Churchwardens, Report We are pleased to report that the Inventory has been checked and is correct. 2024 was a year of change for us. We sald goodbye to Jonathan at the beginning of Septemberwith a well-attended shared lunch. Since then, we have been supported by a rota of retired priests and it has been benef icial to our worship and spiritual life to have these priests officiate at our Eucharist and we are gratef ul fortheir support. Sadly, we have had to suspend the 8 am monthly said Eucharist due to a lack of number5 and staffing issues. The Archdeacon presided over all our Christmas services and all the services were well attended, numbers being up on last year. The Christmas workshop proved very popular and we need to consider how we can encourage those that attend the workshops to join in the life of the Church throughout the year. A Parish Profile was prepared and ready to circulate to interested parties when the Vicar of St. Julian's resigned due to ill health and the Living of St Michael's was suspended to give the Bishop time to consider Parish boundaries and the appointment of Incumbents. We are grateful for your patience and support while we are in this position and hope that it gets resolved soon. We are doing all we can to promote St Michael's and your support and prayers are appreclated. As well as Sunday morning services it Is important that we support one another during these unsure times and you can dothis by attendingthe Friday House Groupi Coffee and Company or stopping for coffee after Church on a Sunday or just supporting any of the fund raising events. There are many people who work hard to help us with our worshipping life, our social life, to keep our buildings in good repair and to raise much needed funds. Our thanks go out to all those involved in these groups in whatever capacity. The reports of the various groups are contained within this Year Book. All the groups need extra help and rf you feel you could assist any of them in any wayi no matter how small) please contact the Chairman of that group or let one of us know. Jacqui Aspinall & Karen Long Churchwardens saintmichael & all angeLS 50UttA¥sck Page 1
Parish of St Michael and All Angels, Southwick MEEfiNG OF PARISHIONERS AND ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING Sunday11th of May at11:15am In St Michael's Church The Me•tlng of the Paiishloners l. The Election of the Churchwardens Annual Parochlal Church Meeting Agenda AFobJies for Abse Minutes of the APCM hekl on 24th of March 2024 Ekntions pcc SideswÉn &desK ReF)Orts Finan Report- Treasurer The other repots are set out in this bcxjklet Appointment of INJewKlent Ex1 Churchwath, Rewt (Will nmbe of the PCC *ase sky behi1 tra minute meeting to set some dates)
Parish of St Michael and All Angels, Southwick Meeting of Parishione to elect the Churchwardens Two nominations had ken r8cei¥fd, so it unaniiTxx Ihat Jacqui Aspinall and Ms Karen LoD.g elected as Churchwardens for the year 2024r2025. Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting Held on Sunday 24th March 2024 at 11.15am in St Michael's Church The meeting w&8 OF£rd with prayer led by the RevererKI Jonathan French. M was atterthd by 29 paiionetB. Apologies for Absence: ApOkyj for alLsenc8 we reCerd firffi th Ja¥ui 111, k15 Elts htrs Gay cth38. Minutes of the last APCM held on 30th Aprll 2023 The minutes were agreed unanimously as a true rd by the Chair. There were no Matte arssing. Electlons: pcc: The follo*ing were ejected as memts of the Parochial Church Council.. Nominee Mrs Samantha 8yme-Smith Mr Raymond Luff Mr Tom B&kshall Prfwer Mr5 Pam Lee Mrs Ros Ellis Mrs WerKly Stringer Seconder Mrs Jan Powell Mrs Carolyn Almond Mrs Anthea Hind The Rector thanked those who had seNed in the previous year, partKulwty Nl&8 AmaThla Beal, Mr5 Beryl Elms, Mrss Kats Hamnett and Mrs Gay Courtnage who were retiring. It was agreed that the following should act as SKYesmen SKleswomen: Mr Tom Backshall Mrs Rosemary Hards Mrs Elaine Luff Mr Graharn Walder Mrs Gay Court Mrs Ann J Mrs Cathy Ihjxe Mr &ThM)n Wilton Mrs Ros Ellis Mr DIKlley James Mr Janet Shaw Mrs Sue Wilton It was also agreed that the folk)wirvJ &t as thMe: Mrs Carolyn Almond Mr Ray Luff Mrs Hen Scott ktrs Sarah Bowrah Mr Tony Seaman Weth Sthnger Ihs Cathy fvtr Peter S( Reports: Flnancial Report- Treasuw. Mr Graham Walder thank Keth vQl kn dl h1 (k)ne n lI¥j thr the thurth &counts, Marion Goble for her continued dimt aJminthts(m 0fm[n giviffj aNI Ray Luff in Ilng him as Assistant Treasurer PaJe 3
