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2022-12-31-accounts

DocuSign Envelope ID: 96B95B45-5613-48BD-8683-B081173BC806

Annual Report and Financial Statements of the

Parochial Church Council

for the Year ended 31 December 2022

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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 2022.

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
Geoff Hale
Churchwardens Judith Piggott
Jan Lawrie
PCC Chair Skye Denno
PCC Secretary Isabel Fenton
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 April 2023.

Members of the PCC

In accordance with the Church Representation Rules, members of the PCC are either elected at the Annual Parochial Church 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 2022:

Helen Barker Andy Gosler Emily Meredith David Black (to 24 April) Geoff Hale Eileen Palayiwa Jane Burd Duncan Hatfield Millius Palayiwa Maureen Davis James Lawrie (to 24 April) Judith Piggott Skye Denno Jan Lawrie (from 24 April) Ian Ross Isabel Fenton

Elected PCC members serve for three-year terms. The current terms of office of the elected PCC members are as follows:

Serving until 2023 Serving until 2024 Serving until 2025 Jane Burd Helen Barker Eileen Palayiwa Geoff Hale Duncan Hatfield Ian Ross Isabel Fenton Emily Meredith (vacant)

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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 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

2022 seemed to flash past my eyes with such speed it is almost easy to forget what we managed to achieve and celebrate as the church here in Marston. It was not the easiest year as we were still holding much of the pain and anxiety of the previous (Covid) years. This meant coping with adjustments made to worship patterns and mission to accommodate those who were struggling to get to church or those were catching up with family or managing areas and new responsibilities. This meant we were not only doing all that we had done - including the changes and extra services and events, but also adding to it by bringing some kind of normality for people to connect with, like Lunch Clubs. Thank you, Jackie Whittaker, for making Lunch Club happen; it is an example of one of the places we can Pause and catch our breath.

We offered a series of ‘Pause’ spaces: “Pause for Thought’; ‘Pause for Prayer’ and “Pause for More”. ‘Pause for thought’ proved to be very successful and gave a wonderful platform to share gifts and knowledge as well as a space to reconnect with one another in the local community. We had talks on such diverse subjects as Biblical Poetry, Eco Initiatives and Grief Support. ‘Pause for Prayer’ was a space that felt the most needed, but wasn’t always well attended. For those of us who did go, it was a well of refreshment and space to ‘be’. The most successful one was when Joel and I put poetry, music and reflection/silence together. ‘Pause for More’ started well with a few regular online members but this quietened down so it was stopped and later replaced with Faith exploring courses. Although not all the ‘Pause’ events were as well attended in person we were able to record and upload on our YouTube channel and this proved popular.

Geoff Hale, Joel Denno and Neil D’Monte have continued to faithfully live-stream for us over 2022 and I know it hasn’t always been plain sailing. I am grateful for their commitment and time to help those unable to attend in person to feel included. For 2023, we will be reviewing the live-streaming, collecting data on how many people still require the service, so that resources can be focused where they are most needed.

It was a year of chasing our tails and feeling a little behind on the planning, but we still managed to do two Eco Markets (both very well attended), the Queen’s Jubilee BBQ and Celebration in partnership with the Parish Council, and a Big Autumn Fun Day for which Marks and Spencer generously donated 115 pumpkins. Thank you to all the helpers and volunteers for each of these events. The Giving Garage gew to include a full-time Community Larder. Linda and Gerry Prickett help to manage this, and again we are grateful for all our volunteers. It is open every Saturday 9-11 am and is a very practical way of

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showing God’s love in our community. It is such a joy to use the Vicarage for these events.

One of the impacts of the last few years has been the growing number of people needing pastoral care, both in the wider community and amongst our regular attenders. Our Pastoral Prayer and Support Team continue to do sterling work under the supervision of Eileen Palayiwa and home visits continue every month with Home Communion offered to those unable to get to church.

2022 continued with a worship calendar that was diverse, creative and exciting, with regular outdoor Green Church services, Celtic gatherings, Taizé, BCP Communion, Messy Church, CW Communion, and Evensong. All of this wonderful diversity in worship and music is only possible because of the Ministry team and worship leaders. A huge thank you to Andy Gosler and Stephanie Bullock our Associate Priests. Andy finished his curacy successfully in June and stayed with us to serve as Associate Priest. Thank you to Joel Denno, Geoff Hale, Neil Barker and David Cranston, who, as Lay Ministers, preach and lead worship. There are others who help lead services at Messy Church, Green Church and Celtic worship under the support of our Ministry team so a big thank you to each of you. Neil has continued to lead our choirs over 2022 and we have seen Junior Choir flourish as a result of his proactive measures in encouraging new young people to join and making the choir accessible. Thanks to all those who lead worship in both our choirs, who play the organ to cover funerals (John Collier) and who are part of the worship band.

