2023
A Year in the Life of
St John the Divine Menston with Woodhead
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prepared for the APCM Sunday 28 April 2024
CLERGY REPORT
“See I am making all things new!” Revelations 21:5.
What a year 2023 has turned out to be! With quite a few significant changes.
We celebrated the completion of our huge roof project last year, and we were grateful that we managed to pay for it before costs spiralled out of our grasp completely. However, things never stand still and there are always other things that need our attention.
Please join me in thanking not only our wardens but the teams of volunteers who assist in cleaning the church and the Parish Room, and who keep the garden beautifully maintained. Without our teams of willing volunteers we could not manage as we do, thank you.
You would have been forgiven if you thought that the wardens were rehearsing for the village pantomime, because their cry of, “new lamps for old,” meant
that at last, the lantern outside the front door, restored to its original beautiful copper, is now shining bright along with the lanterns on the gate posts. Lights illuminate the steps and hopefully encourage people to see St John’s as a place filled with light.
The wonderful thing about the people of St John’s is your involvement in so many local community activities. When we think about our mission and ministry we are, by association, bringing the church’s influence into the life of our village.
There’s Menston in Bloom, Menston Cares, the library at Kirklands, the Community Fridge, the Christmas Lights, the Parish Council, the Uniformed associations, Menston Climate Action Group, Menston Heritage Group - the list goes on and on. We work side by side, shining our light, and helping things to change and improve.
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Clergy Report
As a whole community we celebrated the Coronation of our new King, as the varied events brought people together, for a wonderful weekend that many will remember.
During this year there have been several people engaged with a diocesan training course around personal growth and leadership. We thank God for all those who step into positions of leadership, and we pray that some of those who have completed the course will now find outlets for their new skills here in St John’s.
Obviously one area of change and newness will be in the search for, and appointment of, our new vicar. As a church family we said our sad goodbyes to Steve, Elaine, Samuel and Phoebe. We are already feeling their loss in many ways, often through those little things that we only notice now they are not being done!
Steve brought about many changes in our work and witness here at St John’s, in our Worship times and styles, in how we
consider our mission and ministry, in his teaching style in sermons, and in the way we view our relationship with the wider community. Thinking of the promise to make all things new, we now pray fervently for the new person who will come and join us on our continued spiritual journeys.
There are yet more people to thank, and people to pray for as we make our search for a new vicar: those who have helped to produce the promotional materials that the diocese encourage us to make and those who are on the PCC who have helped complete the Profile and supported the Parish Representatives, who will be part of the selection process.
There are so many people who work tirelessly and frequently unseen, but an interregnum period often brings this into the light. Due to the care of a small number of people we do not become like a ship without a captain, or worse still without a rudder. It is important in these coming months that we continue
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Clergy Report
to follow our processes and stick to what we know. This is not a time for people to go solo, we are all the richer for doing this together. Being without a vicar also means that we must rely on each other so much more.
May I, on your behalf, thank all those who are finding they have even more work to do right now. Especially those who have stepped up to leading Zest, supporting the team there, and keeping a caring eye on new people.
Thank you to those on any kind of rota for the 11.00am service, from welcomers, through to chalice bearers, readers, pray-ers, sacristans and flower arrangers, indeed all those who are helping to keep the light shining.
There is a very important person that I want to single out and say thank you to. It is a sign of all that she does that many people will not even notice what she does. However, Amy, our administrator, does a huge job behind the scenes, keeping us
all up to date, preparing the slides for each service, the parish notes each week, all the legal documentation for baptisms, marriages and funerals. I cannot imagine the chaos if we didn’t have Amy. Thank you so much.
During the weeks, outside of our church building small groups continue to encourage each other. There’s both the house groups with their welcoming leaders, but also the men’s and women’s groups who meet once a month at the Malt Shovel to offer a more relaxed and informal support again to new faces where needed.
Our Mothers’ Union continues to do a great job in supporting each other and providing an interesting and edifying programme each month.
Another call for things to be new is the encouragement we are offering everyone to become part of the Church Giving Scheme. Our work and witness is only possible through your generosity and like
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Clergy Report
everything at the moment we know that this is being squeezed. Our Parish Share system reminds us of our need to help each other, and to ensure that we provide much needed support services into the Church. Giving is an important part of our spiritual life and if we regularly assess what we give we may help to make things new.
for our new vicar, whoever they might be. May we continue to be a thriving and relevant presence here in Menston, never resting on our laurels, active in our community, and witnessing to our God who does indeed make all things new.
Rev Andrew Howorth Associate Priest
As in every year, we have said final goodbyes to old friends. We give thanks for the way that their lives touched ours, and, as we remember their witness, so we pray that we might be stepping stones or signposts for others.
Finally, please allow me a personal thank you to all those who have sent me cards and messages, those who have prayed for my recovery, and those who have supported me. I continue to describe my recovery as miraculous, and trust that I will be able to get back to doing all that I did very soon.
Please join me in continuing to pray for St John’s, and especially
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Church Life
HOME COMMUNION
Holy Communion at home is an important part of the church's ministry to any who are unable to attend normal services for whatever reason. It enables people to feel they are still a vital part of our church family and that, whatever is happening to them, Christ will be with them on their journey of faith and that we are grateful for their prayers as much as they are grateful for ours.
During 2023 a team of five people who are available to take communion to any who have requested it was established and are regularly available wherever needed. People's needs vary, so
numbers are infinitely variable. However a regular feature which seems particularly appreciated is the provision for any residents of The Beeches care home on the first Monday of every month where up to seventeen residents now attend.
We look forward to providing this important ministry during 2024 and are always happy to receive requests to visit at anyone's convenience. Also if you feel you may be called to help in the provision of such ministry then your help would be appreciated.
Wendy Thornhill
INTERCESSIONS
The intercessions group continues to lead the prayers at the 11am service. Hopefully the congregation feel we fulfil our task of interceding on their behalf. This coming year will prove more difficult as
our numbers are seriously depleted, and the visiting clergy will be needed to fill in any gaps. I am very grateful to everyone who continues to provide this service on our behalf.
Kathy Roberts
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Church Life
HOME GROUP
h
This past year, our home group of eight members has together completed three courses: The Bible Course, where the group discussed all the different books of the Bible, The Prayer Course, and The Lectio Course, where we explored the different aspects of prayer.
We are continuing our meetings and will soon be starting the Talking Jesus Course to help us
share our faith with others that we meet in daily life, with more discussions planned too.
This has been a good year for the home group, with many people coming together to share different perspectives of our faith. We strive to be an inclusive and sharing space for all in the year ahead.
Matthew Smith
FUNDRAISING
With the completion of the roof, the major fund-raising activities enjoyed a short break. It had been a marathon task to complete, and thanks were due to everyone for helping in a variety of ways. The work however needs to continue– perhaps not at quite the same pace, but the needs are there all the same.
So thank you to all who have helped to organise and run the popular Christmas Quiz, the occasional cake stalls, the
concerts, the crafts, and all the regular giving. Whenever we ask for support for baking, crafts, or staffing various stalls there are many who step up to the call. Also our children, young people and their parents who are willing to contribute in lots of different ways, so thank you again for all that you do. We look forward to another exciting year of activities, building up the church family as well as raising much needed funds.
Rev Andrew Howorth
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Services
THE 6PM SERVICE
g We continued to offer the 6pm service every first and third Sunday throughout 2023.
