Annual Report for the year to 31st December 2009

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Annual Report for Year to 31st December 2009

 

1.    Introduction

 

The St. Peter’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) in the Diocese of Guildford which is part of the Church of England, was established by the Parochial Church Council’s (Powers) Measure 1956 as amended and the Church Representation Rules (contained in Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969 as amended). It is a charity registered with the Charity Commissioners, regulated by the Charities Act 1993 which regulates the way in which the PCC must report to its congregation and the public at large. St. Peter's has its own registration number (1131361.)

PCC members are trustees of the Charity and the PCC has complied with the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and with Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006.

The Report and the accounts are presented in the format required from 2002 when additional sections of the Act became operable, and as amended by the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities (March 2005).

 

Name of the Church:

St Peter’s Church, Hersham

 

Location of the Church:

Burwood Road, Hersham

 

Incumbent as at 31 December 2009:

The Revd. Nick Whitehead

 

 

Curates:

 

The Revd. Jonathan Andrew

The Revd. Susan Gray

 

Honorary Assistant Priests as at 31 December 2009:

The Revd. Canon Hazel Whitehead

The Revd. Mary Stokes

Licensed Lay Ministers:

Lorna Espenhahn

 

 

Pastoral Assistants:                 

Adela Foddy

 

Anne Manning, Jan Bowring-Dodson,

Margaret Kimmance

 

Children’s Representative:   

Lynne Watson

 

Coordinator for the disabled:

Vacancy

 

Press Officer:

Carol Rose (appointed 2009)

 

Address for correspondence:

The Parish Office

1 Burwood Road, Hersham

Surrey, KT12 4AA

 

Bank:

Lloyds TSB Bank,

Walton on Thames Branch, 83 High Street, Walton on Thames, Surrey KT12 1DU.

 

 

Independent Examiner:

During the year, Ward Williams (Chartered Accountants), resigned from the office of Independent Examiner and Warner Wilde Limited was appointed to fill the casual vacancy arising.

 

Warner Wilde Limited

Chartered Certified Accountants and Registered Auditors

4 Marigold Drive,

Bisley, GU24 9SF

 

 

Architect:

 

John Deal Practice

Edwin Road

East Horsley

Surrey

KT24  6LN

 

 

 

 

Church Staff:

 

The parish employs a part-time secretary for a total of 25 hours per week. There is a part-time cleaner for the Church Hall. The organist also has formal staff  status.

 

 

The Parish Office:  

 

The Parish Office is open from Monday to Friday during the mornings from 09.30 - 12:30 and is situated in the Church Hall at 1, Burwood Road, Hersham.

 

 

2.    The Parochial Church Council

 

2.1    Membership of the PCC between April 2009 and April 2010

 

Members of the PCC are either ex-officio, elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Representative Rules, or co-opted.

 

The following served as members of the PCC:

 

Incumbent:

Revd. Nick Whitehead   Chairman (Resigned 14 February 2010)

 

Chairman

Curates:

Revd. Jonathan Andrew

Revd. Sue Gray (Appointed 5th July 2009)

 

 

Churchwardens:

Ian Rose                   Vice Chairman

Appointed 29/4/2009

Andrew Strong

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

Licensed Lay Minister:    

Adela Foddy

 

 

Representatives on the Deanery Synod:

 

Lulu Button

Des Humphrey

Tom Calder

 

 

Elected Members:

Bob Garnish

Margaret Hicks

Meg Hill

Sara Langley

Tony Skrzypecki

Suzanne Barrett

Georgina Francis

Philip Briggs

Stephen Ind (Appointed 29/04/2009)

Sarah Tourell               Secretary

Lynne Watson            

 

 

 

Treasurer:

Lorelie Staines (Resigned 24/2/2010)

Jonathan Dinkeldein (Appointed 24/2/2010)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.2    Responsibilities of the PCC

 

The PCC has adopted the vision statement on behalf of the Parish:

 

“Growing Christians to worship God and serve His world”

 

The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the Incumbent, the Curates, and the Licensed Lay Ministers to promote in the parish the whole mission of the Church - pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It ensures payment of the Parish’s contribution to parish ministry and diocesan costs via the Parish Share, and has the responsibility for all the Parish’s assets, including its land and buildings, - the Church, the Church Hall, St Peter’s Lodge and Vauxmead.

 

Members of the PCC are elected for a three year term by nomination of two parishioners. New PCC members are briefed on their responsibilities by the Vicar as PCC Chairman.

 

Each year the PCC takes time away from its regular duties to strengthen its relationships and to think strategically.

To assist them with their responsibilities, the PCC has appointed the following well established Teams:

 

  • Stewardship
  • Treasury
  • Property Maintenance
  • Worship & Prayer
  • Mission Support
  • Pastoral Care
  • Christian Development. 

 

In the current year we have re-established the Communications team and hope in  due course to establish an Outreach team.

 

The Standing Committee sets the PCC agenda and transacts business between PCC meetings.

 

The Children’s Representative, Lynne Watson ensures that the PCC has a Child Protection Policy and supporting procedures, and that the Church takes seriously its responsibility for the care and nurture of its children. She is a co-opted member of the PCC and assists the PCC in drawing up procedures and policies on child protection.

 

A coordinator for the disabled, as required by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and advised of the Guildford Diocesan Advisory Committee, is required but the post is currently vacant.

 

The PCC has agreed a Public Relations Policy in order that it may respond appropriately to media requests for interviews.  A copy of this policy is available from the Parish Office.  The diocesan Communications Director, Mark Rudall, is available to be consulted on media communication.

 

During 2009 a Health and Safety policy was developed and adopted by the PCC.


2.3    Electoral Roll and Church Attendance

 

The average church attendance on Sundays in 2009 was 165 (141 over 16 years of age and 24 under 16 years). The number on the electoral roll at April 2009 was 185.  (By the end of the year the number was 185.) Children under 16 are not included on the Electoral Roll. 

 

The Work of the PCC, Progress and Achievements

 

The PCC met on seven occasions during the year to manage the regular business of the parish, such as the appointment of officers, expenditure and budgeting, the balance and type of our social events, risk management, data protection, equipment needs, property matters, and issues raised by Teams (reported elsewhere).

 

The Churchwardens, Ian Rose and Andrew Strong meet regularly with the Vicar to talk about the life of the church, particularly its managerial and administrative needs;

 

Thanks are due, of course, to all the members of the PCC for their dedication, not only in attending the regular PCC meetings but also participating in the Awaydays.

 

2.5   PCC Strategy for the Coming Year

 

Early in 2009 the PCC received reports from our architect, John Deal, on the condition of the Church Hall and Church (Quinquennial Reports).  In particular, the roofs of both buildings will require some attention over the next five years, of a more or less urgent nature. 

