The Parish of St Helen’s North Kensington
Annual Report 2020
Contents
| Vicars’ Report | p3 |
|---|---|
| PCC Report | p5 |
| Fabric Report | p6 |
| Sidespersons Report | p7 |
| Electoral Roll Report | p7 |
| Deanery Synod Report | p8 |
| Flower Team Report | p9 |
| Children’s and Youth | p11 |
| Financial Statements | p13 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | p17 |
2
Vicar’s Report
Revelation
‘2020 vision’ is seeing things clearly. Yet, none of us knew before last March the extent to which the year would enable us to do just that! It was a year of revelation.
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Revealing how complicated our lives had become, by radically reducing our choices and options.
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Revealing that we weren’t as ‘in control’ of our lives and our world as we’d often assumed.
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Revealing what really matters most: our relationship with God and our relationships with other people.
That’s why the St Helen’s vision statement - that we want to be a church which is Loving God and Loving People - for all its simplicity, says enough about what matters most and what we should be aiming for in all that we do.
Reset
If 2020 was the big reveal, it was also the big reset. As we were locked down and the streets emptied and we couldn’t meet together, there was a sense of, “now what?” An exhausting time because of the stress of the situation and the need (for many of us) to learn how to work and live remotely; but also an opportunity to rethink and recalibrate.
It meant that as we established a ‘new normal’ there were some good things that we put in place that we will want to keep. Things that we got around to at last. Things that we did better than we’d done before.
One was keeping up with each other through the week. Knowing that we wouldn’t bump into each other meant that we needed to plan to keep in touch on the phone and on Zoom. Going forward we want to do all we can to keep everyone in touch with at least a small group of others - either a Life Group or a separate ‘bubble’ that looks out for one another.
Another was a commitment to growing in our discipleship: growing in our understanding of God's purposes for us and God's goodness to us ; which saw more people joining Life Groups than had previously been the case. As more of us have experienced belonging to a group we’ve seen the potential for them to help us to not only understand more, but to see real change in our lives, to care for one another pastorally and support one another practically.
As Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
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A third reset was in the area of prayer. I’m sure that all of us prayed in earnest to God as a result of the crisis. Some of us were also able to take advantage of our newly cleared schedules to pray together at the end of the working day on
Wednesday (a less structured meeting for intercession) and Thursdays (using the Church of England’s structure for night prayer).
Renewal
Part of the forced-reset was to have to rethink and reimagine church, and to trust God’s promise to be with us always (e.g. Hebrews 13:5), especially those of us who were tuning into the online services on our own.
The lasting fruit of the crash course in using technology will, Godwilling, be an understanding of the extra things that can be done online (such as interviews with former members who are now in other parts of the world) as well as the ways in which what we are doing in person can be a blessing to those who can’t be present at the time (whether because of work commitments or ill health) but who can either tune in at the time or catch up later.
The year ended with a return to church in time for Christmas and a joyful celebration, in spite of the continuing restrictions. It was also an opportunity to repeat an initiative from the first lockdown of taking a simple pop-up service out to the streets of the Parish: by playing Amazing Grace and leading people in the Lord’s prayer. Carols On Your Street had the same format,
although with the option to choose favourites in advance so that people could hear their favourites, along with those of their neighbours.
We will want to continue to find ways to connect with our neighbours and our neighbourhood as we emerge from lockdown, as well as to be a church which loves God and loves people in response to his great love for us (as 1 John 4:10-11). Using technology and having-a-go at new initiatives, such as the above, will be part of that; but the core will remain relating to God who has saved us through his beloved Son in trust, in repentance, in reliance on his Holy Spirit. 2020 renewed our understanding and appreciation of that and by his grace we want to take that into the post-lockdown world, as we respond to his grace in thanksgiving and worship, as we seek to serve him in our families, our neighbourhood, our workplaces and our world.
