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2023-12-31-accounts

St Saviour Wendell Park, W12 Registered Charity Number: 1177239

ANNUAL REPORT 2023-24

APCM on 12 May 2024

ST SAVIOUR WENDELL PARK COBBOLD ROAD, LONDON W12 9LN

ANNUAL REPORT APRIL 2023 – MARCH 2024

AND ACCOUNTS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Administrative information

Vicar: The Rev’d Chris Lee

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity and has now been registered with the Charity Commission (Registered Charity number1177239).

PCC members who have served from April 2023 until the date this report was submitted are:

Revd Chris Lee * Vicar Revd David Hill Curate Simon Jenkins * Churchwarden Bruce Marquart * Churchwarden Stefanie Stretton Children and Families Worker Ellie Sturt * Secretary Gregory Pennington * Treasurer Astrid Wilson Deanery Synod Representative Carlene Fantuzzi Roey Jenkins Katie Sayles

Our other church officers are:

Katie Sayles Safeguarding Officer Deborah Down Electoral Roll Officer Carlene Fantuzzi Acting Children’s Champion

Contents

Introduction

  1. Vicar’s report

  2. Kids’ church report

  3. Worship team report ………………………………………………………………………

  4. Churchwardens’ report

  5. Electoral Roll report

  6. Treasurer’s report

  7. Deanery Synod report

  8. The Upper Room report

INTRODUCTION

~~In this document the Parochial Church Council presents its annual report for the 12 months since the last APCM report. It feels like this last year the church has been able to stretch its legs again after recovering from the pandemic. It finally feels that it is well behind us and the church continues to make good steps forward.~~

~~Chris Lee has now been leading the parish for eight years and has been joined this year by David Hill as our Curate. David, with his wife Verity and son Joshua, have been a great new addition to our church family. Through preaching, leading, and in partnership with Verity starting up the very popular Stay & Play group, David has blessed the church.~~

~~We have continued to grow in numbers, going against the trend within the wider Anglican communion. Chris and Jenny have welcomed a son Jack and we are excited to see him grow up at our church.~~

~~We want to thank all our church members and those who have given time and service, to help support not just our church but our whole parish in these last 12 months. Looking back at the year we can smile at what God has been doing and forming within us. We look forward with expectancy and are especially excited about the formation of a Church Way of life, under the titles Service, Sacrament, Silence, Song and Scripture.~~

1. VICAR’S REPORT

St Saviours has thrived this last year, with growth and development in every area. Kids and Youth Church are on the up, our worship team thrives with new members, new tech and focus, home groups have swollen and met more regularly, our mid-week compline prayer meetings continue to be a source of nourishment and depth and we had our very successful lent course. It has been a huge privileged to see the church thrive this last year.

Our curate David has continued with developing the Stay and Play group with a wonderful team of volunteers. David has also been heavily involved in shaping and developing the worship team along with Grace. One exciting venture is the recording of a new EP! We are thankful to David and Verity for their continued love and service to St Saviour’s.

The new PCC members have helped to guide and strengthen the church and two new major appointments that of Gregory to Treasurer and Bruce to Church Warden have made huge impacts to our church life. A thank you also to our new PCC secretary Ellie who has come on board and helped to organise and minute our meetings very efficiently.

It has been exciting to see new families join St Saviour’s this last year joining our already growing Kids church. Baptisms have increased and kids attendance is also up. A special thanks should be given to James Mullaly who had been leading the kids church so well and bringing his creative skill to the role. We then had Steph come on board and she has already had a great impact developing a three-tier system, with babies in arms and toddlers in the chapel, ages 4-7 in ‘Kids Church’ meeting in the hall and then 8+ in ‘Youth Church’ meeting in the Willow Tree space. It is always wonderful to see the children present at the end of

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church.

A major development this year has been the creation and adoption of a church ‘Rule of Life” based around five aspects, Silence, Song, Scripture, Sacrament and Service. These areas are key in our walk with Jesus and give a clear indication of where the church seeks to develop its members. Our lent course this year was well attended with guest speakers coming in to help us think through the varying branches of our rule of life. It was a real success and highlight for us as a church. A booklet has been produced to further guide and inform our members about the rule.

