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2022-12-31-accounts

St Mary’s Goudhurst Book of Reports : April 2022 - May 2023

Introduction

We are the Body of Christ, and each one of us is a part of it 1 Corinthians 12:27

There are many ways in which we participate in being part of the Body - ways which give glory to God and help to build each other up as we follow Christ together. Not all of those ways are noted in a document! However, each year, we try and capture different areas of our church life in the Book of Reports and this is a key part of what is reported at our APCM.

Those who have kindly led an area of service and ministry and written contributions for this report were asked to:

This report is not trying to present the best version of ourselves, but trying to be attentive to how God is moving and shaping us.

Main heading Subheading Written by Page
Vision Introduction Revd Rachel 1
Vicar’s report Revd Rachel 4
Churchwardens’ letter Jo Alsop and Sam Davis 7
Worship - Adoring God Worship Revd Rachel 8
Congregation - Thursday 10am Marion Vellino 8
Congregation - 8am Gill Wallis-Hosken 9
Congregation - 10.45am Wes Hinsley & Becky Addis 9
Sung worship 10.45 Wes Hinsley 10
Sunday serving teams Becky Addis 11
10am Zoom prayer Stephen Hardy 11
Prayer ministry Lesley Hardy 12

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Main heading Subheading Written by Page
Discipleship Discipleship Revd Rachel 12
Preaching Revd Rachel 12
Youth & Children - Sunday groups Kat Ogden 12
Youth & Children - other Revd Rachel 14
Small groups Martin Loy & Becky Addis 14
Pastoral Pastoral care Revd Rachel 15
Connect - Meal Train Ali Williams 16
Anna Chaplaincy Sonja Drew - as an emerging
ministry		 16
GK Emergency Prayer chain & prayer
box		 Kat Ogden 17
Home Communion Revd Rachel 18
Gospel -
communicating in
word and action - also
known as mission		 Gospel Revd Rachel 19
Weald Family Hub Louise Vickerman 19
Community Cupboard Ali Williams 20
Community Lunches Ali Williams & Gill Wallis-
Hosken		 20
fairwear Karen Gillett 21
Care Fund Dave Lodge 21
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Life
Skills courses		 Ali Williams, Karen Gillett &
Gill Wallis-Hosken		 23
Lend with Care Rosemary Southon 23
Alpha 23
Café Toddlers Val Lodge 24
Collective Worship at Goudhurst &
KIlndown Primary School		 Kat Ogden 24
Blend Tracey Smith 25
Crafty Mondays Val Lodge 25

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Main heading Subheading Written by Page
Infrastructure Infrastructure Revd Rachel 26
Safeguarding Andrea Kirkby 26
PCC Barney Mayhew 26
Leadership Team Revd Rachel 27
Church Ofce Becky Addis 27
Ordinand Kat Ogden 28
Buildings - Eco Church Sam Davis 29
Buildings - Church Rooms James Wickham 30
Buildings - St Mary’s church Jo Alsop and Sam Davis 30
Stewardship (Finance) Dave Lodge 31
Fabric - altar linens Rosemary Southon 32
Fabric - fowers Vacancy 33
Fabric - care of furniture Vacancy 33
Fabric - care of communion items
(Sacristan)		 Vacancy 33
Administrative information Becky Addis - as last year 34
Partnerships Partnerships Revd Rachel 35
Friends of St Mary’s Pam Stubbs 35
Goudhurst & KIlndown Primary
School		 Lindsay Roberts 36
Beng a school governor James Watkins 37
Bell Captain Catherine Heathcote 38
Mind the Gap 40
Thank yous 41

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Vision: Vicar’s report - Revd Rachel Robertson

Jesus was asked: what is the greatest commandment? His response is our overall vision and purpose:

‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,

and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment.

And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

(Matthew 22: 37-40)

This reminds us of who we are, and why we do the things that we do.

Alongside this we have five characteristics of our church life that I feel God has given us to shape our actions and our reflections on how He wants to be at work. I have selected just some of the examples in which God has been at work under these areas this last year.

Who is our God? - That we would develop in our understanding of who God is, and be able to confidently articulate this.

Last year I wrote that I hoped we’d see more times of testimony so that we become even more confident in our own ability to articulate who God is in our day to day. I think we have seen this happening more this year - from times when you have shared testimony up front in our 10.45am service, to sharing stories over coffee at the 9.15. Keep noticing, and keep sharing - it gives glory to God. In doing so you are continuing a long held oral tradition of speaking out about who God is, and also refuting characteristics that are sometimes wrongly attributed to Him. Today’s society needs to hear not just that there are those who have faith, or believe in God, but what God is like.

That we are called to go deeper with God , establishing really deep foundations.

Evidence of going deeper with God includes further growth around small groups (numbers meeting, content). Last year in this report I said that someone to help co-ordinate this ministry alongside the tremendous work being done by Martin Loy would help. I am delighted that Becky Addis has joined Martin in this key area. When we meet together during the week as well as Sundays to read the bible, pray and share fellowship, our roots with God will become more established. This is a shared joy when times are good, and when times are testing, we need our roots to be firmly established.

This next year I would look to have more of our church adult family join a small group, and for levels of engagement to increase.

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Likewise, we have seen a huge number of individual young people come though our doors. This year ahead I would look for engagement to be more frequent.

That church has the element of campfire about it: welcoming, with space to share stories, a place for all to gather, visible to those from afar who may be drawn to the edge of the campfire - and open to the power of the Holy Spirit.

Alongside more established ministries such as Café Toddlers, Crafty Mondays, Blend, church on Sunday and youth gatherings, we have seen the birth of Community Lunches. These are all ways in which, with the encouragement of being mission-minded with fellow Christians, we can encounter those whose faith may not be so established, listen, and gently share our experience of God at work in our lives. It still takes courage for a first time mum to walk through the door of Café Toddlers, but hopefully these sorts of ministries have the sense of the presence of God at the heart of what we do, the Holy Spirit being infectious in those who know the Lord, and an open edge that others may come and see God for themselves as His people gather.

Our mid week and Sunday worship is also open to all, and week by week we see missional opportunities in those who are drawn to the experience of being with others at the campfire. I think of someone part of the Thursday 10am for a season and how that also shaped us, of visiting family members at the 8 o’clock, of a retired priest on holiday at the 9.15 who then suggested to his wife to come to the 10.45 that day, and of Stuart & Karen one of our wedding couples who through building up their connection to the church in legal preparation for their wedding now feel part of our church family.

The image of campfire speaks of something drawing us to the centre - and at the centre of all that we do is God: the burning fire of God’s love for us, and his Holy Spirit - the presence of God in our hearts. May I encourage you this year to seek encounter with Him as priority.

As GK Church, we are to be beacons of Christ’s light, one of many beacons in the area, as Christ’s power transforms the nation and the world.

A dictionary definition is that a ‘chain of beacons carries the news.’ This is true of us individually carrying Christ’s light out into the world, but it also a picture of GK Church being one of many other churches in the area sharing God’s good news. If I speak to an engaged couple who will marry in one of our churches, but live further afield, I say confidently - the church is invested in the long term success of your marriage. Your local parish church wherever you live in the future will support you and be a resource to you in the years to come, as well as ourselves.

Encouraging other church beacons of Christ’s light is key - we want all of them to flourish. Two examples highlight ways we have hopefully helped encourage this: (1) when Christ Church choir joined me to celebrate the installation of Revd David Commander as our new

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Area Dean in St George’s Benenden, and (2) when we regularly pray for the right appointment of a new Vicar for Cranbrook.

That one by one, we would see people come to know God and his love, and be able to confidently declare, ‘I am the Lord’s.’

When someone makes this declaration, the heavens rejoice, and we do too. Each person is called by name. One by one - keep praying them into the Kingdom!

Conversion is one moment of saying ‘I am the Lord’s’ - when someone steps from death to life. It also conveys the moments of confidence when someone stands up for the faith, proclaims it boldly into the world - this is who I am, I am the Lord’s!

This year, baptisms of Lissie, Jonty and Joseph and the confirmations of Jo, Cecily, Natalie, Sebastian, Mackenzie, Lydia, Sam and Sam were joyous moments where we rejoiced in this excitement of theirs to proclaim their faith. Even Noah wearing his football shirt on a youth bowling trip with ‘Jesus’ clearly on the back - all this moments make me tingle with the excitement of the Holy Spirit at work. Keep praying!

Thank you

Thank you to Sam and Jo for their first year as churchwardens. I love working with you both - so professional, calm, prayerful and encouraging - and in the midst of the business, to keep our eye on God.

Becky and Kat - I am blessed. You work well, you work hard, you are righteous, and you are FUN.

Louise - thank you for your passion for improving the mental health of our young people, and for your grace and good humour.

PCC and within that, the Leadership Team: thank you for your prayer, fellowship and wisdom as we seek God together.

Huge thanks to Dan, without whose unfailing support I couldn’t be on the front line as it were. Catriona, David and Kirsty also encourage me daily and I’m so delighted that this role also benefits them in their friendships and faith.

Blessing

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

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Vision: Letter from our Churchwardens – Jo Alsop and Sam Davis

Summary of the role

It is difficult to summarise concisely the role of a churchwarden! Its multi-faceted nature seems to evolve dynamically depending on the season, involving both reactive fire-fighting and longerterm proactive planning. There are elements which are theological – prayer, advice, pastoral support - and those that are practical – upkeep of the buildings, roles in services, faculty applications and stewardship of the church silver! Some aspects of the role are done individually but most as part of a leadership team working with Rachel, Becky and Kat to try to grow God’s Kingdom in Goudhurst and beyond. But in essence the ministry of churchwarden, if we can call it that, is to support and advise the vicar, to the best of our ability and be familiar, present, and approachable members of the church family.

Where have we seen God at work?

We are sure we can’t claim much, if any, credit for this but it seems to us that the most obvious way in which God has been working is through Rachel. It has been wonderful to experience her evident joy in the Lord Jesus Christ, her prayerfulness, her faithful inspired preaching, her pastoral gifts and her ability to worship authentically across multiple different service styles. It is rarely easy as a new incumbent in an established church and in Rachel’s case, her transition was made more complicated by COVID but her graciousness, humility and honesty has allowed her to make the role her own.

God has also clearly been at work in growing the church family, at both St Mary’s and Christ Church as congregation numbers have continued to recover post-pandemic. It is so encouraging to see growth across multiple age groups. This growth is evident in the critical mass experienced in services, the sudden surge in numbers as the “youth” return from their groups, gregarious post-service coffee sessions, new faces in the band, continued expansion of small groups and a recovery in faithful giving of time, talents and money. New and rebranded ministries are also testament to God at work with Community Lunches, CAP Life Skills and fairwear all examples of faithful outreach into the community and their amplification through the generosity of those often beyond church family shows us the light within is a beacon with far reaching potential. We thank God and celebrate all involved for their time and effort in making these possible.

Where do we see the need for prayer?

The areas where we have seen God at work are all under-pinned by prayer, supported by faithful prayer warriors in the Prayer Ministry Team, those praying as Prayer Chain WhatsApp messages ping in, the 10am pray-ers and many more. God has clearly been at work healing, physically, mentally, spiritually in many of those cases we have been collectively praying about and we thank Him for his reconciling grace. In a recent testimony, Delaehle listed prayers that had been answered - God’s faithful response to our prayers prompts us to pray more often and more faithfully. And as Simon Taurins recently pointed out, if we raise our expectations of what God will do, God will meet us there. As Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

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Any vibrant church proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ is likely to be a target for spiritual attack and we have seen this on a number of fronts. When Paul talks about putting on the full armour of God for protection against the devil’s schemes in Ephesians, he says this:

Please pray for us as Churchwardens, for Rachel, for the leadership team and for the whole congregation for spiritual protection as well as physical and emotional well-being. Please pray for anyone involved in mounting an attack that they might know God’s grace and be reconciled to Him.

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Worship - Adoring God: Revd Rachel

Worship is about giving God honour, praise and glory for who He is. It is thanking Him for what He has done. It is learning to listen to His voice. It can be offered in the day to day of our lives, but through ordinary and seasonal times of the year, it is wonderful to worship together.

In the last year we have also had the joy and sorrow of responding to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, her death and the King’s Coronation in worship.

Thank you to those who help enable worship in any way - from up at the front to behind the scenes including many lay, and the wonderful Stephen, Lesley, John, Jean and Neville who as experienced clergy are full of love and wisdom, and a huge blessing to me.

Worship - Adoring God: Thursday Morning 10am congregation - Marion Vellino

There are currently 10-12 regular worshippers, some of whom are not always able to attend Sunday Services, so the Thursday Services are very important to us and we much appreciate that Rev Rachel has continued to hold them. We have developed a special fellowship which enables us to support each other in times of crisis both practical and spiritual.

Some additional people also attend on periodic occasions for their own private and personal reasons and we welcome them joining us.

These worshippers prefer the old liturgy and the utter peacefulness and reverence of this Holy Communion Service which, for many of us, is a stable reminder of our upbringing.

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Rev Rachel gives a short talk during the Service which we find meaningful, helpful and uplifting.

Our members set up before and tidy away after the Service so there is no extra work for the incumbent.

Worship - Adoring God: 8 o’clock Sunday congregation - Gill Wallis-Hosken

The 8 o clock service has continued to thrive with a small but dedicated core, and then many others joining in now and then. A big thank-you has to go to this dedicated core of people, especially in the depths of winter, setting up, reading, collections etc who keep us going, filling in when necessary. This quiet reflective service is a good way to start our Sunday worship affirming and reflecting God’s love for us and others. We are a good caring family, looking after others, and love to welcome new people to come and join us.

