St Martin in the Bull Ring
Annual Report for the year ending 31st December 2010
Discovering the Heart of God in the Heart of the City
A Dream
I walked the streets of a city that I knew but didn’t. Recognised buildings with a light and energy never experienced before. As I wandered around the strange familiar streets I came to The Heart of the City. There was a truly holy place alive with people and prayer. I watched as the old and young The able and the sick, The rich and the poor, The local and the visitor, The resident and the foreigner, The happy and the sad, The hopeful and the helpless entered the busy stillness.
I watched children and others learning from screens and welcomers about the one to whom the glory is given. They ate meals and had the chance to create in word and form, paint and clay their response to this day. People were praying some alone others with helpers, listeners to the cries of the heart, lighting candles, seeking. The needs of the world brought to its creator through shabby scraps of snatched thoughts and pleas. Laughter and smiles mixed with silent tears as people gathered to share and greet. A broken group waited for their chance of wholeness through dance and art as the work continued around them.
If hope and love could be a colour or a taste or a fragrance or a place…
I sought an explanation from someone at the door. ‘What is this place?’ I asked, hopeful for a simple answer. ‘This is the place where we discover the Heart of God in the Heart of the City. Come and join the celebration.
Stewart Jones
RECTOR’S REPORT
In 2010 we re-launched our vision and strategy document „Discovering the Heart of God in the Heart of the City‟. After wide consultation the document was presented at the APCM in April. We have focussed our efforts in six areas having three key objectives to achieve in each area by 2013. In addition we have two overall objectives of deepening our prayer life and growing leaders in the coming three years. These overall objectives have led to two key prayer events being held in church in the year and the start of a training course designed to equip more people in leadership. The current course has 16 participants.
To help us achieve these objectives we have reorganised the staff team and the structure of the PCC. Within the staff team we have appointed Tom Thompson as our Commercial Man- ager and Mark Gordon as the Church Manager. This has enabled there to be a more realis- tic distribution of work rather than expecting the Operations Manager to do it all. We are al- ready seeing the benefits of this new way of working with a very successful year for the Tea Lounge, the introduction of corporate events into the church and a more settled way of run- ning the building through the Facilities team.
In July Josh Jones our Director of Music for the Crossing service left for a new post in New Zealand and we replaced him with Philippa Done in October.
The vision document has also been foundational in helping us establish forums to ensure each of the areas of work are worked on and that the church council has very clear ways of knowing when an objective has been achieved. The forums are accountable to the PCC and are chaired by members of the church with a staff member serving on each one.
In addition we began a coherent programme of staff development for the senior staff mem- bers working in partnership with CPAS and one of their leadership consultants.
In 2010 we held a stewardship campaign which enabled us to raise enough money to look to appoint a Youth and schools Worker in 2011. Developing this area of work is a key part of what we want to achieve as a church in the coming years.
St Martin‘s continues to be a place of prayer visited by many people and the dream of it be- ing a place where people discover the heart of God in the heart of the city shows clear signs of being fulfilled.
Stewart Jones Rector
Prayer and Worship
Prayer and Worship Forum Report 2010 – 2011
The Prayer and Worship Forum has met three times , the first meeting being at the end of September, when the Rector introduced a paper outlining the planned service themes focusing on the Bible as we celebrate the quatercentenary of the King James version of the Bible. Prayer events were discussed. The all-night prayer session start- ing immediately after the Advent Carol service was well attended and we moved around the church praying for various aspects of our church life. Another is planned to start at the beginning of the Ash Wednesday service at 12.00 , going through until Mid- night, when congregation members will be praying either in St Martin's or at home.
Dick Rodgers prepared some thoughts about the atmosphere of our services, including theology and growing in trust with one another.
In November Elsie Blair-Chappell came to discuss the 9.30 Holy Communion service, and how it can grow, while maintaining a friendly and warm fellowship.
The January forum saw John Hawker come as we discussed the 6.00 service, and we particularly looked at the coming Lenten services with eminent guest speakers. The exhibition by Peter Privett of 'Gethsemane Garments' will provide a time of reflection for all who visit the church.
The Forum plans to look at the 11.00 service, Baptisms, a different form of worship for the 3rd Sunday in the month at 6.00, and Sunday afternoons with the young people.
Marion Woodward
9.30am Sunday Holy Communion Service
Annual Report 2010
General information
The number of the congregation varies from Sunday to Sunday as we have visitors from all over town and indeed from all over the world. Our core congregation continues to be faithful and the age range varies from as young as a baby in a pram to ninety something.
We continue using the liturgy in Common Worship and follow the liturgical seasons. The readings and preaching follow the same theme as the other Sunday services. Charlotte Barber continues to be our organist. When she is unable to play we are thankful that Margaret Relf and Stephen Blair- Chappell come to our rescue.
New Development
One of the areas we developed and involved the congregation in active participation was intercessions. Elizabeth Meaney and Jennifer Campbell are now leading interces- sions on a rota basis.
Prayer for this coming year
Lord, may we never lose the desire to be renewed and to use our gifts. You do not work alone but have invited us to play a part in your purpose. May we be the people you want to raise to fulfil that purpose. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Elsie Blair-Chappell Assistant Priest
THE CROSSING SERVICE
The Crossing service remains a key focal point in our worship with our aim remaining to welcome people just as they are. Clearly the main change in 2010 was Josh Jones our Director of Music leaving to take up a new post in New Zealand. Josh left in July after 10 years of service at St Martin‘s. Replacing someone who has contributed so much to St Martin‘s over such a significant length of time is not easy but we are fortu- nate to have Philippa Done in post. Philippa has settled in very well and has begun to develop the worship team in the short time she has been working with us.
The Crossing is the largest service of the week with a rich variety of people coming to experience the mix of old and new songs, sermons and prayers. In the year we have followed particular themes at key times of the year, highlights being the Lent and Easter theme ‗The Naked Truth‘ and during Advent and Christmas ‗The Light of Life‘. In addition we have looked at other themes on prayer, the Jesus you never knew and in August we have used that season to try and be more meditative reflecting on key Bible verses.
We have introduced a prayer ministry team when this service is Holy Communion and those involved in praying with people are humbled by their willingness to share deep felt needs. They rejoice too at how gracious God is in answering our prayers.
