## **St. Giles’ Cripplegate Church**
## **Annual Report 2020**
Cover Photograph NHS Track and Trace
With thanks for contributions from:-
- COVID-19 Data Repository by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University for the graphs appearing in the Events section.
- Ros and Simon Freeman for “Zooming in to St. Giles”.
- Katharine Rumens for Publications, Volunteers and Obituaries
- Anne Marsden Thomas for Music & Worship and Liturgy
- David Archer for Sunday Club
- Diana Morgan Gray for reports and photographs from the website
- Brigid Barton for Book Fairs.
- Deanery Synod Representatives (Katharine Rumens, Gwen Rogers and Daniel Gerring) for the Deanery Synod Report.
- Katharine Rumens and Gwen Rogers for Safeguarding.
- Rector (Katharine Rumens), Churchwardens (Tim Middleton and Lorraine Mullins), PCC Secretary (Gwen Rogers), Tower Secretary (Chris Rimmer) and Director of Music (Anne Marsden Thomas) for the Fabric Report
- PCC Secretary (Gwen Rogers) for information from PCC Minutes, Annual Returns and past Annual Reports.
- The Treasurer (Susan Royce) and the Administrator (Jake Kirner) for the Financial Review and Financial Statements.
- Malcolm Waters for Stewardship.
## **St. Giles’ Cripplegate Parochial Church Council Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2020**
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Giles’ Cripplegate, with St. Bartholomew, Moor Lane, and St. Alphage, London Wall and St. Luke, Old Street with St. Mary, Charterhouse and St. Paul, Clerkenwell [the PCC] present their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.
## **Contents**
|||Pages|
|---|---|---|
|AIM AND PURPOSES||2|
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|OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES|||
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|Mission Action Plan||3 - 5|
|Services and Church OpeningHours||6|
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|ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE|||
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|Worshipand Liturgy||7 - 8|
|Report from the Director of Music||8|
|DeanerySynod||9|
|Safeguarding||9 - 10|
|Events||10 - 22|
|Stewardship||22|
|Church Attendance(Statistics for Mission)||23 - 24|
|Fabric, Goods and Ornaments||24 - 28|
|Financial Review||28 - 29|
|Reserves Policy||29|
|Investments Policy||29|
|Publications||29|
|Volunteers||30|
|Obituaries|30 – 32||
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|STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT|||
||||
|Administrative Information|33 – 34||
|Churchwardens|34||
|PCC Members|35||
|PCC Committees|36||
|PCC Task & Finish Groups|36||
||||
|FINANCIAL STATEMENTS|||
|Statement of Financial Activities|37||
|Balance Sheet|38||
|Notes to the Financial Statements|39–50||
|Independent Examiner’s Report|51||
Page 1
## **AIM AND PURPOSES**
St Giles’ Cripplegate PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the Rector, Reverend Katharine Rumens, to promote in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibility for the parish church, for the Roscoe Street Hall and for St Giles’ Columbarium. In addition, it acts as Managing Trustee of the Cripplegate Church Sworder Foundation, a charity established by a Charity Commission Scheme for the maintenance of the fabric of the parish church.
Church and charity law require the PCC as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting period, and the PCC is also responsible for keeping proper books of account with respect to its affairs.
The PCC provides public benefit by:
- facilitating regular public worship open to all;
- the provision of sacred space for personal prayer and contemplation;
- pastoral work, including visiting the sick and bereaved;
- the teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups;
- taking religious assemblies in schools, school tours of the church explaining worship and history and hosting school services.
- building community and promoting Christianity through the staging of events and meetings;
- • hosting the organ education activities which deliver “educational opportunities for hundreds of organists, both amateur and professional”.
To enable this work it is essential to maintain the fabric of the church of St. Giles’ Cripplegate.
The trustees have complied with the duty imposed by section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to guidance (PB3 Public benefit: reporting) published by the Charity Commission in respect of public benefit.
Page 2
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
The Mission Action Plan was prepared by the PCC at its meetings in January and adopted at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). The APCM was planned for Sunday 26[th] . April 2020 but postponed until September because the covid-19 pandemic restrictions prevented such meetings. Some of the targets and goals were impossible or irrelevant during the pandemic but, as the following reports make clear, we found ways to be “What we stand for”.
## **MISSION ACTION PLAN 2020 – 2021**
## **We are here to love God and to make Christ known in word and deed. We are an inclusive church and welcome all comers**
## **Strengthened by this knowledge, these are our objectives for the coming year.**
|**What we stand for**|**Our targets/goals for 2020-2021**|
|---|---|
|**We are energised by our**
**faith**
•We celebrate God
through regular worship
and prayer and
pilgrimage
•Music is a central part
of St Giles – we praise
God through singing,
organ playing, bell
ringing and concerts.|i.
To continue to welcome new attendees and visitors.
ii.
To support our Curate, Alex.
iii.
A parish weekend at Othona in the Summer (planned for 3rd. to 5th.
July 2020)
iv.
To explore opportunities for prayer and contemplation.
v.
To promote the monthly private prayers on the website and in church
publications
vi.
Continued participation by members of the congregation in the rota, in
leading Morning and Evening Prayer and preaching. In August they
choose the hymns and have the opportunity to lead different styles of
worship.
vii.
To continue to support individual and class organ tuition by RCO
accredited teachers and the Summer Organ School.
viii.
To continue support for our Organ Scholar.
ix.
To continue support for the City of London Brass Band which
rehearses/performs in the church each Wednesday evening.
x.
To continue to support the Director of Music in encouraging sight
readers to join the choir at the Parish Carol Service and other
occasions during the year.
xi.
To encourage City of London School for Girls to promote their
lunchtime concerts.
xii.
To encourage the bell ringers especially when ringing with shutters
open.|
|**We make room for others**
•We embrace diversity in
our church
•We seek to build a
positive atmosphere for
our vsitors.|i.
To offer an open church, with a welcome for stressed City workers
seeking peace and quiet, during the working week and, whenever
possible, at weekends.
ii.
We will continue to work hard to create a welcoming and social
environment at the church, in particular before the service greeting
people by name, and after the service, sharing coffee and cake.
iii.
We will work hard to promote St Giles as a church where everyone is
welcome, regardless of race, sexuality or disability, and including
people of other faith traditions, whether they are attending a service,
concert, the book fair or visiting the church at other times.
iv.
To continue our registration with Inclusive Church and Visible
Congregation.
v.
To continue to welcome the London GaySymphonyOrchestra.|
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|**We look outwards**
•We will give a warm
welcome to all our
congregation – new and
old
•Our church is open
during the week,
offering space for
prayer, for peace and
information about our
history
•We support
international and local
charities – and
members of the
congregation in their
individual fund-raising
ventures.
•We are committed to
raising the issue of
hidden and unrelieved
poverty within the
parish.
•We consider the wider
world in how we
purchase goods for the
Church|i.
Listening to God and Listening to London (Discerning our 2030
Vision) - we will pray and listen to discern God’s plans for our city.
ii.
Continue the practice of inviting stake holders in the community to
read at the Parish Carol Service
iii.
Invite representatives/descendants of notable figures associated
with St. Giles’ to read at the Parish Carol Service.
iv.
Foodbank collections four times a year targeting specific
shortages as needed in partnership with Wesley’s Chapel.
v.
Support and promote the London Capital Credit Union to ensure
that affordable loans are available to those in the parish who need
them.
vi.
Book Fairs which raise funds for the church, involve a wide range
of volunteers and simultaneously encourage the public to come
into St. Giles’.
vii.
Where we can, making sure the sick in hospital and at home are
visited
viii.
Supporting members of the congregation who are caring for sick,
elderly, lonely or bereaved parish residents.
ix.
Encourage individual fundraising by members of the
congregation, especially Sunday cake stalls and sponsored
activities.
x.
Support for Refugees at Home.
xi.
Support for the Diocesan Lent Appeal.
xii.
Support for Alex’s Sunday Lunches|
|---|---|
|**We are inquisitive**
•We are ready to explore
our faith – St Giles
offers the chance to
discuss themes and
views on faith and
religion|i.
To maintain our significant Ecumenical Partnership with St.
Joseph’s Catholic Church, Jewin Welsh Church and Wesley’s
Chapel.
ii.
To create opportunities to increase awareness and understanding
of other faiths.
iii.
To support the weekly Ecumenical Saturday Groups in Lent and
October.
iv.
Encourage participation in the St. Paul’s Cathedral Adult Learning
programme.
v.
Baptism and Confirmation classes will be held twice a year to
prepare candidates for baptism and/or confirmation at All Saints
and on Holy Saturday at St Paul’s.
vi.
Preparation groups for young children (aged 7) to receive
communion before confirmation.
vii.
Encourage involvement with “Home Prayer Groups”.
viii.
Promote links with local schools.|
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|**We adapt and grow**
•We seek ways to
ensure we can maintain
our church – it is a living
place and seek to
generate revenues from
a range of sources.
•We are able to evolve
and adapt as events
demand.|i.
Commence implementation of the Strategic Plan with a new
lighting system, new furniture, clean interior walls and fund
raising. Plan for a servery in the south-west corner of the church.
ii.
To encourage donors who pay UK tax to Gift Aid their donations.
iii.
To encourage regular donors to give by standing order.
iv.
To continue use of the portable card reader and to investigate
installation of a fixed reader for payments at fairs and donations
whenever the church is open.
v.
We will review the Reserves Policy.
vi.
To advertise St Giles’ as a venue for concerts, recordings and
filming publicising music as our speciality.
vii.
To conclude discussions with the City of London Corporation
concerning the church yard lease.
viii.
To encourage visitors, especially organised tours, to contribute to
the upkeep of the church.|
|---|---|
|**We build community**
•Our church is a sacred
place for the benefit of
our community.
•We look towards the
wider community, local
and virtual. Our events
are for everyone –
attenders and non-
attenders alike.
•Children are an
important part of our
church – through the
Sunday Club and
through their roles in
services, we are
building a congregation
that is confident to
share the gospel with
future generations|i.
We will share the church with our neighbours, welcoming them to
community events including our Advent Fair, Give & Take days
and Book Fairs.
ii.
Encourage the wider community to join the regular congregation
by publicity for the All Souls service, Christingle Service, Parish
Carol service and “Welcome Back Sunday”.
iii.
Bringing others in the community into contact with the church by
making it available as a venue for non-church events
iv.
Continue distribution of the Advent/Christmas and Holy
Week/Easter news leaflets and include a “Year Card”.
v.
To practise hospitality and to eat together including PCC Supper
meetings, Maundy Thursday, Progressive Lunches, Bring and
Share lunch at Open Church Sunday, special Sundays and
summer picnics.
vi.
To socialise together e.g. pub quizzes.
vii.
We will encourage parental involvement in the Sunday Club
and continue to support the children in their fundraising cake
stalls and other events.
viii.
To support St. Luke’s CofE Primary School as governors, in
worship both at school and at St. Giles’.
ix.
We will encourage others to join the cleaning angels who meet
monthly to clean and share companionship
x.
We will maintain appropriate relationships with our neighbour
Moorgate Talks.
xi.
To participate in the Culture Mile and maintain a friendly
relationship with the Barbican Arts Centre.
xii.
To build links with Livery Companies and businesses in the parish
or with connections to St. Giles’.|
Page 5
## **Services and Church Opening Hours**
## Before the Coronavirus pandemic.
Sunday
08.00 BCP Holy Communion (First Sunday in the month)
10.00 Parish Eucharist
16.00 Evening Prayer
Weekdays
08.30 Morning Prayer (Monday to Thursday)
Private Prayer and Reflection 13.00-13.30 on the first Thursday of each month.
