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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St. Mary's Ash Vale

2023-12-31-accounts

Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Ash Vale Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year 2023

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Table of Contents

1 Aims and purposes........................................................................................................................................3 2 Objectives and activities................................................................................................................................3 2.1 Electoral Roll and Church Attendance.......................................................................................................................3 2.2 Management – Staff, Premises & Finance................................................................................................................3 2.3 Safeguarding (Anna White).......................................................................................................................................3 2.4 Administration..........................................................................................................................................................4 2.5 Premises report (Martin Lindsay on behalf of the Premises Committee)................................................................4 2.6 Missions and Charities: Outward Giving...................................................................................................................4 2.7 Finance (Patrick Brown)............................................................................................................................................5 2.7.1 Summary...........................................................................................................................................................................5 2.7.2 Details...............................................................................................................................................................................5 2.8 Summary of PCC meetings 2023...............................................................................................................................6 2.9 Project Manager's report – January to December 2023...........................................................................................7 2.9.1 Opening up the Church.....................................................................................................................................................7 2.9.2 Chapel Project...................................................................................................................................................................7 2.10 Pastoral Care (Nikki Glover and Sally Lowe)...........................................................................................................9 2.11 Fellowship groups (Jane Cox)..................................................................................................................................9 2.12 Youth and Children's Ministry.................................................................................................................................9 2.12.1 Sunday School (Martin Lindsay)......................................................................................................................................9 2.12.2 God's Treasure Hunters...................................................................................................................................................9 2.13 Ecumenical News....................................................................................................................................................9 2.14 Prayer at St Marys 2023 .......................................................................................................................................10 2.15 Worship and Ministry in the Church (Peter Scott)................................................................................................10 2.16 Vicar's report.........................................................................................................................................................11 3 Administrative information..........................................................................................................................14 3.1 Address....................................................................................................................................................................14 3.2 PCC Membership.....................................................................................................................................................14 3.2.1 Ex Officio members: ......................................................................................................................................................14 3.2.2 Elected members: ..........................................................................................................................................................14 3.2.3 Co-opted members.........................................................................................................................................................14 3.2.4 Sub-Committees of the PCC............................................................................................................................................14 4 Independent Examiner's Report..................................................................................................................15 5 Annual Accounts (Patrick Brown).................................................................................................................16 5.1 Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31st December 2023..........................................................16 5.2 Balance Sheet at 31st December 2023...................................................................................................................17 5.3 Accounting Policies.................................................................................................................................................18 5.3.1 Basis of Financial Statement...........................................................................................................................................18 5.3.2 Fund Accounting.............................................................................................................................................................18 5.3.3 Incoming Resources........................................................................................................................................................18 5.3.4 Resources Used...............................................................................................................................................................18 5.3.5 Fixed Assets.....................................................................................................................................................................18 5.3.6 Investments....................................................................................................................................................................19 5.3.7 Current Assets.................................................................................................................................................................19 5.3.8 Current Liabilities............................................................................................................................................................19 5.4 Incoming Resources................................................................................................................................................20 5.5 Resources Expended...............................................................................................................................................21 5.6 Staff Costs................................................................................................................................................................22 5.7 Transfers Between Funds........................................................................................................................................22 5.8 Fixed Assets.............................................................................................................................................................22 5.9 Current Assents.......................................................................................................................................................22 5.9.1 Debtors...........................................................................................................................................................................22 5.9.2 Cash in Band and in Hand...............................................................................................................................................23 5.10 Liabilities...............................................................................................................................................................23 5.11 Funds.....................................................................................................................................................................24 5.11.1 Designated funds..........................................................................................................................................................24 5.11.2 Restricted funds............................................................................................................................................................24 5.11.3 Movement in Funds......................................................................................................................................................25

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1 Aims and purposes

St. Mary’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Neil Lambert, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the church building of St. Mary's Ash Vale.

Members of the PCC are either ex-officio (licensed Clergy and Readers, the elected Churchwardens, and Deanery Synod Representatives), elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM), or co-opted because of special responsibilities they hold in the Church.

Elected members serve initially for three years. The PCC meets at least six times a year to conduct its business and pray together.

2 Objectives and activities

2.1 Electoral Roll and Church Attendance

At the APCM on 28th April 2023 the revised Electoral Roll was presented by Lesley Murphy, St Mary’s Electoral Roll Officer. At that time there were 87 names on the electoral roll, of these 66 are resident in the Parish.

