St Lawrence Church, Effingham With All Saints, Little Bookham. Annual Parochial Church Meeting REPORT FROM THE RECTOR 2023
Rector’s Report To APCM 16[th] April 2023
It seems strange to realise that this is my final APCM report of my ministerial career. Being the Rector of this parish for the last seven years has been a journey of joy, discovery and friendship, for which I am eternally grateful. I cannot actually recall how many times I rang the bell at my induction service (each chime is meant to signify the numbers of years one intends to be in post) but, as I have said elsewhere, seven is a ‘complete number’ in the Bible and so seems an apt time to move on.
Looking back at the seven years as a whole, the most important events were the bringing together the two parishes in 2018; and the way in which we all worked together to survive/’ride out’ the Pandemic. Neither of those events will (hopefully, in the case of the Pandemic) ever happen again in this place, but the fact that we continue to thrive is a true sign of God’s presence and faithfulness to the people of Effingham with Little Bookham
Returning to some sort of normality in post-Covid times has been a challenge for many institutions and the Church of England has also felt its affects. But in the week that I am writing this report we welcomed twenty children to our Chatterbox session, which was so encouraging. We may have lost our regular Sunday school sessions in these post-Pandemic times, but the cohort of small children having a regular presence in the parish church gives me hope for the future of our children’s work. We are also delighted to continue welcoming families to the First of the Month and TGIS services.
At the other end of the age range, our Wednesday morning mid-week service has grown in popularity, no doubt ably encouraged by Wendy Hayes’ post-service refreshments.
Our morning prayer Zoom services have continued to attract a small but dedicated band of attendees, who have enjoyed praying together regularly for the parish, community and the world and reading through some of the books of the Bible. These services have been particularly valued by those who are unable to attend services at the church.
In many other ways, our service routine has returned to normal although we have continued to use the church hall for the TGIS services because of the available space and cooking facilities. This more informal setting has been a good place for many of our families to feel at home in a church service.
Our 10am Communion services in All Saints and St Lawrence have continued to be live streamed via Zoom. Again, a small, but dedicated group of people join the service via this means. We are currently in the process of attempting to install wi-fi in the hall, in the hope that future TGIS services can be shared via Zoom.
We have continued to offer the communion wine at our communion services but many of the congregation now choose not to partake.
Christmas 2022
In December we managed to hold our Village Carol Service in St Lawrence and were able to welcome a number of people despite clashing with the Football World Cup Final.
Our traditional Living Nativity took place and was as popular as ever. This time we were able to afford to re-employ the delightful donkey from Aldershot. After having to cancel the Chatterbox Christmas party and Crib Service last Christmas due to Covid, it was wonderful to reinstate these favourites again.
We also celebrated the season through our Christmas Market; a re-run of our Christmas Crib Festival as well as a very well attended Christingle service.
Music
Sadly Brenda Kent, who was so ably building up the choir last year, had to step back during the year due to ill-health. Sheila Barnes and Anne Bleming kindly stepped in to fill the void and the choir – despite falling numbers- has managed to continue leading services. Our Worship Band has complimented the tradition hymns at some of our more informal services and TGIS.
Parish Markets
Our Parish Markets continues through most of the year although we decided not to hold one in January and February to avoid the worse of the winter weather; and our March one sadly had to be cancelled because it clashed with a rival event elsewhere which attracted many of our regular stallholders. Without the hard work put into the markets we would need to find other ways to raise the vital money to ‘keep the show on the road’ and so we are extremely grateful to those who volunteer to help on the day and those who show their support by attending.
Effingham Community Orchard
On Palm Sunday 2022 we were delighted to mark the official opening of our Community Orchard that had been resourced and created by the Parish for the enjoyment of the whole community. It was a vast improvement on the piece of scrub land that was there previously. Much credit needs to go to the small group of people organised and created the garden and especially to Jon Hargreaves and Arnold Pindar.
