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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Christ Church Moreton

2023-12-31-accounts

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

Held on SUNDAY 28[th] April 2024 at 1.00pm

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

A Meeting of the Parishioners - Election of churchwardens

  1. Prayers

  2. Election of Wardens

B Annual General Meeting

  1. Opening Worship

  2. Apologies for Absence

  3. Minutes of last Annual General Meeting

  4. Matters Arising

  5. Safeguarding declaration

  6. Christ Church Reports

  7. Appointment of Auditor

  8. Report on Electoral Roll

  9. Elections:

9.1 PCC members

CHRIST CHURCH MORETON

Meeting of the Parishioners 30[th] April 2023

  1. Opened in prayer.

  2. Minutes of last year’s mee�ng were accepted as an accurate record and were agreed and signed.

3. Elec�ons of wardens

Churchwardens

There was only one nomina�on, Jane Ma�hews was proposed by Lynda Jones and seconded by Lindsey Lawrence.

Alan Ward thanked Steve Eaves for his 5 years of service as churchwarden. This will be conveyed to him and Alan also asked that we all prayed for him and the difficult situa�on which led to his resigna�on.

Deputy churchwardens

Beryl Blackman was proposed by Ken Ashford and seconded by Beryl Airey

Ken Ashford was proposed by Beryl Airey and seconded by Beryl Blackman.

Ian Sto� had previously served as a deputy Warden and will be asked if he is prepared to again

Alan asked that we helped Jane as much as we could as she was currently on her own at present. In the event of someone else wishing to take up the churchwarden posi�on another Annual Vestry Mee�ng would need to be called.

End of the parishioners mee�ng.

CHRIST CHURCH MORETON

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

30[TH] APRIL 2023

Chaired by Rev Alan Ward, Rural Dean

1. Opened in prayer

2. Apologies for absence

Julie Harris, Ken Ashford, Jane Fisher, Kath Hotchkiss, Joan Sinton, Nick Alsop, Bob and Pam Holmes.

3. Minutes of last AGM

These were accepted and agreed by all present.

4. Ma�ers Arising

It was noted that the date of the next AGM had been changed by the PCC.

5. Christ Church Reports

The reports were gone through and all who contributed to them were thanked. They were accepted by all present.

6. Ma�ers arising from reports

The PCC secretary has re�red and at present Phil Jones and Clair Culligan have agreed to help. Jane Ma�hews said that if anyone wanted to take on the role, to let her know. It is an important channel of communica�on between the Diocese and the church. Alan thanked Les for all his work.

Karen Alsop asked if there were any figures of a�endance concerning the Warm Hub. Steve Smith said that it was 400 up to the end of March which equated to about 20 per day.

Mandy and Steve reported that they have decided to con�nue with it 3 �mes a week as they had volunteers willing to run it.

Financial Report

Lynda Jones reported that there was a total shor�all of £3,718 due to the increased costs of hea�ng, electricity, water and the Parish share. We have paid out to install Church suite but this is working well and has greatly eased administra�on for Jane Ma�hews. The planned giving is sta�c and the cash collec�ons have increased. Income from the hall hire has increased and the ac�vi�es such as Men’s Breakfast, and tea bar have also helped the situa�on.

Graham Stanford asked about the balance in the building account he understands there is £60,000 of outstanding work to be done following the quinquennial inspec�on. Lynda explained that we didn’t have a general building fund as we don’t have the finances to create one. It was suggested that this should be discussed by the PCC.

Alan thanked Lynda for all her hard work as Treasurer and urged us to con�nue to encourage giving amongst the church members.

7. Appointment of Auditor

Brian Higgins has audited the accounts this year and it was proposed that he be asked to con�nue. Rachel Mya� proposed and Karen Alsop seconded.

8. Report on Electoral Roll

It was reported that this had increased by 1 to 115.

9. Elec�ons

9.1 PCC members

Martyn Hindle proposed by Eileen Hughes seconded by Jane Fisher Steve Smith proposed by Eileen Hughes seconded by Jane Fisher Ian Sto� proposed by Jane Ma�hews seconded by Cath Evans Jill Anders proposed by Roberta Gray and seconded by Ian Sto� Keith Culligan proposed by Lynn Hindle seconded by Jane Ma�hews

There is a casual vacancy which is for 2 years only and Keith Culligan agreed to take this. It was unclear as to whether he could be reappointed a�er 2 years or had to take a break. This will be clarified by the PCC.

9.2 Deanery synod members Jane Stocker Proposed by Lindsey Lawrence seconded by Jane Ma�hews Lyndsey Lawrence Proposed by Jane Ma�hews seconded by Lynda Jones Beryl Blackman Proposed by Carol Allen seconded by Les Evans

The deanery synod members are also join the PCC as ex officio members

9.2 Sides Persons

To be elected at the next PCC mee�ng.

