St Paul’s Church, Woodford Bridge, IG8 8BT
Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council for the Year ended 31st December 2022 Incumbent: The Revd Ola Franklin The Vicarage 4 Cross Road Woodford Green Essex IG8 8BS
Bank :
Barclays Bank plc Loughton and Woodford Branch 33 The Broadway Woodford Green Essex IG8 0HJ
Charity reference Independent Examiner : number 1128474 Mr Michael Green 41 Buckwoods Road Braintree Essex CM7 1D
Your notes ….
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ST PAUL'S CHURCH, WOODFORD BRIDGE
Annual Vestry Meeting and Annual Parochial Church Meeting 2023
Sunday 23rd April in Church after Parish Communion Service
AGENDA
1. Opening prayers
VESTRY MEETING
2. To elect two Churchwardens
3. Apologies for absence
ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING
4. Draft Minutes of APCM held on 24 April 2022 (attached)
5 (a) Presentation of the Electoral Roll
- (b) To appoint 3 PCC members for 3 years, resulting from:
the retirement after 1 years' service of Pam Varughese who was fulfilling a
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1 year vacancy and two unfilled vacancies at the 2020 APCM
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(c) To appoint 1 PCC member for 1 year,
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resulting from the retirement after 2 years’ service of Martin Lea leaving a one year period unfilled.
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(d) To appoint 2 Deanery Synod representatives
6. Finance:
(a) Treasurer's Report
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(b) To receive the audited Accounts
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(c) To agree that the PCC will decide who to appoint to audit the 2023 Accounts
7. To receive:
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(a) Churchwarden’s Report (attached)
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(b) Deanery Synod Report (attached)
8. Any other business
9. Date of next APCM- TBC
10. Closing prayers
St Paul’s Church, Woodford Bridge Draft Minutes of APCM held on 24 April 2022
Present:
Cliffe Adams, Sheena Adams, Aimée Ayres, Nathaniel Ayres, Sophia and Oliver Ayres, Alan Bolding, Pauline Bolding, Yvonne Cartwright, Alan Clark, Sue Clark, Hazel Dawson, Anna Edwards, Christine Franklin, The Revd. Ola Franklin (Chair), Allan Graveson. Peter Hodges, Valerie Hodges, Vera Hunt, Jill Leonard, Mac Leonard, The Revd. Esther McCafferty, Peter McCafferty, Hermina Monk, The Revd. Ian Monks, Rosemary Monks, Sara Rivas, Len Stevens, Avril Tate, Clive Tate, Amanda Taylor, Val Trevellyan, Joanna Urbanek, James, Charmian and Tristan Winter, John Wooden (Minutes), Mary Wooden
Apologies – Pat Elgar, Paul Malam, Sue Malam, George Varughese, Pam Varughese
Vestry Meeting
1. Election of Two Churchwardens
Two nomination papers had been received for churchwarden. One for Paul Malam (proposed by Ian Monks and seconded by Mac Leonard) and one for Len Stevens (proposed by Nathaniel Ayres and seconded by Aimee Ayres). There being no other nominations, the Chair declared that the nominees were elected. Ola Franklin thanked Paul Malam and Len Stevens for all they do as churchwardens - much unseen.
APCM
2. Draft Minutes of previous APCM held on 25 April 2021
The draft minutes of the previous APCM held on 25 April 2021 were duly noted.
3.(a) Electoral Roll
There are currently 84 people on the electoral roll. 38 are resident in the Parish and 46 are non-resident. The Chair thanked Paul and Sue Malam for their work in maintaining the Electoral Roll.
(b) PCC - appointment of new members
Ola Franklin had received three nominations to fill three PCC appointments for three
years so all were duly elected:
Aimée Ayres– proposed by Sue Malam and seconded by Len Stevens.
Nathaniel Ayres - proposed by Sue Malam and seconded by Len Stevens.
Sue Malam - proposed by Len Stevens and seconded by Aimée Ayres.
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(c) Ola Franklin said that Pam Varughese who had come to the end of a one year term, would remain on the PCC to fill one of the two outstanding vacancies for one year. The
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other vacancy was left unfulfilled. Ola Franklin thanked all members of the PCC for their service.
