Christ Church Lavender Bay Annual General Meeting

Consolidated Reports for 2024 to AGM held Sunday 9 March 2025

Wardens Report: Including Finance/Administration, Building/Grounds and Mission/Outreach Report

1. Executive summary

a. Introduction

We had a busy year and wish to acknowledge everyone who contributed. Parish council was organised into three teams: Finance & Administration, Buildings & Grounds and Mission & Outreach. Wardens and PC members all participated in one or more of these areas of responsibility.

b. Staff & Volunteers

• Alice Hung on maternity leave – but has now returned on a reduced basis.

• Jo Kadlecek filled Alice’s role temporarily.

• Gill Melling helped with some of the office administration.

• Maggie Springett (in addition to her normal duties as Treasurer and a Parish Councillor) assisted Jo with accounting and finances pro bono.

• Greg McKay (consultant) was engaged to assist Maggie with end of year accounts and review.

• Hans Cerdina was engaged to “build” the new CCLB website and did a fantastic job with significant input from Jo Kadlecek.

• Di Nicolios continued her valued pastoral care ministry.

• Geoff Kells produced a herculean effort supported by Ann in organising our trial of the Alpha Course.

• Helen Chuawiwat co-ordinated the 10.00am choir and music team.

• Chrissie Fulcher co-ordinated the 5pm music team.

There were many others who have helped in serving throughout the year. These helped with morning tea, tech desk, Bible reading, leading in corporate prayer, music, choir, leading/hosting home groups, as well as with preaching and leading of services. We are extremely grateful for the contribution of everyone who helps Christ Church function smoothly at both 10.00am and 5.00pm.

c. Finance & Administration

Details of the 2024 financial reports and budget for 2025 have been circulated. We had a very good year and made steady progress on a range of projects. The parish recorded a deficit of $40,207 in 2024. This result compared with a surplus of $11,004 in the prior year. Despite this result, the parish remains in a strong financial position with significant financial reserves.

The deficit was primarily the result of a number of large one-off expenses. The largest of which were:

• New website and signage ($12,792)

• Tech desk upgrade ($12,725)

• Plumbing & Drainage ($11,526)

• Unbudgeted arborist expenses ($10,000 approximately)

Our net cash reserves have reduced by $50,119 from $327,432 to $277,313. Our investments have increased by $11,108 from $248,241 to $259,394. The reduction in cash balances is in large part due to the aforementioned ‘one-off‘ or unbudgeted expenses.

Total Revenue for the year was $377,634, an increase of $14,082 on 2023. Income from Offertories was $217,155 and was in line with budget estimates. We have only budgeted for a 3% increase in offertories in 2025 as we recognise rising living costs will impact our members.

Total Operating Expenses increased by $65,293 from $352,548 to $417,841. This increase reflected various one-off items that were expensed and under spending on a number of items – notably ministry staffing as we were unable to employ student ministers as planned.

While we had a number of one-off expenses that will not be ongoing, the Wardens are mindful that our operating costs will continue to increase going forward – especially if we expand the number of ministry staff.

There are also capital works that may be undertaken in the next year or two such as replacing the roof of the rectory and installing ceiling fans in the church. This may reduce our financial reserves.

While the Parish is in excellent financial shape, we would ask all members of the congregation to prayerfully review their giving and to generously support our ministry.

The full financial reports have been distributed, major income and expense line items are shown below:
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Income from all Sources Actual 2024 Budget 2025

- Offertories $217,115 $225,000

- Designated Gifts $13,266 $3,000

- Car Park        $37,578                 $42,558

- Pre-School Licence         $82,980         $92,439
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Total Revenue               $377,634       $390,871
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Operational Expenses

- Ministry Staffing  $97, 142           $82 000

- Administration  $69,586          $49,173

- Missions          $30,770           $31,140

- Property expenses  $105,133   $71,069

- Car Park Costs  $37,487   $37,576
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Total Expenses                $417,841       $384,629

Net Surplus/Deficit         ($40,207)       $6,242
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Possible Capital Projects Include:

• Suspended Ceiling Fans to improve temperature control in the Church.

