St Nicholas with St Mary,

ANNUAL REPORT and ACCOUNTS For 2019

St. Nicholas with St. Mary Strood ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Parochial Name: St. Nicholas with St. Mary, Strood Postal Address: High Street, Strood, Rochester, ME2 4TR Correspondence The Vicar Address: 18 Honeypot Close, Strood, Rochester, Kent ME2 3DU

Parochial Church Council Members for 2019 Rev. David Green (Chairman) Elaine Ford (Church Warden) Ken Reynolds (Church Warden and Deanery Synod Representative from 2014)

Margaret James (From APCM 2018 for three years) Jeff Whiteley (From APCM 2017 for three years) Robert Foxwell (From APCM 2019 for three years and Deanery Synod Representative from 2014)) Andrew Living (From APCM 2017 for three years) Andrew Vince (From APCM 2018 for three years) Sarah Wilkinson (From APCM 2018 for three years) Ube Casely-Hayford (From APCM 2019 for three years) Will Childs (From APCM 2019 for one year)

Ingrid Logan (stood down APCM 2019) Lilian Sheppard (stood down APCM 2019) Robert James (stood down APCM 2019) Sue Marrable (stood down APCM 2019) Julie Vince (stood down APCM 2019) Althea Leonard (stood down APCM 2019) Len Feist (stood down APCM 2019)

Number on Electoral Roll: 102 Independent Examiner: Mr G Viggers Bankers: Barclays Bank, Strood Registered charity no.: 1138948

2 AIMS AND PURPOSES

St Nicholas Church, Strood is a place of worship. We at St. Nicholas with St. Mary seek to fulfil our calling as followers of Jesus Christ. Our primary object is the promotion of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of . The Parochial Church Council cooperates with the minister in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. We do this in many and varied ways, as the reports below will illustrate. In these ways we witness to the love of God shown to us in our lives and would draw others also into the life of discipleship. This witness is not simply a matter of words, but, includes practical service to one another and to the wider world, starting from the knowledge that all are loved by God and precious in His sight. We believe that this journey of faith is important for others to find. We also believe that Jesus is in our midst and therefore we seek to serve one another and the Jesus within and amongst us.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES We continue to develop a vision of ‘welcome’. In pursuance of this mission during the year we have: 1. Continued to look at the facilities of the church buildings and to move forward in improving them for future and current users. 2. Continued to make preparations for enabling the Worship area of the church be made more available for the onward mission of the church. 3. The smart screen has proved invaluable for groups using the vestry. It also continues to be important to families attending our 10.30am Service on Sundays, enabling them to have that option of seeing the service on the screen whilst their children play with the toys provided. This is part of our vision of opening up the church to all age-groups. 4. The halls continue to provide a facility to many community and church groups. 5. We continued to maintain good relations with the schools in our Parish, most of which come to church for Carol and Christingle services, and the Vicar took assemblies in the schools throughout the year. We have a particularly close relationship with St. Nicholas CE (Controlled) Infants School and provided a New Testament to each of the leavers at the end of the school year. The Vicar, Brian Davis and Ken Reynolds, our Director of Music, lead worship there every week and the school attend two Sunday morning services at the church and a midweek Easter worship. We continued to benefit from the expertise of our Financial Analyst, Sue Davis, during the year and very much value the work that she does for us. Sue kept our accounts in order, was always available to answer our financial questions, and attended the Standing and Finance Committee meetings. She regularly informed us of the financial situation of the church.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE At the centre of our church life are the Sunday services. The Eucharist is very important to us here and so we have a 9.00am BCP service and a 10.30am Sung

3 Eucharist every Sunday. We have a Solemn High Mass once a month on a Sunday evening, with a guest speaker and celebrant. We also offer BCP Evensong once a month. We have All-Age services at Harvest, Mothering Sunday and Christmas, making those special for families.

Average weekly attendance: 82 Baptisms: 18 Confirmations: 1 Reaffirmation of Faith: 1

- The Drop-in Centre on Thursdays and the Saturday morning Coffee Shop provide opportunities for community engagement, particularly for those who are isolated and lonely. - We continued to open our halls for community use and maintained good relationships with groups. - There have been special services throughout the year, to which we invite those outside the normal congregation. One of these which was particularly valued was the 10.30am Service on All Saints Sunday, to which we invited those who had been bereaved during the past year.

Much of our achievements and performance will be seen in the various group reports shown below.

