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2025-12-31-accounts

HOLY TRINITY PARISH CHURCH BARKINGSIDE SERVING GOD AND THE PARISH 1840 – 2026

ANNUAL REPORT 2025 – 2026

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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APCM, 17[th] May 2026, following the 10:30am Sunday Service in church

AGENDA

WELCOME by Rev Dr Chris Szejnmann, Vicar

EASTER VESTRY MEETING 2026

  1. Minutes of the 2025 Easter Vestry meeting (p.3)

  2. Election of Churchwarden(s) for 2026

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING 2026

  1. Apologies for absence

  2. Minutes of the APCM 2025 (pp.3-4)

  3. Update of Electoral Roll 2026 (p.5)

  4. Vicar’s Report (pp.5-9)

  5. PCC Secretary’s report (NB: due regard to the PCCs compliance with Safeguarding and GDPR is included in this report) (pp.9-10)

  6. Financial report and statements (pp.10-11)

  7. Churchwardens’ Fabric report (p.12)

  8. Deanery Synod report (p.13)

  9. Prayer Chain Report (p.13)

  10. Worship Report (pp.13-14)

  11. Families, Children & Youth Ministry (pp.14-15)

  12. Mothers’ Union Report (pp.15-17)

  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 (p.17). 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. Financial Report and Statements (pp.18-23)

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MINUTES OF EASTER VESTRY MEETING. Sunday 25th. May 2025.

25th. May 2025 following the 10:30 am Sunday Service in Church. 46 in attendance.

WELCOME by Rev Dr Chris Szejnmann, Vicar.

  1. Minutes of 2024 Easter Vestry meeting accepted as an accurate record.

  2. Proposer: Jackie Baillie-Nelson ; Seconder: Nigel Colvert.

  3. Election of Churchwarden:

Chris Stoneham

Nominated by Gemma Cook; Seconded by Mike Priestman. Nomination met with unanimous approval. Chris Stoneham thanked by the meeting. Easter Vestry Meeting declared closed [11:46 am.]

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING, 25[th] MAY 2025.

  1. Apologies for absence : Stephen Gilson; Liz Houston.

  2. Minutes of the APCM 2024

  3. p.3 correction: report presented by Laura Priestman and not Mike Priestman. Accepted as a True and Accurate Record. Proposed by Christine Edwards and Seconded by Mike Priestman. Unanimous acceptance.

  4. Revision of Electoral Roll [Mike Priestman] Electoral Roll now stands at 80 members.

  5. Vicar’s Report [pp. 5 – 8] Presentations made to Chris Stoneham; Mary Fabb; David Binns and Irene Charter. PCC thanked for its work during the year.

PCC Secretary’s report. [p.9]

  2. Financial Report [pp.10-11]

Jon Paul had submitted a question in writing for the Treasurer/Finance Team regarding the financing of redevelopment and increasingly necessary expenditure on the Halls. Positive restorative action needs to be taken but the questioner understands that only some £1500 remains in the Fabric Account and wonders whether there are any restrictions on the possible use of monies from the Churchyard Fund to finance the necessary refurbishments….

The Treasurer responded:

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  1. Churchwarden’s Fabric Report [pp. 11-12]

  2. Deanery Synod Report [pp.12-13]

  3. Prayer Chain Report [p.13]

  4. Worship Report [pp.13-14]

  5. Families, Children and Youth Ministry [p.14]

  6. 12 Mothers’ Union Report [pp.15-16]

  7. 13 Trinity Times [pp.16-17]

  8. 14 Election of Deanery Synod Representatives.

  9. by Christine Edwards; Hyacinth Osborne and David Horton have relinquished their roles

  10. Election of PCC. Nigel Colvert, Andrew Gillian, Kaye Larbi, Michael Priestman ; plus Chris Stoneham as Churchwarden, who will be joined by co-opted members Jackie Baillie-Nelson and Lorraine Roman. The PCC will also comprise two Deanery Synod Reps (Tricia McCarthy and Christine Edwards); Maxine Paul as ex officio Deanery Synod member; two members of the clergy (Revs. Chris and Kate) will be joined by the new Curate, Michelle Steptoe who joins HT on 17 August.

  11. Appointment of Independent Examiner. Richard Freeman appointed.

  12. Next PCC Meeting: 14/07/25

  13. Closing Prayers.

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REPORTS for 2025-26

3) UPDATE OF ELECTORAL ROLL (2026)

The Electoral Roll was reviewed in April and May this year.

4) VICAR’S REPORT, 2025-26

Our exciting journey of renewal and growth has continued over the last 12 months.

