## **St Mary the Virgin** ## **in the Parish of Stone** **Annual Report & Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council for the year ending 31 December 2025** ## _For Christ's Sake_ † APCM 2026 Page 1 ## **CONTENTS** ## **Agenda and Minutes** |Agenda for the Vestry and Annual Parochial Church Meetings 2026|**3**| |---|---| |Minutes of the Vestry Meeting held on 1~~1~~th May 2025|**4**| |Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on 11th May 2025|**4-6**| |**Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council**|| |Administrative Information, Membership|**7**| |Safeguarding, Risk Management, Attendance|**8**| |Proceedings of the Parochial Church Council|**8**| |Financial Review|**9**| |Reserves Policy|**10**| |Fabric, Goods and Ornaments|**10**| |Deanery Synod|**11**| |Matters of Parochial or General Church Interest|**12**| |MCK (Mary’s Child Kent)|**13**| |Eco- Church|**13**| |Mother’s Union|**14**| |Messy Church|**14**| |Gemstones|**14**| |**Finance**|| |Income and Expenditure Pie Charts 2025|**15**| |Independently Examined Accounts 2025|**16-22**| APCM 2026 Page 2 ## **St Mary the Virgin, Stone** ## **Agenda for the Vestry Meeting & Annual Parochial Church Meeting** ## **Sunday 10[th] May 2026 at 11.30am** ## **Vestry Meeting** 1. Prayers. 2. Election of Church Wardens. ## **Annual Parochial Church Meeting** 1. Apologies for absence. 2. Minutes of previous Annual Parochial Church Meeting 11[th] May 2025 3. Election of representatives to the Deanery Synod 4. Election of representatives to the Parochial Church Council. 5. To receive and consider reports arising from the following: - 5.1 Electoral Roll - 5.2 Proceedings of Parochial Church Council - 5.3 Financial Affairs - 5.4 Independently Examined Accounts - 5.5 Fabric, goods & ornaments - 5.6 Proceedings of Deanery Synod - 5.7 Matters of parochial or general Church interest 6. Any other business. 7. Closing prayers. APCM 2026 Page 3 **Item 2** **St Mary the Virgin, Stone** ## **Minutes of the Vestry Meeting & Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on Sunday 11[th] May 2025 at 11.30am in church.** ## **Prayers** The meetings opened with the singing of _Veni, Creator Spiritus_ and prayer led by the Rector. ## **Vestry Meeting** ## **Number present –** 27 adults and 2 children The Rector offered thanks, on behalf of the church congregation, to various people for the roles they had fulfilled over the past year: Churchwardens Lois Derham and Maureen Franke, Electoral Roll Officer Thelma Bristow, Parish Safeguarding Officer Deborah Lambert and Treasurer Dianne Adair, and those stepping down from the PCC after their term of office, Robin Hergest and Martin Trumble. He also thanked the Gemstones leaders Kate Stock and Jeanne Hoadley, those who oversee Open Church being Maureen Franke, Lois Derham and Janet Gardiner, in addition to Tower Captain George Adair, Choirmaster and Organist Nik Kerwin, and fellow ministers, Licensed Lay Minister, Kathryn Swanston and Associate Rector, Paul Davies. ## **Election of Churchwardens** Only two nominations for Churchwarden had been received: Lois Derham (proposed by Maggie Jarvis and seconded by Norma Ross) and Maureen Franke (proposed by Colin Whiskin and seconded by Janet Gardiner). With the approval of the meeting, they were duly re-elected for the forthcoming year. ## **Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)** **Number present -** 27 adults and 2 children ## **1. Apologies** Dennis Moor and Janet Gardiner ## **2. Minutes of previous Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on 14[th] April 2024.** The minutes of 2024’s APCM had been circulated. These were approved by all present as a true record. ## **3. Election of representatives to the Deanery Synod** Stone parish had been transferred in 2024 to the newly constituted Swanscombe Deanery and existing lay representatives to the synod simply transferred likewise. No elections to deanery synod were scheduled for this year. APCM 2026 Page 4 ## **4. Election of representatives to the Parochial Church Council (PCC).** As indicated below in 5.1, the Electoral Roll now numbering less than 50 names Church Representation Rules dictate only six places for representatives from the laity on the PCC alongside the churchwardens and deanery synod representatives, clergy and lay ministers. With six representatives already continuing their term, there were in fact no vacancies to fill. Nevertheless, a nomination had been received for Victor Nnamani, proposed by Kathryn Swanston, seconded by Thelma Bristow, and the meeting felt it was right to support Victor’s co-option as an additional new lay representative on the PCC. ## **5. To receive and consider reports arising from the following:** ## **5.1 Electoral Roll** Electoral Roll Officer, Thelma Bristow, reported that following the drawing up of a completely new roll there were 42 members (with 22 being non-resident and 20 being residents of the parish), a significant but realistic drop in numbers with a consequence for elections to the PCC as above. ## **5.2 Proceedings of the Parochial Church Council** The Rector referred to the report circulated prior to the meeting and asked whether there were any questions, comments, or observations. None were raised. ## **5.3 Financial affairs** A report on the financial affairs of the PCC had been included in the Annual