OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2022-12-31-accounts

“ The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor”

Luke 4.18.

Reflections 2022– a review of activities and financial statements

This is a report of various activities as submitted that have occurred throughout the year 2022.

It is not meant to be comprehensive.

Data Protection

We are responsible for keeping all data held securely and do so in line with Church of England guidelines.

A copy of the Data Protection Privacy Notice can be found in the church and in the Parish Centre.

Vicar’s Letter

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor” Luke 4.18. Jesus read from the scroll in the synagogue at Nazareth Isaiah 61 the verses we have as Luke 4.18-19 and declared with authority that the Isaiah passage “was fulfilled in their hearing”.

Authority was a major mark of Jesus’ ministry. “What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out” Luke 4.36.

This is because Jesus knew who he was and what he should be doing which gave him clarity and authority. At the end of Matthew’s gospel we are told who we are and what we should be doing and whose authority we have so we can also be clear about the mission God calls us to Matthew 28.16-20 . We have a longstanding heritage at St Thomas’ of seeking ways of working out how to share this message of Jesus and will continue to do so in the future. I pray as we do we will be sure of who we are in God and what He wants us to do.

First of all let me say thank you to all of you. Thank you for who you are and what you do in His service individually and together. Using the analogy of Paul we are one body with many parts 1 Corinthians 12.12 and as he goes on to say, when the parts all work together the body is healthier. So, thank you for enabling the body of Christ to work together in a healthy way.

This year Vicar’s letter also includes our Mission and Outreach report, which will be clear by what follows.

I am so thankful for everyone who pulled together this year. From the website, to Facebook, Youtube, online prayer provision, prayer walkers, children’s provision, emotional and spiritual health, financial sacrificial giving, site security, newsletters, Standing Committee, PCC, Wardens, pastoral phone calls, prayer line, admin, constant revisions to the service schedule and worship styles (thank you worship team).

Mission and Outreach

Together this past year we held mission and outreach events:

A Film night and Fun Day

A Science and Wonder Day

A week of mission ‘Love Where You Live’: alleyway clear up and renovation, litter picking, BBQ, made good links with our community.

Let’s move forward together this year trusting in God. After all He is our reason for all that we are and all that we do and through Him be a blessing to this community and parish of St Thomas’ remembering history is His Story. With this in mind, this year I am delighted to share that we are holding the following Mission and Outreach events:

31 March-1 April 24 hour prayer

29-30 April George and Joan Fisher visit with Fun Day

9 July, 6pm Prayer Event Blackpool Church/St John’s

16-23 July Love Where You Live Mission Week

29-30 July Andy Kind Comedy Night and Sunday morning invitation service

Remembering where this letter started. Jesus was anointed for the Father’s mission. So are we.

God Bless you, Dave O’Brien

PCC Report – Glenys Cole

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is responsible for the maintenance of church buildings and, with the incumbent, for deciding how the church’s money is to be spent. The PCC will have on it one or more members of the Deanery Synod, who have an important role in linking the parish into the wider structures of the Church of England. Additionally, the Electoral Roll and the Child Protection Officers and the Treasurer serve as co-opted members providing special functions on behalf of the PCC. The Wardens and Licensed Lay Ministers are ex officio members of the PCC. The Church Members elect a number of people to be on the PCC. The number of elected members depends on the number of church members on the electoral roll. Currently, St Thomas’ has nine elected members.

As is usual in Church of England PCCs, elected members serve for 3 years and then stand down for at least one year The PCC meets about five times each year including the first meeting directly after the AGM (usually in April). although there are now no rules governing the number of meetings. The items on the agenda always include: the Finance Report from the Treasurer, the Electoral Roll Report, reports on the Building and Fabric and the progress of the Quinquennial recommendations. reports from the safeguarding Officer, the Children and Youth Worker and the Deanery Synod representatives, Mission Action Planning, and Outreach and Community Reports correspondence received and significant future dates.

The signed and approved PCC minutes are displayed on the notice board in the church lounge.

The Standing Committee meets in between the PCC meeting dates and whenever else it is required to meet. The Standing Committee can respond more quickly to an urgent item as and when necessary and always with delegated authority from the PCC according to the terms of reference.

Current Standing Committee members are; Dave Obrien, Pauline Matthews, Andrea Smith, Nicola Anderson, Glyn Sinar.

During this year the PCC has been strongly concerned about the Parish Centre Building, about the expense of maintaining the building and about the safety of its use and are working with the Diocese to try to address these problems.

We have been without a Treasurer for most of the year and are very grateful for the help of Chris Brambles who has kept us informed of church accounts and any action to be taken. Alison Wilkinson has agreed to take over as Church Treasurer and will be appointed at the next APCM. We are very grateful to Alison and welcome her to the PCC and the Church. Many thanks to those who faithfully serve as PCC members both as elected and ex officio members.