Wonderful things have been happening and it's exciting to experience newness continuing to break through. We sense God’s continued blessing and experience God’s abundance. When we come together, amazing things happen and relationships are formed. What we do is deeply relational. 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, especially providing a safe space and home for those with special needs.

Our congregation has experienced a dramatic renewal over the last few years with many new people coming in and choosing Holy Trinity as their home church, and not few serving on ministry teams. Our membership and service attendance has stabilized with a slow and steady upward trajectory – Sunday worship services average around 60 people with remarkable spikes, including our record-breaking Carols by Candlelight Service attended by 120 people, and the Easter Sunday service attended by 124 people celebrating joyfully together in a totally packed church. We stepped up our regular Bible study gatherings seeking to learn, share & grow (dates include 21 May, 4 & 18 June, 2 & 16 July; 10 & 24 September; 8 & 22 October; 5 & 19 November; Advent & Christmas Reflections: 19 November, 3 & 17 December; Alpha Course 17 January – 7 March; Lent Gathering 14, 21, 28 March).

Our outreach ministry activities continue to thrive and connect us to our community in beautiful ways. We are recognized as a place of goodness and joy, providing a safe space, and trying to offer answers to life’s challenges relating to the meaning of life and how to journey with brokenness. Our Summer Community Garden Party attracted more than 100 people, and our regular weekly ministry areas attract people of all ages, ethnicity, social background, faith or non-faith. We are trying to communicate who we are, what we do and what we stand for in up-to-date, lively, and encouraging social media presence, including website, Facebook, presence on Church Near You, and our HT WhatsApp Chat.

Meanwhile, we have mourned the deaths of loved ones from our community, and some of our elderlies and vulnerable friends require increasing attention and help. Whilst there are limitations to what we can do, we are doing our best to respond to this through our ‘Friends of the Vulnerable’ team. We have worked on architectural plans that would allow us to expand our hospitality by providing accessible toilets, a modern kitchen, and a flexible play area / meeting area. Even though the rise in costing raises feasibility questions, we are currently seeking planning permission from Diocese and Council which will give us a reasonable time-period to take things further if we are able to. We have also been working on potentials for social housing.

Here are our key outreach & mission ministry areas creating community and momentum and somehow feeding back into our worship services:

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especially among the elderly. This ministry models how initiatives can run and thrive without the input of Revd’s Chris & Kate!

Our calling is shaped by extraordinary challenges facing the world, our country and our neighbourhood. This includes ongoing violence and wars, hatred & exclusion, the rise of anti-democratic and racist populism, the ever-deepening cost-of-living crisis and polarization between rich and poor, the climate emergency, and last not least the various crises facing Christianity in the West, including the Church of England. In our own community the list of targets & victims includes women & girls, foreigners, Black & Brown, Muslims & Jews, gay people, millions of children and some of the most severely ill and disabled people.

Our response has been twofold: On the one hand, we feel called to do things that are central to God’s heart and strike us as healthy and life-giving : building a welcoming, diverse, inclusive, family friendly, lively and creative church for all in our Barkingside community. We welcome everyone and celebrate and affirm every person as beautifully made and wonderfully different from one another. We delight in Christ as our Lord and embrace his unconditional love, hope and healing and want to share his mercy and grace, compassion and humility. We see God’s abundance around us and want to help awaken the unique gifts and power of people, families and our neighbourhood. We have learned and grown by stumbling and suffering – that’s why it’s on our heart to walk with the broken and marginalised and help others embrace woundedness as the start of life-giving transformation discovering our true-self and dignity. We want to live a life according to God’s will: making good choices; working for the Common Good; caring for all living things and our environment; pursuing reconciliation.

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On the other hand, we feel called to represent God’s heart for justice and truth : pushing back and speaking out against things that seem unhealthy to us but are thriving in the world, including scapegoating, exclusion, hatred and violence, and imposing guilt and shame on individuals and specific groups. Nobody should have to live in fear. We worship a God of love and peace who created all people in his image. We do our best to promote the dignity of every human being, build peace, and seek justice – we champion a neighbourhood of solidarity.