4. Finance
(a) Treasurer’s Report
Len Stevens presented the accounts for 2021. He highlighted the apparent significant I ncrease in St Paul’s total money held at the bank, which had risen from £56,163 to £80,176. However, this represented monies which are owed to the Diocese after a decision was taken during COVID to reduce our Parish Share by 50%. The full amount will have to be made up. He also thanked the church for being so generous and for continuing to be so during COVID. This has meant that we had been able to maintain our normal level of support for Kenya. In response to a question, he said that the Lighthouse Church had only recently started to use the church again and had resumed Christian giving to St Paul’s via the blue envelope scheme.
(b) To receive the audited Accounts
The audited accounts were received.
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(c) To agree that the PCC will decide who to appoint to audit the 2022 Accounts
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It was agreed that the PCC would decide who to appoint to audit the accounts. Those present at the APCM gave a vote of thanks to Len Stevens for his stewardship of St Paul’s finances during the last year.
5. Other Reports
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To receive
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(a) Churchwarden’s Reports
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The report of Paul Malam and Len Stevens had been circulated prior to the meeting and was taken as read.
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(b) Deanery Synod Report
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The report of Mac Leonard had been circulated prior to the meeting and was taken as read.
6. Any Other Business
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Ola Franklin outlined the reasons for the delays in moving forward with the construction of
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the toilet in church, which has resulted in a new architect being approached to take on the project. If they do so, then we will proceed to re-tendering for the project.
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Ola Franklin explained that due to ongoing financial struggles and impending retirements amongst the Playgroup staff, including its leader Delia Ware, the PCC has taken the very hard decision to close the Playgroup for good at the end of this summer term. A review
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will be undertaken into the future use of the hall space but it will not be used for a nonChristian playgroup.
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Ola Franklin thanked Pauline Bolding for her considerable work as church hall manager.
7. Date of next APCM 11.15am on 23 April 2023.
8. Closing Prayers The meeting closed with the Grace.
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S, WOODFORD BRIDGE, IG8 8BT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
| Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Notes Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ Incoming resources Voluntary income 2a 61,552 Activities for generating funds 2b 8,155 Income from investments 2c 47 Church activities 2d 29,470 Other incoming resources 2e 18,000 Playgroup 10 117,224 Total incoming resources Resources expended Costs of generating voluntary income 3a 0 Fund-raising trading costs 3b 0 Church activities 3c 15,778 Ministry Costs 3d 90,678 Playgroup 10 () Total resources expended 106,456 Net incoming/(outgoing) resources gains/losses, inc. Playgroup -9,843 Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assets Gains/(losses) on investment assets 5 Net movement in funds 6 Total funds brought forward at 1 Janu- ary 2022 80,176 Total funds carried forward at 31 December 2022 82,458 PLAYGROUP - balance 31/10/22 884 |
TOTAL FUNDS 2021 58,939 4,180 32 22,281 13,180 98,612 0 13,540 62,643 76,183 56,163 80,176 (1988) |
|---|---|
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S, WOODFORD BRIDGE, IG8 8BT CHARITY COMMISSION REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1128474 BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2022
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 5 Investments 6 Total fixed assets Current assets Stock Debtors 8 Cash at bank and in hand Covenant account - . Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 9 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year 9 Net current fluid assets NET ASSETS Unrestricted Funds, including cash in safe 7 Endowment funds 10 Restricted funds 10 Covenant account - as above. TOTAL HELD AT BANK: Playgroup balance carried forward 31/10/21 |
2022 £ 1,130,000 0 1,130,000 0 186 0 0 81,605 0 667 186 82,458 1988 |
2021 £ 1,130,000 1,130,000 |
|---|---|---|
0 49,451 0 0 30,058 667 49,451 80,176 (1,988) |
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 20[th] March 2023 and signed on its behalf
O. Franklin
Revd Ola Franklin, Chair.