10. Any Other Business

Alan Ward asked that the Vision Commi�ee gave the mee�ng an update. Phil Jones spoke about the four items they felt it was most important to establish in the next 5 years.

Alan encouraged us to pray about these 4 aims.

Carol Allen commented that we should be encouraged by the increase in numbers of our Youth Group. Graham Stanford asked about plans to bring them into church. Alan replied that the ul�mate goal should be to bring them to Christ and that small steps needed to be taken. At present their church was on a Thursday evening. It was noted that Rachel Mya� had brought her cub group into the church for a visit.

Steve Smith asked about an update on the current vacancy situa�on. Alan Ward said that there had been one round of interviews where no appointment had been made and subsequently there were insufficient applicants to set up and interview. We are now coming up to the closing date for the next round of applica�ons and he asked for prayers for those looking to short list and interview.

Lynda Jones said that we need to appoint a founda�on governor for the school and if anyone is interested they must let the PCC know.

Alan Ward thanked everyone for a�ending and read from Romans Chapter 12. Graham Stanford thanked Jane and the pastoral team for all their work at this �me of interregnum.

11. Date of next AGM

Alan closed the mee�ng in prayer.

Annual Report

Members of the Parochial Church Council from 30[th] April 2023 to 28[th] April 2024

Rector Rev’d Ron Iveson (ex- Officio) from 11[th] October 2023

Associate Minister Revd Debbi Stott (ex-officio) Deacon Revd Betty Turner (ex-officio) Wardens Mrs Jane Matthews (re-elected 30[th] April 2023) Secretary Mr Les Evans (resigned 30[th] April 2023)

Treasurer Mrs Lynda Jones

Other members

Mrs Carol Allen

Mr Nick Alsop (resigned 10[th] January 2023) Miss Jill Anders (appointed 30[th] April 2023) Mrs Beryl Blackman (Deanery Synod member) Deceased 19/10/23 Mrs Janet Broadbent (resigned 30[th] April 2023)

Mrs Clair Culligan Mr Keith Culligan (appointed 30[th] April 2023) (2 year term)

Mr Les Evans (resigned 30[th] April 2023) Mrs Jane Fisher Mrs Julie Harris (retired 30[th] April 2023) Mr Martyn Hindle (appointed 30[th] April 2023) Mr Bob Holmes Mrs Eileen Hughes Mrs Gillian Hughes (resigned 21[st] March 2023) Mrs Lynda Jones Mr Phil Jones Mrs Lindsey Lawrence (Deanery Synod member) Mr Phil Raymond (retired 30[th] April 2023) Mrs Mandy Smith Mr Steve Smith (appointed 30[th] April 2023) Mrs Jane Stocker (Deanery Synod member) Dr Ian Stott (appointed 30[th] April 2023)

Bankers: Santander

Custodian Trustee: Chester Diocesan Board of Finance

Christ Church and Public Benefit

Christ Church Moreton PCC is a Christian charity which undertakes a variety of activities in Moreton with wide ranging public benefit. The individual sections of this report explain in some detail the activities that take place (with statistics where available) and these provide public benefit in one or more of the following areas:

Essentially everything that is done at Christ Church is open to anyone who wishes to partake. Some areas of work, for example the toddler group, are necessarily limited to certain groups of people, but anyone who falls into such a group (subject to space being available) is welcome. Some parts of church services (such as taking communion bread and wine) are restricted to members of faith, but all are welcome to attend and partake in all services. Although most of those who benefit from the PCC’s work live or work in the Moreton area, some beneficiaries are overseas (eg

the recipients of mission donations) or in other parts of the UK (eg UK societies assisted).

Most of those carrying out the church’s activity are volunteers whose benefits from the activity are incidental to their work. The Rector receives stipends on a national scale and adequate housing for the work he does in the parish, but again the benefits are necessary for the proper running of the church and are incidental.

The PCC are aware of the general guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission and this is taken into account in planning and operating the churches activities.

DEANERY SYNOD

The Deanery met three times last year in 2023 in February, May, and October to discuss matters within our Dearney regarding working together, praying for each other, planning, and sharing news and events within the Wallasey Deanery. We have representation on the Diocesan Synod meeting and share the presentations and events with Deanery and local church PCC with regular updates. The matters discussed and presentations shared:

Lindsey Lawrence– Deanery Representative / Lay Chair

RECTOR’S REPORT

Moving into a new church is always challenging and exciting with lots of expectations in the air. A new Vicar is always an unknown raising questions such as ‘what are they really like?’, ‘did the appointment panel make a good decision?’. The proof of the pudding though is in the eating and six months in I’ve never eaten so much within the life of a church. There is more cooking than I’ve ever encountered on a weekly basis! Christ Church lives off its food but that is expressive of our life; one of sharing and caring, community and hospitality, and it is this that Tracey and I have been welcomed into most fully and feel at home most deeply.