This service seeks to offer an informal blend of worship, teaching, reflection and interactive/individual times of prayer. In some senses it develops on the principles and form of Zest, but is not tailored for young children. As with Zest, a key tenet of the 6pm service is discussing the bible passage in groups, allowing deeper engagement and exploration of the text and our faith. We are also blessed with a band who regularly play live worship.
The service is led by different individuals each week, on rotation, being a mixture of clergy and non-ordained people. This year, one of our youth even led and preached at one of the services!
The hope and aim for this service is that it offers a chance for members of the congregation and the village to engage with Church and their faith in another, different, way, and at a different time of day. It is a fact in today’s society that Sunday mornings can be busy times, for example with sporting activities for young people, so this provides an alternative for those people.
Given the small size of the 6pm congregation, the service has been paused during the interregnum, as we wait for our new vicar. We are hoping as a congregation (and with the support of the PCC) to reignite the service once the new vicar is appointed. We would encourage members of the congregation and the parish to come and see what we’re about, if only so you can tell others that it might suit all about it!
Hannah Needle
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Young People
THE CORE
The Core is a group for children aged 7-11. We meet once a month on a Sunday afternoon. During the session the children explore different bible stories, from both the Old and New Testaments. This year we have learnt about Daniel in the lion’s den, Jonah and the whale and Joseph and his coat. We have read some of Jesus’ parables and celebrated Christmas, Easter and Ascension. During the session we bake, play games and do some fantastic art and craft projects.
and it has been fantastic to welcome new faces to our group.
Elaine Proudlove has been a big part of The Core since it started, so we were very sorry to see her go in January. We have however been fortunate to find some new volunteers and Catherine, James and Jenny have all joined the team. This means that we are able to continue meeting regularly and learning about God together.
We encourage the children to invite their friends along to Core
Sally Smith
THE DEN
The Den is our youth group which would meet weekly on a Sunday evening. The Den is a space for young people to socialise, play games, explore the Bible, and pray together. During the session the young people enjoy eating pizza and have a lively discussion about different bible passages. Some highlights of the year have
included cooking sausages and roasting marshmallows on the fire pit, a rainy walk to the Wetherby Whaler for chips and a very messy mocktail master class!
It has been a privilege watching our young people continue to grow in confidence and faith. We were very proud of Thomas
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Young People
and Eddie when they wrote and presented a section of the Good Friday service in 2023. Our youth have also been involved in the 6pm service and Zest.
During the interregnum we have had to pause The Den. Our young people are going over to All Saints in Ilkley on a Sunday
evening to join their youth group. However, we intend to restart the group at St John’s once we have a new vicar in post. It is important that we continue to serve our young people and give them a space to explore their faith.
Sally Smith
Supporting Worship
ALTAR FLOWER GUILD
Sincere thanks to all who have provided the lovely altar flowers during the last year, helping to enhance our worship. Lent and Advent are the only periods of the Church Year when tradition dictates no flowers in church.
Thank you to the small band of flower arrangers who helped to arrange the Easter lilies and to decorate St John’s for Christmas. This is not a closed shop and details of arranging times will appear in the Parish Notes and Magazine in advance. We would welcome new arrangers! This could be an opportunity to develop a new
skill and a very rewarding hobby. Help and advice is always available.
If you arrange the altar flowers please keep an eye on them. Make sure that they are topped up with water and removed when past their best, usually two weeks. You are welcome to use your own vase or one of the church vases stored in the sluice room.
St John’s uses bio-degradable oasis, which, whilst not 100% compostable, is considerably better for the environment.
The new flower rota is now in the porch and we hope that many of you will sign up for a
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Supporting Worship
Sunday during the year - perhaps one that has a special significance for you.
If you are unable to arrange them yourselves, speak to Jan
Alexander and a member of the church flower team will be happy to help you or to arrange them on your behalf.
Jan Alexander
Pastoral
PASTORAL SUPPORT
In 2023 we continued to send cards, on behalf of the congregation, to members of St John's who were ill, bereaved or in any kind of trouble.
We offered words of comfort, sent them our love and told them that we were remembering them in our prayers. We made pastoral telephone calls or visits and attended the funerals of those who had died whenever it was possible. We also wrote to the bereaved families expressing our sympathy.
Every year we send Christmas and Easter cards to past members of our congregation who have moved into care or
nursing homes to show that they have not been forgotten. And although we have made pastoral visits ourselves, it is our intention to get together with members of our visiting team and revive the service which tended to fall apart during the pandemic. This would be particularly important during the interregnum. Also, without a vicar, we are reliant on referrals coming from members of the congregation.
On reflection it is very encouraging to know that members of St John's do care about one another and there are many acts of kindness.
Jane Pratt & Sue Lee
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Communications
PARISH MAGAZINE
Thank you to all who have been involved in producing the magazine in 2023.
Last year the magazine made an excellent profit. This is largely due to the huge savings we make by printing and collating the magazine ‘in house’ and to the small increase in price to £1 per copy. Thanks to Glenys Prince for her dedication to the printing of the magazine, to the three collating teams and to Charmian Thomas who looks after the distribution of the magazine. Together, they enable the magazine to make a very worthwhile contribution to St John’s finances. Thank you to Amy, our administrator, who uploads the magazine onto the website each month, thus ensuring a world-wide circulation!
Reviewing the last 10 issues makes me realise how grateful I am to those of you who contribute articles on a regular basis. Advertising of church
events, PCC and MU reports all help to keep a level of communication going within the parish. Prayer Points continue and hopefully draw our thoughts to many different possibilities for prayer. New contributors are always welcome.
When copy is a bit sparse I use articles from Parish Pump News Service. We pay an annual subscription to this excellent website which gives me access to a wide range of articles on all things Church and much else. They are a church magazine editor’s saviour!
Advertising raised £962 last year. The support of local businesses is vital and we offer all our advertisers our sincere thanks. PLEASE let them know where you saw their advert if you use their services.
So what for 2024?
• Contributions welcome from all. Ideas for improving the magazine are also welcome.
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Communicatons
• Collating teams - If you would like to join one of the collating teams – 3 monthly, Thursday mornings in the Parish Room – please get in touch with Jan Alexander via the Parish Office 872433. New recruits are welcome.
• Readership—Can you help? - The readership of the magazine continues its gentle decline. Hard copies are still valued by many – not everyone finds it
easy to read the magazine on the church website. It may surprise you to learn that 54% of those who take the magazine are non-church members.
We are hugely grateful for their support of St John’s. Can you persuade a neighbour or friend to take the magazine? If so, please contact the Parish Office.
Jan Alexander (Editor)
PARISH WEBSITE
The parish website continues to be a very useful resource for the church. The Parish Notes are uploaded every week so they can be viewed by anyone, anywhere, at any time. The ‘latest’ section is also updated regularly, keeping people up to date with the latest news and events, as well as giving access to the Parish Notes, the Parish Magazine, and other useful resources. Statistics show that access to the magazine is frequent, expanding the readership base.
The website is also the first point of entry for those outside of the church. Through our online ‘Contact Us’ form we receive many enquiries from the general public—often for important life events such as funerals, baptisms and weddings.
Matthew Smith has volunteered to get on board and help with keeping the Parish Website up to date. His help is greatly appreciated and needed—thank you, Matthew!
