2021-12-31-accounts

Progressive Christianity Network Britain

Registered Charity No: 1102164

Annual Report & Financial Report 1[st] January - 31[st] December 2021

Top row (left to right): Brian McLaren (11[th] March 2021), Julian Baggini (11[th] May 2021), John Dominic Crossan (21[st] July 2021) Bottom Row (left to right): Jeremy Greaves and Deshna Shine (19[th] October 2021), Richard Holloway (8[th] November 2021)

Registered address

26 High Street, Newnham, Gloucestershire, GL14 1BB

The Progressive Christianity Network Britain

Registered Charity No : 1102164

Governing Document Constitution adopted 22[nd] September 2003, and amended 19[th] January 2004, 12[th] November 2005, 24[th] October 2009 and 20[th] April 2013

Object of the Charity The advancement of the Christian Religion in such exclusively charitable ways as the trustees in their absolute discretion see fit.

Main activities i. Promoting a way of living consistent with the 8 points and with a progressive, inclusive, open approach to religion.

ii. Supporting groups of PCN members and non-members to explore a progressive understanding of Christianity.

iii. Supporting and encouraging members of the Progressive Christianity Network, both those whose faith is lived out within the community of church as expressed in mainstream denominational Christianity and those outside of any such organised institutional Christian framework.

iv. Networking, conferencing and providing forums for open debate about all aspects of Christianity, including interaction with people of other faiths.

v. Engaging in discussion and negotiation with members of different Christian denominations, promoting agendas and understandings that are both liberating and radical.

vi. Developing and encouraging progressive Christian congregations and communities.

vii. Promoting membership of PCN Britain

Address: 26 High Street, Newnham, Gloucestershire, GL14 1BB Bankers: The Co-operative Bank

Independent Examiner Gerald Drewett

Trustees for the period of this report :

Chair Adrian Alker Vice chair: Paul Onslow (until June), Simon Cross (from June) Secretary: Sandra Griffiths Treasurer: Peter Stribblehill Martin Bassant Simon Cross Sue Hobley Naomi Nixon Tony Sanchez Mo Wills (Until June)

Dave Coaker Ian Geere Jenny Jacobs Paul Onlsow Gwen Wills (from June) Jackie Wiegman (from June)

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Chair’s Report on the Network in 2021 by Adrian Alker

At the Trustees meeting in June 2015, I was elected to chair the PCN committee of trustees, in succession to Angela Smith. When I step down from this role of Chair after the 2022 annual meeting, after seven years in office, I will be thankful for the privilege of serving this very special network of people. In fact, I can look back to the formation of PCN in 2003, when my involvement as a trustee began. Next year therefore will mark twenty years of PCN Britain and there will be opportunities then to record our journey and its highlights.

For now, this report looks back on the year 2021.

As the Covid pandemic continued well into last year, so our work as an organisation continued the adaptation to a great deal of online activity rather than face to face meetings, be they in groups or conferences. It was, of course, frustrating to have to i cancel meetings but so much more serious was the plight of millions of people across the world, whose lives and livelihoods were so deeply affected by the pandemic. To add to this sadness, PCN learnt of the death of good friends of our network. Bishop Jack Spong who died on September 12[th] 2021 had been a beacon of & hope and light for progressive Christians for decades. Jack was a personal friend to many in our network and was there in 2003 to inspire us at the Kendal and London launches of PCN Britain. We honoured Jack in our December edition of Progressive Voices. During the year we were also saddened to learn of the deaths of John Hetherington, Michael Wright and Hylton Boothroyd, all stalwart PCN members who kept the flame of progressive thinking brightly burning in Kendal, Middlesbrough and Keswick respectively.

In 2021 we welcomed Jackie Wiegman and Gwen Wills as new trustees and I want to record my thanks to all the trustees for their service throughout the year. Peter Stribblehill has continued his careful custody of our finances and Dave Coaker his excellent editorship of Progressive Voices. The trustees met for the first time in person since the beginning of the pandemic when we gathered for our day meeting in Leeds in August. The other trustees’ meetings, in February, March, April and December, were all conducted on Zoom. Like many other organisations, the longer-term effect of the pandemic has been to realise that there are some benefits, not least cost, to such online meetings and the trustees have determined to have a mixture of online and personal gatherings into the future. This will be a financial saving to the network.

