## **St Michael and All Angels Bramhall Parish Church Annual Report from the PCC for 2022** **Accounts for 2022** **Prepared for approval at** The Annual Parochial Church Meeting **Sunday 14 May 2023 at 11.30 a.m. in the Parish Centre** ## **St Michael & All Angels Parish Church COMMUNITY | INCLUSION | DISCIPLESHIP** St Michael and All Angels Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC also has responsibility for maintaining the site and buildings that comprise St Michael and All Angels Church and Parish Centre, together with the land and grounds of the church and all other properties owned by the PCC. The Parochial Church Council of St Michael and All Angels Bramhall is registered with the Charity Commissioners (Registration No.) 1133883 ## **2022** **Incumbent** : The Reverend Calum Piper **Parish Office** : St Michael’s Parish Centre St Michael’s Avenue Bramhall Stockport SK7 2PG **Bankers** : National Westminster Bank HSBC **Independent Examiner** : Mr Stephen Burt 3 Hobart Close Bramhall Stockport SK7 1NW **Charity Number:** 1133883 **Website** www.bramhall.church **Front Cover Image** Ladybrook Valley District St Georges Day Scout Parade enroute to St Michael’s ## **Vicar’s Introduction** 2022 broke with the tradition of recent years and the more familiar routine of the year reappeared without the ongoing interruptions of lockdowns and social distancing due to Coronavirus. Covid was still active throughout the world and in our local community, but this report is testament to way our small community has adapted, overcome and found new ways of being and doing church together. When people look back on 2022 it will most likely be remembered as the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, the first of its kind, with celebrations taking place across the nation and throughout the commonwealth. It will also be remembered for the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the proclamation of a new reign beginning with that of King Charles III. Both events were marked at St Michaels, with a service of Thanksgiving and Tea Party for the Jubilee, and then an ecumenical service of thanksgiving for the life of HM The Queen being held the day before her funeral. More locally, it was a delight to welcome numerous individuals for baptism with 7 people being confirmed by the Bishop of Stockport and playing host to numerous weddings. 2022 also marked 5 years since I first arrived at St Michaels as Interim Minister, knowing little of what would lay ahead. This report shows how the family of St Michaels continues to seek to be faithful to God in worship and in witness and how we continue to strive to put being a community at the heart of all that we do. For me, I think 2022 was probably a harder year in terms of ministry and community life than the Coronavirus years, due to the pressures of normal life resuming fully, needing to recover a sense of ‘normalness’ despite so much now being different, and the sad loss of a number of our community who were called home by the Lord. With our new vision strategy developing towards the end of the year, followed by a really encouraging Christmas I am excited for what lies ahead in our life together as God’s people in Bramhall. I continue to be thankful for the work of so many people at St Michaels who make our life together possible but want to offer special thanks to Julie Sweeting and Sue Howgego as churchwardens, Mark Hackney, John Baker, Jo Oughton, Tricia Munn and Alex Walker on the ministry team, Jenny Gallimore leading our children’s ministry and Janet Blackshow as the Parish Administrator. The support of the PCC, its committees and the Safeguarding Team continue to be a source of encouragement and strength and I am looking forwards to all that lies ahead in 2023. _Revd Calum Piper_ 2 ## **Churchwardens’ Message** 2022 has seen several staff changes. We were delighted to welcome Alexandria Walker as Organist, and later as Director of Music. After almost 18 months in the role Connie Lane resigned as Children and Families Worker in December 2022, and has been replaced by Jenny Gallimore in January 2023 as our Children’s Worker. A new Finance team has been established. We want to thank all those retiring, Treasurer Graham Knight and bookkeeper Ann Walker, for the seamless handover and the training they provided. After several months of delay we received our Quinquennial Report on the state of our buildings. Our first priority will be to mend the vestry roof which is leaking. More detail can be found later in the report on the overall condition of our buildings and contents. Groups continue to return to St Michaels after the pandemic restrictions and have expanded our church family activities. We have also had new hirers for the Parish Centre – Friday Pilates is one example – as well as an increase in parties and a couple of wedding receptions too. More recently Life groups have been set up and it has been good to see them being supported. We want to thank all who have responded to the request for more volunteers for the various activities, including the Follow the Yellow Brick Road Festival. All help is gratefully received and some projects could not be undertaken without you. Recently, due to our Administrator’s illness, we have covered office duties for two months. This has impacted on our normal duties, but we hope to be back to full strength after the Festival. Our report would not be complete without our thanks to Calum for all that he does. He continues to generate new ideas and inspire with our services of worship. We are very fortunate to have such a dynamic vicar. _Sue Howgego & Julie Sweeting Churchwardens_ **Churchwardens with the Archdeacon of Macclesfield** 4 ## **Review of the Church’s Year 2022** ## People We were delighted to welcome Alexandria Walker as Organist in the spring, and later in the year she was appointed as Director of Music. Jo Oughton was recommended for training for ordination at Emmanuel College, and has been placed at St Michael’s for the three years of her training, so joining the ministry team. A new Finance team has been established, with Rob Watson as Treasurer, assisted by Julie Bamber and Elizabeth Beveridge. In December we said farewell to Connie Lane, who had been our first Children and Families Worker. Jenny Gallimore was appointed as a new Children’s Worker from January 2023. The year saw the sad loss of several members of the congregation. Among those who died and will be sorely missed were Marina Bennett, Edna Bentley, Max Longton, Nan Margeson, Robert Robinson, Jackie Smith, Dianne Whitehead and Joanna Yeates. ## Worship Our worship life remained committed to ensuring that there was a range of worship styles and to making the worship of God as accessible as possible to