These life-giving things happened over the last 12 months:

10.05.2025 Church Work Day;
17.05.2025 Christian Aid Concert with New Redbridge Wind Orchestra (Kaye & Miranda
Larbi);
08.06.2025 Pentecost Service with six full-immersion Baptisms (Affirmations) and bring-
and-share lunch in Parish Hall – one of the highlights of the last four years!;
10.06.2025 Visitation Service for Churchwardens at All Saints Woodford Wells
(attended by our Churchwarden Chris Stoneham with Revd Chris);
15.06.2025 Picnic & Games in the Park;
12.07.2025 Community Summer Garden Party attended by more than 100 people;
17.08.2025 Start of Michelle Steptoe’s Curacy at HT;
24.08.2025 Picnic in the Park (followed by Women’s and Men’s Gatherings in the
Vicarage on respective Saturdays’);
13.09.2025 Church Work Day;
14.09.2025 Pet & Creation Service; Ordination of Revd Michelle Steptoe at Chelmsford
Cathedral;
21.09.2025 Pizza in church to celebrate Revd Michelle’s start at HT;
27.09.2025 Revd Chris speaks at Davenant Foundation School to all 15-year olds about
‘Living a Good Life’;
05.10.2025 Harvest Festival Service – a Celebration of the International, incl. Rabbi
Jordan – plus Harvest Meal Party attended by 65 people;
12.10.2025 Safeguarding Sunday Service;
19.10.2025 Black History Month Service;
06.11.2025 ‘Tree of Hope’ for the whole Community, with ‘Stones of Hope’ to take away,
inaugurated by Edge Youth Club;
08.11.2025 Light Party with Fireworks in Vicarage Garden;
09.11.2025 Remembrance Sunday Service, incl Rabbi Jordan;
29.11.2025 Carol Singing on Barkingside High Street outside the Chequers Pub;
07.12.2025 Carols by Candlelight with Fairlop Brass Band attended by 120 people;
10.12.2025 Revd Chris is invited to 10 Downing Street by the Prime Minister for our
Service at Holy Trinity, Barkingside;
13.12.2025 Christmas Party, incl. Salsa Dancing, food, games & gifts,
attended by 70 people;
18.12.2025 Revds Kate & Chris attend the Menorah Lighting at Fullwell Cross;
24.12.2025 Christingle Service;
08.01.2026 Stay & Play celebrates one year;
17.01.2026 Start of 7-week Alpha Course;
08.02.2026 Justice Sunday Service;
27.02.2026 HT hosts conversation between Redbridge Church Leaders and Wes
Streeting MP;
01.03.2026 1stPizza Sunday;
11.03.2026 Peace-Prayer for Middle East from Rabbi Jordan and Revd Chris published;
14.03.2026 Start of 3-week Lent Course;

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We are very grateful for:

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; leading baptisms and funerals; engaging pastorally wherever required; attending chapter and deanery meetings; acting as Training Incumbent for our Curate and Ordinand; writing Vicar’s letters in the Trinity Times; negotiating worship rota; engaging with the wider community (including attending regular ‘Conversations with the Area Commander’

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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 Helfman from Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue); signing up for the 4th year running to provide a ‘Warm Welcome’ for those struggling to heat their homes this winter; pursuing new training (e.g. an ‘Understanding Islam’ course); and lastly: clearing stuff we do not need, and pursuing the daily grind of setting up and clearing away for our exciting ministry activities (gym membership is included in parish ministry)!

There have been considerable challenges on the way, in particular, Revd Kate and I have been facing continuously heavy workloads at a time when Kate’s mum required increasing attention (and recently passed away). Inevitably, there have been neglect and mistakes : There are many things that I have not managed to do; I am aware that I didn’t always find the time for some people & friends; no doubt, I have made mistakes and also offended and hurt some (hopefully not intentionally) – please accept my sincere apologies.

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, Revd Chris

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5) PCC SECRETARY’S REPORT 2025-26

The Parochial Church Council [PCC] is the main governing body of Holy Trinity and plays a crucial role in the administration of the Church.

Together with the incumbent and churchwardens, the PCC makes decisions on specific matters affecting the Church and on 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 plus other clergy, Churchwarden(s), and members of the Deanery Synod] enjoy automatic membership. The Council meets regularly throughout the year.

Annual Overview 2025 – 26

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 Church renovation and Community regeneration [the development of a social housing project involving Parish Hall and the Vicarage garden.]

Following the requirements of the recently-introduced three-tier Safeguarding Dashboard the PCC has considered several issues specifically requiring its attention; consequently, Holy Trinity now complies with all the requirements of the Dashboard.

Once again, the PCC sanctioned a successful concert to raise funds for Christian Aid Week as well as promoting Lent lunches of which Christian Aid was the beneficiary.

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 Our policies are published on our website, including Safeguarding Policy, Code-of-Conduct Policy; UseOf-Social-Media Policy; Health & Safety Policy; General Risk Assessment for Public

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Worship & Other Uses. In addition, we have more detailed Risk Assessments for all of our buildings, and for specific events.

