Trustees Report of the Parochial Church Council of St Anne’s Church, Shevington, Standish Lower Ground and Crooke for 2023
Aims and Purposes
St. Anne’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbents, Reverends Andrew and Jenny Brown, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the church building and St Anne’s parish centre.
Objectives and Activities
St Anne’s PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible in the localities of Shevington, Standish Lower Ground and Crooke to access services and worship at our church and in our church school building, and to become part of our church community. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.
When planning our activities we have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance to charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:
• Worship and prayer, learning about the Gospel and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus.
-
Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish.
-
Missionary and outreach work.
To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric of the church building and parish centre and maintain the graveyard.
Achievements and Performance
Worship and Prayer
Sunday worship at St Anne’s comprises a traditional service at 9.30am offering Holy Communion every week followed by a more informal worship service at 11am with modern worship songs which is more accessible to families and newcomers to church. Between the two we offer refreshments in the parish centre which provides an opportunity for members of both congregations to meet each other.
In addition to this there is a service at 4pm at ‘The Well’ which meets in St Anne’s School building in Standish Lower Ground. The Well was a new venture launched in June 2022 to offer a place of worship for those living in that part of the parish who are seeking Jesus and
thirsty to know more. Our prayer is that The Well will truly be a place of refreshment whose ripples move through the community.
Throughout the year we have welcomed a number of Iranian asylum seekers to our church and some of them have been baptised. Much of the Sunday services is displayed on an overhead screen with simultaneous translation into Farsi, and we have printed service sheets in Farsi as well. Our vicar Andrew also takes a weekly Bible study with the men. This is a fluid community as asylum cases are heard and some of the men move away but it has been a privilege and a joy to hear their stories and provide a way in to the Christian faith for them. They have broadened our horizons and provided some practical help too.
One of the positive things to come out of the Covid restrictions was the provision of worship online and this has continued at St Anne’s. Andrew records a shortened version of Sunday worship with hymns and songs each week for those who are housebound, and we estimate that about 20 people access this.
In his annual report to the church Andrew spoke about the faithfulness of God in both the past and present. He highlighted some of the things for which we particularly thank God:
-
The Nativity service on Christmas Eve, complete with live animals, when our church building was literally overflowing with families;
-
The deepening of faith in our Lent services and courses drawing us closer to the Lord;
-
The opportunity to build on the reputation of our toddler group, Sparkles, as we seek to integrate these families further into the life of the church;
-
Developing work in our church school;
-
A strong and supportive Mothers’ Union group and regular work with men with our Men’s Breakfasts and other events;
-
The multiplying of Home Groups as more members of the church meet together to study the Bible and share fellowship;
-
Continued pastoral care of those in need in both the church and wider community;
-
The care and improvement of our church buildings.
Pastoral Care
Caring for those around us is the practical outworking of our faith. St Anne’s has an active Pastoral Team who offer prayer support for the sick and bereaved and take Holy Communion to people in their home. There is a weekly prayer group and a Memorial Service every 3 months.
One of our most successful ventures is ‘Sparkles’, a weekly (in term time) group for preschool children and their carers, whether that be parents, grandparents or child minders. For 90 minutes on a Tuesday morning our parish centre is filled with the sound of up to 40 children having fun, and provides an opportunity for their carers to get together in a supportive Christian atmosphere.
The parish centre is also the home of Shevington Community Pantry, a venture started during Covid by the local community originally as a food bank. It is now an outlet for food donated by local shops and supermarkets that is close to its sell-by date and would otherwise be consigned to landfill. Thus it has the dual benefit of providing affordable food for the less well-off and helping the environment by reducing waste.
Mission and Evangelism
St Anne’s vision statement is, ‘Knowing Christ better and making Christ better known’.
In order to know Christ better we not only worship Him, but study the Bible together in Bible Study groups and individually at home.
In order to make Christ better known we look to evangelistic opportunities which hopefully draw the local community in, for example special services at Easter and Christmas, a Holiday Club during the school summer holidays and a church tent at the summer fete. Some of these activities may not be overtly ‘church’ but members of the church show that Christians care deeply about their friends and neighbours, have a different set of values to the cut and thrust of everyday life, and demonstrate the love of God for all.
In line with Biblical teaching, we remain committed to giving 10% of our unrestricted income to support Christian mission agencies at home and overseas. This year we supported Manchester City Mission, Mission Aviation Fellowship, Open Doors and a specific missionary working in Japan with OMF.
Financial Review
Income
Total receipts in unrestricted funds were £96681 of which:
-
£48753 was planned giving
-
£17460 was unrestricted voluntary donations,
-
£15447 was from Gift Aid.
-
£11568 was fees for weddings and funerals.
-
£2993 was from fund raising activities
-
£458 was bank interest
Restricted funds of £22861 were also received, including:
-
£10535 for hire of the parish centre.
