Annual Parochial Church Meeting Sunday 8[th] May 2022 at 12pm
Charity Number 1191562
Statement of Purpose
Knowing God’s love: St. Paul’s exists to provide spiritual sustenance through the Lord Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit to all who come.
Sharing God’s love: We exist to provide pastoral care and support to church members and parishioners at every stage of life in the name of Christ, and to help alleviate poverty both spiritually and physically.
1
Agenda for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting of St Paul’s Sunday 8[th] May 2022, 12.00pm
-
Welcome and Opening Prayer
-
Apologies, Minutes of 2021 APCM & Matters Arising
-
Election of Church Wardens
-
Electoral Roll Report
-
PCC Secretary’s Report
-
Finance Report
-
Adoption of Annual Accounts to 31st December 2021
-
Appointment of Independent Examiner
-
Buildings and Fabric Report (Church Wardens)
-
Deanery Synod Report
-
PCC Elections
-
Election of Sidespersons
11. Any Questions?
-
Results of Elections
-
Closing Prayer
2
Minutes of St. Paul’s APCM 28[th] March 2021
The APCM was held on the 28[th] March 2021, Palm Sunday, after the morning Service.
- Geoff gave us all a sheet of paper with the electoral roll and the names of members of the PCC. He pointed out that the electoral roll was now 85 as 7 members had died in the last 11months.
2. Election of Churchwardens
Anita Codrington was retiring after 7 years . Geoff thanked her for her service and said he was very grateful to her as she had been very helpful to him in the time he had been vicar. Esther Aryeetey was standing again as churchwarden and Helen Long as churchwarden. Elspeth Greensmith as deputy warden
All 3 were appointed and signed the paper.
3. Election of PCC
Anita Codrington Joan Poole Malcolm Baker June Yexley Carol Nicholls
These were appointed to the PCC. Geoff asked if there were any other members of the congregation who would be prepared to serve on the PCC. No one came forward. Geoff said people could join at a later date as there were vacancies.
4. Deanery Synod Reps
Graham Connell [Reader] Ben Aryeetey
5. SPA
Alice Philadelphia
6. Annual Report
All present received a copy of the annual report.
The accounts were compiled by Eileen Flanagan and examined by an independent examiner, Sue Buddery.
The accounts were accepted by the church members present.
Geoff asked if there were any questions.
Ben Aryeetey asked why the accounts had been compiled by an independent accountant when he had offered to do them. Geoff pointed out that for several years our accounts had been compiled by Angela North but she had become terminally ill and unable to carry on. The Standing Committee had to replace her quickly and had appointed Eileen Flanagan. She had proved to be excellent as Sue Buddery had commended the accounts and the change of style.
Geoff and Elspeth will continue to do the financial administration in the coming year.
3
Ben asked why the pilgrimage money for Oberammagau had been recorded in the accounts when they were not really related to us. Geoff replied that it was very usual to do this. Also shown in the accounts was the £12,500 received from the diocese for the youth work of the Furzedown Youth Centre. This was paid out immediately to FYC.
The APCM ended at this point.
4
Annual Report 2021
Parochial Church Council Members
Ex officio:
Rev Belemo Alagoa, Associate Vicar Mr Graham Connell, Reader & Deanery Synod Mrs Esther Aryeetey, Church Warden [2018-2022 standing down ] Mrs Helen Long, Church Warden [2021-Present] Mr Ben Aryeetey, Deanery Synod [2017-2023]*
Mrs Elspeth Greensmith, Assistant Church Warden, Treasurer and Stewardship Officer
Elected Members:
Mr Malcolm Baker [2016-2023] Ms Anita Codrington [2021-2024] Mrs Carol Nicholls [2017-2023] Ms Claire Neil [2022-2025] Ms Lorna Nunn [2022-2025] Ms Joan Poole, PCC Secretary 2021- [2021-2024] Mrs June Yexley [2017-2022 standing down ]**
*The PCC agreed that the year 2020-21, when the PCC was not operational, should not be counted when calculating total length of these terms. Thus by the next APCM in 2023 total terms served by these members will be as follows:
Ben Aryeetey 5 years Malcolm Baker 6 years Carol Nicholls 5 years
Statement of Trustees’ (PCC Members) responsibilities
St.Paul’s PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the vicar in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has the maintenance responsibilities for the Church Hall complex located in Chillerton Road. The Church is a registered charity (number 1191562). All PCC members are now Trustees.
PCC Structure
Membership of the PCC is determined under the Church Representation Rules and consists of ex-officio members (Team Vicar and Reader), the churchwardens, the 2 members of the Deanery Synod, and 9 members of the church, who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). Church Members are warmly encouraged to stand for election to the PCC and a balance of skills & experience is sought where possible. Membership of the PCC is for three years renewable for three years.
5
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL’ S REPORT 2021
When we reported on 2020 we acknowledged that it had been a year like no other, dominated by the emergence and spread of the corona virus. All churches had been forced to close their doors for long periods. From July 2020 St Pauls was open for worship, closing only as demanded by national lockdowns. As we entered 2021 it was clear that corona virus infection rates were still very high and a decision was taken at St Pauls to pause public worship. The church remained closed from 10 January 2021, re-opening on 7 March 2021. The Sunday morning service at 10am has taken place when permitted, but the monthly 8am Holy Communion and Last Sunday evening services have not resumed.
PCC meetings
The PCC met five times during 2021 on 18 March, 11 May, 1 July, 23 September and 18 November.
Church Attendance
The Electoral roll was completely revised in 2019 and updated in March 2020 and December 2021 . During the pandemic, nine members of the congregation died, leaving eighty currently on the roll. About 30% of the congregation are not resident in the parish.
Attendance at Sunday services dropped initially on the reopening of the church after covid interruptions and the average Sunday morning attendance in 2020 was 30 adults and 1 child. In 2021 respective figures were 35 adults. Communication with members of the congregation was achieved by email, telephone and post during periods when the church was closed. In 2021 there were no baptisms, no weddings and 5 funerals. The size of the congregation increased slightly at festivals and joint services with members of the other Furzedown churches were better attended. It has to be acknowledged that the pandemic and an ageing congregation has significantly reduced church attendance.
Ministry at St Pauls
Rev Geoff Vevers, who was House-for-Duty priest in the Furzedown Team, served as interim minister at St. Paul’s until Easter 2021. We would like to formally record here our thanks to Geoff for all he contributed to St Paul’s during this very challenging period.
From April 2021 until the end of August 2021 Rev Rob Powell (Rector) had overall charge of St Paul’s. Sunday services were taken by a number of visiting priests.
We are particularly grateful to Rev Johan Allen, Rev Sue Clarke , Rev Dorothy Penniecooke and Rev Imogen Vibert, who covered the bulk of services. The process of finding a new team vicar which had begun in December 2020, was also slightly delayed due to the pandemic. The post was advertised in February 2021, with interviews in April. This happily resulted in the appointment of Rev Belemo Alagoa. Rev Alagoa previously served as Assistant Priest in Merton Priory Team Ministry.
6
On 5 September 2021 we were delighted to witness Belemo’s licensing, by Rev John Whittaker Acting Archdeacon of Wandsworth, as Associate Vicar to the Furzedown Team Ministry with special responsibility for the parish of St Paul’s.
Music
In common with all other churches we were unable to sing hymns during worship for a long period since singing was known to be an easy way to transmit the corona virus from an infected person. We are grateful to organists Martin Callingham and Peter Ramell for their valuable contribution to our worship, and also to soloist Lorna Nunn. Hymn singing by a small choir began again in June 2021. Although small in number, the choir now regularly sings anthems during communion.
Stewardship
In 2021, St Paul’s increased its giving to the Diocese under the Parish Support Fund and maintained its pledge despite the difficult times. St Paul’s contributes regularly to the Furzedown Youth Centre and the Furzedown Churches. We also supported Save the Children, Mercy Ships and Water Aid as our chosen charities for tithed giving in 2021. St Paul’s is very grateful to the members of the congregation who give generously and regularly, enabling us to claim gift aid. We are also indebted to Rev Sue Clarke for successfully negotiating an increase in the rent received from the Eveline Day Nursery for its use of Seely Hall, invaluable to us at a time when revenues from other letting sources dried up.
Events
Memorial Service for Rev Julie Connell
Rev Julie Connell was due to be inducted as Team Vicar at St Paul’s in June 2020 and her sudden death was a profound shock for us all. Restrictions in place at that time meant that church members could not attend her funeral. A memorial service for Julie was held on 23 October 2021. It was conducted by Rev Johan Allen, well acquainted with Julie as a result of having trained for the ministry at the same time, and a choir from the Furzedown group of churches sang. It was a beautiful occasion, well attended by church members, as well as members of Julie’s family, friends and former colleagues from Ernest Bevin College.
Community outreach Foodbank
St Paul’s was for many years providing public good through its foodbank and advice centre held weekly. Foodbank operations were curtailed during the pandemic. As mentioned in the last report the PCC considered the future use of the church as a foodbank. A decision was eventually taken that the foodbank should move location to Mitcham Lane Baptist Church. It was able to re-open in September 2021.
Youth Café
A Youth Café started at St Paul’s in September 2021 and provides a service to the many 6[th] formers from Graveney School who gather outside between lessons. The Outreach worker
7
from the Furzedown Youth Project, Paul Rook , helps to facilitate this venture, supported by a team of volunteers from St Paul’s and other Furzedown churches. It is proving very successful, welcoming large numbers of students (as many as 160 some days).
After this challenging period we look to the future. It is hoped to restart a weekly bible study group coupled with a Eucharist (to be held monthly).
Rev Belemo Alagoa Chair of the PCC Joan Poole, Secretary of the PCC
8
CHURCH WARDENS FABRIC REPORT
The boundary wall has been of most concern to us this year particularly the walls around and leading up to Seely Hall as we have had concerns raised by the nursery who hire the hall during the week. We obtained a quote from James Cooke to replace the wall around the church and Seely Hall but the cost was prohibitive so we had to look for another solution.
Our architect Tim Gough recommended a structural engineer to us, Stuart Tappin, who gave us advice on the most important work to carry out.
We have, therefore reinforced the boundary wall around the church and we are in the process of sorting out the wall by Seely Hall kitchen. The wall, which was leaning badly because of the tree roots, has been demolished and is being replaced by a fence. The wall beside the main entrance to the hall is being reinforced with metal bars. The keystone to the right archway entrance to the hall was slipping and had to be secured to prevent the collapse of the arch.
After last month’s (February 2022) bad storm, the nursery noted problems with the hall roof and we are in the process of deciding how to solve the problem in the short term. Tim Gough, our architect, has told us that the roof which is 111 years old, will need completely replacing in the next few years so we will need to put money aside every year in order to pay for it. The present cost would be around £150,000 but this will obviously increase.
Helen Long and Esther Aryeetey
9
Tooting Deanery Synod Report
There were three meetings and a 5-week training course during the year.
The first meeting was on 7[th] June 2021 , with Bishop Richard in attendance. He commissioned the 2020—2023 session and blessed all in the deanery. He reflected on deanery mission post the covid-19 pandemic. Particularly, he pointed out the freedom that deaneries have over parishes in the sense that parish activities are generally controlled from the centre, but deaneries can freely collaborate to do things to enrich the life of all parishes by working together. That is, what we can do better to grow the church. Examples:
-
inter faith activities
-
addressing environmental issues
-
working with Councils
-
working with MPs
-
working with local schools
-
reaping economies of scale in acquiring things such as energy together.
-
safeguarding training
The second meeting was held on 9[th] September 2021 , and that dealt with Synod rules and elections, since 2021 was General Synod election year. It also dealt with a preview of Deanery training in “Living in love and faith”, an agenda which is about what it means to be human and how to live in love and faith. This was followed by a 5 week course from 21 September to 19 October 2021. In brief, details of the course are as follows:
Section 1 How we learn together as followers of Jesus Christ? Section 2-How does our identity in Christ relate to sex and gender? Section 3-What kind of relationships does God call us to? Section 4 Where do our bodies and sex fit in to all this? Section 5 How do diversity and difference affect our life together as a church?
Further information on the ” Living in love and faith ” programme can be found on Church of England website www. churchofengland.org/resources/living-love and- faith .
The third meeting took place on 29 November 2021 and dealt with an update on synod elections and a review on the “Living in Love and Faith” course. The meeting also considered Eco issues including becoming an Eco-deanery and encouraging churches to sign up to the Eco Church programme. So far, St Paul’s has signed up but has not done very much apart from allowing wildlife growth between the Church and the Hall. We need to organise a Climate Sunday and invite someone to give a talk here on the subject, to give us a further boost to move on and also consider switching to renewable energy.
In addition the meeting considered compassion projects, particularly HMP Wandsworth. The Anglican Chaplain there, Wendy Stevens, shared with us the challenges the prison faces, including mental health issues, bereaved prisoners and working alongside chaplains of other faiths.
Ben Aryeetey
10
ST PAULS CHURCH FURZEDOWN
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE PCC
This report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31st December 2021 which are set out In the following pages is in respect of an examination carried out under the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and section 43 of the Charities Act 1993.
