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2025-12-31-accounts

St John the Evangelist Church Stoke-next-Guildford

Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council

for the year ended 31 December 2025

Incumbent: Revd Mark Woodward

Bank: CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ

Independent Examiner Eric Southwick BA(Hons), FCA, DChA, FCIE.

Registered Charity no 1128450

stjohnstoke.com

St John’s Stoke, Stoke Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 1HB Tel: 01483 574562 Email: office@stjohnstoke.com Registered Charity no. 1128450

St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Contents

Annual Report

Annual Report
Aims and purposes 2
Objectives and activities 2
Achievements and performance 3
Worship and prayer 3
Ministry and pastoral care 3
Children, Youth and Students 3
Outreach and community 6
Facilities and Buildings 7
Wider church structures 8
Structure Governance and management 8
Finance Matters 9
Principal Risks and Uncertainties 11
Trustees’ Responsibilities 12
Financial Statements 13
Statement of Financial Activities 13
Balance Sheet 14
Cash Flow Statement 15
Accounting policies and notes 16
Independent Examiner’s report 27

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St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Aims and Purposes

St John’s Parochial Church Council (“the PCC”) has the responsibility of co-operating with the Rector, the Reverend Mark Woodward, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of St John’s Church and the Stirling Centre, Stoke Road, Guildford, and the house for ministry (35 Woking Road).

Vision

The PCC, together with the wider congregation has established a vision plan for the church and the community we serve. We believe that Jesus came to bring ‘Life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10) and our vision is to bring this life through transformation of the parish of Stoke. Our vision is to be a growing church at the heart of the community of Stoke-next-Guildford.

Together, as a whole church family we seek, through the grace of God and with the full support of the whole church community, to build a vibrant and growing church that has firm foundations on Jesus Christ and His teaching, placing Him at the heart of the church’s life and growth. Our vision speaks of how we strive to share His good news with the local community and parish of Stoke and to build a church where all people are valued, where newcomers can quickly ‘belong’ and old and young, single, married couples and families belong together as the body of Christ.

The main emphases of our Vision are:

Objectives and Activities

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at St John’s. The PCC maintains an overview of worship and considers how services can involve all sections of the residents of the parish and beyond. Our services put faith into practice through music, prayer, scripture, teaching and sacraments.

The PCC have considered the guidance of the Charity Commission on public benefit, and in particular the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. When planning our activities for the year, the incumbent and the PCC try to enable all people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through the realisation of themes from our vision:

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St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

The strategies and activities adopted by the PCC to achieve these objectives are reviewed further in the Achievements and performance section of this report.

Achievements and performance

Worship and Prayer

The PCC is keen to offer a range of services during the week and over the course of the year that our community finds both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling.

All are welcome to attend our regular services. The average weekly attendance, counted during October was 133 on normal Sundays, but this increased to 166 including a large Confirmation Service in October 2025.

As well as our regular services we enable our community to celebrate and thank God for the milestones of life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of new life in Christ. In marriage public vows are exchanged with God’s blessing and through funeral services friends and family express their grief, give thanks for their loved one’s life in this world and commend them into God’s keeping. It is our policy to hold baptisms within our main services and we hold marriage and funeral services as required. During 2025, we conducted 6 Baptisms, 14 Confirmations, 0 Weddings, and 6 funeral services here or at the crematorium/cemetery and 0 Burial of Ashes.

Ministry and Pastoral Care

In 2025 our curate Nick had responsibility for the oversight of pastoral care with a team of 4 Pastoral Assistants (PAs) and our aim is to grow this team further. Nick stepped down from leading the team in January 2026 and our Rector Mark is currently leading the team.

PAs aim to enable each church family member to give and receive God’s love and care as we journey through life together by offering spiritual, practical and emotional support, enabling people to live life to its fullness through healing, restoration, forgiveness, listening, empathy and compassion. Often this involves one to one support and or signposting to other agencies.

The team also maintains the Church Confidential Prayer email and has a presence on the Church Prayer Ministry Team which offers prayer support to all church members in Sunday morning Services.

It is also important to recognise that all of us have a responsibility for pastoral care within our Church Family. It's been a very busy year for all the PAs and we are very grateful for all their love in action.

Children, Youth and Students

Children

2025 has been a year of change within our children’s ministry, and we are especially thankful for the commitment, flexibility, and faithfulness of our volunteer teams who continue to make this work possible week by week.

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St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

The children who attend our groups on Sundays remain an important and valued part of our church family. Our Sunday children’s work continues because of a dedicated team of volunteers who faithfully prepare, teach, encourage, and care for our children each week. Through their time, energy, and prayerful service, children are helped to explore the gospel of Jesus Christ, feel welcomed and known, and begin to develop their own relationship with God.

During the year, Janet stepped down from her role as Children’s Worker. We are deeply grateful for all she invested in the life of the church and the children’s ministry. Lucy is currently supervising the children’s work, supported by the wider team, whose willingness to serve and adapt during this transition has been invaluable.

At our All-Age Services, we continue to grow in intergenerational worship, seeking ways for children to feel fully included and valued within the whole church family. It has been encouraging to see children and families participating in worship and helping to lead the church in prayer, particularly throughout our summer cafe style services.

