Annual Report 2025
Objectives and Activities
The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our Church and to become part of our parish community in Kingstone. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. To facilitate this work, it is vital that we maintain the fabric of the Church. Our commitment to the wellbeing of the parish we serve, both spiritually and materially, is drawn together in our Mission Statement.
2025 has been a year which has been difficult for the Area and Kingstone in particular.
Following feed-back from the parishes on the proposed new strategy for UAP, agreed at Bishop’s Council in 2024, it was clear that it was felt by many that it is very important that the people of a parish know of a clergy member whom they can relate to and that the Stipendiary Clergy Team are more intentionally present within the parishes. This was heard and acted on. The Strategy was amended to include that the member of the Stipendiary Clergy Team who would be chairing the PCC, would be the Clergy person whom parishes related to for mission and pastoral care. They would work with that parish to develop a system of mission and ministry planning. Kingstone has had a Ministry Team for many years and, along with the PCC, looked forward with pleasure and relief to some stability with specific clergy involvement and input.
Rector, Rev. Margaret Sherwin, was to be the Stipendiary Clergy Team member responsible for Kingstone from October 2024, for a period of 3 years. After several months leave to recover major surgery, Rev. Sherwin began a 10-week phased return on 8th November 2024. She was able to chair Kingstone’s PCC meeting on 18th February where she advised that her wedding was in 4 weeks, followed by 2 weeks honeymoon. A week or two later, from Easter Sunday (20th April) she began a 3 month Sabbatical. After a pilgrimage, she would begin looking at how large teams can manage with fewer clergy and aging populations. This sounded a very useful exercise. Rev. Margaret returned to the Area on 26th July. It was then announced that she would be leaving to take up a post as Vicar of Norbury Parish Church, Stockport. Her last service in the Uttoxeter Area was on August 31st. Unfortunately, Kingstone did not feel the benefit of Rev. Margaret’s oversight during the year or the results of her study into a very pertinent subject.
Another development in 2024 was that Alex Baines joined the UAP team, to be licenced as a Reader in 2025. She was to float across the Area but was allocated to Kingstone. This initiative was very much appreciated. Having a younger person to attend Ministry Team meetings, to share fresh ideas and bring extra energy was eagerly anticipated. At the January Ministry Team meeting, it was arranged that Alex would take the Mothering Sunday Service on March 30th and after some discussion with the team, Alex planned the service, but, sadly, was unable to lead it as she fell shortly before the date and tore ligaments in her knee. The Ministry Team were able to present the service that she had planned. However, Alex was collected from her home in Stone and was able to take a very moving Good Friday service, which she had arranged and was determined to lead. Unfortunately, Alex’s recovery has been slow and complicated, so she has not been able to be involved with Kingstone Church since.
St. John the Baptist Church and Kingstone village
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Through the Year
Palm Sunday
Over Easter, in order to keep the village connected with the church, clearly visible symbols were once again, put in place at the Lych Gate. Palm Sunday was marked with Palm crosses and a bare cross standing on the porch to signify Christ’s journey through Holy Week. On Good Friday, the cross was placed there with a crown of thorns and a purple drape; this was stripped and bound with flowers during the Easter Sunday service, to be placed again, at the Lych Gate.
Easter Sunday
Achievements and Performance
Worship and Prayer
The PCC is keen to offer a range of services that the community finds both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling.
Except when the pattern has been changed for special services, each month, we have celebrated Holy Communion on the first and third Sundays, mainly led by one of the Team’s stipendiary clergy. Second Sunday services are Morning Worship, usually led by an OP (Occasional preacher, a non-stipendiary member of the Area Team, and Fourth Sundays are lay led CaféChurch (arranged by Mrs. Valerie Laflin). On any fifth Sunday, there is an Area Service.
There have been special services to celebrate the major church festivals and seasons. These included Rogation, Songs of Praise, Harvest, All Souls, Remembrance, Carol and Crib services. The WI Group Carol Service was held at Kingstone on December 3rd.
The average Sunday attendance at services was 12, if we exclude special services: 13, if we also exclude CaféChurch. The numbers at special services were encouraging, particularly during Advent, with 64 at the Carol Service on 14th December, 58 at a Christingle Service for Talbot School on 16th and 64 at the Crib Service on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. There was a congregation of 31 on Easter Day (with 29 communicants), 31 at Rogation, 40 at Harvest and 53 at All Souls.