I continue to have invitations to speak and travel with my wider ministry and I am thankful to the church and PCC for recognising and supporting this. Excitingly I have a book being released this September called ‘Know you are Beloved’ and Jenny and I have kids book called “You are beloved’ coming out next easter. In June I will be climbing Mt Kilimanjaro and raising awareness and funds for IJM, International Justice Mission.

As we look ahead there are many exciting developments on the way, the building project managed by Bruce, the new website and branding of St Savour’s led by Simon, our evening worship meetings lead by David and the creation of a monthly men’s group lead by me.

I want to finish with a massive thanks to all for your continued love and support of St Saviours, it simply would not be a church without you. I recognise the time and financial contributions that so many give, so thank you. May God continue to guide and bless us.

Revd Chris Lee Vicar, St Saviour’s, Wendell Park

2. KIDS’ CHURCH REPORT

We have launched the kids and Youth church, which allows us to create a bible learning zone appropriate for the age group required. The kids’ church is now 4 to 8 and youth church is 8 and over.

The Youth church is focusing on the bible and how they can use it in their school and family lives. They requested a more grown-up environment, and we will continue to develop the lessons to make them more interactive and interesting for their age group.

The kids’ church is continuing with a more play setting, focusing on crafts and games. The 4- year-olds are learning to sit and listen to the bible lesson, and we have introduced music and singing, which they enjoy!

Moving forward we will be starting the crèche and looking into an after-school club for the older children.

Stefanie Stretton

Children and Families Worker

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3. WORSHIP TEAM REPORT

The worship team continues to go from strength to strength. We have grown the team over the last year being joined by Jessie, Cat, Ralph (through the last winter) and now Lauren. It is a joy to see continued cohesion and development between all the different members of the team as each Sunday different groups of people join together to lead us in worship. This has partly been helped by group discussions about theology and song choice which goes to create the service's musical arc. Special consideration has also been given to our changing reflection songs which are now a key part of underpinning the encouragements and teachings of the weekly sermons. The team is doing a great job to creatively bring something new and suitable each week.

We have advanced our technical capabilities by adding a much-needed stage monitor and a new sound desk. This desk enables us to record all the audio in a professional manner, giving us more opportunities to share all music and spoken content online.

The much-anticipated worship EP is also set to be released later this year. Grace is doing a great job of overseeing this project. Everyone on the team works incredibly hard and it is a blessing for us to all be led in worship so well. A massive thanks to everyone on the team. All your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Davil Hill

Worship team leader

4. CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT

1. The church fabric

Over the past year, we have worked to ensure that the church property and our operating systems are in good order, and that repairs (e.g. water leaks, heating and breakages) are carried out quickly and to a good standard. All our mandatory inspections and servicing, including heating, fire alarm, and portable electrical appliances, have been completed. We’re grateful to Chris and David for supplementing our sound system with two additional speakers, and to Gregory for purchasing a new computer to handle sound and vision in church services.

2. Hall and rental review

Hall rentals are a vital part of maintaining Saint Saviours and participating in the local community. Heating and repair costs have risen substantially in the last year so in our annual rental review, we concluded that we should increase the hall, chapel, and church rental fees to £30/ hour, up from £25/hour. Larger, one off, events with more than 30 people are now charged at a £60/hour rate. We have lost no weekly rental customers but have gained two more regular weekly users. Saturday afternoons are reserved for local birthday parties which are very popular.

Separately, the largest rental customers, Willow Tree Nursery and The Upper Room have individual reviews and new contracts beginning in 2024.

3. Building Maintenance

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Our main brick church facility is over 140 years old. Various additions and refurbishments have taken place over those years. The most recent was 6 years ago with the mezzanine addition to the Upper Room and 14 years ago with new, separate gas heating systems for the Upper Room and Church. This replaced the former, aged oil burning system.

