Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church

St Paul’s Church, Woodford Bridge, IG8 8BT

Annual Report

and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council for the Year ended 31st December 2020

Incumbent: The Revd Ola Franklin The Vicarage 4 Cross Road Woodford Green Essex IG8 8BS

Bank: Charity reference Independent Examiner: Barclays Bank plc number 1128474 Mr Michael Green Loughton and Woodford Branch 41 Buckwoods Road 33 The Broadway Braintree Woodford Green Essex CM7 1D Essex IG8 0HJ

1 ST PAUL'S CHURCH, WOODFORD BRIDGE Annual Vestry Meeting and Annual Parochial Church Meeting 2021 Sunday 25th April at 12:20 on Zoom after the Online Morning Worship

AGENDA

1. Opening prayers

VESTRY MEETING

2. To elect two Churchwardens

3. Apologies for absence

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

4. Draft Minutes of APCM held on 11 October 2020 (attached) To note

5 (a) Presentation of the Electoral Roll (b) To appoint 3 PCC members for 3 years, resulting from the retirement after 3 years' service of Aimée Ayres, Nathaniel Ayres and Owen Frankish (c) To appoint 2 PCC members for 2 years, resulting from 2 unfilled vacancies at the 2020 APCM (d) To appoint 2 PCC members for 1 year, resulting from 2 unfilled vacancy at the 2019 APCM

6. Finance: (a) Treasurer's Report (b) To receive the audited Accounts (c) To agree that the PCC will decide who to appoint to audit the 2021 Accounts

7. To receive: (a) Churchwarden’s Report (attached) (b) Deanery Synod Report (attached)

8. Any other business

9. Date of next APCM- TBC

10. Closing prayers

St Paul’s Church, Woodford Bridge Draft Minutes of APCM held on 11th October 2020 Present: C Adams, S Adams, A Ayres, O Ayres, N Ayres, S Ayres, Revd A Bolding, P Bolding, J Croke, C Dillon, T Dent, A Edwards, P Elgar, Revd Ola Franklin, M Leonard, R Monks, Rev I Monks, V Hunt, P Malam, S Malam, Revd E McCafferty, L Stevens, Apologies: J Leonard, P McCafferty, P Varughese, Chair: Revd O Franklin Minutes: Revd O Franklin

Vestry Meeting Election of Two Churchwardens The Chair thanked Paul Malam and Len Stevens for serving as churchwardens for the past 18 months. Two nomination papers had been received for churchwarden. One for P Malam (proposed by P Bolding and seconded by L Stevens) and one for L Stevens (proposed by P Bolding and seconded by P Malam). There being no other nominations, the Chair declared that the nominees were elected.

APCM Draft Minutes of previous APCM held on 28th April 2019 The draft minutes of the previous APCM held on 28th April 2019 were duly noted. 3. (a) Electoral Roll There are currently 73 people on the electoral roll. 31 are resident in the Parish and 42 are non-resident. The Chair thanked S Malam for her role as Electoral Roll Officer. (b) PCC - appointment of new members Three PCC members had come to the end of their three-year terms: C Adams, S Adams and P Elgar. The Chair thanked them for serving. The Chair had not received any nominations to succeed them so these vacancies will remain open. There remained 3 PCC vacancies for 2 years (until the APCM 2022) resulting from unfilled vacancies at the 2019 APCM. P Varughese was nominated by L Stevens and seconded by P Bolding. The Chair declared P Varughese elected. The Chair thanked PCC members for their contribution to the life of St Paul’s. (c) The Chair thanked R Monks, who had come to the end of her 3-year term as a Deanery Synod Representative. Nominations for the following 3 years as Deanery Synod representatives had been received: J Leonard, proposed by J Croke and R Groves; M Leonard, proposed by P McCafferty and P Malam. The Chair declared J Leonard and M Leonard elected. 4. Finance (a) Treasurer’s Report L Stevens had presented the accounts for 2019 prior to the meeting. The Chair thanks him for his ministry as Treasurer. (b) To receive the audited Accounts The audited accounts were received. (c) To agree that the PCC will decide who to appoint to audit the 2020 Accounts It was agreed that the PCC would decide who to appoint to audit the accounts.

