1. St John the Divine Belgravia
A TIME TO ACT
Diocesan Council, 15 July 2017

2. Mandate of Commission The Motion from the meeting of the 25th March.
That the Interim Diocesan Council tasks the existing Commission further continues Scenario 1 and 2 and that interested parties be invited to make further submissions to this body, and that all the comments made at Interim Diocesan Council be taken into account and a final report on both scenarios be prepared and submitted to the Interim Diocesan Council members before the July meeting so a final recommendation to Synod can be made.

3. Meetings The Commission convened the following meetings:
20 May St Joseph’s Diocesan Centre
14 June Trustees Property Committee - Rick Sharland.
24th June St John the Divine with affected parishioners and other stakeholders.
2nd July 2017 – St John the Divine with affected parishioners and other stakeholders.
5th July Rev Khobo & Creche coordinator to document the history of the Creche
9 July Eucharist at St John the Divine and meeting after the service with affected parishioners

4. Observations and Outcomes
No written submission were received, however, the following input was received at meetings
Renovations to property estimated cost -R
Creche operating on the premises-24 children from community.
An owl’s nest on the side organ and droppings found.
The former parishioners appreciate consultation and opportunity to make input to commission
The former parishioners appeal for restoration of services and other programs including the creche
Explore Work for a living all programme (W4ALL) to address high unemployment in the community .
Revised Budget initially presented on 25th March 2017

5. Options for the future of St John the Divine, Belgravia
Revive the Church
and use the property for other development programmes in the neighbourhood.
2. Revive the Church and use it as an experiment for the Diocese to explore new ways of ministry in Inner city parishes where the change in demographics and city decay is making traditional parish ministry impossible.
3. Sell the Church

6. Option 1. Revive the church and other development programmes
Renovate the Church as soon as possible
Sell the organ
To help with immediate renovations
Resume church services
One or two Eucharist’s per month
The other two weeks the Lay Ministers will conduct services
Archdeacon to allocate priests.
Ensure running of creche complies with Act X of the Canons.

7. Option 1. Revive the church for other development programmes
5. Renovate Creche as per Hollard specifications.
no costs involved for the Diocese or the parish.
Diocesan Trustees approval required
Creche to pay rental monthly
6. Minor Renovations of two bedroom cottage
rental of place to students or Transnet interns.

8. Option 1. Revive the church & other development programmes
7. Engage Verger -basic stipend & accommodation in lieu of services.
8. Renovate Verger cottage at the back of the Church House for the Verger
9. Grow the number of parishioners.
10. Engage self-supporting priest

9. Option 1. Revive the church for other development programmes
11. Develop other Community projects at the Church
eg “Work 4 a Living” to address unemployment in the area
Rent out Church to another denomination

10. Option 1. Revive the church for other development programmes
Impact
Cost of upgrading the church, hall, rectory, cottage and garden to be suitable for being rented out. (Parish council to oversee the renovations)
Maintain church premises and street around church premises by full time verger/manager living on the property.
The costs of the church service, new activities and clergy costs.
The diocese and partner parishes to fund the revival and rehabilitation.

11. Option 2. Revive the Church as an experiment for Inner City ministry
Revive the Church for Sunday worship immediately. (same way as in option 1).
Sell the organ which will partly pay for renovations
Establish partnerships
E.g. College of the Transfiguration
Donors
The Diocesan School for ministries

12. Option 2. Revive the Church as an experiment for Inner City ministry
Twin with a financially stable Parish
Rent out Church including Cottage
Rent out Hall to the crèche
Secure Trustees approval for Hollard to sponsor renovations of the Hall.

13. Option 2. Revive the Church as an experiment for Inner City ministry
9. Engage Verger -basic stipend & accommodation in lieu of services.
10. Renovate Verger cottage at the back of the Church to house for the Verger
11. Rent out Church to another denomination

14. Option 3. Sell the Church Property
Make an inventory of property and contents
Make the necessary renovations to church
Sell Organ separately
Baptismal font, Pulpit, Pews, other items
2. Sell church hall, cottage & rectory
3. Relocate the garden of remembrance.

15. Option 3. Sell the Church Property
Impact
Proceeds of the sale - pay of the debt accumulated by the Parish first thereafter towards the building of a Church in another growing area of the Diocese.
Current arrangements with the ECD centre & Vodacom contract may be affected.
Former parishioners

16. Reviving the Church
Income
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
DG, Tithes, Dues, etc.
Commercial income
rental hall (1)
18 000
19 260
20 608
22 051
23 594
rental church (2)
52 000
55 640
59 535
63 702
68 161
masts (3)
60 000
64 200
68 694
73 503
78 648
Expenses
Clergy stipends paid through Diocese (4)
Insurance
11 000
11 770
12 594
13 475
14 419
Water & Lights
Repairs and maintenance to property
50 000
Security
9 500
10 165
10 877
11 638
12 453
Staff salaries (Laity)
Tax on Trading (5)
21 840
23 369
25 005
26 755
28 628
Telephone
6 000
6 420
6 869
7 350
7 865
Surplus / (Deficit)
Notes
1. Rental church hall based on R 1.5k/month
2. Rental church based on R 1,000/service x 52 weeks
3. Rental 2 R 2.5k/month
4. Clergy stipend at 75% (part time priest in charge)
5. 28% tax on commercial property income minus expenses (minus renovation as well?)

17. Questions
???