Parish Church of St Lawrence, Frodingham Registered Charity Number 1135445
Final Accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2020
1
PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Annual report for the year ended 31 December 2020
Background
With the parishes of Crosby, Berkeley, Gunness and Burringham, St Lawrence’s and All Saints is part of the North Scunthorpe Group Ministry. We are also members of Churches in North Scunthorpe (CINS) an ecumenical group drawing from the denominations in north Scunthorpe. We are becoming more active in Churches Together in North Lincolnshire.
PCC Membership
The PCC is a charity registered with the Charity Commission (No 1135445) and has specific responsibilities for the church buildings and the church hall and its members are either ex officio or elected at the Annual Parochial Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. At present the PCC has 11 lay members and 8 ex officio members (19 in total).
Committees
The PCC meets six times a year in normal circumstances but has only met three times this year. The Standing Committee also meets 6 times a year prior to the PCC meetings and is responsible for setting the agenda for meetings of the Council. It is also responsible for the conduct of all PCC business between meetings. The PCC sets up working parties, as required, to drive forward particular initiatives.
Review of the Year
The year has been dominated and disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic which saw all churches closed from mid-March through to July and then only reopening under severe restrictions. We also had a lockdown and closure for all of November and further restrictions during December and into the New Year. This has meant that we have had to focus on other ways of worshipping together, so the PCC obtained an Annual Licence for Zoom which has been used for Sunday Worship services, Evening Prayer and occasional Festivals, we have also used it for meetings too. Learning to use this media has been a gradual journey but has meant that we have found ways of worshipping together though apart and has kept many of our congregation together. It has proved a focal point for our social life together as well. We have also used other means of communication and sharing worship to help us through this current situation; Prayer and Worship material (emailed and posted); services advertised and promoted on Facebook, and website and national resources highlighted. We have also been doing almost daily blogs to keep folk in touch, to offer Spiritual advice and support and to celebrate the Saints and Holy days. These have proved quite popular and hopefully useful too. During August we restarted limited services in church, worshipping fortnightly during August, September and October as well as in December. These services were with limited numbers due to Social Distancing restrictions and were fortnightly to enable sanitation to happen (we also worshipped on the alternative weeks at All Saints) and we maintained the Zoom worship weekly. In December, PCC member Andrew Bullen pre-recorded a Christingle Service and a Christmas Day service for us which were released on YouTube on Christmas Eve. These proved extremely popular and enabled more people to join in the Celebrations than were allowed in our churches. Prior to lockdown the PCC agreed and installed an update to our old and failing sound system which has proved a massive improvement and a benefit to all of us. We also started a funding campaign that was rudely interrupted by the pandemic.
In the field of mission we took part with the Deanery in the Leading Your Youth into Growth programme. Again this was interrupted by the pandemic but has given us hope and inspiration as how to move forwards in faith and how to plan for future growth.
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PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Annual report for the year ended 31 December 2020 (continued)
Our finances have struggled as it has been difficult to maintain regular giving apart from those who give directly to the Bank but, as always, we have been well supported and looked after by our Treasurer, Christine Hall and the Planned Giving officer Angela Sturman, as well as Michael Cropper’s diligence in looking after the Gift Aid claims.
Our AGM and APCM were held back until November due to the pandemic and we gave thanks for Neil Hunter’s 6 recent years as Churchwarden as he stepped down from the role. His diligence and hard work on the fabric was highlighted this year in the pointing work that he organised on the PCC’s behalf which also included a refurbishment of the Vestry End toilet facility. We also gave thanks to John Veall for helping with the refurbishment of the toilet, for helping with some of our roofing issues but mostly for his hard work securing more favourable gas and electric suppliers for both Church and Hall which saved us a considerable amount of money.
Finally, our Assistant Curate, Revd Sarah Tierney had her ordination to the Priesthood delayed until October, but finally got there, the service happening here at St Lawrence’s! She also fell in love this year and was married in a small and intimate service, due to restrictions, at All Saint’s Church and so is now Revd Sarah Tierney Aston! We were also joined in our Ministry by Revd Julie Miles who was licensed as a Lay Worker in July before being ordained Deacon at Lincoln Cathedral. Julie is a Head of RE at St Lawrence’s Academy and thus is a self-supporting minister working with us 1 day a week in term times and more regularly during school holidays. A busy but unusual year!
Seasonal and special services
Our pattern of seasonal and special services continued up until the pandemic struck but we maintained them at a distance, initially from the Vicarage dining room, with notifications to when they were happening and photos and videos being posted on Social Media to highlight them, and then via Zoom. As mentioned above we also used YouTube as a medium at Christmas and shared with our brothers and sisters at St George’s for Remembrance Sunday via Zoom.
Links across the Parish
The Mother’s Union took the decision to close the branch due to the age and ability to meet together of the group although they stay in touch via newsletter, phone and some Zooming. The Men’s Breakfast met once this year due to the pandemic but hopes to reopen when allowed to. This goes for Everywoman and the Lunch Club too.