Revd Steve Divall, April 2021
4
REPORT OF THE 2020 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
Thank you to the following people who faithfully served on our Parochial Church Council during this year:
Elected Members:
Oness Williams Tim Wells Michelle Wu Emrita Popoola Gifty Ofori (Lay vice-chair) Ana Alves
Clergy:
Steve Divall Andrew Holt
The PCC met on 9 occasions through course of the year, moving to Zoom once the Covid-19 lockdowns were in place. We considered issues relating to church life, both practical and spiritual. These included: finance, safeguarding, the fabric of the building, Sunday services, youth and children’s ministry and mission.
The PCC form the spiritual leadership of the church family, so each time we meet we begin with a time of reading the scriptures and praying together.
In the year ahead we will look revisit our Mission Action Plan as we pray and think about the next steps for our church, as we emerge from the Covid-crisis.
I am very grateful to the PCC for their hard work and wise contributions throughout the year, both at PCC meetings and in church life more generally.
Revd Steve Divall, May 2021
5
FABRIC REPORT
Grounds
The Growing Space Project was up and running. Pascale the coordinator was able to instruct groups of children on gardening from June.
New PA Equipment
The Church Building was closed for large parts of the year, except for times when it was available for private prayer. However, we were quickly able to conduct online services, for which the following equipment was purchased:-
3no. Cameras
1no. Video Mixer
2no. Screen monitors (1no. for Sound Desk and 1no. for front screen)
1no. Tripod stand 1no. Dual Monitor stand HDMI cables
Lectern
Since the old Lectern was unsuitable for online services (with centralized camera position) a Perspex lectern was purchased. (A useful asset; as the elderly were finding the old lectern difficult to climb).
Safe
Since the locking mechanism on the old safe kept in the Wardens’ Office had failed, a new freestanding 4ft high Chubb Safe was purchased to take its place.
Timothy Wells
May 2021
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SIDESPERSONS REPORT
Covid-restrictions mean that for much of the year church meetings took place online and even when we could re-open the normal duties carried out by sidespeople, like handing out service sheets and assisting with the collection, were not permitted.
The team assembled for 2020 are still in place for the reopening in 2021.
Consisting:
Cherrilynne Hall, Susan O’Leary, Victoria Ore, Emrita Popoola, Toyin Ore Esther Davies, Ana Alves, Boko Inyundo, Monica Ore, Jennifer Brown
Oness Williams Sides persons Co-ordinator. April, 2021.
ELECTORAL ROLL REPORT
The Electoral Roll currently stands at: 68
It is important to note that the Electoral Roll continues to provide an indication of membership and strength of St. Helen’s Church. Adding your name on the Roll of St. Helen’s Church is a way of expressing your commitment to your local church and to the Anglican Community as a whole. It is considered as a statement of witness and a step along the path of discipleship.
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me, should you need any further information.
Oness Williams Electoral Roll Officer. APRIL, 2021.
7
DEANERY SYNOD REPORT
Our Synod Representatives are Oness Williams, Steve Divall and Andrew Holt
‘Anglicans in Kensington’ continues to be the name under which the synod continues to encourage active co-operation and support by all willing parties within the deanery, not only synod representatives. However, Synod representatives retain their legal and representational responsibilities.
The New triennium which should have commenced on 30[th] June 2020 was extended to 1[st] December, 2020 due to the coronavirus epidemic, and it ends on the 30[th] June 2023 under the revised Church Representation Rules 2020 .
The Revd Dr James Heard vicar of the United Benefice of Holland Park is now the Area Dean, following the resignation in September 2020 of the Revd Mark O’Donoghue, vicar of Christ Church, Victoria Road, W8.
1.0 SYNOD MEETINGS
Three meetings took place between the date of the last report in April, 2020 and the time of this report.
The first video conference (Zoom) organised by the Revd James Heard was on 10[th] September 2020. The Revd Canon Miles Baker, the new Area Director of Ministry addressed the meeting on leadership and vocation following the theme of confidence in proclaiming the faith.
At the meeting (Zoom) on the 16[th] November, 2020 our Area Bishop of Kensington, the Rt Revd Dr Graham Tomlin gave an address on the development of the Diocesan 2030 vision.
