Our APCM was held on Sunday 28 April, and many reports were presented to that meeting. Here is Rev Sue’s address to the APCM:
I want to talk about this last year, but I don’t want it to be just a list of all that we have done because that doesn’t get to the heart of things. Also, it would look much like the list of things we did the year before. But you see, that’s the whole point. Because the truth is we have kept going, and that’s no small feat. We have had nearly two years of interregnum. It has been a time when we felt anxious because we didn’t know what the future would hold, and also, we could only focus on the short term. But we kept our yearly programme of events going, some with great success. And that is down to all of us here who contributed in any way. Again, I won’t make a list, because it’s a long list and it’s hard not to leave anyone out. Thank you, both to those who have contributed hours a week and to those who have had only the time or capacity for occasional involvement. It is all appreciated.
Secondly, we are doing well as a training parish. Matt, last year, did a successful placement with us and then went on to theological college to train as a priest. Since then, we’ve been sent Helen to train as a curate, and Krystyna on placement. That’s as well as having Christine, who is our own homegrown ordinand. We are trusted to give people an opportunity to minister, to provide them with a happy and positive experience and to allow them to develop their gifts and talents. In return, we have benefited greatly from the variety of approaches and personalities they have brought with them.
Lastly, when someone gives you a compliment, you smile and say thank you. When several people pay you the same compliment, you begin to believe them and change your self-image. In the last few weeks four completely different people have said that we are a very welcoming church. It is no small thing that people who walk through the door are immediately welcomed to the service and afterwards invited to sit down and have a cup of coffee either on a Wednesday or Sunday and they feel welcomed and included when they do. That is something to be proud of. It demonstrates our genuine willingness to include and serve others. Of course, the next step is to get more people through the church door, to be able to show them how friendly and welcoming we are. Perhaps that should be a target for this next year.
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 