## **SECRETARY’S REPORT JUNE 2020/2021** 

**The pandemic has dominated all our lives since the last AGM.  During this time the church was only open for service for 21 weeks of these twelve months.  We re-opened for services on Sunday 6[th] September 2020, closed again for a lockdown during November, and re-opened for the month of December.  Another lockdown was announced until April, and we re-opened again on Pentecost Sunday, 23rd May this year. Congregational hymn singing was not permitted under Government rules, although in recent times the choir have sung a couple of hymns during the services.** 

**So as very little has happened, this report has not too much to say!  Huge thanks are due to Wilbert for continuing taking Sunday services, with Alex and Agnes diligently filming them each week.  We are very grateful to them.** 

**Shirley Rawling decided to retire from her role finding weekly contributors to Pause for Prayer – a very big task, and I know more than a few arms were firmly twisted! This very popular half hour each Thursday morning could not have continued without Shirley, so thank you so much for those years of organisation.** 

**Peter Haslett has followed admirably in Shirley’s footstep and has managed to find, persuade, cajole a variety of people to lead Pause for Prayer, currently held in the main church. We thank him with Jill’s help in continuing in this role resulting in contributors giving us experiences of their lives, anecdotes, prayers, poems and occasionally some singing on Thursday mornings.  Communion services have also been conducted.** 

**Thanks are due to those on the entrance door who have recorded the name of those attending  for Track and Trace – Sue Starkey and Maggie Sheath with an occasional volunteer stepping in. Whether the church is open or not, come rain wind or shine Sue and Adrian Marchant continue to plan and plant the Memorial Garden   Not just the gardening, constant watering is also needed.  The whole congregation thank you both for your hard work to keep this special garden looking beautiful.** 

**Agnes Copeland has decided to step down from her role as joint Pastoral Co-ordinator after many years of devoted service.  Thank you  Agnes for your work n this area over the years, and the many, many reports you have given at Elders meetings and Pause for Prayer keeping all in touch with news of our congregation.  Four willing people have stepped into this role of giving regular pastoral reports on people’s health and welfare. Gay Hammadeh, Pat Williams, Anne-Piggott and Lauren Baba-Slimane.  Well done for agreeing to take on this role.  Shirley remains the overall Pastoral co-ordinator.  Trevor and Suzanne Fulton moved away to Lee-on-the-Solent during this year to live near their son, and are sadly missed.** 

**Two of our Elders have decided not to stand for re-election at the end of their most recent three year term, Paddy Pollock and Maggie Sheath.  Paddy has been a tower of strength with everything connected to the huge task of maintaining this church and halls and he was Chairman of the Building’s Committee for many years.  He undertook overseeing the restoration of the World War1 memorial window at the back of the church some years ago with all its complexities.  Fortunately Paddy remains on the Building Committee with his wise counsel and experience (now chaired by Peter Hansford).  Thank you Paddy for all you have done in this area, and for your many years** 



**contributing to our Elders meeting.  Maggie Sheath has also been an Elder for many years and of course has been in the forefront of the catering Committee, as mentioned in last years report, and a diligent visitor. You will both be sadly missed at our Elders meetings.** 

**Our Minister lost his wife Irene last July whilst on holiday in Zimbabwe after a long fight with cancer.  Our sincere condolences go to Wilbert, who then spent many months in lockdown in the Manse on his own which must have been a terribly difficult time.  On his recent holiday in May in Harare we received the news that Wilbert had married again to Mandi,.  We congratulate him and look forward to meeting Mandi when she has obtained her Visa to come to this country and join Wilbert.** 

**STATISTICS  for June 2020/June 2021.** 

**BAPTISMS  and WEDDINGS   There were no Baptisms or Weddings during this year.** 

**THOSE WHO SADLY HAVE DIED    12 people have died during this year. Irene Sayimani    July 2020 Patricia Fortescue   October 2020 Doreen Hewitt   October 2020 Janet Wallace   October 2020 Rev. Betty Williams   February 2021 Barbara Milner   February 2021 Ann Cardwell   February 2021 Rosalind Corkett   February 2021 Stan Young   March 2021 Yvonne Heard   March 2021 Paul Cracknell    April 2021 Dorothy Perrett   April 2021** 

**We express our condolences to all relatives of these members.** 

**NUMBER OF CHURCH MEMBERS    116.** 

**A verse from Revelations as recently preached upon by a visiting Minister ‘The one seated on the Throne said ‘Behold I make all things new’.  Let us hope that a new spirit may be found in this congregation as we now move forward following this very difficult period for everyone, and start again to make all things new.** 

**Hilary Scott Church Secretary.** 



## **Accounts for Richmond Hill St Andrews United Reformed Church for Year Ended 31 March 2021** 

||**2020  General Fund**|**2021   General Fund**|
|---|---|---|
|**Opening Balance**|**422411**|**337683**|
|Legacies<br>Donations<br>Gift Day<br>Donations to Organ<br>Members Car Park Fees<br>Fundraising<br>Lettings of Church/Wedding Income<br>School of English<br>Commercial Car Park<br>Investment Income<br>Sale of Assets<br>Appreciation of Investments<br>Miscellaneous Income|200<br>47924<br>0<br>0<br>1093<br>2846<br>7680<br>24802<br>18052<br>1062<br>0<br>-22421<br>3210|0<br>37863<br>0<br>0<br>531<br>79<br>1310<br>18187<br>-3837<br>724<br>0<br>61886<br>1000|
|**Total Income**|**84448**|**117743**|
|**Net Expenditure**<br>Ministry & Mission inc car allowance<br>Ministry and Manse Expenses<br>Early Bird Salaries and Expenses<br>Churchkeeper, Organist and Choir Costs<br>Administration<br>Church Maintenance<br>Utilities, Insurance and Cleaning<br>Minibus<br>Church Refreshments<br>Sundries<br>Audit<br>Donations to Charity from Church Funds<br>South Window<br>Major Organ Repair<br>Purchase of Assets|53830<br>4310<br>517<br>27453<br>3012<br>8646<br>23769<br>0<br>-27<br>2503<br>65<br>3686<br>0<br>37080<br>4332|35538<br>5488<br>0<br>8896<br>1109<br>10933<br>21261<br>0<br>0<br>643<br>65<br>486<br>0<br>-1512<br>210|
|**Total Expenses**|**169176**|**83115**|
||||
|**Net Surplus**|**-84728**|**34628**|
||||
|**Closing Balance**|**337683**|**372311**|



## **Independent Examiners Report** 

I have examined the Receipts and Payments Accounts and Balance Sheet of Richmond Hill St Andrews United Reformed Church (Charity No 1131668) for the year ended 31 March 2021. My examination was conducted in accordance with the General Directives issued by the accounts for small charities. Nothing has come to my attention that gives me cause to believe otherwise that the records satisfy the requirements of the Charities Act 1993. I am not aware of any matter for which attention needs to be drawn to obtain a proper Understanding of the accounts. 

**Examiner:** 

Colin Naughton