Amy Elliott (Administrator)
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Environmental
ECO CHURCH GROUP
The group achieved a Silver award from the A Rocha Eco Church award scheme in September 2023. This felt like a huge milestone. The award recognises action on the climate emergency in the following
areas:
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Worship and teaching: 88/110 (Gold)
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Buildings: 307/490 (Silver)
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Land: 95/145 (Silver)
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Community and Global engagement: 147/220 (Silver)
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Lifestyle: 81/160 (Silver)
The group achieved a lot in 2023. We arranged tree planting; installed a water butt and garden pots for vegetable growing; made bee and bug hotels; undertook a visit to the Recycling and Energy Recovery Centre in Leeds; organised an Eco Quiz for families and an Easter workshop. An opportunity to recycle blister packs is now operating and the communal Christmas card scheme made use of our own post box. A Christmas Jumper sale/swap
took place at the lights switch on and the idea was well received. A Walk to Church Sunday was promoted in June to try and the village is encouraged to use the churchyard as a place for contemplation, given its lovely setting. The group contributes Eco tips each month for the Parish Magazine and generally tries to raise awareness of the impact of our choices on our planet. We assisted the PCC in their review of St John’s environmental policy and the goal of the Church of England to reach net zero emissions by 2030.
Another Easter workshop to include seed sowing is planned plus an Eco Quiz in April. Nearer Christmas we will encourage people to get involved with an upcycling session to create gift tags from the Christmas cards we have collected.
Working with Climate Action Menston and the Parish Council, the group is looking to re-launch the Menston Businesses Backing
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Environmental
Climate Action initiative that was started in 2019. Businesses sign up to take action to reduce their environmental impact. The group hopes that more people will make personal pledges during the year too as we strive to get ‘gold’.
It has been a good year for the group with lots of ideas being put into action and achieving a silver award. More members are always welcome.
Catherine, Sally, Matthew, Marilyn, Jen and Jeanne-Claire
GRASS CUTTING
Unlike the year before, when much of the grass was covered by scaffolding, we had free access in 2023. However, our team has dwindled to about 5 people to whom we all owe our thanks.
As noted in last year’s report, Steve applied to ‘close’ the churchyard. This simply means that it no longer has room for further burials. Once that happens the local authority takes over routine grass cutting - but on a ‘minimum necessary’ basis, which is likely to mean just 3 cuts of the grass annually. We are, however, free to supplement this level of maintenance if we wish (e.g. for a special occasion).
Our request to close the churchyard is now ‘awaiting final approval from the Ministry of Justice’ - but it will take a while before any change is noticeable. There might be work required to make the churchard suitable for the Council working methods and equipment.
In the meantime we need to carry on through 2024! I hope the remaining team will be prepared to continue. I give my thanks to all of them. Perhaps there are some who have not volunteered in the past for fear of a never ending responsibility. Now is your opportunity!
Roger Banister
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Environmental
CHURCHYARD
In its own way the weather in 2023 proved as difficult as 2022. Last year when we planned to meet it poured with rain and with the warm temperatures everything seemed to grow twice as fast. Our little team worked very hard to nurture attractive borders and I hope the weeds weren’t too much in evidence.
We don’t yet know exactly what the future holds with the closure of the churchyard, but while we can, we will continue to meet alternate Monday mornings trying to maintain an attractive place for the village to enjoy.
Chris & Kathy Roberts
Broader Horizons
OUTREACH
hh
The Outreach Group comprises of three members who are joined by a PCC member on a rota basis.
Since the introduction of button voting by the congregation, the group prepares information for the magazine and PowerPoint presentations about each of the three charities in the categories of local, national and international and then attendees at church can vote for the charity of their choice. Button voting has engendered good conversations about the various charities, especially for parents and young people at The Core and The Den.
The charities with the most votes are then recipients of an amount decided by PCC at the end of the financial year, which aims to be 5% of unrestricted income. Wheatfields, Samaritans and Medecin sans Frontieres were each due to receive £1799 from our 2023 income.
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Broader Horizons
However, due to confusion over which charities are being paid each year, the charities chosen to be recipients of 2024 funds have been paid instead, ie Behind Closed Doors, Shelter and Water Aid. The group has put forward proposals to PCC as to how to move forward.
The church welcomed a speaker from Samaritans to a Sunday service in June 2023 and she was interviewed by the vicar about the work of the charity. This was well received by all.
The group discussed that there is no link between voting and actual giving and the merits of possibly having a dedicated giving Sunday or specific events for fundraising were considered. The matter was put on hold due to the interregnum.
The group will continue to research further charities for the button voting in the future together with PowerPoints and magazine articles. It hopes to engage more of the congregation in the why and how of giving. The group would also welcome biblical teaching on giving and generosity.
The group spends a considerable time researching charities. We are troubled by the lack of connection between voting and giving and would welcome a review of the current arrangements. New members to the group are always welcome.
Jan Alexander, Jane Pratt & Marilyn Banister
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Wider Links
MOTHERS’ UNION
Maintaining our membership with 20 members, we met once a month during the year. We had 3 meetings with a speaker and two services in church for Lent and Christmas.
Other meetings were more of a social event, and we had our summer lunch outing in June to the Caring for Life restaurant.
We had two events where a little fundraising was possible in order to support our Mothers’ Union charities – a lunch in the Parish Room in May and a Strawberry Tea at a member’s home in June.
At the start of this year, 19 members renewed their Mothers’ Union membership, which means we can carry on as a group for the foreseeable future.
We had a programme in place until the summer break, but we are sorry now to be entering an interregnum period and losing the support of Steve, our vicar. Hopefully there will be other clergy available to meet our needs if required.
Due to our aging membership we are not able to be physically very active, but are happy to meet together in our church under the umbrella of the Mothers’ Union. In our prayers we underpin the work of the Mothers’ Union worldwide in the support of marriage and family life, in particular those families whose lives have met with adversity.
Marjorie Boddy Branch Treasurer
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Wider Links
MENSTON SCOUNTS
It is disappointing that since Bradford Council offered us the land we need to build a new headquarters that will be large enough for our expanding group, there is nothing to see on the ground. But there is a lot of activity in the background. The project is likely to cost in the region of a million pounds - which is a big deal!
To check that there is an appetite for all the effort and work that will be needed we arranged a meeting at the new Burley HQ and the response was very positive, so we are gearing up to recruit more volunteers who have the relevant skills and experience.
One of the obvious requirements is to organise a Fundraising Team. They have recently issued a Newsletter which can be seen by typing this: htps://bit.ly/ NewsleterMar24 exactly as shown, into the browser address bar of a computer
which is connected to the internet. It should open the newsletter so you can read it. There is more news of the Group in htps://bit.ly/
MenstonNewsSpring24. Turn to page 18 using the page indicator at the very top of the page. (It starts showing 1/24, over-type it to 18/24.)
Meanwhile the normal work of the Group - passing on ‘Skills for Life’ to all our young people, must continue. We try not to involve the leaders in the project so they can concentrate on their ‘day job’. They are obviously doing a good job as our numbers and waiting list continue to grow.
Scouting nationally organises a census on 31 January every year and the barchart on the next page shows the last few years. It clearly shows how the Covid pandemic halted our growth in 2021 but also that growth is starting to recover.
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Wider Links
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150
g
100
50
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0
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2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
We could only achieve this through the sustained efforts of our leaders while they cope with extra pressure to comply with training requirements to keep our members safe. There are also major organisational changes underway which aim to make volunteering in Scouts more attractive to young adults. We owe all our volunteers huge thanks.
Finally, there has been another change in our Group - Naomi McMorn has taken over from me as Group Scout Leader. I am now Deputy GSL and wish Naomi all the best in leading our amazing Scout Group as it makes more and more of its great potential.
