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A reflection on key aspects of parish life by the Priest-in-charge of Houghton Regis, Father Diego Galanzino. As we receive the audited parish accounts and various reports about parish activities, the Annual Meeting gives us the opportunity for looking back at 2023, and to give thanks to God for his blessings, graces, and generosity towards us. As we do this, the first thing I would like to say is a big “thank you” to our churchwardens, members of the PCC, and volunteers for all their work and contributions to the life of our community and the ministry from our churches. I am also very grateful to all our supporters and benefactors who enable the ministry of All Saints’ to continue through their generosity. 2023 – Looking back Last year saw the conclusion of our biggest restoration project to date. This started in 2016 with a grant application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The first phase of the project concluded in 2019 with the expenditure of £250,000 on the outer fabric of All Saints’, but because of monetary constraints we had to postpone some of the works. It was only last year that we were able to tackle the remaining works (a complete overhaul of the drainage system for rain and surface water) with an expenditure of approximately £35,000 raised with the financial support of Beds and Hearts Historic Churches Trust, the National Churches Trust, and the Benefact Trust. A small grant from the Diocese (£500) allowed us to purchase new pavement signs for All Saints’ and to set up a children’s area with soft toys, a colourful tent, a picnic table, and Bible story books. This has proved a welcome addition to the space. A similar grant, yet to be spent, will enable us to improve our hospitality equipment at St Thomas’. We finally reordered the sanctuary, introducing steps to the high altar and the Preston Triptych in memory of Father Colin Gay. These works were carried out entirely through the contribution of members of the congregation. 2023 has also been the year when we started to pick up signs of consistent growth since the pandemic. Our congregation is growing and growing more diverse under many respects (age, nationality, ethnic and social backgrounds). This was noticed also by Bishop Richard during his last visit to us. The details of events, services, and attendance can be found in the report of the PCC. But, I hope you can see that here we have a few points already for which to be thankful to God who is good and faithful. 2024 – How are we doing now? This meeting gives us the opportunity to make the point of our situation in 2024 and to highlight both the challenges we are facing and the projects we need to work on next. Diversity: As I have said many times before, we are the Church of England, we are here for everyone in the parish of Houghton Regis regardless of their social background, walk of life, denomination, gender, sexual orientation, etc… Indeed, our distinct Anglo-Catholic tradition should inspire us in our work of welcome: no resident of our parish is outside our spiritual care. So, I am delighted to see that, as our congregation grows numerically, we are welcoming a number of people who are not necessarily cradle Anglicans or “churched” but feel comfortable in worshipping with us and becoming part of our church family. As great as this is, I would like to sound the faintest of alarm bells so that we are not going to hinder what God is doing here… Let me take an analogy from daily life. People from wildly different backgrounds and walks of life use the same supermarket, but if you gathered all these in one place, they would not necessarily identify themselves as a community: the “Morrisons community”, for example. No; it is more likely that they would identify themselves as completely independent people who happen to use the same services because of geographical convenience or good marketing. We cannot risk All Saints’ to mirror this. So, although we are overall very good at making people welcome here, we must work also to include, connect with, befriend, encourage, and genuinely care for everyone with the aim of building up the one body that is the Church; both a community and a place where diversity is valued and respected as an integral part of our shared life in Christ. At the end of the day, it is the Lord himself who said, “my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” (Isaiah 56:7). Events for welcomers, stewards, and sidesmen will be offered later in the year to help focus our attention on this. Discipleship: We run a weekly bible study, the Gospel Reading Group, which examines the set gospel text for the coming Sunday. However, we ought to increase our discipleship and learning schedule to appeal to those who work and those outside our church community. For this we must identify suitable times and volunteers who would both help with the running of the events and by just being there as a critical number. Volunteering: As I expressed in my opening remarks, the work of the parish could not be done without the invaluable help of our volunteers. So, I would like to offer a couple of remarks about this subject. First, we should be encouraging as many people as possible to volunteer. There are a variety of things people can do, from being involved in the liturgy or the PCC, to simply keeping the church open for visitors or help with the cleaning. Secondly, I must ask current volunteers to be affirming, generous, and gracious towards one-another and towards