e Parish of Kingswood Annual Report 2021 Charity No: 1172427 **Statutory Charity Commission Information - Charity No: 1172427** Those who served as Trustees since 1 January 2021 were: Chairman: The Reverend Christine Colton Vice Chairman: Mr Ron Searle Reader: Mr Ron Searle Churchwardens: Mrs Anne Bennett, Mr Graeme Hopkins Deputy Warden: Mrs Jane Hollington, Treasurer: Mr Frank Foxen Deanery Synod: Mrs Alison Knibbs, Mrs Abigail Robinson (from November 2021) Elected Members: Mrs Pia Chamberlain, Mrs Linda Utting, Mrs Susan Mitchell, Mr Peter Temperton (until 15 November 2021) The Trustees of the church present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2021. The accounts are prepared in accordance with the Accounting Regulations set out under the Charities Act 2011, and with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing accounts in accordance with FRS102 effective 1 January 2015. ## **Structure Governance and Management** The Parochial Church Council for the Ecclesiastical Parish of Kingswood, Southwark, known as Parish of Kingswood is a registered charity number **1172427** . The method of appointment of Parochial Church Council members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll, to take part and assist in the activities and to stand for election to the Council. The following five committees report to the Parochial Church Council: Standing; Finance and General Purposes; Activities, Church Hall; Children and Young People. ## **Parish Safeguarding** The council has complied with the duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, fully recognising its duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. ## **Public Benefit** The Parochial Church Council has embraced the Charity Commission's guidance on Public Benefit. It aims to promote religion within the parish. The Wisdom of God church is used by local schools for their services and School visits. The hall is available to church groups, local associations and others. ## **Objectives and Activities** The Council has the responsibility of co-operating with the Incumbent to promote within the parish the whole mission of the church - pastoral, evangelistic, ecumenical and social. It also has responsibility for the maintenance of both the church and hall and to provide the physical and financial resources to achieve the mission of the church in general and the parish in particular. ## **Achievements and Performance** The Parochial Church Council strives to offer a range of services that attract all age groups from our community who find attendance both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling. Families are attracted to our church by the Family Services, Wisdom Stories at Tea Time, JAM Club Roots Church and Youth Club, termly Family Fun Services. Due to the Coronavirus some of these groups have not been able to meet, but a number of Wisdom Stories services were held via “Zoom”. Page 2 Because of the Coronavirus pandemic Holy Communion has not been taken to those at home or in hospital either by the clergy or by Mr Ron Searle as a Reader. ## **Meetings** During the past year the Council has met in person on 1 occasion and via Zoom on five occasions and the average attendance rate was 76%. Various committees manage and develop the various activities and their reports are discussed by the Council and authority given where necessary. The Standing Committee, which comprises the Chairman, Churchwardens, Secretary and Treasurer, meets when necessary to deal with any urgent matters which may arise between ordinary meetings of the Council. The composition and responsibilities of committees are kept under review in order to create better control and an improved reporting system. Matters requiring immediate attention were dealt with during 2021. ## **Risk Management** The Council is aware of its responsibilities for assessing and managing this church’s risks and continues to implement plans to deal with these. The principal risks financially and to continuity are the buildings. Both churches are over 130 years old and the hall is over 80 years old. The quinquennial inspection of the church (but not the hall) was carried out during 2017 by a diocesan approved Architect. Terrorism was considered by the Council to be of minimum risk and has not been insured. Succession and temporary cover of officers is discussed. ## **Clergy and Readers** The Priest in Charge, The Reverend Christine Colton, is supported by a licensed Reader, Mr Ronald Searle. Page 3 Kingswood pcc -Treasur*s Report The accountsfor2021 show a small net decrease in unrestricted funds of £111 (2020- decrease £3751. Unrestricted funds represent the resources which are available to meet the everyday running costs of our Parish. In a year during whlch our church artivities have again been limited for lengthy periods we were fortunate not to have recorded a worse resuft. Donations from all sources, Inclusive of Gift Aid, amounted to £50259I202￿£42589j although that figure was boosted by several 5ignifiont one-off contributions. Gr055 Expenditure in 2021 at £83889 was greater than 20201£794471 with signiflcant increases in adminlstration costs, churchyard Maintenan￿ charges and building