## **ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH, BRENCHLEY** ## **ANNUAL REPORT** ## **AND** ## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ## **OF THE** # **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL For the year ended 31 December 2020** ## **Incumbent:** The Revd Campbell Paget The Vicarage 8 Broad Oak Brenchley Kent TN12 7NN ## **Independent Examiner:** Mrs Susan Davis Parish Accounts Adviser Diocese of Rochester St Nicholas Church Boley Hill Rochester Kent ME1 1SL ## **ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH, BRENCHLEY ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2020** ## **Administrative information** All Saints’ Church is situated in The High Street, Brenchley. It is part of the Paddock Wood area Deanery and Diocese of Rochester, within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Vicarage, 8 Broad Oak, Brenchley, Kent TN12 7NN. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of All Saints’ is a charity registered with the Charity Commission (No: 1130911). ## **Structure, governance and management** The function and purpose of the PCC is outlined in the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules 2020. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and are then eligible to stand for election to the PCC. ## **Objectives and Activities** The PCC of All Saints’ Brenchley has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Revd Richard Campbell Paget, to promote in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has responsibilities for maintenance of the church building and churchyard. It is committed to enabling as many people as possible, in all age groups, to worship at All Saints’. It maintains an overview of worship to ensure provision of a range of church services to suit different tastes of worship, with an overall aim to adhere strictly to the message of the Gospel. All members of the congregation are encouraged to play a part in services and there is a rota for readers and leaders of intercessions. The main activities of All Saints’ PCC are the provision of church services, baptisms, weddings, funerals, youth and children’s work, and the teaching of adults by way of regular home groups throughout the year. A report on the various activities undertaken at All Saints’ is attached, each group or committee dealing with specific aspects of parish life. All PCC members are jointly responsible for deciding how their funds are to be spent and are made aware of the liabilities involved in their role. They are required to be DBS checked and to undertake regular Safeguarding training. ## **PCC Membership** Members of the PCC are either ex-officio, elected or co-opted by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules 2020. During the year, the following served as PCC members: _Incumbent:_ The Revd Campbell Paget (Chairman) _Reader::_ Mr Joseph Champneys _Wardens:_ Mr Peter Westley Mr Robin Brooks _Representatives on the Deanery Synod_ Miss Cherie Sargent Mr John Garthwaite Miss K Maier (until APCM 2020 ) _Elected members:_ Mrs Ann Rabbitt Mrs Ann Wilkinson Mr Richard Beale Mr Nicholas Woodcock Mr Fred Playfoot (until APCM 2020) Mrs Thelma Cunningham Mrs Diana Brooks Mrs Angela Boobbyer Mrs Moira Tunstall Sir Robert Akenhead (from APCM 2020) Delegated Co-Chairman Miss Karen Maier (from APCM 2020) Mr Samuel Smithson (from APCM 2020) Mrs Sarah Thorpe (from APCM 2020) Secretary _Co-opted:_ Mr Stephen Edler (from APCM 2020) Treasurer ## **PCC Committees** The PCC operates as a body, meeting whenever considered necessary but usually once a month up to 10 times a year (except in August and December) and through certain committees which may or may not co-opt members of the congregation and others to fulfil their tasks. ## _Standing Committee:_ This is the only committee required by law. It consists of the Incumbent, Churchwardens, Treasurer and Secretary. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. _Churchyard Committee_ This attends to all matters relating to the maintenance and preservation of the churchyard. _Other Committees_ These attend to various other aspects of the life of the church on an ad hoc basis. ## **Achievements and Performance** ## _**Church attendance**_ On 31[st] December there were 140 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll, 48 of whom were not resident within the parish. Since the 2020 APCM, one name has been removed but no names added. On account of the restrictions put on attending church in the building itself by government legislation due to the pandemic, no attendance figures were collected. However, through the initiative and work of Sir Robert Akenhead, virtual services were held on Sunday mornings at 10am. These were very well attended, much appreciated especially by the ‘shielding’ and isolating, and also attracted new people. The Baby and Toddler Service was renamed ‘The Mothers’ Support Group’ in order to comply with legislation and met throughout the majority of the year. The church building remained open throughout the pandemic for private prayer and the 8am Holy Communion Service was held regularly for between 5 and up to 15 people. ## _**Review of the year**_ In addition to a short meeting following the APCM to appoint officers, the full PCC met 7 times during 2020, with an average level of attendance of 89%. All but one meeting (held in February) were held virtually. Where Committees met between meetings, minutes of their deliberations were received by the full PCC and discussed where necessary. Copies of the Minutes of each PCC meeting may be found in a folder on the Black Tomb by the North door . Members of the church family are warmly encouraged to keep abreast of these and to make their views known to either the Vicar or the Churchwardens. The teaching of the Christian faith in its biblically orthodox form with its insights and challenges to contemporary personal, moral, and social issues continues to be a priority in the life of the church. Without such teaching at the heart of the life of the church, it is all too easy for churches to be distracted into private or corporate priorities that can serve to distract individuals or groups from the role and task of the Church given to us by Christ and his Apostles. The regular life of the church family has been considerably interrupted and altered during the Covid pandemic, with most activities either severely constrained or cancelled (See above for ‘virtual’ services.). A Wednesday Evening Study Group continued in school term time. The church building remains in a very good state under the watchful eye of Peter Westley and aspects of the work identified in the last Quinquennial Inspection, which revealed that the church building is in a very good