## Annual Review 2023
**Our Annual Report and Accounts**
**Annual Report 2023**
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In 2023 our theme has been Prayer and Pilgrimage and we have explored and connected with this theme in a wide variety of sermons and other events and visits, helping us to connect particularly with the Prayer dimension of Growing God’s Kingdom at St Mary’s. Thank you for all that has been contributed to St Mary’s and the lives of our communities, the ways God’s love in Jesus has been shared and discovered, and how God has been glorified.
Significant events and changes during the year include:
- YACHT INC 13sm-17s leading a service about prayer, including exploring difficult questions and using home-painted prayer stones; having a discussion with Lynne, Bishop of Barking about sexuality and the church; and preparing ash from palm crosses for the first time
- Re-establishing a monthly Communion service at Harts House care home in partnership between our ministry team and All Saints Woodford Wells
- Participatory ecumenical sessions about prayer during Lent at St Mary’s, St Anne Line Roman Catholic and Woodford Methodist churches; and discussion of the Travelling Well Together resources from the Diocese of Chelmsford
- Guli, Bishop of Chelmsford and Lynne, Bishop of Barking visited in March as part of Bishop Guli’s Lent Walking Pilgrimage and walked with us to Snaresbrook Crown Court Chapel
- Filming for a charity short video intended to reduce knife crime
- Film ‘Love without Walls’ featuring St Mary’s was shown in local cinemas
- Medieval harpist Leah Stuttard visiting us in April and November to explore pilgrimage in contemporary practice and Margery Kempe and Sacred Fragments to prepare for Advent
- On Palm Sunday we processed outside and around the church building
- At Easter we held a well-attended Dawn Sunrise service followed by breakfast
- Three special services marking the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
- St Mary’s Sunflowers Baby & Toddler group now runs a second session on Thursdays 12-1.30pm in addition to the well-established 10-11.30am session
- Many successful fundraising and community events and beautiful concerts
- Re-establishing a team of St Mary’s gardeners to care for the churchyard
- A sleepover in church for young people on the eve of Pentecost, which was the same day as Ride London; we hosted community refreshments outside with the High Road closed to all but cyclists
- A spring fundraising concert for Ukraine in June performed by Ukrainians
who live locally and raising money for British-Ukrainian Aid, followed ao **3** ro) by a large embroidery panel created by displaced Ukrainian women displayed in church for the next few weeks
- A major project in June, July and August during which the church drive was widened, resurfaced and lighting added. Memorial Hall drive was resurfaced together with a section near the South Porch.
- PCC approved in principle installation of solar panels, insulation and double glazed windows in the 1970s section of the church building
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In June, hosting the Redbridge Deanery Confirmation led by Lynne, Bishop of Barking with two baptisms (both St Mary’s), two receptions into the Church of England and 14 Confirmations (three from St Mary’s)
- Repair cafés with many other free features including toy swap in partnership with lots of local organisations in May and October and funding secured from ChangeX to run these quarterly
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- HSBC staff volunteered time in the churchyard including planting spring bulbs to form a labyrinth
- A work experience student joined us for a few days in the summer and we have had two candidates for ministry on placement
- Pilgrimage visits to All Hallows by the Tower and St Julian’s Church & Shrine, Norwich
- Establishing a baby bank donations box and candles/wax recycling box in the foyer
- Started a nature-based dementia memory cafe in partnership with South Woodford Islamic Centre and East London Liberal Synagogue with funding from We can create Colours of Redbridge
- Civic Remembrance during which a Hindu leader participated for the first time
- Holding two Community Christingle services on a Friday evening in December in addition to Sunday morning
- A simple service of Compline on the longest night of the year
- A young leader (under 18) was elected amongst the sidespeople
- A new set of five Communion Assistants was trained and authorised by PCC and are active
- Kate Adu Baah, Ian Layzell-Smith, Sarah Reynolds left PCC; Helen Hollinsworth+ Habiba Rye joined
- Anne Jones completed her term as Deputy Warden
- Jane Fone completed many decades of service as Treasurer and Shirley Lai became Treasurer
- Henry Metcalfe left his role as Director of Music in February and David Bird began his role as Director of Music and Organist in September, with John
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Bradley directing in the meantime
- Sheba Lockley left her role as Office Coordinator at the end of December. Sam McCarthy joined the team in June and Janet Dunning was appointed to join the team from January 2024
- Rachel Summers and Fiona Macaulay joined the ministry team and Jeanette Meadway paused her ministry team role. Rachel was ordained deacon at Chelmsford Cathedral in September and serves as a pioneer curate in training here, at St Peter in the Forest and across the Mission and Ministry Unity. Fiona has begun ordination training and is with us on placement.
All of the areas of church life mentioned in this report would be very glad of new people joining, bringing with them new ideas and approaches. Support and training, where needed, is available. If you or someone you know would like to support a particular area of church life, please contact the Rector or the church office (page26), or please contact the team leader if you know them.