3 5. Other Reports To receive (a) Churchwarden’s Reports The reports of P Malam and L Stevens had been circulated prior to the meeting and were taken as read. (b) Deanery Synod Report The report had been circulated prior to the meeting and was taken as read. 6. Any Other Business In response to a question, the Chair said that the Toilet Project had been delayed for several months whilst awaiting a response from one of the national amenity societies. The project architects have been asked to address the issues raised by the parish appointed architect and it was hoped that the formal application would meet the November deadline for the next DAC meeting. 7. Date of next APCM 11.15am on 25th April 2021. 8. Closing Prayers The meeting closed with the Grace.

4 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S, WOODFORD BRIDGE, IG8 8BT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 TOTAL Unrestricted Restricted Endowment FUNDS Notes Funds Funds Funds 2019 £ £ £ Incoming resources Voluntary income 2a 68,257 75,208 Activities for generating funds 2b 3,500 7,653

Income from investments 2c 24 87 Church activities 2d 20,300 37,152 Other incoming resources 2e 14,900 14,550 Playgroup 10 () 108,327 107,044 134,587 Total incoming resources Resources expended

Costs of generating voluntary income 3a 0

Fund-raising trading costs 3b 0 0 Church activities 3c 14,096 14,544

Ministry Costs 3d 80,428 96,261 Playgroup 10 () 112,010 Total resources expended 94,524 110,805

Net incoming/(outgoing) resources gains/losses, inc. Playgroup Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assets Gains/(losses) on investment assets 5 Net movement in funds 6 Total funds brought forward at 1 January 2019 43,092 29,540 Total funds carried forward at 31 December 2019 56,163 43,092

(-3,684) PLAYGROUP - balance 31/12/20 1,556

5 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S, WOODFORD BRIDGE, IG8 8BT CHARITY COMMISSION REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1128474 BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

Notes 2020 2019

£ £ Fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets 5 1,130,000 1,130,000

Investments 6 0

Total fixed assets 1,130,000 1,130,000

Current assets Stock Debtors 8 0 355 Cash at bank and in hand Covenant account - as above. 33,579 11,327

Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 9 0 1,261 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year 9 0 1,261

Net current fluid assets

NET ASSETS

Unrestricted Funds, including cash in safe 7 22,584 31,765

Endowment funds 10 0

Restricted funds 10 667 666

Covenant account - as above. 33,579 11,327

TOTAL HELD AT BANK: 56,163 43,092 Playgroup balance carried forward 31/12/19 (1,556 ) (- 3,684)

56,163 43,092

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 15th March 2021 and signed on its behalf Revd. Ola Franklin, Chair.

6 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S, WOODFORD BRIDGE, IG8 8BT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

2 Incoming resources TOTAL FUNDS 2020 2019 Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ £ a Voluntary income Planned giving 28,173 28,415 Collections at all services 3,108 8,945

Donations and appeals, incl. charities 16,448 18,835 Income tax recoverable 10,978 11,853 Grants 10,000 0 Legacies nil 68,707 75,208 b Activities for generating funds Fetes, bazaars and other fund-raising events 3,500 7,653 Bookstall sales and magazine adverts 0 0 3,500 7,653 c Investment income Dividends and interest 87 24 87 24 d Income from Church Activities Church hall lettings etc 16,166 25,876 Occasional Offices-weddings, funerals,etc 4,131 11,256 Textile group / Seniors club 3 20 20,300 37,152 e Other incoming resources Party deposits received 50 150 Insurance claims nil 0 Rent - School House 14400 14,400 14,450 14,550

Total incoming resources 134,587 134,587

Other: Fees to Chelmsford Diocesan

Board of Finance - wedding/funeral fees 856 1,959

7 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S, WOODFORD BRIDGE, IG8 8BT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