The Crossing requires a great deal of planning and a team of people meet weekly to ensure we know what is happening, have available the right resources and prepare the power point slides. Thanks to Mark Gordon, Janet Finnemore, Lisa Taphouse, Emma Sykes and Philippa Done for all their help in this. A big thank you too to the Facilities Team and the Wardens team for the way they ensure the practical details for each ser- vice are sorted out.
Stewart Jones
6PM EVENING SERVICE
This Congregation has a real sense of fellowship and friendship; there is a good mixture of ages and races and numbers have on the whole been maintained.
The Evening Service, though conventional in structure, continues to incorporate elements from a wide range of traditions and styles; always grounded in Scripture, in both word and song, in thoughtful prayer and with time for meditation, it embodies as much congregational involvement as possible. The congregation does not feel sidelined even in Choral Services. Despite being held in the Nave it can be quite intimate in feel, thanks to the expertise of those leading worship and preaching.
Choir: This year we have said goodbye to Emma Hancox (now working at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford) and David and Helen Iles, (who live in Harbury, near Leamington), whose daughter, Eden, was born on August 10th, and Emily Dingle and Benjamin Gravestock have seldom been able to be with us. Emma MacPherson has had to withdraw but we hope that she can rejoin us. In September we welcomed Bethan Pinnock, daughter of Catherine and Rob, to sing Soprano – she says it is more fun than the cathedral girls‘ Choir! David Griffiths has born the lion‘s share of playing the for Choral services; Chris Harker, Michael Davey and Peter Churchill have each played occasionally. We have also had. Lucy Harvey, Sue Bates, Emma Hancox and her sister Chloe sing with us, and Chloe also contributed memorably to the Christmas Carol Service on violin. (The Christmas Carol Service actually took place on January 9th as the Church was closed early on December 19th for safety reasons – ―Christmas‖ weather!
Other Services: It has been a delight to me – and, from their very positive response – to the congregation to have Jo Barber contribute so magnificently with her violin playing to our worship on so many occasions at non-Choral Services. I must admit that I find the demands of accompanying quite ―stretching‖ at times, but it is so rewarding. Jo suggests suitable instrumental music and ideas for music during communion and also, at and after our rehearsals, invents wonderful melodies to accompany the hymns, psalms and other vocal items. (Planning services can, at times, be quite a lonely occupation) it is good for it to be truly co-operative. Once more the evening Ash Wednesday Service, held in the Chancel, was quite intimate in style and espe- cially beautiful.`
May I also thank David Lane (of St. Agatha‘s), who played for most of the non-choral services when I was away, and Stephen Blair-Chappell, who played for Christmas Midnight Commun- ion.
John Hawker, Director of Choral Music Tuesday Service of Prayers for Healing
The ministry provided through this service on a Tuesday continues to be very welcome and there is a consistent core attending of around 75 people. Janet Douglas has been the main leader of this service ably helped by Josh Jones (till July) and thereafter by a variety of musicians including Marion Woodward and Stephen Blair-Chappell. Philippa has taken up the responsibility of the music since her appointment in October.
The team providing prayer ministry has been very faithful and thanks needs to be ex- pressed to William and June Bacon, Clive Bevan, Carol Starkie, and Marion Woodward for being the main stays of this during the year. The listening service is also available where by people can simply tell their story and have someone listen to what they have to say. Thanks to everyone who has helped make this happen.
We are also very fortunate to have a great team of people willing to help with the re- freshments and administer the chalice with particular thanks to Christine Marshall for all her help in this.
The service follows the pattern of the Crossing service from the previous Sunday with some adjustments made to ensure it is not too long and this has been a very good way to use our limited resources more effectively.
With Janet Douglas being off long term sick for the last three months of the year spe- cial thanks needs to be expressed to Emma Sykes, Elsie Blair-Chappell, Marion Wood- ward and Alan Sherrin for their willingness to help preach and lead the services.
Clearly those who come to the service appreciate all that it offers and we give thanks to God for his gracious mercy in sustaining us and answering our prayers.
Stewart Jones
THURSDAY HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE
This service continues to provide a welcome oasis of peace and God‘s presence in a busy week. The pattern of those who lead the service has been consistent throughout 2010 with Elsie Blair-Chappell taking the first Thursday each month and on the whole Stewart Jones taking the others. This has provided more coherent pastoral care for those who come regularly.
Attendance varies but on average there are around 20 adults receiving Holy Commun- ion each week with many others coming to sit for part of the service.
Stewart Jones
SATURDAY SERVICE
The 2.00pm Sat service has continued this year with it‘s fairly traditional format of three hymns, prayers and a sermon. The service has usually followed the previous Sunday‘s theme. Attendance varies between 25 and 40. Occasionally the numbers have been up to 80 or so. Thanks to all those who have helped over the last year including Dick, Marion, Liz, William, Janet, and Stewart. As we seek to be faithful servants, our prayer is that the needs and hopes of the con- gregation are met in the person of Jesus Christ.
One item for prayer is that it would be good to have some regular singers to support the hymn singing.
Stephen & Elsie Blair-Chappell
Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care Forum
The aim of the Forum is to ensure that everyone at St Martin‘s has the opportunity to receive a genuine expression of Christian care.
The list of members is being checked to ensure we have the latest information. A team of members took on responsibility for visiting those who were no longer able to attend Church in December, Thanks to all who assisted.
In November a Quiz night was organized, raising over £100 for the Church. A course will be held for those interested in assisting with pastoral care.
Thanks to all Forum members for their help and enthusiasm.
Yvonne Thompson Chair - Pastoral Care Forum
ST MARTIN’S CENTRE FOR HEALTH AND HEALING
The Centre for Health and Healing aims through it‘s Help Desk and Counselling Ser- vice, to alleviate the suffering and distress of the most vulnerable and excluded people in and around the city. The majority of people who use our services experience mutilple disadvantage and are often some of the most ‗damaged‘ people in society. Many arrive at the Centre in crisis with nowhere else to turn, having been assessed and deemed as unsuitable/too high a risk for, or having ‗exhausted‘, most other services available to them.
