2012 Annual Reports to Diocesan Synod

www.chelmsford.anglican.org

Contents

CONTENTS 1

FOREWORD FROM THE OF CHELMSFORD 1

2012 ANNUAL REPORTS TO SYNOD: AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2

BARKING EPISCOPAL AREA 3

BRADWELL EPISCOPAL AREA 5

COLCHESTER EPISCOPAL AREA 6

MISSION & MINISTRY 7

EDUCATION 9

COMMUNICATIONS 10

THE BISHOP’S COUNCIL 10

DIOCESAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE 11

HOUSES 11

INVESTMENTS 12

LONDON OVER THE BORDER 12

MISSION OPPORTUNITY FUND 13

DIOCESAN MISSION & PASTORAL COMMITTEE 14

YOUTH 15

CHAPLAINCIES 16

HEALING & DELIVERANCE ISSUES 18

ORDINANDS 18 READERS 19

RURAL ISSUES 19

DIOCESAN ENVIRONMENT GROUP 20

CHELMSFORD CATHEDRAL 21

INTERNATIONAL 22

COMMITTEE FOR MINORITY ETHNIC ANGLICAN CONCERNS 23

MOTHERS’ UNION 23

FAITH IN ACTION 24

RETREAT HOUSE OF PLESHEY 24

ST PETER’S CHAPEL 25

CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE 26

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 27

Foreword from the

As a diocese we spend a lot of time looking forward, and rightly so. We are in the process of re-imagining ministry. We are envisaging new ways of being church and doing church, and exploring healthy and sustainable ways of being the ‘body of Christ’ in and East London. This requires prayer, imagination, teamwork and future planning. But in the Old Testament we read time and again of how the ‘people of God’ are encouraged to look back and to remember God’s faithfulness as they face new challenges, and walk into an unknown future. And so as Joshua succeeds Moses, God says to him that he will be with Joshua just as he was with Moses. And the call is to be strong and courageous, and not to be discouraged. (Joshua 1:5,9)

Wherever we work and minister across this diocese, we will be facing new ways of doing things; new opportunities and new challenges. I was reminded recently of the extraordinary challenges facing this diocese in its early years of formation, during the war years. Back then the challenges were enormous. But prayerful and imaginative responses lay a strong foundation for the future: prayer books were created to give to the soldiers, hospitality became a vibrant expression of Christian relationship, and prayer was the pulse of this diocese.

Whilst thankfully we are not living through the turbulence of war, we are nonetheless facing our own turbulent times. But perhaps the response is in fact the same, a call to courage and collaboration. None of us can ride these waves of change on our own. We need each other in a way that is also new to us. We are learning a new dependency. God loves his church and so we need to ensure that all the gifts are being used for the building up of His church. And that means recognising the new ministries God is raising up. We are therefore likely to see a proliferation of Licensed Lay Ministries springing up in this great diocese in the months and years to come. And we are committed to developing both new and traditional forms of ministry. So as we work together with a united focus on mission and transformation, we will be a sign of life to our communities of a God who is actively at work today.

In Ecclesiastes we are reminded that there is a time for everything: ‘a time to plant and a time to uproot’. In a sense I think that is where we are. We are planting new ministries and uprooting some old ways of working, for even greater growth. And so whether it’s in our parishes, or in the diocesan offices: in Education, Finance, Communications, Mission and Ministry, and HR, we can support each other through the changes. I pray that we will discern the times and seasons in this diocese so that we may not run ahead of God’s agenda nor lag behind. I thank God that he has called us all for such a time as this.

+Stephen

1 2012 Annual Reports to Synod: An Executive Summary

2012 was a crucial year in the continuing development of the mission and ministry of the Church in the . It provided many challenges, but also many opportunities. We had to face some uncomfortable truths, which required thought as to how we moved forward. This set of annual reports detail many of these challenges and opportunities and we hope that you enjoy reading them and that they give you a sense of what is going on across the length and breadth of our Diocese.

Throughout this year members of our Churches continued to work with Transforming Presence, working out what it means for them, where they are. Things all started with the Time to Talk conference in January, which was attended by 1000 people, representing every Deanery. The conclusions from this day have dramatically shaped the thinking on Transforming Presence and all outworkings and helped us to identify key areas to focus our energy. A similar event was held in the summer for young people in the Diocese, Time for Youth.

Key to how the Church moves forward is how it engages in mission and evangelism. In 2012 it was announced that the Diocesan centenary year, 2014, will be a year to prioritise evangelism. There are many ways in which our Churches are responding to this call to be missional. New missional communities are being established and growing. The institutional Church is now responding to these developments. In 2012 work on the first Bishop’s Mission Orders began. There are three in total, one church plant in Brentwood, one youth based Fresh Expression in Havering Deanery and a Deanery Network Church in Colchester, and there are more to follow. It became clear in 2012 that there are many instances around the Diocese where congregations had begun work or had started to formulate plans to make the buildings they inhabit fit for mission. This may be through providing new halls, extensions to their church building and in some cases starting from scratch and building a new place of worship.

2012 was an important year in thinking about how we equip ourselves for mission. Training in mission and evangelism was one of the key requests coming out of the Time to Talk conference. There will be training events held in each Deanery in 2013. The Evangelism Enablers course was revamped and is now more accessible for those wanting to explore this vocation.

The year also saw some key developments in training, resourcing and supporting of leaders in mission. Whilst there were fewer Ordained in 2012 than 2011, there was the very positive news that there has been a steady increase in those who are offering themselves for Ordination. One notable development is the increase in Locally Deployed Ministers. Lay Ministry had the most significant review in some time, introducing the new role of Licenced Lay Ministers. Grant making bodies such as the Mission Opportunity Fund and London Over the Border continued to support leaders in mission financially. The launch of the Engage course offers a new opportunity for those working with young people.

2 This is a period of rapid change in the education landscape. In the last year we continued to support our 140 schools, including a new primary and ‘free school’. The education team worked to support schools converting to academies and geared up to become accredited as an academy sponsor. We continue to shape the lives of around 100,000 young people through schools, Churches and other groups.

The overall financial situation remains one of challenges, as in 2012, the shortfall in parish share reached £975,000, some £150,000 worse than 2011. The pattern and timing of vacancies together with other savings absorbed much of this shock and the General Fund recorded only a small deficit in 2012. It remains true that the Diocese spends considerably more on parish ministry than the total sought in parish share; and we receive five times more funding from the National Church than we contribute to it.

It would be impossible to reflect back on 2012 without reference to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. These events brought the nation together and made Stratford and other locations in our Diocese the centre of attention throughout the duration of the Games. More detail on how the Church responded can be found in the reports. Our thanks go to all those who organised and led outreach events in connection with the Games.

Please read the set of reports below and hold those involved in various activities and with particular responsibilities in your prayers as we journey through 2013 and beyond.

Barking Episcopal Area

London Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 and the Olympic Legacy  Highlights included Ultimate Gold – a mission involving 20 Stratford churches working together led by St John’s; God in the Park involving Churches from Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham; Praise in the Park involving Churches across Harlow; Opening Ceremony Festival in Central Park Dagenham and the Village Olympics involving eight villages and schools.

 Bishop David and Bishop Adrian Newman, , are working together with their clergy and support teams to make the most of the legacy offered by the regeneration of this part of East London. Five new villages [three in the Barking Area and two in the Stepney Area] are to be built over the next 20 years around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, as well as the East Village previously the Athlete’s Village coming on market very shortly. The joint team from Stepney and Barking Areas are looking at reimagining ministry to respond to the challenge of such an increase in population especially without any guaranteed worship spaces.

Barking Area Study Day  David Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity at Cambridge University was our speaker this year looking at the Future of Christian Theology.

Barking Area Team

3 The Team comprising the Bishop, Archdeacons, Area Deans and their Teams and the Advisers met three times in the year as they usually do and considered:  The practical implementations of ‘Time to Talk’  Missional Communities led by Andy Poultney  London 2012 - with a report or an update at each meeting  Mission and Regeneration led by Carol Richards, Vernon Ross and Bishop David.  Transforming Presence – a constant theme throughout the year.