At the meeting on the 8[th] February, 2021, the Revd Dr Jim Walters, Chaplain to the London School of Economics, gave a reflection on the institutional church aspects and consequences of the epidemic.
2.0 COMMON FUND CONTRIBUTIONS:
The usual yearly Common Fund meeting of deanery treasurers, incumbents, and church wardens, with our Diocesan Finance Advisor, Mary Spredbury and our Archdeacon, the Ven Richard Frank also took place via Zoom.
With continuing coronavirus restrictions in 2021, the Diocese agreed that Common Fund contributions in 2021 should continue at the same level as 2020. The Diocese is already anticipating a significant shortfall over 2020 and 2021.
Deanery Common Fund Policy may have to be considered and reviewed when the next Common Fund meetings occur probably during the latter part of this year.
Oness Williams April, 2021.
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Flower Team Report
The Flower Arranger’s Prayer
“God grant that our hearts and our eyes and our hands may receive His inspiration to enable us to glorify His house with the beauty of the leaves and blossoms which He has created. Amen.”
Due to the COVID lockdown the Flower team was not able to meet in person, however when the flower team managed to keep the church building decorated for Sundays services, special celebrations such as Harvest, Christmas, Mother’s Day and Easter as well as members of the congregation memorials.
We have improved in terms of having more fresh flowers mostly by donations and for Christmas and Marsha’s memorial the church covered some expenses for the flowers.
We have received lovely and encouraging comments and feedbacks from the members of the congregation regarding the how beautiful and caring is to have church building decorated with flowers more often and some said it is very lovely to have the flowers on the windows and as well as on altar table so that people watching from home also benefit.
Some of arrangements:
For Harvest Festival - we decorated the church building with flowers as well as fruits and vegetables representing bringing the first fruits to the Lord. Fresh flowers donated by Michelle Wue and by Ana Alves.
For Christmas - we had our traditional decorations with red flowers, we have used differents sort of fresh flowers, holy and foliage from the church garden. We added some candles on windows and on the pillars.
Fresh flowers partially payed by the church, Poinsettias donated by John and Mai-Ling Hataway and red roses by Ana Alves.
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For Mothering Sunday – we decorated the windows, altar and entrance with the traditional yellow Daffodils and some artificial flowers to complement. Ana Alves offered the flowers on behalf of the church.
For Marsha Duncan’s Memorial - the congregation offered a white soft and lovely arrangement - the flowers and colours suggested by the family. Part of the foliage from the church garden.
For Chris Ioannou’s Memorial - an arrangement. Flowers colours suggested by Sue Iannou who requested
bright and happy colours. Offered by Ana Alves on behalf of the congregation.
The aim is to continue to encourage the flower team to grow. Donations are appreciated, as well as to continue to have more fresh flowers in the church bulding.
We feel pleased to decorate the church bulding to honour the creator and celebrate the creation.
April 2021
Ana Alves
10
Children and Youth at St Helen’s
January-December 2020 – In and Out of Lockdowns
Surely the strangest year of children’s and youth ministry that any of us have ever experienced – in and out of lockdowns, Sunday Club, Friday Club and Youth Alpha on Zoom, socially-distanced chairs and no singing or games allowed (from March onwards). Here is a summary of how the year played out.
The Old Normal – Church in Person
Sunday 12[th] Jan – Sunday 15[th] March 2020
Sunday Club began as normal at the beginning of the year, led by the children’s ministry team – Andrew H, Andrew K, Augustine, Emrita, Gifty, Leni, and Steve.
Friday Club also started as normal, with games and activities in the church and hall in February led by the youth ministry team – Ana, Andrew H and Augustine, and Toy Story 4 hosted by Steve in March.
Lockdown One – Everything Online-Only
Sunday 22[nd] March – Sunday 30[th] August 2020
And then everything changed! By a great effort and the climbing of a steep learning curve, online church miraculously came together for the first Sunday of lockdown, with only a few days’ notice. But with - resources stretched, and everyone struggling to adjust to everything online only (remember when none of us had ever used Zoom before?), it was much trickier to work out how to do children and youth ministry online.
