Trustees Annual Report and Financial Report of the Porochlol Church Council of the EcclesiostiCGTI Parish of West Chlltington St Mary's Church, West Chiltington Generous in Prayer and Giving St Mary's Church, Church Street, West Chiltington, RH20 2JW Re8lStered Charity no. 1138034 For the year ended 31 December 2024 CONTENTS Page Trustees annual report 2-11 Statement of financial receipts and payments Statement of assets and liabilities Notes of the accounts Report of the independent examiner 10 Attachments of outreach and ministry Webslte: www.stmaryswestchilt.co.uk Incumbent: Father Stephen Merriman SSC, The Rectory, East Street, West Chiltington, RH20 2JY Independent examiner: Mr Adrian C Radford, 7 Curbey Close, West Chiltington, RH20 2HU Bankers: The Natwest Bank, 5 East Street, Chichester, P019 IHH St Mary's, West Chiltington Generous in Prayer and Giving Trustees Annual Report for 2024 Our aims and purposes as a charity The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating, with the Rector in The promotion of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England; Promoting in the parish the whole mission of the church, evangelistic, pastoral, ecumenical and social; To know Jesu5 and to follow Jesus; Practical support and care for people in the parish, from the youngest to the eldest, irrespective of level of need or, ability to pay; Providing support for those in need and, to other organisations with similar objectives. To promote a generosity in giving.. of time in Prayer and Financial. Supporting, encouraging and attending regularly services, making Jesus know and present in word and sacrament. What we planned to do to achieve our charitable objectlves When planning our activities for the year, the PCC have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and the specific guidance on 'charities for the advancement of religion,. For 2024 we discussed and planned the following objectives and activities to fulfil our aims.. Enabling oll in our church Work with our Rector to extend the Christian influence in the village; Opening our Church every day for prayer as well as reflection and well-being. Teaching and nurturing new and existing believers within the parish; Attending regular services which are made available; Make available those occasional offices, wedding, baptism, confirmation and funerals; Continue in our attempt to reach out to our community school and youth organisations; Invite and encourage those who live within the Village to attend services; Putting faith into practice Sacramentally and other outreach services. Taking communion to those at Home, Nursing Home, celebrating the Eucharist within the community; Assisting people from all walks of life to develop their knowledge of, and trust in, Jesus; Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish and those in need of specific support. Helping the vulnerable of the parish; Encourage charitable giving through our services and other activities within the parish,. Our Outreach, is to encourage all who live in the Village whether they are active members of the Church or not, to access the Church and Hall facilities, which includes the Friendship lunch and Refresh Cafe, which is part of our regular monthly outreach. Maintaining the fabric of the church building as a historic centre and focus of life in the village. What we achieved and how we affected beneficlaries, lives Overview of the Year There have been multiple opportunities to encounter God through worship and through study. Worship of God within the Church building as well as within the community; Study via Lent course, Bible Study Day, Pilgrimage and Spiritual reflection. All acts of worship have been advertised via church website, church noticeboards, church magazine, pew sheets and Sunday notices. Sunday services 8am 1662 Book of Common Prayer and 10am Common Worship Eucharist. It has been encouraging to see year on year growth in attendance of the 8am Sunday morning worship. Holy Days of obligation according to the Church of England, have been religiously observed; Wednesday Eucharists continues,. Weekly time of silent prayer and spiritual reflection continue5; Two monthly eucharists within the community have continued and has prompted growth in our outreach within the community; Monthly Friendship Lunch has continued to meet along with the yearly Christmas Friendship Lunch; Refresh Café, the times varied throughout the year to try and encourage attendance to services, although this did not encourage attendance to the Christian acts of worship,. Outside the Church building we had a visual representation of the Easter Garden scene throughout Eastertide; Christian Unity we joined other Christian communitie5 