## **Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council of Holy Ascension, Upton by Chester** ## **For the year ended 31[st] December 2022** **Registered Charity Number: 1131069** ## **Vicar’s Report** A big thankyou goes out to **EVERYBODY** who has enabled us to keep being the body of Christ, his Church, around Upton and the wider area. There are too many people to mention by name, but thank you. It is a great privilege to be the Vicar of a church that has a talented community of believers who offer up their own skills, abilities, time and energy to bring about different activities. As you look through this booklet you will see that as a church, we are blessed with the many groups that run and offer a wide range of activities to both the As I reflect on this year, on the whole, it has been a good year as we have seen mostly a return to normality throughout the services we hold here at Holy Ascension. There are still some minor changes that we have had to continue to do as we seek to protect each other. But it has also been a year of great sadness as we have lost loved ones from our congregation who have gone to be with the Lord. My hope and prayer is that as we enter into a new church year we will continue to reach out into our community with the message of love and hope that Jesus Christ offers to all. _Revd Paul Newman_ ## **Our stated purpose** To be the people of God in this place, committed to Christ, to one another and to service in the community: Together we worship God with Joy and Love, with an openness to the renewal by the Holy Spirit. ## **Administrative Information** Holy Ascension is in Church Lane, Upton, Chester and is part of the diocese of Chester within the Church of England. Correspondence address is: The Parish Office, Holy Ascension Community Hall, Demage Lane, Chester, CH2 1EL Incumbent: Revd Paul Newman Reader Emeritus: Mrs Barbara Capstick Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinator: Angela Blundell, email safeguarding@holyascension.org.uk Bank: Unity Trust Bank, Four Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2JB. Independent examiner: John McLintock FCA FCCA **The Parochial Church Council** of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Ascension is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, charity registration number: 1131069. When planning our activities for the year, the PCC gave consideration to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance to charities concerned with the advancement of religion. The PCC is a body corporate and operates under the Parochial Church Councils Powers Measure 1956 and the Church Representation Rules 2020. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church members are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. The PCC currently has 12 members and normally meets on the second Monday of each alternate month in the Kempe Room. Members of the PCC: Elected: Colin Attwood - Resigned 8[th] May 2022 Graham Barley - Re-appointed 8[th] May 2022 Susan Campbell - Appointed 8[th] May 2022 Michael Curtis - Churchwarden Rob Evans - Re-appointed 8[th] May 2022 Colin Foden - Churchwarden Sharon Forsdyke - Resigned 10[th] February 2022 Vera Gerrard -Resigned 8[th] May 2022 Jean Machan - Re-appointed 8[th] May 2022 Glenys Sherwin - Resigned 8[th] May 2022 Liz Squire - Re-appointed 8[th] May 2022 Sally Symes - Appointed 8[th] May 2022 Sheila Taylor - Resigned 8[th] May 2022 Margaret Whaley -Resigned 8[th] May 2022 - Co opted: Colin Bain. Ex officio: Sue Burgess Barbara Capstick Dave O’Brien - Died 20[th] October 2022 Paul Newman. ## **(A.C.F.) The Fellowship Group** We have been able to have a full programme in 2022 apart from our September meeting which was the day of the Queen’s funeral. We continue to meet on a Monday afternoon in Church which is proving popular. We have anything from 25 to 50 attending the meetings. We have had a very varied programme starting in January with a talk “Ness Gardens Past and Present”, February was “Chester Postcards”. We have been on “A Norwegian Coastal Voyage”, revisited “The Kimbuta Rural Development Programme” in Uganda and heard about “Christian Aid to the Homeless in Chester”. June was “The Fabulous Fifties” which involved some audience participation in songs of the era!! We learnt about the building of the Llangollen Railway and our last speaker in November spoke about “The Smugglers of New Brighton and their Involvement with the Wormhole Caves”. We finished the year with our annual Carol Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. _Margaret Brizell_ ## **Bible Study Group** There are 18 members of this group, 16 from Holy Ascension and 2 from other churches. We meet fortnightly on a Thursday afternoon in the Kempe Room beginning at 2.45 with tea, cake and fellowship. Our opening time of Worship begins with music and prayers, led by one of the members. We pray for the many situations of concern locally and nationally and This year we are studying Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, using a Lifebuilder Study Guide. This takes us through a passage with questions for discussion, which is very much extended by