ANNUAL REPORT 2008.
Billericay Methodist Church issues an Annual Report every year. The following extracts include the foreword by the Senior Steward and those sections of the report referring to activities at The Christian Link, the home of Queens Park Community Church. The full report can be downloaded from the Menu on the left.
Forward
The reports published below show the depth and variety of the activities that take place at Billericay Methodist Church.
We are indebted to all who organise and help with these activities. Without their voluntary input the Church would be a much poorer place. The ministry team and the stewards are extremely grateful for all this hard work which enriches not just the Church itself but reaches out into the local community as well.
If you wish to know more about any of the activities please speak to one of the organisers. Alternatively you may like to browse one of our websites,
queensparkchristiancentre.faithweb.com
www.bmyouth.bmchurch.org
We give thanks to God for his goodness and guidance that makes Billericay Methodist Church what it is. We serve him through these many activities and pray for continued vision and inspiration to continue to serve in established and new, exciting ways.
A big thank you must go to Mike Tuggey for all his hard work in preparing and collating this Annual report.
Di Small
Senior Steward
Ministry Team
Pastoral care is something that as Christians we offer to one another, and is a key expression of Christ’s care for us. As a church we seek to care for one another and to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6.2). It is a key witness to the God’s love which causes people are to say “see how these Christians love one another”.
The Ministry Team is essential to the pastoral care of people of Billericay Methodist Church, as it meets weekly to pray together, to share (in confidence) concerns in pastoral care and other matters such as hospital visits, Alpha and membership classes, baptisms and weddings.
Philip Gibson contributes as Pastoral Secretary, Heather Ashworth and Elizabeth Hardy as Lay Pastoral Assistants. Dave Chuck brings his concerns for young people in the church and wider community. Di Small is part of the Team as Senior Steward, and brings her sound advice. Mark Conlon and myself value what the Team give us in supporting our pastoral work.
Judith Maizel-Long
Stewards’ Report
Our two teams of stewards have worked well during the last year both for the church and for each other. The team at Queens Park consists of Jean Brown, George Chapman, Alan Jubb and Liz Read. There is a more detailed account of their work later in the booklet. At Western Road our team has been Lyn Bowditch, Keith Overall, Sue Quinney, Gill Rogers, Di Small and David Westcott. Keith joined us at the beginning of the year but we have still been one short in number. Although no one steps down this year we are still looking for another steward to boost our team.
During the year our minister Les and his wife Di moved on to pastures new. At the end of July a farewell party was held where we had a hot meal thanks to Mark, stewards and others. The entertainment was based around Les and his hobbies which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. A presentation was made to Les and Di and also to Colin and Bernie Watkins as they left to begin their new ministry.
In September we welcomed Judith as our new minister and with her husband Graham she joined in ‘The Generation Game’ which was the hilarious entertainment for our harvest supper. Another game show ‘Mr & Mrs’ will, we hope, delight all the guests at the Church Anniversary supper. On the Sunday Rev Russell Herbert will be our preacher, someone many people will remember as a youth worker a few years ago.
As Senior Steward for this year I would like to thank all the stewards who have helped and supported me. Also thanks to the Ministry Team at whose meetings I have found great support but also great fellowship and fun.
The stewards’ team are pleased to serve the Church in this role and we thank everyone for their help and prayers.
Di Small Senior Steward
Finance
The key elements of income and expenditure relating to the running of our Churches at Western Road and Queens Park for the years 2007/08 and 2008/09 are as follows:
Cash Flow
2007/08 Actual 2008/09 Budget
£’000 £’000
Income
Offertories 118 118
Gift Day 16 0
Tax Recoveries 23 25
Property Grant 0 15
Use of Premises 20 18
Interest 6 4
183 180
Expenditure
Circuit Contribution 99 101
Youth Work/SMB 32 33
Property/ Maintenance 40 46
WR Hall Roof 0 36
QP Quinqunennial Work 0 6
Miscellaneous 7 7
178 229
Net Cash Flow 5 -49
Year End Bank Balance 114 65
During the year ended 31 August 2008, the decline in our offertories stopped and we raised £16,000 from our Gift Day towards the long overdue replacement of the Western Road Hall Roof.
