Annual Reports

St Marys Annual Report for 2011

1. Introduction & Welcome: Richard Lamey

Conscious that I’ve started every one of these reports in the same way I’ve thought hard about coming up with a different formula this time round… but I can’t. So let me say again, as usual, that it’s been another good and creative and enjoyable and exciting and rewarding and happy year in the life of St Mary’s, Newton and for that thanks be to God, and for that thank you as well, because it is only all of those things because of the people who make up the Church. Whenever I show classes of schoolchildren round the church building I am always careful to say that if they want to see the Church they should come on a Sunday morning because that is when the Church meet together. In a year when so much time and effort has gone into the Restoration Fund it’s important to nail that fact down- that we are the Church, together, and the reason St Mary’s continues to grow and flourish is because of you, and because of us.

There have, of course, been challenges and sadnesses in 2010. Specifically, while we have made great strides when it comes to our weekly finances under the wise and perceptive guidance of our Treasurers, Angela Chorlton and David Mayall, we still have a deficit in our budget and we are not meeting our Parish Share obligation. It needs to stay on our radar even in the midst of fundraising for the Restoration Fund.

And, amid the funerals which have taken place this year, two in particular touched St Mary’s Church. In May, Corporal Harvey Holmes was killed in action in Afghanistan while serving with 1 Mercian Regiment. He was very much a Newton lad, proud of his Cheshire roots. Four generations of his family are regular members of St Mary’s and it was a great privilege to host his military funeral, and to lay him to rest in our Cheshire churchyard. Then, in December, Gladys Pemberton died, 18 months after her husband Ernie. They were both stalwarts at St Mary’s for many decades and the choir stall doesn’t look right without her. She was reliable, trustworthy and kind. Reunited now with her beloved Ernie, may she, and all of the departed, rest in peace and rise with Christ in glory.

As you will read in the rest of the Report, 2010 was a good year for St Mary’s in many areas of life. Three stand out. One is a growing sense of people volunteering to take on more responsibility, to try new things, to explore new ideas. We have a Reader in training, and a number of new JAM leaders, and people wanting to get involved in other areas of Church life. New volunteers, new leaders, bring new ideas and allow other people to try new things in turn. It is an exciting process and a very healthy one. It is what a functional and confident Church is all about.

The second is the way the Church has got on with the Restoration Fund. A varied group of people have got together to look at things like fundraising and practicalities. We are, at the time of writing, about to finalise the project, having appointed builders: it is a major event in the life of St Mary’s and the process has been much more enjoyable than I’d expected. We’ve grown in confidence and coherence through focusing on this shared goal, striving to secure the future of the building and to pass it on to future generations.

The third has been the arrival of Annie Woodcock as the first Assistant Curate of St Mary’s in living memory, and certainly since the Second World War. It is an immense privilege for St Mary’s to have been asked to help to shape Annie for the rest of her priestly ministry, to settle her in good working habits and to give her a positive experience of parish life. She has already had a massive and positive impact on life at St Mary’s and she brings with her boundless energy and warm realism and a wonderful belief in the transforming power of God. She is already, less than a year into her Curacy, a wonderful asset. We are very fortunate to have her.

Every time I say that I’m Priest in Charge of St Mary’s I do so with real pride because what we share as a Church is unusual and special, and comes very close at times to fulfilling our call to be the Kingdom of God on earth.

“For all that has been- thanks. For all that is to come- yes.”

b. St Stephen’s, Flowery Field  

As mentioned last year, the PCC of St Stephen’s, Flowery Field (which was carved out of St Mary’s in the late 19^th Century) voted in January 2010 to explore the idea of making the Parish redundant. This is a lengthy process which we’re now coming to the end of. Throughout, the congregation at St Stephen’s have acted with immense patience and grace and faith.

