# **PARISH CHURCH ST JOHN THE BAPTIST STAFFORD TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT INCLUDING** # **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL** # **FOR THE ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING** **1[st] May 2022** ## **Incumbent:** The Reverend Dr Carl Rudd The Rectory Westhead Avenue Stafford ## **Independent Examiner:** Mr Malcolm Kidd Chestnut Close Derrington Stafford ## **ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH, STAFFORD TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT INCLUDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE P.C.C. FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] DECEMBER 2021** ## **Index** 3. Administrative Information 3. Structure Governance and Management 3. Objectives and Activities 4. Rectors Report 4. Review of the PCC Meetings 5. Curates Report 6. Church Wardens Report 6. Fabric Report 7. Deanery Synod Report 7. Electoral Roll 8. Treasurers Report 10. Independent Examiners Report 11-12 Statement of Financial Activities & Balance Sheet 13. Accounting Policies 14-16 Notes to the Financial Statements ## **Other Church Reports** Youth & Children’s Worker Report M&M’s/Place of Welcome Baptism Pastoral Care World Focus Group Prayer Chain Music Flower Group 2 ## **1. Administrative Information** The parish church of St John the Baptist is situated on Bedford Avenue, Littleworth, Stafford and the correspondence address is,The Rectory, Westhead Avenue, Stafford.ST16 3RP The Parochial Church Council is a registered charity with the Charity Commission. PCC members who have served since the last Annual Parochial Church Meeting are: Incumbent The Rev’d Dr Carl Rudd Curate The Rev’d Sue Cooke Readers Mrs Isobel Wakerell Mr Francis Tamba Wardens Mrs Anne Scott Mr Francis Tamba Deanery Mrs Wendy Clark Synod Representative Elected Members Mrs Pam Ayre Mrs Naomi Blears Mr Eddy Chambers Hon Treasurer Mr Steve Gale Mrs Kathleen Passey Secretary Mrs Sue Philp Mr Suresh Rajbhandari Mrs Isobel Wakerell Mrs Ann Woodcock ## **Structure, Governance and Management** 3 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 if they feel called to do so. ## **Objectives and Activities** The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish. ## **Rectors report** _To be inserted_ 2021 commenced in the midst of the COVID pandemic, and our highest priority was to seek to sustain the church as a single community, welcoming all who found us through the crucial online medium with the prayer chain an essential means of communication. As worship in person returned, we have valued our worship and the activities that happen around worship to continue the growth of community relationships. Relationship as brothers and sisters in Christ, and the development of relationship through school, youth and childrens ministry, Places of welcome, M & M’s, flowers, social activities and services are all important to the growth of the church. We give thanks for all that has grown community in the year. We recognize the sad loss of Di Humphrey’s who has been such a long term member of the church, and give thanks for her faithful service to God. We have been blessed with the licensing of readers, and our curate. We are looking to continue the spiritual growth for us all and to reach out into the wider community with baptism preparation, Sunbeams, and schools ministry. Finance has to be acknowledged as a challenge, and whilst we give thanks for all that is given to the church. In order to sustain what is happening giving needs to increase. Looking into 2022 we pray for the ongoing continued deepening of faith through teaching and the benefice away day. The blessing of seeing Sue Cooke priested, pray God will show us where we can join with him to grow our church family numerically. ## **PCC Review of the Year** 4 Covid has created difficulties throughout the year but guided by Government & Diocesan regulations and advice we have continued PCC meetings in one form or another & maintained the worship and pastoral care at St John’s. Thanks go to Carl and Aileen for their faithfulness in recording and transmitting services where possible and to all the Ministry Team for playing their part in this. The team was strengthened by the arrival of our Curate Sue Cooke as well as the Reader licensing of Christina Thompson and the transfer of Francis Tamba’s licence from Zambia. We welcomed Francis as Church Warden too. Kate Passey decided to