Worship - Adoring God: 10:45am Sunday congregation - Wes Hinsley and Becky Addis

For the last year, we have alternated between communion services with groups for the kids and teens, and all-together worship services, where we have the chance to be together as families worshipping God. In both kinds of service, we have the same hope that we would encounter God with praise, hear what He is saying, and see what He is doing.

Along with Rachel’s preaching, we have enjoyed hearing from Stephen and Lesley, Kat, Simon, Joe, Olly and others, along with a recent visit from Hugh, who returned to see a church of friends bursting with life, having moved during the difficult lockdown season. With many folk of all ages contributing to readings, times of prayer, tea and cake, the 10:45 remains a great team effort, where we are together as a family, serving one another.

We’re also really grateful for those who offer prayer ministry, and those who provide for our young people in groups during 10:45 services, as well as all of the musicians, and those who help with the technical side. More about those teams elsewhere in the book of reports.

After a long while streaming our services on Youtube, we moved to the more private approach of using Zoom for those who can’t be with us in person but would love to be. We did this for a great reason: because we want folk in our 10:45 to feel safe to share what they feel God saying, which can be a little scary at first. But it can also be a huge blessing what God speaks to one person, and we feel that it’s important and relevant for us.

A few Sundays ago, Simon invited us to raise our expectations of what God can do, and during the last year we have seen more people responding to the Holy Spirit at the 10:45 service. This might have been someone wanting to share their testimony, someone chatting before the service about an injury and another person immediately praying with that person – others have heard God speak words during the service which have then been shared with the congregation in the hope that the word speaks into someone’s

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circumstances. We have an awesome God who wants to become more and more part of everything that we’re doing here at St. Mary’s, and we’re growing in our discernment of hearing his voice in our services and that feels exciting.

We have continued to meet online each Monday to review our 10:45 service – what went well, how we can grow, and where did we see God moving. We pray, raise concerns, and talk about our hopes and dreams for how we can continue to grow.

Worship - Adoring God: Sung worship at the 10:45 – Wes Hinsley

“But now bring me a musician.” And when the musician played, the hand of the LORD came upon him.

2 Kings 3:15

The band for the 10:45 service has continued to grow in skill, in experience and in friendship, as a team of musicians trying to be sensitive to what God is saying and doing, and to try and lead our congregation into encounters with Him. Every week is a little different, and we sincerely hope that across the year many of you reading will have found yourself drawn to meet with Jesus, and that the songs we have led have resonated with what you’ve felt you needed to sing, and say, as Jesus draws us all close to Himself.

We are also continuing to learn about the times where we need to stop singing, to wait, and to listen, or perhaps just play gently for a moment. The quote from 2 Kings is Elisha speaking; the prophet is requested by three kings: Jehoshaphat of Judah, who Elisha respects, and the kings of Israel and Edom, who Elisha would otherwise have “paid no attention to”. Something of a tense encounter. Elisha calls for a harpist, and I’d love to have heard what the harpist played, contributing to Elisha hearing from the Lord and speaking.

As a team, we want to be like that harpist – to help create an environment where others might hear the Lord speaking. We’ve had some moments in the last year where that has already happened, and we’d love more.

A couple of our teenagers have moved on to university or to world mission, and we’re glad to have them back to visit once in a while. We’re continuing to add new members too, and would love to do so more. Here are a couple of comments from the team about how they’ve felt this year.

To be able to share worship with our band members and reach out to our church family is something very special and for me faith affirming.

Having joined the lovely band members a year ago, we continue to appreciate and be encouraged by their godly dedication and willingness to serve The Lord and His Church. We are very much looking forward to what God has for us all, and praise Him for the unity of the worship team.

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Worship - Adoring God: Sunday serving teams - Becky Addis

Each Sunday at the 10:45 service, depending on whether it’s a Worship for Everyone or a Holy Communion week, a large team of between 15 and 25 people work together to ensure that our services run smoothly. People serve in a variety of ways, for example by welcoming people into the church, being a sidesperson, working the sound desk, leading the prayers, reading, being on prayer ministry or working with our young people in their groups. Sunday morning services are a beautiful example of 1 Corinthians 12 when Paul speaks about the church being one body with many parts – all the people involved on Sunday mornings bring their own gifts, all different, but all needed to make up the body of Christ.

Being part of the team is a brilliant way to become involved in church life, especially for someone new to the church. It’s a real joy to see someone getting stuck in, and even more joyful for me when someone comes and asks to serve! Please always feel very free to come and chat to me if you feel God nudging you to serve in some way.

A big thank you from me to everyone who serves, you are a blessing to the whole church. Please pray for our teams to grow, especially our sound desk team who would benefit from a few people stepping up. It would be wonderful to see more and more people using their gifts and talents on a Sunday morning, always with the intention of bringing glory to God.

Worship - Adoring God: 10am Zoom Prayers - Revd Stephen Hardy

Prayer is an essential part of church life, and the Zoom prayer meeting which first began during lock down still continues, even though the number of people available to either lead or participate is not so large now that life has returned to normal. Currently we meet on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10.00 am. We include a small amount of liturgical prayer, and one of the Lectionary readings for the day, but the main part is to be praying for our church, our community, and any people whom we are aware of for whom prayer support will be a blessing.

Morning Prayer also provides an opportunity for fellowship for a few who are unable to attend church services for various reasons. Prayer is not only about asking for things, and we often find time to give thanks for God’s many blessings, and there have also been occasions during the year when we have been praising God for prayers that we have seen clearly answered.

We are glad to receive any specific prayer requests, which can be sent via the church office, and also are happy to welcome any occasional visitors to the morning meetings – which can be accessed through the home page on the church web site.

Jesus taught us that ‘where two or three are gathered together, there I am in the midst’. We assume that meeting via social media is just as valid as when we meet in person, and sometimes we have a very real sense of His presence as we pray.

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Worship - Adoring God: Prayer Ministry - Revd Lesley Hardy

Prayer has to be the heart of any church, and we are so blessed to have a team both offering prayer ministry, and also meeting together to pray before the 10:45 service. Holding the service before God in prayer, and listening for anything he might want to share with us, is a vital part of our ministry.

The team meets together once a term, to prayerfully discern how things are going, and where God might be leading us. As a result of some of those meetings, we decided to offer prayer ministry at the back of the church while communion is being administered, in addition to that offered in the Bedgebury Chapel after the service. This enables people to come for prayer in response to anything that has touched them in the talk, without having to wait till the end of the service.

Over this last year we have seen an increase in the number of people coming forward for prayer, and also seen encouraging ways that God is at work in people’s lives. It’s been good to have people coming to give thanks for answered prayer, too!

Last June, some of the team attended a day of training at The Living Well, and we all found that inspiring and encouraging. Training is important to us, as we see the ministry as an awesome privilege, and we continue to look for opportunities to attend any appropriate training sessions.

We are so grateful to God for his leading, guidance and faithfulness.

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Discipleship: Revd Rachel

Jesus calls us to more than believe in him (John 14:1) but to follow him (Matthew 28:19-20). This is a key way in which our roots will be established, and in times of testing we will remain firm. One example this year of opportunities to do this were the Saturday Live sessions led by Barney and Henrietta Mayhew. Thank you to them for their leadership and sill in this area and for those who dedicated time to grow in this area.

Discipleship: Preaching - Revd Rachel

I hope that you’ll agree that we have had preaching that has been bible based, engaging and with an emphasis on application. This last year I’ve been encouraged when a home group might use a sermon to reflect more deeply together, and when people have said a sermon has spoken to them, or when they have listened to it more than once!

This next year I’d like to encourage us to dig in a bit further: to bring our bibles to church, take notes, and if we miss a Sunday - catch up with the sermon again.

Thank you to those who have preached this year: Revd. Stephen Hardy, Revd. Lesley Hardy, Revd. Tracey Bateson, Simon Taurins, Sam Davis, Revd. Neville Gallagher, Mark Parsley, Gill Wallis-Hosken, Kat Ogden, Olly Gillett, Joe Champneys, Ben Ratchford on behalf of CAP, Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop Hugh Nelson.

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In general we have followed the lectionary for our choice of bible readings. One of the ways we express our unity as a church is that the same readings are used across all four congregations and the same person preaches at all three Sunday morning services.

Discipleship: Youth & Children - Sunday Groups - Kat Ogden

Sunday Groups are an important part of our families ministry at GK Church. We feel it is important that young people and group leaders have regular times to worship in church and so the groups are run fortnightly, to give regular opportunities for both the fellowship and learning that takes place in groups and to worship as a whole church family. We have six groups catering for babies up to school leaders (Scramblers; 0-preschool, Climbers; Yrs R - 2, Pathfinders; Yrs 3 - 6, Pioneers; Yrs 7-8, Explorers; Yrs 9-11 and Ignite Yrs 12 - 13).

The differing age groups clearly have differing needs and aims, although in all of them we aim to have fun whilst spending time with our friends and God. In the younger groups we try to help the children have a familiarity with Bible stories and encourage them to know the Bible better through memory verses, we often follow the sermon pattern so that the children are in step with what is being preached at church. In the older groups we are keen for the young people to develop their own faith and relationship with God. We do this by starting to have a deeper engagement with the Bible, encouraging the young people to read it at home, and encouraging prayer in our sessions. We recognise how important it is for young people to have friends who are Christians and try to encourage fellowship with socials held beyond our Sunday mornings.

We are extremely blessed with the team of talented and committed volunteers who prepare for and lead the groups. It is wonderful to see how different people are drawn to lead in the various age groups according to their differing skill sets and we find it a privilege to spend time with our wonderful young people as they find out more about our great God and discover and deepen their relationship with him.

Over 80 children have attended our groups over the last year which is wonderful and a real encouragement for our ministry, however attendance can be patchy which makes planning for the groups hard. For example since January we have had around 70 attendees but the majority of these have been to fewer than half of the sessions.

It would be great if we had more of the right people to join our Sunday Groups teams as we do not always have sufficient numbers of leaders to run all of the groups and we are reliant on a lot of the same people a lot of the time. Encouragingly we have had some new and returning leaders joining our teenage groups, but we could do with a greater depth of team for all age groups.

Due to the fluctuating numbers of young people, as well as availability of leaders we have been running the Pioneers and Explorers groups together but have not formally merged them so that socials can be run for the relevant age ranges and so that it will be easy to run them separately in the future should the need arise. On occasion we have also had to merge the Climbers group with either Pathfinders or Scramblers for the same reasons.

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High points in the groups include:

We feel that there is a real willingness and enthusiasm for the groups from our young people but various factors mean that they don’t attend regularly. Please pray for the children and their families and for obstacles to attending the groups fall away.

Please pray that our sessions continue to help the children and young people to get to know God better and that they discover and build their own relationship with God that they can rely on throughout their lives.

Please pray for our young people who may be questioning their faith or struggling with belief, whether they are still attending church and groups, or if they have stopped coming. We pray that throughout any faith struggles that they still feel safe and welcomed at our church and that they will come to know and recognise their Saviour in good time.

Discipleship: Youth & Children - other - Revd Rachel

We know that was well as enjoying fellowship, bible study and prayer on Sunday, our young people love seeing each other on other occasions. A youth trip to FUSE in Rainham resulted in some of our young people becoming firmer friends in their day to day social lives. An Ignite bowling social drew in much loved youngsters who hadn’t been coming on Sunday. Several of our young people were able to go on camps and Christian events with others. From events that take huge planning (gingerbread house making taking over your house) to being invited to watch a film together, these moments help our young people establish friendships with other Christians which can encourage them in their faith, and encourage them to come on Sundays.

Discipleship: Small groups - Martin Loy & Becky Addis

It has been fantastic to welcome Becky, in a voluntary capacity, to help with coordinating Small Groups. As we have worked together, and reflected on the past year, it has been hugely encouraging to see what is being done through Small Groups.

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Small Groups continue to be a fantastic opportunity for members of GK Church to develop closer and stronger bonds with a small number of people from within the larger church. There remains a strong core of group leaders, with several others potentially keen to consider stepping up and take on groups.

SGs continue to meet in a variety of settings: to enjoy fellowship, learn from the Bible and each other, and support one another practically and in prayer. We have built on the solid foundations of previous years in order to rationalise the groups we have at the moment: some groups have come to a natural end, whilst we have also set up new groups. There remain plans to introduce further groups to cope with increasing demand.

This continues to be an exciting time of growth and an opportunity to enable this key area of church life to thrive even more. Some groups have been really stuck into the Bible, covering some challenging parts of the Bible through themes, or tackling particular books of the Bible. Other groups have been blessed and encouraged by having a mid-week opportunity to going into more depth from the sermon the previous Sunday.

We remain determined that each SG can be a vibrant expression of fellowship, discipleship and spiritual growth that can make a direct impact in the lives of each person associated with a SG. Please continue to pray for wisdom as groups are enlarged with new members, and for leaders to emerge when more new groups need to be formed. Please pray that, in a year’s time, we can report that new groups have emerged, and more people have joined groups as we seek to ensure that everyone in the church community has an opportunity to benefit from being part of SG. Above all please pray for wise decisions to be made when seeking to create the best blend of people in each SG. Praise God for all He is doing in the groups and in individuals from the groups!

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Pastoral: Pastoral Care - Revd Rachel

Pastoral care covers services such as baptisms, weddings and funerals, and the related care around them. Answering the phone in the office can be to a newly bereaved widow, an excited newly engaged couple or someone needing access to the fuse box. I am grateful to Becky and her high level of support & care in the area of pastoral care from first phone call to anniversary cards sent a year after a death or marriage.

As well as the ministries listed in this section, planned pastoral care includes ensuring the house bound receive the offer of home communion, offering hospital visits and being Christ’s presence at gatherings such as Café Toddlers to be alert to loneliness and depression. I am grateful to Rosemary Southon and Sonja Drew who are trained to offer home communion using elements that have already been sanctified.

