Following the way of Jesus, serving the community
## **Book of Reports for the year 2022**
Prepared for the Annual General Meeting Sunday 23[rd] April 2023
incorporating **The Trustees Annual Report (TAR) for 2022** and **Accounts for the Year ending 31[st] December 2022**
Growing Loving
Sharing
Jasmine Way, Locking Castle, Weston-Super-Mare, BS24 7JW. Charity Number 1170425 ofce@lockingcastlechurch.org, Tel: 01934 519888, www.lockingcastlechurch.org
|Contents|Leader|Page|
|---|---|---|
|**Minister’s Report on behalf of the Trustees**|Andy Pearce………….........|3|
|**Ecumenical Church Council**|………………………………………….|4|
|Worship|Andy Pearce|4|
|Prayer Ministry|Carolyn Campbell ……………..|5|
|Pastoral Care|Emily Cumberbatch…………..|5|
|Oasis Café Church|Emily Cumberbatch…………..|6|
|Prayer Events|Emily Cumberbatch|6|
|Online Prayer|Katherine Hollis|6|
|Youth Ministry|Andy Pearce|6|
||……………………..||
|**Finance and Accounts**|Martn Purnell|7|
||………………||
|**Life Groups:**|Emily………...............................|10|
||Pete ……………..……………………..|10|
||Suzanne……..…….…………………..|10|
||Mark……………………………………….|11|
||Juta…………….......................|11|
||Jill & Luke………………..|11|
||Neville………………………………………|11|
|Men at Locking Castle (M@LC)|Andy Pearce...............................|12|
|Women at Locking Castle (W@LC)|Lyn Thomas……………………………|12|
|Sunday Lunch|Sandra Blackwell……………………..|12|
|||16|
|**Outreach ministries:**||16|
|Haywood Village|Fiona Mayne……………………………|12|
|St Anne’s West Wick|Andy Pearce|13|
|Toddlers|Juta Stanley……………………………|13|
|**Church operatons**|||
|Safeguarding||13|
|Mission Partners|Martn Purnell & Emily Cumberbatch|14|
|Flowers|Suzanne Pearse|14|
|Bookings|
Teresa Briton…………………………….|14|
|Administraton|Katherine Hollis ……...................|15|
Page 2
## **Lead Minister’s report on 2022**
## **Andy Pearce**
It's hard to quantify what happened in 2022 outside the significant changes to LCC. We have continued to hold a hybrid service using Live Stream to broadcast at 10.30 to aid those unable to attend physically. We have seen new and old faces attending regularly and a sense of excitement and expectation about the gathered congregation. The first service has grown, with some from Milton Baptist Church joining us as their service was no longer available. Oasis has also continued to thrive and grow, all of which are good indicators that we are going in the right direction. I am greatly encouraged that we are all in this together. I sense the Lord has great things for us as we build towards His Kingdom.
However, this is no excuse for us to rest on our laurels; we need to press on and take hold of all that Christ has for us, with the goal to win the prize of the upward call of Christ. We are called to make the main thing the main thing, which is: UP (to love God: personal discipleship), IN (to love one another: communal discipleship) and OUT (to love others: to be disciple-makers.) There are a few highlights; one was the sermon series concerning the 'Ruthless Elimination of Hurry'. We learnt that our culture does not help us to connect with the Lord; we are called to a counter-cultural rule of life, where we make room for the 4 'S'; Silence and Solitude, Sabbath, Simplicity and Slowing. The other was the Frontline series, where we discovered that wherever we were, out at the shops, at school, or in our workplaces, we are all representatives of Jesus and have a ministry on our Frontline. I loved that 'Frontline' became a part of LCC's vocabulary and that people felt they had a purpose and ministry in everyday life. Another highlight was the rather ambitious Christmas production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Many were sceptical as it was a departure from the norm. However, it did attract those from the community and surprise people that using a different story can still communicate the good news of the kingdom of God at Christmas.
