2021-12-31-accounts - Ormskirk Street United Reformed Church, St Helens

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Ormskirk Street United Reformed Church – Trustees Annual Report 2021

Introduction

In August 2019 a pastorate was formed between Ormskirk Street URC, Haresfinch URC and Rainford URC, all within St Helens jointly called Rev Cath Atkinson as minister. They agreed to co-operate but retained their independence.

Land and Property

The Trust owns no property. The building and manse is vested in the Mersey Province Trust, which holds the Church building on trust for the benefit of Ormskirk Street United Reformed Church St Helens. The Minister has her home which is vested in the same trust and maintenance costs are borne by the three churches to which she ministers in the proportions Ormskirk Street 50%, Haresfinch 25% and Rainford 25% up to a maximum amount and thereafter by the Synod Province Trust.

Pandemic of Covid 19 Coronavirus

During the year restrictions were lifted gradually and worship returned to normal eventually. Services returned to normal but some services were streamed on Zoom to members and others by invitation only. Considerable expenditure on additional cleaning, cleansing and disinfecting products and equipment has increased running costs which continue with the new contract for supply of sanitary services etc.

Ministry

Following the easing of restrictions on contact, ministry returned to normal and Rev Cath Atkinson resumed a ‘normal’ ministry, serving the three churches in approximately proportion to the sharing of costs.

Care of the congregation

Visiting in person has resumed during the year and members of the congregation with serious illness have been visited by the minister; others by Elders who have a duty of pastoral care. Live Church meetings began again and all Elders agreed to put themselves up for election and an election was held. This restored the Church to its normal mode of operating and the minister was enabled to resume her normal ministry which she had been unable to do since 2019. She had to catch up and carry out the ministry for which she had completed her training at her ordination in 2019.

Outreach

Outreach to those working and living in the town centre could begin again and the minister to have her first involvement. As those who rented rooms within the building had been unable to use those rooms, the mission to them had paused. By the end of 2021 many but not all had returned and the minister led a welcome back operation to those who had returned to work. A conscious effort to reach out to them was made and some success was achieved. This continues. Special mention of the groups offering care for the physically and mentally disabled and similar groups who use the building and exercise groups also returned. Late in the year a Memory Café was established in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society. They meet monthly, the church providing light refreshments and the Society giving training to church and other volunteers and guidance in person. It is already much appreciated by

attenders and will continue and hopefully grow. A Musical Memories group also uses the building and has a similar clientele.

Care of the environment

This has been difficult during the pandemic. Whilst the church was closed a lot of work was done in the church to decorate and install more LED lighting. The use of Zoom to send out services to our three churches has necessitated the purchase of new equipment and this has already bene enhanced to great effect. However. Due to the age of the congregation, volunteers are few to operate the system, placing the burden on three members.

To enable light refreshments to be served after worship and during other events, throw away cups had to be used but plastic has been avoided as compostable cups have been used and encouraged for users. All other waste has been avoided and we are still looking at ways to save energy. The Treasurer secured a fixed price contract for energy until 2024 for which the church have been very grateful. The church is indeed grateful to God for his gifts.

Finance

The attached report and accounts were approved in the traditional way. The elected Elders of the church are the trustees and at their monthly meetings receive a finance report from the treasurer. Quarterly detailed retorts are also received and an opportunity for detailed questions given. A number of trustees have experience in financial matters which is a great asset. Reports are also given at the quarterly church meeting where again a number of members have financial experience and qualifications. The deputy treasurer, Ian Thomas resigned during the year and was succeeded by Christine Hickman. We thank Ian for undertaking the task for a number of years. Christine has assisted the treasurer over many years. We repeat our thanks to the treasurer, Copeland Knight who has used his great experience to great advantage.

Loss of business Insurance

During the building closure government grants were obtained for staff who were furloughed but the Church is insured for loss of business due to outside causes. Claims were made and payments were made on account. A final payment has yet to be received. This has created a great deal of work for the treasurer which has taken a lot of his time. We again owe him a great debt of gratitude.

Building Maintenance

The third round of roof repairs since the building was erected in 1976 has been completed and the Church is grateful for grants from the Synod and the Synod Trust. After the work was completed, a water ingress was found above the Elders’ Vestry necessitating rebuilding of an outside wall and waterproofing. We hope now that the roof is reliable for many years but need to be vigilant. The heating system was replaced and is now helping the church in its financial diligence and assisting its environmental responsibility.

Data protection

This has been monitored and no concern has been expressed. It has created a problem with public prayers and contacting members who fail to sign to accept communications. Most of the problems have been resolved.

Safeguarding

The Synod shares a Safeguarding Officer with Northern Synod. She is a former police officer who worked with safeguarding issues and has been a great asset to both Synods. She has given a full range of training at all levels and has advised on difficult issues. She is available to churches on an individual basis. DBS checks for new Elders and new staff has been done by the Church Secretary, the designated person. Safeguarding is under review but compliance is satisfactory.

