THE PARISH OF HOLY TRINITY, LAMORBEY Registered charity number 1171897
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2020
Incumbent: The Reverend Mark Blakely
Bankers: Barclays Bank plc 91 High Street Sidcup DA14 6DH
Independent Examiner: Stephen England F.C.C.A.
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters
I try to avoid mentioning ‘the thing’ that has dominated our news headlines and lives since March 2020. It receives enough exposure already. One of the troubling consequences of the past year has been that our own lives in the UK have become centre stage. An understandable result of our preoccupation with being confined to our homes has been that our worldviews have become much narrower. That is never a good thing.
When we confess our sins, hear the Word of God, pray and receive the sacraments, we do so not just as individuals. We do so as part of, and on behalf of, the whole people of God around the world; not just ourselves.
One of the greatest tragedies over the past year has been the diminution of freedom in Hong Kong. The Chinese Communist Party is increasing control from China by seeking to convict those who express different views under a patently unfair ‘security’ law. Hong Kong is a truly inspirational place that I have visited several times. Its sense of energy and possibility is infectious, and its Christians and churches are spiritual powerhouses. I believe that they can teach us something about how we deal with the current spiritual condition we face in the UK.
In 1964 a young woman called Jackie Pullinger set sail from England with £10. Her boat was going to stop at various ports. She prayed that God would prompt her to disembark at a place where he wanted her to do his work. That call came as the boat steamed into Hong Kong harbour.
She recalled how there seemed to be a spiritual fog over Hong Kong that stopped the gospel of Jesus Christ from reaching peoples’ hearts. There was also an epidemic of opium misuse. Jackie prayed fervently in the power of the Holy Spirit and one by one she cured tens of thousands of otherwise unlovable and undesirable people, bringing them to Jesus, and she continues to do so today. No communist or triad has ever stopped her work. She overcame impossible odds to turn a precarious Christian foothold into a mighty fortress.
Sidcup is not the Walled City of Kowloon, but we encounter that same cloud that stops most people from living their life with the love of Jesus in their hearts. As we hope to begin to rebuild our daily lives this year, we need to remember that everything we do must be prayed for in the power of the Spirit and must be anointed by the Spirit. Jackie Pullinger shows us that we have a God who often supplies what we need at the very last minute when we rely on him. She shows us that we are called to sacrificial giving. She shows us that constant prayer will overcome anything.
We lift Hong Kong to God. We lift Holy Trinity Lamorbey and this whole parish to God and we pray that we can learn how to live our lives with the yearning, anointing and blessing of the Holy Spirit, for that is the only way to truly live.
Fr Mark
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Holy Trinity Church, Hurst Road, Sidcup, DA15 9AE seeks to provide a pastoral, evangelistic, social/prophetic and ecumenical mission to the community. The Parish Office is based in the Church Hall. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is responsible for the maintenance of the Church building, the Church Hall and adjacent lands on Hurst Road, Sidcup.
Council Membership
The PCC comprises elected representatives of the laity serving for a period of three years, one third of whom retire each year; lay members of Deanery Synod; Licensed Readers appointed by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting under Church Representation Rules; and ex-officio members. At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in 2014 a Resolution was passed that no representative of the laity being a member of the PCC may hold office for more than three years continuously. An interval of one year must pass before such an individual is eligible to stand again for election as a representative on the Council. During the year the following served as members of the PCC:
Ex-Officio Members
The Reverend Mark Blakely Chair The Reverend Renate Tulloh Curate + vice-chair (from 27.9.20) Bob King Churchwarden Carol Martin Churchwarden Sarah Blew Licensed Reader
Elected Representatives on the Deanery Synod of Sidcup (2020 – 2023)
Annette Barber Madeleine Waggett Treasurer
Elected Members to serve until the Annual Parochial Church Meeting 2021 Terry Hales, Kay Lovett, Morwenna Semos
Elected Members to serve until the Annual Parochial Church Meeting 2022
Barbara Giles, Sandra Mackie, Marissa Tribe
Elected Members to serve until the Annual Parochial Church Meeting 2023
Penny Brayshaw, Sue Knight, Doreen Pitcher
Standing Committee : the entire PCC are considered members of the Standing Committee.
