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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of The Church Of The Ascension Preston Wembley

2023-12-31-accounts

The Parish Church, of the Ascension (Preston) Wembley

ANNUAL REPORTS

for the year ending 31st December 2023

ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS

and

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

Sunday 21 April 2024 at 11.15am

The Church of Ascension

The Avenue Wembley

HA9 9QL

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Contents

Agenda .................................................................................................................................. 4 Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting Sunday 30th April 2023 ................................. 5 Aims and Purposes ................................................................................................................ 9 Administrative information ................................................................................................... 11 Review of the Year ................................................................................................................ 13 Church celebrations and Mission outreach ........................................................................... 15 Deanery Synod Report.......................................................................................................... 21 Safeguarding ........................................................................................................................ 21 Charities Work ..................................................................................................................... 24 Church Groups .................................................................................................................... 28 Memory Cafe report ................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Ashford place Charity ................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

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Chairs Report

Welcome to our annual report of 2023. There is a lot of information on the past year in the following reports so l won’t repeat what’s already been written.

We set out our vision as a parish in our mission action plan to deepen our relationship with God and our community. We have a chevied the community part and have grown our relations with the community in return we are a bigger family than we were before. New people are joining the church through memory café, parents, baby, and Toddlers which has made our worship in weekdays bigger than the tradition Sunday service. Our average is 60 people who hear Gods word in our community.

Our age range is more balanced and thanks for the work of the lay people who take time to shine and be the light in what they do. New expression of church is, showing God’s love by loving our neighbour as ourselves and serving them the way Jesus did. He never held a church service although he participated in one, mostly he ate with people, walked with them on the streets, he healed them and they came to him in thousands, he did what seemed to be out of the ordinary and upset many but in all this he did his Fathers will. Jesus taught others how to live by example, this is what we are called to be. every Sunday we are sent to love and serve the Lord in our community. His trust in us is phenomenal so let’s trust him that he will fulfil his will in us. Reflect, read, and trust the future that it is with God we can never be overwhelmed so be bold as you continue to serve the Lord. My thanks to each one of you for your contribution my gratitude to the Churchwardens our safeguarding officer our Treasurer and our amazing PCC. With you anything is possible through Christ who has loved us. A happy Easter season to you all Revd Jacqueline Shalloe

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Agenda

Agenda - Meeting of Parishioners, Sunday 21[st ] April 2024 at 11:15 AM

  1. To confirm the minutes of the Parishioners Meeting of 30[th] April 2023

  2. To elect Churchwardens

Agenda - Annual Parochial Church Meeting, Sunday 21[st] April 2022 at 11:15 AM

  1. Apologies for absence

  2. Adoption of Minutes of the previous Annual Parochial Church Meeting

  3. Matters arising from the minutes.

4. Elections of churchwarden

Attendance is recorded for our Archive

5. The Reports

6. Elections and Appointments

Closing Prayers

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Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting Sunday 30th April 2023

Meeting opened with a prayer and a song Goodness of God sang by Jenn Johnson

By Revd Jacqueline Shalloe

Confirming minutes from last year Irene proposed and Tracey Seconded All agreed the minutes.

1. To confirm the minutes of the Parishioners Meeting of 30[th] April 2023

2. To elect Churchwardens

The second item is to elect the Church Wardens, I have received Two nomination:

Thanked Irene for standing in for the year although she had stood down to help keep the roll going.

This concludes the Meeting of Parishioners

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Agenda - Annual Parochial Church Meeting, Sunday 30[th] April 2023 at 11.25am

We're now onto the second meeting which is the APCM...

  1. Opening Prayers by the Incumbent the Revd Jacqueline Shalloe

9. Attendees

Valerie Proctor, Nicola Kent, Irene Stubbs, Anne Bignell, Tracey King, Anthea Revans, Maureen, Nicola Kent Egbuche, Daniela Egbuche, Mary Ann Chukwuenyem, Angelica Chukwuenyem, David Chukwuenyem. John Shalloe.

10. Apologies for absence

Shelia Coules, Roseanna Shalloe, Tim and Florence Woolford, Josie John Ray, Jean and Ray Hopkins Josephine, Sanyu Mudoe

  1. Minutes of the previous Annual Parochial Church Meeting

The was no comment,

proposed by Antoinette, seconded by Tracey, all those in favour.

12. The Reports

Mary-Ann presented the Treasurers report.

Apologised that the last page of the financial reports the last page did not make it into the book.

Need receipts when money is being spent, we are not meeting our targets £84,000.for the common fund.

Priority must be for all of us on the electoral roll to commit to give either by Envelops or through our bank and this will help us to budget for the future, We also need to look at Tightening up on our spending.

Anne Bignell explained the Financial report and we are in red and to think ways we can increase funds in the church. It was also noted the Revd, Jacqueline does not put in a claim, but will be doing this going forward.

Revd Jacqueline and the congregation thanked Mary-Ann and Anne Bignell for the time and their ministry to the church.

Restrictions to be put in place and to be overlooked by the churchwardens.

Toilet papers and soap only for regular lets only parties to be asked to provide their own. Print leaflets only in Christmas and Easter season in colour and on special occasions.

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We need help with posting on Facebook, Instagram, and twitter as Revd Jacqueline is doing all this now but really should members of the congregation.

Safeguarding

The Revd Jacqueline informed us that the safeguarding officer work together to make sure that all responsible role have done their safe guarding training and we are a safe church the report for safeguarding was presented by Nicola.

Churchwardens report was presented by Tracey

She also thanked Revd Jacqueline for her vision and care for the parish and everyone who has supported her and Irene for the upkeeping of the fabric of the church this year.

She asked if anyone had a comment but none was given. Revd Jacqueline thank Irene and Tracey for all they do and for their support.

The Chair asked if there was any comment on the reports

Reports

On behalf of the Church, I'd also like to record our thanks to Anne and Mary-Anne for doing our accounts and financial planning, l have asked Mary-Ann and Ann Biggell to produce a budget for this year for the pcc, so that we can work within this budget going forward. This will help the church to cut corners on things which are not necessary.

And also Maureen for managing our planned giving and gift aid.

13. Elections and Appointments

Nicola has accepted to stay on as a Deanery Synod office for another three years.

PCC members are elected for a one-year term and every but mostly expected to stay on for a maximum of three years and then have a break'

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Nomination proposer Seconder

I'm pleased to welcome as PCC members and Antoinette as our new PCC secretary. I would like to record our thanks to you Sheila for stepping in as our temporary secretary and for recruiting our new secretary.

