Christ Church A Place To Belong Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 Registered charity no. 1179859 Caladine Chortered CertiFied Accountonts
Page I The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Christ Church Luton, Chatham Annual Report January to December 2025 Reference and administrative information Background Christ Church Luton Parochial Church Council (PCC) ha5 the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish. the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangeli5tlC. SOCi31 and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Church Centre complex of Christ Church, Luton Road, Chatham. Membership Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. During the year, the following people served a5 members of the PCC: mbers: Priest-in-charge.. The Fieverend Andrea Leonard (retired 08.02.2026) Church Warden Mr Andrew Hayhow Deanery Synod representative: Miss Angel O'Nyon (resigned 31.12.2025) Treasurer Secretary Mr Jeff Fray Mrs Chrisne Kennard Mrs Joan Coventry Mrs Jackie O'Nyon Mr Jeff Fray Mrs Susan Fray Mrs Sue Cherry Matthews Mr Andrew Heyhow Mr Paul Harris Mrjonathan Pout *Assistant wardens Contact details Correspondence may be addressed to the PCC Secretary. Christ Church, Luton Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 5BT. Bank5: Lloyds Banl Blackheath, London BX I I LT Independent examiner: Mr John Caladine, FCCA Caladine Limited, Chartered Certified Accountants, Chantry House, 22 Upperton Road, Eastbourne, BN21 I BF
Page 2 Structure. governance and management Structure The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The PCC was registered as a Charity in England with the Charity Commission on l O Septsmber 2018 under registered charity number 1179859. The appointment of PCC members is governed by and set out in the Church Rrf>resentotion Rule5 (2020. London.. Church House Publishing). Committees The PCC met 8 times in 2025. No other sub committees or management meetings took place during 2025. Safezuardlng The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding 2nd Clergy Discipllne Measure 2016 (duty to h3ve regard to House of Bishops, guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). The PCC follows the Diocese of Rochester's safeguarding procedures and policies and has been working to ensure that these are embedded in the life of the church. Angel O'Nyon has been the safeguarding officer for 3 years now, and resigned her post at the end of the year, and Minna Cave ha5 kindly agreed to take on the role in 2026. The Diocesan Safeguarding team have been informed. Objectives and activities Aims and objectlves The primary object of the PCC is the promotion of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England. The PCC is to co-operate with the minister in promoting to the parish the whole mission of the Church. pastoral, evangelists'c, social and ecumenical. Church life The year of 2025 continued to be difficult with cost of living crisls and world instability. The Sunday worship services therefore tontinue to focus on celebration and lively worship in contrast to the news and events that surround us in the world. We continue to play a variety of African praise worship played after the recessional music which many people appreciate and join in with dancing. Music is specifically chosen to be in the mother tongue of variou5 members of the congregation, and always has En8li5h subtitles. The pattern of seryices remains rhe same a5 last year. Luton primary School again came to the church for their 2 harvest service5. with Andrea delivering a harvest talk at each of them. Andrea and Maureen Mead continue to visit Wictory Care Home to take the monthly service of Holy Communion which is regularly attended by 20 or more residents. Again we sang carols for them before Christmas with a group of church volunteers. We continue to provide emergency food via a food share table at our weekly café. We no longer receive grants from Medway council forthis. as to qualifyfor this wewould need more volunteers to run a drop in time. A significant event in the life of the Church wa5 the theft of the World War I memorial plaques from the Lych Gate in the garden in May. After some extensive police worl the plaques were
Page 3 both retrieved, although hone was very b2dly damaged. With the help of The BBC Repair Shop On The Road. we found a suitsble foundry to have the plaques restored. They were eventual returned in early sePrnber, when we hosted a large amount of people from the community. including the mayor, local councilors and a number of veterans from the local Veran'S association, and some people whose relatives were named on the plaques. a5 well as the film crew. We held a time of remembrance and had a bugler who played Last Post and Reveille to mark out a time of silent remembrance. It was a very moving time. Achievements and performance We maintain a regular core of commltted members, and have a slight grovrth cur¥e. although church attending habits remain less consistent than there were pre pandemic. The cost-of-living crisis continues to impact many in our parish. so consequently the difficulties on finding volunteers to take on new role5 continues. We are indebted to Jeff Fray our Treasurer who keeps a c105e eye on the finances and is very good at predictions and forecasts. and saving money. Cash offerings at ser¥ices are often empty. However, we continue to thank God for his provision and by careful management we remain in the black. Nevertheless financial povery 15 not reflected in the sense of community and belonging the people feel. from both church attendance and belonging to the community café. which continue5 to do well. We continue to rely on recorded music for all the services. except for the carol service when we were grateful to Janet Stone for playing the organ for us. We have raised enough money to install the solar panels on the roof, but continLte to wait for the permission to be given through an Archdeacons determination after advice from the DAC. We were also very grateful to receive a substsntial anonymous donarion which pald for our large lectrical repairs bill. Morning prayer contlnues to be regularly attended by a core of three people, with occasional visitors. It is a place where we pray for the life of the parish. but also where we sense the immanent presence of