3 Resources expended TOTAL FUNDS 2020 2019 Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ £ a Costs of generating voluntary income Stewardship costs Covenant account

b Fund-raising trading costs Fete costs Bookstall nil 0 c Church Activities Missionary and charitable giving: Overseas: Kenyan Street Children, Utugi Centre 8,000 8,000 Home: 13 PCC nominated charities x £100 1,300 5,850 Senior's Social Club 0 32 Other: 425 126 Trussell Trust - Redbridge Food Bank 785 536

10,510 14,544

Ministry costs: Diocesan Parish Contribution 45,708 52,150 other clergy costs 339 528 Church running expenses 15,079 12,401 Church maintenance 822 9,031 Upkeep of services 197 324 Upkeep of churchyard 875 0 Parish magazine 212 1,091 Sunday Club / youth work costs 0 117 Church hall running costs 14172 13,649 Bank charges / depreciation 349 Vicarage - utilities and decoration nil Playgroup 2,600 4,504 Toilet Costs 2517 IT microphones, etc 1069 Total resources expended 94,524 110,805

Other- Fees to Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance - wedding/funeral fees 856 1,959

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S, WOODFORD BRIDGE, IG8 8BT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

4 Staff costs 2020 2019 £ £ a Wages and salaries 5,018 5,018 playgroup contribution 2019 - 1,479 1,479 6,497 6,497 During the year the PCC employed a hall cleaner, part time. The wages and social security costs related to the hall cleaner were met by her being included on the Playgroup payroll with the church funds reimbursing part costs to the playgroup account. b Costs (£5018) to the playgroup account, and the Playgroup contributing the remaining £1479 in lieu of rent.

5 Tangible fixed assets Freehold land Church TOTAL and buildings equipmentPAROCHIAL CHURCH2019 COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S, WOODFORD BRIDGE, IG8 8BT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019 Cost or valuation £ £ £ At 1 January 2014 1,130,000 10 Statement 1,130,000of funds Additions Disposals Bal b/fwd Income Revaluation 1 Jan 2019 At 31 December 2019 1,130,000 1,130,000 Unrestricted Fund £ £ Depreciation Covenant account 5065 16692 At 1 January 2014 General accounts 19800 110117 Provided in the year Desig funds -a+b+c. 2114 Disposals 26979 135737 At 31 December 2014 330 31st Dec '18 Restricted Fund Net book amounts St Paul's playgroup 11075 115,413 At 31 December 2019 1,130,000 Spire lighting1,130,000 fund 0 Organ/piano 666

The freehold land and buildings comprise the Church Halls and the School House. Balancing For accounting item: purposes these were 0 revalued in 2005. Total funds 45399 6 Investments

£ Fees to Diocesan Board Finance shown in accounts

The unrestricted fund includes a designated sum of £1459 which the PCC has set aside for the Kenyan Street Children project(a the School House(b) and £705 for the halls(c).

The restricted funds comprise the organ / piano fund which is monies dedicated to the maintenance of these assets and other Market value 31 December 2020 nil musical provision.

9 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S, WOODFORD BRIDGE, IG8 8BT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

7 Analysis of Net assets by fund Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Funds Comparison Funds Funds Funds 2019 £ £ £ Church assets: insurance valuation hall- 910,000; house- 220,000 1,130,000 1,130,000 1,130,000 Investment fixed assets

Current assets 55,472 666 56,138 43,092 Current liabilities Long term liabilities 1,186,138 666 1,186,138 1,173,092

8 Debtors

Income tax recoverable (blue envelopes) 2657 3633 Prepayments and accrued income

Other debtors (water rate) 300 48 2957 3681

9 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Deferred income - 2021 wedding fees 0 200 Accruals for utilities/ other costs - UWDC Dec energy used 996 1061 Other creditors

996 1261

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Wedding deposits for 2022 nil 100