• Appointment of Independent Examiner of the PCC

Rev David Green is our Independent Examiner, he has told us he his happy to continue in this role and this meeting needs to formally appoint him.

Propose by Ann Bignell, and second by Anthea Raven

I would also like to record our thanks to David for his work and advice on the accounts.

• To receive the names of the Churchwardens elected at the meeting of parishioners just held.

Finally, We also need to formally receive the names of the Church Wardens previously elected at the Parishioners Meeting. We welcome you Tracey King and Tina Ernestine as our new churchwardens. Thank you for a agreeing to taking on this roll, we pray that you will love and honour the church and help to grow God’s Kingdom in this Parish. May God Bless you as you serve him in this wonderful place.

The Vicar would like to officially welcome new members Doreen Brown, Karen Gill, Luare and her husband Fred and their three children, Blasio and his wife Esther, Anglique, Noah, Teddy and David.

The meeting ended with a prayer of thanks led by Revd Jacqueline.

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Aims and Purposes

Our mission statement is:

“To be the visible presence of God’s love in Jesus by deepening our relationship with God, each other and our ”. community

Objectives and Activities

The Church of the Ascension PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Revd. Jacqueline Shalloe, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the Church and Halls and the whole church site.

Achievements and Performance

The electoral roll was revised making a total of 86

The average weekly attendance, counted during October, was 60 adults, and 12 under 17s, this number has gone up due to memory café and Parent, Baby and toddlers being a fresh expression of Church this is a good thing and members by now should be on our electoral roll if asked to join as they have been attend for a year and half.

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Administrative information

The Church of the Ascension is situated in The Avenue, Wembley Park (HA9 9QL). It is part of The Diocese of London within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Vicarage, 319 Preston Road, Harrow, HA3 OQQ.

PCC members who have served from 31[st] December 2022

Ex. Officio Members

Incumbent : The Revd Jacqueline Shalloe Chair (from 8[st] September2022 )

Wardens : Ms Tracey King and Ms Ernestine Allen

Representatives on the Deanery Synod : Nicola Kent

PCC Elected Members

Mrs Anne Bignell (resigned) Mrs Mary-Ann Chukwuenym Treasurer Mrs Maureen Egbuche Gift Aid officer

Mr Michael Haron

Ms Bindu Trevidy

Soulla Kwong

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Independent Financial Examiner

Appointed Officers

The Revd David Green Nicola Kent – safeguarding Officer Tracey King – Children’s Champion Gowers Plus Limited The Old School House Mrs Maureen Egbuche -Gift Aid Officer Sheila Coules – Electoral Roll Officer Bridge Road, Hunton Bridge Kings Langley, Herts WD4 8SZ

Architect:

Karen Butti MA, Grad Dipl Cons(AA), RIBA, AABC

Director, Thomas ford and Partners, 177 Kirkdale, London, SE26 4QH

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Review of the Year

PCC Secretary and Church warden’s report Reviewing the year

Introduction

“Shine as the light in the world so that others may see and glorify your father in heaven”.

Happy Easter and a warm welcome to our Annual Report. These pages represent the living out of our Christian faith as Easter people. The strength and ventures of our church community over the past year and the wide range of contributions and enormous commitment of many people, here in our parish, deanery and the London Diocese . Take time to read this report reflectively to see and thank God for all he has done and to prayerfully seek the Holy Spirit to show you where is calling you and what is calling you to do in the new year 2024 it maybe to write a letter of thanks to others or to just sit and be nourished with God’s love or to work with our incumbent and start a new vision for the church.

It is nice to be a member of a family. Today, we can come to the church of Ascension knowing that we are grounded in two families: our natural family and the family of the church what a privilege!! Much of the life of the church is ‘behind the scenes. If you would like to know more about how things work and how you can be more involved, please bring your questions to our Annual Meeting on 21April 23 or speak to Revd Jacqueline who is our incumbent, our PCC secretary, or your Churchwardens.

The running of the practical side of the church with God’s blessings as named below.

Parish Hall and Youth Centre

Cleaning

We have been paying Agnes Cleaning Company £245.00 per month to clean our Youth Centre and Parish Hall weekly.

Hall Hirers

We welcome our Hall Hirers: Kumon, Karate, Scottish Dancing, Brownies, Carers Group, NHS Fair, Diabetes Group, Deen Club, Jannah Club, Little Legs Dog Club, Councillour Johnson and the Nursery.

We welcome all people in the community and we had our Christmas Party in the Parish Hall for the Memory Cafe and the Chameleons performing 'Dick Whittington' over

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Christmas. We have parties, funeral wakes, engagement parties,wedding parties and different celebrations. We welcome all.

Grounds

The clearance and tidy up of the grounds added to numerous people coming to look at the gardens and comment on trees and shrubs that were planted and donated suddenly being seen again! Our deepest thanks go to Irene Stubbs who donated £2,000 to employ a landscape gardener to cut the trees, weed, power wash the tiles, clear the leaves in all the drains, mow the lawns and restore the grounds. David King has taken this on and has done a wonderful job. David has fixed all the outside security lights and tidied up the area at the back of the Parish Hall. It has shown us that the PCC need to allocate money in order to upkeep our beautiful grounds as numerous people have enjoyed coming and sitting in the garden.

Work done with the expenditure.

· Regular bin collections twice weekly costing between £242.12 to £272.66 with Veola. · The Youth Centre had sinks cleared by Dyno-rod cost 20[th] October 2023 cost £247.00 · Dunphy's Boilers came on 6/11/23 and serviced the boilers in the Church, Meeting Room, Vestry and Vestry Office, and the Youth Centre. We now have gas safety certificates valid for 12 months.