The usual Sunday attendance numbers were taken over four Sundays in October 2023. These numbers include those worshipping on Zoom as well as those worshipping in Church.

The figures for a 'normal' Sunday were recorded as: 74 adults and 12 under 16s.

During 2023 there were 7 baptisms, no marriages in church, 1 funeral in church and 5 funerals were conducted by the clergy elsewhere.

2.2 Management – Staff, Premises & Finance

2.3 Safeguarding (Anna White)

During 2023 St Mary’s has introduced the online Parish Safeguarding Dashboard. St Mary’s is now a Level 2 Church. There are 3 Levels to complete on the Dashboard. The PCC have been sent a booklet 'Promoting a Safer Church' by the Diocese following compliance. This dashboard is visible to the Diocese as a check on compliance with Safeguarding issues.

St Mary’s joined over 3,000 churches across the UK and hosted its second Safeguarding Sunday. It was an opportunity for us to share what our church is doing to make it a safer place for everyone and to thank those who work behind the scenes to make it happen.

Our Sunday School is flourishing and many new families and their children joining our weekly Sunday School. Our young people (in Year 6 and above) have started their own young people’s Bible study group called Treasure Hunters. They meet fortnightly. Activities so far have included baking cakes in order to fundraise to go bowling and enjoying bonfires. Last October half term, a group of our young people attended Danehill Ventures. Danehill Ventures is a holiday camp with a Christian focus, with various talks and workshops. The young people thoroughly enjoyed their time away.

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The following training has happened this year:

Alex Sanderson Basic Awareness, Foundation, Leadership Training.

The Safeguarding team has sought advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Team on one occasion in the last year.

The Chapel at Ash Vale now has its own Safeguarding Officer. St Mary’s helps with projects like foodbanks, toddler time. St Mary’s is working jointly with the Chapel to help support the Safeguarding Officer when the need arises.

2.4 Administration

Rachel Watts became our Parish Administrator in June 2023 and Alex Sanderson continued in her role as Project Manager for St Mary's and the Chapel.

The APCM 2023 was held in April both on Zoom and in Church.

The iKnow App which was purchased in 2019 continues to enable the Administrator to keep all Church members who have a computer informed and helps with Data Protection compliance.

The old redundant photocopier has been moved freeing up space in the Narthex for coincident meetings when the large and small halls are also coincidentally in use.

Hall Bookings are managed by Jackie with a team at St Mary's. St Mary's has taken on additional regular daytime hirers during 2023 and the groups that use the Hall regularly continue to be very welcome; they form a community of their own. From Brownies and Rainbows to Dance Classes, Pilates to Fitness Classes, Dog Training to U3a Groups of Country Dancing and Tai Chi; the groups that meet in our building are wide in range and committed to continuing to use our facilities. We have also benefited from a lot of party bookings.

2.5 Premises report (Martin Lindsay on behalf of the Premises Committee)

This year there have been the execution of more works and jobs to maintain the church in preparation for those required by the time of the quinquennial review which was due in November 2023 but was delayed until early January 2024. There has been work on the roof slopes and ridges and both toilets have required further ongoing maintenance. Repairs to sections of the car park surfaces, a missing filter in the cooked hood in the kitchen has been replaced and the defective outside light over the rear entrance to the main hall has been replaced with a new modern light. The outside automatic light illuminating the disabled slope to the main entrance of the church will require a professional installation because of the need for appropriate scaffolding and is in hand as a priority in 2024.

There has been steady progress on the Quinquennial report; it is estimated that 85% of jobs have been completed since the last one 6 years ago – these are jobs that the Diocese sets the church to remedy with different time aims. The painting of the edge of the front steps to make them more safe, fixing the external light leading to the Community Centre and the maintaining the corridor surface of the Community Centre has been completed.

As in previous years, the annual checks were carried out, i.e. servicing of fire extinguishers and the two boilers.

We'd like to say a big thank you for all those who have contributed their time to complete these jobs – not only saving the church a great deal of money, but also providing a high-quality service.

2.6 Missions and Charities: Outward Giving

The PCC agreed a total of around £6,570 of financial support to a variety of missions and charities both at home and overseas from our planned giving which is in line with our commitment to giving 10% of our planned income.

