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PARISH OF KIRBY-HILTON

ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF NATAL

ANNUAL VESTRY MEETING

Sunday 15 March 2020

Commencing with the Eucharist at 08:00 ________________________________________________

Please note that the Rector’s and Churchwardens’ reports, as well as the Financials for 2019 have been distributed

in the parish. We will not be reading through these reports in detail. After an opportunity for questions to be taken,

we will then move for the reports to be adopted.

AGENDA

1. Welcome and prayer

2. Present & Apologies (names recorded on circulating lists)

3. Adoption of Minutes: Annual Vestry Meeting March 2019

4. Rector’s report

5. Churchwardens’ Report

6. Presentation and adoption of Audited Financial Statements 2019

7. Adoption of Budget 2020

8. Appointment of Treasurer

9. Appointment of Auditor, 2020 financial year

10. Election of Churchwardens

11. Election of Parish Council Members

12. Election: Representatives to Elective Assembly (2 and an alternate)

13. Election: Representatives to Diocesan Synod (2 and an alternate)

14. General Matters

15. Closure and Thanks

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RECTOR’S REPORT TO VESTRY 15 MARCH 2020

PARISH OF KIRBY-HILTON Thank you for this opportunity to present my annual report. Whilst I will be reporting on some of the developments during 2019, I would like to use this opportunity to look ahead at what God may be wanting for us as a community. Some aspects of this report will thus look ahead, and perhaps challenge us to implement some changes going forward.

Worship Worship is central to our church community. We continue to hold the following regular services:

A 7am Eucharist on Sundays

A 9am Eucharist on Sundays

A 10am Eucharist on Thursdays

From time to time we combine the 7am and 9am services and have a single 8am service.

In addition, there are many other worship activities during the year. These include our Holy Week services and Easter Triduum, our Carol service and special services like the Imposition of Ashes. At Easter we celebrate a Dawn Service at daybreak. Other occasional services include Quiet Christmas, Choral Evensong and Taize worship (so ably led by Gill Watson)

Hilton is a changing community and it is important that we identify where people are in terms of faith, and how best we can meet their needs as a church. This could very well challenge the status quo regarding our current forms and times of worship. We want younger people to become involved in Ascension, and people of all cultures, but are we truly willing to change the way we have always done things in order to achieve this? Herein lays a challenge for all of us as a church community.

Sunday School The Sunday School, has been ably co-ordinated by Sharon Kingham and her team of dedicated teachers. Sharon stepped back from co-ordinating at the beginning of 2020, and Cath Conway has taken on this role. Sharon, I thank you very much indeed for all that you have done, and I know I speak for the people of the parish, especially the children and their parents. For the last few years the Sunday School has followed the “LightLive” curriculum produced by Scripture Union. Unfortunately this service has come to an end, but we have sourced another wonderful curriculum that was compiled by Mrs. Rose Phillip (wife of Bishop Rubin). This is going well. Our Sunday School continues to provide a vital foundation for the children of the parish. There is always space for more people to come on board as teachers and helpers. Perhaps you would like to pray about this? Training will be arranged for prospective teachers who often help out for a while before going solo. I want to personally thank all of the Sunday School teachers and helpers for their dedicated service over the past year.

Youth Our youth pastor, Rory Mackenzie stepped down during the middle of the year due to work commitments. We have struggled to revive the youth group which for various reasons has dissipated for now. In 2020 we are exploring a revival of this group, but in more of a “Bible Study”/Link group type of context. Other churches in Hilton have invested a lot of financial resources into youth ministry, along with the technology, staff, musician equipment that seems to be needed these days. It would be fruitless trying to “compete” with these types of youth gatherings, but we can try and provide something of depth, with a solid discipleship programme. This is an area of focus presently. We are also considering a young adults group for the 20-something age group. As a church we need to invest resources and time towards building the future of the church.