As with all equipment, it must be maintained or it begins to fail. 2023 saw significant, expensive parts replacement to the gas heating system, water pressure regulators, hot water pumps and electrics, and a new sump pump to prevent recurrent flooding in the boiler room. Also, the aged, unsupported,” Heatmiser” temperature control system for timing heating and levels for the vestry, chapel and church was repaired by former church Warden, Oliver Hinton. Many thanks for his expertise!

Two portions of the roof were replaced in an emergency in December. One involved a new flat roof over part of the vestry with Willow Tree and the second was slate roof repairs of about 75 slates. No water leaks have occurred after these two expensive repairs.

Other maintenance inspections and repairs in accordance with the last Quinquennial Diocese Architect’s report have been fulfilled, except for the 5- year Electrics Inspection which is due in 2024 sometime.

4. Building Project: Making a blessing to our community

In 2023, The PCC and ministry team approved undertaking a major building project on the Cobbold Road side of the church, to open up the area into a more inviting, open public space with certain areas directly reflecting our Rule of Life and Christian goal of making our church environment a “blessing to the community”. Already we have commissioned an architect, Joe Williams of Trewhelawilliams and a project plan is underway for preparing planning commission submissions. 2024 will begin the fundraising efforts for approximately £250,000 needed for construction completion. Hopefully, this fundraising will involve participation from many groups in our church and our community.

The full vision can be visualised in the architects’ illustrations and drawing. It is hoped funding will allow placement of a functioning bell in the corniche, a cross, a marble “Madonna and Child” statue, numerous benches for relaxation, a meditation and prayer garden, scripture verses inscribed in the walls and the even speakers and visual displays for outdoor recitals, viewing, and small outdoor gatherings.

Construction will involve replacing the deteriorating “blue wooden box” entrance to the hall with a brick, arched corniche and replacing the disability ramp with a new longer ramp.

New garden areas will be filled with plants from the Bible. There is something for everyone to be involved in this beautiful, new public space.

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5. The kitchen

6. New altar cloth

We have commissioned a new altar cloth, which will be embroidered with a design showing the transfiguration of Jesus. The cloth is being produced by Jacquie Binns, an artist and embroiderer, and should be in place by the summer.

7. Communications

Over the past year, our communications have included:

St Saviour’s website – which continues to be an important channel of communication for us, with an average of 3,200 pages viewed every month, and 4,000 unique visitors over the past year. We are in the process of producing a new website, which will replace the current website in the early summer.

Weekly email – which includes details of weekly services and events, plus news and community content. The mailing list currently numbers 230 subscribers.

WhatsApp group – which is used for chat, news and prayer. The group currently has 80 participants.

Posters and banners – David Hill produced posters for Christmas services, our new church poster, and the Ruach worship nights. Stefanie Stretton also produced a poster for the Light Party. A big thank-you to them both.

8. Thank you

Many people contribute to the running of St Saviour’s, but we would like to say thanks to the following in particular:

Everyone who helped with the Church clean-up day on 27 January this year – which resulted in a cleaner, tidier, and less cluttered church!

Oliver Hinton – our former Churchwarden, was very helpful over the winter with advice about our heating system.

Yew Ming – our Parish Secretary and Church Administrator, has given us excellent support throughout the year. We’re very grateful for all she has done for us: looking after our hirers, coordinating the building maintenance, producing the weekly pew sheet, and many other areas of responsibility.

Simon Jenkins and Bruce Marquart

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Churchwardens, St Saviour s, Wendell Park

5. ELECTORAL ROLL REPORT

The electoral roll is like a membership list for St Saviour’s and carries with it the entitlement to vote at the APCM. After this annual meeting, we have to tell the Church of England the number on the roll.

Although we do publicise about joining the roll in the lead-up to the annual meeting, members can join at any time - anyone who lives in the parish, or who has been worshipping with St Saviour’s for 6 months, is welcome to contact me on Deborah.down@btinternet.com to be added to the roll. I can also help people to know whether or not they live in the parish, though it makes no difference to St. Saviour’s whether you do or not, it is just something that we have to include on our return to the Church of England!