Highlights from the Deaneries

Barking and Dagenham Deanery  Dagenham Park Church of England School was officially opened by the Bishop of Chelmsford  The Marks Gate development was approved by the Borough Cabinet - community consultations and the submission of the planning application followed.

Epping Forest Deanery  The work on the development of Holy Trinity Abridge into the Abridge Church Youth and Community Project continues to move forward; a feasibility study is planned.  A number of exciting developments for mission are proposed in the deanery including building for mission projects at St John’s Loughton, St John’s Buckhurst Hill, All Saints Chigwell Row and St John’s Epping. St Mary’s Loughton, is also looking to develop premises for the Ignite Project.

Harlow Deanery  Party in the Park, organised by Robert Findlay at the request of the Council, gave a helpful lead in to Praise in the Park, with an Olympic theme. They also held an all-night prayer meeting as we welcomed the Olympic torch to Harlow.  Heart4Harlow awards were made to those in industry, charity and other sectors in October.

Havering Deanery  Deanery Synod has given extensive time to discussion of Transforming Presence in order to find out more about the parishes’ engagement with it. Groups were led by the lay members on Synod. What was revealed was that many parishes are seeking to engage with their communities and there is an incredible range of mission activities across the board.  The Deans Team began the process of revising the Deanery Vision – They did a SWOT analysis of the Deanery and the parishes and are in the process of collating all recent information in the hope the new document bears a lot of relation to reality!

Newham Deanery  The Newham ‘On the Way’ course continues to work with folk who were not able to access such courses as CCS. They look to develop vocations from this course. They are considering doing their own Deanery Evangelist training to respond to the Transforming Presence goal of having an Evangelist in every parish.

4 Ongar Deanery  Ongar Deanery welcomed their new Pioneer minister, Sam Brazier-Gibbs, in October. Her responsibilities will be 2 days in the Fyfield benefice, 2 days in Chipping Ongar benefice and 2 days as Lay Trainer for the Ongar Deanery.  The Archdeacon of Harlow, , kicked off discussion at the Deanery Synod in July concerning the possible re-organisation of Ongar Deanery.

Redbridge Deanery  There have been a number of very significant outreach events around the Olympics and Jubilee opportunities. Redbridge churches have been at the heart of events such as God in the Park (Goodmayes Park), Fun in the Park (Barkingside), and Fun on the Green (Woodford Green). This is in addition to many smaller initiatives and holiday clubs.  The deanery is working on a revised strategic plan which takes into account the priorities set out in Transforming Presence and Transforming Leadership.  The Deanery Youth Worker project ended and so they have put in place a new strategy for youth work across the deanery involving local lay representatives.  With Paul Whitnall (Bishop’s Adviser for Buildings in Mission) an exciting conversation has begun with the parishes, Borough Council and developers to explore possibilities for development of sites and ministries across the seven parishes around Barkingside.

Waltham Forest Deanery  They said farewell to their Children's Work Development Officer after 6 years of work that has helped them transform children's ministry in the Deanery. They have a plan going forward to continue to work together on this area and also considered a part- time post to co-ordinate work on "Senior Members' Ministry".

Revd Paul Bowtell, Chaplain to the

Bradwell Episcopal Area

In his first months as , Bishop John spent two days in each of the nine deaneries, meeting clergy and readers, engaging with local community organisations and ending with a Deanery Event on Transforming Presence. In the autumn Bishop John, Archdeacon David and Martin Wood (Mission and Ministry) met each Deanery Mission and Pastoral Committee to discuss Reimagining Ministry.

The Area response to Transforming Leadership proposed new archdeaconries: Chelmsford (Brentwood, Maldon & Dengie, Chelmsford North and Chelmsford South) and Southend (Thurrock, Basildon, Hadleigh, Southend and Rochford). In February 2013, Archdeacon David became Archdeacon of Chelmsford (and Acting Archdeacon of Southend). We look forward to the appointment of a new Archdeacon of Southend.

In the Area Team, Alice Smith (Youth) returned from maternity leave in July and began work to develop courses for leaders of youth (Essentials) and children (Innovate). Richard Jordan (Faith in Action) worked with St Martin’s Basildon on responding to plans for the town centre. Richard also worked on a Faith in Action directory for the diocesan website and produced his first newsletter, Look Out. Graham Hamborg continued with CMD and his work with across the diocese, and became the diocesan CMD team leader.

5 Martin Wood became Mission and Ministry Adviser, with supporting parishes in vacancy and continuing to advise on giving and capital projects. In September, Archdeacon David and Martin facilitated a morning with parishes who struggle to pay their Share. Subsequently the Team held a meeting with Area and Rural Deans and Lay Chairs to begin to develop a common language to describe thriving and struggling parishes. With hard work from Diocesan Office, Area, Deaneries and Parishes the Share collection rate increased from 92.34% (2011) to 93.34% (2012).

The Time to Talk day in January stimulated much discussion. Several deaneries began to look at clustering; with the two Chelmsford deaneries developing previous work with their collaborative groups (North) and pastoral communities (South). Consultations took place on the proposed Mardyke Team Ministry in Thurrock.

A church plant has flourished in Brentwood (Immanuel Church) – shortly to be given a Bishop’s Mission Order, and in the autumn the new St Michael’s Daws Heath was consecrated. Becket Keys – a Church Secondary Free School - opened in Brentwood for the new school year. Southend Interfaith Working Group was established. Debt Advice Centres opened in churches in Chelmsford and Basildon, The Area Day on Mental Health with Bishop Stephen Conway was well attended. Clergy were challenged by Ann Morisey at the Area Study Day – “A Cup that Overfloweth: Taking Abundance seriously"

The Vocations day attracted over sixty attenders including a number of young people. Nine people were ordained in the Area, four as deacon, five as priest and five ordinands began training. Two Readers were licensed (with two in training). Three pastoral assistants completed the course (with seven continuing); two people completed the Evangelist course (with three continuing), seventy-nine either started or completed the Course in Christian Studies at seven centres. Nearly five hundred adults and young people were presented for Confirmation.

Revd Canon Martin Wood Colchester Episcopal Area

2012 saw a number of well-attended events arranged in the Colchester Area. The annual conference in February, ‘Let us Pray’ drew attention to the 350th anniversary of the Book of Common Prayer, and its heritage in Church and community life today. Contributions from the Revds Ian Mobsby and Liz Hoare were complemented by a range of group work. A study day led by Canon Christopher Irvine helped clergy and readers to think more deeply about ministry of the sacraments, and Bishop Christopher’s day on ‘Connecting with

6 Confirmation’ was much appreciated. The focus moved to ministry with and among older people in October when ‘Seeing Silver’ drew delegates from all over the diocese.

At the other end of the age spectrum, Rachel Brett, the Area Youth Adviser, continued to support youth workers, paid and voluntary, throughout the Area, and advised on job descriptions and funding bids. The regular Area youth event Joy continues to draw good numbers. A key task this year was Rachel’s organisation of Time for Youth which saw over 100 young people at Bishopscourt in July, engaging with and contributing to the Transforming Presence agenda.

This was also true of deaneries and parishes, with Jenny Tomlinson, as Mission and Ministry Adviser, facilitating a number of PCC away days to enable wide ranging discussion of the four strategic priorities to take place. It was significant that such a day was a new experience for several of these parishes. Jenny also offered parish-based training using material such as Wings for Worship and the Care and Share course.

Pastoral re-organisation continued apace, with the new Halstead Area Team Ministry coming into existence, the unification of the parishes of Quendon and Rickling, the establishment of a Group Ministry, comprising the benefices of the South Rodings; High and Good Easter with Margaret Roding; and Great Canfield with High Roding and Aythorpe Roding, and the creation of the new benefice and parish of Colchester, St Luke. Work went on in deaneries about future deployment of clergy, and we were very pleased to welcome seven new incumbents during the year, with the Bishop’s Chaplain, Tim Platts, supporting the various processes involved. A new Chaplain at the University of Essex was also licensed in November.

Tim Bull continued to enable ministerial development of the three new deacons as well as existing curates and other clergy colleagues. In particular, he also ran the Role Description training for clergy in the Area, and taught on various courses across the diocese. His organisation and promotion of the annual Vocations day was again appreciated.