In a sense this is the heart of Christ Church the community of faith. The vision is always to be,

Making Disciples, Growing Disciples Being Disciples

and this is fleshed out in the fourfold goal of

Engaging with our wider community, Embedding our youth and family work, Establishing our financial security Expanding our every member ministry.

It was these aims that made Christ Church an attractive prospect to apply for and be part of and the warmth of the welcome has made Tracey and myself feel very much at home.

The PCC had an Away Day in March very nicely hosted by Birkenhead School and led by Jon Pocock one of the Misson advisers in the Diocese. We talked through these goals and started to reflect on where were we have been, what we can give thanks for and to what we think God is calling us. These were only the beginnings, and we will continue to think and pray and plan in light of these questions.

The life of our church in its weekly and monthly round of activity is all expressive of these goals and this heart. From Warm Hub, Men’s Breakfast, Monthly family breakfast, Mothers and Others, Friendship Group, Prayer Ministry, Home Groups, Prayer Meetings, Ladies Nights, FAB Committee, Vision Group, Outreach Group, Preachers and Leaders, Music Group, Youth Group, Sunday Club, Governors, Toddler Group, Food Bank, Pastoral Care team, Prayer Ministry, Mission Committee, and

these could not run or work without the tireless commitment of folks who are called and committed to be the Church of Christ in Christ Church, for we are indeed only ever Christ’s Church. I want to say not only have I greatly impressed by your commitment but deeply moved and challenged also.

All those events in some way or other reflect our continuing commitment to engage with our wider community more effectively and show the social heartbeat of the church. In the Old Testament Mount Zion was to be the place where all the nations flock to be fed by The Lord. In New Testament terms as the church gathers all people come to the heavenly Jerusalem to feed in exactly the same way. That is the vision of the church and slowly it is growing across the churches; people come, they hear, receive, are fed and once fed up  go back out to serve.

But what is ‘church? The reformers talked a lot about ’the marks of a church’. Addressing the question what makes a church a church? And they came up with these answers, where the Word of God is heard, the Sacraments are duly administered and where there is discipline according to the standards of the gospel. In other words where we love God and each-other.

This calling is essentially to reflect on the LIFE OF GOD within us as both as His community and as individuals who make up that community. So, this is what we pray and work for, a church filled with the life of God. But what does that look like? What marks out his LIFE in us? For a vision can be cast by the leadership but it is grown from within the whole body of the church as we all reflect on the calling which God has laid upon us.

Well first of all is LOVE. To this we are called to ‘live a life of love’ Eph 5:1. This is to characterise all that we are and do. This is to be the motivation and means of our mission. This is to be the pre-eminent sign of our fellowship. And the degree to which this is lacking shows how far we are falling from our calling. Love is neither a feeling nor an action but a feeling that flows with action. There is no such thing as indifferent love. Love involves passionate concern for something or someone. Likewise, there is no such thing as a loving action that has no feeling. The heart of hypocrisy is the behaviour that pretends to feel a certain way but has no real feeling.

So, after all that what does that mean for us? It means that the mark of church is the place where people are passionately committed to each other and act for the best interests of each other all the time. That what we are called to; and that is why we all need the grace of God every moment of everyday to carry this out. So, the question for us is do we love like this? And will we commit ourselves to it for the coming years?

Another mark in that we should be a LEARNING community. Here we learn how-to live-in love. God is a speaking God and as we listen to his Word, read, spoken, preached, meditated upon, and studied then we learn more and more of his will and his ways. We learn what he loves, what pleases him and what is best for us. The fact that God is a speaking God means that we should always be a hearing people. As Jesus said regularly ‘those with ears to hear, hear’. In other words, this is too important to miss. So, are we hearing people? Do we listen to God regularly, faithfully, longingly?

Another mark is that we should be a LAUGHING community. Some may be shocked by this after all the heavy stuff. But we are commanded to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. God promise of laughter to his people. Life is hard, hearts get broken, but nevertheless there is a place in life for good laughter. Not at each other but with each other and at ourselves. Can we do this? Will we do this?

Perhaps these three things should mark us out this year, Loving, Learning and Laughing together. What do you think? Could this be part and parcel of who you are? There is much to do this year, with congregational involvement and community engagement. But undergirding all that remains who we are as the people of God; may He continue to bless us all.