 

During 2009 the PCC authorised the replacement of part of the Church roof that needed the most urgent attention and will monitor the condition of the rest of the roof. The PCC receives regular reports on the state of Church property and applies stewardship principles to repair and maintenance.

 

During 2009 the PCC received several donations and legacies, one of which was for a significant sum. These benefits will be held on deposit while we consider the needs of the Church in the next few years.

 

 

 


 

3.    The Clergy View

 

Late in 2009 we were given the news that Nick and Hazel would be leaving us in the early part of 2010 to take up a new ministry in the United Benefice of Shere, Albury and Chilworth in the south of the diocese.

 

3.1 The Vicar and the Curates - Overview of the year

 

At the heart of all we do as Christians is worship.  The styles may be different (quiet and reflective – busy and energetic), but the purpose is the same: to come corporately into the presence of God. Whether you are a Christian of many years experience or an occasional visitor, you risk some sort of meeting with the divine in worship. For some, the response is to be overwhelmed with sadness – as the first bars of a quiet hymn are played through, tears well up. For others, the words of the reading or the sermon give them encouragement and joy, or food for thought through the coming week.  And these surface things represent deeper realities that worship and prayer have the capacity to uncover.  

 

In the long run this brings healing, maturity and renewed commitment – it deepens the desire for worship and prayer – it’s what’s been going on in the parish in 2009 – and it is delightful to God.  We were delighted that Mary-Beth Hawrish and her husband Len shared in our worship during the first three months of 2009, as part of her placement with us as a priest in training.

 

The ongoing challenge is to make worship and prayer accessible to children and adults across the whole age range in an age that provides so many alternative activities for young people on a Sunday morning.

 

Baptism ministry remains an important element of our work (53 in 2009; 49 in 2008) and it is wonderful that a number of parishioners share in the visiting of those who are bringing children of baptism, and the service itself. We celebrated 14 weddings (2008 – 15) and 2 renewals of vows, and conducted 67 funerals in church or at local crematoria (2008 – 56). We are very grateful for all the help and prayer we receive in supporting these families at important moments in their lives, particularly when the events were traumatic or harrowing.

 

The Parish Office saw the departure of Abby during the year for pastures new, and Sarah has increased her hours taking over the role completely. The office contributes enormously to our public profile and we are very grateful to Abby and Sarah, and to all those who continue to work away in the background counting the collection, cleaning a myriad of things, repairing broken things, replacing missing things, finding lost things, making decisions, asking questions, unlocking doors, locking doors, removing notices, putting out cones, tiding things that need tidying, buying things that need buying, finding volunteers . . . and for the way they do it with grace, generosity and love.

 

In an area of the country in which community spirit is not as embedded as in some other places, we work hard to give a variety of opportunities for people to meet one another other than at Sunday services – the men’s breakfasts with Jonathan Aitken and Tim Cross, the Quiz night, ‘Messy Church’, Georgina’s art exhibition, Sue’s ordination and bar-b-que, a ‘Night at the Musicals’, and the November Sermons, were particular highlights.

 

An initiative that really worked this year was the participation by 86 people in the Lent Groups based on the film Chocolat.  We learnt together and we met one another in small informal groups.  What a success!

 

Last year was the second time we did an annual review of stewardship and it shows how important it is to keep this issue in our minds on a regular basis. The results are summarised elsewhere in this report.  

 

The Christian community is a living organism in which there is much movement and change. We are delighted when people come to join us and to make their contribution, and are saddened when others leave. We try to keep in touch with elderly and sick members of our congregation, especially by taking them communion in home or hospital, but we do miss those who are no longer able to come to church or who move away to be close to sons and daughters. We record the deaths of Diana Drew, Derrick Bird, Alan Hicks, Michael Lumley-Kelly, Claude Matcham, Margaret Ashworth, Peggy Bushnell and John Staunton.

Although we rejoice that they rest in God’s care, they will be missed by their family, their friends, and by St Peter’s Church Community. 

 

Life never stands still; we have a new OLM, Sue, who will be priested in July and whose ministry is unfolding.  There will be a new Vicar appointed at some point in the future but, for now, let us give thanks that God journeys with whatever we do and wherever we go. We give thanks that the Trinity of God continues to enable our church to be one of Growing Christians who Worship God and Serve his World.

 

Revd. Nick Whitehead, Revd. Jonathan Andrew & Revd. Sue Gray. 

                                                                                            

3.2 The Churchwardens – Overview of the Year

 

This year, once again, Ian Rose and Andrew Strong, our two Churchwardens, have included their view of the year in the report as their way of making the role of the Churchwarden clearer and of perhaps encouraging others to offer themselves to take up the role.

 

Churchwardens are elected each year and normally serve a four year term.

Apart for the regular Standing Committee and PCC meetings they have meetings with the Vicar (generally over a meal at the “Prince of Wales”), and are often in touch with the Vicar, Curates, the Church Office, and buildings and finance teams.

 

Churchwardens are installed at a Visitation held by the Archdeacon shortly after their election by the APCM as they have legal responsibilities in respect of Church property and the day to day running of the church.

 

What did we do in 2009?

 

During 2009 we worked together very well, carrying out the normal Sunday duties of the Churchwarden and also carrying out our annual inventory of Church possessions, and with no faculties requiring our attention.

 

Altogether things were running quite smoothly with teams functioning well and Suzanne Barrett and her team having completed a good stewardship review.

It was Andrew’s intention to stand down in 2010 so our thoughts were turning to who might replace him.

 

In late October we were called to the Vicarage to be told that Nick had been asked by the Bishop to move on to a new Parish and that in the new year we would have to look for a new Vicar. Apart from the immediate surprise at the news, this meant that we had to work with Nick to ensure that the news was delivered appropriately to the congregation and to begin to understand our responsibilities during the Vacancy, as well as the requirements of the process of finding a new Vicar.

 

We had, also, to ensure the congregation were informed of our progress and to support Nick and Hazel in this new adventure.

 

We met with the Archdeacon to begin to understand the process and have been greatly assisted by him and by information from the Diocese, but the last two months of the year were interesting ones.

 

 

Ian Rose & Andrew Strong


Team Reports

 

4.1  Deanery Synod

 

Highlights of this Year

 

  • Synod met 3 times in 2009; in February at Holy Trinity, Claygate; for Deanery evensong in June at St. Christopher’s, Hinchley Wood and in November at Christ Church, Esher.