Links with schools and uniformed organisations
I remain Trustee at St Lawrence’s Academy and have been joined on the board by Jane Holmes. We continue to offer support and I have recorded several addresses for their reflections which are held in tutor time, as well as for some classwork and their Christmas Service. Revd Julie will be fulfilling a Chaplaincy role at the Academy as well as her teaching role. Sarah continues as a Governor at Berkeley Infants and also at Frodingham Infants, taking some virtual assemblies along the way. I took a Google Meets Service for Christmas at St Hugh’s Special School and we look to other means of maintaining and growing these links.
GFS has been as affected by the pandemic as everyone else, but a good link is maintained and Sarah visited often before the first lockdown.
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PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Annual report for the year ended 31 December 2020 (continued)
Pastoral Care
This area has been massively affected this year due to the obvious change in our circumstances and also with the sad death, just prior to the lockdown, of Elaine Barnett. We have maintained contact with most people via the phone, and have tried to be especially present that way for the alone, the isolated and the lonely.
Examples of Wider ministry
This year has seen the arrival of a new neighbour as Revd Julie Wearing became Vicar of St George’s and together we have striven to build stronger links between our benefices and the wider Church, both Anglican and other denominations across the community as a whole. With the ministers in Churches Together in North Lincolnshire we petitioned our MP to support the Free School Meals to all students in need during lockdown and holidays, and have started to grow links with our Ward Councillors too. Prayer meetings on Zoom with our brothers and sisters in all the Churches have proved special and encouraging events. We will continue to grow and work together.
Looking to the future
It is difficult to know where we will be a week at a time let alone a month or a year ahead but we continue to learn, to grow and to move forwards together. Our shared worship on Zoom with All Saints shows a Benefice wide model which is beneficial and supportive. We continue to find new ways of communicating with and meeting the wider community, with Social Media and website fully to the fore. We have had links with new folks and with the wider community that we will build on moving forwards. As our Diocese looks at new ways of being a church we know that our strong links with our fellow Anglican Churches in Scunthorpe and the Deanery will remain important and are things we need to keep building upon. Our links and work with Churches Together in North Lincolnshire are a means of supporting, helping and working with those in need in our community. We will also look at ways of working ever closer with All Saints and continue to worship together where possible, and share socially and in terms of ministry together.
Keith Farmery is currently training to be a Lay Reader and his ministry is growing and will continue to grow amongst us. His organisation of the virtual Carol Service just prior to Christmas shows some of the many gifts he can bring to our churches mission and ministry.
Lisa Miller remains the first contact for the Parish in the office (mainly the office from home currently!) and continues to field many enquiries concerning weddings, baptisms and funerals for us. She has had to be a listening ear to wedding couples whose plans have been dashed in our current circumstances. We are deeply indebted to her for her hard work, her efforts and care.
Whilst the short and medium term picture is unclear the future is still bright! The ministry and growth of both Sarah and Julie in their roles amongst us has been a shared blessing and joy. It remains my privilege to be your Vicar.
Reverend Canon Philip Brent – Vicar
19 April 2021
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
I report to the PCC members on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2020 which are set out on pages 5 to 11.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
John Heeney BA (Hons) FCA RNS Chartered Accountants
50-54 Oswald Road Scunthorpe DN15 7PQ
21 April 2021
5
PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Receipts and Payments on General Account for the year ended 31 December 2020
| 2020 | 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | |||
| RECEIPTS | |||
| Voluntary Contributions: | |||
| Planned Giving | 26,977.35 | 29,955.95 | |
| Tax Recovered from Gift Aid | 8,382.65 | 7,058.71 | |
| Plated Collections | 1,204.72 | 5,951.94 | |
| 36,564.72 | 42,966.60 | ||
| 1 | Other Collections | 1,075.27 | 3,888.69 |
| 2 | Church Fees | 9,244.75 | 8,176.00 |
| 3 | Gifts, Donations and Bequests | 11,289.50 | 23,054.70 |
| Parish Hall Fees | 1,303.65 | 4,540.50 | |
| 4 | Special Fund Raising | 574.53 | 5,788.77 |
| Group Live Receipts | 203.40 | 342.60 | |
| 5 | Parish Office Charge | 182.20 | 930.85 |
| 6 | Church Heating Fee | 410.00 | 140.00 |
| Clergy Travel Expenses | 131.82 | 57.15 | |
| Current Account Interest | 38.00 | 49.08 | |
| Bible Reading Notes | - | 63.92 | |
| Tea Money | 208.17 | 773.36 | |
| Sale of Surplus Stone | - | 680.00 | |