Before I close there are so many people to thank. The church officer holders, Warden, PCC, the Secretary, the Treasurer, those who serve on our Governing bodies, the Ministry Team, the Electoral Roll officer, the Safeguarding officer, those who help our worship to be lively vibrant and spiritually uplifting in music and prayers, those who faithfully step in and meet and greet, those that keep the social media and website up to date, those who give lifts to services and events, those who make tea and coffee, those who cook and set up, those who clean the Church and Centre, those who open up for various events, help with the wider community events, the people who collect and count the giving, those who give sacrificially of time, of money and of themselves , those who attend to the flowers, and the myriad of other tasks that people do faithfully and devotedly and often quietly and secretly; to them and to you all, thank you and I look forward to serving with you into the coming year…..oh and beyond!

TREASURER’S REPORT

The church accounts are included with this report.

2023 has been another difficult year financially. Our planned giving income has dropped by almost £13k since 2022, this is a combination of our faithful givers feeling financial hardship that the country is still enduring, we have also lost some beloved congregation members and some have left to seek other places of worship. At the same time costs have continued to increase in most areas, including costs to maintain our buildings, this has lead to an overall deficit position at the end of 2023 of £20k.

General funds

We finished 2023 in an underfunded position

The PCC continue to tithe the income of the church and this is donated to missions around the world as well as our local community. The tithe for 2023 was £5,112

Restricted funds

These are funds which have been received for a specific purpose and can only be spent for that purpose.

The bulk of the balance in this account, is accounted for by donations for Warm hub and youth work.

Designated Funds

These are funds which the PCC have designated for a specific purpose, but can be used for another purpose with the permission of the PCC.

This fund remained fairly static in 2023; the balance is made up from money designated for mission, our reserve as per policy and the annual Tithe.

I would like to thank everyone who contributed to and prayed for our finances during the year. I would also like to thank all members of the PCC for the careful and prayerful process they undertake with regards to financial decisions. As ever I could not undertake the role of treasurer without the support of Jane Matthews and Roberta Gray who look after the fees and weekly banking. I would also like to thank everyone who gives their time and expertise in looking after our ageing buildings, we are in a position where there is now some substantial work which will need to be done to ensure our buildings can continue to be used and their time and support is invaluable.

2024 is an exciting time for Christchurch with our new rector in place we can look to move forward into the great plans that God has for us. Please continue to pray that our work here in Moreton will be adequately financed, we all have our part to play in this work.

Lynda Jones Treasurer

CHURCHWARDEN’S REPORT

We seem to start each Churchwardens report saying how tricky and difficult it has been and this year has again been difficult as there were no nominations for a second warden to share the work. It has been fantastic that Ron joined us in October and by working together we can continue the mission of making, growing and being disciples.

Churchwardens are called to represent the people of God, it is a spiritual and missional calling, the deputy wardens Ken Ashworth and Ian Stott have been supportive to my work and I also need to reference here how sadly missed Beryl Blackman is and thank God for her support and council over the last few years.

The Churchyard is in the hands of Wirral Borough Council and they regularly check the safety of the headstones over the last couple of months.

We have the regular activities of Wirral Foodbank and Wirral Debt Advice, Leasowe Early Years run a toddler group for us. The Keep Fit class have one session a week for the older generation and we also welcome Cocaine Anonymous, for their weekly meetings. A fibromyalgia group have been meeting once a month and although their funding has now run out we hope to be able to still welcome them here for their monthly meetings which are helpful to those suffering. Moreton in bloom are active in the local community and we assist where we can with their events and offer them the use of our centre to help them prepare for events.

In church the attendance numbers are now rising and as we move forward with Ron into a new season, I would like to thank those who are helping out, both on the rota’s and at various events as without volunteer help we would not be able to continue God’s work here in Moreton.

Jane Matthews

PCC SECRETARY’S REPORT

In abeyance of an appointed PCC secretary minutes have been taken by Clair Culligan.

Even though we have no PCC Secretary in place to write a report on the PCC’s activities, the PCC have met six times in the year with extra meetings called when needed. The PCC away day in Birkenhead School in March was well attended and enabled the PCC to take a step back and think about the achievements and to look forward with what works well and leave behind the activities which are not working.

The PCC continue to be supported by Facilities and Buildings committee, Pastoral care team, Youth and Children committee and the Global Missions team. Each one of these committees puts in a great deal of time and energy and without these teams, the work of the PCC would be so much more difficult. A huge thank you goes out to each, and every person serving.

The Outreach committee disbanded but the work they were to look after is continuing such as the Warm hub, Men’s breakfast, newly started Ladies fellowship and social media.

Once again Eileen has served as Electoral Roll Officer, and we thank her for this

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 11[th] July 2023

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:

Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

GLOBAL MISSIONS TEAM

The purpose of the Global Mission Team is to encourage the Church family to engage with mission agencies and Christian Charities, and to pray for and resource where possible the specific agencies we support.