• Upgrade Coffee Cart arrangements

• Interior plaster repairs and painting in the church.

• Replace Roof of Rectory.

• Perimeter fencing facing Lavender Street grant application (awaiting a response to the application submitted in January).

• Possible further insurance repairs to front fence facing Lavender Street (emergency repairs from the fallen tree covered by insurance less a one-off excess).
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Budget Projections

We are budgeting for a modest surplus/deficit of $6,242 in 2025. However, the final result will depend on a range of factors that we cannot control. Our cash reserves give us a comfortable buffer as well as the ability to invest further in additional staff and our facilities. The Wardens are pleased to commend the Budget for your approval.

Ministry Outlook & Staffing

Greg Webster continues to lead us as we seek to grow the reach of our ministry to Lavender Bay and surrounds. Parish Council is working to develop our plans for expanding our ministry. In order to support our growing numbers as a church, we need to increase our staffing. We are seeking to employ ministry students to supplement our team. We are also looking to engage someone to act as verger/operations manager. Alice Hung has returned to CCLB but on reduced hours. We are still seeking to streamline our administration, and we are looking for additional administration support. These matters are under review but finding the right people for the various roles is not a speedy exercise.

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2. Treasurers Report Financial Year End (FYE) 2024

Christ Church Lavender Bay finished the financial year end 31st Dec 2024, with a deficit of $40,207, or around 12% of total income.  The breakdown of Income and Expenditure for 2024 is shown on the following Charts.  

Income Year on Year (YOY) – 2020 - 2024

As shown on the following Income YOY Chart, I’m pleased to advise that Annual offertories have rebounded since Covid19 in (2020, 2021 & 2022) which is outlined below, with 2023 onwards trending upwards and with $225K budgeted for 2025:

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This is very exciting news, and I’m pleased to report that Christ Church Lavender Bay is in a sound financial position.
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Income FYE 2024

The following Chart shows the Income breakdown for Financial Year 2024 with Congregation Offertories being the majority of total income of 58% followed by Church Hall Trading (Pre-School) being 22%, leaving a balance of 20% spread across the other income streams.

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Expenditure FYE 2024

The following Chart shows the Expenditure breakdown for Financial Year 2024 with Parish Property Expenses at 33%, Ministry Staffing at 26%, Parish Administration at 16% and Parish Cost Recoveries at 15%, leaving a balance of 10% spread across all other expense categories.

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Whilst we finished with a deficit in 2024, it’s important to note that there were some unanticipated ‘one off’ type expenses that were incurred in this financial year.  For example, Parish Property expenses were higher than 2023 due to urgent major plumbing works and tree trimming on the grounds required. Resources for Ministry included urgent upgrading of the Tech Desk & Communications equipment (shown under Property Improvements in the PFS report).  Parish Administration included our website upgrade & Marketing expenditure.  These four ‘one off’ expenses amounted to $46K.

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Whilst some of these costs could have been capitalised in the Balance Sheet, which would have suggested an improved P&L bottom line for 2024 but required depreciation charges in subsequent years it was decided to expense these in the 2024 year.
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2025 Budget

We have set our 2025 Budget with the expectation of a modest 3% annual uplift in offertories which is in line with the annual CPI of 2.5%  ($217K to $225K) and we anticipate a reduction in expenses of approx $30K or 8% ($417K to $384K).

We are thankful to God for his generosity, and also the generosity of you, His people. It is our hope and prayer that this positive change will continue so that we can expand our ability to grow God’s Kingdom here at Lavender Bay and beyond.

It is common for churches to set increased offertory targets in the hope that the congregation will meet them.  We understand that there is added pressure on households with the current economic climate, we therefore appreciate all offertories and contributions during this period.  Although if you are in a position to do so, any minor uplift would be very much appreciated.

We are hopeful and ready to adapt to ministry opportunities in the near future, with a strong Balance Sheet showing total Bank and Investments of $536K set aside for growing our ministry, along with funds set aside for ongoing major Capital works projects, with our Rejuvenation fund balance of $82K as at 31 Dec 2024.

