St Paul's, Marylebone Ji ANNUAL REPORT 2020-21
ST PAUL’S, MARYLEBONE
ANNUAL MEETING
2020-21
23rd May 2021
RECTOR’S NOTES - Clare Dowding
We have faced unprecedented challenges in 2020-21 and our life together as a Christian community and Church have changed and adapted in ways we could never have imagined. As we review this past year I want to begin with the clear hope and belief that ‘the One who calls you is faithful’ (1 Thessalonians 5.24). Paul writes these words of the assurance of God’s faithfulness to the people of Thessalonica in the midst of their own struggles and persecutions. Paul goes on to pray in 2 Thessalonians 3-4, ‘Friends, we are always bound to thank God for you, because your faith keeps on increasing and the love you all have for each other grows ever greater. Indeed, we boast about you among the churches of God, because your faith remains so steadfast under all the persecutions and troubles you endure.’ This is the love and gratitude I share in giving thanks for God’s faithfulness and for your increasing faith and love over this past year.
We might have thought a pandemic would have rocked our faith community, but instead we have seen remarkable acts of love, compassion and kindness amongst our community and out into our neighbourhood; we have seen a deepening desire to pray, to draw close to God, to support one another in pastoral and emotional care; and we have seen a growing desire to serve God by loving our neighbours in the midst of all the challenges we faced.
Many of us have faced grief and bereavement this past year as well as personal challenges in health and emotional well‐being; and all of us have been separated from those we love. Amidst all this grief and suffering we have seen the remarkable power of God at work through prayer, compassion, love and acts of kindness, and so even in these darkest moments we can still look back and say, ‘the One who calls in faithful’.
As we review this past year I am filled with gratitude and admiration for the ways in which each of you have kept the faith and increased in love.
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RECTOR’S NOTES contd
It gives me great hope as your parish priest, that we, as a community, will grow from this time with deeper roots in faith and service, and stronger relationships with God and one another.
I want to say a particular ‘thank you’ to the ministry team here at St Paul’s. Revd Ali Mulroy , in her last year of curacy here at St Paul’s, worked tirelessly to support the life of this church and community. As we moved into lockdown Ali and I worked together to create a network of pastoral care, through phone-calls and pastoral visiting (where allowed) and Ali set to work with the FoodCycle team to take our weekly meal into people’s homes through an amazing support structure of volunteers. Ali built on our long-standing relationship with Newpin to establish ‘Hearts to Homes’ offering a network of care throughout our community and through online fundraising was able to raise over £1800 to support the needs for our community during lockdown. Ali continued the prayerful ministry of the Bible Study via text and WhatsApp, adapting where needed to meet the needs of our community; and the same with the Art Club, who were encouraged to continue their work in their own homes and share together via the WhatsApp art group. Together, we began a new WhatsApp group, ‘Thought for the Day’, connecting with many of our church members through daily prayers, thoughts and support – this offered a real network of support during difficult periods of grief and isolation.
We adapted our worship online, through the use of Zoom and Loom (applications we’d never heard of a year ago!) and met online for morning service, compline and prayers, as well as producing weekly videos for school assemblies. Through all this, Ali has been a prayerful and supportive colleague in ministry and a real gift to the life of our church here in Marylebone – I thank God for all that we have shared and learned together during these past three years, but most especially for the bond of faithful service and friendship that has had such an impact on our life together.
RECTOR’S NOTES contd
Revd Michele Lee continued her full-time ministry at St Mary’s Hospital and the neighbouring hospitals, offering inspiring, and what must have been exhausting, ministry during the pandemic. Michele was in the hospitals everyday supporting families, tending to the sick and dying, and offering God’s peace and comfort in the most challenging setting. We look forward to Michele joining us again for mid-week Eucharist as her ministry in hospital chaplaincy begins to settle into a more manageable routine, and we continue to pray for Michele in all that she has faced this past year.
I am grateful to Martin Carr for his ongoing work as Finance and Operations Manager, most especially for his graciousness and flexibility in being furloughed for a number of months, as well as reducing hours in his regular weekly pattern, in order to support the financial well-being of the church during 2020. As our weekly groups and organisations start up again we look forward to Martin increasing his hours over the coming months and working together on plans for the coming year.