Roger Banister
MENSTON GUIDES
Guiding in Menston continues to thrive in the village with all units (Rainbows, Brownies and Guides) running at full capacity. We have 77 girls across the three units and an additional 44 on the waiting lists.
Girls take part in a range of activities, learning about themselves and their impact on the world, and enjoying being outdoors. We have undertaken joint trips this year as a group of girls from all Menston sections
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Wider Links
and enjoyed sharing experiences.
Rainbows have been earning their ‘Take Action’ theme award and will be focusing on their Camp 1 skill builder by exploring the outdoor local area and taking part in kitchen-less cooking. Brownies have earned their performing interest badge and have also fabric painted flags to show all the things that make them unique. Their new term theme will be the Olympics as well as planning for their pack holiday. Guides worked on their ‘Be well’ theme award, took part in Parliament week and joined the November camp at Waddow Hall with temperatures reaching minus one! They are currently rehearsing for a pantomime and will focus on outdoor related activities as the weather improves.
We're very grateful to the volunteers who run our weekly meetings and have welcomed new faces this year. Our waiting list numbers show that Menston Guiding would benefit from an
additional Rainbows and Brownies unit but struggle for hut space and leaders so we are, as always, looking for leaders to help open new units in the village. Leading a unit is enjoyable, rewarding and unique every week! Please do get in touch if you'd like to provide girls in our village with the best experiences.
We are now also fully working with the Trustees to build a new hut and the girls have been sharing their ideas of how they'd like this to look and to provide a foundation for the future of Guiding and Scouting in Menston which is very exciting.
Thanks again to all our committed leaders, assistants and parents that support the Guiding organisation in Menston.
Jayne Finlay & Catrina Forsyth
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I would like to help…
Name:
Contact:
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Welcoming people to services
Reading or prayers
Crafts
Visiting people or Home Communion
Small Group leading
Practical—gardening, cleaning etc.
Serving coffee, tea and snacks
Office administration, website, social media
Please return completed slips to the Parish Office
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Produced and printed by Menston Parish Church. Registered charity no. 1129823
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Annual Report for 2023
Parish Church of St John the Divine Menston with Woodhead
Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council
for the year ended 31 December 2023 presented at the APCM on Sunday 28 April 2024
incorporating the Financial Statements
of the
Parochial Church Council
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Bank: HSBC Bank 33 Park Road Leeds LS1 1LD
Independent Examiner: Linda P Nelson FCCA BFE Brays Chartered Accountants Building Society Chambers Wesley Street Otley LS21 1AZ
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Annual Report for 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS Administrative Information 4 Membership and Attendance of the PCC 4 Electoral Roll 6 Annual Review 7 Independent Examiners Report 11 Statement of Financial Activities 12 Balance Sheet 13 Accounting Policies 14 Income 16 Expenditure 17 Fixed Assets 18 Debtors 19 Funds 20 Budget 21 Extracts 22 Financial Review 23 Churchwardens’ Report 24 Deanery Synod Report 26
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Annual Report for 2023
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
St John The Divine, Menston with Woodhead, is situated in Burley Lane, Menston. It is part of the Diocese of Leeds within the Church of England.
MEMBERSHIP AND ATTENDANCE OF THE PCC January 2023 to December 2023
Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules.
During the year the following served as members of the PCC. Meetings attended out of a possible 10 during 2023 are in brackets; # indicates members of the Standing Committee.
Ex-officio Members of PCC
| Rev Steve Proudlove # | 10:10 | Incumbent - Dec 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Rev Andrew Howorth # | 6:10 | Associate Priest |
| Mrs H Feathers # | 9:10 | Churchwarden |
| Mr D Mercer # | 9:10 | Churchwarden |
| Mrs W Thornhill |
10:10 | Licensed Reader |
| Dr C Alexander # | 4:4 | Treasurer - APCM 2023 |
Representatives on Deanery Synod [and PCC]
| Mrs M Banister | 10:10 | untl May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Miss S Smith | 10:10 | untl May 2026 |
| 2 Vacancies | untl May 2026 |
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Annual Report for 2023
Elected Members of PCC
(* indicates that a PCC member is serving a second term of office and is not eligible for re-election for one year following completion of their second term).
| their second term). h |
||
|---|---|---|
| Mrs S Lee * 9:10 | untl APCM 2024 | |
| Mr I Johnson # 10:10 | untl APCM 2024 | Treasurer |
| Mr R Banister 10:10 | untl APCM 2024 | |
| Mrs C Meakin * 10:10 | untl APCM 2025 |
|
| Miss S Smith * 10:10 | untl APCM 2025 |
|
| Mrs J West 7:10 |
untl APCM 2025 | |
| 1 Vacancy | untl APCM 2025 | |
| Mr D Hall 4:10 |
untl APCM 2026 | |
| Mrs J Knaggs 4:10 | untl APCM 2026 | |
| Mrs H Needle * 8:10 | untl APCM 2026 | |
| 1 Vacancy | untl APCM 2026 | |
| Lynda Shelley # 7:10 | Secretary - co-opted to APCM 2024; | |
| resigned Jan 2024 |
Menston Methodist Representative 0:10
The PCC operates with a Standing Committee, which also functions as the Finance Committee.
The Standing Committee is the only committee required by law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, if this is deemed appropriate, subject to any direction given by the Council.
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Annual Report for 2023
ELECTORAL ROLL
The Electoral Roll should be revised annually. Every sixth year the preparation of new church electoral rolls takes place, which means that everyone must come off the roll and re-apply. The next occasion for the preparation of new rolls is 2025.
Following the new Church Representation Rules, names no longer need to be removed from the roll during the course of the year; this only happens at the annual revision. Names can continue to be added to the Electoral Roll throughout the year.
There are 98 names on the revised Electoral Roll. The numbers can be broken down into the following groups:
Females 76 Males 22 Residents 79 Non-residents 19 Individuals 67 Family Units 18
If your name is not on the Roll, please ask for a form to complete and return to me.
Elizabeth Leopold
The average usual Sunday attendance during 2023 was 72.
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Annual Report for 2023
ANNUAL REVIEW FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Structure, Governance and
Achievements and Performance
Management
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
Objectives and Activities
St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the fabric of the church, the Parish Room and the churchyard.
1. Worship
The Zest service is held each Sunday morning at 9.30am followed by refreshments in the Parish Room at 10.30am. This is then followed by a Parish Eucharist at 11 am.
Mid week service is held each Thursday morning at 9:30am.
The Core, aimed at 7–11 year olds with meetings on the third Sunday of the month from 3–4.15pm, has had a busy year with a wide range of activities.
The 6pm Service (previously the ‘Junction’) is an informal service for everyone in church on the first and third Sundays of the month. It offers all members of the congregation an opportunity to reflect and discuss passages from the Bible.
The Den is held each Sunday evening from 7–8pm and offers
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Annual Report for 2023
a ministry to pre-teens and teenagers. Once a month they join with All Saints in Ilkley for Release, their youth group. The Core and the Den work actively to encourage children to grow in faith.
The Bible Study small groups continued to meet, one in person with one via Zoom.
The Parochial Church Council has been able to resume weekly face to face meetings and events as well as online presence via St John’s website, Zoom and Facebook.
Licensed Chalicists: Mrs K Roberts, Mr R Banister, Mrs M Banister, Mr P Willbraham, Mrs S Lee, Mr G Druett, Mrs S Druett, Mrs D Slater, Mrs J Steele.
Lay Eucharist Ministers: Mrs K Roberts, Mr P Willbraham, Mrs S Finch, Mrs D Beaumont.
