Rectors Report 2023 for Jarrow and Simonside APCM – 29th April 2024 Page 1 _At first, I thought this year’s Rector’s report could be written on a postage stamp:_ _**‘We have survived’** (even I could get that on to a postage stamp) – but I then opted for a post card:_ ## _**‘We have survived the disruption of recent years, fewer people able to volunteer and a struggle for financial resources…”**_ _But again that is not the full picture, so despite my promise to the PCC Secretary to ‘keep it short’ there is still so much to think about and celebrate as we look back over our shoulder with thanksgiving and look forward in hope. As in previous years, I have continued to reflect on parish life in term of our reaching up, reaching in and reaching out._ ## _**Worship and Prayer and our Spiritual Life (UP)**_ First of all I am thankful for everyone who is part of our worship team, lay and ordained, and how we have managed to maintain the rhythm of services and adapt while Revd Stuart is off sick. We wish Revd. Stuart well as he is recovering, he is missed, and I know he will be missing leading worship with you all. In 2023 we also welcomed hospital chaplain Revd Craig Bently to the team although due to his heavy work commitments he will be supporting with holiday cover, as and when he can. Canon Sheila Bamber has continued to give us a lot of her time, and Simon Robinson continues to offer his gift of preaching. Revd Jason, Jacki and I would like to thank everyone who helps prepare our church buildings, prepare rotas, read lessons, write intercessions, and take an active role in services and especially our Director of Music Fred Hemmer, organists Ryan White and Ethan Fuller, and occasional organists Freda Carney and Gordon Scott. In 2023 it was especially difficult to see St. Simon’s closed for such a long time from Ash Wednesday to Petertide, for re-ordering but St. Simon’s congregation were welcomed into St. John’s until the day finally came to celebrate with a parish service, perfectly timed to celebrate Revd Stuart’s Silver Jubilee too! That same weekend many of us travelled to Durham Cathedral as Revd Jason was ordained to the priesthood and to St. John’s for his first service as President at the Holy Eucharist in St. John’s, his then fiancée Revd Kayla at his side as Deacon, and all accompanied by a warm and welcoming party in St. John’s Hall. We continued to Livestream services in 2023, including morning prayer, and St. Peter’s Prayer Group met in Lent, while the Prayer Circle, supported by Lynn Armstrong, continued Mondays at 2 from our own homes. All are welcome to attend our regular services. Sadly, an increasing number of people on the electoral roll are unable to attend in person and and receive home communion, visits and phone calls throughout the year – we are grateful for everyone who shares in this ministry. There is also an ever-changing number of people who attend services occasionally or join in on line During Lent and Holy Week we continued the tradition of coming together as one congregation with services mid-week, including Stations of the Cross on the Scotch Estate on Good Friday organized by Barbara Bradley before attending the Last Hour at the Cross with its powerful liturgy, music, and silence led by Revd Stuart, Fred, Freda and Simon. Lent was also a time of reflecting as a parish alongside the Church of England’s Lent Booklet ‘Dust and Glory’ with a an invitation to members of the congregation to decorate a small piece of fabric to reflect something Rectors Report 2023 for Jarrow and Simonside APCM – 29th April 2024 Page 2 about their own personal journey in Lent. Diane Jamieson and Susan Short held this creative project for us and presented a beautiful banner which moves from church to church. In May, Bishop Paul Butler led a confirmation service at St. Peter’s for the Deanery and Jim Shepherd and Rebecca Devine were confirmed. In June, Ethan was Christened at St. John’s during a parish service and there was much celebration afterwards – with cake of course! In terms of our opportunity to worship with children and young people, aside from seasonal visits to our churches for Easter, Christmas, Carols by Candlelight and curriculum visits, 2023 saw Revd Jason finding his feet as a school chaplain in primary schools: Dunn Street, Jarrow Cross, Simonside and secondary, Jarrow School. Later in the year he was making more regular visits to Bede Burn and Valley View. Revd Stuart continued his work with Lord Blyton School and the ministry team covered his duties as needed later in the year. It was wonderful to welcome Lord Blyton School back to St. Simon’s for their Harvest service following the church’s closure too. Our ‘Open the Book’ team continue faithfully in Simonside School every month, sometimes fortnightly, and our volunteers really enjoy sharing the Bible stories with the children. They are always looking for new members of the group ( _hint, hint_ ) and last year the parish hosted Open the Book Training for South Tyneside which was also a