Saint Oswald’s Norbury
Annual Report 2023
MINUTES OF ST OSWALD’S CHURCH ELECTION OF CHURCH WARDENS’ MEETING HELD ON SUNDAY 15 MAY 2022
Attendees : 50 members of St Oswald’s Congregation
All Electoral Registered members
Apologies :
There were no apologies
Opening Prayer:
The opening prayer was led by Rev’d Alison Brunt
Notices convening the meeting
Taken as read
MINUTES OF 2022 CHURCH WARDEN’S MEETING
The minutes were recorded as an accurate reflection of the minutes
ELECTION OF CHURCH WARDENS
There were two nominations
Yvonne Nwanokwu Proposed by: Edgar Weithers Seconded: Sundar Pichamuthu Yemi Adeogun Proposed by: Claudette Blair Seconded by: Sonia Rumbelow
These nominations were approved by all attendees and the newly elected Church Wardens will assume their responsibilities following commissioning by the Vicar at the first available opportunity.
Alison agreed for Yvonne and Yemi to be nominated as Church Wardens and thanked them for being willing to stand as Church Wardens
Alison declared closed the election of the Church Wardens
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MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING HELD IN CHURCH
SUNDAY 15 MAY 2022
Attendees: 50 (All Electoral Register members)
1. Apologies for absence
No apologies were received.
2 . Minutes of the previous Meeting held on the 16 May 2021
The minutes of the meeting held on the 15 May 2022 were agreed as an accurate report of the meeting.
Acceptance of the minutes: Proposed by: Chris Avery Seconded by: Angela Scott
3. Matters arising from the Minutes
There were no matters arising, taken as read.
4 .
Consideration of the Revised Electoral Roll Report
The Electoral Roll was revised for the 2022 APCM meeting. There were 158 parishioners as at 27 April 2022 of this total 88 live within the parish and 70 are non-resident (NR) and reside outside the Parish.
The members accepted the Electoral Roll Report as read.
Alison thanked Anita for her work in upgrading the Electoral Roll. Anita agreed to continue as Electoral Roll Officer for another year.
5. Consideration of the Annual Report on the proceedings of the Council
The Report was circulated prior to the meeting and was accepted as read.
Alison thanked the PCC members and everyone involved in the running of the church.
Judy Morris was thanked for her work as Safeguarding Officer and for the extra responsibilities she takes on board, for example her involvement with the back to church register after the Covid Pandemic.
Thanks to Bevon and Jenny for their work in the hall and for the hard work preparing Sunday Lunch held for the wide community.
Thanks to Phoebe for running the Women’s Fellowship and to Sylvia for arranging the Harvest Supper.
Thanks to Vee and Judy Butcher for their cooperation in organising the Black History Month event.
Alison thanked Ann our organist for organising the music festival and thanks also to the church choir. Thanks to Robin for playing the church music when Ann is away.
Thanks to Alistair and Heather for all their support.
Thanks to the group of volunteers who faithfully helped with the cleaning of the church, and to Vicky Bruce who keeps the church garden looking immaculately clean and tidy. Thanks also to the volunteers who Iate the church on special occasions.
Alison thanked Anita and everyone involved with the lovely flower arrangements for the inside of the church.
Alison was very grateful to Leonora for representing her when she was on leave and thanks to those who read and those who do the intercessions. Judy Morris for preparing the Pew Sheets.
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6 . Consideration of the Annual Report on the Financial Affairs of the Parish and Consideration of the Annual Independently Examined Accounts for the year ended 31.12.2022
The Church accounts were accepted by the members and no questions were asked .
Dawn Blair thanked the Finance Team - Judy Kitchingman, Tracey Fagbemi, and Nick Lock for their part in the work.
Alison thanked Dawn for taking up the role of treasurer and for producing the accounts and sending them to the Diocese.
Judy Morris was thanked for auditing and examining the accounts.
Thanks to Sylvia James for processing cash and cheques for banking and Judith Kitchingman the stewardship recorder
7. Report on the Fabrics, Goods and Ornaments of St Oswald’s Church 2022
The report was accepted by the meeting as read.
Tracy Fagbemi, Nick Lock and Chris Avery were thanked for their work in checking on the maintenance and project work carried out on the church building and the hall.
8 .
Consideration of the Report from the Deanery Synod
The report was accepted as read.
9. Election of Deanery Synod Representatives.
This was not a year for elections and so the following members will continue to serve as Lay Members of the Deanery Synod.
Judy Butcher Tracy Fagbemi
Yvonne Nwanokwu Maudlyn Riviere
Thanks to Judy, Maudlyn, Tracy and Yvonne for attending Synod meetings to represent St Oswald’s. Vee Benn for attending to report on her work with the young people and Public Spirit.
10 . Election of the PCC Members
The following members were elected as lay members of the PCC to serve for three years:
Sandra Randall Louise Gu Debbie Alleyne Angela Scott
11 Appointment of Independent Examiner for the Accounts
Judy Morris agreed to continue as Independent Examiner of the accounts.