Church and Parish Office Opening Hours 11.00 - 16.00 Monday to Friday
Evening Opening of the church during Holy Week from 7 to 9pm with a Labyrinth. During Holy Week Compline is said each evening at 8.30pm. until Maundy Thursday when the Last Supper is commemorated with Supper together followed by the Eucharist.
## During the Pandemic
When services were not permitted in church they were recorded and broadcast on the St. Giles’ YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgJgsMQXa4aED1TSE-lHQbQ,
Sunday 10am Parish Eucharist Weekdays 8.30am Morning Prayer (Monday to Thursday) 8.30pm Compline (Friday)
Private Prayer and Reflection 13.00-13.30 on the first Thursday of each month.
Church and Parish Office Opening Hours 11.00 - 16.00 Monday to Friday
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## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Worship and Liturgy**
## _**Committee Report**_
The Worship and Liturgy committee comprises Diana Morgan Gray, Amanda Gibbon, Mona Henshall, David Freeman, the Rector (chair), Revd. Alex Norris and Anne Marsden Thomas (minutes). It met twice: live on 8[th] January live and online on 20[th] October. The committee planned and reviewed, or heard updates on:
- The four-way ecumenical partnership agreement was signed on 23[rd] January.
- The new lighting system is easier to operate. Training for key members of the congregation by Bruce Kirk has been postponed because of lockdowns.
- Candlemas 2[nd] February, with Story Sermon and children lighting everyone’s candle for the blessing and final hymn
- Transfiguration Sunday 23[rd] February, when the choir premiered a new anthem by Frederick Stocken.
- Our curate Alex’s ordination 20[th] September
- Sunday Club: see the separate report.
- The pandemic safety measures: track and trace, masks, hand sanitizing.
- Online services. Since the end of March various methods were tried: at first Katharine recorded from the Rectory, then from church with or without congregation, according to the prevailing regulations. Livestreaming proved unsatisfactory so services were recorded and shared on YouTube. When forbidden from attending, the musicians contributed recordings, mostly made from home. We were all indebted to Tim Middleton who has patiently operated the camera and completed the services.
- Autumn services. Social distancing reduced attendance slightly, including at the All Souls service. In the absence of the usual near-continuous carol services, December was a relatively quiet month, though we offered three new ‘community’ carol services, including a Blue service. We will abandon offering online seat reservations as many booked and then failed to attend.
## _**The Sunday Club**_
Sunday Club has run throughout 2020. During the beginning of the year, it was held during the 10am Parish Eucharist, and also at 10am for half an hour in an online format throughout the pandemic. Katharine works with the Sunday club leaders to draw up a syllabus and a rota is set.
In 2020 the syllabus has covered:
- Easter term 2020 - parables and the Easter story
- Summer term 2020 – previously uncovered stories - such as Jonah, Ehud the left-handed, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Book of Revelations.
- Autumn term 2020 – stories tied to our experience of the pandemic – renewal, kindness, protection and integrity.
Elizabeth Day taught the Sunday Club singing whilst the club was in church. Sunday Club continues to have around 5 to 7 lively, creative parents who are on the rota to teach the even livelier children.
Online sessions start with an entertaining, pre-recorded introduction by Katharine or Alex Norris. These typically pose a challenge to the group. The children then read from the children’s Bible, discuss the passage and learn through activities such as role playing, dressing up, arts and crafts and puzzles. Sunday Club sessions seek to tie in the stories to the children’s experiences, current events and the world around them. Sessions conclude with a prayer focusing on the week’s theme.
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Sunday Club’s numbers were steady through 2020. Our three eldest children graduated in the summer, though the online format has meant many children have attended more regularly.
Each term Katharine gives a couple of story sermons. On these Sundays the Sunday Club remain for the whole service and take part by doing the readings, assisting with the prayers, bringing up the bread and wine and carrying the candles.
In 2020, Sunday Club highlights were seeing each other at church at the end of the Summer term, and at the Nativity. It was great for the children to see each other in real life, after so long apart.
The Sunday Club presented their annual nativity performance during the Parish Eucharist on 13 December. One by one, dressed in their outfits, the children gave an atmospheric account of their character’s take on the nativity. The format gave the opportunity for the younger and less vocal children to take an equal part in the show, which they did brilliantly. Elspeth was first up as the nervous Mary. William was next as Joseph, troubled by his dreams. Alex, Martha and Gracie were the three kings, navigating the demands of King
Herod. Imogen, Elspeth and William played the three shepherds, recounting the haunting and dangerous landscape they worked in, and how they were called to the inn. Elspeth reprised as the donkey, a puffed-up animal who reminded us whose role was most important in this wondrous story.
## **Report from the Director of Music**
Mothering Sunday marked the start of the first lockdown, and we musicians gradually got the hang of contributing to the youtube services. The singers were thrilled to return, albeit only one at a time, at the start of July and, unlike normal years, we continued to have singers through August. On 13[th] September the choir returned in full, and delighted in live music-making again, albeit socially distanced and at the east end of the church. At the start of the second lockdown we musicians gathered on a Friday evening to record enough music for the Sundays until the church doors could open again. We were grateful to have the chancel organ, as coordinating with the grand organ with the singers spaced out at the east end of the church would have been a major challenge. There was organ music and a solo singer for each of the community carol services in December, four singers (two professionals and tenor Robin’s parents) on Christmas Eve and two professional singers on Christmas morning. The Friends of St Giles funded a set of new music stands for the choir, complete with clip-on lights, which proved invaluable during December’s dark evenings.
Our organ scholar Jack Gonzalez-Harding had no role to play from March, and in September we welcomed his successor, Emma van Setten. Emma studies at the Royal Academy of Music on the one-year foundation course before she goes to St Hilda’s College, Oxford in September 2021. Emma has been conscientious in attending services when the pandemic allowed, and has enjoyed playing parts of the service, working with our choir and practising on our organs during the week. Other than the organ scholar, our musical team has remained the same: Penelope Sharpe (soprano), Amanda Dean (alto), Robin Whitehouse (tenor), Tom Kennedy (bass) and Elizabeth Day (organist). All are a delight to work with, and I am particularly grateful to Tom for his wizardry in compiling the single recordings into SATB performances – even SSAATTBB occasionally – ready for the online services.
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## **Deanery Synod**
Synod members are elected for three years and in January 2020 we were expecting to retire at the APCM in April.
The January meeting followed its usual pattern. The Area Dean, Rev. Katherine Hedderly, welcomed the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress to the meeting and the Synod Lay Chair, Rory Anderson, presented them with a Bible. The main topic of the meeting was the 2030 Diocesan Vision in the context of the City of London Plan 2036. The City Plan has three themes –
- To shape outstanding environments
- To contribute to a flourishing society
- To support a thriving economy
A flourishing society will be supported by Diocesan aspirations for inclusive buildings, open all hours to provide social, community and recreation facilities. The contribution of City Churches to heritage and an outstanding environment is obvious. Many City churches offer retail and hospitality opportunities. In the parishes of St. Sepulchre without Newgate, St. Bartholomew Smithfield and St. Giles’ Cripplegate the City Plan proposes 860 new housing units, new hotels, improvements to transport, 13,000 new jobs and the Culture Mile. Inviting the construction workers, the new residents and workers into our churches is an opportunity but resources may be stretched. The practicalities were explored in the usual lively discussion. Notice was given of the next meeting to be held in July which would be the first meeting of the new synod. Then the meeting ended, as always, with the Evening Collect and the Grace.
By the beginning of April the covid-19 pandemic prevented face to face meetings and the synod triennium was extended until the end of November. At a socially distanced APCM in September Daniel Gerring and Gwen Rogers were re-elected as lay representatives for St. Giles’.
The July meeting was cancelled, and the next meeting was a Zoom session in October. Catherine McGuinness, Chair of the City of London Policy and Resources Committee, had been invited to tell us more about the City Plan 2036 but, as she said, “in this unprecedented year, the impact of Covid 19 has meant crowded streets are quiet and working remotely has quickly and successfully been adopted as the norm but at the expense of retail businesses, bars, restaurants, shops and churches reliant on footfall of clients”. The Corporation response as a Landlord has been to change rent billing frequency, to defer payments and to suspend charges for late payment. The City Bridge Trust created a CoronaVirus Emergency Fund which donated £5 million to the London Community Response and awarded over £1.7 million in grants to small charities. Street planning schemes focused on helping walkers and cyclists with more space and reduced traffic. These schemes have helped people to return to work safely. Resources have been provided for covid security. Her conclusion was that “the burden of debt taken on because of Covid 19 will be considerable for the future, which is where the City Plan 2036 and its vision will be paramount”.
The next meeting will be on Zoom. We hope, by the Summer, that covid-19 will be under control and Synod members can meet face to face for the traditional Garden Party.
## **Safeguarding**
Past Cases Review 2 - The Church of England is engaged in an ongoing review of historic abuse cases affecting children and vulnerable adults. We were invited to consult parish files and those in the parish with long memories to identify cases involving clergy and lay church officers that had not been previously reported. None were found and the PCC authorised the Rector to sign off a nil return. Incidentally this was the first time, unable to meet face to face, the PCC conducted business by email under Church Representation Rule M29.
Parish Safeguarding Self Audit 2020 - Leadership (aka. C3) training is required for all clergy, licensed lay ministers, churchwardens and many lay officers both paid and volunteer. It must be “refreshed” every three years and the audit found that some of us needed a refresher course. All courses were cancelled during the covid lockdown. They are now available online and on Zoom.
The only other issue uncovered by the audit was a requirement to delegate reporting of serious incidents to the Charity Commission. A motion to delegate to the Diocesan Secretary was passed at the PCC meeting in November.
Page 9
Safeguarding Agreement - We have a Safeguarding Agreement for the Protection of Children and Adults at Risk in place. Scheduled review meetings of the Agreement, which happen in person, had to be cancelled. The next meeting will be with Andrew Munro, one of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors, and will take place as soon as lockdown restrictions in 2021 are lifted. During the interregnum the Area Dean Katherine Hedderly will be available to work with Mark Hunter (Safeguarding Officer).
## **Events**
## JANUARY
_The year started with the arrival at St. Giles’ of contractors from Tom Flynn Electrical, including Tom himself, and Mander Organs. The Grand and Chancel organs were covered to protect them from the dust and debris thrown down while TFE worked above. Old light fittings and their wiring were removed from the aisles and clerestory windows. Temporary festoon lights were strung from pillar to pillar and shed so much better light that some members of the congregation thought they might be the new system._
_During January, Tom and his colleagues made good progress from Monday to Friday, even finding time to clean the walls. At weekends bells were rung, the LGSO rehearsed, a Give and Take Fair was well supported and worship proceeded as usual throughout Epiphany. There were news reports of a coronavirus outbreak in China but that was far away._
## **Thursday 23 January Wesley’s Chapel at 12.45**
## **A Special Ecumenical Event**
During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a special service was held at Wesley’s Chapel during which an Ecumenical Partnership agreement was signed by the clergy of 4 local churches who, with their congregations, have over many years grown in friendship and in working together. The service was led by Steven Cooper, Minister of Wesley’s Chapel and the Preacher was Ruth Gee, Former President of the Methodist Conference and Methodist Church Ecumenical Officer
Katharine in her introduction said that this ecumenical coming together was the result of a chance conversation she had in Errol Street, with Brother Kentigern, an Anglican Franciscan and Chaplain at the YMCA who asked her what the churches around here were doing about ecumenicism.
The Partnership document was signed by Richard Brunt, Minister of Jewin Welsh Church, Katharine Rumens, Rector of St Giles’ Cripplegate, Chris Vipers, Priest in Charge, St Joseph’s Catholic Church and Jennifer Smith, Superintendent, Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission.
