Going as a missional church in the power of His Spirit

Growing as a healthy church in the likeness of the Son

Gathering as a worshipping church to the glory of the Father

Our review of how we are...

St Chad’sAnnual Report

Overview of 2010Our ministry

Our finances

2010-11

Reaching forward

Twenty two years ago the Barlow family watched the removal van head off down the mountain on the beginning of its journey back to the UK. After 11 years we were leaving behind our life in Switzerland surrounded by the incredible beauty of snow-capped mountains, forests, lakes and vineyards. We were responding to the invitation to join the church family at St Chad’s, Romiley. Though there was a real grieving process in the move, it was costly, we have never once regretted that decision. Now we are preparing ourselves for another period of change and, yes inevitably, grieving.

So why do we do the things we do? How do we make the important decisions in our lives? What is our motivation? We all know the problem! We all know the experience of being pulled in different directions, pulled by various urges, longings, desires,

commitments and dreams. There is the family, the job, personal ambition and my Christian commitment. Which voice do I listen to? We know that we long to feel satisfied and fulfilled – to feel at peace. But often it seems to elude us. And so, as we grow older we feel more frustrated and begin planning, indeed living, for retirement. Have we not yet discovered what life is all about?

The prophet Micah declared: The Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Jesus summarised the whole of the Bible in the great commandment to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. We are called to the incredible privilege of knowing, loving and walking with God.

Going Growing Gathering St Chad’s: A Community building Communities

continued on pg. 3

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PCC ReportKatie Wade: Secretary

St Chad’s PCC since April 2010:Incumbent Revd Tim Barlow SC

Curate Revd Joe Pienaar

WardensHelen Bray SC

Jill Hookway SC

Elected Representatives to the Chadkirk Deanery Synod

Helen Bray

Ruth Otto

David Bomford

Ian Russell

Elected Members

Graham Leech

Paul Fletcher

Mark Warburton

Natasha Cauldwell

Kirstie Goddard

Alan Bancroft SC

Katie Wade SC

Jim Jeffery

Inge Challinor

Ken Earith

Gemma Nurcombe

Adele Sweeney

Jan Ford SC

Rachel Owen

Molly Dow

Mike Wade SC

SC = Members of the Standing Committee

Electoral Roll 2009-10 Total 350 Electoral Roll 2010-11 Total 349 31 New12 Moved away3 Deaths 17 Removed

Electoral Roll:

The Diocesan initiative to encourage each parish to develop a Growth Action Plan (GAP) has kept the PCC more focused during the year. For the first time our council is divided into teams (not committees) to develop and oversee our vision for Going, Growing and Gathering. At several of our meetings we have set aside time for the teams to discuss and report. We have the challenge now to evaluate how successful we have been in achieving our Year 1 goals.

Over the last year, PCC members have sought to give a lead by committing themselves to SHAPE appointments so that they are clearer about God’s missional call on their lives, and in having their own Gift Day to raise funds for the final part of the Guywood Project. The refurbishment of the Guywood Centre has normally been on the agenda, and the unfinished renovation of no.21 is still there.

Managing the financial resources of the church is always a significant responsibility for the PCC. As we came to the end of 2010 the PCC was very aware that our commitment to finish Guywood would remove the financial cushion which several legacies had given us. The accounts for 2010 once again reflect God’s faithfulness but do leave you wondering what will happen next. We come to the 2011 Annual Meeting with the wonderful news that the church family has responded so generously to our appeal (see the financial report for more).

With the announcement that Tim would be retiring at the end of August 2011 began the rather complicated process of finding his successor. A special meeting was held with Bishop Robert and now the PCC has appointed Mike Wade and Jill Hookway as it two representatives who will work with the Patron, Roger Scoones and the Bishop of Chester to take the process forward. (See Warden’s Blog for more information)

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Deanery Synod

That is our purpose. The 17th century Westminster Confession answered the question: What is the chief end of man? with the response: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him for ever. It doesn’t matter who we are or at what stage of life we find ourselves, we will not be satisfied unless we are pursuing God over and above everything else.

God created us as the object of his affection. Man’s response to that love was to live for God. Life was God-centred and it was man’s joy to submit his will and desires to those of God. Tragically, man fell from that special position. Life became man-centred and man lost sight of God’s purpose. In Jesus, God is calling us back. Sometimes he allows us to go through sorrow, suffering, trials, ill-health, disappointments and failure. Over this last year many of us have experienced such things. In our need we have realised afresh our need of him. We have discovered that he is able to use any experience to make us more like Jesus.