state of repair for a building of its great age, are being undertaken. Instead of the Nativity Tableau and Christingle Service, a video was produced which may be seen on the website. A video by a small ad hoc choir and a selection of readers reading from their houses or gardens also produced a recording of ‘Nine Lessons and Carols’ The Churchyard Committee continue to meet on a regular basis and employ their various gifts and wisdom in ensuring the churchyard continues as a very special jewel of our village. We were very sad to lose our Youth and Children’s Worker, Mike King, after almost ten years of wonderfully inspiring service with us and with our Church school where he was Chaplain. It is fully intended to find a successor to him. We are also immensely grateful to our Treasurer, Gerry Hughes, who has retired from this role after some 17 years! Our local church School has continued to flourish under the inspirational and committed Christian and educational leadership of the Head Teacher, Jane Mallon, and Executive Head, Rachel Green, who together lead the School; so much so that it is now providing a teaching model for excellence in primary education and advising other schools. The School has grown in popularity, with an increasing number of children from the church family now attending. We have continued to maintain our link with Saku and St. Lambertus Church in Estonia, and also the diocese of Kondoa in Tanzania. We have continued to support the building of the new missionary church in Saku, Estonia, which was completed and came into use at the end of 2020. Many Church rnernber5 eontmiue to partiupatè In extr&Churth ctsrtab￿ actNrtiès and t*è on drftèrent rolès within the Church, whith are too many lo mentH?n IThJiv￿￿alfy, bul wve to maintain a wekomJr¥J church fami￿. Our websile 15 there to ￿ US￿1. P￿se use it FinancialRovlew 2020 has been a ch81I8ngirYJ yeaf finanaalty w) some ￿SpeCts ¢hing to the Cov¥d-19 paTraern￿ and the necessary Suspension or limrtation ol our tradrftv)nal Ch￿Ch w¥￿e$. inwne has been ch7•m ac¥oss scme areas We are however fcwtunate that muth of our incorne is derNed from regul* giving. Ou¥ relian￿ to 8 d8gre8 on signrfiGgnt donations from a small n¢Jnber of g￿errAJ$ L*nefactLY5 will becomè somethry that rw15 to bè addrassed. howèver, since our basic costs of ministry èxc8￿$ oJr regukr giviThJ ak)ne. Another imp)rtant point to note thi5 year is that athtyJgh in the General Fund appèars to have intt8asèd slightly rel8tiV8 to last year. this is attributab￿ to the fLthJgh grants iec£Ned in respecl of our Youthworker who, owing to CovHJ-19 restrictions in place, was unable to his ¥aluabl8 servic£ to Ihe c(xnmunity for the majo￿ty ol 2020. Wth our Youthworker having s*Jty retired at the end of 2020, the grats f￿Ned durirYJ the cojrse of the year have been Set asid& a des￿anat9d Youtrwort Fund. in order thai PCC is fiscally prep￿e￿ to reIntrO(kn￿ 8 Youthworker. preferably as as Ihe srtuatw allows. Expenditure on lh8 Gan8ral Fund was lowerthan last year. predOmi￿ntIY becaus8 of th& drffiwlt deasion taken last year te i￿nge the basis of our Dioc86an Offw. Ov8rall. we mad8 a srnall Surplus of £1.294 on the Unr85tricted Gèneral Fund whith ended the ygar with a baL3rLe of £19.810. Our charrtable giving for 2020. inel¢Aing ts a)7(NJnis 9￿￿ as kKal hardshp pa￿Tr￿nts. was £10,254. This represonts 10% of our total uNeslrict8d income lexcludirKJ FurfcMJgh ￿antS). Wthin this fwre. Ihe Chrk8tmas givtng was £2.(E9 which w95 Shared between 3 charrties Ih¢s year. In temis of Designated Funds Itr*se b&ing unrestrlcted fLnJs set asmle ty the PCC fc< a Part￿JIar purposel.. Th?R air Fund dosed the yew wrth a bak3￿£ 01 £7,259. Thè PCC continues to sèt as¢de £2.C#)) per Y￿r, where ￿ssib￿. knvaTds the o)5ts of iefijth'shiro the Vicarage. Vicar e Redecoration FuThl had a baLqnc8 01 £6.COJ at the of2020. £4.0￿ has been set side proVish￿al￿ in a IAÈb vs Fur￿ f(x ts ¢¥>5ts of ￿sta11￿￿j the necessary equiwent to broadcast serV￿S audio-visually frryn the Church ovar th& intemèt. £2,0(M) has been set askfje in a P rtners FurKI. thè Intention of PCC ta.ng IQ SLVWt Rgvwend Kgvin 8nd Jennrfer Gablè in thèii call to rebuiky the hist￿ St Peteds ChLffch in Jaffa. Israel. As rngntioned abtsvè. *JrlouJi grants recewed durmg th& yew have been used to set LP a Youtrwork Fund wrth balan￿ of £12,211. In l8rrns of Re5ts1et•d Funds lthese being funds hehd in trust pwtKular purposes)". The hurch ard Fund finished the year wrth a balar￿ 01 £500, after a £512 Iranslw from General Fund. The yew trees are due to be trimmed dtring 2￿21, which wll likely requir8 a futthgr tr8nsfer. The Youthwork and SKA Fund Iu$8d io fLW)d oJtr&￿h wcfk wth sc4n• ktal sw¥J•y schtsJl$l ha5 tr*gn dep￿tert during Ihe year. The Fri ds Fund has a balanc8 cl £9.519. The Hardshi Fund has a baL4rts of £6.115. The ￿0￿FUnd has set up to us to rapar and restue Ihe thjrch £11.757 h8¢J raised as c¢ tha and of 2￿20. which will allow for the work lo be carried in 2021. Looking èheart to 2021 and teyond. we musl be cognisant of the fad that a notabk kvowt*)n of nicom& is re￿1Ve￿ from a reLatively small nurnber of generous benefactors. Thi5 be relied ￿￿￿ iThJefinitely. Wo therefore still neod to focus ¢xJr effort5 on contynuir¥J to inug859 of rwJul* gwg ￿ 8nstye that we (￿r Ge￿ra1 FuThJ experKliture. Reserves Pgli¢y It 15 the policy of the PCC to trK)kJ b8hvew h¥0 srA mcyths. axpwKlitura M free re￿UrCes. 11 is estirnated that he Church's avaraga general expeThSiture is in the regH?n of £9.5C#) pw mcth. Thè avrant 18val offraè r88wes 1£51,279 at 31.12.20201 rep￿SentS 5 rn￿thS of averaJe exp&iditure Approved by the PCC on 19th April 2021 and sign8d on their bthaif b . R Carybell Page( chalrn￿n. Dlocesè ot ochester All Salnys Church. Brenchl The PCC Secretary 12 Church Close B￿nchleY Tonbridge TN12 7A4 1st March 2021 Independent examinerfs report to the PCC of Ail Salnty Brenthley I report to the PCC on my examination of the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31st Decemtser 2020. Responsibilities and basis of report As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in arcordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 Cthe Acr) and the Church Accounting Regulations 2¢Xh5. I report in respect of my examination of the PCC accounts carried out LSnder section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the ACL and also those found in Church guidance, 2017 edition. Independent examlnerfs ststement I have completed my examinati(Mi. I confirm that rK> matters have cijme to my attention in connection with the examination givirrfj me cause to believe that in any material resp￿. l. Kcounting records were not kept respect of the d)arity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Art. or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable reqU1￿ments con￿mIng the form and content of accounts set out in the Chanties (Accounts and Rewrts) Regulations 2(J)8 other than any requir￿Ment that the accounts give a Yrue and fairf view which Is not a matfer considered as part of an inde￿ndent examination. Di(￿￿n Offi￿, SL NKtholas Chutch, W Hilt. RcdEstv, KenL MEI ISL tel 01634 SEu￿j efflail eNUir￿r￿5trtr.a￿gIKan.or9 TrEtyURC OFEIKL4ND Page 1 of 1 file:///H:/PCC/2021/2b%20IE's%20Report%20(2).jpg 10/05/2021 ## **All Saints' Church Brenchley** ## **Report and Accounts** ## **of the** ## **Parochial Church Council** **Year Ended 31st December 2020** **Accrual Accounts using SORP 2015** ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS, BRENCHLEY** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020** |**STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**|||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||||||**TOTAL**|TOTAL| |||Unrestricted|Designated|Restricted|Endowment|**FUNDS**|FUNDS| ||Notes|Funds|Funds|Funds|Funds|**2020**|2019| |||£|£|£||**£**|£| |**Income and endowments**|||||||| |_Voluntary income_|2a|97,407||34,251||**131,658**|131,561| |_Activities for generating funds_|2b|36||604||**640**|2,907| |_Investment income_|2c|591|27|1,269||**1,887**|1,842| |_Church activities_|2d|1,252||645||**1,897**|6,945| |_Other incoming resources_|2e|12,211||16||**12,227**|16| |||111,497|27|36,786||**148,310**|143,271| |**Expenditure**|||||||| |_Church activities_|3a|87,861|3,655|22,192||**113,708**|148,409| |_Raising funds_|3b|19||||**19**|19| |_Other expenditure_|3c||||||| |**Total expenditure**||87,880|3,655|22,192||**113,727**|148,428| |**Net income/(expenditure) before investment gains**||23,617|(3,628)|14,594||**34,582**|(5,157)| |Net gains on investments|||||4,274|**4,274**|9,792| |**Net income/(expenditure)**||23,617|(3,628)|14,594|4,274|**38,856**|4,635| |Transfers between funds||(22,323)|21,811|512|||| |**Net movement in funds**||1,294|18,183|15,106|4,274|**38,856**|4,635| |Total funds brought forward at 1 January 2020||18,516|13,287|12,786|62,146|**106,734**|102,099| |**Total funds carried forward at 31 December 2020**||19,810|31,469|27,891|66,420|**145,590**|106,734| ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS, BRENCHLEY** ## **PRIOR YEAR STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES** |||||||**TOTAL**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||Unrestricted|Designated|Restricted|Endowment|**FUNDS**| ||Notes|Funds|Funds|Funds|Funds|**2019**| |||£|£|£||**£**| |**Income and endowments**||||||| |_Voluntary income_|2a|99,733|0|31,828||**131,561**| |_Activities for generating funds_|2b|1,695|0|1,212||**2,907**| |_Investment income_|2c|575|34|1,233||**1,842**| |_Church activities_|2d|6,150|0|795||**6,945**| |_Other incoming resources_|2e|0|0|16||**16**| |||108,153|34|35,084||**143,271**| |**Expenditure**||||||| |_Church activities_|3a|99,399|2,320|46,689||**148,408**| |_Raising funds_|3b|19||||**19**| |_Other expenditure_|3c||0|||**0**| |**Total expenditure**||99,418|2,320|46,689|0|**148,427**| |**Net income/(expenditure) before investment gains**||8,735|(2,286)|(11,605)||**(5,156)**| |Net gains on investments|||||9,792|**9,792**| |**Net income/(expenditure)**||8,735|(2,286)|(11,605)|9,792|**4,636**| |Transfers between funds||(8,100)|5,600|2,500||**0**| |**Net movement in funds**||635|3,314|(9,105)|9,792|**4,636**| |Total funds brought forward at 1 January 2019||17,881|9,974|21,891|52,353|**102,099**| |**Total funds carried forward at 31 December 2019**||18,516|13,287|12,786|62,146|**106,734**| ## ## |BAI-ANCE SHEETAT31 DECEMBER2O2O|||| |---|---|---|---| ||Notes|2020|2019| |||f|t| |Fixed assets|||| |Tangible fixed assets|5||| |lnvestments|6|66,420|62,146| |Totalfixedassets||66,420|62,146| |Stock - Memorial kerbstones||840|960| |Debtors|7||6,465| |Shortterm deposits||6,949|10,321| |Cash at bank andin hand||71,382|27,385| |||79,170|45,131| |Creditors: amounts fallingdue within oneyear|I||(544)| |Netcurrentassets||79,170|44,587| |Total assets lesscurrent liabilitiee||145,590|106,734| |Creditors: amounts falling due afieroneyear|I||| |NETASSETS||145,590|106,734| |Funds|I||| |Endowmentfunds|10|66,420|62,146| |Restrictedfunds|10|27,891|12,786| |Designated Funds|10|31,469|13,287| |Unrestrictedfunds|10|19,810|18,516| |||145,590|--lr6;fi4-| **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS, BRENCHLEY** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020** ## **1. Accounting policies** ## **a Basis of preparation** The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the Charities SORP (2015). The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the valuation of investment assets which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those which are informal gatherings of church members. ## **b Funds** Funds held by the PCC are: _Unrestricted funds_ - general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes _Designated funds_ - monies set aside by the PCC out of unrestricted funds for specific future purposes or projects. _Restricted funds_ - a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest; b) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of the year is carried forward as a balance on that fund. _Endowment funds_ - funds the capital of which must be maintained; only income arising from the investment of the endowment may be used, either as restricted or unrestricted funds, depending on the purpose set out in the terms of the original endowment ## **c Incoming resources** All incoming resources are accounted for gross. ## _**Voluntary income**_ _Collections_ are recognised when received. _Planned giving_ receivable is recognised only when received. _Income tax_ recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the income is recognised. _Grants and legacies_ are recognised when receipt by the PCC is probable. ## _**Income from investments**_ Dividends are accounted for when due and payable. Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue. ## _**All other income**_ All other income is recognised when it is receivable. ## _**Gains and losses on investments**_ Realised gains are recognised when the investments are sold. Unrealised gains and losses are accounted for on revaluation on 31 December. **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS, BRENCHLEY** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020** ## **d** _**Expenditure and Liabilities**_ Resources expended are accounted for on an accruals basis and are accounted for gross. Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal obligation and settlement is probable and quantifiable. ## _**Grants**_ Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded where the award creates a binding obligation on the PCC. ## _**Church Activities**_ The diocesan parish offer is accounted for when paid. Any parish offer unpaid at 31 December is provided for in these accounts as an operational (though not a legal) liability and is shown as a creditor in the balance sheet. ## **e Fixed Assets** ## _**Tangible fixed assets**_ Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the accounts by s.10(2) of the Charities Act 2011. Movable church furnishing held by the Rector and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the church's inventory which can be inspected. For inalienable property acquired prior to 1 January 2006 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the accounts. Individual items acquired since 1 January 2006 have been capitalised in the accounts and depreciated over their useful economic life (see below). All expenditure on consecrated or beneficed buildings and individual items costing under £1000 are written off in the year they were incurred. ## _**Depreciation**_ Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost of tangible fixed assets, excluding freehold properties, over their expected useful lives. The rates generally applicable are: Fixtures and fittings 25% straight line Computer equipment 25% straight line No depreciation is provided on freehold property as it is the PCC's policy to maintain these assets in a continual state of sound repair. The useful economic life of these assets is so long and residual values so high that any depreciation would not be material. These assets will be subject to annual impairment reviews. Provision will be made if there has been any permanent diminution in value. ## _**Investments**_ Investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date. ## **f Current Assets** Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown a debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectible. Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Church of England Funds, or at the bank. ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS, BRENCHLEY** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020** |**2 Income from**
**a** _Voluntary income_
Gift Aid - Bank
Gift Aid - Envelopes
Other planned giving
Collections
Church boxes
One-off gift aid gifts
Donations and appeals
Charitable Giving Collections
Gift Aid - tax recoverable
Grants
Legacies
**b** _Activities for generating funds_
Fundraising - General
Fundraising - Churchyard
**c** _Investment income_
Endowment Income
Bank and building society interest
**d** _Income from Church Activities_
Fees from weddings, funerals etc
**e** _Other incoming resources_
Furlough Grants
Other incoming resources
**Total income**|Churchyard Restricted
Other
**TOTAL**
Churchyard Restricted
Other
TOTAL
Unrestricted Designated
Restricted
Mission
Restricted
**FUNDS** Unrestricted Designated
Restricted
Mission
Restricted
FUNDS
Funds
Funds
Fund
Fund
Funds
**2020**
Funds
Funds
Fund
Fund
Funds
2019
£
£
£
£
£
**£**
£
£
£
£
£
£
54,821
1,000
**55,821**
52,971
1,000
53,971
574
**574**
2,997
2,997
1,241
**1,241**
1,435
1,435
541
**541**
2,429
2,429
198
**198**
132
132
10,500
**10,500**
16,650
16,650
9,712
280
6,215
23,342
**39,549**
2,113
888
6,665
19,949
29,615
16,020
75
2,683
**18,778**
17,207
75
3,251
20,533
3,800
657
**4,457**
3,800
3,800| |---|---| ||97,407
1,355
6,215
26,681
**131,657**
99,733
1,963
6,665
23,200
131,561| ||36
**36**
1,695
1,695
604
**604**
1,212
1,212| ||36
604
**640**
1,695
1,212
2,907| ||591
1,269
**1,861**
574
1,233
1,807
27
**27**
1
34
35| ||591
27
1,269
**1,887**
575
34
1,233
1,842| ||1,252
645
**1,897**
6,150
795
6,945| ||1,252
645
**1,897**
6,150
795
6,945| ||12,211
16
**16**
16
16| ||12,211
16
**16**
16
16| ||| ||111,497
27
3,889
6,215
26,681
**148,310**
108,153
34
5,219
6,665
23,200
143,271| ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS, BRENCHLEY** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020** |**3 Resources expended**
**a** _Church Activities_
Missionary and charitable giving:
Ministry costs:
Diocesan Offer
Working expenses
Vicarage expenses
Youthworker Salary
Youthwork Expenses
Other ministry costs
Church running expenses
Utilities and cleaning
Insurance
Church maintenance
General repairs
Organ maintenance
Church major repairs
Upkeep of services
Music
Altar Supplies
Service Sheets
Other service costs
Upkeep of churchyard
Mowing
Gardening/General Mtnce
Tree/Hedge Cutting
Kerbstones
Path
Education and Training
**b** _Raising funds_
Stewardship costs
Fundraising costs
**c** _Other costs_
**Total resources expended**|Restricted
Restricted
Other
**TOTAL**
Restricted Restricted
Other
TOTAL
Unrestricted Designated Churchyard
Mission
Restricted
**FUNDS**
Unrestricted Designated Churchyard
Mission
Restricted
FUNDS
Funds
Funds
Fund
Fund
Funds
**2020**
Funds
Funds
Fund
Fund
Funds
2019
£
£
£
£
£
**£**
£
£
£
£
£
£
220
6,215
3,819
**10,254**
80
6,665
3,220
9,965
49,400
**49,400**
59,392
59,392
6,457
**6,457**
7,315
7,315
3,989
**3,989**
1,688
1,688
14,302
6,991
**21,293**
14,023
6,905
20,928
51
**51**
689
689
4,500
**4,500**
5,690
5,690
4,675
**4,675**
4,693
4,693
1,227
**1,227**
1,439
503
1,942
974
**974**
1,052
2,220
3,272
3,655
**3,655**
2,320
20,349
22,669
1,111
**1,111**
1,238
1,238
46
**46**
132
132
356
**356**
503
503
322
**322**
977
977
4,129
**4,129**
3,724
3,724
678
**678**
1,308
1,308
1,755
1,755
120
**120**
40
40
240
**240**
231
**231**
489
489| |---|---| ||87,861
3,655
5,167
6,215
10,809
**113,708**
99,399
2,320
5,072
6,665
34,952
148,409| ||19
**19**
19
19| ||19
**19**
19
19| ||| ||| ||| ||87,880
3,655
5,167
6,215
10,809
**113,727**
99,418
2,320
5,072
6,665
34,952
148,427| **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS, BRENCHLEY** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020** ## **4 Staff costs** |**a**
_Wages and salaries_|**2020**
2019
**£**
£
**23,061**
22,540| |---|---| The PCC employed a Youthworker, Organist and Cleaner and made PAYE deductions on their behalf. ## **b** _Payments to PCC members and related parties_ No payments, apart from reimbursment of expenses, were made to any PCC member or related party. The total amount of monies donated to the PCC by PCC members during 2020 was £46,175 inc Gift Aid reclaimed, (2019 was £56,750 (incl. Gift Aid reclaimed). ## **5 Tangible fixed assets** The PCC does not have any tangible fixed assets. ## **6 Investments** |**Investments**|||| |---|---|---|---| ||Units|Valuation (p)|£| |At 1st January 2020|3,242|19.17|62,146| |Disposals at carrying value|||| |Purchases at cost|||| |Net gains and revaluation|||4,274| |**At 31st December 2020**|**3,242**|20.49|**66,420**| The investment is held as units in a CBF Investment Fund. ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS, BRENCHLEY** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020** |**7 Debtors**