Friday Club started with a bang – on 3[rd] April the first online Friday Club had great attendance, and we all enjoyed Zoom bingo (ably administered by Ana Alves) and various other games and quizzes. However, attendance halved for the May session, and dropped even lower after that, as Zoom fatigue set in. Despite this, we carried on hosting an online Friday Club all the way through the first lockdown, and had at least a handful each time.
Sunday Club began in early May with ‘Jude’s Sunday Gang’ – learning about God from the story of Nehemiah, with a half-hour video combining teaching and fun with a drama sketch, Bible input, and a craft demonstration. We ran this on Zoom, 9.30-10.15am, before the Sunday service, with the staff team rotating as ‘hosts’.
The children who got stuck in loved it, but attendance was low and so as Jude’s Sunday Gang drew to a close we conducted a survey of parents and it was agreed that a later time would work better. At the end of July therefore, when we moved to watching and discussing an episode of Superbook at 10.15am – running concurrently with the Sunday service.
Youth Alpha , for those aged 13-18, started online in early July and ran until the end of August. Sessions were on Zoom, 11.30am-12.30pm, with Ana, Augustine, Grace and Andrew H hosting, four or five of our youth joining in each week and great discussions every time.
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The In-Between Times - Hybrid Church
Sunday 6[th] September – Sunday 1[st] November 2020
Sunday Club returned to the church building using the school’s projector and sound system in the hall, accompanied by a song and a quiz. The link to watch online was sent out to parents who wouldn’t be attending, along with a discussion guide, so they could watch at home and engage on the topics raised.
Youth Alpha continued until the end of September, but when tea and coffee after the service returned, the after-church time slot became difficult – added to this was the complication that some of the attendees were now coming to church in person (and therefore couldn’t get home in time to join an online session), and some were staying home (and therefore couldn’t attend anything at the church building) – hybrid church was much trickier than online-only!
Friday Club happened online in September, but in October we seized the brief window where we were allowed to meet in-person (though not to run around, play games or talk!) and held a socially-distanced movie night in the church hall, and six of the young people enjoyed watching the modern classic: ‘ Captain America ’.
Lockdown Two – Everything Online-Only - Again
Sunday 8[th] November – Sunday 29[th] November 2020
The worst lockdown? Dashed hopes, dark dreary weather and back to online-only! However, we continued to send out a link for parents to watch and discuss Superbook in order to host Sunday Club at home.
The New Normal? Continuing Hybrid Church
Sunday 6[th] December – Sunday 27[th] December 2020
As we went back into the building for church, Sunday Club continued with Superbook in the church hall, and on 6[th] December Tamsin hosted a one-off Advent special, with Covid safe/socially distanced colouring, puzzles, games, sweets and chocolates.
On Saturday 19[th] December we also joined in with the Latymer Christmas Quest ! Five St Helen’s families followed clues that led them around North Kensington, meeting characters from the Nativity story and completing activities. Andrew and Grace Holt may or may not have spent the morning standing on the southern edge of the Lancaster West Estate ‘disguised’ as shepherds…
Postscript – 2021
With a new lockdown came new restrictions, and in the early months of 2021 we were no longer permitted to hold Sunday Club in the church hall. As things eased a little we hosted a Superbook special on Easter Sunday in the church hall, and started again with regular Superbook episodes from Sunday 25[th] April.
A keenness has been expressed by the youth to restart Friday Club , so plans are in motion to get going as soon as we can. Keep a look out for updates!
Revd Andrew Holt April 2021
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ST. HELEN, WITH HOLY TRINITY KENSINGTON
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
of the
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
Incumbent
Revd. S Divall St Helen’s Vicarage St. Helen's Gardens London W10 6LP
Bankers
HSBC 69 Pall Mall London SW1Y 5EY
Independent Examiner
Mr Stephen Booth ASIP 34 Lancaster Road Finsbury Park London N4 4PR
Registered Charity Number 1134830
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ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounts are prepared on a cash flow basis, using the "Receipts and payments" option which is accepted by the Charity Commission for non-company charities with a gross income that does not exceed £250,000. No provisions or accruals are made in respect of transactions which relate to more than one financial year.
