2023-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Michael And All Angels, Bramcote

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St Michael & All Angels, Bramcote

Annual Parochial Church Meeting Monday 22nd April 2024

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.” CHURCH MOTTO 2024 ~ Romans 15:5

Statutory Information

Parish Name: Bramcote, St Michael and All Angels Deanery: Nottingham South Archdeaconry: Nottingham Diocese: Southwell and Nottingham Address: Church Street, Bramcote NG9 3HD

Telephone: Email: Website:

(0115) 9430137 office@bramcoteparishchurch.com www.saintmichaelsbramcote.com

Parochial Church Council (PCC): The PCC is a registered charity (#1130798)

Bankers: Barclays Bank Insurers: Ecclesiastical Insurance Group PLC

Independent Examiner: TCP Chartered Accountants Church Architect: Graham Renton MA (Hons) DipArch RIBA AABC MIDA Architect Associate BDP All information believed to be correct as of 1st March 2024

Parish Staff Team

Vicar:

Vicar: In vacancy Associate Ministers: Rev. Canon Lillian Heptinstall Rev. Tony Cardwell Rev. Jonathan Smithurst Children & Family Minister: Donna Snowden

Licensed Lay Reader: Lalage Smithurst Principal Church Officers

Churchwardens: David Jones

David Jones Stan Heptinstall Wendy Willan Cath Ortori Cindy Jones Alan Bateman Christine Langton Robert Cleave Claire Morrell-Stone Tina Newton Claire Morrell-Stone

Deputy Churchwardens:

PCC Secretary: PCC Treasurer: PCC Accountant: PCC Deputy Lay Chair: Parish Administrator: Safeguarding Officer: Electoral Roll Officer:

Committee Chairpersons Standing: Outreach and Mission:

Stan Heptinstall Jonathan Smithurst (up to September 2023), succeeded by Lalage Smithurst Rev. Canon Lillian Heptinstall Wendy Willan

Ministry: Resources:

The Parochial Church Council (PCC)

Introduction

The Church Representation Rules require ‘an annual report on the proceedings of the Parochial Church Council and the activities of the parish generally’ to be received in time for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). The contents of the report may be subject to discussion.

Aims of the Organisation

The PCC (Powers) Measure 1956 directs that the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Michael’s, Bramcote has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent in promoting within the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church; pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for all church buildings and grounds. Thus the prime purpose of the church is to maintain and develop the community of Christian believers and to use the strength of that community to promote the beliefs of and in Christ through outreach, care for those in need, and by contributing in practical and Christian ways to the whole of our local community.

Consequently, this will involve our engagement in such issues as Mission, Pastoral Care, Teaching, Nurture and Christian Stewardship - the giving of our time, talents and financial resources. All of this should be seen as part of our common Christian discipleship and not just for those who are particularly keen, willing and/or able.

In addition, our support of missionary activities, both at home and overseas, should form a clear and integral part of our communal life as the family of God in the ecclesiastical parish of Bramcote.

Membership

Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected at the APCM. In accordance with Church Representation Rules, membership is open to all those who a) are over 16 b) are on the electoral roll c) consent to being appointed d) have been confirmed e) have received Communion at least three times in the previous year and f) are not otherwise legally prohibited from serving.

During the past year, the following individuals have served as members of the PCC:

Ex-officio members : Stan Heptinstall and David Jones (Churchwardens)

Synod members:

Cindy Jones (Diocesan/Deanery Synod) Liz Cardwell and Robert Cleave (Deanery Synod)

Elected members of the PCC:

Hillary Brian Christine Cleave Cindy Jones Andrew Hall Kate Prayle Liz Cardwell Alan Windsor Jenny Biss Cath Ortori Glynn Bannister Stan Heptinstall Robert Cleave Jimmy Smith Alan Bateman Wendy Willan

Invited as needed : Donna Snowden Tina Newton Revd Canon Lillian Heptinstall Revd Jonathan Smithurst Sarah Meredith

Warden Emeriti :

David Jones Victor Smithson Wendy Willan

PCC Committees

Standing Committee

This is the only committee required by law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. It also serves to establish the agenda of the PCC.

During the past year, the following have served as members:

Stan Heptinstall (Lay Chair of PCC & Churchwarden) David Jones (Churchwarden) Cindy Jones (PCC Secretary) Alan Bateman (Treasurer) Christine Langton (Church Accountant) Lillian Heptinstall (Chair of Ministry Committee) Jonathan Smithurst (Chair of Mission & Outreach Committee) Wendy Willan (Chair of Resources Committee) Robert Cleave (Deputy Lay Chair of PCC)

Outreach and Mission Committee

Responsible for the mission of the church within our own local community, together with the support of missions overseas and at home. During the past year, Jonathan Smithurst has served as chair.

Ministry Committee

Responsible for the development of faith within its people and their pastoral care. During the past year, Lillian Heptinstall has served as chair.

Resources Committee

Responsible for resourcing the mission and ministry of the church through the regular maintenance and development of our premises, properties and equipment with an ongoing programme of Christian Stewardship. During the past year, Wendy Willan has served as chair.

Membership & Attendance Statistics

Over the last year, we have had the opportunity to go through our membership database and remove a large number of people who have either died or no longer come to church, including a significant number who have moved away. This means that the overall number of people is down on previous years, but is a truer reflection of our current church family. The number of children worshipping with us has also slightly decreased, mainly because we have stopped offering Messy Church in favour of trying to get families into church on Sundays. Our Family Worship and Sunday Stars are new initiatives which will hopefully grow over the next 12 months.

On the positive side, the number of people attending church on Sundays has risen slightly. A typical Sunday in October saw an average of 112 compared to 96 in 2022. The number of people attending special services (see below) has also frequently been higher than last year.

Festival Statistics

Occasional Offices	Occasional Offices	Occasional Offices	Occasional Offices

Weddings Baptisms Funerals/Thanksgivi	ngs	2022 2 2 18	2023
			4 4 15
Electoral Roll The number of peop remained stable sinc was 166, for 2023 it 2024 it is 156.

	2022	2023
Weddings	2	4
Baptisms	2	4
Funerals/Thanksgivings	18	15

The number of people on the roll has remained stable since 2019. For 2022 it was 166, for 2023 it was 157 and for 2024 it is 156.

PCC Report

This has been a year of vacancy but not of inactivity. We have endeavoured to keep our church running efficiently and to keep alive our vision of reaching wider deeper and younger. Ministry, Mission and Prayer are at the heart of all we undertake.

The church has been blessed with a team of retired clergy and reader who have worked together to ensure that our service pattern has continued. Their work has been supported during the year with visiting preachers, including our Archdeacon Phil, Bishop Andy and Christina Baxter, the former principal of St John’s College. Our mission partners and representatives, from organisations we support, have also contributed to the Sunday services. Special services for Easter, Remembrance, Bereavement, Christingle and Christmas took place, and were well attended. We have been pleased to welcome new faces to the congregation at both morning and evening services.

The PCC and Standing Committee have met bi-monthly to conduct the business of the church. An important agenda item has been the suggestion that we should begin to change our service pattern, and content, to make some Sunday Services ‘more user friendly’ to new families and the unchurched. The idea has been well received but it has to be recognised that new resources are needed to make these services successful. Discussions are taking place but it is a work in progress. We recognise the need, but the implementation is more problematic. The Resources Committee, Ministry Committee and Outreach and Mission meet in between, and their recommendations are discussed and ratified where necessary. The committee membership includes representatives from the PCC and the congregation. They each have their own remit.

The Resources Committee has ensured that the buildings and the grounds are well maintained. Repairs have been made to the lighting in the church and Church Centre. The heating system has been updated and work has been carried out to improve the sound system. We are constantly aware of our environmental responsibilities and we are working on moving on from the Silver to the Gold Standard A Rocha Eco Church scheme.

The Ministry Committee has planned our Sunday and Midweek Services and Prayer Meetings. The committee has coordinated the topics for Home Groups and has encompassed Pastoral Care and Prayer. A prayer diary, and personal requests for prayer, are circulated regularly both online and in church.

The Mission and Outreach Committee has strengthened the links with our Mission Partners. The committee has organised the monthly services and we have been pleased to hear about, and pray for, the work of our overseas Mission Partners and leaders of Food Bank, Teams4U and the Children’s Society. In recognition of King Charles’ coronation, a very successful community lunch was held on a hot Sunday in May in the church car park. Working together with local residents, this event attracted over 100 families and individuals and was hugely appreciated by all.

The proceeds from our Harvest Thanksgiving supported the work of Anglican International Development. Their Executive Officer Dr Simon Tustin spoke at our September mission service, outlining the work of the organisation and their projects.

The Social Reference Group, under the auspice of Mission and Outreach, meets regularly to plan and organise social events and activities. These are designed to welcome, encourage and engage members of our community from all backgrounds and age groups. Events have included a regular Parish Brunch, Café Bramcote evenings, concerts, a Christmas Fair and later this year a Parish Walk.