repairs. The Quinquennial Surveys of our churches are due in 2022 and we are likely to find more Maintenan￿ costs arising from that Inspectlon, in addltion to the fees involved. The Parish PledEe* paid to the Diocese to cover aergy remuneration and administration costs. femalned at £49)W in the year; it continues at that level for 2022 and at nearly E4100 per month is a major liability- In 2021 the Pledge amounted to 58.5% of gross unrestrirted income. . At Church House, the tenancy whlch commenced in 2019 has continued and the full yearfs rent received less associated costs contributed £13852- a slight decrease as a result of a thanged acuual basis. but nevertheless a significant income. The Church Hall Account, designated a"restricted fund" showed a substantial excess expenditure in 2020 as a result of refurbishment of the WC facilities at a cost of £18735 coupled with a reduction in lettings income following pandemic restrirtions. The 2021 result is a small loss of £374. mostly due to restricted income from lettings during the year. Closing bank balance5 remain 5ubstafttial at £31090. No Investments were sold in the year. There was an overall increase of £14687 in market values of Restricted and Endowment fund holdings as at 31 December 2021,. howeverthese values do fluctuate year on year. The Balance Sheet -It Is required that a nominal value of assets which produce income lexcluding church buildingsl is shown. therefore historicvalues are carried for both Church House and the Church Hall. These large assumed capital values can be misleading and disgL6ise the real °a55et rich, cash poort Sltuation. Cash resources lunrestrictedl apprgximate to 5 months average expenditure. We are indebted to Djlna Dann for her continued role as Independent Examiner. Also to Colln Mlles for malntaining the day to day Church Hall financial records. Frank Foxen Page 4 Independent Examinerfs Report to the memb￿5 and trustees of the KI￿SWOOd PaT￿hla1 Church Councll I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 which are Set out on page5 1 to 9. Respectlve responslbllltles of the Trustees and the Independent Examiner The charfs trustees consider that an audit is not required for the year urider section 14412) of the Charities Art 2011 Ithe 2011 Artl and that an independent exam?nation is needed. It is my responsibility to: Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act: Follow the procedures laid down inthe General Direttion5 given bythe Charity Commissiorters under Section 145151{bl of the 2011 Act,. and State whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent Examlnerfs Statement My examination was carried out in accordante with the Ge￿ra[ Oirertions given by the Charity Commission. An examination indudes a review of the accounting ￿CordS kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes the consideratlon of any unusual rtems or disclosure5 in the accounts and seeking explanations from the management committee concerning any such matters. The prO￿dureS undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a filll audit, and consequentfy I do not express an audlt opinion on the ?ccounts. Independent Examlnerfs Statement In connection with the examination, no m*ters have come to my attentlon: 11 Which give me ￿asonable cause to belleve thèt in any material respect the requirements to keep ?ccounting records in accordance with settion 130 of the 2011 Act or to prepare account5 which accord with those accounting ￿e0rdS and comply with the regulations have not been met,. or 21 To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Djina Dann 25 Birch Grove Kingswood Surrey Th20 6QU Page 5 KIng5W(￿ PCC ststemert of FJnan¢ial Actlvltles for the Year ended 31st December 2021 nre cted Restrfrted Endowment 2020 INCOMIMG RESOURCES From donors Other voluntary inwrne Generating Funds & Investments Churth artlvltles Church Hall Sale of iFwe5tments 2a 2b 55794 1419 55794 1419 47518 713 2c 4,5,6 20959 22028 27088 2d 7&8 lob 5607 5607 6631 3657 6631 6838 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 83778 7700 91479 85814 RESOURCES EXPENDED Cost of generating funds Grants Church actiwtles Church Hall 3c' 1391 iiii 3b 81083 81083 76945 6988 25410 RESOURCES EXPENDED 90878 104857 NET FUND INCREASEIDECREASEI before other gainsllosse5 -111 712 601 -19)43 Galns/l195sesl on Investment lob 5396 26310 317C6 14687 NE[ MOVEMENTIN FUNDS BALANCES B/FWD 01101121 BALANCES CIFWD 31112121 -111 61[ 26310 183098 32307 292793 3251¢X) 4356 34299 75396 297150 34188 81504 292794 Page 6 KINGSWOOD PCC BALANCE SHEEf as at 31st December 2021 2021 2020 FIXED ASSETS Tanwble fixed assets Investment assets loo lob 659409 251572 910981 659409 219866 879275 CURRENT ASSETS Short term de slts Legacy Survival Centenary PCC-TSB PCC-Natwest Church Hall -Barclays Church Hall-santander 1033 891 60 5160 35606 3995 6529 25498 77739 1910 6087 33294 6526 5575 25516 78091 1433 326 127 Debtors Glft Aid -tax re￿Iv8b4e Church Hall -Electricity overpald Christmas Concert Income TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 79976 79649 LIABILITIES Creditors Churchyard Costs Buildings Maintenance RBBC grant in advance Insurance Premiums Heat. Light & Water Administration Costs Or8an Maintenance Church Hall Gaslcleanin 780 1144 2902 603 20 252 746 2902 750 18 252 6722.0 72927 NET CURRENT ASSErs 73529 NET ASSETS 984509 952202 FUNDS Unrestricted Restricted- include Hall Endowment 693597 81504 209408 984509 693708 75396 183098 952202 Approved by the PCC of Kingswood on 8th May 2022 Chaimian ...................... Churchwarden.