St Andrew’s ChurchGorleston “To know Jesus better and

to make Him better known”

Parish Profile

Here at St Andrew’s Gorleston, we have been praying for you for some time and trust you will come for a visit. As you read through this profile we hope you will gain a good idea about who we are and what we do. We like to describe ourselves as being an open and friendly Anglican Church which is both evangelical and gently charismatic in style. We passionately believe in our mission statement: ‘To know Jesus better, to make Him better known’ and aim to make this the central motivation for all we do.

Thank you for taking the time to consider becoming our vicar...

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Contents

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Local information 4Church History 6Our Church 7What our congregation says about our church 8St Andrew’s in numbers 9What our congregation want in a vicar 10What our children say about the new vicar 11Leadership team profile 13Our support staff and Identity 15Our pattern of worship 16Our prayer life 17Children and young people 18Life groups 19Community and social 20Links with other churches 21Strengths, challenges and opportunities 22Finance 23Facilities 24

Gorleston, or Gorleston-on-Sea as it is

sometimes known (a legacy of the railway), is

part of the borough of Great Yarmouth but

with its own and very proud sense of identity.

It is also eight miles from the Suffolk town of

Lowestoft.

Gorleston has a beautiful long sandy beach

and an increasing number of cafés and

restaurants, which has recently earned it the

title of ‘Like Southwold with a much better

beach’ (for those familiar with that attractive

Suffolk town some 20 miles away!).

Gorleston has its own riverside and pier as

well as an Edwardian theatre which hosts a

range of events throughout the year.

Within Gorleston and neighbouring Great

Yarmouth and Lowestoft, are a wide

range of shops and amenities, including

sports facilities, theatres, an award

winning arts centre, world famous

indoor circus, pubs, restaurants and

cinemas.

Within the cathedral city of

Norwich (25 miles away) there

are superb shopping malls and an

excellent regional theatre. The whole

area is steeped in historical sites

and excellent museums, with

the Black Beauty writer Anna

Sewell being born in Great

Yarmouth and Lord Nelson

having made visits to the port,

where he received the freedom

of the borough and had a monument

column built in his memory before the

similar one in London.

Premier league football can be

watched at the recently promoted

Norwich City’s Carrow Road

football ground.

As well as the delights on offer from a

seaside resort, the Norfolk Broads are

on the doorstep and the spectacular

North Norfolk coast only a short

drive away.

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LOCAL INFORMATION

Our parish has two infant, junior, primary and

high schools. East Norfolk 6th Form College,

one of the top colleges in the country, serving

students from around the region, is also just

five minutes’ walk away.

There are additional schools in the adjoining

Parish of St. Mary Magdalene and St. Mary’s

Southtown, an area which also has Great

Yarmouth College. The

University of East Anglia

is in Norwich, which

also has a medical and

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nursing school linked to the James Paget

University Hospital in Gorleston.

Tourism still plays an important role in the

employment opportunities for our parish,

together with the hospital and the offshore

industry. Despite this, unemployment can be

as seasonally high as 15%. However, with the

recent construction of the Outer Harbour

in Great Yarmouth it is

hoped that much needed

regeneration will be brought

to the region.

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There is no doubt that a Church has stood on the little green eminence above the

High Street and the harbour of Gorleston for over 1,000 years, and it may well be

that St. Felix, Bishop of Dunwich, erected a small wooden Church here in the 7th

Century.

There are, however, rubble foundations left below the pillars of the present

building which are the only remains of the Church that existed in the 10th Century.

The present Church is the product of three medieval centuries of building, (the

13th, 14th and 15th) and the flint tower, with its 127 steps climbing to a height of 90

feet, was begun soon after the reign of Henry II. The base of the tower, with a fine

arch opening to the nave, is 13th Century and the rest of it dates from the 15th

Century. In both ancient and modern times it has served as a watch tower and is

still a good landmark for ships entering the harbour.

Some 60 years ago the tower was restored as a memorial to Gorleston

Lifeboatmen who lost their lives at sea.

The great arcades running the length of the Church are chiefly 14th Century

and it may be noticed that the capital from which the north arch of the Chancel

springs is carved with oak leaves and acorns - the only one so treated in the

Church.

The Church fell into a very bad state in the early part of the 19th Century, but in

1872 a complete restoration was undertaken. The thatch on the roof was replaced

by tiles.

