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2024-12-31-accounts

HOLY TRINITY PARISH CHURCH BARKINGSIDE SERVING GOD AND THE PARISH 1840 – 2025

ANNUAL REPORT 2024 – 2025

Heavenly Father we give you thanks for all your goodness and blessings. We pray for our parish, for all who live and work here. We pray that your gospel would spread, and your Kingdom would grow. We pray for your blessing and protection upon us as we seek to serve you. Refresh and renew our faith and help us to preach the gospel with our words and lives. Help us to draw many into the radiance of your love. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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AGENDA

25[th] May 2025, following the 10:30am Sunday Service in church

WELCOME by Rev Dr Chris Szejnmann, Vicar

EASTER VESTRY MEETING 2025

  1. Minutes of the 2024 Easter Vestry meeting (p.3)

  2. Election of Churchwarden(s) for 2025 (p.3)

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING 2025

  1. Apologies for absence

  2. Minutes of the APCM 2024

  3. Revision of the Electoral Roll (p.5)

  4. Vicar’s Report (p.5)

  5. PCC Secretary’s report (NB: due regard to the PCCs compliance with Safeguarding and GDPR is included in this report) (p.9)

  6. Financial report and statements (p.10)

  7. Churchwardens’ Fabric report (p.11)

  8. Deanery Synod report (p.13)

  9. Prayer Chain Report (p.13)

  10. Worship Report (p.14)

  11. Families, Children & Youth Ministry (p.14)

  12. Mothers’ Union Report (p.15)

  13. Trinity Times (p.17)

  14. Election of Deanery Synod Representative (up to 2) (p.17)

  15. Election of PCC Laity (up to 9) (p.17)

  16. Appointment of Independent Examiner (p.17)

  17. Any other Business previously notified. New items for the agenda will not be accepted at the meeting. Please contact Fr. Chris at least twenty-four hours before the meeting is due to start if you have any items under Any Other Business

  18. Closing Prayers (p.17)

  19. Appendix (p.18ff.: Edge Youth Club; Financial Report and Statements: pp.22ff)

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Minutes of Easter Vestry Meeting. Sunday 26th. May 2024.

26th. May 2024 following the 10:30 am Sunday Service in Church. 46 in attendance.

WELCOME by Rev Dr Chris Szejnmann, Vicar.

EASTER VESTRY MEETING 2024

  1. Minutes of 2023 Easter Vestry meeting accepted as an accurate record.

  2. Proposer: Christine Edwards; Seconder: Stephen Gilson

  3. Election of Churchwarden.

Chris Stoneham

Nominated by Maxine Paul; Seconded by Christine Edwards.

Nomination met with unanimous approval.

Chris Stoneham thanked by the meeting.

Vestry Meeting closed at 11:50 am.

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING - 26[th] MAY 2024.

  1. Apologies for absence: Grahame Sturt

  2. Minutes of the APCM 2023

Accepted as a True and Accurate Record. Proposed by Christine Edwards and Seconded by Harry Moth. Unanimous acceptance.

  1. Revision of Electoral Roll [Mike Priestman]

Last year the electoral roll numbered 105 names. 27 people have been removed from the roll because some have either sadly passed away; some have asked to be removed; or others, who have not been at church for at least the last six months. On the plus side we have had 5 new people join the roll meaning the roll now numbers 83 from the former 105 a net reduction of 22 names. A new Roll will be introduced next year which will require everyone re-registering.

  1. Vicar’s Report

  2. PCC Secretary’s Report

Thanks were expressed to PCC for its work over the year.

6. Financial report and statements (p.9)

Laura Priestman presented a verbal report. Laura was thanked for her many years of service and expertise.

  1. Churchwarden’s Fabric report (pp.9-10) [Jon Paul and Chris Stoneham]

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Andrew Curran was thanked for his maintenance work during the year.

  1. Deanery Synod Report (pp.10-11)

Grace, Tricia, Maxine, and Stephen represented Holy Trinity this year.

  1. Prayer Chain Report ( p.11) [Laura and Tricia]

  2. Worship Report (pp.11-12)

  3. Families, Children and Youth Ministry.(p.12)

  4. Mothers’ Union Report (pp.13-14) [Maxine and Tricia]

  5. Trinity Times (pp.14-15)

Chris Stoneham’s efforts acknowledged by the meeting.

ELECTIONS 2024

  1. Election of Deanery Synod Representatives.

Grace Mann and Stephen Gilson are retiring . They were thanked for their Service. Hyacinth Osborne [proposed by Maxine Paul and seconded by Christine Edwards] and David Horton [proposed by Maxine Paul and seconded by Harry Moth.] Were elected.

  1. Election of PCC Laity.

David Horton, Hyacinth Osborne, and Kaye Larbi have completed their three-year terms. They were all thanked for their Service.

Christine Edwards (2022), Harry Moth (2022), Lorraine Roman (2022), Mark Gentry (2023) and Michael Priestman (2023) were re-elected en bloc.

  1. Appointment of Independent Examiner.

Richard Freeman was re-appointed after being proposed by Laura Priestman and seconded by Harry Moth.

  1. AOB

None registered.

  1. Closing Prayers. Meeting Closed at 11.50am.

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REPORTS for 2024-25

3) UPDATE OF ELECTORAL ROLL (2025)

The Electoral Roll was RENEWED in April and May this year and now stands at 80.

4) VICAR’S REPORT

We are on an exciting and healthy journey of renewal and growth. When I became Vicar of Holy Trinity in September 2022, the church had come out of the Covid period bruised. Of the 104 people on our membership list (Electoral Roll) I only ever met around two-thirds, which means that the real membership was around 70 with a significant percentage of elderly people and a not small number relatively loosely committed to the church. Despite significant strengths at its core, it felt that HT was on a journey of gradual decline.

