2021-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council of Ecclesiastical Parish of Emmer Green and Caversham Park St Barnabas

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ST BARNABAS CHURCH EMMER GREEN

ANNUAL REPORT of the Parochial Church Council (The Trustees Report)

For the Period ended 31[st] December 2021

UNDERSTANDING THE PAST AND LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

During 2021 the PCC took the opportunity to address a number of issues which have become ever more relevant with the departure of the Rev Derek Chandler and the uncertainties associated with an interregnum and what St Barnabas will be like in the future.

The Covid 19 pandemic and its impact on church life and the ability to maintain social cohesion has generated the need to look carefully even forensically at ourselves.

During discussions members provided a variety of views on the role of the PCC and also what the church should be like going forward including the importance of: providing encouragement and support, defining a strategy for the ‘new normal’, helping people back into the world, caring for the elderly who are now less able than 12 months ago, keeping in mind the general public, seizing the opportunity to think deeply and clearly about what should be done, recognizing the injured in our church and community and the importance of children and families.

Rev Chandler was a catalyst in these discussions prompting for consideration by the PCC a number of questions. What sort of church community are we now? What do we aspire to become? Members indicated a strong desire for a return of in person fellowship with the opportunity to have a chat over a cup of tea. Some were genuinely excited by the prospect of regathering, others were concerned. Others expressed the desire to reinstate Bible study groups. Whilst regathering was seen as critical, the importance of maintaining and developing the online service was also seen as important. It was suggested that ‘online’ would become more important for the elderly. The importance of learning from past initiatives was identified. Identifying lost sheep and bringing them back into the fold.

Of particular concern was young families’ ministry. A number of specific questions were raised including: What is the goal? Are we simply seeking to re-establish what we did before in relation to ministry to young families? Will that even be possible or relevant.? Will it work? Views included: the importance of talking to families and establishing what they want, the possibility of developing parenting sessions possibly with other local churches, adopting a simple approach, having a warm and friendly atmosphere, re-establishing and developing connections with schools, using local specialist help for example youth workers and RE inspired team, avoiding taking on too much, learning lessons from past initiatives, offering free coffee and cake to mums on the school run.

For the future and before we can fill our vacancy, we need to determine the vision, hopes and sense of direction for the mission and ministry of our church and this will need the involvement of the whole church community not just the PCC and Leadership Team. We will need to spell out our ‘story’ where we have come from, where we are now and where we hope to be in the future. We need to be honest and realistic about where we are as a church and where we might hope to be in 5 years’ time. It is from this sense of direction for the mission and ministry that the key priorities for the role of the new minister will emerge along with the key personal gifts, skills and attributes of the person appointed which will be needed to help us work towards our vision and mission. Potential candidates should be able to see what the challenges and opportunities of our benefice are and to judge how their particular gifts and skills might “fit”.

There is a lot to be done and the way ahead will not be straightforward.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

St Barnabas Church is situated in Grove Road, Emmer Green, Reading. It is within the Reading Deanery, which is part of the Diocese of Oxford. The correspondence address of the PCC Secretary is 10 Barnard Close, Caversham, Reading RG4 6RZ. St Barnabas is registered with the Charity Commission as a charity – number 1164759.

The PCC members who served during the calendar year 2021 were:

Incumbent - Revd Derek Chandler (Chairman) until July 2021 Curate - Revd Leonard Onugha (from Sep 2020) until May 2021 Wardens - David Howell Mark Burton ( until March 2021) Asst Warden - Wendy Howell (from March 2021)

Deanery Synod Representatives

Elected

Mark Burton 2014 (re-elected Oct 2020 Roger Moore 2017 (re-elected Oct 2020 Members Susie Downer 2016 Felicity Chapman 2015 Wendy Howell 2015 Bob Abel 2016 Irene Lindsay 2021 Noel Drury 2021 Co-opted Richard Cunningham 2021 Co-opted

Other officers not members of PCC

Ass Churchwarden Joy Abel 2021

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The Parish comes within the Benefice of St Barnabas and Caversham Park. Both are separate parishes. From the beginning of 2021 only St Barnabas had a functioning PCC. Derek Chandler until his departure was the C of E incumbent for Caversham Park Parish as well as St Barnabas.

PCCs are charities governed by two pieces of Church of England legislation: the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 as amended and the Church Representation Rules. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All eligible Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

The PCC held 5 meetings during the year. The work of other groups are reflected in this report.

The running of the church is supported by volunteers covering all areas of activity – Annex A

Again in 2021 the pandemic had an impact on church activities.

OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting, in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

It has maintenance responsibilities for the church and the church hall.

COMPLIANCE

The PCC members (the Trustees) of St Barnabas Church, Emmer Green, Reading (Number 1164759) in agreeing this Annual Report noted that they were fully aware of the Charity Commission Guidance on Public Benefit and were of the opinion that the activities of St Barnabas Church met the Charity Commission requirements.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE

From the beginning of August 2021 are patterns of service changed due the departure of Revd Derek Chandler and the start of the interregnum, which meant we became reliant on visiting clergy.

Because of this change it is difficult to provide an accurate average attendee figure that would be meaningful. However, as an estimate for 2021 overall it would be an averaging of 35 gathered with an online presence of 8 meaning and average of 43 per service, which is well below the pre-pandemic 2019 figure of 69. Towards the end of 2021 the average is slightly higher at a total of 50.

The Wednesday 10:30 communion maintained its average of 8 and the 8am Sunday service was postponed for the period of the interregnum.

The largest attended Service excluding schools was the Christingle with 32 Children and 57 adults, total attendance 89.

During Christmas we had School services with a total of 430 children and 118 adults at various services

David Howell

CHURCH MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE

Overview of PCC year

February saw the PCC discussing:

“Come and See” an initiative, overlapping Alpha, aimed at giving those who may be seeking to refresh their faith or wish to understand what Christianity means in everyday life.
The pros and cons of keeping the church open faced with the serious concerns of the Covid 19 pandemic and after robust discussion voting to maintain the church open for worship

The PCC used the April meeting to clear a number of administrative matters including:

resolving unanimously to co-opt Noel Drury and electing Richard Cunningham.
confirming the appointments of Bob Abel as Treasurer, Roger Moore as Secretary, and Richard Cunningham as Electoral Roll Officer
noting that Bill Harper had been appointed Independent Examiner at the APCM
and electing David Howell as Lay Vice Chair.