This year, the )Unts have been presented in a srykr Reipts arrfl Paynmts fomHL Graham has been encouragirvJ ai payments to be m online as thks dces ¥M)t IrUr charges as cth aThJ transactions now do. Any claims for reimbursement of expenses shId maje on (Tr of the blue fonns whth are available from the off1. Regarding income, which is summafised on paje 11, donatio and leg&ies incIjeS our regular giving, chaiitab activities include weddirKJ and funeral fees. other trajing comprises fundraising &tivrties and hire of the hall and inve5tsMents include rent of1 Church House Clc6e arml interest Detal8 of these sums are page 13. Expendilure Cove the selfxplanatory cost of fUrKIraN nts of maintsiniry I Cliurch House Close, charitable costs relate to church and clergy extenses a1 embr&es hall a1 aCh[tts, fees. Detsils ¥e shown on pa9e 14. The difference between IKne and expeilTe is a slrtll of £15,068, most of which relates to outstsnding boiler replacement costs which should be regarded invethnt for the future. In order to redress the net movement out of funds, the parish contn'button has been redu(%1. £5,(KIO is to be from savings to the current account to meet immediate [. Regarding the fvIu, the current aCcjnt bala is regulty remd, this aided by the Uptdate balance being available online. The Dk)cese has been wamed that may have to reduce our contributM)n further and our situalion is unlikely to change. Also. have had to red our fundraisiNJ events Th) longer have the manpower to run them and donab'ons and lega(ies eTr k)wer than in the past Our prM)rity remairts to care for the church building and people. Our main assets are incm from the hall and 1 Church Hwse Cl)se. In response to questions, Grahan clified that sonE of cash iTh>)me frcffi Sur#Jay a1 Churches Together refreshments is not tecorded as it is used to purchase supplies but the balance goes into the gerEral fund. We are expecting a leg&y from the estste of late Daphne Batt. The Revd Jonathan French expressed the wTegation's thanks to Grah fi)r ts immTh pdnount of th he puts in to maintain the acujunts. Peter Reygale K1 Colli upt( s>)11ed that the ay2Mu)ts be thp1 and all wer8 In favour. Churchwarden Ms Karen Long was asked kn inform ts congregatm atout ts Easy Fu1raIsiJ Scheme that had beeri promoted at Deanery Synod and ts widely used by otsr parishes. Under thls, a pansh is registered and firms participating in the scheme give a prcwrtion of the money spent by regEtsred customers to the church quarterly. Karen encouraged parishioners {and their friends ayj IllieS) to register with Easy Fundraising naming St Mchael's SOuthwk as their thosen chanty, gift aKlirvJ rf tsy we abb. Nethr ts church nor ts shoppers are charged for this. A quartedy payment is received. Karen ill prepare a lealet to give nKxe detaits a1 leave it in the church. Other Reports: FT Jonathan thanked the contributors of the other reports in the Annual Year B(x)k. Ms Kam Long proFosgJ and Miss Kate Hamnett seconded that tlw be accepted arKI this unanimously. Appolntment of IndeWnt Examiner The company we have used rFLerty is proving ratr ex[e, so PCC has apr0 a &(x)untant, Mi James Tugwdl, who has offer&J to t at an annual CA)St of £500. He has 20 years, eXpern in )unting arml credil control. The meeting agreed unanim(xtsly Ihat he stK>uld be asked to eXam1r Ihe 2023 arKI 2024 nts. Rectorfs report: The Rector expressed his thkS to Jwui PspirAU arwj Karen ttwr w)rk as churchwardens,. to Graham Walder, Ray Luff, Marion Golk and Keith fvkQueen for theirrxtt on parth finarn,. lo PoEII &% PCC SeGW; to Tom Backshall as Safeguarding Officer, to Sarth BovKth as a reliable ¥w, to kn and c1g BYnsrnlth and Sarah Bowrah for cleaning trE hall,. to Hugh O'Neil, Angle J&kson and ts thrr for thw'r much applated music,. to Gigi Backshall arKI Kate Hamnett for their contribulKJn to the Children's Ser¥ices' to the Fabric and Sc¢ial& FurKlraising Commrttees, to the Ilower lalies arKJ IIN)se who m E*r baskets arKI eslty to Bym&Smith vly) is the firt point of call for everyone and has swh a friendly aKI approthth He acknowledged that 90% of parish&8 are haviNJ I1h numtws aThJ finareS but gives thath for all this Parish means and does.
There baNJ no further business, trE meetirKJ cl4 Imth a prayer at11.50 am. TIE first meeting of PCC will be held on Sunday 14th Apn"12024 in at 11.15 am next APCM will be on 1> Aryft Y.% {Palm Sunday). Approved by the APCM on SwKlay11th May 2025 by the &lir¥J C11r Paje 5
Parish of St Michael and All Angels, Southwick Registered Charlty Number1130870 ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31rt DECEMBER 2024 CONTENTS Pa Annual Rewrts of PCC and Churchwardens 7-10 Mission Acn Plan 11 Financial Accounts 12-16 Report of the IndeFEndent Examr 17 Reports of the Varnus Committees of the PCC ar¥J Church Organisations 18-24 Page 6
