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← The Parochial Church Council Of St Marys Church Wootton Beds

2024-12-31-accounts

stmary's wootton Annual Report & Financial Statements For the year ended 31 Dec 2024 The Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin Wootton, Bedfordshire Registered Charity1150817 Knowing Jesus Making Jesus Known to All www.stmaryswootton.org.uk 01234 7653751768391 office@stmaryswootton.org.uk The Vicarage, Church Rd, Wootton, Bedford, MK43 9HF

Who we are

St Mary's is a family of ordinary people brought together by the extraordinary, life-changing good news of Jesus Christ. We come from a range of backgrounds and places. None of us has it all sorted. Everyone is welcome. We try to sum up who we are and where we are going in the following statements:

Our Mission Knowing Jesus; making Jesus known to all

Our Vision

For St. Mary's to be: a united body of worshipping disciples, rooted in the Bible and prayer, growing together in holiness and every-member ministry to become a family of:

Our Values

We believe that we are reconciled to God the Father through faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, and therefore we value:

The Bible as the written word of God and our supreme authority in following Jesus in the whole of life.
Prayer as the prime expression of faith in Jesus and of our dependence on God’s loving grace and sovereign power in all
things.
Church as a family of wholehearted worshippers and disciples of Jesus Christ committed to mutual encouragement, care,
and accountability.
Evangelismas the proclamation of the good news of God’s salvation in Christ for all people as the proclamation of the good news of God’s salvation in Christ for all people
Service as a family of God’s people caring for people in Wootton and Stewartby and beyond with the love of Christ.

Our Identity

We are...
Christ’s church: the church is the bride and body of Jesus Christ; it is through him alone, revealed to us by the Holy Spirit
in the Scriptures, that we know God; it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we worship and serve
Christ; and it is Christ’s future return which is our hope and motivation for life.
A local church: a full and authentic expression of the universal church, called into being and sustained by God’s
word. We have a specific responsibility to proclaim and demonstrate the love of God in Christ among
the people of the parish of Wootton. We are also called to involvement with the world-wide mission of
the whole church.
An Anglican church: while we welcome Christians of all backgrounds, our permanent and most visible connection is with the
Church of England. We accept and uphold its founding documents (The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion,
the Book of Common Prayer, and the Ordinal) as authentic expressions of orthodox Christian belief. We
are committed to supporting and encouraging biblical faith and practice in the Anglican Communion,
both within and beyond the diocese of St Albans.
An evangelical church: we recognise the convictions of historic evangelicalism as crystallising and expressing the kernel of
orthodox Christianity, including: the supreme authority of Scripture; the universal nature of human sin;
the grace of God, seen above all in the substitutionary atoning death of Jesus Christ; and the gift of
justification and new life in Christ, received and enjoyed only through repentance and faith. We value
the examples, among others, of the sixteenth-century reformers, the eighteenth-century evangelists,
and the nineteenth-century social reformers. We are committed to gospel partnership with evangelical
mission agencies, as well as with our patron, the Martyrs’ Memorial and Church of England Trust, and
the Church Pastoral Aid Society.

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Aims and Purposes

St Marys Church Wootton exists to glorify Almighty God through the proclamation of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to all people, and through the pastoral care of members of the congregation and the local community. This is our mission, which we sum up as ‘Knowing Jesus and making Jesus known to all’, and which is our privilege and joy.

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, Canon Peter Ackroyd, in promoting this mission - pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical - in the ecclesiastical parish of Wootton, which comprises the two civil parishes of Wootton and Stewartby.

Objectives and Activities

The primary objective of the Parochial Church Council is the promotion of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrine of the Church of England. The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship in the parish church, to providing opportunities for adults and young people to hear the gospel and grow in discipleship, to caring pastorally and practically for people in need, and to supporting Christian mission within and beyond the parish. The PCC regularly reviews the effectiveness of the church’s ministry in the light of its own Mission Action Plan, and the three themes of the Living God’s Love vision of the Diocese of St Albans: Going Deeper into God, Transforming Communities, and Making New Disciples. In planning and overseeing the mission of the church, the incumbent and PCC consider the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.

