OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2021-12-31-accounts

Annual report and Financial Statements

of the Parochial Church Council of the

Ecclesiastical Parish of

St Mary with Christchurch, Wanstead

for the Year ended 31[st] December 2021

Registered Charity Number 1127753

Interim Priest in Charge: The Revd. Martyn Hawkes Christchurch, Wanstead Place, Wanstead

Banks:

NatWest Bank, High Street, Wanstead

HSBC Bank, Electric Parade, George Lane, South Woodford CCLA Investment Management Ltd, Cheapside, London EC2

Independent Examiner:

Yusuf Dedat FCA, Clay Ratnage Strevens & Hills

1

Contents

Introduction – Page 3

Churchwardens’ Reports – Page 3

Lay Leaders Report – Page 8

Children and Youth – Page 10

Parish Activities and Groups – Page 11 Report of Electoral Roll Officer – Page 18 Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals – Page 19 The Parish Church Council – Page 20

Lay Vice Chair’s Report – Page 21

Committee Reports – Page 23

Wanstead Church School Report – Page 31

Financial Review – Page 34

Independent Examiner’s Report – Page 37

Appendix I – Committees, Information and Governance Appendix II – The St Mary’s Report and Bishop Guli’s Response

2

Introduction

2021 was a second year dominated by Covid 19. Christmas 2020 was cancelled at the last minute, and 2021 started with yet another lock down, with the consequence that our churches were closed again. Revd. Dr Jack Dunn left the Parish in January, and the Parish entered a period of Interregnum. In April, the Parish was pleased to welcome The Revd. Canon Martyn Hawkes as Interim Priest in Charge for two days a week. Our curate, Tom Britt, left to complete his curacy at St Margaret’s, Ilford, and the Parish wish him all the best in his future mission. Thus, 2021 was a challenging year for the Parish, as we coped with Covid and a greatly reduced Ministry Team. Many thanks to Revd. Richard Wyber, Revd. Olive Thursby and Revd. Chris Taylor for all the extra work they have had to do as a result.

Church Wardens’ Reports

St Mary’s

The Night Shelter, which ran in the church hall during 2019/20 was suspended during the pandemic, with hotel accommodation being provided by the government instead. Some of our parishioners helped with the serving of meals thus keeping our parish connected with the Night Shelter project.

The pandemic was a continuing challenge. In keeping the church as safe as possible for continued use throughout the pandemic, we had to be thoughtful and careful. With the co-operation and understanding of the congregation, we were able to close every other row of the box pews to enable social distancing. Our biggest test was keeping everyone as safe as possible at the candle lit, Nine Lessons and Carols service. It was decided to limit the congregation to 200 with pre-booking required. With the advent of a new and more contagious variant of covid, more space had to be allowed between the seats to keep the congregation safe. Many thanks to James Paterson, for rearranging the seating at short notice.

Thanks go to Rev Olive and Ft Richard who compiled the service. The service included three different choirs, a soloist, flautist, and brass accompaniment. Alison

3

Wells rehearsed the three choirs to perfection! This is an important service in the parish calendar as it attracts many local residents who look forward to this service as part of their own Christmas celebrations. We were grateful for all the positive feedback received from those attending.

The Resilience Project, involving both of our churches, continued to progress throughout the summer of 2021. Unfortunately, the HLF found the project too ambitious and suggested we break it down into smaller projects and reapply. St Mary’s continued with its development of Lay Led services including the development of the relationship between the spoken word and music.

During the covid restrictions singing was prohibited. However, the organist played the hymns and a musical interlude between the two readings, added to the atmosphere, and gave an opportunity to reflect on each reading.

The Lay Leaders are growing in confidence and the crafting and care taken in the preparation of each service is evident. These services have given the congregation a feeling of collective involvement and ownership of the services. Our Lay Leaders have really established themselves for which we are truly grateful.

Compline has become an established part of our weekly services led by Susan Holdham on a Wednesday evening.

The annual checks on the churches structure and amenities were carried out and nothing untoward was discovered. HLF awarded grants, in the form of a, ‘restart initiative’ after the period of lockdown. At St Mary’s we had the external lighting repaired on both the north and south doors.

After the threat of closure, St Mary’s had been challenged to prove over two years, that, as a congregation, we were able to sustain our services.

A final report on the activities and development of our services was delivered to Bishop Guli. The report and Bishop’s letter are available in Appendix II.

Thanks to Sue Paterson and Alison Wells for compiling the final report describing the continuing achievements being made at St Mary’s.

Over the summer a large number of trees were felled in the churchyard due to disease. Some had already been brought down by high winds and caused damage to many tombs and gravestones. Unfortunately, we cannot claim on our insurance as this is deemed ‘an act of God.’ We are looking to replant trees during 2022.

There have been a number of benches donated to the churchyard in remembrance of departed parishioners.

A banner promoting the churchyard has been displayed and the gates are opened between dawn and dusk.

An increase in visitors to the churchyard has been noted and a Poppy Trail

4

developed to denote all the war graves.

Sadly, there was a death recorded in the churchyard in February 2021.

The churchyard is, ‘closed’ meaning that no more burials can take place, unless it is a family grave and there is space for another internment. No new graves can be excavated. Being a closed churchyard, the local authorities now take responsibility for its upkeep. Redbridge have employed a company called ‘Westerleigh’ to undertake these responsibilities. The people at Westerliegh meet with us regularly to discuss the continued development of the churchyard. For a second year, Redbridge has donated bulbs to be planted in our churchyard in their ‘Big Bulb Giveaway.’

Our POD system of volunteers, who clean and maintain the church has developed into a determined group of people. These sessions take place on a Saturday morning. Along with the designated POD group other members of the congregation appear to enjoy a coffee and chat on a Saturday. This has proved valuable during the restrictions on meeting up, especially for those living on their own.

Thanks go to Sue Paterson who organises the PODs along with the rotas for reading of the bible and those reading the prayers of intercession on a Sunday. The crypt was open for London Open House weekend and also for Wanstead Fringe, with booked tours of the crypt proving a huge success.

St Mary’s continues to be used as a film location with the BBC making notes of our interior and an independent group making a movie about ‘Influencers.’ Tin in a Bin, the outreach project started by Julie Harvey, has gone from strength to strength. It is now supporting eight different charities as well as helping 400 Afghan refugees based in hotels in Ilford.

Tin in a Bin’s reach has extended beyond Wanstead covering areas such as Aldersbrook, Leytonstone and South Woodford. St Mary’s is now open on Wednesday and Saturday mornings to accept donations with teams of volunteers collating and distributing donations. This has further led to some of those volunteers joining the flower arranging team, weekly duties for Tin in a Bin and the gardening team.

Tin in a Bin has been nominated for, ‘the Mayor’s Community Award’. The winner will be announced in May 2022.

The congregation continues to grow. Whilst we have an average congregation of 30 to 40 each Sunday, the base has increased from around 70 to 80 worshipers who would call St Mary’s ‘their church.’

A number of people, worshipers and clergy, have spoken of the ‘prayerfulness’ of St Mary’s.

5

I must thank all the congregation who have worked so hard to ensure continued Sunday worship, who have given so much to ensure a warm welcome to all who visit and join us in worship.

Special thank you to all who populate our PODs. To all who take part in making the services so special, our choir members, sides people, coffee makers, flower arrangers, readers, and intercessors.

Every other week, a wonderful group of people arrive to maintain our churchyard, thank you.

Music has become a major feature of our services and thanks to Alison Wells for her enthusiasm and expertise in developing and crafting this aspect of our worship.

Ralph Hall

Christ Church

On Sundays, the 9 am family Eucharist continues to be a vibrant service, with well over 100 attending each week and usually slightly more children than adults. The 10.30 service usually has around 60 attendees, as does Jazz Vespers, and the monthly Youth Eucharist has 20-30. The Thursday morning service also has a regular congregation. The first Sunday of the month, the 10.30 is led by lay leaders and many have appreciated this quiet and reflective service. We have been blessed with some new altar frontals and linens thanks to the John Sunley bequest.

The new audio-visual system has greatly improved worship, although we do need to look at installing additional speakers so the sides of the church are also covered. The church acts as a Tin in A Bin collection point.

Sadly, an expression of interest in securing a Heritage Lottery Fund grant to reorder Christ Church, make it greener and able to be used more by the community, was turned down, despite huge amounts of work by a number of people including Pen Garlick. The building remains on the at-risk register and the bell tower in particular continues to deteriorate and is cause for concern. The heating is operating at less than half power, so it can be very chilly. It is unlikely we can wait for a large grant and will need to look at replacing the boiler at a cost of at least £25,000. Other repairs that had been delayed in view of the plans for a large project need to be reviewed and some progressed.

The Christ Church committee met twice during 2021 and provided advice and support on a number of matters, for which I am very grateful. Minor repairs were necessary on the South porch, roof and gutters. A fire inspection was done and some of the suggestions are being acted upon, with other recommendations not possible for a listed building.

6

Steve and the gardening club have ensured that the Christ Church gardens remain a real asset to the whole of Wanstead. A huge thank you to Steve and all the gardening club, and to everyone who has picked up litter, for all your hard work. The gardens are enjoyed by huge numbers, which is a real blessing, though litter and minor vandalism remains a problem (as indeed it is for the main green). The Oasis church of Seventh Day Adventists have been renting Christ Church for their services on Saturdays. This partnership has not just been about the money (useful though that is), and we are building a partnership with a church very different to our own.

Christ Church is blessed with very many volunteers who contribute a huge amount. That said, we do still need more in some key areas, as many hands make light work.

A very heartfelt thank you to all the lay worship leaders, flower arrangers, those who change altar frontals, serve, play the organ, support children’s and youth groups, manage the sound system, play the organ, spring clean (several times a year!), offer coffee after services, sidespeople, and welcomers, those on intercessors and readers rotas, set up before and clear up after services, count collections, tidy the church/vestry, sing in the choir, organise the much loved Jazz Vespers, bell ringers, liaise about music, bring Tin in a Bin and other donations, support the night shelter and other outreach – I apologise in advance for missing any volunteers, there are just so many of you!

Barbara Hepworth-Jones

7

Lay Leaders Report

From the Church of England website on “Developing Lay Ministries.” “ Ministry is a response to the needs of the Church and the world and is part of every Christian’s calling to love and to serve.”

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7

Firstly, on behalf of all the Lay Leaders, I would like to thank Father Richard and Rev Olive for training us and acknowledge Olive leading the first sessions and setting a great example for us

8

Lay Leadership began in the Parish at St. Mary’s on 11[th] August 2019 with a service led by Yvy Carter and the following week by Yvy and Roger Middleditch. Compline then began shortly after led by Susan Holdham, who has led this service pretty much continuously ever since. Compline was (when first instigated) a new service for the Parish, but it quickly established itself and has been a welcome opportunity to worship outside the normal Sunday pattern. There is a small but dedicated congregation who greatly appreciate the opportunity to recharge their spiritual batteries and meet fellow congregants mid-week. Initially introduced to fulfil the requirements of the Bishop’s letter of 25[th] January 2019, when he asked us “to introduce at St. Mary’s… a lay led Service of the Word on two Sundays a month (or three Sundays in months of five weeks)”, this has since extended to Christ Church on the first Sunday of the month.

The general response to Lay Leadership has been very positive from both congregations and we have received support and warm words, with very complimentary feedback. The congregations have come to welcome the quiet and reflective service, and the different approaches taken by the different Leaders.

Lay leadership over the past two and a half years has given the Parish the opportunity to explore different ways of expressing faith and leading worship. At Christ Church, Lay Leaders have introduced the new audio-visual facilities which have added a new dimension to worship and allows people to engage differently with the service.

At St. Mary’s, the services have incorporated a broad range of music to enhance the worship, sometimes with a reflective piece played between the lessons or a sung psalm with responses. The congregation has commented on the way music has helped lift the services but also praised the moments of silence for quiet contemplation.

When taking up the responsibility of leading worship, many Lay Leaders were concerned by the prospect of delivering the Homily/Reflection. However overall, they have stepped up and found a range of different resources to use, both online and via various books. This has also added welcome variety to the services.

We do still have things to work on as we continue to develop Lay Leadership in the Parish. The main problem at present is the relatively small number of Lay Leaders. Christ Church (and thanks to Pen Garlick for raising this) particularly has been reduced in number for the moment.

Although there has been some discussion of Lay Leaders working more broadly across the two churches (which would help alleviate the current shortage and at the same time give a sense of unity to the Parish Lay Leadership), except for Yvy, this does not currently happen. Nothing has yet been done to facilitate this although offers have been made by some Lay Leaders to lead at both churches.

