Addoli Duw Tyfu’r Eglwys Worshipping God Growing the Church
Caru’r Byd Loving the World
Adroddiad Festri Blynyddol **Mis Gorffennhaf 2021 July** Annual Vestry Report
Rhif Elusen / Charity Number 1181120
_Yn yr adroddiad hwn: // In this report:_
- _Rhagarweiniad // Introduction_
- _Addoli Duw // Worshipping God_
- _Tyfu’r Eglwys // Growing the Church_
- _Caru’r Byd // Loving the World_
- _Cenhadaeth // Mission_
- _Adeiladau // Buildings_
- _Cyllid // Finance_
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**The Annual Vestry Report** focusses on the work in our Ministry Area of Bro Gwydyr within the three elements of our Diocesan vision and charitable objectives:
## **Worshipping God. Growing the Church. Loving the World.**
_Dear Friends,_
_Last Easter in the Vestry Report_ I reflected on Psalm 137.4 ‘ _How can I sing the Lord’s song in a strange land_ ?’ A psalm which was written for a time of exile. In the prophet Isaiah we find a passage on returning from exile: ‘ _The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.’_
I don’t think we are quite there yet, but I do believe it is in sight. 2020 was a year of adaptation and significant change. It began with sadness as our dear sister in Christ and Ministry Area Reader **Hilary Brookes Jones** was taken from us just as we were about to mourn with her the death of Gerry whose funeral on Monday 6th January 2020 was quite the Epiphany. We celebrated them together at **Candlemas** - our own ‘Anna and Simeon’ in a packed St. Mary’s church Trefriw with the Archdeacon of Bangor Mary Stallard.
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However difficult the year, we did, as a Ministry Area continue to ‘Sing the Lord’s Song’ even though the land was strange and singing a rare event.
Though not quite as planned I still managed to take my sabbatical during the summer months. Whilst I was not able to do some of the things I had arranged it was a useful time of rest and preparation to return to working in the Ministry Area with renewed energy and vision. Without time for reflection it is difficult to see a way forward or to gain perspective on the work that needs to be done. I am enormously grateful therefore to the wardens and to Simon for doing far more than ‘holding the fort’.
In effect we were all forced to take a break from doing many of the things we would ordinarily have done. This brought many challenges, changes and some sadness at not being able to be together in the ways we would like to. There was however much creativity to be found in and around the ministry area and therefore I commend this report of 2020 to you and invite you to read on and remember where we have been. We look forward to the time of ‘abundant blossom to rejoice with joy and singing’.
## **Stuart**
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## **Addoli Duw Worshipping God**
Tyfu’r Eglwys Caru’r Byd Growing the Church Loving the World
_**Not only do we Worship God** in our services, but through our whole lives. When we gather for worship we are preparing to go out into the world._
**In terms of our worship** the year began in good heart with a busy pattern of worship in each community. On March 16th services in church buildings were
suspended. In order to provide some form of worship recorded services began to be developed beginning with a Mothering Sunday service from our area mother church
- LLanrhychwyn. As the nation descended into a full lockdown from 23rd March thereafter the Ministry Area joined together for recorded services and Zoom meetings. The Bangor Diocese
produced meditations and bible studies which were very helpful and enabled further study and gave much needed peace of mind. At Easter a ‘video card’ was created with contributions from many
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different people across the ministry area. During Stuart’s sabbatical some of the congregation undertook to do twice daily morning and evening prayer following the St. Deiniol’s Way and the Bible readings. This has continued on Zoom on a Monday morning. Simon Freeman created weekly services by video as the closure continued through the summer. In preparing to return to worship in church buildings it was clear it would need to be in quite a different format; Soft furnishings removed, social distancing, masks to be worn, hand sanitizing and no singing. Track and Trace forms had to be completed for all services. We have become familiar with a new vocabulary over the last year. In order to limit the social contact it was important that those taking services did not attend other churches. Therefore a new pattern of worship began to be developed which would be sustainable in the longer term. As a Ministry Area we were very welcoming of Huw Thomas who offered to take on his Reader license once again, only sorry that this could not have been celebrated in person. Some services moved outside such as Remembrance and a fitting and moving tribute to Lillibet
Connolly who was amongst those whose funeral services were adapted during the year. We also paid our respects to Joyce Jones, Hazel Jones, Shirley Hambridge and Richard Houghton.
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It was clear that Christmas was not going to be the same without singing carols, therefore a ‘Drive-in’ carol service was arranged in the carpark of Betws-y-Coed church. Many were appreciative of the
opportunity to sing again. We are very grateful to the 1st Gwydyr Scouts who helped us arrange the parking and to ‘Disco Bob’ for the sound equipment. Some members of Côr Penmachno were able to sing during the first Christmas morning service in Penmachno for 25 years.
