Parochial Church Council of St Stephen s Church, Moreton Valence.

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1 St. Stephen s Church, Moreton Valence One of the Cotswold Edge Parishes (Eastington, Frocester, Haresfield, Moreton Valence, Standish and Whitminster) We aim, in God s name, to be a source of continuity, comfort and hope in our parish Annual Report for the year ended 31 st December 2013 Legal and Administrative Name: Location: Correspondence: Members: Parochial Church Council of St Stephen s Church, Moreton Valence. St. Stephen s Church is located in Church Lane, a quarter of a mile from the junction with the A38. The Secretary, Mrs S Van Eeghen, Woodfield House, Church Lane, Moreton Valence, Gloucester, GL2 7NB; or c/o The Rectory, Millend Lane, Eastington, Stonehouse, Glos. GL10 3SG. Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected (up to 6) at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. The PCC may co-opt up to 2 further members. During the year the following served as PCC members: Revd Richard Amys Mr Douglas Watts Mrs Stephanie Williams (to April) Ms Daphne Gardner Mrs Sally van Eeghen Mrs Anne Downton Mr Clifford Smith Mrs Marion Watts Mr Roger van Eeghen Chair Churchwarden Churchwarden (to April) Treasurer Secretary & Deanery Synod Representative (Churchwarden from April) Mrs Marian Smith Status: Independent Examiner: Bank: The PCC is a charity, exempted from registration with the Charity Commission under the Charities (Exemption from Registration) Regulations Mr G.M. Blackwell, 2 Checkley Close, Ledbury Road, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 7AX. Lloyds Bank, Bristol Road, Gloucester. Church of England Central Board of Finance, 2 Fore Street, London, EC2Y 5AG.

2 Aims and Organisation The main purpose of the PCC is defined in the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 as to co-operate with the Minister in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Moreton Valence PCC has maintenance responsibilities for the Church of St. Stephen, Moreton Valence, and the churchyard surrounding it. It also owns Church Leaze, the field opposite the Church. Moreton Valence is one of six parishes in the benefice of Eastington, Frocester, Haresfield, Moreton Valence, Standish and Whitminster, referred to unofficially as the Cotswold Edge parishes. Joint ministry expenses are shared on an agreed percentage basis with the other parishes, in line with comparative diocesan quota payments. In 2013 this was 12%, and in 2014 it will be 13%. Review of the Year Usual Sunday attendance 13 ( ); Easter Communicants 0 (0); Easter Attendance 15 (27); Christmas Communicants 9 (0); Christmas Attendance 11 (0); Carol Service 41 (31); Harvest Festival 27 (28). This year there was 1 baptism (2 last year/27 in the benefice); 2 weddings (2/10); 1 funerals in the parish (0/26); and 0 funerals at a local crematorium (1/8) Secretary s Report for 2013 General It has been a quiet year in the parish with a long difficult winter caused by the extremely wet weather. However during the year we managed to get together as a parish/ community on several occasions outside our regular worship and progress was made in several areas, for example the installation of the light over the gate and mending of the leaded windows. Services and Events In May there was a Sunday lunch at Moor Farm kindly hosted by Douglas and Marion Watts. In the summer we had a wonderful visit from a youth choir from New Zealand organised by Margaret Douglas and members of the choir stayed with members of the parish. A truly magnificent and varied performance took place in Eastington Church. Carols in The Barn was once again a great lead in to the Christmas period. Thank you as always to Marion and Douglas Watts for hosting this event yet again. Drinks and nibbles were provided after our Christmas and Harvest Festival services. Thank you to all concerned. Services continued throughout the Rector s sabbatical period but a big thank you to everyone who helped organise the cover or participated in providing it. Particular thanks are due to Cliff and Douglas 2

