Report for Trustees and Deacon's (2023) February 2024 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 organlst Ruth ensures we have music each week, for which we are very grateful. John has admirably stepped up to help out if Ruth is indisposed. Our aim to provide a service for members and any other worshippers who might Ilke to attend was achieved and we managed a regular attendance of 14 plus, in fact over the year we have welcomed new members, which Is a very positive sign for the future. We have been very fortunate in receiving an application from a local gentleman for the position of mlnlster In our church, and we are currently followlng the employment process for the post and hopefully he will be insitu by March, 2024. Church Events: We have enjoyed several soclal event5 over the year, and took part In the Annual Oakamoor Festival when our church participated by hosting a special exhibition in the church of art and craft work, thls as usual was very well attended and the whole event was enjoyed and any monies raised wa5 donated to local charities. We held our usual Christmas Candle Ilght Servlce whlch Is always well attended, many thanks to John for settin8 UP the candles and maklng 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 (Kcasion and enables us to enjoy each otherfs company on a social level. King Charles Coronatlon was celebrated and we joined with the village in the many events arranged, and this was a happy community celebration We are delighted that the church now supports a fortnightly Wednesday Club where members of our local community visit our sch¢)ol room premises and get together to have guest speakers, crafts, and a general get tO8ether over tea and biscuits. Two of our members, a husband and wife team arrange the fortnightly meetlngs and we're pleased to report it has been very successful with an average attendance of 20 people. Charlty Glvlng: Our Charity 8ivin8 for this year: Our Lenten 8ivin8 was donated to the Local Air Ambulance and we also supported the Turkey and Syria earthquake appeal , We give to Christian aid annually, Our Harvest Festival Sale proceeds were given to The Alzheimerfs Society, The Salvation Army is supported annualty as we hold a Christmas Toy Servi￿ ,this went to the Tunstall Christmas Appeal where the given toys are distributed in the Staffordshire area to disadvantaged children and their families. Property Repalls 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 it is finally completed vith the replacement of heaters which are more economical. The organ is tuned regularly and any work needed is done without delay. All safety checks are completed to comply with Health & Safety regulatlons. We give special thanks to John for keeping our church clean and tidy on a weekly basis and helpin8 Out with key holding as well. We have excellent tenants in our two cottages; the solar panels on the roof of each cottage are generating power whlch provides help to defray the ever increasing and challenging rising cost of energy. All regulatory checks have been undertaken Grounds: The grounds and churchyard are kept in excellent conditlon by our ground men Norman and John. The approach drives are included in thelr work. We thank them both for their conscientlous work throughout the year as our church in In a con5ervatlon area. John consults wlth them regarding any work that needs to be done wlth felling of branches etc. so we comply wlth the current legislation re8arding the grounds. Followlng the Kln¢s Coronation an Oakamoor vllla8e Group was set up to commemorate thls event with something permanent in the village, the church has leased a piece of 8round to the village in front of the church for use as a Vlllage Orchard, the responslbllity of planting frult trees and keeping the area clean and tldy and a pleasant vlsltlng area for the vlllage rests with the Village Group, while the church retains the ownership of the land. A very successful yearl Dorothy Clowes (Hon Sec) February, 2024 |MEMORIAL FREE CHURCH,OAKAMOOR.|MEMORIAL FREE CHURCH,OAKAMOOR.||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |2023 -TRUSTEES CURRENT ACCOUNT 75446367 -DEBIT|||||| |||£p|||| |Church Insurance||3500.19|||| |Manse/Bluebell cottage/studyinsurance||911.53|||| |Treaurers Expenses||318.00|||| |CleaningTreasurer to J.Jervis||300.00|||| |Churchyard Maintenance(N.Edwards)||2072.00|||| |Churchyard Maintenance(J.Redfearn)||379.00|||| |CongFed afil fees||291.25|||| |Service books(Rebecca Wilson)||39.98|||| |John Oakes(organ tuning& cello stop)||315.00|||| |ADT securitysystem contract||303.72|||| |Schoolroom electric||921.39|||| |Church electric||1675.02|||| |I Marsh Landlord checks + work at manse||783.66|||| |SSR outside lights(D.Harrison)||203.00|||| |Water rates Water Plus||167.33|||| |North Staffs fire||89.38|||| |M&G Securities Investment(fund closure)||11999.40|||| |repointing (Paul Beardmore)||2695.00|||| |Utch ScaffoldingL.E.Pollard||1020.00|||| |VisitingClergy||655.00|||| |Expenses to Trustees meetingH.Bolton||300.00|||| |D.Harrison SSR new heaters x3||3595.00|||| |M&G Securities Investment||20000.00|||| |Organist Weddings/funerals||170.00|||| |TOTAL EXPENDITURE||£52,704.85|||| 0.00 The Memorial Free Church , Oakamoor accounts for 2023 were audited by Judy Ford FCCA on 10[th] October 2024 and were found to be a correct record of the financial affairs.