ANNUAL REPORT 2022 PARISH OF SKETTY
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
ST PAUL’S SKETTY
HOLY TRINITY SKETTY PARK
ST PAUL’S PARISH CENTRE
PARISH OF SKETTY
DIOCESE OF SWANSEA AND
BRECON
CHURCH IN WALES
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ANNUAL REPORT 2022 PARISH OF SKETTY
CHARITY NUMBER 1133995 PARISH MISSION, VISION, AIMS AND GOALS
“The Parish of Sketty invites all to practise Christian faith, together serving God and our community by sharing the good news of Jesus”.
We seek to increase our knowledge and sharing of Christ, doing all in His name for His glory. We continue to build on established mission activities while being open to embracing new ideas and initiatives.
Within our Parish we aim to offer:
welcome, worship, prayer, fellowship, listening, caring, and teaching
whilst also obeying Christ’s command “to go out into the world” to share His Word and compassion.
The Annual Vestry Meeting will take place on
Thursday 7[th] April 2022 at 7:00pm online (Zoom link on Parish website),
Vicar’s Forward
Dear friends,
2021 has been another year of disruption which has not only impacted life in general but also our church life. As I write we seem to be coming out of it all though we are still a little way off from normal, whatever that may be now. All of our churches and parishes are leaving of his period of lock downs with many changes and we have all been left in a different place than we started the pandemic in 2019.
The past year was once again a year when we were stopped going to our Church buildings and one when many were not yet ready to return. We were however able to undertake much more than the previous year and we give thanks for that.
If we were legally allowed to open the church we did so. Thankfully many of you were able to take advantage of that thanks to the cleaning teams lead by Jane Watkeys, Jude Gilbody and Thelma Pike so the building was made safe for each service. For those who could not attend we live streamed our Sunday service and Sister Marian held zoom compline each night and even Thursday ‘Morning Prayer’ with Alan.
The Sunday School team also held zoom sessions and met under a portable shelter when the weather allowed and other groups met virtually or outside. The music group led by Noel played outdoor carols at the large community event and at our Church carpark Carol service. Thank you all.
A thank you also to Fran, Mike and Ken our treasurers and all who helped with the counting and banking. During 2020 and early 2021 we were restricted in the amount of work we could do in the graveyard. Clive, Ray, Roger, Steve and helpers have worked so hard to bring back the graveyard and grounds after such an enforced break. As a team we were able to continue throughout even the worst the pandemic could throw at us so a big thank you to you all.
We still have a number of groups such as Lunch club and Tot’s groups who were unable to restart over the year. We hope that this will all change before this year is out.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2022 PARISH OF SKETTY
Holy Trinity was not able to open as we had hoped but building repair work is due to be completed soon so we will be able to use the building for more than just the food bank. A concerted plan of outreach and mission is in place and we look forward to that.
The Parish Centre continued to be used as a vaccine centre for 6 months bringing thousands of people into our grounds. We had so many wonderful thanks and praise from those in our community for the local facility we were able to provide.
2022 will hopefully be the year when we get even more of the old normality back. Thank you all for your support and understanding during this difficult time. Joining worship, be it online or physically in church has never been such a performance, so thank you.
I hope and pray that we will be worshiping and praying together as we remember we did, as we put the pandemic behind us and move forward in Christ.
Every blessing to you all.
Vicar Robert
OUR PARISH AND CHURCHES
The Parish of Sketty is a Church in Wales Parish situated in the City of Swansea within the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon. Sketty is located about two miles to the west of Swansea and the Parish is made up of two churches.
St Paul’s Sketty, a traditionally built church in the centre of Sketty itself and Holy Trinity a multiuse church at the centre of the Sketty Park estate.
The Parish is part of the Clyne Trinity Ministry Area (MA) which includes three parishes, Killay, Sketty and Tycoch. Clyne Trinity is one of four MAs in the Deanery of Greater Gower.
The Vicarage and Parish Centre are located at St Paul’s Church, De la Beche Road, Sketty, Swansea SA2 9AR.