12. Vicar’s report and overview of ministry in the parish
Alison thanked all those who were mentioned in the report for all they had done throughout 2022.
Thanks to the SPAs – Bevon and Anita and Leonora (Reader), Vee Benn the co-ordinator of the children’s church and those who adorned the church to make it look more beautiful.
13 . Any other business
There was no other business
Alison declared the meeting closed
- 14 .
Alison led the congregation in the closing prayers and the grace.
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Introduction
This is a lengthy report, and I hope that that will not put you off reading it because it reflects a great deal of activity and work throughout the year which has been instrumental in building up the worshipping community of St Oswald’s, the associated community who attend events and activities, and reaching out to people who need to find a place to form community – to be with others.
This has been a year for reflecting on the lessons learned from the Covid pandemic, concerning ourselves more with looking at what was gained through these difficult last few years and building on changed expectations of what the life of the church should be.
It has also been a year in which we have played our part in marking key national events and been reminded of the particular place of the Church of England as the established church in England. We celebrated with joy the Platinum Jubilee of the late Queen, inviting the local community to share our space and our hospitality – it may have felt more like a party than mission – but feedback showed that we had touched a need for places of connection for people of different backgrounds and across the whole spectrum of ages. We showed too our ability to mark the death of the late Queen in a dignified and respectful way – in the best way that we could. Very recently we have celebrated the Coronation of the King with the same sense of joy and desire to draw others in. The particular role of the Church of England gives us the privilege and responsibility to reach out and offer ministry to all who live in our parish – it is not always easy, but I think that this report shows, among many things that we do, that we have high aspirations and we do our very best to fulfil them.
Please do read this report and be grateful for all that has been done over the last year by the members of this church. If you are on the fringes of participation in what we do, please consider ways in which you might support the ongoing ministry of the church, within this parish and in the wider world.
With my love and prayers
Alison
Electoral Roll Report
The total membership roll for 2022 for St. Oswald’s Norbury Parish is 154 as at 6[th] May 2023. Of this total 87 live within the Parish and 67 are non-resident (NR) and reside outside the Parish.
We have removed the following five parishioners who have died:
| Andria Atkinson | DorothyCallaghan |
|---|---|
| Chella Pichamuthu | Olywnn Wilkins |
| Roy Williams |
We have also removed the following three parishioners who have moved away:
| Tiwa Asher-Abiola | Tiwa Asher-Abiola | Margaret Amaechi | Michael Amaechi |
|---|---|---|---|
| We haveaddedthe followingnames and take this opportunityto welcome them: Dionne Campbell Marcia Grant-Che Justina Ohirein Chloe Randall Christiana Wright Electoral Roll figures fromprevious years: 2023 154 2022 158 2021 167 2020 163 2019(full revision) 163 |
|||
| 2023 | 154 | ||
| 2022 | 158 | ||
| 2021 | 167 | ||
| 2020 | 163 | ||
| 2019(full revision) | 163 |
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Report of the proceedings of the Parochial Church Council 2022-2023
Meetings and membership
The PCC met six times during the reporting period from 15 May 2022 to 15 March 2023.
The Standing Committee met between meetings on an ad hoc basis to discuss urgent matters ahead of scheduled PCC meetings. The Standing Committee consists of the vicar, church wardens, treasurer and the PCC Secretary. The PCC operates through sub-groups which meet to discuss important issues, for example finance, church fabrics matters and mission projects, and report the outcome of their meetings and proposals to the PCC.
The meetings were held face-to-face and chaired by the Vicar Rev’d Alison Brunt. The meetings were well attended. Reports on the fabric and finance matters and events of the church (all reported on separately) were planned and discussed.
A standing agenda item at all meetings is safeguarding in line with recommended practice from the Diocesan Safeguarding team. Making decisions about moving out of the Covid Restrictions remained a regular point of discussion.
The following officers were appointed at the first meeting on 15 May 2022:
| Secretary: | Maudlyn Riviere |
|---|---|
| Treasurer: | Dawn Blair |
| Safeguarding Officer: | Judy Morris |
| Deputy Wardens: | Sonia Rumbelow, Debbie Alleyne |
| Treasury Team: | Sylvia James, Judith Kitchingman |
| Standing Committee: | Alison Brunt, Yemi Adeogun, Yvonne Nwanokwu, Dawn Blair, |
| Maudlyn Riviere |
At the same meeting it was agreed that Mike Morfey should be co-opted to the PCC
The work of the PCC is reflected in the activities and events of the church which are listed later in this report.
St Oswald's Fabric Report
There were various projects completed during the past year comprising the following:
Church
The damaged tarmac path on the north side of the church had been entirely replaced and upgraded, during October, with a new edged tarmac path and surface drainage system to prevent water flowing into the vestry. Plans remain in place to refurbish the internal vestry.
