St. Mark’s Church, Barrow in Furness
Annual Report
and
Financial Statements
of the
Parochial Church Council
For the year ended 31st December 2023
Priest in Charge:
The Reverend Tony Ford St. Mark’s Vicarage Rawlinson Street Barrow in Furness
Banks:
Barclays Bank plc Dalton Road Barrow in Furness
CAF Bank Limited Kings Hill Avenue West Malling Kent
National Savings & Investments Glasgow
Registered Charity No: 1139932
St. Mark’s Church, Barrow in Furness Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council For the year ended 31st December 2023
Administrative Information:
St. Mark’s Church is situated on the corner of Rawlinson Street and Buccleuch Street, Barrow in Furness. It is part of the Diocese of Carlisle within the Church of England.
The correspondence address is St. Mark’s Vicarage, Rawlinson Street, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria LA14 1BX.
The Parochial Church Council became a registered charity on 19th January 2011.
PCC members who have served from 1st January 2023 until 31st December 2023 are:
Priest in Charge Revd. Tony Ford Chair LLM (Reader) Mr. David Nelson Wardens Miss Lisa Miller Elected 2022 APCM Mr. John Sherrat Elected 2023 APCM Deanery Synod Reps Mrs. Susan Benson Appointed June 2021, until 2023 APCM Mrs. Liz Currie Appointed Sept. 2021, until 2023 APCM Mr. Jason Dobb Elected 2023 APCM Mr. Graham Hodgson Appointed April 2023 - Joint PCC Lay Chair from July 2021 Mrs. Kath Raven Re-elected 2020 ACPM, until 2023 APCM Community Pastor Mrs. Gillian Grisedale Elected Members Mrs. Susan Benson Elected 2023 APCM, Secretary Mr. Richard N. Carrick Re-elected 2021 APCM Mrs. Christine Carruthers Elected 2022 APCM Mrs. Liz Currie Elected 2023 APCM, - Joint Lay Chair from July 2021 - LLM from 2016 Mrs. Brenda Harrison Elected 2020 APCM, until 2023 APCM Mrs. Rose Hazlehurst Elected 2022 APCM Mrs. Linda Lawrence Elected 2023 APCM - Treasurer - LLM from 2013 Mr. Alan McCracken Elected 2023 APCM Mr. Graham McTavish Elected 2023 APCM, resigned May 2023 Mrs. Heather Sherratt Elected 2023 APCM Mr. John Sherratt Co-opted Jan. 2023, until 2023 APCM
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Committees:
Standing Committee:
This is the only committee required by law. It has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council.
Committee Members:
Priest in Charge Revd. Tony Ford Chair Wardens Miss Lisa Miller From 2022 APCM Mr. John Sherratt From 2023 APCM PCC Members Mrs Christine Carruthers Mrs. Liz Currie From April 2023 Mr. Alan McCracken Community Pastor Mrs. Gillian Grisedale Treasurer Mrs. Linda Lawrence Secretary Mrs Susan Benson
Support Groups:
These convene at need to discharge duties regarded by the PCC to be within their remit.
Fabric Committee:
The wardens gather skilled church members as and when necessary.
Structure, governance and management:
Members of the PCC are either (1) ex-officio , (2) elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules, or (3) co-opted onto the PCC at its members’ discretion. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
Objectives and activities:
St. Mark’s PCC has the responsibilities of co-operating, with the Priest in Charge, the Revd. Tony Ford, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church: pastoral; evangelistic; social; and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the church buildings of St. Mark’s Church, Barrow in Furness.
Achievements and performance:
Church Attendance: The average weekly attendance on a Sunday, counted during October 2023, was 86, including 6 under the age of 16, for the mid-week Communion Service the average was 29. We have continued to Live Stream the Sunday morning Services making them available via YouTube, Facebook and the Church web site.
Electoral Roll: The year began in January 2023 with 111 names on the Roll and ended in December 2023 with 115 names on the Roll.
