Wonston parish is part of the Upper Dever Benefice within the Dever Group Ministry in the Diocese of Winchester. Wonston PCC is responsible for co-operating with the Rector of the Upper Dever Benefice in promoting the mission of the Church of England in the ecclesiastical parish of Wonston, which includes Sutton Scotney and part of Norton. The parish church is Holy Trinity Church, Wonston.
Wonston PCC is a charity exempted from registration with the Charity Commission.
PCC Membership and Officers
During 2009, the following served as members and/or officers of the PCC:-
Rector and PCC Chairman
The Revd Sue Foster
Honorary Curate *
The Revd Bob Clarkson
Churchwardens and Vice-Chairmen
Lt Col (Retd) Peter Barrett OBE and Cdr Andrew Betton RN
Representatives on Winchester Deanery Synod
Mrs Sandy Fitzgerald and Dr Angela Lewis (&Secretary)
Elected Members
Mr Peter Clarke, Mr George Gray, Dr Sarah Hobhouse, Mr Steve Mullins, Mr Wally Taylor (& Treasurer) and Mr Nicholas Wood
Other Officers *
Mrs Jane Gray (Archivist), Mrs Valerie Cornick (Electoral RollOfficer)
*not members of the PCC.
Review of the year
Dever Group Ministry
The Dever Group Ministry, established on 01 June 2007, is formed of the Upper Dever Benefice (comprising the ecclesiastical parishes of East Stratton, Micheldever, Stoke Charity with Hunton, Wonston and Woodmancote with Popham) and the Lower Dever Benefice (comprising the ecclesiastical parishes of Barton Stacey, Bullington and South Wonston).
A Group Council, formed of the clergy and PCC representatives of the individual parishes, provides a forum in which matters of common interest across the Group can be discussed and there is also a Benefice Council for the Upper Dever Benefice chaired by the Rector at which benefice-wide initiatives can be discussed and conflicting priorities between the participating parishes resolved.
Meetings
Wonston PCC met four times during 2009 (2008: five) with an average attendance of 82% (2008: 80%). In addition, the clergy and PCC representatives attended four meetings of the Dever Group and Upper Dever Benefice Councils (2008: four).
Church services
The established pattern of services at Holy Trinity was maintained during 2009, co-ordinated as far as possible with other services across the Upper Dever Benefice. Our monthly Family Communion service, held on the first Sunday in every month, attracts a broad ecumenical congregation, whilst Holy Communion is also celebrated at Sutton Manor Nursing Home on a fortnightly basis. In recognition of the centenary of the restoration of Holy Trinity in 1909 following a disastrous fire, a very successful service of celebration was led by the Bishop of Winchester in May. A booklet entitled ‘Ablaze in Wonston’ was also published to commemorate the occasion. Other special services held during the year included an open air Witness Service on Good Friday at Sutton Scotney, a Rogation walk with barbeque, a Family Service Celebration of Holy Baptism in June, and a popular Christingle Service on Advent Sunday. Easter, Harvest Festival, Remembrance Sunday and Christmas services were all well supported.
Occasional Services
In 2009 there were nine baptisms (2008: eight), four weddings (including blessings) (2008: eleven), and five funerals (excluding interments) (2008: one) at Holy Trinity.
Church membership and attendance
The church electoral roll, drawn up in March 2007 following pastoral reorganization, was updated in the Spring and as at 29 April 2009 there were 76 persons on the roll (29 March 2008: 76). 30 of those on the roll were not resident in the Parish (2008: 30).
The usual attendance at the principal Sunday service at Holy Trinity (other than 8.00am services) was approximately 26 (including children) (2008: 26) and this number increased significantly at festivals. The average attendance at Family Services was 34 (2008: 29).
Holy Trinity Church, Wonston
Regular routine maintenance was augmented by ‘churchyard clean-up days’ in the Spring and Autumn, which were well supported. A new grass cutting contract has been established which has helped to further enhance the overall appearance of the churchyard.
Internally, regular weekly cleaning and a diverse range of floral displays have maintained a bright and welcoming environment, with effective heating, lighting and amplification systems functioning well. Several new kneelers made by parishioners were presented during the year.
Clergy, Readers and Lay Worship Leaders
The Revd Sue Foster is Rector of the Upper Dever Benefice and lives within the Benefice in the village of Micheldever. She has worked tirelessly throughout the benefice, supporting 6 churches across 9 villages. The Revd Mark Bailey, Rector of the Lower Dever Benefice, routinely presides at a monthly early morning service at Wonston. The Rector has also been assisted by the Revd Duncan Strathie who lives in the parish, the Revd Bob Clarkson and the Revd Karen Kousseff.
