Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for 2025 The Parish Office, 1 Highland Road, London SE19 1DP 020 4636 4468 www.gipsyhill.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1133804 1 ## **Contents** **Overview – Rev Jenny Dawkins .................................................... 3 Section 1: Ministry and discipleship ............................................ 3 Church community life ............................................................... 3 Weekly life and mission in church ............................................... 7 Buildings, wider church and finances .......................................... 8 Section 2: Resources ................................................................ 12 Annex 1 - Governance and administration ................................. 15 Annex 2 – Full Financial Report .................................................. 18 Annex 3 – Financial Policies ...................................................... 28 Annex 4 – Independent Examiner’s Assessment ........................ 30** 2 ## _**Overview – Rev Jenny Dawkins**_ _It is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2.13_ Over the last couple of years, I have picked up an annual habit from a good friend. In the lazy days between Christmas and New Year, I look back through my photos, choose a selection, and create a photobook for the year. It’s not a radical project, but I enjoy the process of remembering events, holidays and activities by recalling when I snapped a picture. I notice themes threaded through the year - friendships celebrated on walks or around tables, the same view noticed at different seasons, flowers at various stages of growth and blooming, children that I’m close to growing visibly month by month. It becomes a prayerful time, when I give thanks for God’s faithfulness through the celebrations and the challenges and I recognise how God has taught me and transformed me through the year. And, to be honest, the times when I’ve embraced his transformation, and when I’ve resisted it. Our annual report is a bit like this. As a church, we get to notice the threads God has been weaving through our year. We might notice something of God’s character that’s caught our eye again and again - like an enduringly beautiful view under different weather conditions. We might see something that started as a seed that the Holy Spirit has planted germinate, grow, and be nurtured into fruitfulness. We remember how one-off events have given us the chance to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice, and how regular habits of worship, prayer, community and mission have steadied our souls for changing seasons. God takes the ordinary and the extraordinary things of our lives and they become the site of His work in us. This is true for us as individual followers of Christ, and for us as a church. I rejoice at the many ways in which God has been at work at Christ Church in 2025. But what is even more beautiful is that God rejoices in His work among us too. He is taking pleasure in the ways we seek to follow Him, even when steps are faltering. As you read the reports and prayers below, you might recall how God has been at work in you personally and among the wider church family. Perhaps God might nudge you to encourage or comfort someone by sharing a memory, or prompt your prayers for all the ways in which we seek to serve His mission here at Gipsy Hill. Thank you for being a part of what God is doing in this time and this place. It is God who is at work within us - praise Him for His grace! With love, Jenny ## _**Section 1: Ministry and discipleship**_ ## _**Church community life**_ ## **Worship and prayer** **THANK YOU** to all those who welcome, lead, preach, sing or play, pray, read, and much more. Whether it’s at our 10.30 service, at Inspire, at our 9am service or in festival seasons 3 like Christmas and Easter, our worship times reflect the ways in which God gives gifts to all of us in different ways. As we offer these gifts back to him, they are gloriously woven together in multi-faceted praise. ## **NEWS** - It was wonderful to celebrate at three baptism services this year, welcoming both adults and children into new life in Christ through the waters of baptism. - We came together as a whole, multi-generational, intercultural church family a few times this year, when our 10.30 service was hosted on separate occasions by our Inspire team, our Diddy Disciples team, and our young people. - We came together as a church family for termly “All In” prayer meetings and enjoyed a prayer walk around our parish boundary, led by Pete Moorey. - We came before God in extended prayer with Prayer Rooms during Thy Kingdom Come (before Pentecost) and Advent, finding Him faithfully meeting us in revelation and inspiration. - In Advent 2025, we held a simple meditation before our Open Door community meal. This has become very popular and regulars asked that we continue it after Advent ended. **PRAYER** : Giving thanks for our musicians and singers, and for the enthusiasm of our congregational singing, we pray that God will continue to grow and release our sung worship in our lives together. ## **Children** ## **THANK YOU** A huge thank you to everyone who gives their time, energy and care to the children and families of Christ Church. We are incredibly grateful for our wonderful volunteer teams who faithfully serve in Diddy Disciples and Kids Church, helping children encounter God, grow in faith, and know they are welcomed, valued and loved. We are also very thankful to Natalie, our Time for God intern, for all her support throughout 2025, and for the encouragement, enthusiasm and care she has brought to the children’s ministry. I have really enjoyed beginning to take on this role, have been so touched by the warm welcome from everyone at Christ Church, and am excited to see where God leads the ministry next. ## **NEWS** • We repeated the successful ‘Good Friday for Families’ event, with an immersive retelling of all the events of Holy Week and chance to make an Easter Garden. • We enjoyed a fantastic Light Night party attended by both our church community and visiting families, celebrating the light and hope God can bring into our lives. • Our Christingle and Nativity services were very well attended, with many new families joining us. • We were pleased to continue strengthening links with local schools and toddler groups through seasonal visits and invitations to church events. **PRAYER** We thank God for the children and families connected to Christ Church and pray that they would continue to grow in faith and confidence in God’s love. We pray that, in the coming year, children will develop a deeper personal connection with God. We also pray for wisdom as we continue to develop the children’s ministry, for more volunteers to join the teams, and for further opportunities to share the love and hope of Jesus with children and families across our parish. 