God as we wait on Him. Church Attendanc There are currently 40 people on the electoral roll (32 in 2024). The average attendance in October was 47 including children. (39 in 2024) Occasional office In 2025, Christ Church conducted I l (O In 2024) baptisms. During the course of the year, we took l (5) funerals in the church buildin8. Andrea conducted 9 (12> funerals in total for people in the parish. or those with connections. Anna Cha lain Maureen Mead is a licensed Anna Chaplain who supporrs the elderly and those bereaved or at the end of their lrfe. Andrea is very grateful to have her support in pastoral visits both at home and in h05Pital. Maureen regularly take5 home communion to a few people in the parish who are unable to get to church. and supporcs Andrea in the monthly services of Holy Communion at Victory care home. Both have been carrying out weekly visits to take communion to one elderly parishioner. h Grounds We continue to be very grateful to John Pout who leads a small team of people who maintain the church grounds. John 15 very dedicated and spends a great deal of time caring for the church
Page 4 garden on his own. We have employed regular cleaners for the downstairs hall. which has been very successful, and continue to keep upstairs clean and tidy with a group of volunteers who attend on a Saturday morning. Café Plus. Continues to serve the community every Tuesday except for during AugusL There are a committed core team of church members and one person from the community who run the café, catering and befriending and encouraging activities. There are many people for whom the café is a lrfeline, coming from the non-church community, finding it a welcoming place to belong and a place of friendship. There are often significant conversations and questions asked about the Christian faith. We continue to offer refreshments with a donation only to include all. crochet, craft and knitting table, hand mas5ase, various games, and a food share table for those who need emergency food supplies. We continue to encourage people to brin8 skills and hobbies to share with other5. Every $0 often we offer full lunches for £3 which are very popular and are very grateful to Sue Fray who oversees che cooking. We had a wonderful community Christmas Lunch in December for £8 per three course meal. Café Plus is self-financing through the donation5 of those who are able to contribute to their drinks. Bible Entoun This is a group particularly for those early on In their Christian journey, run by Andrea, and includes a bible study and short prayerlmeditation time. It runs every fortnight on a Sunday afternoon in the church foyer, and occasionally includes a film nighL Continued to meet on a Monday morning from 10.00-11.30 during term time only as only pre- school children are allowed. Helen Kiralfy. lead evangelist ar Medway Centre of Mission, continued to be the main leader for Toytime for three out of four of the sessions each month, freeing Andrea for other worl The group began to decline rapidly in September as many of the attendees went to primary school. Due to the small numbers attending, and Andrea's imminent retiremenc the decision was made to close down Toytime. with the last meeting being on December the I st r5 In February 2025 we ran The Recovery Course on a Wednesday Evening for the second year running, a 15 week course designed to help those strugglin8 Wlth any kind of addiction. The course was again very successful and lifechanging for some who participated. Again we went on to run an Alpha course with the participants and have a celebratory meal together at the end of the course. rm dor nisations. Andrea continues to have a good relationship with the 12 and I t Medway Scout group. She often attends events and helps with faith badges which are completed in church. The Squirrels, Beavers. Cubs, Scouts and Explorers attended the annual Remembrance Parade Service in November, followed by marching to the World War 2 memorial for a further act of remembrance. It wa5 a real blessing to be able to Show the children the completed restored VVWI memorial plaques during the service and use them to help understanding of the lives they represenL
Page 5 Public Benefit In this repor¢ the PCC ha5 profiled aspects of church life that would normally take place. including meetings and services of wider public benefit. and occasional offices. In so doing the PCC sees itself as meeting the criteria of "Public Benefit" for registered charities through the artivities listed. oin We continue to work to address all the issues contained in our quinquennial report. All electrical work has been completed and we have an up to date safety certificate. We await permission to go ahead with the glazing repairs to the roof lantern and the worship area side windows. Financial Review Diocesan Parish Share last year 2025 vns £17,641.80 ac £1470.15 a month. Dlocesan Parish Share for 2026 has increased to £1.543.62 giving a totsl of £ 18,523.44p.a.. The church continues to pay into its CRF £200 after the 5-year inspection of the building, to help with some of the work required on repairs. Reserves Pollcy The PCC continued its policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed a55et5 {"the free reserves"> held by them aims to be between one and two months of the resources expended. This equa$ to approximately between £3,500 to £7.000. The reserves are regularly reviewed by the treasurer and discussed at the PCC from time to time. In the event of a significant drop in funding. the PCC would consider how the funding can be replaced or activities changed and may arrange for an appeal to be made to the congregation. The PCC recognise5 that the current level of reserves represents about 7 months resources expended. For 2025 the giving has increased with more of the congregation signlng up to standing orders. which if continues should add to the stability of finances at the church. The difficulties we have had in the past from those who hire the hall (Salvation Army mainly) have been resolved by persistence from Jeff Fray and they now pay regularly. Note:. We are delighted that Sue Cherry-matthews has managed to get our gift aid up and running, and ha5 retrieved a substantial amount of money from the office. Approved by the PCC on ............. 2026 and sned on their behalf by Mr Andrew Hayhow, Churchwarden.
