TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL REPORT
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Sutton with Seaford
## DECEMBER 31, 2024
ST. LEONARD’S CHURCH, CHURCH STREET & ST. LUKE’S CHURCH, WALMER ROAD Registered Charity Number: 1131402
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## Contents
Page
- 4 Trustees annual report
- 22 Statement of financial activities
- 29 Notes to the accounts
- 30 Report of the independent examiner
## Website: Seafordparish.org.uk
## Incumbent:
The Rev’d James Hollingsworth, MA
The Vicarage, 46 Sutton Road, Seaford, BN25 1SH
Independent examiner:
C R Tyler (FCA DChA)
F1 CRT Limited Flat 24 Wellingtonia
Court Laine Close BRIGHTON BN1 6TD
Bankers: Barclays Bank plc
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**Our aims and purposes as a charity**
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, Rev’d James Hollingsworth, in:
- The promotion of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of
- the Church of England
- Promoting in the parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, social, evangelistic and,
- ecumenical
- To know Jesus better and make Him better known
- Practical support and care for people in the parish, from the youngest to the eldest, irrespective of
- level of need or, ability to pay
- Providing financial support to those in need and, to other organisations with similar objectives.
- Providing Christian worship, teaching, and preaching.
- The parish has previously noted that ‘We aspire to glorify God through worshipping him,
- preaching the gospel, caring for others, and being witnesses to Christ’s love.’
**What we planned to do to achieve our charitable objectives**
When planning our activities for the year, our incumbent and the PCC have borne in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on ‘charities for the advancement of religion’. The council has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, fully recognising its duty to have due regard to House of Bishops' guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The aims and focus for the PCC and Parish could be summarised as below (the order not intending to imply specific priorities).
1. To continue to give attention to our Safeguarding Procedures, and risk assessment management 2. To grow our connection and support of Children, Youth, and Families, through our youth worker and his groups.
3. To continue to review our worship to enable all people to connect to God
4. To reach a balanced budget, through generosity of giving, applying for grants, and sensible stewardship of our assets and various fundraising activities.
5. To grow in discipleship and mutual support, by opening St Leonard’s Church throughout the week for prayer and by welcoming new people into the Church through worship, Homegroups, book clubs and other groups within the Church family. 6. To continue to maintain our Church buildings and to develop them so that they may more helpfully meet the needs of the Church and the community (e.g. concerts, Christmas magic etc), particularly through the sale of the Hall and by designing the insides of our Church buildings to this end (eg Kitchen & toilets within St Leonard’s and Office and kitchen at St Luke’s).
7. To explore how we can reduce our carbon footprint
**What we achieved and how we affected beneficiaries’ lives**
At the time of the APCM the Church Electoral Roll numbered 303 (compared to 304 in 2023, 294 in 2022 and 295 in 2021)
The PCC mostly met in person in St Leonards, a total of 6 times. The Standing Committee met between meetings and their deliberations were reported to the PCC. The Standing Committee met by zoom on a bimonthly rhythm.
**Leadership**
● The following sub-committees (some known as teams) are appointed by and report to PCC:
● The Standing Committee, which is required by law, and is chaired by the Incumbent (or in his absence the Churchwardens), has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the full PCC.
● The Safeguarding Team, chaired by Ms Ruth Saunders, has met to review and further develop the safeguarding training for all those working with children and adults at risk. The team continues to consider good practice and prepare papers for parish use and to consider the directives received from the Thirtyone:Eight and the Diocese.
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- The Mission Team, chaired by Mrs Elizabeth Morgan-Jones, co-ordinates parish support for
- overseas and local Christian mission agencies and activities, and recommends grants to be paid by the PCC.
- The Parish Fabric Committee oversees maintenance and refurbishment of both churches and
- hall buildings. PCC appointed Michael Holmes as the chairperson.
- The Communications Team, chaired by Mr Malcolm Anderson, oversees the use of computer,
- audio and visual equipment, and manages the production of worship and promotional material for the parish, together with the parish magazine.
- The GDPR Team, formed in 2018 to ensure the parish met and continues to meet the new Data
- protection regulations that came into force in May 2018, the team has overseen the introduction and implementation of the relevant policies and procedures, and facilitated the collection of the appropriate approvals for holding our data.
- The Pastoral Care Team, led by a variety of people including Mr Brian Millar, Mrs Wendy Ogilvie
- in conjunction with the vicar. The team has continued to meet regularly to review pastoral care offered and to determine how best to meet the pastoral needs of parish members and those drawn to attention whom we may be able to assist.
- The Children, Family and Youth Team is led by the Parish Children and Youth Family Missioner,
- Mr Stefan Bracher. The team continues to review our provision for children, youth and families and to pray for and encourage all our volunteers in these areas.
- Home Group Champions David and Pat Farey.
- Other designated responsibilities are given to various members of the Council or to ad hoc Task
- Groups, who then report back to the Council.
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**Overview of the Year**
## **’ - Serving the Community, The Vicar s Report James Hollingsworth**
This report contains a fabulous litany of the very many things that the local Community have been involved in with the Church Family. Further below you can read more details of how we have gone about that. We hope by the APCM meeting we will be able to say more about the sale of the hall and the final drawings for the reordering of St Leonard’s: building a toilet block, a kitchen, and a contained meeting space which will help the Church be a useful blessing at the centre of our community.
We have had the privilege of taking thirty-eight funerals (2 in St Lukes, 16 in St Leonard’s, 8 burial of ashes), two weddings, and six baptisms.
Children and Youth work have continued to flourish with Messy Church, two Toddler groups, Sparks (Primary school age), Ignite (Secondary school age), Glow on Sundays, Beach Church in August, Sparks Summer Camp, Parish Camp, and the free Holiday Club in October.
We have continued to work with local schools – either by going in to support their RE teaching (eg Cradle Hill 6 times, Chyngton once, Seaford Head once), or through being on their governing bodies (Cradle Hill, Seaford Head, Seaford Learning Trust), or through them coming into Church (Hopscotch Nursery, Seaford Primary School years 3&4, 5&6)
We have gone out to The Wellington with Pub Carols and they have been very supportive by fundraising for our Holiday Club.
_Thank you so much for giving of your time on Saturday morning to do the Archery with the families. The families really loved it, such a great opportunity for them to do something that they would never normally be able to do. Even the younger ones had a go and thought it was brilliant! I enjoyed having a go too!_
A small group has helped Family Support Work, one of the charities that the Church supports, by giving participants a taste of archery at Dalesdown and Ashburnham, and also over the May Bank Holiday at Plumpton Racecourse to over 300 teenagers at the Diocese’ May Camp.
We have continued to visit three care homes to bring Holy Communion, prayer, carols, to residents with faith to remind them that they are not forgotten by us or by God’s love. The fortnightly pastoral letter has continued being posted to over sixty people. Our Sunday services have continued to be on YouTube averaging 67 across October for example (192 Carol service 213 in 2023) and helping those unable to come into church to remain connected. Likewise, Evening Prayer and Thought-for-the-days have been available on Facebook. Statistics for this are rather hard to understand with 426 following, often 80 have watched some part of it, and sometimes half a dozen make a comment. Our Website and _ChurchSuite_ and our Facebook page and YouTube channel have continued to keep people informed of our activities as has the Magazine. We print 200 copies and have an electronic version. (for links see: https://seafordparish.org.uk/social-media/)
A local undertaker again organised an annual memorial service in St Leonard’s.
The Church has continued in its care of God’s Own Acre through conversations with Carl Smith of Lewes District Council who has asked for a flora and fauna study. St Luke’s garden is half way through its renovation to make the rear garden accessible for all. We have been awarded Arocha’s Bronze award. The vicarage has had a swift box and a bat box attached.
Different community groups have used St Leonard’s such as the Town Market, Seaford Magic, Seaford Choral Society, Intergen Opera, Archway Choir, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service carols, the Mayor’s carol concert, photographic exhibition, and the Silver Band. The wonderful monthly Saturday Concerts have continued to be free and of the highest quality. The monthly Open Cafés have continued to welcome people in for free cake coffee and chat. St Leonard’s has continued to be open daily from 10am to 1pm for
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friendship or for a quiet prayer and to light a candle, even for a game of chess. St Luke’s has continued to be hired to a variety of groups for example: Scouts, Dance, Natural History Society, sundry birthday parties, the election, and Pilates.
## **Worship and Discipleship in the Church**
Volunteers throughout the church have continued to have their DBS checks and training. Earlier in the year there was a special session of Safeguarding training for awareness of Domestic Abuse held in St. Leonard’s.
_I just wanted to say how much I appreciated your sermon this morning. It gave me strength to know that we can move onwards with Him in the world whatever the circumstances - in the problems and the pain._
Our worship has continued to be on-line as well as in person. In St Leonards we continue to worship on Wednesdays at 11am, and on Sundays at 8am, 9.30am and, on first and third Sunday at 11.30 _The Meeting Place_ and the occasional evening service (eg Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday). In St Luke’s our worship has been on Tuesdays twice a month, Sundays 9.30, with a children’s Sunday group _Glow_ between the family services, and on two evenings in the month _Prayers at 7_ and _St Lukes at 7._ Messy Church has been on the first Saturday of the month. Over August we had Beach Church again. Over 200 Christians for the Churches Together Good Friday Walk of Witness started in St Leonards and processed to the sea front and to Seaford Life Church with prayers and hymns along the way. Using our October attendance statistics excluding those worshipping with us on-line: Average Sunday attendance was 67 (180 in 2023) and average Wednesday attendance 8, (15 in 2023). At the close of 2024 our Electoral Roll was at 303.
_We have had our own doses of Covid here (various levels of severity for the 3 of us, but hopefully nearly all ‘out of the woods’ now) and so couldn’t attend in person on Sunday 26th, and REALLY APPRECIATED being able to ‘attend’ the on-line service and hear Derreck’s great sermon on the Trinity!_
Rev Carole Darling was ordained Deacon in June and has joined the parish leading services, preaching, visiting, helping with Toddler group, Sparks and Ignite and so on. She will be priested on 14[th] June 2025. We have received visiting speakers broadening our perspectives with their talks on the Church Army, ministry in the Philippines, Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team, Stopover, and Shoeboxes for Romania. In April, Julie Caroll, Nicky Fergusson, and Bob Rice were commissioned as Authorised Lay Ministers regarding respectively her work as a chaplain at Brighton Hospital, Ecology, and Pastoral. The Order of St Richard was awarded to Wendy Ogilvie for her pastoral ministry and to Kim Cuthbert for her youth work. The Fundraising Committee have done a great job in writing to lots of grant making bodies with mixed success. Particularly noteworthy is the Benefact Trust (£30k) and the Diocesan Mission Development Fund (£27.5K). This money will be essential for us to employ an additional youth worker in 2025 who will need to help us particularly with the work of discipling the many young people who come through Sparks and Ignite. EDG Hospital invited us to take a radio service in September. 2024 was the Year of New Testament so we looked at the NT books of Revelation, 1 John, 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, James, and Hebrews as well as the gospel of Mark. Thought-for-the-day series looked at Saints, Prayer (Henry Martin’s book Eavesdropping) and the Lord’s Prayer, the Holy Spirit fruits and gifts, Galatians, and some Carol earworms. A new service, a Calm Christmas service was tried to connect to those seeking a quieter way to celebrate the incarnation.
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At the beginning of August, twenty-three people went camping at New Wine to hear Rt Rev Ruth Bushyager, Bishop of Horsham. At the end of August, Stefan organised the first Parish Camp for some years.
Midweek Wednesday worship has continued with grateful thanks to Rev’ds Chris Hadfield, Chris Collison, Colin Rudge, Colin Pritchard.
Rev Derreck Lee-Philpot went on Sabbatical from July to October. Rev Lucy Hollingsworth continued her itinerant ministry supporting Laughton, Kingston, Ringmer and others and her work as Advisor to the Bishop for Self-Supporting Ministry including hosting a cream tea for other SSMs with Bishop Will. The Vicar has continued to teach Church History to first year trainee clergy and done the usual Rural Dean work including leading a retreat with the Chapter to Penhurst again and another cream tea for the splendidly supportive local retired clergy. The Vicar’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem cancelled, though a ceasefire has just been announced.
Perhaps as you read of the busyness of this Church community, you might be curious enough to join in with some of our groups and ministries. Perhaps also you will understand why our finances are both so blessed and so stretched.
## **Children, Youth and Family Missioner (CYFW)**
In the past year the children, youth and family team have been keeping very active within our Church. We have come into contact with over 400 children/young people and their families throughout the year across all of our groups. Some children and families attend regularly, some attend less frequently, but all understand why we run the groups we run: to tell the message of Jesus and make disciples. This year we have continued with a huge amount of young people attending Ignite, where we had gone form 7 young people to over 70 people being on the books for the group in the previous year, to now having 203 young people on our books. This means that we have also had to deal with more safeguarding issues.
But the children, youth and family work continues to expand and develop, to the point where we are now in the need for a second children, youth and family worker for the Parish. This funding has now been secured in the latter part of 2024 and supported through the PCC via legacy funding. In 2025 we will be employing an Assistant Children, Youth & Family Worker to help with the growth of newer groups and the development of our current groups.
## **Messy Church**
Messy Church has been going from strength to strength with the sessions now being known locally as an informal way to get to know Jesus, whilst providing crafts and resources for families to have that time together.
Messy Church continues to be a feeder for other groups such as Sparks (children’ group), however it also has it’s regular attendance to this style of church which is continuing to make children, young people and adults think about faith.
Heating has continued to be a problem in St Leonard’s Church. The heating is not sufficient for the building and therefore does result in parents telling us they “can’t be doing with the cold”. It is unreasonable to ask the children to stay in their coats throughout the winter months, especially with the action songs, crafts, etc. let alone preparing them to be ready to engaged in a session.
## **Tots’ Treats**
The sessions in both St Luke’s and St Leonard’s have been running with a craft that is linked to a story, which is then followed by musical instruments. Stories have been used from faith-based books as well as mainstream books with a Christian value within that story. After each story we have also been praying on what the theme is for the story we are listening to. We have also been trying to be more selective over newer toys to help with various levels of development in a child, i.e. the development of fine motor skills. The biggest noticeable issue is with regards to the heating of St Leonard’s church during the colder months. Children and parents have continued to be very cold which in turn, and understandably, turns parents/carers and their children away. As per my report last year, an alternative source of heating is
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required for St Leonard’s church, to ensure it is a comfortable place to engage with people, as the current heating system is not suitable to heat such a large church, this can be very off putting. Parents have complained about this situation.
## **Sparks**
Sparks have been developing very well. In the summer of 2024, we took 15 children to the summer camp with Generations Christian Camps where they learnt all about who Jesus was. Our numbers for the Sparks camp 2025 are looking to be very similar.
Our number of young people attending Sparks have been sporadic towards the end of 2024. The numbers had been up to around 35. That had dipped slightly at October half term. We have had some behaviour issues which we are working on. This has made some children not want to attend the group due to the noise levels in St Luke’s.
_“Sparks is his favourite group ever is what he said” – Grandparent of Sparks member_
## **Holiday Club**
Our October half term holiday club, titled Starship Discovery had been a huge success. We had over 80 children attend with around 60 children attending each day. This is an increase of 10 from last year. We use John Hardwick’s Starship Discovery holiday club structure in October 2024 as we looked at who Peter is in the Bible and how he became to understand who Jesus was.
Holiday Club is supported with an army of 35 volunteers which keeps everything running smoothly in 2024. We also have had 6 young people help with the group as well as we look to develop the next leaders of the Church.
Holiday club in 2024 was a lot more expensive than 2023 (£1400), in 2024 it cost £1800. In 2024 we were fantastically supported by The Wellington Hotel, with the variety of supportive fundraisers which they ran such as bingo, quiz nights, etc. which covered most of the holiday club expenses. This meant that we were able to run holiday club completely free for anyone who wanted to attend at primary school age. The increase was due to a range of inflationary pressures on goods, but also as we designed more of an elaborate set for the holiday club, to make St Luke’s truly feel a completely different space.
In 2025, we look forward to planning the next October half term holiday club and continue to look for fundraising opportunities.
## **Ignite**
We have changed the way Ignite works as a youth group over the previous years. It started as a time to play games and a time set aside for some bible reflections. However, over 2023 we changed Ignite to be more of a youth group with just games to help build trust with young people and the Church. This had worked really well so that our numbers went from 7 to over 200 on our books.
