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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Matthew, Cambridge

2023-12-31-accounts

Annual Report May 2024

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Church Office, St Matthew’s Church, St Matthew’s Street, Cambridge, CB1 2LT office@stmatthews.uk www.stmatthews.uk

01223 363545

registered charity 112983

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How is it going?

It has been encouraging to see so many visitors and newcomers join us this year, especially at international fellowship, student group and church. Sunday attendance is now, for the first time, higher than it was before the pandemic.

It takes time for newer members to be equipped to lead and serve at church, and our programme has grown steadily over the years. Staff and volunteers have been a little overstretched, so we have not run as many optional or occasional events this year. Instead, we focused on regular groups and ongoing evangelism and discipleship. It has been good to see newer members joining groups, growing more committed, and joining our volunteer teams.

Our church community is also becoming more representative of the wider community and visitors find that welcoming. Even so, we would like to see more diversity in key church roles.

Our prayer is that, God-willing, in two more years, we might have grown enough to send a team with a preacher to plant or revitalise another church. Our associate vicar is visiting and helping a church that might invite us and continues to explore other possibilities.

‘It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known’ (Romans 15:20)

How can you help?

Pray Prayer is powerful and effective. There’s no substitute for a whole church family sharing and praying together. If you are able, please prioritise that on the first Tuesday of each month.

Speak God can use us even when we feel weak and inadequate. We are all different, but we can all play a part in befriending, inviting, and welcoming those we don’t yet know, while speaking about Jesus.

Serve We believe every member of church has something different to offer. The more who play an active part in Bible groups and teams, the sooner we can start or revitalise another church. If you would be interested in serving, please speak to one of the staff team.

Give Each year, we ask everyone to review our giving towards the costs of the ministry we receive here, as well as our mission partners elsewhere. Like most organisations, our costs have increased this year and we will need more income to carry on as we are.

Activities

Attendance .................................................................................................................................... 4 Bible groups for adults .................................................................................................................. 4 Buildings ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Church planting or revitalisation ................................................................................................... 5 Evangelism .................................................................................................................................... 5 Families & children ........................................................................................................................ 6 Families with pre-school children.................................................................................................. 6 Finance .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Internationals ................................................................................................................................ 7 Mission partners ........................................................................................................................... 7 Prayer meetings ............................................................................................................................ 8 Safeguarding ................................................................................................................................. 9 Students ........................................................................................................................................ 9 Wider church ................................................................................................................................. 9 Youth ........................................................................................................................................... 10

Appendices

Overview: objectives, membership & governance ...................................................................... 11 Summary Accounts to 31/12/2023 ............................................................................................. 12 Balance sheet at 31/12/2023 ...................................................................................................... 13 Minutes of 2023 annual meeting ................................................................................................ 14 Extracts from PCC minutes .......................................................................................................... 15 Members of committees ............................................................................................................. 16

Activities

This is the report of the PCC to church members, reviewing all our activities in turn, so we can thank God for all that has been achieved so far and so we can pray and plan for areas where more work is needed.

Attendance

Average attendance at 10.30am on Sundays in October 2023 was 102 adults and 39 children in person. At 5pm, it was 55 adults and three children in person. On average, both services were watched on approximately three devices each Sunday in October 2023.

In April 2023 there were 130 members on our electoral roll. Nine were added and four removed so that on its publication on 26[th] April 2024 there were 135. Our diocesan returns for 2023 recorded that 42 adults & children began attending and 29 left Cambridge, moved church or stopped attending. During 2023, 10 people confirmed their faith publicly for the first time including two adults, one child & one baby who were baptised. St Matthew’s hosted funerals for Yin-Ha Chan and Cyril Offley.

We delivered our Christmas programme to 2,000 homes in the local area. On average we receive 31,700 visits to our home webpage per month. We regularly email prayer news to approximately 160 people and send occasional email, text or WhatsApp publicity to approximately 490 people. Our social media accounts have followers in nine countries and our Easter post reached 354 people, mostly non-followers.

Helen Wilson (Administrator)

Bible groups for adults

These meet weekly during term time apart from those weeks when we join together for our monthly prayer meeting. Over the past year there have been some changes to groups, with two groups merging as they had become smaller due to people moving away from Cambridge. Other groups, especially the Tuesday evening group for 20s and 30s have had new people joining them and regularly need to divide into two for Bible study. A new group has been started on a Thursday early evening at the same time as JAFFA/Youth group. Some of this group have children at JAFFA and Youth group and so timing works well for them, whilst others prefer the earlier finish time.

There are now five Tuesday evening groups, two Wednesday evening groups, and two Thursday morning groups for women (which includes a crèche). Wednesday morning Coffee Pot has often attracted those with mental health or other struggles who find some of our groups more difficult. It is currently very small and we are working on small adjustments to help the group draw in a few more.

We want all our groups to be better at helping new members integrate, especially those from an international background, and we will be thinking about how to do this in the year ahead. Growing numbers in some of our groups mean there is a need for new leaders to be recruited and trained.

Claire Mason (Children’s & Women’s Worker)

Buildings

Several major projects were undertaken in 2023, the main one being the redecoration of the toilets and corridors including new flooring. New LED lighting was installed in the large hall and an additional drainage gulley installed in the courtyard. A leak in the church roof was repaired and at some stage a further leak will need attention. This is likely to prove costly. A new hard surface was installed in the car park entrance and gravel spread on the remaining surface. This has greatly improved the ground conditions.

