2021-12-31-accounts

Trustees' Annual Report (TAR) 2021 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Mary & St Gabriel, Harting

Aim and purposes

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of St Mary & St Gabriel Church and associated buildings.

Objectives and activities

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at South Harting. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:

• Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus.

• Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish.

• Missionary and outreach work.

Achievements and performance

Worship and prayer

There are a range of services during the week and over the course of the year, which all are welcome to attend. At present there are 74 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll.

Much of 2021 was affected by the Covid -19 pandemic and there were lockdowns throughout the first half of the year. During this time phone services were provided and services in church were live-streamed. The average attendance during 2021 was 12 at 8am Holy Communion (this service only restarted after Easter) and at the 10am Eucharist across the benefice, was 36, with attendance going up after the Covid restrictions lifted to a high of 71 for our first All Age Eucharist in September.

The annual Christmas Eve Crib service was resumed this year and was attended by 88 adults and 61 children. On Christmas Day, at the main Benefice Eucharist there were 70 adults and 15 children present. This year, in September, a new All Age Eucharist was launched and is held on the first Sunday of each month in Harting.

As well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and give thanks to God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through Baptism, we thank God for the gift of life: in Marriage, public vows are exchanged with God's blessing; through Funeral services, friends and family express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and commend the person into God's keeping.

This year there have been 8 Baptisms, 9 weddings and 11 funerals/interments/memorial services.

Harting Primary School

Links between the Primary School and Pariah church continue to flourish, with the Rector leading weekly Collective Worship, Christmas and Easter story trails (the classes limited to visiting the church in “bubbles” due to Covid) as well as a “Walk the Labyrinth” Day in the Summer exploring prayer and spirituality. The work in the school has been limited this year due to the ongoing Covid restrictions.

Pastoral care

Some members of our parish are unable to attend church due to sickness or age. The Rector takes Holy Communion to those who have requested it, either at their homes or in hospital, and makes regular pastoral visits to parishioners.

Mission and Evangelism

This year we held a Lent Course on Zoom (Covid restricted) as well as a series of Zoom Lent Lunches. In Advent, we were able to meet in person again for an Advent Course entitles “Hark the Glad Sound” which explored how we prepare for God’s coming among us in Christ. A session was held for Readers and Welcomers to encourage them to think in broader terms about the ministry of word and welcome that they offer. There was also a benefice-wide course held during the spring and summer which explored different ways of praying, and this was held once a week in St Paul’s Elsted.

Deanery Synod

Sarah Wilcox and Hatti Cossart are currently the Deanery Synod Representatives. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the church.

Ecumenical relationships

We continue very close ties with the Congregational Church, holding a number of joint services during the year including the Tent Service in August.

The Church Building, Fabric and Contents (report by Hatti Cossart and Sarah Wilcox, Churchwardens)

The Lightening Conductor test ( 21/1/22) the Electric wiring and PAT test (10/4/21) and the boiler servicing (11/21) ) is all up to date. The organ and piano have both been serviced and tuned on several occasions throughout the year.

Tree surgery with reduction of the large crown of the yew overhanging the narrows was performed in December 21.

The glass door to the porch was repaired in July 21.

The burst water mains in the churchyard were investigated and repaired in September 21.

The paths throughout the churchyard were jet washed clean in January 22.

We have been waiting for permission to undertake the works on the icehouse and perimeter wall on Cow Lane, as well as the Law Room roof . We have the go ahead for the latter and this will be undertaken shortly.

We have terminated the Spruce Girls contract to clean the church and have set up a monthly cleaning rota ourselves.

Safeguarding

(report by Jane Thwaites, Safeguarding Officer)

The PCC has complied with the duty to have regard to the House of Bishop's guidance on safeguarding children and young adults.

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)

I have completed 2 in the last year, there aren’t any currently outstanding.

Safeguarding training

All Basic Awareness and Foundation training is up to date I am due to renew my Leadership training this year .

Simple Quality Protects - SQP

We have an outstanding action to review our compliance with SQP

Finally, be vigilant and don’t ignore any concerns! Contact me or, if I’m not available Harriet or Emma.

Structure, governance and management

The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. It operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure and is a Registered Charity. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St Mary & St Gabriel the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent , the Churchwardens, two Lay Readers and members elected from the congregation who are on the Electoral Roll of the church. Those who attend our services are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and to stand for election to the PCC. 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. During the year full PCC met three times.

Administrative information

The Parish Church of St Mary & St Gabriel is situated in South Harting, West Sussex. It is part of the Diocese of Chichester within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Reverend Harriet Neale-Stevens, The Rectory, The Street, South Harting, Petersfield. GU31 5QB.