The significant change that hit us all was Tom and Mims leaving us to serve in Bath Weston. Tom felt he had to hold off taking his sabbatical for a few years because of the pandemic. Tom decided to take his sabbatical this year from June to September. During this time of searching and seeking the Lord, a new opportunity arose; coupled with the feeling that he had accomplished all that he had set out to do at LCC, it was time to move on. We learnt during his sabbatical that he would leave us, which to many was a shock, but to others, it wasn't that much of a surprise. Whatever camp we were part of, we knew we would miss them both. I am so grateful to Tom for leaving us in such a good position with a sure foundation to continue this great work, sharing and living out the good news of the Gospel of Christ. He has made it easy to take the reins; he has been an exceptional leader, leading us with integrity and love. We wish him and Mims all the best with all our love and prayers. May you be richly blessed and see the fruit of the kingdom established and grow in Bath Weston. Thank you.
I want to thank everyone in the church for their perseverance and patience as we navigated this liminal space; we found ourselves searching for a new minister. Thank you for your faithfulness and for giving of your time and resource to help LCC be the church it's called to be. Without you, without the POAB (the priesthood of all believers), we would not have
Page 3
accomplished all we did in 2022. I am excited, and expect that as we build on this foundation, we will see many come to faith as we live out our discipleship in and through the power of the Holy Spirit, making the most of every opportunity God grants us. Amen!
Revd Andy Pearce - Lead Minister
## **Ecumenical Church Council (Trustees) following the 2022 AGM**
## **Trustees**
Andy Watts Chair and Church Officer Revd Tom Yacomeni Lead Minister (Ex officio) Revd Andy Pearce Associate Minister (Ex officio) Steve Gurney Church member Martin Purnell Treasurer Cathy Bond Children and Families Pastor Fiona Mayne Community Pastor Heather Colledge Safeguarding Lead Neville Brownlee Church Member Adele Lloyd Church Member and AV Team Alison Castry Church Member and Dan Dinsmore Church Member and Church Warden Linda Thomas Church member and coordinator W@LCC **Co-opted Members** Katherine Hollis Secretary
## **Worship Report by Andy Pearce** .
We have many talented and versatile musicians and singers at LCC. With Dave Cleave joining, we can now bring 4 bands that rotate monthly and which can combine for special occasions. We have enjoyed the freedom to introduce new worship songs sprinkled amongst more wellknown songs, giving us a wide variety to draw upon as we worship God together. Since the pandemic, we have also continued to sing hymns at the first service, aided by the talents of Val Ing and Salv. Some from the youth band have branched out and helped to lead a Youth Event called Movement, which moves around North Somerset and helps St Peter's monthly 4pm Service. I would also like to mention our tech team, sound technicians, and AV volunteers, without whom we could not facilitate worship at LCC. Also a big thanks to the LIVE stream team who broadcast services, enabling people to engage who cannot attend in person.
Page 4
## **Prayer Ministry**
## **Report by Carolyn Campbell**
During Covid and Lockdown the Prayer Ministry after Church Services ceased. Adele was running a Whatsapp group for urgent prayer requests and Homefellowship leaders were keeping in touch with people in their groups.
So once we returned to normal Church Services on a Sunday we started up the Prayer Ministry Roster again having four teams available to anyone who needed prayer after the 10.30 am service.
Recently we have taken a more relaxed approach by encouraging the Prayer Team to wear their blue lanyards and name badges and to mingle with the congregation and be available for any prayer needs that way as we felt some people feel very intimidated coming up to the front for prayer. This seems to be working. We have also been encouraging people to pray for one another if they know each other and this too has had some wonderful results.
People watching online are encouraged to type their prayer requests and someone contacts them after the Service.
**Pastoral Care Report by Emily Cumberbatch** The first port of call for pastoral care is within our Life Groups, where we can share support for one another, giving and receiving that help as our circumstances change. As a Priesthood of all Believers, we are called to minister to one another where we can. From mid-2023 Andy P and I hope to offer a regular surgery for spiritual and pastoral support.
Pastoral ministry involves caring for people within our church and our community, and fostering care for each other within our congregation. It’s an opportunity to show love in action and encourage people closer to God and to increase trust in him. This is carried out through lots of prayer, listening, encouragement and much practical help, always depending on the Holy Spirit to lead.
