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St.Margaret’sChurch

Draycott-le-Moors

TrusteesAnnualReport

JanuarytoDecember2015

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AimsandPurposes

StMargaret’sParochialChurchCouncil(PCC)hastheresponsibilityofcooperatingwiththerector,theRevd.JonathanRoberts,inpromotingintheparishthewholemissionofthechurch,andspecificallyfulfillingthePCC’sMissionStatement–‘TohelppeopleintoarelationshipwithJesusChristandtohelpthemgrowinthatrelationship’.Thisisundertakenthroughpastoral,evangelisticandsocialactivitiesandcooperationwithStPeter’sForsbrook,whosharethesameMinistryLeadershipTeam(asanindependentlegalparish,StPeter’sisnotcoveredbythisreport).

ThePCCisspecificallyresponsibleforthemaintenanceoftheparishchurchofStMargaret’s.

AdministrativeDetails

StMargaret’sParishChurchislocatedintheecclesiasticalparishofDraycott-le-Moors,coveringthecommunitiesofDraycott-le-MoorsandCresswell.

Location: ChurchLane,Draycott-le-Moors,Stoke-on-TrentST119AGPostalAddressisc/o TheRevd.JonathanRoberts

TheRectory,CheadleRoad,BlytheBridge,StaffordshireST119PWTel:01782437600Email:jonathanroberts@talktalk.net

Website: stmargaretsdraycott.org.ukBank: NationalWestminster,Cheadle,Staffordshire.Rector: Revd.JonathanRoberts. ChairmanChildren’s&YouthLeader: VacantLicensedReaders: MrsKateBradshaw PCCTreasurer MrCliveLilley

MrGrahamStokesLayPastoralWorker LeighSilcockHonAssistantclergy: TheRevd.NoreenRussellChurchWardens: MrDavidMeller SecretarytothePCC MrsPaulineClarkeElectedMembers: MrsSusanHughes 2012-2015 DeputyWardenMrsWendyMears 2012-2015 SundayschoolleaderMrsNolaWard 2012-2015MrMattPointon 2012-2015MrJohnClarke 2013-2016MrSelwynEdwards 2013-2016MrTonyFletcher 2013-2016MrsJaneMeller 2013-2016 DeputyWardenMrRobertBrown 2014-2017MrsJoyceMoore 2011-2017MrsAPretty 2014-2017MrsChristineWibberley 2014-2017 DeputyWarden

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MembersofthePCCareelectedinaccordancewithCanonLawattheAGM

ReportonthefabricofSt.Margaret's.

ThisreportcoverstheperiodfromJanuary2015toDecember2015.

TheWardensarecontinuallycheckingthefabricoftheChurch,andactaccordinglyregardingmaintenanceingeneralandrepairsandservicingofequipmentetc.Theyareassistedbymembersofthecongregationwhobringtotheirattentionmattersofconcern.Wherepracticalanyrepairsarecarriedout‘inhouse’andourthanksgoouttoallourhelpers.

IngeneralthefabricofSt.Margaret’sisingoodrepair.Theforthcomingyear,2016,willseethenextQuinquennialvisit.

Thebuildinginsuranceisuptodate.

TheWardenswishtothanktheDeputyWardens,sidespersons,verger,readers,servers,prayerleaders,bellringers,flowerarrangers,cleaners,clockwinders,magazinedistributors,moneycounters,hedgecutters,lawnmowers,andeverybodywhosupportsandhelpswiththerunningofSt.Margaret’sonadailyweekly,monthly,annualbasis.

Asnotedabove,thisreportcoversJanuarytoDecember2015,buttheWardensthoughtthatthefollowingshouldbebroughttotheattentionofthecongregationatthistimeandnotinthe2016reportwhenitwouldnotbeoftoomuchrelevance.SadlyinFebruary2016,bothLillianHollinsheadandMollyBurgessarenolongerabletocommittoregularmonthlysidepersonduties,andhavedecidedtostepdownfromtheprayer,readingandserverrotas.Noamountofthanksorpraisecanequaltheamountoftime,work,andeffortthattheyhaveexpendedintheserviceofSt.Margaret’sChurch.ThankfullytheyhavebothindicatedthattheyintendtocarryonworshippingatSt.Margaret’s.

