2022 Annual Reports
Victoria Road Congregational Church
From the Church Secretary
I HAVE NOW COMPLETED my fifth year as your Church Secretary. With Covid not being such a problem now 2022 was almost back to normal. Our services are as they were pre-covid, served by our many and varied preachers. We have also been able to hold most of our usual special events.
Sadly, we have lost two dear and loyal members over 2022. Mrs Raffaelina Hill passed away on 8th May. Her funeral service was held at Towcester Road Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at Bethany Homestead. Mrs Joy Heeley passed away on 16th June. Her funeral service was held at Victoria Road on July 5th.
Some of our ‘Special’ events over the year have included: Mothering Sunday Service on 27th March. Family Quiz on Tuesday April 5th. Good Friday Service at Bethany Homestead on 15th April and Easter Day Service on 17th April.
Our Garden Party was a great success held in our Church Garden on June 25th including our Victoria Road Bugle Band. Thanks Mike and all the band. A great day out to Southend-on-Sea was enjoyed by all of our friends and members on Saturday July 16th.
A Barbecue cooked by John’s son Mark was enjoyed by many. Again in the Church Garden on August 13th.
The annual Ride and Stride took place on Saturday 10th September, with our church being open to visitors once again. Thanks especially to Daphne and Ruth for their time as our hosts for the day.
Unfortunately we had another Quiz planned for October 4th but this was cancelled due to lack of support.
A visit from our National Secretary Yvonne Campbell on October 13th was most useful and gave us suggestions of some new ideas to our church.
Our November 13th Remembrance Service was the usual great success and we thank Mike and John for the superb bugle playing.
Our Christmas Tree Coffee Morning was a success and gave a fitting opener to the Christmas period. The three Christmas Services were well attended (including the new venture of a Christingle Service instead of Midnight Communion on Christmas Eve).
Over the year I have depended very much on the support of my fellow deacons.
Nigel for looking after the finances in such trying times and also dealing with all our room hirers. It needs mentioning here my thanks to all these hirers, without their financial support Victoria Road would not be able to keep our wonderful old building running for us to worship in.
The arranging of our weekly services by Jackie and Gez has been completed brilliantly once again. We will however need a new person to take on this demanding job, as Jackie and Gez will be standing down at this year’s AGM. All deacons play a valued part in the running of Victoria Road on Sundays and during our Coffee Mornings.
Any member who would like to know more about the deacons’ duties should talk to me prior to our AGM as there is always room for more deacons.
I give my thanks also to our three organists, Ian, Sheila and Rita that between them play to enhance our Sunday services.
Lastly, I give thanks to all members for helping to support Victoria Road over this past year.
John Evans, Church Secretary
VICTORIA ROAD ONGREGATIONAL CHURCH s Workln Account Summa 31 20 2022 ICurT8ntl 2021 IFull Y••rl Dlfferen¢e 81F From lin 2022 14,140.31 12,730.34 £1,409.97 lrtom Offertory Funeral / Weddl Tax RUttd 5p's Coftcert Gift DJV Donatlons Rooms Soclal Charlty Mlse 8,237.32 95.CQ 4.573.98 39.65 8,439.67 7S. 3,015.53 9.20 -£202 35 £20. £1,558.45 £3Ct.45 £o.cK) -£610.89 £499.74 £7,025.1)J £808.85 £1,522.61 £20S.71 300.00 1,124.00 9,835.00 808.85 1,522.61 339.71 910.89 624.26 2,810.r 134. T¢t•l In¢ 26A76.12 16MI&55 £IO,B57.57 Eyndltu Jnlst EM Con8 re ationjl Fed•ratlon 1,205.00 449.0) 495. -£710. .f 4A9.00 £435.50 89871 £0.00 -£2J6 10 £88.41 -£1.690 66 £260.(K> 435.50 1,922.97 Cle•nln C4retsk¢ri Gardener Insurnnce S•rvlc•s Vlsltln Pr•ath•es Milnten•nce 2,821.68 1,698.32 4.468,98 3,552.88 1,460.IY) 2A93.40 IA42.22 4.557.39 1,862.22 1,200.CQ 1,650.97 4R42.43 £68. -£785 00 .£5LI LK) -£52.11 50¢111 Charity Mlsc 785.1)0 50.00 1.026.42 974.31 Tot•1 E %.68 J4AO&S8 -,402.10 Incom• Ou oln Total in B•nk c/F 31112121 Totsl in Bjnk (Current Cle•red Arnount 26,876.12 20.010.68 14,140.31 21,C()5.75 Sodwl Ac¢ount St•ndl Carried Forward from 31Iiy2021 Ineome Expenditure B•l•nc• to Ca F4xw•nl Ch•rl 8•1 fwd Inrne ExpeftditrJr• al lwd 215.03 808.85 785.00 £238.88 168AI 1,522.61 1,64L02 Mlsc lJnourts h•ld Deposit kcount Tnth Ftsnd Trustees Fr- Interest T(tsl In U 5 Accnt op•nkni ft•w Sa¥1 Accoyn 18,056.57 28,CIJO.18 4,603.96 7L666.46