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2021-12-31-accounts

St Martin’s Church

Sherwood Annual report and financial statements of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31[st] December 2021

Signed on behalf of the PCC

Church warden Incumbent

ST. MARTIN, SHERWOOD FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

OF THE

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31ST DECEMBER 2021

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARTIN - SHERWOOD

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Charity number :

1153828

Address:

Trevose Gardens Sherwood Nottingham

Trustees serving during the year were :

Incumbent: Rev Bridget Baguley (Chair) Curate: Rev S Pendenque Associate Minister: Rev D Baguley Licensed Lay Minister: Mrs L Cohen Church Wardens: Mr C Morris Mr P Swift until Sept 2021 Representatives on The Deanery Synod: Mrs H Shipston Mrs G Hepworth Elected Members : Mrs P Hickman until April 2021 Mr B Ford until April 2021 Mrs B Morgan until April 2021 Mrs S White until 2022 Mrs C Morris until 2023 Mr J Hepworth until 2023 Ms R Williamson until 2023 Ms P Breakwell until 2023 Mrs E Barnabas until 2024 Mr G Hickson until 2024 Mr R Kitson until 2024

PCC Secretary: Mrs R Fisher-Redel commenced June 2021 Treasurer: Mr I Gordon Bankers: National Westminster Bank Plc 536 Valley Road Nottingham NG5 1JD Independent Examiner: RWB CA Limited Northgate House North Gate New Basford Nottingham NG7 7BQ

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARTIN – SHERWOOD

Trustees Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021

Aims and Purpose

St Martin’s Parochial Church Council (the PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent in promoting the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. This includes responsibility for the financial affairs of the church, and provision and maintenance of the fabric of the Church building for worship and other activities for the benefit of the local community in and around Sherwood. The PCC complies with its duties under section 17 of the 2011 Charities Act with regard to Public Benefit.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Parochial Church Council is a statutory body and is governed by the regulations as set out in the official Church of England Church Representation Rules. This is supplemented by the Handbook for Churchwardens and parochial church Councillors (revised edition 2010).

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. The PCC consists of the clergy, church wardens, those elected to Deanery Synod, and other elected representatives. Members of the congregation are encouraged to join 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 in the parish, and for all financial matters. The full PCC met 6 times during the year, due to Covid, this has been both via Zoom online or in person. The PCC operates through a number of committees, each dealing with a particular aspect of parish life: we have mainly met online.

The Standing Committee and Finance / Fabric Committee have been separated into two. The Standing Committee meets only when necessary - none this year.

Fabric and Finance Committee oversees the right management of those two areas, and oversees works to be done on the building. The treasurer is not a member of the PCC, but is a member of the committee. The Worship and Discipleship Committee plans and oversees the church’s worship, small groups and discipleship programmes.

The Mission Committee leads on social action, partnering with other agencies for mission, and shapes our financial contributions to charities.

The Children and Young People’s Committee develops the growth of young people, and oversees Sunday children’s ministry, Jolly Tots, Bumps and Babies (new), ministry in schools, and special children’s services/events.

The leadership team consists of the vicar, curate, associate minister, church wardens, LLMs, children/families minister, and administrator. They meet weekly to review and plan church activities, and to pray for the church.

The APCM for 2021 was held in church on April 3, 2022.

Objectives and Activities

The diocesan vision is Growing Disciples younger, wider and deeper.

The St Martin’s Vision is Growing and Going in the love of God.

We intend to be: a church of all ages, transformed by the love of Christ: partnering with our local community to nurture God’s kingdom of welcome, hope, and social justice, for the flourishing of our community, city and world.

Our purpose:

As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to: worship God cultivate community live generously make a difference

The PCC is therefore committed to enabling people of all ages to become followers of Jesus Christ, to grow as disciples, and to become active participants in the church family. We aim to equip ordinary people to live out their faith in everyday life, through:

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARTIN – SHERWOOD

Trustees Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021

Objectives and Activities continued

Achievements and performances

Overview 2021

As we continue to navigate the uncertainty of life affected by Covid, we have been cautious and continued to wear masks and keep social distance, whilst also continuing to worship together, whenever possible. We have moved forwards in developing as disciples, and seen new people coming to faith in Jesus. There has been strong pastoral care and ongoing mission and evangelism engagement, with many people having mental and physical health challenges over the year.

Bridget (vicar) and Dave have been working at reduced capacity during the year, dealing with the impact of treatment for secondary cancer. She has been very well cared-for and prayed-for by the church, and superbly supported by the leadership team and diocesan colleagues. Bridget was on a (pre-planned) Sabbatical during April/May when Sue Pendenque led the team well.

We continue to learn technical skills, with the purchase of live-streaming and liturgy-projection technology (final kit to arrive in 2022). We have continued to be active in prayer, worship, and social action. All our Sunday services were either recorded and projected via social media, or live-streamed from a gathered service in the building. Weekly notices have been sent by email or post to all church members (and friends), and the updated website and facebook pages have provided resources and information throughout the year. The new AV system has been invaluable in streaming and recording services and music, as well as for inperson services. However, we continue to struggle to find sufficient sound technicians to make best use of the system.

Alpha, Sherwood Chaplains, and Nourish are continuing, with new life groups arising from the Alpha course (see details below).

Building for Growth has been put on hold during the year, and we’ll resume looking at it in 2022. Sherwood House of Prayer has been paused currently.

We have continued our involvement with TKC, Sherwood Supports Refugees, and City Prayer. These have been less of a priority this year. We have been members of Nottingham Citizens this year, but with a lighttouch involvement - maybe this has not quite matched with our own gifting and passions.