all. Three services were offered on Sundays, at 8.00 a.m., 10.00 a.m. and 6.30 p.m., along with a Wednesday morning service at 10.30 a.m. The 10.00 a.m. service is live-streamed when possible to allow people at home to join in. Since the appointment of Alex Walker as organist, music for morning services has been provided on the organ, while the 6.30 Sunday service continues to use recorded music. A choir, St Michael’s Voices, has been re-established under the leadership of our Director of Music, and sang for the service of Lessons and Carols before Christmas. Easter Sunday attendance was 262, with 195 communicants, a very significant increase from 152 in 2021 when the service had to be held outside. A survey of attendance over all services in October showed an average weekly attendance of 154, with an average Sunday attendance of 132, including children. Advent attendance was 1247, including 705 attending school carol services. On Christmas Eve two Christingle services were held, with a total attendance of 656. There were 156 communicants overall at the Christmas Midnight Communion and the morning Christmas Day service, a small increase on the 2021 figure. _T_ he illuminated JOY artwork outside the east wall of the church was once again admired as a way of focusing attention for passers-by during Advent and Christmas. A further art installation of HOPE was created for Easter, and was appreciated both by churchgoers and by passers-by. Over the year there were thirteen baptisms, five weddings, twenty-two funerals in church, fourteen funeral services at the crematorium, and seven burials of ashes or simple committals. 5 In 2022 the Flower Club slowly returned to a more normal programme, with Mothering Sunday being the first major event for them. At Easter lilies were arranged in memory of a large number of people. Flowers were arranged for six weddings, for the Dedication, Patronal and Harvest Festivals, and finally for Christmas. On Dedication Sunday the Flower Club celebrated its 50th anniversary. Each week now there are flowers at both Altars, given by the flower club members unless they are in memory; these are paid for by whoever has requested them. Under the leadership of Head Server Phil Wadsworth the Serving Team continued with its usual activities throughout the year. They were delighted to welcome three new Servers and the return of another who moved back into the area after some years elsewhere. Additional members of the team are always welcome. Those who look after the silver and altar linen have continued to be fully active when possible. A collection of food and toiletry items continued to be made during 2022 and was donated to Chelwood Food Bank in Stockport. The congregation continues to give generously. ## _Testimonies: My Church Story – Alexandria Walker_ _I first joined St. Michael’s when my then 5-year old came home from school and announced he wanted to be a Christian. I Google searched a church that was family friendly and noticed there was also a vacancy for a church organist. I searched the vacancies section because I wanted a church that had a vicar and was well-staffed. Before attending a service I turned up unannounced on a Monday morning and was greeted by three lovely gardeners, who I now know to be the two church wardens and a member of the congregation. They introduced me to Calum and were delighted to learn I could play the organ. Immediately I felt welcomed and wanted to be a part of the community. I could write a full essay about all the ways this wonderful church has welcomed me as part of the family but my favourites are forming a festival choir, meeting so many wonderful people who are now godparents to my son and people I now call my friends, being part of the annual festival as a guide and not only playing the organ each Sunday but also being with the congregation who I love talking with, having coffee with and belonging with. Joining St. Michael’s has changed my life in so many ways and I am so grateful God called my son and brought me along for the ride._ ## _My Church Story – Abel Walker_ _I joined church because I wanted to be a Christian because I had been learning about it at school. When I joined I thought it was really good. I like playing in the children’s area and I like Buds because it’s fun and we get to play games and hear stories from the bible. We also do prayers. I have made some friends at church and we have fun talking about Minecraft. I got baptized in July and I enjoyed that, it was nice, not too cold and not too warm. I really like Calum, Fist Bump Dave and Jo, my Godparents. I met them at the church. The church is a friendly place and when I am there, I feel happy and I feel safe._ ## _– My Church Story Leah Bridgeman_ _I started going to church because my little brother Abel showed an interest after being taught about all the different religions in school, and I needed to look after him after my mum started to play the organ. Now I volunteer to help out serving tea and coffee in the kitchen, sing in the choir, join in with Jenny’s Buds sessions and get to speak with all the people who attend St Michael’s. I love helping out whilst also being able to talk to so many people who I would have never normally met. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming; I feel like I have become a part of the community. It’s a place where I can really just be myself and take my mind off of the stress of school and relax in a comfortable environment._ 6 ## Discipleship During Lent in 2022 the Vicar led two study groups, each focusing on the book _Embracing_ Justice by Isabelle Hamley. Autumn 2022 saw the establishment of new Life Groups, with the intention within the groups of sharing life and faith, and encouraging one another. Four new groups were started, including one for those under 40, and three already established groups were subsumed, including the weekly Bible study group led by Calum. The Library, based in the Lounge, has continued to resource the congregation. Dorothy Wright has taken over responsibility for the Library. ## _Testimony from Bob Munn_ _At the end of 2022 I stepped down after 14 years chairing the Chester Diocesan Advisory Committee. This advises the Chancellor of the Diocese on whether to grant a faculty, which is the legal authority for changes to church buildings, interiors and churchyards. My predecessor was a clergyman and my successor is a cathedral architect, so what was I able to bring to the role? Looking back, I think my experience of chairing meetings of academics who all knew more than me helped, but when I was recruited (by Richard Gillings, former Vicar of St Michael’s and Archdeacon of Macclesfield), my only experience of the DAC was applying for a faculty for the blue chairs in church. The