Pastoral care also happens on-the-hoof, such as when someone feels a nudge from God to phone someone and discovers this was a much needed call, or taking the time to talk on the street or in the village shops.

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During this time period at St Mary’s we held services and offered pastoral care around:

Pastoral care can be the classic cup of tea with the Vicar, but acts of pastoral care are undertaken by us all as we love each other in Jesus’ name. If you have visited someone in need, you also represent the church as you go - this is very much a team effort as God uses all of our connections to help reach out to those He loves.

Within the church family, the network of small groups is partly established to offer mutual support and care to one another - to meet each others’ needs as the first port of call after (or instead of) family.

Pastoral: Connect - Meal Train - Ali Williams

During the past year GK Church has provided 103 meals to help support people in a variety of circumstances which includes convalescing from a hospital stay, illness, a new baby and a house move. You also cooked 130 meals and baked cakes for the Alpha participants over the 11 week course that took place last summer – on behalf of all the recipients - thank you. There is always more we could do to love each other and our neighbours, and it would be great to have the resources to be able to offer more. A delicious home cooked meal delivered to the door by one of our church family can be the most wonderful gift, especially when things are tough, and if you would like to be part of this team please let me know. The beauty of the meal train is you only need to sign up to cook when you are able to, there doesn’t have to be a regular commitment. Also, if you would like to cook for the meal train but circumstances mean you may not be able to deliver, we would love more meals for the church freezer too, which we can use for similar circumstances and as a back up to the meal train. If you would like to know more about the meal train or cook for the church freezer, please do let me know. I say this in every Connect report I write, that ‘Connect’ as a ministry is really the whole church, learning how to respond to God’s love for us by loving others in this way.

Pastoral: Anna Chaplaincy - Sonja Drew (Licensed Lay Minister (Reader)

What is Anna Chaplaincy?

Anna Chaplaincy seeks to accompany older people at this age and stage of their lives. It is an ecumenical, community-based, chaplaincy promoting the spiritual welfare of older

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people. Anna Chaplaincy is a person-centred and non-judgemental ministry for people of strong, little or no faith at all. Anna Chaplains are named after the widow, Anna, who appears with Simeon in Luke’s gospel; both are good role models of faithful older people.

It involves visiting older people wherever they may be living, whether in residential and nursing homes, sheltered housing, retirement complexes or in their own homes. The emphasis is on spiritual support but, clearly, people’s practical struggles will also play a part in their overall well-being.

The chaplaincy is intended to complement and run alongside, rather than replicating or replacing, ministry already being done by the church.

Anna Chaplaincy in the Dioceses of Canterbury was introduced in 2019 and is affiliated to The Bible Reading Fellowship.

Why Anna Chaplaincy?

It wasn’t until I retired two years ago that God started to nudge me in taking on more church-based activities, for example taking Home Communion, supporting the Meal Train ministry, and joining the Community Cupboard Team. Opportunities to spend time chatting with, and offering prayer to older people of strong, little or no faith around the village seemed to resonate more with me as an important ministry to a group of people in the third and fourth ages of life. Showing them that they are deeply loved for their experience, knowledge, and wisdom and valued as a member of the local community.

I had I started to feel this calling to the ministry of being an Anna Chaplain over a year ago. I had encouraging conversations with Rev Rachel and the Warden of Readers last year. I also spent time discussing the role with one of the Diocesan Anna Chaplain leads. Following my Reader Annual Review with Rev Rachel this year, the call to this ministry was still as strong. The words from Isaiah 46 v 4 ‘Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you’ have been a constant source encouragement whilst I have been discerning Anna Chaplaincy.

What Next?

The PCC have very kindly agreed to support me in this emerging ministry. There is a Diocesan application process to follow; the closing date is 19 May and with a selection interview for acceptance onto the course towards the end of May. I would ask for your prayers at this time as the Diocese discerns my suitability for this ministry and subsequent training. I hope and pray that God will show us where we need to improve, change, and grow in our ministry to older people. Such exciting times ahead!

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Pastoral: GK Emergency Prayer Chain and the prayer box - Kat Ogden

The Emergency Prayer chain operates through a Whatsapp group which has 61 members. Anyone can ask Ali Williams, Becky Addis, Revd. Rachel, Kat Ogden or Sam Davis for a prayer request to be added to the group.

We regularly have prayer requests for people within our church family and their wider friends and family as well as prayer requests for local and wider situations. Some of the prayers are for short term issues but in many cases we pray for people over a long period of time. It is a great comfort for those on the receiving end of prayer to know that they are held so closely by those praying.

There is a prayer box in church which tends to be used more by people who are not part of the church family, although most notes are anonymous.

Those leading Zoom prayers will be aware of prayer requests from both the Whatsapp Groups and the prayer box and can include them in the intercessions. I find it really encouraging and comforting to know that we have a committed group of people who pray regularly for those in need and that this prayer takes place both individually and in groups.

We know that God listens to our prayers and we have seen lots of answer to prayer - it is always wonderful when we receive updates on the Prayer Chain Whatsapp where people have recognised that the prayer is being or has been answered. Without giving details on the specific prayer requests for privacy reasons, here are just some of the messages we have received:

“Tremendous answer to prayer to add to the prayer chain for praise… I can’t say how relieved we are filled with thankfulness and praise. Hallelujah!”

“Thank you to everyone for once again praying in faith and expectation. We have a great and loving God.”

“Oh my goodness! What an answer to prayer! A huge thank you for everyone’s prayers…. All glory to God!”

Pastoral: Home Communion

Holy Communion can be carried out by a priest in settings outside of church - for example when someone is too ill to come to church, and sanctified bread and wine can be taken by an authorised person to administer communion with a slightly different form of service also. We have two people authorised to do this - Rosemary Southon and Sonja Drew, and I am grateful to both for helping to ensure that those who wish to receive holy communion can do so.

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Gospel - also known as mission: Revd Rachel

The Anglican communion recognises Five Marks of Mission:

  1. To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom

  2. To teach, baptise and nurture new believers

  3. To respond to human need by loving service

  4. To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation

  5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth

We are trying to join in with Christ’s mission to the world. There are areas which are defined as mission which are reported on below. There are other ways of engaging which constitute mission (e.g. celebrating the Platinum Jubilee, Goudhurst Open Day, Village Fête, Coronation celebrations, Wreath making, Christmas Fayre), and there are ways in which the good news is passed on in ways which don’t have a title and where you are the ministry lead!

Gospel - also known as mission: The Weald Family Hub - Louise Vickerman

The Weald Family Hub was established nearly five years ago to ensure that mental health support for children, young people and their families is accessible, affordable, and readily available in the village communities of the Weald.

Since it began operations it has provided subsidised professional mental health counselling places to over 200 primary school aged children. The Hub also provides mentoring support for local secondary school pupils offered by a team of trained volunteer mentors and has supported 25 students to date.

At present we offer local primary schools between 18 and 36 weeks of subsidised professional mental health counselling dependent on their needs. Schools pay 50% of the costs, the Weald Family Hub the other 50%. Schools are offered counselling places for a minimum of three children with many accessing support for six or more children each year. We are also able to offer emergency support to schools for children needing immediate help. We are currently working with 11 partnership schools.

Mentoring support, run by our co-ordinator Bridget Stewart, has successfully been set up this year at Cranbrook Grammar school upon the closure of the High Weald Academy where the initiative originally started. We are currently considering extending the provision of mentoring to Mascalls Academy.

We are also set to run a pilot with Old Parsonage Surgery, Goudhurst to offer funded mental health counselling places for secondary aged students in the area. We hope to

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offer sessions online in the first instance to test the model at which point we hope to offer face-to-face sessions.

Children and young people have faced major challenges following the Covid pandemic and this is now compounded by the cost-of-living crisis. There is a continuing trend that puts a spotlight on the decline in children’s mental health and looking to the future, experts agree that underlying mental health problems will remain significantly higher because of this. Campaigns continue also to highlight the need for reforms in NHS children’s mental health services where many children wait for support for up to 2 years as waiting lists spiral out of control.

For the coming year and beyond, the work of The Hub will continue to be critical so that together we can help build mental health resilience and hope in our village communities and we are very thankful for our strong, continued partnership with Fegans in making this happen.

Please keep in your thoughts all those who are suffering with issues of mental health and that our work can continue to support as many of them as possible at a time when they need it most, in particular the children, young people and families in our communities; please also give thanks for the expertise, skills and time given by so many people in support of our work, the team at Fegans, our volunteers and volunteer co-ordinators and to those who have financially supported our work ensuring we realise our vision to transform the lives of children, young people and families in the Weald.

Gospel - also known as mission: Community Cupboard - Ali Williams

Not surprisingly demand for help from the Community Cupboard began to rise again last autumn, peaking at some 26 households we were supporting over the winter months. Demand has dropped slightly, and at the moment we are in contact with 20 households, the majority of which we support on a fairly regular basis.

We had bumper Christmas deliveries this year, enhanced by the magnificent donation from Ladysden of wonderful fresh fruit and veg and other goodies. We also had some other large donations of biscuits and Christmas puddings, and plenty of money, which along with other individual food donations, enabled us to provide a wonderful Christmas hamper for 26 households which the team prepared and delivered the week before Christmas.

As we have done in previous years, the Reverse Advent project provided sacks full of gifts for 18 children, and 34 adults living in the villages of Goudhurst and Kilndown – thank you so much for your generosity, it is always such a privilege to be on the front line and to see love in action like this. We saw some beautiful ways God was moving in this ministry. With your donations, there were enough gifts to go round, to the point where there was nothing left, but everyone had plenty, nothing was wasted.

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We heard some wonderful stories of how delighted our clients were with their gifts. This included a pair of binoculars given to someone who found great pleasure in watching the wildlife in his garden with them, a child thrilled with a book they received and a cross and chain cherished by a teenager. This ministry is totally reliant on your generous donations and the dedicated team who work tirelessly to support those finding life difficult in our community, thank you.

Gospel - also known as mission: Community Lunches - Ali Williams

Community Lunch started in September 2022, and is a weekly lunch held on a Tuesday in St Mary’s where we gather to eat delicious soup, bread and the chance to sample some amazing cakes too! We have a dedicated core team who turn out weekly and a very much valued wider team who regularly make soup and cake and help on the day too.

Community Lunch is a marvellous example of church in action, and we have seen some quite beautiful ways we have witnessed God moving among us - like the day someone new to Community Lunch just happened to sit beside one of our church family who they quickly discovered was able to speak fluently in their first language which wasn’t English, and a valuable conversation ensued: what a gift. Or the occasions one-off visitors to the church have come just at the right time and shared in our hospitality. And of course the uplifting stories of people leaving feeling better than when they arrived!

Jesus taught us so much by sharing many meals not just with his friends, but with people from all walks of life, sometimes seeming to raise a few eyebrows in the process. Community Lunch gives us all the opportunity to learn to be more like Jesus by being part of a space that welcomes everyone as equal, sharing in God’s provision and a starting point to talk about God’s story of love and salvation for anyone who wants to hear.

Gospel - also known as mission: fairwear - Karen Gillett

“fairwear” is the updated name of the ministry previously known as “Connect Clothing.” The name change reflects the desire to engage in the subject of clothing conservation on a global level, making clothing fair for workers, fair for the environment and fair for our parish.

On a local level, parishioners can buy clothes at a very fair price. Additionally, they can donate ‘gently worn’ clothing to re-sell in order to keep clothing in circulation for as long as possible. To engage in the conversation of ‘fashion’ on a global level sets our focus on the importance of caring for God’s creation and God’s family. Something which ties in beautifully with Eco-Church.

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In February we had our first children’s clothing sale held over two days and plan to have another this term. We will also have a large presence at the Summer Fête on the 10[th] June.

I am really excited to be embarking on this ministry and making wear fair for all. If you want to be part of the extended “team” or just involved with some of our events, please reach out directly to me.

Gospel - also known as mission: Care Fund - Dave Lodge

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3 v17-18

In late 2022, we were amazingly blessed with 2 significant donations given to us to use in supporting our local communities, totalling £60,000. Working with the donors, we agreed to split this 50:50, half being added to the great work of the Weald Family Hub, and the remaining £30,000 set up as a Community Care Fund, which can provide financial assistance to individuals, couples or families through a grant system for times of crisis or emergency need.

We researched and based the Care Fund on successful schemes in other churches, adapting it specifically to our locality. This builds on the success of the Community Cupboard, Connect Clothing and Community Lunches, and other links we have, which already have a reach into many local families. We will work through our own contacts, together with the local school, pre-school and doctors surgery to help identify needs.

Grants of up to £300 can be made to assist with costs or everyday items, white goods etc, to help when things get tough, or to manage better day-to-day. The £300 may be made for one item, or spread over several smaller amounts.

To date, we have paid out 8 grants for a wide variety of needs. We aim to make the scheme more widely known, now that we have proved the way that it works with these initial grants.

This is an amazing opportunity to support those around us and show love and concern. If you know of anyone who needs support, or if you yourself could benefit from the Care Fund, please talk with either Rev Rachel, Ali Williams or myself.

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Gospel - also known as mission: Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Life Skills Courses - Ali Williams

After some intense training in the autumn of 2022, Gill, Karen and I became official Christians Against Poverty Life Skills coaches and GK Church was named as a CAP Life Skills Centre for the Weald, which means we are able to offer the Life Skills course for anyone in the Weald and Tunbridge Wells area who would like to participate in a course.

