Annual Report and Financial Statements of
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary with Christ Church, Wanstead for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2020
Registered Charity Number 1127753
Incumbent:
The Rev Dr Nicholas Dunn The Rectory Wanstead Place Wanstead
## Banks:
NatWest Bank, High Street, Wanstead
HSBC Bank, Electric Parade, George Lane, South Woodford CCLA Investment Management Ltd, Cheapside, London EC2 Nationwide Building Society, 4 Clockhouse Parade, High Street,
Wanstead E11 2BB
Independent Examiner:
Yusuf Dedat FCA, Clay Ratnage & Co
## _Contents_
Introduction .................................................................................... 4 The Curate’s Report ...................................................................... 5 Churchwardens’ Reports .............................................................. 8 GPOW/HLF Resilience Bid ........................................................... 12 Church Opening 2020 ................................................................. 13 Children and Youth ..................................................................... 14 Parish Activities and Groups ....................................................... 19 Report of Electoral Roll Officer................................................... 25 Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals ............................................. 26 Charitable Trustees ...................................................................... 26 The Parish Church Council ......................................................... 28 Lay Vice Chair’s Report .............................................................. 28 Committees: Information and Governance ........................... 32 Committee Reports ..................................................................... 38 Wanstead Church School Report ............................................. 48 Financial Review .......................................................................... 50
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## _Introduction_
2020 has been a demanding year as the world suffered a pandemic, caused by the highly infectious Covid-19 virus. By the end of March, Wanstead was in lockdown and we were told to stay indoors, socially distance, wash our hands and save the NHS. The number of people dying from the virus reached hideous proportions, but by the summer we were able to relax and hope that we had seen the beginning of the end of the virus. However, by November we were into our second lockdown, and by the beginning of 2021 we were into a third lockdown.
Throughout all the grief and the loss and the curtailment of our freedoms, the church in Wanstead continued its mission, while observing the rules, serving the community in new and ingenious ways, reaching out to the more vulnerable members of the parish, providing online services and, when allowed, safe and socially distant services in church as well as opportunities for private prayer.
This report outlines the ways in which the church in Wanstead embraced all the challenges of 2020
_Sue Oldham Assistant Secretary to the PCC_
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_The Curate’s Report_
This year has often invited us to discover as a parish community who is our neighbour.
A lawyer once asked Jesus this question to test him. In response Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37). This parable demonstrates that our neighbour is anyone who needs love and compassion. Throughout 2020 we have loved our neighbours by running a night shelter, by working to house a Syrian Refugee family and by reaching out to our community during the Covid19 pandemic.
We began the year by hosting a weekly night shelter through the Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelter partnership. This exciting venture saw members of the parish and the wider community working together to support, befriend and feed people in our church halls. We invited strangers to sleep and be fed in our parish halls, but soon we shared stories, laughed and broke bread together as neighbours.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic we discovered many different ways to serve our community. For many months our churches were closed to protect people and save lives. In March 2020 our Archbishops described the calling of faith communities: “Our life is going to be less characterised by attendance at church on Sunday and more characterised by the prayer and service we offer."
Here in Wanstead we introduced liturgies for adults, children and families to use at home and our youth groups moved online. We set up a pastoral group to support people through phone calls and to respond to their needs. During Holy Week and Easter, Father Jack filmed several worship services. These were a creative and engaging way to remember Jesus’ passion and celebrate his resurrection. But it was a significant loss not to be able to physically journey alongside one another as the body of Christ, as we do each Holy Week.
Canon Ann did an excellent job in leading the community in daily worship on Facebook. This ministry picked up a large community of worshippers. Canon Ann also led our online Sunday services for many months from April until early August. This online ministry gave us stability and rhythm in these challenging times and it was a much-needed blessing.
James Paterson and Julie Harvey set up the Tin in the Bin network, which quickly expanded and has led to many tons of food being donated to Redbridge Foodbank. This is a wonderful example of how we are called to love our neighbours and give with sacrificial generosity. This pandemic has often taught us that communities need to find ways to pull together and support one another.
In April we raised enough money through community fundraising to sponsor a Syrian Refugee family. A team of people from many local churches, including
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Wanstead Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes, St Mary’s Woodford, St. Gabriel’s and St. Peter’s in the Forest worked hard to secure Home Office approval for this project. In December we finally heard the good news that we can welcome a Syrian Refugee family to settle in Wanstead.
We thank this ecumenical team for their wonderful dedication and energy, especially as they continue to prepare so this family can thrive. We are called to pray for this Syrian family. We pray that God is guiding and strengthening them as they prepare to leave their home and find a new beginning in Wanstead.
One of the many challenges of this pandemic is that people have been separated from their family, friends and support networks. This has been especially tough when people are grieving. It was a difficult decision to close our church buildings for parish funerals from April. Throughout 2020 the ministry team has conducted many funerals in crematoriums and at gravesides. We also did a bereavement service at All Souls tide, which offered people comfort and hope, as they gathered to remember their loved ones.
This year many members of our parish community have sadly died: we remember with love Alva Fowler a pupil at the church school, Mary Colmer, Jean Newman, Donna Stephens-Coote, Shelia Eyre, Gus Fletcher, Mary Sharp, Jane Fells, Roberta McWatt, Ian Hartley and Colin Goodall. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
In September we began a resilience project funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and we formed committees to steer this project. We appointed Dr Alix Slater as our project consultant who is giving us inspirational vision and leadership. We also appointed Dow Jones as our project architect and Vikki Thompson to help with fundraising. As we look to 2021 we are very excited to see how they can help us to discover creative ways to transform our buildings so they can more fully serve the wider community. A big thank you to the wonderful team of people who are giving their time by serving on our lottery project committees.
In September Olive was ordained as a deacon in Chelmsford Cathedral and began her curacy. This service was a wonderful joy, but because of Covid-19 Olive was only able to invite four guests to support her. When Revd Olive is priested we hope that more of the parish family can join her for this celebration.
On behalf of the ministry team, I would like to thank Avril Carnelley, Sue Fitzgerald, Deborah Dickinson, Pen Garlick, Carry Green, Michelle Wells, Jill Steggle and Tom Thompson who stepped down from PCC in 2021. Thank you to each of them for their hard work and for sharing their many gifts with us. I also thank Avril and Sue who ended their roles as deputy warden and churchwarden. We very much appreciate their dedication and their wonderful gifts. I also thank Celia Heath who retired as our pastoral assistant: we greatly appreciate the support, care and compassion she put into her ministry.
On behalf of the ministry team, I would also like to thank our churchwardens Ralph, Barbara and David for their time, energy and passion. We greatly value
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your respective callings to this ministry and your leadership. I would also like to thank Jan Andrews, Lorraine Bucknall, Nicola Calabrese, Phil Ryan, Lauren Johnson, Richard Williams, Michael Tivey, Sue Paterson, David Kettlety, Peter Schaefer, Susie Knox, Martin Elliot and Joe Waggott for their hard work and kindness. I would also like to thank all the members of the PCC and our sub committees for their time and energy throughout this challenging year and our ministry team for their care, support and dedication.
Thank yous must also go to our lay worship leaders Yvy Carter, Jem and Carry Green, Susan Holdham, Roger Middleditch, Sîan and James Paterson, Lin and Mark Taylor, David Wyatt, Alison Wells, Avril and Phil Carnelley, Pen Garlick, Kirsteen King and Elaine Thompson for their creativity and devotion. I would also like to thank Alex Harborne and Natalie Denchfield for all that they do to make Wanstead Church School the outstanding school that it is.
We thank Father Jack, the church wardens, the PCC and the ministry team for their leadership and for their commitment to contingency planning during this Covid-19 Pandemic.
During the year we said goodbye to Revd Ian Tarrant who left as Rector of St Mary’s, Woodford to begin a new ministry in the diocese of Europe as the Dean of the Cathedral church of the Holy Trinity, Gibraltar. In September Canon Ann left our parish to become the first ever female Preacher of the Charterhouse. We thank Ann for her tireless hard work and for her wonderful preaching. In December we also said goodbye to our youth and families worker Josh who is now pursuing a calling to ordination in the Baptist denomination. We are very pleased that Josh is following God’s call on his life and give thanks for his teaching and for his relational presence in our community.
In Advent we welcomed Revd Chris and his wife Caroline to our parish community through an online installation service on Zoom. It is a great joy that Revd Chris has joined Wanstead Parish as an associate priest and we are glad that he can bless us with his gifts and experience.
At Christmas we welcomed people to worship with us through online Christingle and Nativity services. It was wonderful to celebrate Christmas in our church buildings and we worked hard to do so as safely as possible.
We must offer a huge thank to Father Jack for his many gifts, especially his vision, energy and compassion and for the way he has encouraged us to look outwards by serving our community. We will miss Jack’s sense of humour and his encouraging nature that nurtured people’s gifts. We keep the whole family in our prayers as they leave Wanstead and we pray that Jack will find his next calling soon.
As a parish community we are called to share our lives together as the body of Christ. It has been a significant loss to be physically separated from one another for long periods of time. We have missed opportunities for worship, fellowship, support and social events and to share the Eucharist together for many months at a time. The Eucharist sustains us by enabling us to experience God’s love
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and it unites us to one another. The love we encounter during communion enables us, in turn, to love one another and serve the world around us.
As Christians our calling is to look for signs of hope and to be a source of light in the wider community that we serve. This year has been challenging, but we have encountered hope, especially through worship, prayer, love and compassion. Hope is a gift from God who came as Jesus Christ to bring hope to the world. Jesus’ light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it (John 1:5). It never will. We are the light of the world and Jesus invites us to boldly share that light (Matthew 5: 14-16). We are called as a community of faith to bring light and to reveal hope. Let us pray that whatever 2021 brings, we will continue to do that together.
_Tom Britt_
## _Churchwardens’ Reports_
## **St Mary’s**
It has been a good year at St Mary’s with the Lay Leadership growing in confidence and popularity.
Each month saw a eucharist being held on the first Sunday of the month and an alternating service based on the Book of Common Prayer and Morning Prayer, from the book of Common Worship. In November, the congregation were asked to vote on their preferred service, and they decided to keep the services alternating for another year.
## The St Mary’s committee was established.
Christmas was as magical as ever with a large number of worshipers attending the carol service and Christmas Day celebrations.
In the spring, Wanstead High School held an exhibition of students’ artwork as they embarked on their final year work toward their A level’s. The show was a success in a number of ways. One, in bringing many pupils into the church, who had never been inside but had passed by on their way to school each day. The staff were enthused by the combination of architecture, atmosphere, and ease of curation within the church. The head teacher suggested that the final work, after marking, could be shown and a small celebration held in the churchyard with the school jazz band providing some musical entertainment. Unfortunately, this was thwarted by Covid-19. 2020 was a year that had promised so much but delivered so little.
Covid-19 struck and caused the church to close for a number of months. Our POD network made regular contact to ensure everyone had support. With the help and enthusiasm of the rector and volunteer teams, the church reopened
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with restrictions on distancing and cleaning. Open Days have resumed on a Wednesday evening.
Thanks also to Jillian Steggle for arranging and delivering all the sanitising equipment.
Alison Wells ensured that the organ was kept in good order and working with the rector adapted the services of Common Worship and the Book of Common Prayer, to work without hymns and sung responses.
A decision was made by the PCC in response to current trends in facing up to past wrongs committed by the British to cover the monument of Joshua Child. The St Mary’s committee placed some educational material in front of the monument and arranged with the Lay Leaders that the October homilies will focus on Black History Month.
Our churchyard is designated, ‘Closed’ which means that we can no longer bury anyone in a coffin in the churchyard and that the responsibility of maintaining the churchyard falls to Redbridge council. However, we can still bury someone who has a family plot, and we have provision for ashes to be buried within the churchyard. Redbridge council have appointed Westerleigh Group to maintain the churchyard. An assessment of the health of the trees in the churchyard was made by Westerleigh Group and identified a number of ash trees that required attention. High winds and storms brought down a dead tree which had been part removed but with a large portion of the trunk remaining. Fortunately, it fell between graves causing no damage. However, in late August, an ash tree, in the east part of the churchyard close to the morgue, had split in high winds and part came down, damaging about five graves.
In early September a full review of the churchyard took place with Westerleigh Group and Redbridge council. The meeting lasted about three hours and Phil Ryan attended as leader of the churchyard gardening club. The meeting was very positive and an offer of bulbs for use in the churchyard was made by the attending councillor.
A new St Mary’s resilience committee was formed to work alongside a Christ Church Committee, with Alix Slater on the Heritage Lottery resilience project.
Thanks go to Pen Garlick for organising Open House weekend for the parish. Despite the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, St Mary’s were able to welcome 146 visitors over the weekend.
My thanks go to, Jem Green for organising and keeping the rotas neat and tidy. Alison Wells and Martin Wheatly for providing the music each week whilst our Music Director is on furlough. Our readers, intercessors, singers, and sides people. Sue Paterson for managing and encouraging the POD teams and all of the volunteers. To Susan Llewelyn for resuming Compline on a Wednesday and all of our Lay Leaders who deliver our services with such enthusiasm and love.
_Ralph Hall_
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## **Christ Church**
2020 will undoubtedly be the year we will never forget. As the pandemic took its hold on the world, life went into lockdown and for the first time in history we were forced to close the churches and the halls.
But, thanks to the hard work of so many people in our church community, worship continued and a whole new pattern of services and new forms of communication opened up and will most definitely change the way we work and worship forever.
Online worship became the new norm, forcing people to adapt to new ways, new ideas and get online. As Easter approached, Father Jack was busy preparing a range of YouTube services where he took the starring role. Our congregations and team came together to take part and bring familiarity to this new means with cameo appearances of people doing readings, singing, and leading prayers. The feedback was incredibly positive and the whole new idea of enjoying a church service with a mug of tea in your hand whilst in your pyjamas became very appealing.
The work behind the scenes during this strange time was immense. As well as YouTube and Facebook services, we had our daily dose of ‘Time to Pray’ from Canon Ann, regular newsletters, information and updates on social media and meetings, social events and youth groups now taking place via Zoom. Huge thanks must go to Ann and Nicola Calabrese who worked tirelessly during this time giving Wanstead Parish a huge virtual presence. With rehearsals now on hold, our choir even managed a virtual performance of If Ye Love Me by Thomas Tallis and two hymns, with the help of Phil Carnelley’s newfound expertise in virtual ensembles, complete with sausage rolls delivered to your door!
Where some people embraced this new normal of staying at home with DIY and hobbies they’ve only dreamed of, for many, this time was incredibly difficult, distressing and scary. With Church usually being a social hub and a support - particularly for those who had lost loved ones - for some, going online was not an option. Our ministry team immediately set out with a plan to set up a strong pastoral care network, calling every member of our congregation and offering a link back to church and some kind of normality. And we must thank the huge team of people who were behind this.
As the church and hall closed and baptisms and weddings were cancelled, finances soon became an issue and regrettably Lauren, our hall manager, Lorraine our Parish Manager and Joe our music director had to be furloughed. We have missed them dearly and hope that they will soon be able to join us again. Like the rest of the world, the future of our finances will continue to be a worry going forward but I’d like to thank Jill and Mary our treasurers for the incredible amount of work and effort that they have put in throughout the year and particularly over the lockdown period juggling our finances and searching for security.
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In the midst of lockdown Father Jack announced his departure in January 2021. Much more will be written about the huge loss this will be nearer his departure, but we are extremely grateful for the few months grace which will enable succession planning for the many projects he has initiated, before he leaves us.
