St Luke's Church Eccleshill, Bradford, UK

Annual Report
of the PCC for the year ended 31st December 2004.

MEMBERSHIP

Members of the Parochial Church Council are either ex-officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. During the 2004 calendar year there were 16 elected members, of whom one third retired each year.

The report lists the members and their dates of appointment, but for reasons of data protection we are not reproducing this information on our web site.

THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

St Luke's PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church: pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the parish church building of St Luke's Church and Churchyard, and of the basement of the St Luke's CE(C) Primary School building which is available as a church hall.

The PCC met ten times with an average attendance of 17. To carry out its aims the PCC appointed the following committees: the Standing Committee (consisting of the incumbent, churchwardens, vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer); the Personnel Committee, the Appeals Committee (for appeals against the Personnel Committee), the Day Centre Committee, and the Basement Committee. We are represented by Albert Sutcliffe and Joy Cooper on Churches Together in North Bradford, and by Marie Small on the Schools Out (St Luke's Eccleshill) Ltd Management Committee. Linda Gibson is our Child Protection Officer, Peter Kewitz is our Health & Safety Officer, and Evelyn Hinchliffe is ensuring that we work within the Data Protection Act.

As in previous years the activities of the church have been funded through giving, fund-raising activities, reclamation of income tax, and income from fees and letting of premises. During the year income just met expenditure. A budget for the next financial year has been prepared, which anticipates continuation of funding in the same way.

The Diocese's original calculation of Parish Share for Eccleshill was Ł36,600. However a reduction of Ł1359 for "realism" was made. (This means that the diocese considered our income was so poor that Ł35,241 was the most we would be able to meet). We are pleased that we managed to meet the reduced sum.

The PCC has discussed and made decisions in the following areas:

Necessary repairs to the church have been undertaken (see the fabric report), but we have been more concerned about outreach. The success of J-T's and Squeals on Wheels give us hope for an increase in the number of children in church. The Alpha course drew in some new people and this has been followed up by a Sunday evening course. The new group "ViTal" gives an opportunity for young women to form a link with church.
We have written letters about the British National Party and the growth of casinos.
We have supported missions and sent shoe boxes of toys and toiletries for children in Romania.
The basement has been decorated.
The midweek communion service now takes place only monthly, but John conducts services in local residential and nursing homes.
Much of our time this year has been taken up with Health and Safety. Every month we have considered a different aspect of this, and Peter has produced lists of things which need to be done. Many of these have now been attended to although there are still some areas of church life which require further work. Some of these will be attended to in 2005 after the Quinquennial Inspection has taken place.

The PCC wants to thank many people for the different ways in which they help in the ministry and mission of our church.

John Hartley & Evelyn Hinchliffe

Church Statistics for the last three years

	2004	2003	2002
Church Electoral Roll at APCM:	117	123	127
Average Sunday Attendance (over 16's)	89.4	84	85
.. regulars	79.6	77.5	77.5
.. visitors at Baptisms & Thanksgivings	9.8	6.5	7.5
Thanksgiving & Blessing Services	17	17	21
.. during a main Sunday service	9	6	9
.. on separate occasions	8	11	12
Baptisms (all in Sunday services)	3	1	1
Weddings	4	6	4
Funerals	32	19	24
.. at the church	12	6	16
.. at the crematorium only	20	13	8
Christmas Eve & Day attendance	98	92	91
.. those receiving communion	61	65	68
Easter Attendance	116	86	107
.. those receiving communion	96	80	102

MINISTER'S REPORT.

2004 has been mostly one of things continuing much as they have in the previous year, with only a very few items to report.

In the Autumn of 2004 we ran our own Alpha course in our church narthex, with talks given by visiting and home speakers. (We had attended the city-wide course in the Cathedral the previous year, and learned from the experience.) It went extremely well: it was attended by around 20 people, it made a clear impact on several lives, and it was lovely to see the way that our church folk got the bit between their teeth for the shared meals. I hope these courses will continue as they are important in growing new Christians and in deepening the faith of older ones.
The J-T's, our children's group for the up-to-5's, has continued reliably through the year, and has resulted in a slow but steady increase in the number of younger families attending church. The year finished on a high with everyone involved in the nativity service: the youngest cast ever but one of the most enjoyable occasions for some time. Parents need to know that their children will enjoy church when they come, and J-T's is vital in helping our church reach younger families in our community.
In February I began regular services at The Poplars Residential Home to match those at Ashcroft, and regular visiting at Eccleshill Community Hospital (as the vicar of Greengates was to retire). Although these are mostly invisible to our congregation, I think they are well received by other parts of our community.
At the end of 2004 a new group, "ViTal", for women across the three parishes of Wrose, Eccleshill and Bolton, came to birth (officially launched in January 2005). It enables churchgoing women to have a good time together, and puts on positive events so they can invite their friends.
The clergy of Wrose, Eccleshill and Bolton have started to pray together regularly.

The many other things we do are, or course, still worth doing and still involve a lot of time, effort, and occasionally heartache for those who make them happen. On a farm there is a lot of routine sowing, tending and weeding which leads to the harvest - the same is true in a church, and I want to express thanks to the many who keep things going.

