“The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.”
I’d like to start and root my report in those few words from Psalm 126.
Coming to Sutton, St James and feeling grafted into a long line of worshipping, faith-filled, servant-hearted people has been a both a blessing and a challenge. I am very grateful to God for the gentle leading to this new role. I am also very grateful to Bishop Eleanor and Archbishop Stephen for their leadership, and to so many in the Parish for their welcome. In particular for Peter King, Pat O’Brien and June Lambert for their role in the interview and for facilitating our move to Hull, and ultimately to the Rectory.
Both Lorraine and I feel very settled into the Rectory, and are enjoying our new home and life.
We are facing big challenges and changes ahead – as other reports also remind us there is a lot of work to be done with regard to the Old School, St Marks, St James Church building and Church Hall.
Legal requirements have made it difficult to appoint official Churchwardens – but we have been very faithfully served by Pat, Peter and June in that role. Pat is retiring from PCC after many years and I want to acknowledge the part she has played (and continues to play) in the church and thank her for it.
Worship sets religious organisations apart from other groups, and I want to add my thanks to those of the Churchwardens to the visiting clergy who have helped lead worship in the parish during the Interregnum; and also to thank lay members of the congregation who have also led services – sometimes stepping out of their comfort zones to do so. These things are not unnoticed by our Lord.
We have returned to a weekly Eucharist at 10.00am on Sundays, with a monthly 8.00am Book of Common Prayer Eucharist on the first Sunday of the month. In addition there is now a 10.00am Thursday Eucharist.
As a parish we recognise that Sundays are increasingly taken up by work and leisure activities, and we will need to address how we provide Christian fellowship and worship to those unable to attend on Sundays.
Wedding enquiries and bookings are steady, as are requests for baptism.
I have welcomed several schools to St James, and received invitations to take assemblies at four local primary schools.
After many years as Electoral Roll Office Judith Allan has indicated she wishes to retire form this role – so in addition to thanks to Judith we will be looking for someone to take this role.
For 2025 the Electoral Roll has been completely revised (a requirement every 6 years). The number on the Electoral Roll will determine how many members we are entitled to elect onto the PCC. There will be no “roll-over” appointments to the PCC and with the change comes my very deep thanks for those who have served over the years.
Financially I am very grateful to the team who collect, count, bank, re-imburse and deal with money. Many people to name including (in alphabetical order) Angela, Ann, Pat, Peter, Robin.
God is touching people’s lives in this community – some with no previous religious experience. This is not just in the Church of England: regardless of denomination God is moving. I pray and expect that we will continue to listen to God, and as we work and walk with Jesus we will see lives changed and communities flourish.
With my love and prayers
+Steven
2024 has been challenging, Rev’d Gloria Naylor left St James at the beginning of March to take up her new role as Master of Charterhouse thus putting us into interregnum, also in May our shared curate – Rev’d Eileen Connolly left to take up her new role at Beverley Minster.
This left us having to find cover for Sunday Services, weddings, baptisms and the occasional funeral. Thanks to retired and other clergy who managed to fit us in despite their own busy schedules, we managed to find cover to keep our church open. The members of the PCC took on specific roles which helped keep the church running smoothly. We would like to thank the congregation for staying true to St James during this period of uncertainty.
A major leak occurred on the North side of the church roof in February. The bill for repairs was much more than initially expected but due to the overwhelming generosity of our congregation and grants from the Ann Watson Trust and Archbishop’s Funds the cost was met in full.
The West window mullions are still in a state of disrepair.
The ownership of the Old School buildings is still on going with some progress made on identification of the legal beneficiaries.
In August, after interviews and meetings, our new Priest in Charge, the Rt Rev’d Steven Benford was introduced to the congregation by Bishop Eleanor at a special service of good news.
Steve and his wife Lorraine have settled well into life at St James and for everyone concerned the last months of 2024 have been much less challenging.
Peter King, Pat O’Brien, June Lambert
Churchwardens
The Archbishop of York’s 10 year plan, Living Christ’s Story, continues with various events taking place across the Deanery.
A variety of guest speakers have covered topics as diverse as Prison Visiting, The Mustard Seed Project, Finance, and the success or failure of events held in churches across the Deanery.
It is always helpful to know that support is there from other parishes should it be needed, and, that other churches suffer with the same ups and downs as St James does during the church year.
June Lambert and Shirley Allerston
Deanery Synod Reps
We are still awaiting the outcome for who owns the land, and what the future of the school and museum will be. Volunteers are apprehensive about the future but still give full support.
Repair work and upkeep, carried out by volunteers has been put on hold until the future is decided. We have had two more volunteers joining the team.
The Chatty Café has been attracting more people and there is often lively conversation taking place.
Recently we have had an increase in visitors, some for the first time, and the requests for help with family history continues to grow.
For many years we have loved serving the general public and helping to show what a wonderful and historic place Sutton and the area was and still is.
Peter Rhodes.
The last 12 months Little Saints has averaged 25 children a week. Feedback has been good. We have Mums, Dads, Grandparents, and even a Great-Grandparent bringing their Little Saints to us.
The age group has changed: it is babies to three years. Three to four years now receive places at pre-school. So we find we are working with younger children.
We still follow the same format: one hour free time to play with the toys, visit the craft and play-dough table.
At 10.30 the tables are cleared and cleaned and set together so the children can enjoy snacks and a drink together. It teaches them to share and eat together.
At 10.45 we have singing time. We ask the children and carers to join us in the singing corner.
Ending at 11.00 am.
I would like to thank a great team who keep the playgroup running: Pat, Linda, Ann and Helen. Also thanks to Brigette and Cindy who helped in the early part of the year. We all miss Ken who helped in the kitchen: he sadly died during 2024.
A special thanks to Raymond who cycles quite a distance early in the morning to put out the tables, chairs and toys. And returns at the end of Little Saints to put them all away. We could not do without him.
We are donating £200 to St James’ Church, and £100 towards the repair of the clock. We will continue to pay £60 monthly towards the heating.
We do offer an invitation to the St James’ congregation to visit us on a Wednesday morning and meet a great group of carers and their Little Saints, you will be made very welcome and there is also tea and coffee on offer.
We have three church services every year: in 2024 Heather took the Easter and Harvest one, and Bishop Steve the Christmas one. The children and carers really enjoy the church services, and it’s wonderful to see the children exploring the church.
Heather Fenwick
Another good year, despite the very wet weather. Some of the paths are still mud where the grass hasn’t grown back.
More families are coming to tend the graves and lay flowers. They say how peaceful the churchyard is.
Steve – our main volunteer – is an all-weather gardener! But the rest of us – Sue, Shirley, Liz, Peter (R) and myself will be picking up our tools shortly. Lorraine has made a start in the Wedding Garden already.
So here’s hoping for a hot summer that will dry everything out.
Angela Steele
We are soldiering on with the Church Hall. Some more groups are hiring the Hall now. Our “Pop-up Sale” and “Hot Lunch Tuesdays” are still popular. It’s good to see the familiar faces and also welcome new ones.
All of the groups say that they are doing well and thriving. Our Christmas and Summer Fayres always attract a good crowd and they enjoy themselves. We need to keep up the good work.
Angela Steele