Some of my pastoral visits involve taking Communion to those unable to come to church, working with people from other social care agencies. We are aiming to increase our connections with our neighbours at the Homes and No.1 Elmham Way. As usual, in 2022 there have also been situations that were distinctive one-offs, it is a very varied role!
At LCC we have many compassionate people who generously offer help when they see a chance. Thank you so much for all you do. It’s great to hear about these acts of kindness which point to the way of Jesus.
I'm grateful for pointers if you think someone may want help or a visit; emily.pastoral@gmail.com 07905 516624.
At LCC we also offer courses to help ease some situations –
The CAP Money Course, for a healthy approach to Godly stewarding of our finances, savings and worry-free budgeting.
- And a Well Being Course which looks at all the factors that contribute to great health in body mind and spirit.
Page 5
## **Oasis**
## **Report by Emily Cumberbatch**
Our Oasis congregation continues to gather 30+ on Tuesday afternoons for a short talk, traditional hymns and fellowship. It’s informal, interactive and dementia friendly with the aim of sign-posting our senior congregation to a closer relationship with God. We share a short talk, sing out our favourite traditional hymns, then chat over refreshments which is a perfect time for fellowship. The talks sometimes follow the Sunday congregation series, but we have also studied alternatives such as key characters of the Bible, and an overview of each of the four Gospels. On the first Tuesday each month we offer Holy Communion, usually led by Andy Pearce. It has been a good place to bring friends to, with some people sharing lunch together then heading over to Oasis. As a sister congregation we always pray for the people, ministries and outreach of the Sunday congregation, and keep up to date with church events. In 2023 we pray for some growth in numbers, and a deepening of faith for all. HUGE Thank you to our amazing team of helpers, musicians, those on refreshments and washing up and leaders – so many wonderful people! I’m very thankful to you all.
**Prayer events:** In 2022 we held 3 Prayer events, the 2 usual 24 Hours at the start of Lent and Advent, plus the national 'Thy Kingdom Come' week of prayer leading up to Pentecost. These will also run in 2023, with Thy Kingdom Come running on the 10 days from Ascension to Pentecost. These prayer events are overwhelming as there is always someone who has a fresh personal encounter like never before. The testimonies of visions and Words from God for the church or for individuals is priceless.
We also enjoyed a Maundy Supper - a combined meal and service with prayers, rituals and blessings from the oldest parts of our bible, intermingled with fun traditional Passover games and optional hand or foot washing; It celebrated our Jewish roots through recalling the Passover, reflected upon Jesus's Last Supper and helped prepare us as we approached the end of Holy Week.
If you are looking for an opportunity to serve within LCC and would like to be part of any of the Oasis, Pastoral or Prayer event ministries, please let me know as it would be great to add to the team! Blessings Emily
## **Online Prayer**
## **Report by Katherine Hollis**
We met via zoom on a Wednesday afternoon. We regularly have approximately 6-7 people who join together in intercessory prayer and prayer for those we know and care for.
## **Youth Ministry**
## **Report by Andy Pearce**
With the help of a great youth team, we have continued to provide a space for the young people on Thursday and Sunday nights. Due to the aftermath of the pandemic, it isn't easy to know how to engage with the youth. Many other youth workers have concluded that there seems to be a rise in individualism. This has created an environment in which they won't engage with youth work or even attend if the proposed event or activity doesn't meet their specific expectations. This has made planning challenging to cater to everyone's preferences
Page 6
and second guess trying to provide a multifaceted program. I certainly made mistakes along the way trying to get it right for them, but we have tried our best, and with the team's encouragement, we will continue to make progress and connect with the young people. My highlight is Christmas 2022, when we performed a shadow puppet production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The young people didn't have much time to practice but pulled it together and blew me away, producing a flawless performance; I was so proud of them all. I want to thank Cathy, Dan and Beth Dinsmore, Chris Kavanagh, and Jake Roberts, who all helped make this happen.
