## **Annual Report for 2025** ## **1. Introduction: Our Mission and Purpose** The year 2025 has been a year of continued growth and service for St Francis Church in Luton and Cockernhoe. Under the leadership of the PCC, we have continued to seek to live out the mission of the Church through worship, discipleship, and service to our community. We are called not merely to maintain buildings, but to cooperate in the "whole mission of the Church"—pastoral, evangelistic and social. Whether at the Church Complex on Carteret Road, our outreach in Cockernhoe, or through our stewardship of 15 Lancing Road, our work is a direct response to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. ## **Our Vision** We are committed to fostering a parish community where everyone is enabled to worship and find a true sense of belonging. Our life together is guided by five core values: - **Worship:** Encountering God through prayer, scripture, music, and sacrament. - **Outreach:** Sharing the Gospel and serving those in need. - **Fellowship:** Building a supportive and inclusive church family. - **Community:** Engaging with our neighbours in Luton and Cockernhoe. - **Discipleship:** Growing in our knowledge and trust of Jesus Christ. As we reflect on the past year, we see how these spiritual foundations have been translated into the daily life and gathered worship of our congregation. ## **2. Worship and Spiritual Growth** Worship remains central to our life together, providing a regular rhythm where we encounter God and grow in faith. While we value our traditional services, we remain keen to offer diverse opportunities for people at all stages of their journey to engage with worship. Our ministry continues to evolve to meet the needs of the next generation. During the 2024/25 academic year, the **Alban Way** programme at Cockernhoe School supported the spiritual development of Year 5 and 6 pupils and strengthened our links with the school. Looking forward, we spent much of late 2025 preparing for the January 2026 launch of **Connect@5** . This informal evening service represents a significant "new pathway" for faith, specifically designed to reach young people, young adults, and those exploring the Christian faith. We continue to hold the community of Cockernhoe in our prayers. While St Hugh’s Church remains closed for services and is currently deemed unsafe due to electrical issues, we remain committed to its care and its place within our parish identity. ## **Church Life by the Numbers (2025)** |Category|Statistic| |---|---| |**Electoral Roll**|84| |**Average Sunday Attendance**|91| |**Midweek Eucharist(Wednesday)**|8| |**Baptisms**|3| |**Confirmations**|9| |**Funerals**|5| |**Weddings**|0| ## **3. Our Church Centre and Community Life** The Church Centre continues to be an important space for community life and outreach. By opening our doors throughout the week, we provide a space where the values of the Gospel are lived out through practical support and community building. The hall serves a wide range of people, categorised by our primary areas of impact: - **Youth & Education:** We host the Next Generation Youth Theatre, the Kumon educational tutoring programme, and the Brownies, who meet weekly, supporting local children and young people. - **Health & Community:** From the physical activity of Taekwondo and Line Dancing to the crucial support for new mothers and babies via "Flying Start," the hall is a place of wellness. - **Support & Hospitality:** The "Warm Space" (Conversation Club) has become a vital lifeline, offering warmth and friendship to those who might otherwise be isolated. On Saturdays, we are further enriched by the Community