in pray for Christian unity. We welcomed a young person who undertook her bronze Duke of Edinburgh award for voluntary services. During Lent: Study: A Lent Course on the New Testament at the Rectory; Prayer: A Lent Walk- walking around village praying for all who live and work in our Village, Stations of the Cross - weekly pray and reflection upon our Christ journey to his crucifixion and ponder our salvation through the cross; Outreach: weekly Lent Lunches in the Church Hall, Holy Week and Easter services. Palm Sunday procession from the community School to the Church. Maundy Thursday celebrating the last supper of Jesus with his disciples. Good Friday in the morning we held our first Easter Egg hunt in Church, this was a joyful experience for the Children of the village to look around the Church and count the hidden easter eggs. They also discovered the meaning of Good Friday. Each child who came recelved an Easter Egg from the Meaningful Chocolate company. Good Friday afternoon Stations of the cross and Good Friday liturgy was celebrated. On Holy Saturday Night the First Mass of Easter- The Easter bonfire was lit, psalms and readings read, Holy water blessed in the font and renewal of baptismal promises, after the service an Easter Party was held. Study Day on the New Testament at The Palace Chichestef; it was well supported by the Deanery Churches. th On 6 June 2024, 80th anniversary of D-Day at 6..30pm The Church bells were rung for "Ringing Out for Peace" Thank you to Mrs Beth Merriman and Mr Adrian Palrner for asslsting with ringing of the Church bells; Patronal Festival we celebrate the Church of St Mary in our Village, it mission and presence In West Chiltington; Harvest Festival - food donations from the Church and local school was collected for Family Support Work and a Harvest festival lunch held the donations went to Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. Pet Service with blessing of pets, Collection taken in support of IOW Donkey Sanctury. Armistice Day Service and Remembrance Sunday Service; Pilgrlmage to Walsingham; was well supported by the Deanery Churches; A three-day event to start the Christian Year of Falth, a Nativity Exhibition was organised, with local schools and the Bishop of Horsham in attendance. Sadly, this event did not take place due support. This was a missed opportunity for outreach, Christian teaching and financial benefit for the Church. Our second year for supporting Link to Hope Shoebox appeal, this was a great success and one that will be undertaken next year. Advent and Christmas Carols in the Village, throughout Advent at Kensington Close, The Roundabout Hotel and Nine Lessons and Carols in Church. With the addition to our places of gathering for carols we were able for the first time to be in the Queens Head Pub; Crib with Christingle Service; Midnight Mass and Christmas Day services. We welcomed the local community school to the Church, all year groups visited the school for a day of learning and discovering what it means to be a Christian. Also to learn about being a Christian and the place the way in which we celebrate the services. We welcomed a number of groups throughout the year to name Just two- The retired clergy and spouse5 from the Chichester deanery, it was good to welcome and host such a large group. We welcorned a history group teaching about the art work of the Church building, as well as looking at the architect of the building. Fundraising.. Six Members of the Church Community took part in the Snowdrop Appeal walklng around the Arundel Estate, Rector took part in a month of fundraising for Cancer Research due to a number of the Church community affected by Cancer. Attendance at worship The Church family welcomes visitors from in and outside the ecclesiastical parish. All attend by personal choice and it is our great pleasure to welcome those from all walks of life. The attendance is voluntary to worship Our Lord Jesus Christ, we strongly hold the view this has a major public and personal benefit. The pattern of worship in church is as follows Sunday.. 