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2021-12-31-accounts

ALL SAINTS, STRANTON CHURCH HARTLEPOOL

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
VICAR AND CHAIR OF THE PCC REPORT 2-3
ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 3-4
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE, MANAGEMENT 4
ELECTORAL ROLL 4
FINANCE REPORT 5
BUILDINGS AND FABRIC OF THE CHURCH 6-7
HEALTH AND SAFETY 7
DEANERY SYNOD 8
SAFEGUARDING REPORT 8
ROOTED IN GOD
GATHERED WORSHIP IN STRANTON PARISH 9
WORSHIP TEAM 9
BRANCHING OUT
COMMUNITY WORKER 9-10-11
STRANTON TODDLER GROUP 11
MESSY CHURCH 11
SUNDAY CLUB 11
YOUTH FELLOWSHIP 12
RAINBOWS 12
GUIDES AND BROWNIES 12-13
BOYS BRIGADE 13
GROWING TOGETHER
PASTORAL GROUP 14
MOTHER’S UNION 14-15
BELLRINGING 15
ST MATTHEW’S COMMUNITY CENTRE 15-16

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Vicar’s Report for Stranton Church 2021 Written on Easter Day 2022

10 This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfil my good promise to bring you back to this place. [11 ] For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ From Jeremiah 29

In the time I have thought and prayed about this year’s APCM, the above verses have kept coming back as a theme for the Church Community at Stranton. 2021 was the year of continued pandemic and significant transition. Thankfully we have not experienced 70 years exile but we have all been through a tough time. None the less God is with us and I do believe his promise is for his work to continue to prosper in our midst. So then may we press forward in faith.

Many of you reading this will be aware that Julie and I have experienced some very difficult circumstances recently. As I write I am still positive for Covid. I am therefore simply going to put a few bullet points together trusting that this will suffice as my report:

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back to services in Church. Both weddings and baptisms returned with a bang as the restrictions lifted with really significant numbers of services in the summer. As part of the process towards baptism we restarted ‘welcome services’ as part of Lighthouse monthly.

There is probably much more to say but hopefully this gives a flavour of the year just passed. Amidst all the struggles, both individual and corporate, God is good. May we together discover a place of wellbeing and community growing in love, peace hope and joy. May we know God given abundant life that ripples out into our town and may God indeed prosper his work.

Every blessing .

Norman

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ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

All Saints, Stranton Church is situated in Church Row, Hartlepool TS24 7QT. It is part of the Diocese of Durham within the Church of England. The correspondence address is Stranton Church Office, St Matthew’s Community Centre, Arncliffe Gardens Entrance, Hartlepool TS26 9JF.

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity excepted from registration with the Charity Commission

PCC members who have served from 1[st] January 2021 until the date this report was approved are:

Priest in Charge: The Rev’d Norman Shave Chairman Wardens: Mr Peter Anderson Mr Rohan Wanduragala

Representatives on the Deanery Synod: Mr Andrew Rogers Mrs Sylvia Shepherd Elected members: Mrs Maureen Anderson Secretary Mrs Azam Chaichi Mrs Angela Craig Mr David Craig Treasurer Mrs Diane Greenwood Mr David House Mrs Cheryl Mills Mrs Lynda Parvin Mrs Jacqui Rogers Mrs Mary Tones

Ex-officio members:

Rev’d Michelle Delves

Co-opted members :

Mr Clive Hall

The full PCC met eight times during the year with an average level of attendance of 70%. Committees met between meetings and minutes of their deliberations were received by the full PCC and discussed where necessary.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

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.

ELECTORAL ROLL

There are 93 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll, parish. Six names were removed and one name added during the year.

Ken Shepherd Electoral Roll Officer

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FINANCE REPORT

Once again God has been faithful to us in our finances for 2021. The Church had an overall net surplus of £1,814 in 2021 (2020 - £5,689): This small net surplus for the year is a however combination of a deficit of £6,085 on the church General fund - after charging half the cost of the Audio visual equipment as depreciation (2020 - £9,762 surplus on General Fund) offset by a surplus of £7,899 on St Matthews Community Centre account (reversing the 2020 Community Centre deficit of £4,073).

As reported last year the bequest of the late Margaret Lumley, received in the 2020 financial year, substantially enabled us to fund the “accessible” capital works and new servery in the previous year and to generate £9,500 of the surplus brought forward for 2021 to offset the expected deficit for that year. The out-turn for 2021 was in fact slightly better than expected, taking into consideration the large increase in depreciation arising from the investment in Audio Visual equipment.

The Covid – 19 pandemic continues to affect some aspects of our revenues. St Matthews Community Centre recovered very substantially but not yet fully, mainly because the Centre Management were able to secure some public sector contracts as part of the pandemic response. These contracts are not being renewed and the Centre management are aware of the financial need to attract new and returning users. In the church General fund, net Fees and Occasional Services income continue to be depressed and the Burbank Community Church has ceased meeting. Again we have lost some of our regular faithful members who have died, and not been replaced in our giving and loyalty schemes, leading to some concerns over the future of regular giving. We have for the time being continued to benefit through some generous “one-off” donations, a large part of which was earmarked to meet the costs of employment of our lay staff.

In our expenditures, we met our agreed Parish share to the Diocese in full at £34,033: we were asked for a further 10% increase for 2022 but have in fact committed to a lower but achievable £35,250: this is still a challenge at nearly £3,000 a month but as we seek the appointment of a new incumbent and continue to benefit in many ways from Diocesan services and support, we must recognise the need to “pay our way” in meeting the costs of stipends pensions and ministry support. We will have to be super-efficient and exercise careful stewardship of our resources in the light of rapidly rising costs especially in the areas of energy and office supplies.