A new upgraded lighting system had been sourced and fully installed in the Chancel in December ready for Christmas. The new lighting was supplied with luminaires and a dimming system, which provides the ability to increase or decrease the lighting to create a specific ambience. The investment of £15,210 meant technicians specialising in church lighting ensured the lighting met the required quality standards of the Diocese, plus ensuring longevity in years to come. Support and training were provided on the new system by the company.
It was noticed the lighting on the window cross at the West End of the church was not working. Following investigation, it was discovered the lights on the cross were no longer made. A replacement LED Light fitment, including a new automatic timer, was made by the technician in time to be lit up for Easter.
A few lock and carpentry issues arose. The vestry door lock had slipped and would not open, this was remedied by the lock being cleaned and refitted. The top panel of the altar rail had come away and this was re fixed. Currently obtaining quotes for the rehanging/fixing the stiff vestry door, repair of the internal west door self-closing broken hinges and resetting of the altar rail.
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The five-year electrical testing was completed in early July and electrical installation certificate received. Next test due July 2027.
Yearly PAT testing for the church hall and the church will be undertaken early June 2023.
The five-year Quinquennial review of the church is due in 2023 - in this respect a review of the highlevel works required is being undertaken and a report/quote will be prepared of the works needed to be carried out.
Hall
Work to renovate the church hall toilets have been completed. Quotes are being obtained for the painting and decorating and steam cleaning to complete the work. Quotes are also being obtained for refurbishment of the church hall kitchen.
A couple of garden projects were completed including building a trellis along the along the hall fence for added protection and replacement of the hall shed roof to make it watertight for general storage.
Drain smart have been called in to clear a blocked drain in the church car park.
Church and Hall Gardens
Volunteers from the church keep the lawns and flowerbeds neat and tidy. The aim is to make the area around the church a relaxing and pleasant ‘green oasis’ for people from the community to walk through and enjoy nature. Everything is designed to be minimum maintenance so that future volunteers will be encouraged to help out when the current ‘gardeners’ need to step down. The new garden path along the west side of the church has been greatly appreciated by users.
St Oswald’s Finance Report 2022
It has been over a year now since we have been with Unity Trust Bank Plc. The two online accounts for the Church and Hall to make payments directly by Direct Debit or BACS transfers. There are fewer cheque requests.
Major expenditure this year
Church
In March we had major work done to refurbish the Organ.
In May we purchased a Votive Stand which resides at the back of the Church. In November we replaced the Tarmac pathway in the area near the Church Vestry.
Funds will be taken out of the CCLA investment account to offset the cost of maintenance repair as is our policy for capital work.
Funding from the Mission Grant obtained in 2021, along with ticket sales and donations from those events allowed us to continue to support the outreach for the local community through music. We also received income, to support the costs of the Jubilee celebrations, through donations. We are now receiving regular income through regular bookings from the Associated Board Exams. Our annual pledge to the Parish Support Fund for 2022 was reduced to £45000 in view of the impact of Covid.
Hall
In February we purchased a heavy-duty Dishwasher for the kitchen. This is working well especially for Hall Hire and we are using fewer disposable plates, cups and cutlery.
There was a storm which affected a tree located at the back of the Hall. Due to the storm damage, we had to remove the tree and replace the fence. A claim on our insurance covered these costs. In June Electrical installation for Hall Kitchen wiring alterations for dishwasher, PAT testing. Remedial work for the Church and Hall.
There has been an increase in Hall income, with an increase in new regular bookings.
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Overall position
There were increases in planned giving, fundraising and hall income. However, it should be noted that budgeting for the major capital works was based on using funds available in the CCLA investment account, and we were not to make the transfer of funds before the end of the financial year. This leaves a deficit appearing in the church income over expenditure.
Our finances will hopefully continue to improve with planned giving and fundraising activities for 2023 and it is our intention to return our pledge for the Parish Support Fund to the former level of £50000 either this or next year. Our pledge for this year is £48 000
Key Activities and events of the Church
Mission through Music:
We have continued to host the ABRSM music exams at the end of each term. This raises some funds for the church, allowing us to continue to develop our musical work and also brings visitors into our building.
The refurbishment of the organ was celebrated with a recital by Marilyn Harper.
We repeated the idea of a Music Festival round about the time of our patronal festival. This included some excellent performances:
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A Silent Movie with organ accompaniment
-
Steel band with Caribbean Food
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A concert given on behalf of the Ukrainian Cultural Association
Sadly these were less well attended than the previous year – but we have learned from feedback that a different approach is needed.
Later in August we enjoyed an outdoor performance from a Brass Ensemble.
The Beaufort String Quartet provided music for an excellent and well attended afternoon tea event as part of our Diamond Jubilee Celebration.
The choir continues to grow in terms of numbers and confidence and, with invited others, learned to sing Evensong in preparation for a patronal evensong after an afternoon tea.
On the 28 January 2023 - we had a concert by the Tryptich Singers. It was nice hearing the choir sing for us for the first time since the Covid Pandemic. A retiring collection was collected to support the work of a local Mental health charity.
National Events
In June we celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, inviting our local community to a Family Fun Day with barbecue and activities on the Saturday and an Afternoon Tea with the Beaufort String Quartet on the Sunday afternoon. We had many appreciative visitors for both of these events.