refresher or for absolute beginners. So thank you to Carol Cowan, Jacki and our Open the Book Team. Messy Church ran throughout the year and there were many unexpected surprises along the way. The number of people attending fluctuated, at times very high, at others very low, but it soon became clear that due to transport issues it was becoming difficult to work across two churches, and with such a wide age range of children we needed to consider another format. So, in consultation with children, parents, carers and volunteers, we decided to plant an all age café church in one place, St. John’s hall and church. We now meet on the first Sunday of the month at 3 pm, following the parish eucharist at 10 am which has done wonders for the team’s energy levels! In the Summer we were asked to host two Ministry Experience Volunteers; Roman Demptos from the Diocese of Europe and Laura Barber from the Diocese of Durham. They received a warm Jarrow Welcome in September and have taken part in all aspects of parish life, especially our time of worship together, and we will be sad to see them go at the end of their placements. We have seen both of them grow in so many ways, including levels of confidence in supporting worship, livestreaming, and connecting with people of all ages. In November there was a special service held at St. Paul’s led by Bishop Paul to commemorate 1350 years since the Birth of the Venerable Bede. This was supported by the Mayor of South Tyneside, local community groups and organisations including Durham University, Jarrow Hall, Cultural Spring and several of our local schools including one young man called Bede who had a good old chat with the Bishop during the service. This was Bishop Paul’s final visit to the parish and a wonderful way to celebrate his last service at St. Paul’s, and from this service a number of events have emerged. Advent and Christmas saw the return of Carols by Candlelight at St. Paul’s, and a range of Nativity Plays, Christingles and Carol Services in our churches or in school halls. Our parish services saw an increase in Rectors Report 2023 for Jarrow and Simonside APCM – 29th April 2024 Page 3 attendance for the traditional parish carol service and across the season the number of people visiting a service for advent in church (not our regular services) continued to increase: From December 1[st] to 23[rd] – 2,270 people attended an Advent Service in church ( the number was 1,920 in 2022), and on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day: 439 people came along (393 in 2023.) Overall 1,200 of people attending services in Advent were children; and this is in addition to all the services we were involved in within schools led by Revd Jason, and the services that took place at the hospital, residential care homes led by Jacki. To offer a wide variety of services across the four churches took a tremendous amount of effort and so thank you to everyone involved whether it was helping with Carols in the Car Park or the Dementia Friendly Carol Service with Churches Together South Tyneside, Christingle at St. John’s or Christmas Eve Family Carols at St. Simon’s. On Christmas Eve, Revd Jason also celebrated his first Midnight Mass at St. Paul’s - a moment to remember. Our occasional offices of Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals were slightly lower in 2023 than the previous year, 74 rather than 88 – in part due to our ‘catching up with Christenings’ following the lockdown. In 2023 Jacki led so many funerals for us again. Our occasional officers were supported by wardens, vergers and volunteers: 39 baptisms. 5 weddings and 28 funerals plus 2 services of Internment of Ashes. ## _**Nurture and Pastoral Care (IN)**_ With 121 people on the electoral roll in 2023 and a widespread congregation across four churches it was important we have ways we could stay in touch. The weekly pew sheet, available in all churches, was also distributed as a PDF to around 140 email addresses each week. At the heart of our communications and keeping everything moving is our Parish Administrator Leanne Reilly. We continue to give thanks for Leanne and her sense of calm as she supports wardens, officers, group organisers, hall rentals and ministers as well as continuing to keep our bookings for occasional offices running smoothly. Throughout 2023, LPM Jacki Dunn continued to take the lead on pastoral care, visiting, home communion and hospital visiting supported by clergy and volunteers as she also continued in a voluntary capacity as a Lay Chaplain at South Tyneside Hospital and The Seaman’s Mission and quietly supporting a number of local charities, and encouraging local business owners to be generous in their giving. Our Knit Group continued to meet in St. Peter’s, bringing in their own projects and working together on different projects including the knitted angels for Christmas - which are always a welcome sight! A new group emerged in 2023 led by Revd Jason and a number of gentlemen in the parish – The Men’s Breakfast, at St. John’s on the first Saturday of the month – a good space I am told - and something which is supported and people are keen to continue. 