Report to the

Annual Parochial Church Meeting 2011

 

 

 

The Vicar writes;

 

I know there are bonus points for being brief, but it is not easy as easy as you might think, because St Paul’s possesses a lively and hard working church community who never seem to rest, and strive to engage and be available 24/7 to those they serve in one way or another.  I’m sure I do not need to tell you that there are very few weeks when nothing much happens!  Rarely a day goes by but that there is a deadline to be met or some service or event to prepare for.  The notion that the Vicar spends the morning in his study, writing and preparing his sermons and answering correspondence; the afternoon visiting his flock and those who are sick; with the evenings set aside for routine meetings are long gone!  The days begin early and finish late; and it doesn’t let up!

 

Looking back over my 40 years in the ordained Parish Ministry, the sheer volume of work and the way in which the style and tempo of life has changed is beyond recognition.  And whilst this is true for most of us, at St Paul’s, Bedford the tempo is not ‘largo’, but ‘allegro’!  The immensely privileged calling to priestly ministry has become a test of management and policing skill with fund raising ability rated highly.  Productivity and progress is assessed by ‘footfall’ into church and the number of mission and community events which can be marketed and whipped in under the heading of Diocesan Initiatives such as ‘Vision for Action’ or ‘Living God’s Love’.  Provision for both pilgrims and visitors alike must satisfy the most stringent of health and safety guidelines, whilst caring for an ancient and beautiful old building and those precious souls for whom it is a spiritual home has become more about satisfying the demands of English Heritage and those who promise grants if we do it their way.  Constant appraisal and CRB checks for all employees and key parishioners are the order of the day and concept of ‘the big society’, which the church has been doing for ever and a day as caring disciple-ship, is flagged up as the latest piece of political know-how!  And, of course, with all this comes a welter of paper work, form filling, with buzz words and phrases like ‘strategy’, ‘working collaboratively’, and ‘mapping’ being banded about at all levels, as though it is the process through which the Holy Spirit always works!  Many of you both young and not-so-young, will recognise what I’m saying from your own perspective.  The world in which we live and move and have our being is changing beyond recognition and you do not need to email, text or twitter to know that!  But personal reflections aside let’s see how the past year has worked out for us at St Paul’s.   

 

Worship and Ministry

Despite the national economic climate and debt crisis, the past year 2010/11 has brought us an abundance of blessings and great generosity and goodwill.  Of course, there have been, and are, problems which need addressing, but there is also huge amount for which we can thank God.  Congregations have continued to expand and it had been heart-warming to have an increasing number of thoughtful young people in their 20’s and 30’s making their worshipping home with us.  As I was commenting on Thursday evening we need now to be mindful of knitting them into the worshipping family ever more surely.  I was thrilled yesterday when Emma Pridden told me how that has been true for her, through what has been a far from easy year.  Last evening a significant member of the congregation remarked on how well supported Lent Study Groups have been when ‘Going deeper into God through Scripture’ and focusing on the Authorised Version of the Bible has consistently attracted over 50 people each week.  Most Sundays the 10.15 am Parish Eucharist enjoys a substantial congregation of well over 150, and communicant numbers both at that service and on weekdays show a healthy increase.  The 8 am Holy Communion, alas, is not so buoyant!  Among those currently preparing for Confirmation there are approximately ten adults and five youngsters from a wide variety of nationalities and backgrounds, all of which speaks volumes for the kind of inclusive ministry upon which we are engaged.  Commitment to offering a daily Eucharist with the recitation of Morning and Evening Prayer publicly each day remains a priority and with the ‘offices’ providing a valued opportunity for lay people to lead and contribute to the worshipping life of this remarkable community.  I’m always thrilled when I hear, on a Monday, as I often do, that there were six or seven present to say Evening Prayer.  I want to express fulsome thanks to our Hon. retired clergy, Fr Denis, Fr. Clifford, Fr. Alan, who is far from well at the moment, and Canon John Tibbs.  They are quite amazing in what they do for all of us, as is Cliff Harris, our Reader and Treasurer.  What’s more, I know they love working as a committed team which makes all the difference and are excited about all that happens here.  David Walker, who has been our Pastoral Assistant now for almost 6 years continues to be deeply committed to the work he does for us and is hugely supportive of all that St Paul’s tries to do.  With our demanding programme he has made himself virtually indispensable to many of us - we simply could not manage without him.  It is good that James Beauchamp is persevering steadily with his readership training, even though his licensing, for a number of reasons, has not happened as soon as was originally envisaged.  But I’m sure he will get there.  As I see it, some sort of lay ministry team here grows increasingly necessary.  It is also pleasing to note that there is an increase in people popping in for quiet prayer, or to light a candle.  Such an increase is reflected in the figures for sales of votive candles!  It also needs saying that I regard it as essential that our life together as a community is undergirded by prayer.  