Advice and encouragement to parishes about the stewardship of money continued, but the end of year financial picture was mixed. The Area contributed 96.3% of the Share requested, and the percentage paid in three deaneries improved; however there was actually a decrease over the previous year in the cash paid, and evidence of some parishes drawing on reserves to pay Share. Finances formed part of the wide range of topics covered during the Archdeacon’s training evenings for churchwardens.

Revd Canon Jenny Tomlinson, Parish Development Adviser for the Colchester Area

Mission & Ministry

This section covers the activity of the Diocesan Mission and Ministry staff team and the two related Lead Bishop’s Advisory Groups. Our work is directed to improve ministerial formation and practice and so develop the contribution of all God’s people to God’s mission.

7 Mission Advisory Group (formerly the Mission and Parish Development Advisory Group) This group draws together representatives, advisers and practitioners from all three Episcopal Areas and is chaired by the Bishop of Barking. The major topics we addressed included: 1. Considering the implications of Transforming Presence with special focus on mission and evangelism and how as a group we can equip the parishes to ‘evangelise effectively’. 2. Work commenced on a ‘Evangelising Effectively’ brochure in preparation for 2014. 3. Monitoring and evaluating progress with: the Mission Opportunity Fund, the future of sports ministry and mission in the diocese following the Olympic Games, the Mission-Shaped Ministry Course, Jesus Deck training and the Mystery Worshipper Scheme. 4. Simon Roscoe appointed as Evangelism Adviser for the Bradwell Area.

Ministry Advisory Group This group coordinates, reviews and facilitates the development of ministry and includes representatives of clergy and lay training advisers, reader ministry, local ministry, vocations, St Mellitus College and the Diocese of London. The group is chaired by the Bishop of Colchester. The major topics for consideration have been concerned with developing our Ministry Strategy in the light of Transforming Presence and in response to Time to Talk. Particular attention has been given to the Framework for Ministry and revised patterns of lay ministry and training.

The Mission and Ministry Department holds responsibility for clergy and lay education and training, coordinating mission and parish development, and for our companion links abroad (see also the International Group Report). Some of the important areas of development in our work have included: 1. Work associated with the development and implementation of Transforming Presence, not least the Time to Talk conference for 1000 deanery representatives in January. 2. A new Framework for Ministry was agreed by Bishop’s Council in October. 3. A review of Reader Ministry recommended that in future this ministry should carry enhanced adult education skills and be known as Licensed Lay Ministry. 4. Our relationships with the Diocese of London, St Mellitus College and the Eastern Region dioceses remain productive and enable significant sharing of teaching resources and expertise. Revd David Hilborn moved to become Principal of St John’s College, Nottingham. A new Chelmsford-based tutor for St Mellitus has been recruited to start work in Summer 2013. 5. Enrolment for the Course in Christian Studies and Pastoral Assistant training continues to be strong. Revised arrangements for the Evangelism Enabler training have been introduced, CCS material has been updated and a review of lay training provision is on- going. The Revd Brigid Main retired from co-ordinating Pastoral Assistant training, a role she pioneered. Beverley Vincent has ably stepped into this volunteer role. 6. A revised Ministerial Development Review scheme for clergy has been introduced which incorporates Episcopal Review. 7. During the year staff members have contributed to developments in Mission and Ministry through national and regional networks and have been involved in teaching, facilitation and consultancy for theological courses, conferences and in deaneries and parishes across the diocese.

Revd Canon Dr Roger Matthews, Dean of Mission & Ministry

8 Education

A major national report was published in Spring, The Church School of the Future, setting out change needed in dioceses as a result of government schools policy. As the academy and free school programme gathers pace, if the Church’s name is above the school door, the Church will be publicly accountable for standards in new ways. 2012 was therefore a year of preparing for change. A new Education Trust (for Academy work) was established and a new Schools Adviser (Jeff Graham) appointed with School Improvement in his brief. By the end of the year the DBE had submitted its initial application to become an academy sponsor and the first free school with diocesan involvement had opened, Becket Keys in Brentwood. A two day programme, Learning to Lead in a Church School, began in October, led by Ann Bard, and training for new and existing Church school inspectors was underway with a new framework in mind. Primary School, Barking, was officially opened on 27th March, its first pupils having started the term before. Thorpedene Primary School, Shoeburyness, affiliated to the Diocese in 2012.

The Diocese owes a great debt to Lesley Barlow who stepped down in 2012 from chairing the DBE, handing over in the Autumn to Bishop John. A new DBE was elected at the year’s end and will start work in 2013. After many years service, firstly as a Schools Adviser and latterly as Director of Education, Rob Fox also stepped down. The Revd Tim Elbourne was appointed to succeed Rob from the New Year.

With 140 diocesan schools, it is inevitable that a great deal of time is spent supporting governing bodies in making headteacher appointments. In 2012, 22 new headteachers took up their post and those new to headship are offered a diocesan mentoring scheme. The Board appointed 70 new foundation governors and PCCs appointed a further 47 during the course of the year. There were a number of building projects in Voluntary Aided schools, including two permanent classroom constructions.

The Kenya link project again thrived under Lyn Hillier’s guidance. In February, 12 delegates headed for Kenya and in June a further 16. Ten teachers came from Kenya and visited ten diocesan schools in April.

An important addition to the Religious Education training programme was a series of visits to places of worship – Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Hindu. It provided the opportunity of dialogue between people of different faith and to share generous hospitality. Essex SACRE, chaired by Alison Seaman, carried forward a major review of its work and its focus.

The Revd Canon Pat Prestney retired as Early Years Adviser. Her work included development of Explore, an under 5s training course, running quiet days and the production of leaflets to encourage parishes to welcome under 5s and their families into church settings. Jo Gilks has taken her place, working for two days each week on supporting early years work in church settings and another day for Sparrows, a development designed to support parishes to realise their vision for high quality childcare.

9 Our Further Education Adviser, Susan Ives, continued to support chaplaincy provision in a number of settings in the diocese as well as in Chelmsford where she is based. It is intended to review this work in 2013.

The work of the Children’s Adviser, Steve Kersys, included parish visits and training, resourcing, supporting and encouraging children’s ministry in parishes. Inspire, the Bishop’s certificate in Children’s Ministry ran in five centres with about 50 people attending. There is close collaboration with Child Protection colleagues, including a new child protection policy and training packages for use across the Diocese. The Saltshaker website was expanded to include more resources and a daily, year-long twitter feed on children’s ministry (@SKskersys) was introduced. He is also continuing to build email database of contacts who receive regular emails of resources and courses.

Revd Tim Elbourne, Director of Education

Communications

A new website using the established address www.chelmsford.anglican.org has helped to make the work of the diocese more open, transparent and accessible. Another website www.transformingpresence.org.uk was launched to support its strategic priorities, while a third website was dedicated to church events during London 2012. Many YouTube videos were made and a popular Twitter account @chelmsdio was started. New publications included a child protection action pack. Anyone who has not already signed up for electronic mailings from the diocese is welcome to do so by emailing [email protected]. This Annual Report to Diocesan Synod is complemented by an Annual Briefing for Parishes.

Ralph Meloy, Communications Director

The Bishop’s Council

At their four meetings in 2012 the Bishop’s Council considered a number of strategic issues affecting the mission and ministry of the Diocese. Throughout the year these included:

 Endorsement of the new Child Protection Policy, which was later approved at Synod,  Monitoring of the progress towards implementing Transforming Leadership,  Development of the Governance changes, which were agreed by Synod in 2012,  Approval of the merger of the Bishop’s Council with the Diocesan Mission & Pastoral Committee,  Developed the Re-imagining Ministry paper,  Consultation on the appointment of the new Diocesan Registrar,

10  Approved the Transforming Presence delivery framework,  Endorsement of the Bullying and Harassment Policy before being adopted by the Synod,  The Council also made appointments to the Clergy Discipline Measure Provincial Panel and the Diocesan Advisory Committee.

In addition to these business meetings, the Council had its annual day meeting in March where members had discussions centring on the continuing implementation of Transforming Presence.