The plan is that a final service will be held there in May 2011, and then that the parishes of St Stephen’s and St Mary’s will be united with one church building, at St Mary’s. The population of the parish of St Mary’s will then rise from 6,500 to 11,000. Our first responsibility will be to ensure that everyone who belonged to St Stephen’s finds a new Church to be part of. After that, our job will be to make sure that the people of Flowery Field know that St Mary’s is their Church and that we are here to serve them.

c. GAP (Growth Action Planning)

2010 was the first year of GAP, an annual process set up by the Diocese to encourage Churches to engage with planning. Each year every Church is asked to set three achievable and measurable goals for the year ahead, and to assess how far the previous targets were met. Our 2010 targets were these: 

1. Look hard at the work we do with children and young people to build on the good things we already have and to attract new members.
2. In a time of change in the Deanery, and with a Curate coming to join us, to keep our focus on the things we do well, to ensure that we continue to grow in faith and numbers. 
3. We will continue to strive to increase our income, and our Parish Share payment out of that income: and we will constructively advocate a fair Parish Share system in the Diocese.  

We have engaged well with each of these targets. We have built up our Sunday morning provision for children and young people, we have continued to grow as a Church, and we have increased our plate and planned giving while offering new ideas to the Diocese on Parish Share. We have not in any sense ‘finished’ these things but we have moved forward.

In March 2011 the PCC agreed the GAP targets for the coming year, and Annie preached on them as well. They are:

1. To complete the fundraising for the Turrets Restoration Appeal, and to thank people properly for their efforts and generosity, and to look ahead to future projects.
2. To take our imminent responsibility for the parish of St Stephen’s seriously and to make a good start. This means both making sure that everyone from St Stephen’s finds a new Church to be part of, and beginning to make ourselves known in Flowery Field.
3. To continue to think about teaching and education in the Parish, building on what has started in the last few months. This will look at both courses aimed for Church members and for newcomers/ enquirers.

We will be looking at some other things as well, like our welcome. But the main point of GAP is that is helps us to focus our attention on a few areas of Church life each year. And GAP helps us to think as a Church about what it means to be a Church, and to serve God. And these are areas we can enter into with confidence, because of what we already excel at, which is welcome and support and encouragement. It is a real joy and pleasure to be part of St Mary’s.

2. Ministry Matters

a. The Parish Reader:  Linda Marshall

The Holy Spirit is at work, and it is wonderful to be part of St. Mary’s at this time.  Throughout this year I have continued to preach regularly and help to lead services.  We have held Evensong regularly each month from Easter to Advent, experiencing a variety of different styles of worship and music.

Also I have had the immense privilege of leading Communion by Extension.

I continue to update my Reader Ministry by attending courses run by the Diocese and during the year I have been on courses for Baptism, Ministry for the Sick, Children’s Ministry and GAP. God has a role for each one of us at St. Mary’s and I pray that we will all be open to His calling.

b.The Curate:  Annie Woodcock

Since ordination in July and coming to serve the Parish and the people of St. Mary’s Newton life has been challenging, exciting, sometimes exhausting but thoroughly enriching and inspiring.  Working alongside Richard Lamey has been a privilege and I am aware of a transformation within me that is due to excellent leadership and pastoral care.

Moving to Bennett Street has been such an important part of living incarnationally.  I have had the privilege of not just serving and getting to know the Church family but I am also building new relationships with neighbours, local shopkeepers, with the local Police and with members of other Churches and faith communities.

As you may know my husband Tom is just about to be deployed to Afghanistan with the Territorial Army and we appreciate the love and prayers from the people of St. Mary’s at this time and over the next 6 months.  It has also been lovely to get to know Richard and Becca and the children, they have indeed shown us so much love and hospitality.

As for the ‘job’ as Deacon, well it certainly has been a very steep learning curve.  I have had the privilege of conducting funerals, baptisms, leading, preaching and participating in Church services, Bible Study Groups and am usually alert and enthusiastic about the many meetings that are essential to Church life.  I’ve also visited people at home and taken communion to local nursing homes and to the homes of those unable to get to Church.

I have enjoyed updating the Safeguarding policy and working closely with the children and young people’s leaders in looking at the vision of St Mary’s Church for children and young people.  I am amazed at the enthusiasm and dedication of all the volunteers who also share this vision.

I have spent time with the local police and looking to improve crime prevention in Newton, which has also led to good networking opportunities.

Alongside my serving the community and working, I continue to study and have to produce essays and profiles about Newton and Mission opportunities at St. Mary’s.