We acknowledge that this account has been in decline in recent years, as we have utilised these funds to undertake major capital works and major repairs, in particular paying over $56 000 in July 2024 for the necessary major church roof repairs.

We greatly appreciate your continuous contributions into the capital works funds to ensure that our precious church building and related structures will be restored as and when required well into the future.

Ultimately, our financial situation is a testimony to God’s unfailing love and faithfulness to his people over generations here at Christ Church Lavender Bay.

Our vision is to build this community and reach out to friends, neighbours and even strangers with the life changing good news of Jesus.  We are deeply thankful for your fellowship, enthusiasm and commitment in achieving our shared goal here at Christ Church Lavender Bay.

                                          
-Maggie Springett, Treasurer.

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3. Building and Grounds

Building & Grounds subcommittee - Ian Davidson, Penny Morris and Luke Williams

Stewardship of two heritage buildings is a responsibility that Parish Council takes seriously. Ensuring that 200-year-old buildings stay fit for purpose brings several challenges. These include maintaining the heritage aspects of the site and finding the right balance when modernising, repairing or updating anything.

In all initiatives we seek to enhance utility and/or aesthetics of our facilities.

The regular maintenance costs have increased in accordance with rising labour and material costs and of course some projects can only be achieved through specific fund-raising activities. In addition, the church hall, used as a preschool and long day care, is requiring more maintenance as that building ages and to meet increasing operational regulations.

Below is a list of what has been undertaken over the past year, both planned and unexpected, as well as the regular maintenance activities required to care for the property. In addition, the subcommittee is regularly undertaking assessments to identify future maintenance projects.  

Regular maintenance activities

• Security – fire

• Tuning piano and organ

• Gardening

• Pest inspection and prevention

• Cleaning church and rectory

• Clearing Gutters

• Tree trimming

Planned activities achieved

• Repairs to slate roof

• 3-phase power to mobile kitchen for Alpha course

• Repairing pathway to toilet at the back of hall

• Improved computer, tech desk and sound system for church

• New “Shark” pedestal fans were purchased and are operational

Unplanned activities achieved

• Replacing 2 failed gas heaters

• Replacing smoke alarms in church and hall

• Roof repairs to hall

• Repairing broken lights in church

• Minor multiple maintenance issues for hall

• Repairing sash windows in rectory

• Repairing and strengthening fence between rectory backyard and MacKenzie St car park

• Fallen tree from storm damage – partial removal

• Repair of broken stained-glass window

Proposed activities

• Replacement of broken fencing along Lavender Street. An application for funding was made in January to the State government Safe Places for Faith Communities Grants 2024-25, and we await a response. The extent of the proposed fencing upgrades will depend on the outcome of that application.

• Replacing outside festoon lights with low voltage LED lights. This initiative is for safety reasons. Many people enjoy the visual effect of these lights at night as it enhances the “feel” outside the church entrance as well as highlighting the use of the property

Other matters under consideration

• Installation of suspended ceiling fans for both cooling in summer and better heat circulation in the colder winter months

• Repair and repaint internal church walls

• Replace rectory roof

- Penny Morris & Ian Davidson (for Building/Grounds)

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4. Mission and Outreach

Mission and Outreach subcommittee Philippa Armfield, Helen Chuawiwat, Peter Moll and Jessie Cherian.

The Mission Budget for 2024 was allocated as follows:

• CMS - $6000.  In May we donated $2,500 to the Lasting Hope Appeal and in November we donated $3,5000 in support of Lachlan and Candy Grice who are preparing to serve in Taiwan in 2025. Lachlan and Candy with their small son Beau came to church on 1st September and spoke about their preparation at St Andrew’s Hall in Melbourne and what they will be doing as they start their ministry in Taiwan. Lachlan also preached at both services They are expecting their second child in February before they leave for Taiwan later in 2025. We also hosted the CMS pastoral care retreats. On a number of occasions over the year, the Rectory hosted CMS missionaries on leave for a day of pastoral care and refreshment.

