Parish Report

The Parish of St. Theodore, Port Talbot

Paraochial Church Council Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2007

Situated within the County Borough of Neath Port Talbot the Parish of St. Theodore is situated on the eastern side of Port Talbot running parallel to the Corus Steelworks and docks to the south, incorporating Goytre to the north beyond which it shares a border with the Parish of Maesteg while its eastern boundary is with the Parish of Margam and its western boundary with the Rectorial Benefice of Aberavon. The Parish is part of the deanery of Margam, the Archdeaconry of Margam and the Diocese of Llandaff within the Church in Wales and is under the additional pastoral care of the Provincial Assistant Bishop.

The Parish has three churches:

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Objects & Constitution

The Parish of St. Theodore Port Talbot is part of the Diocese of Llandaff within the Church in Wales. The Church in Wales is a province of the Anglican Communion and, as such, exists to advance the Christian religion through world-wide mission. The object of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) is to ensure that the life and work of the Church within the Parish helps to fulfil that mission, both locally and more widely.

The PCC is not a body corporate. Its composition, procedure and powers are regulated by the Constitution of the Church in Wales, as amended from time to time by its Governing Body, set up under Section 13(1) of the Welsh Church Acts 1914. Elections are held at an Annual Vestry Meeting which must take place on or before 30th April. All persons whose names are entered on the Electoral Roll are entitled to vote and stand for election. Before assuming office, every member of the Council must sign a declaration that he or she will be bound by the Constitution.

The Representative Body of the Church in Wales holds the land and property of the Church in Wales, including St. Theodore's, Holy Cross' and St. Peter's Church buildings, their contents and the churchyards. The Representative Body is an Exempt Charity and was set up under Section 13(2) of the Welsh Church Acts 1914. It acts on behalf of the Province in paying the stipends of full time clergy; and administers the Church in Wales Clergy pension scheme.

The PCC is responsible inter alia for promoting the mission of the Church, the parochial budget and all expenditure thereunder, the care and maintenance of the church fabric and the churchyard, and for action on any other matter referred to it in accordance with the Constitution. The Council is also the normal channel of communication between the parishioners and the Bishop of the diocese.

The Parish of St. Theodore, Port Talbot was established on 15th June 1901 its roots being in the ancient Parish of Margam. The faith and order practised and upheld in the parish before and since its inception is that of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church which maintains the threefold order of Bishops, Priests and deacons as received, and acknowledges, as its supreme authority in matters of faith and order, the Holy Scriptures as interpreted by the Catholic Creeds and the historic Anglican formularies, that is, the Thirty Nine Articles of Religion, the Books of Common Prayer and the Ordering of Bishops, Priests and Deacons as published in 1662 and 1984.

The parish endeavours to ensure that its life and mission is based on the worship of God being central to our life, where all people are welcome, are encouraged in the Faith and Sacraments of the Church and find their role and ministry within the Body of Christ in this Parish.

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Incumbent:
The Reverend Father Colin J. Amos SSC
St. Theodore's Vicarage, Talbot Road, Port Talbot.

Independent Examiner:
Mr. David Rowe
Watkins, Bradfield & Co. Neath

Bankers:
National Westminster Bank plc.
Station Road, Port Talbot.

Membership of the Parochial Church Council 2006 to 2007

The PCC makes all its decisions jointly, there are no sub-committees.

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Parish Worship & Church Attendance

From January to March 2008 the pattern continued as that introduced in October 1996 following the institution and induction of Fr. Amos on 16th July 1996. It was arranged this way on the basis that, 'we have the benefit of being one parish, with the luxury of three churches and the reality of one priest'. With the exception of fifty nine months, when there was a second priest in the parish, this was how it has remained to March 2008.

Except on the first Sunday of the month when the Parish Sung Eucharist is celebrated by all three churches in the parish church at 11.00 a.m.

With the required closure of Holy Cross Church in March 2008 the pattern changed and has continued as:

Except on the first Sunday of the month when there is no 8.30 a.m. mass and the Parish Sung Eucharist is celebrated in the parish church at 11.00 a.m.

The Holy Eucharist is upheld as the central and most powerful prayer of the Church to which attendance every Sunday with additional midweek participance is encouraged. Evensong is also encouraged.

