## The Parish of Mill End and Heronsgate ## with West Hyde # Reports for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting 2022 **Going Deeper into God Transforming Communities Making New Disciples** ## **CONTENTS** |Agendas|3| |---|---| |Minutes of Annual Parishioners’ Meeting 2021|4| |Minutes of Annual Parochial Church Meeting 2021|4| |Safeguarding Report and Policy|6| |Report of the Trustees and Accounts|7| |Financial Review|8| |Local Ministry Team|12| |Fabric Reports|13| |St Peter’s Committee|15| |Deanery Synod|15| |Pastoral Care Group|16| |Ministry in Schools|17| |Symeons|18| |Let’s Get Together|19| |The Tuesday Group|19| |Fusion|20| |Play and Praise|20| |Friendship Club|20| |Messy Church|20| |St Peter’s Choir|20| |PeterRock|21| |St Peter’s Girlguiding|21| |List of Members|23| |Space for Notes|24| 2 **Sunday 22[nd] May at 12noon** ## **Opening Prayers** ## **ANNUAL PARISHIONERS’ MEETING** ## **Agenda** **1. Apologies** **2. Minutes of the previous Meeting** **3. Election of the Clerk to the Vestry** **4. Election of the (Parish) Churchwardens** **5. Reports on the Parish Charities** ## **ANNUAL PAROCHIAL MEETING** ## **Agenda** **1. Minutes of the previous Meeting** **2. Reception and adoption of the revised Electoral Roll** **3. Annual Report on the financial affairs of the Parish, presentation of Accounts and their submission to the Independent Examiner** **4. Annual Report on the fabric, goods and ornaments of the churches** **5. Deanery Synod Report** **6. Election of lay representative to Deanery Synod** **7. Election of members of the Parochial Church Council** **8. Election of sides-persons (usually delegated to the church committees)** **9. Appointment of Independent Examiner** **10. Reports on Parish Organisations** **11. Any matters concerning the Parish** **12. Closing Prayers** 3 **THE ANNUAL PARISHIONERS’ MEETING & THE ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING SUNDAY 25 APRIL 2021 AT 1.00PM ON ZOOM** ## **Present** : Christine Bunce _,_ Andrew Case _,_ Sophie Channer, Elaine Dobbs, Alison Drury, Helen Ford _,_ Fr Sam Frampton (Chair) _,_ Frederick Frater, Joan Frater, Sally Funnell, Tony Funnell _,_ Dianne Harris _,_ George Hart, Christine Hart, Tony Humphreys _,_ Premi Mowll, Maggie Owen, Paul Palmer, Anne Peat _,_ Andrew Ross, Julie Shepherd, Rachel Smith, Alan Wills, Elizabeth Woods. The meeting commenced at 1:05pm with prayers led by Fr Sam Frampton. ## **MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISHIONERS MEETING 2021** 1. **Apologies** : Sui Palmer Cheung, John Clifford, Elizabeth Mowll, Anne Short. 2. **Minutes of the Previous Meeting:** Elaine Dobbs explained that some information might be missing from these minutes and those of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting because the recording of the meeting had expired before she had managed to write it all up. The minutes of the previous meeting of Sunday 20 September 2020 were proposed by Helen Ford; seconded by Christine Bunce and agreed by all. 3. **Election of the Clerk to the Vestry:** Sophie Channer agreed to continue in this role. Fr Sam thanked her for this. 4. **Election of the (Parish) Churchwardens** : Both churchwardens remain happy to continue in their roles. Premi Mowll was proposed by Phyllida Johnson, seconded by Sue Symonds. John Clifford was proposed by Alan Wills and seconded by Rachel Smith. All agreed. 5. **Reports on the Parish Charities** : This was deferred to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. The meeting closed at 1.11pm. ## **MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING 2021** The meeting commenced at 1.12pm 1. **Minutes of the previous Meeting:** These minutes were proposed by Anne Peat and seconded by Helen Ford and agreed unanimously. 2. **Reception and Adoption of the Revised Electoral Roll:** Elaine Dobbs reported on the Electoral Roll which now totals 138. Four people died during the course of the year and one person was added to the Roll. Fr Sam thanked Elaine for updating the roll. 3. **Annual Report on the Financial Affairs of the Parish, presentation of accounts and their submission to the Independent Examiner:** Tony Humphreys (PCC Treasurer) reported that there was a surplus of £1,180 in 2020 which was considerably better than the £23,952 deficit anticipated. This was due to some very generous donations totaling £24,257 compared to the estimate of £7,000. In 2021 a deficit is expected with donations back to £8-9,000 plus less funds than usual from fundraising, hall hire, weddings and funerals. The expected deficit is £49,570. This will reduce our money in the bank to £40,000 but we are still in a much better position than many churches. The independent examiner, Simon Merchant, has seen the accounts and is happy to sign them off. Q. Dianne Harris asked if the PCC had a percentage amount that it spent on outward giving and is there a breakdown of where the money goes. Tony replied that this could be provided however, it’s not the PCC account but each church is responsible for its own giving. - Q. Elizabeth Woods asked if there should be a new valuation for St Thomas’ House. The 2013 valuation was £250,000. Tony agreed it should be revalued. - The big costs for this year are the new lighting for St Peter’s and the new toilets for the Parish Hall. 4 Fr Sam thanked Tony Humphreys, Anne Short and John Pope for all their work over the past year and commented that the accounts were as clear as he had ever seen them. Accounts were proposed by Tony Funnell and seconded by Elizabeth Woods. 