St. Mary’s Vision Statement

This was revised by the Church Council during 2024, and can be found on the inside cover of this booklet.

In fulfilment of this vision the PCC identified three strategic priorities: Deeper Discipleship, Loving Evangelism, and Generous Space. Deeper Discipleship relates to the need to foster confidence in the gospel and in gospel-centred life and service. Loving Evangelism expresses our intention to reach out to those beyond the church community with the life-transforming good news of Jesus Christ. Generous Space recognises that the facilities in the church building are ill-suited in many ways to the achievement of the church’s mission and vision.

Achievement of this vision depends, under God, on the willing service of many church members, led and served by the vicar and the staff team. The staff team consisted of the vicar (Peter Ackroyd), part-time administrator (Diane Murray), and part-time youth and children’s worker (Emma Hearn). Jim Hignett continued to serve as licensed Reader, including significant ministry at Stewartby United Church. The council considers that the continued employment of a part-time youth and children’s worker should take precedence over offering to train a curate. The council also employs the staff of St Marys Preschool.

To facilitate the ministry of the church the PCC maintains the fabric of both the church building and the church hall, which is on a separate site. Maintenance of the churchyards, which are closed, is the responsibility of Wootton Parish Council. The PCC also owns a residential two-bedroomed house, originally purchased to accommodate a curate and family; the property is currently let.

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Ministry and Mission in 2024

Worship and Prayer

Public worship was offered at 10am in the church building every Sunday morning, and at Stewartby United Church twice a month. Towards the end of the year, attendance in person at St Mary’s averaged around seventy adults and fifteen children under sixteen on Sunday mornings. The service continued to be livestreamed on the church’s YouTube channel.

Ministry at St Mary’s is founded on expository preaching of the Bible. Sermons series during the year included series covering some of the psalms, ‘The Jesus Revolution’ - Luke’s account of the early ministry and teaching of Jesus (cc4-6) as well as his Passion, ‘Alive to God’ (Romans cc6-8), and ‘The God who Loves to Show Mercy’ (Micah). Topical series included the Means of Grace, sermons on following Jesus in a world of war and conflict, authority, work and artificial intelligence, ‘The Generous Life’ (Christian discipleship and giving) and, as a prelude to Advent, the ‘Four Last Things’ - heaven, hell, death and judgment. During the course of the year we welcomed as visiting preachers Barry Funnell (The Word for the World bible translators), Canon Vaughan Roberts (St Ebbe’s Oxford), Phil Knox (Evangelical Alliance) and Revd Rupert Shelley (Crosslinks). Other visitors during the year included our mission partners Bishop Alf & Hilary Cooper (CMS, Chile), and YP & Jude Gayet (Belgium).

The Lord’s Supper was celebrated monthly. Three children and one adult were baptised during the year. Only two weddings were celebrated in church. Between them, the Vicar and Reader officiated at fifteen funeral services held for present or former parish residents at St Marys, Stewartby United Church, or Bedford Crematorium.

Early in the year the monthly Sunday evening prayer service was replaced by ‘Hallowed be Your Name’ - midweek days of prayer every other month. On these days, short prayer meetings were held in church at 8am, 12noon, 4pm and 8pm, following a published pattern of prayer which church members were invited to use in their homes and workplaces where possible. This initiative fostered a greater sense of a common prayer life among church members.

Services in Holy Week and Easter included All-Age and Hour at the Cross services on Good Friday, and Easter Communion on Easter Day. Sadly, we were unable to hold a Sunrise Service as the regular site is now less easily accessible.

Services at Christmas – Christingle, Nativity, Carols by Candlelight and three services over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - were well-attended. For the first time for some years, carol-singers led by Allyson Cable brought Christmas cheer to many village streets, concluding with a short recital in local pub.

At the invitation of the Speaker of the Borough Council, local councillor John Wheeler, we hosted the annual Civic Carol Service, welcoming to St Marys on 8 December the Mayor, Councillors and Aldermen of Bedford, the Deputy Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, many invited guests and musicians from the Wootton Lower and Upper Schools.