|**Finance**
**Report by Martn Purnell**
**LOCKING CASTLE CHURCH**
**INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 1 JAN 2022 – 31 DEC 2022**
**INCOME**
**2022**
**2021**
Giving
86,425
74,815
Gif aid
17,442
13,175
Grants
11,222
23,300
Special collectons
8,575
1,860
Letngs
25,176
11,003
Events
3,098
1,850
Parochial fees income
90
2,419
Children andyouth
503
532
TLC
3,081
1,397
Blessed Beginnings
521
230
Haywood Village Church
13,855
11,691
Church@St Annes
3,110
2,119
Sale of organ etc
1,120
-
Bank interest
118
20
Tom amd Mims leavingcollecton
801
-
Other
718
1,002
175,855
145,413
**EXPENDITURE**
Communityand missiongiving
12,450
7,200
Events
1,630
1,032
TLC
2,410
528
Blessed Beginnings
284
263
Haywood Village Church
10,731
7,902
Church@St Annes
2,109
491
Other mission and evangelism
3,532
1,114|**Finance**
**Report by Martn Purnell**
**LOCKING CASTLE CHURCH**
**INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 1 JAN 2022 – 31 DEC 2022**
**INCOME**
**2022**
**2021**
Giving
86,425
74,815
Gif aid
17,442
13,175
Grants
11,222
23,300
Special collectons
8,575
1,860
Letngs
25,176
11,003
Events
3,098
1,850
Parochial fees income
90
2,419
Children andyouth
503
532
TLC
3,081
1,397
Blessed Beginnings
521
230
Haywood Village Church
13,855
11,691
Church@St Annes
3,110
2,119
Sale of organ etc
1,120
-
Bank interest
118
20
Tom amd Mims leavingcollecton
801
-
Other
718
1,002
175,855
145,413
**EXPENDITURE**
Communityand missiongiving
12,450
7,200
Events
1,630
1,032
TLC
2,410
528
Blessed Beginnings
284
263
Haywood Village Church
10,731
7,902
Church@St Annes
2,109
491
Other mission and evangelism
3,532
1,114|**Finance**
**Report by Martn Purnell**
**LOCKING CASTLE CHURCH**
**INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 1 JAN 2022 – 31 DEC 2022**
**INCOME**
**2022**
**2021**
Giving
86,425
74,815
Gif aid
17,442
13,175
Grants
11,222
23,300
Special collectons
8,575
1,860
Letngs
25,176
11,003
Events
3,098
1,850
Parochial fees income
90
2,419
Children andyouth
503
532
TLC
3,081
1,397
Blessed Beginnings
521
230
Haywood Village Church
13,855
11,691
Church@St Annes
3,110
2,119
Sale of organ etc
1,120
-
Bank interest
118
20
Tom amd Mims leavingcollecton
801
-
Other
718
1,002
175,855
145,413
**EXPENDITURE**
Communityand missiongiving
12,450
7,200
Events
1,630
1,032
TLC
2,410
528
Blessed Beginnings
284
263
Haywood Village Church
10,731
7,902
Church@St Annes
2,109
491
Other mission and evangelism
3,532
1,114|**Finance**
**Report by Martn Purnell**
**LOCKING CASTLE CHURCH**
**INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 1 JAN 2022 – 31 DEC 2022**
**INCOME**
**2022**
**2021**
Giving
86,425
74,815
Gif aid
17,442
13,175
Grants
11,222
23,300
Special collectons
8,575
1,860
Letngs
25,176
11,003
Events
3,098
1,850
Parochial fees income
90
2,419
Children andyouth
503
532
TLC
3,081
1,397
Blessed Beginnings
521
230
Haywood Village Church
13,855
11,691
Church@St Annes
3,110
2,119
Sale of organ etc
1,120
-
Bank interest
118
20
Tom amd Mims leavingcollecton
801
-
Other
718
1,002
175,855
145,413
**EXPENDITURE**
Communityand missiongiving
12,450
7,200
Events
1,630
1,032
TLC
2,410
528
Blessed Beginnings
284
263
Haywood Village Church
10,731
7,902
Church@St Annes
2,109
491
Other mission and evangelism
3,532
1,114|**Finance**
**Report by Martn Purnell**
**LOCKING CASTLE CHURCH**
**INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 1 JAN 2022 – 31 DEC 2022**
**INCOME**
**2022**
**2021**
Giving
86,425
74,815
Gif aid
17,442
13,175
Grants
11,222
23,300
Special collectons
8,575
1,860
Letngs
25,176
11,003
Events
3,098
1,850
Parochial fees income
90
2,419
