**St Mary’s Spring Grove** Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council
2020
Our Pandemic Story
## **St Mary’s Church Spring Grove Parochial Church Council**
Registered with The Charity Commission on 21[st] November 2009[1] as _“The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary’s Church Spring Grove”_ Charity Registration Number 1132866
## **Parish Church:**
St Mary's Church Spring Grove in the Hounslow Deanery of the Kensington Episcopal Area Diocese of London
## **Address:**
St Mary’s Parish Office Osterley Road Isleworth Middlesex TW7 4PW Tel: 020 8569 7312
Email: stmaryparishcentre@tiscali.co.uk Website: www.stmarysosterley.org.uk
## **Incumbent:**
Revd Elis Matthews
**Bank:**
Barclays Bank plc 210 High Street Hounslow TW3 1DL
**Independent Examiner:** Mrs J Shiels
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting, in the ecclesiastical parish of St Mary’s Spring Grove, the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The main church building and halls are located at St Mary’s Church, Osterley Road, and there is a small mission church at St Luke’s, Kingsley Road. The Annual Report and Accounts covers the PCC’s financial year January 2020 to December 2020.
> 1From October 2008, Parochial Church Councils with a gross income of over £100,000 were required to register separately with the Charity Commission.
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## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY’S SPRING GROVE ANNUAL REPORT**
## **Membership of the PCC**
The membership is partly ex-officio and partly elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with Church Representation Rules. Because of the Covid-19 global pandemic, the 2020 APCM was held on 18 October. PCC members due to stand down had kindly extended their term until the delayed meeting was held.
The membership in the year January – December 2020 was as follows:
|Vicar/Chair of PCC|Revd Elis Matthews*|
|---|---|
|Readers/Licenced Lay Ministers|Linda Joyce (St Luke’s Committee)|
||John Blake|
||Nick Munn (from June 2020)|
|Diocesan Synod (18-21)|John James* (Lay Vice-Chair of PCC)|
|Deanery Synod (until October 2020)|Margaret Cave|
||Barbara Green* (PCC Treasurer)|
||John James*|
||Penny Mann (St Luke’s Committee)|
|Churchwardens|Steve Joyce *|
||Andrew Bellis*|
|PCC|Carl Bryce* (20-23) (Deputy Warden)|
||John Collis (18-21) (St Luke’s Committee)|
||Judy Harvey (18-21)|
||Sharrion Llewellyn (18-20)|
||Sally Martin-Brown (18-21) (Deanery Synod from Oct 20)|
||Janet Nelson (18-21) (St Luke’s Rep)|
||Caroline Sloley (20-23)|
||Jessica Sobryan (from APCM 20-23)|
||Denise Toye (19-22)*|
||Phil Toye (20-23)|
||Daphne Bellis (19-22)|
||Sue Jones (PCC Secretary until APCM 20)|
The following appointments were made by the PCC:
Safeguarding Officer: Zosia Thackray. DBS Evidence Checker: Lesley Taberner. Children’s Champion: Jane Bennett. Champion for Vulnerable People: Sandra McLaren. Electoral Roll Officer: Marian Taylor.
Co-opted to the Standing Committee: Lesley Taberner, Denise Toye
_*Members of the Standing Committee_
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## **Narrative report: Our church in 2020**
You learn how to be a family in a time of crisis. Though few predicted and none would have chosen the events shaped by the coronavirus global pandemic which began in 2020, much happened in this year to bring our community of Spring Grove together in ways previously unseen. This is our story.
I’m writing this report more as a story than a corporate document. It is interspersed with the personal stories of some of our church family, who tell in their own words their experiences during the pandemic.
2020 began with a lot of optimism for the future. As the phrase ‘twenty-twenty’ invites, we were seeking fresh and clear vision for our parish and our mission and ministry in Spring Grove. This began with an away day for our PCC and leadership team at Twickenham Stadium, from which a vision began to emerge: Everyone Becoming More Like Jesus. Alongside this, we identified five values which we felt God was encouraging us to grow in. As the pandemic hit, and church was moved online, we used our online services to begin exploring each value, considering how the story of Jesus could help us become more hospitable, curious and creative. Towards the end of 2020 we looked at the themes of authenticity and generosity.
Almost like book ends to this journey, we celebrated our major festivals of Easter and Christmas unlike ever before, with all our major services and events taking place online instead of in our church buildings. There was a brief period when services were able to resume at St Mary’s, and from August to October we got used to wearing face coverings, receiving communion ‘in one kind’ and holding worship services without any congregational singing, before a second lockdown was enacted on 5 November.
In Matthew 6:16, Jesus says ‘And when you fast…’ teaching us that going without is an assumed and integral part of Christian living. We missed contact with parents, carers and toddlers at Jump for Joy and Toy Box. Seeing the choir stalls empty even when services resumed in church was difficult. All of those festive occasions involving food and drink couldn’t happen. It has been a long time since we shared the peace, chatted over coffee, broke into Junior Church groups in the hall or shared fellowship and Pauline’s famous jam tarts at St Luke’s Women’s Fellowship. And of course, we have grieved loved ones, including members of our church family who are remembered on page 10. The reality of not being able to hold someone’s hand as they die and the pain of isolation has been an almost overwhelming wilderness experience, reminiscent of the Psalmist when they write:
_How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?_
(Psalm 137.4, KJV)
And yet… in unexpected ways, 2020 has been a time when new things have emerged, and as a church we have been challenged to grow in new ways. We welcomed Fi, an ordinand training for ministry at St Mellitus College, who has joined us on a two-year placement. We welcomed back Nick, who took up his Lay Minister license again. We pioneered a new form of Family Worship, bringing families together inside St Mary’s to worship creatively, even without singing. A weekly online prayer group formed and has continued to meet. Morning Prayer gathered a core community who join together through Facebook Live to pray for the world, the church and each other. None of these new endeavours were planned at the start of 2020, but each has contributed to the life of our parish in meaningful ways. As we seek to grow the value of creativity, we can be thankful for a God who created out of nothing, and who encourages us to use our gifts creatively in our world.