Verger team for weddings and funerals: Mrs I Griffiths, Mr G
Druett, Mrs K Roberts, Mrs H Feathers and Mrs R Zigmund.
Music has always been an essential element of our worship. The PCC is immensely grateful for our organists Mrs M Harvey and Mrs E Leopold who continue to share duties.
2. PCC Overview
The PCC and Standing Committee meetings have been undertaken via video Zoom meetings and face to face meetings.
The PCC met on ten occasions during the year with an average level of attendance of slightly over 80%. The Standing Committee met on seven occasions to plan agendas for PCC meetings, act on referred matters and discuss urgent issues.
The PCC discussed a wide variety of issues during the year. These have included the closure of the churchyard, how to grow our church and how to increase
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Annual Report for 2023
our funds. Fundraising has resumed in earnest this year with a variety of activities and income opportunities taking place which have contributed considerably to church funds.
We have also resumed a varied calendar of events held throughout the year which have been very well supported and attended. This has included quiz suppers and the King’s Coronation concert. We have had several music evenings, including ‘Songs for Summer’ and Choral Evensong. Further, ‘Roses of Picardy’ featured words and music for
remembrance by The Occasion Choir of York.
The new system of voting to choose the three charities St John’s supports has been well received.
A stewardship/regular giving campaign has been identified as a priority for PCC in the next couple of years.
The generosity of time and effort undertaken by everyone to both maintain and grow St John’s, making it a safe, welcoming, and varied church, particularly since the commencement of the interregnum phase we are currently in, is greatly appreciated and formally acknowledged.
St John’s Church and its environs were maintained in good condition. Additionally, a variety of work was carried out during the year by volunteers, including regular ground maintenance, grass cutting, leaf clearing and maintenance of the flower borders. A cake and craft stall was held regularly. PCC have been working towards closure of the church yard and it’s formal adoption by Bradford Council, a decision on which is pending from the Privy Council.
The Eco church group organised a wide variety of activities for people to get involved in during the year including tree planting,
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Annual Report for 2023
seed sowing, a quiz and thinking about carbon footprints with duplo. Eco tips were included in the magazine regularly and prayers for creation woven into worship. St John's was delighted to attain a Silver Eco church award in September 2023.
Catherine Meakin continued in her role as Safeguarding Officer and Elizabeth Leopold as Electoral Roll Officer. PCC is very grateful for their hard work in these roles.
Our administrator, Amy Elliott, continues to provide excellent ongoing support both to the clergy and ensuring that the parish office is run efficiently.
The PCC is immensely grateful for the dedication and care given to our congregation and church, in particular during the current interregnum.
We have been truly blessed with our dedicated wardens and deputy wardens. Hilary Feathers and David Mercer continue in their dedication to maintain day to day church life, which has been even more vital and appreciated in this interregnum period. Hilary and David are very ably supported by our deputy wardens Judith Knaggs, Roger Banister and Dominic Hall.
Julie West Acting PCC secretary
The church continues to be supported by an army of volunteers, including the outreach work, pastoral care and the day-to-day activity of the church. To name just a few, this includes floral decoration, reading and intercession prayers, serving coffee, gardening and leaf clearing.
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Annual Report for 2023
Independent Examiner’s Report to the trustees of Parish Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead Charity no 1129823 on accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023.
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Parochial Church Council of St John The Divine, Menston with Woodhead (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 12 to 20.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity trustees of the Trust, 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
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any
material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do 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 order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
h
Linda P Nelson FCCA BFE Brays Chartered Accountants Building Society Chambers Wesley Street Otley LS21 1AZ 22 March 2024
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Annual Report for 2023
| Annual Report | Annual Report | Annual Report | Annual Report | Annual Report | Annual Report | Annual Report | Annual Report | for 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | ||||||||
| STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for theyear ended 31st December 2023 | ||||||||
| INCOMING RESOURCES | Unrestricted | **Design'd ** | Restricted | Total Funds | ||||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Note | ||||||||
| Donations and legacies | 2a | 99,135 | 0 | 4,320 | 103,455 | 127,341 | ||
| Income from charitable activities | 2b | 4,057 | 0 | 0 | 4,057 | 4,349 | ||
| Other tradingactivities | 2c | 4,622 | 45 | 441 | 5,109 | 3,407 | ||
| Income from investment | 2d | 277 | 0 | 40 | 318 | 236 | ||
| Other incomingresources | 2e | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES | 108,091 | 45 | 4,801 | 112,938 | 135,334 | |||
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | ||||||||
| Mission activities | 3a | 5,444 | 0 | 5,444 | 4,627 | |||
| Ministry | 3b | 71,879 | 0 | 450 | 72,329 | 45,815 | ||
| Maintenance | 3c | 8,100 | 0 | 5,889 | 13,988 | 221,931 | ||
| Support | 3d | 12,527 | 0 | 0 | 12,527 | 11,637 | ||
| Costs ofgeneratingfunds | 3e | 205 | 0 | 0 | 205 | 459 | ||
| TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED | 98,154 | 0 | 6,339 | 104,493 | 284,469 | |||
| NET Incoming/-Outgoing RESOURCES before Transfer | ||||||||
| 9,937 | 45 | -1,537 | 8,444 | -149,135 | ||||
| TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS- in | 0 | 0 | 47 | 0 | 0 | |||
| -out | -47 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| NET Incoming/Outgoing RESOURCES | 9,890 | 45 | -1,491 | 8,444 | -149,135 | |||
| BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD | 174,218 | |||||||
| at 1st January2023 | 19,987 | 1,173 | 3,923 | 25,083 | ||||
| BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD | 29,877 | 1,218 | 2,432 | 33,527 | 25,083 | |||
| at 31st December 2023 |
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Annual Report for 2023
Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st December 2023
==> picture [335 x 369] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Note Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total funds
Funds Funds Funds 2023 2022
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets 5 0 0 0 0 0
0
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 6 4,404 - 258 4,661 4,407
Investments 7 6,324 - 901 7,225 7,907
Cash at bank & in hand 8 19,531 1,218 1,740 22,489 14,555
30,258 1,218 2,899 34,375 26,869
LIABILITIES FALLING DUE
WITHIN ONE YEAR 9 381 - 467 848 1,787
NET CURRENT ASSETS 29,877 1,218 2,432 33,527 25,083
TOTAL NET ASSETS 29,877 1,218 2,432 33,527 25,083
FUNDS 10
Restricted - - 2,432 2,432 3,923
Unrestricted 29,877 1,218 - 31,095 21,160
29,877 1,218 2,432 33,527 25,083
----- End of picture text -----
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 29 February 2024 g and signed by:
Warden (Chairman) Mr IK Johnson (Treasurer) g The notes on the following pages form part of these financial statements.
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Annual Report for 2023
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the SORP 2015.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The financial statements 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, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.
FUNDS
Endowment funds are funds, the capital of which must be maintained; only income arising from investment of the endowment may be used as either restricted or unrestricted funds depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was established. Restricted funds represent donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the
PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The PCC does not usually invest separately for each fund. Where there is no separate investment, interest is apportioned to individual funds on an average balance basis. Unrestricted funds are general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes. These may include monies designated by the PCC for a particular purpose.
INCOMING RESOURCES
Planned giving, collections and donations are recognized when received. Tax refunds are
recognized when the incoming resource to which they relate is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due. Dividends are accounted for when receivable, and interest is accounted for as it accrues. All other income is recognized when it is receivable. All incoming resources are accounted for gross.