3 for taking the lay led services on a regular basis. We have all enjoyed these services very much and look forward to continuing to do so. Thank you to Roland for playing the organ and putting up with our dreadful singing although the adjustments to the number of verses and greater flexibility on hymn choice should help us a little. Other Matters Church Cleaning continues to be focussed around major highlights in the calendar or special events and the church always looks wonderful on these occasions. Many thanks to all concerned particularly Anne Downton, Marion Watts, Maz Smith and Daphne Gardener. Also thank you to Douglas Watts for organising the Christmas tree yet again. Thank you to Anne Downton for continuing to host the PCC meetings at Downtons and also to Downtons for sponsoring the grass cutting in the church yard; it has looked very tidy. The meeting with Helen Richardson, The Diocesan Giving Officer, at Eastington was less positive although enlightening and we all recognise the need to increase funding for the church. The change in delivery system for SPAN has worked well. Thank you to the organisers. Chancel Repair Liability issue was fully investigated and put to bed there being no liability for the parish or parishioners. Going forward into 2014 the Grass Keep will go once again to Matthew Watts. As mentioned last year the matter of re-fencing the field needs to be addressed before livestock can be safely put in the field - this has been agreed and materials are being purchased by Douglas and Matthew Watts to do this and they will be reimbursed for the cost of the materials. Matthew is fully aware of the conditions attached to the field concerning weddings and funerals. The light has finally been installed over the gate and is a great improvement. The Cotswold Edge Parishes website is up and running Electoral Roll Officer s Report S.J.van Eeghen ( ) There were 11 people on the Electoral Roll last year. On the revised Electoral Roll this year there are 11 (9 residents and 2 non-residents). Richard Amys (March 2014) Rector s Report I would like to thank everyone for their support in 2013, not least for holding the fort for the 3 months I was away on sabbatical. This afforded me a really good mid-career break. For 9-10 weeks of it Angela and I, accompanied by our dogs, toured England and Wales in our caravan. I had the opportunity to explore North and South Wales, parts of the Midlands, Lincolnshire, East Anglia, Essex, Kent, East Sussex and Berkshire. I was able to read and relax, do a 3

4 bit of writing, bird watch, and experience worship in other denominations as well as in other C of E churches. We also visited both Rome and Turkey, which were fascinating. On a more mundane note, during the time we were at home we stripped out, redecorated and refurbished my study in the Rectory, which has made a huge difference more space freed up, tidier (though not perfect by any means) and better organised. The challenge for 2014 is to replace my ageing desktop computer. Thank you to everyone in the parish and benefice who encouraged and supported me in taking this time out from my ministry, and to all those who took services while I was away. I d like to share a bit about where we as a parish and as a benefice might develop in the future. I recently had the opportunity to hear the Bishop of Sheffield, The Rt Revd Steven Croft, talk to the clergy of our diocese about evangelism, or as the Roman Catholics call it, evangelisation. He had had the opportunity to attend a 3-week synod in Rome called by Pope Benedict, where hundreds of Roman Catholic bishops gave 5 minute presentations of what was happening in their dioceses all over the world as regards sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, and the difficulties they faced. Bishop Steven returned home, and at a Deanery Synod meeting in his own diocese he was struck by the similarities in the discussions at a local level with those in Rome. He did joke that in our own General Synod we generally allocate 3 days to discuss 15 topics, whereas the Roman Catholics took 3 weeks to discuss one and in great depth! He described Evangelism as communicating faith and making disciples, and said that Evangelism should not be a dirty word, but be a normal part of our lives as Christians. He wanted to dispel the myth that it is easy it is in fact hard and challenging but we need to have a firm grasp on reality and hope. We are called to be hopeful, just as we are called to love, and these are virtues we need to practice every day. In practice there is the reality of a cycle of despair: We find it difficult to proclaim the faith, which leads us to proclaim the faith less, our confidence becomes eroded, we find that we have fewer resources at our disposal, and we have less input into society which makes it more difficult to proclaim the faith, and the cycle goes on. To counter this he suggested 7 Disciplines of Evangelism: 1. Prayerful discernment and listening a time of contemplation. 2. Apologetics defending and commending the faith. 3. Evangelism the initial proclamation. 4. Catechesis frequent nurture courses, learning and teaching faith. 5. Ecclesiastical Formation growing the community of the church. 6. Planting and forming ecclesial communities. 7. Incarnational mission. Bishop Steven then challenged the clergy of our diocese to consider where these disciplines are being formed and nurtured in their own ministerial practice, and in our parishes and benefices. I am hoping that as a parish and as a benefice we can work through these challenges and find opportunities to work through these disciplines, starting with those of us on our PCC. I believe that it is essential that we work prayerfully together to break out of the cycle of despair, and reclaim the virtue of hope if the church is going to not only survive, but prosper in the future. 4 Richard Amys (March 2014)

