St Paul’s, Cambridge Annual Report 2015-16

Contents Structure of St Paul’s

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About Us 4 From the Vicar 5 From the Curate 8 From the PCC 9 From the Operations Group

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From the Ministry and Development Group

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From the Programme Group

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Children and Young People at St Paul’s

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From the Eco Congregation Group

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Music at St Paul’s 17 Eating Together at St Paul’s

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Cambridge Churches Homeless Project

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Mission Support Group 22 Men’s Breakfast 23 Tuesday Fellowship 23 St Paul’s School Governors 24 St Paul’s Archives 25 Official Reports

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Fabric, Goods and Ornaments

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Deanery Synod 27 Treasurer’s Report

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Chapel Services 30 Contact us 30

Structure of St Paul’s

Steph Hoskin (Chair) Bryony Trill Julia Evans Mandy Farrer Carol Cowley Elaine Hope Mark Rigby Emma Perkins Jon Canessa

Michael Beckett (Chair) Jon Canessa Rachel Rigby Julia Evans Debbie Beckett Steph Hoskin

Ministry & Development Group

Mandy Farrer (Chair) Bronwen Barry-Moore Pat Rigby Ruth Hatch Diana Hawkins Michael Bloy Angela McLellan

Mission Support Group Martin Evans (Chair) Helen Christy Jon Canessa Julia Evans Jane Gresham Ian Preston Alison Hornsbury

Children and Young People

PCC

Programme Group

Eco Congregation Bryony Trill (Chair) Amy Ross Jonathan Chaplin Richard Collins Ian Trill Chris Brown Michael Beckett

Alasdair Cant (Chair) Elisabeth von Rabenau Caroline Bone Keith Cowley Michael Beckett Jon Canessa Martin Evans Peter Bone Dorothy Betts Kate Guthrie Rachel Rigby Kip Gresham Alison Hornsbury

Operations Group Dorothy Betts (Chair) Kate Guthrie John Thompson Keith Cowley Jon Canessa David Farrer Michael Beckett Ling Ling Parnin Katie Flook Adam Guthrie

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About Us St Paul’s is a vibrant community in the centre of Cambridge, which has recently undergone major refurbishment. The original church was built in 1841 and has been developed to adapt to demands throughout its history. Today, it is home to a thriving community, whether those who meet on Sundays and during the week in the new chapel, or to the many and varied groups who meet each day as users and hirers of the various spaces within the building. All are welcome. St Paul’s is overseen and managed by the Parochial Church Council within which work several separate groups to ensure that the Mission Statement (below) of St Paul’s is fulfilled. Our aim is that, by coming into the building, everyone, whatever their circumstances, has an opportunity: To connect with ourselves, with each other and with God.

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From the Vicar By the time you read this report, James Alison will have visited St Pauls and I hope have inspired us to keep on keeping on. He writes in one of his books: “We will be judged not on whether we were right or wrong but by how charitable warm and friendly we were towards those with whom we completely disagree. For in Jesus we have before us such a large and visible mirror, that reflects the extraordinary grace of God, through which we can learn to let go of the self-importance, paranoia and need to be right, that produce our projections onto others and the creation of ‘enemies’ in our own image”. It has been a tough year here at St Paul’s in many ways, but the proof of the pudding is NOT in the difficulties but in the transparency, honesty, vulnerability and forgivingness with which we have dealt with them. And that is not for us to say but those who look in. We have celebrated with a number of families at the baptism of their children including: Autumn Rothery, Benjamin Plumb, Ethan Tighie, and Isla Jones. We have celebrated the weddings of Tom Leach to Belinda, Lucia Chaplin to Andrew, Rosie Wynn-Williams to Jon and Kate Mason to David. We have enjoyed the input of visiting speakers, Alex Hughes our new Archdeacon, Reg and Barb Naylor from Nepal, our own home grown Andrew Hawkins, Dieudonne from Amos Trust and Lizzie Gowan from the Student Christian Movement of which St Paul’s has become one of three partner churches in Cambridge. We marked the 70th anniversary of VE day, and at the church weekend away when Alasdair challenged us to look at life limiting beliefs we may be holding onto and we celebrated Chris and Elaine’s 40th wedding anniversary. We were thrilled by the ordination of one of our (former) members Carla Vincencio-Prior. We affirmed our commitment to the Amos Trust working for a lasting solution that will establish peace with justice for both Palestinian and Jew in the land of the Holy one as a church, by signing up to the Kairos document.

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We affirmed our commitment to the ministry of Jon Canessa in community development by establishing our link with the newly built community facilities in our parish including Signalbox. And of course we continued with the (now) daily, weekly and seasonal celebration of the liturgical year with daily services in the chapel and with seasonal and festive services in the main hall. One of our 5 points of mission seems to be becoming more central to our church life as a result of the input of the Eco group. Julia and Elaine have taken over/back the Monday toddler group, Messy Church has become a wonderful window into the life of our church and attended by a large number of families and we have reformatted our Sunday evening services as a more reflective and spacious alternative to Sunday mornings. Deb and I have run two couples courses, the apprentice (discipleship) group has continued to thrive, as has the Exploring Faith group and the group looking at a DVD course with the same James Alison, and a new group responding to the summer series when we looked at key ingredients to imaging our creator: work, rest, play, beauty, hospitality and neighbourliness issued in a new group looking at how we may transform our work. With the mens’ breakfast group, a newly formed home group, two book groups and of course the opportunities for service in the centre at Thursday, Friday and Saturday lunch as well as simple supper on a Monday, not to mention our continued collaboration with C3 and OLEM with the Foodbank, there is much to celebrate. Lia became 60 this year, and marked it by introducing her partner to us, we are thrilled for her, and so did the vicar (turn 60 I mean). We have also celebrated the birthdays of two most special members of our church family, Marion Williams and Ellis Brock, both of whom are much loved. We have continued to be blessed by the presence of ordinands bidding a fond if sad farewell to Elis and his wife Sheila, Laura, and who will forget her input at the church weekend at home, together with Vienna, on enabling us to share our stories about local issues of justice, Unesu and James, I just have to include his surname, Brown, and his wife Lan.

