**PARISH OF ST MARTIN AND ST PAUL CANTERBURY Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting, 10[th] May 2026** ## **TABLE OF CONTENTS** |**TABLE OF CONTENTS**|| |---|---| ||PAGE| |Welcome from the Rector|1| |Rector’s Overview of the year|2| |PCC 2025-2026 List|4| |Signifcant decisions by the PCC|4| |Churchwarden’s Report St Martin's|5| |St Paul's without the Walls Church Wardens’ Report|6| |St Martin's Development Group|7| |GIF|8| |GIFT|8| |Choir|8| |Messy church|9| |St Paul's @Tea Time|9| |Easter Day in the Making|9| |Sunday Zone 1 and 2|10| |Charitable Giving|11| |Life Long Learning|11| |Pastoral care|12| |Hangouts|12| |St Martin's Visitors|12| |Eco Group|13| |Flowers|14| |Community Engagement|14| |Safeguarding|15| |Pilgrim Post|15| |Christians Together in Canterbury|16| |Deanery Synod|16| |Finance Report|17| |Independent Examiner’s Report|21| ## **Welcome to the 2026 Annual Report** I have now been your Rector for a just over a year and have journeyed through two Holy Weeks with you. Already we have done so much together. My thanks are due to the Church Wardens, whose support and wisdom has been invaluable, and to all of you for your lively and committed contributions to this place, in such a variety of ways, too many to mention. We are a place of many gifts. ## _God of new beginnings_ _The Source of all that we are and all that we can be, Equip us for this journey to which we are called With wisdom, with kindness, with love; Make us fierce in the pursuit of your justice And gentle in the care of your little ones;_ _Resource us with resilience_ _Overflow us with joy_ _And guide us in love;_ _In the name of the one who gave his all for us As we are called to give our all to others, Our Saviour Jesus Christ,_ _Amen._ 1 ## **RECTOR’S OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR** ## _Introduction_ This, our first year together, has offered us an opportunity to get to know each other, to explore our hopes and dreams, to try new things while still valuing the old, and to involve and empower new people to join in the running of our parish. It has been a privilege to join this community, and I am grateful for, and remain inspired by, the faith, enthusiasm and commitment of so many people in this place. So, I begin this APCM report with thanks – to all of you, for carrying on for another year, for daring new things, and for working alongside me with integrity and commitment. What are these new things? ## _Liturgy_ We have taken a good look at our liturgy, especially at St Paul’s – not the last look, I hope, but a significant one. We have devised new orders of service, with small steps towards more inclusive language; we have involved more of our young people in the delivery of our services, through opening up more serving and subdeaconing opportunities, to align with our wish to become a more intergenerational church; we have increased our alignment with Common Worship’s seasonal variations in our liturgy; and Dom, Charlotte and I have begun to consider how we can expand our music, our hymnody, to incorporate fresh, genderinclusive options, while simultaneously making sure to retain the old favourites that we all enjoy singing. We have also held intercessions training and are currently exploring ways to streamline the service and increase our prayerfulness beforehand. ## _Prayer_ Through the Life Long Learning group, we have put on a six-month prayer course, inviting various people to lead sessions on ways of praying, from intercessions to silence to lectio divina (and more). This came to a conclusion in February, as we sought to consolidate all that we had learned and think about next steps. Our prayer sub group has met to think about ways we can develop prayer in this parish and was able to feed - some ideas for discussion into the LLL final session. This has led to plans to hold 24 hours of prayer on 26[th] 27[th] June; and an idea of forming a St Martin and St Paul Prayer book containing all our favourite prayers. If you have a prayer, you would like included, do email the Office. Our daily prayer group, which has enabled us to pray together while apart, through the use of the _Pray as you Go_ app, has burgeoned from two members (including me) for much of the year to twelve (an increase of 500%). This has been assisted by the migration of all of our WhatsApp groups to a central location by Chris Kirkland, one of many excellent initiatives by him in the area of social media. I name him as his work is often hidden in the background and yet is central to our public face and capacity to attract new people to join us. ## _Growing in Faith Together_ We have developed a second _Growing in Faith Together_ (GIFT) group to accompany our initial _Growing in Faith_ group, as it was designed for younger adults, up to age 45. Our new group targets older adults, of working age (broadly aimed at 45-65 years), but is not limited by or defined by these age boundaries, but rather, aims to offer something else for those who are not catered for by the original GIF. We have begun steps, following support by Jen Tobin, the Diocesan Lead Officer for Children and Young People Ministry, and with the assistance of our Youth Intern, Lillie Swain, to develop a GIFT group for teenagers. ## _Departures and arrivals_ Our year has seen a number of departures and arrivals. Christopher and Christine Robinsons’ departure from St Martin’s was followed by the co-option of Isis Brook as Deputy Church Warden. Isis will be standing for election as Church Warden of St Martin’s at the APCM. Thanks are due to James Sampson and Claire Butler, our existing Deputy Church Wardens, for stepping into the breach until Isis joined us. We also welcomed a new Reader, Roxane Lee Affonso and a new Youth Intern, Lillie Swain. Alastair Mansfield has obtained PTO and joined the ministry team. We have said goodbye and thank you to our parish 2 administrator, Sylvia del Nevo and to our longstanding Reader, Rosemary Walters. Sincere thanks to Sam and Michael Keeler Walker, Ros Newington and Jackie Curd, who have voluntarily set up and contributed to the smooth running of the parish administration. This saving of £9,000 per annum enhances the provision for mission and ministry. Similarly, thank you to those who have stepped up to begin to cover the many roles Rosemary filled. We also have some new people at church, who are contributing to the life of the parish with enthusiasm. And of course, we were delighted to welcome our new Archbishop, Dame Sarah Mullaly, on her impromptu visit to St Paul’s on 22 February. ## _St Martin’s_ We have launched a Development Group to lead on _St Martin’s: The Next Chapter_ (more on this elsewhere) and have successfully instigated a Three-Way Ticket with our UNESCO partners, which is being launched in the early summer, to increase the profile of St Martin’s. I have made good links with the Major Churches Network, of which St Martin’s is a member. Our Buildings Committee continued to meet and our Quinquennial was conducted in 2026. We appointed a new Senior Visitor Host, Elena Field, who is flourishing in the post and has organised a number of events, including a pilgrimage for International Women’s Day (working with Torin Brown, the Cathedral Pilgrimage officer), _Sound Emergence,_ a meditative event involving the creative use of sound, and an _Illuminating Easter: Medieval Art workshop._ ## _Meningitis_ Canterbury was at the centre of a Meningitis outbreak, which led to some extra risk assessment and pastoral support, but we decided to keep calm and carry on, and did not cancel or substantially change our services or events. This has now settled down, and I am pleased to say we can report no infections at St Martin and St Paul’s. ## _Diocese and National initiatives_ I have been elected to the House of Clergy in Diocesan Synod. Following the launch of my book _God Beyond Gender: Crafting Inclusive Liturgy_ in the Cathedral in October, I have given a number of related talks and workshops: in Holy Rood House, Thirsk; Edinburgh Cathedral; St John’s Waterloo, London; and more locally, for our Canterbury Contemporary Theology Group. I have led online inclusive liturgy sessions for WATCH (Women and the Church) and given a talk on St Patrick at St Peter’s, Canterbury. ## _And also…_ All of the above is alongside the bread and butter of our regular services, our pastoral work and our occasional offices. It has been a year of continuation, of what is so good here, and also of change, as befits the way we see ourselves, as people on a journey. I am pleased to journey along with you and conclude as I started, by thanking you all for what _you_ do to make St Martin & St Paul the flourishing, inclusive church that it is. _Sunday Zone 1 Godly play – journey through the wilderness_ 3 ## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL 2025-2026** |Rector (Chair)
Associate Priest