PCC Annual Report for 2024 Admlnlstrative infonnation The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St mhl & All ArwJeb (x)mnwnitses of SCk and Fishersgate in the dicLese of Chichester. The folbwing p have serv&1 on the CourKil during 2024r25, with th8ir year of election shown after thr naffÉ: Revd J French- Incumbent (b 3rd Septembw 2024) Mts J Aspinall - Churchth3rden Ms K Loro - Churchwarden Mrs J Aspinall '23 Ms K Long .23 Mrs J Pos11 3- Secretsry Mr G Wald8r 3- Treasurer Mrs M Kelly 23 Mr R Rose 23 Mrs P Sindair 23 Mrs A Beverton 22 Mrs S Bowrah 22 Mr D Hilton 22 Mr S Wilton 22 Mr T Backshall 24- Safeguarding Mrs S Byme-SnMth 24 Mr R Luff 24 structu governanco and managemeTrt The appoInthnt of PCC methrs Is govemed by ts CIwTch Represenkn Rulas. After ex-oftlo posts (dergy, churchwardens and deanery syn(Ml representstives) have been filkd, one th1 of the ordinary nrnbe[S retire each year but can be r&eWed after one r. Elected nHntsrs nom serve three-year tsmis. The PCC is a Corats tKty estsbnshed by trB Church of ErKJland. K operaÈs urthr ts PCC (Pors) Measure 1956 and the Synodical Govefftment Measure 1969. Tr PCC is leg a charity is reglstered vth the Charity Commission (Number1130870). This rewt has en drawn up in the of the Charities Act 2011, Charity SORP 2005 aNJ Church Accounting RUlaIk 26. The address for corres[M)nden is J poVll. 12 Phoenix Qescent, SwICk, West Sussex, BN42 4HR. The Council's bankers are Barclays Ba pk and Ihe Indewtht EXalM are Messrs ATh)va of The Bam, Meadow Court, Faygate Lane Hotsham RH12 4&1. The PCC dJ ts day.W mana3ement of the Parish to the incumbent, Revd. Jonathan Frh, wilh ts [eSwl)lIbOS transferr1 Chwchwth Mts J A8pinall and Ms K Long duriNJ the inter-regnum. This TrFK)rtC0s ywl) Eathr2024 eaty of2025. Objectivos St Michael's PCC has the 81 reSP)nslIty OfCwaatr Mlh ts INent in prOting In ts parish the whole mfjssn of the Church - pastoral, evaThJel, 8(Klal and MenICal.. ll is also TrS[M)sibje for mantaining various buildings in partsh indudiry St MichYs Church aid Hafi. PaJe 7
Achievements and perforniance Church attendance During 2024, an average of 48 people attended wkly lAt)hip, a fijrtsr 14 attendlesS regularly and 13 remain part of our worshipping communty but are Unab to C(47E ) services due to infjnnty. There Yre 89 acb've mefflbers 159 of whom are over 70) the ECs1&StCal Electord Roll. It is plea&ThJ that 314 peop, induding many children, attended church over the Chrthnas perKxI MJ 91 at Eth, higlw last yw. Revlew olthey8ar We were sory to bse our Rth, Revd jonath Frh, ts14 year8, ÉervKe aThJ a shared lunch was eniDyed where ab to Ish him ll in hi5 retir&nert at St W de Hra St Julian's benefices have also left so the livings have IEen wthi18 discussKs tske plw aLx)ut future affawents. However, we have conts'nued with the help of wsting cleryy axl deligh1 to the Arc1KIex)n to officiate at our Christmas services. Sung EharISt ts hekl every Surnlay, vth the fitst SurKlay of the K)nth ba'ng All Age Worshlp. A Said Communk)n was also tdd a nth but h&% haj to be during tr inter-wnum. Southwrck Churches Togetsr hold ecurtlCal serS in St Michl's eath V8k during tènn tirne. Th8 Advent Children's Workshop was Kell supported, and we Contin to partkipate in the ChurdEs Tofvr'opgn the Book, sessions at Eastbrook School. It was to i.n ilh fellow kKal Chrtstians to lebrats the Worfd Day of Prayer for which we hosted the service and tojoin in the Walk ofwitss from the CO1n chUh to SouthwKk Squara on Frfday. Unfortunately, N)int Carol Singing in The Square h•J b be Ce1j ath. The PCC met 8 tilS a 74% attendance and urgent matters wpre deatV•ith by the Standing ComnNtt88. Additional meettThJs were conven&1 durirKJ th8 intsr-regnum to keep rn8mbe uwlat&l on prcYJress to make urgent decisions. There was 1 ldIng, 3 funerals and 1 IntemNrt of ashes. We ere greaty wldened to lose Patrla Lerner&Goff, Peter Robinson, Geuge Hards, Pete, DlS Croft Slwla Dean during ttK8 yw, all of whom had contributed greatly to our parish o%r yea5. The inter-rfrJnum h&s a lot of pressure Wwdens &KI PCC to undertake addltional duts'es to keep everything running snKthly and Dukl partkularty like tothank our Partsh Administrator, Sam Byrn&Smth, for her extra efforts and help duriThJ thts We do feel that rTal8 in ts parth has Tennl high a1 have been plea1 to gather diff8renl frcrfn (r vrtIrKj seem ts) enppj with $. Despite the diffKulties VK kn in our C[ch, o)unty arnl the Iroubl M)rhJ, give ttwnks for ts blessings continue to enjoy- a k)ving rd IK) promises b be with us always arxl faithful fn.ends around us to help us face the future Imth IK)pe. Flnancial Revlew 2024 2024 hag seen a net redtion of of£6,148 of rrw part of this relates to eX{Ilre on Ihe Church Hall. At the beginnirKJ of the year, finally rey)j the of fhe le¥J rTr)f in the kitchen by rrK)VIng and replacing the tiles in that area and in AUgt repl1 ts rotten tinknfront d(x)rs Ith aluminium door frames. The Church Hall is an important asset for SuPF¥1[j not inwtant source of but aso a place to hold a large number of our s(Kial events.
