## **Annual Report 2024** **presented to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting St Augustine’s Church, South Croydon 11[th] May 2025** **www.southcroydonbenefice.org.uk** ## **Administrative information** The PCC of St Augustine’s is a charity for the purposes of the Charity Act 2010. Incumbent: The Revd Dr Geoff Dumbreck, 20 Haling Park Road, South Croydon, CR2 6NE. Official correspondence to the incumbent at this address. St Augustine’s and St Peter’s, Croydon, form the “South Croydon Benefice of St Peter, Croydon and St Augustine, South Croydon”. The Benefice has adopted a Mission Statement as follows: The South Croydon Benefice is a family of two parishes (St Peter’s and St Augustine’s) where everyone belongs, is valued, and can grow in faith. We exist to worship God, making Christ known through teaching and through care for our congregations, communities, and the wider world. Our churches offer traditional and modern worship in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. This report relates solely to the activities and financial statements of St Augustine’s, South Croydon. ## ST AUGUSTINE’S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC) **Membership:** Licenced Ministers, Churchwardens, Deanery Synod Reps (ex-officio); up to 2 coopted members; up to 9 ordinary members elected at successive APCMs. **Appointment:** In accordance with the Church Representation Rules. **Remit:** To co-operate with the Vicar in ‘promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical’ (Parochial Church Councils [Powers] Measure 1956). **Meetings:** Every two months. **Reporting:** notes from meetings to be circulated within the PCC. **Delegated authority:** N/A. BENEFICE TEAMS ## _Benefice Advisory Team_ **Membership:** The standing committees of both parishes (ex-officio). Appointment: Other members may be co-opted as required. **Remit:** To advise the PCCs on matters of shared concern; to assist the PCCs in making joint decisions where this is necessary or desirable. **Meetings:** As required. **Reporting:** To both PCCs. **Delegated authority:** Authority may be granted by both PCCs for specific purposes. ## _Ministry Team_ **Membership:** Licenced and Authorised Ministers (ex-officio). **Appointment:** Other members may be co-opted at the discretion of the Vicar. **Remit:** To facilitate worship, teaching the faith, and pastoral care. **Meetings:** Weekly, with at least two ‘away days’ per year. **Reporting:** Notes from meeting to be circulated within group. **Delegated authority:** N/A. 2 _Music Team_ **Membership:** Incumbent and Directors of Music (ex-officio). **Appointment:** Other members may be co-opted as required. **Remit:** To facilitate the provision of music during worship, including joint services. **Meetings:** Quarterly. **Reporting:** Notes from meeting to be circulated within group. **Delegated authority:** N/A. ## _Safeguarding Team_ **Membership:** Incumbent, PSOs and APSOs (ex-officio), one Churchwarden from each parish. **Appointment:** Other members may be co-opted as required. **Remit:** To promote a safer church, ensuring that the parishes comply with safeguarding obligations and guidance. **Meetings:** Quarterly. **Reporting:** Notes from meetings to be circulated to both PCCs. Safeguarding incidents to be reported to PCC of applicable parish. Safer recruitment decisions to be made by PCC of applicable parish. **Delegated authority:** Authority may be granted by both PCCs for specific purposes. ## _Children and Young People Team_ **Membership:** Incumbent, those safely recruited by PCCs as CYP leaders for duration of appointment (ex-officio). **Appointment:** Other members may be co-opted as required. **Remit:** To plan and evaluate services and events for Children and Young People. **Meetings:** Quarterly. **Reporting:** Notes from meetings to be circulated to both PCCs. **Delegated authority:** Authority may be granted by both PCCs for specific purposes. ## _Children and Young People Council_ **Membership:** Incumbent (ex-officio), 2 elected representatives from each parish (under 18), 1 CYP leader from each parish. **Appointment:** Elected representatives to be chosen by young people. **Remit:** To provide a forum for children and young people. **Meetings:** Termly. **Reporting:** Notes from meetings to be circulated to both PCCs. **Delegated authority:** N/A. _Mission Action Planning Team_ **Membership:** Incumbent (ex-officio); at least 3 representatives per parish, drawn from the electoral roll. **Appointment:** Applications should be made to the Vicar at the start of each MAP cycle, with parish representatives approved by the appropriate PCC. Subgroups may be required to oversee individual projects, with others co-opted as necessary. **Remit:** To develop, implement and evaluate the Benefice Mission Action Plan. **Meetings:** Twice per year, with meetings of subgroups as required. **Reporting:** Notes from meetings to be circulated to both PCCs. MAP goals to be ratified annually by both PCCs. **Delegated authority:** Authority may be granted by both PCCs for specific purposes. 