-....... Page 7 Kln8swood PCC Notes to the Hnanclal Ststements for the Year Ended 3141 December 2021 Accountlng Polkles and Funds These financlal statements have been prepared on an accruals basis arTrd in accordance with the commendation5 of the Church Accounting Regulations 2CKJ6 and the Chari(ies current ststement of Recommended Practice. From 21JJ9, following the assessment of Diocesan Quota for the Pèrlsh as a whole, the accounts are presented in unified form and not allocated to the individual churches. Fixed As5ets- The Church Hall and Church House a￿ shown at estimated value5 in line wlth previous yearg figures: the PCC has adopted a policy of non-depreciation of these asset5 on the basis that their residual value is higher than the deemed cost values Shown in these accounts. It 15 not required to re- value these assets. Any funds ralsed, or donated, for designated purpose5 are treated as"Restricted Funds.. Payment to a Trustee - during the year payments omountin8 to £4(Ks were made to Frank Foxen, a Twstee, as agreed reduced fees for his duties as appolnted Organist at churches Within the parish. The Funds managed are.. l.Capttsl Funds- These are A. St Andrew's Trusts con5i5ting of six donations towards the upkeep Df graves. The corresponding Investments are held in shares with the Central Board of Finance ICBFI. B. Wisdom of God Trusts consistin8 of a series of donations towards the church upkeep; the Corresponding investments are held via the South London Church Fund and the Southwark Diwe5an Board of Flnance in shares wlth the CBF. 2. Unrestrlrted Funds- These are the normal operating funds of the two churches: Cl- Show5 current yearfs income and expenditure. E Revenue Reserve, shows the net funds aftertransfer of the surplus or deficit from Cl above. 3. Restrirted Funds C2~ operates in conjunrtion with Cl but relates to special purwses: thTrs designation covers special appeals, works and maintenance and the Organ Fund. Other balances of Income and Expenditure on these items are subsequently transferred to the appropriate major Fund: F- Legacy set up in 2[￿ with Lowe Legacy funds of £50CO) for Fabric expenses of both churches. G-st Andre￿5 Suryival derived from a special appeal for major fabric prolects to whith subsequent Appeal and legacy proceeds have been added. H- Wisdom of God Centenary- operated in a similar way to the SuNlval fund above. l- Church Hall & L- Church Hall Fund Raisin8- are held as separate Funds. responsibility for them having been delegated by the PCC. M- Kingswi)od Global Income was set up in 2011 to improve income devoted to the Legary Fund. N- Wisdom Income Fund was set up in March 2011 to improve income devoted to the Centenary Fund. Page 8 Kingswood P.C.C. Notes to the Finan¢lal SlateThnts for the Year ended 31 December 2021 Note 2 INCOMING RESOURCES TOTAL FUNDS 2021 2020 un￿￿1c￿j und Re&[l￿ed 1 FuTrJ C2 2{al Incoming Resources from donorn.. Regular Gift Aid Other Regular Givino Occasional Gift AÉd Community Buildings giving t)onations Recurring Non-recurring Gift Aid -Tax Recovered WisdomProject Donations ChUTChya￿ grants Legacy- restficted use Online Equipment Grant 21.096 21.098 20,015 2.678 3,973 915 3,015 3.263 3.015 - 14,972 6,965 14,972 8,054 6,754 4,535 4,535 4,S35 1,000 2(b) Other voluntary incoming sources.. Special Appe815 419 713 2{c) Income from generaling funds and Investments". Fund Raising Interest on Investments Rent recetved 791 5,318 791 6,387 4,658 6,189 1,069 028 2(d) Income from Church activities Chuffjh Hall contributlon Wedding Fees Funeravchurchyanl Fees Magazine 4,413 4,413 600 3.267 390 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 83,778 1,069 84,847 78,976 Page 9 Kingswood P.C .C. Notes to the Financial 8tatempnls for tho Year ondod 31 December 2021 TOTAL FUNDS 2021 20 3. RESOURCES EXPENDED Un￿sITIc1ed Restricted Fund C1 3(a) Grants FO$￿bankIDlsabI1ltY Challge Bishop's Lenl C811 Shoebox Appeavst Bedes British Legion Renewed Hope Trust Afghanistanlcrossroads 625 550 200 .825 550 200 148 125 160 1808 200 130 316 100 125 160 1808 365 1111 3(b) Church Activtties: Parish Pledge Honoraria-organists Clergy exp& Diocese Fees Vicarage Expenses Insurances Adminlslralion Expenses Sanctuary Churchyaftls Sundry Expenses Heat, Lighl & Water QI Architect Fees Wisdom Building Projecl Buildings Maintenance Organ maintenance 49,000 470 3,238 470 3236 200 3163 4,226 370 6.398 1,691 3,068 4226 370 83 1691 1976 5635 1023 3559 1129 3534 576 76945 5,374 252 5374 252 3{c) Costs of generating funds: Events Church House Magazine 395 997 998 RESOURCES EXPENDED 83,889 83889 79447 Page 10 King5wood P.C.C. . Notes to the FlnaYK*I Statements foT th* Yur ended 31 DecemlRr 2021 ' Note 4 Fund F- Legacy Fund IRes¢rtted Fu￿) INCOMING RESOURCES Ngt Income from.. Investrftent Leoacy FLnd interest Kingswood tslob￿ h)vestment Fund rrterest TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 