This came at a cost of £617.00 plus an extra charge for the Youth Centre. · ZV Electrics (Jack)installed three new lights in the narthex with bulbs that will last 4 years or more. He also installed a new switch in the Church Cleaning Cupboard and a new light at a total cost of £270.00 which Tracey King has kindly donated. · Brent Pest Control has visited the grounds and inspected the halls every 8 weeks this year and reported there to be no sign of any rodents or pests. · The Church Lightning Conductor Test was completed on 5/6/23 and expires on 5/7/24 Cost £70 · B.T Broadband was renewed and the updated one installed on 28/7/23 We have wi- fi in the Church and Parish Hall. · Pat Testing and fire-extinguishers were inspected on 3/2/23 with PHS Compliance and the service will need to be renewed Feb 2024. Gutters were cleared by Fitzgerald in March. · Frank who fixed the bench outside Church. People are really enjoying sitting on it! · Cecil Hickey from Edgware Builders was paid £50.00 donated by Tracey King to take some gardening bags away. The Church organ was tuned by BC Sheppard & Sons on 20/12/23 at a cost of £294.00

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Church celebrations and Mission outreach

For Black History Month Brent Council gave the community a grant-' love where you live', £500 which was used for the celebrations. Our vicar had given the PCC £500 to invite the community and continue to celebrate black history projects. Our thanks go to Venessa and her family who coordinated this project and Brent council who donated the grant and all those who contributed to this day. The event was attended by community leaders, The Mayor of Brent and Councillors. A wonderful Steel Band, Dancers, poetry and Singers which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

Homes of promise

Soulla Kwong our PCC member has been supports the homes of promise for a long time. She held a fund-raising funday event for the Homes of Promise in Uganda, with a cream tea, face painting, different Stalls and a bouncy castle and the community had a fantastic turn out. £500 was raised and Jane the CEO of the charity was also in attendance. The vicar has called on the church to help and support good causes like this in the future and has asked the PCC for the Homes Of Promise to become one of the charities we start to support as it used to be. Thanks go to all who supported this worthy cause and for Soulla for her dedication for this worthwhile cause. If you would like to donate to the Homes Of Promise please speak to Soulla.

Special Services in our Parish

Coronation service

We had a special service in Church taken by Revd.Jacqueline and we were all thrilled to share this historical event. We sang hymns that would have been sung and had readings and read poetry suitable for the day. We finished with the National Anthem 'God Save Our Gracious King'! We sold special mugs with King Charles' picture and date on it as a memorabilia and also for future generations to know that we celebrated this. After the service we had tea in the Parish Hall with tables decorated with the unionjack flags and had lovely tea and scones. We also had a fair for the community to join in these celebrations it was a lovely day.

Friendship services: We held a friendship service with lunch. This one needs more getting used to but it is an amazing opportunity and we need more of these.

Memory café service : Memory café nativity service was enjoyed by all and also Easter themed service learning about Easter and what it means to non-Christians using pancakes, eggs, plants and the cross explaining what they symbolise. We had a Coronation Short service and a memorial service for our late queen. Tracey has been licensed as a lay person and is

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also on a grow course which has equipped her to lead prayers and as a singer sings hymns in every Memory café session. This is also a fresh expression of church by the church seeing what we do. Loving our neighbours as ourselves, and shining the light of Christ that others may see and glorify His name, Prayers are the biggest focus in this service, and people always give Tracey their prayer requests before she starts to pray, this has appeal to all people from different denominations, and fulfilling our 2030 vision for our church to be a compassionate community and answering Jesus' call Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” (ESV) Memory café welcome the other to be one in Christ with us. We thank God for all on the memory café team and for our Vicar’s guiding.

Parent baby and toddler Service: We had One Nativity Service in church, and one in the hall. We always run our group as a fresh expression of church with nursery rhymes mixed with Sunday school songs and a bible story. It is a happy carefree church service based around showing Jesus love, acceptance and community that even people from different denominations are created by our God and if they are happy to join our group we welcome them without fear and knowing that God is in control, we do use the word 'Church' but we know that where we are God is and is working. So far two mothers have joined the mainstream church.

SCP service : The Society of Catholic Priests held a week day service here at the Ascension where our priest was received as the member of the society and two others and after wards refreshments with lunch. Thanks goes to Assil Bakki for a lovely homemade soup which was enjoyed by all

Mass and Meal Service Revd Jacqueline hosted and welcomed priests from different areas for a social with a Mass and meal. This gathering is held in different churches with priests from the same churchmanship month and it was the second time our vicar has hosted. Fr Mundy was the president

Ascension Day Service the Red Preb. Sandra McCalla presided and led our all age service with the mother and toddler group. It was the celebration of a year since it started and members of the congregation joined in with two celebration cakes and lunch. Our thanks goes to Irene Stubbs who coordinated the refreshments.

All saints Service: Our children and their parents lead the first part of the service and became saints who are represented our church. St Anselm, Mary mother of God, St George, Janani Luwum, all wore white servers robes and finished with 'Oh when the saints go marching in' hymn.

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Service for all souls. This is a service when we pray for our loved ones who have departed and also the former members of the congregation. We also welcome friends and past families who travel to come and remember their loved ones.

Remembrance service

We remembered all those who gave their life in the war so that we may live in peace in this service we were joined by brownies this was part of our 10;00am service. St Pauls

Victoria George was confirmed at St Paul Cathedral on Easter Saturday and some of us who went really enjoyed this special occasion. In October Revd Jacqueline was invited to preach and then together with the congregation for a 4.00pm tea and cakes which was lovely. And the Sunday after they invited us as a church to go for prayers and our church was named and prayed for and our Priest. We have had priest from St Pauls visiting and presiding at our services. We always had a special relationship, and we thank God for this.

Advent service of festival of light with a Concert with Tracey’s Pupils:

We had 30 of Tracey's singing pupils performing in the Church which raised over £300.00. The children were age from 4 to 24 and performed Classical, Musical Theatre, Disney, and some beautiful carols and hymns like amazing grace. The audience loved the two hour concert and Revd. Jacqueline spoke the light having different meanings and Jesus being the light we believe in the Christian faith she closed with a prayer and chatted with pupils and prayed with them at the end, a lot of communities in Wembley were represented and this was good News for sure. Praise the Lord!!

Service of Nine Lessons and Carols:

Our nine lessons and carols were led by Ian Shaw at the organ, and we sang congregational hymns and choral items. The music was heavenly, and Tracey sang all the descants! It is always good to see new readers taking part and new faces visiting the church in this beautiful season.

Mothers Union Service

This was When Bishop Lusa Licensed our Priest as Chaplain of Mothers Union in the Willesden Area. We welcomed the Bishop Lusa, Sue’s mothers union president, Pauline the vice president of Willesden area and many Mothers Union members from different branches and friend of our Vicar. It was an honourable service and the pcc donated the celebration drinks and snacks.

Normal Services

We continue to have two communion services each week unless when we can’t find weekday cover.

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Sundays at 10:00 am Wednesday 10:00 am

We thank Rev Jacqueline our Vicar for her vision and leadership in our Parish, for introducing a wider church of England family and for making our church more visible both in the parish and beyond.

