## **St Oswald’s Norbury Annual Report 2020** ## **Introduction** I had expected this report to be very brief, but it is heartening to see that although there are some aspects of our church life that have remained ‘locked down’ since March 2020 there is much that has thrived in our current circumstances. We have learned so much over the last year and I know that at times it has been exhausting and stressful, but it has highlighted the commitment of many to ensuring that our church community continues to thrive. Our annual meeting will need to be brief this year – it will largely take place throughout the service on 16[th] May, which will focus on the story of our life together this last year, with elections taking place during the notices, before we leave with a blessing. Although everyone can be a part of the meeting from home or in church, we will not be able to invite you to raise questions during the meeting. However, if you have any questions regarding the report or the life of the church, please forward them to me or to Maudlyn Riviere (PCC secretary) and we will do our best to address them either personally or on the day. Please do read the report and be impressed by the amount of work that people do at St Oswald’s. As you do so, consider where there are aspects that you can help with, or perhaps new areas that you would wish to explore. It is customary to avoid using the report as a vehicle for ‘thank you’s’ to individuals – there will be opportunities to do that at the meeting, but there are many people to whom we should be thankful for their commitment to the life of St Oswald’s church, some of whom have done so for many years and would welcome a rest. As we emerge from the tight Covid restrictions there will be much to ponder about how we move forwards as a church community. I hope that at some point in the summer, when we can meet (and perhaps even eat!) together, we will have a vision event in which we can have plenty of time for conversation and the sharing of ideas. Our APCM this year takes place in that time between Ascension day and Pentecost that is characterised by prayer and has become known as ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ I hope that as we reflect on the life of the church over the last year, we will pause to pray for her continued life and to be looking for signs of Christ’s Kingdom in the life of our church, our local community and throughout the world. With love and prayers Alison 5 ## **Report on the proceedings of the Parochial Church Council 2020-2021** ## Meetings and membership The PCC met nine times during the reporting period from May 2020 to April 2021, five of these meetings being after the delayed 2020 APCM held in November. The Standing Committee met regularly between PCC meetings and when urgent matters arise that must be dealt with. A number of sub-groups have met to focus on specific issues such as finance, church fabric matters and mission, and report back the outcome of their meetings and proposal to the PCC. The Return to Church group met at various critical points and carried out risk assessments to make sure that we were Covid safe and complying with the law. The meetings have been held online and chaired by the Vicar Rev’d Alison Brunt and the meetings were very well attended. The key topics of the year have been finance and safeguarding and our response to the coronavirus pandemic, including an emphasis on keeping in touch. At the first meeting, on 18[th] November, following the delayed 2020 APCM the following officers were appointed: |At the first meeting, on 1
were appointed:|8thNovember, following the delayed 2020 APCM the follo| |---|---| |Secretary:|Maudlyn Riviere| |Treasury Team:|Dawn Blair (Treasurer), Sylvia James, Judith Kitchingman| |Electoral Roll:|Anita Christ| |Standing Committee:|Vicar, Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary| |Independent Examiner:|Judy Morris| |Deputy Warden:|Anil Den| Nick Lock was admitted to office as warden at the first PCC meeting using a liturgy provided by the Diocese. Sadly, following her election, Yvonne Lewis was unable to take up the office of Warden and so Nick has served as sole warden during this period. ## Key activities: Online banking: We transferred both the church and hall accounts to the Unity Trust Foundation Bank which specialises in work with charities and offers online-banking. Food items were donated, collected and delivered regularly to support a local food bank via Grace Outreach in Thornton Heath Donations for Harvest gifts were delivered to the Spires centre, based at St Leonard’s church in Streatham. A lot of efforts were made in maintaining contact with the congregation during the pandemic through weekly emails and texts and regular mailings. Black History Month: A special evening was held by Blue Jeans, in which a small group shared their thought provoking research and experiences on the theme ‘Why black lives matter’ and included a quiz during the evening. During the Sunday services in October the sermon slots were taken by members of the congregation reflecting on their lives and faith with respect to the scriptures of the day. 6 Harvest Festival: This was celebrated earlier than usual, on 20[th] September with the usual excellent display of flowers and collection of food. Replacing the Harvest Supper we had an online social evening with readings, poems and a quiz. Patronal