The PCC met 5 times during 2020. Reports were received from representatives of Churches Together in Sidcup, Deanery and Diocesan Synods.
The PCC complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 and formally adopted the House of Bishops’ “Promoting a Safer Church; safeguarding policy statement”. A copy is displayed in the church porch together with contact details of the Parish Safeguarding Officer.
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Working Groups & Committees
Several working groups and committees convene between PCC meetings to engage in the work of the Church:
The Ministry Team
The Ministry Team usually meets monthly by invitation of the Vicar. In 2020 it comprises all those who hold licensed or permission to officiate (PTO) ministries: our Curate, our Licensed Reader, our PTO Readers, our Pastoral Assistants and our Churchwardens; with the Parish Administrator in attendance. We meet to support each other in our work and identify ways of developing the pastoral and worshipping life of the congregation. Given lockdown restrictions, a smaller group of Vicar, Curate and Readers met regularly (in person and on Zoom) as a ‘clergy team’ to discuss covid-related changes to Mass and preachments.
Additionally, the following were authorised by the Vicar to assist at the Holy Eucharist: Lynne Buckley, Martin Carruthers, Rosemary Coleman, Terry Hales, Sue Knight, Sandra Mackie, Sandra Paddon MBE, Anna Staple, Marissa Tribe and Madeleine Waggett.
Safeguarding
First, I think it is important to acknowledge the report into the Church of England by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, which was produced on 6 October 2020, and the Church’s commitment to listen to the findings of the report and to change.
Turning to the safeguarding work at Holy Trinity Lamorbey, I need to acknowledge the hard work of Lesley Daniell in managing the joint role of Safeguarding Officer and Recruiter (responsible for DBS checks) for a number of years.
I took over the Safeguarding role from 30 July 2020 and the Lead Recruiter role subsequent to that. Access to the Diocesan’s DBS database took a little longer, due to COVID, but as of mid-January 2021, I am now in a position to begin assisting with DBS renewals and will be contacting people as required.
We now have a dedicated email address: htlamorbeysafeguarding@gmail.com so that people can get in touch easily and privately.
The Diocese have switched to online training. Below is a reminder of what is available and required every three years.
| Previously | Current | Current | |
|---|---|---|---|
| C0 | Basic Awareness (Updated October | 2020)On-line training | |
| C1 | Foundation (Updated November January2021) On-line training |
2019 and will be updated in |
|
| C2 (Leadership) | Leadershipvia Zoom |
||
| C3 (Clergy & Lay Ministers) |
I am still feeling my way in this new role and am particularly aware of the difficulties of communication at the moment. Please do get in touch with questions or concerns. Penny Bull
Parish Safeguarding Officer/Lead Recruiter
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Fundraising and Social Committee Report
The year started well with a Race Night. The hall was packed, and it was a very enjoyable family fun evening. The youth organisation leaders did a fantastic job of setting up the screening of the races, taking bets and giving out the winnings!! As a committee we had organised many events for 2020 that sadly because of the pandemic we were not able to do. We did hold a Christmas Raffle, and this was very well supported by members of the congregation.
Doreen Pitcher
Junior Choir
Due to the current circumstances Junior Choir has unfortunately been suspended. However, we are hoping that we will soon be able to resume rehearsals one Friday evening a month during term time, with the Junior Choir joining us for the service that weekend. We are looking forward to learning new anthems and settings and building up the choir for 2021. All school age children are welcome. Email htljuniorchoir@gmail.com for more information. Neill, Jill and Nicolette
Messy Church Report
We have not been able to hold any messy church services in the past year due to the pandemic. This is especially unfortunate as we had been planning our first service with Fr Mark on board last year in March, just as the country went into the first lockdown. It is impossible to socially distance during a messy church service given the family activities, celebration and sharing of food that takes place. As a result, it will be a little while before we are able to confidently plan for the next messy church, but we are hopeful that we will do so as soon as it is safe.
Sarah Miller
Social Club
The Holy Trinity Social Club has like many other organisations been closed since March 2020 and sadly was unable to book any events for the rest of the year.