Report circulated in advance. In response to a question the Rector explained that £2,700 had been spent on support from professional fundraisers Think Philanthropy out of an unrestricted grant of £10,000 received from the Diocese to help with the new Lantern Centre. It was felt that no more should be spent on fundraising for the time being, without a clear indication of the benefit of such expenditure. The remaining £7,300 was held within the unrestricted funds as identified on page 22 of the Annual Report. No further questions were raised. ## **5.4 Independently examined accounts** The Rector thanked Dianne Adair for the preparation of the accounts which had been scrutinised and signed by the independent examiner. The Rector proposed the acceptance of the accounts, with Thelma Bristow seconding this, and the meeting agreed. ## **5.5 Fabric, goods & ornaments** No feedback was received in response to the report within the Annual Report. ## **5.6 Proceedings of Deanery Synod** As identified above, we are now part of the new Swanscombe Deanery with Dianne Adair and Lois Derham continuing as representatives from Stone. ## **5.7 Matters of parochial or general Church interest.** The Rector commended his part of the written report on general matters and apologised for the omission of refence to the two fundraising concerts held in the church during 2024 APCM 2026 Page 5 and all the effort that had gone into them, one in May supporting the Mayor’s charities (including the Lantern Appeal) and one in the autumn specifically in aid of the Lantern Appeal. ## **6. Any other business** It was requested that in future an attempt be made to cross-reference the annual report to the agenda using the same numbering. The Rector spoke about the latest progress on the Lantern Community Centre. The fundraising target for completion was £330,000, and of that £73,000 was in church funds already and earning interest. The result of two grant applications was awaited, one of which was for an unlimited sum. He reported that Stone Parish Council (SPC) had now demonstrated their support for the project by reimbursing its proportion of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) paid on the Church Hill site, £23,000, a sum included in the funds already raised. We would be free to approach SPC for further grants from CIL, although most of their receipts from this source were committed to their own projects. As part of a promise of assistance SPC had commissioned their own quantity surveyor to revise the cost of completion with a view to presenting a case to Dartford Borough Council (DBC) for a payment from CIL. To date DBC had given nothing to the project, but SPC felt that if the cost could be reduced, Dartford might be persuaded. The repricing exercise came forward with a cost of £270,000 largely by omitting the underfloor heating. This sparked some conversation about heating and a difference of opinion was noted which would have to be discussed by the PCC and project group members. By coincidence the Diocesan Net Zero Advisor had been contacting parishes about their energy footprint and it was felt advisable that we should take the opportunity of commissioning an energy analysis at a cost of £180 (with the diocese matching that amount to pay the full cost of £360) so as to help us decide which form of heating to install. The Rector pointed once again to the great generosity of church members toward the project noting that excluding grants, corporate donations and sale proceeds, the congregation itself had given about £150,000 over 15 years. He hoped they shared his excitement at the progress made in 2024 with the shell now built and drawing nothing but admiring comments. Although difficult, the aim was still to raise the entire balance of funds needed rather than commission the remaining work in little phases, as being more cost effective and helping us avoid the danger of starting to use parts of the building as they become ready which would imperil its zero-rated VAT status which is only for a new build for charitable purposes. Nevertheless, one part of the improvements was finished, the water tap inside the church. The benefits were already being felt and Robin Hergest was thanked for completing the installation. The Rector reminded the meeting that their representatives on the PCC were there for them to approach with any matters for discussion. ## **7. Closing Prayers** The meeting concluded with prayer. APCM 2026 Page 6 ## **St Mary the Virgin Stone Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for the year ending 31[st] December 2025** ## **ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** St Mary's Church is part of the Diocese of Rochester within the Church of England and is situated in Stone. The correspondence address is: Stone Rectory, Church Road, Stone, Greenhithe, Kent DA9 9BE The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is registered with the Charity Commission, number 1131836. ## _**Incumbent**_ The Revd. Canon Kenneth Clark. ## _**Bank**_ The National Westminster Bank, High Street Dartford. ## _**Independent Examiner**_ Xeinadin Audit Ltd, Chartered Accountants, Trinity House, 3 Bullace Lane, Dartford ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** St. Mary's PCC's primary responsibility is the promotion of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England. It co-operates with the Rector, the Reverend Kenneth Clark, in promoting the whole mission of the Church (pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical) throughout the Parish. ## _**Mission Statement**_ "For Christ's Sake **†** " ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** The method of appointments of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules 2020. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. PCC members, whether ex-officio or elected, who have served from 1 January 2024 until the date this report was approved are: ## _**Rector**_ The Revd. Canon Kenneth Clark (Chairman) ## _**Wardens**_ Ms Lois Derham (also Secretary) Mrs. Maureen Franke _from 25[th] May 2025 (1-year term) from 25[th] May 2025 (1-year term)_ ## _**Representatives to Deanery Synod**_ Mrs. Dianne Adair (also Treasurer) Ms Lois Derham _from 1_ ~~_6_~~ _[th] April 2023 (3-year term) from 1_ ~~_6_~~ _[th] April 2023 (3-year term)_ APCM 2026 Page 7 ## _**Ex Officio**_ The Revd. Paul Davies – Associate Rector Mrs. Kathryn Swanston - Licensed Lay Minister ## _**Elected Members**_ Mrs. Kate Stock Mrs Thelma Bristow Mrs. Sharon Bryan Mrs. Maggie Jarvis Miss Deborah Lambert (Parish Safeguarding Officer) Mr. James Shipp _from 1_ ~~_6_~~ _[th] April 2023 (3-year term) from 1_ ~~_4_~~ _[th ] April 2024 (2-year term) from 1_ ~~_4_~~ _[th] April 2024 (2-year term) from 1_ ~~_4_~~ _[th] April 2024 (3-year term) from 1_ ~~_4_~~ _[th] April 2024 (3-year term) from 1_ ~~_4_~~ _[th] April 2024 (3-year term)_ ## _**Co-opted**_ Mr Dennis Moor – Reader with PTO _until 8[th] June 2025_ Mr. Victor Nnamani _from 25[th] May 2025_ ## **Safeguarding** ## _Deborah Lambert (Safeguarding Officer) & Thelma Bristow (Deputy)_ The PCC has due regard to the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance. It has adopted the Church of England safeguarding policy statement ‘Promoting a Safer Church’. Ms. Deborah Lambert is our Parish Safeguarding Officer and Mrs. Thelma Bristow her Deputy. The Rev Paul Davies is the Safer Recruitment Officer. Those holding specified roles undertake the required safeguarding training and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are taken up as required. The Diocese has provided our online Parish Safeguarding Dashboard which is based on the requirements of the safeguarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops and the new Safeguarding Code. This involves the completion of various actions moving through three levels. Recently, the Diocese has also provided our online Parish Safeguarding Hub. This stores personal information relating to DBS disclosures and training certificates and complies with Data Protection regulations. Further information about safeguarding, including how to report a concern, is available on our website and on the noticeboard at the back of the church. Together we can ensure everyone is welcome and included and feels safe. ## _**Risk Management**_ As St Mary’s is below the audit threshold under the Charities SORP regulations, we are not required to report, neither are we reporting on risk management. Nevertheless, a risk management policy has been adopted in 2026. A health and safety policy is implemented and is monitored regularly to ensure compliance. ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** ## **Item 5.1** ## **Church attendance** During 2025 the Electoral Roll was completely renewed with the new membership standing at 42. Usual Sunday attendance was monitored on the first four Sundays in October 2025 and found to be on average 42.25 adults and 11.25 children. On the first Sunday of the month the Holy Communion was livestreamed allowing a virtual attendance to those following from home or afar. Numbers of viewers at the time continue to be quite small, but the broadcast remains accessible for a month attracting further views and helping to maintain a presence on social media. Shorter posts and bursts of streaming seem to attract as much or more engagement with a wider congregation offering some insight on how we should develop this output. APCM 2026 Page 8 Attendance at Easter was 150 (with 51 communicants), a significant increase on the previous year, and at Christmas 247 (with 77 communicants), which was just about the same as the previous year. Daily morning and evening prayer continued (except during the rector’s period of sabbatical from mid-August to mid-November) and also offered opportunities for attendance and richer pastoral engagement. Occasional offices numbered 34 baptisms, 8 confirmations, 1 silver wedding service and 22 funerals (10 of them held in the church). Messy Church was held on 5 occasions on the school premises on a Wednesday afternoon after the end of lessons. The arrangement of sessions is subject to the school timetable so cannot be strictly monthly, and fewer were planned in 2025 taking account of the rector’s absence during the autumn. Attendance is between 20 and 30 adults and children. ## **Item 5.2** ## **Proceedings of the PCC – The Year in Brief** The full PCC met six times in 2025 in alternate months to conduct its business. A standing committee comprising the Rector, Associate Rector, Churchwardens, Secretary, Treasurer and Safeguarding Officer met five times to prepare the agenda and follow up agreed actions. Subcommittees of the PCC, which sometimes include other members of the