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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St. John The Baptist Church, Yeovil, Somerset

2023-12-31-accounts

Parish of Yeovil with Kingston Pitney

Annual Report of St John the Baptist Church for the Year ended 31[st] December 2023

Administrative Information Structure, governance and management Objectives and Activities Achievements and Performance Report on the PCC Meetings St John’s Wardens Report St John’s Sidespersons Report Report on the Electoral Roll St John’s Finance Report – Accounts to 31[st] December 2023 Gift Aid Officer’s Report St John’s Fabric Report St John’s Bell Ringers St John’s Young Adults (SJYA) Youth Ministry Report Junior Church Tiny Toes Footprints St John’s and St Andrew’s Holiday Club Pastoral Care and Gone Fishing Cafe Parish Prayer Chain Mission Group Fellowship Groups Ladies Bible Study Mission Group Safeguarding Life Skills Social Media TCP Craft Fellowship St John’s Music Group St John’s Floral Group Report St John’s Model Railway Group Prodigal Bikes The Friends of St John’s Bookstall Yeovil College Chaplaincy Deanery Synod Report Yeovil CAP Centre Annual Report The Lords Larder (Yeovil Christian Support Trust)

Parish of Yeovil with Kingston Pitney

Annual Report of St John the Baptist Church for the year ended 31[st] December 2023

Administrative Information

St John’s Church is situated in the centre of Yeovil and has a daughter church, St Andrew’s, which is about one mile from the centre. They are part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells within the Church of England. The correspondence address is: Church Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1HE. This report covers the activities of St John’s church and of the Parish. St Andrew’s Church has produced its own report covering its own domestic issues. The Parochial Church Council is registered under the Charity Commission, registration number 1134345.

The PCC comprises members from both churches with the Incumbent, Readers, Wardens and elected representatives to the Deanery Synod. The following members have served on the PCC during the last year.

Incumbent Revd James Dudley-Smith Revd James Dudley-Smith Chairman
Associate Minister Revd Ben Graham
Curate Revd George Beverly
Representatives on Rob Dean
Deanery Synod Janet Dean
Kate Scorer
Phil Juggins
Beth Farrington St Andrew’s
Member of Diocesan Synod Rob Dean
Member of General Synod Jam Cary
Wardens Lin Hann St John’s
Keith Ovenden
Deputy Wardens Brian Gay St Andrew’s
Elected Members Lucie Bruce
Nick Chatwin
Chris Frazer
Roger Fox
Phil Juggins
David Matthew
Calum McFarlane
Tim Osborn
Lizzy Pudner
Kate Scorer
Ann Thurgood
Tim Thurgood
Chris Tune
Les Whittle
Co-opted Members Janet Dean Secretary
Alan Irwin Treasurer

S tructure, Governance and Management

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to join the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC at the time of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. They have prime responsibility for managing the affairs of the church. St Andrew’s Church has its own Church Council (DCC).

Objectives and Activities

St John’s PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, Revd James Dudley-Smith, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has responsibility for St John’s Schoolrooms and St Andrew’s Church Hall.

Achievements and Performance

This report covers the activities of St John’s Church. St Andrew’s Church produces its own report.

There is, therefore, once again a tremendous amount going on in the life of the Church and we are indeed blessed by the number of people willing to get involved.

Janet Dean PCC Secretary

Report on PCC Meetings

The PCC met on four occasions during the year and were generally well attended. The minutes of all PCC Meetings can be viewed on the St John’s parish website.

Apart from the routine business of finance, services and fabric matters, much of which is covered in other sections of this annual report, the following items were discussed.

Janet Dean PCC Secretary

Church Wardens’ Report

2022 finished and 2023 began with a huge challenge for us when the boiler gave its last breath in November 22 and had to be condemned. A chilly Christmas ensued and thanks to God’s grace and some nifty footwork with the Diocese we managed to find and fit a replacement boiler and finally got heat back in the building in February. We are so grateful for all the wonderful gifts of financial support that enabled us to be agile and react quickly.

We have also been very fortunate in replacing the staging with a state-of-the-art lightweight collapsible stage and have also re-purposed the old staging, built so well by Roger Fox, into the new raised platform for the band. Although a temporary structure, the band platform looks totally in-keeping and also enables our worship group to have a better connection with the congregation when leading worship. The new staging has dramatically reduced the manpower and effort required to set it up for holiday club in particular, and also enables other church users to benefit for concerts/performances and the like.

Various faculties have been raised and among them is a request to return a wonderful flagon, presented to our church by a local family in grateful thanks for the safe return of their son from the D-Day landings. This is ongoing and we hope and pray that the response from the Diocese will be favourable. Others include a proposal for re-ordering which we have decided to put on hold for the time being.

The church has been used throughout the year for various concerts: Peoples Choir, Pheonix Band, an Acoustic Folk Roots and Blues night, all of which raised good sums of money for our chosen funds. We wish to develop this aspect of our Church use in 2024 and see it as a real outreach opportunity.

Work is ongoing through our energy working group to find ways to cut our carbon emissions, and at the same time reduce costs. We have been pleased to receive a Bronze Award for the Arocha Charity recognising our progress in this area and thanks go to Pauline Kibblewhite for championing that. As part of this, a new initiative is being introduced in April 2024, placing our Parish Directory online and so enabling us to remove the large printer in the office, saving us both substantial sums of money each year and also dramatically reducing our carbon footprint. More of that to come in 2024!

Our Quinquennial survey has highlighted some works but on the whole nothing too major and all within the resources we have set aside for the work. Our thanks go to the Fabric Committee for their hard work in keeping our building in good order. Of course this task never stops and we do value your ongoing financial support in this area.

We are so grateful to all of our wonderful volunteers who give so much of their time and talents to enable our church to function operationally. Without them the church would remain closed and unable to engage in all of the activities we currently provide. Being part of a team that is so passionate is rewarding in itself and to use our gifts in the service of our Lord is a real privilege and life-affirming.

I cannot write this report without saying how much we appreciate and value the spiritual and practical leadership that James, Ben and George give us. 2023 has been a hard year in all sorts of ways and the same can be said for the challenges it has presented to our clergy, ably supported by our wonderful Readers and Preachers. We are so blessed in St Johns and want to say a heartfelt thank you for the way they have led, taught, encouraged and supported us in following our Lord through 2023.

Keith Ovenden Churchwarden

Sidespersons Report

Throughout 2023 we continued to have a wonderful team of Welcomers (sidespersons) who welcomed people to services on Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings and special events. Their cheerful welcoming faces made all the difference during the early months of the year when the boiler was not working when it was very cold in the church.

The Welcomers work alongside the duty Warden to welcome each and every one, and make sure everyone finds a seat. Many people who arrive on a Sunday have been coming for a long time and are very familiar with what happens, but most Sundays we see people arrive who have either never been to St John’s or have never been in church before. For some, it takes enormous courage to come through the door. The welcome they receive, makes such a huge difference to the way they experience us as a church family.

A very encouraging challenge that the Welcomers face, is trying to fit very one in, especially families, for whom it is especially important to sit together.

In July we had our annual breakfast together as a team. It is always wonderful to hear how privileged everyone feels when welcoming people. The skills required, are in fact similar to the skills we all aim to demonstrate in welcoming everyone into our wonderful church family.

Lin Hann Churchwarden

Report on the Electoral Roll

Following the 2024 revision of the electoral roll for St. John’s, the total on the roll currently stands at 178.

Emma Handcock

St John’s Finance Report on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023

The statutory accounts of St John’s also include the data for St Andrew’s. However, this report covers only the finances of St John’s, which are managed by means of several funds. The General Fund can be spent at the discretion of the PCC and mostly covers the day-to-day running costs of the church. Several Designated Funds hold money set aside for specific purposes, such as the Schoolrooms and the Fabric Fund. Restricted Funds can only be used for the purposes for which they were originally set up, such as the Peter Wakely Community Fund and the Christians Against Poverty Fund.

The General Fund

Regular general giving to St John's in 2022 amounted to £149,865, with other donations totalling £52,236 and the tax recovered was £43,840. This makes a total for general giving of £245,940. In addition, our new boiler fund received donations of £16k to top up those received in 2022. We also received legacy gifts of £8k and generous grants from the Friends of St Johns and the Feoffees towards refurbishment projects. With the approval of the PCC, £20k was drawn down from the Peter Wakely investment fund, and £10k from the Youth Worker fund, in order to support our pastoral and outreach work during the year.

Our regular expenditure in 2023 was dominated by staff costs (c.£74k), Repairs and Cleaning (c.£51k, of which £35k was payment for the new boiler) and the Parish Share, which is paid to the Diocese of Bath and Wells (c.£151k). When other costs are added, the general monthly expenditure was typically £3k-£4k more than our general monthly income. We donated £24k to our mission partners and a mission giving budget of £24k was set for 2024, which is 10% of the general donations received in 2023.

The balance of the St John's general fund at the end of 2023 was approximately £33k, which is slightly up on last year.

Designated Funds

The Fabric Fund balance increased by c.£6k to £58k, mainly due to a rise in the value of investments. Due to our excess expenditure over income, the Youth Development Investment Fund was used to provide approx. £19k for our children and youth ministry, leaving a balance of £26k.

Restricted Funds

There are four funds categorised as restricted:

The Restoration Fund

Apart from accumulated interest, there were no significant transactions in the Restoration Fund in 2023, leaving the closing balance at £13,394.

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Fund

This fund raises and spends money in support of the Yeovil CAP Debt Centre, managed by Mary Irwin. A total of £51,294 was given and raised in 2023 to support this ministry. The expenditure, comprising the monthly salaries of the manager and debt coach, a monthly payment to CAP HQ, and other operating expenses, amounted to £42,974. There was a surplus in the year of £8,320 and the balance carried forward to 2024 was £36,424.

The Peter Wakely Community Fund

This fund was set up with the proceeds of the legacy received from Peter Wakely. The funds are invested in a unit trust administered by CCLA on behalf of the Church Commissioners. During the year we used £30,000 from this fund to help pay for our pastoral and outreach ministries. However, the fund value also benefitted from an increase in the stock market during 2023 and the closing balance was £265,922 – practically unchanged from the end of 2022.