using a variety of Bible translations and other material. These afternoons give us an opportunity to share our thoughts and understanding of a Bible passage and to learn from both the studies and from each other. Hopefully they encourage us to continue reading and learning at New members are always welcome to join us. _Barbara Capstick_ ## **Choir** The choir continues to lead the singing at the 9.00am service. _Revd Paul Newman_ ## **Christian Aid** Christian Aid is one of the charities the members of the church support. The big fund raiser is the door to door street collection that we have been doing since I took over in 1999. Like a lot of Charities, the volunteers get older so cannot do as much but we in our church still take part in the Christian Aid week unlike the other Upton Churches. There is always a mid-week lunch fund raiser after one of the 10:15 Wednesday services which is well supported. Last year we as a church raised £992 compared to £984 in Christian Aid week and we supported other activities like Songs of Praise and St Mary’s Evening of Music and Readings by Trevor Dennis. Further events will be shown on the church notice board and magazine. Thank you to everyone who help me in various ways with this valuable charity. _Margaret Bain_ ## **Churches Together in Upton** Still affected to a degree by COVID, the year passed in a similar way to last year. The membership has reduced with Holy Ascension and Upton URC having the majority of representatives. At the end of the year it was regretted that there had been no attendees from St Columba's for a few meetings. The fifth Sunday services resumed and were held at the three churches. Holy Ascension offered to provide the Remembrance Day Reflection on behalf of St Columba's; which was well received. Donations in cash and kind were given to the food bank, homeless and the Hospice. During the year consideration of the representation from the three churches reached deadlock. The Churches Coffee Mornings (known as Altogether Upton) separated from Churches Together and now have their own organisation. They do, however, financially support Churches Together as well as supporting local and national charities. _John Butler_ ## **Connect Group** The ‘Connect’ group is aimed at the younger ladies who come to Holy Ascension, to offer them a chance to take time out from their work / family commitments and get together, get to know each other and support each other in the journey of life. We have roughly 20 ladies in the group and welcomed two more ladies in September. Although we have managed to meet up more this year some of our activities in 2022 were still affected by the COVID pandemic. Some of the group were still shielding due to personal or family reasons but the WhatsApp group has enabled us all to remain in contact and has been a fantastic way to ask and receive prayer for situations we encounter. Where health and timing has allowed, it has been really wonderful to meet in person and catch up! In June 2022, we were guided and inspired by Barbara Capstick to make beautiful floral table decorations which were displayed at the flower festival to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee! We had a ‘catch up and cake’ in September and then back to creating wonderful Christmas table / door decorations in November 2022. We are hoping for a more regular once a month meet up in 2023 starting with our ‘Potluck Supper’ in January which was a great success with wonderful food. A branch off the ‘Connect’ group is our bible study group, 6/7 of us meet weekly in term time to study God’s Word and pray. Since April 2022 we have used the Life Builder study guides on ‘Woman of God’, ‘The I am sayings of Jesus’ and leading up to Christmas we studied ‘the Coming of the Saviour’. All the studies have enabled us to further explore the Bible and how it can impact our own _Tara Newman_ ## **Electoral Roll Report** In line with Church Representation Rules, a new Electoral Roll was prepared in 2019. In March 2022 there were 121 names on the roll. _Jane Curtis_ ## **Fabric Report** As a church we continue to keep our building in good overall condition and At the moment our clock has stopped working and we are in the process of _Revd Paul Newman_ ## **Finance** The Receipts and Payments accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2022 are set out at the end of the Annual Report. ## Unrestricted Fund There was an excess of payments over receipts for the year of £5,238. Despite a fall in planned giving during the year, voluntary income remained static at £75,225 due to a slight increase in collections at services and gift aid recovered. Income from community hall hire increased by £7,341 during the year as we were able to open the hall as normal for most of the year. This meant an overall increase in total income of £4,357. In 2022 we paid our parish share of £69,666 in full. The 2023 parish share will be £71,757, an increase of 3%. During the year we had to carry out repairs to the church roof and organ hence the significant increase in church running costs. These costs, together with the community hall running costs, are going to increase significantly