2023-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Richard Of Chichester, Hanworth

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Hanworth

Annual Report 2023

Prayer of St Richard

Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which you have given us, for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us. Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.

Annual Report 2023 Contents
	Page
Agenda for APCM –12 May 2024	4
Minutes of 2023 APM and APCM	6
Electoral Roll Report	8
PCC Secretary’s Report	9
Treasurer’s Report	10
Church Wardens’ Report	15
Safeguarding Report	16
Hampton Deanery Synod Report	17
Curate’s Report	19
Vicar’s Report	20

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting is to be held on Sunday 12[th] May at 10am.

An Attendance Register will be taken to include those attending.

Annual Meeting of Parishioners, (AMP)

Opening Prayer and worship.
Appointment of Churchwardens.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting, (APCM)

Welcome
Apologies
Approval of the Minutes of the AMP and APCM of 23[rd] April 2023.
Matters Arising
The presentation of the Annual Report which includes:
Electoral Roll and the Electoral Roll Officer's report.
PCC Secretary’s Report incorporating Proceedings of the Council during 2023.
Treasurer’s Report – including Audited set of accounts and video presentation. (Link here)
Church Wardens’ Report including a report on the Fabric, Goods and Ornaments of the Church for 2023.
Church Safeguarding Officer’s Report.
Hampton Deanery Synod Report.
Curate’s Report.
Vicar’s Report. Written and video (Link here)

The Annual Report was available, (digital and printed versions), prior to the APCM and so taken as read. Questions taken.

Appointment of the Independent Examiner for 2024.
Elections to PCC
Election Results (if necessary)

9. AOB

Video collation celebrating our church and community life in the last year.

Open time of prayer and sung worship with thankfulness for 2023 and seeking guidance from God for this year and beyond.
Holy Communion
Final Blessing

PCC Membership 2023

Clergy:

Revd Debs Wignall Ex Officio, Chair, Revd Yvette Dixon Ex Officio, (From July 2023).

Wardens:

Emma Hughes Ex-Officio Ann Hedges Ex Officio

Elected Members: Mike Coombes (2023) Deanery Synod, PCC Secretary, Dave Rayner (2023) Treasurer Liz Sharpe (2021) Deanery Synod Gavin Thomas (2021) Anita Pinnalawatta (2023) Electoral Roll Officer Hannah Mitchell (2023) Deanery Synod Emma Brown (2023) Beryl Wittin (2023)

Forthcoming PCC meeting dates are as follows:

(7:45 pm start): Monday 20th May and 15th July.

Church Employees: Wendy Rayner Children and Families Worker Paul Hughes Communications, Online Church, and Music Lead Ivanna Chornopyska Cleaner

Licensed Ministers Brenda Small Licensed Lay Minister Emma Hughes Licensed Lay Minister John Baggs Licensed Lay Minister Emeritus Revd Danny Wignall Permission to Officiate

Minutes of Annual Meeting of the Parishioners, (AMP), and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, (APCM) at 10am on 23[rd] April 2023.

Both statutory annual meetings were held as a component of Sunday Worship.

Annual Meeting of Parishioners, (AMP)

Debs Wignall (DW) Opened with prayer and worship was led by Paul Hughes.
Formal Apologies Received:

Mike Renolds, Jan Reynolds, Sylvia Lindup, Gill Coombes, Ann Hedges.

Appointment of Churchwardens.

Our serving church wardens Ann Hedges (AH) and Emma Hughes (EH) had kindly offered to stand again for a further year.

Emma Hughes. Proposed: Gavin Thomas. Seconded: Jackie Westley Ann Hedges: Proposed: Gavin Thomas. Seconded: Dave Rayner

Debs Wignall (DW) invited the APM to approve the appointment of the wardens and this was approved by a unanimous show of hands.

