THE RADCLIFFE TEAM THE PARISH OF ST THOMAS AND ST JOHN WITH ST PHILIP’S COMMUNITY CENTRE

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2014

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The Radcliffe Team Ministry Parish of St Thomas and St John with St Philip Radcliffe Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31 December 2014

CONTENTS page Aim and purposes Objectives and activities Achievements and performance Financial review Volunteers Structure, governance and management Administrative information Declaration Financial statements Independent Examiner’s report to the PCC as Trustees Electoral Roll Report Churchwardens’ Annual Report APPENDICES Persons appointed as sidespersons Report of Radcliffe and Prestwich Deanery Synod Report of Radcliffe and Prestwich Deanery Mission and Pastoral Committee and 4-Parish Steering Group Reports: St John’s Church of England Primary School; Ladies who Lunch Reports: Operation Christmas Child; Traidcraft Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Consecration of the church Reports: Sunday School; Health and Safety Reports: Study Groups; Regular Coffee Mornings Report: Meetings for prayer and worship outside Sunday Eucharists Reports: Care and Friendship; Mothers’ Union Report: Baby and Toddler Time Reports: Porch Boxes; Missionary Group Reports: Christingle; Pilgrimage Report: Child Protection Report: Christian Aid Report: ROC Radcliffe Report: St Philip’s Sunday Worship

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3 3 3 6 6 7 7 9 10 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

Aim and purposes St Thomas and St John’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is specifically responsible for the maintenance of the church building, St Philip’s Community Centre and the former curate’s house at 6 Poolfield Close, Radcliffe. Objectives and Activities The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship in church and at St Philip’s Community Centre, and to become part of our parish community. It maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services and other activities can involve the many groups who live within the parish. Our worship and other activities put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. We promote and provide services, pastoral, practical and financial support to many in accordance with the imperatives of our faith: to love God and love our neighbour. When planning our activities for the year, the incumbent and PCC have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:  worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus  provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish  missionary and outreach work. To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric of the church building, and of other buildings in our care viz. St Philip’s Community Centre and 6 Poolfield Close (curate’s house, presently let privately in the absence of church need). Achievements and Performance Overview During the year under review, the Team Rector, the Reverend Christopher Brown, resigned as at 25 April, his last service being on 30 March, Mothering Sunday. The parish was enormously fortunate to be offered the temporary support of a non-stipendiary minister (NSM). On 30 April, the Reverend Elizabeth Binns was licensed to the Radcliffe Team as Associate Priest. Throughout the rest of the year, supported by our Team Vicar, the Reverend Carol Hayden, and by the Archdeacon and Area Dean, work has been ongoing to decide the future pattern of ministry in Radcliffe and Ainsworth, within which St Thomas and St John’s Church will operate, and then to undertake any necessary recruitment. As part of the necessary Deanery Review, to take account of the developing situation in Radcliffe, the PCC agreed to move towards a new Team of four equal parishes (ourselves, St Mary Radcliffe, St Andrew Radcliffe, Christ Church Ainsworth). This was accepted by the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee which endorsed the moves towards a new Team, accepted that the Team would be served by three stipendiary ministers as well as by non-stipendiary and lay ministers, and that recruitment to the stipendiary vacancy could proceed. As part of the process, the Bishop suspended presentation to the living on 6 May. Parish representatives have participated in the ongoing work through a Radcliffe Steering Group, the Deanery Mission and Pastoral Committee, and a group set up to write the Parish Profiles that would underpin recruitment. 3|Page

Towards the end of the review year, the PCC petitioned the Archdeacon and Bishop’s Leadership Team to allow Elizabeth to remain associated with this parish. Subsequent to the end of the year, the Archdeacon has indicated agreement to such a move. Discussions are continuing, with a need to develop consensus amongst the four parishes on the way forward. The worship and activities of the Church have continued during the year. Reports from many groups and on many activities are included as appendices. A major theme throughout the year was the Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Consecration of the present church building. Amongst the reports is one which gives details of all that was done, incorporating  visits by the then recently appointed Bishop of Manchester, by the Bishop of Bolton, by the Archdeacon, by the Reverend Chich Hewitt, a former Team Rector, and by the Reverend Barry Newth, a former Vicar  commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War One  such new initiatives as a Pets’ Service at St Francis-tide. A financial surplus was made. Moves were continuing at year end to obtain all necessary consents for a civic window, formerly in the Radcliffe town hall, to be installed in church. The PCC intends that those attending services and events should have a safe and accessible environment. The Health and Safety Policy was revised during the year, although there is more to do. Considerations of a permanent ramp into church to improve accessibility have been ongoing throughout the year, and have yet to be completed. Worship and Prayer Sunday worship has continued to be based on services of Holy Communion at the parish church and at St Philip’s Community Centre where a small but loyal worshipping community value the experience. A mid-week service of Holy Communion (Eucharist) takes place every Wednesday, and Morning Prayer and Intercessions are offered on other days. “Red letter days” are marked when appropriate by Saturday morning Eucharist. Additional services have included a service for All Souls-tide with commemoration of the departed, and a new Pets’ Service. Some services were held on a cross-Team basis, jointly with St Mary’s. These included the Holy Week services, the pre-Christmas Carol Services, and the monthly Healing Service. Less often, services are shared with the other Anglican Churches of Radcliffe. The church is used for the town-wide annual Service of Remembrance and the Scout and Guide St George’s Day Service. The most recent figures show average weekly attendance of 10 at St Philip’s and 56 people in church. As well as our regular services, we enable the community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of life and join new members to the Christian community. In marriage, public vows are exchanged, with God’s blessing. Through funeral services, friends and family express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and commend the person into God’s keeping. This year we have celebrated 61 baptisms and 11 weddings, and held 14 funerals in church.

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Deanery Synod As well as the clergy, four representatives of the Church have been elected to Deanery Synod, and are thereby ex officio members of the PCC. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the Church. This year the parish contributed to the Deanery Review and to a working group on issues of poverty. There is a fuller report of the work of Deanery Synod and of the Deanery Mission and Pastoral Committee in the appendices. St Philip’s Community Centre Much of the interaction of our Church with the local community is through St Philip’s Community Centre. The Church sponsors a Pre-School Group and makes the building available to a wide range of community groups including Guide and Scout units for all ages. Thanks are due to all who work to keep the building safe and operational. We value the faithfulness of the worshipping community at St Philip’s and are determined to maintain it for as long as possible. Pastoral Care As described above, our Church provides pastoral care to members of the community through the occasional offices of Baptism, Christian Marriage and Christian funerals, and the associated training or visiting by the clergy. For funerals, the church building is made available for use under arrangements made by the funeral director, with support from our Vergers, June Dennis and Joan Davidson. There is a high level of informal person-to-person care within the congregations, backed up by the Care and Friendship scheme (more information in an appendix). Clergy and Lay Assistants visit the sick and housebound at home and take Holy Communion. They also visit the residential homes in the parish with Communion and arrange such extras as carol singing approaching Christmas. It was reaffirmed during the year that clergy and PCC support, as being most pastorally appropriate, confirmation of children in Year 6 and above and admission of children from age 7 to Communion in accordance with Diocesan policy. Mission and Evangelism In the Diocesan cycle of “sowing – growing – harvesting”, we moved in 2014 from an emphasis on “sowing” to “growing”. Within the richness of meaning inherent in these words, we include numerical growth. We are exhorted to cultivate a culture of invitation, using personal contact, leaflets and other means, to services and events designed to be attractive to a range of people. The understanding of God’s Word is fostered in the house group, confirmation classes and elsewhere. Helping those in need is a demonstration of our faith. We join with God’s mission of love to a needy world through ways that include financial support for missionary societies and relief, development and service agencies at home and abroad, and direct support and action through, for example, Porch Boxes and ROC (Redeeming our Communities). The Missionary Group is to be congratulated on its fundraising efforts that once again enabled £3000 to be disbursed as grants to chosen bodies. We thank church people and others who support fundraising events. Thanks to Lindsay Derere, who keeps the website updated, and to Terry Atherton, who produces the parish magazine which is widely distributed. By these and other means we keep parishioners informed of the important matters affecting our Church and of current activities.