The PCC Membership from April 2022 is as follows:

ThePCCMembershipfrom April 2022 is asfollows:
Dave O’Brien Incumbent
SteveHaskett Licensed
NicolaAnderson Elected
Susan Atkin Elected
David Jefery Elected
Diane O’Hagan Elected
GlynSinar Elected
Andrea Smith Elected
JohnSmith Elected
Ken Warrender Elected
JoshO’Brien Elected (now resigned)
Vacancy Treasurer –exofcioPCC Ofcer
PaulineMatthews Warden –exofcioPCC Ofcer
vacancy Church warden-exofcioPCC Ofcer
Anne Sinar Safeguarding–exofcioPCC Ofcer
DeniseMoorby Exofcio
MatthewJackson Exofcio
vacancy Exofcio- VisionChampion
YvonneBlazey LLM
VickyBentley LLM

Wardens’ Report - Pauline Matthews

This last year has been very challenging trying to get the necessary work done in church. We finally managed to complete the outside wall repairs to the parish centre, following the storm damage that happened at the beginning of the year.

The electrical work needed in church, which I have been sorting out for the last 3 months, is being done in the next 2 weeks. We will all be able to see each other as we have had 30 lights not working.

There is still more work to be done when funds allow.

The mission was hard work but very rewarding, with the alleyway clearance and litter picking throughout the parish. We had a great team that worked well together and met some lovely people in the community.

I am sure many of you know this is my last year as Churchwarden. It is time to pass the baton on. Nicola has come forward to be the next Churchwarden and I know she will do a good job. Nicola has been by my side learning the job over the last year and is more than capable. I would like to say a big ‘Thank you’ to you the congregation for your patience when we tried new things. A big thank you for all the support and help, it is a team effort and we have known God’s amazing grace. It has been a privilege to be part of St Thomas church family. We are so blessed to have such a faithful worship team.

Thank you to Rev. Dave who has been so easy to work with, showing God’s love to us all. I will still be around to do other jobs with the cleaning and gardening teams. All I have done has been with God’s strength, grace and love. I pray you all know God’s peace and love.

God Bless, Pauline

MONDAY NIGHT PRAYER – Vicky Bentley

Night Prayer has been recorded each week, except for Bank Holidays. This is a time of prayer and reflection at the end of the day. A time to centre on God, release things of the day and pray for the world, our community and ourselves.

One of the prayers used in Night Prayer:

Save us, O Lord, while waking and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep may rest in peace.

Prayer is a discipline – that’s not a negative thing, it is so positive, being open to God, listening and resting in Him.

I will repeat what I wrote last year, quoting the Diocese of Blackburn website:

“Prayer is opening your heart and life to God to allow Him, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and with Christ to pray in, for and with you.

Prayer is what God is doing in your heart”

In 2022, Millie (from the Blackpool Ministry Experience) came on placement with us and very kindly shared the recording of a Night Prayer. As we go forward into 2023 others will join this ministry and provide Night Prayer using their God-given gifts.

Thank you to a prayer warrior from MPower (see a separate report on MPower in this Reflections) who gave me the following:

As I come to the end of this day, remind me, Lord, that Your love for me never ends.

As I lay down to rest in this bed, remind me, Lord, to rest in You. As I enter my dreams remind me, Lord, of the dreams You have for my life. May I always walk the paths You place before me. Protect me this night that I will rise in the morning to another day made by You. Bless to me this night, Lord.

(words by David Cole)

Deanery Synod – Nicola Anderson, Denise Moorby

The main function of the Deanery Synod is to discuss and reflect on matters of the Church of England as they affect the Deanery and Parish we are in. They also act as a forum for the airing of Parish views on any common problems.

Since the last APCM in April 2022 there have been several Deanery Synod meetings attended by myself and Nicola Anderson. Primarily we have discussed S.W.O.T. - our churches’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in an effort to make our churches more appealing to all ages, and in particular to young people and families.

We have planned mission events in our churches and are planning to hold a cross Deanery Mission next year, Summer 2023, in line with Vision 2026.

Archdeacon David Picken attended the last meeting when he discussed the Diocesan Vision.

Our Area Dean Rev. Peter Lillicrap has been absent through ill health and we have been praying for his speedy recovery. In the meantime Rev. Dave O’Brien has been standing in to take over Area Deanery Synod duties.

Nicola and I will continue to attend Deanery Synod meetings and report back to the PCC on a regular basis.

Your prayers would be appreciated.

Blessings

Denise Moorby

Pastoral Care Team (Authorised Lay Ministers)

Members of the Pastoral Care Team (ALMs) look out for anyone missing services due to illness or other circumstances and we are the first line of support to all church members and we have arrangements in place to notice and respond to those who are missing in Church.

We contact everyone we know who would have been coming to church, to ensure their needs are met and to pray for them.

We are available to pray for anyone needing prayer after each service in Church. We visit those who are housebound and consider it a privilege to take communion to them if they wish. We have undergone safeguarding training as recommended by the Diocese.

We have attended sessions and courses provided by Ashar and presented by Alison O’Brien and her team and feel better equipped to minister to those struggling with emotional and spiritual health.

Our training from the Diocese is ongoing.

Whilst we have arrangements in place to notice and respond if anyone is missing services, going into hospital or residential homes, it is still helpful if members of the congregation let us know of anyone in the Church who needs pastoral care or support .

We would also appreciate your prayers for us as a team and whilst the people below are entitled ALMs, we are joined by Anne Sinar, Lisa Haskett, Alison O’Brien, Irene Leak, Alan

Hodgson, and Andy Smith and Alison Wilkinson to help us provide all that is needed to pastorally care for our congregation.