newcomers, fostering collaboration and giving confidence to new people in coming forward. Financial Situation: Financially speaking, the Parish of Houghton Regis, is not in a good place. You may have noticed that the projects listed earlier rarely mention actual expenditure from our part. This is because we can only afford the essentials. The current accounts for All Saints’ and for St Thomas’ are not worth mentioning here (details are presented in the audited accounts) because they work hand to mouth. Indeed, this year Kirsty has had to borrow money from the restoration fund to make ends meet and honour our monthly financial commitments. Our reserves are very small. All Saints’ has between £8,000 and £10,000 to its name in the Restoration Account (that is pending VAT returns); we have just under £12,000 in investments (CCLA) from the old Christ Church funds which can only be spent for the reordering of the church (that is, to enhance the liturgical space. For example, relocating the font); and St Thomas’ has about £14,000 in investments (CCLA) kept for its own fabric, which is also ageing. The main financial pressures for our parish are twofold. First, we have our contribution towards Common Fund (or Parish Share) to the Diocese of St Albans. This Fund enables essential support for parishes (for example, Safeguarding support and training) and ministry in the wider Church, paying and housing stipendiary clergy, training of priests and lay ministers, and (crucially for us) supporting less well-off parishes. There are two conflicting arguments on how much our parish should be paying. On one hand, the current demand is too much of an ask for an area marked by high levels of deprivation. On the other hand, a parish of this size should be contributing in the region of £60,00 to £80,000 per year. The diocesan demand to us is currently in the region of £50,000 per year, but perhaps we could bear in mind a target of £65,000. However that may be, in 2023 we paid £19,400 and this year £4,500 to date. Consequently, each year we gain fresh arrears and, although these are not enforceable like debts because the Parish Share is a contribution not a tax, we are technically in the red with the Diocese of well over £100,000. The second financial pressure is represented by utility bills and insurance. In 2023 we paid £16,023.49 between gas and electricity (about £12,000 of which were on All Saints’), and about £6,000 in insurance. In the year to date, we have paid £5,882.54 (about £4,000 of which were on All Saints’). As you can see, the combined amount of these bills for 2023 is more than our Common Fund contribution. Let me reassure you that we are very careful stewards of the donations we receive from people. We are making savings in every possible area, people entitled to the refund of expenses are not submitting claims, we are only buying flowers for three or four times a year, and a number of volunteers are consistently purchasing consumables (for the liturgy, coffee mornings, and the office) willingly out of their own pockets. I have encountered serious misgivings about our finances. Many people believe that we have lots of money. This was not helped by the development of Linmere, which was advertised as “Brought to you by the Diocese of St Albans” and other two companies. Yes, there was a sizeable amount glebe land in the parish, once used to provide a living for the Vicar, but this was transferred to the Diocese by law decades ago. The glebe now generates an income for the Diocese as a whole and not for the parish. Similarly, the Diocese made over £600,000 in the sale of the Vicarage and only a small part of these funds has been used to update and refurbish the Clergy House (and only after cashing in seven years of rent anyway). None of this money benefits the Parish of Houghton Regis. Although what is happening here is also happening in countless other parishes across England, I feel and completely understand the frustration of parishioners with this situation. A parish which only fifteen years ago had two priests, two houses for them, two retired clergy, and 20,000 people, is now left with higher bills, one priest, one house, no assets, and a forecasted population of 35,000 which we must reach out and minister to (creatively, as they say). With what resources? Linmere: This leads me to talk about the new expansions of our town. For years the Diocese and the PCC have been in a deadlock about the way forward in bringing a Christian presence to Linmere. Fundamentally, the disagreement is about resourcing. Why is the Diocese prepared to resource something from scratch, but not to equip the existing parish for the work of ministry – even though it is making substantial gains from glebe land and sale of the vicarage (see above)? But there have been other questions too, especially concerning the future relationship between the Parish of Houghton Regis and a New Worshipping Community. Would this project be wholly independent from All Saints’? Would it endorse a markedly different tradition? Last year the PCC met with Bishop Richard and two other Diocesan officers for a meeting on this subject which turned out to be very frustrating for all parties involved. Indeed, PCC members quickly understood that all the options on the table had been precluded to them apart from the one favoured by the Diocese. However, out of this frustration and a frank exchange of opinions came something new… maybe. I have recently met with the Director of Mission for the Diocese and the Deputy to work on