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2022-12-31-accounts

Agenda, Reports and Financial Statements 2022

For the Annual Meeting of Parishioners

and the

Annual Parochial Church Meeting Sunday 23[rd] April 2023

Rector:

The Reverend Rosemary Bunn The Rectory Beccles Road, Belton Great Yarmouth NR31 9JQ

Curate:

The Reverend Vivienne Ridpath St Georges Road Belton Great Yarmouth NR31 9LE

Independent Examiner :

Brenda Hoskins

Bank: Royal Bank of Scotland Great Yarmouth Branch Great Yarmouth NR30 1HP

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Commissioning Prayer of PCC and Churchwardens

Lord, we thank you that you have called us to follow you and brought us together in the fellowship of your Church. We gladly accept this leadership responsibility which your people have given us for the next year. We commit ourselves unsparingly to your work. We resolve to exercise our leadership authority in an effective and godly manner, following the example of Jesus, under the direction of your Holy Spirit, for the advancement of your kingdom alone. Amen

A Prayer for Growth

God of mission, who alone brings growth to your Church, send your Holy Spirit to give vision to our planning, wisdom to our actions, joy to our worship, and power to our witness. Help our church to grow in numbers, in spiritual commitment to you and in service to our local community, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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The Parish of All Saints Belton

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Sunday 23[rd] April 2023

during Sunday morning worship: 10.30 am All Saints Church, Belton

Agendas

Opening Prayers

Apologies for Absence

Annual Meeting of the Parishioners Chaired by the Rev. Rosie Bunn

  1. Minutes of the 2022 Meeting

  2. Church Wardens’ Report including Fabric Report

(page 5) (page 7)

  1. Election of Church Wardens

  2. (proposed: and )

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Chaired by the Rev Rosie Bunn

  1. Minutes of the 2022 meeting (page5)

  2. Matters arising from these minutes.

  3. Parochial Church Council Secretary’s Report 2022 including the Report on the Electoral Roll.

  4. Treasurer’s Report and Accounts.

(page 8-10)

(page 10-14)

  1. Risk Management. (page 15-16)

  2. Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults Protection – Annual Review and confirmation of appointment of Michelle Horgan as Parish Safeguarding Officer.

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  1. Great Yarmouth Deanery Synod Report 2022 – to include the election of Two Deanery Synod reps. (page 17-18)

  2. Church Organisations Reports

(from page 19)

  1. Election of the Welcome Team for Belton

  2. Election of members of the P.C.C.

  3. Members should be:

  4. proposed and seconded;

  5. on the Church Electoral Roll;

  6. willing to stand

  7. present at the meeting or apologies to the Secretary

11. Appointment of Officers:

SITUATIONS VACANT

At All Saints Belton there are opportunities to serve God in many different ways, using your gifts and skills, whatever your age or gender. All Saints is a church family where we are all learning to live our lives following the example of Jesus.

Might you be interested in assisting with the PA or AV in church? or Setting up the Church for Young @ Heart or for Sunday Services? Help urgently needed.

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All Saints Belton Minutes of Annual Meeting of Parishioners And Annual Parochial Church Meeting 3[rd] April 2022

Chaired by the Rev Rosie Bunn

1) Opening Prayers and Worship

2) Apologies for Absence:

7) Matters Arising - none

Report accepted. Proposed by Tracey Phillips and seconded by Bill Richmond

12) Election of PCC:

Elected Members: Sue Angell, Shirley Brown Colin Chilvers, Paula Durrant Janet Jones, Michelle Leach, Derek Mill, Tracey Phillips, Elizabeth Stone

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It was proposed by Rev Rosie Bunn and seconded by An Howell, that all who were willing to stand be elected as PCC members. Agreed unanimously.

13) Appointment of Officers

Secretary: As no one was willing to stand for the office of Secretary to the PCC, this would be dealt with at the next full PCC meeting

Treasurer: Anneka Gearie was proposed by Rev Rosie Bunn, seconded by Jim Channell – Unanimous

Vice Chair: Derek Mill was proposed by Adrian Durrant and seconded by Shirley Brown – agreed

Electoral Roll Officer: Sue Angell was proposed by Anneka Gearie and . seconded by Sue Richmond. Agreed

Independent Examiner: Brenda Hoskins was proposed by Rev Rosie Bunn and seconded by Anneka Gearie – agreed unanimously.

14) No Other Business

15) Date of Next meeting: 23[rd] April 2023

6

Church Wardens Report 2022 including Fabric Report

In has been a year of highs and lows, celebrating our sovereign’s platinum jubilee, and then sadly losing our sovereign, for which grief struck every corner of the globe, was just one demonstration on how quickly and sporadically the tides of life can turn.

The electrical installation condition report an portable appliance testing has been carried out and remedial work completed, however a quotation was supplied for replacement of the high level lighting with more efficient LED fittings but as of yet a faculty has not been raised.

The annual services of the boiler and fire extinguishers has been completed, however a local service agent is yet to be appointed to maintain and service the fire extinguishers, as the current supplier lacks coherent communication skills.

29[th] January 2023 was a visitation and inspection from the Archdeacon the Venerable Steven Betts, which with thanks to a large input from Rev Rosie Bunn and Anneka Gearie went surprisingly well.