We would like to thank all those who covered this year, Revd. Alison Christian, Revd Alex Volossevich, Revd. Angela Hopkins, Julia Bevis-Knowles, Sophie Schuil-Brewer, Revd Elaine Weaver, Fr. Jason, Revd Preb Sandra Macalla, Revd and director of training Andrew Corsie , Archdeacon Catherine, Bishop Win and Bishop Lusa. What a blessing!!

The vicar has retired Stuart from being a sacristan, so that he can tend to his health and enjoy time of rest and coming to worship without worrying to do all the hard work involved with this position. As a PCC we have valued your contrubition to life of the church would like to express their thanks for the years of faithful service

Training for church ministry

We have six members of our congregation on a grow course and we train at the Gregory centre for church multiplication CCX which is at the Old Deanery ,Deans court London

Our Vicar has been on the Launchpad Training

This will help our church to have a youth group although we lack volunteers, and this is stopping us to start but in every service we pray for children and youth with a prayer Revd Jacqueline has provided. We stand in faith that God will provide for what is needed for this ministry.

We thank Revd. Jacqueline for her vision for our Church and her tireless energy for opening doors and enabling work to happen. We have wonderful prayer sessions in Church for the community and for anyone who wants to come in for prayer. God is leading and guiding us in growing our gifts and working through us to reach out to others in His love. We pray that we can work in unity as a team and use His gifts to uphold His mighty name and let others see Him in all that we do.

'For to those who love God, everything works out for the good'. We pray that God will continue to work through us so that others may see.

Fabric and Inventory

Thank to Stuart's hard work we have an updated paper Inventory with pictures and Revd Jacqueline has done one for online . Both have put in a lot of work and this will make it easier for future updates.

We hosted The Cursillo’s the Diocese of London's AGM, The Deanery Chapter, and The Doctor's Fair with Ashford Place Charity.

Irene, Sheila and Revd Jacqueline joined Bishop Lusa on the pilgrims walk for racial justice. Revd. Jacqueline was invited to preach at St. Paul's Cathedral and the congregation enjoyed

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this very much. It was wonderful to be invited, to be prayed for and to have tea with Revd Paula Holligsworth the Chaplain of St. Paul's a firm friend of our Vicar.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

We celebrated our dear Josie's 100[th] Birthday which was lovely. We held our May Fair and Christmas Fair with delicious food and cakes. We also had face-painting, jewellery, books, toys, cards & bric a brac. Our thanks go to all who helped on the stalls and for those who cooked and baked amazing food! Rejoice in the Lord always and a gain l say rejoice! With Social committee.

Sunday School and Youth

We have nine children in the Church who needs a teacher to pass on the wisdom of God. Are you being called to take on this ministry? can you be that person? This is an urgent need. This is the future of the church and also to be a welcoming church to families in our Parish we need children’s leaders. The truth is, if you know the bible stories and have a heart for children you can teach Sunday school. If you can help, please speak to the vicar or our churchwardens. Jesus our risen Lord commands us “Let the children come to me and not to hinder them as the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Matthew 19:14”Where Jesus is you will find the children so let us strive to serve them and extend God’s Kingdom in our Parish.

Needs in the church

Can you join our garden team? Please speak to Tracey and David Our garden needs help at this time as the grass is growing very quickly and we can afford a full-time gardener . Another way to help is to support by giving to the garden fund please mark the envelope clearly gardening fund.

Cleaning the Church once a month

If you look careful coming in the church you will see cobwebs take time and walk slowly around the church and you will discover that there is a great need to keep the our Church clean, we cant afford to have a cleaner as our finances are less and we have been overspending for the last 13 years, while less money is coming in.

As a family we clean our home and this is our spiritual home. We need a team of four people to clean monthly if we get six teams that means everyone will clean only twice a year, Sheila cleans the church every Friday after memory café the part where we have the café, arranges all the hymn books and the chairs. Thank you, Sheila, for your dedication. We also want to express our gratitude to all those who came to clean and prepare the church for Easter it was much a appreciated and the church looked beautiful on Easter morning keep up the go With thanks and blessings

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With Sympathy and Prayers

A lot of our members have been grieved with loss of their Loved one and as a PCC we would like to express our Condolences to Bindu who lost her mum, Tracey her Brother Hanora her Brother Josephine her sister and Mary-Ann her brother Soulla her Mother and Nicola her Mother Doreen Kent who was a beloved member of this church, Sheila her dear Friend and a member of this Church Patricia she faithful took her communion by extension. Anyone we didn’t mention here your Still in our continued prayers.

May your loved one’s rest in peace and rise in Glory. Jesus promises “ I am the resurrection

and the life those who believe in me even if they die yet they shall live, and l will raise them up at the last ” day. May this hope be the strength and comfort you need at this time till you see your loved ones again.

The vicar is always here for you whenever she is needed, and the Vicarage door is always open for you as she told us when she first came to this Parish. Please don’t feel that you’re alone.

Tracey, Tina and Antoinette

Ecumenical Relationships - Churches Together

The Churches together meetings are held at the church of Ascension Vicarage mostly and we are privileged to have space and host all the churches. We have had two walks of witness which have been a great success. We now have introduced two different meeting which happen in alternate manner one for the church leaders and one with the church the lay people. This gives space for new visions for the group. Watch this space.

Unfortunately, Revd Urich moved on from St Augustine but we welcome Revd Scott and we realised that all the leaders we are new in the area apart from the Catholic leader, God is saying: Isaiah 43:18-19“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

God never stop to amaze!!!

Revd Jacqueline Shalloe

Walk of Witness

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Deanery Synod Report

During the year we have visited a variety of different Churches including St James Alperton, St Catherine’s Neasden, St Gabriels’ Cricklewood, St Andrews Kingsbury ,St Michaels & All NGELS CHURCH, HILLSIDE NW10 and St Michaels Tokyngton. We also had the opportunity to attend The Chineke Christmas Concert via zoom.

We have had a variety of different presentations:

Safeguarding

Policy: The PCC reviewed the Safeguarding Statement.

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Training: PCC members as well as people in the Church working with vulnerable adults or children were supplied with various application links and asked to undertake Safeguarding training

Home Communion Visits : A Risk Assessment checklist has now been introduced, this is to protect both the visitor and those we visit.

Church Lift Agreement: We have introduced the agreement for Church members offering elderly people lifts to and from Church services. This is to protect both the driver and passenger in the car.

Photo Permission & Feeling Safe at Church: I introduced the photo permission forms for having your photo taken. With the introduction of social media, it is vital to ensure that people really are happy to be in a picture as they may be end up on Facebook / X / Instagram without permission. Much better to be on the safe side.