| Sale of Diaries | 2.00 |
36.10 | |
| 61,228.01 | 91,488.32 | ||
| Opening Balance | 87,230.81 |
99,341.27 | |
| £148,458.82 | £190,829.59 |
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PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Receipts and Payments on General Account for the year ended 31 December 2020
| 2020 | 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | |||
| PAYMENTS | |||
| 7 | Maintenance of Church | 41,203.22 | 35,264.25 |
| 8 | Church Requisites | 905.55 | 1,352.02 |
| 9 | Church Fees | 1,513.75 | 3,130.00 |
| 10 | Maintenance of Parish Hall | 4,391.51 | 12,521.69 |
| 11 | Clergy Expenses | 1,139.98 | 1,473.63 |
| Parish Share | 35,510.78 | 35,869.49 | |
| 12 | Special Fund Raising | 230.00 | 280.00 |
| 13 | Parish Office and Administration Expenses | 7,750.16 | 10,181.67 |
| 14 | Mission and Charity Payments | 364.53 | 2,992.01 |
| 15 | Miscellaneous | 86.92 |
534.02 |
| 93,096.40 | 103,598.78 | ||
| Closing Balance | 55,362.42 |
87,230.81 | |
| £148,458.82 |
£190,829.59 |
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PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020
Notes
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
Other Collections Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals 739.27 Gift Aided Donations 305.00 Non Gift Aided Donations/Gifts 31.00 £1,075.27 Church Fees Wedding Deposits and Instalments 5,035.00 PCC Fees 1,441.00 Organist Fees 1,090.00 Verger Fees 520.00 All Saints 30.00 Choir 450.00 LDT & BF Fees 253.75 Bells, Flowers, Video, Order of Service, Banns 425.00 £9,244.75 Gifts, Donations and Bequests General 989.50 Legacies 10,300.00 £11,289.50 Special Fund Raising Annual Charity 364.53 Special Parish Events 210.00 £574.53 Parish Office Charge Printing and Stationery Recharge 182.20 £182.20 Church Heating Fee Church Heating Fee 410.00 £410.00 |
|---|---|
8
PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020
Notes
| 7 8 9 10 |
Maintenance of Church Music 919.50 Gas 3,056.17 Electricity 856.87 Water 238.17 Insurance 4,848.36 Organ Maintenance 110.00 General Repairs 1,804.68 Specific Repairs 29,369.47 £41,203.22 Church Requisites Altar Requirements 323.13 Music Copyright Licence 350.18 Lockie Envelopes – FWO Gift Aid 108.37 Cleaning Materials 20.77 Charity Funeral Payments 103.10 £905.55 Church Fees LDT & BF Payment 223.75 Choir 300.00 All Saints 30.00 Organist 640.00 Verger 320.00 £1,513.75 Maintenance of Parish Hall Gas 1,562.18 Electricity 685.85 Water (114.14) Insurance 1,553.16 General Repairs 330.18 Specific Repairs 74.32 Cleaning Materials 59.96 Hall Caretaker 240.00 £4,391.51 |
|---|---|
9
PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020
Notes
| 11 12 13 14 15 |
Clergy Expenses Travel Expenses 368.19 Telephone, Postage and Stationery 693.25 Books and Miscellaneous Items 78.54 £1,139.98 Special Fund Raising Events Expenses 20.00 Special Fund – Gifts 210.00 £230.00 Parish Office and Administration Expenses Photocopier and Printer 1,654.14 Paper 25.00 Telephone, Postage and Stationery 698.40 Administrator Salary 4,885.92 Parish Clerk Expenses 163.71 Miscellaneous Expenses 322.99 £7,750.16 Mission and Charity Payments Annual Charity 364.53 £364.53 Miscellaneous Church Repair Scheme 30.00 Tea/Coffee Expenses 56.92 £86.92 |
|---|---|
10
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020
PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
- Summary of accounts held with The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Scunthorpe Branch
| Balance | **With- ** | Balance | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01.01.20 | Deposits | drawals | 31.12.20 | |
| General Account | 86,855.81 | 61,228.01 | 93,096.40 | 54,987.42 |
| 200 Club Account | 375.00 | - | - | 375.00 |
| £87,230.81 | £61,228.01 £ 93,096.40 | £55,362.42 |
The General Account balance includes funding received towards the salary, pension and expenses of the Youth Worker. £8,515.00 of the monies received up to 31 December 2020 is in respect of expenditure not yet incurred, the Youth Worker having left in 2018, and represents a restricted fund at the year end.
Summary of Monies invested with The Central Board of Finance of the Church of England
| Balance 01.01.20 Deposit Funds CBF Church of England: Deposit Fund 7,997.59 Building Fund 50,000.00 Clergy Fund 2,061.73 £60,059.32 |
Balance 01.01.20 7,997.59 50,000.00 2,061.73 |
Interest 255.01 - - |
With- Balance drawals 31.12.20 - 8,252.60 - 50,000.00 - 2,061.73 £- £60,314.33 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £255.01 |
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PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020
Summary of Church Funds at 31 December 2020
| General Fund: | |
|---|---|
| Restricted | 8,515.00 |
| Unrestricted | 46,472.42 |
| 54,987.42 | |
| 200 Club Account | 375.00 |
| Central Board of Finance of the Church of England - unrestricted | 60,314.33 |
| £115,676.75 |
Statement of Assets at 31 December 2020
Church :
| Altar Furniture | £15,000.00 |
|---|---|
| Interior Furnishings and Fittings | £10,000.00 |
| Grand Organ | £10,000.00 |
| Public Address System | £1,800.00 |
Church Hall :
Building, Land and Contents £300,000.00 Grand Piano £10,000.00 Office Equipment £1,200.00
Mr M Cropper Mrs C J Hall Chairman Treasurer
19 April 2021