Festival: Ann Hubble organised a musical celebration of St Oswald which was enjoyed by members of the congregation and friends seated inside the church and relayed into the garden for the benefit of others. National Day of Reflection (23[rd] March 2021): We marked the Day of Reflection by having a Prayer Tree where we tied yellow ribbons in support of all those who have been bereaved or had huge changes in their lives this year. An invitation by local social media groups led to about a dozen people gathering for the national silence. ## Safeguarding Safeguarding is a standing item on the agenda and we had one meeting where Judy Morris Safeguarding Officer (DSA) explained that all church officers working with children and vulnerable adults should have safeguarding training. They should also have DBS Certificate. ## **Report on the fabric, goods and ornaments of St Oswald’s Church** Over the last year Covid has had an impact on our planned maintenance programme however we have had smart meters fitted to the electricity and will have them fitted to the gas supply. There were no major equipment failures. Routine safety inspections & servicing of the fire extinguishers and the boiler system have nonetheless been carried out. The lightning conductor has also been checked and certified for another year. We have also acquired two new pianos. A new chalice was bought to replace one which had the silver lining worn through have been installed in the church. They have been added to the list of church contents. Various pieces of IT equipment have been placed in the church in order to facilitate the broadcasting of services to those at home and to enable relay of sound from inside the church to the outside. These have included a laptop, webcam, ‘Yeti’ microphone and a portable PA system and an extension of the broadband from the hall to the church. Planned maintenance for this year (including items from the quinquennial inspection still to be addressed) - 1 The choir vestry needs some work to address the damp and then it will be redecorated. It would be very helpful if when the choir vestry is ready some people could volunteer to do basic decoration. - 2 At the roof level some remedial work is needed of the soffit board and gutter. - 3 The PCC is considering installing CCTV for the hall and reviewing the general security system. These works will be undertaken as soon as is feasible. This year the chancel lighting will also be reviewed for potential refurbishment as it is difficult to change those bulbs at high level. The church and grounds continue to be well cared for on a day to day basis by volunteers and by Jenny who was temporarily redeployed from cleaning duties in the hall to the church. 7 ## **Electoral Roll Report** The total membership roll for 2020 for St. Oswald’s Norbury Parish is **167** as at 28[th] April 2021 Of this total **95** live within the Parish and **72** are non-resident (NR) and reside outside the Parish. We have **removed** all those who have died since the last revision. Sevia John Mary Shepherd Linda Sinclair And we have **added** the following names: Louise Gu Rachel Meadows Radhika Meadows Louise Pierre Marie Pierre Nicola Williams Waveney Williams **Electoral Roll figures from previous years:** 2021 167 2020 163 2019 (full revision) 163 2018 252 Anita Christ ## **Safeguarding** Safeguarding is a standing agenda item at PCC meetings, usually with nothing to report. A PCC meeting during the year had as its main focus the principles of safeguarding. In accordance with the House of Bishops’ _‘Promoting a Safer Church’_ safeguarding policy statement, the PCC has adhered to the Church’s safeguarding policy particularly with regard to the regulations imposed due to Covid. There have been no safeguarding issues during 2020. Judy Morris ## **Report from the Deanery Synod** The Deanery Synod met three times in 2020-2021. At one of the synod meetings the Area Bishop Jonathan Clark talked on how churches across the Episcopal Area have been responding and coping with the pandemic. He senses that church might remain the same or may be different as and when we emerge from the pandemic. He urged all churches to embrace changes. He was also impressed with the willingness that people have taken to help the church during the lockdown and the care and thoughtfulness that people have shown to others. Public Spirit Initiative There were regular updates on the Public Spirit and St Oswald’s is particularly involved and been glad to support the young people. 8 ## **Worship and Study at St Oswald’s** We have done our best to maintain worship at St Oswald’s throughout the year, holding regular services in person where it was legally permissible to do so and always offering the 10am parish communion online. During the most difficult stages of the Spring 2021 lockdown we made the decision to hold that service online only, but made communion available through the 8am and midweek services. We celebrated the important festivals and seasons of the year and, although congregational singing has not been possible, the music provided by Ann and the choir have added enormously to our worship. They have also been greatly appreciated at two recent funeral services where the singing of hymns made difficult events feel more familiar. It is a great joy that between presence in church and online attendance we have managed to maintain