As we slowly came to terms with Jack’s departure, Canon Ann announced that she too was leaving to become The Preacher at the Charterhouse. This role is perfect for Ann and although we will miss her enormously, we are all so pleased for her. The good thing is she isn’t going very far.
Still with the ministry team, after a very difficult last few months, when studying had to continue remotely, Olive finished her ordination training. She will be ordained in Chelmsford Cathedral on 12[th] September. Unfortunately, due to current restrictions it will be a small service so the parish is not able to support her. We are looking forward to Olive starting her ordained ministry with us.
As lockdown started, we heard that we had been awarded a Resilience Grant from Heritage Lottery, this was one of the last grants to be awarded, grants have now been paused for the foreseeable future, so the parish was extremely fortunate to gain this award. This grant for £72,500 to ‘Secure the Future of St Mary and Christ Church’ will enable the PCC to explore how the churches can best serve the community in the future. Two committees have been set up, one for each church, to look at community involvement. An architect will be appointed to draw up plans to adapt both churches to enable them to be used for a variety of different events including maintenance work i.e., securing the tower at Christ Church and continuing the wall repairs at St Mary’s. There will be consultations about plans and ideas so keep a look out for these.
As Boris Johnson began to announce the easing of lockdown, we awaited guidance from the Church of England with baited breath and Father Jack put a plan in place to get our church open as soon as we were allowed to do so. Starting with private prayer, it was emotional to see our church open its doors for the first time in five months. As guidance changed and easing continued, we set about introducing two services a week – Sunday morning and Wednesday afternoon - leaving 72 hours between services as advised by the Church of England and the government.
With singing banned for the foreseeable future and strict measures in place, the services were set to be very different. One-way systems were put in place, track and trace was set up, hand-sanitizing stations were dotted around the church and attendance was via ‘ticket’. The congregation were encouraged to wear masks and seating places were labelled around the church ensuring everyone was two metres apart. The Peace became a nod or a very British wave and communion was reduced to just the bread. BUT, despite these bizarre new ways, the services have felt more spiritual, comforting and reflective than ever, creating a time of peace, tranquillity and normality during this time of uncertainty and discomfort. The 10am service was alternated with the 9am service each week and on alternate Sundays the 9am would take place on zoom and the 10am on Facebook Where most churches remained closed, we should be incredibly grateful to our ministry team and beyond who
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worked so hard to get our churches open safely and confidently. And huge thanks to Tom, Jack, Richard, Olive, Ann, Deborah, Avril, Pen, Suzi and Ralph and I am sure there are many more.
Lauren has been working hard to reopen the halls, this has involved huge amounts of paperwork, risk assessments, new notices, and cleaning rotas, which Lauren has waded through. She has plans for safe use of the hall and is starting to talk to regular users. This, as well as helping the community to return to some sort of normality, will reopen a much-needed income stream to support the church as it struggles with the huge financial burden. A huge thank you Lauren for all that she is doing.
As we move forward into what continues to be a period of uncertainty ahead, despite further easing of restrictions, we will continue to use changes and what we have learnt to our benefit. There are many positives that came out of this lockdown period and I hope we will continue to embrace them and look to the future.
_Sue Fitzgerald and Avril Carnelley_
_GPOW/HLF Resilience Bid_
## **Securing the future of St Mary with Christ Church Wanstead A National Lottery Heritage Fund Resilience Project**
In March 2019, the PCC represented by Father Jack, David Ranger and Avril Carnelley were successful in a bid to LHF for £72, 500 as part of a £79,500 project to enable the PCC to appoint a professional team with expertise in ecclesiastic buildings to work with them during the next year to undertake a governance review and commission surveys and reports on both church buildings in the parish.
The Steering group (Jack, David and Avril) after competitive tendering appointed Dr Alix Slater as the project coordinator.
Two committees were set up: one to represent St Marys and one to represent Christ Church. Initially these met separately but by the autumn the meetings were combined. A steering group leads the project.
Permission to start was gained in July 2020 and after another competitive tendering exercise, the architects Dow Jones were appointed to undertake a needs assessment and draw preliminary plans for work to improve access to and usage of both churches.
Progress to date: Appointment of a project coordinator Appointment of architects Greater diversity in PCC
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Needs assessment for both churches Skills training for committee members and PCC members Statement of Significance written for both churches
Workshop by Biba Dow, principal architect, with initial thoughts and drawings following site visits and feedback from questionnaires and discussions to local people, interest groups and church members led by Alix Slater.
_Avril Carnelley_
## _Church Opening 2020_
## **St Mary’s**
During 2020/2021, the congregation at St Mary’s have opened the church as often as the Covid-19 rules have allowed. Towards the end of the first lockdown, we opened on a Wednesday evening before Compline so that people could come in for quiet reflection or private prayer. In September, we opened on Saturday mornings so that we could resume our commitment to the Heritage Lottery Fund by opening for non-public worship.
We were delighted to be able to participate in London Open House Weekend again last year, despite the social-distancing measures meaning we had to limit the number of visitors. There was a theme this year of “Memories”, and members of the congregation submitted photos and anecdotes from their time in the Parish. These memories, including favourite sermons, wedding/baptism photos, photos of past open days/events, and an information board about the Crypt, which were displayed across the Church for visitors to enjoy. The need to follow social distancing guidance meant the event was a little bit different than normal, yet - thanks to the introduction of pre-booked tickets and a cleverly-designed one way system - we safely welcomed 142 people over the two days.
When the second lockdown was announced in October 2020 and our parish services went back online, we offered St Mary’s as a place for people to come for private prayer and reflection on Saturday mornings again. The timing of the lockdown meant there was no church service to commemorate Remembrance Sunday, so we placed a poppy on each of the 60+ war graves found in the graveyard to create a poppy trail. The poppy trail is enjoyed by the increasing number of people who take their daily walk in the graveyard. During the third lockdown in 2021 private prayer has continued on Saturdays whilst our services are online. The St Mary’s congregation are looking forward to resuming the regular open days once it is safe to do so. We will again be offering volunteering opportunities for young people doing their Duke of Edinburgh awards.
_Sue Paterson_
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## **Christ Church**
Christ Church has been open on Saturdays for the last 10 years, as one of the conditions laid down when the Heritage Lottery Fund provided finance for the repair of the roof, to allow public access to the church outside service times, and we started the change from morning to afternoon opening in January 2020. However, the national lockdown in March prevented any opening for some time.
I am very grateful to the extended team of volunteers who signed up to open the church, as soon as the rules allowed us to do so in June, and who have continued to keep the church open for private prayer, within the changing guidance, recording visitors, wiping down pews and answering questions, all from behind masks. Their willingness to change shift times and days, as well as learning new rules, have made it possible for Christ Church to be open to those who find praying in church so very important at this stressful time.
_Pen Garlick_
_Children and Youth_
## **MMU Youth Work**
January-February included Signpost Youth Club, Bridge Youth Club, Quest Sunday Ministry, Tuesday Costa Youth Club, confirmation sessions, Sunday Small Group and our joint-MMU contemporary Transfiguration service at St Peter’s-in-the-Forest.
In March we had one last weekly Tuesday Costa Youth Club of the year before Covid-19 hit playing games, chatting together, and praying for one another. Josh Waldock from Red Balloon took over leadership of Signpost Youth Club for years 6-8 from Becca before Signpost was moved online too. Revd Tom Britt continued to lead The Bridge Youth for years 9-13.
March-April we adjusted to life online, offering a weekly Saturday games Zoom, and our Sunday Small Group moved online at 2pm reading the Bible and praying together, studying scripture, discussing faith and playing games together. Some parents started a morning prayer Sunday Zoom and many young people contributed to the Sunday Services online across the MMU over the year. Becca took on a more pastoral role, checking in with young people across the Parishes.
In April with Josh furloughed and Red Balloon’s contract suspended, Becca and Revd Tom took over running both youth clubs online till July. Youth Clubs were offered fortnightly with year 6 Signpost sessions between 6-7pm and year 7-8 Signpost sessions between 7-8pm on Fridays. The Bridge Youth Club for years 9-13 were offered fortnightly 8-9pm. Sunday small group and the parent’s Morning Prayer Zooms continued through till July.
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In July Becca prepared the youth clubs for September with Covid-19 accommodating risk assessments, additional volunteers and adjusted the sessions in hope that we would meet face-to-face again.
In August, Aquasports, our yearly 14+ youth camp, had an online meet up and we spent the week watching devotionals videos from the camp’s leaders to encourage and inspire us in our faith journey.
In September Becca’s contract was renewed using the LOB grant with additional financially support from the MMU. September-October we recommenced meeting for Quest Sunday Ministry, and in October 2020 Becca presented a new Youth Vision of ‘why we do what we do’ to the Youth Ministry Development Group. This is:
## **To glorify God, in unity across our MMU, to make followers of Jesus through the leading of the Holy Spirit**
November’s lockdown gave us a chance to test out this new vision. We launched a new version of Quest Sunday Ministry weekly on Zoom and each week’s session including the ‘how of what we do’ with an opportunity to:
## **Encounter God, establish belief, equip the saints, engage with the world, revive your mind, body, spirit and soul and rest before being released into the week ahead.**
Our Core Values as developed from the Vision Committee set up in 2019 are to:
**Gather young people: All are welcome Grow in confidence: discover more about themselves, each other, Jesus Christ & the world Good Relationships: like the trinity Each person: valued and celebrated Loving & serving: Like Jesus said & did Reflective & open: that God might be known Outwardly engaged: spiritually, socially, environmentally All we do: fun, transformational and safe With Jesus: the way, the truth and the life.**
Becca and Jano led the sessions together based upon the letter 1 Peter to learn how to endure well through lockdown together and study scripture using the SOAP method (study, observe, apply, pray). We believe that God deserves all the glory from everything we do. That what we do is a pleasing offering that glorifies Him in every way. The hope is that as we seek to become a more coherent youth ministry in unity across our MMU. That we will be able to provide exciting, fun, and relevant ways to engage with young people in their faith journey as we seek to follow Jesus and together introduce others to be part of this amazing family of God.
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We launched a new social media Instagram account to test the vision and each day posted something relevant to our ‘how we do what we do’. This coincided with The Church of England’s call to Pray for the Nation led live on Facebook each day at 6pm. Quest Youth Group prepared and lead the November Remembrance Day Service, with many contributing to the Bible Readings, prayers, a video of how St Mary’s Woodford remember loved ones, which we managed to film just before the November lockdown was announced.
Pastoral support, especially for those experiencing mental health problems, was continually made available with weekly check-ins or phone calls. Training and support was offered through the Diocese and Deanery from the Diocese Youth Advisors; Emma, Dot and Tara, and additional training from organisations like Transforming Lives for Good were particularly helpful.
In December Sunday Services resumed and the young people enjoyed contributing to various Christmas Services across the MMU. The Youth Music group played and sang at the St Gabriel’s carol services and Crib Service. Cards and Christmas boxes were delivered across our Parishes as prepared by Red Balloon to celebrate Christmas together and we enjoyed Christmas parties for our last in-person youth clubs of the year. We said goodbye to Josh as he left to pursue Baptist Ministry and began to prepare for January 2021 once again in lockdown.
We praise God for the incredible way He has sustained this ministry and supported the young people across our Parishes. We know that so many have had such a tough year, and we look to 2021 to partner with all that God is doing in obedience and hope that many young people would grow in their faith or come to know Him. We praise God for the many people who have sacrificed this year in-person and online through the youth ministry. We are so grateful for the love, support, volunteer time and prayers that so many have given on behalf of this youth ministry. Thank you and God bless. As always please do get in touch with your needs, prayers, ideas and support. With love, Becca Kemal- WWA youth worker – wwayouth@hotmail.com 07490 459 850
## **Committee Youth Ministry Development Group 2020 Members:**
Becca Kemal (MMU Youth Worker)
Sheba Lockley (until Feb) and Linda Wiskin (MMU Youth Worker Supervisor) Victoria Etherington (Youth Ministry Consultant)
Revd Ian Tarrant (until Feb) and Beverley Alderson (Incumbent and rep from St Mary’s Woodford)
Revd Martyn Hawkes and Kevin Thomas (Incumbent and rep from St Gabriel’s Aldersbrook)
Revd Jack Dunn (until July) Revd Olive Thursby and Barbara Hepworth (Incumbent and rep Wanstead Parish)
Communication and frequency: Meeting 3-4 times a year
## **Signpost**
Signpost is a youth group for young people aged 11-13, which runs in the church halls on second and fourth Fridays of each month during term time at
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8-9:30pm. The group has an informal atmosphere that gives young people time to catch-up with friends, play snooker, Nintendo Wii and do crafts. In the final 30 minutes we have team games and Christian teaching on different topics such as honesty, science, friendship, Easter, and superheroes.
In April, Signpost was moved online for safety reasons, because of lock down and Covid-19. Our parish youth worker Josh Waldock was furloughed until September, so Becca and Father Tom ran Signpost on Zoom. We thank Red Balloon for providing us with fantastic support with the online groups for the first two months of lockdown.
On Zoom we did challenges, quizzes, games, teaching, scavenger hunts and crafts. The sessions were energetic and fun - in one session a young person went down a slide in their garden during the zoom call! As youth leaders we also had many opportunities to strength our relationships with the young people and support them in these unprecedented times. We connected with a smaller number of young people who enjoyed catching up with friends and having fun after a long week of home-schooling. Some of the young people understandably decided to take a break from their computer screens and decided not to attend the youth sessions on Zoom.
In September, Signpost returned to our parish halls and it was wonderful to catch up with one another after a long time apart. To comply with Covid-19 regulations, Signpost was divided into two bubbles of 12-15 year 7s and 12-15 year 8s. These year group bubbles met once a month each.
A big thank you to our youth team and our volunteers for giving their time and for sharing their giftings. Thanks also to Josh Waldock for doing a fantastic job of leading Signpost, especially for his natural ability in drawing alongside young people. It was sad to say goodbye to Josh, but we are really pleased that he is discerning his calling to ordained ministry in the Baptist church.
For Christmas, Becca, Josh, Father Tom and Red Balloon organised Christmas cards and packs to be delivered to our young people. It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with the young people by wishing them a Happy Christmas and to welcome them back to Signpost and Bridge in 2021.
_Tom Britt_
## **The Bridge**
This youth club meets fortnightly (first and third Friday in the month) during term time and each session has around 10-15 young people aged 13+. This year we had a smaller intake of year 9s.
The Bridge has an informal atmosphere, in the first hour there is space to play sports, computer games, board games and socialise. In the final 30 minutes we organise a group game and have some Christian teaching, which aims to be relevant to the young people and invites space for discussions. We also have community evenings; this year Eleanor Taylor gave a wonderful talk on how our parish is working with other churches to sponsor a Syrian Refugee family to live in Wanstead.
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In 2020 lockdown posed many challenges and we moved our youth groups online from March. We did hour-long youth sessions on zoom, which included a mixture of chatting, games, discussions, and teaching. We connected with a smaller number of young people on zoom who enjoyed catching up with friends and having fun after a long week of home-schooling. Some of our young people understandably decided to take a break from computer screens and decided not to attend the Bridge sessions on zoom.
The pandemic was a particularly challenging time for many young people. A recent report by the National Youth Agency found that 84% of young people have reported: "worse mental health problems following school closures or through not being able to access mental health support". The youth team felt it was important to offer zoom groups as a space to have fun and provide support to our young people.
In September we worked hard to safely bring back our youth groups into our church halls. It was wonderful to reconnect together after such a long time apart!
We would really appreciate more volunteers to help run the Bridge. It is very rewarding work and great fun. If you would like to try volunteering please speak to Father Tom, so you can meet the young people and see how you find it.