Hiring of the church building was halted in March 2020, resulting in reduced income. We have taken a cautious approach to ensure maximum Coronavirus-safety. Re-hire and use of the building by groups began in the autumn. We were pleased to have one of the choirs back in to do a Christmas concert.

The PCC remains committed to our church vision “Growing and Going in the love of God” as our particular local outworking of the diocesan vision. It informs all our activities and priorities.

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARTIN – SHERWOOD

Trustees Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021

Achievements and performances continued

Growing disciples: Younger

As is the case with other areas of the church, 2021 has been another unusual year, due to Covid restrictions. We have continued to serve the children and families within the church and within the community, whilst taking all appropriate precautions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone.

There has been a small growth in the number of children and youth at St Martin’s, with consistent engagement in weekly Bible study and Sunday worship in person and online. In the autumn we restarted Jolly Tots. There is a sufficient team of leaders, and an almost entirely new cohort of children and carers, this group has quickly exceeded numbers attending since before the pandemic. Bumps and Babies is a thriving new venture. Some of the children would like to be baptised, and have had to hold off on that due to Covid - safety. They are booked for early 2022.

We have partnered with Seely School to provide weekly hot meals for about 25 families, administered through the school.

For more details on “Younger” see attached reports from church groups and committees.

Growing disciples: Wider

Our engagement with the local community has continued through social media for daily Morning Prayer, Sunday services, and children’s ministry. Family and friends from across the city and further afield, and new members, are still joining in with our online events, as well as with other church’s online worship and events.

We have had another Alpha course, this time in person at the request of the attendees. This has led to a new life group with people deeply exploring the meaning of following Jesus.

Sherwood Chaplains team has been doing less on Mansfield Rd. Instead, they have created the Nourish Cafe, providing conversation and welcome on Mondays. They are hoping to go back to the shopping / businesses in 2022.

Nourish is flourishing, consistently providing over 100 meals weekly, and growing relationships with the visitors. Some of the visitors are joining a small group, asking about baptism, and attending Unplugged.

Through our relationship with Citizens, we have enjoyed working with students from NTU this year.

Many members of the church continue to be involved in mission in various ways throughout and beyond the parish, including collections for Foodbanks.

We take seriously our commitment to mission beyond our local area, and are committed to financial giving to other charities. 10% of St Martin’s given income is tithed and the PCC vote on the charities to be supported each year, from nominations from the congregation.

For more details on “Wider” see attached reports from church groups and committees.

Growing disciples: Deeper

We continue to meet for worship, prayer and study in various ways within Covid-guidelines. By the end of the year that meant two morning services and a monthly Unplugged (informal contemporary worship, always lay-led), and most Life Groups in person. Some people still join in online and a number of new people have joined the church this year.

The Life Groups often offer good pastoral support beyond their usual groups. Daily Morning Prayer on Facebook live has grown a regular community of approximately 25 people, meeting every day except Sundays since the end of March 2020. A prayer group meets regularly specifically to pray for the church, the local area and other concerns.

During the year we invested in three Saturday study days, led by Gravity Leadership, each attended by over 25 people. During Lent Bridget taught us weekly online, on the Gravity Core Discipleship Truths.

We were sad to say goodbye to Richard our organist and previous director of music, as he moved away from Nottingham. We are thankful for his years of faithful service. However, the music team has continued to

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARTIN – SHERWOOD

Trustees Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021

Achievements and performances continued

grow, managing new technology and developing a monthly rhythm of different bands to lead us. We remain committed to using a variety of worship styles through the month whenever possible.

For more details on “Deeper” see attached reports from church groups and committees.

Safeguarding

The PCC has complied with its duties for safeguarding, and we aim to promote the safety and flourishing of all who participate in our events and activities. We have a policy for safeguarding children and adults. We have a safeguarding officer, and a DBS officer. There were two incidents that were formally reported to the diocese in 2021. Both have been resolved.

Regular training continues to be arranged by the diocese at regular intervals to enable church members to meet the necessary requirements for their safeguarding responsibilities. This has taken place throughout the year, albeit remotely for most of that time due to COVID restrictions.

If there are any concerns regarding safeguarding or the training requirements, please either contact Janet via the information listed on the St Martin’s website, or directly with Julian Hodgson Julian.Hodgson@southwell.anglican.org or his assistant Lucy Grimsey lucy.grimsey@southwell.anglican.org We are looking for a new PSO as Janet steps down in the near future.

Janet Kitson

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks

The Disclosures and Barring Service (DBS) checks were temporarily being carried out by Gill James and Judith Walker, and then transferred to Sue Pendenque. A number of checks have been carried out through the year, and we continue to prioritise this as an important part of our safeguarding procedures. We are looking for someone to take over this role on a more permanent basis and hoping to hand over the overseeing of the DBS in the near future.

Financial Review

General Funds

The Church is dependent financially on offerings received from the congregation, donations from individuals and grants from charitable trusts.

In 2021 our income and expenditure were both broadly in line with our forecasts. Regular giving slightly decreased to £62,703 despite an overall reduction in regular givers. The major shortfall in our income was caused by a major overhaul of the administration of our gift aid claims. For reasons outside our control, we did not receive approximately £5,000 of the rebate due to us. This will be corrected in 2022.

Our expenditure ended up at c£4.5k above forecast – all of which is explained by the remedial works carried out to comply with the quinquennial report and by the purchase of a new cooker to facilitate the move of Nourish into the church building.

We are so grateful for the continuing generosity of our Church membership without which it would be impossible to fulfill our mission and ministry. This was amply demonstrated in 2021 by the success of two specific appeals (c£1k for the rose window and c£1.5k for the new IT kit) and also the ongoing need to fund Nourish, which received over £8,000 from public donations.

