## **Annual Report and Financial Statements of the**
## **Parochial Church Council**
for the Year ended 31 December 2020
## **Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council**
The trustees of the Parochial Church Council of St Nicholas’, Marston (the members of the PCC) present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.
## _**Incumbent**_
The Revd Elizabeth (Skye) Denno
## _**Charitable Status**_
All Parochial Church Councils in the Church of England are recognized as charities by the Charity Commission; PCCs such as ours, with a gross income over £100,000, are required to register with the Commission. The members of the PCC are the trustees of the charity.
_**Registered Charity Number**_ 1138507
## _**Legal Name of the Charity**_
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Nicholas Marston
## _**Working Names of the Charity**_ St Nicholas’ PCC
PCC (of) St Nicholas, Marston
## _**Address of the Charity**_
The Vicarage, Elsfield Road, Marston Oxford OX3 0PR
## _**Independent Examiner**_
Professor David Nowell C.Eng., F.I.Mech.E. 16 Jack Straws Lane, Headington, Oxford OX3 0DL
## _**Bankers**_
The Cooperative Bank, 1 Balloon Street, Manchester.
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## _**Officers**_
|**_Officers_**||
|---|---|
|Incumbent (Vicar)|Revd Skye Denno|
|Curate|Revd Andy Gosler|
|Assistant Priest|Revd Stephanie Bullock|
|Licensed Lay Ministers|David Cranston|
||Joel Denno|
||Neil Barker|
|Churchwardens|Eileen Palayiwa|
||Judith Piggott|
|PCC Chair|Skye Denno|
|PCC Secretary|Alison Edwards|
|PCC Treasurer|Geoff Hale|
## _**Representatives on Cowley Deanery Synod**_
Skye Denno Maureen Davis Millius Palayiwa
The clergy are members of Deanery Synod _ex officio_ ; the other members are elected to serve until May 2021.
## _**Members of the PCC**_
In accordance with the Church Representation Rules, members of the PCC are either elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting ('the annual meeting'), are co-opted by the PCC, or are members of the PCC _ex officio_ .
The following served as members of the PCC during the calendar year 2020:
|David Black|Skye Denno|Eileen Palayiwa|
|---|---|---|
|David Bullock (to 15 Nov)|Andy Gosler|Millius Palayiwa|
|Jane Burd|Geoff Hale|Judith Piggott|
|Jane Campbell|Colin Harris|Sally Richards (to 15 Nov)|
|Maureen Davis|James Lawrie|Ian Ross|
|Isabel Fenton (from 15 Nov)|||
Elected PCC members serve for three-year terms. The current terms of office of the elected PCC members are as follows:
|Serving until 2021|Serving until 2022|Serving until 2023|
|---|---|---|
|Jane Campbell|David Black|Jane Burd|
|Colin Harris|Ian Ross|Geoff Hale|
||James Lawrie|Isabel Fenton|
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## **Objectives and Governance**
The parish of St Nicholas, Marston, is one of the parishes in the Deanery of Cowley, within the Diocese of Oxford. It shares a joint benefice with the separate parish of St Thomas of Canterbury, Elsfield.
The Parochial Church Council (‘the PCC’) is governed by the Parochial Church Council (Powers) Measure (1956) as amended, and by the current version (2011) of the Church Representation Rules. Its responsibilities include that of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical.
The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at St Nicholas’. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.
When planning our activities for the year, the incumbent and the PCC have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and specifically the guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:
Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge of and trust in Jesus Christ.
Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish.
Missionary activity and outreach work.
Facilitating this work depends on the voluntary work of many people, and the PCC very much appreciates their service to the church and to the local community. The incumbent receives a stipend paid by the Diocese. The curate is unpaid. No other trustees are paid for their services.
A connected charity is Marston Church Properties Ltd (‘MCP’), which is both a registered charity, no. 1085739, and a company limited by guarantee. Four of the five directors of MCP are members of the PCC, and the vicar is the chair of the company by virtue of her incumbency.
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## **Vicar's Report**
The last year has been dominated by three factors. First, the coronavirus pandemic and the associated restrictions which have changed our church life significantly since March 2020 - we have all learnt to follow the mantra of ‘Happy Birthday’ whilst washing our hands. Secondly, in responding to the pandemic we have needed to provide not only online worship, but also to embark on a steep learning curve in a number of areas. We have suddenly had to use Facebook LIVE and edit countless videos for YouTube and also to create Worship at Home resources (booklets, prayers and activities) for our major festivals and ordinary time to keep people connected. All of which has had a major impact on the shape of ministry. Thirdly, and most fundamentally, the faithfulness and love of our God has been shown time and time again in the way we have served each other and helped our fellow neighbour.
Almost anticipating the change that was about to happen, I ended the report last year with two focuses for mission and outreach for 2020. One was our work and care among families and young children who are attending church in diminishing numbers each year; and the second was to reach out to those who feel isolated and lonely. These priorities were fashioned from our PCC away day on the 18th of January and have proved to be so important in all our discussions, both after the first lockdown and then later on when I led a series of conversations in September around what church needs to be and look like for our Marston community. In our PCC discussions in September, I presented a short paper with my ideas for an Inside-Out Church,
heavily influenced from data collected in our parish questionnaire and from conversations around the parish. To summarise the paper, I felt we needed to be an Inside-Out Church that looked to
the community and wasn’t confined to the church building. The Inside-Out Church expresses itself in four main ways, through **community** , **prayer** , **peace** and **creation** and these four themes combine to shape our aspirations in Worship and Mission.