Last year there were 83 members on the roll and this year we have grown to 89. During the year a number of people moved away and sadly Kath and Jane passed away. But we do have 13 new members! We wish them a big St Saviour’s welcome. Of the 89, 44 live in the parish and 45 outside the parish. With a lot of members moving home in the last year or two, if this applies to you it would be appreciated if you could let me know your current address so that I can update the electoral roll.

Deborah Down Electoral Roll Officer

6. TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR END 31 DECEMBER 2023

Over the course of the year the church generated a surplus of £7,115 over expenses (2022: net loss of £7,149). As a result, the 31 December 2023 balances for Unrestricted (Undesignated) Funds, Restricted Funds, and Designated Funds were £81,243, £10,466, and £10,550, respectively[1] . The net surplus resulted primarily from the following:

Throughout the year the PCC made the following changes to decrease operating expenses and grow revenue. The full effect of these changes will only show up in next year’s accounts:

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In addition, the PPC would ask for your continued support by doing the following:

The PCC offers special thanks to a number of volunteers who give of their time to support St. Saviours in managing the finances:

The PCC and I would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has generously given of their time, money and support throughout the year.

Gregory Pennington Treasurer

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St Saviour Wendell Park

Cobbold Road London W12 9LN

Financial accounts held:

  1. CBF Church of England Deposit Fund deposit rate at December 2023: 5.41% AER

  2. Current Account HSBC, 281 Chiswick High Road, W4 4HJ

  3. PayPal Account

Treasurer:

Gregory Pennington

Independent Examiner:

Anthony Simkin FCA

2023 Accounts

Page no. Contents
1 Preface
2 Balance Sheet
3 Profit and Loss
4 – 5 Accounting Policies
6 Restricted and Designated Funds
7 Fixed Assets
7 Insurance
8 Income
9 Expenses

12

Balance Sheet at 31st December 2023

Notes
Fixed Assets
Church halls, 57% of insured value
4
Building Project
3
Computer Equipment
3
Fixtures & Fittings
3
Music Instruments
3
Total Fixed Assets
Current Assets
Cash
Debtors
Total Current Assets
Current Liabilities
Creditors
Accruals
Total Current Liabilities
Net Current Assets
Net Assets
Funds
Unrestricted Funds
2
Designated Funds
2
Restricted Funds
2
Church Halls
4
Total funds		 31 Dec
2023
£
7,581,000
1,764
288
333
575
7,583,960
94,814
6,974
101,787
1,109
1,379
2,488
99,299
7,683,259
81,243
10,550
10,466
7,581,000
7,683,259		 31 Dec
2022
£
7,244,700
-
529
433
667
7,246,330
73,026
25,131
**98,157 **
3,604
1,039
4,643
93,514
7,339,844
76,848
10,550
7,746
7,244,700
7,339,844

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on: and signed on its behalf by:

Mr Bruce Marquart (Churchwarden) Mr Simon Jenkins (Churchwarden)

The notes on pages 4 to 9 form part of these accounts.

13

Statement of Financial Activities For the Year ended 31st December 2023

Total Total
Unrestricted Restricted Designated Funds Funds
Funds Funds Funds 2023 2022
Income Notes £ £ £ £ £
Voluntary income 5a 73,984
3,604
-		 77,588 58,146
Activities for
generating funds 5b 76,200
-
-		 76,200 72,122
Other income 5c 1,219
-
-		 1,219 1,847
Income from
investments 5d 311
-
-		 311 206
Total Income 151,714
3,604
-		 155,318 132,322
Expenses
Running costs 6a 84,505
-
-		 84,505 70,543
Donations and gifts 6b 63,078 620 - 63,698 68,929
Total Expenses 147,583 620 - 148,203 139,471
Net Income (Loss)
Before Transfers 4,131
2,984
-		 7,115 (7,149)
Transfers 2a 264
(264)		 - - -
Net Income (Loss)
After Transfers 4,394
2,720
-		 7,115 (7,149)
Total funds brought
forward 76,848 7,746 10,550 95,144 92,030
Total Funds Carried
Forward 81,243 10,466 10,550 102,259 84,880

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Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31st December 2023

Note 1: Accounting Policies

The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, and with the Regulations' 'true and fair view' provisions, together with FRS 102 (2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2016 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP (FRS 102)).

