## **St. Mark’s Church** ## **MARSKE in CLEVELAND** ## **Annual Report** and **Financial Statements** of the ## **Parochial Church Council** for the year ended **31[st] December 2023** ## **Incumbent** The Rev’d Julie Smith ## **Bankers** Santander UK PLC Bootle ## **Independent Examiner** Graham Fitzgerald BA FCA DChA Azets Audit Services Wynyard Park House Wynyard Stockton on Tees TS22 5TB Registered Charity Number 1132705 ## **The Vicar’s Report.** The Parish was in vacancy un�l 6[th] August 2023 and I would like to express my thanks to all the people who worked �relessly both lay and ordained to ensure the worship and mission of St Mark’s con�nued. I’d also like to express my thanks for the warm welcome my family and I received upon moving to Marske. Beginning this new role in August when things are usually a li�le quieter gave me the opportunity to se�le in and begin to get to know the Parish, the people that worship at St Mark’s and the wider community. It has been a delight to welcome people to Bap�sm services, to be part of the Messy Church team and to engage with couples preparing for marriage and to meet and worship with the pupils and staff of Errington and Westgarth primary schools. Through these encounters we are given the opportunity to fulfil the 2[nd] Mark of Mission- _to teach, bap�se and nurture new believers._ It was good to take part in the Season of Crea�on during September and October enabling us to engage with the 5[th] Mark of Mission- _to strive to safeguard the integrity of crea�on and sustain and renew the life of the earth._ October also saw us taking part in World Singing Day raising money for Teesside Mind which was a very tuneful and enjoyable way to respond to the 3[rd] Mark of Mission- _to respond to human need by loving service._ Through the All Souls and Remembrance services in November we were able to reach out to the wider community in remembering deceased loved ones and those who had given their lives in the service of their country. This also provided an opportunity to engage with the 1[st] Mark of Mission- _to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom._ St Mark’s Church commi�ed itself to be part of the Mother’s Union Rise Up Campaign against domes�c abuse in November and joined with the Mother’s Union in par�cipa�ng in the 16 Days of Ac�vism Against Gender Based Violence (25[th] November-10[th] December) which is one way of mee�ng the 4[th] Mark of Mission- _to seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconcilia�on._ December saw us once again telling the beau�ful Christmas story and the wider Gospel message through the Riding Lights produc�on ‘Bring it back Mac!’, the Chris�ngle Service and the Advent Course and Advent and Christmas Services. As the church of Jesus Christ we have two stories to tell: the story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrec�on, and the con�nuing story of what Jesus has done through his church, including what he is doing in our lives now by the power of the Holy Spirit. That is Living Christ’s Story. I give thanks for all that has been done to accomplish this in 2023. _‘You yourselves are our le�er, wri�en on our hearts, to be known and read by all; and you show you are a le�er of Christ, prepared by us, wri�en not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts’ (2 Corinthians 3:2-3)_ Revd Julie Smith ## **St Mark’s Mission** At St Mark’s Church in Marske we seek to glorify God by crea�ng a community where we live with the love of Christ. As we follow Christ we value; **Inclusion** - we respect the individual and embrace people of all faiths. **Relevance-** we promote Christ as central to our community, our world and ourselves. **Caring-** we share Christ’s love through welcome, hospitality, service and stewardship. **Rela�onships-** we build nurturing connec�ons with God, each other and the wider community. **Worship-** we provide a space for people to celebrate and grow in the healing love and grace of Christ. ## **Churchwardens’ Report** We started 2023 in vacancy. We were grateful to all our visi�ng clergy who gave cover so willingly. The Monday evening service was cancelled but all other services went ahead. We were delighted to welcome Revd Julie Smith and her family as our new Vicar. She moved to Marske with her family in July. It was good to be able to return to some of our tradi�onal social and fundraising events such as ‘Tea on the Lawn’ and concerts. We all have a responsibility to maintain our building and this year we started to raise money for the repairs to the tower. Introducing the card machine at the back of