Financial Review

During the year, PCC general income decreased by £1,420 (2019 £84,068, 2018 £85,492) mostly due to a reduction in fees of £1,525 and a decrease of hall rental income of £2,599. There was offset in part by an increase of £650 in fundraising income and £609 increase in donations.

General expenditure increased by £2,389 (2019 £84,611, 2018 £82,222 mostly due to an increase in parish offer of £1,200, and an increase in repairs of £2,255.

Total cash and balances held in bank accounts at the end of 2019 stood at £40,157 (2018 £35,897).

It is the policy of the PCC to spend reserves under its stewardship to deliver its vision for the future and the PCC continues to discuss the best ways to use its funds to meet God’s purpose for the parish of Strood and the wider community. Recognising its intention to have a curate in the parish, the PCC designated its investments in the CBF Investment Fund so that the income from them would be used for the housing and day to day expenses of an assistant curate (the investments had previously been held in the general fund).

Of the total cash resources of £40,157 at the end of 2019, £18,130 (2018 £16,173) was held in funds designated for the repair of the church, the installation of a lift to the upper hall and the music fund. £4,068 (2018 £3,666) was held in various restricted funds. 4

The trend seen in recent years of income coming under pressure and rising costs has continued. The reliance on rental income, car park income and fundraising are assisted by tight controls on expenditure, but is expected to continue in the coming years, The PCC is fortunate to have three halls which are substantially used by the local community. Hall rental income in 2019 contributed significantly (2019 27%, 2018 30%) to the PCC’s general income as did car park income (2019 17%, 2018 17%); the PCC is dependent on maintaining rental income at this level, without which it would not be able to make ends meet. The PCC recognises that it must continue to work to increase its voluntary income and in 2020 is planning to run a stewardship campaign.

We thank God that despite the difficult economic climate, St Nicholas is managing to make ends meet and has been able to make significant improvements to the church and grounds in recent years as a result of the reserves entrusted to it. We pray for guidance in directing resources to best serve His purpose.

Policy Statements

Liquidity

It is the policy of the PCC to generally maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the charity, at a level which equates to approximately three months unrestricted expenditure. This provides sufficient funds to cover management, administration and support costs, and to respond to emergency expenditure and applications for grants that arise from time to time. Unrestricted funds were just under this level at the end of the year. In 2019 we were notified of a legacy that would be received in 2020, the majority of this was received in March 2020 and was £263,000 into general funds.

Risk Management

The church insurance is reviewed on a regular basis. Cheques are signed by two signatories. Any potential hazards which come to the PCC’s attention are dealt with as soon as possible.

Safeguarding

At the first meeting of a new PCC the House of Bishops’ ‘Promoting a Safer Church: Safeguarding Policy Statement’ is read out and formally adopted by the PCC. A Parish Safeguarding Officer is appointed and details of those to contact if there are any concerns are displayed in church. The PCC adopts the Safeguarding Policy of the Church of England.

5 AWAY GIVING

We gave to four charities in 2019. They were as follows: USPG, Crisis, Friends of Kent Churches and Friends of Rochester Cathedral.

BEREAVEMENT AND PASTORAL GROUP

This group meets six or seven times per year. Members of the group visit those people who have been bereaved during the year and invite them along to the annual Memorial Service, which takes place in March/April. The group also takes on the role of considering any in the congregation who particularly need pastoral help.

COFFEE SHOP

This takes place in the lower hall of the church every Saturday morning, 10.00am – 12.00noon and provides a very valuable point of contact with the Strood community as well as raising funds for the church. It has been very successful in both these areas and is an important arm of our outreach as a church.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH WORK

Sunday Club met on the second Sunday of each month. During the session they sang children's hymns and had a brief craft/learning activity based around the second reading (gospel). The Sunday club was aimed towards families who regularly attended church, and, mostly comprised of 2 families with the occasional attendance of others. Due to ill health one family has ceased taking part and the last session was in October.

CHIT CHAT GROUP

This informal group continues meeting monthly on a Tuesday afternoon.

DEANERY SYNOD

There were two meetings of the Strood Deanery Synod during the year. The first meeting of the year was held on the 6th June at All Saints . Billy-Jo O’Leary Project Coordinator from Kent, for Home for Good which partners with the Diocese of Rochester and the Diagrama Foundation which is charitable fostering and adoption agency. She presented an overview of the work of the foundation which seeks to raise awareness of the needs of vulnerable children and young people. Their vision is to find a home for every child who needs one and they help churches to understand how they can help.