‘Refresh’ (formerly Toddler Group) continues to be a significant outreach and pastoral ministry. Meeting each Tuesday during term time, it welcomes an average of 25-30 toddlers along with parents, grandparents, and carers. This ministry would not happen without a committed team of volunteers who faithfully offer hospitality, conversation, prayer, and practical support each week. Through coffee, pastries, play, singing, and a short Bible reflection, the team seeks to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual refreshment, and many meaningful relationships have been formed as a result.

Our family events throughout the year, including the annual Easter Holiday Club, have again been well attended by the local community. These events require significant planning and teamwork, and we are deeply thankful for the many volunteers who give their time, creativity, and energy to make them welcoming, joyful, and safe spaces for children and families to encounter church and hear the good news of Jesus.

As a church, we have stepped back from running GLOW (God Loves Our World) as an official ministry this year, although members of our congregation remain involved individually. We are thankful for the partnerships and opportunities it created and for those who continue to serve in this way.

Across every area of children’s ministry - Sundays, Refresh, and special events - we recognise that none of this work would happen without the generosity, faith, and commitment of our volunteers. Their quiet, consistent service is a vital expression of the church’s mission, and we are deeply grateful for all they give. We particularly would like to thank Anna Sharpe whose support, leadership and wisdom have proved invaluable.

Boys' Brigade and Girls’ Brigade

Boys' and Girls' Brigades are integral to the church's children's and youth work, led by St John's members with support from other local churches too. Boys' and Girls' Brigades at St John's work closely together, with joint leadership meetings, supporting each other as necessary. They enjoy an amazing annual Brigades' camp in the New Forest and join up for parade services, Christmas and summer events.

Boys' Brigade continues to meet on Thursday evenings during school terms, catering for around 30 boys and young men up to the age of 18. Their aim is through a structured, faith-based programme to teach the boys about the Christian faith in an exciting, safe and fun-based environment, working for

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St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

badges and awards on the way. The boys take part in a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities such as games, sports, quizzes, kayaking, hiking, football, first aid, cooking, and drill, and also join in competitions and events with other groups across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, often bringing home certificates and silverware!

Girls' Brigade meets on Tuesday evenings and enjoys a varied and exciting faith-based programme. We work towards different badges; some of these take around a half term to complete, others are slightly longer or shorter. All groups have enjoyed topics including winter and the Fruits of the Spirit. We enjoyed a demonstration of God's overflowing love for us (using bicarbonate of soda and vinegar), hot chocolate, smoothie making, pancakes, lots of craft activities, and lots of games. We are really looking forward to camp in May. It is a great privilege to share with the girls on their own faith journey and how God and His word is relevant in our lives today. We are thankful to Carol Lowries for all her hard work as team leader. Carol stepped down in the autumn, and we remain in need of trained leaders to keep the group viable. We are thankful for those who have volunteered as helpers and it will be great to welcome new people to the team. Please prayerfully consider whether you could volunteer as a leader, and speak to any of the team (Kaya Smith, Kate Clarke or Elodie Curran) for more information about what this entails. Thank you for your ongoing financial and prayerful support.

Youth

This past year has been an encouraging one within our youth ministry, and we are especially thankful for the dedication, care, and faithfulness of the volunteer team whose commitment makes every aspect of this work possible.

Our Wednesday evening youth ministry continues to be an important space for building relationships with young people and providing a welcoming introduction to church life. Since September 2024, we have also begun Wildfires, a youth Bible study group which meets before youth club. This has created a valuable opportunity for young people who want to explore faith more deeply to study Scripture together, ask questions, and grow in confidence in their understanding of the Bible. Following this, youth club provides a relaxed and welcoming environment where friendships are strengthened. The consistency, creativity, and investment of the volunteer team make both Wildfires and youth club safe and encouraging spaces where young people feel known, supported, and valued.

On Sunday evenings, our informal service, DEEP, together with the youth discipleship group LED provide space for worship, honest conversation, and deeper exploration of faith, helping young people consider how the gospel shapes everyday life.

The Sunday morning group for young people in Years 7-9 remains well attended and provides a welcoming space for fellowship, discussion, and engagement with the same biblical passages explored by the wider congregation, helping young people feel connected to the life and teaching of the whole church.

We also give thanks for significant milestones in the faith journeys of our young people this year, celebrating eight confirmations and three baptisms. These moments have been a great encouragement to the church family and a reminder of God’s ongoing work in the lives of our young people.

Over the past year, Lucy has stepped back from regularly serving at Christ’s College in order to allow time for the expansion of her role within children’s ministry. However, she remains in contact with and available to support the chaplaincy team there. The ongoing relationship with the school

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St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

continues to be valued, and we are thankful for the opportunities it has provided to connect with young people across our parish.

Across all areas of youth ministry - midweek groups, Sunday gatherings, discipleship, and school connections - none of this work would happen without the generosity, energy, and faithfulness of the volunteer team. Their willingness to give time week after week, to listen, encourage, pray, and walk alongside young people is at the heart of this ministry. We are deeply grateful for all they contribute and for the care they show to each young person entrusted to us.

Outreach and Community

As a church we are called to participate in God’s mission to share Christ’s love and serve others, whether locally, nationally or overseas. St John’s has always had a strong commitment to supporting mission financially, spiritually and practically. We serve and reach out to the local community in many ways throughout the year, through our Christmas postcards and Christmas services, Alpha Courses, Easter Holiday Club, Summer Fun events, School assemblies, Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade, Guildford College chaplaincy, Refresh Toddler group (adults & children attending), Christmas Carols at Guilden Village, supporting the Italia Conti Christian Union and our weekly Youth Club. We also take care of our Community through offering the Occasional Offices of Baptism, Weddings and Funerals to all who live in the Parish of Stoke.

