2006 ANNUAL REPORTS (APCM APRIL 2007)

CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT

This year has been a year of change for St Barnabas Church.  In January we said farewell to Duncan, Ellie and Tony Ballard as they left for Duncan to become vicar of St Marks in the Cherry Orchard.  At the same time Robert Jones announced his resignation.  After Easter Robert left us to become Director of Development for the diocese of Worcester, and Mike Elden gave up his post as organist.  Since then we have received much support from the Rural Dean, Ken Boyce, and many clergy.

 Terrier and Inventory: This was checked in March prior to the APCM.  In the course of the year photographs of the contents of the terrier have been taken so that in the future we will have a visual record of everything.  In October the Rural Dean carried out a mid quinquennial inspection at Christ Church with Rev Nduna Mpunzi, and also at St Barnabas.

 Fabric:  The wall outside the church hall on Green Lane was rebuilt by Proberts this year.  Inside the church, a health and safety and fire audit was undertaken to comply  with new legislation which came into effect in October.

 Grounds:  This summer the area of garden close to the front of the church was landscaped and grassed.  A “ Magdeburg” crab apple tree was planted as well as a Magnolia.  A professional  mower was employed  to keep the church yard looking tidy.

 Children and Young People:  We continue to have a lively group of children at Barneys Bunch, helped by a committed team of adults.  A small group of young people also meet for social and devotional activities.  The Crib Service on Christmas Eve was much enhanced by the children’s involvement this year.

 Music:  Since Mike’s departure at the end of April, John Dentith, Helen Lubin, George Squires and Joan Court have provided the music for our worship.  We are most grateful to them for the way they have maintained the standard of our music.  The appointment of a new organist is the responsibility of a rector so we await developments next year. 

 Magdeburg Link:  A group of  32  adults and young people visited Magdeburg in  April and had a very good time.  Social events have been held through the year to raise funds for the return visit next year.

 Church Hall:  The church hall continues to be well used by local groups.  The Rainbow Hill Baptist Church have used the hall for their Sunday worship whilst their own church is renovated.

 Social:  A number of social events have been held through the year. Parish camp was at Mordiford this year where we shared a site with Rev John Everest and his parish from Halesowen.  In September a day trip to Ragley Hall was enjoyed by all ages.

 Finance:  Yet again we have managed to remain solvent and pay our parish share in full, despite an inevitable fall in numbers attending services during the vacancy.  We continue to have an annual stewardship renewal and the next one is due early in 2007. We are most grateful to Imogen Taylor for her hard work as Treasurer.

 Vacancy and appointment of new rector:  Following the APCM, a meeting was held to allow parishioners to explore the qualities they felt were needed in a new rector.  Following this the standing committee and the PCC prepared a detailed  Parish Profile which was submitted to the diocese. The post of rector was advertised in September and interviews were held in late October.  At the start of November the Rev Peter Haddleton was offered and accepted the post.  He will be joining us next April with his wife Vanessa and daughters Siobhan and Christa.  At present Peter is team rector of South Wye team ministry in Hereford.

 Farewells and New Beginnings:  It is never easy to say goodbye to people, especially when they have been much loved. Robert and Mike’s departure left a big gap, but it also offers us exciting new possibilities for growth and change.  As a church we have met regularly to pray for the ongoing running and future of our church life. We look forward to the arrival of Peter Haddleton, and trust God for the future development of our church under his leadership.

 Finally:  We have been greatly blessed by the help and support of many people through this year.  Nduna Mpunzi has carried a heavy burden of funerals and visiting as well as his duties at Christ Church.  Graham Lyall, John Davies, Jenny Hayward, Lynn Pocock, Mark Dowsett, Dominic Melville, Ken Boyce and many others have helped to lead our services. The members of the Standing Committee have  also been a great support.  We offer our heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed to the ongoing life at St Barnabas.

Pippa Hawkins and Clive Crowther 

SECRETARY’S REPORT 2006 

Items in no particular order of importance:

 · Mission at home and abroad—allocation of Mission money

· Fabric: Church building/Quinquennial issues/Risk assessment

· Environmental issues

· Community developments: Fairfield Centre/Tolly Centre/CAP

· Pre School

· Archdeacon’s Articles of Enquiry

· Church garden: grass cutting/new landscaped bed

· Finance: Deanery consultation on Parish Share/Giving Renewal

· Worship Matters: Bible Study/Prayer group alternate Wednesdays

· Baptist Chapel meeting in the hall whilst the chapel has building work

· Christ Church: How to share running costs with Community Centre/issues with worship/low numbers/finance problems/to offer support

· Child Protection: Appointing co-ordinators in Diocesan guidelines

· The Rector leaving—last service 30th April

· Process of appointing new Rector

· Pre Section 11 Meeting—Section 11 Meeting—Person spec/Parish Profile—appointing two reps to be on Selection Panel

· Deaf loop for the hall

· Rubbish collection: no wheelie bins—contract with Council to remove rubbish weekly

· Concert: Music & Light Appeal for Cathedral Deanery event

 11 meetings during the year.