This structure of this annual report reflects:
- Worship & Life of Faith
- Community & Mission
- Financial Report
- Core Support
- Wider Faith Links
## Worship & Life of Faith
## **Pattern of worship and reflection**
Worship has been offered in the church building every week on Sundays and midweek this year. Our 10am Sunday service has been livestreamed each week, as have several special services during Holy Week, Easter and Christmas and baptisms and funerals. 8am Sunday Communion services, Sunday evening services, Wednesday Communion services and Prayers for Wholeness and Healing services (monthly on Thursday evenings until July; bi-monthly on Sunday afternoons from September) have been well-supported, as well as all our special services, with especially encouraging attendance at Christmas.
Many people are involved in preparing and delivering our worship and thanks are due to those who clean, maintain, decorate, prepare and organise the church spaces; who read, lead, prayers and liturgy; who offer bellringing, organ and other instrumental music and singing; and all who welcome, participate, support, prepare and offer refreshments and activities and so many different ways.
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## **Sacristy Report**
We as a team are now in our fifth year of service together and, as l pointed out in my last report, we have experienced many areas of change since l took over as Sacristan from Viveca in 2020, but l do feel we are just getting into a pattern & steady routine now.
Nevertheless procedures have had to change, numbers of attendance have dropped through Covid & having the services screened. The taking of bread & wine has also had to change but new ideas & procedures have been created.
As we share the Sacristy with other members of the flower club & those preparing refreshments for the congregation after service, we have to be mindful that all is kept clean & tidy, so that we can work comfortably together.
It has been quite a busy year for services we have had a few christenings & on the 18th of June we hosted a large congregation at a Confirmation Service lead by Lynne Cullens the Bishop of Barking of approximately 14 confirmations. It was also good to see that our many Christmas services were much better attended this year too.
I am for ever grateful to my team for their support and diligence in their sacristan work making sure that the altar is dressed, candles are lit & all other aspects of their work is dealt with as it is a vital part of helping worship to take place in a respectful & reverent manner. Sally Phillips
## **Contemplative Prayer 2023**
This year Roberta Flynn and Bryony Bennet, who had made a study of Julian of Norwich’s , “ Revelations of Divine Love “ , not only led a session on this, but also arranged a pilgrimage of eight people to the cell of Mother Julian in Norwich where a Eucharist was celebrated for the group.
Other meetings this year have mediated on the three theological virtues, (Faith , Hope and Charity), the purifying effect of fire, a Lectio Divina on the Good Samaritan including St Augustine’s interpretation of the parable and the prayer of Jesus in St Luke’s Gospel.
As the support for the Ash Wednesday meditation had been disappointing in 2022, we did not repeat it, although much of the theme was woven into the midweek morning Eucharist. We did hold the vigil for our work in Kenya on which Wendy Littlejohns brought us up to date.
The Good Friday meditation was on Christian attitudes to war but, because the harp recital by Leah Studdart had been arranged for the last Saturday in November, it was felt that the Advent Quiet Morning would be an overkill , so we discontinued it this year intending to revive the custom in 2024. Rowena Rudkin
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## **Flowers**
The flower team has continued with a busy schedule in providing arrangements of flowers for many different occasions throughout this past year. Congregational support has made this possible for which we thank you. This short note gives me the opportunity to ask for helpers. We will be very pleased if anyone interested in flower arranging would join us.
Hazel Lovejoy.
## **Bellringing**
We have managed to retain our four young learners for this year and with the help and support of ringers from other towers regularly coming to practice on a Monday night and offering their expertise.
All of the learners took part in the nationwide Ring for the King initiative and I’m delighted that three of them were available to ring on Coronation Day and were presented with certificates. They are all coming along very well getting used to ringing different bells in the tower and all taking part in call change ringing , the first steps towards learning methods.
We are hosting a training day in early March for local towers so hope our learners can benefit from this too. We had a successful and enjoyable open tower day in May and look forward to showing people up the tower again this year.
## **St Mary’s Online and Technology**
We have continued to offer our 10.00am service online and are pleased to welcome people, who, for whatever reason cannot come to church. There are also increasing requests for special services such as funerals and weddings to be streamed online, and it good to see people joining those from all over the world.
Our website and social media presence offer an immediate connection to followers for news and pictures of our events, and we are pleased to increasingly share news and information from our mission and ministry partners, the wider church and local community organisations,
We are continually looking to improve the technology we have within church and were pleased to enhance our ability to take donations by card and online.
We have also started to see how we can improve sound quality during services. This will be a focus for 2024.
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## **Junior Church**
Our purpose is to nurture and encourage the faith journey and belonging of children, young people and families to be a core part of St Mary’s and the wider community, giving choice for all families, across all ages.
Our new format brings a more cohesive approach, with new learning resources and
principles, which has been successful. JC are now a strong group of young Christians aged from 3 to 17 years old. The families who attend are all regular, enthusiastic and contribute hugely to our sessions and to Church life and wider church community events. A number of new families have joined our Sunday morning sessions.