The PCC also discussed the Diocesan policy on dignity and respect focussing on what we should do rather than avoiding what we shouldn’t do. It was decided that:

A Self Care audit should be undertaken
A PCC Code of Conduct should be produced
There should be an annual PCC Away Day to foster team working

At the June meeting members said goodbye to Derek and wished him and Hayley well in the new challenges and opportunities they faced.

Members also considered the development of a new AV system which might include a single pan/tilt/zoom camera and a new projector integrated with the current church audio system. Work to produce costed proposals is in hand.

Derek’s leaving necessitated a change to the pattern of services. Given the requirement to have communion every Sunday and the limited availability of clergy the following was agreed:

That Readings and Prayers of intercession will from 4[th] July 2021 normally be carried out in church.
That the COGS Service at 9.30am on the first Sunday of the month would be suspended and replaced by a communion service.
Also decides that from 4[th] July 2021 there will be an All-Age Service at 11.30am on the first Sunday of the month Lay Lead.
That the 8am communion service will be suspended until further notice

Towards the end of the year the PCC recommended Noel Drury be considered as an Authorized Lay Preacher and apart from general administrative matters, focussed on the vacancy. There was an Extraordinary PCC meeting at which the Associate Archdeacon Liz Jackson gave an insight into the vacancy process and explained that resolving Caversham Park Parish was a key issue.

Roger Moore

Health and Safety

There have been no general health and safety issues/concerns during a year where the Covid 19 pandemic has dominated health and safety. The church’s approach to the pandemic and meeting governmental and CofE guidelines and regulations is highlighted in a number of sections of this report.

Notwithstanding the central concern of Covid 19, it is important any general health and safety issues are identified and notified.

Many thanks need to go to Douglas Rae who stood down in 2021 from the role of Health and Safety officer. Over the years he has been diligent, providing constructive advice and guidance in an unassuming and low key way.

Roger Moore

Safeguarding

Although 2021 was an atypical year for St Barnabas Church, safeguarding for all members of the congregation has continued regardless. Gradually groups have been meeting again and we have tried to make sure that group leaders are aware of the process of referral if there are any concerns for members of the groups.

I attended the Area Safeguarding Meeting in March, on zoom. It was announced that the DBS checks will now have to be renewed every 3 years rather than 5-yearly as was the case previously. Some church members have already updated their DBS and others will do so in 2022.

Some of the levels of safeguarding training have been relabelled and fresh training or retraining will be organised in 2022. The notices concerning safeguarding were updated in both the Parish Hall and the Parish Centre.

There has been one cause of concern which is being monitored as we move forward. The Diocesan Safeguarding team has been helpful in this process. The process of accessing support from the Diocese has been helped as there is now a “Dashboard” scheme and I have registered St Barnabas with this for future use.

Joy Abel, Safeguarding Officer

Electoral Roll.

The present electoral roll, as of 31st December 2021, contains 116 names, of which 31 are recorded as not resident within the parish boundary. If you wish to be added to the roll, please ask me and I will explain what is required and can supply a form.

Richard Cunningham, Electoral Roll Officer

Planned Giving.

I continue to record who-gave-what week-by-week for our giving schemes on which we can claim a tax refund under "Gift Aid" from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). These are: Standing orders, Weekly green envelopes in the offertory plate, the central Parish Giving Scheme (PGS), and Once-off envelopes.

(For those who don’t know about Gift Aid: if you give your income to St Barnabas, it’s no longer ‘yours’ and so HMRC will refund the income tax. At the present rate of tax £1 earned results in 20p of tax paid, leaving you with 80p; so when you give 80p we get 20p more when we claim that refund from HMRC, and so £1 given by you results in £1.25 received by us.)

Since my report in last year's annual APCM paperwork, I have made two claims to HMRC (excluding PGS) which have resulted in payments totalling £4,050.74; the last one was submitted for giving up to 31st October 2021. The HMRC "Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme" (GASDS) means we can claim Gift Aid on cash donations up to £30 where we have no signed declaration, and a claim for GASDS was included in these two claims.

The PGS scheme carries out a claim to HMRC monthly on our behalf and over the period 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021 reports that it has claimed £5,999.64 from HMRC. At present there are about 20 who contribute by standing orders, and about 33 who give by PGS. Those who pay by once-off envelopes tend to be once-off visitors, perhaps attending a baptism or funeral. Cash in the offertory plate results in a GASDS claim.

The small green envelopes that were used by regular givers remain in use by four givers, but we have saved some money by re-using un-used envelope sets printed for a previous financial year. The givers are asked to correct the printed date on the envelope and write on the date which they placed the envelope in the offertory. Their anonymity is preserved because the envelopes carry a number which is known only to me and the giver. I anticipate that we will continue to use up the old envelopes, which will last for several years yet.

A way to increase our income is for those who pay income tax but who give outside any of the methods I have mentioned in my first paragraph, to join one of these schemes. Please approach me, and I will provide details of the scheme; you will certainly be asked to sign a declaration to say that you wish that income tax you have paid on your gift is be reclaimed.

Finally, my thanks to all those who continue to support St Barnabas Church through the gift of money. Your help is so important in all that we do.

Richard Cunningham, Planned giving officer

WORSHIP AND MINISTRY

Choir and Music

2021 saw the gradual introduction of masked singing back into services. By the end of the year we had returned to a near normal service, just omitting the hymns before the Gospel and after the peace. When the current spike in COVID-19 infections retreats, we’ll discuss returning these hymns to the service too.