DW took the opportunity to pray for EH and AH in her absence and thanked both wardens for their sterling work throughout this year.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting, (APCM)

DW Welcomed all to the APCM.
The Minutes of the AMP and APCM of 27th April 2022 had been made available online before the meeting and their approval was formally proposed by Tricia Law and seconded by Yvonne Mansell. This was approved without correction by a unanimous show of hands.
Matters Arising – none were tabled.
The presentation of the Annual Report which included:
Electoral Roll and the Electoral Roll Officer's report.
PCC Secretary’s Report incorporating Proceedings of the Council during 2022.
Treasurer’s Report – including Audited set of accounts and video presentation. https://youtu.be/Uo1sijvY9eE
Church Wardens’ Report including a report on the Fabric, Goods and Ornaments of the Church for 2022.
Church Safeguarding Officer’s Report.
Hampton Deanery Synod Report.
Vicar’s Report. Written and video https://youtu.be/G7_V3ZaoAjE

The Annual Report was made available online and printed copies made available prior to the APCM and so taken as read.

DW invited the APCM to pose any questions regarding the accounts and annual report – none were tabled.

Mike Coombes proposed the approval of the St Richard’s Church Hanworth Annual Accounts 2022 and Gavin Thomas seconded the motion. The APCM approved by the unanimous showing of hands.

Dave Rayner proposed the approval of the St Richard’s Church Hanworth APCM Annual Report 2022 and Angela Goodwin Fleming seconded the motion. The APCM approved by the unanimous showing of hands.

Debs took the opportunity to thank her staff team – Paul Hughes and Wendy Rayner for all their work frequently well beyond their respective remits.

DW thanked the PCC for all their work throughout another year of hybrid meetings and thanked Debi Lagor as she stood down from both the PCC and the post of Electoral Roll Officer. DW also thanked Jenny Bird for her service to the PCC as she stood down. DW thanked Mike Coombes and Dave Rayner for their respective work as part of the leadership team and roles of PCC Secretary and Church Treasurer.

DW thanked our two Safeguarding Officers – Gill Coombes and Wendy Rayner

DW ended with special thanks to Danny – for his immense support in her role as Vicar of St Richard’s

Paul Hughes then thanked Debs for all that she brings to the church with the multiple and diverse roles required of a vicar. Especially PH highlighted that all the responsibilities were maintained with such kindness and grace.

Appointment of the Independent Examiner for 2023 – Donna Cooksley was proposed for a further year in this role and approved by a unanimous show of hands.
Elections to PCC – no new elections were needed because the electoral role officially stood at 91.

The following PCC members completed three years as a member of the PCC and stood again. Details of their nominations as below.

Nominations 2023:

Name	Proposer	Seconder
Mike Coombes, (2023)	Gavin Thomas	Vanessa Hughes
Emma Hughes(2023)	Gavin Thomas	Emma Brown
Dave Rayner, (2023)	Beryl Wittin	Gavin Thomas
Hannah Mitchell, (2023)	Beryl Wittin	Gavin Thomas
Emma Brown, (2023)	Emma Hughes	Gavin Thomas
Anita Pinnalawatta, (23)	MarySmith	Vanessa Hughes
Beryl Wittin, (2023)	Dave Rayner	Gavin Thomas,

Full PCC: In addition to those above also includes:

Debs Wignall, Ann Hedges, (2021), Liz Sharpe, (2021), Gavin Thomas, (2021).

AOB – there were no additional items.
Video compilation celebrating our church and community life in the last year.
Open time of prayer and sung worship with thankfulness for 2022, and guidance for this year and beyond.

Electoral Roll Report to April 2024

Summary

Summary
Date	Total on Roll	Resident in Parish	Male	Female
05/04/23	91	39 (44%)	28	63
24/04/24

We welcomed seven new members onto the roll. Two members were removed from the roll.

PCC Secretary’s Report

During 2023 we had PCC meetings in January, March, May, July, September, and November.

We have continued to operate in hybrid mode for this period – with meeting participation available both online and on site. We have consequently enjoyed a very high level of attendance and thanks should go to the PCC members who have prioritised both the meetings and taken ownership of the actions during a busy church year.