 

The restoration of the Organ

Another achievement that we can celebrate this year is the virtual completion of the comprehensive restoration of our historic organ.  This work has been in progress for the best part of two years and by Easter the new tuba stop will have been installed, which I’m reliably informed will enliven the Easter Morn in a thrilling and stirring way!  In total the project will have cost £414 K, much of which has come to us through the generosity of Trust Funds with a small number of unsolicited gifts from beyond the Church membership.  I need to tell you that anyone who suggests to you that the Church’s finances are in deficit on account of the organ project would be misinformed.  The ‘purchase a pipe’ initiative is still attracting encouraging support and thankfully, small sums of money are continuing to find their way by post to the Chairman of the Friends, Brian Woodrow.  As I speak there remains just £20K to pay back in interest free loans.  It is very much hoped that it will be considerably reduced by the special supper and Auction of Promises evening on Thursday 12th May at Bedford Modern School.  Anyone who has anything to offer in terms of something special to auction or who would like to purchase a ticket for the evening should speak to Brian Woodrow or contact the Church Office.  Across the organ project itself there has been conspicuous generosity from a wide variety of individuals notably from Ian Harvey, the chief organ builder and designer, who funded the gilding of the exposed pipes in memory of his grandfather; and Ben and Claire Summerton, our scaffolders, whose marriage took place here last year.  All told I would like to congratulate everyone who has played a part in this huge undertaking and put it on record that it is my belief that the job which has been done is to the very highest standard.  So all can be justly proud of what has been accomplished.  Be in no doubt but that we now have a very fine English Romantic Organ in tip top condition, and if looked after carefully, it should serve the church for many decades to come.

 

Understandably, it is a matter of some urgency that this whole endeavour is done and dusted, before we embark of the next piece of necessary development and renewal.  Foremost among our needs now will be the enhancement of our office facilities, the vestry and catering provision, including the toilets, and outside, the restoration of the pinnacles.  Getting any kind of detailed and thought - through proposal together still requires some inspired thinking and planning.  I commend it to your thoughts and prayers, because we cannot afford to get it wrong!

 

The new St Paul’s Guide

Last year in my address I was delighted and proud to be able to draw your attention to the splendid new illustrated guide which had just come on stream telling of St Paul’s, and not just of its distinguished history, but also profiling it as a place of living worship and outward looking service. Nervously, we purchased a thousand copies uncertain whether they would go with any great rapidity.  In fact I can report that they have sold well and more than that I have also been able to offer them as a token of appreciation to visiting preachers and speakers, to send to grant making bodies when we have applied for financial help, and have given them as a small ‘memento’ to church wedding couples, to families bringing children for baptism.  To Dr. Richard Smart, the author, and David Walker, our layout and graphics man, as well as to the Chairman of Stewardship who shared my vision over distribution and made an Easter donation to cover the cost of the additional 500 copies we ordered, I remain deeply grateful.  It is an important strand in our marketing strategy, and without being boastful or crowing about our achievements, I do think we should be mighty proud of St Paul’s, and publish far and wide all that is done here, day by day in God’s name, and, indeed, of all that has been achieved in the past decade.

 

BBC Songs of Praise

The surprise invitation extended to us in mid December to be the context for a BBC1 Songs of Praise, recorded at the end of January for transmission on the 20th February, provided another wonderful piece of national exposure for the Church and the wider community and gave the long dark January days a real lift for us.  Marking the 70th Anniversary of the BBC Daily Service coming St Paul’s during the darkest days of WW2 and celebrating the beautiful plaque recently carved at the entrance to the Trinity Chapel commemorating that fact, made a wonderful story for them.  To this they added other bits of Christian witness from Bedford’s rich and varied history. Unfortunately, all of the filming was done on grey winter days, but even so, most of those who saw the programme said that Bedford and St Paul’s looked amazing.  Sr. Hazel’s outstanding interview with Aled Jones established her as media icon, and I can only say, ‘Sr. Wendy, ‘beware!!’ More seriously, I was quite delighted that Becky Bettone, now a rising star singing currently with Opera North, featured in the programme.  When I arrived at St Paul’s in 1998, she was one of our most gifted young Choral Scholars.  I’m told that the BBC Daily Service Singers, who normally only see the BBC microphones, thoroughly enjoyed their trip out from Manchester and the fact that they were exposed to cameras.  Of the BBC Songs of Praise ‘team’ themselves, I can only say that they were thoroughly delightful to work with, talented, experienced and professional.  And it was particularly good that other churches, schools and musical groups across the Town and Borough were able to be part of the recording giving the overall impression of a vibrant and flourishing community.