During 2010 both the Counselling Service and Help Desk have seen the demand for their services increase as more people experience problems coping with the current economic climate. Last year the Centre for Health and Healing worked with over 3,500 people offering in excess of 22,000 interventions. Feed-back from our clients indicates that the majority of those who use our services consider them of great benefit. As a consequence our reputation for being able to work with some of the most problematic people and help resolve their problems continues to grow. Last year we saw a signifi- cant rise in referrals from the courts, social services, G.P‘s and the N.H.S. Open six days a week the Help Desk has an ‗open access‘ policy. No appointments are necessary and no-one is turned away. The service provides specialist Mental Health Befriending and Mentoring, advice, practical help with Independent living skills, advo- cacy, onward referral and a listening service. Clients are provided with access to a range of specialist workers, to help with Mental Health issues, problems with addiction, Housing issues (including emergency accommodation), benefits advice and personal finance. In addition in-depth resettlement activities are undertaken.
The Help Desk also operates an Out Reach Service, going out onto the streets of Bir- mingham in the evenings and early mornings. This service aims to build relationships with Rough Sleepers, offering advice, care and support and encouraging individuals to attend the Help Desk for more structured help.
Continued
Open 52 hrs per week over 6 days the Counselling Service has the capacity to offer 16,200 hours of individual, couple and small group Psychological Therapy sessions per year. The service has an acknowledged expertise in the areas of; personality and eat- ing disorders, Anxiety & Depression, Addiction, Abuse and Family work, and special- ises in working with people who present with multiple or complex difficulties; who are frequently excluded from using other services.
Ironically as the numbers of people needing our services increases our ability to pro- vide an effective response looks increasingly problematic. 2011 will be an extremely difficult year for the Centre for Health and Healing. Like so many small charities we will see a significant reduction in the funding we receive from contracts and grants. If we are to continue to provide the help and support needed by the most vulnerable members of society we are increasingly going to have to look to new and innovative ways to raise funds. As a team we are working hard to develop new funding opportuni- ties, however ultimately it will be the goodwill and support we receive from members of our community that will ensure we continue in our vital work.
Rob Jones Director
EVANGELISM
Evangelism Forum Annual Report 2011
Members of Evangelism Forum
Chair – Alan Sherrin Staff Link – Elsie Blair-Chappell Other Members – Paul Rogoff
Aim of this Forum
To proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ
How
Through a wide range of events Through sermon series By running an enquires‘ course on a regular basis
Achievements
‗Who is Jesus‘ Course –This is a basic enquirers‘ course run for 4 weeks. The plan is to run this course 3 times a year. The first one had a core group of ten and the second has about 4 or six people attending. Stewart Jones is leading it.
Emmaus Course run by Emma follows on the ‗Who is Jesus‘ course also 3 times a year.
Follow up
Each of these groups after the two courses would be ready to continue as a Life Group.
Members who want to be baptised/confirmed will have the opportunity to do so. Liaison with Discipleship Forum will be followed up.
Issues to be considered
Overlap of aims and objectives between forums. Evangelism Forum has three members. Would we need more? Volunteers are welcomed.
Elsie Blair-Chappell
DISCIPLESHIP
Discipleship Forum Annual Report 2010
Members of the forum: Naomi Candlin (Chair) Emma Sykes (Staff Member) Rachel Day (PCC Member) Christine Rushen Johnathan Stephens Dick Rodgers Oli Preston Hannah Borg
Aim: To transform every aspect of our lives so that we grow in our daily walk with Christ.
How: By establishing a growing leaders course.
By revitalizing all aspects of our life groups.
By employing a youth worker.
Update on each area By establishing a growing leaders course.
Our first Growing Leaders course started in October 2010 and will end in July 2011. There are 17 participants on the course of all ages and so far we have received very positive feedback from the participants. The next course will start in September 2011 and we hope that some of the current participants will help by co-leading some sessions on the next course and by becoming mentors. The aim of the course is to help people to grow in their faith and discern where God is calling them in their positions of leadership (informal and formal).
Continued
By revitalizing all aspects of our life groups.
This is the area that the forum is focusing upon most at the moment A lifegroup leaders meeting was held recently where we audited the groups and got feedback from the leaders The general response is that leaders would like to meet together more regularly, the lifegroups need to be advertised more so new people know how to access them and they need a higher profile within the life of the church.
We agreed to begin to do this as well as to set up a resource library for the groups and to have two events in the year where lifegroups could come together – perhaps Lent for some spiritual input and summer for a lifegroup social It was agreed that each lifegroup would take it in turns to put an article in inspire each month just to share what they had been doing and to help raise their profile There are currently the following lifegroups: City Centre(hosted by Tom Thompson), Northfield Group (Johnathan Stephens), Four Oaks (Alan Sherrin), Marion Woodward‘s Group, Second Northfield group (Dick and Sue Rodgers), Solihull Group (Christine Rushen) and Aston Group (Wilf Robinson) It was agreed there were lots of good things about lifegroups, therefore there was a good foundation upon which to build.
By employing a youth worker
We don‘t have one but two youth workers! Hannah Borg who is a placement student with us doing 14 hours a week from Octo- ber 2010 until June 2013 Oli Preston – Youth and schools worker doing 30 hours a week who started this month. They are both working together to create a vision for the youth and schools work for St Martins and we are looking forward to seeing how this develops. The urgent need is to secure long term funding for the youth and schools post and also so that it can become full time.
Emma Sykes
The Mix Annual Report 2010
2010 has been an interesting year for the mix in terms of leaders coming and going and young people coming and going! At the tail end of 2009 to the beginning of 2010 we had Ani Howell-Jones helping out for a stint, assisted by Alice Lewis who has con- tinued on and off for the year. We then employed Becci Palethorpe for a few months to help bring some consistency to the group who now continues as a volunteer. It has been challenging as numbers have been up and down and many of the young people have heavy school commitments which amongst other things have drawn their atten- tion away. Despite this however, they did a great job of filming a short film for the nativ- ity service, which due to a technical hitch had to delay it‘s debut until the following week, but ended up being publically viewed over a number of occasions!