C S Lewis wrote: It is natural to wish that God had designed for us a less glorious and arduous destiny. It is a burden of glory, not only beyond our deserts, but also, except in rare moments of grace, beyond our desiring.

I hope that our decision to come to Romiley was one of those rare moments of grace! It is with that

same desire to glorify God and make him known that we have decided to step aside for someone else to lead St Chad’s into the next part of the journey. Retirement does not change the purpose of life. We trust it will bring new opportunities to enjoy God and serve him.

As you read through this report you will glimpse some of the things that make this ministry so deeply satisfying. Behind each story and statistic there is a wonderful family, children of the same heavenly Father, who are seeking to know, love and walk humbly with their God. I am so grateful for the enormous privilege of serving alongside them.

continued from front pg.

David Bomford, reports on this year’s meetings…

In February George Colville, the Diocesan Director of Finance spoke on the Income and Expenditure for the Diocese with special reference to the importance of the Parish Share.

In May the retiring Archdeacon of Macclesfield, Richard Gillings, talked about the changes in style, culture demands, work, relationships and expectations that have occurred during his 40 years in the Anglican ministry.

The Chadkirk Deanery was 25 years old in September.

It was celebrated with a meal and Eucharist Service at which all previous Rural Deans were present.

The November meeting reviewed the visions and goals of the deanery churches for the first year of the GAP process.

If Godhasgivenyouleadershipability,taketheresponsibility

seriously.Romans12:8

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Wardens ReportHelen Bray & Jill Hookway

The reopening of the Guywood Centre in May 2010 following its refurbishment allowed children’s and youth work to resume as normal thus alleviating the heavier demand on the main church building. The new facility is a vast improvement on what we had previously.

Thanks to all who contributed to that refurbishment. The house at No 21 is now the focus of further renovation. Thank you Paul Fletcher for your hard work so far.

The freed up time in the main church premises allowed the central worship area to be

repainted last summer and the whole carpet to be cleaned.

Considering it is ten years since the redevelopment of church, the decoration and furnishings have stood the test of time very well. I now intend to repaint the foyer and lounge areas to complete the full paintwork project.

Last year I reported a concern about some of the roof tiles on the north side of the church roof but I am glad to report that this has now been rectified at a fraction of the cost initially feared, thanks to the skill of a church member.Now that the vicarage is empty it

is important to keep a check on the premises and grounds. Thank you to those who turned out recently to assist in the general tidy up of the grounds but clearly until a decision is taken as to the future of the premises such work will need to be continued. I would value anyone’s help in this particularly as the spring brings on the new growth in the garden.

Thank you to all who have supported me in maintaining the church, its grounds and premises. Special thanks to the Monday cleaning team, and anyone who has lifted a chair or two!

As we reflect on the last year we give thanks to God for his goodness to us as we continue our journey together.

The PCC Report provides a snapshot of the year which began with a change to our Church Wardens as Mike Wade stepped down after six years in the role. Many thanks to Mike for his faithfulness and commitment, we appreciate his servant heart. Helen Bray was appointed as our new Warden and has served alongside Jill Hookway.

Our Guywood Centre reopened in June 2010 with a wonderful celebration which attracted 200 people. It was a joy to see the beautifully refurbished building filled with our Church family and lots of visitors. We are very grateful to Ken Earith and Paul Fletcher who had the dedication to see the project through to the end. Our attention immediately turned to 21 Guywood Lane, the house attached to the Guywood Centre, and with this in mind we held a ‘Gift Day’ in October 2010, in the hope we would be able to raise the estimated £30,000 needed to transform the house into a comfortable dwelling place. We thank God for the £17,000 raised but as we write we have had to put this project on hold until the necessary funds are available.

One of our sorrows of last year has been the realisation of Tim Barlow’s retirement, after 22 years, with effect from the end of August 2011. We will truly miss Tim and Eleanore and we pray that God will prepare their hearts for the next part of their journey.

The PCC will be busy over the coming months overseeing the vacancy procedure. Please pray for them in this important task. We thank everyone, the staff team, all those who minister in the life of our church and last, but not least, Tim and Eleanore and Joe and Cat. God bless you all!