This report seeks to bring out some key activities without repeating content from other specialist reports within this broader APCM document.

Oxford Way

It has been great to see Oxford Way used this year upon the very welcome arrival of our curate Yvette. There were several tasks that needed completion before occupancy including painting, decorating, carpet cleaning, loft clearance and electrical works. This work was managed and, in no small part, delivered by Ann Hedges with sterling support from her husband Lee. The PCC are very grateful to both for taking this work on and seeing it to completion.

Yvette, on her arrival, has funded the bathroom replacement and some of the essential gardening works.

Policy and other approvals

The PCC has, throughout the year, remained sighted on risk assessments for the activities of church groups. In addition, several policies have been reviewed and approvals given including for safer recruitment and the recruitment of offenders.

Financial Matters

The oversight and Stewardship of finances is an important part of the role of the PCC. The overall picture of the church’s financial situation can be most clearly seen in the Treasurer’s Report.

During the year the PCC has authorised the creation of a church PayPal account. This was to address the considerable burden of the ‘claim back’ model placed on those in the team who are frequent buyers of church resources.

The PCC approved the ongoing funding of ‘Church Suite’ software featuring – a database, planning software and much more. This approval was for a cost £45/month for 99-200 users which was a fixed fee.

It was suggested that all groups should be encouraged to run one fund raising activity each year. We shouldn’t ask too much of all groups to do the fund raising but simply to do what they can.

We continue to research and apply for external grants where possible to support the mission and ministry of our church.

Buildings

A detailed log is kept of all works carried out in the building and grounds and this is summarised in the Church Wardens’ Report.

The Community Prayer Garden continues to develop, and a new addition will be a Little Free Library suggested by and being made by PCC member Emma Brown. This is aimed to foster good relations in the community and the use of the church prayer garden in general.

In Conclusion

I’d like to thank the PCC for all their work this year. If this report has whetted your appetite and you’d like to know more, please speak to me or any of the PCC.

Mike Coombes, PCC Secretary

Treasurer’s Report for 2024 APCM

1. Introduction

This report complements the 2023 Accounts. It focuses on the General Fund, comparing the 2023 figures with 2022 and the 2023 and 2024 budgets. It also gives summary information on the Project Grow fund.

2. General Fund Receipts

3. General Fund Payments

4. General Fund Balances

5. General Fund 2023 Highlights

Opening balance £35,673
Income £120,248
Planned giving plus gift aid has decreased by £4k from 2022 which itself saw a £3k drop from 2021.
This is because the planned giving from those who have left St Richard’s has very largely ceased but there have no new people joining the Parish Giving Scheme.
However, other giving increased by £2.8k, the main increases being in giving at Church services (called “Plate collections” in the accounts) and the gift day.
Hall hire income has increased significantly from all regular hirers, totalling £5.8k
There were no grants into the General Fund, but the fund benefited from the £11k grants from Hampton Fund and Welcare Hounslow for the Children & Families Worker fund.
Event income wax nearly £7k, an increase of over £6.3k on the previous year because of the Philippa Hanna and Graham Kendrick concerts
Fund raising was up by over £1k because of the Quiz Night and the Christmas coffee morning.
The Oxford Way rent dropped £1.4k as our renter had to vacate the property for Yvette.
Church Group income increased by nearly £3k thanks to the Thursday Social Group and Coffee Mornings
Expenditure £86,557
Excludes £11k in Children’s & Families Worker pay and expenses charged to Children’s & Families Worker fund.
Common Fund payment was held static at £20k to allow us to pay off more Project Grow loans.
Event costs were up by £5.2k because of the Philippa Hanna and Graham Kendrick concerts, but this still left net profit of over £1k from these concerts.
Fund raising expenses were only £101 meaning that 90% of the fund-raising income was profit.
Unsurprising the vicar and curate expenses increased by over £600 with Yvette joining us; similarly, the Oxford Way costs increased by nearly £8k.