 Meetings start at 7.30-9.30pm and a vote is needed to extend the meetings by 15 minutes.  The Agenda gives each church group opportunity to give a report.  It is not necessary that groups reports at all meetings.

 The average attendance is approximately 80%.

Sheila Bright

TREASURER’S REPORT FOR 2006

The statutory Annual report and accounts have been prepared on the accruals basis this year – this means that income and expenditure is taken into account in the year it falls due, rather than when the money actually is spent, so , for instance , the tax refund relating to gift aid given in 2006 is also taken into account in that year , even though we didn’t receive the repayment until 2007.. Copies of this ‘full’ accounts pack are available to be viewed on the church notice board and at the APCM.

Please ask if you would like a copy now. Extracts from these accounts are reproduced here:

 RECEIPTS 2006 2005

Planned Giving                            43,122        42,964

Tax refunds                                 10,042         10,615

Other collections                           5,273           8,155

Fees                                                 3,655           5,895

Legacies,donations                     10,018          7,063

Hall lettings                                      7,503          7,203

Magazine ads/Patronage/fundraising 2,678 13,306

Traidcraft/Magazine subs           1,887           1,077

Bank Interest                                  2,047            1,735

TOTAL RECEIPTS                  £86,225       £98,013  

1. Planned giving and tax refunds are similar to 2005;during the interregnum we are pleased that we have replaced those planned givers who have left  Most people who come to church regularly commit to giving a set amount each week- this allows us to plan our budget.  Please ask if you don’t yet have envelopes, and if you can please GiftAid your giving..  As recently noted in our renewal talk, the biggest donor to this church is Gordon Brown…gift aid tax refunds amount to over £10,000 per annum!

2. Other collections have fallen – this reflects the lower congregational numbers at Christchurch and also a reduction in weddings and funerals

3. Fees have also fallen this year, as we had fewer weddings and funerals- something that we cannot plan for!

4. Hall lettings income reflects the fact that the hall is well used throughout the week.

5. Fundraising in 2005 included Christchurch new building grants .

 PAYMENTS    2006        2005

Parish share                                    45,912       45,692

Mission& donations                         6,451       11,059

Clergy                                                  1,951         2,862

Church running/maintenance       8,708          8,532

Hall running                                       4,091          3,139

Wall repairs                                        7,757             0

Christchurch refurbishment               0             10,092

Flowers/Traidcraft/Magazine         2,215          1,667

Other expenses                                 3,119          4,790

TOTAL PAYMENTS         £80,204        £87,833

1. Mission giving continues to be allocated at ten per cent of our own giving. In addition funds raised for Maggs and collections at funeral services were given to charities.

2. Parish share was paid in full

3. Clergy expenses were low as both Rector and curate left early in the year, but we did pay some expenses to visiting clergy

 PCC have agreed that the surplus of £3,649 generated on the hall should be transferred to the hall maintenance reserve, net of the cost of the wall. In addition £150 was set aside for replacement of the photocopier. A small deficit on general fund for the year leaves a balance of  £6,067 at 31.12.06. This will allow us to pay an organist in future and fund the loan repayments.

Christchurch

Christchurch holds its own funds, but these form part of the PCC accounts. At 31.12.06 there was £470 in the general fund.

Hall Appeal

Over £2,500 was donated/earned as interest during the year.  There remains £22,265 in reserve towards the next phase.

Other funds

Donations of £1,400 were received in the year. A legacy of £5000 was also received. Some donation money was used to landscape the area in front of the door.  The Traidcraft stall was run on a much reduced basis and incurred a small deficit as stock was sold off.

Balance Sheet

The total reserves of the PCC amount to £65,319. These are made up as follows:

General (St Barnabas) reserve 6,067

Designated reserves

Mission monies        2,097

Donations                  8,666

Hall maintenance     6,158

Fabric                         6,000

Other                          1,918

Restricted reserves

Hall appeal               22,265

Fabric shares             9,763

Other                            2,384

Reserves are held

On deposit at CBF, or in other bank accounts 53,009

CBF shares                                                                9,763

Loan owed to Diocese                                           (2,400)

Debtors/prepayments                                               4,947

 Thanks must be extended to those(especially the wardens) who count collections. Also to Ann Sansome, our Independent examiner, who cheerfully wades through  my papers to check all is in order.