Facilities Manager Report - Ian Otto

St Chad’s Annual Report 2010 - 11 | 05

Finances & Mission GivingAlan Bancroft: Treasurer

St Chad’s Giving - £25,000 to allocate 2010

Tear Fund £1,800

CMS £1,800

SAMS £2,300

The Leprosy Mission £1,000

Barnabas Fund £1,500

Christian Relief Uganda £1,000

Helping Hands (Romania) £850

Retrak £1,000

Christians in Schools £2,500

CPAS £1,000

The Message Trust £2,500

New Wine £1,000

From Reserved (£6750):

Hospital supplies to Romania £2,000

International Assistance Mission (IAM) £500

Genetik £500

Fusion £300

Werneth School £645

South American link Hugo £805

Cherry Tree Shop £1,000

Shoe boxes £100

Personal support £900

Total £25,000

Source and Application of Funds 2010

Balance 31/12/09 £117,152

Income 2010:

General Income £225673

Total Cash Available (A) £342825

Expenditure 2010:

General Expenditure £212063

Guywood Expenditure £123534

Total Cash Spent (B) £335597

A minus B £7228

Increase in Gift Aid Debtor £1810

Balance 31/12/10 £5418

2010 was a financially challenging year. As we continued to invest in our facilities – repainting the interior of the church, completing the wonderful restoration of the Guywood Centre and embarking on the refurbishment of no.21 Guywood Lane – we saw our previously comforting reserves, accumulated from several generous legacies and two special gift days, reduce to almost nothing. At the same time, our general income remained fairly constant but at a level £2,000 per month below our running costs.

The table below shows the broad-brush picture. (More detailed information accompanies the APCM Agenda and the full statement of annual accounts will be available from the church office and at the Annual Meeting.) We began the year with a balance of £117,152. Our income during the year, including the two gift days, was £225,673. Our expenditure of £335,597 included £123,534 spent on the Guywood Centre. This left a balance of £7228.

The PCC monitored the situation closely and tried to keep the church family informed. Members of the PCC shared the conviction that we would be in a spiritually healthier position if we were living more by faith than trusting capital reserves. The encouraging postscript to the 2010 report demonstrates that that conviction was right!

Having recently shared with the church family the

need for a significant increase in income levels in 2011 to maintain our current levels of activity we have seen a wonderful response. 90 households responded, with 67 increasing their regular giving and 23 starting to give regularly to St Chad’s for the first time. Together we have raised an additional £2,963 per month. With gift aid added, this comes to £3,639 per month. This is the overwhelmingly generous nature of our God and the story of God’s people. It is so encouraging to know that so many are experiencing the joy of giving back to God what is his. We praise God and thank all who are financially committed to supporting the mission and ministry of St Chad’s.

In line with the biblical principle of tithing, St Chad’s Church tithes 10% of its income and then distributes it to home and overseas missionary organizations and to individuals engaged in mission related activities or training. In 2010 we were able to give a total of £25,000. Details are shown in the table below.

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‘A Community Building Communities’Growing individuals and mission in community

From Romiley to Addis with - RETRAKIn 2010 Retrak, a charity St Chad’s supports, worked with Greater Manchester Police, to organise a group of volunteers to raise money for the renovation of a new drop-in centre at their Ethiopian project in Addis Ababa. From November 15th to November 23rd the volunteers, including one of our congregation, Neil Wain, took annual leave to travel out to the project and carry out these renovations, meeting the children and learning more about their difficult lives on the streets of an East African country.

Retrak began in the mid 1990’s in Uganda and has since grown to include Ethiopia and Kenya, their focus is on full-time street

children aged 7-17 that live and work on the streets and are most at risk from exploitation, abuse and poor health. They work with the children, their siblings, families and the communities they are a part of. The projects initially address the immediate healthcare needs of the individual children who attend the drop-in centres, then, once registered on a programme, they will either enable the child to make the transition from street life back to family life, or to access education, training and work opportunities. Ultimately Retrak’s vision is to see street children realise their potential and discover their worth.

The street children themselves

experienced an incredible week, among other things learning that not all Police regard them as worthless. The Ethiopian staff themselves were overwhelmed, not only the hard work of the volunteers, but by the love shown to them and their lives by these 20 strangers from the UK.

