St Mary’s Cable Street: Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31 December 2020
Administrative information
St Mary’s Cable Street is part of the Deanery of Tower Hamlets in the Diocese of London within the Church of England. The correspondence address is St Mary’s Clergy House, 68 Johnson Street, London E1 0BQ. (Tel 020 7790 0973; email mcgeary@pmcg26.uk).
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission, no 1166344.
During 2020, the following persons served on the Parochial Church Council: Joyce Chastell Paul Edwards Joyce Goody Margaret Higgins Bethan Lant (Churchwarden) Revd Peter McGeary (Vicar, Chairman) Nicola Mason (Hon Treasurer) Eddie Milne Jean North Erika Pickin Richard Reindorp (Churchwarden, Deanery Synod Representative)
The Standing Committee consists of the Chairman, Wardens and Treasurer.
The Independent Examiner is Mr Philip Hendry, 30 Vinegar St, London E1 2QQ.
The Quinquennial Inspecting Architect is Mr Jon Bolter, Rees Bolter Architects, Unit 11 New North House, 202 New North Rd, London N1 7BJ.
Structure, governance and management
The governing documents for the PCC are contained in two Acts of Parliament: the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956, and the Church Representation Rules. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. Copies of these documents are available from www.statutelaw.gov.uk. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and to stand for election to the PCC.
Objectives and activities
The PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the Incumbent in promoting the whole mission of the Church in the ecclesiastical parish of St Mary’s Cable Street, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Part of these responsibilities involves the maintenance of the church building and the two hall facilities at 71 and 71a Johnson St London E1. The London Diocesan Fund are custodian trustees of the Halls, the PCC being the managing trustees.
A fuller exposition of the PCC’s activities and aspirations is contained in Appendix 1 of this report, which is a copy of the church’s Mission Action Plan.
Achievements and performance
-Church attendance
The Church Electoral Roll stands at 55 persons. In addition E1 Community Church (an ‘Urban Expression’ church plant, recognised by the Baptist Union) uses the church hall for meetings and services at least twice a week.
- Review of the year
Because of the Covid19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns, and because a significant number of PCC member have no online access, it has not been possible for the PCC to meet. However the Standing Committee have been able to meet informally on regular occasions after Sunday Mass to continue the administration of church affairs.
The Mission Action Plan (Appendix 1) would normally be a good guide to the ongoing subject matter under discussion during the year, but for much of 2020 the priority was the maintenance of the regular (daily) pattern of worship, and the safe guardianship of the church buildings. The large number of people who would normally use the church and its facilities were unable to do so, although the community hall (71, ground floor) has been put to use a hub for masks, Covid information leaflets etc. The two drug counselling services continued to function online and by ‘phone, with limited in-person contact on site.
- 71 Johnson Street: Work remains outstanding to replace rotting doors and window frames.
’ -St Mary s Church: works outstanding continue to include a possible
upgrading of the heating system, although this remains unlikely in the immediate future. The pipe organ (of historical value) awaits funds for its restoration. More systematic repairs to the church roof need to be considered. The PCC tries to build up reserves to address these issues. The mobile ‘phone equipment in the tower is to be upgraded, and works on this are due to begin in early 2021.
St Mary’s has a Facebook page and a blog that give details of forthcoming events and regular services, and a Twitter account.
Nicola Mason’s ministry of prayer and spiritual direction attracts many to St Mary’s, and continues be be an invaluable part of its ministry to the wider Church. She has also been crucial in helping to maintain the pattern of daily Mass during lockdown.
The ‘community larder’ begun in 2017 continues to be used. This is a small stock of non-perishable goods that are available to those who might need them. The Council continues to explore further ways of giving practical assistance to those who are homeless or suffering from extreme poverty.
The PCC continues to be grateful to Michael Ling and his son Danny for their ongoing maintenance care to the church and halls.
The PCC wishes to record its gratitude to Mr Philip Gunner our surveyor, whose patient professional assistance with rental and other negotiations continues to be invaluable.
Relations with E1 Community Church continue to be cordial. E1 Community Church and St Mary’s are shared members of Citizens UK (TELCO). During the year, St Mary’s was one of the founding members of Shadwell Responds, a group of local faith groups, tenants’ association etc, formed to identify and address local needs in the wake of the pandemic. In addition, St Mary’s is most grateful to our Independent Examiner Mr Hendry for his work in securing a grant of £50k from a client of his, which is being used to help children with tablets and laptops for distance learning.
Adrian Lewis continues to give faithful service as Organist, and the Council is very grateful to him for all his work providing organ music Sunday by Sunday to enrich the Mass, during a time when singing was not permitted. In December it was possible for visiting singers safely to present both an Advent and a Christmas carol service; our thanks go to members of the choir of St Luke’s Chelsea and the East London Evensong Choir for these.
The Council wishes to thank Bethan Lant and Pamela Tironi for their work in sustaining our monthly Childrens’ Church when permitted to do so. Bethan and her iPhone have been invaluable in starting a custom of livestreaming Sunday worship, which seems to be attracting a degree of interest.
The Council wishes to record thanks for the life of Lilian North, who died in December. We continue to care and pray for her sister Jean.
It is worth noting the importance of keeping the church building open as much as possible during the day, particular durng a time of uncertainty and fear. A significant number of people seem to be dropping in for prayer and quiet, and it is hoped that the availability of the building in this way can be enhanced in the future. A number of people from other churches that have decided to close during the lockdown periods have shared in worship.
