March 2025 - E-Magazine
- The Team at Yate Parish
- Feb 21
- 10 min read
Please click below for a printable copy of the magazine:
Yate Parish Governance Review A call for Transparency, Clarity and Accountability
As many of you may be aware, Archdeacon Christopher undertook a full review of the governance of Yate Parish starting in November; he invited the views of parishioners, then submitted his report to the PCC on 10th February. The PCC accepted the review and later in this article I will outline an action plan to implement its recommendations. Please read the report in detail: there is a copy on our website and copies at the back of each church.
This review is the culmination of many years of work done by Ian Wallace, myself and Steve Lord. We have tried to clarify the governance of the parish and bring the parish within the legal requirements of charity law. We did this by proposing various parish policies such as delegated financial authority in 2021, cumulating in the PCC Handbook created in 2024.
It is fair to say that when Ian arrived much of this governance work was not in place. Many of the parish systems in place elsewhere were absent or confused. This is partly due to the unusual structure of Yate Parish. Ian embarked on setting up policies and structures in the parish, work which I joined him in later. Much of Ian's and later my time and effort was spent setting up systems rather than in mission and ministry.
This, however, is vital work as attempting mission and ministry without clear policies and decision-making processes is a fool’s errand with all work quickly becoming bogged down in meetings.
I was concerned that when the new Rector arrives, she or he would face the same issues that Ian did and find it difficult to make good decisions due to these governance issues. Also, the unclear nature of decision-making processes led to conflict and lack of accountability in the parish. Archdeacon Christopher and I felt that a review would give us the opportunity to deal with these issues in time for a new Rector to take the post.
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The main theme of the report was looking forward, highlighting good work that has already happened and setting a pathway to put things right. The report can be summarised by calling us to embrace three values: transparency, clarity and accountability
In practical terms this means knowing what is happening in the parish, with the ministry team, PCC and DCC telling the congregation what is happening and asking the congregation what they think, and finally being accountable to the congregation and the wider church for what we do.
In the spirit of transparency, the PCC agreed unanimously to publish the report in full. I ask everyone to read the report in detail: find it online or as hard copy in your church. It acknowledges the work already done by the parish to address the governance issues, particularly the delegated responsibilities 2021, the parish handbook 2024 and open nature of St Nix DCC. There are two situations which in the interests of transparency should be stated. In 9b Archdeacon Christopher states:
“However, it has been acknowledged to me that there have been occasional situations where appropriate oversight has not been observed” Here he is referring to a payment for the sound system in St Mary’s. A substantial payment was made without being authorised by the PCC or Standing Committee. Archdeacon Christopher stated that this payment, “disregarded the limits of authorised delegated spending.” In order to stop this happening again the PCC unanimously passed two resolutions:
1: That for all payments over £1000 a PCC or DCC minute, along with required faculty permissions, be attached to the payment request before it goes to finance committee for final approval.
2: That all payments over £500 need a double electronic signature to be authorised at the bank.
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It was also pointed out in 9c that the screens in St Mary’s do not have the necessary legal B-list permissions and that St Mary’s DCC should meet to decide the number and positions of the screens in the church. This discussion will happen at the next DCC meeting on 10th March. If you have any opinions on the number and positions of screens in St Mary’s please email me at hywel@yateparish.org.uk or write to me so that I can bring your thoughts to the meeting.
There are several recommendations for the PCC and DCCs to discuss. This has already begun with the decisions from the 10th February PCC noted below. Critically, in the spirit of transparency, clarity and accountability we resolved to publish the PCC minutes and a summary of decisions made.
I believe that this is an opportunity for Yate parish to address some issues which we have tried to address in the past but only in part. We are the family of God and everyone should have a voice in Church. In this article I have asked for your thoughts on our life together as a parish. This is how it should be. The Ministry Team, PCC and DCC are there to serve the people of Yate. It is essential that everyone can be heard.
In St Nix over the last two years we have opened up the DCC to the whole church. We did this by publishing the DCC agenda and asking people to add things that they are concerned about to the agenda. This has allowed us to improve the church with a new carpet, new lighting, new prayer area, new children’s area, new signage and plans for new chairs. All of these ideas among others came from the people. A similar process has begun in St James and will begin at St Mary’s and St Peter’s. A transparent church family, making clear accountable decisions. It is my hope that when the new rector arrives, she or he will find a system which allows everyone to have a voice and that Yate Parish can make Jesus visible to a town and nation that needs him.
Below is a summary of the decisions made by the PCC.
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It was decided at PCC on 10th February:
To accept the following recommendations from the Archdeacon’s governance review. The recommendations will make us compliant with Canon Law, Employment Law and best financial practice.
1 All parish employees to have their Job Descriptions and contracts reviewed by HR at the diocese.
2 All future parish employees to have their Job Descriptions and contracts reviewed by HR at the diocese.
3 All DCCs to review their development plans based on subsidiarity at their next meeting.
4 For all payments over £1000 a PCC or DCC minute, along with required faculty permissions, shall be attached to the payment request before it goes to finance committee for final approval.
5 All payments over £500 need a double electronic signature to be authorised at the bank.
6 All PCC and DCC agendas to be published in draft form at least one week before the meeting, so that congregations can add agenda items.
7 PCC and DCCs to publish minutes of each meeting no later than one month after the meeting.
8 A decisions and targets sheet to be published no later than two weeks after the meeting. This sheet summarises the decisions made, who is responsible for carrying out the work and when the work is to be completed.
9 To administer the day-to-day Mission and Ministry expenses of the Yate Parish through the PCC. Budgets to be set by the PCC to cover the mission and ministry expenses. DCCs to administer the fabric expenses of each church. This includes maintenance budgets, sacristy budgets and all money in the designated and CBF funds. Designated and CBF funds are money raised for a specific · |
purpose such as the organ and development fund at St James, the money left to St Nix, St Peter’s and St Mary’s in various legacies. The full details of this decision were delegated to the finance committee which will meet in March.
