St Lawrence Church, Effingham With All Saints, Little Bookham. Annual Parochial Church Meeting REPORTS 2024 _2023/2024 PCC Report_ _The PCC held its regular meetings on 22[nd] May, 26[th] June, 11[th] September, 13[th] November, 8[th] January and 5[th] March. A vacancy workshop was also held on 12[th] June. A section 11 meeting was held on 25[th] September to approve the Parish Profile._ _Mandy’s retirement was announced prior to the last APCM. It is therefore not surprising that a considerable amount of PCC time was taken up with the vacancy._ _The PCC would like to take this opportunity to register its thanks to both Mandy and Paddy for the immense contribution they made to the church and the community during their seven years in the Parish. Despite the odds of keeping it a surprise, a surprise leaving party was held on 2[nd] July in the Tythe Barn. A special thank you to the Nichols for allowing us to use it and for everyone who helped organise it. There was a fantastic turn out from both the church and wider community which speaks volumes for the impact Mandy and Paddy made._ _At the last APCM it was recognised that some of the proposals in the parish development plan that was adopted in 2022/23 would have to wait until the new incumbent was in place. The plan was based around three key themes – Growing disciples, growing community and growing diversity. These are also touched on in the Rector’s report. The PCC can report some good progress was made despite the vacancy:_ ## _**Discipleship**_ _We had 4 objectives – plan more special services that would bring in the wider community, run a bible course, organise events and establish a craft and bible study group._ _Circumstances allowed us to deliver on our special service objective when we filled the church on Coronation Sunday. The children were the stars of the show. However, the church would have won any flower show due to the magnificent range of floral displays on show and some themed craft to set it off as well._ _Tom Rigg has established a bible study group which has met regularly at All Saints._ _There were three important community events during the early part of summer that deserve special mention. These were the Coronation themed village market, Open Gardens and the afore mentioned leaving party for Mandy and Paddy. In the Autumn we supported Heritage Day. The Friends also managed to hold several events which are detailed in the Friends’ report._ ## _**Growing community**_ _The Effingham village market was held in April and December and reported on elsewhere. Unfortunately, it has been suspended due to challenges in attracting traders following a decline in footfall and competition from larger markets elsewhere. The PCC will review whether it can be revived in a new form. However, under the enthusiastic leadership of_ _Wendy we have established a monthly church café. This is an important initiative, and we hope will continue to grow during the coming year._ _The re-ordering of St Lawrence was put on pause but is something that will be revisited in the coming session. We remain hopeful that a significant source of funding for this project can be delivered in the next 12 months and it will therefore be possible to make some quick progress. It was a key part of the parish profile approved by the Diocese._ _One of the main community efforts has been the support of the Cobham foodbank. We have donated a regular supply of food and related products each week for which we have been duly thanked. We also made a significant donation to the foodbank from a raffle of a box of groceries donated by Laytons at the Christmas market._ ## _**Growing diversity**_ _Phil has signalled in his report that the review of the service pattern is high up on his list to ensure that we are offering something that appeals to those we are not currently reaching._ _We have the prospect of securing some funding for a youth worker which, if