OUR SERVICES We offer a range of services. This has changed greatly due to reorganisation after the COVID pandemic. We now have a combined service at 10 am with Young Explorers (Sunday School) which starts a little earlier than the service at 9:30 am then ends by joining the main congregation in the church. Holy Trinity has not had services over the last two years but once the building work is completed early 2022 the building will fully reopen for hall use and some services.
PASTORAL CARE
Pastoral care and its associated ministries are central to our mission. As well as our ordained parish priest we have a dedicated team of lay workers specialising in a variety of areas. Prayer, spiritual direction, visiting and support at the major hinges in lives such as baptism, marriage, illness and funerals are all part of this ministry.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2022 PARISH OF SKETTY
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC) 2020-2021
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
Incumbent/Chairman Revd Robert Davies-Hannen Curate Rev. Sister Marian Thomas Vicar’s Warden: Jane Watkeys Vicar’s Sub Warden: Iris Jones Holy Trinity Church People’s Sub Warden: Clare Hazell Holy Trinity Church Licenced Lay Reader Alan Griffiths
PCC MEMBERS:
Elaine Gale, Eifion Frances, Fran Steadman, Andrea Gould, Philippa Nash, Karen Williams, Jane Watkeys, Iris Jones, Clare Hazel, Noel Isherwood, Jason Rudd & Wendy Thomas.
CLERGY
Rev. Robert Davies-Hannen Vicar
Rev. Sister Marian Thomas Curate
RELIGIOUS AND LAY MINISTERS (Ex Officio PCC):
Rev. Sister Marian Single Consecrated Life and Oblate (SCL),
Sister of the Society of the Sacred Cross (SSC)
Alan Griffiths Licenced Lay Reader.
EUCHARIST ASSISTANTS (HC - Home Communion):
Elaine Gale (HC), Clive Garrish, Sheila Green, Iris Jones (HC), Liz Jowett (HC), Ken Lewis (HC), Viv Lewis (HC), Alan Griffiths (HC); Biddy O’Kane, Janet Vine and Jane Watkeys.
SERVERS:
Jacob and Caleb Davies-Hannen
LICENSED LAY WORSHIP LEADERS:
Eifion Francis, Jill Francis, Andrea Gould, Iris Jones, Liz Jowett, Viv Lewis, and Wendy Thomas.
INTERCESSOR PRAYER LEADERS:
Liz Jowett, Joyce Phillips, Anne Penton and Karen Williams.
PARISH EMPLOYED STAFF:
Jayne Cooper Part time Parish Administrator Mark Davies Part time Parish Centre Cleaner
TREASURERS:
Fran Steadman Parish Consolidated and St Paul’s Church Kenneth Owens Holy Trinity Church L Michael Johns Parish Centre
PARISH WEB-SITE
www.parishofsketty.org.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2022 PARISH OF SKETTY
SERVICES AND CONTACTS
We extend a warm welcome to all to our services. Full details of which are: in our weekly newsletter, on the church door And on our website – www.parishofsketty.org
ST PAUL’S CHURCH:
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH:
9:30 am Young Explorers (finishes in the 10:00 am service) 10:00 am Family Communion
Currently no services
MIDWEEK EUCHARIST:
11am Wednesday St Paul’s Church
Our Church Services are complimented by these online services :-
Rev. Sister Marian holds a Zoom Compline each night at 6:00 pm
This is healing focused on a Sunday Night
Zoom Morning Prayer on a Thursday Morning.
Links are on the Parish Website www.parishofsketty.org
During normal times we have a range of mid-week activities, please see our website for more details. Or contact one of the following Parish Officers:
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ANNUAL REPORT 2022 PARISH OF SKETTY
Vicar and PCC Chairman Sister Marian Alan Griffiths Vicar’s Churchwardens PCC Secretary PCC Treasurer and Gift Aid Parish Centre Bookings Holy Trinity Church Bookings
| Rev Robert Davies-Hannen | 202757 |
|---|---|
| Curate & Religious SCL | 208724 |
| Lay Reader | 208269 |
| Jane Watkeys | 208203 |
| Wendy Thomas | |
| Fran Steadman | 413163 |
| Jayne Cooper | 208779 |
| Iris Jones | 201955 |
PARISH REPORTS
Many of our usual groups did not meet over the year or were severely restricted so the reports are brief.