 

Farewell to Ashley

A significant change to our church musical scene during the year was bidding ‘farewell’ at the end of August to Ashley Marshfield our Organ Scholar for the past six years and his girlfriend Kerri.  Throughout his time with us Ashley was a tower of strength in so many ways to our life together and having undertaken the role of verger in his first year, supported, not just the music, but the Vicar, the Wardens and the wider congregation in a whole variety of ways.  Regrettably, young musicians graced with his innate charm, integrity, humour and loyalty, as well as fine musical skills, are very hard to find, particularly for a modest musical set up like St Paul’s, and searches thus far for a successor have proved fruitless.  Following the excellent ‘Parish farewell’ to Ashley here in July, both he and Kerri then came on the Ripon Cathedral ‘choir residency’ in August, where our musical standards were praised to the rafters.  Being able to welcome them back at Christmas, and again for the Baptism of Philippa Grace Runnells in March added to our joy and I believe they have been enlisted to be with us again over Holy Week and Easter.

 

Coping with December and Christmas Snow

Mention of Christmas reminds me that the month of December 2010 was blighted for us by a severe spell of weather which lasted virtually the whole month and affected all our Christmas activities.  Having managed to celebrate the start of a new Christian Year when our choir joined once again with the Chamber Choir of Dame Alice Harper School for a splendid Advent Carol Procession, a spell of bitter weather and winter snow then arrived and played havoc with the numbers supporting the tenth Annual Christmas Tree Festival, with all the various associated concerts in aid of the Bedford Hospital Charities and church funds.  But it wasn’t all doom and gloom.  The display of trees and the new lay out worked brilliantly.  The annual Christmas Tree Festival has become a highly valued part of our outreach work together attracting a whole range of organisations and schools.  And I would not want it said that the funds we did manage to raise were anything but hugely beneficial.

 

As I said, the snow lasted much of December and had a considerable effect not just on retail trade, but also on numbers attending Christmas Services.  People where just not able to be about.  I shall long remember Saturday, 19th December when as we prepared for the Family Carol Service with Christingle Procession, a blizzard set in at 3 pm, the shops all closed, the market dispersed and traffic came to a total standstill in St Paul’s Square.  Even so the dedicated St Paul’s team, including our musicians, Saturday tea providers and clergy were all here to make sure our programme of events continued as advertised.  And it was the same for the superb 9 lessons and carols on the 20th December and throughout Christmas week and the Festival itself as we skated and slid and bounced our way to church.  I felt thoroughly proud to be part of such a spirited and undaunted set of co-workers who did their utmost to keep everything going as usual.

 

Accounts

Now the fact that we have come out of the financial year with a significant deficit, will, I know, bring a measure of anxiety to some and the problem must not be treated lightly.  I had secretly nursed the hope that things might have improved more than they have.  That said, if you consider our position in the light of the global recession and the state of the nation’s finances, not to mention the national church as a whole, I would say that we are weathering the storm reasonably well!  As you will see from the accounts, Stewardship Giving has kept up and thus far, we have been able to meet our Parish Share in full and all our housekeeping bills.  Andrew Gray does sterling work with the Stewardship committee, as does Alan Dickinson who has chaired the Finance committee.  Week by week spending is monitored and a tight overview kept.  There will be a chance for questions later.  All I would say to Treasurers Cliff Harris, who has keeps the accounts so carefully and to Charles Little, who deals with the VAT office our very sincere thanks for a great deal of hard work and many long hours.

 

Hospitality at and from St Paul’s

Now it is no exaggeration to say that we have a remarkable range of immensely talented caterers at St Paul’s and the quality of the fare they produce is imaginative and always competitively priced.  Lent Suppers, Fellowship Lunches, Parish Lunches, Saturday Teas and Coffees and Tuesday sandwiches are all delicious, carefully assembled and thoughtfully presented.  We owe an immense debt of gratitude to the many who exercise their ministry in this department and though it enhance our mission and ministry immeasurably.  I would be fascinated to know the number of cups of tea and coffee which are provided in the course of any week to welcomers, to staff members, to group meetings and to those just passing through?  St Paul’s is a truly hospitable church and the evidence is there for all to see.  But alongside such outgoing and high profile catering goes responsibility to make sure everything complies with current health and safety requirements, otherwise an inspection from the Town Hall could easily curtail this tremendous piece of ministry which enables us to fund raise for needy causes as well as church running expenses.  Take the catering opportunity out and the budget deficit, as well as the pastoral ministry of this place would suffer hugely and our plans for the future would suffer a devastating blow.  So, in thanking most warmly every single one of you involved in the catering arm, I would also make a plea that staff and volunteers alike sing from the same hymn sheet and pay special attention to the cleanliness and ordering of the catering facilities at the West End and the East End and within the church itself.