_Tom Britt_
## **Junior Church**
In 2020, Junior Church continued to take place within the 10.30am Service on Sundays and online on Sundays in the afternoon. All the sessions have been led by Red Balloon.
_Olive Thursby_
## **Little Angels**
Little Angels, our parish group designed for mums, care-givers, babies, and preschool children continued to meet on Wednesday mornings either physically in Christ Church or on Zoom. The sessions in church, traditionally take the form of coffee, juice and toast followed by free play. Red Balloon then leads with prayer, songs, story, musical instruments and craft related activities. There is a similar format for the sessions on Zoom.
A big thank you to all our parish volunteers who help with the smooth running of these sessions in church, including providing the refreshments.
_Olive Thursby_
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## **The Youth Eucharist**
The Youth Eucharist has a small congregation, which is steadily growing. In 2020 the hope was to significantly grow the congregation. This was difficult because of Covid-19, which prevented the youth Eucharist taking place between March-August.
The average attendance is 10-15 young people and 10-15 adults. Josh led many excellent discussions and we included worship songs and YouTube videos. The young people are encouraged to write and lead intercessions and do bible readings during services. In 2021, we hope to try new ideas and encourage the young people to take a more active role in leading the service.
At the start of 2020 there were two services and in September the Youth Eucharist started again on a monthly basis. This congregation also worshipped online during the November lockdown.
In 2021 we hope to steadily grow the congregation and broaden the age range. This congregation continues to worship online until we can resume worshipping again in Christ Church when the lockdown is over.
## _Tom Britt_
## _Parish Activities and Groups_
## **Prayer Group**
We began the year following our usual pattern meeting regularly on Tuesdays at 10am in Christ Church. We start with tea and coffee, and in preparation for prayer we tell each other what has been significant for us in the past week. We then have a reading on prayer, prepared by one of the members of the group, which is discussed. We then have some set prayers and a short period of silent meditation, which is followed by intercessions covering the church, the world and the local community, individual prayers by the group, prayer requests from the prayer board in Christ Church and the prayer box in St Mary’s, from the parish Farmers’ Market stall and the pew sheet. We then pray using Lectio Divina with a passage chosen by a member of the group. We aim to finish by 11.30 am but it is usually 11.45 am. We all see prayer as important _work_ to do.
When the first lockdown happened, with only some of us on email and Zoom, we decided to pray in our own homes from 10-11am each Tuesday omitting the study but continuing to use Lectio Divina often using the Psalm for our Comfort written weekly by Father Richard. One of us delivered the relevant information to the two members not on email. We also placed a weekly request in the pew sheet for members of the congregation to email Father Jack with any prayer requests. When regulations allowed, we started to meet in the garden at Christ Church before moving into the Vestry (just big enough for our group of seven to social distance by 2m). Then came the second lockdown and back to our homes for a month before returning to church, this time in the
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main church as a larger better ventilated space. The year ended of course with a move to Tier 4 under which only services could take place and not prayer/study groups.
Going forward into 2021, we are committed as a group to praying regularly on Tuesdays and would love to receive any prayer requests. There is so much to pray about during these times. When we are allowed to meet together in church, we would be delighted if others wanted to join us.
_The Prayer Group_
## **Bellringers**
I really wish there were something to report on, but unfortunately, thanks to the wretched virus, there is not. It is very nearly one year since Christ Church bells were last rung in unison.
As reported last year, during 2019, our four new ringers, Julia, Anema, Sian and James had progressed from being learners, and were able to ring rounds and call changes proficiently. This should ensure we have a sufficiently strong band to stand us in good stead when we are able to start ringing again. Whenever this is, and there may be initial restrictions, the aim will be to concentrate on producing good quality rounds. We have established a ‘WhatsApp’ group, enabling us to keep in touch with each other and share news. We also receive regular communications from the ‘Essex Association of Change Ringers’, of which we retain membership. It is worth mentioning that the tenor bell was tolled on August the 15[th] to commemorate the 75[th] anniversary of VJ day. It has also been tolled to commemorate several funerals and more recently in mourning of the UK’s hundred thousand Covid-19 deaths.
Again, the parish and all the people of Wanstead, should be grateful and need to thank Christine Wyatt for her efforts in keeping the Church Clock fully operational over the last year. The clock does not just work by magic, and it takes much time and effort to maintain.
Lastly, on behalf of all the ringers and the whole parish, I would again like to offer John Eyre our deepest sympathy over the loss of his wife Sheila. Sheila’s funeral took place on the 15[th] December, and we were able to pay our respects by assembling outside Christ Church, where the hearse waited, as the tenor bell was tolled in recognition. Sheila was loved by us all, and the magnificent bell ringers Christmas banquets, superbly hosted by John and Sheila, will never be forgotten.
_Robert Wallis_
## **Gardening (Christ Church)**
The year 2020 was obviously unprecedented and did not follow the plan resulting in some rougher edges to the Christ Church environs and gardens that will be addressed and improved once the club is able to return. With many volunteers of a vulnerable age and many needing to shield, the team was substantially diminished and occasions to meet were extremely limited. We are
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blessed with younger members William and George, both of whom having made big impacts when they were able to join us, but it is fair to say that new recruits are desperately needed.
The focus for the occasional visits was to maintain the lawns and hedge growth within reasonable limits. George and his sister Lottie made a big improvement by paving the rear entrance gate that commonly ponded and became a barrier to the gardens and church from the High Street.
Little else was possible and no new planting occurred. Without the compost facility on site the green waste remains a constant problem for the team particularly as the Council consider the Church to be a commercial enterprise that they do not need to collect green waste from despite many requests and previously being willing and able to do so. One of the team of volunteers is relied upon to carry the green waste to the local recycling centre.
The Budget has not been expended this year due to the reduced activity and minimal fuel and consumable expenses. For the few expenses that I have personally incurred for sundry plants etc no claim for recovery has been requested or will be made. The budget is still required and should not be reduced as there are upcoming service and repair costs likely for the machinery and some replacement tools required.
The team of volunteers have been a dependable resource and deserve a big thank you from the Church and wider communities for their continued assistance after many years. It was incredibly sad when Gus Hedges passed away, not least as his sense of humour is missed. A rambler rose Auguste Gervais has been purchased and is now planted in the memorial garden as a tribute and fond memory of Gus’ tireless energy and enthusiasm. Unfortunately, our mascot Jess (springer spaniel) also left us during the year. She so loved the gardening club and all she met when there loved her fun-loving spirit.
The memorial hedges had grown very tall and demanded attention that was rather severe but will grow back and be much more manageable as a result. The fig required a heavy prune at the end of the season to bring back under control and to encourage fruit production for the next season.
The bed to the rear of the hall where the compost bins were removed has attracted many butterflies to the replanted buddleia, but the bog garden has not been maintained at all and shows this by its unkempt nature that will be addressed. The bug hotel has received many insect visitors and remains an attraction for the community.
Seasonal tasks that had been planned were not able to be completed in the few visits by even fewer volunteers, but it is hoped that in 2021 if the lockdown is lifted and with the comfort of vaccinations for the vulnerable, that we may all be able to slowly return and enjoy the camaraderie again. It is not expected that a return will be made before March / April 2021 but I know that we all cannot wait to get back and enjoy the sunshine the Gardening Club brings.
_Steve Davenport_
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## **Gardening (St Mary’s)**
The last twelve months have seen such further significant changes with the clearance and landscaping of the peaceful, inspiring & historic haven of St. Mary's churchyard that the team can finally consider our future work to be a more a gardening task than hard labour!
Fortunately, whilst complying to Government advice during the pandemic, we have largely adhered to our plans for the site by continuing the trimming of ivy and moss from tombstones to expose the epitaphs, removing saplings from graves, planting privet to restore perimeter hedging and with prudent pruning have extended the open vistas across the 3.5 acres, whilst still maintaining areas of undergrowth for the varied native fauna. The northern flower-bed has been weeded, composted and planted & the adjacent path weeded and reshingled. More recently, after the fall of three mature trees which necessitated a survey by the Council's appointed arboriculturist ( _& repairs to demolished memorials, tombs, and a wall!_ ) we have devoted our efforts to removing Ash saplings before the professional felling of other diseased Ash trees.
The churchyard is now home to two bee-hives ( _managed by a local apiarist who is considering doubling his quota)_ close to the Memorial Garden enclosure which has been planted and seeded with bee/butterfly-attracting wildflower species and of course, we are currently keeping watch over several bird boxes, log-pile habitats and two hedgehog hotels!
We are particularly grateful for a burgeoning rapport and dialogue with Cllr. Sheila Bain of Redbridge Council and their sub-contractors who not only take care of all strimming/mowing duties but also have sole responsibility for tree inspections and any consequent surgery.
Once again, my special ongoing thanks to all our industrious volunteers who regularly donate three to four hours of their fortnightly Saturday mornings whatever the weather. Our considerable rewards come from the many comments and compliments we have received from visitors to the Georgian Gem and its churchyard as well as from an obvious & significant increased footfall and range of activities on site.
Needless to say, when the lockdown eases and some semblance of personal freedom is sanctioned, we will always welcome new recruits to the enthusiastic, socially-adept ranks of the SMGG.
_Phil Ryan_
## **Report on Parish Halls**
The Homeless Shelter was a great success on Tuesday evenings. We hosted this between 7[th] January and 31[st] March.
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A fire risk assessment was carried out before the night shelter was able to begin and as a result of this, we had a fire alarm system installed at the halls, this was funded by the homeless shelter.
Unfortunately, the parish halls had been closed for most of 2020 due to Covid19. During this time, only six regular groups returned for a short while when they could. We lost sixteen regular bookings. Of these, eleven are not returning. The remaining five are hoping to return when all is safe and well. The remaining regular groups (15) have not been in since March and are waiting for the allclear to return back.
On the plus side I have signed up seven new clubs who started for a while but have had to stop since the latest lockdown in November.
We have not had any weekend bookings since March 2020.
The usual Parish ‘Friends’ events have not taken place either.
We were able to hire the halls out for one Saturday during the summer for a local makers market. This was well managed in a very Covid-19 safe and secure manner.
We did hire the halls out for three days at the start of the Christmas holidays for a children’s sports club.
We were due to have the halls redecorated during April, but this had to be cancelled due to no funds coming in.
We had to pay for a water safety and legionella check during the Covid-19 lockdown. The outcome of this was negative.
_Lauren Johnson_
## **Flowers**
This year has been exceptional due to the pandemic. The flowers in the High Altar, Lady Chapel and church porch at Christ Church have been maintained mostly with fresh foliage and artificial flowers to ensure there are displays for when the church is open but to keep the cost down. The flowers at St Mary’s are also being maintained with fresh or artificial flowers. There have been no fund-raising events such as the Flower festival and only two weddings during 2020.
Flower arranging may need revitalising when the pandemic is under control and the parish resumes normal services. In normal times, the flower arrangers are a small group of volunteers who arrange flowers in both churches all year (except during Lent and Advent) and for special services and events. Volunteers arrange fresh flowers once a fortnight and tidy and refresh the following week. We have additional flowers at Easter, Harvest, Remembrance and Christmas.
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We would welcome new recruits who we would be delighted to train, teach, share and support. On occasions we provide wedding flowers with the couple paying for the cost of the flowers. Members of the congregation can also request and pay for flowers for personal anniversaries or celebrations.
## _Beryl Darling_
## **Flowers at St Mary’s**
The year started as usual with the taking down of the Christmas flowers and decorations in January 2020. The period from then until the beginning of Lent is usually acknowledged by the variety of winter flowers and foliage and it was anticipated that Easter would bring a celebration of flowers leading to the summer months with beautiful and varied flowers to arrange for all to enjoy.
There is a regular number of flower arrangers at St Mary’s although new volunteers are always welcome. Experience is not required as there is always help and advice from others, but it is a lovely and relaxed way to get to know other members of the congregation. The parish will fund the flowers, although a real attempt is made to keep this cost as low as possible. All that is required is enthusiasm!
Sadly, with the onset of lockdown initially in March and again later in the year, the need for flowers fell away as there were no live services. The church was fully decorated for the Christmas Carol Services by three volunteers so as to ensure they acted in safety and in accordance with the Covid-19 regulations but very sadly, this could not take place in safety. However enormous thanks for hours of hard work on the flowers and decorations for these services must got to Marjorie Gadd and Rachel Richardson, who both made such beautiful arrangements for all to enjoy.
It is hoped that 2021 will turn into a better year once lockdown is over and we will be able to enjoy the flowers in our beautiful church once more.
If anyone would be interested in joining out group of arrangers, do please contact me by email at: margaret.thoresby@gmail.com You would be most welcome.
## _Margaret Thoresby_
## **Ecumenical Relations**
We seek to maintain relationships with local churches of different denominations. An example of what we do together is the annual walk of witness on Good Friday morning, starting at Hermon Hill Methodist Church and ending with a service at Our Lady of Lourdes RC church. This has been one way of giving the story of our faith a public profile in Wanstead. Last year it too fell foul of the first Covid-19 lockdown. At the time of writing it is not clear whether it will be possible to make the walk in 2021.
## _Richard Wyber_
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## **Engelskirchen Link**
For more than ten years we have shared in a link between Wanstead URC and Christus Kirche, Engelskirchen, a town to the east of Cologne. The main expression of this link has been an annual visit in Easter week. In 2020 it was our turn to host. We worked hard to arrange hospitality and plan an interesting programme for our guests, but the visit had to be cancelled owing to the pandemic. Recently we have concluded that it’s too soon to offer hospitality this year, so our hopes are now focused on 2022.
## _Richard Wyber_
## **20-30’s Group**
In 2020 we gained a couple of new members, but some members of the group unfortunately left Wanstead. We met up a couple of times before lockdown for drinks and for a curry. During lockdown we had a few catch ups on zoom. In 2021 we hope to get this social group up and running again. Please contact Father Tom if you are interested in joining us or would like more information. We would love to welcome new members!
## _Tom Britt_
## **80+ Group**
This has been the latest of our activities for older members of our parish community. Its format was a small meeting in a member’s living room at which we talked around the excellent Bible Reading Fellowship publication ‘The Gift of Years’, as well as enjoying tea and cake, and general conversation. Sadly, one of the members of our small group died last autumn, but we hope to resume this gentle activity.
## _Richard Wyber_
_Report of Electoral Roll Officer_
At the end of 2020, the Parish Electoral Roll stood at 355. We had 30 additions during the year and seven leaving the Electoral roll. Five of those were parishioners who had sadly passed away and the remaining two moved out of the area.
The Electoral Roll is kept updated and a revised roll submitted for consideration at the APCM. The right to vote at the APCM will be limited to those parishioners who are on the electoral roll on 16th May 2021.
Any parishioners wishing to join the Parish Electoral Roll, at any time, are welcome to fill in forms available either in both our churches, or obtained from
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the Parish Office via email at wansteadparishadmin@uwclub.net. Completed forms should be handed back to the Parish Office.
_Lorraine Bucknall, Electoral Roll Officer_
_Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals_
## Baptisms
4 infants baptised
12 families cancelled, some several times, and with new enquiries there are around 16 awaiting dates.
## Weddings
We managed 3 weddings. All very short notice in planning and all done in exceptional family circumstances. All were conducted under the Covid-19 guidelines.
5 were cancelled, 3 have provisional dates on hold for 2021 but no certainty of going ahead at present. There have been several other enquiries but no bookings taken.
It has been a really hard time having to deny people these family celebrations.