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Addoli Duw **Tyfu’r Eglwys** Caru’r Byd Worshipping God **Growing the Church** Loving the World
**Growing the church** _through deepening our faith, commitment and understanding, taking it beyond purely increasing attendance._
During 2020 there were no Baptisms and one wedding - though there were plenty of postponed ones! The number on the Electoral Roll at Easter 2021 is 80.
On Shrove Tuesday the 1st Gwydyr scouts provided pancakes. As Lent began on Saturday, 29th February, the Ministry Area joined together for a Quiet Day in St. David’s Church, Blaenau Ffestiniog, led by Simon Freeman. It was clear that whilst Services online and meetings by Zoom were useful, not all could access these. An old tradition of the ‘Vicar’s letter’ was returned to so that all were helped to maintain contact even if they couldn’t access a computer or mobile phone or attend church. Our small but dedicated team of Pastoral Visitors have kept in touch with those who have no internet access in between the letters from Simon and Stuart.
In September 2020 we held two “Panad” sessions in the Beer Garden of the Eagles pub in Penmachno (one morning, one afternoon) and invited the Capel to support us, which they did.
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It was an open community event and whilst there were a few non church people who came along it is clear we need to work on this. At the event we just encouraged conversation as to what the residents thought Penmachno needed and asked if there were ways we, as church, could offer support. There is an opportunity now to do more of these events.
Over the week of Remembrance and All Saints / All Souls an installation of Art Works was held in Betws y Coed. Many contributed stories, poems, pictures and the names of loved ones.
For advent an ‘Advent Adventure’ sheet was sent out to all on our mailing list. It was also offered to the schools who were very keen to accept it and share it.
At Christmas the Scripture Union resource ‘A Christmas trail’ followed QR codes. This was put up bilingually for the children. In the coming year we hope to be able to make plans to develop new worship opportunities for children and families across our Ministry Area.
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Addoli Duw Tyfu’r Eglwys **Caru’r Byd** Worshipping God Growing the Church **Loving the World**
**In loving the world** _we are fulfilling the commandment of Christ to ‘Love one another’. Not just those in our communities, but all including the earth itself._
Fundraising for our charities did not take place in 2020. We hope to restart this in December 2021 by nominating charities for 2022.
Because of church closure, collections for the Food Bank were transferred to the village shops. This is a success story and the boxes continue to be very well supported. We were able to continue our supply of donations to the Blaenau Food Bank. During Sue Welsh’s isolation Keith & Lee maintained the fortnightly collection from Penmachno, Betws & Dolwyddelan and were assisted by Carrie & Bill Clarke from Dolwyddelan. Donations from Dolgarrog supported the Conwy food Bank.
Welcome In – an outreach and social group, coffee morning was started but sadly closed due to Covid.
The photographic competition in Dolwyddelan had the village out with cameras. A 2021 calendar was created with profits going to the foodbank.
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With work to reduce our carbon footprint, including changing electricity supplies; churches at Llanrhychwyn, Penmachno, Dolgarrog have joined Dolwyddelan in being awarded at Bronze level with Eco-Church - hopefully Betws-y-Coed and Trefriw will follow soon. Further churchyard management schemes are being considered across the ministry area working with the North Wales Wildlife Trust to conserve nature in our churchyards.
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_**Cenhadaeth** Adeiladau Cyllid_ _**Mission** Buildings Finance_
The Mission plan we adopted in 2018 was successful in helping us to reach further into our communities. As the pandemic begins to loosen its grip on the nation it is time to re-visit our Mission plan and re-create it for the coming years. It will be the task of the new Ministry Area Council to form the group to do this important work. One of the last tasks of the mission plan was to create a pattern of worship fit for the future. The pandemic has brought this work forward a little and a new pattern of worship - based on the eight fold annual cycle of solar festivals was created. Over the coming year this plan will be rolled out in the Ministry Area as a more holistic way of celebrating the seasons, and using the gifts of those in our Ministry Area to good effect.
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_Cenhadaeth_ _**Adeiladau** Cyllid Mission_ _**Buildings** Finance_
The period of closure and prepara1on for return enabled some much needed clearing and cleaning of our buildings. The final Ezra report into the fabric of the buildings was delivered in the summer of 2020. Simon led the MAC through the area church by church highligh1ng areas of concern and urgent works. Work to the roof of Penmachno church could not wait as ridge 1les had moved. The remainder of these works are being prepared for tender by architect Elinor Gray Williams. The ongoing maintenance of the six buildings in the Ministry Area is detailed below together with the items of urgent works.
