St Paul's, Marylebone ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 ## **ST PAUL’S, MARYLEBONE** ## **ANNUAL MEETING** ## **2021-22** ## **3rd April 2022** Ash Wednesday - 2nd March 2022 ## **Rector’s Notes** I am reminded of the words of St Paul in the first letter to the Thessalonians, ‘the One who calls is faithful’ (1 Thessalonians 5.24). As followers of ‘the One who calls’ we are called to be faithful disciples in all seasons – in times of sorrow as well as in times of joy; in times of weakness as well as in times of strength; through doubt, fear and uncertainty, as well as hope, light and peace. Over the past year, as we have begun to emerge from the worst months of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been challenged to imagine anew what our life together as a Christian community looks like in this parish and city. Being faithful disciples is one thing I sense we have come to understand more deeply over the past two years. What it means to remain faithful when life’s familiar patterns are thrown into confusion; what it means to remain faithful when we are faced with our own mortality, illness, unsettled situations in our world, and the crisis of climate change; what it is to remain faithful even as we ask that deepest question, ‘Where is God in all this?’ I have been overwhelmed by your faithfulness and commitment to walking in the Way of Jesus through all these questions and in all the upheaval we have experienced in our individual lives and in our life together as a community and church. St Paul writes of the promise of Jesus to be ‘faithful’, and he urges his friends to remain ‘steadfast under all the persecutions and troubles you endure’ (2 Thess. 3-4). We have much to celebrate and give thanks for over the past year and we remember with great fondness many in our community who are no longer with us here on earth; we hold them, and one another, and all in our parish, in continued prayer as we give thanks for God’s unchanging faithfulness to us in all seasons and throughout all ages. Over the past year it has been such a joy to see our worshipping community return to a more regular pattern of worship and communal life, and to welcome a good number of new members to the church community. During the pandemic the increased levels of pastoral care and bereavement ministry, as well as the heightened presence and awareness of the church in the local community, had the positive knock-on effect of bringing a number of new people to the church, both those on the fringes of our church community and those new to attending church. We look forward to welcoming more and more people as we grow in ministry, mission, discipleship and hospitality in our parish. **3** ## **Rector’s Notes contd.** It has been a real joy to welcome back groups and community activities to St Paul’s as Covid-19 restrictions lifted and churches and community venues began to reopen. It has been wonderful to see so many of our long-term community groups come back to the church, as well as a number of new groups joining us. This has been beneficial to our finances and we have seen increased income from rental and personal giving within the church. I am very grateful to those who have shared in ministry and leadership in our church community. **Eurita Edwards and Paul Roadnight** have shown great commitment and energy in their service as Churchwardens over the past year. It has not been an easy year to take on this responsibility as Covid-19 restrictions and health and safety restrictions have changed and adapted regularly, but Eurita and Paul have taken this in their stride and helped build up and draw together our church community during this time of transition and growth. Thank you to all who serve on our Parochial Church Council (PCC) and in various forms of leadership in safeguarding, working with our children and young people, in showing hospitality, in leading prayers or reading the scriptures, in washing linens or helping set up or clear away our church space, in preparing meals and cleaning our church, in administration and pastoral care – we really couldn’t do all that we do without the presence, energy and enthusiasm of each and every one of you! Our ministry team has changed over the past year. **Reverend Alison Mulroy** ended her curacy at St Paul’s in June 2021, taking on a new role as Associate **Reverend Donna** Priest at St Peter’s Bethnal Green. On 3rd July 2021 The **McDowell** was ordained Deacon at St Paul’s Cathedral and began her curacy at St Paul’s. It has been wonderful to welcome Donna to St Paul’s. Over the past nine months Donna has settled into ministry in the parish, establishing good relationships in the church and local community, and has already become a wonderful presence in our life together. **4** ## **Rector’s Notes contd.** In October 2021, **Simon Boulter** joined our team as Church & Community Administrator working across two churches, St Paul’s and St Cyprian’s. This joint collaboration with St Cyprian’s Church is a new venture for us and is part of our ongoing conversation to share more closely in ministry. Over the next year **Martin Carr** will also increase his hours to offer financial assistance to St Cyprian’s, alongside his work with St Paul’s. We will also continue conversations with the Churchwardens and PCCs at St Cyprian’s and St Paul’s to consider models of collaborative ministry over the next few years. One highlight of this year has been the way in which the church community responded with love and hospitality to those newly arriving in our parish. On 4th September 2021 we responded, with only 12 hours’ notice, to the arrival of over 600 refugees from **Afghanistan** at a local hotel on Edgware Road. As a church community we welcomed families to the hotel, assisting in distributing supplies, helping find rooms and essential items, and offering a warm welcome to the area. Over the coming weeks, members of the church continued to support families, volunteered at the hotel in distributing clothes, and offering one-to-one