During the current year we have budgeted to carry out the work on the Western Road Hall Roof, funded largely by the 2008 Gift Day and a grant from the Cleanaway Trust of £15,000. We have also provided £6,000 for works associated with the Queens Park Quinnquennial Report. We are grateful as always to our Property Stewards for the hundreds of hours they give to the church each year in maintaining our premises. Without their service our costs would be so much higher.
Excluding the major property works, in both 2007/08 and 2008/09 we will have continued to draw on our reserves to fund the on-going work of our church. The underlying budget deficit for 2008/09 is £22,000 which, as was noted in last year’s Report, needs to be addressed.
Church Council has agreed a Reserves Policy of a minimum of three months expenditure (£48,000).
Therefore, without a substantial increase in regular income, the church will have to reduce its costs to ensure that our income covers our expenditure.
Martin Ball/Hazel Westcott
Worship at Queens Park Community Church
We continue to enjoy a variety of styles of worship at The Link on a Sunday morning, with a mixed age congregation ranging in number from 35 to 70 depending on the weather, the time of year and other good reasons! Visitors are always made most welcome and we enjoy sharing worship from time to time with members of the Western Road congregation.
We hope that Judith is beginning to feel at home with us. We are sure that she will contribute new ideas to assist in our continuing development. We also enjoy the contributions made by our own local preachers and others from the circuit who, with Mark, enrich our worship week by week. Visiting preachers have included Mark Williamson from ‘Share Jesus mission’ and Rev. Frances Drake.
As always we are grateful to those who assist the stewards in preparation for worship. We now have a number of people trained to operate the sound and data projection systems. Derek Green is, of course very much missed for his many contributions, particularly his work as property steward. We now realise just how much he did over many years!
As a congregation we often take the opportunity to meet together. Congregational meetings are held several times a year and we regularly enjoy a ‘bring and share’ lunch after worship. Two quiet days have taken place and a summer Garden Party (sadly this year indoors) at the home of Linda and David.
We continue to serve the local community; we work in partnership with several local groups and Christmas cards were delivered to every house on Queen’s Park during December.
Jean Brown on behalf of the Queen’s Park stewards.
Queens Park Children
Young people are an important part of our congregation and we accommodate them accordingly.
The children have met during our Sunday services throughout the year. One of our families has left the church and our group is now smaller than it was.
Shirley, Anna and myself have continued to provide interesting and fun activities for the children to enjoy, loosely based on the Light programmes for 5 to 11 year olds. When the service includes Communion the children join the congregation.
The morning activities always end with refreshments.
Suzan Prior
Queens Park Baby and Toddler Group
Over the year we have grown in numbers of attendees so much so that by the end of the year we had to begin a waiting list. Our group is indebted to Val (one of the children's Grandmas) who travels from Romford every week to help out.
Many thanks to the refreshment team who keep us all well supplied with sustenance and to Jane and Siggy who so willingly help pack away our equipment.
Please pray for our children and their carers as they come into our building that they may feel the loving touch of our gracious God.
Christine Gibson
6th Chantry Brownies
We have had such a fun year, with a very full Pack. As well as joining in with District events, we have planted trees at Weald Country Park, earned lots of badges and had several meetings out and about. We have had 2 holidays in 2008, camping at South Woodham Ferrers, and Pack Holiday with Tuesday Brownies in Hawkwell.
The waiting list continues to grow, as older Brownies leave us to join Guides. One Young Leader left us for university in September, but we have 2 more youngsters who help every week, one of them received the Jack Petchey Award for her selfless service to Brownies last Spring. 2009 looks to be just as exciting!
Helen Harpole
Daniels’s Den
Daniel’s Den ceased to meet at Christmas. Over the two years that it was open, we had nineteen families attending, eight of whom attended regularly each week, and we supported these families in different ways.
I felt the Group had fulfilled a need when and where,
And was to stop meeting each week, but leave an open contact those who wanted it.
I'm pleased to say that when we closed the group at Christmas, we knew another one would be starting in the New Year.
This group now meets on a Tuesday as before, with new Leaders and a different format, but still involving a Church presence, each week.
Elizabeth Hardy.
Art for Pleasure at Queens Park
We are now in the 6th year and continue to attract a regular group of about twenty or more people each week. New members every so often replace anyone who has moved on so we keep our numbers. There is a very friendly atmosphere which encourages friendship and the sharing of skills.
In June we were able to contribute our paintings to the Billericay Flower Festival in St Mary,s Church.