Café and the African Apostolic Church. Beyond the hall, our pastoral care remains a priority. Clergy and church family members regularly visit those who are unwell or housebound, ensuring that even those unable to attend services remain a vital part of our fellowship. ## **4. Outreach and Mission Partners** At St Francis, we believe the Gospel calls us to look "outward," offering practical support to those in need both locally and globally. Our mission work is the an expression of our faith in action, built on partnerships that extend our reach far beyond the parish boundaries. ## **Mission and Community Engagement** Our commitment to mission is delivered through dedicated partnerships and local events: - **Mission Partners:** We provide ongoing prayerful and financial support to Wycliffe Bible Translators (Sarah Casson), Hands of Mercy, Youthscape, and YWAM (Harpenden). - **Community Highlights:** Local outreach included the Maundy Thursday supper, the Christmas Market, a vibrant Summer Club for children, and various craft and jumble sales. ## **Ecumenical Relationships** We value our place within the wider body of Christ, maintaining strong links with the Luton Town Centre Chaplaincy and participating in the "Churches Together in Luton" initiatives, including the annual Good Friday Walk of Witness. This outward-looking mission is made possible through the profound generosity and stewardship of our congregation. ## **5. Financial Review: Stewardship and Resources** Financial transparency is an important part of our governance, and we are grateful for the generosity of our congregation, whose giving enables the ministry and mission of the church to continue. ## **2025 Financial Summary** - **Total Funds:** Increased to **£87,012** (from £74,105 in 2024). - **Planned Giving: £36,485** was received through the Parish Giving Scheme and regular methods. - **Loose Collections: £12,452** was donated through the plate and contactless payments. - **Gift Aid Claimed: £10,515** was successfully recovered from HMRC. - **15 Lancing Road:** This property, used by our Curate, generated a significant **net surplus of £9,863** after costs, which helped boost our Fabric and St Hugh’s funds. - **Parish Share:** Our original request of £57,739 was reduced to **£39,739** because our Curate occupies 15 Lancing Road. We were able to pay **80% of this reduced figure** , acknowledging a 20% shortfall we hope to address as our stewardship grows. - **Hall Surplus:** The Church Centre generated a surplus of **£3,642** , supporting our wider ministry. - **St Hugh’s Maintenance:** The church incurred a deficit of **£573** due to safety equipment and utility costs, which was covered by a transfer from the Staff Housing Account. We also express our thanks to our Independent Examiner, **Andrew Rodell** , who received a £200 gift in recognition of his professional oversight of our accounts. ## **2026 Outlook** For 2026, our Parish Share request has been reduced to **£55,974** . In keeping with our commitment to generosity, the PCC proposes to donate 5% of our stewardship income to charitable causes, ensuring that our outward giving remains a priority. This healthy financial position is underpinned by the dedicated individuals who manage our governance and safety. ## **6. Governance and Safeguarding** Good governance and safeguarding are an essential part of our life as a church, helping to ensure that St Francis is a safe and well-run community for all. The PCC met six times during 2025, with additional work carried out by sub-committees including Finance, Mission, Buildings, and the Maintenance Action Committee, all reporting back to the full Council. The