A list of Authorised and Licensed Lay Ministers is set out below. If you need Pastoral Care or Support let us know – we are here for you.

Authorised Lay Ministers (ALM) Licensed Lay Ministers (LLM)

Nicola Anderson Vicky Bentley Sue Atkin Yvonne Blazey Glenys Cole Denise Moorby Diane O’Hagan Kath Smith

STEWARDSHIP SCHEME AND GIFT AID - Vicky Bentley

‘Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’

A big ‘Thank You’ to all those who diligently give through our Stewardship Envelope Scheme or by direct debit/standing order.

Week by week regular, responsible giving helps to fund the work of the church locally and regionally.

Giving of our time, talents, energy and money is a heart response to what God has done for us in Jesus.

There is an economic cost to running the buildings we have, providing the different activities and maintaining the grounds – that is a reality just as it is for each one of us at home, particularly now with the rising energy bills.

How wonderful too that when folk who pay tax are willing to make a Gift Aid declaration. Gift Aid is a vital way in which money donations to the church can be increased. The Government pays back to the church 25p for every £1 given by tax payers, so long as we have a Gift Aid declaration form from that person.

Again in 2022, as happened in 2021, the Gift Aid added around £10,000 to our revenue. Please understand, however, that the numbers of tax payers in our church is limited at the moment. If you are a tax payer, even if you don’t want to have a box of weekly envelopes but you do want to give to the church, it would really help if you would talk with me about the possibility of Gift Aiding your donation.

If you would like to know more about our Stewardship scheme, either by using the weekly envelopes or by standing order, or you want to know more about Gift Aiding your donation, please do see me and we can talk further. Thank you,

Newsletter – Vicky Bentley

We continue to produce the weekly Newsletter with the service schedule for the forthcoming weeks together with notices and upcoming events.

The Newsletter is available in church week by week and many thanks to Jeannette (Brambles) for posting it on St Thomas’ website.

Many thanks to all those who pass on their notices for publication and also to those who provided photographs used in the

Newsletter – a few of which are shown in this report.

The photo on the left shows some on the craft work done in Starting Point, the brew and chat group which meets in church each Monday afternoon. You may remember that at Christmas there was a memory and prayer tree in the front entrance of church where people placed crocheted hearts to remember, specifically, babies that had died but also all those we have loved and lost.

The Newsletter is printed on the other side of the Sunday Link which has reflections on the Sunday reading and thoughts on the various aspects of the Church. The Newsletter also shows the Psalm set for each day from the Church of England lectionary.

“But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them?” (Romans 10: 1

Last year I wrote about looking to the future and what the plans and hopes were for the young people at St Thomas'. It continues to be true, there are so many opportunities to reach young people and share the love of Jesus across Blackpool but this requires people willing to do that work. The kids’ work needs your support and prayer.

I would firstly like to give a huge thank you to those that have supported the children's work over the 2 years I have been at St Thomas'. Anne has been incredible at keeping our club running smoothly by signing everyone in, welcoming the young people into the club and making food for families and young people. Glyn has been faithfully supporting the club by providing worship songs and providing a safe environment where kids feel comfortable at the club and Sunday service. Lisa has been a lifeline to me when I need a craft activity and has been wonderful and looking after the children through conversation and games. Dave has been diligent in his support for the kids’ work and his involvement in the school. Louise and Thomas have joined the club recently and have both been excellent and fruitful members of the team.

The successes that we have seen with the young people would not have been possible without, firstly, the work of the Holy Spirit within our ministry but also the good and faithful work of these people who have supported every part of the kids’ work at St Thomas'. I thank you all for your love and support during my time at St Thomas' Church.

The next phase for the kids’ work was to establish a youth group with the kids that were moving on from the kids’ club but we needed people to help lead that. Unfortunately, we were unable to start our own youth club but an amazing opportunity came about through this. The aim has continued to be the same; I want to see churches working together to support young people across Blackpool. At the start of this academic year, Blackpool Church - St. John’s started a youth group alongside their Alpha course. This gave us an opportunity to work together. Therefore, since they

started, I have been helping out and taking the youth from St Thomas' and Gatehouse church. This has been amazing and is a big reason why we are seeing young people now attending our Sunday service.

As many of you will know, my time at St Thomas' church is coming to an end and I will l be moving on after March to the next chapter in my life. Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to work with young people across Blackpool and wherever else God sends me.

Our focus is always the same: Give God all of the glory, proclaim his name unashamedly and encourage young children to listen and follow God. We have continued to make sure that every Wednesday we share a short story or bible verse alongside an interactive talk with the kids. This is usually based on the talk on Sunday mornings. We also have a worship song with actions at the end of the session that will also be played on a Sunday morning to link the club with the Sunday service. This has been encouraging as we are starting to see more young people respond to invites to

join us on a Sunday morning. It has been wonderful to see so many of our young people starting to attend church and take an active part in our Sunday mornings.

Dave and I have been leading various assemblies over at Devonshire Academy which has been an amazing opportunity to share God’s word with the children in our local area. As I walk around the community during the week, many children and families run up to me to talk about the assemblies and children's events. I thank Dave for his diligent work within the school and his passion to link the church with the school. Please pray for the continued kids’ work within St Thomas' Church as well as the wonderful work being done in the schools.