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We bade a sad yet fond farewell to Tom Leach after his marriage as well as to Alys, our only undergraduate representative, still to be replaced. And who can forget the Sunday morning when several of the street children who had been involved in the tournament last year and were in Cambridge attending a language school joined us one Sunday morning with their host ‘Mum’, what a privilege to witness their joy. Our thanks to Lia for facilitating their visit and of course to John Wroe for his contagious enthusiasm. And we have wrestled with the sad departures of Tim and Alex from the office. Our especial thanks to Mo, Richard, Juliet, Jon, Dorothy and Steph for all they have done in keeping the ship afloat! Whilst quietly in the background the work of our wardens, Rachel and Alasdair, and the PCC who act as trustees for all of the above, must not go unmentioned nor unnoticed. Yet perhaps what has most marked our journey together this year is that we have loved and lost some great Saints from within our midst whose lives touched us in so many, varied and oh so precious ways: Mary Cresswell, Phyl Ogden, Betty Lucas, Keith Pearl, Jean Talbot, Dana Mills-Powell, Eckhardt Von Rabenau and Julie Newcombe. For as in Adam all die so in Christ all shall be made alive. They have run the race with perseverance and are now a part of that great cloud of witnesses cheering us on in the days that lie ahead. Thank you all for all that you do as members of the family that is St Paul’s. Michael Beckett

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From the Curate 2015 was not quite as I expected going into the third and final year of my curacy at St Paul’s. Tim’s resignation, followed by Alex, saw me unexpectedly stepping in to help in the Office. This had an impact on my curacy training and alternative church placement. Many people have been involved in helping in the office during the past 6 months and many have supported me personally during the year. I have learned much about the depth of people’s generosity at St Paul’s and about commitment to community that is so apparent in this special place. I am privileged to be able to work alongside some truly wonderful people as I complete final year of training. I have been especially grateful for the support I have received from Michael, Alasdair and the PCC as St Paul’s has faced difficult issues, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for this. In November I began running a drop-in at Winter Comfort on Wednesday mornings where I provide pastoral support wearing my collar. This is where I feel I am most fully alive in my role as a priest. Recently I held a memorial service at St Paul’s for a young homeless Polish man who was beaten up and tragically later died of his injuries. The service enabled the young man’s sister and homeless friends to gather with a few members of the congregation to remember his life. Flowers and catering were kindly provided by people from St Paul’s and it was very humbling to see people from St Paul’s, the street-life community and Winter Comfort coming together to do something really significant. During the year I worked with Martin Evans and Helen Christy, becoming more involved with the Signal Box. The Signal Box open day launch event was a highlight as I worked with Kevin, and other local residents to encourage people to visit and experience the Signal Box community that is being established on the edge of the parish. As you know, I proposed to Lynne McAulay on Holy Island in November and we are preparing to be married at St Paul’s on 19th November 2016. I hope you will be there to celebrate with us. Jon Canessa

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From the PCC In many respects, St Paul’s is now in a very good place. This has been an incredibly challenging year, with setbacks, learning and strides forward. We have faced up to some difficult issues that were hindering progress, learned from mistakes, and are already reaping the benefits, including our new streamlined accounts package, a more aligned Centre/Congregation relationship, effective committee structure and so forth. All of this is important. But above all, it is the wonderful people of St Paul’s who have kept faith through thick and thin in serving God and our community near and far. Since becoming Chair of the PCC in March 2012, an overarching theme has been the transformation of the St Paul’s building, together with the systems and practices to equip us for the work and ministry of the future. In the early phase, we undertook some fundamental changes, getting the new building programme up and running, overseeing staff changes in the Centre and completely overhauling our structures and communication processes. It has been difficult at times, because the normal textbook rules to change management don’t necessarily apply in this setting. But with patience, commitment to the long-term and listening to wider St Paul’s community, we have made real progress. I am deeply grateful to this PCC team. Their talent, their commitment to the vision of St. Paul’s and generosity with their time is extraordinary. This has been a team with a ‘servant heart’, not detached in their strategic role, but very connected - often helping out practically, where needed. The departures of both staff members from the Centre was a painful episode. The response of the PCC and members of the congregation was phenomenal, such that we managed to keep the Centre running smoothly and gained important insights that informed a new, improved strategy. Dorothy Betts will be standing down this year after many years serving on the PCC, and in particular we will miss her skilful chairing of the Ops group. Dorothy’s ability to quickly prioritise, get things done, and her no-nonsense approach was a key factor in being able to keep the centre operational this autumn. We will never forget what she has done to help St Paul’s in its hour of need. Martin Evans and Kip Gresham also step down after decades of service, both wonderful strategists who have woven their deep empathy for the outsider into St Paul’s ethos and decision making. Martin’s ability to envision and articulate vision, effortlessly zooming out to the big picture and applying