2023 was a Coronation Year and this inspired a special afternoon tea in what was a bumper year for social events including: line dancing, community coffee mornings, Summer Fayre, concerts, clubbacise, table top sale and many opportunities for home-made cake ending with the Christmas produce stall at the end of the year. Rectors Report 2023 for Jarrow and Simonside APCM – 29th April 2024 Page 4 So thank you to everyone who stepped in to create these wonderful social spaces – they are a great ways for us to get together as well as welcome in our neighbours. It takes a great deal of effort so thank you to all who offered their time, talents and efforts making the arrangements, selling tickets, baking cakes, making the produce, finding the raffle prizes, co-ordinating everyone else or making an effort to join in on the day and so on. Thank you for all you do. ## _**Mission, Evangelism and Outreach (OUT)**_ The 9 o’clock Coffee Stop continued to welcome people at St John’s on Thursdays with hot drinks, bacon rolls and play space for younger children during term-time, and the well-established team of dedicated volunteers continue to make it a great space to meet up. In 2023 as there seemed no end to the cost of living crisis. Places of Welcome, in their second year, became Warm Spaces through to March, benefitting from local and national grant funding, and became Welcoming Places for the Summer months – part of a network of 60 such spaces in South Tyneside. We began to re-think our school holiday activities, including HAF grant funding and by the Summer Holidays brought everything in line with Places of Welcome providing free activities, and lunch for families from 11 until 1 in St. Peter’s on Tuesdays, St. Simon’s on Wednesdays and St. John’s on Thursdays. St. Paul’s also offered Welcoming Place/Warm Space hospitality during opening hours Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. We introduced opportunities for families to cook together during the Summer Holidays at St. Peter’s and experimented with a fully funded pilot for ‘Let’s Get Cooking.’ It was a huge success, and something we are keen to continue at St. John’s in the future. Once again, the volunteer team at St. Paul’s, co-ordinated by Freda, welcomed in thousands of visitors across the year including school visits, pilgrims from near and far, local people looking for a quiet spot, visitors keen to explore the history and architecture, or looking for somewhere to pray. To open 7 days of the week for 10 months of the year is a huge commitment and speaks volumes of the care and dedication of all involved at St. Paul’s, and all who volunteer from churches across Jarrow. In 2023 the CMA Connect Project set up in partnership with Durham Diocese, Communities Together Durham and South Tyneside Churches Together supported by Lord Crewe’s Charity went from strength to strength. Led by Nikita Campbell and Sam Harrison alongside a volunteer steering group, in consultation with the PCC and partners, became a Charity in its own right – Money Advice South Tyneside - by the end of 2023, enabling greater access to funding to enable to the project to support more people. With PCC members, who are also Trustees of MAST, we can maintain a link to the parish and the missional root of the project. At the time of writing this report, the team are helping local people to manage and reduce almost half a million pounds worth of debt. In Advent, we held our Second Christmas Tree Festival at St. Peter’s and the small team, alongside Revd Jason, were ably supported by MEV’s Laura and Roman on the day. Choirs from Dunn Street and Valley View schools entertained us on the night of the launch and we combined a Saturday Viewing with a Christmas Community Coffee Morning in St. Peter’s Hall that weekend. There were also trees from local schools in St. John’s, St. Paul’s and St. Simon’s. Rectors Report 2023 for Jarrow and Simonside APCM – 29th April 2024 Page 5 With so many things going on in the parish, social media helps us to let people know what is happening. Facebook continues to be useful alongside the parish website and A Church Near You where the combined number of visits to our four church pages topped 65,000 times in a year. Reaching out and helping people in need of support is a demonstration of our faith. The parish supported collections in kind for amongst others the local food banks, support the Children’s Society through the distribution of home collection boxes and managed to maintain our mission giving at the end of the year. ## _**Final thoughts…**_ As we arrive at this point in 2024, having had time to look back over and see where we are, yes we have survived all that has been thrown at us in 2023, things that are not unique to this parish but challenges facing the wider church too. The good news is, if feels like we have arrived at a place where, having worked together to weather