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A burglary resulted in damage to doors, cupboards and locks. Most of the repair costs were recovered through an insurance claim. Annual maintenance was carried out on the boilers, gas and electrical appliances and the glass doors. There were a few other electrical and plumbing issues, including the installation of a new ring-main in the church.

In 2024 we are redecorating the small hall. A considerable number of repairs to the building have been identified in the Quinquennial, we plan to start tackling some of these. We continue to work on reducing our carbon footprint. A recent survey concluded that our energy usage is moderate, so we don’t qualify for a grant to assist in our reduction.

Our students at 30 St Matthews Street leave in August and a lease has been signed for new tenants in September. A few minor repairs were carried out both at no. 30 and no. 36 where Tom & Gemma and family live. A metal shed and paving has been provided for cycle storage. A condensation problem in the roof spaces has been resolved with ventilation roof tiles.

Martin Carter (Buildings Manager)

Church planting or revitalisation

St Matthew’s has committed to the 5-year goal that we would “send a congregation and preacher to reach the unreached.” We have just reached the end of the third year of this work, which divides into two areas. Firstly, the bulk of the time is given to continuing to grow St Matthew’s. Not only is this a key church priority, but if we achieve our aim of sending a congregation and preacher, it will enable St Matthew’s to continue without having to substantially cutting back on its current work.

Secondly, Tom Simpson has been in conversation with different parties and bodies about possible locations. The most advanced conversations are with Trumpington Parish Church; Tom has been periodically taking services at the church and it was a great pleasure to welcome the vicar, Mandy Maxwell, to our October prayer meeting.

There are other options that are being considered (particularly areas of significant new housebuilding) and Tom is in conversation with both the Diocese and the Cambridgeshire Gospel Partnership churches as to how we can best serve our local area and what is most achievable for St Matthew’s going forward.

Tom Simpson (Associate Vicar)

Evangelism

It is encouraging that many of our church members are getting to know non-Christians through work, hobbies, schools, volunteering, sports, or being good neighbours. Often, they get talking about their faith and invite their friends to church with them, especially carol services, baptisms, Easter and guest services. Slice of Life for over 50s has grown in attendance a little this year, and almost half of those who come are guests and visitors of church members. Most of our other groups invite guests regularly or occasionally.

We haven’t run one-off guest social events for the whole church this year in order to avoid staff and volunteers becoming overstretched. But we have seen plenty of guests and visitors at regular events, and perhaps that is a more effective way of getting people interested and involved.

The Life Explored course sets out the Christian faith more fully, including how to become a Christian, and gives more opportunity for questions. It was run twice in 2023, once from Luke’s gospel with Tom Simpson and once from Mark’s gospel with Frank Price. We also met individually with several who wanted to explore Christianity but were not available for those courses. Some professed faith and shared their story in church, most of the others are still exploring Christianity.

Frank Price (Vicar)

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Families & children

Every Sunday at 10.30am we have three groups for children from 3-11 years. Each group is led by a small team of leaders, who prepare sessions, get to know the children and pray for them. We have had new members join these teams this year. Mostly, we teach children from different books of the Bible and this year included 1 Samuel, Mark 1-10 and Luke 1-2. In the summer we did a series called “Who am I” giving children confidence in what the Bible teaches about our identity. We also provide a crèche for children aged 0-2.

JAFFA continues to meet on Thursday evenings for children in school years 3-6 for Bible teaching, crafts, games and activities. Some of the children are from church families but an increasing number are friends who have been invited along or from the local community. Special events in the Autumn and Spring term give the opportunity for children to bring along friends.

Claire Mason continues to have an opportunity each year to talk to Year 1 children at St Matthew’s School about Christmas and Easter and for them to visit the church building in the summer as part of their RE curriculum.

Claire Mason (Children’s & Women’s Worker)

Families with pre-school children

Our work with families with pre-school children has two main focuses. Firstly, we reach out through Mini Matts, our church toddler group. We continue to see regular attendance at Mini Matts of around 60 adults and children each week. We are starting to see a slow trickle of people coming along on a Sunday morning having become involved with Mini Matts and we pray that this will continue in the next year. Our Hope Explored course (mentioned in last year’s Annual Report) was positive and has seen someone start to come along on a Sunday as a result. We are exploring whether there is enough interest to run a similar course this coming term.

Secondly, on Sundays, we have been delighted to see the number of young children increasing. The crèche is regularly used, along with parent and child room, and the staff team regularly review how we can make our Sunday gatherings accessible and workable for families with pre-school children.

As part of a wider decision to reduce the number of occasional events that St Matthew’s was running, the extra families’ events for those with young children have been paused since September.

Tom Simpson (Associate Vicar)

Finance

About three-quarters of our income is donated by members of the congregation and we are grateful to God that regular giving has increased a little this year. This is helpful at a time of high inflation which affects our costs, as it does all other organisations. The rest of our income is from renting out our buildings and car park when we are not using them, contributions towards books, meals and weekends away, and small grants.

We receive occasional one-off donations which vary from year to year. As a result, we have more spare reserves in our bank account than we need at the moment, so we are deliberately operating at a small deficit, spending a little more than we could otherwise afford on short-term trainee staff appointments, to put those funds to good use. This is especially helpful at a time when our youth and student work has grown and as we prepare for a possible church plant or graft in a few years.