At the PCC meeting on 24th January 2024 the PCC confirmed that 90% of this financial support would be given to the same 3 recipients as previous years , which are:

30% (£1,970) each to:

Amaha We Uganda

Young peoples’ work including Danehill support costs

Weeks' and Retallick’s Music and Arts Ministry

Of the remaining 10% (£660) only £310 was used on small donations, each of £100 or less.

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2.7 Finance (Patrick Brown)

2.7.1 Summary

In 2022 we had a deficit of just under £20,000 and faced a deficit in normal running costs of a similar magnitude for the foreseeable future. It was pointed out that this was an unsustainable position as we would have to use our reserves (shares in the CBF investment fund) to make ends meet which were unlikely to last much beyond the end of 2023. It was hoped that this ongoing deficit would be addressed through the stewardship campaign starting in early 2023.

The good news is that following the stewardship campaign and other significant increases in income and also savings in expenditure, we ended 2023 with a small surplus of around £1,300. This represents a turn-around of around £21,300 in normal running costs. However, the full effects of the increase in planned giving from the stewardship campaign will not be fully realised until near the end of 2024 and church members are asked to continually to review their planned giving so that we do not stagnate and fall into ongoing deficits but can use future surpluses to reinvest in mission and church growth.

2.7.2 Details

Our overall net worth at the end of 2023 was around £83,000 as compared with £65,400 the previous year – an increase of around £17,600. This increase was as a result of increases in general funds of around £1,900 and in restricted funds of around £15,700. The increase in general funds was as a result of increased income and expenditure of around £21,000 and £14,100 respectively, combined with the carried forward deficit in general funds in 2022 of around £5,000. The increase in restricted funds was as a result of increased income and expenditure of around £16,500 and £8,400 respectively, combined with an upward revaluation of our shares value of £2,600 as compared to a downward revaluation of £5,000 in 2022.

Invested funds increased in value by around £2,600 in 2023 as compared to a decrease of around £17,100 in 2022. This increase was as a result of not having to sale any shares to make ends meet and the upward revaluation of them during 2023 (see above). The market value of our shares as at 31 December 2023 was around £30,200 as compared to £26,800 in 2022. Income during the year was around £182,000 which was £37,500 higher than the previous year’s income of £144,500. This increase was made up in increases in both unrestricted and restricted funds of around £21,000 and £16,500 respectively. The increase in unrestricted income was mainly as a result of increases in planned giving (including tax recovered from gift aid), in hall hire income, once off gift aid recovery from previous years, Sunday coffee income of £9,900, £6,300, £3,200 and £1,200 respectively.

The increase in restricted income was mostly as a result of increased grant income of around £21,500 and a reduction in sundry donations (including tax recovered from gift aid) of around £4,800. The increase in grants was as a result of increases in Food Parcel Project and Warm Hubs grants of around £17,300 and £1,500 respectively as well as a onceoff grant for the Chapel Community Fridge of £3,000 and a reduction in the Change X grant of around £300.

Expenditure during the year was around £167,000 was £5,700 higher than the previous year’s expenditure of £161,300. This was made up of an increase in unrestricted expenditure of around £14,100 and a reduction in restricted expenditure of around £8,400.

The main reason for the increase in unrestricted expenditure was the increase in the Parish Share paid from general funds of around £15,500 as we able to pay it from current funds rather than sell shares as we had done in the previous years. This was offset to some extent by a reduction in the costs of our Parish Administrator, who retired in May, of around £5,100 and an increase in utility costs of around £2,000.

The reduction in restricted expenditure was mainly as a result of a reduction in Parish of around £14,000 expenditure (see above increase in unrestricted expenditure) offset to some extent by an increase in the costs of the Food Parcel Project of around £8,200 and a reduction in the costs of the Refugee Project of around £2,800 as a result of the project being closed down in early 2023.

The Community Centre showed a gain of £1,800 as compared to a loss of £400 in 2022, an overall increase of £2,200. This gain in in 2023 was made up of increases in income and expenditure of around £5,600 and £3,400 respectively which was mostly as a result of increased hall hire income and increased utility and other support costs.

Our Investment policy did not change during 2023 and continued to be to reinvest the interest from our restricted share account held with the Church of England Central Board of Finance (CBF).