In November, we started rehearsing carols in the hope that we’d be able to hold our usual service of lessons and carols on the Sunday before Christmas. It was great to have a choir of 23 for rehearsals, some joining us from the congregation and others from outside the church. After careful consideration, the choir members all took a lateral flow test on the day of the service, and we sang with masks. We’ve been overwhelmed by the response to this service. Many thanks to everyone involved, especially John Volland and the readers.

Regular members of the choir have been a huge support over this difficult period, showing great willingness to adapt to an ever-changing situation. Without their lead the music of the church would be much poorer - thank you all for your support. I’m also delighted to report that we have a few new choir members and others who plan to join us again for Christmas 2022.

Many thanks to everyone who has sung with us this year, with particular thanks to Helen Lam for her help at choir practices, Gail Houghton for accompanying the choir for the All-Souls’ service, and to Guy Watt for his beautiful trumpet playing.

Felicity Chapman

Children’s Church

Children’s Church stopped running as we do not have children of the right age coming to Church. Families stopped attending Church during the Covid pandemic even when the Church opened for in-person worship. We have run it previously when there was only 1 child but this doesn’t work very well and at the moment Mark and I are the only people around to run it.

The Easter Egg Hunt at Easter was enjoyed by about 10 families. The Family Ministry Team began to organise events for families. There were events over the summer – (Rounders and Alternative Olympics) which were enjoyed by those who attended but were less well attended.

Debbie Burton

Prayer Chain

In 2021 I was very pleased to add two more individuals to the list of those who continue to covenant to pray and honour God's name.

We have prayed for:

Those in distress because of illness, bereavement, life-changing events
Those who have died
Encouragement and guidance for individuals and events
With thankful hearts

We have remembered in our prayers over 70 individuals, situations or events.

We give thanks for the freedom and opportunity to raise our concerns with God, something that the pandemic cannot overcome.

I am very happy to discuss the Prayer Chain with anyone who may be interested either in joining it or who would appreciate prayers being offered on their behalf or both.

Susie Downer

Puppet Ministry

The puppets came out of furlough and returned after the pandemic to our schools and for the first time a full nativity show in church.

David Howell

The Study and Discussion Group

The Study and Discussion Group is made up of a small number of Saint Barnabas members, which meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 2.30pm at Irene Lindsay’s home, ‘Serenity’ 13 Saint Barnabas Road.

Our aim is to study the Bible or other suitable Christian material and then discuss how we can apply its teaching to our everyday lives today.

We choose our future programme together. During the early part of the month the reading for the next meeting is circulated, together with a list of questions we may wish to discuss. Sessions begin and end with a prayer, or the grace, and all members of the group are encouraged, into leading those prayers if they wish (they do not have to). Obviously, the group is open to all members of St. Barnabas and we would certainly welcome you if you feel you would like to ‘test the waters!’

Do contact Mark on 9543777 or Irene on 3480485 if you have any questions or would like to receive the material for next month.

Irene Lindsay

PARISH CENTRE AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

Parish Centre Manager

The Parish centre started to return to normal, but minus Happy Feet, Mini Maestro’s and the Thursday drop in.

David Howell

Busy Bees

Busy Bees moved to online Sessions because of the Covid Pandemic and numbers viewing decreased, so we stopped broadcasting in December 2020. We did not hold in-person Busy Bees sessions for much of 2021 because of the Pandemic, but Busy Bees restarted at the beginning of September 2021.

Since restarting in September we have had varying numbers from 1 family to 10 families, the average being about 7 families. At the moment we have a few families with older children and more young children / babies.

Thank you to all who make Busy Bees a success – Mark, Wendy, Roger, Shirley and Rene.

Debbie Burton

Fundraising/Charities Report for 2021

Fundraising

In 2020, none of the usual events could take place due to COVID. As 2021 dawned and restrictions were eased, I was able to plan for the Annual Handyman sale. The weather was kind so as many stalls as possible were held outside, and those inside the hall were spaced out and a one-way system was operated. Mask wearing, Hand sanitising and check and trace were also carried out. We had a great turnout of customers who appeared to be so glad to be out and see people, even if they didn’t buy anything!

The Summer Garden Party and Christmas Fair were easier to orgnise as life was getting back to normal. After an initial panic due to many regular stall holders being busy at the time of the Christmas Fair, others rallied to my call and to them and everyone else, I am eternally grateful. These events are valued in the community as a way of meeting up in these still difficult times and of course, provide money to our 2 charities, Education for Life in Kenya and Masiphumelele in South Africa.

Charitable Giving

Due to financial constraints, the church was not able to make donations to our list of charities in 2020.

I’m pleased to say that the financial situation eased at the end of 2021. The list of charities that we support was revisited, but as time was short the decision was made to support only 5 that have a connection with church members. These will receive £400 each from 2022 funds.

Reading Family Aid
Reading Street Pastors
Wyfold Riding for the Disabled
Yeldall Manor
CIRDIC

Towards the end of 2022, the congregation will once again be asked to nominate charities that St. Barnabas might consider to support going forward.

Wendy Howell

Charities

In 2021 the lifting of some Covid restrictions enabled £5,172 to be collected for seven charities from fund-raising activities and collections at services. The details are set out in Annex B.

Bob Abel

Men’s Breakfast

Men’s Breakfast resumed in July, just in time to say farewell to Derek. The numbers steadily increased throughout the year.

David Howell

Tuesday Craft Group

Due to COVID this had to stop but as restrictions lifted, we met again in a very safe way. We restricted the numbers and sat in small groups wearing masks whilst walking about. Tea and biscuits were "delivered" to the ladies, similar to the practice in restaurants. It was a great relief for many that we could meet up again once a week for just over an hour. One lady who was very apprehensive about starting again decided to try it and was seen skipping on her way home. When asked, she said it was so nice to be out and about again and meeting with friends. The numbers have gradually grown back to between 15-18. We were able to hold our Bring & Share Christmas lunch last December.

It is my pleasure to serve these ladies who always have something to share with each other. We have a great laugh!