At St Mary’s DCC on 10th March: To discuss the following and report back to March 17th PCC: · Changing the locks in St Mary’s. · Reviewing the position and number of screens in St Mary’s and an application for a B list for any screens in St Mary’s. At the next meeting of all DCCs: · To discuss any current development plans under the principle of subsidiarity.
At PCC on 17th March · To discuss changes to makeup of PCC and DCCs. · To approve a Key Policy.
At June PCC · To approve polices where changes were recommended. |
What’s on at St James
March is a busy month for us when we hope to welcome many of you to our fundraising social events.
We start with a concert on Monday 3rd March with Joanne Hodge and her fellow musicians in the Avon Fire and Rescue Band. The £12 ticket price includes a light supper after the concert. It would be useful to know numbers for catering – call Michaela on 07974 0944459 – then pay on the door. Income from this event will go to our organ restoration fund.
The next day is Shrove Tuesday when we will be making pancakes in church from 6.30pm. Donations are invited for our
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general fund. The final event this month is our Lent Lunch on Saturday 22nd March from midday to 2pm, when you can enjoy a selection of delicious home-made soups, plus bread and cheese, and contribute to our chosen charity for this year, The Children’s Society. |
What is Communion Really About?
Recognising that many people in our congregations have questions about why we do certain things in church which they have never asked, this Lent Dave and Hywel will be teaching a course taking us through the communion service. We will explain what each part of the service is about and why we do certain things. Communion is a great mystery but understanding each part and how we can pray better during each section will help us in our spiritual life.
We will celebrate communion, and each week pause at a certain part to explain what is going on and why.
We are holding daytime sessions at 2pm and evening sessions at 7.30pm on Tuesdays in St Mary’s:
11th March 18th March 25th March 1st April 8th April
If you have any questions or wonder why on earth we do certain things and what they could possibly mean, then please come along. |
Sunday 2nd March Sunday next before Lent—Green Exodus 34.29-end 2 Corinthians 3.12-4.2 Luke 9.28-36 [37-43a]
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am All Age Service 6.30pm 630 Praise
St Nix 9.30am Communion
St James 11.00am Communion
St Peter 4.00pm Evening Worship (Book of Common Prayer)
Sunday 9th March 1st Sunday of Lent—Purple Deuteronomy 26.1-11 Romans 10.8b-13 Luke 4.1-13
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am Communion 6.30pm 630 Praise
St Nix 9.30am Morning Worship
St James 11.00am Morning Worship
St Peter 4.00pm Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
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Sunday 16th March 2nd Sunday of Lent—Purple Genesis 15.1-12,17-18 Philippians 3.17-4.1 Luke 13.31-end St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am Morning Worship 6.30pm 630 Praise St Nix 9.30am Communion St James 11.00am Communion St Peter 4.00pm Evening Worship (Book of Common Prayer)
Sunday 23rd March 3rd Sunday of Lent—Purple Isaiah 55.1-9 1 Corinthians 10.1-13 Luke 13.1-9 St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am Communion 6.30pm 630 Praise St Nix 9.30am Morning Worship St James 11.00am Morning Worship St Peter 4.00pm Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
Sunday 30th March 4th Sunday of Lent—Purple Mothering Sunday Exodus 2.1-10 Colossians 3.12-17 Luke 2.33-35
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am Parish Communion 6.30pm 630 Praise
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MOTHERS’ UNION YATE BRANCH MARCH 2025
At our January Meeting we held our AGM, ably chaired by Norma Felstead.
After the prayers and the business, Louisa Dent was thanked for her work as Branch Leader for the past 3 years and was presented with a Willow Angel and some yellow roses.
The other members of the committee were also thanked, especially Andrew Jefferis for organising our finances so Professionally.
In February we held our annual lunch at The Lawns, and we thank Christine Dolton for arranging this.
Now we are in March, and our Branch Meeting will be on Thursday March 20th at St. NIX Church, starting at 2pm. We look forward to being entertained by Jim Bradshaw who will be sharing his story and photos of his recent trip to Uganda with the Bristol Diocese.
We also hope to provide you with a Programme for 2025. All members, friends and visitors will be warmly welcomed to this friendly afternoon meeting.
Please note that I am now the person to contact regarding Mothers’ Union in Yate. Best wishes Jacky Fredrickson 07501670265 jackyfredrickson@gmail.com |
Readings for Morning and Evening Prayer The Table below has the readings for Morning and Evening prayer. The Facebook prayers will read the Old Testament in the morning but you can chose either reading for morning or evening. Prayerbooks are available from the Parish Office. |
Find out more
about The
Connection and Those Vicar Blokes on our website at yateparish,org
under the heading
Explore our Faith
A Weekly Group at St Nix Friday Re:fresh runs from 09:30 - 10:30 on a Friday during term-time held at St Nix.
A warm and welcoming group for adults and children (babies to school age) to spend time together chatting, playing, singing and pondering a spiritual thought of the day.
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Morning prayer in Yate Parish
Do you find prayer a little difficult? Would you like some inspiration? Go to the Yate Parish Facebook page to join in Morning Prayer led by our ministry team. You can watch live at 7.30am Monday to Saturday, or watch at any time later in the day. Many people have found it a great start to their day.
Weekly at St Mary’s
Thursday Communion at 10.00am
Compline @8pm
Before the lockdown happened, we had recorded the saying of Compline. We ask that each evening at 8pm we light a candle in our window and pray together for our nation using the words of the Compline service - it takes just over 5 minutes.
Visit the parish website and click on the recordings to listen; you will find the words of the service there too.
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