temporarily relinquish her Secretary’s role in consideration of her husband’s illness. We wish them well. Alan & Margaret Bancroft stepped back from their musical involvement in services, they will be much missed. PCC presented a gift and thanked them for their loyal service over the years. Children and Youth activities ably organised by Megan Davies, were assured when in November the YMCA confirmed their financial support for the next two years. We congratulate Megan & Ben on their engagement in December. Through the World Focus Group, we have continued our monthly 10% tithed giving where practicable and possible however some monies will have to be carried over into 2022. Discussion has continued on how we can properly support charities in foreign countries to ensure the money given is used to the best advantage of local needs. We have sent financial aid to Tamil Baptist Church in Chennai, India. A member of our congregation brought the plight of the church to our attention and as soon as a new Pastor was appointed, we were able to send relief to forty families suffering as a result of Covid. Both the Benefice Administrator and the Youth & Children’s Worker were furloughed under the government scheme for the duration of lockdown along with the church cleaner, though we retained some of the latter’s hours to facilitate hygiene and safety whenever we were able to resume some face-to-face gatherings. We are pleased that most of the groups and users of the church & hall including Place of Welcome and M&M’s were able to regroup when Government rules permitted and it was felt by them and us to be safe to do so. The creation of a Food from the Nations group to recognise the diversity of our congregation through catering & sharing food from different cultures has proved very successful. A Nepalese evening in September was held with a delicious meal provided by Suresh & Pramila. Making full use of the re-ordered church added to the occasion and provided a great space for sharing. 5 Thanks go to everyone who plays a part in the worship and life at St Johns and may we all continue to prosper and grow in the love of God. Psalm 133 v 1 **Anne Scott** (acting PCC Secretary) ## **Curates report** I want to begin my report by thanking not just Carl and Anne and Francis and the Ministry Team but every member of the church family for making me feel so incredibly welcome – it continues to be a joy as well as a privilege to serve in such a friendly environment. There is a regularity to some of my roles and responsibilities but not all. On Mondays, I help at Sunbeams with Megan and the team – recognising that Sunbeams is an excellent opportunity to form relationships with folks who don’t attend church. Once a month on a Monday, I am part of a small team who visits Bradbury House for a service of Holy Communion. In the afternoon, I am on a rota to visit St. John’s Primary Academy to read to Reception classes with the aim again of building relationships with the children. I have also visited the school to lead assemblies and I am now on the Governing Body. Monday evenings are often spent at PCC meetings across the Benefice. Team meeting follows on Tuesday and hopefully a chance to enjoy a coffee with folks at Place of Welcome – before attending a Pastoral Team meeting if there is one. I also have a weekly supervision meeting with Carl where I am encouraged to reflect on the previous week and its successes (and failures) as well as plan the next. Wednesdays are generally quieter; a zoom prayer meeting begins a day which is usually spent reading and preparing sermons or assignments, with fortnightly attendance at Holy Communion in the afternoon. I have also been involved in Study groups at church – attending the Advent one and co-leading the one for Lent. Thursdays are Study Days with regular training days and meetings organised by the diocese. Leading and preaching services on Sundays and occasional Wednesdays are two of the highlights of the week. There are other services, too, such as funerals which demand a great deal of thought and preparation, although are a privilege to be part of. Using the START course, I have helped Carl to lead a small group in church preparing families for baptism and have also run a course independently with a young family. In this framework, it has been possible to add home visits and I look forward to being able to share communion on these visits once I am priested on the 19[th] June. 6 I conclude by thanking everyone again, but especially Carl who, as my training incumbent, is especially thoughtful and encouraging. **Sue Cooke** ## **CHURCH WARDENS REPORT – 2021 ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.’ - Proverbs 3: 5-6** Covid-19 continued to take its toll in 2021 affecting both prayer and worship. However, thanks to our Rector, the PCC, Ministry and Worship Teams; including direction from the Diocese, we found a way to continue to praise God. Thanks go to all in the prayer chain link who continued to pray and contact others during this period and continue to do so. To comply with Government & Diocesan regulations we have at various times had to close the doors or been able to worship while maintaining a distance. Activities had to be cancelled leading to loss of income and meetings with fellow worshippers. To combat this, a Cascade system was put in place which has worked well. PCC and other meetings during the first part of the year took place via Zoom, and Sunday services were available on-line each week with readings and prayers from members of the Benefice congregations. It was only in April that we were finally able to physically attend church services. In May a new PCC was elected; thanks go to all those who had served diligently and thanks also to those who felt called to serve in the new one. Various get togethers and fundraising activities were held, which included Food from the Nations in September, Hot pot Lunch & over 60’s Christmas lunch. Thanks to the newly formed catering team FftN who provided and served the food. The wardens continued to have regular meetings with the Rector Carl concerning different aspects of life in the parish and so work closely together for the good of the church. The musicians Jamie, Suresh & Chris are continuing to meet on Saturdays, along with Isobel. The idea is to prepare for Sunday worship and any other events that require musical praise. Ian and Rajesh continue to be of great help around the church, both with maintenance and keeping the surroundings of the church & garden cared for. Thanks to Ian for arranging and putting up the new screen viewable from the chancel. Bookings for the church hall have picked up with activities throughout the week. Thanks go to Jane Judson for her commitment to processing these enquiries while we still must maintain health and safety for everyone. 7 During the year we have sadly lost some long-standing members of the congregation, but we have also welcomed some new ones. ## **Anne Scott & Francis Tamba** ## **Fabric Report** Covid has caused some delay in maintenance work during the year however repairs to the church roof were completed early in March. All necessary safety checks on gas and heating have been duly carried out. The dormer windows continued to give cause for concern and buckets were a regular impediment in the side aisle and occasionally in other places. We had hoped that the windows would be fixed in November, but this was delayed by weather and other factors. As the final step to complete the re-ordering programme a Faculty was prepared and permission was granted for the fitting of a screen viewable from the chancel. Ian Ryder was responsible for the purchase and fitting of an adjustable bracket and large television screen for this purpose. It is of great benefit for celebrant, leader, and others to have this facility, so we thank Ian for all the work that went into completing the task. The gift of a simple three strand wooden cross was made early in the year. The donor wishes to remain anonymous, but the cross provides a different focus above the High Altar. The Christus Rex is being safely stored in the organ loft and the plain wooden cross made by the late Roy Bolton will be used during Lent as before. The large spotlights in the chancel have been replaced with new fittings. Discussions had taken place during the summer when the Girl Guides informed us of a change of use. As the Guide Hut is on Church property we had to request that such use would be limited to appropriate activities. When the difficulties were ironed out it was agreed, and to avoid the costly involvement of solicitors by either party, that the status quo would prevail. The office computer was replaced and a desk in the office cleared for use by the new Curate. It has proved very difficult to obtain a match for the craftsman applied gold lettering on the appointments board in church. After two or three attempts with the modern method we have had to settle for the nearest option available. Plumbing difficulties in the kitchen have been resolved by Ian and the Rector freeing up and replacing some internal drainage and, with help from Seven Trent, external problems. 