THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, PALMERS GREEN ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
Aim and purposes
The Parochial Church Council of St John The Evangelist (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, Rev Julie Coleman, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
Objectives and activities
The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship with us and to become part of our parish community. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within the parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer, scripture and music and sacrament.
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 supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.
In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:
-
Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus
-
Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish
-
Missionary and outreach work
To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric and improve the facilities of our church building and halls.
Achievements and performance
Worship and prayer
There has been an increase in the liturgical life of the parish despite Covid-19. Morning and Evening prayer are offered daily, the usual Sunday services at 8.30am and 10am all to mark the Lord’s day when safe to do so.
All major holy days are kept and these are advertised on notice boards and on social media. Lent and Advent study groups have also been introduced.
Pastoral care
The Incumbent regular takes Holy Communion to the house bound and
1
those who are sick. Hospital visits are made when appropriate and care of the bereaved is offered before and after funerals. The Incumbent makes herself available after every service should people need to talk and is readily available for those seeking Baptism, Confirmation and Marriage enquiries, Confession or prayer.
Ministries
The Ministry Support Team has been responsible for the creation and signposting of provisions for worshipping at home during the Covid-19 lockdown as well as differentiating when the church has been open. These materials have been well received across the parish and we are grateful to all those who have partnered with us in this large piece of unplanned work. Gaps in our provision for supporting the ministry of chaplains and those engaged with lay ministries have been identified. Training sessions will be encouraged in September 2021.
Work relating to Covid-19 is ongoing.
Guidance was produced to aid clergy and others in hosting online meetings during the pandemic or church services. Despite the current restrictions, the worship checks, safeguarding and Covid risk assessments has continued. Extensive work has been undertaken to work to ensure the safety of all those who worship or The Ark at St John’s.
Safeguarding
The PCC confirms that it has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).
Mission and evangelism
During the Pandemic Rev Julie has initiated The Ark. This project feeds approx. 206 people each week, clothes and offers pastoral support to all in need.
The Sunday School has a good number of children many of whom are then prepared for Baptism and Confirmation. Confirmation classes are led by the Vicar with assistance from a member of the Church family and Ministry Support Team.
Volunteers
There are a number of volunteers who assist in pastoral visits, hospitality and assisting during the services. A member of the PCC assists with the counting of money following the Sunday services.
Learning network
The learning network has adapted to the ongoing Covid-19 situation with a wide range of areas of engagement switched to online delivery. Engagement with these online sessions has been positive, often with higher numbers attending than if the sessions were face to face. Through this online engagement we are learning and continue to learn what is
2
most effective in online engagement. We recognised that church members’ willingness to engage in online learning and development has undergone a step change – due to the forced change that Covid-19 has triggered with families and friends of all generations having to use digital means to stay in touch during lockdown. We anticipate a ‘blended learning’ approach continuing beyond the current Covid-19 situation and are in the early stages of developing some initial online learning materials utilising the Theology X online learning platform.
Deanery synod
One member of the PCC sit on the deanery synod and this provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the Church.
Financial review
Total receipts on unrestricted funds were £159,623 of which £40,7071 was from voluntary giving of church members and £114,583 was from lettings and rental income. Total payments on unrestricted funds amounted to £142,054 of which £ 53,250 was contributed to the London Diocesan Common Fund.
The net result for the year was an excess of receipts over payments of £17,569 on unrestricted funds. The balance to carry forward at 31 December 2020 on unrestricted funds was £56,533 of which £23,323 was designated for the reordering of the sanctuary.
The balance to carry forward on restricted funds at 31 December 2020 was £9,046. There was income in the year of £8,869 and expenditure of £3,479.
Reserves policy
It is the PCC policy to maintain the recommended balance on unrestricted funds which equates to at least three months unrestricted payments. This amounts to about £37,500
The cash balance on the unrestricted funds at the year-end is more than this figure.
