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2021-12-31-accounts

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDING 2021

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Knowing Jesus, Growing in Jesus, Showing Jesus to Others

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

St Luke’s Church Eccleston, St Helens.

The parish is part of the Diocese of Liverpool and its official correspondence address is:-

St Luke’s Church

Knowsley Road, Eccleston, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 4PU. Tel No 01744 21173

Email address: - info.stlukeeccleston@gmail.com

The Liverpool Diocesan Board of Finance acted as Custodian Trustee for the inalienable property of the church.

For the period 1*January 2020 until the date of approval of this report, the following people served as members of the Parochial Church Council:

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|||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Priest-in-Charge|Rev H|Coffey||TeamRector| |Rev G|Bannton|Appointed|Sept 2021| ||||| |QO| |Lay|Readers|Miss|D.L.|Wright|Lay|Chair| |Deanery|Synod|Rep| |J|Ba|is|ie|ene einai| |Churchwardens||MrsLRose|||Treasurer||| |ee|GO| |po|Mrs K Grant|en|beeen| |ee|ieee| |PoSSCS™~™| MirT|Keel|ee| |Mr K|Lancaster|es| |||Miss Hayes|fT| |||Mrs|L|Llewellyn|es| |||[Mrs]| ||Ss|[Mir]|[P][ Anderson]|J Moore|| PCCAssistant Secreta Treasurer|PoCo-opted|member| ||MrsKK Sawyer|||Minutes Secreta|Co-opted|member|

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Ex-Officio members are indicated by *

The following were appointed at the PCC meeting on 10" May 2021 as Sides persons: -

Mrs. B. Bird Mrs. A. Callaghan

Mr. B. Callaghan Mr. D. Foxford Mrs. S. Foxford Mrs K Grant Mr K Lancaster — Assistant Warden Mrs. M. Rew

The following have responsibility roles: -

Safeguarding Officer Miss. D.L. Wright Electoral Roll Officer: Mrs J Thorpe Gift Aid Secretary: Mrs. J Griffiths MBE Health & Safety Officer Mr. K. Lancaster Prayer Ministry Co-ordinator Mrs E Fletcher

Team Rector: - Rev Helen Coffey, St James Vicarage, 159a St Helens Rd, Eccleston Park, Prescot, Merseyside. Tel No: - 07742 590672. Email: - helentcoffey@gmail.com

Team Vicar: - Rev Gareth Banton, St Johns Vicarage, Crossley Road, St Helens, Merseyside. Tel No: - 07444 811428. Email:- garethbanton@gmail.com

Bankers: - Royal Bank of Scotland, Ormskirk Street, St Helens, Merseyside,

Independent Examiner: - Mr. P. Horton, c/o St Luke’s Church, Knowsley Rd, St. Helens.

Architect: - Nicholas Rank, Butress, Manchester

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STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) operates under the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 and the Church Representation Rules as at 2017.

The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure and is a charity currently accepted by order from registration with the Charity Commission.

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church members are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

The PCC meets on a monthly basis with the exception of January, August and December.

Day to Day management of the church is exercised by the Standing Committee, the only committee required by law. It has the power to carry out PCC business between PCC meetings and considers strategic issues which may affect the church.

Members of the Standing Committee are: -

Miss. D.L.Wright (Lay Chair)

Mrs. L. Rose (Church Warden)

Mr. K. Lancaster (Church Warden) until May 2021 Mrs. J. Moore (PCC Secretary) Rev. H. Coffey (Team Rector) Rev. G Banton (Team Vicar) from Sept 2021

Related Parties:

Queen’s Park Primary School, St. Helens — the Priest-in-Charge of St Luke’s Church, Eccleston is an ex-officio member of the school governors. This is Rev. Helen Coffey, Eccleston Team Rector and Kate Sawyer appointed as a Foundation Governor in September 2021.

Individual PCC members receive external training as and when deemed necessary by the PCC. Training may include trustee responsibilities, basic health and safety, risk assessment and management and Safeguarding procedures.

Financial Risk:

An annual budget is prepared to ensure short term viability. Actual results compared with the budget are reported to the PCC at every meeting. The investments held by the PCC are only made in low-risk funds approved for charity use. All assets are insured and levels reviewed annually. The PCC has approved internal controls for annual accounts, cash and cheques handling are implemented.

Compliance with Law and Regulation:

The Diocesan Safeguarding guidelines (Parish Safeguarding Handbook - Promoting a safer church) have been adopted by the PCC. The PCC have the ultimate responsibility for all aspects of Safeguarding at St. Luke's. Safer Recruitment procedures are followed as directed by the Liverpool Diocesan Safeguarding team and all appointments need to be referred to Rev. Helen Coffey, the Team Rector.