As with most of the Committees of the Synod, a new membership of the Council was elected at the end of 2012. Thank you to all those who served on the Council over the last three years and welcome (or welcome back!) to those who became members of the Council for this triennium.

Nathan Whitehead, Pastoral Secretary

Diocesan Advisory Committee

In addition to its primary role of advising the Chancellor on faculty applications, the DAC continued with its important work of giving advice to parishes about the care of church buildings, furnishings, and churchyards. It is encouraging that, in spite of the financial difficulties which many parishes are facing, both new work and repairs are still being done and the necessary funding raised. The Committee met nine times in 2012 and dealt with over 600 enquiries, including just under 400 applications for faculties. In addition, 68 visits were made to parishes.

The Topics Committee updated eleven of the DAC’s guidance booklets, as well as drafting a new one on photovoltaic cell installations for churches. The Churchyard Handbook was also updated. Members were saddened by the death in July of Richard Burbidge, who had recently retired after 27 years’ service on the DAC. John Fulbeck, a past chairman, retired after 33 years, but remains an adviser on audiovisual matters. Canon Bernard Metcalfe also retired, and Brian Stacey resigned from his post as Trees Adviser. The Committee was joined by Tim Howson (representing local authorities) and architect Roderick Shelton. Maria Medlycott replaced Richard Havis as Archaeological Adviser.

Dr James Bettley, Chair of the DAC

Houses

The Houses Committee is responsible for the provision, replacement, improvement and repair of 422 properties in the Diocese, including benefice houses, team vicarages, curates

11 and DBF houses, ensuring that the clergy are provided with a comfortable home and a

convenient place of work for the performance of their ministry.

A repairs budget for the year was agreed of £1,000,000, not all of which was required. A further £700,000 was agreed for and spent on improvements (CHIP). Work during the year included the construction of a new parsonage, 89 Periodic Inspections, 13 new kitchens, 12 new bathrooms, 7 window replacements, 3 new roofs and 2 extensions.

New parsonage at Marks Tey Richard Smith, Head of Property

Investments

The Investments Committee manages a glebe portfolio of approximately 1560 acres and around £20m of investment funds. It also advises the Finance Executive on overall investment policy. The aim is to provide long-term and steadily increasing income and capital growth. The Finance Committee approved a new investments management strategy in July 2011 and a phased transition of the bulk of the investments to new managers, Brewin Dolphin, proceeded through the year.

Managed funds delivered a total return of 11% in 2012. The land portfolio has increased in value by 2.73% overall. This change is explained by continued demand for agricultural land pushing up land values. Demand for grazing land has also increased, resulting in above market prices per acre. Commercial property has continued to under- perform whilst the economy remains downbeat. We have secured a tenant for one of our buildings producing income for the next three to six years and have installed 93 photovoltaic cells on the roof producing income from the feed-in tariff.

Anna Franklin, Property Officer

London Over the Border

The London Over the Border Council is responsible for awarding grants from the London and St Albans Church Fund and from the City Church Fund Surplus, which comes to the diocese for the benefit of that part of the diocese known since Dickens’ time as ‘London Over the Border’.

12 The council is chaired by the and includes representatives from Newham, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Havering, Barking & Dagenham and Thurrock.

In common with all charities which rely on income from investments, the LOB Fund’s income, and thus its ability to fund projects, has been hit in recent years by low interest rates and the state of the economy. Nevertheless, the Council was able to make 45 major grants totalling £440,000 during 2012. In addition, the Council made a number of small awards in support of clergy sabbaticals and vicarage security.

In offering support and advice to parishes, LOB has also been instrumental in identifying external sources of funding and partnership which have often proved to be worth far more than any grant that the Council might be able to offer.

LOB works closely with the Church Urban Fund, recommending projects for Mustard Seed grants, and with the Near Neighbours scheme.

The Ven , Archdeacon West Ham

Mission Opportunity Fund

The Mission Opportunity Fund was launched in 2008 following consideration of how Fresh Expressions and other mission projects could be supported in this Diocese. Since 2008 just under £2 million has been awarded to support new and exciting initiatives across all three Episcopal Areas.

In 2012 the Mission Opportunity Fund Assessment Committee (MOFAC) awarded over £400,000 to 15 mission initiatives across the Diocese. This funding was provided to support the growth of youth, children and families ministry in Waltham Cross, Aldersbrook, Westcliff, Prittlewell, Forest Gate and Wickham . Funding was provided for pioneer ministry in Ongar Deanery, debt counselling in East Springfield and a new social outreach centre in Marks Gate. It being the year of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the MOF also granted support for the mission and outreach in Stratford during Games. Finally, some smaller amounts of funding were provided for outreach projects in Loughton (LOVE Loughton), Barkingside, Chadwell Heath, Westcliff and Clacton.

In 2012, the MOFAC also agreed a portion of their budget in 2013 could be set aside for smaller projects, which require a modicum of funding to get started.

Details about the fund and how to apply can be found on the Diocesan website - http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/parishes/mission-opportunity-fund

Nathan Whitehead, Pastoral Secretary

13 Diocesan Mission & Pastoral Committee

2012 was a very significant year for the Diocesan Mission & Pastoral Committee (DMPC) in that by the end of the year it had been decided to merge this committee with the Bishop’s Council and Finance Committee. This is an important move as we seek to develop the decision making process and strategic leadership of the Diocese. During 2012 a total of 12 Pastoral Schemes and Orders were completed including:

 Alteration of Areas of Parishes in Harold Hill, Walthamstow, Stratford and Havering,  The Creation of the new Halstead Area Team Ministry,  Unification of the parishes of Quendon & Rickling,  Scheme to lease the closed church of St John the Divine in Romford to another Church for worship,  Scheme to sell the closed church of St Mary the Virgin in Foulness for residential, community and occasional worship use,  Scheme to enable the use of the closed church of All Saints in North Benfleet to be used for worship by another Church,  Creation of a Group Ministry, comprising the benefices of the South Rodings; High & Good Easter with Margaret Roding; & Great Canfield with High Roding & Aythorpe Roding,  Creation of the new benefice and parish of Colchester, St Luke,  Appropriation of part of the churchyard of Prittlewell, St Luke to provide a car park.

Over the course of the year the Committee approved the progression of a total of 17 Schemes and Orders, including the Pastoral Orders for the creation of three new Archdeaconries as part of the implementation of the Transforming Leadership strategy.

In relation to Closed Churches the Committee continued to look for a suitable alternative use for St Mary the Virgin in Blackmore End and progress was made in this instance with the proposal of a conversion to a residential property. In the case of St Peter in Birch and demolition scheme was published in late 2012 for this building which has been closed and unused for 23 years. In addition the process for the closure of the church of St Paul in Parkeston began in this year.

The Area sub-committees are responsible for monitoring suspensions of presentation in their respective areas. Throughout the year a total of 15 suspensions were renewed and 16 new suspensions were approved by the sub-committees. One suspension was lifted during the year. Full details can be found on the Diocesan website at: http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/policies/suspension

In 2012 the Committee agreed in principle to a process for establishing Bishop’s Mission Orders in this Diocese. There are no BMOs in this Diocese at present, but there are a number working toward this and this process set out a clear way in establishing this relatively new link into the structure of the Church of England.

A full list of the Committee and Area sub-committee memberships can be found at: http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/diocesan-synod-and-committee-members

Nathan Whitehead, Pastoral Secretary

14 Youth

Whilst 2012 did not see any of the Diocesan Youth Advisers participating in any Olympic activities, even less, winning any medals, we did manage to take some very healthy strides forward in extending the Kingdom of God amongst young people.

As ever the bread and butter youth advising activities continued throughout the year: engaging with parishes and PCCs; supporting, mentoring and training paid and voluntary youth workers; and helping run events for young people like SOLID, Joy, and Growing Young Leaders.

But in addition, 2012 had some significant highlights:

Towards the start of the year, the results of the Children’s and Youth Ministry Audit which was undertaken at the end of 2011, were published. We were delighted to see the extent of ministry to children and young people right across the Diocese, with parishes engaging with something like 100,000 children and young people; led by an army of around 4,000 volunteers. Hugely encouraging!