-
£950 Brighter Boroughs grant for churchyard benches
-
£500 gift specifically for decorating church at Christmas
-
£9999 restricted fees
67 people out of a membership of 147 donated by way of planned giving, either by standing order or Free Will Offering envelopes. £48753 was given of which £38285 was eligible for gift aid which continues to be a lifeline for St Anne’s.
Expenditure
Total expenditure for 2023 was £132794:
-
£65232 was for parish share.
-
£14316 was spent out of the £50K gift received in 2022
-
£5000 was for upkeep of the churchyard
-
£3892 was for church gas and electricity
-
£3000 was for insurance
-
£13934 was for restricted expenditure
-
£9886 was parish centre running costs
We continue to remain committed to giving 10% of our unrestricted income to support mission, which in 2023 amounted to £6870. £1540 of this was paid into a fund (the Barchester Fund) specifically for the use of St Anne’s school.
Overall, and excluding expenditure from the gift of £50K given in 2022 specifically for mission and ministry opportunities, income exceeded expenditure by £1064.
Reserves Policy
It is PCC policy to try to maintain a balance in unrestricted funds which equates to at least three months unrestricted expenditure. This is currently equivalent to £26,000 and is held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and to meet emergencies.
Conclusion
We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to the finances of St Anne’s enabling us to end 2023 with a small surplus. 2024 will pose a greater challenge as we tackle the repairs highlighted by the Quinquennial Inspection and our gift aid claim will be back to 12 months (approximately £12,500).
We thank God for his gracious provision and continue to trust Him for the mission and ministry of St Anne’s, and the upkeep of our buildings, as we seek to fulfil our mission statement of ‘Knowing Christ better and making Christ better known’.
Structure, Governance and Management
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St. Anne’s the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbents, churchwardens, and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the Electoral Roll of the church. All who attend our services/members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
The PCC is responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. The full PCC met seven times during the year with an average level of attendance of 84%.
Administrative Information
St. Anne’s Church is situated on Church Lane, Shevington. It is part of the Diocese of Blackburn within the Church of England. The correspondence address is St Anne’s Vicarage, 81 Gathurst Lane, Shevington Wigan WN6 8HW. The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and a charity currently registered with the Charity Commission, registration number 1130901.
Ex Officio members:
-
Incumbents: Reverend Andrew Brown and Reverend Jenny Brown
-
Warden: Mr Peter Calderbank
-
Warden: Mr John Rawson
Elected members:
-
Mrs Sharon Drury, representative on Deanery Synod
-
Mrs Pauline Byrne, representative on Deanery Synod
-
Mrs Heather Rawson (treasurer)
-
Mr James Evans
-
Mrs Brenda Harrison
-
Mrs Angie Cunningham (vice chair)
-
Mrs Pauline H Johnson
-
Mrs Violet Hughes
-
Mrs Jean Fisher
-
Mr Norman Cullen
-
Mrs Jennifer Cullen (resigned October 2023)
Approved by the PCC Signed on behalf of the PCC by the Reverend Jenny Brown (PCC chairman)
OCESE BLQCIQBVRri. 1130WI Receipts and pa ments accour vIsIoM 1slJ To 31t Dx2023 Section A Receipts and payments UfirestrKted fvnd5 Design4ted Fina Rstricied En&o%vmènt Totsl tr*n•qN•t E A1 R•£41 Volunts Rx• Plaingd 3S.1 10.588 37.8lJ 10.321 4AIQ 10,588 4.524 15.14S 12. 23JT 70.04 15,741 15,447 15,447 io 11. Sub to J2,102 121747 33.284 A.4C .681 21881 121,74 173. A3 PaymEnts 19 177 k¥vingMdthwt 18 70 94,578 14.316 23,900 1J2,754 104,749 A4 Assetar InvestrMnE purth•ses, 4ts. D£F 14J10 131794 104.749 11,047 111,18 AO Ca•h funds 28.8J3 103,322 97,27S 39,977 44.730 21.E03
OCESE JLACKBVRri Receipts and pa ments accounts To 31tD 2025 Soction B Statomont of assets and liabilitics at thc cnd of the poriod Unrè5trict@d Dpsi9nated Restri¢led Endowrnenf Fknar etu to n•¥•si£ fAf•St£ l tyJM¥•stt r£ B1 Cash fund• 16,DZ7 14Jl$ 11,11 CBF FL¥KI 44n7 7,515 21,604 31 44737 'OetèiI5 32 eU•1rt¥u• h4rtty'• u•• B5 UbIlO Prirrt Ojte OAK p25
OCESE LACvR hL•l thJrthcIISl•A¢ 11aO•)I Receipts and pa ments accounts T• SI DKX23 Section C Notes CBF 175 12 120 31 31 303 6915 641 11 CBF $711 137 14318 14 18 737 fvnds 2022 )nMr•slt Donation fOrnnry & nJlyonsto 757 757 OonatiDnslorlTsni•n Pknlo¥ Con4tions forchnstmas ¢tecs 583 161 Spjrtlos n's br68kf&st Sund8 Try$hm¥1$ Hopè FxhIbJl*) (pthnttrygg) Holid&y Club 322 7$1 751 748 325 117 J07 FundGrthil P•nsly C&TrtT&ynsurBnce Nn¢ornè frnm Th6 Wau Shevi Cr8ftFtt n F•t• 537 $37 780 10 F•os lor Fe vas&s DFeeS ofP•nsh Cantrn 925 12