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_Cenhadaeth Adeiladau_ _**Cyllid** Mission Buildings_ _**Finance**_
For the preparation of the accounts this year we are indebted to Julie Bassett who undertook the task of entering the data. Also to Carrie White who prepared the accounts to go to be examined. Also to Owain Pritchard of the Diocesan team for his continual support at the end of an email or telephone. The accounts are presented in two formats. Firstly the annual return as required by the charity commission and the church in wales. We have also presented the accounts in a more readable format which gives far more detail as to the income and expenditure.
We face particular challenges financially. It was made particularly clear to us during the pandemic how reliant we are on visitor contributions - not least through the carpark monies at Betws-y-Coed. Our first duty each year is to pay the Bishop’s Ministry Fund which amounted to £65,000.00 for 2020. Fortunately we were able to pay this. We have significant building works to undertake in the coming years and a programme of fund raising will need to begin in order to pay for these repair costs in addition to staff and running costs. In order to fund repairs into the future a further sum of around £37,000 will need to be raised each year. This is reflected in the Ezra report for ongoing maintenance.
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## **Ardal Gweinidogaeth Bro Gwydyr Ministry Area**
## **Analysis of income and expenditure Selected period: 01 January 2020 to 31 December 2020**
||**Total**
**General**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**This year**
**Last year**|
|---|---|
|**Income and endowments from:**
**Donations and legacies**
0110 - Gift Aid Envelopes - Occasional
0111 - Gift Direct
0112 - Other planned giving
0201 - Loose plate offering
0204 - Offerings - Funerals
0302 - Wall safe / box donations
0305 - Donations appeals etc
0401 - Mission Boxes
0402 - Other collections/mission appeals
0501 - Recovered HMRC Gift Aid receipts
0502 - Recovered HMRC GASDS receipts
0601 - Legacies
0701 - Recurring grants
0702 - Non-recurring one-off grants
**Donations and legacies Totals**|126.00
-
-
-
126.00
1,585.45
9,391.80
-
-
-
9,391.80
8,717.31
2,209.00
-
-
-
2,209.00
4,136.55
2,124.10
-
-
-
2,124.10
8,944.47
174.47
-
-
-
174.47
229.53
890.53
-
-
-
890.53
6,505.67
7,296.77
-
-
-
7,296.77
1,208.81
63.86
-
-
-
63.86
4,541.26
398.47
-
-
-
398.47
2,089.65
2,480.72
-
-
-
2,480.72
2,645.53
1,967.97
-
-
-
1,967.97
-
-
-
-
-
-
6,000.00
1,000.00
-
-
-
1,000.00
2,000.00
-
-
-
-
-
4,251.00|
||**28,123.69**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**28,123.69**
**52,855.23**|
|**Income from charitable activities (Bro Gwydyr, St Gwyddelan, Dolwyddelan, St Mary, Betws-y-Coed, St**|**Income from charitable activities (Bro Gwydyr, St Gwyddelan, Dolwyddelan, St Mary, Betws-y-Coed, St**|**Income from charitable activities (Bro Gwydyr, St Gwyddelan, Dolwyddelan, St Mary, Betws-y-Coed, St**|**Income from charitable activities (Bro Gwydyr, St Gwyddelan, Dolwyddelan, St Mary, Betws-y-Coed, St**|**Income from charitable activities (Bro Gwydyr, St Gwyddelan, Dolwyddelan, St Mary, Betws-y-Coed, St**|**Mary, Dolgarrog, St Mary**|**Mary, Dolgarrog, St Mary**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**& St Rhychwyn, Trefriw, St Tudclud, Penmachno)**|||||||
|0901 - Fees for Occasional Offices|998.00|-|-|-|998.00|1,654.00|
|**Income from charitable activities Totals**|**998.00**|**-**|**-**|**-**|**998.00**|**1,654.00**|
|**Other trading activities (Bro Gwydyr, St Gwyddelan, Dolwyddelan, St Mary, Betws-y-Coed, St Mary, Dolgarrog, St Mary & St**|||||||
|**Rhychwyn, Trefriw, St Tudclud, Penmachno)**|||||||
|0801 - Fund raising|3,151.80|-|-|-|3,151.80|3,543.42|
|0802 - Other funds generated|23,233.50|-|-|-|23,233.50|52,465.10|
|0803 - Hall Rental Income|2,255.00|-|-|-|2,255.00|2,995.50|
|0805 - Sundry income|161.12|-|-|-|161.12|1,457.50|