9

More Lay Leaders are being recruited. Howard and Eleanor Smith and Jennifer Griffiths are in the process of being trained and hopefully more will follow, so this should help lessen the problem in the longer term.

One of the obstacles to implementing cross-Parish leadership now is logistics. It has been pointed out that it is desirable for people to have experienced the Lay Led services in each church before leading a service there, to get familiar with the logistics and the space. This is not easy to achieve given that most Lay Leaders also have other responsibilities, for example, being members of the choir, reading the lesson and leading intercessions.

Whilst we can see the benefits of having a parish-wide rota, offering a greater pool of resource to lessen the load on individuals, Covid has restricted the opportunity for the Lay Leaders to get together over the last few years to discuss such a move.

Thus far we have stepped up when called upon and we hope that this radical change to our parish worship, will continue its success. We have established something new that will likely become ever more normal in parishes across the country, and we can be proud that Wanstead has been something of a pioneer for Lay Led worship in the diocese.

Jeremy Green

Thank you to those Lay Leaders from both St. Mary’s and Christ Church, for their thoughts and contributions to this report

Children and Youth

Signpost

Signpost is a bi-weekly youth group with challenges, consoles, crafts, snacks and discussions around biblical topics. It is a group that allows the children to keep in touch with friends from primary school and helps with the transition to secondary. We are very pleased to have been able to get back to regular face to face sessions during 2021 and have had an average of 25+ children who come regularly. It is encouraging to have new members joining and during the year ahead we hope to welcome new volunteers on to the team to allow the group to continue to grow.

Bridge

The Bridge meets on alternate weeks to Signpost for older young people and includes debates on big questions, a ‘mocktails’ bar and a variety of activities like table tennis and consoles. The group also cooks and eats a meal together each week. In this group, the children have known each other a

10

bit longer allowing for a relaxed environment. We have an average of around 1015young people who come regularly.

Junior Church

Junior Church occurs during the 10:30 am service. It is a session where we explore the same teaching as the adults in a fun and age-appropriate way including crafts, discussion and challenges. The children who attend are actively engaging in the sessions and are not afraid to ask questions, and we hope through the year ahead to build up a team of volunteers as well as invite new families along to further rebuild the group post-COVID.

Little Angels

Little Angels is our midweek group for families with preschool age children which includes sung worship, Bible stories, craft and refreshments. After a slower restart after last year’s lockdown, we are now regularly having 20+ families attend again each week, all of whom really enjoy the time together and are building relationships with the team who run the group. We attract regular members and we also welcome members from the community and beyond. We hope to see more of the wider church family join the group in the future to continue to make those connections with our wider community.

Rachelle Steele-Douhot - Red Balloon

Activities and Groups

Prayer group

Prayer Group is an open meeting on Tuesday mornings at 10 am in Christ Church. There is a nucleus of people who attend regularly, and others who drop in from time to time. We would welcome new members. It was started about 5 years ago by Valerie Gritten, who felt it could make an important contribution both by praying for the life and work of the parish and by giving the group members an opportunity to learn more about prayer and develop our prayer life. She devised the basic format: we begin with a brief round-up of our week, focusing on aspects where we feel the need of prayer in our lives, or that are affecting our prayer life. We then have a short reading on prayer brought by one of the group members, followed by discussion. Some set prayers (written by Valerie) help to centre and ground us; these are followed by a period of silent reflection and then intercessionary prayers (for ourselves and our families, for the local church and community, and for the wider world), the Lord’s Prayer, and prayer through reflection on short bible texts (Lectio Divina), ending with the Grace. We try to do all this in not much more than an hour.

Lin Taylor

11

The Community Sponsorship Scheme

The members of the Core Group are: Avril Carnelly (The Parish of Wanstead), Paul Godin (Our Lady of Lourdes ) , Katherine Jaques (The Parish of Wanstead), Sheba Lockley (St Mary’s South Woodford) , Fionnuala Manzie ( Our Lady of Lourdes), Diana Middleditch (The Parish of Wanstead), Michaela Mouquet ( Our Lady of Lourdes), Eleanor Taylor ( The Parish of Wanstead), Anna Tivey (The Parish of Wanstead), Deborah Dickinson (The Parish of Wanstead).

This ecumenical group worked during January and February 2021 to complete preparations in the house and make plans for the arrival of the family. From March onwards the group met weekly whilst supporting the family with the legal requirements of the scheme, and social inclusion in our community. The group now meet fortnightly and continue to support the family in becoming independent. The group continues to: meet Home Office requirements; liaise with RESET; engage with/ attend training courses.

Deborah Dickinson Lead Sponsor

Bell Ringers

Last year I reported that Christ Church bells had, alas, been silent for nearly a year. This year I am pleased to report that with the covid restrictions being gradually lifted, we were able to commence ringing, albeit in a limited capacity, in early September. Since then, we have managed to ring for the Sunday 10.30 service most weeks, although seldom with the full complement of bells. My thanks go to Sian Patterson and Jem Green, who have combined ringing with their duties at St Mary’s. We are also very grateful for the continuing support of Andrew Barham, who is an ace ringer, and has helped us all to progress in the art of change ringing. Andrew has also carried out some basic maintenance and was able to repair a broken clapper on one of the bells.

As is the case with many towers, owing to the pandemic, it has been difficult to generate enough numbers to hold regular practice nights. We have however on occasions welcomed members from other nearby towers to enable ringing of the full eight bells to take place.

As the Autumn progressed, things were looking more promising, and we were anticipating ringing for the Christmas services, including Midnight Mass. However, Omicron was not having that, and like many others, several of us succumbed to the virus around the Christmas period. We were able to cover the early Christmas Eve service.

Just like last year, we all owe a continuing debt of gratitude to Christine Wyatt for her efforts in keeping the Church Clock fully wound and operational throughout the pandemic. I would also like to thank John Eyre, who although at present is

12

unable to ring, takes a keen interest and contributes with his very valuable advice regarding ringing matters. On behalf of the parish, I would also like to thank Sandy and Mike Course and Terry Warren, who are now unable to ring, for their service to Christ Church ringers over many years.

It is our aim to keep the bells ringing as often as possible, and to prioritise Sunday morning service ringing. We have committed to ring for three weddings this year where bells are requested, and as a member church of the Essex Association of Change Ringers, will be provisionally hosting a district ringing competition in September. It is however obvious, that to maintain ringing at Christ church in the fashion that the parish has long been accustomed to, we are going to need more ringers and a supporting training plan. It also should be mentioned that with the closure of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, who have inspected and cared for our bells over many years, we now need to make alternative arrangements.

Robert Wallis

Gardening

St. Mary's Gardening Group

The original Team of 15 members and their churchyard fortnightly activities continues to flourish with the undoubted benefit of five new, young, fit and capable volunteers.

Our plans and aspirations for the site have obviously been affected by specific rules and recommendations during the pandemic but we've managed to meet our immediate objectives and moreover, to develop sympathetic strategies for the site's future as a Parish & Community amenity whilst preserving its graveyard status, its inherent peace & beauty and of course, its native flora and fauna.

Consequently, and with ongoing gratitude for the two-weekly loan of many of the CC Gardening Club's tools, support from generous Parishioners, friendly 'associates' in Crews Hill, with most welcome long-term labour/financial input from Redbridge Council, the churchyard has been cleared of diseased mature Ash trees and most saplings, fallen rotting Horse Chestnuts have been sawn and used as insect habitats, the prevalent Bays have been reduced in number or significantly pruned, the vistas W-E and N-S have been opened up with the ivy, bramble & bracken undergrowth maintained in particular locations for the varied fauna which includes foxes, rabbits, hedgehogs, squirrels, other small mammals and assorted insect and bird species.

Rowan and silver birch saplings have been planted as well as Council-funded bulbs which add to the indigenous Spring species of snowdrops, crocus, primroses, cyclamen, violets, daffodils ( tulips in the North & Memorial Flower Beds! ) and bluebells which are a delightful seasonal carpet seen in the southern areas of the churchyard each year... Our bird boxes have clearly been used for their primary

13

function, as have two 'Dowers Hotels' for hedgehogs and the beehives kept by Colin are soon to increase in number and gain a fenced compound with species information-board for visitor interest.

We have piled cut logs and rotting wood around the 3.5 acre site and have witnessed the resultant profusion of insect life whilst also setting up a Cut-Log Takeaway Service for the public. Meanwhile, our annual battle against the allpervading Ivy over tombs, memorials & gravestone epitaphs continues! We certainly do not wish to eradicate the species which bestows many benefits for the resident animal & bird varieties as well as being a camouflaging, gentlyageing feature of the ranks of fascinating historical tombstones.

We welcome all volunteers, whether experienced Gardeners, Landscapers, Arboriculturists or not - even budding Masterchefs or Sommeliers who believe our very occasional Garden Party BBQ over a blazing bonfire might aid their future careers ??!!

Alternatively, if you prefer body-building, supreme stamina, phenomenal fitness or fun and laughter with friends, do join us on alternate Saturday mornings at St. Mary's from 9.30am onwards or just pay the peaceful haven that is St. Mary's Churchyard a visit.

Phil Ryan

Christchurch Gardening Club

The year 2021 presented many challenges for the team and once again could not follow the plan as this had to be adapted to suit other demands and resources that fluctuated largely and again resulted in some rougher edges to the Christchurch environs and gardens.

The average age of the team continues to rise and some volunteers have been unable to continue but the infectious enthusiasm remains. We have been blessed with the addition of two younger members Aylish and Johnathan both of whom having made big impacts when they were able to attend but more younger volunteers are essential to achieve the standard of appearance that we all expect and appreciate.

This year the weather has been less helpful seeming to choose to be wet just when we arrive to undertake the works and resulting in less being achieved.

The focus for the gardening club meets was to maintain the lawns ensuring they are available for all to enjoy the amenity and to contain the hedge growth within reasonable limits. Hedge trimming avoided the bird nesting season and other secondary areas of the gardens were allowed to wild to ensure the best environs for wildlife. In particular to the east behind the church hall these areas are the main wildlife areas that are encouraged to grow. Please respect the wildlife returning to this area where the buddleias grow tall and provide nectar for many butterflies.

14

Without the compost facility on site the green waste remains a constant problem for the team and one of the team of volunteers is relied upon to carry the green waste we cannot manage to the local recycling centre. As much green material remains on site as possible either by being chopped and munched by the mowers or shredded by the kind gift of a shredder. All such material then being transported to the beds to be used as a mulch in an attempt at keeping them moist when the dry summer weather returns, and we are unable to rely upon volunteers for watering. This chopping by the mowers is taking its toll upon their performance.

The damaged and diseased trees have now been safely felled and some replacements could be introduced but are not currently being sought to see whether the reduced canopy cover enables more light to reach the ground and sustain the underplanting. Adjacent to the south gate is a muddy area where little grew. This has been the focus of bulb and other shade planting and it is hoped that the ground will slowly green up and become prettier as a result of the increased light levels.

The budget has not been fully expended again this year due to the reduced activity and minimal fuel and consumable expenses. Unfortunately, we are aware of the need to spend a suitable budget for 2022 as a mower replacement will be necessary for one has sadly reached the end of its life.

We have received kind gifts of some equipment, plants and shrubs from kind parishioners that were commonly re-landscaping their own plots. Notable additions this year include a flowering cherry, lilac and magnolia and while we are sure the first two have survived, we are watching the magnolia for signs of life this season as it was transferred at the worst possible time.

The small team of dedicated Volunteers have been the very dependable resource and deserve a big thankyou from the Church and wider communities for their continued assistance after many years. The rambler rose Auguste Gervais that was purchased in memory of Gus Fletcher is now planted in the memorial garden as a tribute and reminder of a good friend. Still small it is hoped this will establish a structure on the fence this year and provide good colour. The bug hotel has received many insect visitors and remains an attraction for children of the community.

The garden is well used and appreciated by the wider Community but the antisocial behaviour and littering remains a nuisance that spoils this space. A request was made to ensure visibility through the boundaries and some sessions focussed entirely on clearing this. It may not be recognised but the first job that is undertaken every session by the gardening club volunteers is to pick up and dispose of this litter. The time spent doing this obviously reduces time available for the maintenance of the gardens.

The gardening club members regularly clear the perimeter drains around the church. Without this maintenance the fabric of the church would deteriorate. The front drive is badly affected by poor falls and inadequate drainage. This became

15

particularly serious during leaf fall when leaves gathered and formed a matted blanket that was slippery underfoot and messy until the volunteers scraped this away and disposed of it but a solution to this annual problem must be sought by others.

