2023 Report and accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Mary’s Church, Attenborough
Aim and Purposes
St. Mary’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the Vicar, the Reverend Toby Artis, in promoting the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical in the ecclesiastical parish. The PCC is also responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of St Mary’s Church and the churchyard.
Objectives and Activities
The PCC aims to enable as many people as possible to worship at St Mary’s, to become part of the Christian Church and become involved in the wider community.
To help in this aim the PCC ensures the following are provided:
-
Public worship open to all
-
A place for personal prayer and contemplation
-
Pastoral care – including visiting the sick, infirm & bereaved
-
Teaching of Christianity through sermons, talks, courses and small groups, including groups for young people
-
Supporting specific charities in the UK and overseas
-
Promoting the mission of the Church through provision of activities for the community
The ancient church of St Mary features significantly in this work. The PCC endeavours to maintain it as a welcoming place for all.
Achievements and Performance
Worship and Prayer
The PCC and worship team are committed to providing a range of services which are accessible to all. This year the worship pattern has changed to include two weekly services a more traditional service and a contemporary service. The church has a youtube channel which live-streams services as well as uploading them for later viewing, along with regular reflections. Prayer meetings and bible study groups have continued via zoom.
The range of regular services continues to be broad and includes:
-
9am traditional service with bi-weekly Holy communion
-
10.45am contemporary worship with bi-weekly Holy communion
Attenborough St. Mary's Parochial Church Council Registered Charity Number 1131889
St Mary’s also provides festival and special services including:
-
an annual Wedding Hymns of Praise, held to assist wedding couples with their choices
-
Baptisms as part of normal Sunday Worship and as standalone services
-
A special service for the bereaved
There are many significant times in people’s lives and, frequently, the Church has a major role to play in these. Often support, advice or assistance is needed, on other occasions a sense of community helps make a celebration go well. The last year has seen four weddings, one baptism and three funerals.
Our church choir is important within the context of services and is made up of and open to choristers of all ages. Music continues to play a major part in the life of St Mary’s, with occasional concerts and a talented music group playing at certain services.
Due to its setting and beauty, St Mary’s continues to be a popular venue for weddings and the PCC is conscious of this as a significant workload for our clergy and as a facility that must be provided to the wider community. A verger team is maintained to assist with all services.
Deanery Synod
Three members of the PCC sit on the deanery synod. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the church.
The Church Building and Churchyard
The PCC has continued to ensure that the church is open on a regular basis. Prior to the Covid pandemic the church was open during daylight hours for private prayer and CCTV cameras were installed to help with security. Currently the church is open for private prayer on the second, fourth and fifth Thursday of the month 2-4pm.
The goods held by St Mary’s have been checked against the inventory. Everything was found to be present and in good order, allowing for some reasonable wear and tear.
We are pleased to be able to report that the church fabric is also, generally, in good order. All necessary periodic testing has been undertaken. eg. testing of the: lightning protection system; fire extinguishers; clock; gas boilers; mowing equipment; and the five yearly testing of the fixed electrical system.
The electrical system required some work to bring it up to current standards and this work has now been carried out. The work was undertaken in late 2022 and early 2023 with the main distribution board for the west end being replaced and the switches etc tidied. At a later date some remedial work will be necessary if the floodlighting is to be made fully available.
Two trees were identified as requiring attention. In early 2023 the large beech tree near the main door was cleaned out and thinned with the crown being slightly lifted, and permissions have now been obtained to allow the felling of the holly adjacent to the chancel door.
Attenborough St. Mary's Parochial Church Council Registered Charity Number 1131889
We continue to be indebted to our working group who keep numerous areas of work under control. As well as keeping the grass mown and the borders tended they: clean the silver; bring down cobwebs; replaced the boiler house hatch; re-purposed the “service sheet trolley” as a coffee making stand: repair minor damage; clear drains; and so on. Why not join in? We also thank our caretaker Dawn and cleaner Sylvia.