100

10 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S, WOODFORD BRIDGE, IG8 8BT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

10 Statement of funds

Bal b/fwd Income Expenditure Transfers, Bal c/fwd 1 Jan 2020 other gains 31 Dec 2020 and losses Unrestricted Fund £ £ £ £ Covenant account 11,327 23,921 1,669 33,579 General accounts 28,008 74,489 84,855 17,642 Desig funds- a+b+c. 3042 8,634 8,000 0 3676 42,377 107,044 94,524 54,897 770 31st Dec '19 cash in safe: 31st Dec '20 599 Restricted Fund St Paul's playgroup -3684 90,861 89,305 0 1,556 Spire lighting fund 0 0 Organ/piano 666 1 0 0 667

Balancing item: 49 0 --520

Total funds 43,092 56,163

Fees to Diocesan Board Finance shown in accounts

The unrestricted fund includes a designated sum of £1459 which the PCC has set aside for the Kenyan Street Children project(a); £568 for the School House(b) and £705 for the halls(c). The restricted funds comprise the organ / piano fund which is monies dedicated to the maintenance of these assets and other musical provision.

11 ST. PAUL’S CHRISTIAN PLAYGROUP ACCOUNTS

12 TREASURER'S REPORT

Independent examiners report to the PCC of St Paul's. Woodford Bridge.

This report on the financial statements of the for the year ended 31 December 2020, which are set out on the following pages and is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 ( "the Regulations")and s.43 of the Charities Act 1993 ( lithe Act")

Respective responsibilities of the and the examiner

As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements; you consider that the audit requirement of the Regulation and 5.43(2) of the Act does not apply. It is my responsibility to issue this report on those financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Regulations.

Basis of this report.

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under s.43(7)(b) of the Act and to be found in the Church guidance, 2006 edition. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements 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 audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiners statement

In connection with my examination, no matter came to my attention:

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

- to keep the accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act;

And

- to prepare financial statements, 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.

Green

13 Vicar’s Report: Church Life in 2020 St. Paul’s Woodford Bridge exists to worship God, lead people to Christ, build a loving Christian community, and serve a world in need. As well as our regular Sunday services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of new life; in marriage, public vows are exchanged with God’s blessing; and through funeral services, family and friends express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world, commending the person into God’s keeping. Our parish registers show the number of these occasional offices during 2020: 3 baptisms, 3 marriages, and no church funeral services. These figures are much lower than in previous years. In January our Mission and Ministry Partnership was commissioned by the Rt Revd Peter Hill, Bishop of Barking, at a service hosted in St Paul’s along with our partnership churches: St Fran- cis, St George, Holy Trinity and St Laurence, Barkingside. St Andrew’s, Great Ilford joined the Partnership later in the year. Also in January we joined the Woodford Fellowship of Christian Churches for a service marking the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, held at St Barnabas, Woodford Green. A joint service for Ash Wednesday was held at St Laurence, and a service for Ascension Day was hosted by St Paul’s via Zoom. Our children’s Holiday Club took place in February for a morning of Bible teaching, games and craft based on the Parable of the Sower. Children from our Sunday Club were joined by children from the local area who don’t come to St Paul’s. Our Lent course for 2020 was: Confidence in a Complex World, based on 1 Peter. Three weeks into the course came the first national lockdown due to the COViD-19 pandemic; the Lent course meetings were abandoned and the church building was closed. From March onwards, we were living and working around the disruption caused by the pandemic. Services in church resumed at the start of July; risk assessments were completed and hygiene measures were established to keep people safe when attending church. In the meantime we held online services, using Zoom, from Ascension Day onwards. Recordings of the services were eventually posted on a newly-established YouTube channel. A Facebook page was set up in April, with prayers, messages, news and recordings of services. This has continued to reach a good number of folk who don’t attend services at St Paul’s. Our Annual Memorial Service, Christmas Fair and Carol Service were all held online. The church closed for a second national lockdown during November, but re-opened for services in December, including Christmas Day. Online services have continued each week. We would like to thank all the volunteers who work hard to make our church the community it is. In particular we want to mention our Churchwardens, Mr Paul Malam and Mr Len Stevens (also our Treasurer) who have continued to work hard and faithfully on our behalf.