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## **Philippa’s Family Story**
The past year has certainly been different to what we imagined it would be. Steve, Mabel and I planned on relocating to York but with lockdown on the way, we reached the decision that it would probably be better to stay in London for the time-being and move to somewhere bigger as our family of three had outgrown our tiny onebedroom flat.
Following the initial shock and anxieties that came with the start of the pandemic, our little family slowly built up a routine that kept us ticking along. The sudden closure of the live-entertainment industry meant that Steve was at home all the time and he and Mabel spent their days exercising in Osterley Park, updating friends and family over video-call with their latest observations of a swan’s nest, whilst I unexpectedly stepped into the role of Deputy Head Teacher. Tackling my new role and the challenges that came with implementing new Covid-19 protocol, whilst trying to maintain a good standard of education for all pupils was probably the most challenging time I have ever experienced in my teaching career. All that said, I am genuinely in awe of all the parents who found themselves juggling home-schooling and am filled with pride at how resilient children across the country have been throughout.
Another resilient little person that I am extremely proud of is our little ray of sunshine, Mabel. Covid hit the Stubbs household with a vengeance on New Year’s Eve, making Steve quite poorly and leaving myself with slightly milder, but still unpleasant, symptoms. It was not easy trying to parent an active and potty-training toddler at the time, but Mabel was her chirpy self and helped to keep us smiling with her singing, dancing and impersonations of a popular children’s TV pig!
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When cases of a new coronavirus reached the UK, with no known treatment and potentially fatal effects, life as we knew it changed. The prime minister announced a national lockdown on 23 March, by which time 335 people in the UK had already died following a positive Covid-19 diagnosis. Public worship had been suspended in all Church of England parishes following a letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York on 17 March. There are many more facts and statistics I could write, but this avoids the truth that behind every diagnosis and case and death there is a person, and a whole community of people grieving, caring, praying.
And so our doors closed, but the church went on being the church. We launched into online prayer and worship, using our Facebook page at first, then creating a YouTube Channel, which in 2020 hosted 69 videos. These started out as pre-recorded services, cobbled together during the week, but evolved into live streamed Sunday worship from multiple homes, where we could engage with people’s comments live and involve church members who led prayers, gave readings and put together some memorable dramas. Thank you to everyone who learned a new skill, adapted to unusual times, and participated in creative ways. Worshiping online also enabled us to reconnect with people who’d moved away and engage afresh with people who ordinarily find it difficult to get to church in person.
We were also very aware of those members who were not going to be able to connect online, so we produced Worship at Home resources for Lent, Advent and other seasons in the church year. As our popular Lunch Box events were unable to happen in the church halls, the team worked hard to produce care packages at Christmas and Easter to some of our more isolated elders. And we mobilised an expanded Pastoral Care Team to make telephone calls and check in with church family and local people we knew would find isolation during the pandemic difficult. Thank you to everyone who loved your neighbour as yourself during this challenging period.
At the beginning of the first lockdown, the PCC, Standing Committee and Ministry Team came together to meet on Zoom regularly, which was a great support to me and meant that we could target the support of the church where it was most needed. There have been some advantages of meeting online, as time is saved on travelling to meetings, but there have definitely been periods of Zoom fatigue too, and of course we missed sharing in hospitality. Very early on, Bishop Graham shared with clergy that this would be ‘a marathon and not a sprint,’ and this advice proved invaluable at pacing ourselves through the year.
Aside from Sunday worship, daily prayer formed the backbone of church life in 2020. Morning Prayer on Facebook gathered a praying community much larger than the same offering in church, focusing us on God and providing a rhythm to the start of the day. An online Lent group, who were meeting to discuss Justin Welby’s book _Dethroning Mammon_ , moved online and have been praying on Thursdays ever since, with newcomers always welcome to join.
Learning together has helped us develop the value of curiosity. We ran a course called The Bereavement Journey, using video content made available by the course creators. Junior Church also continued online, with monthly sessions on Zoom. Learning to meet online has been an education in itself, with all of us having to get to grips with ‘You’re on mute!’ and ‘Turn your video on!’
Being forced into a world where physical contact is limited and we’ve had to close our doors to neighbours and friends in order to keep each other safe, maintaining social contact has been important. The weekly Post Service Cuppa after the online service has been a source of warmth and fun, with the occasionally poignant topic of conversation raised. We will all have to re-learn some of our social skills when the time comes to gather and share hospitality again.
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## **Carl’s 2020 Story: A Year to Forget, A Year to Remember**
Daddy, Daddy, how are you feeling now? Daddy, the 111 want to talk to you. OK, I’ll be fine. Daddy, wake up, the paramedics are here. Hello sir, let me check your oxygen level. We will be taking you down the stairs so it will be bumpy on the way down. In the ambulance, oxygen mask, strapped in. Bye Daddy. Pray for me please, Alice. We must wait here until X-Ray become available. Hold still. We are now taking you to the ward. What is the speed limit in this corridor? Crash, aaaah, my right foot. What pain. Crushed between trolley and door jamb. Hello sir, I am one of the doctors here. You do have COVID-19. What we will do is to put you on a drip, feed you with oxygen and monitor you. I will speak with your wife shortly and inform her of the situation. Does that sound like a plan? That sounds like a plan. Is there anything else that I can do for you? I would just like you to do whatever it takes to keep me alive, thanks. OK, the nurses are coming to see to you, I will check on your progress, bye for now. Hello sir, we are going to prepare and gown you, OK? Look at these rings on your fingers they must tell a story. This one is my mother’s engagement ring, this is her wedding ring which she gave to me for my daughter as she lay dying and this one is my wedding ring. One of them started to cry. Sleep. Day. Sleep. Night. Pray. Sleep.