5 Rector s Discretionary Fund Report The starting balance was The sources of income in 2013 were from fees charged for verging for weddings ( 225) and funerals ( 225) donations from individuals and others ( 95) and collections, including All Souls ( ). Total income was The areas of expenditure were on: support for music and choirs ( 102); Young Church Mag subscriptions ( 18); Donations to Charities, Churches and individuals ( ), Stationary, photocopying and postage ( ), and the set-up costs for the benefice website ( ). Total expenditure was This meant a deficit of over the year, and at the year end the balance stood at At long last our benefice website came into being, and the RDF paid for the initial start-up costs. As income was greatly reduced from that in 2012, so the scope of the fund was similarly reduced, though it still managed to buy the latest Diocesan Directories for each parish, supply 100 as the float for the new benefice fees account, and buy 100 pens with our benefice website address on them which have been distributed as gifts early in 2014 to members of the church congregations. Richard Amys (February 2014) Deanery Synod Representative s Report 2013 Our Deanery Synod Representatives are: Eastington Celia Harris, vacancy. Frocester Marjorie Hawkins Haresfield Vacancy Moreton Valence Sally Van Eeghen Standish Vacancy Whitminster John Green The Rector is a clergy member of Deanery Synod. The meeting held on Wednesday 30 th January was held at St. Mary s Church, Painswick Bishop Michael was the guest speaker, supported by Lucy Taylor (Diocesan Communications Officer) and Pauline Godfrey (Department of Mission & Ministry) who spoke about the Diocesan strategies of Journeying Together and Effective Ministry in Every Parish. Ben Preece-Smith (Director of Finance, and later in the year Diocesan Secretary) updated the Synod on the financial situation in the diocese. The Revd Malcolm King was welcomed as the new Team Rector of the Stroud Team Ministry. The meeting held on Monday 22 nd April was held at Minchinhampton School. Helen Richardson (Diocesan Giving Officer), following up from Bishop Michael s visit, spoke about the various ways the diocese can assist parishes with financial stewardship. Revd Peter Francis (Woodchester and Brimscombe) was welcomed, the Appointment of Revd Rosie Woodall to Bisley was announced, and a number of clergy leaving were announced: Revd John Van de Linde (Bussage and Eastcombe), Revd Michael Withey (Holy Trinity, Stroud), Revd Steve Early (Nailsworth), Revd Chris Collingwood (Minchinhampton moving to York Minster), Revd Jeff James, and Revd Ann Morris. A report was given on the Deanery s parish share position, and that of the Deanery Office. The meeting on Thursday 25 th July was held at Sheepscombe Village Hall The guest speakers were Mr Will Mansell, who heads the Stroud Foodbank, and Mr Andy Harding, who spoke about the work PSALMS was doing with young people in the area. Revd Malcolm King is the new Area Dean. Revd Vernon Lidstone spoke about his work as Retirement Officer in the Deanery he is now 5