Funerals
Funerals 16 Interments 10
_Jan Andrews and Lorraine Bucknall_
_Charitable Trustees_
The Trustees of the Charity are members of the PCC; they are either ex officio, elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, or co-opted in accordance with the Church Representation Rules.
Candidates for election are required to complete the Trustee Declaration of Eligibility. Newly elected members are given printed information from the Charity Commission, which explains the responsibilities of trustees.
Because of the pandemic, the Annual Parochial Church Meeting was postponed from April to October, meaning that those elected and co-opted members, who were due to stand down at the APCM, stayed in post for an additional five months.
During the year of 2020, from 1[st] January to 31[st] December the following, served as members of the PCC:
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|**Ex-officio (Rector and Ministry Team) and Churchwardens**|**Ex-officio (Rector and Ministry Team) and Churchwardens**|
|---|---|
|•
Revd Dr Jack Dunn (Rector)
•
Revd Richard Wyber (Ministry
Team)
•
Revd Canon Ann Clarke
(Ministry Team) – left the
Parish Aug 2020
•
Revd Dr Chris Taylor (Ministry
Team – joined the Parish Nov
2020
•
Revd Tom Britt (Ministry Team)
•
Revd Olive Thursby (Ministry
Team)|•
Mrs Sue Fitzgerald (Church
Warden) – stood down Oct
2020
•
Ms Barbara Hepworth-Jones
(Church Warden) (Oct-Dec
2020)
•
Mrs Avril Carnelley (Deputy
Church Warden) – stood
down Oct 2020
•
Mr David Wyatt (Deputy
Church Warden) (Oct-Dec
2020)
•
Mr Ralph Hall (Church
Warden)|
|**Elected Trustees**(date in brackets is when term ends)||
|•
Ms Deborah Dickinson (2020)
– Lay Vice Chair (Jan-Oct)
•
Mrs Jillian Steggle (2020) –
Treasurer (Jan-Oct)
•
Name Withheld (2020)
•
Mr Peter Schaefer (2021) –
Secretary
•
Mrs Mary Shaw (2021) –
Assistant Treasurer
•
Ms Yvy Carter (2021)
•
Mrs Susan Oldham (2021) –
Assistant Secretary – co-
opted in Dec 2020
•
Mr David Wyatt (2022) –
Assistant Secretary (Jan-Oct)
– stood down in Oct 2020 to
become DCW|•
Mr Jeremy Green (2022) –
Volunteer Coordinator
•
Mrs Suzi Stiegler (2022) – Parish
Safeguarding Officer (Jan-
Oct) – Joint Lay Vice Chair
(Oct-Dec)
•
Mr Christian Orme (2022) –
Youth Advocate (Oct-Dec)
•
Ms Patience Rusinga (2023) –
Diversity and Inclusion
Advocate (Nov-Dec)
•
Mr Gary Owen (2023) –
Treasurer (Oct-Dec)
•
Ms Equi Ajogbe (2023) – Parish
Safeguarding Officer (Oct-
Dec)|
|**Elected Trustees by virtue of being representatives on the Deanery Synod:**
whosethree-year termended at the2020APCM inOctober||
|•
Mr Philip Carnelley
(continuing as Diocesan
Synod Representative and
remaining on the PCC until 31
July 2021)
•
Mrs Penelope Garlick
•
Mrs Caroline Green|•
Mrs Celia Heath (continuing
as Diocesan Synod
Representative and
remaining on the PCC until 31
July 2021)
•
Ms Barbara Hepworth-Jones
•
Mr Tom Thompson|
|**Elected Trustees by virtue of being representatives on the Deanery Synod:**
whosethree-year term willend at theAPCM in 2023||
|•
Ms Jenny Griffiths
•
Mr Neil Hepworth
•
Mr Joshua Dickinson|•
Mrs Margaret Adams –
Seniors’ Advocate (Oct-Dec)
•
James Paterson – Joint Lay
Vice Chair(Oct-Dec)|
|**PCC Members appointed to be nominated champions**||
|•
Ms Barbara Hepworth-Jones
(Youth Advocate) (Jan-Oct)|•
Mrs Penelope Garlick (Seniors’
Advocate) (Jan-Oct)|
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- Mr Christian Orme (Youth Advocate) (Oct-Dec)
- Ms Patience Rusinga (Diversity and Inclusion Advocate) -
- (Nov Dec)
- Mrs Margaret Adams (Seniors’ Advocate) (Vulnerable Adults Lead) (Oct-Dec)
## _The Parish Church Council_
The Charity operates under the Church Representation Rules, and other regulations of the Church of England. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It has maintenance responsibilities for the only Grade l listed building in Redbridge, St Mary the Virgin, and for Christ Church, a Grade ll building. The Rector and a Churchwarden are trustees of the Church School, which remains the only Aided Church of England School within the borough.
The PCC is the executive committee of a Church of England parish. It is made up of the Clergy and Churchwardens of the parish, together with representatives of the laity.
All major decisions are made by the PCC during regular scheduled meetings; Standing Committee has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council.
The Churchwardens, as the leading lay members of the parish, assist the incumbent in the day-to-day administration of church affairs and have authority under canon law.
The Trustees of the Charity are members of the PCC; they are either ex officio, elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, or co-opted in accordance with the Church Representation Rules.
_Lay Vice Chair’s Report_
## **The Parochial Church Council (PCC) January 2020- APCM 11[th] October 2020**
The PCC routinely approves people to be Eucharistic Ministers and lay lead readers, established and receives reports from all committees and working groups, appoints some WCS governors, receives MMU minutes and reports from Standing Committee and Deanery Synod, receives financial reports, considers mission, evangelism, and outreach, and approves and reviews policies. The PCC has an overview and monitoring role for all works undertaken. The PCC
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approves fees and expenditure and develops strategic long and short term aims.
The PCC met three times during this period in 2020 on: 23 March, 26 June, 1 October, 13 July (with additional electronic discussion and voting which were reported upon in the minutes of the following PCC meeting).
In 2019 the PCC:
- _following guidance and agreement from the Diocese agreed arrangements for:_
- the postponement of The APCM due to Covid-19 restrictions
- the Vestry Meeting and APCM to be held electronically
- elections for Church Wardens and representatives to Deanery Synod and PCC to be conducted electronically/in writing
- agreed for all business to be conducted electronically
- the furlough of staff
- provision for pastoral care of parishioners during this period
- provision for worship and private prayer during church closures
In addition, the PCC:
- identified the areas of skill/expertise needed for newly elected PCC members
- approved the budget
- approved the Parish Values for 2019
- elected Lay Vice Chair, Secretary and Assistant Secretary, Treasurers, Electoral Roll Officer and Parish Safeguarding Officer and Volunteer Coordinator
- approved the appointment of a deputy Churchwarden
- approved and reviewed policies including The Safeguarding Policy (2020),
- accepted a Resilience Grant from The Heritage lottery Fund for _“Securing the future of St Mary with Christ Church Wanstead”_ and made appropriate arrangements for a Lead Group and steering group members
- agreed and made legal arrangements approving the licence agreement for The Seventh Day Adventists to rent church buildings
- agreed to set up a Parish Environment Committee
- agreed that The Parish should join Inclusive Church
- agreed House for Duty priest working agreement
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- agreed Hall Regulations
- agreed to establish a Group Ministry with St Gabriel’s Aldersbrook, St Mary’s, Woodford and St Peter's in the Forest, Walthamstow _to further the flourishing of mission and ministry in the West Roding Mission Partnership (WRMP) and beyond_
- responded to the Black Lives Matter agenda
- agreed to seek replacement House for Duty priest
- supported the progression of the following initiatives: involvement in The Winter Homeless Night Shelter in conjunction with LB of Redbridge, The Community Partnership Scheme (in partnership with the Diocese and Home Office and with support from London Borough of Redbridge, the local community and our MMU partners) and the launch of Tin in a Bin
The PCC thank all those who work on projects, initiatives, and those who, in various ways, support their work. The PCC thank all the congregation for their prayers and support.
_Deborah Dickinson Lay Vice Chair (Jan 2020-Oct 2020)_
## **The Parochial Church Council (PCC) November 2020 to December 2020**
The PCC met on four occasions between the APCM and 31 December 2020 on: 2 November, 24 November (extraordinary meeting), 30 November (extraordinary meeting) and 10 December.
During the period, the PCC:
- welcomed House for Duty priest, Revd. Dr. Chris Taylor
- welcomed new members of the PCC: Equi Ajogbe, Christian Orme, Patience Rusinga, and Gary Owen
- welcomed newly elected representatives to Deanery Synod: Margaret Adams, Joshua Dickinson, Neil Hepworth, Jenny Griffiths and Phillip Carnelley
- made the following appointments of officers:
- Lay Vice Chair – joint post comprising Suzi Stiegler and James Paterson
- Secretary – Peter Schaefer
- Assistant Secretary – Sue Oldham (co-opted to the PCC)
- Treasurer – Gary Owen
- Assistant Treasurer – Mary Shaw
- Safeguarding Officer - Equi Ajogbe
- Vulnerable Adults Lead – Margaret Adams
- Electoral Roll officer – Lorraine Bucknall
- Chair of the Friends - Peter Schaefer
- Two MMU representatives – Jenny Griffiths & Joshua Dickinson
- Youth Advocate – Christian Orme
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- Senior's Champion – Penelope Garlick (co-opted to the PCC)
- `o` Diversity Champion – Patience Rusinga
- Volunteer Coordinator – Jem Green
- Chair of Staffing and Governance Committee – David Wyatt
- agreed to set up a Christ Church and Hall Committee and to disband the Marketing and Communications Committee
- supported the appointment of Architect Firm Dow Jones, as project Architects for the Resilience bid
- agreed to alterations to the pattern of worship necessitated by changes brought about by the coronavirus pandemic
- agreed to the felling of trees in the St Mary’s churchyard for health and safety, as per a report commissioned by the Westerleigh group
- agreed to appoint an interim minister upon the rector’s departure on 15 January 2021
- agreed to amendments to the legal agreement for The Seventh Day Adventists to rent the church buildings where they are unable to attend due to Covid-19 restrictions
- agreed the appointment of two foundation governors of Wanstead Church School
- agreed to send its interim report for St Mary’s to the Archdeacon, formally reviewing the first year of the new worshipping arrangements in place in St Mary’s
This was an exceptionally busy period for the PCC as it headed into the Advent period and prepared to farewell Father Jack in January 2021. A number of extraordinary meetings were necessary to begin planning for arrangements during the period of vacancy including the appointment of an interim minister.
The PCC thank all those who offer prayers and support its work in innumerable ways.
_Suzi Stiegler Co-Lay Vice Chair (From October 2020)_
## **The Standing Committee (SC) January 2020 – APCM 11[th] October 2020**
The members of the SC were: Revd Dr Jack Dunn (ex-officio Rector) Sue Fitzgerald (Church Warden Jan 2020 – October 2020)), Ralph Hall (Church Warden), Avril Carnelley (Deputy Church Warden (Jan 2020 – Oct 2020) Deborah Dickinson (Lay Vice Chair Jan 2020 – Oct 2020), Jill Steggle (Treasurer Jan 2020 – Oct 2020), Mary Shaw (Treasurer), Peter Schaefer (Secretary), Jeremy Green or Carry Green (having 1 vote June 2020 – Oct 2020). Members of Ministry Team also attended. Additionally, one member of PCC (decided at previous PCC meeting) attends SC as a voting member.
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The SC met three times during this period in 2020 on: 2 March, 8 June, and 6 July.
The SC routinely set the agenda for PCC meetings, make recommendations to PCC, receive reports, approve expenditure, note ministry team decisions, approve Risk Assessments and are responsible for decision making between PCC meetings. In addition to meetings, the SC discuss issues and make decisions electronically.
The main decisions made by Standing Committee, during this period in 2020, included to:
- determine actions to ensure The Parish was Covid-19 secure
- maintain an overview of progress towards meeting our objectives and the mission, evangelism, and outreach ministry of The Parish.
- defer appointment of Associate Director of Music
- consider The Black Lives Matter issues
_Deborah Dickinson Lay Vice Chair (Jan 2020-Oct 2020)_
## **The Standing Committee (SC) November 2020 to December 2020**
Following the APCM, the members of the SC were: Revd Dr Jack Dunn (exofficio Rector) Barbara Hepworth (Church Warden from October 2020), Ralph Hall (Church Warden), David Wyatt (Deputy Church Warden from October 2020), Suzi Stiegler (Lay Vice Chair from October 2020), James Paterson (Lay Vice Chair from October 2020), Gary Owen (Treasurer from October 2020), Mary Shaw (Treasurer), Peter Schaefer (Secretary). Members of Ministry Team also attended. Additionally, one member of PCC (decided at previous PCC meeting) attends SC as a voting member.
The Standing Committee met on 9 November 2020 and discussed ongoing formulation of the parish priorities for 2021, including pursing recommendations of the Setting God’s People Free initiative. Standing Committee also discussed plans for the PCC to decide whether to appoint an interim minister during interregnum.
_Suzi Stiegler Co-Lay Vice Chair (From October 2020)_
## _Committees: Information and Governance_
|Committee
Name|**Christ Church and Halls Committee (NEW – from Jan**
**2021)**|
|---|---|
|What they do|Oversight of the use of the Christ Church and the Halls
(and accompanying grounds) for worship, outreach,
and community use. Advise on the programme of
activities, including worship, offered throughout the year|
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||across the site. Plan for and coordinate the
arrangements for the Wanstead Festival and Open
House. Look at matters relating to the upkeep and
maintenance of the whole site, including consideration
of the financial implications. Monitor the maintenance of
the organ and the AV System. Oversight of all matters
relating to QI (Quinquennial Inspection). Act purely in an
advisory capacity, reporting regularly to the PCC and
making recommendations for consideration of action by
them.|across the site. Plan for and coordinate the
arrangements for the Wanstead Festival and Open
House. Look at matters relating to the upkeep and
maintenance of the whole site, including consideration
of the financial implications. Monitor the maintenance of
the organ and the AV System. Oversight of all matters
relating to QI (Quinquennial Inspection). Act purely in an
advisory capacity, reporting regularly to the PCC and
making recommendations for consideration of action by
them.|
|---|---|---|
|Members|Barbara Hepworth-Jones
(Chair)
Lauren Johnson (Halls
Administrator)
James Paterson (Joint Lay
Vice Chair)
Roger Middleditch (Halls
Treasurer)|Stephanie Alexander-Jinks
Jan Andrews
Olive Thursby
Chris Owen
Peter Schaefer
Steve Steele|
|Committee
Name|**Deanery Synod**|**Deanery Synod**|
|---|---|---|
|What they do|The Deanery Synod is part of the way that the Church of
England gives people at different levels a chance to
discuss key issues and to help organise the church’s
ministry and mission. It sits between the parishes with their
PCCs and the full diocese, with its Diocesan Synod. The
lay members serve for three years. The Synod meets three
to four times a year, visiting different parts of the Deanery,
and its business is organised by a Standing and Pastoral
Committeewhich has bothclericalandlaymembers.||
|Members (Jan-
Oct)|Celia Heath
Philip Carnelley
Penelope Garlick|Caroline Green
Barbara Hepworth-Jones
Tom Thompson|
|Members (Nov-
Dec)|James Paterson
Jenny Griffiths
Margaret Adams|Joshua Dickinson
Neil Hepworth|
|Committee
Name|**Finance, Stewardship and Fabric Committee**|**Finance, Stewardship and Fabric Committee**|
|---|---|---|
|What they do|The committee ensures the correct and transparent
management of the parish’s finance in accordance with
the Parish Finance Policy. The committee are responsible
for the preparation of annual budget setting, annual
accounts and have oversight of parish fundraising
activities.