About two thirds of our spending is the cost of employing six gospel workers. Their pay is based on teacher and university administrator pay. Our vicar is paid by the Church of England but St Matthew’s reimburses the full cost of this together with a fair contribution towards other essential costs like housing, pensions,

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safeguarding administration etc. This is now donated through the Ephesian Fund, a new national charity which ensures funds are only used to support Church of England Evangelical ministry. We continue to give at least 10% of donated income to mission partners and other external causes identified by our mission committee. About 5% of our expenditure was for maintaining our buildings. The rest was for church events, books, meals and weekends away, including subsidies for those on low incomes.

We are grateful to Peter Ashworth for serving as our treasurer for most of the year, and to Steve Giles, Tabs Appleyard and Helen Wilson for their work on financial administration.

Internationals

St Matthew's runs an international fellowship aimed at helping those who are learning English or new to British culture to explore the good news about Jesus. In Autumn 2023, we hosted the iExplore course in partnership with Friends International which consisted of a series of eight talks in simple English accessible to people with no previous encounter with Christianity. The course is advertised by Friends International at the outreach cafes in Cambridge, and members of the church are also part of the team at those cafes and Central Language School which helps get in contact with new students and language schools and visiting scholars. In Autumn, we were very grateful to Christ Church Lowestoft who invited us to join them for a weekend away where we stayed with church members there, walked, cooked, ate and discussed the Bible together.

We have continued in 2024 with each Friday evening consisting of a meal together and a discussion following the Bible passages preached in Sunday services. Our Chinese New Year celebration was attended by 35 people as we made Chinese dumplings and listened to a testimony. Over the year many of our group have returned home and we are a smaller group as of Easter 2024.

David Binns (Leader, International Fellowship)

Mission partners

Mission Committee exists to equip and encourage the whole church family to support our mission partners in regular prayer and financial support. We focus on our mission partners at prayer meetings, Mission Sundays and invite them to weekends away. Also, each small group supports a mission partner, writing to them, developing personal links, sending gifts etc.

Maxime and Demelza work in church planting in France and have now started meeting in a public venue to encourage guests to attend. Hiromi is back in the UK and working in Oxford with Friends international, reaching Japanese people and preparing Japanese Christians for return to Japan. Tim and Shireen work in Leicester especially among ethnic minorities. They have had a tough year with several bereavements. Andy and Amy are leading a church revitalisation project in Doncaster. They are training church members to move into leadership roles. Andy and Sarah are involved from here in outreach to Asia and medical support for Christians in ministry there.

Mission Sunday in 2023 focussed on Hiromi. The Friends International director preached and Hiromi spoke about her ministry. Lent Lunch 2024 focussed on other mission: Campassion, Biblical Counselling and Tyndale House.

Ann Fiddes (Secretary, Mission committee)

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Tim & Shireen

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Hiromi

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Andy & Amy, Zoe, Samuel & James

Maxime & Demelza, Joshua, Noah, Charlotte & Luca

Prayer meetings

Meeting together to pray as a church family is our first priority as it expresses our dependence on God for all that we do as a church. We meet in the church building each month with about 40 – 50 people in attendance and some joining on Zoom. Throughout the year, we have prayed for a wide range of areas of church life including International Fellowship, student work, youth work, Sunday children’s ministry, small groups, schools work including JAFFA, plus all those involved in our Sunday services.

Each month we also pray for an area of ministry outside St Matthew’s and in the past year this has included Thomas Simpson working with students at the University of Utah, Rev. Mandy Maxwell from St Mary and St Michael’s Church, Trumpington, and Keziah Heasman from UCCF working amongst students in Cambridge. Mission partners are prayed for regularly and it has been good to be able to have some join us on Zoom as well as in person. Hiromi joined us in July.

Prayer news is regularly updated on the church website and also on the PrayerMate app so that members of the church family can continue to pray throughout the month.

Claire Mason (Children’s & Women’s worker)

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Safeguarding

We want to be a church family that reflects God’s character of showing mercy and compassion to the weak and vulnerable, and opposing injustice. This will show in how we relate to one another and care for each other, especially those who might be more vulnerable to harm, whether they are children, young people or adults.

Claire Mason is the Parish Safeguarding Officer whose role is to help us all ensure that church is a safe place for everyone. She does this with the support and training of safeguarding professionals in the Diocese of Ely. She is the first point of contact if you have any concerns about the welfare of someone in the church, the care that we provide or if something at church isn’t right. Contact details can be found under ‘Safeguarding’ on our church website.

Safeguarding policies are approved by the PCC and safeguarding is a regular item on the PCC agenda.

Safeguarding training is mandatory for all those who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults and also for members of the PCC. Some have still to complete their training or renew previous training.

Claire Mason (Children’s & Women’s worker)

Students

The student group on Sundays covers a mix of topical and thematic content with a focus on group discussion. This aims to compliment listening to the 5pm sermons. Sixth formers are included, and they have their own designated small group during discussion times. Last year we prayed that more females would join the group, and that we would be able to support them well. It’s been wonderful to see plenty of new female students join us this year, and several have started 1-2-1 Bible reading partnerships with women in the church. The group has grown, with an average of 11 students per session since September, but we lack consistency. Those who are most regular come about 70% of the time, and there’s a very large group of others who come sporadically.

In September and January there are induction weeks, which are the best opportunities in the year to connect with many new students; we have our own stall at the freshers’ fairs, and there’s also a chaplaincy table on campus throughout the week that I’m allowed to help on and advertise iCafe. I attend iCafe, a weekly event at ARU for international students, where I meet people and can invite them to church. This time on campus is invaluable.

