## Parish of Rochester St Peter with St Margaret ## **ANNUAL REPORT 2021** 1 ## **Contents** |1.|Parish of Rochester Annual Report for 2021 - Introduction ................................................................ 3| |---|---| |2.|Minutes Of the Annual Meeting of Parishioners ................................................................................. 5| |3.|Vicar’s Report .................................................................................................................................... 7| |4.|Churchwarden’s report ....................................................................................................................... 8| |5.|Treasurer’s Report ............................................................................................................................. 8| |6.|PCC Secretary Report ....................................................................................................................... 9| |7.|Deanery Synod Representatives’ Report ......................................................................................... 11| |8.|Cluster Report .................................................................................................................................. 11| |9.|Churches Together In Medway ........................................................................................................ 12| |10.|Walsum Partnership ......................................................................................................................... 12| |11.|Buildings Report............................................................................................................................... 12| |12.|Congregational Giving Mission and Outreach .................................................................................. 13| |13.|Pastoral Care and Community Vision report. ................................................................................... 13| |14.|Electoral Roll Report ........................................................................................................................ 14| |15.|Supporting older people and people living with Dementia. ............................................................... 14| |16.|Dementia Friendly Worship and Anna Chaplaincy ........................................................................... 15| |17.|Caretaking ....................................................................................................................................... 15| |18.|Catering ........................................................................................................................................... 15| |19.|Eco Church ...................................................................................................................................... 15| |20.|Steeple Keeper’s Report .................................................................................................................. 16| |21.|Bellringing ........................................................................................................................................ 16| |22.|Parish Buildings Development Group ............................................................................................... 16| |23.|Family Ministry ................................................................................................................................. 17| |24.|Pancake day 2021 ........................................................................................................................... 17| |25.|Easter Walk ..................................................................................................................................... 17| |26.|Family Time and Toast ..................................................................................................................... 17| |27.|Flowers in Our Churches ................................................................................................................. 18| |28.|Julia Hawkins and Lindsey Ward. .................................................................................................... 18| |29.|Stewardship Report ......................................................................................................................... 18| |30.|Prayer Ministry ................................................................................................................................. 19| |31.|St Margaret’s at Troy Town School (SMaTT) ................................................................................... 19| |32.|Other schools ................................................................................................................................... 19| |33.|Servers ............................................................................................................................................ 19| |34.|IT Report .......................................................................................................................................... 19| |35.|Music Report .................................................................................................................................... 20| |36.|Refreshments After Services............................................................................................................ 20| |37.|Welcomers ....................................................................................................................................... 21| |38.|Safeguarding Report ........................................................................................................................ 21| |39.|Social Committee ............................................................................................................................. 22| |40.|Independent Examiner’s Report ....................................................................................................... 23| |41.|Statement of Financial Activities ...................................................................................................... 25| |42.|Notes to the Financial Statements ................................................................................................... 27| |43.|Notes to the Financial Statements ................................................................................................... 29| |44.|Notes to the Annual Accounts .......................................................................................................... 30| 2 ## 1. Parish of Rochester Annual Report for 2021 - Introduction ## **Administrative Information** This report is for the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Rochester (the PCC), registered with the Charity Commission as charity number 1132260. The PCC is a body corporate, and the governing documents of the PCC are the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure (1956) as amended and the Church Representation Rules 2017. This report covers the period from 1[st] January 2021 to 31[st] December 2021. The Parish of Rochester is in the Church of England diocese of Rochester. The correspondence address is St Peter’s Church Parish Centre, Delce Road, Rochester, ME1 2EH. ## **Aims, Objectives and Activities of the PCC** The PCC is responsible for working with the incumbent, the Reverend Dr Joel Love, in promoting, in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of churches and other properties in the parish, which are currently: - The St Peter’s Church Parish Centre, Delce Road, Rochester - St. Margaret’s Church, St Margaret’s Street, Rochester - The Matthews Memorial Hall, Castle Avenue, Rochester - A residential property at Hathaway Court, The Esplanade, Rochester The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our churches and to enjoy full participation in the parish community. The PCC, through its committees and groups, maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions as to how our services can involve the any social groups that live within our parish. When planning our activities for the year, the incumbent and the PCC have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We try to deliver the responsibilities of the PCC in our parish community through, amongst other things: - Worship and prayer - Teaching and learning about God - Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish and those involved with the church - Mission and outreach work to our community and beyond - Working with other churches - Working with other community organisations for the benefit of the local area To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the buildings listed above. Please see all detailed reports in this annual report for information on how our activities are planned, managed and carried out. 3 ## **Structure, governance and management** The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At