After several work parties, there is still much to do, much of the churchyard still requires pruning back, which does seem to be an endless task, but necessary all the same. There is also one particular grave that seems to be regularly dug into by an errant dog.

The windows on the annexe are in need of rubbing down, filling repainting if anyone is willing to volunteer?

There are several patches of the churches external walls that are in need of the flint work to be cemented back into position.

It was suggested to the PCC previously, that for those who can’t commit to a Saturday morning and with the lighter evenings that working parties could take place regularly on Wednesday evenings, and possibly employ local artisans/craftsmen to teach us some of the skills required to keep our church in tip top condition, and become more self-sufficient, this would really need to be driven by someone whom has spare time during the day.

Thank you all and may God bless all whom give their time freely in service of the church and especially to our Vicar Rev Rosie Bunn whose love and devotion to serve Jesus and her parishioners has no bounds.

Barbie Channell Adrian Durrant

Thank you Barbie and Ady for your work as Churchwardens over the past year. I know that health-wise it has been difficult, and what you have done is very much appreciated. Rev Rosie Bunn

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Parochial Church Council Secretary’s Report including the Report on the Electoral Roll – 2022

Incumbent: The Rev. Rosie Bunn Curate: The Rev. Vivienne Ridpath Church Wardens: Barbie Channell Adrian Durrant Secretary: Kelly Bancroft (from ?? onwards) Treasurer: Anneka Gearie Elected Members: Derek Mill Colin Chilvers Shirley Brown Janet Jones Paula Durrant Michelle Horgan Sue Angell Liz Stone Tracey Phillips Ex Officio: Terry & Judy Gammans, - GY Deanery Synod

There have been 7 PCC Meetings held throughout the year. The meetings regularly discuss Finance, Safeguarding, Young at Heart, Moorlands, Digital Presence, Children and Youth, Church Building and Churchyard, Deanery Synod, and The Pantry, with reports being given from the leaders at most meetings. All groups and events that happen within the church meet under the auspices of the PCC. Thank you to all who attended meetings, both online and in person, and offered valuable guidance, comment and support, as without the responsibilities taken on and the work done by members of the PCC the church could not function.

Finance is always a major source of discussion as we have worked hard to raise the Parish share. This continues to be a concern as we do not really pay our way; the full cost for our Benefice with one Vicar is £67,063 for 2023. In 2022 we did not reach the target Belton had been set (B- £32,393 & BC- £8,600 =£40.997) At the end of 2022 we successfully applied as a Benefice for a LINC grant (£9,587) as well as the transitional grant of £14,840. Please keep in mind that the church relies totally on the financial giving by church members to operate. Please reflect on your regular giving to the church and be as generous as you are able as experience has shown that we can never out-give the Lord.

Duties and functions of the PCC includes co-operation with the Incumbent in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical, as well as the consideration and discussion of matters concerning the Church of England and matters of religious and public interest.

Belton Parochial Church Council has responsibility for no properties other than the actual church building.

Church Electoral Roll currently has 55 members – of whom 45 are resident and 10 of whom are non-resident in the parish.

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PCC Meetings occurred 7 times during the year, with a mixture of mainly in person and hybrid meetings. Topics discussed were varied as usual, with the regular reports from Young at Heart, Youth and Children’s work, Moorlands Academy, Church Building and Churchyard, Finance and the Rectors Report.

Agenda items and discussions have included; Safeguarding, Prayer, Reflection on Church Life and worship at All Saints, The Pantry, Church Fees, Environmental Policies and eco church, the Diocesan Report, and the Diocesan Vision: Transformed by Christ, Prayerful, Pastoral, Prophetic.

Events that have been held this year include, Men’s Walks, Carols at the King’s Head and participation in the Christmas Fair at the Kings Head, too. Also, a coffee morning for Ukraine and the Queens Platinum Jubilee tea party, which was enjoyed by many members of the local community.

Prayer and Study Groups are still providing to be a great strength to their members. The groups include; Men’s Prayer Breakfast and Engine Room, Paddock Close Life Group, The Rectory Life Group, Recharge and Ladies Bible Chat.

Worship at All Saints Belton usually comes in a variety of styles including morning and evening celebrations, Messy Church, and Holy Communion. At the beginning of 2022 Communion Services took place in the church with a congregation but Morning Celebrations usually had just the people taking part, eg worship leaders, readers, etc. Services continue to be live-streamed from the Church Building to Amazon Chime and Facebook to allow as many people as possible to access services. The worship team is now stronger with more people happy to be involved.

During 2022 we brought back in our Traditional Communion Services held on Tuesdays (monthly) with Young at Heart, and Evening Celebration Services. On the 2[nd] and 4[th] Sundays in the month there was Holy Communion in church, and Morning Celebration on-line. The 1[st] Sunday of the month has seen the reintroduction of café style church. Children’s church has seen a revamp with a team of people coming together to offer the children a varied programme outside of the church service on a Sunday morning.

