Annual Parish Meeting 9 March 2007
Thanks
As Rector of The Parish Church of Chorley, St Laurence I am delighted to again be able to report that we have had a successful year.
There are of course many ways to identify success. Church attendance and Finance are two tangible ways often used by dioceses and media to identify whether a Church is successful or not. As will be seen from the attendance figures we are able to show an increase both in our regular and occasional attendance figures. Hywel will present these figures and explain the tables and graphs which are provided to the meeting. The Treasurer will likewise present the finance report, which will show the success of the 2007 Stewardship campaign.
But for me success is to be found in less tangible but non the less real ways. Success for example can be seen in the way that the officials and people of this Church have continued to seek to grow spiritually and in which they work together in the best interest of Christ and his Church. This is evidenced in the numbers of people who have engaged in the Christian education courses which have been provided and in the way that people have cooperated with each other during my recent illness. It is seen in new ventures such as the creation of a new library and an effective re-launch of the web site.
Whilst the concept of collaborative ministry is much bandied about within the Church of England it is often more talked of than practised. The reality of collaboration within St Laurence however was much in evidence during the period whilst I have been ill following my cancer operation. This Church has continued to thrive and grow without me. And I thank God for that. It shows how effectively and efficiency people have worked together with Hywel and the Wardens in the common interest. A particular thanks must be given to them for responding so magnificently to the extra work which was laid upon them during my absence.
I also thank those who helped in the conduct of worship during that period. Canon Barrett, Tim Wilby, Chris Houghton and Susie Mapledoram, ably supported by Phil Staziker and his young team of servers and as ever by Alan Winstanley, the choir and the Music Group. Together they maintained the high liturgical standard and facilitated the large numbers of people, which we have come to expect at Christmas.
But, many more people deserve the thanks of this APM for we continue to be blessed by the input of many people into the life of the parish.
I always run the risk of omitting people who deserve thanks.
Nonetheless I thank the Wardens, PCC Secretary, PCC Councillors, the Church Officers, Parish Administrator, Treasurer, the officers of the various Church groups along with Susie our Town Youth Worker.
I am also aware that behind the scenes a lot of quiet sustained work is done every week by many people (The Fettling group, The Tuesday Fellowship Group, etc.)
Under the dedicated Sunday School teachers it continues to grow as does Tots Praise under the guidance of Kath Bentley. Our Youth Organisations meet and prosper on a Sunday evening under their committed leaders. I give thanks to those who have stepped down from leadership Kath and Bob Sharples, Rowena Pryor, Donald and Jane Brooks, Diane Aldridge, and Peter Beardsmore, and we welcome with pleasure the new leaders Joan Hayward, Kate Cree, Tim Brampton, Susie Mapledoram, Ben Davies and Julie Jotejko. Changes are now in hand regarding the structure of our Youth Work, and the PCC has explored whether a full time youth worker might be employed. The work goes on midweek with our Uniformed Organisation Youth Leaders continuing to serve our youngsters in Brigade, Guides Brownies and Rainbows.
I am delighted that the clock is now working once more, and appreciate the support of our Captain of the Tower in facilitating that as well as leading our stalwart band of bell ringers.
Of key importance also is the Safe From Harm Officer, and I thank Tim Brampton for his dedicated work throughout this past year since he took over from Peter Mason.
This last year involved a stewardship challenge, and I give fulsome praise to the Stewardship Team. New members of that team built on the good work of the past to enable a successful campaign to be organised.
Our civic and wider town responsibilities, although imposing extra work, give to the Church the opportunity of witnessing to our faith. That witness is also evidenced in outreach ventures such as our Voucher Scheme for tramps and the provision of free Christmas Dinners. I thank Ed Fisher and his team of helpers for the successful 2007 Christmas dinner provision.
We are fortunate in having so many people who are part of our core ministry and whose faithfulness and diligence helps to make this a successful Church. There are people who clean the Church, serve coffee and tea etc. etc. The list goes on and on. I thank these and all whose work is so essential to the well being of the parish.
I thank all who have served in office during 2007 and give particular thanks to those who are stepping down after their period in office.
We will bid farewell to other office holders and will welcome others who will be appointed at today’s APM and at the next PCC.
This year our Wardens have had to deal with a number of additional duties. Recent problems with an alcoholic tramp have required requests for frequent visits from the police. I personally have appreciated their concern and support for me during a period where my health has caused problems.
I have in fact been overwhelmed by the wealth of goodwill, the prayers and the Christian love which has been shown towards Jenny and me in what has been a difficult period for us.
In a large Church such as ours it is easy to identify areas where more could be done by the Church. But, as is often the case in voluntary bodies, we can only achieve what is possible because of the time and talents which are given to the Church by our parishioners.
Our church has continued to see growth in attendance, and I pay due credit to Hywel our curate who has worked hard and diligently to help that growth to take place.
Future Changes?
Our organist has now served this Parish faithfully and diligently for 25 year without a break. He has given notice that he will be having a sabbatical during 2008. We shall miss him during the period he is not at his organ stool, and we will look forward to his return.
To our delight 2008 will also see our ordinand Polly Mason ordained as deacon in the Cathedral on the last weekend in June after which she will serve as curate in St George's Parish here in Chorley. Our good relationship with our sister parish in the town is also evidenced in our pleasure at having welcomed Canon Barrett and his wife Joslyn to become part of our Church family here in St Laurence.
The stated intention of the Bishop to reduce the number of clergy in the diocese is creating tensions in this Deanery, as also in the wider diocese. The Bishop can only act to reduce staff when there is a vacancy. I cannot but believe that a Church as large, vital, active and effective such as ours will be provided with a priest when I eventually retire. However we cannot rest on our laurels. It is important that we continue to be as successful in the coming year 2008- 9 as we have in 2007 and the years since I arrived.
Our mission Statement
Our mission statement remains
1 To be a caring Church;
2 To be an evangelising Church;
3 To be a worshipping Church.
In the coming months the PCC will be revisiting the above Mission Statement in preparation of our 2008 report to the Bishop on the MAP process.
As Rector I give thanks to God for allowing me the privilege of serving this parish and thank all of you, the people of God here in St Laurence, for your love and support to Jenny and to me.
John Cree
10th Feb 08