We have struggled this year with volunteers, but those who have faithfully polished the church, created beautiful flowers displays, led us in prayers, read Bible lessons, served the chalice or served behind the altar have enabled worship to continue. As we do need more volunteers, do please let me or one of the Church Wardens know if you feel a nudge from God to offer help. Speaking of Church Wardens: Judith Piggott and Jan Lawrie have seen us through 2022 despite the difficulties of a busy year and both remain to serve us into 2023. A big thank you to both of them for their care and commitment, which enabled me to take time off over August to rest. Thank you to each of our PCC members who have served St Nicholas church, especially to those who take on dual roles in helping our finances (Geoff Hale), Website design (Duncan Hatfield), and Safeguarding (Millius Palayiwa). Jane Burd is leaving the PCC at the APCM and we thank her for her wisdom, especially in the area of mission for our children and families.

There are so many things to be thankful for, and despite 2022 feeling like a busy, tough year which I was unable to finish satisfactorily (as a result of contracting Covid just before Christmas), I can see the many blessings and joys as well. It

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continues to be an honour to serve this parish and I am really excited about 2023. We had a very fruitful PCC and Ministry team focus morning in January 2023, one that will help guide our vision, mission and worship in being a church for Everyone. More of this in the Annual report for next year … Skye Denno .

Curate's Report

Looking back on my last report I am reminded of how far, together, we’ve come, since when I wrote that I expected it to be my last. I won’t go into the details of why I chose to stay with you in the Benefice of Marston & Elsfield, save to say that I saw God’s hand in the byzantine goings on it that led me back; it was the right decision and I have no regrets. I shall, however, just report the time-line for the end of my curacy. I submitted my final folder on 27 April, which was signed off by Revd Peter Day on 18 May. I learned that I had formally completed my curacy when I received a lovely email from Bishop Steven on 27 May. I remember that moment distinctly because I was in the physiotherapy waiting room at the JR awaiting an appointment to help my recovery from a broken leg. When my physiotherapist told me, “Well Andy, I don’t think there’s anything more we can do for you”, I realised that within just 20 minutes I had been signed off as fit to serve by both the Church and the NHS!

My physiotherapist had been surprised by the speed of my recovery, and in relation to that, I would like to thank all in the church who supported me during that difficult time, whether through your good wishes and prayers, acceptance of my need to rest, or in real tangible ways, in one case taking me for my covid booster just a few weeks post-op when Caroline wasn’t available to help (thank you Sally!), and in writing reports for the church, on characteristically convoluted feedback forms, and at too short notice on my time as curate. Thank you Judith and Tessa – your words were picked up by Revd. Day in his report so proving that they were read and carried weight. Of course all this kindness and support played a part in my realisation that, for the foreseeable future at least, my place is with you. All that is reflected also in the last paragraph of my report last year. So I was licensed by Archdeacon Jonathan to the Benefice (at Elsfield) on 18 September with no stated end date. And now, maybe you’re wondering why, if I’ve completed my curacy, this text is entitled Curate’s Report? The answer is that with my metamorphosis to Associate Priest (please think butterfly rather than frog), my title has changed from Assistant Curate in training, to simply Assistant Curate. Clearly a beautiful example of how less is more, and I feel blessed to serve that title with you. Andy Gosler

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Deanery Synod Report

The synod met four times during the year. In-person meetings have resumed. One of the meetings was joint with Oxford Deanery. Discussions were mainly on the effect of Covid-19 on congregation numbers and therefore giving, with parishes noticing a big decrease in Sunday collections. This has huge implications for Parish shares. Parish share discussions took a great amount of time during the year, and will continue into 2023.

A Deanery Plan was produced during the year. As a result, there was, there was a presentation by the Revd Dr Keith Hebden of Citizens UK, to consider a possible strategy to address key issues raised in the Plan. The possibility of the Deanery joining with Citizens UK for a trial period of 3 years was considered, which would cost £3,000 a year! No decision was made. Millius Palayiwa

Diocesan Synod Report

Diocesan Synod meetings have continued to be on Zoom. It has been decided that this will continue, but with one meeting a year in-person, and that to be longer and include a lunch.

