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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Giles, Pontefract

2023-12-31-accounts

THE BENEFICE OF PONTEFRACT PARISH OF ST GILES with ST MARY’S Registered Charity No. 1135106

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ANNUAL REPORTS AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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This year has been one of seismic change in the life of our parish.

In August, we saw Canon June’s departure to take up a role as Chaplain to the Bishop of Rochester. The announcement of her departure, and her final service, were times of great emotion. Yet, throughout it all, we were assured of the continuing faithfulness and guidance of God. In her final letter in the Parish Magazine, Canon June encouraged us, amid all life’s changes, ‘to see our lives as held within the bigger story of God’s creating, sustaining and redeeming of his world.’

Through the interregnum, we saw many signs of that ‘bigger story’ of God’s life-giving love, unfolding in our parish. Building on the sturdy foundation set down by Canon June, we have continued to thrive. I’m hugely grateful to all who played their part in making the vacancy not just a time of endurance, but a time of flourishing. I continue to be astounded by the daily dedication of so many faithful disciples in our churches, without whom we simply could not function. I’m thankful in particular for the hard work put into the appointment process, for all who ensured the smooth running of a busy Christmas season, and most recently for those who helped Fr Ian’s Collation service go so well.

Remembering 2023 as a whole, some highlights jump out. We played our part in the country’s celebration of the King’s Coronation in May, with our special Coronation Service and our bell ringers’ participation in the ‘Ring for the King’. In July, Bishop Mark Sowerby visited St Giles’ for a joyful Confirmation Service. September saw our annual Patronal Festival, with Archdeacon Peter Townley joining us as part of his ‘farewell tour’, followed by a wonderful ‘Scones of Praise’ event in the afternoon. In November, there was a successful concert from the Yorkshire Imperial Band, marking Remembrance Day. These are just a handful of the myriad occasions and celebrations in our parish over the past twelve months.

Just as we’re in a time of change for our parish, so also it’s a time of change for our Diocese. We look forward to welcoming the Revd Canon Cat Thatcher as our new Archdeacon in May. Moreover, following the recent news of his upcoming retirement in the summer, we give thanks for the faithful ministry of Bishop Tony, and pray that God will guide the process of appointing his successor.

We now look to the future with hopeful expectation for all that God will do. It’s been wonderful to welcome (back) Fr Ian to Pontefract - and to kick things off “with a bang” with our moving and beautiful Holy Week and Easter services. A new chapter now begins, as we receive all the gifts that Fr Ian has to offer. Continue to pray for him, that the God who called him here would continue to bless his ministry. His arrival represents an opportunity for us to renew our sense of God’s call for our Parish, to widen our horizons, to be courageous and visionary as we seek to share God’s love with the people of Pontefract. This expanded vision will go together with the expansion of our Benefice, under the proposed Pastoral scheme to unite with St Stephen’s and St Michael’s. We pray that we might see our mission enriched by the distinctive gifts and treasures of all five churches.

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This may well be my last APCM as a curate. For my own part, I want to say a huge thank you to all of you for your encouragement, support and love throughout my time here. Pontefract is – it’s fair to say – a place with character! I’ve grown to love it here, discovering a community of warmth, friendship and faithfulness. Goodbyes would be quite premature, but suffice to say that when I do go, I will miss you all very deeply.

Churches, in general, are notorious for struggling with change. In one sense, this makes sense – we are guardians of ancient buildings and centuries-old traditions, and so we can be understandably uneasy about a world of fast-paced transformation. Yet, in another sense, it is Christian faith that provides the greatest possible resource for coping with change and transition – namely, our belief in an unchanging God. God is the one we look to provide stability; God is our foundation in a shifting and uncertain world. So we have nothing to fear from change, since nothing in the world can disturb the thing that matters most, which is the love of God.

The classic hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” begins like this:

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; as Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Christ has been the Church’s one foundation before any of us were born, and will continue be the only rock on which we stand.

I commend to you our APCM booklet this year, and I’m very grateful for all who have written reports, which provide a great snapshot of the varied and wonderful life of our parish. A particular thank you to our administrator, Vivienne, who pulls it all together into a seamless whole.

Fr Sam Fletcher April 2023

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CONTENTS

Introductory Letter ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Contents .......................................................................................................................................................... 5 St Giles’ Church ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Aims and Purposes/Objectives and Activities ..................................................................................... 7 Administrative Information ................................................................................................................. 10 Structure, Governance and Management .......................................................................................... 10 Volunteers and Staff ............................................................................................................................ 13 Statutory Reports : Electoral Roll ............................................................................................................................... 15 Proceedings of the PCC ................................................................................................................. 15 Safeguarding ............................................................................................................................... 16 Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council ........................................................ 16 Financial Reserves Policy .............................................................................................................. 17 Fabric, Goods and Ornaments of the Churches of the Parish ............................................ 17 Proceedings of the Deanery Synod ......................................................................................... 18 Non-Statutory Reports: Baptism Visitors .......................................................................................................................... 19 Bell Ringing ................................................................................................................................. 19 Flower Team ............................................................................................................................... 20 Junior Church – St Giles 3:16 .................................................................................................... 20 Lunch with Us ............................................................................................................................. 20 Messy Church .................................................................................................................................. 21 Missions Committee .................................................................................................................. 22 Mothers’ Union .......................................................................................................................... 23 Music ............................................................................................................................................ 23 Open Church .............................................................................................................................. 23 Parish Magazine ........................................................................................................................... 24 Pastoral Care ............................................................................................................................. 24 Serving Team ................................................................................................................................... 25 St Giles’ Management Committee .......................................................................................... 25 St Giles’ Foodshare & Pantry Club (No. 6) .............................................................................. 28 St Mary’s ............................................................................................................................................ 29 Social Media ................................................................................................................................. 30 Tiddlywinks .................................................................................................................................. 31 Financial Reports: Independent Examiner’s Report ............................................................................................. 32 St Giles’ PCC Financial Statement .......................................................................................... 33 St Giles’ PCC Final Summary of Receipts & Payments ........................................................ 34 Summary of St Giles’ Centre Accounts ................................................................................. 37 Summary of Lunch with Us Accounts .................................................................................... 37 Summary of St Giles’ with St Mary’s Missions Committee ................................................. 38 Summary of St Mary’s Receipts & Payments ......................................................................... 39