We now have two mission families that we are supporting by prayer and tithegiving: Anna and Zhenya Polozkov working in Siberia with YWAM, and Michael and Jenni working with Mission Aviation Fellowship. Anna and Zhenya now send us regular news updates and prayer requests which are put up on the Mission noticeboard in the parish centre. Similar updates are about to begin with Michael and Jenni. It is hoped that we might have opportunity to update the congregation monthly in Sunday services to help people at Christ Church get to know these families and be encouraged to pray for them and correspond with them as the opportunities arise.

Since the last APCM, Christ Church has supported a number of mission agencies and individuals in their work both financially and through regular prayer updates, including Steve and Mandy Smith in their work with MCYC Youth Camps.

Though it is still virtually impossible to get any news from our link parish of All Saints in Bunia in the Congo because of the political situation, we have continued to pray for Reverend Japhet Ruhigwa and the congregation. It is good news that the ABC Link with the dioceses of Aru and Boga has received a new lease of life, and we are again receiving regular prayer pointers from both provinces.

Thank you all for your generous support both in prayer and giving that has enabled us to support global mission this year through the distribution of £5,890 from the tithe. Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters overseas, for the UK church and particularly our own Diocese of Chester.

With every blessing

Debbi Stott

FABRICS AND BUILDINGS COMMITTEE REPORT

The role of the Facilities Committees is to ensure the upkeep and smooth running of the buildings and equipment of Christ church.

The FAB committee depend entirely upon the dedication of the volunteers who work tirelessly, both during the monthly working parties and throughout the weeks, to perform the unending task of maintaining our buildings. Whether it is

fixing lights (internal and external), unblocking toilets, fixing cracks in the paths or hand basins, painting lines in the car park or removing rubbish from the grounds, it is all performed by a few dedicated people. While their ceaseless efforts often go unnoticed, if they did not perform this myriad of jobs, large and small, the absence of their labours would soon be noticed.

A key achievement for the past year was the installation of the handrails leading up the steps to the chancel. This is a clear safety feature that will benefit all, not just those who may be unsteady on their feet.

While the rails may look like they have always been there, obtaining them has been a long journey. The alignment of the requirements from the diocese faculty, architects, and craftsmen combined with the rapidly rising price of materials and a desire to keep costs to an acceptable level has made this a quest that would have daunted many people less persistent than our talented volunteers.

Plans to install external rails are progressing. They were slowed down by the local council closing our application for planning permission because they, mistakenly, thought that the church was not a listed building.

I am also pleased to report that the role of fire warden has been ably filled. This means that not only are our regular checks being performed but that they are all be recorded as required.

A key task for the year was to prepare the rectory for the family of our new rector. While the diocese undertook the major building work, the task of finishing the rectory and maintaining the garden fell to the loyal band of Christ Church volunteers.

My thanks to all members of the FAB committee and our wider band of volunteers for their work throughout the past year.

The working party meet the first Saturday of the month, at 10am by the parish centre. Whatever your skills or level of fitness, your help would be greatly appreciated. Tea & coffee provided.

Ian Stott

PASTORAL CARE MANAGEMENT TEAM

The overall work of the Pastoral Care Management Team is to provide prayerful support and remind people how much God loves them, to show care, compassion, and empathy to those in our church family and community who are in need of

support. For those parishioners who are unable to attend church due to being housebound we will take home communion monthly.

We ask the Family of Christ Church to please bring people in need to our attention so we can offer the appropriate support. All the work of the Pastoral Care Team is confidential and is carried out with the permission of the recipient.

The Christ Church Friendship Group has providing entertainment and afternoon teas to the elderly in our community who are live alone, this has been much appreciated. Our Pastoral Care has been shown in our bereavement support and by the running of ‘The Bereavement Journey’ which ran in the summer. Four people attended the group, this enabled people to share their own experience of grief with each other, supporting each other and forming good relationships.

The Warm Hub Project allows the Pastoral Care to encourage people to visit for warmth and light refreshments.

To clarify the role of the Pastoral Care Management Team a booklet will soon be available explaining the work and the services provided.

The Pastoral Care Management Team would like to acknowledge Beryl Blackman, thanking God for her, for her loyal and compassionate service over many years in Pastoral Ministry at Christ Church Moreton. Beryl was so faithful, so kind and so caring, serving faithfully in her role as Pastoral Worker, Friend, and Sister in Christ.

Jane Fisher

PRAYER MINISTRY

1 John 5:14-15 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him.”

Prayer continues to underpin all we do at Christ Church, and we give particular thanks to God for the answer to prayer that is our new rector, Ron Iveson and his wife, Tracey.

