**St. Christopher’s, Hanwell End of Year Financial Statements Church Wardens’ Annual Report Year ending 31 December 2024 Charity Number 1135371** 

 

_Page 1_ 



##  **< Introduction** 

This is the account for the year ending 31 December 2024. Following the departure of Rev. Suzanne VernonYorke in February 2024 the church has been managed by the two Church Wardens. The congregation has appreciated all the work they have done keeping the church alive. 

## **Receipts and Payments Account** 

|**Receipts and Payments Account**||
|---|---|
||**Total funds**<br>**Prior year funds**|
|**Building - Building Fund (Restricted)**<br>**Expenditure**<br>Expenditure on charitable activities<br>2330 - Church maintenance<br>_Total Expenditure on charitable activities_<br>Excess of Income and endowments over Expenditure<br>Brought forward balance<br>**Carried forward balance**<br>**Redev - Redevelopment Fund (Designated)**<br>Brought forward balance<br>**Carried forward balance**<br>**General - General fund (Unrestricted)**<br>**Income and endowments**<br>Donations and legacies<br>0101 - Gift Aid – Bank<br>0110 - Gift Aid – Envelopes<br>0201 - Other planned giving<br>0301 - Loose plate collections<br>0550 - Donations appeals etc<br>0601 - Tax recoverable on Gift Aid<br>0701 - Legacies<br>_Total Donations and legacies_<br>Income from charitable activities<br>1101 - Fees for weddings and funerals<br>1241 - Pop-in Income<br>_Total Income from charitable activities_<br>Other trading activities<br>1240 - Church hall lettings - fund raising<br>_Total Other trading activities_<br>Investments<br>1020 - Bank and building society interest<br>1030 - Rent from lands or buildings<br>_Total Investments_<br>**Expenditure**<br>Raising funds<br>1730 - Costs of fetes & other events<br>1740 - Investment Management Costs<br>1741 - Investment (House) Maintenance Costs<br>_Total Raising funds_<br>Expenditure on charitable activities<br>1830 - Giving - relief and development agencies<br>1850 - Home mission<br>1910 - Ministry parish share etc<br>2001 - Assistant staff costs<br>2101 - Working expenses of incumbent<br>2140 - Water rates - vicarage<br>2150 - Vicar's telephone|—<br>10,097|
||_—_<br>_10,097_<br>—<br>(10,097)<br>49,068<br>59,166|
||**49,068**<br>**49,068**<br>1,045<br>1,045|
||**1,045**<br>**1,045**<br>2,484<br>2,509<br>140<br>360<br>1,305<br>1,395<br>1,959<br>2,257<br>—<br>920<br>1,259<br>1,272<br>187,500<br>—|
||_194,648_<br>_8,714_<br>153<br>80<br>84<br>1,528|
||_237_<br>_1,608_<br>27,845<br>27,200|
||_27,845_<br>_27,200_<br>2,894<br>1,626<br>24,200<br>24,200|
||_27,094_<br>_25,826_<br>1,776<br>—<br>4,262<br>4,487<br>2,065<br>1,196|
||_8,104_<br>_5,684_<br>—<br>1,000<br>2,052<br>1,010<br>27,012<br>42,012<br>12,279<br>—<br>—<br>594<br>488<br>434<br>—<br>199|