3 ## ST AUGUSTINE’S COMMITTEES ## _Standing Committee_ **Membership:** Incumbent, Church Wardens, Treasurer, PCC Secretary (ex-officio). **Appointment:** Other members may be co-opted as required. **Remit:** Has the power to transact any business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any instructions of the PCC. **Meetings:** As required. **Reporting:** Notes from meetings to be circulated to the PCC. **Delegated authority:** The standing committee may approve expenditure in accordance with the PCC Financial Policy. The standing committee may transact the PCC’s business between meetings of the PCC; but the standing committee (a) may not discharge a duty of the PCC, and (b) may not exercise a power of the PCC which is subject to the passing of a resolution by the PCC or compliance by the PCC with some other requirement. Further authority may be granted by the PCC for specific purposes. ## _Finance Committee_ **Membership:** Treasurer (ex-officio), other members appointed by PCC. **Appointment:** Applications should be made to the Treasurer and are subject to annual PCC approval. **Remit:** Responsible for assisting the Treasurer to monitor income and expenditure and for setting and monitoring the budget **Meetings:** As required. **Reporting:** Report to be presented to PCC at each meeting. **Delegated authority:** Authority may be granted by the PCC for specific purposes. ## _Centre Management Committee_ **Membership:** Incumbent, Church Wardens, Treasurer, Centre Manager (ex-officio). **Appointment:** Other members may be co-opted as required. **Remit:** Responsible for the running of the centre and building maintenance. **Meetings:** Bi-monthly. **Reporting:** Report to be presented to PCC at each meeting. **Delegated authority:** Authority may be granted the PCC for specific purposes. ## _Fundraising Committee_ **Membership:** Treasurer (ex-officio), other members appointed by PCC. **Appointment:** Applications should be made to the Treasurer and are subject to annual PCC approval. **Remit:** Responsible for organising fund raising activities during the year including the Christmas and Summer Fairs **Meetings:** As required. **Reporting:** Report to be presented to PCC after each major fundraising event. **Delegated authority:** Authority may be granted by the PCC for specific purposes. ## _Eco-Church Committee_ **Membership:** All members appointed by PCC. **Appointment:** Applications to be made to the Chair and are subject to annual PCC approval. **Remit:** To consider the environmental impact of church activities and to promote better care of the environment. **Meetings:** Quarterly 4 **Reporting:** Report to be presented to PCC after each meeting. **Delegated authority:** Authority may be granted by the PCC for specific purposes. ## BANKERS National Westminster Bank Plc, 1 High Street, Croydon, CR9 1PD (Current Account) The CBF Church of England Funds, Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4ET (Deposit Accounts) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mr Gareth Saunders INSPECTING ARCHITECT Mr Daniel Benson, Ablett Architects Ltd, Kingfisher House, 21-23 Elmfield Road, Bromley, Kent BR1 1LT ## **Vicar’s Report** I am pleased to introduce the Annual Report of St Augustine’s Parochial Church Council for 2024. As always, I would like to begin by thanking everyone who has supported the church this year; it is truly a team effort, and I am grateful to God for each of you. Neil Hillier and Bill Luckhurst have continued to bring warmth, experience and skill to the role of Churchwarden. As Treasurer, David Wilcox has overseen our transition to a new accounting package, which will make the presentation of the accounts much more straightforward in future. Beverley Josephs remains as assiduous and helpful as ever as PCC secretary. It has taken a long time to build up Centre use after the downturn caused by the pandemic, and I am extremely grateful to our Centre Manager, Keishea Aidoo, for her persistence. Keishea also helps with the administration at St Augustine’s and for the Benefice, and I do not know what we would do without her cheerful and efficient support. Julie Hillier has ensured that the Electoral Roll is kept up to date, while also representing the parish at Deanery level; with Michael Brockett, she is one of our two Deanery Synod representatives. Julie has also taken the lead on fundraising this year, and our first Afternoon Tea was a great success. At the last Annual Parochial Church Meeting, Paola Bagnall, Rosemary Hammick and Charlotte Luckhurst came to the end of their three year term. I am thankful for their contributions, and all three have continued to support the church in other ways. They were replaced by Nikki Aduba, Gywneth Smith and Lucinda Stevens. Howard Gould, Louise Vincombe and Brian Dineen have continued to serve as PCC members. 5 I am richly blessed to share my ministry with such an able Ministry Team. Mary Loader’s contributions to the Benefice over many years were celebrated as she retired from active Reader ministry, becoming Reader Emerita. Michael Brockett and Andrew Moncrieff play a central role in our services and pastoral care, as a Licenced Pastoral Lay Minister (LPLM) and Reader respectively. Lucinda Stevens has supported both children’s ministry and St John’s Nursing Home as our Commissioned Pastoral Lay Minister (CPLM). There are now a whole range of Licenced, Commissioned and Affirmed ministries available within Southwark Diocese, and I would encourage anyone who would like to join our team to speak to me. We were sorry to say goodbye to Debra Elsdon, who had been on placement with us, but delighted to see her ordained as a Deacon by Bishop Christopher at Petertide. I wish her well in her Curacy in the Limpsfield and Tatsfield Team Ministry. Michael Nayagam’s placement also came to an end, but – to our surprise and joy – he was able to stay on in the Benefice as Assistant Curate. Fr Michael (pictured right) brings a wealth of experience and has quickly settled into his new role. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped while I was on sabbatical in July and August, especially the Revd Linda Fox. Linda is no stranger to the Benefice, and it was wonderful that she could come back to ‘hold the fort’ while I was away. It meant that I could enjoy my time away, knowing that everything was in good hands. The Music Team is central to the worshipping life of our community, and I am grateful to David Wilcox at St Augustine’s and Paul Reynolds at St Peter’s for all their work with our choirs. The combined Benefice choir has sung at several Evensongs and other key services; they show what can be achieved when we work together. Safeguarding has been overseen by the Benefice Safeguarding Team. Michael Brockett has continued as Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) at St Augustine’s, bringing experience and good judgement to the role. Ann Stranack sadly stood down as PSO of St Peter’s, but I am delighted that Steve Moores agreed to fill the post. They were joined by Neil Hillier and Lucy Dee, representing the Churchwardens of each parish. 6 We maintained the same pattern of Regular Services in 2024: Sunday 8.00 am: Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) Sunday 9.30 am: Sung Eucharist (Common Worship) Monday 9.00 am: Morning Prayer (Common Worship) Wednesday 9.00 am: Morning Prayer (Common Worship) Thursday 10.00 am: Said Eucharist (Common Worship) On the second Sunday of the month, the Sung Eucharist was usually replaced by a Parade Eucharist, attended by and involving the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides. This service is the highlight of every month, and I am grateful to our Uniformed Leaders for encouraging attendance and taking part in the service. Sadly, the Sunday School has remained in abeyance, as have the Fun Days; FLAME has, however, continued to meet at St Peter’s Church House for teenagers. The main Sunday Eucharist is streamed on YouTube, providing access to church services for those who are housebound. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we hold Morning Prayer on Zoom, with participants from both parishes and further afield. We also continued to hold joint Benefice services, using both church buildings, including a monthly Sunday evening service and services on principal holy days. Our services are relatively simple but involve many people upfront and behind the scenes. I am grateful to everyone who has served, sung, played, led intercessions, greeted, arranged flowers, cleaned, administered the chalice, printed service books, served coffee – the list goes on, and requires the hard work and dedication of the whole community. I am particularly grateful to Stephanie Josephs for taking on the role of Sacristan. At the end of the last MAP, it seemed important to pause for reflection, and to allow ourselves time to embed the work that had been done. Two sessions were held at St Augustine’s in 2024, entitled ‘Shape our Future’, which invited the whole congregation to reflect on our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for mission, and the barriers that hold us back. The feedback from these sessions will inform the next MAP, which will launch at Easter 2025. Looking to the future, we continue to face challenges around the recruitment of volunteers and the upkeep of our building. I hope that the new MAP will help inspire people to get involved in our mission and outreach, while the formulation of a Masterplan for the building will provide a programme of repairs and upgrades for the years ahead. I hope that we can build on the excellent work of Sue Lotsu in the garden, getting the wider community involved in caring for the church and grounds. I am privileged to remain your Vicar, and we will continue to work together as we face up to the challenges and embrace the opportunities that lie before us. The Revd Dr Geoff Dumbreck _Vicar_ 7 ## **Deanery Synod** Your Deanery Synod members are Julie Hillier and Michael Brockett. Deanery Synods are the formal meetings of a deanery which focus on the mission and ministry in the area as well as providing a channel for the sharing of information. Occasionally Synods are required to take formal decisions, sometimes by means of a vote. All licensed Clergy in a deanery are automatically members of their Deanery Synod as well as lay members, i.e. those who are not Clergy. Every three years, churches elect deanery representatives at their Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). As well as serving their deaneries, lay representatives on Deanery Synods form the electorate for the House of Laity on both the Diocesan Synod and the General Synod. Deanery Synod members report to the PCC at their committee meetings and minutes are made available. Our vicar, the Revd Dr Geoff Dumbreck, is Area Dean for Croydon Central Deanery and Chair of the Deanery Synod. The Deanery Synod met on three occasions. The first meeting took place on June 27[th] June 2024 with the guest speaker The Revd Canon Wendy Robins (Canon Chancellor at Southwark Cathedral and Director of Discipleship Lay Ministry and Continuing Ministerial Education for the Diocese). Wendy and Synod members explored the future direction of our Deanery. The second meeting took place on September 19th 2024 led by Natalie Walters (Southwark Diocese’s Head of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation). Natalie is part of a five-strong team who support local churches in the areas of social action and social justice. The third meeting was held on February 27[th] 2025 at which Joseph Vambe from Christian Aid spoke about fundraising and engagement activities for the charity. Local and diocesan news was shared at each meeting. Elected members to the Diocesan Synod reported back on budget approval and provided a financial update, including the Three Year Forward Review. Paul Waddell reported back on General Synod when a meeting had taken place. The Croydon Central Deanery Newsletter continues to be produced termly, which Geoff puts on our benefice newsletter. We were delighted that Geoff was approached to be Acting Archdeacon for Croydon South during the Ven Greg Prior’s recent sabbatical. Michael Brockett is the Croydon Central Synod’s Lay Vocations Champion. Anyone in our benefice or Deanery interested in any aspect of Lay Ministry can contact him at michael.brockett@southwark.anglican.org The next meeting will be held on June 26[th] at Emmanuel Church, South Croydon. Michael Brockett & Julie Hillier _Deanery Synod Representatives_ 8 ## **Parochial Church Council** The purpose of the PCC is to consult with the Vicar on matters of general concern and importance to the parish. The PCC Committee have held and attended 5 meetings since the last Annual Parochial Church Meeting 2024. The members are Revd Geoff Dumbreck, Revd Michael Nayagam, William Luckhurst, Neil Hillier, Lucinda Stevens, David Wilcox, Michael Brockett, Julie Hillier, Brian Dineen, Gwyneth Smith, Nikki Aduba, Howard Gould, Louise Vinicombe, Beverley Josephs The decisions made at the PCC meetings were as follows: - To re-approve St Augustine’s policies 2023. - To complete Domestic Abuse Training and Safeguarding Training. - To agree the election of Welcomers for the 8am and 9.30am Sunday church services. - To re-appoint Lay Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and Electoral Roll Officer. - To spend up to £5,000 for the Architect to draw up a Masterplan for the works required at St Augustine’s Church. - To increase the Parish Support Fund pledge by 1% (£256.10) for 2025 total contribution £25,863.14 - To commission our inspecting architect to produce a masterplan, and to provide 50% of the funding for the cost of the masterplan. The PCC further authorised the Vicar and Churchwardens to apply to the National Churches Trust for project development funding towards the remaining cost. The Vicar and Churchwardens provided the inspecting architect with a brief. - To agree to the maintenance plan for St Augustine’s church. - To approve the South Croydon Benefice Occasional Service fees/charges for 2025. - To approve the Mission Action Plan (MAP) for 2025-2030. - To add David Wilcox as a signatory on the bank mandate and to sign up for internet banking for the Charity Account. - To approve the revised Hire Agreement and terms and conditions for the Centre. - To appoint Tony Elliott-Clark as a Welcomer. Beverley Josephs _PCC Secretary_ 9 ## **Churchwardens’ Report** The Centre Management Team (CMT) have met regularly during the last year and have oversight of the fabric of the church and grounds, Centre activities, building and maintenance. The CMT will provide reports and updates to the PCC and produce an annual report to the APCM. The CMT consists of the Vicar, Churchwardens, Treasurer, and Centre Manager. We follow an agenda, take minutes and report back on building and maintenance actions, preventative maintenance, centre use, new hirers and those departing. Of course, it is always on our agenda to discuss and look after the church building and fabric, for without that being watertight, in good order and safe, many of the activities we all take for granted could be curtailed. Keishea Aidoo (Centre Manager) keeps the team up to date with centre bookings, parties, new hirers and any fabric or maintenance actions. It is inevitable in the current financial climate that we have some turnover with the regular hirers. With our proactive and people-focused centre manager we can and have made headway in attracting new hirers, as well as securing party bookings for weekend afternoons and evenings. Additionally, we’ve reviewed our terms and conditions, bringing them up to date and current. We’ve also reviewed our hire rates and taken the decision to increase them slightly, although we believe they remain competitive locally. A further new initiative is for the hirers to receive a regular newsletter to keep them up to date with church and centre news. The CMT will work to ensure that all our fabric statutory compliance is up to date, for example, PAT testing, insurance, lightning conductor test, boiler certificate and fire extinguisher testing. These and other certificates of compliance and record keeping are presented to the Archdeacon at our annual inspection held in the Spring each year. Many thanks from the Churchwardens to Keishea and Geoff for assembling all our documents for inspection. We conducted a massive declutter of the mezzanine and store cupboards, the basement boiler room and some of the junk hiding places in and around the worship space. A ‘junk taxi’ service was employed to take thew accumulated mountain of waste away for partial recycling and land fill. A set of stained windows in the small hall was badly damaged during a children’s party. The widow has been stabilised, and we are arranging for the window to be removed, restored and replaced. The costs of these works will be met by an insurance claim, a small grant application and a contribution from our own funds. Over the past year we’ve experienced many issues with our heating and hot water system. Most of the infrastructure, apart from the boiler, dates from the reordering of the church in 1989. We took the opportunity to strip out, disconnect and mothball much of the redundant plumbing. We’ve got to a point where we 10 better understand the system, and by building out system redundancy we believe the heating and hot water to the taps is more reliable. St Augustine’s is on the Heritage At Risk register and is described as poor condition. The CMT are aware and will over the coming years work with the help of the PCC, parishioners, and centre users to lift us out of the ‘At Risk’ register description. Unfortunately, we were not successful in our medium grant application from the National Churches Trust, which would have funded 50% of our Master Plan. As we believe the bulk of our application was robust and good quality, we have decided to resubmit to the NCT later in the year, with the understanding that our architect will go through a formal tendering process. This particular element of the application did not meet the criteria set out by the NCT, so we now know what we need to do to make the application fully compliant. I finished off last year’s report referencing stewardship and the role that the CMT play in the oversight of the fabric of the building. This stewardship continues and will do so in the best and worst of times. Finally, please accept my apologies if you think I have missed anything out. This is easily done! Bill Luckhurst _on behalf of the Churchwardens and Centre Management Committee_ ## **Treasurer’s Report** ## FINANCE 2024 has had its challenges. Once again we have spent more than we have received, although with less of a deficit than in 2023. Many of the issues have been out of our control. Energy costs continue to be a challenge as trying to keep a Grade 2 listed building warm and welcoming is not an easy job. We have had a slightly easier year as far as refurbishment and major building works are concerned. The refurbishment and major building projects will continue to be a challenge as we prepare for the next phase of our major building works. The Centre Management Team are busy sourcing grants and sources of funding. Regular giving has remained stable with a slight increase on the 2023 figures. The church is very grateful to each and every one of our regular givers for their continued financial support. The Church Centre income has made a small increase this year but long term hirers are still a challenge and we still have vacancies in the diary, especially during the day. We are very grateful to Keishea (Centre Manager) for all that she does behind the scenes in promoting the Centre to possible hirers. We are also very grateful to our hard core of regular hirers who, in spite of the present 11 financial difficulties being faced by many in the country, have remained loyal to St Augustine’s. Finally, we are grateful to the Diocese for the support that they give us, especially with our Parish Share costs. However, once again we will have to call upon our reserves to balance the books. ## STEWARDSHIP I am pleased to report that in these difficult times we have managed to maintain our planned giving this year with a small increase on the 2023 figures. The church is very grateful to those members of the congregation who give so generously in both money and time to help further our work in the benefice. I am delighted to report that the majority of regular givers have now switched over to the Parish Giving Scheme. This system allows us to collect the Gift Aid on the donation each month rather having to submit a yearly claim. If you are still using Direct Debit payments, I would recommend the Parish Giving Scheme to you. If you would like to know more about the scheme then please have a word with me. If you pay tax then we can claim 25% in Gift Aid tax relief back from the government on your donation at no cost to you. We continue to raise revenue from people making their donation via the Online Machine in the entrance area. This machine is also used at the fundraising Fairs as more and more people rely on credit cards rather than paying cash. We are also very grateful to those members of the congregation who continue to use the collection plate to make their donation to the work of the church. It is also important that we give some of our own time to support others in our community. We all have talents that God has given us and that we share these with others. There are lots of opportunities in our church to give time and