We are on the radar of social prescribers, surgeries and agencies who can signpost folk to our course who may like to share and gain practical tips and skills alongside us, so we can help each other live well in challenging circumstances. After our preparation we were full of expectation and excitement and ready to run our first course by the middle of February, but unfortunately there were no referrals or sign ups at that time to enable us to run a course. This was disappointing, but not to be deterred we met as a team and prayed for where God may be calling us to share the Life Skills course. During that prayer meeting, for two different reasons, East Sutton Prison surfaced, and we felt led to explore this as a possible link for our Life Skills courses. As I write we are pursuing this with the help of one of our church family, as well as continuing to discern where else God is at work and calling us to share this course and His story.

Gospel - also known as mission: Lend With Care - Rosemary Southon

I continue to manage our small fund with Lend With Care. As there have been no new contributions to the fund this year, I have been reinvesting money that is being paid back by the Entrepreneurs. These may come from South Africa, South America, Pakistan, Polynesia, Vietnam etc. It is very interesting to read the various applications. On the whole the choice is between those who are supporting farming, families (and education) and those who are proposing to support others. Lend With Care has also recently set up a Link with Malawi.

Gospel - also known as mission: Alpha

Ali Williams co-ordinated three different Alpha groups which ran from May to July on Monday mornings, Monday evenings and Tuesday afternoons. The leaders and helpers were Gill Wallis-Hosken, Fiona Pryde, Sherry March, Josie Parsley, Mark Taylor, Joe Champneys, Dorothy Ross, Tracey Smith, Andy Freeman, Liz Tapper. and for the Holy Spirit Day, Simon & Katie Taurins and Wes Hinsley - thank you all!

The focus of Alpha, the high quality material produced by Alpha International, and the success for God’s Kingdom when Alpha courses are available mean that running Alpha remains a priority for us. However, to run Alpha again we need to train one or two people to be the Alpha co-ordinator role that Ali has fulfilled this season - thank you Ali for fulfilling this role.

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Gospel - also known as mission: Café Toddlers - Val Lodge

Café Toddlers continue to be a busy Friday morning and we have been blessed with a number of new mums and toddlers over recent months, many of whom have been invited by other mums – we certainly don’t need to advertise! There are often 30+ mums and at least as many babies and toddlers. We have a lovely, very dedicated team of helpers who provide cakes and craft activities, as well as creating a very friendly welcoming atmosphere. Snacks are available for the children and coffee, tea and a selection of beautiful cakes for the parents and carers. This is the only church connection for almost all the mums, grandparents and children that we see.

In December we also ran a wreath-making evening, attended by 35+ ladies. It was a fun event and a great range of Christmas wreaths were made – something for all tastes! Sonja did a short talk about the true Christmas message, being welcome for all.

Many thanks to the team – for all you do in this fantastic service to the community.

Gospel - also known as mission: Collective Worship at Goudhurst and Kilndown Primary School - Kat Ogden

Rachel and I lead Collective Worship at Goudhurst and Kilndown Primary School on Wednesday mornings and it is such a privilege and a highlight of our week for both of us.

We tend to keep our Collective Worship Bible based, using a specific verse or story from the Bible to engage with the children in an interactive manner, encouraging them to think about how it relates to them now, followed by signing a hymn together and a time for prayer or reflection.

Some of the themes we have covered this academic year include:

It is amazing to see how engaged the children are each week and how keen they are to share their experiences and knowledge with us. There are always numerous children happy to volunteer to answer questions or to help us to act out various parts. It is clear from the way that they retain information and make links that many of the children have a good understanding of God and that they want to know him. As with last year, the majority of children chose to receive an ash cross either or their forehead or hand with a blessing on Ash Wednesday and I could clearly feel the Holy Spirit among us as we were blessing the children.

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We have had encouraging feedback from both parents and teachers on the Collective Worships with some of the tools and aids we have used being recreated at home or in the classroom. We feel very well supported by the school and ask for you to pray for its staff and pupils - for protection over them and that the school remains a safe and loving place where they encounter Jesus through learning and the actions of those around them.

Please also pray for the children at this school who would love to come to church and try Sunday Groups, for any barriers to this falling away and for encouragement for their families to support their children in this way.

Gospel - also known as mission: Blend - Andrea Kirkby - Blend Team

Blend is led by Tracey Smith and is going well. In an attempt to increase the numbers we invited the Year 6 Children to Blend too. Unfortunately, due to Covid and the stop/start that happened once we were out of lockdown we missed a year of children who would have attended. We now have over 50 children each week. This has changed the dynamic and the original thinking behind Blend (to reconnect those children who have left Primary school to attend the many Secondary schools) has somewhat been lost. Many thanks to those who have volunteered to help on an occasional basis. Ideally we need 8 volunteers to run each session, we have a core group of 6 volunteers who help each week but if one of us is unable to attend it is sometimes difficult to get a replacement. We are always looking for new helpers and people to bake as feeding 50 children means a lot of cake is eaten! Amanda Hall and myself have completed the Food Hygiene training.

Gospel - also known as mission: Crafty Mondays - Val Lodge

A new venture this year. We meet just once a month and have enjoyed a wide range of crafting – knitting, crochet, paper flower making, stone painting, traditional Christmas pies, painting and calligraphy amongst others. We share skills, ideas, inspiration, patterns and completed projects, as well as sometimes having guest demonstrators. There is always tea, coffee and cake to share and many chats about, well just about anything – sometimes to do with crafting, sometimes about faith, the weather, news, family etc. It’s great to see the group sharing answers to questions about the church and our faith.

More recently we have been joined by new ladies (yes, it is predominantly, but not exclusively female!) from outside church circles or contacts made through the Community Cupboard.

We welcome anyone who wants to share skills or learn new ones.

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Infrastructure: Revd Rachel

Not such a catchy title, but a vital interwoven structure that holds everything in place.

Infrastructure: Safeguarding - Andrea Kirkby

The annual Safeguarding Conference was held in January, again via Zoom as this format works well. There was a LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) who manages and gives advice on any allegations made with anyone works within the children’s workforce i.e. hospitals, schools, or organisations similar to ours who gave the first talk. It is good to know there is a lot of expert advice we can call upon. We then had a talk from a Professor in Trauma on how the brain copes with abuse. He had worked with the Greenfell Support Team and Social workers preparing Ukrainan Refugee hosts. It was incredibly insightful and very interesting. Everyone seemed to have the same complaint that it is difficult to get people to do the training! There is now a Modern Slavery training course I need to complete.

I ran a Basic Safeguarding Training course in Church which worked out very well as it gave the participants an opportunity to discuss the issues raised in the training. I plan to run another course later this year and a Domestic Abuse Training course as well.

Some of my DBS checks are still being queried but we always use the Safer Recruitment Policy set out by the Diocese so we are following the correct procedures.

The spreadsheet containing information on anyone involved in Ministry in Church is now completed. This holds information as to who has completed what training and DBS check details and can be accessed by those who need that information.

We are required by the rules to include this statement: 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).

Infrastructure: PCC - Barney Mayhew

The PCC is, more or less, the governing body of the church. It contains the Vicar, the church wardens, and about 14 others who are elected by the church family.

We meet, we pray, and we discuss and decide on anything major that needs a decision. The whole idea is to seek God’s will, and to try to translate that into what the church does.

That covers a wide range of topics, starting with the church’s vision, and how to encourage and enable every aspect of its mission and ministry from services, to young people’s groups, to the community cupboard, to the CAP life skills work and dozens of other

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initiatives. It also includes the church's income and spending, buildings, safeguarding, training, relationship with the deanery, community events, and future plans.

For the past year I think we have felt united, encouraged, and fired up with love and hope for our church family and the wider communities. We are thankful for all that God has done, is doing and will do in the coming year.

Infrastructure: Leadership Team - Revd Rachel

We are blessed with a fantastic PCC, thank you all! Amongst their number is a sub group who offer support, wisdom and prayer for matters arising in between PCC meetings. This group is officially a standing committee and has delegated authority from the PCC to act in this way, and they are: Dave Lodge, Barney Mayhew, Wes Hinsley, Sam Davis and Jo Alsop. In addition these and Kat Ogden and Becky Addis form a Leadership Team - wise counsellors, prayer warriors and those who share the workload of leading the church. Thank you to this amazing team on my behalf and on behalf of our church.

Infrastructure: Church Office - Becky Addis

Life in the Church Office continues to be joyful as Kat and I continue to serve God in a variety of ways. For me this involves, amongst other things, keeping on top of communication, whether through the GK Church weekly news or social media, organizing rotas, dealing with pastoral services such as weddings, funerals and baptisms, or ordering in the various supplies needed for church life – no two days are the same.

It continues to be a real privilege to serve God through my work, and I feel so blessed to be part of the Staff and Leadership Team here at GK Church. It’s always so encouraging when rotas come together with the brilliant church family stepping up to serve, when requests go out for people to bake or cook for a church event and people simply put their hands up – and the recent response to furnish the new home of one of our Ukrainian families, well that was amazing! All these administrative requests sent out by me being fulfilled by kind, generous people who love God and wish to serve him.

Please keep praying for the work that goes on within the four walls of the Church Office. We laugh a lot as we work together and enjoy working as a team and seeing where God is moving. And if you want to pray about something really big – how about a new Church Office in the Church or maybe in the village somewhere!

Rachel notes: Becky works part time Monday - Thursday, and gives time as a volunteer in addition, serving with Martin Loy as our Small Groups co-ordinator, serving on Sunday teams such as refreshments, and with children’s groups, and leading a small group. On top of this she is a joy to work with - thank you Becky!

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Infrastructure: Ordinand - Kat Ogden

In September of last year my role changed from being Children’s and Youth Pastor to Ordinand (or trainee-vicar as I like to explain it). My Ordinand training involves a contextbased three year degree in ‘Theology Ministry and Mission’ and I now spend one day a week at St Mellitus College in London, two days plus Sundays in my church placement here at GK Church and two days studying at home.

As an Ordinand at GK Church I get to gain experience across a wide area of ministry. I have kept on some of the youth children’s work such as leading Collective Worship and School services in church and leading in Sunday Groups which continues to be very rewarding. It is a joy to attend Connect lunches on Tuesday - both for the food and the company! And I am learning lots about church leadership and what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ in day to day ministry through being part of the Staff and Leadership team and from Revd. Rachel’s wisdom. I have also enjoyed stretching my worship muscles by becoming a regular at the 8 o’clock service and falling into the rhythm of the familiar yet somewhat foreign liturgy.

Something which has struck me since spending time with lots of other Ordinands, many of whom are at much bigger and highly resourced churches, is just how much we manage to do at GK Church with a very small staff team. You may notice this when you see Becky’s rotas sent out each week and that just covers the 10:45 service. Day in, day out, there are many people forming part of our GK Church family who are serving and ministering in some way and it is here that I really see the Holy Spirit at work. That people have such love for Jesus and God’s people that they consistently give up their own time and resources to serve in such a variety of ways is inspiring and humbling. I feel that people have a real willingness to try and see where God is at work so that we can catch up with him and serve where he wants us.

I also see God at work here in GK Church when people show what is known at theological college as ‘generous orthodoxy’. That is, an acceptance of, and willingness to hold together different styles and traditions of worship. Revd. Rachel demonstrates this through the way she genuinely values and appreciates presiding over all of our services from the 8 O Clock, Thursday Holy Communion and the 10:45 at St Mary’s to the 9:15 at Christ Church. However I regularly see it in members of our congregations too and it makes me think of St Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 12 where we are reminded that all of the different parts of the body have roles to play but it is by working together that we form the body of Christ.

I am incredibly blessed to be working alongside Revd. Rachel and Becky and to be supported by our wonderful church wardens and leadership team. I still have such a huge amount to learn and would ask for you to pray for me as I attempt to grow my theoretical and practical knowledge and experience of ministry. Please pray that I see where and how God is at work around us. And please pray for Tom, Kitty, Posey and Seraphina who have been so supportive of me as I head off to college each week and regularly leave them for weekends to go off for more study.

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Rachel notes: I was delighted to recruit Kat as Children and Youth Minister, and then privileged (& delighted) to observe and be a part of her discernment to the priesthood which started years ago and reached a point of affirmation when she was approved by the national Church of England to undertake training for the priesthood. We are very blessed to have her reflective mind and many gifts based here during her initial training period.

Infrastructure: Buildings - Eco church - Sam Davis

Since its inception, our EcoChurch work has involved:

Where has God been moving/at work?

The programme’s progress has plateaued since the pandemic due to lack of capacity but God has still been at work in this area. With many thanks to them, our churchyard is maintained by the Goudhurst Parish Council (GPC) and we have recently seen increased interest from GPC in management of the space in a way which finds a balance between being conducive to encouraging biodiversity replenishment while respectful to those visiting the graves of loved ones.

What do we need prayer for?

We see in Genesis 1 that God cares deeply about his creation and we firmly believe He will continue to move in this space whatever we do. That said, God’s work and this programme would benefit from new ownership and energy by someone with both capacity and a real heart for creation care. Please pray for such an individual to step forward. Please also pray for GPC as they work to find the right balance for managing the churchyard.

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Infrastructure: Buildings - Church Rooms - James Wickham

The Church Rooms has had another year exciting year, supporting St. Marys Church and the village. Goudhurst Village Pre-School has been full all year, unfortunately turning new applicants away and is nearly fully booked for the new school year in September.

Congratulations must go to Jo Galloway and her team for recently gaining an Outstanding Ofsted rating- a huge achievement.

In addition to the Pre-School use, a number of other organisations continue to regularly rent the premises, as well as one-off rentals for parties and other gatherings. (Contact Jo Galloway joannegvp@gmail.com if you are interested in renting the premises).

As always building maintenance is essential and ongoing, and half of the roof was re-tiled and ongoing repairs to the decking were made amongst other things.

