A MESSAGE OF FAREWELL
FROM CAPTAIN PETER GREEN (CA) ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM PAROCHIAL MINISTRY AT THE END OF MAY

We (Peter and Judith) write this message to all our friends at St Peter's, St Margaret's and the Church in Rodley with a sense of sadness in leaving, but also in many ways a great sense of satisfaction as to the work we came here to do and to which we believe God called us in the first place. During our 8 years here in Bramley we have been struck by the fact that those who we seek to minister to have far more to teach the Church than we have to them. As we reflect on the past 8 years, a Sot has happened in that time that we can give thanks to God for, and for the Church's steadfast presence in the community, which doesn't happen overnight There are so many people, both in the Church and outside in the wider community, who are too many to mention, who we would want to say thank you to for your partnerships in so many different ways.

In any piece of work I (Peter) have found myself involved in, I have always tried to speak up and out on issues of justice, truth and fair play for those less fortunate than ourselves. I believe that through this the Church has been instrumental in some improvement in the lives of ordinary folk and their community, and to create a platform for others to do the same. (Jesus said to them "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's". Mark 1 2 v 1 7).

If there was a clear definition to sum up the work the Church has been doing, it would be a piece from the Gulbenkian Report that defines community work as being "essentially about the inter-relations between people and social change; how to help people and the service providers to bring about a more comfortable 'fit' between themselves and constant change; how to survive and grow as persons in response to others".

We know that you will continue to give lan and Julie your continued support as you seek always to be the people of God here in Bramley, and to invite others to be a part of that too.

Parish Halls

October 2007 will most certainly be a month to remember for those associated with the organisation of our parish halls. First was the problem of accommodating all the groups affected by the temporary closure of Trinity Methodist Church, and second was the major upgrading of St Peter's Lower HalL Following discussions and time-juggling with the new intake of hall users from Trinity, we managed to fit almost everyone in, and in addition our regular bookings for Scouts, Brownies, Karate, Dog Training and Siimmers, we now have Irish Dancers, Rainbows, Art Classes, Weight Watchers and several Trinity Church groups. 

The upgrading of St Peter's Lower Hall, which was financed by the Parish Social Club, has resulted in a significant increase in bookings. Children's parties, community events, socials, police surgeries, sales, christening parties, and corporate events run alongside our regular bookings, bringing in some welcome additional income.

All this activity does not come without its problems. A strict booking system for absolutely everything that takes place at both St Peter's and St Margaret's is necessary to stop it all falling apart, and always ongoing are the tasks of cleaning, repairs, security, access, invoicing and heating, amongst others, required to make it all work. 

Our grateful thanks go to all who contribute to the smooth operation of our parish halls, for it is entirely due to their efforts that our system works so well.

David Cox, Chairman, Buildings Committee

SAVE OUR STEEPLE

The 'Save Our Steeple' campaign was officially launched on 20th January 2007 by Archdeacon Peter Burrows, with an accompanying ringing of the newly refurbished bells, a mini Fayre and displays by ourselves and by Brarnley History Society of churches in Bramley. The fundraising strategy includes: grant applications to Trusts that support preservation of church buildings; a local campaign for donations, publicised through our campaign leaflet and through articles in the press; and special fundraising events. 

By the end of 2007, we had raised around £23,000 towards our target of £40,000. This means we have enough to fund the repairs to the external fabric of the steeple that were identified in the survey commissioned by the PCC in 2006. Fundraising continues for additional work, including redecorating the interior, which has been badly water-damaged, and for the electrification of the clock. 

The campaign has generated some heart-warming moments. For example, in July we had a letter from a former Bramley resident, Mrs Elaine West, who had found a £1 coin in St Peter's churchyard while on a visit to Bramley. She used it to buy tomato seed and sent us £50 from the sale of the plants she raised. 

Social events were well supported. Particularly memorable was the sponsored walk, which was hugely enjoyed by all who participated on a perfect sunny day and raised a magnificent £1,200. The Working Men's Club night gave us another heart warming moment, with the donation of an appreciative poem (anonymous) together with a donation of £140, The Bramley Parish Theatre Players and the Social Club have also been strong in their support. 

Warm thanks to all who contributed, in different ways, to the fundraising to date. We still have a way to go, though!

Norah Gibson and Mlchaela Stevenson

BRAMLEY FAMILY HOLIDAYS

Bramley Family Holidays is a group made up of members from the church and the children's centre, formerly Surestart. We manage a caravan sited at Reighton Sands, near Filey. 

We have been running for four years. We offer holidays for families who need a break, eg. single-parent families, people on low incomes, and families in crisis. The caravan is also available for use by other people, eg. older people, who can go away outside the school holiday periods, and so make the most of the facility throughout the season. We are fully booked for this year's school holidays, but periods during school terms are available. 

For more details phone Bramley Family Holidays on (0113) 255 7755, and ask for Paula.