 

  • The Bishop’s Call to parishes and deaneries over the next three years has these elements :

 

  • Spiritual maturity
  • Growth in numbers
  • Engagement with the Community

 

          In February Stella Burgess talked about Elmbridge Community

Projects and how we might better fill the vacuum without        becoming a branch of social services.

 

The November meeting heard presentations about a local community project in East Molesey, how the Church Audit at Christ Church Esher is leading to development & growth, Holy Trinity’s involvement with the Sheltered Home congregation in Claygate and the Rolling Prayer initiative at St. Peter’s.

 

Plans for 2010

 

  • The primary objective will be the appointment of a new Rural Dean to succeed Revd. Nick Whitehead. There are vacancies also for a Lay Chair and a Deanery Secretary.

 

  • The first meeting in 2010 at St. Mary’s, Oatlands will hear a presentation from Patrick & Sheila Samuels of the Church Army, reviewing their first 18 months working in the St. John’s estate in Walton.

 

4.2  Ministry Team

 

Highlights of this Year

 

  • We welcomed Mary-Beth Hawrish together with her husband Len on placement from Oxshott Parish as part of her ordination training.

 

  • Revd. Mary Stokes is now a full member of the Ministry Team.

 

  • In July we celebrated the ordination to the Diaconate of Revd. Sue Gray and we have supported her as she has started to exercise ministry as an OLM in the parish.

 

  • We have continued to provide a wide range of preaching styles for the congregation, enhanced by November Sermon preachers and guests representing our Mission Partners.

 

 

Plans for 2010

 

  • To provide stability and continuity in worship and pastoral care as the parish goes into Vacancy following Nick’s departure.

 

  • To pray for Nick and Hazel as they move to Shere, Albury and Chilworth.

 

  • To celebrate Sue Gray’s ordination as priest in July and to continue to support her in her developing ministry.

 

  • Hopefully to welcome our new Vicar to the parish before the end of the year, and to support him or her in ministry.

 

  • To continue to encourage members of the congregation to consider the forms of ministry to which they are called by God, including for some as licensed ministry (as Pastoral Assistant, Licensed Lay Minister (Reader)), or as Clergy.

 

 

4.3  Christian Development Team

 

Highlights of this Year

 

  • Six adults and six youngsters made their public commitment to the faith and were confirmed by Bishop Christopher at St. Peter’s in December. Four other adults also attended the Getting Started/Adult Confirmation course and renewed their baptismal vows at the same service.

 

  • We also ran the Emmaus course “Moving on” with around a dozen people attending one or more of the sessions.

 

  • Our series of three November Sunday evening sermons was again very well attended. Outstanding speakers talked and answered questions on “Ancient Stories for Modern People”, helping us look beyond and through Old Testament stories to hear what they might be saying to us today.

      Our speakers were Revd. Canon Jonathan Frost BD MTh. FRSA, Chaplain of the University of Surrey and Canon Residentiary of Guildford Cathedral, Revd. Mary Bide MA, Rector of St. Mary’s Wimbledon, and Very Revd. Victor Stock OAM AKC FRSA, Dean of Guildford Cathedral.

 

  • The highlight of the year for many of us was the major push during Advent and Easter to involve as many as possible of our congregation in an integrated faith development exercise involving not only a five week course, but also the special seasonal services and meditations.   

      We recruited an enthusiastic band of 15 Lent Group leaders, most of whom had never led groups at St. Peter’s before, and they attracted 86 people to a course entitled Christ and the Chocolaterie, based around the film Chocolat. Attendance at the special Easter services was also good and the Easter Vigil and Chocolate Feast were a fitting culmination

 

Plans for 2010

 

  • Again provide a series of November sermons, possibly together with occasional discussion and workshop evenings on topics of religious, social and contemporary interest.

 

  • Again run Adult and Junior Confirmation classes, together with a “Moving On” Emmaus course if there is sufficient demand.

 

  • Provide a worthy successor to the Chocolat Lent Group experience. 76 people signed up for this year’s course entitled “New World, Old Faith”.

 

4.3.1  Keystones and Keyclub

 

This was a difficult year for Keystones and Keyclub, with decreasing membership on Sunday morning, often due to other calls on parent’s and children’s time.

Our leaders have been working hard to ensure the children who do attend have an interesting and challenging time.

 

4.3.2 TAG

 

Highlights of this Year:

 

 

  • This year has been a great mix of fun and serious times, usually with a fair amount of food.   From pancake making to a chocolate fondue, take-away pizzas, barbecuing in summer to eating out at a tapas bar. Every time we met there were always a lot of games, chatting, laughing and a delightful competitiveness between the boys and girls.

 

  • The members can be serious and have enjoyed discussions with Jonathan and about saints with Nick.

 

  • We visited Claygate to meet with their youth group and to experience a different style of worship.

 

  • Closer to home TAG joined the November sermon discussion by Victor Stock.

 

  • Occasionally TAG are encouraged to think and learn something new and Meg Hill kindly came and explained how the courts work and St. John Ambulance led them in a fun approach to First Aid.

 

  • An evening bowling was matched by a visit to Fenner House to sing carols and on our return we accepted an invitation to sing to the residents of Belgrave Close.

 

  • A drama evening with Oli Rose, of theatrical fame, was special. Also several of us went to the Life of Christ at Wintershall to enjoy the outdoor drama.

 

Several more joined TAG in September and fortunately only one or two of our members left this year.

 

Plans for 2010

 

  • To continue engaging and entertaining our members.

 

  • To encourage TAG members to do more within the church and to touch their sense of spirituality.

 


4.3.3    SPARKS

 

Highlights of this Year

 

  • Beginning in September 2009 SPARKS is held on the 4th Sunday of each month for 9 – 12 year olds.  The main focus of the sessions is on drama based around Christian themes and Bible stories. The sessions are filled with warm-up improvisations, entertaining games and a prayer time.

 

  • SPARKS is led by Summer Greenaway, Alicia Convery and Michael Smith – three talented and enthusiastic teenagers buzzing with great ideas – supported by adult supervisors.

 

  • The leaders and the nine regular members have participated in the Harvest service, the Night at the Musicals and played a key role in the Crib Service

 

Plans for 2010

 

  • Work closely with the Worship & Prayer Team to ensure SPARKS has opportunities to contribute to church services.

 

  • Continue to support and give encouragement for the teenage leaders to experiment with ideas and develop leadership skills.

 

4.3.4    SPAM 

 

 Highlights of this Year

 

  • Our men’s group SPAM (St Peter’s Active Men) continues its role in providing a community of mutual support for the male members of the congregation. Most of us have very busy working and family lives and therefore contact is maintained via e-mail.