PCC members who have served at any time from 27 October 2020 until the date this report was approved are:

Ex Officio members:

Reverend Harriet Neale-Stevens (Rector and Chair) Emma D’aeth (Deacon) Hatti Cossart (Churchwarden) Sarah Wilcox (Churchwarden

Elected members:

Richard Dale Andrea Frears Diane Hayman Patricia Grigsby Jane Hodgson Fiona Keoghane Alun Thomas

Co-opted members: Jane Thwaites (Safeguarding Officer)

Other Officers (Not on the PCC)

Trish Walker (Secretary) Nigel Johnson-Hill (Electoral Roll Officer) Anthony Banes-Walker (Treasurer)

Additional Reports

Midhurst Deanery Synod: Report on activity in 2021

Meetings

• 12[th] January 2021 Deanery Standing Committee 22[nd] February 2021 Deanery Synod Meeting by Zoom 17[th] March 2021 Deanery Standing Committee Special meeting 19[th] May 2021 Deanery Standing Committee 29[th] July 2021 Deanery Synod meeting. Away day. 6[th] October 2021 Deanery Standing Committee 27[th] October 2021 Deanery Synod Meeting

The new Bishop of Horsham, Bishop Ruth attended the Meeting in February by zoom. She introduced herself and outlined her views on several related subjects. She then answered members questions.

A new Lay Chair was appointed. Christina Heath was duly elected and has proved to be a very good choice.

There have been 3 major discussion items during the year.

Finance

Through out the year the discussion has centred around the short fall in the income versus outgoings of the Diocese. The primary source of income for the Diocese is the Parish Contribution. Considerable efforts were made to ensue Parishes contributed their designated amount. All Parishes in this Deanery paid the required amount in 2021, but that was not the case in other areas. It was clear that the deficit in the Diocesan finances was getting larger and larger. This culminated in the Diocese making suggestions that next years Parish Share should cover the full cost of having a Priest. This was £74,300 for a full time Priest and £47,000 for a part time priest. It was suggested by the Diocese that Parishes should pay the full cost of having a Priest (PMC) and a further 15% over a period. The problem was discussed in full at our July Meeting. The parish share payments for 2021 were approximately 15% below the full PMC. It was agreed that the aim should be for each Parish to increase it payments by 5% a year for 3 years, or shorter, if possible, thus paying the full cost of PMC. Efforts to contribute more than the 100% of PMC would not be considered until the Deanery as a whole were able to contribute the 100% PMC. The Diocese was present at our October meeting and gave their full financial presentation. It was clear that there was going to be a deficit in the Budget in the millions. They inferred that if the Parishes did not come up with the cash the other major saving could only be made by reducing the number of clergy, but the Bishop of Chichester had indicated that he did not intend to do this. They were informed of the Deanery decision which we are all endeavouring to work to.

Family Support Work

FSW has been an ongoing Deanery Project for some time but has come to fruition in 2021. Following some changes in the plans FSW went back to the original one individual between 2 Benefices. The FSW worker has been recruited and has started work. The original agreement in the Deanery for our financial contribution was £750 per Benefice and this was confirmed at the meeting in July. The FSW worker is working through primarily Schools as they have the up-to-date information on deprived and struggling families. We have a surprising number of families in this category in the Deanery. The Deanery monitors the contributions to FSW to ensure we are paying our way. We are starting to receive good reports on the work being undertaken.

Synod Mission Action Plan

At the beginning of the Year with a new Synod the plan was explained to the Synod, and since then we have been monitoring its progress throughout the year. We have been progressing well FSW and the one Parish of Easebourne, Lodsworth and Selham being good examples. Considerable discussion took place at the Awayday on the various sections with plans being made for the future. Living with Love and faith was also covered with discussions and a course being set up within the Deanery aid people in their deliberations.

Churchyard Maintenance (report by Alun Thomas, Churchyard Team)

We had a difficult last year because of unpredictable weather, however, we kept going in good spirits and we enjoyed a good result by the winter months.

All machinery, mowers and strimmers, are annually serviced by Tim. His workmanship is excellent and all our equipment is in good order.

We have had an excellent working party who are committed and competent. For 2022 Katherine joins our team.

One issue that needs to be addressed is that all recyclable plastic objects and containers should be deposited in the recycling bin provided at the rear of the churchyard. I will a provide a notice to encourage this.

In conclusion, a good year, thanks to our enthusiastic team of helpers. All looks good for 2022.

Bell Ringers Report (Chris Rose, Tower Captain)

We currently have six bell ringers and four learners who are progressing well. Unfortunately we have lost two ringers , one of them has moved away and the other has gone off to university.

We practice on Tuesdays from 7.30 until 9pm and ring for first and third Sunday of each month for the Sunday morning services. We also ring for weddings and are one of the few churches that ring before and after the ceremony.

Harting bells are recognised to be some of the most difficult bells to ring due to the long draft of the ropes.

Pat James is our secretary and Pru Barlow looks after our ringing rota and finding ringers for weddings . Leslie James is our treasurer and Richard dale and Chris Rose are our steeple keepers. Chris Rose is our current Tower captain and assisted by Luke Trewin who is the vice-captain.

We are lucky to have ringers to keep the bells ringing as many of the other local towers have stopped due to a shortage of ringers.

Financial review

(Report by Anthony Banes-Walker, Treasurer)

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