8 Thank you to all volunteer cleaners who maintain the church each week. My thanks go to Ian Ryder, Rajan Sambandam, and Francis Tamba for their assistance throughout the year with both the internal and external upkeep of St John’s. ## **Anne Scott** ## **Deanery Synod Report** As the Synod has not met person to person during the pandemic but instead held Zoom on-line prayer meetings there will be no report at this time. ## **Wendy Clark** ## **Electoral Roll Report** The total number on the Electoral Roll is 98 as opposed to 97 last year. The figures are as follows- Age Group Inside Parish Outside Parish Total Under 25 2 2.04% 1 1.02% 3 3.06% 25 - 44 11 11.22% 6 6.13% 17 17.35% 45 - 59 16 16.32% 3 3.07% 19 19.39% 60 + 36 36.73% 23 23.47% 59 60.20% Totals 65 66.31% 33 33.69% 98 100% Sadly both Di Humphreys and Audrey Cowper have died during the last year. They are sadly missed, especially for the wonderful works performed by both beautiful ladies. I see that Di quoted a bible passage from Matthew Chapter 18 at the end of last year’s report which is very appropriate, verse 20 “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” **Ann Woodcock** Electoral Roll Officer ## **Treasurers Report** ## **Finance report for APCM 1[st] May 2022** My thanks, as usual, to all who have assisted me - Treasury Team members and sides people. As last year, I have used Receipts and Payments accounting as allowed by The Charity Commission. This means that I have not allowed for amounts outstanding and receivable at the 31[st] December as well as not apportioning amounts paid in the year that refer to 2021 (prepayments) and calculations of expenditure to 31[st] December that will be included in 2022 bills (accruals). ## **Accounts for 2021** You, the Church members contributed around £60,500 including gift aid towards church finances and I thank you all for your generosity. 9 The Unrestricted funds of the Church are the General Fund and the Designated Funds. The total General Fund income for the year was £65,871 and expenditure £75,439 giving a deficit of £9,568. This deficit included a full year of our Youth Worker’s salary and expenses paid out of the General Fund. It was possible to transfer £10,080 from the Youth Worker Restricted Fund to offset expenses and allow for a contribution towards overheads. This transfer changed the deficit into a surplus of £513. General Fund income included your response to St John’s Gift Day Covid Appeal £9,392 and £5,163 from the Government’s Furlough Scheme. Expenditure was reduced by 2 months Parish Share at 50% a saving of £3,945 Without these sums the deficit on the General Fund would have been almost £18,000 and would have put us in real financial difficulties. Designated Funds increased by £8, (deposit account interest) and were reduced by £1,560 (£1,000 for fixing roof tiles and £560 to replace the office computer and monitor. At the year end Designated Funds totalled £20,305. The Restricted Funds of the Church can only be used for the purpose of which they were given. ## **Reserves Policy** The Charity Commission dictate that it is only the General Fund that is “readily available”. At the 31[st] December 2021 the balance of the General Fund is £23,379. Based on 2021 running costs, the above figure is insufficient to satisfy our Reserves policy of representing six to nine months operating costs. It would only cover 4 months. ## **Quinquennial Survey** PCC agreed in 2019 that the Designated Fabric Fund should be used for Quinquennial costs, (required by the five year survey of the building). The balance of this Fund at the year end is £15,055. Expenditure over the next few years is expected to exceed this figure. ## **Conclusion** Our financial situation over the next few years gives cause for concern and is continuing to be addressed by the PCC. ## **Eddy Chambers, Hon Treasurer** 10 ST JOHN QfrIiVR¢rt. 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'.Equiprent Lsed wthin trt Ctruch tlvkises s @yeciated ￿ a strditht li￿ tr*sis cw fKe yeat5 fr)rfvttni￿￿, h years ￿1th residual ￿1[* mtsical ir6burwts. aThJ yeats fw c¢Jrpts5. itenE of equitr*nt ith a [￿chaSe r￿ce (￿lesS ￿lIt￿n off vknen the asset is acryired. 