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Ecumenical Relationships We partner with other local Churches to support service and outreach activities such as ROC, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Radcliffe Branch and Christian Aid. We are members of Churches Together in Radcliffe supporting occasional joint worship, prayer and action, including a solemn commemoration of the outbreak of World War One at the exact date and time, 4 August at 11:00 pm. Stewardship In July the PCC met the Diocesan Stewardship Officer and agreed in principle to run a stewardship campaign at the right time. Financial Review The Accounts presented cover the period from 1 January to 31 December 2014. They have been examined by an Independent Examiner, Mr Tony Clarkson, whose report is included in this volume. The Treasurer and the PCC sincerely thank Tony for his work. The Treasurer notes that he has relied on Church members assisting him with the handling of parish finances, in particular Mrs Jean Smith and Mrs Brenda Bentley, who deal with the weekly collections; and Mrs Gwynneth Derere, our Gift Aid Secretary, whose dedicated work keeps the money coming in from the Inland Revenue. Of particular note are the following:  Tax efficient planned giving fell from the 2013 figure by £2,777.88.  One-off gift aid increased by £590.00.  Our letting agent for 6 Poolfield Close (Jon Simon Estate Agent) describes the tenants as “people who look after the house well”. After consultations with the agents, the current monthly rent will remain at its present level of £542.40.  Our Parish Share for the year was paid in full - £26,302.77. This amount was slightly reduced from the 2013 assessment of £28,361.  The item shown as grants (£5,500) includes the final payments for the repairs to the roof and clerestory windows.  The donations to good causes are, in the main, from money raised by The Missionary Group. Volunteers We would like to thank all the volunteers who work so hard to make our Church the lively and vibrant community it is. We thank Elizabeth, as a volunteer, for all her energy, guidance and conduct of most of our services. We are grateful to Carol Smith and Terry Atherton who have served another year as our Churchwardens. Terry also served a further year, against his better judgement, as Treasurer and stands down as at the Annual Meetings 2015. We thank him for that work, amongst many other duties he undertakes. Thanks to the sidespersons who provide a welcome to our services [those serving since the Annual Meeting are listed in an appendix.] Thanks too to members of the PCC, to all who lead groups and activities or represent the parish to others, and to those who work tirelessly for the Church and within the Church for the community in so many ways, some never seen and scarcely acknowledged.

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Structure, governance and management The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. The PCC consists of members who are either  ex officio (members by virtue of office held), or  elected by those members of the Church who are on the Electoral Roll (we are presently allowed three cohorts each of four members who serve for three years), or  co-opted by the PCC itself. The next section lists those who have served on the PCC in any capacity during 2014. The positions of Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary are elected by the PCC and are also shown in the next section. The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. The full PCC met six times during the year with an average level of attendance of 70%. Between meetings the Standing Committee met. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between full meetings and reports through minutes to the PCC on work undertaken. Other standing or ad hoc groups report to the PCC, some of which have submitted reports in the appendix. Administrative Information St Thomas and St John’s Church is situated at New Church Street, Radcliffe M26 2UD. St Philip’s Community Centre is situated in Higher Dean Street, Radcliffe M26 3TE. The parsonage house is St Thomas’s Vicarage, Vicarage Street, Radcliffe M26 2TR. The curate’s house is 6 Poolfield Close, Radcliffe M26 3UE (presently let to tenants) The Church is part of the Deanery of Radcliffe and Prestwich in the Diocese of Manchester within the Church of England. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and a charity excepted from registration with the Charity Commission. During the present vacancy, the correspondence address is that of the PCC Secretary, 14 Chapeltown Road, Radcliffe M26 1YF. Bank: Barclays plc, Radcliffe Branch, 51 Blackburn Street, Radcliffe M26 1NR Investment Bank: CCLA Investment Management Ltd, The CBF Church of England Funds, Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4ET Legal Advisor: Manchester Diocesan Registrar, Church House, 90 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2GH Investment Trustees: Trustees of the parish’s investments are as stated on the individual accounts of funds and investments. They will be either  The Parochial Church Council of St Thomas and St John, or  The Incumbent and Churchwardens of St Thomas and St John, or  The Manchester Diocesan Board of Finance Independent Examiner: Mr Tony Clarkson 7|Page

PCC members who served during 2014 were: Ex-officio Clergy The Revd Christopher Brown The Revd Carol Hayden The Revd Elizabeth Binns

Team Rector Chair Team Vicar Associate Priest

until 25.4.14 from 30.4.14

Ex-officio Churchwardens Terry Atherton Carol Smith

Treasurer

Ex-officio Members of Deanery Synod (and where asterisked of Diocesan Synod) Marilyn Alldred Alistair Finneron* Philip Gooderson* Les Johnson* Margaret Lloyd Kenneth Smith

until 6.4.14

Secretary from 17.9.14 until 6.4.14

Elected Brenda Bentley Carol Cain June Dennis Michelle Evans Pauline Gaskell Philip Gooderson Sarah Gundry Beryl Holgate Kathleen Johnson Julie Noone Phil Roberts Carol Smith Jean Smith Ros Smith Jane Whitworth Stuart Wood

until 6.4.14 Vice Chair until 6.4.14 from 6.4.14 until 6.4.14

from 6.4.14

Secretary until 17.9.14

Co-opted Marilyn Alldred June Dennis Keith Higham

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from 21.5.14 from 21.5.14 until 6.4.14

Communications:  Parish Newsletter editor: Terry Atherton  Weekly News Sheet editors: Kathleen and Les Johnson  Website administrator: Lindsay Derere  Parish website – http://st-thomas-radcliffe.org/

Declaration The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s Trustees:

…………………………………… Terry Atherton Churchwarden and PCC Treasurer [The original signed copy is held on file]

28 March 2015

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…………………………………… Carol Smith Churchwarden

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ELECTORAL ROLL REPORT (after revision of Electoral Roll 2015) Number on Roll as at 6.4.14 (APCM)

138

Deaths during the year

3

Additions during the year

2

Number on Roll as at 12.4.15 (APCM)

137

Roll members residing in the parish Roll members residing outside the parish

72 65

Les Johnson Electoral Roll Officer 14 | P a g e

CHURCHWARDENS’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2014 Last year saw us celebrate the 150th anniversary of our church building and we would like to say thanks to everyone who helped to plan events and supported our celebrations in any way. On Mothering Sunday 30th March we said goodbye to our Rector Revd Christopher Brown as he was moving to Fishguard to be nearer family. Since Christopher’s departure our representatives have been attending meetings regarding Ordained Ministry in Radcliffe. In June we were very lucky when the Revd Elizabeth Binns was licenced as an Associate Priest to our Team. Terry and I would like to thank her for all her hard work that she has done for our parish and for the fun and laughter as well as for her sound theology. We, as a PCC, have asked if Elizabeth could stay and we continue to pray that this may be allowed to happen. Over the weekend of 9th – 13th July we held a Wedding and Baptism display and the church looked stunning decorated with Wedding dresses, Christening robes and photos which we are sure brought back lots of happy memories. August saw us commemorate World War One with a small display. In October we had a pet service with lots of different pets brought and new people attending. It was wonderful to have the Revd Chich Hewitt return and preside at our service to celebrate with us the 150th Anniversary of the Consecration of our church on Thursday 9th October. The Victorian evening brought out many unknown thespians from our congregation and a great fun night was held. Planning has also been taking place for our Team Pilgrimage to Iona in 2015 Saturday 23rd May to Wednesday 27th May staying in Bishops House for four nights. We would like to thank Sarah Gundry and her team of helpers for leading the Monday Toddler Time which has had to close; we pray that a new leader may come forward in the future. Thanks also to Jane Whitworth who resigned as PCC Secretary and Sunday School leader. Work on the maintenance of our church building continues with the hope that this next year will see the completion of the work outside, with hopefully the installation of a permanent ramp which would replace the current portable metal one. Thank you to everyone who works in any way in and around our church doing jobs which are visible and those jobs that also go unseen. Terry Atherton and Carol Smith Churchwardens