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Annual Report for 2023
FIXED ASSETS
Consecrated and beneficed property is not included in the accounts in accordance with s.96 (2)(a) of the Charities Act 1993.
Moveable church furnishings held by the vicar and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property, listed in the church’s inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). For anything acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements. There have been no acquisitions since 1 January 2000.
All expenditure incurred in the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings, individual items under £1,500 or on the repair of moveable church furnishings acquired before 1 January 2000 is written off.
equipment with a purchase price of £1,500 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.
INVESTMENTS
Investments are valued at market value at 31 December.
CURRENT ASSETS
Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents, tax refunds or other income are shown as debtors. Short term deposits are funds held on deposit in The CBF Church of England Funds with CCLA Investment Management Ltd.
LIABILITIES
We have been advised by the Diocese of Leeds that payments toward the Diocesan Share are regarded as donations to the Diocese and there is no liability to pay any shortfall in the future.
Any shortfall should not therefore be recorded as a contingent liability in the accounts.
Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight line basis over four years. Individual items of
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Annual Report for 2023
Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead Notes to the Financial statements for the year ending 31st December 2023
| Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes to the Financial statements for theyear ending 31st December 2023 | |||||||
| INCOME | |||||||
| **Unrestricted ** | Designated | **Restricted ** | Total Funds | ||||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2023 | 2022 | |||
| 2a | Donations and legacies | ||||||
| Regulargiving: via bank | 60,600 | 0 | 0 | 60,600 | 60,120 | ||
| via envelopes | 5,130 | 0 | 0 | 5,130 | 5,481 | ||
| Income Tax recoverable on reg giving | 14,711 | 0 | 0 | 14,711 | 14,343 | ||
| Irregulargiving | 12,458 | 0 | 2,520 | 14,978 | 2,877 | ||
| Collections(openplate)at all services | 2,835 | 0 | 0 | 2,835 | 2,201 | ||
| Special collections | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | ||
| Grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Appeals | 0 | 0 | 1,220 | 1,220 | 37,976 | ||
| Legacies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2,000 | ||
| Income Tax recoverable on irreg giving | 3,402 | 0 | 580 | 3,982 | 2,318 | ||
| 99,135 | 0 | 4,320 | 103,455 | 127,341 | |||
| 2b | Income from charitable activities | ||||||
| Service fees | 2,490 | 0 | 0 | 2,490 | 3,288 | ||
| Magazine sales | 1,566 | 0 | 0 | 1,566 | 1,061 | ||
| Sale of books/leaflets | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Educational events | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 4,057 | 0 | 0 | 4,057 | 4,349 | |||
| 2c | Other trading activities | ||||||
| Parish Room lettings | 1,709 | 0 | 0 | 1,709 | 1,365 | ||
| Magazine advertising | 962 | 0 | 0 | 962 | 841 | ||
| Office income | 24 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 12 | ||
| Fund raisingevents | 1,927 | 45 | 441 | 2,414 | 1,190 | ||
| Income Tax recoverable | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 4,622 | 45 | 441 | 5,109 | 3,407 | |||
| 2d | Income from Investments | ||||||
| Interest | 277 | 0 | 40 | 318 | 236 | ||
| 277 | 0 | 40 | 318 | 236 | |||
| 2e | Other income | ||||||
| Other Income | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| SMP reimbursement | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 0 | |||||||
| TOTAL INCOME | 108,091 | 45 | 4,801 | 112,938 | 135,334 |
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Annual Report for 2023
Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead
Notes to the Financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2023
| Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes to the Financial statements for theyear ended 31st December 2023 | |||||||
| EXPENDITURE | Unrestricted | **Designated ** | Restricted | Total Funds | |||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2023 | 2022 | |||
| 3a | Mission activities | ||||||
| Overseas - missionarysocieties | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,534 | ||
| Overseas - relief and development agencies | 1,798 | 0 | 0 | 1,798 | 0 | ||
| Home missions and other relief organisations | 3,646 | 0 | 0 | 3,646 | 3,093 | ||
| 5,444 | 0 | 0 | 5,444 | 4,627 | |||
| 3b | Ministry | ||||||
| Diocesanparish share | 70,000 | 0 | 0 | 70,000 | 44,000 | ||
| Arrears ofparish sharepaid off | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Clergycosts | 691 | 0 | 0 | 691 | 485 | ||
| Service expenses | 612 | 0 | 450 | 1,063 | 922 | ||
| Fees | 420 | 0 | 0 | 420 | 348 | ||
| Magazine costs | 156 | 0 | 0 | 156 | 61 | ||
| 71,879 | 0 | 450 | 72,329 | 45,815 | |||
| 3c | Maintenance | ||||||
| Church | 1,304 | 0 | 5,889 | 7,193 | 209,458 | ||
| Equipment depreciation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Utilities | 3,451 | 0 | 0 | 3,451 | 4,538 | ||
| Insurance | 2,415 | 0 | 0 | 2,415 | 2,690 | ||
| Upkeepof churchyard | 764 | 0 | 0 | 764 | 4,704 | ||
| Parish Room maintenance | 165 | 0 | 0 | 165 | 542 | ||
| 8,100 | 0 | 5,889 | 13,988 | 221,931 | |||
| 3d | Support | ||||||
| Employment costs | 9,577 | 0 | 0 | 9,577 | 9,057 | ||
| Subscriptions and licences | 970 | 0 | 0 | 970 | 917 | ||
| Office runningcosts | 1,167 | 0 | 0 | 1,167 | 1,217 | ||
| Office equipment | 250 | 0 | 0 | 250 | 126 | ||
| Bank charges | 194 | 0 | 0 | 194 | 251 | ||
| Other expenses | 368 | 0 | 0 | 368 | 69 | ||
| 12,527 | 0 | 0 | 12,527 | 11,637 | |||
| 3e | Costs ofgenerating funds | ||||||
| Fundraisingcosts | 205 | 0 | 0 | 205 | 459 | ||
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 98,154 | 0 | 6,339 | 104,493 | 284,469 |
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Annual Report for 2023
Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead Notes to the Financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2023
| Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes to the Financial statements for theyear ended 31st December 2023 | ||||||||
| Expenditure cont'd | ||||||||
| Total Funds | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| 4 | Staff Costs | |||||||
| Administrator's salary | 9,472 | 8,970 | ||||||
| Pension contributuions | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| PAYE | 105 | 87 | ||||||
| Organists fees | 420 | 348 | ||||||
| 9,964 | 9,405 | |||||||
| Duringtheyear the PCC employed apart-time organist | ||||||||
| and an administrator,neither of whom earned more than £50,000pa. | ||||||||
| Nopayments were made to trustees. | ||||||||
| 5 | FIXED ASSETS FOR USE BY THE PCC | |||||||
| Total | Funds | |||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| COST | ||||||||
| Audiovisual equipment | purchased 2017 | 0 | 9,180 | |||||
| 0 | 9,180 | |||||||
| DEPRECIATION | ||||||||
| at 31st December 2021 | 0 | 9,180 | ||||||
| Charge for theyear(25%purchaseprice) | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| at 31st December 2021 | 0 | 9,180 | ||||||
| NET BOOK VALUE | ||||||||
| at 31st December 2023 | 0 | 0 |
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Annual Report for 2023
Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead
Notes to the Financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2023
| Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes to the Financial statements for theyear ended 31st December 2023 | |||||||||