The records for church attendance are available to view, but are not easy to record here in the usual way due to the consequences of the pandemic and fluctuating attendance. For instance, in 2022 we could have as many as 12 children (or none) and between 17 and 39 adults for a Communion service

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Children Adults (Average)
Morning Celebrations: 5 25
Holy Communion: 7 27
Tuesday Holy Communion: 0 16
During 2022 there have been:
4 Baptisms 2 Funerals 5 Weddings
0 Confirmations 7 Crematory services 0 Wedding Blessings
2 Interment of Ashes

Information: Details concerning church services and special events are on display on the notice boards in the churchyard. Child protection and vulnerable adult policies, Diocesan Churchyard regulations and the Table of Statutory Fees are displayed in the porch together with the insurance policy and CCLI Licences.

Safeguarding

A healthy church nurtures the wellbeing of all, making it a safe place to be. Safeguarding is central to all that we do, and is a way of expressing our love for people.

All members of PCC and those leading work with children and vulnerable people are required to complete safeguarding training to make sure we're aware of risk and keeping everyone safe. All core training is up to date, and there is new training to be completed soon to ensure we're all keeping up to date.

The diocese have introduced a dashboard to help us keep track of our performance on monitoring safeguarding, and making sure we all know how to respond. We're currently at level 2, moving towards level 3. Helpfully this uses a traffic light system, currently that translates as amber, moving towards green. Some further training for people in key roles will give us a clean bill of safeguarding health.

At times safeguarding can seem a trying and challenging topic, but it is all so that we can have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10)

If anyone ever has any concerns, or has any questions about safeguarding more generally, please have a chat with me.

Michelle Horgan Parish Safeguarding Officer

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Treasurer’s Report and Accounts - 2022

Treasurers Report

This year has been challenging for us all financially. We have had a slight drop in overall giving and have been unable to do all we would like regarding fundraising and missional work. God provided again, and we could pay our bills and contribute towards our Parish Share ask, though not the total amount required.

Missional Work did not cease, and the grants we secured went a long way to support the foodbank and children's work we do. We could also donate to support the work in Ukraine, helping those affected by the war, thanks to the donations received at the coffee morning event that was so successful.

As we advance into the following year, we must realise that giving is the primary income for our church and work. Please prayerfully consider your financial giving to the church to allow the continuation of the great work and support that has been happening as we demonstrate and share the gospel with people in our community,

Anneka Gearie

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Belton All Saints PCC Trlutsd￿ Ststtment f•rtht Tr'ur 31 2K2 Rfftlpts and P#iTh¢nts.4tt￿1ts TJl 21 Fwld l.Tr4.5: 1.64 I195￿ 4Jl4.43 463JJg 167YJ •.4j8.rii 1.949_i¥J 167.50 5UILII 51WI8 IlJl=_93 1.703J I lJ13.93 1.703J2 19).9B 150. l(k44J 57.IIL94 108.40 47.11194 &ng.76 &729. 5.729.76 24￿1.74 l4j￿.-,4 Ig.è10*6 :4￿.74 12

IIA41,4 W7J J,J qAJ Jo T￿1 S.J71 f ).441 1• A•rt )Jo 141 i.•w*) T• 1.14x) 13

U14 U14Jl J•t J•,é J•AV IJJJJ i_￿)1 T1 14

Belton All Saints PCC, Gth¢r•l Acrount VlthAorlAI styi•m•ni for lh¢ V•*r Ended 31 Deeembtr 2•22 31 2021 RECF.IPTS ON C'i)Ile¥lbiin¥ lJ14.52 o, Wwlding Funrf•l co1￿¢ 1.764.52 s￿ndIn￿ Onl 7￿tyJ ov Glll Ald Reclxim 4JISA3 4JlJ.43 J,ll2.ra I.IUA2 26. 141JO Fd¢ 167,X+ F¢cs- 1.949.00 DibidtTbdJ fjnd InweA 2.4JLOg 143 L4W'iO c￿￿.(knOff 11.950A)I I I.•JO.IXi TOTAL RECEIPTS SlJ83.18 15

Belton All Saints PCC GeKrnl Ac¢ollAI Fkn•thl for th¢ Yur Eaded 31 Dff¢•ber 2022 PA YMENT5 39J9J LERGY .4 ST.4FF l.1(O.79 Ll(Q79 NNIYG EXPEISES Ckning 911.40 4J14Jl 1132.01 U31.66 Bill IV13S3 vtNG awiliP5- HODX IUK) 7A1 IW5J2 L703J2 FUNI rnisu I￿40 1(&40 missil￿ ard CaOJ 13J35.52 11 14735J2 TOTAL PA YMEKf5 TOTAL RECEIPTS IXl.18 EXCW OF RECEIPT5 OVER PAVMENIS 16

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND Diocese of Norwlch Independent Examiners Certificate Lth AIL knyils PC &oJJ Clwny Ill￿1. 3v 11132. I￿ty wxlw •Kfft 14515Xbl ol • * 25.OJ.JO23 O£t 20 17

qUAlhl¢•tlrf•l {* I. OLAK)TIwG gLIIVIcLS 31 8•etlon 8 Only <omth•11 th• •xJmln•r n••ds io Wllihi mat•rt•l rnitton ol i¢•rn Iw CC32. Ind•p•nd•rt •x•mln•tlon d thirlty i¢rounlS: dlMCtlon• Ind iuld•nc• lorex•mln•rsl, fjh• h•T• any Ihi th•1 lh• •M•mln IER Oct 2018 18

Risk Management

Financial Risks

In 2022, we did not manage to pay what was required by the Diocese for our Parish Share contribution despite having managed to do so in 2021. We have not paid a regular amount to chosen charities, as has been the wish 0of PCC for a number of years, but small charitable donations were made, following specific fund-raising activities, in particular +the Coffee Morning for Ukraine.

