Articles - Miscellaneous

Wardens' Report to the APCM: 20th April 2008

Well, another first for us and the last (maybe?) Chairman's report or, as we have named it the Wardens' report. Since Simon blessed our partnership, as Wardens last year we feel as though our feet haven't touched the ground. Which doesn't mean that we have found life as Wardens to be unduly difficult, on the contrary,,but it's been very busy and: it has really made us appreciate how well the affairs of St Edmund's are managed and how many people are involved.

Whilst we definitely miss Simon and Lesley we can really appreciate the clergy support we have in Louise, Steve and Hector as well as Peter and all the other clergy who have been most willing to lead our worship week in week out. Thanks to them the St Edmund's schedule of services is continuing almost as before. We are indebted especially to Louise for her input to matters liturgical and for her contacts with local clergy.

We are also very thankful to Maureen and Kathryn, our Readers, and to Pat Hooker for their support and preaching ministry. Ted has been tutored by Maureen in the intricacies of leading Evening Prayer and Gill has been encouraged and enabled by Lesley to deal with arrangements for Baptisms and Weddings. Thankfully Maureen has been prepared to deal with all Funeral arrangements! Shirley Parker should also be thanked for ensuring that Wednesday morning communion services run smoothly.

The work of the Pastoral Team continues although, without full time clergy support, it is clearly a little more difficult to make sure that everyone who needs a visit has one sooner rather later. Home communion still forms an important part of our pastoral work and outreach to the community and there are now 8 people on the rota for this ministry.

There is no doubt that music is important in our worship and we are especially thankful to Graham, Michael, Sue and all regular and occasional members of the choir and Music Group..

In fact, all areas of church life seem to be continuing on an even keel and we would thank everyone who takes part in any aspect of it and our ministries to each other and the community.

Undergirding all this and much more is a lot of prayer. Not just the public prayer offered in our services but prayer by a number of individuals and groups. We have become more aware of this fundamental ministry especially as we have progressed through the vacancy. It is key to our life together and to our future. If this is your ministry - thank you.

Reflecting back over the year we would like to mention a few of the major events or happenings.

• Confirmations and baptisms are significant in the life of any church and its people and last year we saw the confirmation of Charlie, Daisy, Frances, Grace, Oliver, Rebecca and Simon. All of these being younger members but Bishop James also came to confirm Mary and Maisie, both being in their senior years. We also saw a good number of baptisms in the 4 special Sunday morning services during the year.

• The year was no exception in that several of our congregation departed this life, amongst them Iris Benson, Barbara Dickens, Sir Douglas Brown, Mary Steele Childe, Fifi Bingley and Matthew Hall. Each in their own way is sadly missed by us and their families.

• In July, whilst Simon and Lesley were still with us, 50 or more of the church family enjoyed the Parish Weekend at Sneaton Castle in Whitby. A good and creative time was had by all.

• October saw the Music and Flower Festival, a great and beautiful success which raised over £1,600, half of this going to support Jane Shaw, our Mission Partner in Pakistan.

• During Advent, St Edmund's took Advent Calendars to Key Stage One pupils in Gledhow, Talbot, Kerr Mackie and Moor Allerton Primary Schools and these were very well received. Since then we have been approached by some of these schools for more visits to St Edmund's.

• In December we joined in Hector's celebration of 50 years as a priest.

• During the year Neil Richardson moved on to pastures new from Lidgett Park Methodist Church and was succeeded by Jane Craske. We have fond memories of Neil's preaching and look forward to getting to know Jane and working with her in furthering our ecumenical activities.

Last but not least we should mention developments in connection with environmental matters. During 2007 Jon Vogler conducted the audit so keenly awaited by Simon in his report last year. Jon presented his report to the PCC in January and it includes a wealth of roposals for action to improve the environmental footprint of St Edmund's. We, as Wardens, firmly believe that our church should be vigorously pursuing as many of these as possible as an essential part of our Christian witness. This aspect will form a key part of our mission to be developed with our new Vicar. In the meantime we can confirm that we shall shortly be instructing improvements to the lighting systems in church which will introduce low energy lamps and power saving.

During 2007 and as a development from the Environmental Festival in June 2006, the organisation established as REAP, the Roundhay Environmental Action Project, planned and has now launched, the monthly Farmers' Market at Oakwood. Several members of St Edmund's and the other local churches are playing leading roles in REAP.

Simon's last Sunday was 29th July, when we said goodbye to him, to Anne and to their family. We also said goodbye to Lesley on 10th February. We have much to be thankful for in their ministries and friendship. Let's pray that our next Vicar joins us in or by the autumn this year and will be as capable as Simon and Lesley. We pray that God is sending us someone inspired in their life with Christ, able to discern God's onward mission for St Edmund's from the point we have reached with Simon and Lesley and all our priestly leadership down the century.

So all that remains is to say thank you to everyone for support to us in this busy year and for another one ahead! We particularly thank the Deputy Wardens and especially Anne who, far from having a rest as suggested by Simon, has been busier than ever in helping us.

Finally may we say a big thank you to Jean and Brian for organising lunch today and to Peter for chairing this meeting. Peter - we'd be pleased if you'd accept these gifts as a token of our appreciation.

Gill Malpas and Ted Fairfax

18 May, 2008