Progressive Christianity Network Britain
Registered Charity No: 1102164
Annual Report & Financial Report 1[st] January - 31[st] December 2025
In 2025, PCN Britain’s Annual General Meeting was addressed by Richard Holloway. .
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, 20[th] April 2013 and 27[th] April 2024.
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 Rachel Witham
Trustees for the period of this report :
Chair Simon Cross Vice chair: Paul Onslow (until May) Sue Hobley (from May) Secretary: Sandra Griffiths Treasurer: Peter Stribblehill (Until May) Julie Purves (from May) Dave Coaker (until May) Chris King (from May) Tony Sanchez AJ Stark-Ordish (from May)
Sue Hobley (until May) Naomi Nixon Kevin Skippon Jackie Wiegman
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Chair’s Report on the Network in 2025 by Simon Cross
It has now been several years since I first became a trustee of PCN – before I did so I had a visit from another trustee, Paul Onslow. He came to see me at my then workplace, we discussed the charity, its history and the sort of direction in which it might go in the future. Somehow the conversation concluded with my agreeing to be nominated as a trustee, and the rest, as the old cliché goes, is history. It’s notable, of course, that Paul had himself been a trustee for some years, having been elected in 2010, meaning that when he eventually stepped down during 2025, he had been in post for the best part of a decade and a half.
For much of that time Paul was the Vice Chair, a role on the trustee body that can sometimes be little more than ceremonial, but at other times requires you to step up and speak on behalf of the network – not something that everyone feels willing or able to do. Whether that was a highlight or not, I know that episodes such as the PCN sponsored speaking tour of Brian McLaren, during which Paul acted as Brian’s driver certainly were. What I suppose I am trying to say is that we, and I, owe Paul a significant debt of gratitude for his time on the trustees, not least for an event in 2025 to which I will return shortly.
Another person about whom I can say the same, though, is Dave Coaker – one of the first URC ministers I met who were part of PCN. I now realise, of course, that there are many others. But Dave too has seemed like a fixture – a very steady, calm presence in committee
meetings, always with an eye on what might make a good magazine article, and always with a sense of connectedness to the realities of Christian ministry too – Dave embodies the sort of pastoral sensibilities that made him an excellent trustee, and which I’m sure also make him an outstanding minister.
Of course I expect that the main thing that Dave is known for, in the network, is his editorship of Progressive Voices – better known as PV. At the time of writing
Dave has not yet laid down this task, continuing to serve the network by corralling feature articles, news stories and reviews with patience and aplomb. As we go through a period of strategic and operational change it is good that we have this kind of steadiness – we continue to be very grateful for all his work. Dave became a trustee shortly before me, and when his period of office came to an end it signalled that mine, too, will shortly be drawing to a conclusion.
Because of amendments made to the charity’s constitution, limiting the time that trustees can, and should, serve for – so that nobody ends up feeling ‘stuck’ on the committee – all of us are moving towards a fixed point. That is why it was particularly good to welcome some new trustees to the committee in 2025, they will help us as we navigate the present era.
One of the more stressful points of 2025 came right at its start – the AGM in Edinburgh, where we had booked Richard Holloway to speak. A confusion of timings, allied with technical gremlins gave me a day that I will not forget in a hurry, I was very glad of Paul Onslow’s steadfast support on that particular day, and I must say that I have no small sense of relief that the
trustees have since decided to keep our AGMs simple and straightforward in future – this year’s will be the first of a new slimmed down set of annual general meetings, easier to manage, and with fewer moving parts.
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As well as Richard’s excellent contribution during that meeting we were able to host other gatherings and talks during the year – I hosted a residential conference alongside the theologian Thomas Oord, although strictly speaking not a PCN event, it certainly had the feeling of one, with many of the network’s members taking part.
In London we hosted an intimate gathering with Chine McDonald, author of ‘God is Not a White Man’ and other texts – that event also led to renewed conversations about how we can strengthen and deepen our work in London. My sense has long been that we do this by building partnerships, and I’m pleased to say that continued during 2025.
Among other alliances that were formed, or strengthened
through the year we were pleased to host a talk from Don MacGregor of CANA (www.cana.org.uk) another network that is around the same age as PCN. For those who yearn for the more mystical or even esoteric side of Christian spirituality to play a greater part in our thinking, Don’s network with its emphasis on a universal
spirituality, is of vital support. I was pleased to be able to give a talk to some of the CANA folk in
return – hopefully some of my slightly less mystical thoughts and ideas were helpful to them in their thinking too.
Of course the day to day work of the network continued throughout the year, and I have to thank those who take on the tasks that enable this – Jess Lee who supports our groups with DVD resources, Janis Knox who acts as PCN’s window to the world on Facebook, and most recently Gillian Armitstead who has been posting content on Instagram for us – as a network we’re deeply indebted to these three people, and I thank them on behalf of us all.
My final thanks for the year go to our embattled but determined administrator Sarah Guilfoyle, who has continued to serve the network through its joys and challenges. All this at the same time as having family members to care for and support, enduring house renovations, and dealing with the other vicissitudes of life – we’re very grateful for, and glad of, her persistence and patience.
