121478 Flind% bKoiight foriv#rd 594,403 23 594,486 472.008 Funds rArrled forwanl 15 560,629 23 560.652 594.486 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OFTJIC ECCLL8lASTIC.AL PAiiISII OF.8TOI)i%iifTrn aLE dtoltiyilh ttSiEStI'icl¢d fimds. lllvestmcnt inoome DiYid¢nd5 ond iniere8t ale iccounlcd fol. Ivh¢i? Iro¢ivable. Tax recov￿￿ble01i siich income Is recogiiised in ili¢ aC￿lin¢l￿g yeai.. CAINS Anil losses iiiv¢tsthJent$ Ilc&liBed gains ltsss¢$ airiycognised ivlien inv¢simeiirs %iild. 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