Many of the members are very elderly and look forward to our weekly meetings but they all have my telephone number and are assured of a 'chat' at any time. Cheery cards were sent to every member during the year and each received a Christmas card. Birthday cards were also sent which included some special 90th celebrations!
In October, on the Club's 44th Birthday, we made a donation to the church’s Yellow Iris Fund. Our two charities Livability and the R.N.L.I. have not been forgotten either.
We look forward to being able to meet up again . Valerie Holdsworth
Facilities Report
Due to the current Covid-19 situation, our Church’s maintenance requirements have not been at normal levels. However there have been issues during 2020 that have needed attention:
- The church lawn mower’s fuel system comprising petrol tank, fuel line and carburettor was thoroughly cleaned out with a new air filter fitted following a report that the mower would not run satisfactorily. All good at time of writing.
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Defective light bulbs both inside and outside the south porch have been changed.
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A new pneumatic time-delay light switch has been fitted in the vestry lobby area.
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Easy to operate black antique style door bolts have now been fitted to both access doors to the organ loft replacing the difficult to reach and fiddly little cupboard latches.
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A new brass finish Yale night latch has been fitted to the vestry door to replace the badly fitted and damaged roller latch.
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In accordance with the requirements of Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for both the Church and the Church Hall I have carried out fire extinguisher and fire blanket inspections and tests.
Ian Giles
Churchwardens' Report
Overview
As we all know 2020 has been dominated by the horrendous Covid-19 pandemic and apart from a couple of months we have had no services in church.
However, happily, we were able to welcome Mother Renate to Holy Trinity in the capacity of Curate and already the congregation have warmed to her and she is now fully integrated in to our HTL family.
We were able to formally meet Renate at a specially arranged service attended by the Mayor of Bexley, Cllr James Hunt, who as well as welcoming her, presented Fr Mark with the Mayor’s special commendation for services in the community during the pandemic.
We all know what a fantastic job Fr Mark is doing, and we are all most thankful for the recordings he makes of the weekly services and then transmits on the newly formed WhatsApp worship group. We must of course thank Renate, Morwenna and Sarah for the assistance they give.
We enter 2021 with the prospect of being locked down until Easter but we now know that the vaccine is coming, and a large percentage of our congregation should have been inoculated by the end of March, some may have been given both doses.
Glass Doors
We have been awarded a Faculty for the installation of the glass doors. As usual this was a lengthy process! The wooden door frames have been manufactured and the installer is awaiting the delivery of the glass. Once this is received the doors will be installed.
Conclusion
It has been a difficult year but the end of this pandemic is in sight, please stay safe, please take the vaccine when offered and we will see you all for Easter. Carol Martin and Bob King
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Hall Management Group Report
When I started to write this report at the end of 2019 our overall position was very good. The work of the committee had become quite painless:
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Pat was handling administration with no pressure and the letting position had improved.
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Keith was taking care of all maintenance issues and Oliver had the finances under control.
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The new lease for 1A had been signed with a significant increase.
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The barrier had been fitted in the car park.
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Luke Cashin had joined the committee to enhance our fund-raising activities.
2020 promised to be a great year, what could possibly go wrong? WOW we never saw a pandemic coming did we.
In March we practically closed, our hirers had to stop their businesses and apart from Drewery nobody wanted to use the car park.
After long and devoted service to our church and in particular the Hall Committee, Fr Robert decided it was time to put his feet up and he resigned from the committee.
We were going to consolidate our finances and arrange for all Hall business to be channeled through the Hall Account. We had calculated that we would be in a position to contribute a total of £12,000.00 to the Main Church Account. However, with so much uncertainty we decided to leave things as they were for the rest of the year. But with our reduced income, due to lack of hirers during the lockdowns, we would have to reduce our level of contribution to £6,000.00 for the year. This reduction would allow us to create a building fund and retain an emergency fund. Of course, we did not reckon on Pat beavering away on new hirers between lockdowns!
After discussions at a PCC meeting in December, and confirmation from Madeleine that if we were to contribute a further £2,000.00 her books would balance, the PCC also acknowledged the need for the building fund and reserve. Of course, all money in the Hall Account belongs to the Church which makes decisions fairly easy and we agreed to the £2,000.00 increase.
