srJoAn fAe Evawelist Wem6tey ParisA CAurcA TS AND ACC * '4•N li .r I'l ui,. _. CHARITYNUldB£R 1140226
LtST OF CONT£wr ANNUAL ftEpoeT AND FINANCIALSTATLM£wr NOTIC£ OFAPM AND APCM 2024 MINiyfES QF APM AND APCM HELD ON MAY I l MAY2024 THE INCUMBEwf REPORT DEAN£RYsYNOD REPORT NOAHS ARK ft£PORT CHuecHWARDENS eEPORT CQmMUNITYcEfftE REPORT BUILDtNG REPORT SULYDAYSCHOQL AND YOUNG ST JOtINS R£PORT SAFE.&UARDING REPORT TREASURER'S REPORT MEMoftYcAFÈ £EPOftT
THE PAROCHL4L CHURCH COUNaL OF THE ECCLESIASTIG4L PARISH OF SL SOHN. WEMBLEY. Annual report for the year ended December 31# 2024. SL John's Church is situated in the Harrow R<1 Wembley, close to & corner of Crawford Avenue. It Is part of the Dioc¢s¢ of London within Church of EllEl The th for correspondence is The Vicarage, 3, Crawford Avenue, Wembley. Middlesex HAO 2HX. The Parochial Church Council of th¢ Ewl¢siastical Parish of SL job Wembley is a charity Tegistered with the Clrity COMM0 registr*ion number 1140226. The governing documents are the PaTbla1 Church COW11 Powas Measu (1956), &8 amendal and th¢ Church Representation Rules. The following trustres served as P.C.C. m¢mbers in 2024. Vicar The Rev'd Chinenye Ngozl Njoku LiLwed Lay Ministtt (Read¢r): Carok Bcvis-smith Nk2rn EgEukU (To ATr.Nf.) Dipathmuwonge (fo ATr.M.) Uchechi Alioha (From A.P.M.) George Onyemekarn (FTh>m AP.M.) Can)l¢ BevAS-Smith Elected lay Members: Adetokunbo Yoks" Ajayi Arinze Le51ie BevAS-Sniith Rita Cbiamonwu Monica Hinds (From A.P.C.M.) Shauna Clarke (To kP.C.M.) Leda Yousif Herniine Bany-Clae Obiorah Nwanonyc Dr. Joan Telford Martina Vemon (FADM A.P.C.M. ) Nkiru Egbochuku and Yetunde Cok¢r were COW to the P.C.C. at the May and November meetings rwtively. One pkn for an Elect&1 Lay MemEtt is cUrrey v&xnL
All adults who attend services are encouragul to ttgister on the Electoral Roll. and stand for election to the P.C.C. The P.C.C. of a parisl) the si7£ of SL John's, M£aw by having between 100 and 200 Dames on its Electoral Roll. may l)aYe 12 elected lay DThb¢rs. M¢ftnbers of the P.C.C. serve for a terni of thre¢ yvdry and tsaditionally one third of the meDtherthp retires by rotation at each P.c.M. Obiorah Nw8nony¢. Dr. Joan Telford and Lcda Yousif are due to retire by rotition in 2025. As the Electo Roll is below 152, SL Jolm's has two Deallery Synod Joan Telford h&s been our Health & Safety Officer. H¢rmine Barry.Clarke was Safeguarding Offi1 utilil NovemF£r 2024. when Yettllxle Coker took over. OBIECTS AND ACIIVITIES SL Jolm's P.C.C. hay the resFK)J]sibility of oK9t1Dg within the ¢1&14st1¢al paris14 the whole mission of the Churcty pastoral, evangelisti¢, social and ecunLenicaL in cweration with th¢ Incum1L It al oversee5 th¢ OE*ration of SL Jobn's Community Centr4 which it shares WAth Iepresentstiyes of the Illcory Tnkn of WoTknien's Hall, thtough a joint ¢onllnittee. The P.C.C. met oll five I108 during 2024 for r¢gular busiM meetings. Attend at thes¢ meetings ranged between nine and thirteffl. the average figure being eleVL Between one and four P.C.C. nlS unable to attend these nding$ in perw participated through Zoom. A Special Meeting to considff the draft aCUnts for 2023 and the new le&8e to be granteAI to Wembley Central Nursery Sch(K)I t(x)k pl&e on February 13 , through th¢ medium of ZO in ST REVIEW OF THE YEARENDED DECEMBER 31 2024 The aDnuaI reviews of 2022 and 2023 had bc¢n much rAincerned with r¢Very of the Parish after the Covid 19 psndemic and & rasultant IkdoWn. 2024 w&8 the year of the 'knv nonnal" It h&5 become accepted that we now stand lthre the communion rdil, Trther than kneeli as fore. We have conlinll to re1ve the Sa¢ranTht by lntinctio rnther than by using shared chalices wi1 with a liJKn purAfic4tor after each commwiicant rec¢ived the coi]secrated win¢. circulatsng and shaking hattds. The relllg change brougbt about by the need to protect us in the recovery phase after the pandernic bal done its WOTSL w&8 cboristers not pro¢essing at the conmjenixment and ending of servic¢s. It did tske plac¢ at all during 2024, but h&8 been
The win tra¢k- Style of worship is long in our pasL and while not all a4Cts of our 10.30 &llL on Sunday mornin. W¢ have been fortunate to obtain the s¢rvices of a talented young 1cla Inenna od to play the keylK>ard at our servic. accompanied by our talented Musi¢ Gn)up. Th¢ P.C.C. agreed that after Easter 2024. the hitherto Thursday I I.(X) Holy Communion Sl¢e skK)uld take plac¢ on WedlleSd for purely thiDiStra1iv¢ as local clergy meetings ar¢ often scbeduled for Thursdays. It has made no difference to attendance al what is a lWrtif and Intin service for those abl¢ to atten issues preoc¢wing the P.C.C. have been recovetiD8 our finwxial sitiO arr¢ars of Maintenan both of which ar4 of ¢ourK interlinked. It is a hard Konomic fact that offerings by the Congregation fall far short of what is ne&d to finance the Church. Both Gift Aided donalions and offerings mad¢ -on the plate- reduced sigDifi¢antly from 20Z2 kn 2023. Jt is plIng to reconl that this lias Iw? reversed io 2024, with an &IdAtiOn being offered. Those who have rwnded to ccx)no]nic reality are to be thankaL but it is not enough to keep us solvenL W¢ must all be aware that in these inllatiow tAn our cUrt rate of exndItuTe is not sustaitwble, and OffAngS need to be ftnLre by us alL Rernin of ow fill¢[al position lld to IK included in th¢ weekly sheet band•a to worshipFtr4 and to explain OUT sitiwtion in ore detaiL pemMncnt notices plac¢d at th¢ rear of the ChurclL "Going cashless" should nol b¢ exc4 and during the year we investigated the po&8ibility of acquiring a card rethr. This has been frustrated by the WTong equipment having be¢n supplie Our biggest annual eX[e is our contribution to th¢ Comznon Fund levied on all parishes by the Diocese, according to their rneat to pay clergy StildS and many oth¢r expenses. The figutE whith we palid wa5 sUbStlY redwed duriDg and after the pdemiC, when it was appreciated that th¢ scope for raxiving Incon was mu¢h reducoi W¢ are now being expect&1 lo Tevert to a pre-covid Icvel. and werE &8ked to pay £59,500 for 2025. This repres increase of ahnost s/ over the £432(K) given in 2024, in turn far mor¢ than the £28,000 which we paid in 2023. The wuest was subwuently rethed kn £50,000. Our AclinIallt has advised that even this sum will be (bffi¢uh to achi¢ve. We have the Community Centre &s a major source of income, and during the year took steps to iocTe&8e our income from Wembley Ca)tra] Nursery School. The Financial Advisor from IA)ndon Diocese, our Awountant and Vicar met to resolve th¢ Situatio one suggestion being 11]at we outsowced Hall IKN)kings to an agency. The P.C.C. felt that our existing system with a Frt tin Adminis likely to prove more cost effective. Y¢t agai the structh of the Church is being underniined by movemenl of the subsoil. this time affecting the column by the lectern Monitoring studs w¢ ill place ding June, and an arlx)ri¢ultural survey will be needed to a&8e&8 th¢ extent to which surroUng tr¢es are extending meanwhile lo be paid for. and desirabl¢ n¢w Projects have not always been carried out for
in thc Choir Vesty ShOd be treated with fre K8iStant InatffliaL which would also b¢ an opportunity to tr¢at them to long overdue cleaning. Refurbishing our notice boards has also been pul on hol though Ibey pres¢nt a WM)r image of SL Johu's. The South facing one on the Harrow Road has become op4ue a1 Iwd to read throu8h ex$ll1 to sU1L the one by the main A Freedom of Information request by the pressure group Countyide Alliance reved that an average of eight crimes per day had Iwi c(m]mitt¢d in churches between January 2022 and D¢¢ember 2024. Not 811 the 45 lIce forces contacted r¢spmde4 ftn¢luding our own MetropKfvlitan Police. sx) the tru¢ figure is likely to be higkn. This {Y related to theft and vandaliw but inclutsa arson and satanic rituals. If a ]isted building like St. John's is affected, traditional replacemem materi5 mwt be use4 adding fith to th¢ Ll Farly in 2024, we suffered damage to a window in the M¢moiial Cbapel, lch Iw tten covered by insurance. We ind¢bted to Leslie Bevis-smith for all his ¢fforts in making th¢ claio) and arranging for Lincolnshire Stained Glass Studio to effect a tepair. More rccently. the door of the Choir Vesty has been danw in a failed attoDPt to break in. Incidents of this character njake it vitaI that our insiiTance Is lip to date and that we mpty Mith all its tm. One of thes¢ is the marking of have recently changed hands. After str¢nuous efforts by the Vicar aod Secretary, a firm qualified to in8tall it on the rnof was locate(L aod they promise to be a usefvl firni to work for us in future. We Ca a Congregatio do muth to keep St. Jolm's and its Churchyard clean and presentable, but could do mo. The team whith cleatt8 the Church every Friday nceas more pairs of band an ideal way to serve th¢ Lord by anyone in the-Aclive RelitEd" category. A major lit*r picki Sunday. aod it was g1 that mor¢ young and fit members of the Congregation participated. The next exer¢ise to be undertaken by a Working party must be clearing th¢ locked area North of the Chub, and Temoving ivy which h&8 colonised the West wall. Clwing the route from the Iclergy Vesty exlullal door to the two gates in th¢ fence has a degree of priority as it is a fir¢ escape route. and Sing growth is steadily making it impa&8ibl¢.
IndopoDdent EwnIner,¥0pOrt This report on the financial statements of the Parochl81 Church Council IPCCI for the year ended 31 December 2024. as set out. is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 20061.the Regulations'l and sections 43 of the Charities Act 19931.the Act'l. Respectlve respon8ibllltles of the PCC and the examingr As members of the PCC. you are responsible for preparing and producing the financial statements. You considerthat the audit requirement of the Regulations and sectlon 43{21 of th8 Act do not apply. It Is my responsibility to Issue the independent examiner's report on those financial ststements in 8ccordan¢e with the terms of the Regulations. Ba$ls of thi8 report My examlnation was Caled out in accordance with the General Dlrections given by the Charity Commission under section 43171{bl of the Acts 8nd 8re to b8 found in the Church Guidance. 2006 edition. issue(J by the Finance Division of the Archbishops. Council. That examination includes a reviewofthe accountingrecords kept bythe PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the tinancial statements and seeking explanations from you as tTUStee8 concerning any such matt8rs. The procedures undert8ken do not provide au the evidence th* would be required In 8n audit. and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the viewgiven bythe accounts. Independent Examlner's statement In connectlonwith myex8min8tion. no matter has come to myattentlon: 1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requiremènts a) To keep accounting records In accordance with section 41 of the Act: and
bl To prepare financlal statements whlch accord with the acoounttng records 8nd complywith the requirements oftheAct and the Regulation8 Have not be8n met" or 2. Towhlch, in myopinion. attention 8hould be drawn to enabLe a proper underst8ndingof the accounts to be re8ch8d. Recommendatlon: None. sign6d: P4<•¥C Date: 0210512025 Prlnt Name: Mrs Princess Christian-lwuagwu Quauficatlons.. FCCA, CIPFA, Msc. Bsc (Honsl. Dip Theo. ICAN Addross: The Vicarage. 43A Village Road. Bush Hlll Park. Enfield EN12ET
