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2021-12-31-accounts

ST MARY’S CHURCH GREENFIELD

AGENDA AND REPORTS FOR THE ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING TO BE HELD VIA ZOOM ON THURSDAY 15 APRIL 2021 AT 7PM

AGENDA

Opening prayers

The Annual Meeting of the Parishioners

Appointment of Clerk to the Meeting

Apologies

Minutes of the previous APCM held on 4 October 2020

Matters arising

Election of Church Wardens

The Annual Parochial Meeting

Appointment of Clerk to the Meeting

Apologies

Minutes of the previous APCM held on 4 October 2020

Matters arising

Appointment of Independent Examiner for the current year

Review and approval of Reports

Elections

The election of the parochial representatives of the laity to the Church Council

The election of the Team Council representative and Deputy – stay the same this year.

The election of Deanery Synod representatives – stay the same this year.

Other matters of Parochial interest.

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THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARY GREENFIELD IN THE SADDLEWORTH TEAM MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS HELD IN ST MARY’S CHURCH, GREENFIELD ON SUNDAY 4 OCTOBER 2020 AT 11.30AM

1 The Annual Meeting of Parishioners

Chairman : Revd. John Rosedale

1.1 Commencement and appointment of clerk to the meeting

The meeting commenced at noon. Kath Jump was appointed clerk to the meeting. Apologies – J Parkin, A O’Brien and M Strange.

1.2 Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting held on 28 April 2019

The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 28 April 2019, had been published two weeks’ prior, and copies had been distributed. They were accepted as a true record and agreed AIF.

1.4 Election of Church Wardens - Brian Greenwood was elected as Church Warden. Agreed AIF.

2 The Annual Parochial Meeting

2.2Minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 April 2019.

The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 28 April 2019, had been published 2 weeks prior, and copies were distributed. They were accepted as a true record and agreed AIF.

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2.11 Report from Church Warden - Published in report booklet.

2.14 Child Protection and Safeguarding Children Report - Published in report booklet and the Church’s Safeguarding Policy was read out to the meeting.

All of the reports listed above were accepted and agreed AIF.

2.15 Elections

Election of Parochial Representatives of the laity to the Church Council

The following people were elected as PCC representatives for the next 3 years:

Lynda McGowan, Kath Grant, Jane Ratcliffe, Nicolas Cotterill-Waring and Elizabeth Pilkington.

They join the existing PCC members who are:

Revd. John Rosedale (ex-officio), Revd. Barbara Christopher (exofficio), Kath Jump (ex-officio), Brian Greenwood (ex-officio), Pat Bottom, Susan Garside, Margaret Strange, Carol Smith and Helena Bird.

Agreed AIF.

Election of the Team Council Representative and Deputy

Pat Bottom, Revd. Barbara Christopher and Helena Bird were elected.

Deanery Synod Representatives

Our representatives are - Brian Greenwood and Edith Booth.

Other matters of parochial interest

Revd John – need to think about how as a Church we celebrate Christmas, given the current pandemic restrictions.

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Reports

1. Report of the Electoral Roll Secretary

See separate report.

2. Report from the PCC Secretary

Virtual PCC meetings have been held in November, January and March.

There current PCC members are:-

Revd. John Rosedale (ex-officio), Revd. Barbara Christopher (ex-officio), Kath Jump (ex-officio), Brian Greenwood (ex-officio), Pat Bottom, Susan Garside, Margaret Strange, Carol Smith, Helena Bird, Lynda McGowan, Kath Grant, Jane Ratcliffe, Nicolas Cotterill-Waring and Elizabeth Pilkington.

The following people are up for re-election this year: Margaret Strange Pat Bottom Helena Bird.

Kath Jump PCC Secretary

3. Report from Team Rector

‘20-20’ is normally an expression used to describe clear vision; acute sight; perfect seeing. Together we discovered last year in a way we never dreamt of the implications of that new focus. 2020 was the year we saw afresh what it means to be mortal, frail and not have all the answers. We began to understand the implications for the community of keeping the vulnerable safe. We saw through fresh eyes the value we place on relationships and what is necessary for human flourishing.

2020 was the year we began to see the extent to which the church is more than the building. We built new online communities of worship and support, and networks of pastoral care. We discovered the significance that music, particularly hymns, have for us; human touch, and the limitations of internet friendship.

We have stared into the eyes of fear and insecurity, of financial challenge and loneliness. We have known irritation, frustration and powerlessness, sickness and grief.

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Into all this maelstrom of emotions and uncharted waters we discovered we are not all in the same boat, but we are all in the same storm. We realise that Christ is in the storm with us. He is the anchor to whom we cling; the one from whom we draw strength when we are ‘all at sea’ and fear shipwreck. We will emerge changed. ‘Normal’ will be hard to define and recognise.

