Dictionary

Words on this page

Advent

Advent means ‘coming’ and is the special four-week period leading up to Christmas. It is a time to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’s birth but also for his coming in glory at the end of time.

Episcopal

‘Episcopal’ refers to the role or ministry of a bishop. So an episcopal church is one in which oversight is entrusted to a bishop. Like many others, the Church in Wales is an episcopal church.

Lent

Lent is the six-week period leading up to Easter. It is a particular time to confess sin and to seek personal and collective renewal (a ‘springtime of the spirit’). Lent has a special focus on Jesus’s journey to the cross and prepares the Church to celebrate his resurrection.

Prayer

Prayer sustains our human relationship with God and may involve words (formal or informal) or be silent. Prayer can involve adoration (‘I love you’), confession (‘sorry’), thanksgiving and supplication (‘please’).

Home Ministry Areas 2023 Annual Report and Accounts

2023 Annual Report and Accounts

The annual report for this year should be one for the whole Ministry Area and should be approved at your MA Annual Vestry Meeting.

It will be a hybrid of parish/benefice and Ministry Area because our structure changed mid-year.

The following is a suggested list of contents for your MA Annual Report that your MAC should consider:

a) An introduction and overview from the Ministry Area Leader

b) A list of all the Clergy, Officers and Trustees of the Ministry Area and those who serve on the Ministry Area Council

c) A list of members of the MA who represent the Ministry Area at Standing Committee and Diocesan Conference as wells as a list of those who may serve on Governing Body and as Episcopal Electors.

d) A report from the Ministry Area Ministry Team

e) A report from the Ministry Area Wardens

f) An overview of the work of the Ministry Area Council

g) A review of the Ministry Area as regarding such matters as the structure of the Ministry Area and the implementation of the Working Agreement and Mission Action Plans

h) A report from the Ministry Area Administrator, Secretary and/or Chair

i) A collated report from Mother’s Union Branches

j) A collated report from Bible study groups/prayer groups and mention of any special course undertaken for Lent/Advent.

k) A report regarding any special missional and outreach activities that are common across the whole Ministry Area e.g. LYCIG or any other initiative that is looking to build the church moving forward.

l) If there is a Designated Mission Hub within the Ministry Area then a report from them regarding the progress of bringing the hub together.

m) A report from the Ministry Area Treasurer ( if there is one in post )

n) A composite account as described in the Financial Annual Return

o) If possible, an outline budget for 2025

p) Ministry Share summary e.g. total amount allocated across the Ministry Area in 2023; amount & percentage collected; 2024 allocation

The report should be prepared and published two weeks before the date of your Annual vestry Meeting to give the members of the Ministry Area a chance to read it and ask any questions at the Annual Meeting. The method of publication should be decided by the MAC (e.g. online, in print, a combination etc.).

Please note that:

i) There is no requirement for individual churches to publish their accounts in the annual report

ii) There is no requirement for individual churches to report on the individual church activities it undertakes or the organisations within it.

iii) As we are in a hybrid year it is advisable for each church to approve its accounts through its church committee prior to approval at MAC for inclusion in the Annual Report and presentation at the AVM.

Here is a template example of the financial section of the annual report.