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it to operational practice, has been invaluable. We are also very grateful to him for his energetic chairing of the Programme Group, which has become a productive engine of change for St Paul’s and the wider community. Kip has brought refreshing insights and font awareness to meetings, with his tangential thinking and gift for an apt metaphor when needed. Lastly and certainly not least, Elisabeth von Rabenau has been a wonderful Vice-Chair. We are especially grateful for her attention to detail in preparation, and the insightfulness she has brought to meetings. On a personal level, I could not have done this job as Chair without her – Elisabeth’s ability to listen, ask pertinent questions, give counsel, and laugh in the face of absurdity has all meant so much. I am also stepping down at the 2016 AGM after four years as Chair of the PCC and latterly as Churchwarden. Working together with our other wonderful church warden Rachel Rigby, has been a real joy. She is an extraordinarily thoughtful and practical person who has gone way beyond the call of duty on many occasions. I am humbled by the generosity she brings to the role and how she deals with testing situations. We have worked well together and I shall miss this partnership. Together with Michael and the rest of the PCC, we’ve done our best to steer St Paul’s with wisdom, courage and good humour (mostly). It’s been a bumpy ride at times, but working together has been a rich season of my life that will stay with me for a long time. Thank you all - and goodbye. Alasdair Cant

From the Operations Group The operations group is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the operation and management of the St Paul’s site and reporting to the PCC. The group is a mix of PCC members and people with considerable expertise in issues to do with buildings. We work closely with the other management groups to ensure the smooth running of all the activities that take place as well as the maintenance, repair, refurbishment and general upkeep of the property. St Pauls is a much loved and respected resource in the community. The building is heavily used often from 8am until 11.30 pm, which brings considerable challenges in maintaining the buildings and equipment not to mention managing a complex booking system. A grant of £1000 enabled us to provide a new focus on the church garden. In April the it was redesigned to provide raised beds for growing vegetables and a group have regularly worked together maintaining these resulting in very fruitful source of fresh produce for use in the kitchen.

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Several insurance claims have been made following a break in and destruction of part of the wall along St Pauls Road. A new floor in the Lower hall was largely funded as the result of a claim following flood damage. The sudden departure of the manager, Tim Smith in mid-September followed shortly after by the deputy Alex Collis has tested the resilience of all at St Pauls. A huge number of people have stepped up to volunteer in myriad ways and with enormous generosity of time. It has also revealed areas where we can improve practice to give good service to all who come here. A major change in the way we manage things is the successful introduction of a new accounts package administered by a member of staff who role is solely devoted to finance. Currently that person is Juliet Thompson whose application to improving our practice is first class. We are indebted to Neil Parker and Hilary Seaward who have sorted the accounts for 2015, trained Juliet and continue to aid us in making improvements so that shortly all the accounts for the centre and congregation will be merged into one and managed by our bookkeeper. We look forward to welcoming our new centre manager Marion Zalay to bring a fresh impetus to further developments. Dorothy Betts

From the Ministry and Development Group As a group we meet every week to review the previous Sunday services and pick up on any pastoral needs as well as oversee what has come up via the programme group. This year Jon has initiated the homelessness project and Julia taken over Monday toddlers as well as work with pre school children on Sunday morning and a HUGELY successful Messy Church initiative. We have been working with Jon and the PCC as well as the programme group towards the employment of a community worker and in some role the continuance of Jon’s work here when his curacy finishes at the end of 2016. We have decided to change the format of the evening services and have introduced sermon series in that context as well as invited a variety of outside speakers to punctuate our weekly ‘diet’. A variety of ‘discipleship’ groups have continued to function, including ‘transforming work’, apprentice, book group, couples course and a group looking at James Alison’s DVD course. And the chapel services in a variety of formats have established themselves on every day of the week except Saturday. The Eco group have sought to introduce one of our 5 points of mission progressively over the year, and Claire Foster-Gilbert inspired us to think of the way ahead for the last point of our 5 mission points where I consider us to be weakest, namely the Gospel as public truth and working towards just institutions. Michael Beckett

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From the Programme Group The hospitality programme continues to flourish. Jane Gresham now oversees cooking and volunteering for Monday Evening Simple Supper and Thursday and Friday lunch clubs. For 3 months during the winter Jane also oversees the cooking for the Homeless Project on Sunday evenings. Attendances numbers are roughly: Simple Supper – 15 to 35 (average 25) Thursday Lunch – 25 to 40 (average 30) Friday Lunch – 30 to 45 (average 35) Homeless project – typically 30 On Monday evenings, Pret a Manger now deliver their unsold sandwiches and salads for free distribution for all attending the supper. St Paul’s has maintained a relationship with FoodCycle who provide a free lunch for 30-50 people each Saturday. Under the leadership of Julia Evans and Elaine Hope, St Paul’s has taken over the Monday morning playgroup, which is attended by between 12 and 20 toddlers and their, mostly, mums. Messy Church, led by Julia Evans, has taken place on four occasions during 2015 and has been growing rapidly. The December event was attended by 65 children, 40 parents and 20 volunteers, with very positive feedback from all. The Thursday morning seated exercise group has continued throughout the year with attendance at between 5 and 10 each week. Jon established a confidence building course, called 5C, which ran twice during the year to support people who are socially isolated and who need to develop social and communication skills. This was lead by a drama therapist and is a partnership with Acting Now! The 8 week course was attended by 4-8 and 8-12 respectively during the year. Programme activities were deliberately curtailed since Tim and Alex’s departure as the Office was effectively placed emergency measures. Jon Canessa has been involved in helping to ensure the office is supported since September. This has meant: • Setting up the accounts for The Signal Box since Tim’s departure. • Jon recruited Kate and Steve Blackwell to help with Thursday club. • Running the Signal Box launch event in November drawing in local residents and shops to resource the event. • Supporting Helen Christy with door knocking and consulting residents about how their community needs can be met and how they would like to be involved in our community programme.