Churchwarden at St. Martin’s Church
Churchwardens at St. Paul’s Church
Deanery Synod representatives 2023-2026
Elected members 2023-2026
Elected members 2024-2027
Elected members 2025-2028
Co-opted member 2025-2026
Parish Treasurer
Readers holding the Bishop’s Licence
Also in attendance, nonvoting|The Revd Dr Mary Kells(from 6 April 2025)
The Revd Charlotte Sleigh
~~Christine Robinson~~ (resigned 25 Oct 2025)
Michael Keeler-Walker
Ros Newington
Andrea Don(_elected 2024 in place of H.Schoenefeldt_)
Samuel Keeler-Walker _(elected 2024 in place of R.Matthews)_
~~Rosemary Walters~~ (resigned 22 February 2026)
Claire Butler
Abraham Joseph
Joanna Lawson(also PCC Secretary)
James Sampson
Ruth Baker
Jackie Curd
Judith Dimond
Kit Johnson-James
Charli Johnson James
Sue Spillett
Camilla Titterton
Dan Titterton
Monica Walling(term ends May 2026)
Isis Brook(co-opted 28 January to May 2026)
Gordon Craig(not on PCC; retires at 2026 APCM)
Mary Butcher(_PTO non-voting member_)
Samuel Keeler-Walker(_also Deanery Synod_*)
~~Christopher Robinson~~ (resigned 25 October 2025)
~~Rosemary Walters~~ ~~(~~~~_also Deanery Synod_*)~~(resigned 22 Feb.)
_[Roxane Lee Affonso – awaiting licensing]_
Dominic del Nevo (Choir Director)| |---|---| ## **SIGNIFICANT DECISIONS 2025-26** All meetings receive reports and updates from the Treasurer, Churchwardens, parish centre, on safeguarding, and any policies for approval. Below are particular matters of significance and/or approved at meetings. A summary of meetings is published in Pilgrim Post through the year. May 2025 New PCC formed and elections / appointments made. Trustee declarations of eligibility to serve completed. June 2025 ‘Mission and strategy’ item introduced for each meeting, for focus and priority for the church. These grouped around: - Liturgy and worship, ministry, spirituality and faith - Outreach, St Martin’s, children and families - Finance, strategy and operation, environment Eco-group – PCC approval given to seek grants for work for our buildings under a diocesan quick grant scheme, to support our efforts to achieve net carbon zero target by 2030. Standing committee membership and appointments made, including of safeguarding and health and safety officers. Maintenance – sundry approvals given. 4 ## September 2025 Strategic item: spirituality and faith, with encouragement to progress steps in exploring the development of age-based groups. Approval of donations to our chosen concerns. Maintenance – review and confirmation of architect to conduct St. Martin’s quinquennial; approval of funds to proceed with urgent roof repairs and maintenance at St. Paul’s. Safeguarding items approved: action plan, list of approved activities for 2025-26, risk assessments for the buildings. Policies approved - data privacy notice, safeguarding, health and safety, food hygiene, parish centre fire policy. ## November 2025 Strategic item: inclusive language and its use – interest and support for taking this further, to broaden the imagery we use for God. All Age Eucharist – interest in further consultation and exploring options. Policies approved - church fire policy for each of St. Martin’s and St. Paul’s. Safeguarding – ongoing approval of actions to ensure robust safeguarding practice. Appointments approved - safeguarding hub administrator and chalice bearers. Parish charitable giving – approved the causes for Christmas 2025 and the approach for future years. Inclusive Church – encouragement agreed to individuals to sign a letter to the bishops following a recent decision. January 2026 Strategic item: St. Martin’s plans for development – agreement for the development group to continue exploring re-ordering of St. Martin’s (including a toilet, disabled access and interior re-ordering), acquisition of Glebe House and engaging a fundraiser – all options and actions to return to the PCC for decision. Lent Appeal agreed, for toilet provision at St Martin’s and for an overseas project. Parish Centre pricing – reviewed and approved, effective from 1 April 2026. Draft budget received. St. Martin’s chrismatory (an historic item) – loan to the Cathedral approved. Appointments and approvals - co-option of Isis Brook to the PCC and her appointment as Deputy Churchwarden of St Martin’s (with a view to appointment as Churchwarden later in 2026); support for the licensing of Roxane Lee-Affonso as a Reader in the benefice; quote for security system work. March 2026 Strategic item: an intergenerational church (all generations integrated and worshipping together) – encouragement for growing an intergenerational community first, and building this into our worship could follow. Audited accounts reviewed with final approval to follow. PCC vacancies and elections – encouragement to think ‘intergenerationally’ in nominations. Volunteers sought for sundry roles including Christian Aid representative, and Ride and Stride organiser. _Jo Lawson PCC Secretary_ ## **CHURCHWARDEN’S REPORT - ST MARTIN’S** ## **Worship** Though relatively small (20-25 regulars), the Sunday 9am service attendance looks to be growing with several newer attenders coming back regularly. Our busiest service, the First Eucharist of Christmas, held for the first time at St Martin’s, at 8pm on Christmas eve, was attended by approximately 70 people. Our Thursday midday prayer service has remained very low in numbers (3-5) with only three regulars. This weekly service is currently suspended to undergo a rethink about day, time and focus to increase attendance. There is also a once monthly Compline and Silence service. We continue to have our numbers augmented by visitors, especially during the warmer months. There have been three weddings in the church since the last APCM report. 