JC come together for fellowship, and learning about God through creative activities, and relating bibles teachings to our lives today. Our session content following the
liturgical calendar. linking what the congregation are thinking about weekly to what JC are exploring, this works well with JC sharing what they have learnt with the congregation at the end of the service.
JC led some wonderful All Together services with lovely feedback from the congregation. Mother’s Day, we thought about the cycle of life and reaching our true potential and released colourful wind up butterflies into the congregation to signify JC flying high. At harvest we gave thanks through activity stations symbolising; Harvest of the Garden for eet |g! Ls 96, BaP Patience, the Grain for Generosity and the fe 4 “7 Earth for Joy. Our Remembrance, service » = »\9 *i 4| * ‘séfs | reflected on remembering and peace using stones and poppies. And there was, of = ‘\ —_ i 7m course our annual community Christmas Eve Nativity service. Sarah Hodges
## **Fabric and Church Building**
Resurfacing the drive was a project that had been long in the planning but eventually came to fruition last year. The new surface to the drive is a great improvement upon the holes and cracks in the old; the opportunity was also taken to provide lighting to illuminate a demarcated pedestrian route to the church. This too is a great improvement. The contractors were very helpful and you may have noticed that they also did some resurfacing work to the tarmac to the south of the church and in front of the entrance to the tower.
The window that had been damaged in a break in attempt has been repaired and, at the same time, a number of other small panes, broken over a period of years, were replaced. There was a spate of church break ins at the end of last year (although not
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at St Mary’s). In the light of this we have reviewed and tightened our internal security arrangements and are considering whether anything further can sensibly be done external to the church.
Two monuments in the churchyard evidently will require some attention soon if only to keep them safe. Our advice is that they are primarily the responsibility of Redbridge LBC; the Council is currently considering what will be appropriate. The churchyard wall to the west of the church may also require some work but, again, this is not thought to be the liability of St Mary’s.
There was significant water ingress in church when a lot of rain fell in a very short space of time. This showed the need for some roof works which were carried out.
We have attended to some minor matters identified in the Quinquennial; the tiling outside the Gwinnell Room remains the most important of the outstanding matter. We continue our work to improve our environmental footprint – the most difficult aspect of this will be fundraising!
We remain enormously grateful to David Mason for his work – not just on the day to day maintenance but in respect of suggestions and improvements to things which he is always alert to bring about.
The Fabric Committee has been brought “within” the Standing Committee, so that the Standing Committee now directly considers matters relating to the Fabric. This reflects the facts that the memberships of each committee had largely overlapped; and that all significant expenditure has to be approved by the Standing Committee in any event.
Philip Petchey
## Community & Mission
## **Sunflowers - Babies and Toddlers**
This year we have been blessed with regular returning adults and children and a steady stream of new guests. We see a mix of parents, grandparents and childminders from our local community and beyond. Despite often only having two helpers we have established a culture of regular guests welcoming new guests and involving them in play, fellowship and crucially keeping the group safe and clean for everyone to enjoy. We socialise with everyone, play with the children and extend our care into their daily lives through offers of prayer, spiritual advice and invitations to our church events and services. We have identified attendance at our Repair Cafe, Bazaar and Nativity Service as a direct result of inviting everyone at the group. We make a modest profit each session enabling those who wish to give, to give without limits and those who cannot give, a break from another expense. We are able to buy good quality refreshments and snacks, exciting fruit to try and to contribute towards the heating and lighting at the church.
Clare Reeves (Children & Families Ministry Coordinator)
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## **Eco Church including Repair Café**
Our first repair café was back in October 2022 and we are now in full swing with our quarterly community events. Thanks to generous sponsorship we have been able to offer free repairs for electrical items, textiles, bikes, spectacles and jewellery cleaning, and drinks and biscuits while customers wait. Local amenity groups,
:— charities and shops with a strong community focus have been able to make new
connections.
Our thanks go to the South | i Woodford Society, our ote E principal partner in this venture. We are always looking for anyone skilled in fixing things and for volunteers to help welcome our customers. Please contact the office if you want to help in any way.
**Toy Swap**
The repair café is one example of trying to live our lives in a more sustainable way and into waste precious resources.
**Bug Hotel**
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We have continued to work towards the greening of St Mary’s through the way we live our lives, and we adopted a set of eco principles during the year covering recycling, free trade, reducing energy use among other things, We continue to work towards major work to insulate the church and move away from fossil fuels, We will be looking for major fund raising in these areas in coming months.
## **Schools**
There are three schools within the parish boundary: Churchfields Infants School (3-7 years), Junior School (7-11 years) and St Aubyn’s School (2.5-13 years). The Rector has contributed to collective worship at Churchfields Juniors, and welcomed both Churchfields Juniors and St Aubyn’s schools for Christmas services at St Mary’s. Good communication has been maintained with Churchfields Juniors throughout the year with a community concert by pupils in October and large numbers of St Aubyn’s cadets and parents/carers joined the Civic Remembrance service at St Mary’s.