The Hartlepool Communities of Hope team, which Stranton PCC “Hosts” on behalf of the Central Hartlepool Group in the largest of our restricted funds, which creates neither deficit nor surplus as it passes through our accounts as “Ring fenced” resources. We will shortly be required to consider its longer term sustainability as one of the main project outcomes. The other major restricted effort of the year was in the direct fundraising of over £51,000 with gift aid and grant income promised for the refurbishment of our bells, which have not had a major overhaul for 70 years. We were supported financially by Grant funding in other ways too – for the Olive Branch allotment, for the living costs of our Ministry Experience Volunteer Lizelke Klindt (who will be returning to the UK in September 2022 to undertake Theological training), for costs of repairs, and for many small but necessary items of Kit to complete our Audio visual project and enable video mixing and live streaming of services and other events.

I would particularly like to thank those who have continued to give in a planned and prayerful manner through Bank Standing orders and the Parish Giving scheme (PGS) and to those who continue to use their weekly envelopes too. I encourage all who are not already members to consider joining the PGS – it can be done entirely confidentially and online!

To close my report I would like to thank you for all your generosity, especially for the wise support and encouragement of Maureen Anderson as Assistant Treasurer, the Churchwardens Peter and Rohan and to Ken Shepherd and the counting team for their unseen but unstinting support.

David Craig Hon Treasurer, April 2022

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BUILDING AND FABRIC OF THE CHURCH

We would like to thank the many in the congregation who have helped and continue to help with all the work that goes to make the church a house of prayer, a place for worship and welcome (the readers, intercessors, cleaners, those decorating the church for services, greeting people, making tea and coffee etc). A big ‘Thank you’ from the Churchwardens.

Just as importantly, we would like to thank Norman and Julie on behalf of the congregation for their service in Stranton over the past 10 years. Likewise we would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to Clive and Michelle and all of the ministry team for all their work.

Thanks to Angela Craig and David House as assistant churchwardens for their help and guidance.

1. Buildings

Quinquennial Inspection: The inspection was carried out on 15[th] November 2021. It was due in 2022 but was brought forward as the architect was involved in surveys associated with the bell project and it was felt that combining the two inspections/surveys would be of benefit to us. We are awaiting his report. This should be with us soon.

Heating: Annual boiler service completed on 1[st] October 2021 . Repair of leaking pipe in Fulthorpe Chapel has been completed after a few attempts; the steps will be re-instated shortly.

Routine Inspections/service:

Visual & Sound System: Paul Anderson and Mark Rattigan have done a great deal of work and spent a lot of time overseeing the installation and ensuring the system works. Thanks to them for their hard work and commitment.

Gardening Thanks to Pam Stockton for doing the flower beds which look lovely. Also the Council have been very helpful in maintaining the church yard. Hartlepool Borough Council has accepted responsibility for dealing with this .

Brewery Parking - Working well / good relationship with the brewery. Regular checks made to ensure sufficient parking places are available.

2. Church Bell refurbishment

We are immensely grateful to Andy Kaye and Andrew Frost for their work in overseeing the whole project; obtaining quotes, organising meetings with contractors etc, and most importantly in raising funds. Thanks also to Maureen Anderson for the considerable amount of administrative work connected with this project, not least in ‘chasing up’ the Faculty application. The progress of this project is reported by the bellringers.

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Vicar appointment

The advertisement has been placed with the interview date set for 1st June 2022.

Two reps from each of the 3 churches making up the CHGC (Central Hartlepool Group of Churches) will be on the interview panel, which will also include Bishop Sarah (Bishop of Jarrow) and Archdeacon Rick Simpson, a total of 8.

The two reps from Stranton are Andrew Rogers (Lay Chair PCC) and Rohan Wanduragala (Churchwarden) with Mary Tones as a standby in case either Andrew or Rohan are unable to attend.

The first appointment is for a ‘Priest –in- charge’ to replace Norman. This will be followed by a second appointment, maybe in two years’ time.

The Clergy Role Description and Parish profiles can be viewed on the diocesan web site under vacancies. Please do have a look. VACANCY: PRIEST-IN-CHARGE WITHIN THE CENTRAL HARTLEPOOL - GROUP MINISTRY (CHGM) Diocese of Durham (durhamdiocese.org)

Rohan Wanduragala, Peter Anderson

Churchwardens

HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT

1. Health and Safety Incident

On 15[th] September 2021 an incident occurred at St Matthew’s Community involving a chemical fogging machine while an employee was in the building. The employee needed to be taken for emergency medical care and has experienced on going symptoms. The incident was reported to our insurers, internally the next PCC and externally to both the Health and Safety Executive and the Charity Commission. We subsequently received a letter from the Local Authority. All appropriate steps were taken to review procedures, prevent this happening again and ensure the safety of all meeting in St Matthew’s Community Centre. We have also sought to provide support and care for the individuals involved.

Norman Shave 19 March 2022

  1. Health and Safety Audit of the church was carried out by Angela Craig and Peter Anderson in March 2022.

The following matters are noted from that inspection

Angela Craig, Peter Anderson

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DEANERY SYNOD REPORT

Like most groups, during the year the Deanery Synod meetings were seriously affected by covid restrictions, so there’s not a huge amount of detail to report. However, a number of events took place that are also ongoing and which will impact on the Deanery.