I have Risk Assessed various areas within the whole Church premises (all three buildings), with a view to feeling safe. The ethos of feeling safe I started the ethos of feeling safe by putting the message on the bottom of the service sheet reminding people to talk to me if they wanted to take a photo. The Feeling Safe ethos extended and I found myself working with our Hall Hirers.

Meeting Room Closure: With the ceiling and wall of the meeting room requiring work, I took the decision to close the meeting room. The fridge, tea and coffee items were re-located to the back of Church. This enables the Churchwardens to get the work done.

Halls and Hall Hire: I have been working with the Churchwardens, ensuring that the Churchwardens are supplied with the correct Hall Hire Agreements, Safeguarding Policy and the Roles and Responsibilities forms for hall hirers to sign.

I undertake the completion of periodic Risk Assessments on both the Parish Hall and Youth Centre. Currently there are area-based Risk Assessments in place for the Church.

Safe Working and Safe Church: We are fully committed to Confidentiality, Data Protection and the Privacy Policy (details of the Privacy Policy can be found on the Safeguarding Noticeboard).

Welcome Baack to A Returning DBS Checker: A DBS check is also required by each PCC member, Church Volunteers working with the Ascension Parent and Toddler Group and the Friday Memory Cafe. Our DBS checker is Sheila Coules and I am grateful to her for undertaking this role once more.

A New Children’s Champion: The Diocese of London is actively committed to ensuring that all our children & young people are listened to. The Children’s Champion has a key role with this, ensuring that the voices, views and needs of children and young people are heard.

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Each Church has the opportunity to have a Children’s Champion, who will give children and young people this voice within the work of the Church. The Champion is there to ask “How does this impact on our Children?” We have a newly appointed Children’s Champion who is already a PCC member. They are able to bring the views of the Ascension’s children and young people to the PCC. I am really pleased that Maureen Egbuche has agreed to be our newly appointed Children’s Champion.

Looking forward to an action-packed year ahead Nicola Kent (Safeguarding Officer,)

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Charities Work

St Luke’s Hospice

St Luke’s Hospice helps people in Brent and Harrow to have the best possible quality of life, despite living with serious illnesses which are no longer curable. All their services are completely free of charge.

As St Luke’s receives only around 30% of their funding from the NHS, the rest is raised from the generosity of organisations and people in the local community through donations and fundraising alongside the dedication of volunteers. People can support the work of the hospice by making donations, taking part in events, playing the hospice lottery or shopping or volunteering in their charity shops.

St Luke’s are grateful that due to local support they are able to continue their vital care to patients and families.

I attended a meeting in 2023 where there were several speakers from the Hospice; they plan to hold another meeting soon and I will be able to provide leaflets and information about their current events.

It is now several years since any members of the Church of The Ascension took part in the Midnight Walk. However, the date for this year’s walk is Friday 14[th] - June – details can be found at www.stlukes hospice.org/midnightwalk or I can find out more details nearer the time, if there might be a few people who would be interested in taking part and raising some sponsorship for this worthwhile cause.

Thank you for your continued support to St Luke’s Hospice. Hilary Prevost

24

The Children’s Society

The Children’s Society supports children and young people who are facing problems.

The Children’s Society also campaigns to ask the Government to change policies and laws to make life better for young people in the UK.

The Children’s Society – Donations from The Church of the Ascension

Although we have not held a Box Opening and Coffee Morning since 2019 due to the Pandemic, I am very pleased to report that I received some house boxes from our box holders and some additional donations and was able to send the sum of £750.00 to the Children’s Society in November 2023.

If anyone would like to have a collection box in their home, please let me know.

Also, if anyone has a box that is getting full, please let me know and I would be very happy to count the money and send it to the Children’s Society.

The Christingle Service held just before Christmas 2023, also raised the sum of £115.00.

Thank you also for your support in purchasing Christmas cards in aid of the Children’s Society.

The sum of £220 was raised.

It is great news that we raised a total of over £1000.00 in 2023.

Thank you very much for your continued support towards The Children’s Society.

Hilary Prevost

25

Homes of Promise

Charitable Incorporated Organisation Charity Reg No 1161750 Website www.hopuganda.org

Afternoon Tea and update on the work of Homes of Promise on Sunday 14th April 2.30-4.30pm at The Charis Centre, Jesus Church, Forty Hill, EN2 9EU. The Probation Officer arrives to inspect George’s Place, Ram visits the dentist, Tresor travels to Kayenga.

‘They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Blessed is the king of Israel.” ‘ John 12 v13

Dear friends

I’m travelling back from Winchester after visiting my eldest son and it’s beginning to feel like Uganda, if they had trains! The train is so packed, people standing all the way to Waterloo, you can’t even get into a carriage. I’ve found a seat in a corridor, collapsible, opposite the loo! Giving thanks.

This week the probation officer for Wakiso District, Joanne, went to George’s Place, she had said she would arrive at 8am Tuesday but didn’t actually get there until 4pm. Peace and Benard had spent all day waiting for her! She

inspected the home and wants us to take in more boys which is obviously a big commitment and needs a lot of thought and prayer.

Tresor travelled to Kayenga to pay George and Shilla’s school fees, (Dan’s brother and sister), he also visited the family and met the new baby -Jane. He took some of our baby clothes, T-shirts for the younger children, a pair of shoes for the dad, from our store, which they really appreciated. The father has built a small outside kitchen.

The boys at George’s Place went to the football academy this morning

(Saturday) and Dani the trainer spoke to them before the practise, sharing Psalm 119 v73-74 about knowing who created them and the reason why they should be happy for each other.

Last Sunday, Sue and her friends visited George’s Place, spending time with the boys and being shown around by Benard, this gave Ronald and Robert the opportunity to clean my car.

o Ram has been taken to the dentist this week and had a tooth removed, he also needed some root canal treatment - I think he must be feeling very sorry for himself.

o Robert has returned to Malaba to look for work and stay with his grandmother who has promised to help him approach some hairdressing salons.

26

o Tresor visited Johnson last Sunday for visiting day at Trinity High School, and I had an opportunity to speak with them.

o Jovan was also taken to the hospital to receive some medication.

o Godfrey had come in on Monday and helped with the general cleaning to make sure everything was spic and span for the visitor - he gets paid in meals.

It looks and sounds like everything is running smoothly whilst I’m here, I’ve spoken to Peace, Petra and Tresor this week, who are all fine, also received calls and messages from Augustine, Tim, Emma and Ivan (some of the older boys who are working).