The Diocesan policy gives clear guidelines for procedures to follow regarding recruitment. It also gives clear guidance to follow in the event of a Safeguarding issue.

The Diocese use an online system for DBS checks and all those in positions requiring a check have gone through this process. These are renewed regularly.

All leaders and helpers in groups involving Children and/or Vulnerable Adults are required to complete a confidential internal information form, following the diocesan ‘Safer Recruitment’ guidelines and procedures.

All PCC members have undergone an online DBS check.

Readers are required to complete Diocesan Safeguarding training and St. Luke’s Readers have either completed the training or are due to attend training in the near future.

The PCC continues to be diligent in monitoring legal compliance and changes to legislation.

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AIMS AND PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The general functions of the PCC are stated within section 2 of the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956.

St. Luke's Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also responsible for the maintenance of the Church & Community Centre, Knowsley Road, St Helens.

When planning the objectives for the year, the PCC gave consideration to the Charity Commission’s guide on public benefit.

Mission and Outreach Support

The commitment to contribute 10% of the income to missions and charities was maintained with the PCC authorising the distribution as follows: - (figures in brackets relates to FYE 2020)

CMS (Eric & Sandra Reed) £1,549 (£1,260)
CPAS £388 (£315)
Bible Society £388 (£315)
SGM Lifewords £388 (£315)
St Helens Street Pastors £774 (£630)
Tear Fund £1,549 (£1,260)
United Christians Broadcasting £388 (£315)
Hope fromAbove (Tim & Carol Derbyshires) £774 (£630)
St Helens Safer Families £774 (£630)
Hope Centre £774 (£315)
EvangelicalAlliance £0 (£315)

“Vicar’s” Report:

We began 2021 closed for public worship, as we went into our third national lockdown, not reopening again until a few days before Easter Sunday. We were allowed to begin singing during worship by Advent and it was a great joy to be able to sing Carols at Christmas!

However, as we reflected last year, being church isn’t about being in the building at all really, so we’ve continued to press into what it means to be ‘church inside out’ — here are some highlights:

Church inside out

In June, St Luke’s celebrated its 90" Anniversary with a Team picnic in Rev Gregor’s back garden, and a public ‘Songs of Praise’ on the church car park — the music and singing could be heard at some distance and was a great act of witness in our community!

The grassed garden at the front of church has been the location for:

Discipleship

We have continued to support those in our church family who are unable to access our church services in person — our Sunday morning service is available to join on zoom, which is also uploaded to YouTube. We continue to send out paper-based prayer and discipleship resources regularly and have been able to offer Home Communion at Easter and Christmas — we aim to make this a regular feature in 2022.

We've also sought to grow our network of small groups, with some success — we hope to encourage more of our church family into small groups in 2022.

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Our partnership with Queens Park School

We have continued to deepen our relationship with Queens Park school, providing weekly assemblies either online or in person, depending on local restrictions.

We provided age-appropriate Bible Society booklets for both Easter and Christmas.

We welcomed the new Reception children and their parents as well as staff from the school, into church for an activity morning based on the parable of The Lost Sheep.

We continue to support any families in need identified by Mrs Kellett, our headteacher — and going forward, school will be key to directing families to the Food Pantry on a regular basis.

We also hosted a bulb planting session in the eco garden at church and the school provided stones painted with the children’s ideas about the Fruits of the Spirit.

Achieving Key Priorities for 2021

A key task for 2021 was to recruit a new team vicar. We worked hard to create a Team profile. Rev Gareth Banton was interviewed and appointed in May 2021, and on Sunday 5" September 2021, we welcomed Gareth, April and their two sons to the clergy team at a service in St Luke’s. | am delighted to be sharing in ordained leadership of this parish and team with a colleague of such high calibre.

Another key priority for 2021 was to reopen Teddies, our toddler group. We took a team approach to this and interviewed and appointed a toddler group co-ordinator on a 12-month contract, tasked with expanding and encouraging the volunteer team, reopening and welcoming a whole new generation of babies and toddlers! We appointed April Banton, who has done all of that and more!

Not only has St Luke’s always focused on outreach and community, but also on the Gospel message to seek and serve the poor. So, autumn 2021 was spent exploring and visiting existing pantries/seeking funding/building partnerships to enable St Luke’s to do all the preparation ready to open one of two Food Pantries in the Team — the other being based at St Matthew’s.

This has been an exciting year, which holds much promise for 2022. We asked God to remove and plant, and the thing he seems to be planting most of during 2021 is baptism families! We are delighted to have the ‘problem’ of a backlog of baptism families — we’re working hard to enable them to stay part of our church family long after their baby’s baptism.

Again, this year, some precious brothers and sisters have gone home to heaven — we love and miss them. And again, I've been amazed by the faithfulness and determination of all our church family here at St Luke’s. On your behalf I’d like to thank Lorraine for being the world’s most Wonderful Warden, and I'd like to thank this year’s PCC for making brave and exciting decisions! My thanks and loving prayers to each one of you.