As we leave 2025 in the rearview mirror, the world around us continues to change at a dizzying rate, and as a network we are not a fixed point – we too are changing. I think that in years to come we may look back at 2025 and note that it was then that new things started to happen – a restructuring of our membership fees and a careful constriction of our expenditure ensured that the network was on a surer financial footing, and a sizable donation meant that we could begin to make some strategic moves forward. Changes may not happen quickly – nobody wants to be overwhelmed, after all, but I think you can expect to see things that began last year come to fruition in 2026 as we attempt to ready ourselves for whatever comes next.
Among other things this year we’re attempting a recruitment push – can you identify one person, or maybe more than one, who might benefit from being part of this network? Let’s work together to build the network on the sure foundations that have been left for us.
Simon Cross, PCN Britain Chair, April 2026
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Financial Report for the Year Ending 31 December 2025
1 Summary
The accounts for 2025 have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis.
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 £11,722 for the year with a balance on the general fund of £33,690 at the end of the year.
2 Events
There were no major events this year. We are aiming to change this trend in 2026
3 Publications
PV costs include the cost of postage.
4 Website
There were no major website costs during the year
5 Development
There were no major development costs during the year. The only significant costs were ongoing internet fees.
8 Operating costs
Operating costs remain in line with 2024.
9 Membership Challenge
A 'Membership Challenge' was held with a target of £2,000 to assist with costs of producing and distributing PV. This target was exceeded.
10 Surplus
The overall surplus of £11,722 includes a generous donation in excess of £6,000 together with the Membership Challenge (see above) and a conservative year in terms of development / outreach activities. We are planning a more ambitious set of activities in 2026, including a Rebranding Project.
Julie Purves, Treasurer, January 2026
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Progre$$Ne Christianity Network Britain On accounts for the year ended 31" December 2025 Charity no {if any) 1102164 Set out on pages Seven and Eight I report tr) the trustees on my examination of the aecounts of the above charity (Yhe Trust.) for the year ended 3111212025. Responslbilities and basis of rèport As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (he Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Twst's accounts carried out under seth.on 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Oirections given by the Charty Commission under section 145{5llbl of the Act. Independent examiner's I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause lo believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act. or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply with the applieable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts sel out in the Charrf(ies (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter cons4dered as part of an independent examination I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attentlDn should be drawn in this ieport in ordei to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Slgned: Date: 141 /a£ Narne: acrtCL vvlT H fyfi Relevant professional qualificatlon{sl or body lif any): Address: 6 G-th)H ILL CLCEe C I K)DC-o Fcrf24) &xLOS &LI Section B Disclosure No disclosures or qualifications.
Progressive Christianity Network Britain
Receipts and Payments for the Year Ending 31 December 2025
| Membership and Donations Subscriptions Donations - general Gift Aid Give as you Live Events Bookings and Donations Speaker/location costs AGM / others Members Weekend Greenbelt Publications Sales Publication costs Newsletter costs (inc. postage) Member Challenge Podcast Website Development Projects Media Editor Podcast Expenditure Interest Received CCLA Operating Costs Admin salary Social Media Editor Insurance Management Committee expenses Other costs (Stationery & other expenses) Bank Charges Development costs (inc. internet) Cash Surplus for Year |
2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Income Expenditure Net £ £ £ 18828 (30) 18798 7169 7169 4093 4093 60 60 |
Income Expenditure Net |
|
£ £ £ |
||
| 18609 18609 |
||
| 272 272 |
||
| 3394 3394 |
||
| 19 19 |
||
| 30151 (30) 30121 |
22294 0 22294 |
|
| 942 (307) 635 (568) (568) 0 0 0 |
||
| 150 (352) (202) |
||
7248 (6960) 288 |
||
64 (1112) (1048) |
||
| 942 (875) 67 |
7462 (8424) (962) |
|
| 272 272 0 32 (4327) (4296) 2049 2049 (250) (250) 0 |
||
| 99 99 |
||
| (170) (170) |
||
(4996) (4996) |
||
| (2307) (2307) |
||
| 2352 (4577) (2226) |
99 (7473) (7374) |
|
| 0 0 |
||
| (2064) (2064) |
||
(2338) (2338) |
||
| 0 0 0 |
0 (4402) (4402) |
|
| 841 841 |
||
| 1059 1059 |
||
| 841 841 |
1059 1059 |
|
| (14458)(14458) (498) (498) (549) (549) (182) (182) (485) (485) (320) (320) (591) (591) |
||
| (14225) (14225) |
||
| (555) (555) |
||
(1612) (1612) |
||
| (617) (617) |
||
| (251) (251) |
||
| 0 (17081) (17081) |
0 (17260) (17260) |
|
| 34285 (22563) 11722 |
30914 (37559) (6645) |
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Progressive Christianity Network Britain Statement of Assets 31 December 2025
| Funds Balance at 1 January Net receipts for Year Balance at 31 December |
31/12/2025 General Fund £ 21,968 11,722 |
31/12/2024 |
|---|---|---|
| General Fund | ||
| £ | ||
| 28,614 | ||
| (6,646) | ||
| 33,690 | 21,968 |
| Balance Sheet Assets Co-operative Bank CCLA Total |
31/12/2025 £ 4,491 29,199 |
31/12/2024 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | ||
| 3,610 | ||
| 18,359 | ||
| 33,690 | 21,968 |
Simon Cross, Chair
Julie Purves, Treasurer
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