My thanks also to Fiona McCreedy and Paul Roadnight , who as Churchwardens have offered their support, time, prayer and wisdom in making many of the tough decisions that faced our community this past year and have both been a constant source of encouragement and wisdom as we moved towards reopening and gathering again for worship in-person. As Fiona McCreedy steps down this year as Churchwarden, having served for over 11 years in this role, we offer our heartfelt thanks for her faithful service and devoted work in this church community.
My thanks also to our caretakers, Julie and Steve , who have got to grips with all the changes and challenges in cleaning and sanitising to meet all the Covid-19 regulations needed in order for us to reopen safely for worship and for our community groups.
RECTOR’S NOTES contd
In 2020 Bill Miller joined us as our ‘Food and Well-being Officer’ (taking on the role of coordinating FoodCycle from Revd Ali). Bill has been a real asset to the team, helping us transition from food delivery to ‘Cook & Collect’ in partnership with Greenhouse Sports, and in working with the church and FoodCycle to begin plans for reopening our community meals later this year.
Given the circumstances of the past year this report doesn’t include all the usual services, groups, activities and events that we are used to celebrating – but I hope it does demonstrate the faithful life of prayer and compassionate acts of service in this community in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of all, I hope it reminds us that through all that we have endured ‘the One who calls is faithful’. May we give thanks to God for all the myriad ways we have seen his faithfulness through this challenging time and for the way in myriad ways we have seen his faithfulness through this challenging time and for the way in which our life together has been strengthened by the Spirit at work among us: ‘Friends, I thank God for you, because your faith keeps on increasing and the love you all have for each other grows ever greater’.
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| AGENDA | |
|---|---|
| Meeting of Parishioners | |
| Minutes of previous meeting and Election of Churchwardens | 2 |
| Annual Meeting 2021 | |
| Minutes of previous meeting | 3 |
| Election of Ofcers | |
| Parochial Church Council | 4 |
| Sides-persons | 4 |
| Reports | |
| Secretary’s Report | 5 |
| Electoral Roll | 6 |
| Deanery Synod | 7 |
| Fabric | 9 |
| Administrator & Finance Manager | 10 |
| Church Activities | 15 |
| Community Activities | 18 |
| Election of Auditors | |
| Date of next Meeting |
Any Other Business (to be referred to the Churchwardens)
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Minutes of the Parishioners Meeting – 27th September 2020
Present: Reverend Clare Dowding; Reverend Ali Mulroy Fiona McCreedy and Paul Roadnight; Churchwardens and 19 parishioners.
Apologies; Martin Carr, Samantha Spring, Eva Mills and Sylvia Meek.
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 7th April 2019 were agreed as an accurate record.
Election of Churchwardens
Fiona McCreedy; proposed by Martin Carr and seconded by Paul Roadnight.
Paul Roadnight; proposed Fiona McCreedy and seconded by Martin Carr.
Both were re-elected and thanked for their previous years work.
There being no further business the meeting was closed.
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Minutes of the Annual Church Meeting – 27th September 2020
Present as for the Parishioners Meeting.
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 7th April 2019 were agreed as an accurate record.
Parochial Church Council - Susan O’Reilly proposed by Fiona McCreedy and Angela Molloy by Susan O’Reilly and both seconded by Margaret Kettle. Both elected unopposed.
Sidespersons - to be elected by the PCC (change of rules).
Deanery Synod Representatives – John Kitchen proposed by Fiona McCreedy and seconded by Martin Carr and Sue Davies proposed by Martin Carr and seconded by Paul Roadnight. Both elected unopposed and to be ex-officio PCC members.
Electoral Roll - Kim McAuliffe reported 70 persons on the electoral role.
Annual Report and Finances – These were proposed and accepted.
Clare talked about the problems of finances during lockdown and that we were fortunate in still receiving rents from Freshstart and Homestart as well as a Government community grant. She also reminded us about Parish Giving and the need for commitment.
Auditors - Masy Associates were duly appointed.
Clare thanked various people for their hard work during the year; John for the music; Ali as curate here; the church wardens Fiona & Paul; PCC & sidespersons; deanery synod representatives; Kirsty for her work on the annual report and Martin as administrator.