The Tom Setter Belfry Fund

During 2023, the value of the Tom Setter hardly changed. The final balance was £12,067.

The Balance Sheet

The balance sheet shows where our total funds of £446,766 are invested. Most of this is accounted for by designated or restricted funds with a relatively modest £33k represented by the General Fund. A total of £321,368 is invested in unit trusts administered by CCLA on behalf of the Church Commissioners; £45,581 is on deposit with CCLA; £73,816 is in three current accounts with NatWest bank, which pay some interest, and £6,000 is in National Savings.

Looking forward to the remainder of 2024, our regular expenditure continues to exceed our income and our reserves and investments must be used to fill the gap.

Operating costs are expected to continue rising this year. The PCC have approved a pay rise for our staff to help them with the rising cost of living. Utilities costs are easing sllightly, but are still considerably higher than over the past few years. The 2024 Parish Share has increased by 10% compared to last year, although we are hopeful that a review of finances across the Bath and Wells diocese may provide a welcome reduction in 2025.

We are particularly grateful for the ongoing generous donations from church members and others. In 2024, as always, I would ask that all of us should actively and regularly review our level of giving to the work of St John's, and increase it if that is appropriate. If you can commit to regular giving by standing order, this method helps to make our income more stable. Of course, donations using the envelope scheme or in other ways are equally welcomed and appreciated. Please also ensure that you add Gift Aid to your donations if you are a UK taxpayer. Last year we reclaimed almost £44,000 from HMRC and could not have managed without it.

While regular planned giving contributes to our day-to-day running costs, a legacy in your will offers the opportunity to donate to St John's out of your estate, perhaps for specific purposes. The largest legacy that we have received in the last few years is £189,895 from Peter Wakely, but of course legacies of any amount are valued. It was wonderful to receive more than £8k in this way during 2023. Such gifts can be invested and may provide a lasting and valuable resource for many years. We have produced a leaflet about legacies and a copy is available at the back of the church. If you are considering including a legacy to St John's in your will, please discuss this with the treasurer or a warden who can advise you on the needs of the church.

On a personal note, I would like to express my appreciation to all those who have helped me to continue in the job of Treasurer in 2023. In particular, I owe a large debt of thanks to Emma Handcock for her administrative support and to Judith Brookes for managing our Gift Aid scheme.

Alan Irwin Treasurer of St John’s

Gift Aid Officer's Report

Thank you for your generous giving to the work of St John's through 2023. I am pleased to report we were able to reclaim £41,354.45 from the government through the gift aid scheme. You will appreciate this represents an enormous help to our church finances.

If you are a UK taxpayer and have not yet added Gift Aid to your church giving, please contact me to find out how you can boost your donations at no extra cost to yourselves.

Judith Brookes

St John’s Fabric Report for 2023

The ‘Fabric Committee’ is a sub-committee of the PCC which meets regularly to coordinate and report on the state of the church fabric and to monitor the planned regular maintenance and repairs and other work stipulated in the Quinquennial Surveys (the latest being in July 2023). In 2023, the committee met in March, May, August, October and December, in addition to coordination through emails and other ad hoc communication.

Church Boiler – Following the failure of the church heating boiler in 2022, the new boiler was delivered in early 2023 and commissioned, enabling the heating to be switched on again on 6[th] February. The boiler is

installed in the vestry toilet, with the defunct old boiler remaining in place in the old boiler room, to be disposed of.

Necessary maintenance and repair work on the building was continued through 2023, including nonroutine activities as follows: Fire Extinguisher Leaflets obtained; Handle added to Schoolrooms kitchen door; Vestry roof repaired to address ceiling leak; Blocked drain by North Door cleared; Turret door draught excluder added (N Transept); Anti-climb paint on Vestry downpipes renewed; Vestry, Organ Loft and South Porch roofs cleared of debris; Temporary repair made to cracked lead on Organ Loft roof; Fan replaced in west end toilet; Safety lock fitted to Vestry toilet door; Pull handle added to upstairs emergency exit door in Schoolrooms; Quote obtained for repairs to damaged Vestry roof and downpipe/hopper – to be started; Harbin Vault slab inspected and quote obtained for securing this plus other repair and maintenance tasks from the Quinquennial Report – to be started.

S Transept Walls and Vestry E Wall (internal) : In addition, work to address damp on these walls has continued, with plastering completed in the vestry. The plasterer is waiting for the final wall in the S Transept to dry, to apply one final coat. The cupboards in the Vestry were put back in February 2024 and the decorator is to be booked to do everything at once when the S Transept wall is ready.

The Quinquennial Survey of the church building was carried out in July 2023 by the new church architect, Michael Vaughan, who visited the church in January to review some items for the survey in advance. In a Summary of Structural Condition, the report from the survey includes the statement: The PCC and congregation are very attentive to the fabric and the church is generally in very good condition throughout. The items for attention in the (40-page) survey report include:

Schoolrooms: Actions are required to improve roof drainage and debris netting to prevent a re-occurrence of leaks. Dry rot has also been detected. These items are the responsibility of the Landlord, subject to an on-going dispute over the lease, concerning maintenance payments and building use restrictions, for which solicitors have been engaged at Diocese level.

The review of Health and Safety risk assessments has continued, with Lin Hann. The two-year programme was completed and will repeat, to review and update all risk assessments, present them progressively to the PCC for approval and make them available on-line. A Permit to Work text for contractors has been trialled and is now available for use.

With thanks to all who continue to take care of our building!

Phil Juggins Fabric Committee Chair

St John’s Bell Ringers

We have managed to ring for most Sunday Morning Services through the year. This is partly thanks to several of the ringers from Odcombe and other villages who join us. As a quid pro quo some of us skip ringing on the second Sunday of the month at St John’s and go to Odcombe to ring for their 11am service. This is much appreciated.

For the second year running we have had royal occasions to ring specially for. This year was for the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, on May 6[th] . Nationally, a campaign “Ring for The King” was

launched. Response was sparse in this area, but we did attract one learner from St John’s and another in Yeovil. Both made enough progress to take part in ringing, assisted by their teacher, on the big day. Sadly, for personal and family reasons, both have now had to give up. By combining a team from St John’s, Odcombe, East and West Coker starting at 9am we were able to tour around and ring in all four places. Very few towers have enough ringers on their own.

However, thanks to the energy and enthusiasm of my deputy ringing master, here at St Johns, Mrs Annette Organ, quite a few new adults from Yeovil and other places are learning to ring at the beginning of 2024. Some daytime lessons happen here, particularly on Wednesday mornings, - you may have heard odd sounds coming from the tower. Strangely, none of these learners are from our congregation. We would very much like to see some St John’s folk taking an interest, so please come along to see what is involved. I often get comments after services saying how nice it was to hear the bells! Besides just ringing, there are other roles in the tower – maintenance of the belfry and ringing room, attending to the clock, organising social events for example.

Roger Fox Bell Captain

St John's Young Adults

SJYA meet on the third Wednesday of each month. We do a range of social activities based around the seasons, but we nearly always end up at the pub! Bowling, games nights, bring and share dinners, walks, all with plenty of great conversations and encouraging fellowship. We are in an exciting phase of growth in numbers which allows for lots of strong friendships to form in the group. We are lucky to have a mixture of individuals - those who are from other churches, those who are curious about faith, and others who are regular church goers. We hope in the next year to continue to see more new faces - if you find yourself talking to someone in the 18-30s age bracket who may be interested in the group, please feel free to pass on either of our email addresses to them and we can make sure that they get all the information that they need to get involved."

Tim and Hannah Osborn

Youth Ministry

We are praising God for another exciting year serving young people at St Johns’s. It has been wonderful to see young people wrestle with God’s truth, and also to see friendships develop and deepen.

“Friday Youth” continues to meet on Friday evenings in term time and is the highlight of my week! An average of 20-25 secondary school youth come bounding through the School Rooms doors at 7pm ready for fun and fellowship. We start with an organised activity which varies from week to week – sports games, talent nights, giant hungry hippos, water fights, task master, the chip shop challenge and much more. We then (attempt to) slow things down for a snack followed by a talk from the Bible and small groups to discuss and pray for each other. In 2023 we started with a topical series on Christians and the Media, worked out way through 1 Thessalonians in the summer term, and in the autumn we had a series where we traced Jesus through the Old Testament. We also had the privilege of taking 24 young people (and 5 little people) away for a weekend at Heatree Activity Centre. Ben came and gave us our talks and the weekend forever changed our attitudes towards peas, especially peas on the floor (ask a young person why…)

Please pray on for our precious young people who are under so much pressure at school and in the secular world they live in. Praise God for this haven that they have after a busy week to relax with friends and to hear and experience the good news of God’s love for them. Please also pray for the team as we adjust to 3 of our leaders moving on to other things, and for God to provide someone with a heart for serving youth and a desire to lead this ministry into the next phase.

“Pathfinders” is our group for young people in school years 7-11. We meet in the crypt during St John’s 10:30 service on the 2[nd] , 3[rd] , and 4[th] Sundays to study God’s word together. It’s a much smaller group than on Fridays but still lively with lots of laughs. In September we started using material which Jam is writing, taking us through Mark’s gospel with interludes in Micah and Kings. It’s been fantastic and I look forward to him publishing a book one day for others to enjoy.

In January of 2023 we started a new group for older youth in school years 10 and up (so GCSE and A levels). It’s called “Just Older Youth”, and is truly a JOY! We meet at the Cary’s house monthly, alternating between Sunday and Monday evenings to accommodate other groups. We’ve worked through Paul’s letters to the Ephesians and Colossians, have fought many attacks of the giggles, and have eaten vast quantities of Rosie’s amazing home-baked delights. It’s tough being a youth leader, but someone has to do it!

Candy Price Minister for Children and Youth

Junior Church Report 2023

2023 was a busy year in Junior Church. We had 32 regular children, many visitors and over 20 adults helping in the different groups along with four teenage assistants. In total, the children studied more than ten books of the Bible over 32 weeks of the year.