Over 2024 we pushed on the more purposeful Joint Youth Services, with St Michael’s Church, Newhaven and Seaford Baptist Church. We have had up to 19 of our young people attend these services regularly, this is a real good step for our young people to find out who Jesus is. In 2025 we look ahead to launching a new group on Sunday evenings for young people to attend to develop their faith via resources such as Youth Alpha.
This group has also been supported by new volunteers coming along on a more rota basis, which have ensured that the group can continue to meet. As well as support through free donations of cans of fizz, crisps and chocolate from Morrisons Community Champions and gifts from The Wellington Hotel in Seaford.
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_“How long until camp? I really cannot wait to go again” – Sparks Camp Child_
## **The Chosen**
Has been developing well. This is a newer group which has been set up primarily for adults of the children and young people who attend our groups and for anyone else who wishes to attend. This group has now watched all episodes of the current Chosen seasons and is waiting for the release of the latest season. For the time being we have not been meeting towards the end of 2024.
This will pick up again in 2025 with the release of the new season.
## **Glow**
This fortnightly group has continued to go from strength to strength over the past year of 2023. Children have been slowly increasing on a Sunday morning as they gather for breakfast, story, craft and singing and dancing. Numbers in Glow have reaches as high as15.
This current group meets in St Luke’s, it is a concern that there is not a group to meet on a Sunday in St Leonard’s yet.
_“My youngest names the children’s worker as a member of her family” – Glow Parent_
## **Moving Forward**
There are still areas where we must continue the development in the work that the Church is currently doing. This includes the continual development of building into the community, through creation of a growing garden (currently working on these plans) to help children, young people and their families understand the need for learning to grow their own fruit/veg.
We are running at full capacity within our current means, but there is so much more need out in the community. We have approximately 5 other groups which we see the need to develop. But we have zero time to commit to them. This will greatly be realised with the employment of an assistant children, youth and family worker.
We also need to develop spaces to be more multipurpose to enable more of the community to engage with the church building and then in turn with the Church as a whole, largely within St Leonard’s church, but also in St Luke’s Church. The largest of all being the heating in St Leonard’s church. Here the heating is on full and the church cannot get warm due the construction of the building. As per suggestions last year, infer-red heating seems to the be the best way forward to heat the building.
## **Our Team of Volunteers**
Our teams of volunteers within the children, youth and family team are the biggest in the Church. With over 39 people helping at any one time and regular volunteers of around 15-20 leaders, they get swamped with various requests for support for the groups. Which most of the time they will happily oblige with. But we do need to also continue to offer support to those volunteers through prayer and through encouraging others to volunteer for smaller (or larger) tasks.
This time of volunteers are amazing and without them the Church would not have anywhere near the outreach it currently has on a weekly basis. My heart felt thanks goes to each one of them.
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## **Flowers in St Leonard’s Church - Liz Morgan Jones**
Flowers have continued to have been provided and arranged for another year.
Thank you if you have sponsored or bought flowers throughout the year and to those who have arranged them.
We have enjoyed a pedestal of fresh flowers for our weekly services, the church decorated for all the festivals with many beautiful displays to enhance our worship and daffodils bunched, wrapped and displayed for distribution at both St Luke’s and St Leonard’s for Mothering Sunday.
Re-iterated thanks to Margaret Smith who has organised everything in this area of church life including regular watering throughout most weeks in the year and buying and arranging the contents for many of the regular weekly pedestal displays in the sanctuary. We will sorely miss her input when she retires at the end of 2025. THANK YOU MARGARET.
## **Men’s Meal – Derreck Lee-Philpot**
It’s been a delicious year with the Men’s Meal.
It’s the first year ‘under new management’ with Keith Carlisle stepping down from co-ordinating the meals and Lloyd Thompson taking the reins for his first full year.
Befittingly Keith started the year off with a look back at his life and career in teaching. It was fascinating to see the progression and changes that have taken place in education during a single lifetime. Sally was up next with reminiscences from the Registry Office. With a heart-felt plea to do a ‘life-letter’ with details of all the practicalities of life (bank/savings a/c, addresses etc) to pass to the next-of-kin to make their life easier when the time comes. The BBQ at the Vicarage was a new event for Men’s Meal, a delightful time of chat, fellowship on the Vicarage lawn dodging the occasional dampness in the air. Sadly I missed Charlie Grimble but heard that a good time was had by all, in the way that only Charlie can bring. ‘The Wreckers’ sea shanty group were great fun, that evening was appropriately ‘fish and chip night. They regaled us with songs telling tales of piracy, slavery, hidden treasure, and romance on the high seas. Joining in was great fun, especially as some of the lyrics were like tongue-twisters to music! We closed as we started with an evening with James Hollingsworth where we heard all about his life pre-ordination. It was fascinating to hear about the person behind the collar.
The venues were primarily the Wellington PH, who again gave us a warm welcome. Crossway Church Hall at Clinton Place was used for ‘The Wreckers’, and the Vicarage garden for the BBQ, thanks to all our hosts this year.
With thanks to our speakers and especially Lloyd for so effectively co-ordinating the years meals.
Looking forward to another delicious year in 2025/26.
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## **– Parish Mission Support Team Liz Morgan Jones**
During 2024, each of the Team have maintained contact with the Mission partners we as a church support. As a church family we all donate to them if you give regularly to parish funds but even more important are your prayers both personal and corporate. We give you regular points on which to focus through the bimonthly prayer diary and articles published in the church magazine and online. If you would like more information about a particular partner please approach the appropriate team member.
Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team: has, together with other initiatives, contributed greatly to the reduction in numbers of those attending the Head in crisis this last year. They work in close contact with their partner agencies Sussex Police, HM Coastguard, South East Coast Ambulance Service, Mental Health Rapid Response Nurses, Public Health East Sussex and RNLI Eastbourne. Above all, they provide a dedicated prayer team interceding for the chaplains whenever they are out working on the Head. Contact – Gill Tansley
Cambodia Action – is the organisation that sponsors Sarah Chhin, who grew up in Seaford and came to the parish to ask for support when she first went out as a translator. Her role and responsibilities have changed and grown considerably. She is now the Technical Advisor for M’lup Russey, based in Phnom Penh with overall responsibility for finding funding for their projects working with the locals looking after the welfare of children and promoting the values of bringing up children in their families rather than institutions. Sarah is regularly consulted by Officers of the National Government on these matters. She also works as translator with her husband, Pola as he serves the local community with an honest and reliable building business. Contact – Liz Morgan-Jones
Church Army: members are trained to share the Christian faith through words and actions within the Anglican community. They work in very practical and hands on situations to bring the light of Jesus to the darkest corners of society. They have set up Centres of Mission throughout the UK to enable them to reach out to their local community. They run a highly valued project at the Marylebone Centre in London providing shelter for homeless women and their children which provides healthcare and access to education, enabling them to rebuild their lives and regain independence.. Contact – Bob Carrington
FSW (Chichester Diocese Family Support Work): is Sussex’s oldest children’s charity set up by the Church of England in 1890. They support children and families through difficult times in their lives including low income and poverty; mental or physical ill health; disability; learning difficulties; school non-attendance and exclusion; bereavement; family break-up and domestic abuse. Today it supplements the local authorities social and children’s services by providing eighteen paid Family Practitioners throughout the Diocese working with families on a one to one basis for as long as they need help. Your donations to the food collections at both St Leonard’s and St Luke’s are sent to their foodbank. Contact – Liz Morgan-Jones
HomeLink: grew out of an Action Group for the Lewes District set up by Seaford Methodist Minister Rev Jim Cooper with its beginnings in 1991 when the national ecumenical Churches National Housing Coalition was formed. They wanted to help the invisible homeless who did not qualify for help from the Council, had no savings and were often, as today sofa surfing or sleeping in cars or tents.
This evolved over the years until Homelink was launched in Newhaven in 1997. The organisation provides loans to cover a deposit and first month’s rent with repayment tailored to individual needs. The scheme now includes mentored ex-offenders released from Lewes Prison. Demand has grown and currently it is more difficult to find appropriate properties to rent at affordable prices. Once a property is secured, Homelink now has funds to provide grants for white goods, floor covering and other essential items to turn a property into a home. Contact - Diana Dixon.
LAMA: Life and More Abundant Ministries in the Philippines. This was established in 1986 by Lesley and Peter Gomez. (Lesley is the daughter of Ethel Keenan a member of the church family). By 1997 LAMA House had been built where initially they welcomed homeless boys, and latterly their female siblings
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rescued from abuse and abandonment, with the promise that they would have support for life. As Peter and Lesley’s family grew, their two sons and daughter took on responsibilities within the ministry by leading worship, at the home and at church. Son Michael trained in England then took on the chaplaincy at the local Rehabilitation Centre. He leads a team visiting the Youth Prison and also the provincial Children’s Home, Half-Way Shelters and Centres for Women. They have set up a Beach Church and have s Street Ministry where they see healing and miracles. Due to Covid restrictions the residential home had to close but they still support their old boys and girls and continue to use the house as the local Emergency Shelter, a worship centre, to hold seminars, annual re-unions and hope perhaps in time as a skills centre. They have brought many to a personal faith in Jesus. Contact – Esther Keenan
Samara’s Aid: a charity started by Brighton based Samar Levy, a former Staff Nurse, collecting used clothes to send to those displaced within their own country by the war in Syria. This has grown into a remarkable enterprise under God’s grace that has seen brand new, built from scratch, two medical centres and a centre for widows and orphans rise out of the rubble. They have set up agricultural programmes for producing food including bread. Introduced animals to supply eggs, milk and cheese to those using the centres, which are free to all. They run educational classes for all ages and celebrate birthdays and festivals with parties. The staff are exhausted and under constant pressure even before the recent uncertainties ramped up the stress levels. Contact – Diana Dixon
WAVES: This charity formed by the churches in Seaford to support families especially parents needing extra help and those pupils in primary schools who needed more support in the form of a ‘Listening Service’ for those who perhaps didn’t feel heard by anyone else. The organisation struggled to keep afloat after Covid and eventually had to close its doors in the summer of 2024. Local churches were able to keep some of the groups going and the individual listeners began to liaise with the schools to see how this might work in the future. The local Family Support Work Practitioner was able to help some of the families.
The Mission Support Team were pleased to arrange various presentations during the year at both churches. We value your support and trust that you will continue to pray for all our Missions during 2025.
## **Safeguarding – Ruth Saunders**
The publication of the Makin Report in November, and the subsequent resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, is an indication of the seriousness we must attach to our safeguarding responsibilities. And a reminder about how far we still have to go. We received letters from the Bishop and the Diocesan Safeguarding team, not only reminding us of everyone's responsibilities, but also recognising that safeguarding is already a very high priority for most parishes and that 'brilliant work is happening at parish level, by people with deep commitment and professionalism.' So - we should not be discouraged, and once again this year has been full of safeguarding.
In May, our commitment to doing joint training, led to 25 of us doing the Diocesan course on Domestic Abuse at St Leonard's, which we all found shocking and helpful. We asked all workers with children and vulnerable adults to complete the course on line if they were not able to attend, and I also wrote an article for the magazine. I acquired posters giving information about resources available to people seeking help which are up in both churches, and small cards which people can take away with them. We will be announcing training sessions for this year shortly.
We have continued to develop our processes for Safer Recruitment and People Management, and Sue Topp has done great work in beginning to use them with new volunteers. Charlie has printed some copies of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook which all new people are given. We will be confirming the process shortly, and it will be sent to the PCC for endorsement.
In September, I met with Brian as the new co-ordinator of Pastoral Care and several of his volunteers, to look at policy and guidance for lone working. This has now been endorsed by the PCC. It's vital for us to keep our staff and volunteers safe as well.
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DBS checks now have to be renewed every three years, so these are an on-going task, with an extra flurry around the time of the Holiday Club.
In August James, Stefan and I met to consider the ever-growing number of children who are now attending groups at this church, due to Stefan's amazing work. It is an exciting time with a new worker bring recruited. We have always taken safeguarding seriously, but with these growing numbers of children, we need to be ever more diligent in ensuring that we are working to all the policies and guidance, and are alert to any safeguarding concerns that may arise. We must never stop sharing with someone in the safeguarding team, any concerns we have, however small. And if we are unsure about what action to take, the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, are a great source of advice and support. Thank you once more, for another year of commitment to keeping everyone safe.
## **– Home Groups David & Pat Farey**
Hooray for the fantastic home groups that provide a warm setting where Christians can come together!
There have been sparks of encouragement through the year. Proportionally numbers attending, at the moment, are quite small in relation to the numbers who attend church, so it is an area for growth. In a smaller group a living faith can grow, self-worth can be nurtured and confidence and spiritual maturity can be developed in a meaningful way.
Our prayer for the year ahead is that more members of our congregations will come to see how much their faith can grow in an enjoyable way in one of our home groups and that our groups will flourish and multiply with people feeling confident to discover and use their spiritual gifts in the Lord’s service and for the benefit of others in the church. The vision is for as many people as possible in our churches to belong to a home group.
Most groups meet every two weeks, with some weekly, and others monthly. They work out what rhythm suits everyone. In the year one group split into two and due to age and other factors one of those closed. The Freedom in Christ course that ran last year has become a cohesive group in itself. The number of groups remains at nine.
The ideal is that each group should nurture its members so they can become leaders too. As others join them and in turn divide, a new group can be formed. To be comfortable with change and growth is exciting and a sign of maturity as God is always wanting to create something new. Other groups, like the Alpha Course should ideally encourage an ongoing desire to learn more which can evolve into a further group. All things are possible if there is a willingness to embrace change and evolve under the Lord’s direction and creativity.
Groups meet on Tuesday afternoon with two in the evening, two on Wednesday evening, Thursday morning and evening, and two on Friday afternoon.
## Reports from some of the groups
## Wednesday evening –
From Charlie Grimble – For the past 12 months, we have followed a programme of studies looking at John's Gospel, and 1 Corinthians and have shared the leading and hosting within the group. We meet fortnightly on a Wednesday evening, and have an attendance record that reflects the commitment of our members to various other church activities. This has meant a full roster on some get-togethers and a smaller grouping at other times. We have space for anyone wanting to meet with us as we look to grow together in our understanding of what it means to be an integral part of the body of Christ here in Seaford.
From “George” Waterman - Attendance varies with illness/commitments etc and being away on holiday. Seven members. We have been studying a book on Hebrews for a very long time, with breaks for worship/prayer evenings. Next we will very likely to take up the Lent Course.
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## Thursday - Morning
From Barry Ranger – We meet on a Thursday am every two weeks, with around eight to nine members. We spent a long time on Hebrews and are now on Genesis, which was what the group would like to study.
## Evening
From Phil Kent - We are a home group built around a continued desire to meet, share, learn and grow. (continued from the Freedom in Christ course) We are currently running through Pete Greig’s Prayer Course 2 on Unanswered Prayer referring to the book God on Mute. It takes us through the Passion and finishes at Easter. There are 7 of us.
## Friday afternoon –
Diana Woodcock group - The group meets monthly. There are nine members in the group meeting at her house.
From Corrinne Lee-Philpot - “We are enjoying house group. There are mostly four or five of us. We do a variety of studies. At the moment we are doing a Bible society study on the book of Romans. We still meet twice a month, usually at Sue's (Griffiths) house.”
For anyone interested in joining a group please email David or Pat on homegroups@seafordparish.org.uk.
## **Seaford Parish Women’s Group (SPWG) - Julia Lawson**
Seaford Parish Women’s Group currently meet in St Luke’s Church, Walmer Road Chyngton, on the 3[rd] Monday of the month starting at 7.30pm.
We began the year with an AGM, upside down raffle and discussed the next year’s programme. The meetings are varied with speakers and social evenings. We particularly enjoyed an informative talk by one of our members, Lindsey Pritchard, on Citizens Advice. My spiritual journey and Godly play by Corrine Lee-Philpott and a fascinating talk by Charlie Grimble about the Fitzgerald family and their contribution to Seaford. We especially enjoyed a social evening of fellowship together with dinner at The Boot. We started our autumn programme with a board games evening and an update on the latest Wheels for the World trip to Rwanda, providing wheelchairs, disability aides as well as distributing bibles. Mark Gill led our October meeting with a reflection on Solomon and demonstrated how to draw a Celtic Knot, we made a good job of attempting with some creative and interesting designs. We enjoyed a relaxed Christmas crafts evening led by talented in ladies in the group. In December, we held a combined service for Stopover with the Mother’s Union in St Leonard’s Church led by Revd James Hollingsworth. Stopover Enterprise care for young women in Brighton, Hove, and Worthing, providing accommodation, respite, counselling, and rehabilitation. This was an opportunity to reflect upon how fortunate we are and the pleasure in helping others during challenging times. Stevie Graves Stopover Head of Supported Houses gave an update on the charity and was delighted to receive the donated Christmas gifts on behalf of Stopover, co-ordinated by Connie Hughes the Seaford representative. We closed the year with our favourite Carols and readings.
