Chairman/Rector's Report 2022/23
This year has had some great encouragements, with new members joining our church family and becoming involved. In addition we have sought to deepen our discipleship focussing on people growing in their faith as well as our outreach with the desire that people should come to a living faith.
Prayer
This is becoming a major focus for us as we move forward. Whether equipping individuals and home groups or gathering as a church family, we a looking for ways to build our prayer life with prayer ministry, intercessory prayer and waiting on God for his leading about the specific projects he would lead us into.
Ministers
It has been wonderful to welcome a number of new Honorary Assistant Ministers to the Benefice and we hope to spend time together in prayer, fellowship and support creating a real sense of team. We are looking forward to the transition in ministry for Mark Dunning as he will become our curate in June later this year.
Sabbatical
I am looking forward to our coming time of sabbatical and being able to share back with the benefice on our return. We are grateful for all those who are covering this time across the life of our church which is a great gift in itself.
Ecumenical developments
We are continuing to work closely with our neighbours in the Newent and Area Churches with a sense that God is speaking to all of us with a similar message of seeking him in prayer and asking what we should be doing together that God may build his kingdom.
Children, Youth, Students and Young Adults
This work has continued and developed over the year under the supervision of Josh Robertson and I am extremely grateful for all he does. It includes a great deal support for others working in similar areas across our wider community and is much respected by those who feedback to us. We pray for Josh as he takes time out for his University Course while visiting back regularly as we will form part of his placement work.
Deanery Synod
We are excited by developments at the Deanery level as we explore a pilot year 23/24 with Sports and Arts Ministry in Newent Community School and feeder Primary Schools. This will build on work already done by myself and Josh and the relationships built. It will link in to chaplaincy style ministry that has long been in the making.
Building
As well as its great joys, our building continues to present challenges. Much has been achieved over recent years but we are still working on the Church Room Roof drainage to prevent leaks in stormy weather. Future projects will include the refreshing of the layout of our auxiliary rooms (office, kitchen, toilets, storage, church rooms). We have people working separately on the church clock restoration.
Thank yours
I want to express our heartfelt thanks to all those who minister here both lay and ordained including Core Team and LMT, for all they do, much of it unseen, as we continue to build back steadily after Covid, looking for inventive and new ways of growing what we do. It is a privilege to share with you here.
Rev Simon Mason.
St Marys Church Newent
MINUTES VESTRY MEETING AND APCM AT ST MARYS CHURCH, NEWENT 3[rd] APRIL 2023 AT 7.30 PM
- Simon welcomed everyone and opened the meeMng with prayers for all, and family, and a bible reading referring to “ He who is able”
2.He reminded everyone to complete the ASendance and apologies list, and any nominaMons for post.
VESTRY MEETING: Simon gave a huge vote of thanks to Wardens Roger Beard and Carol Gooch and Deputy Warden Sue Cook for their efforts during the year.
3.EecMon of
ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING:
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Minute of the meeMng held 25[th] April 2022 were presented and approved as a true record.
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MaSers arising – there were none.
Simon said he had been to visit Fred and family and asked for prayers for them.
Order of agenda changed:-
8a) Electoral Roll. Simon asked the electoral roll forms be completed for those who had not yet done.
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ElecMon of PCC Members. One Vacancy is available, which runs for 3 year term, and the PCC has the authority to co-opt members as they consider appropriate.
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Deanery Synod representaMve. Elaine Frampton has served in post for many years with dedicaMon and passion, but Pam Roberts stated she does not wish to be re-elected. He explained there would be 3 meeMngs a year and an opportunity to report to PCC.
new Area Dean.
8b) Simon reported on Electoral Roll as follows:- 9 Methodist; 9 BapMst; 22 Joint; Church in Good Standing 5; 129 Anglican and 9 yet to sign. Total 174.
- Safeguarding/GDPR/Energy Footprint/Policy/Compliance Review. Simon reported that the annual review is September and 3 dates for Training for the PCC St Mary’s and Benefice, have been earmarked for this in July. Because of previous large grants for repairs of over £100,000 were exceeded the PCC has to register as a Charity, and are required to have certain checks in place, including DBS, FoundaMon and DomesMc Abuse
It is noted in this Annual MeeMng that these policies are in place. Core Team regularly check Fire Safety, Health and Safety and all are currently compliant, and menMon was made of the carpet over the uneven stone floor, which is regularly checked.
10. Financial Report
a) PresentaMon of Accounts – copies were displayed and available. The PCC as Trustees had approved the accounts and they will be examined by our Independent Examiner during April, and an extra-ordinary meeMng will be called to receive them for approval, when the audit has been completed. Simon briefed the meeMng on the delays for the audit due to the reporMng method of the new system. Nigel gave a run down of the various procedures in the new system and how the monies fell into Restricted and Unrestricted balances.
for the Lord’s Larder, the traffic of which has increased enormously during the financial year to 31[st] December 2022. The PCC can also designate funds for specific spending, and which cannot be challenged.
There were sMll monies in the Brunel fund which were sMll to be distributed either back to the payer or to other funds as they wished.
b) Appointment of Independent Examiner. It was agreed to ask Tudor Powell if he is happy to conMnue as Independent Examiner, and that he be appointed should he agree for next year.