Gareth’s input

After a long and prayerful discernment, it was so good to finally arrive in the team in September and be at St Luke's for my licensing. | can only speak about the period from September onwards, but it’s been a real pleasure to get to know congregation members over the past 8 months and begin to settle into the church community. During that time, we’ve achieved a great deal.

Our worship has gone through a number of different iterations as we’ve relaxed various COVID safety measures. As a church we've responded to these changes with a cheerful and generous spirit. We’ve respected those who have desired more space and accommodated those who desire less.

We've seen the church go through a major redecoration, and my thanks go to the PCC and Lorraine and Keith for shouldering the bulk of organising it.

Of course, in the final few months of 2021, there wasa lot of activity and planning around the Food Pantry launch in the New Year. It’s an enormous venture and has taken a great deal of work. But it represents a critical service to our community, and an unparalleled opportunity to come alongside folk in our locality. My thanks go to Jean, Tom and Diane, and all the many Pantry volunteers who've helped get it off the ground.

Christmas was a great success, after such a difficult Christmas in 2020. The Christingle service was a great encouragement as we welcomed many families and all ages into our building — the service was interactive and for the first time in a number of months we were able to arrange the seating ‘café style’. Our Carol Service was heaving with people glad to be back in the building, singing carols and hearing the Christmas story. Charles and David put a huge amount of effort into organising the programme, and it was a great evening. The Crib Service, too, went very well. We neglected to take a proper count, but we estimated that around 30 children came to enjoy some crafts, an activity and to 4

prepare themselves for Christmas morning. Particular thanks go to Rev Gregor for preparing a lot of the content for the evening, and to Keith for being helpful and hands on, on the day.

Of course, during the last couple of months of 2021, the PCC and the wider church began to learn and discern about FFM2. At the time of writing, it's still unclear what the future direction of travel will be for our team, and for our deanery. But | am incredibly grateful to the PCC for exploring and investigating the proposals. The church is not static, but a changing, moving, and living community of people. Wherever we're headed, it will look different than where we've been. As the people of God, I’m sure we know better than to hold on too tightly to our own plans and agendas. But we can always hold onto the unconditional promise of God's love and faithfulness. We can trust his promise to build his church. And we can trust that ultimately, all things shall work together for the good of those who love our God.

God Bless

Rev Helen Coffey —- Team Rector Rev Gareth Banton — Team Vicar

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

The PCC is delighted with its achievements set out in the previous and following section.

The following section highlights the areas of activity and performance.

The electoral roll (April 2020- 105) is now 107 people, 67 of whom are non-resident in the parish. During the year 4 people have joined and 2 are deceased.

Worship: - This year again, the average attendance has been affected by the Covid 19 pandemic. The church building was Closed for a number of months at the beginning of the year and was open for a number of months with limits on the number of people allowed in the building. We have continued to provide a ‘Zoom’ service for all the churches in the Eccleston Team. This is later uploaded onto our YouTube channel. Before Covid restrictions in 2020 the average attendance at Sunday Services remained constant at 65 over 2 services each week, except for the 5!" Sunday in the month, when there was only 1 service. We are now hold 1 service per week and by the end of the year were averaging 40 plus people watching over Zoom and later on YouTube. However, this does not include baptism services, in total 6 during the year, funeral services — 12 at church, 5 at the crematorium and 2 burial of ashes, wedding services 2 and wedding blessing services of which there were 2.

Church Buildings

The Church and Community Centre buildings at the beginning of 2021 were closed for a few months due to high covid infection rates in the area. We re-opened for services at the end of March and a couple of groups started back with the number increasing during the year. We have lost one group and welcome a new group starting in September using the facilities 2 evenings per week.

In May, a lump of plaster fell from above one of the windows in the church nave. This happened whilst no-one was present in the building. Due to the age of the building, we required an asbestos survey, before we could contact any contractors to repair the work. An asbestos survey was completed on the church and the community centre during June. The area of concern due to active asbestos was the basement. With immediate effect the area was closed, and locks were changed to avoid anyone going into the area until it was made safe. The good news is that there was no asbestos present in the plaster in the church building and so the repair work could go ahead. During the next couple of months, quotes were obtained to repair areas around church where the plaster was loose and also to repaint. The work was completed in October. The asbestos urgent work required quotes which were obtained and agreed to, but due to the Health and Safety notice required to the local authority, we were unable to complete in 2021 and the work was programmed to be completed in January 2022. PCC agreed to use reserves for all this work to be done.