the Parish of Rochester, the PCC consists of the incumbent (the vicar), an ordinand, a Licenced Lay Minister, the two churchwardens elected at the Annual Meeting of Parishioners, and two Deanery Synod representatives and nine ordinary members elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Three deputy churchwardens, and honorary treasurer and an honorary secretary are appointed by the PCC and may be co-opted to the PCC if they are not already elected members. All those who attend our services or are otherwise involved in the life of the church are encouraged to register on the electoral roll. ## **PCC Members During 2021** ## Ex Officio Members (throughout 2021 unless otherwise noted) The Reverend Dr Joel Love (Vicar) The Reverend Ade Lawal (Associate Priest) July – October Mr Peter Cornell (Churchwarden) Mr Douglas Seth-Smith (Churchwarden) Mrs Angela Cornell (Deanery Synod Representative) Mr Michael O’Connor (Deanery Synod Representative) ## Elected Members serving until April 2021 Mrs Lindsay Ward ## Elected Members serving throughout 2021 Mr Aidan Dooley Mrs Pam Moss (Deputy Churchwarden) Mr Stuart Pearson (Deputy Churchwarden) Mr David Porter Mr John Portman (Deputy Churchwarden) Mrs Bonnie Chandler Mr Alex Sime ## Elected Members serving from April 2021 Mrs Joy Wilson 4 ## 2. Minutes Of the Annual Meeting of Parishioners Held at St Peter’s Church and on Zoom, on Sunday on Sunday 25[th] April 2021 ## Election of Officers Churchwardens (Charity Trustees) for one year only 1. Douglas Seth-Smith Proposed by Pam Moss, Seconded by Jayne Pearson 2. Peter Cornell Proposed by Jayne Pearson, Seconded by Pam Moss Both carried unanimously. Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting Held at St Peter’s Church and on Zoom simultaneously On Sunday 25[th] April 2021 **1. Apologies.** These were again waived this year due to the coronavirus pandemic as many people could not join either by person or by Zoom. ## **Present –** in church Rev Joel Love (chair), Monica Aldridge, Michael O’Connor, Douglas Seth -Smith, Christine SethSmith, Miriam Evans, Tina Evans, Corrigan McGuire, David Porter, John Portman, Joy Wilson, Aidan Dooley, Miriam Dooley, Peter Cornell, Angie Cornell. ## **Present –** via Zoom Julia Hawkins, Pam Moss, Alan Moss, Sally Bragg, Nicky Timlick, Avril Sime, Jayne Vousden, Bonnie Chandler, Mary Jeffreys, Rachel Pearce, Gordon Millar, Stuart Pearson, Jayne Pearson. ## **2. Minutes of the last meeting** These were agreed as a true record. ## **3. Matters Arising** None ## **4. Election of PCC Members** Joy Wilson Proposed by Monica Aldridge Seconded by Stuart Pearson David Porter Proposed by Jayne Pearson Seconded by Monica Aldridge Aidan Dooley Proposed by Peter Cornell Seconded by John Portman ## **5. Election of Independent Examiner** Michael O’Connor proposed that Rob Trice continue, seconded by Angie Cornell. Carried unanimously. ## **6. Reports** All reports were handed in on time, a very unusual occurrence. Joel added to his report that there will be a memorial service later this year when it is safe to do so for all those who have died over the past year. Pop-In. Pam, Margaret and Jacqui have decided not to continue to run Pop-In when things open up again. Joel gave a vote of thanks for her 30 years of dedicated service to running it. Julia asked that 5 we should give her some sort of recognition when we can, and Bonnie asked if people whose lives had been reached by Pop In could contribute to it. Avril offered to help in the future with Pop In. Peter also thanked those who had been running Neighbours for 40 years, including the editorial team, those who helped with the Crease and those who delivered it. Joel also thanked the Safeguarding team – Nicky Timlick, Martin Bament and Kevin Holloway for their work. Joel said that the PCC is doing a Called to Grow campaign where we can see how we can all help our community grow. There are 74 people on the electoral roll, one more than last year. ## **7. A.O.B.** Pam Moss thanked Joel for all he has done over the last year under very difficult circumstances and thanked Jayne for keeping things going in the office. Corrigan asked about the future of Neighbours but it was explained that this would be looked at in the future. Christine asked about reading a list of names of those who had died, but these were not to hand and they will be read out at a later memorial service. Date of next APCM TBA – probably next April The 20-minute meeting ended with The Grace. 6 ## 3. Vicar’s Report 2021 began with new variants of Covid-19 and a spike in funerals in January and February. In total, we took 18 funerals during the year, 4 of which took place in Church. There were two weddings and no baptisms. We held a memorial service in November for everyone who had died in the last three years. We used a grant from 2020 to train a number of volunteers in the Acorn Christian listening model and we hope to offer a listening service from early 2022, with a special focus on those who have been bereaved. We were able to worship in Church throughout 2021, with numbers gradually increasing in line with our Covid risk assessments. We returned to the pattern of 1[st] , 3[rd] , and 5[th] Sundays at St Peter’s and 2[nd] and 4[th] Sundays at St Margaret’s. It was a joy to hear the newly renovated organ at St Margaret’s being played again. When the technology allowed, we livestreamed our Parish Eucharists on Zoom with people also being able to watch them on YouTube afterwards. A huge thank you to Michael and his team of volunteers for making this happen. Thank you also to Rachel Pearce for coordinating our daily prayer intentions and posting them on the WhatsApp group and to Pam Moss for her work behind the scenes with the prayer chain. Alan Moss and John Noakes kept the website updated with weekly notices, sermons, and intercessions. Our services have been advertised through local magazine _It’s the Biz_ . Revd Joel created a parish Instagram account and a mailing list for sending out regular email updates using MailChimp. If you are not on this list, please let Joel know. Communication remains an issue for us as we look for new ways to connect with the thousands of people who live in our parish and let them know that they are invited to our many activities. We tried several new initiatives in 2021: - St Margaret’s Community Weekend in July, including Shakespeare in the churchyard from Play on Words Theatre Company, an exhibition of local artists’ work, and an open day with reflective walks and tower visits. - Rochester Local Heroes in October, with over 70 nominations and an award ceremony at St Margaret’s. - Family Time & Toast as a way to reconnect with our young families. Ruth, Rachel, Bonnie, Derrick and others have helped to make this happen. - ‘Carols in the Carpark’ at St Peter’s on Christmas Eve. Ruth Pyrke, our ordinand on placement, announced in November that she will be joining us as our curate from August 2022. We are thankful for the impact she has already had, and we look forward to her developing ministry among us. In June, Joel was licensed as priest in charge of our neighbouring cluster parish of Borstal St Matthew, in addition to his role as vicar of Rochester St Peter & St Margaret. Revd Ade Lawal was licensed as associate vicar in July to work collaboratively with Joel. She was already well known across the cluster, and especially to the BCP congregation at St Margaret’s. Unfortunately, Ade died at home on 14 October. Ade’s ministry made a big impact and across the cluster and she is missed. Covid continued to take its toll in 2021 and at Christmas Revd Joel tested positive. Thank you to everyone who stepped in to cover services and events, and a big apology for everything that had to be changed or cancelled at the last minute. On the plus side, we have welcomed new people at both Churches, and we are looking for opportunities to grow. Expect to hear a lot more about our Called to Grow vision and the Five Marks of Mission in 2022. Revd Joel and several members of our congregation are involved with ‘A Seat at the Table’ which meets at Rochester Cathedral every other month. This is a worshipping community of explicit welcome for LGBTQIA+ people and allies and is in keeping with our parish values of welcome and inclusion, community, worship, and spiritual growth. Joel is also involved with the campaigning group Movement of Supporting Anglicans for an Inclusive Church (MOSAIC) and was appointed by Bishop James as diocesan chaplain to the ongoing _Living in Love and Faith_ process. In October Joel was elected to represent the diocese at the General Synod of the Church of England. Revd Joel also gives his time to the Bishop’s Certificate course which trains Licensed Lay Ministers (like Christine) at West Malling, and to the training and supervising of spiritual directors. In 2021, Joel led a film 7 quiet day at the centre for