A hot topic has been the appointment of a new incumbent. On the 30th January an extraordinary PCC meeting was led by representatives from the Diocese to consider Safeguarding and this was followed by a Section 11 Meeting, to discuss arrangements for the advertising and the ensuing interviewing of candidates. Since then, we have prayed constantly for the right person to come and lead us forward. We also held a special diocesan prayer event for other parishes with a vacancy as well as our own, which was attended by Archdeacon Phil. So far our prayers have not been answered, but we are not discouraged. A new modern house has been purchased, via the diocese, to replace the current Vicarage and our Parish Profile has been revised. We move into 2024 with hope and enthusiasm.

Donna, our Children and Youth Worker, works alongside families and children in both our Church School and church itself. Little Angels and Dads ‘n’ Kids groups are flourishing, but sadly Sunday attendance by young people and families is low. A monthly family service is developing and it is hoped that more families will attend. The worshipping community in the church school is growing in number. Pupils attended Experience Easter in March and a Prayer Labyrinth during advent. End of term services are well attended by parents, friends and governors.

Links between church and school are strong and Donna has done much to cement this. The foundation governors are regular visitors to the school, attending open days, concerts and services. They ensure that all pupils are making good progress, whatever their needs, and that the Christian ethos of the school is apparent throughout.

Communication from St Michael’s is good. The online weekly newsletter is circulated to church members and to more than 200 households in our parish and beyond. This has proved to be very popular. It contains details of our church services and activities, as well as interesting local news and information. A special edition for Easter and Christmas was delivered to every house in the parish and we saw many new faces in church as a consequence. A special handout for new people was prepared and made available to all who visit us. Our parish website has been redesigned and updated, and this year a new Facebook page has been launched.

We continue to assess the many risks associated with people and buildings, finance, safety, and the reputation of the church. Following a recent fire inspection, the resource committee addressed issues raised and we now have an up-to-date Fire Risk Assessment Policy that covers both the church and the Church Centre.

Our Safeguarding Officer is diligent in ensuring that all correct procedures are adhered to. Safeguarding policies, including Child Protection and E-Safety have now been rewritten and are up to date. PCC members have undergone safeguarding training and hold the relevant qualifications. DBS checks have been carried out where necessary on church members and on leaders of groups associated with our church. All who prepare food now hold a Health and Safety Level 2 certificate.

Financial Review

In 2023 we balanced our books but had to withdraw some funding from contingencies to pay the full Parish Share. There was a reduction in regular income from giving due to deaths and people moving away following retirement. To balance this, we have tried to be less wasteful when using heat, light and consumable items, and extra income has been generated by hiring out our premises for local groups and parties. The Parish Administrator has to be congratulated for her role in this. We have also been able to make savings through reductions in staff costs.

A Giving Campaign during the year also helped to stabilise our decreasing income. After the resignation of our Verger, the Warden Team decided that they would take on these duties, thus making a substantial reduction in salaries. The proceeds from the sale of the curate’s house enabled us to fund vital repairs to the church, to make up the Parish Share shortfall and fund our youth worker for three years. We have done this for two years so far.

The designated and restricted funds are detailed in the annual accounts and both the PCC and Standing Committee review these on a regular basis, together with our general income and expenditure accounts. A detailed annual budget has been produced, against which our income and expenditure are reviewed. Our reserve policy continues to be in line with the Charities Act and the PCC have agreed to the setting up of a Reserve Policy, namely that we should hold the equivalent of three months running costs as a General Reserve.

Cindy Jones (PCC Secretary)

Resources Committee Report

Current Members : Alan Bateman, Ken Bird, Robert Cleave, Andrew Hall, John Hart, Stan Heptinstall, David Jones, Wendy Willan

Resources – a stock or supply of money, materials, staff and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organisation in order to function effectively. So says the dictionary.

At the close of another busy year, there is still much ongoing work to keep us all occupied! Five years ago we had a Quinquennial Report which raised a number of issues to be dealt with within those five years. Many have been undertaken – re-roofing the south aisle, for example. Some remain as annual checks and monitoring the condition of items such as the walls, gates, guttering and stonework for example will need our attention in due course.

At the heart of what we do is the care and safety of all who enter the buildings, both regular attendees and visitors to services, meetings and special events held here.

Much of what has been done has been unseen – drawing up policies; liaising with the Church Insurers; updating documents such as Risk Assessments and obtaining quotes for repainting the car park lines etc; together with communicating with church members and the wider community to enable events like the outdoor meal to celebrate King Charles’ coronation last summer to take place so successfully.

Ongoing projects have included sourcing a new kitchen door and a quote for its cost, of course! One very visible project we have undertaken is the refurbishment of the office for which we are very grateful for the donation of both time and finance. The door to the Centre has been mended and the controls to same lowered for those of us of shorter stature!! With reference to upholding and improving our green credentials we have talked to the Church’s architect about the suitability of solar panels, smart meters and other ECO related issues.

So, we have done and continue to do those things which help enable church to function effectively and to keep us all safe and secure. We have some unsung heroes in our midst, and not just committee members, who have planted, weeded and trimmed much of the grounds around the church premises.Thank you SO much – you know who you are!

Finally, I should like to say a huge thank you to all members of the committee for their ongoing commitment of both time and energy during this past year for all that they have done. Another busy year lies ahead!!

Wendy Willan (Chair)

Ministry, Training and Pastoral Care Committee Report

Current Members : Lillian Heptinstall, Cath Ortori, Jenny Biss, Christine Cleave, Liz Cardwell, Paul Neal and Donna Snowden. We meet regularly between PCC meetings, usually Tuesday evenings via Zoom. Many thanks to Christine for taking very good minutes for our meetings.

The work of the Ministry, Training and Pastoral Care Committee includes prayer and prayer ministry, nurture and pastoral care.

Prayer

We encouraged prayer, and the fellowship we have when we pray together, in the following ways.

Different people lead the Parish Prayer Meeting and put together the prayer diary. It is held on the third Tuesday of every month, 7pm until 8pm, in the Church Centre lounge. Eight to ten people meet regularly. The parish prayer diary goes out via email to 34 others. Copies are also in the Link for any who would like to join us in prayer.
Organising the Prayer Walk on Pentecost Saturday. This year it will be on Saturday 18th May, organised by Cath Ortori. Last year about 20 people started and finished, not always the same people, as they joined and left as they needed to. A ‘halfway’ lunch was kindly hosted by Pat Ashworth. People can choose to walk the whole route or part of it. This is connected to ‘Thy Kingdom Come’, a global ecumenical prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension Day to Pentecost for five more people to come to know Jesus. Every person, household and church are encouraged to pray during the 10 days in their own way. This will be co-ordinated by the Outreach and Mission Group.
Celtic Prayer continues at 10am on Monday mornings. Requests put on the prayer board are prayed about at this meeting. Jenny and Christine are taking a lead on this.
Continuing the email prayer alerts for urgent prayer needs. This has now been taken on by Liz Cardwell. Grateful thanks to Alex Pearson for her work in keeping it going when Gill Wilmot became poorly.
Prayer ministry is offered at both Sunday services. Cath heads up the prayer ministry team and would welcome new members – training will be given. The instructions for the Prayer Ministry team now include references for Safeguarding and will be issued to any new recruits.
‘Pop in and pray’ was held on 12th October 2023. The day started with Holy Communion at 10am. From 10.45am Archdeacon Phil lead us in prayer for the Diocese, Deanery and churches in vacancy. Paul Neal led set prayer at intervals during the morning. We enjoyed a light lunch together and ended the morning in prayer.

Lent and Easter 2024

Walking the Way of the Cross – The cross was laid out on the grass outside church during Holy Week. Booklets were prepared with a separate one for the children. Our Maundy Thursday Agapé Meal was well attended and much appreciated.

Advent 2023

Last year there was no Prayer Labyrinth during Advent. There were insufficient volunteers to enable it to happen. We hope to set it up this next Advent.

Nurture

The Alpha courses and the Bible course are two courses available to nurture church members and new disciples. The Alpha course did not take place as planned but a course is planned for later in the year. This will be for anyone who wishes to refresh their Christan faith or to find out more. We hope that those wishing to prepare for Confirmation will join the next course. There is a Confirmation service on 16th June at 6pm at St Mary’s in the Lace Market.

Home groups provide a venue for studying the bible, learning together, praying and caring for each other. Resources are provided for home group leaders and individuals. During the past year, groups have had the opportunity to engage with studies from Philippians, Advent studies on the First and Second Coming of Christ and Romans. During Lent up to 18 people attended the Lent course held in the Church Centre. We looked at four of seven studies prepared by the Diocese around the refreshed Diocesan vision. We looked at Inspiring Worship, Reaching Younger, Encouraging Generosity and Nurturing Prayer.

The Diocese has a Learning Hub, which can be accessed by all, there are lots of learning opportunities to be found there.

The Home Group studies after Easter will centre around the book of Esther.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care continues through the Home Group and individual acts of care and kindness. ‘In Touch’ is a pastoral care network designed to keep people in touch with each other by means of a telephone contact network. This needs to be updated and renewed. Our ‘In Your Bereavement’ booklet is available for all those who are in contact with those who are bereaved. It has been updated and is available in the Link and in the Church Office. The ‘Caring for Each Other at St Michael’s’ leaflet is available and gives details of who to contact for home groups, in bereavement, prayer requests and much more. This is available on the church website and in the office.