I’ve loved being involved with the student work, and it’s great that Henry is staying to carry it on. Hugh Cornes (Youth & Student worker)

Wider church

St Matthew’s takes an active part in the wider church. We send representatives to Deanery and Diocesan Synod (see appendix 6) and seek to work closely with like-minded churches both near and far. The dominant topic this past year has been CofE leaders working on blessing same-sex couples after marriage and may also permit clergy to enter same-sex marriages. To many global and UK Anglicans this seems to reflect a departure from the gospel and is a message of affirmation without repentance which puts salvation at risk, divides the church and rejects the final authority of the Bible. We are asked to ‘walk together’ but the Bible may require distancing/separation: Psalm 1, Romans 16:17-18, 1 Corinthians 5:11, & 2 John 9-11.

See appendix 5 for further information on steps the PCC has taken.

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Youth

The youth group works through the same Bible content as the 10.30am and 5pm Sunday sermons in an ageappropriate way, alongside topical talks and evangelistic events. We’ve grown since September on account of a bunch of year 7s moving up, and there has been more inviting of friends on Thursdays too, with a few guests becoming semi-regular. We now average 14 on Sundays and 15 on Thursdays. It’s lovely seeing a completely packed-out vicarage on some Sundays! We’ve added new leaders to adapt to this, and I’m very thankful for a great team. I’ve been encouraged seeing youth members start to serve in the church band, coffee rota, and doing Bible readings.

We enjoyed our annual weekend away which fostered new friendships. Six have signed up to Sparkford 3, the summer venture that we send youth and leaders to, four of whom are first timers. It’s exciting to see momentum growing there; ventures are often hugely significant, and a ‘critical mass’ of familiar faces going is often the key ingredient that persuades others to sign up.

I co-lead an after-school Bible club at Parkside Community College on Wednesdays with 3-5 students and some limited opportunities to invite them to St Matthew’s.

It’s been a privilege to lead this group and I’m delighted that Charlotte has been appointed to carry on the work.

Hugh Cornes (Youth & Student worker)

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Appendix 1

Church Overview

Objectives

St Matthew's Church was opened over 150 years ago with the words: ‘ we preach Christ crucified ’ (1 Corinthians 1:23) and that is still our primary aim today. Church members invite our networks of personal contacts and our neighbourhood (the local area, the parish) to c ome and hear why that good news is so important or to come and help us share that. When ‘we preach Christ crucified’, we make disciples who want to obey everything Christ commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). That will include loving our neighbours and serving the wider community in a range of ways that benefit the public.

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St Matthew’s Church parish & surrounding area

Membership & governance

We’re a warm church family of all ages and nationalities. We welcome visitors of all faiths or none. We welcome any who want to join to receive communion with us, if they are baptised and can affirm the baptism vows: “I repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour, I turn to Christ as Saviour and I submit to Christ as Lord”. St Matthew’s parish is in Ely Diocese in the Church of England, but we belong to Christ first, so we welcome members from other church backgrounds.

Church members appoint the ‘St Matthew’s Parochial Church Council’ (PCC) at an annual meeting, following the ‘Church Representation Rules’. PCC members are trustees for the church, a registered charity, and also for the ‘Sidgwick Trust’ which manages the properties next door. The ‘St Matthew’s Parish Rooms’ trust manages the church halls. The PCC governs general direction and policies. Day-to-day management is delegated to staff and other teams. (See appendix 6 so you know who to contact.)

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Appendix 2

St Matthew's PCC Summary Accounts For the year ending 31[st] December 2023

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
INCOMING RESOURCES
Regular giving
One-off giving (incl grants)
Recovered tax
Total voluntary income
Income from investments
(Interest)
Church activities (Bookstall, etc.)
Other Incoming Resources
Total Incoming Resources
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Mission giving
Staff and Diocesan costs
Church running costs & activities
Other costs
Total Resources Expended
Transfer between funds
Surplus/(loss) for the year		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
206,321.55
33,101.81
45,494.52
284,917.88
33.65
955.89
31,894.73
317,802.15
-
226,581.93
59,934.82
11,975.56
298,492.31
(15,075.52)
4,234.32		 Restricted
Funds
£
13,962.00
259.00
3,075.25
17,296.25
-
-
-
17,296.25
38,468.81
-
4,850.00
-
43,318.81
15,075.52
(10,947.04)		 Total
2023
2022
£
£
220,283.55
214,840.60
33,360.81
120,923.49
48,569.77
50,587.47
302,214.13
386,351.56
33.65
3.41
955.89
1,006.19
31,894.73
27,290.36
335,098.40
414,651.52
38,468.81
26,536.00
226,581.93
217,300.20
64,784.82
54,237.38
11,975.56
68,272.76
341,811.12
366,346.34
(6,712.72)
48,305.18		 Total
2023
2022
£
£
220,283.55
214,840.60
33,360.81
120,923.49
48,569.77
50,587.47
302,214.13
386,351.56
33.65
3.41
955.89
1,006.19
31,894.73
27,290.36
335,098.40
414,651.52
38,468.81
26,536.00
226,581.93
217,300.20
64,784.82
54,237.38
11,975.56
68,272.76
341,811.12
366,346.34
(6,712.72)
48,305.18
386,351.56
3.41
1,006.19
27,290.36
414,651.52
26,536.00
217,300.20
54,237.38
68,272.76
366,346.34
48,305.18

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Appendix 3

Balance Sheet Position at 31[st] December 2023

NET FIXED ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
LIABILITIES
Creditors - amounts falling due in one year
Total Assets Less Current Liabilities
Loans due > 1 year
Total net assets		 2023
£
6,924.31
26,090.03
117,738.51
143,828.54
24,509.62
24,509.62
126,243.23
-
126,243.23		 2022
£
6,442.23
8,290.86
130,843.50
139,134.36
12,620.64
12,620.64
132,955.95
-
132,955.95

The above report is a concise summary of the formal report. You can find the full report and budget for the year ahead on the church website or by contacting the church office (office@stmatthews.uk).