_Page 2_ 



|2170 - Education<br>2301 - Church running - insurance<br>2310 - Church office - telephone<br>2330 - Church maintenance<br>2331 - Cleaning<br>2340 - Upkeep of services<br>2350 - Upkeep of churchyard<br>2360 - Administration<br>2370 - Visiting speakers / locums<br>2401 - Church running - electric<br>2410 - Church running - gas<br>2420 - Church running - water<br>2701 - Church major repairs - structure<br>2710 - Church major repairs - installation<br>_Total Expenditure on charitable activities_<br>Excess of Income and endowments over Expenditure<br>Brought forward balance<br>**Carried forward balance**<br>**ZReval - Revaluation reserves (Restricted)**<br>Brought forward balance<br>**Carried forward balance**<br>**Balance sheet**<br>**Class and code**<br>**Description**|80<br>35<br>1,310<br>1,277<br>617<br>596<br>4,482<br>18,024<br>2,870<br>2,667<br>819<br>708<br>1,500<br>—<br>532<br>243<br>50<br>154<br>2,184<br>2,153<br>4,182<br>3,375<br>497<br>284<br>10,097<br>—<br>2,684<br>10,564|80<br>35<br>1,310<br>1,277<br>617<br>596<br>4,482<br>18,024<br>2,870<br>2,667<br>819<br>708<br>1,500<br>—<br>532<br>243<br>50<br>154<br>2,184<br>2,153<br>4,182<br>3,375<br>497<br>284<br>10,097<br>—<br>2,684<br>10,564|
|---|---|---|
||_73,741_<br>_85,333_<br>167,979<br>(27,668)<br>640,367<br>668,036||
||**808,347**<br>**640,367**<br>12<br>12||
|||**12**<br>**12**<br>**This year**<br>**Last year**|
|**Fixed assets**<br>6431<br>House Purchased 2019<br>**Total Fixed assets**<br>**Current assets**<br>6501<br>Bank current account<br>6502<br>Redevelopment A/c<br>6505<br>Bank deposit account<br>6590<br>Cash in hand<br>**Total Current assets**<br>**Liabilities**<br>6699<br>Agency collections<br>Z04<br>Accounts Payable<br>**Total Liabilities**<br>**Net Asset surplus(deficit)**<br>**Reserves**<br>Excess / (deficit) to date<br>Z01<br>Starting balances<br>Z03<br>Gains/(losses) on reval of fixed assets<br>**Total Reserves**<br>**Represented by funds**<br>Unrestricted<br>Designated<br>Restricted<br>Endowment<br>**Total**||580,000<br>580,000|
|||**580,000**<br>**580,000**<br>16,737<br>4,712<br>1,613<br>1,528<br>258,879<br>103,984<br>282<br>268|
|||**277,512**<br>**110,494**<br>(961)<br>—<br>—<br>—|
|||**(961)**<br>**—**|
|||**858,473**<br>**690,494**|
|||167,979<br>(37,766)<br>690,494<br>728,260<br>—<br>—|
|||**858,473**<br>**690,494**<br>808,347<br>640,367<br>1,045<br>1,045<br>49,081<br>49,081<br>—<br>—|
|||**858,473**<br>**690,494**|



## **Statement of assets and liabilities** 

||**General**<br>**Designated**<br>**Restricted Endowment**<br>**This year**<br>**Last year**|
|---|---|
|**Fixed assets - Tangible assets**<br>House Purchased 2019 -|580,000<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>580,000<br>580,000|



_Page 3_ 



|**Totals**<br>**Current assets - Cash at bank and in hand**<br>Bank current account -<br>Redevelopment A/c -<br>Bank deposit account -<br>Cash in hand -<br>**Totals**<br>**Liabilities - Agency accounts**<br>Agency collections -<br>**Totals**<br>**Grand total**|**580,000**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**580,000**<br>**580,000**<br>31,320<br>(21,951)<br>7,368<br>—<br>16,737<br>4,712<br>(23,910)<br>22,996<br>2,527<br>—<br>1,613<br>1,528<br>219,046<br>—<br>39,832<br>—<br>258,879<br>103,984<br>1,890<br>—<br>(1,607)<br>—<br>282<br>268|
|---|---|
||**228,347**<br>**1,045**<br>**48,120**<br>**—**<br>**277,512**<br>**110,494**<br>—<br>—<br>(961)<br>—<br>(961)<br>—|
||**—**<br>**—**<br>**(961)**<br>**—**<br>**(961)**<br>**—**|
||**808,347**<br>**1,045**<br>**49,081**<br>**—**<br>**858,473**<br>**690,494**|



## **Fund movement by type** 

||**Opening**<br>**Incoming**<br>**Outgoing Transfers Gains/losses Journals     Closing**|
|---|---|
|**Building - Building Fund**<br>Restricted<br>**Sub-total for Building**<br>**Redev - Redevelopment Fund**<br>Designated<br>**Sub-total for Redev**<br>**General - General fund**<br>Unrestricted<br>**Sub-total for General**<br>**ZReval - Revaluation reserves**<br>Restricted<br>**Sub-total for ZReval**<br>**Grand total**|49,068<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>49,068|
||**49,068**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**49,068**<br>1,045<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>1,045|
||**1,045**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**1,045**<br>640,367<br>249,825<br>81,846<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>808,347|
||**640,367**<br>**249,825**<br>**81,846**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**808,347**<br>12<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>12|
||**12**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**12**|
||**690,494**<br>**249,825**<br>**81,846**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**—**<br>**858,473**|