It’s exciting how we have been able to turn things round gradually with now around 80 active members who recently signed up as part of the 5-year renewal of the Electoral Roll. Many of them attend regular worship services and are embedded in serving on various ministry teams. It’s an encouraging sign of renewal that at least 20 percent of current members have joined over the last two years, with many serving on new ministry teams. The average attendance at Sunday worship services has slowly been rising to around 55-65 and we experience spikes in numbers that amaze us: Several of our “normal” January services were attended by more than 70 people, and the Easter Sunday service was attended by around 110 people, the first time we have been in triple figures. We are proud to be an extremely diverse community, and our overall priority is to continue to grow the children and family ministry. We are grateful for the incredible life & joy we see in this area, and welcome and support in particular those with special needs.

Since April 2024 our outreach & mission ministry areas have been expanding significantly, adding to the well-established and thriving Tuesday-Drop-In (run by our Mothers Union team of Maxine, Jon, Tricia), which provides a welcoming, caring and safe space for all, but largely caters for the elderly:

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Families & their children queued to get into Holy Trinity! The FFZ team has effectively also emerged as our backbone to organize many of our larger church events (Team: Christine, Kate, Lorraine, Gill, Patricia, Rhiannon, Tricia, Nick, Mike, Helen & Andy).

These ministry areas have crystalized our calling as a Community Church for all and they have led to wonderful things: giving us a new rhythm and focus during the week; providing us with drive and momentum which benefits our whole journey in many ways; leading to a substantial number of HT members serving on various teams where they experience important moments of joy and calling, and are stepping into God’s Kingdom (there really is an amazing friendship and spirit in various teams); seeing people come into HT from our community with no previous links to HT, with many of different faith or none.

It's exciting to experience newness continuing to come through, and HT starting to become recognized in the community as a place of goodness and joy and providing a safe space . As I write this report, two new youth just joined Edge Youth Club, and three new local men turned up for Salsa dancing. When we come together, amazing conversations take place and relationships are formed. All we do is deeply relational and we want to grow this and do more of it because we see God’s blessing in it and through it. We are excited about the new architectural plans that would allow us to expand our hospitality by providing accessible toilets, a modern kitchen, and a flexible play area / meeting area.

Here is what has happened over the last 12 months! So many wonderful and life-giving
things, including:
18.05.2024 Christian Aid Concert with New Redbridge Wind Orchestra;
08.06.2024 Church Workday;
11.06.2024 Visitation Service for Churchwardens at Christ Church Wanstead
(attended by our Churchwarden Chris Stoneham with Rev Chris).
14.07.2024 Community Summer Garden Party attended by 70-80 people;
20.07.2024 FAA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work course
successfully attended by Christine Edwards, Andrew Gillian,
Rhiannon Hands, Ewa Kaminska, Tricia McCarthy, Rose-Marie
Meade-Lemas, Maxine Paul, Chris Stoneham, Chris Szejnmann,
Kate Szejnmann;
31.08.2024 Church Workday;
05.09.2024 “Hope in Barking” meeting at HT with Bishop Lynne;
08.09.2024 Creation & Pet Service;
18.09.2024 Interviews for new Parish Architect (leading to the appointment of
Chris Barker);
23.09.24 Day Seminar at Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue for local Rabbis
and CoE clergy on “Love your Neighbour as Yourself” – with
Rev Dr Chris speaking on “Love thy Neighbour – Reflections from a
German Holocaust Scholar”;
25.09.2024 Theos, UK’s leading religion and society think tank, interviews Rev Chris
about Edge Youth Club,
05.10.2024 Kintsugi Hope workshop: Mental Health Friendly Church Training
Day (attended by Revs Kate & Chris and Christine Edwards);
06.10.2024 Harvest Festival Lunch and Celebration of the International
attended by 65 people;
13.10.2024 Homeless Sunday (with Rev Tim Goodbody preaching);
20.10.2024 Baptism of Millie.
27.10.2024 Black History Month Service (with Rev Sharon Quilter preaching).
04.11.2024 Rev Kate Szejnmann’s licensing as Self-Supporting Associate

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We are very grateful for:

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In addition, a lot of other stuff is required to fulfil our priestly ministry and calling and run a relatively complex charity, including PCC business; staying up-to-date on Safeguarding (I recently renewed all Leadership Safeguarding training required every three years); leading baptisms and funerals; engaging pastorally wherever required; attending chapter and deanery meetings; supervising our Ordinand Mike (incl. supervision meetings; attending training days; writing reports; hosting ERMC supervisors); becoming a Training Incumbent for a Curate (requiring training and paper work); writing Vicar’s letters in the Trinity Times; negotiating worship rota; discerning requests by other worshipping communities to hire our Parish Hall; engaging with the wider community (including attending regular “Conversations with the Area Commander” with other Faith Leaders; hosting school visits from Mossford Primary School, Ilford County High; Avanti Court School; and growing contact with individual faith leaders, esp. Rabbi Jordan Helferman from Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue); signing up for the 3rd year running to provide a “Warm Welcome” for those struggling to heat their homes this winter; pursuing new training (e.g. a Foundational Specialist Mentoring Course for Edge Youth with Nicodemus); and lastly: clearing stuff we do not need, and pursuing the daily grind of setting up and clearing away for our exciting ministry activities (who needs a gym membership?)!

There have been challenges on the way, in particular, Rev Kate and I have been facing heavy workloads at a time when Kate’s mum also required increasing attention – the last six months have been very tough! There have been many things that I have not managed to do (future priorities include Friends of the Vulnerable Group; Halls website & renegotiating existing contracts; continuing Parish Hall clearing; Faculty process and funding the proposed HT renovation), and we have mourned the deaths of loved ones from our community.

As always, thanks so much for all your incredible support and love, for who you are, and for what you do! I am very excited to see what God will do as we journey forward.