The desire to reach out to young families
as well as others who are vulnerable and isolated in our **community** has been a driving force behind many initiatives that have included Poster competitions, Food bank parcels, Outside Worship Activities, Pulse Youth group, Online Holiday Club & Sunday Club, Nativity Trail, Advent Windows, Carol Singing and
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many more. For all those who have helped in making these happen or supported the events by spreading the word - a big thank you to you all.
It was so disappointing to cancel our Easter/Spring Community Fun Day (and subsequent Fun Days in 2020) especially as we were launching the new Marston Eco Hub with workshops and Swap Shop and the Giving Garage in partnership with Alistair Morris and all Marston Community Gardeners. However, my dream to encourage our love of **creation** by using less plastic and setting up a refill station came to fruition through working with Jane Patten, a member of the MCG. Thanks to Jane’s assertiveness, in September the SESI refill station began and has gone from strength to strength each month. Recently we have been able to add new products. This initiative neatly fulfils our desire to care for Creation and along with this we have started our Green Church led by Andy Gosler who I know will develop this new space for creative worship next year. The church looks out through **community** , rather than in to itself, understanding its meetings (Wednesday, Sunday etc.) not as services themselves, but as refuelling points to enable us for the works of service out-side our building. It’s been wonderful working with Andy in 2020 and exploring outdoor worship and the tangible healing qualities of nature and I know he is keen to continue this in the coming year.
**Prayer and worship** continue to be an important part of how we maintain and sustain our faith. Through its acts of **prayer** and worship, the Inside-Out Church tells its story of God’s redemption for all people, always asking itself how these acts relate to those who are not in attendance. After each Government announcement a new public notice was written and our worship pattern was reviewed and changes were made that were necessary. I’m going to be honest, towards the first lockdown I was too quick to make changes which meant I ended up making too many - I got better with time and realised I didn’t need to rush. Our services online developed a Benefice feel to cater for our two churches and it was wonderful to rely on a wide number of people to help with Intercessions and readings. Thank you to Neil Barker and all the choir for recording and arranging music for our online worship and also for organising choir practices and accommodating the need to go on a sign-up sheet when we were restricted in numbers in our church building. Thank you also to the Ministry Team who have helped in many ways - from online talks, leading services, writing down names and cleaning pews and generally being a wise and caring team who have made this year possible. I should also add an extra thank you to Joel who took on the role of sound and recording engineer, hours spent on editing our pre-recorded services. We are looking to develop a sound and recording team in 2021 - to help with re-cording our services LIVE so we can continue to be present online for those who will not be able to return to the building. Do let me know if you can help with this.
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The Inside-Out Church looks to be a **peace** -making church, not just a peaceloving one, actively searching out broken relationships to mend and inviting the involvement of the excluded. As such our Prayer and Care Leaders have taken on a huge role during the past 18 months - ringing round members and passing on resources and information. I know the role of pastoral care is seen as important by all at St Nicholas’ and because of COVID I decided in APRIL to fold our sub-committees and give time and resources to our pastoral care with the _Prayer and Care Network_ and to communications through _Marston and Elsfield Messenger_ . Along with saying thank you to all our Prayer and Care leaders, I would like to mention Jan Lawrie and the team that have produced the Messenger each month - it has certainly helped with keeping us together despite being dispersed.
Meanwhile, this year's PCC has served an extra-long period of time, and I am grateful for their wisdom and support through a very tricky period of ministry. Thank you to Geoff Hale our treasurer for keeping us afloat and making sure we look outwards not only at our needs but to the mission projects we support. Most significantly, however, I am very grateful indeed to Judith Piggott and Eileen Palayiwa for their time as churchwardens and for their support for me in particular — it has at times been very hard and stretching, but they have served faithfully and sacrificially in the service of our church. Not only overseeing project X (heating, lighting, electrical) to its completion, but also the path to the memorial garden and countless Heath and safely forms and faculties to deal with.
The initial response to the lockdown restrictions from March onwards involved a significant amount of online ministry, as well as a reshaping of our pastoral and practical church support. By and large, this was well received and enabled the church’s ministry to adapt quickly and meet the needs both of the church congregations and of those in the wider community we were enabled to serve and engage with for the first time. Although with vaccinations are underway, we expect to be living with some restrictions until well into next year, and some of the longer-term implications may stay with us for a generation. It is even harder than usual to look ahead and make predictions about the church’s life. In many senses, our priorities are unchanged: we look to preach the good news, to serve those in need, and to find ways to be faithful and fruitful in an increasingly demanding culture. As much as ever, we need Almighty God to be at work, and so I hope you will join with me in a closing prayer, using the words from our Prayer and Care booklets:
_Dear God, I pray that our love for each other will overflow more and more, and that we will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding. Amen._
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## **Curate's Report**
In my university work I teach students about the nature of adaptation; 2020 tested all our abilities to adapt, and in ways none of us ever imagined. It’s certainly been an interesting year to be a curate, with online services, learning and teaching, and learning yet new ways to juggle. During the year I discovered more than ever what it means to have transferable skills, since a steep learning curve for creating teaching materials for my university work found unexpected use in recording sermons and services at home. I never expected my first use of the home communion set you so generously gave me to be when I presided at a eucharist in our own front room, whilst recording the event on an iPad!
