The Annual Report and Accounts of the Parochial Church Council for the year ending 31[st] Dec 2020
A Letter from your Wardens
Dear Friends,
We are now looking forward to Easter in this season of Lent with great hope in our hearts.
The past year has been full of grief and anxiety with the Covid 19 pandemic taking over all our lives. The lockdown of the past 12 months has been unprecedented in our lifetimes and took us all by surprise. With the churches closing and no priest in charge to guide us, we could have easily fallen apart.
But we did not! We cannot express how extremely proud we are of our church family and how we have all rallied together to provide loving support and friendship in the toughest of circumstances. We are truly blessed in God’s love.
However, we cannot underestimate the toll that the pandemic has taken on us. Some of us lost loved ones and have had to suffer overwhelming grief in isolation and loneliness, when friends and family would have normally rallied around with love and practical support. Lockdown and social distancing meant complete isolation for our most vulnerable, the very nature of being alone and staying indoors affecting our mental health and physical wellbeing.
Though, through all of this, there have been flashes of light in the darkness. We have seen our community rally together to support each other. Knocking on doors of our vulnerable neighbours, delivering shopping and medicines. We have, picked up the phone, talked, prayed, clapped, baked, donated, laughed, and cried. We have embraced technology with ‘Facetime’ and online group chats. We were all in this together!
We have grown closer to our brothers and sisters at St Dyfrig & St Samson’s with Julian Jordon’s extraordinary drive and initiative setting up the technology to keep services running over the internet, through Facebook and Zoom. Coming together for worship, meetings, quizzes, and coffee mornings online. We really cannot thank him enough for his dedication and hard work. We have also been so blessed to have music piped in live from Nick Bristow and his family choir which has really lifted us as we all join in the singing at home. Thank you to Nick, Evie, and Alfie for your dedication. Nick even managed to produce a wonderful online Christmas Choir Concert that many of us enjoyed, singing along at home.
Having closed the churches with the gates securely locked in March, government restrictions were eventually lifted in July and we were thankfully allowed to open our doors under strict guidance, allowing those not able to connect online to worship in church once again. This was a welcome and vital lifeline to some of our most vulnerable.
During this time, your wardens continued to work with Wales & West Housing (WWH) to drive forward the restoration of our church building and to nurture the promising partnership. There were some incredibly positive meetings and on-site presentations. Investigation works began and we were particularly excited to be awarded with our very own pink hard hats and Hi-Viz jackets!
Unfortunately, in July 2020, after extensive, exploratory works and surveys undertaken by WWH, their board of directors took the unexpected and disappointing decision to withdraw
from the St Paul’s Church Building Project. As you know, the project had been driving forward to provide us with a shared building for social housing and a smaller worship space in the chancel. This decision was not made lightly, after all WWH had invested heavily in the project over the past couple of years. We must admit this was shocking news, especially as most of the legal & financial documents had been agreed. Apparently, the costs of the restoration had escalated to a point where the project was no longer viable. I am sure everyone shared our bewilderment and disappointment, including some of the key project leaders in WWH that we had been working closely with.
Some of you may know that we have been looking for a solution to our church building crises for the past 15 years. It has been a journey of many twists and turns and it was even up for sale for many of these years and the partnership with WWH had seemed like an answer to our prayers. We continue to pray for guidance.
Alex Glanville (Head of Property Services for Church in Wales) has been on that journey with us for all this time. He has always worked hard on our behalf and has been immensely supportive, he too shared our disappointment. However, Alex wasted no time and immediately set to work exploring the possibilities of restoring the church as a multipurpose building, which would host both worship and community activity. Using the potential of the rest of the site (including the church hall) for redevelopment to fund the project. He told us after a recent meeting with the Representative Body of the Church in Wales (RB), “The Property Committee saw this as an inspiring and uplifting project”. We presented the idea with several options to the PCC in November 2020 who agreed to proceed in March 2021. This would be primarily financed by the RB and sale of the existing church hall site for redevelopment. There is still a long road ahead and experience has taught us that there will be many ups and downs along the way. We will of course update you as this evolves.
And finally, the best news! A new Priest in Charge as been appointed. We thank Cheryl and Julian for once again taking a place on the recruitment panel to shortlist and interview the interested candidates. The choice was unanimous and we as so pleased to welcome Father Edward Owen to Grangetown. Fr Edward will be taking up his post in May and moving into St Pauls Vicarage with his family. His licencing will be held at St Dyfrig & St Samsons Church at 3pm on 16[th] May 2021 and will be available via zoom and Facebook streaming. I am sure we will all give Fr Edward and his family a very warm welcome.