attendance levels of around 60 in our main Sunday service. A particular joy has been the commitment of about a dozen people to attending online morning prayer each day and a similar number (but not exactly the same group) to the ‘five minutes at six’ prayer group that stemmed from the ‘Prayer for the nation’ initiative in February. Study groups have taken place online as we completed our study of Matthew’s gospel in October, had an Advent reflection group in December, and a Lent study based on our baptismal promises. ## **SPA Report** This past year has been very challenging and of great concern for those we know live on their own and whom we have been unable to visit. We have been in telephone contact with Parishioners and all have found being in isolation/lockdown very difficult and are appreciative of the call as they find the situation overwhelming. Many calls are time consuming with all missing the physical contact of a hug, praying with them has been welcomed and brought comfort. We remember all whom are mourning and the many dire situations in the world today. We pray for God's continuing mercy on us all. Glen Dawson, Bevon West, Anita Christ ## **Hall Report** The Hall has been on lockdown for the last year and we have been unable to accommodate our regular bookings or the various private bookings in the diary although we do remain in contact with them all. During this time however we have been able to accommodate: for one week/five days a school that was open for the children of front-line workers as their usual location was flooded the Blood Donor Programme the up-coming elections on 6th May. We continue to receive many new enquiries in relation to the re-opening date for the hall. We are aware that new processes and protocols will need to be put in place and by the grace of God we are looking forward to a brighter year. 9 ## **Children’s Church Report 2021** Children’s Church Sunday meetings in the hall have been, for the most part, suspended due to the Covid pandemic and subsequent hall closure over the past year. Fortunately, our young people have continued to engage in a variety of ways. Many young people have participated in online worship with their families, and some have been able to attend services in church from time to time. Parents and carers have also received online resources to assist learning and worship with their children. It has been pleasing to see young people giving readings and intercession prayers, particularly the younger children who are growing in confidence. There were contributions at Easter and Christmas, and the videos on ‘Who cares for you?’ were wonderful to watch on Mothering Sunday. The Public Spirit group for secondary-aged young people has been able to continue with online meetings. They have had interfaith meetings with other groups from North London which have been popular and thought-provoking. St Oswald’s was also able to host the most recent Public Spirit meeting on 18 April (postponed from March2020) to discuss the mayoral election and youth safety issues. In February 2021 an online event was held to launch Croydon Youth Forum, following in the footsteps of other youth forums in Woolwich and Kingston. Many churches from across Croydon attended. Each was asked to send up to three representatives and two young people from St Oswald’s attended. They discussed how churches can promote racial justice and be anti-racist. The Forum will meet again in June and also contribute to the Diocesan Synod. After lots of preparation we were able to offer a Covid-safe session of Sunday School in the hall last October on Bible Sunday, just before the second lockdown. We do look forward to resuming sessions in the hall when it is possible to do so. Despite the challenges of this year, it has been heartening to see our young people continuing to blossom and contribute to the life of the church. Vee Benn Sunday School Leader ## **Flower Fund Report - May 20 to April 21** In spite of Covid and lockdown we have managed to have floral decor in the Church for the Festivals of Harvest, Christmas and Easter. This year following Harvest and Easter we were able to outreach by delivering floral arrangements to elderly members of the Church which were joyfully received and a wonderful way to remind them that they are still in the thoughts and prayers of their church family, as most were shielding and unable to attend church. We were also unable to distribute Mothering Sunday posies for the 2nd year running. We have received Donations of £367 from regular contributors along with the Church collections we held for Harvest and Christmas. As we were in lockdown no collection was made for Easter. We have spent: £145 for Harvest £110 for Christmas £170 for Easter Anita Christ 10 ## **The Pop-in Club** The Club have not met for over a year due to the lockdown, but we have kept in touch with members during this time and everyone received a telephone call on their birthday wishing them happy birthday greetings. They have commented how much they missed not coming to the Club, but understand the importance of the lockdown. The members are classed as been vulnerable, so the Club will remain closed until all restrictions are lifted and it is safe for them to return. Sylvia James ## **Women’s’ Fellowship** Our last meeting was on the 11th of March 2020, when Reverend Alistair gave us a most interesting talk about