achieved, will open up opportunities. Gill Rolfe is managing this project._ _We have duly become members of inclusive church and we now need to make sure we follow through on the commitment made. Craig Chitty has been the driving force behind this._ _Further insight into the work of the PCC and that undertaken by the churchwardens is contained in the churchwardens’ report._ ## _**Safeguarding**_ _The PCC treat safeguarding very seriously and have produced a separate report covering the work undertaken. However, we are required by church regulations to formally confirm, which we do, that the PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults)._ ## _**Summary**_ _A very busy year for the PCC and a big welcome to Phil!_ _Finally, a special thanks to those who are now stepping down from the PCC – Martin Denhart, John Amos, Janet Merry and Jon Hargreaves._ _**William Hill PCC Secretary**_ ## **2024 APCM – Rector’s Report** It would be great to give you an update on all that has happened in the past year in our parish but as you know, I’ve only been here since February. As a result, the PCC report covers the period to when Revd. Mandy retired until the date of my appointment. What I can say about the past year is there has been much hard work during the interregnum from the Wardens, those on the PCC and many others too numerous to mention. It is important that this is given due recognition. The parish has now been handed over from Revd. Mandy’s care to mine and although we have some challenges ahead, we face them, I sense, with an openness to embrace change where needed and move into our collective future together. highlighted three key areas in the parish development plan that you are praying that we can grow and move into more in the coming year – growing disciples, growing community and growing diversity. First, ‘growing discipleship’ will start with a review of our service oHering across both churches, to ensure that we are a church that is welcoming to those of all ages and can oHer diHering approaches to worship. This work was paused in the months leading up to Revd. Mandy’s departure but is something which the new PCC will work with me to progress at the earliest opportunity. Discipleship should not be restricted to Sunday services only of course, and over the coming year we will look to introduce some small groups where we can enrich our faith and deepen our relationships with one another too. We already have a Bible study group which is meeting regularly and hopefully others will be prepared to step up and host other similar small groups, focusing on growing as Christians together. As you may know, following Jesus is a life choice and should not be segregated from our daily living. Hopefully we can grow as disciples more closely over the coming season because the rest of our aspirations as a church can only come to fruition from a base of Spirit filled followers of Jesus, willing to serve the church and the parish and make oHerings of their time, talents, and treasures for Kingdom growth. Secondly, it is vital for the ongoing life of our church to encourage more families to engage with us so we can pass on the gospel to the next generation. Also, by welcoming more families it will no doubt, help us and inform us on how church will look in the future. As mentioned, we initially need to adjust our service structure to make ourselves more approachable and ‘family friendly.’ We also need to build on the success of Chatterbox and take this into the next season, refreshing our approach to this ministry and making it more attractive to young families both in our church and in our wider community. We have had the very kind oHer of a resource to cover part of the salary of a children and families pastor for the next few years and so hopefully, when we are able to fully fund and recruit a suitable person, we will have capacity to grow our ministry further, particularly with our EHingham schools. Additionally, age diversity isn’t just about bringing in young families, we must also be relevant and attractive to all members of the family both old and young and everyone in between. We will continue to minister and build relationships with the Grange and Liberham Lodge and to others who find themselves ‘outside’ of the mainstream culture and community. Finally in this area of growing diversity, I believe there is an opportunity to look at engaging in services outside of the traditional Sunday morning time and I will be speaking with the PCC in the first instance about how we may best do that. In terms of growing community, I think I’ve stepped into a church that already does this really well and I’m looking forward to getting involved in lots of projects and events going forward. One area I would like to review with the church hall committee is the church hall. Although there are several groups that meet there on a regular basis, we as a church, currently have little interaction with these groups. Hopefully with prayer and vision we could see the hall used alongside the community groups and in a more missional way moving forward. I’d love to see a hall full of activity throughout the week where we’re not only ‘covering the building costs’ but also oHering a useful space where we as Christians, as church members, can serve and interact with our community better. there are enough talented, creative and generous people within our congregation to continue to grow as disciples, in diversity and in our community. Psalm 133 reads, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity ….. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life for evermore.” You will get used to me talking about this I’m sure, but one of my goals in church life will always be to help us grow together in love for God and love for one another. Psalm 133 tells us that one way to love God is to show love to one another and when we do that, there will be blessing. I believe, as Jesus said in John’s gospel, that when we show love to one another, people will know we are Christians and will want to know God and be a part of our loving family too, and that would be blessing indeed. Loving each other is never going to be easy, particularly as we change and grow and invite new people into our family. However, as we dig deeper into our relationship with God, He will give us more of His love to share, so we never need to think we have to do this all on our own. We have a wonderful parish here in EHingham and Little Bookham and I’m very much looking forward to an exciting year ahead. Every blessing Revd Phil Parochlal Church Council of The Eccleslastlcal Parish of St Lawrence, Effingham wlth All Salnts, Llttle Bookham Regbstered Charfty No. 1183011 ACCOUNTS For the Year Ended 315t December 2023 ELB PCC Accounts 2023 Effingham with Uttle Bookham PCC Year ènded 31st December 2023 INCOME & EXPENDITURE TOTAL PCC FUNDS Notes 2023 2022 Totsl Total Income Income Resour￿ from r)onors 76,283 76,283 74,369 Legacies Donatlons from Associated Charities 52,906 52.906 6,436 Other Voluntsry In￿rnIng Restyjrces 21.741 21.741 13.385 Income frorn Op•ratln8 Activities 30.831 30.881 34,201 Investment Income 2.115 2.115 1.579 Tot•1 Incom• 134,970 52.956 187,926 133,970 Expendltur• Improvementlrnalntenance of Propertles 14,867 58.144 73.011 15,709 Grants M•de 2.860 2,100 4,960 $62 Actlvltles r•latlng to the work of the Church 109.352 1.623 110,976 107,503 Costs of OperJtin8 Activit1•5 17,873 17.873 11,403 Totsl E4￿ndIt￿rn 144.952 61A67 206￿1$ 5.177 Retalned Surplus -8,911 -18.894 -1.207 Increase in Investments value 4.421 -6,184 Balances brou8ht forward at 1st January 124,497 131.888 Balances carried forward at 31st December IIOX124 124,497 Page I uv Effingham with ttle Bookham PCC Year Ended 3tst tlecernber2023 GENERAL PCC FUNDS ' srATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcnvmES lexdudeschurch Hall income & expendiiurel 2022 General Fur Total In¢oml R•K#Jwr Pl•nned Gi¥Ang 54323 54323 16,622 52,419 17, 6.436 ' Awclated Tharit*s Churth Ham (ontdbutlon 51.9)6 fjlft rKo¥wed Fundrassl PCC F•es I￿￿$t￿￿t tncorn• 14.719 7.741 14,719 7.741 14,453 5,934 1,461 3,371 U24 12,537 Gr•nt5 RK•hYd ' Leiades Addltlon•l M•i•zine kncome Community Orchard 513 513 1738 2,950 1,371 1738 Totsl In¢offvJ 119 •)7 ￿950 171363 IIL727 ChU￿h £xp•n c￿j￿•*d qivi Parlth Sh•r• l7 8L739 562 8L319 J,235 5,432 3,811 2,615 Churthard M•knt•n•rK• Insur4nc• ganisi & Chdr Lotum Pfl•sis Utilities Ch•nctl •xp. C4t•Tin 99 170 L169 5555 295 3,876 240 634 3363 272 1,479 M15cell•neou$ Fundr•i5in8 eywnxs M4lnten4hcÈ 54.119 10,277 Church Impro¥em•nt Grants m4de Chw¥•¥ 4P25 IS2 152 171 Adminislr•tor Computef PrITrU￿ $￿IDn￿ry etL Photocoplerlprknter Vestry phone Rectors Expenses Rertory Expenxe5 Maiaiine Cosls 7A75 7.475 663 779 6,481 779 1,127 342 752 L639 59 872 2,049 607 59 Communlty Orthard Totsl Expwth*ur• 127.916 61467 125,314 Ir*ome. Emydlture 4911 .17A20 3.587 P•8e 3 E￿inghaM with ttle Bookham PCC Ytar End 31st December 2023 DESIGNATED ACCOUNTS DEVELOPMENT FUND CCLA Deposit Fund CB3026706-(K)I Balance at 1st January 2023 2022 5.332.82 5263.59 Inc(4M Interest Net transfer T•xal 170.91 69.23 170.91 69.23 Balance at 31st December 5,503.73 5.332.82 CHURCH HALL AccouKr In¢om• 2023 2022 Lottlnis Re8ul4r bookinv C•sual Bookln8s Key dtposits Interest CCLA Sundry In¢ome 12,693.76 1.787.50 ,197.25 3,8S2.50 119.87 790.96 48.55 76.24 15.392.09 12,174.54 L•M Exp•ndltur• Sundrl•s Fee5 Utllltl•s Malnt•nan¢e Insur•n¢e Tr4nsf•r to PCC G•n•rnl kcount I￿.00 3.595.27 3.890.32 8.669.46 781.78 3,495.40 2,092.53 3,544.25 731.42 17,036.83 9,863.60 Profit for the year Balance blh¥d at lrt January 8alan¢e ¢/fwd at 31st Decèmber -I,fA4.74 7.137.60 5,492.86 2,310.94 4,826.66 7,137.60 Uoyds TSB ac no1070066 CCL4 617080O34D Church Hall Deposit Account Balance in accounts 4,066.36 3,859.90 7,926.26 6,522.21 3,740.03 10.262.24 Outstandin8 Invoic•slPaymentslAdjustm•nts Total aMets -2,433.40 5,492.86 -3.124.64 7,137.60 Outstanding invoiceslPayments Amounts falling due within I year Amounts owed 2.642.58 -209.18 Page 4 Effingham with Little Bookham PCC Year Ended 31st December 2023 ASSOCIATED CHARITIES MADDOX CHARITY R•8ist•red Chaiity No. 238038 2023 2022 Openlng balanc• at 1st Janu•ry Income receNed Payment to Effingham wrth Little B￿khaM PCC (Joslni balanc• at 31st D•c•mb•r 30.81 842.27 561.79 839.02 1,370.00 28.68 30.81 *2020 accoun￿nI p•riod 01.10.19 to 31.12.20 GERALD SANDERS TRUST 2023 2022 CCLA Investmentfund CB30267044)1 No shares held 11143 V•lue at 1st january Int•r•st r•c•lv•d V•lu• at 31st D•c•mb•r 230.057.26 6,885.26 251,890.86 260.598.00 6,847.37 230,057.26 CCLA Flxed Interert *¢urrtl•s fvnd CB30267014*)1 No of shar• h•kl 3980 Value at 1st january Int•rest rtt• Valu• at 31st D•c•mb•r 5.347.08 124.17 5,761.05 6,288.¢XI 156.81 5,347.08 Total valu• at 31st O•cemb•r Total int•r•st r•c•iv•d •t 31st D•¢. (Pald to Jam•s Walk•r Fund) 257.651.91 7.009.43 235.404.34 7,004.18 JAMES WALKER FUND Registered Charrty No. 246037 2023 2022 CCLA Depos11 fmd CB302670>1 Balanet at IstJ•nuary In¢om• rtt•Ned from S•nders Trust Payment to Effin8ham wtth Litt￿ Bookh•m PCC Interest retsined Totsl Balanc• at 31st Dec•mbor 29.650.05 7.(M)9.43 22,292.78 7.1)J4.18 5,963. 964.42 37.623.90 31,660.90 353.09 29,650.05 29,650.05 Page 5 Effin8ham wlth uttle F￿*barn PCC Year Ended 3tst Decernber 2023 NOTES TO THE FINANaAL STATEMENTS Not•5 Th• ECckns1M￿ of St L￿ren￿. Efthth•m with All S•ints. Utth Bth)kh•m w•$ f()rM￿ on 1st January 2018, by th• ffryof th¢ ￿rISheS of St Lawrence. Effi￿h•M. and All Saints. Lotth Bookham. Th• accounts ar consolSd•t5on alth• •c￿nts of￿1 ￿ints. St Lwr•nc•. •nd Effmih•m T*fth Llttkn Booth•m PCC Pl•nn•d 6Nlni pl￿ associ￿ 6fft AKI totallid £66.468 cf 2022 £63MKI. •n incr•M• of £2.668 oih•rVolunl•ry R•sour¢•s