ioffi Tolal Fund• Vduiary r8c8ipis 40.110 40.110 37.552 1,748 92,994 5.$07 137,801 clh IdUrvJ Grnnt Totsl [pts ZG 111.794 111.794 1W.303 153 ChUh a(¥ibo 123.550 2,795 128.34S 123.5r4J 146.7C 4,182 150.887 Totsl i)ayi1 126.346 113,088) 4.otsj Nof irwme after dePlt 119.79)) 135 4,630 14, 4.130 130 4.130 Offr1 31st 2rr23 TangIb fed oe8•ts 348.000 DebtOT8 Cash at bank and 8IM)rt twm dopogas 18,475 14,416 114.898 109.644 224.542 243.017 103. 105,514 209,452 CBF Churth of Erwnd dewt nd Cu Less tkje 141tNn one >wr 17 237.731 208.843 Tot4188••ts lo•• ¢urrnrtl Il•blllllo• 10 585.731 Unresti?dqd 11 12 13 183,(1 r4)tal PwrfBh Fund• 585.731 558.643 attached notos fomi pHrl of1h911n84a1 ststemwts ro¥ed tyth& PCC on d svJ)gd theK b•hatsY page 1
31 OBCnb•r 2024 vAth th• Chwch A• Requ8 2LK6gMmkng Ihe dhU81 aco)unt8 ofPCC& the Ch•ribe8 4A 2011. tho Ststemenl 01RnThded Prndice.. wd by theIrUnts In aX{¥dar vAh the Fkwrxtal Rwrltn9 Stolad aWK¥bl8 In UK and RepubNc of IroLvKI (FRS102). Unre6lrfC Ibnds ofth? PCC that ara 8v4llat4e fwpneral apOcallon puw&. The acMunts Inthjdo au IlorlIOns. assets OMI Wiilltss for th8 PCC w rosp(wlbl8 In law. GfftAJ ig wnt8od uilywhgn rec•%1. GrnntaThl lews to PCC wo ac(Amt•d Jr as 800n ag PCC is ncthed ofTt8 Wl enknt. tsgmowts ar8 and thr ulUmat• Iwipts ty th• PCC Is reaBonable certaln. Funds Mr¥•d by ffi1 thll&r8¥Wrt¥ oTrJ the I8 of bo(8 and mogg fEvm thurch bwkstsl arn 0)ulJ forgross. Ir¢ tsx r8cowJrb •Thl gu ots thcsyne reorArrr48 obwon on It PCC. EwoltW• IB It18 r0d and afAX>L¥tsd tr gn>M. tothe olth• The dkwan parf$h $haTe18 &Y¥Junt&J forthen p&d. AAIY F•rth 8haM unp at 31 D•¢ombw 2024 prov#l•d trin Ihtt• finan¢a statwnerts 99 on oreTthnal (thcvth r1¥ 18gaD liabty )d Is Conwated •nd beneffl¢d woptyofarytrind IJ from thgthaKlal elatsme by 8xtlon 10 of theeACt 2011. &yrect•d u8•fiI •coTh)micllb •• folk.. Fjthre. IItUiYdS ar wiprnent" . over4 yaws IthLt (lems olflxlum. gnd vAth 8 putr18 prfce of £1.29) ar•vthtten debtorn less forarr•)unts that pvrAe nlI?6e. Shorttem dew61ts hKludwvJ ¢88h hekl on elthwhth ts CBF ofEWd or al tr bank. pagp 2
lal Church Coun¢ll of th• Tdal Fur Totsl Fund8 lJJcomhJ 2a Vdl ald donatlork8 15,58a 15.fé8 14.695 TaK rgr•v8rabl8 3.891 18,284 40,110 3,891 18284 40.110 4,423 14.080 37,552 tuto Funw41. ddIng anrl ot1wS 1.3 1,748 H811 leltiThJ Irn$ 111.794 111,794 5.507 153.303 153.303 7.801 ssknwy and gi'¥ityJ fiThsty'. Lond(¥) tX(wan Fund Other mtnlstry wsts C¥ and mu Orq•n wrand malnt•n8n Repekand nlftten6nc¢ 28,WO 135 870 210 10A31 14,8C6 4.087 871 1.e70 150 9.925 4.134 933 180 4,134 J3 linic Bank tha SeeJJrity and salety 1.872 3,670 560 Qsankng h1 Salary. Nl ond pemon Stab(mary, 8nd i>)stsge rdoph• intomet 14.BOI 14,501 t2,2 1,527 2.307 4.OCQ 9.738 Q.4841 1,879 8,240 6.931 9.738 r2.4641 1.879 8,240 5.931 U01e8 22,247 2.091 13,453 R•w'r m8lntenats> S&%rity •nd 4fety pplbo and Sory e¥pon Wa ¥nd refusg Equi>mort reral 2.381 1,787 123.550 1.787 123. 111,794 S7254 Total 1 H¥l18ttiwJ gafns 111,794 57.254 Page 3
Furx18 FyTrJs Fur• Leg81 and 140BI 2A76 120 2,875 120 150 125 135 CBF Churth ofEnO*ttl 4.180 4,1&) 4.130 page 4
The PIro¢N Ch Fur•Js Fu8 Ctwrrtt Fumtth & Equyrmnt Ghu Hdl A1Btkn At 318t l)8c¢rnber Nl 1•t Janry 318t DWIL 97, t valuè At31st Dec•Nthr2023 A 31Jt OrKanber2024 Tho w•Thlthrè Fn IèAPO( ofst Johrfs CoNnunly Cth1¥8 been trfjaled aB [wtrtrI bftsu8• the m•Ja byTh• Trnt ofWothan'$ Hdl In 2010 on thtr ba¥18 Ihat Awdallon Limtsj to the LoTh(m Dkwn Fwxl181 Iru8iee tsfthe PrKlIchth olErxle8l•sffjcal ofst. Jthn, W¢miy) foralwm of125 yearn om Da¢•mbw 2(W. 2024 Chw¢h.In8ur•ne CCLI knnce Clwrth Iwl In6uranco rth hal tafoty arnl chu ham rwtsl 1A01 1.148 144 1.081 144 14,418 8 CBFCh BalK¥ 1stJanu 1fkS.514 4.130 109,644 100,865 ethnee3181 D8cthr 105,514 fawn duo TthIn on• Cr¢th bank Crth hall utildi•# Churth hal Ghurth hall 01akIrts Churth hg1188lwy Chwch 11 rnpatrand Martn Churckn aThl WrIlY Churth 11,850 7(#) 422 480 120 2,675 P05
Fu Fu FundB sITlurI rn•lrrt•nanft G•r•r•l Fur .f22 149.123 218,240 Ee.122 178.895 2K017 17.888 731 l•tJwn XQ4 Ov•r(•••> 31¥lJan 2024 tho0)mmunty(xrth 72m 110.329 (8,$9)) 141837 WooltyTrtWlFur CommwtyPI¥ 352,C¥XI WoDWTnJ•l Fund Th•rttlrkl•d c<thpr•tto •nd lthrtof210M18 W•dTR¥IFUrth, ro•Irklkn 01£7,CéO Édw,( fvn Ih•W¢¢m8n Ha¥Tn4tlTrBiryl•r&S thtynun¥)•r2101541 dewedthn. p49•8
SL JibrdN THE EVANGELisf. IVFJIBLETr. MINifTES THE AI¥NIIAL PARIICIIIAL MEETING. OIW StINDAV APHIL 2024. PRECEIIED BY ThE AI¥NUAL PARISII iIIEITIIIG. Forty two thurch rnetnbe were pTrsent for the LPM, 4Dd the ATr.CM. atwdiD8 the Meetiw in peTr) but the w45 able to observe via z(#) ANNUAL PARISH MEEfiNG Yousif on their wedding. There had akn been members of the Congregation. who joined the ranks of the faitlthd deEwtd durAng the year. andheld iti the memorn of th(Kse presenL ELEIoN OF CHURCHWARDENS: Nkiru EglKKhuku Iwl given notice in ttdva of the A.PM. years, and compltted a year as Cljurclnvkn, and now wished to stand down ftir personal reasons. George Onyemekara was nominatej as Churchvffirden by Tok5 Ajayi and Seconded ty lfioma AzAll Uchechi Alioha w&5 nomitiated as Churchwarden by The Rev'd Ngozi Nioku gDd second Nkiru Egbochuku hkd en elected 08 Churchwarden no less than 14 time4 witb 8abbatiL Including ellsw1 the smooth runni of the P]Sh during the IntenEguD% and ttibute wa8 paid to her remarkable service. Dipath Muwon8e also thanked for the efficient execuu(m of bis warden's The notice convening the mL*ting w&8 read by Robert Barker. the P.GC. Secrrtary. at the eTLd of the ACCE}ryAN OF MINtm3 The Minu of the 2023 kP.K and LP.CDL could not be considerd or aceeptal &$ the annual tt h8d ODly been circu]ated on the morning of the MeetiD85.
