This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

The Parish Church of ST. MARY, LENHAM

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING Sunday 13[th] April 2025 at 12.00pm

GROUP REPORTS 2024-2025

Priest in Charge Report 2024 - 2025

2024 was an interesting year for me personally in the Len Valley Benefice in that it was the first full year in which I was the only ordained minister serving you in a non-retired capacity since my arrival. I learned that, unsurprisingly, the level of activity expected by the four parishes was unachievable, because one person cannot cover what at least one and a half had done previously. Nevertheless, this offered opportunities for some, especially the lay preachers who have now been trained up to serve in LVB. A big thank you to Millie and Richard for their help as retired clergy, and to Pamela, our Reader, and a big welcome to Revd David and Karen Bates, retired priest and a reader, who moved to us from Chelmsford Diocese.

As I do each year, I want to thank everybody who has been involved in the life of St Mary’s Lenham. In particular, I want to thank Maggie and Gill as church wardens, alongside Chris, our treasurer. Also, a big ‘thank you’ to Brian Parfett, who has taken on many jobs behind the scenes, for example in setting up faculties and moving forward the Lenham Village Hub fund raising activities. I also want to thank Sarah for her work as part-time church administrator, particularly for the quality publicity and monthly new sheets that she produces, as well as her pastoral skills in dealing with enquiries of all types as the person most often called first by outside enquirers. Thank you to Sandie Parfett for her role in dealing with fees associated with funerals and weddings for us. Thank you to Ciara Crossley-Roberts, who has become so important to us for music. And thank you to you in the ways that you support St Mary’s both financially and practically.

Our monthly Benefice services this year have followed the theme of ‘God and God’s Kingdom’, taking the “I am” sayings of Jesus (as recoded in John) for our inspiration. These services continue to be encouraging, providing greater “critical mass” to worship together with enthusiasm. They provide a form of church which is ‘less like work’ for our church

wardens and also give me a week where I take one service one Sunday instead of three. Breakfast Church has changed in identity during the year, seeing far less young kids and families but more people who just favour an open, discursive form of service. Messy Church continues in popularity, focusing on three events each year.

There were 29 funeral events in 2024 and 10 baptisms in our churches but, surprisingly, only 5 weddings. Amanda Abbitt, a funeral minister from Marden- has been a great help with some of the funerals- thank you. The reason for the remarkable drop in weddings is not entirely clear. We have far more planned for 2025.

St Mary Lenham continues to be well-placed to develop local contacts through interactions with schools, councils, Friends and the community more generally to flourish in 2024. I continued as one of four Foundation Governors at Harrietsham C of E Primary School this year. The school did well in both SIAMS and OFSTED inspections in 2024. Pamela and I continued weekly Collective Worship in both Harrietsham and Ulcombe C of E Schools, which is welcomed and, I believe, beneficial in enabling those children to take part in Christian Worship, nearly all of whom never attend church. There has also been special service input for Christmas and Easter with Lenham Primary.

The Lenham Village Hub project absorbed much energy in 2024 and a separate report on progress is included.

My personal research towards a PhD in the area of how hope motivates Christians to care about, and be active in countering, climate crisis has proceeded well behind the scenes, and I have presented its outcome during 2024 in academic and local church settings, including our own.

Again, thank you to all- and especially to those who have served Jesus Christ our Lord in 2024 in St Mary’s, Lenham either in the forefront or the hugely important background- and in so many ways.

John Huggins, Priest-in-Charge

Churchwardens’ Report 2024 – 2025

Services

The services held at St Mary’s has continued in the same pattern. The Breakfast Service is at 9.30 on the first three Sundays of the month. The numbers of attendees have remained steady. Holy Communion is at 11 am on the 1[st] and 2[nd] Sunday of the month with Morning Worship on the 3[rd] Sunday. An 8 am Holy Communion (BCP) has also been held on the 3[rd] Sunday. On the 4[th] Sunday of the month, members of the Lenham congregations have attended the Benefice Service, held at different churches in turn. The 5[th] Sunday of the month, we have creative services in our own church.

The Building

The Friends of St Mary’s continue to support the maintenance of the church building, for which we give our thanks. The Lenham Village Hub Project is now spearheaded by a separate group, and a full report on their progress has been submitted separately.

General Events and Actions

In September 2024, the Lenham Wednesday Feast was launched, the idea of Anna Livesey and with her professional experience and enthusiasm has become a popular weekly event. It is organised for anyone to attend, and a two-course lunch is served, with people giving what they can afford. The Feast is an outreach project, and over the weeks and months we have marked Remembrance, Christmas, St Valentines Day , Burns Night (with haggis and neeps!) and St Patricks day. The meal starts with a prayer or a reading. Thank you, Anna, for your energy to keep this running.

The Rainbow Food Station is still situated at the back of the church, supported by the Parish Council, Co-op store in Harrietsham, the local schools and by parishioners. Our Harvest Supper was held at Harrietsham on 5[th] October 2025 and a wonderful evening was had by all.

The Annual Service of Remembrance held on 10[th] November, 2024, was well attended, and soldiers from 133 Company, REME also attended. Pilgrims from all over the World continue to walk into St Mary’s and it is astounding how many there are, and how far they have come to witness our beautiful church, and find peace, and a place for prayer.

Final Thanks

Sadly, but not unexpectedly, at the end of 2024 John informed the Benefice of his plans to retire in September 2025. Meetings have been held across the Benefice to plan how to organise the four churches, and it is felt that we will work well together. Recruiting a new Vicar will be difficult, but we hope and pray that there is a candidate who would like to continue their Ministry in leafy Kent. Our final thanks will come later in the year but thank you John for leading us over the past 12 months, for your guidance in worship, and your energy and enthusiasm in chairing the Hub Project.

Thank you to Millie, Richard, Pamela, Jon, Lousia, Karen, David and Gill who have supported all services in the parish of St Mary’s. Thanks to Ciara for taking over the busy post of Music Director, and playing the organ beautifully at services across the Benefice.

We should thank Chris Allen, our Treasurer, who is doing a fantastic job doing our accounts, and advising us on controlling our expenditure. At St Mary’s we have a lot of unsung heroes, who quietly do a lot for us during the year. Thank you, David and Jean, who have cleaned our church weekly. Thank you Sue for organising flower arrangements throughout the year. Thank you to our readers, coffee makers, people who lock and unlock the church, greeters to newcomers and visitors. Thank you to Brian who has become our chief troubleshooter on many occasions. There are so many unsung heroes!

Everyone has a part to play, and there are many ways to make St Mary’s a church which is known for being welcoming and sharing God’s love.

Gill Simes & Maggie Baldwin

Report of the Treasurer

Overview of Lenham St Mary’s Church Accounts 2024

We ended 2024 in a strong position, this was due mainly to a major fund raising effort and a substantial reduction in parish share paid to the diocese.

An increase of cash at bank of £6,984.44 in 2024 compared with a loss of £3,855.53 in 2023 giving a net increase of £3,128.91 over the two year period.

Regular giving in 2024 reduced by £4,432.00 which is amplified by the accompanying reduction in Gift Aid.

Fund raising increased in 2024 thanks to all of those involved, by £1,310.30 to a total of £10,570.86.

Parish Share is a significant issue which grows in magnitude each year. The Lenham allocation in 2024 was £40,282.00 we forecast payment of £18,00.00 but due to a drop in income during the year we paid only £13,500.00

PCC bank account

PCC bank account
Moneyat bank 1 Jan 24	£18,227.54
Moneyat bank 31 Dec 24	£25,211.98
Increase in money held at bank 2024	£ 6,984.44

Ring Fenced money held at bank £2,444.45

The Hub Project continued in the pursuit to establish a sound financial basis from which to launch a major fund-raising project. I further £16,243.13 was added to the bank account.

Hub Project bank account

Hub Project bank account
Moneyat bank 1 Jan 24	£21,912.33
Moneyat bank 31 Dec 24	£38,155.46
Total income	£20,143.05
Total expenditure	£ 3,899.92
Increase in money held at bank 2024	£16,243.13

With respect to a forecast for 2025 it is becoming more difficult to predict what might happen in the coming year but if fund raising continues at its current level, regular giving is maintained and energy prices are reasonably stable we could achieve a gross margin of £18,000 - £20,000.

Points of interest

Gross Margin over 2-year period

Gross Margin over 2-year period
Gross Margin 2023(Loss)	-£3,855.53
Gross Margin 2024(Gain)	£6,984.44
Gross Margin 0ver 2years(Gain)	£3,128.91

Reduction in regular donations

Reducton in regular donatons
Income from regular donatons 2023	£18,526
Income from regular donatons 2024	£14,094
Reducton in donatons	£ 4,432

Fund Raising (Coffee & Cake plus all fund-raising events)

2023	£ 9,260.56
2024	£10,570.86

Parish Share

Parish Share
Parish Share frompreviousyears	£42,960
Parish Share request 2024	£40,282
Parish Sharepaid 2023	£24,000
Parish Sharepaid 2024	£13,500
Parish Share Outstanding1 January2025	£69,742

Lenham Village Hub

The Lenham Village Hub project obtained approval from the DAC last year and the hard work of fund raising is now being undertaken by a committed group of volunteers. 2024 focussed on engaging some of the more financially-blessed people in the area and 2025 will focus more on local charities. The success of the Saturday coffee and cake mornings in St Mary’s point clearly to this future vision for the church. Plans for reordering the western part of St Mary’s hub to facilitate activities of this type have proceeded well, and a separate report is included.

Revd. John Huggins

Friends of St. Mary’s, Lenham

1. Membership is slightly down but remains strong at 140

2. Events held in 2024:

Safari lunch in June

Barn Dance in September

The two events together raised over £3,500

3. Other events supported:

We had stalls at the Annual Parish Meeting, The Apple Pressing Day, The Lights Switch On event/Christmas Fair.

We sold Christmas Cards, History of St. Marys books and Fridge Magnets.

We have received several generous donations, some of them giftaided, which continues to show how St. Marys, Lenham is fondly thought of locally.
We have a deposit account earning interest for the Community Hub.

6. Next projects:

a) The Tower roof lead which is cracking up. We have asked three roofing contractors for quotes, but a Faculty will have to be applied for, and we may have to raise some more funds for a grant to help with the cost.
b) The clock face is another project which is more cosmetic, but is important.
c) A solution to the cracked tiles in the Porch is also on the list.

So, as always, there is a lot to do.

Andrew Barr, Chairman

Fund Raisers Group Report

The newly formed group arranged several fund-raising events during the year.

Recycling of items including old cameras coins jewellery and stamps were collected and contributed to our first fund raiser. In the summer the strawberry tea held in the Vicarage garden was very well attended and raised over £800. Following this ,in the summer , was the serving of refreshments in the Church when the Freedom of the Lenham was granted to the REME. This again was very well attended and raised £300.

Our Fund raiser in November was our Christmas fayre with Father Xmas in the Church. This coincided with the Lenham Christmas light switch on and raised over £1200. It was well attended.

In addition to this fund raising, the Saturday morning coffee and cakes, led by Gill with helpers , has raised a really significant amount of money for our church funds totalling with our efforts around £10.000 . Our thanks and congratulations are extended to Gill for her commitment and baking for this popular and much needed community event.

Looking ahead the group plan to help, on a rota, the Saturday Coffee and cakes to help with Gills workload. More volunteer helpers are very welcome.

Looking further ahead to the end of the year, a major fund raiser will be a Christmas Tree festival. This will run throughout the first week of December in St Marys .

Julia Thomsett

Coffee and Cake

Coffee and Cake on Saturday morning remains as popular as ever. When Vera started this many years ago as a fund raiser towards the loos, I wonder if she thought it would still be as profitable all these years later. There used to be a substantial core of cake makers and helpers but now, unfortunately, due to increasing age, and people no longer with us it relies on just a small group of people able to contribute time and cake.

Since this has become a village institution and a popular stop off for walkers and cyclists, I intend to carry on as long as possible. It gives people an opportunity to meet and chat and enjoy reasonably priced goodies as well as a useful income generator. Thanks to the faithful few helpers, particularly Tony who comes into the church every Friday to set out the tables and chairs and assists me on Saturday, I wouldn't cope without him!!

Gill Simes

Breakfast Church

Breakfast church continues to meet on the first 3 Sundays of the month.

A change that has happened recently is that Breakfast Church has become multi generation rather than focusing on families and children.

In 2024, we used the bible society Lyfe resources which proved to be an excellent stimulus for discussion. If anybody would like to be involved in Breakfast church, or even its leadership, please do speak to Jon Holland or John Huggins.

John Huggins

Messy Church

Messy Church has organised several events over the past year. The team agreed to focus on reaching families where they are, rather than just expecting them to come to our venues.

We joined in the Harrietsham School Summer Fayre and played 'Knock down the cans' which was really popular, and we were able to make contacts with many people. We recreated the stable at Harrietsham School's Christmas fayre and families took the opportunity to dress up as nativity characters and pose for photos. We gave out Christmas story books and invitations to the Messy Crib Service at Harrietsham Church. This was well supported by the church, for which we are really grateful. .

We are looking forward now to our Easter Walk to the Cross at Lenham. We pray that the message of the cross will really mean a lot to those who come. Then in the Summer, we plan to join Lenham Primary School Summer fayre. We'll be needing donations of cans of fizzy drink please!

We thank the congregations for all their support, donations, and prayers. As always, we welcome any who feel they could help the team - we are just a few and would value more help please, especially as Rev John has been steering this outreach: we will need others when he has retired.

God bless our benefice.

Liz Holland on behalf of the Messy Church Team

Lenham Wednesday Feast

A Community Initiative

On 16th September 2024, we started offering lunch to the community. The lunches have been well supported by a wide cross-section of Lenham and the surrounding area, the majority of whom do not attend church regularly.

Community Engagement

The initiative has been fully booked every week and often 2 or 3 weeks in advance. The “Pay what you can” scheme has worked well, not only covering costs but also enabling the purchase of several items for the kitchen. It has provided an excellent opportunity to share our Christian faith through various means such as:

● A time of prayer

● Reflection and lighting of candles for Remembrance Week

Celebrating all our Christian festivals
Conversations around the lunch table

Additionally, we've been asked to pray both face to face and for more sustained praying for particular worries and concerns. It has been of great encouragement to see The Lord answer every prayer request.

Day of Reflection

In May, we are taking 16 friends from the lunch, most of whom do not attend church regularly (as yet), for a Day of Reflection to The Living Well. This provides an opportunity for deeper spiritual engagement and reflection.

Collaborations and Future Expansion

We are now working with the Social Care department of Golding Homes to identify areas of need, friendship, food, and furniture. We are looking into ways to expand the lunches even more, and we kindly ask for prayers for our team of wonderful volunteers.

Anna Livesey

Rainbow Food Station

We continue to receive and distribute good as part of the Rainbow Food Station. There is a steady flow of people who collect the food and young families and children are particularly grateful.

An enormous thank you to everybody in the church and village community who work so hard on this and to the local schools who have contributed.

John Huggins

Safeguarding Report

Over the course of the last few years, the cycle of volunteers DBS checks and training updates have been brought together to support easier renewals as they become due. The backlog of DBS training needed to be carried out , due to a change in requirements from the Diocese, have now been completed and we are moving into a period of renewals becoming due.

The one area of the Church volunteers that have not yet been brought into this cycle is Bellringers Recent communication between Tower Captains and the Parish Safeguarding Officer have ensured the renewed guidelines are known and being followed, meaning DBS and training requirements will soon be completed. Thanks goes to the Bellringing team for their on going support with this.

Following support from the Diocese, renewed Safeguarding posters are now on display and the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard is in use. This will hopefully support swift renewals and understanding of changes in advice and recommendations.

There are currently no active safeguarding cases within the Benefice. All contacts made over the last year have been shared with the Diocese and advice followed.

Louisa Jones Parish Safeguarding Officer

Lenham and Boughton Malherbe Mothers Union

Member numbers have been maintained with regular monthly meetings and monthly communion in St Edmunds Chapel. The programme for the year has been varied and has included several speakers. In the summer we were given a talk by a representative from the charity MAF working overseas which distributes essential medical supplies by flight to remote areas of the world. Nearer to home our support continues with the Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter. Following a talk in September from a member of the shelter staff we were updated on their work with the homeless in Maidstone, Bags of clothing and food were collected by members for the shelter which opens in January each year for three months. The Charity Asian Bears talk at another of our meeting gave us a distressing insight into the dreadful cruelty of bears in captivity for commercial gain. This organisation was invited to our Church Christmas Fair to promote their charity and raise funds for their cause.

Fellowship enjoyment and prayer are at the core of the Mothers Union and our group has enjoyed meetings of prayer with flowers and at another meeting a challenging attempt at Origami making doves. Instructed by our Gill! The Doves were placed in the Church on a red chair promoting and supporting the Sixteen days of Activism in Nov/Dec.

Earlier in the year we distributed daffodils on Mothering Sunday. Placed at the entrance of the Porch the congregation as well as passersby were invited to take a token bunch. In August our summer outing was to Ayelsford Priory for a cream tea and a lovely walk around the grounds and chapels to enjoy the peace and tranquillity.

As a branch we are very much a part of the Archdeanery and we hosted their bi annual meeting in June. This is always an opportunity to meet other members and hear of events and projects from the five other branches in the area.

The Mothers Union is a worldwide organisation celebrating its 150[th] anniversary this year. In recognition of this we celebrate the work of our founder Mary Sumner and we welcome anyone who would like to come and join us here in St Marys.

Julia Thomsett

The Holigans Choir

2024 was another FUNtastic year for the local choir “Holigans”. Working in collaboration with St Mary’s church Holigans performed two successful concerts, which were well attended by the public.

Through these concerts, Holigans raised a total of £2,104.00, which was shared between St Mary’s Social Hub program and Heart of Kent Hospice.

But apart from charity and entertainment, the Holigans choir helps people’s well-being. It is beneficial for the audience, as it strengthens the community spirit and sense of belonging, and it helps choir members. No surprise then that the choir has grown, and now it has over 40 members, with new people continuing to join.

Holigans are looking forward to bringing more joy to the community. In 2025, the choir will be exploring the potentials and preparing to bring a great Christmas concert to the community at the beginning of December.

Vladimir Barkanov

Bellringers report

This year has seen a few changes for the bellringers. Laurence and Jackie, who have been Tower Captain and Secretary for the last few years have moved away. And, sadly, Neil rang for the last time in the autumn and died in December. Since then, we have elected James as our new captain and Sarah as Secretary. Richard has taken over from Neil as Treasurer.

Over the last few months, we have been able to ring for most Sunday services, usually with the help of ringers from Charing and Egerton. We have welcomed some new recruits, and they are progressing well. If we are to continue to ring every Sunday that there are services we need more recruits. If you are interested in learning to ring, come up the tower any time you hear the bells ringing and find out what is involved, we are very friendly and welcoming.

James Davis/Richard Birch

Account Lenham PCC Main Account Sort Code 09-01-54 Account No. 81117083 Status Unrestricted

Month

Descripton	Amount	Balance
Opening Balance		£18,227.54
REGULAR TRANSFER FROM MRS VERA WINIFORD CONGDON REFERENCE - CONGDON	£40.00	£18,267.54
REGULAR TRANSFER FROM MRS GILLIAN ANN SIMES REFERENCE - ST MARYS CHURCH LE	£40.00	£18,307.54
DIRECT DEBIT PAYMENT TO E.ON NEXT REF A-3AC74C9B-001, MANDATE NO 0026	-£750.00	£17,557.54
FASTER PAYMENTS RECEIPT REF.CHURCH FROM MRS & MR REDMORE	£10.00	£17,567.54
FASTER PAYMENTS RECEIPT FROM WOOD BL & GS	£25.00	£17,592.54
FASTER PAYMENTS RECEIPT REF.ELVINS FROM ELVINS S.	£40.00	£17,632.54
FASTER PAYMENTS RECEIPT REF.HUGGINS FROM REVEREND HUGGINS	£145.00	£17,777.54
FASTER PAYMENTS RECEIPT REF.HOLLAND - GIFT AID FROM HOLLAND JP	£50.00	£17,827.54
FASTER PAYMENTS RECEIPT REF.B & S PARFETT FROM Parfett Sandra	£75.00	£17,902.54
FASTER PAYMENTS RECEIPT REF.RICHARD BIRCH FROM MRS SYLVIA B BIRCH	£125.00	£18,027.54
FASTER PAYMENTS RECEIPT REF.FEES FROM LEN VALLEY(Mick Gurr)	£139.00	£18,166.54
DIRECT DEBIT PAYMENT TO CASTLE WATER LTD REF SE0010345054, MANDATE NO 0019	-£13.88	£18,152.66
FASTER PAYMENTS RECEIPT FROM SIMMONS M R&MA	£112.00	£18,264.66
FASTER PAYMENTS RECEIPT FROM RUTH PAPWORTH	£125.00	£18,389.66
FASTER PAYMENTS RECEIPT REF.J.COLEMAN PLEDGE FROM J COLEMAN	£20.00	£18,409.66
FASTER PAYMENTS RECEIPT FROM DEEKS GK	£30.00	£18,439.66

St Marys Lenham

Income statement 2024

Parish Finance Return Category	Total
1. Tax efcientplannedgiving	£12,524.00	£50,477.63	Total lncome
2. Otherplanned Giving	£1,569.80
3. Other collectons at services	£6,570.17
4. All other RECURRINGgiving /donatons	£0.00
9. Gross income from fund raisingactvites	£10,570.86
6. All tax recovered through Gif Aid	£5,288.49
5. All NON-RECURRINGgiving /donatons(incl. special appeals)	£715.00
7. Legacies received(capital value)	£0.00
8. Recurring grants	£106.16
8a. Non-Recurringor one ofgrants	£9,131.15
10. Income from investments(dividends,interest,income fromproperty)	£0.00
11. StatutoryFees retained bythe PCC(Weddings,Funerals etc.)	£1,699.00
12. Gross income from trading	£1,605.00
13. Other income resources	£698.00
17. Costs ofgeneratngfunds(cost of actvites,events etc.)	-£44.58	-£43,493.19	Total Expenditure
18. All missiongivingand charitablegrants and donatons	£0.00
19. Parish sharepaid to diocese	-£13,500.00
20. Salaries/honoraria(youth worker,organist,administrator etc)	-£4,033.26
21. Expenses(Clergy,Pastoral Staf,Youth Workers etc)	-£3,272.06
22. Mission and evangelism	£0.00
23. Regular church runningexpenses	-£5,783.47
24. Church utlitybills	-£7,167.14
25. Costs of trading (Magazine,hall,bookstall costs etc.	£0.00
25. Costs of trading (Magazine,hall,bookstall costs etc.	£0.00
26. Governance Costs	-£20.00
99. Other outgoingresources	-£510.00
27. Major repairs to the church buildingincludingdecoraton	-£9,162.68
28. Major repairs to church hall or other PCCproperty	£0.00
29. New buildingwork	£0.00

Cashflow Description

Standing Order with Gift Aid declaration + Envelope scheme with Gift Aid declaration + Standing Order no Gift Aid declaration + Envelope scheme no Gift Aid declaration + Offertories + Church box donations + Coffee Morning + Other fund raising + Gift Aid Recovered + Other non-recurring donations + Special appeals + Legacies received + Grant received (recurring) + Grant received (one off) + Interest + Dividends + Income from property + Weddings + Funerals + Sales + Miscellaneous - Fund raising costs - Charitable donantions paid - Parish share one off - Parish share standing order - Salary, Youth Worker - Salary, Administrator - Salary, Organist - Salary, Choir - Salary, Bell Ringer - Expenses, Clergy - Expenses, Pastoral Staff - Expenses, Youth Worker - Cost of services - Insurance - Cleaning - Admin costs - Routine church maintenance - Upkeep of services - Churchyard maintenance - Gas - Electricity - Water - Oil - Rates / council tax - Advertising - Magazine costs
Audit fees
Other
Major repairs to church
Major repairs to other property
New building works
Typical months standing order donations