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APPENDICES

Radcliffe Team Ministry Parish of St Thomas and St John with St Philip’s Community Centre Appointed as Sidespersons 2014/15 Eric Aspinall Sue Aspinall Brenda Bentley Carol Cain Eunice Cartledge Beryl Clarke Tony Clarkson Jean Collier Joan Davidson June Dennis Michelle Evans Marta Fallah Pauline Gaskell Keith Higham Marjorie Higham Beryl Holgate Kathleen Johnson Les Johnson Emmanuel Mostofi Jackie Roberts Phil Roberts Sheila Schofield-Clarkson Ken Smith

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Report of Radcliffe and Prestwich Deanery Synod The Synod has met on the following occasions for which a brief outline of the main business is here provided. 14th January 2014 at St. Gabriel’s Prestwich Revd. Steve Williams spoke about the parish area with its large Jewish population. He then turned to the question of co-operation between parishes and the potential for learning and sharing. There followed lively group discussion of this. The Area Dean said that Bishop David would be visiting the deanery for a whole weekday in April, to include projects and ongoing events in the parishes. Mr Chris Haworth was elected Lay Chair, unopposed and unanimously. 12th March 2014 at All Saints’ Stand A presentation was given by Revd. Dave Thomson on the basic structure and purpose of credit unions. He updated Synod on C of E plans for a Church Credit Union in association with the Methodists and the Church of Scotland. The Area Dean gave further details of Bishop David’s visit (8/4/14). An evening act of worship would take place at St Thomas’ Radcliffe at 7.30 p.m. with meditation, question and answer session. The Dean reminded members that parishes had been requested to send their responses to the work of the Poverty Commission to Synod for the June meeting. There followed a group discussion on Parish Leadership. Finally Canon Phillip Blinkhorn reported on the recent Parish Share Survey which had yielded 460 responses. Results will appear in Crux. He also reported on the February 2014 sessions of General Synod. 12th June 2014 at St. Thomas and St. John’s Mr Chris Haworth was appointed Lay Chair and Lay Canon Phillip Blinkhorn to be Budget Secretary. The Area Dean (Revd Alison Hardy) outlined recent Deanery Mission and Pastoral Committee progress on the Deanery Plan to go to Diocesan Mission & Pastoral Committee. Lay Chair gave notice of suspension of benefice at St. Andrew’s Radcliffe and at St. Thomas & St. John’s. St. Andrew’s Hillock and St. George’s Unsworth are now one parish. There was group discussion on the work of the Greater Manchester Poverty Commission. It was resolved to set up a Deanery Antipoverty sub-committee to explore local measures and support. 15th September 2014 at Christchurch Ainsworth Synod was addressed by Revd Nick Smeeton and Revd Judith Cooper from the Diocesan Stewardship Committee. Mr Andrew Ginn was elected Deanery Secretary. The Area Dean gave feedback on the Diocesan Response to the Deanery Plan. A Steering Group is to be set up to shape plans and proposals for the Northern Cluster of the Deanery (St. Thomas’ –St. Mary’s – Christ Church – St. Andrew’s). Alison observed that currently there is no Reader in training for this Deanery. A presentation was made to Revd Debby Plummer (Priest in charge St. Margaret’s Prestwich and former Area Dean) at this final synod before her retirement. The Deanery Anti-poverty Committee had met twice and had been addressed by Colin Barson (Greater Manchester Poverty Commission). Budget Secretary reported that the 2015 deanery parish share was + 1.3% overall. Reports on Diocesan Synod and on General Synod had been received. 11th November at St. Andrew’s Hillock Colin Barson (Greater Manchester Poverty Commission) gave a thorough and engaging presentation to Synod. Copies of the Commission’s Report are available through Synod members. The Area Dean reported that the parishes in the Northern Cluster were working on profiles and proposals for ministry prior to a meeting with the Archdeacon. Synod voted for a £20 p.a. levy from each parish to cover speakers’ expenses and presentations. PCC’s would be asked to approve. The Lay Chair reported on a lay chairpersons’ meeting with Bishop David. Plans to employ skilled lay workers to 17 | P a g e

support mission work in the diocese were revealed: deaneries to apply for funding. The Bishop is forming a Strategic Implementation Team to co-ordinate the work of three time-limited groups: Future patterns of ministry, Frontline Mission Units and Use of Buildings review. A report of Diocesan Synod (25/10/2014) was presented. Subsequent to the end of the reporting year: 14th January 2015 at All Saints’ Stand Suzie Mapledoram (Diocesan Youth Officer) addressed Synod. Young people do give thought to the supernatural and urgently need our support. Youth work should now begin with age 12. Parishes should review their youth contacts and activity. Revd Chris Wedge (St. Mary’s Prestwich) summarised recent youth work in his parish. Possibility of Deanery Youth Worker (contact Area Dean). Area Dean made available copies of Bishop David’s Epiphany Pastoral letter. It indicates the strategic thinking about the future of the Diocese. There is to be a “governance” survey sent to parishes. Carlo Shroeder (Field worker: Near Neighbours Project - a Church Urban Fund initiative) addressed Synod on the challenges and benefits of developing Inter-faith and Cultural Relationships in our locality. Alistair Finneron

Report of Radcliffe and Prestwich DEMPACOM & 4-Parish Steering Group The recommendation of the Deanery Mission and Pastoral Committee (DEMPACOM) after its meeting with Archdeacon David on 26 February 2014 (see last year’s report, page 16) was for the four parishes – two of which were already in a team - of the northern cluster of the deanery to consider the idea of a team of four parishes under a new Team Rector, able to work sympathetically across the traditions and theology of all of them. The four PCCs met separately in spring 2014 and each agreed commitment in principle to work together towards a team of four equal partners. A steering group was set up with representatives from each parish. There was a spirit of positive co-operation between the reps of the four parishes. The steering group met at St Andrew’s on 24 June and with the help of the deanery a plan for three stipendiary priests led by a Team Rector was set out. On 12 July this Radcliffe and Prestwich Deanery Plan was presented by the Area Dean and Lay Chair to the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee. The diocesan response was positive and agreed that the appointment of a Team Rector Designate at the earliest opportunity would be the right way to move forward. The Archdeacon would work with the parishes and deanery to implement this. The long-term reduction to 2 stipendiary clergy with appropriate self-supporting minister (SSM) support should be the goal to work towards. (Bishop Mark’s letter to Chris Haworth, Deanery Lay Chair, 8/8/14 sets this out) This answer was relayed to the DEMPACOM at Stand on 10 September and it was agreed to try to maintain momentum in the process by pressing the Archdeacon to clarify whether the team should be made first or a Team Rector appointed first. Then the steering group met again on 1 October with the Archdeacon; in the meantime the preparation of a new parish profile to be fed into a team profile had been started by Les Johnson. A further meeting took place on 23 October.