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-privacy-notice/

PCC Personnel 2025-26

Clergy: Revd Dr Chris Szejnmann; Revd Kate Szejnmann; Revd Michelle Steptoe Church Warden(s): Chris Stoneham

Treasurers: Michael Priestman and Andrew Gillian

Deanery Synod Representatives: Christine Edwards (laity, 2025); Tricia McCarthy (laity, Y3); Maxine Paul (Y3; Diocesan MU President; ex-officio member of PCC) PCC Members: Jackie Baillie-Nelson (coopted); Nigel Colvert (2025); Andy Gillian (2025); Kaye Larbi (2025); Tricia McCarthy (Deanery Synod); Maxine Paul (ex-officio as member of Diocesan Synod); Mike Priestman (2024); Lorraine Roman (co-opted); Chris Stoneham (Churchwarden since 2022).

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

6) FINANCIAL REPORT AND STATEMENTS (Jan 2025 – Dec 2025) for 2025-26

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. 2025 also saw an increased surplus YoY of £29.5k. This continues to help fund shortfalls in the general Church Finances as it has done in previous years.

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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, however we have seen a slight uptick on last year (2024).

For 2025, our planned giving: that is via the Parish Giving Scheme; Free Will Offering Envelopes; plus, gift aid recovered; stood at £38,047 (slightly down on Previous Year). This continues to be significantly below the Parish

Share commitment, which for 2025 was £67,583 and to which we were only able to contribute £60,000. This left us facing a shortfall of £7,583 against 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 invest in outreach, maintenance, and future growth and importantly to help other churches in the Diocese which are struggling.

Number of Givers

As at the end of 2025, 16 people gave regularly using one of the above-mentioned means and contribute, on a rolling 12 month average, £22,344 before gift aid is reclaimed. For 2026 our Parish Share has increased to £69,497 and this will mean a shortfall against the regular giving made in 2025 of £47,153 before reliance on halls income.

As at the end of 2025 there were 80 people on the Electoral Roll versus 16 regular givers, a delta of 64 people. If the shortfall of £47,153 is divided equally between these 64 people, then this would amount to £736 per person each year, £61 each month, or £15 each week - the price of four coffees (up from two coffees last year!).

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 at back.

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7) CHURCHWARDENS’ FABRIC REPORT, 2025-26

Our buildings have again been fully open this year. We have continued with our regular activities and have attracted one new regular hirer. 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 church and Parish Hall Gas heating has been restricted as far as possible. However, we have not been redecorating or making improvements to Parish Hall in view of the shortfall in our Giving. The change of suppliers of Gas and Electricity continues to show benefits. We have signed up to the lower fixed - tariff for the next 3 years.

Trinity Hall: Trinity Hall remains hired out to ‘New Birth Day Nursery’. Their building is maintained externally on “Parish Work Days”. 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 eliminating over-lapping of groups. Casual bookings have shown a slight increase, although the present economic climate may be putting off some hirers.

Thanks 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.

The concrete boundary fencing between Parish Hall and Cherry Court has recently been renewed with wooden panel fencing by the Council. The shrubs and planting on the west side of our access was removed at the same time, and there is now compacted aggregate in its place. We have recorded a slight realigning of the boundary with Cherry Court.

Church: We are very fortunate to have a team of volunteers who look after and complete various maintenance jobs on all three of our buildings throughout the year. To save gas and reduce our carbon footprint, the church heating has been “cut back” to come on only 1 hour 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 continue to look at refinements to the system, such as Solar Panels, Infra-Red electrical heating, etc.

Proposed Improvements to the Choir Vestry Area: We have received quotes which were approximately 100% above the initial estimates They are more than our reserves, so we need to discern how we might be able to move things forward. In the meantime, we are proceeding to obtain Faculty Approval and Local Planning Consent.

Churchyard: The churchyard is maintained by Westerleigh Grounds Maintenance, working in partnership with the London Borough of Redbridge. The grass is trimmed during the summer.

We are also very fortunate to have regular gardening and planting and caring for the birds 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 2026

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8) DEANERY SYNOD REPORT

There have been the usual three Redbridge Deanery Synod in the past 12 months. Meetings are open to any church member as well synod reps but are disappointingly under attended as there are some quite interesting speakers.

In June, Carrie Prior – Director of Education, Diocese of Chelmsford spoke generally about schools provision by the diocese, specifically about Wanstead Church School and encouraging churches to invite schools into their buildings; November was an interactive racial awareness session led by Rev Sharon Quilter, Racial Justice Officer, Diocese of Chelmsford and an overview of Travelling Well Together, Sustaining Ministry and 100 Days of Prayer by Area Dean James Gilder, followed by a Bible study and reflective questions based on Acts 8 took place in March.