The north wall of the Church was entirely rebuilt as was the South Porch. Some

years later the Norman Altar stone was discovered beneath the sanctuary and

restored to its original position.

CHURCH HISTORY

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n Worship in Spirit and in Truth, enabling an encounter with the Living God for everyone.

n Strengthen personal faith, stimulated and supported by Biblical understanding.

n Deepen fellowship and unity one with another.

n Connect with all in our varied community, through worship that is relevant, spiritually inspiring and flexible.

n Reach out with the love of Christ to those who are lost without him.

n Encourage people to develop their spiritual gifts.

PAINTING: HELEN POINTER

OUR VISION

OUR MISSION

”“ To know Jesus better and to make Him better known

OUR CHURCH

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HOW OUR CONGREGATION DESCRIBES OUR CHURCH

HomeLoving

Mo

der

n

Trad

ition

al

Living

Comprehensive Servant-likeS

pecialWelcoming

Friendly

Awesome DiverseDeveloping

SupportiveHappy

Promising

Visionary

Poten

tial

Expectant

Caring

Stra

tegi

c

THEY SAID. . .

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182

people

20PCCmembersincludingex officio

14weddingsin 2014

30funerals in the church in 2014

168aver

age

Sunday attendance

9915baptisms in 2014

5 confirmationsin 2015

77funerals at thecrematoriumin 2014

the age of ouroldest member

on the electoral role

ST ANDREW’S IN NUMBERS

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We asked our congregation . . .

OUR VICAR

What do we want our vicar to be like?n A Bible-believer with an abiding love for God.

n Charismatic and visionary.

n Pastoral.

n A strong leader who can inspire and manage

change.

n A good communicator.

n Have inclusive leadership skills.

n Have a heart for Mission.

n Be a good listener.

n Have the ability to unify the Church.

n Have the ability to take on different forms of

worship.

n Willingness to develop new ideas eg fresh

expressions.

n Approachable.

What can we offer our new vicar?n Prayer and support from an active Ministry Team.

n Administrative support from church secretary and

administrator.

n A warm and friendly congregation, keen to

participate.

n Exciting opportunities for development and growth.

n Creative individuals with enthusiasm and vision,

eager for leadership.

n A beautiful refurbished church building.

n Plans underway to improve our Chapter House.

n Church finances that are well-managed and

secure.

n A spacious modern Vicarage, near to the church.

n An active sea-side town, rich in potential for

mission.

n A varied group of Christians, excited about their

faith and the future of our church.

OUR VICAR

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I would like our new vicar to . . . ...include lots of children.

...besupportive.

...support Norwich City.

...have a partner who’ll help at

Sunday School (HOJ - Hooked

on Jesus).

...be caring, kind and

funny.

...have a senseof humour.

...be a she.

...be child-friendly and supply

biscuits.

...be a family man with children.

...be able to sing & read

stories.

VIEWS FROM OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

The views reflected in the children’s comments do not necessarily reflect the priorities of the parish reps, for example, we would be willing to consider someone who does not support Norwich City.

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I would like our new vicar to . . .

...be omnibenevolent.

...make Youth Group for everyone so I

can ask my friends to come.

...have good ideas for

Sunday School (HOJ).

...enjoy messy church.

...like food and music and be good at

decorating the HOJ room.

...be supportive of both the church and

young people’s groups.

...come to Youth Group, Messy Church, Cafe Church as an

essential.

VIEWS FROM OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

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LEADERSHIP TEAM PROFILE

Mike Cassidy

My family and I have

worshipped at St Andrew’s

since 1983. I was confirmed

in 1985, and have grown in

faith ever since then.

I have served as a church warden since

2007. I have been an authorised worship

assistant since 2013. I aim to apply myself

with prayer and dilligence to the post and

to act carefully in co-operation with the

ministry team and with the PCC. I try to

weigh up all matters in a balanced manner.

Above all I ensure that I am guided by

Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the

unswerving belief in their working in

perfect harmony.

I have been priviledged to

serve St Andrew’s as church

warden for many years with

special repsonsibility for the

buildings.

I have been on the leadership team most

of that time. I am married to Ann and we

have two married sons and four

grandchildren.

We have been foster parents for more

than 20 years, mainly for teenagers.