In the Community Centre Main Hall and Meeting Room 2, a number of the lighting tubes had stopped working. New lighting tubes are now all LED. PCC agreed for the lighting to be changed to LED and for the work to be completed quickly due to evening actives in the centre becoming unsafe. The new lights would be more energy efficient. A donation was received from the Indoor Bowling Group towards the cost. PCC sent a note of thanks.

On the Car Park we have a couple of sink away grids. One of these had to be repaired in the summer, The contractor who carried out the work, did not charge and said it was his donation to church. PCC sent a note of thanks.

The PCC would like to thank the volunteers who look after the gardens around church and those who clean the church.

The annual inspection of the heating boilers for the church and community centre normally takes place in the autumn. This was put on hold until the asbestos work was completed in the basement. An inspection of the fire extinguishers took place.

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Staffing

We employ a cleaner for 4 hours a week to clean the community centre during the year. The Eccleston Team agreed to employer a Toddler Group Co-ordinator for 16 hours per week for a 12-month contract starting from September 2021. St Luke’s PCC agreed to be the legal employer for this role with contributions being received from the other 3 churches in the team to cover the cost.

There are many volunteers who fulfil roles at St Luke’s in a variety of ways. There are too many to name individually and if we had to pay for this work, it would cost us thousands of pounds. The PCC are truly thankful and appreciative to all the people who serve the Lord in St Luke’s and within the Eccleston Team in whatever role that is.

PASTORAL SUPPORT Prayer Ministry - Co-ordinator Enid Fletcher

Unfortunately, since March 2020 with covid and the restrictions within the church we have been unable to offer this support after a service.

As soon as we are able, we will start the Prayer ministry again. We are looking for volunteers, if you are interested, please get in touch.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6

St. Luke’s Prayer Meeting - Co-Ordinator Stina & Dave Foxford

JANUARY-DECEMBER 2021

Prayer Group was working very much via WhatsApp this year, totalling to 13 meetings. We met fortnightly on Mondays at 8pm for about half an hour.

A prayer Guide was sent beforehand through Team Rector Helen Coffey’s Being Church email. This ensured that everyone had the opportunity to take part, whether in real time or at a more convenient time to them. Prayer Guide included two songs, reflection and various prayer pointers.

Themes of WhatsApp Prayer Groups were: Norway, Chinese journalists, Education in UK, Team Clergy, COVID vaccines, Myanmar, Mental health of NHS staff, Children’s exploitation, North Korean Christians, Alpha courses, Lent, Universal Credit top up, NHS staff, Persecuted women, Christian values & Freedom of speech in UK, Homeless young people, Domestic abuse survivors, Iranian and Nigerian Christians, PM & UK Government, Easter, Queen & the Royal family, Syrian Christians, Unlocking of UK, APCMs & PCCs, India, Thy Kingdom Come Give Him 5, Modern Slavery & Seasonal workers and Refugees.

In May we were encouraged to do an Individual Prayer Walk around our neighbourhood, either virtually or physically. This was inspired by Thy Kingdom Come initiative.

Prayer Group had an extended break during summer due to a bereavement in the family and an illness of a leader.

On the 27" of September, Prayer Group finally managed to start meeting up in-person at St. Luke’s Church 8pm for an hour. COVID-safe rules were followed.

Prayer Guides continued to be distributed through email as before, so that people could take part in the Prayer Group either in-person or during their own time. However, the future of in-person Prayer Group is uncertain because the average attendance in the meetings was only 4.4 people, which includes two leaders. We had five in-person meetings in total.

Themes of the in-person Prayer Groups were: Women & children in Afghanistan, Niger, Poverty in UK, Modern Slavery (to mark Anti-Slavery Day), COP26 Summit, Halloween, Persecuted Christians (IDOP), Armed Forces, Afghanistan & Afghans, Christmas events and Nigerian Christians.

We want to offer a heartfelt thank you to those who have faithfully taken part in the Prayer Groups during the past year. We have had a lot to pray for and it is vitally important to continue to pray together. We might not see immediate results, but it’s great to be able to spend time together and make a difference in this world, locally, nationally and globally.

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COMMUNITY ACTIVITES

“Teddies” Toddler Group — Team Leader Karen Grant

The new volunteer team re-opened Teddies in September with much excitement, but slight trepidation after lockdown. We weren't sure if many families would attend, but to our amazement we now have 89 families on our register — 63 of whom attend regularly.

All of the families have expressed how wonderful Teddies is, they feel loved and welcomed and have said that it feels like one big family. After the isolation during Covid the families have said how wonderful it has been to see the children integrating well, laughing and playing with others. Lots of friendships have been made between both the children and adults. The families enjoy free teas, coffee, toast also juice, fruit and biscuits for the children.

We have Bible story time towards the end of the session and we finish off with songs that both the adults and children enjoy immensely. At Christmas time we had a wonderful party with fab food and games, after which we went into church for a small carol service and whilst there, Father Christmas arrived to give out gifts. A number of children who were leaving Teddies were presented with a Children’s Bible as a memento of their time with us.