What I experienced next is known only to me and God.
My eyes opened. A passing nurse looked and said, ah you are awake. Since then, recovery has been slow but assured. May 3[rd] , good news, Alice don’t tell mummy, but I am coming home late this afternoon, it will be a surprise. What bliss it was being with them again. What they saw was an emaciated bearded old man who could not stand or walk without aid, permanently fatigued and was always falling asleep. So it has remained, though improving. My Marian was wonderful.
Remember to say thanks to so many. Remember, on 3[rd] May 2021, to send that e-mail to the Chief Exec of West Middx to do just that and let it be known how grateful I was for the care and treatment received but mainly for the care and treatment observed being delivered to so many others by caring, professional and motivated people.
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Of course, Covid-19 was not the only crisis that happened in 2020. On 25 May, George Floyd was murdered by a serving police officer, who kneeled on his neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The response to Floyd’s killing, led by the Black Lives Matter movement and civil rights leaders in the US, quickly spread to protests around the world. The manner of the killing, and that it was captured on video by a witness, spoke to the racial injustice faced by black people and people of colour across continents and down generations. It was, in a way, a prophetic call to self-examination and a deeper listening to the stories and experiences of minority ethnic people in every majority-white community. Across four sessions in July, a group of St Mary’s folk and some friends from other churches met to discuss _We Need to Talk About Race_ by Ben Lindsay, a book that challenged our thinking, widened our perspective, and led to some wonderfully courageous sharing from our black and Asian brothers and sisters who talked about their experiences of racism. Clearly this was just a start, and there is much more work to be done in this area, but it was a significant moment of 2020 for those who took part. With the recent publication of the Church of England Anti-Racism Taskforce report _From Lament to Action_ , we are committed to following the relevant recommendations of the report and making our churches somewhere everyone can flourish.
The climate crisis is something that affects us all, and yet its effects are felt most acutely in the developing world. As a church, we are growing the value of generosity and one of the ways we do this is by giving a percentage of our income to causes we support. Despite the restrictions on movement and house-to-house visiting, we were able to fundraise £1800 during Christian Aid Week, and our contribution will go towards projects working on the frontline of the climate emergency. As we entered 2021 we began putting together a team to explore working towards the Eco Church award, which will raise awareness and activism on environmental issues within our community.
At St Luke’s Mission Church, the closure of the church building for much of the year presented a big challenge for a worshiping community who enjoy gathering together. Stopping Jump for Joy, the weekly toddler group, was unavoidable, and we missed seeing the regulars and meeting new ones. Likewise, our engagement with local schools through seasonal assemblies (eg Harvest at Alexandra, Easter at Ashton House) took a hit, although Elis was able to send some video messages to the children. I have been impressed at the resilience and cheerfulness of the congregation at St Luke’s when we’ve managed a doorstep chat or a phone call. Some have made the transition to online, while for others it has been difficult. St Luke’s remains a mission priority when we can use the church building more easily, and we pray that the powerful message given by the garden – Jesus Saves – will have untold impact on those who pass by on the Kingsley Road.
Behind the scenes in 2020, work progressed on our long term project to replace the ancient sound system and introduce a modern AV System at St Mary’s. Churchwarden Andy, a working group and the PCC looked at new proposals, which were presented to the congregation at the APCM in October and a survey on the system received 55 responses, the majority of which were very positive. We received diocesan approval of our plans and the installation began in April 2021. Largely funded by some generous legacies, a swift fundraising campaign (including Margaret’s amazing sponsored silence) generated the remaining money needed. The expenditure for this major capital project will show in next year’s accounts, but the groundwork undertaken in 2020 deserves a mention.
One highpoint of the year was being able to celebrate, via Zoom, Marion Warman’s 100[th] birthday in November. Marion received her card from HM The Queen, raised a glass of fizz and it was a joy to share with her a video message from Rt Revd Dame Sarah Mullaly, the Bishop of London, who paid tribute to the campaigning work of Marion that meant a woman could occupy that position in 2020. As we looked to the birth of Jesus at Christmas, a new variant of the virus caused a new spread of infection, with Hounslow holding the ignominious position of the highest rates in London, and we took the decision to suspend worship in church, a few days before a new lockdown was announced.
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## **Fabrizia’s Covid-19 story**
I remember the days before the High Dependency Unit where I work was transformed into an Intensive Care Unit. There was an unsettling atmosphere of uncertainty: worried looking managers trying to reassure us, improvised training about ventilators, on which a life is dependent.
We all were left uncomfortably wondering what was around the corner. Then the reality kicked in: our unit was fully occupied by critically ill patients, all ventilated, with infusions and devices with which we had little or no experience.
We had to wear full PPE, which meant that until our break (hours away!) we couldn’t go to the restroom or drink a sip of water. I used to feel guilty for disposing of my PPE, as there was a worrying national shortage of protective equipment for all staff.
The patients... new mums, fathers, mothers, children, husbands and wives, all with terrified family members who were desperately trying their best to assist their loved ones, with prayers or words of affection via a video call.