All meetings then have a time of networking (coffee!) and afterwards a business agenda with reports, finance and diocese/parish news. Any necessary voting is only open to the elected reps. This year, the deanery received a grant of £4,000 from MOF (Mission Opportunities Fund) which was used for an Easter Mission Campaign covering advertising, web design, Facebook and social media sharing.

Membership of Deanery Synod helps to broaden our Christian perspective of Redbridge and the diocese of Chelmsford, hopefully to be inspired by what is happening “out there” and then consider how we can respond in our own churches.

Tricia McCarthy, Christine Edwards, Maxine Paul – Synod Reps

9) PRAYER CHAIN REPORT, 2025-26

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, 2025-26

Our Sunday service team comprises of Revd Kate, Gemma and Mike. New addition of Jacqui on vocals, and occasionally Revd Michelle and Nigel. There was a Christmas choir, led by the Worship Team, and included large numbers of our church-family. They Performed the Christmas song ‘Born is the King’ during three services.

The team met over lunch before Christmas to jam music , bond and share life. Our goal this year is to pray further and increase in team; particularly musicians: drums and guitar.

Our Dreams: to press into prayer and worship and see a move of his Spirit within and outside Holy Trinity. To move in the power of the Spirit to proclaim Christ: maintaining the

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mix of old and new in styles of worship. Creating and building a culture of worship. Sending our worship team to a one-day worship conference to refresh and become inspired. To be ready to dig deeper into scripture and good and healthy theology in the songs we sing.

Revd Kate Szejnmann on behalf of the Team.

11) Families, Children & Youth Ministry, 2025-26

Family Fun Zone

Our events (approx. every two months) provide wonderful moments of celebration and coming-together and often attract large numbers, including the popular Good Friday Kids event and the Light Party in November. The FFZ team facilitates and supports Stay & Play, and continues to organize most of our larger church events (Team: Christine, Kate, Lorraine, Gill, Patricia, Rhiannon, Tricia, Nick, Mike, Helen & Andy).

Stay & Play

Stay and Play has been up and running since Jan 9th 2025. We have lost one casual employed worker since then (Ronda Turner), but have been delighted to recruit Gemma Cook of our congregation to be co -leader alongside Revd Michelle who also has a heart for this ministry.

Our average weekly numbers are between 15-20 children and the same number of adults. We have seen real relationships building with adult carers and their children. More Stay & Play community families attended the recent craft and games morning event than church families. Some families attended Lent and Easter events and inquired about forthcoming events.

To put it confidently, God has his finger on this ministry. There is an output of blessings, joy, grace, unity and love. We continue to see the beautiful rainbow of diversity; different cultures, colours, faith and no faiths, and all ages. God knows the needs of this community, his care of young families and the importance of sharing words to encourage, tips in raising children, and boosting tired mums and grandparents, sharing the goodness of God. Speaking beauty into brokenness. We have also been led to pray for families.

We have a good strong team of volunteers: Patricia, Helen, Alyson, Rhiannon, Revd Kate, Revd Michelle and Gemma. We continue to pray and discern where to put deeper roots, and how God might bring creative off-shoots to his mission, including parenting courses; women’s safe group to talk and share in a social setting; daytime Alpha; promoting the eco initiative to families to help with the garden during warmer months; the future Cafe of Hope. This is the good news of our God, incarnational… and ‘being in and with us.’

Edge Youth Club

We launched Edge Youth Club on 18.04.2023 and have been benefitting from external funding up until spring 2027. We are pleased to say that Edge continues to thrive in every aspect mentioned in previous reports. In fact, Edge has featured as an example of best practice in a national report about informal religious education by the highly regarded Thinktank ‘Theos’: ‘Beyond the Classroom: Informal Religion and Worldviews Education in the UK’ – please see @ ttps://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/research/2025/11/13/beyond-theclassroom-informal-religion-and-worldviews-education-in-the-uk.

Whilst overall attendance has gone down slightly, it remains stable with 10-15 youths attending each week, and we continue to attract newcomers. Currently we have 20 active

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youth registered. Feedback also continues to be very positiv and encouraging. For example, two of our youth are starting to serve as helpers over a longer period as part of the Scout Award Scheme.

There is stability and expertise in our leadership team that continues to consist of Revds Chris & Kate Szejnmann plus Helen Mullis (Christian Education Project Leader serving 60 schools in Redbridge), together with 3 volunteer helpers. We are strictly adhering to CofE’s ‘Safer Recruitment’ process. We regularly attract parents / siblings of Edge Youth Club members attend our community events, and there is clear evidence that Edge is a key part of ‘gaining momentum’ and building faith and community at Holy Trinity Barkingside. This greatly benefits our exciting journey as a growing and welcoming church for the whole community. Our church is called to gather the broken and marginalized, and Edge Youth Club continues to be an integral part of it by providing i) a safe space to 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.