Prayer takes many forms at Christ Church. A small group continues to meet for morning prayer on Zoom on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and we have welcomed our Rector to this group in recent months.

Monthly prayer meetings have also continued in the Parish Centre, on the first Wednesday of each month at 2pm and 7.45. Sadly, the number of people attending these meetings has continued to decline over the past year, but we have seen some new faces join our ranks for which we give thanks. We would

welcome any feedback or ideas that you might have as to how we might encourage more people from Christ Church to join us at these meetings. As always, there is no pressure to pray out loud, but simply to come together and seek God’s will for us as his people living and serving in our local community.

The prayer chain remains very active with many people from the local community asking for prayer through friends at Christ Church. Though the number of requests have dropped, the Say One For Me pray cards accessible outside the church school, inside church and in the parish centre continue to be a means by which members of the local community can ask for prayer.

Prayer ministry continues to be available at the front of church at 10.45 am and from clergy or service leaders at 9 am.

Within each of these areas we are privileged to support those who come seeking prayer for whatever reason; to be making, growing and being disciples, through the practice and encouragement of praying for one another, and seeing God answer prayer. I have been encouraged by the number of people who have chosen to share answered prayer with myself or other members of the team over the past year.

I am grateful for the faithful commitment of the prayer ministry team and encourage you to be praying for them as they continue to serve in this way.

Praying together allows us to release our burdens, find solace in God's presence, and experience His peace that surpasses all understanding. May you know God’s peace this coming year.

Debbi Stott

CHRIST CHURCH FRIENDSHIP CLUB REPORT FOR 2023

In 2022 we had received much fewer referrals of disadvantaged families needing help from the Family Pack Project. We felt that this was due to an increasing number of local agencies offering them help and the setting up of Community Shops at the schools. We therefore decided this year, to shift the emphasis of help to the elderly and isolated in Moreton whilst at the same time being available, when needed, to help those families who were referred to us. We therefore felt it necessary to rename the project Christ Church Friendship Club to reflect this change in emphasis.

We held an afternoon tea in June and December for 40 Senior citizens in Moreton who live alone. We were able to provide musical entertainment as well as a free raffle and bingo. We collected donations of £150 for Age UK as many of the guests are linked with them and the project is often supported by them. In December Ron Iveson entertained us with his singing and there was also a free raffle and bingo plus Christmas treat bags for all who attended. These events were much appreciated by all. We give thanks to Chris Henderson from Cargill who provided us with thermal cups for each person who attended at Christmas. We also thank the children at Christ Church School who gave those at the Christmas event a hand made card and decoration.

In all we have had 92 people attending the afternoon teas this year, many of whom are regulars but we also have new people attending at each event which is encouraging.

We are so grateful to our wonderful team of helpers and to our church family who have regularly helped us with donations, their time and prayer. We know the help we have given has been much appreciated by all who have benefited.

We thank God for blessing this project and pray that we may continue to serve Him in this way.

Clair Culligan and Jane Fisher

WORK WITH CHILDREN/FAMILIES

TODDLER GROUP

The Toddler group called Stay and Play runs at the centre on Tuesday mornings from 9.30am to 10.30am. It is organised by the Outreach team at Leasowe Early Years and we provide the refreshments every week.

The numbers of parents and grandparents attending has increased with up to 20 adults attending with their children and it is enjoyed by all who go. It is encouraging to witness regulars coming every week. We are able to advertise church events through them and they are happy for us to give out information or leaflets to the parents concerning anything we may be planning. Leasowe Early Years team were very grateful for the toys they received for the disadvantaged families following our Toy Service.

The Christmas party was very successful with lots of children attending. Ron Iveson was a very welcome surprise guest as Father Christmas and Alison

Entwistle gave all the children a book about the Christmas story and some chocolate.

We would like to thank all those who help with refreshments and chat to the parents and children every week as it means that we can have a church presence in this group.

Clair Culligan & Alison Entwistle

SUNDAY CLUB

Sunday Club has continued to support our children and young people in helping them learn more about Jesus and the Bible each week. We normally have between 3 and 8 children each week ranging from ages 5-12. With new and also returning families coming to church we have been able to vary the teaching and activities each week.

The children have really enjoyed the short teaching videos alongside craft sessions then shoeing their parents what they have made..

Leaflets have been given out at Christ Church School, Toddler Group and at the Moreton in Bloom events in the Parish Centre, this has ensured that we are able to reach out to the community to see if they want to bring their children along.

At Christmas we held a party for the children which they really enjoyed and they all went away with books about the birth of Jesus and a selection box.