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Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Matthew, Cambridge (Charity number 1129835) Statement of Financial Activities For year ending 31[st] December 2023

Note
INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary Income
2(a)
Income from investments (Interest)
2(b)
Church activities (Bookstall, etc.)
2(c)
Other Incoming Resources
2(d)
Total Incoming Resources
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Mission giving
Staff and Diocesan costs
Church running costs & activities
Other costs
3
Total Resources Expended
Transfer from/(to) general funds
Net Movement in Funds
Movement between Funds
11
Balances B/Fwd 1 January
Balances C/Fwd 31 December
Balance sheet
Notes
NET FIXED ASSETS
5
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
6
Cash at bank and in hand
7
LIABILITIES
Creditors - amounts falling due in one year
8
Creditors - amounts falling due after one year
9
Total Assets Less Current Liabilities
PARISH FUNDS
Unrestricted
Restricted
12		 2023
Unrestricted
Funds
£
284,917.88
33.65
955.89
31,894.73
317,802.15
-
226,581.93
59,934.82
11,975.56
298,492.31
(15,075.52)
4,234.32
121,550.14
125,784.46
2023
£
6,924.31
26,090.03
117,738.51
143,828.54
24,509.62
-
24,509.62
126,243.23
125,784.46
458.77
126,243.23		 2023
2023
Restricted
Total

Funds
Funds
£
£
17,296.25
302,214.13
-
33.65
-
955.89
-
31,894.73
17,296.25
335,098.40
Diff:-
115659.7
38,468.81
38,468.81
-
226,581.93
4,850.00
64,784.82
-
11,975.56
43,318.81
341,811.12
Diff:-364997.22
15,075.52
-
(10,947.04)
(6,712.72)
11,405.81
132,955.95
458.77
126,243.23
2022
£
6,442.23
8,290.86
130,843.50
139,134.36
12,620.64
-
12,620.64
132,955.95
121,550.14
11,405.81
132,955.95		 2022
Unrestricted
Funds
£
372,080.42
3.41
1,006.19
27,290.36
400,380.38
-
217,300.20
54,061.33
68,272.76
339,634.29
(23,361.90)
37,384.19
84,165.95
121,550.14		 2022
Restricted
Funds
£
14,271.14
-
-
-
14,271.14
26,536.00
-
176.05
-
26,712.05
23,361.90
10,920.99
484.82
11,405.81		 2022
Total
Funds
£
386,351.56
3.41
1,006.19
27,290.36
414,651.52
26,536.00
217,300.20
54,237.38
68,272.76
366,346.34
-
48,305.18
84,650.77
132,955.95

The notes on the following pages 2 to 5 form part of this account

Adopted by the Parochial Church Council on 22nd April 2024 and signed on its behalf by

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The Revd Frank Price (PCC Chairman)

Tabitha Appleyard (PCC Treasurer)

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Notes to the financial statements For the year ending 31[st] December, 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and the Charities SORP (2015) (based on FRS 102). The financial statements have been prepared on the basis of historic cost. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. The charity is a public benefit charity

A statement of cash flows has not been prepared as the PCC has taken the exemption from preparing the statement as it meets the definition of a small entity in FRS 102 (derived from the Companies Act 2006, section 382).

Funds

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 the year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The PCC does not normally invest separately for each fund.

Unrestricted funds are general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes.

Incoming resources

Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resources to which they relate are received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due. Income for the weekend away is recognised in the year in which it occurs. All other income is recognised when it is receivable. All incoming resources are accounted for gross.

Resources expended

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan ministry share is accounted for when due. Amounts received specifically for mission are dealt with as restricted funds. Expenditure for the weekend away is recognised in the year in which it occurs. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross.

Fixed Assets

Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts in accordance with s.10(2)(a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011.

Movable church furnishing held by the vicar and the church wardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property and listed in the church's inventory, which can be inspected.

Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight-line basis over four years (sometimes five years for high cost durable assets). Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £500 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.

2. INCOMING RESOURCES
2 (a) Voluntary Income
Tax efficient planned giving
Other planned giving
Collections of loose cash
All NON-RECURRING giving
All tax recovered - Gift Aid
Grants (From Sidgwick Trust and local organisations)
2(b) Income from Investments
Dividends, interest, income
2(c) Income from Church Activities
Parochial Fees retained
Bookstall and other activities		 2023
Unrestricted
Funds
£
181,548.00
24,773.55
406.81
-
45,494.52
32,695.00
284,917.88
33.65
102.00
853.89
955.89		 2023
Restricted
Funds
£
12,252.00
1,710.00
259.00
-
3,075.25
-
17,296.25
-
-
-
-		 2023
Total
Funds
£
193,800.00
26,483.55
665.81
-
48,569.77
32,695.00
302,214.13
33.65
102.00
853.89
955.89		 2022
Unrestricted
Funds
£
190,523.00
12,801.96
740.98
85,000.00
47,831.97
35,182.51
372,080.42
3.41
494.00
512.19
1,006.19		 2022
Restricted
Funds
£
11,022.00
493.64
-
-
2,755.50
-
14,271.14
-
-
-
-		 2022
Total
Funds
£
201,545.00
13,295.60
740.98
85,000.00
50,587.47
35,182.51
386,351.56
3.41
494.00
512.19
1,006.19