church has enabled more people to make contribu�ons. The church depends heavily on all our volunteers- seen and unseen. We thank all our church members for their ongoing support. Mrs S Sotheran Mr P Tinkler Churchwardens ## **Building and Fabric Report** There has been no work on the fabric of the church this year. All the statutory checks on alarms, electrics and fire ex�nguishers have been undertaken. Mrs S Sotheran ## **PCC Secretary’s Report for 2023** The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Mark’s Church had the responsibility of coordina�ng with the Incumbent in promo�ng, in the parish of Marske in Cleveland, the whole Mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelis�c, social and ecumenical. The PCC also has responsibility for St Mark’s Church building, The White House building and St Germain’s Tower in St Germain’s Churchyard. ## **Safeguarding Statement** The PCC has complied with the duty under sec�on 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, fully recognising its duty to have due regard to House of Bishops guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. **Membership of the PCC** During 2023 the following served as members of the PCC **Incumbent-** Revd Julie Smith (from 6[th] August 2023) **Churchwardens-** Mrs Sue Sotheran and Mr Peter Tinkler ## **Elected Representa�ves** Mr Jonathan Bragg, Mr Graeme Cox, Dr Janet Dack, Mrs Elizabeth Fox, Mr Andrew Fox, Mrs Clare Marshall, Mrs Laura Maskery , Mr John Ridgway (un�l October 2023) , Mrs Margaret Tinkler, Mr Jack Thomas, Miss Sue Thompson. ## **Co-opted Members** Miss Carol Anderson ## **Deanery Synod Representa�ves** Dr Janet Dack, Mr Jack Thomas, Mr Peter Tinkler The PCC met on seven occasions and has been occupied with maintaining the rou�ne ac�vi�es of the Parish and working to welcome Revd Julie Smith as our new Vicar on the 6[th] August. The PCC expressed its wish to the Diocese in January 2023 that the vacancy should be adver�sed na�onally. In May 2023 the PCC also expressed its wish to the Diocese that the Incumbent should be appointed as Vicar rather than as Priest in Charge. ## **Deanery Synod Report** - **Deanery Mee�ngs** 6[th] February, 13[th] June, 19[th] September 2023. **Deanery Leadership Team (DLT)** Revd Adam Reed (Area Dean), Oliver ‘Ed’ Evans (Lay Area Dean), Bruce Williams (Deanery Financial Advisor), Jack Colin George Thomas (Deanery Secretary), Father Adam Gaunt, Jean Parncu�. ## **St Mark’s Deaney Synod Reps-** as above **The Guisborough Deaney** is a family of churches. There are 15 parishes from a variety of different and sociological and economic backgrounds, all of which have different and similar challenges of faith and growth. The Deanery spans from Easington in its south, all the way to Coatham and Dormanstown in the north. General topics of discussion at Deanery Synod mee�ngs focused on the unanimous agreement that greater efforts were needed to be made to foster a more collabora�ve approach to faith in our Deanery. Efforts were being made to facilitate this. The general Deanery Synod was a place of sharing good prac�ce for church governance and a way of sharing where assistance could be formed. As a Deanery we nearly met the Deanery running costs which is a significant improvement on past performances, providing enough money to cover the cost of eight full �me clergy, there are nine within the Deanery. Deanery Synod Day was held in the middle of 2023 where all parishes in the Deanery were represented. It was a day whereby faith was embraced and the nature of faith was discussed. Mr Jack Colin George Thomas ## **Fundraising** Quiz nights, Tea on the Lawn, Magic Night, concerts by Marske Fisherman’s Choir, Rockulele, the Odell Singers and The White Rose Singers were approved by the PCC. ## **Policies** Policies for Conflict of Interest, Legacies, Ex-offenders and Complaints Procedure were adopted in October. ## **Standing Commi�ee** This was set up and comprises of Revd Julie Smith, Mrs Sue Sotheran, Mr Peter Tinkler, Dr Janet Dack, Mrs Elizabeth Fox. ## **Remembrance Sunday** A Remembrance service was held in church at 9.45am preceded by a parade. There was then an Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial outside church with the reading of the names and the silence at 11am followed by the laying of wreaths. Approximately 200 people a�ended the outside part. A trumpeter from Marske Silver Band played the Last Post and Reveille. Scouts and Guides were present. ## **Repairs to the Tower** There is now sufficient funds in the Tower Fund for us to apply for grants. The repairs are expected to