Children andyouth
503
532
TLC
3,081
1,397
Blessed Beginnings
521
230
Haywood Village Church
13,855
11,691
Church@St Annes
3,110
2,119
Sale of organ etc
1,120
-
Bank interest
118
20
Tom amd Mims leavingcollecton
801
-
Other
718
1,002
175,855
145,413
**EXPENDITURE**
Communityand missiongiving
12,450
7,200
Events
1,630
1,032
TLC
2,410
528
Blessed Beginnings
284
263
Haywood Village Church
10,731
7,902
Church@St Annes
2,109
491
Other mission and evangelism
3,532
1,114|**Finance**
**Report by Martn Purnell**
**LOCKING CASTLE CHURCH**
**INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 1 JAN 2022 – 31 DEC 2022**
**INCOME**
**2022**
**2021**
Giving
86,425
74,815
Gif aid
17,442
13,175
Grants
11,222
23,300
Special collectons
8,575
1,860
Letngs
25,176
11,003
Events
3,098
1,850
Parochial fees income
90
2,419
Children andyouth
503
532
TLC
3,081
1,397
Blessed Beginnings
521
230
Haywood Village Church
13,855
11,691
Church@St Annes
3,110
2,119
Sale of organ etc
1,120
-
Bank interest
118
20
Tom amd Mims leavingcollecton
801
-
Other
718
1,002
175,855
145,413
**EXPENDITURE**
Communityand missiongiving
12,450
7,200
Events
1,630
1,032
TLC
2,410
528
Blessed Beginnings
284
263
Haywood Village Church
10,731
7,902
Church@St Annes
2,109
491
Other mission and evangelism
3,532
1,114|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**INCOME**||**2022**|||**2021**|
|||||||
|Giving||86,425|||74,815|
|Gif aid||17,442|||13,175|
|Grants||11,222|||23,300|
|Special collectons||8,575|||1,860|
|Letngs||25,176|||11,003|
|Events||3,098|||1,850|
|Parochial fees income||90|||2,419|
|Children andyouth||503|||532|
|TLC||3,081|||1,397|
|Blessed Beginnings||521|||230|
|Haywood Village Church||13,855|||11,691|
|Church@St Annes||3,110|||2,119|
|Sale of organ etc||1,120|||-|
|Bank interest||118|||20|
|Tom amd Mims leavingcollecton||801|||-|
|Other||718|||1,002|
|||175,855|||145,413|
|||||||
|**EXPENDITURE**||||||
|||||||
|Communityand missiongiving||12,450|||7,200|
|Events||1,630|||1,032|
|TLC||2,410|||528|
|Blessed Beginnings||284|||263|
|Haywood Village Church||10,731|||7,902|
|Church@St Annes||2,109|||491|
|Other mission and evangelism||3,532|||1,114|
Page 7
|costs|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Children andyouth||2,211||2,530|
|Youth hub||4,000||-|
|Equipment||-||1,689|
|Other church runningexpenses||234||1,955|
|Worship||1,692||1,830|
|Staf salaries, expenses, training
etc||64,158||61,126|
|Denominatonal contributons||43,934||39,426|
|General church maintenance||7,157||2,936|
|Utlites||6,294||4,837|
|Insurance||742||693|
|Ofce and sundryexpenses||2,964||2,224|
|Cleaningmaterials||390||251|
|Parochial fees to Diocese||-||1,297|
|Clergyexpenses||1,270||1,155|
|Other||212||585|
|||168,404||141,064|
## **INCOME AND EXPENDITURE**
|**INCOME AND EXPENDITURE**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**2022**|||**2021**|
|||||||
|Income||175,855|||145,413|
|Expenditure||168,404|||141,064|
|Surplus||7,451|||4,349|
|**BALANCE SHEET 31 DEC 2022 31 DEC 2021**|**BALANCE SHEET 31 DEC 2022 31 DEC 2021**|**BALANCE SHEET 31 DEC 2022 31 DEC 2021**|**BALANCE SHEET 31 DEC 2022 31 DEC 2021**|**BALANCE SHEET 31 DEC 2022 31 DEC 2021**|**BALANCE SHEET 31 DEC 2022 31 DEC 2021**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**ASSETS**||||||
|||||||
|Bank and cash|48,554|||41,103||
|||||||
|**LIABILITIES**|-|||-||
|||||||
|**Net assets**|48,554|||41,103||
|||||||
|Unrestricted funds||27,961|||23,678|
|Restricted funds||||||
Page 8
|Development fund|-||||546|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Coronavirus hardship
fund|-||||1,087|||