DAC recommended it, but they also suggested that, from the photos attached, we should consider renovating the floor. This taught me that the DAC advises parishes constructively as well as advising the Chancellor. At St Michael’s we have an attractive, well-maintained and accessible church, complemented by the Parish Centre with its toilets, kitchen and meeting spaces that many parishes still lack. We have always been well served by willing and capable people who respect rules and regulations and keep our affairs in good order, so I found I could often draw on my experience in Bramhall as a point of reference for what is possible. It has been a privilege to visit many parishes across the Diocese, to learn how they seek to maintain and enhance their buildings as places of worship and mission – in many cases despite scarce resources – and to help them find the best way to meet their needs. I hope I have also been able to bring back some of what I have learned from them to benefit St Michael’s._ 7 ## Ministry to Younger Generations Connie Lane had been appointed as our Children & Families Worker in August 2021, with a mission to deepen and develop our relationships with the three primary schools in our parish; to resource the church in connecting with our established play groups with new talent, resources, and energy; and to establish a children’s ministry alongside our weekly worship, which would be a place where particularly young children feel safe, included and passionate about the love God has for them. During 2022 Active Angels opened up again; numbers were soon up to almost one hundred people attending every week. Active Angels attendees have also come to Experience Easter, the Easter holiday club and other Church events. A monthly “Buds” morning service was established and has proven to be successful, bringing together a regular group of about ten children who come to engage and worship together. The monthly all-age “Belong” service went through several changes in format during the year. At the end of the year Connie left her post, and Jenny Gallimore was appointed to replace her. ## Festival 2023 Towards the end of 2021 the group responsible for the Wonderland festival held a very belated de-brief, reliving the experience (what we could remember!! – the outbreak of Covid had put paid to any earlier debrief), and discussing whether or not we should consider a festival in 2023. The overall consensus was that we should do one last festival and so began the planning, under the leadership of Sue Taylor and Julie Sweeting. 2022 began, as with previous festivals, with monthly craft sessions; however it soon became clear that we would need much more than monthly meetings to achieve our goals. So began the seemingly endless painting of backdrops, planning of the Castle and numerous other craft activities. Many, many people have given of their time and talents. St Michael’s is blessed with creative people! The year drew to a close with a confidence that we could indeed look forward to another epic outreach. It will be for next year’s Annual report to detail ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’: suffice it to say that Julie and Sue would like to thank all who have been involved in the planning and hard graft throughout 2022. There has been much laughter, fun and a great sense of community. Here’s to 2023! 8 ## _The Mill_ The Mill is a registered charity started in the year 2000 by Churches Together. Its premises are at 42A Bramhall Lane South and it has two committed part-time youth workers, Ian and Sharon, plus several volunteers from the churches. The Mill can have up to seven trustees. Very sadly, Graham Perkin, a founding trustee, volunteer and passionate voice for young people, died in January. He was much loved by everyone and is deeply missed. During the year we said goodbye and thank you to two volunteers, Patsy and Irene, and welcomed Michelle as a regular Friday volunteer. The Mill is open after school on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday all year except Christmas and Easter. After the post-Covid reopening, the Mill was open on Saturdays too but very few young people came in the afternoons, and none in the evenings. We struggled to find a reason for this and maintained Saturdays until the end of the school summer term. Our Thursday and Friday sessions are very popular and attract mainly Year 6 students. They bustle in after school, full of enthusiasm for life, for table tennis and often for Ian's milkshakes! Our intention is to build upon this, and eventually reopen more sessions in the future. Contact has been made to primary schools and Sharon has now made a relationship with Christians in Schools, so that a future link with the High School can be made. Once a fortnight, the Mill is used by a local Down's Syndrome group, set up by Graham and his wife Carole many years ago. The carers appreciate the chance to chat with each other and the young people love the pool table, the gaming screens and the friendship. In November, in response to a national need, the Mill became a Warm Space each Saturday, for 5 months. The volunteer response from all the churches was wonderful and we continue to maintain the space despite it not being used much. The Mill has been fortunate to receive a local authority grant towards the fuel costs. Funding this year has been reliant on individual donors, for which we are very grateful, also on gifts from some of the local churches and on grants from the local authority. Each year, we do have to find extra funding for rent, utilities and wages. Anyone with skills involving applying for grants would be very welcome to come and help. Finally, but most importantly, without our volunteers the Mill cannot run. The trustees are very grateful for all the time and dedication the volunteers give to the Mill. Thank you all. ## _Schools_ The church continued to maintain good relationships with Moss Hey, Pownall Green, Valley and Ladybrook Primary Schools. Videos entitled “Church Explained”, created by Connie Lane and the Vicar, continued to be used in schools. An “Experience Easter” event planned for April for primary schools was sadly cancelled because of an outbreak of Covid. St Michael’s also had a presence in Bramhall High School in 2022 helping the Christians in Schools Trust to run a lunch club there. This didn’t resume in September 2022. 