ST BOTOLPH’S SWYNCOMBE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2017 Introduction The functions of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) shall include co-operation with the minister in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. This mission includes the maintenance of our 1,000 year-old church building. In the second decade of the 21st century, a rural parish Anglican church like ours continues to face significant challenges. Situated on the Ridgeway, St Botolph’s is a spiritual place, with a tranquillity that inspires its visitors. The holiness of the setting, the simplicity of the historic architecture and the long tradition of Christian worship in such a seemingly isolated place affords us the potential and the opportunity to draw worshippers from far and wide, albeit to the depths of the Oxfordshire countryside. Half of those on our Parish Roll live outside the parish. Our Parish is sparsely populated (about 250 households, with about 550 residents across 5 hamlets). There is no obvious vibrant village centre that might act as our focal point. We have no premises beyond the church building itself. We are currently awaiting Planning Permission for a disabled lavatory and small store-room to be sited within the Churchyard. We hope this will be built during 2018. We use the Village Hall at Russells Water for meetings. In a fast-changing secular society, we are traditional in our approach. It follows that there is a cardinal regard for continuity, with the Sung Eucharist celebrated every week and the Eucharist said from the 1662 prayer book on the second Sunday in every month. Following the retirement of our Rector, the Rev’d Christopher Evans, (who had served in this area for 29 years and had been Rector of our Benefice for 16 years), we officially commenced an Interregnum on 1 st December, 2016. Interviews for the post of Rector were held on 26 May, 2017 and we were delighted to welcome our new Rector, the Rev’d Daniel Thompson, to our Benefice at the beginning of September, 2017. We warmly welcome the Rector and his family and hope he will find his work in our Benefice both personally and spiritually fulfilling. Objectives We recognise the following future challenges: 1. We need to develop a more balanced congregation across the age-range, particularly by embracing families. 2. Establish an active outreach posture relevant to the needs of those living in the wider community of the parish, not least the sick and needy. 3. Be more active across the Benefice, both with our sister parishes but also with the other Christian churches. 4. Do only a few things, but do them well. Our Vision is: ‘To grow a vibrant and inclusive church community sustained by the warmth of our welcome, the spirituality of our worship and the tranquillity of our setting, so that St Botolph’s might continue its discipleship to provide hope, comfort and peace for another thousand years. ’ Despite reports of the Church of England having an ageing congregation and declining church attendances, we in St Botolph’s, with our 26-strong regular congregation, are planning positively for the future, both through our worship and by our actions. We consider ourselves to be traditional, private Christians who are drawn to attend services at our ancient, hallowed church, seeking tranquillity in prayer, fulfilment and strength from traditional worship and fellowship. A church is about the people who attend, just as much as its history and its architecture. As in most churches, we are a mixed group of people with a hope that, as we meet together and share both our gifts and our vulnerabilities, ever so discreetly, we will find the fullness of life and love that belief in Christ promises us. We come, hopefully, with open minds and open hearts, doing our best to reflect honestly on the meaning of Jesus Christ for each of us and to welcome all who may want to join us, with the assurance of a warm Christian welcome. St Botolph’s is a small, intimate, supportive community. If you are interested, come and see! 1 Achievements and Performance Snowdrop Teas 2017: Despite disruptive attempts by the elements, our three week-ends of ‘Snowdrop Teas’ continue to be both successful and very popular. On the first week-end, the ‘Blessing of the Snowdrops’ took place in a snow storm, with the ground covered in snow. Also, high winds (Storm Doris) resulted in a gazebo taking permanent flight. However, the weather improved and the crowds came. We raised a total of £7,243.51 over the three week-ends. After expenses, we shall have raised around £6,500.00 to go towards our new Washroom and the upkeep of our ancient church. We are indebted to our huge