In 2025 there has been one baptism, five funeral services held in church and one burial of ashes. There have been no marriage services
There were 45 on the Church Electoral Roll, 12 of whom are non-resident within the parish.
Mission and Evangelism
The PCC met its target of giving to missionary and agencies These included Red Cross, Christian Aid, and the Uttoxeter Youth Trust and totaled £760.
Non-perishable and tinned foods were donated to the Uttoxeter Food Bank after the Harvest Festival and the proceeds from the auction of fresh produce were donated to the Red Cross. Collection boxes for the Children’s Society were collected at the Christingle Service.
We continue to produce a monthly Parish Newsletter, which is delivered free to every house in the Parish and to other friends of the church outside it. This ensures that everyone is aware of the activities of the Church and village organizations and contains details of contact names if they wish for more information. A letter is included, written by one of the Area staff. Church services are, additionally, advertised on the noticeboards in the church porch and, on a monthly basis, in the noticeboard by the Lych Gate, which is nearer to the road and so seen by more people.
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Rogation
Our annual Rogation Service, held at a farm, took place in May at Watery Leese Farm, by kind permission of Marion and Tom Gallimore. It was a very happy occasion with a good number of the farming community present.
Kingstone Festival - June
Church open for refreshments and displays
The ‘Fellowship Group’ (previously ‘Women’s Fellowship’) is an ecumenical group, formed in 1954, which meets monthly to share friendship and grow in faith. All are welcome. Whilst originally under the leadership of the clergy member responsible for Kingstone, it has been lay-led by a member of Kingstone church since 1982.
‘Just Sing’, a group which meets in church for anyone ‘willing to sing and have fun’, was enjoyed by residents of Kingstone and other parishes up until August and is planned to return in Spring 2026..
Home cooked Lent Lunches and discussion groups were held in the Community Room on five Thursdays.
In July, the Church was part of Kingstone Festival Weekend, organizing the Grand Raffle and having the church open each day for people to enjoy the exhibition of art by the school children and displays of Art and Craft created by many villagers. Light refreshments were served by PCC members.
Our church is open on the second Saturday in September for visits from those taking part in ‘Ride and Stride’, a sponsored event in aid of the Staffordshire Historic Churches Trust. This year the church was manned and refreshments served between 10 and 4 for anyone to visit and spend time in the lovely building.
We are pleased that ‘Open the Book’ is presented in Talbot First School fortnightly by a team including Kingstone Church members. Assemblies are taken bi-weekly by Youth Worker, Jordan Lambert. Although Talbot is not a Church School, links with St John the Baptist Church had always been close and we would like to strengthen that bond.
We have been delighted to welcome the school into church for their Christingle Service, led by Rev. Joe Cant. Talbot School also participated in Jordan’s Christmas themed Activity Day.
Once again, on the last day of the Autumn Term, angels, knitted by members of church and Kingstone WI with a Christmas message attached, were strung along the school railings for each child and member of staff. Others were stung on a bench for villagers to take. This has now become a delightful tradition.
A very well-supported Christmas concert by the Rhapsody Choir was held in church on December 11th, organized by the Kingstone Community Society; again, linking the Church with the village community.
The church is floodlit over the Christmas period, to ensure that it is a clear, visible presence in the village over this special time. The LED version purchased in December 2023 is cheaper to run and more environmentally friendly.
The Carol Service was well attended (64). Lessons were all read by representatives of village organizations, making it a happy coming-together of the community, extended with the chance to stay for drinks and mince- pies.
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The Christmas Eve Crib Service is always a popular and happy occasion. It was ably led again this year by retired vicar, Rev. Marilyn Peters. The theme of ‘Surprise! It’s a baby!’ was presented to the congregation of 64, in a lively and imaginative way with much ‘audience participation’ and a costumed singing donkey!
Pastoral Care
The PCC continues to monitor Pastoral Care in the community and reports each meeting on an individual basis. Each member is responsible for an area of the parish and will welcome newcomers with a visit, a card and information on church services, village clubs, societies and activities. They will raise awareness of anyone who is lonely or unwell and who would like some care and attention from one of the Team. We regularly review our arrangements to ensure that all parts of the village are covered and volunteers are happy to continue. Hence, some adjustments were made in December.
Communion is still being taken to church members unable to get to services because of sickness or age.