There being no further business the meeting closed with a prayer.
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THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC)
Members 2020 - 21
Reverend Clare Dowding - Rector Reverend Michelle Lee - Assistant Minister Reverend Ali Mulroy - Curate Fiona McCreedy & Paul Roadnight Church Wardens John Kitchen & Sue Davies Deanery Synod Representatives Ex-Officio/Treasurer - Martin Carr Kirsty Kirby - Secretary Kim McAucliffe - Electoral Roll Officer Julie Southgate Susan O’Reilly Angela Molloy - Safeguarding Officer
The PCC co-manages the church with the Priest. There are 10 elected members from the laity on the PCC - two partners living together cannot both be on the PCC. Each year, at least 2 members retire from office. If you wish to stand for the PCC, sign up on the board before the AGM. See a member of staff for more details.
Sidepersons
Sidespersons welcome people to the church services. If you want to join the team, see Sandra Kitchen.
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SECRETARY’S REPORT
2020-21
By Kirsty Kirby
This has been a very stressful year, for which we were not really prepared but thankfully we have survived more or less intact. The hard work of the ministry team, administrator, churchwardens and others is much appreciated. So too has been the work of Foodcycle volunteers whose regular visits I was very glad of. We now collect our bags of food direct from the church.
In addition to Zoom, text messages and Wassap our groups were able to meet briefly in the church and the Art and Culture group enjoyed visits to Alfies, the White Cube and the Science Museum.
Let us hope things get back to normal by the autumn.
Foodcycle volunteers and customer in the church.
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PCC 2020-21
Church Wardens - Fiona McCreedy & Paul Roadnight Electoral Roll - Kim McAucliffe Children’s Champion - Pam Dawson Youth Advocate - Vacant Deanery Synod - John Kitchen & Sue Davies Secretary - Kirsty Kirby Ex-Officio/Treasurer - Martin Carr Julie Southgate Susan O’Reilly Safeguarding Officer - Angela Molloy
ELECTORAL ROLL
is a list of all “members” of St Paul’s The electoral roll Church - or those who regularly worship with us. Every Church of England church has one. It is used towards national statistics for church attendance. Each year the number on our roll is reported to the Bishop.
Why should you enrol?
To show you support our Church. You have to be on the electoral roll to vote for members of the PCC, and to vote on important decisions regarding the Church. The electoral roll has absolutely no connection with the list of voters for Parliamentary elections. And it isn’t about money.
To be on the electoral roll you must be baptised, 16
years old or over and have worshipped at St Paul’s for at least 6 months. You may enrol through the electoral officer, Kim McAucliffe by filling in a form before the annual meeting.
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Deanery Synod Report 2020-21
Representatives - Sue Davies & John Kitchen
Monday 5 March 2020, 7pm-8.30pm at St Paul’s Robert Adam Street, Marylebone W1U 3AF
The meeting began with prayer and introductions, a welcome was offered to the newly appointed Area Dean of St Marylebone, Reverend Clare Dowding. The main topics of discussion were a presentation from ‘Free’ (a ministry that reaches out to those struggling with addictions) by Jon and Sally Childress (All Souls’ Church) Free Ministry Leads and also from Revd Helen Shannon & Revd Clare Dowding on Estates Ministry and the Estates Leaders Course. Reverend Clare Dowding also gave an introduction to the Diocesan Vision 2030 which will be the topic of our meeting with Bishop Sarah in October. The meeting included a number of business items including an update on Deanery and Diocesan Elections and School Governor Vacancies.
The Deanery Synod Summer Social planned for 1st July at St John’s Wood Church was cancelled due to the national lockdown during Covid-19 pandemic.
Monday 5 October 2020, 7pm-8.30pm, Online Meeting via Zoom
The meeting began with prayer and introductions, welcoming lay members recently elected to Deanery Synod. For the main topic of the meeting we were joined by the Bishop of London, Rt Revd and Rt Hon. Dame Sarah Mullally, to discuss the Diocesan Vision 2030 and to share how churches in the Deanery have responded during the Covid-19 pandemic. Following a time of discussion and Q&A we split into breakout rooms for a time of prayer, for our churches, the diocese vision and our nation at this difficult time. The meeting then continued with a number of business items including School Governor elections.