congregation, met to pursue fundraising for the Lantern Appeal, to make low-level decisions and provide liaison with the architect and contractors on the Lantern Community Centre, to promote and oversee EcoChurch aspirations, to develop a strategy for the updating of sound and livestreaming systems and identify suitable equipment, and to nominate Charity of the Month causes. There have been membership changes during the year as specified above, with 13 members since the retirement of Dennis Moor (Reader with PTO) who had been co-opted. Regular attendance at meetings has been 78%. At each meeting the PCC receives reports from each of its officers and subcommittees, considers safeguarding, health and safety matters and notes updates from deanery and diocese, also determining how much of its income should be offered to the diocesan common purse to support ministry and mission in the wider church. It has discussed and adopted a number of policies during the year, namely Bullying and Harassment, and Risk Management, in addition to the Church of England Safeguarding policy it is required to implement. In addition the following matters were discussed: upgrade of lightning protection system, security at the Lantern Centre, storage of church keys, proposed replacement of vestry carpet, energy survey, appointment of a new Electoral Roll Officer, review of MCK Christmas Tree Festival, advertising banner at Horns Cross, the continued storage of items from the former church hall, sabbatical arrangements during the rector’s absence, the licensing of Kathryn Swanston to officiate at funerals, consultation on the withdrawal of the Listed Places of Worship VAT reimbursement scheme, provision of safeguarding training, planning for the electrical and quinquennial fabric inspections. ## **Item 5.3** ## **Financial Review** – _Dianne Adair (Treasurer)_ Total receipts, on ordinary unrestricted funds were £46031 and are detailed in the financial statements. £57042 was spent to provide the Christian ministry from St Mary’s Church. The net result for the year was an excess of expenditure over income of (£10391) (inc. an unrealised small gain on investments), but adding bank and deposit balances brought forward at the beginning of the year, the balance carried forward at 31 December for unrestricted funds totalled £2742. Our Parish Offer for 2025 was £28303 which was paid together with the additional shortfall from previous year of £5730 making a total of 34033 for 2025. APCM 2026 Page 9 Continuing our programme of special collections supporting a few charities on a regular basis, we were able to donate the sum of £1,484. Charities included World Vision, A Rocha, Kent Wildlife, Clink, Clergy Support Trust, MIND, Poverty & Hope and The Children’s Society. We have also continued supporting ‘in kind’, i.e. MCK, Parish Pantry, Harvest gifts, etc. Efforts have continued to seek grants to enable the continuation of building works on The Lantern Community Centre. As reported last year we have received a grant from Stone Parish Council, in addition we have also received grants from the Benefact Trust and Catalent Micron Technologies. There have also been some generous donations received from members of the congregation and local business. We are hopeful that the next phase of works, which will be the completion of the lower area together with first fix in the main hall, will start in the spring together with the outstanding snagging work. We will then pay the final invoice for the first phase of works. However, this will use nearly all the funds raised so far. We are waiting to hear if our bids for further grants have been accepted which will go towards the final phase. Currently there are six regular donors who give each month. Other fundraising events will continue to be held, and it is not too late to make a donation. It should also be noted that we are responsible for insuring the building which currently is being paid from our General Fund. We very much appreciate the help and support not only from the Diocese, but our other supporters who are eager to see this project completed. Currently there are four people who regularly contribute to the Building Fund, which stands at £6046. This fund enables us to carry out unexpected repairs as well as those works highlighted in the Quinquennial inspection. It also helps if we need to apply for more major funding for projects to show that we do have some funds of our own. Works to the Lightning Conductor system were completed with the help of a grant from the Diocese and our Building Fund. If you would like to support the Building Fund work, or know of anyone who might prefer to give money to support a Grade 1 listed building, I would be very pleased to hear from you. It is so important that if you do give to St Mary’s Church that it is given regularly and the best way is to do this via your bank (standing order, direct debit, BACS). This means that you can continue to support the work that we do ‘for Christ’s Sake’ in this parish and that it is not affected by your absence for whatever reason. I am very pleased to report that a good number of our regular congregation now give in this way and I can only recommend this to you. We have also introduced the use of a card reader in church and QR codes are available, both in church and on our Facebook page. We are also continuing to monitor