142 0.00 142 141 0.00 141 RESOURCES EXPENDED Transfpr to Restncted Fund C2 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED. 0.00 0.00 SURPLUS IDEFICITI Balance brought foTvwd 01101121 Ba18nce camed foThYard 31112r21 142 141 750 1,033 .. Not¢ 5 Fund G. SLAndivw Survlval Fw*J (Restrkt¢d Fund) INCOMIt4G RESOURCES Net Income from knvgstfflent SurvNal Fund ￿rterest TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED Transferto Restrthd F￿￿ C2 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED .00 o.oo o_oo SURPLUSIDEFICITI Balance broughtforwwd 01101r21 Balar￿e carrFed foThvard 31112121 60 Note 6 Fund H. Wlxlom 01 God Centenary . IRestrkt¢d F￿￿1) INCOMING RESOURCES Net I￿01¥￿e from Investmerrt Cerrtenary Fund wrtergst Income from from Investment Fund intsrgSt TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 927 0.00 927 912 912 RESOURCES EXPENDED Transfer lo Restrth(t Furtd C2 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 0.00 0.00 SURPLUSIDEFICITI Balance bToughtforward 01101r21 alance carried forward 31112r21 912 516 6087 5,160 Net In¢aM1￿ Re*￿jr¢e% In 2021 . 1,054 Page 11 KingsvnKMd P.C.C. Notes to the Financial Staten*Dts for th• Year endèd 31 December 2021 Note 7 Fund l - Church Hall (RestTiCted Fund) INCOMING RESOURCES Net Fees & Donations Grants 20 5.614 1,000 6,886 0.00 6,814 6,686 RESOURCES EXPENDED Water, Light aftd Heating Insurances Repairs and Minor WoTks Cleaning and Grounds Perfonr¢ing Right Licences Stationery & Sundries other Expenses Gas & Fire Safety Gheeks Toilet improvements Contribution to PCC 1,640 1,588 1,594 1,551 1.052 2,216 176 0.00 2,241 275 85 18,735 0.00 25,410 6.988 SuTplusl(Shortfall) 475 -18,724 Note 8 Fund L- Church Hall Fund RaisinglRestrlcted) INCOMING RESOURCES Interest TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 2020 152 152 18 RESOURCES EXPENDED SURPLUS (DEFICIT) Funds Iransfer from Current Account Balance brought foThvar(101101121 Balance carried forward 3111W21 18 152 0.00 25346 25498 25516 Currnnl Accounl Balances 3111212021 5575 6529 Page 12 Kings￿￿(￿1 P.C.C. Noie¥ lo tho Financial Statements for tho Year ended 31 Dg¢ember 2021 Note 9 Fund E - Revenue ReSeTh￿ (Unrestllcted Fund) 2020 INCOMING RESOURCES Transfer of Net SuWusOoss) to Fund C1 -111 -375 Balance Bro￿￿ Forward 01101121 34300 34674 Balance Carried Ff>rward 31112121 34189 34300 Nots 10 Fixed Assets for Use by tho Parochlal Church Councll Ch HLII Church IOlaTr Tangible Fixed Assets Assumed Property Values brt 01101121 Revalualion Net Values Carrfed Fonvard 416121 243288 659409 416,121 243288 859.409 Insu￿1 Values at 31112121 592064 10lbl Investment Fixed Assets . delailed on page 9 2021 2020 Fund A- st.And￿￿$ Trusts (Capltal Fund) Market Values al 1 January 2021 Movements in the year Market Values at 31 December 2021 Fund B- Wisdom of God Trusis {Ca￿tal Funa) Market Values at 1 January 2021 Movemerts in Ihe year MaTket Values at 31 December 2021 Fund M- Kingswood Global Income Fund Markel Value at 1 January 2021 Movements in the year Market Value at 31 December 2021 Fund N-w1￿10M Income Fund Market Value al 1 January 2021 Movements in the year 10,301.66 9,836.25 11,782.92 10,301.68 172,674.22 24 828.50 197.502.78 161,520.79 11 153.43 172,674.22 5,094.37 24 5,918.74 4,280.21 4.16 5.094.37 31,795.64 29,741.89 053.75 Markel Value at 31 Dewnbor 2021 36.367.49 31.795.64 Overall Market Values 31112121 Increase(Decrease) in Value inyear 251,571.93 31,7(￿.0¢ 219,866.89 14.686.75 Page 13 Kingswood PCC Notss to the Financial Statements for the Year end￿ 31 December 2021 Note 10(b) Investments Fixed Assets The P.C.C.'s holdings 8Te'. arket Value 3111212021 Central Board of Flnance Shares St. w- relatin 422 A.E.Oddy Legacy 16 Allom Grave Endowment 55 Ivamey Iwilkinson {Bonsor 10.83 Taunton 503.83 to Fund A 300 200 50 257 1178 Wisdom (rf in to (held via Soulh London Church Fund & Southwath Diocesan Board of Finance) 4,957.29 Endowment account 1,582.80 1 905.00 8,445.09 no.459 no.493 no.621 8,054 2,871 115,934.6S 37.016.47 44,551.66 a￿et Valu St.AndreWs - latin to Fund 1,933.86 Global Income Inveslmenl Fuftd Matket Val Wisdom of God - relati toFu 1.555.05 Wisdom of Gixl IHGome Inve*ment Fur¥J Market Value 36 367.49 Move entsi ma￿et V lues £increa 31706.04 overnll 3111212020 Cost Value 10.301.66 11,350 172,674.22 2000 5,094.37 1700 31,311 219,865.89 . 3111212021 Cost Value 961 11,782.92 11,350 197.502.78 2,000 5,918.74 17 (100 36 367.49 31.311 251.571.93 Fund A endowment Fulld B endowment Fund M restricted Fund N restricted Note 1 IANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND 31112r11 Investment Fixed Assets Tangible Fixed Assets Current Assels Hill legacy-adjust Cutrent Liabilities Fund Balance 42,288.23 209,285.70 . 