In 2023 we launched St John’s Community Support (SJCS) to deliver meals, in school holidays, to families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis (see below), and this work continues to grow from strength to strength. A number of people have started attending Church, or are showing an interest in faith, as a result of contact with all of our groups.

Mission giving

In 2025, we allocated a total of £19,245 (2024: £19,874) to local and overseas mission. Internationally, we supported:

David and Linda James who work in HR, mission partner induction, policy formation and much more with ECM in Austria;

Daniel and Sarah Brito Medeiros in Aldeia, Brazil as CMS Associates. They and their children are involved in evangelism, discipleship, compassion ministries, and Sarah leads dance worship workshops;

David and Hannah Buckle and family (under pastoral support from Family Church, Southampton) in Ecuador where they lead a church which is actively evangelising on the streets, reaches out to the poor, sick and drug addicts, discipling believers who are adult, youth and children and training prospective new church leaders;

Heather who works with CMS in the Middle East, reaching out to Muslims in evangelism, discipling believers from a Muslim background, and leadership training for underground church leaders; and locally we continue to support Christians Against Poverty run by Helen Kershaw and her team.

The congregation regularly give gifts of food and household items to North Guildford food bank, and others volunteer with Guildford Besom whose aim is to love, pray, give and go to those in need.

In addition, we set aside our Christmas Collections which this year have been contributed to The Samson Centre for Multiple Sclerosis, a local charity.

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St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

St John’s Community Support (SJCS)

St John's Community Support (SJCS) has continued to provide a helping hand to families in need in the community through six meals distributions during school holidays in 2025 - some 4,800 free meals plus tinned/dry foods, desserts, breakfast cereals, and fresh fruit and vegetables to some 490 families (over 90 families in most distributions). Since the project commenced in late 2023, over 10,000 meals have been delivered. Families are referred by schools, churches, charities and other caring agencies across the town, and stocks obtained from reputable food outlets and the local charity Fareshare, at discounted rates.

The SJCS volunteer team (from our church and the community) administer, pack and deliver the meals to the door. With each delivery, a card from St John's identifies the source of the meals and outlines other services accessible at church, although there are no strings attached - the meals are for anyone in need who is referred to us.

SJCS is fully funded through grants from individuals and from Surrey Community Foundation, Poyle Charities, The Bishop of Guildford Community Foundation and Shanley Foundation. We are grateful for their generous support. SJCS is maintained as a restricted fund within the church accounts. It is an ongoing part of St John's community service and mission.

Facilities and Buildings

During 2025 the church and the centre continued to be widely used, by both church members and the community. We aim to use the church and centre for prayer on most weekday mornings, Toddler Group, Holiday Club, Youth Group, Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades, Band Practices, Alpha Courses and church social, fundraising and outreach events.

Work parties were held during the year which enabled many additional maintenance and cleaning jobs to be completed, together with clearance work in the graveyard.

We are very grateful to all the church members who helped with ongoing maintenance and cleaning.

The Next Chapter

The Next Chapter is our church development project, which aspires to empower and enact our vision through our buildings, ready for the next chapter in God’s work at Stoke. The Next Chapter team, fully supported by the PCC, leadership team and congregation has progressed this exciting project. Phase 2 “Enabling Outreach” was launched in early 2025 and is focussed on enabling our staff and SJCS with space and facilities and making the building more visible and accessible.

As part of this phase we have undertaken further sustainability works due to the availability of funding and works included; solar panel & battery storage installation, air conditioning installation in the centre, replacing external / internal doors in the centre, further insulation in the church tower, upgrading centre lighting to sensor & LED and upgrading our gas cooker to electric.

As a result our site energy rating has gone from a G (worst) to a D (middle), which is a marked improvement and the community centre has now become net zero, with the solar powering our air conditioning heating and no longer utilising the gas supply.

A highlight during Phase 2 has been hosting the tri-diocese net zero conference at St John's on 17th Jan 2026, where we could share our learning and show the progress we had made since starting the project.

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St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Throughout Phase 2 we have also made further enhancements to the centre including a new AV system in the hall, new appliances in the kitchen, further acoustic panelling in the centre and other minor upgrades and improvements.

Phase 2 continues and we are awaiting secondary glazing installation for the stained-glass windows in the church building and after obtaining permissions we will be fundraising for the office / SJCS room centre extension. This includes additional works; self-serve refreshments area, cycle storage shelter, path through graveyard, path lighting and gate installation on Stoke Road entrances.

To date we have raised a staggering £236,000 for this phase, the majority through grants and matched funding.

We are incredibly grateful to all who have generously supported Phase 2 to date and the following grant sponsors; Aviva match funding, VCSE energy efficiency scheme, Church of England demonstrators fund, Nias Wheatley Trust, Cllr Fiona Davidson, without whom this progress would not have been possible.

Wider Church Structures

Up to April 2025 St John’s had one lay representative on the Guildford Deanery Synod, with two further vacancies. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the Church and ecumenical activities. Father Neil Roberts was installed as Area Dean in June 2023 and leads the Guildford Deanery. We continue to support Churches Together in Guildford and join with other Guildford congregations in the Walk of Witness in the town centre on Good Friday. We hope to elect new representatives of St John's to the Guildford Deanery Synod in 2025.