We especially enjoy sharing companionship together and always pleased to welcome new members to join our evenings, sharing fellowship and a varied programme. We close our evening with prayers and reflections.
## **St Leonard’s & St Luke’s Parish Lunch – Julia Lawson**
Parish Lunch meet on the 1[st] Wednesday of the month in St Luke’s Hall, Walmer Road, at 12.30pm. This is a good opportunity to socialise in a warm environment and enjoy home cooking.
We are particularly grateful to Colin and Margaret Rudge who work front of house serving our guests, whilst 5 volunteers with limited time, work hard to get the lunch prepared on time.
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We serve a hot main meal and dessert, followed by tea or coffee for just £6.00 and cater for all dietary requirements.
## **St Leonard’s Lunchtime Concerts – John Baker**
There were 10 concerts between February and November in 2024. There was harp, piano, organ, guitar, string quartet and a flute, guitar and clarinet trio. Our audiences ranged from 59 to 100, averaging 86.
As usual the final concert, which was an organ recital by Gerard Brooks, was dedicated to St Cecilia, patron saint of music and the retiring collection for Christian Aid raised more than £560. There was also over £1380 left at the end of the year for Church funds. We are hugely grateful to our loyal audiences who support us so well.
The aim of the concerts is to enable people to hear talented, usually professional musicians and provide them with performing opportunities especially at the start of their career. We aim to provide a friendly welcome for people from all walks of life to our beautiful church, some who might not otherwise come through the door.
The concerts are on the third Saturday of the month from February to November, have free admission and remain self-supporting thanks to the generosity of our audience. There is a brochure listing the concerts planned for 2025 available at both Churches (but please note that there will not be a concert in April 25 as Easter Saturday falls on the third weekend).
## **St Leonard’s Choir Report 2024 – John Baker**
During 2024 the choir have continued to lead the singing at the 9.30 am service each week at St Leonard’s usually including an anthem. We have also supported a few other services such as funerals and Thanksgiving services. At Christmas there was the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Carol Service, Christmas Lessons and Carols, First Communion of Christmas and Christmas Day. Apart from the people who sing on Sundays we have a loyal group of singers who join us for special services to augment the choir.
Most of the choir joined other choirs in the Deanery for Choral Evensong at St Mary’s Church Ringmer in June.
More informally we enjoyed our annual garden party in July and once again the weather was very kind to us.
I am very grateful to all the choir members for their support and loyalty throughout the year.
We are always pleased to welcome new members who would like to join our four part choir and sing at services, do contact me via stlensorganist@seafordparish.org.uk or find me at coffee after a 9.30 service if you think you may be interested in joining the choir.
We meet on a Thursday evening from 7 – 8.30pm in St Leonard’s Church, it’s not all hard work though, there is often chocolate involved!
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**St Leonard’s And St Luke’s Mothers’ Union – Janet Kent**
We meet on the 3[rd] Friday of the month at 2.30 in St Luke’s Church.
Our meetings are a combination of Speakers (members of the wider congregation) often sharing information on how their Christian faith is shown in Action. Bible Study. Fun and fellowship and prayer. As a group and as individuals we continue to try to support family life through action and prayer.
We were delighted to attend six baptisms presenting Bible story books and cards, to welcome them to the family of St Leonard’s and St Luke’s.
We now regularly help at Tots providing the refreshments it’s a lovely opportunity to chat to the mothers, fathers and often Grandparents.
During 2024 we provided tea and cakes for over 800 new U.K. Citizens at Brighton Town Hall, attending their Ceremonies, celebrating and sharing in their joy and listening to their life stories and welcoming them to their new UK family. They are often very interested in why we are doing this for them and very appreciative.
We held a fund-raising Quiz to support Brian Millers work with the young people at YMCA Eastbourne, also providing 20 Christmas gift boxes, we felt it was important to show these young people that they are valued as part of Gods’ Family. Members also contributed Christmas gifts to the young women being supported by Stopover.
Our enjoyable Garden Tea Party raised money for AFIA (Away from it all). Two caravans owned by Chichester Diocese Mothers’ Union used to provide free holidays for families in need.
In September we visited Alfriston exploring the Church and Graveyard before warming up with Tea & cakes.
All our meetings and activities are open to everyone, keep a look out in the weekly sheet and come along and join us.
## **Keeping St Leonards open – Janet Kent**
Due to the commitment of a small group of St Leonards’ congregation we have been able to keep St Leonards open 5 days a week from 10.00-1.00 throughout 2024. It is a great opportunity to engage with a variety of people and let them
know what is going on at St Leonards and St Lukes. Some people come in regularly to pray. Others want to say a prayer for a special concern. Some are distressed and need time, a listening ear and
somebody to pray with them. Many are visiting because of a family connection and want to see where their relatives were married. Some have moved away and are on a rare visit back to Seaford. Many have interesting stories and memories to share.
Quite a few are local people who have walked passed many times but never previously entered.
Often a parent will come in with a young child, they love looking for the two Church Mice (although one lady thought we meant real mice and was looking along the floor).
Many are Tourists from all over the world, they are amazed at the age of the building, love the Stained glass windows and fascinated by the French sailors’ graffiti. The one thing they all have in common is an appreciation of the beauty of the Church, the sense of calm and the warm welcome they are shown by the Church Sitters. We always need more Church Sitters can you give one morning a month?
## **Fabric Report Relating to Year 1st January to 31 st December, 2024 – Mike Holmes**
## **St Leonard’s Church**
Fire Extinguishers – it was noted that these were due for renewal in late 2023, however this was not done. Investigation showed that the firm concerned, ION Safety, had gone out of business and, as a result, had not corresponded with us on the matter. We contacted Sovereign Alarms and they replaced all fire extinguishers. Now both St Leonard’s and St Luke’s churches have contracts with Sovereign Alarms for maintenance and supply of fire extinguishers
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Chapel Door – This back door has dropped and requires a new hinge. There are no available off the shelf hinges. Parishioners Charles and David have examined this further and arranged for a custom made hinge from a local forge. They confirm the door is now relatively safe and should not drop further. My thanks to both Charles and David
## Annual Clock Maintenance – this was carried out
Damaged Cracks in the outside Cement Stoneware of the South Facing Window – many of you may well have noticed these cracks. A number of parishioners pointed these out to me and I am pleased to report following discussions with Jonathan Tilley of Tilley Stonemasons they agreed to fix this problem at no extra cost. Tilley Stonemasons did the initial work in mid 2022.
Cleaning of top gutter – In 2023 we arranged for the clearance of the bottom gutter, however, due to high winds, it was not possible to clear the top gutter. This has now been done. Unfortunately it was not possible to clear out the down pipe by the Tower front this is a metre long & clogged with weeds, at some time in the future we will need to consider fixing this. This will probably require a scaffolding to reach.
Maintenance of the boiler – Middleton Heating & Plumbing installed the boiler in late 2017. A full service was carried out prior to the 2024 winter spell.
Repair of Roof Tiles – the bottom layer of roof was in a poor state, some 50 tiles had dislodged or slipped and at least one gap hole had appeared in that portion of the roof. As this was an urgent repair, we employed the roofer, who fixed the St Luke’s Tower, and we are pleased to report that the lower portion of the roof has been fully repaired and you can now see that this looks in very good order.
Lightning Conductor Check – We have agreed a new three year contract for Bacon Lightning Protection Limited to annually review & check our lightning conductor. They visited us in late October and carried out the necessary review and check. Unfortunately the lightning conductor failed the necessary tests. As it is a legal requirement for the lightning conductor to full function, they made a further visit to fix and correct all defects.
Repair of punctured wall – this is where the slope ceiling meets the wall and is on the right side, as you look at the altar. This looked like a simple repair of a punctured hole; however care needed to be taken where this involves paint work. The internal fix needed to use lime render/mortar rather than cement and any contaminated plaster/render would first need to be removed. There was also a need to fill any outside holes, associated with the damaged hole. We would also need to let the wall dry out for at least 6 months, if not longer, before we try and decorate.
Because of the associated difficulties, we had to look to five firms, before we got three quotes. A decision was made and the damaged hole and the associated outside problems are now fixed.
## **Proposed future work for this year (2025)** will include:-
1. Repair of the Good Shepherd Window
2. Repair of the inside left church wall
Initial investigations have shown that there are possible complications with item 2 above (mentioned below) and, therefore, item 1 will be progressed first.
Good Shepherd Window **–** There is substantial damage to many decorative panes, resulting in much lost of original detail. Fortunately, along with a few fragments there is a photographic record to base new pieces on. Unfortunately, it has been the victim of determined vandalism with at least 12 visible broken panes. The damage in some areas is so extensive that the lead matrix has been distorted and only a reasonable repair can be achieved in situ. To remove it is not viable as this would only result in creating further damage, so a repair should be attempted in situ and expectations managed accordingly.
Initial estimates some three and a half years ago, were £5-6k. We are covered, to some extent by insurance. Emphasis will need to be on the advantages / disadvantages of an in situ or external repair. To remove it is not viable as this would only result in creating further damage, so it is my opinion that a repair should be attempted in situ and expectations managed accordingly. This is likely to require, at least, a List B application for agreement by the Archdeacon.
Church Wall – recent investigation suggests this could be a big job. The left side wall, as you look to the altar, shows distinct signs of paint peeling and this will need repair. Our architect has advised that we
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should not use modern paints, as they will seal the damp in which will force the plaster or render off. We need a vapour-permeable paint; Keim Optil would be suitable and would need to be applied strictly - - according to manufacturer’s recommendations. https://www.keim.com/en gb/products/interior paints/optil/ Note if there are salts visible or if the paint surface is flaking, as it is, then the paint and contaminated plaster/render should be removed first and suitably repaired. The quote request will need to clearly define the requirements and preferably agreed with the architect. This will require a Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) paper.
It is clear the bottom half of the wall has been repainted and, it is very likely, with the wrong paint, which may have caused the wall to hold in the damp and damage the surface. The whole bottom half of the wall would need to be sanded back and checked for any other affected areas, potentially needing the inside render/plaster all removed and redone. This would also need the heating to be disconnected and removed from the wall while the work is being done.
## **St Leonard’s Church Hall**
Whilst the hall was being sold, there was a need to ensure it was maintained in line with Insurance Requirements. This required the roof hole above the toilet to be fixed; initial reviews suggested that the condition of the roof to the right of the toilet was in the same condition, but this had not developed through the roof to form any additional holes. It was necessary to extend the roof hole covering to the right of the hole to stop further damage being developed. In addition the hall door needed to be reinforced.
## **St Luke’s Church**
Fire Extinguishers - following maintenance of our fire extinguishers and alarms, Sovereign Alarms have renewed 3 fire extinguishers that needed replacing.
Roof Turret Area – following roof rain leakage, the Turret area has been reroofed.
Repair to Windows – some of the very small window panes on the church entrance side have been damaged; cracked & broken. We found only one firm able to fix this. Others were unable to do the work and quoted to replace the whole windows rather than the individual glass panes. The damaged windows have now been fixed
Hedge – the hedge has been fully cut during the year
Lawn Mower Motor & Mowers Seaford has carried out a full maintenance and repair to the lawn mower.
Toilet Wash Bowls – two of the three toilet wash bowls had partly removed from the wall. These have now been fixed back into the relevant wall.
Floor Repairs – the floor in the L shaped side room (to the main hall that contains the kitchen) was badly scrapped and marked and was a safety concern. This has been repaired.
Front Door – this was loose from much slamming and this needed bolstering and strengthening and this was fixed by our carpenter
Altar / Hall Doors - The carpenter also fixed the doors between the hall and altar, as these were misaligned and needed straightening
Boiler - The boiler has been fully reviewed and is in need of some new parts, this repair has been carried out and completed
## **Proposed future work for this year (2025)** will include:-
Four major projects, as follows
- Continual Redevelopment of the Garden – this project falls within the boundaries of the Youth projects. This is being project managed by Mark Gill who is doing an excellent job. We will need to replace the two doors leading to the garden area, as they need attention, there is broken wood and the doors to the garden have dropped. As an accessible slope has been provided within the garden, the doors need to provide for this.
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Budgets have been put together for the other three major project, these are:
- Installation of new sound system
- Carryout the full repainting of the Church Hall
- Fully update the kitchen, as required
In addition other works will include:-
1. Putty on one of the window sides has broken away, new putty needs to be provided
2. Cupboards – two of the handles have come off the cupboards and these will need to be replaced.
3. Tower Window Leaks
4. Crumbling concrete around Tower
5. On the right side of the stage, as one goes down the stairs to the downstairs room, the wall is damp and the paint is peeling. This wall is under the ground level and this may be the reason for the dampness.
6. Speaker system – requires boxing in
7. Cut hedge.
## **- Ministry to Care homes within the parish for 2024 Brian Millar and Wendy Ogilvie**
This year a small pastoral care support team has been formed and has met. This team consists of volunteers from both congregations. The team reviewed the lone working protocols designed by our parish safeguarding officer Ruth. We continue to have a presence in four residential care homes in the town. At three of these we undertake services that include hymns and communion. These services are well received and occasionally attended by some of the care home staff. When we visit, we also conduct communion or prayers with those that are confined to their rooms. At all four homes we have ex members of our congregation.
We continue to conduct home communion for people unable to get to Sunday services. Training has been given to a new member of the home communion team. We have recently been advised by church house that two people should conduct home communions and where possible this guideline is adhered to. With regard to the pastoral care our ‘in church’ congregation, the role previously filled by Wendy Ogilvie has been difficult to replace. Wendy was well known and knew many of the congregation. How to make this more effective will be reviewed in 2025. Diana continues to lead on pastoral care issues for St Luke’s. Many thanks go to the number of people to volunteer to support the Care home services and Home communion visits.
## **Finance – Paul Waller**
I am pleased to have the honour to deliver my third report as your Treasurer.
It gives me pleasure to be able to thank all members of the church team you have worked so hard in assisting me in bringing these accounts to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Every month the collections and bank credits have to be counted and sorted and payments made to all those people and organisations who provide all the goods and services to ensure the smooth running of our church. I happened to notice that the bank account gives a total of the number of transaction in the year and these exceeded 1200, more than 100 a month.
All this data is collated by Anna Owen, the unseen power behind the Treasurer, thank you Anna. This data enables her to produce claims to the Revenue for the Gift Aid, which is kindly provided by the generosity of tax paying givers.
We have seen a steady increase in our letting income at St Luke’s and this is managed by Charlene Hobbs, who would be pleased to receive any enquiries from you for bookings for your meetings or celebrations!
Charlie Christie and Tony Willer issue Invoices for us to the Funeral Directors, Magazine Advertisers and Fitzgerald Charity for the work the church does for these organisations. This produces income over £21000.
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The efforts of this host of helpers dealt with our Living income, excluding legacies of some £170,000.
With total expenditure of £358,000, I appreciate the splendid organisation of which I am but a small part.
We have had the benefit of Chris Tyler our accounts examiner’s wisdom and scrutiny of the books and giving them a clean bill of health. I thank Chris and ask that we reappointed him for the current year at the end of my presentation.
Now I come to the biggest of the thank you - to you all, our church membership. What a year 2024 has been, you have before you the report of all the areas of the church activity. It is astonishing what we get done in a short twelve-month period. All of which has been funded by your generosity.
I have been in awe of these, from both those who are still worshipping with us here on earth, and of those who have passed away. Living members have given £184,000 and past members £75,731.
We have also enjoyed a better year on income from our assets. Our Cash, which produced £10220 (£7019) of Interest, our Property Rentals of £18600 (£14750), our letting of the Church Buildings £10104 (£7853), Services to Fitzgerald Charity £11617 (10200) and our ministers who perform weddings and funerals producing £6859 (£5816) of fees.
Grants of £13000 have also been received in support of the Children and Youth Work which will help to fund the Asst Youth Worker we hope to have in place in 2025.
So our total income in 2024 amount to £345565 (£746175).
Having summarised the Income let me briefly explain what your church has spent its income on.
The largest bills are for our Clergy and Staff expenditures which come to £250k (£240k) for Parish Share and Wages and Expenses.