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ST GILES’ CHURCH (within the Benefice of Pontefract)

St Giles' Church is situated at the heart of Pontefract town centre. There has been a church on this site since at least the 12th Century. A significant re-ordering took place in 2012-2013. The ecclesiastical parish includes a wide range of housing within its bounds including new housing on a former pit site. St Giles’ Church of England Academy is within the parish, along with three other primary schools, a secondary academy, and New College, Pontefract. Pontefract General Infirmary, and the Prince of Wales hospice are also within the parish, along with leisure centres, a golf club, numerous retail outlets, and significant local employers such as the Haribo factory. St Mary’s community centre is a significant community provision based in Chequerfield. St Mary’s church meets weekly in this local centre.

The services at St Giles range from simple forms of worship to sung services. Our mid-week services follow a simpler form of Eucharistic worship.

The 10:15am Service of the Mass on Sunday mornings is a sung service with parts of the Eucharistic liturgy sung by our choir who rehearse weekly. On Feast Days incense is used at this service. Our children’s group (St Giles 3.16) meets during the service.

Choral Evensong generally takes place on the first Sunday of the month except in August. Themed evening services have been held for occasions such as Epiphanytide and the coronation of His Majesty, King Charles III in May 2023.

On Friday's, between September and July, monthly organ recitals take place in church at 1.00pm. Our organ is one of the finest in the north of England.

St Giles’ plays an active role in supporting local charities and organisations: several musical concerts take place in the church throughout the year.

No. 6, the leased shop on Chequerfield, has increased its profile providing a weekly pantry club for local residents to opt into and much needed food provision for families needing help in school holidays.

Every Wednesday between 12.30-2.00pm ‘Lunch with Us’ has provided food for the homeless and people with little resources.

There is also a church café serving coffee/teas and cakes, which is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays to coincide with the town's market days.

We have an active Mothers' Union, and a thriving toddler group (Tiddlywinks) which meets every Thursday morning.

The St Giles' Centre has several meeting rooms which are used by local groups as a venue for their activities. Open church, run by volunteers, enables the church building to be open throughout the week. This allows people to come in for quiet reflection, to light candles for loved ones and to pray. The Pontefract Foodbank continues to operate out of the St Giles Centre enabling the public to collect food and get help from Citizen’s advice.

St Mary’s is a small congregation of around 9 people who meet weekly in the St Mary’s Community Centre. Services are Eucharistic, Common Worship Morning Prayer and occasional family services themed as appropriate. Messy Church takes place there on the third Sunday of the month.

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Our bell ringers ring on Sundays before worship and practice on Mondays and from 2024 they will practice on Thursday evenings too.

These activities, which indicate ‘public benefit’, are described in more detail in this report.

AIMS AND PURPOSES

St Giles’ with St Mary’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) in the Benefice of Pontefract, has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Ian Bullock (from 13 March 2024), in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish of St Giles, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of St Giles’ church, whereas St Mary’s congregation meets in a building licensed for worship run by St Mary’s Community Project.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our churches and become part of our worshipping community at St Giles and at St Mary’s. Broadly our vision is to be an open, welcoming, and inclusive church for all who visit and live within the parish of Pontefract.

When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion by:

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In 2023, we

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Our achievements for 2023 are further detailed through the collection of reports presented as part of this booklet.

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ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2017) and a registered charity, number 1135106. In June 2019, we became part of the newly created Benefice of Pontefract which includes the parish of All Saints, Pontefract, along with our own parish of St Giles with St Mary’s.

Our correspondence address is: Parish Office, St Giles Church, Market Place, Pontefract, WF8 1AT Tel: 01977 790448 Email: stgileschurchpontefract@gmail.com

Bank: Virgin Money, 81 Carlton Street, Castleford, WF10 1BW

Insurance Provider: Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, Beaufort House, Brunswick Rd, Gloucester, GL1 1JZ

Architect: Mr David Barker, Associate Director based at Norwich Union House, High St, Huddersfield, HD1 2LR

Independent Examiner: Mr John Ransome, John Ransome Accountancy Services Ltd, 11 Northleigh, East Hardwick, Pontefract, WF8 3DR

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

In June 2019, the union of the Benefice of All Saints’, Pontefract, and the Benefice of St Giles, Pontefract, became a legal entity. The constituent parishes remain distinct. Canon June Lawson was appointed as the first incumbent of the new Benefice of Pontefract with The Revd Ian Bullock appointed from 13 March 2024.

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules 2017. At St Giles’ with St Mary’s, the ex-officio membership of the PCC consists of the Incumbent (Vicar), other clergy licensed to the benefice, four churchwardens (elected at the Annual Meeting of parishioners), and the 12 members of the laity elected by those members of the congregations who are on the electoral roll of the church. All those who attend our services/members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC when vacancies occur.

The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. The Standing Committee is required under Church Representation Rules. It meets approximately 8 times a year to transact the business of the PCC between its full meetings including meeting prior to PCC’s to set the agenda for the meeting. It also acts as the personnel committee of the PCC.

The PCC enable people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:

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During 2023, the full PCC met 6 times with an average attendance of 72.17%.

The PCC has committees with Terms of Reference which deal with a particular aspect of parish life. These committees include the Standing Committee, the St Giles’ Centre Management committee, the Fabric, Health and Safety committee, St Mary’s Community committee, and the Missions Committee. All are responsible to the PCC and report back to it regularly with minutes of their decisions being received by the full PCC and discussed, as necessary.