A few families that attend have now asked for their children to be baptised ...... how wonderful is that!

| would like to thank all the volunteers for their continued help, love and patience! Lastly, | would like to thank our Toddler Group Co-ordinator April Banton for all her help, her infectious enthusiasm, boundless energy and her love for children’s evangelism.

5" Eccleston St Luke’s Brownies — Leader Eagle Owl Sue Brindley

We started the year still on Zoom with the girls having an activity pack to cover the term. We started with a Promise/ Resolutions night, with girls thinking about how they could keep their promise better and particularly help at home! Our Second meeting was covering Scottish Burn’s night with the Scottish flag, tasting the Cling film wrapped shortbread and making a monster from instructions. On 25" January we started looking at Countries around the world Australia was that night's theme with the girls making Boomerangs of the promise and finding out it always came back to them! The next week was South Africa and the week before half term was Switzerland with the girls having Toblerone to taste! In the middle of this theme, we had a Zoom sleepover with a ‘people we love’ theme

The girls were really excited and built dens under their dining tables or in their bedrooms. Some were even decorated with fairy lights. We had a lovely evening of activities with Helen and Gregor doing a church slot with stained glass (tissue paper) a bible story and a game. The evening ended with a sachet of hot chocolate and a marshmallow on a stick being cooked on a tealight (under the parent's supervision) and then squashed between two chocolate digestives while they had a last bedtime story. The following morning, we started again at 9am and continued with activities until noon. The Leaders, all agreed it was the best sleepover with no one asking for first aid or saying they didn’t like part of a meal. As for bedtime as the computers were turned off at 9pm we could go to bed undisturbed by the usual sound of little feet traipsing to the toilet for the next couple of hours!

We celebrated ‘Thinking Day’ on 22"4 February still on Zoom and had a St David’s Day meeting on 1% March. The following week we made Mother's Day cards with scent bottles on the front and made Teabag holders to go with them. We celebrated St Patrick’s Day and spent the last two weeks of term making Easter cards and Easter Egg holders for the girls Creme eggs.

The Easter holiday was spent writing risk assessments in reams for Girlguiding to agree we were safe to meet face to face, so we could start back soon!

We continued on Zoom, with a St George’s day meeting having looked at all the other saints of the UK it seemed only fair we looked at England’s. We told the girls about the Guiding Region being 50 and looked at their ‘50 Birthday Challenge Pack’ and the girls chose which challenge they would like to do from each section. The rest of the term we enjoyed watching them do the challenges. Putting on 50 items of clothing, doing a quiz about our area, learning the symbols on the ‘County Standard’ and what they represent. Sticking on tissue to make a collage of the world badge and creating a gold bracelet threading all the beads on.

After half term all the paperwork was signed off and we started to meet back at the hall - we made Father's Day cards and crafts. The second week back the girls completed an obstacle course doing 50 different things and then made the number 50 out of their bodies! They then handed in their 50 acts of kindness sheets, and it was great to see the range of things they had done. Of course, no Birthday challenge could end without a Birthday party and the girls each brought in a party packed tea and we organised the games they could play while keeping them at a safe distance. The last week of term we had a Presentation night and Promise ceremony. We presented the girls going onto Guides gifts and all the

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girls left with all the Birthday Challenge badges to sew on. It was great to see Helen and she presented some of the badges for us.

The Autumn term started badly the first week being cancelled as Sue was in hospital.

The second week began much better as we welcomed Brownies from our waiting list and all agreed to work on the ‘Know myself skill builders this term we did activities about how to deal with bullies, putting our best feelings forward and trying not to get upset when things don’t go our way, working as part of a team and making individual items. After half term we invited Brownies to bring a parent to our ‘Secret Service Challenge Night’ and the girls and parent worked together through the challenges. We then started our Christmas makes including a pinecone angel, Christmas pudding fridge magnet, girl’s calendars for 2022, table centres and pop-up nativity cards, Reindeer wooden door wreaths and card slippers containing sweets.

The last week of term we had a Promise Ceremony for the girls that started that term. We asked Mary Dinn the Division Commissioner and Helen her Assistant to join us and Helen Coffey from church. Sue Kirkham had helped me at Brownies for over six years but had said in the summer that she would be leaving at Christmas to spend more time with her grandchildren living down near London. Mary presented her with a Girlguiding ‘Thanks Badge’ and certificate and thanked her formally for all her hard work over the years. Thank-you for all your input and hard work with the girls, Sue.

This left the Unit with a problem as only Sue Brindley remained out of the team of 5 helpers at the start of covid. Gillian Crosby was interested in helping and chatted to Sue on the phone, she was put in touch with Mary and started her DBS checks and ‘Safe Space’ online training and we hope she can start her Leadership Training next term.