Social Responsibility As a parish we are very engaged in social responsibility. Sadly it is not always seen or acknowledged, simply because the number of people actively involved is quite small. Generous financial donations are good, and necessary for the social responsibility projects to thrive. Parish Council is very generous with their decision making too. But we also need more hands on deck. Please pray about being more involved in one or more of our projects. Particular thanks go to Carol Cassidy, Julian and Sarah Dottridge for their work in Sweetwaters’ Bonginkosi self-help scheme. Tony and Jean Barrington and their team pack foods bags and distribute them (through the Masimbumbane Mission). It is a major undertaking and I wish to thank them profusely for the work that they do. I would also like to acknowledge and thank Rory Mackenzie for his role as liaison between the church and the Never Never Land Creche. The tornado that swept through Hilton and surrounds at the end of 2019 did extensive damage to the NN Land property. We were able to contribute toward restoring the crèche, helped by the generosity of the people from St. Peter’s Cathedral, Adelaide (Diocese of New South Wales in Australia). Our parish also provided a generous amount. Howick Lions Club and others made contributions and helped to co-ordinate the rebuilding. I am happy to report that the crèche has been restored, with fitted containers replacing the old wooden classrooms).

In 2019 we had projects such as the egg drive at Easter-time, spearheaded by Roma Pridmore (along with the Upfolds). Their initiative led to a wonderful donation of eggs from Midlands Eggs, and these were distributed through our various projects. They also drove the annual Winter Warmth project, which provides relief to many over the cold Winter months. They are incredible in their service! We also hold a Christmas Party in Mphophomeni, led by Mary Davidge and Jenny Dyer. This is linked to the Sizanani Soup Kitchen. In addition to all of this, I want to acknowledge Sarah Pennington who involves herself in many projects that benefit the people of the Jika Jo informal settlement. Sarah has remarkable drive and initiative. I want to thank all who are involved in these projects for their service to God and His people! These projects are supported by many others in the parish through their generous giving.

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REPORTS TO VESTRY

PASTORAL CARE

This is ongoing. The institution of a pastoral visiting team early last year has meant that few parishioners in whatever kind of need are not visited. This includes hospital and home visiting, as well as home communion when people request it. Additionally meals are, from time to time, taken to people who would need them.

The Intercessory Prayer Group continues to offer an ongoing prayer ministry. Members meet quarterly to reflect and exchange views. A prayer list is updated monthly and distributed via email.

We are not perfect, we acknowledge, and there are occasions when cases of need slip through the cracks. Unfortunately this is sometimes caused by a failure to notify the church of hospital admissions, cases of illness or where folk are in need. Communication is all-important!

SMALL GROUPS

After a period of some stagnation, there has been renewed activity in Link Groups. Five groups meet regularly, either weekly or fortnightly. Two of these are ecumenical (i.e. inter-denominational) and do not fall directly under Church of the Ascension.

An initiative to bring people together in interest groups (discussion, music, travel etc.) was launched a couple of months ago. While response has initially been somewhat limited, we believe that this initiative has the potential both to enable pew neighbours to get to know one another better and to engage non-parishioners to build community.

MUSIC@ASCENSION

This concept was launched last year in order to provide a platform for Midlands musicians to perform and to put Church of the Ascension on the map as a cultural centre. Credit must be given to especially Ilse Myburgh (who was the engine driver of this project) and David Orr who provided much of the inspiration. A series of Sunday evening Soirees was held featuring local musicians. While attendances fluctuated, the concept as a whole was well received and will continue this year, but with a twist. In addition to the musical soirees, community events, with music as a complement, will also be offered and local manufacturers of speciality products will be invited to offer their products as a form of sponsorship. Watch the pew leaflet for details of forthcoming events, starting in April.

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Property and Finance

I don’t report extensively on Property and Finance because this will be covered in the Churchwardens’ report and in the financial report. I can report that our financial systems are sound, and that in our management of the finances we strive to do so with integrity and the best interests of the parish at heart. We also want to do this God’s way, with a generous (but responsible) spirit.

One note of concern is the planned giving. We are all immersed in a badly performing economy, and people have had to cut the cloth accordingly. Unfortunately the church is in the same situation, and has also needed to tighten the belt. I ask parishioners please to pray about their giving, and to help the church through this time if at all possible.

I would like to thank our very dedicated treasurer, Sandy Benkenstein, for all of her hard work in 2019. Sandy spends hours in the office, voluntarily, on the finances, and I am extremely grateful for this. Thank you Sandy.

