Parish of Thundersley - Ministers’ report 2025
The last twelve months have been a period of significant change for us as Parish. By far the most significant event of course came at the end of 2024 with the departure of our dear friends Andy and Lynn. Andy will always be remembered for being the “Vicar in the Van” amongst many other things including the Woodland Church events to name but two. We thank them for all that they did during their time here and ask God every blessing for them both and their family for the future.
The departure of our Rector has created both opportunity and challenge. Moving us from a situation where the “theory” or sharing ministry provision which has been discussed for some time has become a reality in very short order. We all understand the financial benefits of sharing ministry, that is a significantly reduced Parish Share, but the cost of that is something that we are slowly beginning to understand more clearly perhaps.
We will all be aware that some adjustments, are and will continue to be, necessary as we reflect upon how best to shape ourselves for mission and ministry in the next few years ahead as part of a bigger Team. When our new Team recruitment is complete we will be well resourced to explore developing new models of mission and ministry in our locality with stronger and healthier interdependent Parishes journeying together.
Services
Attendance at our usual Sunday services, St Peter’s at 8am and 11am and St Michael’s at 9.30am, has remained steady throughout the year. Pete began to take occasional services during the latter part of 2024 to help with the transition to a new ministry model and has been leading regularly since Andy’s departure at the beginning of the New Year. Despite our Clergy team still being short of our full complement we have managed to maintain all of our services bar one mid-week service at St Peter’s. There have thus far been minimal change to our service pattern each week. Split over the two churches in our Parish we are averaging a total of 16 services per month. This is double the number held at each of the other Parishes in the BTH Group.
Bishop Adam has visited the parish twice, once to carry out a Confirmation Service and then to take a Sunday service. Parade Services are held during the year on Mothering Sunday, Harvest and Remembrance Sundays.
Christmas is always a busy time, with Carol Services held for children from local schools, a Deanes Concert and a Remembering Service with Stibbards. This is in addition to Christingle services, Carol Services and a Crib Service on Christmas Eve.
Working with our friends from Churches Together in Hadleigh, we hosted a service during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, held a service for the World Day of Prayer, and were part of the Walk of Witness on Good Friday.
Thanks go to all those who make the services possible each week; servers, readers, those who lead intercessions, flower arrangers, cleaners and welcomers. With the congregation they all make our churches a warm and friendly community of Christians, with worship to God at its heart.
Activities
The Parish has held an Agape supper on Maundy Thursday, a Christmas meal and has a Bible Study Group.
Our year included a number of social, outreach and fundraising events. Regular events are coffee mornings, a Fish and Chip Lunch monthly. The Handicraft Group held a coffee morning and craft sale which raised funds. A Harvest Meal was held in September, where not only were people from the parish invited but also many others who have helped the church out during the year. There was a table top sale, a night of magic, 2 meals at Latinos, a coach trip to The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park, 2 Quiz Nights, a Soup Lunch and a Strawberry Tea with proceeds to Christian Aid.
We hosted the Allegro Choir who were raising funds for MND and the Police Band, raising funds for the British Legion. There is of course the regular coffee morning at St Peter’s on a Saturday.
Communications
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Although communication is something we will be looking to review during the next year one of our great ongoing successes is the continued distribution of 170 printed copies of the church magazine each month. The cost of this is entirely covered by advertising and donations.
Other stuff
As you are also aware Pete serves as Hadleigh Area Dean and continues to invest time and energy in developing the Chapter and Synod with his leadership. In addition to spreading himself across our 4 Parishes he has been supporting Canvey Team Ministry as their Parish reels from the impact of 5 years of uncertainty followed by revelation of the full extent of the abuse carried out by their former Rector.
It is also worth making you aware that in the last 12 months Pete has completed a Level 5 Diploma in Applied Therapeutic Practice (the equivalent of a Foundation Degree) as part of his Fostering CPD.
Conclusion
Just this week at our home group we listened to an inspiring talk by leader of the 24-7 Prayer movement Pete Greg. He quoted the famous song title of Bob Dylan’s 1964 hit “The times they are a-changin’” suggesting that it is also an anthem for the times through which we are living today.
I want to suggest that the changes we are experiencing are not merely the result of circumstances impacting us from the secular world or even from the wider church. What I think I detect along with so many of my colleagues in church leadership is that, to steal a phrase from CS Lewis “Aslan is on the move”.
In the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe the things that mark the arrival of Aslan, the Lion who represents Christ in the world of Narnia, are not immediately obvious. In that land where “It’s always winter but never Christmas” a thaw began. Subtle but clear signs that Spring was coming. In a similar way we are perhaps starting to see such signs in our own culture and our own community that Jesus is on the move.