Sue Brindley Unit Leader, Sue Kirkham Unit Helper & Helen Brindley Occasional Leader.

Hobby Hub — Co-ordinator Susan Stewart

Hobby Hub was started over zoom during the lockdown in 2020, so people within the Eccleston team churches could join in on a Wednesday evening for a couple of hours to show what their craft/ hobby is and for a chat, even if they didn’t have a hobby. During 2021 we have now moved to meet in St Luke’s Community Centre on a Wednesday between 7pm8.30pm and continuing to be able to join over zoom at the same time, due to a few people finding it difficult to attend in person but wanting to remain in contact with the group. The group continues to grow slowly with people who live in the community coming but no connection to church and a mixture of ages from teenagers to the ‘young at heart’.

Bring your things with you and work on your hobby in the company of friends. If you don’t have a hobby and would like to learn something new, why not come along and see what others are working on. All are welcome.

St Luke’s Indoor Bowls — Co-ordinator Alan Cresswell, Allan Taggert & Charles Johnson

After a lengthy break due to Covid restrictions, we were delighted to restart Indoor Bowls in the Church Centre on Thursday 7" October. A range of safety measures were put in place to reduce the risk of infection, such as no more than 4 players per mat, and with numbers usually between 8 and 12 we had either 2 or 3 mats in use. There has been no doubting the quality of the biscuits and hot drinks, but there are still questions about the quality of the bowling: we have a range of different bowlers such as highly skilled left-handed bowlers, those who talk to their bowls (the bowls don’t seem to listen!), those who like total silence when they are bowling and, of course, those whose eyesight lets them think that their bowl is always closest to the jack.

We each pay 50p each week and now that the mats have been purchased, we have been able to pass some money to the Church funds (this went some of the way towards the cost of the new lights in the Hall).

We want to spread the word that bowls is not an exclusively male activity. There has been only one female bowler recently and she has shown that she can compete successfully with all the males, so please feel free to join us, ladies. You could not be any worse than some of the men! We always have bowls available if you wish to come along and have a go. We hope to be back in the Church Centre at the beginning of October 2022.

St Luke’s Men’s Fellowship Group — Co-ordinator Alan Cresswell, Charles Johnson & Allan Taggert

Unfortunately, due to Covid, we have been unable to hold our monthly Wednesday meetings in the Black Bull. We have not given up yet and hope to start again later in 2022 if the infection rate suggests that it is safe to do so.

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Other regular community activities

St Luke’s Walking Group — meet the first Saturday of the month in the morning normally starting approximately Yam. This is a walking group at a gentle pace with a place for lunch at the end of the walk for fellowship. If people are unable to come on the walk you are welcome to join for lunch. Unfortunately, since March 2020 this has ceased due to covid. We are looking forward towards the future when we can re-start the walks and fellowship again in 2022.

Thank you! Helping Hearts This year, the ‘Helping Hearts’ bereavement group sadly came to a natural conclusion. This group has run successfully for over 17 years and during this time, many people have been helped through difficult periods in their lives through the hard work and dedication of the members. God’s love has definitely been shared in the darkest of times. A special ‘thank-you’ must go to Linda Fairclough, who has organised and led this group faithfully since it first began.

Luke-Inn

The members of the Luke-Inn committee have, after much prayer, decided that this group should also not re-open again after the pandemic. Again, Luke-Inn has run very successfully for many years. Many folk from the community have enjoyed afternoon tea with delicious home-made cakes, a variety of speakers, outings and much more - God's love being shared in practical ways. A special ‘thank-you’ must go to all those folk who have been involved in organising and leading this group over the years.

Finance

Regular giving and donations decreased by just under 5.5%, compared to the same for 2020, whereas our regular commitments (gas, electricity, water, insurance, etc) remained more or less the same as the previous year.

Our Parish Share contribution for 2021 was maintained at the same level as 2020, however, a £1000 contribution was paid on St Luke's behalf anonymously and we received a £3,200 credit against our 2020 contribution from Liverpool Diocese, from the Church Commissioners, which reduced our payments over the year. The PCC decided to donate the £3,200 credit to St James with St Matthews to help with their financial situation.

Continuing on from 2020, more people who regularly donated via the collection plate, changed their way of giving to either standing order or through the Parish Giving Scheme.

Payments associated with the vicarage have remained consistent compared to 2020, although they now do only account for the telephone line and broadband connection.

All other costs associated with the vicarage (i.e., council tax, water rates, etc.), which are now incurred because it is occupied by Rev Gregor Stewart and his family during his Curacy, are now accounted for separately under the ‘curacy costs’ line and are paid for by the 4 churches of the Eccleston Team as shown in the ‘curacy income’ row under the income section. The rent of the vicarage is covered by a curacy grant from the Liverpool Diocese.

