The Archbishop's Mission Fund Report 2015
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The Archbishop’s Mission Fund Report 2015 The Archbishop’s Mission Fund (the Fund) exists to fund new ideas and initiatives for mission in parishes and deaneries. During 2015 16 grants (set out below) were approved supporting some of the excellent and imaginative ways of spreading the Gospel which are being undertaken across the Diocese. Churches in the deanery of Northern Ryedale came together to organise “Pentecost Fire” a one-off event that was conceived as an introduction to “church” for families. This event also allowed families from very small rural congregations to be part of something much larger than they would normally experience. In Sherburn, a village where there was no pre-school provision, a grant from the Archbishop’s Mission Fund has helped to purchase equipment for the new Sherburn Play School which offers early years’ education and play with Christian values at its core. A grant to Westway Open Arms allowed them to run a “Try Praying” initiative which was aligned to the national project of the same name and led into a 10 week Alpha course. Continuing the trend seen in recent years, a low number of qualifying applications meant that not all available funding was allocated in 2015. There is £30,000 available for allocation in 2016. Applications are encouraged and can be made by completing the application form which is available on the diocese’s website at http://dioceseofyork.org.uk/supporting-parishes/money-and- giving/funding-from-the-diocese/ and sending it to your Suffragan Bishop. Applications from York Deanery should be sent directly to the Archbishop. Grant applications are considered electronically (if they are urgent) or at a meeting of a small advisory group with representation from each archdeaconry. Once the advisers have made a recommendation, the final decision on each grant remains with the Archbishop. Applicants are encouraged to ensure align their project to the five marks of growing which underpin Generous Churches Making and Nurturing Disciples: Christ-likeness Influence Partnership Commitment Numbers Catherine Evans, Secretary to the Fund GRANT APPLICANT PURPOSE £ Middleton PCC Alpha Course in Partnership with Pickering 150 Methodist District Northern Ryedale Pentecost Fire - Deanery Event 1,000 St Thomas w St Maurice, York Lay Outreach – 1 year mission project 2,000 Christ Church Eston and St George Big Ted Club 1,550 Normanby, Benefices of Alne and Brafferton "The Bus Stop" Rural Youth and 2,000 Community Outreach Bus St Mark's, West Hill, Bessingby Family Days Out 750 Benefice of Monk Fryston and Children and Young Peoples' Outreach and 2,000 South Milford Discipleship Christ Church Bridlington Christ Church for Families, Autism Support 792 Group St Peter Norton Pop Up Community Café 250 Westway Try Praying 600 Sherburn Play School Sherburn Play School Start Up 1,000 Yorkshire Churches Rural Business Yorkshire Auction Mart Chaplaincy 2,500 Support Kingswood BMO Kingswood BMO Start Up 1,000 Longhill BMO St Margaret's Welcome Centre Longhill 1,475 York Deanery Welcome Pack 1,200 Christ Church Bridlington Doorstep Drop In Project 936 TOTAL GRANTS PAID 19,203 Closed Churches Group Report 2015 2015 was marked by slow progress for the Closed Churches Working Group as it continued to work at finding alternative uses for those church buildings no longer required for public worship. The disposal of former church buildings requires a large amount of work behind the scenes and dealing with technical issues and secular bodies. However, the Group never forgets that these buildings were formerly much loved places of worship and by their very nature still represent that past in many people’s eyes. For this reason the Group endeavours to find the most appropriate uses possible for these buildings and to minimise the pain caused by prolonged delays in settling their future. We work closely with the Church Commissioners in this work and are grateful to them for their support and advice, and particularly their willingness to attend so many of our meetings and to join meetings in the parishes. Once again my thanks are also due to the staff of the pastoral team at the Diocesan Office and to the Registrar and Diocesan solicitors for their invaluable help and advice. Finally I must record our thanks to Mr David Haddon-Reece, who retired in 2015 as Honorary Furnishings Officer. David worked long and hard over a number of years in overseeing the contents of the Diocesan Furnishings Store and in preparing inventories and assisting parishes whose churches were closing. We wish him a long and happy retirement and send him our heartfelt thanks. +Paul Whitby March 2016 The following items were discussed during the year: THE ARCHDEACONRY OF CLEVELAND North