spirituality at 65 Maidstone Road in Chatham and also showed the film to some men from our congregation. Expect more film nights in 2022…! A huge thank you to Jayne Pearson and Monica Aldridge for their ongoing technical and administrative support as well as the work they do behind the scenes, and their reliable friendly welcome. Also, to our Churchwardens and deputies, and Michael O’Connor our treasurer. Thanks also to Christine Seth Smith, Lindsay Llewellyn-MacDuff, Mark Ball, Neil Thompson, Alan Le Grys, and Helen Burn and Adam Pyrke from St Justus, all of whom have taken services for us in 2021. Rev Joel Love ## 4. Churchwarden’s report When reflecting on this last year the first thing that came to mind was the joyful welcoming and so shortly afterwards the sad departure of Revd Ade Lawal. I had known Ade through work for a number of years before she started to support our church and subsequently join as Assistant Minister. She was always friendly, supportive and dedicated and had the most infectious laugh. May she rest in peace. We will miss her. It has been another year of dealing with the pandemic and all that that has thrown at us, but it has been a joy to be able to return to church to worship in person. It is especially good to see Family Time back so thank you to all those involved in making that happen. I feel for those who have not been able for whatever reason to come to the services and hope that we will be seeing you again very soon. I am so glad that we have had the ability to stream our services to reach some of those who have remained at home but appreciate that there are still some who have continued to miss being together for worship and fellowship. The worst of the pandemic is, it would seem, behind us but it has been an unpredictable virus and we sadly cannot be certain it will not return. We must therefore continue to pray that the amazing work the scientists have done with vaccines will be enough to keep the worst of the effects at bay and enable us to return to something like our normal ways. Thank you to the Churchwarden team for their continued dedication and hard work and to the Welcomers for managing under difficult circumstances. Thank you also to all those who keep the church going, the tea makers, those who clean and tidy, the flower arrangers, Derrick our Caretaker, Mary for the music, Jayne for all the administration work, Michael for keeping our finances in order, and to the committee members whose work is seldom seen but is vital. It takes many people with a variety of talents to make our church what it is so please. whatever _your_ talent please consider using it to help the running of your church. We are all of course indebted to Joel and Christine as our Licenced Ministers for all the work that they do and to all those who help and support us by stepping in to lead services. We look forward to welcoming Ruth as our Curate later this year after enjoying her talents and enthusiasm during her placement with us. Finally, thank you for being part of God’s family and part of our family. I pray that you all continue to live your lives in the joy of Christ and be a witness to His love for us all. Peter Cornell ## 5. Treasurer’s Report ## **Financial Review** The cash balance on the general account at the beginning of the period was £15,685. Total receipts on unrestricted funds (excluding income from the Listed Places of Worship scheme which was recovering VAT on expenditure on the organ refurbishment at St Margaret’s) amounted to £72,107 (down £6,236 from 2020 and £31,231 or 30% from 2019). Gift aid recovered accounted for £5,755 (down from £7,242 in 2020). The freehold property at Hathaway Court which the PCC lets to private tenants provided a gross income of £14,461 over the year which is at the upper end of the range of income expectation. A total of £79,390 was spent from unrestricted funds to provide the Christian ministry in the parish, in all its forms. This included a parish offer to the diocese of £35,000 (down from £47,206 in 2020). The parish offer provides for (amongst other things) stipends, housing and training for the clergy, and funding of diocesan 8 activities (including a contribution to the national Anglican Church). The cash balance on the general account at the end of the period was £7,013. During 2021 the PCC received the Independent Examiner’s management letter for 2020 and this contained no reservations about the state or management of the parish finances. ## **Reserves Policy** It is the PCC’s policy to maintain a balance of unrestricted reserve funds which equates to at least six months unrestricted payments during a typical year, which is approximately £65,000. It is held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and to meet emergencies. In 2021, £10,000 was spend from reserves to fund the deficit created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and a similar value is forecast for 2022. It is clear that if income does not return to normal levels this can only be sustained for a short while before significant restructuring will be needed. ## **Conclusions** The parish finances in 2021 continued to be negatively affected by the pandemic. For a second year, fundraising events were severely restricted. The overall deficit in 2021 was £18,672, of which £10,000 was funded from reserves and the remainder from the general account. The PCC chose to set a deficit budget for 2021, to retain the employments of the parish’s three part time staff and to provide a parish offer of £35,000 to help the Diocese of Rochester with its budgetary challenges. This approach is not sustainable in the longer term in the absence of a recovery in income. We continue to be most grateful for all donations received, but particularly for regular giving by standing order and other regular giving schemes because this provides a firm basis for financial planning. In addition, the Friends of the Churches of St Margaret of Antioch & St Peter provide continuing support, without which we would not be able to fund major projects, for example the restoration of the organ at St Margaret’s. There are signs of recovery, and several of our usual hall and church hirers have returned to normal activities and we look forward to a better year in 2022 when we hope to resume many activities which not only raise funds but also of themselves form part of the mission of the Church. If you are able, please support these events however you can, with time, money, effort and ideas. ## Michael O’Connor ## 6. PCC Secretary Report ## **January** Our PCC meetings continued to be held on Zoom. The 2021 budget was approved by the PCC. It was proposed that we sell the Matthew Memorial Hall as it costs more for its upkeep than revenue. There are many hurdles to face but this will be put in motion. Bishop James granted a dispensation regarding services and Holy Communion until 17[th] February but we will ask him to extend it until 28[th] March inclusive (Palm Sunday). We will be doing a Zoom Lent course. It was brought to our attention that St Peter’s School had won the Medway district award for best home school literacy initiative, so a letter of congratulations from the PCC was sent to the school. ## **March** A letter was sent to Meronden Designs regarding the glass at St Margaret’s. The organ refurbishment is going to plan. It was proposed that church re-opens on Easter day, which is the end of the extension of the Bishop’s dispensation, with a maximum of 12 people in the congregation, and to be reviewed in May. Masks, hand sanitisers, track and trace and social distancing all to be observed. The services will continue to be put out on Zoom and You Tube. 9 Pam and Alan asked for help with cleaning the brass ready for Easter. ## **May** It was decided to send reminders to Meronden and also a letter to the diocese regarding the Goodwin legacy. It was agreed that numbers at church should be raised from 12 to 30, to be reviewed on 21[st] June, and a Bring and Share lunch at St Peter’s for the patronal festival there, and an open day at St Margaret’s for that patronal festival. The hall will be available for hirers as from the end of July, and the Dementia café will recommence in July. Hirers will each have to do their own risk assessments. It was agreed that we send a donation for Bishop James’s retirement gift. ## **July** A final letter will be sent to Meronden as their response was not satisfactory. Numbers for church services will remain the same, as will the wearing of masks etc. This will be reviewed in September. Ade will be our assistant priest. Ruth Pyrke has been offered the position of curacy with us when she has finished her training. We will be holding an awards ceremony in October in conjunction with The Biz for people nominated for helping people out over the last year. ## **September** Safeguarding training will begin again in October. The organ work has been paid for and