Discussions about Living in Love and Faith (LLF) have continued, and more so following the Bishop’s Essay “Together in Love and Faith.” The Essay, which is 49 pages, explores the issue of whether the church should marry and/or bless same-sex partnerships. The Essay has attracted a great deal on media interest, as can be expected. There has been a “strong” 46-page response by the Rector of St Ebbs, Vaughan Roberts.

At all its meetings, the Synod was updated and received reports on Christ Church governance and related “conflict.” There was also a detailed briefing on the 2022 Lambeth Conference. During the year, a motion was passed to pay Licenced Lay Ministers (LLMs) and Self-Supporting Ministers (SSMs) for certain services as is the practice with retired clergy starting in 2023. Budget and governance issues are always on the agenda. Millius Palayiwa

Elsfield

Having emerged from the uncertain and unsettling period of Covid, without the opportunities to gather and celebrate together, 2022 reinforced the values of community both socially and spiritually. Our plans for 2023 build on this sense of belonging and togetherness with services encompassing an array of formats to suit everyone – matins, common worship, holy communion, evensong (including Hymns and Pimm’s in June) and celebrations at Mothering Sunday, Harvest

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Festival and Christmas. In addition, we will enjoy evening compline during Lent (a welcome period for contemplation and reflection held every Thursday at 8.00pm). We particularly look forward to welcoming friends from Marston to our Maundy Thursday fish ‘n’ chip supper with informal communion. This has always been a joyous occasion with Neil Barker leading us in song.

Our village community calendar includes the recent inter-village wine tasting competition, St George’s supper, Harvest supper, the Christmas fair and carols around the Christmas tree.

Whilst we are a small village, we bring people together when we can in the hope that, over time, we will build a stronger, supportive and more committed community. James Plunkett

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 Care groups are still functioning well with group leaders ensuring that their members stay informed about church events and praying for them regularly. They inform the vicar of cases of illness or people who would like a visit or home communion and will try to point members to sources of help when needed. Some members of the congregation have been trained in distributing communion at home and this is appreciated by those who receive it.

During 2023 we plan to start a Bereavement Support Group for those who have been bereaved during the last two years and who feel they would benefit from an opportunity to share their experiences and support each other. Eileen Palayiwa

Communications

The Marston Times is now printed four times a year: March, June, September and December. The intervening months are produced electronically and sent by

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email on request and made available on the website. We post a few copies to some who can’t access emails and receive a donation towards the cost. Regular articles What to Quote, Nature Notes and What to Cook have proved very popular together with the Vicar’s letter and information. News from the Parish Council and Marston Community Gardening have returned to their regular format. Judith Piggott & Jan Lawrie

Churches Together

St Nicholas is a member of Churches Together in Marston and Northway (CTMN). Our representatives are Skye Denno and Geoff Hale. We enjoyed meeting again at the Palm Sunday walk between our churches (complete with donkey) and the outdoor Good Friday Celebration. However, the annual meeting was very sparsely attended and could not elect new officers. It is noticeable that some of the member churches are struggling to be as involved as in the past. If CTMN is to continue its work, there is a need for younger people to be engaged.

In May 2023 we plan to hold another ‘Love Marston Love Life’ and hope that this will be an even better community event than in the past. Geoff Hale

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Review of the Year

Church attendance

The new roll presented at the annual meeting contained 117 names (2021: 119), of whom 44 were non-resident (2021: 45). The gradual decline continues year on year (2005: 207; 2012: 155).

Attendance at Sunday services during October was as follows:

In church Online views
October 2 22 18
October 9 105 46
October 16 17 18
October 23 58 24
October 30 112 15
Average 63 24

Comparison with Sunday Services in October 2021

In church Online views
October 3 40 30
October 10 73 35
October 17 69 n/a
October 24 56 29
October 31 110 13
Average 70 27

Statistics for occasional offices: baptisms, weddings, and funerals

Baptisms. There were 4 baptisms (2021: 4) Confirmations. There were 0 confirmations (2021: 5) Weddings. There were 2 weddings. (2021: 2) Funerals. The clergy conducted 10 funeral services. (2021: 23)

Ministry Team

The team is led by Revd Skye Denno, assisted by Revd Stephanie Bullock (assistant priest), and Revd Andy Gosler (assistant curate).

Preaching is shared with licensed lay ministers David Cranston, Joel Denno, Neil Barker and Geoff Hale. Neil Barker continued to serve as Director of Music, Organist and Choir Master and to lead our 4 pm services.