8am 1662 Book of Common Prayer Eucharist and 10am Common Worship Eucharist. Our midweek services occur on Wednesday: 9:30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament a tirne of quiet prayer and reflection followed by The Book of Common prayer Eucharist at 10am. 2025 The Diocese of Chichester will celebrate a year of faith, this will give us an opportunity to reflect upon our faith in God especially in worship, with the attempt to change the view of worship as a form of entertainment including a critical view of howthe service is conducted, to an encounter with the divine, and a place where we come together to be redeemed. We shall have more opportunities to encounter God, these are wonderful times to be still in the busy life we lead. Many people who come to these midweek acts of worship, have expressed their delight to just be still and calm before God and in the quietness of the Church building, to receive God's healing and to remember their loved ones in prayer. The Church remains open daily for private prayer and those visiting are freely able to light a candle as an act of prayer. The average count during October was 52, and the number of members on the electoral role stands at 119. Holy Week 2024 saw the lowest attendance for a Holy Week for many years, this continues the sadness felt with the end of Thursday worship, the non-attendance for the bible study day, pilgrimage and the little support for the nativity exhibition. The church festival services, were well attended especially the Armistice Day and Christmastide services, with more visitors than regular worshippers, this demonstrates the place and the need for God in non-practicing Christians lives. Teaching• baptising and nurturlng new and existlng bellevers As part of our nurturing new believers and teachlng we have a well-established monthly service at Kensington C105e a housing association, where the Eucharisti prayer and biblical teaching occur monthly. This has grown in number over the year meeting the spiritual needs of those who attend, especially for those within the village who are unable to attend St Mar￿S Church, This has been a great source of outreach by the Church into the communlty. To also encourage teaching of the bible The Rector organised a Study Day on the New Testament to be held at The Palace, Chlchester and thls was open to the whole Deanery, thls was also held alongside the Lent Course based on the Chichester Diocese Lent Course on the New Testament. There is one home group, which now meet5 regularly. The Rector organised and led a Deanery Pilgrimage to Walsingham, this gave those who attended the opportunity to encounter God and other Christians from across the country, in a prayerful and meaningful way. This was a joyful time; it was decided to hold another Deanery Pilgrlmage to Walsingham in 2025. We celebrated I baptism, 4 Weddings, 10 Church funerals, 11 Interments of Ashes. We are pleased the church is open daily, in the wlnter months the Church remains open as part of a Warm Space, Warm Welcome, for all to enjoy God's house and oncounter God in the stillness and quietness and for those interested in History to marvel at the 12th and 13th century wall paintings. Provision of Church facllities There is no significant change to church hall use, however one of the art groups ceased to meet from Jan 2024. The Rainbows and Brownies continue to meet regularly, aa well as The Ladies That Boogle, The West Chiltington Silver Band and West Chiltington Cavaliers. In addition, it is used for monthly meetings for the Mothers Union, Friendship Lunches and Refresh Coffee Mornings, The Refresh Café held the first Thursday of the month, in the morning. This is a free café, serving homemade cakes, tea and coffee, this is for all villagers to gather, to talk, and it has been especially beneficial for those who live alone. Thank you to Mrs Pam Wells for all efforts involved. The Fiiendship lunch occurs on the third Thursday of the lunch, at 12:30pm it is a lunch time meal, with is charged at a very reasonable price, and monies raised goes to various charities, with seasonal meals being served and the highlight is most definitely the Christmas lunch, with the music group. Please see attached appendix Reports written by Pam Wells on these two events. Provision of pastorol care for people living in the parish The Pastoral care given in the Parish is given by many behind the scenes, it is offered to all who request, respecting those in need and want. Holy Communion was taken to 20 people throughout the year, on a monthly basis. Home communion is also made available upon request for all those unable to attend public worship, or to those dying. Family Support Work has once again been well supported throughout the year, a large wicker basket is left within the Church porch for donations and the Harvest Festival donations went to Family Support Work as well as a toy appeal in November. Please see attached appendix Reports written by Sally Boyland Communications We publish a monthly Church village magazine; this has been ava51able for many years and it is widely read by vlllagers of the Church and wider community. It is much appreciated for the village to share their news and events as well as the Church family sharing and advertising forthcoming events and services in the Church and Village. Our new and