Fellowship

Fellowship as a community is important, and I thank John and Ann Alexander for co-ordinating our various “Fun-Raising” initiatives in the parish. They do it so well! Our activities in 2019 included Quiz Nights, Shrove Tuesday Pancakes (now a fixture in the calendar), our Pesach during Holy Week, and others. I would like to thank Sally Upfold and her family, as well as Rupert and Des Rencken for their roles in our quiz evenings. Sally and Rupert are regular quizmistress/master at these evenings.

In 2020 we are planning to hold a fête, art exhibitions, and perhaps a wine auction. Another fellowship builder is the Music@Ascension initiative. We hope to reach beyond the church walls in order to bring people into the church through music and art. This could very well be regarded as a form of outreach as much as of fellowship. Several events are planned for this year, and these will be advertised in due course. I would like to thank David Orr and Ilse Myburgh for this vision. Special thanks go to Ilse who will be co-ordinating the programmes, and liaising with musicians

Lent 2019 and Parish Vision We held a very exciting Lent course in 2019. We were truly blessed to have the expertise of Gerald West and Bev Haddad at our disposal, and we had a most challenging 6 weeks. Thank you to both Gerald and Bev for their fantastic teachings! The theme of the course was intercultural ministry/church, although it organically broadened its theme. The course was followed up by a visioning day held by Canon Peter Houston, where we explored where we have come from as a church, what we are today, and where God might want us to be heading. Out of the Lent course and subsequent workshops, participants identified several changes that we could make as a church to be more welcoming to those who might feel like outsiders (due not only to race or culture, but also gender, being divorced, single, young, old etc). Quite a number of changes have been implemented, especially in our liturgy, slide shows, music and our welcoming. As I mentioned last year, this is a “big picture” process, with an emphasis on the word “process”. It is my hope that we can pick up on a few of the matters identified and provide more space for teachings. It has been heartening to see that there is a real hunger for understanding and for good, Biblical and theological teaching and reflection in the parish.

Conclusion

I would like to acknowledge and thank the outgoing parish council for their support in managing the church. This group has been supportive and competent at balancing the day to day needs of the church, and its finances, with matters spiritual. This is not always easy.

I would like to thank the churchwardens Redvers Lee, Jeremy Farquharson and Graeme Mackenzie (alternate) for their support for me, my family and the church. For personal and work reasons, and with my support, Jeremy stepped back from this role a few months into his tenure. Graeme, our alternate churchwarden stepped into the breach and has helped greatly with keeping the ship steady. Redvers has completed his first year as a churchwarden with aplomb, and has brought a wonderful set of knowledge and skills to the table. Thank you to all of you for your friendship and support!

I would like to personally thank Margie Bournes-Harper and Heather Anderson for their hard work over 2019. They do go beyond the call of duty! This was Margie Bournes-Harper’s first year as our Parish Administrator, which is a varied and complicated role, and I commend Margie for her efforts! Heather has been with us for several years. She will be retiring at the end of March 2020, and we thank her for her service to the parish. I’m sure that you have encountered her effervescence and enthusiasm. You will be missed Heather!

I would also like to thank my fellow clergy in the parish for all that they have done to serve this community. We are blessed to have Nobuhle in our midst. She has brought a new dimension to life in the parish, and has proven to be very capable in many areas of church life. She will, God-willing, be ordained as a priest in June 2020, and I hope that many of you will attend the service and rejoice with her. We are also fortunate to have John Alexander, Susan van Niekerk, Bev Haddad, and Tom Fawdry (Thursday services) serving in the parish. In this group we have a diversity of experience, expertise and personalities that enriches our parish life. I am exploring ways in which we can optimise this diversity in 2020.

Personal

I can’t write this report pretending that 2019 was a wonderful, easy and, fulfilling year. On a personal level it has been a difficult one. Within a year, both of Rae’s parents passed away suddenly. This has been a profoundly sad time for us. We have benefited

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from the love and support of a number of people in the parish over this time, and are incredibly grateful for you. In addition to that stress, I have had to increase what had been an already unreasonable work load created by my role as an archdeacon. This was precipitated by the resignation of our Diocesan, Bishop Dino. A few months later Bishop Tsietsi left to take up office in the Diocese of Umzimvubu. The result is that I am officially running 6 parishes. Needless to say, this has created extra stress, as well as time away from the parish. Sadly it has led to a situation where I have not always been as engaged (or present) with the parish as I would have liked. I would like to thank especially John and Nobuhle for helping out during this time, as well as the parish executive for their understanding and support. In 2020 I have attempted to create a better balance, and have set a few boundaries with parishes in the archdeaconry. Hopefully this will relieve some of the pressure, which had affected my health negatively last year. Fortunately this seems to have improved. I still will need to be at other parishes on Sundays from time to time, but fortunately we have a most capable team who can continue the work.