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## **Memorial Hall**
The Memorial Hall is a separate charity from St Mary’s with trustees drawn from the church electoral roll. Kate Adu-Baah, Gerry Everett and Martin Freeston were thanked for all their work as they finished Trustee terms this year; Dean Musk and Ian Strachan were welcomed as new Trustees this year and a third person is willing to serve; we are considering amending the Trust Deed to allow wider community representation among the Trustees.
Memorial Hall staff work hard to maintain the facilities, building and welcome to many community groups. Annual reports for Woodford Parish Church Memorial Hall can be found on the Charity Commission website at: https://register-ofcharities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charitydetails/214670/charity-overview
## **Snaresbrook Crown Court Chaplaincy**
It’s been extraordinary that so few of the serious issues affecting the process of criminal justice have been overtly raised in our encounters with visitors to the Chapel. The huge backlog of trials, sometimes with as much as a two year delay. Trials not going ahead because of there being no available barristers or interpreters. And this was already the case before the barristers’ strike.
Yet so many of our visitors, though often stressed, seem to relish the calm our space provides in such a busy building. And it’s been an unpredictable year. On some days there have been hardly any visitors, and on others the number is in double figures. Qualities which are needed in members of the Chaplaincy Team are the capacity for non-judgemental listening, and the ability to judge whether a visitor wants to engage with us or to have some time to be by themselves.
In 2023 we held 16 services, all except two lunchtime celebrations of Holy Communion led by the MMU incumbents. The other two services are the Armistice Day Service of Remembrance which is also attended by former pupils of Royal Wanstead School, and the Crown Court Carol Service.
In March we welcomed the Bishop of Chelmsford, Bishop Guli, who spent a day in Woodford and Wanstead, together with the Bishop of Barking, Bishop Lynne. The Resident Judge, HHJ Rosa Dean who is very supportive of the Chaplaincy, put on a light lunch for the visitors and for as many of us who could manage to be there. We were also joined by several Judges, and at least two members of the Chaplaincy accepted an invitation to spend the afternoon watching a trial.
On some days you need to have brought a good book but on others you leave the Chapel humbled and privileged to have heard visitors sharing their experiences and feelings.
Mark Spencer Ellis
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## **Get Together Group**
In March the long-established and much-valued Woodford Friends and Neighbours group (previously Woodford Wives) made a decision to cease being a membership group and Pat Smith was warmly thanked for her leadership over many recent years. St Mary’s agreed to host a new community gathering on the second Wednesday afternoon of each month, which is now known as the Get Together group and welcomes men as well as women for a programme of talks, refreshments and other activities. This is a free to attend group with no booking needed and donations welcome.
## **Events Group 2023**
Our group organises and puts on the 4 large secular social events in St Mary’s calendar. Race Night in February, our chance to fill the Roberts Hall with friends old and new, your own drinks and nibbles before ie: dinner is served courtesy of Leslie, Eric and helpers. The 20p tote
betting on horse & greyhound racing adds the spice to the night as cash is still king here, penny fortunes won and lost.
Food and Fun Day in May was blessed by another glorious weather Saturday and loads of fun and food had by lots of happy attendees. And that Pimms really does help make
for a funny, sunny day, especially with Daren as barman.
Soul Night on a roasting hot September evening this year was an absolute cracker with both a professional lighting and a sound engineer helping elevate the night to new heights. The Capones played an absolute blinder, the audience couldn’t get enough singing and dancing along. DugOut Soul DJs kept that mood going in to the twilight zone. When the rhythm grabs you, you just gotta let it take you out onto that dance floor.
And then the Christmas Charity Bazaar rolled around again in November, ever the epitome of ‘It’ll be all right on the night’. Everybody loves it,
something for everyone to enjoy. And over 4 £grand made for
charity too! This year we bought the last of the fabulous marmalades, jams and chutneys from the perennially industrious and fabulous Christina & John Strudwick. So a huge thank you to her for many, many years of making such beloved preserves; your jars of joy will be sorely missed Chris. If there’s any wannabes in the wings who feel ready to pick up that mixing spoon do please let me know.
In fact we can always do with a few more organisers too if interested in joining us.
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## **YACHT INC**
We have grown by two members since our last annual report. All the young people are attending regularly and participating fully, to the extent that some have now felt able to lead sessions for their peers on subjects they feel passionately about or would like to know more about. Leading sessions involves researching and understanding topics and compiling thought-provoking questions to put to the group while regular clergy, myself and invited visitors such as Bishop Lynne are able to provide as much spiritual input as is required. Living In Love and Faith has been a special topic of interest for our group.
YACHT INC are also contributing to church life by taking active roles in services and Junior Church, we are working with church volunteers to enable them to consider whether they would like to have ad-hoc sidesperson duties, intercessions and prayer team experience in the future.