‘Tea and Chat’, which started last year, is appreciated by the several older members of the community who call in to the Community Room each Monday between 2.30pm and 3.30pm for tea or coffee and a chat. The invitation to parents and carers to ‘Meet friends as you wait for the school pick-up’ has occasionally brought in one young woman and her toddler, but not been taken up by others.
Health and Safety
Taking the common cup is left to individual preference. Intinction is not allowed.
The collection plate is at the back of the church and is taken to the altar for a blessing.
There is an emergency telephone in the desk in the Vicars vestry. A prominent notice on the board at the back of the church gives information as to its whereabouts. Reception is poor inside the church and for outgoing calls it is recommended it is best used in the outside porch area where reception is effective.
The Health and Safety checking procedure through 2025 is up to date.
The PCC receives an update on H&S at each of its meetings.
After 23 years, Charles is relinquishing his responsibility for Health and Safety. Someone needs to be identified to take on this task.
All Health and Safety issues must be reported to a member of the PCC as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken.
Church Fabric/Maintenance
The Churchyard continues to be maintained at a high standard and was given a Gold award again for 2025.
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Songs of Praise - August
... including tree-planting
After a cheery sing outside on a pleasant day, a well- earned cuppa and cake was served in church.
Harvest - September
Harvest Supper
Redemption -October
Rev. Joe Cant’s Musical about St. Paul
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Grass cutting takes place each month and considerable work has been carried out on both trees and hedges. A small section of hedge at the far end of the Churchyard (adjacent to the Village Hall car park) has been laid. All debris and cuttings (a considerable amount) have beenburnt. Thank you to the team of willing helpers for demonstrating their Bonfire Skills!
The Grass Cutting contract for 2025 was combined with the requirements for the rest of the Village. Costs for the Churchyard were invoiced to the Parish Council who then asked the Church for its contribution. The Parish Council grant towards this cost is much appreciated by the Church. The contract for 2026 is to be discussed with the Parish Council.
The Church Clock has been serviced under the existing 3-year contract.
The Church Organ is due for its next service in 2026.
The church boiler received its annual service in February 2025.
Fire Equipment annual service was carried out in July 2025.
Mains Electricity (PATS Testing) was carried out in July 2025.
Lightening Conductor tested July 2024 Satisfactory. Next due 2028.
Central Heating Oil Average price paid for 500litres in 2025 was £323. Two deliveries a year.
The Environment
The PCC has committed to renewing our silver Eco Church award during 2027. A Rocha, the environment charity that operates the Eco Church scheme requires that the Church achieves least 50% of allthe available points in each of 5 categories: land, building, worship and teaching, lifestyle and community engagement. The
requirements to become Eco Church have changed and become more challenging.
We have continued the mowing schedule for the Churchyard to ensure some areas remain unmown at the appropriate time to enable seed to drop. Our native daffodils, cowslips, primroses, buttercups, bluebells, snake’s head fritillary, ox eye daisy, aconites and many other wild flowers in the churchyard ensure that our churchyard iswildlife friendly throughout the year. We have Silver Birch, Common Hawthorne, European Beech, Limes, Oak, Yew, Aucubas, Ash and Rowan.
The Church entered the 2025 Diocesan Churchyard Award scheme and were delighted to receive a Gold Award for the second time.
Reducing, reusing and recycling are important ways that we protectthe environment. The PCC has committed to not replacing our disposable plates and cups when existing stocks are used. We are also using environmentally friendly washing up liquid and liquid soap.
In the Church, we recycle our paper. Wherever possible we print double-sided and have switched to re-cycled paper.
As the Globe Foundation closed its recycling collection points for difficult to recycle plastics such as bread bags, crisp and chocolate wrappers which otherwise would have ended up in landfill, the Church now encourage all
All Souls – November
Remembrance
Rhapsody Choir - December
Church Floodlit
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villagers to take these items to the large bin in the foyer at Tesco. However, villagers are welcome to drop their used stamps and ink cartridges in the box in the Church porch, which are then used to raise money for charity.
Those on the Flower arranging rota are being encouraged to find eco–friendly ways of securing their flower displays.
The PCC have approved that wedding couples are asked to request that any confetti is made of natural materials.
The Church continues to include caring for God’s earth in our services and prayers, including communities impacted by climate change.
We are proud to be a Fairtrade Church and use Fairtrade coffee and tea after our services.
Our electricity consumption is low, but the boiler of the Church uses oil.