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Gill Hale continues to coordinate the Junior Church and other children's activities.

Alison Gray retired and Debbie Bailey was appointed as Parish Administrator.

Music

We have had a wonderfully full year of musicmaking this year. We were pleased to welcome a good number of younger choristers to the Junior Choir in September and our music group for the 4 pm service has grown and developed over the year. Our SATB choir particularly enjoyed singing at special evensong for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of our late Queen as well as joining with Holy Trinity, Headington Quarry for some choral evensong services.

The choir has also sung at a number of RSCM events organised by Helen Meredith. I have also appreciated Helen’s continued support of the Junior & Youth choirs along with Sophie and Jane Burd who agreed to help when the new junior choristers joined.

One highlight for all the choirs was singing at our Music for a Summer Evening event when other singers and musicians joined us. A more recent highlight was the Nine Lessons & Carols service which combined with our 900th church anniversary celebrations. With Robert Fletcher’s support in choosing music from across the centuries and bringing along the ‘Spare Parts’ quartet, our choir and numerous friends who joined with us were able to sing music both old and new: well-known favourites and those that challenge us to sing to new heights.

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.

I continue to be encouraged by the joyful commitment that choristers and musicians show throughout the year and the welcoming atmosphere in our times together. We look forward to more joyful music making in 2023. Neil Barker

Mission in the Parish

Messy Church

Messy Church is a form of church for children and adults that includes creativity, celebration and hospitality. We are delighted that Messy Church in Marston was able to start up again in March, following a break because of Covid. We have a number of regulars who attend and enjoy a delicious breakfast, crafts, songs

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(and dances), Bible stories, personal stories from members of the church and a lot of fun. Jane Burd

Baby and Toddler Group

Gill, Geoff, Margaret and Joel North enjoyed a busy and happy year at Baby and Toddler Group. We enjoyed the company of our regular members, welcomed some baby brothers and sisters and were pleased to meet new families who had moved into the area. We received some generous gifts of toys, including baby dolls, ride-ons and a lovely easel, and we have a new helper, Felicity, who has particularly contributed to our singing time. We have been pleased to see some of our toddlers come along to Messy Church and we all appreciated Joel Denno coming to tell us the Christmas story in December. Gill Hale

Junior Church

By the end of lockdown, a number of our Junior Church members were too old for the group, and with very small numbers we decided that instead of meeting in the church hall we would have tables in the church where younger members of the congregation could find new activities each week, along with creche toys for those under three. Gill Hale

Coffee Pot and Lunch Club

Coffee Pot has run normally throughout 2022 with over 30 people attending sessions. Those who come appreciate the opportunity to meet others as many of them live alone.

We also started a monthly lunch club, organised by Jackie Whittaker, which has been fully booked up throughout the year. Eileen Palayiwa

Pulse Youth Group

Every second and fourth Saturday 7-9 pm in the Church Hall we run a youth group for young people of secondary school age. It continues to be a friendly and informal group, building on the relationships that began during lockdown when we met online. We spend the first 20-30 minutes discussing a passage from the Bible, usually using the gospel reading for the following day. After this, the young people have free time to play and enjoy a food-based activity. At the end of each session, we ask the young people what they would like for next meeting. We have crisps, sweets, drinks and variety of board games out on the tables. There is also a table tennis table and a popular pool table in the upper room.

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The young people who attend Pulse are a wonderful group, who get along well together and join in with the Bible conversation and other activities. Joel Denno, Brian North, and Skye run the group at present but we would love more helpers to join us - training will be provided and you will need to obtain a DBS check. Skye Denno

Faith Exploring and Confirmation

At the start of the year, we were still running a monthly online group called ‘Come and See Some More’. This basically took the format which Bishop Steven had used for the ‘Come and See’ course launched to engage with those people who had discovered or rediscovered church through internet services during lockdown. Bishop Steven had provided short talks on the basics of the Christian faith for the course that he introduced and then discussion and contemplative prayer followed. For ‘Come and See Some More’, we asked the members of the groups for topics to discuss and then the leader prepared a short talk or presentation on that topic. ‘Come and See Some More’ was attended by two or three people and we ran it until April 2022. It was successful in providing Christian fellowship and prayer for people who did not usually attend church services.