Communities of Hope: C of H continues to work across, and is supported by, the 3 parishes of the Central Group. The latest recruitment process is almost complete. The many worthwhile projects ( e.g. St Aidan’s Kitchen, Sid’s Café, meeting with ex-offenders, Forest Church etc.) maintain momentum and increase in participants.

Deanery Planning: Fr Graeme Buttery left St Oswald’s earlier in the year. He will be greatly missed, not only by the Christian community, but also by Brougha m School. Fr Richard of St Paul’s has taken oversight and leadership, as anticipated in the Deanery Plan. Our Central Group vacancy is currently being advertised.

Living in Love and Faith: many resources are available for parishes wishing to explore this thought provoking topic. Videos can be downloaded along with a range of publications, from single page leaflets through to a 400 page book.

Tall Ships 2023: The Deanery hope to co-ordinate a Christian presence in the Tall Ships “village”. However, Hartlepool Borough Council has yet to establish a formal steering group, but contact is ongoing.

Andrew Rogers

SAFEGUARDING - CHILD AND VUNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION

This year has seen significant changes to the safe recruitment of volunteers and staff that work with children. Clive has lead on ensuring that we are compliant with diocesan policies, which now include more formalised procedures around applying for voluntary youth and children’s work positions. Every year we submit a parish safeguarding checklist via the PCC. We comply with the list from the diocese in almost every area, except for some new areas around training in and monitoring of social media. We have committed to getting up to date with policies and training within the next six months.

A key change in DBS policy also took place this year, with the renewal date moving from five years to three years. We have a rolling programme to ensure we observe this over the next two years – the timeframe provided by the diocese.

Most safeguarding training now occurs online. Five people have undergone the ‘Safer Recruitment’ training over the last 12 months, which is a requirement for making appointments to any youth and children’s work. Seven people undergoing the Basic and/or Foundation training. Clive maintains a register of dates church leaders and volunteers have undergone training. This diocese now expect anyone in positions where safeguarding training is required, to undergo it within 6 months of the past certificate expiring.

There have been no major safeguarding incidents reported this year.

The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).

Peter Hart

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GATHERED WORSHIP IN STRANTON PARISH

There is a regular pattern of worship services across the parish, both weekly and monthly. The services are held in Church and St Matthew’s Hall. Each service has its own characteristics. We hope and pray that there is something for those who have been part of a worshipping community for a long time and those attending for the first time. The pattern is summarised as follows –

Stranton Church

Sundays

9:00 Holy Communion A quiet said service using traditional liturgy 11:00 Morning Worship (provision Each Sunday has a different characteristic. for all ages) Generally the services are relaxed and welcoming including a mix of contemporary music and hymns. 1[st] and 3[rd] Sundays include communion 4[th] Sunday, Lighthouse is a good service to try if you are new to church, it includes welcomes for families wanting baptism.

St Matthew’s Community Centre

4:00 Messy Church A service for families based around craft, story second Sunday and sharing tea together only Wednesdays 10:00 Holy Communion A said midweek communion in a more accessible venue.

WORSHIP TEAM

We were so pleased when congregational singing was re-introduced last Easter (albeit with face masks). Singing our praises to God is such an integral part of our Church services.

We have continued to meet before the Sunday services to practise. It’s been great to have Stella as part of our team in recent months too.

My thanks go to Angela and Seth who also lead our worship allowing me time away or a chance to be in the congregation.

Please pray for those who will continue to choose, co-ordinate and lead our music and help with preparing PowerPoints in the coming months.

Julie Shave

COMMUNITY WORKER

Chaplain of Ward Jackson School.

I have seen an increase to the amount of times I have been asked to go into the school and take an RE lesson. I have subjects like, how does the Holy Spirit help Christians? Plus ‘What type of world

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did Jesus want? Even, what does a priest do during the week? On top of that I have taken two Baptism services in two different classes, just pretending of course.

I have also taken worship within school some of them were on Zoom when Covid rules applied. I have hosted a class in church, which had a special moment when all 23 children were kneeling at the high alter and we listen for the voice of God. Plus whole school came in for Harvest and Christmas services.

I have been making myself available for parents in the playground each week. Norman, Julie and I have also been into Eldon Grove Primary school to take their assemblies.

Overseer for Youth, Children and Family work

There is a process to go through when you want to become a volunteer in church. There is always a DBS check made and there is compulsory training on safeguarding. This year there has been an additional increase to this process. Safer Recruitment policy made by the Durham Diocese has been adopted by our PCC. This does add more work and policies that volunteers have to be made aware of and more interviews and increase to the overseeing of a volunteer.

This is all put in place to make sure all youth and children and vulnerable people are being well protected by the church.

I am a leader for YF and we have 6 youths coming along from 11-18 years old. We would like to increase that number so if you know anybody who would like to come along let me know. We are also looking for new leaders to come forward, let me know if you’re interested.

Home group

We meet every other week and it has been good to welcome back someone who had left for a little while. We have a social time together and a spiritual thought for the day.

Alpha Course

We knew of a number of people that where interested in starting an Alpha course so we set one up and we have now done 6 sessions. There are 9 people attending the course along with Angela and I. The course is going very well we do have some good questions and good discussions together.

Priest Role

With Mother Gemma leaving we did expect an increase to the Priestly duties for the remaining clergy. This definitely has happened and caused us all to be taking different services across our group of churches. We greatly appreciate all the lay people who help in putting these services together also.

Once Covid restriction opened there was a rush of baptisms which sometime meant all three clergy were taking three baptisms on the same Sunday. This has now slowed down.