Michaela Stevenson, Chairperson

BRAMLEY PARISH SOCIAL CLUB

During the year, Bramley Parish Social Club refurbished the Lower Hal! of St Peter's, as many people had indicated they did not come to the openings on Friday evenings due to the poor state of the room. This investment has provided many extra hall bookings from groups within the community; some such as children's parties, wedding receptions and baptism parties, often making use of the bar facilities, Local tenants groups have also used us for their social events. Support for church events has seen us providing bar facilities following the St. Cecilia's Day Evensong, support for SOS events and a Family Christmas Party. We have provided bar facilities at St. Margaret's for the Bramley Parish Theatre Players Summer Show, SOS Working Men's Club night and BEA Supporters Christmas Party. 

We have been very active in providing Friday evening openings for our members, but attendance has been poor. This year we have organised and published a list of Friday events in the hope that things will improve. All the work behind the scenes - buying stock, transporting everything to St. Margaret's and back, preparing rooms and clearing up, serving behind the bar, counting money and keeping accounts - falls on the shoulders of a VERY small number of already busy people. We could do much more for our community, both in outreach and sharing the Gospel, with more support from you. 

Edward Turner

DEANERY SYNOD

Synod met four times in 2007 at different churches in the deanery. We were happy to host the meeting in January at St Peter's when a detailed interim report was received on the South of the River Project involving an audit of Youth and Children's work in the deanery. We also shared and discussed some of the different baptism policies in the deanery. At the next meeting we looked at Reader ministry and at the work of the Committee for Minority and Ethnic Anglican Concerns, particularly ways to encourage and support an inclusive church and ministry. In September we had a presentation on the work of General Synod by one of the Diocesan representatives and approved the job description for the new four-year Deanery Missioner post. At the last meeting, the work of the Oastler Centre in Leeds was introduced as the successor to the Industrial Mission and a way to link faith, the workplace and the economy. Bishop John was also present and spoke about his own spiritual journey and changes in the church. 

There was an extra meeting on an October Saturday morning when Bishop James and the Archdeacon led a session titled 'Forward Together with God' for leaders from the deanery's parishes, This encouraged us to look at the opportunities for sharing resources and using the Diocesan Toolkit for Mission. 

So, this year Synod has addressed itself to the concerns of the wider church, to learning more about our neighbouring parishes and to discerning God's mission for us together in our wedge of the city. These are themes that will run through the new three year Synod, being elected at this year's Annual Parochial Church meeting, when we will be called on to consider and vote on some of the serious issues affecting the Anglican Communion nationally and internationally and to address how to witness locally when the old patterns of resourcing individual parishes are bound to change. 

David Jorysz

MOTHERS UNION

The year began with our Annual General Meeting followed by a general discussion about the Mothers Union at St Peter's.

At our February afternoon meeting our speaker was Mr Cramm, a beekeeper (without the bees). At our February evening meeting we had a prayer meeting with Margaret and Elsie. 

At our March afternoon, Marion spoke about a parish holiday to Chistlehurst in 1971. Other speakers included a talk about "Faith and Policy within the Mothers Union", a holiday in Australia and China, and a very welcome visit from Anne Oliver. In May we entertained members from our link branch at Starbeck and members from other Branches in the Deanery.

We were very sorry to hear of the death of Mrs Nora Cook. Mrs Cook has been a popular speaker for us over the years. 

In August we held a Social Afternoon, proceeds going to Mothers Union Overseas and to the Mobile Home. Also in August we enjoyed an evening out at the "Cornmill. "

We hosted a Deanery Advent Service, when a lovely service was conducted by the Revd Julie Uptons followed by refreshments.

Our final event in 2007 was a visit to the "Halfway House" where we enjoyed an excellent lunch. 

My thanks to Joan and Ivy and all members for their continued support, and to Margaret and Susan for taking over the syllabus arrangements. 

Marion Wright, Branch Leader

MUSIC MINISTRY

We have managed to provide musicians for all the main services and special events as well as most of the baptisms during the year. This is a lot of work undertaken by a small dedicated group. We are very short of upper voices, especially as Mavis will be moving soon and Emma has Sunday School commitments. In an attempt to help solve this, a children's after-school choir began on Thursdays which has now developed into the Thursday Young People's Activity Group. 

The departure of our organist last Easter added to our difficulties and all the avenues explored to find a replacement have proved fruitless. 

The replacement of monthly Choral Evensongs with different services has produced its own challenges in both preparation and resourcing. We look forward to a time when we can use the worship songs, including those by Dave, we often sing before services in the actual worship without having to burden worshippers with sheaths of paper to rustle through. 

Edward Turner

PASTORAL CARE GROUP

The Pastoral Care Croup's main work is supporting the services held in our sheltered housing and running the monthly prayer group. The Sheltered Housing Services have now become an established area of ministry and outreach within the life of the Parish. Monthly services take place at St Peter's Court, Daisyfield Grange and Rossefield Manor. A quarterly service takes place at Wellington Gardens. The group also supports the monthly prayer group meeting on the fourth Thursday of the month. 

The Pastoral Care Group continues to meet about 6 times a year to support, plan and co-ordinate the parish's pastoral work. 

Julie Upton