Fawkham and Hartley Parochial Church Council
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All Saints’ Church, Hartley St Mary’s Church, Fawkham Fawkham and Hartley Church Centre, Hartley ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE FAWKHAM AND HARTLEY PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL For the Year Ended 31st December 2016 Incumbent: The Reverend James Fletcher of The Rectory, 3 St. John’s Lane, Hartley, Longfield, Kent Honorary Treasurer: Brian Jelley (Chartered Public Finance Accountant) of Abergwaun, Stack Lane, Hartley, Longfield Kent Honorary Independent Examiner: James Colwell (Fellow of International Accountants) of The Firs, Fairby Lane, Hartley, Longfield, Kent Bankers The Co‐operative Bank Plc of Dartford, Kent Page 1 Fawkham and Hartley Parochial Church Council Annual Report for 2016 Administrative Information. The Fawkham & Hartley Parochial Church Council (PCC) is part of the Diocese of Rochester within the Church of England. The correspondence address is: The Rectory, 3 St. John’s Lane, Hartley, Longfield, Kent DA3 8ET. The PCC is a charity registered with the Charity Commission under registration number 1130791. Structure, Governance and Management The function and purpose of the PCC is outlined in the Parochial Church Council (Powers) Measure 1956 Objectives and Activities Fawkham & Hartley PCC has the responsibility of co‐operating with the incumbent, the Revd. James Fletcher, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The Parish Mission Statement affirms that: We exist: to spread the Gospel; to advance God’s Kingdom. We seek to do this by: praying for the renewing love of the Holy Spirit; providing opportunities for worship; enabling people to grow in faith; seeking to serve those among whom we live and work; encouraging a sense of community; proclaiming the word and work of God. We encourage others to: ‘Come and See’ ‘Come and Discover’ ‘Come and Share’ ‘Come and Be’ Page 2 The PCC has responsibility for three buildings within the parish boundaries: the Church of St. Mary, Fawkham; the Church of All Saints’, Hartley; and Fawkham and Hartley Church Centre located on Ash Road, Hartley. PCC Membership Members of the PCC are either ex‐officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. During the year the following served as members of the PCC: Rector & Incumbent The Revd. James Fletcher Chairman Curate The Revd. Melanie Jemmett Churchwardens Valerie Campbell 2013‐2018 Andrew Gray 2015‐2020 Members of the Deanery Synod Norma Crowe 2014‐2017 Marian Kneller 2014‐2017 Sheila Howsam 2014‐2017 Elected Members Catherine Bateman 2013‐2016 Sue Carter 2013‐2016 Barbara Sissons 2013‐2016 Andrew Gray 2014‐2017 James Nash 2014‐2017 Kim Vale 2014‐2017 John Waller 2014‐2017 Jane Burns (resigned 2016) 2015‐2018 Anne Senneck 2015‐2018 Steve Pitcher 2015‐2018 Malcolm Harris 2015‐2018 Brian Bowes 2016‐2019 Jean Hunt 2016‐2019 Christine Hoad 2016‐2019 Barbara Mayer 2016‐2017 Tony Lyne (Co‐opted 2015‐16) 2016‐2019 Brian Jelley (Co‐opted) Peter Mayer(Co‐opted) PCC Committees The PCC operates through a number of committees and teams, which meet between full meetings of the PCC. These are detailed below: Page 3 Finance and Standing Committee The primary function is to deal with parish finances i.e. to monitor income and expenditure to nurture Christian stewardship in the parish to prepare the annual budget It also fulfils the role of the Standing Committee by transacting the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the PCC. The committee is formed of the Rector, Churchwardens, Treasurer, PCC Secretary and the Buildings Committee Chair. Ministry Team The task of the Ministry Team is to: take an overall view of the worship offered in the parish, looking at the balance of services held throughout the year; review the worship, highlighting strengths and suggesting improvements; serve in an advisory capacity to the PCC in terms of liturgical developments and service patterns. in addition, with the Churchwardens and Parish Administrator, we also discuss any pastoral news and business related to other Parish matters. Group Council (previously known as the ‘Cluster Group’) Alongside the Parishes of Ash, Ridley and Longfield we have formed the ‘Rural North West Kent Group’ ministry, to discover continued ways of working and worshipping together. The work of our Group is reported back to the PCC and each Parish has two representatives plus clergy. Andrew Gray and Bob Kneller are the Fawkham and Hartley representatives. John Harding is the Group Chair. Prayer groups Clergy and others lead the Daily Office weekday mornings (not Friday) to pray for the needs of the world, church, local community and those in need. During 2016 we have continued to develop Prayer breakfast meetings which have been well supported and also given different people