We had hoped that at the end of 2020 we would have a building fund of £10,000.00 and a reserve of £3,000.00 but the extra contribution to the Church has reduced these expectations. However, thanks to Pat’s excellent work, and Oliver’s financial negotiations with our cleaners, we have finished in a far better position than we could possibly have imagined.
We must also thank Luke and Keith for arranging for the boiler to be serviced and have all electrical equipment tested to meet current guidelines. All is fine, but we will need to budget for a new consumer unit in the next couple of years.
At the 31 December we had a total of £13,078.05 in the bank but we do still have some December invoices to pay. I think that after all bills for the year are paid we will, in round numbers, have £11,000.00 in that account and we are recommending that we:
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1 Create a Building Fund of £8,000.00
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2 Maintain the reserve at £3,000.00
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Of course, 2021 will start with us in Tier 4 with probably even more restridions to follow and, with the possible exception of Wellington Boots, our hirers will not retum in January. We have therefore taken a pessimistic view in preparing our budget for 2021. We have assumed that we will have no lets except Wellington Boots until May,. I know this seems unrealistic, but I would rather plan for the worst and improve on it. l am hoping even then that we will be able to match this yearfs contribution of £8.000.00 to the Church and maintsin both our Building Fund and Reserve. The go¢xI news of course is that by May the vaccine process will be well undep4vay, and we will be able to plan for the second half of the year with a litde more rtainty. Please stay safe. Bob knng Relationships Externally Directed The pandemic has had a huge impact on our giving and only supported t*io exlemal charities this year.. The Children's Society and The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. 1A Hurst Road The PCC continues to offer a commercial lease on the office above the church hall. The lease has been renewed for a period of fve years on an increased rent recommended by a professional surveyor. Church Attendance Data is collected for Central Church Statistics over the Easter and Christmas services, as both these festivals occurred during lo¢kdowns there are no available figures. A weekly Mass has been transmitted on a INhatsApp worship group with 82 followers and has been well reived. Church Electoral Roll Following the revision of the Church Electoral Roll the figure now stsnds at 86. The figure at the last APCM was 83. Approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by The Reverend Mark Blakely (PCC Chair)
