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Saint
Faith’s Church
Annual
Parochial Church Meeting
29 March
2009
Reports –
Year Ending 31 December 2008
Contents
1
ELECTORAL ROLL
2
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
3
BUILDINGS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
4
PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT GROUP
5
COMMUNICATIONS
6
CHOIR
7
HEALTH AND SAFETY
8
DEANERY SYNOD
9
CHILD PROTECTION
10
ST NICHOLAS CHAPEL
11
YOUNG BELIEVERS CLUB
12
SUNDAY CLUB
13
YOUTH CHURCH
1
ELECTORAL ROLE
During the
past year ending February 2009, one member sadly has
died but six new members have been added to the Roll.
This brings the Roll total to 154 members. In taking
over the post of Electoral Roll Officer, I should like
to record my grateful thanks to Mrs Audrey Currie who
has had to relinquish the post after many years of
faithful service. She has been an immense help and
support to me, guiding me through the intricacies of the
task. Thanks too to Mr Roger Bryant for his kindness
and patience.
Hilary
Deadman Electoral Roll Officer
2 PCC
The full PCC
met eleven times during the year with an average
attendance of 79%. The Standing Committee, Buildings
Management Committee and Property Development Group met
regularly during the year and gave written reports to
the PCC which were discussed when necessary. In the
course of the year, 21 members of this church served on
the PCC at different times. Many of these also served
on the committees listed above, so that the involvement
and commitment of parishioners is remarkable,
particularly when we consider the visits to church
properties, meetings with architects, planners, English
Heritage, etc. Our Treasurer, Helen Faulkner, Assistant
Treasurer, Geoff Porter, and Bookkeeper, Roger Simmons,
during the year handled transactions in terms of
payments and income totalling over £250K! We have been
without an incumbent since Father David left on 31 July
and this has put a considerable responsibility and
workload on our two churchwardens and the remainder of
the PCC. Members have had meetings with the Archdeacon
and Rural Dean and three prospective candidates for the
incumbency have visited the parish. However, we are
still without an incumbent. In particular, this has
left the churchwardens and PCC to carry forward the
exciting and necessary plans for the building of a
two-storied extension on the south side of St Faith’s
church. This combined with the planned major
refurbishment of the Hall complex, all funded by the
sale of buildings and land in the parish estate, has
placed a considerable burden on the PCC. In addition to
all this, we have the management of our estate of very
old properties and the work of finding tenants and
buyers for them. We have also the duties arising out of
our mission in Havant, together with our
responsibilities for health and safety and child
protection. This has been a particularly demanding and
difficult year but it reflects much credit on this
parish.
Roger Bryant
PCC Secretary
3 BUILDINGS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
This
committee attends to the repair and maintenance of the
church and all parish buildings. The committee met on
five occasions in 2008 and dealt with the following
matters.
No 1
Churchfields.
Improvements
and addition were made in 2008 to No 1 prior to new
tenants moving in. A landlord’s Gas Certificate was
obtained for all gas appliances here and the central
heating boiler was serviced.
No 2.
Jeffries, our letting agent, has been asked to obtain
Energy Performance Certificates for both properties.
The bathroom was plastered and re-tiled, the central
heating was serviced and also the gas fire; a Landlord’s
Gas Safety Certificate was obtained for all the gas
appliances and part of the roof was repaired, with
slipping tiles replaced.
St
Nicholas Chapel. Hiring charges were reviewed in
view of ever increasing costs of heating and lighting.
The Hall
Complex.
Problems
with the water heater were rectified and the guttering
on Church House was renewed. The flat roof behind the
stage was found to be leaking and the builder who had
repaired other parts of the roof was called back to
complete the repair. A risk assessment was carried out
and the premises were then inspected by the Area Safety
Fire Officer. As a result certain alterations and
additions were recommended and quotes are being obtained
for this work.
Christ
Church.
One of the
doors of the centre was smashed but no damage was found
inside the building. A new hardwood door was fitted.
The centre is now let for the time being and eventually
it will be sold. The gas boiler in the bungalow was
serviced and a Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificate was
obtained. The electrics were checked and the bungalow
was completely redecorated prior to being let on a short
term lease.
St Faith’s
Church.
One of the
metal gratings in the floor of the church was repaired
after being damaged by vandals or thieves. The organ
loft door was broken into but was repaired. The central
heating boiler developed problems but these were
rectified. The committee was concerned at the amount of
vandalism occurring in the church and Sylvia, our
organist, was harassed by young people coming into the
church on several occasions. Therefore the committee
recommended that the church should be shut during the
afternoons. There was a problem with the lighting and
this was attended to. Enquiries were ongoing concerning
the fitting of security cameras in the church and also
for the fitting of a ramp and handrail on the steps
leading to the toilet. The metal roof above the
vestries will be treated with a special product which
will make the metal easily identifiable if it is stolen.
Organ.
The organ was retuned and attended to on many occasions during the year
and the committee agreed that an overhaul was long
overdue. Three quotations for the work were obtained
and the one of £36,253 (including the overhaul of the
blower) was accepted but the matter is held in abeyance
due to a lack of funds. The overhaul will be done when
funds from the sale of Christ Church Centre become
available but by then we will need to seek updated
quotes.
Coach House
(The Church Shop).