support. In November 2021, Donna started up an **Afghan Women’s Sewing Group** on Tuesday afternoons at the church. We received gifts of material and sewing equipment, as well as a considerable grant from **All Churches Trust** to purchase sewing machines for the group. The group continued to meet until mid-March 2022 when the families were moved to alternative accommodation, and a couple of families to flats within the local area. As we listen to God’s call over the coming year and reimagine and reshape our life together, I pray that we will remain faithful to that call to follow the One who is always faithful to us and to grow in faith, hope and love as we walk in the Way of Jesus. _Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour everyone; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with us and remain with us always._ **5** ## **Agenda** |**Meeting of Parishioners**|| |---|---| |Minutes of previous meeting and Election of Churchward-|7| |ens|| |**Annual Meeting 2022**|| |Minutes of previous meeting|8| |**Election of Ofcers**|| |Parochial Church Council and Electoral Roll|10| |**Reports**|| |Secretary’s Report|11| |Deanery Synod|12| |Fabric|14| |Administrator & Finance Manager|15| |Church Activities|22| |Community Activities|35| |**Election of Auditors**|| |**Date of next Meeting**|| **Any Other Business** (to be referred to the Church Wardens). **6** **Minutes of Parishioner’s Meeting - 23rd May 2021** **Present:** Rev Clare Dowding; Rev Alison Mulroy: Fiona McCreedy and Paul Roadnight (Church Wardens) and 23 parishioners. **Apologies:** Martin Carr, Len and Eileen Dry. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 27th September 2020 were agreed as an accurate record. ## **Election of Church Wardens** Paul Roadnight; proposed by Fiona McCreedy and Susan Davies. Eurita Edwards; proposed by Pam Dawson and seconded by Hyacinth Norton Both were elected Paul and Fiona, the retiring church warden, were thanked for their previous years work especially when adapting to the demands of the Covid-19 regulations and restrictions. There being no further business the meeting was closed. **7** ## **Minutes of the Annual Church Meeting - 23rd May 2021** **Present & apologies:** as for the parishioners meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 27th September 2020 were agreed as an acurate record. **Parochial Church Council** - No change except for the retirement of Fiona as former Church Warden and the addition of Eurita as newly elected Church Warden. ## **Deaney Synod Representatives -** Sue Davies and John Kitchen. **Electoral Roll** - Kim McAucliffe reported 70 people on the roll. **Annual Report & Finances** - These were proposed and accepted. Martin Carr the Operations and Finance Manager was thanked for these. Finances were discussed in relation to the fall in income due to legislated closure during lockdown (Covid-19) and the knock on effect on our rental income. It was noted that we received a Covid-19 grant through Westminster Council amounting to £10,000, as well as support for those furloughed during the pandemic. We also received generous grants and gifts from individuals to support the work of the church during the pandemic. Members of the congregation were asked to consider an increase in giving to St Paul’s to support the life of the church during these challenging times. **Fabric Report -** The Churchwardens Paul Roadnight & Fiona McCreedy presented the Fabric Report for 2021. **8** **Minutes of the Annual Church Meeting - 23rd May 2021 contd.** ## **Closing Words** The Reverend Clare Dowding, presented the Annual Report and thanked all those who had supported the life of the church during this challenging year as the nation faced lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and as churches continued to navigate the way forward in light of reduced income, health and safety procedures and increased pastoral care and adapted models of ministry. Members of the ministry team, PCC and congregation were thanked for their commitment and service over the past year and gifts were presented to those holding key roles in the church. _There being no further business the meeting closed._ **9** **The Parochial Church Council - Members as at 2nd April 2022** Reverend Clare Dowding - Rector Reverend Michelle Lee - Assistant Minister Reverend Donna McDowell - Curate Paul Roadnight - Church Warden Eurita Edwards - Church Warden John Kitchen- Deanery Synod Rep Sue Davies - Deanery Synod Rep Martin Carr - Ex-officio, Treasurer Kirsty Kirby - Secretary Kim McAucliffe - Electoral Roll Officer Julie Southgate Susan O’Reilly Angela Molloy - Safeguarding Officer The **PCC** co-manages the church with the rector. There up to 10 members of the laity on the PCC - partners living together cannot both be on the PCC. Each year at least 2 members are meant to retire. Please let us know if you wish to serve. **Sidespersons** welcome people as they arrive at church sevices. Please see Sandra Kitchen if you wish to join the team. ## **Electoral Roll** Kim reported 66 members. **10** **Secretary’s Report 2021-22 Kirsty Kirby** This has been a difficult year disrupted by covid-19 limitations. However as restrictions were gradually lifted so the various activities returned to normal. Indeed most are thriving like never before. We were sad to see Ali leave after a great send of but have welcomed the new curate Donna who has settled in remarkably well. In particular she enjoys looking after us all at the Barnabas Group. I understand that the finances are not too bad and that plate giving has noticeably increased though we are still being encouraged to give more. The interior of the church still looks very good and the new roof and solar panels continue to serve us well. I have served on the PCC for 9 years now and produced 9 annual reports. So the time has come for me to step down. I wish my successor well. **11** ## **Deanery Synod Report 2021-22 Representatives - Sue Davies and John Kitchen** ## **12 May on zoom** The meeting was held online