A big thank you to all those at St Chad’s who supported this project and in particular, Neil. If you did not have a chance to contribute or are interested in hearing some more about Neil’s experiences in Ethiopia and the work of Retrak, he will be presenting some slides at the Lifecentre (See notices for date).

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Bythisallmenwillknowthatyouaremydisciples,if youloveoneanother. John13:35

St Chad’s Visiting GroupGod is passionate about the widows and orphans in society, those people who have no one to care for them. The aim of the visiting group is to obey God’s numerous instructions in his word to care for the vulnerable, the lonely and the oppressed in society.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1 v 17

In the last year, the visiting group has become a ‘Redeeming Our Communities’ project (visit www.redeemingourcommunities.org.uk ) and presented the group at a showcase event at the Manchester Velodrome in June.

In August we linked in with Age Concern Stockport and they now send us direct referrals. It was after Age Concern sent us a referral for a 98 year old lady in Woodley that the idea of a Churches Together visiting group was conceived.There are over 200 people waiting for a visitor in the Stockport area. If people from the different churches in Woodley, Bredbury and Romiley joined forces, we could, as a group working together, tackle the problem of loneliness and isolation in this locality, much better than working in isolation. We have now become the Churches Together Visiting Group and the NHS has agreed to support and provide funding for the extended group.

Family 2:46 MSCThe Family 2:46 MSC has been running now for almost two years and we have had some real encouragements. We are a group of people who have a heart for new families coming into St Chad’s and in particular for families enquiring about baptism. We meet together every two weeks in a ‘cell’ type format and we have lunch together on the fourth Sunday of each month so that we can invite new people to join us.

We have made friends with some lovely people over the last year and have been encouraged to see people coming back to church over and over again. But the best part has been seeing some

of the mums becoming Christians after having done Alpha in the autumn and now attending a discipleship course together.

Our aim is to show people how much Jesus loves them and to welcome them into God’s family here at St Chad’s. We realise that not everyone is going to come to faith and join the church but if they have a good experience of church and go away a little more open to God then we feel we have been successful.

Christmas 2010 & Bless the CommunityIn the weeks prior to Christmas we began ‘Bless the Community’ - our Christmas outreach event. For the past few years we have sought to find ways to serve our community and surprise them with generosity born out of our love for Jesus. This year, we once again served coffee to commuters at Romiley train station, packed hampers full of goodies for local families and led carol services around the community.

As part of blessing the community we welcomed Romiley Primary School into church to take part in some Christmas prayer activities. The children came down in their year groups for an hour slot and moved around different activities which saw them think about things such as why Jesus came into the world, how to bless those around us with acts of kindness, and how and why we say sorry to people. The feedback we received was really encouraging and we hope to follow this up with a similar event at Easter time.

The church was also opened up for several nights of prayer in the run up to Christmas so that people could make space for Jesus at, what can be, one of the busiest times of the year. The church was set up with lots of prayer stations which allowed people to engage in prayer in creative ways. Again, the feedback we had was incredibly positive, many people had powerful yet peaceful encounters with God.

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Children’s Work4-6s, 7-11s

Fully Charged 2010Each year we are blessed by our holiday club for 7-11s and this year was no exception. We threw a few new ideas into the format and provided cookery lessons, crafts and lots of sport and dancing during the week.

One of the biggest changes was ‘Wacky Wednesday’ which

included a climbing wall, circus skills and bouncy castles. It was a great way to break up the week and helped build relationship with the children.

The evening program was great fun and not only saw six of our lovely leaders gunged in our gunge tank, but gave our teams

an amazing opportunity to hang out with the kids. We rounded off the week with fancy dress on the Friday night, and a presentation of awards and certificates.

We’ve been encouraged that some children have started coming to our other groups since Fully Charged.

St Chad’s Annual Report 2010 - 11 | 09

With the reopening of the Guywood centre has come the re-establishment of much of our children’s ministry. While Guywood was out of order we continued to run Fireworks in church but had to stop Fuel until suitable facilities were available. So it was in September that we relaunched Fuel and we now have over 50 children on our books, with a regular attendance of approximately 25.

Fireworks has likewise seen numbers steadily increase. In the weeks since Christmas we have seen numbers double to around 20 children. We are hugely encouraged by this very organic growth and we trust that God will continue to inspire us with ways of moving both Fireworks and Fuel on in the future.