4. **Annual Report on the fabric, goods and ornaments of the Churches** : - Rachel Smith listed the issues at St Thomas’. These included a broken down pipe near the water tap, guttering problems and plaster falling from the arch in front of the altar. - Q. Anne Peat asked if funding for the St Thomas’ War Memorial repair fully covered the repair or if more money needs to be raised. Premi Mowll answered that the funding will cover 80-85% of the cost. Anne asked if raising money from the West Hyde/Maple Cross community had been considered. Premi said there had been one generous donation but that community fundraising was a good idea. Elizabeth Woods suggested asking the Friends of St Thomas’. Fr Sam suggested discussing this at a PCC meeting but that the issue was dragging on and needs to be settled. Anne Peat added that it would be good to get the community involved because they did feel connected to St Thomas’ church via the War Memorial and it was a way of reaching out to them. St Peter’s Fabric Report: The gutters were looked at in 2019 and do not need any more work on them currently. Fr Sam thanked Tony for his work on the new lighting. 5. **Deanery Synod Report:** Alan Wills reported that the last triennium had been extended by a few months because of the pandemic. We are now in the truncated 18[th] triennium. New management have taken up their posts. There was no meeting in June 2020 but have been two Zoom meetings since then. There is a big emphasis on the Church becoming as ecofriendly as possible by 2030. 6. **Election of Lay Representative to Deanery Synod** : The sad death of John Marsh has meant that there is one vacancy for the laity on Deanery Synod. Premi Mowll asked how we could find someone to take up this vacant role? Fr Sam said he would discuss this with Fr Simon. 7. **Election of members to the Parochial Church Council:** Anthony (Tony) Humphries and Andrew Ross were both willing to stand again. This was agreed unanimously. 8. **Election of Side Persons (usually delegated to the church committees)** : It was unanimously agreed that this would be delegated to the relevant church committees **.** 9. **Appointment of Independent Examiner** : Simon Merchant is willing to continue as our Independent Examiner. This was agreed unanimously. It was suggested we buy Simon a bottle of wine as a token of our thanks. 10. **Reports on Parish Organisations:** There was no report on the new Pastoral Care Group and Dianne Harris asked if it was possible to report retrospectively. Anne Peat said that it was a relatively new group and therefore Sophie probably did not realise it had become a formal group. Fr Sam said the Pastoral Group is hugely valuable and is a great source of strength to many people. No other comments were made on the reports. 11. **Any other matters concerning the Parish:** Fr Sam talked about the pandemic and its impact on the Parish. Many people have died, whilst others have been affected in other ways: financially, with mental ill health and/or isolation. As a parish, ours has been relatively lucky. Many churches face a bleak future. Our Churches have tried to reach out to people in their homes and in the community; doing whatever is still possible with schools, online services, food parcels, coffee mornings. Thanks to the wider Ministry Team for doing what they could and supporting Simon and Sam. Sam had not expected the final year of his curacy to be the way it has been. 12. Sam thanked everyone for their help and involvement. He specifically thanked: the Parish Wardens and the Church Wardens for their energy and work; Elaine for reducing her hours but not her workload; the PCC; Simon for his leadership, support and humour and Emily, for her continual support. Sam and his family are moving on to a new parish soon. Sam prays for a better year for everyone. 13. St Thomas’ House. Sam commented that works are needed in every room before it can be let and believes it is worth spending the money as an investment in the house. 5 14. Live-streaming. Sam also believes that it is worth investing in equipment to make sure live streaming of services takes place regularly. Zoom is not a platform for the long term as it’s not good for music but the digital world is here to stay. 15. AOB. The subject of safeguarding training was raised as it is time for many at the C1 level to renew their training. Elizabeth Woods had heard of one church who did the training via a talk in their church hall; would it be possible to do something similar? Rachel Smith said she would ask the diocese. Elizabeth also thanked Sam for looking after the Parish for the past three months during Simon’s study leave. 16. **Closing Prayers** : The meeting closed at 2.11pm with Grace. ## **Safeguarding Report** Group PCC Report by the Safeguarding Officer - Objective To safeguard the vulnerable children and adults in our Parish. Members Rachel Smith – Safeguarding officer Siu Palmer Cheung – DBS administrator ## **Actions** 2021/2022 There has been contact between the Safeguarding Officer and DBS administrator to review the list of people who need to have a renewed DBS check. These people have been contacted. On 31[st] August 2021 a course to provide a Basic Safeguarding Course was held in the parish hall for those people having difficulties completing it online. An Action Plan for Promoting a Safer Church was set up in the form of a Parish Dashboard system. This is an electronic check list to make sure that actions are completed. This continues to be updated usually during a meeting between the PSO and the vicar. Posters with Helpline numbers and services displayed inside toilets and on notice boards for people to access. ## **Actions Proposed for 2022/2023** The Diocese have stated that PCC members should complete a Foundation Course in Safeguarding and a Responding Well to Domestic Abuse Course. I will be updating my records as PCC members complete them online. To review a list of church activities and check that we have completed risk assessments and have insurance cover for all of them. Also to continue to update the Parish Dashboard system that links to a Safeguarding Action Plan. Finally for the Safeguarding officer to continue to report any Safeguarding information at the regular PCC meetings. 