in 2023 as we are currently paying much more for both gas and electricity than in 2022. ## Unrestricted Designated Funds During the year a Clock Fund was set up to put aside money to be used to pay for repairs to the clock. The proceeds of the Christmas Fayre went into this fund. The Musical Tots designated fund was set up to ensure that the fees from the weekly sessions will cover any future costs associated with running the group. The Hall fund represents money allocated by the PCC to pay for future improvement works on the community hall such as a new boiler and kitchen. ## Restricted Funds The movements on restricted funds are set out in note 2 to the accounts. ## Reserves policy It is the PCC policy to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds which equates to a level they consider necessary to meet forthcoming needs. S _ue Burgess_ ## **Flower Arranging Team** This has been an exciting year for us with the Celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee taking centre stage in June. We joined with members of Upton Flower Club, who had worked hard in 2022 to raise funds to finance this event. The flowers began at the lych-gate along the drive to the church porch. Here the arrangements included glorious flowers, flags and memorabilia from the Commonwealth, celebrating the Queen’s special links with all 54 countries. Inside the Church there were stunning arrangements to celebrate the 70 years of her reign; beginning with a magnificent Crown on the Font. Others depicted her enthusiasm for horse racing and dogs, Windsor Castle, music, and the 4 countries of the UK. The wonderful white arrangements in the Sanctuary reminded us that the Queen began her reign by kneeling in prayer at the Altar in Westminster Abbey. Flowers by the Remembrance Book and on the Prayer table gave us a quiet place to pray for Ukraine and those whom we have loved but see no more. The Kempe Room which was decorated with flags and flowers in red, white and blue had tables overflowing with delicious cakes. More than 110 folk volunteered to arrange flowers, bake cakes, steward, Spring clean the Church, tidy the grounds, climb ladders to ‘hang’ arrangements, make countless cups of tea and wash-up …..etc! Over the 4 days we were open, we welcomed over 800 visitors. Donations in excess of £3,000 were allocated to the Hospice, Ukraine, the Church and the Flower Club. Our Church Flower team of 14 ladies and 2 gentlemen continue to work throughout the year with enthusiasm and expertise to create arrangements to celebrate the festivals of Easter, Ascension, Harvest, Christmas and Weddings. These arrangements are solely supported by generous donations from the congregation. Our church is very fortunate to have so many folk who give a great deal of their time to arrange flowers throughout the year, for which we are very grateful. _Barbara Capstick_ ## **Foodbank** As a church we support the Foodbank and the congregation are encouraged to buy extra items of food and leave it at the back of the Nave. Once a month the donations are taken to the foodbank in Ellesmere Port and from there, the food is distributed to those who desperately need to feed themselves and their families. Usually there is about 33.4 kilos a month donated but it would be good to get back to Pre-COVID times when it often was 65 kilos. Thank you to those who donate regularly and it is hoped that more of us will think about others when doing the weekly shop. _Margaret & Colin Bain, Graham Barley_ ## **Heartbeat** The first print run, since suspension during COVID, began again with the October 2022 issue. The PCC came to the decision that 20 pages would now suffice for each issue, excepting the December/January and July/August issues which would cover 24 pages; that coloured pages should be limited to four pages a month and that for the time being 150 copies will be printed to be collected from Church. This will be evaluated over time. The Editor wishes to thank all those who have contributed articles to Heartbeat over the past year. _Sharon Forsdyke_ ## **Health and Safety** Although the threat of serious illness from COVID 19 has diminished, the virus has still not left us and we continue to take precautions at Holy Communion services by dipping the host and passing the peace by waving to each other rather than shaking hands. Apart from the eradication of a moth infestation in the church carpet during the year, there is nothing to report regarding other topics of a hazardous nature. White lines have been repainted on church steps, paths are even, exterior lighting is in order and supplies of grit were applied to paths on icy mornings. Risk assessments took place and health and safety rules were applied over the Christmas period prior to the erection and removal of the star on the tower and the provision of buckets of water at appropriate points around the church during the use of candles at the crib service. The five year inspection of fitted electrical appliances is overdue but it is noted that Paul has identified a suitable contractor to undertake this work probably at the same time the improvement to the interior lighting takes place. As