The parish council Act of Remembrance on Sunday 10 November at the War Memorial in Church Road, was led by the vicar and preceded by an all-age service in church.

School events in church included regular Preschool services, and a Wootton Lower School Christmas assembly.

Regular worship as well as occasional services at St Mary’s was enabled by many volunteer helpers, and especially by musicians and singers. In November John Robertson retired as Organist after sixteen years of dedicated service. His retirement was appropriately marked by a well-attended and captivating organ recital in his honour given by Gary Sieling, President of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Organists Association, by the presentation of a garden armchair given by the congregation in appreciation of his service, and by appointment as Organist Emeritus. Ian Harris succeeded as organist.

During the year the following church members undertook the diocese’s Lay Leader of Worship training, were authorized by the Bishop of Bedford to lead services at St Mary’s, and were commissioned in church for this ministry: Martin & Hazel Sanders, Ant Hall, and Allyson Cable.

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Families, children and young people

This year we moved back to running 3 groups on a Sunday for the first time since before Covid. All groups use Mustard Seeds and Faith in Kids material and we now have Climbers-age 2-Yr 1, Explorers-Yr2-Yr 5 and Pathfinders -Yr 6-Yr 9. The separation of ages has been positive for the children and leaders enabling more age targeted teaching.

We ran a series of Wild Church afternoons as a follow-up from Holiday Club, these were an outreach event held outside with a series of ‘forest school’ type activities enabling families to explore various themes with a collective time of worship with a short talk. The target audience wasn’t really reached but it was appreciated by those who attended.

We led a residential trip alongside St Peter and Paul’s Church (Cranfield) to Chellington with 17 children and 7 leaders. We had various activities including a trip to a local country park and a silent disco. Our guest speaker led talks based on Jonah and we led devotional times with the children in small groups plus had a session to answer big questions about Christianity.

Our annual Holiday Club had approximately 100 children with a team of 55 volunteers. It was Olympic themed and covered various gospel passages using Scripture Union material. We invited families to bring a picnic to enjoy on the last day of the club. This was well attended, we had activities for the children and it was a great opportunity to talk with families.

A summary of activities during 2024 include:

. Discipleship, Pastoral Care and Training

Christians grow in their discipleship as they engage with one another and with the Bible’s teaching in a number of settings. The PCC accordingly aims to support a range of pathways accessible as widely as possible to support, teach and encourage this lifelong process of ‘spiritual formation’.

In June around fifty church members including young people attended ‘Faithfull’, a church away-day at the Harrold Centre. Tony Watkins, Fellow for Public Engagement at Tyndale House, Cambridge, led two sessions reflecting on Christian mission today in the light of the early church’s experience in Acts.

Midweek growth groups are central to our aim to support one another in following Jesus. Five Growth Groups met during the year, weekly in the evening or daytime, to study the Bible, pray, and support one another; around half of regular church attenders are growth group members. Leaders met termly to receive training and support, and to pray together. A group for some Lunch Club members met fortnightly, and towards the end of the year offered ‘Hymns we Love’ to Lunch Club members. Growth Groups generally used bible study material connected to Sunday sermons; in the autumn groups also engaged with the video-based Generosity Project. The monthly Men’s Breakfast continued to meet, and attracted up to a dozen men for mutual support and encouragement.

During the first weekend in May, church members once again attended the Bible by the Beach conference in Eastbourne.

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A number completed the Crosslands Training Pastoral Care Course, led by Diane Murray. On account of other commitments, it was not possible to form a new Pastoral Care Team.

Social events were held during the year enabling church members and their guests to build relationships and to foster mutual support. These included occasional church Sunday lunches, a summer barbecue at the vicarage, and a Harvest Lunch in the church hall. In November a bonfire party was held for church families in the vicarage garden.

A bookstall was maintained in church. At Lent and Advent, church members and families were able to purchase and study daily devotional readings.

The PCC encourages church members, especially those with leadership responsibility, to attend relevant training events, in line with its Training Policy. During the year, staff and ministry leaders attended conferences run by Growing Young Disciples, Proclamation Trust, the Four Counties Gospel Partnership, St Albans Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship, and Biblical Counselling UK, as well as the Christian Resources Exhibition. Church members attended day events mainly in support of youth and children’s ministry.