improved Church website is a vital way to communicate all activities of the Church. This is updated regularly with church services, events and information to access the life of the Church here in West Chiltlngton. It has proven to be a valuable asset to the life of the Church. Other charitable giving from the Church Christian Aid week Family Support Work The Children's Society Link to Hope- Shoebox appeal Embrace the Middle East Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. Maintainlng thefabric of the church building as a historic centre andfocus of life in the village Replacement of stolen lead from the vestry link roof has progressed, A helpful discussion with the loss adjuster confirmed that the extent of insurance cover on the roof itself was limited to £7000 with a further £7000 of cover for consequential damage due to water penetration and damage to internal decorations. The loss adjuster also required the internal ceilin85 to be removed together with interstitial roof insulation so that the roof beams may be treated to prevent future rotting due to rainwater exposure. Light fittings were also to be replaced and electrics checked. A full planning application was prepared detailing a change of roofing material as required by the conservation officer and planning approval eventually obtained. In early October the temporary roofing was replaced with a steel cladding which is less likely to be stolen than the original lead. The cost was £24,212.88 and the building is once again weathertight. Repair to the internal ceilings and woodwork remains outstanding and the builders have been chased a5 this work was first promised in the autumn and then again in early January. In parallel, a dialogue with loss adjusters was maintained to question the £7000 limit on the insurance cover. It has now been agreed there is no limit on the policy for the type of claim we have submitted and finally confirmation was received that our full claim of £29,799.33, covering the cost of both the external roof repair and the internal works, less a £250 excess would be recommended to the insurance company for payment. The fixed term contracts for supply of electricity and gas to the Church Hall and electricity to the Church were renewed from the end of June. A large increase in the electricity daily charge was largely offset by a reduction in the unit rate. The net effect on annual costs, given the same usage, will be an increase in electricity costs of approximately £230 for electricity to the Church and Church Hall and a reduction of approximately £230 in the price of Eas to the Church Hall. The British Gas contract for the supply of gas to the Church itself, which represents 80% of St Marys energy costs, was renegotiated in mid-october. EDF was considered as a competitive supplier alongside British Gas. EDF not only offered a slightly lower unit rate but a dramatically lower daily charge. It was felt prudent to change supplier to EDF and lock in this offer wlth a contract for 3years. After several years of painstaking work, Rob Parker's repair to the Churchyard wall bordering Church Street has been completed. However there remains a 10-meter section which bulges and Is in a very poor condition making it unsafe to tackle in the same way. This section will require the involvement of professional stone masons and heavy equipment together with provlslon of new matching stone which is difficult to obtain. The PCC has been advised this section of wall remains in need of attention to avoid complete collapse at some unpredictable point in time. Statutory blannual electrical testing at the Church and Church Hall has been carried out and Certificates have been issued. The small amount of remedial work recommended will be put in hand in due course. Periodic testing of the lightening conductor has also been carried out and a pass certificate issued. ProtectSon remains very good. Alongside these items annual PAT testing of all electrical devices and boiler maintenance have been completed. Following vandalism over recent years, an opportunity occurred to protect the Church Hall with CCTV at no cost to the Church. The systern also covers much of the car park. Whites, bellhangers, have advised on bell maintenance as identified in quinquennial inspectlon reports. Recently a number of problems have arisen including failure of two of the bell ropes due to the pulley system. A quotation for essential works has been obtained Financial Review Incoming and outgoing resources The total receipts on general unrestricted funds were £96,941 and are detailed in the Financial Report. This is an overall reduction of £6,310 compared with 2023. Regular giving went up £1,591, however there was a reduction