In early September we joined the nation in mourning the death of the Queen. The church was open at various times with a condolence book available for those who wished to write messages. A special evening prayer was said on the eve of the funeral and the bell was tolled on the morning of the funeral service.
Seasonal Celebrations
Lent, Holy Week and Easter were marked with Lent Reflections, by Blue Jeans, on the Biblical Stations of the Cross which took us into the Stations of the Crucifixion on Good Friday. The pattern of Holy Week and Easter was closer to the familiar, although a joyful diversion was an organ recital by Marilyn Harper showing off our newly refurbished organ to its full extent.
In early October we celebrated our Harvest Festival in the usual way with a ‘Bring and Share’ Harvest Supper with quiz and other entertainment and on Sunday Morning an All- age service in which gifts were collected and then later distributed to a local foodbank and homeless charities.
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At Christmas we rejoiced in being able to celebrate our full range of services including Midnight Mass; Advent and Christmas Carol services; Christingle and Nativity and our now traditional Carols on the Green. Attendance at these services was very promising.
Children’s Church
Children have continued to attend the Children’s Church to learn from the weekly Bible teachings as they develop their understanding of the Christian faith. Those attending have varied throughout the year, with between two and six young people of differing ages coming regularly, and higher numbers at festivals such as Christmas and Easter.
This year we have been able to sustain Children’s Church by holding sessions in the church vestry during the main Sunday service. This has allowed us to continue when parent helpers have not been able to come and help in the hall. It has also benefited the young people to be able to participate in collective worship at the beginning of the church service as well as the Eucharist.
The young people show interest in the Bible teachings and have opportunities to discuss their ideas, ask questions, develop their prayers and express ideas creatively. There was a joyful welcome for one young person who was baptised last Easter and Children’s Church was pleased to support his preparation for that important commitment. Children are regularly involved in all-age worship, making crowns for Father’s Day, writing prayers at Harvest and Mothering Sunday, creating colourful candle posters for Advent and participating in Christmas and Easter celebrations. The young people particularly enjoyed preparations for the Platinum Jubilee in June, preparing posters and contributing their own prayers of thanksgiving in church. They also reflected thoughtfully later in September at the time of the Queen’s passing and the accession of the new King. There was a play for All Saints of ‘The Martyrdom of Perpetua’ performed excellently by one of the families in the church, and young people have continued to give readings or support worship in other ways when called upon to do so.
The work of Public Spirit continues, with our secondary-aged young people joining with others from churches in Croydon North Deanery. The focus remains on improving youth safety and there have been several meetings to give input to Croydon Council as they develop a Youth Safety Strategy for Croydon. In February 2023 a listening event hosted by Croydon Citizens was held at Woodside Baptist Church involving Public Spirit and other groups representing young people in Croydon. It was attended by Croydon Executive Mayor Jason Perry, members and officers from Croydon Council, Croydon Police, and Croydon North Deanery members including clergy and young people’s leaders. One of St Oswald’s young people co-chaired the event most ably, and the involvement of Public Spirit was reported in the March 2023 edition of Southwark Diocese ‘The Bridge’ newspaper.
It has been good for Children’s Church to have the positive engagement of the young people, dedicated support from their families, and the opportunities to contribute to the worshipping life of the church.
Pop-In Club Report
The Club meets regularly on Thursdays each week and is open to both men and women over the age of 50. (more men are needed).
Currently there are 28 members, including three who recently joined, and a weekly attendance of 18-20. Sadly, three have passed away.
For All Souls, a short service of Remembrance was held for past members who have departed since the Club was opened in 2001. In all, a total of 49 names were read out.
We continue with the usual activities, i.e. exercise, bingo, quiz and raffle or just to talk to each other. It was very pleasing to hear from one member who likes to take the quizzes home to test her grandson. He is very impressed by her when she gives him the correct answers and wants to know how she has acquired the knowledge. No doubt she looks forward to the afternoon sessions of quizzes.
As usual, our Christmas lunch was enjoyed by all, including families and friends.
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Women’s Fellowship
This group meets on the second Wednesday of each month in the Parish Hall for fun, friendship and activities. A warm welcome awaits any woman from the local community who would like to join us. During the past year the 11 regular members of the group have taken it in turns to organise the monthly talks, events and meals out together. These have included talks on Local History, an Animal Rescue Charity and the Galapagos Islands. We held a Celebration Tea Party for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, had a Quiz afternoon and made origami star decorations for Christmas. This year, some of the sessions, especially those involving outside speakers, were open to anyone who would like to attend and we have been glad to welcome visitors, including men, to these ‘Open House Sessions.’ However, in spite of this rich programme of activities, we need more volunteers to take on responsibility for planning the programme and helping with the administration, to enable the group to continue.