Atthetimeofcompilingthisreport(March2016),bothWardenshaveindicatedthattheyarenotpreparedtocontinueforaneighthyearinofficeandarestandingdown.TheybothwishtothanktheMinistryLeadershipTeam,thePCCandthecongregationfortheirsupportoverthelasttwelvemonthsandthroughoutthelastsevenyears.

P.Clarke. D.Meller.

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PCCConstitution

TheParochialChurchCouncilisacorporatebodyestablishedbytheChurchofEnglandandthePCCoperatesundertheParochialChurchCouncilMeasure.ThePCCisexceptedbyorderfromregisteringwiththeCharityCommission.

ObjectivesandActivities

ThePCCiscommittedtoenablingasmanypeopleaspossibletoworshipinourparishchurchandtobecomeapartofthecommunityofStMargaret’s.ThisisundertakenaccordingtothedoctrinesandstructuresoftheChurchofEngland.

ThePCCmaintainsanoverviewofworship,thecareofthechurchbuildingandmission.OurworshipisledbyaMinistryTeamwithtwoorganistswhocovertheplayingofmusicintheservices.

WorkwithchildrenandyoungpeopleisledbyapaidparishYouthWorker,whosetimeissharedwiththelocalMethodistchurch.

MissionActionPlan: SeeBelowAppendix1

AchievementsandPerformance

StMargaret’scurrentlyholdsatraditional8-00a.m.CommunionserviceonthesecondSundayofthemonthusingtheBookofCommonPrayer.Themainserviceisat10-00a.m.‘PraiseandWorship’takesplaceonthe2nd,4th&5thSundaysandHolyCommunionaccordingusingCommonWorship,onthe1st,3rdSundays.SpecialservicesarearrangedforoccasionssuchasRemembranceSundayandotherservicescanbeadaptedforlocalinitiativeandneed,suchasBaptismservices.

Wehavean‘open’Baptismpolicy,whichfollowsinstructionandattendanceforanumberofSundays.Weddingsarepopularinthishistoricalchurch.Weconsiderthere-marriageofpeoplewhosepreviousmarriagehasbeenterminatedfollowingdiscussionwiththeRector,whofollowsnationalCEguidanceinthediscernmentofsuchcases.Funeralsfromtheparishregularlytakeplace.Detailsofallourservicesand‘ritesofpassage’canbefoundontheparishwebsite(stmargaretsdraycott.org.uk).

ThechurchfamilyrunsaweeklySundaySchoolduringtermtimeinthebelltower.MishMashhastakenplaceinthehallonThursdayeveningsuntiltheAutumnwhenitbecamenolongerviableduetolownumbers.

BellTeam

StMargaret’shasapealof8bellsandateamthatmeetregularlytoringandpractice,usuallyonaMondaynight.Wearecurrentlyinthepleasantpositionthatwehavemoreringersthanbellssocompletionto‘sitout’onpracticenightsiskeen!IntheabsenceofaTowerMasteranycontactregardingthebellsshouldbemadeviatheWardens.

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Mission:

StMargaret’sispartofaunitedbeneficewithStPeter’sForsbrook,andvariousactivitiesarerunincommon,includingtheyearly‘Alpha’courseforenquirersandLentcourses.Wearecurrentlyreviewingandre-writingourMissionActionPlanwhichenablesustoplanandresourceGod’smissioninthisarea.

FinancialReview

SeeattachedAppendix4forthestatementofaccounts.