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S, WOODFORD BRIDGE, IG8 8BT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
| 2 | Incoming resources | TOTAL | FUNDS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | |||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| a | |||||
| Voluntary income | |||||
| Planned giving | 34,178 | 30,897 | |||
| Collections at all services | 5,201 | 1,486 | |||
| Donations and appeals, incl. charities | 11,973 | 14,414 | |||
| Income tax recoverable | 10,200 | 9,142 | |||
| Grants | 0 | 3,000 | |||
| Legacies | nil | ||||
| 61,552 | 58,939 | ||||
| b | Activities for generating funds | ||||
| Fetes, bazaars and other fund-raising events | 8,155 | 4,180 | |||
| Bookstall sales and magazine adverts | 0 | 0 | |||
| 8,155 | 4,180 | ||||
| c | Investment income | ||||
| Dividends and interest | 47 | 32 | |||
| 47 | 32 | ||||
| d | Income from Church Activities | ||||
| Church hall lettings etc | 24,070 | 15,625 | |||
| Occasional Offices-weddings, funerals,etc | 5,400 | 6,456 | |||
| Textile group / Seniors club | 0 | 0 | |||
| 29,470 | 22,081 | ||||
| e | Other incoming resources | ||||
| Party deposits received | 0 | 0 | |||
| Insurance claims | nil | 0 | |||
| Rent - School House | 18,000 | 13,180 | |||
| 18,000 | 13,180 | ||||
| Total incoming resources | 117,224 | 98,612 | |||
| Other: Fees to Chelmsford Diocesan | |||||
| Board of Finance - wedding/funeral fees | 496 | 723 |
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S, WOODFORD BRIDGE, IG8 8BT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
| 3 | Resources expended | TOTAL | FUNDS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | |||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| a | Costs of generating voluntary income | ||||
| Stewardship costs | |||||
| Covenant account | |||||
| b | Fund-raising trading costs | ||||
| Fete costs | |||||
| Bookstall | nil | ||||
| 0 | |||||
| c | Church Activities | ||||
| Missionary and charitable giving: | |||||
| Overseas: | |||||
| Kenyan Street Children, Utugi Centre | 8,000 | 8,000 | |||
| Home: including 13 PCC nominated charities | 5,278 | 3,100 | |||
| Senior's Social Club | 0 | 0 | |||
| Other: | 0 | 500 | |||
| Trussell Trust - Redbridge Food Bank | 2,500 | 1,940 | |||
| 15,778 | 13,540 | ||||
| Ministry costs: | |||||
| Diocesan Parish Contribution | 57,000 | 27,600 | |||
| other clergy costs | 0 | 0 | |||
| Church running expenses | 12,453 | 12,286 | |||
| Church maintenance | 1,081 | 642 | |||
| Upkeep of services | 457 | 0 | |||
| Upkeep of churchyard | 0 | 0 | |||
| Parish magazine | 0 | 0 | |||
| Sunday Club / youth work costs | 0 | 0 | |||
| Church hall running costs | 14,655 | 17,497 | |||
| Bank charges / depreciation | 500 | 235 | |||
| Vicarage - utilities and decoration | 0 | 0 | |||
| Playgroup | 0 | 0 | |||
| Toilet Costs | 4237 | 4383 | |||
| IT microphones, etc | 296 | 0 | |||
| Total resources expended | 90,679 | 76183 | |||
| Other- Fees to Chelmsford Diocesan | |||||
| Board of Finance - wedding/funeral fees | (496) | 723 |
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S, WOODFORD BRIDGE, IG8 8BT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
| 4 Staff costs a Wages and salaries playgroup contribution 2019 - |
2022 2021 £ £ 6,600 6,600 0 0 6,600 6,600 |
|---|---|
During the year the PCC employed a hall cleaner, part time. The wages and social security costs related to the hall cleaner were met by her being included on the Playgroup payroll with the church funds reimbursing part costs to the playgroup account.
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b Costs (£5018) to the playgroup account, and the Playgroup contributing the remaining £1479 in lieu of rent.
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5 Tangible fixed assets
| Freehold land Church and buildings equipment Cost or valuation £ £ At 1 January 2014 1,130,000 Additions Disposals Revaluation At 31 December 2019 1,130,000 Depreciation At 1 January 2014 Provided in the year Disposals At 31 December 2014 Net book amounts At 31 December 2019 1,130,000 |
TOTAL 2021 £ 1,130,000 1,130,000 1,130,000 |
|---|---|
The freehold land and buildings comprise the Church Halls and the School House. For accounting purposes these were revalued in 2005.