Adapting means recognising the opportunities as well as the challenges, and whilst times of exile from church have been hard in so many ways, and no doubt differently for every one of us, it has guided us to new ways of thinking, worshiping and being community. To take one example: when the first lockdown started, I was due to lead compline at Elsfield every Wednesday evening during Lent, and I’d prepared and sent the orders of service, based on a different Celtic service each week, for printing. Then it couldn’t happen. But somehow, we later discovered that we could take compline via Facebook live, with the potential to reach more people and in their own homes. There is a different intimacy in this, and of course Christ is no less present. I think we also found new meaning in the old scriptures, how for example on the now rare occasions that I drive through Oxford its emptiness resonates with the Book of Lamentations’ description of Jerusalem deserted after that exile.
The short times of release offered new opportunities too. Many recognised how much they’d missed the sound of birdsong when it had to compete with traffic noise. It was always there, believe me, but now in the quiet of the first lockdown, the birds were all people heard and they discovered and forged a new relationship with nature and how they are themselves within creation. Against that background, it was wonderful to lead three outdoor services, on the first Sunday of the month, starting appropriately on 4 October, St Francis Day. These services typically start and end with prayers in the churchyard and in between, we undertake some outdoor activity, such as planting or harvesting. Working with Alistair Morris of Marston Community Gardens (MCG) in this has added an exciting dimension for our mission as well as ministry. For example, several people in the MCG Facebook group who are not connected with the church have said how they’d like these services to be advertised on that page as well as the church pages as they totally appreciated the link and would love some explicitly spiritual dimension to their gardening work. Whilst we have had to stop temporarily because of the latest lockdown, we have every intention to continue and build on this. I hope one day soon that I can lead a bird walk as part of this
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ministry. I’ve had some wonderfully close encounters with birds in our garden whilst recording sermons for church services, illustrating yet more clearly how the Holy Spirit is moving in all things, all relationships and at all times. I believe strongly that it is how we are with nature, and in nature, that reflects most truly how we are as disciples of the creator God who breathes through every living being (yes even plants, and especially fungi!).
## **Committees and Working Groups**
The PCC operates with committees and working groups, which meet and report to it as appropriate. Participation in these groups is open to all church members. However, meetings and activities were greatly curtailed during the year
## _**Standing Committee**_
Elected annually, this comprises the Vicar, churchwardens, treasurer and such other members as the PCC agrees. It exists to conduct essential business between full meetings of the PCC.
## _**Pastoral Care - Prayer and Support Network**_
The Prayer and Support Network is open to everyone. Those who chose to join are included in a group for prayer and care. Our leaders are Theresa Black, Judith Piggott, Desi Choi, Claire Addison, Eileen Palayiwa, David Blair, Colin Harris, Elizabeth How, Maureen Davis, Sally Richards and Gill Hale. Skye oversees the group made up of these leaders and, more recently, Eileen has taken on the role of Pastoral Officer, the first port of contact for those who need pastoral care urgently. Our Prayer and Care leaders have worked very hard these past 18 months; we have all felt the effects of three lockdowns, the rise of mental health concerns and the need for practical support of food and medicine. Our Prayer and Care leaders have been amazing and continue to be an outward sign of God’s love in action.
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At the beginning of 2021 we are offering a refresher course for the leaders and will be updating a new Prayer and Care booklet which will be available as both a hard or a digital copy from March 2021.
If you would like to be added to a Prayer and Care Group please let Skye know.
## _**Communications**_
The Marston Times, edited again by Jan Lawrie, with the assistance of Jennie Burrow, and printed by Solopress, only appeared in the months January to April and December (delivered to all households in the parish), because of lockdown/pandemic restrictions. Remaining at 30p per issue, subscriptions were almost complete when lockdown was imposed. It was agreed that 2020 subscriptions should be rolled over until 2021, so no new subscriptions would be collected until 2022.
During the pandemic, the editorial committee met virtually to produce a monthly newsletter, the 'Marston & Elsfield Messenger', delivered to church members via email on request, with some posted (free) to those not online. The newsletter was not intended to replace the Marston Times in terms of content, but provide an opportunity for the Church to reach out to its members with details of church services, supplemented with items of an uplifting nature with special reference to the month of issue.
## _**Other committees**_
Due to the pandemic the Welcome and Pastoral Care, Worship and Faith, Mission and Hospitality and Social Justice and Environment committees were not able to operate as usual.
## _**Churches Together**_
St Nicholas is a member of Churches Together in Marston and Northway (CTMN). Our representatives are Skye Denno and Geoff Hale. Our usual joint events were greatly curtailed by the Covid pandemic and the Palm Sunday donkey walk, Good Friday service and ‘Love Marston Love Life’ were all cancelled. However, all the member churches adapted to online services in different ways and we were able to join together for Lent and Advent courses.
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**Review of the Year**
## _**Church Openings and Closures**_
During 2020 COVID-19 restrictions restricted our use of the Church building and much of the worship took place place online. Restrictions changed throughout the year so that there were periods when the buildings were used for private prayer only and others when in-person services were permitted. As regulations changed we ensured that we comply and kept the church building as safe as possible by performing Risk Assessments, carrying out thorough cleaning, and keeping records for “Test and Trace”. We were able to use the times of closure constructively to have building work done (see below).
## _**Church attendance**_
The new roll presented at the annual meeting contained 122 names (2019: 122), of whom 45 were non-resident (2019: 43).