Church running costs more than doubled, up by £6.7k, due to increased utility costs; however, we spent £2k less on Church maintenance.
Church service expenses were up by about £800 because of paying for CCLI licences for both 2022 and 2023 within the year.
Church Group expenditure was up by £1.3k because of the Thursday Social and Coffee Mornings, still leaving an increased profit of nearly £1.7k
Refreshment costs were up by over £2k partly because of change in policy – these costs now include some coffee morning expenses, and all Wednesday Welcome catering costs – so this wipes out the Church Group profit and the drop in hospitality costs. The net effect is very little change.
Staff and cleaner costs have all increased because of increased hourly rates – the increases totalling £3.6k
There was also a significant increase of £2.9k in the Children & Families Worker expenses, because this year none of the expenses were charged to the Church & Families Worker Fund – this effectively reflects Wendy’s increased hours from September 2022 which were fully felt in 2023.
£36,538 was transferred to other funds, mostly Project Grow to pay back the loans – we paid £2k to the diocese and £36k to Church members for their interest free loans.
Closing balance of £32,826 – far more than enough to cover 3 months’ worth of expenditure (including transfers to Project Grow)

6. General Fund Budget 2024

Opening balance £32,826
Income £116,735
Planned giving projected to drop slightly because of the loss of one substantial giver not being fully offset by increased giving from other Parish Giving Scheme members.
However other giving projected to increase by about £800, resulting in increased giving of just £300 before gift aid, reflecting the cost-of-living pressures on Church members.
It is clear that we need to have a drive to get some of those who give in Church services to join the Parish Giving Scheme and we will also need another gift day.
• Assumes a modest increase in hall hire income.
Event income is expected to drop because we’ll only have one concert rather than the two in 2023.
Of course, Oxford Way rent drops out completely.
We should see a healthy increase in CCLA interest, as we’ll get 4 quarterly payments instead of the 3 in 2023.
Expenditure £92,360
In addition, we forecast £23k transfer to other funds, down £13k in 2023 as we only need to pay back £24k in Project Grow loans compared to the £38k we paid back in 2023.
Common Fund payment increases only by £500 to allow for more pay back of Project Grow loans.
Assumes we will again get £11k in grants towards Children’s & Families Worker role.
Staff costs expected to increase by £2k due to an increase in the hourly rate.
Event costs drop given that we’ll only have one concert instead of the two in 2023.

Church running costs expected to increase again, largely because of increased water charges.
Budget assumes that kitchen upgrade costs will be covered by the Roger Casson Fund topped up with a £1k grant – hence they are not reflected in the General Fund budget.
Projected closing balance of £34,101 – more than enough to cover 3 months’ worth of expenditure (including transfers to other funds)

7. Project Grow 2023 Highlights

Opening balances £700
Included £64,000 in loans, of which £6,000 was from the diocese.
Income £6,127
All regular giving and income tax recovery from gift aid
Expenditure £18
Carried forward balance £1,607.
Includes £4k of diocese loan plus £22k of church member loans.
We continue to pay back the loans as this balance grows, topped up from General Fund as cash flow allows.

8. Summary

General Fund

We held the Common Fund payment at the very modest £20k and are only increasing it by £500 in 2024.
Monthly planned giving dropped again when more families who had left the Church some time ago eventually stopped their giving.
Newer Church families continue to give by cash and card machine. It would be good if some can be persuaded to join the Parish Giving Scheme as it reduces our administration, helps our cash flow, and helps our financial planning.
Hall Hire income has again increased significantly.
Church running costs doubled because of a big increase in utility bills.
The two concerts proved to be profitable as well as being great spiritually uplifting community events.
We have again been greatly helped by the grants from the Hampton Fund and Welcare Hounslow

Project Grow

We have paid off another £38k of the loans, reducing the amount left to £26k – a fantastic achievement.
Further loan repayment is heavily reliant on money transferred from the General Fund
We need to pay off the church member loans this year (2024) and the diocese loan by 2025.

Thanks

I’d like to give warmest thanks to:

Vanessa Hughes – bookkeeper
Chrissie Clark, Mary Smith, and Yvette Dixon – for counting and banking with Vanessa.