|Church@St Annes|5,091||||4,090|||
|Haywood Village Church|10,615||||6,014|||
|HV Youth Worker|3,705||||5,152|||
|Pastoral fund|646|||||||
|Skate Club|536|20,593|||536||17,425|
|||48,554|||||41,103|
## **MOVEMENT OF FUNDS**
||Unrestricted|Development
fund|Haywoo
d
Village
Church|HV
Church
Youth
Worker|Church
@ St
Annes|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Balance b/f|23,678|546|6,014|5,152|4,090|
|Income|157,890|0|13,855|0|3,110|
|Transfers|(30)|0|1,477|(1,447)|0|
|Expenditur
e|(153,577)|(546)|(10,731)|0|(2,109)|
|Balance c/f|27,961|0|10,615|3,705|5,091|
||Skat
e
Club|Coronaviru
s
Hardship
Fund|Pastora
l fund|TOTAL|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Balance b/f|536|1,087|0|41,103|
|Income|0|0|1,000|175,855|
|Transfers|0|0|0|0|
|Expenditur
e|0|(1,087)|(354)|(168,404
)|
|Balance c/f|536|0|646|48,554|
## **CASHFLOW**
|**CASHFLOW**||||
|---|---|---|---|
||**2022**||**2021**|
|||||
|Cash balances at start ofyear|41,103||36,754|
|Surplus for theyear|7,451||4,349|
|||||
Page 9
Cash balances at end of year
**48,554**
**41,103**
## **Life Groups**
## **Monday Morning Life Group**
**Emily**
We started off 2021 studying the life of Esther, then moved on to Evangelism. As a group we have kept going continuously, either on zoom, but mostly in person, either at Irene’s house, - Thank You Irene for your kind hospitality – or at church.
Elizabeth Wells is our chief organiser and very efficient, keeping a wonderful record of our prayer requests and answers to prayer. At Christmas we enjoyed a Life Group meal on 13[th] December and it was wonderful to invite back Su Lincoln, our previous leader to join us for that occasion.
Elizabeth Wells has kindly taken over now that I am unable to be there on Mondays. I wish her and all the group every blessing and I will hold them all in my prayers in gratitude for all their amazing support.
## **Monday Morning**
## **Pete**
Our LG still consists of 6 members and meets at LCC, from 10.30am to midday. Although throughout the last few months we have met at Graham Thomas's house sometimes. This has been due to Graham's health issues. We follow the sermon series as our discussion guide. We are very informal and we go along at the pace of our disabled members. Learning difficulties for some mean that we are careful re : "going to deep" and losing their input. The members are myself, Brian Humphries, Peter Richardson, Graham Thomas, Phil Hawkins, and Mark Bowden (a friend of Grahams who attends Clarence Park Baptist.) I don’t see us expanding much due to the fact that we are all retired, or, disabled. Therefore, we meet during normal working hours. The able bodied tend to act in a pastoral role to the disabled. Encouraging and physically helping when needed. Everybody seems to gain something by attending. Growing in faith in a caring environment. We also "laugh" a lot and enjoy our faith.
## **Honeysuckle Life Group**
## **Suzanne**
Honeysuckle Place life group has continued to meet at church in the last year. The LG members remain the same, but this year has seen us growing closer to each other, whilst also working on our “Frontlines”. We are a very supportive group. We trust each other and feel strongly that LG is a “safe” place for us to share our life experiences and spiritual journey. Our WhatsApp group is often used for prayer requests and support. For the most part, we follow the church sermon series. I’d like to acknowledge all group members for their support but particularly to Lorraine Bennett who has deputised for me a few times. If you would like to join us, then please do get in touch out.