cost in the region of £107 000. The Tower Fund stands at £44 000. ## **Links with Schools** Both Westgarth and Errington primary schools have held events in St Mark’s Church during 2023. ## **Links with the Community** St Mark’s contributed again to Scarecrow Week in May. ‘Reindeer Night’ was held on Thursday 7[th] December with the Santa Parade. There were no reindeer due to animal welfare concerns. The church was open for refreshments and the sale of goods and the singing of Christmas music. ## **Parcels for Eastern Europe** Members of the congrega�on donated gi� filled shoe boxes for families in Eastern Europe. ## **Redcar Food Bank** Basic foodstuffs have con�nued to be regularly donated at St Mark’s. ## **Women’s Refuge in Redcar** Gi�s were provided at Easter and Christmas. Elizabeth Fox (PCC Secretary) TFIE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIAsncAI PARISH OF MARSKE IN CLEVELAND FINANaAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023 Notes Unrestrfc Restrlcted Totsl Fund Fund 2023 Total 2022 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023 Recelpts Incoming ￿OurceS/rOM donors Tax Efflclent planned gNing Gift Aid Small donations scheme Collertior Donatlons Income Tax Recovered Heati￿ Grant from York Diocese Artlvltiesforgeneratingfvnds Christmas Bazaar Sundry Incomelrom Investments M & G Charifund Rent received from E E Church Artlvities Weddng/Funeral Fees Gross Income from Magazine While House Lets Whlte House Projert Tower Fund Sunday Club Charitable Giving CPNldren' Society & Others Funerals TOTAL RECEIPTS 33775 9251 4268 2372 159 33775 9251 4268 2372 9059 30958 9133 5877 3217 10585 1250 2416 5832 2416 5832 2691 6221 3515 3063 3515 3063 3413 3063 9386 4264 12636 9386 4264 12636 12(XKI 2722 9634 10006 6340 74 10283 72 10283 72 3133 1845 4978 3133 1845 115170 2691 3019 122894 110192 Payments Church Acuvities Diocesan F￿eW[l Offerlng Cler8y Expenses Church Running Expenses Fees (Weddings & Funerals) Fees l Audftor & Surveyor) Costs of trading IMa8azlne) Whlte House White House Project Charltable Glving Sunday Club Sundry TOTAL PAYMEPITS 560 3134 26074 2972 330 4435 21128 57CKN) 2539 29457 4359 306 4349 12077 7795 5613 84 1852 125431 3134 26074 2972 330 4435 21128 5013 5013 78 791 119955 78 791 114942 5013 Excessldeflclt of Recelpts over Payments Bank ¢urren¢ a¢count as at 1st January 2023 Bank current account as at 31st December 2023 4785 22983 18198 -2537 25520 22983 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCILOF THE ECCLEStAsllcAL PARISH OF MARSKE IN CLEVELAND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023 14ot•s UnreStr￿ted Restrirted Fund Furyl Totsl 2022 2023 STATEMENTOFASSEfsAND UABbUTIES AS AT315T DECEMBER 2023 CASH FUNDS 5antander Bank Account TOTAL CASH FUMDS 18198 18198 18198 18198 22983 22983 Lloyds Bankin4 Group 73 Ordinary Shares 45AIp M & G Charifund 117.206 Accumukition Units M & G Charifvnd 2067 Intorne Unlts M & G Charrfund 2045 Income Unlts IPJri5h Fund51 35 35158 29662 29343 33 33926 30375 3CKM9 117366 35158 29662 29343 47576 112396 Creditors TotalEnergies- Church TotalEnwgies. White House 1155 562 NOTESM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 315r DECEMBER 2023 Coffees/Raffles Memorial Book '1￿. aub Sundry Funrtions Sale Calendafs Reindeer N￿ht Christmas Cards General Sales Rlding Lights Cleani Wrne, Wafers etr Ga5 Elertridty Ststsonery Insurance Organ Servlce Repair5 Dona Percents&e Bazaar 2332 Honororium 488 Cleaning 7338 Ga5 3697 Electriciiy 853 Ins & Rates 46S4 Palnts"ng Inside & out 188 Routlne Expenses 6029 178 317 26074 12CQ 3818 2710 1437 2731 8271 961 21128 1330 568 491 133 282 346 134 5832 st of funds at year end Slck & Poor Fund Maqaiine Tl￿￿1 White House Church Sunday Club TOTAL *nd SI￿ed on Its b•h•lf by Concert5 World Singing F.W.O. Envelopes Baptism IWIOI Sundry Expenses 105 140 95 361 791 -171 24226 -8585 1354 Approved by the P*rochlal Churth COU￿11 on 28th Aprll 2024 Re¥. Julle Smlth Mcwl Independent Examlner's Report to the PCC of the Ecclesiastical Parfsh of Sl. Mark. Marske In Cleveland I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 St December 2023 whlch are set out in the pre￿dIng 2 pages Re5ponsibilltles and bas15 of report As the charty trustees you are responsible for Ihe preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the ACY). I reporl in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed 311 the applKable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5Xb) of the Act. Independent •xaminefs ￿aterneDt I have completed my examination. I confirm that there are no othèr materlal matters have come to