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There has been a growing relationship between St Paul’s and the three new community centres in the parish, namely the Laundry in Hanover Court, opposite St Paul’s; the Signal Box on the Kaleidoscope housing development and Huxley House near the station. The Laundry has hosted a Thursday afternoon choir, led by Tim Boniface, and the Signal Box has looked to St Paul’s for administrative support in its early days. We will continue to seek to work in partnership with these centres in the coming year. St Paul’s supported carol singing around the parish, at the Laundry, the Signal Box and at the Accordia housing development. Helen Robbins had another very successful Carol Service Choir with over 60 members, at least half of whom came from the local community. Meals were provided on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. 60 people in total attended these meals. Foodbank has continued to be held throughout the year on Monday and Friday afternoons in the Lower Hall. Over 500 people received food parcels. All in all a lively year! The PCC supported a proposal at its last meeting to use community development methods to further develop mission and a greater awareness of all that St Paul’s has to offer to the local parish and this will be the focus of St Paul’s programme for 2016. Martin Evans

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Children and Young People at St Paul’s This year has seen St Paul’s consolidating last year’s new focus on children and young people, which has been a significant encouragement to all involved. The new sub-group of the PCC is specifically addressing the needs of children, young people and families in our church and in our wider community. This group has now met several times and has established its values, aims and objectives, both for this work, and for how these fit with the wider picture of the whole church family, as well as the potential of our links with the local community. Our aims are as follows: Jesus said “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child, will not enter it.” Luke 18v16-17 At St Paul’s, we seek: • To be a community where children and young people learn about the Christian faith in a way that enables them to identify their spirituality and explore their faith so they make sense of the world and seek to transform it. • For every child and young person to feel loved and valued in a secure environment and to understand how to live out these values in their families and communities. • To encourage people at all life stages to learn from the children and young people and reconnect with their own inherent childlikeness and sense of wonder. • For children and young people to be active participants in shaping their activities and to be encouraged to question and share ideas. We will have begun to think practically about existing activities and how these might be enhanced by new initiatives. Ideas are always welcome! Emily Lloyd left the role of Children and Youth Worker in November, we thank her for the huge amount she has contributed whilst working with and for our young people. We congratulate her and Jonny on the arrival of Evelyn and are delighted that they remain at St Paul’s as a family. We have now welcomed Emma Perkins into the role and are extremely fortunate to be benefitting from her considerable experience, talents and enthusiasm. As a team who are involved in this group, we are looking to provide separate activities and/or discussion for those 11+, when appropriate and when numbers of volunteer leaders allow. We also express our thanks to the ordinands who give a considerable amount of time to this group.

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Julia Evans has revived the provision for the Sparklers (age 0-4) with activities in the lower hall, as well as the opportunity for parents to have coffee while their children take part. The area with comfortable seating and toys at the side of church near the entrance seems to be working well for parents with very young children who wish to remain in the service. Bouncers (age 4-7) meet in the entrance lobby and enjoy a programme of bible stories, crafts, games and other activities. Mandy Farrer and Carol Cowley continue to lead this group faithfully, assisted by their trusty band of helpers. Messy Church has grown in popularity over the year. To date there have been 4, celebrating the church seasons. The last event was attended by 65 children and around 40 adults. A big thank you to all the people who help so willingly and so well. More volunteers are always welcome. Please speak to Julia Evans if you are interested. Elaine Hope and Julia Evans have taken on the Sparklers Pre-School Playgroup from Homerton Children’s Centre. Each Monday we welcome between 12 and 20 children with carers and parents. There is a lovely supportive and friendly atmosphere. We would be very happy to welcome any volunteers from the church to help. ‘Celebrating the Seasons’ services offer the opportunity for input from children and young people and through this they are recognised and affirmed as key members of our St Paul’s family. Safeguarding our children and young people is essential, including DBS checking of staff and volunteers, and I am very grateful to Marion Saunders who is our Safeguarding Officer and liaises with the diocese on this area. Looking forward, we are constantly reviewing and changing what is offered. It feels like we are working together more effectively as a team and therefore being involved in this is fun! So if you’d like to find out more about how you can contribute, do speak to us. We also love to hear from the children and young people themselves about what they would like to see and do. On behalf of everyone, I would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all the leaders and helpers for their commitment, sense of humour, time and energy invested in these important members of our church family. Steph Hoskin

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From the Eco Congregation Group The Eco-congregation group has been running since early 2015. A series of themes has led the work of the group – Growing, Waste, Food and Energy. Eco congregation has required us to look at the practicalities of church life, the connection between environment and faith, and environment and mission. In each theme, the group has looked at each of these things to see how the church can celebrate what it already does, or move forward a few steps. Several members of the church community have been interviewed about their journey with environmental issues, and there has been a regular monthly part of the service focussing on the relevant theme. Three factsheets have been produced to help the congregation to understand more about the themes. The group have researched and facilitated new bins to split the church waste, organised a visit to the local recycling plant, produced a meat free recipe book with help from the congregation, and are currently working with the Operations Group looking at how to build upon the existing good work to ensure the buildings, and the use of them, are as energy efficient as possible. Each theme has had a challenge – to notice, name and nurture; to have a day where no packaging is thrown away; to try one meat free recipe a week; and to reduce energy consumption. Elaine Storkey (ex-Tearfund) and Richard Bauckham (environmental theologian) have both spoken at Sunday services, and Michael Northcott delivered an evening about the Paris Summit at the church, in association with KLICE. Amy Ross ably set up the group and chaired until going on maternity leave in August. She has also written for the diocesan website to encourage other churches to take up the eco challenge. The group has decided to now work toward the Eco-Church award, an updated version of Eco-congregation, and hopes to achieve the bronze award by July 2016. Bryony Trill