We survive month to month and greatly appreciate the giving of everyone including the giving of skills and time. During 2022 the church was well used, and into 2023 was able to offer a warm space two days per week, in addition to Tuesday morning Young at Heart, thanks to a successful grant application in 2022 from Norfolk Community Fund and a Diocesan grant towards the cost of the heating and lighting, so the actual cost of heating and lighting were less than originally anticipated. However, with the increase in fuel costs, our heating/lighting costs will greatly increase this year, and the use of these resources needs to be carefully monitored.

Our giving through the offering basket is much reduced and with attendance numbers still lower generally than pre-covid numbers, this is still affected, but because much of the giving at All Saints is through standing orders, money continued to come in to enable bills to be settled. However, the full cost for a parish, if paid in full, is £67,603. At the end of 2022 we successfully applied as a Benefice for a LINC grant (£9,587) as well as the transitional grant of £14,840. This year money will be extremely tight, if not more so than last year, with the parish share requested of £33,688 (Benefice share: £42,637) and with the expectation that it is paid in full.

However, as we continue to reach out to a world in need, the PCC does find the monthly ritual of wondering if we have managed to “get by” again, time consuming and draining of our energy. Please pray that we will respond to God’s generosity to us and find ways to provide enough income for the church to

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Statutory and Legal Requirements

The DBS checks are updated regularly; Church Wardens, clergy, lay ministers and youth & children’s workers are all required to have enhanced DBS checks. Everyone who works with young people or vulnerable adults must have a DBS check and have completed C0 and C1 of the Diocesan Safeguarding course. Those in leadership must have completed the C2 level. This applies particularly in regard to our work with Young at Heart and all the children’s work. Regular training needs to be undertaken. Safeguarding training is an essential requirement for all PCC members, who are required to reach level C1. There is also the need to keep up-to-date with both the Safeguarding training and our DBS checks.

The Health and Safety Policy and our two Protection Policies need to be kept up to date. Data Protection and GDPR regulations are adhered to.

Operational Risks

There is an expectation that we regularly check the building; and all repair work carried out is now logged in the book kept in the vestry.

A new carpet for the chancel is required. Further funds have been raised for this and a faculty application has to be made. We need to do something to improve the visibility of the screens – introduction of TV screens are being looked into and a faculty application will need to be made.

If we are to continue to grow, the number of people who are involved in the work of the church also needs to grow In the past there has seemed to be a tendency for the same people to be involved in every aspect of the church’s life and ministry. With the move of Tracey Phillips back to Portsmouth there is the danger of overlooking some practical

The Pantry Foodbank has been called upon more in the past 12 months than previously; a team has been developed to help with the increased workload of the Pantry Team (in particular for Colin, Marion, Linda and Bob). Overarching care needs to be given to those who care for those in need, because the demands are high.

If you feel you have something to offer, or feel your skills are being under-used, please speak to Rosie or preferably one of the Churchwardens.

Help is always needed and appreciated at the “clean up” days spread throughout the year; watch for these on the church notice sheet.

We all have a duty to look after each other, from those who lead to those who have just found faith and are seeking the Way, the Truth and the Life of Jesus.

Rosie Bunn – Rector

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GT.YARMOUTH DEANERY SYNOD REPORT FOR 2022

Synod met three times in 2022, in January, June and October In January at Belton church and online,. At 8pm a candle was lit and a time of silence to remember the victims of the holocaust.

Main items on the Agenda were “ Prayerful Parishes, Clergy Well Being, and Living in Love & Faith .Groups were formed for discussion . Feedback from parishes on their approach to prayer ., we need something between Church and private prayer, learn to pray for one another, Prayer Chain 2 people call 2 people, thy kingdom come ,pray from Epiphany to Pentecost. Living in Love & Faith, Helen lynch gave details of course, books and online opportunity to listen to each other’s experiences.

June at Ormesby St Michael - Excellent presentation by Colin Tomlin and Robert Culyer on Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) This is a service for managing Direct Debit giving designed to support churches to fund their mission and ministry Reduces work for Treasurers and provides a simple and secure service to donors. Majority of dioceses are now members. In the question and answer session almost everyone was in favour. In a change to Parish Share there are no longer Benefice Support meetings all parishes are now allocated the full share and have to officially apply for grant aid.

October at St.Pauls Gt.Yarmouth –

How did remembering the Queen go? Parishes shared how they celebrated and supported people through this time. Main focus “The joys and challenges of Stewardship. . Questions for groups 1) how do you calculate what you give to God? 2) how far are we moved by God 3) Where have we witnessed God’s generosity. The most discussion centred around question 1. Giving should not be measured purely in money, everyone has something to offer – time, talents goods. People do not understand where the money goes, God’s generosity is all around – unbounded and unlimited, in others, from others, church giving to others. Count your blessings.

Approaches to the thought process. How much can I give? My income is limited. I can only afford X amount.?