## **Analysis of receipts and payments** 

|||||||**Total**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Unrestricted**|**Designated**|**Restricted**||**Endowment**|**This year**|**Last year**|
|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**||||||||
|**Donations and legacies**||||||||
|0101 - Gift Aid - Bank|2,484|—||—|—|2,484|2,509|
|0110 - Gift Aid - Envelopes|140|—||—|—|140|360|
|0201 - Other planned giving|1,305|—||—|—|1,305|1,395|
|0301 - Loose plate collections|1,959|—||—|—|1,959|2,257|
|0401 - Regular gift days|—|—||—|—|—|—|
|0410 - Giving through church boxes|—|—||—|—|—|—|
|0501 - One-off Gift Aid gifts|—|—||—|—|—|—|
|0510 - Gifts of quoted securities|—|—||—|—|—|—|
|0550 - Donations appeals etc|—|—||—|—|—|920|
|0601 - Tax recoverable on Gift Aid|1,259|—||—|—|1,259|1,272|
|0701 - Legacies|187,500|—||—|—|187,500|—|
|0801 - Recurring grants|—|—||—|—|—|—|
|08A1 - Non-recurring one-off grants|—|—||—|—|—|—|
|0901 - Other funds generated|—|—||—|—|—|—|
|Total|194,648|—||—|—|194,648|8,714|
|**Income from charitable activities**||||||||
|1101 - Fees for weddings and|153|—||—|—|153|80|
|funerals||||||||
|1210 - Bookstall sales to promote|—|—||—|—|—|—|
|objectives||||||||



_Page 4_ 



|1230 - Church hall lettings -<br>objectives<br>1241 - Pop-in Income<br>Total<br>**Other trading activities**<br>0310 - Fairtrade, sale of goods<br>0910 - Rummage sales etc<br>1220 - Bookstall sales - fund raising<br>1240 - Church hall lettings - fund<br>raising<br>1250 - Magazine income - advertising<br>1260 - Parish magazine sales<br>Total<br>**Investments**<br>1001 - Dividends<br>1020 - Bank and building society<br>interest<br>1030 - Rent from lands or buildings<br>Total<br>**Other income**<br>1310 - Insurance claims<br>1320 - Surplus - sales of fixed assets<br>Total|—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>84<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>84<br>1,528|
|---|---|
||237<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>237<br>1,608<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>27,845<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>27,845<br>27,200<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—|
||27,845<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>27,845<br>27,200<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>2,894<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>2,894<br>1,626<br>24,200<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>24,200<br>24,200|
||27,094<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>27,094<br>25,826<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—|
||—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—|
|**INCOME TOTAL**|249,825<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>249,825<br>63,349|
|**EXPENDITURE**<br>**Raising funds**<br>1701 - Fees paid to fund raisers<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>1710 - Costs of applying for grants<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>1720 - Costs of stewardship<br>campaign<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>1730 - Costs of fetes & other events<br>1,776<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>1,776<br>—<br>1740 - Investment Management<br>Costs<br>4,262<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>4,262<br>4,487<br>1741 - Investment (House)<br>Maintenance Costs<br>2,065<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>2,065<br>1,196<br>Total<br>8,104<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>8,104<br>5,684<br>**Expenditure on charitable activities**<br>1801 - Giving to missionary societies<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>1830 - Giving - relief and<br>development agencies<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>1,000<br>1850 - Home mission<br>2,052<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>2,052<br>1,010<br>1870 - Secular charities<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>1901 - Stipends quota<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>1910 - Ministry parish share etc<br>27,012<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>27,012<br>42,012<br>1920 - Pop-in Expenditure<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>2001 - Assistant staff costs<br>12,279<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>12,279<br>—<br>2050 - Salary of parish administrator<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>2101 - Working expenses of<br>incumbent<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>594<br>2120 - Council tax<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>2130 - Parsonage house expenses<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>2140 - Water rates - vicarage<br>488<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>488<br>434<br>2145 - Parsonage - water<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—|—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>1,776<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>1,776<br>—<br>4,262<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>4,262<br>4,487<br>2,065<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>2,065<br>1,196|