Attendance at Sunday services during October was as follows:
|||In person|Online views|
|---|---|---|---|
|October|6|42|226|
|October|13|38|147|
|October|20|38|118|
|October|27|36|69|
|Average||38.5|140|
Due to the pandemic, attendance in person was restricted and services were live-streamed. The situation was very different from normal.
Comparison with Sunday Services in October 2019
|||8 am||10 am||6 pm|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Adults|Children|Adults|Children|Adults|Children|Total|
|October|7|8|0|61|5|13|0|79|
|October|14|5|0|32|5|23|1|66|
|October|21|6|0|67|12|22|4|111|
|October|28|8|0|68|3|21|0|100|
|Average||6|0|57|6|20|1|89|
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Statistics for occasional offices: baptisms, weddings, and funerals
Baptisms. There were 0 baptisms (2019: 6) Confirmations. There were 0 confirmations (2019: 0) Weddings. There were 2 weddings. (2019: 2) Funerals. The clergy conducted 20 funeral services. (2019: 14)
Due to the pandemic, all baptisms and confirmations were postponed.
## _**Ministry team**_
The team is led by Revd Skye Denno, assisted by Revd Stephanie Bullock (assistant priest), and Revd Andy Gosler (curate).
Preaching is shared with licensed lay ministers David Cranston, Joel Denno and Neil Barker and authorized preacher Geoff Hale. Neil Barker continued to serve as Director of Music, Organist and Choir Master and to lead our informal evening services.
Gill Hale continues to coordinate the Junior Church and other children's activities.
Alison Edwards was the Parish Administrator.
## _**Elsfield**_
Following a PCC away day in October 2019 many social events had been planned, but due to the pandemic little could be done. A Coffee Morning on 25 Jan was a great success and gives hope more can be planned in 2021.
For several months Andy and I led an online service with a distinctly Elsfieldfocus, but we felt we were chasing the same readers every month so we made all our online services Benefice Services. It’s just a shame that I set up the YouTube channel with St Nicholas’ name on it only. I am hoping I can rectify this and make it clear it is for Marston and Elsfield.
After our in-person Arts and Crafts in Elsfield (ACE) stopped, Cassandra and I organised a Zoom coffee morning and ACE online. This has been a highlight and point of contact with the community.
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All Souls and Remembrance services were held before we went back into lockdown, but we were able to enjoy an outdoor Carol Service with a sparkly tree!
It’s been hard to remain motivated to implement all the plans which were made but we are looking forward to opening up again in May
## _**Music**_
It has been a very different year for our choirs, musicians and our worship.
In January we hosted the annual Churches Together New Year’s Praise service at which our choirs and musicians took part. It turned out to be the last Churches Together live event for the year due to the Covid restrictions on larger gatherings.
During the lockdown we developed Zoom choir practices, and ways of recording individuals singing and playing instruments at home, to produce music for our YouTube services. We were particularly grateful to Nancy Gladstone who helped with mixing the different voices and instruments in lockdown to produce the final recordings.
Once again, we appreciated the support of Old Marston Parish Council with a grant of £300 towards music resources for our Junior and Youth choristers.
The year ended with our first video choir recording for a Comfort and Joy Christmas YouTube service concert giving a special opportunity to reflect on the Christmas message.
Neil Barker, director of music, is always grateful for the commitment that choristers and musicians show throughout the year despite the lockdown and the joyful atmosphere in our times together even when they have been online. He continues to be grateful for the support and encouragement of Helen Meredith with the Youth and Junior Choir.
We look forward to live music making in 2021.
## **Mission in the Parish**
## _**Messy Church**_
In January 2020, we started a monthly Messy Church service in the Church Hall on a Sunday morning. Each event started with a delicious cooked breakfast; we
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had several crafts, a story, lots of songs and a testimony from a church member. Thanks to the contacts that have been built up locally through the Baby and Toddler Group, Community Fun Days, and just by word of mouth, we had around 50 people of all ages at each service. Sadly, we had to stop due to Covid after the March gathering. We look forward to starting again.
## _**Baby and Toddler Group**_
Owing to the level of restrictions during the year, sadly toddler group did not meet after the end of March.
## _**Junior Church**_
After several months of being unable to offer a ‘live’ Junior Church, the leaders decided that we would continue to follow the Roots course and offer a short online session each week (except the first Sunday of the month when there would be ‘green’ church for all ages or an online all age service.) We called this Sunday Club and the weekly sessions can be accessed from the church website. Advantages of the online format have been some inspiring guest appearances, particularly from Desi, and the way we have been joined by children from other places, especially from the Divya Shanthi home. As well as our bible story, videos, activities and prayers we have craft or colouring for our members to complete in their own time. We’d like to give special thanks to Eileen and Duncan for all their extra help over the last two terms.
## _**Holiday Club**_
“A Better World” was the theme of our online Holiday Club in 2020 and we thought about the ways God’s kingdom would be that better world, with daily themes like feeding the hungry, healing the sick, helping outcasts and working for peace and justice. Our great team of helpers rose to the challenge of online presentation. Alison Parkinson created wonderful packs of crafts which were delivered to the participants and was filmed showing them how to make them. People found very creative ways for presenting storytelling and quizzes online. Our songs, filmed in the vicarage garden, were lively. We had exercises every day and a whole range of things to bake, from healthy bread to Mars bar crunch. One of our best innovations was daily experiments, ably filmed by Harvey and Tim Burd. My favourite was the potato-powered lights! We were grateful for permission by a number of charities to use their videos, and our holiday clubbers particularly liked seeing the work of Mary’s Meals giving hungry children their school dinners in many impoverished communities. We were able to make our days interactive, and children sent in pictures and videos of themselves taking part. There was also a treasure hunt around the parish and a nature I Spy in the
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churchyard. We finished the week with an online Holiday Club service and nobody missed out on their prizes! We are really hoping for a ‘live’ Holiday Club this year though.