ELEcfIoN OFLAY REPREsErAV&s TO THE P.CC by rotstion, having Served their statutory three year terni. Before the Meeting. Leslie Bevis.Smith had been proposed for rfrdeLtion by Robert Barker and secDndd by Carole Bevis.Smith. Rita but having served already two term& she did not WA8h to return. Martina Tll. VeTnon and Monica Hinds were both pmw)sed as new P.C.C. membern by the Vicar. Having Consented verbally. they were setonded by Herniltie B8rry-aarke and CatheriDe Miller.Baldwin rwively. and duly wish to become an eletted lay member of the P.C.C. on her retTrement as Chutchwarden. and a place Currentty the onty active sideswollL are Dr. Telford and Kayleigb Telford. In their alk8eo they weTr invited to continue in FXL No volunteezs came forward to assist when they are unable to be present. ELEcfoRAL ROLL REPORT Toks Aiayi the Electoral Roll Officer. pruented h7¥ retM)rL and a cw w&8 8iven to the S&retary. Robert Barker. In 2022. the roll stood at 110. and in 2023 it contalned 116 DOme& . In the ]ast twelve montbs, three names have been added, but deletions bad reduced it to 101. If the mll falls Wow I(. the number of lay P.CQ members mwt be redu1 A dernroll due to be compiled ncEt year. REPORT ON THE PR(KEEDINGS OF THE PARCH[AL CHURCH COUNCtL The Secrew. Robert Barker. was not called upon to suimnarise or answer qu&tions up)n the FINAN(JAL REpoirr & ACCOUIWI5 OF THE P.C.C. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DE(EMBER 2tr23 contxnued to nke financial offerillgs to SL John's. and especially those who have been able to give more at a time when the ct of living is increasthg. She reminded the meetiU8 that a major of Church members were able to proDth our ftneetiDg T( to their frien& and n•8hbLll, it would be to the advantage of SL lohn'&
th Wembley Central Nursery School and Gujarati Cbrlstion Fellowship U.K? A full answer would made available at the next P.CC rnee but G.QF.U.L paid £444 per Calend month April 202 REPORT ONTHE FABRIC AND ORNAMENIS corner of the reh. Ih1nd the lettenL and tbe undereroft of the Or8 chamiw. IEslie Bevis. adjacent to an area whith has already tten underpinned is now siDkin& The C£snllnittee has been aware that there has a problem for time. but it has recently WOTsened. Monitorin8 of cracks in the walls needs to be8iD well lth the ground out in the Sumjntr months. and he asked that it is given priority as an agenda item at the next P.C.C Roberr Barker thou8ht that it lime to refresh and update our notice boards. The one on the High Road Kill daims that we wotship at 9.30 &m.. I1.) and 6.(K) p.nL It v$ agreed they present a Carole Bevis-smith, 8 SL John's repre8ee on the Syncxl. w)iDted out that Its ptime fiuTrction is to enable Brent's Churches to know what tsking Pla in other parishes. and how they might learn This was the first yw when Mr& PiincE58 Chri8tian.Iwuagwu bad undertaken Independent FebThary. It was fe]t tbat son of the work undertaken by OUT previrAJS Lwniner bad been more MArfERS ARISING FROM OTHER REPOR15 AS THOSE PRESENf HAD NO OPPoRTur4r TO READ THE REPOR15 IN DAlL BEFORE F4JOKU OR ROBERT BARKER BEFORE THE NP.c. MEEfING.
At the 20Z3 LP.CthL, the precautions a8aiWt the spzead of 19 were revirf and a year ]ater. the time ha8 come to abandon them altogether. The thn8re8ation were happy to continue ethn8ing the Pe by nal]& in theiT Pl and wav2D& and the Vicar felt it 4)propriate to briDg the collectlon fo to taken during the Peae& She akn WISTr1 JDore to involve the chlldren who woz5hip at to SL John's to in setvic JayiDg the founknn of the next generntion of practisillg Chri8tiaD& Specifically she proposed that the eleDients are canied to the altar at Holy CommuDion Servi by childreTr Until the Covid was raken as to whth or not kneebD8 at the altsr rall for those who are able, should be an optxon. The n)idweek service of Hoty CA)mmw]1o which hitherto tsken place on Thursdays will in future be cdebrted on Wednesdays *t 11.(Kl a.nL p&8t we had hosted SWAY (Sudbury, Wembley & Alperton Youth). an intrr-denorninational exercise in °soft evangelism" to eD8ure that youn8 people did not lthe touch with the Christian faktlL VICAR% REPORT The Rev'd Ngthi Ifioku be88n by relatin8 that the iDKpiratson for ministry came frollk infiuences foun& Trnly grou in knipture aud the Spirit of God". and bletsed with members able to communicate the Message through their preaching. She al80 exPred her thanks for all who serve the SL Jo]Jn s community ill any way. not kast the aeaning Tea the cmly thRn8 wron8 with which is that it Deeds more rneMbe (Offen of be]p invitd) The vi(S vlon fDr80ing forward ranaitis To be seen as a prxyerfill Church Preparing oursefve5 and the wider community to become rnore Confident discipks charitable worL To be proacrive in after GThl's creatio iv)
oINr MANAGING COMMIrrEE. chaTity, and its i)wn legal existcnce. The Wothllen's Hall Tjwt (Wfflibleyx like SL John's Church. was foun by l(Kal philanthropists Frae9 at41 coplan From th¢ir inceptioffj the two bcdi¢s have worked cli)sety together, and currentty the P.C.C. and Tn sh the same S. Th¢ Joint Committee AS legally Constiti to comprise rew¢seDkn of thc CbwcW iticluding th¢ hUMb ez officio. Carok Bevis-Smitl¥ and Catherin¢ M1ll¢r.Baldwi plus two members of the TTWt. Offerings by the congregation do not cover the runniag sts of SL John's Churc. ckrgy stipend, building maintena1c. heating aDd many other expenses. The Centre exists iM)th to proyide a social f¥ilty 0[ to the widcr MmunIty. and to sub&idise the Parish ChurdL Three iftcom¢ st$ are gented by the Commlty Ceotre. use of the Main Hall from Monty to Friday by Wembley Central Nursery SchooL bir¢ of the wnall¢r rixNns on & regular on¢¢ a week bw 4nd casual hire for private functions. Issues reling to the I¢e iswd to the Wembky Central Nursery School h&ve be¢n resolved early in 2024, and this will be an assur1 Inco str¢am for three yeArs. The Proprietrix h&s drnwn to our att¢ntion the deteriojating condition of the fl(x)r surface in the Main Ilall. which remains to be address&l. The Comtnitte¢ has akeady de¢tded that the mlg$ for BadmintoiL r4 game never playd since Ihe Centre was buill will not be reinst when the floor is refiybisw. Late in 2023, a Fire Risk was undert&¢n in th¢ Centre wbi¢h was tmid for by the Workmen's Hall TnL Some anomalies iD it wfflr Ideified by I£sli¢ Bevis-SmIt as a resuft of which it was ttot finalise4 until eady in the New Year. Mgterial4 including highty flamnthle nmterials were found storoj in the Plant Roon4 a practi since pmhil)it&L The arca ben¢ath the Stairca w&8 ling used for stOT8ge, with a foT fire iisL At a rt rneeti the P.C.C. examined the twi7Jility of the area being The Workm¢n's Hall Tnth offered to fund the nstnOn of a storage facility 0rt5ide the main buildi but nothing had been done Èbout this major prnje by the end of th¢ year. The Tnths also offered to kny an Evacvation Chair for the stairc•K we did not go ahead a8 mi¥kls on the markct were unsuitabk f¢x us¢ by un1rnill perS(Ml. and th¢ Buildings Committ, in res5¢ to a dIsc10n paper concernin8 outsknding Works submitt to the P.C.C. by tKslie B¢visrySmith. Of parti¢ular relevan¢¢ to the C.CJLC.. wwe the degree se¢wity on th¢ d(M)r of th¢ Plant R(KKn and the emergency exit gate from the Centre garde The latter Ims to be designed bearDig in mind that it of a heithivhi¢h mak¢s it llY opencd by adults but not small thildren. to compty witb the recomnKthon of the Fire Risk A55¢5smenL Convers¢ty, it must not be apabl¢ of by a p)tential iDtruthr Ixot on violating a safe Spe. The agreal SO1)n is a shoot bolL secured by an FB pad1 the key being housed in a *reak G]- conlain¢r. The is atso, withill the Plant Room, a potentilY dangero$ situation on the Control board. whtch inCOrrdY shows th&t the gas suM)ty be£n turned off. It came to light at the m¢eting that a currenl Electrical Safety Certificate had not bcen obtsined by Dwemb¢r, somdhing which is a 1¢8al r4uiRm¢nt and demanding urgent attention.