APPENDIX1–SummaryReportoftheMissionActionPlan

St.Margaret’sChurchMissionActionPlan(MAP)

FollowinghisarrivalintheBeneficeinSeptember2015,Revd.RobertshasbeenincontactwiththeDiocesanDirectorofMission(Revd.GeorgeFisher)regardingSt.Margaret’sMAP.ItisRevd.RobertsintentiontoreviewthecontentsofSt.Margaret’sMAPwiththePCCoverthecomingyearastheyconsiderthevisionanddirectionforthefuture.TheDirectorofMissionagreedthatthiswasanappropriatewayforwardandthattherewasnorequirementtoreviewandpreparearevisedMAPforthe2015TAR.

Itis,however,worthremindingourselvesofourexistingmissionstatement,andthecurrentoverarchingvisionforStMargaret’s:

MISSIONSTATEMENT.

TohelppeopleintoarelationshipwithGodthroughJesusChrist.Tohelpthemgrowinthatrelationship.

OverarchingvisionforSt.Margaret’s.

• Tofocusongrowthandwitnessratherthandecline.• Tobeenergizedbyfaithandwitnessratherthanmerelykeepingthingsgoing.• Tobeoutwardlooking,inclusiveratherthanexclusiveandtofocusonbuildingarealsense

offellowshipandcommunionwithinthechurchandthelocalcommunity.• ToseekthroughprayeranddiscussionGod’swillforthechurchandtobeopentothework

oftheHolySpirit.• Totakerisksandembracechangeratherthanbeingcomfortablewiththefamiliarand

resistingchange.• Tocontinuetomeetourfinancialobligations,includingpaymentoftheparishshare.• Toplananddeliverlively,relevantandchallengingworshipwhichisbasedonsound

teaching,andwhichengagesandencouragesthosewhoworshiptogether.• Toseekwaysofencouragingnewpeopletojoin,especiallyyoungerpeopleandfamilies.

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Appendix2-Rector’sReport2015

Thisismyfirstreport,havingonlybeenappointedlastsummerandinstalledasRectorattheendofSeptember2015,andsoitreflectsjust3monthsof2015andthefirstthreemonthsof2016.

MyfamilyandIhavereceivedawarmwelcomefrombothchurchesinthebeneficeandarefeelinghappilysettledattheRectory.Weareenjoyinggettingtoknownewpeopleandplacesinthisareaandalsounderstandingthe‘stories’ofbothStMargaret’sandStPeter’sChurches.

Forbothchurches,2015hasbeenayearofchangeandtransitionasyouhavesaidgoodbyetoDavidandGillianBickerstethandJohnandAngelaPretty;engagedwiththeprocessofseekinganewRectorandthechallengesandopportunitiesthataninterregnumbrings(albeitafairlyshortonecomparedwithmanychurches);andseenthearrivaloftheRobertsfamily.Thattransitionaljourneywillcontinueinto2016asweseektoadapttotheseeventsandrespondafreshtoGodashebeckonsustofollowhimandtofulfilourcallingasaworshippingcommunityofmissionarydisciples.Myprayeristhatwewillbeabletocommunicateourhopesandfearstogether;encourageoneanothertofollowJesusfaithfullyasweserveusingthegiftsGodhasgiventous;andprayerfullydiscerntogetherwhatitisthatGodwantsustobeandtodointheyearsahead.

IthasbeenajoytodiscoveratStMargaret’s,alovingchurchcommunitywhoofferawarmwelcometonewcomersandworkhardinallsortsofways–somevisibleandsomebehindthescenes.ThisissurelywhytheBibledescribesthechurchasa‘body’–eachpartcontributingtothewholeforthecommongood.ThefirsttimeIcametoDraycottfollowingmyappointmentwastoattendtheinfamousDraycottSummerFayrewhichwasawonderfuldemonstrationofthis.Iamlookingforwardtothe25thFayrein2016.

Itwouldbedifficulttosingleoutindividualsassomanygivegenerouslyoftheirtime,talentsandtreasure,butitwouldbeinconceivablenottomentionafewinparticularinthisreport.