_Page 5_ 



|2150 - Vicar's telephone<br>2170 - Education<br>2201 - Parish training and mission<br>2301 - Church running - insurance<br>2310 - Church office - telephone<br>2320 - Organ / piano tuning<br>2330 - Church maintenance<br>2331 - Cleaning<br>2340 - Upkeep of services<br>2350 - Upkeep of churchyard<br>2360 - Administration<br>2370 - Visiting speakers / locums<br>2401 - Church running - electric<br>2410 - Church running - gas<br>2420 - Church running - water<br>2430 - Church running - oil<br>2440 - Church running - heating and<br>lighting<br>2501 - Magazine expenses<br>2510 - Bookstall costs<br>2520 - Hall running - oil<br>2530 - Hall running - electricity<br>2540 - Hall running - gas<br>2550 - Hall running - insurance<br>2560 - Hall running - maintenance<br>2570 - Hall running - telephone<br>2580 - Hall running - water<br>2590 - Hall running - heating and<br>lighting<br>2601 - Governance costs<br>examination/audit fee<br>2701 - Church major repairs -<br>structure<br>2710 - Church major repairs -<br>installation<br>2720 - Church interior and exterior<br>decorating<br>2801 - Hall + major repairs - structure<br>2820 - Hall + major repairs -<br>installation<br>2830 - Hall + interior and exterior<br>decorating<br>2840 - Other PCC property upkeep<br>2901 - New building parsonage<br>house<br>2910 - New building house for curate<br>2920 - New building Church<br>2930 - New building Hall<br>Total<br>**Other expenditure**<br>1742 - Bank Charges<br>Total|—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>199<br>80<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>80<br>35<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>1,310<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>1,310<br>1,277<br>617<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>617<br>596<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>4,482<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>4,482<br>28,122<br>2,870<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>2,870<br>2,667<br>819<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>819<br>708<br>1,500<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>1,500<br>—<br>532<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>532<br>243<br>50<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>50<br>154<br>2,184<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>2,184<br>2,153<br>4,182<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>4,182<br>3,375<br>497<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>497<br>284<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>10,097<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>10,097<br>—<br>2,684<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>2,684<br>10,564<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—|
|---|---|
||73,741<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>73,741<br>95,431<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—|
||—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>—|
|**EXPENDITURE TOTAL**|81,846<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>81,846<br>101,115|
|||
|**GRAND TOTAL**|167,979<br>—<br>—<br>—<br>167,979<br>(37,766)|



_Page 6_ 



## **Conclusion** 

Key items in this year’s accounts are as follows: 

1. Donation and Gift Aid income, excluding a legacy, compared to 2023 fell by £1,543. However, this was partly offset by bank interest that increased from £1,626 to £2,894, an extra £1,268. 

2. A legacy provided £187,500 in March 2024. Further payment(s) will be made by the solicitor in 2025. The PCC is grateful to the late Mr. Leslie Doble for supporting the church in this way. 

3. Fees for weddings provided income of £153. It is a legal requirement for Banns to be read when bride or groom live in the parish, but the marriage ceremony takes place in other churches. Three couples had their Banns read during 2024 and the prescribed fee for each was £51. No actual weddings or funerals took place at St Christopher’s during 2024. 

4. Income in 2024 from the Tuesday pop-in was £84. The accounts show the 2023 pop-in income as £1,528 but this was a lump sum input from the estate of Mr. Doble and was accumulated on behalf of the church over a few years. A decision was taken to stop collecting 50p from those attending pop-in to bring it into line with the Saturday morning meetings and Sunday services where no charge is made. 

5. The contract for the nursery was renewed in September 2024 with an increase of £150 each month. It is for three years from 1 September 2024 at £2,400 each month. 

6. Costs of other events - £1,500 was spent on a survey required by the Diocese and Charity Commission to establish a new Nursery contract. The cost of holding a Quiz supper was £58.25p and a departing vicar party - £217.80p. The Quiz supper raised funds of £245. 

7. Investment Management costs – House Agent fees £4,262 were £225 less than 2023 because a reduced agency fee was agreed. The rent was not changed but the tenant’s contract expires in August 2025. 

8. Home mission – Charitable donations were made as follows: Ealing Winter Night Shelter -£1,052. Sightsavers £500, Doctors without borders £500. Total £2,052. 

9. Ministry parish share paid to the London Diocese was £27,012 for the year. This compares to £42,012 in 2023. The reduction was to account for the additional Assistant Staff Costs of the new employment in mid-February of a Church Community Worker who is employed for 18 hours a week. The cost this year was £12,279. 