This has been a challenging 2 years. It is never easy working with young people but is always rewarding and an honour to be able to share the good news of Jesus to the young people and families in the community. I pray that this good work will not end when I leave and that the children will continue to attend church on a Sunday morning and build relationships with those that attend. I thank those that have welcomed the young people into the church through conversation and a welcoming smile. If you would like to see the young people growing in their understanding and faith, St Thomas' needs your support. Please pray for the young people or offer your time to help the church run activities for the young people.

Please contact me about the children and youth work: Children.stthomaschurch@gmail.com

The Prayer Tree – Joe Atkin

My name is Joe Atkin and I have been running The Prayer Tree for many years on behalf of St. Thomas Church.

The object of The Prayer Tree is for people who for various reasons need prayer for themselves or for someone they know who needs prayer. I have a list of people who once I have received a prayer request, I send out the prayer request for them to pray over.

Over the last 12 months most of the prayer requests that have been sent out have been answered with the people who have been prayed for have recovered, this shows that the power of prayer is so powerful and wonderful. Thank you to everyone on the Prayer Tree for all your Prayers.

The Prayer Tree also informs the church when a church member is ill or is in hospital or has passed away. Our Vicar Rev. Dave O'Brien is a great believer in prayer and also in The Prayer Tree. Blessings Joe.

Safeguarding Report - Anne Sinar

In this day and age it is vital that we safeguard our children and vulnerable adults. We are ever conscious that this world is a dangerous place with people out to take advantage of others, either in person or online. Here at St Thomas’ we take safeguarding very seriously. All our volunteers are DBS checked in line with their roles.

All our volunteers have completed the diocesan safeguarding training, either on-line or in person. Notices are displayed in church and the Parish Centre giving details of whom to contact in an emergency or to report a concern. The Parish Safeguarding Policy has been updated and approved by the PCC in line with Church of England guidelines and a copy is displayed in church and on the church website. A copy of the full guidelines and advice is

available from the church office. The PCC has also approved the policy for ex offenders worshipping or volunteering.

We have been invited to participate in Safeguarding Hubs, a diocesan online tool to audit our safeguarding profile and to enable the Parish Safeguarding Officer to determine the strength of safeguarding in the church. This is ongoing.

Thankfully, this year we have not had to respond to any serious concerns and we are ever thankful to God for protecting our young people and vulnerable adults in this way.

Worship Team – Glyn Sinar

St. Thomas’s Worship Team serves the Church through leading worship of God and releasing gifting through musical worship. We meet on Thursday nights in Church from 7pm till 8.30pm to praise and to practice together.

2022 began at a low point for St Thomas’s worship group. With social distancing requirements lifted, it seemed ironic when we were allowed more than two singers, that there were only two, plus three musicians. Sadly Nic Hall, worship leader and blues guitarist, passed away in May and he is sadly missed. It was our privilege to have known him as a Christian friend and brother and to share our music with him at St Thomas’s over many years.

Nonetheless, during the year we have enjoyed contributing musically to successive Mission events held in Church and in the Parish, widening our repertoire to include Bob Dylan and Coldplay! The team have continued to show dedication in worship and commitment, in singing and playing hymns and songs week by week. Since the pandemic the demographic make-up of our church has changed and we recognise the need for our music to reflect this as we choose, learn and introduce new material to the congregation. We are thankful to our Youth Worker, Matt, for his resourcefulness in finding family-friendly music. As well as helping the children with craft and learning materials during services he also managed to join us on drums and teach actions to songs!

Since the new year the group has four new members, and we pray and seek to expand further! We invite anyone (young and old) with musical gifting and a worshipping heart to contact one of the leaders for information about joining our worship team.

Hospitality

We provide hospitality for all services and events happening in the Church and Parish Centre. The team is many and varied and over the years St Thomas' has been proud of its reputation to provide this practical service in many ways. This year we have provided food at Kid’s Club on the last Wednesday of the month, had a hotpot supper and a barbeque at the Mission and a tea party for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. That is in addition to the hundreds of cups of tea and coffee that have been faithfully served every Sunday and Wednesday. More recently we have been providing lunch for the MPower course on a Thursday. Many thanks to everyone who has provided hospitality throughout the year.

Holy Dusters - Pauline Matthews, Marion Hornby

The Cleaning team meet every Tues morning 9.30am till 11.30

We are a friendly bunch and are very committed. When we have finished our jobs we have a cuppa and biscuits and we also have a time of prayer and Fellowship.

Gardening Team – Pauline Matthews

Thursday mornings 10.00am – 12.30pm

The garden team have worked hard this last 12 months and we have had some laughs along the way. We have had some success in growing some veg and will try again this year to

improve on what we have learnt. Our team has reduced in numbers as Joe has had to retire due to his health. A big thank you Joe for all your hard work and commitment every week. You will be missed. We welcome new helpers who enjoy Gardening and fellowship. Big thank you to all volunteers; Doreen, Vicky, Sue, Denise, and Wendy.

MPower - Vicky Bentley

MPower is a programme of training run in the Diocese and I am very happy to be part of the team that delivers this programme. The programme has been available each year for the last 4 to 5 years. In 2022 the largest number of lay people in training in the Diocese were on MPower with 4 groups – one in Accrington, Lower Darwen, Preston and Blackpool. St Thomas’ provides the home of the Blackpool group each week.