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However it became clear at our PCC on 19 November that it was the wish of our Church to retain the ministry of the Revd Elizabeth Binns as associate priest and her wish to stay with us. Subsequently the PCC Secretary sent a letter to the Archdeacon to this effect. The Revd Binns consulted with the Archdeacon and the Bishop who both approved in principle her wish to stay in our team. The present position after consultations, advice put to the Bishop, and the Archdeacon’s most recent statement of the Diocesan position appears favourable to the parish, with the assurance that Elizabeth can stay with us, and for the ongoing discussions on the future arrangements for the parishes of Radcliffe and Ainsworth. Philip Gooderson

St John’s Church of England Primary School The School was inspected by Ofsted in February 2014 and adjudged to be good in the categories of Behaviour & Safety and also Leadership & Management but overall to Require Improvement. The Inspector in her feedback and in her subsequent written report highlighted a number of strengths at the school including pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and that the youngest children get off to a good start in Early Years Foundation stage (our Nursery and Reception classes). Our Reception class now has a full intake of 30 pupils and our total pupil roll for the whole school has increased by 25 over the last 2 years. The increasing number of parents wishing to send their children to St John’s is a source of great optimism for the future of the school. As a Governing Body we take great pride in the quality of care and nurturing teaching our staff provide at St John’s. We will actively celebrate all the good things we do at school particularly during 2015 as this is our Centenary Year. We hope many of you will be able to join us at some of the events we plan to hold to mark our first hundred years since the new school opened on Johnson Street on 30 August 1915. As Chair of the governing body I wish to place on record our thanks to Eunice Cartledge for the gift of her brother’s sporting medal (won while at the school) and this has taken a fitting place in our school memorabilia. On behalf of the School I would like to thank all church members for their support throughout the year. Tony Clarkson Chair of Governors

Ladies Who Lunch During 2014, we met at various venues including Bury College, The Ainsworth Arms, The Horseshoe at Ringley to name a few. We enjoyed meals in June and September at Cuppaccinos on Lowe Street, always a popular venue. We visited Bradley Fold Garden Centre in July, and also Newbank Garden Centre in August. New members of Ladies Who Lunch are always welcome, even if you don’t intend to come to every meeting, as it is purely for pleasure. We enjoyed our annual Christmas Meal for 2014 at the Pack Horse pub and restaurant at Affetside. We had a grand meal in a nice room, which we had to ourselves, with views overlooking the surrounding countryside. Sue Aspinall 19 | P a g e

Operation Christmas Child I would like to thank everyone who contributed to our Shoebox Appeal 2014, resulting in 67 shoeboxes and a donation of £30.00. Jackie Roberts

Traidcraft I would like to thank the congregation of St Thomas and St John’s Church for your continued support for “the Traidcraft stall” during 2014 and for your support in general for “Fairtrade”. The Church Council having voted, we are a Fairtrade Parish, and have maintained that status during the year. Manchester, similarly, is a Fairtrade Diocese. Traidcraft is the UK’s leading fair trade organization having been established in 1979 as a Christian response to poverty. The Traidcraft stall has benefited during 2014 1. you, the customers, who enjoy high quality products 2. the producers overseas who receive a fair price for their efforts and for whom our sales provide a market outlet 3. Traidcraft itself eg through the profit they make on Christmas cards and paper goods (not bought from overseas) – some of which is used amongst producers to provide business development expertise 4. the Missionary Group of our Church, as the trading surplus of the stall will be given to it to be used for its obligations to projects and agencies, albeit that there is not actually any physical cash to handover at this point in time. I took over the running of the Traidcraft stall in February 2014; ordering, storing and transporting the stock. It has been somewhat tricky balancing out the needs of the stall, keeping it stocked with a wide variety of good value, enticing stock, and ensuring that a minimum of stock is sold at largely discounted rates as it has gone “out of date”. I am still figuring this out! To the year end (31/12/14) the figures are as follows:Cost of stock purchases 2014 Takings on stall 2014 O/S to Michelle

£1199.40 £1068.93 £130.47

Value of stock written off 2014* £34.70 * does not include items marked down Retail value of stock as at 31/12/14 £268.40 Theoretical profit therefore (held in stock)

£137.93 plus cash float £40.00 = £177.93

Attached is a full breakdown of purchases and sales. I hope that in 2015 we will realize some actual cash for the missionary group, however it must be noted that this comes second in priority to supporting Fairtrade in general. As you can see from the figures above, the stall is not yet in a position to hand over any profit to the Missionary Group, with all takings so far not yet covering the actual cost I bear to purchase stock and 20 | P a g e

hold a float. All profits made so far are actually still tied up in stock held rather than physical cash. A detailed spreadsheet is being used to calculate the profit/loss on every item purchased and I hope that in the next 12-18 months that the stall will be in a position to have realized actual cash profits to hand over to the Missionary Group. Again, many thanks to all Church members for your support. The Fairtrade cause can also be supported by buying fairly traded products, carrying the Fairtrade mark, in the supermarket where you shop. Record of Traidcraft (Fairtrade) Purchases and Sales 2014 Date

Order cost

24/01/2014

£238.96

23/02/2014

£30.96

02/03/2014

£95.68

Monies Received

02/03/2014

£87.60

30/03/2014

£90.40

31/03/2014

£117.84

25/04/2014

£51.54

04/05/2014

£90.25

08/06/2014

£61.55

18/06/2014

£100.64

06/07/2014

£81.70

10/08/2014

£15.75

27/08/2014

£103.25

07/09/2014

£88.15

08/10/2014

£77.55

28/10/2014

£292.30

02/11/2014

£121.40

02/11/2014 26/11/2014

£208.53 £46.83

06/12/2014 TOTALS

£267.45 £1199.40

£1068.93

Michelle Evans Traidcraft Church Representative

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Celebrating the Consecration of St Thomas Church on the 8th October 1864

Remembering the Past - Whilst Looking to the Future There are 3 things that I really don’t like: I don’t like tomatoes I don’t like doing housework And the third is - writing reports. So here goes. Carol, Pauline and I met with Christopher in 2013 to put an outline plan into place; Christopher had set the launch for Easter Sunday, 20th April 2014 and had invited the Bishop of Manchester to our celebration service in October. Regrettably, Christopher moved to Fishguard, Wales, to be nearer to his family, before the launch date, but happily in April Elizabeth joined us and was a great help tailoring many of the services to fit our celebrations. We planned a series of fund raising events to cover any expenses that may occur and look at the possibility of having some sort of memorial to commemorate this important time in our church’s history. Celebration in Worship: 8th June 2014 The Rt. Revd Chris Edmondson, Bishop of Bolton, presided at the Family Eucharist Service for Pentecost. Refreshments were served after the service. 13th July 2014 - The Ven. David Bailey, The Archdeacon of Bolton, presided at the 10.30 Family Eucharist. We shared refreshment after the service. Also on this day: Celebration Evensong - Service commenced at 3pm. For those who wanted to come to church at this time. 14th September 2014 - All Age Eucharist – Harvest - Donations for Porch Boxes received. 4th October 2014 – Pet Service – Informal All Age Service – with Blessing of animals Thursday 9th October 2014 at 7.30pm. Service of Holy Communion. Rev. Chich Hewitt made a welcome return to lead this service; the congregation was invited to share their memories of life at St Thomas: as you can imagine ‘not a dry eye’ to be seen. Sunday 12th October 2014 at 10.30am. Service of Holy Communion The Rt. Revd David Walker, The Bishop of Manchester, presided at the service and left us with the following reflection, ‘Rejoice, Be gentle, Don’t worry’ Philippians 4:1-9 Sunday 28th December 2014 at 10.30. Family Eucharist During the service a cross stitched Altar Kneeler was dedicated in commemoration of our 150 years: our thanks to Beryl Clarke for all her hard work in stitching this. A specially decorated cake was shared amongst the congregation. The Year of Celebrations ended with a BANG when over 50 party poppers were exploded!