Grace and mercy, Fr. Chris

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5) PCC SECRETARY’S REPORT 2024 - 25

Introduction : The Parochial Church Council [PCC] is the main governing body of Holy Trinity and an integral part of the running of the Church. Together with the incumbent and churchwardens, the PCC takes decisions both on specific matters affecting the Church and upon general matters of concern to the parish, the Church and the congregation. Most members are elected annually although there are some who, by virtue of their office [for example the Incumbent, Churchwarden(s), Treasurer and members of the Deanery Synod] enjoy automatic membership. The Council meets on a regular basis throughout the year.

Annual Overview : The PCC receives regular updates on topics such as Church finance, Church halls and fabric, H & S, Security, Safeguarding and Deanery Synod.

Notable amongst the many issues discussed at meetings during this year have been, for example, the blessing of same-sex couples; the possibility of Holy Trinity appearing in some scenes of a low-budget film; a presentation from the recently appointed Parish Architect on plans for the reordering of the Church.

Committed to safeguarding Children, Young People, Victims of Domestic Abuse and Vulnerable Adults, the PCC has adopted the Church of England’s policies and best practice on safeguarding which may be found on the Church of England’s website: https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/policy-and-practice-guidance

The Holy Trinity PCC complies with its obligations under the Data Protection Act of 2018 (incorporating the General Data Protection Regulations [GDPR]. Our Data Privacy Notice is to be found on our website: https://www.holytrinitybarkingside.org.uk/data-privacynotice/

PCC Personnel 2024-25

Clergy: Rev Dr Chris Szejnmann; Rev Kate Szejnmann.

Church Warden(s): Chris Stoneham.

Treasurers: Michael Priestman and Andrew Gillian

Deanery Synod Representatives : Tricia McCarthy; Hyacinth Osborne; David Horton. ExOfficio: Maxine Paul (Diocesan MU President)

PCC Members : Christine Edwards (Y3); Mark Gentry (Y2); Andrew Gillian (coopted); David Horton (DSR); Kaye Larbi (coopted); Harry Moth (Y3); Hyacinth Osborne (DSR); Mike Priestman (Y2); Lorraine Roman (Y3)

Conclusion: The aim of the PCC is, with God’s Grace, to work conscientiously on behalf of Holy Trinity and to decide upon policies which will benefit Church, congregation and the Barkingside community. Minutes of meetings of the PCC are to be found at the back of the Church.

Kaye Larbi, PCC Secretary.

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6) FINANCIAL REPORT AND STATEMENTS 2024 – 2025

Treasurer’s Report: Financial Overview

As we reflect on the financial position of Holy Trinity Church, it is important to begin by expressing our gratitude to all those who contribute so faithfully through regular giving. Your continued generosity is essential in supporting the life and ministry of our church.

In general terms, following the Covid period, our Hall Lettings income has continued to improve year on year. 2024 also saw a much healthier surplus of just over £28,000. This continues to help fund shortfalls in the general Church finances as it has done in previous years.

In terms of general overheads, our next biggest outlay, apart from Parish Share, has always been utility bills and whilst these continue to be higher in the winter months, due to the inefficiency of the Church buildings, they have at least subsided from the 2023 energy crisis.

For 2024, our planned giving : that is via the Parish Giving Scheme; Free Will Offering Envelopes; Standing Order; plus, gift aid recovered; stood at £42,645 . While this is a consistent level of support, it continues to be significantly below the Parish Share commitment, which for 2024 was

----- Start of picture text -----
Hall Lettings Income
£60,000.00
£40,000.00
£20,000.00
£-
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Halls Profitability
£30,000.00
£20,000.00
£10,000.00
£-
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
£15,000.00 Utilities
£10,000.00
£5,000.00
£-
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
----- End of picture text -----

£65,733 and to which we were only able to contribute £55,000 . This left us facing a shortfall of £12,355 in regular giving against even the lower pledge, let alone the full quota share, which is a key obligation to the Diocese.

Parish Share

The Parish Share funds clergy stipends, housing, training for ministry, and other central support services. Meeting this commitment in full is vital to sustaining both our local ministry and the wider mission of the Church of England. The present shortfall places pressure on our broader financial resources and limits our ability to

Total Planned Giving v Parish Share

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£70,000.00
£60,000.00
£50,000.00
£40,000.00
£30,000.00
£20,000.00
£10,000.00
£-
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Total Giving Family Purse/Quota
----- End of picture text -----

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invest in outreach, maintenance, and future growth and importantly to help other churches in the Diocese which are struggling.

Number of Givers

At the end of 2024, 23 people gave regularly using one of the above-mentioned means and contribute, on a rolling 12-month average, £45,876 before gift aid is reclaimed. For 2025 our Parish Share has increased to £67,583 and this will mean a shortfall against the regular giving made in 2024 of £21,707.

At the end of 2024 there were eighty-three people on the Electoral Roll versus 23 regular givers, a delta of 60 people. If the shortfall of £21,707 is divided equally between these 60 people, then this would amount to £362 per person each year, £30 each month, or £8 each week - the price of two coffees.

Whilst we understand, and very much appreciate, that many people give by donating to the plate as and when they attend and when they can afford, this makes it difficult to budget for high energy costs and the Parish Share and hence it would be really helpful if those of you signing up to this year’s electoral roll would consider pledging to give a regular amount, however small.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

As we look ahead, I would encourage you all to reflect prayerfully on our financial stewardship. We ask all members of the congregation to consider reviewing their giving, if circumstances allow, and to support us in bridging this gap. Together, with shared commitment, we can ensure that Holy Trinity continues to thrive as a beacon of faith and service in our community.

Mike Priestman & Andy Gillian, Co-Treasurers

See Holy Trinity General Funds Accounts and signed Audit Certificate in Appendix.

7) CHURCHWARDENS’ FABRIC REPORT

Our buildings have been fully open this year. We have continued with our regular activities and have attracted a couple of new regular hirers.

