Report for Trustees and Deacon's (20221 February 2023 As we finally emerged from the Corona Virus pandemic. we manged to hold services every Sunday and we have had 2 baptisms. 2 funerals and I wedding overthe year. We are still without a minister in our church but with the help of visiting lay preachers, our own lay preacher Barbara and members of the congregation we have been able to continue regular worship. Our organist Ruth ensures we have music each week, for which we are very grateful. Our aim to provide a service for members and any other worshippers who might like to attend was achieved and we managed a regular attendance of 12 plus, irs fact over the year we have welcomed new members which are a very positive sign for the future. We are still artively advertising for a new minister. Church Events: We have enjoyed several Social events over the year, and took part in the Annual Oakamoor Festival when our church partiClP3ted by hosting a special exhibition in the church of art and craft work. this as usual was very well attended and the whole event was enjoyed and any monies raised was donated to local charities. We held our usual Christmas Candle light Service which is always well attended. many thanks to John for settin8 UP the candles and making a beautiful setting for this service. We all went out for a Christmas meal together at the Queen's Arms, Freehay, this again was a very pleasant occasion and enables us to enjoy each otherf5 company on a %xial level. Charity Givin8: Our Charity giving for this year '. Our Lenten giving was donated to the Ukrainian Humanitarian fund and we support Christian aid annually, Our Harvest Festival Sale proceeds were given to local organisation Home Link which support5 elderly and vulnerable people in our local communities. The Salvation Army was well supported due to one visiting preacher who came regularly, we also gave to Tunstall Salvation Army at Christmas who we usually support at our annual gift service. which is given to disadvantaged children and their families in the Staffordshire area. Property Repalrs We are alway5 aware that our church is Grade 2 listed and was opened in 1878, whenever we have to restore or repair any features we try to be as discreet as possible and are always mindful that we are in a conservation area. Following extensive work in our school room new double glazed windows have been installed. hopefully this will help in keeping the building dry and free from damp. The organ is tuned regularly and any work needed is done without delay. All safety checks are completed to comply with Health & Safety regulations. We give special thanks to John Jarvis for keeping our church clean and tidy on a weekly basis and helping out with key holding as well. We have excellent tenants in ourtwo cottages: the solar panels on the roof of each cottage are generating power which provides help to defray the ever iDcreasing and challenging rising cost of energy. All regulatory checks have been undertaken Grounds: The grounds and churchyard are kept in excellent condition by our ground men Norman Edwards and John Redfearn. All building and the approach drives are included in their work. We thank them both for their conscientious work throughout the year as our church in in a conservation area- John consults with them regarding any work that needs to be done with felling of branches etc. 50 we comply with the current legislation regarding the grounds. Dorothy Clowes (Hon Secl February, 2023 |MEMORIAL FREE CHURCH , OAKAMOOR|£ p
3130.22
812.63| |---|---| |TRUSTEES a/c 75446367 DEBIT|| |Church Insurance
Manse/Bluebell cottage/study insurance|| |Treasurers Expenses -Properties
Treaurers Expenses - N.Edwards
Expenses Mileage Henry Trustees meeting
Roadstone for carpark
Donation to RK Boughey in Memoriam
Drinks at Christmas lunch (17)
Cleaning Treasurer to J.Jervis|57.00
220.00
300.00
50.50
25.00
45.80
160.00| |Churchyard Maintenance (N.Edwards)
Churchyard Maintenance (J.Redfearn)
SSR wall/floor J.Whittaker
Bell cote,bell,West end walls (P.Beardmore)
Dave Hill windows schoolroom
ADT security system contract
Schoolroom electric
Church electric
pat/electrical tests & certs. (J,Harrison)
Water rates Water Plus
Manse/Bluebell Landlord Checks( A.Hurst)
North Staffs fire
Jason Whittaker Schoolroom
P. Allen Schoolroom Painting & floor
D.Harrison(Church Bluebell SSR
John Oakes Great Stop Action & Tuning
Visiting clergy
Voucher to auditor x2
gift to Barbara Cope (services)
Organist Weddings/funerals
TOTAL DEBITS|1540.00
705.50
3692.40
5667.00
3182.00
266.42
82.47
157.62
624.50
95.20
180.00
269.54
2693.30
2466.22
110.00
1135.00
468.49
60.00
50.00
170.00
.£28416.81| |TOTAL DEBITS|.£28416.81| 0.00 The Memorial Free Church , Oakamoor accounts for 2022 were audited by Judy Ford FCCA on 11[th] October 2023 and were found to be a correct record of the financial affairs.