Scramblers (3 years old to Reception) was led by Melissa Cary, Katie Pavey and Abi Graham who joined the team in the summer term. They were ably assisted by Ellie Bradley, Jayne Watson, James and Doreen Maitland. James stepped up to teach Climbers in the autumn term. Our teenage helper was Ronel Fossi Bakam. There were 9 regular Scramblers so it was at times a squeeze to fit downstairs in the School Rooms. Together the Scramblers learnt about all the different things that God created as recorded in Genesis chapter 1. They also had a series called Thank You God which explored the need for each individual to live in gratitude for the life that God has given them. Scramblers also learnt about the Easter and Christmas stories. The children were encouraged to praise Jesus for who he is and to know him personally as king and rescuer.

Climbers (Years 1 to 3) was led by Chris Tune, Becky Dudley-Smith and James Maitland and assisted by Helen Peace, Victoria Bradley, Doreen Maitland and Emma Handcock. Until the end of the academic year, there were 10 children in this group.

Explorers (Year 4 to 6) was led by Alex Emery, who stepped down in the spring, Rowena Murray, Candy Price and Anne Wickes who joined the team in the autumn term. They were assisted by Tim Neville, Andrew Dunn, who moved away during the year, Jo-Anne Smith and JJ Bidwell, who joined in the autumn term. Davina Fossi Bakam, Harry Dudley-Smith and Emelia Smith were the fantastic teenage helpers. This was the biggest group in Junior Church this year with 13 children.

Together Climbers and Explorers started the year with looking at Psalm 1, then they studied the book of Ruth. They learnt about the Easter story through the eyes of Peter, then two series on the lives of Saul and David. In the autumn term the children explored the seven signs in John's Gospel which prove that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. They finished the year with Beyond the Manger, which looked at the significance of the incarnation and the real meaning of Christmas today in passages from John, Colossians, Philippians and Hebrews.

Many thanks to all our leaders and assistants for all they do to share the gospel with the children at St John’s, and to the parents for their support of this work.

Melissa Cary

Tiny Toes report for APCM 2024

It is a privilege through Tiny Toes to serve parents with babies up to around 12 months old. During the year approximately 30 parents attended, and we had an average of 8 joining us each week we were open.

The parents usually come because they want to make friends with others who have children of similar age to their own, to pick up parenting tips and sometimes simply to get out of the house. They have time to chat, enjoy coffee/tea and cake and we finish with a singing time suitable for babies. We use it as an opportunity to advertise church events such as the Children’s Christmas Service, Pancake event and Holiday Club and several of the parents have attended as a result.

When the children are around 12 months and are mobile, we encourage them to start attending Footprints Toddler Group. Some are able to do this, but it is often the time when parents are finishing their maternity leave and have to return to work. We sometimes receive ‘thank you’ cards when they finish and the following quotes are from these.

‘I’m very sad to be leaving Tiny Toes. I am very grateful for all your support and kindness, particularly in the early days when A struggled with colic and digestion problems. You really made a difference and helped me through.’ (B & A)

‘Thank you so much for all you do at Tiny Toes. E loves it and we look forward to coming every week.’ (J & E)

‘Thank you to all the ladies who help at Tiny Toes. We have really enjoyed coming on Thursday mornings.’ (L & AR)

Ann Thurgood

Footprints Toddler Group

We meet in the Church Rooms during term-time on Monday mornings from 10 – 11.30 am. The team is made up of ten willing volunteers, some of them new to the role and others seasoned helpers. Doreen Maitland has stepped back from co-ordinating the team, and Rowena Murray has stepped in to replace her.

We start with playtime which is followed by a time together for a Christian song and Bible story before children sit for a snack and adults enjoy cakes home-baked by generous members of our Church family. More playtime, before songs together and our goodbye “blessing“ song. Our theme for the coming term is “God to the rescue” and we will be telling the families about Noah, Joseph, Moses, and David to name but a few.

We regularly have around 14 children, many of whom come up from Tiny Toes and so we are privileged to watch them grow into more confident children ready for school and pre-school. We get to know the families who come from all over Yeovil and surrounding areas and are able to support them and share the gospel with them through our programme of stories and invitation to church events. It was with great joy that several of the families recently attended our Good Friday family event.

We would value prayers for the continued effectiveness of building good relationships with and among the families and for the ability to share the gospel and the love of Jesus in an accessible and joyful way.

Rowena Murray

St John’s Holiday Club

Memory Verse: “ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God “1 Peter 3:18

2023 holiday club took place between 24[th ] and 28[th] July in St John’s church. Over 50 fantastic leaders and 60+ wonderful children aged 4-11 years took part.

The planning team of Emma Handcock, Candy Price, Rowena Murray, Anne Wicks, and me got together in January to devise a theme and programme. The theme of the week was ‘underwater’ and with the church decorated with sea creatures, we set sail in a submarine each day. The stage set depicted a submarine control room, complete with periscope. Huge thanks go to Jennifer and David Matthew.

Water themed bible passages were prepared by Ben Graham and Candy Price to be used in conjunction with the memory verse for “up front” and group teaching.

Worship led by Becky-Dudley Smith, the youth band and our Actioneers, included a great deal of exercise, enthusiasm and singing. The favourite song of the week being set to the Disney “Under the Sea” tune with lyrics penned by our Rector.

A drama, which included the main points of the teaching was written and performed by George Beverley aided and abetted by his cast, facilitated by Emma Handcock. The children absolutely loved the session at the end of each morning.

Each day the children took part games led by Anne Wicks (some of which left people rather damp) both outside and one day inside. Activities were led by Sarah Blake crafts, Jonathon Coulson construction and Emma Handcock drama in the lower school rooms. David Matthew and the tech team supported of all the proceedings, including filming a lovely video of the week shown in the Sunday service.

Our adult and young leaders gave an unrivalled support with a myriad of other tasks: Registration, refreshments, admin, safeguarding, first aid, leading group sessions, first aid, bathroom duties, listening, comforting, encouraging, praying and so much else!

It must be said that by the Wednesday we are often flagging a little, but despite this I know that people are enjoying themselves because they say, “when we do this next year we need to ……….” It is a real privilege to work with the church family and be a part of God’s work.

Roz Chatwin

Pastoral Care Report

The priority of pastoral care in our churches is that of encouraging and supporting, praying for and with others, to enable them to keep their hope and faith in the God who is holding on to them, and remember His great love for them during often difficult, unexpected, and inexplicable situations. This work is for all of us to be engaged in, and the care of others is often found in practical ways - the lift to church or to an appointment, in the making of a meal or doing some shopping, meeting for a coffee to listen and chat and pray, and a host of all different things. It is so wonderful to see a church family caring for one another, and it is a joy to be able to help co-ordinate some of this support when needed.

As with all years, for many of us there have been joys and sorrows: babies, new jobs, new homes, new illnesses, new treatment, loss and separation. Through it all, our God is faithful and kind, and cares for us, and this is often shown in practical and prayerful ways through the support and love within the community of our church family.

As always, my grateful thanks to the Pastoral Team – Abi Graham, Beth Farrington, Jenny Jones, Hannah Osborn, Chris Salberg, Jenny Salberg, Keith Stevens, Ann Thurgood and Heather Voizey. We have met across the year and prayed together and sought to use the gifts we have in the pastoral setting, with many home visits undertaken, hospital visits, lifts given and practical help too. Thank you to Keith Stevens who does a tremendous amount of work in the Hospital Chaplaincy Team and in visiting and taking Communion to those who are housebound or in residential care homes, and we have an active presence in the Knoll, Ivelhurst, Cooksons Court, Grovelands and Pearson House.

New Ventures:

Women’s evenings: we have had two this year, and it has been lovely to get women from different generations across the church family to meet, socialise and encourage and support one another in the different stages of life. Our first evening was entitled ‘ MENO-PAUSE FOR THOUGHT’ , led by Christian GP, Anna Williams, who talked us through not only the aspects of the menopause from a biological and medical point of view, but also led us to reflect on Jesus and his love for the woman suffering from long term bleeding who touched his cloak. The pros and cons of HRT were discussed, and we had interviews and testimonies from different women in our church family. It was a very informative and interesting, well attended evening.

The second evening was a gift exchange in January 2024, great fun and time again for mixing across the age range of the church family.

The ‘Fishing Forecast’ is our new weekly notices session at the Gone Fishing Café which lasts a few minutes and is an opportunity to give information and invite people to our church services and other events in our church life. We now have a monthly ‘catch of the day’ slot, where different ones have given a short Bible thought. The Gone Fishing family often is full of ‘regulars’ from our church family and non-church folk who have made it home on a Thursday morning. We have tried to engage a bit further on the spoken message of Christian faith. Companionship and friendship are still at the very heart of the café and our strapline is ‘nobody alone’. We enjoy delicious home-made cake and good fair-trade coffee. Laughter, prayer, listening, merriment – it all happens at the café. It’s good. Why not join us? Thursdays 10am to 12 noon. We have also accommodated a student from Lufton College to come and assist at the café for a short time on a Thursday morning.

A huge thank you to all who bake cakes and those who come and serve at the café, and to Terry for setting it out every week and for the CAP team’s presence there. If you’d like to get involved, do contact me.

Fellowship Groups

These are a key aspect of our church life and growth together as Christians, as we meet and read the Bible and pray together, as we drink coffee and laugh and chat and share life together. We have 14 groups meeting on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (most in the evenings). This year we have studied 1 Kings looking at the life of Solomon and are currently in the book of Malachi. We are looking to expand the groups – so if you are able to host or lead a group, do let me know.

Caring for the Carers : We have continued to meet every couple of months, with the aim of supporting one another in the role of caregivers: those who look after relatives – both near and far. I am grateful to those who have come and shared openly about the joys and stresses of this role and who support one another so kindly. If this is for you, let me know and come to the next meeting (in May).

Captain’s Table

The Captain’s Table lunch club continues to be a source of joy to many, and we meet for lunch on the 1[st] Saturday of each month at St Andrew’s Church Hall. It has been a delight to work alongside such a gracious and kind team who are unflappable and get on with serving Christ by looking after the elderly and more fragile members in our church families, providing an excellent 2 course meal, coffee and tea and chocolates, entertainment and a Gospel message (all in 2 hours!).