expenditure and reducing it wherever possible. It is important for us to thank all of you who give so generously to the church both financially and in so many other ways. ## Reserves Policy - It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds which are the free reserves of the charity, at a level which equates to approximately two months unrestricted expenditure (i.e. £10,000). To achieve this we will aim to put £1,000 per year into reserves from income until that level is achieved. ## **Item 5.5** **Fabric, goods and ornaments** – _Lois Derham and Maureen Franke (Churchwardens)_ After some unnecessary delays a grant application for minor repairs was processed giving us the funds to proceed with the upgrade of the lightning protection system. The main elements of the work included the protection of the flagpole, being the highest point, and the interconnection of APCM 2026 Page 10 the various existing elements at both the west and east ends of the church so as to produce acceptable resistance readings. Standing on an exposed and with a history of having been struck by lightning before St Mary’s was vulnerable and the upgrade highly desirable. Last year’s report identified that we had a target of £95,000 to start fitting out the Lantern Community Centre. We are pleased to report that enough funds were raised by the end of 2025 to start the next phase to fit out the kitchen, the meeting room, the lobby area, the toilets and flooring throughout. We look forward to reporting this time next year that we have started opening the door of the Lantern Centre to use it! Thank you to everyone who has supported the monthly church cleaning on the first Saturday each month and also to those who helped with the annual deep clean, within the building, during Lent. We liaise with Dartford Borough Council, and the Eco-church team re managing the mowing of the churchyard whilst respecting nature and the valuable growth of the plants that flower there, including daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops and buttercups, whilst encouraging other wildlife to ‘visit’. Thank you to everyone who, in addition to those involved in the projects identified above, carry out any maintenance of the building, inside and outside, all year round as needed. With our congregation steadily growing we would like to encourage anyone to step forward to share their skills and experience, or to learn new skills and gain new experience, in different areas within the church such as those areas identified within this Annual Report including, for example, as an assistant Church Warden! Please do speak to either of us for more information whatever you are considering. ## **Item 5.6** ## **Deanery Synod** – _Dianne Adair (Representative to Deanery Synod)_ Swanscombe Deanery comprising St Mary Greenhithe with St Peter and St Paul, Swanscombe; St Botolph’s and St Marks, Northfleet; St Barnabas, Instead Rise; St Nicholas, Southfleet; St Mary the Virgin, Stone. The first meeting was held at the Church Centre in Swanscombe on 25[th] Jan 2025 and each church introduced their representatives and gave a brief resume about their church. The new Area Dean Rev Charlie Lloyd-Evans gave an update on the Ebbsfleet Anglican Project. This was formed several years ago to consider the development at Ebbsfleet and the proposed new Alkerden school. We discussed our vision and aspirations as a new Deanery. We had a joint meeting with Gravesend Deanery on 2[nd] April 2025 at St Mary the Virgin, Chalk and The Bishop of Rochester, The Rt Revd Dr Jonathan Gibbs, attended to commission the new Area Dean of Gravesend. The Bishop spoke about the Diocesan Vision and Strategy project and that the National church had given £11 million pounds to be used for projects in our parishes, revitalising struggling churches, leadership development and a new church at Ebbsfleet. He said how important our parish churches are. A celebration and commissioning of the new Deanery was held on 8[th] June at St Peter & St Paul’s with the Bishop of Rochester. Our meeting on 15th October 2025 took place at the new Church of England Alkerden Academy, where we were able to tour the new facility and were given an update by the Co-Head, Laura Carey. The school when finished will take children from 3 to 18 years. It is planned that a combined chaplain for the school and missioner in the area will be appointed for a 3yr period. Called Together Vision: A working group has been formed and updates will follow. Our meeting on 5 February 2026 was held at St Botolph’s, Northfleet and Kayleigh Ward, the Diocesan Net Zero Advisor spoke to us about her role in promoting Diocesan plans to achieve net zero by 2030. Discussion followed about how churches were tackling this issue. The independent energy audit was recommended as a way forward in identifying ways to save money and be eco-friendly. APCM 2026 Page 11 ## **Item 5.7** ## **Matters of parochial or general Church interest** – _Kenneth Clark (Rector)_ Beginning with personal matters which may be of wider interest, I was offered the dignity of Honorary Canon at the beginning of 2025 and was given a stall to sit in at Rochester Cathedral in March. Not being one to enjoy honours without making some kind of return I tried to build into my weekly timetable at least one visit to the cathedral to join in evening prayer. This led to an