Thank you for all your loving support and kindness for our work and as we approach Easter, ‘May your Holy Week be a sacred time and may God bless us as we make this journey to Easter Sunday together. Stay safe and stay well.’ With love Jane x

27

Church Groups

The Ascension Parent, Baby and Toddler

The Ascension Parent & Toddlers group has been an amazing success! We have a weekly session running on Thursday mornings from 9.30am to 11.00am. We usually have around 16 children and parents. They play from 9.30am to 10.20am with toys while parents have a coffee and a chat.

We all help tidy up and then have snack time which consists of fruit: apples, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and grapes chopped up with a glass of water. We have a chat and sing our 'please and thank you' song! We then read a short story. At around 10.40am we sit in a circle and have our singing time where we sing all our favourite nursery rhymes. A firm favourite is 'Hokey Cokey' and 'Sleeping Bunnies'. After singing we always end with a prayer and sing 'My God is so Big'.

We learn colours and counting. We also learn that sharing is caring! We have lovely toys which they all enjoy playing with including train sets, soft toys, bricks, a cooker with all the pots and an ironing board.

Parents share their advice and concerns with each other and we provide pastoral care by praying with them and talking through problems. Two families have joined the Church and have become volunteers. We have parents from all faiths and we have moved from Daniel's Den to running our own Ascension Parent & Toddler Group and this has become a wonderful fresh expression of Church where we share God's love in our community and build relationships between the Church and parents in our community.

We had a wonderful nativity service in Church where the parents and children all dressed up. Father Christmas arrived at the end to give out presents to everyone! (Revd. Jacqueline in disguise!) our we thank God for his guidance and provisions .

Children’s Team

28

Church of the Ascension Wembley

Sofa Separate Designated

For the period from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023

Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Prior year
funds funds funds funds total funds
Receipts
Donations and legacies 31,468 - 167 31,635 16,042
Income from charitable activities 2,131 - 1,030 3,161 5,441
Other trading activities 45,813 - - 45,813 41,324
Investments 19 10,114 18 10,151 13,564
Total income 79,431 10,114 1,214 90,759 76,371
Payments
Raising funds 582 - - 582 74
Expenditure on charitable activities 72,862 - 667 73,529 88,895
Total expenditure 73,443 - 667 74,111 88,969
Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer 5,988 10,114 547 16,648 (12,598)
Transfers:
Gross transfers between funds - in - - - - -
Gross transfers between funds - out - - - - -
Other recognised gains / losses
Gains/losses on investment assets - (5,520) - (5,520) -
Gains on revaluation,fixed assets,charity's own use - - - - -
Net movement in funds 5,988 4,594 547 11,128 (12,598)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward (11,494) 271,525 2,974,684 3,234,715 3,247,313
Total funds carried forward (5,507) 276,119 2,975,231 3,245,843 3,234,715

There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not being shown

(23 October 2024 9:05 am) Page 1 of 1

Page 1 of 6.

Church of the Ascension Wembley

Balance Sheet detailed

Fixed assets

Current assets

Liabilities

Reserves

As at
31/12/2023
As at
31/12/2022
6430: Hall
6435: M&G Trust Fund
Total Fixed assets
6501: Bank current account
6510: CCLA (CBF) Fabric Fund
6511: CCLA (CBF) Youth Centre Reserve
6512: CCLA (CBF) Parish Hall Reserve
6513: CCLA (CBF) COTA Deposit
6514: CCLA (CBF) Bequests & Donations
6515: CCLA (CBF) Trust Fund
6590: Cash in hand
Total Current assets
6601: Loans received
6602: Uncleared Cheques
Total Liabilities
Net Asset surplus (deficit)
Excess/(deficit) to date
Z01: Starting balances
Z02: Gains/(losses) on investment assets
Total Reserves		 2,960,000
2,960,000
229,383
234,903
3,189,383
3,194,903
21,039
18,254
5,876
5,693
2,044
1,980
226
219
3,383
3,278
576
558
23,317
13,561
-
2,908
56,460
46,451
-
2,500
-
4,139
-
6,639
3,245,843
3,234,715
16,648
-
3,234,715
3,234,715
(5,520)
-
3,245,843
3,234,715

Represented by Funds

General (Unrestricted) (5,507) (11,494)
Designated 276,119 271,525
Restricted 2,975,231 2,974,684
Total 3,245,843 3,234,715

(23 October 2024 9:05 am) Page 1 of 1

Page 2 of 6.

Church of the Ascension Wembley

Fund movement summary

Selected period: 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023

Fund Fund balances
brought forward		 Incoming
Resources		 Outgoing
Resources		 Transfers Gains and
Losses		 Journal
Entries		 Fund balances
Carried forward
Bequests
Restricted 558.24 17.89 - - - - 576.13
Sub-totals 558.24 17.89 - - - - 576.13
Designated
Designated 11,890.51 - - - - - 11,890.51
Sub-totals 11,890.51 - - - - - 11,890.51
Fabric
Designated 5,693.35 182.46 - - - - 5,875.81
Sub-totals 5,693.35 182.46 - - - - 5,875.81
Flowers
Restricted - 166.50 119.80 - - - 46.70
Sub-totals - 166.50 119.80 - - - 46.70
Hall
Restricted 2,960,000.00 - - - - - 2,960,000.00
Sub-totals 2,960,000.00 - - - - - 2,960,000.00
Hall Reserve
Designated 219.44 7.03 - - - - 226.47
Sub-totals 219.44 7.03 - - - - 226.47
Inspection
Designated 1,139.30 25.16 - - - - 1,164.46
Sub-totals 1,139.30 25.16 - - - - 1,164.46

Memory

(23 October 2024 9:04 am) Page 1 of 2

Page 3 of 6.

Fund Fund balances
brought forward		 Incoming
Resources		 Outgoing
Resources		 Transfers Gains and
Losses		 Journal
Entries		 Fund balances
Carried forward
Restricted - 1,029.74 547.33 - - - 482.41
Sub-totals - 1,029.74 547.33 - - - 482.41
Project
Designated 2,138.37 79.88 - - - - 2,218.25
Sub-totals 2,138.37 79.88 - - - - 2,218.25
Retention
Restricted 14,126.00 - - - - - 14,126.00
Sub-totals 14,126.00 - - - - - 14,126.00
Trust
Designated 248,464.00 9,755.62 - - (5,519.85) - 252,699.77
Sub-totals 248,464.00 9,755.62 - - (5,519.85) - 252,699.77
Youth Centre
Designated 1,980.08 63.46 - - - - 2,043.54
Sub-totals 1,980.08 63.46 - - - - 2,043.54
General
Unrestricted (11,494.34) 79,431.14 73,443.42 - - - (5,506.62)
Sub-totals (11,494.34) 79,431.14 73,443.42 - - - (5,506.62)
Totals 3,234,714.95 90,758.88 74,110.55 - (5,519.85) - 3,245,843.43

(23 October 2024 9:04 am) Page 2 of 2

Page 4 of 6.