Mission and outreach

PCC continued to pursue St Mary’s mission - ‘Knowing Jesus; making Jesus known to all’ - through a range of activities.

Enquiry courses for people exploring the Christian faith were offered throughout the year, using the Christianity Explored and 3-2-1 courses.

The occasional alternative and outdoor outreach and worship events, ‘WILD Church’ initiated in 2024 under Emma Hearn’s leadership concluded with an Easter-themed event. Following a review, it was noted that though these events had attracted a number of families who did not regularly attend church, repeat-attendance was rare and no community was accordingly forming. Grateful for all that had been achieved, it was agreed to discontinue this venture.

The Lunch Club for the over 50’s met monthly, preceded by a short ‘thought for the day’ and prayer led by team members.

Mission & Mission Partnerships

The PCC tithes its income from regular giving to support Christian mission beyond the parish, in line with its Global Mission Policy. During the year the PCC began a delayed review of the church’s support for mission beyond the parish, in line with its Global Missions Policy. This review is expected to conclude in 2025.

In 2024 the following mission agencies or partners continue to receive financial and prayer support:

PCC’s support for former church member Martin Teh 2023-24 in his service as ministry intern at ChristChurch Mayfair, came to an end in August.

Throughout the year church members supported the work of Bedford Foodbank through a collection point in the church, and contributed to periodic ‘red bucket’ appeals for the relief of countries hit by natural disasters. Church members participated in the annual Operation Christmas Child (Samaritan’s Purse) appeal, and at Christmas supported the Prebend Centre SMART appeal for the homeless in Bedford.

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Church buildings

The PCC is responsible for the upkeep of the Church building, Church hall, grounds, and a residential house currently rented to a member of the congregation.

To better align with our current resources, the PCC decided to pause the Generous Space Project and refocus on the North Porch, addressing the long-overdue roof repairs recommended in the Quinquennial report. The Premises and Facilities Committee has effectively overseen various projects on behalf of the PCC, including installing new worktops, cookers, and heating in the hall. Electrical remedial work was completed in the house, while the Church benefited from electrical repairs, fibre broadband installation, and a new water meter. Progress has also been made on several issues highlighted in the Quinquennial report alongside ongoing routine maintenance.

To further support the efficient management of responsibilities, the PCC purchased a new mobile phone, two laptops, and secured a new photocopier lease.

Ecumenical Relationships

The PCC aims to strengthen Christian witness and service in the community through membership of Wootton and Stewartby Churches. Though there was no joint activity during the year, healthy relationship were maintained, and since the year end the WSC committee has reconvened, welcoming incoming pastor of Wootton Baptist Church, Tom Roberts to its meeting.

The vicar attended regular prayer meetings for leaders of Bedford Churches in sympathy with the doctrinal basis of the Evangelical Alliance, of which St Mary’s is a corporate member.

The Four Counties Gospel Partnership, whose launch St Mary’s had sponsored, offered a number of events to support local churches, hosted by Kings Church, Flitwick.

St Mary’s Preschool

The PCC (as Registered Person) operates the St Mary’s Preschool which serves local families five days a week during term time from the Church Hall under the experienced leadership of the Manager, Tracey Kerins. The Preschool roll in the autumn term comprised thirty-three children. There were eight members of staff. Staff are regularly appraised, supported to complete all required training, and encouraged to undertake professional development and progress as Preschool practitioners.

During the year, deputy manager Lina Rosato retired after thirty year’s service to the Preschool and its predecessor, St Mary’s Play Group, and was presented with gifts at a farewell reception. Allyson Cable and Caroline Kavanagh were appointed as Senior Deputy and Deputy Managers from 1 September.

Tracey Kerins was due to retire at the end of the year. However, recruitment of a successor proved challenging, and PCC was grateful that she agreed to continue in a part-time capacity for the winter term 2025.

