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2025-12-31-accounts

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST EDYTH'S

known as

St Edyth's Church, Sea Mills

ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

31 DECEMBER 2025

Charity Number 1141128

Avonleaze, Sea Mills, Bristol BS9 2HU 0117 968 6965, stedyths.org.uk,

Contents Pages
Trustees’ Annual Report 1-7
Reference and Administrative Information 8
Independent Examiner’s Report 9
Receipts and Payments Account 10
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 11

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

Objectives, Values and Activities

Objectives

Our objectives as followers of Jesus at St Edyth’s are to invite others and urge ourselves on to:

Belong – to the Way of Jesus

Believe – in the Truth of Jesus

Become – filled with the Life of Jesus

As a church community, our calling to be the Body of Christ in this place means that, following a vision planning process in 2024 and further development in 2025, we are now walking forward together with:

Values

Our key values, which help describe how we turn plans into action are:

Activities

Church Services

We have a regular pattern of Sunday services which play a key part in achieving our objectives outlined above.

The Early Service (8.45am) – alternates between Holy Communion usually led by the vicar, and Word and Worship – usually led by lay members of the congregation. On average, 10 people attend.

The Main Service (10.30am) – also alternates between Holy Communion and Morning Worship. The fourth/fifth Sunday is an All Together Service, and this is often followed by a church family meal. On average, 60-70 people attend this service

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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

Deeper (5pm) – an informal joint service on the first Sunday of the month with St Andrew’s Avonmouth and St Peter’s Laurence Weston (some of our partners in Avonside Mission Area). This alternates location and leading between St Edyth’s and St Andrew’s.

Tuesdays (10am ) – Holy Communion service alternating with a Life Group (Bible discussion). On average 15 people attend.

Safeguarding

We have been encouraged by the work of our Parish Administrator in, not only providing the general administrative support that is necessary for a reasonably busy and active church community, but also the safeguarding administration that is essential in our context. The regular requirement to review and update our practices is aided by her, as she ensures that DBS checks and safeguarding training are undertaken by all who are required to do this. We were sad to lose our Parish Safeguarding Officer earlier on in 2025 and we are praying for a suitable replacement. In the mean-time the Vicar and others are available to approach and deal with safeguarding concerns if and when they arrive. We have had no incidents to report in 2025 but are thoroughly supported by the Diocese of Bristol should that change in 2026. The PCC has approved the Safeguarding Policy for the coming year.

Staff Team (paid)

Our paid staff consists of our Parish Administrator (Katharine Wiltshire) and our Children and Families Minister (Jemima Downing) who was appointed in July 2024 (as well as a cleaner for a few hours a week). Jemima is developing our ministry to children and their families in exciting new ways. Our Sunday provision for children is called The Lighthouse Club and has on average 7 children and a number more on our register. Our toddlers group, Seedlings, is thriving with a dedicated team of helpers and an average attendance of 19 children (accompanied by one or more carers/parents per child). Jemima has taken various initiatives to help children feel welcomed and accepted at St Edyth’s, as well as engaging with them beyond our walls.

We are in the process of appointing a new cleaner for the church and church hall for 6 hours per week.

Leadership Team (voluntary or placement roles)

We continue to benefit from the ministry of our Permission to Officiate retired minister (Hartmut Kopsch) and our Licensed Lay Minister (Elizabeth Fry). We are also blessed by a large number of the congregation in leadership roles. Strategic direction is initiated by the ‘Standing Committee’ (which comprises the Vicar, Treasurer and Churchwarden), which presents its proposals to the Parochial Church Council for consideration. We miss having two wardens and hope to remedy this as soon as possible. We are extremely grateful for the dedication of David Spottiswoode who will stand down as churchwarden in May 2026.

Our worship in music has been developing over the last year or so, and Neil Thomas who carries the leadership of this ministry has been assisted by a number of musicians and singers in leading our worship

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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

on Sundays and at other times. Nearly twenty members of the congregation helped to lead the singing at our Carol Service.