All regular givers, especially those giving through the Parish Giving Scheme as that enables us to receive the Gift Aid every month alongside the giving itself.
Our independent examiner, Donna Cooksley, was very efficient in getting the 2023 accounts examined and signed off.

Dave Rayner, Treasurer

Church Wardens’ Report including a report on the Fabric, Goods and Ornaments of the Church

July 2023 marked the arrival of our Curate, Yvette. In preparation for her arrival, much work was done at Oxford Way; the house, loft and garden were cleared and tidied. The carpets were cleaned, and the walls painted (by volunteers from the church). An electrical inspection and remedial works were also completed by a professional electrician. Yvette has since arranged for some extra works to be done for the loft to be boarded and a new bathroom fitted. In September, a new kitchen door was fitted and the trees in the garden were pruned.

July 2023 also saw the return of ‘Helping Hands’ week, organised by Wendy Rayner. Over the course of a week, volunteers came and sorted cupboards, cleaned toys, painted walls, especially where the radiator covers had been removed, and many other important jobs – thank you to all who helped.

When the Bishop’s Office moved to new premises in November, we acquired a new dishwasher, chairs, and tables, which have been useful. We also acquired a wheelchair ramp, which can be assembled and used at the side door if needed. Thank you to Richard Holah for plumbing in the dishwasher.

Thank you to Paul Hughes for organising annual PAT testing and servicing of the Chubb alarm.

Thank you to Wendy Rayner for organising the annual fire extinguisher checks.

Thank you to Debs for replacing the carbon monoxide alarms.

The smoke alarms have been tested every couple of months, and fire drills carried out. Annual gas safety checks have been carried out at both the church and Oxford Way.

In February 2024, some tarmac was laid in the worst parts of the car park, as the Council had some leftover, but the rest of

the car park needs re-tarmacking.

The kitchen cooker failed the annual gas safety test, so we need to either replace this or fit suitable ventilation. Gavin Thomas is looking into replacing the cooker with an electric cooker, and there is obviously an urgency to this to enable safe use of a cooker.

Ann Hedges and Emma Hughes (Church Wardens)

Safeguarding Report

Since the last APCM no Safeguarding concerns have been reported, but advice has been sought and guidance received regarding possible concerns.

We review all roles which require Safeguarding training and continue the process of ensuring all those who require it have completed, renewed, or are working towards completing the training levels required for their roles. All PCC members have completed the required level of safeguarding training, and all have current DBS for their role.

We continue to use the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard which enable us to track progress of our safeguarding requirements. We use the Safeguarding hub to track individual’s Safeguarding status which includes information about DBS checks and relevant

training pertaining to their role in the Church.

We have a good working relationship with our area Safeguarding Officer who offers support with safeguarding concerns as well as advice on policies, procedures, and training requirements. We are also able to attend safeguarding drop-in clinics when we have a question or query relating to Safeguarding documentation.

In the autumn term we conducted our Safeguarding service. During this service we shared our commitment to making church a safer space for all with a focus on self-care and wellbeing. The

children took part in age-appropriate discussion and activities around safeguarding at Sunday Club.

We continue to communicate our ‘commitment to safer churches’ for all those who attend our groups, our services, and our community.

Wendy Rayner and Gill Coombes, Church Safeguarding Officers.

Hampton Deanery Synod Report - January 2023- December 2023

Deanery Synod Representatives from St Richards - Liz Sharpe, Hannah Mitchell having taken over from Mike Coombes (now secretary) and Reverend Debs Wignall.

Tuesday 21 February 2023, St James’ Church, Hampton Hill

Incumbent: Reverend Derek Winterburn

Derek explained about the focus there had been on redecorating, renovating, and replacing of pews that had taken place in the last 6 months. Groups are now picking up again in being able to meet in the church.

Katie O'Connor, Children's Ministry Support Worker, Diocese of London, spoke with Reverend Donna Williams about some tips for Children's Ministry.