Her Majesty the Queen
We were delighted in May to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth, with a special Village Market and wonderful displays of local history and portraits of the Queen created by our local school children which decorated St Lawrence. On 4[th] June we held a celebratory service in St Lawrence and followed it by a ‘Royal Garden Party’ in the community orchard and in the ( closed) street outside the church. It was a joyful occasion and worthy of a Queen.
In September we were sad to also mark the death of the Queen. Many people came to church to light candles and add a personal message to the Book of Condolence. We held a church service to mark her passing.
Harvest.
In October we were pleased to return to the Tithe Barn (having missed a couple of years due to Covid) to celebrate Harvest with our Community Harvest Supper followed by the Harvest Festival in church on the following morning. The supper is very well supported by the wider community and is now a firm fixture in the local calendar.
Chatterbox
Our Chatterbox group goes from strength to strength. Many of the ‘carers’ are grandparents now, and it is lovely to be able to support them and give them an opportunity to meet each other for encouragement and friendship. During the colder months we have continued to meet in St Lawrence which provides a larger play area for the children. In the summer, we enjoyed the surrounding of All Saints which meant that the children could play outside. A recent initiative has been to hold the Chatterbox meeting at Libreham Lodge residential home, which has been a great success and thoroughly appreciate by the residents there. Thanks continues to be due to Jenny Peers, Catherine Hall and Anne Bleming who help each week.
Libreham Lodge
Monthly Communion Services have continued at Libreham Lodge with the help of Catherine Hall and Anne Bleming. We were pleased to offer a Christmas Carol service as well.
All Saints’ Church
At the beginning of 2022 we were obliged to close All Saints Church in order for urgent repair works to the south wall to be carried out. We were very grateful to The Friends for providing much of the necessary funding. We were also supported financially by others from the church family and wider community to whom we due a debt of gratitude. Many thanks also goes to William Hill, who has ‘project managed’ the repair works.
Thank Yous.
As I prepare to leave the parish my heart is full of gratitude to everyone who makes this place so wonderful – from those who clean our churches or decorate or provide refreshments or hep set up or service at our services. The list is endless…….. I would like to express particular thanks to Caroline Hill for her work as one of the Church Wardens and not forgetting Paddy MacVean, who has worked equally hard both at church and supporting me behind the scenes. Ili Rodic as our Parish Administrator who works way more hours than we ever pay him for, is also due a vote of thanks. I would like to continue with a list of names, but know that that is ‘dangerous territory’ because I am sure to leave someone out inadvertently. But God knows who you are, and we couldn’t do what we do without you…so THANK YOU!!
My favourite quote for all God’s ‘Faithful Servants’ in this parish…
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25: 23
And a final thought…
Blesséd are the coffee makers, the cake bakers and minute takers. Blesséd are the song singers and people bringers. Blesséd are the sidespeople, the welcomers and stay behinders. Blesséd are the PCC-ers, the drop-in IT-ers and the “Lord, is it me-ers?” The readers and teachers, the prayers and preachers, the stretchers and reachers who keep gutters clean. The visitors and talkers, the monthly market hawkers, the tidy-upers who know where the hymn books have been. The sweepers and dusters, the ones who bring lustre, and those who can magically muster a team. The ones who sow; the ones who sew; and the ones who help keep things ‘just so’ For all those who serve, so often unseen, who fetch and carry and count and clean. For all those who touch someone’s heart with a word, whose wisdom and kindness are quietly heard. We are so very blessed by all that you do. May God’s blessing always rest on you.
(Partial credit due to Reverend Rachel Dale)
The Future
None of us know yet who will be the next Rector, but God does know and I can guarantee that that wonderful person is being prepared by God even as I say my goodbyes. They will be truly blessed to lead such a wonderful ‘Body of Christ’ in this place!
God bless!