Refiection on My 2022025 Annual Report Reflecting on the Heroes of World War II and tbe VE Day Poppy Exhibition A tribute fo sacrifice. resilience, and remembrance. As I r¢flect on the paiod from 2024 into the present year, 2025, 1 do so with a sense of apprehension. Last y¢ar was incredibly challenging. It seemed that ev¢ryone I knew had lost a loved onwany to cancer and oth¢rs by different means. This included my dear ¢ld¢st sister. Victoriffj who lived in the Unitcd States of Amuica. Nhile grief is experienced differently by ¢veryon4 I caDllOt help but express my deep ltUd¢ to all the Church members for your immense support. l am especially thankfijl for your understanding when I had to travel hom¢ to Nigeria during the Christmas season, entrnsting Carole and the Church Wardens with ensuring everything at the parlsh C<)ntInu to run smoothly. I also tske this opportunity to thank my esteemed coll¢agues, Revd Dr Joe Ajaefobi and Rev'd Gospel 1wu0 for stepping in to preach and presid¢ at the Eucharist during my absence. Over the past w¢¢K I have been deeply moved while watching televised int¢rviews and documentaries recounting the haTrowing cxperiences of war vet¢rans. Their testimonics continue to serve as powerful reminders of the unspeakable trials endured during World War II. These stories reflect an era defined by sacrifice, endurance, and the r¢sili¢nce of the human spirit. As A.W. Tozer wrote in his book The Pursuit of God: "When religion has said ils losf word, there i.s little that we need other than GodHimself ' Many of us live out our faith in a way tbat ould be described as"God and... God and a good job, God and good health. These desires are not wrong in thanselves. but when they become demands, they rev where our true trust lies. So we must ask ourselves: Is Godsufficient in our lives? In the midst of that happens, is He enough? At the deepest point of human suffering, there 15 room for no one else but the Lord our God. With all my heart, I say: He is enough and He As sufficient- and I hop¢ you are able to say the same. Our Wednesday Bi7)le Study) held weekly from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. via Zoom, continues to be a Sour of spiritual growth and encouragement. I encourage everyone who is able to make time to join us. My prny¢r and desire foT us all echoes the words of St. Paul: "That Im¢ry know Him and the power of Hiy resurrection" (PhiIippians 3.10). This is not merely intellectual knowledge but a deep, personal experieft of Christ's r¢sueCtIOn power at WO in our lives. Meanwhile, th¢ 2024 a¢tivities at SL John's have continued as usual. Th¢ Noah's Ark toddler group, led by Carole, and the Memory Cafè, led by Catherine, remain visible bridges into our community. We also recognize the ongoing work of the Wembley Central Nursery, by Nk]r which stands as a beacon of sUprt and care for young families in our are I've taken time to read our Secretary Robert Barker's comprehensive report. I want to thank him for his dedication to the PCC and to the life of this church. l join him in thanking each one
of you for your contrlbutions to the life and ministy of SL John the Evangelist Parish Churc Wembl¢y. Rev'd N8OZi Vicar of St John the Evangelist Wembley.
Deanery SynodlAnglleans in Brent Report There were the meetings of Deanery SynodlAIB in 2024. In January our meeting was held at St Miehael'8 Chureh, Tokyngton, where our speaker Pauline M¢ Call who is the Willesden Ar¢a representative for Th¢ Motherfs Union (London Diocese), presented an overview of the work of the Mothers Union in supporting families, prisoners, and regeeS in the Area. Jn June we met at St Michael and All Angels Ill Stonebridge to reflect on church's stewardship of God's Creation. Brent Council gave a pres¢ntation on the Council's 'Faith Climate Action Plan'_ their climate charter with faith and community groups and advised of other projects happening in Brent. St Gabriel's, Cricklewood also told us how they achieved their Bronze Eco Churth Awar& and how churcbes can rnake small ¢hanges lo help the planet. At October's meeting at All Soul's Church. Harlesden, Angela colma the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer for Willesden Area led us in a biblical reflection on safeguarding and spoke about how we can all make our chur¢h¢s a safe place for everyone. This was a great opportunity to think about safeguarding ahead of Safeguarding Sunday on 17th November. UnIess th¢ 15 a partiGular aspect of Diocesan business that nee<Ls attention, D¢an¢ry Synod meetings ate regarded as an opportunity for infonnalion shating and lay training. Meetings are open to all. not just those el¢¢ted, so please attend any that are of interest to you. Our Area Dean is Rcv'd Sophie Schuil-Brewer of Holy Im)ocent's Church, Kingsbury, and the Assistant Dean is Rev'd James Yates of St Gabriel's Church. Cricklewood. Sharon Dunbar of All Soul's Harlesden is the Lay CILair. The Deanery Synod representatives for St John's are Catherine Miller-Baldwin and Carole Bevis-smith. Carole BevISMilh
The Church Wardells Re rt 2025 In all things w¢ give God the glory We give God the glory for protection and guidance through the past year. We wish to thank ¢v¢rybody for their continued suppo¢ patienc4 and contribution duTing the past year. W¢ say a big thank you to Revd. Carnion Ngozi Njoku as she continues to lead us &8 the Vicar of St John the Evang¢Jist Church. W¢ prdy for success for her ministy in this parish. Our member8 are increasing in number gradual but steady. Glory be to God. Congrathlations to the Music Group for the improved perforn]Ce during our church services making th¢ seThrices livelier and more enjoyable. Thank you to Maka Ejehu and ll(enna Odemelam on the keylx)ard and Hendy Ni¢holls on the drums. Special thank you to Revd. Ngozi for this success. We say thank you to all the members of the choir and Lesli¢ Bevis- Smith &s the l¢ader and on the organ for their contribution during Sunday Seice5. Our gratitude aIso goes to Mason and wife, Lada for their tecFmical support with the pmjector every Sunday. Fabrics and ornaments of the parish church: The Parish ornaments are in good nditiOn and safely stored away. The PCC have yet to discuss and approve more CCTV cameras to the back of the church as this hidden area the coverage. Door ring CCTV was approved by PCC. We need to thaoge the lighting around the outside of the Chuwh to energy saving bulbs to help save energy as well as provide lighting to the area. Incidents are still happening amund th¢ church ground people are still gathering around th¢ church entrance and the hall entrance drinking, smoking and leaving their mess around even though the Caretaker has left bins all around to prevent this. There was an incident in the year where unknown people vandalised the external door of the choir vesty but could not gain enty into the church. More in the buiIding report. We say thank you lo the caretaker Mr Gei)rge Dede for Cleaning and Icoknng after the church ground and the hall and for all the WO he does opening and closing the hAII doors for ppIe who use it. The installation and de)ration of the Lychgate which was since approved by th¢ PCC is still waiting to be done. The Brent Council did say they will sponsor this project. This is still outstanding. There has been movement in the organ area. More in the buitding report.