YTRWITY CTrKIRCH. LNAIORBEY STATEMEPUS OF PAROCTrIALCHLIICH COUNCIL FOR TrE 12 IIONTK8 TO 31•t teCEIffjER2020 Fund• ol tho PCC T38 Ir fur¥JsLiinaied tr8 WMPQby tm pcc. groups that affll1ab" to toly, rth&th#t inJrmd gthn"r¥Jb c4Ctwth 8tatsm•nt olA•••ts and LL•blNlb•s MDb thurch t1191n0$bèkfj chUrnI IF tr1 r•yo o l•ftrdwd, Laftd bl18 hdd LMI boh8lloflh¢ PCC., Inv¢stment8 hd¢J by th• PCC 9¢$ and Liaknlilés,. Amtsjftis tring Ircffi Ir48nd tr4rr+Jm ha8 an rn•J•'. Any othw 8nk)unts wng to PCC Ch h1 aTrJ iwrw•dtyn•.' Cash In hand and 4t benk, The liabilits88 we I(18j In SwrntdAwfs**J L41. Any108n8 orov¥drats lo the PCC, rhj
Flnzn lal rev A5 detailed in the fin¥oal 5ts18ments Tatd rèLIPtsW8 £119.510. Th8 Igur8 £5.389 Bre incfft tax recover&J frt¥n HM &CLknrns all tots PCC the ptrtsl. £955 Income frorn fundrng events. bofuec#sts £10.072 Rentsl frc¥r IA HU RJ. a 5tten¢rnertt bèa88. £18,002 Incrrn frrm ¢JJtlN• Chwch H•k. bBlty8 Ha# £15.332 Holy Trinity thugh ffinancj 5urpNt. Th&Y Iris l¢Mv rt 8 syrtd of+kwwwJ 8ThY ch8ri8hed frlen¢shpsaffj +Kqt$UStain L6, With b)v8 we have lty PurF4e GlodkJlu• FLff e$ished •jre r S mtht•w<•. church And curth tr411 The rvai oftor firrftr)ltr• Ctrrtrt Rep•'r FthJwa8£39.754 £41.101 ¢4M d&gwl•J Only £521$ a Repair FuThl th81 i wj irthOr4J ty8rch1tdJ 8ppJlrl8rftytha 01rK01 Rochoster, ¢udrvJ ttirtyknqutrmLg1 In8P8ctscn. Th• liw•r FLmd ¥éesiwJ fi#%J loffl••¢ H41 It IB PCC'I to mnthin a bIlt$ on trestrthd Irf p94•th1. •4L*kn8to thrw nrfth& urmirK#•J pt$tYr em¢rv•nty th8t arit8 fw Al 11 8 t41£26.257dWX•thx 81 the >wr •3timst¢d CTh three months ol unrostn¢t•(18yponditur• In • . TfNI PCC £175.1 av&lat4•tow• ilr•r•wy Th•r• vd£62.083 • r48Ar•fw to Ikts2 P¥Je2rf9
8TATEMEpifoF ASSETSS LUTES ASAT31BtDECEIWI 2M• 28.812 28,812 175.786 8.n4 213.> 14.355 IXJ.gQ3 114. 14.5fy) 9J.7$5 TOTALA8SET8 RewrFwwJ 18. 10.S28) 112541 11.0 FLThI 1340) rth Hai 15.5611 rrojej & (Xljr ReFdrn RDBF roukl Mi£1m) iable Grw {1,2) It.0881 {12) 12.$20) 1S.0291 12,5301 15.1521 Cl Y*ILW lriB Fthj Is. {I1.(th} GArd8n Fur ¥•9trnenl Furnl RBOF Repr FLrd TOTAL LIlIÉ8 15.0225 IiiO,S46) 12 083 171.0461 TOIAL ASSÉTS LESS LJAWTIES 716
INCOMING ResouRCES IRECEIPTSI 2Y)19 Gift dona$ ItK4)me T8x reeo%raid• l other giw ColcbDn5 al Legacy InuJrn Ra Charitab* Co118cUonJ 27.407 27.407 5.1TJ 17.897 5.424 11CI,548 39,516 41.WJ Fund R8iwno EV18 Intefest Renlal Intom frcffi IA HwstRd 182 5,750 10.072 10.072 10 Fee& Icleffjy & PCCI Church Ho11 Sxi•l Club TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 9.881 18.fy)2 9.881 18.Tr)2 1.282 119 510 7.173 33.471 225.248 IT0 fund8. N¢4•• P•)844Y9
RESOURCES EXPENtED IPAYVENTSI 2019 Total 37.373 J7,373 6.401 4.472 5.324 45.493 6.574 5.495 1.696 3.57 (kganist Administrator Clergy exper& Interrwum èxpen runniNJ 84)WM8 CbL¥cn uknlity PubIK8tn8 4.472 5.324 12 13 5,649 2,887 11,7011 2,887 77 4.447 Churth H811 Exws Funthai%ng Evert¥ 15.33? 15.332 19,B95 12.48fj1 A4861 I CluD Fetss [CrgY & P¢C) 8.527 10 4.$32 D0n8bonGrts 10 crI TOTAL RE80URCES EXPENDEO 46 112d795 £191 EXCE88 OF {EXPENluRE) i IpKoMe Net Trw$fer frowlol Rewir FuTrJ 8URPLUWEFICIT) OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITLIIE 39,754 100.4$4 39.7$4 100.453 Curfent and dept08¢£¢unts 81 wmnirvJ ofll Yi•r Curr•rt•nd d•po•¢t •c¢oun¢• •¢ th• •nd of th• Ymr .73.548 £11 1'17J $48 P]85d9