Day to day maintenance and statutory testing are being carried out on all three buildings as required. Low energy lighting is now used whenever bulbs are changed. The heating has been restricted as far as possible.

In October 2023 we changed suppliers of Gas and Electricity, and the lower prices have shown benefits. We have recently had “smart meters” fitted to all except the church electric supply, (this is still being organised) and this simplifies management. We have signed the lower fixed tariff for the next 3 years.

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Trinity Hall

Trinity Hall remains hired out to ‘New Birth, Day Nursery’. Their building is maintained externally on “Parish Workdays”. Thanks go to Andrew Curran for checking and maintaining the gas boiler, heating and plumbing matters when needed. Thanks also to Jon Paul, who clears the roof and gutters of leaves, and looks after minor roof leaks. However, the Trinity Hall Kitchen is now showing its age and may need updating soon.

Parish Hall

Our regular hirers have been back using Parish Hall, sometimes with some changes to their times to enable extra cleaning and no over-lapping of groups. Casual bookings have increased, and our thanks go to Elaine Field for undertaking the extra cleaning and preparation between these hirings, and to Andrew Curran for maintaining the heating, drainage and repairing plumbing items.

Extra lighting has been installed for the outside of the hall, and the path to / from the church. Wi Fi has been installed, courtesy of the M.U.

Church

We are very fortunate to have a team of volunteers who look after and complete various and numerous maintenance jobs on all three of our buildings throughout the year.

We are now looking at making improvements to the kitchen area, toilet facilities, etc. around the choir vestry. Storage cupboards have been cleared, and new storage areas have been created.

To save gas, the church heating has been “cut back” to come on only in advance of a church service or event. Although this is adequate in “normal weather”, the heating does take a long time to warm up during very cold weather.

We have had a heating / energy review, and continue to look at refinements to the system, such as Solar Panels, Infra-Red electrical heating, etc..

Churchyard

The churchyard is maintained by Westerleigh Grounds Maintenance, working in partnership with the London Borough of Redbridge. Two dead trees were removed.

On 9[th] July, a faculty was granted for the felling of two dying / dead and dangerous trees in the churchyard, just west of the church. These were felled by Westerleigh on 8[th] October 2024.

We are also very fortunate to have regular gardening and planting by Kaye and Miranda Larbi, Su Thangavelo and Erica Wheat, who do lots of gardening maintenance and planting both within the churchyard and on the approaches to Parish Hall.

Chris Stoneham, May 2025

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8) DEANERY SYNOD REPORT

(Maxine Paul on behalf of Deanery Synod Reps)

Generally, Deanery Synod meetings are split into three sections – a speaker (or two) followed by refreshments/networking and, finally, the business meeting.

During 2024-2025 sessions, there were 3 meetings in June, November, and February. In the business meeting, there were regular reports from the Treasurer, the Education Scrutiny Rep, the General Synod Rep, and the Diocesan Synod Reps. The final parish share returns showed that Redbridge was behind where they had been the previous year, but comparable with most other deaneries across the diocese.

Bishop Lynne came to speak to us about the availability of funding through the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB). We continued to develop our Deanery Strategy which will be helped through the SMMIB award subsequently granted to the Barking Area.

Archdeacon Elwyn retired as archdeacon of West Ham and his successor Mike Power, from Southend came to introduce himself at the February meeting. Canon Martyn Hawkes also retired as Area Dean and has been replaced by Revd James Gilder from Wanstead Parish.

As well as Bishop Lynne and Archdeacon Mike, other talks included: Chaplaincy to Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller People; The Christian Education Project; Mothers’ Union RISE UP Against Domestic Abuse campaign.

Your Deanery Synod Reps are elected for a 3-year term and sit ex-officio on PCC. They are Tricia McCarthy, Hyacinth Osborne, David Horton . Maxine Paul is a member of Diocesan Synod and sits ex-officio on Deanery Synod and PCC and is an elected lay member of the Deanery Standing and Pastoral Committee.

9) PRAYER CHAIN REPORT

Our prayer chain continues to be to be both inspiring and supportive. Members on our e- mail list regularly pray for those for whom prayer is requested. There is such power in prayer and God in His mercy has blessed our mission. Just to know that others are praying for us, our families and our friends can help us get through the day and lets us know that we are not alone.

If you or anyone you know are in need of prayer, requests can be made by e-mailing prayer.requests@holytrinitybarkingside.org.uk Alternatively you can telephone or text 07889433925 or 07813078946. Should you wish to join us and be part of this amazing ministry please see either Tricia McCarthy or Laura Priestman.

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10) WORSHIP REPORT

Something beautiful is happening with the sung worship ministry. Over the last year, we have been noticing and experiencing the movement of the Holy Spirit, particularly through our Christmas, Lent & Easter services. As we lead others into the presence of God by his Holy Spirit, we are seeing healing take place, the affirmation of God's love being poured out and a freedom that only Christ can give. This has led to more people being prayed for during and after the services.

I believe this has changed us in the worship team; in our personal journey with God and through us as a worshipping community. The team consists of the faithful Mike Priestman, Gemma Cook, Mary Fabb, Rev Kate Szejnmann and Callum Gentry (who has recently found a church closer to his home).

Recently, we have been encouraging and equipping a musician in our congregation to step into our team. And because we are so small in number, we will be seeking others with a heart for worship to join us, receiving training and discipleship. We are praying that God sends us musicians to take us deeper into Gods presence, for his glory and his kingdom come on earth as in heaven.

Kate Szejnmann on behalf of the Team

11) Families, Children & Youth Ministry

Family Fun Zone

This ministry continues its wonderful love of each other and for families and their children. Led by prophetic dreams and visions, we are seeking Gods will for the growth and joy of young families in building Gods kingdom.