Black History Month 2022
We held an event entitled ‘Our African Inheritance’ to explore the African presence in the Bible, the roots of Christianity in Africa, the scholars who spread the faith and their influence on Christianity today. Once again we were fortunate to hear first-hand testimony from members of St Oswald’s congregation who delivered presentations on learning about Christianity as they grew up in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, and there was music from singers, all from St Oswald’s. Kind donations were received of African prints and artefacts to decorate the hall, together with food and raffle prizes, and we were pleased to welcome an audience of about forty-five people to the hall to enjoy the event.
Warm space
During the autumn of 2022 community, voluntary and faith groups across the country were encouraged to open their doors to provide warm, safe spaces for people to gather, as part of the national response to the cost of living and energy crisis.
St Oswald’s was keen to support this initiative as part of its mission and began its Warm Space provision in January 2023. The hall opened for people to drop in on three mornings a week, including one morning co-ordinated by an external provider ‘The Lois Project’ which has run its ‘Heart and Soul Cafe’. The other two mornings have been run by St Oswald’s volunteers.
Those attending have been able to meet others, receive hot drinks and snacks, hear speakers on a range of topics including health and wellbeing, managing finances, local history and poetry, take part in games and quizzes, as well as share personal experiences in a supportive setting.
It has been pleasing to welcome new people to St Oswald’s who may otherwise not have come through our doors. Attendance has been consistent, with some people choosing to attend on more than one morning. It has also provided a helpful introduction to other hall activities such as the ‘Popin’ club on Thursdays and the Jamaican Association on Fridays. People have also expressed interest in worship at St Oswald’s and have visited the church.
The first phase of the provision finished at the end of March 2023 and it is hoped that some form of drop-in provision can continue in the future.
Servers
Very many thanks must go to those on the serving team who have remained and have done such a stalwart job over the last few months.
The consequence of lockdown is that 50% of the serving team have been lost which leaves only nine servers, three of whom serve at 8 am. Thus the burden of 10.00 am rests on the shoulders of the other six. The number serving at 10 am has already been reduced to three but it is still very difficult to even reach this target. The majority of the servers have other commitments within the church which just adds to the pressure. It is hoped that more people will come forward to join the team in the future.
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Worship and Pastoral Ministry
It is a great joy that we have been able to return to our worship and pastoral support to a similar pattern to that which we knew before Covid. However, we continue to be mindful of our use of space and of the concerns of individuals. We continue to offer the main Sunday service by Blue Jeans, although now the majority of people have returned to being present in church.
We have been able to celebrate all of the main Festivals, as has been our custom, in church. We are well supported by strong teams of servers, readers, intercessors, welcomers, coffee makers and our choir which goes from strength to strength, Not to mention the many people who prepare our worship without being seen – producing service resources, cleaning the church and maintaining the rotas. We would love to involve more people in these activities and need your help. Please don’t wait to be asked!
Our congregation numbers are overall increasing slightly in terms of attendance at Sunday services, and more so in terms of the number of people who attend regularly but not every week. It has been good to welcome back to church a number of people who now feel confident to join us. During 2022 we were privileged to take services for 7 baptisms, 5 weddings and 12 Funerals.
We continue to offer Morning Prayer and the short Evening Prayer daily by Blue Jeans with a group of 10 people joining one or other of these on a regular basis.
Ministry
We continue to be blessed by a ministry team comprising of Leonora Davies (Reader), Anita Christ and Bevon West (SPAs). All contribute to the leadership of worship and pastoral ministry, supporting members of the congregation in church and at home. The SPAs maintain good contact with people who cannot come to church through telephone and text messaging and Bevon provides a very visible informal ministry of support to the local community through her work in the parish hall.
Our Reader, Leonora contributes to the life and worship through leadership in services, in preaching and in leading study group sessions. WE are pleased to welcome our new, to us, Licensed Reader Marcia Che-Grant
We are currently taking communion on a regular basis to 3 people who have requested it in their homes.
Although we are blessed with a strong licensed and accredited ministry team, we are also thankful for the ministry that many other members of the congregation offer to others and in keeping in touch.
Mission Group Annual Report
The mission group meets to look at the wide range of St Oswald’s church mission, within the parish and local communities, throughout the year. Including contributing to church-led activities, charitable allocations both home and abroad. The group meets four times a year and comprise four members of the congregation led by Reverend Alison Brunt . The past year the group proposed, reviewed, and actioned the following :
Allocations of £100 granted to twelve charitable organisations based at home and abroad as approved by the PCC, these are:
Overseas allocations:
The LIFE Foundation, USPG, SOS Children’s Village UK,
MAF Flying for Life, Red Cross, and Manna Development Disability Centre, Bengaluru. Home Allocations:
Salvation Army, Church Urban Fund, St Christopher’s Hospice, Livability, Welcare, and Cerebra
Fundraising for Christian Aid Week May 2022 included hosting a frugal supper, prize draw raffle and envelope giving. The total collected via the Christian Aid envelopes was £147.00 plus £85.25 from the raffle, amounting to £232.25 There were also two cheques totalling £70 made payable directly to Christian Aid.