15

Notes to the financial statements (continued) For the year ending 31[st] December, 2023

2(d) Other Incoming
Resources
Weekend Away
Activities income (Meals, Coffee Pot, Youth Group etc)
Other income
Total Incoming resources
3. RESOURCES EXPENDED
3(a) Mission Giving
Own Missionaries
Other Giving
3(b) Staff and Diocesan costs
Ministry Share paid to the diocese
Payroll costs (Staff except incumbent)
Staff (including incumbent) expenses and training costs
3(c) Church running costs
Cost of Services
Cleaning
Administration
Maintenance
Depreciation
Publicity
Activities
General (Meals, Car park , Men’s/women’s events etc)
Holiday Club
Life Explored
Mini Matts
Children's Work
Youth Group
Sixth form and students
Jaffa
Coffee Pot
Other Outreach Activities
Gifts and help for Church Members
Weekend Away
3(e) Other costs
Church Utility Bills
Cost of Trading - Bookstall
Church Insurance Premium
Loan interest
Contribution to Sidgwick loan repayment
New Building Work/Major repairs
Total outgoing resources		 2023
Unrestricted
Funds
£
13,403.15
6,864.16
11,627.42
31,894.73
317,802.15
-
0.00
0.00
67,264.23
153,840.52
5,477.18
226,581.93
7,740.89
4,702.34
3,789.61
14,782.67
3,715.92
1,451.59
1,758.85
-
60.67
497.39
459.76
2,529.85
3,165.64
557.88
-
99.58
107.80
14,514.38
59,934.82
9,386.41
1,216.34
1,372.81
-
-
-
11,975.56
298,492.31		 2023
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
17,296.25
32,252.61
6,216.20
38,468.81
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,750.00
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
100.00
-
-
-
-
-
4,850.00
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
43,318.81		 2023
Total

Funds
£
13,403.15
6,864.16
11,627.42
31,894.73
335,098.40
32,252.61
6,216.20
38,468.81
67,264.23
153,840.52
5,477.18
226,581.93
7,740.89
4,702.34
3,789.61
19,532.67
3,715.92
1,451.59
1,758.85
0.00
60.67
497.39
459.76
2,529.85
3,265.64
557.88
0.00
99.58
107.80
14,514.38
64,784.82
9,386.41
1,216.34
1,372.81
0.00
0.00
0.00
11,975.56
341,811.12		 2022
Unrestricted
Funds
£
12,883.70
7,856.66
6,550.00
27,290.36
400,380.38
-
-
-
62,830.74
146,954.43
7,515.03
217,300.20
7,001.42
5,338.33
3,586.72
10,075.73
3,062.36
1,724.00
2,049.62
-
16.00
1,011.90
647.88
2,177.94
1,967.17
206.53
-
274.54
399.89
14,521.30
54,061.33
9,086.52
858.61
1,550.83
-
25,442.40
31,334.40
68,272.76
339,634.29		 2022
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
14,271.14
25,086.00
1,450.00
26,536.00
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
126.05
-
-
-
-
50.00
-
176.05
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
26,712.05		 2022
Total
Funds
£
12,883.70
7,856.66
6,550.00
27,290.36
414,651.52
25,086.00
1,450.00
26,536.00
62,830.74
146,954.43
7,515.03
217,300.20
7,001.42
5,338.33
3,586.72
10,075.73
3,062.36
1,724.00
2,049.62
0.00
16.00
1,011.90
647.88
2,303.99
1,967.17
206.53
0.00
274.54
449.89
14,521.30
54,237.38
9,086.52
858.61
1,550.83
0.00
25,442.40
31,334.40
68,272.76
366,346.34

16

Notes to the financial statements (continued) For the year ending 31[st] December, 2023

4. PAYROLL COSTS

The number of employees employed during the year
Full time staff
Part time staff
The breakdown of payroll costs is as follows:
Salaries and Honoraria
Social Security Costs
Pension Costs
5. FIXED ASSETS
Tangible
Actual/Deemed Cost
At 1st January 2023
Additions at cost
Disposals
At 31st December 2023
Depreciation
At 1st January 2023
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31st December 2023
Net fixed assets at 31st December 2023
6. DEBTORS
Tax Recoverable
Next year w/e away
Deposits
Other Debtors
7. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
Co-operative Bank Current Account
Soldo
Standard Life Bank Treasurers Account
Standard Life Bank Treasurers Sub Account
Petty Cash
8. CREDITORS - AMOUNTS FALLING DUE IN ONE YEAR
Ely Diocese
Missionary Giving
Staff and other expenses
Payroll Liabilities
Deferred income (Next year w/e away, Mission spend)
Other Creditors
Deposits for hall hire
9. CREDITORS - AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER ONE YEAR
Loans		 2023
2022
4
4
1
0
TOTAL FUNDS
2023
2022
140,454.92
133,522.37
4,807.20
5,009.18
8,578.40
8,422.88
153,840.52
146,954.43
Church
Equipment
15,545.94
4,198.00
-
19,743.94
9,103.71
3,715.92
-
12,819.63
6,924.31
2023
2023
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
8,418.68
455.95
15,470.40
-
1,125.00
-
620.00
-
25,634.08
455.95
113,855.92
2.82
273.47
-
1,753.85
-
1,812.45
-
40.00
-
117,735.69
2.82
-
-
-
-
2,101.49
-
-
-
10,540.00
-
11,868.13
-
-
-
24,509.62
-
-
-		 2023
Total
Funds
£
8,874.63
15,470.40
1,125.00
620.00
26,090.03
113,858.74
273.47
1,753.85
1,812.45
40.00
117,738.51
-
-
2,101.49
-
10,540.00
11,868.13
-
24,509.62
-		 2022
Unrestricted
Funds
£
3,759.47
2,400.00
1,125.00
985.89
8,270.36
115,088.92
796.62
1,737.30
1,795.35
40.00
119,458.19
-
-
1,923.09
-
10,660.19
37.36
-
12,620.64
-		 2022
Restricted
Funds
£
20.50
-
-
-
20.50
11,385.31
-
-
-
-
11,385.31
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2022
Total
Funds
£
3,779.97
2,400.00
1,125.00
985.89
8,290.86
126,474.23
796.62
1,737.30
1,795.35
40.00
130,843.50
-
-
1,923.09
-
10,660.19
37.36
-
12,620.64
-