PCC has complied with its duties under the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016. Safeguarding remains a priority, and we are grateful to Mrs Sarah Savill and the Safeguarding Team for their ongoing work in maintaining processes and ensuring training remains up to date. Following the vacancy of the Parish Administrator role, responsibilities have been shared among clergy and volunteers to ensure the continued running of key areas of church life. While this has allowed the work to continue, it has also placed additional pressure on those involved, and the need for dedicated administrative support remains important. The PCC membership for 2025–2026 is listed below. |**Category**|**Member Name**|**Specific Role / Responsibility**| |---|---|---| |**Ex Officio**|Revd Josias De Souza|Incumbent (Chairman)| |**Ex Officio**|Revd David Holland|Curate| |**Ex Officio**|Mr Alan Kinninmonth|Reader| |**Ex Officio**|Mrs Jacky Wilson|Churchwarden / Deanery Synod Rep| |**Ex Officio**|Mr Aman Devdas|Churchwarden (Elected May 2025 APCM)| |**Ex Officio**|Mrs Winnie Kinninmonth|Deanery Synod Rep| |**Co-opted**|Mr Philip Heathcote|Treasurer (Co-opted May 2025)| |**Co-opted**|Mrs Gabrielle Singh|Secretary (Co-opted June 2025)| |**Elected**|Mrs Denise Archer|Member (Elected April 2024 APCM)| |**Elected**|Mrs Elaine Cleaver|Member (Elected April 2023 APCM)| |**Elected**|Mr Ray Cooper|Member (Elected May 2025 APCM)| |**Elected**|Mr Graham Hosker|Member (Elected April 2024 APCM)| |**Elected**|Mr Phil Line|Member (Elected April 2024 APCM)| |**Elected**|Mr Jamie Brown|Member (Elected April 2023 APCM)| |**Elected**|Ms Maxine Samuel|Member (Elected May 2025 APCM)| |**Elected**|Mr Paulo Caralho|Member (Elected May 2025 APCM)| |**Outgoing**|Mrs Joanne Beaumont|Member (Served until May 2025 APCM)| |**Outgoing**|Mr Daniel Sudeep|Member (Served until November 2025)| ## **7. Conclusion and Thanks** As we look back on 2025, we are reminded that the church is not a building, but a people. We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to our Churchwardens, **Jacky Wilson** and **Aman Devdas** , and our Treasurer, **Philip Heathcote** . We are also deeply grateful for the ministry of our Curate, **Revd David Holland** , our PTO Joy Daniel and our Reader, **Alan Kinninmonth** . We acknowledge our Assistant Churchwardens (Graham Hosker, Blyth Latimer, Paula Cardy, Mark Deacon, and Julian Franklin), the Maintenance Action Committee, the Social Committee, the Mission Team, and every volunteer who has cut the hedge, served coffee, or led a home group. Revd Josias De Souza concludes: " We look forward to the coming year with hope, continuing to grow as disciples and to share the love of Christ in our community." _Report approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by Revd Josias De Souza (PCC Chairman)._ Pagelof5 Financialstatements forthe year ended 31st December 2025 General. Unrestrfcted, Fund Receipts and Payments Account 2025 Recei Artual Planned 8ivin8 Tax refunds 37.40) 36,485 PaT￿h Share 57.739 43,000 1,964 10.6(KI 10,515 Stsff expenses 2,250 4,950 Loose iollections 9.(￿￿* 12,452 Churth expen5e5 Util￿e$ 5.627 Fee5 4,815 1,890 47 Donatlons 45 Donations 50 Refreshments 563 Edu¢a16on Church Fees 1,056 12,218 PhotcKop¥iw and Ststhjnery Payroll Fee Church Fees 96Q 809 Youth Work 500 Holiday Club Crlsls Fund 956 1.310 Social Events 1,103 13.375 Social Events 1,180 319 Youth Wo Mlnlstryloutreach Stsy and Play Mlnlstrylovtwch Holiday Club Transfer To Fabrk Fund 175 183 107 579 1,593 61,OtKI 73.524 -IZ,524 70,795 Surplu5 for the year Dehdt torlhe Hall Recelpts and Payments Account- De51gnated Fund Alrkan Apostolic Chyrch Brownles 