Restricted Funds

These are sums of money that are held on trust for a specific purpose and can only be spent for that. On 31 December 2021 we were holding £3,822 in the new Nourish fund, £272 given for Families in need, and £1,020 for the Rose Window.

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARTIN – SHERWOOD

Trustees Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021

Designated Funds

Other monies that have been set aside for an individual project are shown as designated under the heading of unrestricted funds. During 2021 the PCC added some significant sums to these funds. On 31 December 2021 £45,000 was held for the ongoing (until 31.12.2024) children and families ministry, £5,000 has been put aside for the preparatory work for Building for Growth, we have £1,641 left in the Building Fund and £478 was held to be used towards the next parish weekend.

Policy on Reserves

The policy of the Parochial Church Council is to hold a sufficient sum in reserves to cover six months of normal expenditure. On 31 December 2021 £40,000 was held in an interest bearing account to satisfy this policy.

Future Plans

Fabric/ Finance:

The planned improvement of the single-story building in the church garden, to accommodate our growing children/youth ministry, and also to be available as a community-use space (Building for Growth), remained on hold due to the pandemic. We intend to resume this project during 2022. As yet we have not identified funding streams.

We had quinquennial inspection in July 2021, and have begun the significant works identified in that. There will be ongoing work on that as needed. We will continue to pursue the work to shore up the rose window in case of further high winds- that blew out one quadrant of it early in the year.

To embed the use of the new AV system, raise up a confident and skilled sound team, and consolidate the music worship teams to lead and co-ordinate well together.

We intend to run a campaign to increase regular financial giving in 2022. The church responds generously to occasional funding needs, but regular giving has reduced this year as a few large givers have either died or moved away. We would like to shift the theology and practice from funding to giving as discipleship.

Growing Disciples:

We will be continuing to inhabit our vision of “Growing and Going in the love of God”, as we aim to grow connections with Sherwood, to nurture and welcome younger people into our community of faith, and to explore creatively what it means to be church in today’s world.

Coming out of the pandemic, we need to invest in re-connecting with each other and our community in person, supporting mental health, and recovering our sense of well-being and hope.

We will pursue developing our relationship with Seely School, which grew through the Nourish venture but then dropped off.

We will develop the Nourish cafe along with the Chaplains team, providing friendship and community as much as food. This is also starting to act as a place of faith-exploration; we hope to grow a small Bible study group for those expressing interest. Chaplains will be evaluated to decide what direction to develop in the year ahead (aiming to engage more fully back onto Mansfield Road businesses).

Kaleidoscope will be encouraged and consolidated.

We will be applying for funding and support for a part-time youth worker to grow the youth ministry.

As the original funding for the children/families minister ends at end of 2022, the PCC have agreed to use some legacy money to employ the CFM for another year.

To plan for a church weekend away in Sept 2023.

We look forward to taking up opportunities to engage again with events such as Sherwood Art Week and Sherwood Supports Refugees.

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARTIN – SHERWOOD

Trustees Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021

Thanks

The PCC would like to thank all those who participate in so many ways to make our church a welcoming, gracious, and transformative community. The strength of our pastoral care for each other and neighbours, and our growing passion for evangelism and mission, have been very evident this year. The church community have been unfailingly supportive of the leadership team in all the decisions we have had to make. Our particular thanks go to the Church Wardens and all the PCC, who have led us prayerfully and faithfully through this extremely challenging year.

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 20 March 2022 and signed on its behalf by: -

..… ………………………………………………… Rev. Bridget Baguley - Chair

…………………………………………………….. Mr Ian Gordon - Treasurer

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARTIN - SHERWOOD

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2021

RECEIPTS
Regular Giving
Gift Aid
Projects
Church Hire
Events
Fees
Furlough Grant
Insurance Claim
Other
Interest on deposit funds
Total Receipts
PAYMENTS
Parish Share
Staff Costs
Maintenance
Finance
Worship/ Discipleship
CYP
Mission
Projects
Pastoral
Total Payments
Net of receipts/(payments)
Transfers between funds
Cash at bank and in hand at 01.01.21
Cash at bank and in hand at 31.12.21		 Unrestricted funds
General
Designated
Fund
Funds
£
£
62,703
-
7,070
-
3,450
-
25
-
-
-
5,441
-
-
-
195
-
1,339
-
36
-
80,259
-
49,380
-
6,073
-
13,679
2,698
6,003
-
1,480
1,810
13,252
-
6,535
-
-
-
201
-
96,603
4,508
(16,344)
(4,508)
(957)
1,810
2,296
113,330
(15,005)
110,632		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
15,727
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
15,727
-
-
-
-
-
-
13,447
2,082
19
15,548
179
(853)
6,053
5,379		 2021
£
62,703
7,070
19,177
25
-
5,441
-
195
1,339
36
95,986
49,380
6,073
16,377
6,003
3,290
13,252
19,982
2,082
220
116,659
(20,673)
-
121,679
101,006		 2020
£
64,157
14,334
6,518
2,170
100
3,688
429
5,434
696
215
97,741
50,004
6,417
18,949
6,484
1,441
12,168
5,680
25,910
549
127,602
(29,861)
-
151,540
121,679

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARTIN - SHERWOOD

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2021

ASSETS
Church of England Deposit Fund
- PCC Building Funds
- Reserves Account
PCC Current Account
No 2 Current Account
TOTAL ASSETS
OTHER MONETARY ASSETS
Income tax on deeds of covenant gift aid due
LIABILITIES
Independent Examiner fees		 2021
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
9,379
-
60,211
-
8,185
-
17,852
5,379
95,627
5,379
4,890
-
708
-
708
-		 2020
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
9,374
-
60,179
-
15,013
-
31,060
6,053
115,626
6,053
939
-
690
-
690
-		 2020
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
9,374
-
60,179
-
15,013
-
31,060
6,053
115,626
6,053
939
-
690
-
690
-
6,053
-
-
-