We have recognised the challenges of sustaining Edge Youth Club in the long run and have responded in various ways, including:

We continue to focus on creating an environment where youth are embedded in life-giving values and habits to journey and grow well together, whilst allowing them to thrive in creative projects of their own choosing which we help facilitate. We do this by providing a carefully worked-out structure for our 2-hour sessions (we start with free play; come together and chat about one of our values that links with our main activity; eat together; end with free play and ticket awards).

Edge Team: Revds Chris & Kate Szejnmann and Helen Mullis Kunda (leaders) and Rhiannon Hands, Rose-Marie Meade-Leaman, Jane White.

12) MOTHERS’ UNION REPORT, 2025-26

HOLY TRINITY WITH ST LAURENCE MOTHERS’ UNION

Following last year’s Report, I’m delighted to say that Carola Geist-Divver was enrolled into Mothers Union along with the Bishop of Bradwell during the Diocesan Festival Service and AGM at Chelmsford Cathedral in November. Our membership now stands at twenty five. Monthly Church Services continued throughout the year, followed by fellowship and refreshments at our Tuesday Drop-In in Parish Hall. Thank you to Mary Fabb who has faithfully continued to choose and play the hymns for us.

At our Tuesday Drop-In we have continued, with the help of God, to provide a place where

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those of all ages can come together to meet, chat, play games, knit, pray and just enjoy each other’s company every Tuesday throughout the year. Those who knit and natter have produced hats, scarves and mittens for the shoe boxes, blankets which have been donated to Birchwood Care Home, tiny hats and blankets for the premature baby unit at Queens Hospital and Easter Chicks and Christmas puddings which were sold to raise funds for the shoe box appeal.

The Friday evening Zoom meetings held on the fourth Friday of each month have continued to be attended by a mix of our own branch members, Diocesan members and those from other branches. We have a core of regular attendees. It is advertised each month throughout the Diocese via email and the newsletter. We aim to have a variety of speakers and worship, including the service for the 25 days of action against gender-based violence and Domestic Abuse, along with news about M U projects and the occasional quiz.

Our other main project ‘Trinity Child Contact Centre’, which is held fortnightly on Saturday mornings in the Parish hall, continues to be the only Mothers’ Union run Centre in the Diocese and provides a safe place where estranged parents can meet with their children. We were reaccredited for a further three years by the National Association of Child Contact Centres in September and have now been running for 15 years. Once again, we received a grant from the Ministry of Justice towards funding the Centre. Thank you to our volunteers for continuing to provide this very rewarding and worthwhile ministry.

December saw our annual Carol Service, followed by tea and mince pies in the Parish Hall. This was a Joyful and Spiritual occasion marking the start of the Advent season. We were joined by other M U members, churches and groups from around the area. Those attending were each given the ‘Twelve Joys of Christmas‘ Booklet and a ‘Light and Hope at Christmas’ prayer card.

Other Activities:

All the above could not be accomplished without the continued support and prayers of you our members and friends. Thank you to everyone who has in any way supported, helped, contributed and prayed for our work both here in this branch and in the worldwide family of

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Mothers Union. We prayerfully continue to step out in faith and love, and go forward in service knowing that with God nothing is impossible.

Tricia McCarthy , Branch Leader.

*

13) TRINITY TIMES REPORT, 2025-26

There are now 21 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 the 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 2026

14) -16) Elections / Appointments - as per Agenda

17) A.O.B.

18) Closing Prayers

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HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, BARKINGSIDE Finanlial Rewrt pn StdtL TnLnls' or Lhc P¢ment Limitcd Ndtional W¢siminsLLr Bank PLC Santandcr UK PIC TREASURERS MiLlidLI Prii*iillJn 9 Crcii%Cy CIo%c HornLhurch RMII IFE Andrcw Gillian 63 BcrkLILy Avcnuc Cla}'hall Illurd IfJ5 OUN INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mr Richard Frccman ScmdphorL LonsulidnL% Hill Hvu¥e I Sniiliits Louri. HibTh Road Thomwood. Eppin E5￿x. CM16 6BD 18