Angela and I also led some of the Wedding Preparation day for the first time, we enjoyed working has a team and a good day was had, we finished with a great Buffet meal which went down well, thanks for all who helped in making the day a success.

Personal News

It was about this time last year I was awaiting to hear if I had been fully signed off as a Priest. I did get the positive letter through and I made an appointment to see our Archdeacon Rick Simpson. This was to discuss the future and to be told about the process of applying for clergy vacancies that came up. I was told at this meeting that there would be no advertisement of job for 4 months, and then the jobs would come out about one a month. In reality there as only been three clergy jobs advertised in 10 months!

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While waiting and watching I have realised that some jobs I can’t apply for because they ask for experienced ministers and then the jobs a curate can apply for as lots of curates applying and so it is hard to be short listed for an interview. I have informed you of that because this leaves me feeling a little frustrated that I am so unsure to what the future holds or its time table. But I do need to close with is a big thank-you for Stranton church in all their support to myself and my family while we go through this process, it is much appreciated indeed.

Reverend Clive Hall

STRANTON TODDLER GROUP

It was very encouraging to re-open the group in St Matthews Hall in September. I run the group on Tuesdays and Clare and Lynn run the Friday sessions. As the covid risk reduced significantly we restarted tentatively keeping our activities well-spaced and sharing very simple snacks to minimise infection risks.

Families were very pleased to return and quickly everything seemed “normal” again – so good to see the children playing together and parents / carers chatting and supporting one another. It’s been great to have help in the kitchen from Emma (CoH) each week and Mary, Joyce and Angela helping when available.

I shall miss the many friends I have made there when we move in the summer and pray God will provide someone the keep the Tuesday session running.

Julie

MESSY CHURCH

What a joy to be able to meet again. We have changed our week to the 2[nd] Sunday in each month. It’s also been great to welcome back all the helpers from before the pandemic and to have Rachel, Stella and Aneta boosting our team.

We’ve been able to re-engage with many of the families who were coming pre-pandemic and to welcome new families (several from toddlers).

We have changed our use of the two halls – mainly to keep people spaced out. Having our worship time with bible story, song and prayer in the small hall had worked really well as the acoustics are so much better. We’ve been spacing out our crafts and games in the big hall.

Thankyou to Mary who helps planning our sessions and to all the helpers with both crafts and food – special thanks to Maureen and Peter who prepare a wonderful tea for us all to share at the end.

We are looking forward to Messy Easter on Good Friday morning.

Mary has kindly offered to take on leading Messy Church from July…do hold her in your prayers as she takes on this valuable ministry.

Julie Shave

SUNDAY CLUB

Due to Covid it has been a challenge at times to ensure that Sunday Club was able to occur. At Christmas the Sunday Club took part in a Nativity and all of the children received a small present. Sunday Club took a short break during January to February, as the numbers of Covid cases rose, but has since returned and is being well attended.

The numbers range from 3 – 12 children and the age range is 5 – 14. Thank you to all of our leaders and helpers including Mary, Rachel, Gill, Pam and Helen for volunteering this year. Unfortunately, as Rachel leaves us we will be in need of an additional leader so volunteers are very welcome.

Kate Lawson Sunday Club Leader

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YF continued by using Skype during Covid so we were very grateful to be able to be together in person and do games and talking about God where it is easier to communicate.

YF continues to grow and changes this year to our team we have added Rachel to Clive, Michaela and Peter and have been blessed by her contributions to the running of YF and pray for her as she moves on in her ministry. Beth has become our junior leader and is taking responsibility for games and offering a youth perspective to our discussions.

We have been to Pulse the Durham Diocese Youth Meetings at Durham Cathedral and have enjoyed our trips there to worship with other young Christian people.

We have been using material which combines talking points with games around the themes such as Easter or self-image to talk about our faith. The young people vocalise well what they feel and have safe space to do so. We have created a cosy area in the vestry for when we do our God talks and we find this works well for getting into the right space to talk about God.

Thank you for your continued prayers

YF Leadership Team

The Rainbows Group no longer meet at St Matthews. They have merged with the Seaton Group, the reason given - not enough leaders .

Stranton Brownies & Guides

2021, another strange year!

We continued using Zoom until mid-June when we had 3 meetings outdoors up at West Rugby Club but had one on zoom as we kept getting updates of girls testing positive the next day!

One of the strange positive outcomes of the zoom meetings, has been that we have had one Brownie achieve GOLD the highest award in any section. We had the award ceremony in outside the family home in Wansbeck Gardens, a few Brownies and Guides were able to attend, we had cakes and juice, presenting The Gold Award badge and Certificate to Lara. A lovely event during very difficult times.

Many of the girls struggled with Zoom as did the leaders having to weekly modify the programme (which is organised with social interaction) to work on Zoom (each girl isolated). We have had fun sessions but the girls find it difficult to communicate with us or each other. On a positive note, we have had some girls’ return, after such a long break who didn’t join on zoom or drifted away from the zoom meetings, it has been wonderful to be guiding again with them. Also, during the time on zoom we have had new members join in both Brownies and Guides, they are a credit to themselves,

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achieving a lot and managing to join fully into the face-to-face meetings. Some of the in Brownies are now some of our oldest Brownies

September arrived, but we had made the decision to meet on zoom for two weeks, then return face to face at the hall but using the car park for the meetings. We managed this for Brownies up to half term and played the first game outside until the middle of November. Unfortunately, some parents found this difficult to understand – so we lost girls.

We found meeting inside strange and a little stressful but as time has passed, the Brownies have started to settle in, as most have never met in the hall. The Guides took it in their stride, all following the protocol set down by Girlguiding and the hall. We are looking forward, in the future, to going back to the original times for the meetings.

