Revd R Amys, The Rectory, Millend Lane, Eastington, Stonehouse, GL10 3SG

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1 St. Andrew s Church, Whitminster One of the Cotswold Edge Parishes (Eastington, Frocester, Haresfield, Moreton Valence, Standish and Whitminster) Our Mission: To worship God, and to encourage other people to worship God. Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 Legal and Administrative Name: Location: Correspondence: Members: Parochial Church Council of Whitminster, St. Andrew. St. Andrew s Church is located in the hamlet of Wheatenhurst adjacent to Whitminster House, and about a mile-and-a-half west of Whitminster village centre. Revd R Amys, The Rectory, Millend Lane, Eastington, Stonehouse, 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 Tim Douglas Mr Paul Seaward Mr Adrian Hale Mr John Green Mrs Janne Bunting Mrs Margaret Douglas Mrs Guisook Kim-Wright (to APCM) Mrs Rosie Seaward (to APCM) Mrs Linda Wicks Mr Peter Wright (to APCM) Chair/Secretary (from APCM) Churchwarden Churchwarden (To APCM) Treasurer Secretary/Deanery Synod Rep (to APCM) Churchwarden from APCM Status: Independent Examiner: Bank: The PCC is a charity, exempted from registration with the Charity Commission under the Charities (Exemption from Registration) Regulations Revd Peter Cheeseman, Frampton Court, The Green, Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucester, GL2 7EX CAF Bank, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ CCLA Investment Management Ltd, The CBF Church of England Funds, Sentor House, 85 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4ET

2 Aims and Organisation The main purpose of the PCC is defined in the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 as to cooperate with the Minister in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Whitminster PCC has maintenance responsibilities for the Church of St. Andrew, Whitminster, and the churchyard surrounding it. Whitminster 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 2014 this was 13%, and in 2015 it will be 13%. Review of the Year 2014 Usual Sunday attendance 6 ( ); Easter Communicants 14 (18); Easter Attendance 16 (21); Christmas Communicants 16 (20); Christmas Attendance 16 (22); Carol Services 32 (150); Harvest Festival School Harvest (21 + 0). This year there were 5 baptisms (11 last year/33 in the benefice); 4 weddings (0/21); 3 funerals in the parish (3/25); and 2 (8) funerals at local crematoria or elsewhere (1/10). Secretary s Report on PCC Meetings in 2014 Full details of PCC meetings are recorded in the PCC Minutes held by the Secretary. Five meetings were held during the year, in March, April (after the Annual Parochial Church Meeting), June, September and November. Some of the items discussed during those meetings are summarised here. The question of Chancel Repair Liability based on land in the parish was discussed. Tithe maps were studied, and it became clear that enforcement would be very difficult to determine and execute, and pastorally insensitive. Only about 100 parishes in the country had decided to do so, and the PCC took the decision that it should not do so, and to let any rights to enforce it lapse. John Green stood down as PCC Secretary, and was replaced by the Rector, there being no other volunteer. He was thanked for his contribution, as was Betsie Green, who agreed to finish her term as Foundation Governor at the school following their move from the parish. Similarly Paul Seaward stepped down as a Church Warden and was replaced by Janne Bunting, prior to his and Rosie s move from the parish. They too were thanked for all they had done for the parish. Our Safeguarding Policies were reviewed in April, with new Nominated people for Children (Caroline Segalov) and Vulnerable Adults (Trish Pyne). The website continued to grow, and has been funded in its entirety by the Rector s Discretionary Fund. It can be viewed at A wish list of items that we would hope to achieve in the coming years was drawn up, to be actioned as funds allow. 2