Mainly due to the heavy expenditure of £7,500 on the roof and the decking repairs, overall we spent £3,642 more than we received in rental income for the year. However, the roof repair costs were significantly less than we had previously estimated. The fund, built up over many years, will allow us to undertake further maintenance including potentially a new more environmental friendly heating system.

A final thank you to everyone involved in working to maintain a thriving Church rooms for the benefit of the village.

Infrastructure: Buildings - St Mary’s Church - Jo Alsop and Sam Davis

Summary of role

The churchwardens are responsible for ensuring the church buildings are maintained. In this we are ably supported by many including the PCC, Becky and especially James Wickham who takes on much of the actual maintenance work and its management. We are extremely grateful for this support.

Where have we seen God at work?

Following the long period under scaffolding in 2020-2021 when the last quinquennial works were carried out, it was a blessing for the church to be scaffold-free and restored to its position as a beautiful and welcoming beacon at the centre of the village. Thanks to all who were involved in organising, funding and carrying out the high quality restoration work, especially Ali and the Friends of St Mary’s.

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It is a further blessing that Jo, with the help of newly appointed architects has made good progress towards having the churchyard wall repaired. The repair will involve a new design incorporating a lowered wall section which hopefully will prevent recurrence of the damage caused by passing HGVs. As you can imagine, there are multiple interested parties in relation to this project so we are particularly thankful that there is consensus around the new wall design.

Last but not least, we thank God for the good progress made on replacing the window above the Culpepper effigies. Glass has been secured that will protect these important historical artefacts from light pollution. An added bonus is that the window will now not just be plain glass but will include a coloured glass design focused on commemorating the late Queen. This project has been led the Friends of St Mary’s who have raised the necessary funding and had a substantial input into the window composition and design.

What do we need prayer for?

The next quinquennial review is due this year so please pray for the architects for skill, diligence and wisdom as they carry out this work and that any remedial works required are manageable.

Please pray for the wall repair project, for Jo, the architects and all those involved in its organisation. Please pray that the funds available are sufficient for the works to be carried out and that the works are carried out smoothly and well, with minimum disruption to our village neighbours.

Please continue to pray for the replacement of the window above the Culpepper effigies, for Ali, the FOSM and all the artisans involved for skill and wisdom and for any fundraising needed to be generously supported.

St Mary’s is an historic and complex building; minor issues occur frequently and sometimes unexpectedly- please pray for us, James, Becky and all others involved for the capacity to deal with these as they present themselves.

Infrastructure: Stewardship (Finance) - Dave Lodge

After the heavy expenditure in 2021 on the last Quinquennial Report stonework projects, we had much more of a ‘normal’ year in 2022. The PCC set a target to rebuild our reserves over the next three years at £25,000 each year, so that we are able to meet the next Report requirements (the inspection is due later in 2023!). In fact, on the General Fund we have been blessed with an increase in regular giving by around 13%, helped by a couple of significant donations, and after all expenditure, our reserves increased by £23,575, just short of the first third of £75k target. The Charity Ball held in November 2022 was a great

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success with the profits of over £8,000 being split 50:50 between the Weald Family Hub and general church funds.

In addition, we were given two very large donations totalling £60,000 for use in the community; we split this 50:50, half going to the work of the Weald Family Hub and half being used to set up a new Care Fund. This Fund, based on similar successful schemes at other churches, was launched in early 2023 and provides financial assistance to individuals, couples or families in our local villages through a grant system for times of crisis or emergency need. So far, we have paid out 8 grants for a wide variety of needs.

The Weald Family Hub (WFH) continues to be well supported by regular donations as well as sterling work by Louise Vickerman in attracting grants from local charities and supporters. Along with the £30,000 noted above, the WFH has been able to increase the level of support provided to mental health counselling at local schools.

During 2022 we carried out some ‘tidying-up’ and paid out monies to Christians Against Poverty, Sri Lank Theological College and The Disasters Emergency Committee from funds that we had built up over a number of years.

We continue to benefit from the recover of Income Tax through the Gift Aid arrangements; we received over £26,000 in 2022. The method of collection of Gift Aid is changing in 2023 as the Canterbury Diocese will no longer be providing support for this. At this time of change, John McCaig has decided it is time for him to hang up his boots and hand over the administration after many years of service. I would like to thank John for his dedication and massive support over his tenure. We will be providing an alternative method of donations for Gift Aid purposes, although existing givers will not see any change at least for the time being.

Many thanks to all who give to the church – the increases in 2022 have been a blessing and enabled us to further develop the sharing of God’s love both within the church and our wider community. If you would like to talk through anything relating to the accounts or regular giving please just let me know.

Infrastructure: Fabric - altar linens, verging - Rosemary Southon

I’m often to be found popping in to the Church. One role is to change the Altar linen and frontals, according to the Churches year - purple, green, white, red. Some items are light and some are awkward to handle and have different fixing methods. It’s a good time to have a quiet moment for reflection, even if I’m trying not to trip over steps or obstacles. Connected to this is the laundry of the linen etc and remembering which way to iron certain items.

On certain days I unlock the church - this is a really good time to be in the church with the sun just rising through the East windows. It makes me think of all those who have previously worshipped here.

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I still welcome visiting ringers and until fairly recently Verged for funerals and some Baptisms (in abeyance due to foot injury).

Infrastructure: Flowers - Revd Rachel

With huge thanks to Marian Sergeant who has led a small team to create beautiful displays for church on a weekly basis and for special occasions including the main festivals of the year and the Platinum Jubilee.

This main lead and co-ordinator role is now vacant. If you have skills to add to this area, please contact Becky Addis.

Infrastructure: Care of furniture - Revd Rachel

We have a small and dedicated team who regularly fix things or help me to retire items. Someone to oversee this area of care would be wonderful - someone who would oversee things like the removal of Covid seating stickers from the pews without damaging them, know the history of whether a chair is ancient and precious, or a kitchen chair that can be removed without concern, make decisions on whether to fix the wheels on the chair racks or buy new racks. If you can serve in this way, please contact Becky Addis.

Infrastructure: Sacristan - Revd Rachel

We have a small number of those who carefully set up for Communion, clean and care for altar linens and notice when we need to buy more supplies - thank you. It would be amazing if there was one main person who took on this oversight so that we ensure things are kept in good order. Please contact me if you would like to discuss this role in more detail.

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Infrastructure: Administrative information

Bankers CAF Bank
15 Kings Hill Avenue
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent ME19 4JQ
Nat West Bank
High Street
Cranbrook
Kent TN17 3EA
Independent Examiner Mr J A Tapper FCA
Mill Cottage
Mill Lane
Sissinghurst
Kent
TN17 2HX
Architects Clague
62 Burgate
Canterbury
Kent, CT1 2BH

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Partnerships: Revd Rachel

The following reports have been kindly provided by those we work in partnership with. We value all these partnerships highly, and are also grateful for relationships with others including:

Please ask me for more information on our relationships with these organisations.

Partnerships: Friends of St. Mary’s - Pam Stubbs

The focus for the last year has been the issue of the bay window and the Culpeper effigies which lie within its recess. A faculty was granted for the conservation of the figures providing the problems of damaging light could be solved.

Leonie Seliger of the Cathedral Studios Canterbury has been our expert advising us and recommended a specialised, hand-blown German glass which would filter out all the harmful UV light. She also alerted us to the fact that the glass would be going up in price and urged us to purchase what we required. The glass was duly acquired and Canterbury are storing it for us pro tem.

Leonie then suggested that following the death of Queen Elizabeth we might take the opportunity to install a memorial window. Four designs were put forward by her and the Friends and the PCC agreed a design. There are several advantages to this proposal. The outstanding problems of IR and visible light would be solved, meaning that the figures would be completely shielded; funding for the window COULD be more forthcoming; a clear idea of future planning for the figures could be made.

We are waiting to be advised as to whether we can proceed with an alteration to the existing faculty or if a new faculty should be sought.

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Partnerships: Goudhurst and Kilndown Primary School - Lindsay Roberts, Executive Headteacher

What has gone well and Where is God Moving?

We began the academic year 2022-2023 with a full complement of staff and excited about the year ahead. Indeed, staffing continues to be very stable and we are fortunate to have an experienced and committed teaching staff who work incredibly hard every day to ensure that the children in our school and across the Federation receive the very best Education possible.

We have been working collaboratively with Benenden CEP School since April 2019, we federated in April 2020 and I am very proud to say that our Federation has gone from strength to strength. Our shared Vision, Mission and Values- Curiosity, Compassion, Courage and Commitment as told in the parable of the The Good Samaritan coupled with our motto for the schools, ‘Adventurous Together’ and the Federation, ‘Life in all its fullness,’ are now completely embedded and woven into everything we do.

This year one of our school improvement priorities is to enhance our whole school approach to supporting good mental health for learning in our staff and our children, maximising happiness in the whole school community. I would like to thank the Kilndown Educational Trust who awarded us a grant towards this initiative enabling us to redevelop and redesign our Nurture Room. We also continue to work with the Weald Family Hub to provide counselling for some children and family support, where necessary. We are grateful for their amazing work in local schools and the wider community.

Despite the pandemic, academic standards continue to remain high and in addition to the statutory curriculum, we try to provide our children with a wide range of extra-curricular experiences to help enrich their learning. We offer a wide range of clubs to all our children including an annual Arts Festival.

At the end of the summer term last year, the children and staff in KS2 put on a wonderful performance of ‘The Jungle Book.’ Year 5 completed their two night residential trip to Bewl Water during the middle of September and once again Year 6 enjoyed their final residential trip to Bowles Outdoor Learning Centre in Tunbridge Wells. Year R, 1 and 2 have received weekly whole class djembe drumming lessons and Year 5 are enjoying learning how to play the trumpet. In addition, some children are learning to play the guitar, piano, recorder, and some are having singing lessons. Year 5 also took part in a magnificent production of Romeo and Juliet at Benenden Girls School. Fiona Lenon –Director of Drama at Benenden School said, “Your ability to connect with the language of Shakespeare and make it conversational was excellent. I thought the energy required to keep the rivalry between the houses of Montague and Capulet was sustained all the way through the performance. I loved the contemporary comments of the narrators and their wonderful use of vocal expression and how they spoke to each other across the stage.”

All the children spoke confidently and clearly, their vocal energy and their timing was excellent. I was a very proud Headteacher.

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In recognition of our commitment to providing high quality Music and Performing Arts Education, we have been awarded a Music Mark and Artsmark Gold. Indeed, we are an accredited Arts Award Centre.

We continue to be committed to delivering Forest School and Outdoor Learning. Our Forest School sessions now take place in ‘Broadoak Woods’ - a beautiful private woodland surrounded by farmland. It is a short minibus journey from the school and we are extremely grateful to William & Penny Thompson (whose sons both attended our school) for allowing us to use their woods to run our sessions.

Every year KS1 perform a wonderful Nativity Play and this year was no exception. ‘The King is Born’ was very well attended by parents, and the retiring collection went towards supporting our two charities, the Weald Family Hub and Young Minds. Indeed every year the children contribute either by their actions or by raising money for worthy causes.

It has been another year of great sporting success leading us once again to achieve our School Games Sports Gold Award. Events entered included the Rawlinson Run, the Orchard Run, Digital Literacy, Hockey, Netball, Football, Swimming Gala, the Colour Run, Tennis, Cheerleading and The Kent Junior Schools Cross Country Championships where we competed against hundreds of children taking part from all over Kent. Our daily ‘mile run’ continues to be ever popular and we certainly believe that this daily exercise is having a positive impact on the children’s fitness and concentration skills.

The PTFA continue to work extremely hard to organise and run a wide range of events and services. The school is very lucky to have such a dedicated team of parents who ‘get things done’. Since September, they have championed a number of major projects and helped us purchase a multitude of resources for the children – Thank you.

We recognise the importance and value of our strong links with St. Mary’s Church. We are grateful for weekly Collective Worship led by Reverend Rachel and Kat Ogden which always leave us filled with encouragement, wisdom, hope and love for the future. We have also enjoyed services for Harvest, Christmas, Christingle, Ash Wednesday, Easter and last year for the first time, we were delighted to participate in a pilgrimage from Christ Church Kilndown back to school. Moments such as these really help to deepen the children’s spiritual development and offer us real opportunities for prayer and reflection.

Please visit our school website to keep up to date with all the latest school news and events: www.goudhurst-kilndown.kent.sch.uk

Additionally, you can follow us on Twitter @GandKPrimary

James Watkins, Governor and church member adds:

The role of a governor is very much to be a critical friend to the school, offering some degree of challenge to everything that they do and being prepared to hold them to account

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for the decisions they make. As one of the governors involved with monitoring Quality of Education, as well as sitting on the VES committee, I feel a responsibility for ensuring that the school does “everything it says on the tin”, holding up the school’s Christian ethos as one of the key measuring sticks in this process.

Partnerships: Goudhurst, Kilndown & Lamberhurst belfry report - Catherine Heathcote

After several years of disruption resulting from repeated lockdowns and the need to socially distance during the COVID pandemic, we began 2022 having returned to regular ringing at the end of May 2021. The local bands were much depleted following the pandemic, making it difficult or even impossible for individual bands to operate. As a result, we decided to form a joint band consisting of Goudhurst, Kilndown and Lamberhurst ringers. Not only had our numbers decreased but we also found that many skills of our ringing skills had deteriorated after such a long time away from ringing, there was ground to make up.

It was agreed that this joint band would meet regularly at Lamberhurst to practise, but ring as required at all three churches. Although we were able to meet together on practice nights there was still no regular Sunday Service bands. The band was made up of seven Lamberhurst ringers, one Kilndown ringer and two ringers from Goudhurst..