Communicant (and Evensong attendance) figures for the three churches have been as follows:

  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Holy Cross 31.5 29.3 24.0 24.0 25.1 27.2 26.6 25.2 26.4 27.9
St. Peter 13.1 11.5 13.6 14.1 13.4 14.1 14.3 14.1 13.4 13.4
St. Theodore 78.0 78.7 83.6 80.3 78.3 78.2 80.0 74.0 72.6 72.3
Evensong 29.9 26.0 27.3 29.3 27.0 29.0 28.4 26.6 26.3 24.3
Parish 1st Sunday 115.0 109.5 115.0 107.5 107.3 109.8 106.9 104.3 109.3 107.3
Parish 1st & Mothering, Harvest, Confirmation 117.5 117.6 115.0 112.0 112.0 111.0 112.9 108.5 112.4 114.9
Christmas 194 202 214 214 218 206 219 222 225 213
Easter 200 206 194 241 241 234 229 225 215 206
Pentecost 125 123 128 136 136 118 123 137 98 107
Trinity III 116 101 103 128 128 109 125 112 139 115

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is performed within a Eucharistic service in any of the three churches unless a high number of candidates or guests suggest a private baptism. Instruction is provided.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is undertaken each year during Eastertide by the Bishop David. A six month instruction is provided.

The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is celebrated according to the rites of the Church in Wales and in accordance with the civil law.

The Sacrament of Confession is available by appointment throughout the year, on Christmas Eve and during Holy Week.

The Sacrament of Healing is practised monthly in virtue of Home Communicants and where appropriate and desirous by anointing and the Last Rites.

Funerals are conducted for parishioners in accordance with their/family's wishes. Encouragement is always given for any parishioner's funeral to take place in any one of the three churches and this becomes an expectation when the funeral is for a faithful communicant parishioner.

Occasional Offices have been as follows:

  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Baptisms 26 19 17 20 12 24 25 20 12 16 14 21
Confirmations 16 16 17 10 8< 7 17 13 10 12 13 11
Weddings 7 10 10 7 10 17 12 12 16 9 13 6
Funerals 38 49 63 51 56 46 35 57 45 56 21 34

There were 204 parishioners on the new Electoral Roll at the Annual Vestry Meeting of 2008 compared with 202 the previous year.

Laity Licensed to Administer the Chalice

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Review of the Year 2008

1. The Parochial Church Council

The PCC met 10 times in the year during which it has:

2. Parish Activities - Some Highlights of the Year

Social activities that took place during the year included: Parish Social evenings, including film shows and Harvest Supper.

3. Fund Raising

All fund raising activities have been dedicated to the Parish Hall Renovation. During the year these included:

4. Fabric Reports

  1. St. Theodore
    • The Log Book, Terrier and Inventory updated
    • Annual Churchwardens' inspection
  2. Holy Cross
    • Annual Churchwardens' inspection
    • Closed on 31st December 2008 for health and safety reasons being beyond the capability of the parish to repair
  3. St. Peter
    • Annual Churchwardens' inspection
  4. Parish Hall
    • A £440,000.00 refurbishment project began and completed and hall re-opened November 2008
  5. 89 Talbot Road
    • Requirements met for letting of property
    • General maintenance
  6. The Vicarage
    • General maintenance
  7. The Youth Hall
    • General maintenance

5. Extra-parochial Activities

6. St. Theodore's Sunday Club

Established in September 2001 with a rota team of volunteer leaders and helpers this pattern has continued. Weekly attendance generally numbers 10 with 24 children on the register.

7. Mothers' Union

Enrolling Member:
Mrs Avril Winpenny

Number of members:
43 (compared to 40 in 2007)

Meeting on first Thursday afternoon of each month plus monthly M.U. Corporate Eucharist.

The parish has attended deanery and diocesan events.

8. St. Theodore's Choir

Organist and Choirmaster:
Mr Gary Waters

Mr Andrew Pike has acted as assistant Organist at the major festivals of Christmas, Easter and other occasions during the year.

Evensong organist appointed - Mr. Geoff Howells.

The adult choir continue to sing at the Sunday Eucharist and at Evensong. Their commitment during Holy Week and Easter and additional services is crucial and much valued. Singing at weddings is generally well supported. A youth section maintained this year for both Sundays and weddings.

9. St. Theodore's Sacristy Team

The aim of having a rota took a step backwards in 2008 with the members of the team covering themselves where possible and taking on new roles in order to bring greatest flexibility. The work of the Sacristy Team remains vital in both enabling and enhancing worship and is much appreciated by all.

10. Bingo

The team have faithfully continued Parish Bingo every Thursday night with the sole exception of Maundy Thursday, Christmass and New Year's Day. This event continues its success both in terms of the social evening it provides approx. 45 people per week, for the money raised for the Parish Hall renovation and the occasional Charity Evenings where other charities receive the proceeds.

11. Parish Shop

Mrs. Marilyn Hunt and team had a sabbatical during the closure of the Parish Hall and then moved into, fitted and opened their new shop.