Regular Income griing has laety Ststiled aFKI Gfft Ahl IO¥er&I has incmsed this year, due to the fact tb,at we have now mana9ed to make tegukn Gift AMI dain during Ihe year rauw than bawng it until the following year and then making a single daim. Fundraising events howaver been a chalenge for us as an &Je1j congregalK)n are finding ft Wy)re difficult to manage the larger events like funniro Ihe car boot sale etc. Our Pansh contribut redUd to £4,475 w nKxth althwJh have managed to iaSe this in 2025 to £4,610. We are also planniw on making a CtrUl tr) the Dtt)Ce th8 tTrdphne Bamett's estate. ReseNes Policy. 1. Our Barclays Current A¢xount was £8,052 Barcty Premium A1)Unt was £17,760 on 3112 2024. 2. Our InvestnEnt Accounts vAth CBF hdd by PCC we £52,592 3. The InveStnt Account held by the Dese was £28,849 4. Th& Kenyon Trust is a restncted fvnd for St Peters Church re £30,374 5. The Simmonds Tt is an Endowed Trust of £10,382 for the Churchyard **ich fw not be sp8nt but the intsrest is pa into the General Fund Approved by the PCC on 161h ot March 2025 and Sign (m ts bthalf by the ActiNJ Chalr {Slgnatur•i (Name) Page 9
Fabric Report The Fabric Committee consists of Jacqui Aspinall, Simon Wilton, Graham Walder, Nigel Couthage, Colin Upton and Jan Powell St Michaels Church and Churchyard Extemal doors conb'nue to be difficutt to thut in the wet ather but do improve during the summer months, The west wall of the nave has now tEen repainted arKJ thanks go to Peter Scott and Nigel Courtnage for undertaking this task. There has teen some treatrnent for worM arKI evid of fvrther woodworm ts being monitored. Work has been undertaken on the block11))ring vtsre some blocks have become raised or a unsafe. The churchyard is the reswnsibility of Adur and Worthing Distiict Council. St Michaols Church Hall The roof has now been repaired salisfactoiily. New doors have been fittgj which &e a great improvement. There is a problem with the flooring of strye cu)ard arKI howfully this witl be investigated during the summer holidays this year. The land the Hall is buitt on is leased from the Diocese and Ihe temi of this Lease njns (xrt in June 2025 and we are currently seeking to extend the temi of this Leasel have a new Lease granted. 1 Church Hous8 Clc*e 1 Church House Close continues to be let to the tents provides an essenfjal source of income. A large tree in the garden lch was causing a woblem has been cut down Tho Rectory The Rectory remains the responsibilty of the dic¢ese, however, during an interregnum certain matters are our responsibility. It seems very unlikely but the DifKese are considering letb'ng the property for six months and because of this we are having to completely clear the house aKI garwJe and we are currently arranging for a skip to help with the removal of sY)me large items. We are also responsible for keeping the garden tidy, thankfully the Diocese have arranged for the relVal of the brambles in the garden. Thanks to Peter Scott for the smart new address plaque for the Rectory. Jacqui AspinalllKaren Long Page10
Mission Action Plan (2021- 2024) We aim to cebrate and share G(xl's love for ai people by offering a pla of belonging, explon:ry= honestly with an open mind, stiiving to live otrt Chrisfs e afKI compassion f everyone as toge- as a church family arKI failh communtty explore the k)ve of G(xl made knobn to us in Jesus ch.rist. Community links Fliers through all doors in the Parish 3 times per year- Christinas, Easter, Remembran andlor Summer. We should make sure this happens regularly to ensuTe consistency of communication. Within the flier we emphasi to those receiving them that as their local church we are praying for them. Workshops (aka Messy Churchk increase to 3-5 throughout Ihe year. Chrislmas, Easter, Summer, HaNest, Rememtxance a8 possible fwses. Links to schools - make links with He&Jt&%hers of all bcal ythools - Glete, Eastbrook, Holmbush, Shoreham Academy and Shoreham College. (All schools have to demonstrate aspects of collective worship and moravspiritual education under Ofstl criteria) This will require some persisten and some schools will already have involvement from other churcheslreligiousffarth groups. If anyone has any links it TM)uld be good to follow these up. St Mlchael'8 Pastoral visitors - To develop provisFon map for wlnerable members of Our congregation mapping out all the contact we have had arKJ any suptx)rt both from us and elsewhere that is in place (a syslem used in schools). Pastoral links - names and contact details in pew Shee This would need to be DBS checked. Or a message to say rf you would like a member of the pasloral team to contact you Klease email Sam in the Off with con1 detsils - this will be treated in confKlenck. Eco Church - we can rM)tentially tie in with group that mt at St Giles Church Hall- We will provide a list of all the recyding that can be collected and how it can be collected, Photo board of all members of the ngregatKIn visible in church where visitors arKI crjngregation can see it. Page11
St Mithaels and All SouthwKK Chultyn 113( Summary of Financial Re¢elpts and Paymwts. Year Ended 31 December 2024 . Furds Inlomt deadO¥jme1{ty: txJnation5ardlE8ades h*rtt¥Ye thrli LTA IEÉ 26883 18234 otrre Ewnthjretin". aWlEII.iE 13- r•dlnit05¥ Upke4pofi How¢kn• Xetyrfn#GfftforA•¢iDr I175) JJ 588 ld J24 883 JA4 .17 107353 )J05J9 Page 12