PCC Attendance: The PCC met nine times during 2023 (January-December) for ordinary meetings and one additional special meeting. The average attendance was 12.
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2023 - Vicar’s Review of the Year:
Personally, I think 2023 has been very a positive year. There has been some stability after the uncertainty of Lockdown/Covid and numbers at both our Sunday Morning and Wednesday Morning Services have continued to hold strong when other churches are sadly experiencing decline.
We have had the highs and lows of occasional offices, with the sad loss of loved ones, who thankfully knew and trusted the Lord and yet the highs of some amazing weddings and a large number of baptisms both children and adults.
It has been good to have two Wardens again and a huge thanks to Lisa and John for all their hard work.
Gill and the volunteers in the Clothes Bank and Café have gone the extra mile to support and love so many people and we are also so thankful of the support of the general public in donating clothes and several businesses supporting this amazing ministry.
Ark Club has been a continued blessing and a huge thank you to Carole and her team for all you do. It is so important that we have something for Children on Sunday’s.
On a personal front it has been a mixed year, I personally don’t feel I have ever felt so low after the way the so called ‘progressive’ Bishops have tried to change the doctrine of marriage by the back door and not using the usual course of voting in General Synod, how these Bishops can ask us to bless what God’s word says is wrong, angers and frustrates me and if it wasn’t for my love of the St. Mark’s Church family, I would have left the Church of England. A huge thank you to the PCC and many members of the congregation for their support and to our retiring Bishop, James and Bishop Rob for their orthodox stand on this issue. Please continue to pray for Bishop Rob and both our Archdeacon’s Vernon and Stewart who continue to be godly men in their ministry to us.
The positive of the year personally was the sabbatical and being able to share the good news of Jesus all around the country whilst catching up with friends, spending a little more time with family and getting some much-needed rest. I am so thankful to those who covered all the Services during that time. Not many churches could have covered everything in house.
Other things to celebrate, the Lent Course, Christianity Explored one to one’s and group course planned, The Anniversary weekend with the wonderful ‘Out of the Ashes team’, Schools work in Ramsden school continues to grow and we are hoping to start some Children’s/family ministry again in 2024, BAE still hasn’t happened but there are a few signs that things are moving.
The Rugby Chaplaincy is still going well, although I have not been down as often as needed this last year through lack of time and the sabbatical but relationships especially with the
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men’s team are strong. Thank you for your prayer support for this ministry, God continues to bless it.
Our church family has become even more diverse culturally and that is so exciting to have so many nationalities, I suppose I get the best view of our diversity when leading and preaching from the front and it is so encouraging.
I also just want to thank again all those who serve us in various ways, many unseen. We would not continue to flourish if it wasn’t for your hard work and commitment.
And finally, thank you so much for your financial giving in these hard times. As you will have experienced at home, bills are rising and this is the same for the church. We are ok as you’ll see in Linda’s financial statement but the costs are great, please do look at what you can give and even if is a small additional amount, it will make a difference when all our small amounts are added together.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen Ephesians 3 v20-21 .
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Safeguarding Annual Report to the PCC
1. Our Parish Safeguarding Officer
Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Jason Dobb
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2. Safer Recruitment, and Training
Our parish supports the following groups working with children and young people, and with adults who are vulnerable:
Ark
Music Group Clothes Bank Sunday Prayer Team Pastoral Care Team
Church members who particate in wider church initiatives (eg. Network Youth Church and Open the Book) are also covered by the parish’s Safeguarding arrangements.
The leaders and volunteers working with our groups are in the process of being safely recruited according to the Church’s national guidance, including the agreement of role profiles. We are about to start using the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard, which should make simpler the task of ensuring that all records are up to date and all procedures completed. The training of all leaders and volunteers will be checked and updated as part of the introduction of the Dashboard. DBS checks are complete for all but one of the personnel who need them.