Iwouldliketothankallthoseresponsibleforensuringthesmoothrunningoftheinterregnum;thewardens,PCCmembersandofficersandministryteaminparticularwillhaveshoulderedmuchoftheadditionalresponsibilityandforthatIamverygrateful.IamverymuchenjoyingworkingalongsideourMinistryLeadershipTeamofLayMinistersandWardensandhopethatwewillgrowasateamthroughregulartimetomeet,reflect,study,prayandplan.

IwouldliketothankthePCCforagreeingtousethesavedfundsforRectorydecorationtohelpusmakeTheRectoryourhomeandespeciallytothosewhoworkedtirelesslyintheRectorygardenbeforeourarrival,totryandclearthegroundandgiveusafightingchanceofkeepingittame.Thiskindnesswasverymuchappreciatedbymywholefamily.

PaulineClarkeandDaveMellerhaveservedasChurchwardensatStMargaret’sforsevenyears.AlthoughIhaveonlybeenhere6months,itisevidentthatthefaithfulnessanddiligenceIhavewitnessedpersonallyhascharacterisedtheirwholetermofoffice.Iampersonallygratefulforthewayinwhichtheyhaveenabledmetosettlein–theirgentlewordsofadviceandencouragementhavebeenmuchappreciated–aswellastheircareforbothpeopleandourbuildings.I’malsogratefulfortheirwillingnesstodowhateverisnecessarytogetthings‘right’.Theirexampleandwillingnesstoimpartalltheyhavelearnedwillbesohelpfultotheirsuccessorsastheytakeonthisimportantroleinthelifeofourchurch.

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MickSmith,ourYouthWorkerforjustoverayear,hasworkedwithenthusiasmandenergyalongsideagreatteamofvolunteerstoministertoanumberofchildrenandyoungpeopleacrossthebenefice.WearegratefulforMick’sministryamongstus,inparticularhisabilitytorelatetoallsortsofpeople,andalthoughhiscontractexpiredinJanuary2016,Iamsurewewillseehimaroundthelocality.TheJMT,responsibleforthemanagementoftheYouthProject,hasledthereshapingofthispostandwearecurrentlyintheprocessofappointingaChildren’sandYouthLeader,whowillhopefullytakeupthispostinMay2016.

IamstilldiscoveringotherswhoarefulfillingallsortsofroleswithinthechurchcommunityandwanttoexpressongoingthanksforalloftheseactsoflovingserviceforGodandothers;thosewhoworkwithchildrenandyoungpeople;thosewhoattendtothepracticalmaintenanceandcareofourbuildingsandgrounds;thosewhoringthebellsandhelptheleadingofworshipthroughplayingmusic,readingtheBible,preaching,leadingintercessionsandassistingatHolyCommunion;thosewhoofferwelcome,actassidespeople,arrangeflowersandmakerefreshments;andthosewhodemonstrateGod’sloveandcarethroughtheirprayerfulnessandpastoralcareofthoseinparticularneed.

Thecomingyearwillcontinuetobeatimeoflistening,reflectingandseekingtodiscerntherightshapeofourmissionandministrytogetherandacrossthebenefice.WewillbeabletoreflecttogetheronourprioritiesandourresourcesandworkouthowwecanmosteffectivelyfurtherGod’skingdomhereintheparishofDraycottintheMoors.

IamverymuchlookingforwardtoseeingwhatGodhasinstoreforusandtoworkingalongsideyouallatStMargaret’s.Pleasejoinmeinprayingforoneanother,thiscommunityandforthecomingofGod’skingdomhereonearthasitisinheaven.

JonathanRoberts

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Appendix3:FINANCEREPORT

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APPENDIX4:ACCOUNTS

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APPENDIX5:

Report on the Electoral Roll of St Margaret’s Church Draycott

There were 38 names on the Electoral Roll as at March 2016, Angela and John Pretty having moved away and George Jones deceased.

Eight people have since applied to be on the Electoral Roll so the total is now 46. Several church members are not on the Electoral Roll so it may be a good idea to mention this at a couple of services at different times to ensure that they have the opportunity to go on the Roll.

A copy of the newly updated Roll is now displayed at the back of the church.