We have continued to provide children’s ministry on Sunday mornings in the Lifecentre during the 10.45am service. We register children in church and take part in the first 20 minutes of the service before taking them over for their own activities in Lifecentre.

As well as our regular children’s ministry we continue to host several exceptional events during the year. In June we again ran Fully Charged where 86 children enjoyed our holiday club activities.

October saw over 70 children attend the Light Party, our alternative to Halloween. The night was great fun, with some amazing fancy dress costumes from leaders as well as children. We were able to share the good news that Jesus is the light of the world, and that when we know him, we too become lights in the world, bringing goodness and hope to the sad and hurting people in society.

Alex (our children’s work intern) has been building links with Romiley Primary School throughout the past year, leading assemblies with Lottie and helping out on playground duty during the week. It has been great to see how much this helps build relationship with the children who often then come along to our midweek groups.

We’re really excited to see what God will do in 2011

FireworksMondays 3.30pm - 4.45pmAt the Guywood CentreFor Reception to Year 2 (ages 4 to 7)Numbers: Up to 20 The vision is to provide a God-focused fun environment through games, craft, stories and prayers. This group has grown significantly and organically over recent months with children from each local primary school coming along. We have a great opportunity to introduce children to God through Bible stories and prayer. We are also building community with parents and carers.

FuelTuesdays 5.45 - 7.15pm at the Guywood CentreFor years 3 to 6 (ages 7-11)Numbers: Up to 45 The vision is to provide somewhere fun, happy and welcoming for children. We have free play followed by group games, challenges and a thought for the week. Children are encouraged to think for themselves and ask questions about the values we talk about. Our thought for the week is always applicable whether a child would call themselves a Christian or not.

Sunday MinistrySundays during 10.45am service(except 1Big Sunday)For children aged 3-11 Numbers: An average of 25 The vision is to learn about God the Father, His son Jesus and the amazing promises that are laid out in the Bible. We play games, learn in interactive ways and try to find ways to apply God’s truth to our everyday lives.

Schools WorkWe regularly lead assemblies at Romiley Primary School and help out on playground duty. This serves the school and helps build relationship with those who attend our mid-week groups. We are planning to develop spiritual spaces in church for all our primary schools this Easter.

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Youth Work11-14s & 14-18s

Working with Young People & Children - the unique opportunityI have been involved in the children’s and youth work at St Chad’s for about six years and continue to see the massive value and potential of what we do.

We have a unique opportunity to sow goodness, love, Christian moral values and affirmation into the lives of children and young people; all things which are rooted in the deep love of Jesus. There is so much hurt, insecurity and disillusionment in society today and I am constantly struck by the positive impact we can have in individual lives and futures, whether those individuals choose to go on a journey of faith or not.

The work that St Chad’s does with youngsters isn’t limited to cosy midweek groups where all we talk about is Jesus… it is so much more than that! It’s about communicating worth in a world where people often feel discarded. It’s about showing acceptance and offering a community that cares, nurtures and supports them – whatever their age or wherever they come from.

Everyone involved in our children’s and youth work is committed to reflecting Jesus through their words and their actions. But more than that, God is able to use them to help children and young people to

understand who God made them to be, to help them to live fulfilled lives and to find their place in this world.

As a result of this, we are seeing children and young people (and parents too) ground their characters in good, godly values. We delight as we see their self-esteem rocket.

For me, there is no greater privilege than this. I pray that you will be encouraged by the reports here and that you will commit to praying for our children and young people. And who knows, you might even be inspired to get involved!

Johanna Pearson

St Chad’s Annual Report 2010 - 11 | 11

April - ONELIFE- The yearly regional conference for a network of young people in the north to be inspired to step up and lead, using their influence as people who have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to make a difference in whatever sphere of society they may find themselves. We hosted last year and are doing so again this year- the dates this year are 11-13th April 2011.

May - Cherry Tree Youth Weekend away- We took a group of around 20 young people to a residential centre in Oswestry where we did activities from gorge walking to paint balling and had great opportunities to build relationships and share who Jesus is through who we are.