Welcome
Space to Encounter God and Each Other
Involvement in the Wider Church Body
Discipling their parents
Advocacy-Appoint a children's champion.
Working with Volunteers
Community and Social spaces

Wednesday 10 May 2023, St Michael’s Church, Fulwell

Incumbent: Reverend Ed Kendall. Associate Vicar: Reverend Simon Pedley

Ed spoke about the 9 years it had taken for the PCC's vision of the building to become a reality, (previously unused). Lots of new architectural work. The Parent and Toddler Group, Youth Group and Food Bank are all growing now that there is space to do so.

The Reverend Jonathan Rust, Area Director of Mission Development reminded us about The Diocesan Vision of 2023. 'For Every Londoner to encounter the love of God in Christ'.

"AMBITIONS-Confident Disciples, Compassionate Communities, Creative Growth. PRIORITIES-Growing Younger, Being Safer, Being More Racially Aware.

He also spoke about who we are not reaching? How can we reach them?

Perhaps by starting a new Worshipping Community.

Wednesday 8 November 2023, St Richard’s Church, Hanworth.

Incumbent: Reverend Debs Wignall. Curate: Reverend Yvette Dixon

Debs spoke about St Richard's as an intergenerational church where individuals were encouraged to develop their faith by growing deeper in their love for Jesus and others. Sustaining growth would be the challenge for the next season.

Jo Jones, Bishop's Youth and Schools Chaplain spoke.

Her role is support for Church of England secondary schools, encouraging Churches and Schools to work together and generally offer support for Youth Ministry. Post Covid lots of churches nationally have none or very few young people/children. Partnership with schools is therefore important. Focus is on those aged

11-18.

Within the Kensington Area and Hampton Deanery, there are a few churches, including St Richard’s, with a growing number of children and young people engaging in midweek and Sunday services.

The Kensington Area holds residential weekends for young people every June. St Richard’s send a group of children there with leaders. (Volunteers always welcome).

Jacob Holme, Leader of Youth Ministry in Communion and Administrator of The Sparks Fund. This fund is to specifically finance youth led projects linked to the Five Marks of Mission. He spoke about the struggle to recruit or find youth workers/leaders.

In summary, there is an invitation for churches to think about collaborating with other churches for one off, or occasional youth events, where partnering brings more young people together and shares the work for leaders.

Deanery Synod meetings always start and end with worship and the Area Dean welcomes everyone. In addition to the invited speakers, covering a range of topics, the agenda also includes Deanery news and updates from the wider church as appropriate.

Liz Sharpe and Hannah Mitchell, Deanery Synod Reps.

Curate’s Report

Arriving with grace-filled and prayerful trepidation, after leaving a church family, who had journeyed with me for many years, was a challenge. But starting a new role and moving to a new home was so much more manageable due to the generosity of a new church family at St Richard’s.

When Debs mentioned intergenerational worship on one of our first meetings, I was excited even though I wasn’t sure what to expect – it has been even more than I had imagined. To see how children are championed and encouraged is a joy to behold.

Getting to know everyone has also been a blessing – even if I am still working on names (please bear with me) … It has helped being involved with the groups that meet during the week, including Collective worship with the St Richard’s school. Thanks, Debs, for enabling me to see many aspects of parish life.

The first half of my time at St Richard’s, I have tried to take opportunities to consider how I could go deeper with God and members of the church community, as I build relationships and try to discern how God is using AND transforming me through those I interact with regularly. With reference to the Bible verses for the church in 2023, I pray that my roots will go down into God’s love as He strengthens me.

A highlight of the second half of my first year, was being part of a team, Dave Rayner and Emma Hughes that came alongside others as we ran an Alpha course that saw people exploring what faith means to them and how we can all ‘Follow Jesus’ – 2024 Bible verse for St Richard’s.

I’ve been able to observe and be involved in a wedding, baptisms and funerals – it has been good to put theory into practice and see the amount of work that goes into these sacraments. Getting to ‘know the ropes’ around ministry life has been interesting. Including attending Deanery meetings and Diocesan events.