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 20 March 2022 and signed on its behalf by: -

Rev. B Baguley - Chair

Mr Ian Gordon - Treasurer

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARTIN SHERWOOD

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

ANALYSIS OF FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds
Designated Funds
Legacies
Building fund
Building for Growth
Gravity Course
Parish Weekend
General Funds
Restricted Funds
Appeals
Families in Need
Nourish
Diocesan Grant
Rose Window
Audio Visual System
TOTAL FUNDS		 At
01/01/21
£
103,514

9,339
-
-
-
478
113,330
2,296
115,626
265
291
3,997
1,500
-
-
6,053

121,679		 Receipts
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
80,259
80,259
-
-
13,272
-
1,020
1,435
15,727
95,986		 Payments
£
-
(2,698)
-
-
(1,810)
-
(4,508)
(96,603)
(101,111)
-
(19)
(13,447)
-
-
(2,082)
(15,548)
(116,659)		 Transfers
£
(45,000)
(5,000)
5,000
45,000
1,810
-
1,810
(957)
853
-
-
-
(1,500)
-
647
(853)
-		 At
31/12/21
£
58,514
1,641
5,000
45,000
-
478
110,632
(15,005)
95,627
265
272
3,822
-
1,020
-
5,379
101,006

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARTIN - SHERWOOD

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. MARTIN, SHERWOOD

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Parochial Church Council of St. Martin for the year ended 31 December 2021.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Parochial Church Council of St. Martin’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner’s Qualified Statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Neil Coupland FCA DChA

Dated: 20 March 2022

RWB Chartered Accountants Northgate House North Gate New Basford Nottingham NG7 7BQ

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Use of the Church Building 2021

----- Start of picture text -----
Sunday Service
Baptisms 2021
Jolly Tots
Bumps to Babies 0
Alpha
Funerals 2021
Music Group & Band
Knit and NatterNourish 4
Closure
In Accord Weddings 2021
Music For Everyone
4
Brownies
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Christmas Easter
attendance attendance
96 87
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Usual Sunday Life
Sunday Ministry Group
Attendance teams members
60 42 44
Worshipping Community
225
180
135
18+
0-17
90
45
0
2020 2021
----- End of picture text -----

Church Finances

----- Start of picture text -----
2020
Expenditure
Income
2021
0 32500 65000 97500 130000 162500
----- End of picture text -----

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The Electoral Roll

As at 31[st] December 2021 St Martin’s Electoral Roll stands at 95. During the year our numbers have dropped from 99 due to house moves and bereavements.

Julie Day .

Nottingham North Deanery APCM Report for Jan – Dec 2021

During 2021, as a result of COVID restrictions, we had a mix of in person, online and hybrid Synods.

Our first Synod, the first of this triennium, was online on 21[st] January. We admitted churchwardens and prayed and worshipped together. It was also Peter Huxtable’s last Synod as Area Dean and Anne Walters’ last Synod as Lay Chair.

At this Synod we also appointed our Deanery Leadership Team for the triennium:

We held a hybrid Synod on 21[st] July with some members meeting at Aspley, St Margaret’s and others via YouTube. Our theme was missional opportunities for our parishes and we were joined by the following speakers:

Our final Synod of the year was held on 29[th] September at Stapleford, St Helen and we met wholly in person. During the evening we spent time sharing the challenges and opportunities in our parishes and praying for each other. We were also able to give Anne Walters a present to thank her for her many years as Lay Chair.

Our Deanery Prayer meetings have also continued on the first Tuesday of each month via Zoom.

We also had some other changes in leadership in the Deanery. Whilst Peter Huxtable stood down as Area Dean we were pleased he remained in the Deanery as Mission Associate at St Martha’s, Broxtowe and Anne Walters also remained on the DLT after stepping down as Lay Chair. We said a fond farewell to David Gray following his retirement and to Sue Dunster who stepped down as Lay Chair at the end of December. We would like to thank you all for your generous and faithful giving during 2021. We may not have achieved payment of the full 100% of our parish share allocation but 95.8% in these difficult circumstances was fantastic! A special thank you to those parishes that paid over their allocation.

In 2022, we are looking forward to meeting and praying together in person!

Rev’d Canon Tim Pullen John Cartwright Area Dean Lay Chair

Worship and Discipleship committee

We have maintained online Sunday worship during lockdowns, and returned to two Sunday services weekly, plus monthly Unplugged, by the end of the year. The 8.30 said Eucharist service remains consistent in form; the 10.00 service has moved to10.30 to allow time for music and sound set-up after the 8.30; and monthly Unplugged (a lay-led contemporary evening service), has re-started. Several people who attend Unplugged have found us through Nourish - many are new enquirers. We continue to have a monthly pattern of an allage service once a month, a more traditional Eucharist monthly (more traditional music and liturgy), and our regular Eucharist twice monthly. A plan for Wild Church on 5th Sundays didn’t happen due to overcommitment of staff team already; they are generally cafe-style and informal.

During the year we have maintained effective teams for sound and visuals, music, Bible readings, intercessions, preaching and leading. Two trainee-LLM’s entered their second year of training. Sunday attendance has fallen from about 80 to about 65. For much of the year sung worship has been pre-recorded and streamed in service videos. The ability of the congregation to lift their hearts together in song has been sorely missed. We will continue to adapt in the changing circumstances and look forward to times when we can again sing to God as a whole church community.