The Holiday at Home in September 2023 went to China , during which we enjoyed prawn crackers and spring rolls and a sweet and sour chicken lunch. We learned some Cantonese with Elaine Mitchell’s mum, Moy. Thank you to James who spoke about Hudson Taylor, a 19[th] century missionary who started the China Inland Mission and enabled many people to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

One of the most exciting things about this venture is the link between young and old, with families and young people coming to lay tables, serve food, and eat together. If you have hidden talents and want to entertain us, then do let me know. There are also lots of behind-the-scenes jobs if that’s more your thing: washing up, laundering the tablecloths/napkins, setting up, providing transport … all important tasks that need doing! Thank you to all who come and volunteer in any way, especially to those who provide a means of people getting to St Andrew’s and especially to those who have their hands in the sink, you are amazing!

Church Family News

We have lost some dear church family members this year, and since last reporting: John Brookes, Mavis Preston, Bruce Penney, Sylvia Pool, Eileen Bartlett, Grace Martis, Margaret Dove, Jo Dodwell, John Bailie, Ron Blake, Barbara Stroud and connected to the café – Sonia Batten, Alan Thomas, Lisa Dodwell. Many of our church family members have suffered bereavements this year: the loss of parent, daughter, nephew, family member and friends. We recognise it has been a hard year of loss for the church family and wonder if there is scope for a bereavement support group to start up in the next year. If you are interested in this, please let me know.

We have said a warm ‘hello’ to baby Melody (to the Cairncross family) and very recently to baby Tabitha (to the Pavey family). It has been a joy to provide the family with meals in the early days of having a new baby in the home. Congratulations to Victoria and Daniel Sanders-Brown on their wedding and to Lizzy and Ashley on their engagement. Congratulations to the Cresswells who celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary, and to the Chatwins, who celebrated their Ruby Wedding Anniversary. Some have moved house – namely the Osborns and the Paveys, and the Lamberts moved away to Taunton.

So as I started this report, I conclude again by saying that the pastoral work is for all of us to be involved in, and a big thank you for all that you are doing, however big or small, however visible or invisible it is. I spoke with someone who is not currently able to work due to ill health and asked how supportive the church family had been. I was told of meals out, invitations to events, coffee meet ups, support from the fellowship group and a host of invites from a wide variety of friends and acquaintances, demonstrating that in their illness they are not alone, but part of something much bigger, and the love and care shown reflects the love and care our God shows to us. My prayer is that we will never tire of doing good and loving one another as we love and serve the Lord.

Helen Peace Pastoral Care Co-ordinator

Parish Prayer Chain Report

I’m delighted to say that the parish prayer chain has increased from 12 to 24 people, mainly due to the messages being communicated via WhatsApp instead of the previous system of individual phone conversations. This means the message is succinct and unchanged, and everyone gets it at the same time, and also nobody misses out from being unable to answer the phone. This should mean lots more praying going on!

It is an amazing opportunity we have to provide prayer support for the specific needs of church family members as and when they arise. All requests are dealt with in a sensitive manner. Prayers are offered to the Lord in faith and we leave both people and different situations in His loving care.

If you have a request for prayer, perhaps for yourself or a loved one, then you can contact me and I will send out a WhatsApp notification and people will bring the situation to the Lord and ask for His help and strength.

Each request made is treated confidentially within the boundaries of the prayer chain, and there is no ‘follow-up’ or further contact with you to find out the outcome.

Philippians reminds us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God”.

Helen Peace

Mission Group report 2023

The group comprises Doug Johnson (Chair), Ben Graham, Judith Brookes, Chris Salberg, Mary Irwin and Ann Johnson, and they meet three times a year.

Events

The major event organised by the Mission group in 2023 was the visit of Steven and Helen Musa Kormayea from the Servants of the Word in The Gambia. Steven and Helen were interviewed at the Captains Table, and the ‘Pudding and Coffee' evening in Schoolrooms. On Sunday Steven preached at both morning services and was interviewed at the 6.30 service.

First Wednesday

The Mission Group provide information and prayer points for First Wednesday from our five main mission partners in rotation. Other people and needs abroad are prayed for as we receive news.

Giving

St John’s PCC has agreed to give 10% of its income to support Christian training, education and compassion ministries overseas and in the UK.

The budget for 2023 was £24,000. £20,000 was divided equally between our main mission partners:

The remaining £4,000 was allocated to the following causes as ‘one off’ gifts.

A big thankyou to all who gave to the SOW Student sponsorship project. The final figure raised was £4490. Two students are already benefiting from bursaries from this fund. This appeal was separate from the PCC budget.

Ann Johnson

Fellowship Groups Report 2023 - 2024

The Fellowship Groups are a vital part of our church and parish life. They are not very ‘visible’ as they meet midweek, in homes, and often after dark! But to those who attend they function alongside Sunday services as a really core feature of church life. For that reason, I am glad of an opportunity to express – on behalf of all of us – our enormous gratitude to those who lead the groups. They work hard for the good of us all, nurturing our corporate life on towards maturity in Christ. Thank you also to those who host the groups in their homes, lead the studies or prayer times often or occasionally, and who take an active part in the life of the group they belong to.

In 2023 the FGs covered some studies in ‘Certain truths for uncertain times’, and in the life of King Solomon from 1 Kings, and most recently in the book of the prophet Malachi. Ben, George and I have all been involved in writing different studies through the year, and Helen Peace oversees the membership lists of who is in which group – a very significant and pastoral task! Helen and I meet with the group leaders three times a year, and we are always so encouraged by the news from the groups, and by the way the leaders pray for one another.

Many churches refer to their small groups as ‘Growth Groups’ – and I think that emphasizes an important aim. We are called to grow in our faith (2 Cor 10:15), to grow up in our salvation (1 Peter 2:2), to grow in the knowledge of God (Colossian 1:10), to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18). But not to grow weary! (Hebrews 12:3).

We call our groups ‘Fellowship Groups’ – because true spiritual fellowship is around God’s word, in dependence on God in prayer, and in the joy of belonging to one another in Christian care and love. Groups meet fortnightly in homes (though there is one group – men only – that meets on a Wednesday in the Schoolrooms). They mostly meet in the evenings (Tuesdays and Wednesdays), though three groups meet during the daytime. Two groups meet in Sherborne. One group meets on Zoom. One group is more a St. Andrew’s group than a St. John’s group. All together, we have thirteen groups.

And to be honest, we probably need more groups – which would mean having more group leaders. Is there anyone in your group that you think would make a brilliant leader of a new or different group??! God works in these groups. He speaks, he unites, he builds, he encourages, sometimes he rebukes and corrects, he gives support, he sends many blessings of his Spirit. If you’re not in a group, why not join one? If you’re in a group, Praise God!

James Dudley-Smith

Safeguarding

There are currently 112 people who volunteer in church roles with children, young people or vulnerable adults. They are safely recruited before they start to help, ie. they have satisfactory DBS checks (repeated every three years), have a (very informal) interview and provide two references. During 2023 a total of 69 checks were therefore completed or renewed.

Safeguarding is an item on every PCC agenda and a list of new and repeated DBS checks is provided to the meeting. There were an unusually high number of checks during 2023 because the requirement to repeat them was every 5 years but has now changed to every third year. This year was therefore a ‘catch up’ year.

A major change that happened was that the Diocese is now working closely with a Christian organisation called Thirtyone:eight. They specialise in supporting churches of various denominations about safeguarding matters and are now providing weekend and out of hours advice rather than the Diocese, and DBS checks are being completed through them.

The Church of England requires people who volunteer to complete training at a level appropriate to their role, with most courses available online. We thank everyone for complying with this. A few (mainly staff) have undertaken the higher level called ‘Leadership in Safeguarding’ and have reported they have found it to be a beneficial course. At every interview there needs to be at least one person who has completed Safer Recruitment training so there are now several people who have done this.

Over recent years there has been a huge rise across the country in cases of Domestic Abuse. We are therefore being asked to use a Domestic Abuse Awareness course to increase understanding of why and how this happens, principles of how to help in this situation and the long-term effects it can have. The PCC have all agreed to do the course, and both the Tiny Toes and Footprints teams are also doing so. Others will be approached in due course.

Please continue to pray for the safety of our churches, for wisdom when there are tricky decisions to be made and for our case of abuse survivors in all its forms.

Ann Thurgood

Life Skills Manager’s Report

One of the things I love so much about CAP is the generosity of heart and spirit that is so prevalent within the organisation. Visible within and through the lives of those who work for CAP as staff, coaches, befrienders and volunteers. And of course, that generosity of heart and spirit is there because God our Father has placed it within us, growing it in each of us as we do his work. But even more exciting is the effect that his generosity and love has on those with whom we work.

Our 6[th] Life Skills course finished mid-March and, as always, the team and I arrived with excitement and expectation, because each new course marks the start of new relationships and friendships. New things that we learn, new ways to grow and be changed, new opportunities to see God at work. We thank and praise God for his graciousness towards us and our group members, because he never lets us down and always surprises us afresh with the works he brings to bear.

And at the time this comes out we will already be thinking about and planning for the next course which starts on April 29[th] . And we are particularly aware that the work never stops as, alongside the LS course, we continue to see past LS members at Gone Fishing Café, at the sUpper Room and at various other church events and services. Friendships are deepened and we have a strong and growing community of those who have completed LS courses. This is very visible at CAP social/outreach events where numbers are significantly higher, and the members very much enjoy all aspects of the events. Long may that continue, and we pray that the message and experience of God’s love will become real for those we journey alongside.

Lastly, I would like to give thanks for the wonderful group of volunteers who come along each week to support, befriend and serve the group, living out God’s love at every session and in every encounter. Also, for the trusty team of pray-ers who hold us in prayer each week that the course is running. I particularly give thanks for Jonathan Coulson who is going to become one of our life skills coaches and will be starting his training in coming weeks. This will take our coaches to 5 which will give us even greater flexibility. And so to finish, cannibalising a verse from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians,

‘ may we commit to our God and Father, our work produced by faith, our labour prompted by love, and our endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.’