6 Investments
£
Market value 31 December 2022 nil
NIL
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S, WOODFORD BRIDGE, IG8 8BT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
7 Analysis of Net assets by fund
| 7 Analysis of Net assets by fund |
7 Analysis of Net assets by fund |
7 Analysis of Net assets by fund |
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Funds Comparison Funds Funds Funds 2021 £ £ £ Church assets : insurance valuation hall- 910,000;house- 220,000 1,130,000 1,130,000 1,130,000 Investment fixed assets Current assets 81,512 668 80,844 80,176 Current liabilities Long term liabilities 1,211,512 668 1,212,180 1,186,138 8 Debtors Income tax recoverable (blue envelopes) 2380 2029 Prepayments and accrued income Other debtors (water rate) 0 300 2380 2329 9 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Deferred income - 2021 wedding fees 0 0 Accruals for utilities/ other costs - UWDC Dec energy used 0 996 Other creditors 0 996 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Wedding deposits for 2023 nil 0 0 |
||
| 2029 300 2329 |
||
| 0 996 996 0 0 |
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S, WOODFORD BRIDGE, IG8 8BT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
1
0 Statement of funds
| Bal b/fwd Income Expenditure Transfers, 1 Jan 2022 other gains and losses Unrestricted Fund £ £ £ £ Covenant account 49,451 20,761 1,655 68,371 General accounts 17,713 86,090 96,801 Desig funds-a+b+c. 6,576 9,488 8,000 0 73,740 117,223 106,456 (8,486) 870 31/12 /21 cash in safe: 884 Restricted Fund St Paul's playgroup (1988) 0 Spire lighting fund 0 Organ/piano 667 1 0 0 Other savings ac- counts 0 Total funds 80,176 |
Bal c/fwd 31 Dec 2021 186 7,001 8,064 15,251 884 668 65,655 82,458 |
|---|---|
Fees to Diocesan Board Finance shown in accounts
The unrestricted fund includes a designated sum of £8,064 which the PCC has set aside for the Kenyan Street Children project (a); £0 for the School House (b) and £0 for the halls (c).
The restricted funds comprise the organ / piano fund which is monies dedicated to the maintenance of these assets and other musical provision.
ST. PAUL'S CHRISTIAN PLAYGROUP FINAL ACCOUNTS End of Temi Income Fegs Inwme Lunchtime aub (Fee PayirvJ) FundiivJ 3&4 yr olds Funding 2 yr dds Direct SEN funding E8rty Years PupN Premium IEYPP) Disability Liitng Allowatxe (DAFI Fundiw from ChUh (exceplronal i} Donation Tax RefuThJ kn ChJch Regislrdlion fees Unifomi - kncome Books- kncome Milk- IOme Other- Inc Fundraising hcome Photo Commission Pioiision (Retum from Bala Sheeti RecOncil'ati - bKome TOTAL Outgolngs Wages Ipayrolll Wages INon-Payr¢ll & LU[h1me Pension Contiibution Tax & Nl - Employer & ErnOYee Liability Repayment lo ChUh Oi5c105ure & Barring SeThlce (DBSI fees Coulse Fee5 & Traning Fees Refund Rent Contribjtion Rent Conlriknjlion {Lurthtime Insurance & Pr&SCh Memb8rslx'p Unifom - Expenditure Fundraisir¥J- EX1¢U Books Farn Ftire New & Replacement Ewlwnert IT Equipment Ircidenlal costs lurvjer £50) & PayPal Costs - Oth£Y {eg Music, Bouncy Castle *c) Playgroup Website & Sundries Milk Stationery Otsted Registration Accountancy, b(xA(4eepiru & otherfe8S Prowsion Isgnd lo Balance Sheet} ReCelli3t1- Outgoings TOTAL SpNG SUMMER AUTUMN EOY £ 5.016.00 £ 1.372.00 £ 10.169.52 £ 6.914.16 £ S,4.Th) £ 2.828. £ 1.610.(KI £ 13.201.20 £ 5.426.98 £ 8.359.C4) 7,844.00 2.982.00 23,370.72 12.341.14 13,855.00 £ 1,600.00 £ 2,500.00 1.600.00 l500.00 43.02 590.25 £ 5.4LIO.12 L" 97.66 590.25 5.75T.67 8.50 £ 29.428.37 £ 41.558.51 70,988.94 £ 14.342.75 £ 5,140.78 692.99 £ 1.094.51 £ 22.433.53 £ 21.133.50 £ 1.119.78 £ 1.349.14 36.776.28 26 274.28 1,812.77 2,443.65 883.97 584.16 220.00 883.97 549.16 35.00 20.00 786.87 786.87 53.00 S).13 50.13 10.CKI 635.43 252. £ 1,[.47 10.00 635.43 494.43 1,720.08 3.35 569.40 so.00 360.00 241.53 651.61 205.17 364.23 25.L¥J 180. 180.(K) £ 24,162.50 £ 48.681.33 883.97 73,727.80 BALANCE £ &26 7,12176 88197 1740J6