The beginning of November saw the welcome addition of Hannah Borg a Centre for Youth Ministry Student who is with us for three years, to help with the youth work. We also secured some funding for a youth and schools worker, who we interviewed in De- cember and began in January 2011, Oli Preston. Despite a shaky start then to the year, it ended much more positively with some firm foundations to build upon for 2011.
Emma Sykes
Kids Club Report
We have had a good year. There is a regular core of youngsters who come and the three teams have worked faithfully each first, third and fifth Sunday during school terms. We sadly "lost" Rachel and Emma this year. Their cheerful contribution has been much appreciated, as has that of Mac, our newest helper and our two assistants Sophie and Imaani. Recently we decided to link older members with younger ones and seek better transition to The Mix. We have set a date for a summer bring-and-share lunch. Finally, thanks to Emma for her invaluable organisational and leadership input.
Sue Rodgers
Mission
Mission Forum Report 2010
The Mission forum met twice in the year. The aim of the forum is to reach out to the city centre of Birmingham with the love of God in Christ. By: • By discovering the people and needs of our parish. • By developing the St Martin’s Festival. • By reviewing our mission partner links. All these items are being addressed. The festival is being looked after by a separate Festival group. We have started exploring how we can strengthen our links with our mission partners – in particular CMS. We are also looking at what parish audit re- sources are available.
Stephen Blair-Chappell
Saint Martin’s Arts 2010 Saint Martin‘s Arts has continued to sustain the arts programmes and activities during 2010. There have been a couple of staff changes and some re-organising of roles, which have enabled Saint Martin‘s Arts to provide creative ways of engaging the wider St Martin‘s church community. Here are some of the highlights.
‗Nature in Arts‘ – Took its creative inspiration from its title and saw community artist Debra Hall return for 6 sessions of arts activities aimed at families and children. The sessions were very well attended with participants able to try their hand at clay pen-pot making, grass scene using torn collage and an Aboriginal painting activity. Debra also returned for 2 Advent Calendar workshops, which provided respite for Christmas shoppers.
Exhibitions: the year kicked off with a joint exhibition featuring work from Bham Focus and CraftworX. The work of both groups complimented each other very well. Working Arts Group revisited St Martin‘s with its focus on Self Portraits a mixed-media exhibition looking at identity for those with special needs. Midland Painting Group where the average age of members is 60, exhibited a very high quality series of paintings. The Big Draw, saw us give an opportunity for every- one to participate in The Shape of Things to Come exhibition. This proved very popular and interesting. 2 Clicks: Photo to Pen, a community project exhibi- tion saw participants come together over 5 weeks, capturing images from 2 city centre locations. The images then became inspiration for pieces of creative writing. Both the images and the creative writing were used as part of the exhi- bition
CraftworX: group turned their hands to mosaics, mask making, and plastersine modeling for an animated piece of work. The group continues to work well to- gether and there has been marked improvement for a number of members. Westhill Endowment funding support, means the programme can continue through 2012.
SMART Poets, formed in 2008 continue to meet monthly, and are now back - resi- dent at St Martin‘s. The group have seen a small growth in regular attendance and set themselves the goal of 2 poetry-related events, producing a publication and involvement in Artsfest.
Continued Music @ St Martin’s: is the banner title for music events programmed by Saint Martin‘s Arts. This includes Friday Lunch Time Concerts, which have enjoyed an excellent standard of music performed by students from Birmingham Conserva- toire. “Live@theT-lounge” saw new and upcoming artist Judyshouse, Benja- min Blower and The Army of the Broken Hearted, and Selina Blakeny provide the music at smaller acoustic concerts, making use of the Tea lounge space. And Sound@StMartin’s had its first commercial concert provided by The Irre- pressible, a night of classical musical theatre.
StMarties: Messy Church, Music and Stories for 0-5 year olds, ended in spring 2010. A small measure of success was gained with the group and a number of the contacts made during the session, have now become regular participants at other Children and Family workshops.
Messy Play Club: finished in December 2010. Specific funding earmarked for work with children between 0 -5yrs old provided much needed input and opportunity for this age group. We have been able to continue to target this age group with ongoing activities.
Organisation: Emma Skyes, as Chair has steered the Board of Trustees through a year that has seen some changes and new opportunities. Cheryl Homer has been on maternity leave and her absence has been covered with an increase in hours for Pro- ject Officer Collin Wallace and by recruitment of a temporary Arts Assistant, Jessica Evans.
Part of this year focus has been the drafting of a ―Working Agreement‖ that went to the PCC and an agreed recognition of St Martins Arts being seen more openly as part of the mission and ministry of the church.
Creativity and artist opportunities have been the backbone of the work Saint Martin‘s Arts has been able to maintain through this year. This is thanks in no small part to the hard work of the team and all those who have supported the charity. There is much to be thankful for and much Saint Martin‘s Arts would like to do. Our hope is for continu- ing opportunities to strengthen and develop the artistic and creative ministry of St Mar- tin‘s community.
Collin Wallace
St Martin’s Youth & Community Centre Report
On walking through the doors, a fun and challenging environment awaits the young people and they are encouraged to participate in a range of activities. Many individuals just want to ‗chill out‘ with friends.
Highgate is close to the city centre and in the top 2% of the country, as an area of dep- rivation. Crime and unemployment figures are high and poverty and low educational attainments are major factors in the lives of the young people.
The Changing Boundaries project funded by the Home Office has gone from strength to strength. A group of young people have learned about running small businesses and have developed their own business plans. They decided to engage in designing t- shirts which have been sold to make a profit.
During the year a large gang of young people has been operating in the area. They are involved in crime, intimidating the community and attempting to recruit new mem- bers and are prepared to use both guns and knives. This has been a concern to all agencies and the police working in the district.
The Centre has received grant funding from Birmingham City Council for the last 40 years. This ceases on 31.03.2011 and leaves a large hole in our finances. Conse- quently, the Management Committee have been engaged in fundraising in order to continue and to develop the youth work, having taken a decision to maintain the Centre for the future.
We should like to thank the PCC for its generous financial support and to those congre- gational members who contribute financially by donations and Penny Pots. We are also grateful for your prayers and in particular to a small group of people who have committed to praying for the future of the Centre on a daily basis. Keep praying and giving please. Your support is greatly valued.
