St John's Church, Stansted Mounffitche( Treasurers Report 2023 Accounts In presenting these accounts I have a few points to make for a better understanding of the figures before you. 1. The first two pages show our Assets and Liabilities as at 31st December 2023. The net figure, £700,857 shows a considerable increase on last year as a result of market conditions that affected the CCLA Investment Fund during 2023. CCLq Investment Fund had a good year. Our funds with them are regarded as long-tem investmonts and, whilst the value goes up arKI down the market. the long-temi trend has always been upwards. We rely on the dividends from the Investment Fund as a major source of our income - these have continued to increase year on year. 2. The Church Hall is shown in the accounts at build cost as part of the Church's Assets. In realty, this amount of £73,985 could be discounted as it is not realizable. 3. The Connect 120 Fund monies are held as agency funds- they are not included in St John's financial posits'on as Ihe Fund is for projects across all five churches for which Colin has responsibility. 4. Several improvements to the church and grounds have been undertaken durfng the year. The paths have been improved., the St John's Road hedge removed., the St John's Road failings restored to their original statè to matd) the railings on Chapel Hill, much work on the trees. Many of the chairs in church have been repaired and this is an ongoing project as repairs are needed. All this has been financed frorn The Agneta chU￿h legacy. 5. Changes in administrative arrangements within our Benefice have meant that the separate Benefi￿ Bank account could be closed - all costs pnor to closure are includ8d in St John's accounts with Birchanger and Farham having contributed £700 towards these.. 6. The Revenue accounts which follow are Income and Expenditure Accounts, NOT Profit and Loss Accounts. As such they are simpty a record of all incoming funds and all outgoing costs during the year. 7. As a result of 6 (above). comparisons with previous years are not easy, in fact could lead one to a completely wrong condusion. For example, there is no Gift income in 2023 as the daim was not made during the financial year and an addits'onal £11.000 wll show in next year's accounts even though rt relates to 2023. 8. It is pleasing to note Ihat for 2023 our Parjsh Share at £41.271 In¢￿ased only by £400. Our Sha￿ for 2024 wll be £44.415 following a change in the percentages applied across Colin's five churches. 9. Also attached are St John's Hall accounts. These are of concem as they show a revenue loss last year ofjust over £6,000. This dearfy cannot conts'nue. and the PCC instructed the Hall Management Commrttee to address this. As a result, the Hall's charges are being increased effect from 1st April 2024. 10.1 wish to place on record my thanks to Ann Lee, who balan￿S the weekly income with the services record book and pays it into the bank. and Philip Everett. our fomer Treasurer, for his conbnuing help with advice when needed. l am also gratefijl to Edmund Wilkinson for again examinirKJ our accounts and confimiing tr￿1r correctness. Overall. I can assure everyone tha( other than the St John's Hall position referred to above, St John's 15 in a sound financial state at present. However, to avoid future draviing on Investments, regular giving must continue to increase to keep pace with increases in inflation and costs. Alan Corbishley, 21 st March 2024. Stansted Mountfilchet pcc Statement of Assgts and Llabilitie8 (by cod•) As at: 31 December 2023 Cla88 and nomlnal Gode T4)tal Last yoar Fixgd a569ts. Invgsbnenil 6440 CCLAOOIS IProF•ty& Agneta May ChurL*I 6442. GCLA riJ2S (Honand 43.933.rJ 431,5S3.10 9,441.02 484.912.85 442,881.19 43.5)1.41 43,501.41 39,no.78 T41ts1 43.533.73 431.538.10 52.942.43 528,414.26 482.61195 Flx•d Twylbl• a¥••t• 6430.. Church Hall n.985.LW) 73,985.C 73.985. 6432." L•nd al St 73.986.CKI 73.986.00 73,9e6 00 urr•nt •8••11. C•Dh at bank and In h•rKI 8501 .. B•rdays currnnt •L>))Urt 9922 25.511.40 118.489.78) 6.855.38 64.18 15.941.20 31.222.59 8502 .. 8arday8 C¥ry•Tht aeeount 8714 12.210.35 12.875.681 10,169.32 8,718 11 6503. Bardfiys B•n•f*• ac£•unt 0593 2,699.17 8510.. CCLAd•pc4* Accou 8001D 43.023. 