of £2,412 in the total unrestricted ad-hoc donations. Outgoing from general unrestricted funds were £98,729 up from £89,256 in 2023. There was an increase of £7,511 in restricted ad-hoc donations. No legacies were received in 2024. Sharing the mlnistry costs of the Diocese of Chlchester The largest expenditure of the PCC was the sum of £52,500 paid to the diocese for our share of all churches, Parish Ministry Costs. This PMC covers the housing, stipend and pension costs of the clergy, and a standard sum for diocesan central costs, clergy training and a contribution to national church funds. It is also important to note that approximately 80% of the PMC relates directly to the clergy costs of this parish, the remainder being the shared costs of the Christian family throughout the whole Church of England, including helping churches less able to manage than ourselves. Staff costs The PCC pays for a secretary to assist the Rector in the church office located in the church office, a cleaner for the church hall and office, and an organist. Further details are provided in the notes to the accounts. Trustee payments and expenses We pay Council, Water, and Environmental rates for the Rectory and electricity to heat the parish office. Mrs Brenda Bull, who is also a trustee, received £3,960 for duties as parish Secretary. There were no other payments to persons related to or connected to the current trustees. Repairs to the fabric of the church building No major work was carried out during the year to either the Church or Church Hall during 2024. Why we hold some money in reserve It has been PCC policy to maintain a balance on the general unrestricted funds (excluding property) which equates to approximately three months, worth of unrestricted payments as contingency against unforeseen situations. As we face significant repair costs to the buildings which are our responsibility, part of the reserve will be held in a Designated Building Fund. The closing balance of this year is in line with this policy. It is PCC policy to invest surplus funds with the CBF Church of England deposit fund, returning proportionately these funds to our current account, as they are needed, to pay larger bills. As well as holding the above general reserves, from time to time the PCC receives restricted legacies for expenditure on purposes defined by the donor. We aim to expend such money as soon as possible after receiving the legacy, depending on the specific objectives of the donor. Where we have identified that the specific purpose can only be achieved by delaying the expenditure, we invest the legacy temporarily until such time as the need for appropriate expenditure is identified. Footnote Our report above sets out a valuable support to the parish during a year of significant changes in individual freedoms and we would wish to thank our Rector, Church Wardens, and PCC Officers for the way they have steered us through this year with many changes to the regulations. Also, a thank you to our members for their steady support in spite of the ever-changing situation and into the forthcoming year. io Structure, governance, and management of the charity The Parochial Church Council IPCC) is registered with the Charity Commission as required by the Charities Act 2011. Its governing document is the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956. During the year the following served as members of the Parochial Church Council.. Ex Officio members Incumbent.. Wardens.. The Revd. Stephen Merriman Mr Patrick Higham Mr Como Goldsmith Mr Jim Latter Mrs Pam Wells Mrs Brenda Bull Mrs Diane Bennett Mrs Alison Littleboy Mr Clive Cole Mrs Ann Chapman Mrs Vanessa Llambias Mr Phil Race Mrs Maria Radford Chairman Vice Chairman Lay Reader: Elected Members Safeguarding Officer PCC Treasurer Deanery Synod: PCC Secretary: Membership of the PCC is determined under the Church Representation Rules and consists of certain ex-officio members (the incumbent/priest-in-charge, curate, lay readers licensed to officiate in the church), the churchwardens and members of the Deanery, Diocesan or General Synods and currently 5 but can be up to 8 members of the church who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting IAPCM). Members are warmly encouraged to stand for election to the PCC and we try to ensure a balance of skills and experience where possible. During the year the PCC reviewed both their Safeguarding policy and their policy under the General Data Protection Regulations, both of which are available in the church porch. This Trustees, Annual Report was approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by The Revd. Stephen Merriman, Chairman signed The Revd Stephen R Merriman Dated li Trustees