Our shared activities include prayer, study, fellowship, food bank appeals and pilgrimage together. The Saturday morning study groups meet in Lent and October; a book is usually chosen, and we visit each church in turn. Our pilgrimages have taken us to Rome, Latvia, the WW1 Belgium Battlefields and Spain in the Steps of St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross.
## **An Ecumenical Partnership between St. Giles’ Cripplegate, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Jewin Welsh Church, and Wesley’s Chapel & Leysian Mission**
Drawn together in one baptism, confessing our faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, we are inspired by the Holy Spirit to hear his Good News and pledged to share it, and so we commit ourselves to:
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- Promote reflection on the Christian Church, its mission and its proclamation of God’s reign in our midst,
- Take time to listen, try to understand and respond to each other and to the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the people of our time and place,
- • Value each person, rejoicing in their gifts, and celebrating our rich human diversity, • Support those seeking to recognise Christ in their own lives, • Enjoy each other’s company as we worship, study, and journey together as God’s pilgrim people.
## **Where possible this will be done through:**
- The sharing of occasional worship, especially during Advent, Lent, and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,
- Collaboration in planning and holding regular adult faith education programmes,
- Going on pilgrimage together,
- • Supporting action for justice and peace initiatives in one another’s churches and community.
We give thanks for the many years of growing unity and friendship which we have shared together, and which has brought us to this time of grace, and we regret our continuing divisions. We undertake to promote understanding, respect and dialogue with people of good will as we work for the common good of all. We affirm our intent to work, pray, and study together for that unity which is Christ’s will for the Church and so formalise this commitment in this present Partnership.
## FEBRUARY
_The weekly pattern continued with music and worship at weekends and lighting construction midweek. Preparations for Lent had begun when coronavirus in Italy was reported. The new light fittings were manufactured by IGuzzini Illuminazione in Recanati, Italy and were still at the factory when the Italian government imposed a lockdown to limit spread of the virus. TFE prepared as much as they could without the fittings and then left St. Giles’ with a promise to return and complete the installation after Easter. By Ash Wednesday the virus was known to have arrived in England._
**Sunday 2 February - Presentation of Christ in the Temple or Candlemas**
Sunday was a special day for members of the Sunday Club. There was a Story Sermon with Katharine as a Roman centurion and the children as Roman soldiers in Bethlehem as she told them of rumours of angels in the sky and magicians coming with gifts. They had to be alert and report any strange happenings. We heard
about Simeon and Anna when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple and how they blessed Jesus and told Mary that a sword would pierce her side as they foretold the crucifixion.
The Children led the Intercessions and then with their lighted candles moved through the church lighting the candles of the congregation - not before long hair had been tied back with elastic hair bands supplied by Katharine! They came back to the chancel and stayed by the altar with their candles alight while the Offertory was brought to the altar and the Eucharistic Prayer said.
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**Sunday 9 February at 15.15 Choral Evensong sung by the Choristers of St Paul’s Cathedral.**
This new venture by the City of London Deanery for congregations to gather in churches around the City to meet, pray and worship together, have the chance to hear the wonderful voices of the Choristers and
volunteer to read the lessons and lead the intercessions, got off to a good start at St Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield.
We were welcomed by Marcus Walker the Rector of St Bart’s to this ancient church. Robert Coupland, Sacrist at St Paul’s Officiated, Canon James Milne, Precentor at St Pauls was the Preacher, William Fox, sub-organist and the Choir was directed by Andrew Carwood, Director of Music at St Paul’s. Katharine Hedderly, our Area Dean and Vicar of All Hallows by the Tower gave the Blessing. Refreshments were served afterwards in the Cloister and it was good to meet and talk with our friends from St Paul's and other City Churches. It was certainly an uplifting and shared experience on a very wet and windy afternoon.
St Giles’ was well represented, and we had been invited to lead the Intercessions. We look forward to gathering at other churches in the future.
MARCH TO JUNE
_By the third Sunday of Lent there were rumours of a UK national lockdown for the over seventies who were more likely to be seriously ill or die if infected. At post-service coffee, we speculated about a PCC meeting without the older members and whether it would be quorate. Then the following week the UK governments imposed a lockdown for all except essential workers, dubbed "Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives". It banned all non-essential travel and closed most gathering places including churches. Worship was suspended on Mothering Sunday. The Diocese of London Property Team moved valuables to safe storage and boarded up churches, although not St. Giles’, and the clergy were encouraged to broadcast services from their homes. Katharine celebrated the Eucharist in her living_
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_room filmed by Tim and broadcast on YouTube. After the Sunday broadcast we met for virtual coffee on Zoom._
_Many have commented that usually we speak to a few people, but over Zoom everyone has their say and our knowledge of one another and our friendships have deepened. We have been given tours of other people’s flats and gardens, met the pets and admired the art work._
_Not just virtual coffee but all of the following as well -_
_**Sunday Club** meets on Sundays at 10.00 on (closed room) Zoom._
_**Wednesday evenings - Studying together** June 19.30. Join Alex’s bi-weekly course on the Lord’s Prayer on Zoom._
## _**Praying together with Lectio Divina**_
_June 19.30 on Zoom. Details from Wendy Ellis_ _**Friday evenings Compline** at 20.30, available on St. Giles' YouTube Channel_ _**Keeping in touch Tim Passey’s WhatsApp** group. Contact Tim if you would like to join._
_**Private Prayer and Reflection** We continue to pray together on the first Thursday of the month. It's a set time to pray for our community and the wider world, knowing that others are praying with us. Our silent prayers conclude at 13.30 with all saying the Lord's Prayer._
_Churches remained closed for public worship throughout April, May and June._
## JULY & AUGUST
_By the beginning of July the government judged that the level of covid infections was low enough to allow socially distanced public worship. At the Eucharist the common cup could not be shared and communion was administered as bread alone. Masks were worn and the peace shared without physical contact. Nonetheless it was a joy to meet for worship in church._
_Non-essential retail was allowed including the St. Giles’ Book Fair._
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## **Book Fairs**
It was the Spring of 1983 which saw the first book fair in St Giles', when the enterprising team of Beryl and David Freeman set up a one-day fair selling "nearly new" books which had been donated by local residents. This modest beginning grew to become a regular feature in the church's calendar. It soon became clear that in addition to raising funds for the church and other charities, the fairs were also serving a useful service as a social and spiritual hub for the local community. It gave the seller, the donor and the buyer the common ground to share in a friendly chat. This aspect of the importance of human contact was highlighted more than ever by the silence that prevailed in the Barbican during the first lockdown. Our friends, the customers, dealers and neighbours, appreciated more than ever the seven-week extended run of the fair during July and August and the opportunity to air concerns and triumphs in a safe space.
The book fairs are manned by a mixture of volunteers,
some from the church's membership and some by friends and acquaintances, two of whom bring with them a wealth of knowledge and skills, from having worked professionally in the book trade. Thanks to Jake and Wendy S's knowledge and guidance, we brought in a list of new measures to ensure social distancing. Hand gel and posters were installed at the front door, reminding everyone to sanitize their hands, wear face masks and keep a safe distance from each other while browsing. Numbers of customers were limited at any one time. We usually had only one volunteer working alone, to minimise the risk of spreading the virus. This was one of the most difficult new rules to adhere to, because all of us enjoy sorting the books and selling alongside our fellow Volunteers on a rota system. It is like catching up with old friends who share a common interest. The 4 book fairs each year are the one time we work together as part of a team. We also had to rely mostly on card payments and when a customer wanted to pay in cash, then it had to be an exact amount only, as no change was given. We did not handle any cash, it was placed directly by the customer into the collection box. Another new rule was that books were quarantined for several days in boxes and delivered by the owners directly to our blue crates, before being touched by any volunteer. These new measures ensured we volunteers felt safe to continue to staff the fair and our regulars felt safe to come in and buy our books.
## SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER
## **Othona 4-6 September 2020**
Ten of us from St Giles’ spent the weekend in the beautiful and peaceful surroundings of the Othona Community at Bradwell on Sea, Essex.
It was a perfect place to talk, study and pray together after our difficult period of lockdown and isolation because of Covid 19. - a special and holy area with its ancient chapel of St Peter, built on the ruins of a Roman fort by St Cedd of Lindisfarne in 654.
The estuary close by flowing to the sea, the wide-open sky, the wonderful cloud formations, the hospitality of the Othona Community and the perfect weather all added to our feeling of being blessed in sharing this time together.
Katharine and Susan came on Friday after lunch to allocate the rooms and complete other housekeeping jobs and the rest of us arrived by car or train during the afternoon - this year bringing our own bed linen and towels - and we were all ready to enjoy a drink before supper outside in the sunshine.
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Normally our Parish weekend at Othona is in June or July but because of the pandemic this was cancelled, so being there much later in the year we noticed the difference in our surroundings – not many flowers and the wild flower meadow already ploughed up requiring a longer walk to the chapel that we could only use on the Sunday. Our other services, including Compline, were said in the large comfortable lounge in the accommodation block with a log fire burning for us. On Friday evening after supper Katharine led our first workshop ‘Arriving’ that gave us time to think and talk about how we felt about being at Othona and what we hoped for from our stay.
Our theme this year was how to deal with anxiety with our readings and study used to explore this at a time when we have all suffered from anxiety over the past months and to seek ways to cope with it.
_‘Do not worry…consider the birds of the air and lilies of the field. Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these'._
After breakfast and Morning Prayer on Saturday we moved outside into the sunshine and a clear blue sky for our first workshop of the day.
_‘Do not be anxious’_ led by David P who talked about anxiety as a medical condition and the various ways this can be treated today. Others gave examples of how they cope with anxiety and we all agreed how important it is to recognise and talk about it with friends or with our doctor when necessary. Susan led our second workshop, ‘ _Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.’_ Our reading at Morning Prayer on Saturday was from Matthew 6 when Jesus tells us not to worry about our life, what you will eat, drink or what you will wear.
We were invited to work in pairs to produce a diptych with our interpretation of Solomon in all his glory and the lilies of the field. Susan had brought with her a large selection of pictures, photos, paints, coloured pens, and craft papers to help us in our task.
Saturday afternoon was free time to walk, swim, deadhead flowers, catch up and sit in the sun. Safe swimming at Othona depends on the tides and a goodly number enjoyed a pleasant swim while others watched or looked after the towels on the shore.
On Sunday morning we were able to use the chapel for Holy Communion with a socially distanced traditional photograph taken afterwards.
Katharine led our final workshop _‘Leaving’_ thinking about our time together and what we would be taking away with us. Before lunch Mona led us in a time of stillness and quiet – standing in the open air listening to the sounds around us, the birds, the wind in the trees, seeing and feeling God’s presence and creation around us.
Finally after a splendid lunch cooked for us by the young volunteers it was time to make our way home, refreshed, and thankful for the friendship, faith, and support of each other.
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## **Sunday 20 September at 17.00 Ordination to the Priesthood of our Curate Alex Norris, in St. Giles’ by Bishop Joanne, Bishop of Stepney**
This year the ordination planned for July was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic but finally took place in St Giles' under social distancing regulations. Katharine writes,
‘We don’t know when there was last an ordination at the church. 50 years ago? 100 years ago? These days ordinations to the diaconate are at St Paul’s and the priestings in the parish churches. For Post-Ordination Training the City and Stepney are together and the ordinations alternate between the two areas.
The crucial question when a church is chosen is that it is big enough. Could we seat 250? We have Alex, and we were to have the ordination. In the event, there were two services during the afternoon each with three deacons who could bring just five family members each!
Since joyfully returning to the building on Sunday mornings in July, we have discovered an intimacy to worship. We are spaced apart; we speak but do no sing; we need to reorientate ourselves in the liturgy. The ordinations reflected this new intimacy for us all.