Bridget Cameron Vice Chair, Management Committee BELIEVING IN BIRMINGHAM
St Martin‘s continues to be a full member of the city centre churches network called Be- lieving in Birmingham. This group met throughout the year with the AGM in May 2010. The theme for 2009/10 was Justice and the economy with Street Ministry being the theme for 2010/11. Some of the key pieces of work linked in and through Believing in Birmingham are:
Retail Chaplaincy: Elaine Hutchinson has been working with the existing team of Market Chaplains to developing its role. Work continues through the Bullring, Pallasades and other key retail areas in the city centre.
Fair Trade: Through the shop at Carrs lane, fair-trade fortnight and a more visible presence of fair trade products in shops this has been a good year.
Website & Logo: A new logo has been designed. An updated Directory has been produced.
Birmingham Christian Homeless Forum: The Forum consists of around 15 or- ganisations engaged within the homeless sector of the city. It offers space for groups and individuals to express concerns and share resources. The Street Banquet continues as a regular event, and is enjoyed by both guests and volun- teers.
SIFA/Fireside: B in B has a new representative on the board.
Justice and Economy: At the beginning of March, a workshop entitled, 'Make the Words live' was held. This provided an opportunity for friends from Believing in Birmingham - and beyond - to consider how Christian concern for issues of jus- tice and the ongoing economic situation could and should be reflected in the lit- urgies of the churches.
Heritage Open Days: Open Days were held from 9th to 12th September with a num- ber of churches participating.
Stewart Jones THE BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE FORUM
The main purpose of the Forum is to promote the wonderfully rich and varied heritage sites that are within the Birmingham area to the media, city councillors, tourist information centres, coach companies and indeed anyone who can help raise awareness of the city‘s wealth of heritage and, therefore, encourage more visitors to our sites and the city.
The Forum achieves its objectives by maintaining and promoting the website www.birminghamheritage.org.uk and by producing and circulating a publicity leaflet. The website is linked to most of the members‘ websites and there is a reciprocal link back to the Forum‘s website. The ‗Visit Birmingham‘ website provides the highest number of referrals to the Forum‘s website at 20% of the total hits.
The Forum produces and circulates a publicity leaflet and holds meetings four times a year with a speaker on a subject relevant to running heritage venues. The meetings also give members the opportunity to exchange leaflets and give details of forthcoming events at their venues, details of which are then published on the Forum‘s website.
In 2010, the leaflet was completely redesigned and 100,000 leaflets were produced. The leaf- let was folded to DL size and is eight pages. To help assess the effectiveness of the leaflet a competition was added to the last page with a prize of £30 and vouchers for members‘ sites. Sponsorship from Renaissance West Midlands, the city and Marketing Birmingham covered the production and distribution costs.
Membership stands at 42 venues including six of the city‘s historic churches, one conserva- tion organisation, five Blue Badge Guides and two group service providers which are Birming- ham Tours and Birmingham City Archives. New members are the Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery, Kings Norton Nature Reserve, Moor Street Station, Special Collections at Birming- ham University and the Ruins of Weoley Castle.
The quarterly meetings are held on a site rotation basis. In March the Forum was invited to go to the Birmingham Oratory for the first time. There was a tour of the building and a fasci- nating talk on its history by Father Gregory Winterton. At that stage there was no confirmation that the Pope would be visiting Cardinal Newman‘s former presbytery. The AGM was held at Selly Manor after which there was a ‗Brum Buz‘ Tour. The other meetings have been held at the restored Winterbourne House and Garden and on a very snowy and icy December day at the Nature Centre.
This year, do make a special effort to look out for the Forum leaflet, especially as St Martin‘s will be featured on the front cover! There is always a good supply of leaflets at church and it would be great if St Martin‘s congregation took a supply to pass on to their friends.
Jean Jepson MALAWI DIOCESAN LINK
During the last year £48,000 has been donated to the Birmingham Diocesan Link of Malawi. This funding was received from parish churches as well as individuals from across Birmingham Diocese and was shared equally among the four dioceses which form the Anglican Church in Malawi. The money raised contributes to maintaining a Christian presence and outreach in the communities through the churches. However, the money given falls short of the Diocese‘s target of £70,000. As a consequence, church members are being encouraged to reach a revised target of £60,000 in 2011.
An additional £46,000 was contributed towards specific parish, school and hospital links through the Birmingham Diocesan Office.
Two members of the Malawian clergy were consecrated diocesan bishops in 2010 after their election to the roles. The former Archdeacon of Lilongwe, Ven Francis Kaulanda, became Bishop of Lake Diocese. Francis visited St Martin‘s during the first Malawi- Birmingham diocesan youth exchange in April 1998. Revd Fanuel Magangani became the Bishop of Northern Diocese.
If you re-read last year‘s annual report you will notice that Revd Leslie Mtekateka was due to be consecrated Bishop of Northern Diocese, following his election as the first Malawian elected to the position in that diocese. His predecessors were the British- born and former member of Birmingham Diocese, Christopher Boyle, and American, Jackson Biggers. In June 2006, the Revd J Scott Wilson SSC of the Diocese of Fort Worth, USA withdrew as sole candidate as bishop for Northern Malawi. Consequently, the diocese was prompted to conduct an abbreviated internal search which produced Revd Mtekateka.
In turn, Revd Mtekateka, the Rector of St Timothy‘s, Chitipa, became the sole candi- date for diocesan bishop in Northern Malawi. Interestingly, he is the son of the Rt Revd Josiah Mtekateka, the first African bishop of Malawi, who was consecrated in 1965 as Suffragan Bishop of Nyasaland, and in 1971 as the first Bishop of Lake Malawi.
However, the Court of Confirmation of the Church of the Province of Central Africa re- jected the election of the Revd Leslie Mtekateka as Bishop of Northern Malawi. A new election to succeed the Rt Revd Christopher Boyle, who returned to England to serve as Assistant Bishop of Leicester, was then scheduled. Delegates from the five arch- deaconries in Northern Malawi met in the Diocese of Lake Malawi with representatives from the Province of Central Africa and chose an indigenous priest to serve as its next bishop — Revd Fanuel Magangani.