PRAYER 2021:
We continue to have two prayer groups and a Parish Prayer circle.
Anne Penton leads a group in the Parish Centre on a Monday afternoon and at the same time Sr. Marian runs a group on zoom for those unable to go to the Parish Centre.
We are hoping to develop regular ‘Quiet times’ during the coming year as well as several ‘Retreats’. These will be led by Sr. Marian.
This is our Prayer Circle Prayer:
Father we pray for one another and all members of our parish, those whose needs are known to us and those known only to You. Father enfold and uphold us all in Your love, keep us safe through this pandemic and all difficulties as they arise.
Bless our prayer ministry to bring comfort, healing, and peace to those for whom we pray and those You love beyond our prayers Amen.
Anna Chaplaincy
On Sunday 23[rd] . January Sr. Marian was commissioned to be a Anna Chaplain and is in the process of developing this ministry in the parish with the help of many parishioners who themselves keep in touch with the elderly and frail in the parish. Theirs’ is a very valuable and vital ministry.
For information on the Anna Chaplaincy Ministry please visit their website at:
www.annachaplaincy.org.uk
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ANNUAL REPORT 2022 PARISH OF SKETTY
From the website we have this information:
Anna Chaplains are named after the widow, Anna, who appears with Simeon in Luke’s gospel; both are good role models of faithful older people.
Anna Chaplains are there for people of strong, little or no faith at all.
Our vision is to see an Anna Chaplain in every small- and medium-sized community in the country, and for the Anna Chaplain name to become synonymous with spiritual care for older people.
For information, please contact Rev. Sister Marian .
House Groups 2021
Only one of the house groups in Sketty managed to meet throughout 2021 mainly on Zoom (studying a range of topics with something for everyone.)
This group undertook a Lent study using the Bible Reading Fellowship Journeying through Lent with New Daylight and it proved to be such a joy to be able to meet on Zoom as a Bible study group after almost a year of isolation. The study covered Feasting and Fasting, the Sermon on the Mount right through to Luke 22-24: from Upper Room to Easter Day.
During the summer this group started to meet regularly in the Parish Centre and has continued to do so on a weekly basis. Following a few ad hoc sessions covering prayer and ministry an in-depth study of the Miracles of Jesus was started and continued into 2022.
One group has not been able to meet at all and the other met in the summer for a get together and also keep in touch with each other with prayer requests and support.
Hopefully these three groups will continue to meet to study, pray together and offer support and fellowship to each in 2022 . One of the studies for 2022 is Sharing the Easter Story by Sally Welch.
House Groups are open to all and meet at various times and venues so if something appeals to you let me or one of the house group leaders know – Alan Griffiths, Ken Lewis or Anne Penton.
House Group Co-ordinator
Liz Jowett
The Wattley Walks 2021
It was possible to meet a few times throughout 2021, although walks were restricted to being more local.
One hot summer’s evening we enjoyed a walk through Singleton Park and the University grounds and onto the beach where the younger members of our group enjoyed a cooling swim! The return walk took us thorough Brynmill Park – always a delight.
Another evening walk led us through the beautiful Clyne Country Park. It was a joy and ended with a drink in the Railway Inn with live music to help revive us.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2022 PARISH OF SKETTY
A Saturday morning walk through the beautiful Clyne Gardens and the western end of Clyne Country Park passing Keeper’s Cottage ended with coffee in Clyne Gardens followed by a meal together in the Woodman.
The fellowship on these walks is amazing and the friendships made and the absolute joy felt at God’s creation makes a huge impact on us all as we chat about faith, church and countryside matters. What a joy!
It is hoped to run the Wattley Walks again in 2022 using monthly Saturday mornings and some evening walks. The plan is to move along the south Gower from Limeslade to Rhosilli. North Gower will be tackled in 2023. Please check out the website www.parishofsketty.org or contact me for details. There is often a range of routes we can follow depending on the ability of the group on the night.
Liz Jowett (07968 231192)
Sharing Together 2021
The Sharing Together group met outdoors just a few times through the summer of 2021 on Wednesdays at 12:30 until 2:15pm. We made the most of the good weather to picnic together in the church field whilst offering support, friendship and encouragement to those attending. Any support and encouragement offered is always based on Christian values and in a very informal and friendly setting.