Income tax recoverable
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors
**8 Creditors: amounts falling due in one year**
Accruals for utilities and other costs
**Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year**
Creditors
**9 Analysis of Net assets by fund**
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets for church use
Investment assets
66,420
Current assets
19,810
31,469
27,891
Current liabilities
Long term liabilities
**19,810**
**31,469**
**27,891**
**66,420**|**7 Debtors**
Income tax recoverable
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors
**8 Creditors: amounts falling due in one year**
Accruals for utilities and other costs
**Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year**
Creditors
**9 Analysis of Net assets by fund**
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets for church use
Investment assets
66,420
Current assets
19,810
31,469
27,891
Current liabilities
Long term liabilities
**19,810**
**31,469**
**27,891**
**66,420**|**2020**
2019
**£**
£
**-**
5,910
**-**
555| |---|---|---| |||**-**
6,465| |||**2020**
2019
**£**
£
**-**
544| |||544| |||**2020**
2019
**£**
£
**-**
-| |||**-**
-| |||**Total Funds**
Total Funds
**2020**
2019
**£**
£
**66,420**
62,146
**79,170**
45,131
(544)| ||**19,810**
**31,469**
**27,891**
**66,420**|**145,590**
106,734| **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS, BRENCHLEY** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020** ## **10 Statement of funds** |**Unrestricted Funds**
General Fund
**Designated Funds**
Church Repair Fund - Diocese
Church Repair Fund - PCC
Vicarage Redecoration Fund
Web Services Fund
Mission Partners Fund
Youthwork Fund
**Restricted Funds**
Churchyard Fund
Youthwork KSA
Friends
Clock Fund
Mission Fund
Hardship fund
**Endowment Funds**
Brotherwood
Davidson-Hooker
Levett
**Total funds**|done
Transfers
At
Investment
between
**At**
1 Jan 2020
Income
Expenditure Gains/(losses)
funds
**31 Dec 2020**
£
£
£
£
£
**£**
18,516
111,497
(87,880)
(22,323)
**19,810**
10,191
27
0
(3,400)
**6,818**
(904)
0
(3,655)
5,000
**441**
4,000
0
0
2,000
**6,000**
0
0
0
4,000
**4,000**
0
0
0
2,000
**2,000**
0
0
0
12,211
**12,211**| |---|---| ||13,287
27
(3,655)
21,811
**31,469**| ||1,266
3,889
(5,167)
512
**500**
4,109
2,882
(6,991)
0
**0**
5,494
4,025
0
0
**9,519**
0
11,757
0
0
**11,757**
0
6,215
(6,215)
0
**0**
1,917
8,017
(3,819)
0
**6,115**| ||12,786
36,785
(22,192)
512
**27,891**| ||6,479
446
0
**6,925**
33,009
2,270
0
**35,279**
22,658
1,558
0
**24,216**| ||62,146
0
0
4,274
0
**66,420**| ||| ||106,734
148,309
(113,727)
4,274
0
**145,590**| The restricted funds comprise: The Churchyard Fund can only be used on items specifically relating to the Churchyard. The Youthwork KSA fund was used for monies relating to the provision of Youthwork to the Kent Skinners Academy and other local schools. This fund was run down to nil during 2020. Furlough grants received during the Covid-19 pandemic have been set aside in a designated fund for the ongoing provision of Youthwork. The Friends Fund has been set up for donations specifically for Church Maintenance projects. The Clock Fund is for monies donated towards the restortion of the Church clock. Funds have been raised for the first part of work to begin in 2021. The Mission Fund is created for donations made to the PCC, which will be passed on the Charities as chosen by the PCC. The Hardship Fund is used for monies donated for distribution to local causes at the discretion of the Vicar. The endowment funds comprise: Brotherwood (1941), 338 units in the CBF Investment Fund. Income can only be spent on the maintence of the Church and Churchyard. Davidson-Hooker (1959), 1,722 units in the CBF Investment Fund. Income can only be spent on the maintence of the Church and Churchyard. Levett (1970), 1,182 units in the CBF Investment Fund. Income can only be spent on the maintence of the Churchyard. **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ALL SAINTS, BRENCHLEY** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020** ## **11 Donations made to Charitable Organiations** |Bishops Kondoa Appeal
Christian Aid
*****
Christmas - Estonia
Christmas - Nourish
Christmas - Love Russia
Christmas - Mission Partners
Children's Society
Readycall
Royal British Legion
Fegans
Embrace the Middle East
The Michael Project
Others
Total
*
2019 figures includes collections
throughout the year.|**2020**
**2,311**
**0**
**0**
**690**
**690**
**690**
**355**
**1,480**
**200**
**0**
**0**
**0**
**20**
**6,435**|**2019**
0
781
1,573
0
0
0
671
965
324
804
804
804
20| |---|---|---| |||6,745| **ALL SAINTS’ BRENCHLEY** ## **OFFICER, COMMITTEE & CHURCH GROUP REPORTS FOR 2020** ## **Churchwardens’ Report** When writing our report for last year’s Annual Meeting (which was postponed from April to October, although our report was prepared in March) we had just experienced the start of lockdown (which subsequently became known as ‘Lockdown 1’) and had conducted our first ‘virtual’ service courtesy of Robert and ‘Fuze’. We had no idea then that one year later we would still be in the same situation. Because of this, our report is rather different from that of previous years. We are extremely grateful to Robert for organising the transmission of our 10 o’clock services each week, and for chairing them in such a welcoming and inclusive way. They have proved to be very popular, with more people joining in each week than used to attend the pre-Covid morning service in the church. It has also attracted a good number of people – especially young families – who were seldom seen in church and it will be a challenge to adapt our ‘real’ services to retain their interest and willingness to take an active part in the services. Many have commented on how good it has been to have whole families involved in the readings, but it is going to be much more challenging to continue this in the rather forbidding atmosphere (for young people) of the church building rather than around the kitchen table, and having to group round a microphone with strangers looking at them rather than talking to a familiar computer screen. The other popular aspect of our ‘virtual’ services has been the invaluable contribution of Leo’s music and songs. This has helped the whole ‘congregation’ to join in the services while at the same time, Leo’s choices of some of the songs which were unfamiliar to many of us have made us take more note of the content of the songs, rather than repeating the more familiar traditional hymns. Thank you, Leo, for accepting the challenge of this task and making such a difference to our worship. Due to Covid restrictions it has not been possible to provide other services on a regular basis, but, whenever permitted, there