We are running monthly kids church, which is catching the heart of young children as they learn to love Jesus and do what he did. We are witnessing the power of Gods Spirit in the hearts of children and the joy of their parents. There is something in this ministry where God is moving in: prayer and healing, and for those with special educational needs. Our prayer has been that the real Gospel reaches all families, wherever they are on their spiritual journey. The team is led by Christine Edwards and Rev Kate Szejnmann.

Stay & Play

Our newly formed Mother and toddler group was launched on January 9th, 2025, and meets in the church building. The beauty of Holy Trinity Church is that we can transform the space creatively to accommodate young families. We have a section for babies, and an extensive area with different activities and toys for toddlers, with a book corner, playdough table, kitchen and dolls, car and trains, craft. It has been a step of faith regarding reaching our community; mums, grandparents and carers and their young ones (0-4yrs). Over the last 4 months we have had 21 adults, and 20 children come through the doors. We are very encouraged. Steering this vision is Ronda Turner, co-leader, Rev Kate Szejnmann and a growing team of faithful disciples.

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Edge Youth Club

Edge Youth Club has recently completed a very successful year (average weekly attendance is around 15 youth from families of various faith backgrounds and none) and attracted follow-up external funding over £10,780 covering its’ running cost until Easter 2027. Edge Youth Club is a rare beacon of light at a time when support for youth is very limited, and provisions have been cut back severely. It is noteworthy that Edge Youth Club has attracted and is supporting a high percentage of those with special educational needs and those who are neurodivergent

Team: Revs Chris & Kate and Helen Mullis Kunda (leaders) and Rhiannon Hands, Ewa Kaminska, Rose-Marie Meade-Leaman, Terry Scarr, Ronda Turner, Jane White.

Please see the detailed report about the last year in the Appendix.

’ 12) MOTHERS UNION REPORT – Holy Trinity with St. Laurence Barkingside Branch

As always God has blessed us in many ways.

We have increased our membership numbers having enrolled three new members at our Carol Service in December, welcome to Joy Hambleton, Rosemary Jackson and Grahame Sturt, and will be enrolling Carolla Divver in the near future.

Meetings: Our monthly service continues to be held on the second Tuesday of the month in Holy Trinity Church, following which we join our “Tuesday Drop In” for fellowship and refreshments. barring July, when we hold our annual social, and December, when we hold our Carol Service. It is good to come together in prayer and worship.

The evening zoom meeting is held on the fourth Friday of the month, and this is where we invite speakers to join us. Since opening this meeting out to the Diocese, in particular to diocesan members, we have a core of regular attendees and again it is wonderful to share in fellowship. As you can imagine when M U members come together there is always lively conversation. We finish each meeting with a short act of worship.

Our Annual Festival Service and Social in July, to which we invited other branches and groups in the area, was well attended and £205.00 was raised for the Summer of Hope Appeal. The annual Carol Service on the theme of Advent was held in December. Again, this was a lovely time of worship and fellowship with other branches and groups. A collection was taken and raised £105.82 for the M U Diocesan Fund.

Projects It has again been amazing to see God at Work every Tuesday morning in the Parish Hall between 9am and 1pm at our TUESDAY DROP=IN. We aim to serve the whole community, all ages, those of all faiths and those of no faith. Tea, Coffee, refreshments, crafts, card making, games, knitting, computer assistance, fun, fellowship, and prayer are all on the menu and it is wonderful to see people forming friendships. Erica’s craft workshops have been really popular with many fine ornaments and decorations being made. The most emotional and humbling thing for me was when each person attending was given a square of material to write “what the drop in means to them”

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on. Watch out for them to be displayed later this year. Thank you to everyone who makes it possible to continue this most rewarding ministry to the Glory of God.

TRINITY CONTACT CENTRE continues to serve families who are going through difficult times by providing a safe place where estranged parents can meet with their children. We are still the only Mothers Union Centre in our Diocese. At present we have three families attending. We received a steady stream of enquiries from parents who were looking to use the centre; however not all came to fruition. The Diocese again received a grant from CAFCASS towards the running costs.

October saw us covering and filling Shoe Boxes for Children in Distress. The Knit and Natter group within the “Tuesday Drop In” knitted hats, scarves, and gloves for them along with some blankets which were donated to the Hope Christian Charity in Harold Hill. Some of our knitters made chicks containing cream eggs at Easter and little Xmas Puddings containing chocolates at Christmas, which were sold to raise money for the donations required for each box towards their transportation, and following a donation of a number of undressed dolls beautiful outfits were knitted for each of them. We are now knitting and collecting for the 2025 boxes.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

The monthly card craft sessions held at St Laurence Church continued throughout the year. They take place on the first Thursday of the month at 1pm; Birthday Cards from the branch were sent to each of our members; We supplied flowers to be given out at the Mothering Sunday Service and “Take a Break” tea bags and biscuits for the Father’s Day Service ; We collected, and still are collecting, the ring pulls from cans of drinks for The Purple Community Fund in the Philippines, the founder of which gave an inspirational talk at our March evening zoom meeting; We continue to support the Rise Up Campaign against Gender Violence and Domestic Abuse and are working towards the silver award; Members attended the annual Diocesan Thanksgiving Service and AGM at Chelmsford Cathedral as well as various Members Days across the Diocese and the Mary Sumner Day Service at Chelmsford Chapter House ; Three of us went to the Provisional Gathering which was held in Oxford. Maxine, in her role as Diocesan President, gave a presentation on the English for Women Project; Our Branch hosted the first of the Conversation Roadshows being held by our Trustee board to inform branch officials and contacts about all that is going on within MU, including the launch of the Clergy Information pack designed to introduce new clergy to Mothers Union.

We are at the start of the new Triennium, and we are delighted that Maxine Paul has been voted in for her second term as President of Chelmsford Diocesan Mothers Union. Our projects and activities could not be accomplished without the continued support and prayers of our members and friends. Thanks must go to each and every one who have in any way supported, helped, contributed, and prayed for our work both here in this branch and in the worldwide family of Mothers Union. We continue to step out in faith and love to go forward in service knowing that with God nothing is impossible.