1. Incoming resources

1.1. Recognition of incoming resources

1.4. Rental income

Rental income from the letting of the church facilities is recognized when the rent is due.

1.5. Investment income

Income from investments is included in the accounts when receivable.

2. Expenditures and liabilities

2.1. Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognized as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation and settlement is probable and quantifiable.

3. Assets

3.1. Consecrated and benefice property

In so far as consecrated and benefice property of any kind is excluded from the statutory definition of ‘charity’ by Section 10(2) (a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011, such assets are not capitalised in the financial statements.

15

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31st December 2023

Note 1: Accounting Policies (continued)

3.2. Moveable church furnishings

These are capitalised at cost and depreciated over their useful economic life other than where insufficient cost information is available. In this case the item is not capitalised.

3.3. Tangible fixed assets

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £500. Depreciation is calculated to write off the capitalised cost of fixed assets less their currently anticipated residual fair value over their estimated useful lives as follows:

urrently anticipated residual fair
s:		 value over the
●Computers Equipment 3 years
●Fixtures & fittings 5 years
●Music Instruments 10 years

Church Halls are disclosed based on 57% of their insured value consistent with the accounting treatment adopted in 2010.

3.4. Short-term deposits

Include cash held on deposit either with the CCLA Church of England Fund or at the bank.

4. Funds

4.1. Unrestricted funds

These represent the remaining income funds of the PCC that are available for spending on the general purposes of the PCC.

4.2. Restricted funds

These are income funds that must be spent on restricted purposes and details of the funds held and restrictions provided are down in the notes to the accounts.

4.3. Designated funds

These represent ‘free reserves’ designated by the PCC for fixed assets for its own use or for spending on a future project and that are therefore not included in its ‘free reserves’ as disclosed in the trustees’ report.

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Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31st December 2023

Note 2: Summary of fund movements

Designated Funds
2a
Balance as at 1st January
Donations/Income
Less: Expenditure
Transfers
Balance as at 31st December		 Capital
Contingency
£
Vestments
£
Total
Designated Funds
£
10,000
550
10,550
- -
-
- -
-
- -
-
10,000
550
10,550

‘Designated Funds’ are those whose use is designated by the PCC.

Total
Helping Hand Vicar's Building Restricted
Fund Discretionary Fund Funds
Restricted Funds 2b £ £ £ £
Balance at 1st January 7,482 264 - 7,746
Donations/Income 260 - 3,344 3,604
Less: Expenditure 620 264 - 884
Balance at 31st
December		 7,122 - 3,344 10,466

"Restricted Funds" are those whose use is restricted by the donor. The Building Fund is for the planned building project.

17

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31st December 2023

Note 3: Fixed Assets

Fixed Asset Schedule
Gross book value
Balance at 1 January
Additions
Disposals
Balance at 31 December
Depreciation
Balance at 1 January
Charge for the year
Disposals
Balance at 31 December
Net book value
Balance at 31 December
2023
Balance at 31 December
2022		 Building
Project
£
Computer
Equipment
£
Fixtures &
Fittings
£
Music
Instrument
£
Total
Fixed
Assets
£
-
3,412
12,479
920
16,811
1,764
101
-
-
1,865
-
-
-
-
-
1,764
3,513
12,479
920
18,676
-
2,883
12,046
253
15,181
-
343
100
92
535
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,226
12,146
345
15,716
1,764
288
333
575
2,960
-
529
433
667
1,630

Note 4: Insurance for St Saviour Wendell Park, Cobbold Road

This consecrated property, i.e., the worship area, is excluded from these financial statements by virtue of Section 10(2)(a) of the Charities Act.

The church buildings, including the three halls, and contents are 100% insured for £13,300,000. The value, for insurance purposes, of the three halls is included on page 2, the Balance Sheet.