In regard to finances PCN will need to be vigilant over its fund raising in the coming years, which principally means maintaining a high level of membership. Our main costs are in the salary paid to Sarah our excellent administrator, the costs of producing Progressive Voices, in maintaining our website and social media presence and in the trustees’ management expenses. Whilst our reserves are healthy, the renewal of membership and the welcoming of new members is vital for our ongoing presence as the largest membership in Britain of such a progressive thinking Christian organisation. Please do encourage all who share our vision to join the cause!

One area which has proved to have an unintended financial benefit had been our series of webinars or zoom lectures when those who have attended online have donated generously to the cost of the event. In 2021 we continued with such online ventures, welcoming Brian McLaren, Julian Baggini, Dom Crossan, Richard Holloway and, as the final Marcus Borg Memorial

Lecture, an ambitious evening which brought together the Revd Deshna Shine from the USA and

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Bishop Jeremy Greaves from Queensland, Australia (pictured). This gave us a fascinating insight into the challenges and opportunities for progressive Christianity across the continents.

Behind all our work are those who make things happen, be they in publicity, website updating, our library and shop services and a thousand tasks which make for the smooth running of PCN. Here we thank yet again Sarah Guilfoyle, Janis Knox our Social Media Editor, Peter Bellenes, Peter Gamston and Pete Eveleigh (the triune Peters!) for all the attention given to make our website lively, attractive and informative, and Jess Lee our librarian.

One of our guiding eight points is to call for a just, peaceful and sustainable world and I am penning this report during the dreadful loss of life in the war in Ukraine. Alongside the horrors of war in Europe sit the challenges of a dramatic rise in the cost of living and the urgency of the need to curb carbon emissions. In all these situations we are reminded that the guidance of the teachings and example of Jesus compel us to a life of action, of a desire and indeed compulsion to transform our society and our world into the kingdom of God on earth. PCN is always keen to promote and ally with organisations which seek this transformation, be it The Equality Trust, the Charter for Compassion or more recently Church Action for Tax Justice.

The many PCN groups, convened admirably by PCN members, have continued to meet both on Zoom and latterly in person or with a mixture of approaches. To support them and members more generally we are always keen that resources are there to stimulate thought and action. Our Made of Stories short films together with recordings of our online lectures have proved helpful in this regard. The PCN website pages cover a whole host of topics through blogs, articles, links to YouTube lectures etc and we encourage members to browse its contents regularly. Stimulation for study is also provided through Tim Yeager’s excellent Galilee Course and Galilee group and the books of Ben Whitney which are generously offered to groups.

PCN does not operate in isolation and we are pleased to partner with other organisations such as Inclusive Church, One Body One Faith, SCM, Modern Church and others and we constantly keep such partnerships under review.

Finally, as we look to the future under the guidance of the trustees and their new Chairperson, the views and support of all members is important to us. Recently those in ministry who are PCN members have been meeting on Zoom, as have our group convenors. They represent a whole body of wisdom and advice which we value and need as we look ahead to the continuing flourishing of PCN Britain.

Adrian Alker, Chair PCN Britain, April 2022 i

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Financial Report for the Year Ending 31 December 2021

1. Summary

The accounts for 2021 have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis. This reverses the decision to move to accruals basis taken a few years ago. On examination, it was found that there was little difference in the surplus for the year so that the extra work needed to produce accruals accounts was not worthwhile. In particular, it was felt that the search for independent examiners and future treasurers could be hampered by them needing to deal with accruals, for little benefit. The accounts are prepared on the basis that the trustees are confident that PCNB is a going concern, able to meet its financial obligations for the next 12 months.

The accounts comprise the receipts and payments for the year and a balance sheet.

The accounts show a surplus of £1,884 for the year with a balance on the general fund £35,047 at the end of the year.

2. Marcus Borg Memorial Fund

The final Marcus Borg Memorial event postponed from 2020 took place by zoom and this format allowed us to invite a second speaker who brought a different perspective.

3. Events

Donation were received from attendees at our four webinars so that they became an unexpected source of income for the network.

4. Publications

In spite of some disruptions, we were able to produce all 4 editions of PV with a slight increase in costs. No new publications were produced during the year.

5. Website

The website expenditure reflected just maintenance costs during the year.

6. Development

The Social Media Editor continues to work about 4 hours a week maintaining our media presence £1,800 was spent on film production, being an initial payment on a new film

7. Operating costs

Various of these remained much reduced due to the Covid-19 restrictions. Trustees generally met by Zoom although they were able to have one physical meeting in Leeds. This meant much reduced travel and accommodation costs for the rest of the year.