A couple of one-off maintenance costs, under the "upgrade works" heading were incurred during 2021 for the repainting of the main body of the church, lounge and porch (£10,230) and the lights within the Main Hall and Meeting Room 2 were replaced with LED lights, similar to those in the main body of the church (£586.44), with all other maintenance costs being for the general upkeep and servicing of the buildings.

We have received a total of £9,417 in tax recovery from regular income. This is lower than during 2020 as 15 months had been claimed during 2020 whereas only 12 months has been claimed during 2021. Also, no claims were submitted for Small Donations during 2021, a combined claim will be submitted for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 tax years during 2022.

Income from hall lettings have decreased further by nearly 20% as not all external groups returned to normal meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have been extremely fortunate to receive several bequests from former members of the church, totalling £57,337, of which £35,000 was transferred into the bequest investment fund to generate additional investment income.

We have received investment income totalling £2,617 from the bequest investment fund, which is available for the PCC without any restrictions. This was lower than that received in 2020 because a withdrawal had been made in September 2020 of £21,264 to enable the Parish Share for September to December to be paid and to ease the pressure on the general funds.

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Performance of Investments from the fund accounts held with the Central Board of Finance from the sale of the school have been good with dividend payments and interest achieving £2,354 which is available to the PCC for restricted items. The market value of the actual shares has increased by 2.6%.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

At the end of the year, between the main deposit and current accounts there wasa total of £5,241 available as general funds, there is also £99 available for church upgrade works and a further £509 received from Liverpool Diocese and the team churches towards the curacy costs.

During the year, it was agreed that the Community Centre bank account, which started the year with a balance of £11, would be used for the Food Pantry operations. A grant of £6,000 was received to cover the costs associated with the franchise fees and setup costs, of which a total of £2,648 was still available.

The market value of the investment fund from the bequest donations was £112,665 which is available to the PCC without any restrictions. There was also a further £11,956 in restricted funds which are available for the PCC to use for restricted purposes.

Agent Transactions

The PCC acted as a financial agent for the following people / organisations: -

Plans for the Future

“Knowing Jesus, Growing in Jesus, Showing Jesus to others”.

LET US consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. LET US not give up meeting. LET US encourage one another. HEBREWS 10:24 & 25

DECLARATION The trustees declare that they have approved Signature Dhiinw <. Wg ' Full Name: - Diane L. Wright “a Position: - PCC Lay Chair Date: - 6th May 2022

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

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Um
od
St Lukes
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ST LUKE’S CHURCH ECCLESTON

FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 2021

Knowing Jesus, Growing in Jesus, Showing Jesus to others

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF St Luke's, Eccleston FINANCIAL STATEMENT

For the year ended 31 December 2021 Receipts & Payments Account

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|||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Designated|Restricted|Total|Total| |funds|funds|funds|2021|2020| |Receipts|£|£|£|£|£| |Voluntary|receipts| |Regular|Giving| |Planned|Giving|-|Gift Aid|25,954|25,954|29,014| |Planned|Giving|-|Parish|Giving|Scheme|6,164|6,164|4,327| |Planned|Giving|- Other|§,132|5,132|4,859| |Loose|Plate|Collections|1,619|1,619|2,800| |Tax|Recovered|-|Gift Aid|9,417|9,417|10,493| |Tax Recovered|-|Gift Aid|on|Small|Donations|ie)|1,059| |in|memoriam|57,337|57,337|404| |members'|payments|370|370|422| |grants|ie]|353| |other|donations|930|263|1,193|3,928| |special|appeals|oO|fe)| |107,187|57,659| |Receipts|from|activities|for generating|funds| |refreshments|19|19|48| |copy|printer income|ie)|fe)| |hall|lettings|2,292|2,292|2,791| |other|income|(incl|cards)|865|865|359| |3,176|3,198| |Receipts|from|Church|activities| |PCC|Fees|3,026|3,026|1,710| |Donations|from Verger|oO|ie)| |3,026|1,710| |Receipts|from|investments| |Bank|&|CBF|interest/dividends|2,620|2,354|4,973|5,840| |4,973|5,840| |Other|receipts| |Weekend|income|/|outings|fe)|[8| |Insurance|claim|ie)|ie)| |Curacy|Income|11,525|11,525|7,775| |11,525|7,775| |St|Luke's|Pantry|Income| |Grants|6,000|6,000|0| |Donations|121|121|0| |Members|Payments|ie)|fe)|0| |6,121|0| |Total|Receipts|115,374|6,755|13,879|136,008|76,181| |Payments| |Church|activities| |Missionary|giving|10,980|ie)|10,980|7,347| |Parish|share|46,835|46,835|51,035| |Working|expenses|1,766|1,766|1,377| |Vicarage|costs|620|620|640| |Curacy Costs|11,756|11,756|7,035| |Wages|2,855|2,855|ie}| |Church|heat/ight|2,133|2,133|2,288| |Church|insurance|3,108|3,108|2,905| |Evangelism|(incl|anniversary)|572|572|300| |Church|Maintenance|1,643|1,643|1,603| |Upkeep|of services|200|273|473|179| |Equipment|104|100|204|493| |Copier|lease/mtce|1,215|1,215|701| |Community centre|maintenance|823|823|2,047| |Community|centre|running|costs|§,241|5,241|5,193| |Weekend|accommodatior/|outings|(e)|(e)| |Refreshments|68|68|92| |Other working|exps|2,358|439|2,797|2,019| |Church|upgrade|works|10,858|10,858|1,632| |103,948|86,885| |St Luke's|Pantry| |Fees|500|500|(@)| |Equipment|2,973|2,973|[e)| |Purchases|ie)|(e)|[e)| |3,473|0| |Total|Payments|80,522|4,285|22,614|107,421|86,885| |Excess|of Receipts|over Payments|28,587|(10,704)|

