All Saints’ Church

Oving with Pitchcott

Fundraising

Mission Statement

The role of the Parochial Church Council is to serve the parish community by promoting the word of God in a way that meets the changing and existing needs of all its members realising its wider responsibilities to the Church of England.

to promote and spread the gospel
to manage local affairs
to create a welcoming open door to the church, which is village orientated

The Cross from the chancel roof, brought down in high winds and has now been repaired.

Vision 20:20 - All Saints’ Church, Oving

Vision 20:20 was written to consider the Church in Oving over the next 13 years until 2020 (and beyond). The problems and threats are considered and suggestions made to overcome them.

Objectives

to achieve a modest and sustainable growth in worshippers
to ensure the future of All Saints’ as a vital focus point in the village
to ensure the financial future of All Saints’ Church

Introduction

The withdrawal of facilities in rural communities means that the church is often the only public building left in a village. The adaptation, extension and use of church buildings for community purposes has long been a part of the Church’s ministry.

The Church of England see the developing use of church buildings as an important step forward. Churches are signposts to God as well as the centre of many communities. All Saints’ Church in Oving cannot afford to be left behind.

Looking after the future

The PCC is responsible for the care and repair of the Church and, as prevention is better than cure, regular attention is required. Lack of attention to the basic can spell disaster for future PCCs. The need to maintain a listed building is enshrined in stature and failure to do so can be very costly. Short-term expense can save long-term mammoth expenditure.

Community Development

As a village, Oving has no village hall or public meeting place other than the, albeit small, Methodist Chapel. The church building could be used for a variety of meetings, e.g. youth club, mother and toddler group, village meetings and events. However a kitchen and toilet facilities would be essential.

Several years ago a feasibility study was completed and an architect’s advice sought regarding the building of such facilities together with a vestry. The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) and the relevant archdeacons would need to be consulted and a faculty would be needed for any work undertaken.

Disabled Access

With the Disability Discrimination Act coming into force in 2004, the Access Officer at Aylesbury Vale District Council has visited the Church.

Costs

Churches require regular maintenance and occasionally substantial repairs. Whilst raising the funds is often seen as a distraction from the ‘real’ work of the church, as custodians of some of the oldest buildings in the country, parishioners do need to take the work seriously.

What must be remembered is that whatever the initial cost of extensions or building work, in a small village such as Oving where there is no village hall and not likely to be one, the use of the church can only be of benefit to the whole community.

Fundraising suggestions

Art competition
Auction
Auction of promises
Christmas tree festival
Coffee mornings
Craft festival
Dinner
Exhibitions, e.g. 50 years of marriage
Flower, wedding, music festivals
Gardens trail and scarecrow weekend
Greeting cards sales
Model railway exhibition
Open Days
Pyramid lunch
Quiz
Sleep over on church roof/tower
Sponsored events - cowpat guessing, walks
Sponsored walk
Street market
Summer soirée
Teddy bear parachute jump

Major Grant givers

English Heritage
The Lottery Heritage Initiative

Other lottery funds

The Arts Lottery Fund
The Foundation for Sport and the Arts
Landfill Tax Credit Scheme
Local authorities
Parish Councils
Diocesan Grants
General Trusts

Appeal committee

If you would like to join an appeal committee, please contact the treasurer.

Bells and bell tower

Click to see a full report about the bells.

Environment, Heritage, Tourism

As a small medieval country church in an extremely pretty village, All Saints’ attracts a number of tourists each year. People come to Oving to visit relatives, try The Black Boy with its superb food and views, or just to trace their ancestors. Although the Church must be kept locked in this modern age, it is possible to hold ‘open days’ or other events.

Copies of the full Vision 20:20 document are available from the treasurer.