Jennifer Matthew Life Skills Manager

LADIES’ BIBLE STUDY

A group of about twelve meet on the first and third Wednesday mornings of the month, excluding school holidays, to study the Bible and pray together. We try to balance our studies between the Old and New Testaments, and in the past year we have completed the first 12 chapters of Luke’s Gospel, studied the book of Judges and read the letter to Titus. In our studies, which different people volunteer to lead, we mostly use study guides produced by The Good Book Company, which we find helpful in enabling us to participate in discussion.

At the end of each study we pray about what we have learnt, share our personal concerns, and pray for these and for church activities. Our aim is to encourage one another in our knowledge of God so that, “in every way we will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive.”

Twice a year, usually in January and in the summer, we have a social get together, often ‘down the pub’!

Helen Truett and Jean Conley

TCP (Tea, coffee, croissants, and prayer)

Meeting on the fourth Saturday of the month, downstairs in the Schoolrooms 9.00 am -10.30 am for an informal breakfast, fellowship, and prayer.

Between eight to fifteen ladies, from both our churches, get together, over coffee/tea, croissants, and occasional crumpet and festive fare in December. There is a friendly relaxed, atmosphere with much laughter, conversation, and time to share our concerns.

Getting together for breakfast, provides us with the opportunity to encourage one another, offer our support and join together in prayer

All ladies are more than welcome to join us.

Roz Chatwin

Crafty Ladies ( Craft Fellowship )

The group meets fortnightly on the 1st and 3[rd] Thursdays of the month downstairs in the Schoolrooms from 7.30 pm. to 9.00 pm. The atmosphere is very relaxed we share a cuppa, enjoying chatting and stitching.

To date, we have made several of the banners which hang in the church, including ones for Christmas that are displayed throughout December. We also stitched the hangings on the stands for the music group.

Last year we began work on a Harvest Festival themed project. The first banner was displayed in the church in the Autumn. Currently we are stitching a second one to hang with it, which we hope will be ready by next Harvest.

In October and November, we met every week to make Christmas crafts. These were sold in church at the beginning of December in aid of Prostate Cancer UK. The group was thrilled to find the sale had raised £222.20.

We always welcome new members. There is no need to come with anything other than enthusiasm as all the materials are supplied. No level of skill is required, just the ability to thread a needle.

Roz Chatwin

St John’s Music Group

During 2023-24 the Band continued to grow in number, repertoire and technical knowledge.

We practise on a Monday evening in the Church building and an hour before each morning and evening service. This allows us to be able to pray together, go through service songs, learn new ones and become more knowledgeable with the technical side.

We had and still have a committed team of twenty-two during the year. We are blessed with a large skill set: vocal, keyboard, guitar, flute, recorder, sax, trumpet, drums and tech.

Each service we have a different combination of musicians and singers. This is on a rota system dependant on individuals' availability. For some services, the Band has been small with maybe two others but can be up to seven. We have been grateful to have had a constant, dedicated Tech Team without whom a lot of what we put together would be not be possible.

We continue to lead worship in song for morning Together for Worship and fourth Sunday Communion Services, as well as all Evening Services. For the year 2023-24 this numbered seventy. Many of us joined the choir for the Carol Service also putting together a separate Band song.

If on reading this, you feel that you have gift to add to the Band then please speak to Keith, Becky, Judy or myself. The four of us oversee the running and planning of the Band. We also sign up to a Band and Tech Membership document.

It is a privilege and blessing to serve our Church family: Jesus is the centre and in Him we trust.

Jane Hiscock

Floral Group

In 2023 the floral group comprised 13 members who ensured there were beautiful floral displays in St John’s each week of the year, apart from during Lent. As usual the Easter, Harvest and Christmas displays were stunning, aiding us in our worship. Mary Brooks co-ordinated the displays for these festivals with the help of many of the group. Jennifer Matthew co-ordinated flowers for the weddings of Victoria Sanders and Rebekah Emery, helped by others from the group.

The floral group received £700 donations, mainly from wedding flowers, and claimed costs of £585 leaving our final account balance of £793.

We are grateful to Terry Bush who helps maintain stock of consumables such as oasis.

We remember Sonia Batten who joined the team during the year, having previously arranged flowers at Sherborne Abbey. Initially coming to St John’s one Thursday morning, to enquire about the flowers, she soon found friendship and became a regular at the Gone Fishing café and other church groups. Sadly Sonia passed away in February 2024.

If you would like to join the group to help with flower arrangements, please do get in touch: whether you would like to learn how to arrange flowers alongside someone else, or you are an experienced flower arranger who prefers to work alone – you would be made very welcome. Also, if you would like to help with the administration of the group, please let me know.

Mary Irwin

St John’s Model Railway Group

St John’s Model Railway Group meets every third Thursday evening of the month in the Schoolrooms, with a typical attendance of up to around 6 to 10 people. We also have the occasional session on a Saturday. Our aim is to offer a creative fellowship and low level outreach activity in which we can share our hobby together, aware that God has blessed us with all good things.

Membership is very informal but remains roughly at the ten to fifteen mark. We welcome any newcomers regardless of any church connection, and anyone can drop in and see what we’re up to! We pray that we would honour God in our times together and have conversations that point to Jesus.

Tim Neville

Prodigal Bikes

Prodigal Bikes is a charity set up in 2017 by a small group including Tim Neville and Calum McFarlane from St John’s, with the aim of “bringing hope and changing lives in both Africa and the UK” through bicycles. In our workshop near Merriott we refurbish old bikes donated to us, teach engineering skills and give work experience to those who need a “second chance”. These bikes are then either shipped to Africa or given to refugees and asylum seekers here in the UK (Some of these being paid for through the Lord’s Larder Community Fund).

In Africa our bikes are used by patients to access healthcare, and by school children and teachers to get to schools. We also provide tools, spare parts and training to keep the bikes working. To date we have shipped over 450 bikes to Kenya and 130 to Malawi. This year we hope to send our largest shipment yet – over 300 bikes – to Tanzania. We are very grateful for the continued support and prayers of members of St John’s.

Calum McFarlane

Friends of St John’s Report, 2023

In the 30 years since the Friends started in 1994, we have raised approximately £100,000 towards the fabric of St John’s, but in 2023 a change in how future funds will be raised was initiated. We were unable to continue as a separate charity without replacements for the Chair and Treasurer of the Committee, which had not been forthcoming, despite appeals for help. Hence the dissolution of the Friends of St John’s was proposed at the Annual General Meeting in June and confirmed by a Special General Meeting in September, in accordance with the rules of the charity.

A letter was sent to all on the current Friends supporters list, explaining the change and providing details of how to switch giving to the St John’s PCC Bank Account and designate it for the Fabric Fund. This was also communicated to the wider church. A transition period to the end of November 2023 was allowed, after which the Friends charity and bank account would be closed, and remaining funds transferred. All such funds have now been transferred to the Fabric Fund, totalling £4885.90. Formal closure of the charity via the Charities Commission Register awaits a final financial statement, which is in preparation.

Earlier in the year we had the pleasure of an evening in St John’s church with the Dorset Police Male Voice Choir on 25[th] March, an enjoyable time attended by 55 or so in the audience (and 30 in the choir), which raised £421 for our funds.

The need to support work on the magnificent St John’s building continues. With this support now directly via the Fabric Fund, a very encouraging start to fund-raising events took place in the church on 24 February 2024. A total of £1333.42 was raised from the Acoustic Night concert, organised by Keith Ovenden. This will be divided equally between the CAP Centre and the Fabric Fund. Thanks to all who organised, performed in, or enjoyed that excellent event! A further event is planned for 27 April, when the Phoenix Brass Band and the People’s Choir will be performing in a joint concert, organised by Robert Warr. A very enjoyable evening is anticipated in support of our Fabric Fund.

Many thanks to all supporters and past committee members!

Phil Juggins (Acting Chair)

St John’s Bookstall

The bookstall stocks books that ‘Point people to Jesus’ and I am thrilled to report that during the year we have bought and sold c. £366 worth of Christian books. The wonderful help from Emma in the church office advertising these books is so appreciated as is the help of Karen Stokes actually running the stall. We are now stocking booklets about every-day pressures ranging from depression/anxiety to coping with a cancer diagnosis as seen from a Christian perspective.

In October 2023 we were awarded a grant of £500 by 10GIVING (a division of 10 Of Those Books - we get almost all our books from them). CAP clients are now given a New Living Translation Bible supplied by this fund. We also have many free Christian books on the stall which are proving popular. Terry Bush has also got a supply of evangelistic tracts to give to people who visit St John’s - via this grant.

People within the church family do ask me about stocking ‘broader’ books and my response is always to look at what they are suggesting and keep any titles firmly pointing people to Jesus.

Iain Maitland

Yeovil College Chaplaincy

During the last year at college, some doors have closed and others have opened:

There are two Christian groups which I now run, each with two students. Several other students prefer to meet one-to-one for Bible study. There is growing interest in exploring faith.

A big thank you to those who have been praying for the chaplaincy at college.

Ben Graham

Report of meetings of Deanery Synod

Rev David Keen of St James’ took over as Area Dean last October and Val Barker remains as the Lay Chair. Janet Dean continues as secretary. Each meeting usually has a theme determined by the main visiting speaker. This year there have been presentations on:

1. Pioneer Ministry .

Farhad Chermahini leads pioneer ministry in the Birchfield area of Yeovil and gave us a fascinating insight into his work trying to reach people who have nothing to do with church. His work is all about building relationships within the community.

He works in the parish of St Michael’s within the Birchfield community where he arrived to commence work in 2020, just prior to lockdown, so he began to ‘walk and talk’ with people he met. The local park was in an overgrown state and being misused by local drug users, so he began to clear and freshly plant some of the land. This was much appreciated by the local community.

2. Environment

Deanery Environmental Champion – Kris Emmett is new in this role and is available to help PCCs look at reducing carbon footprint, encouraging biodiversity in churchyards, and creation care in the drive to achieve net-zero carbon. St John’s has recently been awarded eco church bronze status as part of this initiative.