Clare Reeves (Children & Families Ministry Coordinator)
**Girlguiding (Rainbows, Brownies and Guides)**
Girlguiding in Woodford South District is enriching the lives of girls ages 5-18 helping them develop skills for life. This year we have come together as a district to raise money to contribute to our hall rent with a Bingo evening, sold cakes for St Mary's chosen charities, enjoyed social events like Revels, Sports and a trip to the WOADS Pantomime.
We are grateful for our strong connection to St Mary's and the opportunities to learn more about the Church and Christianity as a part of our Promise to "develop our beliefs".
We have celebrated at civil services for Remembrance, Christingle as well as at Church Parade for Thinking Day. We have run stalls at Food & Fun Day and the Bazaar.
Clare Reeves
**Secretary, PCC and Standing Committee**
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The PCC and Standing Committee continue to meet we now have both meetings in the same month a fortnight apart so that actions can be followed up from Standing Committee quite quickly and PCC approval given. The work of the PCC is focussing on Growing God’s Kingdom at St Marys and has been discussing a vision for St Marys. We have also been working on tightening systems within PCC so that reports are received in a timely manner.
The PCC supports the Rector and Clergy in their Parish Ministry and has certain legal responsibility for the Church. Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected by the Annual Meeting of the Church in accordance with the Church Representation rules. During 2023 the following served as members of the PCC:
Rector Church Wardens
Revd Elizabeth Lowson
Viveca Dutt Philip Petchey
## Elected PCC Members
Kate Adu-Baah (until May 2023) Ian Layzell-Smith (until May 2023) Gemma Low Jane Fone Kathy Wiltshire Helen Hollingsworth (from May 2023) Habiba Rye (from July 2023) Rachel Summers (from Sept 2023) Deanery Synod Sarah Reynolds Deanery Synod John Wiltshire Deanery Synod Linda Wiskin Deputy Warden Anne Jones (until May 2023) Deputy Warden Jano Goodchild Treasurer Shirley Lai (from May 2023) Secretary Adela Kay Safeguarding officer Jackie Peacock
**Electoral roll.** In May 2023 there were 173 names on the electoral roll. This compares with 166 in 2022.
**Average Church Under Online views Adults Attendance 16s 10am service** All Sunday Services 87 9 53 ~~J} —~~
Financial Report
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## **Finance Review 2023**
In 2023, the total Income from General Activities was £154,872 (2022 £144,864) against General Expenditure of £166,160 (2022 £147,325), giving a deficit of £11,288 (2022 £2,461). In March 2023, the PCC re-affirmed its decision to go ahead with resurfacing and improving the drive, costing £62,017.
Although we received two generous Legacies, amounting to £27,500 (2022 £50,008), the £45,805 shortfall had to be funded from our Reserves.
Income from General Activities increased by 7%, including an increase in Sundry Donations £3,806; Church Appeals £1,834; Tax Recovery £1,688 and Interest & Dividend £2,690.
Regular planned giving dropped 3.7% first half of the year and finally recovered by the end of the year. We invested in a new Payaz machine and our new Parish Giving Scheme helped us to claim back Gift Aids automatically to reduce administrative burden.
In terms of our General Fund Expenditure, we suffered from high utility costs (+£5575, +70%). We also incurred a few high costs on much needed expenditures such as Auravisions Window repairs £1,299, the works at the Rectory £2,880 and William Drake organ repairs £3,996. The PCC also agreed a three years plan to spend a total of £5,000 on the organ repair from 2024 to 2026.
The General Fund Reserve excluding the balance of the Earmarked monies covers approximately four months expenditure. My thanks go to our Finance team: Anne Jones; Brenda Layzell-Smith; Jane Fone and Michael Lovejoy. I also thank Elizabeth, the wardens and everyone who has been helping for their continuous support.
Shirley Lai
ST MARY WITH ST PHILIP AND STJAMES WOOOFORD
15
Balance Sheet at 31 December 2023
Note
2023
202Z
FIXEO ASss
Freehold Land and Buildings
Investments
4a
4b
750,CKM)
90.883
840,883
750,000
86,080
836.080
Totsl Flxed Assets
CURRENT ASSETS
Sundry Debtors
CBF Deposit
Bank Balance
3.570
238,885
27.754
270.209
18.015
258,340
35,935
312.290
LIABILITIES
Amount falling due within one year
NET CURRENT ASSETS
NET ASSETS
13,137
257,072
1,097.955
7,611
304,679
1.140,759
FUNDS
Unrestrkted
General Purpose
Earmarked
Total Unrestricted Funds
960.425
115,736
1,076.161
21,794
1,097.955
1.001,427
111,558
1.112,985
27,774
1,140,759
Restricted Funds
TOTAL FUNDS
Slgned:
16
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**NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Note 1**
## Charitable trading
## _**Accounting Policies**_
The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011. and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, and with the Regulations’ “true and fair view”, provisions, together with FRS102 (2019) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2019 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and reporting by Charities (SORP (FRS102).