A further £97k (£88k) goes to run the church with utility bills and general expenses.
A total of £358613(£356448) of course with no tower repair (£13574) this year.
The DEFICIT this year is therefore (£13048) last year the surplus was £389727
## **Balance Sheet**
Historic property values will change this year when the Hall sells.
Cash up by £88k to £328K
The Legacies receivable of £234731 (£330500) as some payments received during the year but still substantial amounts due.
Liabilities payment year end amounts to the one Agency Account.
To summarise: a year of spending almost £30,000 a month and receiving regular income of £20,000 a month we have been saved by £110,000 from beyond the grave.
We must increase what we give whilst we are here on earth.
If we are going to meet our commitments to God to enable Gods work to prosper in Seaford.
Thank you ALL.
Structure, governance and management of the charity
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The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is registered with the Charity Commission as required by the Charities Act 2011. Its governing document is the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956.
PCC for the year January 2024 to December 2024
|Ex Officio members||
|---|---|
|Incumbent:|
The Rev’d. James Hollingsworth Chairman|
|Associate Clergy:|
The Rev’d. Derreck Lee-Philpot|
||The Rev’d Lucy Hollingsworth|
||The Rev’d Carole Darling|
|Churchwardens:|Fred Bass|
||Elizabeth Morgan-Jones|
|Deputy Wardens for St Luke’s: Joanne Lalla||
||Paul Bloxham|
|Deputy Wardens for St Leonard’s: Janet Kent Vice Chairman||
||Paul Waller|
|Elected PCC Members||
|Paul Waller|Treasurer (from January 2022)|
|Kim Cuthbert|(from APCM April 2022)|
|Lucy Borthwick|(from APCM April 2022)|
|Lisa Hazle|(from APCM April 2022)|
|Stephanie Baker|(from APCM April 2022)|
|Nicola Ferguson|(from APCM April 2022)|
|Sue Topp|(from APCM April 2023)|
|Sally Thompson|(from APCM April 2023)|
|Lizzie Jackson|(from APCM April 2023)|
|Ann Richards|(from APCM April 2024)|
|Diana Dixon|(from APCM April 2024)|
|Paul Bloxham|(from APCM April 2024)|
|Co-opted||
|Stefan Bracher||
|Michael Holmes||
|PCC Secretary||
|Stephanie Baker||
|Elected Deanery Synod Members (from APCM April 2023)||
|Julia Lawson||
|Nicola Ferguson||
|Bob Carrington||
|Carole Kay||
|Mark Gill|(from July 2024)|
|Deanery Representatves on|Diocesan Synod:|
|Mark Gill|(from September 2024)|
|Revd James Hollingsworth,||
|Rev’d Lucy Hollingsworth||
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Membership of the PCC is determined under the Church Representation Rules and consists of certain exofficio members (the incumbent/priest-in-charge, curate, lay readers licensed to officiate in the church), the churchwardens and members of the Deanery, Diocesan or General Synods and 18 members of the church who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). Members are warmly encouraged to stand for election to the PCC and we try to ensure a balance of skills and experience where possible
This Trustees’ Annual Report was approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by The Revd. James Hollingsworth, PCC Chairman
………………………………………………………………………………
Date…………………………………………………
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## Summary of Financial Receipts and Payments
The financial effect of our activities during the year can be summarised as follows:
|Income and endowments
from:|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|Total|Prior Year|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Donations and legacies|246,844|22,904|-|269,748|675,833|
|Income from charitable
activities|20,232|3,048|-|23,280|17,220|
|Other trading activities|1,870|-|-|1,870|1,572|
|Investments|29,148|-|-|29,148|22,001|
|Other income|17,312|4,205|-|21,518|29,547|
|Total income|315,407|30,157|-|345,565|746,175|
|Expenditure on:|||-|||
|Raising funds|5,016|131|-|5,148|3,447|
|Expenditure on charitable
activities|314,401|22,205|-|336,607|310,814|
|Other expenditure|16,858|-|-|16,858|42,186|
|Total expenditure|336,277|22,336|-|358,613|356,448|
|Gains/Losses on
investment assets|-|-|-|-|-|
|Net income /
(expenditure) resources
before transfer|(20,869)|7,821|-|(13,048)|389,727|
|Transfers|||-|||
|Gross transfers between
funds - in|7,515|-|-|7,515|6,760|
|Gross transfers between
funds - out|(7,515)|-|-|(7,515)|(6,760)|
|Other recognised gains /
losses|||-|||
|Gains on revaluation,
fxed assets, charity's
own use|-|-|-|-|-|
|Net movement in funds|(20,869)|7,821|-|(13,048)|389,727|
|Reconciliation of funds|||-|||
|Total funds brought
forward|830,891|254,288|-|1,085,179|695,452|
|Total funds carried
forward|810,021|262,109|-|1,072,131|1,085,179|
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## Seaford Parochial Church Council - 1131402 Balance Sheet detailed
|Balance Sheet detailed|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||As at|As at||
|.||31/12/2024|31/12/2023||
|**Fixed assets**|||||
|6430: St Luke's House||280,000.00|280,000.00||
|6431: St Leonard's Church Hall||140,000.00|140,000.00||
|6432: 35% of 2 Benenden Close||91,000.00|91,000.00||
|**Total Fixed assets**||511,000.00|511,000.00||
|**Current assets**|||||
|6501: Bank current account||5,151.87|5,131.33||
|6505: Bank Saver Account (Premium)||16,767.57|10,041.71||
|6506: Bank Saver Account (Reserve)||10,008.63|—||
|6510: CCLA (CBF) deposit account||295,636.66|224,804.27||
|6591: Office Cash Card||362.70|196.62||
|6592: CYFW Cash Card||180.10|79.22||
|6594: Legacies Receivable||234,731.25|330,500.00||
|6597: Gift Aid Due||485.63|584.32||
|Z05: Accounts Receivable||5,074.35|10,242.89||
|**Total Current assets**||568,398.76|581,580.36||
|**Liabilities**—|||||
|6606: PAYE||—|(310.61)||
|6607: Net Wages||—|—||
|6608: Pensions Creditor||204.94|224.49||
|6699: Agency collections||112.00|926.85||
|Z04: Accounts Payable||6,950.14|6,559.78||
|**Total Liabilities**||7,267.08|7,400.51||
|**Net Asset surplus (deficit)**||1,072,131.68|1,085,179.85||
|**Reserves**|||||
|Excess / (deficit) to date||(13,048.17)|389,727.55||
|Z01: Starting balances||1,085,179.85|695,452.30||
|Total Reserves||1,072,131.68|1,085,179.85|27|
|**Represented by Funds**|||||
|Unrestricted||666,833.42|695,623.84||
|Designated||143,188.37|135,267.41||
|Restricted||262,109.89|254,288.60||
|Endowment||—|—||
|**Total**||1,072,131.68|1,085,179.85||
|||||27 January 2025|
Page | 23
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Basis of preparation**
The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and the Church Accounting Regulations 2006, in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the current Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities, (SORP (FRS 102)).
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention \as modified by the inclusion of investments at market value \and the revaluation of fixed assets\. 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 affiliation to another body, nor those which are informal gatherings of church members
## **Funds accounting**
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 for which the capital 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
## **Income and endowments**
All income and endowments, accounted for without deduction for any costs of receivability, are recognised when there is evidence of entitlement, receipt is probable, and the amount can be measured reliably
## **Donations and legacies**
_Collections_ are recognised when received.
_Planned giving receivable_ is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement, receipt is probable, and the amount accords with the Gift Aid declaration or other record of intention to donate _Gift aid recovered_ is recognised when the income to which it is attached is recognised Grants and legacies are recognised when the formal offer in writing of the funding, is received by the PCC.
## **Charitable activities**
Statutory fees for weddings and funerals are recognised when the office occurs **Other trading activities**
Trading activities are where income is receivable in return for selling goods or providing services. Income from trading is recognised either: a - when received, or b - in the case of concerts: for the year in which the event occurs, irrespective of date of receipt. Advance bookings are included in creditors until the concert has taken place.
Sales of magazines and study notes are recognised when received
Rents from property are recognised in accordance with the rental agreements, when receipt is probable.
## **Investment income**
Dividends are accounted for when due and payable. Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue.
Page | 24
## **All other income**
All other income is recognised in accordance with the above overall policy **Gains and losses on investments**
Realised gains are recognised when the investments are sold Unrealised gains and losses are accounted for on revaluation at 31 December
## **Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement, payment is probable, and the amount can be measured reliably
## **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 contribution is accounted for on an annual basis, reflecting the allocation set by our Deanery. Any parish contribution 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.
## **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 Vicar 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 but are not included in the financial statements. For other property acquired prior to ( _date_ ) there is insufficient cost information available and therefore the cost of such assets is stated at a nominal £1 in the financial statements.
All expenditure on consecrated or beneficed buildings and individual items costing under (put in limit, say £1,000) 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:
Land Nil Buildings Nil Fixtures and fittings 20% Audio visual equipment 33% Office equipment 25%
No depreciation is provided on freehold buildings as the useful economic life of these assets exceeds 50 years and residual values so high that potential depreciation would be immaterial. It is the PCC's policy to maintain these assets in a continual state of sound repair. Resulting from regular 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.
## **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.
Page | 25
## 4. Missionary and charitable giving
|Overseas:
Cambodia Action, LAMA, Mission Direct,
Samaras Aid,
Home:
Children Youth and Family Missioner
Diocesan Family Support Work, Homelink,
Beachy Head Chaplaincy, Church Army,
Caring and Sharing, Waves|Unrestricted
2,505
6,680
3,340|Restricted
-
-|Endowed
-
-|Total Funds
2024
2,505
6,680
3,340|Total Funds
2023
2,505
6,680
4,175|Notes|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||12,525|-|-|12,525|13,360||
## 5. Staff Costs
|5. Staf Costs|12,525|-|-|12,525|13,360||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Remuneration
Wages and salaries
Employer social security costs
Employer pension costs|Unrestricted
94,263
5,470
1,337|Restricted
-
-|Endowed
-
-
-|Total Funds
2024
94,263
5,471
1,337|Total Funds
2023
90,591
5,508
1,510|Notes|
||101,071|-|-|101,071|97,609||
## 6. Payments to PCC members
Clergy were paid out of pocket expenses
## 7. Transactions with persons related to PCC members
## None
## 8. Transactions with related charities
None
## 9. Governance
|9. Governance|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Independent examination and professional
advice
Accounts production
Bookkeeping|Unrestricted
1,825
784
5,640|Restricted
-
-
-|Endowed
-
-
-|Total Funds
2024
1,825
784
5,640|Total Funds
2023
1,780
1,132
5,160|Notes|
||**8,249**|**-**|-|8,249|8,072||
Page | 26
## 10. Transfer between Funds
||||Total Funds|Total Funds||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowed|2024|2023|Notes|
|-||||||
## 11. Fixed Assets and Investments
|1. Fixed Assets and Investments|-|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Market value 1 January 2022
Disposals at carrying value
Purchases at cost
Net gains and revaluation|Unrestricted
-
-
-
-|Restricted
-
-
-
-|Endowed|Total Funds
2024
511,000|Notes|
|Market value 31 December 2024|-|-||511,000||
## 11 a Tangible Fixed Assets
|Market value 31 December 2024
1 a Tangible Fixed Assets|-|-||511,000||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
Revaluation|Freehold land
and buildings
511,000|Audio visual|Ofice
Equipment|Total fxed
assets
511,000|Notes|
|At 31 December 2024|511,000|||511,000||
|Charge for impairment
At 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
Revaluation||||||
|At 31 December 2024||||||
|Net book amounts
At 31 December 2024|511,000|||511,000||
## 13. Net Assets by Fund
|Fixed assets for church use
Investment fxed assets
Current assets (except cash)
Cash at bank and on deposit
Current liabilities
Long term liabilities|Unrestricted
-
(7,267)|Restricted
511,000
-
-|Endowed
-|Total Funds
2024
511,000
328,107
(7,267)|Total Funds
2023
511,000
239,977
(7,711)||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page | 27
## 14. Debtors
|14. Debtors|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Income tax recoverable
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors|Unrestricted
486
-
239,806|Restricted
-
-
-|Endowed
-
-
-|Total Funds
2024
486
-
239,806|Total
Funds
2023
584
-
340,742|Notes
(legacy)|
||£240,292||-|£240,292|£341,326||
## 15. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year.
|Deferred income
Accruals for utilities and other costs
Archdeacon's loan
Other creditors|Unrestricted
7,267|Restricted
-
-
-
-|Endowed
-
-
-
-|Total Funds
2024
7,267|Total Funds
2023
7,711
-|Notes|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||-|-||||
## 16. Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
|Deferred income
Accruals for utilities and other costs
Archdeacon's loan
Other creditors|Unrestricted
-
-
-
-|Restricted
-
-
-
-|Endowed
-
-
-
-|Total Funds
2024
-
-
-
-|Total Funds
2023
-
-
-
-|Notes|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||-|-|-|-|-||
Page | 28
Notes to the Financial Report
## 18. Statement of Funds.
## Explanation of funds
Endowed funds are required by the donors to be invested and the income spent on specific objectives
Restricted funds are not invested permanently but are to be spent within reasonable timescales
## Unrestricted funds are not subject to any donor restrictions and can be spent as the PCC decides
## Summary of all funds
Fund income and expenditure and final balances are as follows
||
Balances
b/fwd
1 Jan2024|
Income|
Expenditure|Transfers,
other gains
and losses|Balances
c/fwd
31 Dec 2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||£|£|£|£
-|£
-|
|Total of all endowed funds||||-||
|||||-
-|-
-|
|Total of all restricted funds|||||262,109|
|General fund
Designated roof fund
Revaluation reserve|||||666,833
143,188|
|Total of all unrestricted funds|||||810,021|
|||||||
|Total funds|1,085,180|345,565|(358,613)||1,072,131|
Page | 29
## Independent Examiner’s Report
## to the PCC of Sutton with Seaford for the Year Ended 31st December, 2024
This is my report to the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish (PCC) of St Leonard’s and St Luke’s, Seaford, on the annual report for the year ended 31st December 2024 set out on pages X to Y
|Respective
responsibilities
of trustees and
examiner|The PCC members are responsible for the preparation of the annual reports. The PCC
members consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the
Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is
needed.
It is my responsibility to:
1.
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
2.
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity
Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
3.
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.|
|---|---|
|Basis of
independent
examiner’s
statement|My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the
Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept
by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also
includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking
explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures
undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and
consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’
view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.|
|Independent
examiner's
statement|In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention (other than that
disclosed below in Section B *)
1.
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the
requirements:
a.
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities
Act; and
b.
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply
with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached.
* Please delete the words in the (brackets) if they do not apply|
|Examiner’s
signature||
|Examiner’s
name CAPITALS|CHRIS TYLER FCA DChA FCIE|
|Date
Relevant
professional
qualifcation(s)
or bodyif any||
|Examiner’s
address|F1 CRT Limited Flat 24 Wellingtonia Court Laine Close BRIGHTON BN1 6TD|
|||
## Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems for example:
- accounting records have not been kept in accordance with s132 of the Charities’ Act 2011 and those accounts do not comply with the requirements of the 2008 Regulations setting out the form and content of charity accounts;
- any material expenditure or action which appears not to be in accordance with the trusts of the charity;
- any failure to be provided with information and explanations by any past or present trustee, officer or employee; and
- any material inconsistency between the accounts and the trustees’ annual report.
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL REPORT
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Sutton with Seaford
## DECEMBER 31, 2024
ST. LEONARD’S CHURCH, CHURCH STREET & ST. LUKE’S CHURCH, WALMER ROAD Registered Charity Number: 1131402
Page | 0
## Contents
Page
- 4 Trustees annual report
- 22 Statement of financial activities
- 29 Notes to the accounts
- 30 Report of the independent examiner
## Website: Seafordparish.org.uk
## Incumbent:
The Rev’d James Hollingsworth, MA
The Vicarage, 46 Sutton Road, Seaford, BN25 1SH
Independent examiner:
C R Tyler (FCA DChA)
F1 CRT Limited Flat 24 Wellingtonia
Court Laine Close BRIGHTON BN1 6TD
Bankers: Barclays Bank plc
Page | 1
**Our aims and purposes as a charity**
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, Rev’d James Hollingsworth, in:
- The promotion of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of
- the Church of England
- Promoting in the parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, social, evangelistic and,
- ecumenical
- To know Jesus better and make Him better known
- Practical support and care for people in the parish, from the youngest to the eldest, irrespective of
- level of need or, ability to pay
- Providing financial support to those in need and, to other organisations with similar objectives.