4.585.45 4.$37.61 52,176. 50.556 66 8511 . CCLAd*p)￿ 17S2D IRE Fund) 21.387.49 21.387.49 20,723.33 6590.. Cosh in hBnd 25.80 Totsl 69.&39.93 8.547 33 21.451.67 99.874.97 113,845.48 6612.. Conrnct 120 Invutmont Aceount 31.513.e2 3f,513.82 28,782.24 Total 31,513.62 31,513.82 28,782.24 Llabllltl88. Awncy aceourrt• 6699 .. Agency coll•ctitir 32.ni 58 31731.58 31,464.02 32,731.58 32.731.58 31,464.02 Not t¢thl as8èts 113.303.68 505,830.14 7,329.57 74.394.10 7￿,8$7.47 667,761.63 Represeni4d by UnresirKtsd- Gertsral 113.Y)3.66 113.303.86 82,154.23 Des¥nated. AgrtaMChL 119.586.98 119.586.98 120.769.07 Clats and nLYnlrAI codo Total Last y•ar oesvJr￿ted. DesbJnat•d. C¥aftsSaK8 D8swJnated. Fabnc 4.eé8 92 4,6e8.92 766 30 1.38928 1.389.28 1.051.28 8.207.n 8.207.73 8,207.73 D85(9nat￿. FJagReF*nt 6s￿3nated. Hal 113,829.39) 113,829 391 17,534 661 t*signated. Prwrty R88trifl•d. Cnéd120 385.476.62 385.476.62 394 917 64 3.616.30 3,616.30 2,754.88 Restrthd. HallR88tor 2,447.15 2.447.15 2,832.95 Re5trictsd- L 1.286.12 1.266.12 1,2e6.12 Endowmeni- HowaTrJ 43.50141 43.$01.41 39,730.76 Endowm•nl- REfRu•i 21,387.49 21.387.49 20.723.33 Endowm8nl- Root 9,9)5.20 9,SOJ.20 Total 113.￿3.&? 5.830.14 7.329 57 74,394 10 700,857 47 667.781.83 Stansted Mountfftchet pcc In¢ome l expenditure comparative flgures Selected period: 01 January 2022 to 31 December 2023 De5Cd￿On 110112022-3111 011011202>3111712023 FLtt*J Fundty Inetsme 0110- Gift ￿d- Envekoès 0201- Standin9 Orders, Grft aid8d 0202- Standlng Ordefs. not gift aide 0301- Loosè plate colleditins 0302- L008e cash other Ihan ￿ate... 0303- M18¢ellarteous income 0304- Gwing Machin¢ 0305- Goodbox 0306- Si John's Tot5 1)501- One￿ff Gift Aid g 0550- Donat￿6 appo918 etc 0601- Tox recoverable on Gift 0701- Legacies 0901 - Other funds g8nerated 0904- Birch8nw PCC Contribution 0905- Famhom PCC Contr6bution 09Cfj- Commonweath War Graves 0907- 3W Club 0911 - Christmas M$thet 1001 DiMdend8 1002- Div+dends. Holland tW8t 1020 - Bank and building souely.knk(4 1101 - Fees for weddings and.*vThtw* 1221- Trgidcraft 1230 . Chui¢h hall 18ttlng8 - 1231- Church lthnos 3.848.43 33.￿.L￿) 75 rx) 4.074.49 2,208.00 35,041.CrfJ General GeneTal Gonèraj Gèneral General Genoral Genwal Gener81 Gonaral Gongral General Ge￿ra1 General G8neral Gtsneral General GonarAI General General Genoral General General Gengrgl General Gener81 Gen¢rnl Unre3trlcted Unreslrided Unmgtrieted Unrestricted Unreslr)cted Unre$trictad Unre$lricted Unreslricled Unre8tricted Unrestrwed Unr8$tn"cted Unrestrtcted Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestdcled Unreslncted Unrestricted Unrestricted Unre$lricled Unrestricted Unre8tn'¢ted Unrestrfctèd Unrestricted Unreslrfcted Unreslrided Unrestrlcted 5.719.57 221.41 196.02 16.82 583.37 276.26 {17.OT) 1.191.05 14,083 $5 1.LN)5.37 4.542. 730.LY) 2.430.00 2,570.81 12.991 1,182.55 2.048.LKJ 2,299.05 13,254.76 1.189.09 1.886.84 721.00 2.810 12 132 85.16J.31 69,564.07 Èxp•ndlturn 1703- Oonation$ 1708- Connect 120 1720 - Co818 of stewardship... 1850- Home misslon 1￿1- Parish Share 2050- Salary of parish adminlstrator 2101 - Worklng expenses of. 2102 - R8v Helen Flack's exwnses 2103- s&rv￿e leaders ex￿nseS 2130- Parsonage housè Èxpenses 2150- telephone 2210- St John'5 tot$ 2301- Church running- insuran¢È 2310- Church office- telephL 2311- Broadcast of SetVi(%S 2312- Church office heatmg (gas) 1¢X).¢XI Ganernl General Gener8J Ganaral General Gèneral Gereral Gener81 Ger￿r¥I General General General General General Genergl General General General General General Unfe8tricted Unre8lfiCted Unre8tricted Unrestrided Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestiicted UnrestrKted Llnre$tricted Unre$trf¢ted Unrestricted Unrestiicted Unreslricted Unrestricted Unr8slrict8d Unrestricted Unresirfctth Unrestricted Unre*ricted Unrèstricted 11.g9 (991 ￿) 41,271.12 5.704.28 1.040 02 16.65 18. 40.868 18 174.20 47.15 697.50 533.69 13.49 4.574.68 433.15 39.41 114.83 1,080.67 3.69). 2314- Church office maint8nonce 2321 . Organ repairs and seNicang 2330- Church maintenance 2331 - Churth CleanirvJ 595 5.C68.26 1.437.88 2￿.20 Deacrfpiion 01101r2Q2241M212022 oithr202M1n2Q023 Fund Fund ty 2340- UFtheep of seryices 2341- Church Choir and Junior Ch 2342- Org8ni81's exp8n8es 2345 - Music and Copyright... 