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Mission Action Plan 2008 (and reported progress)

  1. To secure funding for the Parish Hall redevelopment.
    Funding secured via grants and parish donations and fund raising totalling £440,000.
  2. To update and further develop the Parish web site.
    Undertaken monthly
  3. To evaluate the initial use made of the Youth Hall.
    Complicated by closure of Parish Hall & all groups being placed into the Youth Hall.
  4. To explore ways to further develop Youth mission in the parish.
    Encouragement given to join /attend various events.
  5. To further develop and promote the Conference facilities in the Youth Hall.
    Not started due to Parish Hall groups using the facility.
  6. To implement and monitor the Parish Churchyard Policy.
    Achieved.
  7. To maintain and encourage sound financial stewardship of the parish.
    Achieved.
  8. To give consideration to and develop current approaches to mission.
    Back to Church Sunday was mainstay providing lasting changes of practice.
  9. To continue to encourage the living out of the Parish Mission Statement:
    "The Parish of St Theodore's life and mission is based on the worship of God being central to our life, where people are welcome, and encouraged in the Faith and Sacraments of the Church and find their role and ministry within the Body of Christ."
    Ongoing.

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Mission Action Plan 2009

  1. To monitor and develop use of refurbished Parish Hall.
  2. To monitor and develop use of Youth Hall and Conference Centre facilities.
  3. To update and further develop the Parish web site.
  4. To undertake necessary work resulting from the closure of Holy Cross Church.
  5. To further develop the spiritual life of the parish.
  6. After twelve and a half years of non-stop activity on capital projects in addition to other aspects of our MAP and general parish life - to take time out, draw breath in order to prepare ourselves to discern our future mission and ministry.
  7. To continue to encourage the living out of the Parish Mission Statement:
    "The Parish of St Theodore's life and mission is based on the worship of God being central to our life, where people are welcome, and encouraged in the Faith and Sacraments of the Church and find their role and ministry within the Body of Christ."

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Financial Report 2008

The basis of the parish's financial activity, as agreed by PCC in 1996 and 2006 is that:

The parish continues to ensure a comprehensive implementation of Gift Aid.

Whilst the above policy was rarely unfulfilled in 2007, it once again was in 2008. However, whilst income increased it did not match the increases in quota, insurances, utilities and and most especially the doubling of gas prices for St. Theodore's Church from November 2008 which will have a greater effect from 2009. Some of these were mitigated against by diverting donations into 'Gas Contribution' where heating was used by the guests to St. Theodore's and greater sponsorship of St. Theodore's floodlighting.

The P.C.C. has resolved that the surplus will rest in the Parish Deposit Account which is generally allocated to the churches and parish buildings. This will require revision in 2009 following the closure of Holy Cross Church on 31st December 2008. This combined with the completion of the Parish Hall refurbishment requires the PCC in 2009 to re-determine its financial policy as stated above given that there is no capital project to be contributing towards for the first time in over 12 years!

It is noted that interest rates fell to historically low levels in 2008 to the effect that interest alone does not inflation protect the capital; hence the continued need to at least apply all interest earned rather than draw on it for expenditure.

The parish retains responsibility for the Rupert Hallowes Trust Fund which is restricted to the original purposes of the Trust. A £10 investment has been made to this Trust over the year (so that it now additionally comprises of the money held in the Nationwide Building Society account and the newly opened Rupert Price Hallowes Trust Fund Account at COIF (into which the Nationwide money will be paid)) as agreed by the PCC and with the new investments likewise restricted to the original purposes of the Trust.

The PCC continues to operate the general parish account to the benefit of all three churches in 2008 whilst acknowledging that it is the parish church which ensures the financial survival of St. Peter's church. The PCC continues to encourage responsible giving by all and thereby particularly encouraging the congregation at St. Peter's to become more financially self sufficient to aid a fairer share of the parish finances.

In 2008 in addition to almost meeting its general expenses the parish further gave or raised a total of £21,594.37 (including interest) to the Parish Hall Renovation Fund. As indicated last year the Vicar and Wardens reclaimed their January 2004 loan to the Youth Hall Project of £5,000 bequest of Mrs Muriel Isaac RIP and applied that as a loan to the Parish Hall Renovation until it can be paid into the Rupert Price Hallows Trust Fund which they expect to do in 2009.

The PCC recognises that the Parish Share (Quota) continues to be a major source of extra expenditure with an increase in 2008 of 5.7% (above the diocesan average of 3%) i.e. £2,303.00 to total £42,449.00.

The PCC is facing an additional Parish Share increase of 5.2% (above the diocesan average of 3%) i.e. £2,217.00 in 2009. The Parish Share payable by the parish for 2009 is £44,666.00. With gas and electricity prices dramatically increasing these will result in substantial increases over 2009.

Whilst unaware of any reason why it should not meet its financial obligations in 2009 the PCC recognises that continued Parish Share increases and the particular issue of utility bills projected forward will absorb all our annual surplus income (including reduced interest) within 2009-10 unless giving not only remains the same but continues to rise. Hence the PCC policy review and stewardship campaign of 2008 for 2009. The PCC aims to ensure the continued healthy situation of the parish finances.

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 11th March 2009 and signed on its behalf by The Reverend Father Colin J. Amos SSC, Vicar and Chairman of the Parochial Church Council.

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