The Rector’s Report

to the Annual Parochial Meeting 2009

At a packed Annual Parochial meeting on 18^th April, Roger gave an inspirational talk, reviewing the past year and challenging us for the year ahead. He opened our eyes to what the Lord is seeking to do in this Parish, and how we can play our part. For those unlucky enough to miss it, I will list the main points here.

· The ministry team has been renewed and enlarged: as well as our clergy, Roger, Tina and David, we have two Readers, John and Mary; John Harrison, studying for ordination; Elspeth McPherson, training as a Pastoral Worker; and Paula Cobby, the Parish Administrator, on the Foundations of Ministry course. Roger paid tribute to all his colleagues, and to Julian Cliff, who recently transferred to Heswall.

· Following the Parish Development Committee (PDC)’s survey of people’s needs for Christian nurture, several new groups have started and short courses took place – the next one may be on radical and liberal thinkers in the Anglican communion. The Parish Weekend was successful and he promised us another one.

· For years we have been aware of a gap in provision between Sunday School and Youth Club, but in 2008 we filled it with a large and lively Confirmation Group. We are keeping in touch with them and some are going to the Diocesan Youth Weekend. We may be able to have a Christian Youth Work student on placement soon.

· We are aware of the large numbers in the Parish that we do not reach. Caldy Church is doing well, with its popular Toddler Group and annual Picnic serving the community. The PDC is considering a Fresh Expression of Church to reach young adults. Much of our outreach is through Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals (39, 20 and 58 respectively in 2008) but we would like to be better organised in our continuing care for the people we serve.

· We look forward to deepening our links with the Methodist Church when their new Minister arrives – occasional shared worship is good but not enough.

· There has been a deepening of our relations with St Andrew’s – I quote: There are too many places where the matter of women’s ordained ministry means that adjacent parishes have nothing to do with one another – whilst I do not want to compromise where we stand, I do not want that to happen here.

· A particular concern is the provision for pre-school children at the 10am service at St Bridget’s. Our facilities are not good, and some families have received hostile glances from the congregation – we know of one family who has left the Church as a result. Roger urged us to be tolerant and welcoming (as someone who arrived at St Bridget’s in 1987 with three small lively boys and was welcomed warmly and stayed, I would like to endorse this personally). And we must not forget to welcome the adults too - speak to anyone you don’t recognise, and look after them at coffee.

Roger asked for forgiveness (freely given) for any deficiency in his ministry. He commended the success of the Appeal, and thanked many people. He exhorted us to pray for all aspects of ministry, especially the new initiatives. He reassured us that he does not intend to leave us yet (hurray)– he has stayed here longer than anywhere else. He quoted Isaiah 43, where the Lord says: Behold, I am doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it?

Priscilla Bench-Capon (summarising Roger Clarke’s talk)

May 2009