3 Following the announcement of Bishop Michael s retirement the PCC was asked to comment on priorities and information it would like to inform those selecting the next Bishop of Gloucester about. These were Top 2 priorities: To be seen around the parishes; To be approachable. Top 2 things to tell: Be realistic about dropping attendances; Be aware of the lack of financial and people resources in parishes. The PCC approved the nomination of Beck Burgin, from Eastington Methodist Church, as the new Foundation Governor for Whitminster School. The provision of services was discussed in light of falling numbers and lack of leaders. Although the pattern of Communions on the first and third Sundays, and a Lay-Led service on second Sundays was maintained throughout the year, the decision to cut this to a Lay-Led service on the first Sunday, and a Communion service on the third was taken, and the new pattern of services started in The PCC discussed the Rector s Annual Report, and the Seven Disciplines of Evangelism. It agreed to support an away day to discuss the first of these, Prayerful listening and Discernment, which was facilitated by Revd Cate Williams, the Diocesan Evangelism and Mission Advisor at Standish Village Hall in February 2015, a report on which is due to be published in the April 2015 SPAN. The PCC received notification that St. Andrew s has been placed on English Heritage s At Risk register, which may make it easier to obtain money from grant-making bodies in the future. Regular reports from Synods were received, and placed on the church notice board for all to read. Regular updates of the financial position were received from the Treasurer throughout the year, and it was reluctantly agree to cut our Parish Share pledge to the diocese to 3,000 in 2015 due to the worsening situation. Regular news on various fundraising efforts were also received, and thanks was expressed to all those who worked so hard to raise money, both for the general expenses, and for special projects. The Rector announced his retirement on December 28 th at Haresfield, his last day being 31 st May 2015, and last service 10am at Haresfield that day. The PCC will be working to maintain the current situation, and in conjunction with the other PCCs of the benefice to plan for the future in the light of this. Richard Amys, March 2015 Electoral Roll Officer s Report 2015 There were 17 names on the Electoral Roll when revised in 2014, and on the new roll revised in 2015 there are residents and 3 non-residents. Sadly we said farewell to John and Betsie Green, Paul and Rosie Seaward, and Veronica Precious all of whom moved away. Revd Richard Amys, March 2015 Rector s Report 2014 Last year I wrote about the 7 Disciplines of Evangelism the first of which was prayerful discernment and listening a time of contemplation. I am really pleased that that first stage was started in February 2015, albeit after a longer than hoped for gestation period, and the members of the 6 PCCs of the benefice who were able to attend during the day were positive about what they had shared among 3

4 themselves. I am very grateful to Revd Cate Williams for facilitating the event, Steve and Lynn Harrison, the new SPAN editors and Standish PCC members are due to publish a report on the day in April s edition thank you to them. Following my retirement announcement at the Benefice Birthday service just after Christmas, this meeting took on added significance, being the first opportunity for members of the benefice to meet together afterwards, and thoughts of what might happen from June onwards was also in everyone s minds. As I write I know that meetings with our Churchwardens are being arranged as the diocese begins the process of deciding What Happens Next? Strangely, this is not an area I have any real experience of as most clergy either leave or arrive, but are not around during the vacancy! I will be working with the Diocese, Deanery, Churchwardens, PCCs and others to ensure, as far as I can, that everyone is as prepared as possible to move into the vacancy with confidence. After over 15 years as Rector of the benefice, it will be hard to say goodbye, as this is the longest I have lived in any one place in my life, and it is always hard to leave friends as you move on. It will also be strange to be living so close, and not to be involved in the day-to-day life of the parishes. Indeed, I am not allowed to take any services anywhere for at least 6 months, and after that it is frowned upon to come back into previous parishes unless invited to do so. I m sure that will be hard for me, but those are the rules. I am looking forward to see what God has in mind for me in the future and I hope you are too. A big thank-you to everyone, past and present, who have contributed to the furtherance of God s kingdom in our little area of his world, and have done their best to share the love of Christ with those in our area, both inside the church and in the community. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Richard Amys, March 2015 Rector s Discretionary Fund Report 2014 The starting balance was The sources of income in 2014 were from charges for verging at weddings ( 600) and funerals ( 425) donations from individuals and others ( 573) and collections, including All Souls ( ). Total income was The areas of expenditure were on: support for music and choirs ( 269); Young Church Mag (1 year), Parish Pump (1 year) and Roots (2 years) subscriptions ( 137); Donations to Charities, Churches and individuals, including candles and food ( ), Stationary, photocopying and postage ( 53), Palm Crosses ( 90), Teaching aids and training ( ) and the running costs for the benefice website ( ). Total expenditure was This meant a surplus of over the year, and at the year end the balance stood at As I will be leaving at the end of May 2015, the RDF will cease to exist in its present form. I hope to use the money in it to continue to support what has been funded by it until then, and will then hand it over to our parishes either in one lump to be used as it has been in the past, or divided up between the individual parishes to be used as they wish. Since I began the Fund in August 1999 I believe that it has been a source of useful funding to both individuals and the parishes, resourcing many and varied projects and people when needed. I would like to thank all those who have donated to the Fund (in particular via the annual All Souls service), and those who have assisted with the verging duties over the years which between them have provided a very large proportion of its income. Richard Amys January