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except that the Curate's House is stated at a fair value as agreed by the PCC and investments which are stated at market value.
Fees for weddings are included in this caption and accounted for when due.
## _Other ordinary income_
Rental income from the letting of the curate’s house is accounted for when due
## _Income from investments_
Interest on deposits is accounted for when receivable and any related tax recoverable is recognised at the same time.
## _**Resources Used**_
## _**Grants**_
Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over or when awarded if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC.
_Activities directly related to the work of the church_ The diocesan quota is accounted for when payable.
## _**Funds**_
Unrestricted funds represent the funds of the PCC which are not subject to any legal restrictions regarding their use and are available for applications to the general purposes of the PCC. This category includes both the General Purposes Fund and funds earmarked for a particular purpose by the PCC. Restricted funds are those funds which may only be used for the restricted purpose for which they were given or otherwise obtained.
The accounts include all transaction assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.
## _**Incoming resources**_
_Income from donors and other voluntary income_ Planned Giving is recognised only when received. Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC.
Income tax recoverable on gift aid donations is recognised when received or when calculated and submitted for payment.
Grants and legacies to the PCC are accountable for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement and the amount due.
Funds raised by the Charity bazaar and other events are accounted for gross unless related expenses are immaterial in amount.
Donated good are recognised at fair value, unless it is impractical to measure this reliably. An equivalent amount is included as expenditure under the relevant heading in the statement of financial activities. Monies received in relations to donated goods sold are included under the relevant heading in The Statement of Financial Activities when the good are sold.
## _**Fixed Assets**_
_Consecrated land and buildings and movable church furnishings_
Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by s.10(2)(a) and (c)of the Charities Act 2011 Chapter 2, s.10(2)(C).
No value is placed on movable church furnishings held by the churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal since the PCC considers this to be inalienable property. All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings and movable church furnishings whether maintenance or improvement is written off as expenditure in the Statement of Financial Activities and separately disclosed.
_Other land and buildings held for use in the work of the church._
The curate's house is included under this caption. It is stated at a fair value as agreed by the PCC.
## _**Investments**_
Investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date. The Statement of Financial Activities includes net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year.
## _**Equipment**_
Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight-line basis over four years. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £5000 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.
## _**Current Assets**_
Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for any amounts that may prove to be uncollectable.
ST MARY WITH ST PHIUP AND ST JAMES W(X)DFORD
Note 2 Incomi¥ Resources
18
General
Fund
Eamiarked
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2023
TOTAL
2022
TOTAL
Voluntary Income
Planned Giving
Income Tax recovered
65,447
19,292
6,183
18.266
65,447
19,292
6,183
18,266
64,197
17,604
6,334
14,460
335
5.579
Loose Collections
Sundry Oonalions
Donation Earmarked
Church Appeals
Floodlighting Donation
Magazine Donations
Legacie5
7,413
370
247
27,5
144.718
7,413
370
247
27,500
144,718
386
50,008
159,293
Income: Charitsble Arti¥lthes
Fees- weddings etc
L417
1,417
1,466
Other Iniome
Rent Curate's F+ouse
Churchyard Income
Fund Raising
Bazaar Fund Raising
22,836
1,5
4,747
22,836
I,soo
4,747
3,943
33,026
22,gSO
1,5(
5.534
4,405
34.389
3,943
3.943
Investment Income
Interest and Dividends
7,154
365
12,519
5,839
Other Trading arti¥ities
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
182,372
4,308
191,680
200.987
sr MARY wiTh sr PHKIP AND sr JAMES WOODFORD
19
General
Fund
Earniarked
Funds
Restricted
2023
Ér£
2022
TOTAL
Funds
TOTAL
Gr•nts
Mission societies
Church Societies
3,200
I,(y)o
700
32
2300
ith)o
Charities e.g. ELHAP
7CYJ
700
4,0
4,0
ArtbVitie5 directl
related to church
Diocesan Quota
Rettor's Expense5
Music. Organ & Choir
Service EMpen5e5
HeatingJLight/Waief
Cleaning
Routine Maintenance
91.785
425
91.785
445
89,279
466
20
11.424
1.154
13.568
3.923
5.499
7.699
2.781
3.459
357
11.424
1.154
13.568
3.923
5.499
8.521
2.781
3.459
357
8,077
453
7,993
4,051
3.431
4.360
3.139
3,200
63
Clergy house exnSeS
Churchyard Expenses
Insurance
822
Junior Church
Memorial Hall ContritMrtK)n5
6.0(
1.605
163
5.880
1.483
354
6.688
5.854
and stationery Inc m
Sundries
Outreach inc lami
azine
1.605
163
8,574
1.182
62.017
222.457
3,206
1.182
62.017
216247
5,368
Fabric Expenditure
Churihyard Acce55 Road (Note 101
Total difedly related to Church work
Fund Raising and Publiaty
Stewardship Expenses
Church ManaÉ*mtnt and Admln
Parish Office and Telephone
Governance Costs
822
5,388
144,771
10,087
10,087
9,618
Treasurerslsecretary Expenses
Independent Examiner Fee
77
77
7£
1.766
1,843
228,177
1.766
1,843
239,287
1.718
1.796
160,185
OTAL RESOURCES USED
822
10,288
20
ST MARY wmi ST PHILIP AND ST JAMES WOODFORD
Note 47
NOTE 4 FIXED ASSEfs For Use By The PCC
NOTE 4a Freehold land and bulldlnp
Freehold land and buildin85 comprise the 'Curate's Hose. at 33 Elmhurst Dfive,
The 8ross book value is based on a fair valuation as agreed by the PCC in 2022.