Church of the Ascension Wembley

Analysis of income and expenditure Selected period: 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023

Total
General
Designated
Restricted
This year
Last year
Receipts
Donations and legacies
0101 - Gift Aid - Bank
0110 - Gift Aid - Envelopes
0201 - Other planned giving
0301 - Loose plate collections
0410 - Giving through church boxes
0550 - Donations appeals etc
0601 - Tax recoverable on Gift Aid
Donations and legacies Totals
Income from charitable activities
0305 - Sumup donations
0555 - Special Donations
0560 - Memory Café donations
1101 - Fees for weddings and funerals
Income from charitable activities Totals
Other trading activities
0910 - Fundraising
1230 - Church hall lettings - Occasional
1240 - Church hall lettings - Regular
1245 - Youth Centre lettings occasional
1247 - Youth Centre lettings Regular
Other trading activities Totals
Investments
1001 - Dividends
1020 - Bank and building society interest
1030 - Rent from lands or buildings
Investments Totals
Receipts Grand totals		 18,766
-
-
18,766
10,942
1,455
-
-
1,455
-
129
-
-
129
245
3,990
-
-
3,990
2,017
10
-
-
10
-
2,651
-
167
2,817
2,838
4,468
-
-
4,468
-
31,468
-
167
31,635
16,042
1,232
-
-
1,232
-
649
-
-
649
3,606
-
-
1,030
1,030
936
250
-
-
250
899
2,131
-
1,030
3,161
5,441
2,595
-
-
2,595
1,980
9,288
-
-
9,288
6,164
9,444
-
-
9,444
14,064
3,701
-
-
3,701
190
20,785
-
-
20,785
18,926
45,813
-
-
45,813
41,324
-
9,191
-
9,191
13,267
-
922
18
940
297
19
-
-
19
-
19
10,114
18
10,151
13,564
79,431
10,114
1,214
90,759
76,371
Payments
Raising funds
1701 - Fees paid to fund raisers
1720 - Costs of stewardship
Raising funds Totals
Expenditure on charitable activities
1801 - Giving Charities		 522
-
-
522
-
60
-
-
60
74
582
-
-
582
74
-
-
-
-
406

(23 October 2024 9:06 am) Page 1 of 3

Page 5 of 6.

Total
General
Designated
Restricted
This year
Last year
1830 - Donations from special collections
1901 - Common Fund
2101 - Working expenses of incumbent
2150 - Vicar's telephone
2170 - Education
2201 - Parish training and mission
2210 - Memory café expenses
2301 - Church running - insurance
2310 - Church office - telephone
2320 - Organ / piano tuning
2321 - Organist
2330 - Church maintenance
2331 - Cleaning
2332 - Cleaning Materials Church
2340 - Upkeep of services
2350 - Upkeep of churchyard
2360 - Administration
2361 - Loan Repayment
2362 - Photocopier costs
2365 - Bookkeeper
2370 - Visiting speakers / locums
2401 - Church running - electric
2410 - Church running - gas
2420 - Church running - water
2501 - Magazine expenses
2520 - Hall running - Cleaner wages
2522 - Hall Running - cleaning materials
2530 - Hall running - electricity
2540 - Hall running - gas
2550 - Hall running - insurance
2560 - Hall running - maintenance
2562 - Hall running - Performing rights
2570 - Hall running - telephone & administration
2580 - Hall running - water
2590 - Hall running - Waste Collection
2591 - Hall running - Sundries
2601 - Youth Centre Running - Electricity
2610 - Youth Centre Running - Gas
2620 - Youth Centre Running - Cleaner wages
2630 - Youth Centre Running - Administration
2640 - Youth Centre Running - Water
2650 - Youth Centre Running - Cleaning Materials
2660 - Youth Centre Running - Waste collection
2670 - Youth Centre Running - Insurance
2680 - Youth Centre Running - Maintenance
2699 - Governance costs examination/audit fee
2820 - Hall + major repairs - installation
2835 - Youth Centre Major Repair
Expenditure on charitable activities Totals
Payments Grand totals		 150
-
54
204
-
25,004
-
-
25,004
25,000
392
-
-
392
921
805
-
-
805
-
24
-
-
24
-
12
-
-
12
259
-
-
547
547
-
4,751
-
-
4,751
4,588
263
-
-
263
-
-
-
-
-
540
2,870
-
-
2,870
4,130
2,153
-
-
2,153
1,739
68
-
-
68
-
106
-
-
106
-
6,378
-
66
6,443
1,531
576
-
-
576
945
418
-
-
418
-
-
-
-
-
3,000
580
-
-
580
-
2,708
-
-
2,708
-
88
-
-
88
-
945
-
-
945
876
3,383
-
-
3,383
1,716
1,085
-
-
1,085
-
-
-
-
-
1,073
745
-
-
745
3,033
115
-
-
115
316
757
-
-
757
866
1,483
-
-
1,483
1,716
1,068
-
-
1,068
1,159
2,479
-
-
2,479
662
44
-
-
44
-
1,112
-
-
1,112
3,044
1,833
-
-
1,833
30
1,621
-
-
1,621
1,534
10
-
-
10
-
767
-
-
767
428
1,011
-
-
1,011
1,144
745
-
-
745
1,066
630
-
-
630
2,015
1,222
-
-
1,222
20
49
-
-
49
78
1,353
-
-
1,353
1,023
583
-
-
583
624
2,010
-
-
2,010
554
468
-
-
468
1,279
-
-
-
-
1,440
-
-
-
-
20,140
72,862
-
667
73,529
88,895
73,443
-
667
74,111
88,969

(23 October 2024 9:06 am) Page 2 of 3

Page 6 of 6.

Treasurers’ Report

Reserves Policy

It is the PCC’s policy to maintain reserves to cover anticipated future expenses incurred in running the parish and maintaining its structures. This applies to all three buildings and grounds of the church. It is our policy to invest our funds’ balances, where this is possible, with the Central Board of Finance of the Church of England (CBF).

As of 31 December 2023, total reserves held in various funds were £35,422. These figures include income from the trust fund (coded 6515), shown on page 2 of 6 of the financial statements) of £23,317 held at CBF.