14 Parochial C1￿￿h cou￿1 of Stj ohn Ihe B¥is¢ Slaffi)nl Forthtr tnding 31 Lknc•mbw XQI RECEIPTS Gerffil Pesiwaj Restiictaj Tc*al Tctsl 2021￿2020 VOLuP￿ARy IpKof4 RegularGiKir CollectKJrs aNJ 01herG￿lThJ Grf( Days Cth4&19 GiiiTrJ On&off Gift5 Tax ReCo￿ra4 on Gitt AKIEYJ Giii Le93cies RecurrirvJ Grarts.Yoth W(xker 21al 33,792 37,272 2.305 9.392 1,059 10.033 1.570 7.305 717 10.722 9.392 549 8.973 510 8,496 13.546 8,4 68.557 4,963 65.285 55.011 ACTMnES FOR GE￿RAT1￿ FiM6 2lbl Actubes E￿ts IrKonE c￿rCh Hall Le4Jit 556 3.258 3.813 556 3.258 3,813 19) 2.110 2,3(K) FROM INvEST￿EN[s IntaESt Reca 21c 12 21 181 CTrKIRCH (CkL4RThABLEI AcfivmES Fee5 frtmn arKI Fwvals Church Hall Lethr￿￿-0t4&￿ti 21dl 1.567 1,567 305 1.872 695 523 1.218 1.872 OTrER IpKOfv•￿ RESOIMCES 21el Grants-CoTDna.Viru51 ob Ret￿tion Sctrkyw RestiictÉ¥J ReceiFts frDm Gnyj Furn Other Fun￿ Generat& 5.163 5,163 781 6,670 321 781 5.163 781 65.871 14,327 80,2( 75,974 N.BA snN311 thsc.rep3 ill ha* ansen dLE to rour¥ to ￿areSt pJur¥A. 15 PaDchlal chu￿ h Councl of Stj ohn slaft•￿I For the ￿ar erKlry 31 Decerthr X121 PAy￿Nr$ Genrd Desi￿ted Re5trict& Tfrtal 2021 Tclal 2020 C05T OF GETrEBATION OF VOLUPWARY IPK0￿ 31al FUF￿ RAISI1￿ TRA￿Tr￿ COSTS 31bl Acthibe5 arKI EKents 133 CFLIRCH ICTrWIThABLE) EXPENSE cl Chantaue Gill Parish Sha Y(th Wc¥k¥s Sak3ry a￿1 Exte￿eS A(thnis￿3trt-saIaty Church Offte Athini5tratiLYI ExpEYse5 ExtErses ofclergy arKI Lay Reth5 Mi55ion arKJ Trairwrwj Utkeep of se￿I(e5 Church RuNyrylrswarKe Cleanés Salary aThl Ex[￿se5 Church Maintenance Utkeep ofGrcKThts Gits MIscélarw￿ exrmses Church RurrirK>Utilities Rfrryderiry ofckurh 4.IA7 OI 43.397 OI 10.321 4.270 41.424 10.248 5.826 43.397 10.321 5.324 623 oZI.191 X)5 742 817 1.017 1.761 4.214 orn 1,017 OI 1,761 OI 4,214 1,8)5 20 1,617 1,911 4,157 665 2,219 2,219 462 2,343 702 75.511 462 522 75.X GOVER￿1￿rE COSTS dl OTrER RESOURCES USED el Restrirted ExwKfjture frun GnMJP Furx $43 543 246 75,439 I.(￿5 78,072 75,856 TRANSFERS BETWEEN FIK6 The PCC aptY0¥￿ trarEfer5 to Ger￿1 F￿￿1 frrxn'.l_ a y￿ WclÉer FL￿ as a c(xttritrthc tDwatTls Owhea(& b Y¢xth Wcrtkw FLrt as a c(ffithtxknc to ofÈet salary aThJ extW6es ￿)yn￿ts c A%4py Days FLThY all￿at￿n ¢* rEretés to cw actsl costs 9,220 -9,220 7,3 -7,356 10.0 -io.(Bo N.BA srr*ll thsc tKie5 ￿711 ha￿ arisen ￿ to rrxiKA to the neatE5t p)ur¥J. 16 PaDcIMalChurch CowKI ofstj ohnthe Slzfvrd FUNDS Nore 5 UNAESTArnD FiR4DS RESTA￿1EDGA￿p FUNDS I Swtews i_ Owfth Clu TOTAL GROUP FUNDS Bath￿e iianw ￿21 721 l.h8 ￿ 3.237 791 .543 65￿1 .75.439 io.c 449 -IBI |ptyttErts |TrnsÈ xcess￿£ -132 41 513 20.345 271 1.034 3.4g5 OTHER RESTRttED FLNDS I TOTALOTrER | TOTALALL 11 TOTALFUNDS I | Pwts | RESTRrnD | RESTrMED 11 YLxth WL)tef I. |BaErtè | 6.724 51.4 14.327 -1.￿5 .10. Ipayttw TTrn5 -7&0721 .10. .io.( .Exce5510ot |8*wKe 31De(wrtx2U 2.8)1 5.184 2,931,, 6.420 3.182 2.135 53.63) 14B A￿)vts 442 R 8*wKe I an TTrn5ts5 xce5sTrftrt a￿￿e 31 c*ertv2021 19 17 ## **Deanery Synod Report** ## **Youth and Children’s Worker Report January- December 2021** ## **Children’s Church** Children’s church is available for those children and young people who would like to explore and understand more about God. We meet during the Sunday morning communion services, and we usually learn about the same bible readings that the sermon is based on. The session includes the welcome chant, a dance/song, a game and lesson (which usually involves an animated video), followed by a craft. Once communion has started in the service, we rejoin the church family to partake in communion, and have an activity booklet to complete at the back, as well as joining in with worship. The number of children vary week by week from 4-10. It is a joy to watch these children grow in Christ. ## **Messy Church** Ordinarily, Messy Church is on the first Sunday of every month. People come to learn about Bible stories through a series of related practical activities. The Messy Church magazine has been a great help in organising and creating these services, providing inspiration for the crafts and activities. We get a wide range of people attending and numbers fluctuate from service to service. ## **JesusJam** New to 2021 was the creation of JesusJam, the replacement service on a Sunday afternoon, 4pm. The format of the service has developed over time, but it is now well established and covers the basics in our faith (parables, books of the bible) along with lots of singing and dancing. As a new service, the numbers