We were unable to offer a Lent study because of Covid restrictions.
The group met in the Parish Centre in October to put together 22 shoeboxes for the Operation Christmas Child appeal run by Samaritan’s Purse and the group wishes to thank those outside the group who contributed to this worthwhile appeal with toys, toiletries, wrapping paper and the shoeboxes themselves.
Christmas saw us able to meet in the Viv’s for a very enjoyable lunch with eight of us attending. Many thanks to the lovely staff there.
The group hopes to re-start meeting each Wednesday from mid-March 2022 and will continue for as long as people need the group and the Christian support and encouragement it provides.
Liz Jowett and Anita Stock
Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF) 2021
Regular Bible study is a fundamental part of being a Christian and regular study of the Bible is made easy and accessible through the publications provided by the Bible Reading Fellowship and available through our churches. These publications are produced three times a year in January, May and September and are available to order through me. Those currently available are New Daylight, Guidelines and Day by Day with God.
New Daylight provides an accessible, stimulating and relatively easy aid to spending time with God each day, learning more about the Christian faith and its relevance today, encouraging prayer and building that strong, resilient relationship with Jesus that helps through difficult times – it is pocket or handbag sized and, at a push, can be used without a Bible at your side, so is great for travelling wherever you go.
Guidelines offers Bible study for today’s ministry and mission and is a much more challenging theological experience. It is a unique Bible reading resource offering in-depth study drawing on the insights of current
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ANNUAL REPORT 2022 PARISH OF SKETTY
scholarship. Its intention is to enable all its readers to interpret and apply the biblical text with confidence in today’s world, while helping to equip church leaders as they meet the challenges of mission and disciple building. This could well be worth a try if you feel ready to move on from New Daylight to a deeper study of the Bible. You will need dedication, though, and a Bible close at hand for these studies.
Day by Day with God is written especially for women and can provide a source of immense inspiration and strength during difficult times as well as sharing pleasure and encouragement in times of joy! Again, this is really worth a try. Using the daily Bible reading notes from the Bible Reading Fellowship is an excellent way of keeping the focus of our lives on Jesus and building on our relationship with Him through daily reading, study and prayer. Please keep all those who write these notes for us in your prayers.
I thank you all for your continued support of BRF over the years and I hope that those of you who use these publications can recommend them to your friends throughout our Ministry Area churches, House Groups and those you know (friends or family) who are searching for the meaning of life, trying to understand how Christianity fits in with life today or just trying to find ways to draw closer to Jesus.
Liz Jowett (BRF Co-ordinator)
The Altar Flower Guild 2021
There is very little to report for this time of Covid. We have been able to arrange flowers at the altar (brought forward) and the memorial book as this has meant only one or two people in the church at the same time. The solution for festivals was to take flowers and containers to members to arrange in their own homes. That entailed extra work but was well worth it. This last Christmas we were able to work together in the church and had some very pleasing comments on the arrangements. The Singleton Botanical Gardens have again kindly allowed us to pick flowers for festivals.
The guild was asked to decorate the pulpit for a wedding but otherwise there have been no wedding requests. We have however done flowers for funerals. Should anyone wish to remember a loved one by donating flowers for the memorial book please contact Barbara Pyott. We would welcome more flower arrangers. It is planned to have a summer visit to Aberglasney. At the end of the financial year the guild was able to give £200 to the Food Bank.
Anita Stock, Chair person
Young Explorers (Sunday School)
Over the year a number of online Sunday School sessions were held with materials being posted to the children to make it as interactive as possible. Much work and preparation went into this with many Zoom meetings to arrange each one. Halfway through the year we were able to meet in person outside using an open sided events shelter to meet the best COVID regulations. We met at 9:30 finishing in the church service. As the weather got wetter and colder we met in the Parish Centre.
Thank you, Wendy and team.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2022 PARISH OF SKETTY
P CC
The PCC met online at first but as restrictions lifted we were able to meet in person with a simultaneous zoom link.