The pigeon
droppings outside of the entrance to the church shop are
a hazard and the committee has recommended that the area
be swept as often as possible. A sign warning of a
slippery surface will be installed in the area. Some
branches of the tree in which the pigeons roost were
lopped but our action was restricted by the Havant
Borough Council because of the provisions of planning
law and the preservation order on the tree.
2/4 North
Street.
Repairs to
the roof were completed and the side gate leading to the
first floor flat was repaired.
Peter D
Appleby Secretary
4
PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
GROUP
During 2008,
the PDG met on 8 occasions and held meetings with Havant
Borough Council (HBC), English Heritage, the Diocesan
Advisory Committee (DAC), our architects, the County
Archaeologist and the Dynamo Youth Theatre (DYT).
Christchurch
Centre.
The year
began with the exchange of contracts being awaited with
a developer having agreed a price for sale. However,
the developer was unable to obtain a loan from the banks
and this fell through. An offer to purchase the centre
for a children’s nursery was approved by the PCC.
However, the purchaser was unable to get a loan from
their bank and it was agreed to lease the centre for a
25-month period with an option to buy during this time.
At year end, the lease was being drawn up by the
Diocesan Solicitor. The legal title of the land has
been registered with the Land Registry.
Church House
& Coach House.
Plans for
the refurbishment and alterations were drawn up and
forwarded to HBC. HBC granted planning permission,
including listed building consent, for the construction
of a new store on the site of the existing dilapidated
building and the change of use and alterations to
provide 2 in no. first floor flats and 2 in no. ground
floor offices. The work must begin within a period of 3
years from the date of approval which was 27 November
2008. An asbestos survey was carried out which found
asbestos in the old vinyl floor covering on the main
stairs and in a wall panel upstairs in the shop.
Neither of these is dangerous in their current state but
must not be cut or sanded without precautions being
taken.
Church
Extension.
Meetings
were held throughout the year with HBC planners, English
Heritage, the DAC and our architects to discuss and
agree the plans. There were major differences between
our proposals and the views of HBC which tended to be
negative and intransigent. The Archdeacon and the DAC
Secretary also held a meeting with the HBC Heritage
Officer to try and resolves differences. The plans for
the present have been put on hold. The County
Archaeologist approved the archaeological investigatory
brief for the churchyard.
Church
Re-ordering.
The DAC agreed that the church extension should be split
into two phases; Phase 1 – internal (re-ordering) and
Phase 2 – external; and with our proposals to carry out
a number of small projects under phase 1, which the PDG
will put to the PCC.
Churchfields
in Conservation Area.
Concerns
were expressed to the HBC that Nos. 1 & 2 Churchfields
was to be included in the Conservation Area. However,
our concerns have been ignored by HBC and at present
Churchfields is included in the Conservation Area.
Church Hall.
The DYT would like a permanent base and discussions were
held to see whether the Church Hall would meet their
requirements. These discussions are ongoing.
Colin Carter
(Secretary)
5 COMMUNICATIONS
Faith
Matters
In 2008, the
magazine made a small profit of £155.20 from income
received from the sale of magazines of £656.20 and from
advertisements of £759, against expenditure for the cost
of printing of £1,260. The aim of the magazine is to
break even. During the year, the number of pages in all
12 editions of the magazine was 24 inside pages and
remained at 30p a copy. The consistency in the number
of pages was entirely due to parishioners writing many
interesting articles for the magazine and contributing
to topics of the moment. The editor received excellent
support from Roger Bryant and Sisyphus, and from Jan
Stuart who proof-read all editions. Beryl Carter, the
Distribution and Advertising Manager, was kept busy
collecting the money from our regular advertisers and
getting new advertisers to fill the space vacated by
others who did not renew. We wish to thank the
distributors of the magazine for their continued
support.
Colin Carter
– Editor
St Faith’s
Website.
In 2008, the
website continued to provide up-to-date information on
the activities in the parish and included the full
Parish Profile for any potential incumbent to view. An
Internet edition of the magazine is placed on our
website and the Editor continued to receive emails from
readers from afar giving amplifying information on
articles or requesting additional
information.
Colin Carter
- Webmaster
6 CHOIR
Another hectic, fun-filled year with
quite a few new ventures included! Our first new
venture was at the Flower Festival at the end of June,
when we invited the choir of St John the Baptist,
Westbourne to join us for our now traditional Choral
Evensong. Preceded by a strawberry tea, it was a great
celebratory ending to a wonderful floral weekend. In
the same month, Light Blue badges were awarded to Emily
Frost, Amy Frost, Kirstie Belenger and Geoffrey Jones,
Dark Blue badges awarded to Beth Udy, Ruth Hedley,
Graham Frost, Sandra Haggan and Marjorie Horncastle, and
Amelia Atchison was admitted to the choir. In July the
choir (plus some choral friends) sang a Valedictory
Evensong for David, our Rector, before he and his family
left for a new life in America. In good choral
tradition, David was asked to choose his favourite hymns
and anthems. We were very lucky to have the organist of
St John’s Cathedral – Peter Newman – to accompany us.
At the end of the month our ‘almost-new’
Waldstein Baby Grand piano was delivered and has been a
superb addition to our musical life here at St Faith’s.
In October and November we-visited our Rizza Mass
setting that the choristers accompany so expertly.