| **6 ** | DEBTORS | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Income Tax recoverable | 3,912 | 258 | 4,170 | 3,831 | |||||
| Prepayments | 491 | 0 | 491 | 576 | |||||
| 4,404 | 258 | 4,661 | 4,407 | ||||||
| **7 ** | SHORT TERM DEPOSITS | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| held in CBF Church of England Funds | |||||||||
| Choir | 0 | 72 | 73 | 69 | |||||
| Churchyard | 0 | 134 | 134 | 1,128 | |||||
| Donations | 0 | 181 | 181 | 173 | |||||
| Fabric | 0 | 514 | 514 | 491 | |||||
| General Purposes | 6,323 | 0 | 6,323 | 6,046 | |||||
| 6,324 | 901 | 7,225 | 7,907 | ||||||
| **8 ** | CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| HSBC Main Account | 20,739 | 1,740 | 22,479 | 14,544 | |||||
| HSBC Magazine Account(closed) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| CateringCashbook | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| Office Cashbook | 11 | 0 | 11 | 11 | |||||
| 20,749 | 1,740 | 22,489 | 14,555 | ||||||
| **9 ** | LIABILITIES | Unrestricted | Agencies | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| amounts falling due within oneyear | |||||||||
| Funds held for Housebound Party | 467 | 467 | 467 | ||||||
| Inn Churches Christmas collections | 0 | 0 | 484 | ||||||
| Accruals | 381 | 0 | 381 | 836 | |||||
| Other creditors | 0 | ||||||||
| 381 | 467 | 848 | 1,787 |
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Annual Report for 2023
Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead
Notes to the Financial statements for year ended 31st December 2023
| Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | Parochial Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes to the Financial statements foryear ended 31st December 2023 | ||||||||
| **10a ** | FUND MOVEMENT SUMMARY | |||||||
| Incoming | OutgoingT | ransfers | Gains/ | Total Funds | ||||
| Resources | Resources | Losses | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Fabric Fund | 1,824 | 5,889 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 4,018 | ||
| Choir Fund | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 | ||
| Churchyard Fund | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 7 | ||
| Altar Flower Fund | 380 | 450 | 0 | 0 | 818 | 888 | ||
| Donations Fund | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 181 | 173 | ||
| Mission Fund | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | -1 | ||
| Churchyard PlantingFund | 2,625 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2,631 | 6 | ||
| General Fund | 108,091 | 98,154 | -47 | 0 | 29,877 | 19,987 | ||
| 112,938 | 104,493 | 0 | 0 | 33,527 | 25,082 | |||
| **10b ** | Fabric Fund | Incoming | OutgoingT | ransfers | Gains/ | Total Funds | ||
| Resources | Resources | Losses | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Deposit acc. Interest | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 87 | ||
| Legacies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Church Roof appeal | 1,315 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,315 | 39718 | ||
| Church roof upgrade | 0 | -5,889 | 0 | 0 | -5,889 | -187851 | ||
| Fundraisingevents | 486 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 486 | 709 | ||
| Fund Transfers | 0 | 0 | 47 | 0 | 47 | |||
| 1,824 | -5,889 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 4,018 | |||
| 11 | Contingent liabilities | |||||||
| We have been advised bythe Diocese of Leeds thatpayments toward the Diocesan Share | ||||||||
| are regarded as donations to the Diocese and there is no liabilitytopayanyshortfall in the future. | ||||||||
| Anyshortfall should not therefore be recorded as a contingent liabilityin the accounts. |
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Annual Report for 2023
| MENSTON PCC -General Fund | MENSTON PCC -General Fund | MENSTON PCC -General Fund | - BUDGET 2023 | - BUDGET 2023 | - BUDGET 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget 2024 | Budget 2023 | Actual 2023 | |||
| INCOME | |||||
| 61,000 | Planned Giving- via bank | 60,000 | 60,600 | ||
| 5,000 | Planned Giving- via envelopes | 6,000 | 5,130 | ||
| 16,000 | Gift Aid Tax reclaimable | 15,000 | 18,113 | ||
| 2,800 | Cash Collections | 2,000 | 2,835 | ||
| 2,500 | Fees | 3,000 | 2,490 | ||
| 0 | Legacies | 0 | 0 | ||
| 24 | Office Income | 50 | 24 | ||
| 1,700 | Parish Room letting | 1,500 | 1,709 | ||
| 200 | Interest | 30 | 277 | ||
| 2,600 | Magazine | 2,000 | 2,528 | ||
| 2,500 | Irregular Income | 2,000 | 12,458 | ||
| 1,000 | Fund Raising | 0 | 1,927 | ||
| 0 | Special collections | 0 | 0 | ||
| 0 | Appeals | 0 | 0 | ||
| 95,324 | Total Income | 91,580 | 108,091 | ||
| EXPENDITURE | |||||
| 73,708 | Diocesan Share | 86,598 | 70,000 | ||
| 700 | ClergyExpenses | 500 | 691 | ||
| 1,500 | Church maintenance | 2,000 | 1,304 | ||
| 620 | Service expenses | 600 | 612 | ||
| 4,000 | Utilities | 4,500 | 3,451 | ||
| 2,450 | Church Insurance | 2,400 | 2,415 | ||
| 160 | Parish Magazine | 100 | 156 | ||
| 170 | Parish Room | 300 | 165 | ||
| 170 | Churchyard | 300 | 764 | ||
| 450 | Organists | 300 | 420 | ||
| 0 | Vergers | 0 | 0 | ||
| 0 | Fundraisingexpenses | 0 | 205 | ||
| 650 | Office -printing/stationery | 400 | 640 | ||
| 480 | - telecoms | 450 | 472 | ||
| 10,000 | - administrators salaries + SMP | 9,200 | 9,577 | ||
| 150 | - equipment replace/repair | 150 | 250 | ||
| 1,000 | - subs/licences/computer support | 900 | 970 | ||
| 60 | -office sundryexpenses | 200 | 55 | ||
| 0 | Sundries | 300 | 0 | ||
| 4,758 | General Fund donations/Mission Giving | 4,600 | 5,444 | ||
| 0 | Churchyard Closure | 0 | 368 | ||
| 200 | Bank Charges | 194 | |||
| 0 | Special collections | 0 , |
0 | ||
| 101,226 | Total Expenditure | 113,798 ~~,~~ ~~8~~ |
98,154 | ||
| -5,902 | Surplus(-Deficit) | -22,218 | 9,937 |
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Annual Report for 2023
| Annual Report for 2023 | Annual Report for 2023 | Annual Report for 2023 | Annual Report for 2023 | Annual Report for 2023 | Annual Report for 2023 | Annual Report for 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extracts from the Financial Statements 31/12/2023 | ||||||
| Charitable Donations | ||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Mission Giving | Parish Room | Inc | Exp | Net | ||
| Roche ECO Church | 50 | Lettings | 1,709 | |||
| Wateraid | 1798 | Utilities | 1,380 | |||
| Shelter | 1798 | Cleaning | 0 | |||
| Behind Closed Doors | 1798 | Maintenance | 165 | |||
| 5,444 | 4,602 | 1,709 | 1,545 | 163 | ||
| % of unrestricted income | 5.00% | 5.00% | ||||
| Utilities estimated at 40% of Church utility bill | ||||||
| Special collections | ||||||
| Trussell Tust Foodbank | 261 | Magazine | Inc | Exp | Net | |
| DEC TurkeyAppeal | 185 | Sales | 1,566 | |||
| Children's Society | 25 | Adverts | 962 | |||
| Inn Churches Xmas Appeal | 249 | Production/distrib costs | 311 | |||
| Bradford North Foodbank | 285 | 2,528 | 311 | 2,217 | ||
| Utilities | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| kWh | kWh | |||||
| UseGas | 22,664 | 33,984 | ||||
| Electricity | 3,357 | 4,951 | ||||
| Change ingas usage | -33% | -22% | ||||
| Change in electric usage | -32% | 23% | ||||
| Change ingas costs | -29% | 33% | ||||
| Change in electricitycosts | -24% | 0.23 |
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Annual Report for 2023
FINANCIAL REVIEW January 2024
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 2023 (GENERAL FUND)
Total income for 2023 at £112,938 was below that for 2022, this reflects the ending of money raised from appeals following the completion of the roof replacement project and an absence of legacies in 2023. However, whilst income from most other sources showed marginal increases on 2022 levels, that from irregular giving was raised by large a donation of £10,000 to general funds and £2,000 to restricted funds. Other items of note include the increase from fund raising events, Parish Room lettings and magazine sales.