We have developed a plan to reduce our energy consumption by gradually replacing bulbs with LEDs as they fail. We have some solar lighting along the path and our floodlights have also been replaced with a new array, which uses considerably less energy. Our plan also aims to reduce oil consumption. We continue to use an electricity supplier that uses renewable energy.
Safeguarding
Working with the Area Coordinator, who maintains an overview of all aspects of Safeguarding across the Area churches, and our PCC Safeguarding representative, the PCC continues to ensure that church officers and those who have responsibility for vulnerable adults and children have up to date DBS clearance, safeguarding and first aid training. This year we have had no church-led children’s activities.
All members of the PCC and appointed leaders and helpers are made aware of the appropriate procedures for reporting concerns. The PCC approves, on an annual basis, the appointment of all leaders and helpers and the contents of group activities.
We continue to work with the Diocese through the Uttoxeter Area of Parishes to update our Safeguarding Policy and other relevant policies. Relevant information giving contact details of local and national support agencies for those who have, or are aware of, safeguarding issues, are
displayed inside the church, and kept up-to-date.
All those who work alone in the church are made aware of the possible dangers and are expected to follow our guidelines.
Financial Review
The main source of income is monthly planned giving, by standing orders which totaled £7,200 this year. A further £3,442 was received in open plate collections at services. Full use is made of Gift Aid and GASDS schemes (£2,675 received for 2024-2025-12 months). PCC Statutory and local fees for weddings and funerals generated an income of £3,070.
Significant fund-raising events during the year included The Kingstone Village Festival and Harvest Supper which totaled £2,596. Other donations and appeals raised £960. Investment income amounted to £688.
Christingle
Carol Service
Crib Service
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The 100 Club was renewed for 2025/26 with a monthly prize draw and had a membership of 91. It generated net receipts of £1,770. A grant from the Parish Council of £700 was received regarding the cost of churchyard maintenance, and a VAT recovery grant of £428 from the Governments Listed Places of Worship Scheme (re previous year’s maintenance expenditure)
Church expenses and running costs were £8,011. (including insurance, heat, light, water, churchyard and maintenance)
Giving to missionary and agencies totaled £760, including Red Cross, Christian Aid, and the Uttoxeter Youth Trust.
The Common Fund charge from the Diocese of £15,868 has been paid in full (to cover 0.27 clergy posts).
The surplus of expenditure over income of £1,053 has been funded by General Funds.
The performance of all funds, in the year, can be seen in detail in the Accounts and Financial Statements. The total assets at the end of the year are £23,546 (£24,599 in 2024), £15,354 in the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund and £8,210 in the Current Account.
Reserves Policy
It is the policy of the PCC to maintain a minimum balance in the unrestricted funds of £10,000 to cover emergency situations that may arise, and this is currently being met. It is our
policy to invest excess fund balances into CBF Church of England Deposit Fund.
Volunteers
We thank all those who work so hard during the year in support of the PCC to make our Church a welcoming place of worship and friendship. We include the flower arrangers, brass cleaners and church cleaners and those who join the Churchyard Tidy Up morning in March.
We are grateful to Mr. Charles Dodd and Mrs. Barbara Oakley who have shared the organist’s duties.
In particular, we mention Mrs. Siobain Mathie, who has continued in the role of Treasurer with Mr. Charles Dodd dealing with and banking any monies taken as collection in church. We also express our thanks to those members of the PCC who accept, voluntarily, the many offices and responsibilities additional to their membership of the Church Council.
Many thanks must go to Mrs. Valerie Laflin and Mrs Lynne Smith who are part of the ‘Open the Book’ team. The team visit Talbot School every two weeks.
We appreciate the work of Mrs. Janet Dale on the Ministry Team.
We record our appreciation, also, of Mr. Dean Winter and Mr. David Winter, who wind the church clock every week, Mrs. Kate Woodhead who tends the rose garden and other members of the congregation and community who contribute in many ways, including delivering the Parish Newsletter. We must, also, express our thanks to Mr. Graham Kerby, who examines our annual accounts.
There are many members and friends of the Church who help in a variety of roles and we say thank you to all of them.