Respective responsibilites of trustees and examiner
As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirements of the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 does not apply. It is my responsibility to issue this report on those accounts in accordance with the Regulations.
Basis of Independent Examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given in chapter 8 of the Regulations. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with the regulations, and
to prepare financial statements, which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirements of the Regulations have not been met.
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
11
2021 Accounts
| Notes | 2021 | 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| INCOME AND EXPENDITURE | ||||
| INCOMING RESOURCES | ||||
| Ordinary Receipts | 2 | 32,057 | 50,387 | |
| Income from Seely Hall | 4 | 63,235 | 63,261 | |
| Gift Aid | 9,226 | 7,005 | ||
| Fund Raising / Social Events | 5 | 333 | 2,031 | |
| 104,851 | 122,684 | |||
| RESOURCES USED | ||||
| Church Expenses | 6 | 19,439 | 26,798 | |
| Seely Hall Expenses | 4 | 9,814 | 11,131 | |
| The Ministry | 7 | 0 | 113 | |
| Charity Giving | 3 | 22,729 | 21,885 | |
| Fund Raising / Social Events | 5 | 300 | 655 | |
| Parish Share Fund | 33,000 | 32,000 | ||
| TOTAL RESOURCES USED | 85,282 | 92,581 | ||
| Net incoming / outgoing resources on normal church | 19,569 | 30,103 | ||
| activities | ||||
| Church Fabric | 0 | (2,641) | ||
| 19,569 | 27,462 | |||
| ADDITIONAL INCOMING | ||||
| RESOURCES | ||||
| Tooting Area Dean Fund | 0 | 3,108 | ||
| Foodbank | 0 | 10 | ||
| Parish Pilgrimage | 0 | 2,005 | ||
| Furzedown Youth Centre | 30 | 0 | ||
| Memorial | 316 | 0 | ||
| 346 | 5,123 | |||
| ADDITIONAL RESOURCES USED | ||||
| Tooting Area Dean Fund | 360 | 2,132 | ||
| Foodbank | 0 | 432 | ||
| Parish Pilgrimage | 0 | 805 | ||
| 360 | 3,369 | |||
| Gain on Investment | 7,171 | 3,850 | ||
| Net surplus / (deficit) | 26,726 | 33,067 |
12
| BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31stDECEMBER 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Current Assets | |||
| Cash at Bank : NatWest Current | 57,800 | 50,782 | |
| Account | |||
| Central Board of Finance Deposit | 1.2 | 48,308 | 41,137 |
| Accounts | |||
| Debtors and Prepayments | 8 | 4,534 | 4,505 |
| Total Current Assets | 110,642 | 96,424 | |
| Liabilities | |||
| Creditors - amounts falling due within | 9 | 400 | 8,107 |
| one year | |||
| Net Current Assets | 110,242 | 88,317 | |
| Loan | 7,600 | 12,400 | |
| Total Net Assets | 102,642 | 75,917 | |
| Total Parish Funds | |||
| Unrestricted | 102,642 | 75,917 |
13
ST PAUL'S FURZEDOWN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTFOR YEAR ENDING 31[st] DECEMBER 2021
1 . ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 Basis of Accounting
These financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention. Income and Expenditure have been accounted for on an accrual basis. Income Tax recovered on covenants are accounted for in the year received.
1.2 Investments
Investments are stated in the Balance Sheet at Market Value.
The Central Board of Finance of Church of England shares, and the 4% Consolidated Stocks are valued at mid market price on the nearest valuation dated 31st December 2021.
| 2. Ordinary Receipts | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Monthly giving by Bankers Orders | 13,200 | 16,095 | |
| Collections at Services | 7,682 | 8,246 | |
| Wedding/Funeral/Baptism Fees | 1,195 | 1,122 | |
| Donations | 365 | 11,092 | |
| Sundry Income (including EDF | 778 | 532 | |
| Refund) | |||
| Grants | 7,877 | 13,300 | |
| Contribution for use of Church | 960 | 0 | |
| 32,057 | 50,387 | ||
| 3 Charity giving | 2021 | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | ||
| 3.1 Receipts | |||
| Lent Appeal* for Furzedown Youth | 0 | 448 | |
| 0 | 448 | ||
| 3.2 Expenditure | |||
| Furzedown Churches | 1,200 | 1,200 | |
| Save the Children | 2,333 | 1,307 | |
| Mercy Ships | 2,333 | 1,307 | |
| Wateraid | 2,333 | 1,307 | |
| Furzedown Youth | 14,530 | 16,762 | |
| 22,729 | 21,885 |
*In accordance with the Charity Commission and Church accounting rules, these items are excluded from the main body of the accounts.