4 ## **Young People** **THANK YOU** again, as always, for everyone’s support and prayers towards the youth and running of the youth, and to those who volunteer their time so we can keep the groups running. I am especially grateful towards my Sunday and Thursday teams. ## **NEWS** - The first half of 2025, youth was running as it had before, deep-diving into different books in the Bible or following a video series such as “Alpha Youth”. We started with both Jenny and Natalie, and then Jenny stepped back to cover other areas. Youth was good, youth was strong. - In June, after one of the youth turned 18, we got thinking about what was next for the youth? What is there once they turn 18? Do they just get booted out to fend for themselves in the **BIG** , scary Sunday morning service? So came the introduction of the 20s & 30s homegroup, branching a path for the youth between Sunday Youth and Sunday morning Services. - In September, we took a step back to look at Thursday youth and did some readjusting to make it more beginner-friendly, making it easier for everyone in their teens to experience God for themselves. Our hope was to make it easier and less intimidating for the young people to invite friends. Through this, we have had a significant increase in the number of young people attending on Thursdays. - And to wrap up the year, the youth led a special all-age service just run by the youth team, ranging from leading prayers to bible readings to a drama this year, focusing on Waiting in a time of Advent. We have done youth-led services before, and yet again, the youth were amazing, really making it their own and absolutely smashed it out of the park. ## **PRAYER** We finished 2025 in a totally different place to how we started the year, but as expected, God continued to be so present within the youth. I would love to see this continue to grow - and so I encourage us to keep praying, to keep helping and to keep encouraging the youth as they discover, explore and celebrate their faith. ## **Farsi Ministry** **THANK YOU** to everyone of every background who takes the time to go beyond their language and cultural comfort zones to offer friendship and fellowship to one another in our church community. Particular thanks to Sepi for her crucial work in this ministry, and to those who support the work by encouragement, support and prayer. **NEWS** - Working with other Farsi ministry leaders in Church of England churches across the UK, we put together a day conference in Nottingham in June to enable ministry practitioners and charities to spend time with each other face to face. Emma chaired the conference, with Sepi speaking on a panel, and both the Archbishop of York and Bishop of Chelmsford were keynote speakers. This was followed up by a report highlighting the development of Persian Anglican ministry in the UK and hopes for a coordinated response to the ministry. 5 - Over 2025 the asylum process in the UK sped up considerably, meaning that many of our longstanding asylum seeker community gained refugee status and moved away from the area, and those coming to the hotel are here for less time. As a result, our ministry has shifted to those who have a more permanent status in the country and newcomers who have joined are also looking for a longer-term church home. - Our Wednesday evening Farsi Bible study space has developed as a 'homegroup', where members can eat together and share joys and burdens before opening the Bible and praying together. **PRAYER:** Lord, thank you that in heaven the city of God will be filled with 'the glory and honour of the nations' (Rev 21.26). We thank you for our diverse community of faith and we pray that you would bless and uphold the people of Iran, bringing faith, strength, peace and healing so that they may brightly reflect the glory of God. ## **Pastoral** **THANK YOU** for offering welcome, love and care to one another within and beyond the family of the church. An especial thank you to those who lead small groups where we can walk together as disciples. Particularly thanks to those who launched groups this year. **NEWS** - This year, we said a sad goodbye and gave thanks for the lives of some dear church and community friends. At a simple service for All Souls, we held memories of precious loved ones before God. - We celebrated the wedding of congregation members with a joyful service and party. - Three new small groups were born, including one specifically giving our 20s and 30s a particular place of belonging and growth in faith. - Some of us enjoyed tours around the British Museum, finding out about how some exhibits tie in with biblical accounts. - At harvest time, we held a ‘Come Dine With Me’, where approximately 60 of us gathered around different tables, as hosts or guests, across the different cultures and languages within our church family. - Jenny Thomas retired after serving here for 5 years as Pastoral Minister. We are so grateful not just for all that Jenny did, but even more for who she was, loving well and pointing us to Jesus. - We advertised but were not successful in recruiting a Discipleship Minister. **PRAYER:** We pray for wisdom and help as we seek next steps on the possible recruitment of a Discipleship Lead for Christ Church, especially with a focus on men. ## **Outreach** **THANK YOU** for being a warm and welcoming congregation, and for all the ways in which you have created a hospitable space for people to come and meet with