The next meeting was held on 6th November at Hoo St Werburgh. At this meeting Jane Winter, Facilitator for Formation, Learning and Discipleship from the 6 Diocesan Ministry Department, led an introduction to Unconscious Bias. The members considered what it meant: preconceived ideas, labelling, biases carried and generated through upbringing and culture. Unconscious bias can be detrimental, it can build walls and can result in exclusion of others “not like us”. Jane outlined the biblical links and how we might address these issues in parishes.

Ken Reynolds

DROP-IN CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2019

The Strood Drop-in Centre continues to fulfil a great need in our community. Guests come from a wide area and different backgrounds. We have regular visits from the Church’s congregation, special needs clients, isolated people, local residential home, referrals from other agencies and homeless people and visitors to the Church from far and near.

We house the Food Bank voucher scheme which is operated by two Church members and overseen for safety by the Coordinator. Membership of the Safer Partnership and the contact radio system ensures the safety of not only our guests but the Volunteers also. We are grateful to Cllr Steve Iles for his donation of Ward Funds to cover the annual cost of £312. The radio meant another incident free year. The weekly running of the Drop-in is completely financed by donations given each week. Refreshments continue to be free as are the two events staged each year. These are a summer picnic type lunch and a Christmas party/lunch. Use of the lower hall has been invaluable as it not only gives us more space, but room set aside for privacy during Food Bank enquiries. During the year we also purchased a lockable metal cupboard for our refreshment items and paperwork papers. This is now kept in what was the front office of the hall, also kept locked.

One new Volunteer joined us during the year and our original group continue to give freely of their time to support our guests.

We have now completed five years and it seems the continued need will keep the Drop-in going on for future years. Our gratitude goes to St. Nicholas Church who not only provide the venue but have also agreed to work with us in providing this service.

Rita Hunt, Leader. Coordinator Strood Drop-in Centre

ELECTORAL ROLL

7 Number of people living within the parish 54 Number of people living outside the parish 48 Number of women 72 Number of men 30 Total 102

FABRIC REPORT

The year was relatively quiet mainly comprising minor repairs and general maintenance.

Later in the year we discovered that the hatch on the top of the tower had been lifted, probably by the wind, and as a result the tower rooms became a pigeon hotel with all the mess that they produce. There were also a number of dead ones. The two top chambers were extremely smelly and indeed toxic so for safety reasons we had to employ a company to clear and clean the rooms to make them safe.

In addition, much discussion took place about our plans re-ordering the church and the external illumination being provided by and part of the upgrade of Strood Town Centre

HALL GROUP

The Church has two halls and the Swain vestry for the use of both the congregation and outside groups, for social and fund-raising events. The Upper Hall is used by the Playgroup on five mornings and four afternoons a week. In the evenings and weekends the hall is used by the Rainbows, the Gambler’s Anonymous group, Irish Dancing, the Alcoholics Anonymous. Groups using the Lower Hall in the day have included a Home-Schooling group, Medway Foodbank, Drop-in Centre and a Computer class for disabled people. In the evenings the groups included Alcoholics Anonymous, Strood Fellowship, a Karate group, a Belly Dancing class, Irish Dancing classes, Strood Gardening Club, Friends of Medway Archives and a Street Dance class. A Coffee Shop is held every Saturday morning. The hall is also used for parties, jumbles and table- top sales and as one of the venues for the Medway Night Shelter during its first phase in January-February. The Swain Vestry is used by the COGS group, the Punjabi Christian group, the Luxor group, the Drop-In centre, Chit Chat Club, Floral Art group, Compassionate Friends, Yoga classes, Cocaine Addiction, a Parent/Carer Forum, an Exercise class, Strood Rural and District Labour Party and for Band practices. It is also used for Christian Meditation, PCC meetings, occasional committee meetings, assembling the parish magazine and by the Choir on Sundays.

8 Although some groups stopped using the halls during 2019 they were soon replaced by others.

HOME GROUPS

Homegroup at 42 Jersey Road The homegroup meets on the second Monday of each month at 8.00pm to study a particular book of the Bible. During 2019 we studied The Acts of the Apostles.

Christian Meditation Group Christian Meditation is a form of contemplative prayer and the aim is to allow God’s mysterious and silent presence within us to become more and more not only a reality but the reality which gives meaning, shape and purpose to everything we do, everything we are. We come to this through the saying of a mantra, or prayer word, ‘maranatha’, an Aramaic word and a very early Christian prayer. The meaning of the word is ‘Come, Lord’. There is an introductory reading, followed by meditation for thirty minutes. The group meets weekly, on Friday mornings.