9 ## _St Michael’s Guides_ 4th Bramhall (St Michaels) Guides thoroughly enjoyed being back meeting face to face in 2022 after 18 months of Zoom meetings and the odd outdoor get together in between the various lockdowns. Sadly, there has been a trend within Girlguiding of diminishing numbers as girls dropped out of activities outside school, and we have also seen this at 4th Bramhall. The days of a full 24 girl unit seem a long time ago and we currently only have 8 girls with us. However, they are all lovely girls and get along well and they have a large say in our weekly meetings. We have a few younger girls looking to join us in September and it will be great to get back to double digits. In September we spent a night at Seven Springs in Disley where the girls did their own cooking as well as going for a long walk around Lyme Park. It was great to be outdoors again! ## _Brownies & Rainbows_ 4th Bramhall Brownies were 60 in 2022 and had a party, including Calum, to celebrate! In addition, they have kept busy with a variety of activities helping girls to develop communication, teamwork, leadership skills, etc. They have (without leaving the Hall), visited a variety of countries and learnt about their traditions, foods and crafts, and baked, crafted and enjoyed a warm evening walk to the chip shop! They have attended County events celebrating guiding and met with other units. They have also had relaxing nights watching the TV, have raised funds for children in need with a Read-a-Thon, and have made lots of noise whilst just having fun and playing games. 10 ## _4th Bramhall (St Michael’s) Scouts_ Membership of all sections in the Group (Beavers, Cubs and Scouts), increased in 2022 compared to the previous COVID-hit years 2020 and 2021. However, the Group is always looking to increased volunteer support for a number of areas. 2022 saw the return to near normality in terms of face-to-face meetings and programme provision. The Beavers have gained lots of badges this year and have played plenty of games both online and in the hall and outside. In Cubs, six Chief Scout Silver Badges have been awarded and over the past twelve months, 204 badges have been awarded to the Cubs, including Skills badges and activity badges for Naturalist, Entertainer, Home Help and Backwoods Cooking. Other activities have included sailing, walking, sports and St Georges Day Parade. Not many Scouts have moved to Explorers recently, so only one Chief Scout Gold Award has been awarded. More are being worked on, with every Scout given the opportunity to achieve this award. 173 badges have been awarded from Challenge Badges to activity badges such as Chef, Craft, Cyclist, Fundraising, Mechanic, Emergency Aid and Navigator. The Scouts undertook their Expedition badge walking from Poynton to Linnet Clough and back again the following day, offering one night away. St Michael’s hosted the district St George’s Day parade in 2022, and has also hosted the District awards evenings for Scout Leaders, Beavers and Cubs. ## Fellowship and Community 2022 saw continued fellowship within church activities and organisations. The monthly breakfast after the 8.00 Sunday service was revived, and a new Walking Group was planned. The Knit and Natter group re-opened, but was closed down because of reduced numbers. The Mothers’ Union, as a prayer-based organisation for women and men, is concerned with the welfare of families around the world. During the last year the branch held a successful Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea, at which friends and neighbours raised £400.00 for the diocesan Away From It All Holiday Fund which paid for caravan/seaside holidays for 19 families with economic or health needs. The MU is in a "soft" partnership with the Door of Hope Charity which sends Bags of Educational materials to poor and marginalised children in Eastern Europe. The Branch also supported the 16 days of Activism against Gender Violence in November – December. During the year some of the Arts and Crafts Experience (ACE) group sessions were shared with Follow the Yellow Brick Road activities, particularly as the year progressed. Members created felt birds and knitted mice and snakes, and some have knitted dozens of Teddy Bears for the Teddies for Tragedies charity. Other ACE meetings included a mixture of activities, including fun experimenting with acrylic pouring, creating our own stamps and using them on cards; mixed media hangings; recycling donated t-shirts and making a rag rug; creating hens for the Festival under the expert guidance of Vincent Burston, designing and starting a green pulpit fall, and printing photographs on fabric and then embroidering them. An outing to Gawthorpe Hall was also arranged, the first since lock-down! The Thank God It’s Monday (TGiM) group for men continued its Monday meetings. Reader Mark Hackney has been able to resume leading worship in four care homes in the community. 11 ## **Buildings and Grounds** (incorporating fabric and ornaments report) The churchwardens have carried out their annual inspection of the buildings, furniture and fittings of St Michael and All Angels, and have reported back to the PCC on their findings. During the year there have been a couple of new items purchased, namely a shed behind the kitchen for the storage of the artwork boards and a new water boiler in the kitchen. Remedial electrical works have also been undertaken and the chancel has had its lighting changed to LED bulbs. The kneelers had become a fire risk and parishioners were encouraged to take away any that were special to them. A handful has been kept for services for those that wish to use them. The Tanglewood bass guitar, bought many years ago and little used recently, was donated to Birchfield Primary school to help pupils who wish to develop their musical ability. The wooden chair that was located in the organ loft and in need of renovation has been given to an upholsterer; it is hoped that when it is sold, St Michael’s may receive a donation. The Quinquennial Inspection report was received in the later part of the year. This details any repair works needed, both major and minor. The first of these to be addressed will be leaks in the vestry roof. A bog garden has been recently dug out, with help from the Scouts. The continued support of those people who help keep the grounds looking so good is appreciated by the Wardens and the congregation alike. ## Health and Safety Weekly fire alarm zone tests for the Hall were carried out throughout the year, together with a monthly functional emergency lighting test for the Hall and an annual one-hour test to prove the lighting will function on the battery back-up system to enable safe evacuation. An annual inspection of the ladders and step ladders used by St. Michael’s personnel has been instituted and is now carried out in February. Following much discussion with regard to ingress of water via the underside of the basement door, a weather bar has been installed which has significantly reduced the amount of ingress. Unfortunately due to a very high water table we still get water coming down the coal chute. The Health & Safety Policy was reviewed and amended in February 2022 and approved by the PCC on 24 May; it has been agreed this will now be carried out annually. Because the access ladder to the Bell Tower has been condemned both by the HSE Officer and also those carrying out the Quinquennial Inspection (QI), neither the Bell or the Bell support have been inspected for some years; this has therefore caused concern. It has now been agreed that roped access will be made available this spring to the architect who carried out the QI, thus allowing an inspection to be carried out. The soffits and bargeboards associated with the Hall have been noted as requiring treatment; it is hoped this work will be carried out by a contractor in the spring; however any work necessary following the QI will have to take financial precedence. 