Although the church buildings do not appear specifically in the Church accounts as they are consecrated property and are therefore excluded from the financial statements, the PCC has a responsibility for their insurance. Our insurance

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cover through the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group was £5 million for buildings and contents, £10 million for employers’ liability and £10 million for public and products liability. The insurance premium (including tax) paid during 2023 was around £1,600.

2.8 Summary of PCC meetings 2023

Key decisions and themes this year which do not appear elsewhere in the APCM report

If you have any questions over this or any other PCC matter please see Rev Neil, or a PCC member.

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2.9 Project Manager's report – January to December 2023

The Project Manager role at St Mary’s is a part-time position, 16.5 hours per week. Alex Sanderson continued in this role throughout 2023. The role covers 2 key priorities:

  1. Opening up the church for the community during the week

  2. Day to day Project Management at The Chapel (ecumenical project jointly with HSB Methodist Circuit).

2.9.1 Opening up the Church

2.9.2 Chapel Project

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We look forward to more fun and friendship in 2024.

St Mary's and the Chapel give grateful thanks for all volunteering and funding support received in 2023.

This includes community funding from Co-op community fund, Surrey CC Warm Hub funding, Methodist Circuit finding towards Project Manager wages, Methodist district funding towards the Chapel warm spaces, Lottery, SPARKS, ASPIRE and other grant funding for food parcels and all our local generous donors who support us in all we do. Without your financial help we could not stay open as a church or employ our Project Manager. Without your time and talents as volunteers we could not deliver any of these projects. Without your donations in kind for events, fundraising, community fridge, and Food Parcels we could not deliver help for the local community.

You are making all the difference! We look forward to working with you in 2024.

Grants Received 2023

Date
Jan 23
Jan 23
Apr 23
Aug 23
Nov 23
Nov 23
Nov 23
Nov 23
Dec 23		 Amount
Organisation
Restricted Use
3,000.00
Community Fridge Grant
Chapel Community Fridge
210.00
Change X Grant
Chapel
780.00
SCC Warm Hubs Grant
Friday Café Warm Hub
2,000.00
SPARKS Grant
Food Parcels Project
780.00
SCC Warm Hubs Grant
Friday Café Warm Hub
780.00
SCC Warm Hubs Grant
Monday Chapel Café Warm Hub
14,808.06
National Lottery Grant
Food Parcel Project (Wages, food and Chapel utilities)
10,000.00
Community Foundation Grant
Food Parcel Project (Wages and food)
685.95
National Lottery Grant
Food Parcel Project (Wages and Chapel utilities)
£33,044.01

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Thank you for all you do. If you would like to contact our Project Manager about any of the above events and groups please phone or text 07730 609446.

Projectmanager@ash-vale.org.uk

2.10 Pastoral Care (Nikki Glover and Sally Lowe)

Sally and I have been once again blessed by being the pastoral support team for St Mary’s. We have been very busy with phone calls, checking up on various parishioners and Sally is always sending get well and condolence cards where necessary. We have been able to do home visits together most of the time, but occasionally, either one of us may do a solo visit. I have given home communion to some parishioners when needed. Sally and I keep each other apprised of those in need and pray for them. As ever, there is always more to do, so if anyone feels called to join us, then please contact either one of us. Being able to serve our church family and God in this way blesses Sally and myself greatly.

2.11 Fellowship groups (Jane Cox)

Six home-groups met regularly in 2023, some weekly, others fortnightly. During Lent most studied 1 Corinthians following a course produced by the Bible Project. A group also met before the Sunday morning service to follow the same course and it was linked to sermons. Over the Summer home-groups followed their own devices, but during the autumn all followed the Bible Society’s excellent course on Romans. Once again, a group met before Sunday services to follow the course.

One group also chose to meet one Sunday a month, in addition to their regular meetings, to watch ‘The Chosen’ together. This initiative proved very popular.

Steve Cox ran a Beginners Group which met weekly for about 3 months. The group continues to meet once a month for ongoing fellowship.

2.12 Youth and Children's Ministry

2.12.1 Sunday School (Martin Lindsay)

This year’s Sunday School register has a regular 14 - 16 children who attend, which is similar to last year, with 4 or 5 new children coming in.

There now are 3 leaders and 10 others who assist. We continue to take Roots, Godly play and other creative activities including the new Sunday school orchestra where children’s confidence grows with music worship. We continue to correspond with the liturgy, Gospel and take part regularly with Neil at the start of services with short sessions before they go in.

In addition, we had our 2nd safeguarding session to work alongside the adult safe service, including holding a fire drill, first aid sessions, looked at health and safety items including talking about keeping safe online and on the internet.

Finally, I would like to thank the helpers, children, parents and all who support our children’s ministry, and Anna in her safeguarding role keeping the children’s ministry safe, a very important part of St. Mary’s.

2.12.2 God's Treasure Hunters

Starting after the summer a new group was started aimed at the older children, 10 years and up, which met from 4pm until 6pm on Sunday afternoons. On several of these occasions there were bonfires in the vicarage garden but there was always games, fun, food, prayer and discussion. Several of the group attended the Ventures Danhill youth camp in the summer and in October and we will continue to encourage members of the group to do so in the future.

2.13 Ecumenical News

  1. NWCLF joined CTAAT (Churches Together in Ash, Ash Vale and Tongham) and are now regularly included in our ecumenical plan.

  2. CTAAT World Day of Prayer was hosted in 2023 by St Peter’s in Ash

  3. CTAAT gathered for the annual Walk of Witness on Good Friday . This was followed by hot cross buns at chapel. Feedback from the event was hugely positive.

  4. Remembrance Day refreshments provided by CTAAT was a wonderful team effort. It was great to have NWCLF involved with the civic service as well.

  5. Global links: we continued to welcome ecumenical friends from around the world to our services via Zoom.

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  1. Refugees Appeal Christmas 2023 – through multiple connections in CTAAT, NWCLF and wider connections in Aldershot we worked together to deliver a Christmas party and gifts distribution at a local hotel. Huge thanks to Sylvia and Barbara for taking the lead on the children’s and adults gifts respectively, and a big thank you to everyone who donated, wrapped, packed, distributed and helped run the event. We made further visits with donations of clothes and hope to visit again in 2024.

2.14 Prayer at St Mary's 2023

Monthly Prayer meetings

Our monthly prayer meetings took place on the 1st Friday of each month from January to July for about 1 hour on a Friday evening. Attended by about 4 to 5 people at each session (on average) these sessions were led by a different member of the prayer team on each occasion. During the month of August we met weekly on a Tuesday evening to pray especially for the picnic and play sessions which were held for four Wednesdays during the school holidays. Three people on average were present at each meeting. I believe that these were a blessing to Alex and the team judging from her feedback.

Contemplative Prayer

Sarah was running these sessions on alternate Wednesday evenings and would be attended by between 4 and 6 people. Lovely meditative time of prayer, fitted in well to the prayer life of St Marys.

Sunday Prayer Ministry

We have a team of 8 people who regularly are on the rota in total and about 3 who will stand in when needed. We prayer in pairs and are ready to pray for people after the Sunday Service. This is confidential and we pray for folk individually. The prayer would take place at the front of the church in front of or in the choir stalls. Feedback generally during 2023 that it was very much appreciated by those receiving prayer from the prayer ministry team.

Tuesday Prayers 11.45am after Little Lambs

Usually attended by between 3 to 5 people. This time of prayer proved to be a very useful time of sharing and praying for some of the families who come to Little Lambs and other activities during the week. We also used this time to pray for church members who are in need of support, and Sunday service and any other prayer needs that were brought to our attention.

Email Prayer Chain and WhatsApp messaging

The email prayer chain and WhatsApp messaging continued to be a valuable tool to communicate prayer needs throughout 2023. The e mail prayer chain is run by Rachel and Alex has set up the WhatsApp prayer groups.

2.15 Worship and Ministry in the Church (Peter Scott)

The weekly Sunday 10.30am service was held in Church and on Zoom. We also celebrated the annual church festivals of Easter, Pentecost and Christmas plus other special days such as All Saints.

In addition to this:

Music

Peter and Jackie Scott, Matt Weeks, Oli Mould and Jan Lusty take turns to leading worship in church regularly supported by Anna White on flute and sometimes Ben Philpot on bass. Keyboard accompaniment is usually shared between Natalie Jones and Jan Lusty with occasional contributions from Robin Barratt and Andy Johnson. The worship group meet on Monday evening once a month to share and try-out new songs and discuss ideas for worship.