Continued MALAWI DIOCESAN LINK
Thus Birmingham‘s Diocesan Link with Malawi continues through prayer, interaction of people and awareness of their lives, and financial giving.
Please pray for: Malawi and Birmingham Diocese‘s continued relationship with her people, especially through the church communities the four bishops of Malawi; parish clergy; members of the laity, especially the Mothers‘ Union in their leadership and pastoral roles wisdom in helping the church in Malawi to move towards financial self-sustainability the appointment of a new World Mission Officer in Birmingham.
Rachel Jepson February 2011
CENTRAL BIRMINGHAM DEANERY SYNOD
The deanery has met twice during the year and on each occasion at different venues. It has become the practice for the incumbent of the host venue to give a parish profile which has stimulated interest and improved the members‘ knowledge of the variety of churches and their mission outlook in the deanery.
The March meeting was held at St George‘s Church, Newtown. The meeting opened with prayer by Larry Wright, Rector of St George‘s and the Area Dean, the Revd Andrew Lenox- Conyngham welcomed the members of the deanery.
A discussion on marriage was held and an amended motion on marriage was passed as fol- lows:
‗This synod, wishing to encourage the institution of marriage, and to reduce the financial burden on couples wishing to be married in church, requests the Archbishops‘ Council to draw up proposals for substantially reducing, or abolishing, the statutory fees for church weddings.‘ In favour of the motion: 10 Against the motion: 9
The motion was sent to the Diocesan Secretary, Mr Jim Drennan for it to be debated at Dioce- san Synod.
It was reported at the September Deanery Synod that the motion had been discussed at the July Diocesan Synod but that it had been lost. It was pointed out that this had been the first motion for sometime from a deanery to Diocesan Synod and was therefore very much appre- ciated.
The September meeting was held at St Luke‘s Church Centre. The usual procedure was fol- lowed with a welcome by the Area Dean.
The speaker was the Bishop of Aston, the Rt Revd Andrew Watson who spoke on Mission and Evangelism with particular reference to the Diocese.
During the year the following have been welcomed to the House of Clergy: Taiwo Olumuyiwa. — honorary curate St Luke‘s Church Centre Jonathan Dowman — priest-in-charge B1 Church Larry Wright — Rector St George‘s Newtown Dr Anne Hinks — assistant curate (SSM) St George‘s Newtown Ian Harper — Vicar St John‘s and St Peter‘s Ladywood Catherine Ogle — Dean St Philip‘s Cathedral
At both meetings there were parish updates and General Synod and Diocesan Synod reports were tabled.
Jean Jepson February 2011 Birmingham Diocesan Synod
Birmingham Diocesan Synod met three times last year (the House of Laity twice), and reports from meetings given to Deanery Synod and P.C.C. The year‘s first meeting re- ceives the Diocesan Annual Reports, acts as Annual General Meeting of the Diocesan Board of Finance adopting the Accounts, appointing auditors; and setting the Budget. Meetings have also discussed Transforming Church, Malawi (our link Diocese), a mo- tion from Central Birmingham Deanery Synod regarding wedding fees originated by Revd Dr Dick Rodgers, and Women Bishops, received General Synod reports, and in- clude a Presidential Address, notices, time for previously submitted questions, and nec- essary legislative business.
Liz Harris
The GENERAL SYNOD of the CHURCH of ENGLAND
Gathering of General Synod members in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey for the in- auguration of the Ninth General Synod on Tuesday 23 November 2010 From left to right: Bishop David Urquhart, Canon Dr Paula Gooder, Ven Hayward Osborne, Revd Nigel Hand, Revd Catherine Grylls, Dr Rachel Jepson
It was the end of an era for members of General Synod in 2010 as the meeting in York in July marked the last group of sessions before the elections to the new Synod in the autumn. Several lay people who had been on General Synod since it began in 1970 and some before that when it was the Church Assembly decided to ‗call it a day‘! I was delighted to be re-elected for a third consecutive term of five years. I should like to thank you for your continued support of me through your encouragement and prayer for my role on the General Synod of the Church of England since 2000. I am enor- mously grateful for your generosity of spirit to me. It is a privilege to be an elected lay member representing the Birmingham Diocese.
As part of the inauguration of the Ninth General Synod on Tuesday 23 November 2010, the Queen and Prince Philip joined members of General Synod and their sup- porters at Westminster Abbey for a service of Holy Communion. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, presided and Dame Mary Tanner — President of the World Council of Churches, preached. Then the Queen inaugurated the Synod in the assembly room of Church House. The Queen, in her moving and foresightful address, reminded Synod that: ‗The opening of a new Synod is a moment when we can all give thanks for the witness of those who have gone before, and pray for wisdom as you seek to balance change and continuity in the decisions that lie ahead of you.‘ She went on to emphasise: ‗The new Synod will have many issues to resolve to ensure that the Church of England remains equipped for the effective pursuit of its mission and ministry. Some will, no doubt, involve difficult, even painful, choices. But Christian his- tory suggests that times of growth and spiritual vigour have often coincided with peri- ods of challenge and testing. What matters is holding firmly to the need to communi- cate the gospel with joy and conviction in our society.‘ The GENERAL SYNOD of the CHURCH of ENGLAND
Interestingly, this Synod reflects some significant changes among its membership: 35% of those elected were starting their first, five-year term; the proportion of elected clergy who are female has increased from 21% to 28%; women now make up 46% of the elected laity which is an increase from 40% I was involved with the induction seminar in Church House on the Monday to which both newly elected and returning Synod members were invited to attend. The Archbishop of Canterbury welcomed members including two new members of the House of Bishops: the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell — the Bishop of Chelmsford and the Rt Revd James Langstaff — the Bishop of Rochester and formerly of our diocese!