 

  • Our main activity remains the regular “First Monday” evening gathering at the Bricklayers Arms when people can drop in when they can and leave when they must. Our annual Curry Night was once again a great success.

 

  • Again we joined in a couple of Saturday morning breakfast meetings organised by the churches in Walton at Esher Rugby Club – speakers were Jonathan Aitkin and Major General Tim Cross.

 

  • The group remains a resource available to help the church in practical ways

 

 Plans for 2010

 

In February 2010 we experimented with a more “substanceful” evening when former congregation member Stig Mogensen led us in a discussion about how we handle conflict. We will consider if there is a demand for more such meetings and consider ways to involve more of the men of the parish in our activities

4.3.5   St Peter’s Fellowship

 

The Fellowship meets in the Church Hall on Thursday afternoons in the winter and in the evenings in the summer. 

 

This year’s programme followed the usual mix of outside speakers, social occasions, quizzes, beetle drives, flower arranging etc.

 

We also enjoyed regular meetings with the Ministry team talking on subjects both sacred and secular.   We shall certainly miss our Vicar for his support and encouragement of the Fellowship throughout his time in Hersham.

 

We were delighted when Sheila Brewster, our Chairman/Hon. Secretary, was able to come to meetings again after many months away because of illness.

 

4.4  Mission Support Team

 

Highlights of the year

 

  • In January/February three volunteers from St. Peter’s – Oli Rose, Des Humphrey and Matt Humphrey – went to Nicaragua for three weeks with the Peace & Hope Trust. The principal practical work was building a bakery for the rock-breaking community of Loma Fresca, Bluefields.    The team distributed school uniforms and materials to many families and entertained the children at two schools in Bluefields and also in La Barra.    On their return Oli and Des gave a talk to the ten a.m. congregation in March.

 

  • The highlight of the year in September was the long awaited visit of Raja, the founder and warden of Amala Children’s Home.  Kim Pollet talked movingly about the provision of clean water and the breakdown of their main pump.  In response to this, Nick proposed that money raised at the Harvest and local school services should go towards providing a new pump.   In the event £1,820 was sent to Amala for this purpose.

 

  • Also in September Mike Cole collected a huge load of school uniforms, clothing and toys, mostly assembled by Sarah Tourell. These items were part of a container load (including 14 sewing machines donated earlier in the year by parishioners) sent to Nicaragua in October.

 

  • For two weeks in October Matt Humphrey staged an exhibition of photographs he had taken in Nicaragua at Canning House the UK centre for Hispanic culture.

 

  • Further fund raising took place in the run-up to Christmas. Sarah Tourell sold Christmas decorations and toys and Sara Langley sold hand-made cards, all in aid of Casa Re-Om, they made £630.

 


Plans for 2010

 

  • Identify a new mission link to succeed St. Christopher’s, Hinchley Wood.

 

  • Encourage more people to become volunteers for the Peace & Hope Trust in Nicaragua or to join groups from other churches going to Casa Re-Om in Mozambique.

 

4.5   Stewardship Team

 

Highlights of this Year

 

The team aims to ensure that Christian Stewardship is seen as a continuing priority within the church community and to regularly ensure the PCC is aware of parish performance, with regards to planned giving.

 

Highlights of this Year

 

  • Held legacy Sunday which emphasised how legacies have been and continue to be a valuable source of funds to St Peter’s.

 

  • Organised a Legacy Information Evening where a representative from a local will writer gave a very informative talk and answered individual questions.

 

  • Wrote to all members of planned giving to thank them for their generosity.

 

  • Encouraged people to review and join planned giving through our annual Stewardship Sunday.

 

 

Plans for 2010

 

  • Continue to ensure that that teaching and preaching about stewardship of money and time and talents remains a priority.
  • Attend a diocesan event to launch Giving for Life, a resource endorsed by General Synod in 2009 to help parishes develop a strategy and identify priorities for stewardship.

4.6  Communication Team

 

  • The web site continues to be an important source of communication for the Church and is updated tirelessly on a regular basis by Richard Espenhahn.

 

  • The weekly news sheets are always popular as they keep the congregation in touch with what is happening at St. Peters.

 

  • This year our Church noticeboards have been improved immeasurably by the efforts of Chris Tourell.

 

  • We also have some good news on our links with the press as Carol Rose became our Press Officer.

 

4.7  Gemmery

 

Highlights of this Year

 

  • Gems has been up and down this year and has seen changes. Numbers fluctuated somewhat seasonally but overall have remained much the same. There has been the usual round of visits to the farm, Easter egg hunting, Mother’s Day, Christmas parties, picnics, fund raising and special days. These bring fun and variety to the group and for a change we had two girls’ nights out to the theatre.

 

  • Lulu finally handed over the running of Monday mornings to Tina Greenaway and Ray Barwell and a team of helpers who kindly came forward. After an initial drop in numbers they have built the morning up and are now thriving.  Baby Gems rises and falls in popularity and attendance was affected by the opening of the Burhill Children’s Centre.    We endeavour to support each other and Sue Hams and Lyn Gargan, managers of the two local centres, have visited Gems.

 

  • The pressure to return to work, the lowering of the age of starting pre-school and the increase in child care vouchers, etc. seem to have affected the recruitment of helpers and leaders as many parents are moving on from the groups earlier. For those that come regularly, as much fun, noise and excitement is had by the children and the support and friendship between the parents is as strong as ever.

 

  • As a group Gems have generously supported Lower Green parents and the Happy Days mother and toddler group.

 

  • The evening cleaners have been brilliant and uncomplaining. The coffee/tea makers, newsletter editor and treasurer are the ones that keep the group ticking over and Nicky (Monday morning) is a great help clearing and cleaning stoically. Much is done by Gems’ helpers to support the running of the church hall. 

 

  • Due to the amount of work involved there were only two holiday club days this year, but they were well attended and we made a slight profit.

 

  • The presence of Gems in the hall leads to much hall hire for parties and our toys are frequently loaned to the families, producing a small commission for Gems. Having the Parish Office along the corridor and the Clergy dropping in from time to time has been brilliant and enhances the link between Gems and the Church

 

Plans for 2010

 

  • To hand over the running of Tuesday mornings to a team of helpers.

 

  • To liaise with Burhill Children’s Centre regarding the continuation of Baby Gems.

 

4.8  Pastoral Care Team

 

  • The Pastoral Care Team continues to support the mission of St. Peter’s by offering practical and caring support to those in need, sensitively and in strict confidence.

 

  • Team members have visited or contacted parishioners who have been referred to them by the Ministry Team and practical help has been given in the form of lifts to church, doctors and hospital.