Wendy Howell

Parish Centre – Bereavement Support

Bereaved people often have the impression that, after a certain time, their friends and relatives consider it “healthy” for them to “move on.” However, grief is different for everyone, and each person has to find their own way to live with what has happened, and within their own timescale.

Living with Loss has been meeting monthly since 2010, initially as a drop in. The group gradually changed to a more formal support group and continues to be very much valued by the existing members. Unfortunately, this format began to seem intimidating to some people attending for the first time, giving rise to the need for a separate meeting with a different style.

Since October 2021, Living with Loss has moved from the 1[st] Friday to the 3[rd] Friday in the month.

Bereavement Café. This new venture began on 1[st] October and will continue to take place on the 1[st] Friday of the month. The informal drop-in Café provides an opportunity for anyone who has experienced a loss, either recently or sometime ago, to meet others in a similar position for mutual support and understanding. The Café has been advertised in Caversham Bridge, Round and About, and via Caversham Library, the Weller Centre, funeral directors and GP surgeries. 11 individuals have attended across the 1[st] 4 meetings, including 3 men and 2 people from Coley and 1 from Caversham Heights.

Gillian Wilson

Friday Afternoon Friendship Group

We meet on the second and fourth Friday of the month @ 2 p.m. in the Parish Centre for tea, cake, chatter and activities. The latter often include (easy) quizzes, board games, cards etc. – chosen by members. We’re always delighted to welcome newcomers so if you’d like to come along, please just pop in or get in touch.

Mary Cameron, Tel: 0118 972 2942

Mob: 0790 747 1101 Email: marycam7@googlemail.com

Mary Cameron

COMMUNICATION

The first edition of “Read all About It” was published at the beginning of the year. Subsequent editions included short histories of PCC members and also members of the congregation describing their faith journeys

During the year, every week services have been broadcast to the church community using Zoom and a simple camera and fixed position. A small group of AV operators has managed this role. The PCC recognized the limitations and agreed to invest in a more versatile set up that was easier to use. ( see Overview of PCC) Work on developing a costed proposal is underway.

BUILDING MANAGEMENT

The fabric of all three buildings remain strong with no new issues since the last report. We took oversight of the Vicarage on Derek’s departure.

We continue to have a leak in the Parish Centre if the gutters are not cleaned on a regular basis.

The two major expenditure items where to rectify a breakdown in the Parish Centre Central Heating system and replace the wooden retaining walls in the garden.

The vicarage has undergone a significant maintenance programme and the Diocese have now let out the property for 9 months. This means that we no longer have to inspect the build twice a week.

David Howell

ST BARNABAS HALL REPORT 2021

The use of the Hall in 2021 gradually increased through the year. The two regular users who teach Dance to youngsters, were the only groups to run from Christmas till Easter. Government restrictions applied to spacing and cleaning in the Hall until July, causing many groups to postpone restarting, and resulting in the cancellation of our February Fish and Chip supper.

The two Brownie groups restarted after Easter, and Ami Roy Yoga and Maureen Maude Keep Fit were back in action again from May. Harriet Wilkinson ran her evening Pilates class from June for the rest of the year. Daniela’s Zumba class , Age UK Tai Chi and Guides all started in July. The Hall was in use for the St Barnabas Garden Party and for Dereks leaving Party. In September the Wednesday Art Group, Rosehill WI and a new schools Tutor Group started and then lastly Sue Hopcutts morning Pilates class returned in October. Singing for the Brain on Fridays sadly did not restart. But we do have a new User in a Theatre Group rehearsing on two sessions each week.

Thank you to all the Groups who use the Hall. The details for each are shown on The St Barnabas Church website. Thank you Felicity, for your help updating the website details. Everyone is free to look up details of any classes that might interest you. The contact details are shown for the leaders of each group.

In September family childrens parties restarted and I’m delighted that there were 16 parties in the Hall in the months up to Christmas. It’s an ideal space for parties, well thought of and popular.

So without lockdowns, Hall rental income increased to £8,862 in 2021 compared to a total in 2020 of £6413. Income to the Hall supports our Church by a considerable amount, but in 2021 that support had to be almost halved. We hope that 2022 will bring less restrictions and an increase in rental income. We pray for an end to this pandemic by means of vaccines, and that social life, and life in our Church & Hall, can return to normal.

Thank you to Guy Watt for constructing a new external notice board. The old one was falling to pieces. Small items of maintenance were carried out, by painting the porch doors, external windowsills and varnishing over damaged bits of the hall floor.

Thanks to Shirley Choules who keept the Hall clean when it was in action. Thanks to the people in the congregation who help with other maintenance – Bob Abel for accounts & billing, and others for bins, electrical checking and so on.

Jon Barclay, Hall Manager Hall phone 07580 029910

WIDER CHURCH REPORT 2021 – READING DEANERY SYNOD & OXFORD DIOCESAN SYNOD REINSPIRED AND CTC HOLIDAY CLUB

Reading Deanery Synod & Oxford Diocesan Synod

Zoom Meetings

We all got used to meeting via Zoom. We had to learn the new protocols for attending remotely via Zoom.

Some people like face-to-face meetings, but feedback from Diocesan Synod members was that a lot of people did like meeting via Zoom. It is certainly safer, and the green dividend is that avoids the necessity for travel to meetings.

These are a couple of Issues that we have discussed

Holy Communion

When churches were closed for Public Worship, there were no Holy Communion Services. When churches were permitted to open, then Communion was permitted to be “of one kind” (people taking the bread only), and people taking both bread and wine was only permitted in exceptional circumstances. A lot of people were interested in being able to share wine together but from separate cups, as happens in many non-conformist churches.

This issue was being discussed by Church of England theologians, but progress was slow. We had a very useful discussion about the issue.

Witney Deanery put a motion to Diocesan Synod, that it:

i) acknowledges the health advice behind receiving communion in one kind during the global pandemic of Covid-19 and the theological advice that communion in one kind is nevertheless ‘complete communion’

ii) notes that in practice this has caused hurt to some who have been unable to receive bread and wine together

iii) recognises that within the Deanery of Witney there is a diversity of theological opinion on this matter

iv) calls on Diocesan Synod to ask the House of Bishops to offer assistance, advice and teaching on this matter (in particular to address online communion, remote consecration of communion and individual communion cups.)