Structure, Governance and Management

In accordance with the Church Representation Rules, the members of the PCC are either ex-officio, elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM), or co-opted by the PCC. All regular worshippers are encouraged to register on the electoral roll and can stand for election to the PCC. At the last Annual Parish Council Meeting, held on the 29th April 2025 the Electoral Roll membership of St John the Evangelist Church, Stoke-next-Guildford was 105.

The PCC members who have served from 1 January 2025 until the date that this report was approved are:

Ex Officio members

Revd Mark Woodward (Incumbent) (Chair) Revd Christine Mogford (Curate to 30 Sept 2025) Assistant Minister from 1 Oct 2025) Revd Janet Williams (Curate from 29 June 2025) Jon Barnardo (Churchwarden) (Deputy Chair) Matthew Maclachlan (Churchwarden)

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St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Elected members

Kate Clarke (Elected 29 April 2025) Lois Colinese (Elected 29 April 2025) Clare Curran (Retired 29 April 2025) Stephen Cutler (Treasurer) Simon Loveless (Licenced Lay Minister) (Deanery Synod Representative) Nadia MacLachlan Andy Mckenzie Esmanda Monem (Retired 29 April 2025) David Robson Laura Robson (Elected 29 April 2025) Tina Thomas Sue Turner Chantel Watson (Elected 29 April 2025) Sydney Williams

PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. Minutes of meetings are displayed on the PCC notice board by the entrance into the church from the Stirling Centre.

The full PCC, chaired by the Rector, Reverend Mark Woodward, met 9 times during the year.

A standing committee, chaired by the Rector, and comprising up to six members of the PCC including the Churchwardens and Treasurer, meets on an ad hoc basis to agree urgent issues between scheduled PCC meetings.

Day to day management of the Church is delegated to the Rector, together with the leadership team comprising the Churchwardens and the Operations Manager.

Administrative Information

St John’s Church is situated in Stoke Road, Stoke-next-Guildford and is in the Guildford Diocese of the Church of England.

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Stoke-next-Guildford, known as St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford, or St John’s Church, Stoke-next-Guildford is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and, having previously been exempted, was registered with the Charity Commission (Registered No. 1128450) with effect from 6 March 2009.

Financial matters

Finance Report

The financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 can be found from page 13. The main day to day activities of the church are carried out from the General fund. In addition, there are designated funds, including a property fund holding the House for Ministry, and restricted funds including the Next Chapter development project and SJCS which provides free meals to those needy and vulnerable in the community.

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St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Within the General fund we saw total income increase slightly to £273,565 (2024: £262,897) with expenditure increasing to £258,630 (2024: £261,020) leaving a surplus of £14,935 (2024: £1,877). £10,000 of this surplus has been transferred to a building reserve to help fund any major repairs to our buildings, the balance being added to general reserves.

Analysing income shows that planned giving (by the congregation) had decreased by 3% to £148,292 (2024 £152,748) compared with the previous year and trends show that this is currently on a downward path. However one-off donations of around £12,000 and a very successful Gift Day in October which, with gift aid raised approximately £18,000 which has enabled us to end the year in surplus. In addition, we received rent from the House for Ministry of £30,315 (2024 £29,438) and lettings of the Sterling Centre of £13,144 (2024 £11,752).

Expenditure shows an increase in the Parish Share £91,879 (2024 £87,723) paid to the Diocese, which covers all the employment and living costs of clergy, training and cost of curates as well as central Diocesan costs. Salary costs are similar to 2024 as regular increases have been offset by the loss of Janet Williams as Children’s and Family pastor, who left in November 2025. In addition, our contributions supporting a curate at St Martin’s, Old Dean stopped in May and this together with savings elsewhere have meant total expenditure has slightly decreased to £258,630 (2024 £261,020)

The Next Chapter project has been blessed with a further £4,851 (2024 £43,006) raised from individual donations and related gift aid, mainly from the congregation. Together with grants received of £231,240 (2024 £63,727) the total raised enabled Phase 2 to proceed with work during the year amounting to £237,388 (2024 £104,319).

SJCS continues to thrive with grants of £12,750 (2024 £21,000) which together with personal donations and other income enabled a total of £19,431 (2024 £25,200) to be raised. Costs of £7,759 (2024 £9,874) were incurred making regular food distributions throughout the year. This means that sufficient funding has been secured for continuing operations for the near future.

Total reserves amount to £432,520 (2024 £400,210) of which £52,217 (2024 £47,282) relates to the general fund, £277,121 represent the cost of the House for Ministry and is not available for general use included in a total of £289,121 in designated funds and £91,182 (£75,807) in restricted funds. Full details of all funds are shown in note 10 on the accounts.

The financial statements have been presented to comply with the rules imposed by the Charities Act 2011, SORP(FRS102)2016 and the Church of England.

Reserves

It is the policy of the PCC to hold in reserves the equivalent of two months general running costs and an additional one month’s salary costs. As at 31 December this amounted to just over £45,500. Reserves held above this value are made available to smooth fluctuations in cash flow, meet emergencies and to allocate towards the activities of the church over the coming years and expected fabric and fixtures expenditure. Available reserves at 31 December amounted to £52,217 (2024 £47,282).