The following people served as PCC members for all or part of the year 1[st] January 2023-31[st] December 2023:

Vicar and Chair (ex officio) *The Revd Canon June Lawson (in vacancy from 13.09.2023)
Vice Chair *Barbara Sessford (Acting Chair from 13.09.2023)
Churchwardens *Bruce Dalgleish
(ex officio) *Peter Lavine
*Pam Mercer
*Barbara Sessford
Deanery Synod Representatives Maureen Gummerson (resigned from 26.03.2023)
(ex officio) Tony Williams (resigned from 26.03.2023)
Ruth Carter (resigned from 26.03.2023)
Barbara Sessford (appointed from 26.03.2023)
Jill Clapham (appointed from 26.03.2023)
PCC Members Term of office expires 2024:
Ulric Murray
Position Vacant
Position Vacant
Position Vacant
Term of office expires 2025:
Sonia Atkin
David Belford
Joan Taylor
Position Vacant
Term of office expires 2026:
Lynne Davis
Karen Glynn

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Term of Office Expires 2026: Frank Ward *David Leigh

Clergy Fr Rod Walker, Associate SSM (Priest) (ex officio) Fr Michael Taylor, PTO (Priest) Fr Mark Watkins, Associate stipendiary priest Fr Sam Fletcher, stipendiary curate

*indicates member of Standing Committee

The following appointments were made by the Parochial Church Council during the year 1[st] January 2023 to 31[st] December 2023:

Sides-people Linda Atkins Margaret Hopwood
John Barber Ian Knox
Bill Bradley Barbara Lavine
Barbara Chessman Maureen Milnes
Janet Colvill Peter Spurr
Margaret Coverdale Geoff Walsh
Ian Wood
PCC Secretary / Church Vivienne Smales
Administrator
Treasurer David Leigh
Health and Safety Officer Peter Lavine
Safeguarding Officer Karen MacDonald (resigned from 26.03.2023)
Christine Brown (appointed 26.03.2023)
Electoral Roll Officer Bevil Edwards
Organist and Director of Music James MacDonald
Disability Officer Barbara Sessford
St Mary’s Community Meeting Chair Fr Michael Taylor

VOLUNTEERS and Staff

Our mission is sustained by the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers.

In addition to thanking our ministry team – Jill Clapham (LLM), Fr Michael Taylor, Fr Rod Walker, and now Fr Ian Bullock, I would also like to thank all the volunteers who work with such generosity to help our churches to thrive. During the interregnum, many people stepped up to

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take on extra work and responsibilities to ensure the continuing flourishing of our churches, and I’m so grateful for this.

Weekly and mid-week services could not happen without the team who serve as lectors, intercessors, and servers; as Eucharistic ministers, sides-people, operators of the sound system, printers of service booklets, arrangers of such beautiful flowers throughout the year and our washer of church linen. We are also so grateful to all who help children and young people grow in faith - the St Giles 3:16 team, the Tiddlywinks leaders, and our baptism welcomers, co-ordinated by Mary Murray.

Our worship is enriched by our wonderful choir, led by our Musical Director and Organist, James Macdonald. Michael Phipps, our organ curator, is always willing to offer his time and expertise when the St Giles’ organ needs attention. Our dedicated bell ringers have summoned us to worship, led by the tower captain, Adrian Garner and assisted by Karen Glynn.

Administration happens in the parish through our much-appreciated paid part-time administrator, Vivienne Smales, and through two dedicated volunteers, Stuart Lonsdale, and Jonathan Harris. Both give very generously of their time week by week attending to service booklets and other printing tasks including magazines for other churches. Jonathan Harris has ensured our presence on social media through our Facebook pages, twitter account and the national online platform ‘a church near you.’

A large amount of work administering lettings goes on behind the scenes in the St Giles’ Centre and so grateful thanks must go to Bill Bradley for his commitment to this.

The church members and wider community are served by numerous volunteers working as part of ‘Lunch with Us’ (a much-appreciated meal provision in the community), by those catering and serving refreshments as part of the regular coffee mornings, and as individuals staffing the Open Church rota, enabling the church to be open for the public is an important gift of sacred space for our town.

The caretaker, Ian Wood, a paid staff member, continues to keep our church clean and ensure those letting our rooms are looked after. A small team of volunteers, led by Peter Lavine, also look after the fabric and health safety of the church building.

Many members of St Giles serve on committees, not least the PCC and the St Giles’ Centre committee, but also as members of Deanery and Diocesan Synods, as part of school governance and as trustees of the St Mary’s Community Project. Their role is key to parish and diocesan governance.

Our Mission’s Committee organise events to raise funds for our church supported charities. Other local and national charities are supported by individuals raising funds. Individuals organise whist drives, concerts and recitals, organise raffles (including guess the weight of the cake), host an annual fashion show, or run bric a brac stalls to help church and charity funds.

A big thank you goes to our churchwardens: Bruce Dalgleish, Peter Lavine, Pam Mercer, and Barbara Sessford, along with their weekly teams, who always work with such faithfulness and dedication. Frank Ward, St Mary’s pro warden, who faithfully ensures that St Mary’s can meet for worship week by week.

This year, a particular thank you must go to Bruce for his hard work in putting together our Parish Brochure during the appointment process.

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David Leigh, church treasurer for so many years, has overseen and administered the church’s accounts and its finances. His role takes a lot of time and hard work - counting and banking

money, paying invoices, populating spreadsheets, and then helping others to make sense of the figures. David is consistent in meeting these tasks with diligence.

I hope no team has been missed. If you have – many apologies; it makes your gift of time no less valuable to our ministry and mission.

Our church relies heavily on our volunteers, many of whom have given many years of faithful service. As we look to the future, it’s clear that we’ll only be able to sustain our work by bringing on-board new volunteers. If you have gifts to offer, or time to give, we would be so grateful.