We are blessed that we have wonderful committed volunteers, led by Mandy, Roberta, Jill, Steph, Jo and Tracey has now come on board too. Thank you for your continued support and all the work that you do.

Mandy Smith

YOUTH GROUP

The youth group at Christ church runs for 3 Thursdays a month during term time from 6 to 7.30pm. There is a regular group of 7 children who come, only 2 of which are regular attenders of Christ church. The group has a great team of volunteers who work on a rota to cover each week and I am very grateful for their loyalty and support for our youth group.

The group starts with football in the hall and the option of games or craft in the drop in, Food is provided each week, there is a short bible message, on a relevant teenage subject and then the young people go to the youth room to enjoy table tennis, pool, game consoles and a tuck shop.

Its been great to see the children come back week after week and to have a safe space to relax and enjoy each others company. We are looking at the format of the group to see if this still meets the needs of the group and also ways of expanding the group and reaching out so that more young people can attend each week. We would appreciate your prayers as we seek to do this. Lynda Jones

Lynda Jones

BUILDING THE CHURCH – OUTREACH & DISCIPLESHIP

HOME GROUPS

Christ church has a few home Groups mee�ng at the moment we have Two Wednesday night ones and a Tuesday evening one and now we have Monday a�ernoon one with some of the ladies who went to Be�ys Thursday a�ernoon group the Monday one will meet once a month at

2 o clock at The Rectory as Ron will be leading this one , the home groups our a place where we can share the Bible study notes which Ron has prepared for us and we can all talk our way through this series as to some things we can discuss with each other and also its a place where we can share a prayer �me together and no its all confiden�al and also the social side of mee�ng, as we don’t always see each other every Sunday so be encouraged to find a homegroup if you feel it is what you would like to explore so Thank you for all the leaders of the groups.

God Bless

Carol Allen

MEN’S BREAKFAST

Men’s breakfast continues to be an important part of men’s fellowship here at Christ Church Moreton. We meet on the 3[rd] Saturday of each month and enjoy a rather traditional full English breakfast, fellowship and a short talk. The continued success of Men’s breakfast comes out of our vision of Growing Disciples, through this ministry we have been able to spread the good news of the Gospel to mature and Christians and a good way of bringing the Gospel to men who don’t yet believe in Jesus.

During 2023 we have maintained our numbers with between 25- 30 men attending each month from 3 or 4 different churches across Wirral. We continue to encourage people to bring along non-Christians so we can help let them know the good news of the Gospel in a relaxed setting.

In 2023 we had the theme of ‘what would Jesus say to……………’ this enabled our speakers to choose a good range of subjects across including King Charles III and the Archbishop of York (sadly they couldn’t attend though), we have been fortunate to continue with having a number of guest speakers over the last 12 months too.

We continue to be blessed with a great team of people who prepare the food so thanks to Les Evans, Bob Holmes and Ian Stott for their work each month.

Steve Smith

WARM HUB

Our warm hub opened up in December 2022 after we were successful in securing grant funding from the Council to support the local community in the cost of living crisis and reducing isolation. The warm hub was open from Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 4pm, offering free hot drinks, toast and a hot meal at lunchtime. Keep warm packs were provided to visitors during the winter or a parcel of food if needed. The warm hub was staffed with volunteers entirely from church and proved very popular with the local community, church members and the volunteers themselves.

Despite the Council funding ending in October 2023 our brilliant volunteers wanted to continue opening but for 2 days a week. Due to some generous donations we have been able to continue to stay open. The hub has been a real blessing to the community with many people coming back week in week out with new support networks and friendships being developed.

During 2023 over 1600 people visited the hub which reflects how welcoming our volunteers have been.

Thank you to all our volunteers:

Jane, Martyn, David, George, Helen, Gina, Tommy, Carol, John, Anne, Jeanette, Barrie, Clair, Keith, Roberta, Cath, Angel, Red, Eileen, Betty.