2350- Upkeep of churchyard 2360- Administralion 2361- Unassoned 2381- Fees paid to Stansled PCC 2386- Fees pald to Verger 2401 - Church running - 818Ctric 2410_ Church runnirwJ - gas 2420- Church running- water 2440 - Church njnning - hgating... 2511 . Traidcraft 2710 - Church major wp8irn-... 1,047.32 118.50 1,805.Th) 782.99 20.95 1.8W.C(J 447.42 General General General General G￿ra1 General General General General G￿er81 Gonetal General General General Genwal Unreglricted Unre8tricled Unrestricted Unrestncted Unreslricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Unreslncted Unrgstrict8d Unreslrfcted Unrestricted Unrastrictod Unrestricted Unreslncted Unrè8trid8d 225 CX) 178.95 10.20 (7T.1￿) 870.38 10.171.74 107.77 89).36 162.22 3,470.93 3,783.80 8tt53 69.957.89 Stansted Mountiitchet pcc Income l expenditure Comparalfve figures Selected period." 01 January 2022 to 31 Oecember 2023 D88crlptlon 01￿11102241n2llO2Z IM101120234111212023 Fund Fund typ¢ Incrfft 1230- Church h911 leitiny-... 11.W.70 10.5c￿.7s Hall Deslgnated 11W.70 10.108.76 Expgndlthr• 2530- H811 running- •l•dricity 2540_ Hall running- gBS 2550- Hall running - insurance 2560- Hall rnnrting - maintonanc• 2561 Hall Ch8nlng 2562- Hall Lettings Managernfjrf 2570- H811 running- telephon• 2580- Hall running- w8ter 2591- Hall W8sle removal 2592 - Hall A68OQation8'... 778.42 1.OS1.05 1,3C(1.51 438.72 4,218.41 1,275. 161.47 338.87 1.783.34 4.779 91 1.391.28 1.￿.38 4.781.38 1.266.Th) 207.82 620 17 200.20 372.clj HAII HBII Hall Hall H*1 Hall Hall Hall Designated Dasign8t8d Designated Oesignaled Designated Designated Desi9nated Dèsignated Designated Designèled Tot•l• 10,037.43 10.eolA8 ## **ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2023 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST JOHN’S CHURCH, STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET** ## **Aims, purposes and objectives of the PCC** St John’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 building and grounds and the church hall. St John’s is part of the Benefice of Stansted, Birchanger, Farnham and Takeley with Little Canfield (known as the Five Churches). St John’s is entitled to three representatives to vote at Deanery Synod. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the church St John’s has strong links with St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, and Priest in Charge Rev’d Colin Fairweather, Rev’d Helen Flack and PCC member John Elliott sit on the board of Governors. 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 throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship aim to put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. ## **Report on PCC activities during 2023** ## **Prayer/Worship/Pastoral Care** St John’s 9.30 service is a sung Eucharist with choir. The service is also available on line through the Facebook platform. The PCC is grateful to the team of sidespeople who are on hand to guide and welcome our congregation each week. Members of the congregation lead intercessions and read the first lesson. All are welcome to attend our regular services. There are 97 names on the Church Electoral Roll. Rev’d Colin and Rev’d Helen hold monthly “Exploring Baptism” meetings for those asking for children to be baptised. They are ably assisted at these meetings by Margaret Hill who plays a very important role in liaising with families, preparing cards and carrying out all the necessary paperwork. Eight baptisms were held in St John’s in 2023, either during the 9.30 a.m. service or at 3 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month. Around six people regularly attend Morning Prayer at 9 a.m. on Zoom five days a week. The Ministry Team comprises our Priest-in-Charge, our Associate Priest and Licensed Lay Ministers Hugh Mascetti and Jo Pratt. On the first Sunday of each month, both Rev’d Colin and Rev’d Helen are in attendance at St John’s 9.30 “Family” communion service. When there are five Sundays in the month, a “Five Churches” service is usually held on the last Sunday - rotating the venue each time. The Tots service on Tuesday mornings for pre-school children and their parents and continues to be very well attended with an average