God, whatever their background. Thanks too for those who have contributed to particular outreach opportunities this year, including co-hosting a really encouraging evening Alpha course, and the Christ Church “House Band” who led a brilliant evening of Beer and Carols at the Great Southern at the end of the year. **NEWS** - Alpha in Farsi has been a part of the Christ Church pattern for a number of years now (and continues to be!), and we were really glad to host a small but perfectly formed 6 Alpha course in English in the spring. Relationships with God and others were built up and well-established, and we were so glad to welcome a total of 8 guests across the whole course. - Encouraged to join in with London Mission Week, we decided to hold a Bible and Cake giveaway outside the church in sunny July. We gave away a lot of cake and a few bibles, and a great CCGH team enjoyed being outside, visible and welcoming. - Beer and Carols filled the Great Southern with the good news of Christmas! Such a fun and encouraging evening, building on a relationship with our local pub and being ‘out there’ as a community of faith and welcome. ## **PRAYER:** We pray that we would grow in confidence and creativity as we seek to share good news with our neighbours and follow Christ’s commission to make disciples of all nations. We pray for engagement with outreach opportunities including Alpha at Open Door, and Beer and Questions at the Great Southern. ## _**Weekly life and mission in church**_ ## **Moving into Wellbeing and Open Door** **THANK YOU** to all who are involved in our Tuesday welcome into church – especially the leader of the popular Moving into Wellbeing gentle exercise class, our Open Door cook who cooks tasty food each week, church volunteers and staff who make Open Door happen, and our small but wonderful team of bakers who provide delicious cakes. ## **NEWS** - The exercise class is very successful; people feel the physical benefit with some suggested individual exercises for people. There is also a real sense of community within the group; people look out for each other and some make contact outside the church setting. - We welcome a wide variety of people to lunch each Tuesday – some regular, others less so; it’s good to be able to build relationships with different people, many of whom don’t come to church regularly. Recently we have seen increasing numbers. - During Advent, Jenny started a meditation appropriate for anyone, not just Christians, between the exercise class and lunch; this proved popular and so has continued into 2026. ## **PRAYER:** Please pray that we find ways of sustaining this ministry financially (people are now being invited to contribute to both food and exercise if they are able to), that all would feel equally welcome, and for the Alpha course on Tuesday afternoons which is planned for June and July 2026 – that some Open Door visitors would stay for that and find faith in God. ## **Playpen** **THANK YOU** to the team of volunteers who faithfully give their time to Playpen each week. It continues to be a warm, welcoming and joyful space where parents, carers and young children can play, build friendships and feel supported. 7 We are especially thankful to Jenny T for all the commitment and love she has given to Playpen, and to Bethany and Becca for leading the team with such enthusiasm, kindness and care as they continue to help Playpen grow and flourish. **NEWS** - We said goodbye to Jenny T, and welcomed Bethany and Becca as our new Playpen leaders. - We enjoyed a range of themed activities and seasonal celebrations throughout the year, helping families engage with church life in fun and accessible ways. - The theme on our display boards this year has been ‘Fairy Tales’, with creative activities and decorations enjoyed by both children and adults alike. - Our Christmas party was a real highlight, with families enjoying crafts, games and a Christian retelling of the Nativity story as we celebrated the birth of Jesus together. **PRAYER** : Please pray that everyone who attends Playpen, of all ages, would build strong friendships, feel welcomed and supported, and come to know more of the love of Jesus through the community there. Other regular events include **Magnolia Club** and **Brownies** ## _**Buildings, wider church and finances**_ ## **Buildings** **THANK YOU** especially to those who have given much time, skill and care to looking after our buildings and garden. We’re also grateful for the work of Jeanette and Charlotte, in our church office, for their persistence and professionalism in overseeing the various repairs and maintenance work that our buildings need, and for handling our rental agreements. **NEWS** - **Maintenance.** Unfortunately, in November, the boiler which serves the Goodliffe hall and the vestry corridor and rooms developed a fault which a number of contractors couldn’t easily fix. This meant we were without heating in the hall for the winter, and as a result we didn’t charge rent for our regular users for this period. - The kitchen roof and ceiling was repaired and the water damage done was made good. - The carpet was cleaned. - **Vicarage** . The PCC gave agreement to the Diocesan plan to sell the vicarage in order that a new, more suitable vicarage could be purchased. The vicarage was sold in December 2025. - **Berridge Road** continues to be leased by Equipping People (New Covenant) Church. - **Lamberhurst Road,** the flat we were bequeathed, has taken some time to get ready for rental, and we continued to seek God for his intentions for this property. It was finally rented early in 2026. - **Bookings** . Our list of regular renters and church users have remained stable. Our buildings are extensively used during the week. **PRAYERS:** We pray for God’s provision of people, funds and expertise to maintain our buildings. We particularly ask His help for the Quinquennial Inspection taking place in 2026 **.