has been a traditional 8am Communion Service held in the church, with wafers only, not wine. Only a few people have attended this attended this service, but those who have been there have appreciated the experience of actually being present together to join in common worship. As it appears we may not be able to have our 10am service in church for some considerable time, we do suggest (particularly now that so many of our congregation have been or are in the process of receiving their Covid vaccinations) that more people consider taking part in this ‘actual’ experience. As most of you will be aware, we are installing a broadband connection in the church so that services can be ‘live streamed’ to our homes. This will mean that once we are allowed to resume normal services in church, it will be possible for people at home to join the actual congregation in real time. It will also mean that for baptisms, weddings and funerals people who are unable to attend (perhaps because they live abroad) will be able to be ‘present’ for the occasion. The system should be installed by Easter 2021, but we will need to test it out and make sure it’s working seamlessly before we substitute it for the Fuze system. The person who has been the prime mover in setting this u is Leo (assisted by Di Brooks) and we are so grateful for the time and effort he has put into organising this installation. The new system will use a mobile phone – type signal rather than a physical cable, which will be a very much cheaper option than having a broadband cable connected to the church building. We are apparently the first church in Rochester Diocese to do this, so the administrators of the diocese are very interested in what we are doing in the hope that they can recommend it to other churches. Well done, Leo! Apart from the new pattern of services, there have been few changes in the past year, but a major loss for All Saints’ was our Youth Worker, Mike King, moving away and ceasing to be involved in our local youth work. Mike was such an effective part of our youth work, not only in our parish and in our village school, but in other schools in the area, including Horsmonden. We are looking for a replacement for Mike, but it is unlikely we shall have anyone in this role before the Autumn, and he will be very much missed. We wish him well in his new life and hope that we shall not lose touch with him completely. Turning to more mundane matters, you will find that the church kitchen and ‘loo’ have had a refreshment, with the flaking plaster replaced and whole area repainted. No serious repairs were needed during the year, but the repairs suggested in the Quinquennial Report have continued, as they will in 2021. The repair of the church tower clock was not a church-led project (and no church income has been used, although individual members have made generous donations) but we can now confirm that enough money has been collected to be able to carry out all the required repairs and work is now starting. The donors included 34 people who are not members of our congregation, so it has been a village project and we are very grateful for the hard work of Richard Beale and Rosemary Kinnear asking villagers to contribute. We hope the clock will be in full working order by mid-Summer 2021. With regard to the churchyard, the Churchyard Committee have dispensed with the services of KCC who have carried out mowing for many years and a new local contractor has been appointed who will carry out the first cut before Easter. The new contractor is charging £200 per cut less than KCC have been charging, and there are 8 cuts per year, so this will be a welcome saving in our annual costs. We are most grateful to the Committee for achieving this saving. We are very fortunate as a parish church that such a large part of our income is through regular giving (by Bankers Order) which has been unaffected by the fact that church services have not taken place; but inevitably our costs have continued to rise, and it is only due to the great generosity of one o two people that we avoided a substantial deficit in the last financial year. The churchwardens are taking active steps to meet this challenge and we shall be circulating a letter to all of you, asking those who already contribute to consider whether they could increase their giving and those who do not currently contribute, to consider doing so. A similar plea in 2020 resulted in a small increase in income, but this time the situation is even more serious, so please respond if you are able to do so. It is appropriate to mention here that Steve Edler has taken over the role of Treasurer and has proved to be a worthy successor to Gerry. We are very grateful for the time and trouble he has taken to get to grips with our finances and accounting procedures, and we look forward to working with him for several years to come. Let us hope that the next few months will see us returning to a more normal life of worship, but in the meantime please continue to pray for our church and our plans for adapting our worship to the post-Covid era. If anyone has any questions about this report or any other matters to raise regarding the running of the church activities, please contact either of us: **Robin Brooks** : (01892) 72 28 14 or robin.brooks@me.com **Peter Westley** : (01892) 72 22 69 or peter@oldbarnkent.plus.com ## **Treasurer’s Report** 2020 was a challenging year financially owing to Covid-19, which resulted in reduced income across some areas. As alluded to above, in the Churchwardens’ Report, we are fortunate that a large proportion of our income comes through regular giving, which is perhaps something that can be widened going forward, to avoid an over-reliance on significant donations from a small number of very generous benefactors. It should be noted that although overall income in the General Fund appears to have increased slightly relative to last year, this is only attributable to Furlough Grants (in respect of Mike’s Youthwork). These grants have been set aside in a designated Youthwork Fund in order that we are fiscally prepared once a new Youthworker can be recruited. The General Fund reported a small surplus of £1,294 for the year, bringing reserves to £19,810. As well as the General Fund, we have a number of Designated Funds (these being unrestricted funds set aside by the PCC for a particular purpose). As at the end of 2020, we have £7,259 in the Church Repair Fund and £6,000 in the Vicarage Redecoration Fund. £12,211 of Furlough Grants have been set aside for future Youthwork. £4,000 has been set aside in a Web Services Fund and £2,000 in a Mission Partners Fund to support Rev Kevin and Jen Cable in Jaffa. Excluding the funds collected for the repair of the