We end the year with a new Life Group about to start, and existing ones continuing. Discipleship happens in a number of settings: life groups, chaplaincy, Nourish, Unplugged, Alpha and Start courses, as well as occasional courses like the three Gravity days and Lent course, and ad hoc conversations.

Bridget Baguley

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Prayer Ministry

Prayer ministry was going really well just before Covid-19 happened. We were meeting regularly and about to have teaching days and training. Since then it has been difficult to maintain regular prayer after church. However, things started again regularly a couple of months ago and it has been such a pleasure to be able to offer prayer again. It has been a joy and privilege to pray and see people experience the love and peace of God.

Sheila Chiarella

Noon Prayer

Noon prayer was birthed out of Thy Kingdom Come and carried on twice a week on Zoom for about 18 months. We are now meeting in person every Wednesday morning at 11.30 for an hour in church. We pray for our church family, our country and world, there is always so much to pray for. If you have any prayer requests please let me know or if you would like to join us in prayer you would be very welcome. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Sheila Chiarella

Chaplaincy

We have continued to head out in twos onto Mansfield Rd, popping into the businesses, saying hi, asking how people are and offering to pray. We are slowly establishing good relationships – it takes time and the lockdowns and different Covid restrictions and outbreaks haven’t made it easy.

In response to perceived need for people from the community and those who access Nourish, we tentatively opened up and outside ‘Cafe’ during Nourish on Monday’s, moving inside in a Covid safe way as the weather grew colder. New members were added to the Chaplaincy team who have a particular care for those who now come regularily to have a cuppa and some cake with us on Mondays. We are beginning to see a real community grow here, some of those who come have told us, this is a life-line as they often don’t see anyone from one week to another.

We will meet in February 2022 to reflect, pray and redefine our boundaries, calling and vision for the year ahead.

Sue Pendenque

Community and Justice committee

Charity Giving – St Martin’s continues to give 10% of its income to charity, shared between 4 “major” charities usually nominated on a 4-year cycle, and up to 4 minor charities. The major charities for 2021 were as follows: Framework, Nottingham Citizens (for one year only included affiliation fee and donation to BetterBooks campaign), Change4Change and Children in Distress each receiving £1250. The “minor” charities were Sharewear, Host Nottingham, Broxtowe Youth and Age UK Notts, each receiving a ”one off” gift of £375.

Christian Aid – In 2021 we promoted Christian Aid week online. During the year we also joined with Christian Aid campaigns – including sending “prayer boats” ahead of the COP26 conference. We hope to continue support for Christian Aid in 2022 and find alternative approaches to replace the street collections.

Environment/ Climate change – St Martin’s held a Creation Day service in October reflecting on the environment. We sent messages to world leaders ahead of the COP26 Climate Change conference and a number of members, including some families, joined in the Nottingham Climate March.

Amnesty International – we sent c 40 physical “solidarity” cards to prisoners/ activists for justice and human rights and provided links for online participation as part of Amnesty International’s annual “Write for Rights” campaign during Advent 2021.

Nottingham Citizens – St Martin’s formally affiliated to Nottingham Citizens for an initial period of 1 year in January 2021. St Martin’s is supportive of Nottingham Citizens campaigns (current poverty/living wage campaign, mental health and isolation and Racism). However our active engagement is relatively low, as resources are focused on other priorities within our community.

- Sherwood Sponsors Refugees has completed planning and fundraising and have a house in New Basford that has been prepared for a family. The family are expected to arrive in Spring 2022. The group will then coordinate and provide support to the family and help them settle and make their home here. (St Martin’s contact: Lesley Cohen).

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Food Bank – St Martin’s continues to donate generously to local food banks – these donations are very much valued.

Nourish – Nourish has been serving up to c 150 free meals a week to local people in need for over a year now and is very much appreciated. It is well supported by volunteers from St Martin’s, Sherwood Methodist and some other members of the local community. It is predominantly funded by donations. The Nourish café, supported particularly by the Chaplaincy team, has been welcomed and is well used.

Chaplaincy – The Chaplaincy have built strong relationships with a number of the businesses in Sherwood. They are aware that some businesses still feel vulnerable as a result of the pandemic and also of loneliness within our community.

Liz Cordle

PCC committee for children and young people (PCC CYP)

This group takes a strategic overview of our ministry with children and young people at St Martin’s. This year we have set the following priorities:

Towards the end of the year we have committed to develop our youth ministry with the support of the diocese’s investment in children and families and youth ministry, which includes financial support, training and networking.

Lesley Cohen

The Fabric and ornaments of the church

The Fabric and ornaments of the church are in good order. Within the Church of England, there is an inspection which happens every 5 years. An architect does this and provides a report to us. This inspection covered every area of the church including a drone flight to check the condition of the roof and gutters. The subsequent 19 page report listed items to address as urgent (2), necessary (15) and desirable (5) plus maintenance items to check regularly. The architect’s summary report was that

“The church is well cared for and its general condition is good with very few items requiring urgent attention.” The PCC have already approved funding to carry out gutter cleaning and re-varnishing of the front door and porch windows, with other items to be addressed in the future as and when funds are made available. Improvements to the church’s external lighting have been carried out to illuminate the rear paths to aid access to the cycle racks. Following the storm damage and subsequent repair of the rose window and due to the generosity of the church members, it is envisaged that strengthening works to the leaded window will be undertaken in the spring / summer of 2022.

All of the above was excellently co-ordinated by Russell Kitson. My great thanks go to him.

Many “in person” services occurred where we separated ourselves physically from each other, but thankfully not spiritually, emotionally or in friendship terms. My hope is that nothing like this ever happens again and that 2022 sees us move forward even more as the close family that we are.