Iudepend¢nt retwjrt to the PCC of stF•' Woodford Bridgt l Teport otk th¢ aL¥ounts of the PCC forthe ye4r endeA 31 Decem.1."ch are iDduded in this The charity's truste&% coThsider that an alIt is re4uireA for1his year under seLtion 144(2) , of th¢ Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an Independent examioll is needeiL It Is my responsibility to EKan)ine the accouttts undersrdion J45 of 2011 Act Follow proc&Jurt8 laid down in the geneTal directions given by the Charity Comn)issioners section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 ACL and The financial statements have Feparad in ac¢Ndan¢e with th8 Statemant of RecommeThJed Accounting Praic8: Accounting aTrJ Reportlng by Charilies {SORP 2(K15). i88ued in March 2005. UK A*UntIng Standards and the Gharitie8 Act 2011,. B1$ of Indepeadent Examitiers Ststemv4L My exwnination was catried in accordance with the General Directions given by the CIFarity Colllluio An exaMiOll iDcludes a review of the aCctIng rrdS kept by the charity and a compatison of th¢ accounts presented v4ith those record& It also includes onsideration of any unusual lteD or disclosur¢s in the a¢counts, and seeking explaDatioDs do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a fijll a1¢ and consequently I do not expre&s an opinion on the accounts. Ind¢p¢ndeDt eniDer 8 sfat¢m¢at tn connection with my ¢xaMio Do h¥s ¢oJn¢ to my att¢Dtio (l) tch gives me re&8onknle cawe to believe th8t iti any Matezi rW the requirernents to keep accounting records in a¢¢ordan¢e with s.130 of th¢ 2011 AGL or to Prepa a11111& wbich accord with these accountin8 records bav¢ not been me¢ (2) to Whic in my Opinio 8ttention sbould te drawn ID orderto enable a proper uderstandI8 of the accounts to Ix ¢helL (Sigtt
Vicar’s Report: Church Life in 2022
St Paul’s Woodford Bridge exists to worship God, lead people to Christ, build a loving Christian community, and serve a world in need.
As well as our regular Sunday services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of new life; in marriage, public vows are exchanged with God’s blessing; and through funeral services, family and friends express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world, commending the person into God’s keeping. Our parish registers show the number of these occasional offices during 2022: 11 baptisms, 3 marriages and 2 marriage blessings, and no church funeral services.
In January we joined the Woodford Fellowship of Christian Churches for a service marking the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, held at St Mary’s. Woodford.
Our children’s Holiday Club took place in July for 3 mornings of Bible teaching, games and craft based on the theme of God coming to the rescue, following the stories of the boy Samuel, Naaman at the River Jordan, and Jairus’ daughter. Children from our Sunday Club were joined by children from the local area who don’t come to St Paul’s. We met again for a morning during the October half term, based on the story of Jacob and Esau. Our Lent course for 2022 was Living in Love and Faith.
A monthly online Morning Worship continued until the summer, and then ceased due to lack of attendance, as most people had returned to attending church in person. In March 3 of our teenagers completed the Chelmsford Diocese Growing Young Leaders programme. We were delighted to hold a Commissioning Service for them at St Paul’s in May.
During June and July we ran some sessions to prepare candidates for Confirmation. In October, 9 candidates from St Paul’s were Confirmed by Lynne, Bishop of Barking.
