RB report shows work behind the scenes
From restoring medieval cathedral cloisters and ancient pilgrim pathways to creating modern community centres and providing vital IT support, these are just some of the projects the “support” arm of the church has been involved in over the past year.
You can find out all about the work of the Representative Body of the Church in Wales in its annual report which has just been published. This year the report, sent out to every parish, has been redesigned to provide a better picture of the work of the Representative Body, showing clearly its role in helping the work of the Church at a local level.
With an introduction by chairman Lord David Rowe-Beddoe, the report outlines the financial state of the Church and also highlights several schemes the RB has been involved with this year.
These include several outstanding restoration projects which the RB helped happen. Pilgrims and visitors to St Davids Cathedral, for example, can now stroll contemplatively through the cathedral’s ancient cloisters , recreated in Welsh oak. The cloisters are part of a visionary £4.5m project which has also created a new choir room and stunning refectory as well as providing retreat and educational facilities. Further up the beautiful coastline, the RB gave a grant to another famous site for pilgrims – St Hywyn’s Church, Aberdaron. The spectacularly sited “church on a beach” on the Lleyn Peninsula has been a stopping place for pilgrims journeying to Bardsey Island for centuries.
While the RB recognises the importance of preserving the church’s heritage, it is also keenly aware of its role in today’s community and of investing in the church’s future. It has supported, for example, a project to convert part of an ailing city centre church into a community centre with a drop-in/health facility for homeless people. The RB organised the lease agreement to enable the project at St Matthew’s Church, Swansea, to go ahead successfully.
Meanwhile, the RB has helped all parishes make the most of their collection plates. It organises the GWADD – Give With A Direct Debit – scheme, enabling parishes to reclaim tax on donations. This makes giving easier for members, provides parishes with a regular, tax efficient income and also reduces the workload of parish treasurers.
It is, however, the principal job of the RB to manage the financial investments of the Church. This year its investment return exceeded the benchmark for investment performance. It has beaten the relevant industry Benchmark for total returns over the last one, three, five and 10 years. Also, for the first time in seven years, the RB is back in the black and can concentrate on safeguarding future sustainability. The money will be reinvested to continue work supporting parishes, securing clergy pensions and working with dioceses to improve the quality of clergy accommodation.
The RB has achieved its targets and become more efficient this year by slimming down. Membership has been greatly reduced and the decision-making structure rationalised. This change has brought fresh energy and increased focus which will help the Church prepare for and face the challenges it meets in the years ahead.
A full, bilingual copy of the Annual Report will be sent to every parish by the beginning of September. It can also be found on the Church in Wales website at www.churchinwales.org.uk
Anna Morell, Church in Wales Press Officer