• Anglicare.  $5,000.00 for food and financial assistance to people in need and $1,000 for chaplains. In September we hosted the Anglicare Foster care Thanksgiving service. In November and December, we once again collected food and toys at the church for the Archbishop’s Toys’n’Tucker campaign and it was pleasing to see a very generous response to this appeal. We regularly pray for the work of Andrew Osborne who is chaplain at RNSH.

• Bush Church Aid Society - $6,000.00.  During the year it was agreed that the focus of our giving and prayers would be with James and Brittany Daymond in Cobar NSW.   Caroline Thornton also collected BCA boxes from members of the congregation adding to our support for this ministry in rural, regional and remote Australia. In September, Paul Sampson from BCA preached at all our services.

• Explore Program of George Whitefield College in South Africa. We gave $6,000 for this program that provides a correspondence course for Christian students throughout sub-Saharan Africa to deepen their understanding of the Bible and to know God better.  Neville Carrington GWC Explore Manager visited in August and spoke to Christ Church members on 4 and 5 August.

• Margaret Powell (Evangelism and New Churches) is working in cross-cultural ministry in South-West Sydney among people of many different faiths and cultures. We gave $6,000  to support Margaret’s ministry.  Margaret preached at our services in 28 April.

• Defence Force chaplains. Royal Australian Air Force Chaplain Karen Davison preached at our services in November. We regularly pray for Cath Wynn Jones who was Chaplain to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra.

In 2024, CCLB trialled the Alpha Course. It was held weekly on Wednesday evenings from 8 May to 26 June with around 45 people from Christ Church attending. A meal was followed by thought-provoking videos and good discussion exploring the Christian faith. These times provided an opportunity to deepen our fellowship and build friendships. It is hoped that CCLB will run the Alpha Course again in the future perhaps with a different smaller format. Special thanks to Geoff and Ann Kells and the many helpers for making every evening work so well.

- Philippa Armfield (for Mission and Outreach)

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Pastoral Care

           Pastoral Care continued throughout the year through a variety of formal and less formal opportunities. These included the ministry of home BibleStudy groups, as well as, the continued meeting of activities such as Tuesday Coffee with a friend (Helen Wheeler),brunches at the Tea Cosy café in The Rocks (Penny Morris and Anne Cooke), various men’s groups (Geoff Kells) and other one-off initiatives. All these events aim to continue the fellowship we enjoy after church at either morning tea(10am) and dinner/supper (5pm). As well, there are numerous one-off arrangements made such as a baby shower for Beckie Pearson and we rejoice with Chris and Beckie at the safe arrival in the world of their beautiful baby boy Luke. Other assistance provided by individuals for friends in need  includes transport to and from medical appointments and church, providing meals and visiting each other at home and in hospital if necessary. All of these activities are pleasing to the Lord as we love and care for one another. More critical needs are attended to by Greg Webster and Di Nicolios.

           We were all greatly saddened by the deaths during the year of dear friends Trevor Adams, followed by Avis’s passing seven weeks later, and then the death of Joan Herring in October, just eight months after her 90^th birthday.It’s a blessing that Graeme Herring is still able to attend church, thanks to the kindness of his family who bring him most weeks. Other former parishioners now house-bound, such as Norman Brunsdon and Enid Tong, have expressed their appreciation for being able to live-stream services each week. That has been a great blessing to them.  

           A final word about those dealing with dementia – some now living in residential care, such as Betsy Taylor,Warwick Lewarne, Joy Yeo and Grame Herring – and others still able to function at home with loving help: we can support     them through prayer, by keeping in touch and by offering supportive help in whatever ways we can. In these actions, we are faithful to the Lord Jesus, who gave his disciples an object lesson in pastoral care and humble service by  washing their feet and told them: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

-Di Nicolios, Minister for Seniors and Pastoral Care

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Safe Ministry

As reported previously the congregation of Christ Church Lavender Bay (CCLB) is predominantly that of adults of varying ages.  The continued absence of a child or youth ministry means that much of the pro forma reporting style for Safe Ministry’s focus on children and youth matters is currently inappropriate. This may change as plans are in train for a possible children’s program later in 2025 and 2026. However, there are a number of occasions where young children, from the child-care centre, and other young people are invited to participate in church activities such as: special family services; New Year’s Eve, and Christmas and Easter services.  On each occasion youngsters were in the company of parents, grandparents and carers.