St Michaels arKI AU Angels, soUthwK Charlty no. 1130870. Statement of Assets and Llabllltles. Year Ended 31 December 2024 .1 FLV>4ts 2023 A552t OaTclaysCwrent 8wb11c<WTht B8Tclay$ PTemknm BusiMssAt(Dtsrt s2 17,760 48.r)8 846 Jfjo 28W9 7395 P¢cd hank balan5 Kenyonyr immandsTrt Toi31 bThkanttfkpa&laE4X4S 11&946 90374 IC..L¥r, 61ftAJd recowaljie Dèbtors 8A29 11105 Fmhold. Ichurth o¢1 •¥¢ 363,061 ftQfv duetoW¢fthlnqLf Chequt Outsi•Ir•tftrWj CheqDutsrMdlwatywerrfl 128 3,482 8fKt on It8 bghdr (SgrAkn•l ffru*••) Page 13
St Michaels and All Angels. Southwi Charity nth I1310. Analysls of Totsl Income. Year Ended 31 December 2024 p1arv 8th8{excl lanned iivinglnotsx refundsl Ontroff znd adknc donèY(ths pedal appeals iftAid reEo¥¢rnd 41.575 ino". 17 S.Y04 Dts FeÈ% forweddln45 &fvner4h L470 ProceedsotevefitsWthtr8thrSths orcertlrycome mall kems saleslwff••l Hall hirfnxfees M•8azltte/bouk5talllncarne Oth•TtrndlTrB¥cthAtts Inte5Ston D•p051ts Dmdands Onl4e*rt% Lethn8 of In¥estm•mproperty n¢eme on IIiv•stsn Other rece5 U76 4759 416 17.621 672 17.7fO 17.610 14282 161 575 Page14
St Michaels and All Angels, SouthwlcK Charity no. 1130870. Anal si5 of Total Ex enditure Year Ended 31 December 2024 Tutol Fund: 2023 Cost of fvndrai51niactbllli¥lthpr Otherawe5 exwn CL)St drab&funds 1211 11281, Is4.0) 110351 12,57811 Partsh 5hareto ester05Xe Wage5and salarles P41 Rettor's Expenses Visllln&aeryyFe85aThl Exp¢rMs Redory Utitttle5 Sunday sthoollChllth•rf$wYxk Cost of Chwch Office Stspplie5 Churth utillues biifs 0iherftRular thurth runnlby tosts C05tsofchafftJle& ouirtxh eNMS 141ty)1'. ic y,sn 617 13,08311 11.25211 (8.6371., 13351: (3351. Church malntiHnce & decOraA ,' New bpller forchurth Insurante 221:. 611 IZ7J5 145421 12311 14X)i 84nk Char vtherfimnthlfees Charltablet4rt5 Cost oievents¥AthtradWs•iqs Archlitt'S Fees Ilall malntenance & rqdecor•iion Church H•ll u1MMS Church Ho11 wnrJlrYdCOSts lothtr> Otlierirndlngcosts 11,8121, 2Jli 1620 19932ai 111409 1223 £342 P.1531 11?421 17.1401 13L¥)I 11.7ts)1 7421 ,1401. 131X)I' ll951 11.OZ91'. 1347 4675 U7,3551 11.0291.. IL71•)). Ilpkeeepoii Church Htyjse Close 11587 Total ald 0Tr4il funds Page 15
St Mlchaels and All Ane15 Southwick. Charlty no. 11330870. Costs, Year Ended 31 December 2024 Staff costs Staff Wages and salaries Employer Natlon81 Insurance Employer pension contribthion5 tsOA461 19266) (305J HtsnorBrfa charged to Cost ltyrristl or Clwrth 14315 Runr4 Costs iaeanersl 18.942 8,923 Page 16
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ST. MICHAEL'S PCC. SOUTHMCK I report to the trustees on my examination of the aclxbunts of SL Mlcha81's PCC. Southwick for the year ended 31 December 2024. Responslbllltlgs and ba•is of Yeport As the charity trustees of St. Michael's PCC. Southvick are Tesp)Ne for the preparatlon of th8 accounts in accordance with Ihe requwaments of Ihe Chartti8s Act 2011 (the 2011 kt). I r8port in r8spe¢t of my examinaiion of SL Mictiael's PCC. S(Arth's accourrts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in caThwng out my examination I have followed all the appli(xbS8 Directions giv8n by the Charity Commission under sedlon 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Acl. Independent examIne5 slatamènt I have comty8ted my examinallon. I confirm that no matsrol matt8r5 have come to my attention In conntion vAth the examination gtving me c8use to believe that in any material respett. accounting records wer8 not kept in w of the chwity as requwed ty section 130 cf the 2011 Art or th8 accounts do not accord Mth those rgcords. I have no concems and have come across no othèr matters in o)nneclion with the ex8minallon to which attention should be drawn in this rewt in order to enable a proper understanding of the ants to be reech8d. IUCLLLL Katle Squire ACA. Anova The 8am, Meadow Court Faygate Lane Faygat9 Horsham West Sussex RH12 4SJ Dated.. 2310412025 Page 17
Reports of the various Committees of the PCC and Church Organisations Deanery Synod Deanery nc met three tlmes duriThJ the yw wwKled over by ts Rural Dean, R8verend D HelKIe. The highlNJht Ytas the Deanery Celebration of year of faith, Ihe 950 year nierSary of of the ChiGher tX(%ese and the 1700 year anniversary of the Synod of Ni. The nting was I1 at St Le(Kwds, Akliiw #i Feknw. The theme was to share our beliets arKI dkscover Nice cr unites deterniti was believe. wnising that faith is a process of expk)ratM. At each meeng, there Is a fLs talk, ts flrt by ReweThJ ArrfJr8w Snith. VAS a g1vW saytro dlscipleship should be 8 part ofour faith. Tt nK)rn nyxe Ikety be gwryjs a VISKM for mS1On and minislt A call to generosty is a call b prayer stewwts of our tim, tthts treasure {s88 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9) Reverend Nlck Turner gave the t& on evarYJ8ksm and diesNp, so as th8 UK now has rN)re atrEists than people who beueve in God. He encourayl us to be lokl aKI to ewday as our &tions spea( louder than wrdS. We aiB entrust8d with a duty and pj to introduce Chrtstsnity inkn gth wNersth as a natural ovth ofour love for Jesus and to bE Ouard lookn.ng desprte the barri5 of nlern •, chwch is okn seen as an alien culbjre or not credible. Pwir.,; may be put off by SOC baftiers or p&t aXW$, so red tr) ern7rje th8m lo f881 c(¥nk)rtth axl We0 sn and Oli& L,. church, to make Opportunit to share make the t of those thal ar8 Put in front of us. These w8rg all very lrn%piring and upteat and gfve fKJpe for a brkJhter fith, desyts atl the bal things In this Kirld that we aiE constantly bombarded with. But