In the summer we held the Time for Youth event. This was a youth version of Time to Talk in which we gathered around 100 teenagers in Bishop Stephen’s garden marquee to engage with the Transforming Presence agenda. Again, this was hugely exciting, to see such passion, vibrancy and articulation within the young people in the Diocese. It also gave a great opportunity to see Bishops and Archdeacons engaging directly with young people.

In the autumn we finally began teaching Engage – youth ministry. This has been an aspiration for many years so it was great to see it finally get off the ground. Chelmsford Diocese has become a delivery agency for this Level 3 Certificate training course. Seven learners began in September and are gaining a huge amount from it. We also began to put plans together for a new joint Children’s and Youth Leaders training course, Innovate, which we hope will kick off in 2013.

As ever it has been a privilege to serve young people and youth leaders in the Diocese for another year.

St Mark’s College

2012 was another year of challenge and opportunity for St Mark’s. With the change in leadership at the beginning of the year we spent the first few months learning to work effectively as a team. Some of the period was, admittedly, spent trying to keep our heads above water and maintain our service to our guests. At the same time, however, we worked on improving performance by way of attention to detail in hospitality and creativity in the invention of new on site activities.

The latter months saw redecoration of the Great Hall and Entrance Hall as well as refurbishment work to the Assault Course and Abbey Barn. 2013 will see further major redecoration projects and additional new activities. These include Bushcraft sessions to

15 take place in a new tipi to be erected on site. Also planned are a Pilgrimage walk from St Mark’s to Bradwell, Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and outreach work into the surrounding area making use of a MOF grant.

Asheldham Youth Centre

The Asheldham Centre, on the Dengie Peninsula near Southminster, has welcomed over 3,000 people through its doors in 2012. The Centre is a complementary venue to St Mark's College, providing self-catering facilities for 26 plus additional fold out beds to increase capacity. These have included school groups, youth residential, uniformed organisations, Alpha away days, parish retreats, teacher training groups, drama clubs and many more who have used the centre for a variety of purposes in both a residential and day use capacity. The Centre has recently been improved by a new kitchen, perimeter fencing, shower facilities and on-going redecoration. The partnership with Hunter Outdoor Training allows groups the option of 'buying in' qualified instructors for activities such as team building workshops, problem solving games and survival skills. Hunter also provides Key Stage appropriate activities for school groups studying local history, geography and science amongst other resources.

Further information and booking details can be found on www.hunterasheldham.yolasite.com

Revd Andy Poultney, Alice Smith and Rachel Brett

Chaplaincies

Chaplaincy amongst Deaf and Deafblind People

During the year various events took place exclusively through the medium of sign language to help Deaf people grow in faith and understanding. These included a pilgrimage to and around Ely Cathedral, three Messy Church events at Foley House Residential Home for Deaf people, and a six-week study course on the letter to the Philippians. In our services we explored what “Transforming Presence” might mean for Deaf Christians in the Deaf community. We also began exploring the notion of the Deaf chaplaincy and its seven congregations spread across the diocese becoming a Network Church. Whenever the opportunity arose we continued to help parishes and individuals to be more Deaf aware. Revd Ruth White has retired as half-time chaplain following many years of hard work in the London part of the diocese. She will not be directly replaced, but we have welcomed a new honorary chaplain, Jean Maxwell, to the chaplaincy team.

Revd Dennis Huntley, Chaplain among Deaf and Deaf Blind People

16 Hospital and Healthcare Chaplaincy

The Healthcare Chaplains’ Group has continued to meet successfully throughout the year. Lead Chaplains share the joys and challenges of Spiritual Care in a healthcare setting, often learning best practice from each other. Financial pressures and frequent changes in management personnel or structures impact on almost all the chaplaincy teams.

Our annual study day in November was attended by ninety chaplains and chaplaincy volunteers. It was an inspiring day about Mental Health led by Revd Canon Trevor Walt. Together we learned about mental health issues affecting patients, as well as how to take care of our own mental health and well-being.

The Ven ,

Workplace Chaplaincy

Workplace Chaplaincy (WPC) in Essex and East London continues to grow, with Core Team Chaplains rising from 16 to 18 in the 2012/13 period. The number of chaplains including volunteers is now 65.

The Core Workplace Chaplaincy Team continues to meet every month in Chelmsford, to support one another in their work and to plan site visits. The WPC Team continues to report to the ECCIC (Essex Churches Council for Industry and Commerce) Board.

Tilbury Power Station and Essex University are new additions; Romford Town Centre and London City Airport have new chaplains.

A fragile economy still presents a major challenge right across the board, especially in depressed town centres such as Colchester and in local government offices. Depression, low morale and low self-esteem among the workforce is common, as businesses find themselves having to downsize. Visiting people at their place of work reflects God’s love and concern for them. The Workplace Chaplain can be a smiling face, a pair of ears, a source of comfort and support, and a Christian presence providing constancy in times of change.

We were pleased to welcome Bishop Stephen to our 2012 WPC Annual Conference; LICC (London Institute for Contemporary Christianity) speaker Paul Valler to our Annual Volunteers Day, and Canon Theologian, Edward Carter who spoke at our AGM. All helped us think through a Theology of Work as we strive to maintain our ministry of listening, supporting and when necessary, challenging those in authority in the workplaces where we serve, in the Name of Christ.

The 2013 WPC Annual Conference will address the theme of Spirituality in the Workplace, with the help of Senior Anglia Ruskin University lecturer, Dr Jonathan Smith.

The WPC Website and our own Workplace Chaplaincy Training Package are both works in progress.

17 Financially, the Workplace Chaplaincy operates on a shoestring; however, we are grateful to those member churches who are able to provide a financial contribution to this increasingly important ministry to people in the workplaces of East London and Essex, which we hope and pray may continue.

Revd Canon Carol Smith, Workplace Chaplaincy Team Leader

Healing & Deliverance Issues

The team of Healing and Deliverance Advisers for the Diocese continues to provide support to local clergy and appropriate ministry intervention to people and places as required. During 2012 a new advice document on The Ministry of Deliverance from Evil was produced by the team, ratified by the Bishops and subsequently distributed to all clergy.

On October 18th 2012, I was invited to the Diocesan Senior Staff Meeting to discuss the future planning and development of the team. Currently the team consists of myself and six area advisers, two advisers for each Area Bishop. Considering the geographical size of the diocese and the fact that several team members are either retired or heading towards retirement, it was agreed that each Area Bishop and Archdeacon would endeavour to propose any names of priests who may be suitable and willing to attend the national course for Deliverance Ministry which will take place in September 2013.

I am pleased to report that at the time of writing the names of three priests have been proposed and two of

these will be attending the national course in September.

The team also continues to assist with clergy development and training when requested and each year myself and a team member lead an annual study day for 3rd Year Curates.

Revd Canon Trevor Walt, Bishop’s Adviser on Healing and Deliverance

Ordinands

While in 2012 there was a dip in the number of men and women being ordained deacon to 13 (compared to 21 in 2011), there has been a steady increase in the number of those offering for selection, which continues. During the year 26 (20) were recommended for training and currently we have 54 (40) candidates in training. This includes 11 candidates who will be serving as Locally Deployed (Self Supporting Ministers). The majority of these already have significant experience in Reader ministry and are doing a one year course specially designed by St Mellitus College. In 2013 we anticipate that at least 27 people will

18 be ordained deacon and we hope, after a number of years when finance has not permitted this, to take our full complement of 14 stipendiary deacons.

After twelve years as Diocesan Director of Ordinands I shall be retiring this summer and I count it a great privilege to have shared in this ministry. I have been most grateful to those who have worked closely with me, especially Stuart Batten, the Assistant DDO, Lois Rimmer, the DDO Secretary and a committed team of Area Wardens of Ordinands and Vocation Advisers.