GENERAL LEDGER
| Mission | 2019 | 2020 Unrestricted Restricted |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fund | 82,800 | 85,200 | |
| Fees Assigned to Diocese | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Staff Expenditure | 614 | 3,285 | 2 |
| Curate - Stipend & Housing | 41,033 | 28,562 12,500 |
3 |
| LCM Worker | 4,337 | 386 | 4 |
| Women's Pastor | 26,250 | 19,215 | 5 |
| Women's Pastor Expenses | 303 | 760 | |
| Evangelism (including | |||
| publicity) | 228 | 446 | |
| Specific Collections | 0 | 0 | |
| Charitable Giving | 1,575 | 3,085 | 6 |
| Worship and Education | |||
| Cornhill Student | 7,296 | 9,948 | 3 |
| Children and Youth | 334 | 335 | |
| Music | 60 | 1,659 | 7 |
| Services | 367 | 2,594 | 8 |
| Training | 1,253 | 185 | 9 |
| Away Day | 0 | 0 | |
| Social Events | 22 | 81 | |
| Buildings and Grounds | |||
| Utilities | 9,840 | 11,887 | 10 |
| Cleaner | 2,403 | 1,509 | 11 |
| Gardener | 1,213 | 630 | 12 |
| Items for Cleaining & | |||
| Gardening | 629 | 380 | |
| Maintenance and Repairs | 6,128 | 1,953 | 13 |
| Improvements | 135 | 230 | |
| Flat Costs | 1,381 | 894 | 14 |
| Insurance | 5,623 | 5,341 | |
| Administration | |||
| Office | 1,927 | 1,893 | |
| Office Administrator | 0 | ||
| Audit and Bank | 0 | ||
| Misc. and Contingency | 200 | 5,685 | 15 |
| Total St Helen's Expenditure | 195,948 | 186,143 12,500 |
|
| Giving | |||
| Collections | 9842 | 6,724 | 16 |
| Gift Aid Standing Orders | 8,725 | 10,798 | 16 |
| Other Standing Orders | 1,985 | 1,920 | |
| Gift Aid Donations | 0 | 970 | |
| Gift Day | 2,632 | 2,915 | |
| Tax Recovered | 4,403 | 0 | 17 |
| Specific Collections | 0 | 0 | |
| Other Donations | 5,131 | 1,070 | |
| Total Giving | |||
| 32,719 | 24,396 |
14
| Other Income | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Lettings | 24,200 | 12,484 | 18 | |||
| Rent From Flat | 8,400 | 8,400 | ||||
| Bassett House | 80,615 | 182,560 | 19 | |||
| Bassett House utilities | 0 | 0 | 10 | |||
| Rhema Faith Ministries | 9,880 | 1,480 | 20 | |||
| Designated Grants | 48,847 | 1,335 | 13,500 | 3,4 | ||
| Interest | 177 | 101 | ||||
| Away Day Income | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Events Income | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Church Fees (funerals etc.) | 617 | 644 | ||||
| Misc Income | 0 | 123 | ||||
| Total Other Income | 173,196 | 207,127 | 13,500 | |||
| Total St Helen's Income | 205,454 | 245,024 | ||||
| Surplus/(Deficit) | 9,507 | 46,381 | ||||
| ASSETS and LIABILITIES | 2019 | 2020 | ||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Bank Accounts | ||||||
| HSBC Current Account | 111,036 | 157,281 | ||||
| Deposit Account | 23,784 | 23,885 | ||||
| Petty cash book | 2 | 37 | ||||
| Total | 134,822 | 181,203 | ||||
| Allocations(at 31 December 2020) | Notes | |||||
| £ | ||||||
| Designated: | ||||||
| Building Development | 60,000 | |||||
| Emergency Building | 50,000 | |||||
| Community Grant | 1,000 | 4 | ||||
| General Expenditure (unallocated) | 70,203 | |||||
| Total | 181,203 |
FIXED ASSETS
Estimated Value
Church Hall and Flat £1 Million This is an order of magnitude estimate of the rebuild costs of the Hall and Flat
15
Notes
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2 years’ of catch up payments needed.