It should be noted that the child-care centre, operating within the grounds of Christ Church, is fully independent, and is monitored for compliance by relevant government agencies.

Regardless of this, there are those in the congregation who have their Working with Children Certification and others who have completed Safe Ministry Training.

Safety of the Congregation and church users

Given the older demographic of the congregation, other potential risks may arise that may impinge on their safety and also that of the church.  Consequently, physical safety is a priority in terms of preventing falls and trip hazards.  While no incidents have been reported to the Rector over the past year, this is no doubt due to the number of preventive measures that have been taken to ensure the safety of all.  These were identified as Issues on Watch in the 2023-2024 Safe Ministry Report and include the following actions:

• Electrical cabling now being re-routed under the floor,

• Smoke alarms fitted and tested in the church,

• Paths repaired to the second toilet to maximise the use of existing amenities,

• Repair to the path from the upper carpark beside the rectory.

• Chairs in need of attention have been replaced.

Issues on Watch

• Trees

The heritage status of the church and the healthy state of the gardens poses a continual risk which could impinge on the future safety of the congregation and others.  This was highlighted by the January 2025 storms which saw considerable damage to the garden when one tree fell in the lower garden.  This tree was some distance from people, the church and the child-care centre, but has highlighted the need for ongoing monitoring of large trees on the site and tree roots cracking walkways.

• Physical Comfort of the Congregation

With higher-than-normal temperatures experienced in January, the need for greater cooling measures has become evident, and hence a number of options are currently being explored.

• Increased use of the church and grounds

The strategic direction of the church is to increase not only the numbers of the congregation, but also groups using the church on different days and at different times, such as the CMS pastoral care retreat, the graduate retreat for SMBC and others.  This may necessitate a number of measures to ensure the structure and amenities are able to accommodate demand e.g. increased outside lighting, cooling etc.

- Di Collins, Safe Ministry Representative

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Music Report

The year 2024 saw steady progress in the music program of Christ Church Lavender Bay.  This follows the disruptions in years 2020-2022 due to Covid lockdowns, and a year of re-grouping and starting again in 2023.

In 2024, steady numbers of faithful choristers allowed for steady and reliable leading of worship songs and hymns at 10am services. Leading the congregation in song remains the choir’s principal duty and goal. Our organist and choir master, Louie Chen, provided steady musical leadership and choir members benefitted from his thoughtful character, as well as his musicianship.

The choir was able to present special musical items to mark major festivals of the church, including Mozart’s  ‘Ave verum corpus’ (sung in English) for Good Friday and Bach’s ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’ for Easter Day.  Choir members also sang quietly during Communion, marking the deep significance of this Sacrament, and including ‘O Taste and See’ by Vaughan Williams among the softly-sung choir items.

Music at the 5pm service generally takes a quieter and more reflective tone. We were served by around a dozen musicians who combined into various small and larger ensembles. Different vocal ensembles combined with instruments including Piano, Harp, Percussion, Guitar, String Bass and Violin. At times we were treated to some special musical arrangements by JoAnn Cerdenia (Harp, Piano, Voice). As always the music at 5pm helped us to respond in appreciation and warmth to God’s grace to us in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The culmination of the year was the Service of Readings and Carols on 22nd December, when the choir led the congregation in joyful rendering of Advent and Christmas carols, joined by all attending. The choir also presented special worship items, including ‘The Lord Bless You and Keep You’, by John Rutter. A notable and joyful item was a special adaptation of Adolph Adam’s ‘O Holy Night’, arranged for harp by JoAnn Cerdenia and presented by the musicians and singers of the 5pm service.

- Helen Chuawiwat and Greg Webster

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