Revd Canon Richard More, Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO)

Readers

On behalf of all those involved in Reader Ministry, I would like to thank Bishop Christopher for his leadership as the Warden of Readers and the Revd Elizabeth Jordan as the Assistant Warden for all her work in developing Lay Ministry in response to “Transforming Presence“. The first selection for Licensed Lay Ministry will take place in 2013. The Readers’ Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Readers in the Diocese for their continued hard work in preaching and teaching during the course of 2012. The Committee are ever mindful of the commitment given by Readers on a weekly basis and that although we are always asked to consider our vocation, Readers will continue to be a vital part of God’s Ministry in our Diocese.

Revd Dr Tim Bull continued to organise, along with a small group of Readers, several C.M.D. days, these were well supported. At this years Readers Day, Richard Bauckham was the preacher at the morning service and spoke at the afternoon meeting, he was viewed as one of our most stimulating contributors to this annual event

Andrew Merchant, Assistant Warden of Readers

Rural Issues

Strand 1, Resourcing rural churches: hosted a workshop on ‘worship in small congregations and managing the Sunday dash’ and a lunchtime seminar on current issues in farming; regular briefings on rural matters emailed to 200+ rural practitioners; ‘A Day in the Country’, 6 October 2012, involved 50+ participants, clergy and laity, from urban, suburban and local rural churches, exploring the context for rural mission through encounters with the rural landscape, farmers and rural residents in North Essex.

Strand 2, Engaging with rural partners: represented the Diocese and brought a Church presence to Essex Rural Partnership and East of England Rural Forum; member of Essex Superfast Broadband Project Board, representing the interests of small rural communities with poor broadband; worked with Rural Community Council of Essex to plan and deliver a

19 training event for rural ministers on the Localism Act and its implications for the church’s engagement with local communities, urban and rural.

Strand 3, Connecting with the farming community: attended Essex Agricultural Society events such as Rural Question Time, the annual Essex Farming Conference at Writtle College, and the county harvest service at the Cathedral; and waded through deep mud at Tendring Show!

Revd Dr Julie Nelson, Diocesan Rural Officer

Diocesan Environment Group

One of our core tasks is to assist the Diocese in making good its commitment to the 5th Mark of Mission (“… to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the earth”) as expressed in the hugely supported Diocesan Synod motion of June 2010.

Such things as the significant reduction of C02 emissions in church buildings, parsonages and schools are a priority in the work of the DEG. We have been encouraged by consultation from Brian Cuthbertson of the London Diocese, by on going conversation with John Ball our own CEO, and by exchanges with the Diocesan Property Department. Action across the Diocese continues to be “good in parts”!

There are representatives of each (new) Archdeaconry on the DEG and we are keen to recruit and sustain links with Local Environment Champions. The March 2013 issue of The Month contained details of this initiative. Noting our own Cathedral’s achievement in becoming the first Cathedral to achieve Eco – Congregation status (in 2009) we are keen to work with a network of colleagues from one parish, cluster of parishes or Deanery in developing awareness of and active responses to our 2010 Synod commitment.

Noting at this time that personal Christian discipleship requires environmental responsibility the DEG has staffed a stall and interactive publicity at the Bradwell Pilgrimage and at last June’s Diocesan Synod. If you are interesting in finding out more please contact our secretary, the Rev’d Rob Kean at [email protected] or 01376 331586.

Bishop Christopher, Chair of the Diocesan Environment Group

20

2012 was a year of arrivals. First was the Rt Revd John Wraw who was installed as Bishop of Bradwell in January. Then in March we installed two new members of the College of Canons: Edward Carter, who joined the Residentiary Chapter as Canon Theologian, and the Rt Revd Norman Banks, Assistant Bishop and Provincial Episcopal Visitor.

We said farewell to Dr Peter Nardone on Easter Day as he moved to take up the post of Director of Music at Worcester Cathedral. His successor, James Davy, came to us from Blackburn Cathedral where he had been Assistant Director of Music. We were delighted that the Choir of Blackburn Cathedral joined ours for James’ installation.

Chelmsford was one of the new cities created to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen. I said in my inaugural sermon in 1997 “Chelmsford, shortly to be a city”. I am pleased that prediction has now come about.

The removal of the Registry to London left vacant office space within the Guy Harlings Estate close to the Cathedral Office. This has now been transformed into an attractive office and meeting space for our Youth Minister, Tim Leeson, to develop his work in an area the Youth Group can call their own.

We are grateful to the Friends of Cathedral Music which gave a grant of £20,000 to endow the Junior Choral Scholar Scheme.

The difficult economic climate has led to a downturn in income from lettings of the Cathedral and Chapter House. This coupled with unexpected expenditure, particularly on the care of our buildings, resulted in a deficit in the operating budget. A larger deficit is predicted for 2013. These deficits will be met from accumulated surpluses in previous years. Eliminating the deficit is a challenge the Cathedral will have to manage in the coming years.

I would like to thank everyone who took on extra responsibilities whilst I was away on sick leave in the last quarter of 2012 and to thank everyone for their support and prayers. Although I have made a good recovery, I have decided to take early retirement to spend more time with my family. On Easter Day 2013 I announced that my last Sunday as Dean will be 6 October 2013.

Plans are well advanced for the Centenary Year of the Diocese and Cathedral in 2014, and it will soon be upon us. It gives us a good opportunity to give thanks for what has been and for what is to come.

The Very Revd Peter Judd, Dean of Chelmsford Cathedral

21 International

The International Group co-ordinates our Companion Links with Kenya, Romania, Sweden and Trinidad & Tobago. In addition, we aim to promote a better understanding of the World Church and issues of World Mission and Development. We work with the Bishop on his annual Lent Appeal.

Sweden – Bishop John made his first visit to Karlstad in June to take part in their Ordinations. Bishop Esbjörn and a group from Karlstad also attended our Ordination of Deacons. Two Karlstad parish youth groups have visited Chelmsford.

Kenya – The diocese was represented at the retirement of Bishop Daniel (who made his last official visit to Chelmsford for our Ordinations) and the consecration of the new Bishop of Kirinyaga, Joseph Kibuchwa. Various schools and parish exchange visits have taken place during the year.

Romania – Three more Romanian ordinands spent a very successful three months in our diocese as part of their training. Our thanks to Revds David Rollins and Jonathan Collis for coordinating their stay.

Trinidad and Tobago – There has been little activity. The Revd Chigor Chike has formed a new Link Committee and we are hopeful that the link will strengthen again in future.

Bishop’s Lent Appeal – the 2012 Appeal raised funds to support Community Development work in our Kenya link dioceses in partnership with TearFund. The benefit of this work has been seen at first hand and support will continue in 2013. The Appeal raised £19,426.63

Christmas Gift Fund – we continue to send small gifts to those from this diocese serving as mission partners abroad. The scheme has been skilfully coordinated for very many years by Mrs Eileen Hance – thank you! She will now be handing over the administration to Bishopscourt.

Partnership for World Mission (PWM) – The diocese was again represented at the Annual PWM Conference when the substantive World Shaped Mission: Exploring new frameworks for the Church of England in World Mission was considered. This report is the product of wide consultation with Anglican mission agencies and global partners; it challenges and inspires us all to deepen our own response and value the responses of others to God’s mission in the world, and reminds us of the reciprocal value of listening to and learning from those whom we partner in mission. The report is commended to parishes and deaneries for consideration and action.

Local Links – The International Group encourages and supports the development of personal, parish, deanery, school and organisational links and is pleased to receive news so that information, experience and best-practice can be shared more widely.

Revd Canon Dr Roger Matthews, Dean of Mission & Ministry

22 Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns

‘Tarry not in the past lest the future be obscured’ – Anon. Nevertheless it is right to mention some names of folk who have made valued contributions in furthering the aims of CMEAC over the years:- Bishops Wilfred Wood, Sehon Goodridge, David Silk, John Waine, , and the . Many have read publications such as “Seeds of Hope”, “Colour and Spice” and “The Passing Winter”.

We continue to be grateful to Mrs Glynne Gordon Carter, Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin – now Chaplain to the House of Commons, and Mrs Edna Dolor, Administrator at Church House.

As we try to gauge the impact of the work of CMEAC from ‘Windrush’ to the present day we have observed growth in the numbers of ‘Ethnic Minority’ Clergy and Lay Ministers. This may not be so surprising if one considers the fact that some of our parishes contain 60 – 70% ‘minority ethnic’ members.