My spare time is spent gardening, watching

sport, mainly football, listening to modern

Jazz and classical music. My favourite

programme is News-night.

Brian Humphrey

I’ve been a member of

St Andrew’s with my wife Jill for

about 30 years but after

retiring as a technical manager

in food production I felt the call to priestly

ministry in my late 50s and have served as

an ordained local minister for the past

decade, more recently under the bishops

PTO scheme.

I love to see people released into their

gifting and am particularly involved in

developing healing prayer ministry. I also

enjoy maintaining good relationships and

working and praying together with other

churches in our community.

Dan Waite

I lead the Cliff Park Community

Church in South Gorleston

which was set up as a

partnership by St Andrew’s

and Gorleston Baptist Church

in December 1999.

It has a congregation of more than 100

and a range of children and young

people’s work. I’m a former senior London

advertising manager who was converted

through the work of Holy Trinity Brompton

and the Alpha course.

I was a curate in Ipswich before moving

to Gorleston in September 1993.

I’m married to Sarah who runs the CPCC

pastoral care team and we have three

teenage children. I assist at St Andrew’s.

Mike Simm

I retired to Gorleston with my

wife Caroline in July 2013 after

31 years in full-time parish

ministry.

We have enormously appreciated being

part of the St. Andrew’s family and being

involved in its life and ministry.

I also lead worship and preach in other

churches in the area.

John Kinchin-Smith

Hi, I am Beverly Brown and I

have worshipped at St Andrew’s

for the last 15 years or so.

I have always loved the local area and am

married with three grown up daughters.

I would love to see St Andrew’s as the ‘hub’

of our community.

What I particularly love about our church is

the variety of worship styles and the

diversity of the folk that worship there. I am

on the PCC and ministry team and help out

with Messy Church and Cafe Church.

Beverley Brown

(Ministry Support)

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LEADERSHIP TEAM PROFILE

A Christian for many years, I

retired from work in building

control in 2007.

I was preaching and in church

leadership since the 1970s Becoming an

Anglican in 1986, I was licenced as a Lay

minister in 1995.

My wife and I rejoined St Andrew’s at

Easter 2014 and since then was asked

onto the ministry team.

I am in the worship band and also involved

with Cafe Church, leading singing and

sometimes taking part in drama.

The cakes are really good. I am also part

of the prayer ministry team.

Melvyn Reid

I have been licensed as a Lay

Minister for just over 25 years.

My ministry includes leading

services and preaching, but

my main area of service has been working

with the bereaved and conducting funeral

services.

I am also a Chaplin at our local hospital,

which involves visiting patients and

conducting services.

My hobbies are knitting, music (I play in a

local brass band), doing puzzles and

spending time with my family.

Pat KaneHi, I am Wendy, God’s servant

and a Lay Minister for 17 years.

I’m married to Brian who plays

in the worship band.

I have a heart for mission and evangelism

and a passion for preaching. I am actively

involved with many areas of church life.

My husband and I are voluntary youth

workers with identity and volunteers with

YMCA.

A large part of my ministry is taking funerals

and I am a Chaplin at the local hospital.

I love contemporary Christian worship

music, art and craft making, gardening,

walking and living by the seaside.

Wendy Bircham

After retiring from full-time

employment I have just

completed my training as a

Lay Minister.

I am also a musician who loves to lead

worship, play keyboard and sing.

I am trained on Christian counselling and

pastoral care as well as being part of the

prayer ministry team.

I am married to Robin who supports the

band by manning the PA.

Mary IvesI am passionately committed to

growing the church through

outreach to young families.

A retired primary headteacher,

I joined St Andrew’s two years ago and was

commissioned as AWA in September 2014,

having completed Worship4Today

leadership training in the Diocese of

Winchester in 2013.

I have a particular interest in developing

all-age worship, especially Messy Church

and Café Church where I lead worship on a

regular basis. I am married to Jem Bowden

(Church Treasurer), and between us we

have 6 grown-up children and 8

grandchildren. Life is never dull!

Janet Bowden (AWA)

I am married to Stephen. I was

appointed as an authorised

worship assistant in May 2015

with a remit of leading ad hoc

services, for example Taize.

I also lead worship at the 11am

service as part of the worship band.

I have a deep interest in all types and

styles of worship.