3. Church Policy and Guidance
All parishes are required to have agreed a formal statement of adoption of the House of Bishops ‘Promoting a Safer Church; safeguarding policy statement’, and of Church of England safeguarding policy and guidance. This statement has been signed on behalf of the PCC and displayed in our church.
Approved by the PCC on ##th April 2024 & signed on their behalf by Revd. Tony Ford (PCC Chairman)
Signed ………………………………. Date ………………………..
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St. Mark's Church, Barrow-in-Furness Financial Statement for the Year Ended 31 st December 2023 Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31st December 2023 General Fund Designated Restricted Funds Funds Reserves Totals 2023 Monetary Assets Barclays Community- Current CAF Cash- Current 10,543.62 10,543.82 17,140.81 17,140.81 Total Monetary Assets 10,543.62 17,140.81 27,684.43 Investment Assets CAF Gold Barclays High Interest Business National Savings & Investments 83,489.57 83,489.57 12,202.13 1,036.55 12,202.13 1,036.55 Total Investment Assets 13.238.68 83,489.57 96,728.25 Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31st December 2022 General Fund Designated Restricted Reserves Funds Funds Totals 2022 Monetary Assets Barclays Community- Current CAF Cash- Current 15,744.32 15744.32 8,544.52 8,544.52 Total Monetary Assets 15.744.32 8.544.52 24.288.84 Investment Assets CAF Gold Barclays Premium National Savings & Investments 102,736.29 102,736.29 12,973.71 1,036.55 12,973.71 1,036.55 Total Investment Assets 14,010.26 102,736.29 116,746.55 Approved by the PCC on behalf by Rev Tony Ford (PCC Chairman) and signed on their Signed Date .
General Fund Receipts and Payments Account Receipts 2023 2022 Incoming resources from donors Pledged Giving 46.451.91 45,069.90 Cash Collections Sundry Donations Git Aid Reclaimed Sub Totals 1,945.18 6,425.44 9,294.11 64,116.64 2,516.83 4,869.35 19,424.24 71,880.32 other voluntary incoming resources Legacies Special events income Sunday Night L Thie Sub Totals 656.27 153.00 656.27 153.00 Income from charitable and ancillary trading Contributions for use of Church building Fees Sale of Bible notes & HomegroLJP books Sub Totals 1,767.00 1,310.00 1,486.00 1,402.00 3,077.00 2,888.00 Other ordinary incoming resources Insurance claims Photocopying Repayments Misc Sub Totals 84.38 10,646.05 10,73Q.43 3.34 3.34 Messy Marks Total Receipts - Unrestricted Funds 78,580.34 74,924.66 Restricted Income Mission Giving lo Societies Collections for charities Gift Day- 2023 Gift Day- 2022 Gift Day- 2021 Gift Day - 2020 Reslricled Donations Sub Totals 8,671.53 1,877.15 825.00 347.50 9,797.17 1,079.55 2,131.00 441.25 440.00 19,369.41 33,258.38 25,114.84 36,836.02 Total Receipts 115,416.36 108,183.04 Excess of Receipts over Payments {Unrestr1ed Funds) 112,914.40 432.37 Transfer of Deficit Allocation from Legacy 0.00 0.00
General Fund Receipts and Payments Account Payments 2023 2022 Actlvltles dlrectly relatlng to the work of the Church Mlnlstry Parish Share 51,000.00 48,330.00 Working Expenses of Cleryy Vicar Expenses Telephone Curate Expenses Telephone Visiting Speakers Sub Totals 1,571.70 618.73 1,440.00 736.76 2,190.43 2,176.76 Church Runnlng Expenses Eleclricily, Gas, Water Insurance Cleaning Sub Totals 21,619.45 2,999.65 6,496.55 31,115.65 7,864.51 2,796.13 5,628.46 16,289.10 Church maintenance General Organ Sub Totals 1,625.78 513.28 2,139.06 1,237.44 338.28 1,575.72 Upkeep of services Misc Catering Lay reader expenses Leaflets & LiteratLJre Copyright Licen Sub Totals 520.88 200.39 415.18 178.98 523.86 1,180.10 2,425.23 425.61 1,095.28 2.115.05 Support costs Training Sunday School Brownies Sub Totals 218.97 75.73 459.21 35.28 294.70 494.49 Building Work Major repairs Islruclurel Major repairslreplacemenl linstsllationsl Interior and exterior r&decoralion Sub Totals Honoraria Organist Special events expenses Sunday Night Live 931.73 108.84 Ancillary Trading
Payments (cont) 2023 2022 Church management and administration Stationery & Postage Photocopying Church TelephonelBroadband Computerlwebsite Expenses Architect Fees Misc Sub Totals 134.21 216.71 409.80 437.83 402.48 557.63 1,397.94 141.61 902.33 Messy Marks Internal Transfers Designated Funds General Reserves Fabric Reserves Legacy Reserves Sub Totals 2,500.00 2,5tX).tX) Total Payments - Unrestricted 91,494.74 74.492.29 Payment of Restricted Funds Mission Giving to Societies Charity CollectionslDonation Gift Day- 2023 Gift Day- 2022 Gift Day- 2021 Gift Day- 2020 Donations Sub Totals 8,671.53 1,877.15 825.00 347.50 825.00 347.50 16,518.55 29,412.23 9,797.17 1,079.55 2,131.00 441.25 440.00 23,003.72 36,892.69 Totsl Payments 120,906.97 111.384.98 Notes re General Fund Miscellaneous Receipts Stewardship - Warm Space Donation Barrow Borough Council - Warm Space Donation Carlisle Diocese - Energy Grant CAFCash - Interest Brown & Murray re Richard Walsh legacy 1,000.00 5,000.00 4,500.00 3.56 142.49 Church Running Expenses Electricity Gas Water 9,290.17 11,550.25 779.03 2,068.19 3,797.06 269.71 Miscellaneous Payments Church Flowers Bishop of Carfisle Retirement Contribution Bank Charges 400.00 50.00 107.63
Mission and Charitable Giving - Restricted Receipts 2023 2022 Pledged Giving Cash Gift Aid Reclaimed Home Communions 6,642.25 6,145.50 1,465.13 3,013.88 8,107.38 9,159.38 HaNest Collections - Tearfund 508.05 503.00 Gift Aid Reclaimed - Tearfund 21.25 106.25 Toilet Twinning Ilncludes Gift Aid reclaimed) 15.00 18.00 Leprosy Boxes 19.85 10.54 Total Receipts 8,671.53 9,797.17 Payments 2023 2022 Overseas Mission Fellowship IOMFI Wycliffe Bible Translators Church Mission Society ICMSI Church Pastoral Aid Society ICPASI Church Army Bible Society 1,891.72 1,891.72 1,891.72 810.74 810.74 810.74 8,107.38 2,137.19 2,137.19 2,137.19 915.93 915.94 915.94 9,159.38 HaNest Collections - Tearfund 508.05 503.00 Gift Aid Reclaimed - Tearfund 21.25 106.25 Toilet Twinning Ilncludes Gift Aid reclaimed) 15.00 18.00 Leprosy Boxes 19.85 10.54 Total Payments 8,671.53 9,797.17 10