10. Payment of £10,098 was made in January 2024 for church fabric repairs carried out on the gutters and facia. The work was done in 2023. 

11. Additional costs are incurred to pay for gas and electricity used in the vicarage during the interregnum. In 2024 these totaled £284 and are shown as a liability under Agency payments. Visiting (retired) vicars are invited to lead the services and oversee communion during the interregnum. Their fees, £677, are also included in the Agency total. At the end of the interregnum, possibly June 2025, a claim for reimbursement of the Agency costs will be made to the Diocese. 

12. The addition of the legacy has given the church a substantial bank balance that exceeds any planned or unexpected expenditure. There are no known risks upon which to base a reserve policy. 

I wish to thank Ms. Sheila Burt for examining these accounts. 

David Thomas, Treasurer, St Christopher’s Church, Hanwell 2 May 2025. 

_Page 7_ 



CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examiner's report on the
accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the trustees
St Christopherfs Church, Hanwell
On accounts for the year
•nd•d
31 De￿rnber 2024
Charlty no
(If any)
1135371
Set out on pages
1to6
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity (-the Trust") for the year ended 31 De￿mber 2024
Responslbllltles and
basls of report
As the charitys trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the
accounts in accordan￿ with the requirements of the Charities Acl 2011
(Yhe Act.).
I report in respect of my examinats'on of the Trust's accounts carried out
under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I
have followed all the ap ￿lCable Directions given by the Charity
Commission under section 1495Xb) of the Act.
Independent I have completed rny examinalion. I confirm that no material matters
examinerfs statement have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other
than that disclosed below ") which gives me cause to believe that in, any
material respect:
the accounting records were T￿t kept in accordance with section
130 of Ihe Charits'es Act., or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records" or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements
conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the
Charities (Accounts and Rewrts) Regulations 2008 other than
any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair. view
which is rK)t a matter considered as part of an independent
examination.
I have no concems and have come across no other matters in
connection with the examination to whith attention should be drawn
in this repjrt in order to enable a proper understanding of the
accounts to be reached..
Slgned:
Date:
Name:
Relevant profosslonal
quallficatlon(s) or body
(If any):
Address:
Page 8

## **’ - ’ St Christopher s Hanwell Churchwardens Report 2025** 

This year we have continued in our interregnum or vacancy. We are thankful that there has not been one Sunday when we were unable to hold communion as we have been blessed with good and very welcome support from clergy at St Marys, with Andrew Susy, Chris, Helen, Alison and Stephanie, together with other visitors including Keith S, Fr Mund, Archdeacon Catherine, Bishop Pete B, Jeremy H, Bishop Lusa and David  Neno  (hope  we  haven’t  missed  anyone!).   We  really  appreciate  everyone  who  has  visited  St Christopher’s during the vacancy, and everyone is most welcome to come and see us all again at any time! We are continuing to hold Café Church style services at St Christopher’s and we are pleased that people are happy to come along and provide cover. Where there was no cover, our very own Nigel was able to perform our Sacrament of communion by extension. Prince also enlightened us with his wonderful Talks when there were times we had no cover for our services. Nigel has also continued giving Holy Communion to two of our congregation in their homes since they are not able to come to church. Thank you Nigel. David is keeping up to date with the church’s house and the vicarage with regards to paying the vicarage amenity bills. Thank you David. 

Finding cover was not so easy at times but with forward planning it became less stressful. One quite common challenge for us was getting responses from potential people who are available on the “cover” list, but who were not very forthcoming with their response to our emails requesting cover! 

Those that have helped us this year have been very good in this regard, for example Keith initially covered one Sunday a month but gave very good notice that in the coming year of 2025, he was not able to come on regular basis, which meant we could say a big thank you then and we would like to thank him again for his valued support that he given us during the vacancy. 

Then came along Father Mund. His retirement meant that he was enabled to cover many services for us and I know the congregation are really enjoying his distinctive Talks. We all love his style! 

We have a wonderful PCC who have all supported the Wardens by doing extra help behind the scenes that kept St Christopher’s going during the interregnum. Our Service leaders were always up at the front so that our congregation had a familiar face to lead them. Thanks to Nigel and Andrew who do this together with the Churchwardens.  The  person who  is  scheduled  to  do  the  leading  also  picks  the  hymns  and  does  the PowerPoint.  Nigel kindly does this when Andrew is leading which is great. The PCC have also made themselves known and available to everyone too, which is much appreciated. When the technology works all is well but there have been some issues; thankfully the congregation understands and carries on regardless! Thank you all! 