church tower clock, there is a further £16,134 in Restricted Funds (these being funds held in trust for specific purposes). I would like to thank Peter for administering the Gift Aid, Thelma for helping with cash collections and most of all, my predecessor Gerry for her help ensuring a smooth handover. If anyone has any specific questions on the finances, please feel free to email me on stephen.edler@gmail.com ## **Safeguarding Report** I can confirm that the PCC has complied with the duty to have due regard to the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding |Policy and Practice Guidelines. During the past calendar year, I am delighted to report that we have had no incidents to refer to the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer. Safeguarding Trainings have been revised and improved by the Diocese during the year. The Churchwardens, Junior Church and LOGS Leaders participated in the face-to-face C2 trainings, prior to revision being made, and the Parish Safeguarding Officer renewed her training by completing the Basic Awareness (formerly C0) Foundations (C1) online, and the Leadership Training (C2) by means of two morning sessions on Zoom. LOGS had very limited opportunity to meet during 2020 due to Covid restrictions. The LOGS Leaders have kept in touch with me about their emailing system to Youth members; parents are aware of these communications and a log is kept available for me to view. A Risk Assessment is regularly reviewed by LOGS. Junior Church Leaders have also had little chance to meet during 2020, but Risk Assessment is discussed at meetings when we are in operation, and all practitioners have a copy to which we adhere. Scrupulous attention is paid to recruitment of volunteers, including seeking references, issuing role descriptions, checking and understanding of risk assessment and the completion of DBS clearance. All staff and volunteers are up to date with these police checks. ## **Cherie Sargent, Parish Safeguarding Officer** ## **Brenchley Ready Call** What an unusual but amazingly busy year 2020 was for **Brenchley ReadyCall** , which has the full title **Brenchley ReadyCall: Care in the Community.** It did not take long after the first COVID lockdown (5 days) for 80 village volunteers to come forward from our community to care. **Brenchley ReadyCall** co-ordinated all the volunteers and requests for assistance after Simon Cloke and **Brenchley ReadyCall** devised a letter that was printed and distributed to as many homes as possible in the Parish by our local postmen. It made residents aware that **Brenchley ReadyCall** was here to help in any way they could. The Doctors’ Surgery, Terry the Butcher and Chris and Andy at the Post Office also spread the word and were incredibly supportive to **Brenchley ReadyCall** . What did **Brenchley ReadyCall** Volunteers offer to do? Obviously shopping, but also prescriptions taken and collected, offers of meals, free eggs, apples, jams and marmalades, free plants, seeds and seedlings, collection and delivery of newspapers, as well as telephone chats and advice on how to book an online shop for deliveries. A local handyman even offered his services should anyone need an emergency household repair. We used 42 of the volunteers and responded to over 250 requests for help. We are also very aware that many more acts of kindness were shown and did not come through **Brenchley ReadyCall.** In conjunction with the Castle Inn, **Brenchley ReadyCall** began a hot meal delivery service twice a week. This continued beyond the end of 2020 and we are proud to report that we have supplied over 1800 meals. Not only did volunteers deliver all the meals but were wonderful in devoting time for conversation and checking on those who were isolating. Seeing a smiling face had a profound effect on many people. Jay, the Publican of the Star in Matfield, was very pro-active in her village. **Brenchley ReadyCall** teamed up with Jay to start a Food Bank from the unused TWBC food parcels. Jay encouraged some Matfield residents to take part in the **Brenchley ReadyCall** hot meals delivery service and, once the word had spread, we took on quite a few new recipients. **Brenchley ReadyCall** has now worked alongside Matfield ReadyCall for a few months and hope to have more joint ventures in the future. **Brenchley ReadyCall** obviously needed extra funds to help with subsidising the meal delivery service and are grateful for the financial donations from many local villagers, All Saints’ Church, Kent Community Foundation, Brenchley & Matfield Parish Council and Paddock Wood Lions. Our local Waitrose were also supportive, donating flowers, Easter eggs and other free items when asked. The goodwill from everyone was absolutely humbling. Once the vaccination programme was up and running, **Brenchley ReadyCall** once again had volunteers happy and willing to transport residents to the local vaccination centres. This has been such a sad, long and at times lonely year for many, but we hope **Brenchley ReadyCall** has made some days a bit more bearable than others. ## **Christine Churchill, Jill Sturgeon-Lewis and Helen Brown** ## **The Children’s Society** This year with pandemic its restrictions, the Society recommended that it was better not to mix physically in order to collect boxes, and better not to handle money, so many box holders counted their own box contents and we were then able to send £355.20 to the Society. Obviously, our donations to the Society have been greatly reduced this year as we have not had donations for refreshments after church services and no cake and produce sale. Hopefully, though, as things improve, it may be possible to hold a sale in 2021 to boost our donations, helping the Society to support children in need. Thank you all for your support for this very important cause. ## **Margaret Maw** ## **Churchyard Committee** The year 2020 began quite normally, with the Committee having its first meeting on 14[th] January. The Committee discussed the possibility of ‘rewilding’ some of the churchyard. The right and left sides of the front path would continue to be mown as would the area where the most recent graves are. Dates were chosen for the Spring Clear-up Day and the Spring Sale to raise funds. Then Covid-19 struck. Regrettably therefore, the Clear-up Day and Spring Sale had to be cancelled and the re-wilding decision was put on hold. It is believed that the PCC has paused any plans for resurfacing the path from the South Door between the memorial curb-stones to the South Extension and generally improving access the South Extension. This will be a necessary safety measure when the South Extension comes into use. The Vicar is of the opinion that there is no urgency about bringing the extension into use or indeed to it being consecrated. Campbell had been asked to do an audit of the number of spaces left in the existing churchyard in case of a sudden demand in the light of the Covid-19 crisis. 