A rather pleasant addition to those who attend our painting group is the number of people both church members and passers by who pop in. They all receive a welcome and a cup of coffee or tea.
We are indebted to Jane and Ziggy who set up our table and chairs etc every Wednesday morning.
Pat Crabb
Queens Park Court Activity Group
Once again, around twelve residents and six helpers have met on Monday mornings for tea and a chat, preceded by a discussion, music and activity based on the morning's topic. As well as the usual festivals and bi-monthly flower-arranging we "visited" Wimbledon, Ascot, The Last Night of the Proms and Paris in the Spring. We remembered the Pilgrim Fathers and their Billericay connections and made some superb scarecrows from wooden pegs. We enjoyed melodies from Brigadoon, High Society and My Fair Lady and sang along with"Hits from the Blitz" and "Music Hall Memories". Once a month, as always, we meet for "Time to Share", a short service at 10.30am in the main lounge. You are very welcome to join us - the next two dates are February 23rd and April 6th.
Ann Bray
Whitechapel Mission
Our work at Whitechapel Mission does not change much. Nowadays we begin by sorting out what has been incorrectly hung up (ladies blouses and sweaters in the men’s clothing section!). A lot of young offenders are sent by the court to do community work. Sorting keeps us busy until about 2.30pm when we pack up to come home.
Tony Harris has stepped in as our new driver (and a bigger car) ably backed up by Wendy when necessary.
The main requirement is still for underclothes for men and smaller size trousers (30 – 36 in waist).
Shirley Green
Queens Park Discussion groups
During the last year, an ad hoc group has met to share ideas, support and encourage one another. Discussion is based on a study guide. Each series runs for 6 weeks.
Linda Patient
Esther’s Spa
We held 4 Spa sessions during the year and in September introduced Esther's Soiree - a relaxed social evening offering refreshments accompanied by Jan Bunker's harp music and a Traidcraft stall.
Thanks go to all the helpers who have felt the call to follow Jesus' example of offering peace and healing through the ministry of touch and prayer.
Christine Gibson
Prayer Chain
The Prayer Chain for the Queens Park Community Church (the Christian Link) has continued over the past year and has been utilized more than in previous years. It runs on a much smaller scale than the Western Road Prayer chains and is transmitted solely by using email. Generally, the prayers are for those individuals who are specifically associated with Queens Park Church but we also forward prayers to and for the Western Road contact point where appropriate and we occasionally get messages from Western Road for the Queens Park Chain. It is good that we can all share our Prayers with others. Prayer is an important aspect of Christian life no matter where we are or who deals with it since we are all one Church.
Don Ward
Employment Group
The Employment Group, although set up in 1992, has continued to offer advice to Church members and others whenever asked although there was only one enquiry during the past year (2008) relating to employment. Numbers have fallen over the years because of full employment but advice is still available, if required. However, the Church may feel there is a need to offer the opportunity of employment in 2009. If it does, then I am sure that a team of helpers can be set up to help anyone who seeks help and advice. The Church could therefore provide a service to those in need.
Don Ward
Coffee Pot / Pause for Thought
We are open for Coffee every Thursday & Friday morning during the year, a facility which we feel is part of our commitment and outreach to the community, in Queens Park.
Numbers have dropped over the past year, but our regulars continue to pop in each week, plus the occasional visitor.
However numbers are boosted each week, with the Craft ladies, and Parenting groups, coming on Thursday, and the people who come especially to 'Pause for Thought' on Friday.
There are at least ten ladies attending on Thursday mornings to do their Craft, and between fifteen & twenty plus, people 'Pause for Thought' on Friday.
Nine and one gentleman, usually in twos or threes, plus Mark, serve and chat to the people who attend each day.
Elizabeth Hardy
Big Breakfast
During 2008 Big Breakfast went from strength to strength. It is a social event for many local people who take the opportunity to come in and enjoy the company and relaxed atmosphere once a month on a Saturday morning.
Both helpers and customers enjoy the experience. A very big thank you goes to Joyce Scott and her band of willing helpers, and to the people who come each time.
Mark Conlon
QUOGS
The Senior members of the Queens Park Community have really enjoyed a year’s programme of outings, lively speakers and much food. We wish to express our grateful thanks to Joyce Scott who works so tirelessly to arrange all we do.
Mark Conlon