Seasonal tasks that had been planned were not all able to be completed by even fewer volunteers, but it is hoped that in 2022 with the comfort of vaccinations that we may meet regularly and be able to slowly return to improve the gardens further and enjoy the camaraderie again. Some tasks that are planned include: tidying and rebuilding the edges of the lawn where trodden down, clearing the bracken and young saplings from the beds, improving the boundaries including maintaining visibility, thickening the mixed hedging either side of the south path to the park, transplanting to encourage drift planting in areas.

There are many benefits of volunteering to assist the gardening club including better health and well-being and more are encouraged to join and witness these firsthand.

Steve Davenport

Flowers

Christchurch

There are two altar flower pedestals at Christchurch, the High Altar and Lady Chapel.

During the pandemic, with some intermittent online and in person services the situation was very unpredictable. The health and circumstances of the flower arrangers was also unpredictable. For these reasons, a flower arrangers’ rota was not feasible for all of 2021.

I contacted the Christchurch flower arrangers by email or phone to inform them that I would manage the altar pedestals until the situation improved. I decided to arrange artificial flowers with fresh foliage from the church garden for the duration of the pandemic. This meant that arrangements would last for several weeks if watered and at no cost to the church. This continued until Christmas 2021.

The flower arrangers were contacted before the end of 2021 to establish who would still be on the regular Christchurch rota, who would arrange flowers for weddings and who would assist for other events if called upon. This has been done and the updated information attached.

Christmas 2021 the church was decorated with two Christmas trees and fresh flowers to celebrate the birth of Christ and the re-opening of the church. The Christmas trees were arranged and decorated separately – as they have been in the past. Maybe more could be done at Christchurch for Christmas 2022.

16

Lorraine Bucknall kindly offered to take on the management of the flower rota for 2022 as part of her office role.

I have committed to continue arranging artificial flowers with fresh foliage in the High Altar throughout 2022. This is to save cost and to enable the flower arrangers to re-establish as a group and focus on arranging the pedestal in the Lady Chapel and the pedestals for weddings with fresh flowers, which they do beautifully.

There has been a successful flower festival at Christchurch for several years, linked to the Art Trail and Music and timed to coincide with the Wanstead Festival, which brings the local community into the church, and we usually also manage to raise some funds towards the running cost.

This did not take place due to the uncertainty of the pandemic although the Wanstead Festival did go ahead successfully. The flower festival involves a lot of contributors in the later years of their life who may have been vulnerable, and it is costly to run. I hope the Wanstead Flower Festival will return in 2022.

There have also been social events held in the past for example, wreath making to specifically raise money to fund the flowers at Christchurch and St Mary’s. There were no fund-raising events in 2021 and I would hope that at least one event can be organised in 2022 to raise funds for the weekly flower pedestals and a flower festival.

Beryl Darling

St Mary’s

After the disappointment of the last minute cancellation of the carol service in December 2020 due to the pandemic and the imposition of the lockdown at Christmas, the New Year started on a sad note. The Christmas flowers and decorations were taken down and arrangements were made using silk flowers as well as fresh, when permitted. As the Covid 19 restrictions were lifted, the flower arrangers were able to work to a rota once again and some different and very beautiful arrangements were produced and were much appreciated by the congregation.

In Advent, the flower arrangers had a rest until the Christmas Carol Service came around again. This led to the arrangers rising to the task of making the church beautiful as well as welcoming and joyful for the traditional service, which was able to take place, albeit with much reduced numbers present due to the remaining restrictions. Particular thanks are due to Rachel Richardson and Marjorie Gadd, who both assisted wonderfully, as well as Karen Clark who made some wonderful pew ends, Jacki Hall who made a lovely arrangement on the font, Penny Bickerstaff and others who helped with the window and other arrangements. Thanks to all for their time and efforts, the church looked really beautiful and the congregation much appreciated their efforts.

17

Donations of foliage and flowers have been made to the Church, which are very much appreciated. Some collections for flowers have been made, which are generously supported and provided all the flowers for the Christmas period.

Margaret Thoresby

Engelskirchen +

Parish life had changed radically since the onset of the Covid pandemic in the Spring of 2020. Some things, notably the core activity of public worship, have continued in different or modified ways. Other activities, each one making its contribution to the life of the Parish, have had to be suspended. They are recalled here in the hope that some at least of them will be able to resume sooner or later.

80 Plus group

The 80 plus group was a small group of people in later life, convened by Fr Richard and meeting informally for tea and conversation, using an excellent publication of the Bible Reading Fellowship: ‘The Gift of Years: Bible reflections for old people.

The Engelskirchen link

For a number of years the parish has shared in a partnership originally established between Wanstead URC and Christus Kirche Engelskirchen, a protestant church in a town near Cologne. The partnership involved group visits after Easter each year, hosted alternately in Wanstead and Engelskirchen. We couldn’t do that in 2020 and 2021, but hope to resume exchange visits in 2022 or 2023. This will require people able to offer accommodation at either end.

Parish pilgrimage to Walsingham

For many years a group of parishioners have made an annual weekend summer pilgrimage to the Anglican shrine at Walsingham in Norfolk. This was not possible in 2020 and 2021, but it is hoped to resume this summer.

Revd. Richard Wyber

Report of Electoral Roll Officer

At the end of 2021, the Parish Electoral Roll stood at 370. We had 22 additions during the year and six leaving the Electoral roll. one of those was a parishioner who had sadly passed away, four have moved out of the area and one joined the ministry team.

18

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 have been on the Electoral Roll for six months.

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 the Parish Office via email to wansteadparishadmin@uwclub.net.

To join the Electoral Roll you need to have been baptised and live in the Parish or if resident outside the Parish you need to have worshipped with us for at least six months. Completed forms should be handed back to the Parish Office.

Lorraine Bucknall

Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals

It was another challenging year for the parish in regard to baptisms and weddings. Number restrictions had to be applied to some baptisms after the easing of lockdown and several services went ahead with 15 guests before the numbers attending could be increased. Despite this we managed to baptise a total of 30 with infants, children and adults in that number. Something to be pleased about considering how many families had to be cancelled and then held on a waiting list during the previous year. There is still a backlog to book a date, partly due to families wanting more certainty about family from abroad travelling and people still concerned about mixing. All baptisms were conducted at CC although both churches are always offered at the booking stage.

We married three couples, all postponed from the previous year. Numbers at the first were restricted to the allowed 30 at the time but the others were after the restrictions were lifted. It is encouraging that we have eight bookings for 2022 as things become easier. One service was St Marys the other two at CC.

Church funerals followed a similar pattern. At CC two were for church members and three for families of the local community. All were within the guidelines at the time.

I have to pass on my thanks to the Ministry team for their help and support with these services and to Joe for playing the chosen music.

Jan Andrews

19

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.

Membership of the Parish Church Council 2021

During the year of 2021, from 1[st ] January to 31[st ] December the following, served as members of the PCC:

Ex-officio (Rector and Ministry Team) and Churchwardens

20

• Mrs Mary Shaw (2021) – Assistant Treasurer (Jan-May)
• Ms Yvy Carter (2021) (Jan-May)
• Mrs Susan Oldham (2021) – Assistant Secretary – co-opted in Dec 2020
(Jan-May)
• Mr Jeremy Green (2022) – Volunteer Coordinator
• Mrs Suzi Stiegler (2022) – Joint Lay Vice Chair (Jan-Nov) – Parish
Safeguarding Officer (Nov-Dec)
• Mr Christian Orme (2022) – Youth Advocate (Jan-June) – (Left June
2021)
• Ms Patience Rusinga (2023) – Diversity and Inclusion Advocate
• Mr Gary Owen (2023)
• Ms Equi Ajogbe (2023) – Parish Safeguarding Officer (Jan-Nov)
• Mrs Susan Oldham (2024) – Secretary (May-Dec)
• Ms Jemma Wakeman (2024) – Treasurer (May-Sept) – (Resigned Sept
2021)
• Ms Djaama Davis (2024)–Assistant Treasurer (May-Dec)
Ex-Officio Members of the PCC due to being Elected Diocesan Synod
Representatives
• Mr Philip Carnelley (Re-elected for a second term) – also serves on
Deanery Synod
• Mrs CeliaHeath(Jan-July)– Term Ended
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
• Mr James Paterson–Joint Lay Vice Chair
PCC Members co-opted onto the PCC at the PCC Meeting immediately after
the 2021 APCM (maximum of two allowed)
• Mr Peter Schaefer (Chair of Friends)
PCC Members appointed to be nominated champions
• Mr Christian Orme (Youth Advocate) (Jan-June)
• Ms Patience Rusinga (Diversity and Inclusion Advocate
• Mrs Margaret Adams (Seniors’Advocate) (Vulnerable Adults Lead)

Lay Vice Chair’s Report

2021 was quite a year, not least due to the COVID pandemic and the significant impact it had on our parish and on our church services. At the start of the year, with the departure of Father Jack, we found ourselves in an interregnum. Under advice, the PCC sought an interim minister to help prepare for the next Rector and we were blessed that this led to Father Martyn being appointed as Interim Priest in Charge, whilst continuing as Vicar of St Gabriel’s in Aldersbrook.

21

The Lay Vice Chair position was jointly held by Suzanna Stiegler and myself for most of 2021, but in the last month or so, Suzanna stepped back into the vital role of Safeguarding Officer. I’d like to thank Suzi for all her help and counsel during this important period in the Parish.

At the start of the year, the parish was also in the second stage of the successful one-year Resilience Project (which has been commented on elsewhere in this report). The Resilience Project left the parish in a sound position to submit an “Expression of Interest” to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) to consider a large project (the Parish Development Project, or PDP). The PDP would have involved significant improvements to Christ Church and the Parish Halls, as well as encompassing badly needed repairs to the bell tower and spire. The outline proposals also incorporated a badly needed modernisation of the heating system and improved access at the church. At St Mary’s (which has seen significant works in the recent past), the project would have included access improvements to the churchyard, together with an interpretation project linking the history of the churches with the history and development of Wanstead itself.

The Expression of Interest was submitted in August; the NLHF, however, decided not to invite a full-scale bid from the parish on a number of grounds, principally:

  1. They thought that the PDP was too large for one bid, and that it would be better to tackle the various aspects in discreet smaller projects

  2. They had, during the first part of 2021, agreed to a large number of Expressions of Interest for other Lottery Funded projects. With the overall availability of funds (nationally) being limited, the NLHF were effectively “putting the brakes” on requests in the latter half of the year

  3. They did not fully understand the benefits that the proposed project would bring to the wider Wanstead community, which is a key aim of the Heritage Fund

With the pandemic still developing unpredictably, the continuing interregnum and other more important priorities in the parish needing attention, the PCC agreed to pause the Parish Development Project for the time being.

In due course, and following the recommendation of the NLHF, different parts of the bigger project will be tackled as smaller projects, depending on need and urgency. The first will undoubtedly include the repairs to the iconic tower and spire at Christ Church

Next year will see the parish embarking on the quest for our new full time rector, and the next chapter of the Wanstead Parish story will begin.

James Paterson

22

Committee Reports

Standing Committee

Standing Committee is the only Legally required committee, and consists of the Chair of PCC, the two Church Wardens, the deputy Church Warden, the Treasurer, the Secretary, and one observer from the PCC, chosen at the previous PCC meeting.

Redbridge Deanery Synod

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 Committee which has both clerical and lay members.

Deanery Synods are Deanery “assemblies” forming 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.

Redbridge Deanery Synod met four times in 2021, twice on Zoom, and twice in person (with a Zoom option for those who felt that was the better option given the ongoing pandemic).

Alongside the usual Deanery business – reports from parishes, MMUs, Diocesan Synod and so on – the Synod meetings generally include a headline topic, sometimes with a guest speaker, with the intent that these are promulgated to parishes. In 2020 these were:

23

Coordinator, Vicar of St Mary Ilford and National Church Representative for Community Sponsorship.

Any Deanery Synod member from Wanstead Parish would be happy to give more details. There is a generally a report from Deanery Synod reps to relevant Wanstead PCC meetings. Wanstead parish elects up to 6 lay representatives to Redbridge Deanery Synod – these are ex officio PCC members – for a 3-year term of office. At its 2020 APCM, Wanstead elected the following Synod members: Margaret Adams, Joshua Dickinson, Jenny Griffiths, Neil Hepworth and James Paterson. These all continued in post in 2021. Additionally, Philip Carnelley, who took over the post of Redbridge Deanery Lay Chair during 2021, is a member of both Wanstead PCC and Redbridge Deanery ex officio as he is an elected member of Chelmsford Diocesan Synod.