I would wish to record my thanks to all who have journeyed with me, and give encouragement that all future efforts be directed towards ensuring minority ethnic communities avoid being seen only as “hewers of wood” and “drawers of water”. In this regard for the Church and society there remains unfinished business.

Canon Justin McKenzie, Chair of CMEAC Mothers’ Union

In 2012 the Mothers’ Union held its triennial elections, here in the Chelmsford Diocese and worldwide. We are fortunate that we have an almost complete Diocesan Trustee Board with all key posts filled. The General Board of Trustees now reflects our worldwide membership with six trustees coming from outside the UK, ensuring that the voices of our members are heard wherever they live and helping to take the mission of Mothers’ Union forward through the 21st century. Currently Mothers’ Union has over four million members living in 83 countries, with more than 98% living outside the UK and Ireland.

On the 23rd April 2012 we held our Diocesan Council in Chelmsford Cathedral and celebrated the Olympics, St George’s Day and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a Eucharist at which The Rt Revd John Wraw, Bishop of Bradwell, presided. A beautiful celebration cake made by Martin and Molly Hoyle was cut by Bishop John assisted by a rather unruly dragon.

Praying, campaigning and enabling are three key aspects of our Mothers’ Union vision. Members in the Chelmsford Diocese will continue to focus on this vision and reach out to others with the love of Christ.

Marion Ketley, President of the Diocesan Mothers’ Union

23 Faith In Action

An invitation to form the group, which came into existence in 2007 as the Diocesan Social Responsibility Group, following Ruth Badger’s report on social engagement in the Diocese, originally went to clergy and laity who were known to have an expert interest in various issues of Christian social engagement. In our early days we had a small budget from which we made grants for, among other things, young peoples’ involvement in environmental issues, positive attitudes to racial diversity at elections in places of communal tension, local Christian responses to unemployment and personal rehabilitation after divorce.

We meet 3 times a year, at Bishopscourt under the chairmanship of Bishop Stephen, and membership is open to anyone who has a contribution to make particularly in the areas of unemployment and poverty, local politics, asylum, interfaith, the environment, and other issues, including family, marriage, the aftermath of divorce and the needs of the elderly. For further information please contact Robert Wiggs on 01245 359138, email [email protected].

To the frustration of some, we possibly fall between an action group and a talking shop. An aim we share is to disseminate in the parishes an understanding that Christ only has one mission to the world through his Church, and that prayer, evangelism, the promotion of employment, good interfaith relations, environmental action, etc, etc, when performed in his name, are all aspects of the same missionary life, both divine and incarnated in the human.

In the past year, we have discussed, among other topics, eco congregations, both here and in Kenya and in Sweden, as part of Transforming Presence’s aim of ‘living distinctively’. In January we received news from the 2011 census in Newham, and reflected on the implications for mission throughout the Diocese of statistics. Understanding such issues are of crucial importance in promoting our desire to be a transforming presence ‘from Canning Town to Harwich’.

Revd Robert Wiggs, Faith in Action Group

Retreat House of Pleshey

We hear a great deal these days about the importance of ‘work-life balance’ and the benefits of taking ‘time-out.’ Both are, of course, important, but for some they remain an unknown quality in life and for others they are a luxury which is unaffordable for a variety of reasons, not necessarily financial ones. Those who have the privilege of being able to step aside are fortunate indeed.

Despite difficult times, being able to step aside and come to a place such as Pleshey still remains, for many, an opportunity not to be missed. The surroundings in which a wide variety of the weather’s moods can be experienced, sometimes in the space of a single day, are themselves exhilarating and, at the same time refreshing. The peace of the house and the

24 tranquility of the Chapel are a wonderful complement to those surroundings, and the combination of all three calm and refresh the spirit. Here, the peace of God, which passes human understanding, can both soothe and heal.

At the end of November the first phase of our refurbishment programme began, delivering the first six en-suite rooms. All through the dark days of December, January, February and March it seemed as though the builders would be here forever, but now with the Conductor’s ‘suite’ finished and the work on the Gatehouse nearly complete we are beginning to see green shoots in the dark earth.

Easter is about new beginnings, and this is a new beginning for the Retreat House as it is transformed and set up for the next few decades. There is a long way to go to fulfil the hopes and plans, but it is on the way!

Revd Sheila Coughtrey, Warden of Pleshey

St Peter’s Chapel

The chapel continues as a place of pilgrimage, with visitors every day of the year.

The 2012 Bradwell Pilgrimage vibrated to the singing of the guest speaker, cricketer, Henry Olonga; and the theme for the Summer Services was ‘Transforming Presence – Being a people of prayer’. The services covered a wide variety of liturgy and speakers. They were well attended, the most popular being the Chelmsford Cathedral Choir, Taize and Celtic style.

In December the Candlelit Carol Service saw a packed chapel, despite people having to walk down the track as the field was too wet for cars.

Mid-week holy communions have started again on the first Thursday of the month at 9am.

The chapel committee needs to raise £60,000 for repairs to the roof.

Thanks as ever to our band of local volunteers from Bradwell Parish and the Othona Community who worked even harder during the Vacancy to care for the chapel. The next year will see the development of Quiet Days and Prayer Space in conjunction with the Othona Community.

Revd Brigid Main

25 Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance

At one level, a primary focus for the DBF each year is to balance the books. This involves working hard to maximise the income from parish share and that is done by liaising collaboratively with deaneries and parishes. Over the years, we have made enormous progress through work led by Don Cardy, Anthony Nicolle and the parish advisers and we benefit greatly from the effort and commitment of parishes across the diocese. But 2012 proved to be particularly challenging as the recent growth in overall income stalled.

This highlights the importance of other income streams. Our Investment Committee, led by Peter Wilby, is implementing changes in investment policy following a thorough review of our investment approach and recent performance. We have to think hard about how to achieve the best balance between the needs of today and those future generations. The Finance Executive is overseeing initiatives to create new income streams.

If balancing the books means maximising income, it also means carefully marshalling our resources and eliminating waste. The Budget Committee strives to set a realistic budget and then to monitor it carefully. The Houses Committee, led by Derek Smith, needs to ensure that our houses are appropriate for our clergy and other staff, while addressing continual changes of situation. And Peter Morriss leads an Audit Committee which ensures tight accounting policies and financial controls. We are well served by our volunteers.

Yet there is another level to our work. We must ensure that all our funds – whether from national, diocesan or parish sources – are spent to best effect. We must ensure resources are in place to support implementation of the diocesan strategy. Our mission is to liberate parishes to fulfil the work of Christ. In 2012, your Board of Finance has increasingly focused on these fundamental issues and we look forward to working with you for the benefit of all.

Canon Dr John Spence OBE, Chair of Diocesan Board of Finance

26 Financial Statements

The Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance Summarised Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2012

The Statement of Financial Activities (‘SOFA’) and balance sheet (see pages 28 – 30) together show a financial summary for the year ended 31 December 2012. The SOFA and balance sheet are extracts from the statutory financial statements.

The statutory financial statements have been externally audited and the audit report was unqualified. The trustees’ annual report and financial statements were approved by the Finance Committee, who are the trustees of the charity, on 1 May 2013. They will be submitted to the Charity Commission and Companies House.

Copies of the trustees’ annual report and the statutory financial statements can be obtained from the diocesan office and will be available on the diocesan and charity commission websites in due course.

General fund The SOFA shows an operating deficit of £45,000 on the general fund, which compares to a surplus of £74,000 in 2011. This deficit represents 0.2% of general fund expenditure. Parish Share provides the main source of income. In 2012 a total of £13.8 million was received in Parish Share, some £975,000 short of share requested. This shortfall was partly offset by other income performing better than expected by £100,000, and significant savings on expenditure, notably £290,000 on clergy stipends due to the number and timing of vacancies in the year.

Other funds The designated and restricted funds include the activities of the Board of Education, Pleshey Retreat House, the Mission Opportunity Fund and London Over the Border Fund, among others.

Income on designated and restricted funds totalled £1,528,000. This is considerably below the total in 2011 of £2,790,000, which included a generous legacy of £1,172,000.