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Remembering the Past Celebrating with friends The first of our events Saturday 3rd May ‘A Celebration Breakfast’ About 60 people of all ages breakfasted at St Philip’s Community Centre; we welcomed Rev. Barry Newth as our guest speaker. ‘Remembering the past whilst looking to the future’ was the theme of Barry’s talk and “Take heart! The Church is alive!” his reassuring message for us. 14th June 2014, St Thomas Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society entertained us performing a selection of songs from the many shows they have produced. It was a pleasant warm summer evening and wonderful selection of songs. A thoroughly enjoyable evening. 9th - 13th July 2014 - Celebration of Marriage and Families An exhibition of wedding and family memorabilia. We had an amazing display of wedding dresses and christening gowns together with photographs, evoking lots of happy memories. 4th August 2014 - World War One Centenary We took time out of our celebrations to remember those who lost their lives during the 1914-1918 world war and invited people to come into church and add the names of their loved ones to be included in our exhibition in remembrance. 4th October 2014 - Victorian Evening. An Evening of Victorian Entertainment at St Philip’s Community Centre. What on earth were we to expect? We were entertained with music, songs and recitations but the star of the evening was Mr Splutter, the Parish Clerk, AKA Philip Gooderson. I can, without hesitation, report that ‘A Good Time was had by All’. The Grand Finale 8th – 12th October 2014: - Remembering the past whilst looking to the future. We looked at the past 150 years through the incumbents’ period of time they were with us. Thank you to the many people who researched the Timeline and to those who brought in their precious artefacts for our displays and our associated groups who displayed photographs and memorabilia to make a full and interesting exhibition. Every time I walked round I found something new to look at. During the year we lost two of our close friends, Gladys Jones and Hilary Moore. Both ladies always supported the church and would have thoroughly enjoyed all the events. Gladys was only too happy, along with Freddie Gundry, to be the face of our theme ‘Remembering the Past - Whilst Looking to the Future’. In conclusionThere has been a worshiping congregation at St Thomas’ since 1819 and since 1864 in our present building. It would be impossible to cover the whole history. Instead, we hope, we have shown aspects of church life that people have found interesting and that there was something of interest for all of our visitors, we hope our visitors found a friendly and welcoming church, and we hope that they will feel able to return.

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Looking to the Future Aspirations

worship mission care growth pastoral care

We aspire to be faithful in our response of worship. We aspire to strengthen the fellowship of our Church, so that it is well fitted for mission and service. We will continue to care for each other. We will seek growth both personally and numerically as a Church. We aspire to seize the many opportunities for pastoral care God gives us: through ministries of baptism, marriage, Christian funerals and visiting in the residential care homes of the parish - in all our contacts sharing something of the love of God who so loved the world that he gave his only Son. We aspire to expand our service to our neighbours, whether near or far.

We aspire to support each other as we go from church to our lives within family, work and leisure situations – where we have opportunity to continue “to be the Church” and to work for the coming of God’s Kingdom of love and justice. We will seek to be a community of missionary disciples, working with our Anglican brothers and sisters in other local Churches, with Christians of other traditions and, indeed, with all people of good will. We are working in the near to mid-term for the recruitment of a new Team Rector, in the context of a new Team that will embrace all the Anglican parishes of Radcliffe and Ainsworth.

love

service

support

--xxoo0ooxx— There are a couple of things still in the pipeline: The memorabilia needs to be properly stored and preserved. Maybe we could put together a booklet of the Timelines etc. And there is the exciting prospect that we may be able to have Radcliffe’s Civic Window installed in church. There were a number of items on our ‘List of Possibilities’ that didn’t come to fruition. A Parish Meal at a restaurant (a nice change from doing it ourselves). Two Wall Banners – to be used on special occasions A Songs of Praise Service featuring the Hymns chosen in the ‘Sponsor a Hymn’ Whilst it is good to take time to reflect on history and compare our lives with those of our predecessors, it is the future where we must concentrate our efforts. Where will St Thomas’ Church be in 2064? - hopefully, planning a 200th Anniversary and it is our responsibility to do what we can to ensure that St Thomas and St John’s with St Philip’s Church continues and grows………now there’s a challenge. Thank you for being part of this celebration, I hope you enjoyed it. Jean Smith

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150th Anniversary

Income and Expenditure Date

Details

2013 20 May 27 May

Carol and Pauline’s ‘Flower Evening’ Quiz Sheets

Income £ 132.50

Expenditure £

Balance

62.50

195.00

Plants – Daffodils

33.75

228.75

13 July

‘Teddies Day’

519.51

748.26

26 Aug

Sponsored Hymns

37.50

785.76

2 Sept

Sponsored Hymns

43.75

829.51

9 Sept

Sponsored Hymns

43.75

873.26

23 Sept

Sponsored Hymns

12.50

885.76

6 Oct Nov

Cake Stall

65.00

950.76

7 Dec

Table – Decorations For Christmas Café Christmas Café

94.00

856.76

566.47

1423.23

Using Your Talents Marilyn’s Quiz Using Your Talents Quiz Using Your Talents Carol Cain Polkadot – Bookmarks

25.00

1448.23

87.50

1535.73

137.50

1673.34

Sponsored Hymns

6.25

1603.40

20 April

Easter Daffodils

41.25

1644.65

20 April

100.00

1744.65

40.00

1784.65

4 Oct

Donation from Radcliffe District Scouts Donation from Bible Readers Fellowship Victorian Evening

314.50

2099.15

Oct

Bury Metro Printing

3 Nov 13 Dec

From Cash in Hand Christmas Saturday Café

Dec Dec Dec 2014 13 Mar April

30 April

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76.08

241.65 300.00 400.22

1597.15

1857.50 2157.50 2557.72

Sunday School Report Over the last 12 months we have seen some changes to children’s ministry in our parish. Firstly, due to falling numbers in attendance at both St. Philip’s Sunday school and Junior Church at St. Thomas & St. John’s, a decision was taken by the leaders to hold one weekly meeting at St. Thomas and for the time being cease meeting at St. Philips. A few weeks following this decision, Jane Whitworth resigned from Junior Church due to work commitments. We thank her for her hard work over the years. We have experienced fluctuations in the number of children attending Sunday School and have happily welcomed many new faces this year. During the summer months we followed a programme based on the journeys of Paul. The children were involved in presenting the Harvest service and began a regular copper collection during the last hymn: the children are learning about different charities and they decide which charity to donate to. Autumn saw parable-based Sunday School sessions and then many Christmas activities were enjoyed by the children; they learned the Christmas story and were involved in the crib service. Beginning in January 2015 we are following the liturgical year. We also changed the structure of Sunday school by beginning each service with the children sat with their families or with the leaders in the congregation. We hope that these actions will strengthen the link between Church and Sunday School. We ask, as always, to be remembered in your prayers. Ros Smith and Gwynneth Derere Health & Safety Annual Report Inspections of the fabric content and grounds have taken place at regular intervals throughout the year. Inspection notes flagging up the action points and how these have been or will be addressed are to be circulated after each quarterly review to the Churchwardens. In March 2014 the updated Health & Safety policy for our premises was formally adopted at PCC. This policy is now due for next review in September 2016. A copy of the policy has been placed in the Health & Safety folder on the Narthex Table. PCC subsequently agreed to form a new Health & Safety Group from our combined parishes to include clergy, churchwardens and health and safety officers. I will work with the Group to drive forward the health and safety issues in our parishes. One of our first tasks as a new team will be to ensure that during 2015 provision is made for a permanent access ramp to be constructed at St Thomas & St John’s. To test our procedures and comply with our policy we need to carry out a fire drill and ensure our evacuation routes and procedures are announced at concerts and large services. We will also need to have taken these steps in the likelihood that the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority will follow up their inspection of March 2013. On behalf of the Health & Safety Group I would like to thank all church members for their support throughout the year. Tony Clarkson Health & Safety Officer 26 | P a g e