Financial Review

As expected, and outlooked in my 2022 report, 2023 has shown significant improvement on the prior year as the effects of the COVID downturn dissipate and normality fully return both in the ad-hoc Halls hiring activity and the stability of longer term lets that have driven much improved income stream for the church. Return of parishioners, and now highly active Memory café, as well Mothers and Toddlers group, the latter having been introduced during the reporting year, helped bolster our church community, growing our diverse congregation at both ends. This receipts improvement, compounded by Gift Aid Tax relief that slipped from 2022, fully covered expenditure for the year and returned the church to a small but positive net income position overall. That said, we should tread with caution and continue to take steps to grow our congregation and expand our outreach in the community in order to ensure we are prepared to manage the challenges that 2024 will bring, particularly, as we exit our low 3-year energy contractual period and feel the full force of the energy crisis, and its monumental cost increases, as well as the general cost of living challenges faced by all.

During the year we commissioned Ogilvie Bookkeeping Services to provide bookkeeping support

Examining the accounts attached - page 1 of 6 (Sofa Separate Designated) summary, total income for the year, taking all receipts regardless of designation into account, stand at £90,759 (2022, £76,371) an increase of £14,388 year on year.

This large increase, when compared to last year, is explained by: increase in Donations and legacies of £15,593 (mainly Planned Giving £9,163, Loose plate collections £1,973, Gift Aid Tax recoverable £4,468 (though this excess partially relates to delayed recovery of Gift Aid tax in 2022); increase in Other trading activities £4,489 (mainly Halls lets income £3,873 and Fundraising £615); netted by reductions in Income from charitable activities -£2,280 (mainly donations-£1725, Fees -£649), and Investments -£3,413.

Breaking the numbers down further and focusing on the “General” column of the accounts - page 5 of 6 (Analysis of income and expenditure), the total income under this column, at £79,431 (2022, £60,065), is some £19,366 better than last year.

This increase in income is driven by Halls letting income (codes 1230/1240/1245/1247), which at a combined total of £43,218 (2022 £39,344) shows an increase of £3,874 over last year (itself driven by Parish Hall and Youth Centre lets increases of -£1,496 and £5,370, respectively) and increase in Church Receipts, which at £36,214 (2022, £20721) is some £15,493 better than last year. Further, this increase in Church Receipts is explained, as noted in the above paragraph, by a year-on-year increase in Regular giving totalling £9,163 and a net increase in other giving and receipts (including Gift Aid Tax recoverable), of £6,330.

As with prior years, our reliance on Halls letting income to meet the day-to-day running cost of the Parish continues. For 2023 we have been fortunate, unlike last year, to find that the income from hall lets, together with Church receipts, were sufficient to fund the Parish expenditure in full. This is clear by examining the “General” (Unrestricted) funds column of the accounts - page 5 of 6, where the total combined income from Church and Halls at £79,431 (2022 £60,065) when compared to total expenditure on the same basis, of £73,443 (2022 £64,911) represents an excess of income over expenditure for the year of +ve £5,988 (2022 was a loss of -£4,846).

Further, to clarify the reserves, and capital assets, included in the following financial statements, the PCC has a Trust Fund with monies invested in a Unit Trust with M&G Charifund under a Deed of Trust with the Diocesan Board as Custodian Trustees.

The current figures (in summary) are: -

Market Value at 27.04.1988 31.12.2022 31.12.2023
Chari fund Units (15,985.00) £80,000.00 £234,903 £229,383
Deposit Account at CBF £4,973.00 £14,174 £13,561
Plus, income from Charifund £13,267 £9,191
Plus, interest £120 £565
Less grant to PCC -£14,000
Balance held on deposit £13,561 £23,317
Total values £248,464 £252,700

Investments in Unit trusts are subject to Stock market movements and can go down as well as up. This year, unfortunately, the capital value of our Chari fund units has decreased by -£5,520 when compared to 2022. This represents a capital erosion of -2.35%, which is testament to the challenging economic climate impacted by various elements not least the Russian/Ukrainian war. However, £9,756 of income (and interest) was generated in the year, adding to the balance of income held on deposit at the beginning of the year.

Church Hall buildings valuation

Current Charity commission instructions require that we annotate our accounts with Church Halls buildings valuation. As such the PCC maintain the revised valuation of the Church Halls, in 2021, by EIG Insurance of £2,960,000 (2020, the Hall buildings’ valuation was set at £1,747,011). These valuations are set out on page 2 of 6, Balance sheet detailed, and page 3 of 6, Fund movement summary, on the attached financial statements.

The year(s) ahead – 2024 and beyond

The PCC is hoping that 2024 will present a better future for the Church and its finances, where we continue to grow our congregation, contribute more to our common fund, and achieve normality in our overall church community.

As we continue to challenge ourselves to maintain a stable but vibrant financial posture, we should temper our outlook with a little bit of caution with significant costs already under our belt. 2024 has so far seen a huge investment in our church fabric with repairs to the flat roofs around the meeting room and other areas of the church.

Also, with the change in the demography of our church community where legacy parishioners, and unfortunately their significant contributions, are being replaced by newer and younger community with many commitments, we should be prepared in 2024 to leverage other income sources that bridge any gap that this paradigm shift may introduce.

As such, we must turn our attention to other areas to manage and maximise our net income. We must continue our efforts to improve the volume of our one-off lets, move and/or benchmark all our regular and longer term lets to prevailing market rates as soon as possible, explore avenues to drive more income from “Church” activities, and accelerate other fund-raising efforts. We must, in addition, continue to perform a forensic review of our cost base and execute efficiencies where and when we can such that we streamline, align, or match normal costs, wherever this is achievable, to changing revenue profiles, and thus contain and/or improve our net cash.

Further, we as parishioners should again stretch ourselves this year to increase out regular giving, reduce the use of planned giving envelopes but instead embrace fully, where possible, the CofE Parish Giving Scheme to ensure all our donations and regular giving, where appropriate, are gift aided and we maximise the additional benefits use of this scheme provides. We should look to execute all measures that improve our financial position, and posture, through 2024 and beyond.

We should continue our commitment to review stewardship on an annual basis.

The following accounts have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis and I present it to the APCM.

Mary-Ann Chukwuenyem – Treasurer

These accounts were presented and approved by a meeting of the PCC convened on October 23, 2024, and signed on their behalf by

A.M ……………………………………. .………………………………. The Rev. Jacqueline Shalloe (Chair) Antoinette Morgan (Secretary)