We would like to thank all the volunteers who work hard to make our church the community it is. In particular we want to mention our Churchwardens, Mr Paul Malam and Mr Len Stevens (also our Treasurer) who have continued to work hard and faithfully on our behalf. The Revd Ola Franklin, Vicar
Safeguarding
Joanna Urbanek, the Parish Safeguarding Officer gave a report to the PCC in January. There were 30 members on the register for DBS checks, with some checks due for renewal in 2022. No other issues had been brought to attention. 4 members of St Paul’s had attended the Redbridge Safeguarding webinar.
DBS checks will be phased in to a 3-year cycle, in line with other sectors such as education. By 2024 everyone will be on a 3-year cycle.
The PCC adopted Parish Safeguarding Policy at its meeting in January.
Joanna Urbanek stepped down from her role after serving for several years. The PCC appointed Aimeé Ayres as the new Parish Safeguarding Officer, and John Wooden as the DBS administrator. Safeguarding will be a standing agenda item at each PCC meeting.
Churchwardens’ Fabric Report – 2022
There was very little change to the fabric and fittings register during 2022, with basic maintenance continuing thanks to the efforts of Peter Hodges and, principally, Rev Alan Bolding, throughout the year, and other matters were held in abeyance ahead of the toilet build in 2023. Nothing was added to or removed from, the furniture and fittings inventory of the church during the year.
Thanks are also due to the churchyard maintenance team led by Pauline Bolding, and with thanks to Redbridge Council for their continuing maintenance and care of the churchyard, and to the many church members whose willing hands made the church so clean and cared for. The church hall underwent a transformation with the necessary adjustments made to storage space, etc with the closure of the Playgroup in July - once again many thanks to all involved. Paul Malam and Len Stevens - Churchwardens .
Redbridge Deanery Synod Report 2022 Redbridge Deanery Synod met three times in 2022.
The first meeting was held on Wednesday February 23[rd] , live at St Margaret of Antioch, Balfour Road with attendance but not voting possible on Zoom. It opened with worship and a special prayer for the people of Ukraine. The Revd Samuel Maginnis, Assistant Curate of St John the Baptist, Loughton, gave a talk about the composition and work of the General Synod General Synod as it was beginning a new quinquennium. Synod then debated and approved a Deanery Environmental Motion which was carried with one abstention and one vote against. There were the usual Reports. In addition, it was noted that our new Bishop of Barking is now in place. Bishop Lynne Cullens had been consecrated as a bishop on 21 Jan 2022, and was to be officially welcomed to the Diocese on Saturday 26th February in Chelmsford Cathedral, to coincide with the Diocesan Synod. It was also announced that Maxine Paul was to be Diocesan Mothers Union President. She spoke about the Mothers; Union, reporting that there are 4 million members worldwide with 1094 in Chelmsford, and highlighting its composition and purpose. There were updates from the various MMUs, and a discussion concerning one church’s change of Bank Account and the difficulties it had caused.
The second meeting was held on Thursday 23[rd] June at Christ Church, Wanstead. The main speaker at this meeting was Polly Taylor, Project Manager of the Church Urban Fund who spoke - about “Growing Good” (https://growing good.org.uk ). “Grace” research (2017) led to “Growing Good” report (2020), and now the course. This initiative includes a Toolkit: a free, six-session course that can be used in churches e.g., as a Lent Course, to help to engage with and support their communities more effectively. One of the ways that CUF equips the church to make a difference in their communities. Churches that are growing holistically (through their social action and other ministries) shared five characteristics: presence – perseverance – hospitality and generosity – adaptability (integrating people of different backgrounds and cultures) – participation (getting people involved can be a pathway to discipleship). There was also an Introduction to and Overview of the New Parish Share Scheme. After an extensive survey across the diocese there is the aim for “mutuality” i.e. parishes supporting each other. There is also the aim of local agency. The outcome of the consultation is a hybrid model – cost-based and offer-based. The idea is flexibility, and the Deanery Standing and Pastoral Committee has been given a larger role in allocating the share among the parishes. There is an option for a parish to opt out of the Deanery scheme and to liaise directly with the diocese. This will be discussed with parish treasurers.