God has given me what I’ve got, so I give Him back his 10% and live on 90%? When the 10% goes to God what can I afford with the 90% But this is too much, how will I survive living in fear?

Maureen Grey. Deanery Representative for Burgh Castle .

Rev Rosie Bunn is on the Standing Committee for the Great Yarmouth Deanery Synod and Mr Terry and Mrs Judy Gammans are the Lay representatives for Belton

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Church Group Reports vd i-f Love petsple Love L&fe 22

Church Organisations Reports

Worship Team Plus

The worship band has been very fluid over the last year. There have been occasions when there has only been Derek singing and on keyboard with drums. At other times, there has been a full band with guitar, keyboard, bass, mandolin and drums. Kelly and Paula have joined us as singers. Adam has joined in playing a variety of guitars and mandolin. Tracey moved to Portsmouth so we lost a leader but are in still in the fortunate position of being blessed with three/four worship leaders, Derek, Jim and Barbie, and Liz.

We have continued to introduce new songs occasionally as well as reintroducing older songs that have not been used for a while. Children’s songs have been included each week and there have been new ones introduced during the year too.

Thank you to all who contribute to the worship band and to those involved in the PA and audio.

Men’s Prayer Breakfast (Tuesday) and Engine Room (Saturday) Tuesday prayer has taken place most weeks at 7:00 a.m. at Derek’s house. There have been two of us in regular attendance. We begin by reading the daily prayer written by Derek and then follow this with free prayer, although it has been interesting to see how the free prayer has built so much on the written. We pray regularly for the leadership team, PCC, Young at Heart, Refill and Recharge as well as any individuals or other situations that come to mind.

Engine Room is also a men’s prayer group on Saturday, again at Derek’s house but starting at 8:30 a.m. again with two in regular attendance. The format is similar to Tuesday but does has an emphasis on praying for the future of the church and it’s plans. There have also been a number of walks throughout the year as part of this, leaving the Rectory after a bacon roll and ending with a pint at a pub. (I am guessing there may be a separate report from Peter Birtchnell about this?)

Derek Mill

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Website and On-line Community

Social Media is indispensable for communicating faith, building relationships and extending our mission. Digital social media are real places where people gather - just like in a town centre or church hall - and we must be present in all these places. It makes sense to go where the people are in their world rather than waiting for them to come to us.

When we started our digital outreach, it was nothing more than a billboard for our members. We talked about Jesus, but the focus was on our events. The digital world is however another mission field, and we need to continue to make the shift to treat it as such. We hope to continue to reach out to the lost while, at the same time, equipping our members to share the gospel message in their social media feeds and reach their own networks.

This year, however, our aims were higher than our abilities. With a limited team, we could not do much more than share our Sunday services and a few short, focused post series. If this is something you would like to support us with in the future, then please get in touch.

The website is almost all transferred to its new home at allsaintsbelton.church with only a few archived pages to upload.

We do not have access to our achurchnearyou page. I want to work with the diocese to rectify this after a few people have turned up to the church after finding us there.

I know we don't advertise it much, but please remember that we have an easyfundraising account to help raise money for us when you shop online. For - more information, check out https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/blog/how - - - - - - does easyfundraising work a guide for shoppers/

If anyone wants to see the numbers behind any of our social media content or website, please get in touch, and I can happily go through them with you.

Anneka Gearie

The Church Pantry Foodbank Supporting Families in Need in Belton, Browston and Burgh Castle

During 2022 the ministry of the Church Pantry saw steady growth fuelled by the war in Ukraine and price increases on many fronts. We now support 12 households comprising 50 individuals with 22 of them under the age of 18.

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Thankfully the increased demand has been met by Gods provision in several ways. A number of sizable donations came from a variety of sources most notably a grant of £4,300 from GYBC which Rosie applied for. Colin gained some new recruits to the foodbank and his team of Linda, Bob, Bill, Diane, Roger, Shaun and others have done great work ensuring that groceries have reached the doorsteps of households in need.

The past year has also seen a growth in interaction with other Church based foodbanks in the area. From personal experience I must say, that the way the Church collectively is rising to these challenging times is very encouraging. In December we met together with representatives from some of these foodbanks and took delivery of a large consignment of Christmas themed food at All Saints Church Belton. This was part of the Big Give food initiative and the Church acted as a distribution hub.

Unfortunately, 2022 also saw a downturn in personal giving to the pantry as households feel the pressure. This has since been compounded by a dearth of financial resources previously available.

This is the ongoing challenge for the Church Pantry and prayer is requested.

Jim Channell

Young @Heart Report.

Young @ Heart : This last year, our Tuesday meetings have averaged 20 members enjoying coffee, cake and conversation. The same willing volunteers continue to enthusiastically organise the weekly meetings.

We have enjoyed bacon rolls, fish and chip lunches, a musical Christmas gathering and a summer garden party, held in the church as it was raining in the garden.

Gradually our funds have increased; therefore, we are now preparing more events and hoping to be a little more ambitious.

Ongoing concerns remain the cost of heating and the need for new volunteers. These concerns we leave at Gods feet.

Sue Angell

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ReFill?