Independent examiner's reporl to the PCC of Holy Trinity Church, Barkingside, registered Charity no. 1128271 I report on the accounts for the year ended 3 1st December 2025. Respective r￿ponsibIlitieS of the Trnstee5 and Independent ExanJin¢r Th¢ charity"S trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year und¢r section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) because the charity's gross income does not exceed the audit threshold and that an independent exan]ination is needed. It is my responsibility to examin¢ the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; follow th¢ procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Con]rnission section 145 of the 2011 Act" and State whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement My examination was carrled out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented ￿ryth those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures In the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as ttustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be Tequired in a firtl audiL and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. Independent Examiner's Statement In connection with my examinatio￿ no Matte￿ have come to my attention: (l) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material Te5￿¢t th¢ requirements to keep proper accounting records" and to prep￿e accounts which accord with these accounting ￿rdS have not been (2) to whiclb in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I confinn that I am qualified to undertake an indyndent examination and am not a member of the Charity's trustees or a related party. (Signed) Mr Richard Freem￿ Scmaphore Consultsnts

General Fwd - RKeipts & Payments Accowt 2024 2025 Receipt# In¢t)me ftorn Donor¥ Gift AtrPa￿ClI Giving Inecne Tax recovered 31.643.42 4,754.93 6.247 57 13023 23,562.69 4,055.14 10.430.05 572_40 Bapb.5MyMething￿all ￿XeS F￿ers￿￿"Ve CarKlles. 42,776.15 38.62028 other Voluntary Income Retiring Colleth"(¥)slMtss Donat"￿$&gUests AIFkna Summer Paty Social 1.072.75 3,778.57 877 00 S47.00 187.85 559.74 3.583.40 0.00 880.86 569.83 463.17 &593.83 Income trom Investments Inte￿t 225.08 225.08 202.09 202.09 Other Income PCC Fees Fk)￿r3 Pansh Office M&JaJr 2,286.00 o_oo 19.60 423_75 1.495.C 0.00 15.71 305.74 2,729.35 1.816.45 Other Receipts Ttr from Ha1181Legacy Feas1t¥"￿ty st￿ Grant 26,545.73 28.142.87 2,OCKI.DO 545.73 30,142.87 TOTAL RECEIPTS 78,739.48 76,375.52 20

General Fund- Receiptg & Paymentg ACco￿t 2024 202S TOTAL RECEIPTS erought Forw&d 78,739.48 76,375.52 Payment$ Grants Missinary Gr¥Trg". ikJw'8 So¢ other Charil 316.40 831.35 0.00 702.45 1,147.75 702.45 Activrtie8 related to woth of Chw¢h Parish Shwe ub"1￿"eS Ir￿j[ance C¥gani5Vmu5iC gcrt Ckngy Expenses Fabric- mainlenarKe Panth Office 55,(OJ.00 2,947.19 2,366_11 133 L)0 207.4S 371.49 2,940.39 464.S2 138.95 1,545.85 280.39 51_99 1,144.99 1,089.97 60.000.C(I 5,688.34 2.449.84 0.00 353.49 462. 2,849.44 387.91 81.94 0.00 635.91 52.99 1.173.04 1,054.49 Summer Garden Party Alpha Socsal aJne Stores 68,702.29 75210.35 Chwch Management Health & Safety Compli￿¢¢ ArchrteCt￿easikn1ty Stt*Jy 737 O_DO 400.C(I 2,0(￿1.[ 737.00 2A(KI. TOTAL PAYMENTS 70,587.04 78.312.80 SurpW{Deffi¢iti 8.152_44 -1,93728 TOTAL 78,739.48 76.375.52 Banklcash Q 01n1125 SuWusl{Deffi¢rti BanklCa5h 31112r25 121.22 8.152_44 8,273.66 8273.66 -1,937.28 6,336.38 21

Parish & Trinity Hall8- Receipts & Payments Account- (DeS￿nated) 2024 2025 Receipts Leth'ngs Dcnabrms Bank interest 44,547.25 126.94 39S_47 42.726.48 35S.08 175.CKJ 0.00 Deficit 45,069.66 43J63.55 Payments Clea Heab'ng & LvJhting" Mainterwce eences Water. Irtsuranee Tfrto Gene￿1 Fund Surp￿8 5,287.71 2,643.45 5,626_74 118_13 66_33 2,973_15 26,545.73 1,￿8.42 4,819.15 4.878.65 1.132.08 122.98 35.42 2.768.20 28. 142.87 1.364.20 ' Trinty Hal utihb'es paKI by NeAf Birth 4S069.66 43263￿5 Banklcash @ 01n1125 SurplvsllDeficrti Banklcash @ 31112125 7,622.66 1,808.42 9,431.06 9.431.08 1.364.2 10.795.28 YOW￿ Peoples Fund . Receipts & Payments Account- (Restricledl 2024 2025 Receipts 691.00 YJ3.81 438_85 838.59 214.64 1,204.44 Intere81 Deficit 1423.46 2357.67 Payments General ExpeThJitsre Sur￿9 1,4r3.46 2.257.67 0.00 1,423.46 2357.67 BanklC•sh 01￿1125 SurplusllDeficrti Ban￿C&Sh @ 3111212S 5,743_43 438.85 S,304.S8 5.3fy1. -1.204.44 4.100.14 22