Joyce Moore

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APPENDIX6:

REPORTONTHEYEARSPRECEEDINGSOF

ST.MARGARET’SPAROCHIALCHURCHCOUNCIL2015

AppointmentofthenewRector.

AftereightandahalfyearsintheBeneficeRevd.DavidBickerstethretiredfromtheParish.ThePCCmeetingheldinMarch2015wasthelastonehechaired,andhislastserviceatSt.Margaret’swasheldon12thApril2015.

Revd.J.PrettyalsolefttheParishfollowinghismovetoWalsallWood.

TheprocesstofindanewRectorstartedpriortoRevd.Bickersteth’sleavingtheparish,andatthePCCmeetingheldon25thJanuary2015,adraftParishProfile(PP),wastabledfordiscussion.ThePPisadocumentcoveringtheBeneficeandwascompiledbytherepresentativesfrombothPCC’s.Therewereseveraldraftsuntilthefinalversionwasagreedandpublishedtogetherwiththeadvertisementforthevacancy.

St.Margaret’sPCCelectedK.BradshawandD.MellertorepresentthemontheinterviewpanelwhichalsoincludedG.StokesandB.SammonsfromSt.Peter’sandBishopGeoffAnnas.

TwocandidatescameforwardandfollowingatouroftheBenefice,andlunch,theinterviewstookplaceatSt.Peter’sChurch.

Rev.JRobertswasthepreferredcandidateandhewasinductedatajointserviceoftheBeneficeatSt.Peter’sonthe27thSeptember2015.

Duringtheinterregnum.

FollowingthedepartureofA.PrettytherewasnoViceChairtothePCC.KateBradshawofferedasaone-timeoccasiontobeViceChairattheAGMheldonthe26thApril2015.AtthatmeetingM.Edwardsagreedtostand,aswasdulyelectedtobethePCCVicechair.

TheWardensworkedhandinhandwiththeRuralDeanandtheWardensatSt.Peter’sandprovidedservicesthroughouttheinterregnum,howeverthepatternofserviceschangedconsiderablytothatprovidedwhenRevd.BickerstethandRevd.PrettywereinPost.

K.BradshawhandedoverthepositionofElectoralRollOfficertoJ.Moore,andM.SmithwasappointedtothepositionofYouthWorker.

WorktowardstheChurchoutsidelightingapprovalcontinuedthroughouttheyearandinto2016.

AtthePCCmeetingheldon23rdSeptember2015,priortohisinductiontotheBenefice(on27thSeptember),Revd.J.RobertsacceptedthePCC’sinvitationtobeChairmanofSt.Margaret’sPCC,andwasdulyelected.

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FollowingtheappointmentoftheRector.

Intheformofashortquestionnaire(referredtoas‘TheTask’)Revd.J.RobertsenquiredfromthePCCwhattheyexpectedofhim,andwheredidtheyseeSt.Margaret’sintenyearstime.Heinvitedwrittenresponses.

Revd.RobertsinformedthePCCthathewascarryingoutasimilarexerciseatSt.Peter’sandtheresultswouldbecollatedanddiscussedwithbothPCCs.

Revd.RobertshasassuredSt.Margaret’sPCCthatitisnothisintentiontomergethePCCwithSt.Peter’s.HealsostatedthatfollowinghisappointmentheinformedBishopGeoffthathewasnotheretomanagedeclineand‘TheTask’wasanaidtoestablishingfuturestrategies.

AsreportedelsewhereRevd.RobertswillconsultwiththePCCinthenearfutureonthecontentsofourMissionActionPlan.

Revd.Robertshasstatedhisintentiontoreviewthepatternofservicesatbothchurchesandthatcommunionbyextensionwillonlytakeplaceinexceptionalcircumstances.

D.Meller

PCCSecretary

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APPENDIX7:SUNDAYSCHOOLREPORT.

WearestillholdingourSundaySchoolintheChurchduringthe10.00amservice.Istillbelievethisishasbeenagoodmove,beneficialtoboththechildrenandourcongregation.