The Spring term 2022 things are more social for the girls, group activities fun games, crafts all starting up again Hurrah!!!!!!!

At the start of the year, we had two new leaders but in October both said they were struggling, so at the moment, they are not with us and are not sure if they will return, they were a huge positive to the meetings so are very much missed.

If there is anyone that would be interested in becoming a helper and/or Leader please contact me

Cheryl Mills

(Leader with Brownies & Guides)

4[th] Hartlepool Boys Brigade Founded 1930 HQ - St. Matthews Community Centre

Find us on Facebook

It’s good to report that we are still a fully functional Boys Brigade Company coming out the pandemic

We re-started fully on April 12[th] 2021 in all Sections

Our Numbers are Anchor Boys 13 Juniors 16 Company 14 and have maintained our leaders

We took part in the Harvest Festival, Mother’s day Service and our Company will be playing our part in Easter Eggheads

We have held a Christmas Fayre since the pandemic rules were relaxed and are planning a Summer Fayre and Open Night

We are also holding our first camp near Pickering and so far 10 lads have booked their places

We have been visited by the Community Police and Territorial Army and clergy visits are re-starting

We have followed the story of Jonah (inspired by Michelle) and the Lord’s Prayer - all backed up with activities

Our general programme has involved various games, challenges, marching, drill and competitions, all of which you can see on our Facebook page

Finally although we have a good leadership team - we could do with a female leader to help with the Anchor Boys on a Friday Night

George Bainbridge

Leader in Charge, 4[th] Hartlepool Boys Brigade

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PASTORAL GROUP

We are currently a team of 6 – Mary Tones, Ian Walker, Rohan Wanduragala, Diana Wanduragala (associate member) and myself, led by Michelle. Since coming out of the various lockdowns, and as things have settled into a more normal pattern, the pastoral team have been able to return to visiting those who feel confident enough for us to do so, with telephone contact still being used where this has not been possible or as an addition to face-to-face contact. Sometimes pastoral care comes in the form of going for a walk together or meeting for coffee and home communion is still provided for those who want it – we are very flexible!

Unfortunately, during this last year several of our pastoral contacts have passed away – Prebekha Apti, Evelyn Hartley, Carol Moore and most recently Pam Thompson. We feel their loss, but we are grateful to have been able to be there for them and remember with gratitude the time we spent together.

Many of the people we were contacting during the various stages of the pandemic have now returned to church, but we have repeated our delivery of Christmas and Easter cards to those who are still unable to attend services. They also receive copies of the weekly notice sheet, Signpost and in some cases bible notes, which all helps to keep them in the loop with what is going on in our church life.

Last year, Michelle re-introduced the opening up of the church building for two hours on Saturday mornings as a pastoral outreach strategy, giving people the opportunity to come in for a look round, to sit and reflect in a quiet and peaceful space or to have someone to talk to (all with the additional option of tea/coffee and a biscuit). Sometimes our visitors have just been walking past, seen the door open and wandered in. We have had people visit who attended services or celebrated weddings years ago or have a family connection with Stranton, whilst others have come to satisfy an interest in the history of the church (David House is usually on hand to help with this). These sessions have been suspended over the winter months, but are re-starting on 16 April and Michelle would love to hear from anyone who would be willing to volunteer for an occasional Saturday morning.

Michelle has also joined the Stranton lunch club which meets regularly for Sunday lunch and has been attending the coffee, cake and company afternoons at St Matthews, which she sees as a way of keeping in touch with people, as well as spending time with newer, younger members of the congregation. The excellent Lent course at St Luke’s has also been instrumental in developing pastoral relationships across the three parishes and Michelle is currently planning a prayer and healing service to be held in May. All these activities are ways of reaching out and caring for each other.

There are now cards at the back of church which can be used (for themselves or others) by anyone wanting to request to be contacted by Michelle or a member of the pastoral team.

Pam Stockton

MOTHERS` UNION REPORT

Due to Covid we were unable to hold our meetings until September 2021. It was a Blessing to be able to meet again with our fellow members and catch up with what news that had filtered through our leaders in Durham and London.

Rev’d Micelle Delves is a member and spoke to us about how she was let to train as a Priest. We have been praying for her and all our clergy, churchwardens and for our church during these difficult times of lockdowns and injections.

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In December we had an outing to the Marine Hotel in Seaton Carew for a Christmas Lunch which was enjoyed by all.

We recently renewed our M.U. vows led by our Deanery Leader Pamela Harding. We had hoped to enrol a new member who was unable to attend and will be enrolled in future. Unfortunately we were unable to restart after Christmas due to further outbreaks of Covid in Hartlepool, but are now back in St Matthew’s Community Centre.

Membership dropped slightly in 2021, two members resigned after illness. We now have fourteen faithful members.

I would like to thank Joan Herbert for serving many years as Treasurer. Joan kept our accounts in excellent order and was, and still is a great help to me. Also, I would like to thank Julie Shave for providing musical accompanying as we sing during our meetings. We will miss you Julie.

God Bless Ann Courtenay Branch Leader

BELLRINGING REPORT

Stranton’s Tower Captain, Andy Kaye continues to suffer from bad health and, very reluctantly, has had to stand down from both ringing and his position. Andy’s deputy, Joseph Wilson has stepped in as Tower Captain and he is well liked and supported by all the Hartlepool ringers.