- Providing Christian worship, teaching, and preaching.
- The parish has previously noted that ‘We aspire to glorify God through worshipping him,
- preaching the gospel, caring for others, and being witnesses to Christ’s love.’
**What we planned to do to achieve our charitable objectives**
When planning our activities for the year, our incumbent and the PCC have borne in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on ‘charities for the advancement of religion’. The council has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, fully recognising its duty to have due regard to House of Bishops' guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The aims and focus for the PCC and Parish could be summarised as below (the order not intending to imply specific priorities).
1. To continue to give attention to our Safeguarding Procedures, and risk assessment management 2. To grow our connection and support of Children, Youth, and Families, through our youth worker and his groups.
3. To continue to review our worship to enable all people to connect to God
4. To reach a balanced budget, through generosity of giving, applying for grants, and sensible stewardship of our assets and various fundraising activities.
5. To grow in discipleship and mutual support, by opening St Leonard’s Church throughout the week for prayer and by welcoming new people into the Church through worship, Homegroups, book clubs and other groups within the Church family. 6. To continue to maintain our Church buildings and to develop them so that they may more helpfully meet the needs of the Church and the community (e.g. concerts, Christmas magic etc), particularly through the sale of the Hall and by designing the insides of our Church buildings to this end (eg Kitchen & toilets within St Leonard’s and Office and kitchen at St Luke’s).
7. To explore how we can reduce our carbon footprint
**What we achieved and how we affected beneficiaries’ lives**
At the time of the APCM the Church Electoral Roll numbered 303 (compared to 304 in 2023, 294 in 2022 and 295 in 2021)
The PCC mostly met in person in St Leonards, a total of 6 times. The Standing Committee met between meetings and their deliberations were reported to the PCC. The Standing Committee met by zoom on a bimonthly rhythm.
**Leadership**
● The following sub-committees (some known as teams) are appointed by and report to PCC:
● The Standing Committee, which is required by law, and is chaired by the Incumbent (or in his absence the Churchwardens), has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the full PCC.
● The Safeguarding Team, chaired by Ms Ruth Saunders, has met to review and further develop the safeguarding training for all those working with children and adults at risk. The team continues to consider good practice and prepare papers for parish use and to consider the directives received from the Thirtyone:Eight and the Diocese.
Page | 2
- The Mission Team, chaired by Mrs Elizabeth Morgan-Jones, co-ordinates parish support for
- overseas and local Christian mission agencies and activities, and recommends grants to be paid by the PCC.
- The Parish Fabric Committee oversees maintenance and refurbishment of both churches and
- hall buildings. PCC appointed Michael Holmes as the chairperson.
- The Communications Team, chaired by Mr Malcolm Anderson, oversees the use of computer,
- audio and visual equipment, and manages the production of worship and promotional material for the parish, together with the parish magazine.
- The GDPR Team, formed in 2018 to ensure the parish met and continues to meet the new Data
- protection regulations that came into force in May 2018, the team has overseen the introduction and implementation of the relevant policies and procedures, and facilitated the collection of the appropriate approvals for holding our data.
- The Pastoral Care Team, led by a variety of people including Mr Brian Millar, Mrs Wendy Ogilvie
- in conjunction with the vicar. The team has continued to meet regularly to review pastoral care offered and to determine how best to meet the pastoral needs of parish members and those drawn to attention whom we may be able to assist.
- The Children, Family and Youth Team is led by the Parish Children and Youth Family Missioner,
- Mr Stefan Bracher. The team continues to review our provision for children, youth and families and to pray for and encourage all our volunteers in these areas.
- Home Group Champions David and Pat Farey.
- Other designated responsibilities are given to various members of the Council or to ad hoc Task
- Groups, who then report back to the Council.
Page | 3
**Overview of the Year**
## **’ - Serving the Community, The Vicar s Report James Hollingsworth**
This report contains a fabulous litany of the very many things that the local Community have been involved in with the Church Family. Further below you can read more details of how we have gone about that. We hope by the APCM meeting we will be able to say more about the sale of the hall and the final drawings for the reordering of St Leonard’s: building a toilet block, a kitchen, and a contained meeting space which will help the Church be a useful blessing at the centre of our community.
We have had the privilege of taking thirty-eight funerals (2 in St Lukes, 16 in St Leonard’s, 8 burial of ashes), two weddings, and six baptisms.
Children and Youth work have continued to flourish with Messy Church, two Toddler groups, Sparks (Primary school age), Ignite (Secondary school age), Glow on Sundays, Beach Church in August, Sparks Summer Camp, Parish Camp, and the free Holiday Club in October.
We have continued to work with local schools – either by going in to support their RE teaching (eg Cradle Hill 6 times, Chyngton once, Seaford Head once), or through being on their governing bodies (Cradle Hill, Seaford Head, Seaford Learning Trust), or through them coming into Church (Hopscotch Nursery, Seaford Primary School years 3&4, 5&6)
We have gone out to The Wellington with Pub Carols and they have been very supportive by fundraising for our Holiday Club.
_Thank you so much for giving of your time on Saturday morning to do the Archery with the families. The families really loved it, such a great opportunity for them to do something that they would never normally be able to do. Even the younger ones had a go and thought it was brilliant! I enjoyed having a go too!_
A small group has helped Family Support Work, one of the charities that the Church supports, by giving participants a taste of archery at Dalesdown and Ashburnham, and also over the May Bank Holiday at Plumpton Racecourse to over 300 teenagers at the Diocese’ May Camp.
We have continued to visit three care homes to bring Holy Communion, prayer, carols, to residents with faith to remind them that they are not forgotten by us or by God’s love. The fortnightly pastoral letter has continued being posted to over sixty people. Our Sunday services have continued to be on YouTube averaging 67 across October for example (192 Carol service 213 in 2023) and helping those unable to come into church to remain connected. Likewise, Evening Prayer and Thought-for-the-days have been available on Facebook. Statistics for this are rather hard to understand with 426 following, often 80 have watched some part of it, and sometimes half a dozen make a comment. Our Website and _ChurchSuite_ and our Facebook page and YouTube channel have continued to keep people informed of our activities as has the Magazine. We print 200 copies and have an electronic version. (for links see: https://seafordparish.org.uk/social-media/)
A local undertaker again organised an annual memorial service in St Leonard’s.
The Church has continued in its care of God’s Own Acre through conversations with Carl Smith of Lewes District Council who has asked for a flora and fauna study. St Luke’s garden is half way through its renovation to make the rear garden accessible for all. We have been awarded Arocha’s Bronze award. The vicarage has had a swift box and a bat box attached.
Different community groups have used St Leonard’s such as the Town Market, Seaford Magic, Seaford Choral Society, Intergen Opera, Archway Choir, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service carols, the Mayor’s carol concert, photographic exhibition, and the Silver Band. The wonderful monthly Saturday Concerts have continued to be free and of the highest quality. The monthly Open Cafés have continued to welcome people in for free cake coffee and chat. St Leonard’s has continued to be open daily from 10am to 1pm for
Page | 4
friendship or for a quiet prayer and to light a candle, even for a game of chess. St Luke’s has continued to be hired to a variety of groups for example: Scouts, Dance, Natural History Society, sundry birthday parties, the election, and Pilates.
## **Worship and Discipleship in the Church**
Volunteers throughout the church have continued to have their DBS checks and training. Earlier in the year there was a special session of Safeguarding training for awareness of Domestic Abuse held in St. Leonard’s.
_I just wanted to say how much I appreciated your sermon this morning. It gave me strength to know that we can move onwards with Him in the world whatever the circumstances - in the problems and the pain._
Our worship has continued to be on-line as well as in person. In St Leonards we continue to worship on Wednesdays at 11am, and on Sundays at 8am, 9.30am and, on first and third Sunday at 11.30 _The Meeting Place_ and the occasional evening service (eg Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday). In St Luke’s our worship has been on Tuesdays twice a month, Sundays 9.30, with a children’s Sunday group _Glow_ between the family services, and on two evenings in the month _Prayers at 7_ and _St Lukes at 7._ Messy Church has been on the first Saturday of the month. Over August we had Beach Church again. Over 200 Christians for the Churches Together Good Friday Walk of Witness started in St Leonards and processed to the sea front and to Seaford Life Church with prayers and hymns along the way. Using our October attendance statistics excluding those worshipping with us on-line: Average Sunday attendance was 67 (180 in 2023) and average Wednesday attendance 8, (15 in 2023). At the close of 2024 our Electoral Roll was at 303.
_We have had our own doses of Covid here (various levels of severity for the 3 of us, but hopefully nearly all ‘out of the woods’ now) and so couldn’t attend in person on Sunday 26th, and REALLY APPRECIATED being able to ‘attend’ the on-line service and hear Derreck’s great sermon on the Trinity!_
Rev Carole Darling was ordained Deacon in June and has joined the parish leading services, preaching, visiting, helping with Toddler group, Sparks and Ignite and so on. She will be priested on 14[th] June 2025. We have received visiting speakers broadening our perspectives with their talks on the Church Army, ministry in the Philippines, Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team, Stopover, and Shoeboxes for Romania. In April, Julie Caroll, Nicky Fergusson, and Bob Rice were commissioned as Authorised Lay Ministers regarding respectively her work as a chaplain at Brighton Hospital, Ecology, and Pastoral. The Order of St Richard was awarded to Wendy Ogilvie for her pastoral ministry and to Kim Cuthbert for her youth work. The Fundraising Committee have done a great job in writing to lots of grant making bodies with mixed success. Particularly noteworthy is the Benefact Trust (£30k) and the Diocesan Mission Development Fund (£27.5K). This money will be essential for us to employ an additional youth worker in 2025 who will need to help us particularly with the work of discipling the many young people who come through Sparks and Ignite. EDG Hospital invited us to take a radio service in September. 2024 was the Year of New Testament so we looked at the NT books of Revelation, 1 John, 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, James, and Hebrews as well as the gospel of Mark. Thought-for-the-day series looked at Saints, Prayer (Henry Martin’s book Eavesdropping) and the Lord’s Prayer, the Holy Spirit fruits and gifts, Galatians, and some Carol earworms. A new service, a Calm Christmas service was tried to connect to those seeking a quieter way to celebrate the incarnation.
Page | 5
At the beginning of August, twenty-three people went camping at New Wine to hear Rt Rev Ruth Bushyager, Bishop of Horsham. At the end of August, Stefan organised the first Parish Camp for some years.
Midweek Wednesday worship has continued with grateful thanks to Rev’ds Chris Hadfield, Chris Collison, Colin Rudge, Colin Pritchard.
Rev Derreck Lee-Philpot went on Sabbatical from July to October. Rev Lucy Hollingsworth continued her itinerant ministry supporting Laughton, Kingston, Ringmer and others and her work as Advisor to the Bishop for Self-Supporting Ministry including hosting a cream tea for other SSMs with Bishop Will. The Vicar has continued to teach Church History to first year trainee clergy and done the usual Rural Dean work including leading a retreat with the Chapter to Penhurst again and another cream tea for the splendidly supportive local retired clergy. The Vicar’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem cancelled, though a ceasefire has just been announced.
Perhaps as you read of the busyness of this Church community, you might be curious enough to join in with some of our groups and ministries. Perhaps also you will understand why our finances are both so blessed and so stretched.
## **Children, Youth and Family Missioner (CYFW)**
In the past year the children, youth and family team have been keeping very active within our Church. We have come into contact with over 400 children/young people and their families throughout the year across all of our groups. Some children and families attend regularly, some attend less frequently, but all understand why we run the groups we run: to tell the message of Jesus and make disciples. This year we have continued with a huge amount of young people attending Ignite, where we had gone form 7 young people to over 70 people being on the books for the group in the previous year, to now having 203 young people on our books. This means that we have also had to deal with more safeguarding issues.
But the children, youth and family work continues to expand and develop, to the point where we are now in the need for a second children, youth and family worker for the Parish. This funding has now been secured in the latter part of 2024 and supported through the PCC via legacy funding. In 2025 we will be employing an Assistant Children, Youth & Family Worker to help with the growth of newer groups and the development of our current groups.
## **Messy Church**
Messy Church has been going from strength to strength with the sessions now being known locally as an informal way to get to know Jesus, whilst providing crafts and resources for families to have that time together.
Messy Church continues to be a feeder for other groups such as Sparks (children’ group), however it also has it’s regular attendance to this style of church which is continuing to make children, young people and adults think about faith.
Heating has continued to be a problem in St Leonard’s Church. The heating is not sufficient for the building and therefore does result in parents telling us they “can’t be doing with the cold”. It is unreasonable to ask the children to stay in their coats throughout the winter months, especially with the action songs, crafts, etc. let alone preparing them to be ready to engaged in a session.
## **Tots’ Treats**
The sessions in both St Luke’s and St Leonard’s have been running with a craft that is linked to a story, which is then followed by musical instruments. Stories have been used from faith-based books as well as mainstream books with a Christian value within that story. After each story we have also been praying on what the theme is for the story we are listening to. We have also been trying to be more selective over newer toys to help with various levels of development in a child, i.e. the development of fine motor skills. The biggest noticeable issue is with regards to the heating of St Leonard’s church during the colder months. Children and parents have continued to be very cold which in turn, and understandably, turns parents/carers and their children away. As per my report last year, an alternative source of heating is
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required for St Leonard’s church, to ensure it is a comfortable place to engage with people, as the current heating system is not suitable to heat such a large church, this can be very off putting. Parents have complained about this situation.
## **Sparks**
Sparks have been developing very well. In the summer of 2024, we took 15 children to the summer camp with Generations Christian Camps where they learnt all about who Jesus was. Our numbers for the Sparks camp 2025 are looking to be very similar.
Our number of young people attending Sparks have been sporadic towards the end of 2024. The numbers had been up to around 35. That had dipped slightly at October half term. We have had some behaviour issues which we are working on. This has made some children not want to attend the group due to the noise levels in St Luke’s.
_“Sparks is his favourite group ever is what he said” – Grandparent of Sparks member_
## **Holiday Club**
Our October half term holiday club, titled Starship Discovery had been a huge success. We had over 80 children attend with around 60 children attending each day. This is an increase of 10 from last year. We use John Hardwick’s Starship Discovery holiday club structure in October 2024 as we looked at who Peter is in the Bible and how he became to understand who Jesus was.
Holiday Club is supported with an army of 35 volunteers which keeps everything running smoothly in 2024. We also have had 6 young people help with the group as well as we look to develop the next leaders of the Church.
Holiday club in 2024 was a lot more expensive than 2023 (£1400), in 2024 it cost £1800. In 2024 we were fantastically supported by The Wellington Hotel, with the variety of supportive fundraisers which they ran such as bingo, quiz nights, etc. which covered most of the holiday club expenses. This meant that we were able to run holiday club completely free for anyone who wanted to attend at primary school age. The increase was due to a range of inflationary pressures on goods, but also as we designed more of an elaborate set for the holiday club, to make St Luke’s truly feel a completely different space.
In 2025, we look forward to planning the next October half term holiday club and continue to look for fundraising opportunities.
## **Ignite**
We have changed the way Ignite works as a youth group over the previous years. It started as a time to play games and a time set aside for some bible reflections. However, over 2023 we changed Ignite to be more of a youth group with just games to help build trust with young people and the Church. This had worked really well so that our numbers went from 7 to over 200 on our books.
Over 2024 we pushed on the more purposeful Joint Youth Services, with St Michael’s Church, Newhaven and Seaford Baptist Church. We have had up to 19 of our young people attend these services regularly, this is a real good step for our young people to find out who Jesus is. In 2025 we look ahead to launching a new group on Sunday evenings for young people to attend to develop their faith via resources such as Youth Alpha.
This group has also been supported by new volunteers coming along on a more rota basis, which have ensured that the group can continue to meet. As well as support through free donations of cans of fizz, crisps and chocolate from Morrisons Community Champions and gifts from The Wellington Hotel in Seaford.
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_“How long until camp? I really cannot wait to go again” – Sparks Camp Child_
## **The Chosen**
Has been developing well. This is a newer group which has been set up primarily for adults of the children and young people who attend our groups and for anyone else who wishes to attend. This group has now watched all episodes of the current Chosen seasons and is waiting for the release of the latest season. For the time being we have not been meeting towards the end of 2024.
This will pick up again in 2025 with the release of the new season.