of 45 people taking part. Tots has been welcoming families to St John’s for over fifteen years. PCC are very grateful to Margaret Hill and her team of helpers Mo Thwaites, June Cannon, Ann Lee, Alex Gear and Vicky Marchant. Kathy West, Pastoral Assistant, liaises with the clergy to visit members of our parish who are unable to attend church due to sickness or age. The clergy are available to visit church members who have requested it, to celebrate communion with them either at their homes or in hospital. The ministry team take monthly services at local Care Homes - Broome End, Hargrave House and Mountfitchet House. In November our regular All Souls Service was held to which recently bereaved villagers were invited. The Remembrance Sunday service at the War Memorial was very well attended. Stella Skingle continues to organise the purchase of Bible Reading Fellowship notes which are used in private worship by members of our congregation. Thanks to Stella for this. ## **Church Administration** In March 2023 our Benefice Office and Church Hall Administrator became seriously ill and has since left. The PCC are grateful to three church members (Liz Jennings, Margaret Hill and Kathy West) for taking over the running of the office for three months in the summer of 2023. Alison Garrard has now been appointed as Church Secretary. PCC are very grateful to her for her efficiency in the role. ## **Church Building/Grounds** PCC is very grateful to the Craft Ladies for funding the purchase of two new trees, which have been planted on the north side of the church. The paths around the church were tarmacked at the beginning of 2023. There are several works outstanding which were detailed in the Quinquennial report. Although the building is not in a bad state, the roof still needs attention. There is still concern about the cost of heating the church and every effort is being made to reduce the cost, whilst keeping the church warm. The gallery has now been made safe by the installation of an additional rail. The gallery needs to be cleared and cleaned so it can be used again. The church building is open during daylight hours every day. 2 The church building is available for use as a concert venue which attracts a cross-section of people from the local area, We are particularly pleased that _music@stansted_ , hold their very well supported concerts at St John’s. In 2023 boundary hedges along the church’s St John’s Road boundary were removed. The newly revealed railings have been refurbished. ## **St John’s Church Hall** The Church Hall Committee continues to liaise with the PCC through Katy Dockerill. Hall Manager Jean Newson deals with the day to day running of the hall. ## **Mission/Outreach/Fundraising** From January 2023 Helen led a ten-session on-line course called “Being With”, which is aimed at those new to the Christian faith. This is the second such course she has run, and it is hoped to run a third during 2024. Jo Pratt and Kathy West also took part and helped to facilitate the sessions. Some members of the congregation continue to meet at the “Touchpoint” hub on Thursday mornings which offers tea/coffee/lunches. The village community were very supportive of the Christmas Market. £2,372 was raised for church funds. It has not yet been decided if a Christmas Market will be held in 2024. Several older members have, understandably, said that they feel the task is becoming too onerous. PCC are grateful to Jean Newson for running the 300 Club. A PCC campaign to try and sell the additional 120 numbers was carried out with limited success. PCC are grateful to the Craft Ladies led by Ann Conroy and June Winter, and Sue Bone (Candles), for their excellent fund raising for the church. Thanks also to members of our congregation who take Children’s Society collecting boxes, and to coordinator Katy Dockerill. A stewardship campaign was run during May 2023. We continue to be thankful to members of our “giving” scheme for their generous financial support. A fundraising quiz was held in October 2023, with Colin as quizmaster. ## **Safeguarding** The PCC have adopted and follow the Parish Safeguarding Policy and the Parish Safeguarding Handbook (2019) recommended by the Diocese. This is informed