Philip Carnelley

Mission and Ministry Unit (MMU) Report

The Mission and Ministry Unit seeks to develop and enhance ministry and mission in our community in partnership with our five local churches.

The West Roding Mission Partnership committee met three times in 2021. Our Parish is represented by Jenny Griffiths, Joshua Dickinson, Revd Olive Thursby and Fr Martyn Hawkes. Our thanks go to Avril Carnelly and Pen Garlick for the smoothness of handover and all of their previous work on the committee.

Much of the Partnership’s work and discussions in 2021 centred on supporting each other and sharing plans for continuing ministry and building communities during a period of ongoing pandemic and changes of clergy in three of the four parishes forming the MMU. Revd Elizabeth Lowson became Rector of St Mary’s Woodford in February 2021 and Fr Alex Summers began a 2-year interim post at St Peter in the Forest at a similar time.

Over the course of the year, the parish treasurers, clergy teams and pastoral teams met to continue sharing information and approaches. This has resulted in the Pastoral teams writing a Pastoral Care Plan. This considers the mutual support that the Pastoral teams across the MMU can provide for each other alongside ensuring the continuation of the Bereavement Café and Snaresbrook Crown Court Chaplaincy. Volunteers to support both these initiatives would be very welcome. A four part Pastoral Care basics course starts on 12[th] January 2022, led by Revd Elizabeth Lowson (St Mary’s Woodford) and Bernard Eaton (St Peter).

Many joint services and events were paused during 2021. A confirmation service was conducted at St Gabriel’s on Mothering Sunday afternoon as the first pandemic confirmation service conducted by Bishop Peter Hill, and one of his last in post before retirement.

24

We remain hopeful that we will see more joint activities in 2022, with plans for a Healing Service and a Quiet Day beginning to form, and St Peter in the Forest hoping that they can offer more outdoor ministry for all, making use of their forest surroundings and newly renovated church.

Jenny Griffiths and Joshua Dickinson

Staffing & Governance Committee

Staffing & Governance did not meet formally this year; instead, the business was agreed and conducted via email as necessary. Until Martyn Hawkes arrived in April, the committee had oversight of all governance matters which during this period included: advising on the elections at the May APCM, implementing any actions highlighted in the staff reviews carried out by the Rector in November. During the autumn the Committee took a leading role in the attempt to recruit a Choir Director. David together with Martyn carried out a Governance Review. David carried out staff reviews with the employed lay staff and Martyn reviewed the clergy team. The Committee will look at the completed reviews early in 2022 and implement any actions agreed. Throughout the year, the Committee monitored and approved appointments to various committees. Much of the work of the Committee is confidential as it concerns salaries, working hours and employment terms and conditions.

David Wyatt

Parish Music Committee

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 nurture 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.

As Covid restrictions began gradually to be lifted, through the year, musical life in the Parish was able to re-emerge.

Although the Nine lessons and Carols service in 2020 had had to be cancelled, the Christmas morning service did happen at St Mary’s with a quartet of singers and an organist and a small and well-distanced congregation.

And for St Mary’s that’s how the next few months continued. There were 4-6 singers (max allowed was 6) in the choir stalls for the services on Sunday mornings. The

25

singers sang the hymns and usually a short simple anthem, and there was a short organ piece between the readings. Congregational singing was not allowed at this stage.

At Christ Church a group of up to 6 members of the choir kept music alive for the congregation by singing from the back of the church.

There were no big choral services at either church for Holy Week and Easter.

The Parish Choir did not have regular weekly choir practices until October and there was no Director of Music, as Joe Waggott had been redeployed as Parish Organist, a post he still holds.

There was a poetry and music for Pentecost service at St Mary’s led by Susan Holdham in May 21, where three singers sang and Alison Wells played the organ A new singing group started in a very small way in May at St Mary’s to help people who had had Covid to improve their breathing. There were 2-3 people in this group until restrictions were lifted in July. The group became a community-based singing group and named itself the Forget-me-nots and had grown to 12-13 members by the end of 2021.

The combined 3[rd] Sunday services did not take place at this stage so that distancing could be observed. They began again in August 2021.

Once restrictions on congregational singing were lifted in July, the number of choir members could be increased at both churches, and everything started to feel that little bit more normal and the services started to come to life that little bit more.

In August the feeling was that it was the right time to have the choir rehearsing regularly again and to have a choral director taking those rehearsals. Joe Waggott decided to remain in post as Parish Organist and it was agreed that a choral director should be found. Choir rehearsals began in October 2021 under the voluntary direction of Alison Wells, who planned the music lists for the rest of the year. In November a junior choir was formed, consisting of 10-12 young singers from yr 4 upwards, led by Emily Coates, who prepared a song for the Carol Service on 19[th] December.

The pandemic made us all realise just how much music is such an important and integral part of our worship and parish life. The choir members (and our additional volunteer singers) deserve a big thank you for keeping going with their constant enthusiasm and commitment throughout a difficult 2021. They brought us normality and hope through music and without them the services would feel empty.

And so it was wonderful to see the choir back in action in the choir stalls, fully robed and processing. The combined service on the 3[rd] Sunday of the month at Christ Church became a joyful choral Eucharist with the Parish Choir and organ. The 1[st]

26

Sunday of the month saw a slight change in service patterns with Parish Eucharist at St Mary’s where as many singers from the choir came as were available once 6 singers were allocated to support the new lay-led service at Christ Church. Elsewhere there is a report on the lay worship leaders and the great work they do in supporting the clergy team. This service pattern continued to the end of the year. The other Sunday services (2[nd] and 4[th] Sundays) continued to be led by singers from the Parish Choir singing at the church they normally worshipped in.

As things looked like they were returning to some kind of normality, on the 5th September Jazz Vespers returned with their first service since the very beginning of lockdown 2020. The return of this reflective and very different service was a big success, and it was fabulous to have the band back in church for a service where everyone can also enjoy a tipple!!

In addition, there were Choral services involving the whole Parish Choir for the annual bereavement service at St Mary’s on 31[st] October, participation in the civic Remembrance Day service on Nov 7[th] , Advent Carol Service at Christ Church on 28[th] November, and Nine Lessons and Carols at St Mary’s on 19[th] December with the participation of the Parish Choir, Junior Choir, Forget-me-not Choir, and brass quintet, flute, piano, guitar and organ.

Throughout the year Organ music (and piano playing for the family Eucharist) at Sunday Services was provided beautifully by the Parish Organist Joe Waggott, who played at St Mary’s on the 1[st] Sunday of the month and at Christ Church on all other Sundays. Volunteer organists covered the other services and they included Martin Elliot, Richard Williams, Michael Tivey, Martin Wheatley, Alison Wells, Rev Olive Thursby and Mark Willingham. The parish is very grateful to them all for their contribution to the musical life of the Parish.

Non-liturgical musical events included “Glamour on the Green” on July 12 – an operatic gala organised by John and Pen Garlick which took place during the Wanstead Festival.

A concert was given in Christ Church on 24[th] July by Jane Miller, Clive Miller, and John Garner, which raised £1558 for Mind Mental Health. December 12[th] saw the return of the East London Chorus who gave a wonderful concert of Christmas family favourites.

Alison Wells and Sue Fitzgerald

Christchurch and Halls Committee

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 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,

27

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.

From the beginning of the year the halls were closed due to another Covid lockdown and there were no bookings or clubs for the first three months. The halls were hired to a film company for a day’s recording in March. From May, four regular groups returned. Bookings for weekend children’s parties gradually returned from June, albeit we only had one booking each weekend, and from July 2021, five more regular groups returned. From September we were able to let the halls for children’s parties, and we were hosting five or six children’s parties a weekend. 11 new clubs were enrolled for regular hire from September. In total, 21 regular groups now hire the halls on a weekly basis, some of which hire more than one session a week.

Two Friends events were held in 2021, the ‘Wanstead Festival’ in September and ‘Merry Quizmas’ in December, both of which were a great success.

During the Covid 19 pandemic I was instructed to increase the contracted cleaning hours to 16 hours per week, to ensure the halls were sanitised and cleaned regularly, at a great increase to our costs. I decreased the hours back to 8 per week during September 2021 in the hope of lowering our outgoings The long-awaited redecoration of both halls began at the beginning of June. 2021 ended with us heading towards as healthy bank a balance as we had preCovid.

Lauren Johnson

Mission and Outreach

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 charities the parish should support.

We are rather short on members at present, and I have recently taken over the chair. I am planning to invite members to attend in person meetings four times a year in 2022, (Covid permitting) we can zoom/email in between as necessary. Meetings are usually in the evening to accommodate those who are working, I would expect 60 -90 mins long is sufficient. (60 on zoom) I would also like to connect to the wider community not just the congregation, through social media. We to aim organise giving in monetary and in kind donations by the church for local, national, and international charities/projects. We made a successful donation to a local charity Hestia at Christmas, with the help of Tin in a Bin. We have not managed to arrange any international giving this year and would like to achieve better networking with parishioners. We aim to be inclusive. We need to inform and give feedback, to the PCC, participants, congregation, and

28

community. All I intend to do at present is to get the committee up and running again, with some structure. It would seem practical to work together with Tin a Bin on local community projects and to expand our giving next year to include national and international projects. The rest will be up to the committee to discuss and decide what we do.

Beryl Darling

Friends of St Mary’s with Christchurch

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 benefit of the public. Covid 19 again restricted the number of events we were able to stage in 2021. Am happy to report that we were able to hold one more event than in 2020, though still only 2 out of 6 events. We were in full planning and promotion for our Mid Summer BBQ event in June when the deadline for the lifting of restrictions were extended sadly ruling out this event, an event that engages with Wanstead High's music department, giving students a platform to play in their local community. To the two events we were able to stage in 2021. The Wanstead Fayre was another busy affair held during the Wanstead Festival. The Donkey rides were as popular as ever ensuring the Bar and BBQ received maximum exposure. It was another fine/hot day resulting in the Bar selling out and the cake/coffee/tea stall doing a roaring trade. Sadly for us, our BBQ died during the event, with only half the burners working it impacted on sales and will be replaced in the new year. Merry Quizmas was a sold out affair with 80 attendees, expertly compared by the one and only Andy Richardson. There were enquiries on the evening for tickets for the following year, that are yet to go on sale. Long standing member of the Friends and genuine top bloke Miles Gilbert will sadly be leaving us in the new year for pastures new. During his time with the Friends, annual funds raised have been close to 10k each and every year for Parish needs. We thank Miles for his time, energy, enthusiasm and above all his friendship, he will be missed. Ed Fosbrook didn't become Parish Treasurer in the end so were very thankful not to have to undertake the difficult task of finding a replacement. We are fortunate and grateful to have Ed's continuing involvement as Friends treasurer.

From only holding one event in 2020 raising £500 to holding two in 2021 raising £4000, here's hoping we will be able to hold all 6 of our planned events to get back to raising 10k each year for the general upkeep and maintenance of our beautiful Churches.

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 that is the Wanstead Community Hub, as well as in print in the monthly Wanstead Village Directory.

29

With the roll out of vaccines and boosters that are proving effective, we are currently promoting our Burns Night event end of January. As it stands, we are planning on holding Rock me baby disco in March, the Wanstead Village Dog show in May, the Summer BBQ in June, the Summer Fayre in September and Merry Quizmas in December.

The Friends would like to thank all those who have supported us in 2021. Whether that be by giving up their time and energy setting up and packing away events. Noted, it took 24 volunteers to ensure the successful running of our Wanstead Fayre event, half of whom were current or past parents of WCS as well as some teaching stuff. Also to those members of our Parish & community who supported our events enabling us to raise £4000 for the upkeep of our Churches and grounds. It is also right to acknowledge the ongoing support of local businesses Petty, Son & Prestwich, Edwards Duthie Shamash and Zainab's kitchen who kindly sponsored & supported our events.

Peter Schaefer.

Safeguarding and Health and Safety

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. Highlights of the work undertaken by the Committee during 2021:

In 2022 the Committee will:

Suzi Stiegler

30

Records, Archives and Data Management Committee

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 to keep abreast of essential GDPR data requirements.

After a revision of committees and their membership, with the aim of reducing workload both for the laity and a much reduced clergy team, it was decided by PCC, after recommendation from David Wyatt and Revd Canon Martyn Hawkes, to disband this committee, which has not met for some time, and ask for two volunteers, one to act as ‘Records & Data Management Coordinator’ who will then help out Lorraine as required. And one to be responsible for the ancient and historic records ensuring that what we have in our historic archives is logged and available for researchers etc.