Annual Report and Financial Report of the Porochlal Church Council of the Ecclesiasticol Parish of West Chiltingtan St Mary's Church, West Chiltington Generous in Prayer and Giving St Mary's Church, Church Street, West Chiltington, RH20 2JW Registered Charity no. 1138034 For the year ended 31 December 2024 CONTENTS Page Trustees annual report Statement of financial receipts and payments Statement of assets and liabilities Notes of the accounts Report of the independent examiner 10-11 Website: www.stmaryswestchllt.co.uk Incumbent: Father Stephen Merriman, The Rectoryfft East Street, West Chiltington, RH20 2JY Independent examlner: Mr Adrian C Radford, 7 Curbey Close, West Chlltlngton, RH20 2HU Bankers: The Natwest Bank, 5 East Street, Chichester, P019 IHH Annual Financial Report of the Parochial Church Council of the St Mary's Church, West Chiltington Generous in Prayer and Giving St Mary's Church, Church Street, West Chiltington, RH20 2JW Re8lStered Charity no. 1138034 For the year ended 31 December 2024 CONTENTS Page Statement of financial receipts and payments Statement of assets and liabilities Notes of the accounts Report of the independent examiner 10-11 St Mary's, West Chiltington Generous in Prayer and Giving Trustees Annual Report for 2024 Statement of Financial Receipts and Payments Statement of Financlal Receipts and Payments Unréstrlcted D•il8n•t•d Bulldini Fund g•ll*r•l Fund R*itrlct•d lurtdi Endow•d Fund• Tolal All Fundi 2024 Total Fundi 2025 Fund In¢om• irtd •ndowm•ntslromi Donètlons and l¢ii(l•i 68294 8708 8511 76805 8708 06817 9123 27J59 2626 375 106100 k310L 1557 5276 18377 3638 29795 15732J Investmtnt$ other rtc¢l Totil r•cqlv•d Exp•ndltur• oni Cost olr•lilnBfunds 2076 29795 40312 •1660 83162 4890 3281 2256 5831 92275 7146 5139 104S60 104385 7225 2807 IIS281 Tf•dlngt04ts Other pa mentg T•t•l ild 5139 5$57 Re¢¢nclllatlon of lunds: Not Income or (net expendllurel .1531 .1SJl -256 34550 34550 32763 -9181 4S 32765 Transfer belweenfuThd$ N•t mov•m•nt In fvndi Bank Jccounts ol I l•nv• 2024 88nk oc(ount$ 81310ecembei 2024 .isJi 4L56 34SS0 3276J 4181 41l14 2643 62275 9681$ 106042 138805 115223 106042 39593 2387 Statement of Assets and Liabilities Statement of Assets and Liabilities Unrestricted G•n•rnl Fund D•il8n•t•d Funds A••￿tI•d lunds tndow•d Fundi Tot41 All Fundi 2024 Tot•lAII Fundi 2025 Not•1 B8nk currant account CBF Deposlt Fund Pcc-owned bank b4lance Chancel Fund Deposlt Account r4x•I b•nk ind d• Qilt Iccounti 39593 2299 88 63739 33086 96825 105631 53174 74535 31507 39593 2387 158805 106042 39393 2387 96825 198805 106042 Insurjnce clalm repayment due CCLA bank Interest Glft Ald recover•ble D•P*i¢r• 24268 422 24690 407 (BF shares Fi•ncl$ Charlty lat c¢stl 970 CBF Investment Fund Shares lat costl Dl¢xeson Flxed Interest Fund Inv•itm•nt ••i•t• it ¢ort 324 924 324 4400 4400 800 44 800 8(Xl 800 4400 324 SS24 5524 K•nilryt•n M•morfil Hill at cost 4612 4612 4812 Total 88set$ 40393 6999 101225 $24 148941 140868 Electr5clty used slncé l•¥t blll lest.1 Advert151n8 recelved In •dv 1611 7880 99 1710 7880 10220 9491 99 9590 10220 Notes to the Financial Report l. The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and current Church Accounting Regulations, using the Receipts and Payments basis. 2. The following assets are recognised but not valued in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities: Movable church furnishings held by the churchwardens on special trust for the PCC, which require a faculty for disposal. 3. Analysis of total received Unrestrlcted D+￿$￿11*d Bulldlnl Fund G•nI141 Fund R•strftl•d Ivnd• tndow•d Fundi To111 Fundi 2024 Totsl JJI Fundi 2023 Fund Notq• 39842 1408 8214 89842 37505 Planned 6fvln8 Ino iix r•fund51 Loose cash co11etllons Don•tl¢n51¢¥l tax refvndil onatlons Ino lax refunds) Church Con￿¥t# Glft recth¢r¢d ieycles Grènis Oonitloni ifid l• 1214 iso 454 7850 661 2410 606 iiis 1$726 lJ728 lJ228 1500 1509 76805 17th) 668J7 B511 Fees loi weddln $ and funerols 1704 8701 8708 9123 9J23 1708 214 224 4944 Churth & *•ll hlrln8 le¢5 5276 5270 5449 Othertiadln8 rtc*lpis Fund6 r•ls•d for oih•ri Mwiln¢ •dv¢rll%irn¢nl fet5 M4azln• sales 579 579 676 951 1553 156$ 8565 11529 2782 2782 3￿7 271S8 ijioi 5276 IlJ77 Bank & CBF deposlt Inttrest (BF Inviilment lund dlvldend 1557 1212 2774 1753 873 164 IAVqDtm•nti IS57 2076 $638 2626 Other recelptS 21?PS 79795 375 Totil recelved on oll fundi 91660 $211 40382 1$7922 106099 4. No legacies were received in 2024. Notes to the Financial Report 5. Analysis of total paid: Unrestrlcted D•il8n•t•d Bulldlni Fund G•n•r4lFund R•itdEt•d lund¥ Endow•d Funds Tot•lAII Fund¥ 1014 Tot•1 Funds 2C12J Fund N•t•i Olheroppeo15 expen3es Coit olnlsln fvndi 864 8141 ChariiableÉrants •nd doniiioni Paflsh