SECRETARY’S REPORT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SUNDAY 19TH JUNE 2022
Following a time of disruption and opening and closing of churches during the pandemic, after the final period of lockdown in 2021 the church permanently re-opened for services just before the AGM last June. So this year has been a time of gradually re-building all aspects of church life and returning to a normal pattern. The Hall Lettings started to re-book over a period of time, much to the delight of our Treasurer when the Invoices once again began to be paid!
Peter and Jill Haslett had very kindly been responsible for finding members of the congregation to lead Pause for Prayer, but gave notice at the end of last year that they would be finishing in this role as they were intending to move away from Poole. In order that this important Thursday half hour would not cease, we are very grateful to Revd. Brian Rawling for taking over this task and providing us with ongoing volunteers each week. Thank you to all who agree to undertake leading this service.
At the beginning of October our organist Danny Campbell left with no notice, creating a very difficult situation for the church. For the next four months we were very grateful that a series of different organists very kindly agreed to help us out playing the organ each week for the Sunday services. Advertisements were placed in a number of publications, but no one suitable emerged until Chris Denton applied for the position of permanent organist having already covered three or four of our Sundays here. He relinquished his position as part time organist for two other local churches, and was duly appointed as our organist here at the beginning of February 2022. He is providing us with splendid organ music each week.
Two Elders are retiring from the Eldership this year having completed their present three year term – Ann Gawler and Dr. Margaret Seward. We are very sorry indeed to lose them but thank them very much for their very constructive input into Elders meetings and they will be much missed. Isabel Platts has decided to retire before the completion of her three year term and we thank her for the many years she has been an Elder and taken part in Elders meetings and
discussions and she will of course also be missed. No new names have been put forward for election, so the number on the Eldership stands at 14 for the coming year.
Our Minister Wilbert had re-married last May, and had to wait until November for Mandi to be able to travel to England and join him. Mandi
has quickly integrated with our congregation and it has been a joy to get to know her. We thank Wilbert for his sermons, teaching, guidance and pastoral work during the last church year.
I also thank all those many people who work so hard in every area of church life – and as the saying goes – you know who you are, and I am sure know you are appreciated.
I finish with the STASTICS FOR THE YEAR JUNE 2021 – JUNE 2022.
WEDDINGS 1 wedding has taken place:-
Christopher Collier and Madeleine Watton - 14[th] May 2022
BAPTISMS There have been 3 baptisms:-
Twins Frankie and Oliver Harker – 1[st] August 2021 Joanne Bratt - 19[th] May 2022 in Pause for Prayer (daughter of Roy Perryman)
NEW MEMBERS There have been 7 new members inducted:-
Susan Mathews, Neeher Mathews, Nidaan Mathews, Darren Hill, Gemma Hill, James Flood and Mandi Sayimani
cont
THOSE WHO HAVE DIED 12 members of the congregation have died during this church year:-
Dame Margaret Seward 21[st] July 2021
Col. Arnold Lewis 5[th] August 2021 Brian Willcox 9[th] August 2021 Roy Heard August 2021 Brenda Trimmer 29[th] August 2021 Tony Watts 14[th] September 2021 Lily Shearer 21[st] October 2021 Robin Simmons 15[th] January 2022 Jean Sparrowhawk 9[th] February 2022 Greg Welch 28[th] February 2022 George Cannon 19[th] April 2022 Roy Ricketts May 2022
We express our condolences to all relatives of these members
NUMBER OF CHURCH MEMBERS 111
We know there have not been any social gatherings during this year, but I am aware that two events are now being planned, so may we continue growing in fellowship, and pray the church can move forward with confidence into 2023.
Hilary Scott Secretary
Accounts for Richmond Hill St Andrews United Reformed Church for Year Ended 31 March 2021
| 2022 General Fund | 2021 General Fund | |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Balance | 372311 | 337683 |
| Legacies Donations Gift Day Donations to Organ Members Car Park Fees Fundraising Lettings of Church/Wedding Income School of English Commercial Car Park Investment Income Sale of Assets Appreciation of Investments Miscellaneous Income |
43358 41754 0 0 400 95 2631 17636 -5223 583 0 4453 0 |
0 37863 0 0 531 79 1310 18187 -3837 724 0 61886 1000 |
| Total Income | 105687 | 117743 |
| Net Expenditure Ministry & Mission inc car allowance Ministry and Manse Expenses Early Bird Salaries and Expenses Churchkeeper, Organist and Choir Costs Administration Church Maintenance Utilities, Insurance and Cleaning Minibus Church Refreshments Sundries Audit Donations to Charity from Church Funds South Window Major Organ Repair Purchase of Assets |
55882 5692 284 22014 2966 9513 17735 0 120 1190 65 324 0 0 421 |
35538 5488 0 8896 1109 10933 21261 0 0 643 65 486 0 -1512 210 |
| Total Expenses | 116206 | 83115 |
| Net Surplus | -10519 | 34628 |
| Closing Balance | 361792 | 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.
Colin Naughton
Examiner: