## **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 


## 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 {Unrestr1￿ed 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