support. If you would like more information then please have a word me, the churchwardens, or members of the clergy. David Wilcox _Treasurer_ ## **Fundraising** In April we had our very first table top sale, followed by a Craft Fayre in May. Both of these were trial events, which we can now build on and improve. In July we held our usual Summer Fayre, which because of the weather had to be held indoors, however, this was a wonderful success and well attended. In September, we rebranded our table top sale into a Community Market and this was hopefully the first of many to come. Our Christmas Fayre was held a little earlier this year at the end of November, and Purley Oaks School helped to draw the numbers in by 12 running a Santa’s Grotto (Father Christmas and Toni the Elf are pictured right). It all went well and was a great success and everyone had a wonderful time. As a trail run, for future fundraising events, we held a free ‘Thank you’ afternoon tea in September, for all member of the gardening group. Everyone had a wonderful afternoon and hopefully this will be the first of many Afternoon Tea (fundraising) events. Our fundraising isn’t just about raising much needed funds for the church. It is very much about bringing together the local community. We would like to thank everyone who helped out with all these event - helping set up, helping on the day, running stalls, making / selling refreshments, helping to clear / tidy up, the list is endless, but none of this would happen without the wonderful team that all come together and make all these events successful. The total raised in 2024 was £4,087.29. Julie Hillier & David Wilcox _Fundraising Committee_ ## **Music** We continue to maintain a church choir at St Augustine’s. Whilst we are small in number, we are big on commitment with the choir providing a musical lead in the singing every Sunday. This plays an important role in the worship of the church. I have watched the choir grow in confidence and musicality from the early Covid days. The choir has now established an impressive repertoire and are able to provide a range of appropriate anthems to serve the church year. The commitment of the choir is first rate with consistent attendance each week for choir practice. Our relationship with St Peter’s provides both choirs with the opportunity to sing more complicated and larger works. The Benefice Choir comes together for all the main services in the year such as the Christmas Carol Service, Easter Week Services as well as singing Choral Evensong regularly throughout the year. Paul Reynolds (Music Director at St. Peter’s) and I are very pleased to 13 be part of this musical partnership. We both look forward to seeing the Benefice choir grow. The church organ and blower continue to be well maintained and serviced. Once again, I am very grateful for all the support I receive from the Ministry Team and the congregation. As always, we would love to welcome more singers to join our choir. If you are interested, please have a word with me after the service or give me a telephone call or email. David Wilcox _Organist and Choirmaster_ ## **Safeguarding** ## POLICIES AND PROCEDURES The Benefice has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 to have due regard to the House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. Any incidents are dealt with in line with the Diocese of Southwark’s safeguarding policies and procedures set out in _A Safe Church_ which can be found online at htttp://southwark.anglican.org/safeguarding The Diocese of Southwark’s safeguarding team have continued to be cooperative and helpful whenever we have encountered a possible safeguarding issue. Details for contacting the Parish Safeguarding Officers or a member of the Diocesan Safeguarding Team are listed on the Benefice website, on notices in the churches and on the weekly newsletters. The policies and procedures have been adopted by the two PCCs in the Benefice. St Augustine’s and St Peter’s churches are committed to: - Promoting a safer environment and culture - Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the churches - Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation - Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons - Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons - Responding to those who may pose a present risk to others Safeguarding is a standing item on the agenda for the PCC meetings at both churches and members receive copies of minutes of meetings. The PCCs review their policies and procedures annually in line with this guidance. 