Denis Keeling has agreed to be responsible for the archive material, and Liz Ranger has offered to deal with all Records & Data Management matters. Heartfelt thanks go to them both.

Sue Oldham

Social Committee

Going into 2021, I reported that I needed to be replaced as Chair and that we also needed a couple of new committee members, ideally from the 10am Christ Church congregation. We did advertise for those needs during the first few months of the year but to no avail. Throughout 2021, due to the pandemic there was no real need for the Social Committee with ‘refreshments ‘only being reintroduced for 9am and a few special services. Of course, no opportunity to organise a major event such as a trip to Broadstairs or the Barn Dance. As a result of the Governance Review (by Martyn Hawkes and myself) approved in January, the Social Committee has been disbanded with ‘Refreshments’ now being coordinated by both an overall coordinator and service specific ones. All major events are now the responsibility of the ‘Friends’ and they are considering running a Barn Dance in the Autumn.

David Wyatt

Headteacher’s Report, Wanstead Church School

January 2021 arrived with rather a bang with the second full closure of all schools. Suddenly, we were back to online learning and remote lessons, although with a few more children in school than the previous lockdown. To make this time fun, we launched “100 things to do in Lockdown”, which included everything from reading a classic novel to flying a kite. This provided some light relief in a tired and frustrated world, where parents were once again juggling their own work while helping their children with their lessons.

31

Things proceeded much in the same way throughout February. March then brought the return of all children to school full time. This was a joyous moment and the children were thrilled to be back in school. The school continued to operate in “bubbles” for the rest of the academic year, with much disruption when classes had to be sent home when there was a COVID-19 case in the class. At the end of March, we paused to mark the National Day of Reflection, a moment to pray and reflect on the pandemic as a whole.

As we moved into the summer months, we were delighted to have a new telephone system installed to replace our antiquated system. We spent time consulting with parents about the new Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum and then enjoyed fun-filled sports afternoons with our new PE teacher, Mr Harris. We were able to end the year with a very special service for our Year 6 leavers and their families in Christ Church, which was an emotional and poignant moment enjoyed by all in attendance.

Over the summer holidays, the school became something of a building site, with brand new toilets being installed for the children and a full upgrade being completed on our existing disabled toilet to make it suitable for a new pupil on roll.

With September came a return to normality in school. The children returned to school and bubbles were no longer required. This meant that the children were once again able to play together in the playground and join together in the Hall for Collective Worship, rather than online. We were thrilled to be able to invite parents into school for assemblies, parent consultations and meetings once again. Year 5 went to swimming lessons once a week throughout September and our new intake were welcomed into our school and into a brand-new Early Years curriculum.

September also brought with it the launch of our own in-house clubs, both before and after school. These have proven very popular and host an increasing number of children as each month goes by. We also became a teacher training school, linked to Teach In Redbridge, and welcomed Miss Kenealy as our first student teacher. We are delighted to be investing in teachers of the future and to be supporting their training in such an invaluable way.

We also had a change of leadership within our Governing Body, with the appointment of two Co-Chairs of Governors, Dr Harborne and Ms Spencer Ellis. Their combined excellent leadership of the Governing Body has ensured continued challenge and support for the school.

In October, the Worship Council was launched. This proved so popular that it is more than 20 children strong currently! The children help to prepare, plan and lead Collective Worship, including welcoming visitors, setting up the Hall and choosing the songs and music. The PTA managed to hold well-attended school discos for the children in October, which was a much-needed treat for the children after such a long time.

32

November saw the installation of brand new floors throughout much of the downstairs of the school, a Phonics Workshop for parents, the Book Fair and a dressing-up day for Children in Need. The Year 6 class once again led a wonderful Remembrance Service at the memorial and the choir did a fabulous job singing at the switching on of the Christmas lights in Wanstead High Street once again.

The highlight of the term had to be our Open Class session, where we opened our doors to all our families and invited them to come in to sit with their child and look at all their fantastic learning. This was very well attended and the feedback from parents was incredible.

Things sadly took a turn for the worst in the world as November drew to a close, and we received the news that we had all been dreading – that there was a new variant of the virus. With heavy hearts, we closed our doors to visitors and juggled increasing absences of both children and staff. Once again, technology came into its own and we were able to live stream all of the children’s nativities and performances. They sang their hearts out, learned their lines perfectly and remembered all their actions brilliantly. We were so proud of them all and so grateful that their families were able to enjoy it with us, albeit remotely.

Thankfully, we were able to go ahead with the PTA’s Christmas Fair in December, which was a roaring success in spite of the wind and rain. They raised an incredible £6000! We continue to be blessed with extraordinary parents who are so supportive and generous towards our school.

2021 ended with an open-air carol service for the families, held on our playground, which was much enjoyed by all.

As always, the school staff team continues to evolve and grow. In 2021 we said goodbye to Mrs McLean (Teacher), Miss Ilenda (Teacher), Mrs Webster (Early Years Educator), Mrs Marsh (Teaching Assistant), Miss Landsberg (Teaching Assistant), Mrs Lyall (Teaching Assistant), Ms Smith (Midday Assistant) and Mr Okeke (Caretaker).

We were delighted to launch a new Senior Leadership Team in 2021, consisting of myself, two Assistant Headteacher, Ms Clayton and Miss Whitehead, and our SENCO, Miss Fodder. We also welcomed Miss Butler (Teacher), Miss Domingo (Higher Level Teaching Assistant), Mr Harris (PE Higher Level Teaching Assistant), Mrs Kamali (Teaching Assistant), Mrs Stanger, Mrs Tulloch, Mrs Rahman and Miss Fazal (Midday Assistants) and Mr Semwogerere (Caretaker).

Wanstead Church School continues to live by its values of Wisdom, Compassion and Strength, and its motto “We Can Shine!” and we are proud of our achievements throughout 2021, despite the ongoing and ever-changing challenges.

Natalie Denchfield Headteacher

33

Financial Review

The principal source of funds for the charity is the regular voluntary giving from our parishioners, which totaled £88,139, remaining flat versus 2020. With Covid restrictions still in place during 2021 and services impacted, plate collections have still not recovered. Therefore, 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 the 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 and online donations enabled the PCC to reclaim £20,768 from HMRC for 2021. 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 some restrictions continuing during 2021, our Parish Halls unfortunately remained closed or operating at minimal capacity for part of the year with rental receipts totaling only £26,447; 13% more than 2020, but still 60% less than in 2019. The management and running costs of the hall were still fully met from its own income as well as partially supported by the Cultural Recovery Fund grant. The Parish Hall income net of expenses of £18,032 was used to support the Parish running costs and mission.

The Friends were unable to host most of their fund-raising activities during 2021 due to Coronavirus restrictions but were able to able to raise £4,261 net towards the current and future works required at St Mary’s and Christ Church.

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.

During 2021, the PCC were awarded a grant from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage funds which covered certain PCC expenses for the period 1[st] April to 30[th] June 2021 as well as allowed the PCC to top up its reserves to 8 weeks of expenses. The total grant awarded and spent was £40,957. The income and expenses covered by this grant have been recorded in the CRF Fund (restricted) and the 8- week reserve funds transferred into the General Fund.

34

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 was completed in November 2021 and the underspend returned to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

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 £49,832.

Without the usual hall income and reduced church collections, the PCC took several actions to meet our financial obligations during 2021. This included: remaining on fixed costs only expenditure, reduced Parish Share contributions, furloughing some of our staff and claiming for support under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme through mid-April 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 2021, the Parish is grateful to have been remembered by four parishioners and received legacies from Ms Mary Colmer and Mr Ian Hartley, Ms Jean Newman and Ms Barbara Hicks. The Parish also received the balance of the legacy left by John Sunley upon the finalisation of his estate.

Recent Legacies

Recent Legacies
Name Year
Received		 Legacy Fund Fund Type
BarbaraHicks 2021 £500 General Unrestricted
Jean Newman 2021 £2,000 Arthur
Worwood Music		 Designated
Ian Hartley 2021 £1,000 General Unrestricted
Mary Colmer 2021 £500 Memorial
Garden		 Restricted
John Sunley 2020 & 2021 House,
£261,000		 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

35

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 2021, like 2020, when our halls and churches were not operating at full capacity, 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. We hope to have a more regular financial year during 2022.

Parish Share

Our required deanery contribution, the “parish share” remained flat at £118,609 (£116,812 net of fee credit). 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.

Initially, with uncertainty surrounding our financial situation during 2021, we again took the difficult decision to keep our monthly payment at a reduced £5,000 per month. However, during the year we made additional lump payments toward our parish share to make up some of the deficit. The PCC received a housing credit of £9,000 during 2021 for our curate which is reflected as a credit against our Parish Share by the Diocese. Therefore, during 2021, the PCC paid £93,906 toward our Parish Share (£102,906 after applying the curate housing credit), resulting in an underpayment of £13,906.

The Parish Share for 2022 is set at £116,154 (£114,792 net of fee credit). This is somewhat reduced due to a grant applied by the Diocese. The PCC has budgeted to initially pay £5,000 per month for the first few months and will review its position during the year with the intent to increase our payment to pay in full for 2022 if finances allow.

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 £49,832, an increase of £28,085 from 2020, primarily due to increased Hall income and the CRF grant which helped bolster our reserves at mid-year.

Conclusion

The priority for 2022 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. The last two years has made evident that we must work to increase our regular planned giving through the Parish Giving Scheme and find ways to diversify our income to enable us to continue to maintain the effective work of the parish.

36

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 2021

I report to the PCC on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2021 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 Act; or

  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:

37

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 2021

Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Endowment
Funds
£
£
£
Notes
Incoming resources from generated funds
Voluntary income
148,804
147,972
-
Activities for generating funds
26,977
9,452
-
Investment income
2,874
36,675
-
11,535
400
-
35
-
-
1
190,225
194,499
-
Cost of generating voluntary income
282
43
-
Fundraising trading cost of goods sold and other
8,415
7,761
-
Investment management costs
-
-
-
161,974
89,562
-
2,010
-
-
-
-
-
2
172,681
97,366
-
Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer
17,544
97,133
-
35,263
9,873
-
(9,758)
(35,378)
-
43,049
71,628
-
3,544
49,559
11,633
-
-
-
46,593
121,187
11,633
736,246 1,763,129
97,869
782,839 1,884,316
109,502
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
Net income / (expenditure) resources before other
gains/(losses)
Total funds carried forward
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward from 2020
Total expenditure
Governance costs
Other resources used
Charitable activities
Incoming resources
Resources used
Cost of generating funds
Other incoming resources
Total income
Incoming resources from charitable activities		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Endowment
Funds
£
£
£
Notes
Incoming resources from generated funds
Voluntary income
148,804
147,972
-
Activities for generating funds
26,977
9,452
-
Investment income
2,874
36,675
-
11,535
400
-
35
-
-
1
190,225
194,499
-
Cost of generating voluntary income
282
43
-
Fundraising trading cost of goods sold and other
8,415
7,761
-
Investment management costs
-
-
-
161,974
89,562
-
2,010
-
-
-
-
-
2
172,681
97,366
-
Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer
17,544
97,133
-
35,263
9,873
-
(9,758)
(35,378)
-
43,049
71,628
-
3,544
49,559
11,633
-
-
-
46,593
121,187
11,633
736,246 1,763,129
97,869
782,839 1,884,316
109,502
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
Net income / (expenditure) resources before other
gains/(losses)
Total funds carried forward
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward from 2020
Total expenditure
Governance costs
Other resources used
Charitable activities
Incoming resources
Resources used
Cost of generating funds
Other incoming resources
Total income
Incoming resources from charitable activities		 Total 2021
Total 2020
£
£
296,776
926,645
36,429
25,362
39,549
22,963
11,935
7,117
35
-
384,724
982,087
325
183
16,176
17,456
-
-
251,536
273,101
2,010
5,043
-
-
270,047
295,783
114,677
686,304
45,136
63,718
(45,136)
(63,718)
114,677
686,304
64,736
10,359
-
612,905
179,413
1,309,568
2,597,244
1,287,676
2,776,657
2,597,244
190,225
194,499
-
282
43
-
8,415
7,761
-
-
-
-
161,974
89,562
-
2,010
-
-
-
-
-
172,681
97,366
-
17,544
97,133
-
35,263
9,873
-
(9,758)
(35,378)
-
43,049
71,628
-
3,544
49,559
11,633
-
-
-
46,593
121,187
11,633
736,246 1,763,129
97,869
782,839 1,884,316
109,502