I am interested in gardening, swimming and

anything to do with Doctor Who.

Stephanie Gostick (AWA)

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Identity Youth Project was set up in 2012, and grew from the East Norfolk Youth for Christ Unite Project.

The aim was to establish an independent youth ministry for Gorleston and this was achieved with the close partnership of four churches – St Andrew’s, Cliff Park Community, St Mary Magdalene and Magdalene Way Methodist – together with a representative group of trustees.

The scheme is supported financially by the churches, individuals and other sources.

Mark Crawford started working for identity in June 2014. He is supported by an intern, Suzanne Coldham, who began work in September.

Through all the activities the aim is to provide a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere where young people can come as they are, and discover the life transforming power of God. The desire is to make Jesus known and show that the Christian faith is relevant to everyone, everywhere.

There are a number of weekly, bi-weekly and monthly activities and groups for young people. Two of these are currently based at St Andrew’s. Fusion is a young people’s group for those aged between 10 and 14 years old. The House is a drop-in specifically for the nearby East Norfolk Sixth Form college students. There is also outreach work to the skateboard park near the church.

Other possibilities are opening up, including working with young people in local junior and high schools, giving them training in budgeting and financial awareness using Christians against poverty schemes.

Mark has served in a number of full-time youth ministry roles since 2003.Alongside his role in Gorleston, he works freelance as a mentor andstudent worker, supporting young Christians as they journey with Jesusthrough school, college and university. He attends St Andrew’s and is one of the team of preachers.

MARK CRAWFORDIdentity

Jeff Leak is the administrator and Diane Ward is secretary andthey staff the church office Monday – Friday, 9am-1pm.

Their role is:n Responding to general public/church members enquiries/bookings for church/chapter house/ordering stock. n Preparatory administration for ministry team including preparation of service sheets/easy worship/correspondence/weekly notice sheets/preparation for Baptisms.n Liaising with the treasurer and church wardens in relation to financial, diocesan and parish matters.n Preparation of Messy Church/contribution towards church magazine/monthly e-news.n Completing the annual PCC and statistical returns.

DIANE WARD & JEFF LEAKOffice Support Staff

TONY JAYEOrganist & ChoirmasterHi my name is Tony, I’m the organist and choirmaster of St. Andrews.I am married to Rita, and have two sons Matthew and Andrew, and one grandson Jacob.I have served as an organist and choirmaster since 1966, and joined St.Andrew’s in 1997. I became a Christian in 1965.My responsibility is to provide the music for the 9-15 Sunday service, and I consider that the duty of the organist and the choir is to work with the leadership in the proclamation of the gospel within the Church and Parish.

IDENTITY AND SUPPORT STAFF

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8am Holy Communion This is a traditional spoken BCP service. The average attendance is 17 aged 50+.

9.15am Common Worship Communion/ Morning Prayer Accompanied by a traditional choir and organ, this service is formal in style. The liturgy used is based on Common Worship. Every first Sunday of the month there is Holy Communion. Average attendance of 86, in the 50+ age bracket.

11am Informal Worship Catering for all ages, the 11am service offers a wide range of styles. This includes a monthly Café Church, an Informal Communion or a Morning Praise service in the Church. This service aims to attract both young and old, and is particularly good for introducing new families into church life. These services have a more contemporary feel and our band leads the sung worship. The average attendance is 65, aged 20+ and includes some children.

Café ChurchHeld in the Chapter House on the first Sunday of the month. Average attendance is 65 including a number of children. This service is more informal with people sitting around tables enjoying activities, drinks and tasty bites to eat.

10.15am Special Services Throughout the year we have several ‘All Age’ special services to celebrate key events in the church calendar. Congregations from the 9.15am and the 11am services come together to worship as one community.

Midweek Communion Every Thursday at 10.30am there is a Common Worship Communion service.Average attendance is 16, aged 65+.

Messy Church Second Wednesday of each month at 4.30pm. Families come to experience a mixture of worship, craft activities and food. This is well attended by families who often do not come on Sundays and gives them the opportunity to enjoy a simple meal together and engage in Christian community.

There is a varied pattern of worship at St Andrew’s Church. This is led by a team of Clergy, Lay Ministers and Authorised Worship Assistants. These are supported by members of the congregation who lead intercessions and read the Bible.