Study Groups During 2014 there has, sadly, been only one House Group in operation. It has met most Thursdays in term time at the home of Carol and Ken Smith. It is the continuation of a group that has been meeting for some twenty years. The Thursday Group typically studies one book of the Bible at a time at whatever speed is dictated by the discussion. After studying the short Book of Ruth, we then embarked on “A Great Way to START – introducing Christianity”. This course was put together by Robin Gamble when he was Manchester Diocesan Canon Missioner, and had been used previously in the parish. It is pleasing that a couple of new members joined the Group for this, and stayed on afterwards. More recently, the Group has been working its way through the Gospel of St Mark. After drink and a biscuit and an opening prayer, the study is introduced by one of the members, usually Ken. At the appropriate time we move to final prayers, usually saying Compline (Night Prayer) together. Plans for a second group to be run by Christopher were frustrated by his resignation. Several members of our Church join with others from St Mary’s, Close Methodist Church and elsewhere for a Study Group meeting most Friday mornings in Close Methodist church. The pattern is similar to that of the Thursday Group. Studies have recently been from the book of Proverbs, and then a series on Women of the Bible. The group is very welcoming and seeks new members. Subsequent to the year’s end, both of the groups described decided to offer the York Course, “Praise Him” as a study for Lent 2015 with special invitations for wider participation. The PCC considered the topic of small groups at its meeting in May 2012 and endorsed them as a useful addition to Sunday worship. There has since been further encouragement for Church members to become involved. Modelled by Jesus himself in his relationship with his first disciples, small groups are an excellent way not only to learn and grow more as disciples, but to get to know each other in a supportive way. Any wishing to join, host or lead a group should please have a word with the clergy. Ken Smith, Les Johnson, Marilyn Alldred Regular Coffee Mornings From 10:00 am every Saturday morning, a team of volunteers is ready to greet you with fresh coffee, scones, hot buttered teacakes and freshly brewed tea, This coffee morning, colloquially known as Saturday Café, gives us an opportunity to welcome visitors and extend friendship. The coffee morning is provided on a voluntary basis, with people giving their time as well as donating the cakes and pastries. The present volunteers, who work in teams, are Sue and Eric Aspinall, Beryl Holgate, Jackie Roberts, Marilyn Alldred, Michelle Evans, Jean and Travis Smith, Iris Dickinson, Rita Mills, Sheila and Terry Atherton. The money that is raised is added to our Church Building Fund. The next day, after Sunday morning service at both worship centres, light refreshments are provided so that worshippers can linger and meet and greet each other over a cuppa. At St Thomas and St John’s church, the arrangements are much as for Saturday, with a smaller range of goodies to accompany the beverages. There are no charges, but the donations go to the Missionary Group. The present volunteers, again working in teams are Maryse and Philip Gooderson, Marilyn Alldred, Beryl Holgate, Carol Cain, Pauline Gaskell, Sue and Eric Aspinall, Eunice Cartledge, Pauline Knowles, and Kathleen and Les Johnson. Our thanks to them. The Sunday team need more volunteers so that everyone’s turn comes round only every couple of months. If you would like to help, please see Sheila Atherton.

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And there’s more. Modelled on the weekend coffee mornings, a monthly Wednesday coffee morning has been running after the weekly mid-week Eucharist for a couple of years now. Marilyn Alldred and Beryl Holgate take responsibility for this. As it runs on to 1:00 pm, they provide light lunches as well. Based on invitations to friends, those attending extend far beyond our usual group of worshippers. Money raised is donated to the Church Building Fund, although several times a year the money donated is applied elsewhere, for example at the annual Missionary Group Coffee Morning, and for Christian Aid Week. Please support all these events as you are able and use them to draw people into the friendship of our Church. Jean Smith, Sheila Atherton, Marilyn Alldred, Beryl Holgate Meetings for prayer and worship outside our Sunday Eucharists Over recent years there has been a variety of patterns of weekday, Saturday, and Sunday evening worship. These services usually have had low attendance, and perhaps have not been widely known. At one time there was public worship in one or other of the Team parish churches on each day of the week. This is no longer the case. The pattern now is that Morning Prayer is said on Saturdays at 9:30 am in church. It is often lay-led and attendance rarely rises above four people. Morning Prayer is also said in St Thomas and St John’s church on a Team basis on Mondays at 9:30 am. It is always lay-led and attendance is usually in the range 2 – 5. Both services are advertised on the Church website and it is a particular joy when that brings a new person along. As this does happen occasionally, it is important to maintain the pattern and not lightly fail to conduct a service. Both services benefit from the faithful support of Peter Cardwell who ensures that Bible readings are selected and printed off for the convenience of the readers, and that the prayer books are marked with the correct service for the liturgical season and with the set psalms. The Wednesday morning Eucharist at 10:00 am is well established. It is somewhat more secure than the two services of Morning Prayer, having an attendance of some 5 – 10 each week. Similar numbers support the Service of Intercessions at noon each Friday. This is also lay-led and is also supported by Peter Cardwell with his service of suggesting scriptural material appropriate to the day or the season and bookmarking the prayer books. The service is based on Prayers During the Day, as provided in Common Worship, with the short text augmented by some twenty minutes of specific prayers for the World, the Church and those in need led by Philip Gooderson, Stuart Wood or myself. They and others lead the overall service. Others are welcome to step into either the Leader or the Intercessor role. The tradition at this service is for it to be followed by lunch that participants have brought. Another regular service – this time, monthly – is the Healing Service. This incorporates into a Eucharist anointing, laying on of hands and prayer for healing. This service is operated on a Team basis and draws an attendance of 5 – 10. A similar opportunity for the healing ministry is incorporated in to Sunday Eucharist on the second Sunday of each month. A considerably greater number of people take that opportunity, raising the question as to whether the midweek version has a future. On a timescale of a few years, all of these midweek services must be seen as vulnerable. If we wish them to continue, we must be prepared to support them ourselves and to bring others in. Those who regularly experience them, value them for the opportunity of prayer and the fellowship involved. They thank all who sustain them. Les Johnson

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Care and Friendship The Care and Friendship Group now meets twice a year, probably next in April. It has a role in the pastoral care of congregation members. The composition of the Groups is displayed on the porch noticeboard. If anyone is not yet included, wants to be in a different group, or has any other query about the scheme, please see me or the clergy. Those who serve at present as coordinators of Groups, or assist in the pastoral oversight of the residential care homes in the parish, are Marilyn Alldred, Sue and Eric Aspinall, Brenda Bentley, Beryl Clarke, June Dennis, Philip Gooderson, Kathleen and Les Johnson, Margaret Lloyd, Carol and Ken Smith, and Trish and Stuart Wood. Taking on a wider view of “care and friendship”, the Group arranged a service for the housebound (that is those who find worship helpful later in the day and with the provision of transport). The short service in June, with tea, cake and chat afterwards, was incorporated into the Weekend Celebrating Marriage and Baptisms – part of our 150th Celebration this summer. Thanks to Margaret Lloyd for the arrangements, to Claire for playing, and to Elizabeth and Carol for leading and preaching. The Group consists of those who are coordinators of the Care and Friendship Groups, and those who provide Eucharistic ministry to the residential care homes of the parish. Others interested are welcome and have sometimes attended. The occasional meetings are advertised and anyone is welcome to come along. The Group has noted advice given to the parish by the Archdeacon at the beginning of the vacancy in the booklet “Growing through a vacancy: a brief guide”. “What can we do in the vacancy to help us thrive and grow? Don’t allow your main energy to be diverted … Focus on getting the Christian community to hold together and grow spiritually and numerically…. (8) Organise the pastoral care. Make a list of everyone connected with the church and make sure everyone has someone to keep a pastoral eye on them. Don’t allow anyone to drift away unnoticed.” The Group understands this to be the chief work of the Care and Friendship scheme, and that this core work should not be diluted by undertaking other tasks, which might better fall to others. Les Johnson Coordinator, Care and Friendship Group Mothers’ Union As we only have seven members, we are still sharing our meetings with St Mary’s Mothers’ Union. We have had different speakers and there have always been at least three of our members at the meetings. In May, the Deanery Service was held at All Saints Stand and the Archdeaconry Service was held at Walmsley, Bolton, in August. Both services were well attended by our members. We hosted a Bring and Buy Sale/Coffee Evening for Deanery funds in June, the amount raised being about £200. Because we are not holding any meetings, we have no money coming in to our funds and so we shall have to come up with some ideas for raising money. Looking ahead: this year we shall be hosting two Deanery events: 25 March, a Mothers’ Union project “Walking with Hannah” 12 May, the Deanery Festival, with Revd Elizabeth Binns as speaker. Eunice Cartledge Branch Leader 29 | P a g e