3. Developing Lay Ministry

With the decrease in the number of stipendiary clergy in the Diocese there will be an increasing need for non-clergy lay ministry. Prebendary Ronnie Crossman, Ministry Training Team Leader at the Diocese, gave an interesting slide presentation on the new lay ministry training pathways, outlining points such as:

4. The Deanery Mission Planning Group (DMPG ) have been working on the Deanery Plan and Deanery Deployment Plan over the previous two years to advise the Archdeacon on stipendiary clergy deployment in the Deanery in response to the need to reduce numbers of clergy in the Diocese. This was approved by Synod in June after much debate and difficult conversations.

5. A regular feature is a round-up of news from the parishes in the Deanery which are always encouraging reflecting the good work happening in our area. It was highlighted in his review of

the entire Diocese by Bishop Michael in his recent Presidential address to the Diocesan Synod after his visits to all the deaneries fin the diocese earlier in the year.

6. Common Fund Consultation . A new system for the calculation of how money is raised for the work of our Diocese, not least how clergy are paid, housed, and supported. It will be phased in over the next three years. The new basis for calculation will be based on the cost of ministry, with three components: clergy costs, Diocesan support costs, and a ‘generosity’ pot to help parishes in areas of financial need.

7. Bishop Michael asked to meet with all deaneries in the diocese to listen and learn about what is happening locally and where God is at work. The Yeovil meeting took place on Tuesday 17[th] October in St John’s Church. There were 70 people present, representing Deanery Synod and PCC members from all the churches within the Yeovil Deanery. The Bishop was accompanied by four members of his staff from Wells:

He was there to hear about all the good things taking place in the various churches. He encouraged us to discuss the many and various positive aspects of church life. It was clear that there is a lot going on within our various communities, each church and benefice doing something different and beneficial to their communities. He was also interested to hear about any negative feedback from those present and to advise where he was able.

Rob Dean

Yeovil CAP Centre Report 2023

Debt Centre

The vision of Christians Against Poverty is Transformed Lives- Thriving Churches – An end to UK Poverty . Yeovil CAP Centre offers an award winning free service, in the name of Christ, to help people find a route out of debt. Within this process we share our own faith in God who created us and his son Jesus Christ who died that we might have eternal life within his family.

In 2023 the Yeovil CAP Debt Centre was contacted by nearly 40 local households for help with unmanageable debt, and we delivered around 100 face to face home visits. We saw a record 19 households go debt free this year, bring the total to 145 households going debt free since the Debt Centre started - which is great cause for celebration.

We never pay people’s debts off for them, but rather find a route out of debt and work alongside them in their journey out of debt. In addition, we will try and bless them with practical gifts when finances are tight. These client blessings may include a food parcel from the Lord’s Larder or fresh food shop, helping repair or replace white goods which break or topping up gas and electricity when unexpected bills arise and money is very tight.

After nine years as Debt Centre Manager, Steve Hart retired in November, planning to continue as a volunteer debt coach for one more year. We are so grateful to him for his excellent and faithful servant hearted leadership and the favour the Lord has given him with other agencies – meaning that the Yeovil CAP centre is now recognised and respected locally by many churches and secular organisations including the DWP, the probation service, local schools and GP surgeries.

Mary Irwin took over as Debt Centre Manager in November, and continues to work alongside Steve and Anne-Charlotte as debt coaches. We are also pleased to have appointed Rowena Murray as a new debt coach, currently training and planning to see clients in April 2024. We have no doubt she will be a valuable addition to the team.

This year saw many changes from Head Office with our CEO Paula Stringer stepping down after 5 years at the helm; Stewart McCulloch has taken on that role. There has also been a noticeable shift towards clients needing to go through insolvency (such as Bankruptcy or Debt Relief Orders) rather than being able to repay their debts, owing to the increased cost of living. Some of our clients have more complex mental health needs, with the sobering statistic that one in two people who contact CAP for debt help previously considered or attempted to take their own lives. It is heart-breaking that in September, we lost one of our dear friends from the Yeovil CAP family in this way.

CAP Money

This year Peter Gibson and Bridget Turner ran two CAP Money courses at Yeovil Community Church. These short courses provide budgeting skills and are suitable for anyone to learn how to spend and save. At present we are in need of another CAP Money coach as Bridget has stepped down from this work.

Events

We held four client events. In March, at our Ladies’ Pamper afternoon, our guests were treated to foot spas, manicures, hand massages, nibbles, and then heard Hannah Osborn share her testimony. Our July Summer BBQ was a great event with Ben Graham sharing the gospel. Fish, Chips and Tricks was held at St Peter’s Community Centre in September – with our guests entertained by James Dudley-Smith’s magic tricks, and challenged by his gospel presentation; we rejoice that three people made a public response to the gospel message. We also held our Christmas Tea in the Schoolrooms where there was a wonderful sense of fellowship and George Beverley spoke about the birth of Christ. These were all well attended and an opportunity to show God’s love and generosity to our growing CAP family through friendship, hospitality and a gospel presentation.

Befrienders

We are so grateful for our amazing and dedicated team of volunteers who accompany debt coaches on home visits and seek to build supportive relationships with our clients, praying for them, occasionally offering lifts to appointments, helping fill out forms, or meeting for a coffee to encourage them on their journey out of debt. This is a challenging job but can lead to wonderful rewards as we see clients blossom and transform, with some choosing to follow Jesus for themselves.

Prayer

‘Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain’ Ps 127:1

We strive to keep the Lord Jesus at the centre of all we do, and acknowledge our complete reliance on him to guide and strengthen us. The CAP team meet each week to pray. We also have 20 people who receive an email with our upcoming home visit appointments so they can pray while we are with our clients. We continue to hold a CAP Hour of Prayer on the last Tuesday of the month both in person and online. In addition, our CAP Praise and Prayer update ‘Turning the Tide’ is sent to over 160 supporters every 3 weeks.

St John’s Church

We have links with supporters from many local churches, but as the lead church, St John’s continues to provide the core of our support, for which we are so grateful. So many of the congregation join with us through various roles – praying, befriending, offering lifts, helping with courses, catering for events, giving financially, signposting others to CAP to name but a few. As a centre we are so grateful for the invaluable support of St John’s church and our Rector James, alongside Rick Pudner who chairs our Management Committee and all the members of the management committee.

Each Thursday morning, Gone Fishing Café is an excellent opportunity to meet with our growing CAP Family, as well as those thinking about contacting CAP. Over the years we have seen many grow in faith and confidence as they integrate into the life of the church.

Finances

The finances of the CAP centre are separate from the general St John’s fund, and we raise our own running costs to cover salaries, Head Office fees, office expenses and client blessings. In 2023 we received regular donations by standing order from 40 individuals and 2 churches, covering nearly 40% of our expenditure.

The remainder is made up from one off donations and fundraising. This year we also received gifts left in wills, as well as £6K (before gift aid) which came in through the Aviva matched funded online campaign. The Yeovil CAP Centre is now in its 13[th] year. We pray that with the help of the Lord, and the support of St John’s, we will continue to play our part in demonstrating the compassion and love of Christ to those in our community, as we seek to Serve the Poor – Save the Lost- with the Church - across the nation .

Mary Irwin Debt Centre Manager

The Lord’s Larder

To everyone in St John’s who gives to The Lord’s Larder and The Lord’s Larder Community Fund, thank you for your continued support of Yeovil Christian Support Trust over the last 12 months. Again, it was another busy year for the Lord’s Larder Food Bank helping over 9,600 local people last year.

The Lord’s Larder Food Bank

Over 2023 with the support from St Johns, other local churches, and the wider community, we were able to give out over 170,000 items of food which went into 4,202 emergency food parcels to help 9,684 people, that figure breaks down as: -.

5,651 adults 4,033 children 2,160 families

Through December the Lord’s Larder Food Bank in that month alone helped 1,000 people, 560 adults and 440 children with food over Christmas 2023.

The Lord’s Larder Community Fund - continued to make a huge difference to 127 people’s lives last year. By using donations, to fund small grants that agency workers apply for on behalf of their clients, these clients are families and single people have no other way of buying essential household items, like beds, furniture and cookers, their only other option would be to go to loan sharks, or go into debt.

We continue to give thanks to God for his faithfulness over the years; as the Lord’s Larder Food Bank has served the local community for over three decades, and over that time we have always found we always have enough food donated to make up food parcel requests. Last year we were able to give out over 170,000 items of food so that 9,600 people did not go without food, and didn’t go hungry.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those in St. John’s for choosing to continue to support the valuable work of Yeovil Christian Support Trust (YCST), The Lord’s Larder and Lord’s Larder Community Fund; and we would like to pass on the heart-felt gratitude from all those we are able to help throughout the year.

Mat Callaghan

PCC of ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH YEOVIL ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31. DECEMBER 2023 CONTENTS Independent Examinerfs Report SL*ernent of Flnanclal Activiiios Balance Sheot Cash Flow Notos to the Flnanclal Statsment Notè: The full Annual Report for 2023 including a Finance Report Is available separately and wlll bo filed toggther with these accounts with the Charity Commission. PCC of St John the Baptlst Church Yeovil is a Registered Charity No. 1134345

Independent Examlners Report to the Truslees of the PCC of St John the Bapt18t Church Yeovll I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31. December 2023. which are set out on Pages 2-8. Ro8POCtlve responsFbilitie$ of trustees and examiner The charitys trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charitYs trustees consider that an audtt is not required for this year (under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Ad)) and that an independenl examination is needed. The charity is preparing accrued accounts and l am qualified to undertake the examination, being a qualtfied member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts (under se¢lion 145 of the 2011 Act) - follow the proodures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission {under section 145(5)b of the 2011 Act" and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention Basis of independent examinerfs report My examination was rarried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination indudes a rewew 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 you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a -true and fair and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement. Independent Examinerfs Statemenl In connection wth my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (11 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements - to keep accounb.ng records in awjolance SeC￿n 130 ofthe 2011 Art - to prepare accounts which acconj th Ihè accounting rKwds and cornply the accounting requirements of the 2011 Ad (2) to which. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reathed Name". fvAr. Craig Howes Relevant professional qualification or body: ICAEW Address: 22 Watercombe Heights, Yeovil, Somerset. BA20 2TA Date: 21.09.24 Page 1