Restricted Funds Balances 31.12.2022 Receipts Payments Balances 31.12.2023 Funeral ColleclionslDonalions for St Mark's.. In memory of Mrs D Jackson In memory of Mrs J Twyford In memory of Mrs B Harrison (St Mark's Work in the communityl 56.41 174.50 56.41 174.50 517.33 517.33 In memory of Mr W Goslin IPartl 167.50 167.50 Gift Day 2023- Building Work 825.00 825.00 Community Fund 969.01 2,710.32 1,859.99 1,819.34 Children in Poverty 322.12 322.12 Fabric Fund 561.08 561.08 Organ Donation 200.00 200.00 Audio Visual Fund Donations Technicians - Funeral services 350.00 60.00 350.00 1,271.34 1,211.34 Messy Marks 429.27 429.27 Homeless Fund (Buried in Barrow) 3405.72 3,405.72 Musie Group 70.00 70.00 Community Pastor Role Fund 1145.07 20,480.00 14,658.56 6,966.51 Interest 4.69 4.69 Totals at 31st December 8,544.52 25,114.84 16.518.55 17,140.81 Communlty Fund Donations includes Gift Aid reclaimed Cumbria County Council Nathan Clothes Savers (Clothes Bank) Food cupboard donations Clothes Bank Pety cash Clothes Bank Christmas Party Benches Pantomine Tickets IRamsden Infanlsl 600.00 1,608.00 302.32 200.00 600.00 78.56 239.90 341.53 Discretionary Fund Discretionary Fund 600.00 Community Pastor Role Fund Donations Transfer from Legacy IR Walsh} Salary 480.00 20,000.00 14,658.56
Designated Funds Balances 31.12.2022 Receipts Payments Balances 31.12.2023 Childrens Work 1.019.93 1,019.93 Messy Marks (Families) 9,000.00 9,000.00 Training 2,150.00 2,150 00 Future Evangelism 1,812.80 511.47 1,394.06 930.21 Interest 27.53 111.01 138.54 Totals at 31st December 14,010.26 622.48 1,394.06 13,238.68 Future Evangelism Out of the Ashes 511.47 1,394.06 1882.591 Reserves Balances 31.12.2022 Receipts Payments Balances 31.12.2023 Interest 972.35 1,753.28 2,725.63 General Fabric Legacy- John Hannah Building WorkReftJrbishment Community Pastor Deficit ReserveslFabric Special Projects Technical Upgrade Other Sub Totals 0.00 0.00 3,474.69 4,190.77 6,511.00 480.78 3,474.69 4,190.77 6,511.00 480.78 14,657.24 14,657.24 Legacy- J Smart 500.00 500.00 Legacy- J K Harper Audio Visual Streaming Equipment Legacy- E Roberts (Piano) 437.64 437.64 Legacy- A Kaye Audio Visu81 Streaming Equipment 3.971.46 3,971.46 Legacy- R Walsh Building WorklRefurbishment Community Pastor Other Iunallocatedl Sub Totals 4,597.42 4,597.42 20,000.00 120.000.001 20,000.00 1,000.00 21,000.00 77,600.18 82.197.60 56,600.18 61.197.60 Totals at 31st December 102,736.29 12 1,753.28 21,000.00 83,489.57
Allocation of Restricted CollectionslDonations for Charities 2023 Funeral Collections Age UK (Carrl British Heart Foundation (Moore 50'/01 Epilepsy (Moore 500/01 Furness General Hospital - Ward 9 (Goslin 50,10) Christian Aid (Juddl Alzheimer Society (Wilson) 78.53 195.33 205.33 167.50 147.00 92.00 Retiring Collections Christian Aid Children Society- Chrislingle Children Society- Carols by Candlelight Bishop of Carlisle Rebremenl 108.46 137.83 62.50 16.00 Furness Churches United Choirs Performances St Mary's Hospice The Inn Crowd Pirates of PenZan & Even More 180.85 407.82 Children Society- Chrismas cards donations 78.00 Totals 1,877.15 Fees Account Receipts 2023 2022 Church Funeral Fees Crematorium Funeral Fees Interment Banns Wedding Baptism Certificate 1,603.00 228.00 0.00 2,390.00 206.00 30.00 50.00 480.00 1,050.00 Total Receipts 2,881.00 3,156.00 Payments Organist Verger Technicians - Audio Visual Fund Retired Clergy Carlisle Diocesan Board of Finance St Mark's PCC 60.00 60.00 180.00 180.00 1,451.00 1,310.00 1,394.00 1,402.00 Total Payments 2,881.00 3,156.00 13