The Revd Ola Franklin - Vicar

Churchwardens’ Fabric Report – 2020 The calendar year 2020 was dominated and blighted by the onset of the Covid19 virus from March, leading to a virtual cessation of all on-site church activity. We at St. Paul’s have been greatly blessed in matters of property maintenance by the Herculean efforts of Alan Bolding, one of our curates, and his wife Pauline in committing themselves to a complete overhaul and refreshment of the paintwork and décor in the halls and the rejuvenation of the churchyard. They have been unstinting of their time and energy, and we are truly grateful. Others within the church family have joined them to renovate the churchyard - the working season ended in November with the planting of 80 rose bushes in the churchyard, on neglected graves exposed by the renovation and elsewhere as appropriate. The churchwardens wish to acknowledge the help and support we have received from Redbridge Borough Council during 2020 in the maintenance of the churchyard, clearance of green waste and cutting of the churchyard hedge. Without their help the task would have been so much more arduous. The Wardens and church family look forward to the halls being in full use again, as easing of Covid regulations allow, and appreciate the efforts made to make their use a more pleasant experience for all.

Paul Malam and Len Stevens - Churchwardens

14 Redbridge Deanery Synod Report 2020 Covid 19 severely restricted the activities of Deanery Synod in 2020, meeting once in person and once more on Zoom. Synod met at St Paul’s Goodmayes on 10th February. The main address was given by the Revd, Jonathan Evens from ‘Heart Edge’ (based at St Martin in the fields). The initiative began at St Martin’s in 2017 as a movement for renewal for the whole church. It is a partnership across denominations both in the UK and overseas. There were around 80-90 churches involved in 2019 and now there are 235 churches, individuals and organisations. The movement offers Networking, Annual conferences, Half-day workshops, Publications and a growing portfolio of resources and a Discipleship course. The approach is one of being with people at the margins of society, using their assets and not judging them based on the incarnate life of Jesus. This is based on 4 “Cs” – Compassion, Commerce, Congregation and Culture. Further details are available at www.heartedge.org. We noted that the Revd. Canon Ian Tarrant and Sally Barton were leaving, as Ian was to take on the role of Dean of the Cathedral in Gibraltar. Synod proposed a big vote of thanks to them for their service to the Deanery and prayed for their new ministry in Gibraltar. It was also noted that our Mission and Ministry Partnership - Barkingside Bridge had been formally commissioned on 9th January. The other meeting via Zoom took place on Wednesday 18th November. It was to be the last for Jill Leonard as Lay Chair because she was standing down from the position after many years of service. She outlined the commitments of the role for any potential successor: Meetings with the Area Bishop and Archdeacon, Ex-officio member of Area Mission and Pastoral Committee, Member of the London Over the Border Committee (LOB), Responsible to the Archdeacon for the annual visitation meetings with Churchwardens, Responsible (with Area Dean) for the election of members of Diocesan Synod, and being invited to induction service for all new priests in the Deanery, The Deanery Treasurer and the Deanery Secretary also outlined their roles. The was so that people would understand the requirements when elections were held. The other major item was a report from the Diocesan Synod which had met in October. The Diocese is in dire financial straits. There was a stewardship initiative starting in Advent, which was due to conclude before Lent but it has now been expanded to include Lent within the initiative. Stewardship programmes are encouraged throughout the year of 2021. The Diocesan budget is in deficit by £3m. The Parish Share will stay the same as 2020, but it is hoped that a greater proportion will be paid. The Diocese has been selling off assets to support the budget. Diocesan priorities include strengthening the General Fund, increasing income, reducing costs, improving cashflow and moving away from selling assets. The major cost is clergy stipends, so the Diocese is looking at how to reduce stipendiary posts. The 2025 target of 2025 has been brought forward and Archdeacons were working with the Area Deans to RAG rate parishes to identify a means by which to cut the number of Full Time Equivalent posts in each deanery. Another item was discussion of the Diocesan Environmental Group to engage with Deanery Synods to achieve net zero carbon emissions. A scheme is to be put in place to encourage each parish to achieve at least Bronze level Eco-Church and to enable Chelmsford to become an eco-Diocese. The £3m Diocesan shortfall is postulated on a collection rate of 80-85%. Redbridge contributions are lagging behind both Waltham Forest and Newham deaneries.