We have be running ReFill? almost every week since April 2022. The group is aimed at parents, carers, and grandparents in Belton who can come along with or without children. It’s a space for them to chill out, speak to other parentsand if they bring along children, a place for them to safely play. We have had a steady number of parents and children come along, it’s frustrating that we don’t always have many but we are slowly building a rapport in the village that the group is a positive and welcoming environment to come to.

Last year we were looking at applying for some funding through the Norfolk Community Fund, but we weren’t given clear guidance for a deadline and unfortunately weren’t able to apply through them as we didn’t meet criteria as we weren’t a ‘new group’. We are still hoping to apply for funding for our running costs (refreshments), resources, and publicity.

We are able to invite those from this to Messy Muddy Church and Recharge and sometimes Church services.

It’s been wonderful to get to know other parents in the village and feel like we can support each other. We are hoping to build our links with the school because we regularly see preschool children and we have made a link with the pastoral worker at the school who sometimes visits the group, who is a member of another local Church.

Liz Stone

Children and Youth

Rock Solid

Rock solid I believe has been a success. This last year has seen new people start and we have on average 12 to 14 children each week.

The children really enjoy the summer months up at the stables and we have a grant to decorate the stables which will be happening this summer holidays. Winter was partly had at the stables too with their Christmas party there as well. The children enjoy decorating up ready for their Christmas party. We made Christmas cards for all the residents of burgh house again this year with a small token gift to hang on their trees. We then went back to church building to run until Easter.

All the children seem to enjoy coming along, most come every week and tuck is always popular too. We have made some bug hotels and decorated bird houses for the church yard to help the church grow in their eco church status.

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Some of the bible stories covered have been thoroughly enjoyed are as follows: Noah's Ark, David and Goliath, The Good Samaritan, and also part of a bible/Activity book of The Greatest Showman. We also covered the Christmas story and the Easter story as important events.

I would like to thank all the people who have come in on guest appearances to do the bible chat/help out when needed and also the regulars who give up their time EVERY WEEK to help run Rock Solid. Colin, Sam, and Kelly I couldn't do it alone. Thank you to Rosie and Tim for letting us use your garden in the summer months. Just thanks to everyone involved.

Paula Durrant

Moorlands Church of England Primary Academy

The church continues to enjoy being involved with Moorlands Primary Academy, part of the Diocese of Norwich Education Academy Trust (DNEAT). Due to a change in headship at the school and the joining of Peterhouse to form the Ark Federation, we have had to rebuild some relationships within the school. The Symbiotic relationship developed over the years with the school community continues to bless all involved.

Anneka and Rosie have returned to collective worship weekly, allowing them to explore key Christian beliefs and their application to today's world. The children have also returned to celebrate the festivals of the church calendar in the Church building with the interesting return of fitting everyone in as the children get bigger throughout the year.

The enjoyment the children have found in the return of the Christmas & Easter Workshops, where each class comes to the church to enjoy and experience activities and a prayer space on the seasonal theme, has been a gratifying highlight of working with the school.

The year six students were enthusiastic upon receiving their Youth Bible gifts at the end of their time at Moorlands. This is a major investment for us as a church and one that we trust will bear fruit in due course. This is something we pray we will be able to continue every year, providing the word of God to every student as they move on to high school.

Rev Rosie Bunn & Anneka Gearie

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Sunday Morning Children’s Group

The children were really pleased to be meeting together again on a Sunday; initially it was on the Sundays when we had Communion in church. For much of 2022 we had children’s activities on two Sundays per month, and a Caféstyle church developed to enable the children to be involved in the service, with activities provided, sat at tables (in a different way to the Café Church we had pre-pandemic).

In the Autumn term of 2022 each of the children in the Sunday Morning Children’s Group were given the book How to Pray. A guide for Young Explorers written by Pete Greig with Gemma Hunt, which was the basis of their teaching time together. I hope that this has helped them develop a prayerful relationship with God.

I am grateful to all who invest their time in preparation and leading the children’s work on a Sunday morning, and for all who help. As Anneka has now handed over responsibility for facilitating those sessions, I want to say “Thank you” to her especially. Kelly Bancroft has now taken over that responsibility along with Adam Stone, and I look forward to seeing how this develops our work with the children for the future.

Messy Muddy Church

We meet in The Rectory Garden on the third Sunday of the month from 4-5.30pm. We are never quite sure how many families will turn up; sometimes we have wondered if we have enough food, on other occasions we have had a feast to share.

We have had such fun outside engaging with creation and worshipping our Creator God; in beautiful sunshine and on dark evenings; covering such themes as creation, harvest, love and hope through activities, exploring the garden, planting bulbs, craft, stories, talking and prayer.

Food (and warm drinks on occasion) has been central to a time together: hot dogs, beef burgers and always toasted marshmallows.

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Invitations by our church family have brought new families to enjoy Messy Muddy Church; the children really love being able to invite their friends to come and join in.

We are praying that this ministry will develop in the coming year.