14
| 4. Seely Hall | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME | ||
| Eveline Day Nursery - Basic Rent | 52,500 | 48,969 |
| Gas, Elec, Water | 10,285 | 8,952 |
| Other Lettings | 450 | 5,340 |
| 63,235 | 63,261 | |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Heating & Lighting | 8,733 | 8,917 |
| Water Rates | 1,141 | 2,035 |
| Other - Professional Fees | (60) | 180 |
| Total Expenditure | 9,814 | 11,131 |
| Surplus for the year | 53,421 | 52,130 |
| 5. Fund Raising Activities | ||
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME | ||
| Jill Simmons - Calendars | 328 | 173 |
| Jill Simmons - Tomatoes & | 0 | 109 |
| Chutney | ||
| Coffee Mornings | 0 | 113 |
| Lent collection | 0 | 448 |
| Leaving gift | 0 | 655 |
| Bible Notes | 5 | 60 |
| Harvest gifts | 0 | 342 |
| Christmas Fayre | 0 | 132 |
| 333 | 2,031 | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | |
| EXPENSES | ||
| Leaving gift | 300 | 655 |
| 300 | 655 |
15
| 6. Church Expenses | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Maintenance & Repairs | 6,554 | 4,653 |
| Lighting & Heating | 2,216 | 3,911 |
| Water | 72 | 158 |
| Insurance | 3,859 | 6,945 |
| Choir & Organ Expenses | 879 | 883 |
| Printing & Stationery | 434 | 1,131 |
| Grounds/Memorial Garden | 1,200 | 1,200 |
| General Expenses | 959 | 903 |
| Weddings/Funeral/Baptism Fees | 45 | 727 |
| Professional Fees | 510 | 500 |
| Administrator/Caretaker Costs | 1,762 | 3,727 |
| Cleaning/Cleaner | (25) | 375 |
| Rubbish Collection | 974 | 1,685 |
| 19,439 | 26,798 | |
| Church Fabric (includes Boiler/Wall & Asbestos | 0 | 2,641 |
| Removal) | ||
| 7. The Ministry | 2021 | 2020 |
| £ | £ | |
| Training & Education | 0 | 113 |
| Reader | 0 | 0 |
| Alter Costs | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 113 | |
8. Debtors |
2021 | 2020 |
| £ | £ | |
| Seely Hall - Light/Heat etc | 4,534 | 4,505 |
| 9. Creditors | 2021 | 2020 |
| £ | £ | |
| HeatingGlobal | 0 | 7,150 |
| Other Creditors | 400 | 957 |
| 400 | 8,107 |
16
CONFIDENTIAL Report to Trustees of St Pauls Churth St Pauls Furzedown Accounts for 2021 Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to examine your annual accounts. Based on my inspection I can confirm the accounts are sound and accurate. As with last year the new style recording spread sheets, folders of supporting documentstion are dear and accurate. The 5UPPOrtin8 Transaction sheet is also clear and assists in the final checking of the Statement of Financial Activities. endlture Very clear and accurate detailed accounts Dirert debit payments have been verified a8ainst the bank statement. expenditure spread Sheet and the payment plans. Cheque books have been verified against statements, and invoices. Invoices have been checked against expenditure spreadsheet and statements General Income Again very clear and transparent Income records checked against bank statements and income spreadsheets Paying in books thecked against statement and income spreadsheeL Income spreadsheet checked against Transaction spreadsheet h Sncome Again l am impressed by the very clear and accurate accountin& the statements. paying in book5 and small red exercise income record book confirm the entries in the income ledger and offer a clear picture of cash income. However there were a few occasions when the income from the collection was used to pay a cleaner and no receipt was obtained. In the past a receipt has been attached to the collection breakdown. Envelo 8ix>k The gift aid continues to record income in a spreadsheet using actual income rather than aggregated income. This is a major improvement from prewous years and has sUIted in zero discrepancie5. Concerns There were three blank cheques signed ready for use and aldiouzh there was only one signature on each they were signed by two of the signatories. Given the very limited use cheques have I would strongly urge that this practice should stop as the it is 3 months since the last cheque was signed and two different sample signatures makes it very open to misuse. Tran5artlon s readshe The introduction last year of this document has provided absolute daritywith cross.referencing the year end totals onto the Final accounts submission. Sue Buddery Independent Examiner of Accounts 22nd 3uJl 17