regards the Community Hall, several chairs have been afflicted by moth and these have been withdrawn from service pending treatment with an appropriate spray. A patch of mould caused by a leaking exterior downspout has been treated. It is suggested that, come the clement weather, a working party be formed to tidy the ground (especially dried leaves) to the side and rear of the hall. _Colin Foden_ ## **Music Group** Our music group lost Dave, its leader, which had a massive impact. The Music group continues to play a part in leading the worship at our Sunday 10.45am service. _Revd Paul Newman_ ## **Safeguarding** Holy Ascension takes its duty and obligation to protect all extremely seriously. We have adopted the national Church of England's robust procedures and You can find out more about the national policies and procedures If you have any safeguarding concerns or issues of a safeguarding matter then you can find useful contact information at www.chester.anglican.org/socialresponsibility/safeguarding or you can contact our parish safeguarding co-ordinator at safeguarding@holyascension.org.uk ## **Sewing Group** Sewing group continues to meet every Thursday morning in the Kempe Room between 10.00am and 12noon. During the year we made items such as Easter and Christmas decorations, mobile phone rests, bags etc. which were sold at the Christmas Fayre and Hospice coffee mornings. Everyone is welcome to come along for coffee/tea, biscuits, chat and company _Sue Burgess_ ## **Sunday Club** Since April 2022 Sunday Club has steadily been getting back to normal, but it was in September 2022 that we saw a more regular attendance of children and some new families too. Our age range of the children we have presently is 5 – 16 years We now have a rota of 4 ladies that have offered to support Tara in leading the Sunday Club as we learn about the love God has for each of us in a fun and stimulating way. We always start with action songs, games, read a story / passage from the Bible, perhaps watch a video, a discussion time, prayer and some sort of We are back to using mainly the ROOTS material but sometimes take our morning activities from internet websites. Presently we are also covering the ‘Fruits of The Spirit’, matching the sermon content of the 10.45am service. It’s a real privilege to share and talk with children about what we are learning each week and to begin to understand how they understand the stories from the Bible.I pray that all of the children come to know God’s love for them and are able to share this with those around them. _Tara Newman_ ## **The Children’s Society** The annual house box opening in September raised £1,650 for the work of the Children’s Society. This was £500 more than 2021. The Christingle Service in December raised a further £210-99p. The money will go to provide help and support for vulnerable children. _Margaret Brizell_ ## **Upton Heath CE Primary School** Our link with Upton Heath CE Primary School continues to be strong. We take a weekly assembly on a Wednesday afternoon and the school comes into church with a year group leading an assembly each term around the major Christian Festivals to which their parents are invited. We also have a member of our church on the Schools Management Committee and one on the Trust which the school is part of. _Revd Paul Newman_ **World Day of Prayer** - _**'I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU'**_ **Jeremiah 29:1-14.** It seemed so very appropriate to come together this year for our World Day of Prayer service on the 4th March aware of the very sad news of the violence and warfare in the Ukraine. On our display table was a globe and the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag. Friday morning was sunny as we met at the Church of the Holy Ascension. The service was prepared by Christian women from different countries, this year from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Traditional songs and stories telling the It was hard to imagine that as the sun rises over Samoa, and makes its way around the earth it ends some 36 hours later as the sun sets over American Samoa. An estimated 3 million men, women and young people in 170 countries and islands will have taken part in this service translated into 60 languages. In During the service three women from different backgrounds told us what their life was like living in poverty, in fear of abuse from a partner or in isolation In our prayers we gave thanks for the work of women who prepared the service and for the work of this organisation in spreading the gospel message around the world. Our final prayers were for the people of Ukraine at this time of fear and hardship, praying for them to have ' _**strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.'