attending have fluctuated over time, but I am hopeful we can grow the core group of regular attendees. ## **Harvest Picnic & Light Party** As a result of a meeting I attended during the pandemic, I was inspired to create different events within the calendar year. Starting in the autumn term, we had a harvest picnic and light party. Both were well attended and were good opportunities to share in fellowship and worship in a different way. I am always looking for additional opportunities to run unique events during the year. Many thanks to Rev Cooke for supporting these events by bringing God’s word to both. ## **TNT** A credit to the two girls who continue to attend TNT, their dedication and passion is really pleasing to see. TNT has been challenging with Covid. However, it has not stopped us from meeting. Where we have not been able to meet in person, we have met online. We have been doing some great Bible studying, looking at women in the Bible, as well as comparing the gospels of Luke and Matthew. Many thanks to Jane Judson and Anne Scott for their continued support with this group. **Zone** 18 In September 2021, we relaunched Zone. This is a 90 minute youth club, on Wednesday evenings, for young people in years 5, 6 and 7. The first half of the session is filled with games (table tennis, table football, pool, games consoles, etc.) with the second half dedicated to a planned craft activity, or games. We also run a tuck shop during the first half of the session. We have had a great response from both the children and parents, with numbers averaging 15-20 children each week. ## **Sunbeams** Sunbeams is a baby and toddler group on a Monday morning (9.15-11am) and is one of our most popular groups. Four sets of toys are rotated, with a different set used each week. Different messy/sensory activities are also laid out each week. At the end of the session, we sit down for story and song time before we say goodbye. We see new families most weeks and have set up a public Facebook page, so it is easy for people to view and enquire (and I have had lots of messages!). Our Christmas party this year was a great success, with thanks once again to Santa. Thank you also to those who continue to give their time for this group by volunteering - we couldn’t do it without you! ## **School Worship** At the beginning of the year, I was still making lessons and dances on videos to send to St John’s for their worship. It was only from the summer term that I could go back into school for our worship. For an end of year school worship, Rev Rudd and I delivered a lesson on the playground to each of the year bubbles, teaching the children about making the right choices and building our house on the rock. We also held a service for the Year 6 leavers in church, to encourage them in their faith as they made the transition to secondary school. We continue to maintain a good relationship with St John’s School, as many of our Zone young people are on roll there. 2021 ended with a Christmas school worship at St John’s School, led by myself, Rev Rudd and Rev Cooke. Megan Davies ## **JOINT ‘M&M’S’ AND ‘PLACES OF WELCOME’ REPORT** - ‘ Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.’ Hebrews 13:2 Since St John’s re-opened last September both ‘M&M’s’ craft group and ‘Places of Welcome’ hospitality group have reconvened. ‘M&M’s’ meet on Tuesday mornings, and ‘Places of Welcome’ on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Because of the new chairs it is now possible for both Groups to meet together on Tuesday mornings in the Church, and over the past months we have shared and enjoyed gentle and peaceful fellowship - lots of laughter too, plus adoration of Rosie, Judy’s delightful dog who plays a very valuable part in the morning’s proceedings. 19 ‘M&M’s’ and ‘Places of Welcome’ happen because of a team effort. On Tuesdays over the past few months, Dee Zhang has given loyal and cheerful service in helping with every aspect of the morning and we are most grateful to everyone else who helps with setting up the refreshments, putting out and bringing back the billboards, moving tables etc. etc.. On Wednesday mornings Pauline and Tony Pittard are most faithful in their commitment to welcoming and talking with people – we are deeply grateful to them for enabling the Church to be open on two days in the week. On Tuesdays ‘M&Ms’ numbers range from around 6 – 14 and ‘Places of Welcome’ from around 4 – 8. On Wednesdays between 5 – 8 people meet under the ‘Places of Welcome’ scheme. On a sad note, it is a great shame that Pat Leese (‘M&M’s’ leader) can’t be with us – she is very much missed but is always kept in our thoughts and prayers by those who visit her and Albert. The aim of the Groups remains the same – simply to be there offering hospitality and sanctuary to all who pass by and call in on St John’s. ## ALL ARE WELCOME. It would be wonderful if the Church was able to open similarly on more days of the week – but we pray and trust in God to guide us in this. ‘……………. serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.’ 