 

  • Bereavement visitors from the team have proved support to those requesting help after a funeral.

 

Highlights of this Year

 

  • As usual the Team helped to organise the Memorial Service held in April.

 

  • A Christmas lunch held in December for approximately 34 members of the congregation and St. Peter’s Fellowship was very successful.

 

 

4.9  Worship & Prayer Team

 

Highlights of this Year

 

  • Our worship continues to benefit from:

 

-          A variety of preaching styles from our Ministry Team and occasional visiting preachers.

 

-          Our talented Music Group and instrumentalists.   The Songs of Praise Service and Carol Service were again particularly successful.

 

-          The bell-ringers who also do a great job welcoming people to our services.

 

-          Our large team of teen and pre-teen altar servers, whose numbers and commitment are the envy of many parishes.

 

  • The Crib and Carol Services again attract very large congregations.

 

  • The Palm Sunday drama was, as always, a very moving occasion.   A number of people, young and older, took part in a poetical reflection on the passion story.

 

  • Our wedding (14), baptism (53) and funeral (67) ministries are an important part of our outreach into the wider community and we always try to be available for people in our parish even if they are not church attenders.

 

  • Two evenings for meditative prayer and one of Celtic prayer were well attended and much appreciated in Advent.

 

  • Attendance at Morning Prayer, held daily Monday to Saturday at 8.30, continued gently to grow.

 

  • Rolling Prayer, which started in 2008 in response to a particular pastoral need, has continued with between eight and twelve people meeting about every three weeks for 30 minutes of guided prayer followed by a cup of tea at 3 Frith Knowle.

 

  • Two experimental “Messy Lunch” activities in the Church Hall were well received as a way of involving young families and getting to know them better.

 

Plans for 2010

 

  • It would not be appropriate for us to make any significant changes to our pattern of worship during the Vacancy, but the team looks forward to working with our new Vicar to reassess and where necessary amend our service schedule to ensure that it is sensitive to all stages of faith and takes account of the pressures of family life.

 

  • We will consider introducing a new simpler musical setting to complement Rizza’s Mass of the Bread of Life.

 

  • We will hold further “Messy Lunch” events, adjusting the format to include some informal worship and teaching elements.

 

  • Building on the success of the informal Retreat/Quiet Days, eight more will be held this year.

 

  • Again working with our new Vicar, we will pursue the reordering of the Lady Chapel, including designs for wall hangings, a flower shelf, a votive stand and a ceiling hanging. We will recommend to the PCC when they should be introduced in the light of competing parish initiatives. We will also pursue the purchase of new nave altar candlesticks.

 

  • We will encourage the further development of the church’s prayer life including an evening Rolling Prayer group
  • We will seek to improve the quality of reading in church.  We have some superb readers, but some could benefit from training.

 

 

4.10 Music Group

 

Highlights of this Year

 

  • The Music Group continues to support the worship for at least two Sunday morning services each month as well as the special services such as the annual Memorial Service, Songs of Praise, Carol Service and Crib Service.

 

  • There is now a core group of approximately ten singers with numbers augmented at appropriate times by a loyal group of occasional singers.

 

  • We also have a growing number of instrumentalists who come together with the Music Group to support worship at some of the key services in the year.

 

  • Songs of Praise and the Carol Service gave the Music Group an opportunity to sing more challenging pieces appropriate to the occasion.

 

Plans for 2010

 

  • Continue to develop the style and range of the music sung at St. Peter’s.

 

  • Continue to encourage the involvement of younger members of the congregation in our music either as singers or as instrumentalists.

 

  • Introduce a shorter sung communion setting.

 

 

4.11   Sidespeople 

 

Although we have some new sidespeople, new recruits are required each year. It is not a difficult or onerous task so those who attend any service regularly are asked to volunteer.


 

4.12  Young Vines 

 

Young Vines continues to hold services for babies and small children, their parents and carers, on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month in the back of church.

 

Highlights of this Year

 

  • The annual picnic in the Vicarage garden was led by Nick marking the end of another successful year.

 

  • The Christmas service was, once again, well attended with Nick leading the service followed by mince pies and Christmas biscuits.   Many Young Vines also participated in the Crib Service with yet again a Young Vine playing Jesus.

 

  • Another highlight has been Young Vine mums and carers now meeting for evenings out, great for growing support and fellowship towards each other.

 

  • It has also been encouraging to see regular attendance grow throughout the year with parents and children regularly attending Sunday services as well. A few have sadly left to attend school full time but great to see that they have moved into Keystones.

 

  • We have been delighted to welcome Sue Gray as a leader and a vital link to the Ministry Team.

 

  • A welcome addition also is the number of people drawn from the main congregation who have come to help with refreshments and generally give much needed support to children and young mums alike. Margaret Kimmance, yet again, has led the refreshment rota.

 

  • We were all very sad to say goodbye to Nick who has been an incredible support to us all and often going out of his way to help calm a fractious child.   We marked the occasion at his last and memorable service for us with a lot of “duck” presents, singing Nick’s favourite songs and plenty of actions followed by duck biscuits, chocolate cake and lots of goodies.

 

4.13   Baptism

 

During 2009 we baptised 53 children at St Peter's. 

 

It is a great joy for us that so many families want their children to be associated with the church. Our Baptism Team endeavours to make sure that the families feel welcome, both at the rehearsal and on the day, and all families are visited in their homes by a member of the team before the service takes place. This gives those who are not already active members of our church an opportunity to get to know a friendly face and to ask any questions they may have about the service and the promises they will make.  It also gives us a chance to explore with the parents where they are on in their own Christian journey and to introduce them to the work we do with children in Gems, Young Vines, Keystones and the local schools.  For parents not yet in a position to make a full Christian commitment on behalf of their children we continue to offer a simple service of Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child.

 

We hold a rehearsal shortly before each month’s baptism services so that parents and Godparents receive relaxed but serious teaching on the significance of baptism, and we invite all the families for whom we have performed baptisms to be with us at our annual “Thanksgiving for Baptism” service.

 

4.14          Administrative Team

 

Highlights of this Year

 

  • The Office has been busy again this year providing administrative support to our Vicar, the Ministry Team, various church groups and the Parish in general.

 

  • The Office continues to be included in the pastoral heart of the church being the entry point for the community and responding to the various needs of the Parish. It has been the point of contact for arranging 14 weddings, 2 blessings, 53 baptisms and 67 funeral services.

 

  • The Office organised the Confirmation Service on 10th November with 6 adult and 6 teenage confirmees and 4 people refreshing their faith.

 

  • The Office also obtained and sold a range of Christmas goods in the Parish Office and in church making £630 for the Casa Re-om Trust.