Following the long absence, it was possible to resume ringing at Lamberhurst and Goudhurst relatively easily, however after nearly 3 years of silence, Kilndown bells were not readily able to be rung. Bellhangers, Nicholsons Engineering Ltd, came to inspect the tower and made a series of recommendations. The ropes were found to be in need of replacement and the tower was infested with pigeons and filled with pigeon detritus, a danger to human health. A team of volunteers from the village undertook to clean the belfry to allow ringing to take place for a number of important events during 2022 however work to block the entry of birds and replacement ropes was still required before regular ringing could resume at Kilndown.

The Platinum Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II was marked on the weekend of 4th and 5th June 2022. The band was delighted to join ringers from all over the country to mark this occasion by ringing at all three towers, Lamberhurst, Kilndown and Goudhurst on Saturday 4th June.

On Saturday June 18th Goudhurst hosted the Kent County Association 8 Bell Striking Competition and Ringing Festival. Four teams from Kent competed by ringing a set piece of Stedman Triples on the 8 bells at Goudhurst, with the winning team coming from Canterbury. Many local towers were also open for ringing: Brenchley, Cranbrook, Horsmonden, Frittenden, Staplehurst, Hawkhurst and Lamberhurst and ringers gathered for real ale, a barbecue and ringing on the Charmborough mini ring at nearby Taywell Farm Shop.

Following the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations it was, with great sadness, that the ringers

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learnt of the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8th September 2022. Following the agreed protocol a single bell was tolled at 12 o’clock midday at Lamberhurst on each of the 10 days of public mourning to mark the death of HM the Queen. A single bell was also tolled at Christ Church, Kilndown and St Mary’s, Goudhurst to mark the passing. All the bells were also rung at Lamberhurst and Goudhurst fully muffled, with the tenor open at backstroke, traditional on the death of a monarch. A single bell was tolled for an hour before the state funeral of HM Queen at all three churches from 10am until 11am on the morning of Monday 19th September 2022.

In addition to the formal ringing that took place during 2022, the band rang for many weddings at all three churches and welcomed a number visiting bands to ring at each tower.

Over the year the band has also been joined by five new prospective ringers, three from Goudhurst, one from Lamberhurst and one from Horsmonden. All these new ringers have made good progress and will be ringing as part of the main band in the very near future.

The fixtures and fittings at Lamberhurst and Goudhurst remain in good order and are regularly inspected by the Tower Captain and Steeple Keeper. The 4th bell at Goudhurst continues to prove tricky for some ringers, repeated detailed inspections have not yielded any satisfactory answers. At the time of writing, and in preparation for ringing for the Coronation of HM King Charles III on Saturday 6th May, gaps and holes in the spire and around the louvres at Christ Church, Kilndown have been made good and preparations for the ordering of new ropes has commenced.

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Mind the Gap

We think we have gaps in the following areas. You may be called to help in this area, or may discern another area of calling. Please explore this in prayer, in guidance from scripture, and in conversation with other Christians (ask them: where would I be suited, where would I need others to complement what I can offer?) and with myself.

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THANK YOU to all those involved in the ministries described. This is not an exhaustive list, but thanks also for

Welcoming those from Ukraine and praying for and with those affected by the war + Organising the St Leonard’s beach trip + Serving refreshments at a school service in church + Leading on Platinum Jubilee celebrations & serving on teams + Giving lifts to or washing up at Lunch Club + Clearing up popcorn after Film Club + Taking someone to the doctors or hospital + Serving during our Summer Fun and at Blend on Tour sessions + Prayer-walking + Delivering Christmas cards + Packing Christmas hampers + Baking for an event + Setting up chairs + Setting up for Communion + Setting up for band + Tidying away + Decorating the church + Dismantling things (Christmas trees, old equipment) + Hosting the Holy Spirit Alpha day + Inviting youth to BREAD + Driving youth to to Fuse + Helping at a bowling event + Running a gingerbread making session + Taking excellent photographs + Organising rounders + Helping with a bring & share lunch, a welcome lunch or a Vicarage tea + Leading a John’s gospel evening + Clearing a gully + Checking something electrical + Sweeping the path of snow + Weeding the church path + Fixing curtains + Chasing deliveries + Moving someone into a new home + Caring for children + Gathering foliage for the wreath making event + Organising the Charity ball + Being a door keeper (opening and shutting the church) + Helping with the flood lighting + Undertaking flag duties + Printing posters and service books + Writing for and delivering the Village Magazine + Cleaning the church + Tending the grounds including the flower beds + Providing and making the Christmas pud for Stir up Sunday + Fixing things including a sundial, the altar table, and switches on the sound desk + Posting on the prayer chain + Checking the prayer box + Ringing the bells + Donating funds + Generously giving on a weekly or monthly basis + Taking part in a sponsored events + Providing space for funeral hearses and wedding cars (Star & Eagle) + Hosting the Minister for Refugees, Lord Harrington + Hosting Bishop Keethri + Completing health & safety or safeguarding training + Passing on encouragement + Speaking up + Achieving a 5* rating for hygiene + Covering for the absence of another + Making soup + Providing parking on Sundays (G&K School) + Buying bread + Arranging the Community Cupboard + Sourcing and running a craft activity for toddlers and young people + Packing and sorting activity bags for Sundays + Writing A Brief Bible Guidebook and gifting us with copies + Not minding that your contribution was overlooked even on a long list like this + Helping with Crafty Mondays / Community Lunches / Blend / Thursday Communion / Café Toddlers / Sunday groups / Zoom prayer + Caring for someone frailer than you + Praying + Cashing money at the bank + Providing flowers for Mothering Sunday + Establishing a fire plan + Painting + Leading carols for Blend + Knitting a nativity set and making its stable + Leading a Week of Accompanied prayer + Being Rosebud, the best behaved pony at Christmas and Easter + Shifting kit + Doing a tip trip + Rehousing masonry + Cleaning a loo + Hoovering confetti + Helping at Mamma Mia + Donating a church freezer + Decorating 400 sticks of sweets for the Christingle and not eating too many of them + Singing or playing an instrument from the front + Purchasing supplies for Sunday group snacks + Counting money + Buying & sending cards or gifts on behalf of the church + Sorting clothes + Taking someone to the hairdressers + Putting out the recycling and the bins + Ironing wax out of the carpet.

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St Mary's Parochial Church Council, Goudhurst

Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

Index Page
General Fund 1
Community Cupboard 2
Beacon Fund 3
Weald Family Hub 4
Projects Fund 5
Church Room Fund 6
Sri Lanka Fund 7
Mustard Seed Fund 8
Summary and Balance Sheet 9
Notes to the Accounts 10 & 11
Examiners Report 12

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

GENERAL FUND Receipts and Payments Account
RECEIPTS
Incoming Resources From Donors
Planned Giving
Collections and other giving
Call Flow - Masts on St Mary's Tower
Card Machine - General Donations
Card Machine - Building Donations
Income Tax recovered
Other Voluntary Income
Restricted Donations & Legacies
Unrestricted Donations & Legacies
Income From Investments
Income from CBF Deposits and Investment Funds
Income from Operating Activities
Sales of Parish Magazine
Magazine Advertisement Fees
Café Toddlers - donations / tea money etc.
Fees from Weddings and Funerals etc.
Connect Clothing
Connect Other
Fund Raising
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Grants & Donations
Contribution to Weald Family Hub
Local, UK and Overseas Mission Giving
Activities relating to the Work of the Church
Diocesan and Deanery Parish Share
Organ, Organist and Choir
Service Consumables
Weddings & Funerals (including Diocesan share)
Clergy Expenses
Alpha, Small Groups etc
Sunday Clubs and Childrens/Youth work
Magazine Printing
Church Running and Fabric Expenses
Heating & Utilities
Insurance
Church Cleaning & Supplies
Repairs and Maintenance
QI Works to Tower and Stonework
Enhancements
Church Management and Administration
Church Office, Printing Stationery, Telephone etc.
IT and Social Media costs
Costs of Operating Voluntary Income
Fund Raising Events
TOTAL PAYMENTS
EXCESS / (SHORTFALL) OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
General Fund Balance at 1st January
General Fund Balance at 31st December		 Notes
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
10		 101,338
10,264
-
329
527
26,737
139,194
1,747
17,039
18,785
954
954
1,890
3,871
493
8,524
625
36
6,964
22,404
181,338
6,000
8,816
14,816
74,875
1,954
2,527
5,776
1,064
1,125
957
3,338
91,617
4,123
8,530
6,187
2,971
3,213
1,013
26,037
23,870
1,087
24,956
336
336
157,763
23,575
(4,612)
18,963
2022		 2021 2021
101,338
10,264
-
329
527
26,737		 94,848
3,456
3,596
216
254
18,469		 120,840
11,360
251


12,706
1,747
17,039		 1,200
10,160
954 251
1,890
3,871
493
8,524
625
36
6,964		 2,049
4,066
208
5,944
439
-
-
6,000
8,816		 6,000
6,037
145,156
74,875
1,954
2,527
5,776
1,064
1,125
957
3,338
4,123
8,530
6,187
2,971
3,213
1,013		 4,393
8,192
4,420
3,104
59,670
2,717
23,870
1,087		 24,242
1,685
336 -
204,660
(59,504)
54,892
(4,612)

Page 1

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

COMMUNITY CUPBOARD

Notes

RECEIPTS
Donations received
Transfer from Local Community Fund
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Cost of produce purchased
Purchase of storage cupboards
Support payments to Community
TOTAL PAYMENTS
EXCESS / (SHORTFALL) OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Community Cupboard Fund Balance at 1st January
Community Cupboard Fund Balance at 31st December		 6,275
-
40		 9,342
-
9,342

6,315
6,315
3,027
1,556
4,584		 7,617
1,118
1,633		 6,549
2,019
8,568
10,368
10,368
(1,801)
3,357
1,556

This fund is being ring-fenced for the Community Cupboard - there are a number of regular and one-off donors

This fund continues to support a number of local families with provision of basic food and household items. A loyal group of helpers collect, purchase and deliver on a weekly basis, together with some additional support for a number of these clients.

Page 2

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

BEACON FUND (Restricted Fund)

Notes

RECEIPTS

RECEIPTS
Lay Family Worker Donations
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Lay Minister Costs (including expenses)
Other Costs
TOTAL PAYMENTS
(SHORTFALL) / EXCESS OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Beacon Fund Balance at 1st January
Beacon Fund Balance at 31st December		 12,952 12,952
12,952

14,973
14,973
(2,021)
28,313
26,292		 13,952 13,952
14,973
-		 5,606
95
13,952
5,701
5,701
8,251
20,063
28,313

The Beacon Fund is a Restricted Fund. It was set up in 2017 to fund and support the appointment of a Lay Minister to develop work with local children and young people.

We employed Kat Ogden as Youth and Childrens Pastor in 2022 before she started Ordinand training. We are considering how best to fulfill this role in 2023

Page 3

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

WEALD FAMILY HUB
RECEIPTS
Donations received
Fund Raising - 50% St Mary's Charity Ball
St Mary's Goudhurst Contribution
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Fegans Costs
Coordinator Salary and Expenses
Other Expenses
TOTAL PAYMENTS
EXCESS / (SHORTFALL) OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Weald Family Hub Fund Balance at 1st January
Weald Family Hub Fund Balance at 31st December		 Notes 62,985
4,235
6,000		 73,220
73,220
35,634
35,634
37,586
28,679
66,265		 40,954
-
6,000
46,954
24,963
10,646
24		 39,588
10,658
-
46,954

50,245
50,245
(3,291)
31,970
28,679

The Weald Family Hub was set up in 2018 to provide funding for Mental Health counselling in local schools and parent support, working through the Fegans charitable organisation. St Mary's employs the coordinator on a 2 days per week basis and acts as a centre for support in partnership with other churches in the Deanery and a number of local schools

Page 4

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

PROJECTS FUND Notes

RECEIPTS
Christians Against Poverty Donations received
Church Wall Insurance Claim
Donation for Interns
FOSM Contribution to Tower Works
Community Care Fund - donations received
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
FOSM Contribution to Tower Works held from prior year
Released to Canterbury for Ordinand training
Costs re Wall Repairs Project
Paid to Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
TOTAL PAYMENTS
EXCESS / (SHORTFALL) OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Projects Fund Balance at 1st January
Projects Fund Balance at 31st December		 -
8,000
656
4,608		 -
-
-
-
30,000
30,000

13,264
13,264
16,736
45,244
61,980		 15,000
-
2,364
2,500		 4,600
-
13,000
-
17,600


19,864
-
19,864
(2,264)
47,508
45,244

In 2019 donations were made at the service led by the Archbishop of Canterbury amounting to £2,508 for Christians Against Poverty. Dialogue commenced with CAP regarding the possibility of using the donation to go toward funding a local CAP Debt Manager where currently there is no local provision. CAP were in favour of this and further donations towards the cost of running this were received in 2021. In 2022 all funds were paid to CAP for their existing facilities, as we were unable to meet the criteria for a local team. We are continuing to work with CAP with their Life Skills programme starting in 2023

In 2020 a settlement claim of £30,000 was reached regarding the repeated damage to the church wall. Work is ongoing to establish the most appropriate action to avoid further damage, for which this fund will be used. Architect costs have been paid in both 2022 and 2021 in respect of this project.

In 2020 a donation of £15,000 was received from the Friends of St Mary's as part of the Tower repair works - this was carried forward against invoices paid in early 2021.