The third meeting was held on Thursday 1[st] December at St. Paul’s Church, Goodmayes. Bishop Guli was present and gave an address. She spoke of her upbringing in Iran and the events which led to her exile to Britain. She spoke of her family and how she became Bishop of Chelmsford. She found a weariness in the Diocese but also a willingness to change. She is confident that together we will discern the way forward: we need to jointly discern what it means to be God’s people and how we need to journey together. She sees the Diocese as a blessing and a gift. We must be faithful and trusting; she sees her role as empowering – we have a shared responsibility and accountability. She then answered questions on Living in Love and Faith, the future of Lay Ministry, the Diocesan response to climate change and Care for the Clergy. The ‘usual’ agenda items were discussed after a networking and refreshment break. Mac Leonard, Deanery Synod Representative.
APPENDICES
Just for Girls (page 17)
Redbridge Foodbank (page 17)
Mothers’ Union (pages 17 and 18 )
Kenyan Street Children Appeal (page 18) Sunday Church Club (page 18) St Paul’s Christian Playgroup (page 18) Textiles Group (page 19)
JUST FOR GIRLS
The Just for Girls group meet fortnightly on a Tuesday morning from 10-12midday. We start with coffee and catch-up chatter. I usually read a few thoughts for the morning, we have a time of worship and a twenty-minute meditation. At the end of the morning, we have a time of prayer. Sadly, we lost one very dear member in January, our dear friend Pat Elgar died and we miss her very much. The group is open to women who are members of St. Paul’s church, we meet in my home. Pauline Bolding
REDBRIDGE FOODBANK
Throughout the year because of your generosity and that of some of the local people I was able to take to the Foodbank in Ilford tinned food, cans and bottles of drink, cleaning materials, hygiene products, laundry products, jars of jams and marmalade, packets of cereals, rice, spaghetti, and the sum of £2570 for them to purchase whatever they needed for those families that were finding it hard to manage and needed extra help to feed themselves.
I would like to thank all of you who have given so generously throughout the year and especially during December when Esther appealed for extra help over the Christmas period. May God richly bless you all!
Vera Hunt
MOTHERS’ UNION
We continued to meet regularly, on a monthly basis, following the restrictions caused by the Covid pandemic. Our meetings are on first Tuesday afternoons; our themes are both spiritual and social. We are a group of some 26 church members who enjoy one another’s fellowship and company, ands are always keen to welcome new members and enquirers.
Mothers’ Union has a wider remit than just St Paul’s, and to this end we welcomed three speakers from the Diocesan MU to summer meetings; Elizabeth Marshall in July to tell us of the English for Women project running throughout the diocese; Judith Meaden, past president in September, and Maxine Paul, current president, in October.
We wholeheartedly joined others in our church community to raise funds for the Kenyan Street Children feeding stations, and sent £8,000 last year, making a total of over £155,000 sent since 1998.Allowing for the cost of providing a meal in Kenya we have now provided over a quarter of a million meals to vulnerable children. The food is purchased and the meals prepared by Kenyan M U members, and the children receive one meal each week.
We were invited to grow a sunflower as a diocesan project and the tallest, and prize winner, was grown by Sue Clack of our branch.
Maxine Paul from our neighbour parish of Holy Trinity, Barkingside, is now Diocesan MU President (a three year appointment), so we now have the Diocesan President and Treasurer, Trish McCarthy, in Holy Trinity, Barkingside. Diocesan MU business administration comes closer! Following the disruption that the pandemic brought to our MU meetings, 2022 saw a return to more or less business as usual, although at the beginning of the year Covid was still rearing its ugly head as we had to cancel Pauline and Alan’s January reflection as Alan had succumbed to the dreaded virus. Thereafter the meetings were able to proceed without too many problems. Thanks, as ever, go to Sue Clack for talking about her latest holiday venture sailing down the Nile, and to Ian and Len, always prepared to step in to give a talk, or in Len’s case a quiz, to fill diary dates.
During last year we were fortunate in having three designated MU speakers; in July Elizabeth
Marshall updated us on the English for Women project, then in September Judith Meaden, past President, spoke of the past initiatives of MU and in October Maxine Paul, current president, covered current and possible future developments.
