From the introduction:

It is my great privilege to serve as the Vicar of St James’ Woodside and to welcome you to read the Trustees Annual Report.

2023 was a year of celebration as we hosted a number of events to mark the Septaquintaquinquecentennial Anniversary of the church. It was wonderful to celebrate 175 years of faithful witness to Jesus Christ and service to the local community at St James’, and to welcome so many friends old and new.

A fuller report of the celebrations has been prepared by the church wardens and is included later in this report.

Our purpose is to live well together under God, and to Share God’s Blessing with the people of Woodside. In 2019 the Parochial Church Council (PCC) at St James’ adopted a 5-year strategy called, Sharing God's Blessing, which is constructed around five goals and aspirations. Later in this report there is a statement of progress towards the aspirations in that strategy and the challenges we face as we come to the end of the 5-year period.

I remain grateful to the number and variety of people who contribute to the life of St James’. A fuller list is included later in this report, but I would like to offer particular thanks to PCC members for their commitment and work over the year, churchwardens, Glenda Ingham and Lynne Gillions, vice-chair, Tracey Greig, secretary, Alison Pickford, treasurer Cal Bailey and accountant Malcolm Barraclough. Particular thanks also go to our readers, Pete Gillions and Cal Bailey, to retired clergyman, Brian Lipscombe, to Jo Bailey, our Parish Safeguarding Officer and to Hannah Mason who leads our work with children.

I am also thankful for all those who pray, read, sing, bake, visit, mow, clean, and myriad other jobs at St James’ – many unseen. These are all expressions of faith in God and a desire to Share God’s Blessing with those around us.

Thank you for taking the time to read this report. I pray that you find it a faithful reflection of life at St James’ and that you will forgive any omissions, which I assure you, have been unintentional.

May mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance

Jonathan