August - SOUL SURVIVOR- We attended Soul Survivor in August 2010 taking a group of 15 young people aged 14-18. We linked up with Holy Trinity Ripon youth group and had a great week of worship and teaching with the opportunity to learn more about God and be changed in the process. We had amazing volunteers who made the week happen!

September - ORISON- We asked a charity called ORISON to come up in September and assist us in running a prayer week in Marple Hall School, where we saw a large number of pupils and teachers engage in learning how to pray and relate to God.

October - Light Party- We gathered our 11-14’s young people for the first time to do a light party where we had loads of fun, food, films and a time to share how Jesus is the light of the world.

November - ‘ONE’ - is a new half termly youth service aimed at bringing together pockets of young people from different churches to be encouraged through seeing other young people around the area worshipping and striving to live the lives they are called to live with Jesus. So far we have seen over 100 young people attend these events and we are seeing the fruit they produce. It is a roaming event being held at different churches each time.

CoreWednesdays 7 - 8pm at the Guywood Centre for year 7-9 (ages 11-14)The vision is to build a community of young people to whom we promote kingdom values and godly lifestyles.

DeeperWednesdays 6.30 - 7pm at the Guywood Centre and Sundays 10.45am At the Lifecentre for year 7-9 (ages 11-14)The vision is to provide an environment where young Christians can be encouraged and those exploring a faith can start their journey. This group meets for half an hour before Core on Wednesdays then develops the topic the following Sunday morning at 10.45am.

Cherry Tree Youth Wednesdays 4 - 5.30pm at the Cherry Tree Shop For year 7-11 (ages 11-16)The vision is for a youth group on Cherry Tree which has a family atmosphere and kingdom values.

Pulse Cafe & DiscipleshipThursdays 6.30 - 7.30pm & 7.45-9.00pm at the Guywood Centre for age 14-18The vision is to be a community of young people that support, accept and encourage one another in life whilst having loads of fun and chat. We go on to do discipleship at 7.45 and want to see a community of young people know Jesus, walk with Jesus through all seasons, and share Jesus with whoever walks in their path.

Schools WorkWe are building relationships with staff and pupils in local secondary schools and seeking to serve them through lessons and lunchtimes. A weekly prayer/ outreach group, set up by young people for young people, called ‘Thursday lunch’ is starting in Marple Hall. The school are behind it and the young people are passionate about seeing Jesus move their school.

Youth work SummaryDiary of main events

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PrampushersPre-school ministry

Little LightsTuesdays 10 - 11.30am At the Guywood CentreFor Mums and Babies up to 12months

The vision behind Little Lights is to provide a safe, warm and welcoming environment for new mums. It is somewhere where they can meet new friends in the same situation as them and get the love and support they need at this challenging time of their lives.

Started two years ago with five or six mums attending, there has been steady growth and we now have over 35 mums and 35 babies attending each week.

Thegreatchallengewithallthesegroupsisthelargenumberof peopleattending!Wetryreallyhardtodevelopsignificantrelationshipswithasmanypeopleaswecan.WeaskGodtogiveusHisloveforthem,andtohaveHiseyestoseethemasHedoes.

Sparklers and StarsWednesdays & Thursdays 10 - 11.30am At the Guywood Centre for mums, dads, carers and pre-schoolers ((0- 4 yr olds)

The vision behind Sparklers and Stars is to provide a happy, safe, welcoming, creative play environment for children, and somewhere where the adults can come for a cup of coffee and to feel loved and supported.

Our desire is to show Jesus’ love for the adults and children through the quality of the environment and toys that we provide, and the warmth of the welcome and smiles they receive on entering the building. Both these sessions include a song time and Bible story and a craft activity. We also serve extremely nice coffee!

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Lifecentre MinistriesLifecentre, CafeLife, NewWine

Romiley Lifecentre God has blessed us this year and the Lifecentre continues to be a thriving place of ministry, mission and service. David Jones took his much earned retirement, replaced by Helen Bray in the role of Centre Manager, and we bid a fond farewell to Judy Parker as she concentrated on her ministry at Holy Trinity, Stalybridge.

An article in the Daily Mail on 12th February 2011 claimed that one in three young mothers have been turned away from a café because they have a baby with them. Here at Café Life we continue to welcome all members of our community and most days its standing room only at lunchtime! Our ‘Stay and Play’ facility is popular with young families who enjoy making use of the wide range of toys. We are constantly complimented about the quality of our food and drink and Ruth Otto does a brilliant job developing and improving the range we provide.