15-20 plots remain. Fortunately, there has not been a sudden demand. Storms Ciara and Dennis caused a certain amount of damage in February. Matt from Tamilek Tree Care dealt with the worst of this. The beautiful magnolia was only partially damaged and did not have to be cut down. Kent Wildlife Trust came and inspected the churchyard. KCC Landscape Services continued to have the mowing contract and carried this out fairly efficiently. Mowing was not necessary in the very hot Summer weather, which saved on costs. The Churchyard Committee is very grateful to Clara Percy for tidying up the Memorial Stones area (“The Beach” by the side gate) as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award. In December, an ad hoc Christmas Wreath sale was held (socially distanced) outside the Lych Gate. This raised some very welcome money for the Churchyard Fund. Lack of funds continues to be a worry. During this very difficult year for all the village, the churchyard has played its part. Small children have been able to enjoy playing in the new extension. Walkers, dog walkers and those who just wished to fit a quiet space to sit have all benefited from its accessibility and beauty. ## **Margo Thompson, Secretary** ## **Flower Committee** During this last year the only flowers that have been arranged in the Church have been for a funeral. This one pedestal lasted beautifully as it has been arranged using a variety of our excellent artificial flowers. Hopefully, in the not-too-distant future we will begin arranging again for our full services, weddings, festivals and memorials, to enhance our really beautiful church building. We will be looking as ever for new volunteers; even if you have never arranged before, this is not a problem – just contact one of our Committee and we will guide you through this new experience – something to add to your ‘out of lockdown’ to-do list. ## **Helen Brown** ## **Brenchley Summer Fete** Sadly, due to Covid-19 the decision was inevitably reached that we could not safely proceed with the 2020 Summer Fete. Similarly, it is again looking unfeasible this year given the restrictions that are due to be in place until at least 21[st] June 2021 and the preparation time involved. However, preliminary discussions are taking place within the PTFA as to whether we could hold a simple BBQ /family get-together day on the School field on Saturday 26[th] June (the usual Summer Fete date). We will obviously keep all updated should this be agreed. ## **Hannah Smithson** ## **Paddock Wood Deanery Synod Report 2019** Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Paddock Wood Deanery Synod have not met formally since its first meeting of the year, in January 2020. ## **Jan 22[nd] 2020 -Paddock Wood** Graham Wilkinson, Archdeaconry Growth Enabler for the Tonbridge Archdeaconry, introduced himself and explained that ‘Called to Grow’ is a Diocesan initiative that has arisen out of ‘Called Together’. It represents the ‘mustard seed’ of the growing Kingdom in our Rochester Diocese. Called to Grow is about **listening** to God and the community about **discipleship,** nurturing, encouraging vocations building the church and making **effective** use of our resources. It is also about being **intentional** with regard to growth. ## **Cherie Sargent, Deanery Representative** ## **The Ladies’ Study Group** The Ladies’ Group were unable to hold their regular Monday afternoon meetings during most of 2020 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. However, when permitted to do so, during October a maximum of six of us met at the Vicarage on Monday mornings and held a socially-distanced get-together. This was the first time for months some of the more vulnerable in the Group (who had been shielding for such a long time) had experienced any social contact whatsoever. We participated in group prayer and read chosen Psalms together, discussing the questions set by Campbell. We expressed our joy at the comfort derived from these Bible passages during such a difficult time. The two subsequent lockdowns have prevented any further meetings so far, and we hope and pray it will not be too long before we can meet up again. ## **Sarah Thorpe** ## **Junior Church** Due to the restrictions imposed by Covid legislation, our Children’s Church was unable to meet for most of the year. However, we are most grateful to Karen Maier who produced activity sheets for the children on Sundays (sent to parents by email prior to each service). Junior Church will be reviewed once the possibility of its meeting is once again on the table. ## **Henrietta Paget** ## **Baby and Toddler Group** The Baby and Toddler Group continued to meet during most of 2020, following its renaming as “The Brenchley Mothers’ Support Group” in order to comply with Government regulations. We continued to provide a warm and worshipful place for mothers and their pre-school children during most of the pandemic apart from a short period when there were concerns about the ‘Kent Variant’. These meetings proved a very great boon to all, but especially to those mothers with their first child and a number of mothers had their first baby during this period, so the support was much appreciated. We welcomed several new arrivals, most of whom tuned in regularly to our 10 am virtual service and appreciated the children’s material provided by Karen Maier. It is very pleasing to record that numbers attending have not only been healthy, but have been increasing. If anyone would like to help Henrietta and Campbell in this very important ministry and outreach, even on an occasional basis, they should let them know. ## **Campbell Paget** ## **Wednesday Evening Study Group** The Group had to go ‘virtual’ of course, and Robert Akenhead again kindly made this possible, so that we could study the Bible together and share our thoughts on the passages and books we had read. Sessions were introduced by the Vicar and various members of the group including Joe Champneys, Karen Maier, Robert Akenhead and John Garthwaite. We very much enjoyed reading through St Luke’s Book of Acts, with St Paul’s missionary journeys and all the issues and persecutions he and the early Christians faced. During Lent, we followed a thought-provoking but easily readable booklet “#Live Lent” on the importance of ‘story-telling’ both in the New Testament and in our own lives, to live and tell the Good News of Jesus for the sake of others. And there was never a session where we did not have a good laugh. Do join us if you can! **Campbell Paget**