Oversight of the Preschool is undertaken on behalf of the PCC by a management group comprising the Preschool Manager and deputy managers, and three members of PCC: Peter Ackroyd (Nominated Individual), Pauline Kendall and Nina Rodrigues. The management group reviews all Preschool policies annually. Members visit the Preschool during its operating hours to observe practice and support the ST MARY' staff, and complete relevant Educare training modules as recommended by Bedford Borough Council.

The vicar visits weekly to lead a Bible story, prayer and song. At Christmas and Easter a Preschool Church Service is held for children staff and parents.

Holywell Church of England School, Cranfield

The PCC nominates a number of governors at Holywell School, a school serving years 5-8. Continuing Wootton PCC Foundation Governors were: Pauline Kendall (Chair of Governors), Martin Sanders, Fiona Frossell and Isabel Turner. The Vicar regularly met with the Head, Mike Simpson, and in partnership with Cranfield Parish Church provided support for Key Stage assemblies.

Three-tier education is being phased out across the Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire local authorities. During the year, the Holywell board and senior leadership team, with the support of the diocese, continued to prepare for Holywell to become a Church of England Secondary School, serving years 7-11 predominantly from Cranfield and Marston. With schools in Wootton switching to a two-tier structure, Wootton’s connection with Holywell is expected to become progressively less significant. The PCC sfmary's keeps this under review and responded to a consultation on the transition. wootton

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Deanery Synod

St Marys was represented on Bedford Deanery Synod by its licensed clergy and three representatives of the laity. During the year the Synod met four times. The vicar and Pauline Kendall are among the Deanery’s representatives on Diocesan Synod. Regular reports of the proceedings of Deanery Synod were made to PCC.

Structure, governance and management

The PCC met nine times in the year. Some of the work of the PCC is carried out through the following sub-committees: Standing, Finance, Youth Council, Preschool Management, and the Premises and Facilities Team. The Standing Committee met between PCC meetings, and is made up of the vicar, wardens, treasurer and secretary. The role of the Standing Committee is to prioritise items for the PCC meeting, discuss and make decisions on items of a confidential nature or look in more detail on matters that have been brought to the PCC. The Youth Council met three times.

Following the election of new members to PCC at the Annual Meeting, PCC reviewed its committee memberships and PCC officer appointments, and engaged in some training on the purpose of PCC.

The safeguarding of young people and vulnerable adults was a standing item on the agenda of every meeting. At the beginning of the year the PCC conducted an annual review of our safeguarding practice and approved updated Safeguarding and related policies. The Parish Safeguarding Officer is Kate Wilson. She was supported by Emma Hearn, Pauline Kendall and Martin Sanders as deputy safeguarding officers. Training on safeguarding arranged by the Diocese has been attended by members of the PCC, as well as by leaders of young people’s groups and others as required under the church’s safeguarding policy and by the Church of England.

Issues discussed during the year by the church council included: evangelism and pastoral care; renewal of the church Mission Action Plan; the Church of England’s proposed Prayers of Love and Faith; church staff contracts and salaries; St Marys Preschool; PCC finances; the care maintenance and development of the church and church hall, including the Generous Space project; youth and children’s ministry, including the appointment of leaders and helpers; health and safety; proceedings at Deanery and Diocesan Synods; arrangements for Christmas and other special services; mission partnerships review; installation in the church hall of new cookers and a new heating boiler.

At the beginning of the year, following growing concern among evangelicals and others in the Church of England over the House of Bishops proposals for Prayers of Love and Faith, and in line with the PCC’s 2017 Resolution on Human Sexuality, the PCC recognized that St Marys was in a state of impaired communion with the bishops serving St Albans diocese. The PCC accordingly requested alternative spiritual oversight from the Church of England Evangelical Council, and support is now being provided by Revd Canon Vaughan Roberts, Rector of St Ebbe’s Church Oxford. This is a temporary and informal arrangement, pending the agreement of suitable provision for parishes maintaining the church’s historic position on human sexuality. Relations with St Albans diocese remain strong: as noted elsewhere in this report, several church members participated in the Lay Leaders of Worship programme, while the Vicar served on both Bishop’s Council and Diocesan Synod, and in October was elected as a member of the Vacancy in See Committee.