In October, we started a course to prepare people for Confirmation. The ‘Come and See Some More’ course fed one member into the Confirmation course. The Confirmation course is delivered in two sessions. The first is designed for young people and is held at the Vicarage. There are five young people attending this course and the discussions have been fruitful, with all of the young people contributing. The second session is held online and is designed for adults. There are two people attending the online course and they have been engaged in questions and conversations about God and faith. We are looking forward to the Confirmation Service in 2023 and after that, we will consider when to run another faith exploring course. Skye Denno

Mission in the World

Divya Shanthi Mission Support

DSMS supports for the work of Divya Shanthi Christian Association and Trust in Bangalore India providing education, shelter, medical and family support for impoverished children and families. Over the past year, Divya Shanthi in Bangalore has continued to work really hard for their local community.

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Challenges for 2023 – the health of Vinay and Colleen Samuel has not been good and we are asked to pray for them. Also, the Indian government has introduced new financial laws, making it difficult to receive grants from overseas.

In Marston, we continue to support Divya Shanthi through a programme of child sponsorship and fundraising. Our supporters currently sponsor 40 children, paying for school fees etc. We held another successful Christmas Fair (outside in the cold) and raised over £1250. Jane Burd

Church Mission Society

In Feb 2022, after years of planning and preparation our link partners Andy and Kati Walsh travelled to Brazil to work among prisoners and socially excluded people. But as they were preparing to leave, Andy’s sister Bernadette tragically died in childbirth. With this dreadful grief, they have continued faithful to their call and engaged with hospital, rehabilitation centres, a favela and particularly a remand centre and penitentiary for serious offenders where Andy has been preaching, leading worship and bringing men to know Christ. Geoff Hale

Baptist Mission Society and International Nepal Fellowship

Pippa and Toby Vokuhl have been working in Nepal for several years. Toby is a construction engineer and is guiding and training local people to rebuild homes and community buildings destroyed by earthquakes. With his help, a new 30-bed leprosy facility at Pokhara is nearly complete and will be named the ‘Eileen and Betty Centre’ to honour two pioneering missionaries who first brought the gospel and treatment for leprosy sufferers in the 1950s. If they can obtain the necessary visas, Toby and Pippa hope to continue to work with INF into 2023. Geoff Hale

Church Fabric

There were no major new projects during 2022 but we have been working on adjusting heating to keep it as economical as possible (this is a work in progress

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still). There have been one or two issues with the furniture of the church: furniture beetle and death watch beetle have both been treated recently.

We have permission from the Diocese to install bicycle racks in the churchyard behind the tower and hope to undertake this work in the Spring.

A faculty application has been submitted to remove pews in the South Aisle around the font, provide some chairs and install bookshelves. We have also asked to remove the carpet, apart from in the central aisle where it will be replaced. The floor would then be restored and protected. Judith Piggott and Jan Lawrie.

Safeguarding

No safeguarding issues or concerns have been reported during the year.

We have kept abreast, as much as we could, with safeguarding issues posed by Covid-19 and the resultant lockdowns; being mindful of dangers posed to children and vulnerable adults. Lockdowns left some of our most vulnerable in society lonely, isolated, and open to abuse and exploitation but it is still early to measure these effects.

Financial scams have increased and are more likely to do so with the cost-ofliving crisis.

The Diocesan team has kept us informed and up to date with developments and policy changes. There have been rapid changes of personnel among the team at Church House.

November 20[th] was national designated as “Safeguarding Sunday”. Due to other events, we did not observe it at St Nicholas, but plan to do so in March 2023.

In October, the lengthy report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) was published. Millius Palayiwa

Financial Report

Receipts

There was a significant reduction of 9.6% in planned giving, but we received a special gift of £25,000 earmarked for the cost of appointing a Children and Youth Minister.

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We received grants from Old Marston Parish Council of £300 for Junior Choir, £300 for Marston Times and £645 for Fun Days. We received £500 from Brett's Trust for Youth Work, £163 from Oxfordshire Historic Churches for church fabric and £200 from Oxford City Council for providing warm spaces.

Net parochial fees were 10% lower than in 2020. The rent on 1B Mill Lane was increased by 2% in line with inflation. Overall, there was a 3% decrease in receipts, not counting the special gift.

Payments

The deanery suspended individual assessments of Parish Share and kept them all at the 2021 level. We voluntarily contributed an additional £1,000 to assist parishes that were unable to afford their share. Meanwhile, our other charitable donations decreased by 16%.

Running expenses and the cost of ministry increased by 9%. The PCC reimburses the vicar for telephone and broadband costs.

We spent very little on fabric and maintenance and received a VAT refund for work carried out in 2021. As a result, our total expenditure was 11% lower than in 2021.

Investments

There was a net loss of £13,029 in our CBF investments due to the fall in stock markets during 2022.

At the Year End

At the end of 2022 we had a balance of £44,144 in the General fund (unrestricted), equivalent to about five months expenditure. There was a balance of £16,435 in the Bell fund and £71,164 in other restricted and designated funds.

Looking Ahead

Following an appeal in November, 7 members pledged to increase their planned giving in 2023. However, with the loss of other donors, this means that projected income is about the same as in 2022.

Once again, Parish Share for 2023 was not individually assessed, but a flat increase of 3.16% was imposed, based on our share assessed for 2020 plus the

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voluntary contributions that we made in 2020 and 2021. The treasurer objected to the lack of consultation and arbitrariness of this scheme, but it was approved by the PCC.

In 2021 and 2022, electricity costs made up about 4.5% of our total expenses. Unless we can reduce our usage, this will rise sharply from Oct 2023 when our fixed price contract will be renewed.

Due to falling income and increasing costs, we project a significant budget deficit of about £16,000 in 2023. Geoff Hale

Independent Examiner's Report

I report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended December 31, 2022, 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:

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 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.

18

DocuSign Envelope ID: 96B95B45-5613-48BD-8683-B081173BC806

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:

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

DocuSign Envelope ID: 96B95B45-5613-48BD-8683-B081173BC806

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON

Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2022

Receipts & Payments

2021
£		 RECEIPTS
Note
Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
funds
funds
funds
£
£
£		 Total
£
69,744
14,448
90
811
1,788
1,000
0
802
0
88
3,972		 Voluntary Receipts
Planned giving
60,741
2,340
Reclaimed from HMRC
3
13,167
1,212
33
Loose cash collections
99
Collections & donations for charity
Donations
2,723
27,075
215
Legacy
3,000
Sunday morning coffee
Wall safe
1,119
Junior Church
Sundries
132
Grants
4
2,108		 63,081
14,412
99
0
30,012
3,000
0
1,119
0
132
2,108
92,743 80,981
32,734
248		 113,962
4,465
2,690
8,904
21
0		 Other Receipts
Fees (net)
5
4,022
Interest & investment income
2,966
Rent
9,084
Marston Times
6
647
LunchClub (net)
7
259		 4,022
2,966
9,084
647
259
16,080 6,988
0
9,990		 16,978
108,823
0		 Total receipts before transfers
87,969
32,734
10,238
Transfers
0
0		 130,941
0
108,823 Total receipts after transfers
87,969
32,734
10,238		 130,941

The Notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

20

DocuSign Envelope ID: 96B95B45-5613-48BD-8683-B081173BC806

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON

Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2022

Receipts & Payments (continued)

2021
£		 PAYMENTS
Note
Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
funds
funds
funds
£
£
£		 Total
£
50,770
10,052		 Payments outside the Parish
Parish share
51,760
Othercharitable donations
8
7,000
1,466		 51,760
8,466
60,822 58,760
1,466
0		 60,226
5,230
3,093
2,936
1,585
1,147
0
3,650
490
4,284		 Church running expenses
Utilities
4,297
Insurance
3,248
Maintenance
5,471
633
Cleaning (net)
9
1,607
Cost of services
1,638
24
Messy Church
194
Organists
3,824
Choir (including Junior Choir)
39
300
Gardening
1,950
1,350		 4,297
3,248
6,104
1,607
1,662
194
3,824
340
3,300
22,414 22,073
2,501
0		 24,574
1,702
0
527
802
1,967
0		 Ministry in the Parish
Clergy expenses
1,377
Junior Church
0
Youth Work
850
Eco Hub
840
Mission within the Parish
10
801
612
392
FamilyMinister
460		 1,377
0
850
840
1,806
460
4,999 2,179
2,762
392		 5,332
0
1,763
5,649
3,927
3,401		 Fabric
Memorial Garden
0
Equipment
30
Rewiring project
312
(2,249)
Quinquennial repairs
450
Churchseating		 0
30
(1,937)
450
0
14,740 0
792
(2,249)		 (1,457)
4,756
0
899
2,062
59		 Other Expenditure
Administration (net)
11
4,965
Bank charges
18
Marston Times
6
300
1,157
Maintenance of 1B Mill Lane
3,534
Flowers
152
89		 4,965
18
1,457
3,534
241
7,776 5,135
389
4,691		 10,215
110,752
0		 Total payments before transfers
88,147
7,910
2,835
Transfers
0
0		 98,891
0
110,752 Totalpayments after transfers
88,147
7,910
2,835		 98,891
-1,929 Surplus / Deficit
(178)
24,824
7,403		 32,050
101,387
13,264		 Balance b/f at January 1
44,321
21,751
46,650
Changein value of investments
(1,567)
(11,462)		 112,722
(13,029)
112,722 Balance c/fatDecember31
44,143
45,008
42,591		 131,743