BARNEY’S BUNCH 2006
Barney’s Bunch have had a very busy year!  From Easter until Pentecost we took part in the Children’s Society project called Leaves of Life – we put our hopes and prayers for the parish and the wider world on the Easter cross along with those of the congregation.  As this was part of the fund-raising for the Society we asked the mission group to help us with this and on our behalf they sent a donation.  Then, through Jo Taylor and her gap year project, we found out about children in India who needed £2 each to pay for schoolbags before they were allowed to go to school so we thought we would be ambitious and try and raise £60 to buy enough schoolbags for a class of 30 children.  We had a sponsored sports event, a cake stall and a book stall and it was a very happy, relaxed affair after church one hot Sunday.  We managed, thanks to the generosity of all the congregation and the wonderful response of the children, to raise far in excess of £60. 

We also decided that as numbers of our congregation were down on a baptism Sunday during the vacancy we would have Sunday school and during the holidays.  This has continued but it must be said that we are tiring now!  We also had the Baptists using the church hall after we were in there which meant we had to clear away before coming into church!  That required some organisation on our part but they were very good humoured with us.

In the Autumn term we had our usual shoe box collection for Operation Christmas Child and sent a record 38 to Swaziland.  We finished the year by organising the crib service and leading it.  In between all that we managed to write a song about St. Barnabas and teach it to the congregation.  Many thanks to all those who have worked so hard through this year – David, for the music and jokes! Val, Jackie, Sue, Penny, Rachel and Nicki for leading and Terry for helping us with the putting out and clearing away.

Lyn Crowther

YOUTH GROUP

As the youth group had effectively been non-existent for some time it was decided to try to revive it as we had some children leaving Sunday school and going to High school in September. 

 We had a meeting and decided that we would try to combine it with the Sunday school and all start together in the hall with the youth splitting into their own group after our worship time.  We had quite a number of people who were willing to help with the leadership or be chaperones.  We combined the meeting with the Sunday school and used the same themes.  This meant that the time together could be directed towards the theme if we wanted it to. 

 We also discussed social activities and put together a programme.  The rotas were quickly completed and on the whole things have worked well.  We have been lacking in attendance but one of the reasons for joining together was that if only one child turned up or the leaders didn’t turn up then they joined quite naturally with the Sunday school. 

 The youth group doesn’t meet on the first Sunday of the month but there is the facility for the youngsters to join with the Sunday school.  Thanks to everyone who volunteered to help with this.

Lyn Crowther.

 YOUTH SOCIAL GROUP

The youth group continues to meet for occasional social activities including go-karting, swimming and other special events which are enjoyed by all.

 PARENT & TODDLER GROUP

Although Della Boyd had to give up running this group, it continues to meet regularly on Wednesday afternoons in the Church Hall and is a good way of easing the children into playgroup later.  They are already familiar with the premises and less intimated by strange surroundings.

 Toddler Group meets each week during term time and is always pleased to welcome new families.

ST BARNABAS PRE-SCHOOL

Although numbers were low at the start of the year, by the end of the summer term most places had been filled.  A new super-visor took over at Easter and there have been several staff changes.

 The children have had a busy year playing, learning and having fun.  In October they had a Harvest Festival in church offering gifts of food to those in need and at Christmas they had a Nativity service as well as a party and visit from Father Christmas.  They also helped Meningitis Trust by taking part in the Toddle Waddle along with the reception class at St Barnabas Primary School.  They ended the summer term spending lots of time outside and had a great sports day followed by the leavers party with a bouncy castle and ice lollies.

 There have been fundraising events, including a book sale, bazaars, raffles and even a Fashion Show!  The children also created a calendar with their footprints which was good fun.

 The Committee has also been busy during the year reviewing and updating all of the policies and guidelines that have to be worked to as well as staff files and contracts. 

6th WORCESTER ST BARNABAS BROWNIES/GUIDES

The Brownies continue to run with a full programme of badge work and attending District and Division events. Some of the girls have also attended 2 weekend holiday sessions. The number of Brownies has dropped to 18. This is unusual for us but we are enjoying the less hectic time and numbers will increase as we take in girls from the waiting list as they become Brownie age.