It is our policy to invest our surplus balances with bank deposit accounts and the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund.

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St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Looking forward

As always, the budget for the coming year will be very challenging with costs rising as we grow and desire to extend our ministry and will depend upon continued generous giving by the congregation. We have restricted our expenditure cutting back where possible but trying not to reduce the impact of our activities.

Remuneration

The PCC delegates the oversight of remuneration of its staff and key management personnel to the HR Team, comprising the Rector, a Churchwarden and the Operations Manager. Individual remuneration is benchmarked against similar sized churches in the South East, drawing on research conducted by UCAN (United Kingdom Church Administrators Network). We seek to comply with the advice for the Real Living Wage.

The PCC and leadership team are enormously grateful for the voluntary contribution of 60-70 church members across a variety of ministry roles, including our Sunday services, Children and Youth provision, and many other groups. Most volunteers serve once or twice a month, for around 2-3 hours but this varies depending on the ministry role and involvement of different individuals.

Fundraising

Fundraising is conducted solely by volunteer members of St John’s, primarily through regular committed giving from church members. Although we are not members of any regulatory scheme, the PCC seeks to follow best practice as outlined in Charity Commission guidance CC20. All teaching about Christian stewardship and generosity is scriptural with specific care taken that advantage is not taken of vulnerable members.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Financial risk

As with many charitable organisations, the majority of the PCC’s income is the result of voluntary giving and in the PCC’s case, the vast majority of this comes from the generous, sacrificial and committed giving of the membership of St. John’s Stoke. The PCC recognises that church membership fluctuates year-by-year and that any period of change and transition can heighten the risk of this fluctuation. The church operates an annual Partnership Sunday, at which church members are asked to review and pledge their financial support to the PCC for the year ahead. Income and expenditure are monitored monthly to maintain a clear focus on the church’s financial position. An occasional gift day can be utilised to meet shortfalls and raise additional funds for special projects and initiatives. Day-by-day financial management is the responsibility of the Treasurer.

Operational risk

We have a programme of identifying the major operational risks which could impact the work of the Church in the parish. All standard risks for loss of property and employee and public liability have been covered by insurance. We have in place an established policies for child protection and health and safety. Other risk areas are reviewed from time to time. A separate risk assessment is carried out for each new activity, and these are brought to the attention of the PCC.

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St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Safeguarding

The church is committed to following the recommended safeguarding processes for children, young people and vulnerable adults in line with national guidance and that from the Diocese of Guildford. Anyone working with children, young people or vulnerable adults is required to have a DBS check as well as engaging with training (modules and level specified by the Diocese) and records are kept of these which are reviewed on a regular basis. Most of the training is done online and can be accessed on demand. Some of the higher-level training requires interactive training via the Diocese which is often run via Zoom.

The safeguarding team meet termly to ensure processes are up to date and being followed. The PCC are required to review and sign off the policy statement at the start of each PCC year, and each PCC member is DBS checked in line with national guidance for trustees of a charity. Our parish safeguarding officers are Elodie Curran and Tina Thomas. Tina Thomas is the PCC safeguarding representative. The safeguarding team can be contacted via the church office, or besafe@stjohnstoke.com

Trustees’ Responsibilities

The 2011 Charities Act requires the Board of Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit of the charity. In preparing those financial statements the Board is required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the trust. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Signed on behalf of the Parochial Church Council:

Revd M C Woodward Chairman Dated:

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St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 Financial Statements

Statement of Financial Activities

Note
INCOME
Donations & Legacies
2(a)
Rental income
2(b)
Charitable Activities
2(c)		 2025 2025 2025 Total
2025
£
483,348
30,315
19,060		 2024
General
Funds
Designated
Funds
£
£
220,826
2,000
30,315
-
19,060
-
Unrestricted		 Restricted
funds
£
260,522
-
-		 Total
2024
£
343,353
29,438
19,656
Investments
2(d)		 3,364 - - 3,364 3,520
Total Incoming Resources
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
3(a)
Other Activities
3(b)
Total resources expended
Net Surplus
before transfers
Transfers
Net Income
Opening balances as at
1 January
Closing balances as at
31 December
10		 536,087
498,936
4,841
503,777
32,310
-
32,310
400,210
432,520
273,565 2,000 260,522 395,967
253,789
4,841		 -
-		 245,147
-		 367,267
7,946
258,630 - 245,147 375,213
14,935
(10,000)		 2,000
10,000		 15,375
-		 20,754
-
4,935 12,000 15,375 20,754
47,282 277,121 75,807 379,456

52,217		 289,121 91,182 400,210

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St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 Financial Statements

Balance Sheet

----- Start of picture text -----
Note 2025 2024
£ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible Fixed assets 6 277,121 277,121
Current assets
Cash at bank & on deposit 147,963 123,999
Debtors and prepayments 7 17,870 8,222
165,833 132,221
Current Liabilities
Creditors - falling due within one year 8 10,434 9,132
10,434 9,132
Net current assets/(liabilities) 155,399 123,089
- -
Long Term Liabilities
Total net assets 432,520 400,210
Funds
Unrestricted 9 52,217 47,282
Designated 9 289,121 277,121
Restricted 9 91,182 75,807
432,520 400,210
----- End of picture text -----

Approved by the Parochial Church Council and signed on its behalf:

Revd M C Woodward Chairman

Dated

14

St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 Financial Statements

Cash Flow Statement

Cash Flow Statement
2025 2024
Adjustments for:
Net income for the reporting period (as
per the statement of financial activities)		 £
32,310		 £
20,754
(Increase)/Decrease in debtors
Increase/(Decrease) in creditors
Interest income
Rental income
Net cash provided by operating activities		 (9,648)
1,300
(3,364)
(30,315)
(9,717)		 1,917
4,391
(3,520)
(29,438)
(5,896)
Cash provided by investing and similar activities:
Interest income
Rental income
Net cash provided by investing and similar activities
Change in cash in the reporting period
Cash at the beginning of the reporting period
Cash at the end of the reporting period		 3,364
30,315
33,679
23,962
123,999
147,961		 3,520
29,438
32,958
27,062
96,937
123,999

15

St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Notes on the Financial Statements

Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, and with the regulations’ “true and fair view” provisions together with FRS102 (2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2019 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP (FRS102)).

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, using the accruals system.

Preparation of the accounts is on a going concern basis. The trustees consider there is no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Funds

General funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on general purposes of the PCC.

Designated funds have been earmarked for a particular purpose by the PCC but remain unrestricted and can be redesignated by the PCC if it wishes.

Restricted funds are those collected or donated for a specific purpose only or assets so financed, less any associated liabilities. These funds cannot be used for any other purpose except by agreement with the donor.

The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body or those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Balances in a fund do not represent cash in a bank account but a proportion of the total net assets of the church.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are recognised once the PCC has entitlement to the resources, it is probable that the resources will be received, and the value can be identified with adequate reliability.

All voluntary income from the congregation is recognised as donations and included in full, with associated Gift Aid receivable.

Grants where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of specific performance by the PCC are recognised when the PCC becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.

Incoming resources from charitable trading activities, such as the letting of property not currently required, are accounted for when invoices are drawn up or rent is due.

Investment income is included in the accounts when receivable.

16

St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Notes on the Financial Statements

Application of Resources

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award is considered an obligation by the PCC. Any grant unpaid at the year-end is provided for in these accounts as an operational (though not legal) liability and is shown as an accrual in the Balance Sheet.

The diocesan parish share is accounted for when paid. Any parish share unpaid at the year-end is provided for in these accounts as an operational (though not legal) liability and is shown as a creditor in the Balance Sheet.

Fixed Assets

Consecrated and benefice property of any kind is excluded from the accounts by s96 (2)(a) of the Charities Act 1993.

Church furnishings held by the Rector and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC, and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted for as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the church’s inventory which can be inspected on request. Items acquired since 1 January 2000 have been capitalised and depreciated in the accounts over their currently anticipated useful economic life (initially over 5 years) on a straight-line basis. There is no depreciation provided for 35 Woking Road.

Other fixtures, fittings and office equipment

Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the anticipated useful life of the asset, (usually 5 years). Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £2,000 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.

Current assets

Amounts owing to the PCC at the year end in respect of fees, rents, or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectable.

Short term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Church of England Funds or at bank.

Current liabilities

These generally comprise accruals for payments due as at the year end, but which had not been made.

Pensions

The PCC contributes to a defined benefits scheme. Contributions are charged as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

Taxation

The PCC is exempt from taxation on its charitable activities.

17

St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Notes on the Financial Statements

2 Income

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
Unrestricted
General Designated Restricted Total
Funds Funds Funds Total 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
2(a) Donations & Legacies
Collections 2,276 - - 2,276 2,840
Gifts & donations 29,005 2,000 6,415 37,420 56,852
Planned giving 148,292 - 195 148,487 153,833
- - - -
Appeals 1,419
Tax recoverable 41,253 - 5,172 46,425 43,682
Grants - - 248,740 248,740 84,727
220,826 2,000 260,522 483,348 343,353
2(b) Rental Income
Rent - temporary let of curate's house 30,315 - - 30,315 29,438
30,315 - - 30,315 29,438
2(c) Charitable Activities
Contribution to church events 5,157 - - 5,157 4,681
- -
Church Centre lettings 13,114 13,114 11,752
Fees for weddings & funerals 638 - - 638 1,242
Other 151 - - 151 1,981
19,060 - - 19,060 19,656
2(d) Investments
Interest 3,364 - - 3,364 3,520
3,364 - - 3,364 3,520
Total Incoming Resources 273,565 2,000 260,522 536,087 395,967
----- End of picture text -----

18

St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Notes on the Financial Statements

3 Expenditure

3(a) Charitable activities
Mission giving - Overseas
Mission giving - Home
Parish support - St Martin's
Diocesan Parish Share
Cost of church activities
Administration
Church running & maintenance
Depreciation
Staff costs
Community support
Major Repairs (Next Chapter project)
3(b) Other Activities
Fundraising costs
Management & repairs of
curate's house
Total resources expended		 2025 2025 2025 2024
General
Funds
Designated
Funds
£
£
17,435
-
1,810
-
5,000
-
91,879
-
8,989
-
14,147
-
30,326
-
-
-
84,203
-
-
-
-
-
253,789
-
-
-
4,841
-
4,841
-
258,630
-
Unrestricted		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
448
-
-
-
7,468
237,231		 Total
2025
£
17,435
1,810
5,000
91,879
8,989
14,595
30,326
-
84,203
7,468
237,231		 Total
2024
£
17,949
1,925
12,000
87,723
10,839
13,446
24,833
-
86,373
9,836
102,343
253,789 - 245,147 498,936 367,267
-
4,841		 -
-		 -
-		 -
4,841		 1,704
6,242
4,841 - - 4,841 7,946
258,630 - 245,147 503,777 375,213