Bishop Joanne let on that it was her first ordination (it was also the first time she had used her new ‘kingfisher’ crosier). The warmth of her love shone through the service. Geoffrey Maughan who had led the retreat reminded us in his sermon that meekness in not weakness.
Tom sang hymns and the anthem ‘Love bade me welcome’ by Vaughan Williams and the full volume of both organs was loudly (not meekly) demonstrated by Anne and Elizabeth playing Widor’s Toccata on both organs as the postlude.
At the end of the service Alex walked with the bishop and other priests through the west door, the music sounding around them and reaching out into the churchyard where members of the congregation were waiting to welcome him, Alex our curate, as a priest in the Church of God. Alex reflects,
‘Yesterday was very special for me, and St Giles was such a wonderful church in which to be priested.’
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**Sunday 27 September Alex presided at the Eucharist for the first time**
Following Alex’s Ordination in St Giles’ the previous Sunday this time we were able to be with and support him when he presided at the 10.00 Eucharist for the first time. We were glad that so many of his family and friends were able to join him.
Afterwards he was presented with a Prue Cooper plate inscribed with the words, ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you, and I appointed you to go out and bear fruit.’ John Marshall made a delicious fruit cake to go with the coffee and prosecco for the celebration after the service. Alex says: “I'd like to thank everyone who has been so supportive of me this past 15 months as I have prepared for my Priesting, which took place on the 20th September at St Giles, with my presiding at Holy Communion for the first time last Sunday. It has been a privilege to share this journey with you all and will be something that remains with me for the rest of my ministry.
Additionally, may I offer thanks for the stunning Prue Cooper plate which was presented to me on Sunday. As mentioned at the time John's Gospel is my favourite Gospel, so to have that famous quote from Chapter 15 just makes it all that more special. Additionally, the case of wine which I received is also much appreciated and rest assured has gone to a good home. Deo Gratias!”
## **Saturday 3 October, Ecumenical Creation Prayer Walk Jubilee of the Earth**
As it is not possible this October to meet in the different churches of our Ecumenical friends as we usually do to study and pray together, this walk was suggested as a way of meeting up and spending time together in a socially distanced group to visit gardens in the area. It coincided with the final week of the ecumenical celebration of the 2020 Season of the Creation.
We started at Wesley’s Chapel where we were welcomed by Jen Smith who led us into the garden behind the church. Here we saw the tomb of John Wesley and wandered in the garden to admire the trees and the shrubs and to pray. Martin from St Joseph’s reminded us of WH Davies’ poem, _‘What is this life if full of care, we have no time to stop and stare’_
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We crossed City Road on the next stage of our journey stopping in Bunhill Fields and the burial ground of many dissenters including William Blake and Daniel Defoe.
It is always a pleasure at any time of the year to walk in the grounds and see the many flowers and shrubs and now the small pale pink cyclamen and the autumn crocus are a joy to see.
Our next stop was the Barbican Wild Garden, an area on the north side of the Barbican that residents have created and looked after for many years. It is another haven of peace and nature with two ponds and a wild meadow.
Our final stop was to the Quiet Garden at St Joseph’s. This compact
garden beside the church with its trees and shrubs, running water and lighting is another haven of peace and tranquillity. A plaque on the wall says,
**BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD** . This quiet garden is dedicated to the memory of Basil Hume, monk and shepherd 1923-1991.
Here we shared some moments of reflection and silence and made our intercessions to God.
Then the final blessing _, ‘May God who established the dance of creation, who marvelled at the lilies of the field, who transforms chaos to order, lead us to transform our lives and the Church to reflect God’s glory in creation,….. now and always Amen.’_
So, a gentle and reflective wander with friends at what is a difficult time for us and the world. A time to pause and wonder at the beauty of God’s work around us. The weather forecast suggested heavy rain but although the sky looked very black as we finished our time together no rain came. Our
telling us about it.
**Sunday 18 October - John at 80**
John’s signature iced fruit cakes have become a regular feature of birthday celebrations at St Giles’ and are much sort after from the cake stall at the Advent Fair!
After the Parish Eucharist we celebrated John Marshall’s 80[th] birthday.
Katharine presented him with a card and a bouquet. There was ‘bubbly’ with a splendid cake made by John, the choir sang ‘Happy Birthday’, and we all clapped!
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John is a very practical person. His expert knowledge of furniture making has been a great help in deciding on the planned new benches, chairs, and floorboards for St Giles’. He can also turn his hand to repairing or upgrading items – like fitting a small magnet on the door of an old cupboard to keep it shut or re-covering and providing the lighting for the display boards in the church. Thank you, John.
**Sunday 25 October - Celebration of Katharine’s 20 years as Rector of St Giles’ Cripplegate with St Luke’s Old Street.**
After the service we celebrated Katharine’s Induction as Rector on St Luke’s Day 2000 by Bishop Richard, former Bishop of London.
At the end of the Notices, Elizabeth played an organ fanfare and Tim one of our Church Wardens with his daughter Alex came to the front of the church where Alex presented Katharine with a bouquet of flowers.
Tim on behalf of us all, thanked Katharine for her leadership, ministry and commitment over the past 20 years, reminding us that she had guided us through many world events, some tragic like 9/11, and happy ones like royal weddings. He said that during the current Covid 19 pandemic through her leadership she has guided the congregation and the wider community in prayer and worship in new ways and working together to care and support
each other. We all clapped loudly in agreement!
Alex with her mother Louise, who made a special chocolate and strawberry cake for the occasion that we enjoyed with coffee and sparkling wine served by Diana - all of us socially distanced!
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NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
_Rising covid-19 infections led to a second national lockdown from All Saints until Advent. It was hoped it would drive numbers of infections down to a level where the restrictions could be relaxed for Christmas. Worship with a socially distanced congregation continued at St. Giles’ and was accompanied by YouTube recordings for those shielding or isolating at home. Congregational singing was not allowed but by now the choir was permitted to sing provided they were distanced from us and one another. Advent in the City of London is usually overwhelmed by corporate and school Christmas carol services. With schools and businesses closed, most were cancelled and replaced by weekly “Carols in the Community” with music that reflected the Advent themes and prepared for the incarnation and Christmas._
## **Monday 14 December at 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight**
Our annual Parish Carol Service was different this year because of the Covid-19 restrictions and the need to be socially distanced. Katharine welcomed us, then the choir. already seated under the East Window sang the first hymn, Once in Royal David’s city.
There were readings by the Chuch Wardens and other members of the congregation telling the story of the Nativity. More carols were sung by the choir including O little town of Bethlehem, In the bleak midwinter and O come all ye faithful.
There was a more contemplative, peaceful feeling to the service this year
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perhaps reflecting the difficult year and a time to remember all who had died, were in hospital and those in the NHS and front line services.
At the end of the service the lights were dimmed as Katharine and Alex walked through the church lighting candles held by members of the congregation that twinkled like stars in the sky.
## **Thursday 24 December Crib and Christingle Service**
Because of the Covid 19 restrictions this year we were unable to have our annual Advent Fair and normally the Christingle Service is on Sunday afternoon at the end of the Fair - this year things were different. The service is always enjoyed by families with small children in our congregation as well as those in the wider community.
Alex our Curate writes, ‘The Crib and Christingle Service took place on Christmas Eve this year. In the service we learnt about the Nativity, who was present and what happened. Then the Crib was blessed.
Everyone was given a Christingle and we learnt what they represent, as well as what each part signifies. Then the Christingle candles, representing Christ the Light of the World were lit, as the church lights were dimmed.
The service ended with prayers and music as we were unable to form a circle around the inside of the church, to process or sing the familiar songs.’
## **Eucharist for Christmas Day – Picture from the St. Giles’ YouTube Channel**
_Yes, we have learnt a lot this past year. About one another, about being part of the Body of Christ at St Giles’, about maintaining the fabric of this world with our prayers, about the centrality of our faith – especially at times when we don’t understand._
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## **Zooming in to St Giles (Ros & Simon Freeman)**
Living in Herne Hill with one of us shielding, we have not been to St Giles in person for some time, erring on the side of caution during the pandemic. We have felt very fortunate to be able to maintain contact with the Christian community at St Giles, via services posted on You-Tube and “Coffee on Zoom”. Last Sunday we watched and heard a wonderful Candlemas service from St Giles, the result of a great deal of thought, creativity and technical skill on the part of church members. Afterwards we were delighted to see familiar faces and hear of their activities over the previous week. While we regret not being able to gather together on a Sunday we have been able to participate in a new style of worship and maintain a very real sense of contact with other members of the church. In fact, we realise that conversations over coffee have made us much more aware of the lives of other members of the congregation. Our Rector’s facilitation of these conversations has been central to their success. Being able to “Zoom in” has meant a great deal to us, and we offer a big “thank you” to those who have made this happen and to our fellow travellers on our spiritual journey at St. Giles.
## **Stewardship**
The pandemic made 2020 a challenging year for stewardship as for so much else. As can be seen from the following table, giving for the general purposes of the church ( _i.e._ excluding money to buy new furniture) went down from a total of £75,800 in 2019 to £62,500 in 2020 – a fall of £13,300.
|**Donations(other than for new furniture)**|**2019**|**2020**|
|---|---|---|
|Donations eligible forgift aid|£61,500|£56,000|
|Donations via Give.net|-|£300|
|Openplate donations not eligible forgift aid|£8,700|£1,400|
|Other donations not eligible forgift aid|£5,600|£4,800|
|**Total**|**£75,800**|**£62,500**|
Given that the church was closed between March and July 2020 and that no services were held in church in November 2020, the reduction in open plate donations is not surprising. However, the pandemic also caused a large fall in the number of special services for livery companies and carol services, so reducing the amount of gift-aided cash donations normally collected at these services through the yellow envelopes. It is, however, good to record that the reduction was partially offset by more than one regular member of the congregation switching from giving via the yellow envelopes to giving by standing order.
A new departure in 2020 was the introduction of giving through Give.net, which provides a convenient way for people watching online broadcasts of services from St Giles’ to give money to the church. Give.net is operated by a charity, which collects the donations, recovers gift aid in its own name and then passes on the combined amount to St Giles’ less a small transaction charge. Give.net has also largely replaced the use of the card reader as a means of collecting donations at regular services; the card reader is, however, being held in reserve for use at future livery and carol services.