I couldn’t write this report without a mention of seeing Debs being installed into St Paul’s as a Prebendary – proud family moment! I was also given another opportunity to process in St Paul’s when I was an oil bearer for the Bishop of London.

I am looking forward to seeing how this year shapes up, with the different encounters, training and fellowship that takes place in the evolving ministry led by Debs. As well as the privilege of traveling with those who are developing their faith in Christ.

Relishing being on this journey with you all…

With gratitude, Yvette,

Yvette Dixon, Curate

Vicar’s Report

In this report, which is also available as a video (link here) I want to share some highlights about what I believe God is saying to us and is showing us through what’s been happening here over the last year or so.

First, we began 2023 with a new verse for the year. A prayer taken from Ephesians chapter 3. Verses 16 -17.

I pray that from his glorious unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s Love and keep you strong.

Our vision at St Richard’s hasn’t changed. We’re called to be a people of growing hope here in this part of Hanworth for those of different ages and stages of life and faith.

That intergenerational aspect of who we are has been important and is growing. As a staff team, Wendy, Paul, Yvette, and I encourage each other with what we notice, giving thanks to God. For example, last week preschooler Ollie welcomed Gerry to coffee morning with a high five and a little worried face asking about the plaster on Gerry’s hand. Or the fact that we have wonderful Brenda at the age of 90 who still preaches a fantastic sermon. Or in Sunday Club Adam and Kyle helping me with their questions and thinking, noticing that we are all disciples and that St Richard’s is a church built on a rock, the rock of Jesus. Or so many of you in your 60’s, 70’s and 80’s who offer amazing hospitality and opportunities for people to gather. Literally

thousands of cakes and cuppas and hundreds of people welcomed to the table in the last year.

We are a church that is growing wider. We have seen that growth numerically this year in just about everything we do for which we give great thanks. Each of those numbers represent individuals who are discovering who St Richard’s are and I hope gently along the way, step by step are more and more being drawn into encounter with Jesus.

My vision when I came here in the Autumn of 2020 was that our church would be a community hub, a beacon of hope in this part of Hanworth. And I believe we are. In fact, I hear that now from people who partner with us from the wider community. They recognise what we’re bringing to the community and are happy to work with us and we’re thankful for their partnership.

I’m reminded that when I was collated as vicar here in the autumn of 2020 Bishop Graham told

the story of the calling of the first disciples and the miraculous haul of fish. The nets were full of so many fish that they couldn’t bring in the catch by themselves. They needed the other boats to come and join in too and partner with them. Bishop Graham’s challenge then to me and to us was to look for those who could partner with us. It would be too much for either I or us to do on our own.

So, I’m thankful to all of you who serve on teams in sometimes visible ways and sometimes behind the scenes. Both are equally important. I’m thankful for those of you who live out your faith in the workplace, in your families, and homes and neighbourhoods. I’m thankful for those of you who give your time, your money, and your talents which enable the vision and ministry of this church to continue. Throughout this report and at the end are some glimpses of the life that is shared here.

The image, the symbol of the tree, reminds us of our vision, that we are called to be people who are growing deeper in our love for God - that’s the roots. Growing closer in our love for each other - that’s the trunk, in order to support the wider growth, welcome and love for our communities – that’s the branches, leaves, blossom and fruit.

As we go into this year that is still very much at the heart of what I’m encouraging us to do. To take time to be with Jesus and not be so overloaded in doing for Jesus. As we grow that’s becoming increasingly important not only for me, but I know for you too.

I look forward to sharing a little bit more at our APCM, but in the meantime I close with the words of the prayer of St Richard.

Thanks be to you our Lord Jesus Christ

For all the Benefits that you have given us

For all the pains and Insults which you have borne for us.

Most merciful redeemer, friend, and brother

May we know you more Clearly Love you more Dearly And follow you more Nearly day by day. Amen.

Debs Wignall, Vicar.

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