Note 4b INVESTMENTS
CBF Fixed Interest Securities Fund Income Shares
Market Value at 31112122
Markei Value 3131112123
LosslProfit on revaluaiion
2023
20ZZ
86,080
,883
4,803
99.422
86,080
-13,342
NOTE 5 DEBTORS
2023
2022
Orhef Debtors
3,570
357
18,015
18,015
Total
NOTE 6 STAFF COSTS
Durlng the year. the PCC employed a Director of Music. famify worker. two
administration secretsrs and a cleanerlcataker. Emprnent costs a included in
the respective expenditure heads. No present member of the PCC received
rernuneratn or expenses. Salaries 2023 £33.698 12022 £27,195)
NOTE 7 SPECIAL COLLEcfioNS
Restricted retiring colkntions for 2023 for which the PCC acted solety as a post-box
amounted to £10.75312022 £9,(9)
ST MARY WITH ST PHIUP AND STJAMES WCK)DFORD
Note8-10
21
NOTE 8 ANALYSIS OF FUNDS AND NET ASSETS
Fixed Aets
CurrentAssets
Liabilities
FUND
BALANCES
General Purpose Fund
840,883
132,679
13.137
960,425
Earmarked Funds
Fabric Fund
108,569
7.167
108,569
7,167
Clergy House Fund
OTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
840,883
248,415
13,137
1,076,161
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Agency
Music Fund
5,194
2CK)
5,194
200
Pinney Fund lal
Mi55ion Fund
4.107
12,293
21.794
4,107
12,293
21.794
Family Worker Fund
OTAL RE5Tr1cfED FUNDS
OTAL FUNDS
840.883
270,209
13.137
1,097.955
al The Pinney Fund is restricted to MataInIng a War Memorial Plaque on the North
Wall
Noie 9
lal The income from (Xher Tradin8Athvit*5 £Nil12022 £Nill
P4ole 10
The PCC re-affirmed its dec1)n to go ahead with the resurfacing and imprown8 the
drNe after duss)nS for over ten years. Three quote5 were obtained. The work was
completed in the Summer 2023 and 5% retention 15 being hehl and the amount
xtrued.
The projert was supervised by Chartered Architect Consultant. Donald Insall
A550aates. 80th Bestco Surfacing Linited and Donald Insall are non-related third
parties to St Mary's.
22
111111
11111111
Iiiiiiiiu
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**Independent Examiner's Report to the PCC at St Mary’s Woodford**
**23**
I report to the PCC on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st December 2023 which comprise the Balance Sheet, Statement of Financial Activities and related notes.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the PCC’s members you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Lorraine Catherine Purdy FCCA Clay Ratnage & Co Suite D, The Business Centre Faringdon Avenue **Signed** : Romford Essex RM3 8EN **Dated** :
**24** 26.
## Core Support
## **Pastoral Care**
Much pastoral care has been given and received by individuals keeping in touch with each other and especially those within our fellowship on the Sunday prayer list for changed or acute needs and on the Prayers for Wholeness and Healing prayer lists or known to be in need. Prayer Ministry team members pray after each Sunday 10am service for those who write requests or who visit the chapel in person, and for any needs of which they are aware. Sadly, this has been a year with considerable pastoral need. There have been four people baptised (one adult, one young person and two babies), one marriage and one marriage blessing in church, five funerals in church, a further twelve funerals conducted by the ministry team at a Crematorium and the burial of six sets of ashes in the memorial garden within the churchyard at St Mary’s. Mark Lewis has begun to lead funerals and Rachel Summers assists with funerals and will soon lead. Five members of our Ministry Team take home Communion to those unable to attend church.
## **Safeguarding**
This year we have updated our Safeguarding policy which can be accessed via our website and is available from the office. We have also introduced guidelines for group leaders, volunteers and lone workers.
As PSO I continue to meet regularly with the Rector to consider what support may be required in our parish and any other safeguarding issues.
We ensure that those holding office either paid employees or volunteers have the required level of DBS (Disclosure and Barring Checks) and all are encouraged to undertake training.