A number of individuals lead our home/house groups, which are now renamed Life Groups, to reflect our core objectives, as they are groups to help people become full of the Life of Jesus. Most groups are flourishing, despite some setbacks due to ill-health or injury.

Following a Vision Day in March 2024, and subsequent planning and prayer by working parties, three members of the PCC led us in preparing vision plans for Belong, Believe and Become, which were presented at our Vision Action Day in September 2024 and have been preached on in that term. These groups continued to meet for prayer, planning and leading us further on in these objectives during 2025 and their work is described below.

We are grateful for the efforts of the Fabric Team, at a time when there are significant and expensive issues to address regarding weather proofing our building, such as a large area of pointing of the external stone work which has been successfully completed.

As ever, we are helped enormously by the time and effort of Barrie Haven in numerous practical ways.

We are grateful for our Hospitality Team, led by Barbara Hewer and then Ellen Grist assisted by Sara Spottiswoode and a number of others, and acknowledge what a strength this brings to our community. It is through them that we are able to help people feel truly welcomed.

Two ordinands have been on placement with us from Trinity College – Archie Torbett and Steffany Nantes. We have enjoyed the different contributions they bring to our community, and particularly help on our Believe and Become teams.

Implementation of Objectives

Belong

Good work has been done on growing an enlarged Welcome Team, with different responsibilities to enable newcomers to be made as welcome as they would like to be. We are reviewing new ways to help people have a real sense of belonging and of entering a place that is safe and a real sanctuary for those who need that. The Welcome Pack has been given out to around 30 people since we began last year. Some of those given packs have joined ChurchSuite, our data base, and some have become more regular in attendance.

Believe

There has been progress in putting into action the recommendations of the Believe Team, including running an Alpha course (Spring 2025) and following up with a pre-Alpha course (Spring 2026). In November 2025, a workshop on Telling Our Story was run with about 40% of our Sunday attenders joining in to learn how to express their own story of faith. Our sermon series in Autumn 2025 covered what do we believe and how do we pass it on? This was very much in response to the suggestions of the team.

In addition, our outreach to those beyond our own doors – the newly formed External Mission Team, led by Rebecca Cross – has been very instrumental in helping us to regularly support (through prayer and giving) three specific charities – in Bristol, in the UK and in Uganda. We have begun to welcome guest speakers to a Sunday service to give us information and prayer requests from these charities. A new prayer

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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

letter has been produced and made available to encourage our church members to keep these outreach projects in their prayers.

Become

Although the group has not been able to meet as often this year as they would have liked, there has still been progress in deepening our discipleship at St Edyth’s. The Life Groups have grown a little and are generally flourishing. A good number of people are now in prayer triplets and there is further work to come on arranging one-to-one discipling where needed and appropriate.

The prayer ministry team has continued to offer support each Sunday to those seeking prayer or healing, and we have been very encouraged by answered prayer. Our weekly Tuesday early morning prayer gatherings are flourishing and vibrant times of calling on the name of the Lord. Monthly Saturday prayer breakfasts also draw people to bring their requests to God, and we would like these to grow more in the year ahead. Other ways of receiving prayer for urgent needs are available, and we continue to feature the Engine Room prayer activities in our regular communications.

Partnerships

ASMA

We continue to enjoy the fellowship and support of the other Avonside Mission Area (ASMA) churches, including a Lent course and gathered celebrations. We said farewell to the two ASMA curates and have enjoyed the ministry of the ASMA Ministry Experience Scheme student. We all appreciate the connection we have across these five churches and there is support for incumbents, other ministry staff and administrators, as well as the opportunity to offer safeguarding training via our Parish Administrator.

SMCI

SMCI (Sea Mills Community Initiative) activities (including the Café on the Square, whose bakers use our kitchen on a regular basis), Kintsugi Hope, Dancercise, and Transforming Lives for Good which offers a free breakfast once a week during school holidays on the premises at Sea Mills Primary School, have all been thriving as extensions of our mission to our community in Sea Mills and Coombe Dingle. Our partnership with Transforming Lives for Good has led on to a new commitment to their other initiative, Early Intervention, which trains up members of local churches to offer one-to-one support for children in school. We are expecting to see this training come to fruition in 2026.