Reverend Mandy MacVean April 2023
Parochlal Church Council The Eccleslastlcal Parish of St Lawrence, Effin8ham wlth All Salnts. Llttle Bookham Re8lstered thailty P40. 1183011 ACCOUNTS For the Year Ended 3tst l)ecember 2022 ELB PCC Attounts 2022
Effin8ham with ttle Bookham PCC Year ended 31st December 2022 INCOME & EXPENDITURE TOTAL PCC FUNDS 2022 2021 Totsl Total Inc(xne Income Resources from Donors 74.069 74.369 74,010 L•gKi•5 Donatlons from Associated Ch•ribes 6.436 10,6¢)J Other Voluntsry Incomlng Res¢rCeS 13.385 13.385 13.496 Incorne from Op•r•tin8 Actiwties 32.801 34.201 31,993 Investment Ineome 1,579 1.579 1,357 Tirtal Incom• 133,970 131.456 E¥p•ndltyr• Impr0Ment/MalntenJnCe of Pror*rtles 8.477 7,232 15.709 21.548 Grnnts Made 562 562 ACtItIeS relatlw to the work of the Church 105.024 479 107.503 99,793 Costs of Op•ratln8 A¢tlvities 11,4103 11,403 7,655 Totsl Expendltu 125867 9.711 135.177 I997 Relalned 2AZ5 -1207 2A59 Increase In Investments value -6.184 6.634 Balances brought forward at lstjanuary 131.888 122.795 Balance5 carried forward at 31st December IZ4A97 1.888
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EffinÉham ith tue Booth•m PCC Year Ended 31st DeLtmber 2022 GENERAL PCC FUNDS, srATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcnvmES lexdude5(JJuTth H411 uKome & tYpdIDre) NLeS To1•1 In¢oml Planned GI8 52A19 17HS 52,419 17,N 55,419 13,128 6A36 Church Hall ContiilyJthJ Glft ljd toWed Fundr•tyln¢ PCC Fees 14.453 10.326 5934 L461 3371 224 IL784 6,350 L352 IOJ26 5.934 L461 3371 Grants ' 1¥deS A&Jitlon•l IrKi¥ne Maqiiine In(orn• Commurlty Or¢h•id 1950 L371 L41K) r85 1.775 3.635 Tot•1 IK• .591 thurch W•n OuNrd 562 79 562 P•rtsh Shwe ChJr¢hy•rd M&nt•Mnt• IrdurnbKe 420 792 .235 SA32 3.811 2.615 33 7Y.11g 4.W8 Ory•hlst & Cholr LpcyTh prf•sts Uttlfti 1615 L445 3A76 248 1192 Ch•ocel •xp. C•terkni 272 79 L539 3.837 272 L479 L539 10,277 225 L719 L793 13.161 3.279 FUndr•InI wses Malrtenan Chuw(h lrnpro¥emeTht B•nkCharyes 171 171 Admlnimrator 6.481 6A81 5.318 350 Computer L127 L127 L030 74 4J3 766 Pholocopierlprfr Vestry P• RctoVs Ex$ Rectory Expenses Ma8azine Costs Fbr$CO C¢xnrnunity Orthard 872 872 2.049 07 I9 l982 L859 Totsl Exp•ndlDtsrn 9.ni IZS,314 134 -V 425 -1587 4620 Pwe3
Effingham wlth tde Bookham PCC Year End 3tst Dember 2022 DESIGNATED ACCOUNTS DEVELOPMENT FUND 2021 Balance at 1st January 5.263.59 5260.85 Interest Net transfer 69.23 2.74 69.23 2.74 Balance at 31st December 5.332.82 5,263.59 CHURCH HALL ACCOUNT 2022 20 Lettlrvds Regular bkIn C•$ual 8ookings Key deposlts Internst CCLA Sundry In¢om• 8.197.25 3.852.50 4.132.50 1,402.50 50.CKI 1.92 112.08 48.55 76.24 12,174.54 5.699. Less Ey4endltsr• Sundries Fees 3.495.40 2,092.53 3.544.25 731.42 1.655.95 712.73 2.792.27 701.76 Malntenance Insvrance Trnnsfer to PCC Gener•1 Account 9,863.60 5.862.71 Proflt for the year Balance blfwd at 1st January Balance c/fi¥d at 3tst Oe¢ember 2.310.94 4,826.66 7,137.60 -163.71 4.990.37 4.826.66 Lloyds TSB a¢ no107CQ66 cc 61708C*J)4D Church H•ll Deposit Axount Balan¢e in Jccounts 6.522.21 3.740.03 10,262.24 614.51 3.691.48 4,305.99 Outstsnding In¥oices/PaymentslAdJusiments Total assets -3.124.64 7,137.60 520.67 4,826.66 Outstsnding invoi¢eslPayments Arnounts falling due within l year Amounts owed 3.124.64 1,830.58 2.351.25