Bell ringing at Stranton and the other two church towers has resumed as normal after lifting of government COVID restrictions. However, we continue to exercise precautions although some of us have been taken ill with COVID in recent months; all are now recovered.

Numbers of active ringers remain good but we have recently lost three of our regulars. Brian Telfer, sadly, passed await after a short illness, Olwyn Buttery has moved to Australia and Elle Buttery (no relative) has moved with her family to Lancashire. We will be looking for recruits.

The church kindly offered its facilities for the Thanksgiving Service, on Saturday 2[nd] April for Brian Telfer. Brian learned to ring at Stranton in his teens, joined the Army but on his return to Hartlepool he took it up again with renewed enthusiasm and was a respected and loyal member of the ringers. Our grateful thanks go to Peter Anderson as Churchwarden and to Paul Anderson who streamed the service for many friends of Brian to view including in Germany where he spent many years on military duty.

The faculty for refurbishment of Stranton’s bells has taken a long time to be processed. Sufficient funds have been raised, the prime contractor, Taylor’s of Loughborough and their subcontractors have been waiting patiently to start work. The Diocesan Clock Advisor has visited and has advised how the clock can be protected during the project. There is a slight possibility that bats may be using the belfry as a summer roost and a bat survey will be carried out during May. The Church Buildings Council advised the Diocese that in their opinion No 6 bell should not be retuned as it is a listed bell c1599.

The PCC appealed against this.

After considering the representations and evidence the Chancellor’s judgement is - Accordingly, a faculty will be granted for the full scope of the proposed works, including the retuning of bell no.6.

We hope the work on the bells will start before the end of June.

Andrew Frost and Joseph Wilson Tower Captain

ST MATTHEW’S COMMUNITY CENTRE ANNUAL GENERAL REPORT

The hall has been open now since April 12[th] 2021 since when groups have slowly returned as confidence has grown on how to manage Covid19.

Very much start and stop throughout 2021 with many changes in guidelines and regulations which were finally all lifted in July. By the end of September most groups had returned to the hall along with a number of new users. All of whom have grown in confidence in managing Covid19.

15

At the beginning of the year the new emergency lighting system installation was finally completed. This project was, in part, funded by a donation from the Communities of Hope capital buildings budget. In July we received a donation of £1,000 from the Probation Service towards kitchen equipment.

Social events such as Christmas Fairs have been held plus an Open Day for all hall users to display their activities was held together with JRF, CoH and BVNRA to allow residents hosted to see the facilities St Matthews has to offer and an opportunity for residents to give feedback on their expectations from their local community.

Working with BVNRA and the D543 campaign, in November we launched a fundraising appeal to finance the installation of a defibrillator at St Matthews. Within weeks we had raised the funds with matched funding from BVNRA and SMCC as well as generous donations from committee members and great support from many user groups in SMCC. The Defib was installed outside the small hall at the end of November.

During the Autumn we were able to accommodate the Regional Health Authority as a safe venue for vaccination clinics.

The car park was marked with a running track and was well used by Boys Brigade plus Guides and Brownies have used it as a safe way of meeting.

Going forward we will have to look at hiring rates as fuel costs will inevitably go up and decide what improvements we would like to make for the future.

The problem of litter is still there - even storm Arwen could not blow it all away.

Many thanks go to all those who have helped to keep the hall going through a difficult time, especially to Carol who inspired and helped a lot of hall users to develop Covid safety procedures to work to, and to Maureen for looking after the accounts.

George Bainbridge

16

The Parochlal Church Council of the Ecclesiastlcal Parlsh of All Saints, Stranton Charlty Registration Number 1134753 Accounts for the year to 31 December 2021

Independent Examlnerfs Certlfkate for Stranton PCC A¢¢ounts: Charfty Number: 1134753 l Report to the trustees ofr. All Salnts Stranlon Parochlal Church Councll on accounts for the year ended 31 December Z021 Respertlve responslbllltles of trustee5 and examlner The charlty's trustees are resFK)nsible for the preparatlon of the accounts. The chariW5 trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charlties Act 2011 (the Charities Artl and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Chafities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Dirertions given by the Charity Commisslon lunder settion 14515llbl of the Charities Act), and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlnerfs statement Independent examlner's statement: My examination was Carrled out in accordance with general Direction5 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 the trustees concerning any such matter5. The procedure5 Ltndertaken do not provide all the evldence that would be required in an audlt, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the ststement below. In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: l. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect. the following requirements have not been met: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act,. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charlties Act; to account for statutory fees corrertly. 2. to which. in my oplnlon. attentlon should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Slgned.. Date: 24April 2021 Name: Clive Rathbone (Retd. Hon. Treasurer, Castle Eden Methodist Circuit) Address: 21 Wolvlston Rd Hartlepool TS25 SAP pagelof8

All Sahrt• 8ir•rrton Pan)ch￿l Chureh CourKII 81Xlwn•nt ol FIn￿cl¥l Athldwforth•ygarwd•d 31 Cw•mb•r2D21 UnTotrf¢tsd R88trfded Endowmvnt TOTAL FlnlDS Fund& Fund8 Fundl 21 2020 eomlhu rn•ourt 69,911 41049 111,960 68.461 2b 4.720 119.125 123.84S 95.988 Incthna Iiomthorsiabb aTh19￿lIarytr0dln1 2¢ 29.$68 9.494 422 422 283 258 104,884 181,174 286,057 174,196 5.565 rdab.ng ofthechurch 3b 68,764 160.374 228,928 144,212 Fynd Pai￿ry and PuNic4ty CW M•J&mentand 28.431 26,431 18,711 103,069 161,174 264,243 168,508 N•t Inwlnglloiil9oing1 rpMourc••.' H811 Not In¢omlWltsiiigoiilg1 ¢urth -6,065 1A14 S.889 Net mo¥em>it In 1,814 1,114 88Lgrths Brw>t F￿r¢ at 1 J4nugry 2021 118.025 9.360 222.620 216.932 Balww Cothed FoTh¥ardat 31 D8c¥nter >)21 119839 9 360 224 435 222 620 P￿820f6