Fr Sam Fletcher

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STATUTORY REPORTS (Achievements and Performance)

ELECTORAL ROLL REPORT

After the report for the 2023 APCM had been submitted it was noted that unfortunately the late Doreen Shorthouse’s name had not been removed from the roll and that the total number of members had been incorrectly recorded as 141 and not 140. The error was rectified and the number submitted to Diocesan House was stated correctly.

Notice of revision of the electoral roll was given on 25 February 2024 and the revision was concluded on 7 April 2024. Four applications for inclusion on the roll were received and the names and addresses of the applicants have been entered accordingly.

The details of two members who have died have been removed from the roll.

The number of members recorded on the roll at today’s date is 142.

Bevil Edwards

Electoral Roll Officer Date: 5 March 2023

REPORT ON THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

There followed another busy year for the PCC as a whole and for the various groups which report to the PCC.

Some of the significant areas that the PCC has considered are:

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SAFEGUARDING

Thank you for appointing me as your Parish Safeguarding Officer. Following my retirement as Safeguarding Manager and Pastoral Lead at St Giles C of E Academy after just over 30 years I was quite anxious as to how I would fill my time. Everyone told me that God would have a plan and sure enough he did! I was approached by Canon June and I had little hesitation in accepting this role.

As many of you are aware I Worship at All Saints' so to keep in touch I call in to St Giles on a regular basis. I have been in constant contact with Vivienne and would like to thank her for the assistance she has given me and also for answering my numerous questions. Also many thanks to Father Sam, the Churchwardens and everyone for making me welcome.

The church complies with Diocesan Safeguarding Policies and Practices, with regular updating of the Diocesan Safeguarding Dashboard. This guides the work of the PCC in fulfilling its statutory obligations.

The PCC continues to commit to carrying out the Church of England policy for Safeguarding; it also reaffirms that everyone is responsible for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults irrespective of their role within the church community, with any concerns being reported to the Safeguarding Officer, Clergy or a member of the PCC.

All members of St Giles’ who are, due to the nature of their post (voluntary or otherwise) are currently in receipt of an enhanced DBS check and this information is confidentially stored with the parish administrator. Post holders and volunteers have all received the necessary clearance to fulfil their roles. In line with new guidance from the Diocese, from January 2024 all DBS checks are to be renewed every 3 years rather than 5.

Actions completed:

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Safeguarding is not one person's responsibility, it is the responsibility of all. If at any time you have any Safeguarding concerns please report it as soon as possible.

Christine Brown Parish Safeguarding Officer

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

Please refer to the Financial statements at the end of this booklet.

FINANCIAL RESERVES POLICY

A Financial Reserves Policy is annually agreed by the PCC.

“Under normal conditions the PCC within has adopted a policy to maintain a balance of unrestricted funds which equates to circa six months of the unrestricted funds normal annual expenditure. Certain of these funds are from time to time earmarked for designated purposes.”

REPORT ON THE FABRIC, HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE 2023

Condition of the fabric

It is now eighteen months since the south nave roof was completely refurbished and to date no defects have occurred. It is also noted that since improvements to the north aisle roof were carried out last year we have not suffered any ingress of rain water. This is due to the fact that the large drainage channels installed on the aisle roof carry most of the water away during extreme storms.

We have had our quinquennial inspection carried out by the church architect, David Barker and I am pleased to say that there was nothing serious to comment on. We spoke at length about our desire to install solar pv panels on the south aisle roof and he was very supportive of this along with the installation of a small radio transmitter on the tower roof should approval be given.

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All the mandatory tests and examinations that are required to enable the church to operate legally and safely have been completed as have the five yearly electrical installation inspection which has been carried out by the church electricians (Sycamores).

We have spent the last twelve months replacing the fluorescent fittings in the church and, to date, most of the lights in the east end (ground and first floor), and the first floor rooms, landings and stairs in the west end have been replaced with more economical LED fittings. This will also act to reduce our carbon footprint in line with the C of E directive. The challenge this coming year will be to replace the lights in the cafe and baptistery area. As for the main lights in the nave, this will be a much bigger project as we will endeavour to switch to LED lighting whilst retaining the original fittings. It is worth noting at this time that replacing these lights is necessary as fluorescent lights will no longer be available after this coming year as production ceases.

The annual planned schedule of maintenance has been completed by our regular maintenance team, who continue to conscientiously go about their duties on our behalf. Long may that continue. I’ll take this opportunity to welcome Ian Knox to our team.

I mentioned earlier that our architects support for the proposed solar project on the south aisle roof and I would just like to elaborate on that for a moment; We have engaged a company to design and install the panels and along with our structural engineer and church architect we hope to deliver a cost effective solution to reducing our reliance on energy suppliers. Again this will also reduce our carbon footprint. We are still in the planning phase and two big hurdles await us. One is permissions from the church authorities and the local authority planning department and the other is funding. We will endeavour to apply for grants to cover the cost, but if you feel you would like to help with a financial contribution to allow this important project to go forward, please speak with myself, David Leigh, the treasurer, or the vicar.

Peter Lavine on behalf of the Fabric,Health and Safety Committee.

REPORT ON THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE DEANERY SYNOD

The Deanery Synod has met once since our 2023 APCM. The meeting took place at St Luke’s Church Grimethorpe, which is a member of the Priory Benefice, on Saturday 18[th] November 2023. Representatives from St Giles were Fr Sam Fletcher, Barbara Sessford and Jill Clapham.

Rev, Margaret Gallagher, the Area Dean opened the meeting with prayers as it was the first meeting for some of the Deanery Synod Rev. Margaret gave a presentation on being a member of the Deanery Synod and how that feeds into the Diocesan Synod and the General Synod. Rev Joyce Jones, General Synod rep also gave a talk on the workings of the General Synod.

Elections then took place for Lay Chair, Standing Committee, Secretary and Treasurer, all posts were filled except for Secretary which remains vacant.

Other news from the Deanery included the announcement of the new Archdeacon of Pontefract, Rev. Cat Thatcher and the Measure to create a new Benefice to include Knottingley, Ferrybridge, Womersley, Kellington and Brotherton was disseminated to the representatives. Following the success of the 2023 Youth Pilgrimage to Walsingham the Deanery is planning to take a group of young people to Walsingham in August 2024.