The Gujarati church is now using th¢ church every Sunday. There have been a few incidents: breakag¢ of the pew book r&s¢ and some other minor darnag. They have b¢¢n cautioned hopefully they will be more ¢arefill and the leader to take control of the ConegatIOn. The broken stained-glass door on the entrance door to the south atsle of the church stiii need to be fixed. We need quotes from stained glass c4)mpanies for this. More Thill hopefully be in the building rewrt. The Community CeDtre: The income from the hall h&s now picked with more and more bookings We say thanks to the hall con]mittee members, the caretaker/cle8ner Mr George Dede and the Athninistrator Ev¢lyn who ov¢r sees to the hall bookings and rLuming of the centre. Car Park It was agreed by PCC to rent out th¢ church car parking spaces, to raise fimds for the ¢hurclL Appreeiation: We wish to appreciate all the members of St John the Evangelist Church Wembley parish for all their contribution and support. Our atitUd¢ goes to Camle Bevis-smtth for llkIng sure that our WOTship/services are aired via Zoom for peopl¢ who ar¢ not able to attend physically. We hope the quality and the whole media will be uped in firture. Thanks to Carole also for l¢ading and coordinating the ChristmastNew year servic¢s Én our vicaT'S absence. Our special thanks to the guest pastors, Gospel and Efeobi who also ble95ed with their ministry during this time. W¢ would like to say thank you in partiear to the following: the Admin Staff - Evelyn ApptaM The PCC secTCtary - Robert Barkff, the treasurer Ifeoma Arinz¢, our independent examiner Mrs Princess Iwuagww, the new accountant Hon Mrs Princess Christian Iwuagwu for working tirclessly to get the financial report ready for the APCM and for the Charity Commission. Gwen and her team- Lil, H¢len and Ikenna who have regularly cleaned the church All the side persons -Toks, Joan, Kayleigty Lada and others who have Contribut io this welcoming frontline service. To Gwen and her team: Lil, Mary, Ladffj Mason and others for the hospitaltty, maknng sure people have te4 coffee, biscuits and cake before leaving. Sp¢cial thank you to Gwen for provision of cak¢s and Helen for the biscuits. To Toks Ajayi for overseeing the electoral roll register which is an essential part of church records, the lent purse and the charities supported by theParish. Rita Chiamonww Ruth Oghenekaro for counting our offcrings and contributions each week and Evelyn Appiah for banking our mon¢y
Shibu for looking after our aid claims and organising the gift aid envelopes. All the Sunday school t¢achers for the good work th¢y arc doing with our children esplalIY Simbo Ajayi the lead. Special thank you to our Caretaker and ¢leaner- Mr GwTg¢ Dde. He maintains the cl¢aning of the Community centr¢, its surn)undAngs and the church grounds. His dedication is well appreciated. A big welcome to n¢w members who have joind us in within the last year. God will ntinue to guide and prot¢¢t us all and ble&s His ministy The club: Thanks to Catherine, Len and their team for the memory cafe which is now operating on another level still providing food for the homeless in our community. We appreciate the new ioitiative8. Thursday Services and Wednesday holy communion servlces and Bible Studies Thanks to Revd. Ngozi Njoku for keeping these s¢rvi¢es/Bible study going. We would like to appreciate our Licensed tAy Minister Carole Bevis-srnith, ourcAm]missioned Lay Minister Simbo Ajayi, our Pastoral Assistant Catherine Miller-Baldwin, alld all our service leaders for leading our Sunday services. Thanks also to those who help out with communion. Congregation Special thank you to all the members of St John the Evangelist Church Wembley. We appreciate all ofyou and together w¢ will keep worshipping and spreading the Gospel knowing that God is with us everywhere we go. Glory be to God. George and Uche Church wardens
St John the Evangelist Churcm Wernbley BUILDINGS REPORT 05.05.025 &)xlldeA26.5.025 hilbts dele* l£sli¢ D¢Yis-SThith for thr PCCIBllddin£ Commin¢¢ IMPOR TANTPRELJMIJVARYNOT .. It is recommended ihai readers refer to previouyyears R¢portsfor background information to enablg this doctunenl to be kept as, brief possible. Thiy documenl adve$ tpllhe currenl pIMI"tionAS OF THEDA TEABOVE, not the end of2024. I.CHURCH GROUNDS 1.2 As Previously noted, it is es ntial that the ESCAPE ROUTES from the north Orch) & north-east IV¢sty) doors are cleared, levelled and cleared of aIl debris & re ularl nIntaIne in 00 order. This work is ¢ss¢ntia] & has been noted before but is an item in the Fire Risk Report. All rn1 in ine the silualion where an 1¢ iv blocked orua evenin event and all Includin raivelderl. ersons be esco 1.2 The fencing looks dreadful where tbe black paint has failed. 1,3 Restoration works have tt) b¢ Caled to the Lych Gate & High Road boundary as previously advised. 1.4 The metal 'legal advice, sign to ihe main pathway west access gate must be securely fitted (it could easily b¢ targeted & stolen for Scrap metal). 1.5 The west perimeter gate must be maintained in a closeable & llxkable condition. During recent attempts to close & lock the gate, it was found that the l(Kk would llot engage due to movement of either the gate pos¢ hinges OT closure post, possibly due to subsidence: T Deeds attention As thb ge (al¢hou8h usually open) is escape route ihe ¢ode should be properly recorded by & Iyardens anditis $uxgesledbe on an inlernalsign at each ofthe 3 w( I doors. 1.6 The External Notice Boards are seriously neglected. Although some pernianent Signing has been improve(L the vandalised & weathered glazing(s) have not been replaced and are a poor advertisemenl for the church. The west 'PO8t' signboard has noi been repla¢¢d following its removal due to vandal damage for fixings safety reasons and still awaits attention. The regulor updaiing and proper use of the nolice boardg with magnet fixings are Jeriowly neglected, andihere seems lo be some dnttbi ay to who is.supposed to look after them. 2.CHURCH 2.1 The stntTal movement as previously noted continues to show at the SE corner & other places. The main indications are the progressiv¢ sinking of the pier adjacent to the lectern are cracks in some internal walls, brickwoA( under the organ cracking and floor crack in front of the organ becoming TlloTe obvious. Th¢ movement between wall fixed parts of th¢ organ and floor fixed items including wAnd ducting has illustrated this with wind leak requiring emergency repairs. As noted 1&8t year w¢ remain concerned that debris from the cracks may fall on to pipes, windchcsts and organ meckwiism. Following revised & recommended action by our Architect & Engineers that't¢ll-ta]e' markers are fixed, monthly checks are properly recorded over a period of at least a y¢ar as from June 2024 ILBS). Whilst it is likely that the London Clay is an issue, tree roots sucking up moisture from the ground is likely to be stgnificanl and the professional t¢am strongly advise that we should seek advice from an aTboriculturist in the first instance. The Local Authority maintain the tes. A tree plan has been sent to the Engineers but up to date there has been no comment. This ilem needy to befollowed t4p (LBS/RB). er dark at an ed oul lo sa