Effingham wlth Llttle Bookham Irc Year Endèd 31st Dècèmber 2022 ASSOCIATED CHARITIES MADDOX CHARrrY RÈwstered Charity No. 238038 2022 2021 Op18 balance at Istjanuary Income recei PaymEnt to Efflnlham with Litt Bookham PCC closi lanCe •t31st De¢emb•r 561.79 839.02 544.26 817.53 1.370.00 BOO. 30.81 561.79 .2020 accountin8 period 01.10.19 to 31.12.20 GERALD SANDERS TRUST 2021 CCLA In¥•¥trnrtfund 61708LYK125 No shaw held 11143 Valu• at 1st January Int•r•st r•c•fv•d Value at 31st Dttember 260,598.LX) 6.847.37 230.057.26 227.837.58 6,622.29 260,598.00 caA FL¥ed InterertMcurftlosfund 6170&XlF No of 5harn held 3980 Valu• at 1st January Interest recetved V•lu• at 31st D•c•mb•r 6,288. 156.81 5.347.08 6,732.17 177.11 6,288.C#) Totsl value at 31st Dec•Mr Totsl Intèrest reeeiv*d at 31st DK. (Pald to james Walker Fund) 235,404.34 7.LTh)4.18 266,886.CQ 6,799.40 JAMES WALKER FUND Re¥lst•red Charkty No. 246037 2021 caA Oeposltlund 61708(XX12D Balinc• at lstjanuary Income rtteNed from S•nders Trust Paym•nt to Effin8h•m with Litt Bookham PCC Int•r•st r•tained Total Balance at 3151 DK•mlxr 22.292.78 7.crA.18 17,283A9 6,799AO 1.8rrt).¢yJ 353.09 29,650.05 29.650.05 24.092.78 22.292.78 Pw5
Efflngham wrth unle PA)okham PCC Year Ertded 3ts1 Decernber 2022 NOTES TO THE FINANaAL STATEMEKrs Note5 The E¢clesi?stic•l Parish of St Lawrence. Effiniham with All Saints. LittFe Bookham was forn)•d on Istjanuary 2018, by the mer8•r ofth• rishes of St Lawren, Effin8ham, and Saints, Lltth Bookham. Th• •ccounts ar• a eonsolldatlon of the xcounts of All SbSnts. St Lawrenee. and Effln¢ham wlth Llttlè Bookham PCC. Planned G(nI plus •ss¢xiatsd Gbft Awj totslw £63 d2021 £67N73- a decline of £3,673. Oth•r Voluntary R•sOUrc inclwles a donalion of £l,IW for inthllation of WiFi in the chh Hall The Ass0¢i4tsd Chaiities are.. The James Walkef Fund- Re¢istered Charity No. 246037 The Maddox Charity- R•gi5t•red Charity No. 238038 Th• Frl•nds of All Salnts and St Lawrence Churches- Rtyred Charlty No. 1048406 £5,066 was rècèiv•d from Th• FrndS to fund maint•nanc• work at All Saints. £1,370 was recelved from Maddox Charity for maintenance AII Salnts and to eontrfbuh to Parlsh Shar•. Fundra151ng EIBht Vllla8¢ Markets were held durlni the ar rjlslnilust £8.Q)O Incorm. Th¢ HaTrrt R•ffle ralsed E7(MJ. •nd ihe thnn•ns'Chrlsimas p•rtyf•tsed £920. Grnnts Grnnts totallinl £2,843 w•r• r•c•r4•d from th• OhXW• ttrat•rds •Tr•r costs and Parlsh Shar•, and £527 w•5 rneèfved from the Ltsled PlJct5 of WorshlD 5theme ft>r recovery of VAT. 7 L•8aet•$ A le#acy of £4.CO) was receNed from Rw Edmund HwilJnd Yorthe m•lnt•n•nc• and •nh•nc•m•ntof All S•lnts Church.. Oryanlst & Cholr The Incr•bs•d •xp•ns• r•llects th• f•tum to ser4lw In churth followlni th• CtyKI wnd•mk In 2020121. M•lnt•nanc• Thls In¢lud•s É5,1>)O frr•r¢httKurnl sryl¢w r•kt•d to th• wotos•d r•palrs to the South wall •t All [nts. and £3.3CQ for electrical work at All Saints. 