a revised plan which would see the Parish of Houghton Regis and a New Worshipping Community working “in understanding” with one another and valuing each other’s charisms. I understand that parishioners want to see a fail-safe or an independent mediation mechanism to be introduced in this agreement, should relationship between the two community or with the Diocese deteriorate. The Diocese would purchase a property on Linmere and employ a pioneer minister (probably a lay minister) to start the New Worshipping Community. This plan has similarities with what happened on Parkside in the 70s which then led to the construction of St Thomas’. However, the clear difference is that the new project would necessarily be non-sacramental in its focus, leading to question who would be responsible for the pastoral offices (Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals) on the new estate? And what emphasis (or lack thereof) would there be on the celebration of the Eucharist and the sacraments? And as part of this, the Diocese would help the PCC in securing a grant from the Church Commissioners for a suitable three-year mission project identified by the parish. This is great news, but “help in securing a grant” from a third party is not the same as “the parish would receive a grant” as we know all too well from our restoration projects. There are also open questions about the sustainability of such a Community, its worshipping space, and what sense of belonging it would be able to instil. There are very few local examples where this type of initiative continue to be successful in the long run. To this, I would also add a slightly pedantic observation about the economic impact on Common Fund. Given that the New Worshipping Community would minister in an area of the town which is going to be broadly richer than the rest, they would be able to potentially receive more money in donations pro capita, while we would continue to minister to areas marked by high levels of deprivation. Furthermore, the New Worshipping Community will not be burdened with Common Fund for a number of years or with the care of any building, while we will continue to have to balance the books with Parish Share, bills, and restoration projects. I do not think this is either fair or wise. Fabric of All Saints’ Sound System - A new sound system has been installed just last month. As people pointed out over the years, our previous set-up was not adequate. However, it did take a lot of money to get here, and consequently a lot of time spent in fundraising and securing grants. The new system has been paid through the restoration account (i.e. parish fundraising), but we would have not been able to afford it without the substantial contributions of a few Central Bedfordshire Councillors who donated through their discretionary funds (and one of them out of their own pockets too!), the Benefact Trust, and a member of the congregation who wishes to remain anonymous. Moving forwards, this year the PCC will need to consider the following projects. Toilets: We are aiming to completely refurbish the toilet at All Saints’ making it accessible to wheelchair users and those using walking aids (though the disabled facilities at St Thomas’ also would benefit from a complete refit). Celia and Kirsty are already working on possible grants. Although we cannot do substantial alteration to the fabric easily, because of the nature of our treasured medieval building, we must do our best to make sure we provide good facilities that are accessible and useful to everyone visiting the church. All Saints’ may be legally exempt from certain accessibility requirements, but that does not mean that we should overlook our duties of welcome, hospitality, and care. Solar Panels and Heat Pump: The staggeringly high utility bills (see below) demand that we explore the possibility of installing solar panels on the church roof and a heat pump to replace the current gas boiler. Of course, doing so would also reduce quite heavily our carbon footprint. There are local examples, such as the Priory Church of St Peter, Dunstable, where solar panels have recently been installed on a Grade I listed building. Furthermore, our architect has worked on projects that included the introduction of heat pumps in ancient buildings. These two projects cannot be seen in competition with one another, and the PCC will have to endeavour to work on both of this. Relocation of the Font: We have been talking for a few years about the possibility of relocating the font to the crossing (between the Wardens’ pew-fronts), and we have received both guidance and positive comments about the project from the DAC. The move would enhance greatly the celebration of baptisms and better display the font for visitors, while also highlighting the artistic value of the Norman font. The money for this project would come from the Christ Church funds (see below), not from parish fundraising.