38

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 2021

FIXED ASSETS
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		 2020
1,055,248
1,026,690
1,000,000
1,000,000
2,055,248
2,026,690
4,361
8,764
441,196
159,164
339,110
464,749
784,667
632,677
63,258
62,123
721,409
570,554
2,776,657
2,597,244
49,832
21,747
733,007
714,499
1,884,316
1,763,129
109,502
97,869
2,776,657
2,597,244
2021

Approved by the PCC on:

Name:

39

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 2021

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1 Details of incoming resources

Voluntary Income
Giving
Income tax recoverable
Donations, appeals etc.
Legacies
Other income
Activities for generating funds
Events
Friends membership
Friends fundraising
Hall lettings
Other trading income
Investment income
Interest & dividends
Rental income
Incoming resources from
charitable activities
Fees for weddings & funerals
Charitable other income
Total incoming resources		 Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Endowment
Funds
£
£
£
£
88,139
-
150
-
20,768
180
75
-
14,285
224
4,191
-
1,500
2,000
61,534
-
20,687
1,021
82,022
-
145,379
3,425
147,972
-
530
-
195
-
-
-
626
-
-
-
8,631
-
26,447
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
26,977
-
9,452
-
2,156
718
1,748
-
-
-
34,927
-
2,156
718
36,675
-
3,538
-
-
-
8,032
-
400
-
11,570
-
400
-
186,082
4,143
194,499
-		 Total
2021
Total
2020
£
£
88,289
92,328
21,023
26,980
18,700
36,370
65,034
703,000
103,730
67,967
296,776
926,645
725
120
626
648
8,631
1,341
26,447
23,250
-
3
36,429
25,362
4,622
4,603
34,927
18,360
39,549
22,963
3,538
3,558
8,432
3,559
11,970
7,117
384,724
982,087

40

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 2021

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2 Details of resources used

Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
£
£
£
Church hall costs
8,415
-
7,761
Cost of generating voluntary income
282
-
43
Cost of fundraising events
-
-
-
8,697
-
7,804
Charitable expenditure
Giving
100
-
12,329
Parish share
102,906
-
-
Ministry team expenses
2,767
-
-
Wages
15,282
-
4,567
Choir and music
584
-
400
Parish training & mission
-
-
-
Education & young people
13,545
-
-
Upkeep of services
342
-
-
Insurance
6,578
-
579
Organ expenses
70
585
3,451
Residential property expenses
2,590
-
9,841
Works and maintenance
7,014
-
7,729
Light, heat & utilities
2,621
-
675
Office expenses
2,922
-
1,890
Friends cost of fundraising
-
-
4,370
Flowers etc.
5
35
-
Sundry expenses
660
-
108
Depreciation
-
3,368
-
Project costs
-
-
43,623
157,986
3,988
89,562
Governance costs
Accountancy and legal costs
2,010
-
-
2,010
-
-
Total resources expended
168,693
3,988
97,366
Cost of generating
funds/fundraising trading costs		 Total
2021
Total
2020
£
£
16,176
17,456
325
183
-
-
16,501
17,639
12,429
11,452
102,906
84,959
2,767
5,693
19,849
25,090
984
3,621
-
1,162
13,545
14,408
342
7,558
7,157
7,018
4,106
1,281
12,431
33,414
14,743
32,005
3,296
7,081
4,812
4,318
4,370
1,124
40
371
768
3,598
3,368
1,394
43,623
27,554
251,536
273,101
2,010
5,043
2,010
5,043
270,047
295,783

41

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

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.

42

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

3 Accounting policies (continued)

c Incoming resources (continued)

d Resources used

e Fixed Assets

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:

These are included at best estimate of market value as determined by the PCC.

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.

43

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

4 Staff costs

During the year the PCC employed an Organist, Clerical Assistant and a Hall manager. Employment costs are included in the respective costs heads.

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 9, 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		 2021
2020
£
£
25,512
31,069
919
958
26,431
32,027
3
3
5 Fixed Assets
Gross book value at 1 January 2021
Additions
Disposals
Revaluations
Gross book value at 31 December 2021
Depreciation at 1 January 2021
Charge for the year
Depreciation at 31 December 2021
Net book value at 31 December 2021
Net book value at 31 December 2020		 Property
Furniture
&
Fixtures
Computer
Equipment
Total
£
£
£
£
1,012,959
27,590
1,334
1,041,883
-
31,926
-
31,926
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,012,959
59,516
1,334
1,073,809
-
13,859
1,334
15,193
-
3,368
-
3,368
-
17,227
1,334
18,561
1,012,959
42,289
-
1,055,248
1,012,959
13,731
-
1,026,690

44

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

6
Investments
Gross book value at 1 January 2021
Additions
Disposals
Revaluations
Gross book value at 31 December 2021
Net book value at 31 December 2021
Net book value at 31 December 2020
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
£
£
1,000,000
1,000,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,000,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
2021
2020
£
£
1,167
3,100
2,105
3,267
1,089
2,397
4,361
8,764
2021
2020
£
£
35,714
42,919
27,544
19,204
63,258
62,123

9 Related party transactions

During the year, £Nil (2020 - £1,625) was paid to Revd. A Clarke, a trustee, for her role as co-ordinator in relation to the Heritage Lottery Fund project.

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		 2021
2020
£
£
19,204
1,758
22,854
21,767
(14,514)
(4,321)
27,544
19,204

45

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

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 (2021: £919, 2020: £958).

A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent was carried out as at 31 December 2019. The next valuation is due as at 31 December 2022.

For the Pension Builder Classic section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £4.8m on the ongoing assumptions used. At the most recent annual review, the Board chose to grant a discretionary bonus of 3% following improvements in the funding position over 2021.There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.

For the Pension Builder 2014 section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £5.5m 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.

46

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 2021

Cash flows from operating activities
Adjustments for
Depreciation charges
Gains on investments
Gains on revaluation
Dividends, interest and rents received
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)		 2021
2020
£
£
179,413
1,309,568
3,368
1,394
(64,736)
(10,359)
-
(612,905)
(39,549)
(22,963)
4,403
1,868
1,135
38,165
84,034
704,768
39,549
22,963
-
-
(31,926)
(506,671)
-
8,433
(217,296)
-
(209,673)
(475,275)
(125,639)
229,493
464,749
235,256
339,110
464,749
339,110
464,749

47

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY WITH CHRIST CHURCH, WANSTEAD REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1127753

FUND MOVEMENT SUMMARY YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Unrestricted Funds
General
Designated Funds
Flowers
Hall Maintenance
St Mary Open days
Arthur Worwood Music
Property fund
Roof 2013
Bridge
Signpost
Property Maintenance
Outings		 01.01.2021
Investment
Gain/(Loss)
Transfers
In/(Out) 31.12.2021
£
£
£
£
£
£
21,747
185,332
167,943
-
10,696
49,832
Resources
Incoming Outgoing
1,437
10
35
-
-
1,412
1,797
-
-
-
-
1,797
1,433
-
-
-
-
1,433
27,902
2,000
585
-
-
29,317
656,634
1,201
3,368
-
14,810
669,277
3,688
-
-
-
-
3,688
255
57
-
-
-
312
678
157
-
-
-
835
21,075
717
-
3,544
-
25,336
(400)
-
-
-
-
(400)
714,499
4,142
3,988
3,544
14,810
733,007
Restricted Funds
Cultural Recovery Grant
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
John Sunley bequest
Endowment Funds
Bishops J Adams Memorial
Eileen Joliffe bequest
ST M Mem Gdn and Corp Beqs
Taylor Memorial 1992		 -
40,957
21,708
-
(19,249)
-
3,596
2,357
6
-
(4,810)
1,137
2,660
-
-
-
-
2,660
1,260
400
1,660
-
-
-
82,275
10,223
4,407
4,780
(9,883)
82,987
1,780
748
-
-
-
2,528
199
-
-
-
-
199
2,544
195
400
-
-
2,339
937
-
-
-
-
937
378,749
-
1,929
-
9,000
385,820
13,080
5,082
10,799
-
-
7,363
115
-
-
-
(115)
-
2,617
-
-
-
-
2,617
14,833
533
50
3,247
-
18,563
576,738
18,510
6,223
-
-
589,025
7,000
36,812
43,365
-
(447)
-
450
1,080
1,530
-
-
-
674,296
77,602
5,289
41,532
-
788,141
1,763,129
194,499
97,366
49,559
(25,505)
1,884,316
5,319
-
-
-
-
5,319
71,489
-
-
10,039
-
81,528
11,267
-
-
1,594
-
12,861
9,794
-
-
-
-
9,794
97,869
-
-
11,633
-
109,502

48

APPENDIX I

During the year of 2021, from 1[st ] January to 31[st ] December the following, served as members of the PCC:

Ex-officio (Rector and Ministry Team) and Churchwardens Ex-officio (Rector and Ministry Team) and Churchwardens
•
Revd Dr Jack Dunn (Rector)
(Left Jan 2021)
•
Revd Canon Martyn Hawkes
(Interim Priest in Charge)
(From April 2021)
•
Revd Richard Wyber (Ministry
Team)
•
Revd Dr Chris Taylor (Ministry
Team)
•
Revd Olive Thursby (Ministry
Team)		 •
Revd Tom Britt (Ministry Team (Left
Mar 2021)
•
Ms Barbara Hepworth-Jones
(Church Warden
•
Mr Ralph Hall (Church Warden)
•
Mr David Wyatt (Deputy Church
Warden)
Elected Trustees(date in brackets is when term ends)
•
Mr Peter Schaefer (2021) –
Secretary (Jan-May)
•
Mrs Mary Shaw (2021) –
Assistant Treasurer (Jan-May)
•
Ms Yvy Carter (2021) (Jan-
May)
•
Mrs Susan Oldham (2021) –
Assistant Secretary – co-
opted in Dec 2020 (Jan-May)
•
Mr Jeremy Green (2022) –
Volunteer Coordinator
•
Mrs Suzi Stiegler (2022) – Joint
Lay Vice Chair (Jan-Nov) –
Parish Safeguarding Officer
(Nov-Dec)		 •
Mr Christian Orme (2022) – Youth
Advocate (Jan-June) – (Left June
2021)
•
Ms Patience Rusinga (2023) –
Diversity and Inclusion Advocate
•
Mr Gary Owen (2023)
•
Ms Equi Ajogbe (2023) – Parish
Safeguarding Officer (Jan-Nov)
•
Mrs Susan Oldham (2024) –
Secretary (May-Dec)
•
Ms Jemma Wakeman (2024) –
Treasurer (May-Sept) – (Resigned
Sept 2021)
•
Ms Djaama Davis (2024) – Assistant
Treasurer (May-Dec)
Ex-Officio Members of the PCC due to being Elected Diocesan Synod
Representatives
•
Mr Philip Carnelley (Re-
elected for a second term) –
also member of Deanery
Synod		 •
Mrs Celia Heath (Jan-July) – Term
Ended
Elected Trustees by virtue of being representatives on the Deanery Synod:whose
three-year term willend at theAPCM in 2023
•
Ms Jenny Griffiths
•
Mr Neil Hepworth
•
Mr Joshua Dickinson		 •
Mrs Margaret Adams – Seniors’
Advocate
•
Mr James Paterson – Joint Lay Vice
Chair
PCC Members co-opted onto the PCC at the PCC Meeting immediately after the
2021 APCM (maximum of two allowed)
•
Mr Peter Schaefer (Chair of Friends)

49

PCC Members appointed to be nominated champions PCC Members appointed to be nominated champions
•
Mr Christian Orme (Youth
Advocate) (Jan-June)
•
Ms Patience Rusinga (Diversity
and Inclusion Advocate		 •
Mrs Margaret Adams (Seniors’
Advocate) (Vulnerable Adults
Lead)

Committees: Information and Governance

Committee
Name		 Christ Church and Halls Committee Christ Church and Halls Committee
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 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) – (Jan-Mar) –
(ResignedMar 2021)		 Liz Ayto (Hall Treasurer) –
(Apr-Dec)
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 Committee which has both clerical and lay
members.
Members James Paterson
Jenny Griffiths
Margaret Adams		 Joshua Dickinson
Neil Hepworth