**_ The collection was for the work of World Day of Prayer for Christian Charities worldwide. Delicious traditional refreshments were served and enjoyed over lively It is good that the **Churches Together in Upton** share this special day with our three churches. This truly international and ecumenical day of prayer is always uplifting. _Barbara Capstick_ ## **Approved by the PCC on 13[th] March 2023 and signed on their behalf by** **Revd Paul Newman (PCC Chair)………………………………………………………………………** ## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Ascension, Upton-By-Chester Receipts and Payments Accounts for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2022** Note Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Fund Designated Funds 2022 2021 Funds **Receipts** £ £ £ £ £ **Voluntary receipts** Planned giving 50,451 - - 50,451 58,769 Collections at services 6,463 - 1,624 8,087 4,925 Donations 2,294 - 380 2,674 1,365 Gift Aid recovered 13,982 - - 13,982 11,622 Grants received 2,035 - - 2,035 1,838 Upton PCC Charitable Trust - - - - 340 75,225 - 2,004 77,229 78,859 **Activities for generating funds** 3 1,161 1,250 294 2,705 18 **Church Activities** 4 29,144 - 989 30,133 26,073 **Investment Income** 5 2,555 - - 2,555 2,288 **Total Receipts £108,085 £1,250 £3,287 £112,622 £107,238 Payments Church activities** Parish Share 69,666 - - 69,666 68,132 Fees remitted 3,779 - - 3,779 4,936 Clergy and Staffing costs 4,329 - - 4,329 3,144 Church costs 6 18,884 - 1,153 20,037 9,326 Vicarage costs 3,710 - - 3,710 4,512 Hall running costs 8,068 - - 8,068 6,997 Mission giving and donations 4,871 - 1,736 6,607 1,230 113,307 - 2,889 116,196 98,277 **Cost of generating Funds** 7 16 - - 16 - **Total payments £113,323 £- £2,889 £116,212 £98,277 Excess of payments over receipts** ( **5,238) 1,250 398 (3,590) 8,961 Cash at bank and in hand** 1[st] January 2022 26,485 10,565 15,245 52,295 43,334 31[st] December 2022 **£21,247 £11,815 £15,643 £48,705 £52,295** **Approved by the PCC on 13[th] March 2023 and signed on their behalf by: Rev. Paul Newman** ## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Ascension, Upton-By-Chester Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31[st] December 2022** Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Fund Designated Funds 2022 2021 Funds £ £ £ £ £ **Cash at bank and in hand** Lloyds Current Account 17,457 1,202 6,056 24,715 23,210 Unity Trust Bank - Current Account 3,582 - 4,506 8,088 8,425 Unity Trust Bank - Deposit Account - 356 780 1,136 8,436 CCLA – Deposit Account - 10,199 3,150 13,349 10,825 CCLA – Building in Faith - - 17 17 17 Cash in Hand 208 58 29 295 330 Sunshine Tots Account - - 1,014 1,014 1,014 Flower Fund - - 91 91 38 £21,247 £11,815 £15,643 £48,705 £52,295 **Other Monetary Assets** Gift Aid Recoverable £3,470 - - £ 3,470 £4,811 **Investment Assets** 3,841.83 (3,841.83) Shares in The CBF Church of England Fund £79,378 - - £79,378 £89,968 ## **Fixed assets retained for church use** The fixed assets retained for church use are Holy Ascension Community Hall, the Organ (refurbished 2013) and the AV system. All assets belong to the unrestricted fund. ## **Liabilities** 2. ## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Ascension, Upton-By-Chester Notes to the Receipts and Payments Accounts for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2022** **1.** The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the Receipts & Payments basis. **2.** The movements in designated and restricted funds during the year were: Balance Receipts Payments Balance b/fwd. c/fwd. **Restricted** £ £ £ £ Family Workers 650 - - 650 Flower Fund 38 989 936 91 Sunshine Tots 3,543 - - 3,543 Other 11,014 2,298 1,953 11,359 £15,245 £3,287 £2,889 £15,643 £ £ £ £ **Designated** Hall 6,515 - - 6,515 Musical Tots 4,050 - - 4,050 Clock Fund - 1,250 - 1,250 £10,565 £1,250 - £11,815 Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Fund Designated Funds 2022 2021 Funds £ £ £ £ £ **3. Activities for generating funds** Social events 937 1,250 294 2,481 18 Sundry receipts 224 - - 224 - £1,161 £1,250 £294 £2,705 £18 3 **.** ## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Ascension, Upton-By-Chester Notes to the Receipts and Payments Accounts for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2022** Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Fund Designated Funds 2022 2021 Funds £ £ £ £ £ **4. Church activities** Fees for weddings and funerals 9,925 - - 9,925 13,242 Community Hall hire 19,219 - - 19,219 11,878 Magazine - - - - 305 Flower fund - - 989 989 639 Sunshine Tots - - - - 9 £ 29,144 - £989 £30,133 £26,073 £ £ £ £ £ **5. Investment income** Dividends 2,361 - - 2,361 2,283 Interest 194 - - 194 5 £2,555 - - £2,555 £2,288 £ £ £ £ £ **6. Church activities** Church running expenses 16,289 - - 16,289 6,511 Cost of services 1,101 - - 1,101 802 Administration 1,446 - - 1,446 1,144 Magazine 48 - 217 265 - Flower fund - - 936 936 869 £18,884 - £1,153 £20,037 £9,326 **7. Cost of generating funds** Social events £16 - - £16 - 4. **Independent Examiner’s Report to the members/trustees of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Ascension, Upton by Chester (registered charity number: 1131069).** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2022 which are set out on pages 1 to 4. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. ## **Independent examiner’s statement** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or - the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. John McLintock FCA FCCA 2 Windmill Rise Upton Chester Date 5.