Another bright note is that, through the generosity of individual donors and the Barbers Company, an additional £23,100 was raised during 2020 towards the cost of replacing the pews and clergy stalls previously used in church. As can seen from the table below, the Barbers’ Company made a donation of £10,000 for the new clergy stalls and a further £13,100 was raised from individual donors towards the cost or replacing the pews with the new chairs and benches. Give.net made a valuable contribution to the latter sum, with £2,100 being raised via this route.
|**Donations for new furniture**|**2020**|
|---|---|
|Donation from the Barbers’ Companyfor new clergystalls|£10,000|
|Donations eligible forgift aid|£11,000|
|Donations via Give.net|£2,100|
|**Total**|**£23,100**|
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## **Church Attendance (Statistics for Mission)**
Every parish must make an annual return reporting their “Statistics for Mission” and this year the online form was introduced by “ _Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many of our church buildings were closed for a large part of 2020. We recognise the huge upheaval that churches have been through, and the amazing creativity and resilience that churches have displayed in continuing to offer worship and pastoral support to their congregations and parishioners during this difficult time._
_Where possible we've tried to keep this Statistics for Mission form as close as we can to last year's form. However, we have removed some questions that do not really apply to the situation during 2020 and have included a few new questions about your church's response to the pandemic.”_
## (2019 figures in brackets)
The usual enquiry about demographics was restricted to age and St. Giles’ reported –
|Children(Age 0 to 10)|14(14)|
|---|---|
|YoungPeople(Age 11 to 17)|6(6)|
|Adults(Age 18 to 69)|38(40)|
|Adults(Age 70 +)|27(25)|
|TOTAL|85(85)|
October is chosen as a month to capture the typical attendance since it is after the school holidays, well before Advent and around the umpteenth after Trinity.
|Week
beginning|No of
Sunday
Services|Adults|Under 16s|No of
Weekday
Services|Adults|Under 16s|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|4th. October|1 (3)|36 (56)|4 (4)|4 (4)|1 (0)|0|
|11th. October|1 (2)|41 (56)|0 (7)|4 (4)|1 (0)|0|
|18th. October|1 (2)|30 (45)|11 (5)|4 (4)|1 (0)|0|
|25th. October|1 (2)|41 (63)|2 (2)|4 (4)|1 (0)|0|
## Christmas attendance in person was –
|Total number of people attending special services for the congregation and
local communityduringAdvent.|280 (298)|
|---|---|
|Total number of people attending special services held specifically for civic
organisations or schools duringAdvent.|36 (1888)|
|Number of communicants at services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.|48(90)|
|Total number of people attending worship at services on Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day.|73 (165)|
## & many joined the online services –
||Views|
|---|---|
|Advent SundayEucharist|227|
|Eucharist 2ndin Advent|48|
|Eucharist 3rd. in Advent|39|
|Eucharist for Christmas Day|64|
|Carols in the Community1|52|
|Carols in the Community2|38|
|Carols byCandlelight aka. Parish Carol Service|133|
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Despite the covid restrictions on funerals and weddings one couple were married in church, three funeral services took place in church, two at the cemetery/crematorium and there were two “drive by” services while the church was closed.
## **Fabric, Goods and Ornaments**
- _**St Giles’ Cripplegate – The Parish Church**_
## Condition and Quinquennial Inspection
The Quinquennial Inspection was carried out in September 2020 by Kelley Christ, the Inspecting Architect. The report has not yet been published.
## Memorials
Mark Catesby - Covid delayed the installation of the second window panel to Mark Catesby, but it was finally in place at the end of November. It was commissioned by David J. Elliott Director, Mark Catesby Centre, University of South Carolina and others. David writes on behalf of his colleagues, ‘Caroline (Swash) certainly did a beautiful job, which would have been challenging, even without all the challenges created by the pandemic. Charles, Sylvia and I are proud to have played a small role in making it
possible.’ We need archdeacon’s permission for each panel and to advise the Registrar upon their completion. Richard Hastings, Diocesan Registry Clerk received the paperwork and commented ‘It looks superb’. We are so fortunate to have Caroline among us and that she is so willing to undertake these commissions. Caroline was advised by the botanist Charles Nelson, co- editor with David Eliot of ‘The Curious Mister Catesby’ and has written an explanation of the different plants, birds and animals depicted in the panel and their significance in Catesby’s travels and studies. The plan is for the window to be dedicated at the Fairchild Lecture in June 2021.
Elizabeth Bourchier and Oliver Cromwell -Their marriage took place in St Giles in August 1620. The Cromwell Society is (belatedly) marking the 400[th] anniversary with a window panel. The window has been designed and will be installed and dedicated in 2021.
## Lighting
Light Perceptions designed a lighting scheme to “add articulation, flexibility and ambience to this important Grade 1 interior” and Tom Flynn Electrical were appointed as an “electrical contractor highly experienced in working with heritage buildings”. A bright, warm colour of light at 3000K was chosen. LED light fittings from Mike Stoane Lighting and Iguzzini Illuminazione were surface mounted at various levels to provide general downlighting, uplighting for specific architectural features and a wash for walls and the chancel organ. The light fittings below the organ loft were replaced. The control system was installed in the “caretaker’s” cupboard below the organ with control panels beside the north and vestry doors. The system is programmable using an iPad and fifteen lighting schemes can be preset to be switched on by a single touch key on a control panel.
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Installation started immediately after the New Year and completion was expected before Easter. Covid-19 issues delayed the work and the system was finally commissioned in June with sociallydistanced training sessions. Two additional lights for the chancel were judged necessary and improved lighting for the grand organ console was requested. Chancel and organ lights will be installed in the early 2021.
## Furniture
Russell Clynch, Senior Manager at Treske, makers and suppliers of church furniture, gave a presentation to PCC of possible designs of benches and chairs for St Giles’. We had road tested both benches and chairs from three different suppliers in 2019 and decided on the Treske St Mary’s bench.
Anne Marsden Thomas, John Marshall and Revd. Katharine Rumens formed the Furniture Focus Group which worked with Russell to ensure that the furniture meets our requirements. There was an invitation to buy a bench or chair in memory of a loved one or to celebrate an occasion to which many people responded.
We had faculty approval for the new furniture and the sale of the old pews and sundry pieces of church furniture to Antique Church Furnishings.
Over the Christmas, while waiting for delivery of the Treske furniture, we used the new Howe 40/4 chairs intended for concerts. With the removal of the old pews there is greater flexibility of church space and we used both aisles as well as the nave for services. Our new benches can be easily moved and stacked when not required. We look forward to using St Giles’ in new ways both for services and concerts in future.
## Gutter Maintenance Programme and Roof Repairs
Hall & Randall inspected the guttering and the roofing in November 2019. Their report noted that the condition of the roof covering was very ‘poor’ and should be repaired immediately. Defective pointing to lead flashings would need attention within six months. Both roof covering and lead flashings were repaired by Fullers in January 2020.
## Heating System
Engineers from EngDesign and Automated Systems investigated the faulty control system. Their report concluded “The current system of controls installed is now 13 years old with numerous faults and design issues identified during this visit. There may be other imminent issues or items not yet found that would become apparent after any remedial works. Consideration should be given to replacing the controls as a whole with a modern, fully documented, energy efficient and user-friendly system.” The control system was repaired and a quotation for a new system requested.
## The Organs and Piano
The organs in church began 2020 under plastic covers to protect them from the dust caused by Light Perceptions’ replacement of the church lighting. Mander Organs returned in March to remove the covers and add an extension of the Great Flute 8’ stop to the Pedal department of the chancel organ; this extension was most generously funded by David Wakefield, who has been a wonderful friend to the church since chairing the Organ Project 2000-08. Surprisingly, the organs’ tuning had not suffered too badly from being covered, and we waited until June 2020 to tune them. Mander Organs fitted an adjustable bracket to the music desk on the grand organ to make the instrument more comfortable for small players and those with a visual impairment; this was funded by the Larkin Trust. Mander Organs ceased trading in July 2020 but was bought by F.H. Browne of Canterbury. Standing Committee agreed that the new firm should continue maintaining our organs. The Friends of St Giles agreed to fund a new desk light for the grand organ; Light Perceptions ordered a suitable design, which took time to arrive, so they will fit it in early 2021.
We have used the chancel organ almost exclusively for services since July because of its proximity to the singers’ new position at the east end of the church. The chancel organ holds its pitch
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much better than the grand organ, and was tuned at a hirer’s expense in September, so this saved the cost of tuning the grand organ, which has suffered from the cold winter temperatures. The grand organ has also had a problem with its booster blower; Duplex Organ Blowers serviced both organ blowers in December and will return after the pandemic to complete the repair.
Use of the practice organ has been very patchy due to the pandemic, but it continues to be an essential resource for those unable to gain access to any other practice organ, and we have been pleased to help such organists maintain their technique and studies during such a difficult period. We usually tune the practice organ once a year, just before its intensive use during the RCO Summer Course, but the latter was transferred to online transmission in 2020, so the practice organ was not tuned or serviced in 2020 _._
## Tower and Bells
Bell ringing was explicitly prohibited in the March covid lockdown and for safety the bells were rung down. No ringing was permitted until September when it was limited to fifteen minutes with ringers at least 2 metres apart, wearing masks. The steeplekeeper inspected the bells and fittings to ensure it was safe to ring and reported no new issues. They were rung down again for the November lockdown and plans for Christmas ringing abandoned when meeting indoors, even socially distanced, was limited to two households.
With so little ringing the bells and fittings are no better and no worse than reported last year. Maintenance and an inspection by Whites of Appleton will be arranged in 2021.
## Future Development Plans
When the church was restored after WW2 the nave floor was laid using pre-used pine floorboards. Over the past sixty years the supporting timbers have deteriorated, and the floorboards are a little lower than the surrounding Purbeck marble aisles. Some of the boards move and creak disturbingly when stood or knelt on. Trial repairs established that the boards and supports were too damaged for re-use and it was decided to apply for a faculty to install a new floor. The DAC encouraged a “ _long-term investment to re-floor these areas in oak boards, particularly given the significance of this church”_ and an oak floor will be installed in January 2021. Delivery of the Treske furniture will follow before Easter.
After cleaning the walls look appropriately aged but their appearance is marred by a number of water stains. Restoration of the stained areas will take place early in 2021.
A drainage survey in 2020 established that a permanent, plumbed servery in the south west corner of the church, as envisaged in the Strategic Plan, will not be possible. Alternatives will be investigated in 2021.
The Church of England has set a target of net zero carbon for churches by 2030. The new LED lighting system is a step forward but the gas fired heating system will need replacement. Planning to meet the target should commence soon.
When the Quinquennial Inspection report is available the most urgent items will be reviewed and, if possible, remedied in 2021.
## Security, Health & Safety and Risk Assessment
In June, our cleaner Patricia De Moura completed her IOSH Working Safely course. Everyone who works within the Church building has now completed this Health and Safety course.
Lockdown disrupted our plans for a formal Fire Audit which is required every five years. We will, of course, proceed with this as soon as circumstances permit. The annual inspection of the fire extinguishers took place in September.
Before re-opening the church after lockdown it was a legal requirement to complete a coronavirus focussed risk assessment. The risks associated with public worship, book fairs, bell ringing, organ teaching and practising were analysed and the Risk Assessments published on the church website.
Page 26
## Property Register and Logbook
The terrier and the inventory are published together as the ‘church property register’ and should be submitted to the PCC annually, along with the logbook and a statement from the Churchwardens confirming the accuracy of the documents.
It has not been possible for the Churchwardens to check the silver because it was taken into safe storage at the beginning of the first covid-19 lockdown in March 2020. It will be compared with the Property Register when it is returned.
The Logbook is believed to be an accurate record of changes to the property and fabric.
## Faculties
||DAC
Reference||Faculty||Date||Description|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||0111.01-
0220A||3797||4th. May 2020||Proposal to upgrade the Chancel Organ of St Giles,
Cripplegate to make the Great Stopped Diapason 8’
available as a Pedal stop, Bass Flute 8’, in the same way,
that the Great Open Diapason 8’ is available as the Pedal
Principal 8’, usingthe same set ofpipes.|
||0111.01-
0220B||3890||16th. October
2020||Disposal of furniture in the nave and chancel including pews,
chairs, choir stalls, pulpit and lectern and replacement with
bespoke pews, chairs and stalls which match existing
woodwork and are easily moved for different liturgies and
events.|
||0111.01-
0720C||3891||16th. October
2020||Repairs to the wooden nave floor including laying of new oak
floorboards.|
||0111.01-
1120A||List B||26th. November||Improved lighting for the Grand Organ console.|
||0111.01-
1118C||3565||||Archdeacon’s permission for an amendment to the faculty
authorisinga memorial to commemorate Mark Catesby.|
||0111.01-
1118C||3565||18th. February
2020||Archdeacon’s permission for an amendment to the faculty
authorising
a
memorial
to
commemorate
Elizabeth
Bourchier’s marriage to Oliver Cromwell.|
## Churchyard
The churchyard, and a thin triangle of Glebe Land alongside the north aisle, remains on a long lease under Faculty to the City of London (subject to the right of Church use on seven days in each year), as is the fenced area surrounding the boiler room entrance; there are no other churchyard fences. The lease plans are inaccurate, and this has led to some encroachment by the City of London School for Girls onto the leased land. Discussions of the necessary minor amendments with the City of London could not be progressed owing to the covid-19 restrictions.