his teaching career before going into the ministry. Speakers booked after this had to sadly be cancelled due to Covid when we mainly had to stay at home. We now have 15 members, after very sadly, losing our wonderful Treasurer, Mary. We have all kept in touch, mainly by phone and at church, and look forward to safe, happy times in the future. Phoebe Hope 11 ST OSWALD'S CHURCH FINANCIAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2020 Church Account Openin8 Balance Parish Hall Account CCLA Deposit Account 29.132.00 23,788.00 180,CQ3.00 Income Voluntsry Receipts Planned Giving Church services collection Parlsh Support/GIft re Covld 33.188 3,648 5.2th) 42,036 Voluntary Re¢elpts Two Legacies Lady chapellstudy books Water Aldnrafflcklng Sumup After SeNices Coffee Patronal Music Performance 23,(KM) 160 81 475 116 108 23.940 CCLA Investments 2.584 2.584 Church Actlvltles Funera15 Weddin8 Deposit Hall Income Jan-mar 1275 Iso 8539 9.964 Transler funds from Hall Account 50% conlribLStion re Drains repair 8,1(M) 8.1 UtllityWIHouse - credit note 193 193 CCLA- released fund5 30.iJY) 30.C Total Income 116.817 Pa8e I St Oswald's Church 2020 F5nancSal Report and Accounts Expenditure Diocesan Parish Share Church Insurance Hall Insurance Archdeacon retirin8 gift Dr Robin Field lorgani5t honororial DBS Fee Re.. Organist 50.OLK) 4357 1442 250 57,089 Edit Web51tes Ltd RSCM Royal Sch Church Music Rode115 Lightening Protection CCLI (Copyright licencel CCLI (Streaming Ilcencel 18 112 206 204 590 Altar Requlrements Charles Farris Ltd IVar+ous Items) Invoice 2123354 Involce 2118133 Candle stlck & Wafer Box New Ch81ice Wine 159 147 243 228 38 815 VS¢ar Study Materlal 312 312 Servlce Sheets Redernplorist Readin8S No Problems Service books 254 1.169 1423 Organ Servl¢elRepalrs Organ Design Ltd Stewart Fothergill tunin8 227 186 413 Organlst Remuneration Pre Contract MarchlApril Jan/JulY15ept MaY/June 420 240 560 1220 61,862 Pa8e 2 St 05wald's Church 1020 Flnandal Report and Accounts Expendlture cont... 8/fwd 61862 Mixellaneous After Service Coffee Christmas Trees Patronal Music Performance Planned Glving Envs GD Fire & Security call out charge 154 300 153 144 754 Castle water utility W/House Veolia 153 853 277 1283 Virtual Business PayPlus Organist Tfr fund5 Church lo Holl Re.. PayPIu5 1680 168 1.848 Covld saleguardlni equlpment Masks18loves sanitisers+equipment Various safety material+ink Hand sanillser+pump smart water 200ml 2ply paper towels 88 97 241 23 449 Charftable Donatlons Supported Charities Balance of Childrens Society 2019 300 20 320 Three other Charltl•s All We Can Stop The Traffic WaterAid O'ar) 92 50 31 173 Treasurers Expenses Stamps.Ink.paper,files 186 186 Church Grounds Tree surgery Drainsmart Cornell&Varley (Lawn mower) Garage Door/camera Garden maintenance 744 16.236 468 92 60 17,6CiI Transfer to CCLA 9CKJ2 Total Expenditur¢ 93.477 Page 3 st 05wald's Church 2020 Flnancial Report and Accounts Hall Income July-Dec 2020 8539 1400 168 Transfef of hjnds Re Organirt 10107 Hall runnln8 costs Transfer Or8ani5t wages 6 month5 Staff Wages Jan - June 2020 all Hall Attendance Allowance Vlrtual Buslness Source Ltd Staff remuneration Bank Charge 1680 1,680 Manager pre contract Cleaner pre contract 1,750 1,040 550 3,340 Chaps Transfer Chaps transfer Chaps Transfer 5 Months wages September fee 821 23 168 4108 132 1,012 PAYPLUS Wages PAYPLUS 1st fee 4.240 GD/Chubb Fire & Securlty Cowleys 1.178 618 iep4ice of Boilers 1,796 Utllltles Castle Water Utlllty Warehouse 559 2606 1624 449 283 373 144 Gas Electricity Br Band Waste Telephone Waste 8Sffa Waste H3G Veolla 6.038 Shared Cost ol Draln Repalr Tfr from Hall A/C to Church A/C 8,ILI) 8,100 Covidl requirements Cleaning various Cleaning Covid Hall exp 132 234 112 478 The Revd Watt5 & Son Refvnd 450 450 Total Expendlture 27,134 Church closing balance Parish hall account Deposit account 41349 7041 161613 Approved by the PCC on 14.04.2021 Alison Brunt, Vicar and PCC chair Page 4 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusts•sl members of St. Osvald's Churth, Norbury On accounls for the yoar •nd•d 2020 Charity no {if any) 1186034 Set out on pages 14 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust.) for the year erKled 3111212018 Responslbllltles and As the Charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basls of r•port of th8 accounts in a¢cordanc8 With the requirementg of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act"). I report in respe¢1 of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of Ihe 2011 Act and in carying oul my examinallon, I have followèd the applicable Directions given by the Charity CommissTron under section 1495Xbl of th& Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no materlal matters have come to my attention in cc inection with the examinatlon whlch glves me cause to believe that in. a* i material respect. accounling TecoTd< 14ere not kept in accnrdance wlth secllon 130 of theAdor the account5 do not accoid with the accountlng records Independent examlnerfs statement I have no concems and h.,￿ come across no other matters in connedlon vAth the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ' Please delete the words In the brackets if they do not apply. Slgned: Date: 1010412021 Namo: Judith A Morrts Relevant prof•$slonal qualifJcation(s) or body (If any): Address: 88 Ededine Avenue, Norbury London SW16 4SA IER October 2018