8. Surplus

The overall surplus of £1,884 after film payments of £1.800 leaves our reserves in a healthy position. Hopefully more real events will be possible in 2022 including a greater return to trustees meeting in person.

9. Transfers between funds

2021 saw the last Borg memorial event so that this and the balance on the Joint Events fund were transferred to the General Fund. This is to increase our flexibility for future use of our funds. Several joint events have been with various groups held since the fund was set up but this fund was not used to fund them.

Peter Stribblehill, Treasurer, April 2022

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Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Progressive Chllslianity NebNork Britain On accounts for the year ended 3TSI December 2021 Charity no ' 1102164 lif any) Set out on pages Seven and Eight I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I'lhe Trust") for the year ended 3111212021 Responsibllftlgs and basls of report As the charity's tnJslees. you are responsible for the Pfeparalion ol tho accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Chafities Act 2011 I'the Act"). I report in respe¢t of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission undef section 14515llbl of the Act_ Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have 8xamin6r's statemont come to my allenlion In connection with the examination which gives me Cause lo believe that In, any material respect.. the accounting re¢ords were not kept in accordance wrth Section 130 of the Charrties Act. or the accounts did not accord wrth the accounting records., or ltte accounts did not comply wlh the applicable requirements conceming the lomi and conlenl ol accounts sel out in the Charrtie$ (Accounts arsd Reportsl Regulations 2008 other than any feouifemenl that Ihe a￿o￿nIS give a 'lrue and fair view which Is not a matter Considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report In order lo enable a pioper understanding of the account5 to be reached Signod.. Date: Name.. Rglevant professional qualifieatlonlsl or body {if any): Addfess: ?* ". Section B Disclosure No disclosJres or qual!1 cal oiiq

Progressive Christianity Network Britain Receipts and Payments for the Year Ending 31 December 2021

Membership and Donations Subscriptions Donations - general Gift Aid Memorial Fund (Restricted Fund) Donations / Expenditure Events Webinar donations Webinar costs Publications Sales Publication costs Newsletter costs Website Development Projects Media Editor Film Project Grants / Donations Gift Aid Production Expenditure Interest Received CCLA Operating Costs Admin salaries Insurance Management Committee expenses Other costs Bank Charges Cash Surplus for Year	2021 Income Expenditure Net £ £ £ 20,782 - 20,782 263 - 263 3,958 - 3,958	2,020	Note 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
		Net
		£
		20,380
		240
		4,058
	25,003 - 25,003	24,678
	640 (507) 133
		0
	1,780 0 1,780 0 (989) (989)
		0
		0
	1,780 (989) 791	0
	241 241 0 0 (4,435) (4,435) (1,129) (1,129)
		379
		(222)
		(4,530)
		(3,357)
	241 (5,564) (5,323)	(7,730)
	(1,940) (1,940) 20 20 0 (1,800) (1,800)
		(2,134)
		105
		16
		(5,145)
	20 (3,740) (3,720)	(7,158)
	2 - 2
		53
	2 - 2	53
	0 (12,777) (12,777) (444) (444) (354) (354) (1,158) (1,158) (269) (269)
		(11,924)
		(423)
		(1,678)
		(441)
		(243)
	0 (15,002) (15,002)	(14,709)
	27,686 (25,802) 1,884
		(4,866)

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Statement of Assets and Liabilities 31 December 2021

Progressive Christianity Network Britain

Funds 31/12/2021 2020 General Memorial Joint Total Total Fund Fund Event £ £ £ £ £ Balance at 1 January 32,392 (117) 888 33,163 38,029 Net receipts for Year 1,751 133 0 1,884 (4,866) Transfers 904 (16) (888) Balance at 31 December 35,047 0 0 35,047 33,163 2020 Receipts Balance Sheet 31/12/2021 2020 Basis £ £ £ Assets Co-operative Bank 14,839 12,957 12,957 CCLA 20,208 20,206 20,206 Stripe 1,687 Gift Aid 880 Other Drs / Prepayments 830 Total 35,047 36,560 33,163 Liabilities Membership in advance 3,624 Other Cr / Accruals 125 Total 0 3,749 PY Adjustment Net Assets ~~7~~ 35,047 32,811 33,163 (352) Adrian Alker, Chair Peter Stribblehill, Treasurer 8