Church Secretary's Report 2010
This was our second full year in vacancy and we have been most grateful and much blessed by those who have led our services of worship and by those who have provided the music at London Street Sunday by Sunday. Between 60 and 80 people worship on Sunday mornings and from August a new Sunday evening service led by Reza Afshar and Christopher Bridgen was trialled. Numbers varied between 6 and 25. This service is aimed at new Christians with prayer support needed from everyone and is very much in its embryonic stage. The Wednesday lunch-time Time for Prayer continued with regulars taking turns to lead and Mary Silver acting as prayer request co-ordinator.
At the end of the year our membership stood at 105. Emily Marshall-Jones (Scott) was transferred to Nelmes URC and the Revd Adrian Bulley to Cardiff. We were saddened to lose three members by death - Joan Trigg, an Elder of this church and a member since 1971; Cecil Edens, a member since 1984; Arthur Hayes, a member since 2004 and Arthur Harris, a member since 1956 who, with his wife Joy, had been worshipping in Alderholt since moving to Fordingbridge. We also heard of the death in Bournemouth of Dorothy Hornby and in Truro of Rose Mills. Jean Tait who had been an Oasis stalwart for many years moved to Liverpool and Cynthia Yeomans settled into Basingfield Court.
In November we were delighted to welcome into membership Isobel Martin on Re-affirmation of Faith. There were two church weddings, Jenny Collins to Tony Green and Karen Bulley to Huw Morrison - we wish them much happiness together. The Sacrament of Infant baptism was administered to Kyron Ayland. There were twelve serving Elders throughout the year.
In January 2010 Margaret Carrick Smith's name was put forward as a possible Synod representative to General Assembly and was elected; she subsequently accepted the post of Clerk to General Assembly. Chris Ayland was appointed to the executive of the Alliance of Basingstoke Churches. A Day of Prayer for the future Ministry and Vision for the church was held and, following the earthquake in Haiti, a retiring collection was taken after morning services.
In February four Lent Home Groups were set up using the York Course study material. Two groups have continued to meet - one weekly and a new one twice monthly.
At the ACM In March grateful thanks were expressed to Rosemary Martin for her many years of faithful service as Junior Church Leader and Karen Bell was appointed to succeed her. The new name of "Generators" was chosen for the younger children's group - more about them later. Joy Williams and Joan Mussellwhite joined the personal ministry team replacing Elspeth Anthony; and Chris Addis became the second CRB clearance verifier. We also began to give serious thought to ways of improving the appearance of the "shop" window displays and to include a default one advertising regular weekly events; the World Church Group arranged for the Revd Glyn Evans from Farm Crisis Network and Bill Hewis from the Leprosy Mission, charities we support, to lead services and encouraged us to look at ways of improving our carbon footprint to Eco Church standard. It was decided to produce "Focus" 5 times a year rather than monthly but not at the expense of our magazine's quality. Thank you to Editor Neil and the production team Harry Bowers, Jean Kelly and Victoria Paice. At this point I would also like to thank Eira McCaughey for arranging the pulpit supply, Iris Brixton for arranging the musicians rota and Jean Holton for acting as the Authorised Person for weddings and the many other ways she assists me with admin. It was also realised that the Church Constitution needed updating and this was done in the ensuing months.
A group was formed to explore options in connection with the Concourse roof and the west windows of the sanctuary. In spite of past attempts to detect and stop the leaks they have continued and any refurbishment of the concourse is pointless until they are stopped. The group, comprising Derek Anthony, Peter Bentall, Bram Corn, Chris Ayland and Joy Williams with input from Penny Dilley (Café Manager) and in consultation with Peter Richardson (Synod Properties officer) and an architect recommended by him and agreed by Church Meeting, met a number of times. By the end of the year three completely new designs for the Concourse roof had been prepared and shown to Elders. These designs enabled repairs to the west windows to be done without scaffolding but the estimated cost, about £300,000, would require sacrificial giving and much fund raising. An alternative estimate to replace the glazed roof using existing design is being sought prior to presenting all options to Church Meeting in 2011.