OUR WORSHIP

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PRAYERPrayer is a central part of the life of our church.

n The ministry team meet to pray on Saturdays for Sunday services.

n The prayer ministry team, easily identifiable by the green badges they wear, are available to pray with people at each service.

n Members of the prayer ministry team are also available during open church.

n A confidential prayer chain offers support of those in need.

n Small groups (life group) meeting at varied times during the week, support each other in prayer.

n The prayer diary in the parish news encourages individual prayer.

OPEN CHURCHWe have recently started to open our doors on a Tuesday afternoon between 2-4pm to welcome people into the church.

They come for a variety of reasons; maybe they need someone to talk to or pray with. They may just like to look around or spend some time with God on their own.

There is a team of people committed to this ministry offering help and support. It goes without saying they are all good when it comes to making tea and coffee! We potentially see this developing and expanding into a pastoral ministry to the people in the town and visitors to the area.

We recognise that ourprayer life, like our

relationship with Godis continually beingtransformed by him. ”

“

PRAYERS & OPEN CHURCH

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CHILDREN’S AND ALL-AGE WORSHIPMessy church takes place on the second Wednesday of each month from 4.30-6.30pm. It offers the opportunity for families to worship, play and eat together.

Cafe church takes place on the first Sunday of each month in the Chapter House, from 11am-12pm.

Hooked on Jesus (name chosen by young people) this small group meets on the second, third and fourth Sunday of the month. They learn what it means to depend on relationships with God and one another as they learn more about what it is to follow Jesus.

YOUTH WORKA full time youth worker is employed locally with the support of other churches. St. Andrew’s supports this work through a number of volunteers.

n After eights – weekly Sunday evening for those aged 14-18. They meet with young people from other churches.

n Fusion – youth group for 11-14 year olds, meeting weekly, led by Identity.

LINKS WITH SCHOOLS/COLLEGESOpen the book - volunteers are trained to go into three local primary schools and share bible stories in assemblies. We currently reach more than 500 children.

n Children from local schools visit the church throughout the year for special events such as harvest and Christmas. The church is a rich resource for curricular activities too.

n ENSFC drop in, known as ‘The House’, is a new initiative to engage with students fromthe local sixth form college.

n Schools are open and willing to further engage with us.

ST ANDREWS TOTSn Meets Monday mornings during term time.

n Attended by a mix of church families and those who do not attend regularly, but may attend ‘special services’.

n Offers parents a chance to relax with friends whilst children can play and learn together.

n Children play, listen to stories and make music.

n Run by two enthusiastic volunteers who are committed to providing a listening ear and a relaxing atmosphere, as well as refreshments!

CHILDREN & FAMILIES WORK

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Life groups, replacing traditional housegroups, meet on a weekly basis. Sometimes ongoing, but often for short periods (i.e. six-week blocks), they fall into three categories – spiritual, practical and physical, and may vary from term to term.Currently 11 groups meet at different times during the week, for example:

Prayer shawl group Has been meeting for more than 18 months during which time

53 shawls have been finished and given away as a symbol of God’s love.

Walking group Exploring the wonders of creation in the local area.

Ladies lunch group A monthly opportunity to share fellowship in an informal way.

Bible study groups Studying books of the Bible.

Worship Band A group of people learning to worship together as they seek to lead others.

Church choir An opportunity to explore a more formal musical tradition.

Ffald-y-brenin Prayer group, learning to pray and bless the local community.

LIFE GROUPS

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COACH TRIPSOver the last two years there have been 10 coach trips to various places around Norfolk and Suffolk. The trips have been very successful and it is a really good way of getting to know other members of the congregation.

We also have some people who bring friends or a few who have heard about the trips, maybe in the magazine or on the web page, who have phoned and asked for seats. We have three ladies from memory cub who regularly join us. We use a 49-seater coach which is usually quite full.

THE FLOWER GUILDAs well as providing the church with stunning displays throughout the year, the flower guild also helps the church celebrate the festivals Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and harvest.

LADIES CLUBLadies club consists of around 20 members and meets in the church lounge every other Thursday evening. Instead of inviting speakers, most of the time they make their own entertainment depending on the seasons including quizzes, food and drink tasting and also games evenings.