Mac Leonard, Deanery Synod Representative.

APPENDICES

Just for Girls (page 16 )

Seniors’ Coffee Club (page 16 )

Mothers’ Union (pages 16-17 )

Kenyan Street Children Appeal (page 17 )

Sunday Church Club (page 17)

St Paul’s Christian Playgroup (pages 17- 18)

JUST FOR GIRLS Just for Girls have kept each other going with emails and prayer throughout the year. Hopefully next year we will meet again. Pauline Bolding

SENIORS' COFFEE CLUB We were been unable to meet in 2020. Hopefully we shall be able to meet again before the end of 2021. Pauline Bolding

MOTHERS’ UNION Many of us have experienced the most difficult year in our lifetimes during 2020. We entered national lockdown in March 2020 and very little has been the same since. Including our meeting as a Mothers’ Union branch. We have tried to keep contact with one another as the year’s programme shows: January: Pauline and Alan led us in a reflection and communion for the New Year – I especially remember the tealight candles arranged on the table in the name of Jesus – these reflections are always a spiritual and appropriate beginning to our year together. Thank you Alan and Pauline. February: Our Mothers’ Union AGM. An opportunity to thank Gill, our treasurer and Yvonne, our secretary for all of their work in keeping the business side of things running so smoothly – we reported that we have 26 members in our branch, with a further two registered as indoor members…. March: Len led in presenting an overview of the Easter Labyrinth experience that Year 5 pupils of Roding Primary School take part in as part of their teaching on the meaning of Easter to Christians…. AND THEN LOCKDOWN HAPPENED…. April: Len had planned an Easter reflection with Spiritual songs and readings… cancelled …. May: Sue Clack was due to tell us of her latest travels……cancelled June: where we would normally be enjoying a cream tea, bring and buy, and fellowship at Ian and Rosemary’s, but this year organised a virtual cream tea on Zoom instead. Zoom (thanks to Ola’s support in setting up) now became our only means of visual contact, and was used for: July: A Zoom eucharist led by Ola. Services in church were banned at this time and this eucharist was the closest many of us could come to celebrating as such. August – our traditional holiday month with no meeting planned. September – Lockdown had been eased and we were able to meet for our postponed June meeting with a picnic and bring and buy in the churchyard, which was at the time being refreshed and reordered. We enjoyed a sunny afternoon, beginning with an act of worship in church and then moving outside… October: Back on to Zoom with Natalie Prescott of Epping branch a our guest, telling us of the growth of her branch and their use of social media to make and encourage contacts amongst those who believe in the ideals of the MU…….

November: We should have heard from Sarah Wood of Haddenham, the area organiser for Utugi Children's’ home in Kenya through which St Paul’s supports a feeding programme for street children, but postponed having heard on the same day that Yvonne was in intensive care with Covid… and much in our thoughts and prayers. December: This rearranged meeting with Sarah was also postponed due to our being unable to access Zoom for our meeting. Technologies are sometimes fickle, but generally of great help and support to us. OUR 2021 PROGRAMME AT PRESENT STANDS AS: Jan: Alan and Pauline – reflection and communion Feb: AGM March: – Sarah Wood on Zoom (and as lockdown probably continues) April: – Easter reflection May: - Molly Hoyle June: Cream tea and bring and buy July: tba Aug: holiday break Sept: Oct: Nov: Dec: Christmas social – real or Zoomed. Len Stevens, Branch Leader.