these gocKI re all lo be activ invdved in every vrdy can. Jan PoNell Friday House Group The Group meets on Frtdays in the chu and everyone is elcOme to Join 8. We contsnue to to pray, praise and talk alx)ut Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. trK)w k)ng for Him to tecome increasingly mr ". of our everyday Irves and how &8n serve Him m(xe failhfulty. The group stsrted Son years ago and continues to be a sour(* of encouragerron( $wt felbhEhip and even fun. During Lent VE weekty k)r a series ty tk)uglas Connelly on the '1 am, SayirvJs of Christ, a good series, thought provoking aid offering oppothnities for diUSsion and Karen a s011 paral1 group on Saturday rrw)mings which was ML appreciated. Earfier, we also studied a series on the seMn on ts Mount basèl on the Beatldes. Ray and Elwne Luff P4e 18
Children's Ministry The AlkAge Wotship servKs, generalty on ts first &ThJay of ts nxrfi, 0)ntlUe the nuntsr of children and fari-il attending is very low, sometiffes onty t¥) or three Y(ngStss all. We ca)nlIn tt) grateful to Gigi Bksha11-WilklnSorI ar- Kate Hammett for Orgls1j activities for the youw durirwJ ts serite. It has ) been a delight to erQUrage greaier partrcipatM)n in the serlice frcffi our young arKI, Fn pthlar, the gilltar plang from Ollie. A SucssfiJl Advent Workshop vas heky Decern 17 thibjren ere to Ihe Church Hall for craft tivItI8$, 8 light lunch and a r8-telling of the Nativity story as as sm Carol singirwJ by (Xle Iguitao, Luke (Keyard) arKJ Katie. Father Christrnas appeared at the eNI of the ith a smal gfft thikl. sev patents stay1 througftht th8 workshop which gave an opportunty forConvenS atK)ut St Mrl's, vrtm) are a1 what TIP (k). l am gratefijl to the team for their hail Vrk and commthenl in makirvJ this day sh a K1 to Kth Fr8eman for his lIkne$S to don a red suit and white beard for the ttcasion! There was a g(M)d attendance of yotmg people owlhe Christrn&s WKXI a very suct8ssfiJl Crli Ser¥hx on Chrth Eve, leo by Archdeacon Martin arKI ts Nativty Strmy w nallatsd trj ts Ardthxon out by chiklr8n enthusiasm and Joy: A further workshcp is to b8 in Lent prior to Mjthenw SUaY is plann. (kn thINJ that need to th) is follow up contactr, made durirvJ these vA)rkshoF6 to establtsh tneC)nS ¥th famiks so that can rexh out to them and encourage them tr.1 become involved St Michls. It ts to be hoted that over ts next year, aNI part• wh, God lI11r, have a n8w pri8g,. we can re-focus on our mlnlsty to children. young 5 and famib'es. K8ren Long Pastoral Team It was the Rectorfs intentDn to refonn ar renew ts Past(d Ixrt sajly Jonathan dKI Th)t achieve INS prlor to hts retirement. i ain grateful to those Ytho 'keep tsbs, on who are pcthy andlor hwtK)und and bring to our attenlon for prayer. Than¥:; especialty to Brenda Wells for her nlnisty oftffj comrru)x)n rwJu b) those are li r8sKlential care orlK) are housetOL'nC and unab18 to attend chuh. In the abSee of a priest, I will be kd(iw at ways to c(Ordat8 our path care so that all our chch tsny are boked after. Krn Long Church Hall The main thiry to reFDrt re: the church hall for the past year is the new d(1 We have finalty got a set of wonderful looking, fully functional d( that work ts same aY come rain OT shinel It inlY makes my job hiring out the hali easier wittbjut this hurdle to cross. The fix to the kitchen roof is holding up n, with no akS to report. Thank you to everyone who helps al Ihe hall 1th fixing, paintiry, general maintenance. More jobs are planned moving forward into the summer. Samantha Byme-smith P4e 19
Coffee and Company Our numbers do vary but we average alK)ut 25130. Ifyou know any Uld tenefft from an hour OT so of company please encourage them to give us a ty, meet on the first Saturday of the month from 10 to 12 noon. If there is someone you think might benefft from Ihe company but transport is a problem please let me know VE'II see rf we car,. help. Thanks as always go to Rctsemary, Gay, Mary. Sue, Angte and Graham. I rA)uldn't do it Nmthout you. Thanks also to all who attend and vtho make it such a lovety frEndly couple of h[s. it couldnl happen witt1 you. Why not w)p in and give us a try. Jacqui Aspinall Electoral Roll As you will know, this year called for a complete revision of ts Electoral Roll. ThB is a big undertaking and thank you to all who complet&d forms and drop[ them into offi. The total figure for thls year (forms reknmed) is 89, compared to116 on the last rdl. Trre are stlll a few forms waiting to be completed and retumed, a few Feople have mov8J from the parish th some are now in nursing homes ap.!1 there ara those who have sadly pas8al aaY in ts last year. There may be some wple attend frequently and might rike to be on the Electoral Roll. If so, fomis are available i! I church. Sam Byme4mith Church Flowars The Flower Ladtes cont'nue to prOle a beautiful display each tek, Vthh hope everyone enjoys, Our numbers are still low but have been boosted recently by Nancy Mofris tho has now broht our number up to 61 Thank you, Nancyl We are always grateful rf people donate money for fi0Er5 in memory of a k)ved one. We do our best to find fiowers in the colours that you request. Please see Brenda Allen or rf you vKh to do this and please give us some notice. Finding fiowers ntinUeS to be dlfficult ?thoUt Ihe kKal fiorist or access to the Ik)w Ma81 but have experime.Iitfvi with one or two new sources and alyS have OUT local supemiarkets to fall on! We are pleased that this year have managed to find a more eCfriendlY ftlral foam to suptM)rt our arrangements. My thanks go.to all our arrangers, and to those of you who kindly comment on Ihe fi0Er5 arKI show your appreciatior.. Helen Scott Page 20