Several learner recorder players bravely attempted a
version that had been specially arranged for them. At
choir practice the more senior choristers were
challenged to learn treble and tenor recorders. The
results of these efforts were appreciated by the
congregation when, at the end of a service, they played
an arrangement of Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” –
another new venture! In October we celebrated Ralph
Vaughan Williams’ birthday by singing some of the hymns
and anthems he had composed. On Saturday November 22nd
we remembered St Cecilia – the patron saint of music –
by joining with Bosmere School’s Chamber Choir (another
new venture!) and presenting a combined concert. It was
a fun evening that was extremely well attended and £100
was raised to contribute towards an A-frame for the
piano. Later that month, on Advent Sunday, we were
invited by the choir of St John the Baptist church,
Westbourne to sing with them in their Advent Carol
service. Some wonderful singing was enjoyed by members
of the Westbourne congregation who were joined by some
of our own from St Faith’s.
The Christmas season was, as usual, a
very busy time for the choir. Our now traditional
service of “Nine Lessons and Carols” was of a
high standard and was much appreciated by many from the
Rotary club. The two ever-popular “Carols by
Candlelight” services included our choristers
playing carols on their recorders in 4-part harmony –
something else that was new this year! After a long
probationary period, Ann-Marie Belenger was delighted to
be admitted to the choir and celebrated the fact by
bravely singing her first solo to the many residents of
Watermill Court! A spontaneous collection by the
residents raised £30 and was gratefully added to the
funds for the A-frame. As a reward for all their hard
work throughout the year, leading and enhancing our
services by both singing and playing, the choristers
were treated to a visit to Chichester Festival Theatre
to see a production of “Scrooge”. It was a great
afternoon’s entertainment, much enjoyed by us all!
January 2009 started well with two new probationers
joining us. We hope that they will decide to join us
full-time in the near future. An anonymous donor
presented us with a cheque for the outstanding balance
to purchase the much-needed A-frame. Such generosity is
much appreciated and will make moving the piano much
safer. Heartfelt thanks to our generous benefactor.
Much goes on ‘behind the scenes’. Paul Utting’s house
group meetings are crucial in training the men to sing
tenor and bass. Graham Frost, Sybel Laird and Fiona
Hedley give valued help and support on choir nights.
The choir contributes a huge amount of time and choral
expertise to the life of St Faith’s church. It must be
acknowledged here, of course, that this would not be the
case were it not for the loyalty of the choristers and
the continued support of their parents.
Long may St Faith’s choir continue to
sing and play to the glory of God!
Sylvia Willey Organist and Choir
Director
7 HEALTH AND SAFETY
Our Health and Safety Officers are the Verger, Vickie
Mockford, for St Faith's Church and the Hall Complex and
Anne Plater for St Nicholas Chapel, Langstone. Accident
Books are available in the Church (including the Tower)
and the Hall and any accident, whether major or minor,
should be logged. We have completed a fire risk
assessment for both the Hall and Church House and have
fire evacuation plans for them and the Church. The
Health and Safety Manual is being reviewed.
Sandra
Haggan
8 DEANERY SYNOD
There were
four meetings in 2008; the main items of business
included:
February 28th
2008 (All Saints Catherington)
(1) Presentation by Susan Barry of Christian Aid on its
work (illustrated by examples from Kirgizstan) and its
role as ‘the voice of Christians in politics’;
she offered to do a session with young people in any
parish. (2) Finance reports: Deanery; Diocese; Kofuridua
Diocese (Ghana) projects supported by deanery – diocesan
palm oil plantation, clergy stipend account, diocesan
offices; Havant parishes each give £50 or more per year
to support these. (3) General Synod: report circulated.
(4) Report on the Havant ‘Good Community Conference’
(31/1/08) by Rev Jonathan Jefferies, attended by 100
delegates from churches and local authorities. (5)
Kairos: Buildings Phase - a ‘Cathedral Day’ about
buildings was announced for April; Grants – Havant
Deanery had successfully applied for a grant for ‘Messy
Church’; no more grants would be awarded until the
current ones had been reviewed.
June 10th
2008 (St. John’s Rowland’s Castle)
(1) Presentation on Rev. Dennis Lloyd’s study leave with
a U.S. evangelical church. (2) Election of Deanery
officers (Secretary, Anne Stunt; Treasurer, Tony
Rice-Oxley; Lay Chair, Ian Hewitt; Standing Committee,
Rev. Tim Jessiman, Tony Cowin; Pastoral Committee, Rev.
Jonathan Jeffery, Rev. Mike Sheffield, Alex Hill. (3)
Finance reports: Deanery, Diocese. (4) Update on
Kofuridua projects by Angela Herring (Deanery IDWAL
Chair): Palm oil plantation – the target sum had been
raised and the project was making a profit, but it would
not be fully self-financing until the housing and the
oil extraction equipment have been purchased; Clergy
Stipend project will not start for 3 years, the money
will remain in the UK until the Ghanaians produce a
detailed plan of action; Diocesan Offices – detailed
plans and costings are awaited. (5) Presentation on the
Church Pastoral Aid Society’s ‘Growing Leaders’ course
by Rev. Stephen Girling (Rural Dean, Fareham ) – this
course emphasises shared leadership and encourages
participants to find visions for work in their parish
and to contribute towards their church’s activities;
Bedhampton has been running one successfully. (6) Kairos:
all parishes had received information about the Building
phase; Havant Deanery would not be involved before Jan
2009.