 The Guides also continue to have a full programme of events as well as attending District and Division events. Some Guides attended Malvern Challenge and had a great time along with 2000 Scouts and Guides from all over the Country, we shall be going back this year  Guide numbers again have increased with more Brownies moving on to Guides than ever.  We hope to take both units to Euro Disney next year but I shall need  to do more Qualifications first.

 Many thanks to all my fellow Guiders without them we would not function as it is not only the weekly meetings but all the extra events and trainings we attend.

Pam Instan

 WIVES GROUP REPORT

Wives Group continues to flourish and we look forward to our diamond anniversary when we celebrate 60 years in 2008.  We meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month in our church hall.  Can we give special thanks to Jackie who takes great care of us by making sure the hall is always warm for our ladies.  Unfortunately we had no meeting last February due to the snow but our meetings are usually well attended with speakers from all walks of life, some with their own slide show, but all share their knowledge with us and we have great fun. 

We support a charity each year.  Last year we sent a cheque to Breast Cancer Care, this year we are hoping to help the Maggs Centre.  We have a charity raffle and table each month and a copper collection where ladies empty the copper coins from their purses.  This starts off our total and we hold sales, coffee evenings and a skittle evening too.  Everyone is made welcome.  We start 7.30pm and end with refreshments around 10pm.  Remember, 2nd Thursday each month.  Chris Chilton

ST BARNABAS SERVERS’ TEAM

Welcome to our two new adult servers Mary and Stephen,  thank you for volunteering, we all hope this will give encouragement to members of the Congregation who may have been contemplating such a step!   Thanks to Pam and her Guides for the members of her Company who were acolites on the first Sunday of the month - Pam has been asked if she could find at least another two Guides who would be prepared to train for duties on the first Sunday each month.  

The remainder of the team young and not so young have continued, with commitment, to carry out their various duties week by week throughout the year - as compiler of the rota and on behalf of the Congregation - a big thank you.

Remember we are always prepared to welcome new volunteers to our number - we are not just there as decoration (?!) but as an aid to meaningful worship for the Congregation.

We all look forward to the year ahead  best wishes.

Pat Millard on behalf of the Serving Team.

MUSIC

Since Mike Elden left us as church organist at the beginning of the vacancy we have been grateful to John Dentith, Helen Lubin, George Squires and Joan Court for playing either organ or piano at our services and maintaining music in our worship.  John Dentith has organized the rota for this and covered the greatest number of services. 

 The Music Group has continued to play for the Baptism & Eucharist on the first Sunday of the month, enlivening the proceedings with its eclectic combination of piano, accordion, flute, recorders, trombone, acoustic and bass guitar, and drum.

 Helen and Mike Elden gathered together a choir to sing at the Easter services, and again at Robert’s Farewell Service, and a choir has also sung for this Easter.

 Helen Lubin has selected all the hymn lists during the vacancy, a task she previously alternated with the Rector.

Helen Lubin

SOCIAL GROUP

2006 was a busy time—planning a farewell party for Robert and Mike on the Sunday evening, a very happy event but sad for us all saying a fond farewell to both these very much loved people.

 St Barnabas Day wine & nibbles in church followed at a later date by a free BBQ for all with a bouncy castle—again a well attended and happy event.  Harvest Supper this year was shared with the Baptist Chapel who provided the dessert again and much fun was had by all with a quiz led by the Baptists.

 We had other events which were planned by the Magdeburg Group—Burns’ Night, Carols by Candlelight.  We also went out for a meal—a balti in Lowesmoor and a trip was arranged to Ragley Hall.

 All events are open to all and costs are kept as low as possible to enable everyone to attend.

 The Social Group is a gathered group with different people helping—cooking and clearing up afterwards.  Many thanks to all.

Sheila Bright

PRAISE B

Praise B has continued this year, small in number but big in heart. We are always pleased to welcome a few more enthusiastic singers. We meet on the first and third Thursday of the month, usually at the home of John and Sally Dentith, to enjoy fellowship together in singing God’s praises.

 This is NOT a choir, you don’t need to be able to sing well or read music, only to enjoy singing and join in, just for the joy of it. Part of the fun is the coffee and biscuits afterwards, and we can usually provide transport if needed. Do come and give it a try, you might like it!

John Dentith and John Price

MISSION  2006

An open meeting compiled a list of proposals for allocating mission funds in 2006. These were discussed by the PCC and the following list of donations was agreed. (Donations from additional money available at the end of the year will be confirmed at the PCC following this report.) Our Mission Giving represents 10% of the congregation’s regular giving through the year and is given by us as a Church to help with a whole range of needs, mostly by supporting the work of charitable organizations and agencies both local and global, many of them Christian based.

