Spotlight on … Janet Thorne

St Mary’s Worshipper, St Anne’s PCC Secretary and Child Protection Coordinator

Where were you born and did you attend church regularly as a child?

I was born in Barnstaple, North Devon. Yes, I did attend church from a very early age. I attended a Methodist church with my family where I was christened and received into church membership.

What did you do after school?

Homework! I belonged to a Brownie pack when I was younger and later a Youth Club. I used to cycle a lot and play tennis with my friend. I also had family commitments.

What brought you to Birmingham and when did you first come to St Mary’s?

I was offered a job as a project manager with NCH Action For Children, a voluntary children’s organisation very similar to Barnardo’s and the Children’s Society. This was in Ladywood before it was re-designed. I was privileged to watch the Symphony Hall and NIA being built from my office window. I first came to St Mary’s in the early 1980’s but only then as a visitor on various occasions as I lived in Stroud in Gloucester and travelled home for weekends. Later when I became a resident in Birmingham I started to attend on a regular basis and have been here ever since.

You are the PCC Secretary for St Anne’s. Is this an easy job? What responsibilities do you have?

No, it is not easy. I have to attend all PCC and Standing Committee meetings and take the minutes for them. I do the same for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. The PCC meets about six times a year, the Standing Committee less frequently. I have to prepare all papers for the meetings and distribute them along with the notification of the date and time of the meeting. I am a point of contact for the diocese when they want to communicate about various matters and bring all correspondence to the attention of the PCC.

You are also the Child Protection Coordinator. Why is it important to have one in the two churches?

The Diocese of Birmingham is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of children and young people in church communities. Children are a very important part of the church today and also for the future. It is essential that we care for them and that they are given time and respect. They are people in their own right and of equal importance with adults. Although we expect a church to be a protected environment it is of course open to all. Therefore, children need to be protected and this is the job of all adults attending both St Mary’s and St Anne’s. My role as child protection officer is an administrative one. It is making sure that our child protection policy is implemented, regularly updated by both PCC’s, appropriately displayed, and that all congregations are made aware of it. I am also involved in the recruitment process for new people who wish to work with children, such as requesting references and forms from the diocese for CRB checks and the distribution of information to workers etc. I assist with record keeping and help to arrange appropriate training for all workers and volunteers. I may also be called upon to support Jeremy or Rosemary if necessary in the event of any queries regarding children. I believe that it is important that someone has a specific responsibility for ensuring that the needs of children in church are kept high on all agendas concerning church life.

What hobbies and interests do you have?

I do not have a lot of time at present for hobbies as such. I enjoy walking and being out of doors, particularly at the coast. I am fascinated by the wonder of nature particularly the absolute reliability of the rise and fall of the tides.

What services do you enjoy?

10:00 a.m. and Evensong. I also enjoy visiting St Anne’s for special united services. I think that worshipping at other churches when I am on holiday can be a very uplifting experience and it is interesting to see how other churches work and the way in which they interpret things. I am always interested in their weekly news sheet or parish magazines.

Are you excited about the future of the Benefice?

Yes, I think that we are in interesting times. The vision process and discussions about the future make me realise how essential it is for both parishes to closely examine their attitudes to all that takes place in their name and ensure that it is appropriate for the culture of the 21st century. Whether or not we like change is not important, what is important is that there is a benefice which is welcoming and has a balanced approach for all, both old and young, newcomers or more established members. I believe that many good things are taking place at both St Mary’s and St Anne’s but the potential for development is enormous. A United Benefice creates far more opportunity and talent for this to happen.

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