With the vaccination program going full steam ahead providing us with hope for the future and better times ahead when we can all be together again. We are at long last starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you sincerely for all your love and support throughout what seems to have been an exceedingly long and eventful interregnum. We have learned so much during the past 20 months, not just about our roles within the church, but about our responsibilities within the community. With your help, we got through it together and believe we have become stronger as a church family and we feel truly blessed to be part of it.
With all our love and prayers
Julia Watkins & Cheryl Dominguez
PARISH INFORMATION
Associate Priest:
Vacant (Interregnum)
Independent Examiner / Auditor: Mr Roger G. James
Bankers:
HSBC, Queen Street, Cardiff
Wardens: Treasurer:
Cheryl Dominquez & Julia Watkins Jean Phillips
The Parish of Grangetown, St Paul is part of the Parish of Grangetown, St Paul with St Dyfrig and St Samson in the Deanery of Cardiff and Diocese of Llandaff within the Church in Wales. The Church in Wales is a province of the Anglican Communion and, as such, exists to advance the Christian religion through worldwide mission. The object of the Parochial Church Council is to ensure that the Life and Work of the Church within the Parish helps to fulfil that mission, both locally and more widely.
The PCC is not a body corporate. Its composition, procedure and powers are regulated by the Constitution of the Church in Wales, as amended from time to time by its Governing Body, set up under Section 13 (1) of the Welsh Church Act 1914. Elections are held at an Annual Vestry Meeting, which must take place on or before 30[th] April. All persons whose names are entered on the Electoral Roll are entitled to vote and stand for election. Before assuming office, every member of the Council must sign a declaration that he or she will be bound by the Constitution.
The Representative Body of the Church in Wales holds the land and property of the Church in Wales including St. Paul’s Church building, its contents and the Churchyard. The Representative Body is an Exempt Charity and was set up under Section 13 (2) of the Welsh Church Act 1914. It acts on behalf of the Province in paying the stipends of full-time clergy; and administrators of the Church in Wales’ scheme of covenanted giving and recovers tax on behalf of parishes.
The PCC is responsible inter alia for promoting the mission of the Church, the parochial budget and all expenditure there under, the care and maintenance of the church fabric and all of the churchyard, and for action on any other matter referred to it in accordance with the Constitution. The Council is also the normal channel of communication between the parishioners and the Bishop of the Diocese.
ST PAULS CHURCH, GRANGETOWN PARISH ACCOUNTS FOR PERIOD ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2019 INCOME
| 2019 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| OPENING BALANCE | 13,068.62 | 13,705.98 |
| COLLECTIONS(ENVELOPES) | 7,319.25 | 5,443.60 |
| COLLECTIONS(LOOSE) | 1,708.88 | 438.30 |
| COLLECTIONS(FUNERALS) | 1,354.52 | 149.30 |
| WEDDING BANNS | 325.00 | 40.00 |
| FUNERAL FEES | 994.00 | 100.00 |
| CHRISTMAS ENVELOPES | 100.00 | |
| EASTER ENVELOPES | 255.00 | 0 |
| GIFT AID COVENENTS | 2,904.12 | 3,872.01 |
| INTEREST IRON ROOM | 563.13 | 442.82 |
| LENT BOXES AND LENT LUNCHES | 403.52 | 73.00 |
| HOME COMMUNION | 77.00 | 10.00 |
| ENVELOPES DIRECT GIVING | 3,323.25 | 3,518.88 |
| GIFT AID DIRECT | 722.80 | 776.69 |
| CHURCH IN WALES | 80.00 | 1,915.08 |
| DONATIONS | 5,990.39 | 815.00 |
| VOTIVE CANDLES. | 215.00 | 0 |
| CHRISTMAS BAZZAR | 3,151.80 | 0 |
| SUMMER FETE | 1,705.00 | 0 |
| ST PAULS SAVINGS CLUB | 0 | |
| QUOTA REBATE | 1,878.02 | 10,197.28 |
| HALL RENTS | 9,457.00 | 558.00 |
| BAPTISM COLLECTIONS | 143.77 | 28.00 |
| REBATE(UTILITIES) | 0 | 297.70 |
| SPECIAL SERVICES COLLECTON | 177.40 | 0 |
| SWEDISH TRIP FLIGHTS | 1,126.40 | 0 |
| FUNDRAISING | 730.60 | 50.80 |
| CHEQUES NOT CASHED | 120.00 | 0 |