Plans for the future
Throughout the coming year St Johns PCC alongside Rev Julie plans to continue pursuing the objectives of the Church of England, in particular those objectives collectively referred to as: Reaffirming Our Calling . The main strands of this work with some examples include:
- Proclaiming the gospel through worship / The ministry of the whole people of God in the life of the world. Responding on the impact and effectiveness of online worship and learning
over the last year to develop future strategies for supporting these areas. 2. A Church for all people / The Inclusive Church.
Development of Mission Action Plans around how the Church as a whole becomes a more welcoming, diverse, and tolerant organisation.
3
-
God’s Church in God’s world / Striving for justice and peace. Consideration of the Church’s net-zero carbon emission targets and recycling.
-
Evangelism / God for all. Working with the community, deanery and the diocese to increase our engagement in sharing the gospel in new ways, striving to work with those in the most marginalised communities in our world.
-
Responding to the gospel in partnership (including oversight and leadership). Working with others throughout the Church to respond to the financial impact of the pandemic. Detailed work to enable the Church to make decisions about its future decision-making structure that offer the best patterns of oversight and management for the organisation.
Structure, governance and management
The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England.
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. Membership of the PCC consists of the Vicar, churchwardens and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral role of the church. Members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. New members have some induction and are made aware of their responsibilities. The full PCC met four times during the year. The average level of attendance at PCC meetings during the year was 95%.
Administrative information
St John The Evangelist is part of the Diocese of London within the Church of England. The correspondence address is 1 Bourne Hill, London N13 4DA. The PCC is a corporate body (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2011), and, from 7 November 2009, is a charity registered with the Charity Commission under charity registration number 1132592. Registration is in the name of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Palmers Green.
The PCC members who have served during the year were as follows:
Incumbent:
Rev Julie Coleman
Church Wardens: Kathy Forsyth and JP Godfrey Deputy Church Warden
Audrey Clovey
Deanery synod:
4
Eme Brasnett PCC Secretary Nick Easton Treasurer Rakesh Patel Elected members: Richard Arkwright Mark Brinkley Moira Foster Roger Gardner Nick Jones Jonathan Esposito Norma Clayton Richard Godfrey Approved by the PCC on 21 April 2021 and signed on its behalf by:
Rev Julie Coleman
5
THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, PALMERS GREEN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
| Receipts Voluntary receipts Activities for generating funds Church activities Total receipts Payments Church activities Cost of generating funds Total payments Excess of receipts over payments Transfer between funds Cash at bank, 1 January 2020 Cash at bank, 31 December 2020 |
Unrestricted funds General Designated Restricted funds funds funds £ £ £ 39,729 2,210 8,869 400 102,344 14,940 |
|---|---|
| 142,473 17,150 8,869 |
|
| 142,054 0 3,479 0 0 |
|
| 142,054 0 3,479 |
|
| 419 17,150 5,390 (6,173) 6,173 (5,754) 23,323 38,964 0 3,656 |
|
| 33,210 23,323 9,046 |
| THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE | EVANGELIST, PALMERS GREEN | EVANGELIST, PALMERS GREEN | EVANGELIST, PALMERS GREEN |
|---|---|---|---|
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 | DECEMBER 2020 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General | Designated | Restricted | |
| funds | funds | funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Cash funds | |||
| Bank accounts | 33,210 | 23,323 | 9,046 |
| Other monetary assets | |||
| Accrued income and other debtors | 2,487 | ||
| Assets retained for church use (note 2 150,000 | |||
| Liabilities | |||
| Accrued expenses and other creditors | (2,356) | ||
| Net assets | 183,341 | 23,323 | 9,046 |
Approved by the PCC on 21 April 2021 and signed on its behalf by :
Rev Julia Coleman
THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, PALMERS GREEN NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
-
The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting Regulations 2006 using the Receipts and Payments basis.
-
The assets retained for church use are the St John's Halls, Bourne Hill and the lea property at 509 Green Lanes. These properties are held by the London Diocesan F Diocesan Authority (formerly known as Custodian Trustee) with the PCC having the Managing Trustee and taking day-to-day responsibility for these properties. St John were valued many years ago at £150,000. There is no valuation available for 509
3. The funds comprise:
a) the general fund which is an unrestricted fund available for use at the discretion PCC members in furtherance of the general objectives of the church and which ha been designated for any other particular purpose.
b) Designated funds which are unrestricted funds that have been set aside by PCC for a particular purpose.
c) Restricted funds which are to be used in accordance with specific instructions im by the donors or which have been raised by the church for a particular purpose.