Another
important
requirement
of
the
committee includes establishing plans to oversee ongoing
work to keep the fabric of church buildings and other
properties, such as the halls, in good repair and to attend
to any problemswhich may arise.||
|Members|Jillian Steggle (Chair,
TreasureruntilOct 2020)|Diana Middleditch
SimonStiggear(May2020)|
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||Mary Shaw (Assistant
Treasurer)
David Ranger (Resigning
Jan 2021)
Gary Owen (May 2020,
Treasurer from Oct 2020)|Ed Fosbrook (Nov 2020)
Nicola Calabrese
(Marketing &
Communications Rep)
(Resigned Jan 2021)|
|---|---|---|
||||
|Committee
Name|**Friends of St Mary’s with Christ Church Committee**||
|What they do|The Friends is a membership group set up as the
fundraising arm of the PCC to maintain, repair, restore,
improve, and preserve the fabric, monuments, fixtures,
fittings, furniture, stained glass, ornaments, and other
chattels, of the Churches of St Mary the Virgin and Christ
Church Wanstead,for the benefitof the public.||
|Members|Peter Schaefer (Chair)
Ed Fosbrook (Treasurer)
(Resigned as Treasurer Dec
2020)
Julia Saul Watts (Secretary)|Phil Ryan
Tracie Garfield
Miles Kelly
Victoria Darbyshire|
||||
|Committee
Name|**Marketing and Communications Committee**
**(DISBANDED)**||
|What they do|This committee has delegated powers given by the PCC
to design and maintain the parish website, as well as to
develop and implement an effective communications
strategy for all the parish.||
|Comments|This committee did not meet during 2020 with Nicola
Calabrese being solely responsible for parish
communications. Nicola is handing over her role to a
team of three or four who will report directly to the
Rector and PCC.||
||||
|Committee
Name|**MMU (Mission and Ministry Unit)**||
|What they do|To develop and enhance ministry and mission in our
community in partnership with our five local churches.||
|Members|Members
Four parishes involved:
Wanstead, St Mary’s
Woodford, St Gabriel’s
Aldersbrook and St Peter’s
in the Forest (Holy Trinity
Hermon Hill has moved to
another MMU)|Parish Representatives
Penelope Garlick (Jan-Oct)
Avril Carnelly (Jan-Oct)
Jenny Griffiths (Nov-Dec)
Joshua Dickinson (Nov-
Dec)
Revd Dr Jack Dunn|
||||
|Committee
Name|**MMU Youth Management Committee**||
|What they do|Developmentof the youth workacrosstheMMU.||
|Members|•
Becca Kemal (MMU Youth Worker)||
34
||•
Sheba Lockley (MMU Youth Worker Supervisor)
•
Victoria Etherington (Youth Ministry Consultant)
•
Lin Taylor (Pastoral Support)
•
Revd Ian Tarrant & Beverley Alderson (Incumbent &
Rep from St Mary’s Woodford)
•
Revd Martyn Hawkes & Kevin Thomas (Incumbent &
Rep from St Gabriel’s Aldersbrook)
•
Revd Dr Jack Dunn & Barbara Hepworth-Jones
(Incumbent & Rep from Wanstead Parish)|
|---|---|
|Comments|This Management Committee will be refreshed early in
2021|
|Committee
Name|**Parish Music Committee**|**Parish Music Committee**|**Parish Music Committee**|
|---|---|---|---|
|What they do|The PMC has oversight of all music in the parish which is
related to parish worship and the Parish Vision statement,
in order to develop a cohesive strategy and action plan
to nuture current worshippers and parishioners, and to
reach out to the wider community in and around
Wanstead through an extended and developing
programme of provision. This includes supporting the
Director of Music; music at all church services and other
Parish or MMU musical events, including those with
involvement of other organisations where the Parish is
either taking a lead or has a partnership role; music that
takes place within the church buildings or grounds, such
as recitals or concerts, provided by secular or community
groups; management of resources and equipment
including the organ.|||
|Members|Sue Fitzgerald (Chair)
(Licensing & Membership)
Joe Waggott (Director of
Music until Nov 2020) (Parish
Organist from Dec 2020)
Carry Green (Secretary)||Julia Wildgoose
(Matron/Chaperone)
Avril Carnelly
(Safeguarding)
Jen Ambler (Parent
Rep)
Olive Thursby
Alison Wells
Martin Elliott(Organist)|
|Comments|Su Allison (Librarian) is not a member but is regularly
consulted|||
|||||
|Committee
Name|**Records, Archives and Data Management Committee**|||
|What they do|The objective of this committee is to review the current
arrangements for the safe keeping of parish records and
to advise the PCC concerning future arrangements, and
tokeep abreastofessentialGDPRdatarequirements.|||
|Members|Grace Odedina (Chair)
(Resigned Dec 2020)
Margaret Ranger
(ResignedNov 2020)|Susan Oldham (Chair)
(Joined Dec 2020)
Liz Ranger (Data Protection
Officer)||
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|||Dennis Keeling
Sarah Gidlow (from Jan
2021)|Dennis Keeling
Sarah Gidlow (from Jan
2021)|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
|Committee
name|**Safeguarding and Health and Safety Committee**|||
|What they do|This committee helps to monitor and to develop all
safeguarding policies and procedures for children young
people and vulnerable adults in the parish and maintains
an oversight over other related policies, such as risk
assessments.|||
|Members|Equi Ajogbe (Parish
Safeguarding
Officer/Chair) (Nov 2020)
Suzi Stiegler (Parish
Safeguarding
Officer/Chair) (until Oct
2020) (Lay Vice Chair) (Nov
2020)
Deborah Dickinson (Lay
Vice Chair) (until Oct 2020)
Rector
Sue Fitzgerald
(Churchwarden) (until Oct
2020) (Risk Assessment
Manager) (until Dec 2020)
Barbara Hepworth-Jones
(Churchwarden) (Nov
2020)|Rebecca Kemal (Youth
Worker)
Lauren Johnson (Hall
Bookings Manager)
Lorraine Bucknall (Parish
Manager)
Margaret Adams
(Vulnerable Adults Lea)
Tom Britt (Curate)
Josh Waldock (Youth
Worker – Red Balloon) (until
Dec 2020)
David Wyatt (Risk
Assessment Manager)
(from Dec 2020)||
|||||
|Committee
Name|**St Mary’s Committee**|||
|What they do|The committee will advise the PCC on worship at St
Mary’s, advise on the metrics for the two year review, liaise
with other parish committees. Essentially looking at:
worship, upkeep, outreachandfinance.|||
|Members|Ex Officio
Revd Dr Jack Dunn (Chair)
(until July 2020)
Revd Tom Britt (Chair) from
July 2020)
Ralph Hall (Churchwarden)
Sue Paterson (Open Day
Coordinator)
Suzi Stiegler (Lay Vice
Chair) (Minutes Secretary)
(from Nov 2020)||Others
Alison Wells (Lay Worship
Leaders Rep) – until
October 2022
Members of the
Congregation
Howard Smith – until
October 2022
Carry Green – until
October 2021
John Gritten – until
October 2021|
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|||Deborah Dickinson (Lay
Vice Chair) (Minutes
Secretary) (until Nov 2020)|
|---|---|---|
|Comments|ElectionsinOctober 2021(2 reps)||
||||
|Committee
Name|**Social Committee**||
|What they do|The committee was established to foster fellowship
among the congregation by facilitating hospitality at
special services and church meetings and by organising
occasional non-profit making outings and events||
|Members|David Wyatt (Chair)
(Resigned Nov 2020)
Barbara Hepworth Jones
(Resigned Oct 2020)
Margaret Wyatt (Resigned
Oct 2020)
Louisa Brown (Joined Dec
2020)|Maureen Medley
Julie Williams
James Darbyshire
Victoria Darbyshire
Michael Odedina|
|Comments|New Chair and two members from 10am CC service to
berecruited earlyin 2021||
||||
|Committee
Name|**Staffing & Governance Committee**||
|What they do|Have overall responsibility for all paid staff, including job
descriptions, HR, annual reviews etc. Recommend to
Finance Committee and PCC the staffing budget and
any changes. Represent views of staff to PCC. Approve
newappointmentsto Committees.||
|Members|Avril Carnelley (Deputy
Churchwarden/Chair) (until
Oct 2020)
David Wyatt (Deputy
Church Warden/Chair)
(from Nov 2020)
Deborah Dickenson (Lay
Vice Chair) (Resigned Oct
2020)
Jillian Steggle (Treasurer)
(Resigned Oct 2020)|Mary Shaw (Resigned Oct
2020)
Roger Middleditch
Gary Owen (Treasurer)
(Nov 2020)
James Paterson (Lay Vice
Chair) (Nov 2020)
Patience Rusinga (Diversity
and Inclusion Champion)
(Nov 2020)|
||||
|Committee
Name|**Mission & Outreach Committee (formerly World Church**
**Committee)**||
|What they do|The committee was established to support the mission
and outreach of the PCC by working with our chosen
charities and organising our charitable giving. It also
makes recommendations to the PCC as to which
charitiesthe parishshould support.||
|Members|Revd Tom Britt (Chair)
Beryl Darling
JamesPaterson|Grace Odedina
Simon Stiggear
MagaliCurnier|
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|Comments|Several new members to be recruited early in 2021|Several new members to be recruited early in 2021|Several new members to be recruited early in 2021|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
|Committee
Name|**Youth Council**|||
|What they do|To listen and learn from the views and perspectives of
young people who are involved in Wanstead Parish. To
enable the young people to steer and help shape the
agenda of their meetings. To implement positive changes
to nurture the faith and welfare of young people in the
parish.|||
|Members|Youth
Jake Steele, Aiden Nip, Eve
Ambler, Luke McCarthy,
Jamie Herring, Ava
Stanger, Pippa Bleasdale,
Jago Biddick, Louis
Johnson, Juliet Hepworth,
Mariela Christodoulou,
Eliana Christodoulou,
Samuel Allam, Matthew
Bucknall, Annabelle
Fitzgerald||Adults
Josh Waldock, Revd Olive
Thursby, Revd Tom Britt,
Becca Kemal, Barbara
Hepworth-Jones (Youth
Advocate) (Jan-Oct),
Christian Orme (Youth
Advocate) (Nov-Dec)|
|Comments|The Youth members needs updating and will include at
least one person from St Mary’s. Josh Waldock will need
replacing asheleft in Dec2020|||
## **Note: The Rector is ex officio a member of all of the above committees - during the vacancy to be ultimately covered by the Interim Minister with one of the Church Wardens/Deputy Church Warden in the meanwhile**
_Committee Reports_
## **Standing Committee**
This is the only committee required by law. Committee members are the Rector, Co-Vice Chairs, Churchwardens, Treasurer and Secretary. It has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council.
## **Deanery Synod**
Deanery Synods are the tier of church governance between the Parish (PCC) and the Diocese; Wanstead is in Redbridge Deanery. Key functions of Deanery Synod include acting as a conduit for information between the Diocese and PCCs, and across the Deanery between parishes and MMUs. Due to the Covid19 pandemic, Redbridge Deanery Synod met only twice in 2020, rather than the usual four times: in February and November, the second time by Zoom. The February meeting featured a speaker from St Martin in the Fields on their
38
‘HeartEdge’ initiative – an ecumenical programme involving some 235 churches and other organisations, aiming to improve society’s engagement with disadvantaged people.
One role of a Deanery Synod is to propose resolutions to the parent Diocesan Synod. In 2020, Redbridge Deanery put forward a motion to the Diocese that, following the motion at General Synod to move the church to becoming carbon neutral, all parishes in the Diocese should be encouraged to become ‘eco-parishes’ with accreditation under a scheme called “A Rocha”; and also, that Chelmsford Diocese itself work to become an ‘eco-diocese.’ The motion was passed overwhelmingly, by about 94% of delegates.
Wanstead parish elects up to 6 representatives to Redbridge Deanery Synod – these are _ex officio_ PCC members – for a 3-year term of office. The triennium of the current members expired during 2020 and so the November Synod meeting (online) was attended by members elected by their 2020 parish APCMs. At its 2020 APCM, Wanstead elected the following new Synod members: Margaret Adam, Joshua Dickinson, Jenny Griffith, Neil Hepworth and James Paterson. Those who stood down were Pen Garlick, Carry Green, Celia Heath, Barbara Hepworth, and Tom Thompson.
Because of the changeover of Synod members across the Deanery, it was necessary to arrange for new officers on the Deanery Standing and Pastoral Committee, as some were standing down. So, the main business at the November meeting was to explain what these roles – lay chair, treasurer, secretary etc – involve and explain arrangements for elections to these posts.
Subsequently, elections to Deanery Standing Committee were held at the January 2021 meeting. Amongst other appointments, Philip Carnelley of this parish was elected to the position of Deanery Lay Chair, to replace Jill Leonard who stood down after two terms of office. Philip – who was previously Deanery Treasurer – is a Deanery Synod (and Wanstead PCC) member _ex-officio_ , due to being an elected member of Diocesan Synod.
## _Philip Carnelley_
## **Finance, Stewardship and Fabric Committee**
(The Fabric Committee works in conjunction with the Finance and Stewardship Committee; however finance statements are included later within this report).
The committee ensures the correct and transparent management of the parish’s finances and oversight of parish fundraising activities. The committee set a deficit budget for 2020 so the scrutiny of income and expenses was of paramount importance more than ever, coupled with the impact of Covid-19.
The Finance and Stewardship committee, formed in 2018, met 8 times in 2020; due largely to actions created by Covid-19. We welcomed 3 new members in 2020: Gary Owen, Simon Stiggear, Ed Fosbrook; and gave our thanks to Nicola Jarratt and David Ranger who both stepped down at the end of the year.
Key achievements in the year include:
39
- Through close attention and a fixed-cost budget, we returned a General Fund end of year net income with minimal deficit in a challenging year with significantly reduced income;
- Utilised restricted and designated funds where possible to protect our general fund reserves;
- We made use of the Government’s furlough scheme to protect our salaried staff where possible;
- We increased our Giving presence: online links and donations made through Churchdesk; contactless devices in both churches; Giving signage in both churches including QR codes;
- We launched a campaign to raise funds for a new, and much needed, Audio Visual system in Christ Church. Nicola Jarratt was very successful in applying for grants from All Churches Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation and London Over the Border, plus a grant from the Cottages Trust and a fundraising drive for the remainder from the congregation with only £400 left to raise at the end of 2020;
- Fundraised for parish outreach projects: the Refugee Welcome Wanstead project and the Homeless Shelter in partnership with FCENS;
- • We conducted a review of our restricted funds and invested excess cash in individual investment accounts to maximise growth;
- We have continued to streamline our investment accounts without detriment to the fund – consolidating accounts to a single client number to ease administrative burden; and
- In November, we hosted the inaugural MMU Treasurers meeting with an aim to share advice and support with fellow Treasurers. We aim to meet on a quarterly basis.
Goals for 2021 include:
- Increasing Planned Giving through the Parish Giving Scheme;
- Returning to paying our Parish Share in full;
- Continue to closely manage the General Fund while our finances continue to be significantly impacted by Covid-19; and
- Reviewing the Parish Finance Policy.
_Mary Shaw_
_Assistant Treasurer_
## **Friends of St Mary’s with Christ Church**
Due to Covid-19, the Friends were only able to hold one (1) solitary event in 2020, the rest falling victim to the virus where our Churches were closed, or conditions didn't allow for safe gatherings. Am happy to report that the Friends were able to hold 'Rock me baby' disco in March, which was once again a sell out, expertly organised by Julia Saul-Watts.