MAGAZINE GROUP The magazine editorial group, comprising of five people, meets three times per year, to discuss the magazine. There are many other people involved in the circulation of the magazine giving their time to print, fold, staple and deliver.

MUSIC REPORT Regular choral services are maintained on each Sunday. At the morning service we sing settings of the music for the Eucharist and also a wide range of hymns both traditional and modern. The choir also sing at our Solemn High Mass at 6.30 on the third Sunday and at 5pm Evening Prayer on the fourth Sunday. We continue the choral tradition of chanting the Psalms as well as hymns at both of these services. The choir also attends a number of other special services during the course of the year. Our choir makes a significant contribution to all of our worship and their work and dedication is very much appreciated. I would also like to add my thanks for everything they do and their constant support and loyalty. We are always happy to welcome new members please think about joining us. Ken Reynolds

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL The full Council has met six times during the year 2019. At the start of 2019 there were three ex-officio members of the Council and twelve elected members. Average attendance at meetings was 73%. Sue Vallente-Kerr, the Pioneer Minister, attended two meetings.

9 At the first meeting after the APCM, in May 2019, Sue Marrable was co-opted on to the PCC and appointed as Secretary to the PCC. Ube Casely-Hayford was also appointed as Safeguarding Officer and The PCC accepted the Safeguarding Statements of the Church of England. Rev David Green, Jeff Whiteley, Elaine Ford, David Acott, Ken Reynolds, Sarah Wilkinson, Sue Marrable and Sue Davis (Financial Advisor) were appointed to form the Standing Committee. Financial reports prepared by Sue Davis, our financial advisor, were considered and approved at each meeting. Sue Davis attended the PCC meeting in March to discuss the financial report prior to the APCM. During the year the PCC received reports from the Hall and Vision groups. There were also updates on the fire assessment reports of the church. The PCC discussed the reordering of the Worship Space and Medway Council’s Lighting Project for the church.

SOCIAL AND GENERAL FUND-RAISING GROUP

Aims: To provide the social links within our Church and to extend these to the local community. To encourage and involve the congregation to be part of fund-raising events of our Church. Objectives: SOCIAL To try to target all ages within our Church and community. FUNDRAISING To use a variety of events to encourage wide participation and interest.

In 2019 we held Book, Jumble, and Boot Fairs. We had a regular Saturday Coffee Shop and a Christmas Bazaar, these events bring in many local people and create a lovely atmosphere to share. There was a Concert, Quiz Evening, an Afternoon Tea with Country Dancing, a Harvest Supper with Country Dancing, which included the children of St Nicholas Infant School’s Scottish Dance Group performing. There was a special service held in September, with refreshments after, to celebrate Jeff Haward’s 100th birthday, Rev David’s 20 years with us and Ken Reynold’s 50 years of church organ playing. During Lent Smarties tubes were given out to be returned filled with money at Easter, these helped support our charities.

STANDING AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

Aims: To meet prior to each PCC meeting and to think through the Agenda for that meeting, making any necessary recommendations to the PCC. The Committee also makes interim decisions for the PCC when that is appropriate. To work with the Accounts Adviser, who prepares the accounts for us and gives us advice as to our financial position.

10 STROOD FELLOWSHIP

The Strood Fellowship meets monthly, normally on the evening of the third Monday of each month, to participate in social and educational events and for mutual support and fellowship based upon Christian values. Membership is open to all men and women living, working or worshipping in Strood and its surrounding areas, in return for an annual fee and a small payment at most meetings.

WORSHIP GROUP

The Worship Group met regularly throughout the year. Its aim is to be a forum for discussion on every aspect of worship in our church. This includes consideration of the services we provide now, reviewing those which have taken place since the group last met and also looking ahead, putting forward ideas for the future. The group is useful also in discussing any feedback about services from the congregation.

11 Independent Examiner’s Report to the PCC of St Nicholas with St Mary, Strood

This Report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2019, which are set out in this annual report, is in respect of an examination carried out under Regulation 3(3) of the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 (“ the Regulations”) and section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider the audit requirement of Regulation 3(3) of section 144(2) of the Act do not apply. It is my responsibility to issue this report on those accounts in accordance with the Regulations.

Basis of this report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act and to be found in the Church guidance, 2006 edition, issued by the Finance Division of the Archbishops’ Council. That examination includes review of the accounting record kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent Examiner’s statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and

- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirements of the Act and the Regulations have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Date: 16 April 2020

Mr Gordon Viggers ACA 74 Woodstock Road Sittingbourne Kent ME10 4HN

12