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Music at St Paul’s Music on a Sunday morning and evening is geared to help us worship God with our heads and our hearts and to enhance the readings and the liturgy. We continue to draw on a wide range of musical styles, traditions and cultures, directed largely by the church calendar. There have been enhanced changes to the evening services since September. These take place in the Main Hall as well as the Chapel with a range of musicians playing whilst maintaining a more ‘traditional’ feel to these services. Singing together is a vital part of our congregational life and is often commented upon by visitors. The informal group of around 15-20 singers (choir) contributes regularly to services to support the singing and to offer other music during communion or prayers for example. All are welcome to join this group. No auditions or experience needed. The annual candlelit carol service choir is always a highlight with more than 55 people singing this year from the congregation and local community. Hard work, good fun and a chance to get to know others are hallmarks of the five week rehearsal period. In 2015, we sang Come to Bethlehem, Running down to Bethelehem, Lully Lulla and Will Todd’s Softly. With our excellent AV facilities, we are able to play music tracks during communion or as part of reflection in the service which aims to support these times sensitively using a variety of genres. Tim Boniface’s contribution to the Thursday afternoon choir at Hanover Court (and as a professional jazz musician) continues to be a great success. The Thursday community singers performed for the first time in March 2015 and encapsulate how music can give people a voice together – an extraordinary group. I am extremely grateful to all those who contribute to music week by week at St Paul’s - organists Michael Bloy, Nigel Bloomer and Richard Hinitt as well as to Kate and Adam Guthrie, Rachel Rigby, Diane Hicks, Rod Shaw, Simon Humphreys, Tim Boniface, Alison McFarland and other valued musicians who play from time to time. Since January 2016, I have slightly changed my role as ‘music curator’ at St Paul’s. After 10 years, I have stepped back from the weekly commitment of planning services with the service leader and preparing and producing song sheets. I contribute to this discussion when I am playing and for key festivals in the church calendar. Helen Robbins

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Eating Together at St Paul’s Eating together has always been at the heart of what we do and this year has been no exception. We continue to provide community meals on Monday evening and Thursday and Friday lunch times. They are all well attended and have the added pleasure of engaging a good number of volunteers, some of whom require a degree of support and who benefit hugely from being part of a team. Again this year we have provided a meal for the homeless project on Sunday evenings throughout December, January and February. A great team of cooks, assistants and washer uppers have made the job good fun. Along with the gratitude and politeness of the people we have fed it is a hugely rewarding project to be part of. Meals were cooked on Christmas, Boxing and New Year’s Day this year for those who would otherwise be alone. They were well attended, especially Christmas Day. Maundy Thursday Supper saw a record number of people joining together for food and liturgy and the Harvest Supper was an almost entirely vegetarian meal which picked up the eco congregation challenge of eating less meat. Other aspects of cooking we do at St Paul’s include cooking for families when a new baby arrives. For 3 weeks following the birth a group of nearly 20 of us cook and deliver a meal each evening. We are told it makes a big difference to those early days. Foodcycle, who have been providing a free lunch at St Paul’s on a Saturday for 5 years, are moving on to other premises in April. It has been a great initiative to be part of. There are opportunities for anyone who might like to be part of what we do. We really need cooks, assistants and pudding makers for Thursday and Friday lunches and another person to help with the cooking on Monday evenings. If you are interested in what that might entail, please do contact me [email protected] Jane Gresham

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Cambridge Churches Homeless Project This year’s project is running from December 2015 to February 2016. At the halfway point we have provided food and shelter to 32 different guests, with a total of 545 bed places over 47 nights (11 or 12 guests on average each night). Eight churches and one synagogue have hosted the project, and the total number of volunteers across the project this season is in the region of three hundred. Behind these figures lie a remarkable commitment of time and energy from a considerable number of people, not only from those actively engaged in hosting, cooking, cleaning, driving kit, and washing those 545 sleeping bag sheets, but also from our wider church congregations as well, whose support and willingness to allow our buildings to be used has made so much possible. Equally important has been the financial support which continues to enable the project to flourish: contributions from St Columba’s, St Edward’s, the Rotary, the Swiss Laundry and the Society of St Francis have been among the generosity received this year. People often ask, “Where else the project is being held?” This year’s hosts include from last year Emmanuel URC, Little St Mary’s, Castle Street Methodist, Great St Mary’s, Our Lady and the English Martyrs, Castle End Mission (with a team from St Bene’t’s), St Giles and St Paul’s, with (new this year) the wonderful newly built Beth Shalom Synagogue on Auckland Road. It has been a joy to include their community among our volunteers: while the Catholic churches in Cambridge gathered support to host the project for 5 nights at OLEM over Christmas, the synagogue hosted for the New Year. These are difficult times for guests with the many memories and associations which come with them, and so good that our early start in December this year made the festive season a time of safe and kindly shelter for them. This winter has not always been easy, not least because the visible increase in homelessness in Cambridge since last winter has put pressures on the project for which it was not always possible to plan. Last winter we offered 10 spaces and often had fewer guests; this winter we offer 12 spaces for referred guests (from Jimmy’s, from the previous night, or from other sources). The reality however is that there have often been more people asking for shelter; and a further number coming as supper guests, sometimes just to eat, sometimes as a vital link with us when no longer able or willing to stay the night. The work of balancing the different needs of guests, volunteers and churches continues.