Lastly, and most importantly, I would like to thank my family: Rae, Jenilee and Casey. They all lead busy lives and have pressures of their own to deal with. These seem to be compounded by the challenge of being a clergy family. Yet they are still able to provide support for me and my ministry in the parish and archdeaconry. We remain a close, loving and (mostly) normal family. God has really blessed me with you! Rae deserves a prize for the behind the scenes ministry that she has. Thank you Rae.

It is my hope that we as a parish will listen to the voice of our Lord, hear what we are being called to, and obey this call together. It will require that without losing the Gospel, we will have to compromise our preferences at times for the good of the “big picture”, but if the church is to have a future, we need to do it.

Blessings and love,

Paul

March 2020

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Warden’s Report : 2019/2020.

Financial Position.

Discretionary incomes of the wider community were strained by the broader deterioration in the SA economy over the

past year and planned giving our main income source was impacted accordingly. However, a generous ad hoc

contribution from one family, reduced the under recovery, against expectations, to a manageable level.

Unfortunately the major “fun raising” event for the year was cancelled abruptly, which meant that allocation to provisions

and reserves had to be curtailed, together with expenses.

Despite these challenges and the replacement of the parish vehicle, for the year as a whole, we managed to ensure

parish funds remained stable , after offsetting expenses against income.

The year ahead is likely to be even more difficult, as we can’t depend on another planned giving windfall, which means

that growing the revenue base will be crucial in the year ahead.

Consequently, the Issues of Faith (Lenten programme), together with the fete and other “fun raising” activities including

“music @ ascension” all need to contribute to raising our profile in the community.

Property and Finance.

During 2019, the parish made a significant investment in “”music @ ascension”, by acquiring a baby grand piano. This

programme was further supported by the participating musicians who generously donated their time and talent. Given

that the musicians will be seeking compensation from this year, some thought will need to be given to revised pricing

and promotion.

As with any ageing property, we have many challenges regarding maintenance and up keep, and the year under review

has been no different.

The most important items completed were;

A repaint of the rectory and a clean-up of the overgrowth, including the felling of several large trees.

The completion of the overflow channel for the church gutters.

During the year ahead, apart from the ongoing rectory maintenance, roof and door repainting will be required.

Sandy Benkenstein (our Treasurer) has made a huge contribution over the past year, by not only ensuring the smooth

operation of the accounting systems, but also providing timely insights on changes that were required. We both want to

record our thanks to her.

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Social Responsibility

The parish sponsors a variety of ministries in which members participate, including

Masibumbane feeding scheme

King’s Trust, evangelism to Africa ministry,

Africa Enterprise

The Never, Neverland crèche

Bonginkosi ministry to Sweetwaters

Winter Warmth programme,

Easter Egg and Christmas gift programme

Sizanani Christmas party in Mphophomeni

We recognize the contributions of all who participate in these ministries, which are essential to expression to our

collective faith.

Clergy

Over the past year our Rector, Paul Mosdell has often been left in an untenable position, by the conflicting demands

of the parish, the diocese and the broader archdeaconry on his time and energy.

While Paul managed to get the balance right last year, with the assistance and support of John Alexander, our

assistant priest and Nobuhle Hlatshwayo our curate, his burden should be further alleviated by the mid-year priesting

of Nobuhle.

While the parish was again the beneficiary of Paul’s empathetic leadership and John’s enthusiasm, the addition of

Nobuhle has introduced a fresh and exciting dynamic to the mix.

John’s success at building common interest groups within the broader community, has added a new dimension to his

successful pastoral ministry.

As wardens we thank Paul, John and Nobuhle and their families for their efforts and sacrifices over the past year, as

we look forward to the year ahead.

Administration.

Parishioners, clergy and administrators have all been left frustrated by our outdated failing switchboard, last year.