unplanned invitation. Between August and November I was given the privilege of extended leave or “sabbatical” for three months, my second such break during my incumbency at Stone. The purpose of such leave is to rest and refocus on God’s calling, and it can often become the prelude to a new direction in ministry. Hence for parishes not seeking change it can be a source of nervousness. Even so, a break from the regular incumbent can be wholesome for a parish too. I am hugely grateful to my colleagues Paul Davies and Kathryn Swanston who oversaw the entirety of my absence and officiated at all the services during it, except for a short period of holiday time in October. Change has come but not quite as I expected it. I was invited to apply for a part time post as Residentiary Canon at Rochester Cathedral and during the sabbatical I was not only interviewed but formally installed, making me since November 2025 a member of the Chapter or governing body of the cathedral. This is a duty I hold alongside my continuing responsibility as Rector, and it is voluntary and unpaid. In practice it means that I devote one day a week (Friday) to being at the cathedral which is the “residentiary” part of the title. However, at my desk there I am frequently planning Sundays or school assemblies at Stone, so the dividing lines are not so clear cut. Whilst it might appear that the parish is getting less of my time it is a great credit to Stone that it supports a ministry team that is able to be useful and helpful on the broader scene. Paul and I are regularly asked to preside at services in churches where there are no clergy or lay ministers and we rely significantly on Kathryn who has taken on the supervision and organisation of Messy Church. We are also able to share the load of pastoral work with Maureen Franke, who as Anna Chaplain has a special ministry towards the elderly, and a visiting team that includes Thelma Bristow, Janet Gardiner, Robin Hergest and Deborah Lambert. We seek to develop our ministry profile, sharing out tasks appropriately as our congregation members respond to God’s calling, and in the pages of this report you will see the frequent invitation to volunteer. It was announced at the very end of the year that from June 2026 we are to receive a new curate, Ian Packer, who will move to Dartford upon his ordination as a deacon. This is a mark of the trust placed in Stone as a healthy and stable environment in which a new clergyman can train. We very much look forward to Ian’s arrival with his family and it is planned that he will remain with us for three years. At the same time as we acknowledge arrivals it is important to note those who have left, and at Pentecost the time came to allow Dennis Moor properly to step back from St Mary’s. Over more than 20 years he has freely contributed in substantial ways to the ministry of the church, travelling the distance from home in West Wickham. It was fitting that the Bishop should confer on him the status of Reader Emeritus which is not bestowed on every retiring Reader. We were saddened to lose from our earthly fellowship John Woods, who joined the church choir after singing in a variety of choirs and choral groups all his life but said of his membership here that it was like coming home. Very fitting. And then shockingly at the end of May came the death of Martin Trumble. Martin’s impact on so many people was honoured by a capacity crowd at his funeral. We think of him as former churchwarden, a key member of the PCC and of our Lantern APCM 2026 Page 12 Centre project group, and as a kind and generous friend who combined joviality and broadmindedness with compassion and a practical concern for anyone in need. Progress on the Lantern Community Centre has been described elsewhere in these reports, but it remains _the_ key priority for this church and its completion creeps closer. It is extraordinary that, in a societal climate which is so inhospitable to traditional religion and indifferent at best, St Mary’s is not only holding its own but is actually growing. I returned from sabbatical to find lots of new people to introduce myself to, and major grants made towards the Lantern Appeal, prompting quips that I should go away more often! In the midst of our culture wars, the Anglican tradition still represents moderation, sanity and a better way where people can engage with one another in an exercise of love rather than hate. The Church of England is full of inherited wisdom about modesty and forgiveness, but it is also bold enough to change its ways given that forward is the only way to go. Nothing illustrates this better than the announcement in October 2025 that the next Archbishop of Canterbury would be Sarah Mullaly, the first woman in 1400 years to hold the office. History in the making… in our lifetime. ## _**Other Reports**_ ## **MCK Mary’s Child Kent** – _Thelma Bristow_ Once again MCK owes a huge debt to all those volunteers who week by week give their time to helping those who have need of our help, especially Maureen, Janet and Lois who supervise the Open Afternoons here at St Mary’s and those who regularly deliver food to those unable to collect it for themselves. Thanks, are also due to local schools who donate their harvest gifts, those who donate food regularly, and local businesses and organisations who have funded our work. In addition to our