6 ## **Report of the Trustees and Accounts** ## **for the year ended 31 December 2021 for the Parochial Church Council of the Parish of Mill End & Heronsgate with West Hyde** CHARITY NUMBER: 1134153 The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Mill End & Heronsgate With West Hyde (“the PCC”) serves the benefice of the same name which has a population of approximately eleven thousand. The parish has three churches: St Peter the Apostle, Mill End; St John the Evangelist, Heronsgate and St Thomas of Canterbury, West Hyde and Maple Cross. ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** ## **Registered Charity Number** 1134153 ## **Principal address** Berry Lane Rickmansworth Hertfordshire WD3 7HQ ## **Trustees during the year 2021** |**Trustees during theyear 2021**|| |---|---| |Sophie Channer (Secretary)|Premi Mowll (Parish Warden)| |Christine Bunce|Anne Peat (Reader)| |John Clifford (Parish Warden)|Andrew Ross| |Rev. Simon Cutmore (Chair)|Julie Shepherd| |Elaine Dobbs|Anne Short| |Helen Ford (Reader)|Rachel Smith| |Sam Frampton (Curate, left June 2021)|Hannah Sutherland| |Patricia Fryer|Alan Wills| |Tony Humphries (Treasurer)|Elizabeth Woods| ## **Independent Examiner** Simon Merchant ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** ## **Governing document** The PCC is a body corporate and is governed by the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 as amended and the Church Representation Rules (contained in Schedule 3 to the Syndical Government Measure 1969 as amended). In 2009 the PCC was required to register as a separate charity and obtained charity number 1134153. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. ## **Risk management** The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. 7 ## **Safeguarding** The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** ## **Objectives and aims** The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the Vicar in promoting, in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the church pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has responsibility for the management of the parish room and St Thomas House, Maple Cross. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** ## **Reserves policy** The PCC has total reserves of £60,263 of which £5,214 is restricted for specific purposes. ## **Principal funding sources** The major funding sources are the people who regularly attend services in the three churches to whom the PCC is extremely grateful. ## **ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:** Premi Mowll – Parish Warden Dated: April 2022 ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT** I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 set out below. ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act)) and that an independent examination is required. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act; - to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act); and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of the independent examiner’s report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. ## **Independent examiner’s statement** In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: - (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements - to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act; and 8 - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Simon Merchant Princes Risborough Date: 27[th] April 2022 Approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by: Premi Mowll (Parish Warden) Tony Humphreys (PCC Treasurer) Dated: 24[th] April 2022 ## **ACCOUNTING POLICIES** ## **Basis of preparing the financial statements** The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 1997 as amended by the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) ‘Accounting and reporting by Charities’ 2005. ## **Accounting convention** The financial statements have been prepared on a Receipts & Payments basis. ## **ST THOMAS’ HOUSE** The PCC is the Management trustee of St Thomas House, a property used to house curates during their tenure with the parish. When there is no curate, the property is let out on commercial terms. The estimated value of the property at 31 December 2013 was £250,000. 9 ## **The Parochial Church Council of the Parish of Mill End & Heronsgate with West Hyde Accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2021** ||**Unrestricted Funds**|**Restricted Funds**|**2021 Totals**|**2020 Totals**| |---|---|---|---|---| |**INCOME**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**| |Collections|5,464||5,464|3,218| |Donations|19,161|3,436|22,597|24,257| |Envelopes|16,339||16,339|14,668| |Standing Orders|14,767||14,767|16,542| |Parish Giving|13,542||13,542|13,804| |GA Tax Recovered|16,181|180|16,361|14,821| |VAT Recovered|5,468||5,468|| |Fundraising Events|2,950||2,950|1,947| |Deposit Account Interest|22||22|263| |Wedding and Funeral fees|3,177||3,177|1,708| |Hall Hire|6,066||6,066|4,651| |Chronicle|944||944|1,228| |St Thomas’s House Rent|4,066||4,066|| |Grants||8,500|8,500|| |Other Income|138||138|946| |**Total Receipts**|**108,285**|**12,116**|**120,401**|**98,053**| |**EXPENDITURE**||||| |Organist & Music|6,723||6,723|6,122| |Utilities|5,568||5,568|5,896| |Insurance|3,982||3,982|3,795| |Church Running Expenses|1,450||1,450|1,764| |Church & Hall Maintenance|29,344|2,436|31,780|10,093| |Toilet Refurbishment|4,735|21,704|26,439|| |St Thomas’s House|5,167||5,167|1,647| 10 |Clergy Expenses|1,733|1,733||1,733|4,586| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Subscriptions & Training|6|||6|57| |Diocesan Quota|57,417|||57,417|52,392| |Outward Giving|1,347|||1,347|1,609| |Wages & Office Costs|8,694|||8,694|6,333| |Hall Running Costs|1,325|||1,325|714| |Messy Church