Long standing Chair of the Friends and legend Phil Ryan resigned the post in March and after checking with Miles Gilbert first, who has served longer than I have with the Friends and getting assurances from Phil that he would continue to be a part of the Friends I agreed to become Chair. Phil's experience, enthusiasm, organisational skills and contacts are the key ingredients that see
40
the Friends raise close to 10k each and every year for the general upkeep and maintenance of our beautiful Churches.
Ed Fosbrook resigned as Friends treasurer in March to join the Finance Committee. We'd like to thank Ed for his help and expertise over the years and like Phil, will continue to be a Friend.
Very happy to report that the Friends have contributed 10k to the overall 30k cost of the long overdue upgrading to the AV system in Christ Church which is no longer fit for purpose. These funds weren't solely raised last year so it's only right to thank everyone who has given their time at Friends events and/or supported them.
All our events are truly community events that aren't only promoted in our Parish but rather in the wider community through social media, the grape vine of Wanstead, the Wanstead Community Hub, as well as Wansteadium and The Wanstead Village Directory.
At the time of writing our Burns Night event end of January can't be held due to the third lockdown and it will be touch and go with Rock me baby in March whether we will be permitted to hold this event. We will basically have to wait and see if we are able to stage the Wanstead Village Dog show in May, The Summer BBQ in June, the Summer Fayre in September, and Merry Quizmas in December.
The Friends give up their time and energy to run events that not only provide our Parish with funds to call upon when needed but more so, being the geographical centre of Wanstead, we can also be at the centre of our community as running events for the whole community, we can engage with residents who may not attend church. As Phil noted in last year’s Annual Report, our events are gaining in popularity but the number of volunteers has steadily fallen. I primarily attend the 9am service at Christ Church with my now four and eight year olds but will have to start attending the 10am as well for my boy so you'll see me, promoting events, asking for your time.
_Peter Schaefer Manager/Coordinator_
## **Marketing and Communications Committee**
In 2020 the marketing and communications team were presented with perhaps our biggest challenge to date, namely moving to and the promotion of online church during lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
We also continued to build on the momentum of 2019 by using our increased social media profile to run two more crowdfunding campaigns, and we were invited for a second year running to speak as a guest panellist at the Church of England Digital Communications conference. Lockdown saw the launch of a YouTube channel, and Facebook live-streamed worship. We also added Pinterest, creating a Wanstead Weddings board to promote not just our own churches but also local suppliers, and built on our Instagram profile.
41
## Lockdown church
At Easter, one of the busiest periods in the church year, worship moved online. Thanks to a collaboration between our Rector and local filmmaker Marc Coleman, a series of beautifully shot videos were released on a daily basis over Holy Week. Premiered on our newly created YouTube channel, these videos alone had over 3200 views and reached a much wider audience than our traditional in-person services could have expected.
The traditional reading of the Gospel also moved online, where parishioners recorded their readings and YouTube videos were created. This enabled us to share these videos with our parishioners, and visitors who found us through YouTube, through lockdown and beyond.
We also live-streamed on Facebook for the first time, thanks to Canon Ann Clarke’s innovative and well received Daily Prayer services, plus her Eucharists, which helped us reach and evangelise to a new audience. A huge vote of thanks must go to Canon Ann for this – she is much missed.
## National engagement
Our social media platforms have continued to attract very positive interest from across the diocese and the national church. The weekly email has continued to be a great mission tool. Thanks are due to Lorraine Bucknall for taking this major undertaking on following Canon Ann’s departure.
We continued to increase our output on social media, engaging with Church of England and national charity campaigns, and our local outreach partners, further helping us to extend our reach and engage with the wider community.
Key achievements in the past year include:
- Being asked for the second consecutive year to participate in a panel Q&A discussion at the Church of England Digital team’s recent conference.
- Church of England digital head used our ‘A Church Near You’ page to illustrate his Christmas blog highlighting the Comfort and Joy Christmas campaign. We were also asked to test out the Church of England new ‘Which Carol’ Instagram story filter and featured in their story.
- Using social media, we successfully closed our inaugural crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for our Winter Night Shelter as part of the Aviva Community Fund, raising over £10,000.
- We subsequently launched a second crowdfund during March, raising £7,000 to sponsor a Syrian Refugee Family. Happening as it did during the first period of lockdown, we were delighted to reach our target thanks to our wonderful supporters.
- Our second Aviva crowdfund to raise more funds for the night shelter launched in November 2020 and raised over £8,000, and we were also awarded £1,000 from the Redbridge Social Action Fund to go towards the shelter.
42
- We were awarded £7,500 by the All Churches Trust ‘Growing Lives’ Fund and £3,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation for our AV project. For the FY 2020-2021 we have been chosen as one of the Coop Community Fund causes. Social media is a key driver in both being selected and the amount of support we receive.
- We continued to deliver an increase in followers and engagement via social media and attracted a new audience via our Instagram stories. This in turn has enabled us to better promote our events and campaigns.
- We continue to update our Church of England’s ‘A Church Near You’ offering which is increasingly being favoured by the Church of England as a way to reach more people. Our ACNY page was used at their Digital Conference as an example of best practice. In 2020 our combined ACNY pages were viewed over 20,000 times.
- Our increased social media presence has in turn enabled more non-church goers to engage with, either financially or by volunteering, our local outreach; in particular with regard to the FCENS night shelter and Wanstead Refugee Welcome projects, as well as Redbridge Foodbank.
_Nicola Calabrese_
_Chair_
## **Mission and Ministry Unit – West Roding Mission Partnership**
At the start of 2020, the West Roding Mission Partnership had a programme of joint working across its four parishes. The national lockdown has put a halt to most of those activities, although the Syrian Refugee Project, where Our Lady of Lourdes has also joined the churches of the MMU, has thankfully been able to continue. Parishes have kept in contact during the year, through meetings on Zoom. The new parish representatives on the MMU, following PCC elections, are now Joshua Dickinson and Jenny Griffiths.
## _Pen Garlick_
## **Outreach Committee**
Covid-19 and national lockdowns reduced the giving totals for Christian Aid Week and prevented us organising one-off fundraising events. However, these challenges enabled the parish to innovate and find new fundraising methods, such as two zoom Christingles, which raised money for Children’s society, an online zoom quiz for Christian Aid week and drive-by gift collections for Hestia.
The parish raised £302 for Christian Aid and over £115 The Children’s Society. At harvest large donations were made to the Redbridge Foodbank and Mill Grove. Regular donations were made to the Redbridge Foodbank at the collection points at both our churches and especially through the rapid expansion of the ‘Tin in the Bin’ network, which is a community project based in Wanstead that was founded in 2020. A number of people in our churches are heavily involved in this wonderful project, which encourages our community to rally together and support many people across Redbridge. We also donated gifts to mothers and their children at a refuge run by Hestia.
43
During this year, the committee discussed and reflected upon ‘Setting God’s people free’. The committee also reflected upon our name and our terms of reference. There are currently five committee members in this committee, but we are working with David Wyatt and Jeremy Green to recruit more members.
_Tom Britt Chair_
## **Parish Music Committee**
In 2019 we saw the musical life of the parish grow and really begin to thrive but the arrival of the global pandemic in 2020 unfortunately put a stop to all things musical. As concerts were cancelled and singing was banned, we were grateful that we could at least enjoy listening to the music of our organists during our services which brought us some respite from the chaos in the outside world.
With our musical director Joe sadly on furlough during the majority of 2020, we must take this opportunity to thank our many talented organists and pianists for stepping in and providing music at our services at both churches and online: Martin Elliott, Olive Thursby, Alison Wells, Michael Tivey, Richard Williams and Mark Willingham. We also thank Phil Carnelly who developed new lockdown skills in production and cleverly organised a ‘virtual choir’ recording for the Easter services. Thank you everyone for your help, support and enthusiasm. You really are appreciated and we thank you for giving up your time during such a difficult period.
Once lockdown #1 began to ease, we slowly introduced a reduced ‘socially distanced’ choir to our services, also offering up the invitation for members of our congregation to sign up to sing. The return of singing in the parish was emotional and just highlighted how much music is such an important part of our worship and our lives.
With exciting plans to bring back more singing for Christmas, once again, the majority of our services had to be cancelled with the announcement of lock down #3. We must offer our thanks to Alison Wells for organising and rehearsing our singers and for help with the preparations for the Christmas services. We must also thank Su Alison for choosing and sourcing our hymns and music for our Sunday services. Both Alison and Su have worked hard to keep music present in our churches. This takes a lot of time and effort and we are very grateful for everything they have done and continue to do.
For financial reasons due to the pandemic, we sadly could not reinstate Joe Waggott as Music director this year, but he has agreed to accept the role of Parish Organist. We hope and pray that once we are through this difficult period music will return to the parish stronger and better than ever before. The pandemic has taught us so much and we can use this period as time for reflection and planning for the future.
## _Sue Fitzgerald_
44
## **Records, Archives and Data Management Committee**
The committee has not met during 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but as soon as it is possible to meet safely, the work of the committee will continue, maintaining and ensuring compliance to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), acting as counsel to the PCC, as well as considering thoughtfully the storage and relevance of our archive material.
We are grateful for all the hard work of the committee in the continuing task of rationalising the safe storage of archive and other material, and to Liz Ranger for fulfilling the important role of Data Protection Officer.
Grace Odedina resigned as chair of the committee in December 2020 and we thank her for all her hard work as chair of the committee. Margaret Ranger resigned in November 2020, and we thank her for her dedication and wish her and David all the best as they embark on a new stage in their life.
The committee really needs to recruit new members, so if you have an interest in exploring the history of our two beautiful churches, please volunteer!
_Sue Oldham Chair_
## **Safeguarding and Health and Safety Committee**
Highlights of the work undertaken by the Committee during 2020:
- Review of Parish Safeguarding Policy including implementing new Guide to Supporting Vulnerable Adults;
- Reviewing and implementing risk assessments and assisting in setting up procedures for online services such as Zoom to ensure safeguarding and GDPR compliance;
- Facilitating larger uptake in online safeguarding training throughout the Parish;
- Completing Safeguarding Training Needs Analysis to identify roles and people to undertake training during 2021;
- In 2121 the Committee will:
- Continue to encourage and support as many people as possible to undertake online safeguarding training;
- Once safe to do so, host a leadership level safeguarding course with the Diocese Safeguarding Team;
- Reach out to groups in the parish who are particularly vulnerable to highlight the role of safeguarding and what those in the parish can do to support and look out for each other.
_Suzi Stiegler Parish Safeguarding Officer_
45
## **St Mary’s Committee**
Our first meeting in March touched on several different areas such as community outreach, worship, and the quinquennial report. A pattern of open days for 2020 was outlined, but unfortunately Covid-19 meant that only one of these could take place (Open House, London). In 2021 there will be a varied programme of open days held at St Mary’s to build on the success of previous years and continue engaging and inspiring the wider community.
In June. the committee had a very fruitful meeting about the monument of Sir Josiah Child in St Mary’s. We reflected upon Josiah’s involvement with the slave trade and discussed recent events such as the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement. In July. the committee agreed to form a diverse committee to discuss how to respond and confront the monument of Josiah Child. This recommendation was actioned by the PCC. In October, each Sunday service at St Mary’s was inspired by the themes of Black History Month and this shaped intercessions, reflections, and readings.
At our meeting in November, we discussed topics such as the yearly worship referendum and the draft interim report, repairs for St Mary’s organ and the churchyard report.
In the autumn Sue Paterson and Alison Wells shared a draft of the St Mary’s interim report. The interim report summarised and reflected upon how the community at St Mary’s are working hard to sustain lay worship, increase the number of volunteers and reach out to the wider community. We thank Sue and Alison for their hard work and for the considerable time and care they put into this report! In December, a revised version of this report was shared with the PCC, then a final version was shared with Archdeacon Elwin (West Ham).
_Tom Britt_
## **Social Committee**
When the Social Committee met in early January to plan for 2020, we looked afresh at how we should implement our brief which remained to: (1) provide refreshments at special services, (2) organise some social events. As regards events, the two long-standing ones, which have been running for many years, were the Parish outing to Broadstairs and the Barn Dance. Unlike events organised by the Friends, these events are priced to ‘break even’.
As regards refreshments, we responded to a long list of requests from the ministry team and began to arrange for volunteers to deliver those events, which included hosting the Diocesan Synod in June. One change that we made was that when we were providing filter coffee and cake at Christ Church after the 10am service, we were also going to provide something similar after the 9am service.
As regards social events, we decided to offer the trip to Broadstairs, moving it from the traditional last Saturday in August, which this year was a Bank Holiday,
46
to the first Saturday in September, having ascertained that the beach would be fully open. So, a coach was booked with Dan’s Luxury Travel, who ceased trading in the summer due to the pandemic – fortunately, no deposit was required. We also provisionally booked our ‘caller’ Pete Skiffens for a Barn Dance in October but were mindful of the difficulty we had last year in selling the minimum number of 50 tickets; so, plans were in place for a big publicity drive in August. We identified a need for one or two social events aimed at the young families in the 9am congregation. Two of the committee began to look into two possibilities: (1) a picnic in Christ Church gardens and the Hall, (2) a trip to a relatively local zoo or farm.
So, into 2020 and all that we were able to deliver before the pandemic hit were wine, nibbles and cake after the MMU Choral Evensong for Candlemas at St Mary’s, and tea/coffee/biscuits/squash at the World Day of Prayer in Christ Church. In March, just ahead of Mothering Sunday, of course we had lockdown and the introduction of social distancing, which as we go into 2021 remains with us, probably well into the summer. Combined with the great difficulty of safely delivering any form of refreshments, social distancing meant that all our usual activities as a Social Committee were not possible. We probably missed a trick by not organising some sort of ‘virtual’ socialising, and as we go into a new year with a return to ‘normal’ looking a long way off, we will look at that again.
We started 2020, with a refreshed committee which represented all the main congregations at both churches. We did say goodbye to Liz Ranger and Lorna Robinson as committee members, although they remained on our list of ‘helpers’. I am grateful for their service on the committee over a number of years, especially during 2019 which was my first year as Chair. As recorded earlier, we had a very productive committee meeting in January, putting in place an improved programme both as regards ‘refreshments’ and social events. Normally, I would record my thanks to all those who helped to deliver the various events but of course there were only two events that occurred which were very well organised – so thanks to Maureen Medley, Julie Williams, and Marjorie Gadd at Candlemas, and to Chris Owen and Louisa Brown at the World Day of Prayer.
Going into 2021, there have been some changes: Barbara Hepworth-Jones, having become Churchwarden has stepped down; as regards myself, having become Deputy Churchwarden, I also need to step down from being Chair, although I will remain on the committee for one year to help the new Chair. Early in January, we will be looking not only for a Chair but also a couple of new committee members, ideally from the 10am Christ Church congregation.
_David Wyatt Chair_
## **Staffing & Governance Committee**
Staffing & Governance met formally twice this year. Much of the business continues to be conducted via email as necessary. Staff reviews were conducted. The Staff Handbook was revised. New membership of various
47
committees was continually approved. As lockdown started and income dropped, staff were furloughed. Much of the work of the Committee is confidential as it concerns salaries, working hours and employment terms and conditions.