## **Glow**
This fortnightly group has continued to go from strength to strength over the past year of 2023. Children have been slowly increasing on a Sunday morning as they gather for breakfast, story, craft and singing and dancing. Numbers in Glow have reaches as high as15.
This current group meets in St Luke’s, it is a concern that there is not a group to meet on a Sunday in St Leonard’s yet.
_“My youngest names the children’s worker as a member of her family” – Glow Parent_
## **Moving Forward**
There are still areas where we must continue the development in the work that the Church is currently doing. This includes the continual development of building into the community, through creation of a growing garden (currently working on these plans) to help children, young people and their families understand the need for learning to grow their own fruit/veg.
We are running at full capacity within our current means, but there is so much more need out in the community. We have approximately 5 other groups which we see the need to develop. But we have zero time to commit to them. This will greatly be realised with the employment of an assistant children, youth and family worker.
We also need to develop spaces to be more multipurpose to enable more of the community to engage with the church building and then in turn with the Church as a whole, largely within St Leonard’s church, but also in St Luke’s Church. The largest of all being the heating in St Leonard’s church. Here the heating is on full and the church cannot get warm due the construction of the building. As per suggestions last year, infer-red heating seems to the be the best way forward to heat the building.
## **Our Team of Volunteers**
Our teams of volunteers within the children, youth and family team are the biggest in the Church. With over 39 people helping at any one time and regular volunteers of around 15-20 leaders, they get swamped with various requests for support for the groups. Which most of the time they will happily oblige with. But we do need to also continue to offer support to those volunteers through prayer and through encouraging others to volunteer for smaller (or larger) tasks.
This time of volunteers are amazing and without them the Church would not have anywhere near the outreach it currently has on a weekly basis. My heart felt thanks goes to each one of them.
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## **Flowers in St Leonard’s Church - Liz Morgan Jones**
Flowers have continued to have been provided and arranged for another year.
Thank you if you have sponsored or bought flowers throughout the year and to those who have arranged them.
We have enjoyed a pedestal of fresh flowers for our weekly services, the church decorated for all the festivals with many beautiful displays to enhance our worship and daffodils bunched, wrapped and displayed for distribution at both St Luke’s and St Leonard’s for Mothering Sunday.
Re-iterated thanks to Margaret Smith who has organised everything in this area of church life including regular watering throughout most weeks in the year and buying and arranging the contents for many of the regular weekly pedestal displays in the sanctuary. We will sorely miss her input when she retires at the end of 2025. THANK YOU MARGARET.
## **Men’s Meal – Derreck Lee-Philpot**
It’s been a delicious year with the Men’s Meal.
It’s the first year ‘under new management’ with Keith Carlisle stepping down from co-ordinating the meals and Lloyd Thompson taking the reins for his first full year.
Befittingly Keith started the year off with a look back at his life and career in teaching. It was fascinating to see the progression and changes that have taken place in education during a single lifetime. Sally was up next with reminiscences from the Registry Office. With a heart-felt plea to do a ‘life-letter’ with details of all the practicalities of life (bank/savings a/c, addresses etc) to pass to the next-of-kin to make their life easier when the time comes. The BBQ at the Vicarage was a new event for Men’s Meal, a delightful time of chat, fellowship on the Vicarage lawn dodging the occasional dampness in the air. Sadly I missed Charlie Grimble but heard that a good time was had by all, in the way that only Charlie can bring. ‘The Wreckers’ sea shanty group were great fun, that evening was appropriately ‘fish and chip night. They regaled us with songs telling tales of piracy, slavery, hidden treasure, and romance on the high seas. Joining in was great fun, especially as some of the lyrics were like tongue-twisters to music! We closed as we started with an evening with James Hollingsworth where we heard all about his life pre-ordination. It was fascinating to hear about the person behind the collar.
The venues were primarily the Wellington PH, who again gave us a warm welcome. Crossway Church Hall at Clinton Place was used for ‘The Wreckers’, and the Vicarage garden for the BBQ, thanks to all our hosts this year.
With thanks to our speakers and especially Lloyd for so effectively co-ordinating the years meals.
Looking forward to another delicious year in 2025/26.
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## **– Parish Mission Support Team Liz Morgan Jones**
During 2024, each of the Team have maintained contact with the Mission partners we as a church support. As a church family we all donate to them if you give regularly to parish funds but even more important are your prayers both personal and corporate. We give you regular points on which to focus through the bimonthly prayer diary and articles published in the church magazine and online. If you would like more information about a particular partner please approach the appropriate team member.
Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team: has, together with other initiatives, contributed greatly to the reduction in numbers of those attending the Head in crisis this last year. They work in close contact with their partner agencies Sussex Police, HM Coastguard, South East Coast Ambulance Service, Mental Health Rapid Response Nurses, Public Health East Sussex and RNLI Eastbourne. Above all, they provide a dedicated prayer team interceding for the chaplains whenever they are out working on the Head. Contact – Gill Tansley
Cambodia Action – is the organisation that sponsors Sarah Chhin, who grew up in Seaford and came to the parish to ask for support when she first went out as a translator. Her role and responsibilities have changed and grown considerably. She is now the Technical Advisor for M’lup Russey, based in Phnom Penh with overall responsibility for finding funding for their projects working with the locals looking after the welfare of children and promoting the values of bringing up children in their families rather than institutions. Sarah is regularly consulted by Officers of the National Government on these matters. She also works as translator with her husband, Pola as he serves the local community with an honest and reliable building business. Contact – Liz Morgan-Jones
Church Army: members are trained to share the Christian faith through words and actions within the Anglican community. They work in very practical and hands on situations to bring the light of Jesus to the darkest corners of society. They have set up Centres of Mission throughout the UK to enable them to reach out to their local community. They run a highly valued project at the Marylebone Centre in London providing shelter for homeless women and their children which provides healthcare and access to education, enabling them to rebuild their lives and regain independence.. Contact – Bob Carrington
FSW (Chichester Diocese Family Support Work): is Sussex’s oldest children’s charity set up by the Church of England in 1890. They support children and families through difficult times in their lives including low income and poverty; mental or physical ill health; disability; learning difficulties; school non-attendance and exclusion; bereavement; family break-up and domestic abuse. Today it supplements the local authorities social and children’s services by providing eighteen paid Family Practitioners throughout the Diocese working with families on a one to one basis for as long as they need help. Your donations to the food collections at both St Leonard’s and St Luke’s are sent to their foodbank. Contact – Liz Morgan-Jones
HomeLink: grew out of an Action Group for the Lewes District set up by Seaford Methodist Minister Rev Jim Cooper with its beginnings in 1991 when the national ecumenical Churches National Housing Coalition was formed. They wanted to help the invisible homeless who did not qualify for help from the Council, had no savings and were often, as today sofa surfing or sleeping in cars or tents.
This evolved over the years until Homelink was launched in Newhaven in 1997. The organisation provides loans to cover a deposit and first month’s rent with repayment tailored to individual needs. The scheme now includes mentored ex-offenders released from Lewes Prison. Demand has grown and currently it is more difficult to find appropriate properties to rent at affordable prices. Once a property is secured, Homelink now has funds to provide grants for white goods, floor covering and other essential items to turn a property into a home. Contact - Diana Dixon.
LAMA: Life and More Abundant Ministries in the Philippines. This was established in 1986 by Lesley and Peter Gomez. (Lesley is the daughter of Ethel Keenan a member of the church family). By 1997 LAMA House had been built where initially they welcomed homeless boys, and latterly their female siblings
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rescued from abuse and abandonment, with the promise that they would have support for life. As Peter and Lesley’s family grew, their two sons and daughter took on responsibilities within the ministry by leading worship, at the home and at church. Son Michael trained in England then took on the chaplaincy at the local Rehabilitation Centre. He leads a team visiting the Youth Prison and also the provincial Children’s Home, Half-Way Shelters and Centres for Women. They have set up a Beach Church and have s Street Ministry where they see healing and miracles. Due to Covid restrictions the residential home had to close but they still support their old boys and girls and continue to use the house as the local Emergency Shelter, a worship centre, to hold seminars, annual re-unions and hope perhaps in time as a skills centre. They have brought many to a personal faith in Jesus. Contact – Esther Keenan
Samara’s Aid: a charity started by Brighton based Samar Levy, a former Staff Nurse, collecting used clothes to send to those displaced within their own country by the war in Syria. This has grown into a remarkable enterprise under God’s grace that has seen brand new, built from scratch, two medical centres and a centre for widows and orphans rise out of the rubble. They have set up agricultural programmes for producing food including bread. Introduced animals to supply eggs, milk and cheese to those using the centres, which are free to all. They run educational classes for all ages and celebrate birthdays and festivals with parties. The staff are exhausted and under constant pressure even before the recent uncertainties ramped up the stress levels. Contact – Diana Dixon
WAVES: This charity formed by the churches in Seaford to support families especially parents needing extra help and those pupils in primary schools who needed more support in the form of a ‘Listening Service’ for those who perhaps didn’t feel heard by anyone else. The organisation struggled to keep afloat after Covid and eventually had to close its doors in the summer of 2024. Local churches were able to keep some of the groups going and the individual listeners began to liaise with the schools to see how this might work in the future. The local Family Support Work Practitioner was able to help some of the families.
The Mission Support Team were pleased to arrange various presentations during the year at both churches. We value your support and trust that you will continue to pray for all our Missions during 2025.
## **Safeguarding – Ruth Saunders**
The publication of the Makin Report in November, and the subsequent resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, is an indication of the seriousness we must attach to our safeguarding responsibilities. And a reminder about how far we still have to go. We received letters from the Bishop and the Diocesan Safeguarding team, not only reminding us of everyone's responsibilities, but also recognising that safeguarding is already a very high priority for most parishes and that 'brilliant work is happening at parish level, by people with deep commitment and professionalism.' So - we should not be discouraged, and once again this year has been full of safeguarding.
In May, our commitment to doing joint training, led to 25 of us doing the Diocesan course on Domestic Abuse at St Leonard's, which we all found shocking and helpful. We asked all workers with children and vulnerable adults to complete the course on line if they were not able to attend, and I also wrote an article for the magazine. I acquired posters giving information about resources available to people seeking help which are up in both churches, and small cards which people can take away with them. We will be announcing training sessions for this year shortly.
We have continued to develop our processes for Safer Recruitment and People Management, and Sue Topp has done great work in beginning to use them with new volunteers. Charlie has printed some copies of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook which all new people are given. We will be confirming the process shortly, and it will be sent to the PCC for endorsement.
In September, I met with Brian as the new co-ordinator of Pastoral Care and several of his volunteers, to look at policy and guidance for lone working. This has now been endorsed by the PCC. It's vital for us to keep our staff and volunteers safe as well.
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DBS checks now have to be renewed every three years, so these are an on-going task, with an extra flurry around the time of the Holiday Club.
In August James, Stefan and I met to consider the ever-growing number of children who are now attending groups at this church, due to Stefan's amazing work. It is an exciting time with a new worker bring recruited. We have always taken safeguarding seriously, but with these growing numbers of children, we need to be ever more diligent in ensuring that we are working to all the policies and guidance, and are alert to any safeguarding concerns that may arise. We must never stop sharing with someone in the safeguarding team, any concerns we have, however small. And if we are unsure about what action to take, the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, are a great source of advice and support. Thank you once more, for another year of commitment to keeping everyone safe.
## **– Home Groups David & Pat Farey**
Hooray for the fantastic home groups that provide a warm setting where Christians can come together!
There have been sparks of encouragement through the year. Proportionally numbers attending, at the moment, are quite small in relation to the numbers who attend church, so it is an area for growth. In a smaller group a living faith can grow, self-worth can be nurtured and confidence and spiritual maturity can be developed in a meaningful way.
Our prayer for the year ahead is that more members of our congregations will come to see how much their faith can grow in an enjoyable way in one of our home groups and that our groups will flourish and multiply with people feeling confident to discover and use their spiritual gifts in the Lord’s service and for the benefit of others in the church. The vision is for as many people as possible in our churches to belong to a home group.
Most groups meet every two weeks, with some weekly, and others monthly. They work out what rhythm suits everyone. In the year one group split into two and due to age and other factors one of those closed. The Freedom in Christ course that ran last year has become a cohesive group in itself. The number of groups remains at nine.
The ideal is that each group should nurture its members so they can become leaders too. As others join them and in turn divide, a new group can be formed. To be comfortable with change and growth is exciting and a sign of maturity as God is always wanting to create something new. Other groups, like the Alpha Course should ideally encourage an ongoing desire to learn more which can evolve into a further group. All things are possible if there is a willingness to embrace change and evolve under the Lord’s direction and creativity.
Groups meet on Tuesday afternoon with two in the evening, two on Wednesday evening, Thursday morning and evening, and two on Friday afternoon.
## Reports from some of the groups
## Wednesday evening –
From Charlie Grimble – For the past 12 months, we have followed a programme of studies looking at John's Gospel, and 1 Corinthians and have shared the leading and hosting within the group. We meet fortnightly on a Wednesday evening, and have an attendance record that reflects the commitment of our members to various other church activities. This has meant a full roster on some get-togethers and a smaller grouping at other times. We have space for anyone wanting to meet with us as we look to grow together in our understanding of what it means to be an integral part of the body of Christ here in Seaford.
From “George” Waterman - Attendance varies with illness/commitments etc and being away on holiday. Seven members. We have been studying a book on Hebrews for a very long time, with breaks for worship/prayer evenings. Next we will very likely to take up the Lent Course.
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## Thursday - Morning
From Barry Ranger – We meet on a Thursday am every two weeks, with around eight to nine members. We spent a long time on Hebrews and are now on Genesis, which was what the group would like to study.
## Evening
From Phil Kent - We are a home group built around a continued desire to meet, share, learn and grow. (continued from the Freedom in Christ course) We are currently running through Pete Greig’s Prayer Course 2 on Unanswered Prayer referring to the book God on Mute. It takes us through the Passion and finishes at Easter. There are 7 of us.
## Friday afternoon –
Diana Woodcock group - The group meets monthly. There are nine members in the group meeting at her house.
From Corrinne Lee-Philpot - “We are enjoying house group. There are mostly four or five of us. We do a variety of studies. At the moment we are doing a Bible society study on the book of Romans. We still meet twice a month, usually at Sue's (Griffiths) house.”
For anyone interested in joining a group please email David or Pat on homegroups@seafordparish.org.uk.
## **Seaford Parish Women’s Group (SPWG) - Julia Lawson**
Seaford Parish Women’s Group currently meet in St Luke’s Church, Walmer Road Chyngton, on the 3[rd] Monday of the month starting at 7.30pm.
We began the year with an AGM, upside down raffle and discussed the next year’s programme. The meetings are varied with speakers and social evenings. We particularly enjoyed an informative talk by one of our members, Lindsey Pritchard, on Citizens Advice. My spiritual journey and Godly play by Corrine Lee-Philpott and a fascinating talk by Charlie Grimble about the Fitzgerald family and their contribution to Seaford. We especially enjoyed a social evening of fellowship together with dinner at The Boot. We started our autumn programme with a board games evening and an update on the latest Wheels for the World trip to Rwanda, providing wheelchairs, disability aides as well as distributing bibles. Mark Gill led our October meeting with a reflection on Solomon and demonstrated how to draw a Celtic Knot, we made a good job of attempting with some creative and interesting designs. We enjoyed a relaxed Christmas crafts evening led by talented in ladies in the group. In December, we held a combined service for Stopover with the Mother’s Union in St Leonard’s Church led by Revd James Hollingsworth. Stopover Enterprise care for young women in Brighton, Hove, and Worthing, providing accommodation, respite, counselling, and rehabilitation. This was an opportunity to reflect upon how fortunate we are and the pleasure in helping others during challenging times. Stevie Graves Stopover Head of Supported Houses gave an update on the charity and was delighted to receive the donated Christmas gifts on behalf of Stopover, co-ordinated by Connie Hughes the Seaford representative. We closed the year with our favourite Carols and readings.
We especially enjoy sharing companionship together and always pleased to welcome new members to join our evenings, sharing fellowship and a varied programme. We close our evening with prayers and reflections.
## **St Leonard’s & St Luke’s Parish Lunch – Julia Lawson**
Parish Lunch meet on the 1[st] Wednesday of the month in St Luke’s Hall, Walmer Road, at 12.30pm. This is a good opportunity to socialise in a warm environment and enjoy home cooking.