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There is however very much to be thankful for - 7 of our guests helped into further accommodation as of 17th January, as just one visible ‘outcome’ - and a still greater thankfulness due for the help we cannot see or count but which engages at a deep level with guests who may not have felt they matter for many years. Working with our guests is always a humbling experience but never more so than late at night after a difficult evening when a guest says of the project “You’ve sat and listened to me and cared – nowhere else has done that and they are paid professionals”. Seeing a new guest peel off shredded socks and the awful blisters come into view, the everyday suffering of trying to keep life together on the streets also comes to light. The lack of a home or roof is often the symptom of something much deeper rather than the problem itself, as guests tell their stories and reveal themselves as the unwilling victims of grief, trauma, bereavement or abuse. The work of the CCHP has always included time with guests “beyond” the nightly care of supper and shelter, but there is so much needed that we don’t have the resources to give: so much work to be done to give hands and voice to the compassion and mercy of God for the people on our streets. A St Paul’s perspective Unlike the rest of the week, there are no supporting services available to our guests during the daytime on a Sunday. Sunday evenings are therefore the most challenging in terms of managing risk, challenging behaviour and numbers. While we have seen several individuals who were guests from last winter reappear, the cohort of homeless people who have presented this winter have more complex and challenging behaviour. (Mental health issues and addiction are more prevalent this winter). This trend has also been reflected right across the homeless service sector. Greater numbers of people finding themselves homeless combined with cuts to homeless services have meant we have had to turn people away every Sunday evening this winter. During the recent cold snap we accommodated 13 guests (one over our agreed limit); turning away 12 people when the temperature was minus 2 degrees. We were able to feed all 25 and ensure a safe and calm environment for guests and volunteers on the night. This is only possible because of the commitment of the volunteers who help each week in the kitchen, those who stay overnight and those who come specifically to spend time talking with the guests and help out practically.

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We have a volunteer who collects the (not inconsiderable) kit every Monday morning to deliver it to Immanuel church for the next evening and washes the dirty sleeping bag liners ready for next Sunday. Such ‘giving’ is hidden but it is these quiet unseen acts of service that reflect the love of God which is the mark of this project. Most of the volunteers come each week, so meaningful relationships are gently built up week by week around the meal table. Initially strangers, guests and volunteers become friends as stories and food are shared together in an act of radical hospitality. The love of God is also shown in the care and quality of the amazing food that are served to our guest each week, the banter with guests over a game of Scrabble, prayers said with a guest in a quiet corner, the way boundaries are tested and respected (often between guests). Much more than last winter, guests have been in tears as they have shared something of their story, weary and exhausted by their situation. Unlike last year, only one chapel service with our guests has taken place this winter, while praying with a guest and pastoral conversations have been far more significant. As a partnership, the churches have had to work much harder to ensure a consistent response to challenging behaviour (as a result of responding to mental health and addiction issues). As a result the CCHP feels stronger and the relationships with other churches have significantly grown closer. Please continue to pray for our homeless guests and for the amazing and unseen work of the volunteers who make this project happen. It is truly humbling to work with our guests, as it is our volunteers.

Jon Canessa

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Mission Support Group In 2015 we said a sad farewell to Phyl Ogden, who committed her life to mission work, spending 30 years as a missionary teacher in Peru and continuing to support St Paul’s mission activity on her return. Her wonderful and single-minded example will always be an inspiration to us. A mission quiz! Which member of St Paul’s... 1. ...started a community-based organisation in 2015 to provide healthcare and secondary school education in Uganda? Answer: Fred Bbosa who since returning to Uganda has set up monthly health clinics treating approximately 200 people each time, and also enabled 10 children to start secondary education. 2. ...spent some time in Ghana on a mission-based conservation research project, and has been accepted as a CMS partner? Answer: Amy Ross who along with Dan is in training for future service in Africa. 3. ...has been involved in setting up large-scale missions in Haiti, Malawi, Sierra Leone and New York City during the past year? Answer: Andrew Hawkins who in his role of UK director with the Luis Palau organisation has seen tens of thousands of people respond to the gospel message. 4. ...was involved in facilitating a training day in the DR Congo for a number of key organisations working with street children? Answer: Bronwen Moore who spent 6 months there as part of her MA course on International Relations in Paris. 5. ...has now project coordinated the education of 40 orphans in SW Uganda for 4 years? Answer: Dorothy Egessa who worshipped here in 2011/12 and has since been supported by St Paul’s in her work. It has been a great personal privilege for me to have been involved in the mission group for the past 20 years. I am very grateful for the support of the group members - Michael Bloy, Ruth Hatch, Diana Hawkins, Angela McLellan, Bronwen Moore and Pat Rigby; to Keith Cowley for his help with finances and to everyone for another year of interest, prayer and giving. Please do let us know if you would like to have more information or involvement in this inspiring part of our church’s life. Mandy Farrer

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Men’s Breakfast Men’s breakfast has continued along the same lines during the past year. Over the food (various options are available) we enjoy informal conversation. This is usually followed by a slightly more formal discussion of a topic. Last year these included: • work, rest and play • things I would say to my 18 year old self • sacrifice (if that is the right word!) We are very grateful to Mark for his suggestions of topics and his writing up of them (by email or on facebook). In addition, in September some of us walked some of the lesser known parts of Cambridge, and the Christmas meeting once again included an exchange of books. We meet every third Saturday in the month at the Earl of Derby public house in Hills Road. All (men!) are very welcome, and there is no pressure to do or say anything. Above all, we hope that support of each other is encouraged. Michael Bloy

Tuesday Fellowship The Tuesday Fellowship has enjoyed another interesting and varied year with a wide range of speakers. We have been wonderfully supported by Michael Beckett, Jon Canessa, Nigel Bloomer, who faithfully plays the organ each week, and Michael Bloy who sets the organ up for us. We very much miss Marion William’s wise guidance and leadership. We are very much a participatory group, with everybody contributing to enable us to keep going. We had two summer tea parties,one hosted by Michael in his garden and the other by Helen Robbins indoors due to inclement weather. Michael cooked and hosted a wonderful Christmas Lunch, with all the trimmings, at the vicarage. We have many speakers from the congregation and if anybody is free on a Tuesday afternoon, either to join us or is willing to come and speak for about 20 mins, you would be very welcome. Please speak to me or Margaret Hunt if you wish to know any more about Tuesday Fellowship. This year we have welcomed four new members Margaret Hunt, Margaret Von Rabenau, Herbert Beckett and Wayne. Ruth Hatch