 

  • Our thanks again are extended to Richard Espenhahn for ensuring the office PCs are up to date and effective. His help and support is invaluable.

 

Plans for 2010

 

  • To ensure that it’s “business as usual” during the vacancy, making sure everything is covered and our teams, congregation and wider community are supported in their activities.

 

4.15  Churches Together in Hersham

 

Highlights of this year

 

  • The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January included a lunch at the Baptist Church and a service in All Saints Church.

 

  • Lent Lunches were very well attended and raised £600 for The Bishop of Guildford’s Foundation for work locally and in Zimbabwe.

 

  • The Women’s World Day of Prayer service was held in the evening this year at All Saints Church.

 

  • Good Friday saw the annual “Walk of Witness” and hot cross buns served at St. Peter’s.

 

  • Churches Together supported Hersham in Bloom by sponsoring an olive tree – symbolising peace – in the War Memorial garden.

 

  • There has been an increase in numbers attending some of the regular bi-monthly meetings to pray for the community this year.

 

  • In July, Churches Together was present at the Hersham Village Fayre, providing both a “Hand to Foot rub” for footsore adults and a guessing game for the whole family to enjoy.

 

  • In December the annual Christmas Card from the churches was delivered to every household in the Parish and carols were sung outside Waitrose, collecting £130 which was divided between Thames Homeless and Save the Children.

 

Plans for 2010

       

  • To continue to foster inter-church friendship and understanding.

 

  • To work together with Hersham in Bloom to turn the part of the churchyard behind the doctor’s surgery into a wild flower field.

 

  • To organise a Healing Service with Acorn Healing Foundation at St. Peter’s with a view to holding a similar service for the community at large in a non-church environment at a later date.

 

4.16  Bell Ringers

 

Highlights of this Year

 

  • We are pleased to have been able to ring at almost all 10 am services and at all weddings for which bells were requested.

 

  • Cathy Hazel who had not rung since she was fifteen and Lizzie Brett have become regular members of the band.

 

  • A set of eight new bell ropes was donated to the Church.

 

Plans for 2010

 

  • The band remains much smaller than ideal and we will be looking out for new recruits.

 

  • We will try to progress to achieve a better standard of ringing.

 

 

4.17  Fair Trade

 

Although due to other commitments Linda Tao was unable to set up her Fair Trade stall at the back of Church as often as previously, she had good support through orders for non-food items, especially running up to Christmas, and the support of Hersham Baptist meant we did well this year.

 

We are grateful that Linda helps us to assist traders who are trying to make a fair living in the difficult economic conditions facing us all.

 

It is good to see the stall being popular with our congregation; the ginger biscuits and chocolate are always in demand.


 

 

1.         Relationships with Local Groups and Organisations

 

5.1   General Activities

 

Members of our congregation make a wide range of contributions to local organisations and are an invaluable Christian presence in the community as a result - just two examples - reading to children in schools, helping with the local youth club.  This is done without publicity or fuss.

 

5.2    NSCCP

 

The North Surrey Community Counselling Partnership is based in the front office of the Church Hall. We are pleased to have this link with a charity working to provide an affordable counselling service to the local community. From time to time it is a valuable source of specialist information for the Church, and we have also made use of the day courses it runs. 

 

5.3   Schools, Nurseries & Playgroups

 

Highlights of this Year

 

  • The Parish continues its good working relationship with local County schools.

 

  • Jonathan and several parishioners are on the Governing Body of Bell Farm Junior School and he and Nick take assemblies. In April the Bell Farm School Choir came to church one Friday afternoon to join our Young Vines service. St Peter’s Fellowship were also there in force together with many of the children’s parents and grandparents. Again in 2009 we gave each child leaving Bell Farm to move on to secondary school a copy of “It’s your move”, a Scripture Union guide to starting at a new school.

 

  • The relationship with Burhill School is also close, Nick was Vice Chairman of Governors. Parents and children attend four services in church annually at Easter, Harvest, Christmas and a leavers’ service in July.

Nick was also a member of the Governing Body Personnel Committee and participated in interviews to appoint new staff.

 

  • Classes from both schools regularly use the church as a learning resource to explore Christianity assisted by members of the congregation.

 

  • Nick and Jonathan are usually invited to talk to the children at Burwood Playgroup and Burhill Nursery School at Easter and Christmas.

 

  • Nick very occasionally has led assemblies at Rydens School where again several parishioners serve on the Governing Body.

 

Plans for 2010

 

  • In 2010 we will ensure that our church links with the schools are maintained during the vacancy with Sue Gray taking particular responsibility for Burhill School.

 

  • Another joint Bell Farm/Young Vines service will be held in April, and this year we will also be joined by some of the children from Burhill School.

 

 

5.4   Uniformed Youth Organisations

 

We maintain links with the Scouts, Cubs, Guides, and St. John Ambulance groups in the Parish, hosting their annual Carol Service. Jonathan represents the Church at St. John award ceremonies.

 

5.5    The Diocese of Guildford

 

5.5.1   Cathedral Link 

 

Liz Garnish passes on publicity and other material about cathedral events and attends services on our behalf from time to time. Jonathan acts as Cathedral Chaplain several times in the year, providing pastoral and prayer support to people visiting the Cathedral.

 

5.5.2   Other Diocesan links and responsibilities

 

The Vicar became Rural Dean of Emly Deanery in June 2006 to serve for five years. This entails overseeing and chairing three Deanery Synod meetings each year and regular meetings of the Clergy Chapter. During 2009 he had pastoral oversight of the parishes in the Deanery, with special responsibility during vacancies; he met with the Bishop and other Rural Deans from time to time.

The Vicar is a member of the Bishops Council and the Diocesan Synod. Jonathan has been Deanery Treasurer since 2008.

 

5.5.3   Local Ministry Programme – Guildford

          (Formerly Diocesan Ministry Course)

 

In 2009 we had close links with the Local Ministry Programme which trains Licensed Lay Ministers and Ordained Local Ministers.  We have had Licensed Lay Ministers and an Ordained Local Minister from our parish training on the course, and the Vicar is one of the Doctrine Tutors. Students also come to Hersham on placement from time to time.

 

Revd. Canon Hazel Whitehead, is Diocesan Director of Ministerial Training, responsible for the training of everyone in Licensed Lay Ministers and Ordained Ministry in the Diocese. 