September 24th
2008 (St. Peter’s, Hayling)
(1) Presentation on ‘Stewardship’ by Rev. Dennis Lloyd
(defined as ‘resourcing God’s mission with vision,
time, money, and talents’) against the background of
ageing congregations and unchurched families; he
outlined 4 Principles and 6 ‘Steps in Giving’; he
is able to visit and help parishes with their
Stewardship initiatives. (2) Diocesan Liturgy & Worship
Advisory Group: Rev. Philip Cochrane explained its role
and encouraged parishes to engage in dialogue with
DILWAG, exchanging ideas and putting forward requests.
(3) Lambeth Conference Cathedral Day: Rev Ann Leonard
reported on a well-organised and entertaining day at
Portsmouth Cathedral for 10 Ghanaian bishops before the
Conference. (4) Kairos: Synod voted to support Hart
Plain and Cowplain parishes’ application for £7k a year
for 3 years for the C3 Listening Service Project
(using the Acorn Listening Courses) to be run in
conjunction with Waterlooville Baptist Church – users
can be referred by health professionals and clergy.
Kairos Building Phase: the Rural Dean encouraged
incumbents to request copies of the Diocese’s booklet
and DVD in readiness for the 1st phase of
Exploration due to start Jan-Easter 2009.
November 27th
2008 (Hart Plain). A quorum was not achieved as too few clergy were present. (1)
Presentation by Rev. Gareth Denby (Diocesan Further
Education Advisor): national Synod wants a chaplaincy
team in every FE college and encourages deaneries /
churches to build partnerships with colleges; chaplains
are urgently needed (these do not need to be ordained),
and this should have a place in deanery pastoral plans;
DPC agreed to consider this. (2) Finances: 83% of parish
share had been achieved; Chair of Deanery Finance
Committee emphasised the need for parish share to be
paid in order to keep ministry in the parishes; it would
be increased by 9% for 2009. (3) Kairos: The moratorium
for Kairos grants had ended. The Rural Dean outlined the
Kairos Building Phase plan for the deanery. (4) Deanery
Pastoral Committee: report by the Rural Dean, Rev. Paul
Moore. The DPC now had a good balance of representatives
from all 3 partnerships in the deanery. Rev. Karen
Schimdt would retire from Purbrook in January. A special
meeting with clergy and churchwardens of the Central
partnership was scheduled for December to discuss their
needs. Deanery Pastoral plan stipulates loss of a whole
post by 2015. (5) Diocesan Synod: report by Lay Chair
Ian Hewitt: Interim report on the Strategy for Ministry;
New Clergy Terms of Service will be published in 2010; a
new policy for Vulnerable Adults was adopted for the
diocese.
Michael
Fluck and Sandra Haggan Deanery Representatives
Report on Inter-Diocesan West Africa Link 2008
In 2002 the
Diocese of Portsmouth gave unanimous support for IDWAL
as a diocesan initiative. Deaneries were encouraged to
establish links with a diocese there. Havant Deanery has
an IDWAL link with the Diocese of Kofuridua in Ghana,
and is supporting a number of projects initiated by that
diocese (as summarised in the Deanery Synod report). 40
parishes in Portsmouth Diocese now have links with a
Ghanaian parish; in Havant Deanery, Denmead, Cowplain,
Hayling, and St. Faith’s all have links. The Deanery
IDWAL Group comprises the IDWAL reps of each parish,
plus a representative of the Diocesan IDWAL, and has 4
meetings a year. St. Faith’s has had a link with St.
John the Divine, Nsawam, Ghana for 5 years. Our
churchwardens and IDWAL reps are in regular
correspondence with their’s and our reps have visited
Nsawam, most recently in Nov 2007 to participate in the
90th Anniversary celebrations. In July 2008
we organised a highly successful visit to Havant by the
two churchwardens from Nsawam, Nana Amonoo Smith and
Janette Wilson, the first time either had left Africa,
in which they had opportunities to meet members, to
learn something about the life of our church, and about
this part of England. That visit was supported by
fundraising and donations from members of St. Faith’s
congregation, and a contribution from Portsmouth Diocese
IDWAL. In addition to supporting Nana and Janette’s
visit, through fundraising and donations members of St.
Faith’s have contributed to: the building and
development of a village nursery school outside Nsawam,
an anniversary gift to the church, and the purchase of a
computer. At the Portsmouth Diocese IDWAL day in
November, we gave a presentation on Janette and Nana’s
visit to Havant and on our 2007 visit to Nsawam. A
parish IDWAL Committee was formed in 2008 and this met
with Nana and Janette to discuss ways of developing our
link, encouraging mutual support in our shared faith,
and further visits. A return visit to Nsawam at Easter
2009 was planned, but it has been decided to postpone
this until we have a new priest at St Faith’s and until
Canon Seth’s successor is in place in Nsawam. It had
been hoped to involve more people in this visit, but the
travel costs have been an issue. We have discussed this
at Deanery IDWAL meetings.
Michael and
Ann Fluck
9 CHILD PROTECTION
In last year
there have been a few changes regarding Child Protection
and in January I met Mary Daisy (who is part of the team
for the diocese who deals with Child protection issues)
which was a very informative meeting. Until that time
life as a child protection Rep was quiet and I am now in
the process of ensuring CRB checks are being completed
but also updated for those checked 5 yrs ago. I think I
have said before but will reiterate that I am the person
you seek for advice on child protection issues, can
check details for the CRB checks but it is the Leaders
of the Choir, Sunday Club, Youth Group and Youth Church
that are responsible to ensure Registrations forms are
kept for each child, register of attendance is kept
(children and adults present at the session) and that
all helpers have had forms and CRB checks completed.