5 ## **Buildings and Maintenance** Urgent bell tower maintenance works were approved and completed. This included: cleaning floors and beams, biocide treatment to freestanding timber, vegetation and debris removal, re-boarding the external door to prevent bird access, and repair to the lightning conductor. New bell ropes had been ordered to be fitted at the same time, but the supplier has let us down and a new source has yet to be found. Annual servicing of the Gas boiler, Fire and Smoke Alarms (including new batteries) are up to date. The floodlights have been replaced with more energy efficient ones. The quinquennial inspection was carried out on 20[th] March by architect Jonathan Goode; we await the report. An electrical check is booked to take place April 23[rd] . The young volunteer gardeners have helpfully supplemented the council’s upkeep of the churchyard with their Wednesday afternoon work sessions. Progress on plans for toilet facilities are slowly moving forward with this as the focus of the 2026 Lent fundraising. ## **Visitor Information** St Martin’s as a church of historical significance continues to draw visitors and our new Senior Visitor Host, Elena Field, has supported the volunteers and also come up with new ideas to broaden the appeal of the church (please see separate report). _Isis Brook_ ## **ST PAUL’S WITHOUT THE WALLS CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT** This year has been an exciting one as we have supported Reverend Dr Mary Kells in her first year of parish ministry. Her husband, Alastair Mansfield, has since been granted Permission to Officiate and has taken some of our services. In addition, we are grateful to Canon David Roper, Reverend Sue White, Reverend Lorraine Lawrence, Reverend Diane Fawcett and Reverend Charlotte Sleigh, all of whom have supported us with services throughout the year. The Lay Readers continue to play an important part in the life of the parish. Our grateful thanks go to Sam Keeler-Walker, who has regularly prepared service orders and newsletters, and to Mary Butcher, who continues to support us and take funeral services. We also welcome Roxane Lee Affonzo as a new Reader awaiting licensing. Thanks are due as well to Josh, Willow and Melvin for becoming Sub-Deacons and supporting our worship. This year we also said goodbye to Lay Readers Rosemary Walters and Christopher Robinson. We thank them both for their dedicated service to the parish. ## **Worship** Sunday morning services have seen new families and younger adults join the congregation. Thanks go to Monica for all that she has done in her role as Deputy Churchwarden, and as she stands down this year we express our gratitude for her faithful support and service. We were delighted that the Archbishop of Canterbury and her husband joined us for the service on 22 February. The Confirmation service last June, led by Bishop Rose, welcomed eight new communicants, and celebrations continued afterwards in the Parish Centre. New midweek services have been introduced, including Corpus Christi with refreshments afterwards, as well as more inclusive liturgy following the launch of Reverend Mary’s book “God Beyond Gender”. Choral Evensong continues to offer an interesting array of speakers and remains well attended. St Paul’s at Tea Time continues to attract a growing number of families and helpers. The new Good Friday service, “Easter in the Making”, led by Alastair, was great fun and involved around one hundred people, culminating in the use of a large tomb at the west end of the church. ## **Events** Events this year have included the Christmas Market, Super Lunches at Harvest and Christmas, and a New Year’s Party, to name but a few. Thanks to Jackie and her team for all that they do to make these possible. 6 The Lent project this year focused on raising funds for a toilet at St Martin’s and twinning with a toilet in Malawi. Last year’s Lent Appeal also enabled the exterior of the Parish Centre to be painted, which has made a significant improvement to the building. ## **Buildings and Maintenance** Work is just beginning on the roof to replace broken tiles and repair mortar. Internal ceiling and wall work to repair failing plaster in the South Aisle has now been completed. Regular maintenance has continued on fire extinguishers, electrics and gas systems. A new telephone system has been introduced, and Ardent now manages the computer system. The Quinquennial Inspection is due this year. The vestry has benefited from a donated vestment chest from Burpham Church of the Holy Spirit, for which we are most grateful. Our thanks also go to Mander Organ Builders for kindly moving it for us. Grateful thanks go to Marylyn for all that she does to prepare for services and care for the linen and vestments. Many thanks to all who support us in this role and continue to make St Paul’s a welcoming and inclusive place to belong. _Michael Keeler-Walker and Ros Newington_ ## **ST MARTIN’S DEVELOPMENT GROUP** The Development Group grew out of the St Martin’s Buildings Committee and met for the first time on 10 October 2025. We agreed at that first meeting that we needed to expand beyond St Martin’s in our membership, and so have invited people from St Paul’s and the community to join us. Our membership currently stands at seven and we are keen to expand, so if you are interested in joining us, do have a word with me. Our remit is an exciting one, to look at re-ordering St Martin’s to facilitate a toilet and disabled access, and consider the removal of the Victorian pews in order to return the space to its Anglo-Saxon roots. This will allow for greater flexibility of use, a process we have already gone through with St Paul’s. In addition, we are in the happy position of being top of the queue as a potential buyer for Glebe House, which sits next to St Martin’s, below the Priory. This house is owned by Christchurch Canterbury University, and is currently surplus to their requirements. They have identified us as a key partner to sell the building to, given our UNESCO partnership, and we are in negotiations about the time scale that will be possible for us, given the need for us to do substantial fundraising. Our vision for the building is that it will be refurbished in order to make room for a toilet, café, shop, visitor space, where we can hold exhibitions, and a room for local community use. Upstairs, we are seeking a means of making the _St Martin’s Centre: a Place of Welcome_ (working title) self-sustaining financially, as well as supporting our overall aims. Thus, we are considering a range of options, including housing a religious community, and offering space to pilgrims. We meet monthly and have been in touch with Le Lay Architects about the re-ordering of the church, building on existing work on options for toilets and disabled access, and we are seeking quotations for refurbishment work for Glebe House from local architects. We are pursuing lines of enquiry around religious communities and seeking to employ a fundraiser/fundraising firm by preparing a tender, with the help of Edwina Bell, erstwhile member of St Paul’s and successful project manager and fundraiser. The Major Churches Network have also been helpful and we have had an early conversation with the DAC. Our Lent appeal has been in support of this project (specifically the installation of a toilet), and we have collected money from various events at St Paul’s during Lent. The formal launch of our fundraising endeavour will be, however, with a concert by the King’s Men, Cambridge, a subset of the choir of King’s College Cambridge. This will be held in the Cathedral (which is being opened to us at no cost, a donation worth £1,000) on 15 July at 7.30pm. Do put this in your diary – it will be a great evening. _The Rector_ 7 ## **GROWING IN FAITH (GIF)** Over the last year our Growing in Faith group has indeed grown — in numbers as well as in the depth of our fellowship. 2025/26 saw an expansion of the variety of our activities and our sharing with the wider parish, including: - supporting two of our number and other candidates through Confirmation, by discussing our own experiences and by joining one of the Confirmation classes; - making group pilgrimage to churches such St Stephen’s, Lympne, and the ruined church of Elizabeth Barton, the Holy Maid of Kent; - fortnightly worship and discussions on topics such as War, Power, Prayer, and Relationships, with one session a month accompanied by a shared meal; - meeting weekly during Advent and Lent, with our Lenten practice this year taking the form of studying Matthew’s Passion narrative in multiple translations; - opening up to the whole parish our Christmas and Holy Week services of Compline blended with contemplation of Christ depicted in visual and literary art. We walk the road as a strong and nurturing worshipping community, learning from each other and benefiting as much from the experience of the long-time students of the Word as from the questions of new Christians. Leadership has been broadened from resting on Samuel Keeler-Walker to two new volunteers (Chris Roe and Stefan Vassalos), while every member has a voice in deciding our activities and takes a turn in preparing a meal, leading our discussion, or shaping our worship. Following the maxim that nobody can fully be a Christian alone in their room, we have found that, in meeting regularly and maintaining a space of open and comfortable conversation, we are able to make space for the Spirit to work and to enable us to continue to Grow in Faith Together. _Stefan Vassalos_ ## **GROWING IN FAITH TOGETHER (GIFT)** The GIFT group was launched on 20 October 2025 as a pilot initiative for those aged 45–65, targeting adults of working age. As a pilot, it provides an opportunity to learn and develop through regular feedback. It is intended that, subject to its fruitfulness, the model may be extended to other age groups or, as numbers grow, to additional groups in due course. The group was formed in response to a recognised need for fellowship and community beyond regular church services. It offers a space where members may reflect together on matters of life and faith, considering both personal experience and the wider world in the light of Christian teaching. Discussions have included themes such as Richard Rohr’s _Falling Upward_ , Bias and Racism and the Christian Response, Near-death Experiences and Parallels with the Christian faith, and Julian of Norwich: _Revelations of Divine Love_ . The group currently comprises fourteen members and meets monthly in the Parish Centre Meeting Room. Each gathering begins with prayer and concludes with a form of Service of the Word, shaped in various ways to encourage participation, with light refreshments available. There has been good engagement, along with mutual support in prayer and encouragement. The group remains grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow together in faith and fellowship, and welcomes others who may wish to join. ## _Mathen and Alice Thomas_ ## **THE CHOIR** The Choir’s regular duties cover the 10.30am service most Sunday mornings, monthly choral evensong (except in April, August and December), and additional services throughout the year (e.g. Advent and Christmas carols, Candlemas, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Ascension). This year the Rector has requested a choral presence at a few more of those additional services (e.g. Holy Cross and Epiphany). A particular highlight of the year was the BBC Radio Kent carol service, which was recorded at St Paul’s and 8 broadcast across Kent and East Sussex on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (this is still available on BBC Sounds until the end of the year). Alongside that, as in previous years, we have led a number of choral evensong services at the Cathedral over the year, and many of us joined with the choir of St Mary in Charity, Faversham for a week-long residential visit to Durham Cathedral in the Summer. We continue to broaden our repertoire, introducing the sung litany by Thomas Tallis at Ash Wednesday, alongside music by – among others – Franz Liszt (Ave verum), Moses Hogan (My soul’s been anchored in the Lord) and William Mathias (Lift up your heads), as well as reacquainting ourselves with some old favourites (e.g. Charles Wood Evening canticles in E Flat). In terms of membership, we continue to maintain a strong choral tradition here and our numbers are regularly in the high teens/low twenties for Sunday mornings, with the Choral Evensong choir often expanding beyond the confines of the choir stalls. We have been delighted to welcome Noah and Jake from the local student population to our membership this year, and it has been a delight to hear Theo and Jeremy Isom as their lower register voices develop. As always, I would like to extend my thanks to David (and our cover organists when he is away) and the members of the Choir for their commitment, and to everyone who supports our work throughout the year. _Dom del Nevo_ ## **MESSY CHURCH AT SPRING LANE COMMUNITY CENTRE** Messy Church has had a year of transition, with the departure of Christopher and Christine Robinson (to whom thanks is extended) and the development of a new team, under our new Rector. The Messy Church steering committee has expanded over the last year and the group is benefitting from this growth, building further on the creativity, enthusiasm and joy in the team. Messy Church meets at the Spring Lane Community Centre once every two months. Although we have had varying amounts of attendance at Messy Church, there have always been enough people so far for it to feel worthwhile and the children have clearly enjoyed themselves. We have covered the themes of Harvest, Christmas, The Prodigal Son and Holy Week and looking ahead we will be exploring the Resurrection. The Good Friday Messy Church event, exploring Holy Week, drew in around 100 people and was a huge success, with many extra helpers from the wider church family. As we foster relationships and start building a group of regular attendees at Messy Church who feel part of the group, we ask people to pray that this ministry will grow to draw in previously unchurched people into what might be their first experience of a church community. _Dan and Camilla Titterton_ ## **ST PAUL’S AT TEATIME (SP@TT)** Our monthly gatherings on the afternoon of the second Sunday continue, and are still well attended and enjoyed by those who come. It is a super time, with the same pattern continuing of activities, story, prayers, songs, tea and a church search. New families are joining us and remark on how they feel welcome and safe. Mary and Alastair have joined our team of story -tellers. Meryl now provides us with a lot of the live music and we have several new helpers for the craft activities. We are pleased that during the year we have been able to encourage all ages to take part in the story- time and this is helped by making the time interactional. We continue to look at new experiences and are trying to develop ways for the adults and older children to learn more from a separate short session just for them. We are as always grateful to everyone who makes this service a priority, and gives of their time so freely. It is a great blessing that Teatime is held in the actual Church building and children and adults feel comfortable and at home in our lovely warm and bright church. _Sue Spillett_ ## **EASTER DAY IN THE MAKING** Sometime back in January, I remarked to the Rector, that I’d be happy to organise a little thing aimed predominantly at children and families at St Paul’s on Good Friday morning. The Rector took me at my word, and it was with growing anxiety as Holy Week drew nearer, that I came to see that without my conscious and deliberate intent, the little thing that I had offered to put on was not little at all, but rather the most ambitious thing of this sort that I’d ever attempted. I knew we’d be going to a place where we’d teetering on an edge… but that if we could keep our balance, it would be exhilarating. It was with enormous delight - and some surprise - that I discovered that others seemed to have an appetite to go to that teetering 9 place too. The team, which was at first too small for the task, soon grew. Gentle nudges and invitations were met with open-ness and generosity, and we ended up with a team of about 20, every one of whom had more than one thing to do. Thus, it happened that about 100 people did something new in St Paul’s on Good Friday morning. We tried to compress the main events of Holy Week into an hour and a half, beginning with a raucous Palm Sunday Procession, before doing some making/painting/decorating and then having a meal taken in haste in our ‘Upper Room’ in the Parish Centre (set out as it is for Fisherfolk so that those eating can recline as the gospels describe). At each point, we heard brief readings from scripture and our movement from one scene to another was accompanied by simple songs like ‘Drunken Sailor’, and ‘If you’re happy and you know it…’, with the words adapted to suit our purposes. Gethsemane had been created in the Lady Chapel, and we witnessed Jesus’ agony there, his betrayal and arrest. He was hauled off to face the Chief Priest and then Pilate, who questioned him from the Chancel Step. The Crowd, in thrall to earthly powers, wanted him dead. We followed him along the way to Golgotha (in the children’s play area) and as He hung before us, the children, who had decorated papier maché skulls, were invited to lay them at the foot of the Cross. The 21,600 seconds of His dying were reduced to 10, but somehow the gravity survived. As He died, someone remarked, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God.’ Many were wearing the helmets of Roman soldiers that they have made earlier, and at this point they were invited to remove headgear and fall to their knees. Joseph came and, with Pilate’s assent, received the body of Jesus which was taken to the place of burial. We sang, ‘Were you there, when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they laid him in the Tomb?’ The Great Stone was rolled across the mouth of the Tomb. Both had now been painted something like the colour of Jerusalem stone by the children. And that’s where our Good Friday morning ended. As a child told her uncle over the ‘phone ‘We killed Jesus.’ Comments received: One of the team described it like this: ‘a wonderfully immersive way of telling the…story - craft activities, a hot cross buns picnic, live music and a life-size tomb.’ She added I’m ‘Looking forward to next year's one already! And another said, ‘It was so interactive and engaging for all ages, without dumbing down. The theological power and biblical language of the story shone clearly through. I loved the multiple forms of participation, which drew us into our spiritual connection with the events of the passion.’ An observer, experienced and at home in Children and Families work in parishes said, ‘It was well-timed with just the right pace to keep the younger ones engaged. Fab crafts, well run and resourced. Kids were laughing, following the story, joining in wholeheartedly. They sang, played, painted followed with excitement and curiosity as to what was coming next.’ I think we can be very confident that together we got a number of things very right. ‘Easter Day in the Making’ had been thought about but had not been drilled, trialled or rehearsed. It was live. One member of the congregation, who held more than 70 Good Friday services in memory, said this was the best one she had ever been to. A team member volunteered these words to describe it: ‘Ambitious, Imaginative, Bold, Impressive, Inclusive, Vibrant, Dynamic, Well-paced, Energetic, Compelling, Gripping, Absorbing, Teamwork, Sure hands at the tiller, Multi-faceted, Multi-sensory, Full and imaginative use of inside and outside spaces, Immersive, participatory enactment incorporated live band, songs, speech, movement, ceremonial eating, witnessing.’ _Alastair Mansfield_ ## **SUNDAY ZONE 1 AND 2** In Sunday Zone 1 we have a core group of up to 5 primary aged children. We meet all weeks except when there is a teatime service. Week by week we explore bible stories and our Christian faith. As the group is mainly aged 5- 7 years we often use the themes from Diddy Disciples a very interactive course which suits the children’s needs. We are very flexible during response time and their work is self-directed. There is always an option for a way to remember the story we have talked about. The peace is brought out to us and we prepare to return to church. There is a short quiet time of prayer often we look at one of the images of 10 God to initiate ideas and remind us of the many faces of God. We blow out the candle. As the candlelight spreads out into the room so we take out God’s love into church and the world. Sunday Zone 2 meets monthly and explores the Christian faith with our secondary aged children. There is again a core group of about 5, formerly led by Rosemary but now Val. Thank you to people who have donated items for us to use. We continue to thank you for all your prayers for all our young people and adults who support week by week. _Ruth Baker - Sunday Zone leader_ ## **ST MARTIN’S AND ST PAUL’S CHARITABLE GIVING GROUP** The Charitable Giving Group (previously a subgroup of the Outreach Group) advises the PCC about the distribution of the 10% tithe of stewardship giving which is donated to charities. During 2025, Judith Dimond handed over her role as convener of this group to Claire Butler. Other members of the group are: Judith Dimond, Diane Fawcett, Dominic del Nevo. The charities receiving funds in the calendar year 2026 have all been receiving donations from our parish for at least 5 years and they are: 1. Connecting Canterbury (part of the Social Justice Network) 2. Christians Against Poverty 3. Open Doors 4. Pastos Verdes 5. Kent Refugee Programme (part of the Social Justice Network) 6. CORD 7. Street Pastors 8. Amos Trust 9. Catching Lives Pilgrim Post carries regular reports about the charities we are supporting. In June 2026, we plan to have a full PCC discussion and review of the parish’s charitable giving to refresh our approach. This will not necessarily lead to significant changes but will be an opportunity to update our thinking. Please speak to your PCC representatives if you have views on this subject that you wish them to share. _Claire Butler_ ## **LIFE LONG LEARNING** The Life Long Learning group, which has been run by Rosemary Walters for many years, has each year run an Advent and Lent course, Meet Eat and Greet events with a particular theme, and overseen the educational needs of the parish. With Rosemary’s departure, this group will need to be re-envisioned and I will be convening a meeting to this end. In 2025, we launched a prayer course, which lasted from September until February 2026, a departure from the usual programme. This began with an excellent introduction by Lyndall Bywater, followed by a session on intercessions by Primrose Northrop. We then enjoyed a session on the Bible, approached through Lectio Divina and the use of the imagination, led by Judith Dimond. Peter and Sandy Ingrams next led us in Silence and Stillness at St Martin’s. This took us up to Advent, when GIF led us in a series of Complines, focusing on art, music, the senses and icons. Charlotte Sleigh’s session on Prayer in the midst of activity was postponed, due to illness, until Lent, so in the meantime the Prayer Course concluded with ‘Bringing it All Together’, led by me, in February 2026, in which we reviewed all we had learned and thought about what we might do next. Lyndall kindly returned to hear how we had got on and offered a helpful distinction between three kinds of prayer: _steadying_ , _strengthening_ and _stretching_ . We don’t have to be good at all of them! We made plans for a 24-hour session of prayer, and have made a date for this: 26-27[th] June, just before the Confirmation service, and decided this was definitely _stretching_ . And we thought about a ‘recipe book’ of St Martin and St Paul prayers. If you have any favourite steadying or strengthening – or indeed stretching - prayers you’d like to see in this, do let me know. 11 We also held a meet, eat and greet session focusing on the homelessness charity _Porchlight_ and offered a Lent group based on our new Archbishop’s Lent Book, _Dancing to the Heartbeat of God,_ which offers a series of stories of faith from across the Anglican communion. If you would like to get involved in thinking about education across the parish, and how we might move forward in this – how we might stretch ourselves! - do let me know. _The Rector_ ## **PASTORAL CARE** When I joined you a year ago, I was somewhat overwhelmed by the pastoral care network which seemed to operate rather like a mycelium network does, with considerable force and effectiveness, while remaining quietly underground. I appointed the Revd Sue White to be Pastoral Care Co-ordinator for 6 months, to help me get the measure of what was going on, and how I could fit into it. I am grateful to Sue for taking on this role while the network gradually revealed itself to me. It became clear by the end of this period that the role of Co-ordinator, was best done by the Rector, so that has returned to me. I have, however, appointed two Pastoral Care Chaplains, Sue White and Sam KeelerWalker. It became clear to me that each of these was already offering pastoral care effectively and naturally within different age groups. The older folk turned naturally to Sue, and younger ones to Sam, and so I have asked them to continue what they are doing with their respective age groups and recognised their excellent work by the title of Chaplain. I would like to appoint a Chaplain to the under 18s in due course and also a Chaplain to young families. If you feel you could fill either of these roles, or would like to learn more about them, do have a chat with me. I continue, of course, to offer pastoral care myself, including care of the dying. In addition to these formal roles, it is clear that much pastoral care is offered in the guise of friendship, informally, under the radar. We also provide pastoral care to care homes, specifically to residents of Highland House. Our new Reader, Roxane Lee Affonso, has agreed to take this on this year. Red House care home has passed back to the Parish in which it is located, although we continue to visit parishioners who are resident there, as required. I am grateful to all who, with quiet dedication, offer care and support to those around them, meeting need as need is expressed. It is one of the glues that hold this community together. _The Rector_ ## **HANGOUTS** Hangouts continues to go from strength to strength and meets every month in the Parish Centre. We have had a year of consolidation but also progression with new members joining us. Hangouts youth group is an opportunity for our young people to meet and share each other’s company and spend time together. The group has picked up a steady group of young people over the last year and we now have a group of around 8 people who meet regularly. Over the last year we have been able to enjoy a trip to the theatre, an evening out for fish and chips to Whitstable and a special December “bring in” to celebrate Christmas. We enjoyed a wonderful confirmation service in June 26 where some of the Hangouts group chose to get confirmed and continue their Christian journey. The group enjoy the relaxed nature of Hangouts and value spending time together without too much focus on structure and organised activities. We look forward to another exciting year. _Sue, Chris, Val, Ruth and James_ ## **ST MARTIN’S VISITORS** Overall, it’s been a very busy year at St Martin’s in terms of visitors, tours and events! Having joined as Senior Visitor Host last June, I have had the pleasure of welcoming tour groups from all over the world. These have formed as pilgrims from international and national churches, schools from America, and even groups from Japan, Germany and the Czech Republic. It appears that St Martin’s is universally known for its historical 12 and religious significance, resulting in our strong visitor footfall. Indeed, despite a decrease in visitors in the winter months, in 2025 St Martin’s visitor numbers were up by over 350, compared to the previous year. My aim for the year has been to increase visitor numbers by hosting a variety of events. For example, last July, we collaborated with Maison Dieu for the Canterbury Medieval Pageant, which earned us 292 visitors in one day. Equally, for the Heritage Open Days in September, we hosted three events. Firstly, the Canterbury Gregorian Music Society performed Gregorian chants, which may have been sung in the time of St Augustine. The following Saturday, Gareth Balch, the medieval lutenist, joined us for a wonderful afternoon of historical music. And finally, I created a week-long exhibition using archival material about St Martin’s and its fascinating history. All three events were successful, and Gareth has proven to be a fantastic connection to have, as I have since organised additional events with him, namely, the Ardingly College Senior Guitar Ensemble concert that we hosted in February. Indeed, 2025/2026 has been a time of collaboration at St Martin’s. In March alone, we have had three occasions where we worked with other organisations and individuals to create interesting events. For example, for International Women’s Day, we collaborated with Canterbury Cathedral to organise a mini-pilgrimage walking ‘Queen Bertha’s Walk’, starting at St Martin’s and finishing at the Cathedral in time for evensong. Later on in the month, we hosted Sound Emergence for their ‘This Place Meant’ sound bathing experience. It was fantastic to see the church being used in a different way, with many of the attendees bringing their own yoga mats so that they could meditate lying down in the chancel. Finally, and most recently, we collaborated with The Palimpsest Studio to host a medieval Easter-themed art workshop, where attendees could paint their own medieval-style Easter bunnies in the chancel of St Martin’s. Perhaps our most significant collaboration of 2025/2026 is a three-site ticket we are creating with Canterbury Cathedral and St Augustine’s Abbey. The overall aim of this ticket is to encourage visitors to St Martin’s and our fellow heritage sites, so that they get the full history of why Canterbury is so significant, for less than if they were to buy tickets to the Cathedral and St Augustine’s separately. St Martin’s will remain free to enter, so instead, we will be offering ticket holders a free copy of _The Cradle of English Christianity_ by Martin I. Taylor. We are still organising the final details, but we aim to launch the ticket this Summer. In other news, our wonderful volunteer team has been slowly expanding. When I started my position, we had nine volunteers. This has increased to sixteen sitters! Both old and new volunteers continue to do a fantastic job of welcoming visitors and sharing their knowledge of the wonderful history of St Martin’s. Equally, in terms of our media and social media footprint, we have had a steady increase in followers on Instagram over the last year, and I have been using it to promote St Martin’s and our events as much as possible. Last year, we also opened our doors to the Christian Global Network from South Korea, who filmed St Martin’s for their TV series on world Christian History. Overall, it’s been a very successful year at St Martin’s. I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of 2026 has in store! ## **ECO GROUP REPORT** The group has continued to submit monthly articles to Pilgrim Post highlighting activities concerning the parish and the world in respect of the effects of climate change. This has been informed by the regular reports from Pat Crawford who has kept us abreast of the latest research reports across the globe. Local events and dates have been brought to the attention of readers, and it is hoped that some have been able to participate. Fairtrade goods, as far as possible, are in use in the parish, ranging from wine to sugar. Recycling of blister packs has been discontinued in church because it no longer suits the business model pursued by Superdrug. They will accept individual contributions as this increases footfall in the store. The consumption of crisps continues at a steady pace and the supermarkets are happy to accept them in the soft plastics regardless of quantity. Paper is recycled in the church, and all paper used in church is from sustainable sources. I continue to collect tools of all kinds for ‘Tools with a Mission’, who prepare packs for 13 delivery to Africa. There, people are trained in their use, pay a nominal sum for the pack, and are encouraged to set up their own businesses. No further progress has been made on Eco Church Awards but we should be able to achieve at least a Bronze Award for St. Martin’s once the HIVE is installed. This has been funded following a “Quick Wins Application”, a somewhat harrowing process which challenged the term ‘Quick’. Work on St. Martin’s Churchyard has been amazing, led by Audrey Lewis and her gang. They have worked hard throughout the autumn and winter removing brambles and planting bulbs. We are extremely fortunate to have such a talented and dedicated team and donations of cakes and biscuits to sustain their efforts would be most welcome. The Magnolia tree and Witch Hazel in memory of Keith Dimond are growing well. _Sue White_ ## **FLOWERS AT ST MARTIN’S CHURCH** My environmentalist extremist son-in-law researched and bought us a type of oasis bricks which decompose reasonably. We have been able to buy more and consequently flower arranging this year has been much easier than with chicken wire. The three of us, with modest skills have, as before at festivals, had wonderful arrangements created by Diana Francis and Vanessa Stanton ably supported by her husband, Richard. _Doreen Laven_ ## **FLOWERS AT ST PAUL’S CHURCH** A small team of dedicated people have continued to ensure that there are flowers to enhance St Paul’s Church for services and visitors throughout the year, except for Advent and Lent. The festival displays have also added to the sense of occasion. This year we were joined by Sasha who is completing her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has donated towards the cost of flowers this year and for the suitable garden greenery, which has enabled these flower arrangements to continue. _Ros Newington_ ## **COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT** Our key community initiative remains Messy Church, which we have relaunched with a new team, full of vigour, at Spring Lane Community Centre. We are grateful for the support of the Centre Co-Ordinator, Barbara Munns, and also for that of Nick White, the Diocesan Estates Mission Enabler, with whom I have discussed what makes for an engaging Messy Church. I have also attended BFR training in setting up your Messy Church. We have had fun considering new ways to engage all ages and make this an event worth returning to. Historically, the challenge with Messy Church is the varying and unpredictable numbers who come each time. To begin to tackle this, we have set up a WhatsApp group for Messy Church attendees in order to build up a sense of community. This year’s All-Age Good Friday event, ‘The Easter story in the making’, was planned by the Messy Church team in the first instance, expanding to involve volunteers from SP@TT as well as new volunteers. At the time of writing, this has been untested, but we are hopeful, if it works well, that it may be possible to expand it next year. Nick White has also been helpful as we have considered various ways to enhance our ministry in the local estates. This is currently embryonic and I hope to have more to report next year. The St Martin’s Centre offers great potential for community involvement and Nick and Cllr Connie Nolan are assisting with thinking about how we can develop this. I have taken part in online Barton Ward meetings, to discuss issues within the ward with community partners, aiming to jointly solve them. This meeting also provides an opportunity to share positive work that is taking place in each of our settings. 14 I have also worked closely with the Dean and various other officers in the Cathedral in developing our work at St Martin’s. This has included Gina Grubb, Head of Visitor Experience, Torin Brown, Pilgrimage officer and Caroline Plaisted, Chief Officer of Friends of the Cathedral, each of whom has had wisdom to share and has been generous with their time. As mentioned elsewhere, we have worked with English Heritage and the Cathedral to develop a three-way UNESCO ticket. Elena Field, Senior Visitor Host, and I have also taken our part in full UNESCO meetings. I have joined King’s School as a Pastoral Listener and collaborated with their Senior Chaplain, Lindsay Collins and Director of Singing, Nick Todd, and we have welcomed Pilgrim’s Way school into St Paul’s for their Christmas carol service. I have also met with representatives of a number of local charities, including our local Foodbank, which we support with volunteers, _Safe Homes and Home for Good_ and _Emerge Advocacy_ , to whom we have contributed their first Kent volunteer in the making. _The Rector_ ## **SAFEGUARDING REPORT** Safeguarding continues to hold a constant presence in all that we do as a parish. This year we had our first Safeguarding Sunday led by some of our young people. The PCC have completed all their necessary training and receive a report at each meeting. The safeguarding dashboard is now supported by a hub for recording all the data in a secure space. The focus of this ongoing process is now on volunteer role descriptions and safer recruitment. Individual cases are followed up by our Safeguarding Officers, Lydia and Monica or by the Church Wardens, with support from the Diocesan Safeguarding Officers. _Ros Newington – Safeguarding Administrator_ ## **PILGRIM POST PARISH MAGAZINE** **Pilgrim Post Editorial Policy** continues to comply with the seven guiding principles in the government’s code of practice i.e. to be lawful, be cost effective, be objective, be even handed, be appropriate, have regard to equality and diversity, (our membership of Inclusive Church) and to proceed with care during times of heightened sensitivity. ## **Editorial Team** Editor – Revd Clive Barlow. Member of The Association of Church Editors, Judith Dimond (proof-reader), and Advisory Group assistance when necessary, from Brian Munday and Monica Walling, **Objectives** Pilgrim Post aims to be relevant to our Parish Vision and to be outward looking by including: - Details of our church’s worship, ministry, children, youth and adult activities i.e. Mother’s Union. - Articles that help people learn more about God and what the Bible teaches. i.e. Parish Letter, Lifelong Learning events and opportunities. - Information relating to the Diocese and Deanery, and other Christians (Christians Together Canterbury). - Articles reflecting on Christian beliefs on various issues i.e. Eco-Church report and articles titled In Perspective, Point of View, Insight, and Book Reviews. - A Parish Diary of church services and weekly events. - Articles in support of local charities i.e. Connecting Canterbury, Catching Lives, and the charities named in the PCC’s ’Cause of the Month’. - A Parish Archive kindly researched by Brian Hogben. - Monthly articles from Elena Field (Head of Visitor Experience at St Martin’s). ## **Production and Distribution** Pilgrim Post is edited by Revd Clive Barlow and ‘proof-read’ by Judith Dimond. Chris Kirkland kindly designs the cover. It is Published by the PCC. For the past 14 years, hard copies of the magazine were printed by the editor and collated each month by a team of volunteers, but early in 2026, this arrangement ceased for 15 practical reasons and Pilgrim Post is now printed and collated in the Parish Office, and made ready for subscribers who collect a magazine from church or receive one by post. A small number of volunteers also deliver magazines around the parish. Circulation of printed copies is currently around 120 copies a month, plus 40 subscribers who have opted to receive a PDF or Word.doc copy on-line. It is also accessible from the Parish Website. ## **Cost and Complimentary Copies** The parish magazine is produced on a low-cost budget subsidised by income from advertisements. The editor’s office expenses are reimbursed by the PCC. The cover price is 70p and an annual subscription is £7:00. Church members living in an Almshouses or Residential Home, receive a complimentary copy. (The PCC acknowledges that Pilgrim Post is also part of our outreach.) **Thank You** to everyone involved in making Pilgrim Post what it is, to the band of collators for their many years of assistance, and a warm welcome to Chris Kirkland whose graphic design skills will be vital to our continuing development in a rapidly changing publishing world. _Reverend Clive Barlow - Editor_ ## **CHRISTIANS TOGETHER IN CANTERBURY(CTC)** CTC continues to serve Canterbury in worship and deed, with the Walk of Witness on Good Friday being the principal act of unity. In 2025 the gathering of hundreds of Christians led by the Salvation Army Band, was enhanced by a live acoustic band, creating an excellent musical enhancement to the public worship. Other events are offered during the year in churches and the city, including a Taize service at St Thomas’s. Churches continue to offer help to people and families in need, and the main help with free/minimal cost food is provided at the 2 hubs of Canterbury Baptist Church on Thursdays 11-1pm, and at All Saints on Fridays 10-noon (with breakfast from 10am). Numbers seeking help continue to rise, with up to 80 or more at each hub. Additional services at both hubs include Citizen’s Advice, addiction, help to stop smoking, NHS help, and language support for immigrants. In addition, and with management support from the Social Justice Movement in the Diocese, Connecting Canterbury remains a core member. In 2025, 214 small energy grants were made totalling £4280: 88 people/families were supported by the Christian charity Acts 435, with white goods etc to furnish homes, and help too to 25 people via the Household Support Fund financed by the City / Kent County Council. Please continue to pray and support these vital services. _David Hartwell_ ## **DEANERY SYNOD REPORT** Synod has met 3 times since our last APCM. Each Synod has picked up one of the themes from the Deanery Mission Plan (DMP) discussed at the February 2025 meeting. - In _June 2025,_ at _St Mildred’s,_ Synod discussed the plan’s provision for student ministry, focusing on addressing the needs of students that were currently not being met. One positive development has been the move to make known the variety of services available across the Deanery, with a particular focus on Evensong. - In _October 2025,_ at _St Mary Bredin,_ the focus was on children and young people. It was stressed that not every church could be expected to follow the same path. From discussion groups a picture of the existing variety of provision across the Deanery emerged and it was agreed that more could be done to signpost the provision available. - In _February 2026,_ at _St Dunstan’s_ , we experienced an Ignite meeting led by Revd Patick Ellisdon of All Saints together with members of his team. The Ignite group at All Saints has been increasing and now has 20-30 active members. It was felt that this was a valuable resource to have in the Deanery. ## **Communication** We are trying to improve the level of communication of events as well as regular services by encouraging postings on the **Deanery Facebook page** www.facebook.com/CanterburyDeanery/ which provides 16 current news of the huge range of activities among our Deanery parishes and Christians Together in Canterbury. **During the year** we were saddened by the death of Canon John Morrison who had served the Deanery loyally for many years, most recently as Treasurer. During 2025 the Area Dean and Lay Chair undertook five Visitations to parishes: St Cosmus and St Damian, Blean; St Michael and All Angels, Harbledown; St Nicholas, Thanington; St Stephen’s, Hackington; St Nicholas, Sturry. At the February 2026 Synod Revd Canon Jo Richards completed her term of office as Area Dean along with Revd Brian McHenry as Assistant Area Dean. Grateful thanks are due to Jo and Brian for their leadership of the Deanery. Parishes had also been asked to compile a list of “Three Things” which would be the focus of their Mission Action Plans by December 2025. These will feed into the ongoing review of the Deanery Mission Plan to ensure coherence between parish and Deanery plans. **Thanks** to all members of the DMMC for their hard work on the Deanery Mission Plan and for their continuing dedication to the needs of the Deanery, and to Harry Macdonald, our Administrator, for his efficient work in serving the Deanery. The June Synod marks the end of the triennium for the Deanery and elections will be held for a new Deanery Synod at APCMs. ## _Roger Vickerman_ ## **FINANCE REPORT** Sincere thanks are conveyed to Gordon Craig, who has been Treasurer for many years and has stepped down from this important role. The end of year accounts are listed below, along with the independent examiner’s report. Next year the parish accounts will need to be digitalised. With ever rising costs, please prayerfully consider your stewardship in the coming year. ## **THE PARAOCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL of St Martin’s and St Paul’s Canterbury FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ending 31[st] December 2025** 17 The Parochial Chwth Council of SL Martins & SL Pauls Canterbury - NJINUPL REPORT 2025 PAYMENTS Unrestrcted Restrcted Fund Fund 6.203 2025 2024 Outrexh Giviw: 6.203 455 97,637 962 8,618 3,218 90,237 362 Chaiitios 455 Direct: Ministry: P¥tsh Fairer Sha 97.637 962 Reaorf5 eyn5e5 Gfftfund 1.130 6,691 8,297 22,896 32,036 Church: 6,856 8.883 27,663 17.165 1.118 6,856 Heat, light & water Upleep of servKes Minor repairs i￿￿t$/$￿sU1pt1Qffts WtbsrftelpublKatK)nslmaK Ll"rettor/mus ow Fund expen5e5 27.663 17.165 1.118 428 5,357 4.763 4,763 8.572 8.572 Tran1￿ Educat Flowers- St Pau Flower5- St YrArth Leader Godty W￿IntS1¢hOI11bdL%I￿1tt Audit Costs 1,686 2,034 Fees Administraticfft: 2.767 6fiJ 3.834 2.767 4,478 665 AdNitie8: Evwts Repayrnt (rffees Fr￿d5 of St Martins: Parish Centre: Caretakerlmèwiats Heatllight & T**er Minor repairs Insur•￿•$ 4,847 3.156 4.425 2.115 6,273 1.750 2.489 4,847 3,156 4,425 2.115 6.273 1.750 4,523 4,359 326 2.016 10,637 1,995 2,010 679 p￿Sh Office: TdlF•JStlstatthery Photocop￿1Prinier CorywcolrAr rrrinter PROVISIONS: TOTAL PAYMENTS.. 214268 455 0 214,723 22S722 s￿p￿s I (Deficitl for the -1&234 5,000 0 -11,234 -2,513 Reordering Quinquennial .16234 5,000 0 -11.234 0 .2,513 111111 l$1 I Ilili I ui I C O Q) 000 O O 00 O VJ 0 4b 00 o o Ln 00000 I",fl:I oo 00 00000 00 00 00000 000 0 0 Igi ooo Ln b) o