12 ## **Safeguarding** During the year the Chester Diocese Past Cases Review 2 Summary Report has been published. The following is an excerpt from the introduction: _We are appalled and angry regarding some of the past safeguarding practice in Chester Diocese. We also recognise that despite our shared commitment to changing the culture and practice in our Diocese, we may still make mistakes or fall short of the expected standards. None of this is good enough and we are committed to learning from survivors and victims, from past cases and from independent reviews. We are intent upon establishing a healthier culture and a safer church and most of all, upon being more Christ-like in how we respond to victims and survivors and to those who are vulnerable._ We are committed to high standards of safeguarding practice at St Michael and All Angels. The Safeguarding team (Louise Sell, Sue Taylor, Sheila Collins) continue to meet regularly with Calum Piper and Churchwardens Julie Sweeting and Sue Howgego. The meetings are an opportunity to check that our systems and processes are fit for purpose, to review safeguarding elements of church policies and risk assessments, to discuss any formal and informal safeguarding concerns, and to respond to diocesan communication. Following the last elections to the PCC, the team collated evidence of enhanced DBS checks, Church of England safeguarding basic and foundation training, and domestic violence training. This took some time to complete for the whole PCC in 2022. A letter received in January 2023 from Bishop Julie, the diocesan safeguarding lead bishop, makes it clear that compliance with DBS checks and training remains a diocesan expectation. Training and DBS renewals for individuals will be due after three years. The team completed the 2022 safeguarding parish audit. Follow-up actions included ensuring that key individuals have access to the safeguarding handbook, proposing that the Parish Safeguarding Officer is a co-opted PCC member (if not elected), review of access to social media, publishing of photographs, and recommending adoption of the Church of England digital charter. During the year the team have contributed to the development of the sidespersons’ handbook, risk assessment for the Oz festival, Active Angels, and one-off events. They have provided advice to enhance safety around the parish centre and advice on the DBS and safeguarding training requirements for Life Group leaders. The team have discussed ways of ensuring a high level of safeguarding awareness throughout our church family. To this end, Sunday 2 July 2023 will be marked as “Safeguarding Sunday” at St Michael and All Angels. 13 ## **The PCC** ## Membership Members of the PCC either hold office _ex officio_ or are elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. A small number of members may also be co-opted. Elections to the PCC confer membership for one year, with a maximum service of six consecutive years, after which members must stand down for at least one year. During the year the following served as members of the PCC. ## _Ex-officio Members_ |**Clergy**|The Reverend Calum Piper|Vicar & Chairman| |---|---|---| |**Churchwardens**|Sue Howgego|| ||Julie Sweeting|from APCM 2022| ||David Walker
|to APCM 2022| |**Reader**|Mark Hackney|| |**Pastoral Worker**|John Baker|| |**Deanery Synod**|David Beveridge|| |**Representatives**|Bryan Goodwin|| ||Jo Oughton|| ||Phil Wadsworth|| |**Diocesan Synod**|Bob Munn|PCC Vice-Chairman| ## _Elected Members_ |Frances Beards||Phil Ketteringham|from APCM 2022| |---|---|---|---| |Imogen Bird|to APCM 2022|Graham Knight|to APCM 2022| |Glynis Brown|to APCM 2022|Andrea Millington|to APCM 2022| |Robert Cryer||Tricia Munn|PCC Secretary| |Georgina Foot|to APCM 2022|Sheila Newbon|| |Shelagh Gall|to APCM 2022|David Taylor|| |Sally Harwood||Susan Taylor|| |Michael Holmes||Stuart Villard|to APCM 2022| |Jill Illingworth||Ann Walker|from APCM 2022| |Janet Ketteringham|from APCM 2022|Rob Watson|PCC Treasurer| _Co-opted Member_ Connie Lane to 21 December 2022 14 ## Report The full PCC met six times during the year. The average level of attendance at meetings was 81%. Committees and working groups met between meetings, and reports of their deliberations and activities were received by the full PCC and discussed as necessary. During the year the PCC received reports and discussed, among other things, the lifting of Covid restrictions, the ending of a formal link with the diocese of Newala, building a better welcome for newcomers, and the seeking for a vision for St Michael’s as we would like it to be in 2030. ## Committees The PCC operates with two permanent committees, and with working groups set up to tackle any special projects or tasks. These committees and working groups meet and report as necessary to the PCC. ## _Standing Committee_ Membership: _Vicar, Churchwardens, PCC Vice-Chairman, PCC Secretary, PCC Treasurer_ This Committee is required by church law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. It met six times during 2022, primarily to set agendas for PCC meetings. ## _Finance and Buildings Committee_ Membership: _Bob Munn (Chairman), Vicar, Churchwardens, Rob Watson (PCC Treasurer), Hedley Smith (PCC Health, Safety & Environmental Officer), George Foot, Mike Holmes, Louise Sell, David Taylor, Ann Walker_ The overall aim of this committee is to provide and maintain the material and other resources needed to carry out God’s work at St. Michael’s. It is responsible for finance; care of buildings and grounds; health, safety and environmental issues; and personnel matters. It has powers delegated from the PCC to deal with smaller and more detailed matters, and it provides advice and makes recommendations to the PCC on more substantial ones, including the annual budget and reserves. It met five times during 2022. During the year we were pleased to welcome Rob Watson as the new PCC Treasurer and Ann Walker as a member. Key events during the year were the appointment of our new Treasurer and a new finance team, the increase in fuel prices and inflation, and the completion of the Quinquennial Inspection and receipt of the report. Details of these and other matters considered by the committee are given elsewhere in this report in the reports from the Treasurer, from the Wardens on Fabric and Ornaments, and from the Health, Safety and Environmental Officer. 