Women in the episcopate was the topic which dominated the July group of sessions. In February 2009, Synod agreed that draft legislation to allow women to be conse- crated as bishops should be referred for revision in committee. The Saturday was the start of a marathon whereby Synod first ‗take note‘ of the Revision Committee‘s report on the admission of women to the episcopate, followed by the debate on each ‗clause‘ of the Measure — known as the Revision Stage. There were going to be six outcomes from the legislation as follows:
1 No change 2 Single Clause — the Church is quite simply and legally consecrating women bish- ops
3 Additional dioceses — to allow for sacramental assurance for the Anglo-catholics 4 One of three flavours of diocesan scheme which provided for episcopal oversight from a male bishop:
a along the same lines as current resolution A, B or C parishes b with delegated authority from the diocesan bishop c with implied authority through the measure by the diocesan bishop graciously stepping aside At this group of sessions, Synod voted to ‗take note‘ of the Revision Committee‘s re- port, before moving on to the Revision Stage. There were a few amendments to the draft legislation. There is provision for those who in conscience cannot receive the ministry of women as bishops through certain functions possibly being undertaken by a male bishop under a diocesan scheme. The scheme will be made in accordance with a statutory national code of practice. The GENERAL SYNOD of the CHURCH of ENGLAND
If a majority of the forty-four Diocesan Synods approve the draft legislation, (this proc- ess is underway) it will return to the General Synod probably in February 2012 for Final Drafting and consideration in accordance with Article 7 of the Constitution. The Final Approval stage, at which two-thirds majorities are required in each House — Bishops, Clergy and Laity, could be reached in 2012. If approved, the legislation would then go to Parliament for consideration by the Ecclesiastical Committee and Houses of Com- mons and Lords. After 12½ hours in the chamber (with breaks for lunch and supper) Synod members who still had some stamina relaxed to watch the quinquennial revue which allows talent of enormous quality to break free. From a Mozart aria to a couple of Harry Potter sketches, transport impressions and the Bishop of Dibley, there was the complete gamut of entertainment. As usual I participated in the revue — the Harry Potter sketches which was great fun and there was even a very favourable review on page 3 of The Church Times!
A couple of interesting issues concerning wider society were debated in February. The vital role played by those engaged in communicating religious belief and practice through the media was acknowledged. Deep concern about the overall reduction in religious broadcasting across British television in recent years was also emphasized. Members spoke passionately about the potentially damaging effects on children and young people of computer games containing violent and sexual content. Synod called upon the Government to continue to keep under review the regulatory system for advertising video games.
Please note for more information: www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod
Rachel Jepson March 2011 Administration FINANCE FORUM
The year ending 2010 has been another wonderful opportunity to see God at work at St. Martin‘s. We started the year with a budget that was conservatively realistic and have bettered that budget by some margin, without cutting back on any major items. This has been achieved by the increasing success of the commercial activities drawing in better-than-budgeted income and the continued control of costs. There has been a lot of hard work and dedication from those involved, staff and volunteers, to achieve this result.
There were a number of achievements worthy of individual note: in 2010, St Martin‘s paid the full extent of its common fund contribution and have budgeted to do the same in 2011. the legacy of debt from the St Martin‘s Centre was paid off in full (capital and inter- est) in 2010. The tea lounge was been fantastically successful in 2010 Room lettings held up well over the year against the back-drop of many of our clients cutting their expenditure.
From the point of view of Finance, this has been a successful year for St Martin‘s, par- ticularly given the gloomy economic conditions in the country. But we mustn‘t become complacent. The coming year must be one in which we continue to focus on God and ask that the good progress over recent years continues. As I commented in the 2009 Annual Report, we‘re on the right path and, with our perspiration and God‘s inspiration, we will succeed.
My thanks go to the members of the Committee, the staff team and the volunteers who have helped to make it a successful year and I look forward to serving God though St. Martin‘s in the coming year.
Mac Sykes Chair of Finance 2010
. PERSONNEL FORUM
With the reorganisation of the PCC committee structure to a model of forums one of the changes that took place in 2010 was the end of the personnel committee. To ensure personnel matters do not get forgotten Jo Murgatroyd (formerly chair of the personnel committee) has taken the brief of keeping a track of all policies and informing the senior staff as to when they need to be updated. This in the main is Stewart Jones, Mark Gordon and Tom Thompson at the moment. Further work on this needs to be done to make sure we act as best we can as an employer.
Stewart Jones
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC) 2010/2011
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is the executive body of each parish church throughout the Church of England. Lay members are elected by electoral roll members at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) which is held in April. At St Martin‘s the PCC lay members are elected to serve a three-year term. Membership of the PCC consists of all clergy licensed to St Martin‘s. and Churchwardens; Deanery, Diocesan and General Synod members (all ex-officio) one representative of the Readers and fif- teen members nominated, seconded and elected from the electoral roll.
The Rector is the chairperson of the PCC. As part of demonstrating the clergy/laity partnership at St Martin‘s the lay vice-chairperson chairs the meetings. It is a tradition which has been in operation for over sixty years so it is something of which we should be proudJ
The Standing Committee is the only committee required by law of the Church of Eng- land and is also accountable to the PCC. It has the power to conduct routine work on behalf of the PCC between Council meetings. Membership is: the Rector, the two churchwardens, treasurer (position currently vacant) and vice-chairwoman — all of whom are ex-officio, and one annually appointed PCC member, currently Mrs Bridget Cameron. The Standing Committee has met six times and confirmed the agenda for the following PCC meeting, future items for discussion and any emergency business.
The main change has been the introduction of the ‗forums‘ as the PCC plays its part in implementing the church‘s ‗Vision and Strategy 2010 - 2013‘ as presented in that docu- ment. The six forums are: prayer and worship, pastoral care, discipleship, evangelism, mission, administration — fabric, finance, and personnel.
The Standing Committee and forums are able to make recommendations to the PCC and report to the membership of their business on a rotational basis. The Council also aims to keep abreast of the issues which arise from the reports from the synods — General Synod, Diocesan Synod and Deanery Synod, and the ecumenical city centre churches‘ council — Believing in Birmingham. Council members of the various synods, therefore, report following their respective sessions and more recently, the Life Groups, have started to inform the PCC of their gatherings.