As nurses we were afraid of getting infected and then passing on the virus to our loved ones. We had to do our best but our best just didn’t seem to be enough. Rarely. People were dying. Things were far beyond our will and our control. Our certainties crumbled, our sense of entitlement to give and receive excellent care was ridiculed.
Did we learn the lesson? The loss of freedom was perceived as humiliating by some of us, accepted and reinforced as an act of kindness by others. The inner changes this pandemic has brought to each one of us have been different, but equally valuable as I believe it brought more awareness and with it the ability and the strength to forgive ourselves and each other for our failed grandiosity
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This was a disappointment but not a surprise, and we were able to utilise some archive recordings of the St Mary’s choir for a fully online carol service, as well as a socially distanced video Nativity and an eerily fitting live streamed midnight service from an empty church.
As the year came to an end, we were able to look back with gratitude that we had held together in faith as a community, continued to shine a light on Jesus, connected beyond the boundaries of our parish and come through the year on a stable financial footing, as this report will show.
_Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen._
Revelation 7.12
## **Revd Elis Matthews, Vicar**
## **In Memoriam**
We pay tribute to members of our church family who died in 2020, a year in which grief was made even more difficult to bear because of the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.
**Mavis Longhorn (1922-2020)** was a cheerful and cheeky attender of Pop-in Prayers, Midweek Communion and Sunday worship at St Mary’s, often quipping that she was our oldest congregation member, but never seeming that way. She read the Bible with confidence and care. She had an intrepid life, leaving Britain for the first time in 1962 to teach in Nigeria, and ending as the principal of a Teacher Training College. Mavis died just after Easter after a short illness.
**Thomas Spielmann** (1958-2020) died in June following a terminal cancer diagnosis. We remember Thomas as full of life, an enthusiast for technology and an inspiring leader in our Junior Church. His funeral service, despite the restrictions, was an amazing celebration of his life, with his friends and colleagues rallying around the family to make sure the service could be beamed around the world.
**Sue Martin** (1938-2020) served in nearly every role imaginable at St Mary’s and St Luke’s, including taking funeral services as a Reader, preaching, spearheading Safeguarding work in the Diocese of London, and serving as Warden of Readers under Bishop Paul Williams. At her funeral, it was the warmth of her smile and the personal touch that made people know she cared, that came through.
**Barbara Shovlin** was an active and beloved member of St Luke’s Mission Church throughout her life and was a well-known figure in the Hounslow East community, volunteering at Alexandra School where she helped children with their reading. For many who joined the congregation at St Luke’s Barbara’s friendly face was the first they saw.
Since the end of 2020, we have also mourned the death of **Evelyn Evans** , a long-time member of St Luke’s, **Revd Marion Warman** a former chalice assistant, churchwarden, deaconess, deacon and priest of the parish (whose 100[th] birthday we celebrated in November) and **Revd John Congdon** , vicar of St Mary’s from 1969 to 1984.
_Faithful vigil ended, watching, waiting cease; Master, grant your servant their discharge in peace. All the Spirit promised, all the Father willed, now these eyes behold it perfectly fulfilled._
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## **Our buildings – Fabric Report**
The onset of the pandemic meant the closure of our buildings for much of the year. As Covid rules allowed, St Mary’s Playgroup, Hounslow Symphony Orchestra and Liberty Dance School were able to return for periods, but we had to live without many of our regular hirers. The pandemic also meant only essential repairs and maintenance could be carried out. We are grateful to the small but dedicated team who kept a check on our buildings and grounds, and prepared them for reopening safely under the many restrictions and guidelines we had to interpret for our use.
## **Reserves Policy**
It is the policy of St Mary’s PCC to hold in reserves the following:
- The equivalent of three months general running costs.
- Enough funds to support the Children’s Ministry project for one year.
- An amount for building works guided by the Quinquennial inspection report and the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the church and buildings at both St Mary’s and St Luke’s.
- An amount towards provision of housing for enabling ministry.
- This policy was agreed in September 2016 and will be reviewed in 2021.
## **Safeguarding**
Zosia Thackray succeeded Emily Dickson as Parish Safeguarding Officer. Big thanks to Emily. As we do each year, St Mary’s PCC agreed and adopted the Diocese of London Safeguarding Policy and Statement on Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults. This states:
- Every person has a value and dignity, which comes directly from the creation of people in God’s image. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.
- We commit ourselves to nurture, protect and safeguard all our members, particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults.
- We recognise that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church.
- We undertake to exercise proper care in the selection, appointment, training and support of those working with children or vulnerable adults.
- We will respond without delay to concerns or allegations that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed, co-operating fully in any investigation.
- We will challenge any abuse of power by anyone in a position of trust.
- We will seek to offer pastoral care to anyone who has suffered abuse.
- We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, in relation to having due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
## **Deanery Synod**
Revd Sarah Guinness succeeded Ven. Richard Frank as Area Dean, as Richard became the Archdeacon of Middlesex. Elis supported the transition by accepting Bishop Graham’s invitation to become Assistant Area Dean. Although Synod meetings were few and far between, because of the pandemic, we continue to participate in the life of the wider church through paying Common Fund, being on Hounslow Citizens, our partnership with the Foodbank at St Paul’s and the Good Shepherd and through the numerous opportunities to learn together online.
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REPORT OFTHE INOEPENDENT EXAMINER
TO nlE PAROCHiAL CHUROI COUNCIL OF ST MAAY SPRING GROVE
Inde
endent Examlnerfs U
uallfled Re
rt Accounts 31 December 2020
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above chaittylorthe year ended 31 December 2020.