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Members of All Saints' Knitting Group have been busy producing many little bonding squares and little colourful hats used by parents, carers, and hospital staff in the care of new-borns, particularly of premature babies. Bonding squares are small pieces of soft material, knitted or crocheted. These squares can be used to encourage bonding between mums/carers and their babies, through sensory perception. Skin-to-skin contact is the most effective way to bond with a new-born baby. This can usually be done immediately after birth but sometimes this is not possible. In these cases, mums/carers can use bonding squares. Using these squares could also improve mums’ supply of breast milk. Bonding squares have been supplied to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, and Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, while the hats will be sent to Dreamland Mission Hospital in Kimilili, near Mount Eldoret on the Kenyan/Ugandan border. Find out more about the Knitting Group here. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of Houghton Regis has been working tirelessly over the last year to complete two very important project linked to the Restoration and Renewal of the church community and, more specifically, of All Saints' Parish Church. Details of the project are listed below. The first project, to divert surface water away from our Grade I listed building, is very urgent. The fabric of the Parish Church is suffering greatly from the damage caused by rainwater pooling in some place outside the building. This problem has become all the more important to address given the patterns of very wet weather followed by droughts that we have been experiencing. The substantial restoration works carried out in 2019 unfortunately could not include these works - the generous contribution of the National Lottery Heritage Fund secured then did not stretch as far as to cover the drainage works. So far, the PCC has secured half of the money needed for the works with the support of Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust and others heritage charities. However, All Saints' still needs funds in the region of £35k in order to complete the project. The second project, Reordering of the Sanctuary at All Saints', focuses on the installation of a large triptych above the High Altar. The triptych (images below), depicting Our Lord Jesus Christ in glory, is a gift in memory of Father Colin Gay, former Associate Priest of Houghton Regis. Your financial support will be greatly appreciated, and you can do so by donating online or by sending a cheque payable to All Saints' PCC Houghton Regis to: Restoration and Renewal, Houghton Regis Parish Office St Thomas' Church, Lowry Drive, Houghton Regis, LU5 5SJ. Surface Water Drainage Works (All Saints') Project Description: "Surface water drainage overhaul and improvements - Revised scheme as these works were omitted from the GPOW funded repairs previously granted Faculty under application ref: 181360-1018B" → Plan - Drainage as Existing and Proposed → Works Specifications → Surface Drainage Survey and Report → DAC Notification of Advice Reordering of Sanctuary (All Saints') Project Description: "Installation of painted triptych above the high altar depicting Christ in glory with the saints, and minor reordering of the sanctuary." → Plan - Reordering of High Altar → Statement of Significance → Statement of Need → PCC Resolution All Saints’ Parish Church suffered a break-in on Saturday 22 August at about 10:55pm. The incident was caught on the church’s CCTV cameras. The footage shows a single white male in his 20s or 30s forcing two collection boxes and spending about 20 minutes in the building looking for money or valuables. The man gained access to the church by forcing a protection grill and breaking the lower section of a stained-glass window in the sanctuary (north-easternmost window). Another protection grill was also damaged in a failed attempt to gain entry to another part of the church. Collection boxes are emptied regularly, and we can safely assume the man made away with very little cash. However, the damage done the sanctuary window is great, and it will be rather costly to put right. If you wish to donate to All Saints’ please follow this link: https://www.allsaintshr.co.uk/giving.html The incident has been recorded and investigated by Bedfordshire Police, Crime Number 40/45800/20 We are pleased to report that Central Bedfordshire Council has granted planning permissions to All Saints’ for the construction of the Memorial Path in the churchyard linking Bedford Square gate to the south door of the church. We envisage the new path to become a dignified place of remembrance in the beautiful surroundings of All Saints’ churchyard. To this aim the path will be flanked by memorial plaques (or slabs) which can be sponsored and personalized with the names of loved ones, as well as their years of birth and death. It has been a long time coming, as collection of sponsorship money began in three years ago. The delay has been twofold. First, our planning application had been returned last year because the planning officers wanted more information and more accurate drawing about the project. This has now been approved thanks to the work of our architects – Michael Dales Partnership. Secondly, urgent works of restoration to the fabric of All Saints’ have had to take priority in order to make the building weatherproof once again. These works are currently on the way. We are now seeking again approval from the ecclesiastical authorities, and putting the project out for tender for a second time. If you wish to contribute to this project you can sponsor a memorial plaque today – details on the Memorial Path page.  