** 8 ## **Deanery Synod** Over the past year, the Deanery Synod has continued to support the Church of England’s vision to _“proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ afresh in each generation”_ and to become a Church that is _simpler, humbler and bolder_ . Through prayer, learning and open conversation, members have gathered to reflect on how the Church can remain a place of welcome, safety, compassion and hope within a rapidly changing society. Key Areas of Focus: **Safeguarding and Safer Churches – July 2025:** _“Let the little children come to me… for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”_ Matthew 19:14 **Racial Justice and Intercultural Development – September 2025:** _“There is neither Jew nor Gentile… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”_ Galatians 3:28 As the country continues to move through rapid social and cultural change, the Deanery Synod has sought to support churches in becoming places where the love of Christ is seen, heard and experienced. _“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”_ John 13:35 ## **Financial Summary** ## **Headlines** We are so thankful that God is good and continues to provide for our needs at Christ Church and that the congregation continues to respond to God’s faithfulness by giving to the church and sharing in the ministry here. Here are some of the highlights: This year the accounts reflect the amazing legacy that we were told about in 2024. We received the keys to a flat in West Norwood in January 2025 and then later in the year a cash sum of **£13,700** . The accounts show the flat as an **investment valued at £350,000** and the income and costs related to the flat appear in the Statement of Financial Activities. After much work, we are pleased to report that tenants moved into the flat in February 2026. Overall, the accounts show a net surplus, including the legacy, of **£335,387** (2024: £24,000). However, if the value of the property is excluded, the accounts show a **deficit of £14,600.** Excluding the legacy, **unrestricted income** for the year was **£253,000** . 61% of this income comes from the congregation and another 30% from the letting of our buildings. This is an increase of £12,700 over 2024 - mainly due to an increase in lettings income. Total income was similar to 2024. We have one restricted investment that saw a loss in value of just over £10,000 during the year to £241,000. Income from this investment can only be used to fund work with children and young people. The income from this investment was **£6,976** in the year (2024: £6,800) At the year end, the church holds **£96,900 in free reserves** , plus a property reserve of **£350,000** and **£90,000** in building and contingency reserves. All restricted reserves were used in the year. ## **Income detail** Excluding the legacy (£363,700 in total), donations (mainly from the congregation) make up 61% of our total income and were around **£154,500** in 2025 (2024: £163,400). Our buildings generate a further 30%, amounting to **£76,700** , an increase on the 2024 figure of £63,700. The total income for 2025 (excluding the value of the property) was **£286,600** (2024: £271,000), the balance of income being made up of grants and income generated by the activities that we run - **£26,700** (2024: £34,200), dividends and interest from our investments - **£15,000** (2024: £8,400) and the cash from the legacy of **£13,700.** 9 ## **Expenses detail** Total expenses were **£301,000** for the year (2024: £247,000). Our largest expense remains our payment to the Diocese of **£105,000** , an increase of £5,000 over 2024. This money is used to pay the salary, housing and pension costs of our incumbent - the total cost of one vicar (including a portion of central costs) being around £90,000. This made us a net giver to the Diocese of around £15,000. The surplus is used by the Diocese to support smaller parishes that cannot meet the full cost of an incumbent. Our giving to UK and overseas mission organisations remained at **£13,500** . This is an area that has changed in 2025, do check out the information around the church on the organisations we support. Much of the increase in expenses related to our buildings - some on the flat, getting it ready for rental - but also much on increased running costs for our main building, including repair work. Overall, building costs were **£58,300** , almost double the £30,000 in 2024. Our work with youth and children continues to benefit from the Goodliffe Endowment, the income from which contributes to the cost of our youth minister and our work with young people. Our work with young people cost **£24,000** in the year (2024:£20,500). The Goodliffe Endowment generated an income of £6,976 (2024: £6,813) towards this. Our work in the community cost **£16,900** (2024: £13,000) 10 ## **Reserves** The PCC holds designated reserves of £440,000, including £350,000 representing the value of the flat. Excluding these designated reserves, there is £96,600 in free funds (2024: £89,700). All restricted funds have now been spent. 11 ## _**Section 2: Resources**_ ## **Trustees** Trustees are the elected, co-opted and ex officio members of the PCC. Trustees who served during 2025 are: |**Post**|**Name**|**Elected**|**First Elected**| |---|---|---|---| |Vicar|Rev. Jenny Dawkins|Appointed 10/06/24|| |Associate Vicar|Rev. Emma Lowth|Licensed as
Associate Vicar for
Farsi ministry
07/06/23|Appointed
curate
30/06/19| |Warden|Carlo Prina|11/05/25|2025| |Warden|Rachel Skeath|11/05/25|2021| |Deanery Synod|Beverley Fray|23/04/23|2021| |Deanery Synod|Pauline Simpson|23/04/23|2021| |PCC member|Louise MacGregor|23/04/23|2023| |PCC member|Jonathan Maytom|23/04/23|2021| |PCC member|Norma Simon|23/04/23|Co-opted 2022| |PCC member|Susan Dalton|19/05/24|2018| |PCC member|Nicklav Jegede|19/05/24|2021| |PCC member|Chibuzor Madu|19/05/24|2021| |PCC member|Pete Moorey|19/05/24|2021| |PCC member|Janet Boyce|11/05/25|2025| |PCC member|Hellen Chomba|11/05/25|2025| |PCC member|Bettina von