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Christians Against Poverty (CAP) coaching course – two members of the congregation completed the course. The main points of the course were to take the participants through CAP training kit and to look at the skills needed to undertake the coaching.
Members also contributed to the Warm Space project run three times a week over the winter until end-March. The project provided a welcome opportunity for anyone from the local community to come into the warmth for free refreshments, listen to speakers and share each other’s company.
Mission Strategy into the future
The group are continuing to explore three key areas around church mission as highlighted by the diocese: Anti-racism Charter, Living in Love and Faith and Eco-church – shrinking our carbon footprint! Exploring the Eco-church Award
Deanery Synod Report
The Deanery Synod met three times in 2022-2023. The Synod is an opportunity to feedback from the parishes and for information from the Diocesan Synod to be shared with the parishes. Meetings are held in different churches in the Deanery.
Issues raised and discussed have been:
Safeguarding:
Members of Synod requested that there should be more opportunities for locally based face-to face safeguarding courses, especially given the expectation that all PCC members and other parish workers (notably with children and vulnerable adults) should have basic training in safeguarding and appropriate DBS checks.
Diocesan Priorities
Implementing the Anti-Racist Charter. ECO Church activities and care for the environment Developing the range of Lay ministries Living in Love and Faith
Work with Croydon Citizens
This includes: The Public Spirit activity;
A scheme to encourage the building of affordable housing;
A mental health project run at St Mildred’s Addiscombe
The sharing of what is going on in different churches around the Deanery is a regular feature of the meetings.
Hall Report
The Hall continues to support a variety of community events such as the local Metropolitan Police and Neighbourhood Teams meetings, The Friends of Norbury Park and the monthly Surgery held by our local Councillors.
For 3 days a week during the Winter months, the Hall was used as a Warm Space.
The refurbishment of the toilets is now complete.
We have welcomed three new regular groups.
Private bookings also continue for events eg wedding receptions, birthdays parties and funeral wakes.
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Flower Fund
| Flower Fund | Flower Fund |
|---|---|
| We observed the major Church annual events and the amounts spent is reflected below: | |
| Harvest | £68.49 |
| Christmas - | £72.13 |
| Mothers’ Day Posies | £25.00 |
| Easter - | £142.40 |
| Income Received - | £725.81 |
| Expenses - | £710.48 which does not include the costs donated by the Flower Fund |
| volunteers who at times covered the cost of the flowers themselves. |
Following Harvest our donations of tinned goods and other food items were divided between the Salvation Army and Nightwatch. We also distributed 15 floral gifts to parishioners who were unwell or as a gesture of thanks for their work behind the scenes.
This year we distributed 85 Mothers’ Day daffodil posies.
On Easter Day we distributed 12 bunches of loose flowers to Church members.
Due to the negative impact of oasis on the environment we have stopped purchasing it and will use up the little left for the paschal candlestick only and use vases for our floral displays.
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ST OSWALD'S CHURCH
Page 1
Financial Report and Accounts 2022
| Financial Report and Accounts 2022 | Financial Report and Accounts 2022 | Financial Report and Accounts 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening balances at 01.01.2022 Church Account 17916 Parish Hall Account 5990 CCLA Investment 163608 Income Voluntary Receipts Planned Giving 31346 Collections 17859 Gift Aid tax refund 9311 Voluntarydonations 2965 61481 Music Festival 906 Fundraising Steel Pan 60 Piano Recital 272 Harvest Supper 347 Summer Fayre 1217 Christmas Fayre 1223 3119 Sundry Donations Music Festival Ukraine SundayLunch Christmas Cards After services Coffee 637 637 Flower Fund Charities Volcano Appeal Assoc Guyanese Nurse Children's Society 367 Christian Aid 232 599 Legacy 6000 Fees Weddings & Funerals 7201 ABRSM fees 5305 Insurance claim 1314 Grants/Election 1400 15220 Hall Income 1840 Refund from Hall A/C 763 Church income Total 90565 CCLA Interest 4143 Hall Income 32197 General Account Total Income 126905 2022 |
2021 41023 7041 161613 2021 |
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| Voluntary Receipts | ||||
| Planned Giving | 31346 | 40677 | ||
| Collections | 17859 | 5097 | ||
| Gift Aid tax refund | 9311 | 6903 | ||
| Voluntarydonations | 2965 | |||
| 61481 906 |
52677 1624 |
|||
| Music Festival | ||||
| Fundraising | ||||
| Steel Pan | 60 | 397 | ||
| Piano Recital | 272 | 623 | ||
| Harvest Supper | 347 | 197 | ||
| Summer Fayre | 1217 | |||
| Christmas Fayre | 1223 | 1095 | ||
| 3119 | 2312 | |||
| Sundry Donations | ||||
| Music Festival | 334 | |||
| Ukraine | 160 | |||
| SundayLunch | 35 | |||
| Christmas Cards | 200 | |||
| After services Coffee | 637 | 217 | ||
| 637 | 946 450 |
|||
| Flower Fund | ||||
| Charities | ||||
| Volcano Appeal | 125 | |||
| Assoc Guyanese Nurse | 407 | |||
| Children's Society | 367 | |||
| Christian Aid | 232 | 380 | ||
| 599 6000 |
912 3866 4100 66887 1995 19470 225 |
|||
| Legacy | ||||
| Fees Weddings & Funerals | 7201 | |||
| ABRSM fees | 5305 | |||
| Insurance claim | 1314 | |||
| Grants/Election | 1400 | |||
| Hall Income Refund from Hall A/C Church income Total CCLA Interest Hall Income General Account Total Income |
||||
| 126905 | 88577 |
Page 2
ST OSWALD'S CHURCH
Financial Report and Accounts 2022
| Financial Report and Accounts 2022 | Financial Report and Accounts 2022 | Financial Report and Accounts 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expenditure Parish Support Fund 45000 Church Insurance 4267 Hall Insurance 1528 5795 Organist 5818 Organist fees(invoiced) 3073 Admin and Sanctuary costs Charles Farris/ Communion Wine / African Palms 1084 Admin / Payplus 215 RCSM membership 110 CCLI Membershiprenewal 279 1688 Printing & Stationary No Problems 2368 Redemptorist / Envelopes/ThyKingdom come 465 Stationary/books/cards Banners/Flyers 2833 Fundraising Piano/Organ/SteelBand/Brass Band 1745 Jubliee 1029 Ukraine 700 Christmas Fayre 319 3793 Mission Giving & Donations Missionary giving 957 Music Festival 1576 Collection 15 Children's Society 268 Christian Aid 252 3068 Utilities 2142 Church Maintenance Chubb/Cowley/Rodells 1585 Garden / Lawnmower/Fencing/Tree 2299 Organ andpiano servicing 1343 Sundryexpenses 105 5332 Capital Expenditure Piano Lighting 2520 Organ rebuild 6432 Churchpath 6500 15452 Curate's leaving gift and farewellparty 1006 WeddingRefund 480 Bank fees/handlingcharge Transfer to Hall Account 2126 Transfer togeneral Account Total Church Expenditure 97606 Hall expenditure 32735 General Account expenditure Total Expenditure 130,341 2022 |
50000 4140 1443 5583 1525 377 126 110 245 2383 2138 734 876 191 3939 400 147 547 1025 2012 27 370 3434 1136 2411 252 1559 191 4413 5475 8928 14403 91 4041 225 90194 20521 72 110,787 2021 |
|||
| Parish Support Fund | 45000 5795 5818 3073 1688 2833 3793 3068 2142 5332 15452 1006 480 2126 |
|||
| Church Insurance | 4267 | 4140 | ||
| Hall Insurance | 1528 | 1443 | ||
| Organist | 1525 | |||
| Organist fees(invoiced) | ||||
| Admin and Sanctuary costs | ||||
| Charles Farris/ Communion Wine / African Palms | 1084 | 377 | ||
| Admin / Payplus | 215 | 126 | ||
| RCSM membership | 110 | 110 | ||
| CCLI Membershiprenewal | 279 | 245 | ||
| Printing & Stationary | ||||
| No Problems | 2368 | 2138 | ||
| Redemptorist / Envelopes/ThyKingdom come | 465 | 734 | ||
| Stationary/books/cards | 876 | |||
| Banners/Flyers | 191 | |||
| Fundraising | ||||
| Piano/Organ/SteelBand/Brass Band | 1745 | 400 | ||
| Jubliee | 1029 | |||
| Ukraine | 700 | |||
| Christmas Fayre | 319 | 147 | ||
| Mission Giving & Donations | ||||
| Missionary giving | 957 | 1025 | ||
| Music Festival | 1576 | 2012 | ||
| Collection | 15 | 27 | ||
| Children's Society | 268 | |||
| Christian Aid | 252 | 370 | ||
| Utilities Church Maintenance |
||||
| Chubb/Cowley/Rodells | 1585 | 2411 | ||
| Garden / Lawnmower/Fencing/Tree | 2299 | 252 | ||
| Organ andpiano servicing | 1343 | 1559 | ||
| Sundryexpenses | 105 | 191 | ||
| Capital Expenditure | ||||
| Piano | 5475 | |||
| Lighting | 2520 | |||
| Organ rebuild | 6432 | 8928 | ||
| Churchpath | 6500 | |||
| Curate's leaving gift and farewellparty WeddingRefund Bank fees/handlingcharge Transfer to Hall Account Transfer togeneral Account |
||||
| Total Church Expenditure Hall expenditure General Account expenditure Total Expenditure |
90194 20521 72 |
|||
| 110,787 |
ST OSWALD'S CHURCH Financial Report and Accounts 2022
Page 3