Continued PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC) 2010/2011
At the seven Council meetings a range of items has been discussed and ratified such as the Believing in Birmingham Constitution; the General Health and Safety policy and the annual Child Protection policy. The PCC has monitored the progress of the resto- ration and installation of the Guild of the Holy Cross panel to that Chapel which is com- pleted. Perhaps the topic discussed with the most far-reaching consequences was consecrating women to the episcopate of the Church of England. The Rector gave a presentation which summarized the main debate concerning women in the episcopate and clarified the current legislation before the forty-four dioceses of the Church of Eng- land. The legislation would allow parishes which struggle with the notion of female bishops to ‗pass a resolution in the form of a Letter of Request stating that, on the grounds of theological conviction, the council requests that episcopal ministry and pas- toral care should be provided by a male bishop to the clergy and parishioners in the parish in accordance with the scheme under section 2.‘ The results will be sent to Church House, London for their information. The proposal before members and the voting figures was as follows:
Proposal: To accept the legislation in its current form to consecrate women to the epis- copate. Proposer: Marion Woodward Seconder: William Bacon Decision: For: 15 Against: none Abstentions: 1 Carried
In summary, the PCC has the privilege and legal responsibility to ratify decisions on spiritual, legal, financial, pastoral, missionary and ecumenical matters affecting the wor- ship and witness of the church as stated in the Synodical Government Measure.
There are nine places available for lay members for election at this year‘s APCM. Please prayerfully consider if this is a way in which you would like to serve Christ and the church in the heart of Birmingham.
Rachel Jepson Vice-Chairwoman February 2011
. Electoral Roll Report
At the time of the last Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on 27.04.2010, there were 323 names on the Electoral Roll.
Recorded below are the names of those who died during the year 2010-2011:
Hortense Beach Jeanne Grace Clement Daphne Dsane Eric Harris Roger Hoole Phyllis Waterman
The total number of names on the Electoral Roll is 333.
This information will be presented at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on Wednesday 6th April 2011.
Bridget Cameron Electoral Roll Officer
CHURCHWARDENS REPORT 2010
As some of you will know, Churchwardens are elected to represent the people of the church. For things to happen each week, we rely solely on people in church doing what they have offered to do. For this, we are most thankful to many people, but would just like to particularly thank a few who have stood out to us most recently: rector: Stewart has had many challenges here at St Martin‘s, that never get imagined of in most parish churches. St Martin‘s is so different than many churches (which may be why some may like it), and we thank Stewart and Julie for their great efforts here in get- ting things right. Many thanks Stewart & Julie for everything.
other preaching ministries: To all other clergy and readers, we thank them for their time, particularly with the extra duties in covering Janet‘s absence. We do think and pray for Janet during her time away. One additional minister we have when available is Alan Pain, and we thank him for his very valued and well-delivered sermons that we all enjoy. Thank-you all.
music ministry: There are many involved in this and it is with thanks to John and Phillipa who lead the music for the morning and evening services. Both work very hard at getting the ser- vices together, and Phillipa has settled in well as the new music-leader and imple- mented rehearsals to the worship team, as John has all-along done with the choir.
bellringers: A different type of music maybe, but still music – it‘s just that their musical instruments are a lot bigger than the rest. For anyone that doesn‘t know, churches tend to have eight or 12 bells – but oh, there is one church in England, and in the world, with 16- bells: and guess wot, yes, it‘s us!! And the bellringers put in loads of practice, and they‘re good.
commercial & church managers: This year has seen a change in staff responsibilities with Tom and Mark. Mark has taken-on the role of church manager which involves managing facilities and cleaning staff, and seeing to the general running of the building and arranging contractors. This has been a big change in responsibilities with a lot of learning, to which Mark has taken on great. Tom is now able to concentrate his efforts on overseeing the church shop and tea-lounge, as well as managing the room-hire and all the finances. This has worked well, and we give thanks to both Mark and Tom. CHURCHWARDENS REPORT 2010 sidespersons: The sidespersons are probably the first people that anyone coming into a service meet. And you know what‘s said about first impressions. Sidespersons are there to greet visitors and to make them feel welcome, and to help with other parts of the service. So to all for the help that they give us, many thanks. Our thanks go to Jennifer Campbell, David & Margaret Relf, Audrey Sherrin, and
Rosemary Watkins, for their help at the Sunday 9:30 service. Then comes the 11 o‘clock crossing service for who we thank Margaret & Rachel Day, Jenny Forrest, Lorna Honick, Janine Lynn, Jo Murgurtroyd, Carmen Samuda, Bob Skelcher. We thank too Elizabeth Cosnett for her help at the Thursday Communion service. And unofficially co-opted we include Paul Rogoff for his help with various ser- vices, particularly on Saturdays. We also give thanks to Elvie Duggins who helped out for many years, and to Fiona Breckenridge who helped for a short time. We wish them both well. welcoming team: At times other than the Sunday services, there is also a team of welcomers and church guides who greet people, give them a church-leaflet if they want it, and show them round. These also act as sidespersons during weekday services. A big thank-you to all involved particularly Paul and Sylvia Rogoff, John Lewis, and Joney Blair. assistant wardens:
To the assistant wardens, we thank them for the help that they all give on most Sundays at the crossing service. We thank them also particularly: Ben Asirvatham who as previous churchwarden is always willing to help with any- thing that comes his way. William Bacon, also previous churchwarden, gives much support at the crossing service and 6pm Sunday services, also as he leads and speaks at some of the Tuesday and Saturday services, and is involved with the prayer-ministry. We thank him also for his time spent on the fabric and finance forums. Paul Honick , again previous churchwarden, for his help in various ways, includ- ing the prayer-ministry and with help with flower arranging. Christine Rushen who helps at the crossing service and some of the Sunday eve- ning services, continues to help the Assistant Treasurer; and she also helps with kidzklub.
CHURCHWARDENS REPORT 2010 church shop & tea-lounge: Two people that work outstandingly – Karen and Naomi. Karen has turned-round the shop not only from a financial point, but there is always a great welcome to people as they come in. And Naomi has come up trumps with cheerfully looking after the tea- lounge no matter what issues occur. Many thanks to you both. and finally… To everyone else who helps within St Martin‘s. A shorter report this year, and naming- names is always hard, but we do give a big thanks to all who have helped us. We thank finally all on the PCC who are the trustees of St Martin‘s, and much work goes on in everything that‘s involved with this. Particular thanks go to others on the Standing Committee (part of the PCC), Rachel and Bridget. Many, many thanks to all for your help.
The Churchwardens