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Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31st December 2023

Note 5: Income

Note 5: Income
Note 5: Income
Voluntary income
5a
Stewardship
Collections
Gift aid
Donations
Grants
Total voluntary income
Activities for generating funds
5
b
Lettings
Fundraising
Total activities for generating
funds
Other income
5c
Offertory, Baptisms &
Weddings
Church activity fees
Total other income
Income from investments
5
d
Dividends & Interest
Total income from
investments
Total income		 Unrestricted
Restricte
d
Designated
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
£
29,604
-
- 29,604 29,001
7,112
-
-
7,112
2,379
6,262
-
-
6,262
8,494
19,465
3,604
- 23,069 10,000
11,542
-
- 11,542
8,271
73,984
3,604
- 77,588 58,146
74,029
-
- 74,029 69,843
2,171
-
-
2,171
2,279
76,200
-
- 76,200 72,122
1,219
-
-
1,219
912
-
-
-
-
935
1,219
-
-
1,219
1,847
311
-
-
311
206
311
-
-
311
206
151,714
3,604
- 155,318 132,322

The PCC received grants for church energy of £0 and £2,641 and grants for curate housing of £11,542 and £5,630 for 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31st December 2023

Note 6: Expenses

Running Costs:
6a
Curate expenses
Maintenance & repairs
Employee expenses
Utility expenses
Cleaning & gardening
Building insurance
Church supplies
Children ministry
Music ministry
Depreciation
Accounting expenses
Hospitality expenses
Finance fees
Church activities
Miscellaneous costs
Total Running Cost
Donations:
6b
Diocesan fund
Helping hand
Other
Total Donations
Total Expenses		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
£
22,437
-
-
22,437
15,145
14,825
-
-
14,825
5,968
14,198
-
-
14,198
16,233
11,150
-
-
11,150
11,043
7,541
-
-
7,541
6,459
4,657
-
-
4,657
3,360
2,665
-
-
2,665
3,967
2,239
-
-
2,239
1,356
1,042
-
-
1,042
1,512
535
-
-
535
1,827
482
-
-
482
454
461
-
-
461
442
171
-
-
171
24
93
-
-
93
1,626
2,008
-
-
2,008
1,126
84,505
-
-
84,505
70,543
60,000
-
-
60,000
59,700
-
620
-
620
5,480
3,078
-
-
3,078
3,749
63,078
620
-
63,698
68,929
147,583
620
- 148,203 139,471

During the year the PCC employed an administrative assistant on a part-time basis. Staff cost includes the resulting wage, tax, and pension costs.

From time-to-time, members were compensated for their time spent conducting children ministries and gardening for a total of £2,996 and £1,632 for years 2023 and 2022.

The PCC directly pays for curate lodging and utility expenses. The Diocese has provided a grant of £11,542 and £5,630 for 2023 and 2022, respectively, which is separately reported in Note 5: Income of this report.

The Independent Examiner was not compensated for efforts for both years presented.

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Indcpendent F.xaminer's Report t(b the PC.C of St SAYiour Welldcll Park I report on the AccounL£ fo>r lh¢ year ¢nded 31 Decernber2023 as £el oui on pages l 10 9 RespL¢tive r¥spDThsibilities of trustees 2lld e¥gnTriner Thc PLL, chciril}' Iruslees. Lonsidcr tli31 an audit is not required for this (under seLlii)n 144(21 ufihe Lharities Act 2011 (the Act)) and Ihai an ind¥p¥ndenl examination is needeA. t is my r¢sponsibTlily to-. ¢xaminc th¢ a¢wunlb (under section 145 of the A¢il, 10 follow Ihe pr(K￿u[e5 laid down in the G¢n¢ral Dirictions given by the Charity Comniission (under seclioii 145l5llb) of the A¢tl, and to £taie wheilier anv particular ffldttets have wtne to Tny attention. Basis tslilldepende]]t cxa]ni￿er'S report Mv cxaminalTOII Wds carried out in acc(Jrdan¢¢ with lh¢ Gertuyuj Di￿￿tiOnS given by the Charilv Cominissiuners. An cxaminaticjn includc8 a review nf th¢ a¢counting Fecords kept by the charity and a compariqijn thf the hecouttl% pre%ent¢d with those records. It also Includ￿ consideration of gny unu$ual ilemscTrr dis¢losute5 in theaccounls,3nd seeking explanations Irom ihe1rus￿eS eimLernin¥ such mdltcrs. The procedures undertaken do nnt provide all ihe eviJ¥nLe that would be wuirtd in an audit, and 50 COn5¢quently I do not ¢xpr¢s5 an audit opinion on the accounts. IDdepeiidenl e%amiJber's $t#temvllt Jn ¢onnLxlion with tny examination, no mRtter has to my all¢ntion'. which givegme reasonabl¢¢aus¢ to bglieveihai in any mal¥Tial Tespect, thetrustee5 have not met ¢h¢ requiremenis io ensure Ihai.. proper accouniing records are kepl lin dLuorddllLe with section 130 of the Act),. ccounls Dre prepaTed which agr¢¢ with th¢ awountingrc£ords and comply with th¢ ac¢ouDtin8 r¢quir¢menis ofihc Aci l. to which, in ffly opinion, allention %h(>uld he drawn in OTder to enable a proper understanding ofthe accounts to be reached. Signed. Name". Anihuny Si Addre4s". 10 Riverview F'CA ve, Chiswicl W4 3QJ 21