In the wider church, I have now completed my first year as clergy vice-chairman of the Diocesan Synod, and during 2004 I was elected to General Synod at a bye-election. I have enjoyed doing both these jobs - whether I have done any good in them is for others to judge, but I have certainly tried to make an impact for open government and evangelicalism.

Looking to the future, it is now obvious that the churches of our Deanery will either have to work more closely together or in due course suddenly lose their cleric and have to face a very unpleasant change. It is crucial that we grasp this nettle as a church. Perhaps ViTal is one aspect of the way forward, and clergy praying together is another. In 2005 a Deanery Pastoral Plan will emerge. I hope we will support it fully, and that it will result in a greater variety of ministry at St Luke's - both from visitors from other parishes and from the gifts and talents of our own members - because we believe God has given us the resources by his Holy Spirit to meet our needs.

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE'S CHURCH, ECCLESHILL, BRADFORD: RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31.12.04, AND STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31.12.04.

Click here for the accounts, the PCC's report on them, and the independent examiner's statement.

FABRIC REPORT

The exterior of the building is still in remarkably good condition and during 2004 we have been fortunate not to suffer any major damage. There have been some problems with water ingress through the new roof above the south porch, and the roofer has visited on two occasions to remedy leaks.

Over the last two years I have reported that both the Lych Gate and the West Door would benefit from coats of paint: volunteers appear to be rather shy, but this would not take a lot of time and would go a long way to smartening the exterior of the church. The notice board has been repainted by a volunteer. Bradford Met still maintain the grassed graveyard area. We are to be asked by the school to consider pruning the trees to allow a security fence to erected to the wall, as the school suffers from vandalism.

During January 2005 we did suffer storm damage on the south roof. This was dealt with by a reputable roofing contractor appointed by our architect, at a cost of just over Ł2000 which was met as an insurance claim (with the church meeting the excess of Ł100).

The main body of the interior of the church building remains in first-class condition and is well looked-after and maintained. The lighting in church gives rise for concern due the height and the difficulty in placing ladders in order to get at the lights. The PCC has discussed replacing the lights: this would be a major operation and cost a lot of money, and no decision has yet been reached. The kitchen is in a reasonable condition, the new cooker proving an asset, however both the kitchen and toilets would benefit from a coat of paint. Volunteers would be appreciated.

The equipment used in church appears to be in good working order. The candles and brass continue to work well and look good. The linen is well looked-after and in good condition.

The church building is due for its Quinquennial Inspection in 2005.

In conclusion can I please ask members of the congregation to consider offering their services for the painting projects: Lych Gate, West Door, Kitchen and Toilets?

CALVERLEY DEANERY SYNOD REPORT

Each of the Synod meetings has opened with worship and included a short parish profile from the host parish, and included refreshments.

On 4th February at St. James the Great, Woodhall, there was a discussion on two items under Deanery Development: appointing a consultant for a one off project to investigate the structure, leadership and vision for estate parish churches in the Deanery (allocated Ł2000), and an interactive event entitled 'In search of the Sun' for the Mela (allocated Ł1500). The Synod then split into small groups for a short time to consider what areas of training would be the most useful to organise as Deanery events.

On 10th June the Synod was transferred from the Cathedral to St. Luke's, Eccleshill (due to a power cut at the Cathedral). In his "parish profile" the Dean, the Very Rev Christopher Hancock dealt particularly with the problems of debt and insolvency, which he anticipated would be laid to rest within the next few weeks. He outlined other areas of the Cathedral's ministry and answered about 20 questions from Synod members. The Rural Dean then presented 'Rethinking the Deanery Pastoral Strategy.' The allocation of stipendary clergy to the Deanery will fall from 15 at present to 14.5 in 2005, 13 in 2007 and probably to around 11 in ten years time (2014). Synod divided into four groups to consider a number of relevant questions as to how best to reach this position.

On 27th September at St Wilfrids', Calverley, the Synod considered ViTal. The Rev'd Paul Ayers gave a presentation of "Natural Church Development" - its ideas and methods, and his experience of using the approach in Pudsey parish; and he answered questions. The main part of the evening was further discussion of the "Deanery Pastoral Strategy", presented by Rev'd Paul Walker. This included individuals considering the question "suppose your vicar announced next Sunday that s/he was leaving and there was no possibility of a replacement - what would you do to ensure the continuing mission of your church?" with responses fed back, and a "clustering exercise" during which members were asked to divide the deanery parishes into clusters, and then get together in possible cluster groups to share ideas. The Synod agreed that the Standing Committee should plan a Deanery Day when the questions can be explored properly.

CHURCHWARDENS' REPORT

Another year gone already and with it our second year in office. This year we have seen the success of the J-T's. On average there are six children every Sunday and many more when we have baptisms and Thanksgiving services. Mums and toddlers join in the singing and do seem to enjoy themselves. A big thank-you to everyone involved in the preparation and planning as well as the leading in making this venture such a success.

We have enjoyed our roles and have worked well together. We try to meet everyone on Sunday mornings, but if we are not around when you arrive we are usually in another part of church doing some job or other. We have continued to have regular meetings with John with worthwhile discussions. We hope we have helped to maintain the happy and welcoming atmosphere that shines within our church.

Once again we would like to thank all the people who have helped and supported us through out the year. Your help is very important to us. We offer a big thank you to all the people in the congregation who perform so many tasks which make our church a warm and friendly place to visit and in which to worship.