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St Paul’s School Governors For the governors of the school,this year has been dominated by the pre-Christmas visit of Ofsted! We were disappointed to receive an overall rating of “Requires Improvement” in Effectiveness of Leadership and Management, Quality of Teaching, Learning and Assessment, Outcomes for pupils and Early Years provision. Personal Development, behaviour and welfare was deemed “Good”. The governors’ hope and intention is to turn these judgements round within the year when Ofsted will return. There is therefore a lot of work to be done. Amongst the strengths identified by Ofsted, “Pupils are well cared for and their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted”. Also “The quality of care, guidance and support, and the strong values that underpin the schools work ensure that the school provides highly effective spiritual development”. At present, Michael Beckett, Sarah Collins, Felicity Higginson and Alison Hornsbury are church members and on the Governing Body of 14 members. We are a committed, hard working group; endeavouring to support the school through this challenging time, and to build bridges between the church and the school. We also aim to work effectively within the wider community of the diocese, Local Authority, Church Schools of Cambridge Trust, and Ofsted. Please do pray for the whole school: staff, children, parents and governors. Lots of families come from all over the world and are educated at St Paul’s, they bring great diversity and colour and a wonderful opportunity to share warmth, welcome and understanding. If you would like to volunteer at the school please speak to Steve Jordan, the Head Teacher, or if you would like to know about being a governor speak to one of us. Felicity Higginson

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St Paul’s Archives Part 2 of ‘St Paul’s Remembers’ was issued in November 2015 and is available via the website or on request. We have discussed the idea of being in touch with the Cambridge News and the Cambridgeshire Family History Society to advertise our concern to find more ancestors/relations of the 102 names on the WWI memorial. (We only have 2 connections so far). We are also concerned to have more names of ancestors from members of the Congregation. Simon Brook

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Official Reports Fabric, Goods and Ornaments The fabric and ornaments of the church remain in good order. This was confirmed during an inspection visit by the Rural Dean, Rev. Prof. Huw Jones in July 2014. Child protection policies are in place and proven to be working. We continue to have an increasing number of incidents with challenging behaviour. This is largely due to our ministry of working among vulnerable people. In collaboration with office staff, we do our best to conform to good practice and our keep our ethos of inclusion. We have chosen to subscribe to Charity Back Room who are able to provide us with policies and best practice guidelines. It has been encouraging that congregational numbers are still increasing. The Assistant Wardens and Sides people have done a superb job in responding to an increased workload. Their responsiveness, willingness and good humour has been a source of joy. Many thanks to Chris Hope who has recently taken over organising the Sunday rota and to Ian Trill for all the AV support. The PCC, Operations Group and Centre Management Group work together to ensure the repair and maintenance of the whole church building is properly and suitably carried out. Funding for maintenance and renewal work associated with the building fabric has been shared between the Church and Centre. Particular thanks needs to go to Peter Adlington for his help with numerous maintenance jobs including the cupboard thresholds in the lower hall, the loose wiring in the lower hall and helping replace the church boiler. There is a programme of outstanding maintenance arising from the 2011 Quinquennial report. In the last 12 months the broken wall along St Paul’s Road has been rebuilt after vandalism; there is a new kitchen door after the break in; the recent electrical check is leading up to further work in the coming months; there is a new floor in the lower hall; two of the upper small rooms have been repainted and there has been a transformation of the garden. For the garden work, thanks go to Lottie and Rodney Hawkins who led the volunteers. The Quinquennial inspection is due in 2016 and we will be starting a new round of maintenance after receiving this report. The memorials, other monuments and the beautiful stained glass windows are in good condition. Rachel Rigby & Alasdair Cant Church Wardens

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Deanery Synod There are currently 7 livings in the Deanery vacant. The Bishop has suspended the livings with a view to pastoral reallocation of clergy resources over the next 5-10 years. The temporary Rural Dean, our very own Tim Harling, has assured us that in the new Deanery Pastoral plan that is about to be drawn up following a consultation process (in which St Paul’s will take a full part) that St Paul’s is now viewed by the Diocese as justifying a full time stipendiary incumbent. This is great news and an affirmation of the mission and ministry here at St Paul’s in which we all take part. We are to be encouraged. Michael Beckett

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Treasurer’s Report ST PAUL'S CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE CONGREGATION ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2015 PROVISIONAL SUMMARY OF CHURCH INCOME AND EXPENDITURE (SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY INDEPENDENT EXAMINER)

Notes

FUNDS

Balance at 1 January £

Incoming resources# £

Resources expended* £

Balance at 31 December £

Unrestricted funds General (Congregational) - see below for analysis

1 1a

1,303

105,468

(-106,740)

31

Unrestricted (designated) funds Ministry (Small Projects) Legacy

2 2a 2b

3,489 20,500

0 20,000

(-250) (-5,816)

3,239 34,684

25,292

125,468

(-112,806)

37,954

0 4,000 350 0 3,100 364 0 0 0 2,769 0 0 2,387 4,387 9,354 2,691 0 1,782 217

225 2,000 166 89 3,052 0 1,938 903 469 3,325 3,387 1,500 506 7,510 3,812 2,124 250 2,048 0

0 0 (-516) (-89) (-5,945) (-300) (-1,775) (-903) 0 (-5,750) (-3,387) (-1,500) 0 (-8,634) 0 0 (-250) (-1,740) 0