PCCOfStJ￿NT￿FBp￿fCWjRCHyE0￿L 975 51.ml 321.161 382.029 Olhgr Incothnj Rts¢w¢s 2.619 2.619 3.$18 3.57 $51 2.602 YJ7.7 $1.W 1.611 228T 51&57 Gr4nLI .122 122 120 51.370 263,856 42.112 2U.m) >J.ro) 91.412 87.459 .J1 .SJs r2.994 429.9 311.80& I28.￿) Ill7rtsi 21.ty)25 21.758 124.6091 24.jlg 120.JZI 24.309 120.2821 siu 4.510 .104 13.11 13.5011 132.8291 17.wl N•tMw•it In Fvnts 121.5941 113.3551 19¢ 1317551 2785 15.$371 ITT.1S91 156.91?) Genw Sl Jthns re$ Fun4$ 144 53.144 14.813 27.￿1 ls.ityj 27,607 15.108 Oryan 2TI 5T,U34 TOZ FIb￿CF￿nd warGu￿d 51.943 51.Y3 57.824 70 1.63T 1.637 1.637 1.637 BWI Mnwrs. Fund rumSettqrBdtry Fund PqtwW4kdy ainstPtr¥ert Ft TO￿ Bal•rx• 13246 12.078 266.7Wd 266.7D2 2?. 27.sy 112 12.592 14.5 343.339 25.452 TFI 12.992 343.339 25.852 S44.496 68.597 iosoio er Fund StJ 51744 $3.744 (kwFur ¢oWCN)Yts Fun¢ Ffft¢ F 271 57.491 5T491 51.943 51.943 ￿￿51￿￿tF￿d Y￿￿￿ InwostriwtFund E4uipwnl Rw14CThIt Bell R￿tr￿a￿On Fund Toms￿or&￿trYF￿ PtrY4aWy FL 5bon5 Fur T(1 8wl4nc¢Cwnqd FLY 25.111 1.637 25.Tl8 44.893 13.246 13,246 12.078 266.702 27.SJ4 47.616 IIC67 26922 26& .702 27.5a4 35.561 tp33 a27.￿ 453.862 68.557 Page 2

PCC of St John the Baptist Chur¢h Yoovil Balance Sheet as at 31" December 2023 Note 2023 2022 FIXED ASSETS Tangible Inveslment Assets 321.368 321,368 306,754 306,754 CURRENT ASSETS Stock Debtors and Prepayments Short Tem) Deposits and Bonds Cash at Hand and in Bank 51,581 80,912 132,493 58,875 121.987 180.862 LIABILMES Amounts falling due wthin one year NET CURRENT ASSETS 132,493 180,862 NET ASSETS 453.861 487,616 FUNDS Unrestricted Dedicated Restrided 39,964 86.093 327,806 453.862 68.557 99,448 319,612 487,616 These accounts were approved on September 2024 by: Alan lThvSn- Treasurer Keith Ovenden - Churchwardgn Page 3

PCC of St JOHN tho BAPTIST CHURCH YEOVIL Cash Flow Statèmènt For the year to 31" Decembor 2023 Reconciliation of Net IOutgoing)nncoming Resources to net Cash Flow from Operating Activities 2023 2022 Net (outgoingyincoming reSoUr￿S before investment changes Investment Incom8 Roundings Net cash loufflow) from operating activities {71,783) (24.609) 1899) {71.7831 (23,710) Cash Flow Statement Net cash loufflow) from opèrating activites Movements on Debtors Movements on Creditors Sale of Investments Investment Income Cash Flow l Decrease in Cash (71,7831 (23,710) (20,282) 24,309 48,000 2.602 30,919 20.000 3,414 {48,369> Net Funds at 1" January 2023 180.862 157,439 st Net Funds at 31 DKember 2023 132,493 48.369 180,862 23,423 Page 4

PCC ol St JOHN BAPTIST CHURCH YEOVIL NOTe$ to tho FINANCIAL STATEMENTS th• Y￿1 to 31° D•cefflber 2023 ACCOUNTING pou¢ies Fonn•t olAccounts and ewlbjre i8 £429. Funds purwses of PCC )ms FuThJ Eqwpmert R￿8 F￿j Ctrgan Fund Fa￿ & Investhwl FLvts yC￿￿h m￿lSteI Investrnenl Furxl F￿Y￿GUIj FuThJ Re5tordlKfft TC￿ Seiier 8dtry FuThJ christ￿ Aw"rkst PelerWak Fu Plac•m•nt ol Funds PCGS finartl Bto wNe51 clits &]LwJ a$ss￿ the Chwch I malerw items of irxThe arKI ex[￿￿￿ are fc¢M an tW5i5. T￿￿tsIe Nx•d Au•t• Any fixety assets acwired bylhe PCC. the PCC ￿ Ihw fvee lo thsp)se d ai a Ihw a8ss as delermined by Firw(e crynMrt￿. by the Flrwxe CtMmittee. val￿ at 31 D¢¢ 2D23 Inve5trents are hdd in the fvfvjs. Petw wake￿ CcYT%miL￿ty FuThl . CBF CdE Invesrmw* Fthjs Shwes 144.097 36.519 180.616 258.3 63.011 321.368 Page 5

PCC ofStJOHNniE BAPm$T¢HVRCH YEty IKSIES to ￿ FINANCLIL STAIEMEMIB Foll￿ Ywto 31. DK•rnb•r2023 2. IIKOWMG REY4JiIACES Fund 23 FyrA 20fk 2a. kn¢¢mlng RegLlarfyw Ir)Jme TaA Re¢tsered Oedicated Colle¢ih ei Coll￿bOr Grarts Re¢%¢d Casual Gi￿r 170.35D 17D.4 161.794 161,884 52,565 4S,107 6S,937 S,250 19.931 46.1 8.116 45.1Q7 147 46.4T2 116 145 5rA) Fatthc FhyalG 51294 51294 51.287 51,287 F 51.441 J4SJ52 328.161 382 029 8x5 Gmup Fu￿rai￿r￿j Transfers fvom Gthwal Fthj 9.lls 2¢. In¢¢NmIrTh￿ ¢thwhabl•& •nclllytNdln# ctpJ¢h H￿1 Leiti Feesarnl Lei 2.726 850 3.578 2.619 Z.619 3.578 FL 327 327 OryanFL Fabrf¢ FuThJ Irhwbmert Fw ChistwnsAgwr4t FL Setter￿ty Fwj Rest0B1￿ FuThJ PeierWak•ly FL4bl 1.713 1.713 519 519 210 210 24 24 10 10 InwJnertFtahY $$1 3.414 327 2Z3 2.fj02 11. Chary• Inv*• R￿11￿￿¢ G•￿(L￿) Vr1&y￿￿ed GairfLws1 4.510 24.68$ 29,196 4.510 ).10 34.614 ￿.￿1) 25.145 5.418 5.418 32.829 36.330 TOTAL INcoMwKa AESOURCES 81,18& 396.22$ S.397 25.211 353.37g Page 6

P¢¢ otstJOHNTHE WllST¢HURCH NOTES loth• FINANC￿ sTATE￿NTs Forth•Ywto 31° O•e•fflbw2•23 RESOVRCES USED Fund# 2D22 3•.Grnnts GIWVJ (s￿ 3752 243TD 28122 3752 24370 26122 17504 3b. A&i¥lltsd1r￿lDr￿ork￿1￿•¢￿ 167511 81fj7 105 161511 8161 IC6 1eAgJ1 5F95 166501 5795 C￿ryy &S￿ff Ey4W Ckryy Church RuTrnlng Cajts 7914 5191 5191 13937 50471 Anar ReqLi 316 2012 1531$ 2012 1¥J18 StArthèwsCIAvth & Ham CAP.AthH6 Expe￿ ol 42974 497fj5 497 Juhhtchwth & Yauthwark Jth0rc￿￿ & YthWL MrAtra Baby 4810 4810 54370 263856 3c. Fund Rthhlny ind WaqesaThJ Fees PrfrtifvJ Slatthlry Xl16 83168 81247 42S S￿￿ne$ 3915 42412 391S 92412 87459 TOTAL RESOURCES USEO 317￿8 102370 41431 Page 7

PCC ol Sl John BWtChurthY•7 Fvtr ¥•W￿ 31"O•e•nbw1023 STAFF COST 14.911 15,324 10.1¥) .015 13.4fj7 1&043 Carn Cotydiro 1&595 P#TtsnAdmi￿Ytr￿L￿(r￿trWJ M F•b221 2.4 Dwlr FCC Fxdi¢S k4>yi2Str¥s pw.) CAF c••kWw121Strs g.wl CAP C8rtroDotr1c￿h1l3 .wd>J 231 PBtstaT¥ c•Cty￿kn122 5 PaNshAdMlAGWI￿l•1le-rl￿ ￿FEb22) P•ii¥hAdThruw130trrfs p.*.) . DEeTORS Fw Tom S¢nw BthyFw pwer WaWyCwmwrfyFw I. DE8TORS Gornr¥A Furd TO￿ Seitqr 7.MX4LYSig DI NEfASSETS bwFUND Fthed Assasar•J Irr4eSbMts 63.011 .353 3ZI. Z3.L•2 W.418 131493 57.W2 41.855 249.1tr2 70,49) Xfj.T54 180.162 65.957 86.093 82?.￿ 453.862 68.557 59.447 319.612 487.616 Page 8

PCC of ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH YEOVIL ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31. DECEMBER 2023 CONTENTS Independent Examinerfs Report SL*ernent of Flnanclal Activiiios Balance Sheot Cash Flow Notos to the Flnanclal Statsment Notè: The full Annual Report for 2023 including a Finance Report Is available separately and wlll bo filed toggther with these accounts with the Charity Commission. PCC of St John the Baptlst Church Yeovil is a Registered Charity No. 1134345