## _**Coffee Pot**_
Coffee Pot met in January and February 2020 but was cancelled from March to September due to COVID restrictions. In October we were able to resume meetings but only in groups of six. There were four of these meetings which gave all those who wanted to an opportunity to attend but as the restrictions changed again, we were unable to meet again in 2020.
The monthly lunch outing, the Summer Get Together, Open the Book and Community Fun Days have not happened this year either.
## _**Pulse Youth Group**_
PULSE - logo designed by Oscar Pocock
Joel and I have continued to lead Pulse every 2nd and 4th Saturday during 2020. This has taken an online platform as meeting in person wasn't allowed and the young people were very happy to meet via Zoom. Pulse has increased in numbers over this period and we now have 23 young people on our books, although not everyone comes to every session.
Over 2020 we followed a simple structure that lasts for just over an hour. We begin with a time of looking at scripture - often the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday. This is led using open questions to encourage the young people to share their thoughts. I always come away with something to ponder during the week, as our young people have much to offer in their wisdom. Following our Bible time, we have a quiz which is led by a different young person each session. This is then followed by an online game or two. To conclude we look at our next session and plan who is doing what and then have a short time of prayer. I know our young people appreciate this space together and for Joel and me it continues to be a highlight in our week. A huge thank you to Bretts Charity, which gave us a grant to buy a little gift for each young person at Christmas. Our hope is to do the same for this coming Easter. It’s a tough time to be a teenager and it’s good to remind them how proud we are of all their achievements - just choosing to get up each morning is awesome!
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## _**Parish Living Advent Calendar**_
This went ahead very successfully with socially distanced meetings around the windows and with brief ceremony.
## **Mission in the World**
## _**Divya Shanthi Mission Support**_
This charity provides support for the work of Divya Shanthi Christian Association and Trust in Bangalore India which provides education, homes, medical and family support for impoverished children and families in the area. This past year their work has centred very much on support for such families during the Coronavirus pandemic – providing medical support and food parcels for those in the area. For example, at Christmas time 350 families were given provisions.
The school was closed for a number of months during this year but schooling was provided online following the training of teachers and provision of mobile devices. DSMS continued to receive financial support from our regular donors and sponsors and the number of children sponsored by the charity this year was 34 (24 children with named sponsors and 10 without). Despite the pandemic, fundraising continued with an online Facebook event which raised over £1000 and an online Christmas Bazaar which raised over £2000.
## _**Church Mission Society**_
Our link partners Andy and Kati Walsh continue their preparations to return to Brazil to work among prisoners and socially excluded people and hope to start intensive training with CMS in Sep 2021. We still hope to be able to support them when possible.
## _**Baptist Mission Society and International Nepal Fellowship**_
Pippa and Toby Vokuhl had to return home from Nepal due to their visa limitations. The hope to return to Kathmandu in Spring 2021. Toby is a construction engineer and will be guiding and training local people to rebuild homes and community buildings destroyed by the earthquakes. Pippa is a physiotherapist and is able to use her skills to help mentor local practitioners.
## _**Christian Aid**_
We were unable to run our regular events this year, including the house-to-house envelope collections. So, instead we offered an online quiz and an online recipe
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book, full of delicious soup recipes. We raised £1590, thanks to our generous supporters.
## **Church Fabric**
During the year we were granted Faculties for gravel in the Memorial Garden and additional spaces for interments, an accessible path to the Memorial Garden, replacement of the old wiring, and new heating and lighting fittings.
The first (the gravel) was completed in May; the path was finished in August and the heating and lighting are almost complete (we are only waiting paperwork and one replacement for a faulty heater). We are still waiting for a report on the significance of the pews at the rear of the North and South Aisles which will determine whether these can be removed. It seems unlikely that we will be able to remove the pews at the back of the North Aisle as we have been told that they are the only examples of Children's Pews in England. However, we hope we will be given permission to remove those at the rear of the South Aisle.
## **Safeguarding**
No safeguarding issues or concerns have been reported during the year.
We tried to keep abreast as much as we could with safe guarding issues posed by the lockdown. We put into place guidance in line with that provided by the Diocese, on “online/zoom” safeguarding.
During the year, 8 members of the PCC as well as all members of the ministry team attended the “online” leadership Safeguarding training. All those with pastoral and/or safeguarding responsibilities or who work directly with vulnerable children or adults have now received the appropriate level of training. There was only one volunteer application. It was processed in line with the recruitment and safeguarding policy, by completing an application form, an appointment and declaration form and two references were taken.
We adopted a “Lone Working Policy” for use and guidance of all concerned.
We are up to date with DBS checking and renewal of certificates, using Access Personal Checking Services (APCS) as the Umbrella Body. We continue to review our Safeguarding Policy annually, together with updating relevant guidance and policies from the Diocese.