Mr Peter Clarke, as an authorized lay worship leader, also regularly assisted the clergy by leading services of Mattins at Holy Trinity. The PCC is most grateful to all of them for their help and support during 2009.
Liturgy
The majority of services at Holy Trinity follow the traditional format of the Book of Common Prayer, although the monthly Family Service uses Common Worship (Order 1). A new hymn book ‘Complete Anglican Hymns Old & New’ was introduced at Family Services.
Charitable Giving
Total charitable giving by the PCC during 2009 was £2,245 (2008:£1,881). The charities supported included Hampshire and the Islands Historic Churches Trust, the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Royal British Legion, the Children’s Society, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and USPG Anglicans in World Mission. A large donation of food was also made to Naomi House Children’s Hospice following the Harvest Festival and occasional donations of food and clothing were also made during the year to the Winchester Basics Bank.
Financial Review
£28,911 was spent during 2009 to provide Christian ministry in the Parish (2008: £27,540). This figure includes £22,000 (2008: £19,738) parish share allocation paid to the Diocese for the provision of stipends and housing for the stipendiary clergy. The 2009 allocation was set by the Diocese at £23,238, but the Upper Dever Benefice was successful in obtaining an abatement from the Diocesan Board of Finance under its Aided Parish Scheme, of which £1,238 was credited to the Parish (2008: £3,500).
For 2010, the parish share allocation to Holy Trinity has been set at £24,000, which represents a 9% increase over the amount paid in 2009. The PCC is concerned at this rate of increase in the current economic climate and is seeking to negotiate a reduction.
Total income, including tax recovered, but excluding donations for specific purposes, remained broadly the same in 2009 (2008: 1.5% increase). As a consequence of the 5% increase in overall expenditure, the PCC incurred a deficit of £1,763 (2008: deficit £152), andso was once again obliged to draw on its general reserve, which at 31 December 2009 stood at £5,940 (31December 2008: £7,703). There are other reserves of £31,411 (2008: £26,763) but these can only be used for restricted purposes.
The PCC is most grateful to Mrs A J Sawdon ACA, BSc for acting as independent examiner in respect of the PCC’s accounts.
Parish Fund-raising
The annual Fete, held at Mill House in Sutton Scotney, raised £3,692 (2008: £5,197). Other fund-raising activities during the year included an excellent concert arranged to celebrate the centenary of the installation of the church organ in 1909, a most successful Safari Supper, the Historic Churches sponsored cycle ride, Lent lunches, a stall at the Victoria Hall Christmas Fair and the annual Christmas Quiz. The PCC is also very grateful to Lisa Faye for donating the proceeds of a concert she gave at the Victoria Hall in Sutton Scotney in October and to the organizers of an evening of musical entertainment at Norton Park Hotel entitled ‘The Antiques Roadshow’ in November for their generous donations. The PCC plans to explore further fund-raising opportunities during 2010.
Bell-ringing
The team of bellringers continued to ring the bells at Holy Trinity before the principal service on Sundays and at weddings and on other special occasions. They also rang on a monthly basis at St Mary’s, Micheldever and occasionally at All Saints, Barton Stacey. New members are always wanted and the PCC invites anyone who is interested in joining the team to contact the Tower Captain, Mr Gerry Cornick. In addition, Holy Trinity welcomed various visiting bands of bellringers throughout the year.
Other activities
The PCC wishes to record its thanks to all those who worked hard in a multitude of ways to promote the life of the Church in the Parish in 2009, especially the Fete Committee, the contributors to the community magazines - the Dever and the West Dever News - the organists, sidesmen and women, lesson readers, bell-ringers, flower arrangers and church cleaners.
More volunteers are always welcome and the PCC invites anyone interested in helping to contact a member of the clergy or a churchwarden.
On behalf of Wonston PCC
(Revd Sue Foster, Rector) 22nd March 2010
SUNDAY SERVICES IN THE PARISH
Services are held every Sunday in the Parish Church – Holy Trinity at Wonston. In addition, a monthly ecumenical Anglican-led Family Service is held at 10.00am on the 1st Sunday. The normal pattern is as follows:-
1st Sunday
8.00am
Holy Communion (BCP, said)
10.00am
Family Communion (CW)
2nd Sunday
11.00am
Mattins
(BCP, sung)
3rd Sunday
11.00am
Mattins
(BCP, sung)
4th Sunday
11.00am
Holy Communion
(BCP, sung)
Enquiries on any aspect of parish affairs, applications for baptisms, weddings and funerals, and requests for visits to the sick or bereaved should be made to the Rector, the Revd Sue Foster, The Vicarage, Micheldever, Winchester SO21 3DA, Tel: 01962 774183.