Tricia McCarthy, Branch Leader.

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13) TRINITY TIMES

There are now 23 Annual Subscriptions for printed copies of Trinity Times. The number is decreasing as we move to electronic copies. These regular readers help to defray the photocopying expenses. The price stayed at £12 a year. We are however anxious that people be “given” the magazine if that’s unaffordable.

The purpose of the magazine is: “Spreading the Good News”, Information, Communication, Sharing, Entertaining, and ‘Keeping in Touch’. The Mag is also a useful “tool” to publicise the Church Activities to those “casual” visitors, so if you want to give one away to a friend please feel free to take one. Several people at Tuesday Drop-Ins take a copy away with them. It has also been good to help deliver the magazines and the deliveries have proved a valuable way of keeping in touch with those who are “isolated” or who have no immediate family. We also supply copies to St Francis Church.

There is also an increase in the number of magazines being circulated by email or WhatsApp, and these provide outreach to those friends who like to keep in touch. We send almost 100 email and WhatsApp copies of the Magazine to those ‘friends of HT’ - including those overseas, the local Press, and to Advertisers. If you or a friend or neighbour would like an email copy, please do not hesitate to ask.

The magazine records the main events in our Church life, and has space for “general” items, as well as articles for “Evangelism”. We have a growing number of “outside” contributors who submit regular interesting articles of a more general nature. If you have any stories, news items, or testimony, then please feel free to submit them to me early in each month! If you would like to help in printing the magazine each month (usually the last Friday each month), by stapling, folding, etc. please let me know.

Chris Stoneham, Editor 2025

14) -16) Elections / Appointments as per Agenda

17) A.O.B.

18) Closing Prayers

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APPENDIX

REPORT

“Journey Well – Create Adventure” Money awarded by London across the Border: £6,870 Project lead: Rev Dr Chris Szejnmann, Vicar, Holy Trinity, Barkingside

It is a pleasure to write a report about this project. Since we received your generous funding we went on a wonderful journey which lead to the launch of “Edge Youth Club” in mid- April 2024 (funding ends in March 2025). We set out with exciting aims and objectives and are pleased to say that our expectations have even been exceeded.

OUTCOME

We said that we would measure the success of the project by attendance and feedback outcomes, and both have been excellent.

Attendance

Before the summer break Edge attendance has been between 18-25 youth, and after the summer break between 15 and 20 youth (without one exception when many youths were away on a school trip and birthdays, after week 2 we never had less than 15 youth attending). A youth worker with 30 years plus experience in the area recently described this as outstanding!

Feedback

Informal and formal feedback has been excellent throughout. Here is a sample of feedback from parents (youth feedback has been excellent too – and as an experienced youth leader told us recently: youth vote with their feet and only return if they like something; also see Appendix for what Edge youth like, and what new ideas they have):

“Good evening all. Would like to thank all the wonderful staff for providing such a warm, inclusive space for local children. Your efforts are truly appreciated”

“[NAME] he has been loving it and talks about it when he gets home.”

“[NAME] asked me to text you to tell you how much he loved it tonight. He said it was perfect!!!”

Other positive outcomes include:

1) Building an extremely competent, committed and enthusiastic team that runs Edge Youth Club:

We are proud of having recruited Helen Mullis-Kunda, leader of the Christian Education Centre, to become our administrator and join our leadership team (together with Revs Chris & Kate Szejnmann), and also recruit an extremely committed and enthusiastic team of 5 volunteer helpers. We are particularly pleased that the first 4, and now 3, of our volunteers have come from outside our church (one of them joined from another church to

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learn what we are doing to replicate at her own church); and two have meanwhile started attending HT worship services. Five team members recently qualified in Emergency First Aid. We are strictly adhering to CoE’s “Safer Recruitment” process.

2) Running successful project outcome events and outreach events:

We are starting to build intentional relationships with parents by inviting the whole family to our church & community events (partly successful when several families attended our Summer Community Garden party); and run joint youth & parents sessions at the end of term (e.g. this was very successful when many parents attended a final term show of their children before the summer break). Going forward, we are aiming to invest even more in deepening the relationships with parents and families which might attract some to the Christian faith and church life. More generally, we experience that Edge is a key part of “gaining momentum” and building faith and community at Holy Trinity, and greatly benefits our journey in various and often indirect ways.

We structure our 2-hour sessions to facilitate this, and it works well: we start with free play (20 mins); come together and chat about one of our values (10 mins.); eat together (30 mins.); pursue a main activity (45-50 mins.); end with free play (15 mins). It is also our experience that Edge indeed provides i) a safe space for youth who suffer from poor mental health conditions, and ADHD and autism; ii) a welcoming and creative environment where youth from all faith backgrounds, and none, come together and grow in healthy ways. Revs Chris & Kate recently attended a one-day Kintsugi Hope Mental Health Awareness workshop and are currently doing the Foundational Specialist Mentoring Course from Nicodemus.

Our wonderful volunteer Edge Team - April 2024

October 2024

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Edge poster

Wes Streeting is our prominent champion, and will visit us soon!