Some church members are frustrated that they have to
complete CRB forms even if they have done one for
another organisation but unfortunately at this moment in
time there is no other way of doing it and not in my
control!! I hope to be in contact with all those groups
working with children and/or vulnerable adults to pass
on information from the meeting I had with Mary Daisy in
the next few weeks.
Fiona Hedley
10
ST NICHOLAS CHAPEL
The current
financial position of the Chapel fund as at 31 December
2008 comprised the following assets:
Barclays
Bank pic £697.74
National Savings Bank £756.30
There were
no liabilities.
During the
year under report, our activity was as follows:
Average
Congregation 13 (2007
13.9persons)
Total
Collections £533.86 (£540.15)
LVA
Functions
£200 Chapel Usage £60
During the
year there was no expenditure on the fabric and we did
not call upon the budget allocation of £300.
In the year
under report, following the publication of the revised
charges for the usage of the Chapel, the Langstone
Village Association generously commenced an annual
contribution of £200 for usage associated with direct
village events. In addition, two concerts and the
Langstone Cutters Rowing Club AGM raised £60. One
Christening ceremony was held. The Chapel has been
specifically able to self fund its expenses (fire
insurance, electricity and ministers’ costs – paid in
arrears). Electricity costs were higher than expected
as the funds were able to redress a long period of
estimated readings. Future capital expenditure of circ
£100 is envisaged for the cost of replacing the altar
cloth from existing funds. We continue with our first
Sunday in the month communion services at 8.00am to
which all are welcome.
Anne Plater
Gill Falconer Chapel Wardens
11
YOUNG BELIEVERS CLUB
In the
fourth full year of the Young Believers Club, we had a
wide and interesting range of activities and much fun
(and some spiritual learning) was had by all. Through
the year we had around 20 clubs, held fortnightly on
Sunday evenings, through the school term periods. Clubs
normally ran from 6 pm to 7.30 pm. Attendance was
similar to 2007 at between 20 and 25 children. Gender
was again split 80:20 girls to boys. Ages ranged from 9
to 14.
We enjoyed
many enjoyable activities and outings through the year.
As well as the usual walking, farm outing and bowling,
we also had a quiz evening with St Alban’s youth club.
We let them win as a gesture of Godly will. The
children performed two plays during the year; Jonah
(written by our own Sandra) and Jesus and the Apostles
Yet again
many people help to make the Youth Club successful.
Special mentions to Fiona Hedley, Graham Frost and
Jeremy Toole as Club Leaders. Also thanks to various
parents for helping out at some of the other
activities.
Martin
Poliszczuk
12
SUNDAY CLUB
Sunday club
has been through a few changes in 2008. In July we said
goodbye to our vicar, David, and his wife Susan who had
introduced St Faith’s to Godly Play. Deborah Creasy
stepped down from the role of Sunday club chairperson at
the end of the summer having been dedicated to it for
the last six years. Kate Walsh took over for a few
months and organized the children for the Christmas
nativity service. Penny Britt then took on the role in
the New Year.
Despite all
this change we are continuing to thrive and grow. We
have welcomed children from several new families this
year as well as saying goodbye to some older children
who have moved onto choir and youth church. Some new
parents have joined us as very welcome helpers. We
continue to use Godly Play as our main method of
teaching. Susan and Deborah organized a Godly Play
evening at the Rectory to introduce it to new parents.
We are always looking out for other ideas to assist
with our Christian teaching and, this year, many of us
attended a session on puppet training. In June Sarah
and Bridget worked very hard with the children to
produce a striking display at the St. Faiths flower
festival.
Our
fundraising this year has been from the monthly cake
raffle at the family service.
Socially we
organized an Epiphany party for the children which was
very popular.
Sunday Club
remains an integral part of St Faith’s largely due to
the warmth and commitment of its helpers who have
continued in their support despite the challenges faced
this year.
Penny Britt
13
YOUTH CHURCH
The last 7-8
months have been a time of consolidation for Youth
Church with some key personnel changes brought about as
a result of the departure of Father David, Susan, Elise
and Sophia. Susan had been an active and highly
effective leader of the group, as had Graham Frost who
sadly, but understandably, needed to stand down from
Youth Church duties in order to focus on his key
position as one of St Faith's Churchwardens. Stepping
in ably to support Claire Toole (the one remaining
member of the original trio) were husband Jeremy along
with Colin Hedley. This trio has stood firm during our
period of interregnum and helped to facilitate some very
active, interesting and thoughtful Youth Church
sessions. Aside from leadership personnel changes, we
have also absorbed a venue switch. For some time the
Youth Church took place at the Rectory, however with the
dawning of our interregnum came the realisation that we
would need to find somewhere else to run the sessions.
Happily we have made a very successful switch to 9
Brunswick Gardens, Bedhampton. If we are able to move
back to the Rectory at some point in the near future
then I suspect we will. In the meantime the owner
occupiers of 9 Brunswick Gardens are delighted to
continue to play host to a deeply important aspect of
our church life.