We are particularly grateful to Colin and Margaret Rudge who work front of house serving our guests, whilst 5 volunteers with limited time, work hard to get the lunch prepared on time.
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We serve a hot main meal and dessert, followed by tea or coffee for just £6.00 and cater for all dietary requirements.
## **St Leonard’s Lunchtime Concerts – John Baker**
There were 10 concerts between February and November in 2024. There was harp, piano, organ, guitar, string quartet and a flute, guitar and clarinet trio. Our audiences ranged from 59 to 100, averaging 86.
As usual the final concert, which was an organ recital by Gerard Brooks, was dedicated to St Cecilia, patron saint of music and the retiring collection for Christian Aid raised more than £560. There was also over £1380 left at the end of the year for Church funds. We are hugely grateful to our loyal audiences who support us so well.
The aim of the concerts is to enable people to hear talented, usually professional musicians and provide them with performing opportunities especially at the start of their career. We aim to provide a friendly welcome for people from all walks of life to our beautiful church, some who might not otherwise come through the door.
The concerts are on the third Saturday of the month from February to November, have free admission and remain self-supporting thanks to the generosity of our audience. There is a brochure listing the concerts planned for 2025 available at both Churches (but please note that there will not be a concert in April 25 as Easter Saturday falls on the third weekend).
## **St Leonard’s Choir Report 2024 – John Baker**
During 2024 the choir have continued to lead the singing at the 9.30 am service each week at St Leonard’s usually including an anthem. We have also supported a few other services such as funerals and Thanksgiving services. At Christmas there was the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Carol Service, Christmas Lessons and Carols, First Communion of Christmas and Christmas Day. Apart from the people who sing on Sundays we have a loyal group of singers who join us for special services to augment the choir.
Most of the choir joined other choirs in the Deanery for Choral Evensong at St Mary’s Church Ringmer in June.
More informally we enjoyed our annual garden party in July and once again the weather was very kind to us.
I am very grateful to all the choir members for their support and loyalty throughout the year.
We are always pleased to welcome new members who would like to join our four part choir and sing at services, do contact me via stlensorganist@seafordparish.org.uk or find me at coffee after a 9.30 service if you think you may be interested in joining the choir.
We meet on a Thursday evening from 7 – 8.30pm in St Leonard’s Church, it’s not all hard work though, there is often chocolate involved!
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**St Leonard’s And St Luke’s Mothers’ Union – Janet Kent**
We meet on the 3[rd] Friday of the month at 2.30 in St Luke’s Church.
Our meetings are a combination of Speakers (members of the wider congregation) often sharing information on how their Christian faith is shown in Action. Bible Study. Fun and fellowship and prayer. As a group and as individuals we continue to try to support family life through action and prayer.
We were delighted to attend six baptisms presenting Bible story books and cards, to welcome them to the family of St Leonard’s and St Luke’s.
We now regularly help at Tots providing the refreshments it’s a lovely opportunity to chat to the mothers, fathers and often Grandparents.
During 2024 we provided tea and cakes for over 800 new U.K. Citizens at Brighton Town Hall, attending their Ceremonies, celebrating and sharing in their joy and listening to their life stories and welcoming them to their new UK family. They are often very interested in why we are doing this for them and very appreciative.
We held a fund-raising Quiz to support Brian Millers work with the young people at YMCA Eastbourne, also providing 20 Christmas gift boxes, we felt it was important to show these young people that they are valued as part of Gods’ Family. Members also contributed Christmas gifts to the young women being supported by Stopover.
Our enjoyable Garden Tea Party raised money for AFIA (Away from it all). Two caravans owned by Chichester Diocese Mothers’ Union used to provide free holidays for families in need.
In September we visited Alfriston exploring the Church and Graveyard before warming up with Tea & cakes.
All our meetings and activities are open to everyone, keep a look out in the weekly sheet and come along and join us.
## **Keeping St Leonards open – Janet Kent**
Due to the commitment of a small group of St Leonards’ congregation we have been able to keep St Leonards open 5 days a week from 10.00-1.00 throughout 2024. It is a great opportunity to engage with a variety of people and let them
know what is going on at St Leonards and St Lukes. Some people come in regularly to pray. Others want to say a prayer for a special concern. Some are distressed and need time, a listening ear and
somebody to pray with them. Many are visiting because of a family connection and want to see where their relatives were married. Some have moved away and are on a rare visit back to Seaford. Many have interesting stories and memories to share.
Quite a few are local people who have walked passed many times but never previously entered.
Often a parent will come in with a young child, they love looking for the two Church Mice (although one lady thought we meant real mice and was looking along the floor).
Many are Tourists from all over the world, they are amazed at the age of the building, love the Stained glass windows and fascinated by the French sailors’ graffiti. The one thing they all have in common is an appreciation of the beauty of the Church, the sense of calm and the warm welcome they are shown by the Church Sitters. We always need more Church Sitters can you give one morning a month?
## **Fabric Report Relating to Year 1st January to 31 st December, 2024 – Mike Holmes**
## **St Leonard’s Church**
Fire Extinguishers – it was noted that these were due for renewal in late 2023, however this was not done. Investigation showed that the firm concerned, ION Safety, had gone out of business and, as a result, had not corresponded with us on the matter. We contacted Sovereign Alarms and they replaced all fire extinguishers. Now both St Leonard’s and St Luke’s churches have contracts with Sovereign Alarms for maintenance and supply of fire extinguishers
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Chapel Door – This back door has dropped and requires a new hinge. There are no available off the shelf hinges. Parishioners Charles and David have examined this further and arranged for a custom made hinge from a local forge. They confirm the door is now relatively safe and should not drop further. My thanks to both Charles and David
## Annual Clock Maintenance – this was carried out
Damaged Cracks in the outside Cement Stoneware of the South Facing Window – many of you may well have noticed these cracks. A number of parishioners pointed these out to me and I am pleased to report following discussions with Jonathan Tilley of Tilley Stonemasons they agreed to fix this problem at no extra cost. Tilley Stonemasons did the initial work in mid 2022.
Cleaning of top gutter – In 2023 we arranged for the clearance of the bottom gutter, however, due to high winds, it was not possible to clear the top gutter. This has now been done. Unfortunately it was not possible to clear out the down pipe by the Tower front this is a metre long & clogged with weeds, at some time in the future we will need to consider fixing this. This will probably require a scaffolding to reach.
Maintenance of the boiler – Middleton Heating & Plumbing installed the boiler in late 2017. A full service was carried out prior to the 2024 winter spell.
Repair of Roof Tiles – the bottom layer of roof was in a poor state, some 50 tiles had dislodged or slipped and at least one gap hole had appeared in that portion of the roof. As this was an urgent repair, we employed the roofer, who fixed the St Luke’s Tower, and we are pleased to report that the lower portion of the roof has been fully repaired and you can now see that this looks in very good order.
Lightning Conductor Check – We have agreed a new three year contract for Bacon Lightning Protection Limited to annually review & check our lightning conductor. They visited us in late October and carried out the necessary review and check. Unfortunately the lightning conductor failed the necessary tests. As it is a legal requirement for the lightning conductor to full function, they made a further visit to fix and correct all defects.
Repair of punctured wall – this is where the slope ceiling meets the wall and is on the right side, as you look at the altar. This looked like a simple repair of a punctured hole; however care needed to be taken where this involves paint work. The internal fix needed to use lime render/mortar rather than cement and any contaminated plaster/render would first need to be removed. There was also a need to fill any outside holes, associated with the damaged hole. We would also need to let the wall dry out for at least 6 months, if not longer, before we try and decorate.
Because of the associated difficulties, we had to look to five firms, before we got three quotes. A decision was made and the damaged hole and the associated outside problems are now fixed.
## **Proposed future work for this year (2025)** will include:-
1. Repair of the Good Shepherd Window
2. Repair of the inside left church wall
Initial investigations have shown that there are possible complications with item 2 above (mentioned below) and, therefore, item 1 will be progressed first.
Good Shepherd Window **–** There is substantial damage to many decorative panes, resulting in much lost of original detail. Fortunately, along with a few fragments there is a photographic record to base new pieces on. Unfortunately, it has been the victim of determined vandalism with at least 12 visible broken panes. The damage in some areas is so extensive that the lead matrix has been distorted and only a reasonable repair can be achieved in situ. To remove it is not viable as this would only result in creating further damage, so a repair should be attempted in situ and expectations managed accordingly.
Initial estimates some three and a half years ago, were £5-6k. We are covered, to some extent by insurance. Emphasis will need to be on the advantages / disadvantages of an in situ or external repair. To remove it is not viable as this would only result in creating further damage, so it is my opinion that a repair should be attempted in situ and expectations managed accordingly. This is likely to require, at least, a List B application for agreement by the Archdeacon.
Church Wall – recent investigation suggests this could be a big job. The left side wall, as you look to the altar, shows distinct signs of paint peeling and this will need repair. Our architect has advised that we
Page | 16
should not use modern paints, as they will seal the damp in which will force the plaster or render off. We need a vapour-permeable paint; Keim Optil would be suitable and would need to be applied strictly - - according to manufacturer’s recommendations. https://www.keim.com/en gb/products/interior paints/optil/ Note if there are salts visible or if the paint surface is flaking, as it is, then the paint and contaminated plaster/render should be removed first and suitably repaired. The quote request will need to clearly define the requirements and preferably agreed with the architect. This will require a Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) paper.
It is clear the bottom half of the wall has been repainted and, it is very likely, with the wrong paint, which may have caused the wall to hold in the damp and damage the surface. The whole bottom half of the wall would need to be sanded back and checked for any other affected areas, potentially needing the inside render/plaster all removed and redone. This would also need the heating to be disconnected and removed from the wall while the work is being done.
## **St Leonard’s Church Hall**
Whilst the hall was being sold, there was a need to ensure it was maintained in line with Insurance Requirements. This required the roof hole above the toilet to be fixed; initial reviews suggested that the condition of the roof to the right of the toilet was in the same condition, but this had not developed through the roof to form any additional holes. It was necessary to extend the roof hole covering to the right of the hole to stop further damage being developed. In addition the hall door needed to be reinforced.
## **St Luke’s Church**
Fire Extinguishers - following maintenance of our fire extinguishers and alarms, Sovereign Alarms have renewed 3 fire extinguishers that needed replacing.
Roof Turret Area – following roof rain leakage, the Turret area has been reroofed.
Repair to Windows – some of the very small window panes on the church entrance side have been damaged; cracked & broken. We found only one firm able to fix this. Others were unable to do the work and quoted to replace the whole windows rather than the individual glass panes. The damaged windows have now been fixed
Hedge – the hedge has been fully cut during the year
Lawn Mower Motor & Mowers Seaford has carried out a full maintenance and repair to the lawn mower.
Toilet Wash Bowls – two of the three toilet wash bowls had partly removed from the wall. These have now been fixed back into the relevant wall.
Floor Repairs – the floor in the L shaped side room (to the main hall that contains the kitchen) was badly scrapped and marked and was a safety concern. This has been repaired.
Front Door – this was loose from much slamming and this needed bolstering and strengthening and this was fixed by our carpenter
Altar / Hall Doors - The carpenter also fixed the doors between the hall and altar, as these were misaligned and needed straightening
Boiler - The boiler has been fully reviewed and is in need of some new parts, this repair has been carried out and completed
## **Proposed future work for this year (2025)** will include:-
Four major projects, as follows
- Continual Redevelopment of the Garden – this project falls within the boundaries of the Youth projects. This is being project managed by Mark Gill who is doing an excellent job. We will need to replace the two doors leading to the garden area, as they need attention, there is broken wood and the doors to the garden have dropped. As an accessible slope has been provided within the garden, the doors need to provide for this.
Page | 17
Budgets have been put together for the other three major project, these are:
- Installation of new sound system
- Carryout the full repainting of the Church Hall
- Fully update the kitchen, as required
In addition other works will include:-
1. Putty on one of the window sides has broken away, new putty needs to be provided
2. Cupboards – two of the handles have come off the cupboards and these will need to be replaced.
3. Tower Window Leaks
4. Crumbling concrete around Tower
5. On the right side of the stage, as one goes down the stairs to the downstairs room, the wall is damp and the paint is peeling. This wall is under the ground level and this may be the reason for the dampness.
6. Speaker system – requires boxing in
7. Cut hedge.
## **- Ministry to Care homes within the parish for 2024 Brian Millar and Wendy Ogilvie**
This year a small pastoral care support team has been formed and has met. This team consists of volunteers from both congregations. The team reviewed the lone working protocols designed by our parish safeguarding officer Ruth. We continue to have a presence in four residential care homes in the town. At three of these we undertake services that include hymns and communion. These services are well received and occasionally attended by some of the care home staff. When we visit, we also conduct communion or prayers with those that are confined to their rooms. At all four homes we have ex members of our congregation.
We continue to conduct home communion for people unable to get to Sunday services. Training has been given to a new member of the home communion team. We have recently been advised by church house that two people should conduct home communions and where possible this guideline is adhered to. With regard to the pastoral care our ‘in church’ congregation, the role previously filled by Wendy Ogilvie has been difficult to replace. Wendy was well known and knew many of the congregation. How to make this more effective will be reviewed in 2025. Diana continues to lead on pastoral care issues for St Luke’s. Many thanks go to the number of people to volunteer to support the Care home services and Home communion visits.
## **Finance – Paul Waller**
I am pleased to have the honour to deliver my third report as your Treasurer.
It gives me pleasure to be able to thank all members of the church team you have worked so hard in assisting me in bringing these accounts to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Every month the collections and bank credits have to be counted and sorted and payments made to all those people and organisations who provide all the goods and services to ensure the smooth running of our church. I happened to notice that the bank account gives a total of the number of transaction in the year and these exceeded 1200, more than 100 a month.
All this data is collated by Anna Owen, the unseen power behind the Treasurer, thank you Anna. This data enables her to produce claims to the Revenue for the Gift Aid, which is kindly provided by the generosity of tax paying givers.
We have seen a steady increase in our letting income at St Luke’s and this is managed by Charlene Hobbs, who would be pleased to receive any enquiries from you for bookings for your meetings or celebrations!
Charlie Christie and Tony Willer issue Invoices for us to the Funeral Directors, Magazine Advertisers and Fitzgerald Charity for the work the church does for these organisations. This produces income over £21000.
Page | 18
The efforts of this host of helpers dealt with our Living income, excluding legacies of some £170,000.
With total expenditure of £358,000, I appreciate the splendid organisation of which I am but a small part.
We have had the benefit of Chris Tyler our accounts examiner’s wisdom and scrutiny of the books and giving them a clean bill of health. I thank Chris and ask that we reappointed him for the current year at the end of my presentation.
Now I come to the biggest of the thank you - to you all, our church membership. What a year 2024 has been, you have before you the report of all the areas of the church activity. It is astonishing what we get done in a short twelve-month period. All of which has been funded by your generosity.
I have been in awe of these, from both those who are still worshipping with us here on earth, and of those who have passed away. Living members have given £184,000 and past members £75,731.
We have also enjoyed a better year on income from our assets. Our Cash, which produced £10220 (£7019) of Interest, our Property Rentals of £18600 (£14750), our letting of the Church Buildings £10104 (£7853), Services to Fitzgerald Charity £11617 (10200) and our ministers who perform weddings and funerals producing £6859 (£5816) of fees.
Grants of £13000 have also been received in support of the Children and Youth Work which will help to fund the Asst Youth Worker we hope to have in place in 2025.
So our total income in 2024 amount to £345565 (£746175).
Having summarised the Income let me briefly explain what your church has spent its income on.
The largest bills are for our Clergy and Staff expenditures which come to £250k (£240k) for Parish Share and Wages and Expenses.
A further £97k (£88k) goes to run the church with utility bills and general expenses.
A total of £358613(£356448) of course with no tower repair (£13574) this year.
The DEFICIT this year is therefore (£13048) last year the surplus was £389727
## **Balance Sheet**
Historic property values will change this year when the Hall sells.
Cash up by £88k to £328K
The Legacies receivable of £234731 (£330500) as some payments received during the year but still substantial amounts due.
Liabilities payment year end amounts to the one Agency Account.
To summarise: a year of spending almost £30,000 a month and receiving regular income of £20,000 a month we have been saved by £110,000 from beyond the grave.
We must increase what we give whilst we are here on earth.
If we are going to meet our commitments to God to enable Gods work to prosper in Seaford.
Thank you ALL.
Structure, governance and management of the charity
Page | 19
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is registered with the Charity Commission as required by the Charities Act 2011. Its governing document is the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956.