| ST DYFRIG & ST SAMSONQUOTA | 14,714.24 | 14,175.96 |
| SAVINGS CLUB TRANSFER | 27,366.60 | 12,520.00 |
| CLERGY A/C ST DYFRIG & ST SAMSON | 1,320.00 | 211.50 |
| WEDNESDAY TEA MONEY | 60.00 | 0 |
| MEMORIAL TREE | 124.00 | 0 |
| CHARITYS DONATION | 1,981.51 | 662.50 |
| RENT FOR CHURCH | 0 | 800.00 |
| GRANT INTERNET | 414.00 | |
| TOTAL INCOME | 90,292.20 | 71,316.40 |
EXPENDITURE
| 2019 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| QUOTA | 38,301.72 | 39,377.64 |
| MUSICAL DIRECTOR | 1,685.00 | 290.00 |
| CLEANER(CHURCH) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| CHURCH SUPPLIES | 1,254.19 | 268.96 |
| COPIER AND STATIONERY | 2,305.68 | 997.97 |
| CHURCH COPYING LICENCE | 0 | 0 |
| VISITING PRIEST | ||
| QUOTA REBATE ST DYFRIG & ST SAMSON | 0.00 | 304.24 |
| HALL MAINTENANCE | 0.00 | 482.27 |
| CLERGY EXPENSES | 1,953.63 | 0 |
| CARDIFF DEANERY | 0.00 | 0 |
| VICARAGE ALARM | 91.92 | 0 |
| CLERGY EASTER DUES | 300.00 | 0 |
| SWEDISH FLIGHTS | 1,126.40 | 0 |
| WATER RATES HALL | 710.34 | 168.85 |
| INS CHURCH | 1,738.70 | 444.96 |
| T.V. LICENCE | 155.50 | 39.89 |
| ELECTRICITY CHURCH | 222.92 | 0 |
| WATER RATES VICARAGE | 289.55 | 119.08 |
| INS HALL | 1,657.36 | 1,616.35 |
| GAS HALL | 1,536.65 | 1,045.42 |
| ELECTRICITY HALL | 499.29 | 203.69 |
| CHARITIES | 2,002.03 | 416.50 |
| HALL CLEANER | 1,680.00 | 380.00 |
| HALL SUPPLIES | 1,937.05 | 111.40 |
| GO CARDLESS | 91.92 | 91.92 |
| CLERGY ROBES | 19.99 | 0 |
| VICARAGE PHONE | 0.00 | 115.50 |
| HALL EQUIPMENT | 0.00 | 0 |
| UNPAID CHEQUES | 0.00 | 30.00 |
| ST PAULS SAVINGS A/C | 3000 | 750.00 |
| FUNDRAISING EXPENCES | 644.88 | 0 |
| LENT BOXES AND LUNCHES | 403.52 | 0 |
| ST PAULS SAVINGS CLUB TRANSFER | 26,046.60 | 8,520.00 |
| DIFF | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 89,654.84 | 71,316.41 |
| CLOSING BALANCE | 13,705.98 | 15,541.77 |
FINANCIAL REPORT
In summary
Due to the impact of the Covid 19 Pandemic, the accounts reflect the loss of income and savings. To make sure we have sufficient funds moving into 2021, £4,000.00 has been transferred from the savings account into the current account to give a closing balance of £15,541.77. We also cancelled the monthly standing order of £250.00 into the savings account.
We have been hit severely financially by the loss of hall rents, fundraising and church collections. The main cause of losses:
Hall rents down by £8,899.00 Fetes and fundraising down by £5,536.60
Church collections down by £4,750.85 though a slight increase by direct giving of £195.63.
Thankfully, the church in wales provided a quota rebate of £10,197.28 which helped our depleting funds.
Thank you for your continued financial support and faithful stewardship this past year.
Jean Phillips - Parish Treasurer
PCC Membership
During the year, the following persons served as members of the Parochial Church Council:
Ex-officio Members
Churchwardens:
Mrs Julia Watkins (PCC Secretary) Mrs Cheryl Dominguez
Elected Members:
Mrs Jean Phillips (Parish Treasurer) Mrs Lorraine Watkins Mr Robert Allen Mrs Wendy Evans Mrs Rebecca Goodfield (Safeguarding Officer) Mrs Pamela Propert Mrs Elaine Dimond Maria Kirkness Tracy Davies Porla Hickman
Average Attendance and Communicant Figures
| Service | Attendance | Attendance | Attendance | Attendance | Communicants | Communicants | Communicants | Communicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||
| -18 | 18+ | -18 | 18+ | -18 | 18+ | -18 | 18+ | |
| Sunday 0800 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| Sunday 1030 | 13 | 34 | 11 | 29 | 3 | 31 | 0 | 28 |
| Wednesday 1000 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 10 |
| Easter | 18 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 54 | 0 | 0 |
| Christmas | 3 | 64 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 54 | 1 | 17 |
Average online on Sunday= 36 Connections Average online for Wednesday = 8 Connections Average for the kids Quiz = 8 Connections
Electoral Roll There are 63 names entered on the electoral roll.
2020 IN PICTURES
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