Striving to
keep the focus on sessions reflecting both fun and
spiritual activity has been a challenge, however with
the positive input and enthusiasm of the 8 or 9 young
people who regularly attend, Youth Church has moved
forward and fully reflected the vision of those
responsible for its inception. Recent months have seen
these young people develop role plays based on a
selection of parables, take the opportunity to share
favourite DVD clips and talk creatively about the
messages they represent, and commence determined
preparations for an upcoming opportunity to lead a
Sunday Club session attended by some of the younger
children of our church. We are proud of the amount of
effort and commitment shown by the children of Youth
Church and are determined to take it from strength to
strength. We can only do this however if we continue to
sustain this effort and commitment and see the existing
nucleus of young people swollen by the addition of
others. It is great fun, an opportunity for social
interaction, a time for creativity and a chance to enjoy
feeling the spirituality of our Lord in a relaxed and
informal environment.
God Bless to
all,
Claire Toole,
Colin Hedley, Jeremy Toole
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST
FAITH’S, HAVANT
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2008
Charitable Status.
In common with all other Church of
England PCCs, St Faith’s PCC has been recognised as a
charity for many years, but was exempt from the
requirement to register with the Charity Commission.
Under the terms of the Charities Act
2006, the Parochial Church Council (PCC), having an
annual income in excess of £100,000 is now required to
register with the Charity Commission; this registration
was submitted on 20 February 2009.
Incumbent.
St Faith’s has been in an Interregnum since the previous
incumbent, the Reverend David Gibbons, left the parish
on 31 July 2008 to take up an appointment abroad.
St Faith’s paid tribute to his
remarkable mission at St Faith’s and the vision that he
left as his legacy.
The process of finding a replacement
incumbent began in August 2008. The PCC chose to let
the Bishop nominate candidates, rather than advertising
nation-wide, the latter would have been at St Faith’s
expense. Having failed to identify a suitable
candidate, the Bishop advertised the post in November
2008 (at no cost to St Faith’s); two applicants were
interviewed but no appointment made. The Bishop then
nominated Canon Peter Jones: following successful
interviews and acceptance of the post, Peter will be
inducted at St Faith’s on 1 June 2009.
During the Interregnum, the church
affairs have been the responsibility of the two Church
Wardens. This has put a considerable workload on them
and the remainder of the PCC.
Church Staff.
The stipendiary and salaried staff team comprises an
incumbent (vacant since 1 August 2008), a full time
verger, a Director of Music (self-employed) and a part
time office administrator. There is also a Reader in
training just completing her first year in 2008.
2. OBJECTIVIES AND ACTIVITIES
The principle function of St Faith’s
PCC is promoting in the parish the whole mission of the
Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
St Faith’s PCC also has
responsibility for St Nicholas Chapel in Langstone and
the following properties which are either let on tenancy
agreements or hired on a regular or one-off basis:
·
Parish Hall complex, including Church
House and Coach House;
Christchurch Centre and Christchurch Bungalow,
Havant;
Nos 1 and 2 Churchfields, Havant.
The incumbent (when in post) and the
2 Churchwardens are also Trustees of the Church
Institute which is responsible for 2/4 North Street,
Havant.
Much of the time is spent on regular
church services, bereavement visits and visits to those
who are housebound, ill or in hospital.
In support of its objectives and
responsibilities, St Faith’s also runs a number of
groups and activities, including:
·
Sunday Club
·
Youth Church
·
Youth Club
·
Bible Study
·
Women’s reading group
·
A Prayer Group
·
Communion before Confirmation classes
·
Confirmation classes
·
Lent Groups
·
Men’s Group
·
Ladies Group
·
Art Group
·
Coffee mornings
·
Town Fair
·
Local School links.
2008 ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Church Attendance.
There are 148 parishioners on the
Electoral Roll of whom 29 are not residents within the
parish. In 2007, the Electoral Roll stood at 167 of
which 118 are on the current Roll; numbers were lost
through death and people moving away.
The average weekly attendance on a
‘normal’ Sunday in 2008 was 99, of which 19 were
children or young people. This increased at the Easter,
Christmas, Civic and Remembrance Day services; the
attendance on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (combined)
was 772.
These figures, together with
specifics for the month of October, are used by the
diocese to determine the parish share to be paid by St
Faith’s to support the running of the diocese.
The church choir has grown in recent
years and now consists of 12 choristers and 12 adults.
During 2008, there were 13 baptisms,
7 weddings and 7 funerals.
Ecumenical and Wider Church.
St Faith’s continued to take a full part in the life of
the Deanery and Diocese. There are two Deanery
representatives on Deanery Synod which meet four times
per year.
Charitable Support.
St Faith’s has continued to support two particular
missions: the missionaries in Sendai, Japan through the
ministry of Rod and Glenda Thomas under the auspices of
Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) and the parish of
St John the Divine, Nsawam, Ghana through the Inter
Diocesan West African Link (IDWAL), in which the
Portsmouth Diocese is linked to Ghana.
St Faith’s also supports a boy in
Boystown, India and has supported other charity
organisations nominated by the PCC.
Publicity and Communications.
“Faith Matters”, the monthly parish magazine, was
published like clockwork each month in 2008 as in
previous years. Each contained interesting and varied
articles, a “what’s on” feature, a crossword and a word
search. A summary of the meetings from the PCC, PDG and
BMC were also included. All of this came thanks to a
talented editor in Colin Carter. The magazine is self
supporting and gets its income from magazine sales and
advertisements. Circulation was around 175 copies per
month.
Colin is also the Website manager.
www.stfaith.com is very well established and
attracts interest and correspondence around the world.
It was maintained up to date throughout 2008.
The Bulletin continued to be produced
weekly for the Sunday services, highlighting events
taking place in the near future. It also contained the
readings for the 9.30 am Eucharist.