by the House of Bishop’s guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and fully compliant with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016. St John’s recruitment processes for staff and volunteers are consistent with Diocesan guidance. The PCC, Priest in Charge, and the Parish Safeguarding Officer have worked hard to ensure that St John’s Church is safer through regard for policy, safer recruitment and training. The expectation is that all volunteers and staff members are safely recruited, have up to date safeguarding training and the correct level of DBS as 3 required. PCC are grateful to Juliet Lenten for her work as Parish Safeguarding Officer during 2023. Juliet has now handed over the role to Liz Lister. ## **St John’s Organisations** The PCC would like to thank all volunteers who work so hard to make our church the lively and vibrant community it is. The St John’s choir continues to play a key role in our worship, thanks to the dedication of choir members under Anne Brooks’ leadership. No doubt the beautiful flower arrangements in the church are appreciated by our congregation. However, the two dedicated volunteers who undertake this task (Jean Robinson and Susan Bone) would very much appreciate some help from other members of the congregation. Thanks also go to those (few) members of our congregation who meet several times a year to clean, and polish the brasses and the silverware. Again more volunteers needed. ## **Ecumenical Relationships** The church is a member of Churches Together in Stansted (CTS) and representatives attend the Forum meetings which are held three times a year. The PCC is proud of the achievements of the CTS under whose auspices the following are run: CTS Harvest Supper, support for Teams4u Christmas shoebox appeal and the Celebration of Christmas Service, which in 2023 was once again held outside in the Memorial Gardens in the grounds of St John’s. Music was supplied by the Bishop’s Stortford Band. ## **PCC Structure, governance and management** The PCC met six times in 2023 – on 30th January, 27th March, 15[th] May, 31st July, 18[th] September and 27[th] November, with of attendance of 85%. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. St John’s is currently entitled to nine elected members. At St John’s the membership of the PCC consists of the clergy, churchwardens and those elected by members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. All who attend our services are encouraged to commit to church membership by registering on the electoral roll; in so doing they become eligible to stand for election to the PCC. PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish, including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. PCC members are required to seek re-election every three years and stand down for a period of at least one year after six years’ service. ## **Kathryn West** **Secretary to St John’s PCC** 4 ## **Administrative Information** Priest-in-Charge : Rev’d Dr. Colin Fairweather Associate Priest : Rev’d Helen Flack Pastoral Assistant : Kathryn West Church Secretary/Hall Bookings Administrator : Alison Garrard Organist/Director of Music : Anne Brooks PCC members who have served at any time from 1[st] January 2023 until the date this report was approved are : ## **Ex Officio members** Incumbent : Rev’d Dr. Colin Fairweather Associate Priest : Rev’d Helen Flack Churchwardens : Alastair Bone, Peter Jones Pastoral Assistant : Kathryn West ## **Elected Deanery Synod Representatives** Michael Howes Peter Jones (one vacancy) ## **Elected members** Stuart Ayres June Cannon Ann Conroy Alan Corbishley Katy Dockerill John Elliott Liz Lister (from 15[th] May 2023) Cheryl McGreal (one vacancy) Parish Safeguarding Officer is Liz Lister Electoral Roll Officer is Ann Conroy Secretary is Kathryn West **Standing Committee** The Standing Committee comprises the Clergy, Churchwardens, Secretary and Treasurer. This committee is required by law and has the power to transact the business of the PCC subject to the direction of the PCC. **PCC Status** The Parochial Church Council of Stansted is registered with the Charities Commission, registration number 1129495 with the working title of St John’s Church. 5