The SOFA shows a deficit of £13,000 on designated funds, mainly attributable to the timing of grants received. Restricted funds show a deficit of £189,000, predominantly relating to building projects at church schools and the Retreat House for which income was raised in prior years.

The overall deficit on the SOFA across all activities was therefore £247,000. Free general reserves have reduced to £1.3million from £1.4million. This remains below our target of £1.7million which is the equivalent of one month’s gross expenditure.

Balance Sheet The balance sheet shows a small decrease in total net assets to £207.7 million from £207.9 million. The major factor was a 1.2% negative movement on the house price index used for the annual revaluation of operational property.

Canon Dr John Spence OBE, Chair of Diocesan Board of Finance

27 The Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance

Statement of Financial Activities (Summary)

Year ended 31 December 2012

2012 2011 £000 £000 Resourcing ministry and mission Stipends & pension costs 12,182 12,072 Housing 2,641 2,554 Grants to clergy 293 307 Other grants 970 1,210 Ministry training 433 371 Other expenses 51 136 Support for ministry 2,315 2,334 18,885 18,984

Other costs Contribution to Archbishops' Council 1,117 1,177 Education 665 486 Governance costs 52 47 Other costs 465 316 2,299 2,026

Total expenditure 21,184 21,010

Income Parish share 13,814 13,724 Archbishops' Council Grants 2,847 2,879 Investment income 1,549 1,500 Other income 2,727 4,153 Total income 20,937 22,256

Net operating (deficit)/surplus (247) 1,246

Release of provision - 300 Net capital gains 42 929

(Decrease)/increase in net assets (205) 2,475

Funds General (134) 386 Designated 126 675 Restricted 136 435 Endowments (333) 979

Total funds movement in year (205) 2,475

28 The Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance

Balance sheet at 31 December 2012

2012 2011 £000 £000 Fixed assets

Tangible assets 167,521 170,076

Investments 35,726 32,215

203,247 202,291

Current assets 9,343 10,678

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (3,860) (3,960)

Net current assets 5,483 6,718

Total assets less current liabilities 208,730 209,009

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (993) (1,067)

Total net assets 207,737 207,942

Funds

Unrestricted - general 4,219 4,353 - non-benefice houses 11,826 11,782 - other designated funds 1,244 1,162 17,289 17,297

Restricted funds 6,800 6,664

Expendable endowment funds: - Benefice houses 127,558 133,522 - Stipends fund 54,340 48,867

181,898 182,389

Permanent endowment funds 1,750 1,592

Total funds 207,737 207,942

29 Independent auditor's statement to the members of Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance

We have examined the summarised Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2012.

Respective responsibilities of the directors/trustees and the auditor

The trustees are responsible for preparing the summarised Financial Statements in accordance with applicable United Kingdom law.

Our responsibility is to report to you our opinion on the consistency of the summarised Financial Statements with the full annual financial statements and the Trustees’ Annual Report, and its compliance with the relevant requirements of section 427 of the Companies Act 2006 and the regulations made thereunder.

We also read the other information contained in the summarised Financial Statements and consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the summary financial statement.

We conducted our work in accordance with Bulletin 2008/3 issued by the Auditing Practices Board. Our report on the charitable company's full annual financial statements describes the basis of our opinion on those financial statements and on the Trustees’ Annual Report.

Opinion

In our opinion the summarised Financial Statements is consistent with the full annual financial statements and the Trustees’ Annual Report of Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance for the year ended 31 December 2012 and complies with the applicable requirements of section 427 of the Companies Act 2006 and the regulations made thereunder.

haysmacintyre Fairfax House

Statutory Auditors 15 Fulwood Place

London

WC1V 6AY

30 PCC Statistics for mission and finance data 2011

deanery shares 2012 (net) membership & attendance parish income

assessed paid shortfall electoral average average normal DSS from other recurrent £000s £000s £000s roll weekly weekly Sunday members donors income total adults under 16s adults adults £000s £000s £000s Archdeaconry of West Ham 01 Barking & Dagenham 339 307 32 1,562 1,125 433 1,071 1,411 666 346 1,012 04 Havering 1,248 1,096 152 3,876 2,613 709 2,415 3,283 2,272 905 3,177 05 Newham 426 387 39 1,971 1,494 414 1,345 1,796 509 843 1,352 07 Redbridge 1,170 1,058 112 3,259 2,172 526 2,042 2,749 1,348 1,231 2,579 08 Waltham 658 629 29 2,254 1,774 489 1,489 2,069 988 996 1,983 3,841 3,477 364 12,922 9,178 2,571 8,362 11,308 5,783 4,321 10,103 Archdeaconry of Harlow 02 Epping Forest 851 829 22 2,194 1,787 555 1,261 1,889 1,189 767 1,956 03 Harlow 455 402 53 1,459 866 252 794 1,124 716 358 1,073 06 Ongar 288 241 47 920 408 57 417 595 370 186 556 1,594 1,472 122 4,573 3,061 864 2,472 3,608 2,275 1,311 3,585 Archdeaconry of Southend 09 Brentwood 807 737 70 2,487 1,419 454 1,179 1,842 975 383 1,358 10 Basildon 484 477 7 1,442 1,364 475 902 1,292 679 883 1,562 11a Chelmsford North 600 543 57 1,618 956 194 790 1,201 713 234 947 11b Chelmsford South 765 700 65 2,034 1,411 251 1,207 1,712 995 475 1,470 12 Maldon & Dengie 315 255 60 979 729 248 582 842 354 214 568 13 Hadleigh 639 621 18 1,809 1,221 145 1,064 1,519 780 754 1,534 14 Southend 588 578 10 1,674 1,067 260 876 1,342 757 701 1,458 15 Thurrock 452 447 5 1,642 1,131 278 970 1,365 631 433 1,065 16 Rochford 417 373 44 1,038 717 185 633 868 539 282 820 5,067 4,731 336 14,723 10,015 2,490 8,203 11,983 6,423 4,359 10,782

31 Archdeaconry of Colchester 17 Witham 668 632 36 2,116 1,323 295 1,049 1,561 886 449 1,335 18 Hinckford 375 354 21 1,620 771 183 665 1,047 458 265 724 19 Braintree 351 346 5 1,247 814 138 666 1,015 503 246 750 20 Colchester 918 890 28 2,436 1,903 628 1,595 2,096 1,430 730 2,159 23 Dunmow & Stansted 427 408 19 1,327 694 150 625 951 598 379 977 24 Harwich 304 271 33 1,285 719 205 600 917 412 223 635 26 Saffron Walden 633 621 12 2,057 1,128 258 854 1,393 1,040 418 1,458 27 St Osyth 473 473 0 1,880 1,354 279 1,201 1,640 755 440 1,195 4,149 3,995 154 13,968 8,706 2,136 7,255 10,620 6,082 3,150 9,233

Diocese Total 2012 14,651 13,675 976 2011 46,186 30,960 8,061 26,292 37,519 20,563 13,141 33,704

2011 14,517 13,697 821 2010 46,254 31,397 7,877 26,518 37,920 23,097 11,307 34,404

2010 14,277 13,423 854 2009 45,957 32,767 8,362 27,060 39,116 20,851 11,013 31,864

2009 14,023 13,400 623 2008 45,520 32,610 8,200 26,840 38,880 20,090 12,360 32,450

2008 13,609 12,980 629 2007 43,660 32,440 7,520 27,260 38,650 20,110 10,780 30,890

Notes: the deanery share amounts include late payments and are rounded. the deanery share amounts exclude authorised reductions, credits and the regular payment discount the attendance data is for 2011 from the Statistics for Mission returns. where parishes fail to make attendance returns (2% in 2011) estimates are used. the parish income data is mainly from 2011 PCC Finance returns. where parishes fail to make finance returns (15% in 2011) estimates are used. the summary totals for previous years are updated when new data becomes available. the income is for both unrestricted and restricted recurrent gross income. the income from donors includes tax recovery on Gift Aid non-recurring income such as grants and special appeals has been excluded. attendance and finance data for 2012 is being collected now. the Cathedral is not included.

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