Baby and Toddler Time St Thomas and St John's Toddler group has had a fantastic year and has grown from strength to strength due to a number of reasons, the first being Jill Thompson, Ken Smith and Barbara Waite's commitment and hard work with the group without which we wouldn't be where we are now. We have a regular group of children that attend each week from 3 months to 4 years old. As you may have already noticed we have adapted our name to Baby and Toddler Time due to the increasing number of babies that we have in attendance. The children have been making displays which will follow the seasons and certainly brighten up the children's area in the narthex. Toddler Time was four years old last September which the group celebrated with numerous fun activities and crafting projects. Reaching our 4th birthday made us aware that we needed to replace and buy new equipment especially for our younger age group. Realising that our small donation each week from parents and grandparents wouldn't be enough, we decided to do some fundraising. This took the form of a bake sale which was held in church after a Sunday morning service. It was a huge success raising £92. We were also chosen by ASDA Radcliffe to go on their community board alongside two other local groups and were thrilled to bits when we won £200. We ended the first part of this year with a summer party and a graduation ceremony for children starting school this September. Leaving us this year was Kian Thompson who has been with us from the very first day and has only missed a handful of sessions. We are sad to say goodbye to the children that were leaving but wish them luck, health and happiness for their future. As we were looking forward to starting back last September with lots of new and fun activities in the pipe line we really saw the need for more help on an ad hoc basis. Jill has started a new job and is unable to be there every week. Toddler time reopened in September following the summer break with 6 - 10 children attending each week. We started the new term celebrating our 4th birthday, making picture boards to display the arts and crafts the children enjoy each week. This quickly progressed to picture boards that followed the seasons and a display of photographs of the narthex when transformed into a fun and vibrant place where children enjoy playing each week. This year we saw a big difference in the age range of our children attending with more under 2 year olds than seen in previous years. We tailored our activities to suit younger children for example the children's hand and foot prints onto canvas and calendars as gifts for parents/carers from the children. With the money raised from the bake sale we were able to purchase more storage boxes and equipment, which included a much needed highchair. The highchair was to be used by the younger children during toddler time and any other event held in church. The £200 won from Asda hasn't been spent and remains in the church accounts. The year ended on 15th December with our annual Christmas party and a special moment for children was a visit from Father Christmas bearing gifts. It is with great sadness despite another fantastic and successful year for toddler group we haven't been able to continue the group into 2015. Unfortunately I am longer able to continue with the running of the group due to a career move. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved with Toddler Time over the last four years, from donating toys, helping with the running of the group, making 30 | P a g e

refreshments, donating money through bake sales and on the over whelming support through the green coins on community board in Radcliffe Asda. I would also like to give special thanks to Barbara Waite, Ken Smith and Jill Thompson for your help and time every Monday in the running of the group as without you all the group wouldn't have been as successful as it has been. Sarah Gundry Porch Boxes Porch Boxes is well known as a local charity that supports vulnerable people in crisis need with packs of non-perishable food and essential toiletries. Many people think of it as an inter-church charity but the truth is that, although it was founded by our Team Vicar, Carol Hayden, back at the Millennium, and although it is supported by many Churches and individual churchfolk, it became a registered charity on a secular basis. By resolution of the PCC, our Church is a “member organisation” of Porch Boxes – a way of showing support. During the last year  the support from members of the congregation bringing, week by week, goods for the food packs – and bringing the boxes to be used – has increased  the Harvest offerings were again given to Porch Boxes  some support was given in the form of photocopying facilities, again by PCC resolution  packs have been held in church and given to individuals in crisis need who call in for them Many thanks to all who support Porch Boxes through Church. You will be very welcome at Porch Boxes AGM on Monday, 20 April 2015 at 6:00 pm at Bridge Methodist Church. Kathleen Johnson, Les Johnson, Ken Smith Trustees, Porch Boxes St. Thomas & St. John Missionary Group Annual report 2014 Committee Members:Sheila Atherton (Chair), Eunice Cartledge (Treasurer), Eric Aspinall (secretary). Marilyn Alldred, Sue Aspinall, Brenda Bentley, Sarah Gundry, Beryl Holgate, Kathleen Johnson, Les Johnson, Julie Noone, Michelle Evans. The purpose of this group is to raise funds throughout the year by organising various events and then to disburse the monies to good causes or charities, home and abroad. The group provide tea and coffee following the Sunday morning service. A big thank you to all the volunteers who help with this service. Marilyn Alldred runs a browser bar and various greeting card stalls: many thanks for all her hard work. The door is always open for people to join us. If you are interested please speak to me or any other group member. You will be most welcome. OUR EVENTS IN 2014 March springtime dinner held at St. Philips Community Centre. At the beginning of Lent we had our annual Hunger Lunch. June We held a coffee day in Church following the Wednesday service 31 | P a g e

September Bury Community Choir entertained us at St. Philips. November. We held our annual Quiz Night, hosted by Terry Atherton. Many thanks to all who attended. Michelle Evans took over the selling of Traidcraft goods in the parish from Kathleen and Les Johnson. Many thanks to them for the sterling work they have done for Traidcraft. MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO HELP TO ORGANISE EVENTS AND SUPPORT US. A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO JEAN SMITH WHO HELPED AND ADVISED AT VARIOUS EVENTS! Sheila Atherton Chair Christingle The Christingle service was held on Sunday, 7 December 2014 during the All Age service. The Christingles had been partly put together on Saturday morning and these were placed on boards around the church. During the service the congregation, at various intervals, were invited to complete the Christingles. Collecting tubes and envelopes had been given out on 16 November and the sum raised was £255 for The Children’s Society. Thank you everyone who helped to make the event enjoyable. Beryl Holgate

Pilgrimage

Be, Lord Jesus, a bright flame before us, a guiding star above us, a smooth path below us, a kindly shepherd behind us: today and for ever more. Our Pilgrimage Prayer from a Prayer of St Columba

A decision was made in 2013 to organise a pilgrimage to Iona on a Team basis. Accommodation was booked at Bishop’s House, the retreat house of the Scottish Episcopal Church, sufficiently ahead of the event so as to be able to secure our preferred dates. During 2014, bookings were taken and further planning was undertaken. Participants have been able to pay on a staged basis, at St Thomas and St John’s, thanks to Carol Smith. The Revd Carol Hayden will lead the pilgrimage which will take place from 23 to 27 May, around Pentecost. At the time of writing, a small number of places remain. Les Johnson

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Child Protection Report The past year (2014) has been one of change with regard to a number of child – focused groups within St Thomas and St John’ Church and St Philip’s Community Centre. The Junior Church leader at St Thomas and St John, Jane Whitworth was obliged to step down from this role as she undertook a new full-time job which meant she was no longer able to devote the necessary time. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jane for the years of hard work and dedication she has brought to this role. Coincidentally at the same time the Junior Church which had long been a feature at St Philip’s and had been reducing in numbers for some time had reached the point where it was no longer viable so Gwynneth Derere and Ros Smith, the leaders there, decided to move down to St Thomas and St John and amalgamate the two groups into a single viable one thus solving the leadership problem at the same time. They are supported in this role by Abby Derere. My thanks go to these three ladies as they continue this important work. Meanwhile Toddler Time established some five years ago by Sarah Gundry has been forced to close as Sarah has started a new job in which she is obliged to work Monday to Friday, thus precluding her from running the group. Jill Thompson had had to stop some time earlier due to work and family commitments leaving the group without the required number of adults and with no replacements forthcoming from the Church community, the group was forced to close. My grateful thanks go to Jill and Sarah for their work with our 33 | P a g e