RespÈrtive ResponsibllitiÈs of Trustees and Examiner
The chuich'5 trustee5 are responsible for thÈ prep8ration of the accounts. The church's trustee5 consider that audit 15 not
required for this year under 5ÈCtion 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is
ed.
It is my responsibility to..
EKamlne the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act),.
To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given bythe Ch3rity Commissloners (under section 14515llbl of
the 2011 Act).. and
To stste whether particular mattÈrs have come to my attention.
Basls of Independent Examiner's Teport
My examination was carried out in accordan with the gener31 Olrectlons glven by the Charity Commi55ion. An examinatio
include5 a review of the accounting records kept by the charlty and 8 comparison of the accounts pre*nted with thosÈ records. It
a150 includes consideration of any unusual items or dlsclosures In the accounts, and seeking explan3tions from you as trustees
Concerning any suth matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit ènd
con5ÈquÈntly no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a'true and fair view, and the rÈport is Ilmlted to those
matters s@t out iri the statement below.
Independent examiner's 5tatemtnt
In connection with rny examination, no matter has come to my attention..
which 8ives me reasonable cause to believe that in any rpatwial $pett the r@4uiremenis
to keep accounting record5 in attordance wlth sectlon 130 of the 2011 Acl,. and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply wlth the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met., or
my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a propÈr undÈrstènding of the accounts to be reached.
Jenny Sh
mm CIMA
Date 4
v 2021
Page I
## **The PCC of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary Spring Grove 2020 Accounts**
## **Financial Overview of the Accounts for 2020**
## 2020 Outturn
The Covid 19 Epidemic had a significant impact on the finances of St Mary’s during 2020. The total income for the year 2020 was £168,605, a fall of £42,134 when compared 2019 this reduction was mainly due to the restrictions imposed during the Covid 19 epidemic. Expenditure in 2020 totalled £144,382 2020 compared with £169,775 in 2019 the reduction being due to lower running costs due to necessary decreased activities in Ministry and careful management of utilities etc.
During 2020 we were fortunate to receive a legacy from the estate of Lesley Hopkins and a second tranche from the estate of Edward Deeley together totalling £24,850 which meant that at year end our accounts show a surplus of £24,223. Without these legacies our accounts would show a small loss of £627.
Fortuitously St Mary’s introduced the ability to give via the central Parish Giving Scheme at the start of 2020 which many of our parishioners took up, greatly assisting our cash flow.
## Income
Income from planned giving and plate collections at both St Mary’s and St Luke’s was severely impacted by the necessary restrictions placed on church opening and on numbers worshiping; £71,794 was given this way compared to £87,396 in 2019. This was partially offset by the introduction of collections by means of electronic card reader and an online giving platform which together totalled £5,724 in 2020.
Hall rentals raised only £34,164 in 2020 – compared with £60,998 in 2019, again due to Covid 19 restrictions. In addition, the use of the Boys Brigade Hut at St Luke’s for the storage of scenery by St Faith’s Players contributed £2,100.
Other donations to both St Mary’s and St Luke’s totalled £2,132. Tax recoverable was £19,695 compared with £21,518 in 2019. Fundraising events raised £1,440 compared with £12,151 in 2019.
## Expenditure
We managed to maintain our Common Fund contribution for the year of £91,000 in full. Charitable giving in 2019 by St Mary’s totalled £7,190.
## Restricted and Designated Funds
Of total reserves held at 31 December 2020 £4,220 is held as restricted funds; and £94,189 as designated funds (£54,189 for a new AV system, £30,000 for church repairs and £10,000 for hall repairs).
## Assets (Balance Sheet)
Our current assets (cash) as at 31 December 2020 were £300,735.05. The figure for 31 December 2019 was £278,518. Our liabilities as at 31 December were £5,875.91. The figure at 31 December 2019 was £7,881.
An insurance revaluation for our two church halls resulted in a significant increase in their value of £741,205 to £1,980,000
The total value of our assets as at 31 December 2020 was £2,274,859. The figure at 31 December 2019 was £1,509,430. Our assets have therefore grown by £765,429 this is entirely due to the revaluation of the church halls and receipt of legacies.
Barbara C Green MBE. Treasurer, St Mary Spring Grove.