Such things will evoke in each of us a different reaction. Some will be afraid of the inevitable changes coming. Others will seek to grasp and control what is happening. Many will simply be stunned and yet others heartened and thrilled by the events. As we move into another year let us perhaps consider the signs we see around us and prayerfully reflect upon our response. Thereafter may we seek to embrace what God is beginning to do and look to engage and work with Him as he calls us.
They say Aslan is on the move- perhaps has already landed.
And now a very curious thing happened. None of the children knew who Aslan was any more than you do; but the moment the Beaver had spoken these words everyone felt quite different. Perhaps it has sometimes happened to you in a dream that someone says something which you don't understand but in the dream it feels as if it has some enormous meaning- either a terrifying one which turns the whole dream into a nightmare or else a lovely meaning too lovely to put into words, which makes the dream so beautiful that you remember it all your life and are always wishing you could get into that dream again.
It was like that now. At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in its inside. Edmund felt a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous. Susan felt as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music had just floated by her. And Lucy got the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realise that it is the beginning of the holidays or the beginning of summer.
― C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Even so, Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!
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New Thundersley St Georye Charity No - 1134854 Analysis of receipts and payments Selected period: 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 Total tknignated EndoMn•nt Th1• yoar L88t y•ir Receipts Donations and legacies Donations and legacle8 0101- GiftAid-Bank 0107- CAF 0108- Charitable Giving 0110- Grfl Aid- Envelopes 0201- Other planned giwng 0301- Loose plate cdledions IGASDSI 0302- Loose plate Collections IN GASDSI 0401- Gift day 0410- Donation box 0501- 0-off Gift Avj grfls 0550- Donations appeals elc 0551 . Donation$- F?S 0552- Donation5 - SL*XUP Ga5d5 0553- DonaliorK8 - Sumup Non Gasds 0601 . Tax r¥¢over8trJe on Grft Aid 0602- Gift Aid Small Donalior Scheme IGASDSI 08A1- Non-reoJrrirrfJ or-Off grants 0901- Other ftmds generated 32.109.00 1.0). 7131Y) 2.830.CM) 3.110.LK) 3,127.24 32,109.00 1.OCKI.00 713.00 2,830 00 3,110.00 3,127.24 39.039.58 54.00 693.00 3,655.00 3.060.00 2,863.(h8 6SO.(10 430.00 1.210.LYJ 54.72 1,210.00 54.72 380 00 563.40 14.59 875.80 1,537.72 8,554.64 1.143.23 380.00 563.40 14.59 875.80 1.537.72 8.554.64 1.143.23 510.00 523.15 540.00 12.425.$9 618.24 2,521.15 1,305.98 1.674.37 1.674.37 DonatloD• and legacl•s Sub. total$ 59,$47.71 59,547.71 68,238.75 Donations and legacies Totals 59.547.71 59.547.71 68,238.75 Income from Gharitable activities Incomo from charltable actlvltle8 0001 - tba 1101- Fee5 for V+Eddings and funeras 1210- Bookstall sales to F40mote objectives 1230- Hall hire 120.001 478.00 183.00 299 rjj 299 00 220.00 18.491.93 18.491.93 15,140.17 Incom• from Gharltable activities Sub-totals 19.010.93 19.010.93 15,781.17 Income from charitable activities Totals 19.010.93 19.01093 15,781.17 eoy 12 March 2025 Page 1
Total Unrestricted D85ignaied Restricted End¢>MneTrt This year last yèar Investments Investments 1020- Bank and buildirg society interest 16.39 16.39 Investments Sub-totals 16.39 Investments Totals 16.39 16.39 Receipts Grand totals 78,575.03 78,575.03 84.019.92 Payments Raising funds Raising funds 1730 - Costs of fetes & Otr events 1735- Costs of Coffee Shop 1.869.33 126.42 1,869 33 126.42 1,688 39 82.75 Raising funds Sub-totals 1.995.75 1,995.75 1,751.14 Raising funds Totals 1,995_75 1,995.75 1,751.14 Expenditure on charitable activities Expenditure on ¢haritable activities 1801 Mission giving 1910- Ministry parish shale etc 22- Honorarium 2101- Working expenses of incumbent 2170- Education 2201 Parish outreach 2301 - Church running- insuranee 2310- Church office- telephone 2330- Church maintenance 2331 - Church running - Cleaning 2340 - Upkp of serwces 2350- Upkeep of churchyard and gaidens 2360- Administration 2361- Sumup charges 2401- Church running - electric 2420 - Church running - water 2515- Hall running- management 2530- Hall