St. Kenelm's Church
Parochial Clifton Council

The Annual Report of St Kenelm's Parochial Church Council 2008  Picture of the church

   Parish:                              St Kenelms, Clifton on Teme.
          Deanery:                   Martley and Worcester West.
          Diocese:                    Worcester.
          Correspondence        Mr M Snelling
          Address                     Eglantine,
                                             Kenelm Close
                                             Clifton-upon-Teme,
                                             Worcester, WR6 6EB

The Benefice includes two other Parishes:
St Bartholomew, Lower Sapey,
All Saints, Shelsley Beauchamp, with St Andrew, Shelsley Walsh.
The Benefice is interregnum.

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ORGANISATION.

Membership:

Readers:       

Mr E Farrell Mr J Savage, (Readers Emeriti), Mrs P Collett, Mrs P Snelling and Mrs B Wilday

Churchwarden:

Mr M Snelling
Mrs B Seeley

Deanery Synod   Mrs P Snelling
Representatives: Mrs C Taylor

Elected Representatives:

Pippa Balch, Penny Stead, Bob Davis, Jean Davis, Marina Dixon, Angela Niblett (resigned Sept 08), Dorothy Leavey, Carol Taylor, Jackie Gilbert

Electoral Roll Officer: Mrs J Holmes

Secretary: Mrs J Holmes
Number on Electoral Roll 2008: 45

Aims of St Kenelm’s Parochial Church Council:
The role of the P.C.C. is of particular importance during an interregnum; although the churchwardens bear the responsibility of the day to day running of the church any major decisions are made with the P.C.C.’s approval.
There are two sub committees: the Standing Committee and the Family Service Committee. These committees report to the P.C.C. at each meeting.
 
Aims of St Kenelm’s Church.
St Kenelm's is an ancient parish church where we look to uphold traditional values whilst appreciating that services need to change to accommodate new styles of worship. This can be a challenge with a relatively small core congregation.

A look at the services on offer throughout the year illustrates what we hope is a good cross section of services. Being a rural church we realise the importance of marking the farming seasons and also celebrate, along with Harvest Festival, Rogationtide and Plough Sunday. A United Benefice Service is held on fifth Sundays;

The family is very important in the church. Children are welcome to all services and there are always activity sheets for children as well as a special communion book.  However, some are more “child friendly” and relaxed than others. A monthly Family Service is held on the third Sunday of each month, which is kept to 45 minute duration. A percussion band accompanies the final hymn at a Family Service. Despite efforts within the church the number of children attending services is still very small. Sadly, parents of children are not willing to put in the time to run a Sunday school or church based activities. Attempts were made a couple of years ago but, despite initial enthusiasm, nothing has come to fruition.

Pastoral Visiting Team

This is a team of parishioners who visit individuals in their own homes offering comfort, friendship and a caring face from St Kenelm's in times of bereavement, sickness, loneliness, or to anyone who feel they would benefit from a visit.

 

REVIEW OF 2008

  • The P.C.C. gets smaller each year; as people retire for various reasons. There is rarely anyone to take their place.
  • Michael Snelling is retiring as Churchwarden after serving for thirteen years. Michael has served with several Churchwardens, firstly Trish Collett and then Brian Hoare. He and Brian worked very hard for a number of years when we did not have a priest in the rectory. Few people appreciated the problems associated with being churchwarden at that time; having to find someone to do the 8am communion early on a Sunday morning and, on one occasion to find, at very short notice, a priest to take the Christmas midnight service. Latterly Michael has worked with Marina Dixon and Barbara Seeley.
  • Disabled access was discussed at the January meeting. It was voted unanimously that the path should be widened to accommodate wheelchairs. At the March P.C.C. meeting it was reported that Bert Bradley would be carrying out the work.
  • A cruet set given by Angela in memory of Elizabeth Daniel was dedicated on January 13th at the morning Eucharist.
  • In January we were blissfully unaware that the Quinquenniel inspection in March was to show that the roof was in immediate need of repair. At first it was thought that the cost would be about £55,000 but after a thorough inspection it was estimated that the cost could be around £180,000. Bob Davis has been responsible for applying for funding and has so far secured a grant of over £110,000 from English Heritage. A lot of fund raising will be necessary in 2009 but, at least the target is achievable, thanks to English Heritage.

 

  • A Rogation Service was held at New House Farm on April 27th.
  • A request was made towards the upkeep of the churchyard. It was felt amongst the P.C.C. that it is appropriate for the village to contribute to an area that, in time, many will make use of. The Parish council declined the request though in a previous letter they had, on one occasion, offered to pay half towards the costs.
  • After several years with no priest in charge we were at last able to welcome John and Alice Sumner to the benefice.
  • The induction service was held at Shelsley Beauchamp.
  • John’s first service in Clifton was the Harvest Festival which was very well attended.
  • Carol singing held in the village hall had a disappointing number of people there. Perhaps it should not have been scheduled to clash with the final of X Factor!
  • Christmas greetings were put in the magazine-cutting down on trees needed and slightly boosting the church funds.
  • Advertising for this will start earlier next year-it was only suggested at the last moment but seemed popular
  • In an attempt to extend the coverage of the Church News volunteers have been enlisted to deliver around the village. Jan, the milk lady, will still cover the outlying areas. Early days yet but hopefully it will work!
  • Attendances at Christmas services were down considerably this year-even the normally reliable Christingle saw a dramatic drop in numbers, disappointing considering all the hard work that goes into the preparation.

 

PCC Graphic

 

AGENDA

1. The Vestry Meeting
      Election of Churchwardens.

2. Annual Parochial Church Meeting.

  1. Apologies.
  2. Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting.
  3. Matters Arising.
  4. Election of P.C.C. members.
  5. Annual Report.
  6. Electoral Roll Officer.
  7. Churchwardens Report.
  8. Treasurers Report.
  9. Deanery Synod Report.
  10. Reports on church activities.
  • Family Service group.
  • Choir.
  • Bell ringing
  1. A.O.B.

3. Short meeting of P.C.C. to elect officers

  • Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • Standing Committee
  • Deanery Synod

Jennie Holmes

If you are a Group Organiser and plan outings in and around Worcester, then come and have afternoon tea provided by the ladies of St Kenelm's Church in our timber-framed Village Hall. We can cater for large or small numbers and are renowned for our home made cakes - good facilities for the disabled. Contact Carol Taylor - Telephone: (01886) 812701

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