All Salnts Stranton Parochl•l Chyrth CounGII 2021 2020 Sta¢wn•nt ol Flnan¢lal Po•ltlon at 31 D0￿Mb01 2021 Note.. Flxed A•￿tr Tangiblo fixèd A88èts Investsnenl Assgls 193.143 185.684 5b Current A88ets Debtors and prepald &xpense$ Short T8mi Depos6t8 C8sh at Bank and In Hand 28.747 410 105,777 132,934 33,833 37,653 Llabilittes: Amounts falhng due vKthin on8 year -101,843 -34,956 N•t Curr•nt ILlbllltl•&y Ab•èts 31.291 36.937 224,43S 222.620 Fund•: Unrestr#ed reserves (see below) Rastrict•d r8s8Nès IAc¢ommodatlon Bulkllngs and Organ fund) Endo%wnent reseryes Totsl 119.839 95,235 118,025 95,235 224.435 222,820 AFproved by rè80krtion of the Parochial Church Counal, dated 5th Aprfl 2022 Revd. Canon Norn)an Shave (Chaimi￿) Mr Da￿d Craig (Hon. Trnagur•rl Page30f8

All Salnts Stran n Parochial Church Councll Year to 31 December 2021 Statement of Fin ncial Activities for he Year ended 31 De￿rnber 2021 Note 1- Accountin licies Basis of Pre ion These Accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets. They have been prepared to meet the requirements of the Church Accounting Regulations 2011 together with applicable Accounting Standards, the Charities Acts 2011 and 2016 and Statements of Recommended Practice. They have been prepared on an accruals basis to match income and related expenditure relating to the year under review. The statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible. Financial statements for various Church related activities or groups for which the PCC is not responsible are not included. Subsidiary Financial statements for activities of the Church Hall and Magazine which are consolidated in these Accounts are available separately. The Accounts do not include the activities of Trust Funds held and administered for the benefit of the PCC by the Diocese of Durham, except so far as income has been received from those fvnds. 1b Fixed Assets Fixed Assets a￿ stated at cost.. freehold land and buildings are not depreciated as in the view of the PCC the effect of depreciation of these assets would not be material to an appreciation of the PCC'S financial position. Office and computer equipment fumiture and fixtures are depreciated using a straight line method over a period (generally 4-5 years) estimated to refiecl the useful economic lives and residual values of those assets. Investments Investments are revalued annually and Carried at the lower of realisable and current market value. the difference between cost and carying value is recorded in a revaluation reserve where the value is greater than original cost: a provision is made for each investment asset for which the market value is less than its original cost. Reserves and provisions are not netted off. 1d Stocks Inventory is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value and written off as expenditure Ythèn issued. le Debtors Amounts receivable are stated at the value prudently expeded to be r6alised. Full or partial provision is made for bad or doubtful debts as soon as they become apparent. Liabilitie Provisions deferred income and ca al rants Full estimates are made of income received in advance and liabilities in¢urr8d in the course of the PCC'S Activities, and provision made in Compliance with current relevant Financial Reporting Standards. Penslons Paid Parish workers including Community of Hope Team members bvho are not directly remunerated by the Diocese of Durham are members of the Defined Contribution Scheme operated by B&CE on behalf of the parish, this schem8 complies with the national legal requirements for workplace pensions. Page4of8

All Salnts Stranton Parochlal ChU￿h Councll St*tsm•nt of C4•h Flo¥M for th• year ondod 31 Docomb•r 2021 2021 2021 2021 2020 Totsl Unre•trld•d RMtrl¢tod Tolal Op¢rallng actlvloes Oporating $urplus 2021 1.814 1,814 add items Th)t invoknng movement of fund$.' Depreriation Intteasel(Decfea8e) in Credotors IlncreasellDecrease in Debtors 86.887 65,789 3,669 -17,391 3.417 Cash ggnoratsd from oP￿tIon9 Capltal C•$h rgl•a8•d from doferred r￿nu• Cash lullllsodl In Inv9sting o¢tlvltlo8 Audiovlluil Sy¥t•m Ca8h movwnonts from Oporatlng and Invo811ng actlvlttes 15,197 69,458 .7,005 -16,528 68.127 -16,528 -1,330 69,458 -7,008 R•prnIent￿ by: Church Curr•nt account increased (Decreased) balances Hall Current Account Id8u8ased} balarKe Deposit alxounl Increa$e in balance Increase IDecrea8el in cash balanc8s (hall) Increase (Decrease} in cash balances (chu￿h) Not Movom•nt In Ilquld balan¢e• 63,971 4,079 -5.487 4.079 69,458 73 73 io 88.127 -7.006 Page5of8