This Synod requests the House of Bishops to offer assistance, advice and teaching on this matter (to address online communion, remote consecration of communion and individual communion cups.)’

This is one way that we can influence the National Church. However, the outcome has been that use of individual cups for communion is not permitted in the Church of England

Committee Governance

Whilst this may appear a dry topic, good governance is essential for well run organisations. It enables transparency and accountability and effectiveness. So the function, membership and terms office of all boards and committees are being reviewed. This is a long process.

Parish Share Review Group

Oxford Diocese is also reviewing how Parish Share will be calculated in future. The first stage is a review by the Parish Share Review Group. I have been appointed a member of this group. Recommendations will not be put to Diocesan Synod until the middle of 2022.

Reading Deanery Synod

Reading Deanery Synod has continued to function but has encountered difficulties. We do not have a Deanery Secretary, which has made administration very difficult. The Deanery agreed to operate a model of dividing the Deanery into 4 areas, and for there to be an Area Dean and three Associate Area Deans, and a Lay Chair and three Associate Lay Chairs, and One of the Area Dean Team, and one of the Lay Chair Team would be responsible for each of the areas.

Roger Moore was elected as an Associate Lay Chair, and I was elected Lay Chair, and am also continuing as Deanery Treasurer.

Financial Impact of Covid-19

Oxford Diocese agreed not to increase Deanery Shares for 2021 despite an increase in costs. Therefore, Reading Deanery agreed not to increase 2021 Parish Shares. Despite all the problems Reading Deanery managed to its 2021 Deanery Share, although the Deanery had to use its reserves to do so, which was appropriate as several churches also had to do so.

REinspired

Owing to Covid, schools were reluctant to have visitors in. For most of the year only the managers were able to lead some sessions in some schools. In the Autumn Term a few in-person sessions were arranged, and I took part in a session at Caversham Primary School. It is good that children have access to RE sessions led by Christians and hopefully more sessions will be able to take place next year.

CTC Holiday Club

CTC Holiday Club was different in 2021. Instead of a week, it was planned to have one day in a different church each Friday. I volunteered to lead the session at Grace Church, but unfortunately, Debbie & I caught Covid, so we had the cancel the session planned for St Barnabas.

Mark Burton

Annex A – 2021 VOLUNTEERS AND ACTIVITIES

This statement describes how many of the activities involved in running and sustaining the Church were organized and who as an individual or as a team had responsibility for the various activities during 2021. Many activities were in abeyance due to Covid 19 restrictions. Some activities changed responsibility and others were no longer supported New volunteers and members are always welcome.

Worship and Ministry	Worship and Ministry	Building	Building
Intercessions	Sandra Rice now SusieDowner	Verger	vacant
Servers	Elaine Bloomfield	Centre Manager	David Howell
Sacristan	Vacant	Gardens	Tony & Juliet Holland
Sidespeople	Richard Cunningham	Maintenance team	vacant
Sound system	vacant	Hall Manager	Jon Barclay
Altar linen	Susie Downer	Display Boards	Richard Cunningham
Lesson Reading	JoyAbel
Flowers	Wendy Howell
Alpha
Children’s church: Debbie Burton, Mark Burton		Choir and Music Group Felicity ChapmanandTeam

Bible studynotes	vacant
Chalice	vacant
Fellowship Groups
Monday evening	Noel Drury
Thursday (day) Tuesday (even)	Ruth Thomas
Wed Bible Study
ThursdayFellowship	Shirley Corti
Study & Discussion	Mark Burton
Living with Loss	GillianWilson
Bereavement Cafe	Gillian Wilson
Tea &Fellowship	Mary Cameron
Activities
H&S	vacant
Safeguarding	Joy Abel
Centre Drop-Ins	Wendy & David Howell
2ndFridayTea	GillianWilson&Team
Busy Bees	Derek Chandler, Shirley Corti, Wendy Moore, Mark Burton, Debbie Burton, Rene Hood and Roger Moore
Fund Raising	Wendy Howell and Team
CateringTeam	Shirley Corti
Sunday tea	Wendy Howell

Annex B – CHARITIES

SUMMARY OF CHARITABLE DONATIONS MADE IN 2021

Restricted Fund Raising

Receipts		Payments	Payments
Christmas collections	£341.58	£341.58	CIR Drop in Centre
Handyman Sale, Garden Party & Christmas Fair plus some other donationsfor 2 Africancharities	£4,510.97	£2,255.48 £2,255.49	Masiphumelele Education for Life
Retiring collection	£136.01	£136.01	Yeldall Manor
Retiring collection	£80.15	£80.15	Royal British Legion
Christingle Service	£64.55	£64.55	The Childrens Society
Totals	£5,133.26	£5,133.26

Donations at Funeral Services

Receipts		Payments	Payments
Two Funeral Services	£39.00	£39.00	Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice
Totals	£39.00	£39.00

Donations made from Genral Funds

No donations were made from General Funds in 2021. It is hoped to resume our pratcice of making £2,000 to £3,000 available for local charities in 2022.