## • _**St Giles’ Church Hall**_
The Church Hall is leased to the London Diocesan Fund (LDF) and sublet to Newpark Childcare nursery. As with the Churchyard (see above), we believe there are some inaccuracies in the lease plans. The LDF Property team describe the “registrations around the church as really confusing” and this lease was not registered, so does not appear on the Land Registry. It is believed to end in 2024 and prior to the first covid lockdown LDF staff were trying to find details in their Finance Committee minutes. Negotiations with the Corporation of London to resolve inconsistencies between leases and plans were interrupted by the pandemic. When it is over we hope to complete negotiations with the Corporation and find the documentation for the LDF lease.
Page 27
## • _**Columbarium**_
The visible Columbarium stones continue to suffer from water damage. We are very aware of the distress this can cause to families and have investigated to see if there is anything we can do to prevent or repair the damage. Unfortunately, there isn’t. We have, for example, investigated whether it is possible to wash the stones but have been advised that this would result in even more damage. There is a Corporation of London waterproofing project which includes St Giles Terrace and we hope this will solve the problem of water penetration. We have made a request to prioritise this area as part of the Corporation’s Churchyard Enhancement programme but realistically it will be several years before work starts.
## _**• St. Alphage Garden**_
The Garden is much enjoyed by office workers in good weather. In the autumn correspondence with the Corporation was resumed about the quotation, “‘This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven” (Genesis 17.28 ), missing from the information panel. They replied that “The Covid restrictions impacted the operations of our term contractor as well as the stone engraving supplier, but we continue to liaise with the supplier about their availability.”
The information panel has suffered weather damage and cleaning has been requested when making good the inscription. We await the date for this work to be done in 2021 when lockdown restrictions permit.
## • _**Roscoe Street Hall (was St. Luke’s Church Centre)**_
The hall is leased to Kunstraum as a non-profit art space with a focus on international mid-career artists underrepresented in the UK and early-career UK-based artists. Covid-19 precautions have prevented exhibitions and performances for most of the year.
## **Financial Review**
2020 was not a normal year for our finances and our performance has been shaped by three factors.
- The impact of the Covid pandemic and a reduction in our events and book fair income
- The two major capital projects we have undertaken to improve the lighting and seating in the church
- The generosity of our congregation and donors both in continuing to support the church and in giving generously to support our capital appeal
Our income for the year dropped by a modest sum during the year (2020: £385,140; 2019: £404,349). We saw a substantial reduction in our activities for generating funds (2020: £32,845; 2019 £ 82,791) as many events had to be cancelled but saw a welcome increase in total voluntary income largely as a result of generous support for our capital improvements and a legacy of £20,000 from the estate of the late Mollie Munn (2020: £310,061: 2019: £ 251,506). We are very grateful to the City Churches Grants Committee for their grant of £137,000 towards the improvements, to the Worshipful Company of Barbers for their grant £10,000 and to all those who have given to the furniture appeal including gifts in memory of Mollie Munn.
Page 28
Our costs for the year fell slightly as a result of the Covid restrictions (2020: £207,729: 2019: 232,986). Our most significant costs were our contribution to the Diocesan Common Fund (2020: £86,250; 2019: £84,000) and the costs of management and administration, including the employment of our administrator and depreciation on our newly acquired assets (2020: £44,331; 2019: £34,766).
We made an overall surplus of £177,411 before investment gains (2019: £171,363). This was made up of surplus on unrestricted funds (2020: £23,178; 2019: £141,363 restated) and a surplus on restricted funds relating to the capital works of £154,233 (2019: £30,000 restated). This positive result was made possible by the continuing generosity of our congregation and donors.
Both our unrestricted investments and endowments investments (Sworder Foundation) benefitted from increases in value (2020: £73,647, 2019: £141,115).
## **Reserves Policy**
The PCC aims to hold approximately one year’s unrestricted expenditure in reserves to enable us to
- Plan effectively for the longer term
- Invest in developing activities that further our mission
- Respond strategically and responsibly to changes in the external environment
- • Manage our cashflow
Our reserves target is £200k. Our reserves (excluding sums invested in fixed assets) at 31 December 2020 stood at £232,617 (2019: £209,660 restated) so we are currently meeting our policy objectives.
## **Investment Policy**
It is our policy to invest the short term investment fund balances with the CCLA Church of England Deposit Fund, and the remainder in the CCLA Church of England Investment Fund.
## **Publications**
While unable to meet we generated a weekly newsletter with a range of articles: church as a child, my favourite mug, a parable for modern times – from wheelie bins to potatoes. We’ve had poetry and medical advice (of sorts), glimpses of gardens and displays of sourdough bread. This now continues as a monthly letter with the same lively variety of articles.
Diana and Brian continue to manage the website and Diana looks after the display panels at the back of church. Many of the reports and photographs are published on both website and in church. With covid restrictions limiting access to the church and confining some of us to our homes the website has become an increasingly important resource.
Formal notices of meetings and faculties are displayed on the notice board outside the north door. For a time, the Chancellor suspended the faculty application process because so few people were able to view the public notices under lockdown. When faculty applications were reinstated it was on the condition that the public notice appeared on the church website as well as the notice board.
The Easter leaflet had been distributed before the first lockdown. In it we featured the signing of the Ecumenical Partnership and the new church furniture with a request for donors. None of the listed events took place as advertised with the exception of the Othona weekend which was postponed to September. The Christmas leaflet was distributed between lockdowns and featured musicians we had helped over the summer, and a brief history of the book fairs. The services did go ahead in church as advertised and we included details of reserving places. The biannual leaflet is valued by many who receive it and in times of uncertainty is a reminder of the continuation of the ministry of the church in their midst.
We continue to be grateful to the graphic designer Gill Thomas for her help in designing and formatting the leaflets and to Linklaters who offer us quality colour printing for prayer cards and leaflets as required _._
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## **Volunteers**
We would like to thank all the volunteers who give so generously of their time and skill.
- The PCC, especially the Churchwardens, Treasurers and Secretary
- The Sunday Club – Rachel Free, Dave Archer, Louise Watson, Louise Ketley, Chris Moore and Alastair Woods; Elizabeth Day led singing.
- The “Rota participants for Sunday Parish Eucharist” too numerous to list and without whom we could not cope.
- The Cleaning Angels, who clean and tidy in church when building projects allow.
- Notices on Display Panels, Boards and Email. - Diana Morgan Gray and John Marshall.
- A willing handyman – John Marshall
- All involved with the Book Fairs, donating and selling books – see report on Page 13.
- Those who take part in the ‘God at Work’ Lent sermons.
- Finance Team and money-counters - Mona Henshall and David Freeman.
- Othona Planning Team – David Price, Susan and Katharine
- The bell ringers especially Chris Rimmer (Tower Secretary) and Henry Coggill (Steeplekeeper).
- The singers who join the regular quartet for special services or repertoire.
- The IT Support Team -Tim Middleton and Gwen Rogers.
- The website and social media team of Brian Solomons, Tim Middleton and Diana Morgan Gray.
- Filming Sunday services Tim Middleton with Alex’s support.
- Charis and Tim Passey for their baking skills: hot cross buns, carrot cake and pork pies delivered to members of the community living on their own
We are always inviting newcomers to consider undertaking these roles and to reaching out to the community.
## **Obituaries**
## _**Mollie Munn**_
Mollie was a devoted member of this congregation for 61 years, and before that of our daughter church, St Luke’s, Old Street. With Mollie’s death we lost, not just a beloved and longstanding member of the St Giles congregation, but also the sole survivor of St Luke’s, as the congregation of St Luke’s moved here in 1959 following the closure of that church. After Frank Major died in 2015 Mollie proudly claimed her rightful place as the oldest member of St Giles. Although Mollie never bothered with conversational niceties, she was kindness itself, especially towards children and musicians. Mollie herself
had sung in the church choir at St Luke’s.
Mollie suffered many ailments and illnesses, but she always ended any conversation about these with ‘why worry?’. In fact, rather than focus on her own concerns, she preferred to focus on other people.
Mollie loved children, and they loved her – that’s why she always sat at the back during services, to keep in touch with them. And not just children. Suzanne, the professional alto in the choir for many years, said:
Page 30
_I remember how kind she was to Bridget, when I used to bring her to church. Bridget had Down’s Syndrome. Mollie called Bridget her little girl, always asked after her, and sent her money for birthday and Christmas presents. She would have Bridget sit with her during the service. Bridget used to head straight for Mollie when we arrived at church. In fact_ , _it was Mollie who made it possible for me to bring Bridget and be free to sing._
Mollie’s brain remained acute into her great old age, as we can hear in the wonderful memories she recorded five years ago, now available on the St Giles website.
It was thanks to the devoted care of David and Beryl, plus support from Katharine, Dorothy, Lesley, her neighbour Bert, and others, that she was able to continue attending church and living in her own home. We were all indebted to David and Beryl for ensuring Mollie’s challenging final years brought her such comfort and contentment.
David found an epitaph in a church which seems wonderfully apposite to Mollie: : “She lived to a good old age and, although she declined gradually through weakness and infirmity of body, yet she retained a cheerful temper and vivacity of spirit to the last.”
## _**Barbara Rivett**_
Geoffrey Rivett writes
## Barbara Rivett (née Hartmann), 1927 – 2020
Barbara was the daughter of a soldier who, over his lifetime and two World Wars, worked his way up the ranks to become a Major. Regularly moving with the regiment, a habit of removal that she never lost, she spent her infancy on the Northwest Frontier, where her father was posted. Evacuated as a schoolgirl in the War, she came under the influence of three people, her grandmother, the district nurse who inspired her to take up that profession, and the Parish Priest, who guided her through Confirmation.
From then on, Sunday services were part of her life. At St Georges Hospital, she regularly helped with the preparation of the Chapel, which was furnished with oak chairs made by Thompson’s, the Mouse Man of York. Each chair had his trademark Mouse on it, said to be because one of the Churches where he worked was inhabited by them. Later we purchased bedroom furniture from the Mouse Man. Barbara and I met through work, and sometimes we travelled together to attend
committee meetings. Her invitation to accompany her to Communion at Exeter Cathedral first brought her religious commitment to my notice. After our marriage, we lived in many places, attending St Giles from 1987, where for a while she was PCC Secretary, but also Holy Trinity, and St Peter’s and St Paul’s in Long Melford and Lavenham in Suffolk, and St Frances in the Valley in Arizona.
Barbara was born before the doors were opened wide to the intelligent woman. Yet she became an Assistant Matron, a Sister Tutor, and learned to program in Cobol (Computer programming language) in the 1980s. Her constant characteristic was kindness. She supported me when needed, and many other younger people, including a young Italian girl we met on holiday, and who over four decades virtually became an adoptive daughter. She is dearly missed.
Page 31
_**Keith Simmonds**_
Keith Simmonds 1927 – 2020
## Pat in conversation with Katharine
Keith was born into a family of staunch Methodists; he was involved from the very beginning when, as a child, he looked after the hymn books and later taught in Sunday School.