1 Peter 4:10 ## **Liz Clarke 16.02.22** ## **Baptism Report** During the early part of 2021 we were not allowed to conduct any baptisms, and it was then in September we were able to begin preparing families through the START course for baptism. Two courses began in September with two families prepared for infant baptism and one Adult in readiness for confirmation in 2022. START gives us an excellent tool to talk about faith and is providing real faith discussions with families who may not have their own personal relationship with Jesus. We look forward to the confirmation in 2022 and give thanks for the baptisms we were able to conduct in 2021. We will also be preparing families in 2022 to baptise those infants who have not been able to receive baptism during the current pandemic. **Carl Rudd** 20 ## **Pastoral Care Report** Carl Rudd, Lyn Ryder, Anne Scott, Isobel Wakerell and Nicola Woodhouse make up the Pastoral Care team. They meet regularly throughout the year so that we remain aware of those who need pastoral care. Because of Corona Virus restrictions it hasn’t always been possible to make face to face visits but every effort has continued to keep in touch with telephone calls, through the cascade system or even visits at a safe distance in the garden or through a window. As soon as it was permitted then visits were reinstated but always with the consent of the recipient or family members to maintain health & safety for everyone. Carl has resumed Home Communion wherever possible; Isobel has been able to make some visits to Di Humphreys and Julie Bass. The young families have been hard hit during the pandemic with children missing school and their friends without being properly able to understand the reasons why and parents unable to fully explain without causing worry to small children. We have done as much as possible to support these families with help from Megan our Youth & Children’s worker. Those who have been bereaved also struggled when funerals have been limited to small numbers of immediate family. The Service of Remembering in November was particularly welcome to those who had need of comfort for their loss. With the help of our loving God we continue to pray for all those members of our congregation and beyond who need our support. Please continue to bring such people to the attention of the group where possible. ## **Isobel Wakerell Lay Reader** ## **THE WORLD FOCUS GROUP REPORT** Who we are? We are a group made up of members of the congregation that support the Church by taking responsibility for allocating the Churches giving to charities. We do this by meeting regularly, usually at a member’s home to discuss and plan how the allocated church tithes should be shared out. Whenever we are able, we choose members or groups from the church and ask them to choose a charity they wish to support. This is in addition to our annual giving. It is then our responsibility to ensure the chosen charity meets all the church and charity commission guidelines, if this is approved, we then allocate the money. Throughout the year we are often called to give one-off emergency donations to respond to national and international crises. This request, if approved by the group is then presented to the PCC for their agreement. Along with the allocation of church giving the group also organises church collections such as Christian Aid week the Annual Harvest and Christmas charities 21 This year we are hoping to host an event in the church hall for Christian aid week Alongside this, we have also organised collections of non-monetary items i.e., blankets and gifts for charities such as the Stafford Women’s Aid and House of Bread. St Johns is a generously giving church and we each feel privileged to be in this group. If you would like to join us, please speak to any one of them members we would