The Parish of Saint Giles-in-Reading
Report of the Churchwardens to the Annual Parochial Meeting 30th April 2023 On the year ending 31[st] December 2022
The current churchwardens would like to thank all who give so freely of their time to ensure the smooth running of the church. The last year has been a challenge as the restrictions of the Covid pandemic were lifted.
Repairs to and care of the Church. The usual round of routine maintenance has been completed. The heating system has worked well through the winter. Further work was required on the lightning conductor which is now fully certificated once more. Problems with some of the lights at high level in church was addressed in December when many bulbs were replaced with LEDs. During the year the Quinquennial Inspection of the church was undertaken and the report has now been received. The church building has been well maintained and a schedule for works to be undertaken is being put in place.
Sidesmen. The office of sidesman is an ancient one, yet is still very important today. Every new person who comes into church on Sunday morning needs to be greeted and made to feel welcome. During this time of Covid pandemic the role of sidesman has been undertaken by stewards who have felt able to oversee entry to church for the Parish Mass and some weekday services. A new cohort of sidesmen were elected by the PCC but we still need more people to help with this vital function. Please do consider offering to become a sidesman; training in the role will be given.
Mission. The pandemic has given us the chance to broadcast our main services live, on-line and this has enabled many of our regular worshipers to keep together as a congregation either by participating via video or joining in by phone. As the church was able to open up again more fully we have been able to welcome visitors once more and we were able to celebrate Holy Week and Easter with our more usual solemnity and grace. We still need to reach out to those who have felt unable to return to church but we are also now able to welcome new members to the congregation too. The parish drew together to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with a splendid Tea Party with over 100 people attended the event. It was with the greatest sadness that we marked the passing of Her Majesty in September; the church was open for those who wished to come in to sit and pray or light a candle in her memory. The ringing of the church bells has allowed to mark the jubilee and the passing of the late Queen and act as a call to worship on Sunday. We are grateful for the efforts of the ringers year-round. Work in supporting CIRDIC has continued as normal.
Finances. THE ST GILES CHURCH LANDS CHARITY , registered charity number 1086383.
A copy of audited accounts is presented. Some of the work required by the findings of the QI will be funded by the Church Lands Charity in accordance with its charter.
S. E. Mott Churchwarden
S. G. Gooding Churchwarden
IE O
Chur¢hwarde Examln¢r's Ctllifica I have examined the BkS ol Account otthe St G11È5 Church Lands Charlty togetherwith the ReIpts Vou¢hera forth• ended 31 De¢wnber 2022. In my opinion the attached Re¢eipts and Paynnts Ac¢ourt showfjng a surplu• for th? ygar of £37,130.19 and the Statèmènt of Ass•ts and Liabllitios and falr rfrprosontatlon of th& financtal ¥tatr of th• charity lund as at 31 Dx•mb•r 2022. l. Donovan Independerrt EKaminei 30th AprÈl 2023