251,571.93 659,409.00 79,976.02 0.00 659,409.00 41,379.96 -3,695.00 38.596.06 3,695.00 .746.30 83 830.99 209 285.70 691392.75 984 509.44 Page 14 ## **Priest in Charge Report for 2021** Out of necessity, this report is for the Calendar Year 2021 because this is when our Financial year runs and to meet the requirements of the Church Representational Rules and Charity Commission requirements. Much of our Church life was still disrupted by Pandemic restrictions but we have made the best of the opportunities presented by having to work in different ways. This report will show that not all activities and services could take place but where things have resumed, the momentum to return to pre-pandemic times is building steadily. I’m grateful to the Church Wardens for their support and hard work in maintaining the life of the parish, particularly during my absences. ## **Worship** Thanks to a Diocesan grant we were able to purchase the equipment for ‘live streaming’ the services from the Wisdom of God. The viewing figures have been encouraging and I know that we have had folk join us from abroad as well as locally. It is our intention to continue ‘live streaming’ as some housebound folk have found it very helpful as a means of worshipping each week. Many of the services were still provided, pre-recorded, on our You Tube channel ‘Parish of Kingswood, Surrey’ until after Easter. I am grateful to the many visiting clergy and Ron Searle, our Licensed Reader, who facilitated worship in person during my Sabbatical from June to August. Ron, of course, has been a great asset to the parish since his licensing and I’d like to thank him for his ongoing support to my ministry. At the Wisdom of God, Wisdom Stories at Tea Time on Wednesdays resumed in person in September having been held as a Zoom service during church closures. These services in church have been a very well attended with regularly up to 30 children and as many as 10 adults. A “Walking Bus” continues to operate from Kingswood Primary School organised by parent helpers using WhatsApp. My thanks go to the many volunteers whose support for this Fresh Expression of worship is invaluable. A number of them were Baptised and Confirmed in November 2021 and we hope to do more to help this continue to nurture a lasting faith when the children move on to Secondary School and through our youth work. The Good Friday Family Service was held online in 2021 giving the children and their families an opportunity to spend time reflecting on the biblical theme for the worship that day. The Communion Services at Furze Hill Lodge and at Kingswood Court have been unable to go ahead but I have maintained contact with these homes and despite the restrictions have been invited by each home to anoint residents when near to death. At Warrengate Care Home the service of Hymns and prayers has also been paused due to pandemic restrictions. My hope is that all of these services will be able to resume as soon as possible in 2022. ## **Remembrance Sunday** Remembrance Sunday was, by popular demand, again held entirely at St Andrew’s beginning with an act of commemoration and two minutes silence at the War Memorial. The service then moved inside the church and young people from the uniformed organisations, having paraded their flags, were provided with age appropriate activities in the St Andrew’s room and the vestry during the formal worship. They joined the congregation again for the blessing and National Anthem. My thanks go especially to Marcus Martin-Burns who provided the sound system at the War Memorial and to those who provided the activities for the young people. Page 15 ## **All Souls’ Service** Our Annual All Souls’ Service was well attended. Many of those who had expressed a wish to be invited back came along with others from the parish. ## **Occasional Offices** Over the year, 2 children were Baptized and 4 Young people and 3 Adults from the parish were confirmed in November at St Mark’s, Reigate. 15 Funeral services were conducted for the parish during the course of the year. There was just 1 wedding. ## **Ministry Team** It has been a pleasure to work with our Licensed Lay Minister, Ron Searle during the year and have enjoyed the opportunity to hear someone else preach on occasion. I am grateful to Linda Utting for all that she does to support me in my ministry in the parish and in conducting her ministry as SPA in her own right. Graeme and Alison Knibbs run the Wednesday evening study group and my thanks go to them for the time they spend in preparation and their invaluable contributions in this. ## **Safeguarding** Lizzie Searle has been Safeguarding Officer for the parish in 2021 for which I am very grateful. The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). ## **Uniformed Organisations** Links with the local uniformed organisations are healthy and the parade services include an opportunity for the young people to bring their flags and contribute their own prayers and poems as part of the worship. ## **Schools Work** It had been the intention to welcome Kingswood Primary School into The Wisdom of God for their annual Nativity Plays as this offers such an opportunity to bring in parents and carers from the community who otherwise might not enter the church. Unfortunately due to the very high rates of Covid-19 at the time, the school was unable to come. ## **Church Visitors** There were a few groups and individual visitors coming to the Wisdom of God where special arrangements were made to welcome them. Both churches opened for the Heritage Open Days. I would like to thank all those involved in accommodating these visits throughout the year. ## **Social Media** Our Website: Parishofkingswood.org.uk appears to be a helpful way for people to glean information about the parish as many enquiries come to me via a link there or via the website ‘A Church Near You’. Statistics show that our Facebook Pages: ‘Parish of Kingswood’; ‘Church of the Wisdom of God; and ‘St Andrew’s Church, Kingswood’ are also a very useful way of informing people of our worship and events. As mentioned before, contact for the co-ordination of our Youth Work mainly takes place using WhatsApp. ## **Parish Magazine** I would like to thank Graeme Knibbs who, with help from his wife Alison, edit and publish the Parish Magazine both online and in print form. Their hours of dedication to this task are very much appreciated by me and all who receive the magazine. Page 16 ## **Looking forward** Our Mission Action Plan is being continually reviewed. My thanks go to Ron Searle for his work on this. I am aware that having taken a Sabbatical and then having been on sick leave for a length of time, that there may be speculation as to my remaining in the parish; may I say that, precluding any unforeseen circumstances, it is my intention to remain here until October 2026 when I shall be forced to retire. ## **Thanks** There are so many people who do so many jobs, often quietly in the background, and I would like to thank all of them for giving of their time, talents and energy, and by naming some, I am bound to forget others. I apologise in advance if this is the case but want to extend my special thanks to Graeme Hopkins and Anne Bennett as Church Wardens. Anne has served for more terms than she initially expected and her contributions will be greatly missed. Thanks also go, to the Deputy Warden, Jane Hollington. My grateful thanks also go to Alexia Hartman as Parish Administrator who frequently goes ‘above and beyond’ her paid duties by answering the phone or responding to urgent emails at weekends particularly. Frank Foxen, as Treasurer and Organist; has faithfully attended to our finances since the beginning of 2015 and I’m aware that he also assisted Michael Smith prior to that. Frank has now stepped down as Treasurer and from the PCC but I wish to express my profound thanks for all his painstaking care in producing regular updates and information to enable to PCC to do its work effectively. Frank will continue to be our Organist and I’m very grateful to him for this aspect of his service in the parish too. I would also like to thank all the members of the PCC and Deanery Synod who undertake more than just the governance of the parish but many other roles in addition. Thanks also go to those who arrange flowers, arrange social activities and fundraising events. Our Choir, under the expert directorship or Jane Searle, have worked extra hard over the past two years in making recordings to use in our online services as well as entertaining us with their wonderful concerts and enhancing our worship too. It is a privilege to have such talent in our midst and I’d like to thank them all for their time and dedication. I would like to express my gratitude to all those who act as sidesmen, read lessons, lead intercessions, or serve at the altar. Numbers of volunteers have dwindled over the past year or so and it is important to stress that there are always opportunities for people to be involved in the wider running of the church as well as serving on the PCC. I thank everyone who has submitted a report for this meeting and may you continue to find joy in facilitating the mission and ministry of this parish. Rev’d Christine Colton, Priest in charge. May 2022. Page 17 ## **Churchwardens’ Report for 2021** Both churches were closed for several months during the Coronavirus pandemic, which severely curtailed activities, services were put online which enabled people to view them on the parishes YouTube channel. However, the churches reopened finally in August and services have continued almost as normal since that time, Broadband was installed at the Wisdom of God and this allowed us to live stream the services so those who were unable to attend in person could still take part. However, finances have inevitably taken a backward step during the lockdown period. During 2021 the Parish sadly lost two much loved members – Ken Cook and Lady Janet Hill – both had been very long- standing contributors to the life of the Parish and are much missed. There has been ongoing maintenance work at St Andrew’s during the year, both to the inside and outside of the building and to the churchyard. We are grateful to Richard Wells for kindly offering to supply two new trees for the churchyard after the removal of three dead ones. During 2021 we have employed a different firm of garden contractors for the St Andrew’s churchyard, who offer a cheaper and more flexible service. Both Churches managed to open for the heritage days in September and had a good number of visitors The gutters and down pipes at the Wisdom of God and St Andrew’s have been rubbed down and had a nice new coat of paint. Anne Bennet and Graeme Hopkins Churchwardens ## **Electoral Roll** On 31 December 2021 the number of names on the Electoral Roll was 77. Of this figure, 70 are resident within the parish and 9 are outside