ST BARNABAS CHURCH Emmer Green Reading Registered Ch*rity Iyo: 1164759 REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31st DECEMBER 2021

ST BARNAOAS CHURCH Emmer Green Readl Admbnlstratlvelnfomwtlon St Bamabasthurchls sKu8ted ortst Barra Road, Emm GrÈen. ReaOlnE RG48RA. It 1$ Inthe Readln8 DeamtyDf the Dloce5e ol (thrd wlthin the CIMJrch of England. It Is mana8ed bythp Parochlal Church Countll, whkh Isa body corporate IPCCPowers Measure 1956. Church Repre5eTrt8tlon Ru1È5 20111 and 1$ a Chaty registered WlththecharftycomrniiD. Membeys ofthe Pccare reglsteredtrustees ofthecharfty. Reglstered Charfty No.. 1164759 Re8iStered Addr•s5'. St Bamabas Vicarage, 205t Barnabas Road, EmmerGreen. Reading RG48RA Telephom¢.' 0118 9478239 Webs11e: wWw.saintbarrbas. Tnjstees and memberstsf the Parochlal Chur¢h Countll.. Ex Offtclo: IrKumbent'. Curate.. warde.. Revd Derek Chandler Ichairrnanl luntlljuly 20211 d Leonard Onu8ha luntil May 20211 David Howell Mèrk 8urton luntll Mar 20211 Wendy Howell lfrom Mar 20211 Assst W•rden.' Elerted Membs'. Deanery5ynod Represenithes: Mark Burton ftr Moore (Church SetTetaryl Bob Abel (Treasurefl Felicity Chapman Richard Cunningham Ictropted Apr 20211 Susie Downer Neel Drury IciH)Pted Apr 20211 Irene Lindsay (elected Mar20111 Wendy Howell Other Offir5 Tt members ofthe PCC.. Assst Warden: Joy Abel (from MaT 20211 Independem Examlmr Williarn Harper Sunnybank, Hlgh StreeL Upton, Didcot OXII 9JE Brtlays Bank pk Lelcester LE87 2BB Senator House. 85 Queen Victorla street, L(dOn EC4V 4Er Contents.. Pa8e I AdmlnL4tratlve Inf0mtTh Page 2 Flnance Report Page 3 Independent Examinei's Report Pa8e4 Financial Statements Page 5-7 Ni)te5to the Flnancial Statements Page I

5TBARNABAS OIURCH Emmer Green Re4dlr MnaKeReport Asecond¥eaF of restCt$Me2o1IdrffkttQrn?naseIInan3lty. th panOLStrfpn receipts by ES.7LU Thelossof a contrlbutlon from the ster Church in the BEnÈfice. and reduted InLyJme Irom Hall rental and ntsrmalChuh 4ttlwtre5. Inirially su88este thatwewould haye diffitutypay4nBourPari5h Sh&re H(hvthr. thIs%aSduced b¥thE Dillce5e and a 83¢¥ recel¥ed In 2020dldeTrsure thatwewould not run Outof lundsintheiTnfflediatefuture. Ti8hi control ol expenditu ha5hEIO to keep the deflchl lorthe year m4na8eable. bui Inthelon8ertermwewll need to ÈÈnÈtate sLf@t Inwrnetobbkènfhe bJdWètwJ en5we thatweran payfore8 unexperted maintenat1nedS. Pl3nned8lvln8of £36.417 In 2021 ¥¥as É859hhertnthÈ prÈvkn5wr12V20'£35.5481. Jnd ord1narycdlectS reCtr•efft)m É992 In 20201o£2.083 lan irhcreaseot£l91). Donatlons hDwever.decrÈasedfrom ElQ.2761n 2020to £5.93110 2021 (dow) É4.3451. Induded ithin the 1020fi8ure W851he£5.WOp.a. contrihrted bytsversham Park thurch LEP In reco8nhllon of the mlniStrypro¥M1ed tothÈm bythe Intumbent. Th15contributioTrstopped whenihe Churth of En8lènd withdrewfrDm the LEPatthEend of 2020 Glt ald taXrew¥e4 was upby£369 1£9ts56 In 2020..EIO.015 20211. Theleesrec&¥ed for¥veddlnÈs èndfuheralsafflounted to £1.114 in 20211£7.2281n 20201. the decrease of £1.114 leCtIng paymentsmade atthe end o120201oT weddin85scheduled foreartyin 2021. Contlnuingcowd reStriCtn5 ffEEthdthe n(OMe1r01e hlrfngout otthechurch Hall butthÈrewa550me rel0veryorrheOl5pPO1nIln£1Ure of £6,4131n 2020 1É8.862 in 2021, an Increase of £2.4491. Therels eaY st11lto beforethe Hall a8ain r@a(hesffslull potentlal and thls haser ImltiOns,. the atnount in 20191£7I.2111 represented 24%of the Church's urtte Inrome. In 5Urnffl4ry. unre5trfcted reiptsinCrèdsed £891 from É66,Wl lin 2010110£66.892lln 20211. Unre5trtLted expendltureln 20211£68.684I was £1238 lessthan In 20201£70,9221. The4% paldlothe fiocesefortheParl£h Share rEduced by E3,3461£59.148 In 1020.'E55.8)2 In 20211 In reco8nition of thedfftiCultie5eNpErienred bwrn4ny p?rtheSOurln8thepaeM Thetost tsf Èenefdtin8 fUnd51£2.167Iw55jS 55than In 20201£2.YJ)l. thi the Dther hand,aergyc05ts Inre35ed by£5881£669 In 2021.. £81 In 20201. Church rnnnintexp2nSeslÉlJ57lwere£175 higherthJn In 20201£2.1821. and Churth buik1inB Expen5e5 Increased by£l,078 from £6.611 in 2020to £7.689 in 2021. Si8nrfrcantefFort5 have been rnadeio reraIn eypendltudUMn8theVÈarwrthClÈanlll for Inthnce. now belngdonebyyolunteersand Maintenan bn5 confined forthe momeniioe55entlal work. In 2020, aEIS,Im lÈgaty rvceivEdfromthee5tste of 4 lon8-5talngChUFth mernberwaspLxed Inth a DesKqnated FundfDrwtsrki)nthÈ Church's bulldiny lalllnl Outdethedefin1tTh0f norm31 orrDurine mainrenanTr £3.740was5pentfrom thlsfund In 2021 on ura01n1 the woodwork In thePaSh Garden. OtherprojettswhKh had been prevKJu5tyappfmdwlll be proBre55ed when more nornulcwdltlons retumpost<obi&19. Jlthoulhthesefundscould be rea$48nedatthedisU1tsA Df thePCc5h1dthe need 4r15e. srestrirtions on meetlng sn publwerducÉd during 2021,It pO50bl0 reln5Eeourthreefund ralsln8attkntlesla Household and Handwman5ale.a SummerGarden Party2ndèChfi5trnasFasrl and the5E, tO8ethef with 4 5ub<4nr4al donarion. ralsed£4.511 lor the Charit5jh we5uppffi In Africa IE¢ucatloffl forufeand Masiphumelelel. In addrtitsfi. to1ctIonsat Setviiesallowed u5 tQ Send £661 tofive other Iharitie5. None of thesedw4tsonswere p059ts In 2020. Nopa¥irentswere rnade Iromieneralfundsto knlchafitie4 but theaeare ewetted to mÈ In 2022. Unre5tfitted fundsthowed adefititof£L792for2021 IdefidtofE4.516 202OlaDdthexujmulatedbalanOn OuriÈnÈralfufKI at31st December2021 was£27.9791£29.771 in 10201. ThislÈveltsf reseFVE515ee Re5etve5 Pollcy blowl repre5ent5alDlOSt S mrth$Col10r Our current annv41 runnln8cJsts althou8htheseare mLKh Iowerthan rtortnal t(U5P0ffthe influence ihe co restrlLtlons have had on the Chwch'5 norrnal artMD¥. Thebank balan$ at 315t tember2021were £39,210ofwhlch EI4729w45 curreni arcouftiswlth Barda¥s8ankftr lelar runnlngcosrsand a lurther£9.250held on deposrtwith the CBFChurih ofEn8land Depo511 Fund to rneet anyemeryency requ1ment. In ¥ddltlon oneoliheiheearclaysarcountsd£1I.399 In a deWatedfurtdandadefiotof É168ln Wrfcted fijnds reyesentlne refundsof 8iftaidtsK expetted frorn HMRCin 2022. Asthe countryaMst011%Wh tid.¥Ad prttved mtry ngerOuSorntsoI theblrustr>nDtemeréewhich re4uirÈstrowd¢o%rntnenr ¢(lon. It should be posslble to return to somethini rESEtnblin8norm31 condltlonsduThB 2022. That coufd ¥¥ell tum Outtobe antsther drfFlcuh ¥e3rbut we th aile45L5tart hl Iromarelatl¥elyhealthyfifFanoal tson. Reserves Pdkv It 15 the PCC polityto ma1ntrdinabalancei)n unrted fund5whthe4uJtesro * kast 3h5. UnrStrted pbynents. Thi5 15eqUivThf to£17.171 lun8the2021 pa1imentsfI and tshddttsstnorth outfluttuos cath now. Pa8e 2