_Page 2_
## **Statement of Financial Activities**
||**Unrestricted Designated**
**Restricted Endowment**
**Total**
**Prior year**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**total funds**|
|---|---|
|**Incoming resources**
Incoming resources from generated funds
Voluntary income
Activities for generating funds
Investment income
Incoming resources from charitable activities
Other incoming resources
**Total incoming resources**
**Resources used**
Cost of generating funds
Cost of generating voluntary income
Charitable activities
Governance costs
Other resources used
**Total resources used**
**Net incoming / outgoing resources before**
**transfer**
**Transfers**
Gross transfers between funds - in
Gross transfers between funds - out
**Net incoming / outgoing before other gains /**
**losses**
**Other recognised gains / losses**
Gains / losses on investment assets
Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's
own use
**Net movement in funds**
**Total funds brought forward**
**Total funds carried forward**
**Represented by**
**Unrestricted**
General fund
**Designated**
Audio Visual System
Church General Repairs
Hall General Repairs
**Restricted**
Church Chancel Lighting
Church Repairs
Missions Abroad
Vestry Hall Heaters
**Endowment**
HALLS VALUATION|124,628
—
—
—
124,628
121,966
155
—
—
—
155
1,620
303
—
—
—
303
575
40,238
1,425
—
—
41,663
83,835
1,855
—
—
—
1,855
2,742|
||**167,180**
**1,425**
**—**
**—**
**168,605**
**210,739**
—
—
—
—
—
1,203
123,021
673
—
—
123,694
143,906
7,100
—
—
—
7,100
8,370
306
—
—
—
306
—
13,281
—
—
—
13,281
16,295|
||**143,709**
**673**
**—**
**—**
**144,382**
**169,775**|
||**23,471**
**751**
**—**
**—**
**24,223**
**40,964**
—
36,438
—
—
36,438
17,000
(36,438)
—
—
—
(36,438)
(17,000)|
||**(12,966)**
**37,189**
**—**
**—**
**24,223**
**40,964**
—
—
—
741,205
741,205
—
—
—
—
—
—
4,380|
||**(12,966)**
**37,189**
**—**
**741,205**
**765,428**
**45,345**|
||**209,413**
**57,000**
**4,222**
**1,238,795**
**1,509,430**
**1,464,085**|
||**196,447**
**94,189**
**4,222**
**1,980,000**
**2,274,859**
**1,509,430**
196,447
—
—
—
196,447
209,413
—
54,189
—
—
54,189
17,000
—
30,000
—
—
30,000
30,000
—
10,000
—
—
10,000
10,000
—
—
2,716
—
2,716
2,716
—
—
1,235
—
1,235
1,235
—
—
164
—
164
164
—
—
107
—
107
107
—
—
—
1,980,000
1,980,000
1,238,795|
_Page 3_
## **Balance sheet**
||**Total funds**
**Prioryear funds**|
|---|---|
|**Fixed assets**
Heritage assets
**Current assets**
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
**Liabilities**
Creditors: Amounts falling due in one year
Provision for liabilities and charges due within one year
**Net current assets less current liabilities**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Total net assets less liabilities**
**Represented by**
**Unrestricted**
General fund
**Designated**
Audio Visual System
Church General Repairs
Hall General Repairs
**Restricted**
Church Repairs
Church Chancel Lighting
Missions Abroad
Vestry Hall Heaters
**Endowment**
Halls Valuation
**Funds of the church**|1,980,000
1,238,795|
||**1,980,000**
**1,238,795**
6,368
3,635
294,366
274,882|
||**300,735**
**278,518**
4,841
6,847
1,034
1,034|
||**5,875**
**7,882**|
||**294,859**
**270,635**|
||**2,274,859**
**1,509,430**|
||**2,274,859**
**1,509,430**
196,447
209,413
54,189
17,000
30,000
30,000
10,000
10,000
1,235
1,235
2,716
2,716
164
164
107
107
1,980,000
1,238,795|
||**2,274,859**
**1,509,430**|
_Page 4_
## **Statement of assets and liabilities**
||**General Designated**
**Restricted Endowment**|**Thisyear**
**Lastyear**|
|---|---|---|
|**Fixed assets - Fixed assets**
Millenium Hall Insurance Valuation
Centenary Hall Insurance Valuation
Fixed Assets OB
Colour Photocopier
Fixed Assets St Lukes Chairs
Fixed Asset Hall Heater
Fixed Asset Church Bells
Fixed Assets Chancel Lighting
Fixed Asset Depreciation
**Totals**
**Current assets - Current assets**
Bank Barclays Community 50709573
Bank Barclays Community 50709581
Bank Barclays Premium 70709603
CCLA (CBF) Deposit 623342001D
Bank CafCash 00008015
Bank CafGold 000086709
Bank CafPlat 00303991
Bank Barclays St Lukes Current 20795496
Bank Barclays St Lukes Premium 90794783
Cash in hand
Debtors
Other Debtors
Accounts Receivable
**Totals**
**Liabilities - Liabilities**
Creditors
Deposits for Weddings or Hall Rentals
Loan from Area Finance
Holding Account - Bells
Holding Account - Chancel Lighting
Holding Account Christianity Explored
Holding Account 20-20 Vision
Agency collections
Accounts Payable
**Totals**
**Grand total**|—
—
—
1,540,000
—
—
—
440,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—|1,540,000
1,074,795
440,000
164,000
—
6,016
—
3,078
—
4,686
—
4,320
—
1,765
—
14,420
—
(34,288)|
||**—**
**—**
**—**
**1,980,000**
23,405
(433)
3,327
—
—
—
—
—
44
53,438
—
—
(27,655)
30,000
4,467
—
27,691
—
—
—
60,327
10,000
203
—
102,877
—
—
—
4,216
—
—
—
2,458
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
4,092
1,185
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,090
—
—
—|**1,980,000**
**1,238,795**
26,299
25,102
—
—
53,482
17,028
6,811
6,782
27,691
48,115
70,530
70,473
102,877
102,743
4,216
2,179
2,458
2,456
—
—
5,277
—
—
—
1,090
3,635|
||**198,547**
**94,189**
**7,997**
**—**
3,553
—
60
—
428
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(3,000)
—
3,000
—
1,034
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
735
—
64
—
—
—|**300,735**
**278,518**
3,613
10
428
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,034
1,034
—
—
735
369
64
6,468|
||**2,080**
**—**
**3,795**
**—**|**5,875**
**7,882**|
||**196,447**
**94,189**
**4,222**
**1,980,000**|**2,274,859**
**1,509,430**|
_Page 5_
## **Analysis of income and expenditure**
## **Incoming resources from generated funds - Voluntary income**
|Planned Giving Bank
Planned Giving Envelopes
Planned Giving Other