6 retiring from the post! Revds John Hunnisett and Alison Guy will be taking over. Revd Mike Holloway was announced as the new rector in the Beacon benefice. The meeting on Wednesday 23 rd October was held at Cainscross Church Hall The guest speaker, Canon Andrew Braddock, spoke on Mission Action Planning. The Area Dean spoke about the formation of the Stroud Team in the context of MAPing, and how it had been useful. During the year there were also regular reports received from both General and Diocesan synods. Revd Richard Amys (February 2014) Churchwardens Report Grass cutting in the Churchyard during the late Spring, Summer and early Autumn was carried out satisfactorily as usual and thanks go to Downtons for their generous financial contribution in this respect. An official Churchyard tidy event was not held but the pile of grass cuttings and other flower/plant refuse which had collected in the south west corner of the Churchyard was removed to an appropriate tip. A new Pedestal Lantern was installed over the Churchyard Entry Gate. After some initial teething problems it now operates satisfactorily. Damp has been noted at high level within the Church which is believed to be associated with leaks from the valley gutter. Remedial works are planned to take place during The Electrician who installed the new Pedestal Lantern (A.J.Smith) has agreed to carry out a safety inspection of the electrical installation in early Quotations will then be obtained for any remedial works required. The Church lease was again let to Matthew Watts. During its use cattle escaped and it became clear that remedial work to the barbed wire fence was necessary. This is to be undertaken during Our Insurers (Ecclesiastical) carried out a review of the building and its contents prior to advising our new premium. In the course of this inspection it was noted that we were short on some Health and Safety issues (signs, risk assessments and method statements). All was put in order to the satisfaction of the Insurers Representative and thanks go to Marian Smith for her prompt action in this regard. Repairs were carried out to a number of broken leaded lights in the Church windows. There remain some repairs to be carried out to very fragile windows which could require their complete removal and this is currently the subject of further consideration. Bellringers Report There are no regular ringing practices, but all notable services have been rung for. Cliff Smith, Doug Watts (March 2014) 6

7 Treasurer s Report 2013 has been a more successful year for the PCC. Several events we have held, have given a substantial boost to our income, and special thanks must be given to Douglas and Marion for hosting these events. The January walk raised , which was forwarded to The Cotswold Care Hospice. The Sunday Lunch, held in the barn at Moor Street Farm raised a magnificent amount of 1694, later in the year followed by the Carols in the Barn, p. Grass cutting remains one of our greater expenses, but we have been thankful for the donation which helped us to carry this expense in Special repairs have been made to the Church north window, considerably reducing the draft created in this area. Following on with donations in memory of Mr Danny Weaver, the PCC have erected an electric light over the Church gate. This will be an asset for those attending the special evening services that are held in the Church. Daphne Gardner, Treasurer (March 2014) 7

8 BALANCE AS AT Jernegan Trust 1, Howe Charity CBF 23, Fabric Fund 2, Charity 15, Current A/C 3, , , INCOME 2013 PAYMENTS 2013 Rectors Fees Rector Collections Parish Share 4, Donations Insurance 1, Special Service Extras Electricity Gift Aided Donations 3, Gift Aid Tax Rebate Bell Ringers Association Dividends 3.50 Grass Cutting 1, Grass Keep Church Leaze Hedge Cutting RPA Field Payment Outside Gate Light 1, New Years Walk New Year Walk Stroud District Council Rent Gift Sue PM Carols in the barn Gifts S Williams & F Pitman Moor Farm Lunch 1, Christmas Post Cards Electricity Pole Income Smart Water Organist Visiting Bell Ringers Health & Safety Items Audit Field Income Wine Christmas Carol Concert Water Euphony Concert Glass Window Repairs Fire Extinguisher Service , , , , INTEREST 2013 BALANCE AS AT Jernegan Trust Jan-April 1.04 Jernegan Trust 2, Jernegan Deposit Howe Charity Howe Charity CBF CBF 23, CBF Transfer Fabric Fund Fabric Fund 2, Charity Charity 15, Current A/C 4, , , Treasurer. Daphne Gardner Examiner , ,