He met Pat and began to go to church with her. In the course of time he became an Anglican and was confirmed in Chelmsford Cathedral. As young things at St James’ Hadleigh, the organist encouraged a group of them to join the choir, which had become frail and elderly. It became a very successful choir and friendships blossomed. ‘Church took up most of our time,’ says Pat. The move to Thorpe Soken saw Keith and Pat’s even greater involvement. Keith, now a Churchwarden, would catch the 7.30am each morning in bowler hat and with rolled umbrella. His secretary at Lloyds helpfully printed the weekly parish newsletter in the office. There were two or three meetings a week and by now Keith was also on Deanery Synod. The vicar was supplied with sherry when he called and he and his wife were great friends. The move to Yorkshire saw Keith become Treasurer to PCC, a job that he did for nearly all the time they lived there. The vicar had four churches to look after and Keith would take evensong on Sunday evenings in one of them. The church was their lives.
By the time Pat and Keith moved to Saffron Walden Keith was in his 80s; they would go to the 8.00am with the Book of Common Prayer that Keith loved. A return to the Barbican (where they had lived in the 1970s) and St Giles’ where Keith, as an Alleyn Old Boy, sat as close as he could to the Alleyn window.
Keith died during the first lockdown. In the spring sunshine we stood outside the West door, prayers were said and we sang ‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind.’ Pat is a Cleaning Angel, and completely unplanned, the Cleaning Angels formed a distanced guard of honour as the hearse drove onto St Giles’ terrace. Angels on earth, as the angels of God received a faithful, loving servant into heaven.
Keith, may Christ have opened for you the gates of paradise; and received you as a citizen of the Kingdom, For you were his friend.
Page 32
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The PCC is a Registered Charity.
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St. Giles' Cripplegate the membership of the PCC consists of the Rector, up to four churchwardens and elected/co-opted members. All those who attend our services are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
The Churchwardens Measure 2001 provides for annual election of churchwardens
The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be raised and spent. All are deemed to be “Fit and Proper Persons” under the terms of the Finance Act 2010 and are not disqualified from being a charity trustee under the terms of the Charities Act 2011.
The PCC has complied with its duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, in relation to having due regard to House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance. Online Safeguarding training is offered to all PCC members.
PCC members are encouraged to attend Diocesan Training Events and to access documentation on the Parish Resources website (www.parishresources.org.uk) including “Trusteeship – An Introduction for PCC Members” and PCC Governance. Electronic copies of PCC minutes and reports, dating back to 2007, are accessible by all PCC members.
The PCC met three times before the first Covid-19 National Lockdown and the agenda for its fourth meeting had been circulated when the lockdown started. That meeting and all following took place on the video conferencing platform Zoom with decisions made by email under the provisions for Business by Correspondence, Church Representation Rules M29. The APCM was postponed from April until September, when it was held with twenty-three present and socially distanced. Before the lockdown the average attendance at PCC meetings was 55%. After lockdown, on Zoom, attendance improved to 75% with members joining from their homes in the Barbican, Devon, Cambridge and the south of France.
Given its wide responsibilities the PCC has a number of committees each dealing with a particular aspect of parish life. These committees are all responsible to the PCC and report back to it regularly, minutes of their decisions being received by the full PCC and discussed as necessary.
## **Administrative information**
St. Giles’ is the Ward Church of Cripplegate Ward. The PCC is also known as St. Giles’ Cripplegate PCC, or the PCC of St. Giles’ Cripplegate with St. Luke Old St.
Diocese: London Archdeaconry: Archdeaconry of London Deanery: The City Location: St Giles Cripplegate Church, Fore Street, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DA. Postal Address: St Giles' Rectory, 4 The Postern, London EC2Y 8BJ. Church/Parish Office Telephone: 0207 638 1997 Email: admin@stgileschurch.com
Page 33
Bank: CAF Bank Bank Account Name: St Giles Cripplegate PCC Account Number: 00034121 Sort Code: 40-52-40
|Administrator|Jake Kirner|admin@stgileschurch.com|
|---|---|---|
|Director of Music|Anne Marsden Thomas|music@stgileschurch.com|
|Children’s Champion|Rachel Free|childrens_champion@stgileschurch.com|
|Church Safeguarding Officer|Mark Hunter|safeguarding@stgileschurch.com|
|Lead Recruiter|Wendy Ellis|dbs@stgileschurch.com|
|Champion for Vulnerable|Diana Morgan Gray|vulnerable_champion@stgileschurch.com|
|People|||
|Safety Officer|Tim Middleton|safety@stgileschurch.com|
|Data Protection|Lorraine Mullins|data_protection@stgileschurch.com|
|Compliance Officer|||
|Electoral Roll Officer|Penelope Sharpe|electoral_roll@stgileschurch.com|
|Stewardship Recorder|Malcolm Waters|stewardship@stgileschurch.com|
|PCC Secretary|Gwen Rogers|secretary@stgileschurch.com|
|PCC Assistant Secretary|Anne Marsden Thomas||
|PCC Treasurer|Susan Royce|treasurer@stgileschurch.com|
|PCC Assistant Treasurer|David Freeman|assistant_treasurer@stgileschurch.com|
|Independent Examiner:|Revd. Alan Clements||
|Quinquennial Inspector/|Kelley Christ (A&RME architects)||
|Church Architect|||
|Legal Advice|Travers Smith LLP. The|PCC are grateful for the advice and|
Travers Smith LLP. The PCC are grateful for the advice and assistance received from Travers Smith on a fee-free basis as part of their charitable pro-bono commitment.
In accordance with the Charities Act 2006, the PCC was notified by the Charity Commission on 16th September 2010 that it had been registered as charity number 1138077.
## **Churchwardens**
The role of a churchwarden is described on the London Diocesan website at http://www.london.anglican.org/kb/churchwardens/. The website description finishes with “Churchwardens are not expected to do everything above themselves, but to make sure that there are other people available to carry out the various tasks.” At St. Giles’ the “other people” include the PCC and its committees, task & finish groups, church officers, the parish administrator, the concert assistants, professional advisors and the many volunteers. The churchwardens can be contacted by email churchwardens@stgileschurch.com.
Page 34
## **PCC Members**
During 2020 the following have served as members of the PCC; they are either ex officio under the Governing Documents, or elected by the APCM, or co-opted, in accordance with the Church Representation Rules: -
## _**Ex officio**_
Rector Reverend Katharine Rumens * Ex officio Chair Curate Reverend Alex Norris
Churchwarden elected April 2015 and re-elected annually. Tim Middleton *
Churchwarden elected April 2016 and re-elected annually. Lorraine Mullins * Lay Vice Chair
Churchwarden elected September 2020 Gail Beer *
## _**Elected Members**_
_Until APCM 2021_
Mona Henshall Penelope Sharpe Susan Royce * Malcolm Waters
_Until APCM 2022_
John Bryden Wendy Ellis Vivian Elliot Mark Hunter
## _Until APCM 2023_
Kathryn Elsby David Freeman * Anne Marsden Thomas * Catherine Urquhart
_Ex officio as Deanery Synod Representatives until 31-May-2023_
Gwen Rogers * Daniel Gerring
_Ex officio as representatives of Cripplegate Ward_
Alderman David Graves Two vacancies
Page 35
PCC Committees
standing Committee
The PCC Standing Commrttee Imemtws marked ' at#Jvel has p(Y to transact the business of thè
Council between the meets'ngs thereof. subjeL1 to any directions given by the Council, and reports back
to every meeting of the Council. Each of the other committees and group5 tworship and Liturgy.
Sleward5hÈp. Parish Rate, Str*gi¢ PLgn. Online Donations, Bankn"ng and Documentation of Finan81
Proceduresl allwses the PCC WFthin the aw of actwty Impl by tts title bul has no de*ated powers
as such.
Worship and Lituryy Committèè
David Freeman, Amanda GiL#)on, Diana Morgan Gray. M¢)na Henshall, Revd. Katharine Rumens
{chaiT) and Anne Marsden Thomas Iminulesl.
Stewardship Committee
Susan Royce, Catherine Urquhart and K4akx)Im Waters {Slewardship Officer)
Parish Rate Committee
Tim Middleton, L(rnine Mulb'ns. Cattrine Urquhart and Jake lQmer (Parish Adminislrator)
PCC Task & Flnlsh Groups
As iMpld by the name these wps are fcrfmed to 0)Mp a s¢ projeca and disbatxl when it is
completed.
Stratsgl¢ Plan Task & Finish Group {Implementation}
Programme Board- PCC Setary. Rector. Churchwardens. Director of MLL$ and Church Archrtect.
Fumiture- Katharine Rumens. John Mar5haH. Anne Marsd8n Thomas and Russell ClytKh ffreskel
Online Donation$
Susan Royce. Al&x Norris, Gwen Rogws and Jake rner.
Banklng
Mona Henshall, Gwen RTrJers. Davij Freeman. Jake IQ.[ and &Jsan RoyeA.
Documentation of Financial Pnxedurns
Gwen Rogers. Susan Royce. Da¥id Freeman and Jake Kimer.
Approved by the PCC on 1tr. Aprll 2021 and signed on thelr behalf by.
Revd. Katharfne Rumens
Rector
Pagè 36
|TOTAL FUNDS||2020
2019
£
£|310,061
251,506|32,845
82,791|30,097
26,769|12,137
43,283|385,140
404,349||189,866
187,136|17,863
45,852|207,729
232,986|177,411
171,363|73,647
141,115|-
141,115|**251,058**
**312,478**|-|251,058
312,478|1,629,570
1,317,092|**1,880,628**
**1,629,570**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Endowment|Funds|£|||||-||-||-|-|43,352|165|**43,517**||43,517|606,205|**649,722**|
|Restricted|Funds|£|169,299|-|-|-|169,299||14,954|112|15,066|154,233|||**154,233**||154,233|30,000|**184,233**|
|Unrestricted|Funds|£|140,762|32,845|30,097|12,137|215,841||174,912|17,751|192,663|23,178|30,295|( 165 )|**53,308**||53,308|993,365|**1,046,673**|
|_Note_|||_2 (a)_|_2 (b)_|_2 (c)_|_2 (d)_|||_3 (d)_|_3 (d)_|||_7 & 8_|||||_13_||
|||**Income and endowments**|Voluntary income|Activities for generating funds|Income from investments|Income from church activities|**Total income**|**Expenditure**|Church activities|Raising funds|Total expenditure|Net surplus/(deficit) before investment gains|Net unrealised gains/(losses) on investments|Investment during year|Net surplus/(deficit)|Transfers between funds|Net movement in funds|Total funds brought forward - adjusted|Total funds carried forward|
¢001
Tr-
ro
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31[st] . December 2020
## **1 Accounting Policies**
The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, and with the Regulations ‘true and fair view’ provisions.
## (a) Incoming Resources
Income is accounted for on the accruals basis except where noted below.
## _Voluntary income and capital sources_
Collections are accounted for on receipt by or on behalf of the PCC.
Planned giving under gift aid is accounted for on receipt, and tax recoverable is recognised when the related recovery has been received.
Grants, legacies and donations receivable are allocated to the relevant fund according to any restrictions placed upon their use. Grants and legacies are accounted for when they become due, and are included as debtors at the balance sheet date where:
- the PCC is certain of its entitlement and any pre-conditions have been complied with;
- it is reasonably certain that the grant or legacy will be received within a reasonable time span;
- the amount to which the PCC is entitled, and which will be received, can be reliably measured.
## _Income from investments_
Dividends, interest and any related tax recoveries are accounted for on receipt, except where the amounts due at the balance sheet date cannot be reliably quantified.
## (b) Resources used
Expenditure is accounted for on the accruals basis except where noted below.
## _Grants and donations_
Grants and donations are accounted for on payment, or when awarded if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC.
## _Activities relating to the work of the Church_
The contribution to the Diocesan Common Fund is accounted for when it becomes payable, and any amount outstanding at the balance sheet date is included as an operational, though not legal, liability. (c) Assets Consecrated and benefice property
In so far as consecrated and benefice property of any kind is excluded from the statutory definition of ‘charity’ by Section 10(2) (a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011 such assets are not capitalised in the Financial statements.