- The movements in designated and restricted funds during the year were:
| Designated funds Re-ordering of sanctuary Restricted funds Re-ordering of sanctuary Children's ministry Youth provision ARK - community initiative Gift Gill Browne funeral collection |
At 1.1.20 Receipts Payments Transfer 17,150 6,173 1,743 670 548 1,640 1,600 6,229 331 1,000 1,000 1,243 3,656 8,869 3,479 |
Transfer 6,173 |
|---|---|---|
5. Income through planned giving includes £1,993 received from PCC members.
- For a considerable part of 2020 the church and halls were closed or offering limit result expenditure and receipts have varied from what would normally be expecte
possible to reliably estimate the duration and consequences of the pandemic, as impact, on the financial position and results for future years.
THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, PALMERS GREEN NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMB Unrestricted funds
| Receipts Voluntary income Planned giving Collections at all services Donations and other voluntary income Gift aid recovered Grant from London Diocesan Fund (expenditure in 2019) Activities for generating funds Fundraising events Income from church activities Church hall and parish centre lettings Rents - 509 Green Lanes PCC fees from weddings and funerals Sundry income Payments Church activities Diocesan Common Fund Church running costs Church maintenance and repairs Vicarage costs Insurance - 509 Green Lanes Staf costs Director of Music and other music costs Hall running expenses Hall maintenance and repairs Ofce and administrative expenses Gift Accountancy |
General Designated Restricted funds funds funds £ £ £ 16,492 10,022 1,000 1,585 2,210 7,869 893 10,737 |
|---|---|
| 39,729 2,210 8,869 |
|
| 400 72,968 14,940 26,675 2,568 133 |
|
| 102,344 14,940 |
|
| 53,250 7,170 2,479 6,826 2,097 1,326 12,909 5,074 41,533 4,615 3,798 1,000 3,456 |
142.054 3.479
Page 5
| Total | Total |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 |
| £ | £ |
| 50,808 | 60,090 |
| 400 | 5,984 |
| 117,284 | 136,287 |
| 168,492 | 202,361 |
| 145,533 | 199,634 |
| 0 | 120 |
| 145,533 | 199,754 |
| 22,959 | 2,607 |
| 42,620 | 40,013 |
| 65,579 | 42,620 |
Page 6
| Total | Total |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 |
| £ | £ |
| 65,579 | 42,620 |
| 2,487 | 3,562 |
| 150,000 | 150,000 |
| (2,356) | (17,351) |
| 215,710 | 178,831 |
Page 7
Church
asehold und as e role of n's Halls Green Lanes.
n of the s not
members
mposed
At 31.12.20 23,323
1,743 122 40 5,898 1,243 9,046
ted access. As a ed. It is not
well as their
Page 8
BER 2020
| Total | Total |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 |
| £ | £ |
| 16,492 | 12,325 |
| 11,022 | 9,788 |
| 11,664 | 26,681 |
| 893 | 11,296 |
| 10,737 | 0 |
| 50,808 | 60,090 |
| 400 | 5,984 |
| 87,908 | 107,691 |
| 26,675 | 26,253 |
| 2,568 | 1,954 |
| 133 | 389 |
| 117,284 | 136,287 |
| 53,250 | 78,300 |
| 9,649 | 7,214 |
| 6,826 | 32,307 |
| 2,097 | 4,248 |
| 1,326 | 1,300 |
| 12,909 | 17,605 |
| 5,074 | 9,036 |
| 41,533 | 27,494 |
| 4,615 | 15,494 |
| 3,798 | 3,420 |
| 1,000 | |
| 3,456 | 3,216 |
145.533 199.634
9
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, PALMERS GEEN
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2020, which are set out on pages 5 to 8.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Roger J Seaton FCA 23 Greenhill Park, Barnet, Herts EN5 1HQ
21 April 2021