the parish boundary. Susan Mitchell Electoral Roll Officer ## **SPA links** Linda Utting (Southwark Pastoral Auxiliary) was also able to join the Zoom meetings organised by the local Deanery SPA group to keep up to date with SPA work in other parishes. Linda Utting SPA ## **Wisdom Stories at Teatime** We had to continue with Wisdom stories being available for half an hour every Wednesday in term time on Zoom throughout the majority of 2021 which Rev’d. Chris prepared every week. Although we had a small but regular number of families able to attend this it was very well received by those who were able to join in. Apart from the video stories and songs the children particularly relished the opportunity to see and speak to their friends from the school. Rev’d. Chris also prepared Easter gift packs which we were able to deliver to the families. These were very much appreciated. She also distributed material for families to do the Lent challenge including walks with their children. Page 18 We were able to restart meeting in person from the 15th September much to everyone's delight. Thanks to Jo Anderson, Kate Love, Jayde Davies, Abi Robinson, Angela Robertson, Brenda Avery, Amanda Lill, Faye Miles and Chris Day for all their help in covering the walking bus from school, preparing and serving the food each week, setting up and clearing the tables in the church, hoovering, organising the registration and paperwork for each family and generally being a massive support. As the Covid-19 infection rates began to escalate again before Christmas, particularly amongst the children, we took the decision to finish the weekly sessions early in December. Rev’d. Chris again organised Christmas gift bags for all the children and she, Brenda and I were able to hand these out at the church door to all the families at the end of term. We were also able to hold the Christingle crib service in the grounds of the Wisdom on Christmas Eve which was well attended - despite the damp conditions! Linda Utting SPA ## **Coffee Morning** Due to the risk of infection we were not able to restart the monthly coffee mornings until the 1st of September in the church hall but these took place in October, November and December 2021. The local community were delighted they were reinstated and it was good to see everyone well and able to attend. Although numbers were a little lower than before, an average of around 20 attendees were also able to hear an update from our local councillor Rod Ashford who also attended. During the year I had been able to keep in contact with those attendees by phone and we also included the coffee morning attendees in the distribution of flowers and cake which Jane Hollington and I had prepared and distributed to parishioners around our whole parish in March 2021. This was quite a mammoth task taking a couple of days of preparation and over 5 hours for myself and my daughter (thanks to Sophie Ellis) to distribute. I know Jane also had a similar workload for distribution to the other half of the parish. Although this was a lot of work it was very much appreciated by everyone - especially moving for those who had been isolated during the pandemic and had very little contact with anyone. Thanks to Liz Richardson, Sharon Childs, Gill McMaster and Brenda Avery for stepping into becoming the helpers each month to set up, bake cakes, serve teas and clear up without whom the coffee morning would not be possible Linda Utting SPA ## **Foodbank** During 2021 Parishioners have continued to make monetary and food donations to St Matthews foodbank Redhill. Food is a basic need, yet there are people in in the locality who are going hungry because they just don’t have enough money to feed themselves and their families. The foodbank at St Matthew’s aims to provide local families and individuals with essential food supplies to keep them going until a longer-term solution is found. On average the foodbank supports 75 individuals and families equating to approximately. 175 people per week both. Thank you to all those who have donated in this way – it makes a real difference. Alison Knibbs PCC Member Page 19 ## **Other pastoral work** The phone calls allocated for contacts in our parish kept me busy during the lockdown phase and when the restrictions allowed I was able to drive a few parishioners and coffee morning attendees for doctor appointments, hospital appointments and vaccinations. All of these assistances were gratefully received. Linda Utting SPA ## **Cross Ways Magazine** Thank you to all those who have contributed articles, photos, letters to the editor and other material over the past year. Including ‘home grown’ material is what makes the magazine ‘The Parish Magazine’ and as editor I have actively sought local material. I am always interested in contributions from the congregation or ideas of topics that might be of interest. I really hope that you have enjoyed ‘The Lock down Files’ series of articles and more recently the ‘Why I go to church’ articles. I hope that you have enjoyed trying to work out where the ‘Parish places’ photos are but also found them a source of inspiration for praying for our parish. The content of the sidebar is an eclectic mix of more