Having established that the old switchboard (which had been rented) was unrepairable (despite a monthly

maintenance fee), we decided on replacement with a more modern refurbished system (which was purchased

outright, which has reduced monthly costs).

Our long serving parish receptionist, Heather Anderson retires at the end of March To save costs the administration

and reception functions have been merged.

We thank Heather for her long service to the parish and wish her well as she adjusts to retirement.

Parish Roll & Sustainability

Our parish roll is somewhat dated and a project update is underway. However this is going to take some effort to

complete.

Over the past decade the population of the village of Hilton has grown by at least a fifth. However, an analysis by

Nobuhle shows that attendance at our peak festival services, (Christmas and Easter) actually declined over the

decade.

While we believe that we have been well served by our clergy, these disturbing trends are a reason for us as parish to

constantly review our profile in the community.

Conclusion

In the short term the going will be more difficult, but we are confident in the faith and commitment of the people who

comprise the church of ascension, in Hilton.

Redvers Lee and Graeme Mackenzie

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CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION, HILTON

REPORT OF THE TREASURER

ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS presented at Vestry on 15 March 2020

The Parish finances for the year reflect that a small surplus of R 1 254 was budgeted for and R 950 was achieved. As with

previous years, a very good outcome all things considered!

The December 2019 Income Statement and Balance Sheet as presented to Council and the Auditors are included below. The

full set of audited financial statements is available in the Parish office.

Income

Planned Giving of R 1 769 558 was received - an increase over 2018, made possible by the generosity of you our

parishioners, but still well below that budgeted of R 1 850 000.

Loose plate collections were under budget by R 2 338.

Additional fundraising efforts and other income, together with bringing interest of R 50 552 to income, instead of

allocating to funds, have kept the variance between actual and budgeted income to a shortfall of R 55 273.

Total income for 2019 including interest was R 1 971 891 (2019: R 1 887 169)

Expenses

Expenses of R 1 965 651 (2018: R1 881 114) have been contained and overall were within budget by R 60 383.

The major fundraiser budgeted for was not held and has been carried forward to this year. R 32 400 income and

expenditure was budgeted for.

The Diocesan Assessment has again been paid in full, something many Parishes are unable to do. These costs cover Clergy

costs, Diocesan overheads, funding of under-resourced parishes and mission work of the Diocese.

3% of gross income is allocated to the Tithe Fund which is then paid out to various charities. This year R 57 640 was

transferred to the fund and this will be paid out to the Beneficiaries over the next few months.

R 44 400 was budgeted and actually transferred to the Social Responsibility Fund for the Feeding Scheme, this in addition

to the donations so generously given at weekly services.

Balance Sheet

The Balance Sheet at December 2019 reflects that the Parish remains solvent.

The Parish had a small net cash surplus of R 26 143 (2017 R 25 193) at year end.

All liabilities have been brought to account and at year end there was sufficient cash invested and in the bank to cover all

Specific funds and outstanding accounts.

BUDGET 2020

The budget for 2020 has been carefully put together and reflects a budgeted surplus of R 1087 for the year. It is an extremely

tight budget, put together knowing that we face great challenges this year to earn enough income to cover our known and

reduced expenses.

Income

The financial stability of Church of the Ascension relies entirely on contributions from its members.

The Planned Giving budget reflects a 3.0% decrease on actual Planned Giving received for 2019.

This is still more than that which has been pledged, and so we appeal to you all to support the Parish as generously as

possible in order that we achieve that which has been budgeted for.

Fundraising of an additional R 60 000 has been budgeted to further help balance the budget. It is hoped that the Parish

fete planned for May will provide these much needed funds.

No interest has been budgeted for. It will be brought to income at year end if necessary.

Expenses

All expense areas have been carefully examined and only actual known and necessary expenditure budgeted for.

Certain costs have had to be trimmed and this includes not replacing Heather Anderson, our loyal office receptionist, who

will leave us at the end of March.

Budgeted transfers to certain internal funds have been reduced as they are deemed to have enough in reserve for 2019

into 2020.

Any additional needs that come to light, and which aren’t funded out of existing reserve funds, will of necessity be funded

from specific fundraising initiatives.

Council thanks all members of Kirby Parish Hilton for your loyal and ongoing financial support of the Parish. Without it none of

the above would be possible. Deo Gratias, Sandy Benkenstein – Treasurer 7