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Fr Sam Fletcher presented a motion on behalf of St Giles PCC regarding the Church Commissioners releasing money for the installation of solar panels on suitable church buildings. After some discussion an amendment was agreed on, the motion was taken to the Diocesan Synod in March 2024. The next meeting of the Deanery Synod will take place at ST Margaret’s South Elmsall on Saturday 13 April 2024.

Jill Clapham

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NON-STATUTORY REPORTS (Achievements and Performance)

BAPTISM MINISTRY

Baptism services have continued to be held twice a month at 12.15pm, following the Sunday morning Eucharist. The majority of the bookings are now made by email through the church office and the family is then sent information (by email), highlighting the role and importance of Godparents, the role of the Baptism Welcomer, and explaining the need to attend a Preparation Meeting with a member of the clergy shortly before the date of the Baptism. The Baptism Welcomer is also present at the meeting, ensuring that there is a familiar face on the day of the Baptism and, most importantly, someone who represents the church family into which the candidate is being admitted.

There have been 20 baptisms at the Sunday morning service in 2023. Of these, 6 were babies under the age of 1 year; 6 were children aged between 1 and 4 years and 4 were children over the age of 5 years. Four adults were baptised. In addition, 3 adults were baptised prior to their Confirmation in September.

Our team of Baptism Welcomers has numbered 8 this year. Warm thanks to one and all! And I need to give special thanks to Margaret Hopwood who has retired after many years of valuable and willing ministry. The main body of administration has been efficiently and sympathetically managed by Vivienne Smales - thank you Vivienne!

Anyone who wishes to find out more about the role of Baptism Welcomer can speak with a member of the clergy, myself, or a member of the Welcoming team.

Mary Murray

BELL RINGING

It has been a busy year for the bell ringers! Our numbers continue to grow and we now have 15 regular ringers. We are nearly at the point where all 10 bells are being rung on Sunday morning for the first time in years. Our aim is to grow our numbers so that we can split the band on Sunday mornings with some people ringing at St Giles’ and another group ringing at All Saints’, subject to the condition of the bells at All Saints’ being inspected. Recently we welcomed one of the youngest ringers (aged 8) in UK to our numbers.

We have regular trips to ring at other towers in Yorkshire. Adrian and a small group regularly go out to other towers on the second Saturday of the month. A group of us recently attended a practice evening at Barnburgh to support a new band of ringers there. The narrow wooden staircase up to the ringing chamber at Barnburgh was an interesting experience! We are hoping to have another trip to Taylor’s of Loughborough (see the report in the November magazine) to see some bells being cast.

We are looking to purchase a new set of ropes and have approached Wakefield Council for a Year of Culture grant. We’re still waiting for the clock chimes to be repaired. Our closing bank balance at our 2023 AGM was £847.87 with an income of £105.

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If you or someone that you know would be interested in learning how to ring and to help us to grow our numbers, please get in touch with Adrian on 07790 956257 to organise a taster session.

Adrian Garner Tower Captain

FLOWER TEAM

The Flower Fairies remain a small but enthusiastic team.

During the last year we have continued to create floral arrangements to enhance our Church to the glory of God. Last year we also had a fund raising project and produced a Calendar, which sold well in aid of church funds.

As always, we are very grateful to all those who sponsor the Flowers. You are never asked to meet the full cost of the Flowers so any donation is always most appreciated.

The Flower Team.

JUNIOR CHURCH – ST GILES’ 3:16

Church members are now used to our new name, which changed to become more inclusive and to encourage our young people to continue to learn with us after the age of 11 years when they traditionally left Junior School for Secondary education. It was also chosen because of the verse in St John’s Gospel: ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believed in him may not die but have eternal life’.

We teach many of our lessons through Godly Play lessons. This works well for us as we have a wide age range from four to fourteen and relies on not only telling Bible stories through the use of the little figures we have made, but also asks our children to wonder? Recently we wondered what part of the Easter story was the most important and which part they liked the most. These open-ended questions make our teaching accessible to all ages.

We always start with our own prayer written by children a few years ago that involve actions to accompany our prayer and a lighted candle (battery operated).

During the last year we have been looking at symbolism in the everyday world we see around us and also the symbolism we see in church. We have recently been comparing the life Jesus would have led as a young boy with their own lives. We compared our houses with that of Jesus and also the places we worship. Leading on from this, using arts and crafts to develop understanding, we made Torah Scrolls to explain that Jesus as a Jew would have a different type of Holy Book to the Bible we use, although many of the stories are the same. We used Noah’s Ark as an example as it is a story the younger children know. The children love coming back into church and sharing what we have been doing with the congregation.

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We try to link our teaching programme to Christian festivals in the Liturgical Year and most of all make learning in St Giles 3:16 fun!

Lynne and Stephanie

LUNCH WITH US REPORT

Lunch with Us is an important mission in our church serving some of the most vulnerable members of our community. It is flourishing and continues to welcome regular, occasional and new customers.

Our amazing team of volunteers from St Giles', St Joseph’s and St Stephen’s East Hardwick are dedicated to giving everyone an enjoyable experience.

We operate on a voluntary donation basis if people can afford to pay and we apply for occasional grants.

I would encourage anyone to come along one Wednesday to have lunch and meet some of our customers and volunteers.

Barbara Sessford

Lunch with Us Coordinator

MESSY CHURCH

Messy Church continues to meet on the third Sunday of every month, 4pm at St Mary’s Church. In January, the responsibility for co-ordinating Messy Church was passed from Fr Sam to Jill Clapham, who oversees a group of wonderful and committed volunteers.