 

About the musical scene

I’ve already made reference to various notable occasions when our Choir has been central to the action and I do not want to repeat myself.  Suffice it to say that Ian Runnells, our Director of Music does a fantastic job with both the adults and young people who sing and the standard of music both at the Eucharist and Choral Evensong is amazing.  He demands commitment of his singers and strives for excellence and the result is that standards continue to rise.  Since Ashley’s departure Graham Bentley and Gary Mudd have done all they can to help Ian with the conducting and choir training, the more so since the new organ came on stream.  We owe them all a debt of gratitude.

 

Mention of musical highlights would not be complete without also saying something about the Tuesday Lunchtime concerts, imaginatively coordinated by Heather Turnham and drawing on young performers from Cambridge and the London Music Colleges.  Attendance at these concerts regularly attracts a faithful clientele of 70 plus and it continues to grow.  The quality of performance from these young musicians, all of whom Heather tells me love coming, is superb.  On behalf of us all, thank you to Heather for all her devoted time and hard work given to arranging these concerts.  Together with the light lunches, also arranged internally, they make a delightful musical oasis during the week and draw many new faces over the threshold of the Church.

 

Appreciation to Churchwardens and PCC officers and members

I want to record the gratitude of the whole Church to Brian Parsons and Margaret Dickinson, our Churchwardens this past year and to congratulate Wendy Jones and James Stephenson, who have been elected for the coming year.  Thank you, too, to those who have served as deputies Enid Desert and James Collett-White, who have I know been a great support.  I’ve been saying for years that, along with being Vicar of St Paul’s, the Churchwarden’s role here is immensely significant and you cannot afford to take your eye off the ball for a moment!  The generosity of all of them with their time and expertise has been tremendous and I hope both those elected and those who have stood aside will continue to be involved and contribute to the well-being of this precious community.

 

To those who have served on the PCC and the various sub committees and their chairman, my thanks also.  Wendy Jones has been Chair of Outreach; Anne Harris has looked after Fabric; Malcolm Fensom and Wendy Jones have been in charge of Catering with Rita looking after Saturday Morning Coffees and, as I said earlier, Alan Dickinson has chaired Finance and Andrew Gray, Stewardship.  Under the 6 year rule one or two have had to stand down, at least for one year, and we thank them for all they have done.  Also to those who have acted as sides people, particularly some of our young people for whom the opportunity has meant a great deal.  Then I must also record appreciation to Anne Mills our Administrator, who came into post almost two years ago, possessing a Quaker allegiance and background, and is still mystified by the strange ways of the Church of England and the Church’s Year!  Being a Church Administrator anywhere is hard and it is particularly difficult here.  She does well and has enviable computing skills and to her great credit she also keeps Spire going efficiently!  After six years of editing Alison Phillipson feels she must stand down to cope with other things and Tom Otley is going to give it a go. Thanks also to Alan Johnson our church cleaner for all he does for us.  You should also know that there is a veritable army of unsung heroes who clean various parts of the church – Barbro and Joan who do the cleaning of the Chancel and Sanctuary; Carol who dusts on Fridays; Pauline and Hazel who do the silver and Lois Baggaridge who mostly does the Sacristy, brasses and all the altar washing - a big thank you to them all.  They, and others besides, all play a role in preparing and keeping this wonderful place ready for worship and service.  

 

Leaders of Paul’s Pilgrims and Young Gospellers

We’re nearly there!  Finally, may I express thanks to those who have played any part whatever in the children and young people’s work at St Paul’s this past year.  It is enormously valued.  We live in such delicate times when it comes to caring for young people and ministering to them; added to which there are so many rival attractions which make claims on their time.  I’m delighted to say that Schools Drama Weeks, and school visits, coordinated by Anne Harris, continue to be significant events in our annual calendar.  But it is something of a disappointment and a worry that our Sunday numbers of children are so low when compared with that which they should be.  Facilities are woefully lacking, but so too are adult leaders prepared to commit to this important ministry – our thanks, nevertheless, to those who do.  If there is an area of our life which needs looking at and needs to be undergirded by prayer and action, it is this.

 

Conclusion

As always, I’ve attempted to be positive and enormously grateful for St Paul’s without ignoring the blemishes and shortfalls.  I remain convinced that St Paul’s is a very special place to be and all of us who are part of it want it to continue to flourish during challenging times.  Producing a mission statement and mapping the way ahead is something which all Parishes are being asked to do in the coming months.  I believe there is a vast amount happening here which is worthy of celebration.  Standing at the heart of a new and expanding Deanery we have to accept the responsibilities and opportunities which confront us.  Only in this way will we survive!  A ‘Yes we can’ culture and working together in harmony and trust with prayer and by God’s grace, I dare to hold fast to the faith that all will be well and all manner of things will be well.

 

John Pedlar.