1130901 OCESE LACKPVRn Receipts and pa ments accounts To WIS 31*t D 20 P•p4c45
OCESE LACKFVRn. 11309fy1 Receipts and pa ments accounts To 3i•t Dec20rJ I Section C Notes cotltinued De51QTrateO RÈ5tri¢ted Endowmont Total funds 2022 Pl Church Jb 24 24 725 Water Insursnce 113 Z3 23 421 T47
of V4*•S
320 175 23 21B 22$ 351 159 The Wéll oxp¥n Chn8fm8s dgwoti¢¥ Ilolide Club Mswon 361 22 18• ej Fund J18 631 031 281 CPAS D8$ cTroGks Chni•n res4LYGes 1.ts70 137 Indopndenl 08rAT M•ns breAkf•st Sund•yrnfrnrn8rts 75 75 75 100 81 23 Z3 churchy.erénwrten8W v&r6 GOurt tèx & wal otlw•xpens•s 4119 175 4,605 3.182 182 rchesler Inl?mthon anth8ster P•pSdS
IndependentExaminer's Reportto the m•nbersltrusteesof St Anne'sChurth,ShevSnAton. Parothial Churth Councll. I report on the accounts of the church for thÈ year ended 31 December 2023 whi¢h a set out on pages I to4. Respectlve Resp¢Jnslbllltlesof Trustees and Exarniner The church's trustees a responsible foT the prepafation of the accounts. The chuich's trustees consider that an audit is not required forthi5 year under seCtn 144121 of the Cha¥ibes Act 2011 Ithe 2011 Actll and that an indepeThdeTrt examination is needed. It is my responsibility to= Exalnine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act).. To follow the prtstsdures laid down in the General Oirectitins given by the Charty Commissioners lunder section 14515llbl of the 2011 Actl.. and To stste whether partlojlar matters have come to my attention. Basls of IndependentExamlnerfsreport My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Dtrections given by the Charity Cornm155n. Afi examination indudes a miew of the accouniing records kept by the charity and comparison of the accounts presented wrth those recoid5. It èlso includes consideration of any unusu31 iterns or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you as tnjstees concerfiing any such matters. The procedures vndertaken do not provide all the evideYKe that would be required in an auditand consequently no oplnion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the Teport Is lirnd to those mattèrs set out in the statement bebw. Independent eXamir.5 ststemÈnt In connection with my Èxamination. no matter has come to rny attentn.. whlch gfves me reasonable L3use to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting record5 in accordance with 5edion 130 of the 2011 ACL. and to prepare accounts which accoid with the accountlnE records and comply wlth the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met (Namel (Datel IRelevani professional qualifKation or body) 4 c IAddres51 11 tjéive 11rys Cwll ( kni
' IndependentExamlner's Reportto the memlJer5/trusteesof St thne'sChurth.She¥lrrftoi1. Parochial Church Councll. I report on the accounts of the churth forthe year ended 31 Drnber 2023 which are Set out on pages I to4. Respettivè RèsponsiblibesoFTrustees•nd Examlner The church's tTUStees are responsible forthe prepar•tion of accounts. The church'5 tru5tee5 consider that an audit 15 not required for thi5 year under section 144121 of the Charikne5 Art 2011 (the 2011 Actll and that an Independent examlnation is needed. It is my iesponsibilityto-. Examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 ArtI- To follow the prOcureS lald down in the General Directions etven byth• char Commlssioners (under 5ethon 14515llbl of the 2011 Act).. and To State whether partiojkr matters have corne to rny attentknn. Basls of Independent Examlner's report MY examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charty Commission. An examinath)n includes a review of the accountin8 records kept by the charity and a compartson of the accounts presented with those record5. It also indudes consKlentK)n of any unusual items or disc105UTes in the accounts. and seekln8 e¥pLinations frorn you as trustee5 concernin8 any such matters. The proodures undertaken do Th)t Provlde all the evbJerKe that would bp re4ulred In an auditand Consequent no opinion is given as to whether the a¢tounts present a Irue and fair vw, and the report Is limited to those matters set out in the ststernent below. Independent examiner's ststement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to myattewttion: which give5 me reasonable cause to beIve that in any material resFd the requirements to keep accounttng records In accordance wrth section 130 of the 2011 ACL" and to prepare accounts whith accord with the accounting records and cofflp with the accountin8 requirernents of the 2011 Act have not been meL INamel IRelevant professional qualifKation or body) 4 c Mél IAddre551 11 Dile ITh8 Crtll C kni