I can’t thank the people of St Mary’s enough for their love, kindness and patience. You really have made what has been a huge change for me a delightful and enjoyable adventure.  I look forward to being part of the journey as the Church goes from strength to strength and as we are transformed more and more into the likeness of the One we serve. 

3. Church Officers

a.  The Churchwardens:  Barry Carey & Margaret Lomas

i. General Report

The fabric of the Church Building continues to raise concern with the defects identified (by our Architect) in the West End Turrets. However, we have been very fortunate in obtaining a Stage 1 Grant, from The English Heritage Lottery Fund, to carry out a professional survey and submit plans and specification to invite Tenders for the restoration work. Following this, we have received in principal a Stage 2 Grant as a partial cost towards carrying out the restoration work, but a considerable amount of the project cost, will have to be found by ourselves.

We continue to implement our detailed maintenance plan to monitor the condition of the building, both by outside tradesmen and our own church volunteers.  Electric Wiring problems have arisen in the Chancel with the Lighting.  Temporary repairs have been carried out, but a limited amount of re-wiring will be required in the near future.

We are still experiencing Surface Water problems in the South West corner of the Graveyard and footpath.  This is being further investigated in conjunction with TMBC Engineers Dept. to find a solution.

The new Remembrance Garden for Ashes Burial is now established and in use.

Many Church Volunteers have re-decorated the Ashton Room which is greatly improved and very Child Friendly.

A blue folder containing Rotas and Sunday Duty Lists is in place at the back of the church and replaces the original Notice Board.

During the past year, health and safety checks and risk assessments have been carried out. Also all Inspections and Surveys in line with our Policies and procedures in relation to Child Protection, Electrical, Gas, Fire precautions and Public Insurances have also been implemented.

The Church Wardens wish to again record their thanks for the assistance of our deputy Warden, Richard Worsell, the support of the Sidesemen and Women and the dedication of the church cleaning team which are all vital in making things run so smoothly both on Sundays and during the week.

ii. Quinquennial Inspection  

A Quinquennial Inspection (which has to happen every five years) was carried out by our approved church architect, Andrew Kepczyk of Lloyd Evans Prichard, in December 2010 and a Comprehensive Report was submitted to the PCC.

The report highlighted problems with the chancel and organ loft roofs at the East End of the Church, which we are aware of from previous surveys and which will need to be the subject of a further Grant Application to English Heritage once the Tower Turret Restoration Project has been completed. The Architect also recommended we should instruct a structural engineer to carry out a Survey on several areas of Identified Movement within the Building Structure. 

It was, however, encouraging that the Timber Specialist Inspection within the Quinquennial Report did not highlight any serious deterioration or infection within the Main Nave Roof Trusses.  We must continue to monitor the whole of the roof area over the next 5 years and carry out repairs as and when required.  It is also recommended as a matter of urgency that we address any Leaking Gutters & Downspouts to prevent any ingress of water or dampness into the Church Fabric.

For those who want to find out more, the full Report is readily available and can be read upon request to the Church Wardens.

iii. Turrets Restoration Fund: Dave Mayall & Barry Carey

In order to ensure that the PCC has time to consider other matters, fundraising for the towers project has been delegated to a subcommittee, consisting of clergy and treasurers, and a small number of additional members with special expertise.

The subcommittee has met bi-monthly, and has made great progress towards securing additional grant funding beyond the English Heritage principal grant.

The task of the subcommittee has been made easier by the enthusiasm with which a number of members of the congregation have set to work on their own fundraising efforts, the great success of the “Sponsor a Stone” appeal (which has completely sold out) and a substantial legacy from Corporal Harvey Holmes.

Whilst we don’t yet have every penny of the money needed to do the job in the Bank, and whilst we have had to delay some payments to the Diocese to ensure that we don’t suffer a cash flow problem, we are confident that we will raise every penny needed to restore the Turrets and the West End roof of the Church.

Tenders have now been returned by four nominated Specialist Contractors approved by our Church Architect.  The figures submitted have been evaluated against the Quantity Surveyor’s original costs and a Contractor, whose price is within the Project Budget, has been provisionally selected.