team of bakers, stall-helpers on the day (sometimes braving appalling weather) and our stalwart car parking marshals out in the freezing cold for the success of this, our major fund-raising event of the year. A Talk by Sir Michael Willcocks was held on the evening of Thursday, 27 April. Sir Michael spoke very entertainingly about his life in the army and about his period as ‘Black Rod’ in the Houses of Parliament. The Talk, held to coincide with St George’s Day, was organised by David Orpwood and was the second of such talks, following on from Tim Lewis’ organisation of last year’s inaugural Talk. Sir Michael’s Talk, to a full church, was very well received. After expenses the sum of £1,112.50 was raised, with 50% each going to his chosen charity (‘Help for Heroes’) and to the church. Blessing of the Pets Family Service: This is always a popular service that regularly attracts many non- church-goers. This year, it was held in a barn adjacent to the church on 9 July. The special service was well- attended by both adults and children and the very many dogs – who all behaved! Cream Tea: Many from St Botolph’s Church attended a delicious ‘Cream Tea’ organised by Shelagh and Peter Stevens in their garden at Chears Farm, Park Corner, on the afternoon of 20 August. During the course of the afternoon, around 200 visitors sat at approximately 30 tables. Just under £1,000.00 was raised, with 50% going equally to ‘Famine Relief’ and to the church. Our new Rector: While we were most privileged that Rev’d Daniel Thompson (new Rector of the Benefice of Icknield) should have held his very first service in the Benefice at St Botolph’s Church (a ‘Said Eucharist’) on 10 September, it was decided to formally welcome him and his family to Swyncombe on 17 September, after the more popular ‘Sung Eucharist’ service. Refreshments of wine and canapés were served to a large congregation. Swyncombe Choirs during 2017: The Swyncombe Choir is a small group of singers, numbering from 14-20 depending on the season, formed by Carole Shorter (Choir Mistress and conductor) over 20 years ago through a request in the Parish News. The choir sings at the festival services and special services of the year: Snowdrop Evensong, the Easter services, the Patronal Festival, and the Harvest Festival. The choir meets regularly on a term-time Tuesday at a choir member's house - the requirements for our venues are: (a) parking (b) a piano and (c) enough space to mingle with refreshments. A Junior Choir, formed in 2015, continued and met as often as possible on Saturday mornings and sang at the services for Harvest Festival, joined in the carol singing, and made a very memorable contribution, with some fine solo performances, at the traditional Carol Service in December. The organists: Carole and Alan Shorter have both contributed generously to the life of the church by playing at Sunday services, weddings and funerals throughout the year. Swyncombe is very fortunate to have regular organists, and several regular volunteers who provide holiday cover. The choirs and congregations are indebted to them for the effort and energy they have and for all the hard work that they have done to encourage, prepare and teach both choirs and to conduct them. At Christmas, the Adult Choir transforms into The Swyncombe Singers and visits local houses and a local pub to sing Carols. This year, Watlington Nursing Home was also in the schedule. The new Rector and his family joined in. Hosts invite friends and neighbours who all join in the Carol Singing. Donations are invited for the Swyncombe Singers’ designated charities. In December 2017, the singers raised over £1,540.00, to be divided equally between Marie Curie Nurses and the Wyfold Riding for the Disabled charities. Warm thanks are extended to all the party hosts and party-goers who helped to raise such a great sum. Deanery Synod: The Deanery Synod met three times in the last financial year. The continuing worry by rural Parishes about their ability to afford their Parish share was raised. At the June, 2017 meeting, Deanery Synod received reports from both the General Synod and the Diocesan Synod for the first time for some years. At the Deanery meeting, safeguarding issues were discussed. Also, a report was received from Benson lay members of the congregation about how they managed their Interregnum and the support they received from the Diocese. It was suggested that the Diocesan pastoral care teams could be improved. 2 At the October 2017 meeting, members of the Deanery Synod learned that at Diocesan Synod in June, the Rev’d Angie Paterson had raised a question about advertising costs for new Rectors currently being borne by Parishes.