15 ## _Newala – Bramhall Link Group_ By the beginning of 2022 the Link Group felt it had fulfilled one of its aims, which was to help complete the hostel in Mtwara, thus giving the diocese of Newala an income and enabling it to stand on its own feet to some extent. The group seemed to have become engaged simply in fundraising now, with little contact with Newala apart from through the services of Hamida Adkins. The terms of reference for the Newala Link group had included more than fundraising, but it had been proving very hard to build up the link in a broader way; people wanting to join the group were rarely to be seen and that was a weakness. Visits had been impossible in the pandemic and would be for the foreseeable future, and so warm relationships between people were difficult to even begin, now that direct contact had been lost with most of our earlier links. After considerable discussion it was agreed by the PCC to bring to an end our formal link with the diocese of Newala, while safeguarding future funding for the porridge and water tank projects we have long supported. A Thanksgiving Service was held on 7 August for the Newala Link and its achievements over the eleven years or so it had been operating, including friendships, visits, training priests and lots of fundraising events for many different projects. A Fundraising group was then set up by the PCC which would continue to support Newala along with other local, national and international charities. ## _Eco Action Group_ _Membership: Hamida Adkins, Frances Beards, Glynis Brown, Robert Cryer, Doreen Donnan, George Foot, Shelagh Gall, Bryan Goodwin, Sue Howgego, Sheila Newbon, Calum Piper, Louise Richardson, Helen Russ, Phil Wadsworth (Chairperson)_ The PCC approved and adopted a number of eco-targets for 2022. Among those achieved were making a wildlife-friendly pond or marsh area / bog garden in the church grounds, observing Fairtrade Fortnight, running clothes swap events, holding workshops to demonstrate and encourage recycling and crafts skills, encouraging green journeys to church, asking as many of the congregation as were willing to do [various things] at home and in their daily lives, making two hedgehog ‘nests’ (or installing hedgehog boxes), making ‘nests’ for bees of solitary species, and planting summer-flowering bulbs. The target to reduce gross CO2 emissions from the St Michael’s site is currently awaiting 2022 data. The further target to install further bird boxes to bring our total to fifteen is not yet achieved. ## _Parish Development Group (Finance)_ **Membership:** _Louise Richardson (chair), Sue Taylor, Ann Walker, Rob Watson and Stuart Villard._ This group seeks to support the Parish’s mission and future strategies by identifying, bidding for and securing external sources of funding to support the Parish’s strategies for future development, by producing, organising and evaluating an annual programme of events and activities with the dual aim of generating income and importantly enhancing community outreach and social engagement with the Church and the wider parish, and by working with existing and potentially new church groups to co-ordinate all fund- raising activities across the church organisation, in order to reduce the possibility of event fatigue and duplication. The group had been unsuccessful in its bid for the Micah project during 2021: the group revisited this during 2022 and deferred making a further bid for the time being. The group welcomes new members with ideas and energy for future fundraising activities. Meetings are advertised in St Michael’s Today. 16 ## _Electoral Roll Report_ On 1 January 2022 Revision 2 of the Electoral Roll had a membership of 249, of which 183 members resided within the Parish and 66 were non-residents. Under the Church Representation Rules, the Electoral Roll for the Church is renewed every six years and must be revised each year for presentation at the Church’s APCM. Thus, Revision 3, for 2022-2023, started on 5 March 2022 and was completed on 7 May 2022. Required changes to the Electoral Roll were presented, as Amendment Lists, at each PCC meeting. During 2022 there were 6 Amendment Lists presented - 2 for Revision 2 and, 4 for Revision 3. Those changes comprised 12 additions, 12 removals and 7 changes to members’ contact details. The annual report for 2022 thus records the Electoral Roll, as at 31st December 2022, as having a membership of 249, of which 182 members reside within the parish boundary and 67 are nonresidents. Phil Ketteringham has continued to act as Electoral Roll Officer. ## _Vision 2030_ During 2022 the PCC spent a considerable time in three separate sessions working to draw together a vision for the church for seven years ahead. When completed it stated: ## _**In 2030 St Michael’s will be a church where:**_ - _**We proclaim our faith confidently**_ - _**We embrace a mixed ecology of worship**_ - _**Our membership is reflective of the wider Parish**_ - _**Our resources are used sustainably**_ - _**We serve our community actively**_ The working through of this vision will be a priority in the year 2023 and beyond. ## **Deanery Synod** The Synod met for two formal meetings in 2022. At the first meeting, held at St Michael’s in Bramhall in March, there was a presentation given by the Diocesan Environmental Forum. At the Synod in June, held at St Mary’s Cheadle, a proposal from the PCC of Heald Green was discussed relating to ministry in the Church of England. This was followed by a discussion around how different parishes are enabling pastoral care to take place. The autumn synod was not a formal meeting but a training event put on by the Diocesan Everyday Faith Team, and was held at St George’s, Poynton. 2022 saw the Diocesan Lay Conference take place in late March and the Clergy conference later in May. Towards the end of the year it was announced that Revd Rob Munro, Rural Dean and Rector of St Mary’s Cheadle had been appointed the new Bishop of Ebbsfleet. ## **Churches Together in Bramhall and Woodford** Churches Together in Bramhall and Woodford welcomed a number of new members in 2022, with new ministers arriving at Bramhall Baptist and Fords Lane. Calum was appointed as chair of Churches Together and St Michael’s hosted a civic service to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth; this was an ecumenical event. The usual Good Friday walks of witness and joint act of worship took place, with a congregation visibly larger than in 2021. 