All Applications, Drawings and Specifications have now been submitted to English Heritage within the required time-scale and we now await confirmation of their original “In Principal” grant offer, for Stage 2 of our Restoration Project.

It is anticipated that final approval will be received within the next 2 months and, coupled with the Diocesan Faculty, this will then enable the project to commence during the summer months, probably from the middle of May 2011.

I cannot finish without mentioning the work done by Barry Carey in liaising with the architects, builders and Dioscesan bodies to ensure that we get the necessary approvals, and that work begins this summer.

b.  The PCC Treasurers:  Dave Mayall & Angela Chorlton

In presenting an overview of our finances at last year’s annual meeting, it was our projection that during 2010 there would be a further large shortfall in income compared to expenditure, and this has proved to be the case.

Whilst this is, of course, a matter for concern, particularly with our dwindling reserves, it is in line with expectations. However our expectation for the current and subsequent years is that the situation will begin to improve.

We have now seen the last of the large increases in parish share demands (the amount we have to pay to the Diocese), and this should now increase year on year by inflation only, with the prospect of a small reduction when we formally become responsible for the enlarged parish.

Expenditure has been kept under tight control, and we are confident that there is little or no wastage, with regular reviews of all expenditure to ensure best value for money. Unfortunately, in the year ahead, it is inevitable that the cost of heating and lighting will increase, and we expect to have to pay around £500 more in 2011 than in 2010. It is, however, a necessary expense, to ensure that St Mary’s is a church that can offer a warm welcome in a literal as well as a spiritual sense, no matter what the weather.

Giving has, even in a difficult economic climate, increased, and it is clear that the people of St Mary’s increasingly understand the need for sacrificial rather than token giving. The willingness to go the extra mile in supporting our special efforts to raise money to restore the turrets gives us cause to be cautiously optimistic for the future.

Gift Aid remains a significant contributor to our finances, and here there is a worry. The start of the new tax year on April 6^th brings an end to the transitional relief on gift aid, which drops from 28p to 25p in the pound, cutting our income from this source by around 10%. More than ever, it is important that we claim every penny we can. If you pay tax on salary or pension, and you haven’t already signed a gift aid form (or if you aren’t sure whether you have or not), now is a good time to sign the form.

(NB: the 2010 Accounts are available as a separate booklet).

c.  The PCC Secretary:  Dave Mayall

The PCC has met quarterly over the past year and occasionally after the service on Sunday morning to deal with urgent matters, and all meetings have been well attended.

Whilst the project to restore the towers has been on the agenda throughout, and has rightly received a good deal of attention, this has not been at the expense of other matters.

In particular, we have engaged with the Dioscesan “GAP” (Growth Action Planning) process to look at how we can continue to grow St Mary’s year on year, looking at growing membership, how we  can build on our excellent work with young people, and how we can address our finances.  At the end of the first year, we have achieved some of our targets, and made some progress towards others, giving us a solid foundation from which to embark on our new targets for year two.

d.  The Deanery Synod Reps:  Linda Marshall & Ian Marshall

Linda and I have attended a number of meetings of the Deanery Synod at which we have heard from a number of guest speakers. These have included Janice Mason (Head of the Diocesan Department of Social Responsibility) on how parishes can best reach out into the community, and Alison Cox (St Mark’s, Dukinfield) on the benefits of a parish website or magazine. It’s always good to see how different churches do things and to meet people from other local churches, and to hear what is going on in the area.

In addition, Synod invited parish representatives to share one bad and two good things that have been happening in their parishes.  I am looking forward to our turn, which is coming soon.

e.  The Electoral Roll Officer:  Lynn Keeley

We have had a really successful year with regard to increases in our Electoral Roll.  It is really pleasing to find that at the moment the figure stands at 106. The numbers have been increasing steadily over the last few years, but this has been the largest increase so far. In 2007 the number was 84. Sadly, Gladys Pemberton died at the end of last year and therefore has been removed from the Roll. 

4. Parish Life

a. The Parish Hall:  Barry Carey

The Hall has been extensively used by many groups in our community, including several Sunday Afternoon Birthday Bookings.  Over the past year rentals for the use of the hall has generated a small surplus to supplement church income.