Kintsugi Hope

This carefully structured course, and a follow-up course have been successfully run over a number of years to help those dealing with challenges to their well-being. A decision has recently been made to pause this for the time being, whilst a team of leaders and helpers is built up.

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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

Highgrove

Our relationship with Highgrove Church continues to be a blessing in both directions as we work together in various ways, including leading assemblies and lessons at Sea Mills Primary School, our Glow in the Dark Party and a joint service at dawn on Easter Day. The vicar of St Edyth’s and the leaders of Highgrove meet regularly to pray with one another.

Diocese of Bristol

We have a helpful partnership with the Diocese of Bristol, and appreciate the support of our Archdeacon (Rev Becky Waring). Two members of our PCC are on Deanery Synod. The vicar and another member of the PCC (Elizabeth Marks) are members of the Diocesan Synod. The Diocese also provides regular coaching as well as for a year or so, a learning community of clergy in posts of first responsibility, and regular opportunities such as Quiet Days and other input to both clergy and church life. In May 2026, St Edyth’s will host a ‘leg’ of a Pilgrimage across the Diocese of Bristol.

Community outreach

We regularly look for opportunities to support the local community in whatever way we can. During 2025 we hosted part of a Showcase of community groups in the Sea Mills area, as well as later on in the year the regular Flower and Craft Show.

We continue to receive regular bookings to hire our halls, this year from Pilates, Slimming World, Zumba, Dance Inspirations, Taekwondo, Calligraphy groups. These provide helpful income as do parties and other occasional events.

Financial Review

The Financial Statements for 2025 have been prepared on the Receipts & Payments basis, in line with practice from prior years.

The total income for the year was £146,404 (2024: £146,505) and the total expenses amounted to £166,860 (2024: £147,255), resulting in a deficit of income over expenditure of £20,456 (2024: £750).

Our Parish Share Contribution for 2025 amounted to £54,287 (2024: £53,148) and, together with staff costs, represents our major expense commitment. This contribution funds the salaries and other employment costs of clergy, payable by the Church of England.

The other Designated & Restricted Fund balances have also continued to be tracked, as expected, in line with planned activities and expected charges/liabilities during 2025.

The Closing Balances for the various Main Funds were as follows:

General Fund £45,107 (2024: £47,100) Fabric Fund £33,619 (2024: £36,793) CYFM Fund £25,130 (2024: £40,204)

The total Fund position as at 31st December = £109,308 (2024: £129,764).

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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

Reserves Policy

The policy of the PCC is to retain sufficient cash reserves in the General Fund equivalent to a minimum of 6 months projected General Expenses. For 2026, this will be maintained at £45,000. The PCC had agreed to transfer £15,000 (2024: £15,000) from the General Fund to the Fabric Fund to pay for planned (such as repointing) or unforeseen expenditure on the fabric of the Church.

The trustees have considered the going concern status of the charity and conclude that there are no material uncertainties affecting the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. This has also been considered in the context of the cash position at the date of signing along with future cash projections.

Administrative Information

St Edyth’s Church is situated in Sea Mills, part of the Diocese of Bristol within the Church of England. The correspondence address is Avonleaze, Sea Mills, Bristol, BS9 2HU.

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity which is registered with the Charity Commission No: 1141128 as “The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Edyth’s”

Structure, governance and management

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

The PCC members are the trustees of the charity.

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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

PCC members’ responsibilities in respect of the financial statements

The members of the PCC are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the PCC to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the parish and of the income and expenditure of the parish for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the PCC is required to:

The PCC members are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the parish and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the parish and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 2nd March 2026.