Expenses|0|||0|539| |Sundries|790||94|884|444| |Fundraising Costs|254|||254|882| |**Total Expenditure**|**128,535**||**24,234**|**152,769**|**96,873**| ||||||| |Surplus/Deficit|-20,250||-12,118|-32,368|1,180| |Brought Forward|75,299||17,332|92,631|91,451| |**Balance at end of the year**|**55,049**||**5,214**|**60,263**|**92,631**| ||||||| |**Statement of Assets & Liabilities**|**at 31 December 2021**||||| |**Funds**|||||| |Bank & Savings Accounts|55,013|5,214||60,227|| |Cash|144||||| ||**55,157**|**5,214**||**60,371**|| |**Liabilities**(Uncleared cheques)|108|||108|| |**Net Assets**|**55,049**|**5,214**||**60,263**|| 11 ## **Group: LOCAL MINISTRY TEAM** **Objective of the Group:** To bring the Kingdom of God and the love of Christ to all with whom we come into contact through our various ministries; and to support and share in the ministry of the Vicar in the parish and community. **Members:** Revd. Simon Cutmore, Helen Ford, Anne Peat (Readers); with support from Rev’d Mary Kingsley & Rev’d Scott Talbot The LMT continued to meet online because of the restrictions imposed during the Covid 19 epidemic but as the easing of restrictions is now complete have just held their first face to face meeting in two years, and will continue with this format whenever possible. LMT resources now reduced due to Paul Palmer being ordained in June 2021, and is serving his curacy at All Saints, Croxley Green; Rev’d Sam Frampton moving in July 2021 to take up ministering in his own parish of St Matthews, Oxhey Hall and Anne Peat (Reader) moving to Scotland in April 2022. But we welcome the support from Rev’d Mary Kingsley, who is assisting in the leading of Sunday worship for two Sundays a month (more wherever possible!) and Rev’d Scott Talbot. Their help is appreciated, especially as we have not been appointed a curate for this forthcoming year. Simon is now the Rural Dean for our deanery. ## **Actions completed 2021/22** - As Covid-19 restrictions lifted we were able to gradually re-introduce in person worship in all three churches but continue to offer live streaming to enable those who are still not able to join us to be included. Mid-week services have also recommenced, with at least one being live-streamed. - Pastoral Care support team has now formally been established, with many of the volunteers continuing in this role from offering pastoral support during the pandemic period. The team is organised by two co-ordinators who ensure that the workload is met, and that the care of those in our parish are met. They regularly feedback to Simon, and LMT. - LMT met regularly on line to offer support to one another and to plan and offer worship in our churches as restrictions allowed. - Fusion, a new opportunity for families to come together once a month was launched to provide fun and worship and to begin to engage with our younger families outside of normal Sunday worship. - Successful running of several courses on-line and in person – How To Pray: a six week course on ways to deepen prayer life; How to lead intercessions: a morning spent looking at ways to lead intercession in our Sunday worship and a weekly Lectio Divina Bible Study. ## **Actions proposed for 2022/23** - Continue to provide Sunday worship in person in all three churches. - To consider and review how to start our Fresh Expressions of Worship – Play & Praise and Messy Church, and how to meet the challenge of limited staffing resources to meet these needs. - To consider how best to offer pastoral care and worship in the residential homes in our parish and to involve more people than the ministry team in providing this. - To look at ways we as a church can have more of a proactive presence in the communities in which we serve. - To meet the needs of the lonely and isolated. - To promote vocations to ordained and lay ministry. 12 ## **Comments/Observations:** Although LMT is now a smaller team than it was last year, we are excited at the possibilities of looking at how to provide and offer different kinds of worship, to enable a wider participation of our communities. ## **FABRIC REPORTS** ## **St Peter’s** The following items have been attended to at St Peters and have either been resolved or are under consideration by St Peters Committee or the PCC:- The gutters and drains were inspected and cleaned. A gutter was found to be leaking above the passage way between the hall and the church which has resulted in plaster damage in the church at this position. A guttering contractor was engaged and he has replaced the damaged parts. We await the next quinquennial inspection for advice on repairing the plaster in church. Two soakaway drains from the Church downpipe are blocked (probably by tree roots). This will be a major job to resolve. Work has been completed on all the recommendations from the Ecclesiastical Insurance company health and safety review except the fencing off the boiler room steps, this was only an advisory but a solution needs to be found. An independent Health and Safety inspection was carried out and the list of recommendations has been prioritised and being worked through. The lighting contractors have been back twice during the year, once to install an additional light on the church exterior to improve lighting by the hall door and once to replace a faulty fitting in the choir area. We continue to see evidence of mortar weather erosion on the external walls of the church, although not too serious at the moment we will monitor and react if necessary. A major gardening overhaul took place this year significantly improving the church grounds, many thanks to all those that gave up their Saturday morning to help. Several bags of gravel were purchased and spread around the church yard, again thanks to all who helped. A sign board has been erected by the driveway entrance, many thanks to Frederick Frater for his expertise and hard work to drive