Major works of restoration to the fabric of All Saints’ Parish Church have begun last month and they are expected to last until December 2019. These works are essential for making the outer wall of the Grade I listed building weather-proof and thus ensuring the conservation of the unique heritage of All Saints’. The striking checkered pattern of All Saints’ is going to be meticulously restored and repointed in many parts by resetting flints and replacing eroded stones with local Totternhoe clunch. Clunch is a type of chalk employed in construction in our area since Roman times, and it is the same type of material that was used in the middle-ages for the construction of Parish Church. Minor internal works will ensure that space at the back of the nave could be used more flexibly – a short length of heating pipes is going to be placed under the floor and the back pews will be relocated or removed. The works are being carried out by Weldon Stone Enterprises of Weldon, Corby – an experienced firm which specializes in restoration and conservation of churches and historical buildings – under the directions of Matthew Stevens of Michael Dales Partnership – a local architects’ practice currently working with over 120 Churches across the diocese of St. Albans, Oxford & Peterborough. The building site and church premises are alarmed, monitored by CCTV, and lit where necessary to deter antisocial behaviour and heritage crime in the churchyard whilst the works are carried out. This is the first substantial project of this type which the Parochial Church Council (PCC) have embarked on since the restoration of the tower in the early 90s. It has been made possible thanks to the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund which is sponsoring most of the works. Other two charities are also contributing; the All Churches Trust, and Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust. Houghton Regis Town Council was among the first bodies to donate towards this restoration when it was still being planned back in 2016. Even though this project will total to over £250,000 the PCC is currently seeking further funding for other works linked to this project. For example, a new drainage system needs to be installed (£68,000), and glasswork is in needs of extensive renovation (£80,000). Donations are always gratefully received as All Saints’ does not receive any money from government or the Church of England. There are many ways in which you can support our work and make a lasting difference in the preservation of the heritage of Houghton Regis. Visit our Giving Pages to find out more. Additionally, you can donate online, or send a cheque to Restoration and Renewal, FAO Fr Diego Galanzino SMMS, The Clergy House, Lowry Drive, Houghton Regis, LU5 5SJ  Press Release The Parish Church of All Saints’ has been awarded support by the National Lottery Heritage Fund for its restoration project (Delivery Phase). Made possible by National Lottery players, the project began last year with an initial grant of £25,700 and it now has been awarded full funding for the second phase in the sum of £224,300. This project has a two-fold aim; to make critical repairs to Houghton Regis Parish Church and to engage local people in their exceptional heritage. The first and main part of the project will begin on Monday 3rd June. It aims to carry out essential conservation work to the outside of our Grade I listed building; the outer structure of the church is in desperate need of repair – its striking chequered pattern of flint and Totternhoe stone needing extensive renovation and having been breached in places. The second part of the project will also begin in the coming months. This aims to put in place an educational programme with a number of cultural activities to engage local residents in the unique historical, cultural, and spiritual heritage preserved at All Saints’. The project will involve recruitment and training of volunteers to keep the Parish Church open for tourists and visitors longer during the day, as well as promoting inspiring and interactive visits from our local schools. All Saints’ Parish Church has been listed by Historic England in the Heritage at Risk register since October 2016, and it will continue to be listed in it at least throughout the Delivery Phase. However, support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is a great boost of confidence and precious financial help for our parish which is currently engaged in a wider Restoration and Renewal Project estimated at an extra £300,000 over the National Lottery support (for example, glasswork conservation alone is estimated to cost £80,000). This is also a great boost of confidence for our town which is already benefitting from the excellent work done at Houghton Hall Park and also supported by the National Lottery. For more information please contact the Parish Priest, Father Diego Galanzino SMMS, or visit our website allsaintshr.co.uk/restoration ENDS Notes to editors Grants for Places of Worship applications are assessed in two rounds. This press release concerns the second round. The Parish Church of All Saints was initially been granted round one development funding of £25,700 by the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2018. About All Saints’ Houghton Regis All Saints’ is the Parish Church of Houghton Regis, in the Diocese of St Albans. The current building, built between 14th and 15th centuries, replaces an earlier church and it is the only listed building in Houghton Regis to be regularly and freely open to the public. More information about the building’s heritage, the parish community, and its tradition can be found on our website. About the National Lottery Heritage Fund Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk. Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund |
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