Friendship Group

The friendship Group has met several times and includes singles and married couples, meeting together for fellowship and fun. We have had a guided walk, led by Val Bird, around part of Bramcote Village, had a fun Christmas gathering and a games evening. We plan to meet and walk around Attenborough Nature Reserve in May.

Resource Room

The prayer room can no longer be used as a prayer room because of safeguarding concerns. It has been set up as a resource room and currently houses materials for the Labyrinth and ‘Walk the Way of the Cross’, as well as resources for Christingle and Carols by Candlelight services, materials for Alpha, home groups studies, books and other useful resources. Many thanks to all who helped with this.

New Welcome Pack

There have been several attempts at putting together a ‘Welcome Pack’. We are nearly there! Thank you Claire for all your work on this. It is proposed that it be made available for those who are new and attending regularly at St Michael’s. A separate welcome leaflet was produced at Christmas (thank you Paul), which was given to everyone coming to St Michael’s over the Christmas period. This is periodically updated.

Space for Parents with Children

The South aisle has been arranged to allow for families and children to be together during any service, if they wish. It is also used as a quiet space for personal prayer with candles to light, and leaflets to help and encourage prayer.

Many thanks to everyone for their contributions and hard work over the last year, and to Claire Morrell-Stone for her administrative support.

Lillian Heptinstall - March 2024

Standing Committee Report

Standing Committee meets bimonthly between meetings of the PCC to deal with any urgent PCC business and to maintain an overview of all that is happening at St Michael’s.

Current members : Alan Bateman (Church Treasurer), Ken Bird (Planned Giving Officer), Robert Cleave (Deputy Chair of PCC), Lillian Heptinstall (Chair of Ministry Committee), Stan Heptinstall (Churchwarden and Chair of PCC), Cindy Jones (PCC Secretary), David Jones (Churchwarden), Christine Langton (Church Accountant), Cath Ortori (Deputy Churchwarden), Lalage Smithurst (Chair of Outreach and Mission Committee), Wendy Willan (Chair of Resources Committee and Deputy Churchwarden).

The meetings always open and close with a prayer. We look at the minutes of recent meetings of the PCC and its subcommittees and receive reports on church finances and all other matters relevant to progress at St Michael’s. Minutes of the meetings are prepared and circulated to PCC members for information. Here is an overview of what happened during the past year.

Vacancy – The year started with the preparations for advertising for the new Vicar of Bramcote; subsequently there were discussions with the Diocese that resulted in the purchase of a new vicarage, some modifications to the Parish Profile, and additional information provided for, and interviews with, selected candidates. At the end of the year our search for the right appointee is continuing.

Income and Expenditure – Careful reflection on church finances led to a new giving campaign and actions on lettings as a means of increasing income, as well as considerable inputs into reducing expenditure. The use of new ways of giving via card readers was introduced.

Communications – A new church website was launched, a new Facebook page was started, a new edition of green pages was published, weekly newsletters were distributed, occasional information on what is happening at St Michael’s was delivered to all homes in Bramcote, and new ‘welcome to our church’ leaflets were made available. Rolling notices were prepared weekly for use on Sundays and video recordings of some of the Sunday sermons were made for the benefit of those unable to come to church.

Special Events – We celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III with a special service and a very successful Coronation Big Lunch in collaboration with our local community and the local Scouts. We had a presence at the Hemlock Happening and there was a Family Fun Day. We celebrated with David Hanford on his 40 years as organist, choirmaster, and Director of Music at St Michael’s. We participated in a special Diocesan Day of Prayer for all churches currently in vacancy. All this with Parish Brunches and all else that happens regularly at St Michael’s.

Buildings and Safety – The AV Systems in the church and the Church Centre received a significant overhaul, new spaces in church were identified for use by children and families and for pre-and post-service refreshments, the church office was refurbished, other areas were specially cleaned and tidied, and necessary repairs and maintenance were performed. A new Fire Safety Assessment was written, and actions put in place, including re-establishment of functioning emergency lighting. There was new tree planting and work in the churchyard to increase biodiversity.

Church Services – With the help of many, and especially our retired clergy, the frequency of services has continued as before the vacancy. Mission support has continued with associated financial and gift support for our Mission Partners, Berega, T4U and the Bestwood and Bulwell Foodbank. Some changes have taken place and others are under consideration, especially with the aim of attracting younger people and families to join us at St Michael’s.

Midweek Activities – Celtic Prayer, Monthly Prayer Meetings, Daily Private Prayer, Prayers for Ukraine and other matters, meetings of Home Groups, a Lent Course, Dads ‘n’ Kids, Rooted Youth Group, together with associated activities including Coffee Morning, Choir, Little Angels, Silver Surfers, Fitness and Friendship and Bell Ringing practice have continued successfully as before. A new Friendship Group for 30 to 40 year olds has been formed.

Many thanks to the many staff, volunteers and friends who have made all of the above possible.

Stan Heptinstall - Chair

Safeguarding Report

WIn the last year considerable progress has been made in Safeguarding procedures at St Michael and All Angels Bramcote.

Revd Lillian Heptinstall has put considerable work into ensuring that all people that need a Disclosure Barring Check, DBS, have one. Thank you to Lillian for this.

I also want to thank all those who have undergone Safeguarding Training needed for all those with roles in the Church. The training is free to us but takes personal time of everyone who does it and my thanks to them too.

As Parish Safeguarding Officer, I keep a record of all the above and up until now this has been on an online programme called the Parish Dashboard. We were at Level 2 and so were able to access a development of the dashboard called the Safeguarding Hub. This will make the management of recording both training and DBS much more user friendly and less time consuming. It needs populating with the roles we have in church and the DBS and training information. Revd Lillian and I have begun this and will continue with this.

Safeguarding in Church is all about making sure we have the correct procedures in place to make sure Church is as safe as we can make it. It is also about having clear and thorough procedures so that if any unsafe behaviours occur, it is clear what needs to happen and so everyone continues to be kept safe in Church.

I want to thank everyone who sends referrals to me so that we can ensure everything is safe in church for everyone.

Tina Newton

Bell Ringers Report

The current officers are:

Tower captain - Christine Langton Secretary - Lesley Hill Treasurer - Christine Langton Ringing master - Christine Langton Communications officer - Richard Portwood Steeple keeper - Tom Langton Assistant steeple keeper - Richard Portwood Education officer - Anne Sladen Social secretary - Fiona Maxwell Spiderman - Richard Portwood Register keeper - Linda Seymour

Our Friday practices have been well attended by our ringers, with the average at practice nights increasing to eight ringers from an average of seven ringers in the previous year. We held 50 practices during the year, only missing the practice during Holy Week and one in August. Thanks to our visitors who help out at the practices.We welcomed five new recruits (Clare, Linda, Dave, Philippa and Lesley E) in the year who are all learning how to ring. It was sad to have to say goodbye to Sue, who retired from ringing in July 2023 to look after her husband. Sue had been a regular member of our band for many years.

We rang the bells before the 10am Sunday service almost every week (excluding first Sundays), usually ringing at least five bells. Both Eddie and Dave have started ringing with us on a Sunday morning, which has greatly helped to increase our number of service ringers. We thank Richard Black and his family from Nuthall for joining us on Sunday mornings.

It has been a busy year for the bell ringers. In May we rang for the Coronation of King Charles III. It was a great turn out with 12 ringers, including a couple of our new recruits (Clare and Linda). Our ringing included the change called 'King's', which is 5, 3, 1, 2, 4, 6 and the change called 'Queen's', which is 1, 3, 5, 2, 4, 6. Special congratulations to Eddie who rang without any help after only starting to learn to ring in November 2022. We later received a card from King Charles III and Queen Camilla thanking us for our ringing.

We held our annual ‘Christmas Drinks with the Bell Ringers’ event at the beginning of December. It was great to see so many neighbours enjoying mulled wine, eating mince pies and several people even had a go at ringing. It was again a very successful event with 28 guests attending plus all the bell ringers. Thanks to everyone that attended to make it a very enjoyable evening. We even had a write up about our event in the international bell ringing magazine, called The Ringing World. During the evening Richard Portwood was presented with his Level 5 in bell ringing (see photo overleaf of Richard receiving his certificate). Also, congratulations to Eddie for passing his level 1 and level 2 in bell ringing during the year.

This year, the Nottingham district heat of the Crawford Cup county striking competition was hosted by St Paul’s, Daybrook in March. There were eight teams in total. We rang very well and were up against some very impressive bands. The winners were St Mary's, Nottingham.

In May we restarted ringing our monthly quarter peals (continuous ringing for 45 minutes) before the evening service on a Sunday, after a long break due to Covid and then not having enough ringers. We were successful with four of our quarter peals.

We also rang for three weddings during the year, we rang before the Berega dinner in July and rang half muffled on Remembrance Sunday.

Over the Christmas period, we were able to ring for the Carol Services, for the Children’s Nativity service on Christmas Eve and for the 10am service on Christmas Day.

Lesley welcomed two groups of visiting bell ringers during the year, one of which rang a quarter peal. They gave us donations, which have gone into our Bell Fund.