17

Notes to the financial statements (continued) For the year ending 31[st] December, 2023

10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Incumbent and staff who are PCC members were paid for items relating to their work as set out in the expenses policy. The incumbent is remunerated by the diocese and other staff members are remunerated as disclosed in note 4.

A grant of £29,645 (2022: £23,365) was received from the Trust of Mrs E M Sidgwick which is deemed to be a related party due to common control. At 31 December 2023 included in debtors is £NIL (2022: £11.89) due from the Trust of Mrs E M Sidgwick.

Included in debtors at 31 December 2023 is £NIL (2022: £262.70) due from St Matthews Parish Rooms in relation to expenditure incurred on behalf of St Matthews Parish Rooms. Included in creditors at 31 December 2023 is £863.72 (2022: £NIL). St Matthews Parish Rooms is deemed to be a related party due to common control.

Included in creditors at 31 December 2023 is £30.04 (2022: £269.66) due to the Trust of Mrs E M Sidgwick

Donations from trustees and persons closely connected with them for the year ending 31 December 2023 were £74,897 (2022: £169,533). This includes amounts to both the restricted and non-restricted funds and excludes Gift Aid recovered.

11. FUNDS

The restricted funds comprise the following:

Jamie Fiddes – donated funds to assist young people financially for Christian activities

Building – Funds donated specifically for use for church maintenance.

Mission – Funds set aside for world-wide mission. Any donations for specific mission partners are passed on during the year. The PCC aims to give at least 10% of all voluntary income to world-wide mission. Donations from the Mission Fund were to the church mission partners.

Fund Movements
Balance at 1 January 2023
Incoming Resources
Transfer from/(to) general funds
Resources Expended
Balance at 31 December 2023		 Jamie
Building
Mission
Fiddes
433.77
-
10,972.04
125.00
4,750.00
12,421.25
-
-
15,075.52
(100.00)
(4,750.00)
(38,468.81)
458.77
-
-		 Unrestricted
121,550.14
317,802.15
(15,075.52)
(298,492.31)
125,784.46		 Total
132,955.95
335,098.40
-
(341,811.12)
126,243.23

12. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS by fund

Fixed Assets
Current Assets
Liabilities		 Unrestricted
Funds
6,924.31
143,369.77
(24,509.62)
125,784.46		 Restricted
Funds
-
458.77
-
458.77		 Total
2023
6,924.31
143,828.54
(24,509.62)
126,243.23

13. RESERVES POLICY

The minimum cash reserve is now 3 months of non-discretionary spending. This reflects the standard notice period for staff. The upper limit adds “expected” regular expenditure such as regular payments to mission partners and the diocese. The range at the end of 2022 was £50,000 to £72,000 and in 2023 is £56,000 to £79,000. The receipt of a large gift in 2022 and our decision to use it to fund junior trainee roles over several years has taken the reserve above the level set in the policy

18

Independent examiner's report to the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Matthew, Cambridge (Charity number 1129835)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Sidgwick Trust for the year ending 31 December 2023.

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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. 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 this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

==> picture [188 x 104] intentionally omitted <==

19

Appendix 4

Minutes of the Annual Meeting Saturday, 13[th] May, 2023 (12noon)

Frank shared from Matthew 9:38. Claire Mason prayed for the meeting.

  1. Apologies were received from 22 members (list attached in archive). 48 people attended. The meeting was happy for last year’s minutes to be signed as an accurate record.

  2. Election of Churchwardens, deanery synod reps, PCC members & independent examiner:

  3. i. Church wardens: Jon Davies was proposed by Michael Dixon and seconded by Helen Wilson. David Binns was proposed by Bartow Wylie and seconded by Hugh Cornes. They were duly elected, uncontested. ii. Deanery synod : Claire Mason and Nic Lawrence were thanked at the end of their six year term. Jon Davies was proposed by Hugh Cornes and seconded by Claire Mason; Louise Robinson was proposed by Helen Wilson and seconded by Claire Mason. They were duly elected, uncontested, to serve until May 2029.

iii. PCC: Jooch Lloyd, Andrew Perrett and Justine Fieth were thanked at the end of their three year term. Louise Robinson was proposed by Jooch Lloyd and seconded by Laura Irvine; George Okal was proposed by Tessa Davies and seconded by David Binns; Claire Mason was proposed by Jon Davies and seconded by Helen Wilson. They were duly elected, uncontested, to serve until May 2026.

iv. Independent examiner for 2023 accounts: Tabs Appleyard proposed and Chris Knowles seconded that Paul Denner be appointed as independent examiner for the 2023 accounts. Agreed with no one against. Tom Simpson prayed for them.