All Salnt• 8trnnton Pro¢hlol Church Coundl Ploto•to Il FIMKl•l •tat•rn•nl• forth•yo•r gndwl 31 D•C•M￿r2D21 +188dirvJ 2 IrMfflliig r•Bo¢irui Unr••trl¢t•d R•8lrfclgd Endo¥ffii•nt TOTAL FUNDS Furbd# ¥und¥ Fund• Planned Gi%iry 47.730 11,932 47.730 11,932 50,914 12,729 Irwre T8X on Gffthiu irt(1)n￿ other incoTne tsx r￿¢verSb otherv￿Uthry9IW Other ftDay Odl restorati￿ 8ppo81. donakn8 1,514 2,578 35.880 35.880 69,911 42,049 68,461 2b ¢Jlh8rvduntaryincL¥Mg mswrrAs Gr8nts- Flot incI￿￿r￿a C8ptsI Gr)ts 9,625 15.4Lh) 10.229 15.4C 11.266 Cwitsnibe5 of Hopo. Extsmd Grants Communitse&of Hcw. SDF fimth'TrJ¥qa Ll"IK& )P991s8tc and Donabm 66.755 66.755 412 18,379 3,669.00 21.Y6 412 3,703 14.678 3.869 58.105 Fundra￿[n9 68 95,986 119.125 123,845 nes and bJok &41e$ Letbnas IHa118 etcl r¢tof intem&l 10 24,655 4,633 70 29.568 10 24,855 4.633 70 409 101 398 9,494 su￿1￿ ￿M6." 2d QthJrorrUn8ryin(nqrnsotMc6s tnbubtrlln 88rxet8ri81 costs IwJr8nc4 dms 422 422 422 422 t1vKI•￿. Intwt and Gr￿& 263 258 Toial In￿rnIn￿ R￿1¢08. 11M.884 161.174 286.057 174.1g6 PwB6vF8

fvjl 8•lml• Strafilon Parochthl Chur¢h Coundl P&Jto8 totr FIna￿kn1 •tswn•nl•forth•y•ar end￿ 31 D•e•mber2021 3. Flg¥our¢•ts Exp•ndqd Unrestrithd R8Stnthd ErthMnBnt TOTAL FUND8 Fund5 F￿d5 2020 3• Grnntsmgda Mi58vJnary¥nd ￿111￿)￿ 18 18 18 ReliBf & devdOprr￿t9w￿￿e8 342 342 7,684 8,884 Ministy. P8ith Shwe Cln￿￿￿e8¢1 HC￿ HUeFxl Stoifc¥Jsts Crynmuniies of￿0￿ HarUer((4 ofvroperabryJ Stkff trwse8. lnrJ￿in9 MEV 811wnr Proktycosts. 5tsff aw)mmo¢abDn Churoh TunriirvJ exFn8es. exd hal Church rgpab¥s8nd rwint8nart8 Reuuitmeni arK trainiNJ c3xts Ministry costs exdudlrvJ Pay￿￿t.B(￿bank. Yixth M8g8zin2.c6ts i￿￿je¢ In Stsoorwy Chur&b hall runnino eosts Professional fees.suNeysètc- 2020- IN'REP￿￿. 2021 Cap￿ sh lay wther remurer#btin CLw¢f￿th e¥errt8 Oeferwd £¥rwdilure. B•ll& r•stsy8b 19 34,033 34.033 54.570 18.047 30.9)0 16,673 6,276 1,951 54,570 18,047 3,625 23 21 21 23 343 11,480 9.705 156 3,e21 11.480 3.191 156 3,821 13.296 38.656 2.955 4,028 8.514 25 25 27 7,793 17.251 6.421 18.345 22,551 28 68.754 180,174 228,928 144,212 17 3¢ Fundmiyng 20 13.445 1,169 2,313 13,445 1,189 2,313 13.565 1.$02 2,493 801 $51 ststi￿ry Hall overhead 23 23 23 Bank Charges Leo81 rwts. 435 26,431 26,431 18.711 lWJ.l￿9 161,174 168.508 Pao&7of8

UpandJ4r PAWJ by OlLie￿.. ￿lI￿r￿•m￿l￿￿Tr urthr note 3b and 30$p•d iothv Path pllrfth adminhtrotr nd ftorn (X)tr202Q ioth¢ staff on rfth•C•ntrai HArUewd GKOUP cIP¥Dshef4 In th• ¢omMunits•Jd Hopo HafWts￿.4 PrO￿l￿n￿ th• C4or•a•(l DLYhllm, IrKkth by 8&CE Flx•d A•wl Note. e35.OW"RWr¢ tothothut¢h 2021 gw¥ary'. not E4uipmonl. 7•wJlbhflx•d A•••ty TOT& 1 ja￿￿ty 2021 178.551 210.8B9 D￿P￿lI9 10,524 18,52? Grgnts At 31 D•camber 2021 At l J•rpuHry2021 bposa ch1￿8 fcrknwfTh￿rMVTrt Attsl Dwbw2021 25.205 34.273 A¢ 31 D•c•mb•r 2021 JI OK•mbDr >)21 178,6BI Inm1 193.143 18FM4 7,133 tyfund T+Jtsl Fur Fu *21 1074eo 88.e83 113,14? 185.6 CuTfentAB 50,447 -?2 185 73.127 132.gJ4 71,e93 -101643 44 95e 491S7.91 95 235 17,750 15.890 17.Y3 26.747 2020 71.014 155 14.334 20.400 2074 12.62 OtsrUed￿ Tax r￿d NIC vnr•iirbthdwd RtrSLedCllyW IBuib81 rouw•• 42.232 89.083 127.975 1ZI.97S 80.347 17,201 60,347 17.201 Unt•JbicW.fjenwd Fund.. 23.2e6 R•Stri￿d.. Otggn Fur4£7,652 rO R•AtrflhJn 8U4￿1£2.0r￿J •.652 9.502 9,5 119.839 P*gèed8