The first of four Youth Services was held in March led by the young people and their leaders and was much appreciated by the congregation. Gill Craft who had done an excellent job as Group Scout leader was succeeded by Dennis Kinnersley. He reports "that the 8th Basingstoke (URC) Group is doing well and all sections are active and running a well-balanced programme. Gill Craft did not abandon us but has completed the necessary course and been awarded her Leader Training award as has Gary Spencer our cub leader. Our biggest challenge continues to be attracting parents prepared to take office on the Group Executive Committee, we desperately need someone to take responsibility and control of our finances; if any of the church congregation are able and willing to take on the role of Treasurer I would be delighted. We have coaxed former Leader Alan 'Greg' Gregory out of retirement to hold the position of Group Chairman until such time as we can find a suitable successor. However, the most important news is that the young people are actively enjoying the scouting they receive at the Den."
Karen Bell, our Junior Church Leader reports "that 2010 began with the children choosing a new name 'Generators - of Gods Power in our lives' and the leaders choosing new teaching material. The latter focused on the bible and involved a bible memory verse each week for the children to learn and take home. These verses were presented in a variety of interesting ways and needed to be put into a format that they could take home and put into the bible verse folders. We had 3 regular attendees in the 8 to 11 age group, Cade, Daniel and Emma, plus, when able, three aged 12+ - Evie, Rachel and Kayleigh. We also had our regular toddlers - Ethan and Niamh plus several visiting children including Henry. A big thanks to the regular leaders who run our Sunday morning sessions, Rosemary Martin and Anne Davey, David and Julie Bath and to those who came out to help me, Alison Jamieson, Owen Collins, Harry Bowers and Carol Scott.
In May most of our children along with many of the Scout troop and their families went to the Pilots day at Warwick Castle and much fun was had by all. The day ended with all the Pilots joining in worship.
In July Evie, Rachel and I attended Fury summer camp in Fareham. The theme was seasons of the year. The girls had a good weekend and so did I, well apart from the camping and the late nights. It was good to have the opportunity to spend the weekend with young people of all ages worshipping God in their own way. Together with the four Youth services it has been a busy year for us in Generators and in the coming years the challenge is to keep the Sunday mornings relevant and fun for all our children whose age range is so wide". Karen ends by saying, "Please keep praying and supporting all who are involved in working with the young people of this church".
After Easter and with the arrival of warmer weather another Away Weekend to Henley-in-Arden was arranged. Fewer were able to go than last year but all who did thoroughly enjoyed the company, the surroundings, the food and especially the thoughtful sessions led by the Revd John Waller.
In June events came thick and fast. The Church Garden Party, held in Frank and Winnie Tovey's lovely garden in Crossborough Hill, was very well attended. Our grateful thanks to them for their hospitality, and to Alison Jamieson for the delicious sandwiches and cakes.
Alison and Karen Bell also created a much appreciated display at the St Michael's' Church Flower Festival on our behalf.
Early in the year an apparent but, as it turned out, unfounded downward trend in church finances encouraged us to hold a Table Top Craft Fair in aid of church funds as well as the usual Christmas Fair which raises money to give to other Christian causes. October was felt to be the best time for crafts so the Christmas Fair became a Summer Fair. Thanks to the organising group, Julia Burrows, Gill Craft and Joan Beattie and to everybody who, as usual, played their part. Over £700 was raised to give away.
Iris Brixton did an enormous amount of administrative work in connection with the Craft Fair and there was no shortage of people taking tables. The day went like clockwork and I would like to say a big thank you to her and to everybody who helped to make it a happy and successful one for the church, over £770 was raised, although a mixed result sales wise for our table renters. The meals prepared by Penny Dilley and her team made important contributions at both Fairs so many thanks to them.