225 6,000 0 0 207 64 163 0 469 344 0 0 2,893 3,263 13,166 4,815 0 2,090 217

Restricted total

31,401

33,304

(-30,789)

33,915

TOTAL

56,693

158,772

(-143,596)

71,869

Unrestricted total Restricted funds Artsfest 2016 Building Development Fund Centre at St Pauls (giving through Church) Children's Society (collecting boxes) Child Empowerment - Uganda Christmas Card Divine Hope - Uganda Funeral Collections Hope Cambridge (Cambridge Churches Homeless Project) Mission Kate Farrer Memorial Mill Road Cemetery Organ Parish Weekend PV Installation/FIT Payments Refurbishment Seed Project Vicar's Discretionary Vicar's Travel

3 3a

3b 3c 3d 3e 4 3f 3g

3h 3i 3j

Analysis of General Fund Income and Expenditure Income Tax efficient planned giving (Gift Aided) Other planned giving Collections Gift Day Other giving Gift Aid on Gift Aided giving Gift Aid on collections (Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme) Grants Bank Interest and Dividends Fees Fundraising sales (tea towels) Deanery Synod rebate (on Parish Share) Sundries Insurance claims

£ 48,577 3,786 6,962 12,124 185 14,430 1,250 400 14 1,644 348 1,601 40 14,107 105,470

Expenditure Mission and Charitable giving Parish Share Salaries (congregation liaison, children's work) Clergy expenses Insurance Maintenance Administration Publicity Children's activities Upkeep of service Utilities Fundraising (tea towels) Governance (Independent Examination fees) Monies transferred to restricted building development fund for future repayment of loan

£ 5,815 58,790 5,224 6,845 4,225 16,753 726 242 2,277 2,358 1,567 348 320 1,250 106,739

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Notes: # Incoming resources include accruals for all known debts owed at 31 December 2015. * Resources expended include accruals for all known liabilities at 31 December 2015. 1 Unrestricted funds are those with no restrictions on use. 1a Approximately £5,720 of reimbursement due from the Centre to the General Fund was agreed to be written off by the PCC during the year in order to assist Centre cashflow through a difficult period. Had this not occurred the General Fund would have recorded a comfortable surplus. A simplified apportionment of cost allocation between Congregation and Centre has been agreed for 2016 which should remove the need for further such actions. 2. Unrestricted (designated) funds hold unrestricted income which has been set aside by the PCC for specific purposes. 2a Ministry (small projects) fund was established with £5,000 in 2007, set aside from unrestricted legacy income, for support of specific projects by Church members. One grant was made in 2015 to Dan & Amy Ross in support of their mission project in Ghana. 2b Two new legacies were received during 2015. Expenditure was on purchase of new chairs for the Chapel. 3 Restricted funds are those given for specific purposes. 3a Monies still held in the Building Development Fund have been set aside to fund repayment of an outstanding loan of £10,000, due for repayment during 2017. 3b Dedicated donations in support of the orphan support and education charity in Uganda set up by Dorothy Egessa, a former member of the congregation. Additional donations were made from the Mission Fund. 3c No-one was prepared to organise a Church Christmas Card in 2015. The fund, which had for some years provided a small monthly contribution to Embrace the Middle East (formerly Biblelands) to support the education of a disabled Palestinian child, will therefore been closed and the balance remaining will be donated to Embrace the Middle East. 3d Dedicated donations in support of the Divine Hope charity in Uganda. Additional donations were made from the Mission Fund. 3e Cambridge Churches Homeless Project is run by Hope Cambridge under which seven Cambridge churches (including St Paul’s) each offers shelter to homeless people on one night per week during the winter months. Additional donations were made from the General Fund. 3f The Kate Farrer Foundation has now been established as a registered charity and it is anticipated that no further income to the Foundation will be received through the Church. 3g St Pauls was used to facilitate access to charitable grants for restoration of headstones at Mill Road Cemetery undertaken by Cambridge City Council. No further use of this Fund is anticipated. 3i Feed-in tariff payments received for electricity generated are retained to repay the loans that funded the solar array on the Church roof installed in 2012; once repaid in 2017 further income is to be used for enhancement of energy efficiency of the Church. 3j In addition to dedicated donations this fund receives collections taken at the Friday Holy Communion services (£681). Expenditure is wholly at the discretion of the Vicar. 4 Mission donations from General Fund and Mission Fund are in addition to the dedicated donations listed under Restricted Funds for specific charities (CHEM-U, Divine Hope Foundation, Hope Cambridge, Seed Project) and the grant from the Ministry (Small Projects) Fund to Dan & Amy Ross. Special collection totals include Gift Aid recovered or to be recovered on donations received.

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Summary: Generally the Congregation finances remain fairly healthy, although the need to write off monies scheduled to be reimbursed by the Centre has left the General Fund with only a minimal credit balance at the year end. A new and simplified split of cost liabilities between Congregation and Centre has been agreed for 2016 and it is to be hoped that the finance will continue to be robust in 2016. Keith Cowley Acting Treasurer

Chapel Services The new chapel was built on St Paul’s Road to provide a space for quiet worship. It was completed in December 2012 and now hosts a range of reflective gatherings throughout the week. Compline Monday, 7pm (after Simple Supper) Iona Service of Healing Tuesday, 7pm Morning Prayer Wednesday, 7.30am Silent Meditation Thursday, 7.30am Holy Communion (BCP) Friday, 12 noon

Contact us St Paul’s Hills Road Cambridge CB2 1JP www.stpaulscambridge.org.uk Rev Michael Beckett [email protected] 01223 354186 Rev Jon Canessa [email protected] Marion Zalay (Centre Manager) [email protected] 01223 576899 For bookings: [email protected] To join the mailing list: [email protected]

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