we have applied for a grant for video and audio equipment. Social distancing will be eased a little for services and we will resume the normal custom of having services at St Margaret’s on 2[nd] and 4[th] Sundays and numbers will be increased to 60. As usual any changes will be discussed at the Standing Committee. Services will continue to be live streamed. Richard Coyle has stood down from Mission and Outreach and for the moment this is now under the umbrella of the PCC. We will be having a Family Time “breakfast” service on the first Sunday of the month at St Peter’s. It was decided to go ahead with the Toy Service (online donations again), the Carol Service and Midnight Mass. ## **November** Joel was absent from this meeting as he was attending the General Synod. Lay assistants will be re-licensed. It was decided that up to 80 people could attend services, with up to 150 at the Carol service which will be ticketed, and also Midnight Mass. Masks are still recommended, and Track and Trace will continue. Refreshments after services will recommence next week. Douglas is getting information about getting the monuments at St Margaret’s repaired. Ruth Pyrke has agreed to have her curacy with us. General Information. Covid safety was discussed at every PCC meeting regarding the wearing of masks, social distancing, track and trace recording etc for the safety of everyone, especially the vulnerable. Monica Aldridge 10 ## 7. Deanery Synod Representatives’ Report In 2021, there were two meetings of the Rochester Deanery Synod. In the May 4[th] meeting: Training Opportunities for Recovery Phase: Within the three Deaneries we have run training courses together before and this was discussed. In Rochester Deanery a course called The Wellbeing Journey was running currently which included eight groups from four churches. St. John’s Chatham: A video tour of the work that has been undertaken at St. John’s and this was shared with everyone. March Diocesan Synod Feedback: There was a report on the Called Together strategic review. Bishop Simon and his team are reviewing this, and their re-focussed priority is 5 Marks of Mission: Enabling, Helping, Supporting, Energising and Protecting. The national Church of England strapline is “Simpler, humbler, bolder”. There was a discussion on a covenant for clergy care and wellbeing. Each Diocesan Synod will pass a motion and adopt a covenant. There was a Diocesan finance update and, as expected, the finances continue to experience a downturn. The Vacancy in See was discussed and there will probably not be a new bishop in place until the summer of 2022. There was a Safeguarding update - as a result of the IICSA report there will be an emphasis on listening more to victims. The Bishop’s lead of Safeguarding will become a 3 yearly rotating post held by the Archdeacons. Taste and See: This is a Deanery Mission event that was agreed ages ago and planned for October 2020 but has been on hold during the pandemic. In the 20[th ] October meeting: - Claire Boxall to talked about the latest developments in Called Together. - Some time was spent in small groups, sharing ideas, hopes and prayers - New standing committee members were elected - Updates were given on the General Synod and Diocesan Synod - A further update was provided on progress with building work at St. John’s, where, in summary, much work has been done, but much remains to be done. ## Michael O’Connor ## 8. Cluster Report The Cluster and Without Walls committees have been meeting every 2 months during the last year initially via Zoom but since September in person (finally!!) Our usual agenda is to discuss events, issues and areas where we might mutually support each other so that we can continue to maintain the close relationship between our congregations and leadership. Although some activities including cluster wide Dementia work have been somewhat curtailed these are now beginning to open up again and there have been some fantastic online courses over recent months including ones relating to Wellbeing, Living in Love and Faith, Science and Faith, Bible course and others. Without Walls has still managed to support a couple of trips run by Emma Gates for underprivileged families and we are very grateful to Aidan and Miriam for providing a number of free tickets to their Christmas show. Without Walls raises money from various fund-raising bodies to support specific projects so if you do have some thoughts regarding an event, some equipment or other idea that might need some backing then please don't hesitate to discuss this with myself, Joel or Jo. Gary Ward 11 ## 9. Churches Together In Medway Churches Together in Medway have had a relatively quiet couple of years due to the pandemic restricting gatherings, but a lot has still been going on behind the scenes. Church Leaders Breakfasts are now back on as are the Leaders Prayer meetings. The regular and popular Saints Alive was held as an open meeting and attracted a good crowd, for the first time this was not held in the Cathedral because of the increasing costs. The Christmas Connect Event at the KICC also went ahead with support from CTIM. Peter Cornell ## 10. Walsum Partnership The ‘big group’ visit from Walsum (originally scheduled for April 2020) was postponed again. It is not clear when or if this will happen in the way we were accustomed to in pre-Covid times. Similarly, the ‘small group’ retreat did not happen in 2020 or 2021. Instead, members from both Rochester and Walsum have been meeting online for evening prayer and conversation on a monthly basis. There have been several changes of personnel in Walsum Aldenrade: Pastors Austen & Ulla have retired but remain involved, while Pastor Sabine Gradtke has retired and moved away. A new pastor called Sabine Roeser-Blase has joined Andreas Mann and the two of them have been sending out weekly reflections by email throughout the pandemic. It is unclear when and how the link will re-emerge post Covid. Revd Joel is in contact with Andreas about this. Rev Joel Love ## 11. Buildings Report Our two Church buildings continue to be used for worship and other activities when Covid rules have allowed this to happen. However, regular working parties have not been possible for most of the pandemic. The brass in both churches has been cleaned periodically by kind volunteers but we would be _most grateful_ for more people to join in with this. Routine replacement of light bulbs and emergency lights has been ongoing to comply with safety regulations, and outside firms have contracts to maintain the gas, fire extinguisher, kitchen and communication services. The heating has been used less in both churches during to the pandemic which has saved significantly on energy bills. Thank you to everyone for dressing up warmly! ## **St Peter`s Church** A faulty toilet cistern was replaced, and the heating system needed a couple of ‘call outs’ to replace a 3-amp fuse which intermittently fails. Car park access was needed to reach the new flats behind the church so that a large crane could fit steel balconies onto the building. The weight of the crane dislodged some paving slabs and opened up a very large hole in the car park as it uncovered old church workings. The crane contractors made good this hole and fitted new slabs and surface to make our car park better than before, at no cost to the Church! The sheds in the garden have had some felt replaced which had been stripped away by winter gales. The trees at the front have been pollarded to prevent any damage to our buildings. ## **St Margaret`s Church** The refurbishment of our magnificent organ was undertaken when the Church was out use due to the pandemic. This is now nearly completed apart from minor electrical works, waiting for specialist new parts but still able to fully function. It is such a joy to have the organ working so well and it must be one of the finest in the local area. 12 The audio amplifier has been repaired to a workable state, but we still need to sort out the link to the hearing aid loop. The toilet hand basin (which was previously wobbly) has been fixed more securely to the wall. The outside security light has been replaced due to the sensor failing. The lychgate seat woodwork has been more effectively secured to the wall, and the notice boards have had new acrylic panels fitted as they had deteriorated with the sunlight. ## **Matthews Memorial Hall** This building is no longer used by the Church, and we are awaiting permission from the Diocese to proceed with its sale. Meanwhile the electricity supply has been disconnected. ## **67 Hathaway Court** This continues to be occupied by a tenant and is providing a regular income for our Parish. Douglas Seth-Smith ## 12. Congregational Giving Mission and Outreach **Date Event/Beneficiary Donations** September Ride & Stride £400.00 (50% each to Friends of Kent Churches and The Parish of Rochester) Harvest Medway Foodbank £117.40 plus online donations November Royal British Legion £30.00 December Toy Service £120.00 to The Children & Family Hub And online donations to the All Saints Community Project Christingle £148.85 for the Childrens Society Jayne Pearson ## 13. Pastoral Care and Community Vision report. This last year has seen the church unable to open its doors to the local community to any great extent due to Covid restrictions for most of the year. It did however hold a successful and enjoyable Christmas Bazaar in November for the Friday evening only. The event raised some funds for the church but was also like a breath of fresh air after times of restrictions. We have seen the return of the Tuesday Coffee shop as well. The Dementia café has also returned as have the Singing for the Memory sessions. Pastoral Care has not been arranged in any formal way. Members of the congregation have continued to support each other and people on the peripheries of our community in various ways. Home communion has been given where appropriate. We have recently run the Acorn Listening course and are now working with a small team of volunteers to build a listening service. With the lifting of restrictions and fall of infection rates we will hopefully be able to see where our support can be most appropriately used. Angie Cornell 13 ## 14. Electoral Roll Report As at the 31[st] December 2021 there were 73 people on the Electoral Roll. 48 were resident in the Parish and 25 were non-resident. Changes occur when people move into the Parish, get married, die, choose to worship elsewhere or move away. It should be noted that every six years each parish is required to prepare a new electoral roll when those who habitually attend public worship in this Parish had to reapply to have their names entered onto the roll. Jayne Pearson ## 15. Supporting older people and people living with Dementia. The Parish of Rochester continues to provide valuable services to support older people and those living with dementia and their carers and supporters within our local community and further afield. Most of these services had to be cancelled because of the covid pandemic in March 2020 but were able to restart in the autumn of 2021 The Rochester Dementia Memory Café. The Rochester Dementia Memory Café has been running since November 2015. It is normally held in the Parish Centre on the 4th Friday of each month. During the pandemic contact was maintained with most of those registered with the Cafe with the monthly online Zoom Cafe Chat. This continued until the actual Cafe restarted in July. The Cafe welcomes people living with dementia and their Carers as well as those with disabilities or who have become isolated. It is recognised in Medway as a valuable community service and is much appreciated. It is supported by Medical and Care professionals. Users confirm that they gain much from attending as it provides a friendly social occasion where both the person with dementia and the carer or friend can relax, exchange experiences. Advice and information are offered, and refreshments are served. We are fortunate in having many experienced and committed volunteers who welcome and support each person attending. Attendance is lower than it used to be before the pandemic but is slowly increasing The Rochester Carers Group. The Carers Group is a service for all Carers. It is run in partnership with Carers First who are represented at most of the meetings. These are held in the morning of the 2nd Tuesday of each month within the Tuesday Coffee Shop. It provides information, guidance, support and social contact to the Carer. The group offers to support the person being cared who can also be brought along to be looked after by a volunteer. Singing for the Memory Medway. This group is run on the second Friday of each month and restarted in September. It is for people with dementia and other cognitive impairments, their carers, and their friends. Sessions are led by experienced singers and folders with the words for more than 30 songs are provided. Refreshments are served during an interval. Dementia Gardening Group. The gardening group for people living with dementia and their carers/supporters meets every Friday morning in the gardens of Eastgate House, Rochester. It is arranged in partnership with the Adult Education Department with the support of a gardening tutor and is led by 2 volunteers. Gardening tools and equipment are provided. The group maintains the Dementia Sensory Garden as well as working in other parts of the gardens at Eastgate House. Create Well Medway. Summer activities led by Music4Wellbeing. It is planned that we will be holding activities in 2022 on the third Friday of each month. Funding and support. The Zoom account held by the parish dementia team, the reprinting of the leaflets for the cafe and the carers group, and the printing of the song sheets for the Singing Group have all been funded from the Frankie Kember Fund administered the Rotary Club of Rochester. Donations from participants in the Cafe cover the small charge hire charge made for the use of the Parish Centre. John Portman 14 ## 16. Dementia Friendly Worship and Anna Chaplaincy Dementia Friendly Worship, which is a Cluster event, restarted in October 2021 during the later stages of the Covid pandemic. However, the venue has changed as we are now holding the services at _St Justus Church_ on the second _Tuesday_ of each month at 2.30pm. The hall at St Peter’s was required for hire by a group requesting use of our facilities every Monday afternoon, so the day has also been changed. We have settled in happily at St Justus and the elderly people who attend are very pleased to be with us again. The services are taken on a rota basis with St Justus and St Matthew’s, but we all support one another. It is a combined team effort which works well. Having had the three services in October, November and December we then had to cancel in January and February 2022 because of concern with the Omicron variant. We plan to restart in March. To our great delight, we now have a keyboard player for the services, who is himself living with dementia. He is a blessing to us all, and on a good day we are treated to some jazz after the service during tea and cakes! As an Anna Chaplain I attend four hub meetings each year led by Julia Burton-Jones. These are either on zoom or we meet at different churches in the Medway area. We are able to feed back on what is happening locally and share ideas. I liaise with local care homes on a regular basis, visiting when possible and keeping them up to date with Dementia Friendly Worship and other linked activities. It has been a great joy and privilege to be able to visit people who are housebound and take them Home Communion. They are always very appreciative of this, and their insights and wisdom are of value to us all. Christine Seth-Smith (Anna Chaplain) ## 17. Caretaking Due to the covid lockdown and restrictions the year 2021 has been very quiet in respect of church hiring and letting. However routine maintenance was carried out on an as and when basis with the carpark being cleared of weeds and undergrowth late in the year. Nothing special is planned for the coming year. Derrick Solly ## 18. Catering Due to the covid pandemic there were no events held which required any catering. We look forward to more normal service during 2022. Pat Price ## 19. Eco Church Eco Church has gathered momentum in the past year with many different activities. During the autumn and winter months (2020/21) a number of volunteers had kindly grown seeds ready to plant in the wildflower meadow at St Margaret’s which we duly did on Saturday 17[th] April. Four families with young children came to lend a hand which was brilliant. The churchyard is maintained by Medway Council, and we liaise with Norse regarding the grass cutting so as to protect the wildflower meadow. Norse is very co-operative and supportive of what we are doing! At the end of May, FoRCE (Friends of Rochester Churchfields and Esplanade) organised a Litter Pick and gardening activities starting from Backfields (or Churchfields). Some of our congregation joined in with this, thus representing Eco Church. A national survey of churchyards, called ‘Churches Count on Nature’ asked churches if they would use the week between Saturday 5[th] and Sunday 13[th] June as a springboard to start recording the wildlife within our churchyards. We met at St Peter’s Church on 5[th] June (which was also World Environment Day) and also on 12[th] June at St Margaret’s. The data collected has been sent off to ‘Caring for God’s Acre’, including Sue 15 Poyser’s superb and detailed spreadsheet of plants in our wildflower meadow, carried out on 2[nd] June. The total number of plants identified was 92 – an increase of 21 since Sue’s first list of species in August 2020. Half a dozen people attended the count at St Peter’s, and there was an