Collections Sunday Services
Planned Giving Gift Aid
Collections other Services
Collections Weddings Baptisms and
Funerals
Collections St Luke’s
Collections by Card Reader/Online
Donations Church
Donations St Luke’s
Tax recoverable on Gift Aid
Legacies
Non Recurring or one off Grants
Total|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**This year**
**Last year**
64,276
—
—
—
64,276
56,748
3,276
—
—
—
3,276
11,629
423
—
—
—
423
1,028
521
—
—
—
521
4,063
1,988
—
—
—
1,988
9,864
25
—
—
—
25
807
50
—
—
—
50
253
1,235
—
—
—
1,235
3,004
5,724
—
—
—
5,724
—
1,659
—
—
—
1,659
4,254
29
—
—
—
29
295
19,695
—
—
—
19,695
21,518
24,850
—
—
—
24,850
8,500
875
—
—
—
875
—|
|---|---|
||124,628
—
—
—
124,628
121,966|
## **Incoming resources from generated funds - Activities for generating funds**
|Fundraising Catering and Coffee
Funds St Luke’s Coffee Mornings
Fundraising St Luke’s Other
Total|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**This year**
**Last year**
125
—
—
—
125
942
30
—
—
—
30
559
—
—
—
—
—
118|
|---|---|
||155
—
—
—
155
1,620|
## **Incoming resources from generated funds - Investment income**
|Bank Interest Barclays
Bank Interest CafGold
Bank Interest CBF
Bank Interest St Lukes
Bank Interest CafPlat
Total|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**This year**
**Last year**
82
—
—
—
82
157
56
—
—
—
56
105
28
—
—
—
28
50
1
—
—
—
1
4
133
—
—
—
133
256|
|---|---|
||303
—
—
—
303
575|
## **Incoming resources from charitable activities**
|Fundraising Auction
Fundraising Handbags & Gladrags
Children’s Income
Donations - Lunchbox & Toybox
Fundraising - Other
PCC Statutory W&F Fees
Use of Church W & F|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**This year**
**Last year**
—
—
—
—
—
7,395
—
—
—
—
—
1,810
—
—
—
—
—
370
289
—
—
—
289
1,404
15
1,425
—
—
1,440
1,326
471
—
—
—
471
1,300
70
—
—
—
70
105|
|---|---|
_Page 6_
|Ministers W&F Expenses
Hall Rentals
St Luke’s Rentals
Internal Movements
Funds Use of Copiers
Funds Organ Lessons Practice
Church Use
Newsletter advertising
Church History Publication
Hymn Books/Prayer Books
Total|45
—
—
—
45
160
34,164
—
—
—
34,164
60,998
2,100
—
—
—
2,100
2,060
—
—
—
—
—
600
70
—
—
—
70
234
70
—
—
—
70
60
667
—
—
—
667
1,302
2,260
—
—
—
2,260
4,660
—
—
—
—
—
40
15
—
—
—
15
7|
|---|---|
||40,238
1,425
—
—
41,663
83,835|
## **Other incoming resources**
|**ther incoming resources**||
|---|---|
|Income from FITS refund
Contra Deposits Church Weddings
Unallocated Paying In
Total|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**This year**
**Last year**
1,805
—
—
—
1,805
2,424
50
—
—
—
50
100
—
—
—
—
—
218|
||1,855
—
—
—
1,855
2,742|
## **Cost of generating funds**
|**ost of generating funds**||
|---|---|
|Fundraising & Event Costs
Total|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**This year**
**Last year**
—
—
—
—
—
1,203|
||—
—
—
—
—
1,203|
## **Cost of generating funds - Cost of generating voluntary income**
|Common Fund
Cost of Organist
Cost of Other Organist
Cost of LDF Fees
Clergy Expenses
Internal Movements
Cost of Visiting Speakers
Cost of Junior Church & Youth Resource
Upkeep of St Marys church and grounds
Upkeep of St Luke’s church and grounds
Cost of Upkeep St Luke’s
St Marys Church Insurance
St Luke’s Insurance
Sanctuary Purchases for Service
Resources Card Reader Charges
Cost of Catering & Coffee
Cost of Church Gas
Cost of Church Electricity
Cost of St Luke’s Electricity
Cost of Hall Electricity
Cost of Church, Hall & Vicarage Water
Cost of St Luke’s Water|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**This year**
**Last year**
91,000
—
—
—
91,000
90,000
1,920
—
—
—
1,920
3,240
60
—
—
—
60
30
—
—
—
—
—
235
1,173
—
—
—
1,173
1,813
—
—
—
—
—
600
—
—
—
—
—
217
272
—
—
—
272
176
3,602
673
—
—
4,276
9,327
56
—
—
—
56
142
143
—
—
—
143
763
5,375
—
—
—
5,375
5,342
—
—
—
—
—
640
120
—
—
—
120
332
142
—
—
—
142
—
465
—
—
—
465
808
1,765
—
—
—
1,765
3,864
1,130
—
—
—
1,130
1,398
414
—
—
—
414
1,042
3,430
—
—
—
3,430
5,502
1,240
—
—
—
1,240
2,691
87
—
—
—
87
126|
|---|---|
_Page 7_
|Cost of Newsletter
Lunchbox
Hall Fire and Intruder Alarm
Hall Insurance
Hall Maintenance
Hall Cleaner Caretaker
Waste Removal
Cost of Hall Sundry Costs
Total|2,227
—
—
—
2,227
4,800
321
—
—
—
321
780
2,862
—
—
—
2,862
2,241
2,400
—
—
—
2,400
1,400
1,521
—
—
—
1,521
1,561
506
—
—
—
506
2,972
614
—
—
—
614
1,315
165
—
—
—
165
539|
|---|---|
||123,021
673
—
—
123,694
143,906|
## **Charitable activities**
|**Charitable activities**||
|---|---|
|Charitable Act Ministry Giving
Charitable Activities St Luke’s
Total|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**This year**
**Last year**
7,190
—
—
—
7,190
8,110
(90)
—
—
—
(90)
260|
||7,100
—
—
—
7,100
8,370|
|**Governance costs**
Resources Pay Roll Costs
Total|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**This year**
**Last year**
306
—
—
—
306
—|
||306
—
—
—
306
—|
|**Other resources used**
Resources Stewardship
Resources Parish Administrator
TAX & NIC
Contra Deposits Church Wedding Used
Resources Church Telephone &
Broadband
Resources Church Sundry Costs
Resources St Lukes Sundry Costs
Resources Copyright Licence
Resources Church Stationery
Resources Church Bank Charges
Resources ICT
Organ/Piano Tuning
Resources Flowers for church
Cost of Service Books & Music
Resources Copiers
Cost of Hall Bank Charges
Total|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**This year**
**Last year**
155
—
—
—
155
198
5,693
—
—
—
5,693
6,107
1,800
—
—
—
1,800
1,762
428
—
—
—
428
—
608
—
—
—
608
2,379
1,219
—
—
—
1,219
30
(6)
—
—
—
(6)
200
729
—
—
—
729
956
572
—
—
—
572
692
316
—
—
—
316
812
767
—
—
—
767
1,010
270
—
—
—
270
425
250
—
—
—
250
300
—
—
—
—
—
150
414
—
—
—
414
1,209
60
—
—
—
60
60|
||13,281
—
—
—
13,281
16,295|
_Page 8_