Rev Rosie Bunn

Ecochurch

We are now signed up to be an Ecochurch, a scheme, run by A Rocha UK, which equips churches to care for God's creation through their worship, buildings, land, community engagement, and individual lifestyles. The scheme is a foundational resource for encouraging churches, cathedrals, and dioceses to embody the fifth mark of mission, which is to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

We are making steady progress in developing ways to be ‘greener’ and enhance the natural environment surrounding the church. We are ready to apply for the Ecochurch bronze award and look forward to aiming for the silver award. In the meantime we concentrate on the eco quality of purchases in terms of materials and Fair Trade; effective recycling of materials used from kitchen to crafts; and sustainability in all our decision making.

The children at Rock Solid have been painting nesting boxes and preparing two bug hotels, for strategic placement in the church yard. Then we can look out for new residents in their new homes; we can talk about creation and nature and the work these little bugs do. And we can thank God for wisdom, creativity (which he passed on to us!) and care.

A recurring question on the Ecochurch survey is ‘do you have a person(s) to champion the cause of our church community becoming more environmentally sustainable?’ At the moment we don’t, and would love to hear from anyone interested in the environment and sustainability - practical, artistic, spiritual or any other way to enhance our living in God’s garden and a Godly lifestyle. Rev Viv Ridpath

Since the writing of the above Report the church has applied for and received the Bronze Eco Church award.

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Life Group/ Bible Study Group Reports

Monday night Bible Study

Bible study has taken place on most Monday’s through the year. A small number take part and commitments have occasionally led to a cancellation. This year we have studied the book of Ephesians, a devotional on “The Promises of God” and most recently “The Bible Course. We think of the study as “unprepared” as we read the passages and then discuss what those passages mean based on the following:

What does the Bible say? (Observation) What does the Bible mean? (Interpretation) What does the Bible mean to me? (Application)

Is there a command to obey?

Is there a promise to claim?

Is there an example to follow?

Is there a sin to avoid or confess?

Is there a reason for thanksgiving or praise? What does the Bible teach me about: God? Jesus? Myself? Others? Derek Mill

Recharge

We meet Monday evenings from 7:30pm at our house (2 St John’s Road). We focus on relationships and providing a non-threatening environment where we can talk, discuss and debate whatever is on our minds. Some of our group do not attend Church and would not describe themselves as Christian. I find the group refreshing and challenging at the same time, refreshing in that our friends who are not Christian always have interesting and valid points/questions and challenging when I’m asked to clarify my own viewsespecially without using churchy language or phrases.

Since beginning this group in September 2022 we started by using some short video clips by the Rev Nadia Bolz-Weber, who is a Lutheran pastor in America. She can be fairly outspoken but seems to speak to those who aren't in Church. We have usually used these as an introduction to a theme ie, well-being, death, bullying, purpose, and love to name a few.

Recently we have also started using video clips from Speak Life media from Rev Glen Scrivner who makes lots of films, podcasts and interviews on many controversial issues. We had been going through his series called Breathe, which has been very interesting.

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Every month or so we have a games/social night where we play a few board games and have a laugh, which we all enjoy! We are really excited to be building life long friendships.

Liz, Adam, Kelly and Toni

Tuesday Night Life Group

This Life Group is currently following the Bible Society Bible Course along with many others in the Church. It is proving to be very interesting indeed and helping us all to find new things in God’s Word, and see how it affects our lives today. We are currently a group of 10 or 11.

Over the year we have continued to support Viv in her training and are celebrating with her as it is coming to the end. We have rejoiced in a wedding and an engagement, whilst at the same time have been praying for each other through times of grief and difficulty, including acute and long term illness in those we love.

It has been a joy to study Gods word together, if challenging at times! We have:

It has been an interesting year for sure. Being part of a Life Group is a great support and a real faith-grower.

Jane Mill

The Rectory Life Group

We are a small group who enjoy one another’s company and supporting each other. We met together on-line when we couldn’t gather together. We missed meeting together in person, and have enjoyed quite a few meals in the past year. However we have been learning together and praying for one another using the books Mountain Moving Prayer and Deep. We have also used the Bible story telling films The Chosen, exploring what it means to be chosen.

If anyone feels they would benefit from joining us, please have a word with myself or Tim or any of our group – Jim & Barbie, An Howell, Regi & Reena.

Rev Rosie Bunn

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Curate’s Report

Another busy year has gone by. It is difficult to imagine that we were still online in January 2022 and tentatively moving towards live services again. It is good to be back in church and to meet together in the flesh!

My training took me to frequent seminars and workshops in Norwich, Cluster meetings (‘curates talking’) and a retreat weekend at Belsey Bridge, but the highlight was a two week placement at Norwich Cathedral. Last February, I experienced the life of the cathedral, joining in services with the clergy and meeting ‘everyone’. This year my placement takes me to Israel on a guided pilgrimage led by Bishop Graham, which I am very much looking forward to!

During the past year, I consolidated my experience leading services for life events and gained experience doing baptisms as well as weddings, funerals and pastoral care. I have enjoyed leading worship, both Morning Celebration and Holy Communion, Easter and Christmas festivals and special occasions, and supporting the church when the Queen died in September. At Burgh Castle, I prepared prayer stations for Open Churches week in August, providing a delightful setting for visitors and meditation.

In addition, I like to attend local clergy gatherings such as Deanery Chapter, ordination services and licensing services when possible. More recently, I have been working on my curacy portfolio, which is now in!

So as I come near to end of my curacy I want to thank Rev Rosie for her patient guidance and support and all of you for your love and encouragement. It is a marvellous thing to have come this far!