50

Committee
Name		 Finance, Stewardship and Fabric Committee Finance, Stewardship and Fabric Committee 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 problems which
may arise.
Members Jillian Steggle (Acting Chair
– Jan-May) (Parish Giving
Co-ordinator)
Mary Shaw (Assistant
Treasurer) – (Jan-May)
James Paterson
Jemma Wakeman
(Treasurer & Chair – May-
Sept) (Resigned Sept 2021)		 Djaama Davis – (Assistant
Treasurer) – (May-Dec)
Gary Owen
Simon Stiggear
Ed Fosbrook
Benedict Smith (Marketing &
Communications Rep) –(Feb-
Dec)
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 benefit of the public.
Members Peter Schaefer (Chair)
Ed Fosbrook (Treasurer) Julia
Saul Watts (Secretary)
Phil Ryan		 Tracie Garfield
Miles Kelly
Victoria Darbyshire
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 theForest		 Parish Representatives
Jenny Griffiths
Joshua Dickinson
Revd Dr Jack Dunn (Left Jan)
Revd Canon Martyn Hawkes
(From April)

51

Committee
Name		 MMU Youth Management Committee
What they do Developmentof the youth workacrosstheMMU.
Members •
Becca Kemal (MMU Youth Worker) – Resigned Aug 2021
•
Sheba Lockley (MMU Youth Worker Supervisor) – Left
Aug 2021
•
Victoria Etherington (Youth Ministry Consultant) – Left
Aug 2021
•
Lin Taylor (Pastoral Support) – Left Aug 2021
•
Revd Dr Elizabeth Lowson & Linda Wiskin (Incumbent &
Rep from St Mary’s Woodford)
•
Revd Martyn Hawkes & Kevin Thomas (Incumbent & Rep
from St Gabriel’s Aldersbrook)
•
Revd Olive Thursby & Barbara Hepworth-Jones (Curate
&Repfrom WansteadParish)
Committee
Name		 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 (Parish Organist)
Carry Green (Secretary)
Julia Wildgoose
(Matron/Chaperone)
AvrilCarnelly (Safeguarding)		 Jen Ambler (Parent Rep)
Olive Thursby
Alison Wells
Martin Elliott (Organist)
Comments Su Allison (Librarian) is not a member but is regularly consulted
Records, Archives and Data Management Committee
The objective of this committee is to review the current
arrangementsfor the safekeeping ofparish records andto
Committee
Name		 Records, Archives and Data Management Committee
What they do The objective of this committee is to review the current
arrangementsfor the safekeeping ofparish records andto

52

advise the PCC concerning future arrangements, and to
keep abreast of essential GDPR data requirements.		 advise the PCC concerning future arrangements, and to
keep abreast of essential GDPR data requirements.		 advise the PCC concerning future arrangements, and to
keep abreast of essential GDPR data requirements.
Members Susan Oldham (Chair) –
(Resigned as Chair - May
2021)
DennisKeeling		 Sarah Gidlow
Sian Paterson (May-Dec)
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)
(Jan -Nov 2020) – (Resigned
Nov 2021) – (Remained as a
Member)
Suzi Stiegler (Lay Vice Chair)
(Jan-Nov – (Parish
Safeguarding Officer/
Chair) – (Nov-Dec) Barbara
Hepworth-Jones
(Churchwarden)		 Rebecca Kemal (Youth
Worker) – (Jan-Aug)
Lauren Johnson (Hall
Bookings Manager)
Lorraine Bucknall (Parish
Manager)
Margaret Adams (Vulnerable
Adults Lead)
David Wyatt (Deputy
Churchwarden - Risk
Assessment Lead)
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 Tom Britt (Chair) – Jan-
Mar)
Suzi Stiegler (Lay Vice Chair)
(Minutes Secretary) (Jan-
Mar) – (Chair) – (Mar-Nov)
Ralph Hall (Churchwarden)
Sue Paterson (Open Day
Coordinator)		 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
Comments Elections in October 2021 (2 reps) – Not held so two reps
continuing untilOctober 2022

53

Committee
Name		 Social Committee Social Committee 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
Louisa Brown
Maureen Medley
Julie Williams		 James Darbyshire
Victoria Darbyshire
Michael Odedina
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 new
appointments to Committees.
Members David Wyatt (Deputy
Church Warden/Chair)
(from Nov 2020)
Avril Carnelley – (Resigned
May 2021)
Martyn Hawkes (Interim
Priest-in-Charge) – (May-
Dec)
Roger Middleditch		 James Paterson (Lay Vice
Chair)
Patience Rusinga (Diversity
and Inclusion Champion)
Jemma Wakeman
(Treasurer) (May-Sept) –
(Resigned Sept 2021)
Djaama Davis (Assistant
Treasurer)–(May-Dec)
Committee
Name		 Mission & Outreach Committee (formerly World Church
Committee)		 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 charities the parish
should support.
Members Revd Tom Britt (Chair) –
(Resigned Mar 2021)
Beryl Darling (Chair) –
(FromSept 2021)		 James Paterson
Grace Odedina
Simon Stiggear
MagaliCurnier
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.

54

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
Revd Olive Thursby
Revd Tom Britt (Left Mar 2021)
Becca Kemal (Left Aug 2021)
Revd Canon Martyn Hawkes (Sept-Dec)
Barbara Hepworth-Jones
Christian Orme (Youth Advocate – Left June
2021)

Note: The Rector (Priest-in Charge) is ex officio a member of all of the above committees. The Rector left in Jan 2021, and until the Priest-in-Charge joined in April 2021, the committees were all covered by one of: Churchwardens, Deputy Churchwarden, Lay Vice Chairs.

55

APPENDIX II

The final report from the PCC of Wanstead Parish on the 2 year review period initiated by the Bishop of Chelmsford’s letter of 25[th] January 2019 relating to St Mary The Virgin, Wanstead.

Wanstead Parish Charity Number: 1127753

Period of review: October 2019 to October 2021

Report approved by St Mary’s Committee: 10 November 2021

Report approved by the PCC: 16 November 2021

Report sent to Bishop Guli and Archdeacon Elwin: 19 November 2021

Executive summary

On 25 January 2019, Bishop Stephen changed the status of St Mary’s under Canon B14A. Weekly worship was permitted, but in a different style, and the St Mary’s congregation was challenged to make this happen. A weekly Eucharist would be replaced with a monthly celebration in order to assist the (then) Rector to deliver his strategic goal of consolidating worship and mission in the parish.

The PCC have been requested to add a clarification that the (then) Rector’s strategic goal was shared and supported by both Churchwardens and the PCC; the Area and Diocesan Bishops also both supported a change to the legal status of St Mary’s to help achieve this goal.

Bishop Stephen directed that the new arrangements should be the subject of a 2- year review, which began in October 2019.

Within 2 months of Bishop Stephen’s letter, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the world as we knew it beyond recognition. The challenging times that followed brought unexpected opportunities for the St Mary’s community within the parish, which have been fully embraced.

Introduction

The Bishop of Chelmsford issued a Pastoral Letter on the 25[th] January 2019, outlining how the PCC-requested change in the legal status of the church under Canon B14A might be balanced with the wider desire to maintain weekly worship at St Mary’s, albeit in a different, predominantly lay-led way. Bishop Stephen’s letter required that this new mode of ministry was to be reviewed after two years, in the first instance in liaison with the Archdeacon of West Ham.

Please see here for the letter:

56

which were agreed by the PCC and by the Archdeacon of West Ham in August 2019.

The working group having completed its remit, the PCC then set up a St Mary’s committee to help to advise the Rector and PCC on worship, mission and the fabric of St Mary’s, going forward.

As part of the recommendations, a new pattern of weekly worship began at St Mary’s in August 2019:

1[st] Sunday Eucharist

2[nd] Sunday Service of the Word - Common Worship

3[rd] Sunday joint parish Eucharist at Christ Church and St Mary’s is closed*

4[th] Sunday Service of the word – BCP

5[th] Sunday service of the Word – Common Worship or BCP

*morning prayer was initially said on the Saturdays, including preceding the 3[rd] Sunday, but this has been replaced by a weekly Compline service on Wednesdays

Worship and Music

The implementation of Bishop Stephen’s decision required the congregation of St Mary’s to adapt and embrace a new way of worshipping and take much responsibility for the worship themselves. This was a step into the unknown and, whilst initially a challenge, they approached the task set positively, enthusiastically, and with good humour.

Lay led worship

Eleven lay worship leaders were trained by Fr Richard Wyber and Olive Thursby during June and July 2019 and began to lead services from August 2019. They were commissioned in November 2019. Members of the clergy team were present at the services to guide and support until the end of October 2019.

The congregation has been hugely supportive of the lay leaders, offering great encouragement - especially in the early days as the lay leaders were finding their feet. All the lay leaders take their duties very seriously, but also with joy in the privilege of leading the worship of friends and neighbours in the pews. The lay leaders would like to thank Fr Richard and the Rev. Olive for their thorough and practical training. The lay leaders have all developed their own style and ways of finding appropriate reflections for the Homily. The lay leaders are growing in confidence in finding sources for these reflections. They are being encouraged to be bolder in these choices and to consider how the reflections bear on their own experiences. It has been a deeply spiritual journey for them and has taken their faith in directions they would not have anticipated.

Compline, a new Wednesday evening lay-led service which began in tandem with the new Sunday pattern, also continued throughout the Covid-19 lockdown via Zoom. There was a hymn in the service, sung by one person with others joining in (muted). Now we are back in church, quiet organ music is played before and after Compline and a hymn is sung during the service

Liturgy

The liturgy evolved during the pandemic. There were two forms – Common Worship and the BCP - alternating in a set monthly pattern. The services were

57

largely put together by Fr Jack Dunn, the former Rector. There were some minor modifications and once worship was allowed in church again after the initial lockdown, both forms of service were shortened to reduce the time in church. Alison Wells, one of our lay leaders, worked with the Rector in this task. There has been a very good response to the new lay-led services which maintain a traditional feel.

As no singing was permitted during COVID, periods of reflection were incorporated into the St Mary’s service, some with a short organ piece. These additions have been welcome and may well be retained. Fr Richard will be reviewing the orders of service with the churchwarden in the coming months. A recent worship referendum at St Mary’s agreed to keep the alternating CW and BCP pattern.

Music

Music is an important part of the services of the Word at St Mary’s. The congregation sings well and is led by a small but committed group of singers – most of whom come from the Parish Choir.

As there had been a problem with timings (the organist playing for the 10.00 am Eucharist at Christ Church - which was later changed to 10.30 – could not reach St Mary’s in time for the beginning of the service), Alison Wells (a Professor of Music) and Martin Wheatley stepped in to cover playing.

St Mary’s has benefitted from Alison’s talent and experience. She has given her time generously and led the music in the church with wisdom, skill, and passion. She has agreed to act as caretaker parish Choral Director until the end of 2021 as we approach the busy Christmas period.

There are usually three hymns, which are a mix of styles, balanced towards the traditional but with some modern worship songs and we have introduced appropriate psalms and canticles into Matins. A modern setting of the Te Deum has been written for St Mary’s by Graham Titus, and it now forms part of the choir’s repertoire.

A questionnaire was circulated recently amongst the congregation to gauge their views on music and to encourage them to say what music they would like to sing/hear. The responses were positive and wide-ranging and when analysed properly will provide a basis for choosing repertoire.

Most weeks, the small choir sings an anthem after the prayers. This has been much appreciated by the congregation.

Organ

The organ underwent some major repairs in early 2021. Just before Christmas 2020, the blower was causing problems. This has since been repaired and now the organ is fully operational. The PCC is very grateful to Joe Waggot, the Parish Organist for his care of the organ.

Four further volunteer organists have been playing for services and using the organ for practice. There is a practice timetable, and, on most days, someone is in the church playing the organ. People in the churchyard during the day have remarked that they enjoy hearing the organ.

The church was also used during Covid lockdown by a couple of local musicians who had no work. They still wanted to practise but were unable to do so at home – one was a tuba player!

58

Singing for health

Several of the St Mary’s congregation contracted Covid-19, and we have started a ‘singing for health’ choir. Once lockdown restrictions had eased and rules allowed people back into church (maximum of 6), this group began to meet. Singing is of great benefit to people whose lung capacity has been affected by the disease. Deliberately kept small at first, the group is now expanding. People from across the parish attend and there are currently about 10 members. They are mainly older people, often living alone, and see this group as therapeutic for their mental as well as physical health.

The Parish Choir

Dr Chris and the lay leaders decided on July 18[th] , 2021, that the full Parish Choir should be encouraged to sing at both the 1st Sunday of the month Eucharist at St Mary’s and at the 3rd Sunday of the month combined service at Christ Church. Although this was mostly met with enthusiasm, this is slowly becoming a reality. It is hoped that, as choir numbers increase, there will be enough members to have 6 singers supporting the Service of the Word at Christ Church (1st Sunday) and others joining the singers at St Mary’s.