Independent Examlners Report to the Truslees of the PCC of St John the Bapt18t Church Yeovll I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31. December 2023. which are set out on Pages 2-8. Ro8POCtlve responsFbilitie$ of trustees and examiner The charitys trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charitYs trustees consider that an audtt is not required for this year (under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Ad)) and that an independenl examination is needed. The charity is preparing accrued accounts and l am qualified to undertake the examination, being a qualtfied member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts (under se¢lion 145 of the 2011 Act) - follow the proodures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission {under section 145(5)b of the 2011 Act" and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention Basis of independent examinerfs report My examination was rarried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination indudes a rewew 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 you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a -true and fair and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement. Independent Examinerfs Statemenl In connection wth my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (11 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements - to keep accounb.ng records in awjolance SeC￿n 130 ofthe 2011 Art - to prepare accounts which acconj th Ihè accounting rKwds and cornply the accounting requirements of the 2011 Ad (2) to which. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reathed Name". fvAr. Craig Howes Relevant professional qualification or body: ICAEW Address: 22 Watercombe Heights, Yeovil, Somerset. BA20 2TA Date: 21.09.24 Page 1

PCCOfStJ￿NT￿FBp￿fCWjRCHyE0￿L 975 51.ml 321.161 382.029 Olhgr Incothnj Rts¢w¢s 2.619 2.619 3.$18 3.57 $51 2.602 YJ7.7 $1.W 1.611 228T 51&57 Gr4nLI .122 122 120 51.370 263,856 42.112 2U.m) >J.ro) 91.412 87.459 .J1 .SJs r2.994 429.9 311.80& I28.￿) Ill7rtsi 21.ty)25 21.758 124.6091 24.jlg 120.JZI 24.309 120.2821 siu 4.510 .104 13.11 13.5011 132.8291 17.wl N•tMw•it In Fvnts 121.5941 113.3551 19¢ 1317551 2785 15.$371 ITT.1S91 156.91?) Genw Sl Jthns re$ Fun4$ 144 53.144 14.813 27.￿1 ls.ityj 27,607 15.108 Oryan 2TI 5T,U34 TOZ FIb￿CF￿nd warGu￿d 51.943 51.Y3 57.824 70 1.63T 1.637 1.637 1.637 BWI Mnwrs. Fund rumSettqrBdtry Fund PqtwW4kdy ainstPtr¥ert Ft TO￿ Bal•rx• 13246 12.078 266.7Wd 266.7D2 2?. 27.sy 112 12.592 14.5 343.339 25.452 TFI 12.992 343.339 25.852 S44.496 68.597 iosoio er Fund StJ 51744 $3.744 (kwFur ¢oWCN)Yts Fun¢ Ffft¢ F 271 57.491 5T491 51.943 51.943 ￿￿51￿￿tF￿d Y￿￿￿ InwostriwtFund E4uipwnl Rw14CThIt Bell R￿tr￿a￿On Fund Toms￿or&￿trYF￿ PtrY4aWy FL 5bon5 Fur T(1 8wl4nc¢Cwnqd FLY 25.111 1.637 25.Tl8 44.893 13.246 13,246 12.078 266.702 27.SJ4 47.616 IIC67 26922 26& .702 27.5a4 35.561 tp33 a27.￿ 453.862 68.557 Page 2

PCC of St John the Baptist Chur¢h Yoovil Balance Sheet as at 31" December 2023 Note 2023 2022 FIXED ASSETS Tangible Inveslment Assets 321.368 321,368 306,754 306,754 CURRENT ASSETS Stock Debtors and Prepayments Short Tem) Deposits and Bonds Cash at Hand and in Bank 51,581 80,912 132,493 58,875 121.987 180.862 LIABILMES Amounts falling due wthin one year NET CURRENT ASSETS 132,493 180,862 NET ASSETS 453.861 487,616 FUNDS Unrestricted Dedicated Restrided 39,964 86.093 327,806 453.862 68.557 99,448 319,612 487,616 These accounts were approved on September 2024 by: Alan lThvSn- Treasurer Keith Ovenden - Churchwardgn Page 3

PCC of St JOHN tho BAPTIST CHURCH YEOVIL Cash Flow Statèmènt For the year to 31" Decembor 2023 Reconciliation of Net IOutgoing)nncoming Resources to net Cash Flow from Operating Activities 2023 2022 Net (outgoingyincoming reSoUr￿S before investment changes Investment Incom8 Roundings Net cash loufflow) from operating activities {71,783) (24.609) 1899) {71.7831 (23,710) Cash Flow Statement Net cash loufflow) from opèrating activites Movements on Debtors Movements on Creditors Sale of Investments Investment Income Cash Flow l Decrease in Cash (71,7831 (23,710) (20,282) 24,309 48,000 2.602 30,919 20.000 3,414 {48,369> Net Funds at 1" January 2023 180.862 157,439 st Net Funds at 31 DKember 2023 132,493 48.369 180,862 23,423 Page 4

PCC ol St JOHN BAPTIST CHURCH YEOVIL NOTe$ to tho FINANCIAL STATEMENTS th• Y￿1 to 31° D•cefflber 2023 ACCOUNTING pou¢ies Fonn•t olAccounts and ewlbjre i8 £429. Funds purwses of PCC )ms FuThJ Eqwpmert R￿8 F￿j Ctrgan Fund Fa￿ & Investhwl FLvts yC￿￿h m￿lSteI Investrnenl Furxl F￿Y￿GUIj FuThJ Re5tordlKfft TC￿ Seiier 8dtry FuThJ christ￿ Aw"rkst PelerWak Fu Plac•m•nt ol Funds PCGS finartl Bto wNe51 clits &]LwJ a$ss￿ the Chwch I malerw items of irxThe arKI ex[￿￿￿ are fc¢M an tW5i5. T￿￿tsIe Nx•d Au•t• Any fixety assets acwired bylhe PCC. the PCC ￿ Ihw fvee lo thsp)se d ai a Ihw a8ss as delermined by Firw(e crynMrt￿. by the Flrwxe CtMmittee. val￿ at 31 D¢¢ 2D23 Inve5trents are hdd in the fvfvjs. Petw wake￿ CcYT%miL￿ty FuThl . CBF CdE Invesrmw* Fthjs Shwes 144.097 36.519 180.616 258.3 63.011 321.368 Page 5

PCC ofStJOHNniE BAPm$T¢HVRCH YEty IKSIES to ￿ FINANCLIL STAIEMEMIB Foll￿ Ywto 31. DK•rnb•r2023 2. IIKOWMG REY4JiIACES Fund 23 FyrA 20fk 2a. kn¢¢mlng RegLlarfyw Ir)Jme TaA Re¢tsered Oedicated Colle¢ih ei Coll￿bOr Grarts Re¢%¢d Casual Gi￿r 170.35D 17D.4 161.794 161,884 52,565 4S,107 6S,937 S,250 19.931 46.1 8.116 45.1Q7 147 46.4T2 116 145 5rA) Fatthc FhyalG 51294 51294 51.287 51,287 F 51.441 J4SJ52 328.161 382 029 8x5 Gmup Fu￿rai￿r￿j Transfers fvom Gthwal Fthj 9.lls 2¢. In¢¢NmIrTh￿ ¢thwhabl•& •nclllytNdln# ctpJ¢h H￿1 Leiti Feesarnl Lei 2.726 850 3.578 2.619 Z.619 3.578 FL 327 327 OryanFL Fabrf¢ FuThJ Irhwbmert Fw ChistwnsAgwr4t FL Setter￿ty Fwj Rest0B1￿ FuThJ PeierWak•ly FL4bl 1.713 1.713 519 519 210 210 24 24 10 10 InwJnertFtahY $$1 3.414 327 2Z3 2.fj02 11. Chary• Inv*• R￿11￿￿¢ G•￿(L￿) Vr1&y￿￿ed GairfLws1 4.510 24.68$ 29,196 4.510 ).10 34.614 ￿.￿1) 25.145 5.418 5.418 32.829 36.330 TOTAL INcoMwKa AESOURCES 81,18& 396.22$ S.397 25.211 353.37g Page 6

P¢¢ otstJOHNTHE WllST¢HURCH NOTES loth• FINANC￿ sTATE￿NTs Forth•Ywto 31° O•e•fflbw2•23 RESOVRCES USED Fund# 2D22 3•.Grnnts GIWVJ (s￿ 3752 243TD 28122 3752 24370 26122 17504 3b. A&i¥lltsd1r￿lDr￿ork￿1￿•¢￿ 167511 81fj7 105 161511 8161 IC6 1eAgJ1 5F95 166501 5795 C￿ryy &S￿ff Ey4W Ckryy Church RuTrnlng Cajts 7914 5191 5191 13937 50471 Anar ReqLi 316 2012 1531$ 2012 1¥J18 StArthèwsCIAvth & Ham CAP.AthH6 Expe￿ ol 42974 497fj5 497 Juhhtchwth & Yauthwark Jth0rc￿￿ & YthWL MrAtra Baby 4810 4810 54370 263856 3c. Fund Rthhlny ind WaqesaThJ Fees PrfrtifvJ Slatthlry Xl16 83168 81247 42S S￿￿ne$ 3915 42412 391S 92412 87459 TOTAL RESOURCES USEO 317￿8 102370 41431 Page 7

PCC ol Sl John BWtChurthY•7 Fvtr ¥•W￿ 31"O•e•nbw1023 STAFF COST 14.911 15,324 10.1¥) .015 13.4fj7 1&043 Carn Cotydiro 1&595 P#TtsnAdmi￿Ytr￿L￿(r￿trWJ M F•b221 2.4 Dwlr FCC Fxdi¢S k4>yi2Str¥s pw.) CAF c••kWw121Strs g.wl CAP C8rtroDotr1c￿h1l3 .wd>J 231 PBtstaT¥ c•Cty￿kn122 5 PaNshAdMlAGWI￿l•1le-rl￿ ￿FEb22) P•ii¥hAdThruw130trrfs p.*.) . DEeTORS Fw Tom S¢nw BthyFw pwer WaWyCwmwrfyFw I. DE8TORS Gornr¥A Furd TO￿ Seitqr 7.MX4LYSig DI NEfASSETS bwFUND Fthed Assasar•J Irr4eSbMts 63.011 .353 3ZI. Z3.L•2 W.418 131493 57.W2 41.855 249.1tr2 70,49) Xfj.T54 180.162 65.957 86.093 82?.￿ 453.862 68.557 59.447 319.612 487.616 Page 8