Should anyone wish to have the bells rung to mark a special occasion (e.g. birthdays and anniversaries), then please do get in touch with Christine Langton.

We are always looking for new recruits so if you are interested in learning to ring or just want to come along to see what we do, you are very welcome to join our practice on a Friday evening from 7.30pm to 9pm or contact Christine Langton (christine@nuscr.org or 0115 877 9439).

Christine Langton

Bramcote Care Group Report

Bramcote Care Group continues to be advertised in the weekly newsletter and on the website. There is no committee, I am the coordinator, and the current deputy coordinator is inactive at present due to a family bereavement. We have very few relevant requests, but I have the skills to assess suitability and signpost to alternative services. Even when relevant requests are sent out to the volunteer group, update is poor due to volunteer availability.

Elaine Morris

Silver Surfers Report

Silver Surfers continues to be very popular with regular guests and newcomers. Committee members are listed on our notice board, available at every meeting.

We have a few sessions where we invite speakers, such as Cybercrime and NHS Digital, which have proved to be very popular, but we don’t wish to interrupt our regular sessions by having speakers too often. Our fortnightly lunch, Social Surfers, now has a regular attendance of 12-18 and is a successful and popular branch of our social activities.

We still have problems attracting and retaining volunteers and coaches, for reasons I fail to understand. My concern is that our current volunteers, who have been loyal volunteers for many years, will eventually become fatigued due to the increasing guest numbers. We then run the risk of not providing the service that guests expect and attendance will drop off.

Elaine Morris

Food Bank Report

Bestwood and Bulwell Food Bank is situated, and serves, very needy families in one of the most deprived areas of our country. Sadly, the necessity for the Food Bank has continued to grow. Unemployment in this area, changes in the benefit system and the Cost of Living Crisis has meant that more and more families are desperately in need of help. Usually this is for a short time until work or financial help can be found. To some extent, the high rise in food prices has meant the more affluent doners are giving less. Funding from the Local Authorities and the Government is also likely to decline.

St Michael’s Church is one of the largest providers of food, toiletries and financial donations. The Food Bank is most grateful for our help. I personally would like to say a huge thank you to all who give so generously week by week. On average we send about 50kg of food and toiletries each week, but at Christmas and Harvest time the deliveries were much higher.

I would also like to thank my team of deliverers. Without them the donations would not reach their destination. Each week one of our team collects the food and takes it across the city to Bestwood. One or two of the team have, unfortunately, had to give this job up due to health problems. If there is anybody who has a heart for this mission then please do contact me. The task is not onerous and usually will involve only three journeys each year.

Once again thank you so much to all who generously give of their time and talents, and may I urge you all to continue to support Bestwood and Bulwell Food Bank in the weeks ahead.

David Jones

Social Reference Group Report

The Social Reference Group comes under the auspice of the Mission and Outreach Committee. It is made up of representatives from each of the main organisations and groups within our church.

We meet quarterly to discuss, plan and organise social events which take place in our church and often in the surrounding parish. One member may come up with a suggestion, they take ownership of the arrangements but then enlist help with the planning and execution. Within our group are members with a very wide range of interests and talents. Some events fit in with the church calendar but others are purely social events. All of them are planned to reach out to the wider community. Through these activities we aim to show the love of the Lord Jesus for all. We hope to be inclusive and reach out to all ages, whatever creed or culture.

During 2023 there have been regular Parish brunches. We held a Harvest Supper, a Christmas Fair, an evening of Carols with the Salvation Army, and Carol Singing in the local pubs. A very successful meal was held to raise funds for one of our overseas mission charities in Berega.

We took part in the Hemlock Happening in June and one of the highlights of the year was a Celebration of the Coronation, where young and old from the surrounding road held a lunch and party in the church grounds. There was fun, games and activities for all (see photo below).

Several concerts were held during the year, catering for a wide range of musical tastes. A May Day Parish Walk took place, covering eight or nine miles of woods and parkland in Bramcote. This proved very successful, attracting walkers of all ages, families and canine friends.

As 2023 drew to a close the group was already planning for 2024. Watch out for news on our website and in the weekly newsletter!

Cindy Jones (Chair)

Nottingham South Deanery 2023 Annual Report

This year we have said goodbye to Rev’d Tom Gillum (St Mary’s in the Lace Market) and Rev’d Jamie Franklin (Nottingham, St George). We have welcomed Rev’d Fi Shouler (St Barnabas, Lenton Abbey), Rev’d Anna Clarke (Trinity – Pioneer Minister) and curates Amy Jones (Trinity), John Lees-Robinson (Nottingham, St Saviour), Daniel Tsoi (Nottingham, St Nic’s).

Rev’d Jonny Hughes became priest-in-charge at Nottingham St Andrew’s as it joined Trinity and Nottingham St Saviour. Rev’ds Jo and John Lees-Robinson moved to Nottingham St Saviour with a team from Trinity and it re-opened on 17 December.

The Deanery Leadership Team has continued to meet during the year to plan Synod and to discuss ways to support parishes in the Deanery – particularly those in vacancy. We have held three Synods:

On 15 February we met at St Peter’s in Nottingham and the theme of our meeting was “Crossing Cultures with Christ). The aim of this meeting was to help us to continue to think about the diversity of our Deanery and how we can reflect this in our churches. Our speakers were Rev’d Clive Burrows, Rev’d Liam O’Boyle and Adan Baker (from Refugee Roots).

On 18 July we met at St Mary’s, Wollaton Park. We were joined by Rev’d David McCoulough who shared with us about the varied role chaplains can fulfil. Synod then discussed the potential role for chaplains in their parishes. We also admitted churchwardens who had not been able to attend the visitation services at Southwell.

On 23 November we met at St Barnabas, Lenton Abbey. Rev’d Jo Tatum, Area Dean, updated Synod on the renewed vision and Trevor Peel, Deanery Treasurer, explained the process for the allocation of giving for ministry for 2024. Cpt Denis Tully and Rev’d Dr Ian Paul then gave a report to Synod about General Synod including the Prayers of Love and Faith.

Our November meeting was also our AGM and a report was provided on the work of the Deanery Leadership Team during the past year. Elaine Hinchliffe had given notice that she was stepping down as Lay Chair at the end of November 2023 and she was thanked for all she had done in this role.

Following the AGM the Deanery Leadership Team was made up of:

·Ex-officio Members: Rev’d Jo Tatum (Area Dean), Kirsty Cowley (Deanery Administrator)

·Lay Chair: Vacant

·Deanery Secretary: Peter Horne

·Deanery Treasurer: Trevor Peel

·DLT Members: Fola Sowunmi, two clergy vacancies, one lay vacancy

We also voted the following people on to Diocesan Synod:

·House of Clergy: Rev’d Jo Tatum, Rev’d Dr Mark Wreford, Rev’d Jonny Hughes and Rev’d Andy Tufnell

·House of Laity: Christopher Gray

The Deanery paid 86.6% of its giving for ministry in 2023. Every parish is thanked for their generosity.

Outreach and Mission Committee Report

Membership : Chair – Jonathan Smithurst (until September 2023) then Lalage Smithurst; Glynn Bannister; Hillary Brian; Claire Gee; Cindy Jones; Tina Newton; Jonathan Portwood (resigned September 2023); Kate Prayle.

Over the past year, the Outreach & Mission Committee has continued to meet by Zoom approximately every two months. During the year, the committee was renamed Outreach & Mission Committee to reinforce the Outreach role of the Committee and also because some people seemed confused as to whether they were members of the Ministry or Mission & Outreach Committee (2 Ms) and others referred to the Mission Committee.

Our Mission Partners are part of our church family and we play a vital role in their work by praying for them and supporting them financially. Every year we maintain the principle of the tithe by giving a tenth of the previous year’s church annual income to support mission and charitable work outside the parish boundary. In 2023, the PCC giving was £9922.00, slightly down on the previous year. To this was added a further £1000 from the liquidation of the Traidcraft stock following Traidcraft going into administration; this was specifically for the successor to the Tearfund Church & Community Mobilisation Process in Berega in Tanzania following the end of the 3-year Memorandum of Understanding with Tearfund to support this project.

We have continued throughout the year to hear from and prayerfully support our Mission Partners, having a particular prayer focus each month and usually a Mission Support Sunday on the second Sunday of the month. In January, we heard about The Leprosy Mission (TLM) from Helen Walton and an additional £225 was given by personal donations directly to TLM.

CMS Mission Partner, Azaria Spencer de Pocasangre , has updated us throughout the year about her work in training and supporting mentors working with vulnerable young people as well as being involved with the vulnerable community. This included a visit to St Michael’s in March 2023 when she also announced her engagement to David. They were married in Guatemala in November. David has been accepted as a CMS Mission Partner and spent January this year undergoing training in this country.

Kate and Paul and their family returned to the UK from the Middle East in the summer of 2023 and visited St Michael’s on Sunday August 13th when they shared some of their joys and frustrations. They are currently in Cambridge on long leave for rest, refreshment, and resetting; for reconnection with the church; to regroup, rethink, and re-evaluate; to retrain: and then to be re-sent/relaunched back into the Middle East next year.

David and Anne Curnock, Associate Mission Partners, continue to update us about their roles in health education and children's work with OneCollective . In 2023, they visited both Stara Zagora in Bulgaria and Berega in Tanzania, their first visits for three years following lockdown. Robert and Christine Cleave accompanied them on their visit to Tanzania. In addition to visiting Berega and district, they were also involved in discussions about support with the Diocese of Morogoro which now administers the Church & Community Transformation (CCT) project in and around Berega.

In July 2023, they updated us on their work both on the Sunday and at very successful Berega Dinner , the profits from which totalled £2880 with donations of £1440 being sent to each of the BREADtrust and CCT.

We continue to support the Bestwood & Bulwell Foodbank with Cindy and David Jones keeping us updated with the most urgent needs, which have markedly increased in the current economic situation. The trolley in the south porch of the church has often been near to overflowing – so a HUGE thank you to all who have donated produce. In addition, Nigel Webster, the Bestwood & Bulwell Foodbank Manager, preached on June 11th.

The Leprosy Mission ceased collecting used stamps at the end of March, but Brian Sellens is now sending them to the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) .

Old spectacles are also collected and sent to the Notts/Derby Hemlockstone Lions Club for onward sorting and dispatch around the globe.

As part of our Outreach , the following have been undertaken:

On Good Friday , hot-cross buns were provided after the morning meditation. Before Easter, 75 copies of a Church of England booklet, ‘Daily Prayers for the Coronation of King Charles III’, were purchased and made available for sale. It contains daily themes, reflection and prayers for the 28 days from Easter to the King’s Coronation on May 6th. We also provided books for school leavers at the Church School which will, hopefully, be extended to other junior schools in the parish as well as books for an All Hallows Eve alternative to Halloween.

Other Outreach activities included planting four trees near the boundary of the graveyard as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy project and as a result of the 75 ideas suggested by Thy Kingdom Come in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year; the Coronation Big Lunch in conjunction with the local community on Sunday 7th May; and having a stall at the Hemlock Happening on Saturday 3rd June.

At our Harvest Thanksgiving weekend, we again organised a very successful and enjoyable Harvest Supper . Money donated in thanks over the weekend amounted to £571.03 and was sent to Anglican International Development (AID) for their WASH (Water, Hygiene & Sanitation) project in South Sudan; non-perishable goods donations were taken to the Bestwood & Bulwell Foodbank . Simon Tustin of AID preached earlier in September to advise us of details of this project.

Despite the current economic situation, generous donations at the Toys, Gifts & Christingle Service in December meant that a large number of toys were taken to the Great Notts Christmas Toy Appeal . The 2023 collection had been the largest in the Appeal’s 51 years and, in the current Cost of Living Crisis, even more requests for help had been received than in previous years. This service was also a Christingle service in support of The Children’s Society, another organisation which helps children and young people in disadvantaged situations.

As part of our outreach and mission, we have supported Christian Aid and Teams4U – these reports follow.

Lalage Smithurst, Outreach & Mission Committee Chair

The Power of a Simple Gift – another successful year for Teams4U – thank you!

You may recall that last October I raised the question as to whether St Michael’s could provide 100 shoeboxes for the T4U Christmas Shoebox Appeal. I am thrilled to report that we did it! In fact, thanks to you, your families and friends, 161 boxes were taken to the warehouse in Basford for checking and cartoning. In total, the people of Nottinghamshire sent 4357 shoeboxes – an increase of 26% on last year’s total – to children in Bosnia. The power of the shoebox brings so much joy and excitement to the children.

Last Christmas I had the privilege of joining a distribution trip to Romania, to help Raul, T4U’s Romanian partner, give out these shoeboxes to children in schools, orphanages, nurseries and the Roma communities there. We also took boxes to a new project in Suncuis, a remote village in the Bihor region of Romania, where children are only educated to the age of 11. T4U have also worked with Suncuis’s community leaders to build a room where children can go and continue their education and/or do their homework after school. It’s a small beginning headed up by an inspirational and dynamic young teacher, but now a new facility is needed to enable them to access extra tuition and get a hot meal.

Shoeboxes are not the only project T4U undertake. Other projects taking place in Sierra Leone and Uganda provide education and access to water, and support for these is always welcome in T4U’s unwavering dedication to making a positive difference in the live of vulnerable communities worldwide – bringing hope, compassion and lasting change to these peoples. Find out more on their website www.teams4u.com

When we pack a shoebox, we don’t know who is going to receive it. Each box tells a child that they’re not forgotten; that someone a long way away has thought about them. Each box contains the love and care of the donor and that magic of Christmas alongside the gifts. There are many anecdotes to share – about boxes travelling by boat to some remote regions and one about the box for a young girl which contained two pairs of gloves. On finding them she said, ‘How did you know my sister needed a pair too?’

Wendy Willan T4U Regional Coordinator

Christian Aid Week - 14th-21st May 2023 Help Dreams Come True

In Christian Aid Week 2023, £1574.11 (including Gift Aid) was raised in the Bramcote area through donations, quizzes and cake sales. This fantastic amount of money has made such a difference to the lives of so many people who were living in poverty and facing severe hardship caused by flooding, cyclones and crop failure.

A very big thank you to everyone who supported the appeal week through prayers and donations.

Graeme & Penny

Report from the Clergy & Reader Team

Current members : Clergy – Tony Cardwell, David Edinborough, Lillian Heptinstall, Jonathan Smithurst. Reader – Lalage Smithurst. Musical director, Choir Master and Organist – David Hanford. Children and Life Minister – Donna Snowden.

The staff team meets monthly to organise the Sunday and weekday worship rotas and special services including Remembrance Sunday, Carols by Candlelight and Easter services. Special thanks to David Hanford for the time and energy put into these services. Thanks also to Pat Ashworth for the Good Friday Meditations, and the Taizé services.

Some of our services have a special focus. Our second Sunday service is Mission Support Sunday where we have welcomed visiting preachers from the Mission Societies we support. Guy Wilcox came on Leprosy Mission Sunday and we were pleased to welcome Azaria and David Pocasangre, working in Guatemala, and Wendy Willan (T4U shoebox appeal). There were also special services for Harvest and a service for those recently bereaved. An agapé (informal meal with Holy Communion) was held on Maundy Thursday.

We thank Alex Pearson for all her work in preparing for the Bereavement Service in past years. Claire Morrell-Stone will take up the arrangements for this years’ service.

Remembrance Sunday was well attended by the uniformed organisations – we thank Paul Neal for his encouragement of the young people to attend. The Annual Toy/Christingle service went particularly well, with children and adults enjoying making Christingles in church. Choral Evensong has proved very popular, attracting people from other churches as well as from St Michael’s, with a special service held to commemorate David Hanford 40th anniversary as Choir Master. Carols by candlelight had a better attendance than in recent years. Donna plans and runs a very successful, well attended Nativity service on Christmas Eve, as well as welcoming children into church for end of term services and Advent activities. Donna also ran an Experience Easter event for children at our church school.

Children have been warmly welcomed into church at the end of the Sunday morning service following activities in the Church Centre. There has been much discussion about the shape and content of Family Worship (first Sunday of the month) and some feedback from parents has been received. Roots (an ecumenical resource which follows the lectionary and provides ideas, services, crafts and activities for All-age Worship and for children and young people’s work) has been purchased and used at recent services. Donna and Lillian take a lead on these.

We have been blessed by our visiting preachers, Phil our Archdeacon, Bishop Andy (on two occasions), Christina Baxter (former principal of St John’s College) and Richard Hanford. Charlie Barber has led an evening service. We hope to encourage more ‘younger’ voices to preach and lead at our services.

We thank Andrew, Roz and Cath for their work with the PA system, and all those who volunteer to read and lead the intercessions in church. We would welcome more volunteers to these important ministries. Thank you to Dan who has recently joined David in leading the worship songs at our morning services.

Among the items discussed at staff meetings have been matters of a pastoral nature, the Church motto, visiting preachers, family worship, and proposals around the pattern of services following a meeting last year to review the worship of the church.

The staff team continue to take weddings, funerals, burial of ashes, baptisms and other occasional offices. While the retired clergy are happy to contribute to the life and worship of St Michael’s, we will be delighted (and relieved) when a new Vicar is appointed.

After many years of faithful and loving service, David Edinborough will be taking a step back from up front ministry. He will still be available for occasional offices and services. We are grateful for his presence on the staff team.

With grateful thanks for your prayers and support.

Lillian Heptinstall – March 2024

Choir Report

The choir continues to lead the singing at the 10am and 6.30pm services each Sunday. Also, we have sung at a number of other services, including several weddings and funerals.

In a wider context, we maintain our membership of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) which organises events, training and discounted music resources for the benefit of members. Numerically, we have remained fairly stable throughout the year with 14 regular members in the group, rising to around 20 for special musical presentations.

We particularly enjoyed preparing for and singing at the 2023 Good Friday evening service ‘Reflections on the Cross’, Carols by Candlelight services at Christmas and Choral Evensong each quarter. We were encouraged both by the numbers attending these services and the comments received.