STBARNABAS QIURCH EmmerGreen Readlnz dependent examlne¢s reporttothe Thbefflbersltvusteesofst Bafflabaslhurch. EmmerGrttn, Parochlal thurch ConCIl I reporttothetrustesson my examlnation of the account5 of St Bamaba5 Church Emmer Green ItheTfUStI for the yearended 31st Deceml)er 2021. Resp0Tr51bllftle5 and bw515 of report A5 thecfvarFtytru5tee50f the Trustyou are responsible for preparation of the accounts in acordance with the requirement5 of the CharitiesA(t 2011 Ithe'ACt'I. I report in SpeCt ol My examination of theTrust's account5 carried out vDdEf Section 145 of the 2011 Att and in carryingout my examinatlon I havefollowed all the applicable DirE(tion5given by the Charity Commisslon undersKtion 145lSllbl of theAct. Independ•)texamlners Staert I havecompleted my examination. I confirm that material matters have cometo rnv attEntiM in connettlon with the eXamInatn8M8 me causeto lIeVe that in any mater1 respect.. accounting record5 were not kept ifi respect of the Trustas required by 5ectwJn 130 of the Att.. Or Ihe 3ccount5 do not accord withthose records. I have no corKerns and have comeacr05s ther matters in cwnectlonwith the examinationtowhith attention should be drawn in this report iTrordertoenable a proper understandin8of theaccount5 tobe reached. Name.. Wllllam Harper Addre55'. Suntybank, Hlqh StreeL Upion, DidcotOXII 9JE Date.. l¥ February 2022 Page 3

rrthtsfar Toi•l Tatsl Vdurt•ry Rttelpts 34417 34417 3.262 5.931 iO.LEO 55.660 CollectKJn54fseThkes Otherwvlngand v&UnrJryrelpts GIATa¥Re¢0ered 1,179 992 5,931 10.025 54,456 9.707 71.673 11,293 3.761 IS54 7,266 Ile 39 1,138 39 1.177 2.283 Total Retlpts 71Iy6 (hLvchAthvlti S5,2 s5.1 59.148 CIeTwandsrafflcCs1& Church ServkeEyrpses 2,a57 1357 JIA29 5,172 75.429 2,167 1182 3,740 MIsshMGivingand DonatSons 5.172 5,172 220 66517 2.167 3,710 TxalPaymehts a,740 5.ln 77.596 7103 EMwllDtlKItI ollitttlptSVrtrP•yrnents 11,7921 13.7401 1s.Jo)) 9758 C•5hitBank•t tstjarry 29,7n 15.139 44,910 35.152 4shit8ankat3LSt Det•mbBr 27.979 Ai,39Y 11681 39,214 44,910 2 siatemrttal Toi41 20ZI Fur FJntt rtlbys&nkCurreniAccouDts CBFChurthol En818nd DePt Fu 18,729 9.250 17.979 11.399 f168 29, 9.250 39,liQ 9.245 44.0 kl,39Y 11681 otherMuMtsrylS itscomeTax reiovw3ble par15h? DnetyRefUrtd 575 1.7 743 1,758 79 Ass•tsYtsiMdforChJrth w 410,> 41¢,9 LTh orherexw)5eS Loan.. At 3151 December2021an IndEfiniteloan of £SremaInEd0tsran¢loB.TrlSSUth had bE¥Trasyd tothe Orrdn Fund but. with thecomptiON f>ftheor8an re8ener3tM. istlEX¥av?114ble. byalement forBeneralchurc wrp)sesatthe dlstrtKJnofiheWorand Wardens. TheattathEdnDte5formpJrtof IenanCl erneD15 PaBe4