LOCAL

£300: Maggs Day Centre – support for homeless.

£250: St Richard’s Hospice

£250: Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust.

£100: Noah’s Ark – children in bereavement.

£200: County Air Ambulance – helicopter ambulance.

£100: Mother’s Union (Worcester Diocese).

£200: Summer children/youth activities at the Tolly Centre, funded via

CAP 360.

£100: The Leg Club – for leg ulcer patients etc, run by Mary James at the Tolly Centre.

£100: Worcestershire & Dudley Historic Churches Trust – grants to maintain church buildings.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

£300: Church Urban Fund – projects in urban areas of deprivation.

£300: Church Army – evangelism, youth, social needs and parish support.

£500: USPG – Mission & development in poor communities worldwide.

£300: Practical Action – sustainable technological solutions for poor communities worldwide.

£400: Mildmay Mission Hospital – international HIV/AIDs care and training.

£300: Christian Aid’s Lebanon Appeal – in response to an urgent situation in 2006.

£200: Amos Trust – reconciliation initiatives and care projects in the Middle East.

£200: Mission to Seafarers, Angel Boat Project, Dubai (via Revd Stephen Miller).

£200: Post-Tsunami projects in Chennai, India, following Jo Taylor’s work there.

£200: Feed the Minds with SPCK Books for Life – resources for Christian education in poor parts of the world. & interfaith peace project.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK & ”SING FOR CHANGE”

Christian Aid Week raised £900 from house-to-house envelope collections, congregation giving and Chris Chilton’s Coffee Morning.

A good number of people took part in our hour of carol-singing outside Warndon Tesco’s in the Sing for Change day for Christian Aid. The whole day raised £1,147.  Helen Lubin is our Christian Aid link, organising both events.

CHRISTMAS GIFT BOXES

Mary James organised the collection of covered shoeboxes filled with Christmas gifts for homeless people at St Paul’s Hostel, Maggs Day Centre, and the YMCA, and women and children at the Women’s Refuge, The ASHA Centre and the Hillborough Family Centre. Nearly 300 boxes were distributed, with the project attracting support from many groups and individuals in the City as well as our Cluster Churches.

 MAGGS DAY CENTRE for the HOMELESS

In addition to a donation from Mission Giving and the Christmas Shoeboxes we also supported Maggs with food donated to the Harvest Service and via the permanent donations’ box in church, and we gave money collected from the Parish streets & pubs carol-singing evening and from collections at the Christmas Services.

 CHILDRENS SOCIETY

Some members of the parish collect for the Society in home collecting boxes through the year and together sent  £323.09p in 2006.  John Dentith co-ordinates this.

 PRACTICAL ACTION TALK

In February Ann Meadows, a volunteer speaker for Practical Action, one of the charities we support with our Mission Giving, gave an evening talk at St Barnabas about the work that they do.  We intend to put on occasional talks by representatives from other charities we support as well.

 TRAIDCRAFT

We support fairtrade in church and have the opportunity to buy fairtrade products from a regular Traidcraft stall in church. Sally Dentith takes responsibility for running the stall.  Worcester celebrated the achievement of its Fairtrade City Award in 2006 and we are included in the Directory of fairtrade supporters in Worcester.

 MAGDEBURG

The Church continues to have a vibrant link with our partner parishes in Magdeburg. A group travelled to Germany to stay with hosts there in the week following Easter and enjoyed a warm welcome and generous hospitality. We shared in worship and in several excursions, including a day in Wittenburg with its associations with Martin Luther.

Helen Lubin

MAGDEBURG 2006

This year it was our turn to visit our friends in Magdeburg.  33 of us went in April by train, boat, plane and oh yes, the famous Aston’s coach, which thankfully behaved perfectly.  One of the drivers came from St. John’s church and took his wife and they are keen to get their church involved which is what the partnership is all about.

 The highlight of our trip was a visit to Wittenburg where Martin Luther nailed his 39 theses on the door of the church.  We also visited a garden show in the beautiful town of Wernigerode.  It was wonderful to see old friends again and make new ones and have the opportunity to renew the partnership. 

 From October we have been holding social events to help with the fund raising for the return visit in April 2007, which will mark ten years of the partnership.   These have been great fun and a big thank you to all those involved.  We are now in the process of planning the events for the return trip and hope to involve the whole parish as this has always been our aim. 

Lyn Crowther.