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## **Financial Report**
## _**Consolidation of funds and accounts**_
We continued to simplify our funds by closing the ‘Chancel Repair Fund’ which was invested in a CBF Investment account held by the Diocesan Board of Finance. This fund represented the capital payment received many years ago in discharge of Chancel Repair liabilities. The proceeds were used towards the costs of rewiring the church and replacing the heating and lighting systems.
## _**Receipts**_
There was a small decrease of 2% in planned giving, but there were no loose cash collections for most of the year as the church was closed. Additional donations were received towards the cost of a new path to the memorial garden and rewiring project.
We received grants from Old Marston Parish Council of £300 for the Junior Choir, £300 for the Marston Times and £200 for Messy Church. We received £500 from Brett's Trust for youth work and grants of £3,000 from All Churches Trust and £10,000 from Oxfordshire Historic Churches towards the costs of rewiring the church.
Few weddings meant that net parochial fees were 25% lower, and investment income was also reduced as we drew on reserves. The rent on 1B Mill Lane was increased by 1% in line with inflation. Overall, there was a 5.7% increase in receipts.
## _**Payments**_
Our Parish Share decreased by 9%. Our core level of charitable donations decreased by 15% (an additional donation of £1,000 was still under review by the PCC). With the church being closed for most of the year, running expenses decreased by 13% and the cost of ministry in the parish decreased by 30%. The PCC reimburses the vicar for telephone and broadband costs.
The Marston Times was not distributed for most of the year. The PCC agreed to waive subscription fees in 2021.
The main expenses during the year were for some major projects: £8,541 for provision of a new path to the memorial garden, £2,400 for provision of a Wifi connection and £116,206 for the rewiring project.
17
## _**Investments**_
Despite the volatility of investments during 2020, there was a net growth of £4,491 in our CBF investments. However, we sold shares to the value of £86,423 to pay for the rewiring project
## _**At the Year End**_
At the end of 2020 we had a balance of £51,106 in the General fund (unrestricted), equivalent to about six months expenditure. There was a balance of £17,033 in the Bell fund and £34,024 in other restricted and designated funds.
## _**Looking Ahead**_
Our Parish Share in 2021 was to have been reduced, but we volunteered to contribute the same as in 2020 so support other parishes in our deanery. In general, our basic income and expenditure is anticipated to be similar to that in 2020. As the rewiring project is completed, we expect additional costs of about £10,000.
## **Independent Examiner's Report**
I report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended December 31, 2019, which are set out in the following pages.
## _**Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**_
The 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(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
## _**Basis of examiner’s report**_
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting
18
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 view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement.
## _**Independent examiner’s 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 2011 Act and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met, or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
(Signed)
Professor David Nowell C.Eng., F.I.Mech.E. 16 Jack Straws Lane Headington Oxford OX3 0DL
19
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON**
## **Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2020**
## **Receipts & Payments**
|**2019**
£|**RECEIPTS**
**Note**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Designated**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
£
£
£|**Total**
£|
|---|---|---|
|69,275
15,248
5,212
579
4,005
1,610
502
1,237
27
86
5,612|**Voluntary Receipts**
Planned giving
59,959
7,990
Reclaimed from HMRC
3
15,661
2,885
Loose cash collections
878
Collections & donations for charity
Donations
551
9,237
Legacy
Sunday morning coffee
11
Wall safe
346
51
Junior Church
Sundries
95
Grants
4
14,300|67,949
18,546
878
0
9,788
0
11
397
0
95
14,300|
|103,394|77,489
34,474
0|111,963|
|4,626
4,402
8,689
2,595|**Other Receipts**
Fees (net)
5
3,542
Interest & investment income
4,167
Rent
8,820
Marston Times
6
2,249|3,542
4,167
8,820
2,249|
|20,313|7,709
0
11,069|18,777|
|123,707
0|Total receipts before transfers
85,198
34,474
11,069
Transfers
-10,000
0
10,000|130,741
0|
|123,707|**Total receipts after transfers**
75,198
34,474
21,069|130,741|
The Notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
20
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON**
## **Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2020**
## **Receipts & Payments (continued)**
|**2019**
£|**PAYMENTS**
**Note**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Designated**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
£
£
£|**Total**
£|
|---|---|---|
|55,759
10,897|**Payments outside the Parish**
Parish share
50,770
Othercharitable donations
7
8,667
603|50,770
9,270|
|66,656|59,437
603
0|60,040|
|3,820
3,296
6,708
1,120
3,276
3,863
858
575|**Church running expenses**
Heating & lighting
2,998
706
Insurance
3,344
Maintenance
2,861
2,110
Cleaning
1,251
Cost of services
1,073
36
Organists
3,314
317
Choir (including Junior Choir)
220
304
Gardening
511
1,419|3,704
3,344
4,970
1,251
1,109
3,632
524
1,930|
|23,515|12,228
8,236