Rev Viv Ridpath

Rector’s Report

It has taken us nearly all of 2022 to regain something of what we had before the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns. We started the year slowly with some services open to everyone and the morning celebrations limited and on-line. But as the year progressed we seemed to regain confidence in being together. However, Covid wasn’t far from our thoughts and during this past year I think more of the congregation have suffered with the virus than did in the previous year. I know how frustrated I was to miss out on the Holy Week and Easter celebrations – but grateful that Rev Viv Ridpath and others were able to step up and enable everything to run smoothly.

During the past year we have missed some of our church family unable to be with us due to poor health and we have lost a few of our members; some like

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Tracey Phillips having moved away. On a happier note we enjoyed the wedding of Ken and Shirley Gracey on 25[th] June. Such a special day!

Until Advent 2022 the Diocesan vision focussed on prayerfulness and we too sought to grow in our prayerfulness. We are a church who prays and there are various opportunities during the week to gather together for prayer, these are less attended than they were. Despite attempts to encourage a wider attendance corporate prayer is in the hands of just a few, yet it is the engine room of the church. Prayer is that which fires us and helps us to do God’s will not our own.

As a church we meet to pray in one capacity or another every day:

Mondays: Bible Study & Recharge Tuesdays: Men’s Prayer Breakfast, Morning Prayer and Lifegroup Wednesdays: Morning Prayer, Prayer Together (monthly) and at PCC and Leadership Team meetings Thursdays: Morning Prayer and Lifegroup Fridays: Morning Prayer and Women’s Bible Chat Saturday: Men’s Prayer- The Engine Room Sundays: Church services

Last year we talked about different ways of growing in our faith and prayerfulness; about praying with someone else. May be we need to think about this still. Have you ever thought about having a Prayer-friend, or being part of a Prayer-triplet? Why not consider it! Talk to a friend and find out whether they would like to join you, perhaps meeting up over a cup of tea/coffee for an hour in the week, or just spend a bit of your time during your normal meet-up with a friend, talking to God as well.

All things flow from God’s immense love for us, revealed to us in Jesus Christ, or which we are reminded by the working of the Holy Spirit within us. We are recipients of God’s amazing grace and it is our response to God’s love and grace that brings us to serve him, each other and other people, with our gifts, skills and attributes; with our whole being.

I am thankful for those of you who have served well during the past year:

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I think that should just about cover everyone – but I want to thank Tim, Andy and Tracey who, in very different ways, helped me fulfil my role as Rector of the parishes. Andy moved to his own home in August 2022 and Tracey at the beginning of 2023. Thank you to those who have helped me (you know who you are); your support is so precious, and so vital as I often struggle with the limitations of Rheumatoid Arthritis and a suppressed immune system.

So, thank you to each and every one of you for all that you are and all you do as Christ’s church here in Belton. It means so much to me; you are a blessing to our Lord. Thank you.

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In this coming year we will be looking again at the way forward, in growing the church; in PCC meetings, in the Leadership Team meetings and as the church gathered together. It will be through prayerful listening and sharing that we will discern the Jesus way for us as the family of God here in this place.

We are so fortunate to have families and children; many churches have no children or families, and what is their future? We have the space and desire to invite children and families to Messy Muddy Church and to Rock Solid. We have a church school who invite us in and greatly appreciate the significant contributions we make to the life of the school, through collective worship, occasional lessons, workshops and our involvement in the life of the school.

We have an amazing group with Young at Heart, who attract and care for the many people who drop in for coffee and a chat, and love the activities that are organised by the leaders. Such a blessing to so many.

We have a building that is adapted for whatever activity we are doing, whether it be eating together, meeting together, children playing or the community choir in concert, as well as the occasional offices of weddings and funerals and regular Sunday services. A place that is warm and welcoming. And a building from which the life-line of care for the needy – our Pantry Foodbank – is run (despite the limitations we have with storage space).

We have teachers and preachers to use their gifts in a variety of ways to develop our understanding in the Christian faith, and to challenge us, however young or old we are, to live for Jesus in our every-day lives. We have musicians and singers who lead us in worship and enrich our experience Sunday by Sunday.

Best of all, we have a God who is far more willing to lovingly encourage us than we are to ask Him. Our God so desires that we grow in our love and trust of him; learning to be obedient and generous of spirit as Christ’s example to us reveals; that we might be even more energised in our faith and motivated to share with others the love he has for them.

Life will no doubt continue to challenge for us, both as individuals and as the church of All Saints, Belton. God is a gracious provider: how do we continue to be generous and gracious when it would be easier to look after ourselves? How as a church might we weather the storms that come our way? How are we able to stand to be a bright witness to the grace and provision of God; to keep the lights on and the building warm? to meet the needs of those in need? to be full of hope for the future?

We can’t just be thankful for what we have. If we are to grow (and in nature if something is not growing it is dying) we need to be open to the leading of Holy Spirit and intentionally following Christ. Lord, help us is my prayer.

Rev Rosie Bunn

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Michelle Horgan Parish Safeguarding Officer 01493 789048 michelle.horgan012@gmail.com

Sue Brice 07958377079 safeguarding@dioceseofnorwich.org

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