There have been no major incidents during the whole of 2021.

INCOME 937 44.164 7,788 2,860 300 28,178 Cak¥1 GKt FuThJ InterrAI Us• of RIX 3.199 27.718 4.1 2.476 10 a9 248 876 33,035 13,836 14.559 9.978 94 $38 Fth¢ mrIene. JUrploIExpM0IttrnI OENEAAL RESERVE Bd8rt• 1 JarMJWy $1271 42,894 39,647 11.074 Trnntsto Rcd re (31.0741 CgKh 4t B•nk l &c 1e.591 24.315 A1 ofSLxdbbJ Int 5.612 81.242 180 203 4,178 40,046 150 Pthty Ca8h Ch 51.271 1,427 7.249 1,278 10,274 3,286 Festr4 Fur YLMrth Fw $27 7.692 1,7 •,S75 capit Grft FL Oryan Fth1 R¢Regar Fw¥J

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DIVECT GMNO .381 7,212 48.937 44,164 201 CAPITAL GIFT FLID UK EqL#b81 1.on 510 638 INTQANAL OOP4AII¢N• Cl OTHER INCOAIE. OTTrR Fun•r4 F• 141 18S FUr¥jra Evwts 13

IMSTRY 23,181 2.401 17Sg 237 21.698 ¥e T 3.3Y 491 574 2B7 PWSwr4y 703 154 CIKIRCH EXPEN&E8 28.144 3,271 4,952 1525 310 3.101 4.110 3.rh1 187 33 035 972 l.f4J2 1.225 3,182 425 5.014 1.659 477 1.618 1.143 3.731 Fees e Cwina Moljrth 3.697 14.556 13.8 8uJing LIftAtslnt•n•rK & R•F•rd 163 Alf$t0 Coffee PAT Twiryi t8&Fgn CYw"n Ryr8 & 207 21

ORAI8KIRK STIIEET UNITED REFORMED CHLIRCH, 8T HELEN8 IILISIC FESTIVAL FUND FOR YEAR TO 31 DECEMBEA 2021 2021 brought ftsward B¥nk Intorost In9 1.427 1.724 158 1.883 45e 1.427 00 Ewdilure 8e$ cairtad foThYard YOLITHAND EDIJCATION FUND FOR THE YEAR TO 31 OECEMBER 2021 2021 2020 Bant* brouohl bTh¥8rd 7.249 7.478 In¢omo 9.099 8.683 E418 BENEVOLENT FUNL) YÉAR ENDED J1 DECEMBER 2021 2021 2020 a90 broh1 foThv4rd Income Blnk Intsro81 Annu•l Olelrtbullon-D¥0D1 Ch•rlty 1.278 2.11X) 676 878 Eyndrturn Bwwvc48nl P8ym•nl1 250 250 CAPITAL QIFf FU140 YEAR EKIED 310E¢EPIPER 2021 2021 B•l•n broughtfomrd 10.274 21,734 d Sale ¢Ylnnth•nts 12 318 22,590 42,834 L886 Purthaeo ol Invoslrnents 8rok•Tr Ch#ro•1 Ballnc•th•d fcrw4rd 12.251 31,949 1JDI5 YHE BALANCE IS RepRESEIITEO BY THE FQLLOW14G BNJ4KACCOUNT8 Roy418ank ofSwUaTrJ In¥88te¢ 3,903 8.098 ORGAt4 FUND YEAR ENDED 310ECEMPEft 2021 2021 2W20 Bal&nL• Brought ForwATd DonBUon8 14ecdY• Inttrrest 3.286 2,888 260 398

ORIASKIRK STREeT iINITED REFORMED CHUR¢H. ST HELENS HEATING RÉPLACEMENT FUPID YEAR EWJED 31 DECEER 20Z1 2021 B8L9nco Brwthl Forward ReplacementofHeating Equohtynt ROOF REPAIR FUND YEAR ENDED 31 DECeIR 2021 OonalK)ns Re#d Grant¥ Recgw8d Transferfrom Gerwrnl Reg8Ne 15.000 1.080 47.154 Eynditure to Date Consuhants Fe8 Imurance Premiums Contra¢tors ¢h8rge¥ 8.848 122 17.468 CHURCH ORGANISATlFIs HOLDING MONEY OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH ACCOUNTS 2020 Aftem(x>n Fello*8hip Fund med Fdbw8bip k4othèr& Todder Catorng Commltteo s81 GrDUP LdGUIkj 155 28 189 389 322 744 72 204 371 76 200 72

DIVECT GMNO .381 7,212 48.937 44,164 201 CAPITAL GIFT FLID UK EqL#b81 1.on 510 638 INTQANAL OOP4AII¢N• Cl OTHER INCOAIE. OTTrR Fun•r4 F• 141 18S FUr¥jra Evwts 13