Page 10
## **Tuesday Life Group**
## **Mark**
My group meets every Tuesday evening at 7.30pm in the church. During 2022, my group has grown to 14 members.
Nearly every week we have been following the sermon series whilst always including prayers for each other, family, friends, the church etc.
## **Wednesday afernoon Life Group**
**Jutta**
During last year we moved our group to a Wednesday afternoon to accommodate the needs of individuals. This group varies in size and attendance every week but is open to any parent/carer and their children as they seek to deepen their relationship with Jesus. The group now includes mature Christians and those seeking to understand more. It is a very diverse group which is very welcoming. We have found that many of our parents struggle with children’s additional needs. Our aim is to discuss aspects of faith and to pray for each other. Louise Willis has joined the group recently as a co-leader and is a great support. The majority of people coming have also attended TLC at some point but are not necessarily coming on a Sunday morning (yet!).
## **Wednesday Room 1 Life Group**
**Jill & Luke Lyons**
We continue to meet on a Wednesday evening discussing the sermon series and praying for each other’s needs. In recent months we have moved back to Zoom meetings which is working well. Longer term we are looking at potentially moving our group to a different day in church so that we can open it to others from the church.
## **Thursday Life Group**
**Neville**
We are a Thursday lunchtime (1.00 pm to 2.30 pm) group of 7 who meet at Adele Lloyd’s house with great hospitality. We follow, but are not restricted to, the Church weekly questions. Our activities keep in mind, as individuals and as a group, the church’s value filters of spiritual growth, safety and wellbeing, community cohesion and care for the environment. Anyone who feels able to lead a session is encouraged to do so. The group is relaxed and any questions can be asked, no matter how difficult the answer, and everyone is encouraged to express their personal views. We always make room for anyone wishing to joins us for learning, caring and fun.
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## **Church Groups**
## **Men’s Breakfast**
## **Report by Andy Pearce**
We have continued to enjoy the fantastic cooked breakfasts at the Landing Light Pub. We have a regular cohort of about 40 men from various backgrounds and ages. We have short testimonies, interviews, or talks with different group members. We all enjoy the rich humour and banter a gathering of men can afford. Thank you to Sarah and her Landing Light team, who give us this space to meet and eat together. Another big thank you to Pete Burden, who organises and sends texts to gather us together.
## **Women’s Breakfast**
**Report by Lyn Thomas**
The Ladies Breakfast meets once a month at Banwell Garden where we enjoy lovely food and fellowship together. We have a mix of ages and welcome those ladies who attend the church as well as those who are not church members.
The atmosphere is really relaxed and you get a chance to get to know people in a friendly environment.
## **Sunday Lunch**
**Report by Sandra Blackwell**
Sundays can be difficult when you are living on your own. Families enjoy the day together and you feel at a bit of a loose end. I feel this and I know many other people do too. So, on the first Sunday of every month, anybody who is on their own, from church and the community, is invited to join us for Sunday Lunch together. It breaks up the day. We enjoy each other’s company and, of course, we enjoy good food. We have frequented various hostelries and recently enjoyed the hospitality at The Pavilion. We appreciate that transport can be an issue so, those of us with cars, give lifts to those who haven’t. Please contact me on 07719 210623 if this is something you would like to do.
## **Outreach Ministries**
**Haywood Village Report by Fiona Mayne** .
Haywood Village Church continues to grow. The take 5 pop up cafe runs every Monday afternoon term time and Rooted mid-week Church service. Tea and Toast Church will be weekly from 2 April 2023. Youth group happens on a Friday night and detached youth work on Tuesday nights and there is a youth exploring faith group on Sunday nights.
Haywood Village Church have taken over the oversight of TLG at Haywood Village School from April 2023. Haywood Village Church has its own PCC and is in the process of setting up its own bank account so it will be a separate entity from Locking Castle Church but still a sister Church with a Church planting connection. the bank account will be finalised by the end of March
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The building project for a permanent Church and community cafe has been delayed due to Persimmon being behind in their schedule of building new homes due to Covid and they still currently need the site for their sales office.