Thechildrenarethereforthebeginningoftheservice,thengointothebelfryforBiblestories,followedbyacraftactivity.Wethenre-jointhecongregationforthefinalpartoftheservice.

Thenumbersofchildrenattendingdoesvaryweekonweek,butweareIfeelaveryenthusiasticlittlegroup!!IwillcontinuetoendeavourtofuelthisenthusiasmbecausetheyarethenextgenerationofourChurch.

PleasekeepourSundaySchoolinyourprayers.

WendyMears.

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APPENDIX8:GiftAidReportJanuarytoDecember2015.

TheTreasurerinformedthemeetingthatthemoneyreceivedbyStMargaret’sGiftAidSchemeoverthelasttwelvemonthshadincreased.Thiswaspartiallyduetothisbeingthefirstyearofthesmalldonationscheme.TheTreasureroutlinedtheschemeandalsothevariouswaysthatmoneygiventoStMargaret’s(notjustonthecollectionplateandtheGiftAidenvelopes)couldbelegitimatelyincludedintheGiftAidScheme.

TheTreasurerthankedallthepeopleinvolvedinthecountingandrecordingofthedonationsgivenattheservices,andalsothepeoplewhoweregenerousintheirgiving.

K.Bradshaw.

Treasurer.

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APPENDIX9:

CHEADLEDEANERYSYNOD

ANNUALREPORT2015

ThefirstDeanery‘event’for2015tooktheformofaDeaneryQuietDayonSaturday7thMarchledbyPatMarsh,Christianwriterandretreatleader,atDovedaleHouse.DespitethefactthatSynodsubsidisedthecost,attendancewasdisappointing.VeryfewoftheHouseofLaityattendedalthoughattendancefromtheHouseofClergywasalmost100%.DeanerySynodrepresentativesmissedanexceptionallygoodday;theweatherwasextremelykindtousallowingfulluseofthegrounds(itwasactuallywarmenoughtositinthesunshine!),thefoodwasexcellentasusualandleadershipofthedaywasthoughtfulandchallenging.

TheDeanerySynodhasconvenedonthreeoccasionsduring2015.Ateachmeetingnews,datesanddetailsofeventswerereportedfromeachparish,thisprovingaveryusefulexchangeofinformationasweallendeavourtoengageandinteractwithourlocalcommunities.Attendancewasdisappointingat50%(alittlelowerthanthepreviousyear)overall,althoughonmostoccasionsthereasonsfornon-attendancewereaclashofdatesorillness.

Thefirstmeetingwasheldon29thAprilatStAndrew’sChurchCentre,WestonCoyney.TheguestspeakerwasDebTonks,aDebtCentreManagerinStafford,fromChristiansAgainstPovertyandshespokespecificallyaboutJobClubs.

MsTonksexplainedthatCAPhadbeenfoundedbyJohnKirkbyin1996.HebelievedGodwascallinghimtosacrificehiscareerinfinanceandusehisknowledgeoftheindustrytohelpthepoor.Therearecurrently270centresintheUK,879CAPMoneyCourseshavebeenheldinchurchesand26CAPReleaseGroupsintheUK.TheyareintheprocessofsettingupinAustralia,NewZealandandCanada.MsTonksreadMatthew25.31-41toSynod,statingthatCAPfeelsthatthispassagedefinesusasChristians.SheshowedaDVDentitledBreaktheSilencewhichexplainedthattherearecurrently2.4millionpeopleindebtintheUK.

TheCAPMoneyEducationProgrammeisthelargestmoneymanagementprogrammeinthe|UK;ithaschurchattheforefront.Thecourseisaimedateveryone;anyonecanattend;theydonothavetobeindebt.Itaimsatgivingpeopleanewviewoftheirpersonalfinances.

MsTonksexplainedthatthereare3elementstoaCAPjobclub:

Community–aJobClubisconnectedtoachurchcommunity

Befriendersgowiththevisitortopickupontheemotionalneedsofthefamily,etc.