Policy Statement on Children, Young People and the Church of Radcliffe St Thomas and St John with St Philip This statement is reaffirmed annually and was agreed most recently at the PCC meeting held on 18 March 2015  As members of this church, we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all, especially children and young people  It is the responsibility of each one of us to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children and young people and to report any abuse discovered or suspected  We recognise that our work with children and young people is the responsibility of the whole church  Our church is committed to supporting, resourcing and training those who work with children and young people and to providing supervision  Our church is committed to following the policy and procedures published by the Diocese  The parish will adopt good practice guidelines  Each worker with children and young people must undertake diocesan Safeguarding training, know the guidelines and undertake to follow them. Each shall be given a copy of the Parish’s agreed procedures and good practice guidelines.  As part of our commitment to children and young people, the PCC has appointed Ken Smith to be the Child Protection Coordinator.  Children and young people are an important part of our Church today  They have much to give as well as to receive  We will listen to them  As we nurture them in worship, learning, and in community life, we will respect the wishes and feelings of children and young people.

youngest children and their parents and grandparents over the years. Sarah is hoping to run a regular Saturday morning children’s event in the near future. During 2014 sadly the Rev. Christopher Brown moved to Fishguard to be closer to his mother, who is now in poor health, but we were fortunate to be offered the temporary services of an associate priest, Elizabeth Binns who has a particular gift in relating to children which has been reflected in the child-centred services over which she has presided and the more family-friendly and accessible baptisms. We continue to operate the Manchester Diocesan Child Protection Policy both at St Thomas and St John’s Church and at St Philip’s Community Centre. It was reaffirmed at the March 2015 PCC, and is set out in the box above. I offer grateful thanks on behalf of us all to those who work with children and vulnerable adults including: Uniformed Groups, Parish Visiting and the work with Baptism families and Confirmation candidates. Your time and efforts are much appreciated. Please remember these volunteers and groups in your prayers. If you feel called to offer your help in any way with this work please speak to me or the churchwardens. Ken Smith Child Protection Co-ordinator

Christian Aid Report 2014-15 Christian Aid is just one of the many charities this parish supports. Recently there has been even a shared copper collection for Oxfam, so Christian Aid is not the only world relief charity that we support. However it is the main one. In Christian Aid Week 2014, 20,000 churches across the UK and Ireland raised £11 million. This church of St Thomas and St John with St Philip raised a total of £1,628.43 with added gift aid on £564. This was a slight improvement on 2013 when £1,423 was raised. This is a huge effort from many people, including street-collectors, deliverers of envelopes, and the Wednesday Café with its proceeds devoted to the cause. There was co-operation with other churches not least in collecting at the Bradley Fold Garden Centre. So there is a big debt of gratitude to everyone who contributed. When we think that apart from the Ainsworth churches people from our church raised over ten times as much as from any Radcliffe church you can see how important our contribution is to the total. The total effort from the Radcliffe and Ainsworth Group in the week amounted to £3,938 with gift aid on more than £826. This compared favourably with the £3,760 raised in 2013. Last summer, three Church leaders from Greater Manchester (Bishop of Manchester, Chair of the Bolton and Rochdale Methodist District, and the Co-Principal of the Northern Baptist Learning Community) visited aid partners in Angola. They spoke about their experience and what it means for the local Church at the ‘Two Sides of the Same Coin’ conference, organised in partnership with Church Action on Poverty on 8th November. A key theme was that many of the causes of poverty are the same across the world. Both in developed countries like the UK and in developing countries like Angola, poor communities lack a voice in decisions that affect them, and are held back from escaping poverty by unfair tax, employment and business structures. ‘Together, we can tackle poverty in the UK and the global South.’ 34 | P a g e

Since then we have had appeals in church for emergencies both for Gaza in September 2014 which raised £93 including £55 gift-aided and for the Ebola Crisis in West Africa in November. The latter appeal raised £166. We are now faced with an imminent new Christian Aid Week from 10-16 May 2015. Held every year since 1957, Christian Aid Week is Britain's longest-running fundraising week. For every pound raised, 86p is put directly into fighting poverty. Another 13p goes back into fundraising, so we can raise the next pound. The last penny pays for the charity’s governance costs, associated with the general running of the charity, ensuring we can keep going to help more people out of poverty for good. As usual we are hoping for the extra mile (literally!) from as many people as possible. A preparatory meeting was held in February for the whole group. Already in the last two years we, as a church, have been operating outside our traditional patch and we need to do this again this year. This puts an additional strain on our resources. Delivery of envelopes is a crucial part of the work, as it gives many people time to think as well as give. The recruitment of younger people just to do that would help greatly. Philip Gooderson Christian Aid Church Rep and Ainsworth and Radcliffe Local Organiser

ROC Radcliffe ROC (Redeeming our Communities) is an established national charity aiming to help local people address the social needs of their communities, with the main focus on youth. Our Church is one of three partner churches for the ROC Centre on Westminster Avenue in Radcliffe. (The others are St Andrew’s and Radcliffe URC.) When Bishop David after his installation visited the Deanery for a day on 8 April, he wanted to see what action the church was taking, and one of the places he was shown was the ROC Centre. Another was the Porch Boxes organisation. The ROC Café for 11-18 year-olds (Thursdays 7:00 – 9:00 pm) has now been running just over three years. It has been regarded as a model of its kind and has had many visits from people wanting to set up their own ROC cafés elsewhere. This time last year there were rather too many attending each week, but now numbers are down to about 70 registered and a smaller weekly attendance varying from six to 26. The ROC Juniors for 4- 11 year-olds meets on Tuesdays 5:00-7:00 pm. There are 60 children registered with an attendance of about 28 to 30 each week. The numbers are always low through the winter months. The position for a volunteer on a Tuesday has now been filled. Les Hartwell, caretaker and leader, says that the centre has had a lot of expenses in 2014 including a new motor for one of the shutters and a new boiler for the heating. There is also a new table tennis table, but a donation from URC and a booking for a Kids Party covered the cost of the T-Table. ‘God is a provider’, he adds. ROC Football continues to be very successful with about 50 lads every week, but the numbers for the Juniors has dropped dramatically to just a couple of kids. ‘It is a very expensive project to run. I believe it is about £5,000 pa that the football club charge ROC. I think the Police cover a great deal of this cost but not all.’ (Les Hartwell) 35 | P a g e

The ROC Centre is in our parish and is a valuable community asset. On 3 May an interdenominational prayer walk was held from there round troubled parts of the area. Since last year Daniel Beswick has ceased to be an employee of the ROC organisation, but continues as a volunteer along with his wife Andrea (married at St Andrew’s on 7 June). Les and Barbara Hartwell run the centre. Carol Cain and Philip Gooderson continue as volunteers from our church. Thank you for the support from our PCC. Philip Gooderson

St Philip’s Sunday worship Holy Communion services have taken place on Sundays at 9.00 am throughout 2014 supported by a small but faithful group of worshippers. About 12 individuals would regard themselves as regular member of St Philip’s worshipping community although numbers are sometimes swelled by those who more often worship at St Thomas’s but occasionally attend St Philip’s, taking advantage of the earlier service. During services members of the congregation read the lessons and conduct the intercessions. Two congregation members are licensed lay assistants and help distribute the sacrament. Usually hymns form part of the worship. At Christmas, Carols at the Centre reverting to its more usual Monday evening slot proved to be an enjoyable and well attended event. In addition a Holy Communion service was held on Christmas morning for the first time for a number of years. Sadly, despite the considerable efforts of its leaders, the Sunday School at St Philip’s closed in September. St Philip’s Sunday School has a long history pre-dating the existing community centre building and it is perhaps regrettable that its passing received little attention. Nevertheless, on behalf of the congregation of St Philip’s, I should like to thank Gwynneth Derere and her team for giving so generously of their time, effort and expertise to run the Sunday School, praying that a Sunday School of some kind may have a place at St Philip’s in the future. St. Philip’s congregation would like to thank the churchwardens for ensuring visiting clergy were available to take services at St Philip’s prior to the arrival of Revd. Elizabeth Binns. Furthermore the congregation is most grateful for the support of the PCC in ensuring worship continues at St Philip’s. Finally, the congregation owes a debt of gratitude to Elizabeth for her willingness to maintain Sunday worship at St Philip’s and her enthusiastic and inspirational leadership. Stuart Wood

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