|0806 - Printing Income|-|-|-|-|-|25.00|
|**Other trading activities Totals**|**28,801.42**|**-**|**-**|**-**|**28,801.42**|**60,486.52**|
**Investments (Bro Gwydyr, St Gwyddelan, Dolwyddelan, St Mary, Betws-y-Coed, St Mary, Dolgarrog, St Mary & St Rhychwyn, Trefriw, St Tudclud, Penmachno)**
|1001 - Dividends/investment income
1020 - Bank and building society interest
1030 - Rent from investment land or buildings
**Investments Totals**
**Income and endowments Grand totals**|1,313.12
-
-
-
1,313.12
1,273.48
88.78
-
-
-
88.78
180.82
5,728.95
-
-
-
5,728.95
6,899.74|
|---|---|
||**7,130.85**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**7,130.85**
**8,354.04**|
||**65,053.96**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**65,053.96**
**123,349.79**|
## **Expenditure on:**
**Raising funds**
(31 October 2021 2:20 pm) Page 1 of 2
||**Total**
**General**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**This year**
**Last year**|
|---|---|
|3104 - Costs of fund raising
6,640.00
-
-
-
6,640.00
11,236.09
**Raising funds Totals**
**6,640.00**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**6,640.00**
**11,236.09**
**Expenditure on charitable activities (Bro Gwydyr, St Gwyddelan, Dolwyddelan, St Mary, Betws-y-Coed, St Mary, Dolgarrog, St**
**Mary & St Rhychwyn, Trefriw, St Tudclud, Penmachno)**
2001 - Diocesan share
65,000.00
-
-
-
65,000.00
68,091.00
2101 - Clergy expenses
3,587.58
-
-
-
3,587.58
5,632.25
2145 - Parsonage - water
585.65
-
-
-
585.65
489.55
2147 - Parsonage - electricity
-
-
-
-
-
77.28
2148 - Parsonage - Oil/wood/LPG/other
-
-
-
-
-
212.89
2149 - Parsonage - other expenses
1,330.81
-
-
-
1,330.81
15.00
2150 - Clergy - telephone/mobile/internet
-
-
-
-
-
632.86
2340 - Maintenance of services
1,461.55
-
-
-
1,461.55
2,046.60
2342 - Music & performance expenses
267.00
-
-
-
267.00
1,281.31
2401 - Costs of meetings
71.16
-
-
-
71.16
325.59
2403 - Cost of printing, post and stationery
1,749.65
-
-
-
1,749.65
1,971.89
2404 - MA - telephone/mobile/internet
-
-
-
-
-
91.28
2405 - Office and general expenditure
-
-
-
-
-
2,281.84
2406 - Admin/Staff Salary
5,725.33
-
-
-
5,725.33
5,351.30
2408 - Leasing and Hire purchase charges
-
-
-
-
-
149.63
2501 - Church operatating costs - insurance
3,827.37
-
-
-
3,827.37
3,196.64
2502 - Church operating costs - electricity
7,515.13
-
-
-
7,515.13
6,530.28
2504 - Church operating costs - water
68.13
-
-
-
68.13
328.17
2505 - Church operating costs - other
2,416.64
-
-
-
2,416.64
226.43
2508 - Church repairs and maintenance
1,829.10
-
-
-
1,829.10
8,608.70
2509 - Church Cleaning
25.00
-
-
-
25.00
849.85
2601 - Churchyard management costs
-
-
-
-
-
5,230.42
2605 - Church hall operating costs - insurance
733.14
-
-
-
733.14
723.24
2606 - Church hall costs - repairs/maintenance
1,890.59
-
-
-
1,890.59
1,836.57
2608 - Church hall operating costs - water
185.81
-
-
-
185.81
-
2609 - Church hall - equipment repair & renewal
-
-
-
-
-
382.99
2611 - Church hall operating costs - cleaning
2,576.00
-
-
-
2,576.00
2,651.67
2612 - Other property repairs/maintenance
4,192.67
-
-
-
4,192.67
1,431.25
2804 - Cost of church publications
-
-
-
-
-
2,383.75
2805 - Cost of mission & evangelism
-
-
-
-
-
2,804.40
2806 - Other costs of parish mission work
-
-
-
-
-
282.00
2902 - Support of church charities & projects
273.24
-
-
-
273.24
-
2903 - Support of UK charities
6,541.00
-
-
-
6,541.00
-
**Expenditure on charitable activities Totals**
**111,852.55**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**111,852.55**
**126,116.63**
**Expenditure Grand totals**
**118,492.55**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**118,492.55**
**137,352.72**|6,640.00
-
-
-
6,640.00
11,236.09|
||**111,852.55**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**111,852.55**
**126,116.63**|
||**118,492.55**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**118,492.55**
**137,352.72**|
(31 October 2021 2:20 pm) Page 2 of 2