19

St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Notes on the Financial Statements

4. Grants to further the work of the church

5.
Staff Costs
Mission Giving
Home
Christians Againt Poverty (Debt relief)
Overseas
Daniel & Sarah Brito Medeiros (CMS/Stewardship)
David & Linda James (ECM)
Heba Hamad (CMS)
David & Hannah Buckle (Stewardship)
Wendy Gerster (OMF)
Sergiu & Diana Bradean (CMS)		 2025
1,810

1,810
5,112
5,100
5,112
2,111
-

-		 2024
1,925
1,925
5,686
5,226
3,500
371

1,854
1,312
17,435 17,949
2025 2024
Wages & salaries
National Insurance
Pension costs
Pension cost adjustment
Total salary costs		 80,753
95
3,355
-
84,203		 79,979
750
3,235
2,409
86,373

5. Staff Costs

The Rector is employed by the Diocese of Guildford so the costs are not included in these salary figures. During the year the PCC employed a part-time administrator, a part-time hall manager, two part-time cleaners, a fulltime children and families pastor and a full-time youth pastor.

The pension cost adjustment reflects a correction of prior year pension contributions for certain employees.

The average head count of employees during the year was as follows:

Administration
Ministry
Other
Full time equivalent		 2025
1
2
3
6
3		 2024
1
2
3
6
3

No employee received benefits exceeding £60,000 during the year (2024 nil) Expenses are paid to the Rector and curate in connection with their duties as incumbent and curate (but not in connection with their position as PCC members).

20

St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Notes on the Financial Statements

6. Fixed Assets

Cost
Opening balance 1 January
Disposals in year
Total cost 31 December
Depreciation
Opening balance 1 January
Disposals in year
Accumulated depreciation 31 Dec
Net book value 31 December 2025
Net book value 31 December 2024		 Property
£
277,121
-
277,121
-
-
277,121
277,121		 Equipment
£
25,097
-
25,097
25,097
-
25,097
-
-		 Total
£
302,218
-
302,218
25,097
-
25,097
277,121
277,121

The PCC is obliged to provide accommodation to its ordained staff. To meet this obligation the PCC purchased 35 Woking Road (the “House for Ministry”) for a gross cost of £277,121. This is a significant investment for the future and the PCC is most grateful for all those who have contributed and supported this endeavour. This property is shown at historic cost in the balance sheet. Whilst the property is not required to accommodate a curate the House for Ministry is let out to provide a temporary income.

7. Debtors

7.
Debtors
2025 2024
Tax recoverable
Other Debtors		 £
16,514
1,356
17,870		 £
7,279
943
8,222
8.
Creditors
2025 2024
Accruals for utilities and other costs
Pension and tax due
Collections for third parties
Other Creditors		 £
3,191
558
2,887
3,798
10,434		 £
3,327
3,750
641
1,414
9,132

21

St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Notes on the Financial Statements

9. Analysis of Net Assets

Fund Name
Unrestricted
General		 Fixed assets
£
-
-
-
277,121
277,121
-
-
277,121		 Current
assets
£
59,203
10,000
2,000
12,000
-
60,395
29,235
5,000
94,630
165,833		 Current
liabilities
£
6,986
-
-
-
-
3,224
224
-
3,448
10,434		 Long term
liabilities
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total net
assets
£
52,217
Designated 10,000
2,000
277,121
Buildings
Legacy
Property
Total Designated
Restricted
289,121
-
57,171
29,011
5,000
The Next Chapter
SJCS
10.
Funds analysis
Capital Expenditure
Total Restricted
TOTAL
Fund Name
Unrestricted
General
Designated
Buildings
Legacy
Property
Total Designated
Restricted
The Next Chapter
SJCS
Capital Expenditure
Total Restricted
TOTAL
91,182
432,520
Opening
Balance		 Income Expenditure Fund
Transfers		 Closing
Balance
£ £ £ £ £
47,282
-
-
277,121		 273,565
-
2,000
-		 258,630
-
-
-		 (10,000)
10,000
-
-		 52,217
10,000
2,000
277,121
277,121 2,000 - 10,000 289,121
58,468
17,339
-		 236,091
19,431
5,000		 237,388
7,759
-		 -
-
-		 -
57,171
29,011
5,000
75,807 260,522 245,147 - 91,182
400,210 536,087 503,777 -
432,520

22

St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Notes on the Financial Statements

Fund Descriptions

Designated Funds

Buildings This fund is set aside for occasional major repairs required to our buildings, in accordance with our reserves policy.

Legacy This fund receives Legacy income until such time as it is allocated to a specific project.

Property This fund holds the cost of the House for Ministry (35 Woking Road) This property was purchased in 2009 so we could provide accommodation for a curate. When the church has no title curate the intention is that it is used for ministry either for parish staff or rented out on a temporary basis and the rent used for ministry purposes.

Restricted Funds

The Next Chapter This is a development project, which aspires to empower and enact the church’s vision through enhancing the buildings ready for the next chapter of God’s work at St John’s.