2.2 RaRnw&ter di$posal is vital from all roof gulleys. gutters and ground level gulleys which must b¢ kept clear and covtted wherev¢r possible. The gutters betwe¢n each n1n roof are particularly vulnerable, and ideally interim checks should be made where the valley5 drain into th¢ downpipes. 2.3 Damp patches in some walls have been noted (especially adjaeent to vestylloung¢ dooT and S wall of organ cbamber) and be kept under observation. 2.4 Security (A) An issue noted last year at the toilet window which has not been addressed as requested (NB some years ago sotneone got in through a small window such as this). Th Aeeds acln. 2.5 S¢eurity (b) In January 024 there was an attempted break-in seriously damaging the low¢r part of a north-east chapel window. Progress on this issue has been very slow and is still Ongoing: 2.5a The outside vestrylLounge door has been seriousty damaged. The Vicar has had a temporary panel installed in MDF, but the author has no idea of what ig happening regarding th inadequate temporary repaid. Unfortunately & arising from discussion Thilh the stained-glass speciali3( it seems that there is no pbotographic reeord of the statned-glass windows. 2.5b This has been put in hand by the author of this document. 2.6 A Fire Risk As8essment w&s cornmissioned to cover the entire site. Ivhilst the church situation is reasonable and Ing addressed, there was a criticism regarding the lack of Emergency Lighting, both inside & out. Following the specialist's advice, a battery torch has been clipped bylon th¢ external doors,for use only in an emergew. The wardens mtut check every O montks at leaFt. 2.7 Pew damage has been caused during a period of rent of the churcm and organisation of repair is Currently in hand. However the proposed method appears to bave failed, and the use of old/unused book rests is being contemplated. (LBS) 3.CHURCH COMMUNITY CENTRE 3.1 The r¢quired Fire Risk Assessment inspection revealed some issue5 of ¢oncern, including: 3.1 a Door locks & locking procedures for the Nursery is unacceptable & must be chang¢d: 3.lb The emergency escape from th¢ Nursery open area w&s completely blocked and must be made fully workable: Due to the writer being unable to inspect. the situation is unclear. 3.lc Storage under the slairs & in the plant room is criticised and must be reviewed. 3. Id There is no record of safety checks and certift¢ates for the el¢¢tri¢al system, It appears that this may be in hand with th¢ Vicar and a contrdctor with which th¢ author ofthis document has no knowledge. UALIFICATION for this section. A nufftber of works have been carried out und¢r the dire¢tion of the Vitar i?hi¢b the writ¢r has no detail or knowled e of aDd therefore Cannot comment on or di5CUSS. 3,3 The east end main entrance doors security & auto lock system failed rendering the building insecure. WhilJt Ihis wtu resolvedai least on a temporary basis, the at4thor has noled thai rhe self-closer lo this door eiiher need* adJ'u3lment or replacement lo ensure the doors AL WA YS close. NB Whilst there are otkr items arisingfor the Church & Community Centre, the above are the significant issues. ORGAN REPORT 09.05a024
For Inforntion, the completion of the organ restoration is taking an extraordinary long time." However subslanlialprogress wos made some weeks ago with the delivery &fing ofthe ncw windchesifor the choir organ 'Clarinel', andsubsequently ihe pefurn ofit$ 49pipes. The choir nrgan windchest is ready to receive il's sel of 61 'Larigol'pipes. which wlll befinally voiced in situ. the eleclrical connections made, and the newly engravedstop knobfitted LBS DOCUMEKfENDS LBS
Safewli Rwt f(rStJohn's the EVangd Ch WaDbley Submitted to thc Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) My name isyetunde Coker, and I am WTiting to provide an update on the safeguarding measures being implemented at St John's the Evangelist Church in Wembley. We are committed to ensuring that our church remains a very safe place for all ¢hildr¢n and adults, Introduction In the past four years, St John's has not had a dl¢ated Pastoral Safeguarding Officer. which has result¢d in several outstanding safe8uarding issues that need to be addressed. However, we are determind to overcome these challenges and create a robust safeguarding framewoTk for our community. Current safeglding Initiatives We have recendy taken significant steps to enhaftce the safeguarding environm¢nt at St John's: l. Engaging Work¢rs We have activ¢ly ¢ngaged all our church Wo¢1, including volunteers, staff, and clergy, to ensure they are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities. Training sessions and workshops will be conducted to educate them on the importance of safeguarding and the pmcaures they must follow. 2. Obtatning DBS Checks We are in the proc¢ss of obtaining Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for all individuals working wtth children and vulnerable adults. This is a critical step in ensuring that all personnel are appropriately vetted and that their backgrounds are thoroughly checked to guarantee the safety of our community memb¢L7. 3. Safeguarding Posters We hav¢ displayed safeguarding posters promin¢ntly throughout the church premises. These posters provide essential infomiation on safeguarding policies, procedures, and contact details for reporting any concerns. They serve as a constant remints to everyone about the importance of creating a safe environment. 4. Dedicated Safeguarding Phone Line- 07983 806566 A dedicated phon¢ lin¢ for safeguarding issues has been establish. This phone line is monitored by rne which means I can respond promptly to any concerns or reports. It provides a direct and confidential way for individuals lo seek help and report any safeguarding issu. 5. Safeguarding Email Address- safeguaTdingO8tjohnwembley.org In addition to the phone lin¢, w¢ hav¢ sel up a separat¢ email address dedicated to safeguarding matters. This email address is regularly monitored, and all communication is treated with the utmost confidentiality. It allows inth'viduals to report concerns in writing and provides an alternative means of communication.