The PCC employs a part-time administrator, part-time Youth and Families Worker, the staff of the Preschool, and a church hall cleaner. Jim Hignett serves as a licensed Reader and attends regular diocesan events.

The PCC and staff work in partnership with teams of volunteer helpers, appointed by the PCC and the vicar.

The PCC and Administrator comply with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regarding the privacy of church member’s information.

Electoral Roll

A revision of the Electoral Roll took place in April 2024. Following the revision the roll numbered 134. At the end of the year, the total was 133.

Partnership with Stewartby United Church

Ministry at Stewartby United Church, a local ecumenical project, is provided under the terms of a Sharing Agreement in which the Church of England and the Methodist Church are the remaining active partners. Licensed ministers and congregation members from St Mary's continued to support Stewartby, leading the monthly Sunday afternoon service, speaking at the monthly T@3 event, serving on the church council and participating in other events.

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Financial Review

Total receipts of unrestricted and designated giving and income amounted to £139,427 whilst restricted giving totalled £17,951, giving our church a total income of £157,678, which included £19,947 from Gift Aid eligible donations. While this was an increase, it was short of what was anticipated based on pledged donations (this was as a result of a number of church members leaving St. Marys during the year) where the total funds anticipated came to £164,959 (a shortfall of £7,281). Our total income increased by £5,809 versus the previous year - this was largely due to increased investment interest, rent for church buildings and assigned fees; by £2,638, £1,280 and £1,002 respectively, totalling £5,820 more than last year.

Our total expenditure for the year was £149,847, including Parish Share payments of £68,000. For the first time for many years, we were unable to pay Parish Share in full, owing to lower than budgeted giving income, and concerns over cash flow. The total shortfall was £11,572. Overall expenditure was £10,099 lower than 2023.

Overall, the level of giving, excluding that given for specific projects, remained broadly flat on the year. Given the small decrease in the number of members, and the cost-of-living impact upon the congregation at this time this is encouraging.

For 2024 our church set a budget of £164,959 for income and expenditure and by the end of the year we were left with a surplus of £7,830, however, without the withheld portion of the Parish Share this would have been a deficit of £3,742.

The funds we’re able to utilise in our day-to-day operation and mission activities increased on the year from £18,773 to £22,471. It is noted that following on from reductions in 2021, 2022 and again in 2023 our continued ability to meet our obligations has changed from being at risk – it has now been impacted in 2024 as we were unable to meet our Parish Share in full.

We have, during the 2025 budgeting process, communicated the need for increased giving to the congregation.

Reserves Policy

Throughout the year we maintained our reserve fund at £10,000, this allows us to meet our obligation in terms of staff salaries and church running costs for a period of two months. Our cash reserves, excluding endowments, remain strong with a total of £267,891 on deposit at the end of the year, with £245,278 of this being funds restricted to specific expenditure. During the year we continued to operate two current accounts with our Metro Bank account as the main account while we maintain the NatWest Bank account to ensure no account has funds exceeding £85,000, the limit set under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. In terms of a deposit account, we continue to invest in the CBF Church of England Funds through CCLA.

Safeguarding

St Mary’s is committed to safeguarding all whom God has placed in its care. The PCC has complied with its duty to have ‘due regard’ to the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance.

Ultimately, the PCC has overall responsibility to ensure all safeguarding requirements are fulfilled. The safeguarding and related policies are reviewed annually by the PCC as is the effectiveness of the church’s safeguarding practice. Safeguarding is a standing item on all PCC agendas and the Parish Safeguarding Officer reports any matters arising. The Parish Safeguarding dashboard supports Parishes to have due regard to the House of Bishops’ safeguarding requirements. St Mary's use this to good effect. We are also looking to adopt the safeguarding hub, a bolt on to the dashboard which assists us with safer recruitment processes.