ECO Group
This group did a great deal of work over the year. We completed the installation of solar panels on the Parish Centre and the installation
of an orchard on the field. This involved the selection and installation of around 25 trees. To all of the Eco Group a special thankyou as not even a world wide pandemic could stop you
Parish Centre
During the Pandemic St Paul's Parish Centre was closed. However, from January 2021, for about 6 months, it was used for a Covid Vaccination Centre by Sketty Surgery, with Dr Chris Johns. This April, until November 2022, it is going to be used by Swansea Bay University Health Board for patients with Long Covid/Cronic Lung Disease.
The Parish Centre has approximately 22 regular groups such as National Trust Abertawe, Rainbows, Guides and Sketty Market. It also has about 10 Church Groups such as Open the Book, Sharing Together and a Thursday Prayer Group.
In March 2020 our Italian Conversation Group finished. In March 2021 Mothers Union decided to join the Killay branch and in August 2021 our Monday Keep Fit Class also finished. We now have a new booking from Gower Ornithological Society, they used us in November 2021 and have now requested further dates. Tango Essence has also been using us regularly since January 2022 for their dance classes, which has been a great help financially.
We are starting to get lots of enquires now for party bookings which is good and hopefully we will return back to normal soon. We are looking forward to our regular groups returning especially TOTS who will be re-starting back in September 2022.
Jayne Cooper (Centre Manager)
Open the book
This could not take place due to the necessary restriction on school access.
Lunch Club
The nature of our vulnerable member meant that we could not meet over the year.
MA Youth Club
Was not able to meet
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ANNUAL REPORT 2022 PARISH OF SKETTY
AGENDA for ANNUAL VESTRY MEETING
To be held at St. Paul’s Church Parish of Sketty (reg Charity no1133995) 7:00pm Thursday April 7[th] 2022
-
Welcome & Opening Prayer
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Apologies for absence
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Minutes of last vestry meeting
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Chairman’s Report
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Receipt of Annual Parish Report
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Wardens
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Election of P.C.C. 2022-2023
8. New Electoral Roll
- Appointment of Independent examiner
10.Treasurers report
- 11.Any other Annual Vestry Business (of which notice has been given and to which
the meeting consents)
- 12.End with the grace
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FIPIANCIAL STA7EMEbVTS & IhlDEPENDENfEXAMiP4EWs REPORTTO THE PAROCHIAL CIIURCH COUNaL OF THEPARSH OFSKEfTYSWANSEA I report as on IndependentE¥ominerfv the yeorended31 December2022 A% nrnber5 of the PCC you ore respon5iblefor the preporation of the (Icaftts ondAollowing quidancefrom the Church in Wales thot on Audit is not requiredAor this year undersettion (142) of the Chcritie5 Art2011 an Ifmlewthnt Examination 15 needed. It is my responsibility to.. excmine the occounts undersection 145 of the Ac¢. follow the procedures loid down in the Generol 01ctI$ glben by the Churity Cfynmlssloners (under Sertion 145(5J(bJof the 2011 Art. and state whether particular rn0tte have CLTh to my ottention. BASIS oylndependert Exarnlnerfs Report My exomination was corried out with refrrence to the Geneml Dlrertlons given by the Chorlty Commission. An exominotion includes o review of the ortountinq record5 kept by the Pansh ond o compari50n of the occounts presented with these record5. It otso include5 considerotion of any unusual Item5 or dclosu5 in the accounts. and seeking explonotionfrom the Parorhial Church Council, concerninq ony54Kh morrern The pr(Kedures undertaken do notprovide oll of the evidence that would Ir wuiftyd in on oudi¢ ond cMsequentfy. no opinion 1$ 9iien as to whether the t7ccounts present a ?rue cndlair ¥th¥" ond the repcvt is limited to those mottets set out in the statement below Independent Exomlnerfsstotemert Following my examination of the Parish record% rn matter has come to my attention: al which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any matefial respect the requlrements 11)to keep accountlng records in accordance wlth Sectlon 130 of the 2011 Act and lill to prepare accounts whbch accord with the accountin8 records and cornply wlth the requirements of the 2011 Act , have not been met: or b) to whkh, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of tl accounts to be rEadd. Signed Motthew Wulters FCC4 l Eliot Close. Killoy Swan5eo SA2 7DN Dote.. & s/,./J3