Volunteers
Churchyard tidy-up
Christmas Angels
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Structure, Governance and Management
Public Benefit Statement
The Trustees of the Charity Commission’s guidelines on public benefit in ‘The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit’ and have regard to it in their administration of the Charity. The trustees believe that, by promoting the work of the Church of England in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Kingstone, it helps to promote the whole mission of the Church (pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical) more effectively in the Ecclesiastical Parish. In doing so it provides a benefit to the public by providing facilities for public worship, pastoral care and spiritual, moral and intellectual development, both for its members and for anyone who wishes to benefit from what the Church offers. By the promotion of Christian values and service by members of the Church, in and to their communities, it benefits individuals and society as a whole.
Members of the congregation are always urged to join the Electoral Roll.
The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956 and the Church Representation Rules 2017) and a Charity excepted from registration with the Charity Commission. The PCC is governed by the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure (1956) as amended and the Church Representation Rules that came into effect on 2nd January 1957 (most recently updated 2017)
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. The Council comprises the members of the Area Stipendiary Staff and other members who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting by those on the Electoral Roll.
The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance in the parish and for all financial matters. The PCC met four times during the year, including and the Annual Parochial Church meeting, with an average attendance of six, including ex-officio members. We have not been able to appoint a Churchwarden this year. Wardens duties are divided between several PCC members. Mrs. Valerie Laflin took on the office of Deanery Synod representative in July. Mrs. Ann Gallimore has represented us at Area Team Council meetings, with Mrs. Louise Taylor deputizing for her if ever necessary. We were very grateful to Mrs. Siobain Mathie for continuing in the position of Treasurer, with various weekly responsibilities being covered by other PCC members.
As well as reports from the Treasurer and Vicar, the PCC receives other reports at each meeting. These each deal with a different aspect of parish life, including Safeguarding, Maintenance, Health and Safety, Ministry Team, Eco Church, GDPR, Pastoral Care, Housekeeping, Social and Deanery Synod.
The church is fortunate to have a Ministry Team. A vicar no longer attends Ministry Team meetings. The team consisted of four members and meets regularly to discuss and plan the focus and content of special services, including arranging invitations to the All Souls Service (which are sent to those whose loved ones have had funeral services in Kingstone in the last 3 years) and discussing when members of the community be asked to read at certain special services. Three members of the team are trained to assist with the presentation of the liturgy at all services. This has not happened for some years. A member of the Ministry Team always makes contact with the OP or Clergy prior to the Sunday that they are rota-ed to Kingstone to ensure that everyone knows what is planned and of any specific requirements. During 2025, three Ministry Team members assisted with the chalice at Holy Communion services: Home Communion was taken out monthly. There have been five formal Ministry Team meetings and, in addition, regular more informal discussions. The minutes of the Ministry Team meetings are presented at each PCC meeting, reviewing previous services and explaining plans for future ones.
Church members play an active part in the Uttoxeter Area Churches Benefice. The Church supports the Staffordshire Historic Churches Trust, the annual World Day of Prayer and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
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Administrative Information
The church is situated on Church Lane, Kingstone, postcode ST14 8QJ and is part of the Uttoxeter Deanery in the Diocese of Lichfield and is, more specifically, part of the Uttoxeter Area of Parishes, which is a Team Ministry.
The correspondence address is c/o Amberley House, Stonier Drive, Kingstone, Uttoxeter, Staffs ST14 8PZ
Names of the Charity Trustees – members of the PCC – who manage the Charity.
Trustees Name
Rev Joe Cant
Office (if any)
Team Vicar, Uttoxeter Area of Parishes PCC Chair September
Dates acted, if not for the whole year
Rev. Jules Walker
Team Vicar / Acting Team Rector, Uttoxeter Area of Parishes
PCC Chair April, November
Acting Team Rector from 28thSeptember 2025
Mrs. A. Gallimore
Ministry Team member
Responsible for arranging distribution of the Parish Newsletter
Area Team Council Representative
Mr. C Dodd
Responsible for Health and Safety, and Maintenance
Weekly liaison with Treasurer
Mrs. B. Dodd
Ministry Team Member
Responsible for compiling the Parish Newsletter, Statistics for Mission and Trustees Annual Report
Mrs. P.L. Taylor
PCC Secretary
Responsible for Eco Church Children’s Advocate
PCC Lay Chair
Ministry Team Member
Deputy ATC Representative
PCC point of contact for Area Office
Safeguarding Representative (From February 2025)
Mrs P Ridout Safeguarding Representative Until February 2025
Mrs. Valerie Laflin Synod Representative
Until February 2025
Approved by the PCC on 23rd February 2026 and signed on its behalf by:.......................................................................... Rev. Joe Cant, Team Vicar