0|20,464|
|1,638
26
279
1,713|**Ministry in the Parish**
Clergy expenses
8
1,398
67
Junior Church
3
Youth Work
184
24
Mission withintheParish
9
862
33|1,465
3
208
895|
|3,656|2,446
125
0|2,571|
|304
0
0
2,400
-1,737
0|**Fabric**
Home communion set
Memorial Garden
8,541
WiFi connection
2,400
Rewiring project
82,844
33,362
Photocopier (depreciation)
-869
Other|0
8,541
2,400
116,206
-869
0|
|967|0
90,516
35,762|126,278|
|7,965
1,774
716
204|**Other Expenditure**
Administration (net)
10
5,029
469
Marston Times
5
1,026
Maintenance of 1B Mill Lane
1,081
Flowers|5,498
1,026
1,081
0|
|10,659|5,029
469
2,107|7,606|
|105,452
0|Total payments before transfers
79,140
99,949
37,870
Transfers
0
0|216,958
0|
|105,452|**Totalpayments after transfers**
79,140
99,949
37,870|216,958|
||||
|18,255|**Surplus / Deficit**
-3,942
-65,474
-16,801|-86,218|
|140,395
24,463|Balance b/f at January 1
51,315
86,426
45,373
Changein value of investments
2,957
1,534|183,113
4,491|
|183,113|Balance c/fatDecember31
50,330
22,485
28,572|101,387|
21
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON**
## **Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2020**
## **Summary of Funds**
|**Fund**|**Fund type**|**31 Dec 2019**|**Receipts**
**Payments**
**Uncleared**
**payments**
**Change in**
**investments**|
**31 Dec 2020**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|General
Non-share
Flowers
Choir
Parish Admin
Fabric
Fabric
Bells
Memorial Garden
Projection system
Marston Times
Charity
1B Mill Lane
Youth Work
Music Events
Messy Church
Path
Chancel Repair|Unrestricted
Restricted
Restricted
Restricted
Restricted
Designated
Restricted
Restricted
Restricted
Restricted
Designated
Restricted
Designated
Restricted
Designated
Restricted
Restricted
Restricted|51,315
-
-
-
-
41,148
40,105
26,398
1,566
223
369
0
4,327
1,316
264
-
-
16,083|81,371
84,537
776
2,957
5,000
5,000
60
-
300
304
-
-
15,000
35,762
45,304
83,465
10,000
-
559
1,194
1,885
3,201
-
-
2,549
1,026
590
603
3,820
1,081
500
24
-
-
200
33
6,759
6,759
16,423
-
-
341|50,330
-
60
4
-
-
20,385
1,943
17,033
250
223
1,891
13
-
7,066
1,792
264
167
-
0|
|**Total**||183,113|136,914
222,355
4,491|101,387|
## **Summary of Accounts**
|**Account**|**31 Dec 2019**|**Receipts Payments**
**Uncleared**
**payments**
**Change in**
**Investments**|
**31 Dec 2020**|
|---|---|---|---|
|Coop current a/c General
CBF investment a/c Bells
CBF investment a/c Fabric
CBF investment Chancel Repair|8,465
18,960
139,606
16,083|223,337
222,355
776
10,000
1,194
60,000
2,957
16,423
341|8,671
10,154
82,563
0|
|**Total**|183,113|223,337
308,778
776
4,491|101,387|
18
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON**
## **Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2020**
## **Endowment Funds: Receipts & Payments**
|**2019**
£||**2020**
£|
|---|---|---|
|468|**Chancel Repair Fund**
**Receipts**
Dividends
**Payments**
PCC General Fund|358|
|468||358|
|468||358|
|468||358|
|0|**Surplus / Deficit( – )**|0|
19
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON**
## **Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2020**
## **Endowment Funds: Statement of Assets & Liabilities**
|**31 Dec 2019**
£||**Change**
**inyear**|**31 Dec 2020**
£|
|---|---|---|---|
|16,083|**Chancel Repair Fund**
CBF Investment Fund
(2019: 839 shares @ 1916.91p)|-16,083|0|
|16,083||-16,083|0|
|||||
|**16,083**|**Total of all Endowment Funds**|-16,083|0|
|16,083|**Allocated as follows:**
CBF InvestmentA/cc|-16,083|0|
|**16,083**||-16,083|0|
Following a resolution of the PCC, the Fund was closed and the capital was allocated to the Fabric Fund to be used towards the costs of the Rewiring project
20
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON**
## **Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2020**
## **Statement of Overall Assets & Liabilities**
|**31 Dec 2019**
£|Expendable Endowment
Funds
Funds|**31 Dec 2020**
£|
|---|---|---|
|8,465
174,649
0|**Monetary Assets**
Bank Current A/cc
8,671
CBF Investment A/cc
92,717
0
Shares|8,671
92,717
0|
|**183,113**|**Total**
**101,387**
**0**|**101,387**|
|869
179,176|**Other Assets**
Photocopier (after depreciation at 33.33% per annum)
Freeholdhouse at1B Mill Lane (insuredvalue)|0
230,915|
|**180,045**|**Total**|**230,915**|
Signed:
Elizabeth Denno (Chair)
Geoff Hale (Treasurer)
21
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON**
## **Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2020**
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **1. Basis of Preparation**
**(a)** The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006, the Charities Act 2011, together with applicable accounting standards.
**(b)** The accounts are prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis, as permitted when the annual income is less than £250,000.
**(c)** The financial statements include all transactions, assets, and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor of those that are informal gatherings of church members.
## **2. Accounting Policies**
**(a)** The funds of a charity, under charity law, have to be categorized in one of three ways.
**Unrestricted funds** : these contain money that can be spent in any way the PCC chooses (within general charity law)
**Designated funds** : these contain money that the PCC has allocated to a specific purpose. They include funds designated for maintenance of church property. Money in a designated fund can be undesignated by a subsequent decision of the PCC.
**Restricted funds** : these contain money that has been given for a purpose specified by the donor. Such money can only be spent on the specified purpose (within the overall objectives of the PCC), or else returned to the donor.