The St Mary’s Community and Volunteers

St Mary’s has long been open to visitors on Saturday mornings. This now takes place on a more formal basis following the award in 2018 of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to repair two of the Portland stone walls. St Mary’s is now open each Saturday for three hours. This ensures compliance with the commitment made to the HLF to engage with the local community and encourage visitors.

Opening every Saturday between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm has been made possible by a large pool of volunteers. They are divided into four groups - PODs. Each POD is responsible for cleaning a section of the church, welcoming visitors, and looking after each other. The POD leaders reach out to their team members on a regular basis. Volunteers are very committed and maintain the church to a high standard – something often remarked on by Saturday morning visitors.

At the beginning of lockdown, the St Mary’s Committee identified members of the congregation that might need extra support, and they were contacted on a regular basis to ensure that they remained connected. We established rotas to deliver cooked meals to people in need of support owing to critical illness. Regular calls were also made to ex-parishioners that had moved away and to others that were not regular worshippers, in order to maintain the support networks no longer possible owing to lockdown and isolation.

The grounds at St Mary’s are maintained by a committed gardening group, which meets every fortnight. In the last two years it has focussed on reclaiming the overgrown areas of the graveyard and working with Wild Wanstead to ensure the wildlife are looked after. There has been a recent enquiry from South Essex Wildlife Trust to use St Mary’s as a release site for hedgehogs, however, as the churchyard backs onto Wanstead Golf Club further discussions will include their groundsman to understand if they use any toxic chemicals on the golf course. There are also two beehives at St Mary’s with plans to add additional hives in due course.

At the beginning of the pandemic, when our churches were closed, a banner was placed on the church railings to show that the churchyard was still open and to encourage the community to come in and use the green space. This invitation

59

was enthusiastically taken up by many who used the grounds for daily exercise, dog walking, physically distanced picnics, and by parents looking for creative ways to home-school their children or just to run around and let off some steam. Much of this use has continued after lockdown.

As soon as permitted during Covid, the church opened for private prayer. The feedback was that this was a huge comfort for people after so long in isolation at home.

As a result, St Mary’s and the churchyard have become a special place to a great many more people since the start of the pandemic. Although the impact of Covid has lessened, many of these visitors continue to return - some of whom have joined the gardening group to help to maintain the churchyard even though they are not regular worshippers at St Mary’s.

As soon as the government rules allowed, the Open Days restarted. Extra help was gratefully received from enthusiastic young adults volunteering towards their Duke of Edinburgh award.

St Mary’s continues to draw many visitors from near and far for the London Open House weekend. This year, the Crypt was opened again, and tours were very popular, as usual. The opportunity was also taken to offer tours during the Wanstead Fringe, made possible by two of our community volunteering as tour guides taking a crash course on Georgian facts, Wanstead House, and local celebrities.

The graveyard holds a fascination for people interested in history and ancestry, so there are volunteers helping to map the graveyard, record names, and research the people buried and memorialised there.

Graves which commemorate victims of war, including the 17 Commonwealth War Graves, were cleared for the 75[th] anniversary of VE Day in 2020. A poppy trail has been created linking the graves of about 70 victims of war, which are simply marked by a poppy on a small pole.

Since the start of the Covid pandemic St Mary’s and the churchyard have become a special place to so many more members of the local community. They feel a spiritual connection with the place and want to help in any way they can. They may not yet be joining the congregation, but the building and the churchyard are enabling them to find their own way of connecting with God. Further Outreach:

Tin in a Bin (“TinaB”)

There were few opportunities to engage directly with the wider community during Covid19, but one of the great successes has been to involve the Wanstead, Aldersbrook, Snaresbrook and South Woodford Communities in supporting local Foodbanks.

TinaB was started by two of St Mary’s congregation in March 2020 and has collected 20.9 tonnes of food for Redbridge Foodbank and raised £6,000 to address specific needs of the Foodbank as well as support local people in crisis who might otherwise be “below the radar”.

This shared community experience has been positive, opening the eyes of many to the needs of others. When Covid restrictions were lifted in April 2021, St Mary’s became the headquarters for TinaB; the side box-pews, (rarely used owing to restricted sight lines), are used for sorting and storing the community donations, and preparing them for distribution. The move to St Mary’s enabled many of

60

regular TinaB collectors to become more involved in sorting and preparing the food donations, on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The church is now open regularly and more frequently as a central community asset.

In July 2021, TinaB was awarded a Redbridge Community Award which was presented by the Mayor at St Mary’s to some of the volunteers.

In addition to Redbridge Foodbank, TinaB now supports, 3 church foodbanks in Leytonstone and Manor Park; local hotels and Project Malachi in supporting the homeless; Feed the Streetz, the Magpie Project & Alternatives Trust in supporting vulnerable families in Newham, and Leytonstone Community Fridge and Hope4Humanity, a Muslim foodbank in Forest Gate.

Community and Homeless Support

Having TinaB at St Mary’s has helped us engage with the wider community which, in turn, has presented more opportunities for outreach. We have been able to help source school uniform for refugee children starting at our local schools and to collect books for a primary school in Chadwell Heath which had no library.

Members of the St Mary’s congregation supported the catering rota for the Parish Homeless Project from January to March 2020.

In March 2020 a local initiative The Corner House Project joined forces with TinaB and helped to gather much-needed clothing and support items from the community for homeless people in the East London area. The Eton Manor Rugby Club and Wanstead Cricket Club offered collection venues. St Mary’s offered facilities in the galleries for storage and sorting of donations.

All these initiatives have brought new people through our doors and have propelled St Mary’s to the fore as a vital community asset.

Other Matters

Other examples of involvement in the community include:

61

In summary:

In his letter, Bishop Stephen commented that “ due to the heritage and distinctive architectural style of St Mary’s, it will always struggle to offer the space and facilities that would usually be expected for a church to flourish missionally in the way we need and expect in the Church of England ”. Whilst St Mary’s may or may not be the expected “shape”, it has proved to be a place where it is clear to see God’s work being done, not only by the congregation but also by the wider community for the benefit of the local community. We believe we have found creative ways to work with and take advantage of the constraints of the fabric in order to build a different styles of community activity, outreach and worship which admirably complement those at Christ Church.

Contribution to Parish activities / initiatives:

Members of St Mary’s congregation contribute greatly to Parish life and continue to see themselves very much as part of the one parish. They serve on the parish outreach committee, sing in the Parish Choir, serve as caretaker for Parish music; play an active role in the Parish Bell Ringing team, produce high quality liturgies for the parish (print and design and content), serve as Lay Vice Chair of the PCC, serve on the PCC and on Standing Committee, in the Parish Resilience Group, on the Parish Friends, on the Black Lives Matter Working Group, on Social Committee, in Deanery Synod, on the St Mary’s Committee, on the Music Committee, in the Parish Prayer Group, volunteer at the Little Angels Caregiver and Toddler group, help with the setting up of the 9am service, serve on the Staffing & Governance Committee and also serve as the Parish Volunteer Coordinator.

Conclusions

What has gone well in the two-year review period?

Attendance has remained consistent, even with Covid 19 restrictions. Commendation must go to the Churchwarden and sides-persons’ team for the warmth of their welcomes and their scrupulous attention to social distancing regulations.

The congregation has overwhelmingly supported the lay-led services. Even those who have a preference for either BCP or CW attend both services. Very positive feedback has been received about the spirituality of these services, not least the opportunity for silent prayer and contemplation.

Establishing a St Mary’s singing group during the pandemic: the congregation has said that music has lifted the services and made worship more enjoyable.

The Open Days have welcomed a diverse group of people to St Mary's and the churchyard. Open Days have attracted different audiences and have raised money for charities. With the enthusiastic commitment of the St Mary’s community in maintaining the fabric of the building and the graveyard. St Mary’s remains beautiful inside and outside and is now in use on a far more frequent basis during the week.

Community outreach has substantially increased, especially fundraising for Motorbikes for Marsabit, Christian Aid and Hestia donations. TinaB is going from strength to strength. There are currently around 60 collection points.

All of the above are ways in which Setting God’s People Free has been advanced at St Mary’s; although there is a lot more that can be achieved on this within the parish.

62

What other areas can be improved on?

A potential memorial area within the churchyard for a Covid remembrance garden dedicated to those who lost their lives is also in discussion.

Future plans

Music and Recitals

Apart from liturgical music, St Mary’s boasts wonderful acoustics and it would be great to see it used more for small-scale musical events. There was one successful vocal masterclass before Covid. Another was planned but had to be cancelled when Covid struck, so reinstating those, perhaps with a series of classes or recitals, would be good to see.

There is a wish to expand the Choir for Health further, to include more people who are not currently churchgoers, and so reach out to the wider community.

We have had a few poetry and music evenings in St Mary’s, which have been successful, and we would like to explore holding similar events.

There are other forms of music that could be incorporated into our services, including more instrumental music. Use of some Taizé chants in special services is being explored and there is a wish among some members of the congregation to include more of this sort of music into the normal services.

More research is needed, but there is a determination to ensure that the musical offering at St Mary’s remains at as high a standard as possible to enhance the worship of our congregations.

Service Options

We have, as a congregation and as a worshipping community, been encouraged to be bolder in our approach. This is something that the St Mary’s Committee is working on, exploring different forms of service, without losing the identity and personality of the services we already hold.

The lay leaders have been leading services for around 2 years, and some would welcome more support – perhaps in the form of a retreat, or extra training. Perhaps there could also be diocese-wide communication with lay worship-leaders in other parishes

Now that there is a lay-led service on the 1st Sunday of the month at Christ Church, it is hoped there will be more coming together across the two churches.

Outreach

St Mary’s has, during Covid, become an outreach hub – this should be nurtured, encouraged, and grown.

Our recommendation

63

The two-year review has shown the new pattern of services to be successful, with the parish becoming a leading example of how lay leadership can work well within traditionally-based services. It has also seen a renewal of the church as a community outreach space.

We therefore recommend that the Bishop of Chelmsford agree

64

Sue Oldham PCC Secretary Wanstead St Mary w Christ Church

Dear Sue, 17[th ] December 2021

Thank you for sending me the final report from the PCC of Wanstead Parish on the 2 year review period initiated by the previous Bishop of Chelmsford on 25[th ] January 2019. I would be grateful if you could share this letter with other members of the PCC.

I am immensely grateful for the care and attention given to producing the Report and want to express my thanks to all involved. It is very encouraging to see the way in which every effort has been made to ensure that mission and ministry continues at St. Mary’s Church. I was especially pleased to learn of the ways in which people have come together both to strengthen the internal life of the church whilst also attending to the call to be an outward facing community. I have noted the ways in which you have found creative ways of leading worship and developing the musical life of the church and am particularly impressed by the wider outreach and social action projects such as Tin in a Bin.

Through all this I am grateful too to Revd Canon Martyn Hawkes who has provided interim oversight and to Archdeacon Elwin for his ongoing involvement. The way in which you have all cooperated and worked together means there is much to celebrate.

Looking to the future, in the first instance, I am keen that we should celebrate the gifts of lay leadership which have emerged and hold to the stability that you seem to have achieved. I am not minded, therefore, to make any significant changes at this stage but would encourage you all to continue much as you have been. That means St. Mary’s will retain its status as a Festival Church for the time being and a service of Eucharist will be permitted once a month. Within that framework there is scope for ongoing flexibility and creativity and, noting your request for further resourcing of lay worship leaders, I would encourage you to work with the Diocesan Mission and Ministry team to see what training and support might be most useful.

The focus of this next phase should be about St. Mary’s and Christ Church working together in order to prepare for the appointment of a Rector to oversee the parish in due course. To that end, I have asked Revd Rob Merchant, our Dean of Mission, Ministry and Education to work with Martyn and yourselves towards a facilitated process through which both churches can begin to imagine a new future

65

together.

I will take a keen interest in developments and hope to visit at an appropriate point. Meanwhile, I have asked Rob, Martyn and Archdeacon Elwin to keep me closely informed about progress.

I wish you every blessing in this next part of the journey. Please be assured of my ongoing prayers. With my best wishes for a happy and peaceful Christmas.

The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani Bishop of Chelmsford Copy: The Venerable Elwin Cockett – Archdeacon of West Ham The Revd Rob Merchant – Dean of Mission, Ministry and Education Revd Canon

66