PCC for the year January 2024 to December 2024
|Ex Officio members||
|---|---|
|Incumbent:|
The Rev’d. James Hollingsworth Chairman|
|Associate Clergy:|
The Rev’d. Derreck Lee-Philpot|
||The Rev’d Lucy Hollingsworth|
||The Rev’d Carole Darling|
|Churchwardens:|Fred Bass|
||Elizabeth Morgan-Jones|
|Deputy Wardens for St Luke’s: Joanne Lalla||
||Paul Bloxham|
|Deputy Wardens for St Leonard’s: Janet Kent Vice Chairman||
||Paul Waller|
|Elected PCC Members||
|Paul Waller|Treasurer (from January 2022)|
|Kim Cuthbert|(from APCM April 2022)|
|Lucy Borthwick|(from APCM April 2022)|
|Lisa Hazle|(from APCM April 2022)|
|Stephanie Baker|(from APCM April 2022)|
|Nicola Ferguson|(from APCM April 2022)|
|Sue Topp|(from APCM April 2023)|
|Sally Thompson|(from APCM April 2023)|
|Lizzie Jackson|(from APCM April 2023)|
|Ann Richards|(from APCM April 2024)|
|Diana Dixon|(from APCM April 2024)|
|Paul Bloxham|(from APCM April 2024)|
|Co-opted||
|Stefan Bracher||
|Michael Holmes||
|PCC Secretary||
|Stephanie Baker||
|Elected Deanery Synod Members (from APCM April 2023)||
|Julia Lawson||
|Nicola Ferguson||
|Bob Carrington||
|Carole Kay||
|Mark Gill|(from July 2024)|
|Deanery Representatves on|Diocesan Synod:|
|Mark Gill|(from September 2024)|
|Revd James Hollingsworth,||
|Rev’d Lucy Hollingsworth||
Page | 20
Membership of the PCC is determined under the Church Representation Rules and consists of certain exofficio members (the incumbent/priest-in-charge, curate, lay readers licensed to officiate in the church), the churchwardens and members of the Deanery, Diocesan or General Synods and 18 members of the church who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). Members are warmly encouraged to stand for election to the PCC and we try to ensure a balance of skills and experience where possible
This Trustees’ Annual Report was approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by The Revd. James Hollingsworth, PCC Chairman
………………………………………………………………………………
Date…………………………………………………
Page | 21
## Summary of Financial Receipts and Payments
The financial effect of our activities during the year can be summarised as follows:
|Income and endowments
from:|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|Total|Prior Year|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Donations and legacies|246,844|22,904|-|269,748|675,833|
|Income from charitable
activities|20,232|3,048|-|23,280|17,220|
|Other trading activities|1,870|-|-|1,870|1,572|
|Investments|29,148|-|-|29,148|22,001|
|Other income|17,312|4,205|-|21,518|29,547|
|Total income|315,407|30,157|-|345,565|746,175|
|Expenditure on:|||-|||
|Raising funds|5,016|131|-|5,148|3,447|
|Expenditure on charitable
activities|314,401|22,205|-|336,607|310,814|
|Other expenditure|16,858|-|-|16,858|42,186|
|Total expenditure|336,277|22,336|-|358,613|356,448|
|Gains/Losses on
investment assets|-|-|-|-|-|
|Net income /
(expenditure) resources
before transfer|(20,869)|7,821|-|(13,048)|389,727|
|Transfers|||-|||
|Gross transfers between
funds - in|7,515|-|-|7,515|6,760|
|Gross transfers between
funds - out|(7,515)|-|-|(7,515)|(6,760)|
|Other recognised gains /
losses|||-|||
|Gains on revaluation,
fxed assets, charity's
own use|-|-|-|-|-|
|Net movement in funds|(20,869)|7,821|-|(13,048)|389,727|
|Reconciliation of funds|||-|||
|Total funds brought
forward|830,891|254,288|-|1,085,179|695,452|
|Total funds carried
forward|810,021|262,109|-|1,072,131|1,085,179|
Page | 22
## Seaford Parochial Church Council - 1131402 Balance Sheet detailed
|Balance Sheet detailed|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||As at|As at||
|.||31/12/2024|31/12/2023||
|**Fixed assets**|||||
|6430: St Luke's House||280,000.00|280,000.00||
|6431: St Leonard's Church Hall||140,000.00|140,000.00||
|6432: 35% of 2 Benenden Close||91,000.00|91,000.00||
|**Total Fixed assets**||511,000.00|511,000.00||
|**Current assets**|||||
|6501: Bank current account||5,151.87|5,131.33||
|6505: Bank Saver Account (Premium)||16,767.57|10,041.71||
|6506: Bank Saver Account (Reserve)||10,008.63|—||
|6510: CCLA (CBF) deposit account||295,636.66|224,804.27||
|6591: Office Cash Card||362.70|196.62||
|6592: CYFW Cash Card||180.10|79.22||
|6594: Legacies Receivable||234,731.25|330,500.00||
|6597: Gift Aid Due||485.63|584.32||
|Z05: Accounts Receivable||5,074.35|10,242.89||
|**Total Current assets**||568,398.76|581,580.36||
|**Liabilities**—|||||
|6606: PAYE||—|(310.61)||
|6607: Net Wages||—|—||
|6608: Pensions Creditor||204.94|224.49||
|6699: Agency collections||112.00|926.85||
|Z04: Accounts Payable||6,950.14|6,559.78||
|**Total Liabilities**||7,267.08|7,400.51||
|**Net Asset surplus (deficit)**||1,072,131.68|1,085,179.85||
|**Reserves**|||||
|Excess / (deficit) to date||(13,048.17)|389,727.55||
|Z01: Starting balances||1,085,179.85|695,452.30||
|Total Reserves||1,072,131.68|1,085,179.85|27|
|**Represented by Funds**|||||
|Unrestricted||666,833.42|695,623.84||
|Designated||143,188.37|135,267.41||
|Restricted||262,109.89|254,288.60||
|Endowment||—|—||
|**Total**||1,072,131.68|1,085,179.85||
|||||27 January 2025|
Page | 23
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Basis of preparation**
The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and the Church Accounting Regulations 2006, in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the current Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities, (SORP (FRS 102)).
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention \as modified by the inclusion of investments at market value \and the revaluation of fixed assets\. 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 affiliation to another body, nor those which are informal gatherings of church members
## **Funds accounting**
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 for which the capital 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
## **Income and endowments**
All income and endowments, accounted for without deduction for any costs of receivability, are recognised when there is evidence of entitlement, receipt is probable, and the amount can be measured reliably
## **Donations and legacies**
_Collections_ are recognised when received.
_Planned giving receivable_ is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement, receipt is probable, and the amount accords with the Gift Aid declaration or other record of intention to donate _Gift aid recovered_ is recognised when the income to which it is attached is recognised Grants and legacies are recognised when the formal offer in writing of the funding, is received by the PCC.
## **Charitable activities**
Statutory fees for weddings and funerals are recognised when the office occurs **Other trading activities**
Trading activities are where income is receivable in return for selling goods or providing services. Income from trading is recognised either: a - when received, or b - in the case of concerts: for the year in which the event occurs, irrespective of date of receipt. Advance bookings are included in creditors until the concert has taken place.
Sales of magazines and study notes are recognised when received
Rents from property are recognised in accordance with the rental agreements, when receipt is probable.
## **Investment income**
Dividends are accounted for when due and payable. Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue.
Page | 24
## **All other income**
All other income is recognised in accordance with the above overall policy **Gains and losses on investments**
Realised gains are recognised when the investments are sold Unrealised gains and losses are accounted for on revaluation at 31 December
## **Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement, payment is probable, and the amount can be measured reliably
## **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 contribution is accounted for on an annual basis, reflecting the allocation set by our Deanery. Any parish contribution 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.
## **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 Vicar 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 but are not included in the financial statements. For other property acquired prior to ( _date_ ) there is insufficient cost information available and therefore the cost of such assets is stated at a nominal £1 in the financial statements.
All expenditure on consecrated or beneficed buildings and individual items costing under (put in limit, say £1,000) 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:
Land Nil Buildings Nil Fixtures and fittings 20% Audio visual equipment 33% Office equipment 25%
No depreciation is provided on freehold buildings as the useful economic life of these assets exceeds 50 years and residual values so high that potential depreciation would be immaterial. It is the PCC's policy to maintain these assets in a continual state of sound repair. Resulting from regular 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.
## **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.
Page | 25
## 4. Missionary and charitable giving
|Overseas:
Cambodia Action, LAMA, Mission Direct,
Samaras Aid,
Home:
Children Youth and Family Missioner
Diocesan Family Support Work, Homelink,
Beachy Head Chaplaincy, Church Army,
Caring and Sharing, Waves|Unrestricted
2,505
6,680
3,340|Restricted
-
-|Endowed
-
-|Total Funds
2024
2,505
6,680
3,340|Total Funds
2023
2,505
6,680
4,175|Notes|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||12,525|-|-|12,525|13,360||
## 5. Staff Costs
|5. Staf Costs|12,525|-|-|12,525|13,360||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Remuneration
Wages and salaries
Employer social security costs
Employer pension costs|Unrestricted
94,263
5,470
1,337|Restricted
-
-|Endowed
-
-
-|Total Funds
2024
94,263
5,471
1,337|Total Funds
2023
90,591
5,508
1,510|Notes|
||101,071|-|-|101,071|97,609||
## 6. Payments to PCC members
Clergy were paid out of pocket expenses
## 7. Transactions with persons related to PCC members
## None
## 8. Transactions with related charities
None
## 9. Governance
|9. Governance|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Independent examination and professional
advice
Accounts production
Bookkeeping|Unrestricted
1,825
784
5,640|Restricted
-
-
-|Endowed
-
-
-|Total Funds
2024
1,825
784
5,640|Total Funds
2023
1,780
1,132
5,160|Notes|
||**8,249**|**-**|-|8,249|8,072||
Page | 26
## 10. Transfer between Funds
||||Total Funds|Total Funds||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowed|2024|2023|Notes|
|-||||||
## 11. Fixed Assets and Investments
|1. Fixed Assets and Investments|-|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Market value 1 January 2022
Disposals at carrying value
Purchases at cost
Net gains and revaluation|Unrestricted
-
-
-
-|Restricted
-
-
-
-|Endowed|Total Funds
2024
511,000|Notes|
|Market value 31 December 2024|-|-||511,000||
## 11 a Tangible Fixed Assets
|Market value 31 December 2024
1 a Tangible Fixed Assets|-|-||511,000||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
Revaluation|Freehold land
and buildings
511,000|Audio visual|Ofice
Equipment|Total fxed
assets
511,000|Notes|
|At 31 December 2024|511,000|||511,000||
|Charge for impairment
At 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
Revaluation||||||
|At 31 December 2024||||||
|Net book amounts
At 31 December 2024|511,000|||511,000||
## 13. Net Assets by Fund
|Fixed assets for church use
Investment fxed assets
Current assets (except cash)
Cash at bank and on deposit
Current liabilities
Long term liabilities|Unrestricted
-
(7,267)|Restricted
511,000
-
-|Endowed
-|Total Funds
2024
511,000
328,107
(7,267)|Total Funds
2023
511,000
239,977
(7,711)||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page | 27
## 14. Debtors
|14. Debtors|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Income tax recoverable
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors|Unrestricted
486
-
239,806|Restricted
-
-
-|Endowed
-
-
-|Total Funds
2024
486
-
239,806|Total
Funds
2023
584
-
340,742|Notes
(legacy)|
||£240,292||-|£240,292|£341,326||
## 15. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year.
|Deferred income
Accruals for utilities and other costs
Archdeacon's loan
Other creditors|Unrestricted
7,267|Restricted
-
-
-
-|Endowed
-
-
-
-|Total Funds
2024
7,267|Total Funds
2023
7,711
-|Notes|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||-|-||||
## 16. Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
|Deferred income
Accruals for utilities and other costs
Archdeacon's loan
Other creditors|Unrestricted
-
-
-
-|Restricted
-
-
-
-|Endowed
-
-
-
-|Total Funds
2024
-
-
-
-|Total Funds
2023
-
-
-
-|Notes|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||-|-|-|-|-||
Page | 28
Notes to the Financial Report
## 18. Statement of Funds.
## Explanation of funds
Endowed funds are required by the donors to be invested and the income spent on specific objectives
Restricted funds are not invested permanently but are to be spent within reasonable timescales
## Unrestricted funds are not subject to any donor restrictions and can be spent as the PCC decides
## Summary of all funds
Fund income and expenditure and final balances are as follows
||
Balances
b/fwd
1 Jan2024|
Income|
Expenditure|Transfers,
other gains
and losses|Balances
c/fwd
31 Dec 2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||£|£|£|£
-|£
-|
|Total of all endowed funds||||-||
|||||-
-|-
-|
|Total of all restricted funds|||||262,109|
|General fund
Designated roof fund
Revaluation reserve|||||666,833
143,188|
|Total of all unrestricted funds|||||810,021|
|||||||
|Total funds|1,085,180|345,565|(358,613)||1,072,131|
Page | 29
## Independent Examiner’s Report
## to the PCC of Sutton with Seaford for the Year Ended 31st December, 2024
This is my report to the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish (PCC) of St Leonard’s and St Luke’s, Seaford, on the annual report for the year ended 31st December 2024 set out on pages X to Y
|Respective
responsibilities
of trustees and
examiner|The PCC members are responsible for the preparation of the annual reports. The PCC
members consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the
Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is
needed.
It is my responsibility to:
1.
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
2.
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity
Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
3.
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.|
|---|---|
|Basis of
independent
examiner’s
statement|My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the
Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept
by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also
includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking
explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures
undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and
consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’
view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.|
|Independent
examiner's
statement|In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention (other than that
disclosed below in Section B *)
1.
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the
requirements:
a.
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities
Act; and
b.
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply
with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached.
* Please delete the words in the (brackets) if they do not apply|
|Examiner’s
signature||
|Examiner’s
name CAPITALS|CHRIS TYLER FCA DChA FCIE|
|Date
Relevant
professional
qualifcation(s)
or bodyif any||
|Examiner’s
address|F1 CRT Limited Flat 24 Wellingtonia Court Laine Close BRIGHTON BN1 6TD|
|||
## Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems for example:
- accounting records have not been kept in accordance with s132 of the Charities’ Act 2011 and those accounts do not comply with the requirements of the 2008 Regulations setting out the form and content of charity accounts;
- any material expenditure or action which appears not to be in accordance with the trusts of the charity;
- any failure to be provided with information and explanations by any past or present trustee, officer or employee; and
- any material inconsistency between the accounts and the trustees’ annual report.
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose
Independent Examiner's Report
to the PCC of Sutton with Seaford for the Year Ended 31 st
December, 2024
This Is my report to the Parochial Church Council ofthe Ecclesiastic81 Parish IPCC) of St Leonard's and St
Luke's, Seaford. on the annual report for the year ended 31 st December 2024 set out on pages Xx
Resptctlvo
The PCC members are responsible for the preparation of th8 annual reports. The PCC
responslbliities
members consider that 8n audit is not required forthis year under section 144 of the
of trustees and
Charities A£t 2011 (e Charities ACVI and that an independent oxamination is
examiner
needed.
It 1$ my responsit¥tity to:
examine the 8ccounts under section 145 ofthe Charities ACL
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions en by the Charity
Commission (under section 145{5}Ib) of the Charities ACL and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basls of
Independent
examlnevs
ststgment
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the
Charity Commission. An ex8mination includes 8 review of the accounting records kept
by the charity and a comparison ofthe accounts presented those records. It also
includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking
explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures
undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audiL and
consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair.
vtew and the report is timited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent
examiners
ststemont
In connection wth my examination. no matter has come to myattention lothar than that
disclosed below in Section B")
which gwes me reasonable cause to believe that in. any material respecL the
requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance section 130 of the Charities
ACL and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply
with the accounting requirements ofthe Charities Act
have not been me¢ or
2. to which, in myopinion. attention should be drawnin orderto enable a proper
understandingof theaccountsto be reached.
"Please delete the words in the Ibrackets) rftheydo not8ppIy
Examinerfs
signature
Examinerfs
name CAHTALS
Date
Relevant
professlonal
quairfication(s}
or bodytsary
Examlnerfs
address
CHRIS TYLER FCA DChA FCIE
F1 CRT LirTtited Flat 24 Weliingtonia Court Laine Close BRIGHTON BN16TD