SJCS St John’s Community Support (SJCS) is a project which aims to support vulnerable families/individuals in the community by providing free frozen meals during school holiday periods.

Capital Expenditure Grant funding received to replace and renew our computers and audio equipment.

23

St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Notes on the Financial Statements

11. Statement of Financial Activities 2024 Comparisons

----- Start of picture text -----
2024
Unrestricted
General Designated Restricted Total
Funds Funds funds 2024
£ £ £ £
INCOME
-
Donations & Legacies 211,421 131,932 343,353
- -
Trading Activities 29,438 29,438
Charitable Activities 18,518 - 1,138 19,656
Investments 3,520 - - 3,520
Total Incoming Resources 262,897 - 133,070 395,967
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities 254,778 - 112,489 367,267
Other Activities 6,242 - 1,704 7,946
Total resources expended 261,020 - 114,193 375,213
Net Surplus
before transfers 1,877 - 18,877 20,754
Transfers - - -
Net Income 1,877 - 18,877 20,754
----- End of picture text -----

24

St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Notes on the Financial Statements

12 Pension Scheme

St John’s Church participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of CWPF for lay staff. CWPF is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the CWPF assets separately from those of the Employer and other participating employers.

CWPF has two sections:

  1. the Defined Benefits Scheme

  2. the Pension Builder Scheme, which has two subsections;

  3. a. a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic, and,

  4. b. a cash balance section known as Pension Builder 2014.

Pension Builder Scheme

Both sections of the Pension Builder Scheme are classed as defined benefit schemes.

Pension Builder Classic provides a pension, accumulated from contributions paid and converted into a deferred annuity during employment based on terms set and reviewed by the Church of England Pensions Board from time to time. Discretionary increases may also be added, depending on investment returns and other factors.

Pension Builder 2014 is a cash balance scheme that provides a lump sum which members use to provide benefits at retirement. Pension contributions are recorded in an account for each member. Discretionary bonuses may be added before retirement, depending on investment returns and other factors. The account, plus any bonuses declared is payable, unreduced, from age 65.

There is no sub-division of assets between employers in each section of the Pension Builder Scheme.

The scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. This is because it is not possible to attribute the Pension Builder Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers and means that contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pensions costs charged to the SoFA in the year are the contributions payable (2025: £3,269, 2024: £2,865). A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent valuation was carried out as at 31 December 2022.

For the Pension Builder Classic section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £34.8m on the ongoing assumptions used. At the most recent annual review effective 1 January 2025, the Board chose to grant a discretionary bonus of 6.7% to both pensions not yet in payment and pensions in payment in respect of service prior to April 1997; and a bonus on pensions in payment in respect of post April 2006 service so that the pension increase was 2.7% (where usually it would be calculated based on inflation up to 2.5%). This followed improvements in the funding position over 2024. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time. The next valuation is due as at 31 December 2025.

For the Pension Builder 2014 section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £8.5m on the ongoing assumptions used. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.

The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another employer fails, St John’s could become responsible for paying a share of the failed employer’s pension liabilities.

25

St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

Notes on the Financial Statements

13. Transactions with Related Parties

The following PCC members were connected to people or organisations in receipt of payments from St John's:

PCC Member Related transactions Sydney Williams Janet Williams (spouse) was employed by St John’s up to 30 November 2025. Total employment costs were £29,058 (2023 £29,934). In 2024 she also received costs of £1,250 for a Local Ministry Programme course. Tina Thomas Lucy Thomas (daughter) is employed by St John’s. Total employment costs in 2025 were £31,729 (2024 £30,228) David Robson Carol Robson (spouse) is employed by St John’s. Total employment costs in 2025 were £4,857 (2024 £4,604) Laura Robson Carol Robson (mother) is employed by St John’s. Total employment costs in 2025 were £4,857 (2024 £4,604) Andy Mckenzie Hannah and David Buckle (daughter and son-in-law) are mission partners of the church and received grants in 2025 totalling £2,111 (2024 £371)

Sydney Williams, Tina Thomas, David Robson and Laura Robson each declared their interest in employment matters and were absent from PCC discussions and took no part in any decisions about relevant salary levels or employment matters. The remaining trustees were satisfied that it was in the best interests of St John’s Church to agree the salary levels and did so under the authority provided within the Church Representation Rules 2022.

Andy Mckenzie took no part in any decision making regarding appointing mission partners nor in the allocation of funds to them, which are generally made by the mission team, separate from the PCC, and of which Andy Mckenzie is not a member.

Sydney Williams declared his interest in Local Ministry Training for Janet Williams and was absent from PCC discussions and took no part in any decisions about Local Ministry Training for Janet Williams. The remaining trustees were satisfied that it was in the best interests of St John’s Church for this training to go ahead and agreed it under the authority provided within the Church Representation Rules 2022.

Expenses paid to the incumbent, the curate or any employees were solely in connection with their official duties. No other personal payments or expenses were paid to any PCC member, persons closely connected to them or related parties.

26

St John the Evangelist, Stoke-next-Guildford Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 Independent Examiners Report

To the PCC of St John the Evangelist, Stoke next Guildford

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of St John the Evangelist, Stoke next Guildford (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect 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 under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

 the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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

Signed

Eric Southwick BA (Hons) FCA FCIE DChA

Date: 20[th] April 2026

27