_Avril Carnelley Chair (Jan – Oct 20)_
## _Wanstead Church School Report_
2020 was an unusual year to say the least! January 2020 began with the exciting launch of a brand new school website and a brand new school vision:
_At Wanstead Church School our vision is to empower every child to approach life with_ _**wisdom** ,_ _**compassion** and_ _**strength** so that they can shine in everything they do. We believe that Jesus is the light of the world and that we are called upon to let our light shine before others (Matthew 5:16)._
The school values, **wisdom, compassion** and **strength** have become the guiding principles for everything we do at Wanstead Church School, and our new motto, **“We Can Shine!”** can be seen, heard and felt throughout the school community. The use of our initial, W, C, S, makes both the values and the motto really memorable for everyone.
These values were embodied whole-heartedly very early into their launch when the devastating death of a pupil in the school shook the school community immeasurably. In true Wanstead Church School style, the community of children, staff, parents, governors and the church came together with great wisdom, compassion and strength to grieve and to support one another.
As we headed into February, the first mutterings of a deadly virus became known, particularly as families returned from their travels over the February half term break. Little did we know at that stage just how much our lives were about to change.
The children enjoyed World Book Day in early March with their wonderful costumes and exciting activities, before the junior children performed in Christ Church for the World Day of Prayer the next day. The choir also performed magnificently alongside many other schools at the Royal Albert Hall in March and, as always, represented our school brilliantly.
Then everything changed beyond recognition. Our school, along with every other school in the country, was forced to close its doors indefinitely as Covid19 took hold of our nation. Teaching and learning was catapulted into a whole new and unchartered world and the staff, children and families had to adapt and learn swiftly. To begin, packs of worksheets and activities were prepared for the children and tasks were uploaded to our new school website for the children to complete at home.
48
It wasn’t long before video conferencing became the norm and as the school closures continued, the classes began to meet regularly with their teachers online. As well as preparing learning for the children, the teaching staff completed a complete overhaul of the school’s curriculum ahead of the children’s return to school, as well as various staff training courses and professional reading.
As the summer approached, the school gradually began to reopen. Staff shortages and limited space meant that Wanstead Church School was only able to welcome back Years 1 and 6 in the summer term. The rest of the classes continued to complete their learning at home before returning to school in full in September 2020.
Over the summer break in 2020, a full overhaul of all the school’s ICT equipment was completed. Brand new computers were installed in the ICT suite, the offices and the staffroom, 65” interactive screens were installed into the classrooms and the teachers all received new laptops. This was a long overdue task that was much needed and has been incredibly useful as the pandemic has continued! The equipment was funded by the school’s PTA and Governing Body.
During the autumn of 2020, the school moved from strength to strength. Staff were retrained in phonics in September and learned lots of exciting and interesting ways to teach early reading skills. A new behaviour policy was launched and extensive training and coaching was gained through a behaviour specialist throughout the autumn term. The new school’s behaviour policy included the introduction of sticker books, a “traffic light” system and new school rules.
In October, the school launched Google Classroom just in time for the first of many partial closures of the school over the autumn term. The staff received training on Google Classroom as well as training for their new interactive screens.
November and December saw much disruption with many partial closures where whole classes were forced to isolate at different times, and so when the PTA and the school launched the Countdown to Christmas it was just what everyone needed. There was a range of exciting and festive activities and events for everyone to enjoy, from seeing Santa to decorating Christmas trees for a competition and so much more. It ended with a festive school video of all the children singing and praying in celebration of the birth of Jesus that was shared with the parent community.
2020 saw the departure of Mrs Morris, our long-standing PPA teacher who retired at the end of a 37-year career in teaching, Mr Blakeston (temporary Year 5 teacher), Mrs Qureshi (Teaching Assistant) and Mrs Shaikh (Midday Assistant). In the autumn of 2020 we welcomed two new teachers, Miss Fodder and Miss Munday, a new Higher Level Teaching Assistant, Miss Kenealy, and two new Midday Assistants, Mrs Stanger and Mrs Harrison. At Christmas we said goodbye to Mrs Baptist, who taught at Wanstead Church School for over 20
49
years. Mrs Baptist was a wonderful teacher to so many children and will be greatly missed in our school. We welcomed Miss Williams as our new Year 1 teacher in early December.
2020 has brought much change, much sadness, and much darkness. But it’s also brought new ways of working, new challenges and new opportunities. At Wanstead Church School **We Can Shine** and we will approach 2021 with wisdom, compassion and strength knowing that there is always a light in the darkness in Jesus.
## _Natalie Denchfield Headteacher_
## _Financial Review_
We began 2020 with expectations of a typical financial year, with principal source of funds being our regular voluntary giving from our parishioners and gift aid, income from our Parish Halls and certain grants enabling us to cover our regular expenses and allow us to continue to pay our Parish Share in full. However, with the onset of the Coronavirus and resulting lockdowns and restrictions, the year took a very different turn and the Parish had to make some difficult decisions to protect our reserve and allow us to meet our fixed unavoidable expenses.
During 2020, the principal source of funds for the charity is the regular voluntary giving from our parishioners, which totalled £88,086, a 15% decrease when compared to 2019. With our church buildings closed for much of 2020 and plate collections dwindling, this giving was primarily from our planned givers through the Planned Giving Scheme (PGS) and Standing Orders. Without these regular givers, we would have faced an even more difficult financial year. The PCC strives to increase our planned givers through PGS to reduce the administrative time and cost associated with other methods of giving and to enable the PCC to better budget for the year and cover our costs.
The planned giving and gift aided cash donations enabled the PCC to reclaim £23,019 for the General Fund (£26,980 overall) from HM Revenue & Customs for 2020. We have been aided by the rule which enables us to claim Gift Aid on cash collections up to a maximum of £8,000 for each church in any one financial year. Gift Aid continues to be a critical part of our income, as without recovering these funds, we would not be able to meet our day-to-day running costs.
With the restrictions imposed during 2020, our Parish Halls unfortunately remained closed or operating at minimal capacity for most of the year with rental receipts totalling only £23,250; 65% less than in 2019. The management and running costs of the hall were still fully met from its own income, leaving a
50
small surplus of £5,794 which is used to support the Parish running costs and mission.
The Friends were unable to host most of their fund-raising activities during 2020 due to Coronavirus and therefore were only able to raise £217 net towards the current and future works required at St Mary’s and Christ Church.
The PCC aims to keep a minimum reserve in liquid funds of £20,000 available at little or no notice for unforeseen contingencies that are not otherwise covered by the insurance policies in place on both our churches and other properties. At the year end the General Fund has reserves of £21,747.
Without the usual hall income and reduced church collections, the PCC took several actions to meet our financial obligations and preserve our reserve balance to the extent possible during 2020. This included: moving to fixed costs only expenditure, reducing our Parish Share contributions, eliminating the role of music director, furloughing our staff and claiming for support under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, de-designating income set aside in 2019 to redecorate our halls back to the General fund, and utilising both designated and restricted funds where possible to cover allowable expenditure. We also made use of our ChurchDesk software to enable online donations as well as our contactless donation devices in both church buildings.
The PCC holds a number of financial investments arising from past legacies which, instead of being held as cash deposits, are invested with Central Board of Finance unit trusts. All of these funds are Endowment Funds, which means that the PCC benefits from the income but cannot use the principal amount.
During 2020, the Parish is grateful to have been remembered by three parishioners and received legacies from Ms Paulene Walker, Ms Janet Marten, and Mr John Sunley.
_Recent Legacies_
|_Recent Legacies_|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Name**|**Year**
**Received**|**Legacy**|**Fund**|**Fund Type**|
|John Sunley|2020|House,
£200,000|Sunley|Restricted|
|Paulene Walker|2020|£2,000|General|Unrestricted|
|Janet Lilian
Marten|2020|£1,000|General|Unrestricted|
|Rose Clare|2019|£4,750|Distress Relief|Restricted|
|Barbara Joan
Gower|2019|£1,000|General|Unrestricted|
|Joan Brown|2018 &
2019|House,
£49,279|St Mary’s|Restricted|
|Beatrice Smith|2018|£5,000|St Mary’s|Restricted|
|Arthur Worwood|2018|£29,468|Arthur
Worwood
Music|Designated|
51
The Parish has benefited from several grants from the Cottage Trustees, derived from property rental income, which supports the cost of the Parish work with children, young people and families. Further support for our youth work has come from grants from London Over the Border and through private donations received in 2019.
Additionally, some very generous members of our congregation have donated toward specific activities and purchases such as an AV System to be installed during 2021 and to our calls for financial support in May. Further support from the wider Wanstead community was received to help fund the Refugee Welcome Wanstead project to house a refugee family in Wanstead, as well as FCENS, our partner for our winter night shelter, to house homeless in hotels and hostels during the winter. We were unable to run our night shelter in the parish hall this winter due to Coronavirus restrictions.
The parish begin a Resilience project during 2020, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, to help prepare the parish for a possible larger project at both St Mary’s and Christ Church. The project is ongoing during 2021.
In a typical year, the parish regular income received continues to be very finely balanced with amounts expended on the running of the parish, meaning that any additional costs, particularly for larger projects, will continue to require substantial additional external funding or donations. During 2020, when our halls and churches closed, we had to take drastic steps to ensure we could cover our debts as they fall due, but were able to do so while preserving our reserve. Through careful management the PCC remains in a position to meet all debts as they fall due and maintain our reserve.
## **Parish Share**
Our required deanery contribution, the “parish share” increased in 2020 to £118,059 (£116,879 net of 1% discount for payment by Direct Debit). Even in a typical year, the planned giving we receive does not cover this expense and we require both the hall income and claiming gift aid on giving to cover the balance.
The PCC had expected to pay this amount in full. However, with the resulting reduction in our income from Coronavirus restrictions, we took the difficult decision to cut our monthly payment to £5,000 per month from May. We also received a housing credit of £9,000 during 2020 for our curate which is reflected as a credit against our Parish Share by the Diocese. Therefore, during 2020, the PCC paid £75,959 toward our Parish Share (£84,959 after applying the curate housing credit), resulting in an underpayment of £31,920.
The Parish Share for 2021 is set at £118,059, the same level as 2020. The PCC has budgeted to pay £5,000 per month to manage our expenses while still subject to Coronavirus restrictions and will review this position regularly with the aim to pay more if possible.
52
## **Financial Position at year end:**
The PCC ended the year with seemingly substantial reserves of cash and investments, but these are largely either designated for a particular purpose or formally restricted in use. The uncommitted general funds held are £21,747, a decrease of £8,143 from 2019, primarily due to the transfer of capitalised fixed assets into a separate Property & Fixed Assets designated fund.
## **Conclusion**
The priority for 2021 is to maintain the effective work of the parish, providing adequate support to enable the ministry team to focus on developing the mission, evangelical, outreach and pastoral work of the church in Wanstead. 2020 has made evident that we must work to increase our regular planned giving and find ways to diversify our income to enable us to continue to maintain the effective work of the parish.
## **Responsibilities of the Trustees**
Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its financial activities for that period. In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are required to
Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.
Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable & prudent.
State whether the policies adopted are in accordance with the SORP, Statement of Recommended Practice, and with applicable accounting standards, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will continue.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the charities act 1993. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities.
## _**Signed on behalf of the Charity Trustees**_
53
## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
I report to the PCC on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2020 which are set out on the following pages.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity’s trustees 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**
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
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:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. 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.
## **Yusuf Dedat FCA**
## **Clay Ratnage Strevens & Hills**
Suite D, The Business Centre Faringdon Avenue Romford Essex RM3 8EN
Date:
54
## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE**
## **ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Endowmen**
**t Funds**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Notes**
Voluntary income
160,752
765,893
-
Activities for generating funds
23,253
2,109
-
Investment income
3,347
19,616
-
5,117
2,000
-
-
-
-
**1**
**192,469**
**789,618**
**-**
Cost of generating voluntary income
11
172
-
Fundraising trading cost of goods sold and other
17,456
-
-
Investment management costs
-
-
-
168,750
104,351
-
5,043
-
-
-
-
-
**2**
**191,260**
**104,523**
**-**
**Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer**
**1,209**
**685,095**
**-**
39,323
21,099
3,296
(49,049)
(14,669)
-
**(8,517)**
**691,525**
**3,296**
1,248
3,022
6,089
612,905
-
-
**605,636**
**694,547**
**9,385**
**130,610 1,068,582**
**88,484**
**736,246 1,763,129**
**97,869**
**Net income / (expenditure) resources before other**
**gains/(losses)**
**Total expenditure**
Governance costs
Other resources used
Charitable activities
**_Resources used_**
Cost of generating funds
Other incoming resources
**Total income**
Incoming resources from charitable activities
Incoming resources from generated funds
**_Incoming resources_**
**Total funds carried forward**
**Net movement in funds**
**_Reconciliation of funds_**
**Total funds brought forward from 2019**
**_Other recognised gains / losses_**
Gains / losses on investment assets
Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's own use
**_Transfers_**
Gross transfers between funds - in
Gross transfers between funds - out|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Endowmen**
**t Funds**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Notes**
Voluntary income
160,752
765,893
-
Activities for generating funds
23,253
2,109
-
Investment income
3,347
19,616
-
5,117
2,000
-
-
-
-
**1**
**192,469**
**789,618**
**-**
Cost of generating voluntary income
11
172
-
Fundraising trading cost of goods sold and other
17,456
-
-
Investment management costs
-
-
-
168,750
104,351
-
5,043
-
-
-
-
-
**2**
**191,260**
**104,523**
**-**
**Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer**
**1,209**
**685,095**
**-**
39,323
21,099
3,296
(49,049)
(14,669)
-
**(8,517)**
**691,525**
**3,296**
1,248
3,022
6,089
612,905
-
-
**605,636**
**694,547**
**9,385**
**130,610 1,068,582**
**88,484**
**736,246 1,763,129**
**97,869**
**Net income / (expenditure) resources before other**
**gains/(losses)**
**Total expenditure**
Governance costs
Other resources used
Charitable activities
**_Resources used_**
Cost of generating funds
Other incoming resources
**Total income**
Incoming resources from charitable activities
Incoming resources from generated funds
**_Incoming resources_**
**Total funds carried forward**
**Net movement in funds**
**_Reconciliation of funds_**
**Total funds brought forward from 2019**
**_Other recognised gains / losses_**
Gains / losses on investment assets
Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's own use
**_Transfers_**
Gross transfers between funds - in
Gross transfers between funds - out|**Total**
**2020**
**_Total_**
**_2019_**
**£**
**_£_**
926,645
360,225
25,362
87,629
22,963
32,761
7,117
4,027
-
4,243
**982,087**
**_488,885_**
183
1,030
17,456
25,963
-
-
273,101
328,743
5,043
4,734
-
_-_
**295,783**
**_360,470_**
**686,304**
**_128,415_**
63,718
_164,240_
(63,718)
_(164,240)_
**686,304**
**_128,415_**
10,359
_23,407_
612,905
_-_
**1,309,568**
**_151,822_**
**1,287,676**
**_1,135,854_**
**2,597,244**
**1,287,676**|
|---|---|---|
||**736,246 1,763,129**
**97,869**||
55
## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753**
## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020**
|**FIXED ASSETS**
**Notes**
Tangible assets
**5**
Investment property
**6**
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
**7**
Investments
Cash at bank and in hand
**LIABILITIES**
**8**
**NET CURRENT ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**
**TOTAL NET ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES**
**REPRESENTED BY**
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Restricted funds
Endowment funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year|**£**
**£**
1,026,690
1,000,000
2,026,690
8,764
159,164
464,749
632,677
62,123
570,554
**2,597,244**
21,747
714,499
1,763,129
97,869
**2,597,244**
**2020**|**_2019_**
**_£_**
_408,508_
_500,000_|
|---|---|---|
|||_908,508_
_10,632_
_157,238_
_235,256_|
|||_403,126_
_23,958_|
||||
|||_379,168_|
|||**_1,287,676_**|
|||_29,890_
_100,908_
_1,068,394_
_88,484_|
|||**_1,287,676_**|
**Approved by the PCC on:**
**Name:**
56
## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **1 Details of incoming resources**
|**1 Details of incoming resources**||
|---|---|
|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**Restricte**
**d Funds**
**Endowmen**
**t Funds**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Voluntary Income**
Giving
88,086
-
4,242
-
Income tax recoverable
23,019
33
3,928
-
Donations, appeals etc.