Malcolm Batchelor has put in a great deal of time and effort to bring our new audio mixing desk into use. The main system is now audible and is more flexible to use in different ways by different people and can be turned up more for larger services. Work continues to improve audibility in the chancel, in the rear rooms and over the hearing loop system. Two pieces of work are being planned. Repairs to the storm damaged boundary wall are hoped to start soon - the necessary permissions are being obtained but it is proving difficult to find a contractor. The main roof covering - a draft specification drawing has been prepared by our architect so that indicative quotes and provisional offers of grants can be sought for the replacement of the copper sheet.
Thanks go to all who help keep St Mary’s welcoming and in good condition.
Mission, Outreach, Pastoral Care and Evangelism
Local, national and overseas mission has been supported by the PCC, this year the usual payment is being calculated based on the annual accounting and income so will be paid later in the year.
Weekly Tuesday Cafe 10.30-12noon is growing in popularity and the regular community outreach event Stroll and Roll, a monthly walk in the nature reserve followed by a breakfast roll in the church is a popular event with dogs and children welcome.
There has been an update of the church website to give better information, and this is kept up to date with events. The church’s social media presence is being developed and expanded with content posted regularly. The underlying reason for this publicity is to make the church more accessible to a wider range of people and interests with a view to spreading the Christian message.
The church has run Alpha on several occasions to spread the word and invite in new Christians.
Financial review
The year 2022 has seen further progress made in the stated aim of reducing the amount of transactions involving cash. The church card machine is visible for all services and a good proportion of monies gifted at church services and other functions is made using the facility. It is recognised that there will still be a proportion of donations made in cash particularly at Tuesday Coffee Mornings and other church functions.
During 2022 it was decided to try to reduce the need for members of the Church to buy items for Church use and claim the money back as expenses. Instrumental in this was the procurement of two Lloyds Bank cash cards for contactless payments - one held by the Church administrator and the other by the vicar. This has enabled payments to be made instantly without the need to claim expenses.
Attenborough St. Mary's Parochial Church Council Registered Charity Number 1131889
Regular giving has held up well, despite the so-called “Cost of Living Crisis”, which has enabled St Mary’s to once again pay our full Parish share. Regular giving by standing order is important to St Mary’s as it helps with planning and reliable cash flow. With the postCovid return of fund-raisers, the return of “plate-giving”, and the success of Tuesday Café, miscellaneous income has increased. A slightly larger Gift-Aid (vital “free” income) claim was made to bring the claims a little more up to date.
Other costs have been kept under control. Thanks must go to John Margerison who, before he moved, put the church on fixed rates for gas and electricity – this saved us a significant amount across the winter months.
Investments are recovering their value. These funds will be needed in the coming months and years to carry out the required fabric works.
The Parish share will increase for 2023 and this, with the need to employ an Outreach Worker, means there will be a Giving Campaign in the Spring. Grants have also been applied for to help to enable growth and the realisation of St Mary’s Vision . Ian Townsend (Treasurer) Jim Crabtree (Church Warden)
Volunteers
We would like to thank the many volunteers who make the church, here, what it is. Without all the volunteers working together, on the things they do best, we would not have a pastoral team visiting the sick, elderly or bereaved; well kept accounts; a beautiful churchyard; music; bells rung regularly; social events; refreshments; a warm welcome; the variety of services; activities and teaching for the young; or any of the other things we have come to expect.
The PCC would especially like to thank the churchwardens, worship team and musical director for their tireless work during the pandemic and interregnum, the extra effort which they have put in has been invaluable and much appreciated. They have not merely kept things ticking over but have expanded the worship options and outreach during an extremely difficult time.
Structure, Governance and Management
The structure of the PCC is set out in the Church Representation Rules. The membership at St Mary’s PCC consists of the vicar, the two churchwardens, three deanery synod representatives, a diocesan synod representative and twelve members elected from and by those on the electoral roll of the church. Members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the electoral roll and stand for election to the PCC. We are particularly wanting some younger members to join.