1,776 341 BOI￿r Re￿Ir/RePlèce/Se￿ce Deep Cleanir aeaner 4.963 3QJ Casual I,ioi 72 3.605 Communlty Cafe Fly1ng Start Kitrhen Supplies Kumon Cleanin8supplies Gas 03 1,958 3,317 21 Hall Hire Refvnd 270 2.386 Keys Kitrhen sup￿les Repairs Line Dancing Luton Town Taekwondo 1,472 520 1,664 2.OH New Boiler 5.785 Sundries 66 Next Generation Youth Theatre TvEsday COnversat￿n Oub 233 Tue5dayConversation Club UK ITF Taekwondo 207 W•te¥ 1,665 1.026 Wlndow Cleanlng UPMASS 702 Water refund 967 SuFpIu5fortheyear 21,322 21m2 Page2of5 Financial Statements forthe year ended 315t December 2025 Fabric Fund Re￿ipts and Payments Account Designated Fund Recel Transf8rfrorn General Fun¢J 1,593 Church maintenance & repairs 10,884 Translerfrom Staff HousingFund 9.291 10.884 10,884 Surplus for the year Capltal Fund Receipts and Payments Account- Designated Fund Interest 1,916 Revaluat￿ ofthares 2.166 1.916 2,166 Defficit for the ￿ar -250 Staff Houslng Fund Recelpts and Payments Account- Designated Fund Retel Rental Income ￿ mgrnt feeslrepalrs SAOBF- Housin8 ￿loWanCe 5,496 18.C(¥) House Insuran 175 Repa5 Water 2.317 603 WhiteGood$ 674 TransferTo St. Hv8h's Church and Churchyard Fund Translef Yo FabfK Fund 573 9,291 13,633 23.496 Surplusforyear St. Hugh's Church and Churchyard Fund Recélpts and Payments Account- Restrlcted Fund Recel Offley Gatty Fund Intert5t 242 Eledricity 625 Tr8n5ferffom StaN Fund 573 InsurnrKe 190 815 815 Surplusforiheyear Offley Gatty Bequest- Endowrnent Fund 2024 Re Revaluation ol shares 8.694 8.347 Value Of Fund Redu¢ed by -347 St Francls Chuch Financial Statements for the year ended 3tst December 2025 Page3of5 FuNls and Curyent Assets Hall- De5iVHted FUTKI Fabrlc- Desl8nated FLmd Ca￿tal-DesIgnaIed Fur#1 Stsff Hou*n8- F￿d SL H1￿h'S Churth and c￿l(hYard- Re 0fflty6•tty W4uest- Fun 31206 W CBF Depoth FurMI 21427 1087 s4￿5 52018 Offlry ¢￿ FurMI 74105 74M piu5 DEBTORS 74105 balance BIF 55 Flowers 391 415 B•larKeCIF 470 470 Balonce BIF Rtheshment dor*tlons 128 103 255 GÈt Wem Cardsar*J Flo* 24 Parish Sharn 2025 H•nds of Mercy Wy¢llffe eibkTranslatws 38.208 37A20 19.531 .IB,000 Nansarr*4) sd￿ 39.739 55J74 C￿l￿eSt08e￿rln Lulon ttbal Parfsh pakl for2025 (ln 20251 was £25.OLXI due to Urryec￿￿ paymwts f0ract￿l and aniocwed rep31r& In J•uffji 2026 anaddrtlonal payment ol £&791 was modeto brln8 up the paWn￿t to £JL79L w*￿th is olthe total St Francls Chuch Flnancial Ststements for the year ended 31st December 2025 Page4ot5 Notss: the Recelpts and Payments baslk UNestrictedftJNds may be used Pccfor anyol Ws ordlnary De$18nthdthJr￿￿ fvnds setay¢Jefor speclfic purpts￿, whlch can be trinsfffredto aTh)therfund at any tirt Restsfjcted b￿d$(•ll onty be spenton the speofic purp05efor wthlch theYWe￿ W¥en. Fixed assets retair*d for thurth use Istrefreehoki at IS Ro*1 Th*Mth15 lirtd In ty ourctw¥tewkn one is i postand rented prfvètely not. Assets In theStattyn￿tO1AS$etsafto il*ailt*s irtlude Mo¥¢al￿t In¥estment 5h•res on 31" Dtt•7kn2025tOtsl 234335 Approved by ihe PCC ofSL Frnn¢V Chur¢h on 24th Marth 1126 sl8n•d on th•lr b•h•lf by: de S(Kry•-Vkar St Francls Chuch Flnanclal Statements forthe yearended 31st December2025 Page5of5 Independeftt Examlnerfs Re&￿t0 the Parothlal Church Councll of St. Francw Luton Thls report on the accounts of the PCC lry the year ended 31° Oecember 2025, which are set out on pa8es 14 is in respect of aft examination carried out In accordance with the Church Accountln8 Regulatlons 2C¥)6 1.the Re8ulatlons"l and s.145 of the Charrtles Art 20111lhe Acffl. Res ml As members of ihe PCC you are responslble for the preparatron of the Kcounts,. you conslder that the audit r￿uirement of the Reeulatlons and s.144121 of the Art does not apply. It is my rèsponsibility to issue thi5 report on th)se accounts In actordance with the terms of the Re8ulations. examlnatlon was ¢arried out In K(ordance with the General Olre¢tiorts g6¥en by the Charlty commi￿on under s.14515llbl of the Act and to be found In the a)ur¢h Guldance. 