God has surprised us in many ways, not least through the kindness of strangers and through recognising our own weaknesses as well as our strengths. God has reminded us of the joy of living in such a beautiful place and sharing in the gift which is his whole creation. God has revealed the unspoken and unrecognised heroes in our midst who are Christ’s body.

I would like to thank all who have led, supported, encouraged; all who have risen to new challenges and contributed through prayer, care and service; our church Wardens, secretaries and treasurers particularly for working to ‘steady the ship’ during the pandemic.

Most of all I would like to pay tribute to Susan Brierley, Team Administrator, constantly rearranging wedding dates and coordinating funerals, and the outstanding contribution of our ministerial team and our techno stars supported by Paul Wooding. Our Palm Sunday, Easter, Whit Friday and Christmas broadcasts will live long in our memories.

Thank you all for everything, Sharon

4. Report from Ordained Local Minister

The main areas that fall within the remit of an OLM are worship, services, pastoral care, support and outreach. But as I always say, despite feeling responsible for all that goes on at St Mary's, the responsibility and authority actually lie with our Team Rector and Team Vicar, and the Church Warden.

During 2020, our services began by following what has become the established pattern, with Early Church at 9am and the more traditional service at 10.30am. On special occasions, we would have continued to have just one service at 10.30am, when both our congregations worship together. However, things changed quickly due to the Coronavirus pandemic and national lockdown, which led to the church being closed after the service on 15[th] March, until it reopened on 16[th] August. It then closed again for the second national lockdown after the service on 1[st] November and re-opened on 6[th] December.

During the times when the church has been open, only the 10.30am services have been held on Sundays. However, since 3[rd] May 2020, we have held weekly services at 9am on Zoom, which without it being our original intention, have become the equivalent of Early Church. These services are proving to be very successful and will continue into the foreseeable future, and maybe beyond. They are regularly attended by over 30-40 families, and sometimes as many as 60. Attendance in church at 10.30am was limited due to social distancing, but around 20-30 were still attending each week.

Other than services, the pandemic affected every other aspect of church life, so no social activities were held and the weddings that were due to take place were postponed. However, I officiated at twelve funeral services throughout the year, only two of which included a service in church because for a time they weren’t able to be held due to Covid restrictions. Of the funerals, two were burials and ten were cremations. I was also able to officiate at eight baptisms and three dedications.

Also due to the pandemic, my ministry has focused even more on pastoral care and support, rather than leading services. Whilst the church was closed, I kept in regular contact with our older people through telephone calls and occasionally

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saw some whilst out walking, or on their doorsteps. Home Communions, of course, couldn’t take place, and nor could visits indoors. The Team produced a prayer booklet ‘for those who spend long hours at home’, which I distributed, and at Christmas we distributed gift bags to our Zoom service families.

Although 2020 was a very different year, as always, I want to thank everyone who supports me in my ministry, and all who support the life, witness and worship of St Mary's Church. There are too many people to name individually, but in particular I must mention and thank Brian our Church Warden. It was quite a different year for him, too, and he undertook many additional duties, including regular deep cleaning of the church. This is just one example of Brian’s dedication, commitment and continuing hard work during 2020 for St Mary’s Church as a building and for the people who actually make up our Church. I am also very grateful for all the ways that he supports me.

As we begin to emerge from the pandemic and all the sadness and difficulties it brought, we can have much hope for the future. It's wonderful to be a part of St Mary's Church and of our Team in Saddleworth. Throughout 2021 and beyond, as the Body of Christ in Greenfield, it is my hope and prayer that we will go from strength to strength in faith, fellowship and unity as together we proclaim the Gospel of Christ and work for the furtherance of his Kingdom in this place.

With God's blessings.

Barbara Christopher OLM and Associate Priest

5. Report from Deanory Synod

Representatives:-

The Revd John Rosedale, Gillian Clarke, Geoffrey Dent, Richard Lait

The Revd John Rosedale and Richard Lait are members of the Deanery Mission and Pastoral Committee. Geoffrey Dent also attends as Deanery Lay Chair.

With the first lockdown, due to Covid-19, coming into place last March there have been fewer Stipendiary changes this year. The Revd Edith Disley retired from Leesfield in July. The Revd Lyn Woodall is replacing Edith in addition to her own parish of St John’s Hey. Lyn will hold the two posts in plurality rather than a combined benefice. Similarly, in January, the Revd Katy Cunliffe was appointed priest of St James Thornham and St Mary’s High Crompton in addition to Holy Trinity Shaw. Again these posts are to be held in plurality. Katy also relinquished her role as Deanery Children and Young Families Missioner. The parish of St Mark’s Glodwick is going through the legal process of being closed

The Diocesan proposal to reduce the number of Deaneries in the Diocese from 20 to 7, with the Area Dean position becoming a fulltime post, was due to come into effect from January 2021. This has now been delayed until 1[st] June 2021. We will be in the combined Oldham and Ashton Deanery. The usual three Deanery Synods could not be held this year. The only meeting held was by Zoom on 7th November. The main item was the proposed Mission Communities document. This outlined pastoral re-organisation within the new Deaneries. The Deanery Mission and Pastoral Committee is a sub-committee of the Deanery Synod. The major topic had continued to be Mission Action Planning (MAP). Within this we had proposed three Mission Units. The Mission Communities proposed by the Diocese are

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virtually identical to our Mission Units.