In 2022 we received two significant donations totalling £60,000 for use within the local community. Working with the donors, we agreed to use half of this for Weald Family Hub support and the remaining £30,000 to set up a Care Fund for the local community, providing crisis and emergency support. This has been launched in early 2023

Balance of funds at 31st December
Wall Repairs Project
Community Care Fund
FOSM Contribution to Tower Works
One-Off Donation (not Restricted)
CAP Balance		 2022
26,980
30,000
-
5,000
-
61,980		 2,021
27,636
-
13,000
4,608
45,244

Page 5

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

CHURCH ROOM FUND (Designated Fund)
RECEIPTS
Contributions to the use of Church Room
Income from Investments
Income from CBF Deposits and Investment Funds
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Repairs and Maintenance
Insurance
Utilities
Cleaning
TOTAL PAYMENTS
(SHORTFALL) / EXCESS OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Church Room Fund Balance at 1st January
Church Room Fund Balance at 31st December		 Notes
5		 8,103
903
3,101
686		 9,152
-
9,152
12,794
12,794
(3,642)
41,848
38,206		 3,595
867
1,347
328		 7,895
13
7,908
6,137
6,137
1,771
40,077
41,848

The Church Room Fund is a Designated Fund, held to ensure the ongoing maintainance and repair of the Church Rooms Utilities in 2023 were much higher than 2022 due to increased electricity and heating oil costs Included in Repairs and Maintenance is £7,500 spent on roof repairs

Page 6

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

SRI LANKA FUND (Restricted Fund)

Notes

RECEIPTS
GK Church donations
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Payments out
11
TOTAL PAYMENTS
SHORTFALL OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Sri Lanka Fund Balance at 1st January
Sri Lanka Fund Balance at 31st December		 -
-
-
7,933
7,933
(7,933)
7,933
-		 -
-
7,933 -
-

-
-
-
7,933
7,933

The Sri Lanka Fund was a Restricted Fund, held to provide support for students of the Sri Lank Theological College whilst they are on placement in the UK, plus other specific needs, as decided and agreed with the College staff

It was repaid in full to the College in 2023

Page 7

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

MUSTARD SEED PROJECT FUND (Restricted Fund)

Notes

RECEIPTS
Donations received
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Paid to the DEC for their work with Ukraine refugees
12
Other Costs
TOTAL PAYMENTS
(SHORTFALL) OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Mustard Seed Fund Balance at 1st January
Mustard Seed Fund Balance at 31st December		 -
-
-

2,437
2,437
(2,437)
2,437
-		 -
-
2,437
-		 -
-
-


-
-
-
2,437
2,437

The Mustard Seed Project is a Restricted Fund. It was set up in 2016 to fund and support projects relating to local asylum seeking teenagers and young people.

In 2022 we paid the balance of this fund to the DEC appeal in support of the situation with refugees fleeing from Ukraine. The DEC work through a number of major charities.

Page 8

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst
Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022
SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
General Fund
Community Cupboard
Beacon Fund
Weald Family Hub
Projects Fund
Church Room Fund
Local Community Fund
Mustard Seed Project Fund
BALANCE SHEET - SUMMARY OF BALANCES
General Fund
Church Room Fund (Designated)
Projects Fund (Designated)
Community Cupboard (Restricted)
Beacon Fund (Restricted)
Weald Family Hub (Restricted)
Sri Lanka Fund (Restricted)
Mustard Seed Project Fund (Restricted)
REPRESENTED BY:
Bank Balances - NatWest
Bank Balances - CAF Bank
Bank Balances - CAF Bank Deposit Account
CCLA Deposit Account
CCLA Investment Account - cost		 Notes
13
12
13
11
12
14		 2022
23,575
3,027
(2,021)
37,586
16,736
(3,642)
-
(2,437)
64,890
18,963
38,206
61,980
4,584
26,292
66,265
-
-
216,289
50,721
93,292
10,294
60,464
1,518
216,289		 2021
(59,504)
(1,801)
8,251
(3,291)
(2,264)
1,771
(2,019)
-
(58,856)
(4,612)
41,848
45,244
1,556
28,313
28,679
7,933
2,437
151,399
28,352
51,684
10,242
59,679
1,442
151,399

Page 9

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022 Notes to the Accounts

The accounts are prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis - no provision is made for items that do not fall within the year. There are no significant items that were outstanding at 31st December 2022 nor 2021

Note

Charges were made to Callflow for the Licence Agreement relating to equipment on the Church Tower. The agreement was terminated by Callflow in 2021

These were mainly specific donations to be paid onto third party charities - see Note 6 below

The list of charities supported during the year is as follows:

6 Local, UK and Overseas
 The list of charities supported during the year is as follows:
Mission Giving 2022 2021
Lisell Mukola Community School - Rose's Project 1,200 1,200
Porchight 1,200 -
Goudhurst Scouts 1,200 600
Lend With Care 1,200 600
Maidstone Samaritans 1,200 600
TearFund 1,200 600
Bibles for GK Primary School & Preschool leavers 516 499
Lunch Club - Hire of Parish Hall 895 -
TearFund - Harvest Offerings - 443
Christian Aid - 290
Christians Against Poverty - 600
Fegans - 600
Other 5 5
Total Payments 8,616 6,037
8 Repairs and Maintenance Heating System Repairs & Servicing 557 699
Electrical Maintenance and Repairs 775 -
Fire Safety Maintenance 546 -
Roof Repairs 300 -
Bat assessment in Tower - 334
Piano & Organ Tuning - 712
Other 793 1,359
2,971 3,104
9 Quinquennial Report The regular inspection was carried out in November 2017 and the report issued in January 2018. The retentio
the tower stone works were paid in early 2022
Traditional Stone - Tower and other stone work 3,213 125,312
Architects Fees - 4,583
Other Costs - 1,248
Less: VAT reclaims under Government Scheme - (22,216)
Less: Support from the Friends of St Marys - (49,257)
3,213 59,670
10 Enhancements Updates to sound and video system (including on-line service provision) - -
CCTV installation 90 1,131
TV Monitors 923
Upgrade to WiFi - 1,079
Card Payments system - 507
1,013 122,057

The regular inspection was carried out in November 2017 and the report issued in January 2018. The retention on the tower stone works were paid in early 2022

A payment of £5,592 was also made during the year to forward purchase glass for the restoration of the window above the Cuplepper Tomb. This was reimbursed by the Friends of St Mary's as they will be funding the works. This was made to fix the cost of the glass which was expected to increase significantly.

Page 10

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022 Notes to the Accounts (continued)

14 CCLA Investment Account The market value of the CBF Investment Fund was as follows: 31-Dec 31-Dec
2022 2021
Number of shares held 126.12 122.59
Value per share (pence) 2,106.60 2,338.76
Market Value £2,656.84 £2,867.09

Page 11

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

Independent Examiner's Report to the PCC of St Mary's Goudhurst

This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31st December 2022, which are set out on pages 1 to 11

Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the Independent Examiner

The members of the PCC consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of this report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission

An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records, It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts

Independent Examiner's Statement

In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention:

Signed:

Mr J A Tapper FCA Chartered Accountant Mill Cottage Mill Lane Sissinghurst Kent TN17 2HX

Dated: 29 April 2023

Page 12

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

Index Page
General Fund 1
Community Cupboard 2
Beacon Fund 3
Weald Family Hub 4
Projects Fund 5
Church Room Fund 6
Sri Lanka Fund 7
Mustard Seed Fund 8
Summary and Balance Sheet 9
Notes to the Accounts 10 & 11
Examiners Report 12

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

Notes

GENERAL FUND Receipts and Payments Account

RECEIPTS

Incoming Resources From Donors
Planned Giving
Collections and other giving
Call Flow - Masts on St Mary's Tower
1
Card Machine - General Donations
Card Machine - Building Donations
Income Tax recovered
2
Other Voluntary Income
Restricted Donations & Legacies
3
Unrestricted Donations & Legacies
4
Income From Investments
Income from CBF Deposits and Investment Funds
5
Income from Operating Activities
Sales of Parish Magazine
Magazine Advertisement Fees
Café Toddlers - donations / tea money etc.
Fees from Weddings and Funerals etc.
Connect Clothing
Connect Other
Fund Raising
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Grants & Donations
Contribution to Weald Family Hub
Local, UK and Overseas Mission Giving
6
Activities relating to the Work of the Church
Diocesan and Deanery Parish Share
Organ, Organist and Choir
Service Consumables
Weddings & Funerals (including Diocesan share)
Clergy Expenses
Alpha, Small Groups etc
Sunday Clubs and Childrens/Youth work
Magazine Printing
Church Running and Fabric Expenses
Heating & Utilities
Insurance
Church Cleaning & Supplies
Repairs and Maintenance
8
QI Works to Tower and Stonework
9
Enhancements
10
Church Management and Administration
Church Ofce, Printing Stationery, Telephone etc.
IT and Social Media costs
Costs of Operating Voluntary Income
Fund Raising Events
TOTAL PAYMENTS
EXCESS / (SHORTFALL) OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
General Fund Balance at 1st January
General Fund Balance at 31st December		 101,338
10,264
-
329
527
26,737





139,194


18,785

954







22,404
181,338


14,816








91,617






26,037


24,956

336
157,763
23,575
(4,612)
18,963		 94,848
3,456
3,596
216
254
18,469





120,840


11,360

251







12,706
1,747
17,039		 1,200
10,160
954 251
1,890
3,871
493
8,524
625
36
6,964		 2,049
4,066
208
5,944
439
-
-
6,000
8,816		 6,000
6,037
145,156
74,875
1,954
2,527
5,776
1,064
1,125
957
3,338
4,123
8,530
6,187
2,971
3,213
1,013		 4,393
8,192
4,420
3,104
59,670
2,717
23,870
1,087		 24,242
1,685
336 -
204,660
(59,504)
54,892
(4,612)

Page 1

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

COMMUNITY CUPBOARD

COMMUNITY CUPBOARD
RECEIPTS
Donations received
Transfer from Local Community Fund
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Cost of produce purchased
Purchase of storage cupboards
Support payments to Community
TOTAL PAYMENTS
EXCESS / (SHORTFALL) OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Community Cupboard Fund Balance at 1st January
Community Cupboard Fund Balance at 31st December		 Notes 6,275
-
40		 9,342
-
9,342



6,315
6,315
3,027
1,556
4,584		 7,617
1,118
1,633		 6,549
2,019
8,568



10,368
10,368
(1,801)
3,357
1,556

This fund is being ring-fenced for the Community Cupboard - there are a number of regular and one-off donors

This fund continues to support a number of local families with provision of basic food and household items. A loyal group of helpers collect, purchase and deliver on a weekly basis, together with some additional support for a number of these clients.

Page 2

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

Notes

BEACON FUND (Restricted Fund)

RECEIPTS
Lay Family Worker Donations
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Lay Minister Costs (including expenses)
Other Costs
TOTAL PAYMENTS
(SHORTFALL) / EXCESS OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Beacon Fund Balance at 1st January
Beacon Fund Balance at 31st December		 12,952
12,952
12,952


14,973
14,973
(2,021)
28,313
26,292		 13,952
13,952
14,973
-		 5,606
95
13,952


5,701
5,701
8,251
20,063
28,313

The Beacon Fund is a Restricted Fund. It was set up in 2017 to fund and support the appointment of a Lay Minister to develop work with local children and young people.

We employed Kat Ogden as Youth and Childrens Pastor in 2022 before she started Ordinand training. We are considering how best to fulfill this role in 2023

Page 3

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

WEALD FAMILY HUB

Notes

RECEIPTS
Donations received
Fund Raising - 50% St Mary's Charity Ball
St Mary's Goudhurst Contribution
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Fegans Costs
Coordinator Salary and Expenses
Other Expenses
TOTAL PAYMENTS
EXCESS / (SHORTFALL) OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Weald Family Hub Fund Balance at 1st January
Weald Family Hub Fund Balance at 31st December		 62,985
4,235
6,000


73,220
73,220



35,634
35,634
37,586
28,679
66,265		 40,954
-
6,000


46,954
24,963
10,646
24		 39,588
10,658
-
46,954



50,245
50,245
(3,291)
31,970
28,679

The Weald Family Hub was set up in 2018 to provide funding for Mental Health counselling in local schools and parent support, working through the Fegans charitable organisation. St Mary's employs the coordinator on a 2 days per week basis and acts as a centre for support in partnership with other churches in the Deanery and a number of local schools

Page 4

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst
Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022
PROJECTS FUND
RECEIPTS
Christians Against Poverty Donations received
Church Wall Insurance Claim
Donation for Interns
FOSM Contribution to Tower Works
Community Care Fund - donations received
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
FOSM Contribution to Tower Works held from prior year
Released to Canterbury for Ordinand training
Costs re Wall Repairs Project
Paid to Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
TOTAL PAYMENTS
EXCESS / (SHORTFALL) OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Projects Fund Balance at 1st January
Projects Fund Balance at 31st December		 Notes 2022
-
-
-
-
30,000
30,000
-
8,000
656
4,608
13,264
13,264
16,736
45,244
61,980		 2021
-
8,000
656
4,608		 15,000
-
2,364
2,500		 4,600
-
13,000
-
17,600





19,864
-
19,864
(2,264)
47,508
45,244

In 2019 donations were made at the service led by the Archbishop of Canterbury amounting to £2,508 for Christians Against Poverty. Dialogue commenced with CAP regarding the possibility of using the donation to go toward funding a local CAP Debt Manager where currently there is no local provision. CAP were in favour of this and further donations towards the cost of running this were received in 2021. In 2022 all funds were paid to CAP for their existing facilities, as we were unable to meet the criteria for a local team. We are continuing to work with CAP with their Life Skills programme starting in 2023

In 2020 a settlement claim of £30,000 was reached regarding the repeated damage to the church wall. Work is ongoing to establish the most appropriate action to avoid further damage, for which this fund will be used. Architect costs have been paid in both 2022 and 2021 in respect of this project.

In 2020 a donation of £15,000 was received from the Friends of St Mary's as part of the Tower repair works - this was carried forward against invoices paid in early 2021.