## **NOTES TO, AND FORMING PART OF, THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2020**
The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, and with the Regulations’ “true and fair view” provisions, they have been prepared under FRS102 (2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2016 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP(FRS102)).
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.
**Status and Going Concern** : St Mary Spring Grove PCC is a public benefit entity and there are no material uncertainties about the church’s ability to continue as a going concern.
**Incoming resources** : The accounts are prepared on the accruals basis of accounting: income is recognised when receivable, except for donations of all kinds that are recognised when received; income tax recoverable is recognised in the same year as the donation. Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over provided that the terms of the grant do not impose future performance related conditions on the PCC. All incoming resources are accounted for gross.
**Resources expended** : Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish share (see Common Fund) is accounted for when due. Amounts received specifically for mission are dealt with as restricted funds. All other expenditure is recognised when it is payable and is accounted for including Value Added Tax.
**Funds:** Unrestricted general funds represent funds that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC. Unrestricted designated funds include funds which are not restricted but have been designated by the PCC for a specific purpose. Restricted funds represent (a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in terms of the trust or bequest, and (b) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund unless otherwise agreed by the donor.
Endowment funds are represented by the valuation of the Millennium Hall.
**Liabilities** : Liabilities are recognised where there is an obligation to transfer economic benefits. The liability recognised is the amount that the Church anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as an advance payment for goods or services it must provide. A provision for a liability is recognised only when: there is a present obligation at the reporting date as a result of a past event; it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit, usually in the form of cash, will be required in settlement; and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. The provision will be measured at the best estimate of the settlement amount.
**Tangible assets and depreciation:** Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts in accordance with Section 10 of the Charities Act 2011.
However, the PCC is responsible for ensuring that church buildings are adequately insured. Although the valuations of St Mary’s church and St Luke’s buildings do not feature in these accounts (see assets above), they are currently insured for the sum of £14.15 million and £2.9 million respectively. Other buildings are also adequately insured.
Costs associated with the maintenance or improvement of such assets will be written off in the year they are incurred. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £1,000 or less are written off when the asset is acquired. For other assets depreciation will be provided to write off the cost less the estimated residual value by equal instalments over their estimated useful economic lives. For equipment this is 25% per annum. Movable church furnishings and possessions are listed in the church’s inventory, which can be inspected at any reasonable time.
_Page 9_
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
TOTHE PAROCHIALCHUROI COUPICIL OF ST MARY SPRING GROVE
Ind¢
dènt ExamlnÈ¢s U
ual1f1 RÈ
rt Accounts 31 December 2020
I report to the trustees on my examlnatSon of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 31 December 2020.
Respectlve Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The church's trustee5 are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The church's trustees conslder that an audit is not
requlred for thls year under section 144121 of the Charities Art 2011 Ithe 2011 Acil and that an independent examination is
needed.
It Is my responslblllty to:
Examlne the a¢¢ounts (under sectlon 145 of the 2011 Att):
To follow the procedures laid down In the General Dirertion$ 8iven by the Charlty Commissioners (under section 14515llbl of
the 2011 Act),. and
To state whether partiojlar matter5 have come to my attention.
Ba$ of Independent Examlner's report
My examlnation was carried out in accordance wlth the general Olrectlons glven by the Charity Commission. An examlnatlon
includes a review of the accounting records kepi by the charity and a comparison of the account5 presented with those records. It
also includes consideration of any unusual items or disc105ures in the a¢¢ounts, and seeking explanatlons from you as trustee5
concernin8 any such matters. The procedures undertaken do nol provKle all the evidence that would be required in an audit and
consequently no opinion is Bbven as to whether the accounts present a'true and fair Vie and the report Is Ilmlted to those
matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examlner's stai*ment
In connection wlth my examlnation. no matter has come to my attention..
whlch glves me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respertthe requirements
to keep accounting records in Bccordance with section 130 of the 2011 Acl. and
to piepare accounts which accord with the accountin8 records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not bÈen met- or
i¢h,Th my optnion. attet)ilon should be drawn in order to wable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jenny Sh
omm CIMA
Date 4
y 2021