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Once again, it has been my privilege to serve the communities of South Teddington and Hampton Wick as their parish priest for the past twelve months. I thank the Churchwardens and all who have given so unstintingly of their time and talents to do the endless tasks that ensure the smooth running of all matters associated with a medium sized parish and for the tremendous support and encouragement they have continued to give to both Gareth and myself. I am sure that I can speak on behalf of everyone when I state that the tremendous promise showed by Gareth in his first year as a Licensed Lay Reader (2007) has been more than realised throughout 2008. There are 226 on the Electoral Roll.
St. Mark's
The increases in attendance recorded in previous years was more than maintained throughout 2008 with the total recorded for the year exceeding 10,000 for the first time in very many years. Numbers for weddings in 2008 were slightly down on those recorded in 2007, although the year-on-year increase in baptisms (both infant and adult ) continued apace during 2008. The Christingle service held at St. Mark's in December raised over £650 (including box holders but excluding Gift Aid), making 2008 another year when the parish gave splendid financial support to the work of The Children's Society. The Healing ministry provided within the Family Communion service on a bi-monthly basis during the year continued to be very well received. We are indebted to all who provide such splendid hospitality after the evening midweek services and at Easter time. We were delighted to present ten candidates for Confirmation to Rt Revd Dr Donald Arden in November. Once again, special mention should be made of the splendid contribution the choir made to worship during 2008 and I offer my most sincere thanks to them all. Mr Chris Birkes has been appointed as choir master and director of music and takes up his post in February, 2009. The Sunday School teachers continued, week in and week out, to provide interesting and challenging lessons for our young people. The Children's Workshop was again a success and the single morning session format will be used again in 2009.
My thanks also go to those who dedicate so much of their time to initiatives such as Come and Play, Coffee Morning and Parish Fellowship. On Palm Sunday afternoon we visited Sacred Heart Church for Stations of the Cross led by Fr. Reg and in December were delighted to welcome children and staff from St. John the Baptist School along with Fr. Reg and members of Sacred Heart to a special 'Celebration of Christmas' service at St. Mark's which was very well attended. Mention should also be made of the splendid flower arrangements in church throughout the year.
St. Mark's continues to be open during the day (Monday to Saturday) at most times of the year and my thanks go to all those who make this form of outreach possible. Unsolicited comments by visitors leave no doubt that an open church is very much appreciated by all.
Reference to the progress made on the new halls building project will be given elsewhere and there is little to add here save for my thanks for the very considerable amount of time that all members of the new hall committee have continued to give so unstintingly to this task over the past year.
Our web site: www.stmarksteddington.org.uk launched in mid-2007, has played an increasingly important part in our outreach with over 60% of all initial enquiries for occasional services being from this source in 2008. The remarkable 'hit' rate recorded in the first months of operation has been more than maintained throughout 2008.
St. John the Baptist (VA) Junior School.
The school continues to make excellent progress in every respect and my thanks go to the Headteacher and all members of staff for their dedication to task. The Vicar was re-elected Chair of Governors for 2009 and visits the school to meet the children on a regular basis, takes whole school assemblies around the major festivals during the year as well as visiting on numerous other occasions. Year groups from the school visited St. Mark's for teaching sessions throughout the year and whole school services were held on three occasions. Once again a personalised hardback version of the Rainbow Good News Bible was presented to all new pupils (Year 3) at the school. My thanks go to those members of the congregation who have given considerable help and support with school assemblies during the year. It is anticipated that the school will have both and OFSTED and Section 48 Inspections during 2009.
7th Teddington (St. Mark's) Air Scout Group.
The 7th Teddington (St. Mark's) Air Scout Group continues to use the Games Room for their weekly meetings and activities. The Scout group attended church on approximately eight occasions during the year. Our thanks go to the Group Scout Leader for all his efforts in this respect and the increasing numbers attending recorded in 2008 are tribute to his diligence and enthusiasm in this matter. We value very highly our association with the Scouts and will endeavour to ensure that this goes from strength-to-strength in the future. The group will celebrate its 75th anniversary of being founded in June 2009.
Teddington School.
We continue to have excellent relations with Teddington School which we value enormously. Year groups visited St. Mark's on eight occasions for teaching sessions led by the Vicar as part of their curriculum studies during 2008 and the year ten 'Wedding' proved to be as popular as ever and attracted considerable local press coverage. The school once again made St. Mark's the venue for their Christmas Carol Service.
Orione House
The Vicar visits Orione House in Hampton Wick on a weekly basis and takes a service of Holy Communion for the Anglican residents.
Teddington Memorial Hospital
The Vicar continued to be a member of the hospital chapel management committee and shared in the rota for Sunday worship with other church leaders in the
area.
The Complete Report
The above is an edited version of the report. To receive a complete copy in your 'inbox', please email your request to info@stmarksteddington.org.uk
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