this project. My continued thanks go to all who work so hard to keep St Peters running smoothly, The Cleaners, Brass cleaning, the Sidespersons and all those who willingly give up their time to help with Gutter and drain maintenance, gardening parties as well as those that help with specific maintenance tasks which are beyond my skill level. I would like to thank specifically Elaine Dobbs and Anne Short who have been a great help to me during the Covid pandemic, driving risk assessments to allow St Peters to open safely when possible. Tony Funnell St Peters Churchwarden 13 ## **St John’s** **Objective of group** – To support the running and upkeep of St John’s so that regular worship can continue. To promote the pastoral care of the local community. To support the Ministry team and Parish as a whole. Members – Rev. Simon Cutmore, Basia Hargreaves, Sandra Lewis, Anneli Pope, John Pope, Andrew Ross, Alison Drury. ## **Actions completed 2021/22:** Gillie hosted a very successful thank you lunch for all those who support us. We were very lucky with the weather and enjoyed her lovely garden. As usual the Harvest produce was gratefully received by the Peace Hospice. After the Parish service at St John’s in the summer we had a coffee morning and cake sale in Pixie House garden and later a Christmas sale ‘on the edge’ [outside] which made it easier to be safe due to the Pandemic. Both of which were well supported and raised money for St John’s. In March we held another tea party and cake sale also well supported and enjoyable. Then we provided tea and cake for the Parish walk. An appeal for regular donations was sent out to the local community. ## **Actions proposed for 2022/23:** Our lovely hassocks are going to be displayed over the June bank holiday The outdoor Notice board is very wobbly and a quote to make it safe has been accepted, no date has been given as yet. Andrew is trying to organise a concert that is enjoyable for all ages, no date has been set as yet. Harvest Festival Sunday 4 September We hope to hold a Christingle service on Sunday 4 December and our joint carol service with the Heronsgate residents on 19 December ## **Comments/ Observation:** We are all very saddened by the death of Gillie who was always so positive, we miss her ‘can do’ attitude and her laugh. Now that the church is fully open the congregation is very small, although we have had a few visitors who we hope will continue to attend. The local community continues to support us by helping in the garden, doing the cleaning and flowers, by donating a Christmas tree and helping to set up the candles for Christmas. Helen continues to play the organ most Sundays. This all helps the church look lovely and makes the services enjoyable. Alison Drury 14 ## **St Thomas'** It has been lovely to return to services in person and the church has looked beautiful with people in pews and flowers on window ledges. Some people continue to worship online and it’s great to provide that service for them. The churchyard has sprung into life with healthy plants, sometime in the future we will probably need a gardening day again. Many thanks to the people who have carried out risk assessments during the pandemic and for keeping us open. We also had a fire risk assessment with a few points to address. Helen and Elaine have been looking into better access into church for those in wheelchairs. The lightening conductor test is due to be carried out soon. Lastly thanks to Premi and others for The War Memorial Cross which has been repaired and is looking splendid once more. Rachel Smith ## **Group: St Peter’s Committee** The committee last met in April 2020 but was unable to meet up during 2021 due to the pandemic. They plan to meet up again when it’s safe to do so in person and without restrictions. Please keep an eye on the pewsheet for further updates! ## **Group: DEANERY SYNOD** ## **Objectives:** Strapline: “We are the Body of Christ.” As the third tier of Synodical Government in the Church of England, the Deanery Synod is a representative body comprising clerical and lay members from each of the eleven churches in Rickmansworth Deanery, and sits between the lowest tier of individual PCCs and the second tier of the Diocesan Synod. Members act as the electoral colleges for their respective Houses in the Diocesan and General Synods, and conduct a range of business including responding to issues referred down from the General Synod via the Diocesan Synod. The year 2021/2022 was the middle year of the 18[th] triennium of Rickmansworth Deanery Synod, during which members executed their role in electing representatives to their respective Houses of both the Diocesan and the General Synod. There was stiff competition for the places in both the House of Convocation (clergy) and the House of Laity on General Synod, although the filling of the available places in the House of Laity for the Diocesan Synod required, one surmises, a certain amount of arm twisting! The Deanery Standing and Pastoral Committee (DSPC) assists the Rural Dean in determining priorities across the Deanery, and particularly where there is a vacancy in a parish; it also advises the Bishop in the selection of the new Rural Dean when an incumbent’s tenure of the post expires. It is unlikely that the DSPC will be called upon to exercise this latter responsibility during the current triennium. ## **Members:** 1. The Reverend Simon G. Cutmore (House of Clergy, also on Diocesan Synod and parish representative on DSPC; Rural Dean since October 2020). 2. The Reverend Samuel Frampton (House of Clergy until leaving the Parish to become Vicar of St. Matthew’s, Oxhey, Watford Deanery in June 2021). 3. One vacancy (House of Laity). 4. Dr. Julie Shepherd (House of Laity). 5. Dr. Alan Wills (House of Laity). 15 ## **Actions complete in 2021/2022:** 1. Elections to Diocesan and General Synods. 