Whenever possible we do like to introduce food into our meetings. In addition to the strawberries and cream, kindly provided by Rosemary and Ian (June), we were also treated to pancakes in Lent and, of course, our bring and share Christmas party in December. This latter was a departure from the evening parties we have had in the past but I hope that members felt that a lunchtime gathering worked out well.
Len Stevens, Branch Leader .
KENYAN FEEDING PROJECT
We continue to support the Kenyan Feeding Project organised by the UTUGI children’s home and school. Our Summer and Christmas Fayres w dedicated to the Project, raising £3,500, and with other generous donations we were able to send our usual £8,000 to UTUGI during the year thanks to the generosity of so many of the St. Paul’s family.
The Kenyan initiative and the Redbridge Food Bank are now further supported by a fortnightly quiz evening on alternate Fridays in the Church Hall, with proceeds to these feeding projects. We raise between £50 to £100 per evening. Len Stevens.
SUNDAY CHURCH CLUB
We have some 24 children on our register, some of whom we see infrequently but are delighted when they are able to be with us. We follow scriptural and Christian themes and work as two groups – older and younger. Many thanks to the parents who stay in the hall to help us each week since with up to 12 -15 children we need lots of adults present, and we are thrilled that Alex, Mia and Erica – three of our older, senior girls, are taking training as young leaders with a Diocesan team and are leading each week with our younger children. They are making a massive contribution. The weekly meetings involve Bible teaching, games and fun and a Kit-Kat to enjoy as we move to church to talk to Ola.
We decorate biscuits in Lent to sell afterwards in church for Christian Aid and we plant bulbs in the autumn time to give to mums on Mothering Sunday. We contribute to all-age family services and respect Remembrance Sunday. We teach via video and games and occasionally our assault course takes us under the stage! We learn by having fun. Len Stevens.
PLAYGROUP REPORT 2022
In January 2022 there were five remaining staff members. One member needed time off for health treatment. The Playgroup was just on the brink of being able to manage the staff/child ratio. There were 24 children on roll with a waiting list. The team had given up their days off. In February Delia Ware announced that she would be stepping down from her post as Playgroup Manager at the end of the summer term. She will also relinquish her PCC membership. She said that her work has been a pleasure and an honour. One of the other staff members was likely to leave as well. John Ware would step down as Playgroup treasurer. The PCC thanked Delia for all her work over many years.
The PCC had the option replacing staff or closing the Playgroup. There had been an ongoing financial struggle to make the Playgroup viable. Some staff were on the minimum wage, which was due to rise in April.
Following a discussion on the options, the PCC proposed that the Playgroup should close at the end of the summer term. The PCC acknowledged the sadness of the situation.
Delia met with parents, who took the news of the closure well. Some children would move up to reception classes and others to new settings. One member of staff found a new job. There were some funds left in the account at the end of term to offset the redundancy pay. The play group closed on 15th July. Some of the equipment was given or sold to other settings. The PCC thanked Delia for all her years of service to the Playgroup. Gifts were given from the PCC to all members of the Playgroup staff.
The Revd Ola Franklin on behalf of St Paul’s Christian Playgroup
TEXTILE GROUP
Once again, members of the Textile Group have been very industrious, sewing and knitting quality items for a number of causes.
We continue to hold a stall at the Summer and Christmas Fairs and this past year we have been successful in raising more funds at these events than in previous years, all for the Kenyan Street Children Feeding Programme, a charity close to our hearts. This was helped by the quilt raffles and also by generous donations from our congregation of wool, fabric and a sack of lavender, used to make lavender bags which were very popular. It has also become a tradition for us to have an Easter table at the back of the church, selling mainly chocolate goodies. Thank you to all those who support our work.
Our very competent knitters continue to make teddies for our newly baptised children and hats and scarves for the Samaritans Purse shoeboxes. This year, they have also made poppies in aid of the British Legion and, in support of Ukraine, lovely blue and yellow brooches. The Textile Group has made the decision to meet on Wednesday afternoons and apart from our core seven members, other knitters have joined us on occasions and others have made contributions to the items on our stalls, for which we are very grateful. Mary Wooden
These Papers are published by Mac Leonard on behalf of St Paul’s Church, Woodford Bridge, from whom digital copies are available at macleonard@virginmedia.com . They are also available at the Parish website http://www.stpaulswb.com .