the storm, and adapted where needed, I hope, God willing, we are in a position where our churches can thrive. We have grown together through change, whether sudden or gradual, and there is likely to be further change as we seek to connect with people at all ages and stages of life. We can see green shoots, new ideas are slowly taking shape alongside a commitment to our traditional rhythm of worship. The Holy Eucharist remains central to who we are and what we do, which means Jesus is central to who we are and what we do. Looking ahead we are offering the Alpha course for people exploring faith or new to faith, because God is calling people to him, and there are opportunities with the Diocese for us to receive support to plant a new worshipping community as well. And finally, last but by no means least, we must thank our parish wardens Rita Blakey, Carol Cowan, Roy Jackson, Gordon Scott, our Treasurer Diane Jamieson and PCC members, officers and advisors for managing funds, checking planning applications, organizing repairs, ensuring churches are open when they need to be, setting up the heating and thousands of other things through the year with such deep faith, a sense of humour, and good grace. So, thank you to everyone who made so many things possible in 2023, all who hold our common parish life in prayer, and all who are so generous with their time, talents and resources. May we continue to see God in all places and all faces in the months ahead, as we do our best to follow His call, together. _Revd Lesley Jones, Rector of Jarrow and Simonside, April 2024_ PARISH OF JARROW FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 CONTENTS Page Church information Independent Examiner's Report Slatement of Receipts and Payments Statement of Assets and Liabilities Notes to the accounts Page 1 of7 PARISH OF JARROW CHURCH INFORMATION Charity Commission Registration Number 1137304 Rector Reverend L. Jones St Peter's House York Avenue Jarrow Bank Barclays Bank plc King Street South Shields Independent Examlner Mrs L Armstrong 68 Leander Drive Henley Grange Boldon Colliery NE35 9LS Page2of7 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT To the PCC of the Parish of Jarrow This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 3 to 7, is in respect of an examination carried OLrt in accordan￿ with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and s.43 of the Charities Act 1993. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner Th8 charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5}{b} of the Charilies Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examine￿$ statement My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideralion of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and onsequenlly no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a Irue and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examinerfs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention-_ 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act,. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met. Signed Mrs L Armstrong 68 Leander Drive Henley Grange Boldon Colliery NE35 9LS Independent Examiner nd 22 March 2024 Parish of Jarrow and Simonside Financial Statements for the year ended 31st Docember 2023 Receipts and Payments Accounts page3of7 Receipts Unrostrlcted Dtsignatsd Funds funds Resthct8d Totsl Funds Totsl Funds Nots8 Funds 2023 2022 Voluntary receipts Planned Giving Gift aid donations Gift aid small donations Parish giving Income lax recovery Open Plate collections Other voluntary receipts Donations and appeals Sundry donations St Pauls donation box Legacies 2,844 1.799 20,668 9,297 5,302 2.844 1,799 20,668 15,547 5,302 7,807 2,522 24,745 5,504 5,924 6,250 5,008 2,266 2,305 50 579 26,737 5,636 29,003 2,305 13,065 1,785 2,446 78,573 142,371 49,487 50 33,566 83,103 Actlvltles for generatln9 funds Fetes bazaars, other fund raising events Church hall lettings et Trading income-le¢turers Royalties 2,293 18,067 2,293 18,067 9,529 16,479 20.360 20,360 26,008 Investment income Dividends Interest 815 815 9,809 9,809 10,624 10,624 4,514 4,514 Church activities Fees Reimbursement from DBF School visits Grants Insurance claims Amazon smile 3,068 3,068 3,137 1,163 1,163 41,748 9,364 65 41,748 26,341 65 28 Good box Sundry receipts 1,462 8.555 14.313 1,462 10,055 66,926 1,159 80 30.745 1.500 52,612 Total receipts 84,976 50 95,987 181,013 203.638 Parish of Jarrow and Simonside Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2023 Receipts and Payments Accounts Page4of7 Payments Unrgstrlctsd D8slgnated Funds Funds Restricted Total Funds Total Fund8 Notes Funds 2023 2022 Church Activities Mission giving and donatlons Missionary & charitsble giving Church overseas Relief and development Home missions & church societtes 500 500 500 450 450 175 625 1.125 625 1,125 675 Aetivities . related to church work Ministry Parish share Curate expenses Assistant staff expenses Visiting clergy Clergy's house Church running exI￿nSeS Church maintenance Upkeep