2LX16 edlUon. That examlnatlon Includes a rev[￿ ol the actountlng records kept by the PCC and a comparison ol the accounts with those records. It aly) include5 considerin8 any unusual iterrts or dlsclosures In the ac¢ounts and seeklng explanatSons from you as trustees conterninK any such mattets. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evldence that would be requlred In an audlt, and Consequent￿ l th) not express an audlt oplnlon on the vlew elven bythe atcoynts. In In ss In conneciion with rny examination, no matter ha5 come to ny attentlon.. which glves MÈ reasonable cwse to believe that in any material ieswthe requlrements to keep accountlne records Sn acCorda￿e wlth settwjn 130 of the 2011 *£t,. and to prepare ￿COUnts whlch accord wf(h the accounting records and comply ¥rrith thè requirements of the 2011 Art and the ReBulatlons have not beefi met. orto which, In my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 2. to which, in my opinlon. attention should be dr*4¥n In orderto enable a proper undffstandir8 of the occounts to be re￿hed. Mr Andrew Roddl Independent Emmlner 7 Copthorne. Luton. Beds LU2 9RL Pagelof5 Financialstatements forthe year ended 31st December 2025 General. Unrestrfcted, Fund Receipts and Payments Account 2025 Recei Artual Planned 8ivin8 Tax refunds 37.40) 36,485 PaT￿h Share 57.739 43,000 1,964 10.6(KI 10,515 Stsff expenses 2,250 4,950 Loose iollections 9.(￿￿* 12,452 Churth expen5e5 Util￿e$ 5.627 Fee5 4,815 1,890 47 Donatlons 45 Donations 50 Refreshments 563 Edu¢a16on Church Fees 1,056 12,218 PhotcKop¥iw and Ststhjnery Payroll Fee Church Fees 96Q 809 Youth Work 500 Holiday Club Crlsls Fund 956 1.310 Social Events 1,103 13.375 Social Events 1,180 319 Youth Wo Mlnlstryloutreach Stsy and Play Mlnlstrylovtwch Holiday Club Transfer To Fabrk Fund 175 183 107 579 1,593 61,OtKI 73.524 -IZ,524 70,795 Surplu5 for the year Dehdt torlhe Hall Recelpts and Payments Account- De51gnated Fund Alrkan Apostolic Chyrch Brownles 1,776 341 BOI￿r Re￿Ir/RePlèce/Se￿ce Deep Cleanir aeaner 4.963 3QJ Casual I,ioi 72 3.605 Communlty Cafe Fly1ng Start Kitrhen Supplies Kumon Cleanin8supplies Gas 03 1,958 3,317 21 Hall Hire Refvnd 270 2.386 Keys Kitrhen sup￿les Repairs Line Dancing Luton Town Taekwondo 1,472 520 1,664 2.OH New Boiler 5.785 Sundries 66 Next Generation Youth Theatre TvEsday COnversat￿n Oub 233 Tue5dayConversation Club UK ITF Taekwondo 207 W•te¥ 1,665 1.026 Wlndow Cleanlng UPMASS 702 Water refund 967 SuFpIu5fortheyear 21,322 21m2 Page2of5 Financial Statements forthe year ended 315t December 2025 Fabric Fund Re￿ipts and Payments Account Designated Fund Recel Transf8rfrorn General Fun¢J 1,593 Church maintenance & repairs 10,884 Translerfrom Staff HousingFund 9.291 10.884 10,884 Surplus for the year Capltal Fund Receipts and Payments Account- Designated Fund Interest 1,916 Revaluat￿ ofthares 2.166 1.916 2,166 Defficit for the ￿ar -250 Staff Houslng Fund Recelpts and Payments Account- Designated Fund Retel Rental Income ￿ mgrnt feeslrepalrs SAOBF- Housin8 ￿loWanCe 5,496 18.C(¥) House Insuran 175 Repa5 Water 2.317 603 WhiteGood$ 674 TransferTo St. Hv8h's Church and Churchyard Fund Translef Yo FabfK Fund 573 9,291 13,633 23.496 Surplusforyear St. Hugh's Church and Churchyard Fund Recélpts and Payments Account- Restrlcted Fund Recel Offley Gatty Fund Intert5t 242 Eledricity 625 Tr8n5ferffom StaN Fund 573 InsurnrKe 190 815 815 