The PCC had a meeting with Bishop Lusa early in 2024 and we were given the opportunity to ask him direct questions about the offer of a curate to start in June 2025. His response was much more understandable than the email he had sent and has clarified many questions the PCC had about what it means to have a Curate here at St Christopher’s. We asked the congregation for their thoughts and answered questions as best we could; everyone got behind the decision, looking forward to welcoming a Curate at St Christopher’s! 

Bishop Lusa then introduced us to Jenny who was the proposed Curate to start in June 2025. Charlie and Nigel met with her, and both realised what a wonderful lady Jenny is. So exciting times ahead when Jenny starts on 29/06/25; we know Jenny and the family will be given a big welcome by all at St Christopher’s! It will be wonderful having Jenny, Lee and their family move into the vicarage in May. 

The vicarage has been maintained by the diocese over the winter months. We are very grateful to Charlie, who has been checking the property weekly. There was one incident where a leaking water tank in the loft as soon as the house was vacated. Then in the spring a “visitor” tried to make their home in the ventilation shaft in the utility room! Charlie cleared this out and blocked it temporarily but, after 4 weeks of this discovery, and weekly emails informing the diocese housing people, we are still awaiting the diocese to come and sort this out. The diocese are also due to trim the trees and tidy the garden, service the boiler and get it ready for Jenny and her family to move in. They have assured me it will all be done, so let’s have hope and also include Jenny and family in our prayers as they move into the vicarage and get to know the local area and community over the summer months. 

This year the Church Garden has also been serviced by a professional gardener with whom Gillian has been coordinating. So, watch the garden over the summer to see it bloom! Thank you, Gillian, for the time you’ve put into this. And thank you to Bridget for giving us this number of this gardener for us to call. 

The Happy Choo Choo Nursery continue to use the Church Hall in term time, Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00. Beavers, Brownies and Scouts use the Hall one evenings a week in term time and the Belles ladies meetings happen once a month. 

_Page 9_ 



Marcela is our church Community Worker, and has been steadily making connections, in particular through the Café, Pop-in and with the YMCA staff and residents. Marcela also makes sure the church is supplied with refreshments for its regular meetings and events. 

Chris had the daunting task of renewing the lease for the Happy Choo Choo nursery in summer 2024. Not as simple as just changing the dates on the lease but includes lots emails going from him to the diocese and the nursery. After dealing with the diocese, nursery, solicitors and surveyors, the lease with the Nursery was renewed for another 3 years. 

The fabric of the church remains in good shape. Visible changes this year include the covering of the rear garden with genuine fake grass, which the nursery children really like, and in 2025 a safety interlock system needed to be installed to make using the cooker/oven compliant with regulations. 

Chris also sorted all the safety certificates needed for the church. This includes the electric PAT tests, gas, heating and fire safety. He spent a lot of time waiting in the church, as most of the time people gave themselves very large ‘windows’ of time or sometimes don’t even turn up at all! 

In terms of events this past year, Hanwell Big Local held a very successful Fun Day at the Church, with a bouncy castle, stalls, burgers and drinks! 

Ealing half marathon ran again in September 2024 and as usual St Christopher’s provided a base for the volunteers, handed out oranges to the runners and provided a pit stop at what is the half way point. We had a visit from Woodlands Primary Academy at Christmastime to listen to the Christmas story, and a big thanks to Marcela, Maureen (and her ukulele!) and Bridget. 

The Saturday Community Café at St Christopher’s continues to welcome anyone who would like to come along, offering refreshments, a peaceful environment and place to chill out on Saturday mornings. We continue to host a Pop-In on Tuesday morning in the main church to which all are welcome too! Thanks to Marcela for running these. 

As you are aware, Chris has decided not to stand for Church Warden this coming year. Please can we all say a Big Thank You to Chris for he has really gone above and beyond what was expected of him, especially during this vacancy. I know as the other Church warden I will truly miss him as will the PCC. Thank you Chris Finally, we would like to say a huge thank you to you, our congregation, visitors and friends, for the kindness and encouragement you are giving to us. Your words really keep us going during this difficult time of vacancy. 

Thank you Chris and Charlie 

_Page 10_