10 Dl¢xesan Fws F¢e5 collected for. and pald to the D<n 8oArd of Fln•nc• forw•ddlny and fun•r•ls •mountthJ ts £2,930 £4,428 in 2021. ACCOUP4TNG POLICIES BASIS OF ACCOUNnNG The financ1 ststsm•nts h•v• b••n pr•par•d in accoan£with th• SORP 2CQ5 i>5ued in Mjrch 2005 Church Accountlng Rrfulatlons 2fx)6, appllubl• UK kcoundni Stand•rds. and tht charl&$ Act 2011. Thèy have bn prepared underthe hlstorkal cost conventTr exceptforth• valuatfjon of Investments, which are shown * m¥4rket walu•. Th•y Includé all trnnsxtions, ass•ts and liabilitSlor whi¢h the PCC 15 Tesponslbl• In l•w. INVESTMENTS Investments are shown at theiryear•nd market values.Th•y arn In¥•sted In CDF Chureh of England Income •nd Flxed Interest Funds. DEBTORS D•btors consist of amounts due to the Church- £2.633 in 2022 cf £4.198 In 2021 CREDITORS Creditors are for utilities and other runnlnR costs-£7.214 in 2022. d £4.187 kn 2021.
Effingham with Little Bookham PCC Year End 3tst December 2022 EXAMINER'S REPORT Efflngham wlth Uttle Bookham Parochial Church Council. I report to the trustees on rny examination of the accounts of the above charity 1.the Trustrl for the year ended 31st De¢ernber 2022 Responslblltles and basls of report As the charity's trustees. you are iesponslble for the pieparation of the accounts In accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {Ihe Acf). I report in respect of My examination of the Trusvs accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Dirertions given bv the Charity Commission under sertion 145{5llbl of the ACL Independent ex•mln¢r'$ statemont I have completed my examination. I confirm that no materlal matters have come to my attention in connectlon wlth the examinatlon (other than that dlsclosed below ') which gives me cause to believe that In, any material respert: the accounting records were kept in accordance viith section 130 of the Charitie5 Art; or the accounts dld not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of ¥n independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matter5 In connection with the examination to which attention Should be drawn in thi5 report in order to enable è proper understandin8 of the accounts to be reached. S*ned.' Asd•n J crf1 &4 FCA èm Hous• l. Churth Road Great Bookham r23 3PD Page 7
Effingham with ttle BcM)kham PCC Year End 31st December 2022 EXAMINER'S REPORT Effingham wlth Little Bookham Paro¢hlal Church Councll. I report to the tru5tee5 on my examination of the accounts of the above charity 1.the Trusfi for the vear ended 31st December 2022 ReSponblItIeS and basls of report As the charltys trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wlth the requlrements of the Charities Act 2011 {"the A}. I report in respert of my examination of the Trusys accounts tarried out under settn 145 of the 2011 Art and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given bv the Charity Commi55ion under section 14515llbl of the A¢L Independent examlnerfs ststement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no rnaterial matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ) which gives me cause to believè that in, any material respect: the accountin8 records were not kept in accordance with 5ertion 130 of the Charities Act: or the accounts did not aemrd with the acmunting records: or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirernent that the occounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have corne across no other matters in connection with the examinats'on to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Date: ...........................................2023 Aidan) Crilty &4 FCA ern House I, Church Road Great Bookham Kf23 3PD Page 7