Welcome

We’d like to thank you for popping by and take this opportunity to invite you to join us for our public worship services.
They are open to all and everyone is very welcome.

We are a small Anglican Church in the Leicestershire village of Swithland. Men, women and children have gathered at the historic Church of St Leonard’s for hundreds of years to worship the risen Lord Jesus Christ. We seek to serve the Kingdom of God and the people of Swithland & nearby villages. We would love to welcome you to join us. Our services vary in style and content and you can find more information about this under the worship tab on the menu.
For all other church and village news please see our newsletters.

We would like to welcome you on Sunday 18th May at 8am for our Holy Communion Service (BCP) and at 9.30am for our Holy Communion Service (CW) both led by Rev’d Steve Delaforce. Readings will be taken from James 1.17-21 & John 16.5-15 and Acts 11.1-18 &John 13.31-35.

Services

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Parishioners meeting and APCM agenda for 18th May.

AGENDA – St Leonard’s Church, Swithland – Sunday 18^th May 2025, 10.45am

Welcome & Opening Worship

Annual Vestry Meeting (open to laity resident in the parish or on the electoral roll)

1.                Apologies

2.                Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 7^th April 2024

3.                Election of Churchwardens

Annual Parochial Church Meeting (open to members of the Church Electoral Roll)

1.                Apologies

2.                Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 7^th April 2024

3.                Reports

a.    Chairman’s Report 

b.    Electoral Roll Report

c.    Financial Report

d.    Fabric Report

e.    Deanery Synod Report

f.     Safeguarding Report

g.    Other Reports

4. Elections/Appointments

a.    PCC Members (3 vacancies for 3 years)

b.    Independent Examiner of Accounts

5. Any Other Business

            a.    Service times from 1^st June 2025

Parochial Church Council Meeting (open to members of the new PCC)

1.         Apologies

2.         Co-option of PCC members

3.         Appointment of Officers 

4.         Committee Membership 

6.         Any Other Urgent Business

7.         Date of Next Meeting

Minutes of the PCM meeting of 7th April 2024

SWITHLAND PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING was held on Sunday 7th April 2024 at the conclusion of the meeting of the Parishioners.

Present:

Rev Colin Resch (Chair)
Sally Allen, Chris Aspinall, Virginia Aspinall, Hazel Byford, Valerie Capewell, Penny Craven, Heloise Craven, Derek Cranage, Jayne Cranage, Jennifer de Hever, Margaret Dixon, Ian Evans, Martin Greenwood, Olga Harris, Janet Hunt, Gary Lee, Janet Lee, Alice Page, Janet Roberts, John Roberts, David Toone, Mary Toone, Christine Watts, Sue Wilkinson, Ali Wright

1. Apologies

Corinne Greenwood, Jeff Harrison.

2. Minutes of the previous meeting held on 30th April, 2023

Derek Cranage proposed that the minutes be accepted, seconded by Jennifer de Hever, and it was agreed they be signed as a true record.

3. Reports

The ‘Report for the Annual Meeting’ booklet was made available in the church porch.

a. Chairman’s Report

Rev Resch did not add to his report but updated the meeting on progress towards forming Minster Communities. He explained the concept was originally formed as a sustainable, mission-focused framework for the diocese, but the process has been accelerated by financial crisis. He pointed out the advantage, especially for isolated rural clergy, is that they will be part of a ministry team within a Minster Community.

After many meetings and much discussion the suggestion is that St Leonard’s join Group D of Area 2 (a map was provided in explanation). Mr Cranage asked if parishioners will be asked to vote but Rev Resch explained that the PCC has the legal duty of making the decision, although everyone is encouraged to express their opinion. The current decision will not be binding but will direct the next stage of conversations. It must be reported to the diocese by 19th April, so is to be discussed in the PCC meeting following this one. Rev Resch also explained that the Prayers of Love and Faith have proved a divisive element in the grouping of parishes. The suggestion was made that Swithland fits better geographically with the parishes in Group C, but it was also pointed out that Steve Delaforce, who presides at the majority of our communion services has close links with Quorn, in Group D. It was put forward that young people no longer see the church as a safe place and are deterred from attending by the fear of being judged. If division could be put aside, with more focus on loving each other, mission might be more successful.

The meeting was asked to consider what would be the best position for Swithland in terms of mission and Baroness Byford suggested a vote (public or otherwise) would be helpful to guide the PCC in making its decision. A show of hands was requested for the following:

To ignore Area 2 and wait for grouping in Area 3, to the south: 0 votes To pursue joining Area D: 18 votes

To look to joining Area C: 6 votes
To look to joining Area B: 0 votes
Abstentions: 1
This item finished with prayers for those taking the decisions and all involved with the setting up of the new Minster Communities.

2. Electoral Roll ReportNo further questions.
3. Financial ReportNo questions were raised on the financial report. Val Capewell was thanked for hercontinuing work which is greatly appreciated.
4. Fabric ReportThe report was accepted with no questions and the Fabric Warden was thanked forher work in maintaining the building.
5. Deanery Synod ReportNo further questions.
6. Safeguarding ReportAli Wright told the meeting that we are working towards 100% completion of all three required training modules and offered her help and support to anyone needing it. The Church needs to be seen to be safe. She was thanked by the meeting for all her work.
7. Other ReportsRev Resch thanked all those who contribute to the many aspects of life in the St Leonard’s community.

4. Elections/Appointments
a. Election of PCC Members from the laity (3 vacancies)
Three nominations had been received for the elected vacancies (2024-2027):

Mrs Valerie Capewell Derek Cranage
Jayne Cranage

nominated by Penny Craven and seconded by Chris Watts nominated by Jennifer de Hever, seconded by John Roberts nominated by Hazel Byford, seconded by Gary Lee

Val Capewell, Derek Cranage, and Jayne Cranage were all duly elected to the PCC, and a prayer was offered for them.

b. Independent Examiner / Auditor

Valerie Capewell proposed we continue to use Central Business Services, seconded by Ali Wright, and this motion was carried.

5. Any Other Business

None received.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 11.59am

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