Reports
a) Joshua Robertson on Children and Youth
Joshua thanked everyone for all their support and help during the current year, and that there were two more terms lel for the schools. He introduced Nathan Stringer who has been appointed part Mme Youth Worker, covering chill out zone and St Marys and working on outreach, currently centred on Newent Lake area but shortly to be moved to the Skate Park when open. He will be focusing on intervenMon work and be a safe person who will be available. Joshua is looking to bring families in again to Sunday morning services following the drop off especially during covd. And in the weekdays, he is centring on Schools 5 days a week, giving pastoral day to day support and working with small school groups. Its challenging but there is slow improvement and plans are in place for the future prioriMes.
The new Headteacher placed last September is very supporMve and recognises the value and importance of the work that he is doing. New ventures include community work, and sports and working with the Diocese Minister for Primary through to secondary and recognising the impact of covid. In order to help the children be in a beSer posiMon when leaving in July. Josh is looking to get funding in Sept/October Mme for 2024.
At Gorsley, a new young adults ministry is in place led by independent churches in the area, all young people across the area are involved aged 18-25 to include university students. Currently studying Romans in the Bible and sharing social acMviMes such as bowling and karaoke.
The plan is that the work done is seen as a mulM agency for the community’s young people along with the Schools, in keeping with the County Council regulaMons for vulnerable adults. The Newent leaders network and meet to discuss the work together and look at the professional development
across the area. Fund raising schemes for the youth to get involved in such as Smiles Charity are under consideraMon, and there is the possibility of a summer camp. Joshua has drawn up a sheet of long-term plans which would saMsfy OFSTED should they insMgate an inspecMon.
Josh said any volunteers would be most welcome to help the cause, with any ideas, support and posiMvity would be well received, and he also thanked Simon for the tremendous support given to him and the young people and also thanked Nathan who iniMally was a volunteer and is now employed part Mme. He also menMoned Kate and David Griffiths for their Mme, effort and parMcularly cakes. And of course, Roger and Carol in their role as wardens parMcularly in the help given for applying for grant funding. Simon replied and thanked Josh and his team for the level of operaMng being quite stunning.
b) Roger Beard for the Wardens
The report covers from June 2022 to March 2023, and a wriSen copy will be available.
He recognises the congregaMon levelling at 60-65 each week has grown and the challenge is to get young people introduced once more. Some previous acMviMes pre covd are now slowly coming back such as coffee and cake aler Sunday worship and this is now held in the Church rather than in the small room adjacent to the kitchen allowing freer movement to chat and mix around.
From an outreach point of view groups such as the Thursday alernoon group, Baby and Toddler and Supper Club could all be reinstated, should there be willing members to step up to manage.
The Christmas tree fesMval had to be cancelled again this year but in June and December the Newent Symphony Orchestra held a concert. The Choral Society held a concert in November. Both groups provided funds for the Church.
At some Mme during the past year the lectern was moved and became damaged and needs repair.
Since covid, cleanliness is really important and a large donaMon by a Church member enabled a glasswasher to be purchased and used for communion cups and coffee cups.
There were a number of grants for the Lord’s Larder received and these donaMons are vital; for example a week’s food at £40 was provided for 35 families – total cost £1,400.00. Private donaMons are also made throughout the year and from Morrison’s in Ross, and the Newent Spar, who this week gave 2 Trolley loads of food. Food is delivered to families in Newent and a seven-mile radius.
During this past week Carol and Roger held a presentaMon to 35 OrganisaMons from in and around the Town, to raise awareness of the work of the Lord’s Larder and the need for ongoing financial and physical help.
Pre loved clothes for schools, cleaned and mended by Annie Barwell and stored in the Lord’s Larder premises, has a need for someone to volunteer to co-ordinate the clothes – Please see Roger if you are interested.
Fabric of the building – General maintenance and light bulb changing to LED has not revealed any major safety issues. The memorial stones under the carpet are old and worn and therefor causes the floor to be uneven in places, and tape is used to ensure safety. General maintenance is carried out but the guSers are done by specialist with parMcular emphasis the leak in the various roofs which is currently being looked at to prevent future flooding and damage.
During the Insurance audit the secondary heaMng unit was considered a hazard and has been dismantled. The death watch beetle seems to have been eradicated.
Simon thanked the wardens for all the work they do, visible and not visible, and thanks to everyone who plays a part in the running of the church.
He has great hopes for the future and feels God is gathering our congregaMon for work in the future and menMoned the number of new homes that are being built around Newent, increasing the size of the town considerably, which needs the church family to seek to welcome new and exisMng residents into St Mary’s.
deal with the challenges ahead as God open’s new doors for us.
Mark Dunning is to be ordained Curate in June and in 2024 there will be a second Curate assigned to St Mary’s Church which has been chosen as a training centre.
Prayers were said for each other and the Church family.
MeeMng closed at 9.00 pm.