Development.
Throughout 2008, the PCC continued to pursue ambitious
and exciting plans already in place for the building of
a two-storied extension on the south side of St Faith’s
church, combined with a major refurbishment of the Hall
complex. It was intended that these would all be funded
by the sale of buildings and land in the parish estate.
Discussions and site inspections took
place about the church development with diocesan and
other agencies.
However, the major milestone of the
sale of the Christchurch centre was not achieved in
2008, despite significant effort and time spent in
negotiations with Bayview developers; progress has
subsequently been made for the letting and potential
ultimate sale of the Christchurch Centre to a Nursery.
A planning application for
development of Church House was submitted to Havant
Borough Council; planning permission was received in
November. In the light of the failed sale of the
Christchurch Centre (required to provide funds for this
development), the PCC decided to defer this activity
until funds are available.
A significant investment was made in
the development of music within the church by purchasing
a lovely new piano. Much time was spent by the Director
of Music and others in investigating the options.
Everyone is very pleased with the choice made.
Social and Fundraising Events.
2008 events included a Quiz night, Strawberry Tea, Burns
night, Harvest Supper, Barn Dance, a ‘Sing along a Sound
of Music’ and recently, a joint St Celia’s Day concert
with Bosmere Junior School in aid of funds for the
A-frame for the church piano.
As part of the policy to encourage
people to enter the building and churchyard, St Faith’s
also held a very successful Flower Festival where the
church was wonderfully decorated by not only members of
St Faith’s, but friends from other churches, community
groups and flower guilds and associations.
Monthly coffee mornings and the
annual Town Fair were also effective in inviting the
community into the church and raising funds for the
Restoration and Redevelopment Appeal.
4. 2008
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Management of the finances during the
year has been impacted by the resignation of the
previous treasurer and a gap of a couple of months
before appointment of a replacement. However, this has
been mitigated by the sterling efforts of Roger Simmons,
who has been diligently keeping the books, and Geoff
Porter, who has been equally diligent in paying all
presented bills.
In comparison with previous years,
2008 was significantly different, with an overall loss
of £16.5K on general activities (i.e. excluding
Restoration and Redevelopment) and £8K on Restoration
and Redevelopment.
The main factors are:
1) Reduced income from properties:
·
Christchurch Centre was empty
throughout 2008 (and remains empty)
Christchurch Bungalow was empty for 6 months from June
to December
(In 2006, the last year of full
rent, the Centre and Bungalow together gave an income of
£21,156).
2) ‘Extraordinary’ repairs and
purchases:
·
North Street property needed
significant repairs to get the flat to a fit state for
renting (approximately £13,500 - some of which is
claimable from tenants under the terms of the lease, but
only one tenant paid to date)
New piano purchased
(£4,689)
Other properties needed repairs, reflecting their age
and reduced maintenance over the past few
years.
Architects fees etc were due on the plans drawn up in
previous years (just over £16,000).
On the positive side, during the
interregnum the diocese reimburses the costs of visiting
clergy and they have taken on the letting of the rectory
and all costs associated.
Despite this loss, St Faiths
continued to pay all bills and the parish share promptly
and in full.
For 2008, the parish share at £40,946
represented approximately £8 per regular attendee per
week; much of this was in fact covered by the continued
generous giving by the Parishioners (approximately
£28,000). In addition, the hiring of properties
continued to provide valuable income (around £22,000).
For the Restoration and Redevelopment
appeal, the parishioners continued to put significant
time and effort into fundraising, raising a total of
just under £10,000. The Town Fair funds were slightly
down on previous years due to the inclement weather.
The general economic climate has had
a negative effect on some of our investments, with their
value decreasing in comparison with 31 December 2007.
The PCC is fully aware of the risk
factors involved in the running of church affairs and
continues to ensure that all our properties are
adequately insured, including public liability. We have
a Health and Safety policy which our offices follow and
have implemented the Disability Discrimination Act.
5.
RESERVES POLICY
It is the policy of the PCC to
maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves
of the PCC, at a level which equates to three months’
unrestricted expenditure. This provides sufficient
funds to cover parish management and administration as
well as the activities directly relating to the work of
the Church. Unrestricted funds were maintained at this
level prior to the transfer to restricted funds to cover
restoration costs. It is our policy to invest our funds
balances with the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund.
Helen Faulkner
Treasurer
Pursuant to a notice
given and posted near the church door, the Vestry and
Annual Parochial Church meeting, sitting together as
required by the Churchwardens (Appointments and
Regulation) Measure 1964, was held in St Faith’s Church
on Sunday, the Twenty Ninth Day of March 2009 for the
election of churchwardens
Dr Graham Frost,
Churchwarden, presided.
1 Apologies
Apologies for absence
were received from Mrs M Bracher, Mrs A Currie, Mr and
Mrs C Carter, Mr and Mrs W Skilleter, Prof and Mrs J
Stuart and Dr and Mrs C Warlow.
2
Minutes
The minutes of the Vestry
meeting held on 27 April 2008 were read by the Secretary
and signed by the Chairman as a complete record.
3
Election of Churchwardens
The Secretary reported
that he had received two nominations, both proposed and
seconded, for election to Churchwarden. No further
nominations had been received and therefore the Chairman
declared Dr Graham Frost and Prof Jan Stuart as
Churchwardens for the ensuing year.
There being no further
business, the Vestry meeting ended.