14 Church officers and volunteers are required to undertake relevant safeguarding training and a record of uptake is kept. All active serving members of the Ministry Team have undertaken C2 safeguarding training; the Churchwardens and the Director of Music have also undertaken C2 safeguarding training; all members of the PCC and those working with young people have undertaken C1 safeguarding training. Members continue to complete the Domestic Abuse training. We were the first benefice/church(es) in the Diocese to deliver the pilot C1 Safeguarding Foundations on July 2[nd] 2023 to a group of PCC members and others across the Benefice at St Augustine’s Church Centre. This was repeated on November 24[th] 2024. The Vicar and Benefice Parish Safeguarding Officers have completed Safer Recruitment training. Members of the Ministry Team, leaders and helpers working with children and vulnerable adults currently have a valid Disclosure and Barring Service certificate. External organisations that use the churches for their activities are required by the Centre Manager to sign a written consent form agreeing to follow the Benefice safeguarding policies. ## **Benefice Safeguarding Team** The Benefice Safeguarding Team has members from both churches: The Revd Dr Geoff Dumbreck (Vicar, Chair) Dr Michael Brockett (Parish Safeguarding Officer – St Augustine’s) Steve Moores Parish Safeguarding Officer – St Peter’s) Neil Hillier (Church Warden – St Augustine’s) Lucy Dee (Church Warden – St Peter’s) The position of Secretary remains vacant. Since the last APCM (April 2024 – May 2025) the Committee has met on four occasions: June 17[th] 2024, September 30[th] 2024, January 23[rd] 2025 and May 7[th] 2025. The team monitors completion of safeguarding training and DBS as well as actions arising from the safeguarding self-audit and other reviews. The most recent Diocesan Parish Safeguarding Self-Audit for St Augustine’s Church was completed and returned on February 6[th] 2025. The Benefice Safeguarding Team encourages good practice as prescribed by the Diocese. Dr Michael Brockett _Parish Safeguarding Officer_ 15 ## **Mission and Outreach** ## CHRISTINGLE As part of our charity work each year we are proud to organise a Christingle Carol Service for the Children’s Society. This year we raised £183.36 from the collection at the service on Christmas Eve, which we forwarded to the Children’s Society to help fund their activities. ## COMMUNITY SATURDAY COFFEE MORNINGS The church is open every Saturday between 10 – 12 for people to come in for coffee or quiet prayer. On the last Saturday of the month we hold a Community Coffee Morning inviting members of the local community to join us for coffee, cake and a chat. The Knit, Crochet and Coffee Morning continues to be held on the first Saturday of the month. Help and tuition is given to all non-knitters and crochet beginners. Everyone is welcome to these events. Items produced are given to a variety of deserving charities. ## SANDWICHES FOR NIGHTWATCH Together with help from St Peter's and the cubs/scouts, we were again able to help supply Croydon Nightwatch with 12 loaves’ worth of sandwiches every Saturday evening in November and December 2024. I am very grateful to all those who helped and am pleased to say that this year additional volunteers came forward to both make the sandwiches and deliver them which was greatly appreciated. Sadly it has become a feature of Nightwatch's work that their food parcels are being distributed not just to those sleeping rough but increasingly to those who are in work and with accommodation yet do not have sufficient funds to eat properly all week. Sometimes referred to as 'the working poor'. As long as the need continues, I very much hope that we will continue to support this very worthwhile service. No doubt I will be asking for volunteers again later in the year. If you are interested and want to know more then please do not hesitate to ask me. Kate Richards ## ECO-CHURCH We have continued with the eco tips in the weekly pew sheet. A litter pick around the local streets was held in early summer. It was not so well supported as in 16 previous years, so we will be seeking out other ways to communicate the message in 2025. For Earth Hour we had a Parade service without using electricity. We celebrated Climate Sunday in the autumn. We continued to complete the Bronze Eco Church Award questionnaire. In 2025 we intend to continue the above, twin all our toilets and achieve the new Bronze award. Watch this space! Lucinda Stevens ## **Garden** Since May last year the garden has fared well given the diversity and changeability of the weather patterns. It is inevitable that through the seasons the garden will have suffered some losses and die back and of course some plants are relocated when they outgrow their spot. To the casual observer the seasonal changes and volunteer maintenance may go unnoticed, but to the trained eye and from the perspective of the volunteers the scenery is aways changing. This Spring it was hard not to notice the display of daffodils and tulips, the former now fully matured along the length of the railings facing St Augustine’s Avenue. The tulips will take a little longer to mature. The grass has been cut this spring and some patches left uncut for wild seed scattering and long grass to develop. Although we chose not to submit an entry for the London in Bloom award this year, progress in the garden has continued steadily. Following our award win the year before last, the focus has been on maintaining and enhancing the space rather than preparing for judging. The garden continues to benefit from financial contributions and donations of plants, and we’ve been pleased to welcome continued support from the Good Gym gardeners, who visited once in the winter and again in spring 2025 to lend a hand. Thanks to the ongoing efforts of volunteers and helpers, including the Good Gym team and new neighbourhood volunteers, the garden remains a vibrant, welcoming space for the congregation and the wider community. To show our appreciation, we hosted a summer tea party in 2024 to thank everyone who has supported the garden. The event was very well attended and much enjoyed, reflecting the strength of community spirit that continues to grow around this shared space. A special thank-you goes to Sue Lotsu for her leadership, motivation, and tireless hands-on support. Her commitment and enthusiasm have been key to the continued success of the garden. _Bill Luckhurst_ 17 THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH, SOUTH CROYDON Balance Sheet - Detail As at December 31. 