We practise in the Church Centre on Wednesday evenings and additional voices, both junior and adult, are always very welcome. It is great to share and develop our work with new members.

Please continue to pray for our spiritual and musical growth as a group, as we sing and worship together week by week.

David Hanford

Coffee Morning Report

An excellent year for the community to get together on Wednesday mornings, come rain or shine, and our thanks go to the Church for the use of the premises. The highlights of the year were the Easter Bonnet competition and our trip to East Bridgford Garden Centre in September, offering a chance to do some pre-Christmas shopping but mostly to enjoy each other’s company and a day out!

Monthly lunches have continued to be popular with fish and chips, pizza and jacket potatoes all vying for best option!

Hillary has maintained an excellent lending library where you can pick up your bedtime reading for just 10p per book with a wide selection to choose from. A more recent plan has been to introduce a ‘Bring and Buy’ stall which Barbara has been developing with some excellent bargains to be had.

We have been delighted to see new members coming along and making new friendships. With no upper or lower age limit, why not come and try us out? You’ll be assured of a warm welcome.

Wendy Willan & Hillary Brian

Little Angels Report

Committee Members:

Ruella Laura Nicky Carla Steph Sam Rachel Theresa Donna (pastoral care)

At Christmas this year we had a picnic style shared lunch where we invited the children and their carers to stay and join in.

Little Angels is a group for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers along with their parents, grandparents and carers to come and play, learn and meet other families in the community around Bramcote. We meet on a Thursday morning in the Church entre of St Michaels and All Angels during term time. We are a group run by a committee of volunteers, which includes parents, grandparents and church members.

We no longer take a set amount for admission, we now do a suggested donation of £2 per child with the option for people to give from £1 up to £5. This allows people to choose what they feel they can give that day. We offer refreshments throughout the morning of tea, coffee, toast and sometimes a sweet treat. We also provide a snack at an allocated time for the children, which allows them a time to sit together and share.

Pictured: Some examples of the types of messy play activities we do during the morning session.

The number of attendees of Little Angels has been pretty steady over the last 12 months, with around 40 families on our register currently.

Pictured: A photo of a typical morning at Little Angels.

During the morning, we have a craft activity for the children to take part in which links to the Bible story we are learning about that morning. We will also have a messy activity that links in to the Bible story, which allows the children to explore with all their senses. This is usually a very popular table!

Little Angels endeavours to be a relaxing, fun, safe and supportive environment with a Christian ethos, reaching out to people in the community and welcoming them to the church of St Michaels.

R Parkinson 14.03.2024

Children, Youth & Families Report - SWOT Analysis

STRENGTHS

STRENGTHS
Little Angels Thursday term time 9.30-11.30am	Amazing group of dedicated volunteers’ lead. Outreach opportunity.
Family Worship	Committed to First Sunday of the month as a ‘Family service’. Simplified language making more inclusive to children. Interactive activities provide an opportunity to bring all congregation together. Coffee and biscuits at the end. Sing a few worship songs known by families.
Dads and Kids Every second Saturday of the month, 9am-11am	Marc Holliday donates food and kindly cooks. Growing in numbers (21 in February)
Sunday Stars Every third Sunday of the month	Growing in numbers. Breads and spreads. Arts and Crafts. Nicky and Matt kindly leading song and game.
Bramcote C of E weekly collectiveWednesday Worship	Excellent collaborative working with Sarah Meredith – supporting each other with term planning and ideas. Building strong relationships with staff, children and families. Children engage and recognise ‘Charlie.’ WOT Club children actively involved in planning, ideas, delivery, and prayers.
Bramcote C of E After School Worship	Building relationships with families. Maximum attendance 50. Re-location to small hall more intimate. Worship songs known by children and families.
Rooted Youth Group	Building strong relationships with children. Supported by volunteer Johanna. Numbers grown to 10. Access to Energise resource is helping with planning.
Experience Easter/Christmas 2023/24	2023 Easter supported by St Leonard’s. Christmas supported by St Michael’s volunteers. 2024 Donna delivered Experience Easter with each class in school and shared together at end of day.

Holiday Club Summer 2023	Excellent collaboration with Lindy. Two days at Firbeck and two days at Bramcote C of E. Used Scripture Union resources – children fully engaged.
Family Night (October 2023)	40 people attended. Local families attended/lead activities.
Collaboration/support	Claire Morrell-Stone amazing support creating and printing. Office Angels support. Maddie at school supports colour printing. Lalage supported request and outreach committee used funds to buy books to handout at Nativity. Christine supports by providing refreshments.

WEAKNESSES

Family Worship	Not everyone wishing to engage in activities. Older hymns from hymn book excludes children and families who do not know songs. Not ‘inclusive’ (physical and learning difficulties). No soft seating/dedicated ‘family’ space.
Dads ‘n’ Kids	Wider communication to reach more in the community.
Sunday Stars	Additional support to use projector for music/videos. If go up after communion – adults don’t receive communion.
Bramcote C of E After School Worship	Communicating date and time. Trying to do too much.
Rooted Youth Group	Currently unable to move larger items (e.g. table tennis and football table).
Family Night	No one from Church family attended – missed opportunity to get to know families. A lot of work to do alone.
Evaluation	Improve evaluating resources and tools to measure impact.

OPPORTUNITIES

OPPORTUNITIES
Little Angels	Church family drop in on a Thursday and build relationships. Recruit new volunteers.
Family/Intergenerational Worship	Refreshments available at start and throughout service. Move seating to café-style. Informal start – ask any birthdays? Everyone engages on activity/discussion. Short testimonial. All worship songs that children know from school, with movement/dance. Children doing readings and prayers.
Dads ‘n’ Kids	Volunteers sign up if/when Donna & Marc not available to lead. Church family welcome to drop in to build relationships.
Sunday Stars	Start with theme. Word – memory verse (written and laminated to hand out). Arts/crafts/game/song/show and tell. Invite up to communion: Adults receive/children receive a blessing. Invite people/children to lead.
Bramcote C of E weekly collectiveWednesday Worship	WOT Club - develop ‘young leaders’ opportunity to plan and lead.
Bramcote C of E After School Worship	Simplify: ·Breads and Spreads ·Worship song ·The Word: memory verse ·Interactive: art and craft ·Observe/Apply: family discussion Church family welcome to attend.
Rooted Youth Group	Male volunteers (would help move larger items). Use Energize resources to support planning.

Family Nights	With more support plan and deliver termly get together and promote. Church family welcome to attend.
Worship WhatsApp Group	Invite families to be part of WhatsApp group – message Worship Theme – share songs/arts and crafts/ideas which give me options to use.
Planning, Doing, Reviewing	Hear by Right children group.* Use Development through lifespan to inform delivery. Measuring impact tools and methods.
Technology	Request Maddie from school to be trained on how to use technology for school end of term services. Invite young people to be trained how to use technology to support groups/services.
Budget	Agree and be given CYF budget. Support from other committees to use funding to purchase whole church resources e.g. Easter, Nativity.
*Hear by Right- St Michael’s has a number of adult committees that feedback to PCC. Propose to invite children and youth to create own committee and feedback to PCC.

OPPORTUNITIES

Little Angels	Annual volunteers required for future sustainability.
Family	Difficult for future sustainability if no growth in numbers. Older hymns may exclude. Language used and talk aimed at adults may exclude. Not inclusive (wheelchairs, hearing/sight impairment, neuro-diversity). Lack of diversity may exclude.
Dads ‘n’ Kids	More volunteers to secure future sustainability.
Sunday Stars	Currently Donna leads so any unplanned absence/sickness could mean no Sunday Stars. Not all children wish to show and tell in front of church.


	Bramcote C of E weekly	As only Donna currently delivers (with planned absence
	collectiveWednesday	Tina has kindly stepped in) any unplanned absence
	Worship	means no cover so no worship.
	Bramcote C of E	After school clubs etc. mean children are often busy.
	After School Worship	Needs to be more inclusive.
	Rooted Youth Group	Can only grow in numbers if increase volunteers due to
		adult/child ratio.
	Experience	Can only proceed if enough volunteers.
	Easter/Christmas
	& Holiday Club
	Spend	With no allocated budget for CYF I am limited to what I
		can buy and offer.
	Family Nights	Challenging to plan and deliver without support.
	Technology	Reliant on availability of Andrew/Cath to support.

Bramcote C of E Primary School Report

We started the new academic year by welcoming 30 new Reception children; we held our Welcome Service at Church and this was well attended by children, staff and parents.

The Harvest Thanksgiving service was held at school this year and was a successful event; our year six pupils prepared fruit baskets which were brought down to the church and were distributed throughout the village.

Throughout this year we have continued to value the contributions that the children can make to the school and we elected our new school parliament at the end of September. This year we had twelve nominations for the role of Prime Minister and the children produced some fantastic manifestoes which were presented to the whole school. All the children took part in democratic elections, which simulated the real process complete with registration and ballot boxes.

The school parliament have been very proactive in bringing a variety of positive changes to school life. They have helped to organise Children in Need and Red Nose day, raising around £800 combined. They are currently working on a project to upgrade and improve the outdoor environment and have asked the whole school to submit their ideas of what they would like in our playground. Our Friends PTA have donated £5000 to the project and we have agreed to match fund this from our DFC budget.