In terms of expenditure, the single largest item was the final “additional retention” fee of
£5,888 in respect of the replacement roof project. Although the full Diocesan Share request of £86,598 was not met, a total of £70,000 was paid; a marked increase on the 2022 level of £44,000. In addition, mission giving at 5% of general income was maintained. Most other ministry and support costs were also slightly higher in 2023, however, that spent on utilities at £3,451 was 24% less than in 2022.
RESERVES POLICY
It is the policy of this church to keep 3 months general running costs (£24,000) in the general fund to cover unforeseen emergencies. By not paying full Share a general reserve of £31,095 has been maintained with a further £2,432 in restricted funds.
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Annual Report for 2023
BUDGET 2024
The budget assumes full payment of the Diocesan Share request of £73,708, and maintenance of mission giving at 5% of general income. All other expenditure is expected to be at similar or slightly higher levels than for 2023, giving a total expenditure level of around £101,200. In terms of income, that from planned giving and other sources is not expected to markedly change on 2023 levels, whilst that from possible fund-raising events
(based on known and potential events) may be lower generating around £1,000 so that total income will be around £95,300.
As a result, there is likely to be a deficit of around £6,000 by the end of the year. The PCC will have to consider its
commitments to Diocesan Share, the 5% Mission Giving formula and/or increasing income from fund raising and other activities.
IK Johnson (Treasurer)
CHURCHWARDENS' REPORT
When starting to think about writing our third Warden’s Report it seemed to be a slightly more challenging task than the previous two, mostly because the last year seemed to have had none of the big excitements of the previous ones: no epidemics and no major building projects! This happy state of
affairs was not to last, however, with the news last November that Steve would be leaving us after Christmas - the news that all wardens dread!
Since that time we have discovered several things about our vicar that we had not fully appreciated until he had gone.
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Annual Report for 2023
Not only how much he did behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly but also how very organised he was!
At this point we would like to express our grateful thanks to Amy, our Administrator, who has been truly amazing and without whose own hard work and organisational skills much of what has been happening in the Parish would definitely not have happened.
The ongoing challenge of maintaining, repairing and replacing parts of our lovely old building is ongoing, helped by the work of the unsung heroes who clean, paint, garden and repair on a regular basis. It is worth taking a moment sometimes to look around church on a Sunday and consider how many people have contributed their time and skills during the previous week in order that we may enjoy our time here. Thank you to all those
people, your efforts are hugely appreciated.
It is difficult to write this report without spending most of the time thanking people but it is, I’m afraid, rather inevitable! With that in mind our thanks must go to Andrew and Wendy for their support and wisdom, especially over the last six months and to the Zest team of Sally, Catherine, Marilyn and James for rising to the challenge of leading Zest each week so successfully.
Service numbers of our
congregations for both services are stable and it is a credit to everyone that we remain a visible, united and caring worshiping community within Menston whilst we wait for exciting times ahead with a new vicar…soon we hope.
Hilary Feathers & David Mercer
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Annual Report for 2023
SOUTH CRAVEN AND WHARFEDALE DEANERY SYNOD REPORT
h
Deanery Synod Representatives
House of Laity: Marilyn Banister & Sally Smith h
2 Vacancies until 2026
2023 saw the Deanery continue with a mix of zoom and in person meetings.
In February we heard from Rev Jude Smith, Director of Church Revitalisation, about the Barnabas project. The Church Commissioners have awarded funds to the Diocese of Leeds for this work which is about encouraging confidence in God, mission and future witness ie what does each church need to do to grow.
There has been quite a churn of clergy in the last year: new vicar at Burley arrived in July. Rev Philip Bishop. Sutton, Cowling and Lothersdale lost Rev Helen in June and an appointment was made in February 2024. David and Susan Griffiths retired from Silsden in September and so Silsden entered an interregnum followed by Menston in January
2024 with Rev Steve Proudlove’s move to a Diocesan role.
Rev Mike Green from Kildwick, Cononley and Bradley was appointed as the Assistant Area Dean in July. Rev Mike Coe remains the Area Dean and I was re-elected as the Lay Chairperson of the Deanery for the new term running from July 2023 to 2026. Sally Smith is also a member of Deanery from Menston but there are still two vacancies.
At the July synod in Bradley church, Otley Christian Resources Hub gave an update on what they can offer which was very inspiring. Open the Book is happening in all the primary schools locally apart from Menston and although they have been approached they have not taken this up following the Covid break in provision.
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Annual Report for 2023
In October we held an in person meeting at St Margaret’s in Ilkley and Jemima Parker, the Diocesan Environmental Officer, gave a presentation on ‘getting started on our journey to be a net zero church’. There was a lot of really good information and people learned a lot.
The Bradford Episcopal Area Forum (BEAF) in November focussed on Bradford City of Culture 2025 and thinking how we can make use of our churches as venues for events or actually holding activities.
Below is the information about payments made by churches in our Deanery for the Diocesan share.
On 8 June there is expected to be a Pilgrimage to Bradford Cathedral to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Diocese of Leeds. More details to follow. At our Deanery meeting on Thursday 13 June we will be hearing from Geoff Park who is the Diocesan Director of Finance. Everyone is welcome.
Do please consider whether you would like to get involved. I enjoy hearing about how other congregations are responding to the needs in their particular place. Do ask me if you would like to know more.
Marilyn Banister Lay Chair and Deanery Synod Representative for St John’s
| share. | R | epresentatve | for St Jons | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Requested share for 2023 (£) |
Paid (£) |
Percentage paid in 2023 |
Percentage paid in 2022 |
|
| Diocese of Leeds |
15,753,796 | 11,769,717 | 75% | 78% |
| Bradford Episcopal area |
2,764,929 | 2,093,230 | 76% | 79% |
| SC & W Deanery |
814,601 | 640,966 | 79% | 77% |
| Churches that paid in full in SC and W Deanery |
Addingham | Ilkley All Saints |
Cowling | Lothersdale |
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Annual Report for 2023
Produced and printed by Menston Parish Church. Registered charity no. 1129823
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Annual Report for 2023
Independent Examiner’s Report to the trustees of Parish Church Council of St John the Divine, Menston with Woodhead Charity no 1129823 on accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023.
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Parochial Church Council of St John The Divine, Menston with Woodhead (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 12 to 20.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity trustees of the Trust, 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
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any
material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do 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 order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
h
Linda P Nelson FCCA BFE Brays Chartered Accountants Building Society Chambers Wesley Street Otley LS21 1AZ 22 March 2024
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