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF St. Luke's, Eccleston STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

For the year ended 31 December 2021

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||||||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Designated|Restricted|Total|Total| |funds|funds|funds|2021|2020| |£|£|£|£|£| |Cash|Funds| |Bank|current account|(9,214)|(9,214)|(8,286)| |Bank deposit account|14,455|608|15,063|22,136| |Community Centre|account|2,658|2,658|1| |Church|Board|of Finance|Deposit|Fund|1,302|1,302|1,279| |Church|Board|of Finance|Deposit Account (764001)|1,307|1,307|1,953| |Fund|bank accounts|and|cash|2,059|2,059|2,237| |Total|bank|current and|deposit accounts|5,241|6,019|1,915|13,174|19,329| |Investment Assets| |CBF|Investment Fund|(Old|School|Sale)|(764002)||42,836|42,836|37,451| |CBF|Fixed|Int|Investment Fund|(Old|School|Sale)|(764003)||44,875|44,875|48,045| |CBF|Fixed|Int Investment|Fund|(Bequest)|(764004)|63,966|6,186|70,152|51,613| |CBF|Investment Fund|(Bequest)|(764005)|48,698|4,463|53,161|35,488| |211,024|172,597| |**|Investment|Assets|were|previously managed|by the trustees of Greenhalls|Ecclesiastical|Charity. These have now| |been transferred|to|St|Lukes|Parochial|Church|Council.|

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Other Monetary Monetary Assets

Other Monetary Monetary Assets (all in respect of unrestricted funds) Income tax recoverable from HMRC from December 2021 674 603 Liabilities (all in respect of unrestricted funds) None 0 0

Approved by the PCC on 6th May 2022 and signed on their behalf

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DhASG
Diane Wright
PCC Lay Chair
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Peter Anderson PCC Assistant Treasurer

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS:

  1. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the Receipts and Payments basis.

  2. The following assets are recognised but are not necessarily valued in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities: Freehold land and buildings comprising the Church Centre Various items of ICT and audio visual equipment

  3. Various tables and chairs purchased in 2010

  4. The expenses paid to clergy may include a small, immaterial proportion which relates to their function as PCC members. No other payments were made to PCC members.

4. The movements in designated funds during 4. The movements in designated funds during the yearwere: ;
b/fwd clfwd
1 Jan 2021 Receipts Payments 31 Dec 2021
Discretionaryfund 386 0 20 366
Flower Fund 111 200 273 38
Hospitality 99 0 0 99
Ladies' Fellowship 0 0 0 0
Family Events Fund 57 0 0 57
Boys Brigade 204 0 0 204
Teddies ToddlerGroup 408 434 519 322
Luke Inn 544 0 0 544
Luke There 428 0 0 428
StLukes Puppeteers 0 0 0 0
2,237 634 812 2,059
  1. Receipts and payments for the Community Centre are included within the PCC accounts but are identified separately as follows:
as follows:
£ £
Receipts 2021 2020
Hall lettings 2,292 2,791
Grants 0 0
Contributionfrom (to) St Luke’s Church 5,305 4,450
Total Income 7,597 7,240
Payments
Community centre maintenance 823 2,047
Community centre running costs 5,241 5,193
Centre Cleaning Costs 1,534 0
TotalExpenditure 7,597 7,240

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Independent Examiner's Report

Report to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Luke's, Eccleston (764) on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2021, as set out on pages 12 to 14 of your Annual Report.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent Examiner's statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the PCC concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide ail the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent Examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

| have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Noha.

Date: (2* May Zo22. Paul Horton, Eccleston, St Helens

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