2. Three Business Meetings (July and November 2021 (both by Zoom) and March 2022 (hybrid meeting - at Christ Church Chorleywood and by Zoom)). 3. “In person” Deanery Ascension Day Eucharist at St. Mary’s Church, Rickmansworth (May 2021). ## **Actions proposed in 2022/2023** 1. Three Business Meetings (July and November 2022 and March 2023). 2. “In person” Deanery Ascension Day Eucharist at St. Paul’s Church, Chipperfield (26[th] May 2022). 3. Possible Deanery Choral Evensong (date and venue to be confirmed - action carried over from 2018/2019, 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 proposals). 4. Possible return of Deanery Quiz in February 2023. ## **Comments/Observations** Although It was agreed that the Deanery Quiz would definitely return in February 2021, the coronavirus pandemic derailed that plan, and it disappeared below the radar in February 2022 - maybe it will arise phoenix-like from the ashes in February 2023?! Synod has had presentations on the work of the Children’s Society (from Ms. Rachel Brockie, Diocesan representative), “Reaching New People” (RPN) (from the Reverend Dan Drew, Team leader for RPN) and the role of the Diocesan Secretary (from David White, who succeeded Susan Pope as Diocesan Secretary on her retirement in the autumn of 2021). Safeguarding issues have continued to exercise the Synod, and apart from the on-line training several parishes have already hosted the interactive workshops provided by the Diocese. Sadly Bill Seddon failed to be re-elected to the General Synod, and Ben John, who has replaced him, has so far failed to appear at the Deanery Synod, so we are not currently au fait with the goings on at the General Synod. Attendance at Deanery meetings continues to be rather variable. We still have one vacancy in our parish’s allocation of lay members of the Deanery Synod. Dr Alan Wills ## **Group: PASTORAL CARE** This Group was created at the beginning of the Covid 19 crisis when the Country went into lockdown and we were not able to enter our Churches. Volunteers were requested for pastoral care workers to cover the congregations of St Thomas’ and St Peter’s churches, who regularly contacted all members of the congregation on a regular basis so no-one felt isolated or abandoned during this period. Any problems were dealt with to the best of our abilities, and Simon was involved in many cases where requested. This was, in part, to assist Simon, whose work was on overload at that time, and also to care and help the members of the Parish. Now the situation has changed, but we have still kept this Pastoral Care Group so that people can contact us if they need help in any way. It has been made public so people who do not necessarily attend church services, can still contact us for assistance. Dianne and Elizabeth coordinate the care to make sure everyone has a designated care worker and no-one can “slip through the net” as it were. The Parish of West Hyde has had two requests since the re-launch, one an on-going situation and the other, a one-off problem; both have been successfully dealt with and Simon has also 16 been involved. St Peter’s have received two requests for help/advice, which are in the process of being dealt with. We are hoping this will continue in its present form for 2022/23, but any suggestions or comments would be gratefully received. Dianne Harris and Elizabeth Woods ## **MINISTRY IN SCHOOLS** During the last year weekly Collective Worship (assemblies) have continued to be offered in both Maple Cross School and St Peter's School plus the occasional class visit as requested. In July 2021, the collective worship at St Peter's School was totally revamped. Up until this school year, I have usually led a weekly assembly at St Peter’s School and tried to engage the children by presenting religious stories and ideas in a zany or exciting way. However, staff had talked of finding preparing ‘in class’ worship very difficult so I developed an idea to help them and get the children more involved in the leading of worship and making it more experiential. I now lead collective worship on a Monday morning, using scripture from the previous Sunday and we spend time together reflecting what the passage means and how it relates to our lives. On Tuesdays, each class does a form of Lectio Divina with the passage ie read passage, silence, read again, silence and then the children say any phrases or words or thoughts that strike them from the passage which staff then write down as a list. Sometimes they use visual play to retell the passage and this is key for younger children. On Wednesday we participate in ‘Wonder Wednesday’ where the children take the list from the previous day, and as a class ( having in re-read the passage), they then see if the list from the previous day makes them think of cultural reference points ie a pop song, video, picture, poem, film etc. These are all then noted. On Thursday is the key stage assembly where one class shares with everyone the journey of exploration they have been on. This enables each class to go into the passage in quite a lot of depth and gives the children the opportunity to think deeply and use their imagination. This pattern of collective worship has been in place for nearly the whole year now. The Diocesan Director of Education, David Morton is very interested in the work, as is Mary Hawes, National Children’s Work Advisor. They would like to share the work with other schools. I continue to serve as Vice Chair of Governors at St Peter's School and in March stood down as a Governor at Maple Cross after 5 years. After the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic, the staff chaplaincies that Simon runs at both schools are about to resume one lunchtime a week and at the time of writing, Simon has been invited into Shepherd School to lead assemblies once every half term and also to spend time supporting two classes in their RE work. Fr Simon Cutmore 17 ## **Group: SYMEONS** ## **Objectives:** 1. To be a society of the men of the congregation of St. Peter’s and their friends. 