The PCC have appointed a Safeguarding Team, Kate Wilson (Parish Safeguarding Officer and Lead recruiter), Emma Hearn, Pauline Kendall and Martin Sanders to ensure a good safeguarding culture is maintained at St Mary’s. The lead recruiter for the parish ensures all volunteers are safely recruited to their roles and they complete the relevant safeguarding training for their role. All volunteers, including PCC members and group leaders have attended the relevant training for their role. A central record of DBS checks and training is held by the lead recruiter. Contact details for the safeguarding team are prominently placed around church and details of how to contact the team can be found on the parish website (St Mary’s safeguarding team). Within our fortnightly bulletin, there is also a statement which highlights St Mary’s commitment to safeguarding and provides web links to the safeguarding policies and the safeguarding team.

Opportunities are taken throughout the year to mention safeguarding and issues of abuse during other services. Safeguarding matters and good practice are regularly highlighted at all church activities and meetings.

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St. Mary the Virgin Parochial Church Council Independent Examiner’s Report of accounts for January to December 2024

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St Mary's Church, Wootton

Balance Sheet to 31st December 2024

As at
As at
31/12/2024
31/12/2023
Endowment assets
1509: Wootton Armstrong Fund
1510: Wootton Church Cottages
Total Fixed assets
Current assets
1501: NatWest Current
1503: CBF Capital Fund
1504: CBF Studley Road
1508: Cash Book
1511: Metro Current
Total Current assets
Liabilities
1650: Loans for Stonework
6699: Agency collections
Total Liabilities
Net Asset surplus (deficit)
Reserves
Excess / (deficit) to date
Z01: Starting balances
Z02: Other gains/(losses)
Total Reserves		 1,711.08
1,672.79
27,516.01
26,900.31
29,227.09
28,573.10
83,623.01
82,076.04
125,771.97
119,432.68
1.88
1.79
—
—
58,494.78
58,731.01
267,891.64
260,241.52
—
—
142.59
322.90
142.59
322.90
296,976.14
288,491.72
7,830.43
(8,078.06)
288,491.72
294,093.10
653.99
2,476.68
296,976.14
288,491.72
Represented by Funds
Unrestricted
22,471.16
18,773.61
Restricted
245,277.89
241,145.01
Endowment
29,227.09
28,573.10
Total
296,976.14
288,491.72

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St Mary's Church, Wootton

Statement of Financial Activities

For the period from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Prior year
funds funds funds funds total funds
Incoming resources
Donations, Legacies and similar incoming resources 116,628 3,789 — 120,417 119,380
Activities in furtherance of the charity's objects 23,098 — — 23,098 21,967
Activities for generating funds — — — — —
Investment income — 7,132 — 7,132 4,493
Other incoming resources — 7,029 — 7,029 6,027
Total income 139,727 17,951 — 157,678 151,868
Resources used
Grants payable in furtherance of charity's objects 8,840 — — 8,840 8,200
Activities in furtherance of the charity's objects 117,586 13,693 — 131,279 141,731
Support costs 5,924 527 — 6,451 7,207
Expenditure on managing-administering the charity 3,276 — — 3,276 2,807
Total expenditure 135,627 14,220 — 149,847 159,946
Gains / losses on investment assets — — 653 653 2,476
Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer 4,099 3,730 653 8,484 (5,601)
Transfers
Gross transfers between funds - in 2,275 1,395 — 3,670 3,724
Gross transfers between funds - out (2,677) (993) — (3,670) (3,724)
Other recognised gains / losses
Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's own use — — — — —
Net movement in funds 3,697 4,132 653 8,484 (5,601)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 18,773 241,145 28,573 288,491 294,093
Total funds carried forward 22,471 245,277 29,227 296,976 288,491

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St Mary's Church, Wootton

Analysis of income and expenditure Selected period: 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024