Hornhardt|11/05/25|2025| |PCC member|Sophie Williams|11/05/25|2022| The vicar, associate vicar, wardens and deanery synod representatives are ex officio. 12 ## **Office holders** Christ Church is reliant on the time and expertise given by its members and the PCC to fulfil key and statutory roles. Officers of the PCC at the end of 2025 were chair, vice chair, church wardens, secretary, treasurer, electoral roll officer, gift aid secretary, health and safety, and safeguarding leads. ## **Paid Staff** Paid staff are children’s minister, youth ministry assistant, church administrator, operations manager, cleaner and open door cook, all part time of varying proportions of full time work, plus clergy and Farsi ministry assistant employed by the diocese. ## **Leaders and volunteers** Christ Church relies on its members to lead and support our activities. This includes setting the strategic direction as well as leading a range of ministry, outreach and community activities. A number of teams of volunteers support the smooth running of services and other church activities co-ordinated through a termly service rota. They include the ministry team, the prayer ministry team and the music team and a considerable number of lay people reading lessons and leading intercessions. Regular services continue to be supported by a pool of stewards and welcomers, collection counters, coffee makers, sound and overhead projection system operators, flower arrangers, Sunday School and youth group helpers. ## **Attendance** Average Sunday attendance during 2025 was 105 adults and 20 children. We have continued to livestream services using Facebook live; it is difficult to tell the exact number watching these, but around 10 per week. Total attendance on Easter Sunday was 236, at special Advent services (Christingle and Carol Services) 229. Attendance at the Christmas services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was 353 including the Nativity on Christmas Eve. In 2025 there were 36 baptisms including 29 adults, mostly from our Farsi community, 1 wedding blessing, 5 funerals held at church. ## **Electoral Roll** Following last year’s complete revision, the electoral roll was updated in April 2026 and now stands at 153, which is an increase of 3 from last year (8 added and 5 removed). Only 30 (20%) live in the parish, but the parish is small geographically and many live outside the parish boundary but within walking distance of the church. 61 (40%) are male and 92 female; 33 of the 153 are from our Farsi community. ## **Buildings and fabric** Under Church of England rules, the churchwardens have personal responsibility for movable furniture and ornaments and joint responsibility with the incumbent for consecrated buildings (in our case that means Christ Church, but not the Goodliffe Hall). However, funding for the maintenance of these items is provided by the PCC and so these items are now reported below. We also own the church at Berridge Road but this is leased to another church who are responsible for its maintenance. 13 Our Quinquennial inspection was in 2021 and we continue to be up to date on all the urgent matters that were highlighted in the report and are now working through other items highlighted. One is due in 2026. 14 ## _**Annex 1 - Governance and administration**_ ## **Name** The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Christ Church Gipsy Hill are the trustees who administer Christ Church, Gipsy Hill. Other names used by which the charity is known are Christ Church, Christ Church Parochial Church Council and Christ Church PCC. ## **Address** Christ Church is situated on the corner of Highland Road at its junction with Gipsy Hill. It is part of the Diocese of Southwark within the Church of England. The correspondence address is Christ Church, 1 Highland Road, London SE19 1DP. ## **Legal Status** Christ Church PCC is a registered charity under number 1133804. ## **Governing Documents** Christ Church PCC has two approved governing documents: The Parochial Church Council’s (Powers) Measure 1956 as amended and the Church Representation Rules (contained in Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969 as amended). A new version of the Church Representation rules was published at the beginning of 2020. ## **Appointment of Trustees** The Church Representation Rules specify the composition of Christ Church PCC who are the trustees of the charity. Christ Church PCC is made up of ministerial appointments, lay church wardens elected by the parishioners annually during April or May, and lay members of the PCC and Deanery Synod elected for a three year renewable term also elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, together with co-opted lay members with defined responsibilities. The chair of trustees is the incumbent for the time being and during any vacancy an elected member of the PCC. All eligible Church attendees over 16 are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to Christ Church PCC. When recruiting a new trustee, requests for nomination are published in Christ Church. When considering co-option Christ Church PCC has regard to the requirements of any specialist skills needed. ## **Aims** The primary aim of Christ Church PCC is the promotion of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England. ## **Objectives** Christ Church PCC has the responsibility of supporting and co-operating with the incumbent in promoting the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical in the ecclesiastical parish and for continuing that work during the absence of an incumbent. The PCC has maintenance responsibilities not only for the Church building but also for the Goodliffe Hall adjacent to the church and the church garden. ## **Supervision** Various aspects of parish life are supervised by the hierarchy of the Church of England including particularly the Lambeth South Area Dean (Rev. Kit Gunasekera), the Archdeacon of 15 Lambeth (Ven. Simon Gates), the Bishop of Kingston (Rt. Rev. Martin Gainsborough) and the diocesan Bishop of Southwark (Rt. Rev. Christopher Chessun). Significant changes to the Christ Church building have to be authorised by the Chancellor of the Diocese of Southwark through the faculty jurisdiction, in addition to any planning or other permissions required by law. As a charity, the Trustees must have regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, and in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. The activities described in Section 1 of the Annual Report demonstrate our commitment to participating fully in the life of our local community, welcoming all-comers to our worship and activities, and seeking to