my att8ntion in connection with the examination giving me cause lo believe that in any material respect: 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act- or 2 the accounts do not accord with those records ,' or 3 the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities {Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 olher than any requirement that the accounls give a 'true arKf fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with Ihe examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. G Fitzgerald BA FCA DChA Azets Audit servI￿s Wynyard Park House Wynyard Park Avenue Wynyard TS22 5TB 29th April 2024 ## **Parish Magazine** We have had another good year with the magazine and a variety of ar�cles which I hope you all found interes�ng. Once again I need to thank the excellent photographers we have in the village and their generosity in allowing me to use their photographs. There are s�ll some spaces le� for adver�sing but the situa�on has improved. Joyce Cawthorne ## **Sunday Club** We had two children in regular a�endance. Our lessons consisted of ligh�ng candles, prayers and taking a collec�on. A bible reading following the church calendar, bible stories and doing various cra�s reflec�ng the lesson were also included. Throughout the year the children’s work was displayed on the Sunday Club no�ce board, hoping to encourage other children to a�end. We donated one week’s collec�on to Farm Africa. We gave the children Christmas and Easter gi�s. At the Christmas Fair we had a children’s stall with a card game where every child won a gi�. There were also toys, books etc for sale. This was well supported. Sue Thompson & Mary Baker ## **Children’s Society** The highlight of the year is always our Chris�ngle Service when the church is filled with the light from all our Chris�ngle candles. It is good to see so many families gathering for this service which raised £384 for the Children’s Society. Thanks go to the team who put the 150 Chris�ngles together and to Anne Boville for playing the piano at the service. The collec�on boxes held by individuals raised £532.12 for the charity. Our thanks to Barbara who organises this. Sue Beach ## **Messy Church** Our team of helpers welcome children from 0-12 years of age with their families. Each session started with worship and a Bible story. Topics included Noah, Easter and Harvest. Cra� ac�vi�es and games followed with tea at the end. Mee�ng every month except August the team have proved to be flexible as numbers vary from month to month. We always have room for more. Cynthia Snowball ## **Marske Bellringers** This year we were able to ring two quarter peals. The first to welcome Julie as our new Vicar and the second to mark 50 years since the bells were hung. We welcomed people to the tower to ‘Ring for the King’ on the day of his Corona�on. We hosted (and entered) the District striking compe��on. Our latest recruits have made good progress as they progress to method ringing. We have rung for every Sunday 9.30 service as well as for a couple of weddings. We have also organised fund raisers for the repair work on the tower. **Marske Bellringers Accounts 2023** INCOME EXPENDITURE Weddings £ 50.00 subs £ 84.00 subs £ 39.00 weddings interest £ 3.00 dona�ons £ 22.50 TOTAL £ 114.50 £ 84.00 ## BALANCE balance at 01/01/23 £ 117.08 increase £ 30.50 balance at 31/12/23 £ 147.58 ## **Electoral Roll** 155 people on the electoral roll as of December 2023. 127 residents 28 non residents David Dack (Electoral Roll Officer) ## **Safeguarding** All Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and relevant training for St Mark’s members who are responsible for regular ac�vi�es and vulnerable adults have either been completed or members are awai�ng suitable training course dates. These checks and training are for Church leaders, PCC members, Churchwardens, Sunday Club leaders, Messy Church Leaders and Choirmaster. There have been no Safeguarding issues reported this year. The PCC and Safeguarding Officers have made use of The Parish Dashboard System. Carol Anderson & Sue Thompson Parish Safeguarding Officers **Mother’s Union** From January 2023 we con�nued to be run by commi�ee. We had a monthly branch mee�ng on the second Wednesday and a prayer group on the first Monday of the month. Weekly house groups were held during Lent and a Lent Service took place led by Revd Bill Dewing our Archdeaconry Chaplain. We con�nue being financially stable. A Spring Coffee morning and the annual Strawberry Tea together raised almost £500 for the Summer of Hope Appeal and this combined with other monies