**(b)** The PCC uses a number of bank accounts and investment funds
**General Account** : This holds current funds, including General (unrestricted), Designated and Restricted Funds. The PCC holds a current account with the Cooperative Bank
**Investment Accounts** . Reserves are held in the CBF Church of England Investment Fund administered by CCLA Investment Management Ltd
**Endowment Fund Account.** Capital of the Chancel Repair Fund was held by the Diocesan Board of Finance in a CBF Investment Account on behalf of the PCC. This account was closed in 2020 and the capital was used to contribute to replacement of electrical systems in the chancel.
Investments are valued at the basic value (between bid price and offer price) on 31 December.
## **(c)** Fixed assets
Consecrated land and buildings and benefice property are not included in the accounts.
Movable church furnishings which are held by the vicar and churchwardens on trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are listed in the church’s inventory. Such assets are not included in the financial statements.
The freehold property at 1B Mill Lane belongs to the PCC, with the deeds held on its behalf by the Diocese. It is included in the statement of overall assets and liabilities at its insured value.
A photocopier was purchased in 2017. Its value was depreciated in a straight line over 3 years
22
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON**
## **Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2020**
|**Note 3**
**Note 4**
**Note 5**|**2019**
£
**RECEIPTS**
12,698
Income tax reclaimed on Gift Aid donations
2,550
Money claimed under GASDS
**15,248**
**2019**
£
**RECEIPTS**
375
Old Marston Parish Council (for Marston Times)
300
Old Marston Parish Council (for Choir)
0
Old Marston Parish Council (for Messy Church)
500
Brett's Trust (for Youth Work)
4,437
Marston Church Properties (for Parish Administrator)
0
Allchurches Trust (for Rewiring)
0
Oxfordshire Historic Churches (for Rewiring)
5,612
**2019**
£
**RECEIPTS**
7,472
Statutory Fees
1,120
Additional Fees (organist, flowers, choir, bells, verger)
8,592
**PAYMENTS**
3,053
Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance
913
Others (clergy, organist, flowers, choir, bells, verger)
3,966
**4,626**
**Surplus / Deficit (– )**
**Parochial Fees: Receipts & Payments**
**Money reclaimed from HMRC**
**Grants**|**2020**
£
17,414
1,132|
|---|---|---|
|||**18,546**|
|||**2020**
£
300
300
200
500
0
3,000
10,000|
|||14,300|
|||**2020**
£
7,337
104|
|||7,441|
|||3,562
337|
|||3,899|
|||**3,542**|
23
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON**
## **Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2020**
|**Note 6**|**2019**
£
**RECEIPTS**
1,822
Subscriptions and donations
773
Advertisements
2,595
**PAYMENTS**
3,151
Printing
143
Postage & stationery
3,294
**-698**
**Surplus / Deficit (– )**
**Marston Times: Receipts & Payments**|**2020**
£
1,581
668|
|---|---|---|
|||2,249|
|||710
316|
|||1,026|
|||**1,222**|
Production and delivery of the Marston Times was suspended in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is planned to use the surplus to fund production during 2021 without charge to subscribers or advertisers
24
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON**
## **Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2020**
|**Note 7**|**2019**
£
500
2,557
859
0
500
500
1,000
0
0
5,916
1,000
250
250
250
250
145
2,145
255
580
1,000
500
250
250
0
0
0
2,836
**10,897**|**Other Charitable donations**
Overseas & worldwide
Church Mission Society
Divya Shanthi
Christian Aid
Viva
Link to Hope
Bible Society
Nina Jankucic (Croatia)
Lifewords
Water Aid
National
Christians Against Poverty
Ozanne Foundation
Council of Christians & Jews
Bible Reading Fellowship
Wheelpower
The Children's Society
Local
Oxford Winter Night Shelter
The Porch
Viva Doorsteps
Pennyhooks
Musical Youth Company Oxford
Oxfordshire Association for Blind
Cowley Deanery
Helen & Douglas House
Asylum Welcome
**Total**|Unrestricted
Restricted
**Total**
funds
funds
£
£
£
500
500
1,487
603
2,090
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
500
500
500
500
0
0
25
25
500
500|
|---|---|---|---|
||||5,512
603
6,115|
||||1,000
1,000
0
0
0
0
0|
||||1,000
0
1,000|
||||0
0
500
500
0
0
0
0
250
250
250
250
155
155
500
500
500
500|
||||2,155
0
2,155|
|||||
||||8,667
603
**9,270**|
25
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON**
## **Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2020**
|**Note 8**
**Note 9**
**Note 10**|**2019**
£
**PAYMENTS**
1,187
Incumbent & deputizing clergy
451
Curate
**1,638**
**2019**
£
**PAYMENTS**
574
Advertising
839
Holiday Club and Fun Days
300
Bell ringers
0
Messy Church
**1,713**
**2019**
£
**RECEIPTS**
0
Marston Church Properties (salary contribution)
0
**PAYMENTS**
6,656
Salaries
139
Licence and other fees
835
Photocopier
335
Other
7,965
**7,965**
**Net payments**
**Administration: Receipts and Payments**
**Clergy Expenses**
**Mission within the Parish**|**2020**
£
1,465
0|
|---|---|---|
|||**1,465**|
|||**2020**
£
214
647
0
33|
|||**895**|
|||**2020**
£
2,274|
|||2,274|
|||6,691
465
588
28|
|||7,772|
|||**5,498**|
The PCC employs a Parish Administrator and supplies administration services to Marston Church Properties at cost.
26