Calling for artists etc to get involved

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Example sessions: Pizza challenge – Spaghetti Tower – Car Tyres – Recycling Fashion Show – Light Party

What our Edge Youth liked, and what new ideas they had for future sessions before the summer break, 2024

Our Edge website that includes all relevant information

https://www.holytrinitybarkingside.org.uk/edge-youth-club/

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HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, BARKINGSIDE Financial Report and Statements Of the Parochial Church Council For the year ended 31 * December 2024 REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1128271 INCUMBENT Revd Dr Chris Szeinmann CHURCH WARDEN Chris Stoneham BANKERS Santander PIC Church of England Cential Board of Finance Natwest Bank PIC TREASURERS Michael Priestman 9 Creasey Close Hornchurch Essex RM11 1FE Andrew Gillian 63 Berkeley Avenue Clayhall Ilford IG5 OUN INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mr Richard Freeman Semaphore Consultants Hill House 1 Smiths Court, High Road ThornwocKI. Epping Essex. CM16 6BD 22

Independent examiner's report to the PCC of Holy Trinity Chureh, BArking$ide, registered Charity no. 1128271 I report on the ￿￿Unts for the year ended 31st Ik¢ember 2024. Respettive responsibilities of the Trustees alld Independent Examiner The ciwily's IDJstees consider that an audil is not required forthis year under section 144{21 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an indwndent examination is needed. It is my respxinsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act- follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Cotnmissioners section 145(5)(b} of the 2011 Act- and Stale whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiner's Ststem¢nt My examination was carried out in accordance the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An eL￿nInation includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Ch￿lty and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includts consideration of gn). unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations frotn you as trusiees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a fi]11 audit, and eonsequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. Independent Examiner's Statement In connection my examination, no matters have come to my attention: {1) which gives me reasonable cause lo believ¢ that in any material respe¢l the requirements to keep aceounting records in accordance ￿1th s.130 of the 2011 Act; or to prepar¢ accounts which accord with these accounting7 records have not ken tnet; or (2) lo which. in my opinion. attention should be drawi in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounES to ￿ reached. (Signed) Mr Richard Freeman

General Fund - Receipts & Payments Account

2023 2024
Receipts £ £ £ £
Income from Donors
Gift Aid/Payroll Giving 31,784.20 31,643.42
Income Tax recovered 4,982.06 4,754.93
Collections : Plate 3,923.24 6,247.57
Baptisms/Weddings/Wall boxes 435.54 130.23
Funerals/Votive Candles.
41,125.04 42,776.15
Other Voluntary Income
Retiring Collections/Mission 1,023.36 1,072.75
Donations/Bequests 14,496.60 3,778.57
Alpha 0.00 877.00
Summer Party 0.00 547.00
Social 927.99 16,447.95 187.85 6,463.17
Income from Investments
Interest 170.04 170.04 225.08 225.08
Other Income
PCC Fees 2,925.00 2,286.00
Flowers 61.05 0.00
Parish Office 122.42 19.60
Magazine 292.76 423.75
3,401.23 2,729.35
Other Receipts
Tfr from Halls/Legacy 9,500.00 26,545.73
Energy Grant 950.00 10,450.00 0.00 26,545.73
TOTAL RECEIPTS 71,594.26 78,739.48

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General Fund - Receipts & Payments Account

2023 2024
£ £ £ £
TOTAL RECEIPTS Brought Forward 71,594.26 78,739.48
Payments
Grants
Missionary Giving:
Children's Society 115.72 316.40
Other Charities 726.64 842.36 831.35 1,147.75
Activities related to work of Church
Family Purse 45,000.00 55,000.00
Utilities 14,101.17 2,947.19
Insurance 2,257.59 2,386.11
Organist/music group 172.00 133.00
Clergy Expenses 166.26 207.45
PTO Expenses 614.42 0.00
Fabric - maintenance 169.20 601.49
Parish Office 2,454.12 2,940.39
Flowers 456.17 464.52
Organ Maintenance 578.40 0.00
Summer Garden Party 0.00 138.95
Alpha 0.00 1,545.85
Social 863.58 280.39
Magazine 0.00 51.99
Stores 1,556.24 1,144.99
Licences 1,027.66 69,416.81 1,089.97 68,932.29
Church Management
Health & Safety compliance 1,409.30 1,409.30 507.00 507.00
TOTAL PAYMENTS 71,668.47 70,587.04
(Deficit)/Surplus ( 74.21) 8,152.44
TOTAL 71,594.26 78,739.48
Bank/Cash @ 01/01/24 195.43 121.22
(Deficit)/Surplus ( 74.21) 8,152.44
Bank/Cash @ 31/12/24 121.22 8,273.66

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Parish Worker Fund - Receipts & Payments Account - (Restricted)

2023 2024
Receipts £ £ £ £
Income 0.00 0.00
Deficit 4,051.59 0.00
4,051.59 0.00
Payments
Trf to Young Peoples Fund 4,051.59 0.00
Misc/Expenses 0.00 0.00
Surplus 0.00 0.00
4,051.59 0.00
Bank/Cash @ 01/01/24 4,051.59 0.00
(Deficit)/Surplus (4,051.59) 0.00
Bank/Cash @ 31/12/24 0.00 0.00

Parish & Trinity Halls - Receipts & Payments Account - (Designated)

2023 2024
Receipts £ £ £ £
Lettings 33,670.50 44,547.25
Donations 60.00 126.94
Bank interest 236.94 395.47
Retained Deposits 150.00 0.00
Deficit 1,614.92 35,732.36 0.00 45,069.66
Payments
Cleaner 5,176.13 5,287.71
Heating & Lighting 14,870.31 * 2,643.45 *
Maintenance 2,651.99 5,626.74
Licences 493.00 118.13
Water (230.77) * 66.33 *
Insurance 3,271.70 2,973.15
Stores 0.00 0.00
Mission 0.00 0.00
Overpymt New Birth 0.00 0.00
Tfr to General Fund 9,500.00 26,545.73
Surplus 0.00 1,808.42
* Trinity Hall utilities paid by New Birth 35,732.36 45,069.66
Bank/Cash @ 01/01/24 9,237.58 7,622.66
(Deficit)/Surplus (1,614.92) 1,808.42
Bank/Cash @ 31/12/24 7,622.66 9,431.08

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Young Peoples Fund - Receipts & Payments Account - (Restricted)