21

DocuSign Envelope ID: 96B95B45-5613-48BD-8683-B081173BC806

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON

Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2022

Summary of Funds

Fund Fund type 44,561 Net
Receipts
Net
Payments
Uncleared
payments
Change in
investments
44,926
General
Flowers
Choir
Choir Treats
Fabric
Fabric
Bells
Memorial Garden
Projection system
Marston Times
Marston Times
Charity
1B Mill Lane
Youth Work
Music Events
Messy Church
Eco Hub
Lunch Club
Family Minister
Fun Day
Warm Spaces		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Restricted
Restricted
Designated
Restricted
Restricted
Restricted
Restricted
Designated
Restricted
Restricted
Designated
Restricted
Designated
Restricted
Restricted
Designated
Restricted
Restricted
Restricted		 44,321
2
0
30
36,610
(2)
18,027
100
369
868
0
(100)
8,908
1,414
264
467
1,445
0
0
0
0		 92,219
92,397
88
89
300
300
0
0
5,000
(2,249)
(11,462)
2,179
961
0
24
(1,567)
1,900
1,445
0
369
647
1,157
300
300
1,622
1,466
4,084
3,534
500
850
248
392
0
194
0
840
859
599
25,000
460
645
612
200
0		 44,144
1
(0)
30
32,397
1,216
16,435
555
(0)
357
0
56
9,458
1,064
120
273
606
259
24,540
33
200
Total 112,722 135,791
103,741
(13,029)		 131,743

Summary of Accounts

Account 44,561 Net
Receipts
Net
Payments
Uncleared
payments
Change in
Investments
44,926
Coop current a/c General
CBF investment a/c Bells
CBF investment a/c Fabric		 6,742
11,606
94,374		 135,791
128,741
10,039
(1,567)
35,039
(11,462)		 13,792
0
117,951
Total 112,722 170,829
138,779
0
(13,029)		 131,743

22

DocuSign Envelope ID: 96B95B45-5613-48BD-8683-B081173BC806

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON

Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2022

Statement of Overall Assets & Liabilities

31 Dec 2021
£		 Expendable
Funds		 31 Dec 2022
£
6,742
105,980		 Monetary Assets
Bank Current A/cc
13,792
CBF Investment A/cc
117,951		 13,792
117,951
112,722 Total
131,743		 131,743
231,145 Other Assets
Freehold house at 1B Mill Lane (insured value)		 256,336
231,145 Total 256,336

Signed:

Elizabeth Denno (Chair)

Geoff Hale (Treasurer)

22-Mar-2023 | 10:21 GMT

14-Mar-2023 | 08:30 GMT

23

DocuSign Envelope ID: 96B95B45-5613-48BD-8683-B081173BC806

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON

Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2022

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. During 2023 the "Bells Fund" and "Fabric Fund" accounts were consolidated into a single account.

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.

24

DocuSign Envelope ID: 96B95B45-5613-48BD-8683-B081173BC806

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON

Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2022

Note 3
Note 4
Note 5		 2021
2022
£
RECEIPTS
£
14,401
Income tax reclaimed on Gift Aid donations
13,552
47
Money claimed under GASDS
860
14,448
14,412
2021
2022
£
RECEIPTS
£
0
Old Marston Parish Council (for Marston Times)
300
300
Old Marston Parish Council (for Choir)
300
300
Old Marston Parish Council (for Messy Church)
0
500
Old Marston Parish Council (for Eco Hub)
0
0
Old Marston Parish Council (for Fun Days)
645
500
Brett's Trust (for Eco Hub)
0
0
Brett's Trust (for Youth Work)
500
222
Oxfordshire Historic Churches (for Church Fabric)
163
2,000
Oxford City Council (for Eco Hub)
0
0
Oxford City Council (for Warm Spaces)
200
150
Old Marston Charities (for Coffee Pot)
0
3,972
2,108
2021
2022
£
RECEIPTS
£
6,816
Statutory Fees
7,158
779
Additional Fees (organist, flowers, choir, bells, verger)
1,115
7,595
8,273
PAYMENTS
2,574
Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance
3,421
556
Others (clergy, organist, flowers, choir, bells, verger)
830
3,130
4,251
4,465
Surplus / (Deficit)
4,022
Parochial Fees: Receipts & Payments
Money reclaimed from HMRC
Grants