In 2022 we received two significant donations totalling £60,000 for use within the local community. Working with the donors, we agreed to use half of this for Weald Family Hub support and the remaining £30,000 to set up a Care Fund for the local community, providing crisis and emergency support. This has been launched in early 2023

Balance of funds at 31st December
Wall Repairs Project
Community Care Fund
FOSM Contribution to Tower Works
One-Of Donation (not Restricted)
CAP Balance		 2022
26,980
30,000
-
5,000
-
61,980		 2,021
27,636
-
13,000
4,608
45,244

Page 5

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

CHURCH AWAYDAY FUND
RECEIPTS
Donations received
Ticket Sales
Recovery of deposit from 2016
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Venue Hire
Speaker & Activity Costs
Other Expenses
Balance transferred to General Fund
TOTAL PAYMENTS
(SHORTFALL) OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Church AwayDayFund Balance at 1st January
Church AwayDay Fund Balance at 31st December		 Notes -
-
-


-
-




-
-
-
-
-		 -
-
-


-
-
-
-
-		 -
-
-
-
-




-
-
-
-
-

The Church AwayDay Fund was held to account for the Church Away Day in January 2018, the costs and income being transacted in both 2017 and 2018

Page 5

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

CHURCH ROOM FUND (Designated Fund)

Notes

RECEIPTS
Contributions to the use of Church Room
Income from Investments
Income from CBF Deposits and Investment Funds
5
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Repairs and Maintenance
Insurance
Utilities
Cleaning
TOTAL PAYMENTS
(SHORTFALL) / EXCESS OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Church Room Fund Balance at 1st January
Church Room Fund Balance at 31st December		 8,103
903
3,101
686		 9,152
-
9,152




12,794
12,794
(3,642)
41,848
38,206		 3,595
867
1,347
328		 7,895
13
7,908




6,137
6,137
1,771
40,077
41,848

The Church Room Fund is a Designated Fund, held to ensure the ongoing maintainance and repair of the Church Rooms Utilities in 2023 were much higher than 2022 due to increased electricity and heating oil costs Included in Repairs and Maintenance is £7,500 spent on roof repairs

Page 6

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY FUND (Designated Fund)

RECEIPTS
Restricted Donations
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Discretionary Support
Transfer to Community Cupboard Fund
TOTAL PAYMENTS
SHORTFALL OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Local Community Fund Balance at 1st January
Local Community Fund Balance at 31st December		 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 -
-
-
2,019
2,019
(2,019)
2,019
-

This fund was amalgamated with the Community Cupboard Fund in 2021

Page 7

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst
Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022
SRI LANKA FUND (Restricted Fund)
RECEIPTS
GK Church donations
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Payments out
TOTAL PAYMENTS
SHORTFALL OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Sri Lanka Fund Balance at 1st January
Sri Lanka Fund Balance at 31st December		 Notes
11		 2022
-
-
-
7,933
7,933
7,933
(7,933)
7,933
-		 2021
- -
-
7,933 -
-

-
-
-
7,933
7,933

The Sri Lanka Fund was a Restricted Fund, held to provide support for students of the Sri Lank Theological College whilst they are on placement in the UK, plus other specific needs, as decided and agreed with the College staff

It was repaid in full to the College in 2023

Page 7

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

Notes

MUSTARD SEED PROJECT FUND (Restricted Fund)

RECEIPTS
Donations received
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Paid to the DEC for their work with Ukraine refugees
12
Other Costs
TOTAL PAYMENTS
(SHORTFALL) OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Mustard Seed Fund Balance at 1st January
Mustard Seed Fund Balance at 31st December		 -
-
-


2,437
2,437
(2,437)
2,437
-		 -
-
2,437
-		 -
-
-


-
-
-
2,437
2,437

The Mustard Seed Project is a Restricted Fund. It was set up in 2016 to fund and support projects relating to local asylum seeking teenagers and young people.

In 2022 we paid the balance of this fund to the DEC appeal in support of the situation with refugees fleeing from Ukraine. The DEC work through a number of major charities.

Page 8

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst
Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022
SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
General Fund
Community Cupboard
Beacon Fund
Weald Family Hub
Projects Fund
Church Room Fund
Local Community Fund
Mustard Seed Project Fund
BALANCE SHEET - SUMMARY OF BALANCES
General Fund
Church Room Fund (Designated)
Projects Fund (Designated)
Community Cupboard (Restricted)
Beacon Fund (Restricted)
Weald Family Hub (Restricted)
Sri Lanka Fund (Restricted)
Mustard Seed Project Fund (Restricted)
REPRESENTED BY:
Bank Balances - NatWest
Bank Balances - CAF Bank
Bank Balances - CAF Bank Deposit Account
CCLA Deposit Account
CCLA Investment Account - cost		 Notes
13
12
13
11
12
14		 2022
23,575
3,027
(2,021)
37,586
16,736
(3,642)
-
(2,437)
64,890
18,963
38,206
61,980
4,584
26,292
66,265
-
-
216,289
50,721
93,292
10,294
60,464
1,518
216,289		 2021
(59,504)
(1,801)
8,251
(3,291)
(2,264)
1,771
(2,019)
-
(58,856)
(4,612)
41,848
45,244
1,556
28,313
28,679
7,933
2,437
151,399
28,352
51,684
10,242
59,679
1,442
151,399

Page 9

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst nths Ended 31st December 2022 Notes to the Accounts

The accounts are prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis - no provision is made for items that do not fall within the year. There are no significant items that were outstanding at 31st December 2022 nor 2021

Note

Charges were made to Callflow for the Licence Agreement relating to equipment on the Church Tower. The agreement was terminated by Callflow in 2021

Income Tax is recovered on a monthly basis, through the Diocese. This will change in 2023 when the Diocese transfer the scheme to a third party together with direct claims made to HMRC

Giving 2022 2021
Lisell Mukola Community School - Rose's Project 1,200 1,200
Porchight 1,200 -
Goudhurst Scouts 1,200 600
Lend With Care 1,200 600
Maidstone Samaritans 1,200 600
TearFund 1,200 600
Bibles for GK Primary School & Preschool leavers 516 499
Lunch Club - Hire of Parish Hall 895 -
TearFund - Harvest Oferings - 443
Christian Aid - 290
Christians Against Poverty - 600
Fegans - 600
Other 5 5
Total Payments 8,616 6,037
8 Repairs and Maintenance Heating System Repairs & Servicing 557 699
Electrical Maintenance and Repairs 775 -
Fire Safety Maintenance 546 -
Roof Repairs 300 -
Bat assessment in Tower - 334
Piano & Organ Tuning - 712
Other 793 1,359
2,971 3,104
9 Quinquennial Report The regular inspection was carried out in November 2017 and the report issued in January 2018. The retention on the
tower stone works were paid in early 2022
Traditional Stone - Tower and other stone work 3,213 125,312
Architects Fees - 4,583
Other Costs - 1,248
Less: VAT reclaims under Government Scheme - (22,216)
Less: Support from the Friends of St Marys - (49,257)
3,213 59,670
10 Enhancements Updates to sound and video system (including on-line service provisi - -
CCTV installation 90 1,131
TV Monitors 923
Upgrade to WiFi - 1,079
Card Payments system - 507
1,013 122,057

A payment of £5,592 was also made during the year to forward purchase glass for the restoration of the window above the Cuplepper Tomb. This was reimbursed by the Friends of St Mary's as they will be funding the works. This was made to fix the cost of the glass which was expected to increase significantly.

Page 10

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst nths Ended 31st December 2022 Notes to the Accounts (continued)

The Sri Lanka Link charity was closed in 2016. The balance of funds was transferred to St Mary's to be used for future funding of students from the college to the UK and for fieldwork training. Contact was re-established in 2022 and the funds were paid in full to the College.

Donations from the Kings Singers concert in 2015, together with other donations are held in 'The Mustard Seed Fund' - this is used to fund and support projects to local asylum seeking teenagers and young people. The fund was closed in 2022 when the remaining balance was paid to the DEC Disasters Emergency Committee.

The Weald Family Hub (WFH) was set up in 2018 to provide support for young people and their families who are struggling with issues of mental health across the Wealden villages, working with the Fegans charitable organisation. St Mary's employs the coordinator on a 2 days per week basis and acts as a centre for support in partnership with other churches in the Deanery and local Primary schools. There are a number of regular donors to the Fund, together with donations from local fund raising events and charitable trusts. St Mary's has committed to continue financial support for this project

14 CCLA Investment Account The market value of the CBF Investment Fund was as follows: Dec 31 Dec 31
2022 2021
Number of shares held 126.12 122.59
Value per share (pence) 2,106.60 2,338.76
Market Value £2,656.84 £2,867.09

Page 11

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

Independent Examiner's Report to the PCC of St Mary's Goudhurst

This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31st December 2022, which are set out on pages 1 to 11

Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the Independent Examiner

The members of the PCC consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of this report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission

An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records, It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts

Independent Examiner's Statement

In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention:

Signed:

Mr J A Tapper FCA Chartered Accountant Mill Cottage Mill Lane Sissinghurst Kent TN17 2HX

Dated: 29 April 2023

Page 12

----- Start of picture text -----
If the form is NOT completed for the entire Parish Code
Return of Parish Finance Parish Name: WD03
parish, please list below the churches included: (6 digits):
January to December 2022 St Mary's Goudhurst Deanery: Weald
Are your accounts Receipts and Payments [ X ] OR Accruals [ ] ?
30 Diocese: Canterbury
(indicate ONE )
RECEIPTS/INCOME UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED PAYMENTS/EXPENDITURE UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED
(nearest £) (nearest £) (nearest £) (nearest £)
Voluntary giving Costs of generating funds
1 Tax efficient planned giving £ 101,338 £ 12,952 17 Costs of fundraising activities £ 336 £ -
2 Other planned giving £ - £ - Church activities
3 Collections at services £ 12,010 £ - 18 Mission giving and donations £ 19,424 £ 16,685
4 All other giving and voluntary receipts, including 19 Diocesan parish share contribution
special appeals (recurring and one-off) £ 47,039 £ 82,562 £ 74,875 £ -
6 Gift Aid recovered £ 26,737 £ - 20 Salaries, wages and honoraria £ 19,132 £ 25,620
7 Legacies received (capital value) £ - £ - 21 Clergy and staff expenses £ 1,064 £ -
8 Grants (include recurring and one-off) £ - £ - Church expenses
Total voluntary giving £ 187,124 £ 95,514 22 Mission and evangelism costs £ 2,082 £ 24,987
Activities for generating funds 23 Church running expenses (including governance) £ 20,425 £ -
9 Fundraising activities (gross proceeds) £ 6,964 £ - 24 Church utility bills £ 7,224 £ -
Income from investments 25 Costs of trading £ 3,338 £ -
10 Dividends, interest, income from property etc. £ 954 £ - Major capital expenditure
Church activities 27 Major repairs to the church building £ 13,028 £ -
11 Fees retained by PCC (weddings, funerals etc.) 28 Major repairs to church hall/other PCC property
£ 2,748 £ - including redecoration £ 9,116 £ -
12 Trading activities (gross proceeds), NOT fundraising 29 New building work to the church, church hall, clergy
£ 15,575 £ - housing or other PCC property. £ - £ -
Other incoming resources Other expenditure
13 Other receipts/income not already listed £ 1,349 £ - 99 Other payments/expenditure not already listed £ 8,000 £ -
Totals (from Financial Statements) Unrestricted Restricted Totals (from Financial Statements) Unrestricted Restricted
A RECEIPTS/INCOME £ 214,713 £ 95,514 C PAYMENTS/EXPENDITURE £ 178,045 £ 67,292
B COMBINED TOTAL £ 310,227 D COMBINED TOTAL £ 245,337
PLANNED GIVERS AND LEGACIES CASH AND INVESTMENT BALANCES UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED
14 Number of tax efficient planned givers 86 31 Cash and deposit balances as at 31/12/22 £ 117,630 £ 97,141
15 Number of other planned givers 6 32 Investments as at 31/12/22 £ 1,518
16 Number of new legacies received in year 0
Please refer to the accompanying notes to help clarify what is included in each Name David Lodge Date 25 May 2023
section. The item numbers refer to RPF notes, consistent with the guidance Position Treasurer
provided in PCC Accountability , 5th edn. . Email or telephone 07789 942 398 dave.lodge@gkchurch.org
----- End of picture text -----

Looking back across 2022, were there any exceptional circumstances or significant changes that may have led to unusual figures? Please provide details in this box. E #99 £8,000 = support of Ordinand training paid to Diocese

St Marys PCC Annual Accounts Canterbury Return

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

PLAYGROUND FUND Receipts and Payments Account

Notes

RECEIPTS

Parish Council Grant

Parish Council Grant
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Playground safety inspection
Repairs
TOTAL PAYMENTS
EXCESS OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Playground Fund Balance at 1st January
Playground Fund Balance at 31st December		 -
-
-
-
-
-
-		 -
-
-
-
-
-
-

Page 3

St Mary's Church PCC Goudhurst Accounts for the 12 Months Ended 31st December 2022

2022

2021

Notes

CHURCH FABRIC FUND Receipts and Payments Account (including Tower) - RESTRICTED FUND RECEIPTS

Restricted Donations
9
Tower Opening
10
Transfers from Other Funds
From General Fund (to ofset expenditure)
TOTAL RECEIPTS		 -
-

-

-
-
-		 -
-
-
-
-

TOTAL RECEIPTS

PAYMENTS General Maintenance and Repairs

TOTAL PAYMENTS
EXCESS OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Bank Balances at 1st January
Bank Balances at 31st December		 -
-
-
-
-		 -
-
-
-
-

Page 2