Friends of St Stephen’s
The Friends were formed in 1998 specifically to raise money for the maintenance of the Grade I listed church building.
The church is here for everyone, whether or not you attend services. We have a strong choral tradition. Our excellent choir leads our services and gives concerts here at St Stephen’s, around the UK and abroad.
The Friends have raised much needed funds over the years, most of which has already been spent on repair and restoration, such as to the stained-glass windows below. With a building of such age, there is always urgent and important repair work to be done so we need to begin raising money for this. Please join us at our next events.
Our functions raise money and are great fun; generally focussed on food!
We have an annual Soup Lunch each January with a range of homemade soups and a wonderful variety of tasty puddings. Other events include quizzes, teas, seasonal, local and national celebrations.
Everyone is welcome.
Members will receive an annual newsletter outlining our plans for the coming year so that you can save the dates. Other events may arise during the year, so watch this space!
Membership costs £10 per household per year, with concessions of £5.
If you would like to join us at any of our events to help support the upkeep and preservation of this historic building, please contact: {This email is obscured. Your must have javascript enabled to see it}. We’d love to hear from you.
GUIDELINES ON CONSTITUTION
The ultimate responsibility for the care, maintenance, repair and insurance of the parish church is vested in the Parochial Church Council (PCC) under “The Parochial Church Council’s (Powers) Measure 1956”. This cannot be delegated to another body by law.
“The Friends” scheme is set up under the aegis of the Parochial Church Council of St Stephen’s Parish Church, Hackington, Canterbury, whose officers control its workings.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Stephen’s has passed a resolution establishing “The Friends” as a sub-committee, and has two members of the PCC as members of “The Friends”.
“The Friends” are responsible for raising funds for the PCC solely for the purpose of maintaining and conserving the Parish Church. Any funds raised by “The Friends” will be used solely for that purpose, and under the direction of the PCC. “The Friends” committee shall be free to use its funds for necessary expenses incurred for fund-raising purposes. Accounts and an annual report shall be presented at the Annual Parish Meeting each year.
“The Friends” will be responsible for organising membership, service to members and events for fund-raising, and will report regularly to the PCC (via the Executive Committee).