enabling members to join from home as infection rates for Covid-19 were still high. Jason Roach joined the meeting to discuss the diocesan engagement with questions of racial justice and the response to Black Lives Matter movement. Jason led a presentation followed by the time of questions and conversation, and an opportunity for churches to share how their own communities were addressing racial equality within their own communities. We also heard from Fr Jack Noble as he shared some of the ways St Marylebone School have engaged with the question of Contested Heritage, particularly with regard to memorials in church and school. The meeting concluded with business matters and nomination of school governors, as well as a reminder to those hoping to stand for General Synod. ## **12 July - St John’s Wood Church** A short business meeting was held followed by the annual garden party. Unfortunately, due to torrential rain quite a number of members were unable to join the party (including our own ministry team and representatives). However, the smaller party went ahead in the church hall and was enjoyed by those who attended. ## **4 October - All Souls Langham Place** The meeting began with refreshments and an opportunity for members of synod to meet one another in person. Revd Charlie Skrine, Rector of All Souls, was introduced and shared the story of his own Christian faith and ministry. The main topic for the evening was ‘Vision and Strategy for London Diocesan Board of Schools’ led by the new Executive Chair LDBS, Penny Roberts. Penny led an interesting presentation about church schools in the diocese and deanery, including time for discussion and questions. We also discussed the ongoing response to Afghan Refugees in the deanery and the question of how the churches might reach out and support those being housed locally. Revd Clare highlighted some of the ways in which St Paul’s was supporting Afghan families in the parish and suggested ways in which other churches might engage in this ministry. The meeting ended with business items & introducing those standing for General Synod. **12** **Deanery Synod Report continued Area Dean - Clare Dowding** ## **24 March - All Saints Margaret Street** The meeting followed their daily Mass at 6.15pm. There was good attendance for this meeting and we were grateful to them for their hospitality as people gathered. The main topic of the evening was a presentation by Ven Rosemary Lain-Priestley on Living in Love and Faith (LLF), a discussion series on life, faith, identity, sexuality and gender within the Church of England. Rosemary led a discussion and highlighted the next steps in the process in responding to LLF, and we took time to discuss the material and our responses in small groups. We then moved on to discuss our response as churches to the crisis in Ukraine and the opportunities to host refugees within our churches and communities. The meeting concluded with a number of business items including a nomination to governing body and election of candidates to Diocesan Synod. The next meeting will be held on 28th June 2022, when Bishop Sarah will join us for a Deanery Day and the Annual Garden Party at St John’s Wood Church. **13** **Church Warden’s Fabric Report - 2021-22 Paul Roadnight and Eurita Edwards** 2021 started as another year with Covid and various restrictions in place for the country. Churches were spared this time and allowed to stay open for worship with social distancing and mask wearing in place. This meant our building was being used again not only by church but by the groups who hire our facility - good news for us on the revenue front. All our usual servicing - gas, PAT testing, fire extinguishers, etc. - has been carried out. The Quinquennial report was completed by Daniel Benson and generally the building is in good order. Recommendations have been made, and these findings will be attended to accordingly. St Paul’s has already obtained silver Ecochurch status; we will be working very hard this new year to achieve gold. We would like to extend a big thank you to our clergy Clare and Donna who have worked tirelessly to keep services going throughout this time. Their hard work and dedication is so appreciated. Also a big thank you to church staff for all their hard work with the day to day running of St Paul’s. Last but not least, a big thank you to the parishioners for your help in making St Paul’s church a welcoming place of worship for all. **14** **Finance Report - 2021 Martin Carr** Another tumultuous year of lockdowns and disruption ended on a positive note for St Paul’s finances, and as we sail into hopefully more tranquil waters in 2022 there are reasons for optimism. We remain well supported by income from Homestart and Freshstart who continue to occupy our gallery space. By the end of 2021 hall lettings had recovered to pre-pandemic levels, and these cover most running costs. Our developing administrative partnership with St Cyprian’s should bring savings in due course, and a planned rental increase after Easter should mitigate rising energy costs. Congregational giving remains low as a proportion of income and I encourage St Paul’s members to give regularly and generously through Parish Giving where possible. Our Foodcycle project has been well-funded in 2021, and we are seeking to set-up a separate account for that money in 2022. All of St Paul’s funds and investments are kept with ethical banks, in keeping with our priorities. **15** Financial Statements 2021 Financial 5taternents forthe Year Ended 31 December 2011 Re￿Ipts and Payments ACc￿ntS U￿111Cted Unrestrfcted F￿d Deslsnated Fund ReSt￿ted Fund EThJowment FUTh TDtsI 2021 Total 2020 Recelpts Vc4untary Recepts: Plamed Glvin Collecti(*is al seiwce5 All tjthor giw@VDILntaryrEceipt& Lpg3cie5 Gilt Aid recowrod dynalion5 3,7W.06 3.2PJ.32 2A76.56 E 3,700.￿ £ 3.327.06 E 3.279.32 E 1.920.23 2.476.56 E 1.787.54 3P20.J5 3.02D.L5 E 1.776 92 145.00 £ 14,253.01 E 7029.37 649.24 1.776 92 J,776.9Z TOTAL IZ,476.UY £ Actl¥Ttle5 luThI5 Imve5ttnErt Itmme Chur