Steve and Mandy Smith

Annual Accounts

For the year ended 31[st] December 2023

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Clwisl Church Moreton Accounts INCOME £53.C63.77 £5.147.47 £11,470_15 £6.590.94 £5.095L Pthnéd G'viro C¢Jsh cc18cl￿lr lax fefLK £40.307.CO £IOA15.24 £12.(X12.98 .464.43 £4.755.1YJ £81.387J3 £70.344.65 £79.61 £3.061 Inlèrèsl FLfftOI Fé•s WeJ(ro Foos £655.44 £1934. £3J)£ £523.69 £25620 £667.60 £21318 £212_04 £210m £W.39 £174.43 £élJ7.CO l¥0 BLY Tod( Ftrr￿y &aokf4JsI Lades Lunch Events £494llD £8B.181.75 £77.477.71 EXPB401lliitE 7Y £52.4n.74 £56.396.76 £4JS_03 £2.284.93 £Sg G88.61 £33.46 £1.469.27 R8ct(x Exp￿$ cmd Phc +kn￿S casts Curole Exper￿ ar#J Ph¢ ChJrch Ulthiés Cmrch Iwcnc• ChJrch f•PQn Mcit £2.4fJJl £4.795.74 £25).45 £64823 £54.10 £397n6 £603.12 £2&3.47 £125.60 £2.199.21 £4XJ.97 £3.111. £1.037.17 £25224 £2CF.06 £6.223 £1.524J7 £525a7 £12834 È2.571.04 £5.143.23 £2.1 XJ.CQ £ffj727 £43.14 Ch1dr•nsly￿lh wek £654.78 Cmfchytsd £1,058.49 £1.552.70 £l.C09.S9 £2.&31.90 £5.123. £193.54 £143.18 £6.577.20 £1.399.81 £415XI £59.03 Pthlsh eénfrè u1￿1& Pclth c￿￿• cesx>3 orJ fl￿1 Food lry c•ntr• Ollte sloknffiy ccxrwl Olfice lelepfor

Clwlsl Chwch MLYeton Accounts £333.45 £93.43 £103.93 £113a6 Mers ly•oklost Lo(Sos Lunch Fcxr &eoklost aonk chcxges Cc6ts li¢yn Restrtted Iw#J5 rttt¥ml Cmst CtKHctt Schod èxpèns Evénts Pro18￿(￿* costs £431fl £5aS £153.tr2 27.791 £118.63 £360. £3). £39).64 £1 s).(x) TOTAL EXPEMDITUIE 2.$49.30 Accovrt Trofj £5.823.12 ril .11222 (£3.718.10) {£464.76) (£20.I8173) 1£2.522.971 W••kty undul(O¥w•nd) £297.21402 £88.189.75 £86.C64.73 £5.823.12 £293.496.n £77.477.79 £V2.549.3J £5.11222 £ctsJnt tronsl&s £293.41i.n lal(YK• el funds 2273.311

Deslgnat•d Funds account YTD INCOIIAE YTD £5.823.12 £0. £0. £o.&J £0. £o.c £0. L5.11222 Ic Ioys l¢J cmrch YC Spc￿6USh Iro¥ng Its youlh ¢Jnd cfth•n £5.823.12 TOTAL I4COME EXPENDITURE £6,8X).CO £o.c#) £906.71 £o.co £54.99 £o.c £0. £0. Mfjyon¢Yy poyrmtrnts £5.9rii.co Hal r8d•c¢xotl Tcjys ltr Cfwrch Iror•ro Icx youlh chilth•n MCYC S￿￿¢￿s￿ Lights in pc•lth c4mtr4 £7.78l.70 TOTAL EXPENDITURE £5.901. £36.726.V2 £34.768J4 £5.823.12 Incom& fc Ihts v £5.11222 £7.781.70 e Ic lh8 £5.￿1.( £34 768.34 Balanc• ol Ivnds

R•5￿cl•d lund Occo￿t •KOIIE )nJ £651.55 ityy 0￿￿011¥a V.&)5 £￿￿.55 126T.94 1.40 £1.217.n £oD) £197.50 £isJ6 £otr)J P¢ylsh centre ri.57UO £ODJ £ODJ 112 £oD) £174.dO 115m P4d Mstrn￿ c(Yd £157. £25m £65ft.dg £1.77&04 £837.10 £1.58B.) £1.713.97 £oJ)J 14.49U• TOTAL WCOA tJo.n& £7A)5£rf) £1295 £185.C £4r2.Is £123.23 £4551.23 £X44.47 £1.239_12 £3Tr.39 £1 >J£ £OJ)J £1277.63 £10 £i.do4Ji L72.47 £922 ugx) gom affic¥) ￿ft1 127.17 £17.976.47 fL31.35 £om 1.698.78 £oJx) .07&n .49&49 Income t(x Ihtr £3&n5.$7 £8.468.57 £37 954.71 t•.078.n t7.859_58

Famli y pack accounts COA £70.C(I £1.698.04 £15.CO CrfOk￿Ce £3.358.03 £1.968n4 £2.045Tr? tel Ih £753.53 £3.358.03 £3.61?.9)

Wollosey Deonery occovnts COME £1201XI £90.c¢) £120.IXI TOTAL INCOhlE £gQ(Y) EXPtNDmiiE £o.co 1110Tr4•1 £198_22 £45.CO Grfts £121_70 £121.70 TOTAL EXPENDiniiiE 1243.22 £188a3 £186.63 £120m £90.0) £121.70 f(x1118 £243.22 £186A3

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