opportunities to lead and host. Mothers Prayers was set up during 2014 to develop a prayer group to specifically pray for children and families. There is also a Deanery Prayer Group and monthly prayer guide at the back of our Churches. During 2016 a new Prayer for Healing Team was set up, so that people could ask for prayers for healing either during or after a Sunday service. Revd Mell also trained new people to help lead our prayers of intercessions during services. Sunday Club Team The team runs the Sunday Club that is held during the 10.30am service at the Church Centre throughout term times. Youth Group This group is for young people of secondary school age, and meets across the RNWK Group. They meet once a month on a Sunday evening during term time from 7.00pm – 8.30pm. Page 4 Summer Holiday Club Team This team organises and leads the annual Summer Holiday Club for children of Primary School age which is held at the end of August. Messy Church Messy Church meets on Saturdays once a month between 4‐6 pm for a time of worship, arts and crafts and sharing a meal together. This is a time which everyone is welcome to share in, be it as leader or coming along to worship. Visiting Team The organisation and delivery of pastoral care is shared by the Rector, Curate and the Visiting Team. Pastoral care focuses on: immediate pastoral need such as illness, hospitalisation, and relationship difficulties; on‐going care of the housebound, the isolated and the elderly; care for the next‐of‐kin after funerals. Members of the Visiting Team also conduct services in the residential homes (Old Downs and Fairby Grange) once a month, and at the Wellfield Sheltered Housing Community Centre on an occasional basis. Bereavement Team The Bereavement Team is aimed at having a larger group of people who can help the Visiting Team support those in our Parish who are bereaved and in need of help. The group is led by the Curate and a Bereavement team co‐ordinator. Marriage Preparation Team This team organises the annual marriage preparation morning for all those couples getting married in the parish during the course of the year. Assemblies Team This small team leads assemblies in the schools of the parish and also advertises the major events happening for young people at the Church (eg. Holiday Club, Messy Church). Social Committee The role of the social committee is to initiate and encourage fellowship in the parish by arranging various social events and organising refreshments at Cafe Church. Women’s Fellowship This meets on the third Tuesday of every month, except over the summer. It has a varied programme of speakers and activities. Men’s Group This meets two or three times a year, to get to know each other socially and provide support to each other. Pop‐in Parlour This meets every Thursday morning at the Church Centre from 10 am to 12 noon Page 5 when tea, coffee and cakes are available. This provides a much‐needed focus of friendship for many people in the parish. Mission Links This works to develop links with the charities supported by the parish and to make recommendations for the parish’s away‐giving. It seeks to maintain a worldwide perspective in the parish of the work of the Church. In the last year, this group has continued its strong links with Fawkham School and the Banni School in the Gambia, with funds being raised for a new classroom. We have also supported the work of the Bible Society, Tearfund and the Diocesan Hope and Poverty Appeal, as well as other Charities at Christmas and Easter. Local Churches Together The Rector and two parish representatives sit on this ecumenical committee which works to plan and promote ecumenical events together with the Roman Catholic Parish of St. Francis de Sales, the United Reformed Church of Hartley (which sadly closed in 2016) and the Anglican Parishes of Ash cum Ridley and Longfield. Main events include the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January and the Women’s World Day of Prayer in March. At the end of Holy week is the Good Friday Project for children and the Walk of Witness for adults. The One World Week frugal lunch is held in October. Buildings Committee The function of this committee is to manage, on behalf of the PCC, the two historic churches of All Saints’, Hartley, and St. Mary’s, Fawkham, and the modern Fawkham and Hartley Church Centre. Fete Committee Members of this committee have the responsibility of organising the annual parish fete which is held at Church Meadow, Fawkham in May. Fundraising Committee This new committee plans a yearly timetable of once a month fundraising activities. So far this is a proving a great success. The Friends of All Saints’, Hartley and The Friends of Fawkham Church The Friends of All Saints’ Church, Hartley and the Friends of Fawkham Church are established with their own charitable status.