light hearted and humorous content. There are also book reviews that cover a wide range of topics on which we might want to explore in greater depth. It is well worth a look as there are often some hidden gems there. In the email look out for the ‘clickable’ links (usually blue and underlined) that link to related web sites or there may be items that can be downloaded e.g. parish accounts. If you like to receive the email version of the magazine, please use the link on the Parish web site magazine page to subscribe. A paper copy is still available, if you require one, please contact the parish administrator. It has not been possible to place additional copies in our two churches through the pandemic but this may be restarted now that restrictions are being removed. If you missed out on one of this year’s issues back copies can be found via a link on the magazine page of the parish web site. I look forward over the coming year to publishing your news and views on what is going on around the parish as well as thoughts and ideas about Christian life in a post-modern increasingly secular society. I would especially like to hear from anyone with ideas about topics that you would like the magazine to cover. Finally, I would like to thank Alison who each month has proof read the magazine and laid out the print version, a very labourious task that makes you cross eyed! Graeme Knibbs Editor Page 20 **Deanery Synod Report 2021/2022** Deanery synod lay members: ## Alison Knibbs and Abigail Robinson The meetings themselves for those who don’t know are a way of lay people and clergy keeping in touch across the Parish – sharing positives and what has worked across all areas of the church, what doesn’t, and asking for help or guidance from others and promoting and evolving ideas into action. The first Deanery synod meeting of 2021 focussed on drawing people to our faith. We discussed the **Reigate Deanery “Mission Action Plan (MAP)”** and defined the purpose or mission objectives as: “Reigate Deanery provides a supportive framework for Churches to connect with each other. We collectively develop and share ways to proclaim the love of God, to grow as disciples of Christ Jesus and see the Holy Spirit transform lives. We aim to be creative, exciting, fun and welcoming with servant hearts.” Three main “action areas” agreed upon were: 1. Connecting Local Churches 2. Christ Centred Disciples 3. Being creative in our Mission Break off groups, to discuss drawing people to our faith threw up many ideas, such involving friends in the community side of things such as food banks and community lunches. **Part of the DS area for discussion is the Reigate Archdeaconry Social Justice Focus (RASJF)** – Chris Elliot is our Deanery champion for this. This area includes: Raising awareness of County Lines drug dealing, modern slavery, teenage mental health and working to improve the lives of the exploited. Central to this is linking up services including the police with representatives from the Church. The second meeting of the year Oct 2021 was Anita Colpus’s final meeting as Area Dean. This centred on the Environment and climate crisis. The strong trends of climate disruption are being hailed as a code red for humanity by the UN. Focussed on 2 reasons why the church wants to act: - 1) To show God our love and gratitude - 2) To show love of one’s neighbours and reduce the impact on the poor Practical things we can do as a church community: Reduce our own clutter Eat healthily, reduce meat and dairy, (vegetarian meals for messy church) Holiday locally, Dress fresh – meaning repair and buy 2[nd] hand Travel well – use public transport/ cycle or walk Change the system – reward green companies from energy to financial institutions, supermarkets with your business. Page 21 Move the pressure onto larger organisations by writing to them and asking them to take more action especially your MP. But most of all don’t be overwhelmed by the big picture as an individual. Individual steps all count and that includes talking to others about climate action. - There was an update on the renewed Hope Trust and a 4[th] person being employed post pandemic. Updated on the process of the house bought for 4 homeless men in the parish. - Living in Love and Faith course was positive and enjoyable with over 100 participants. - Deanery synod finances were approved with no queries or concerns. - The last meeting involved Rev’d Martin Colton being Commissioned as the new Area Dean. Each Parish shared what they had done on an Environmental basis. Some churches are ahead of the curve in all that they are doing and were able to share advice and contacts to others to help them along. A good way to start for a few was for them to look into the green awards. Finally, the Reigate Archdeaconry Social Justice Focus have recently developed an Anti-Slavery Partnership pledge. The pledge is aimed at small and medium businesses and has recently been launched with churches in East Surrey and London Borough of Sutton. It asks for a commitment to three or more actions raising awareness of modern slavery. It will be brought to the business community in Surrey later in the year. Rev’d Christine Colton Priest in Charge Page 22