My thanks to Russell Kitson, Tony Chiarella and Paul Swift for all their support during 2021. Paul is no longer able to continue as Church Warden – very best wishes go with him in his efforts at Woodthorpe Park. I would like to thank you all for your love, support and prayers during the year – each is totally appreciated.

Chris Morris

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Younger

Children’s Ministry

Children’s church - At the beginning of 2021 we were back into lockdown and maintained children’s group online via zoom. As we emerged from lockdown and the weather improved we held children’s church in a marquee in the church garden. In September, we returned to the church building. We were running the group with all ages together, due to restrictions in team and space. The children were very supportive of each other during this time and adaptable to the changing times.

The creche group aged 0-5 meet in the side chapel and the primary age group met in the office. We identified that the youth (Year 6 and above) needed to meet at a different time on a Sunday, because we did not have enough team to lead three groups at the same time, we did not have sufficient space for the groups to be separate from each other, and couldn’t have longer with the youth developing them as disciples. The youth now meets on Sundays in the main church building between 6-7.30. The youth group has been a great success with a core membership of 11 young people and a few occasional guests.

Jolly Tots- In 2020, we had stopped Jolly Tots, as a result of Covid restrictions; and started again in June 2021 with a sufficient lifting of lockdown restrictions. We recognized the challenge that this period had been for parents, and stayed open through the summer to continue to provide support for the Jolly Tots community. A number of key members of the team stepped down in this time, so part of the reopening of Jolly Tots has been the rebuilding of the team. We have now established a strong and committed team, who faithfully serve the Jolly Tots community.

Jolly Tots runs on a Tuesday morning between 9.30 and 11.00. We have made certain changes to the group structure to make it safer, in the light of increased risk presented by Covid. We start with Free play with a wide array of toys suitable for all ages, drinks and snacks are available throughout the session to minimize queuing, at the end those who feel comfortable doing so gather round for songs, instruments and story time. The group had a very inclusive and caring culture and is very welcoming for newcomers. There is a strong community feel to it and both team and parents are committed to making others feel welcome and journeying together through this joyful and challenging time of our parents lives. We currently have attendance of 30-40 children.

Bumps to Babies group - As a result of conversations a number of church members had with people in the community, it was recognized that first time mums were finding this period particularly challenging. Therefore the Bumps to Babies group was borne out of our desire to help our local community of mums, as they adapt to life changing adjustment to parenting. We wanted to create a calm, safe space, where mums could come and relax and meet other mums with babies of similar ages and develop community. The Bumps to Babies group meets on Wednesdays 10.00-11.30. We regularly have 15-20 mums with their babies attending and mums are recommending the group to other mums.

Tuesday Bible Study Group - We continued our young person’s Bible study group for the majority of the year. This ran on a Tuesdays at 4.00 for ages 9-13 and those involved are journeying through the book of Matthew together. This has been in person or via zoom, when regulations have prevented us meeting. The group discontinued In September the Bible study was discontinued, as the time no longer worked for a number of the young people and was replaced by the Sunday evening group.

Unusual Times- Unusual Times was a Newspaper produced by our young people, to maintain contact with the older people in church. The aim was to be a Newspaper written by the children to provide joy and love to those in the wider church community, who were maybe feeling a bit lonely or isolated during the restrictions. The enthusiasm for Unusual Times petered out once restrictions were lifted and we were able to meet more fully as a community. Those involved in the production of UT showed great talent, taking turns at being editor, writing articles, photos, brainteasers, puzzles, stories and tips. Thanks to all our incredibly gifted and thoughtful children for putting this together and living out your faith in such a positive manner. It contributed to the keeping our community spirit up whilst in lockdown.

- Worship Alive After discussion with the Eagle’s Nest church, People’s church and Arnold Methodist, we have worked collaboratively to put on a bi-monthly Alive night, a worship event aimed at 11-18 age group. These events include food, games, creative activities, worship, talk and opportunity for prayer ministry. We started these nights for the following reasons: to give our young people as many chances as we can to be in the presence of God, to meet other young people on their own journey of faith, to give opportunities to respond to God, to find healing and comfort, to be stirred to be who they were made to be, to find freedom, to sing songs with meaningful words, to hear talks from people other than their usual youth leaders, to worship with a bigger group so they don't feel alone in their faith. Very few of the church youth attended the sessions and we have discontinued our involvement with the project.

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Connect@4- Connect@4 is a collaborative group which provided an opportunity for the young people of St Martin’s community and Sherwood Methodist to join together for fun, food and faith once a month. |It stopped during lockdown and due to staff changes is unlikely to re-emerge in this form. We remain open to a new form of collaborative work for the primary age group emerging in the future.

Light Party - The St Martin’s parents organized a light party to give our children and young people an alternative to Halloween. It was a very successful event, with games, food and activities which focused on the light of Jesus shining in our lives.

Christingle- We had scheduled an in-person Christingle event this year, but we had to move this online due to a resurgence of infection rates. Christingle bags were prepared to enable families to join in with the service. This was a lovely time of fellowship and a welcome pause before Christmas.

Gill James

Wider

Communication

- Website Team During 2021 Following up on the decision noted in last year’s annual report, a small team engaged in the task of re-styling the church website to make it visually cleaner with a contemporary style and words that tell our current story. The work was completed during the first six months of the year and the new website went live on 14[th] July. The changes have been well received with many positive comments. Owing to Covid restrictions it was not possible to obtain sufficient new and relevant photographs to use on the website and so this work is ongoing.

Tech Team During 2021 - At the beginning of the year, members of the team were still involved in editing video and audio contributions to provide complete pre-recorded worship services that were then made available on Facebook and the website during times when it was not possible to hold services in church.

Later in 2021, the tech team concentrated on providing projection and live streaming for services. A separate team is now responsible for operating the sound system during services.