Each service includes craft activities, music, storytelling from the bible, prayers, a Christian message, and a free meal. It is aimed at people of all ages, and aimed at being accessible to children and families. Messy Church provides an important opportunity for mission, consciously reaching out to those with little or no experience of church, and providing an accessible and welcoming space in which to hear the Gospel message. This missional opportunity is strengthened by our location in the heart of Chequerfield estate, where there are a number of families with children.

It is broadly publicised, including through flyering in Chequerfield, being advertised in various schools, to our Tiddlywinks group, and to baptism families. In the year to come, we would like to expand our reach by focusing on a distinctive and creative social media presence for Messy Church, which will be crucial in reaching our target demographic.

Numbers at Messy Church fluctuate, and one of our hopes for the future is that we will be able to build a more consistent community of regular attendees. In March 2024, 18 people attended, including 5 children/young people.

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Our initial funding from the Bishop’s Development Fund, in addition to the PCC Mission budget, continues to provide the money we need for resources, including craft materials and food.

We encourage all members of our congregations to come along to Messy Church, and bring family and friends.

Fr Sam Fletcher

THE MISSIONS COMMITTEE REPORT

Once again, our main fundraising activity was the monthly Saturday morning coffee.

Fundraising activities other than coffees were a beetle drive held in the February half-term and a chocolate tombola at Easter.

The five charities we continue to support are:

The Leprosy Mission

TLM offers rehabilitation, education, vocational training, small business loans, housing and fresh water and sanitation to tens of thousands of leprosy sufferers each year. We sent a contribution to help with this valuable work.

Church Missionary Society

We helped fund Andrew and Andrea Young, who work on behalf of the CMS, providing pastoral care to United Mission in Nepal.

Mara

Majengo Mapya is our link parish near Musoma on Lake Victoria and we sent a contribution to assist with the continuing work being done there.

The Church Army

The Missions Committee donate towards their work in some of the very deprived areas in the UK.

The Missions to Seafarers

They work worldwide to support seafarers, giving specialist help in a crisis.

The Missions Committee thanks our congregation for their continuing support.

Edie Barber Treasurer and Secretary

MOTHERS’ UNION

We have 24 members; we started our year with our Wave of Prayer service followed by our New Year social. During the year we have had some interesting speakers, we had our annual outing and went to Peace Hall and Halifax and a garden centre on the way home. In July we had our

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afternoon tea. We held our AGM in November followed by a pie & pea lunch. Jill led our Advent service in December and followed this with a Christmas lunch.

The fashion show we held in April was very successful and we had a bottle stall and guess the weight of the cake.

We supported ‘Make a Mother’s Day’ and our donations to MU projects were £100 to Summer of Hope, £300 to Worldwide Fund, £150 to Away from It All Holidays, and £150 to Upkeep of the caravans.

We nominated a family for a holiday last, they had a wonderful holiday at Filey which the children will never forget.

Marjorie Laidlaw MU Secretary

MUSIC REPORT

The choir continues to enhance worship at Saint Giles’. We look forward to welcoming back (later this year) Tom Moore, to give the last recital of our current series. I must reinforce my thanks to Michael Phipps who continues to generously support the maintenance of the organ, which is one of the country’s finest. I cannot express enough my gratitude and deepest appreciation of our marvellous choir who, each week, sing beautifully. Thank you so much for your dedication. Choral Evensong is on the first Sunday each month (usually) so please do come along and support them.

The now ‘not-so-new’ mass setting by Peter Nardone is part of the repertoire which allows more congregational involvement. It’s a tuneful and uplifting setting so please do join in, as it’s now firmly embedded in our worship. You can even make mistakes - music in worship is there to be embraced so feel free to sing your hearts out! Lots of new hymns and anthems have been introduced and I am excited by expanding our repertoire further.

The Friday Organ recital series continues to attract a growing number of enthusiasts, and the recitalists are always grateful for the warm Ponte welcome they receive! To those of you who support it: thank you. It really is an important part of our musical heritage which, midst the technologically dependant world in which we now live, allows for a celebration of tradition and an opportunity to enjoy exceptional music. We may increase the number of these if they continue to be well-supported.

James MacDonald Organist and Director of Music

OPEN CHURCH

It doesn't seem two minutes since the last time I was writing this! We continue our mission to keep church open most days for between two and four hours because of our great team of volunteers. It is important for the church to be open to allow people to come into church to pray or maybe to chat to volunteers or to simply be quiet.

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We would love for some new people to come and join our team. Even if you can't make it every week, or you would like to join the reserve list, your help would be greatly appreciated.

Barbara Sessford

PARISH MAGAZINE

The magazine continues in its new, coloured format, at its new price of £1 for 10 issues, without any noticeable decrease in circulation. Thanks are due to our several new contributors - not least Razzie the border terrier - who allow our pages to be filled, in most editions, with interesting, sometimes thought-provoking, reports and articles. Thanks too, to Vivienne, for her faultless proof-reading and her support in allowing the magazine to be published, mostly, on time.

Bruce Dalgleish

PASTORAL CARE

Pastoral care is a central part of our parish’s ministry, and this has been maintained through the vacancy.

We have a core pastoral care team comprising Fr Sam, Jill Clapham, and Pam Mercer (and, now, Fr Ian). We currently take Home Communion on a monthly basis to 7 regular home communicants, as well as those who receive home communion on a temporary or one-off basis. This is in addition to the pastoral visiting by our clergy, which we arrange as the need arises, including hospital and hospice visits where appropriate. We support people facing a wide variety of difficulties, including grief, isolation and ill health.

To help us in this work, we rely also upon the strong network of friendships that exist within church. We are thankful to be part of a church community in which people show so much love and care for one another, and are grateful for those occasions when church members have alerted us to pastoral needs on behalf of their friends. While our pastoral ministry team takes on particular responsibilities, the task of providing support and caring for one another is shared by the whole church.

Our clergy also offer pastoral care to those outside of our congregation – for example, as part of our funeral ministry. Care and support of various kinds is also offered from church members to those outside the church, for example through Lunch With Us and the Food Share at No. 6.