The School Parliament also enjoyed the opportunity to interview the potential candidates for the Vicar post at St Michael and All Angel’s in March. They compiled their own questions and gave their feedback to me to pass onto the interview panel.

We have held two very successful theme weeks since September, the first based around Design and Technology, with the children designing, making and evaluating their work. The second was based on English and Shakespeare with all children from Reception to Year Six working on A Midsummer Night’s Dream . The children had a great time engaging in drama, written work and producing some fantastic art which is on display in school.

We had further open classroom events in the autumn and spring terms for parents and governors to come in and see teaching and learning in action. The parents and governors were able to see a wide range of activities during these events.

Our Bramcote Voice choir, now 40 plus and led by Miss Scott, also had a busy time performing throughout the year, including at the end of term services at Christmas and Easter. They then enjoyed being part of a 5000+ children’s choir at Sheffield Arena in February.

We have further strengthened our partnership with local church schools, Trowell and St John’s Stapleford, coming together and sharing in a range of INSET and CPD opportunities for staff.

Donna has been delivering Wednesday Worship in school each week. Donna and I have worked closely together to plan a series of worships which are closely linked to our school values. Since January, Donna has supported our Worship Organisation Team (WOT Club) and has helped them to play an active part each week in child-led worship. We have also held After School Worship in the autumn and spring terms. These have been well attended and give families the opportunity to pray and worship together. We have more events planned for the summer term.

‘Life in all its Fullness’ remains an integral part of our ethos; we teach the children that they can have a full life through a broad and balanced curriculum, taking on the challenges that this brings in the knowledge that we are safe in the hands of Jesus the Good Shepherd. I feel privileged to work with such amazing pupils, parents, staff and governors who believe strongly that God provides us with so many opportunities enabling us to be the best that we can possibly be.

Sarah Meredith - Headteacher

Financial Report for the Year Ending December 31[st] 2023

This report should be read in conjunction with the full set of Financial Statements that are displayed in the following pages.

Despite the loss of some church members over the last year or two, mainly by people moving away from the area, our income from giving has not reduced as much as might have been expected. This was helped by our asking our congregation if they could review their level of giving, an appeal which we have not done for a few years. This was done in an organised way, led by Ken Bird, such that information packs were made available and the bank and Gift Aid process made as smooth as possible. Both regular and occasional donors were involved. Church members did respond, and we are grateful to them for their increased giving.

Our spending from general funds was up on the previous year but lower than our income from general funds. This was helped by a drive led by Stan Heptinstall to reduce costs where we could. A significant example related to savings on our salaries bill: when our verger moved on, our wardens stepped in to take on the duties themselves. Also, our administrator opted for reduced hours.

For the second year running we have paid our Giving for Ministry (Parish Share) allocation (£68,000) in full. This has been possible through continuing to apply some of our savings to top-up monthly payments from our general funds. We plan to do this also for 2024 and then to see where we go from there. Overall our total funds decreased by around £13,500 (compared to 2022: a decrease of £77,100) during the year. Our total funds include our general funds, designated funds and restricted funds.

During the year, a donor who wished to remain anonymous made a significant sum specifically to transform the audio-visual systems in both the church and Church Centre. This has resulted in new equipment including a digital mixing desk. It means we have the infrastructure to last for many years to come.

Below is a simplified summary of our general funds (i.e. excluding specially designated and restricted funds which appear in the full set of accounts in the

following pages) for 2023. You will see that the figures for 2023 are balanced by enabling some spending to be paid for from other funds :

Church Running Costs Giving for Ministry Sub-total General Reserve Transfer 10% Mission Transfer TOTAL EXPENDITURE Regular Giving and Collections Income Tax Reclaimed Other Income TOTAL INCOME	2023 45,000 52,000 97,000 (1,000) 10,000 106,000 77,000 16,000 13,000 106,000	2022 53,000 39,000 92,000 5,000 10,000 107,000 80,000 17,000 10,000 107,000	INC/(DEC) (8,000) 13,000 5,000 (6,000) - (1,000) (3,000) (1,000) 3,000 (1,000)
			(1

We continue to be grateful to the collections counting team, who every week ensure that income from giving is recorded and deposited. We have a team of volunteers led by Victor Smithson and John Hart.

The members of the Finance Team have specific roles. As Treasurer, Alan Bateman is the frontline worker who pays the bills and initially draws up accounts. These accounts are audited by Christine Langton, as volunteer Church Accountant, who also has an overarching role to look at financial matters generally. This includes preparing budgets

Ken Bird, as Planned Giving Officer, is involved with all aspects of giving. This includes maintaining databases, making Gift Aid claims, and overseeing the use of digital giving, which we hope to develop as we go along.

The Finance Team

Alan Bateman Christine Langton Ken Bird Church Treasurer Church Accountant Planned Giving Officer

DocuSign Envelope ID: B6E2AA15-3CAF-4421-9188-6E0C8F6A79B8

Parochial Church Council of St Michael & All Angels, Bramcote Statement of Financial Activities

For the year ending 31 December 2023

Unrestricted Funds Note £ INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary income 2(a) 95,099 Activities for generating funds 2(b) 5,240 Income from investments 2(c) 39 Church activities 2(d) 4,579 Surplus on disposal of investments 11 - TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 104,957 RESOURCES EXPENDED Cost of generating voluntary income 3(a) 90 Grants 3(b) - Church activities 3(c) 99,415 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 99,505 NET (OUTGOING) / INCOMING RESOURCES 5,452 TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS 10 (5,452) NET MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS - FUND BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD AT 1 JANUARY 2023 10 - FUND BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 9,10 - Disposal 11 - TOTAL FUNDS BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 -	(Unrestricted) Designated Restricted Funds Funds £ £ - 24,150 - - 3,526 358 961 5,201 - -	(Unrestricted) Designated Restricted Funds Funds £ £ - 24,150 - - 3,526 358 961 5,201 - -	TOTAL Endowment Funds 2023 £ £ - 119,249 - 5,240 123 4,046 - 10,741 - -	TOTAL Endowment Funds 2023 £ £ - 119,249 - 5,240 123 4,046 - 10,741 - -	FUNDS 2022 £ 120,778 4,224 783 13,497 115,000
104,957	4,487	29,709	123	139,276	254,282
90 - 99,415	- 8,922 21,214	- 831 22,283	- - -	90 9,753 142,912	81 12,450 203,861
99,505	30,136	23,114	-	152,755	216,392
5,452 (5,452)	(25,649) 7,610	6,595 (2,158)	123 -	(13,479) -	37,890 -
- - - -	(18,039) 269,376 251,337 -	4,437 24,142 28,579 -	123 2,222 2,345 -	(13,479) 295,740 282,261 -	37,890 372,850 410,740 (115,000)
-	251,337	28,579	2,345	282,261	295,740

The notes on pages 3 to 7 form part of these accounts.

Page 1

DocuSign Envelope ID: B6E2AA15-3CAF-4421-9188-6E0C8F6A79B8

Parochial Church Council of St Michael & All Angels, Bramcote Balance Sheet at 31 December 2023

Note INVESTMENT ASSETS Investment property 6 CURRENT ASSETS Traidcraft stock Debtors 7 Short term deposits Cash at bank and in hand LIABILITIES Creditors - amounts falling due within one year 8 NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS FUNDS Unrestricted 9,10 Restricted 9,10 Endowment 9,10	2023 £ - - 10,465 273,077 1,954 285,496 (3,235) 282,261 282,261 251,337 28,579 2,345 282,261	2022 £ - 836 6,310 289,737 2,230
		299,113 (3,373)
		295,740

		295,740
		269,376 24,142 2,222
		295,740

16/4/2024 | 16:15:42 BST

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

Chairman…………………………… Treasurer ………………………… (Stan Heptinstall) (Alan Bateman)

The notes on pages 3 to 7 form part of these accounts.

Registered Charity No. 1130798

Page 2

DocuSign Envelope ID: B6E2AA15-3CAF-4421-9188-6E0C8F6A79B8

Parochial Church Council of St Michael & All Angels, Bramcote Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ending 31 December 2023

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The PCC is a public benefit entity witin the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCC's.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts.

Funds

Endowment funds are funds, the capital of which must be maintained; only income arising from investment of the endowment may be used either as restricted or unrestricted funds depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was established.

Restricted funds represent (a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest, and (b) donations or grants received for a special 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 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.

Incoming Resources

Planned giving, collections, donations, grants and bank interest are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resource to which they relate is received. All other income is recognised when it is received. 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 obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish share is accounted for when paid. Any parish share unpaid at 31 December is provided for in these accounts as an operational (though not a legal) liability and is shown as an accrual in the Balance Sheet. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross.

Fixed Assets

Consecrated property and moveable church furnishings

Consecrated and beneficial property of any kind is excluded from the accounts by 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 accounted as inalienable property unless consecrated, listed in the church's inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). No value is placed on such property in these accounts.

All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or benefice buildings and moveable church furnishings, whether maintenance or improvement, is written off as expenditure in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA).