17 ## **Public Benefit** The Charity Commission requires charities to report on how their activities carried out their aims for the public benefit. In reporting, the PCC has had regard to the Commission’s guidance on public benefit. During 2022 many church activities which had been suspended temporarily due to the Covid pandemic were gradually resumed. ## _Worship_ Services are open to all, and the church is now open for private prayer and meditation on weekdays. Services have in the past been provided in local care homes and at Christmas in Bramall Hall Chapel. It is hoped to resume worship in care homes during 2023. ## _Occasional Offices_ The church is normally used for baptisms, weddings and funerals. During 2022 there were 13 baptisms, 5 weddings, 22 funerals in church, 14 funeral services at the crematorium, and 7 burials of ashes or other committals. ## _Education_ Contacts have been made with some local schools, and links are maintained with uniformed organisations. Learning about the Christian faith is fostered by sermons, by all-age services, by short study programmes, and by a variety of house groups, sometimes meeting digitally. Parties of local school children visit the church as part of their curriculum and are introduced to the building and the activities that go on in it. A local school sometimes borrows equipment. This work takes place in the context of our Strategy for Children and Young People. ## _Concerts_ The church building is available for booking by organizations that present concerts and book readings. There were 13 concerts held in church during 2022, along with 3 school carol concerts. ## _Pastoral Care_ In the past a team of volunteers has visited people in the parish who are ill or have been bereaved. Occasional lunches and short services were also provided for those who are visited and for care home residents. The clergy have visited and ministered to those in hospital or hospice. As Covid restrictions have been loosened during 2022 leading worship in local care homes has resumed. ## _Scouts and Guides_ St Michael’s sponsors the 4th Bramhall Scout Group and 4th Bramhall Guides and Brownies, each of which has a policy of open recruitment. The Scouts have their own premises, but the Guides meet in the Church Hall. Both organizations use the church grounds for outdoor activities such as games and cooking. ## _Active Angels_ Active Angels provides activities for pre-school children with their mothers or other carers. ## _Parish Centre_ The Parish Centre is available for hiring when not required for church use. It is often the venue for meetings of charities and other bodies, and various special events and parties. ## _Missions and charities_ The PCC gives to missions and charities from any surplus voluntary income. Missions and charities also benefit from funds raised by special collections and fund-raising activities. ## _Chelwood Food Bank_ A collection of food and toiletry items is made every week, normally at both morning services, and donated to this Food Bank in Stockport the following day. This collection continued throughout Covid restrictions. 18 ## **Giving to Missions and Charities** The Accounts for 2021 showed a deficit, and therefore the PCC was unable to make an allocation to missions and charities directly from its funds at its first meeting after the 2022 APCM. However, during 2 0 2 2 £10,000 was raised and sent to Newala, and additionally £750 was given by direct collections and sent to various charities. £1,360 was sent direct to the Children’s Society from the special collection boxes. Space in the Parish Centre was provided only on 7 occasions free of charge to other organizations; this meant foregoing £850 charged at normal hire rates. With a surplus of £3.6k at the end of 2022 the PCC will be able to make an allocation to missions and charities directly from its funds at its first meeting after the 2023 APCM. ## **Financial Review** During 2022, the finance team changed with the stepping down of Graham Knight as treasurer after 12 years of service, and St Michael’s built a new finance team to deal with the transactions and reporting of the funds associated with the running of the church and the support of Charities. Many thanks are due to Graham for his years of service and his patience during the handover. As we entered 2022, at the end of the various lockdowns and restrictions associated with the Covid 19 pandemic, the budget set was challenging in a period of uncertainty of a return to normal life and worship. The expected shortfall for 2022 period was £7,000. During 2022, further challenges were set due to the steep price rises for energy and inflationary pressures. Thanks to the generous donations of the congregation, cost control by the leadership team and hard work to maximise all opportunities, 2022 was closed with an actual surplus of **£3.6k** . In spite of the inflationary pressures above, the total expenditure was in line with the budget at £184.4k, but the donations exceeded expectations at £191k, which is £14k better than forecast. Some of the donations made during 2022 period were specifically made to support the energy and inflation costs increase, which really kick in during 2023, so those gifts have been carried forward into 2023, to contribute to the challenges arising. This means that we have an operating surplus for 2022 of **£3,600** , which is indeed good news. As we step into 2023, knowing that the cost challenges set in 2022 really begin to bite, we have set a budget which deals with significant inflationary cost increases, but we do know that the budget is signed off with a known shortfall of £17.7k. This situation shall be tackled in a similar way as 2022, but we are bold to be able to support the initiatives from the leadership team to grow the congregation and put our church at the heart of the Bramhall community. Thanks must go to all of the finance team, to Elizabeth Beveridge, to Ann Walker, Julie Bamber, the Church office and to the Church Wardens for their ongoing support. 19 Energy Footprint Results Carbon Footprint ossc02e￿￿(￿5IroITrSI 7 31.8 4JS NetC02 Emlssrfft5(Tonnes) ? 37.7 Weather Adjusted Energy Efficiency Net CO2 Percentile 0-10% 11>20% 21MO% Emissions/sq metre adjusted percentile band 0-10% 11>20% Church usage adjusted percentile band 0-10% 1[￿20% 60-717% 7MI 8HIY% 9￿* 60-71r 70-80% S￿70* 80-9VA 90%+ Thethree barmtsabove ¥e *rteThled totr•*)￿a P￿e£￿(￿*￿eth￿1jwth1￿th *nks'a *tVor"a ofcarlM, takl Inro accountthe SVLeof the t￿1￿*"n8￿ ¢$ pattem cl 80-90% putsyou Sn the1(th Of(I￿r￿e$￿IththeSM￿esElc<1W¥rt a xNe0f9j%*ff￿￿5￿￿ we in ￿ I￿￿d￿jr￿Swlth1he largest frWnL buldlr Thethird fi8urehi8NWrts foxprirrt l*s rel&tNetocthrokn￿sc￿e￿tf* wito marypec*4E TAraymake dKI t￿1￿15 fw CO2emlssknrs pEr￿ ? 