In summary, through our pastoral ministry, we continue to provide important spiritual and emotional support to our congregations and the wider community.

Fr Sam Fletcher

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SERVING TEAM REPORT

Members of our congregation and choir have continued to volunteer their time during both our regular worship and special services throughout the past year. New faces have appeared whilst some of our regular team members have stepped down after giving many years of service. We are blessed at St Giles with so many people willing to take their turn reading the lessons, leading intercessions, serving at the altar, and serving as eucharistic ministers. Each of these ministries are important components of our church life and we would like to thank everyone for their continued dedication. There is always room for new volunteers so if you feel called to any of these roles please speak to our Licensed Lay Minister Jill Clapham, Fr Ian or Fr Sam, support and training is available.

Jill Clapham

ST GILES’ MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Management Committee has met on 5 occasions during the year. At the July meeting members expressed thanks to Canon June for her excellent work as Chair and wished her well in her future role in Rochester. Ulric Murray volunteered to take on the role until the new Vicar was appointed.

Centre usage by community groups and local organisations during 2023 was substantially higher compared with the previous 3 years which were severely affected by the Covid restrictions. Income from room rentals amounted to £14606.40 compared to £4318 in 2022 (an increase of 238%) largely due to the National Lottery Community Award of £6290 which covered the annual cost of room hire by Citizens Advice and associated caretaking costs.

Additional income of £743.00 from a further grant was received in January 2023 from the Asda Foundation Cost of Living Grant Scheme to create and incorporate a Warm Space within the Centre. The project operated between January and March 2023 as an extension of the Wednesday Lunch with Us project utilising additional space within a safe and welcoming environment and included the provision of hot drinks and refreshments. The Warm Space project also operated on Thursdays in association with the Foodbank operation and Financial Inclusion Advisory service which offered help to those in food poverty.

A further grant application to the National Lottery Community Fund was made at the end of the year to cover Citizens Advice room hire costs for the next two years i.e. until the end of December 2025. A decision is expected in early 2024.

A successful application was made to NOVA for membership of the Third Sector Framework which enables us to make future grant requests. A subsequent grant application made through the Wakefield District’s Third Sector Framework for a West Yorkshire Combined Authority Community Grant for Climate Change for the installation of solar panels on the roof of the south aisle was unsuccessful due to limited available funding. The panel chose to support other organisations where match funding has already been secured, giving greater confidence that all work could be completed by the deadline of 31 December 2024 as stipulated by WYCA.

At the May meeting of the committee it was agreed to increase room hire rates by 5% due to the impact of increasing levels of inflation and particularly how this has affected the church energy costs. The increase in charges was again well below the rate of inflation at that time.

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Centre activities during the year -

The weekly Lunch with Us meals service continued to provide a full service throughout the year in the café area. The project is satisfying a continual and increasing demand with a weekly average of 90 meals to 45 people served by 9 volunteers.

(2022 figures: 72.5 meals/35 people/7.8 volunteers)

The Centre Committee continues to oversee the Holiday Food Share and Food Pantry projects which are based at No.6 The Circle in Chequerfield and has established a sub-committee comprising of 3 members to provide additional support to Paul and Ann regarding management of the project and future developments.

The Committee is now looking ahead to maintain the increasing use of the Centre during 2024 and has already received a number of new room hire bookings and enquiries.

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The committee wishes to express its thanks to Vivienne (Secretary), David (Treasurer) and Ian our caretaker for all their help and support throughout the year.

Committee Membership: Fr. Sam, Vivienne Smales (Secretary), David Leigh (Treasurer), David Belford, Bill Bradley, Ulric Murray, Fr Rod, Barbara Sessford and Joan Taylor.

Bill Bradley

Please see the Appendix for Financial accounts.

ST GILES’ FOOD SHARE & PANTRY CLUB

By the end of 2022, we were beginning to reach our capacity for both the Pantry Club and Holiday Food Share: throughout 2023, these have respectively been running at 25-30 families each week and 40-45 families each holiday provision.

Pantry Club continues to help stop families falling into crisis and to support families who have moved on from the Foodbank’s emergency support. We are developing our service delivery through cooperation with the Foodbank, by signposting to its financial inclusion model which helps families to maximise benefit claims and to get help with financial worries.

Nominations to Holiday Food Share have remained high, totalling 385 families (comprising over 1600 people) through the year. As each parcel contains the ingredients for about 8-9 meals per person in each household, the estimated number of meals provided this year is over 13000.

Both forms of provision mean that a substantial amount of food passes through No 6 during the year. We are very grateful for the ongoing contributions of food from the regular collections at St Giles’ and All Saints’ Churches, donations made by and through our local Morrisons and Asda, and occasional input from Pontefract Trussell Trust Foodbank. The weekly deliveries from FareShare have been financed by WMDC. We aim to provide fresh fruit and vegetables as often as possible, mainly from FareShare and Morrisons but also through purchases using grants from wdh. Our bread supply is now reliant on weekly deliveries by Wakefield Street Kitchen and FareShare. We have also benefitted from Harvest donations from local schools and support from Smiles for Miles in the form of sufficient Adent Calendars and Easter Eggs for the children in our families.

However, much of the food we distribute has to be purchased. In 2022, our expenditure was around £3500; in 2023, this has risen to some £14000, a four-fold increase. Subscriptions from Pantry members contributed £3500 in 2023, so we are heavily reliant on financial donations from Church members, members of the local community who call into the shop, and a local firm as well as grants channelled through WMDC, and given by wdh, Yorkshire Building Society and even Hillards Charitable Trust.

We are keen to build strong community partnerships. Our longstanding relationship with wdh is a two-way one: including their generous charity lease of No 6 on the one hand and nominations of families who need our support on the other. Likewise we benefit from local schools’ knowledge of families who are struggling and receive occasional donations from their food collections. Our shop window is used to promote services and events of interest and we welcome local people calling in at the shop.