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MEMORY CLUBThe Chapter House has been the home of St. Andrew’s memory club since it was founded in 2004 by Melrose Thomas. She was inspired to provide a club for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other short or long-term memory loss. Her idea was not only to create a place where they would benefit from meeting one another but would offer opportunities to stimulate memories. Mel

has sadly passed on but the volunteers still keep the spirit of the

club alive.

St. Andrew’s memory club has 12 volunteers providing support, refreshments, lunch and entertainment for around 30 members who attend every Tuesday, 10am-2pm. Transport is provided for those that need it by the Centre 81 community bus service. There are opportunities for members to engage in activities, share news

and listen to music, as well as enjoy a home cooked lunch.

Entertainers are invited to perform to the whole group. We have enjoyed performances by Lowestoft signing choir, old time musical acts and many others. We also provide the group with chair led exercises and organise trips to the theatre or out for lunch.

COMMUNITY & SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

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n A monthly Deanery Chapter with different meeting points around the area.

n A monthly interdenominational ministers meeting for breakfast and prayers.

n New Wine network with national, regional and local events.

n Joint “walks of witness” and services to celebrate Easter and Pentecost.

n Visionary outreach events where Christians across the area come together to bless our local community and to demonstrate Christ’s love for all.

Contact with other churches is maintained through...

St Andrew’s first steps towards South

Gorleston began soon after the war with a

Sunday school which ran for several years in

the outbuildings of the station hotel.

As the Cliff Park estate developed there

was always a Curate’s house there. But

it was in the 1990s when it was realised

that both Gorleston Baptist Church and St.

Andrew’s were separately feeling called to

plant a church that the two decided to work

together.

Although the minister could technically

be drawn from either denomination, the

church has been led by Anglicans, with Mike

Simm the current leader. The church has

a lively congregation of more than 100,

and the music is provided by a worship

band. Cliff Park also employs an assistant

minister, a pastoral care co-ordinator and an

administrator.

There is a strong emphasis on children and

young people’s work including a section for

special needs. Although part of the parish of

St Andrew’s church works in an increasing

partnership with St Mary Magdalene on the

nearby Magdalene Estate.

Cliff Park holds an annual carol service at the

seafront Gorleston Pavilion Theatre using a

local brass band which attracts almost 300

people.

Cliff Park Community Church

OUR LINKS

n Beautiful church building, recently refurbished.

n Large supportive ministry team.

n Stable financial situation.

n Plans in place to improve Chapter House facilities.

n Good community links.

n Many people in large congregtation involved in activities.

n Good range of worship styles.

n Variety of life groups.

n Good prayer ministry team.

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Stre

ngth

s

Cha

lleng

es

Op

po

rtun

itie

sn Attracting familes & young people.

n Lack of impact on much of the local community.

n Integrating people from different congregations.

n Developing a consolidated approach to pastoral care

n To work more closely with the local schools

n To engage with young families and teens

n All-age worship opportunities

n Develop discipleship

n Pastoral care

n Open church more frequently to meet needs

WHERE WE ARE

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IncomeSt Andrew’s believes that good stewardship and strong mission go hand in hand. It is fortunate to be in a strong financial position at the present time, although this has not always been the case. Planned giving is strong, although there is concern that it has declined in the last two years owing to several key givers moving away.

It does, however, more than cover the Parish Share. The church also benefits greatly from the generosity of its congregation in supporting important initiatives, for instance with the internal re-ordering of the Nave, which took place in 2012 and 2013. It has also been blessed to receive two large legacies, both in excess of £120,000 – one in 2012 was a crucial element in enabling the Nave work to go ahead.

Another was received earlier in 2015 and will form the core matched funding we need for the current major project, which is to greatly improve our community facilities.

St. Andrews Income 2014

Planned giving

Collections at services

All other voluntary receipts

Gift Aid recovered

Activities for generating funds

Church activities

53,128

8,550

6,400

27,730

18,087

14,762

Collections at services

Planned giving

Planned giving and collections

70,000

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

2014 2013 2012

St. Andrews Expenditure 2014

Parish share

Clergy and sta�ng costs

Church running expenses

Chapter House running costs

Church repairs & maintenance

Mission giving and donations

31,238

22,418

3,288

42,761

25,397

2,895 896

ExpenditureParish Share for 2015 stands at £41,389. This is paid for from the ordinary unrestricted income of the parish.