No value is placed on the Church centre and for insurance purposes there is no separate valuation as it is included in the overall amount of £14,300,000 (2022 : £11,820,000) for both the Church and centre.

Investment Assets

The property at 46 Rufford Avenue was held as an investment to generate rental income to part fund the Children, Family and Youth Minister. It originally cost £57,000. The property was sold on 31 January 2022 for £305,000.

Following the introduction of FRS102 the investment property is now recognised in the financial statements at market value as determined by the PCC.

Other fixtures, fittings and office equipment

All expenditure on fixtures, fittings and office furniture is written off at the time expenditure is incurred.

Current Assets

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

Reserve Policy

The PCC agreed to continue the policy of holding the equivalent of three months running costs as a General Reserve. As at 31st December 2023 the balance in the reserve is £11,217 (2022 : £12,609).

Page 3

DocuSign Envelope ID: B6E2AA15-3CAF-4421-9188-6E0C8F6A79B8

Parochial Church Council of St Michael & All Angels, Bramcote. Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ending 31 December 2023

2 INCOMING RESOURCES

Unrestricted Funds £ 59,554 16,202 13,037 4,523 1,500 283	(Unrestricted) Designated Restricted Funds Funds £ £ - 16,720 - 4,180 - - - - - 450 - 2,800	(Unrestricted) Designated Restricted Funds Funds £ £ - 16,720 - 4,180 - - - - - 450 - 2,800	Endowment Funds £ - - - - - -	TOTAL 2023 £ 76,274 20,382 13,037 4,523 1,950 3,083	FUNDS 2022 £ 71,449 18,604 12,318 2,569 12,000 3,838
95,099	-	24,150	-	119,249	120,778
4,235 689 316	- - -	- - -	- - -	4,235 689 316	2,140 2,084 -
5,240	-	-	-	5,240	4,224
39 -	3,526 -	358 -	72 51	3,995 51	732 51
39	3,526	358	123	4,046	783
- - - - 618 3,478 65 388 - - - 30	827 - - 134 - - - - - - - -	- - - - - - 23 - - 3,832 1,346 -	- - - - - - - - - - - -	827 - - 134 618 3,478 88 388 - 3,832 1,346 30	3,662 1,140 203 301 932 1,759 809 - 37 2,647 1,051 956
4,579	961	5,201	-	10,741	13,497

104,957	4,487	29,709	123	139,276	139,282

Page 4

DocuSign Envelope ID: B6E2AA15-3CAF-4421-9188-6E0C8F6A79B8

Parochial Church Council of St Michael & All Angels, Bramcote. Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ending 31 December 2023

3 RESOURCES EXPENDED

Unrestricted Funds £ 90	(Unrestricted) Designated Restricted Funds Funds £ £ - -	(Unrestricted) Designated Restricted Funds Funds £ £ - -	Endowment Funds £ -	TOTAL 2023 £ 90	FUNDS 2022 £ 81
90	-	-	-	90	81
- - - - - - - - -	2,380 1,829 142 141 - 1,798 1,066 1,066 500	- - - - - - - - 831	- - - - - - - - -	2,380 1,829 142 141 - 1,798 1,066 1,066 1,331	2,140 1,899 197 196 980 1,558 1,066 1,066 3,348
-	8,922	831	-	9,753	12,450
51,620 1,373 - - 12,769 5,339 372 - - - 564 15 617 538 45 1,811 5,149 16,115 2,197 - - 891	16,504 - 306 1,075 - 3,329 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	- - - - - 119 - - 14,775 1,101 2,713 - - 39 - - - - - 1,599 1,459 478	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	68,124 1,373 306 1,075 12,769 8,787 372 - 14,775 1,101 3,277 15 617 577 45 1,811 5,149 16,115 2,197 1,599 1,459 1,369	69,000 1,393 198 3,463 10,092 59,548 482 3,413 14,264 529 614 1,575 552 1,443 613 1,589 4,111 24,272 1,660 1,440 1,379 2,231
99,415	21,214	22,283	-	142,912	203,861

99,505	30,136	23,114	-	152,755	216,392

Page 5

DocuSign Envelope ID: B6E2AA15-3CAF-4421-9188-6E0C8F6A79B8

Parochial Church Council of St Michael & All Angels, Bramcote. Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ending 31 December 2023

4 STAFF NUMBERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the year the PCC paid 5 employees (2022:5), the organist, verger, parish administrator, cleaner and a Children and Family Youth Minister.

outh Minister.
STAFF COSTS Salaries Pension Contributions TOTAL	2023 £ 29,969 921 30,890	2022 £ 37,556 980
		38,536

The PCC pays at least the Living Wage Foundation living wage. The Workplace Pension was implemented on 1st July 2016 and the PCC chose the Government scheme NEST as its provider.

No payments were paid to any member of the PCC or persons closely connected to them or related parties, except that a member of the PCC became employed as a verger from 1st January 2019. He is not a party to discussions on relevant employee matters. The Public Liability Insurance now includes Church Council and Trustee Indemnity, and no separate fee has therefore been paid.

5 EXTERNAL EXAMINER'S FEE

The fee agreed by the external examiner for the Independent Examination of the 2023 accounts is £1,020 (2022: £1,200), including VAT and has been accrued in these accounts. This included an examination of the Charity Accounts.

6 INVESTMENTS

Following the introduction of FRS102 the investment property at 46 Rufford Avenue has been reclassified as investment property and needs to be stated in the accounts at market value. The property valuations have been determined by the PCC based upon the valuations of similar properties in the same locality. In accordance with FRS102 accounting for investment properties, 46 Rufford Avenue is included in the accounts at market value. The property was sold on 31 January 2022 for £305,000.

Valuation As at 1 January 2023 Disposal As at 31st December 2023 7 DEBTORS Income tax recoverable Other debtors Prepayments 8 LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Accruals and deferred income	2023 £ - - - 2023 £ 8,945 727 793 10,465 2023 £ 3,235 3,235	2022 £ 305,000 (305,000)
		-
		2022 £ 4,254 1,240 816
		6,310
		2022 £ 3,373
		3,373

9 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND
Total Assets Current Liabilities	Unrestrict General Funds £ 3,235 (3,235)	ed Funds Restricted Endowmen Designated Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ 251,337 28,579 2,345 - - -	t Funds £ 285,496 (3,235)
	-	251,337 28,579 2,345	282,261

Page 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: B6E2AA15-3CAF-4421-9188-6E0C8F6A79B8

Parochial Church Council of St Michael & All Angels, Bramcote. Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For the year ending 31 December 2023

10 BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD

Balance at 1/01/23 £ 745 670 233,737 9,922 - 1,117 2,475 4,555 3,546 12,609 -	Income/ Income Tax £ 134 - - - - - 827 - - - -	Interest £ 9 10 3,172 - - 16 36 64 58 161 -	Resources Expended £ (306) - (19,833) (8,922) - - (1,075) - - - -	Transfers £ - - (217,076) (1,000) 9,708 - (500) - 955 (1,553) 217,076
269,376	961	3,526	(30,136)	7,610
Balance at 1/01/23 £ 782 8,042 1,816 105 1,454 858 7,230 496 448 200 - - - 1,110 1,601	Income/ Income Tax £ 163 - - - - - 8,600 300 - - 2,330 12,530 250 3,832 1,346	Interest £ 12 112 25 2 20 12 46 7 6 3 8 103 2 - -	Resources Expended £ (39) - - - - (119) (15,876) (831) - - (400) (2,713) (78) (1,599) (1,459)	Transfers £ - - - - - - - 500 - - (1,300) - - (1,275) (83)
24,142	29,351	358	(23,114)	(2,158)
Balance at 1/01/23 £ 2,222	Income/ Income Tax £ 72	Interest £ 51	Resources Expended £ -	Transfers £ -
2,222	72	51	-	-
			2023 £ - -
			-

11 REVALUATION RESERVE

12 FUND DETAILS

The endowment fund is the income only element of the Bramcote Chancel Fund. This is a permanent endowment which requires the income to be spent on keeping the chancel "wind and weather proof". The capital element of the fund is represented by 82.50 shares in the Central Board of Finance Investment Fund at an original cost of £613 and is not shown in these financial statements. The value of the capital at 31 December 2023 was £1,864.94 i.e. £22.6053 per share (2022: £1,703.29 i.e. £20.6459 per share). Both the income and capital of the fund is held by the Diocese of Southwell with the income invested in a Central Board of Finance Deposit Fund.

Page 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: B6E2AA15-3CAF-4421-9188-6E0C8F6A79B8

Independent Examiner’s Report To the PCC of St Michael and All Angels Church, Bramcote

I report to the Parochial Church Council on my examination of the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet and Notes to the Financial Statements of the Church for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 1 to 7.

Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to

examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission.

An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the management committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.

Independent Examiner's Statement

In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention

which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
to keep accounting records in accordance with s.130 of the 2011 Act; or
to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met; or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Peter Stewart FCA Gregory Priestley & Stewart Lyndhurst 1 Cranmer Street Long Eaton Nottingham NG10 1NJ

17/4/2024 | 11:45:25 BST

Date:

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