St Michael's Music Choir Angle Jackson (Choir and Music Director) has continued to inspire our small but very k)yal group of singers who have been leadiffj the services tirelessly this past year. Nort of us is getting any younger and had to accept that one of our senior members coukl not conts'nue in the choirafter DecemlEr. HOver, the enthusiasm of the choir is undiminished. and they rAJntinue in the crucial ro of18ading the congregational siNJirxJ in the seNices. Angle and l o)ntinue to work together at Friday evening rehearsals to prepare for ts servtces and other events, alas a stimulating fixture. These events have included an Advent Carol service in the choir was augmented ith seasonal suptx)rt that Angle manages to prUre for these ¢xcasions. The choir, to their credit, also featured in the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. Both these services seemgj to be very well received. Unfortunatety, the prosp&ts for recruitment into the choir are not boking gooa at present a problem no doubt facing many parish churches. Organ Intonab'on problems persist, although after I met with organ bjner to disfJJSS most pressing of these issues, the. 'GreaV organ is sounding considerably improved. Even so, I still have to be very se18ctive in registration choices. Thp instrument was last overhauled 50 years ago and will need s(¥ne expensive attention in the foreseeable future rf it is to contlnue in operats'on, A cheaper option is a digrtal organ, whtch V•Duld wuire little maintenancE. Etther way, a financial decision on longer term plans regarding organ music at St Mich's I11 have lo be made as srx)n as rthsible. Classlcal Music Concert A repeat of last yearfs successful cOnrt was held on the 218t of SeptemtEr. There was a varied programme by six artists. A vocal item for MezZwpra 0mpanIed by wla and piano by Brahms was folbwed by a baroque piece for 2 flutes and piano. Anita Beverton ci)nlributed 'The Syran, by Saint-saens, and V ended with the lively Pouknc Flute sonata with Karen and myself on piano. Graham Walder kindly introduced the event I have some ideas about the next cOnrt but no date has twn deci as yeL Our kKal support Wds but I was slightly diSapF(jint that in spite of varied adverb'sing ploys. I dKI not rK>tice any 'wtsiders' in the audien. Hugh O'Neal (organ and piano) P4e 21
Safeguarding Our Safeguarding procedures are up to date and wularty reVieVd. All rwEssary DBS checks have now been updated through the online servi. If you plan to run a group or visit others in an activity linked in any Ydy to the church a DBS check should be completed. It is not too onerous- please o)ntact me for infoNnation. You will be aware that the Church is urKler elOuS scnrtiny regarding Safeguarding at this time. Infonnation and online training is available to anY(e and can tk aC{S8j via the Diocesan eble. Ir lTri e more information please let me know. Completing a DBS Ch is rx)t ts same as engaging Vth tramiing. The training is helpful in kpIng us alert to the context and concems around Safeguarding. The key message is that SafegualIng is everyone's S[M)ns)I1ty. If you have any COnmS about someone or a particular situation please contact me. All concerns will be taken seiiously and dealt with in confidence. Tom Backsh811- Safeguarding Officer Social and Fundraislng During the intefregnum, it is so imwrtant that * all pull together. It is absolutety therful to witness that togetherne<s in our social and fundraising activibes, from tM)th the organisers and suptx)rters. During the year 202&2025 our evenL included Quiz Night, an Open Gard8n at Peter and Helen's house, a CaM . a shared lunch to celebrate harvest and the Advent Fayre. Lurrently, your Social and Fundraising ccmmittee (x)mprtses ladies only. This is not an exclusive arrangement, and would love it rf any genlknien )UkI like to join us. At Ihe very least v* value your supwrt and muscle power. Thank you so much to all members of the Social and Fundraising Commrttee for all th8ir hard rk, and for all the additional support re1Ve from friends and famity. PlanniThJ is already in progress for future events. We publish news of all wr acts"vities in the weekty slwL Ros Ellis The Singles, Circle I really do feel thal this is a year of tharoe in more vrdys than 0, just as I have rnentid in our magazine wherebij, we have lost the use of the Big Sompting LiThl minil)us. Emma their driver was such a lovely support getting us faithfully to our destinations and we finished up an outing just before the erKI of 2025 knith a visit to Gk)w Wild at the Wakehusi Place gardens to see the illuminatN)ns there. We are Fw'ng and praying that a new outlet will <x)me forward so we c8P stsrt our outs'ngs again. In the meantime, to keep people 'ng ab to meet Start the year a lunch at La Galbria 14 January, and this k a visit to Maybetys GaNlen Centre for AfterrnTh T. On 29th March are holding a Film Afternoon in the church hall. Later in the year ho to affaroe vists by train minibus (rf FKMible) to Chthester to oee the exhibition in the Cathedral lebrating 950 years of the DI0Se of Chichester and 1700 year of the Nicene Creed. We have also not ruled out our long awaited, fish and chip lunch on a cruise on Chichester Canal. So do watch our pew sheets and posters during the year for further infornon. Sheila W8St Paje 22