3. Treasurer’s report

Tabs Appleyard presented information covering items for prayer and praise, mission giving, staff costs. Tabs thanked Myles Greensmith, Steve Giles and Helen Wilson for their input. Frank thanked Tabs. Questions were taken and answered. David Binns led prayer in thanks for the finance team and God’s provision.

4. Minister’s report:

This has been our first year of a full programme since the Covid pandemic began. It has been an encouraging time of building one another up in our faith, recovering a healthy sense of church family, and seeing new members and new believers join us. Many who come on Sundays are newer to the Christian faith or not as involved or established. There is plenty to be done to disciple and equip the whole church family to serve at church and reach out to others. For example, we’d like to encourage more church members into Bible groups, 1-to-1 Bible reading partnerships or prayer triplets, and Bible ministry roles at church. We are fairly representative of the wider community, but we want to see more female students and preschool families join us and encourage more from diverse backgrounds into key roles. Our prayer is that, God-willing, in three more years, we might have grown enough to send a team with a preacher to plant or revitalise another church.

‘Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field’ (Matthew 9:38)

5. Reports on church activities:

i. Franklin Evans proposed and Andrew Perrett seconded that we receive the annual report of St Matthew’s Church PCC, including the financial statements for 2022, which will be examined independently and have been circulated in advance, passed with no one against. Frank encouraged members to raise any specific concerns with those responsible as in Appendix 5 of the report. Questions and comments were noted to be passed on to the appropriate people.

ii. A time of thanks and prayer took place.

The meeting ended at 1.10pm

20

Appendix 5 Extracts from minutes of the Parochial Church Council (PCC), 22[nd] May & 20[th] November, 2023

The PCC would like to take steps to ensure that:

Ministry

  1. we continue to welcome and offer good pastoral care for LGBT people;

  2. we minimise pressure on our ministry team to bless same-sex marriages; Protest

  3. Bishops & synod see the gravity of the potential consequences before they go ahead; Giving

  4. church members are only asked to finance ministry they can support, and resources that were given in the past (church buildings, investments) continue to be used as intended;

Oversight

  1. our clergy remain accountable to Bishops who still expect the same ethical standards;

  2. believers are confirmed by Bishops who still expect the same discipleship standards; Future

  3. future clergy & wardens are not required to commit to ‘walking together’, or ‘mutual flourishing’ or allegiance to a Bishop who blesses or enters same-sex marriage;

  4. we can still seek invitations to plant or graft into a non-evangelical CofE parish;

  5. Partnership

  6. we are not seen to ‘walk together’ with those we feel are walking away from Christ;

  7. we remain in spiritual partnership with the majority of Anglicans worldwide.

These steps include:

Agreed with no one against.

21

Appendix 6

Members of committees

Parochial Church Council (PCC) from May 2023 to May 2024

church policy & direction, overall legal & financial responsibility, trustees of Sidgwick Trust Tabs Appleyard – until 5/2024 Peter Ashworth – co-opted until 5/2024 Paula Ayliffe – secretary, until 5/2025 David Binns – warden, ex officio Jon Davies – warden, deanery synod, ex officio Laura Irvine – until 5/2025 David Joy – until 5/2024 Chris Knowles – diocesan synod, ex officio Claire Mason – until 5/2026 George Okal – until 5/2026 Frank Price – vicar, ex officio chair Louise Robinson – until 5/2026, deanery synod Tom Simpson – associate vicar, ex officio Caroline Sivasundaram – until 5/2025

Standing (PCC subcommittee)

staff appointments, vicar accountability & advice Paula Ayliffe David Binns Jon Davies Claire Mason Frank Price Tom Simpson

Buildings (PCC subcommittee)

maintenance & development projects Martin Carter – buildings manager Franklin Evans – chair Jacob Giles David Joy Frank Price

Staff

programme, hall & church use, volunteer roles, safety Hugh Cornes – youth, students Claire Mason – children, women Frank Price – vicar Tom Simpson – associate vicar Henry Wilkes – ministry trainee Helen Wilson – administrator

Services

reviewing & planning service outlines & music Martin Carter – band and tech rotas Claire Mason Frank Price – chair Tom Simpson Helen Wilson – admin, music

Publicity

website, social media, printed publicity Hugh Cornes Henry Wilkes Helen Wilson

Mission (PCC subcommittee)

deciding which external causes to finance, pray for & promote Zoe Binns – chair Ann Fiddes – secretary Frank Price Rhyan Probert Bartow Wylie

Finance (PCC subcommittee)

budget, staff pay, ministry share, accounts Peter Ashworth Jon Davies Frank Price

St Matthew’s Parish Rooms

Trustees of the registered charity for the church halls, setting hire policy and fees. Paula Ayliffe – appointed David Binns – warden, ex officio Jon Davies – warden, ex officio Claire Mason – appointed Nick Moir – rural dean, ex officio Frank Price – vicar, ex officio Tom Simpson – appointed David Todd – patron (Christ Church, Cambridge), ex officio

22

This report was approved by the PCC on 22[nd] March, 2024, and signed on their behalf by Frank Price (chair of PCC).

==> picture [122 x 39] intentionally omitted <==

23