8weekcoursetoassistwithpracticalities,e.g.writingaCV,volunteering,fillinginforms

Everybodygets1-1helpfromatrainedcoachandundergoesapersonaldevelopmentprogramme.Peoplewithinthechurchcanhelp.CAP’svisionisforthenumberofcentrestoincreaseto500,toincreasethenumberofpartnersto2500andtoengage500churches.JohnKirkbywantstomoveforward.TheyreceivenogovernmentfundingandtheorganisationfollowsChristianvalues.TheArchbishopofCanterburyhasbecometheirfirstpatron.20%ofthechurchesworkingwithCAPareChurchofEngland.

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FollowingDeanerySynodelectionsthenewandreturningrepresentativeswerewelcomedtothesecondmeetingoftheyearwhichwasheldon17thJuneatStChad’sChurch,Freehay.ThespeakerwasCaptainGordonBanks,ChurchArmy,StaffordAreaMissionandGrowthPartner.

CaptainBanksintroducedSynodtoa90minuteworkshop(FromChurchCongregationtoFaithCommunityUsingStory)toexplorehowwecanrehearsefivekeystoriestohelpustobuildFaithCommunities.HeusesthechurchLiturgicalYearasaframework.HestressedthatitisimportantforacongregationtolivetheChristianway–books,preachingetc.aresecondarytoabelievingcommunity.

ItwasreportedintheChurchTimesrecentlythatthereisadropinthenumberofAnglicansintheUK.Thetruthhehadfoundwasthattheyoungergenerationdidnotseethedenominationallabelasanissue.TheirfirstprioritywasthattheywereChristiansandthesecondthattheybelongedtoanauthenticcommunity.

CaptainBanksoutlinedtheworkshop:

January–PersonalFaithStory.HetalkedaboutconversionChristiansandcradleChristiansandinvitedSynodtotalktoeachotherabouttheirexperiences.

February–TheFaithCommunityStory.Thekeywastohavegoodsocialeveningswhereeverybodywasintroducedonetoanotherina‘GettingtoKnowYou’session.WhoareweasthepeopleofGod–ourpeople,ourcommunity,stewardshipfollowedquitenaturallyfromthis.Itwasinterestingandusefulforpeopletolearnofeachother’sexperiencespluscongregationswereoftennotawarejustwhatandhowmuchpeoplehadtodowithinthechurchcommunity.

Lent/Easter–TheJesusStory.AgoodideawastocreateaJesusLifeline.

Pentecost–ContextualCommunityStory.Whatisoutthere?Wethinkweknowbutdowereallyknow.Youcouldcreateajunkmodelofyourcommunitypatch.

Advent/Christmas–TheGodStory,the‘metanarrative’.Howdoweseeheaven?Areweaboutredemptionofthecosmos?

ThelastSynodoftheyearwasheldon21stOctoberatHolyTrinityChurch,Meir.SynodstartedwithaDeaneryEucharistledbyRev’dPaulBennettwiththeRuralDeangivingthesermon.

Themeetinghadbeendeclaredanopenmeetingandmembersofourcongregationsinvolvedinchildren’sandyouthworkwerewelcomedforaforumregardingeverythingrelatingtothoseagegroupsintheDeanery.Althoughaconsiderableamountisbeingorganisedforouryoungpeople,itwasevidentthattherewasaneedformore.TheRuralDeansuggestedthatwemightthinkofarrangingaDeaneryYouthEvent,maybeatDovedaleHouse.Shethankedeverybodyforsharingtheirthoughtsandexperiences.Shestressedthat,ifwehavegoodthingsgoingon,weshouldencouragepeopletocomeandseeforthemselves.

Proposeddatesfor2015: Wednesday13thApril2015

Wednesday13thJuly2015

Wednesday19thOctober2015(venuestobeannounced)

SueWarren

Secretary

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APPENDIX10:ChurchHallReport

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APPENDIX10:ChurchHallAccounts