Jan Allen became PCC Secretary in the Parish of Hound in 1978. Now 48 years later, she has stepped down having served under six vicars, supported the parish through five interregnums and worked alongside numerous church wardens.
She took on the role as a young mum to support her husband Phill who had become churchwarden. Over the decades, Jan has witnessed and adapted to many changes in the role.
“It was a lot different early on,” she recalls. “The PCC secretary’s role then was mainly to take and distribute the minutes. Over the years the responsibilities have increased but some aspects have become easier. Back then, we didn’t have photocopiers, so we had to use a stencil and then duplicate it. Then eventually I used a photocopier and more recently, everything is done by email.”
As well as PCC Secretary, Jan became Parish Administrator in 2015 and took on the responsibility of hall bookings. She has sat on the evangelism committee, fundraising committee and social committee and continues to play an active role in outreach for the church, organising and cooking the monthly ladies’ lunches. Meanwhile, Phill has been churchwarden four times.
Jan and Phill have lived in Netley all their lives and she was brought up going to church. She said, “When I was a teenager, I didn’t bother going but we returned when our youngest daughter started Sunday School. All our children were baptised together, and we were confirmed as adults. We’ve been there ever since.
“The church has always meant a great deal to us. My husband’s grandfather was a churchwarden and my grandparents were involved. It’s part of our lives and we have always found it a very supportive community.”
On her faith, Jan added, “It means a lot to me. There have been times when I’ve wondered how I would manage something and then a solution would come. I’ve worried about situations and afterwards thought ‘how did we get that done’. I’m sure that help came from God. I don’t think I could have done it otherwise”.
At the parish’s recent APCM Jan was presented with gifts and cards which she said both surprised and touched her.
Revd Hayley Richens, Vicar of the Benefice of Hamble and Hound, said, “Jan assures us that she will continue to offer help and guide those who follow her. She is also stepping down as Parish Administrator but remains a committed and engaged member of the church community. As chair of the PCC Social Sub-Committee, she continues to be involved in outreach initiatives, such as the Ladies Lunch and Men’s Breakfast as well as organising fellowship events and fundraising activities.
“Jan is at the centre of the church – so much so that trying to get people to sign her leaving card was almost impossible as Jan kept turning up! The heartfelt thanks of clergy, wardens, PCC and the whole congregation were shared with Jan at the APCM as she was presented with gifts and well wishes from us all.”
And Jan’s advice to future PCC Secretaries: “Give time and thought to work through how to do things and work through all you can do. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice, whether from the diocese or others. If you don’t know something, ask as that’s the only way you can learn. I always find the Sunday bible readings and the Sunday sermons bring words of wisdom. Above all you have to pray.”