Surplusforiheyear Offley Gatty Bequest- Endowrnent Fund 2024 Re Revaluation ol shares 8.694 8.347 Value Of Fund Redu¢ed by -347 St Francls Chuch Financial Statements for the year ended 3tst December 2025 Page3of5 FuNls and Curyent Assets Hall- De5iVHted FUTKI Fabrlc- Desl8nated FLmd Ca￿tal-DesIgnaIed Fur#1 Stsff Hou*n8- F￿d SL H1￿h'S Churth and c￿l(hYard- Re 0fflty6•tty W4uest- Fun 31206 W CBF Depoth FurMI 21427 1087 s4￿5 52018 Offlry ¢￿ FurMI 74105 74M piu5 DEBTORS 74105 balance BIF 55 Flowers 391 415 B•larKeCIF 470 470 Balonce BIF Rtheshment dor*tlons 128 103 255 GÈt Wem Cardsar*J Flo* 24 Parish Sharn 2025 H•nds of Mercy Wy¢llffe eibkTranslatws 38.208 37A20 19.531 .IB,000 Nansarr*4) sd￿ 39.739 55J74 C￿l￿eSt08e￿rln Lulon ttbal Parfsh pakl for2025 (ln 20251 was £25.OLXI due to Urryec￿￿ paymwts f0ract￿l and aniocwed rep31r& In J•uffji 2026 anaddrtlonal payment ol £&791 was modeto brln8 up the paWn￿t to £JL79L w*￿th is olthe total St Francls Chuch Flnancial Ststements for the year ended 31st December 2025 Page4ot5 Notss: the Recelpts and Payments baslk UNestrictedftJNds may be used Pccfor anyol Ws ordlnary De$18nthdthJr￿￿ fvnds setay¢Jefor speclfic purpts￿, whlch can be trinsfffredto aTh)therfund at any tirt Restsfjcted b￿d$(•ll onty be spenton the speofic purp05efor wthlch theYWe￿ W¥en. Fixed assets retair*d for thurth use Istrefreehoki at IS Ro*1 Th*Mth15 lirtd In ty ourctw¥tewkn one is i postand rented prfvètely not. Assets In theStattyn￿tO1AS$etsafto il*ailt*s irtlude Mo¥¢al￿t In¥estment 5h•res on 31" Dtt•7kn2025tOtsl 234335 Approved by ihe PCC ofSL Frnn¢V Chur¢h on 24th Marth 1126 sl8n•d on th•lr b•h•lf by: de S(Kry•-Vkar St Francls Chuch Flnanclal Statements forthe yearended 31st December2025 Page5of5 Independeftt Examlnerfs Re&￿t0 the Parothlal Church Councll of St. Francw Luton Thls report on the accounts of the PCC lry the year ended 31° Oecember 2025, which are set out on pa8es 14 is in respect of aft examination carried out In accordance with the Church Accountln8 Regulatlons 2C¥)6 1.the Re8ulatlons"l and s.145 of the Charrtles Art 20111lhe Acffl. Res ml As members of ihe PCC you are responslble for the preparatron of the Kcounts,. you conslder that the audit r￿uirement of the Reeulatlons and s.144121 of the Art does not apply. It is my rèsponsibility to issue thi5 report on th)se accounts In actordance with the terms of the Re8ulations. examlnatlon was ¢arried out In K(ordance with the General Olre¢tiorts g6¥en by the Charlty commi￿on under s.14515llbl of the Act and to be found In the a)ur¢h Guldance. 2LX16 edlUon. That examlnatlon Includes a rev[￿ ol the actountlng records kept by the PCC and a comparison ol the accounts with those records. It aly) include5 considerin8 any unusual iterrts or dlsclosures In the ac¢ounts and seeklng explanatSons from you as trustees conterninK any such mattets. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evldence that would be requlred In an audlt, and Consequent￿ l th) not express an audlt oplnlon on the vlew elven bythe atcoynts. In In ss In conneciion with rny examination, no matter ha5 come to ny attentlon.. which glves MÈ reasonable cwse to believe that in any material ieswthe requlrements to keep accountlne records Sn acCorda￿e wlth settwjn 130 of the 2011 *£t,. and to prepare ￿COUnts whlch accord wf(h the accounting records and comply ¥rrith thè requirements of the 2011 Art and the ReBulatlons have not beefi met. orto which, In my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 2. to which, in my opinlon. attention should be dr*4¥n In orderto enable a proper undffstandir8 of the occounts to be re￿hed. Mr Andrew Roddl Independent Emmlner 7 Copthorne. Luton. Beds LU2 9RL