Rachel Owen continues to stock the Book Shop with attractive cards, books, gifts and we have a wide range of music. Rachel’s window dressing skills ensure that the goods are always beautifully displayed. Although the conferences we host have reduced recently, largely due to limited budgets, our regulars remain very appreciative. Sally King ensures that we provide the highest standard and that we meet our visitors’ expectations. We have invested in an air conditioning unit in the larger of our conference rooms to ensure maximum comfort. Our conference rooms continue to be used by several of our church groups.

We continue to welcome community organisations to our facilities and this year we hosted a cheese and wine evening for the Romiley Village Partnership, strengthening our links with local traders. We regularly provide buffets for The Depression Group who regularly meet here.Thanks to Phil Bray we have an excellent web site; you can find it at www.romileylifecentre.co.uk

We wouldn’t be able to do any of the above without our wonderful team of volunteers. Thank you to everyone for sharing God’s love in this place.

New WineThe New Wine North & East office in the Lifecentre has been busier than usual this year, with New Wine’s change of strap line to Local churches changing nations more regional events were held, equipping and empowering people, providing a space where lives can be changed by God.

These have included: a Kids leaders residential event in Swanwick, Kids workers training days in Ripon, Kingdom Days in Sale, Youth workers day in Marple, Women and Leadership in Leeds, 20-30’s retreat at Centerparcs plus Urban ministry, Rural Ministry, healing training, prophetic training and Women’s days. They have all been exciting times together.

We are looking forward to what God has planned for our new regional leadership event in May along with the summer conference in Newark. Many of our church have been part of these events as delegates and as team members. As a local church and part of the New Wine network we believe that we are helping to change our nation.

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MinistriesAnd though all its parts are many, they form one body...

How are you SHAPEd for Ministry?This year we encouraged the whole church to find their shape for ministry. The SHAPE appointment asks some simple but fundamental questions designed to help us see how God has uniquely designed us for our serving in the church (which we tend to call ministry) and in the world (our mission):

• What am I gifted to do? • What do I love to do? • What skills and natural talents

do I have? • Where does my personality

best suit me to serve? • What significant life-

experiences have I had that might suggest how I should serve?

(My Spiritual gifts?)(My Heart?)(My Abilities?)

(My Personality?)

(My Experience?)

St Chad’s Annual Report 2010 - 11 | 15

Pit StopOur ‘Keeping Marriages Healthy’ course has had a make-over and been rebranded as ‘Pitstop’. We trust that the new image makes it more attractive to men who always seem more reluctant than the ladies to embark on this emotional journey! We have continued to edit the workbooks and refine the powerpoints partly to make it more transferrable in this hand-over period but also to make it more accessible to couples who are not married. It is all about investing in your relationship. Tim and Eleanore are thrilled that Andy & Karen Bancroft and Graham & Sally King are easing into the ‘driving seat’ so this vital ministry continues and grows.

Alpha & YtimeYtime, our informal drop-in for spiritual seekers, continued for the first part of the year with an established and very appreciative group. It has taken a rest recently. There have been some really encouraging times with Alpha. There have been a good number of responses and out of it has grown two discipleship groups, one meeting in Guywood on Friday morning and the other continuing to meet on Monday evenings sharing the meal time with the next Alpha group. This seems to have worked really well. We are so blessed with our wonderful catering team.

Mothers UnionThis year has been a year of change. Margaret Stott who was for many years our treasurer, retired. She kept us on the straight and narrow and we thank her for her faithful service. We are grateful to June Ratcliffe who has taken over the responsibility.

During the year our speakers included Dorothy Harrison from ‘Away from it all holidays’, Joe Pienaar, Molly Dow, Pam and David Greenland. We sent donations to AFIA and the Worldwide Fund. Sadly, just as this report was being prepared we heard of the death of Kitty Tootall. We shall miss her.

Ladies SocietyWe have 26 active members enjoying our meetings, coffee mornings and the Christmas coffee evening. Our speakers have been varied from Brian Hallworth’s “Down forget me not Lane”, Pamela Woods “Inspirations”, Bryn Butler’s “Experiences with the North West Air Ambulance”, Elaine Bates with “Lyme Hall, My Weekend Home”, Howard Green’s “Tales from Bramhall Hall” and Christine Birchall’s “Incredible journey to the far side of Russia and Mongolia”. We also enjoyed our lunch outing in July. We are delighted to report another successful money raising year for local charities amounting to £950!

