1. Thank you
A huge “Thank you” to my Staff colleagues and the enormous army of people that makes St Mary’s church operate so efficiently. Last year I counted up more than a hundred people – and I still managed to miss out the Outlook distributors! Some of our church members are in up-front positions – doing tasks that everyone can see – and regularly get thanked. The vast majority of people, however, work quietly behind the scenes – they’re not seen working, but the product of their work is clearly seen. You’ll forgive me if I don’t mention anyone by name, but I gladly acknowledge the work done by everyone and thank you and them most warmly. I suspect everyone here this evening is a member of the St Mary’s army – so, please take this as a thank you to you.

2. 2005-06
A year ago I mentioned that we were looking forward to a number of very significant events:-

• Mark James’ Ordination as Deacon at the Cathedral and his work here in the parish. I’m delighted that he has settled here so very well and is making his mark in the life of Dunmow and Barnston. And, indeed, I’m delighted that his Ordination as Priest will be held here at St Mary’s at 10.30am on the 25th June.
• The Opening of Rosemary’s Quiet Garden and the Week of Guided Prayer – both events were highly successful and a major asset to the work of our church and in the lives of the participants.
• The Puppet Theatre at the Dunmow Carnival. An important step in presenting episodes from the Bible at a venue outside our church environment.
• The use of the Alpha Course for people seeking to clarify what they think about the Faith. Mark and Sue Goodman have now led two of these 10-week Courses, and the participants are moving on in their Faith in different ways.
• The appointment, at some time in the near future, of a Youth Worker to work in the benefices of Felsted, Dunmow and Stebbing. In fact, Emma Jarrett was appointed in the summer, and began work on the 1st September. The impact of her work in the churches and the Helena Romanes School community should soon be evident to all.

These were additions to the regular round of worship and prayer; teaching and study; pastoral visits and the Occasional Offices; building maintenance and strategic planning; publicity and administration. Overall, the year has been pretty good – not perfect, but pretty good.

As we have already heard this evening, one major concern that we carry forward into the coming year is the matter of the state of our General Account finances. Substantial annual deficits will very soon depreciate our reserves to zero – we will then be in real trouble. Something needs to be done. Indeed, steps are beginning to be put in place to begin this work. So far these steps include:-

• On the Expenditure side: The Finance Committee is beginning to carry out a thorough review of our general church expenditure.
• On the Income side: On the 4th February Mark, Gerald, Bill and I attended a Stewardship Conference organised by the Bishop of Colchester. The clear message of the Conference was “If all God’s people were to respond as generously to God as he has generously poured out his riches on us, then the church will be embarrassed by the amount of money it has to deal with.” Here at Dunmow, following the Conference, we have yet to begin to examine how this principle might be put into practice. We’ve heard what can be done – we need now to see how to do it!
• Plans are being laid for some social events that will be fun and enjoyable – and profitable too. We should be in a position very shortly to make an announcement of the first of these.

3. 2006-07
I ended last year’s Vicar’s Report with a huge question. I was wondering what God had in store for us. Why should these extra people, skills and opportunities be on our doorstep at this time? What was it that God was preparing us for?

Well, looking into this coming year, there are two significant items on our church agenda:-

a. Improvement of our Church Hall facilities
Some months ago David Wolfe initiated a discussion at the Finance Committee about our church hall facilities. He is convinced that, if we were minded to do so, we could apply for Planning Permission to change the use of SMR into a semi-residential property, and then have a very saleable building. The funds so realised (potentially £125,000 - £200,000) would enable the church to consider options for an alternative form of church hall provision that would be safer, bigger and better for the work and ministry of St Mary’s Church, and to be available for external hire to augment the church income.

The PCC Finance Committee, and then the PCC itself, considered the options, which boiled down to:-

• Do nothing: Unless there is enthusiasm for this Project it would be better to leave well alone
• Build a new church hall by St Mary’s Centre and enlarge the car park: cost about £330,000
• Build a new hall next to SMC and retain SMR for the Nursery’s use? no offsetting income

After further discussion, and consultation with the Town Strategy Group and others, the PCC widened its thinking to the possible development of a Community Centre (in the Woodland Park area of town) in which the churches would be stakeholders and user groups. Not wanting to proceed faster than the people of the church, the PCC asked that I pass on this information at this Annual Church Meeting, and to seek reactions and responses.

Such a project, either on our land or Developer’s land, will be enormous – demanding much prayer, time, energy, and fundraising. If we are committed to the vision, the rest will fall into place.

b. The WALK RODING Mission
From September 30th to October 8th about 30 volunteers within the Through Faith Missions network, under the leadership of the Rev. Daniel Cozens, will be based here in Great Dunmow and Barnston. (This is part of a much greater evangelistic event covering a 10-mile wide corridor between Great Dunmow and Woodford Wells over the two weeks – September 30th – October 15th). They will be working alongside the local churches to tell people about Jesus Christ.

The Team are coming to do what we want them to do. We set the agenda. We make the opportunities and open doors. We plan, prepare and pray … and look forward to what God is going to do with us, and through us. The possibilities are very exciting – and also a little daunting! Here are some of the things already being planned:-

• Songs of Praise in the Residential Homes in town.
• School Assemblies and Classroom work in our town’s three schools.
• Neighbourhood barbeques, meals, coffee mornings, where church members invite their neighbours into their homes to meet some Team members for a gentle conversation about Faith.
• The Team members’ participation in Sunday Services and midweek discussions.
• Daniel Cozen’s Night of Colour at New Street URC.
• and there’s more ….!

The local planning group, to which all the churches are invited to be represented, are busy at work and the plan for the week’s programme is taking shape nicely. We now pray for God’s guidance and blessing, that everything that we do may bring glory to him.

With all this going on, church life is going to be pretty busy, and very exciting. I am still wondering what God has in store for us!