Safeguarding appears as a standard item on every PCC agenda in order to ensure that we keep up to date with requirements.
There is a blue poster ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ on display in the church entrance giving contact details for emergencies. There are also Safe Spaces posters in our toilets with a helpline number to call.
Best practice on safeguarding can be found on the Church of England’s website: www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding
Jackie Peacock Parish Safeguarding Officer
**25** OG
## Wider Faith Links
## **Mission Committee**
This year, the agreed list of Charities and Missions supported by the Church have been met. Stephen Wiggs continues to lead the work for Christian Aid and Wendy Littlejohns has arranged speakers with retiring collections. There have been special collections for emergency appeals. With a shortage of members and the personal circumstances of the ongoing members, we have been unable to run additional fund raising events this year. However we have supported and participated in the major charitable efforts such as the Bazaar. With the PCC in the process of reviewing the long term future of the committee, we look forward to a reshaping to support the essential elements of the role played by the committee. This includes highlighting the work of each organisation through the rotation of speakers and retiring collections and the distribution of funds raised by the Bazaar to the charities, missions and good courses supported by the Church. Last year, saw the return of our CMS partners, the Clare family to this country from Uganda. The commitment to a CMS partner is very large financial commitment and there are currently no plans to commit to a new partner. Linda Wiskin
## **The Woodford Fellowship of Christian Churches 2023**
Along with most of the other churches in Woodford St Mary’s is a member of The Woodford Fellowship of Christian Churches. The Fellowship provides opportunities for Christians of different denominations in the Woodford area to meet, to talk, to worship, to sing, to work and to share activities together.
In January 2023 the Service of Prayer for Christian Unity was held at St Paul’s, Woodford Bridge.
On the second Sunday of Advent the Ecumenical Advent Carol service was held at St Thomas of Canterbury. We enjoyed Advent readings and singing Advent carols. Choirs from All Saints, Loyola Prep School and St Thomas of Canterbury sang. Members of about ten local churches participated, offering reflections, readings and prayers. For the first time members of the newly opened Liberty Church in Woodford joined in. The service was followed by tea, coffee and mince pies in the Becket Centre.
The retiring collection was split between Mary’s Meals and the Salvation Army for the Redbridge Cold Weather Centre. Churches share details of forthcoming events such as the Repair Cafes at St Mary’s, concerts and Lent lunches. Members of four local churches joined for a Good Friday Walk of Witness. Cheryl Corney
**26** )
## **Three Faiths Forum 2023**
There have been three meetings of the Three Faiths Forum this year. The first, at which Elizabeth was one of the main speakers, was on fasting. Then, prompted by the King’s Coronation oath, we considered whether faiths need special protection in the 21st century. The speakers were a lady judge on the Sharia court, a visiting Rabbi from Canada and myself. No vote was taken but subsequent discussion implied that special protections is needed but we do need to be vigilant. The third meeting was of a very different nature from our customary practice, informing us of the fate of those Ethiopian Jews who had been left behind when so many had been taken to Israel in 1995. This meeting included a streamed contribution from the only Ethiopian to have been a member of the Israeli Parliament, or Knesset. Rowena Rudkin.
## **MMU**
We completed a pilgrimage walk starting at St Mary's this year going via St Peters in the Forest, Christchurch, Wanstead and St Mary's the Virgin and ending at Aldersbrook with tea and cake. It was a lovely afternoon with people from all 4 churches riding or walking all or part of the route. We continue to share our youth worker across three of the MMU churches and it is great to work in partnership with our neighbours. Adela
## **Redbridge Faith Forum**
This group meets several times each year on weekday lunchtimes in Ilford and is seeking new Trustees and funding. Our Rector spoke about Holy Week & Easter as part of a spring session about Festivals. There were further, lively presentations and discussions later in the year about healthcare and eco matters. Sadly, given the situation in the Middle East the Walk of Peace did not go ahead in the autumn.
## Church Contact Details
**Rector** The Revd Dr Elizabeth Lowson 020 8504 7981 rector@stmaryswoodford.org.uk
P **arish Office** St Mary’s Church 207 High Road E18 2PA 020 8505 3000 info@stmaryswoodford.org.uk
**Authorised Preacher** Mark Spencer-Ellis **Lay Readers** Mark Lewis, Rowena Rudkin
**Assistant Clergy**
**27** 27
Revd Gill Hopkins, Revd Canon Jeanette Meadway Revd Rachel Summers
**Ordinand** Fiona Macaulay **PCC Secretary** Adela Kay **Treasurer** Shirley Lai **Bankers** HSBC, The Co-operative Bank
**Independent Examiner** Lorraine Catherine Purdy FCCA
Clay Ratnage & Co, Suite D, The Business Centre, Faringdon Avenue, Romford, RM3 8EN
## Giving
## **What your generosity did for those in need :**
JI 111 111 A Mi ni
IIIII IIIII
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unior
Notices
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