Friendship Hour, under the leadership of Joyce Cook, continues to flourish. It meets on Thursday afternoons and serves the older age group. Meetings start with prayer and then follow a wide variety of activities including a monthly devotional one. Janice & Mike Burrell shared their adventures sailing round Africa and Joyce her visit to Australia. They were reminded of Basingstoke in the 50s and 60s, heard about the Newbury Coat from Jan Blight and, among other things, how puppies are trained for Hearing Dogs. The coach excursions were also popular. Friendship Hour offers a warm welcome to all.
The ecumenical Community Café, opening 4 days a week, had a very successful year. Customers continued to enjoy the food and the friendly service they received in Oasis and unchurched young people started coming to the Youth Café. This was our hope at its inception but, of course, they bring their own problems with them as well as causing extra wear and tear to fixtures and fittings - the Wessex Hall being used for indoor football. This, I feel, we must accept as the cost of walking with Christ in the market place. Thanks to the continuing support of other churches, especially Christ Church and St Leonard's, we needed and were able to employ Deborah Stone as part-time Assistant Cook and Youth Worker to help Penny Dilly with the extra work. Many volunteer helpers and youth workers from several churches are involved in this outreach and were even willing to stay open during half-term to keep the youngsters off the streets but there is always room for more especially those able to lead specialist activities such as Youth Alpha or similar. These youngsters are the parents of the future and it would be good if something done now to help them in life will mean fewer families needing to use the Child Contact Centre in the future. As it is there is a considerable waiting list of those wishing to use this facility so consciously co-ordinated by Bram Corn.
The 3Cs (Coffee, Company & Chat) was a new group that began meeting in Oasis on the second Wednesday morning of each month. It is an opportunity to meet friends, and friends of friends on church premises with perhaps the chance of a little friendship evangelism.
Harvest Festival and Back to Church Sunday were combined in September and the service was arranged by the Elders. Invitations were given out and a few new people responded including a scout family. The church was beautifully decorated as usual.
In October Favourite Hymn Sunday preceded by a Bring and Share tea proved popular. A good number of folk sang lustily a wide variety of hymns interspersed with interesting comment from Joyce who had arranged the event.
London Street was privileged to host the service at which the synod officially said farewell to its Moderator, the Revd Adrian Bulley, who returns to pastoral ministry in Cardiff.
In November Peter Bentall's leading of the Remembrance Day Sunday Service was much appreciated and following the Gift Sunday worship a full car load of toys, games, etc. were taken back to Christ Church, Newham by the Revd Ashley Evans.
The annual service of ordination and induction of Elders was conducted by the Revd Alan Green. Julia Burrows and Christopher Bridgen were ordained and inducted to their first term and Anne Davey was inducted to serve a second term. Reza Afshar, Joyce Cook and Margaret Carrick Smith retired. Please regularly remember Elders' Meeting and Church Meeting in your prayers asking that we hear and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit even if it is uncomfortable for some of us.
One of the highlights in the Parents and Under 5s Club's year is the Nativity Service which was made such fun by the Revd Ian Bentley. After the service they had a party and Father Christmas was a welcome visitor. This group meet in term time on Tuesday mornings and have over twenty on their books. It is a labour of love for the leaders Anne Davey and Leng Ayland.
Snow and ice disrupted some of the Christmas plans. Regretfully it was thought wise to cancel the Carols for All and Tea. Very few attended the Midnight Communion on Christmas Eve although there was a good attendance on Christmas Morning and on Boxing Day morning.
The year ended on an optimistic note with the hope that very soon our search for a minister would be at an end. Knowing the disappointing outcome I want to put on record how seriously the Vacancy Committee takes the task they have been set and how difficult it is to meet the expectations of a church with such a broad theological stance. As this report shows there are so many opportunities here to serve the Lord and so much need that is waiting to be met. The Lord loves us, wants the best for us and knows our own personal needs - we can safely leave those in his hands whilst we, together, look at the big picture and seek the one with the gifts needed to lead us in these challenging times.