Family Support Work Since the election of our new gobEmmenL like many charthes FSW has been hit very hard by the loss of revenue to ai those who great need in Sussex. Therefore, anything our churches can do to help is absolutely vital. The results of tkitt increase in revenue announ by new Chancelbr means that the annual arnount of support from our diocese has been drastically cut and the amount ra by FSWS Winter Warnr CaMpan has aso been greauy reduced due to many pensioners losing the am(yJnt they given by the g0Mment each yw. part of rf not all, would have been given to this campaign. I have been amazed how pensiorS that I know, have sb'll dipped into their pockets and given donats'ons in spite of having to find extra money to fund their needs. FSW is not ak)ne in losing thousands of pounds of revenue due to increases in money needed to cover the increases in national Insuran demanded for each member of staff working for them. This must have affected the DI(se too. In spite of all this various groups throhoUt Di(Kese of ChKhester & still coming together to raise fvnds wherever they can, Last year we ioirEd forces with Sl Mary de Haurd in Shoreham to run slalLs in NovemtrH at their church, for handbags and scaNes, and a card toml)ola. We still collect food and clothing fot the FSW food Bank and for their shop in Easlboume. So, rf you are tuming our any of your clothes that are in dean, g¢x)d conditDn, please remember FSW and pla them in the box in the tower along with requested fcod items that FSW sb'pulate. Sam in our office always lets you krK)w what is desperately needed. One of FSW'S 'clients' wrote the following, sums up vthat this charity is all aLy)ut.' - 'After belng referred to FSWIrn ryson s infantschool, I was told the lovety Gail would b• oursupport workor. And when Isay lovely, I genuinety mean thatl She has helped me in so many ways and it8 nl¢• when I dony have frlends, I can chat to realty that I can maet with her and we can catch up on how thlngs have beon going and get advlco if necessary. I thlnk without Gall I would have been much more stressed than l aml Sho has a calmin9 nature and is lovoty to talk to about anythln& not just parantsng. Thank you, Gail. and FSW for allowing mo to feel8UPPOrted outside ofmy famltynetth" January'8 work In numbers: 253 visits and 972 remte calls supporting 286 parents and 202 children 50 supported meetings with other agenc 80 group sessions delivered 83 food deliveries made Sheila West
Southwick Churches Together It rs good to report that during term time, Southwick Churches Together still rr£ets ts Ihe half how service on a Wednesday morning from 9.30 to1 Oam Iwth coffee and time to chat afterwards. Gathering together a rots to head these servtces each week has been quite a challenge over the last year. As many of you will know, for one reason or anotsr Southwid( lost the support of their clergy either thrwh retirement, illness or moving on to other parishes. I feel ITuly grateful for Ihe way that lay fr(Mn our churclw have wme to the for offering their knovAedge aryj servKe k) keep Ihe rots go1. We have seen new faces at our service arxl after Bob from the Methcxlist Church sadly died, were grateful for Angel Jackson offering to come along lo play for us e Wednesday. Her skills have certainly enlivened the singing and it is an absolute joy to have her with us. We all of us find It so amazing to hear Ihe thoughts and vi6ws of people frn the different churches, are a mine of information. If you now ftnd yourseFffree on a Wednesday moming and would like to join us for half an hour Uld love to see you. Do give us a ty, we are now rnting using the choir stall chairs, tch are so mh more comfortable and we are able to get into a lovely circle, as we also do for our Friday prayer arKI study group. Sheila West Open the Book I'm pleased to say that the B(x)k is still going sltongl Easlbr(K)k School Is still lcOMIng us in on a forts)ightly basis to tell and enact out stoiies from the Bible are Ofsted appro. We e a group f 5 peop at the mment who go to the school and vthat a welo)me get from the thildren 0 are In the earfy stages of their educalKin. We have about 60 children who come to hear the SleS and they are often eagerfy waih"ThJ in line at their classrwm doors to come in and sit down qutetly ready to sing the song thal gS Imth the presentstion, rering *knich story wll it be tola51 as the song goes. l.ast week we Ere telling Ihe story of David and &)liath and I w)ndered IK)w on earlh going to create a gkqnt. 14eather from the Methodist Church wrived the nxBt amazing giant made out of cardboard arKI over 6fL hig,,, he had the words printed out thal she needed to say on the bad( of the gian( and en she was 'killed' by David h6r ohriek as she di and fell down was suFErb. The chiklren k)ved it and cheered, so there was no distress at all. Thf. teachers were well primed and quite happy about it 811. Next week are telling the story of Naomi and Ruth. If any of you are interest&J in findNig out more alyJut this project, please do speak to me and rf you can help us, we would be delighted to have y(yJ us, but it is Im[nI to attd a training day, whith can be done on line and sometimes arranged at Church House Hove. You can see from this that it also has di(Kesan approval. Sheila West P¥24