regular work helping local families in need, Food and Fun sessions took place in most school holidays and we were able to send out Christmas food parcels to families who would have difficulty providing treats at this time. Especially valued is the legal advice we are able to offer along with internet access. Last year the Christmas tree festival was held at both the St Mary’s Churches and at Swanscombe and will almost certainly become an annual event. Please continue to pray for the work of Mary’s Child, for Jude our Operations Manager and for all those families who turn to us for help. ## **Eco-church** – _Kathryn Swanston_ St. Mary’s is proud to be an Eco-church, a scheme to enable churches, cathedrals, dioceses, and the equivalent in other denominations, to demonstrate how the gospel is good news for God’s earth. Eco-church is run by a charity called A Rocha UK. The vision is to create a vast network of churches as local centers of creation and care in the community. As an Eco-church St. Mary’s is committed to caring for God’s earth in five key areas of church life; worship and teaching, management of the church’s buildings, management of the church’s land, in community and global engagement and through the actions that we take in our individual lives. An Eco-church board can be found inside church and is regularly updated with information and advice across these areas. We also share Eco-church news on the church website, social media and in the pew sheets. During 2025 a land management plan, based upon guidance from Eco-church resources, was supported and approved by the PCC. This includes mowing schedules for the churchyard and wildlife conservation actions. The plan will be reviewed annually. During 2025, we put together a seven-stop journey for Lent entitled ‘Focus on Creation’. A series of posters to help bring focus APCM 2026 Page 13 to the suffering of the natural world was displayed both outside and inside the church. We also created another thought-provoking Eco-church Christmas tree as part of the MCK Christmas Tree Festival. We continued our recycling efforts by including collection points in church for soft plastic, candlewax, plastic milk carton caps, stamps and coins and we also took part in and promoted a number of citizen science projects connected to conservation. Although our annual carbon footprint is currently very small, we offset this by making a small donation to the charity Climate Stewards. The funds for this are achieved through donations from church members. Current members of the Eco-church steering group are Thelma Bristow, Paul Davies, Maggie Jarvis, Jon-Kyle Koenck, Nicola Shipp and Kathryn Swanston. We would like to thank everyone for supporting Eco-church so enthusiastically. Having achieved the Bronze Award in November 2021 and the Silver Award in October 2022, our vision is to make the significant step up to the Gold Eco-church Award and we continue our endeavours in that direction. ## **Mothers’ Union, Stone Branch** – _Jeanne Hoadley (MU Branch Treasurer)_ The Events in our programme over the last twelve months included Corporate Communion, socials and prayer/bible study which were held in church and members houses. The meetings covered The Story of Noah and God making a promise not to destroy all living things on earth again. On one occasion we met in the churchyard to have an outdoor communion which Kathryn led and spoke about the work that A Rocha does. Sharon hosted and welcomed us to an evening where we discussed and put our thoughts about Mark Ch10, and Kathryn spoke about the work of St Francis of Assisi. Lois hosted at her home where we took a personal item and talked about what it meant to us and linked to God. Dianne hosted a Christmas card making session and discussed what Christmas decorations we were going to make to put on our tree for the Christmas tree festival. Our last meeting of the year was communion and a bring-and-share held in the church. This gave us a chance to decorate our Christmas tree for the festival. We currently have 8 members continuing the fellowship together. ## **Messy Church –** _Kathryn Swanston_ Messy Church is church but not as you probably know it. Messy Church is Christ-centered, for all ages and based upon creativity, hospitality and celebration. Messy Church is primarily designed for families who do not regularly belong to another church. There are 2500 Messy Churches across four continents, and all this is facilitated and supported by the charity Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF). A small group of volunteers from St. Mary’s host Stone Messy Church monthly during term time at Stone St Mary’s Primary School. Whilst we did take a short break during the Rector’s sabbatical during the Autumn term of 2025, Messy Church generally meets straight after school on about eight Wednesdays during the year. Stone Messy Church currently has approximately twenty members, that is children with their adults. Each gathering includes several Bible-themed craft activities (often messy), a worship celebration, prayers and a shared meal. Volunteers help with supervising crafts, preparing food, washing up, leading worship, setting and clearing up and /or chatting to families. A big thank you to our current volunteers for all that they do, especially to a number of new volunteers who joined the team in 2025. ## **Gemstones** – _Kate