running - ele¢triaty 2540- Hall running - gas 2550- Hall running - insurance 2560 - Hall running- mainlenar 2563- Hall running - cleaning 2565- Hall running - refuse collection 2580- Hall running- water 9.810.60 49,615.80 9,810.60 49.615.80 6,342.00 42.775.90 200.00 510_00 1.155.26 1.187.76 1.718.49 3.322.30 2,378.30 831.69 1.575.99 510.00 1.155.26 1.187.76 1.718.49 5,675.62 2,378.30 831.69 1,575.99 1,030 36 1,133.70 1,868.24 3,190.13 2.244.19 917.18 1.546.98 2.353 32 2.662 49 41.58 4,195.36 660.41 1,8(MJ. 1,397.47 3,252.28 2,3.23 1,043.86 3.615.36 601.71 2,662.49 41.58 4,195.36 660.41 1.800.00 1.397.47 3,252.28 2,396.23 1.043.86 3.615.36 601.71 95.03 1.795 45 4,355.57 228.84 1,800.00 1,913.21 3,804.42 2,282.61 934.89 3,489. 10 572.35 77.81 9503 eoy 12 March 2025 Page 2
Unreslricteil Total Desiyna Restricted Endov&Thent Th45 year Last year 2601- G0Veman costs examinationlaudit lee 2820- New Hall works 55.00 50.00 8.096.03 Expenditure on charitable activities Sub-totals 93,922.97 2,353.32 96,276.29 90,750.59 Expenditure on charitable activities Totals 93.922.97 2.353.32 96,276.29 90,750.59 Payments Grand totals 95.918.72 2.353.32 98,272.04 92.501.73 eoy 12 Marc 2025 Page 3
New Thundersley St George Charity No - 1134854 Receipts and Payments Account For the period from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 Vnrestri¢tÈd funds Detsignat8d nds Restricted fvnd8 End¢)Mnent funds Total funds Prior yeaf total fund8 R8ceipts Donations 8nd legacies lfjcome from charitable acbvrt Inve$tmeTrls 59 547.71 59 547.71 19,010 93 76 39 68.238 75 15.781.17 19.010 93 16.39 Totsl recèbpts 78.57S.03 78,575.03 64.019.92 Paymonts Raising funds Expenditurè on charitsble aclivitses 1.995.75 93.922.97 1 99575 1.751 14 90.750 59 2.353.32 96,276.29 Totsl payrnents 95,918.72 2,353.32 98,272.04 92,501.73 Excess of receipts over payrnents beforetransfer 117,343.691 12.353.321 115,697.011 18,481.8ti Transfers Gross transfers bÈiween funds- In Gross Iransfers beb*een funds- out 30.000.00 130.000.rx)I 30.000. 130.000.001 60.000 00 160.000 001 Excess of recelpts over payments bgforo othÈrgains 117.343.691 12.363.321 119,897.011 18,481.811 Net movÈrnent in funds 117.343.691 12.353.321 119,697.011 18,481.811 Reconciliation of fund5 All assots at 01 January 2024 31.806.15 30.TrJO.00 2.353.32 64,169.47 72.641.28 All assets at 31 December 2024 14.462A6 30.000.00 4M,462.46 64,q59.47 Representod by Unreslficted General fund Designated PCC Reserve Fund Restricted Church building fund New Hall fund 14.462.46 14.462 46 31.806 15 30.0(XJ 00 30,000 DO 30,000.00 1.360 97 992 35 eoy 12 March 2025 Page 1
New Thundersley St George Charity No - 1134854 Statement of Assets and Liabilities (by fund) As at: 31 December 2024 Previous balance Balance Cash at bank and in hand 6501.. Santsnder 090155 34216706 Church - Ass General fund Unreslricted New Hall tund Restricted Church buildirkg fuThJ Restricted PCC Reserve Fund Designaled 14.462.46 31.808.15 764.4fJ 1.360.97 30.000.00 14,462A6 63,931.52 6503.. Natwast 600943 79638074 Hall Fund - A$s¢t New Hall fvrKJ Restricaed 227 95 227.95 650S.' Market Hartyorough B S - Asset PCC Reserve FurHJ Designated 30,[0.00 30,000.00 Cash at bank and In hand 44.462.46 64.159.47 Grand Total 44.462.46 64,159.47 12 March 2025 13/J Page 1
Independent examiner's report to the PCC of New Thundersley St George- Charity No 1134854 I report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 Decernber 2024, which are attached. Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 201 l Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; Follow procedures laid dowTL in the general directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. and State whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiners Statement. My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records, It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the management committee concerningy any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an opinion on the accounts. Independent examiner s statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention,, which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in anv material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with s.130 of the 201 l Act; or to prepare accounts, which accord with these accounting records have not been met; or (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Daniel Keech 38 Shepard Close Leigh on Sea SS9 SYR 7iz.,I /513