Dear Friends,

This Annual Report covers the 12 month period since the last AGM.

The report does not attempt to cover every fact or statistic, as many of these are adequately covered in other reports that will be presented to this meeting. A lot of what I say will be similar to that reported last year. I make no apology for that - for this is a report that at some future time may be read in isolation.

Worship

The pattern of Sunday and Thursday services is now established. I feel that the church family is growing not only in numbers, but in fellowship and love for each other.

In one sense I am not concerned regarding numbers attending services but I do want to place on record the following:-

This church is one of a small number of churches that still provides a service of Evensong. I remain committed to this service and would not want to be the Priest that presides over its demise in this church. It is something about which we need to pray very hard.

Attendances at Holy Week services have again been very disappointing. This statistic worries me far more than most others.

I cannot conceive the abandonment of Holy Week being consistent with a lively faith. Holy Week services are days of obligations for Christians - and I can promise you that Easter Day is that more glorious for having observed Holy Week.

I want to record my thanks and appreciation to Jeff Hain for his continued support and commitment to St Thomas' and to me.

Links with Channings Nursery and the Newhey Pre-school Nursery have been strengthened this year. The older children at Channings are now regular attenders at our Day School Church Services.

We now visit the staff and residents at Newhey Manor on the first Sunday of each month for a short act of worship.

I am obliged to Marion and Chris Hain who do so much preparation for Services.

The sacrament of Holy Communion is taken regularly to those parishioners who cannot attend Church Services. I am indebted to Jeff and Marion, who take a large share of this ministry - and I thank them on your behalf.

I thank those who lead our Sunday School and Uniformed Organisations. Between them they provide opportunities for our children as they are nurtured in real values and skills within an atmosphere of fun.

The enjoyment of our children as they involve themselves in these activities is only matched by the commitment and dedication of their leaders.

We have introduced the Family Service as a replacement for Parade Services. At the time of writing, we have used this service on two occasions, and the feedback has been encouraging.

Helen Clarke resigned from her position as Organist/Choirmaster last September. Garth Fell has maintained our music tradition on Sundays and I am indebted to his typically Christian response to the situation. We are hopeful of appointing another Organist/Choirmaster during 2006/7.

The Fellowship Group meets monthly and I thank Joyce for her commitment in leading that group. I want to record the death of Betty Hudson at this point - a devoted and loved servant of the church who supported the fellowship.

The Phase 2 Restoration of the Church was completed very satisfactorily, and at the time of writing, some small works are outstanding. The whole process has been a much better experience than during Phase 1. On your behalf, I thank John Smith and Derek Hambler who bore the brunt of the church's responsibilities.

St Thomas School has attended Church for services at each term end, and I now lead Morning Worship in school each Wednesday.

We need to sing the praises of our school, in the knowledge that it provides a quality start for our youngsters.

Our thanks to Steven, his staff and our children need to be recorded.

The Parish Magazine continues to be a well-produced and informative publication. This, in large part, is due to John Smith who as editor, compiler, contributor, designer etc etc makes it the success that it is. As a regular contributor I know the pressures he is under to hit a deadline. To John, to Jim and Linda Smithies, and to all our distributors - thank you.

Our Treasurer Garth has done his usual superb job in keeping the finances in order. Thank you Garth and thanks to Liz Bagshaw, our Independent Examiner.

Outside Advent and Lent our church is decorated lovingly with floral displays. On your behalf I want to record our thanks to June and Emily for their dedication and all their hard work.

Helen Rigby and her Team of Bell-ringers ring most Sundays, and we are most fortunate. They really are quite an anonymous group - and who often don't get the thanks and appreciation that they deserve. At least in this report, we can put that right.

The opportunity to mix socially is vitally important to any church, and I thank all those who have contributed to the success of our various events.

The Village Fair proved to be very popular and we look to build on the success.

On your behalf I offer many thanks to June Swift and Ted Taylor, who have both, in different ways, have been a great support to me, and I know that you are as grateful to them as I am.