The purpose of MPower is to train and equip people to share the good news of Jesus in urban communities. It is simply for anyone who loves Jesus and its unique style means it is particularly suitable for people who are nervous of education and learning. There are no written assignments but there are practical exercises to undertake during the 9 months of the programme.

MPower is for Christians from all church traditions and our tutor team represent the diversity of the Church of England. It is led and supported by those who live, work and are transforming their urban communities and share their experiences to enable the MPower participants to make a difference in their own communities. We have seen God do amazing things through the folk that have been on MPower, including the mission events they have planned, run and followed through.

There are three core units to MPower:

Personal transformation (getting yourself ready) Evangelism (telling others) Leadership (leading others to tell others)

If you want to know any more, please do have a chat with me.

Life Association – Steve and Lisa Haskett

At the beginning of last year, we began to support three new projects as well as the existing projects we support. One of those was a new day care provision for thirty vulnerable children. We were also able to support a new after-school project to enhance the education of fifty vulnerable children. Another new project was a tailoring school which saw ten women who are widowed or close to destitution trained for six months in textiles, needlework, and the use of sewing machines. Each woman receives a sewing machine at the end of their training to enable them to support themselves with a sustainable income. Another ten women are currently undertaking training and will graduate in the next few weeks. These projects have been very successful and will continue this year.

We visited India in November last year and were very impressed by the work going on there. We saw some potential new projects and have committed to take on another three projects this year. Another afterschool club in a nearby village to the previous one in Madurai. Another tailoring school providing similar training at a village in Andhra Pradesh. We will also be sponsoring ten children who live in a hospice for children and adults with HIV/aids.

On behalf of us all at Life Association, may we express our sincerest thanks for the continued prayers, support, and donations we have received from St Thomas’.

Steve and Lisa Haskett

St Thomas’ Blackpool in Partnership with Ashar Bringing Hope - Alison O’Brien

April 2022 - April 2023

It has been a year of growth for several projects, Ashar on behalf of St Thomas’s

Counsellor provision for Comfort Cafe

Ashar on behalf of St T’s has put a counsellor in Comfort Cafe to work alongside the team and their service users. The trustees of Comfort Cafe came to the vicarage to discuss what we could offer and how that would work. We agreed that myself, Alison, representing Ashar, Rev Dave representing St Thomas’ and Vicky Bentley would be invited into the discussion on behalf of both Ashar and St Thomas’.

The Comfort Cafe Trustees agreed that Gwen and myself and the person who would go into Comfort Cafe would all stay in communication, to be transparent and to enable myself as supervisor for the work to be the point of contact not the counsellor. That way we put a 3

month trial in place. The trial was a great success and we have appointed as a contractor for three years, a Mental Health Practitioner on a self employed basis.

Gloria has now been doing the role for the past 8 months and is loving it. She sees on average 8 people, interactions of varying lengths - the feedback from Gwen and her trustees is a huge thank you to St Thomas’ and that the service provided by Gloria is amazing and making such a difference.

This has led to several referrals into Brew & Chat (Starting Point) and for counselling.

Counsellors

Ashar now has 2 counsellors and 1 emotional wellbeing practitioner, working from the vestry and the vicarage. Dave secured a grant for a pod and we have got the relevant quotes. We have a company in mind who have done a site visit. We are waiting for permission from Blackpool Council which is taking rather a long time, but I am sure it will be up and functional by the summer.

In the meantime we are working from church and are able to offer up to 8 sessions per person and can extend sessions on an individual basis.

Events

Ladies Day

We ran a successful Ladies Day where we had 62 ladies. The feedback was fantastic - God meeting deep needs and several folks finding fresh anointing and direction.

Emotional & Spiritual Well Being Course: Identity, Self Esteem, Stress & Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Grief Loss & Living

We have run the Emotional & Spiritual Wellbeing course four times over the past year, twice on line and twice from the church. The online course had a larger number but they came from across the country and was opened up to the Diocese, The groups in church were smaller in number, 10 and 7.

We have been approached to put on more events, which we hope to do in the autumn.

Retreats from St Thomas’s Church - Day Events

Day Event - Confident and Unashamed - planned for the Autumn.

Brew & Chat - Monday afternoons

This group continues to grow and the team does an amazing job.

Each week we are seeing new folk. Some regulars have developed, which is a great compliment. Ladies from a local residential home and their carers shared that the young adults they bring find it makes a huge difference to them. We have huge smiles and they achieve goals such as going to the counter for their own cup of tea. Such a small thing to us but a massive achievement - such a privilege. This space offers a space for people to talk one to one, as well as joining in with others on a discussion topic. We also offer a simple craft. Brew and Chat crocheted the Christmas stars for remembering child bereavement. The team leaders are myself, Denise and Nicola -we have a great team of Dianne, Vicky and Lisa, who also keeps us on rota. Thank you team.

We have a number of the team trained as Mental Health First Aiders

We are continuing to support the Diocese as well as local churches and clergy.

Thank you to all that support the work of Ashar at St Thomas’.

Alison O’Brien

Finance Report - 2022

The 2022 financial accounts have been prepared and independently examined and are appended to this document.