61.4 BRAMHALL ST ICHAELS THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND Diocese of Chester PARISH CHURCH OF BRAMTriAIL COMMUNITY INCLUSION DIScI￿ESHIP 20 The Parochial Church Council of st Michael & All Angels, Bramhall Financial Statements Year Ending 31 December 2022 Contents Page Independent Examiner's Report statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements 6-16 We hereby ￿rtify that the Financial Statements ft)r the year ending 31 DeceTnber 2022, as set out on pages 4 to 16, were approved at the Parochial Church Councll meeting held on 27th March 2023 Vicar Church Warden Church Warden The Parochial Church Council of St Michael & All Angels, Bramhall Financial Statements Year Ending 31 December 2022 Personal Notes Parochial Church Council of St Michael & All Angels, Bramhall li)de endeni Exainii)ei's Re orl to ihe ineinb¢LS of St Miclia 16,•90 16.090 Parochial Church Council of St Michael & All Angels, Bramhall Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ending 31 December 2022 4 Staff Cost$ 2022 2021 E¥tr*ed from Resol￿5 Used Isee Note 31 Total stsff costs,. 25,061 21,719 Durlng the y￿rthe PCC pald ftr sethtts of an Organlst, 2 Parfsh Admln151rators, thildreR and Fatnll Worker 2nd a Verger. None ofthose emWoyed eèrned £40,000 or more per annum. The verger and The Chlldren and Familiesworker were a￿0 3 Members the PCC, the a9giegatÈ employment Costs of pcc ￿eMberS were £16,413. The Parish Administrator p95t 15 è Job Share S Flxed Assets for Use by the PCC Tanylble Foxtd Assets Freehold Land & Bulldlngs Dpw115h par4sh ctose CeEltre ChaSrs Equlpment Total Gross Book Value At IsLJanuary 2022 225,IAO 167,624 55,136 93,043 540,803 Addibons OL%posals &antsl LN)naUons In } Losson Dtsposal Galn l Loss on Revaluation Af 31st Decemb¥ 2022 167 624 Depreclatlon At Istjanuary 2022 27.605 49,830 78,511 155,946 Charge fortheyear 3,353 3,031 5,140 IL.524 Dlsry>sals 315t Ejecember 2022 riet Mook Valuè At 1st ￿nUary 2022 140 019 384 857 At 31st L)ecemtÉr 2022 13 225 OLKI ￿666 373 333 Parochial Church Council of St Michael & All Angels, Bramhall Notes to the Financial Statements Year Endlng 31 December 2022 6 Analysis of Net Assets by Fund Unfeslrlttr Funds Rertrftted Fund5 Total Fund5 2022 2021 Fixed ￿Sets Current Assets Current ￿8￿lItIeS 373,333 192,142 -32,208 373,333 291,283 -32,308 384,B57 306,117 -13,709 99,141 533 267 677 265 7a Debtors 2022 2021 Income Tax Recoverable Jndry t)ebt0￿ and Prepayments 6,249 6,135 5,787 4,189 7b Investments 2022 2021 Market Value 1st January ReValua￿on gain / loss Market Value at 315t DKember 134,867 -20,082 114,785 116,284 18,583 134 867 8 Liabilities: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year 2022 2021 s￿dry Credit(Ks and Accrua15 32.208 13.709 12 Parochial Church Council of St Michael & All Angels, Bramhall Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ending 31 December 2022 9 Funds Restricted Funds Movement in the Year Balance tst January 2022 Balance 31st Deomber 2022 Income Expendlture Churth Textlles 1,658 1.658 Flowèr Club 535 2,393 2,335 593 Newala Fund 13,947 1,388 10,911 4,424 Mlcah ProJ¢ct I07,776 15,409 92,466 Total Restrlrted Funds 123 916 Church Tethles Fund I known ￿ the Fund unbl l Jall￿ary 20051 was Started In 1993. During 2006 thg. sè.rv&.￿ Rob?. Fijnd l also started in 19931 was combined with the Church Textile5 Fund. The object of the fund 15 to [￿0vIde for U)e repair and repjacement of Cliurth Textiles & Servers Robes. The obprt rf the Fkhwer Fundls to promde for fliyal decorauons within the thurth The Newzla Fund was started In 2010, the object of the fund 15 to provlde monies for the devebpment of a partnwshlp Ilnk %￿th the ne%vly fonned diwese of Newala Tanzania. The Micah ProieLt vtss started In 2020, the ￿]ett of the fijnd is lo provide MOTr￿5 ￿ the develotTheTrt of the thu￿h, Induding en)ploVm￿t of additional stsff members Unrestricted Funds Movement in the Year Balance Jst January 2022 Remgnlsed Balat7ce 31st December 2022 Galns I Loss Income Expenditure General Funds 553,349 186,856 186,856 -20,082 533,267 553 349 186 186 856 267 Total Funds 677,265 190,736 215,511 -20,082 632,408 The General Fund 15 avallaUe for pct ordinary purposes. 13 Parochial Church Council of St Michael & All Angels, Bramhall Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ending 31 December 2022 10 Missionary and Charitable Giving Z022 Z021 Funded by Special Collertions The Children¥ Society 1,321 1.068 Toilet Twiming 45 991 Det UkrakneAppeal 460 Glve Hope 136 CAP 82 2,044 As Newala Accounts Hostel Water Harvesbng Propct School Porridge Incinerator Medldne- Athon MedeorJ 5,500 2,500 1,500 258 1,000 2,500 1,500 Total a5 Pago 9 12,802 10,059 To Be Allocated by New PCC 6,7B4 Amounts sent DlreLt The Chlldren's Soclety Chiklren Soclety Boxes 600 Total sent Dirert 600 Total The sum allocated to Mlsslon and Charftles from any surplus In any yearls pald out to mLsslons and charltles agreed by the PCC In the subsequeiit year On￿ Ihe eccounts are approved During 2022 The Church or Rooms were provKled on a FOC basls on 7 cKcasSons whlch resulted In a donatloTr DI 1 838 If charged at Dur nomial hlllng rate. Dufing 2021 The Church or RoDm5 were pn)vWed on a FOC b￿515 on 2 Occaslo￿ whlch resulted In a donatlon of £ 80 Ir charged at our normal hlrlng rate. 14 Parochial Church Council of St Michael & All Angels, Bramhall Notes to the Flnanclal Statements Year Endlng 31 December 2022 11 Payments to PCC Members Fxpen5es pald to Ihe cler9y tnay Conta[￿ a 5m&l element wNch relat￿ to Iheir Funrtlon as a PCC Member No other paymenls were mède to PCC memL*rs apart froTn statrcosts whlch are Ilsc105& uMer note 4 12 Newala Project 2022 2021 Income DonatlDns Person?1 Planned GI￿ng sundry OonotlOn5 Memory of K FÈnYAtk 780 I,￿D 10.666 780 12,446 Events Lent sO￿P lunth Qulz Open Garden ant Sale Produce Sale-veo Produce S?le- Marma￿de 3LK) 701 969 449 173 L26 113 413 2,418 Gift Ald Recovered on Planned GwiD9 GIftAid Recovered on other Donabons 195 470 1,486 Expend5ture Pro3eLts Hostel Water Schod Porridge Attion Medeor- Medlcl IncI￿rat¢r 5,500 2.500 1,500 1,000 258 1,500 10,758 8,000 (harges 153 38 Balance at IstJEnuary 13,947 5,165 8alante at 315t Detanber Parochial Church Council of St Michael & All Angels, Bramhall Notes to the Financial Stttements Year Ending 31 December 2022 13 Mlcah Projaii 2022 2021 Income Donations 2D,000 Xntprest 99 Transferfrom PCC 99 Expendlture Printing & Photocopylng Publicity & Display Materlhls statlonery Capital Item5<£1000 Phon& Postag* Softwaie, etc. 112 555 516 Employment Cost 14093 15 09 Balan￿ at Istjanuary 107,776 95,501 Balance at 31st DeceM1￿r 92N66 107 YY6