This year has seen the beginning of a Diocesan-wide Pastoral Review. All parishes have been required to complete an extensive exercise - a form of self review - covering all aspects of the parish. St Thomas' review under the leadership of our Deanery Pastoral Representative, Jeff Hain, has been very thorough. Thank you Jeff, for all your hard work.

The Deanery Pastoral Committee will lead the process, and the recommendations will ultimately be considered by the Diocese. The whole process is unsettling but I remain positive regarding the outcome as it will affect St Thomas CofE Parish.

On a personal note. I commenced work as a part-time Hospital Chaplain in September 2004 on a 6 month contract - I am still employed! I hope that this commitment does not impair my ministry here, although some weeks do get a bit fraught.

Again I know I have fallen into the trap of mentioning some people by name, and not others. Margaret and I continue to have wonderful support from you all, and have received many kindnesses and I hope you know me well enough now to know that I value all your contributions.

We are a church with lots of potential to reach out to all sections and ages in our parish.

We ask for God's blessing on all we seek to do, and His Holy Spirit to guide us in right paths. Our mission is to extend God's kingdom in and around this place - it can only be done by loving Him and loving each other - out of which all that we do surely must flow.

I re-affirm my total commitment to the whole of the parish, and ask for your forgiveness in the times when I have failed you. I assure you of my prayers and I ask for yours for myself, for Margaret and my family.

With every blessing,

                                            Graham

Services

Thursday 4th May                      10.00am Holy Communion

7th May - 4th Sunday of Easter     9.45am Holy Communion         3pm Evensong

This Month's Readings

May 7th          4th Sunday of Easter                      Acts 4:5-12                          John 10:11-18

Christian Aid

This year’s Christian Aid Week is from the 14th until the 20th May.

Volunteers are required to distribute the envelopes and, more importantly, to go back at the end of the week to collect them back in.

Last year’s was one of our best collections, but unfortunately there were quite a number of areas in Newhey that were not covered.

The envelopes, with their routes attached are to be found at the back of church - if you can spare a little of your time then please take a set and sign your name to show that you have taken them.

If you require any further information please have a word with June Swift or with Graham.

Procession of Witness

This year’s Procession of Witness will be held on Pentecost Sunday, 4th June, following on from the morning Service.

The procession will commence from Railway Street at 11.30am.

Sidespeople

Have you ever considered being a Sidesperson?

We need more people to come forward and go on the rota, so If you are on the Church Electoral Roll, you could be eligible.

Interested in helping out? - Please speak to either June Swift or Ted Taylor.

Bellringers

We hear them every Sunday morning, calling us to Worship, and yet how many of us know just what skill and dedication it takes to make a good ringer.

Well here is your chance to find out - our bellringers are looking to recruit people to learn how to learn the art of ringing and then eventually join the team of ringers.

Anyone interested is asked to come along to one of their Tuesday practices to see what it entails - they meet in the ringing room at 7.45pm.

Further information can be obtained from Helen Rigby, our Tower Captain, on 01706 847964

Parish Prayers

Bible Sentence

Lord Jesus, we pray for all young people of our village and throughout the world that are joined together in fellowship through organisations.

Strengthen them to keep the vows and promises that they have made, to perform their duties and to be worthy of the high calling of the organisation that they represent.

May they enjoy the play and activities provided for them.
Provide them with good leaders from which they may learn unselfish thinking, how to pray and work together and how to assist others by deeds and example.

Teach them love and good will to all mankind and vision of your loving purpose for the world that they may follow in the steps of him who died in service of God and mankind.

Direct them to seek your will for their lives and form the habits of worship and loyalty, serving you through fellowship with your church.

We ask this in your name. Amen.

v Our Church Lads & Girls Brigade, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides.

v For all the after school clubs and activities organised by our day school .

v Our Sunday School and children in the choir.

v All Children of Newhey and Milnrow

v All youth clubs,

v   Army, Sea and Air Cadets,

v The Scouts movement throughout the world,

v Young persons who are in bad company and remodelling themselves on harmful, abusive, damaging, selfish or unlawful behaviour.