| Hall Income Hall bookings 25341 Transfer of funds from church 4584 Refund(UtilityWarehouse) Other income 2272 Total Hall Income 32197 Hall running costs Virtual Business Source Ltd. Total runningcosts 14403 Payroll fees 435 14838 Honorarium Admin costs Go Cardless Mobilephone 387 Office supplies 555 General office expenses 169 Bank charges 148 1259 Utilities UtilityWarehouse 7833 Waste disposal 1408 Castle Water 244 9485 Repairs & Maintenance Cowleys Sundries 204 GD Security 542 Verisure alarm 580 Chubb 931 2257 Major Capital Expenditure Dishwasher 2517 Lighting 1572 4089 Kingdom coffee 44 Sundries Transfer to church A/c 763 Total running costs 32735 2022 |
Hall Income Hall bookings 25341 Transfer of funds from church 4584 Refund(UtilityWarehouse) Other income 2272 Total Hall Income 32197 Hall running costs Virtual Business Source Ltd. Total runningcosts 14403 Payroll fees 435 14838 Honorarium Admin costs Go Cardless Mobilephone 387 Office supplies 555 General office expenses 169 Bank charges 148 1259 Utilities UtilityWarehouse 7833 Waste disposal 1408 Castle Water 244 9485 Repairs & Maintenance Cowleys Sundries 204 GD Security 542 Verisure alarm 580 Chubb 931 2257 Major Capital Expenditure Dishwasher 2517 Lighting 1572 4089 Kingdom coffee 44 Sundries Transfer to church A/c 763 Total running costs 32735 2022 |
Hall Income Hall bookings 25341 Transfer of funds from church 4584 Refund(UtilityWarehouse) Other income 2272 Total Hall Income 32197 Hall running costs Virtual Business Source Ltd. Total runningcosts 14403 Payroll fees 435 14838 Honorarium Admin costs Go Cardless Mobilephone 387 Office supplies 555 General office expenses 169 Bank charges 148 1259 Utilities UtilityWarehouse 7833 Waste disposal 1408 Castle Water 244 9485 Repairs & Maintenance Cowleys Sundries 204 GD Security 542 Verisure alarm 580 Chubb 931 2257 Major Capital Expenditure Dishwasher 2517 Lighting 1572 4089 Kingdom coffee 44 Sundries Transfer to church A/c 763 Total running costs 32735 2022 |
14988 4357 341 100 2021 |
14988 4357 341 100 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hall bookings | 25341 | 14988 | ||
| Transfer of funds from church | 4584 | 4357 | ||
| Refund(UtilityWarehouse) | 341 | |||
| Other income | 2272 | 100 | ||
| Total Hall Income Hall running costs |
19786 | |||
| 11625 2000 543 3603 2363 387 |
||||
| Virtual Business Source Ltd. | 14838 1259 9485 2257 4089 44 763 |
|||
| Total runningcosts | 14403 | 11203 | ||
| Payroll fees | 435 | 422 | ||
| Honorarium | ||||
| Admin costs | ||||
| Go Cardless | 75 | |||
| Mobilephone | 387 | 376 | ||
| Office supplies | 555 | |||
| General office expenses | 169 | |||
| Bank charges | 148 | 92 | ||
| Utilities | ||||
| UtilityWarehouse | 7833 | 2963 | ||
| Waste disposal | 1408 | 472 | ||
| Castle Water | 244 | 168 | ||
| Repairs & Maintenance | ||||
| Cowleys | 681 | |||
| Sundries | 204 | |||
| GD Security | 542 | 501 | ||
| Verisure alarm | 580 | 572 | ||
| Chubb | 931 | 609 | ||
| Major Capital Expenditure | ||||
| Dishwasher | 2517 | |||
| Lighting | 1572 | |||
| Kingdom coffee | 247 | |||
| Sundries | 140 | |||
| Transfer to church A/c | ||||
| Total running costs | 20521 |
Approved by the PCC on 29.04.2023 Alison Brunt, Vicar and PCC chair
| Closing balances as at 31.12.2022 Church A/C 10875 Hall A/c 5452 Deposit A/c 167751 |
Closing balances as at 31.12.2022 Church A/C 10875 Hall A/c 5452 Deposit A/c 167751 |
|---|---|
| Church A/C | 10875 |
| Hall A/c | 5452 |
| Deposit A/c | 167751 |
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Rgport to tho trust•851 mèmbers of St. Oswald's Church. Norbury On accounts for the year ended 2022 Charlty no (If any) 1186034 S•t out on pages I report to the trustees on my eXaminatn of the accounts of the above charty (Ihe Trust") for the year ended 3111212018 Responsibllitlos and As the charity trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparalion basil of report of the accounts in accA)rdance with the requirements of the Chariti8s Act 2011 ("Ihe Act"). I report in respect of my eXaMinatn of the Trust's accounts carrd out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515Xb) of the Acl. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the exarnination which gives me ¢ause to believe that in, any malerial respect- accountin9 records were nol kept in accordance with sectron 130 of the Acl or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examln•r'$ Statement I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should b8 drabvn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. ' Please delete the words in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Date: 2910412023 Slgn•d: Namo: Judith A Morris Relevant professional qualMcatlon(8) or body (If any): Address: 88 Ederline Avenue. Norbury LorKlon SW16 4SA IER October 2018