serve those in our community in many different ways. ## **Internal governance – PCC report** The PCC had 5 regular meetings in 2025, plus a meeting to approve the accounts, and an awayday at Holy Trinity Tulse Hill in July. As well as standing items such as finance and safeguarding, we discussed the clearing and preparation for renting out of the maisonette in Lamberhurst Road that we had been left and the re-energising of our mission support including setting up a new mission committee. We also discussed staffing needs; we were delighted to welcome back Charlotte Carpenter as Operations Manager and Beth Peters as Children’s Minister, though failed to appoint someone to lead on pastoral care for men. We looked at plans and hopes for the year, and reviewed some of the events. We spent some time considering racial justice and inclusion, and also ways of helping those in the Farsi community, particularly those who are now settled here, to become more integrated into the life of the church. At the awayday, we were able to spend more time together and among other things looked at prayer and outreach, worship and unity, and discipleship and all ages. ## **Statutory Responsibilities** As trustees the PCC has statutory responsibilities for safeguarding and health and safety. The PCC has adopted the diocese’s safeguarding policy ‘A Safe Church’, which was updated during 2019. The Safeguarding Officers working alongside Jenny Dawkins. Those working with children and vulnerable adults have undergone Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. All regular users of Parish buildings are required to lodge copies of their safeguarding policies with the Parish. ## **Safeguarding Report** We are always mindful of the importance of safeguarding, and want to keep Christ Church as a safe place for everyone, children and adults. The PCC has adopted the diocese safeguarding policies introduced in 2019; we follow the house of bishops guidance, and deal appropriately with any incidents which arise, which they do from time to time; the diocese safeguarding team are really helpful and always available. The diocese has changed DBS providers following a data breach at the previous company used. We kept everyone who may have been affected informed, and as far as I’m aware noone’s data has been compromised. The systems of the current providers, thirtyone-eight, seem more robust – it certainly takes longer to do anything! We are keeping up to date with DBS checks for those who need them. We celebrated Safeguarding Sunday in the autumn, a good reminder to the whole congregation of the importance of safeguarding and some of the things we have in place; Beth also introduced some of the thirtyone-eight material to the children. 16 In April 2026 we held a safeguarding training session for the module that most people need, led by a member of the diocese team; 23 people completed it satisfactorily and most other people are up to date with training. Both the prepared material and people’s contributions to discussion were really helpful. 17 ## _**Annex 2 – Full Financial Report**_ ## **Approval** The custodian trustee for the Goodliffe Hall Foundation is the South London Church Fund and Southwark Diocesan Board of Finance. The Trustees approved the Financial Statements at its meeting on 9[th] May 2022 and the attached statements have been independently examined by Simon Lewcock, FCCA. His assessment of the accounts is at Annex 4. ## **Accounting Policies** The financial statements have been prepared under the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the current Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities and applicable accounting standard FRS 102. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include financial statements of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of church members. Nor do they include expenditure funded by insurance claims where the contractor was paid directly by the insurance company. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets which are shown at fair value. As is normal for parishes in the Church of England, expenditure on buildings fabric, systems and fittings is not capitalised but written off as incurred. ## **Funds** Restricted Funds are those given for a particular purpose and currently comprise the Goodliffe Endowment Youth Work Fund and various funds in respect of small specific donations not yet spent. Unrestricted funds are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and so are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted. Endowment Funds are funds, the capital of which must be retained permanently and comprise the Goodliffe Endowment, which was given to provide income to support youth work in the parish and so all the income derived therefrom is allocated to the Goodliffe Endowment Foundation Youth Work restricted fund. ## **Income and Endowments** Collections are recognised when received by and on behalf of the PCC. Planned giving under Gift Aid is recognised only when received. Income Tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised in respect of income recognised during the financial period. Grants and legacies to the PCC are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt by the PCC is probable. Lettings and rental income is recognised when earned. Other types of income are recognised when earned. Dividends are accounted for when due and payable and interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue. ## **Grants** Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC. 18 ## **Activities directly relating to the work of the church** The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due and any parish share unpaid on 31 December is provided in these financial statements as an operational (though not legal) liability is shown as a creditor in the balance sheet. The activities of the church are supported by a number of volunteers. This includes ministry, administrative and other general support. No salary costs are incurred in relation to volunteers. Any out of pocket expenses incurred are reimbursed by the church. ## **Fixed Assets** Consecrated and benefice property is excluded from the accounts by § 10(2) (a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011. Movable church furnishings held by the vicar and church wardens on special trust for the PCC, and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted for as inalienable property unless consecrated. For inalienable property there is insufficient cost information and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements. All expenditure incurred in the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings and the repair of movable church furnishings is written off. This includes the amounts spent in 2015 on the Goodliffe Hall redevelopment, which included repairs, refurbishment and property improvement. ## **Current Assets** Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectable. Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Church of England Funds or at the bank. ## **Liabilities** Costs incurred but not paid at the year-end are recognised as liabilities. ## **Going Concern** The PCC has assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these financial statements. The PCC has concluded that there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. ## **Critical accounting estimates and judgements** In preparation the financial statements, the PCC has not been required to make any significant judgement or estimates 19 Chrbt Churth.Np5yHII 2015 TOTAL suw)s 1014 4 Dmlgnthd IKoMe& EMDOWMEWTS Fur4$ Fur4$ rrtary S￿1?2 SU.l72 161397 16Y397 A￿¥￿51￿¥e￿e￿bn1[Ur 77360 65AM2 6.9 L587 6J13 Ow*JYe •ctkdtles l2.826 11891 25.717 26J76 34211 330 19*67 237.361 Ji.6 211￿50 n 5W>Wrt l&xrtFff*kl 2{al ifS.r*YJ O¢hÈr tosts 21bl 891 97275 7&152 7313 8]￿65 21c) s¢ 58303 30.024 2{dl IL.927 28.752 40.679 928 32565 33.493 2Sg.614 2S7 IIETIIICOMEIIEXPEiirMniREI 3S7.163 12L7761 16.1 193 11931 110.0371 IU).0371 5.618 5.618 IIETMOVÈMÉIrt IP4 FUNDS 357.163 121.7761 110.0371 325350 30.451 163831 5.618 BROi￿NT FORWAAD AT I J*JIUAAY 179.71£ 21.776 251.rff 452550 149.26S 2B.159 245.140 422A64 A•JED FOAWARDAT 31 DEUMBUI S36.m 241,011 179.n6 21.776 ISi,C68 452.550 20 202S TOT• FJM>s 2Q• Fura Furds NDS ASSÈTS Ir*o5trnent5 24L021 s91￿1 25Lf68 251M58 CiIIREIrtASSETS OEL*Jr5 i?J46 203S2 •.S74 Y￿rt rwm de￿15 75.207 75207 69240 69240 Cashat Oankarxl trland 105.391 132￿) 102.185 118.6S6 21.776 197.941 147J43 195.gX) 21J76 219246 UAIMimES.. AMOiINTSOL WITrIATrJONE YEAR li( lij￿4 17.7Y 17.754 ETCVRAeMT ASSETS 186.879 186,879 178.216 23276 201A92 1•6,879 178JL6 23276 2SLf158 451350 FIWIDS General 6¥J 96.639 89,71S 89.71S 35Q(n) iy)s PastorfSLVF¢ 240 240 S3&879 S36.879 179.7LS 179.71S UA83 13J83 Other 8J94 8.294 21.7?7 21.??? 24L02L 241.021 2SL.OSS 2SI.058 536m 24L021 777,K•l 17*,ns 11.777 ISLCSS 45U50 21 Chrfsl Gbpv•HII Trèfb￿r￿al ststÈmÈrts h*4È prepared uhdÈrthÈ ChurthAtLOufitlr* Ao8ulatIf￿s In at(￿da￿￿¥￿Eh aPF41rat40 artOunt*w S￿[￿a￿d% and thÈcurrÈnt StatomÈntlJl AÉtÉ*M￿dÉo Pr*tltÈ. *LC(xMrtin8Athd W¢*Lin8 ThÈfWW￿al StatemÈrtS￿￿de all tra}￿(￿0￿￿A$s(tSand IiablWt*% Wh￿h the PCC 1% respthi&lbbè ￿ law. do not Includo Ihnandal statÈmentsoltknh wsthAt thdr maln affiNal￿ kn￿other bodynortknethat are Infofmal olchurth mÈmbots. Nf*do thty*Kludè Èwk*rturÈ fundÈd by Inwr3r*È dalms W￿*È thèt(wttfattor¥fdS pald dilÈdly ￿ the IrtsurancÈ Thèfwwndal statemÈrtsh•4Q bÈ*n preparod undÈrthÈ ￿lo￿Al ￿tt￿n￿ntIOn e*tept k)2S a0￿911￿d Fur Ae5tv*ted Fund5 TOTAL TOTAL FUN05 L IIICOME AEMCO*IMEIIVS Fuffld5 Fur￿% Fur ftegularlrKomefromdDTrJf5 L2&U2 L26.182 133376 Lry3C r4ftAid 363.671 363.671 29.822 161.397 29322 163 397 si&in S￿.In 1OIAr¢kntye5frqcneyDtJpTqlw Lettsni5and remal 7¢670 76&70 63.111 1.331 77 thtéfest 1.587 6.113 6.976 6.976 6A13 13 1ldllrKL¥nPfr￿ clwrtablt Iltthllles 8￿p sutrrAryw2 733S 7.JlS Érrffjarn* Fot¢thub 3.792 12.826 12.891 12.891 76 26*76 26 76 34211 25.7lP 7.335 OtherirKOW 3YJ 330 330 19 IJ? 24 24 TOTAL DS >Jkyyt io io irts.roj ioj b}Otherm￿l￿(￿Sts charIt*￿Grantsffar￿￿rf1kitr￿U 2.85 IOh92 7.313 36J•7 iQ692 Jo.t42 I￿stry 12.891 L2.891 a74 7Jll 874 *547 Stsff 2.7&8 7.613 1.021 1.674 3.107 L161 3207 L161 i.? 9?4 1973 7.613 L021 L674 841 *rn &nkchHEE5& ¥nETE5t 914 1971 611 1077 17 3.778 J77 7¥J 4.19 Spec￿l¢￿￿t￿5 665 824 B3A65 97.275 cJButh 3.071 437 3JJpi X)A37 3.f61 JL171 i.Q51 112?2 7.SS4 FL¥nrtL¥E L644 IL012 361 47.173 ILI>) L351 5.176 11.0 36J 47J73 Li.1>) 5.176 1.62 IM24 OthermawrtErparKe I rÉwrrir .ftt4 S&30a 21dJAcThrtie5 .355 9.657 928 )543 DoDr 6J5 8295 20.459 32.56$ 30LIS8 25 Ftytl* yewer4ed JI DEreffitsera125 J. STWF QXTS Staff (r￿tt rd*etosa* la¥￿ 0￿j pensb]ncontrlxthn51nrel*knWt membw5 ￿%13￿ ￿re tylhEchLYch InthE¥￿. *1 parttirne12024.' fr4el. ofd* Tru#eeswtr4ty1 2025 OmLyht t￿￿1 Decrease In 251.058 145A40 ascustth Trustee thebenefft althe Path,CLryn51ry1Tr￿wEtt1￿PStfflEfits1￿ sharp5 andwv4e#men15 a maikni¥ah* c+. 241.021 2SIM58 Ptcrv[eb￿11 ￿y￿￿￿T¥￿eYeB(•thkh kndLthd a wvpvty. TN5 ￿￿￿rIvhel￿trlthe5lC1 & SO8F a5cLStOd￿TDJ*eE kythe b￿￿e[￿OIthePYthaT4 has teen at the PCC at marletvalu?. FUNDS Intotne I￿￿(￿er•￿e 5.332 4602 LS 17.346 5332 Otherdebtty5 ayrr*nr5 5.974 5.974 Isx* 20.S52 9.574 9.574 PAYE aThlsal*ya¢uv4 2.419 8.12S 2.419 8.12S &125 8.125 456 456 Ji.C64 2.027 15.n8 1.017 17.75S 26 Churth. fypsy HWI 14otes to the Flnahrlal Staieff F(* y•w erdod JI Decefflbef 2025 7. FUPXIS tst January 2025 Jlsl Oeleffll 2025 Tr•nslws General 89.71S 616.C187 [aSO.LY 1259,1611 Pffjperty fwml Pa5toroi 5UPPQ¥t 8uildi￿5 Cawal ar￿ c￿tI￿enCY aso.( 3501 240 2S9.613 536.879 GoDdirffe Enthwment Y(Mrth Work Other 13N83 976 11891 120.4591 21.185 25lJ)$8 110,0371 2411121 &arKI Total 452 so 636.644 311.294 777.gJ) Tofal Idefflrflaljle donatIC￿5 made by PCC wmber5 to the thwth Twe £27.65512024: É27.$24 cer￿n Trustees Incur vnall wtof expenses ￿ relat￿ to dK4rth xtr4tt1e¥ are relrrthrsed In fdl. 27 ## _**Annex 3 – Financial Policies**_ ## **Financial controls** The financial controls are intended to ensure that the parish’s funds are protected by requiring an appropriate segregation of duties. These updated policies were approved by the PCC at the beginning of 2023. ## **Cash counting** All cash received during each Sunday service is placed in the safe and then counted and recorded on a monthly basis by two individuals before being banked, usually quarterly as we have much less cash than previously, by a third person. The individual responsible for the banking collates the counting forms and other information which is then entered into the accounting records by the external bookkeeper. ## **Book keeping** The posting of all payments into the accounting system is made by the external bookkeeper, who is not authorised to sign cheques or make payments. Spending Authorisation Up to £100 - may be authorised individually by the Vicar, a church warden, or other member of the staff team Up to £500 (plus VAT) – may be authorised by the Vicar (including authorising the expenses of other staff members) Between £500 and £1,250 (plus VAT) – may be authorised by two of the Vicar, church wardens or treasurer Up to £2,500 plus VAT – may be authorised by the standing committee Expenditure of over £2,500 (plus VAT if payable) must be approved by the PCC. In general expenditure over £1,250 (plus VAT) should require the obtaining of two or more quotations, and expenditure of over £2,500 three quotations. Within their approval limited, the Standing Committee or PCC may determine that urgency, specialism or other circumstances justify proceeding with only one quotation. ## **Payment Process** The process for one-off payments by direct bank transfer is that the vicar approves and signs off the payment schedule for regular outgoings and other expenses up to £500 (ie within their payment approval level), other than their own, and for expenses that have been approved by the PCC or Standing committee in advance and are being paid in accordance with that approval. For all other expenses – ie those above £500 or those of any amount which are being paid to the vicar – two signature approval from wardens and treasurer is required. The property committee has been authorised to spend up to £5,000 each year for small items of expenditure on maintenance, no individual payment to exceed £2,000 without PCC approval. ## **Financial reserves** It is a requirement of trustees of a registered charity that they adopt a policy on the maintenance of reserves. This is normally expressed in terms of an amount sufficient to fund normal activities in the event that income ceases or the organisation has to be wound up. In March 2025 the PCC reviewed the reserves policy, and amended it to maintain in reserve 3 months expenditure, £60,000, and a sum of £30,000 in respect of urgent property expenditure. 28 ## **Investment policy** The Goodliffe Foundation is a fund bequeathed to the Church from which income may be spent on children and youth work. The funds and are held on behalf of the PCC by the South London Church Fund and Southwark Diocesan Board of Finance as Custodian Trustee. Some years ago, all the funds were invested in the Church of England Central Board of Finance Investment Fund whose stated investment objective is: “to generate capital appreciation, high and rising income and a long term total return in excess of its benchmark, whilst adopting an appropriate ethical investment policy. It invests mainly in equities in the United Kingdom and overseas but may also invest in fixed interest securities and commercial property. In this way, it aims to be suitable for up to 100% of a church trust’s long-term capital." ## **Mission Giving** The PCC has a longstanding commitment, which remains in place until varied by a subsequent PCC, to donate 10% of general giving (ie not property income or legacies) to its mission partners. It has since been clarified that mission giving in any year will be 10% of donated income including gift aid from the previous year. Decision on recipients have been delegated to the Mission Committee. 29 Annex4- Inde endent Examiner's Assessment INOEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDEO 31 DECEM8ER 2025 To the ParochSal Church Councll of Chrlst Church, Glpsy Hill This report on the accounts of the PCC for year ended 31 December 2025, whlch are attached to thls report, Is in resped of an examinath?n caified oui under the Churth Accountin8 Regulatlons 2￿6¢'the Re8ulaiKJnsl and the Charities Act 20111'the Acl'l- Respectlve responslbllltles of trustees •nd examln•r As members of the PCC you are re5wnsible for the preparation of the accounts.. you consider that an audil is not requlred lor this year under section 14412> of ihe Acl and thai an independent examinaiion is needed. li is my responsibility to= - examine the accounts under sect￿￿ 145 of the 2011 Act; - follow the procedures laid down in the General Oifections given by the Charlty Commission under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Acl- and - state whether particular matters have wme to my altention. B•s15 af Indeperrflent examSnerfs statement My examinatbon was tarrled out In accordance with General Dirertion5 8iven by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and comparison of the account5 presented with those records, It also includes consideration of anv unusual items or disclosure5 In the accounts, and seeking explanation5 from ihe PCC concerning any such matters. The Pfocedures undertaken do not provide all the evldence thot would be required in an audit. and consequenlfy no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fal view and the report is limi￿d to those matter5 set out in the stotemeni below. Independent examlner's ststement Slnce the church's gross Income exceeded £250.(KQ your examiner must be a member of a t listed In sectlon 145 of the 2011 Act. I confim7 ihal l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member of the Association of Chartered CertIf￿d Attountants IACCAI. which is one of the listed bodies. In connertion with my examination, no maiter has come to my attention.. 111 which gives me reasonable cause io believe that in any materTral respect the requlrements.. to keep accounting records in accordance with 5eclion 130 01 the 2011 Act- and to prepare accounts which accor(I wilh the accounting records and whith comply wlth the requirement5 of the 2011 Act, as also contained in ihe Regulations, have not been met,. or 121 to V4hich. in my opinion, attention should be drnwn. In order to enable a proper understandin8 of the accounts io be reac S.A. Lewtock FCCA Windsor Lodge Millfield Road Hounslow Middlesex TW4 5PN 22rt May 2026 30