We continue to thank God for His blessings and we can be assured that if we continue to be faithful in all aspects of our lives, He will be faithful to us. I would like to thank all those who have given so generously in 2022 and particularly for continuing your stewardship giving during the year.

In 2022 our income increased to £113k from £82.4k in 2021. However, if we take out £19.2k of grant monies and £17.9k from a legacy, our general income/giving rose slightly to £75.9k from £73.4k. The grant monies received relate to £10k of further funds from the Henry Smith Foundation and £9.2k from Blackpool Council for Pods on the church grounds.

Spending reduced significantly in 2022 reducing to £71k from £88.9k. Parish share was paid in full, a total of £41k. This is less than we had originally believed as we were able to negotiate a reduction in our share for 2022. Utility bills were less than we had expected due to 2 significant refunds received during the year.

Our cash balances at year-end remain healthy with over £35,000 in our CCLA deposit account and over £61k in our current accounts. However, over £19k of cash is held in our general fund which relates to grant monies and we are forecasting a significant reduction in cash held during 2023. This is due to cost pressures rise and an expected Parish Share commitment of over £50,000.

I would personally like to thank Pauline Matthews and Vicky Bentley for all they do in counting and banking collections and managing the cash account and to Rebecca Murdoch who has reviewed and certified the accounts for us.

Finally, thanks to everyone who has helped this past year in making the job of acting treasurer so much easier for me and to Alison Wilkinson who has agreed to step in and take over the role.

Chris Brambles

St Thomas’ PCC Acting Treasurer

March 2023

Independent Examlners Report on the Accounts Report to the Irusteelrnembers ol On Accounts for th¢ y•r •nded Parothlal Church Coundl of St Thomas, Parlsh Church 311)ecemb¢r Ch•rlly no. lit anv) 1132312 1022 Respertlve re5ponsibllltles of trustees and examlner The Charlws Trustees consider that an audit Is not requlred for thls year (Under section 43121 ol the Charities Aci 1993 (The Actl and that an Independent examlnation is needed. It 55 my respons1bll￿Y lo= Examine the accounts (under section 43 of the Artl To follow the procedures laid down In the General Dlrecttons grven by the Charity Commlss•on lunder srftkjn 43{7llbl of the act), and To state whether particular matters have come to my attention My examination was carrled out in atcordance wlth General Directions 81vÈn by the Chaflty Commis51oners. An examlnition intludes a review of the accountln8 records kept by the Char&ty and a comparison of the accounls Pfesenied wlth those records. It also includes conslderatlon of anv unusual item5 or disc105ure5 in the accounts and seekin8 explanat•on5 froffl the Trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do NOT Pfovlde all the evidence that would be required In an audit, and ¢onse uenily_l do NOT express opinion on the a¢¢ounts. In the course of my examinat4on. no matter has come to my attentlon l. Whlch gives me reasonable Cause to belleve ihat In. any materlal respett, the Trustees have not met the requlrements to ensure that- Proper accountin8 records ère kept lin accordance with section 41 of the artl.. and Attounts are prepared whith agree with the ac¢ountin8 rec¢fds and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act:.or 2. To which. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper undÈrstandlng of the actounis io be reached Vleose delete the words in bmcket5 if they do not oppfy 8asls ol Inde￿ndent examlnérfs $t•tomont Ind•pend•nt •x•rnln•rfs statoffl•nt $I￿ed. D•t•: .2023 ftj Murdoty N•me: Rebecca Jane Murdoch Relerdnt professlonal gualifications or body lil •nvl: Addrtss: Chartered Tax Adviser 3 Mount Road Fleetwood FY7 6EZ

Parochial Church Council of St Thomas' Blackpool Registered Charity Number 1132312

Page 1

Statement of fnancial activities for the year ending 31 December 2022

note
s
Unrestrict
edFunds
Unrestrict
edFunds
Unrestrict
edFunds
Restricte
dFunds
Restricte
dFunds
Restricte
dFunds
Restricte
dFunds
Endowme
nt Funds
Total
2022
Total
2021
£ £ £ £ £
INCOMING RESOURCES
VoluntaryIncome 2a 82436 19200 - 10163
6
78372
Activitiesforgeneratingfunds 2b 348 - - 348 0
Incomefrom investments 2c 327 - - 327 39
Churchactivities 2d 9761 - - 9761 3964
Other incomingresources 2e 938 - - 938 0
TOTAL INCOMING
RESOURCES
93810 19200 - 11301
0
82375
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Cost of generation voluntary
income
3b 0 - - 0 0
Fundraisingtrading costs 3c 390 - - 390 606
Church Activities 3a 69476 1120 - 70596 88249
Govenance costs 3d 0 - - 0 0
TOTAL RESOURCES
EXPENDED
69866 1120 - 70986 88855
Incoming/outgoingResources 23944 18080 - 42024 -6480
Unrealisable gains(Losses) on
investmentassets
- -
ondisposal 5a - -
on revaluation - -
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
BalancesB/FWD 1January2022 54527 0 - 54527 61007
Balances C/FWD31 December 2022 8 78471 18080 - 96551 54527

Page 2

Parochial Church Council of St Thomas' Blackpool Statement of Assets as at 31 December 2022

FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY 2022 2021
note
s
£ £
FIXED ASSETS 5
Tangible nil nil
Investment nil nil
TOTAL 0 0
CURRENT ASSETS
Gift Aidto be claimed(estimate) 6 6000 6000
Investment 0 0
Cashat Bankandin hand 9 96551 54527
TOTAL 10255
1
60527
LIABILITY
Payments due inone year (estimate) 1c 0 0
**TOTAL ASSETS ** 10255
1
60527

Page 3

NOT ES

Debtors relates to Gift Aid recoverable from April 2022 giving and

There are no material debtors or

2 INCOMING RESOURCES

2 INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES
TOTAL TOTAL
2a Voluntary Income Unrestricte
dFunds
Restricted
Funds
Endowme
nt Funds
2022 2021
£ £
Planned Giving
Gift Aid donations 38938 - 38938 40848
Tax Recoverable 12077 - 12077 10963
Other 790 - 790 911
Collections 6754 - 6754 12779
Gift Days 3957 - 3957 3871
Grants (general) 1787 19200 - 20987 9000
Donations, appeals 252 - 252 0
Legacies 17881 - 17881 0
TOTAL 82436 19200 - 10163
6
78372
2b Activities for
generating Funds
348 - 348 0
2c Income from
Investments
Dividends andInterest 327 - 327 39
2d Income from Church
activities
Church Hall letting 8649 - - 8649 2435
Fees and other 1112 - - 1112 1529
TOTAL 9761 - - 9761 3964
2e Other Incoming
resources
938 - - 938 0

Total Incoming Resources

11301 0

93810

19200

82375

Page 4

TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL
2022 2021
3
RESOURCES
EXPENDED
Unrestricte
dFunds
Restricted
Funds
Endowme
nt Funds
£ £
3a
Church Activities
MissionOverseas 332 - 332 3325
Mission Home 632 - 632 4200
ParishSharePaid 41000 - 41000 37207
ClergyExpenses 1064 - 1064 1127
Other Ministry costs 5340 - 5340 10452
ParishCentre costs 4375 - 4375 6891
Church Activity costs 13368 - 13368 14853
Repairs andMaintenance 1746 - 1746 2219
BankCharges 159 - 159 0
Grants (general) 1460 1120 - 2580 7975
SubTotal 69476 1120 - 70596 88249
3b Generation of Voluntary
income Cost of appeals etc
0 - - 0 0
3c Fund raising costs 390 - - 390 606
3d Governance costs 0 - - 0 0
Total Resources
Expended
69866 1120 - 70986 88855

No payments were made to any member of the PCC, persons closely connected to 4 them or related parties except for payments to the Pastoral Trust.

5 FIXED ASSETS

5 FIXED ASSETS FIXED ASSETS FIXED ASSETS FIXED ASSETS FIXED ASSETS FIXED ASSETS FIXED ASSETS
2022 2021
£ £
(a) Tangible 0 0
(b) Investments 0 0
Atestimatedmarket value
Total 0 0
6 Debtors
Gift Aidto be claimed 1
a
6000 6000
Total 6000 6000
7
Liabilities
7 Liabilities
Duewithinone year nil nil
Due afterone year nil nil
Total nil nil

Page 5

8
FUNDS
General Fund
Youth Fund
Mission Fund
General Reserve Fund
Total
9
BANK
RECONCILLIATION
Current account
Money Master account
Sub Total
CBFCE Deposit
account
Sub Total
Cash held
Total
2022
£
53015
2500
6036
35000
96551
7800
53397
61197
35210
96407
144
96551
2021
£
10027
2500
7000
35000
54527
2397
16779
19176
35210
54386
141
54527

Page 1

Parochial Church Council of St Thomas' Blackpool Registered Charity Number 1132312 Statement of fnancial activities for the year ending 31 December 2022

note
s
Unrestrict
edFunds
Unrestrict
edFunds
Unrestrict
edFunds
Restricte
dFunds
Restricte
dFunds
Restricte
dFunds
Restricte
dFunds
Endowme
nt Funds
Total
2022
Total
2021
£ £ £ £ £
INCOMING RESOURCES
VoluntaryIncome 2a 82436 19200 - 10163
6
78372
Activitiesforgeneratingfunds 2b 348 - - 348 0
Incomefrom investments 2c 327 - - 327 39
Churchactivities 2d 9761 - - 9761 3964
Other incomingresources 2e 938 - - 938 0
TOTAL INCOMING
RESOURCES
93810 19200 - 11301
0
82375
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Cost of generation voluntary
income
3b 0 - - 0 0
Fundraisingtrading costs 3c 390 - - 390 606
Church Activities 3a 69476 1120 - 70596 88249
Govenance costs 3d 0 - - 0 0
TOTAL RESOURCES
EXPENDED
69866 1120 - 70986 88855
Incoming/outgoingResources 23944 18080 - 42024 -6480
Unrealisable gains(Losses) on
investmentassets
- -
ondisposal 5a - -
on revaluation - -
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
BalancesB/FWD 1January2022 54527 0 - 54527 61007
Balances C/FWD31 December 2022 8 78471 18080 - 96551 54527

Page 2

Parochial Church Council of St Thomas' Blackpool Statement of Assets as at 31 December 2022

FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY 2022 2021
note
s
£ £
FIXED ASSETS 5
Tangible nil nil
Investment nil nil
TOTAL 0 0
CURRENT ASSETS
Gift Aidto be claimed(estimate) 6 6000 6000
Investment 0 0
Cashat Bankandin hand 9 96551 54527
TOTAL 10255
1
60527
LIABILITY
Payments due inone year (estimate) 1c 0 0
**TOTAL ASSETS ** 10255
1
60527

Page 3

NOT ES

Debtors relates to Gift Aid recoverable from April 2022 giving and 1a is an estimate Restricted balances b £18080 There are no material debtors or c creditors There are no Payments in Advance or Receipts d in Advance Equipment is not considered material and any expenditure has e been written off Assumed that material adjustments if f over£500 2022 accounts have been prepared on a receipts and g payments basis h Grant balances of £18080 are included within general funds

2 INCOMING RESOURCES

2 INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES
TOTAL TOTAL
2a Voluntary Income Unrestricte
dFunds
Restricted
Funds
Endowme
nt Funds
2022 2021
£ £
Planned Giving
Gift Aid donations 38938 - 38938 40848
Tax Recoverable 12077 - 12077 10963
Other 790 - 790 911
Collections 6754 - 6754 12779
Gift Days 3957 - 3957 3871
Grants (general) 1787 19200 - 20987 9000
Donations, appeals 252 - 252 0
Legacies 17881 - 17881 0
TOTAL 82436 19200 - 10163
6
78372
2b Activities for
generating Funds
348 - 348 0
2c
Income from
Investments
2c Income from
Investments
Dividends andInterest 327 - 327 39
2d
Income from Church
activities
2d Income from Church
activities
Church Hall letting 8649 8649 - - 8649 8649 2435
Fees and other 1112 - - 1112 1529
TOTAL 9761 - - 9761 3964
2e Other Incoming
resources
938 - - 938 0
Total Incoming
Resources
93810 19200 - 11301
0
82375
Page 4 Page 4 Page 4 Page 4
TOTAL TOTAL
2022 2021
3
RESOURCES
EXPENDED
Unrestricte
dFunds
Restricted
Funds
Endowme
nt Funds
£ £
3a
Church Activities
MissionOverseas 332 - 332 3325
Mission Home 632 - 632 4200
ParishSharePaid 41000 - 41000 37207
ClergyExpenses 1064 - 1064 1127
Other Ministry costs 5340 - 5340 10452
ParishCentre costs 4375 - 4375 6891
Church Activity costs 13368 - 13368 14853
Repairs andMaintenance 1746 - 1746 2219
BankCharges 159 - 159 0
Grants (general) 1460 1120 - 2580 7975
SubTotal 69476 1120 - 70596 88249
3b Generation of Voluntary
income Cost of appeals etc
0 - - 0 0
3c Fund raising costs 390 - - 390 606
3d Governance costs 0 - - 0 0
Total Resources
Expended
69866 1120 - 70986 88855

No payments were made to any member of the PCC, persons closely connected to 4 them or related parties except for payments to the Pastoral Trust. 5 FIXED ASSETS

2022 2021
£ £
(a) Tangible 0 0
(b) Investments 0 0
Atestimatedmarket value
Total 0 0
6 Debtors
Gift Aidto be claimed 1
a
6000 6000
Total 6000 6000
7 Liabilities
Duewithinone year nil nil
Due afterone year nil nil
Total nil nil
8
FUNDS
General Fund
Youth Fund
Mission Fund
General Reserve Fund
Total
9
BANK
RECONCILLIATION
Current account
Money Master account
Sub Total
CBFCE Deposit
account
Sub Total
Cash held
Total
2022
£
53015
2500
6036
35000
96551
7800
53397
61197
35210
96407
144
96551
Independent Examiners Reporton the Accounts Independent Examiners Reporton the Accounts Independent Examiners Reporton the Accounts Independent Examiners Reporton the Accounts Independent Examiners Reporton the Accounts Independent Examiners Reporton the Accounts
Report to the
trustee/members
of
Parochial Church Council of St Thomas’ Parish
Church
On Accounts for
the year ended
31
December
2022
Charity no. (if
any)
1132312
Set out on pages 1-5
Respective
responsibilities of
trustees and
examiner
The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required
for this year (Under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993
(The Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:

Examine the accounts (under section 43 of the Act)

To follow the procedures laid down in the General
Directions given by the Charity Commission (under
section 43(7)(b) of the act), and

To state whether particular matters have come to my
attention
Basis of
independent
examiner’s
statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with General
Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 Trustees concerning such matters. The
procedures undertaken do NOT provide all the evidence that
would be required in an audit, and consequently I do NOT
express opinionon the accounts.
Independent
examiner’s
statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my
attention
1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in,
any material respect, the Trustees have not met the
requirements to ensure that:

Proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with
section 41 of the act); and

Accounts are prepared which agree with the
accounting records and comply with the accounting
requirements of the Act: or
2. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in
order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts
to be reached
*Please delete the words in brackets if they do not apply
Signed: R J Murdoch
R J Murdoch
Date: 5thMarch 2023
Name: Rebecca Jane Murdoch
Relevant
professional
qualifcations or
body (ifany):
Chartered Tax Adviser

Address: 3 Mount Road Fleetwood FY7 6EZ