Other major operating costs paid from general income are the salaries of the Church Administrator and Secretary and honoraria paid to other key helpers.

These amounted to £22,418 in 2014. Church running expenses amounted to £42,761 in 2014 and are the other significant expense category funded from ordinary income. Church repairs and other major works are usually funded from restricted funds, donations and grants.

Funds The PCC aims to break even on its General Funds operations and fund special initiatives by appeals, fundraising and grants. In 2014, the net result on the General Fund was a surplus of £3,504.

Following the receipt of the legacy in early 2015, St. Andrew’s had total financial resources of £286,315 at the end of June 2015. The PCC decided to reserve £150,000 of this in a development fund to improve our community facilities.

A breakdown of the major funds is seen in the table opposite, which shows that unrestricted funds currently stand at £107,373. This puts us in a strong position both to be able to maintain our existing commitments and to take our mission forward into the future.

Fund totals - Summary 2015 At 1st April At 1st July

£ £

Children and Family Worker 15,700 14,558

Chapter House Works 10,268 11,451

Development - 150,000

Endowment 915 915

Fabric 5,102 -

Other 1,917 2,018

General Fund 143,918 107,373

177,823 286,315

FINANCIAL PROFILE

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At the start of 2000 a beacon was lit on the top of the tower as a symbol to mark the new millennium. It was around that time we felt God calling us to bring the Church into the 21st century by making the building more appealing and accessible to the wider community. We see this as an integral part of our mission to reach out into the community to make Jesus better known.

With the interior of St. Andrew’s having remained virtually unchanged since the 1870s, when it received major reconstruction and refurbishment, it was about the 1970s when the needs of congregations and the local community were beginning to change. Our times are so different from those of the Victorians that we must make the building fit for the generations to come.

We completed the reordering in 2013 and have created a flexible space that can enable us to worship God in a wider variety of ways. It includes a carpeted floor, removal of the pews to make way for high-quality, and comfortable stacking chairs which can be arranged in an arc focusing on a new enlarged semi-circle dais at the front of the nave.

We are excited by the way this has helped us serve God and open up the building to the whole community for a range of activities that were not possible in the Chapter House. We are currently in the process of upgrading our PA system and installing an AV system.

The Church has many interesting features such as the bells, which have been added to over many years, and the clock which was installed in the tower in 1977 as a memorial. The organ is of particular significance. Built in 1904 for St. John’s Lowestoft it was subsequently purchased, renovated and inaugurated at St. Andrew’s in 1979.

Our last Quinquennial Report was in 2011. The main item was to completely repair the main church roof, this we have done and is paid for.

Like any church of this age, there will always be work to do with good planning and prayer we find ways to do this.

OUR CHURCH

FACILITIES

AFTERBEFORE

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CHAPTER HOUSEThe Chapter House acts as a hub to the community of our Church. Built in 1970 it provides a large hall, meeting room, youth room, choir vestry, kitchen and toilets.

This has been ideal to develop Fresh Expressions of worship, such as Cafe Church and Messy Church. It has also provided an excellent setting for the Marriage Course and the Alpha Course.

The Chapter House also acts as a venue and focal point for many groups in the community, including the Memory Club and Over 60’s Club.

At the present time September 2015 we are about to seek Planning and Faculty consent for new and double the number of toilets, new and larger kitchen, new meeting room and refurbishment of the main church hall (Chapter House).

THE VICARAGEThe vicarage is situated five minutes’ walk away from the church. It offers spacious accommodation including four double bedrooms, a family bathroom and another separate shower and toilet facility upstairs.

Downstairs there is a large dining room, lounge and conservatory as well as a kitchen, utility area, downstairs toilet and cloakroom.

Also downstairs there is a separate entrance which leads to a large office and study area which also has its own cloakroom toilet.

There is a large double garage as well as off-road parking for two cars. The vicarage also benefits from having a large front and rear garden.

FACILITIES

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CHAPTER HOUSE PLANS

CONTACT US

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St Andrew’s ChurchChurch OfficeChurch RoadGorleston-on-SeaGreat YarmouthNorfolkNR31 6LS

01493 656078

www.standrewsgorleston.org.uk

st.andrewschurchpcc@btinternet.com

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www.dioceseofnorwich.org

“To know Jesus better and to make Him better known”