STBMKABASCHURCH EnnerGreeD ReJdl lknte5tvthe FlnJn(fj1lStatwts lortheVearEnded Dettyxber 2021 l knalyslsoFRe£dpts and Unre5trfcted Dld Fund Fund Totsl Total Fund5 al Other8mn84lVntyy rhmations Le8acy 5,931 5.931 10.426 15.C Z5AZ6 5.931 5,931 Fund raisin8event5 Rent from Churth Hall Hire Parish Centre café 1.866 8.862 565 IL293 3,761 5,627 363 6,413 565 3.761 7.266 cl Investment Income CBF Depos Fnd knItt yy dl ChyrthArtfvlde5 Fee5 fDrWethSin85 and fvnera15 ViG4r's Discrfionary Fund OtherAcUvltiÈS 1,114 39 1,153 2,283 24 1,138 24 i.ln 19 2.283 el (hlwch Rwinln84nd Sthyl¢• Exp Altar requ1site51fl0vrs Or8ani5rlthoir VTrrf5 rhsurtionary Fu Children &n8Ve0p 5tatlonerylprintlng Fees and 5ub5<riptions Olhtrattwitie5 752 45 752 45 20 233 $50 402 5FA) 876 491 (8 357 2357 f) thurch Wldlry EN•5e5 Equipment/con5urn3ble5 Churth insurance 45 1.889 Bl 3.210 Maintenae c¥n6 1.7 47 3.740 47 IL429 409 3.740 il M1551¢JnGlvlni•nd DDDthTrs DDnabonsfrom¢dlettions at FunernL% Donations for charftable purposes 39 5.133 5,In 39 S.L33 5.17Z 55 6&7 165 220 hl C•#otGwAVw Fynds Fund ralsln8 events Churth Hall expen5e5 2,167 2.167 2.167 1167 2.434 Ildl Feesfor WEddingsand FuneTals arethefee5 retsined byihe PCC. Fee5 receNed on behalf of ihe (XcKese,vÈr8ers and organiStsafKd passed direttiytothem a not included for2021 in accordancewith financial guidancefrom the urth of Endfid, akhou6h they havebeen Induded Snthe FinanclalStatementsfor2018¥nd eadierfftrs. Page 5

SY wr•AW CIIURCH Emmer Green Readl Note5totheAnandal statemfOrthe Yoar Ended 31st Deca 10211(onthuedl 2 B•51sOfAcllnU6 The financial ststementsof the PCC ha been prepared in 3ccordanceith thEthurch Accounting Re8uL4tFOn$2un¥thE Recelptsand PaymEnts ba&&. 3 Fund Unrestricted fundsarEavai13ble for use atthÈdwretvJn of the Pccin furtherdnce of the 8eneo1 objectiSof thÈ Chvrch. RestrktEd fvndsare subjectto restrittions on theirexpenditure Imposed bythe donors or Ihrou8h the temisof an appeal. or fund rai5ingevents or tolle¢b¢ns as agreed bythe PCC. Deslgrkated fvnd5represent amountsset asKJe by the PCC fof use 3tthe discretkjn of the fund hdder. This Is the Wicar in the case ofthe VKar'5 thscretionèry Fund. A Buildin8 Impro¥emhets Fund wasestabllshed by thE PCC in 2020, following receiptofa legacy, ènd is managed bythe Churchwardensand Treasurer. 4 Deted Fvnds Vlcatrs Bulldlng Cl5uOnary Improvements nd Fund 2021 Tot•1 Total aL)n¢e•t tstJJnwry Receipts Payments Balance at31st DKÈmber 174 14.965 SL 15.(L¥) 361 3,740 11,225 3.740 11.399 174 5 Restd¢ied Fynd5 Tot•1 Total Balanceat IsiJanty Rttdpts Donations r¢toived C¢llectiOD5 at Funerd15 Chri5tmas& Othercollections Fulldraisinge¥ents GIftAld Tax rec¢vertd 1351 39 1,179 3.761 25 55 1,179 3,761 ISS P•yn Expen5e5 Funeral Donatyon5 Donatlonsmadeto Uiarities 39 5.133 5,In 39 5,133 5.ln 165 220 •l•n¢e4tytst December 116È1 11681 6 Donaijonsffladefor th•rlt¥ble purposes wereastolknws.. Fuw8ldothatlDns: EduG41bn f¢r L8 maphrn8 The Chihlren's Soaety CIRDIC Yeall Manor 2,155 2,2S5 SUE Ryder 342 L36 Roydl Briti¥h Leg ThE chantSfuno Incltsdestolknionsand sale proceeds from lund rai%ng events donated to Eharftable causes as nomin3ted each year bythe pcc u5 donatbon$8fven ètfvneral& Pa8e 6

ST BARNABASCHVRCH EmmerGreen R&0 Notesiothe FInan Statemtntsfortheyeaf Ended Jtst December 2021 lthttinuedl 7 Ch•rftabl8 GlvlThJ.' 2021 No made from GeneTal Fu*ds dudng the year. 8 Flx¢d assets reialnedforchurch use art: 2019 Churth Mall dedlcated as a Church in 1897 The Parish Centre completed in 2009 Parish Centre Garden templeted in 2010 The regenefated Church Organ completed in 2016 NIA 332,967 18.206 59,736 410.919 NIA 332,967 18,206 59,736 410,909 Fixed assets are Stated at costwhere known. 9 Ca¥ersham Grwp Mlnbtry The followin8fvnd is held by the Rector and Churchwardensof the Caversham Thameside and Mapledurham Parish for the benefft of the Caversham Group Mlntstry. The cfm treasurer provide5 financlal 5tsternent5'. Car Nash Mernorial funds forgrantsto ordlnatlon candidatesand others trainin%foTwork Sn the Church of En8land. Page 7

ST BARNABAS CHURCH Emmer Green Reading Registered Ch*rity Iyo: 1164759 REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31st DECEMBER 2021