excellent turnout of 17 at St Margaret’s the following Saturday. We were extremely grateful to them all. On Saturday 19[th] June the inspirational parents and young children built a second bug hotel – this time next to the far wall at St Margaret’s, using natural materials. The St Margaret’s patronal festival was held on Sunday 25[th] July. As well as organ playing and teas, there were reflective walks around the wildflower meadow and churchyard with stopping points at the lych gate, the tower and church, and the yew trees. There were passages of scripture for reflection, snippets of history and short prayers and it proved a very peaceful, thought-provoking activity. In line with the Church of England we held a Climate Sunday service on September 5[th] at St Peter’s. It was an all-age, non-Eucharistic service with the children taking part with readings, prayers and posters made beforehand now on display at St Peter’s Church. I am happy to report that the Parish of Rochester has now achieved the A Rocha Eco Church Bronze Award as we have fulfilled the relevant criteria for this. It is very exciting, and we now need to set our sights on the Silver Award! Christine Seth-Smith ## 20. Steeple Keeper’s Report This year I am pleased to report that the bells and ropes have continued to be in good order. My duties as Steeple Keeper have been lighter than normal due to the continuing Covid pandemic. However, I was able to put the muffles on for Remembrance Sunday in November (2021), and the ringers and visiting bands are starting to return to a more normal pattern with the bells having more use. Douglas Seth-Smith ## 21. Bellringing Bellringing continued to be paused for most of 2021 due to the Covid pandemic while we completed formal recruitment of bellringing volunteers and safeguarding disclosure for members. This was completed in August, and I also completed the safeguarding for leadership course in October. We returned to ringing practice on Friday evenings in August. Practice evenings have been well attended by ringers from surrounding towers. We have focused on relearning bell handling, call changes, plain hunt and the simpler methods like Plain Bob and Grandsire Doubles. We returned to Sunday Service ringing at St Margaret’s in November, but we are struggling to get six ringers because several members of the home band have not yet returned to ringing following the pandemic. This makes it difficult to ring anything very musical, but thanks must go to Alan, Sian, Phil and Doug for continuing to support service ringing. We have rung for a couple of weddings, there have been a few visiting bands, and we also rang for the Christmas Carol service. Derna Brown ## 22. Parish Buildings Development Group Plans for the development of the Parish Centre, including the sale of the Matthews Memorial Hall, have been largely on hold during the pandemic and will remain so until we can get a sense of the Parish’s long-term requirements in the post-pandemic world. Already it has become clear that some radical re-thinking of our plans may be necessary to take account of: - a) post-pandemic changes in social and economic circumstances leading to changed requirements in the future use of our buildings by the church and by the wider community; and 16 b) the urgent need to make our buildings more compliant with modern heating and insulation standards, a task which would involve major and expensive interventions in the existing Parish Centre building. During the year covered by this report Rev Joel has engaged with the Diocese in some informal discussions with these thoughts in mind. Following those discussions, the Development Group has begun looking at a different approach which would involve the replacement of the Parish Centre building and the vicarage, with a multi-storey building comprising a new church with community facilities, and residential accommodation in the form of apartments. Such a scheme would also still involve the sale of the Matthews Memorial Hall site. A meeting was held at St Peter’s on 23 November between members of the Development Group and representatives of the Diocese and a potential developer, Spacelab. Spacelab have experience in developing schemes of this sort and currently are in the process of preparing a report on their findings, including the financial viability of such a project. It is envisaged that, if it went ahead, the developer would fund the work and reap financial benefit by the sale or lease of the apartments. Clearly such a radical new approach would need very careful consideration by the Development Group, the PCC, the Diocese and the local planning authority, before the project could move in that direction. A further report will be made to the PCC when the Development Group have heard from Spacelab and the Diocese. Alan Moss ## 23. Family Ministry Although it has been a year full of change and disruption, there is much to be thankful for. Family ministry at St Peter’s & St Margaret’s has maintained some contact through the lockdown period through various events and is strengthened each month through our newly deployed Family Time and Toast monthly Sunday school. ## 24. Pancake day 2021 We had the pleasure of hosting a well-attended zoom party across the cluster to explore what pancake day means and why we celebrate it. Some of our Family Time children and people from the wider church family took a leading role in presenting a video and then interacting with questions which made everyone feel included and informed. ## 25. Easter Walk There was an Easter Walk adopted from Scripture Union resources placing checkpoints around the parish which encouraged families to engage with the Easter story through downloading links at each point. ## 26. Family Time and Toast We have had a wonderful start to our freshly deployed Family Time, family Sunday school which takes place the 1[st] Sunday of each month during term time. There has been an average of 5- 7 families in attendance each week and we have been exploring the same scriptures as the wider church through the lectionary. We have been blessed with wonderful volunteers who have expressed their interest in continuing this ministry and we give thanks to God for them. Thanks to a joint bid with our cluster churches, we have been awarded family bibles for each family and will give them out in March along with a Lent Family Time bible plan for families to engage with. We seek to continue the current pattern and review it at the end of this academic year to see if any adjustments or increases need to be made. Our hope is also to integrate Eco Church elements again in Family Time and will pursue this in the coming months. Every blessing Ruth Pyrke 17 ## 27. Flowers in Our Churches As the use of our churches has been more limited during the last year, we have had less opportunity to decorate them. We have also generally done more modest arrangements. We have been privileged to do arrangements for the funerals of some much-loved parishioners honouring their loyal service and faith. We were pleased to do arrangements for such special occasions as Remembrance Sunday. We greatly enjoyed decorating our churches for Christmas and welcomed the extra help we received. It was very heartening to see the festive results after some of the dark times we have all experienced in the past year. We hope to have many more chances over the next year to use flowers to enhance our worship and to thank God for Nature’s gifts. ## 28. Julia Hawkins and Lindsey Ward. Gardening A lot has been happening in the gardens this year; the front and back grass has been mown regularly thanks to Gordon and Stuart. From late Summer onwards Jayne and I met every Monday to cut back the overgrown shrubs, clear weeds and the overhanging branches in the car park. We also tidied up Nigel’s Memorial Garden and pruned all the roses. The result being a much tidier garden and car park. I cannot thank Jayne enough for all the work she put in over this period, I could never have done this by myself. You will also have noticed that the trees and large bushes in the front garden have been pollarded. We aim to continue our ‘garden rescue’ in 2022. Pat Price ## 29. Stewardship Report Thank you to **ALL** who give to the Parish in any way; financial or with their time and talents and often, all three! - In 2021 we had 41 individuals/couples who had signed up to regular planned giving via a monthly or quarterly standing order. - 30 of these signed a Gift Aid declaration. As there were now just a handful of people who made their donations via the envelope scheme it would not have been cost effective to continue to have the boxes of envelopes printed. People were therefore asked to make their donations via a monthly standing order instead. In 2021 we successfully reclaimed tax paid by members of this congregation totaling just over £5754. This is effectively free money for The Parish, and I would ask that if you are a taxpayer in any way, that you consider signing a Gift Aid declaration. As always, I would respectfully ask that you review your giving to the Parish throughout the year and if you haven’t already done so consider making regular donations to the parish via a monthly standing order. Once again, thank you for your continuing support. It is very much appreciated. The Responsibility Is Ours! Jayne Pearson For more information about making a regular contribution, setting up a standing order or signing up to gift aid, please contact me in the Parish office: **office@parishofrochester.org.uk** or phone 01634 848900. 