Stock_ It’s been a busy year for Gemstones, our Sunday school for 3–11-year-olds that meets during the Sunday morning communion service. The group has grown this year, with 4-6 children on a typical Sunday, but up to 9 children some weeks. We have been using the Roots material to follow the lectionary through the year (but not always the same Bible passages as the adults!). In 2025, we looked at the book of Acts and several of Paul’s letters, and we read some of Isaiah APCM 2026 Page 14 during Advent. We’ve enjoyed learning new songs and games, hearing and telling Bible stories, praying and doing lots of crafts. Thank you to everyone who has come to Gemstones this year, for helping to make it such a great group! Huge thanks to Jeanne for her tireless efforts co-leading Gemstones, and to all our helpers, especially Thelma and Ruth. **Item 5.4** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Income from Church
GA (inc tax
activities inc Fee
recovered)
Income
7%
1% Misc
0%
Total giving
invest… 17%
Fundraising
5% Donations, Grants &
Appeals inc New
Church Room
68%
Charitable Giving Provision of Music Lantern CC fundraising
Expenditure from
(shown as % of all 2% 3% 4%
Designated &
exp) Misc…
Restricted funds
2%
30%
Gross PPS Costs
2%
Church maintenance
2%
Offer Scheme and
Clergy Exp
52%
**----- End of picture text -----**
APCM 2026 Page 15 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARYS STONE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTMnES For the year ending 31 Decemb•r 2025 TOTAL FUNDS 2025 2024 Fw•J• Fur 151 11￿4 14T842 10 149 2113 113124 161374 3017 Xll 77814 •0747 11247 472a84 4no 4730 ijo 1372WI 107WJ 2742 2101 241147 187 APCM 2026 Page 16 The notes on pages 17 to 22 form part of these accounts APCM 2026 Page 17 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, STONE Forlh• >wr•nd•d 31 D•Gwnl* X12S FUNDS APCM 2026 Page 18 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST IAARYS STONE Noto to th• Fln•n¢lal Statwn•nts For th• y••r •ndlng 31 D•c•mb•r W25 F￿r 34 •1• 1471Q I i) fnz 414 1•1174 1>01M APCM 2026 Page 19 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST IAARYS STONE Nots8 to the Flnancial Ststements Iconllnuad) Foy the y•ar endlng 31 December 2025 RESOURCES EXPENDED Fw Fw IJ2 IJ2 tJ12 lJ12 f414 Inknty.. oi1•¢￿h•rn* J172 OtPh•r chtyy ¢••l• Churrh. ruMIthg •xp•M Chuff¢h ffl•lDt•Tr Tff•lnln9 1031 1475 Oth•r Fund •xp•M 21•12 413136 •n* ¢hwg•• Th• L•ni•m Comfflunlty Cqnl TT114 trfsty*•rf•hlp >J17 J017 713.10 1&8.81 I￿58 [xWr￿in f801 214 e6 139 80 1477 12 APCM 2026 Page 20 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST IAARY8 STONE Fw 11•)21 a742 2J21 •1• G￿08 104 57NO APCM 2026 Page 21 PAROGHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARfs STONE Forth• y••i•ndkng 31 D•wthr2026 tJIO•¢ yehu￿h 41 f¢rl4brf¢ 4• ioi Yoth C￿b I￿p￿. ¥131 1431 74¥1 APCM 2026 Page 22 I repDrt to the chartty Meffibe￿ ofthe Pccon Oft￿ acrothitsofthe Charity ft>rthe year ended 31 December 2025. As C￿lrI￿5 Membersof Pccybu art rEspO￿l* for thè r**pa￿lOn ofthe accounts In accordante with the reqthmentsof the Charit*skt 2011 2011 •rt1. I report In re4*d of my examinaih)n of1￿ Ch*1￿$￿(0￿￿carred out ufftler Sec￿>￿ 145 of the 2011 Aci and In c•rryir¥ my ex•mknalknn I ft>th)¥bYd the apFlkab* Dktclh￿￿k+￿n by tl* Charity Crynmwion under sètlh)n 145(5Mbl ofthe 2011 *£L Your *tentknn1s drawn to ¢1* that the Owiity ha5 Wtpared tht actothtts kn •C£fjfdwK* T*Ath Accounting and Aeportlng by (￿r￿1￿ 5taternenl of RecOn*￿erthd Prxtice aFykcable to charit*s prepari1￿ their accounts in accwd•nce with the Thnancial Re￿1￿* StaThya￿ awlicable in the UK arrfl RepU￿1C of Ireland IFRS 1021 in prelerence to ttre kcounlirv4 and Rep￿tIr* tyOwritie5: Staterneni ol Recornrnended Prxtke bssued on I 21K15 T*hlth Is rnfeffed to In tre rel￿•1￿￿ I￿1 hos been Wh￿￿lI￿n. l understand that thls h•$ been don• kn ord•rlortl* K¢Othlts to pr￿￿￿¢ • •nd In c¢rdance wfth the Gèn•ralty Accèmèd pract￿ tffectw for reportin8 Per￿ts be8bnnl on orafter l January 2015. I havecompleied my exaMinat￿n. I cl￿firni that matters to nry *nt*yi *1 conrrtt*)n with the examinat*Jn gov1￿ me cause io tele* that in any matefial respert: l. Ac(ountlrv4 recoldswe￿ no¢ keo In respect of the Charlty aswlred ￿ sectk>n 130of t 2011 *£t,' or 2. accountsdo not •cuYd Th4th tlwxe We￿￿￿,. (ff 3. The accountsth) not c(rfnptywlth the aPFdkable wuYernerrts￿rKernW￿ forni and ontert of accounts sét out Sn the Charities I￿￿OUrt$ Reports) Re8ulaih)ns ￿ o than any requlrement that the accounts gbrt a Ir￿and wh*h • m•tter COn51dered as part of an lThJepeThlent eumihaik)h. I h•ve no concerns •nd uxne otrer **h the examknatkni to whlch attentlon sI￿uld be drawn In th15 reyt In orderto ena14o a proper ￿￿erst*￿dir¢0f the accounts to be reathed This report 15 madt solelyio the Charrfs Memt*rs ofthe PCC. as a IK4ty, in aCcOrda￿e with Part 4 of the Charit*5 (Accountsand Reportsl Regulatl￿15 2CI)8. My Wofk has been umlertaken so thjt I mw4ht state to the Charws M¢mbtrsof the PCC those m•ttews l am rtouired to rt•te to them bn In IvdepeTKlent Examinerfs Reporr and no other purFo3e. To the fthstextent permitted ty law. I do not accept or assume respon&bilrtyio artyyme oiher than the Charity aThl Cfvritys Mernber5 of the PCC as a body. lor my work orlorit#s iep Sv4ned.. 3W Stephen M F￿r FCA Datèd.. I￿/2026 Xeinadin Audit Limited APCM 2026 Page 23