St Faith’s Church
Havant Annual Parochial Church Meeting 29 March 2009
The Annual Parochial
Church Meeting of St Faith’s Church, having been
convened, was this day, the Twenty Ninth Day of March
2009, held in St Faith’s Church at 11.00am. There were
38 people present.
1 Minutes
The minutes of the Annual
Parochial Church Meeting held on 27 April 2008, having
been previously circulated, were signed by the Chairman,
Dr Graham Frost, as a complete record.
2
Election to the Parochial Church Council and Deanery
Synod
We were entitled to 12
elected members to the PCC. Seven members remained on
the PCC under the three year rule. This left five
vacancies. Two members were seeking re-election and
their nominations had been proposed and seconded. These
were Jeremy Toole and Roger Bryant. Nominations had
been proposed and seconded for Helen Faulkner, Bill
Skilleter, both of whom had been previously elected to
the PCC, and Andrew Peacock. There being no further
nominations, these five were duly elected. Our two
Deanery Representatives, Michael Fluck and Sandra Haggan,
were still in post and no elections were necessary.
3
Appointment of Sidesmen
The meeting agreed that
the following would be re-appointed sidesmen for the
ensuing year:
Mrs A Bartholomew, Mr K
Bracher, Mrs S Creech, Mrs E Gilbert, Mr A Hakim, Mr A
Joyce, Mrs F Joyce, Mr M Little, Mr M Poliszczuk, Mrs D
Powell, Mrs V Rose, Mrs D Rowden, Mrs J Sagrott , Mrs V
Searle and Lt Col P Thomas.
4
Electoral Roll
Hilary Deadman, Electoral
Roll Officer, referred parishioners to her written
report. She pointed out that of the 154 people on the
revised electoral roll; only 117 lived in the parish
which was low given the size of the parish. She told
the meeting that a copy of the roll (names only) was
available to be seen. People acting as sidesmen should
be on the electoral roll. The Chairman thanked Hilary
for her work in revising the roll.
5
PCC Report
There were no questions
from parishioners about the PCC written report which had
been previously circulated. The PCC Secretary, Roger
Bryant, praised PCC members for their valued
contributions to the work of the committee.
6
Treasurer’s Report
Helen Faulkner,
Treasurer, explained the factors which led to losses of
£16.5K on general activities and £8K on Restoration and
Redevelopment in 2008. These included the loss of
income from Christ Church Centre and Bungalow, the
maintenance costs for our old properties, particularly
North Street, purchase of a new piano and loss of income
from investments because of the recession. However we
still received rents, £13,500 from fundraising, Havant
Fair and the Church Shop, and parishioners were still
contributing at church collections, direct debit and
gift aid. Helen reported that the Diocese would refund
to the parish the cost of visiting clergy during the
interregnum. She anticipated an excess in 2009,
particularly because of income from the letting of
Christ Church Centre and Bungalow. Helen thanked Daphne
Rowden, Angela Bartholomew, Sheila Creech and Liz
Gilbert for counting collections after services, Vicki
for banking them, Alan Hakim for his Stewardship work,
Colin Carter for keeping tracks of R& R funds, Roger
Simmons bookkeeping and Geoff Porter paying bills. The
Chairman thanked Helen for her work and expertise.
7
Written Reports
Parishioners considered
written reports on the following and were able to ask
questions: Buildings Management Committee; Property
Development Group; Communications; Choir; Health and
Safety; Deanery Synod; Child Protection; St Nicholas
Chapel; Young Believers Club; Sunday Club and Youth Club
8
Chairman’s Report
The Chairman gave the
following report:
“It is customary at this
point for the incumbent to report on the preceding year
in the life of the church. Whilst I don’t think that
it’s appropriate for me to do this, I would like to say
a big thank you to everyone involved in keeping St
Faith’s and St Nicholas alive during the interregnum.
Many people have contributed, continuing in their work
for our church; maintaining our pattern of worship,
serving the needs of our community, supporting our links
outside of the parish and doing the day-to-day business
needed to keep the wheels turning. It hasn’t all been
plain sailing but I think by working together during the
interregnum, we approach the time of Peter’s ministry
with a strong sense of community and fellowship in
faith, not too bruised, thankful that the interregnum
was brief and looking forward to a period of some
stability.”
9
Vote of Thanks
Peter Thomas responded
with the following vote of thanks:
“Now that our second
recent interregnum is coming to an end I, as an ordinary
member of the congregation, would like to propose a vote
of thanks to the members of the PCC and others who have
kept our church going so well. Headed by Jan Stuart,
our most able and relaxed Chairman and helped by Graham
Frost, we have our very professional Hon Treasurer who
has regularized our finances and our Hon Secretary who
has learned to use a computer and dispatches the minutes
of meetings while the seats are still warm. We also
have a magnificent Choir under the direction of Sylvia
Willey which goes from strength to strength as does our
exemplary magazine “Faith Matters” under Colin Carter’s
editorship. Ecclesiastically we have been kept on the
straight and narrow by Trevor and the ubiquitous
Sandra. The three children’s clubs: Sunday Club, Young
Believers and Youth Club, have continued to flourish
under their adult leaders. There are many others beside
who contribute and I cannot name them all but I would
like to commend our Verger, Vicki, who is always so
willing and helpful. Also Jenny Sagrott who may be seen
most days cleaning and polishing our church. Thanks to
you all for keeping us going.”
This was greeted with a
warm round of applause which concluded the meeting.
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