Our Society has once again blessed members of the congregation with pastoral gifts and cards for special birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, new babies and sadly, sympathies. We distributed 31 cards and gifts to the over 80’s at Christmas.

We now meet in the afternoons on the first Tuesday of each month in the church lounge and would make everyone very welcome if they wish to visit us.

Bereavement Support GroupSt Chad’s Bereavement Team was set up in 2003 with a small group of trained volunteers who would be available to listen to the recently bereaved. This gives people the opportunity to talk and be listened to in a caring and sensitive manner, where feelings can be expressed and validated and confidentiality respected and up-held.

During the year a number of people have been supported in this way. A Memorial Service held at All Saints tide gave the congregation an opportunity to remember their loved ones in a symbolic way.

We are grateful for all the work Gladys Myers did as coordinator of the Team. She resigned at the end of January. As Joan and Godfrey Reid take over this role, they look forward to continuing this aspect of Pastoral Care as we reach out to the bereaved in our community.

St Chad’s continues to serve its community with a varied worship diet. There are three very different Sunday services and one during the week. While catering for different tastes most of the time, we have also sought to reinforce our sense of unity by having an occasional united service bringing everyone together. Though we no longer have the ‘extremes’ of an 8am BCP Communion service and the all-age experience in Guywood which was Ignite, we still have a weekly Prayer Book service on Wednesday mornings and the monthly all-age service.

Parish Communion 9.15amIt is so encouraging to report the continuing, albeit slow, increase in numbers attending our more conventional Common Worship communion service. Average attendance is about 75 with many people serving on the welcome, hospitality, and different worship teams – from the guys on the sound desk, those who lead prayers, read lessons, administer communion, provide prayer ministry. We are so blessed to have Judith Dixon, Audrey Murch, Audrey Bomford and Jill Hookway to lead the music on organ or piano and it has been good to see new faces and hear new voices in the singing group. This adds a further dimension once a month. We grateful for the varied ministries of our three lay readers, Alan & Audrey Murch and Molly Dow. We have been blessed also with a preaching series from Bishop Graham and sermons from our two wardens and from Cat Pienaar. The Christmas Carol Service and Memorial Service in November were both very well attended and much appreciated.

Contemporary Worship 10.45amThe second service of the morning is more contemporary in its style with the worship being led on keyboard or guitar. The first part is always lively with the families together. The children leave for their groups in the lounge and Lifecentre. Alex is doing a great job leading and co-ordinating that ministry to our children. A big ‘thank you’ to the others on the team. We are also able to cater for the teenagers on a Sunday in the Lifecentre thanks to James and Lottie

and the little team they have gathered. The worship leaders are meeting regularly as a huddle to pray and share, to encourage best practice and to strengthen our worship values. We are so grateful to all our musicians and the faithful teams who serve behind the sound desk and projector. We are grateful to Mark & Claire and their 1Big team who work so hard to develop creative worship that engages the children. 2010 -11 has been a ‘bumper year’ for baptisms and we are really beginning to see the fruit of the Family 2:46 MSC. We would expect 120 -130 at a ‘normal’ 10.45, with 200 quite common if there is a baptism.

N Counter 6.30pmOur evening celebration takes place in the refurbished Guywood Centre and is served by a preaching team of five and a core worship team. A new pattern has been established with one Sunday each month for praise & prayer, one for equipping, one focused on healing and the other on Christian experience. The congregation is still quite small, usually between 20 and 30, but includes the full age-range.

Wednesday Communion 11amOur midweek communion service had been ‘shrinking’ for years but recently there has been an encouraging turn-around. We are often 12-14 but we are drawing from a much bigger group. It is good to welcome new people and there is a strong sense of support and fellowship. We are grateful to Geoff Walton and Ernie & Janette Cooper who serve this congregation in different ways.

Joe and I continue to regard it an enormous privilege to lead worship and preach God’s Word to the open and encouraging church family at St Chad’s.

GatheringWeekly services

a. Church Office, 1-5 Stockport Road, Romiley, SK6 4BN t. 0161 430 4652 e. office@stchadsromiley.co.uk