-Financial Review
Details of income and expenditure are contained in Appendix 2 of this report.
The Common Fund payment is the sum due to the Diocese of London as a contribution towards the costs of a parish priest. Our apportionment of £38000 was paid in full (by cheque, quarterly in advance). The apportionment for 2021 was agreed to remain at £38000.
After initiating negotiations to increase the rental income from the mobile ‘phone equipment in the church tower, the PCC were advised to allow the Diocese of London to negotiate on their behalf. This matter has now been resolved with a modest increase.
It is PCC policy to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds (if possible) which equates to approximately two years’ Common Fund.
It is our policy to invest as far as possible with the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund.
Approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by the Chairman.
Appendix 1: St Mary’s Cable St Mission Action Plan 2020.
The Geoff Ashcroft Community, one of the small local groups that use St Mary’s Hall for their meetings, used to have this as their ‘mission statement’. It expresses very well what the Church here stands for:
‘We are seeking to build a community which offers a place of belonging, safety, confidence, friendship and service – in a space where growth can take place and people can experience love.’
Our aims and aspirations are:
1: Before all else, to offer authentic, ordered, daily worship to almighty God.
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2: To explore the ministry of spiritual direction and listening that is being given here. In particular, to maintain a private space where such ministry can take place, whilst allowing the church building to be open and available for prayer more than it is at present.
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3: Allied to this is the development of some kind of administrative space in the church for parish records etc, using space on the western gallery and room below.
4: To develop existing links with E1 Community Church and other local churches.
5: To continue and develop the use of St Mary’s as a placement parish for ordinands, groups and others studying the place of the Church in urban situations.
6: To organise more social functions.
7: To develop links with occasional users of the church (baptisms/ weddings/ funerals etc.), primarily by making the church more welcoming to newcomers, and by the use of the Hall facilities.
8: To foster links with our new tenants in our church halls, and to support them as far as possible in their work with those suffering from any form of addiction.
9: To build up a more structured ministry to children.
10: To develop the use of the church and hall as venues for music and the creative arts.
11: To affirm and support the various local groups that use our Church and Hall, among them:
The Geoff Ashcroft Community
-A registered charity that seeks to help people affected by mental health issues, offering social space, cooking, arts and craft classes and basic life skills and advice. E1 Community Church and other groups of Christians
-E1CC is a church plant begun in 1998 by ‘Urban Expression’, meeting weekly
in
St Mary’s Hall and in smaller, estate based, units.
12: Membership of The East London Citizens Organisation with E1 Community Church.
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-The East London Citizens Organisation is part of Citizens UK, a federation of
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diverse groups
committed to community building.
13: To explore local and/or overseas projects as a focus for giving.
APPENDIX 2: ST MARY'S CABLE STREET FINANCIAL REPORT
| ST MARY'S CHURCH CABLE STREET Financial Statement for the Year ended 31/12/20 General Fund Receipts Incoming resources from donors Planned giving Collections and other giving Other voluntary incoming resources Donations Fetes/Fundraising Income from investments Bank interest Income from charitable and ancilliary trading Fees Rents etc Total Receipts Payments Activities directly relating to the work of the Church Common fund Church running expenses Clergy expenses Utilities Cost of services Buildings maintenance Church management and administration Parochial fees Misc Refuse collection Ofce costs Legal Fees Insurance Total Payments Surplus/(Defcit) Funds at 1st January Net Movement in Funds Funds at 31st December Grants (Includes £2,500 Mercers Grant (2018 £2,000)) |
9,399 - 623 - 10,022 - - 2,500 10,924 - 744 - 11,668 2,500 777 - 777 - 398 - 73,007 - 73,405 - 95,872 2,500 38,000 - 38,000 - 153 - 5,820 - 1,578 - 19,029 2,500 26,580 2,500 307 - 50 - 103 - 1,286 - - 7,099 - 8,845 - 73,425 2,500 22,447 - 225,792 - 22,447 - 248,239 - Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ |
9,399 623 10,022 2,500 10,924 744 14,168 777 777 398 73,007 73,405 98,372 38,000 38,000 153 5,820 1,578 21,529 29,080 307 50 103 1,286 - 7,099 8,845 75,925 22,447 225,792 22,447 248,239 Total 2020 £ |
10,606 1,189 11,795 2,000 3,040 ?? 285 5,325 1,237 1,237 1,147 112,122 113 131,626 26,000 26,000 577 6,019 1,894 19,017 27,507 966 1,648 121 1,669 2,760 6,440 13,604 Funds Rec: 67,111 75406 Current 172833 CBF 64,515 248,239.00 161,277 - 64,515 225,792 Total 2019 £ |
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Independent Examiner's Report
To the PCC of The Parish of St Mary's, Cable Street
The Charities Act 2011 (CA11).
Respective responsibilities of PCC and examiner
received no remuneration for providing this independent examination.
Basis of Report
audit opinion on the accounts. This report is limited to those matters set out in the statement belo
Independent examiner's statement
During my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respects the requirements
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to keep proper accounting records in accordance with s.130 CA11 . And
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have not been met; or
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be reached.
Philip Hendry, ACA
30 Vinegar Street London E1W 2QQ