Churchyard Fund. Receipts & Payments Account_ (Re8th￿ed) 2024 2025 Receipts Interest 2.383.67 2140.43 2140.43 PayrTrents Surplu8 2,3B3.87 2,140_43 2.140.43 Banklcash Q 01101r25 Surplus Banklcash 44,912.44 2,383.87 47.￿.31 47,2￿.31 2,140.43 49.436.74 31112125 Memorial Donation Fund - Receipts & Pa￿￿ts kcount- (Restsictedl 2024 2025 Receipts Deficit 0.00 0.00 Pay￿￿￿t8 Glass Dcors 0.00 0.00 BanklCa8h Q 01n)1125 Deficit BanklCa8h Q 31112125 1.270.26 1,27026 0.00 1.27026 1.270.26 Legacy (General pwp08el Fwbd . Receipts & Payments Account IRestrKted)' 2024 2025 Receipts Interest Deficil 2994.13 2,688_35 0.00 2,994.13 2688JS PttyrTrent$ Surtyu8 2994.13 2,688.35 2,994.13 2688JS BanklCa8h Q 01n)1125 Surplus Banklcash Q 31112r25 .419_61 2,994.13 59,413.74 59.413.74 2,688.3S 62,102.CfJ 'nwne chwd to Legacy fund from Vern &rcthl Legaty ftThJ. and ind￿Je9 8 Jones FuThJ1£20CKII legacy ￿CeIVed frC￿ Ncffman Brcmning 23

Rent Depos11 Fund . Recelpts & Payments (Restrlctedl 2024 2025 Receipts Interest 317.47 285.05 317.47 285.05 Paymènts Surplus 317.47 285.os 317.47 285.05 Banklcash @ 01101125 Surplus Banklcash @ 31112125 5,981.20 317.47 6,298.67 6.298.67 285.05 6,583.72 LOB Grant Fund-RKeipts & PaymentslRestrictedl 2024 2025 Recelpts Grant Dèli(it Donation Interest 5,7eo.iJ) 4,768.34 90.00 88.35 137.48 4,946.69 5,897.48 Payments Expenses SLwpIus 4,946.69 4,828.46 1,069.02 4.946.69 5,897.48 Banklcash @ 0110112S IDeficitySurplu5 Banklcash @ 31112125 6,870.00 4768.34 2,101.66 2,101.66 1,069.02 3,170.68 Nthy accounl, grant received for Edge Y￿Jth initiative 24

DiscretSonary RelS•f Fund {Restrictedl 2024 2025 Receipts Income Deficil 0.00 78.05 100.C() 100.¢XI 78.os Paymènts Misc Surplus 100.C 78.05 0.00 100.IXI 78.05 Banklcash Delicrt Banklcash @ 31112125 01101125 447.61 -100.C() 347.61 347.61 -78.05 269.56 Fabr1¢ Fund IRestrl¢tedl 2024 2025 R•cèlpts Donation Received 0.00 0.00 Paymènts Surplus 0.00 Banklcash @ 01101125 Surplus Banklcash @ 31112125 1.500.00 1,500. 0.00 1.500. 1.500.00 25

Statement of Assets & Liabililies ai 31112125 T¢)tsl l£¥1 The CBF Church ol England Deposit Fund" Monetsry A59ets Cash Bank 2025 2024 General Fund HalL8 Fund IDe5•Jnatedl Youn9 Peoks Fund IRestn"¢ted) ClNJch￿rd Flmd IRestn"ctedl Donatson F￿1 IRestri¢tedl Legacy IGenw¥ Pwp08el FLnd (Restricted) R￿t Depo$it IResth¢tedl LOB Grant FuTrJ lftesln'ctedl "5crets"orwy Relrf FundlRestrietedl Fabric Fund lsep181 IRestn¢tedl TOTAL 326.44 1,342.19 0.00 2,594.04 0.00 246.84 0.00 0.00 1270.26 4,667.75 6.336.38 8,201.24 10.795.28 3,853.30 4.100.14 49,436.74 49,436.74 1.270 26 8.273.66 9.431.08 5.304.58 47,296.31 1.270 26 10.00 62,092.09 62,102.09 o_oo 6,583.72 6,583.72 94.85 3,075.83 3,170.68 269 56 269.56 0.00 1,5CQ.00 o_oo 1.500.C•) 326.44 7 J27.74 137,910.67 145.564.85 59,413.74 6,298.67 2,101.66 347.61 1.500.C•) 141.237.57 26