Choir practice led by Peter Scott has been held weekly in the church (occasionally in the Narthex) on Tuesday evenings to practice for the coming Sunday service, explore new songs and work on presentation anthems for special services. The choir have a strong bond and enjoy meeting together to worship.

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2.16 Vicar's report

Hebrews 10 24-25: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)

If there was a theme for 2023 it would be “The year of struggle”. All around us we have seen people facing difficulties. Too many to name them all, but we are all too aware of things like the cost of living crisis, social housing crisis, mental health crisis, grief, the collapse of public services, the impacts of climate change, the long term global impacts of the COVID19 pandemic, and the devastation of conflict and war. How do we navigate these difficult times? With God at the helm. Our worship is the glue that keeps us together as a church family, and keeps our eyes fixed on God. As St Paul says, “do not neglect to meet together…” whether that be at church services, in home groups, or other networks where we share in God’s purposes and love.

When I began my ministry here, I introduced the concept of “Church Networks” as a way of mapping our depth and reach, and we set out the church vision of “Roots down… into the Gospel, Walls down… into the community”. As I look back over 2023 it is wonderful to see where God is working and map out the teams, groups and places where God is working and has called us to join in.

The Church Teams Networks and their members who keep our church, chapel and community centre running smoothly are too numerous to name, and every one of us has a role to play from the readers and welcomers to the coffee team and tidy up crew. I want to particularly thank Jackie our Church Administrator who faithfully served all the way through the pandemic, introduced new systems and communications, and delivered the annual report for 2022 expertly before retiring in May 2023. She continues her ministry looking after Hall Hire and Hear Here both of which are being blessed nightly by God, these are a huge blessing to the community. Huge thanks too, to all who have stepped in to cover aspects of the administration work since then, including Rachel who looks after the notices and emails (and me) and others who have taken on the admin for Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals, etc. At the 2023 APCM we also said a big thank you to church warden Martin, who stepped down after many years of faithful service. He continued to bless us with his ministry with Sunday school, Verger duties, Summer Fair and more. God sent Robin to take up the Churchwarden role, and we are grateful to him for all his hard work in the role this year from legal letters

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to leaking roofs, and for Charlie who continued as churchwarden and has been such a blessing to us all from Sunday school, to pizza making, to Chapel Management Committee, and everything in between. Nikki completed her Chaplaincy course and we praise God for her commissioning as Church Chaplain here at St Mary’s. Her pastoral work both here and out in the community is making all the difference. Heather stepped down from leading the flowers team after decades of faithful service, for which we want to say a very big thank you. We also thank God for Stephanie Farry who has taken this on. Lastly but certainly not least is Alex, our project manager and so much more than this. A real power house for the Kingdom of God! Her work both at Chapel and St Marys is an inspiration along with her family who are very much part of ‘the team’.

Thank you to all of you who serve in church in so many ways.

Faith Networks, where we actively deepen and grown our faith in community, are the lifeblood of our growing church and include all our faith groups, from the beginners bible story time at toddler group, to the deep conversations in home groups, and communion & worship on Sundays. We were delighted to share in many baptisms and the confirmations of Lesley, Richard and Debs within our church family during the year. It was a delight to celebrate Kate and Matt’s wedding blessing in church too. We studied the Bible Society Corinthians and Romans courses, at our “school before church” and in home groups. We thank Sarah for the new Contemplative Prayer sessions and the Prayer ministry team for their faithful service. Choir & worship team is another of our faith networks and we enjoyed hosting them at the Vicarage to celebrate a wonderful year of worship. More widely we have enjoyed great fellowship with NWCLF who worship at the Chapel and Churches Together events including World Day of Prayer and Good Fridays walk of witness. Remembrance was another highlight, where Pastor Sharkie preached and our new Lay Reader Lindy shared in the service. Let’s keep encouraging one another to grow our faith in 2024.

Our Young People networks overlap with other networks, and include toddler groups, Sunday school, Picnic and play, and new this year is “God’s Treasure Hunters” our new youth group for young people in school year 6 and above (age 10+). It is a joy to see the children free to enjoy their faith and friendships, and watch them grow so beautifully. We love their “show and tell” insights on Sundays. Visiting Forest Kids Ash was a great way to share the Easter Story with Chapel Kids and friends, and the Treasure Hunters who went to Danehill in October came back full of joy, faith and stories of their adventures. Thank you to all who helped with the Celebration of Youth for the Children's Society this year too.