St Mary's Newent Bank Accounts - Movements in 2022
Lloyds Current Accounts
| Opening Balance Add Receipts Less Payments Closing Balance Barclays Current Account Opening Balance Add Receipts Less Payments Closing Balance Lloyds Bell Fund Current Account Opening Balance Add Receipts Less Payments Closing Balance Cash In Hand Total Cash & Bank Balances as at 31st December 2022 |
10,930.47 40,747.06 (30,905.44) |
|---|---|
| 20,772.09 | |
| 27,775.89 73,275.49 (65,117.35) |
|
| 35,934.03 | |
| 1,019.78 0.52 |
|
| 1,020.30 | |
| 25.00 | |
| 57,751.42 |
St Mary's Church Newent
Statement of Assets & Liabilities at 31st December 2022
| Unrestricted Restricted Total £ Investments 3,162 3,162 C of E CBF Investment Fund 4,369 4,369 C of E CBF Deposit Fund 2,035 2,035 Glos Diocese CBF Trust (87 Shares) 9,566 - 9,566 Bank Accounts Cash Balances Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ 65 65 Agape Fund From 2019 1,538 1538 Refurbishment Fund - Including Loan of £4k 93 93 Flower Fund 430 430 Ecumenical Fund 2,376 2376 Romania Project 829 829 Romania Redditch Fund 96 96 Marriage Prep Course 11,177 11177 Lords Larder 399 399 Discretionary Fund 480 480 Brunel Manor Deposits (2020) 95 95 Childrens Society 554 554 Clock Fund 5,273 5273 Youth Training Fund 350 350 Bell Fund 0 St Marys Friends Account 0 Churchyard Maintenance Account 0 Dishwasher/Catering Fund 0 Ukraine Fund 0 Sound System Fund 1,020 1020 Bell Fund Current Account 14,976 14976 Unrestricted Cash Balances 14,976 24,775 39,751 24,542 24,775 49,317 Total Assets 2021 |
Unrestricted £ 2,871 4,426 1,796 9,093 Unrestricted £ 17,534 17,534 26,627 2022 |
Restricted £ - Restricted £ 65 5,112 (195) 430 2,398 994 96 21,448 801 110 204 554 6,419 350 (20) (75) 237 240 29 1,020 40,217 40,217 |
Total £ 2,871 4,426 1,796 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9,093 | |||
| Total £ 65 5,112 (195) 430 2,398 994 96 21,448 801 110 204 554 6,419 350 (20) (75) 237 240 29 1,020 17,534 - |
|||
| 57,751 | |||
| 66,844 |
Total Restricted and Unrestricted cash and investment assets as at 31st December 2022 are £66,844
The Unrestricted Assets stand at £26,627 at year end compared to £24,542 as at the end of Dec 21, which respresents an increase of £2,085. This is largely as a result of additional income received in year off set by fall in investments of £473
NB: The Refurbishment Fund includes an outstanding loan payment to the Diocese of £4k of an original loan of £20k. This payment is due to be paid in January 2023.
St Mary's Newent's Receipts & Payments Account
for the year ended 31 December 2022
| Incoming resources Voluntary income: Planned giving Collections, donations & other giving Income tax recovered Legacies Activities for generating funds Magazine/Bookstall sales/Hall Lettings etc Income from other Properties Annual Fete/events Investment income: Interest & dividends Income from charitable activities: Parochial fees Other |
General fund £ |
Designated fund £ |
Restricted fund £ |
2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38,324 | - | 3,045 | 41,369 | |
| 2,870 | - | 18,044 | 20,914 | |
| 12,703 | - | - | 12,703 | |
| 5,000 | - | - | 5,000 | |
| 365 | - | - | 365 | |
| 186 | - | - | 186 | |
| - | - | - | - | |
| 111 | - | - | 111 | |
| 4,003 | - | - | 4,003 | |
| 2,019 | - | 15,487 | 17,506 | |
| Total incoming resources | 65,581 - 36,576 |
102,157 | ||
| Resources expended Charitable activities: Donations/Grants to charities Mission & Evangelism Parish Share Clergy expenses Church running expenses Churchyard maintenance Cost of raising funds Running costs: Support costs Administration costs (inc. staff costs) Major expenditure Loan repayments |
||||
| - | - | - | - | |
| (578) | - | (3,046) | (3,624) | |
| (39,021) | - | - | (39,021) | |
| (936) | - | - | (936) | |
| (6,205) | - | (410) | (6,615) | |
| - | - | (75) | (75) | |
| - | - | - | - | |
| (189) | - | - | (189) | |
| (1,965) | - | - | (1,965) | |
| - | - | (4,060) | (4,060) | |
| Total resources expended | (61,456) - (22,645) |
(84,101) | ||
| Net (outgoing)/ incoming resources | 4,125 - 13,931 |
18,056 | ||
| Transfers between funds | (1,511) | - | 1,511 | - |
| Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before gains Gains on investment assets |
2,614 | - | 15,442 | 18,056 |
| (530) | - | - | (530) | |
| Net movement in funds Funds brought forward at 1 Jan 2022 |
2,084 | - | 15,442 | 17,526 |
| 24,543 | 24,775 | 49,318 | ||
| Funds carried forward at 31 Dec 2022 | 26,628 - 40,217 |
66,844 |