18 ## 30. Prayer Ministry The Prayer Ministry team, like much within our church community has had to put its work on hold for most of this last year. We met online over the summer months to pray for people and situations that needed prayer support. Thankfully, with the ability for our congregation to return to church we are now able to provide prayer ministry after the services. Angie Cornell ## 31. St Margaret’s at Troy Town School (SMaTT) Collective worship has been online for part of the year but also in person in the school hall. Joel and Ruth have led collective worship and spoken to individual classes both in school and at St Margaret’s Church. Several services and events had to be cancelled in December due to the aggressiveness of the Omicron variant. Revd Joel continues to serve on the Local Governing Body of the school, where he takes a lead on wellbeing, whistleblowing, and the SIAMS agenda. (SIAMS is the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools). This includes RE, worship, governance, behaviour, and standards. SMaTT is due to have a SIAMS inspection soon. Joel was also called into school to help when an Ofsted inspector came on 1 December. The school has appointed a new headteacher (from January 2022) who is keen to keep working with us. There is a noticeboard for parish notices and the school office is happy to forward communications from us to all SMaTT parents. ## 32. Other schools In addition to SMaTT, Revd Joel is involved at the Pilgrim School in Borstal parish, which is part of the same multi-academy trust as SMaTT. Within the parish of Rochester, Joel also leads collective worship at St Peter’s Infants’ School and St Andrew’s School. He visits Trinity School and preaches several times a year to the King’s School. Our very own Mary Jeffreys is a school governor at the Pilgrim School and children from our Church community go to a number of other local schools. Rev Joel Love ## 33. Servers Due to the pandemic, we have not had servers at any of the services. ## 34. IT Report Once again, this year IT has played an important role in maintaining communication with members of the congregation and the Parish. Notices, prayers, intercessions, readings and even the sermon are sent out weekly by email and stored on the website before the service to allow those physically or virtually attending the services and those that can't make them at all to at least have these to read at home and also to keep for future reference. Services are still being shown live on both Zoom and YouTube, barring the occasional technical issues! With St Margaret's also now hosting services, Michael has installed some new equipment there including controllable cameras allowing for a skilled operator (currently Michael!) to focus on different parts of the service when required! Unfortunately, at the time of writing a safeguarding issue that has to be addressed has temporarily halted these recordings. Facebook is still being used successfully to promote church events. I noted that a post advertising "Carols in the car park" was read by 135 people. The church WhatsApp group has 46 members and is used daily to request and offer support and often... just for fun! Over 1700 messages have now been posted. We are particularly grateful to Rachel who takes the time every morning to thoughtfully suggest a subject for prayer that day. 19 ## **Web Stats!** In the last year we have had... 31 Daily average page views. Most popular pages were the Who's Who/Notices and Contacts pages. Most searches came from Google During the week beginning 5th February: 93% of visitors to the site came from the UK but seemingly from all over and not just Medway. Repeat visits can be seen from Aberdeen, Balham, Birmingham, Bradford, Liverpool, Manchester, Spalding and several others just over this last week. 2% were from the US. 85% found the site using a search engine and 12% went directly to the site and over 50% of vistors used a mobile device rather than a PC or laptop. Website: www.parishofrochester.org.uk E Mail: office@parishofrochester.org.uk Parish Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParishOfRochester Cluster Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RochesterClusterOfChurches Family Time: https://www.facebook.com/groups/268342923346343/ Without Walls Trips: https://www.facebook.com/groups/479217192446841/?ref=share Cluster Partners: St Justus: https://www.stjustus.org/ St Matthews: https://stmatthewsborstal.com/ Gary Ward ## 35. Music Report The big news is that St Margaret’s organ is now finished and back in use! There are one or two tuning problems with the Horn and Oboe pipes but, hopefully, these will be sorted out soon. In the meantime, it’s usable on a Sunday and we are enjoying some good organ music from James and Andrew on the second and fourth Sundays. We have, so far, been singing just two hymns on a Sunday at 10.30. By the time you read this, we shall be doing three hymns and a Gloria. During Lent, we shall change to three hymns and the Sanctus/Benedictus (no Gloria in Lent of course), gradually returning to the normal pattern from Easter. Some of you will know that Rev Neil is a prolific hymn writer. He has given permission for us to use the material on his website and to include hymns and Glorias in booklets for the Parish. I hope everyone enjoyed the opportunity to have an in-person carol service at Christmas even if it was somewhat different from our usual format because we had shortened versions of all the items. We did this so that we could include as many carols as possible. Plans are now being made to have a music group playing at 10.30 on the first Sunday in the month. This will start regularly in September but there will be a first outing on 5 June. Mary Jeffreys ## 36. Refreshments After Services We did not have any refreshments after services until mid-November, so we are just getting back into the swing of things. We do not serve many cups of tea and coffee, but people are really happy to be able to stay after the service and chat. My thanks go to Angie Cornell, Avril Sime and Joy Wilson for their valued help in this. Monica Aldridge 20 ## 37. Welcomers Our Welcoming team was on furlough during lockdown, then we were delighted to return to welcome the congregation back to church on Easter Sunday. Our duties remain the same as last year, mostly taking names and contact details when welcoming people into church for Track and Trace. These details are kept securely and privately in the safe for three weeks and then shredded. Hymn books, service booklets and pew sheets are put out ready for the congregation to collect on entry. My thanks again go to Mark Pearce, Derrick Solly, John Portman, and our newest recruit, Joy Wilson. Monica Aldridge ## 38. Safeguarding Report Since the last APCM there have been no significant issues to resolve. However, we were made aware of one individual who was a matter of concern. ## **Safeguarding Risk Assessments** Safeguarding assessments have been done for most activities within the parish. This is ongoing as new activities and situations occur. ## **Safer Recruitment** Most of the safer recruitment procedures have been completed with only a few issues remaining. We asked people who only volunteer once a year at the bazaar to fill in a self-declaration form. This was a proportionate measure in these circumstances. Remember if you decide to volunteer regularly, then safer recruitment and training must take place. ## **Training** All but one current volunteer has undertaken the necessary initial training required and that is under review. However, many parish members will need to complete their courses again, as the three-year update is due. I will be writing to those of you who need to complete this. The good news is, that you only have to undertake the highest-level training that you need. Recent devastating news about children who have been abused and have tragically died at the hands of those who should have been caring for them, and trials about sexual exploitation perpetrated by the rich and powerful, should serve to remind us that abuse can happen in every stratum of society. We therefore, must remain alert and undertake training to help us to know when there are causes for concern and how to report them. In the summer, Joel