Thornaby, St Luke A licence for early access was granted to the Vine Church in advance of a transfer of the freehold. A negative representation was received by the Church Commissioners during the consultation for the scheme to transfer the building to the Vine. This went to the Church Commissioners’ Committee who decided that the scheme should go ahead. The legal process of the transfer was ongoing through the latter part of the year. Site of former church of St Thomas, Middlesbrough Two initial interests were received for the land, however neither was taken forward. THE ARCHDEACONRY OF THE EAST RIDING Barmby Marsh, St Helen The Group considered the possibility of demolition for this long running case. Negotiations also continued with the Friends of Friendless Churches. The Church Commissioners are currently pursuing access issues. Foxholes, St Mary Pre-planning work took place prior to an application for Listed Building Consent for conversion to residential use. A Planning Application was submitted and full planning permission was granted. Hull, St Matthew Several expressions of interest were received in the building. Most proved not to be viable, however one remains a possibility and will be investigated further. Withernsea, St Nicholas Long running discussions with a local charitable body ended when the charity was unable to continue with it’s plans for the building. Other interested parties are being pursued. THE ARCHDEACONRY OF YORK Barlow Chapel Planning permission was granted to the purchaser and following the legal work the building was sold on 1st July 2015. Kilnwick Percy, St Helen The woodwork was removed from the building and sent for restoration. The Buddhist Centre applied for planning permission for change of use and this was granted. The window coverings were put in place and the legal work for the transfer was started. Knapton, St Edmund Discussions continued with the tenants of this leased closed church concerning repair work and the holding of occasional services in the building. York, St Margaret, Walmgate A grant was made to the tenants (National Centre for Early Music) to assist with increased insurance costs. York, St Saviour The Group was informed that the office staff continued to liaise with the City of York Council to make the necessary repairs to the churchyard wall. York St Sampson The Group was informed of an approach for the installation of Broadband equipment in the closed Church of St Sampson’s. The office staff were also asked to advise on the installation of a new disabled access to the building. Possible Future Closures The Group was informed of six cases in which early consideration was being given to possible closure. OTHER MATTERS CONSIDERED BY THE GROUP The Furnishings Store The Annual Synod report CLOSED CHURCHES WORKING GROUP MEMBERSHIP The Right Reverend Paul Ferguson, Bishop of Mr David Haddon-Reece – Furnishings Whitby (Chair) Officer Mr Phil Thomas – DAC Secretary and Church Canon Peter Warry – Diocesan Secretary Buildings Officer Mrs Linda Gibbon – Representing the Shirley Davies – Assistant Diocesan Secretary Mission and Pastoral Sub Committee The Reverend Canon Richard Rowling Graham Andrews – Diocesan Surveyor & Acting Archdeacon of Cleveland (until 12 Estates Manager March 2015) The Venerable Andy Broom Charlotte Lilley-Cook – Pastoral and Closed Archdeacon of the East Riding Churches Officer The Venerable Sarah Bullock Archdeacon of York Emma Cosgrif – Church Commissioners (in attendance) The Venerable Sam Rushton Archdeacon of Cleveland Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches Report 2015 Membership Members of this important Statutory Committee are appointed by the Archbishop’s Council under terms set out in the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991. The composition of the Committee (the DAC) in 2015 was as follows: Chairman: The Revd Canon D Hodgson (To December 2015) Vice-chairman: Mrs S Whittaker (Lay Representative, East Riding) Secretary: Mr P Thomas (To December 2015) Members: The Archdeacon of Cleveland (From May 2015) The Archdeacon of the East Riding The Archdeacon of York Mr R J Carr-Archer (Advising Architect) The Revd S Deas (Clergy Representative, East Riding. From May 2015) Mrs J Harding (Nominated by English Heritage) The Revd Fr V Haynes (Clergy Representative, Cleveland) Mr D Lockett (Advising Architect) Mrs L Mayes (Lay Representative, Cleveland) Dr H Mytum (Lay Representative, York. Archaeology Adviser) Mr P Pace (From December 2015) Mr S Ramsdale (Local Authority representative) The Revd Canon J Weetman (Clergy Representative, York. To December 2015) Mr D Sherriff (Advising Architect) Dr R Wools (Nominated by the statutory Amenity Societies) Co-opted expert Advisors: Mr J Arthur (Bells and Bell-frames, Clocks) The Revd P Bristow (Liturgical Re-ordering)