2. To maintain the corporate image of the Church. 3. To worship regularly. 4. To share in active service to the Church. ## **Committee 2021/22:** 1. Mr. John W. Ridgeway - Chairman. 2. Mr. Anthony M. Funnell - Hon. Treasurer and Acting Bar Steward. 3. Dr. Alan J. Wills - Hon Secretary. 4. Mr. Allan D. Fryer - Hon. Membership Secretary. 5. Mr. Alan J. Brereton, Mr. Richard Hickson, Mr. Russell Mardling and Fr. Paul Palmer. 6. Fr. Simon Cutmore - Hon President. - (Total membership approximately 17.) ## **Actions complete in the 2021/2022 session:** 1. Occasional in person Guest Nights. 2. Quiz Supper in November 2021. 3. Christmas Party in December 2021. 4. Limited maintenance activities. 5. Holding of Special General Meeting in March 2022 to approve amendments to the constitution, subject to the approval of the Licensing Authority (Three Rivers District Council). The proposed amendments entail modification of the Club’s Name and Objectives to meet requirements under the Licensing Act 2003. Further details are included in the Comments/Observations section below. ## **Actions proposed for 2022/2023:** 1. Annual Outing in September, Darts tournament final and Quiz supper in November and Christmas party in December. 2. Monthly guest nights. 3. Membership recruitment drive. 4. Continuation of maintenance activities and fund-raising. ## **Comments/Observations:** The coronavirus pandemic and its restrictions continued to impose limitations in the Symeons Club activities, and hence its capacity to raise funds. Recruitment of new members, already with minimal success over the previous few years, has sadly had to cease entirely for the time being. It still seems extremely difficult to encourage younger members of the congregation to commit to parish organisations in general and the Symeons in particular, and in this regard the various lockdowns have certainly not helped in the drive to recruit new blood to help replace the loss of former members, one of whom, Dr. Jim MIlledge, died at the age of 91 in the early part of 2022. In common with many churches, we have witnessed a marked decline in attendance at Sunday services, and in particular very few of the younger families are in evidence. Following the gradual emergence from the third lockdown in the early part of 2021, Monday night in-person meetings were resumed, including the Annual General Meeting in May 2021. In accordance with Government guidance, as mediated by the Church of England’s Bishops’ Recovery Group, 18 initially table service only was imposed, with the wearing of face masks, the use of hand sanitiser and the practice of social distancing whilst within the Club premises. During the late autumn of 2021, the Club was approached by a Licensing Officer from Three Rivers District Council, and correspondence ensued concerning the relevant provisions of the Licensing Act. In order to address this issue, and in view of the decline in membership, it has been resolved to widen the eligibility for membership, and the appropriate amendments to the Rules and Constitution were approved at the Special General Meeting in March 2022. The Club awaits confirmation from the Council that our proposals meet their requirements in every particular. Dr Alan Wills ## **Group: LET’S GET TOGETHER!** Whilst the Mother’s Union has stopped some of its activities due to the pandemic, Let’s Get Together! has started to meet again on a Friday afternoon at St Peter’s Parish Hall under the leadership of Premi Mowll. If you feel like some tea and companionship, please just come along! ## **Group: THE TUESDAY GROUP** Tuesday Group continued to meet on-line during the lockdowns of the pandemic and in person when we could. In September, we decided to take Tuesday Group into the community. We now meet on Wednesdays (although we still call ourselves 'Tuesday' Group!) at Mill End Community Centre from about 10.15am. Some members go down straight after the Wednesday morning Eucharist at St Peter's and others arrive at about 10.30am. It's a great opportunity to have fellowship together and meet other people from our community over a coffee and a lovely selection of breakfast/brunch options. The welcome is always warm. It would be great if more people would like to join us there and support this community initiative at the same time. Once a month there are also Community Walks that set out from there and return for breakfast afterwards. Alex Cutmore 19 ## **Group: FUSION** Followng a very successful BBQ and games afternoon at the end of lockdown for the young families of the parish, FUSION was born. We meet monthly from 4-6pm on the 3rd Sunday of the month for games, craft, food and some bible study and discussion usually at the parish hall. The thing that makes FUSION different is that it is a gathering for school year 3 upwards and their parents/carers. Through our time together we can grow in friendship and faith together. We are small group at the moment and look to grow. Please do join us! ## **Group: PLAY AND PRAISE** This group has been unable to meet up this year ## **Group: FRIENDSHIP CLUB** As yet St Thomas’ Friendship Club has not re-started due to the pandemic. ## **Group: MESSY CHURCH** This group has been unable to meet up this year but has maintained its links with children and families via online activities. ## **Group: ST PETER’S CHOIR** As pandemic rules gradually relaxed, the choir were able to meet again to rehearse and take part in services. We are fortunate to have a rich, diverse repertoire of sacred music from early 16[th] century choral music up to modern day worship songs but we are a small choir and need more people to join us! The choir meets for rehearsal in church on Thursday evenings at 8pm for an hour and briefly before the service on Sunday morning. Please contact Richard at millendmusic@gmail.com if you are interested. 