KENYAN STREET CHILDREN (ACK Utugi Children’s Centre) KENYAN APPEAL Thanks to the generosity of so many members of St Paul’s we were able to honour our commitment to contribute the full annual amount of £8,000 to the Kenyan Feeding Fund based at the UTUGI Children’s Home. This is despite having to cancel our Summer Fair and reallocating the income from our Christmas Fair, held as a ZOOM fayre, to the ongoing Toilet Fund. We receive regular updates on UTUGI and also grateful thanks for our feeding contribution; we are told that we are the only church providing these funds – without our efforts the scheme would struggle to continue. We are providing 150 children, spaced across 5 feeding centres, with one meal each week. Len Stevens.

SUNDAY CHURCH CLUB We met during the first two months of the year but were in lockdown by Mothering Sunday and have only met briefly, during September when the schools reopened, since. By November we were back into lockdown, making the chance to meet infrequent and the year very fragmented. Len Stevens.

PLAYGROUP REPORT Wow what a year 2020 has been!

Financial update: 2020 was a challenging year for everyone and following the COVID pandemic we were forced to close a few weeks prior to the end of the spring term in March 2020. After lots of consideration with regard to the health and safety of the children, their families and the staffing team we remained closed until the autumn term 2020. Although we were able to benefit from the Govern- ments furlough scheme in order to part pay for staff wages from April – August 2020, we made the difficult decision, in a bid to make the Playgroup more sustainable, to undertake a restructure of the Playgroup team which resulted in two members of staff being made redundant; one by choice and the second through an interview process. The playgroup did pay all monies due to those staff which included holiday pay and redundancy, which had a hit on our reserves.

From September the staff team was reduced to six; with usually five working each morning and two during the lunchtime club. We also continued to have two setting up staff.

17 The number of children continued to be lower than previous years, partly due to the current COVID pandemic, and in the September we started with 8 children, which rose to 18 by the end of the year.

Regardless of the many restrictions imposed, we continued to raise funds for the Playgroup and included the church toilet fund in our efforts. A sponsored hand wash and themed dressing up days were carried out and through the generosity of the Parents and staff we collected £250 for the church Toilet Fund. The remaining money raised has been put aside as restricted funds, as in 2021 we hope to replace our wooden play house and sand pit in the front garden which are both in a very poor state.

The Playgroup team have continued to work tirelessly, to ensure a strict cleaning regime at the start and end of each session. We have also updated our website and used zoom video meetings to stay in touch with the children and their families and to welcome new children into the setting as home visits are no longer able to be conducted.

We have continued to support a number of children with special educational needs and disabilities. This part of our work is especially rewarding, as we work closely with other agencies to ensure that the children and their parents receive the appropriate professional support, resources and additional funding to ensure any challenges they may face can be overcome. We take great pleasure in watching all the children flourish in confidence, learn to negotiate and interact with their peers, develop their self help skills and independence and develop resilience and an enthusiasm to learn, which lay the foundations for their future development and success.

Sadly we were unable to enjoy the usual visits from Woodford Fire service and Wellgate Community farm and have really missed the weekly visit from Rev'd Ola to tell the children a bible story, together with the company of Pauline on a Wednesday morning, but we hope these may be able to resume in 2021.

The children have learnt about the importance of helping others and along with parents and staff have once again shown their generosity in supporting several charities such as; Redbridge Night Shelter, the shoe box appeal and Genes for Jeans.

We are all very grateful for everyone's support and generosity and look forward to a more financially secure 2021 and the ability to welcome visitors back into the Playgroup.

Thank you all for your support Delia Ware on behalf of St Paul’s Christian Playgroup

These Papers are published by Mac Leonard on behalf of St Paul’s Church, Woodford Bridge, from whom digital copies are available at [email protected] . They are also available at the Parish website http://www.stpaulswb.com .