 


2.          The Fabric of the Church, the Church’s Interior and Other Buildings

 

6.1  Church Buildings

         

          Church

 

  • In April, the PCC approved a written Health and Safety Policy and a copy of this is posted in both the church and church hall. It can also be seen on the St. Peter’s web site. To comply with this policy, regular checks are made on a series of safety provisions, for example: a weekly check of the fire escape routes, a monthly check of the fire alarm system, a check of the emergency lighting quarterly and before each service at which a very large congregation is expected. Any member of, or visitor to, St. Peter’s is encouraged to bring any concerns on Health and Safety to the attention of the Health and Safety Officer – currently Geoff Trickey.

 

  • We put in hand the works necessary to bring the electrical installations up to current standards. Most of the work recommended in the Fire Assessment Report has also been carried out. It is planned to complete this work in 2010.

 

  • The drains and rainwater pipes around the church have been thoroughly checked and cleared and, following heavy rainfall at the end of the year, each gulley was checked and found to be working satisfactorily. This indicates that the prospect of having to renew some of the soakaways, suggested in 2007 – may not be imminent. Smartwater – a liquid not visible to the eye but traceable with special equipment – has been laid on the lead and copper flat roofs as a deterrent to burglars and signs to this effect are posted outside and inside the church porch.

 

  • A new pump was fitted to the church boiler and at the same time the radiator valves were stripped and cleaned.  However the boiler will need to be replaced before long.  We are hoping, however, that this can be delayed for a year or more by judicious maintenance. The boiler is inspected annually by experts from our insurers and will now be visually checked monthly by our Health and Safety Officer.

 

Plans for 2010

 

  • In addition to the work in monitoring the state of its building and undertaking such maintenance as may arise, we will consider plans to replace the boiler in the church.

 

Church Hall

 

  • As mentioned above, the PCC approved a written Health and Safety Policy and a copy of this is posted in the Church Hall. The Conditions of Hire for the Hall have been amended so as to draw the attention of users to the need to comply with this Policy.

 

  • We put in hand the works necessary to bring the electrical installations up to current standards. Most of the work recommended in the Fire Assessment Report has also been carried out. It is planned to complete this work in 2010

 

  • We were fortunate to obtain the services of the Community Gang to redecorate the inside of the main hall. They are programmed to complete redecoration of the offices and corridors early in 2010.

 

  • The Church Hall kitchen has received an uplift by the replacement of the kitchen doors and drawer fronts, and it is planned to redecorate this room early in 2010.  The Hall environs however continue to create a challenge – the gardens, complete with weeds and undergrowth, continue to grow in extent and stature whilst the DIY Team grows in years but not in numbers!  

 

  • We will need to consider a complete refurbishment of this area before too long, not least because it is a main fire escape route. The replacement of some of the fire exit doors, originally planned for this year, has had to be postponed to early 2010. It is important to keep this building in as good a state of repair as possible as it provides a very great contribution to our income.

Plans for 2010 

 

  • In addition to its work in monitoring the state of its buildings and undertaking such maintenance as may arise, we will also consider plans to improve the hall environs and complete the internal decoration of the kitchen, corridor, offices and toilets.

 

St. Peter’s Lodge

 

  • Another source of income is St. Peter’s Lodge. The rent continues to be paid on this property but it is likely to need refurbishment in the next few years. The PCC will be considering their course of actions with regard to the building.   

6.2    Church Hall

 

Despite the recession it is a joy to report that the number of regular bookings has increased. We now have a Tots Dance class on Friday morning and various new dance classes on Wednesday afternoon including Street Dance.

 

Thanks must go to Geoff Trickey and David Mealor for their excellent work in replacing all the drawer and cupboard fascias in the kitchen. It has transformed the appearance.

 

The RC Sherriff Trust staged a week long Arts Fest for young people during the Summer Holidays making costumes and masks that were used in the Festival of Light held in Walton on Thames.

 

Hersham Churches Together held Lent Lunches on five Thursdays serving wonderful homemade soup, crusty bread and butter. The proceeds were donated to Bishop Christopher’s Lent Call.

 

A team doing Community Service under the  supervision of the Probation Service spent several days giving the main hall and corridors a well deserved coat of paint. The overall effect is one of a clean, bright hall and has received many compliments.

 

Probably the greatest highlight of the year was the staging of “A Night at the Musicals”.  Directed by Deborah Lock and compered by Ian Rose, it included a cast of over forty members of the congregation. Dan Francis played the piano for most of the numbers. Hazel Green, in her 90’s gave us a moving rendition of Mad about the Boy. Another highlight was Summer Greenaway and Michael Smith singing a duet from Phantom of the Opera.

 

Plans for 2010 

 

  • To complete the redecoration of the corridors, toilets and kitchen.

 

  • To replace the interior office door with a new door with glass panels.

 

  • To replace the fire doors.

 

  • To replace the work surfaces in the kitchen.

 

  • To maintain the level of bookings.

 


 

3.         The Identification and Management of Risks

 

The PCC continues to identify and manage the risks which arise from the day-to-day activities of St Peter’s. The PCC categorises the risks that face St Peter’s under the following headings:

 

  • Financial – Risks relating to the fiscal activities of the PCC and the management of the financial affairs of St Peter’s. These risks include those applicable to the best use of the PCC’s financial resources, the availability of funds and risk of fraud.

 

  • Strategic and Operational – Risks relating to the way in which the PCC undertakes the activities of St Peter’s and the safeguarding of physical assets.  Included under this heading are Child Protection and Health and Safety

 

  • Governance and Regulation – Risks relating to external factors which affect the activities of St Peter’s and the regulatory environment in which we operate.

 

  • Reputational – Risks relating to the image and perception of St Peter’s in the wider community.

 

The PCC holds a risk register that identifies the specific risks under each of these categories. It sets out the controls in place to mitigate these risks and the indicators which the PCC has identified to provide assurance that the controls are in place, and continue to act effectively to manage these risks.

 

The major areas of risk are brought to the attention of the PCC for review as a part of the standing agenda over the year and any changes required are minuted and actioned. The major areas on the regular agenda for consideration are the following:

 

  • Annual budget
  • Authority levels
  • Bank mandate
  • Financial reserves policy
  • Health and safety
  • Insurance policies
  • Key-holders
  • Public relations policy

 

During 2009, the PCC approved the Health and Safety policy for the Church and its activities. There were further training sessions for those who would be involved in managing an evacuation of the Church.

 

The PCC is pleased to be able to report that, in 2009, there were no major adverse risk events arising that were not reimbursed by our insurers or otherwise recovered.


8.             Statement of Financial Activities

 

The Treasury Team has responsibility for the stewardship of the PCC’s financial resources.  The team’s activities range from giving strategic guidance to assist the PCC in the assessment of its budgets, the disposition of assets and its fund raising through to the day-to-day accounting for its income and expenditure. This includes the preparation of annual budgets and quarterly accounts for review by the PCC.