Church is family and we celebrate all our brothers and sisters past and present here at St Mary’s. We said goodbye to some dear saints in 2023, including Gill, Jenny and Ed, and many members of our wider community. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, particularly in this first year, when grief is still so raw. We are with you in prayer.

Community Networks are our “fuzzy edges” where we share the hospitality of Jesus with people of all faiths and none, wherever God calls us. These times of struggle have meant we have been called to extend Community café to become a warm hub, we opened up a second café at The Chapel, the Food Parcels project continued busier than ever and started to offer fuel vouchers and baby bank items, and we opened a new Community Fridge in the Chapel car park. Thank you to all of you who supported these projects at Harvest, Christmas and more. The more joyful side of hospitality, where we share Jesus’s love around a table, included a lot of shared meals of all shapes and sizes. The Pizza oven was fired up again this year, we expanded the menu to include Falafel, and the pancakes after church once again became a regular feature. We enjoyed regular meetings with Thursday friends, and annual events such as the Light Party, Pancake Day, Summer Fair, Quiz Night, Chapel Christmas Fair, Carol Service, St Nicholas and Christingle. Our community includes the hall hirers too, and we had a great time getting to know them better a party in the vicarage garden. Celebrations in church also included the once-in-a-generation Coronation tea party with live TV coverage, welcoming our new King and defender of the faith into his new role. We enjoyed hosting church services for the community, including the Scouts Christmas Service where they celebrated their big anniversary. This year we reached out further afield too, and took a Churches Together hospitality team to provide Christmas gifts and a Christmas party for refugees in a local hotel. What a wonderful way to share the love of Jesus.

Chapel Networks are another way that God is working through St Mary’s. We thank God for our strong links with the Methodist Church who partner with us at The Chapel, for their funding support and especially Rev Gina Hoff, who faithfully represents us at circuit meetings, jointly runs Chapel Kids with Alex and is part of the Picnic and Play team every year. But The Chapel is not just about local mission with Chapel Kids, Poetry, Foodbank, Monthly Makes and Chapel Craft, but nationally and internationally through the Christian Creatives ministry. Neil, Debi and Jono, Matt and Dan formed the Chapel Lunch Club to share, inspire and support each other as Christian Creatives. Jono’s major project in 2023 was the “Fields of Everywhen” balloon and Matt Weeks has blessed us not only with his worship leading locally, but also through his own album, and his key role in creating the latest Resound Worship double album.

St Mary’s Overseas Networks are strong too. We started 2023 with a visit from William, who leads the Amaha We Uganda projects in Uganda. What a blessing to have his fellowship and listen to his progress there, and his perspective

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on our work here. The return visit was a mission visit in June/July with Helen, Sarah and myself from St Mary’s and friends from Pyrford. The women’s groups conference was a huge highlight, witnessing the incredible change in families lives made by the microfinance groups and faithful fellowship. Since then, we have also recruited a new leader for ministry to vulnerable women and girls in Customs, Uganda. Other international visitors included Jim Friedrich from Seattle who come and lead our Pentecost service, and Mark Pearson from Auckland New Zealand who spent a lot of time with our creatives and home groups, exploring and sharing ministry in all its diverse forms.

Where to next? As we prayed at the beginning of our church year “Stir us up, Lord…” so we now pray the same again, knowing that this is a brave thing to pray, and that we can be called into challenging and difficult situations, but God is always faithful. We pray for inspiration and insight, to be able to see where God is working, and join in.

Every blessing

Neil

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3 Administrative information

3.1 Address

St Mary's Church, Vale Road, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 5JE

Diocese of Guildford; Aldershot Deanery; Group Ministry with St Peter’s, Ash

Email: parishoffice@ash-vale.org.uk Charity Registration No: 1152717

Incumbent:

Rev. Neil Lambert, The Vicarage, 203 Vale Road, Ash Vale, Surrey, GU12 5JE

Bank:

The Co-operative Bank, P.O. Box 250, Dell House, Southway , Skelmersdale, WN8 6WT

Independent Examiner:

Mr Derek Monds, 13 Springfield Road, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 xxx

3.2 PCC Membership

3.2.1 Ex Officio members:

Incumbent: The Rev. Neil Lambert (Chair)