Total
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year
Incoming resources
Donations, Legacies and similar incoming resources
101 - Gift Aided 69,530.00 — — — 69,530.00 72,089.00
102 - Tax recovered 19,647.03 — 300.00 — 19,947.03 20,203.01
103 - Other giving 10,175.00 — — — 10,175.00 8,335.00
104 - Loose Collections 5,588.70 — — — 5,588.70 5,622.54
105 - Gift days- Sundry giving 7,457.21 — — — 7,457.21 5,071.76
201 - Given for specific projects 386.07 3,844.44 3,489.50 — 7,720.01 8,059.19
Donations, Legacies and similar 112,784.01 3,844.44 3,789.50 — 120,417.95 119,380.50
incoming resources Totals
Activities in furtherance of the charity's objects
302 - Rent for church buildings 19,868.18 — — — 19,868.18 18,587.95
401 - Monies for books 293.55 — — — 293.55 325.20
404 - PCC fees Weddings/ Funerals 2,937.00 — — — 2,937.00 3,054.00
Activities in furtherance of the 23,098.73 — — — 23,098.73 21,967.15
charity's objects Totals
Investment income
301 - Interest — — 7,132.55 — 7,132.55 4,493.98
Investment income Totals — — 7,132.55 — 7,132.55 4,493.98
Other incoming resources
106 - Wootton Charities — — 2,000.00 — 2,000.00 2,000.00
405 - Assigned fees — — 5,029.00 — 5,029.00 4,027.00
Other incoming resources Totals — — 7,029.00 — 7,029.00 6,027.00
Incoming resources Grand 135,882.74 3,844.44 17,951.05 — 157,678.23 151,868.63
totals
Resources used
Grants payable in furtherance of charity's objects
1001 - Overseas Mission 4,290.00 400.00 — — 4,690.00 4,350.00
1003 - Home Mission 2,850.00 1,300.00 — — 4,150.00 3,850.00
Grants payable in furtherance of 7,140.00 1,700.00 — — 8,840.00 8,200.00
charity's objects Totals
Activities in furtherance of the charity's objects
2001 - Diocesan Quota 68,000.00 — — — 68,000.00 76,562.00
2002 - Working Expenses of Incumbent 2,762.54 — — — 2,762.54 3,254.34
2004 - Assistant Staff 20,916.74 — 5,745.50 — 26,662.24 26,473.45
2005 - Church Running expense 6,692.42 — — — 6,692.42 5,995.37
2006 - Church Maintenance 1,246.23 — 731.76 — 1,977.99 1,034.82
2007 - Upkeep of Services 2,771.65 — — — 2,771.65 2,632.75
2009 - Costs relating to books 617.67 — — — 617.67 425.41
2010 - Church hall 12,297.08 145.50 780.00 — 13,222.58 11,993.04

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Total
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year
2012 - Major Works 2012 - Major Works — — 2,400.00 — 2,400.00 9,477.69
2016 - Honoraria, Assigned fees 59.37 — 4,036.00 — 4,095.37 3,318.00
6000 - Studley Road 2,077.41 — — — 2,077.41 565.05
Activities in furtherance of the 117,441.11 145.50 13,693.26 — 131,279.87 141,731.92
charity's objects Totals
Support costs
2017 - Support Costs 2,003.26 3,920.95 527.06 — 6,451.27 7,207.76
Support costs Totals 2,003.26 3,920.95 527.06 — 6,451.27 7,207.76
Expenditure on managing-administering the charity
4000 - Administration 3,276.66 — — — 3,276.66 2,807.01
Expenditure on managing- 3,276.66 — — — 3,276.66 2,807.01
administering the charity Totals
Resources used Grand totals 129,861.03 5,766.45 14,220.32 — 149,847.80 159,946.69

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St. Mary’s Pre-School January to December 2024

PreSchool Accounts

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41 Administrative Information St Mary's church is situated in Wootton village, Bedfordshire. It is part of the Diocese of St Albans within the Church of England. The correspondence address is . The Vicarage, Church Road, Wootton, Bedford MK43 9HF. The Registered charity number1150817 office@stmaryswootton.org.uk PCC members who served during the year were: Revd Peter Ackroyd (chair), Allyson Cable (churchwarden), Tim Dillistone (churchwarden; Deanery Synod), Matt Hearn (Treasurer, Deanery Synod), Hazel Sanders (pcc secretary)Jim Hignett (Reader; Deanery Synod), Pauline Kendall (Diocesan Synod), David Baylis, Jenny Yang, Charlie Bellwood, Elaine Sullivan, Jean-michel Rodrigues, Charles AshbrooL Ant Hall, Nicola Johnson, Jon Joy, Nina Rodrigues, Claire Brice. Independent Examiner: Lynden Richardson