We refurbished the kitchen area and ladies toilets during the August holiday period, thanks to the commitment and skill of a team of willing volunteers.

The hot air heating plant installed in l984 has been completely re-built by the manufacturers and should now be serviceable for many years to come.

Health and Safety aspects within the hall are monitored on a regular basis with Annual Inspection and tests on Gas, Electricity, Pest Control, Fire Fighting Equipment and Portable Appliances being carried out and recorded, in line with current legislation.

Cleaning the Hall, Toilets and Kitchen has been carried out to a high standard on a twice weekly basis. We must extend our thanks to Larraine Ramsden for her commitment.

b. The Social Committee:  Mavis Evans

The Committee are pleased to say that the events arranged throughout the year seemed to be enjoyed by all attending. We particularly wish to thank our friends, for their help and support in the preparation of planned activities, without their willingness to share the heavy load, the happy times spent together might not be able to take place, and would certainly not be as much fun! Highlights of 2010 would include…

9^th Feb    Social Evening sharing pancakes and Quiz Competition which can be quite hilarious or daunting depending on the team you happen to be on.  Keeping up with the Jones’s is not an easy task.  Richard (our Vicar) keeps us well under control – thank goodness, and manages the Raffle very well.

26^th June The Strawberry Tea is a nice way to spend an afternoon with family and friends and catch up on the news of people we haven’t seen for a while.  The Cake Stall/Bring and Buy and Raffle seem to remain as popular as ever. The money raised comes in handy too!

5^th September we shared a very nice Patronal Weekend together, with a delicious BBQ at Woodside Farm. The weather seemed to turn good for us and it was nice to see Families/Friends/Neighbours joining in the fun and games and enjoying the swimming pool/music etc.   Everyone worked really hard to make the event successful.  Our grateful thanks to everyone and in particular to Barry & Kathleen for their kindness in allowing us to hold the celebration at Woodside Farm and the use of the swimming pool, which was a great attraction for everyone.

11^th September  It was nice that Church Members/Friends and Tuesday Friendship Club Members all enjoyed a trip out to see the show Jesus Christ Superstar, at the Plaza Theatre, Stockport.  The show was performed by Romiley Operatic Society and they were excellent.

12^th November Again Church and Friendship Club members and friends from the community joined us in a visit to see a Variety Fashion Show in support of Help the Heroes.  The show was organised by Christina Howard (a member of St Mary’s) who worked extremely hard making all the dresses and masterminding the whole event.  Some Church members modelled dresses in the show, members of our committee attended rehearsals which took place in the Parish Hall.  Our job was brewing-up when needed.

4^th December In support of the Wellspring Charity we again joined our Tuesday Friendship Club Members on a visit to the Plaza Theatre, Stockport, to see The Spirit of Christmas, a variety show introduced by Gordon Burns from BBC TV. The show was excellent and was enjoyed by all who attended.

c.  St Mary’s Meanderers: Sandra & Richard Worsell

We are still going strong and have about 7 members.  Depending on the weather and creaking joints we have about four who walk every Monday.

We have walked the Longdendale Trail, Ladybower Reservoir, canals in Marple, Cheshire Ring, Hobson Moore, Stalybridge Moors, Hollingworth Lake (the chips are to die for!) Clevelys, Crosby, Lyme Park,  Etherow Park and Coombes Rock (that’s a killer).

We sometimes end up at a pub, our favourites being The Railway in Marple, The Rising Moon on Mackley Lane, a Coffee Shop in Romiley (we usually trawl the Charity Shops when we are in Romiley!) and a lovely cafe in Hadfield.  Most of the time we take a packed lunch with hot coffee, and cupp-a-soups in winter. Everybody enjoys the walks and the company and any new members will be made very welcome.

d. The Tuesday Friendship Club:  Pat Leigh

The Friendship Group over the last 12 months has proved to be a very happy group to belong to.  Membership has increased once again and we have seen a busy programme during the year. After attending many meetings and making several applications for funding we were granted the substantial amount of £2990.  This has enabled the club to enjoy days out and trips to shows with transport.