During the year it became obvious that the hardware used by the tech team was inadequate to allow for both dependable operation and ease of use. Constant packing and unpacking were contributing to reduced lifespan and reliability of equipment. A small team was formed which engaged in thorough research and then generated proposals for a coherent system that would meet current needs and be expandable to cover any future developments. A proposal, which included a new computer, monitor, camera, peripherals and an operator’s desk, was approved by the PCC in November. In the period that this report covers, the new camera has been purchased and installed. At the end of the year, network cables were installed to connect the camera and computer to the broadband hub. These items have hugely improved the quality and reliability of our live streams and have made the set up easier to use. Designs for the operator’s desk were finalised and approved in December and delivery is expected early in 2022. At that time, the remainder of the new equipment will also be purchased and commissioned.

Live streaming has brought challenges around copyright of words and music, safeguarding etc. The Ministry team and others worked with the tech team to identify and prevent infringements of our licences and our duty to protect. This work continues.

The tech team began to provide more support for other services such as funerals and weddings. Live streaming has been made available for these and it is now possible to stream via Zoom using the AV system and the new camera. We have also provided some ad hoc training for those not on the tech team who wish to use the technical facilities. This we hope to formalise and expand in 2022.

The teething problems with the AV system encountered in 2020 continued into 2021. The company that installed the system returned to thoroughly check it for faults and problems. They also provided additional training on usage. This proved useful with many problems being solved. There is now an established team of operators who control the sound for services.

Chris Hellen

Nourish

Meals were provided every Monday during 2021, with about 130 meals per week given out, prepared by different people each week from the Church and wider Sherwood community. Financial support also came from Church members and wider Sherwood Community, helped by a grant obtained through the local authority. A significant change for Nourish occurred at the start of 2021. It was no longer possible to use the Crimson Tree building to prepare the food, so we were kindly allowed to use the St Martin’s kitchen and equipment. Further equipment was obtained as necessary. We were very blessed to meet Nottingham Community Transport (CT4N), who are based in the bus garage next to Wetherspoons on Mansfield Road.

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Each week they take over 40 of our meals to elderly people in the flats at Woodthorpe Park. We also partnered for a time with Seely School, who distributed meals to a number of families. Finally we partnered with St Martin’s Chaplaincy team in setting up the Nourish Café, where people could stop for refreshments and a chance to build friendships. About 20 people meet up there each week. A wonderful community is developing there.

Chrissie Morris

Pastoral care (previously Cherish)

Cherish changed its name this year and is now called Pastoral Outreach. This seemed to be a clearer way of expressing what we do. Our aim is to offer pastoral care through home visits to our church family members who are unable to attend services.

The pandemic made visits very difficult and contact for a greater part of the year was by telephone. Sadly some of our team no longer felt able to undertake visits due to other commitments or for health reasons. This has meant that the numbers have shrunk to two, myself and Pauline Hickman. Visits are made every 4 to 6 weeks. At present , Pauline visits two people and I visit three

There are several church members who could benefit from visitors and the pastoral team often help out with these for which I am most grateful. We would really appreciate some more willing members to help out so that we could include more people who presently feel unable to attend services.

If you could possibly help us please have a chat with either myself or Pauline. You can also contact me via the church office on 0115 6487789

Penny Breakwell

Services at Abbeyfield Residential Home

After a long gap due to COVID 19, in September we were able to start services again in The Firs Nursing Home. There is a group of committed Christians there who cannot attend church because of physical limitations. Services are broadly based on the Morning Prayer liturgy and include lively Biblical exploration and discussion and well known hymns/songs. We also visit and pray with residents who are unable to leave their rooms.

Services are led by Lesley and Brenda Charles and by Sue White and Beryl Clough in alternate months. We met monthly up to December and hope to re-start in 2022, as soon as the home is clear of COVID 19.

Lesley Cohen

Buildings, and hiring out of church premises

In 2021 and in line with government guidelines and our own caution we gradually welcomed our previous hirers back into the church offering free use of the church garden where we placed a temporary marquee. Risk assessments were conducted and our choirs were in due course given access to the main nave where previously some had used the chapel. We instigated changes to seating to allow for safe singing in services. We welcomed a new circus “Poi” skills group in the autumn.

Knit & Natter

The knitting group has continued to be a place of friendship and mutual support, as well as producing several knitted items. We have been producing garment ~~s f~~ or Children In Distress (hats, gloves & scarves), donkeys (which we sent to the Donkey Sanctuary in Devon to sell in the shop), teddy bears (which we donated to The Visitor Centre at the Prison), socks & Chocolates for clients using the Emmanuel House Shelter, prayer cloths for Nourish clients, twiddle muffs & blankets for Haywood House (part of Nottingham City Hospital) & finally shawls which we aim to donate to the MU.

We also have a number of knitted items for Africa but we are awaiting news of when the next shipment will be.

As you can see we have been busy & are pleased with what we have achieved since we are a small group..

Christine Baldwin

Kaleidoscope; a fledgling new worshipping community

Conversation: "Rachel, my 10 year old would like to go to church with you." "That's great - why does she want to go?" "It is sad really, but she told me that she had heard that that is where people love you"

It is this conversation that was the final prompt to take action and create a safe space for women and children where we could learn about Jesus, grow in community and help each other to feel loved. There were so many barriers to my friends coming to St Martin’s, not least the physical distance and so I prayed for a space in Hyson Green that we could use. The Church of God Universal is opposite my house and they have been courageous and faithful to us in providing a perfect space. St Martin’s gave us their blessing and agreed to us being a satellite community. We have had 3 gatherings so far - each with a focus on Jesus, fun activities and we make food and eat together. There is now a core group of 22 local women and children and we are learning together about the power of the presence of Jesus. It is very much an act of

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faith, sometimes it is chaos, but we are taking each month at a time. As we build for the Kingdom, please do pray for us.