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Deanery Synod report 2020-21 contd.
Monday 8 February 2021, 7pm-8.30pm Online Meeting via Zoom
The meeting began with opening prayers and welcome and introductions. The meeting then elected the Lay Chair, Mary Currie and Mary was thanked for her dedicated service to the Deanery over the past year. The main topic of discussion was a ‘Route Map of Living in Love and Faith’ (a new document and course developed by the Church of England to discuss Human Sexuality and Marriage). Revd Dr Chris Wright, Global Ambassador and Ministry Director, Langham Partnerships (All Souls’ Church) and a Member of the LLF Biblical Studies working group, presented a ‘route map’ through the LLF document and led a time of questions and answers relating to the materials. Secondly, we heard from Professor Jenny Gallagher, Professor in Dentistry at Kings College London and member of All Souls Church, and Reverend Katy Hacker-Hughes, Priest Pastor at St Marylebone Church, with Reflections on Faith and Ministry from a Healthcare perspective on the current Covid-19 pandemic. This was followed by a time of prayer. A number of business items concluded the meeting including the appointment and reappointment of school governors and an update on appointment of incumbents in the Deanery.
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Fabric Report 2020 - by Paul Roadnight & Fiona McCreedy
In the early spring the church had the ladies toilet completely refurbished which was reported in the 2019-2020 Annual Report. Then Covid 19 happened and the country went into lockdown. The church was closed, heating turned off and all electrical appliances unplugged. Homestart and Freshstart who rent the gallery offices under licence were all working from home so everything was turned off in their offices. We are still receiving rent for these offices which pays the “Common Fund”.
When we came out of lockdown certain groups were allowed back with the necessary precautions taken, which included just the disabled toilet being kept open. Unfortunately there was a blockage caused by people putting paper towels down the toilet instead of in the bin. The result of this being a very large plumber’s bill, as the stoppage went all the way to the main sewer. The church is going to remedy this by putting a hand dryer in the disabled toilet.
Two wall mounted hand sanitizers have been installed at the church entrance.
All the usual servicing has been done boilers, radiators, PAT testing, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers and gutter cleaning.
2021 is the year for the quinquennial inspection which was done by our architect Daniel Benson RIBA, AABC in February2021 and we are awaiting the report.
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Operations & Finance Manager’s Report - For the year 2020
What a year! In March 2020 St Paul’s closed its doors to all community groups during the first national lockdown, and I was furloughed until July. Some groups (notably those working with young people) returned from the summer, and flexibility in the furlough scheme meant I was able to return on reduced hours.
The November lockdown was less absolute and some groups continued meeting, we even added new partners, with Family Lives and Mala Cherga Dance joining us, and Hartbeeps returning.
As 2021 dawned we were almost back to square one, but the vaccination programme promises a brighter future, and demand is there to hopefully refill our calendar once social distancing is no longer required.
The loss of our community partners has obviously meant a major hit to income, and the closure for church services reduced giving income.
Balancing that, a Covid grant and payments from the Government’s furlough scheme have kept us afloat, and we finished 2020 with a small surplus.
As we recover in 2021 we should be aware of spending which will be needed on the building to meet urgent needs.
The long-term decline in planned giving remains concerning, and I would commend the Parish Giving scheme to everyone who loves St Paul’s – even a small donation monthly can help guarantee our future.
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Operations & Finance Manager’s Report 2020 continued
Financially, St Paul’s is in good health. Our rental incomes continue to rise, and we have now joined the Parish Giving Scheme, which enables regular givers to support St Paul’s in a timely and tax-efficient way. If you haven’t already signed up, please do.
In early 2019 we joined the Ecochurch scheme, run by A Rocha UK. We have achieved a bronze award, and must now work towards silver. Churches have a valuable role in protecting the environment, and we should be proud that St Paul’s is setting an example.
St Paul’s Church has now received the Eco-Church Silver Award recognising our hard work to improve the environmental sustainability of our building through replacing the roof and installing solar panels. Churches have a valuable role in protecting the environment, and we should be proud that St Paul’s is setting an example.