In February we helped Mr & Mrs Ogden celebrate their 60^th wedding anniversary by all going to lunch at the Queens Hotel in Guide Bridge.  Other days out have been to Rivington Hall Barn for lunch and afternoon entertainment, and our annual visit to Oswaldtwistle Mill for Christmas Lunch and shopping.  In the Parish Hall we have enjoyed cheese and wine, hotpot lunch, keep fit, bingo, flower arrangement, gap puppets, craft and many interesting speakers, ending with a great Christmas party with lunch and an artist during which we raised money towards the church restoration fund.

During the summer our members were invited to a day out free of charge to Tatton Park Garden Show, where we met the Newton Group who had won 3^rd prize in the garden competition.  It was fantastic.

We have invited members from Bradley Green Centre to enjoy days out with us and they came to the Christmas show at Stockport Plaza, which was in aid of Well Spring and was hosted by Gordon Burns from the BBC.

It is very much appreciated that we have so much help in getting the room ready for our meetings with the setting out of tables, chairs and kitchen.  Thank you to all who put so much effort into making our club work.

e. Church Choir:  Sara Burgess

The Choir have been working very hard.  We have learnt some new songs and perfected some that we have been practising for a long time.  We will begin rehearsals again when the clocks change.  So if you fancy joining us to learn the songs we sing in Church come along.  Keep your eye on the bulletin for time and place.

We always welcome new ideas too, so if there is a song you have heard somewhere and want to hear it at St. Mary’s, then let us know.

f.  Church Cleaners: Christine Barr

There are 5 regular cleaners who clean the Lord’s House every six to seven weeks on a Monday morning.  A few other ladies come on an irregular basis.  We really need about six regular workers to do everything we need to do. Do come along!

The Ashton Room has been repainted, thank you to all those who organised and participated in that labour of love.  Thank you also to the faithful and regular cleaners.            

g.  PACT (Pastoral and Care Team):  Richard Lamey

The Pastoral and Care Team has had a busy year, and done an amazing amount of good. St Mary’s is very good, I think, at watching out for people and dropping in on people and being friends to people. It is that sort of community and Newton is that sort of place. But sometimes it’s important that people receive a formal visit on behalf of the whole Church and sometimes it’s important that someone trained in listening makes the visit and that is where the members of the PaCT fit in.

Clearly every relationship and every visit is different, but the members of the PaCT are characterised by selflessness and service. They give up whole days to take people to hospital. They ring people regularly, and offer support, and visit and encourage. They take on a certain level of responsibility for the people on their list and put others first. It is a really important part of what we do at St Mary’s. The PaCT acts as a kind of safety-net and a guarantee of presence. It is quiet and understated, but very important, and one of the best things about St Mary’s.

h.  St. Mary’s Website – John Hambilton

Our website (stmarysnewton.org.uk) is popular and attractive, and a really important way for people to find out more about St Mary’s and what happens there. Since we started collecting website statistics 9 months ago, the Church website has had over 1200 visits and an average of 85 different visitors each month. 

The most popular pages are the photos, the calendar, the annual report and the notices. The Home Page is ranked first when searched for in Google.

New content is being added regularly.  Recently we’ve updated the information about the activities for children, added sermons and featured links and information about initiatives such as E100 and recommended devotional/study resources.

5.  Youth and Children’s Work

a.  JAM, for Reception to Yr 6:  Dawn Alston

I am very pleased to say that JAM is growing from strength to strength, the number of children attending is growing each week.  I am not surprised as the word spreads about the fun and exciting things that we get up to each week.

The JAM children had a lovely surprise on the 25^th July when we had a puppet theatre to perform for us with the theme on Friendship.  When the children came back into Church they were very excited indeed.  They performed a very fast and wacky song for the rest of the congregation too.

Saturday 25^th September was the day of our annual outing.  This year we decided to have a change and take the children to Kiddie Kaos (Which was just as well, because the weather wasn’t really that nice).  The children had lots of fun playing on the big slides, the ball pools and on the giant climbing frames and walls.  The children had a special treat with lunch in the Red Dinosaur Room with time to have a dance to the party music. What an energetic day!