Parish Finance Return Description

Tax efficient planned giving
Tax efficient planned giving
Other planned Giving
Other planned Giving
Other collections at services
All other RECURRING giving / donations
Gross income from fund raising activities
Gross income from fund raising activities
All tax recovered through Gift Aid
All NON-RECURRING giving / donations (incl. special appeals)
All NON-RECURRING giving / donations (incl. special appeals)
Legacies received (capital value)
Recurring grants 8a. Non-Recurring or one off grants
Income from investments (dividends, interest, income from property)
Income from investments (dividends, interest, income from property)
Income from investments (dividends, interest, income from property)
Statutory Fees retained by the PCC (Weddings, Funerals etc.)
Statutory Fees retained by the PCC (Weddings, Funerals etc.)
Gross income from trading
Other income resources
Costs of generating funds (cost of activities, events etc.)
All mission giving and charitable grants and donations
Parish share paid to diocese
Parish share paid to diocese
Salaries / honoraria (youth worker, organist, administrator etc) 20. Salaries / honoraria (youth worker, organist, administrator etc) 20. Salaries / honoraria (youth worker, organist, administrator etc) 20. Salaries / honoraria (youth worker, organist, administrator etc) 20. Salaries / honoraria (youth worker, organist, administrator etc) 21. Expenses (Clergy, Pastoral Staff, Youth Workers etc)
Expenses (Clergy, Pastoral Staff, Youth Workers etc)
Expenses (Clergy, Pastoral Staff, Youth Workers etc) 22. Mission and evangelism
Regular church running expenses
Regular church running expenses
Regular church running expenses
Regular church running expenses
Regular church running expenses
Regular church running expenses
Church utility bills
Church utility bills
Church utility bills
Church utility bills
Church utility bills
Costs of trading (Magazine, hall, bookstall costs etc.
Costs of trading (Magazine, hall, bookstall costs etc.
Governance Costs
Other outgoing resources
Major repairs to the church building including decoration
Major repairs to church hall or other PCC property
New building work Typical months standing order donations

jndependent Examiners Report to the ttee$le)nbers of SL Mary's Church Lenham Parothial Church Couneil This report is on the Accounts for the year ended the Jl" Decernber 2023 Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees and Examiner The ch8Titr's truste considerthat an audit is not qUired for this vear (under section4J "(?)) of the Charities Act 199) (the Act) and tbat OD independent examination is needed. It is my responsibilitsr lo: Examine thc accounts ()mder section 43 of the Act) To follo1¥ the procedures laid doi¥n in the General Direction given by the ChEÈrity Commission (under sectioii 4i(7)(b} of the Act). and To state iyhether particular matters havc come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiners Report Msr examination ivas carried out in accordance ivith th¢ General Directions given by the Charity CommissioTh An examillation Includes a review of the accounting records kept by th¢ cbarity a comp3rison of the accounts presented ivith those record5. It 21so includes considerdtion of any Unusal items or disclosures irl the accounts and seeLing &xp12nations froTn you as Tntee$ concerning an3F such matters. The procedures undertaLen do not Provide all the evid¢nce that would be required in an audiL and consequelltly no opinion Is given as to wbether the accounts Present a 'trne and fair. VAew. and the ieport is limtted top those matteJs in the statement beloiv. Independent Exaniiner's Statement In the course of mv &¥aminatio no mattets have come to mv attentio . which uive me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements". to L"eep 8ccounting records in accordance ivith section 41 of the Act and to Prepare a¢¢ounts which accord with the accounting records and to ¢omply Ivith requirements of the 199) Act have not been met pr ? to ivhi¢h in my Opinio attention should be drnwn in order to enable a pro1r understanding ofthe accounts to be reache¢l (signed) mri InLL 134u Date.. w,(MI)@ JLXIS mLIii'-

2024-12-31-accounts