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We see ourselves as part of the Benefice’s outreach in the community and continue to take part in the annual Community Showcase. We value the support not only of food and monetary donations, but also the time given by a team of about 12 volunteers who help both with the Pantry Club and with Holiday Food. We are developing stronger policies and procedures so that we can draw on voluntary input from within the community.

Paul & Ann Harris

ST MARY’S REPORT 2023

The worship offered at St Mary’s is broad. Holy Communion, twice a month. Morning Worship once. Messy Church once.

With the exception of Messy Church which is at 4.00 pm the others begin at 9.00 am.

The congregation at 9.00 am is on average 10. We have lost 3 members to another church within our Benefice.

The committee meets on an Ad Hoc basis at the home of Fr Michael. Minutes submitted to the PCC.

We work as a team and my thanks go to all.

Fr Michael

SOCIAL MEDIA

2023 was another busy year in terms of social media. The number of like and followers across all platforms has seen an increase.

The Facebook page had 477 likes and has 570 followers.

The Benefice X (Twitter) account has 144 followers.

St Giles' A Church Near You page has had 14180 page views in the last year and St Mary's A Church Near You page has had 15191 page views in the last year.

All figures correct as of 23/03/24.

Jonathan Harris

TIDDLYWINKS REPORT

Last year was very encouraging and we managed to maintain maximum numbers throughout the year and the weather allowed us to hold our usual church session at the castle, much to the delight of the children.

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Like the whole of the nation we also held a party in celebration of the King’s Coronation. We made crowns and the children dressed in red, white and blue with a party to follow.

We meet every Thursday from 10:30am to 12.00pm in term time for a short children’s service, which includes a story, prayers and songs accompanied by noisy musical instruments. The children then do various craft activities so they have something to take home to show their parents/ guardians. This is followed by playtime in the cafe area and refreshments.

This year, thanks to the generosity of our users, we have been able to make donations to church who provide us with a warm, welcoming place for our meetings.

Our group consists of Sandra Cutting, Jill Townsend, Elaine Troughton, Sheila Roydhouse and Barbara Lavine.

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

The Benefice of Pontefract: The Parish of St Giles with St Mary’s Pontefract,

Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2023

I report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out from pages 32-38.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner.

It is my responsibility to:

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 2011 Act; and

  2. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act and the Regulations have not been met; or

  3. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Name: Mr John Ransome (signed on page 32)

Address: John Ransome Accountancy Services Ltd

11 Northleigh, East Hardwick, Pontefract, WF8 3DR

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ST GILES’ PCC – FINANCIAL STATEMENT YEAR ENDING 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023

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ST GILES’ WITH ST MARY’S

PCC – FINAL SUMMARY of RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS 2023

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Funeral Fees C8retsker & Parish Adminislralor Wages 1000 15000 1155 15571 16000 18367 Publishlng Photocopier Rental & Prinl'ng Stationery 2250 2000 2548 1958 4250 4507 Organlst & Muslclans Organist Misc. linc tuning) 6500 1500 8000 760 7405 Mlsslon Actlvltl•s 1000 690 Sundries Refreshrn8nts Misc. 1000 1275 1361 2098 2275 3459 San¢tuary ltsm¥ 1500 1925 St Glles. Parlsh Sharè Common Fund IG £55858, M £35651 56000 29000 St Marfs Parlsh Shar• Comrnon Fund Contribution Standing Orders 3565 4225 3895 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 117500 91358 Budget 87500 117500 Actual 96369.00 91358.38 TOTAL ST GILES PCC RECEIPTS TOTAL ST GILES PCC EXPENDITURE SUM OF RECEIPTS AGAINST PAYMENTS 2023 5010.62 Net Cash Transfers 2023 6075.89 TOTAL CASH SURPLUS I DEFICIT 2023 11086.51 Current State of Accounts: Yorkshire Building Society Virgin Money Current Accounl131112) 31-Dec-23 end 2022 £56,378.96 £1,356.62 £6,109.48 £14,325.80 end 2021 £1,316.25 £20,654.20 34

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Approved on behalf of the PCC by Barbara Sessford, PCC Vice-Chair and Fr Sam Fletcher, Curate

12 March 2024

(Parish in Vacancy)

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ST GILES’ WITH ST MARY’S, PONTEFRACT

Summary of St Giles’ Centre Accounts 2023

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DJL January 2024

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ST GILES’ WITH ST MARY’S, PONTEFRACT

Lunch with Us Account Summary 2023

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DJL January 2024

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ST GILES’ WITH ST MARY’S, PONTEFRACT

FOOD SHARE PROJECT

SUMMARY OF TRADING 2024 TO YEAR END

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DJL January 2024

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ST GILES’ WITH ST MARY’S, PONTEFRACT

MISSIONS COMMITTEE: INCOME AND EXPENDITURE, JANUARY – DECEMBER 2023

INCOME EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURE
Date Details Amount Date Details Amount
From 2022 Brought Forward 2373.94
Jan 23 Coffee 119.00 Jan 23 TLM 791.00
Feb 23 Coffee 141.00 Jan 23 CMS 791.00
Feb 23 Beetle Drive 146.00 Jan 23 Mara 791.00
Mar 23 Coffee 152.00
Apr 23 Coffee 141.00
Apr 23 Chocolate Tombola 161.00
May23 Coffee 137.00
June 23 Coffee 168.00
Jul 23 Coffee 167.00
Aug23 Coffee 107.00
Sep23 Coffee 111.00
Oct 23 Coffee 129.00 Total expenditure 2373.00
Nov 23 Coffee 130.00
Nov 23 Mission SundayCollection 54.00
Dec 23 Coffee 154.00
SumUpcontactless machine 76.20
Dec 23 Interest 30.00 Balance Carried Forward 2124.14
Total income 4497.14
LENT PROJECT: A donation of £208 was sent to Church Army
Income and Expenditure Statement verified by David Leigh, 26 January
2024

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ST MARY’S INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2023

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Income and Expenditure verified by DJ Leigh

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