5 Deanery Synod Representative s Report 2014 Our Deanery Synod Representatives are: Eastington Vacancy Frocester Vacancy Haresfield Vacancy Moreton Valence Vacancy Standish Stephen Harrison Whitminster Vacancy The Rector is a clergy member of Deanery Synod. The meeting held on Wednesday 5 th January was held at Lakefield School, Frampton-on-Severn Mrs Judith Knight, the Diocesan head of Human Resources and Safeguarding was the guest speaker. She outlined the approach to safeguarding and safer recruitment in the diocese, and highlighted the new Safeguarding Workshops that are run in the diocese. An update on pastoral re-organisation was given, and the Deanery treasurer spoke about the 2014 Parish Share and funding the Deanery Office. The meeting held on Wednesday 4 th June was held at Painswick Church Canon Ian Marsh, the Lay Chair, stood down, and was thanked for all he had done. Canon Margaret Sheather was elected unopposed to replace him. The Very Reverend Stephen Lake, Dean of Gloucester Cathedral, was the guest speaker. He spoke about the life of the cathedral, and the ambitious Project Pilgrim (to Connect, Engage and Restore). He was able to tell synod members that they had been successful in securing development funding from The Heritage Lottery Funding million over the next 10 years. Revd Matthew Page talked about the Street Pastors initiative in Stroud, and synod voted to fully support and endorse this development. It was announced that the Deanery Office, and our administrator, Sally Withers, would be moving to an office in The Shambles in Stroud in August, after being at Frampton Court for the past 4 years. The meeting on Thursday 16 th October was held at Cainscross Church Hall The guest speaker, the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow, introduced himself to the members, and thanked everyone for their welcome and support, especially following Bishop Michael stepping back from his role as Diocesan bishop. He highlighted the challenges ahead in the dioces Growing the Church, nurturing the faith, providing effective ministry in every parish, and enabling a smooth transition to the appointment of the next Bishop of Gloucester. During the year there were also regular reports received from both General and Diocesan synods. With my departure in 2015 there will be no regular attendee from any of our parishes at Deanery Synod meetings. PCC secretaries get the minutes, but this is not the same as having someone present. This is something for the parishes to consider. Revd Richard Amys, Rector, January

6 Whitminster C of E (Endowed) School Foundation Governor s Report 2014 Betsie Green came to the end of her term of office in August, having stayed on after she moved away, for which the school was most grateful. She was replaced as a Foundation Governor by Mrs Beck Burgin, who is a Methodist Lay Preacher at Eastington Methodist Church, and co-ordinates the Into the Book assemblies. She also has skills in finance, and fitted the skills set needed by the school really well. In the Autumn the school, supported by our church and the Methodist church, took part in the Isingpop initiative, where children learnt modern Christian pop songs for a week and then performed a concert. This was very well received, and I have donated a further 300 from the Rector s Discretionary Fund to help enable the school to do the same with a Christmas version later in The school governing body undertook a reconstitution exercise, and reduced the number of governors from 15 to 12, the process completing in February I remain as an ex-officio Foundation Governor until my retirement on 31/5/15, and Janne Bunting has agreed to assume this role during the forthcoming vacancy, and brings her skills and experience as a former chair of governors to the school. Richard Amys, Foundation Governor March 2015 Churchwardens Report 2014 We have managed to keep the church door open on a three service per month basis, two communion and one lay led. Paul Seaward Church Warden stepped down at the AVM and has now moved to Lincolnshire, along with other members who have relocated or died. The nave roof has been repaired. The wiring an PAT test have been done, and fire extinguishers inspected and one replaced, plus a ten-year test on the Calor Gas tank. The porch gates have been powder coated, and the main churchyard gates have been refurbished in memory of Lucy and Ted Wright. Thanks to Margaret and Ken Jones for their work in the churchyard, and to Margaret and her team of cleaners who clean the church every month. Tim Douglas March 2015 Tower Captain s Report 2014 We rang for special services and weddings, and practice is help at Standish Church. Margaret Douglas - March 2015 Treasurer s Report 2014 General Funds In 2014 there was excess expenditure over income of 190. (As reported last year the excess income over expenditure of 4,293 in 2013 was due to a 5,000 legacy received, or there would have been a deficit of 707.) We suffered a loss of fund raising income as income as there was a slight reduction in the income from the St Andrew s Club, and also there was no Christmas Draw this year, making a combined reduction in income of approximately 500 (allowing for adjustments of other activities). The fund at 31 st Dec 2014 was 6,014 ( 6,204 at 31 st December 2013, including the legacy). 6

7 Project Funds The fund at 31 st Dec 2014 was 7,889 ( 9,515 at 31 st December 2013). We had a major check carried out on the electrical wiring, roof repairs, and the church gates refurbished. Flower Funds The fund at 31 st Dec 2014 was 358 ( 356 at 31 st December 2013). Clock Funds The fund at 31 st Dec 2014 was 1,848 ( 358 at 31 st December 2013). There is major work to be carried out to the clock. We received during the year the proceeds from a fund raising Quiz in aid of the clock held in the village. Bell Ringers Funds (Not under the control of PCC) The fund at 31 st Dec 2014 was 521 ( 437 at 31 st December 2013). Adrian Hale, March 2015 Fund Raising Report 2014 Fund raising is ongoing despite the lack of helpers. A cake stall was held at Highfield Garden Centre. St. Andrew s Club numbers down. Tea and Cake in the Garden, numbers down because of the weather. Coffee mornings proved successful. Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust Ride n Stride took place. A very successful quiz was arranged by two residents of the village in aid of the clock restoration a good night was had by all who attended. Margaret Douglas, March

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