Signed on their behalf by: _______

Rev Sally Thomas, Vicar

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REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Charity name

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of

Charity name The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Par
St Edyth's known as_St Edyth's Church, Sea Mills_
Charity registration number 1141128
Principal office Avonleaze, Sea Mills, Bristol, BS9 2HU
Registered office Avonleaze, Sea Mills, Bristol, BS9 2HU
Trustees Officers
Rev Sally Thomas (Vicar)
David Spottiswoode (Churchwarden)
Ex Officio
Elizabeth Marks, Diocesan & Deanery Synod rep.
Christopher Wright, Deanery Synod rep
Elected members
Teresa Goodall
Zachariah Abraham (Treasurer)
Peter Marks
Emma Speakman (Resigned 7thJuly 2025)
Christine Woodhouse
Archie Torbett (Appointed 11thMay 2025)
Co-opted members
Elizabeth Fry (Licensed Lay Minister)
Independent Examiner Joshua Kingston, BSc FCA
Burton Sweet Limited
The Clock Tower,
5 Farleigh Court,
Old Weston Road,
Flax Bourton,
Bristol BS48 1UR

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of The PCC St Edyth’s, Sea Mills

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The PCC St Edyth’s, Sea Mills (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Joshua Kingston BSc FCA Burton Sweet Limited

The Clock Tower 5 Farleigh Court Old Weston Road Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 1UR

2nd March 2026 Date: …………………………

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THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST EDYTH'S

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025 2024
RECEIPTS £ £ £ £
Grants received - 964 964 7,520
Donations 76,347 14,550 90,897 86,769
Gift Aid received 15,136 2,904 18,040 19,764
Charitable activities
Fees for services 738 - 738 908
Church activities 139 1,164 1,303 2,868
Hall rental 15,667 - 15,667 13,581
Investment income 4,441 - 4,441 5,180
Other income - from transmitter and solar panels 14,354 - 14,354 9,915
TOTAL RECEIPTS 126,822 19,582 146,404 146,505
PAYMENTS
Charitable activities
Grants made
Parish Share 54,287 - 54,287 53,148
Other giving 4,000 515 4,515 3,920
Ministry expenses 1,071 2,770 3,841 4,106
Capital expenses 73 - 73 1,651
Costs of charitable activities
Wages and other staff costs 21,233 31,497 52,730 40,836
Heat, light & cleaning 11,773 - 11,773 12,260
Repairs & maintenance 21,802 - 21,802 16,602
Insurance 5,097 - 5,097 4,936
Office expenses 3,602 21 3,623 4,418
Governance Costs 6,791 - 6,791 3,880
Bank charges 157 - 157 138
Miscellaneous expenses 2,103 68 2,171 1,360
TOTAL PAYMENTS 131,989 34,871 166,860 147,255
NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS) (5,167) (15,289) (20,456) (750)
Cash funds 1 January 83,893 45,871 129,764 130,514
Cash funds 31 December 78,726 30,582 109,308 129,764
----- End of picture text -----

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THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST EDYTH'S

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Cash funds
Bank and cash balances
Other monetary assets
Gift Aid not yet claimed
Solar panel income not yet received
Assets retained for the church's own use
Solar panels (cost £20,870)
Equipment (cost £18,570)
Total assets
Liabilities
Pension Control
Total liabilities
Cash fund balances at 31 December 2025
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Fabric fund - designated
Restricted funds
Mums and tots
Youthwork
Make lunch
Vicar's discretionary fund
Total		 Balance
1 January
2025
47,100
36,793
83,893
915
40,204
4,361
391
45,871
129,764		 £
78,726
1,380
418
1,798
-
2,556
2,556
83,080
278
278
Income
126,822
-
126,822
1,164
16,644
1,774
-
19,582
146,404
Unrestricted
Funds		 £
30,582
-
-
-
-
-
-
30,582
-
-
Expenditure
(113,815)
(18,174)
(131,989)
(1,165)
(31,718)
(1,788)
(200)
(34,871)
(166,860)
Restricted
Funds		 £
109,308
1,380
418
1,798
-
2,556
2,556
113,662
278
278
Transfers
(15,000)
15,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total Funds
2025		 £
129,764
1,213
-
1,213
1,217
4,280
5,497
136,474
-
-
Balance
31 December
2025
45,107
33,619
78,726
914
25,130
4,347
191
30,582
109,308
Total Funds
2024

These financial statements were approved by the trustees on and are signed on their behalf by:2nd March 2026

………………………….

Rev Sally Thomas, Vicar

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