and I undertook face to face training for people who were unable to access online training. This was quite successful, and participants were, to their own surprise, engaged in the process. This was open to anyone in the cluster. I also helped High Halstow Parish PSO with their face-to-face training. ## **General Issues** I have attended Zoom meetings with my fellow PSOs led by the diocese team and the meetings have been very useful. An issue that came out of the last meeting was about filming and photography in church, as the services are in the public domain and on YouTube. There will be more information on this in the coming months. The diocese has produced something called a Safeguarding Dashboard which will need to be updated by the team to self-assess what progress we are making and any areas that need further work. I would like to thank Kevin Holloway (safeguarding vulnerable adults), Martin Bament (safer recruiting) and Joel Love for all their diligence and hard work this year. There is always more to do, and we must never be complacent but with your help and cooperation we will continue to move forward. Nicky Timlick Parish Safeguarding Officer (safeguarding children and young people) 21 ## **Safeguarding adults** The Parish Safeguarding team held its first meeting on 9th June 2021 after a long absence due to the Covid pandemic of 2020-2021. The training needs were assessed relating to volunteers who have gone through the safer recruitment process, and it was agreed that those who have not adhered to the training requirements thus far pertaining to their role should do so as soon as practicable. Another important development regarding safeguarding training was that it will be delivered face to face in September for those who may have felt uncomfortable via the online training resource. It is important to remember that safeguarding is essential if an organisation has at its heart children and/or vulnerable adults using its services and as a consequence, strict safeguarding policies should be in place. Every individual should have the right to live their lives without the fear of harm, irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity and religion. It is worth remembering there are many types of abuse, sick people for example are open to neglect as they're unable to take care of themselves, mentally disabled people can be manipulated into doing things their disability inhibits them from refusing, and the elderly have memory issues which again makes them susceptible to abuse and manipulation. Safeguarding is therefore important to ensure abuse and neglect is not being missed and also to ensure safe practices are being employed to protect those who may be deemed vulnerable, and indeed individuals who may not fall into the conventional categories of being vulnerable or at risk. It is essential that safeguarding recruitment/training is undertaken by everybody whose roles require it and should be applied to all, not only for their own benefit but the benefit of those who use our services/resources who expect to do so in a safe and secure environment. K Holloway ## 39. Social Committee Unfortunately, once again due to the pandemic we were unable to hold many of our usual events. We did, however, hold a community event at St Margaret’s in July; On the Saturday evening the Play on Words Theatre Company put on a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the churchyard, with all proceeds going to The Friends of the Parish. It was a wonderful evening and very well attended. Special thanks must go to Miriam and Aidan Dooley. Then, on Sunday the doors of the church were thrown open to the community, refreshments were served, and the newly refurbished organ was played. Gary and Martin also played a lovely duet. In the churchyard there were tours of the wildflower meadow. The tower was open once again for tours. Thank you to everyone who came and helped. In November the Christmas Bazaar returned and much to everyone’s surprise a staggering £2268 was raised. This was very surprising as we had decided to hold the event just on the Friday night and for only three hours instead of the usual six hours over two days. The gamble paid off and we were only £350.00 short of the amount raised in 2019. This change was also very popular with those who helped out and certainly one we will go forward with! Thank you to everyone who gave up their time to help out. During the Christmas Dickens weekend the church and tower were open to the public. We are hopeful that later in 2022 we will be able to resume some social events. As always, keep an eye on the pew sheets for details. Stuart Pearson 22 40. Independent Examiner's Report Independont Examingrfs Report lo the PCC of the Parlsh of Rochester l Report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2021, which are Set out in this annual report. Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner As members of lh8 PCC you arè responsible for the p￿paration of the accounts. you consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act} and that an independent examination is required. It is my responsibility to- - examine the accounts {under section 145 of the 2011 Act); - to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145{5){bl of the 2011 Act; and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of the Independent ExamSnerfs Report My examination was Carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with thos8 r8cords. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any Such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence thal would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts p￿sent a Irue and fair vie and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examinerfs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has Come to my attention, other than that mentioned below: (1) whidi gives m8 reasonable Cause to believe thal in any material respect the requirements to keep aC￿unting records in accordance with section 130 of Ihe Act" and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirements of the Act and the Regulations hav8 not been met., or {2) to which, in my opinion, attention shoukl be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Quallfied Statement Bel￿een 2018 and 2021 a legacy was paid to the Rochester Diocesan Society and Board of Finance, for them to hold as a capital Irust fund with the interest arising being applied for ecclesiastical or charitable purposes of the Parish of Rochester. In my opinion this legacy created a Trust Fund with income to be applied for the ben8fit of the Parlsh. Although the PCC is not entitled to th8 capital th8 income should be included in the PCC accounts and a note Goncerning the Trust Fund Capital added to the a￿unIs. The Parish has received no income from the trustee. 23 The Diocese has claimed that "the PCC is not entitled to make a ¢laim on the capital or interest" I believe this is incorr8Ct as the PCC is the only beneficiary of the Trust Fund and automatically has the right to the in¢ome of the Trust Fund. I have seen correspondence from Rochester Diocese that confirms that the legacy of £684,195 is held in cash and that "notional interest. is being earned. l am concerned that the investment of the Trust Fund capitsl is not appropriate and that as a result the Parish has lost out income that would otherwise have been due. Consequently. I consider that the funds are not being applied for the benefit of the sole beneficiary, the Parish, and that the application of the funds is actualty for th8 benefit of th8 trustee. I believe this to be matter of regulatory concern for the Charity Commission. Additionally. it is clear that the Trust Fund Capital is being used by Ihe trustee for cash flow purposes and as a result I consider that the Trust Fund Capital is being mis-applied and is at risk and this represents a matter of regulatory concem for the Charity Commission. 10-May-22 Robw fYrL Mr Rob Trice MAAT 210 King George Road Chalham, Kent, 24 41. Statement of Financial Activities P4rf8h olRo¢h•$t•r Slat•m•nt olFlnan¢l•lAclivitws for they••r endlng 316¢ Dec¢m￿r 2021 Unr•$trl¢ted De$lgnat•d R•strl¢ted Endowmènt Total Funds Unrestllcted D•*lgnat¢d R•gtrl¢t•d Endowmènt TotalFund$ Funds Fund$ Funds Funds 2021 Funds Funds Fund$ Fund• 2020 In￿mIng r•sourc Volunlary In AGtlvts$ forgeneratlng fijnds Income Imm investrnents Income from trhur¢h acuvlttès Othwlncomlng resour¢&s 31,211 3,047 16,464 11,913 3.947 442 48.816 8OA69 3,047 16A81 11.913 3.947 53,618 721 13,640 8.171 3,792 762 35.250 89,630 727 13,660 9,641 3,792 14 14 Tolallncomlng Resouire 66.582 48.819 115157 79.942 776 36.726 117.444 Fund.ralslng tradhjg ￿$1$ AGtivttN8s relafyn9 to the of the Church GovemanG8 ¢0s18 TOthIR￿0uT¢Qs Expond•d 75.189 525 T5.714 10,659 45,671 131.519 525 132,044 87,792 soo 88,292 4.586 26.385 118,743 500 119.243 10,659 45.671 4,566 26,385 N•tlft¢omlnrfOirtgoln9) R•s