The PCC members are responsible, as trustees of the charity, for making decisions on matters of importance to the parish; for deciding how funds should be used; for the upkeep of the fabric and goods of the church; and should also consider matters of general concern to parishioners.
Attenborough St. Mary's Parochial Church Council Registered Charity Number 1131889
The full PCC has met seven times formally and has generally very good attendance. The PCC also communicates regularly via email to ensure rapid exchange of information and to allow decisions to be made in a timely way. The various sub-committees tasked with looking at several specific areas of work have also been meeting. The finance subcommittee has been working to produce budgets and also to decide the way to bridge a funding gap for the running expenses.
Administrative Information
Address - St Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Attenborough, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 6AS
St Mary’s is part of the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.
The PCC is a body corporate ((PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2020) and is a registered charity (No 1131889)
PCC members (Trustees) who have served from 1[st] January 2022 until the date of this report are:
Ex Officio members :
-
Incumbent: The Reverend Toby Artis (Chairman)
-
Churchwardens: James Crabtree, Peter Stewart
-
Diocesan Synod Rep: Charlie Barber
-
Deanery Synod Reps: Alistair Langton, Eileen Hartley, Peter McKay
-
Elected Members: Liz Stewart (Secretary)
-
Keith Knox
-
Ann Parkes
-
Malcolm Batchelor
-
Andrew Finlay
-
Linda Stewart
-
Keith Ball
-
Gill Linton-Smith (until 6[th] September 2023)
-
Roger Whiting (until 30[th] January 2022)
-
Rosemary Thiselton (until 6[th] May 2023)
-
Val Sabin (until 21[st] May 2023)
-
Jane Ray (until 21[st] May 2023)
-
Ewan Dinwiddie (until 21[st] May 2023)
-
Carol Hampton (until 21[st] May 2023)
Attenborough St. Mary's Parochial Church Council Registered Charity Number 1131889
Attenborough St Mary's PCC R¢ Charl 1131889 Receipts and payments account CC16a For the period from 01-Jan-22 To 31-Dec-22 Section A Receipts and payments ST MARY'S CHURCH UrÈrestricted funds to th8 nearest Restrlctsd funds to tho nr•st Endowment funds to the n•arg$t £ Total funds 2022 Last year 2021 to the nearest AYTENBOROUGII near05t E Rèceiptg GIVING AGTIVITIES WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS #1 INVESTMENT INCOME MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 7B,030 10.136 199 199 694 Total recelpts 108,744 109.092 B7,Z44 Pa ments ACTIVITIES AND FUND RAISING COSTS EMPLOYEES MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIQN MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS #2 UPKEEP OF THE CHURCHYARD RUNNING COSTS TRAINING #3 OUTREACH DIOCESAN FEE (weddings, funeral$. burials of ashes PARISH SHARE SERVICES MISCELLANEOUS INTERREGNUM 888 12.364 5,137 888 40 12,600 6,359 4,568 189 5,380 1,185 472 472 7,534 1,500 1.5QO 958 3.019 60,312 1,528 740 GIVING FOR MINISTRY 60,312 720 349 1,528 740 Sub total Asset purchases 95,793 95,793 92,993 Sub total 95.793 9S,793 92,993 Net ofreceipts/(paymentsJ . 12,951 Transfer from investments Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 348 3,299 5.749 28,887 42,186 34.636 28.887 CCXX R1 accounts Issi 2010312015