of church yard Hall running expenses Major repairs and decoration Upkeep of church services Parish magazine and books Salaries Sundry expenses Parish training and mission Education young people Summer holiday club Warm spaces Gifts and bursary Hospitality Equipment purchased 37,350 867 873 76 1,178 14.799 6.568 29 37,350 872 923 76 1,178 21,899 41,429 29 3,291 135,089 4.526 48,483 323 150 123 50 7,100 34,861 23,842 15,[￿6 3,291 135,089 5,423 153,873 3,651 4,526 12,748 15 1,030 12,748 115 1,5 479 3.274 1.017 305 10,686 286 292 282 4,594 447 100 200 326 479 3.274 1.017 305 25 1,043 182.701 1,068 267,225 2,305 270,711 80,390 4,134 Cost of generating funds Trading expendilure-lecturers Costs of fetes. bazaars etc 223 223 1,246 1,469 1,246 1,246 1,648 1,648 223 Church Management & administration Advertising printsng and stationery Telephone Website Subscriptions Bank charges Professional fees 2,329 1,565 331 1,168 546 450 114 2,446 1.565 331 1,168 546 11,038 17,093 1,461 1,215 331 943 616 2.750 7,315 10.588 10,592 6,388 114 Total payments 88,474 4,248 194,190 286,912 280,799 Parish of Jarrow and Simonside Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 December 2023 Page5of7 UnrestriGted Designated Fund$ R8Strl¢ted Total Funds Total Fund$ Notes Fund5 Funds 2023 2022 Fixed Assets Freehold land & bulldings Church Contents 230.959 509,996 230,959 509,996 230.959 509,996 Current Assets Cash at Bank and in Hand Bank Accounts Cash in Hand Inveslrnents Debtors Agency Collections 15,112 533 25,885 53,296 68,409 533 291,729 140,418 450 322.084 265,845 Current Liabilities Accruals and deferred in¢ome -5,675 -5,675 -2.056 Totsl Net Assets 776,809 319,141 1,095,951 1,201,851 Represented by Fund movements Unrestrfctod D•$lgnat•d Fund$ Funds Rostricted Total Funds Total Funds Funds 2023 2022 Assets and Liabilities blfwd Transfers betwggn funds Surplus I (Deficit) of resources for year Total surplus from resources 780.307 4,199 417,344 1,201,850 1,279.011 -3,498 776.809 4,198 -98,203 -105,899 319,141 1,095,951 -77,161 1,201,850 Approved by the Parish of Jarrow, and signed on its behalf by Reverend L. Jones Rev'd L. Jones Parish ofJarrow and Simonside Notes to the financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2023 Page6of7 1 Accounting Policies The financial statements ol the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 usin9 the re￿iptS and payrnents basis. 2 Fixèd Assets for by the PCC Tangible A8Sots Freehold Land and Bulldlng5 Church Contents Totsl 2023 Gr088 book valuè at 1 January 2023 Addition5 at 31 December 2023 230.959 509.996 740.955 230.959 509.996 740.955 Net book value 8131 December 2023 230.959 509,996 740,955 at 31 December 2022 230,959 5U9,996 740,955 The Fr8ehtsld Land and Buildings comprise of St Paul's Cotlage. The gross book value of the Freehold is based on thè insurance value al 2013 and 2018. 3 Fixed assets under £5,￿0 are writttrn off in the year of purthase. 4 Mov8ments in designated and reslricied funds were'.- Unrestrlctgd Designated Restricted Total Funtls Fund5 lunds Fund8 2023 Total Funds 2022 Excgssl-Dèficit of receip15 over p8ym8nts Transfers between funds Assets and liabilities brought lorward Assets and liabilities al 31 December 2023 3.498 4,198 98.203 105,899 77,161 780.306 776,808 4,199 417,345 319.142 1,201.850 1,095,951 1,279,011 1,201,850 S Analysis ol Church running $xpenses St Paul's St John's St Simon's Hall Total 2023 Insurance Electricity Gas Water rales 2.104 1.101 619 377 5,746 825 1,318 432 1.142 654 2,520 375 1,897 128 11,688 4,265 5,417 1,157 2.863 25,190 1,532 1,759 2.663 9.234 4,202 3.546 4.918 3,291 Parish of Jarrow and Slmonside Notes to the financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2023 Page7of7 6 Analysis on charitable donations given during the year 2023 2022 Smile train St Oswald Hospice Mission lo seafarers Leprosy mission Christian Aid Al Shurooq School 125 125 125 125 500 125 125 125 12S 125 500 125 1,125 1,125 Page2of7 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT To the PCC of the Parish of Jarrow This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 3 to 7, is in respect of an examination carried OLrt in accordan￿ with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and s.43 of the Charities Act 1993. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner Th8 charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5}{b} of the Charilies Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examine￿$ statement My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideralion of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and onsequenlly no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a Irue and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examinerfs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention-_ 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act,. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met. Signed Mrs L Armstrong 68 Leander Drive Henley Grange Boldon Colliery NE35 9LS Independent Examiner nd 22 March 2024