13,492
547
22,331
-
Legacies
3,000
-
700,000
-
Other income
32,575
-
35,392
-
**160,172**
**580**
**765,893**
**-**
**Activities for generating funds**
Events
-
-
120
-
Friends membership
-
-
648
-
Friends fundraising
-
-
1,341
-
Hall lettings
23,250
-
-
-
Other trading income
3
-
-
-
**23,253**
**-**
**2,109**
**-**|**Total**
**2020**
**_Total_**
**_2019_**
**£**
**_£_**
92,328
_105,608_
26,980
_31,130_
36,370
_27,698_
703,000
_55,029_
67,967
_140,760_
**926,645**
**_360,225_**
120
_3,387_
648
_668_
1,341
_18,127_
23,250
_65,447_
3
-
**25,362**
**_87,629_**|
|**Investment income**
Interest & dividends
2,438
909
1,256
-
Rental income
-
-
18,360
-
**2,438**
**909**
**19,616**
**-**
**Incoming resources from charitable activities**
Fees for weddings & funerals
3,532
26
-
-
Charitable other income
1,379
180
2,000
-
**4,911**
**206**
**2,000**
**-**
**Total incoming resources**
**190,774**
**1,695**
**789,618**
**-**|4,603
_4,486_
18,360
_28,275_
**22,963**
**_32,761_**
3,558
_4,027_
3,559
_4,243_
**7,117**
**_8,270_**
**982,087**
**_488,885_**|
57
## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **2 Details of resources used**
|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Church hall costs
17,456
-
-
Cost of generating voluntary income
11
-
172
Cost of fundraising events
-
-
-
**17,467**
**-**
**172**
**Charitable expenditure**
Giving
236
310
10,906
Parish share
84,959
-
-
Ministry team expenses
5,648
-
45
Curates expenses
-
-
-
Wages
25,090
-
-
Choir and music
3,085
-
536
Parish training & mission
102
-
1,060
Education & young people
14,323
85
Upkeep of services
2,377
-
5,181
Insurance
7,018
-
Organ expenses
65
748
468
Residential property expenses
4,355
-
29,059
Works and maintenance
6,304
426
25,275
Light, heat & utilities
7,081
-
-
Office expenses
3,059
-
1,259
Friends cost of fundraising
-
-
1,124
Flowers etc.
-
371
-
Sundry expenses
2,004
(290)
1,884
Depreciation
-
1,394
-
Project costs
-
-
27,554
**165,706**
**3,044**
**104,351**
**Governance costs**
Accountancy and legal costs
5,043
-
-
**5,043**
**-**
**-**
**Total resources expended**
**188,216**
**3,044**
**104,523**
**Cost of generating**
**funds/fundraising trading costs**|**Total 2020**
**_Total_**
**_2019_**
**£**
**_£_**
17,456
_24,129_
183
_1,030_
-
_1,834_
**17,639**
**_26,993_**
11,452
_100_
84,959
_113,163_
5,693
-
-
_4,575_
25,090
_27,174_
3,621
_4,815_
1,162
_1,284_
14,408
_12,062_
7,558
_4,960_
7,018
_9,617_
1,281
_1,750_
33,414
_13,135_
32,005
_110,079_
7,081
_6,791_
4,318
_6,179_
1,124
_8,846_
371
_1,127_
3,598
_2,248_
1,394
_838_
27,554
_-_
**273,101**
**_328,743_**
5,043
_4,734_
**5,043**
**_4,734_**
**295,783**
**_360,470_**|
|---|---|
58
## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **3 Accounting policies**
## **a Basis of preparation**
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 (2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2016 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 for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at fair value as agreed by the PCC and investments which are stated at market value.
## **b Funds**
## Unrestricted funds
These represent the remaining income funds of the PCC that are available for spending on the general purposes of the PCC, including amounts designated by the PCC for fixed assets for its own use or for spending on a future project and which are therefore not included in its ‘free reserves’ as disclosed in the trustees’ report.
## Designated funds
These are funds that are for specific purposes but not restricted by document or deed to that purpose alone.
## Restricted funds
These are income funds that must be spent on restricted purposes and details of the funds held and restrictions provided are shown in the notes to the accounts.
## Endowment funds
These are restricted funds that must be retained as trust capital either permanently or subject to a discretionary power to spend capital as income, and where the use of any income or other benefit derived from the capital may be restricted or unrestricted.
## **c Incoming resources**
- Income from planned giving/donations and other voluntary income is recognised when it is received.
- Gift Aid and other tax claims are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis in relation to the date the donation it relates to was received.
- Legacies to the PCC are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of it's legal entitlement and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
- Rental income from the letting of PCC property is recognised when rents are due.
- [The charity receives government grants in respect of the Job Retention Scheme. Income ] from government and other grants are recognised at fair value when the charity has entitlement after any performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. If entitlement is not met then these amounts are deferred.
59
## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **3 Accounting policies (continued)**
- **c Incoming resources (continued)**
- Investment income from interest on deposits and dividends earned are accounted for when receivable.
- Investment gains and losses includes any gain or loss on the sale of investments and any gain or loss from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year.
- **d Resources used**
- Costs are recognised when incurred and as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation and settlement of the liability is probable and quantifiable.
- Include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts and costs of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.
- Grants payable are recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made externally and there are no pre-conditions still to meet for the entitlement to the grant which remain within the control of the PCC.
- **e Fixed Assets**
- In so far as consecrated and benefice property of any kind is excluded from the statutory definition of “charity” by Section 10(2) (a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011 such assets are not capitalised in the financial statements.
- Tangible fixed assets for use by the PCC
- These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £1,000. They are valued at cost or else, for gifts- in-kind, at a reasonable estimate of their open market value on receipt.
Property used by the PCC in the course of their work is included in the accounts at cost. Depreciation is calculated to write off the capitalised cost of fixed assets less their currently anticipated residual fair value over their estimated useful lives as follows:
- Curates House Nil
- Furniture & Fixtures 10 / 20 years
- Computers Equipment 5 years
- Alarm system 10 years
- Fixed asset investment property
- These are included in the accounts at best estimate of market value as determined by the P
- **f Investments**
These are stated at market value at the balance sheet date with any gains or losses on revaluation or disposals throughout the year being recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.
- **g Debtors and creditors; bank and cash**
- Debtors are stated at the amount owed to the PCC or prepaid. Creditors are initially recognised at settlement amount after any trade discounts, where normal credit terms apply, or amount advanced to the PCC. Subsequently creditors that are current liabilities are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid. The liquid funds of bank balances and deposit account balances are shown at realisable values.
60
## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **4 Staff costs**
During the year the PCC employed a Director of Music, Finance and Clerical Assistants , a Wedding and Baptism administrator as well as a Hall manager. Employment costs are included in the respective costs heads.
As the parish finance assistant, Mr T Thompson, who is closely related to Mr T Thompson a member of the PCC, was paid £Nil _(2019 - £1,343)_ during the year.
It is PCC policy to offer to reimburse members of the PCC and others involved in the administration of the PCC affairs for expenditure properly incurred in carrying out their duties. With the exception of the details in note 10, no member of the PCC was in receipt of any payment for work undertaken on behalf of the PCC, although certain travelling and administration costs were reimbursed where requested.
|Gross Salary
Employers pension contribution
Number of employees in the year|**2020**
**_2019_**
**£**
**_£_**
31,069
_31,057_
958
_1,073_
32,027
_32,130_
3
_5_|
|---|---|
|**5 Fixed Assets**
Gross book value at 1 January 2020
Additions
Disposals
Revaluations
Gross book value at 31 December 2020
Depreciation at 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
Depreciation at 31 December 2020
**Net book value at 31 December 2020**
**Net book value at 31 December 2019**|**Property**
**Furniture**
**&**
**Computer**
**Equipmen**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
400,054
20,919
1,334
422,307
-
6,671
-
6,671
-
-
-
-
612,905
-
-
612,905
1,012,959
27,590
1,334
1,041,883
-
12,465
1,334
13,799
-
1,394
-
1,394
-
13,859
1,334
15,193
**1,012,959**
**13,731**
**-**
**1,026,690**
**400,054**
**8,454**
**-**
**408,508**|
|---|---|
61
## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
|**6 Investments**
Gross book value at 1 January 2020
Additions
Disposals
Revaluations
Gross book value at 31 December 2020
Depreciation at 1 January 2020
Charge for the year
Depreciation at 31 December 2020
**Net book value at 31 December 2020**
**Net book value at 31 December 2019**
**7 Debtors**
Amounts falling due within one year
Accrued income
Gift aid tax claim
Prepayments
Total debtors falling due within one year
**8 Creditors**
Amounts falling due within one year
Accruals and deferred income
Funds received due to be paid (note 10)
Total creditors falling due within one year|**Investment**
**Property**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
500,000
500,000
500,000
500,000
-
-
-
-
1,000,000
1,000,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
**1,000,000**
**1,000,000**
**500,000**
**500,000**
**2020**
**_2019_**
**£**
**_£_**
3,100
_-_
3,267
_6,928_
2,397
3,704
8,764
_10,632_
**2020**
**_2019_**
**£**
**_£_**
42,919
_22,200_
19,204
_1,758_
62,123
_23,958_|
|---|---|
## **9 Related party transactions**
During the year, £1,625 _(2019 - £3,250)_ was paid to Revd. A Clarke, a trustee, for her role as co-ordinator in relation to the Heritage Lottery Fund project.
62
## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **10 For information only: Money received and passed on to External Organisations**
|**Balance brought forward from last year**
Amounts Received - received for External Organisations
Amounts Received - passed to External Organisations
**Balance still to be paid**|**2020**
**_2019_**
**£**
**_£_**
1,758
2,587
21,767
12,068
(4,321)
(12,897)
19,204
1,758|
|---|---|
## **11 Church Workers Pension Fund**
The PCC participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of CWPF for lay staff. The Scheme is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the assets of the schemes separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.
The Church Workers Pension Fund has a section known as the Defined Benefits Scheme, a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic and a cash balance section known as Pension Builder 2014.
## **Pension Builder Scheme**
The Pension Builder Scheme of the Church Workers Pension Fund is made up of two sections, Pension Builder Classic and Pension Builder 2014, both of which are classed as defined benefit schemes.
Pension Builder 2014 is a cash balance scheme that provides a lump sum that members use to provide benefits at retirement. Pension contributions are recorded in an account for each member. This account may have bonuses added by the Board before retirement. The bonuses depend on investment experience and other factors. There is no requirement for the Board to grant any bonuses. The account, plus any bonuses declared, is payable from members’ Normal Pension Age.
There is no sub-division of assets between employers in each section of the Pension Builder Scheme.
The scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. This is because it is not possible to attribute the Pension Builder Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers and means that contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pensions costs charged to the SoFA in the year are the contributions payable (2020: £958, 2019: £1,073).
A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent was carried out as at 31 December 2016. A valuation as at 31 December 2019 was under way as at 31 December 2020.
For the Pension Builder 2014 section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £1.8m on the ongoing assumptions used. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.
The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another employer fails, the PCC could become responsible for paying a share of that employer’s pension liabilities.
63
## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753**
## **STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
|**Cash flows from operating activities**
**Adjustments for**
Depreciation charges
Gains on investments
Gains on revaluation
Dividends, interest and rents received
(Increase) / decrease in debtors
Increase in creditors
**Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities**
**Cash flows from investing activities**
Dividends, interest and rents received
Disposal of investments
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Reallocation of Eileen Joliff Deposit account
Acquisition of investments
**Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities**
**Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period**
**Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period**
**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period**
**Represented by:**
**Cash at bank and in hand**
Net income for the reporting period (as per the statement of
financial activities)|**2020**
**_2019_**
**£**
**_£_**
1,309,568
_151,822_
1,394
_838_
(10,359)
_(23,407)_
(612,905)
_-_
(22,963)
_(32,761)_
1,868
_(5,954)_
38,165
_8,090_
**704,768**
**_98,628_**
22,963
_30,851_
-
690
(506,671)
-
8,433
-
-
-
**(475,275)**
**_31,541_**
**229,493**
**_130,169_**
**235,256**
**_105,087_**
**464,749**
**_235,256_**
**464,749**
**_235,256_**|
|---|---|
64
## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753**
## **FUND MOVEMENT SUMMARY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
|**Unrestricted Funds**
General
**Designated Funds**
Flowers
Hall Maintenance
St Mary Open days
Arthur Worwood Music
Property fund
Roof 2013
Bridge
Sign
Property Maintenance
Outings
**Restricted Funds**
Appeals and collections
Choir and music
Misc Clergy gifts
Friends
Memorial garden
Ministry candidates
Jazz Vespers
St Mary's garden
Christ Church Jupp bequest
Wanstead Winter night shelter
SMWR
Community choir
Distress relief
St Mary's Brown bequest
Resilience Grant Project
Refugee Welcome
Brown Bequest-John Sunley
**Endowment Funds**
Bishops J Adams Memorial
Eileen Joliffe bequest
ST M Mem Gdn and Corp Beqs
Taylor Memorial 1992|**01.01.2020**
**Investment**
**Gain/(Loss)**
**Transfers**
**In/(Out) 31.12.2020**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
29,890
190,774
188,204
-
(10,713)
21,747
**Resources**
**Incoming Outgoing**|
|---|---|
||29,890
190,774
188,204
-
(10,713)
21,747|
||1,644
164
371
-
-
1,437
10,797
-
-
-
(9,000)
1,797
1,333
100
-
-
-
1,433
28,650
-
748
-
-
27,902
30,000
-
1,394
612,905
15,123
656,634
7,183
5
-
-
(3,500)
3,688
218
53
16
-
-
255
773
284
379
-
-
678
20,980
909
426
1,248
(1,636)
21,075
(870)
180
(290)
-
-
(400)|
||100,708
1,695
3,044
614,153
987
714,499|
||2,947
4,879
4,230
-
-
3,596
2,796
-
136
-
-
2,660
50
2,000
790
-
-
1,260
73,228
2,925
1,124
2,147
5,099
82,275
1,772
8
-
-
-
1,780
198
1
-
-
-
199
1,330
1,650
436
-
-
2,544
937
-
-
-
-
937
375,070
-
4,421
-
8,100
378,749
13,390
12,014
4,554
-
(7,770)
13,080
11,661
7,743
14,190
-
(5,099)
115
2,227
390
-
-
-
2,617
15,105
644
1,791
875
-
14,833
567,871
18,360
8,593
-
(900)
576,738
-
27,648
27,648
-
7,000
7,000
-
11,356
10,906
-
-
450
-
700,000
25,705
-
-
674,295|
||**1,068,582**
789,618
104,524
3,022
6,430 1,763,128|
||4,976
-
-
343
-
5,319
63,805
-
-
4,388
3,296
71,489
10,542
-
-
725
-
11,267
9,161
-
-
633
-
9,794|
||88,484
-
-
6,089
3,296
97,869|
65