Page 39
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31[st] . December 2020 (Continued)
No value is attributed in these accounts to the following.
- The fabric of St. Giles' church and the churchyard which are vested in the Rector.
- The former churchyard of St. Alphage, London Wall (which is laid out as a public open space in St. Alphage Garden) and which is on a long lease from the City Corporation. It was registered in the name of the Rector during 2010; the value of which is undetermined at the present time.
- The former St. Giles' Church Hall adjacent to St. Giles' church, which is on a long lease from the City Corporation to the PCC (vested in the LDF as custodian trustee); it is underlet to LDF and sub-under-let to and occupied by Newpark Nursery. However the final form of each of these leases remains under negotiation and there are issues of boundaries needing to be rectified, so the PCC is unable at present to value this asset. The adjacent Columbarium remains under PCC control.
## Moveable church furnishings
These are capitalised at cost and depreciated over their useful economic life other than where insufficient cost information is available. In this case the item is not capitalised, but all items are included in the Church’s inventory in any case.
Depreciation is calculated to write off the capitalised cost of fixed assets less their currently anticipated residual fair value over their estimated useful lives as follows
Church seating 20 - 50 years
## Tangible fixed assets for use by charity
These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £1,000. They are valued at cost or else, for gifts in kind, at a reasonable estimate of their open market value on receipt.
Depreciation is calculated to write off the capitalised cost of fixed assets less their currently anticipated residual fair value over their estimated useful lives as follows.
Land Nil Fixtures & fittings 20 years Computers and similar equipment 3 years
No depreciation is provided on buildings as the currently estimated residual value of the property is not less than its carrying value and the remaining useful life of this asset currently exceeds 50 years, so that any deprecation charges would be immaterial.
An impairment review is carried out at each year end and any resultant loss identified and included in expenditure for the year.
## Investments
Investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange or whose value derives from them are valued at market value at the year end. Other investment assets are included at PCC’s best estimate of market value.
## Short term deposits
These are the cash held either the CCLA or at the bank.
Page 40
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31[st] . December 2020 (Continued)
## (d) Funds
## Unrestricted Funds
These represent the remaining income funds of the PCC that are available for spending on the general purposes of the PCC, including amounts designated by the PCC for fixed assets for its own use or for spending on a future project and which are not therefore included in the reserves disclosed in the trustees’ report.
## Restricted Income Funds
These are income funds that must be spent on restricted purposes and details of the funds held and restrictions provided are shown in the notes to the accounts.
## Restricted Capital Funds
These are funds that represent income received for specific capital investments. Depreciation on these assets are charged to the these funds.
## Endowment Funds
These are restricted funds that must be retained as trust capital either permanently or subject to a discretionary power to spend capital as income, and where the use of any income or other benefit derived from the capital may be restricted or unrestricted. Details of their restrictions are shown in the notes to the accounts.
## (e) Volunteers
The monetary value of volunteer time is not recorded neither as an incoming nor outgoing resource since this cannot be accurately quantified because the number of hours and value per hour is indeterminate.
Page 41
|TOTAL FUNDS|2020
2019|£
£||75,707
69,516|21,000
19,781|561
2,312|1,950
9,641|20,000
80,220|137,000
30,000|27,144
1,390|6,851
6,277|1,683|2,750
2,750|14,727
5,654|96
1,817|592
22,148|310,061
251,506||14,020
49,233|428
1,194|5,897
12,364|12,500
20,000|32,845
82,791||29,633
25,233|464
1,536|30,097
26,769|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Restricted|Funds|£||9,945||561|||137,000|-|6,851|359||14,583|||169,299||||||-||||-|
|Unrestricted|Funds|£||65,762|21,000||1,950|20,000||27,144||1,324|2,750|144|96|592|140,762||14,020|428|5,897|12,500|32,845||29,633|464|30,097|
|||**2. Income and endowments**|**(a) Voluntary income**|Gift aid donations|Tax recoverable|Wall safe donations|Open plate collections|Legacies|Grants
City Churches Grants Committee|Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme|Deanery Grant for insurance|Stewardship - Give.net|City Burial Ground Fund|Donations - general|Donations - music|Parish rate||**(b) Activiities for generating funds**|Church lettings|Bookstall|Book fairs|Roscoe Street hall income||**(c) Income from investments**|Dividends|Interest||
|TOTAL FUNDS|2020
2019|£
£|3,450
4,500|2,022
19,183|4,028
6,177|387
1,264|2,250
12,159|12,137
43,283|385,140
404,349|||3,500
2,500|-
2,500|-
280|-
118|-
79|195
180|-
8,000|1,500
-|5,195
13,657|||86,250
84,000|-
1,225|2,148
2,437|-
3,750|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Restricted|Funds|£||||||-|169,299|||||||||||-|||||||
|Unrestricted|Funds|£|3,450|2,022|4,028|387|2,250|12,137|215,841|||3,500|||||195||1,500|5,195|||86,250||2,148||
|||**(d) Income from church activities**|Columbarium|Special services|Weddings and funerals|Refreshments|Events and other income||**Total income and endowments**|**3. Expenditure**|(a) Missionary and charitable giving|Diocesan Lent Appeal|Angola London Mozambique Asson|Hackney Food Bank|The Children's Society|Christian Aid|Plan International|St John's Warminster|Refuges at Home||(b) Activities|Ministry:|Diocesan common fund|Diocesan parochial fees|Clergy expenses|Pastoral Assistant's expenses|
|**(d) Allocation of costs**
Church
Raising
TOTAL FUNDS|activities
funds
2020
2019|£
£
£
£
Missionary and charitable giving
5,195
-
5,195
13,657|Activities
149,206
8,997
158,203
184,564|Management and administration
35,465
8,866
44,331
34,766|189,866
17,863
207,729
232,987|The basis for the allocation is as follows.|- missionary and charitable giving are fully attritutable to church activities|- activities costs are allocated on a line by line basis|- management and administration costs are allocated on an estimate of time taken|**4. Staff costs**
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
2020
2019
TOTAL FUNDS|£
£
£
£
Salaries and wages .
27,891
27,891
26,782|Pension
2,867
2,867
2,680|30,758
-
30,758
29,462|Average number of employees
1
1|Under the terms of the Employment Allowance Scheme the church is able to reclaim its employers NIC payments in full.|The PCC has contracts for services with the Director of Music, musicians and our cleaning firm. All of these people|work on a freelance basis.|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Total|||£
350,000|1,371|( 1,371 )|179,726|529,726|1,153|( 1,153 )|9,314|9,314|350,818|520,412|||||£|440,550|-|-|30,295|470,845|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Church &|office|equipment|£|1,371|( 1,371 )|1,092|1,092|1,153|( 1,153 )|364|364|818|728|||||||||||
|Property
Church
Church|fixtures &
furniture|fittings|£
£
£
At valuation - 1 January 2015
350,000|Cost
At 1 January 2020|Disposals|Additons at costs
139,178
39,456|At 31 December 2020
350,000
139,178
39,456|Depreciation
At 1 January 2020|Withdrawn on disposals|Charge of the year
6,959
1,991|At 31 December 2020
-
6,959
1,991|Net book value
At 31 December 2019
350,000
-
-|At 31 December 2020
350,000
132,219
37,465|The hall in Roscoe Street is vested in the London Diocesan Fund as Custodian Trustee and for which the PCC are|acknowledged to be the Managing Trustee. It is currently let commercially; the rent has been reduced for £10,000 in|recognition of the financial hardships brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. The rent will increase to its normal level of|£20,000 from 1 July 2021.|**7. Investment assets**|Market value at 31 December 2019|Disposal|Purchases at cost|Revaluaton gain|Market value at 31 December 2020|
**----- Start of picture text -----**
£ 606,205 165 43,352 649,722 £ 21,840 10,190 32,030 49,753 155,666 2,000 200 10 207,629
Total 2019
10
TOTAL FUNDS - 2,000 200
2020 £ 12,117 57,613 69,730 104,463 20,000 50,763 177,436
General Credit Union
Market value at 31 December 2019 Disposal Purchases at cost Revaluation gain Market value at 31 December 2020 The endowment assets represent permanent endowment investments held within the Cripplegate Church Sworder Foundation for which the London Diocesan Fund acts as the Custodian Trustee and the PCC as the Managing Trustee. The capital is subject to restriction on its use and is governed by the objects of the Foundation as indicated in the Charity Commission Scheme of 21 January 1992. There is power to convert capital into income and the capital is held permanently although the constituent investments may change over time. Trade debtors Debtors Prepayments and accrued income Current - NatWest Current - CAF Bank Deposit Rector's expenses float Petty cash
8. Endowment assets 9. Current assets (a) Debtors (b) Cash at bank and in hand
**----- End of picture text -----**
|TOTAL FUNDS|2020
2019|£
£|525
756|5,335|1,657
6,908|7,517
7,664||Endowment
Total
funds|£
£
606,205
1,629,570|385,140|( 207,729 )|43,352
73,647|165
-|649,722
1,880,628||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**10. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**|Trade creditors|Other creditors|Accruals and deferred income
)||There are no liabilities due after one year.|**11. Summary of fund movements**
Restricted
General
Investments
funds
Unrestricted funds|£
£
£
Balance at 1 January 2020
552,815
440,550
30,000|Incoming resources
215,841
169,299|Resources expended
( 192,663 )
( 15,066 )|Investment gains
30,295|Transfer between funds
( 165 )|Balance at 31 December 2020
575,828
470,845
184,233|Restricted funds: capital improvements to the church funded by specific grants and donations.|
|Total|||£|520,412|1,120,567|69,730||177,436|( 7,517 )|1,880,628|1,629,570||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**12. Summary of assets by fund**
Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment||funds
funds
funds|£
£
£|Tangible fixed assets
350,728
169,684|Investment fixed assets
470,845
649,722|Debtors and prepayments
38,355
31,375||Cash
160,610
( 16,826 )|Liabilities: amounts falling due in one year
( 7,517 )|Fund balances at 31 December 2020
1,013,021
184,233
649,722|Fund balances at 31 December 2019
1,023,365
-
606,205|**13. Prior year adjustment**|A sum of £30,000 has been transferred from unrestricted funds brought forward at 1 January 2020 to restricted captial funds brought forward|at 1 January 2020 to reflect the correct position regarding grant funds received in 2019.|
Independent Examinefs unqualified reportto the member5 of the P.C.C. of SL Giles
Church, Cripplegate. London EC2Y 8DA on the Accounts for the year ending 31st
December 2020 as set out on pages 37 to 50 of this ReporL
Charity no.1038077.
Respective responsibilities of the P.C.C. and the examiner.
The P.C.C. members acting as the charlS trust are responsible for the preparation
of the accounts. The charitys trustees consider that an audit is not required for the year
under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act} and that an independent
examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act
to follow the procedures laid dovm in the general Directions given by the Charity
Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of the Independent EXamineS statemenL
My examination was carried out in accordan with the general Directions given by the
Charity Commission and the guidan published in PCC Accountability (The Charities
Act2011 and the P.C.C.), 5th edition). An examination indudes a review of the accounting
records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with these
records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the
accounts. and seeking explanations from the trustees conmIng such matters. The
procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden that would be required for an audit,
and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf
view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examinerfs statemenL
In connection with my examination, no material matter has come to my attention which
gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect the accounting records
were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act. or
the accounts do not accord to the accounting re(x)rds.
I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention
should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts is reached.
Signed.
Name
IIM A È/gnL éj6 /r
Date
Revd. A. A. Clements
Fellow Association of Charity Independent Examiners.
Address 15 Catleton Road. Great Knowley. Chorley PR6 8TQ
ACIE PCC CC32
Page 51