## **St Anne’s West Wick Report by Andy Pearce**
I feel we have not recovered from the pandemic; we struggled to regain the momentum we had before the lockdown. We continued to meet, but it wasn't the same. Tom's sabbatical started in June, so we decided to pause during that time as I was to cover in his absence. Then, in September, we had to cease all services and close all together as Tom was leaving LCC to go to another church. However, all is not lost; there is a Life Group that meets every other week, and we also have started a Toddler group in the school for residents in West Wick and Mead Fields. Cathy and I still regularly lead worship at the school, and I am a governor. Please pray with us as we seek the Lord for what he wants to do next with West Wick. Thank you to the faithfulness of the West Wick team: Simon, Caroline, Bob, Sonia and Ellie, who continue to meet for Life Group. Thank you to the school for partnering with us in the Toddler group and providing this space for the community.
## **– TLC Toddlers Locking Castle**
## **Report by Jutta Stanley**
TLC continues to thrive at LCC. We welcome between 40 and 65 children and their carers each week. The team has been joined by Pam Axelsen and Sue Morley on baking and Jill Hill as a helper on a rota basis. Each helper makes a tremendous difference as we are seeking to listen to and support adults and children alike. In recent months we have introduced a few more new Christian songs. We also have times of celebrating the Christian faith with a clear message such as at Christmas and Easter. TLC remains an area of outreach into the community. It would not be possible to run this group without the support of a very dedicated team. Thank you!
## **Safeguarding and Safe Recruitng**
## **Photographs in Church**
Please remember to always seek consent of a leader before taking or publicising photographs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that include photographs of children and/or young or vulnerable adults.
## **Driving**
If you are a designated driver, please remember to let me know when you have renewed your insurance, tax and MOT and if you have changed your car. Finally, please remember that we must **all** take responsibility for safeguarding within our Church. The Diocese are extremely supportive of the work we do at LCC. If you have **any** safeguarding concerns, please contact the team immediately.
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## **Community and mission giving 2022 Report Martin Purnell and Emily Cumberbatch**
## **Mission partners in 2022:**
|**Missionpartners in 2022:**||
|---|---|
|Open Doors|600.00|
|Kenya Hope|600.00|
|KreatvityUkraine|8849.51|
|Hope for Justce|600.00|
|Katya Rocks(CMS)|300.00|
|A Rocha|600.00|
## **Other giving:**
|**Othergiving:**||
|---|---|
|TransformingLives for Good|900.00|
|||
|**Totalgiving:**|**12,449.51**|
## **Mission Focus**
One Sunday each month we focus on one of our 6 Mission Partners. We hear about the work they are doing and learn what specifically to pray for. At the start of each year the church council select the 6 charities for the year. An amount set by the ECC is shared between the Partners. This way we cover a diverse yet relevant range of missional activity. On occasion a representative from the charity comes to speak and tell us first-hand about their cause. Our revised list of Mission Focus partners for 2023:
Open Doors, Kenya Hope, Kreativity, Arocha, North Somerset People First, and Shelter. Thank you for your generosity Be blessed.
## **Flowers**
## **Report by Suzanne Pearse**
This last year has brought us some mixed blessings as we sadly lost our dear friend Sandria Elvey who served on the flower rota for as long as I can remember. We’ve all missed Sandria’s cheeky ways and laughter. Many thanks yet again to the remaining fabulous flower team namely Elizabeth Wells, Susan Brooks, Rose Gray and also our lovely new recruits Sue Morley and Pat Sparkes. The ladies and I continue to brighten up each Sunday morning with flowers for all to enjoy. If you would like to join the team, please let me know.
## **Bookings**
## **Report by Teresa Britton**
2022 has been a good year. We have had new hirers join us as well as our loyal regulars, plus enquiries and bookings for parties and events. Locking Castle Church has become the busy hub of the Community that it was before Covid!
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## **Church Administraton**
**Report by Katherine Hollis**
The church office remains busy, which is wonderful as it means we have a church busy with worshipers as well as the local community.
I continue with my regular tasks and being a presence in the church if anyone needs anything. My hours changed to 9.30-11.30 Monday, Wednesday Thursday & Friday so please don’t hesitate in contacting me at the office.
## Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
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