2024 Y2.181.17 A41￿0 13120 340.13 641.0) 4.IXXIA) 37.t￿l￿) 461A9 1.1S228 Ge￿r￿ FuThl 14.698.45 5gA1&10 4)r-2tr25 14".25 18 Statement of Receipts & Payments Prepar80 ftr THE PAROCHIAL CHUACH COUNCILOFTHE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST AUGUSTINEE CHURCH, SOUTH CROYDON." 111f202410 91112r2024 (Compared 8t1121W3 ¢0311121*t31' Total prtorT47tal' Donations and Legacies 01. Regular Giving Planned Giving- PGS Pl8nngd Giving- St8ndlng Order Planned Giving- Sumup . 03. Collections at S8nrices Plat& Colloclion 04. All other giving and voluntary rocglpls. Includlng sp8clal app8als . Donalions- CandL8 Table DonAliong- Gordon Donallons- General Donations- Knitting Group DonAllon$- Lgnt L￿tur*S Donallons- Aelrashm&nls . 06. Gift aid recovered . Gift Aid - PGS . 08. Grants Grants- Capitsl Projects Grants- MissKin Charitablo Actwitigs 11. Fees retained Fees Retained- Fungrals Foè$ Rat8inad- Wodding9, Banng Othèr Trading Actlvlti&s 09. Fundraising actwities Fundraising- Fairs Fundraising- Qulz Nlghts etc 12. Trading ackn'vilies . Cantrè Incomè Guiding Groups Income Investments 15,776.92 11,020.00 2,316.19 15,T16.92 11,020.00 2,316.19 5.291.60 5,291.60 140.95 140.95 248.50 248.50 8,287.53 72.38 8.267.53 72.38 24.73 60.90 24.73 60.90 3,803.13 3,803.13 998.42 998.42 4,000.00 4,OCKJ.00 690.00 105.00 690.00 105.00 2.687.81 1,179.54 2.687.81 1.179.54 19,424.50 350.00 19.424.50 350.00 2&Aw.2025 14'.21 P•¥1 Df4 Statement of Receipts & Payments Prepar80 ftr THE PAROCHIAL CHUACH COUNCILOFTHE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST AUGUSTINEE CHURCH, SOUTH CROYDON." 111f202410 91112r2024 (Compared 8t1121W3 ¢0311121*t31' Total prtorT47tal' 10. Olvid&nds, Interest, Incom& from propety Other Incorning Resources 13. Other receipl8fincom8 . Bonofi¢¥- Money Roc9￿¥d Charity- Appeals . Deanery- Clerical Support Grant 1,372.59 1.372.59 60.00 183.36 fjo.00 183.36 3,081.00 3,081.00 Total Ineom• and •ndowm•nts 73.825.56 7,929.60 81.155.05 17. Costs ol fundraising activi1198 99. Other paymenlsl&xpenditure DBF- Fees Transferred Do8n&ry. Ggngr81 Exp&nso8 Mlscellaneous Charilabl8 Activi1188 18. Mission gNing and donation8 Charlly- Donotlons from PCC Funds 19. Parish share contribution 20. Salarie5, wages and honorarla Pon$k)n- Cgntrg M8n89gr Salary- Centr8 Manager 21. Clergy and slaff expenses . Exp*n￿8- Clargy Exp&nses- Vlshlng Clergy and speakers 22. Mission and evangelism co8¢3 Mission - T•aching R8sourca$ 23. Church running expenses Running Costs- CCLI Fees Running Costs- Cl*&ning . Running Costs- Flowers . Running Costs- Garden 168.00 108.00 158.00 158.00 414.61 414.81 697.24 897.24 246.24 25,607.00 246.24 25.807.00 387.72 11,730.24 387.72 11.730.24 477.35 133.73 477.35 133.n 273.22 273.22 492.52 492.52 8,007.34 106.68 8,￿7.34 106.68 114.20 114.20 2&Aw.2025 14'.21 P•y2of4 Statement of Receipts & Payments Prepar80 ftr THE PAROCHIAL CHUACH COUNCILOFTHE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST AUGUSTINEE CHURCH, SOUTH CROYDON." 111f202410 91112r2024 (Compared 8t1121W3 ¢0311121*t31' Total prtorT47tal' Running Costs- Insuranc& Running Costs- Mailchirnp . Running Cosls- Minor Maintenance Running Costs- Music Running Costs- Organ and Piano Maintenanc& Running Co818- Organist Running Cosl$- Othor Aunning Costs. Postag& and Stath)n8ry Running Cos18- Printing Running Cosl$- Rèlr&shrngnts Runnlng Costs. Sanctuary Running Costs- Special Services Aunning Costs. Subscriptions . Runnlng Costs- ZOOM 24. Church ulility bills Utililles- Eleclricrty Icenlrel Utillllos- Electr￿￿Y (Church) Utilities- Gas UtililK88- Wator 25. Costs ol trading Centre- General Expenses 27. Major repair3 to the churth buikling . Major Rèpairs- Arehitèct* Fo&8 Major R&palrs- Controctors . 29. New buikling work Naw Buikling Work- Archit8Ct$ F$è$ Naw Bulhllng Work- Contractors 4,113.64 63.98 2,615.60 133.00 586.S4 350.00 307.99 70.74 4.113.64 63.98 2,615.60 133.00 586.54 350.00 307.99 70.74 375.40 266.85 146.29 59.35 375.40 2fj6.85 146.29 59.35 220.94 77.96 220.94 77.96 2,820.20 1,833.10 10,284.05 144.92 2,820.20 1,833.10 10.284.05 144.92 836.76 836.76 5.553.84 824.72 5,553.84 624.72 2.280.00 2,220.00 2.280.00 4.694.40 2,474.40 Totsl •xp8ndlturo 84,451.15 4003.21 87.454.36 2&Aw.2025 14'.21 P•y3of4 Statement of Receipts & Payments Prepar80 ftr THE PAROCHIAL CHUACH COUNCILOFTHE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST AUGUSTINEE CHURCH, SOUTH CROYDON." 111f202410 91112r2024 (Compared 8t1121W3 ¢0311121*t31' Total prtorT47tal' All receipts All payments Tran8fer8 b8hveen furKIs 73,825.55 84,451.15 2,651.01 7,329.50 3,003.21 -2,851.01 1.155.05 87.454.36 Not movement In fund• -7.974.59 1,875.28 4.299.31 Tolalfvnds brought loM4rt1 61,884.81 3,828. 10 fj5,712.91 65,712.91 Totsl fvnd• ¢1rrf•d lo￿11d 53,910.22 4503.30 59,413.80 65,712.91 2&Aw.2025 14'.21 P•y4of4 ¢c o rrt J (IS Q) ¢ sJryJ lx ¢0 +d rJ a) <£ O tr)£ X'[ot￿ O vjf # 0£ X