 

During the last year, the team undertook the following:

 

  • Review of deposit rates to assess where the PCC should be holding its cash resources

 

  • Proposed the appointment of Warner Wilde Limited as our Independent Examiner to replace Ward Williams following their resignation.

 

  • Put in place the initial planning for the appointment of 3 new members of the Treasury Team.

 

Following the year end and after completing their responsibilities for 2009, Lorelie Staines (Treasurer), Lesley Jackson, who maintained the books of account and Tom Calder, who prepared the quarterly and annual accounts have stood down from the Treasury Team after many years of dedicated service. Our gratitude goes to each of them for their hard work and enjoyable companionship in helping to maintain the PCC’s financial records. They are replaced by Jonathan Dinkeldein, Simon Lumb and Stephen Ind respectively.

 

In Sections 1–6 above, the voluntary activities of St Peter’s are detailed. It is estimated that in 2009 these activities represented about 19,600 (2008: 18,650) unpaid hours given by the members.

 

Set out below are commentaries on the financial results and the Financial Statements for the PCC for 2009.

8.1    Financial Results of Activities

 

In 2009, our regular voluntary income was as follows:

 

 

2009

2008

2007

Voluntary Income*

£100,354

£98,999

£97,261

% Change

1%

2%

0%

 

*Excluding restricted sundry donations, legacies and gifts-in-kind, including the attributable tax benefit.

 


In 2009, our Total Incoming Resources (including all voluntary income, specific donations and legacies) increased by £26,290 due to the net effect of the following:

 

  • Legacies from Claude Matcham and Diana Drew totalling £28,862 (2008: legacies of £2,000)

 

  • Reduced interest income by £3,293

 

  • Other net increases of £2,721

 

 

Our costs this year reduced by £10,713 compared with 2008 largely due to:

 

  • One-off costs in 2008 of retiling the north transept roof at a cost of £8,342, vicarage redecoration £2,960 and tree maintenance of £2,048, offset by

 

  • An increase in our Parish share (our payment to the Diocese) of £2,212 to £67,884 (2008: £65,672). This payment is our share of the costs of clergy, training and other support from the Diocese

 

Overall we had a surplus for the year of £32,068 (2008: a deficit of £4,935) before taking account of fixed asset and investment asset valuation changes and after adjusting for the reimbursement of an overpayment to the Diocese of £5,510 as set out in Note 10(a) to the Financial Statements.

 

In the autumn of 2009 an annual review of stewardship was undertaken. Six new members joined the Planned Giving programme resulting in a total of 149 members pledging over £91,000 per year, a 6% increase from the current membership.

 

 

In 2009 the PCC approved a budget that reflected the current economic environment. If the benefit of one-off legacies is excluded from the result for the year, there was a net surplus of £3,206 showing that the PCC managed its finances very effectively by controlling its expenditure. This was achieved by careful vigilance by the various teams as well the deferral of larger items of possible expenditure. In the event, the receipt of 2 large legacies has enabled the PCC to record a surplus of £32,068. We should be mindful that our finances cannot rely on such receipts in future and therefore we will continue to manage our finances closely. In December 2009, the PCC approved a budgeted deficit of £10,755 for 2010, recognising that this year the PCC will incur additional expenditure due to the interregnum. On this basis, and that the PCC believes that it has sufficient financial resources to meet its currently anticipated needs, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

 

8.2    Policy on Reserves

The PCC retains a range of unrestricted and restricted funds which are described in Notes 10-13 of the Financial Statements. Unrestricted reserves at 31 December 2009 stand at £899,135 (2008:£824,957) as follows:

 

 

2009

2008

 

£

£

Reserve Fund

18,823

 18,121

Future Ministry Fund

30,000

-

Property Related Funds

57,916

 

57,916

Revaluation Reserve

790,000

747,500

Little Gems

2,396

1,420

 

899,135

824,957

 

The Reserve Fund is the PCC’s general reserve and is held to cover its day-to-day activities. 

 

The Property Related Funds are amounts set aside to cover quinquennial repairs or to finance unexpected building costs. The PCC expect that this reserve will be used within the next five years to cover roofing and other costs although it will be replaced as the PCC sees fit, dependent on future building plans.

 

The Revaluation Reserve is principally represented by the Church Hall building and St Peter’s Lodge, a residential investment property.  It is the current intention of the PCC to retain both of these properties for its use and to generate rental income, both of which are important to the PCC’s activities. Therefore this fund will remain for the foreseeable future. The increase in revaluation reserve in 2009 arises from the increase attributed to the Church Hall (£17,500), which is valued on the basis of rebuilding costs which have shown an increase in the year, and the revaluation of St Peter’s Lodge (£25,000) which is valued on an open market basis.

 

The endowment funds, which were legacies from Messrs Blake and Christian and the income of which is used for the purposes set out in note 13 to the financial statements below, experienced a reduction of value this year of £2,300. These funds are managed by the Diocese on behalf of the PCC.

 

It is the PCC’s general policy to use the available funds from Endowment and Restricted funds so as to reduce the call on general income. In this way, this year the Reserve Fund has benefited by £3,331 (excluding amounts funded by special donations) by the use of restricted funds to cover expenses in the year.

 

In 2009, a new fund has been established, the ‘Future Ministry Fund’ which represents monies set aside by the PCC to support new initiatives in the area of outreach and ministry.


 

The PCC’s approach to the management of its reserves is prudent but consistent with the requirement to use its resources to fund its activities to meet its vision.  The policy on reserves is reviewed each year at the time of preparing the financial statements.

8.3    Investment Policy

 

The policy of the PCC has been to invest surplus funds in low-risk interest-bearing investments which provide flexibility without penalty and which meet ethical criteria consistent with the PCC’s vision.  The PCC does not invest its surplus funds in higher risk investments such as equities or longer-term corporate bonds. In 2008, the treasury team reviewed the underlying investments of the COIF Charities Deposit Fund and, after discussion, it was agreed that the fund remains suitable for our use.  This policy has been maintained this year and has safeguarded the PCC’s funds. It is recognised always that particularly in these times of financial turmoil no investment is entirely safe.

 

During the year, the Treasury Team has regularly reviewed the level of funds in the interest-bearing current account to ensure that arrangements were suitable for our needs. Where funds were held in excess of expected needs, transfers have been made to C0IF Charities Deposit Fund which earns a better rate of interest.

8.4    Mission Support Donations

 

It remains the policy of the PCC to donate each year an amount equal to a proportion (currently 12.5%) of its budgeted voluntary income from regular giving, for the work of Christian mission outside the parish, both abroad and in the UK.