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Saint Mary's Church, Newton-by-the-Sea
Parish of Embleton
Annual Report 2007
Committee Michael Mountney (chairman) Judy Foster-Smith
Freda Crew Valerie Pomfret **
Vic Crew Christopher Rippon *
June Blair Simon Rippon *
*Elected to Embleton PCC to represent Saint Mary **Churches Together representative
Services
The services continued to follow the established pattern, Family Service on the first Sunday of the month, Evensong on the second and Sung Eucharist on the third. Holy communion was also celebrated during the week on occasions. During the year 39 services were held in the Church.
Harvest Thanksgiving was held on Sunday 7 October which was followed by a lunch at The Joiners Arms, High Newton.
On 23 December a Carol Service was held in the Church, 85 people attended, a record. The service, in which the children played an importanr part, was much enjoyed by the congregation. The Posada was received back in the Church during the Service.
The total number of people attending services during the year was 773 (2006 – 826).
The Committee would like to thank the Vicar, Deborah Elliott and Valerie Pomfret in particular but also lay members of the congregation for all they do to make the Services attractive and meaningful.
Finance
The accounts for the year 2007 are attached. The Church collections at £955 is just over a £100 down on 2006; the planned giving collections at £2453 is down by £540 on 2006; special collections (money raised for Charities) amounted to £631.50 an increase on the previous year. Special events , the BBQ, the Concert and Teas on the Square took a net amount of £1373. The box in the Church raised £556, less than last year, probably due to the poor weather in May. Donations came in two parts, 1. Donations given to the church on a general basis £568, this included £300 given at the BBQ by 2 different people appreciating what the church was doing for the village life and £100 given at a wedding. 2. Donations given as a result of the gift of pictures and photographs by Gordon Thompson amounting to £2006 - this money to be specifically for the Church's Fabric Fund.
On the expenses side, the quota increased from £3874 to £3996 whilst Newton's share of Embleton expenses reduced from £561 to £530. Insurance was also down from £605 to £542. The cost of electricity, 2007 - £614, has increased dramatically and whilst in 2007 a returnable deposit of £350 was paid to Scottish Power in changing the contract from npower the cost has increased from approximately £100 2 years ago. For details of Charitable Giving see below.
The Church of England Deposit Fund stands at £10,095 increased largely by the donations to the Fabric Fund and interest in 2007 of £408.
The surplus of income over expenditure is £621 but this money could have been more than lost if we had poor weather for our two main money raising events. The committee is concerned about the drop in planned giving income and is considering appropriate action.
Special Events
BBQ
200 BBQ's were sold on a lovely summers day. The net takings were £422 an increase of £90 on the previous year which was a record.
Northumbrian Folk Concert
Once again we had a lively and varied Concert by Andrew and Margaret Watchorn. £193 was donated to the Church..
Teas in the Square
Due to the unavailability of the Rocket House, 'The Teas' were moved to the Square and an exhibition of photos and pictures of old Newton was held. Bric-a-brac was also sold. The total raised during the afternoon was £754, again a record. The event was so successful that provided The Square is available the event will be held there in the future.
Charitable Giving
The Church supported the following Charities during the year:-
Cedarwood Trust, North Shields £255 (part from Harvest Thanksgiving Collection)
Church Army 50
Botswana Aids Hospice 300 (Sponsored walk)
Great North Air Ambulance 50
Everychild 50
Church of England Childrens Society 50
Embleton Cygnets 145 (Carol Service Collection)
Total donated £900
This years Sponsored walk in aid of Botswana Aids Hospice was from Newton to Saint Peter's Church, Boulmer where we were welcomed by the congregation with tea and scones and then joined them at Evensong.
Embleton Handbell Ringers joined the congregation for the Harvest Thanksgiving Service at which £205 was raised for The Cedarwood Trust.
Church Embroidery
22 out of a hoped for 29 kneelers are now in the Church and we are assured that the remainder are still being worked. During the year the cushion for the Vicar's Stall has been completed, all making the Church look more attractive.
Posada
For the fourth year running the Posada visited homes in the villages during Advent.
The Church
The church was kept open on most fine days between Easter and the end of October with visitors signing the Visitors Book on most days. As was learnt in 2006 and from the comments in the Visitors Book this year, this is certainly a worthwhile project.
In June Saint Mary's was pleased to welcome the members of Embleton WI for a talk by Patricia Winskell on Church Embroidery.
A wedding was held in the Church in September.
The Benefice
Members of the congregation supported the other Churches in the Benefice not only by helping at Embleton Fete but by ringing bells at Embleton, taking a service at Rock and by simply being in the congregation at other Churches when there is no service at Saint Mary's.
Steeplechase
Two members of the congregation took part in the annual Steeplechase sponsored by Holy Trinity and Saint Mary's congregations raising some £170.
Newton-by-the-Sea Parish Council
The parish council continued to use the church for all its meetings.
The Net
The Net was distributed to all houses in the villages.
Thanks
A special thanks to Gordon Thompson for his very generous donation of photographs which have benefited the Fabric Fund.
The committee would also like to thank all those who have supported the Church during the year in so many ways. There seems to be no doubt that Saint Mary's fulfills a need in the village life both for residents and holiday makers.
J.M.Mountney (Chairman)