A 24[th] March meeting scheduled to be held by Zoom will be a combined with meeting with the Ashton and Oldham West Deanery Synods. This is designed as an informal “get to meet each other” meeting for members of the new Ashton and Oldham Deanery Synod.

Gill Clarke retired as a representative to Deanery Synod at this year’s APCM. We thank her for her 15 years of service, her regular attendance and constructive contributions to Synod discussions.

6. Report from Church Warden

This has been a strange year for me as the church has been in lockdown for most of the year however all necessary work has been carried out and in accordance with the regulations l have regularly cleaned and disinfected the church and toilets also in accordance with the rules l have opened all the doors and windows to air the building at least twice a week for an hour or more. I have carried out a fire risk assessment at the request of the insurance company and completed their questionnaire all necessary saftey tests have been completed on the electrics, fire extinguishers, lightening conductors,and boilers, all have been given safety checks and certificates. I have recovered the organ trust money and further work is at this moment being carried out on the organ.

Brian Greenwood

7. Gift Aid Report

Thank you to those who donate to St Mary’s by standing order, blue or pink envelopes.

Thank you very much for those signed up for Gift Aid, which means we can claim an extra 25p in every £1 donated as a tax reclaim.

In line with church accounts, a gift aid tax reclaim for 1/1/20-31/12/20 has been submitted. The amount will obviously reflect the various Coronavirus pandemic lockdowns, and church closures, that have occurred.

Thank you to those who have continued to donate to St Mary’s Church during lockdown, via cheques or continuing with weekly donations; obviously not via the collection at services for the majority of Sunday’s.

During lockdown, some congregation members donated by cheque. £1,289 was donated in this way, in total.

There are 44 standing orders, 10 new ones have been set up since the last APCM of which 3 are Early Church families. 34 have regular giving blue envelopes and of those 34 donors, 2 people have both blue regular giving envelopes and have a standing order set up as well. 4 standing orders have been cancelled. Sadly people have died or moved into care homes. Some donors have moved out of the area. These facts reflect on donor numbers and attendees.

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Unfortunately the joint School and Church Christmas Fair could not take part in 2020. All social events to raise funds have been put on hold.

Money given to our flower secretary Pam Butler can be gift aided if placed in a pink envelope, the donor details clearly marked on the pink envelope, as well as the word FLOWERS written on. This donation/gift aid is proving worthwhile.

In this difficult and uncertain time, thank you for your continuing support of St Mary’s Church.

Elizabeth Pilkington, Gift Aid Secretary

8. Shop Report

Obviously the shop was closed for large parts of 2020, but during the short periods in which were allowed to open, we found that customers were willing to return and to spend.

We have made the shop Covid safe and have managed to find the staff to man it for weekdays. We don’t have the staff to open on Saturdays because a lot of our ladies are of a certain age and have needed to shield. Hopefully, later this year (2021), we’ll be able to open again and people will feel safe returning to work.

Our only donation this year has been bras to Oxfam.

Lynda McGowan Shop Manager

9. Child Protection and Safeguarding Children Report

As church has been virtually closed for the best part of a year, there are no Safeguarding incidents to report.

However, a vulnerable adult is being supported by the OLM and Safeguarding Officer - no other agencies are involved at present, but this could change in the future.

The Parish Safeguarding Officer works with the Minister (Reverend Barbara Christopher) and with the Reverend John Rosedale, ensuring that children and young people are safe in our church.

In case there is a Safeguarding issue in the church a flow diagram is now displayed in the church porch, and an article in the church magazine drew attention to it. Contact names and phone numbers are also displayed in the vestry, on the porch notice board, and also the Childline phone number - this is following advice given by the Diocese.

Alison O'Brien, St Mary's Church: 0161 624 3119, aliobrien@btinternet.com

10.Treasurers Report

See separate report.

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Independent Examiner's Report to The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Greenfield I report on the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2021, which are sct out in th¢ accompanying pages. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner As PCC members J'ou are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The PCC members consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144(1) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibilitv to: examine the accounts (under section 145(1)(a) of the 201 l Act); to follow the procedures laid in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5Xb) of the 2011 Act): to state whether particular matters have come to my attention Basis of independent examiner's report My examination ivas carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not Drovide all the evidence ihal would be reQui￿d in an audiL and consequentlv I do not Independent examiner's statement In connection with my examination. no matter h&$ come to my attention: ( l ) whtch gives tne reasonable cause to believe thai in anv material respecl Ihe requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 201 l Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 201 l Act; have not been met. or (2) to which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION Signed .. Dat¢ ...ai.IL) Li !z.L