7. DEANERY SYNOD REPORT

The Synod continued last year with the usual mix of issues relating to the Church and to problems, both parishes related and of social interest.

Last May there was a particularly interesting meeting at St Mary's, Hammersmith Road. This was entitled Way of Life. The aim is to connect more deeply with God and with life. A number of parishes in London, as well as international groups, have devised ways of approaching life and prayer, loosely using the monastic model as a structure.

The Nazareth Community is based at St-Martin-in- the- Fields. It is an experiment in being with God, one's neighbour and with oneself, in the Centre of London and so is city life based. The Community of Aidan and St Hilda is an international group. It has Holy Isle as its base and constitutes quite a complex process of spiritual development. The website is: http://www.aidanandhilda.org.uk

The meeting in September was at St Albans, Margravine Road. As is usual, the meeting had a social emphasis. There was also a talk on safeguarding. The most recent meeting, at St Simon's Church, Shepherds Bush, had 'Encounters with Christ' as its main topic. It was particularly interesting. A number of people gave accounts of how they had met with the Lord Jesus. This was a very rich and moving meeting of the Synod.

As usual, there were updates on the financial situation by the Finance Officer.

Astrid Wilson Deanery Synod Representative

8. THE UPPER ROOM REPORT

The underlying theme of this year has been all about maximising the benefits we provide from our resources, in the face of rising demand for our services driven by the continuing economic challenges facing just about everyone in society.

We have continued to serve unprecedented numbers of meals throughout the year, whilst keeping a tight rein on the cost of delivering them. 32,750 meals is a remarkable number. Ash has stepped up to the role of Project Manager exceptionally well, combining a deep empathy and compassion for our guests with smooth organisation of the large numbers of volunteers whom we depend so heavily on.

UR4Driving also had a record year, achieving a magnificent 41 practical passes. Getting a driving licence really is a life-changing achievement for our students. Test slots are still in short supply, and the team are regularly on the website at the crack of dawn to secure bookings as soon as they become available.

We welcomed Nisia as our new UR4Jobs Project Manager, who has reinvigorated the

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service as well as revealing impressive skills at raising funds.

It was with considerable regret that we took the decision to close our UR4Counselling project. This was due to the challenges of funding, together with the increasing complexity and severity of those presenting for the service. I would like to give a warm thank you to Alina, who has led the project with great energy, dedication and professionalism.

We were delighted to welcome the Rt Revd. Dr Emma Ineson, the recently appointed Bishop of Kensington, on a visit to The Upper Room, and honoured that Bishop Emma has agreed to become a Patron.

As always, we are enormously grateful for the support we receive from St Saviour’s. In particular, we very much appreciate you hosting our Carol Service.

Volunteers have always been vital to the work of The Upper Room, and it’s a uniquely rewarding thing to do. With the increased demand for our services, we need volunteers more than ever. So if you are interested, please do get in touch via our website at https://theupperroom.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/

Simon Tuke, Chair of Trustees, The Upper Room

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