from our monthly coffee mornings in church and other dona�ons meant that a total of £1190 was given to Mother’s Union chari�es over the year. In September we were pleased to welcome our new Vicar and Mother’s Union member Revd Julie Smith to the branch and have appreciated her subsequent regular involvement. Since October we have done the readings and intercessions on the third Wednesday of the month. During the 16 Days of Ac�vism Against Gender Based Violence members held a vigil in the square holding placards and handing out informa�on leaflets. Our branch has signed up to the Rise Up Campaign Pledge in support of an end to gender-based violence and the support of vic�ms in our own country and around the world. Each month we collect essen�al items for the Women’s Refuge in Redcar and along with members of our church congrega�on have donated gi�s for these families at Easter and Christmas. At the end of 2023 we lost a treasured member and branch secretary- Sue Gray. We go forward with a membership of 37, of which 2 are indoor members. We now have an ‘organising commi�ee’ of seven and are pleased to report that a�endance at mee�ngs has risen. Jean Johnson (Commi�ee Member) **St Mark’s Choir** The choir leads the worship at the 9.30am Sunday Eucharist. The music is varied in style to accommodate a range of musical tastes within the congrega�on. We aim to sing a short choral item at some 9.30am Eucharist services and at all major fes�vals. The Nine lessons and Carols service went ahead as usual together with some guests and members of the congrega�on singing in the choir. Illness prevented other regulars who love the service from appearing this year. The service was well a�ended and again clearly a�racted visitors who do not regularly a�end St Mark’s. St Mark’s is fortunate in having a small core of very loyal singers who a�end almost all prac�ces and services. We are a small choir and every voice really counts. At press we have nine singers. NB WE URGENTLY NEED RECRUITS IN ALL VOICES in order for us to fulfil our role at St Mark’s. We have just one short prac�ce on Monday morning and sing at one Sunday service- not much more commitment than is made by regular members of the congrega�on already. The **choir** cannot be taken for granted. We are fortunate in now having two supplementary organists, Debbie Read and Llinos Mary who enjoy playing for us. All at St Mark’s will miss Christyl Bell whose funeral was on November 10[th] and who proclaimed her faith through the choir she enjoyed so much. Andrew Fox (Organist and Choirmaster) ## **Choir Accounts 2023** For the purchase of robes, music, organ and piano repairs etc Summary Pe�y Cash Yorks BS 31/12/22 Brought Forward £24.19 £4926.96 Income Nil £ 263.83 Interest + Coffees Expenditure Nil £ 90.00 Piano tuning and Music from Iona Community. Balance at 31/12/23 £24.19 £5100.82 Audited by Ian Stoker 18/1/24 ## **The White House** 2023 saw the end of our programme of improvements for the White House. We now have a building which is clean, warm and a pleasant environment for our users. Thanks are due to all those who supported the appeal with gi�s and �me. Due to the pandemic we lost two of our main customers so we now need to increase the use of the buildings so that we can cover our overheads. All enquiries regarding the White House to- Mrs K Callaghan 07412656492 thewhitehousemarske@gmail.com ## **Friends of St Germain’s** Our group of 9 volunteers have con�nued to look a�er St Germain’s churchyard. We have �died untended interment plots by weeding and removing spent flowers. We have cleared older graves of weeds and laid membrane and gravel/stones to make maintenance easier. The perimeter wall and fences have had the vegeta�on pruned back. RCB Council funded a new no�ce board which is outside the churchyard wall. A daybreak service was enjoyed on Easter Sunday. Our annual Remembrance Service was well a�ended and appreciated by all who joined us. Marske Fishermen’s Choir led our Candlelit Carol Event which was a great success. The Memorial Tree in St Mark’s gave an opportunity for visitors to remember their loved ones. Generous dona�ons were collected from these sources. We are grateful to Bede Financial Services and the Library for facilita�ng our dona�on boxes. Edith Cockerill made a generous dona�on from sales of her cra� work. St Mark’s Ladies Fellowship also donated to our group. Visitors to the churchyard thank us for our work and remark on the beauty of our special landmark. We have a Facebook page to distribute informa�on. Posters on our events are placed on local no�ce boards. Gill Haveron