25

DocuSign Envelope ID: 96B95B45-5613-48BD-8683-B081173BC806

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON

Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2022

Note 6
Note 7		 2021
2022
£
RECEIPTS
£
21
Subscriptions and donations
71
0
Advertisements
576
21
647
In addition, a grant of £300 from OMPC is recorded in Note 4
PAYMENTS
721
Printing
1,391
178
Postage & stationery
66
899
1,457
(878)
Surplus / (Deficit)
(810)
2021
2022
£
RECEIPTS
£
0
Contributions
859
0
859
PAYMENTS
0
Expenses
599
0
599
0
Surplus / (Deficit)
259
Marston Times: Receipts & Payments
Lunch Club: Receipts & Payments		 2021
2022
£
RECEIPTS
£
21
Subscriptions and donations
71
0
Advertisements
576
21
647
In addition, a grant of £300 from OMPC is recorded in Note 4
PAYMENTS
721
Printing
1,391
178
Postage & stationery
66
899
1,457
(878)
Surplus / (Deficit)
(810)
2021
2022
£
RECEIPTS
£
0
Contributions
859
0
859
PAYMENTS
0
Expenses
599
0
599
0
Surplus / (Deficit)
259
Marston Times: Receipts & Payments
Lunch Club: Receipts & Payments
1,457
(810)
2022
£
859
859
599
599
259

26

DocuSign Envelope ID: 96B95B45-5613-48BD-8683-B081173BC806

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON

Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2022

Note 8 2021
£
1,000
2,777
500
500
500
250
500
0
0
6,027
500
250
250
113
0
0
1,113
500
0
500
250
250
500
913
0
0
0
2,913
10,052		 Other Charitable donations
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
£
£
£
Overseas & worldwide
Church Mission Society
1,000
1,000
Divya Shanthi
1,500
736
2,236
Christian Aid
500
500
Link to Hope
0
Barnabus Fund
0
Embrace the Middle East
500
500
Water Aid
0
The BEARR Trust
500
500
Franciscan Aid Fund
250
250
4,250
736
4,986
National
Christians Against Poverty
0
Scripture Gift Mission
250
250
Wheelpower
0
The Children's Society
0
Inclusive Church Network
250
250
Shelter
230
230
500
230
730
Local
Oxford Churches Debt Centre
500
500
The Porch
500
500
Viva Doorsteps
0
Restore
250
250
Musical Youth Company Oxford
0
Helen & Douglas House
0
Asylum Welcome
500
500
St Nicholas the Wonderworker
500
500
Oxford Hospitals Charity
250
250
SOFEA
250
250
2,250
500
2,750
Total
7,000
1,466
8,466

27

DocuSign Envelope ID: 96B95B45-5613-48BD-8683-B081173BC806

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST NICHOLAS MARSTON

Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Dec 2022

Note 9
Note 10
Note 11		 2021
2022
£
RECEIPTS
£
1,755
Marston Church Properties (salary contribution)
2,410
1,755
2,410
PAYMENTS
3,315
Salaries and fees
4,017
25
Materials
0
3,340
4,017
1,585
Net payments
1,607
2021
2022
£
PAYMENTS
£
375
Advertising and printing
452
1,044
Holiday Club and Fun Days
1,238
399
Eco Hub supplies
0
150
Other expenses
116
1,967
1,806
2021
2022
£
RECEIPTS
£
1,581
Marston Church Properties (salary contribution)
2,033
1,581
2,033
PAYMENTS
4,742
Salaries
6,151
150
Licence and other fees
602
588
Photocopier
331
232
Computer
0
410
Bank card reader (net of refund)
(328)
214
Other
241
6,336
6,998
4,756
Net payments
4,965
Administration: Receipts and Payments
Mission within the Parish
Cleaning: Receipts and Payments
The PCC employs a Cleaner and supplies cleaning services to
Marston Church Properties at cost.		 2022
£
2,410
2,410
4,017
0
4,017
1,607
1,806
2022
£
2,033
2,033
6,151
602
331
0
(328)
241
6,998
4,965

The PCC employs a Parish Administrator and supplies administration services to Marston Church Properties at cost.

28