Future Plans While we have made some prOs, th¢ is still much WO to be done to ensure that St John's the Evangelist Church is a safe and welcotning environment for all. Our thture plans in¢lude: l. Continuous Training and Development Ongoing trainAng and development sessions will be condu¢t¢d for all church workets to keep th¢m infonned about the latest safeguarding PTa¢tic¢s and t() reinforce their understanding of their reswnsibilities. 2. Regular Audits and Reviews We will conduct Tegular audits and revi¢ws of our saf¢guarding policies and procedures to identify gaps and areas for improvement to ensure compliance with national safeguarding standards. 3. Building a Support Network We aim to build a strong support network within the church community, encouraging open communication and mutual support. This network will provide a platforn] for individuals to share conc¢rns and seek adTrice. Conclusion W¢ arc CQD]mitted to creating a safe and nurturing environment at St John's the Evangelist Church in Wembley. While there are challenges to overcom¢, w¢ are Gonfidcnt that with the continued support of our community and the irnplem¢ntation of robust safeguarding m¢&sures, we will achieve our goal. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to your continued support and collaboration in ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of our church community. Sincerely, Yetund¢ Coker
Sunday School and Young People's Report Sunday School is a safe, welcomin& and engastng environm¢nt where children and young people ¢om¢ together to explore Scripture in a meaningful and relevant way. Our t¢a¢hing and learning emph&sis are on helping the children Conne biblical tnlths to their everyday lives. Due to several famili¢s relocatin& our cumt att¢ndance decreasaL and we now have six active children participating regularly. Despite the smaller numbers, each session remai vibrant and spiritually enriching. Every class begins with the children leading in prayer, encouraging than to develop their own prayer lives. This is followed by a Bible le&son or theme alled with the main Chwch lectionary, which allows for a cohesive learning experience between the Sunday School and the wider Church family. Lessons are sometimes enhanc¢d with simple, themed songs or choTuses that help reinforce the message as well &s through independcnt activities such as quizzes, wlourin& and word searches. These are all centred around the Bibl¢ passage of the day. Each $S1On concludes with everyone joining to share the grace together. Some of the key biblical topics we've explored include Jesus, baptism, His temptstion, and various miwles He perfornied. The children also tske an tive role in the main Church service. They regularly read slpture, lead prayer8 and WOTship, and occasionally s¢rv¢ as ushers. One of the higmigbts of our year was the children's Mother's Day prayers and poems, and the Nativity skit which were delivered with great enthusiasm and talent-evida]c¢ of God's Spitit at work in our young people. We are esp[allY thankful to Nadia, who has stepped in as a Sunday School helper from lime to time. W¢ are deeply 8rateful to all members of the congregation for their ongoing support of our Sunday School ministy. A spe¢ial thanks to our vicar, R¢v Ngozi wbose encouragement and inclusion of the children in Church services has help¢d nurture their confidence and spiritual growth. Finally, we give thanks to God for the dedication and commitment of our fellow Sunday School T¢a¢hers and Assistants, Carol, Moriffj Maka and Favour. May He ntinue to bless and guide this vital ministy. Simbo Ajayi On behalf of Sunday S¢hool and Young St JORj
Noah's Ark John's Pre-school Toddler Group Noah's Ark is St John's outr¢ach mission to pre-school children and their parents and carers in the conllnunity. We offer structured 'stay-and-play' sessions, 10.00am - 12 noon and 1.00 - 3.00pm on Thursdays duTing school terni time. Noah's Ark has been part of St John's ministy for over 40 years and meets in the Evans Room of the Community Hall. W¢ op¢rate with an open door/drop-in policy, so people Come when they are able. Although the sessions are structwed, there is pl¢nty of opportunity for children to have fun without realising they are learning; using their fme motor skills during pretend play and their gross motor skills for the half hour before departure wh¢n the slid¢s and sit-on rides come out. There is always a break b¢tw¢en these activities for refreshments alIll8 Story and song time. At this point we also celebrate birthdays, achievements of the children and catch up on family news and church activities. Unfortunat¢ly. we do not do as many crnft activities as w¢ used to, as ther¢ is enough to clear up after a session without picknug playdougb or glue out of the caryet. On the positive side of using the Evans Room, when the weather is good the balcony extends th¢ play are4 and ev¢ryone can enjoy the fresh air and outdoors safely. At these tim¢s there is the opportunity to have 'Messy Play. with sand and water trays. At the end of each terni, we hold a Servic¢ followed by a 'Bring & Share, party. Noah's Ark was one of the founder rnembers of the Brent Parent and Toddler Network, which has since grown to be London-wide and supported by the Diocese. B¢fore the pandemic there were 53 stay-and-play groups in Brent, but since Iwkdowi and the end of the restrictions tbere are now only 15. So many babies and young children are now rnissing out on a vital part of their development, and parents and carers on the support they n¢ed. As a governor in a local primary school, I am aware that nwiy children from this area enter nu education with low¢r-than-averdg¢ basic ski114 which worsened due to the isolation and la¢k of social inleraction of the pandemic. The servirk that St John's provides for the children and parents of our community through the playgroup is vitsl, and has helped 76 families ov¢T the past year At Noah's Ark we try to be the extended family for those who have none and encourage parents to ensage and play with their Children, and through the activities we provid¢. help chtldr¢n progress with their physical, emotional and social dev¢lopment. Th¢ group reflects the multi-culturnl nature of the ¢ommunity in Wembley and is very friendly and iTJclusivc of all needs and abilities. Carole Bevis- Smiih
THE MEMORY CAFÉ AT SAtNT JOHNS CHURCH REPORT TO THE APCM SUNDAY I I- MAY 2025 The Memory Café 18 a Community Project and supported by the Commutiity Action on Dementia and Brent H¢a]th Matters. We are very graieful that Ihe Church (PPC) faci]itsteA the Copland roouL, and overthe years, the Memory Café ha8 been going verywell, al numbers are roughLy 12 to18 guests each week. Obviously, the numbers go down Wh guests have appointments or may forget their day due to their condition. Wc provide Gam&s quizze4 bingo, or guests can do any other activity thcy want a8 we provide a good stock of resources. Wcprovide accessto Immigrntion advicc, Referral to CAB and assistance forawessiag f(M)d banks and mon¢y advi We provide health checks. iticluding blo(NJ pressure and diabetes advice. Thi8 15 carri out here and any other café in th¢ bi)rough atKiut every six weeks. We invite other organisalions to do presentations on other Èssues like. bow to prcvent scams. green doctor, wbo hclps us with keq)ing our energy bil]s low. If need be, they contact our energy supplier on our behalf for installing gadgcts that ¢ould hclp us monitor our encrgy usage. As a network of cafes who are on on different days. we invite otber cafes to our cafes for or games. Our funders allow a quarterly lun¢h at the Chalk hill Commuaity Centre so that we meet up and clljoy a lovely lunch and activities like bingo and quizzes. I have a(Ided a new activily to our group, and this 18 a kne¢ up on the last Friday of the month, agai w¢ invite other cafes, and we d8nce to 50.and 60s' music. and have hot food and lots of funj join us if you are available. We also cel¢brdtc every llLembefs birthday with a cake and cards. I am gratefiil to Lil who continues ¢0 help with dish¢s and cleanup even though sbe usually would have just finished her ¢l¢aning in the church. Bless her. Myself as lea¢ I receive monthly training at the AscensiotL and we have just started a Lunch and Training Group with otherchurches. and the first on¢ will be hosted by St Cuthberts. It's a g(x)d example to see that the priests take an interest in tbis important community work. Wc at St JOI Memory Café covet your Prayers and gre grateful for the support from our Priest R Ngozi. Thanks for reading tbis short RekKPrt. CatELerine Café L£ad
Treasurers Report for APCM- St John's tbe EvaDgelist iith May 2025 Introducdon and Apprecthllon We begin by expressing sincere thanks to every member of our chllh family for their faithfi financial giving this past year. Your generosity Sustains the life and mission of our church and makes a real diff¢rertce in our ability to serve our commutiity. Special tEw)ks also go to thos¢ who volunteer behi1 the s¢enes-especially those who regularly count the offerlngs. and to our dedicated Athninistration Officer, Evelyn. for her continu¢d diligcnce and Service. Your time and ¢0mmitnt ar¢ deeply appcIated. GiTring overe1¥ We are pleased to report that givlng has Increased this year. This 18 a testimony to your commitment to the life and n]ission of our chUh. Thank you for responding faithfillly and g¢ner0S1y. We Also encourage those who give to consider registering for Gift Ald. If you are a UK tsxpayer, Gift Aid allows the church to reclaim 25p for every £1 you give, at no extra cost to YO This is a significant way to help the chur¢h maximise ev donation. Expendfrture IIighlights Vhile giving has increased, so too have our expenses. For a detailed breakdo), please refer to thc Chureb Financial Accounts, which are available for review. Onc of the most notable increases has b¢¢n our contrAbution to the Dlocesan Fund: 2023: £26,900 2024: £40,944 This rise reflects our on-going (nMIttent to support the wider work of the Diocese, and the increased costs associated with ministry and mission across the regio Sumnvdry We ar¢ grnteful for your generosity-thank you. Givitig has gon¢ uh1$ is cncouragin8 and much needed. Costs have also riSespeCIallY our Diocesan rontribution. Pl¢ase consider Gift Aid to help your giving go further. Full accounts are available for anyone wishing to view the finarteial detsils more cloAy. Together, let US continue to be good stewards of all that God has entrusted to us, we build His kingdom here.