2023 2024
Receipts £
£		 £ £
Trf from Fun In The Park fund 1445.29 0.00
Trf from Parish Worker fund 4,051.59 0.00
Income 0.00 691.00
Interest 98.17 293.61
Deficit 0.00 438.85
5,595.05 1,423.46
Payments
General Expenditure 643.30 1,423.46
Surplus 4,951.75 0.00
5,595.05 1,423.46
Bank/Cash @ 01/01/24 791.68 5,743.43
Surplus/(Deficit) 4,951.75 (438.85)
Bank/Cash @ 31/12/24 5,743.43 5,304.58
Churchyard Fund - Receipts & Payments Account - (Restricted)
2023 2024
Receipts £
£		 £ £
Interest 1,394.70 2,383.87
1,394.70 2,383.87
Payments
Surplus 1,394.70 2,383.87
1,394.70 2,383.87
Bank/Cash @ 01/01/24 43,517.74 44,912.44
Surplus 1,394.70 2,383.87
Bank/Cash @ 31/12/24 44,912.44 47,296.31
Memorial Donation Fund - Receipts & Payments Account - (Restricted)
2023 2024
Receipts £
£		 £ £
Deficit 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00
Payments
Glass Doors 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00
Bank/Cash @ 01/01/24 1,270.26 1,270.26
Surplus 0.00 0.00
Bank/Cash @ 31/12/24 1,270.26 1,270.26

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Legacy (General purpose) Fund - Receipts & Payments Account - (Restricted)*

2023 2024
Receipts £ £ £ £
Decorating grant 0.00 0.00
Legacies received 5,103.37 0.00
Interest 1,674.06 2,994.13
Admin 0.00 0.00
Donation 0.00 0.00
Deficit 0.00 0.00
6,777.43 2,994.13
Payments
Legacy advance to church 0.00 0.00
Reordering works -church 738.00 0.00
Vicarage/Interregnum 0.00 0.00
Admin 0.00 0.00
Surplus 6,039.43 2,994.13
6,777.43 2,994.13
Bank/Cash @ 01/01/24 50,380.18 56,419.61
Surplus 6,039.43 2,994.13
Bank/Cash @ 31/12/24 56,419.61 59,413.74

*name changed to Legacy fund from Vera Strobel Legacy fund, and includes B Jones Fund (£2000) and legacy received from Norman Browning

Rent Deposit Fund - Receipts & Payments - (Restricted)

2023 2024
Receipts £ £ £ £
Interest 185.74 317.47
185.74 317.47
Payments
Surplus 185.74 317.47
185.74 317.47
Bank/Cash @ 01/01/24 5,795.46 5,981.20
Surplus 185.74 317.47
Bank/Cash @ 31/12/24 5,981.20 6,298.67

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LOB Grant Fund - Receipts & Payments - (Restricted)

2023 2024
Receipts £ £ £ £
Grant 6,870.00 0.00
Deficit 0.00 4,768.34
Donation 0.00 90.00
Interest 0.00 88.35
6,870.00 4,946.69
Payments
Expenses 0.00 4,946.69
Surplus 6,870.00 0.00
6,870.00 4,946.69
Bank/Cash @ 01/01/24 0.00 6,870.00
Surplus/(Deficit) 6,870.00 (4,768.34)
Bank/Cash @ 31/12/24 6,870.00 2,101.66

New account , grant received for Edge Youth initiative

Discretionary Relief Fund - Receipts & Payments - (Restricted)

2023 2024
Receipts £ £ £ £
Income 0.00 0.00
Deficit 60.00 100.00
60.00 100.00
Payments
Misc 60.00 100.00
Surplus 0.00 60.00 0.00 100.00
Bank/Cash @ 01/01/24 507.61 447.61
Deficit (60.00) (100.00)
Bank/Cash @ 31/12/24 447.61 347.61

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Fun In The Park Fund - Receipts & Payments - (Restricted)

2023 2024
Receipts £ £ £ £
Interest 0.00 0.00
Deficit 1,445.29 1,445.29 0.00 0.00
Payments
Trf to Young Peoples Fund 1,445.29 0.00
Surplus 0.00 1,445.29 0.00 0.00
Bank/Cash @ 01/01/24 1,445.29 0.00
(Deficit)/Surplus (1,445.29) 0.00
Bank/Cash @ 31/12/24 0.00 0.00

Fabric Fund - Receipts & Payments - (Restricted)

2023 2024
Receipts £ £ £ £
Donation Received 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00
Payments
Surplus 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Bank/Cash @ 01/01/24 1,500.00 1,500.00
Surplus 0.00 0.00
Bank/Cash @ 31/12/24 1,500.00 1,500.00

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Statement of Assets & Liabilities at 31 December 2024

Totals (£s)
Monetary Assets Cash Bank C B Finance 2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
General Fund 40.43 3,767.57 4,465.66 8,273.66 121.22
Halls Fund (Designated) 0.00 1,584.92 7,846.16 9,431.08 7,622.66
Young Peoples Fund (Restricted) 0.00 665.92 4,638.66 5,304.58 5,743.43
Churchyard Fund (Restricted) 0.00 0.00 47,296.31 47,296.31 44,912.44
Fabric Fund (sep18) (Restricted) 0.00 1,500.00 0.00 1,500.00 1,500.00
Parish Worker Fund (Restricted) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Memorial Donation Fund (Restricted) 0.00 1,270.26 0.00 1,270.26 1,270.26
Legacy(General Purpose) Fund
(Restricted) 0.00 10.00 59,403.74 59,413.74 56,419.61
LOB Grant Fund (Restricted) 0.00 163.31 1,938.35 2,101.66 6,870.00
Rent Deposit (Restricted) 0.00 0.00 6,298.67 6,298.67 5,981.20
Discretionary Relief Fund(Restricted) 0.00 347.61 0.00 347.61 447.61
Fun In The Park(Restricted) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
TOTALS 40.43 9,309.59 131,887.55 141,237.57 130,888.43

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