When first designed, Kaleidoscopes were made with tiny bits of coloured glass. All of us have been broken at some time or another, some of us have even been shattered by things that have happened to us in life but, when we come together in community and focus on Jesus, by His light we are able to form something beautiful, just like a kaleidoscope.

Rachel Crookston

Deeper

Thy Kingdom Come

For Thy Kingdom Come 2021, Helena Shipston and Sue Pendenque planned in 10 days of connecting with God in prayer via a mixture of in-person and online prayer gatherings focusing on praying for our community and our own lists of 5 people who we would love to see come to know the love of Jesus. We were still exercising caution having recently re-emerged from Covid-19 lockdowns and so any in-person meetings were held in the church garden. In addition to the regular Facebook morning prayer, we also added in some live streamed evening prayer slots with a Celtic feel.

Alpha

After attempting to run Alpha online it emerged that the people who wanted to join were far more keen to meet in person which delayed us a little in starting, but we ran from May through till August with a group of 3 people. Glenys and John Hepworth have stepped up to lead our Alpha and future seekers courses and we thank them for their capable leadership here. Lesley and Sue Pendenque assisted.

Following Alpha, John and Glenys invited the Alpha group to join in with Christianity Explored, inviting in new contacts from Nourish Café, and this will run into February 2022.

We are planning to run a START course after Easter for new enquirers as those who attended last year’s Alpha found it a little prescriptive and inflexible.

Sue Pendenque

St. Martin's Men's Company.

We met at The Samuel Hall on 16th September 2021 for the first time since the start of Covid 19. Just six of us but we had a short chat about the future of the Men's Company. The next and last meeting for 2021 was in church and seven members were present. We all felt that the Covid virus situation would still mean caution about meetings and decided on just three meeting dates for 2022

Phillip Potter

Unplugged

We started meeting up again in September 2021 and have been so blessed by being able to dwell in sung contemporary worship together, listening to God, prayer and fellowship. This has enabled us to bring our needs and our love to the foot of the Cross in a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere.

Unplugged is a great forum for us to serve one another and enable the team members to grow in their gifting.

We meet every 4th Sunday at 6pm.

Chrissie Morris

Burlington Life Group

Gradually in 2021 we started meeting together in person in the garden, then graduating to the house when able. It was a joy to be together again after such a long time of being physically apart.

One of the many highlights has been watching The Chosen together, a You Tube series looking at the life of some of the disciples first encounters with Jesus. It inspired us to consider and share our own meeting and following Jesus from a fresh viewpoint.

We continue to be community, doing life, praying for, encouraging and supporting one another in both the good and the very difficult times. We are looking ahead to 2022 with anticipation of all that God has for us.

Chris and Chrissie Morris

Redhill Life group

During the second year of pandemic the membership of the Redhill group reduced in numbers and the remaining participants disbanded to join other life groups.

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The Acorn Life group

We continued to meet via Zoom on a regular basis during the COVID restrictions. Although this was not ideal, we joined in the Tom Wright studies together. This certainly made us sit up and listen, and captured our attention. Discussion was difficult, but we did our best!

Following the summer break, we were able to meet up in person. We had the joy of being together again, which felt like a real blessing. Although Zoom has been a wonderful way of keeping us together although distant, there is nothing quite like fellowship all in one place. We chose to follow a study series on the book of Philippians, which has so far led to some interesting discussions.

We now meet at 7.30 pm on the 2[nd] and 4[th] Thursdays of each month, at the home of Brenda Charles.

Russell and Janet Kitson

Sanctuary Life Group

Our group has continued to meet throughout the year despite all the challenges posed by COVID 19. We have met on Zoom, in the church garden and in the marquee in all weathers. We have now settled to meeting every other Thursday at 5pm – 6.30pm in the side chapel.

We have a mix of personal support and prayer, friendship and fellowship and study/discussion to help us in our growth as disciples. We draw on materials (Bible study; books or videos) suggested by our members or St Martin’s as a whole. Last year this included Tom Wright’s book “Simply Jesus” and Pete Greig’s second prayer course on unanswered prayer “God on Mute”.

We also enjoy fun times together, sharing food and drink together and in summer went on a visit to White Post Farm.

Lesley Cohen

Orchard Life Group

The Orchard Life Group has 11 members, and we meet fortnightly on Wednesday evenings. Due to the size of the group, and the emphasis on social distancing during the COVID pandemic, we have decided to hold our life group sessions at St. Martin’s church for the time being. We enjoy worshipping God through singing, listening to music and prayer followed by Bible study-plus coffee and cake.

This year we have trialed God’s Story, a series of online lectures on the Bible by James Halstead from the Southwell and Nottingham School of Discipleship. However, this had a mixed reception from our members and the consensus was that we would prefer to take turns in leading sessions ourselves based on where we feel God is guiding us. We are looking forward to incorporating live musicianship into future sessions.

All of us in the Orchard Life Group are very much focused on the pastoral needs of its members and we always begin by checking on each other’s health and well-being. When we meet, it is a time to offer prayer and support for one another, especially in times of ill health or other personal difficulties. We are a wellestablished group and have grown together in fellowship since we formed in 2019, so that there is a feeling of mutual trust and support. This has been particularly important in helping those of us who have struggled with the COVID crisis.

Co-leaders, Glenn and Helena are pleased with the way the Orchard Life Group has maintained its membership through this challenging time and continued to grow in discipleship despite various setbacks.

Glenn Hickson and Helena Shipston

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