2D 2019 NOTE f CHURCH HALL The tyvJin¥ costofthe Churcx H1 was £14.. Tr PCC (t¢5 rJJrrvm¥ketv ts11 Hal. NOTE 2 RE8ThCTED & DESIGNATEO FUND8 Fund Typ• Rgslrod Rostr CV ReFor Fu¥J 8.528 1254 1.982 349 ctrtirmU Fund Church H•lAL 151 Rqstri¢t•d Retrl¢t•d RlIkj 1.561 5.561 Fllwffla9ps & CW R8r4ir8 RDBF Grants Y1 Ihs Fvr Pur¢4e GWK4u¥ Chants• S¢tY Chwth ¢¥P•k "¥ci 1,238 R•otrK A•sIr$ 11.C( 24.¢fj) 12 2,520 Rtrthd 149)) Roètricd 5.152 20.323 110,548 110.$48 4.5 52 ROBF Ryr Fw £136.944 191 £iri,016 E135,944 Rwglr Fw Upkeep ofchurch sokl SF•c411c (natI 10 thms ChLwth fitrer8 & Chtyr Fund Church H•ll M8rroriJl Pilgiirnag•8 & Oubwo Churth Repar• RDBF Grants Yelltrw In$ Fund Purp Gl8didu$ FuTrJ Ch8nt8tle Grant8 SKou¢¥ Church Cor PHrk c0p 8rr8tyed 10 •d ffl•rrt•n o1th8 CIKYch & C¥Pa Soull Club Invèstrnenl Fwpj Garden FuTrJ RDBF Replr Fur FLwtstr Tkn Rarffi 1£6691. Marnn (£3921. Jim IE5DJ) 8L8•Ms It4,(ts)r••) FLY * * HTL 88 ¢JwetsJ by th• 8rKI PC Meawjre 1991, Chuth %va8 in8pe¢led by •rt8C1reO by the cl wi 2016 2018 The rext rep)rtlI t 2021. 6ofg
2019 NOTE 3 GIFT DONAnONS Money eitherin enveknpes. a k¥S. er, a rar c4>ThriibJ lVJ&ftAl En¥ebpe CCt8 we off n8ttrS NOTE 4 INCOME TAX AECOVERJBLE The amrAJntof tay I1j frtyn HMRC cn 1 my ¥>th• PCC fftlw(>ftAY Iw Nc4A 3) NOTE S COLLECTIONS AT ¥ERVICES Ow pte cclkJns, Sunoayts. NOTE 6 FUNWJNa EVENTS Morny rai frun Furxknlng NOTE 7 CMURCH HALLAC¢0(r There 18 no re¥tr¢ttd éxpilur¢ prirtcff•kn 2 3.027 1.764 Fint CW Lorg D¥n 2,650 1.650 380 330 270 1 795 11.f>65 £33.471 120 Cw P•k 18.¢1)2 12.633) 15.6931 13.2851 (2.5051 12.7191 19.Ck371 13,7701 Utility ts118 8urarK• IrrA• In 15.332 I19.5} £13.4Yb E1171 NOTE 8 IKfEREST Interest e8med •t Dlccwe & èarrJ¥ NOTE 9 RENTAL INCOAIE FROM IA WRST ROAD Thouoh partoftr Hai 8trucbJr8 th18 uK<vre isixv&le&frw W. r•wA*d 2020. P•79
2019 NOTE 10 FEES ICLERGY & PCCI Fees p8id to PCC fr)reddif4s, &JIi ofAshe5 F80s thp PCC Feés In&tofLNrtwrfjs1 6,49S 1.148 5.997 NOTÉ 11 INTERRECNUM EXPEN Specific costs Incutted by PCC dunr& th rA)urstr oiiThe IntWlL•m Yd iTrthJ. NOTE 12 CLEROYEXPENS 110n (S> 181 Prfe8lC 11.0461 18661 W241 NOTE 13 CTrILIICH RUNNING ExpeN$E8 2n 3.776 747 439 140 1.075 ¢Mrch ftsw• 140 859 7,71 9.098 614 13.lQJ) 11.5771 629 292 442 gwn Ry 631 NOTE I CHURCH 141JJ4AGeMEln & ADlaNISTRATION Pnntericoper, b¥t¢. ¥lBbww. t•Wy*. fvJe, twkt#•W- NOTE 2 CHARITY DONATIONS AND GRANTS ¢IIESTrTED1 CM8bry#e Pa> 8Lrfg
PIOTE 18 W15LW4CE NOTE t7 PAYMENTS TO PCC 14EMB Ind•p•nd•M Aport totho PCC ol Holy Trknmy L)11y. Shl Ind•p•nd•nt•X4mW• •lknwnl EnLthtyJ. FCCA 1. 3. Z¢ P4p9c4#