CHRIST CHURCH LUTON FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Page 6 Ind¢ endent Examlnor's Rg to the Trustees of Chrlst hurch Luton I report lo the charlty trustees on my examination of the accounts of Christ Church Lulon I'lhe Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2025, whi¢h are sel out on pag6s 7 to 12. R•8pon81bllltles and bas18 of r•port As the trustees of the Charity you are responsible for th8 preparation of the accounts In 8ccordance with the requirernenls of the Charilles Act 2011 {'Ihe Acl'l. I report in raspecl of my examination of the Charitys accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and In carrwng out my examination I have followed all the applicable OireGlions given by the Charity Comm15slon under secllon 145{5llbl of tha Act. Ind•pndent examln•r'$ •tatam•nt I have ¢ompleted my examlnation. l confim that no material matters have come lo my ottention In accounting record8 were not kept in respect of tho Charlty as requlred by {21 the acGounts do not accord with those reGords. (31 the accounts do not comply th the appllcable requir8ment$ concerning th8 fomi and conlenl of accounts sat out In the Ch8rllle8 (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requlrement that the accounts give a 'lrue and falr view whlch Is not a matter considered as part of an independent examinalS0n. I have no conc8m$ and have come across no other matters In connectlon with the examinallon lo which attenlioii should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts lo be reacheii. J R Caladlne FCCA CTA FCIE Caladine Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Chantry House, 22 Upperton Road Easlboume, BN21 18F Date..
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CHRIST CHURCH LUTON FOR THE YEAR ENDE 31 DECEMBER 2025 Page 9 Notes to the Accounts 1 Accounting Pollcios The financlal statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accovnting Regulations 2006 using the Receipts & PayTnen15 basis. Recelpts and payments include income as received and esp8ndilure when irrevocably paid. The accounts Indude monetary transactions, assets and liabilities for whlch tho PCC is responsible in law. They do not indude the accounts of church groups which owe their maln affiliation lo another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members. Funds Unreslrtcted fvnds are general funds whlch can be used for PCC ordinary purposes. These Indude designated funds which can be redesignaled. Re$lricled funds represent (al donallons or grants received for a speclfic object or invited by tho PCC for a specific oblecl, and {bl income from tru818 and endowments whSch may be expended only on thos8 reslricled objects proviéed In the lerrns of the trust of beque51. The funds may only be expend8d on the specific oblecl for whlch they were glven. Any balance remalning unspent al the end of the year mu81 be forward a$ a balance on th81 fund. Endowment funds are funds, the capital of whl¢h musl be malnlalned-. only Inocme arl8lng from inveslmenl of the endowment may be used ellher a8 reslrlcled or unreslricled funds depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was e$labli8hed. The following assets are recognis•d bul not n8ce$sarily valued in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.. Movable church furnishlngs held by the Churchwardens on spgclal trust for the PCC and whlch require a faculty for dl$posal,' Land and bulldings held on behalf of the PCC. The follo%pAng assets are re¢ognlsed and a monetary value given as part of the desclpllon In the Statement of Assets and Liabililles.. Bank and dep081t accounl$,' Amounts owng from HMRC where a formal clalm has been made., Investment assets. Liabililles are recognlsed and a monetary value given In the Statement of Assets and Liablliti&s where the supply had been received by 31 December.
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CHRIST CHURCH LUTON FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Pag¢ 12 Notes to tho Accounts 10 Statèment of funds Transfers, other galns Expendlture and losses 310oc 2025 At 1 Jan 2025 Income Unrostrlct•d Fund$- undeslgnatsd 17,99) 68.954 {57,2211 11,7611 27.962 Unr08trlcted Funds - d081gnat•d Church Repalr Fund 1,487 1,487 73 73 2.200 2,200 3,760 3,760 Re8trlcted Funds Solar Panels Fund Recover Fund Recover 2 Fund Make Lunch Fund 14,575 439 14,576 {4391 900 1292) 458 750 772 15.786 314 15,497 900 439 Totsl funds 35,263 69,927 57.971 47,219 Tr8n8fer8, other gains Expendllure and108ses 310oc 2024 At 1 Jan 2024 Income Unre8trlctod Fund• - und•8lgnat•d 15,577 48,725 {49,9121 3,800 17.990 Unr•strlctod Fund• - d•$lgnat•d Church Repair Fund 4,964 4.964 123 123 3,600 3,600 1,487 1.487 R•strlcted Fund• Solar Panels Fund Recover Fund Make Lunch Fund 10,286 1199) 1261) 509 969 14,575 439 772 15.786 700 1,281 11,567 5.188 Total funds 32,108 54.036 50,881 35.263