Martin Carr
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CHURCH ACTIVITIES - by Kirsty Kirby
HARVEST FESTIVAL - Sunday 18th October
ifts were brought in by church members for harvest festival some of G which are shown below. Afterwards they were distributed to the North Paddington Food Bank, the Marylebone Project, deserving people in the parish and some held back for callers in need of food. Sadly there was no community lunch afterwards.
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CHURCH ACTIVITIES - by Kirsty Kirby
CRIB SERVICE - 24th December
Below the service with an image from the video prepared by the children at our Church School, Christ Church Bentinck CE Primary.
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CHURCH ACTIVITIES - by Ali Mulroy & Kirsty Kirby
STATIONS OF THE CROSS - Good Friday 2nd April
ith the assistance of a number of church members. Ali created a Wnumber of stations both within the church and on the estate. We visited these on our own or in small groups. At each there was a simple activity we could carry out.
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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES - by Ali Mulroy
ART CLUB
We kept in touch via a WASSAP group during the lockdowns sharing the work we were doing at home. We also managed to meet between the lockdowns in the church. Alan, a regular attender at Foodcycle who is also a film and TV artiste, posed for us during a drawing session.
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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES - by Fiona McCreedy
FAIR TRADE
Giving farmers a fair price
2020 has been a very strange year. I have continued to be the fair trader at St Paul’s and run a fair trade stall. There were two coffee mornings before the country went into lockdown and the church was closed. It was at the second one in March that we held the “Big Brew “event a fundraiser in aid of the Traidcraft Exchange. Fifty three pounds was raised. It was lovely to see Joan Perkins at this one. She was very pleased to see us all. We haven’t seen her since as the care home went into lockdown. We are all looking forward to holding coffee mornings again.
Even though I couldn’t have my fair trade stall out during the lockdown I still managed to do sales and orders with regular customers especially the jams and marmalades. I make these with fair trade sugar. The stall made £335.00 for the church. I did most of my Christmas shopping from the catalogue which was a good place to find something different that was also helping other people.
We are a fair trade church using tea, coffee, sugar and biscuits when we are allowed to serve refreshments. We also use fair trade communion wine Please continue to support the fair trade stall and look out for the fair trade logo while shopping. There are many fair trade items in supermarkets. Buying fair trade means you are helping parents being able to send their children to school, fresh water in villages and proper sanitation. We are all trying to make the world a fairer place. Thank you all for your support.
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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES - by Ali Mulroy
BIBLE STUDY
We followed the forthcoming Sunday lectionary readings every Mon-day via text message during lockdown. When lockdowns were eased we were able to meet with COVID restrictions in place. We were able to keep up our rhythm of prayer and scripture even when physically apartwhich was precious. However it was so wonderful to be able to meet together when it was safe to do so.
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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES - by Bill Miller (Food & Wellbeing Project Manager)
FOODCYCLE - MARYLEBONE
FoodCycle Marylebone has continued to serve the local community during the past year to alleviate food poverty and social isolation.
With the introduction of COVID 19, we managed the change from the community meal to a food delivery service. New volunteers, many of whom were furloughed, joined our existing team so that we could maintain a continuing food service to our local community of Lisson Grove, Church Street and Paddington Green.
Ali Mulroy provided an excellent standard of delivery working with a great team of volunteers which enabled my transition to be a smooth one. I am very grateful for her support and assistance during this transition.
One of our new partnerships is with Greenhouse Sports on Bell Street. With the closing of West London Synagogue to outside groups, we needed to find another partner to return to cooking meals. Negotiations of the use of the kitchen with the day and time we need have been ongoing with a positive result in sight.
I have been working with RootNBranch, a support organisation for charities who have received funding from Neighbourhood Keepers, to develop the project further with particular focus on project sustainability, wellbeing and alternative fundraising sources. I am hopeful that FoodCycle Marylebone will continue to serve the local community for many more years to come.
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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES - by Bill Miller (Food & Wellbeing Project Manager)
FOODCYCLE - MARYLEBONE - PHOTOS
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COh(MUNITY ACTIVITIFS MORE- PHOTOS Llk. 23
5, Rossmore Road, London NW1 6NJ Tel: 02077248517
www.stpaulsmarylebone.org office@stpaulsmarylebone.org
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