love you to join us. **Lynda Ryder. Isobel Wakerell, Eddy Chambers. Kate Passey and Steve Gale** . ## **Prayer Chain Report** God is Good all the time The prayer Chain continues to be active. We have more than 50 people who have agreed to receive the prayer requests. To me this seems like a quite high number. Some days I don’t receive any prayer requests, most days there are some with the most in one day at 6. I try to get the requests out as quickly as I can although sometimes I miss them for a few hours, but as I am sure God is not constrained by time I do not worry too much. I believe God answers prayer, otherwise I wouldn’t be involved. One example of immediate answer was when someone on the way to a family funeral had been stuck in a very long traffic jam for ages and they were concerned that they might miss the funeral. They sent in a prayer request for help, which I picked up and forwarded immediately. It does take me a few minutes as I use software to send to texts and one email, but by the time I had finished doing this I had another message from them family saying ‘wow that was quick’ I initially thought this was a comment about my speed, it was actually a comment about how quickly the traffic had suddenly cleared. They were not late for the funeral. Please keep the requests coming and if you could also let me know the results of the prayer that would be great so that people who pray could know how God has responded. Thank you **Helen Dart** ## **Music Report** After many months of humming behind masks it was a joy to be able to sing again, albeit still masked. Though still not back to ‘normal’ those leading worship have been able to sing unmasked. For most of the year full online services were prepared by Carl and Aileen allowing those unable to attend in person to be part of the worship and sing along at home. Most Sunday services have been blessed with at least one musician. On occasions pre-recorded songs, from a large library created last year, have been used on the screen to support congregational singing. Though not 22 ideal it has given the small, dedicated group a chance to worship without leading. Musicians have, when restrictions allowed, met together weekly to prepare for worship; finding new songs, revisiting some, and finding real joy in the fellowship of rehearsing together. As a group the musicians are still working out the way forward for worship at St John’s. A huge thank you to Alan & Margaret Bancroft and Ann Bolton for their many years of service with worshipful piano playing and to Ann, in latter years, leadership of the Music Group. As Ann stepped down and the pandemic struck, we have been faced with various challenges looking at how music in worship continues. Thank you to Suresh Rajbhandari who has come on board and thank you to all the musicians who have led worship on Sundays and Wednesdays during these difficult times. Please continue to pray for the music at St John’s as we go forward. St John’s has for many years had a wonderful eclectic mix of music styles/genres; indeed some have been drawn to faith through its music, with God’s guidance may that continue. “Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.” Psalm 96:1-2. ## **Isobel Wakerell, Lay Reader** . ## **Flower Group Report** The Flower Group are a committed friendly bunch of ladies who work well together both as a group and in pairs on a weekly basis providing floral arrangements in Church throughout the year. Sadly, over the past eighteen months three of our members have found it necessary to retire from this ministry, reducing our numbers to seven. In addition to the weekly floral arrangements and displays for the festivals of Advent and Christmas, Easter, Harvest and Remembrance Services, group members decorated the church and reception venue for the marriage on 29[th] May 2021 of Gemma Swift and Simon Constable, tributes for the funeral of Diane Humphries and the recent Confirmation Service. It is a great privilege to use the amazing creations of flowers and foliage provided by our Heavenly Father to honour his name. We look forward to welcoming new members, whilst we tend to be referred to as “the flower ladies” we are open to all genders and ages, please get in contact. Help and support is available. My thanks to the group members and to you the church family for your support and lovely comments on the floral designs throughout the year. ## **Barbara Maltby** Chair Flower Group 23