20 ## **Group: PeterRock** ## **Let’s Rock for God** Members: Adam guitar & vocal, Richard keyboard, Alan electric cello, Russell rhythm guitar, John bass guitar & vocal, assisted by choir members vocals. The band meets to play at the St Peter’s morning service every second Sunday of every month. More instrumentalists and singers are always welcome. Please contact Richard (millendmusic@gmail.com) if you want to get involved. ## **Group: ST PETER’S GIRLGUIDING GROUPS** **“Girlguiding exists to help girls and young women find their voice, and build skills and confidence – inspiring them to discover the best in themselves and empower them to make a positive difference in their community”** **Members of the Group:** 2[nd] Rickmansworth Rainbows. Leaders: Elaine Dobbs, Linda Yates, Emma Willicombe **Number of Girls:** 13 1[st] & 6[th] Rickmansworth Brownies. Leaders: Carol Paley, Debbie Macdonald & Katie Traynier **Number of Girls:** 20 8[th] Rickmansworth Brownies. Leaders: Sally Funnell, Hazel Carmichael **Number of Girls** : 25 8[th] Rickmansworth Guides. Leaders: Heather Rawcliffe, Claire Courtney **Number of Girls** : **2[nd] Rickmansworth Rainbows:** We have been back to meeting face to face for a year now and the girls are enjoying being back together. All our meetings in the Summer 2021 were outside covering our Camp Skills builder – investigating what to pack when going away, how to put up tents, making shelters for our cuddly toys and tin can cooking. The Autumn term saw us celebrating our 20[th] anniversary as a unit taking part in a 20[th] anniversary challenge evening, raising around £300 towards the hall refurbishment project and culminating in a Christmas party with rainbow sprinkle cake. We also learnt about the meaning of Diwali and how it is celebrated. At the end of this term we were delighted to present Olivia with her Gold Award – our first ever Rainbow to make this achievement. The beginning of 2022 saw us welcome 5 new Rainbows and they have been getting stuck into unit meetings with our Influence Skills Builder and lots of fun unit meeting activities to keep us active including learning about the olympic sport of curling for Burns Night, pancake races, discovering our World Centres for World Thinking Day and a walk to the park for parachute games. 21 ## **1[st] & 6[th] Rickmansworth Brownies:** We have averaged around 20 girls over the past year. During last summer we met on St Peter’s school field or at Lees Wood as much as possible to avoid spreading the covid virus. In the autumn the girls learned about fire safety and how to keep their bedding and personal belongings dry whilst being on a camping adventure. Toasted marshmallows were always the favourite at the end of the campfire! It was great to have a Christmas party despite having the windows and doors open. During the spring term the girls practised some important basic life skills; different cooking techniques, sewing skills, DIY skills and shopping for value. The term ended with a County Day at Lees Wood, where 500 Guides, Brownies and Rainbows met for a wonderful day of outdoor activities set in the bluebell filled woods. **8[th] Rickmansworth Brownies:** We have maintained our numbers at 25 for the year welcoming new Brownies when our leavers move up to Guides and Scouts. Face to face meetings started again in Summer 2021 and it was nice to welcome back girls who had been unable to join us on Zoom. We mostly have had a blended approach to meetings over the year but this term all our meetings will be ‘in person’ and we are looking forward to lots of sporting fun outside! The girls really enjoy the badges we have worked on including Buzz about Anglia birthday challenge, Girlguiding Hertfordshire Book Challenge as well as Skills Builders and Theme Awards as part of our Brownie programme. We love dressing up and this year have taken part in Elf Day for the Alzheimers Society and World Book Day dressing up as our favourite book character. It was lovely to return to Church Parade in October for Harvest and join with the Community Act of Remembrance in November and our window display for the Community Christmas Festival won first prize! We also enjoyed the bluebells in the sunshine at the County Day in Lees Wood. It was wonderful to present 4 Brownies with their Gold Awards for completing the Brownie programme before they moved up to Guides. **8[th] Rickmansworth Guides:** We have an active unit of 19-20 girls. We have 2 Young Leaders who help every week and are very keen to move on to adult leadership. Our meetings over the year have concentrated on aspects of the Guide Programme and included making ‘mocktails’, pancake decorating and Mothers’ Day crafts. As always we enjoy getting outside and updating our camp skills. We are hoping to raise money for the Kitchen refurbishment in the hall and will be taking part in the District Jubilee event at Royal Masonic School. **Rickmansworth Rangers** : following a meeting at Lees Wood the Rangers (over 14’s) had its initial meeting at St Peter’s. We aim to meet once a month. The girls are all Young Leaders and we will be supporting them through their leadership qualifications and participating in some of the Ranger Programme 22 ## **- PCC MEMBERS 2021 2022** Rev’d Simon Cutmore Vicar/Chairman Rev’d Samuel Frampton Curate (left July 2021) Sophie Channer Secretary Tony Humphreys Treasurer Premi Mowll Parish Warden John Clifford Parish Warden Helen Ford Reader Anne Peat Reader (left March 2022) Christine Bunce Anne Short Elaine Dobbs Rachel Smith Patricia Fryer Hannah Sutherland Andrew Ross Alan Wills Julie Shepherd Elizabeth Woods 23 Please feel free to use this e for notes: