**St Peter’s Church, Petersham** ## **The Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council For the year ended 31st December 2023** Priest in Charge: Revd Simon Coupland Associate Vicar: Revd Kate Daymond Bankers: Barclays Bank, Richmond Independent Examiner: Richard Holman ## **Background** St Peter’s PCC co-operates with the vicar in promoting the pastoral mission of the Church of England in Petersham. It is responsible for the maintenance of St Peter’s Church and the churchyard. By virtue of a scheme made by the Charity Commission on 18 June 1992 the PCC is managing trustee of the charity registered as The Parochial Church Council of The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter’s, Petersham. ## **Membership of the PCC** Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) or co-opted in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. During the year, the PCC met four times and was made up of: |Vicar:|Revd Kate Daymond| |---|---| |Acting PCC Secretary:|Brian Willman| |Churchwardens:|Brian Willman, Louise Tumchewics| |Deputy Churchwardens:|Julia-Caroline Rizos, Ruth Scott| |Deanery Synod Representatives:|Keith Walter (elected 2023 until 2026),| ||Kate Bundock (elected 2023 until 2026)| |Treasurer:|Clive Thompson| |Churchyard Secretary:|Christopher Oliver| |Elected members:|| ||Jean Allsopp (elected 2021 until 2024)| ||Paula Plaza (elected 2022 until 2025)| ||Richard Robinson (elected 2022 until 2025)| ||Susan Oliver (elected 2022 until 2025)| ||Lisa Rees (elected 2023 until 2026)| ||Katharine von Schubert (elected 2023 until 2026)| In 2023 the Finance Committee met four times to review each quarter financial report and deal with any other financial matters. The members were Clive Thompson (Chair, Treasurer), Revd Kate Daymond, Richard Robinson and Brian Willman. The Parish Finance Officer, Nadia GalindoSlim, attends when necessary. We are indebted to Nadia for her tireless work in managing our financial transactions, overseeing the budget and providing wise financial advice. The Standing Committee’s purpose is to meet for emergencies or if requested to by the PCC. It has the power to transact the business of the PCC between meetings subject to any directions given by the PCC. The members are Brian Willman (Chair), Rev Kate Daymond, Louise Tumchewics, Clive Thompson, Lisa Rees, Richard Robinson and Michael Bundock. It did not meet in 2023. ## **Overview of 2023** Following Covid and the interregnum, last year’s report described 2022 as a year of significant progress. With the Revd Kate Daymond’s first full year in charge, 2023 was another fruitful year for St Peter’s. Kate Stapleton, our Parish Administrator, continued to do a wonderful job, organising all the elements that combine to ensure that the church building and services operate efficiently. The weekly enews that she sends out continued throughout the year and played a key role in keeping people informed and engaged. Kate stood down from her role at the end of the year after seven years. A competitive interview process was held, which resulted in the appointment of an excellent candidate to replace her, Helen West, who started work in February 2024. New opportunities for spiritual growth were enjoyed with a weekly midweek meditative group considering prayer, followed by an autumn course exploring Christianity, ‘Being With’. During Lent ‘spiritual MOTs’ were a means of spiritual direction and encouraged contemplative aspects of faith. ## **The Parish** The Parish of St Peter has about 2,000 inhabitants. In 2023 there were 72 people on the Electoral Roll. Our worshipping community in 2023 was stable at around 80 adults (defined as attending St. Peter’s at least once a month). The 9.30am Parish Communion service is the principal gathering for worship on Sundays. On the first Sunday of the month, a shorter All Age Service is held and on the third Sunday there are activities for children. The average attendance at this service in 2023 was 49 adults and children. In 2023, there were 2 baptisms, 2 confirmations, 5 weddings, 3 funerals, 2 services of thanksgiving and 5 burials of ashes. ## **Mission Action Planning** St Peter’s Church’s Mission Action Plan continues to have two foci, to: 1. Maintain St. Peter’s as an inclusive church that has high quality and varied public worship with a strong musical tradition. 2. Advance the Mission of the Church in the community and work in partnership with St. Richard’s, the Deanery, the Diocese and other local churches. The 5 Marks of Mission shaped our conversations in late 2022 when the church’s current strengths and weaknesses were considered. There was a consensus that we are an inclusive, lively and accessible community, offering an intergenerational focal point for worship and spiritual growth. The desire to offer more support to children, young people and their parents and actively include them in regular worship was identified for action. This has been developed in a variety of ways. Children bring forward bread to the table in preparation of the Eucharist and lead intercessions at the All Age Services. A Sunday Club during the 9.30am services is now regularly on offer as well the opportunity to share with the whole congregation what children and young people have learnt. For the over 10’s, the Fuel youth group, a joint initiative with St Andrew’s Church Ham, has offered opportunities to grow in faith, as have confirmation classes. We have welcomed several families requesting baptism but often they live further afield and therefore cannot join the church community regularly, which is a shame. We miss having younger members of our congregation. Climate care remains a concern for all, including the wider church, as we think of those who are worst affected, often the poorest. A group aiming for the Bronze A Rocha Eco Church Award has made steady progress in gathering the data required and is close to applying for the award. The wider use of the Parish Room for local groups of all faiths and none has progressed as part of our missional outreach in 2023. Users include Petersham Horticultural Society, Vineyard Lunches for the homeless, Petersham Conservators, Petersham Consort and Elysian singers and a local therapist. The church has also benefited from the space, running Being With courses in the Parish Room as well as a wide variety of church related meetings and shared Sunday Brunch meals several times in the year. ## **Churches Together in Ham and Petersham** We have enjoyed building relationships as a member of this ecumenical partnership of seven local churches, including Lutheran, Catholic, Anglican and Evangelical traditions, working together locally and sharing and learning together; including joint services for the World Day of Prayer and Week for Christian Unity. The Ham and Petersham Group Ministry has further flourished under the incumbency of Revd Simon Coupland. We are grateful for his support for our Associate Priest, the Church Wardens and PCC and have enjoyed getting to know the St Richard’s congregation through shared services. ## **The Warden Team** We were sorry that Rob Sandford had to stand down as Church Warden and we wish him well in the next stage of his career development in the US. Louise Tumchewics was elected as a new Warden alongside Brian Willman. Ruth Scott was elected for the first time as a Deputy Church Warden joining Julia-Caroline Rizos and both have provided great support to the Church Wardens. Julia-Caroline’s contribution to the maintenance of the building (often in partnership with Nick Daymond) deserves a special mention as well as does her willingness to climb a ladder in order to water the Parish Room sedum garden with great aplomb! ## **Work with children and young people** – Sunday Club a report by Tamaryn Napp “Sunday Club at St Peter’s is principally aimed at primary school aged children (i.e. ages 4 to 10 years) and is held during the 9:30am service. In 2023, Sunday Club was held monthly on the 3[rd] Sunday of the month during term time. Attendance varied across the weeks with typically 2-3 children and on some occasions as many as 6 children. We have tended to be flexible with the age range to accommodate children in early secondary school. Sunday Club sessions were led by a team of four volunteers: Tamaryn Napp, Katharine von Schubert, Lucy Pollard and Nick Daymond. We loosely follow the weekly lessons plans from Roots Resource (www.rootsontheweb.com). This is an excellent resource offering clever adaptations to cater for multiple age ranges. Katharine also led several Godly Play sessions across the year and in the run up to Christmas – making use of the beautiful Godly Play resources that the church owns. Feedback from the children was that they particularly enjoyed the craft activities at Sunday Club. In addition to Sunday Club, we provide Story Bags for children to use on days when there is no Sunday Club or if they choose to remain in the main service. These have been well received by children and parents alike. At the end of summer 2023, we took the decision to increase the frequency of Sunday Club to twice a month on the 2[nd] and 4[th] Sunday of the month (in addition to the existing All-Age service on the 1[st] Sunday of the month). By having more coverage of children’s activities across a month, we hope to attract more families to St Peter’s. Going forward, we aim to continue to rebuild the children’s provision at St Peter’s through increased advertising on social media, the weekly newsletter and on the website.” We are most grateful to Tamaryn, Katharine, Lucy and Nick for ensuring that we continue to work with children and young people. ## Fuel – report by Rev K Daymond “St Peter’s and St Andrew’s Ham continued to run the joint Youth Group Fuel which attracts between 6 to 10 young people at the monthly events. Themes this year have been Wisdom, Lent, Bible Genres, Trusting God and Loving one another. The discussions and questioning, fuelled by many biscuits, have been wonderful and humbling. Two of the group from St Peter’s have been confirmed. We enjoyed rounders in warmer months and also met together as a group at Sacred Space, with thanks to Nick Daymond for his leadership of games.” ## Russell and Strathmore Schools In 2023 our local primary school, the Russell School, welcomed newly appointed Head Teacher Laura Brooks. Thanks go to her for inviting Rev Kate Daymond to lead their Harvest Assembly with the story of the Sower and the Seed, as well as teaching Christianity to year 1 with the reenactment of a Christian Baptism. Year 6 class came to look at the WW2 graves and consider ‘Remembrance Day’ and the meaning of sacrifice and peace. It was wonderful to end the year with Christmas Services for both Russell and Strathmore pupils based at the Russell Campus for parents, staff and pupils alike with thanksgiving prayers written by the children, readings and musical delights filled with joy. Thanks go to Katharine Von Schubert for inviting the school choir to sing so beautifully at St Andrew’s Sacred Space event. ## Café Vanilla After a break due to Covid, 2023 welcomed the restart of Café Vanilla in the Parish Room run by pupils and staff of Strathmore School at Greycourt Campus. Enjoyed by both congregation members, Bishop Martin of Kingston as well as pupils, the Café allowed students to practise catering and hospitality skills outside the school environment. ## Sea Scouts The Ham and Petersham Sea Scouts joined us in good numbers for the Vancouver Service and, Remembrance Day Parade, as well as attending a special Celebration of Scouting in which their leader, Karin Noble, was distinguished with the Wolf Award by District commissioners. Congratulations to Karin for her commitment to building the Ham and Petersham Scouts to be one of the largest in the country. ## **Safeguarding** Whilst it is recognised that safeguarding is every church member’s responsibility, Fiona Sandford continued in the role of Parish Safeguarding Officer, liaising with Revd K Daymond and it is a standing item at every PCC meeting. Information leaflets and notices on safeguarding contacts are made available in the church and the Parish Room and risk assessments are kept up to date. The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, having due regard to the House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. No safeguarding issues were brought to the attention of the PCC in 2023. ## **The Fabric of St Peter’s Church – a report by Brian Willman, Church Warden** “It was a great relief that the Quinquennial Report did not turn up any major issues of concern and we are most grateful to the Church Architect, Hugh Cullum, and his team for the report and for providing timely and wise advice throughout the year. There were only two items for immediate priority in the Report: repairing the latch to the main gates outside the porch and repairing the juddering door to the Parish Room extension. The first of these items will be dealt with by the Church Architect and the juddering door was repaired in December, much to the congregation’s relief. There were four items that “needed to be addressed in the next twelve months” and, at the time of writing, action has been taken on three of them: - Investigation of the leaning tree on east boundary wall - Re-setting of the Alfred Wood memorial cross - Refixing electric conduit over extension door The fourth item was to repair the instant hot water heater in the Parish Room kitchen. It was decided that since this was very rarely used, we would not go ahead with this. After discussion with Hugh, he recommended that it should be removed and the services safely capped off. There was concern about people slipping on the paved area outside the main Parish Room door in cold wet weather. Grit was put down when necessary and the area was thoroughly jet washed in the autumn. Plans are being drawn by the Church Architect for the Director of Music to have a music storage area close to the organ. This will necessitate removing a radiator and pew divider between the back two pews whilst maintaining the appearance of the box pews on the outside. A faculty has been applied for and it will be paid for from the Carter Legacy. I am most grateful to Kate Stapleton who continued to look after routine maintenance. Also to Nick Daymond and Julia-Caroline Rizos who carried out many of the non-routine jobs.” ## **Financial Management – a report by Clive Thompson, Treasurer** “A record of the financial affairs of St Peter’s and associated accounts is given in the Statement of Accounts. The church is financially healthy thanks to careful stewardship of our resources. Whilst the statement of financial activities suggests a deficit of about £7 K of income vs. expenditure, when depreciation of assets and expenditure paid for from our Restricted Funds are removed to give the actual expenditure that is funded from our income, we had a surplus in our cash flow of about £25K. This is partly due to generous one-off gifts, including a legacy, but also to an increase in our regular income including donations to the church, with a steady uptake of donations using the Parish Giving Scheme. Our investments with CCLA have grown in value by almost 6% in line with more optimistic financial markets, with our income from these investments remaining stable and continuing to be an important contributor to our overall income. Thanks to the generosity of the congregation and two very successful music concerts in 2023, we have been able to sustain our charitable giving to the Lilomi School, Christian Aid, Southwark Bishop’s Lent Call, Kingsgate Christmas Boxes, Archbishops’ Joint Appeal for Gaza and Jerusalem and to the Vineyard Community. We also increased our financial contribution to the Parish Support Fund that not only supports the Diocesan cost of running our church but also financially helps less well-off parishes in the Diocese.” Clive Thompson completed his first very successful full year as our Treasurer. We are grateful for Nadia Galindo Slim, our Financial Administrator, who continued to maintain our financial records in another busy year as well as providing invaluable advice. Keith Walter continued throughout the year to record the collections and gift aided contributions, an important role for which many thanks are due. Richard Robinson continued to oversee our investments by liaising with CCLA. We are very fortunate to have Richard Holman as the Examiner of the Accounts. ## **Hospitality** In 2023 the Parish Room enabled us to continue to offer two Vineyard Lunches with 20 – 25 guests at each. Also we offered a post-service egg and bacon Brunch to especially welcome newcomers and those returning to church after being away. It has become a great way for the church community several times a year to eat together and enjoy each other’s company. ## **Special events in 2023** - A Candlemas Evensong was held on 5[th] February. - An Ash Wednesday service was held at the start of Lent on 22[nd] February - On 3[rd] March we hosted the Women’s Day of Prayer attended by members of the St Richard’s and St Andrew’s congregations. Thanks to Lin Sherwood-Page for organising this. - The Vestry Meeting and APCM were held on 26[th] March. - On Good Friday we held a Hot Cross Bun service for families followed by the midday Cross of Christ service. On Easter Sunday, St Peter’s held an 8am service and at the 9.30am service we had a good turnout of 70 adults and 18 younger people. - The Vancouver Commemoration took place on 14[th] May. Jean Allsop played a key role in organising this. - The Parish Picnic was held on 2[nd] July in the vicarage grounds and we are very grateful to Reverend Kate Daymond and Nick for hosting it and to Alistair Sandford for his big bubble maker. - In August, we held joint services with St Richard’s and St Andrew’s. - The Harvest Festival was held on 1[st] October. The congregation was generous in contributing both food and money to the Vineyard Centre. - The All Souls Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance was held on 5[th] November. - Remembrance Sunday on 12[th] November saw a large congregation which included local councillors and a very large contingent of Petersham and Ham Sea Scouts. John Asbridge created three poppy mobiles which hung over the aisles. - We hosted the Sea Scouts for their Celebration of Scouting on 1[st] December. - On 10[th] December, we held our Messiah Concert with the church at full capacity. A very large sum was raised for the Vineyard Centre - the largest we have ever raised at this annual event. There are more details in Ben Driver’s report below. - A Christmas service was held for the Russell School on 19[th] December and Strathmore School held their celebration the next day. - All our Christmas services saw increases in attendance compared to last year. These were the 3pm Crib Service, the 5pm Carols by Candlelight Service, Midnight Mass and Christmas Morning. We had to turn people away from the 5pm service as we had reached capacity and we will give thought to how we might avoid this next year. ## **Music at St Peter’s: a report by Ben Driver, Director of Music** _Psallam spiritu et mente (1 Corinthians 14:15) I will sing with the spirit and with the understanding also._ “Our inaugural Choral Scholars much enhanced Sunday worship, singing at a Choral Evensong in February, performing memorably two new Latin motets by Ola Gjeilo, with Paul Crew on oboe, and Stanford’s Evening Canticles in C. They sang with Francoise Robinson’s violin on Mothering Sunday for some beautiful Bach, and Mary Tregellas accompanied them on clarinet in a performance of John Rutter’s The Lord is my light and salvation in a special service to mark the Coronation of King Charles, with Petersham Brass players Adam and Ed, who brought fanfare to the royal hymns including the magnificent Vaughan Williams setting of the Old Hundredth. The Scholars sang a celebration concert of their favourite music near the end of their year, and the pieces they chose to reprise reflected well the range and challenge of the music they had learnt over the academic year. Johnny and Jasmine are now studying - and singing - in their first year at university. We wish them well! September saw the arrival of Anna, Amelia, Lucie and Alex, joining Catherine and William to make up the new choral team, supported for a second year by the generous legacy of the Carter family in memory of their parents and former St Peter’s choristers Arthur and Betty. Highlights in their first term included Geoffrey Burgon’s Nunc Dimittis sung by special request on Remembrance Sunday, with Simon Bennett on trumpet; new carols by Sarah Quartel and Bob Chilcott as part of our Advent Sequence; and a splendid send off just before Christmas for retiring Parish Administrator Kate Stapleton, who has done so much to ease the Choral Scholars’ arrival at St Peter’s and make them feel welcome. _Angel-voices ever singing round Thy throne of light, angel-harps, forever ringing, rest not day nor night; thousands only live to bless Thee and confess thee Lord of might._ A big thank you is of course also due to Phillip, who cantored for several Sundays during the year, Katharine, Tom, Lin, Sally and others (all are welcome!), who have all played an important part leading Sunday singing, sometimes joined by members of Petersham Consort. Attendances at the services of Remembrance and Advent seemed larger than ever, most notably for the joyous Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight service, where soloist Choral Scholars joined the throng of singers, organ, brass, guitar and tambourine in a particularly special service of lessons and carols. I must also thank our talented team of assisting organists who occasionally visit to play the fabulous St Peter’s organ: a big thank you to Marie McGuire, Izzy Wideman, Iain Phillips and Stephen Westrop. A special thank you also must go to hidden heroine (often literally, within the organ case!) Áine Martin, our dedicated organ tuner from Harrison & Harrison, who is leaving for a new career having lovingly and expertly maintained this remarkable instrument for the last seven years. Our concerts again attracted large numbers to St Peter’s this year and raised substantial sums for charity. On Sunday 26 March we welcomed the Petersham Camerata and soloists, led by broadcaster and academic Jeremy Summerly. The Petersham Passion was the inspiration of soloists Miranda and Martin Johnson, joined by Anna Boucher: the best of the Passion arias of JS Bach expertly sung and played by a talented group of musicians. And at the centre of the music the story of the Passion of Christ, so beautifully read from the King James Bible by Stuart Turnbull. We heard some extraordinarily beautiful moments, in a wonderful array of textures and colours, appreciated warmly by all who came to reflect on the Passion story. Every penny of the £810 donated for this moving concert went to charity, split between St Peter’s and the Bishop of Southwark’s Lent Fund. _Yea, we know Thy love rejoices o'er each work of Thine; Thou didst ears and hands and voices for Thy praise combine; craftsman's art and music's measure for Thy pleasure didst design_ Sam Laughton and the Elysian Singers and Players returned with their Petersham Messiah on 10 December, and raised another record high figure of £2,939.28 for St Peter's and the Vineyard Community, whose welcoming Centre in Richmond upon Thames serves local people in so many ways. The event was sponsored in part by the Dysart Arms, and Clive, Brian, Kate and Nick (with wonderful soup!) deserve special thanks for all their hard work behind the scenes to ensure the event was the musical and fund-raising success to which we have become accustomed over the last twelve years. Its spiritual message remains startlingly fresh, Handel’s music lifting the text to our ears and minds each time we hear it. In addition to our regular visitors for the annual Vancouver ceremony and the All Souls Remembering Service, St Peter’s was once again blessed with visits from younger parish members of the Sea Scouts and Russell & Strathmore schools, all of whom sang heartily. Heartfelt music and song was certainly also a feature in five weddings and four memorial services and funerals over the course of the year, and the music spread beyond the church too, with the Petersham Consort performing in December at St Andrew’s Church in Ham, which also hosts the monthly Sacred Space events, to raise money for their heating Appeal. My thanks to members of the St Peter’s congregation, whose appreciation, love and support make all this music making at our beautiful church such a joy to behold.” _Here, great God, today we offer of Thine own to Thee; and for Thine acceptance proffer, all unworthily, hearts and minds and hands and voices in our choicest melody._ A big thank you to Ben for all that he does with the wonderful music at St Peter’s. Also to everyone who has contributed in 2023. ## **Churchyard: a report by Chris Oliver, Churchyard Secretary** “This year has been uneventful after some minor problems last year. Apart from the regular interments of ashes we have had three burials since the last APCM. These were, of course, in reserved plots as the churchyard is otherwise closed for burials. The Cross on the Wood memorial will receive some attention following the comments in the quinquennial report of September 2023. Roscoe continue to carry out regular gardening maintenance in an exemplary manner. The Tree Surgeon, who we have employed for a number of years, has decided that it is uneconomical for him to travel to Petersham from Horsham. His replacement thinned out the ilex trees, but has subsequently suffered an injury. One of the cherry trees has recently had its crown lifted and thinned after competitive quotations had been obtained.” We are most grateful for the invaluable service that Chris Oliver gives in the post of Churchyard Secretary. ## **Open Sunday Afternoons Report by Jean Allsop, Open Church Co-ordinator** “Sunday Open Church 2023 began with the recruitment of five new Visitor Guides bringing the team up to eleven. Two are not members of the church but generously give their time out of a wish to serve their community. ## Activities - In February the “Guide to St. Peter’s Church” booklet (2021 revision) was reprinted to replenish stocks. - The Annual Meeting was held on March 11[th] , and consisted of a lecture on “St. Peter’s Church in the Roman Catholic Era”. - The Coronation of King Charles lll was observed on Sunday May 7[th] with a theme of “St Peter’s Connection with the Royal Family”. - Petersham Open Gardens on June 4[th] was cancelled by the organisers due to a lack of available gardens. - Cashless donations were started in June - London Open House Festival took place on 10[th] and 17[th ] September, the attendance was disappointing in that we only had the usual number of visitors. The event was reviewed with the Visitor Guides who voted that in 2024 we consider opening for one day only, from 2:00 – 5:00 pm, with external tours, but two guides only covering inside the church. It was felt that publicity via LOHF website needed to be addressed at an early stage next year, so as to ensure that the Visitor Guides do not have their time wasted. We had a total of 808 visitors in 2023 including the London Open House event and donations totalled £541:52 There was one group visit this year, when fifteen Ham House volunteers visited on 20[th] April.” We are very grateful to Jean Allsop and the team of guides for this initiative. ## **Other areas of work in the church** Social media - the church maintains a high quality website and an Instagram account thanks to the efforts of Dan and Kate Stapleton. Rev Kate has kept our Facebook page up to date. Sacristans - Julia-Caroline Rizos, as Chief Sacristan, led a team formed of Angie Willman, Miriam Klinke and Paula Plaza. Their work is essential to the smooth running of services but can be easily taken for granted. Chalice Assistants - Tom Lee acted as Chief Server leading a team of Chalice Assistants composed of Andrew Crossley, Nigel Shipman, Keith Walter and Chris Oliver. Intercessory prayers - lay leadership at the 9.30am Communion Service continued, thanks to Kate Bundock for organising the rota and convening regular meetings of the intercessors which were seen as useful and interesting. Coffee and flower rotas – Angie Willman coordinated the coffee rota after services. Sarah Freeman continued to organise the flower rota. Thanks to them and to everyone who signs up for these duties, especially our new members. Cleaning – we are grateful to Anna Kaluza who is the church and Parish Room cleaner. ## **Deanery Synod: a report by Keith Walter** “The Deanery Synod met three times in 2023. On 6[th] February, at Christ Church, East Sheen, Laura Lowther, CEO of the Riverbank Trust, spoke about the work of that charity supporting single mothers in the borough of Richmond and we were given details of the Kew EcoFair and an ExtinctionRebellion event on 21[st] April. On 7[th] June, at All Saints, East Sheen, Anne Taylor, Director of Nursing at Parish Nursing Ministries UK, talked to us about health ministry, the role of a Parish Nurse and how a Parish Nurse can support each church congregation and local community. It was reported that £10,000 had been raised across the deanery towards the knife bin appeal, but it was proving impossible to find a location for the bin and an alternative use for the funds was being investigated. Suzie O’Brien from St Luke’s was welcomed as Deanery Eco Champion and outlined relevant activities. On 3[rd] October, at St Michael and All Angels, Barnes, Jason O’Shea from Operation Forgiveness talked about the work of this early intervention knife-crime initiative, delivered by local churches to local schools. Jason also works one day a week with Southwark's Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation specifically on tackling serious youth violence. It was noted that Operation Forgiveness could be a suitable recipient of the funds originally raised to place a knife bin in the Deanery.” We are very grateful to Keith Walter who has been our trusted representative at the Synod since 2007. Thanks also to Kate Bundock who joined him in 2023. ## **Sacred Space: a report by Katharine Von Schubert, Lay Pioneer Minister** “As a Lay Pioneer Minister, my focus is how we reconnect vast swathes of the population with Christian faith (rather than ‘church’ specifically). Many families and individuals today are 4 generations away from any knowledge of Christianity. Sacred Space is an attempt to create an inspirational, informal and reflective space where community is built through singing and playing music together, relationships formed and strengthened, and life shared. Held once a month on a Sunday evening between 7-8pm in the large and beautiful interior of St Andrews Church Ham, Sacred Space is in its third year. It has sustained a monthly average of 80 people attending over 2.5 years, many of whom are not church-goers. We get as many as 20 children and the event is then truly intergenerational with all ages enjoying an hour of live music, craft, conversation, company, tea and cake. Each month is based on a universal theme such as Hope, Solitude or Belonging. It is intentionally informal. We include bible verses related to that theme on the handout, and there is an invitation to join a small discussion group during the hour. But nothing is demanded of anyone: no prayers, liturgy or hymns. It is simply there as an offering of love and warmth and welcome to those who come. As such it perhaps speaks to the people who would call themselves ‘spiritual but not religious.’ My prayer for it for the next year is to allow others to organise more of it, develop partnerships with new people and organisations, such as SOS Ham and other schools, and to see if it can become a source of creativity and refreshment for more people in Ham & Petersham.” We are most grateful to Katharine for the wisdom and energy that she has put into establishing and growing this successful initiative. ## **In Conclusion** As with all communities funded and run by volunteers, a balance of responsibility, authority and power is shared within a large team. My thanks go to all those in positions of responsibility who have worked, often behind the scenes, with God’s grace, kindness and commitment to enable St Peter’s Church to flourish as a place of worship, peace and spiritual succour. Thank you too for all who have joined in and shaped us as a community of God’s justice, peace, mercy and love, in Petersham and beyond this year. Revd Kate Daymond **6th March 2024** ## **World Day of Prayer with our ecumenical brothers and sisters** **Godly play at Sunday Club** **Easter garden in Sunday Club** ## **Choral Scholars William Katherine Imogen and Jono** **Summer Vineyard Lunch** **Edward’s confirmation at St Marys’ Barnes** . **Remembrance Day service with Sea Scouts** **Year 6 Russell School Remembrance Visit** ## **Christmas Crib service** **Karin Noble was distinguished with the Wolf Award by District commissioners** 11 zz Il r w c> 111 111 111 io DO￿¢ 111 nDn ¢0 LV > (n Lry <¢ J tn rA) {{ jlljl Ill o n 1111 1111 1111 1111 illBII 1111 Illllllllllllll 1111 1111 ¢71 O Ln th? Lii 0 -4 o) W Tr4 (D Q 111 w in ty) 0 ￿￿. D Cl uj n n 7J > É X V50 3) nn J IYJ Ctl IO C> ￿ Ln S¥ O o) ip W (n ¢D th £T* Év O LD Ln ￿ ¢• O W NJ IO o ￿￿ J ￿ ¢n Ln ts7 Jw iXTr Trp• W fvJ w PJO 0 0 175 fo O O W -4 0) VTr •Pi 3 3 (n w w bjo (J> NJ UJ iti t71 0 +4 W ID.lJJ W OJ J O W ￿ -4 (• o oqo rLX5 t¢ fpj UJ 40 T) kn U) C XG) 111111111111 1111 1111111 Ln (b J o o o o 0> tL fL Lll o C* r¥) O Ln fL Ln Lll hj In c¢ ai ￿ o) OOtsJ J UJ CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Roport to the tru$toosl member8 of THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF TrIE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST P￿ER's PEtERSHAM On account• for tho yoar •nded 31° Decerntw 2023 Charfty no Ilf any) 1134117 8•t out on p•g•s 1to10 I report to truste85 on my 8xaminalit)n of the 8c(¥)unts of the above charTty (Ihe for the year ended 318t December 2023. Ro8ponslbllltlM and As the chafity truste88. ycw are reswi8ible for the preparation ofthe ba•l• ol r•port 8¢cwnts in a¢(ayd8nc• with tho Charrt￿ Act 2011 (Ihe ￿). I report in respect of my examination of the Trusfs accounts carried out under sectk)n 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by th8 Charty Commi$8ion undér 8xti)n 14q5Xb) ofthe Indepond8nt I complet￿1 my examlnaticm. I confim that no material matter8 hav8 examlnerf8 8tatsment wme to my atterikn in ¢x)nneCtv￿ wrth the examination which gives me rAuse to telieve that In, any matsrial respecl,: tha accounting records We￿ not kept in accordance with a￿140n 130 of the A¢1; or the account8 dkl not vitth t1￿ wxountlng re(x)rds" or t￿ ￿CoUnt8 did ncrt compty* *ryth the appl￿18 requirements corKeming the fomj and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Rewtsl ReguMion8 2008 other than any requirement that the ac￿Unts give a and fairf VI￿ whth Is not a matter C4)nsiJered as part of an exaninatK)n. I have no concems and have come 8¢ros8 no cthor mattor8 in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn In thi8 report In Slgnod: Nim•: Richard Holman Rolevant prof••8ional quallflcatlon(•> or body {If any): Address: 11 Genoa Avenue, Putrw. London SW15 6DY IER Octobor 2018