Harvest Festival this year was on October 3^rd.  The children brought many gifts which they took to the front of Church and then stayed in Church for the whole of the service which was led by Richard.  Three children took part as we had to think of people who are less fortunate than ourselves.  Activities were on hand at the back of Church on a similar theme.  The children then learnt a new song with actions and had a little help from the congregation.

December 18^th Christmas Party – Games with prizes, Disco and lots of delicious food.  It was lovely to see our children sitting together enjoying their very special day celebrating Christmas with lots of fun and laughter.  To end the afternoon there was a visit from Father Christmas who was lovely with the children, giving them his time to talk with them and posing for photos.

December 19^th Nativity – A lot of children attended our Nativity and everyone wanted to take part, which was lovely to see. Thank you to Geisel for organising them and making sure everyone was in the right place at the right time.

b. SMYLE, for Yrs 5 to 11:  John & Karen Leigh, & Charlotte Alston

The Youth Group, aimed at school years 5 and above, is called SMYLE (St Mary’s Young Lively and Energetic).  The Group now in its sixth year, meets every Sunday between 6.30 and 8.00pm and every fortnight during Morning Service.

Last May , for the Quinta Weekend organised by the Diocese of Chester.  This is a weekend especially for anyone in school years 7 to 11.  The theme was “Storyline”.  We explored the story time of Jesus and how we play a part within it.  SMYLE were invited to create a banner with the story line of our Youth Group – how it started and right up to date.  The other Youth Groups were very impressed with the variety of activities that go on and we made many friends who we are hoping to see again this year.

Just to give you an idea of some of our activities during last year (apart from our usual Bingo, Beetle Drive, Table Tennis and Dodge Ball to name a few) – we had a lost ferret during Frisbee Golf, and SMYLE’s efforts to reunite it with its owners will be remembered for a long time, as will our attempt at American Baseball which involved a pair of oven gloves – this would convince most of the world why the British play football and not baseball.

We did have a group attending an open day at Stalybridge Archery Club and are very proud of Hannah, who liked it so much that she has taken it up and become a member.  Robin Hood beware!  Also we went on a visit to Manchester Museum in November and our regular Ten Pin Bowling in December, and we now have a new champion in Faye.

The boys have a regular football spot every Sunday and we are looking for teams to play.  We have been invited by St. George’s Youth Group for a Social Evening and will invite them to St. Mary’s during the summer.

A very important part of our group involves a spiritual side where we talk about God, prayer, and the way we act because we are Christians.  During the year, in our regular Sunday morning meeting, we have discussed among other topics – friendship, the importance of laughter, animals in the Bible, special services held at Church and, in our most recent session, how God gave us a message to share and not to keep to ourselves:

            “The Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost” Luke 19: 1-10

We intend to have more special outings in the next twelve months and the Group Leaders are looking forward to another successful year.

c.  Child Protection:   Sara Burgess

Annie and I have written the new Safeguarding Children Policy and generally tightened up procedures regarding safeguarding which was approved by the PCC in March 2011.  The policy has been written using the latest policies and research to ensure that our policy includes the very latest documents from the Government and the Church of England.

We have organised first aid training for some and also safeguarding training for everyone who works with our children. We have also created an ongoing data base to keep a record of CRB checks and training received, and generally come up with a more effective system of record keeping.  This data base will be checked and updated on a rolling program. All of this is important because it is about keeping our children and young people safe while giving them a really positive experience of Church at St Mary’s.

d. Local Schools: Richard Lamey

My involvement in local schools really comes in three areas- the structural, me in School and Schools in Church.

I am a Governor at Bradley Green and the Vice-Chair of Governors at Oakfield Primary School. This means a certain number of meetings but also a real sense of involvement in Schools from St Mary’s.

I also take about eight assemblies a year in each of the schools, which is rarely dull and always entertaining, and go into school to talk about God and my job whenever asked.

Both of the Schools also come into St Mary’s regularly. There is usually a Christmas and Easter Service there, and individual classes come in to study the stained glass or the key features of a church, or even to act out a wedding and a baptism.

Members of the Friendship Club have also gone along to Bradley Green to see Christmas plays, and we hope to build on that link in the future.

All in all, the links between St Mary’s and the two County Primary Schools in the Parish are strong and settled and mutually enriching, and they should only deepen in the years ahead.