CC16a For the pèriod from 01-Jan-22 31-Dec-22 ST MARY'S CHURCH Section B Statement of assets and liabiltties at the end of the period UnTestri¢ted Re$tri¢ted funds funds to noarest£ to nearest£ ATTENBOROUGM Endowment funds Totals 2022 to rteare5t£ La5tyear 2021 to nedfvste to nearosl£ Cash funds DoposllAccouTrt 7.287 4,724 12,011 11,802 Smdll Pur¢bJs¢$ Account Current A¢¢ount 109 109 26,397 26,397 13.555 Chancel Fund 3,669 3,669 3.530 Total cash funds 33,793 8,393 42,186 28.887 EndowM8ntfunds in DepositAccounl & Eden Tree.. ChBPtnan Graves Unrgstrlcted funds Restrloted funds Endowrn¢nt fund5 Totsls 2022 to ne8rest£ La$tyoaT 2021 to ntarest £ to neare8t £ to nearest £ to naar8St£ Inyastmont assets Eden Tree Investments HI her Income Invostmonts Amity Storling Bond Fund 109,353 109,3S3 126.552 14.275 96,756 1,508 112,539 131,233 Chapman Grava8 6.839 8,839 7,751 Chanc&1 Fund 138002121$ 3,OB2 3,082 3,493 Total investments 14,275 206.109 11,429 231,B13 269,029 Value at 31 DeGembBr Last y8ar 2O2q Detalls 2D22 Assets retained for th9 Ghur¢h'$ own use Church equlprnont & fittlnus Al thw¢h Ilitlng8 equipment have tse written off as they form part oflhe fabric of the bulldlTrJ. Fund to which Valuo at 31 DeGembBr relate5 2022 Last year 2021 Details Liabilities #2 Dlocesan Fws Unrestrlcted 2,413 236 Slgned by Nvo tru8t8es on behalf of all Ihe tnJ$iees Signature Print N8mÈ Dale of approval Ttb (F; CCXX R2 8ccounls ISSI 2010V2015
Attenborough St Mary's PCC 1131889 CC16 Notes to the Receipts and Payments account For the period from Poi'iofl pnd 31-Dec-22 01-Jan-22 ST MARY'S CHURCH Current year 2022 Last year 2021 AYTENBOROUGH l. Giving In¢lud8&pLrynned dwallons bpth glftaided and not glft 8id8d", yiftaid paymtntsfrom HMR¢ 8nd CAF payments. A clatn forapptox£6k giftaid is Outsianthng and vill wear in 2230ccnIs 78.03D 71,589 2. AGtiviYe5 Ifund ralsingl Stil slighlEy limited ilGdu& to measured relum pIC0VId. InGlude5 incomesuth as Tupsday Café, Fpsl, B£zaar, r(w)ffl renl81, useof field, VH lar rent. Bui, sleadilyrelumin9 to "normaf. ha$ been oxcdkntwtrk In thisare8. 10,136 2,347 3. W8ddlng8 & Funorals 10,728 3.645
1 The diocesan phjrticffj of fees coMe had not been paid ai year end and was pald in 8arty 2023.
- Maintenance and paIrWOrk included signifi¢anl ele¢trical PaIrS and 80me temporary paIrS tD the rwf. The electrical workwas not completed and invoiced until early 20TJ. . Agr¢ed charflabl? dorts8tlons of£10k+ from unreslricted fund5 had stiii be pald at Ihe year @NJ.
-
2 Al 31 Oec 2022 unreslricled funds are in Ihe order of £50k cornpared to £38k at 1$1 Jan 2022. HoKEverthe fees.
and tharitab donations mentioned here effecthvety bring thi5 to give a net thange Df approx£O ov¢rlhe year. -
3 The contribution towards an Arrowcour5e generouly Cove by an aoonyfflous donallon.
INDEPENDEN EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE PCC OF ST. MARY'S ATTENBOROUGH I report on the Receipts and Payments Accounts, Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Notes to the Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31" December 2022 which are set out on pages 1 to 3. Respe¢tlve responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner The charity's truslees consider that an audit is not requlred for this year under section 14412) 01 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(Sllbl of the 2011 Act; and state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement My examination was carrie(l 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 consideratlon 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 audil, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the 8ccounts. Independent Examiner's Statement In connection with ry 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 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. aslings 'Ly dhursl, 1 Cranmèr Long Eaton Nottingham NG10 1NJ CA treet 1Wh May 2023