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Includes Vicar + Curate. £752 of 2019 Vicar's Expenses (claimed late)
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Curate and Cornhiller externally funded through designated giving and grants from local churches and charities supporting Christian mission. Funding is linked to the academic year, rather than the calendar year. There was £30,414 more given in 2019 than spent. This was spent during 2020, in addition to the £12,500 received for the Curate, together with £4148 from General funds to make up the Shortfall. The remaining funding for the ’20-’21 academic year for both posts is due to be received in the first half of 2021. There were extra salary + living costs for the Cornhiller during the lockdowns.
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In addition we received a £2335 gift from the Bishop of Kensington’s discretionary fund. Part to cover the cost of having an LCM worker with us (again linked to the academic year – spent in 2019) and part to make a grant to the Just Solutions gardening project. Covid has delayed awarding this, but it will be given to the project ahead of the 4[th] Grenfell Anniversary in June. LCM were employing Andrew during the ’19-‘20 academic year, with us making a contribution. He became a full time student for the ’20-‘21 academic year and so his costs reduced.
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Post finished in August. Pension payment for 24 months made in 2020.
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10% of the congregational giving the previous year, plus some catch up from 2019.
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Thankyou gift to the musicians who had been taking it in turns to play on Sunday mornings.
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Equipment and fees to broadcast services.
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Staff team finished on the ‘Church Growth Learning Community’ run under the leadership of the Bishop of Islington.
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We have still not billed Bassett House in arrears for their share of utilities. 2014-2020 needs to be invoiced in 2021. We anticipate this to be in the region of £25,000-£30,000.
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Covid-19 building closure, reduced costs.
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5 months of 2020 to be paid in 2021
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Covid-19 delayed repairs to both the doors and the gutters
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Council Tax catch up needed
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Rent review fees (see item 19.)
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Reduction of £3000 (approx.) in cash collections due to Covid-19, but with £2000 (approx.) increase in giving by standing order
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Gift Aid and GASDS claim overdue.
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Lettings roughly halved by the Covid-19 crisis. Some support groups and children’s groups could continue.
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Rent review concluded to raise the rent to £95,000 p.a. from 1[st] Sept 2017 - 31[st] Aug 2022 and arrears paid.
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Rhema Faith finished using the building at the end of 2019, but in error made two monthly payments at the start of 2020. This money will need to be returned to them in 2021.
Approved by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on:
and signed on its behalf by Revd. S Divall (Chairman)
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CHARITY COMMISSION I FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the Ite$l mombors of ST. HELEN'S. NORTH KENSINGTON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL IPCC) On accounts for th• year ended 31st December 2020 Charity no lif any) 1134830 Set out on pages 1>16 ¢ 1fir4.l e IbE P-"4]FEr$". I report to the trustees on rrry examination of the accounts of the above charity Ilhe Trusfi for the year ended 3111212020 Responsibifties and basis of report As the charliS trustees. you are F)nsIble for the preparation of the accounts in ac(xKdance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {Ihe Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the PCC'S accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Ad and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the appli(xble DirectK)ns given by the Chanty CommissFon under section 14515J(b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no materFal matters have examlnerfs statement come to my attents.on in connection with the examination lother than that disclosed behx") which gives me cause to believe that in. any material resFect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Acl; or accounts did not accord wrth the accounting records,. or the accounts did not compty with the applble requirements conceming the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities {Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requiremerst that the accounts give a Irue and fairf view which is nol a matter consider1 as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection wilh the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a woper UfKlerstarJding ofthe accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 191512021 Name: Stephen B(x)th Associate ofthe Scw of Investment Professionals IASIPI CFA UK Relevant professional qualrfication(s) or body (rfany): IER Oct 2018
Address: 34 Lancaster Road. London, N4 4PR Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for eqmIners). Givo herg brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. None. IER Oct 2018