Churchwarden to April 2023: Mr Martin Lindsay

Churchwarden to April 2024: Mr Robin Barratt (Lay Chair) from April 2023 Churchwarden to April 2024: Mr Charles Lusty (Lay Chair) from May 2022 Lay-Reader: Mrs Jane Cox

Deanery Synod:

Mrs Nikki Glover from April 2022 to April 2026

Mr Patrick Brown from April 2023 to April 2026

3.2.2 Elected members:

from April 2015 to April 2023: Mr Patrick Brown

from October 2020 to April 2023: Mr Ben Philpot

from October 2020 to April 2023: re-elected from April 2023 - April 2026 Mr Jonathan Retallick from October 2020 to April 2023: re-elected from April 2023 - April 2026 Mr Peter Scott from April 2023 - April 2026 Mr Martin Lindsay

from April 2023 - April 2026 Mrs Janet Lusty

3.2.3 Co-opted members

Alexandra Sanderson (Project Manager - Staff)

Mrs Anna White (Safeguarding Officer)

3.2.4 Sub-Committees of the PCC

The Standing Committee is the only legally required sub-committee. It is made up of the Vicar, Churchwardens, Treasurer, Secretary and a PCC member. The PCC member who volunteered for the standing committee was N Glover. Premises Committee: M Lindsay (Chair), J Retallick, C Lusty and Lesley Murphy

Page 14

4 Independent Examiner's Report

Report to the PCC of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary’s Ash Vale on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for the stated year under section 144 of the Christies Act 2011 (The Charities act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention.

  1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:

  2. a. To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and

  3. b. To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act.

Have not been met; or

  1. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Derek H Monds I Eng MIET 13 Springfield Road Ash Vale Surrey GU12 5EN

Page 15

5 Annual Accounts (Patrick Brown)

5.1 Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31[st] December 2023

The notes in section 5.3 onwards form part of this account.

Page 16

5.2 Balance Sheet at 31[st] December 2023

Approved by the PCC on 31[st] March 2024 and signed on their behalf by: The Rev Neil Lambert (PCC chairman) and Mr Patrick Brown (PCC Treasurer)

Page 17

5.3 Accounting Policies

5.3.1 Basis of Financial Statement

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the Charities SORP 2005.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the financial statements of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

5.3.2 Fund Accounting

General or unrestricted funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.

Restricted funds are those funds that may be spent on restricted purposes and details of the funds held and the restrictions are provided in section on Funds below.

5.3.3 Incoming Resources

Voluntary income and capital sources

Planned giving collections and similar donations are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC. Tax received under Gift Aided giving is recognised when the incoming resource to which they relate is received. Grants and legacies to the PCC are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt by the PCC is reasonably certain. Funds raised by fetes and special events are accounted for gross. Sales of books and magazines from the church bookstall are accounted for gross.

Other Income

Rental income from lettings of the Community Centre and church premises is recognised when the rental is due.

Income from investments

Dividends and interest are accounted for when due and payable, the interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue. Tax recoverable on such income is recognised in the same accounting year.

Gains and losses on investments

Realised gains or losses are recognised when investments are sold. Unrealised gains or losses are accounted for on revaluation of investments at 31st December.

5.3.4 Resources Used

Grants

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC.

Activities directly relating to the work of the Church

The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due. Any parish share unpaid at 31 December is provided for in these financial statements as an operational (although not a legal liability) and is shown as a creditor in the balance sheet.

5.3.5 Fixed Assets

Consecrated property and moveable church furnishing s

Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the financial statements by s.10 (2) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011.

Moveable church furnishings held by the vicar and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are accounted for as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the Church’s inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). For inalienable property acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements. Items acquired since 1 January 2000 have been capitalized and depreciated in the financial statements over their current anticipated useful economic life (initially over ten years) on a straight-line basis.

All expenditure incurred in the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings and individual items under £1,000 are

Page 18

written off when the asset is acquired.

Other fixtures, fittings and office equipment

Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight-line basis for purchases at purchase price of over £4,999 over ten years and £1001 - £4,999 over five years. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £1,000 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.

5.3.6 Investments

Investments are valued at market value at 31st December.

5.3.7 Current Assets

Amounts owing to the PCC at 31st December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectible. Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Church of England Funds or at the bank.

5.3.8 Current Liabilities

Amounts owed by the PCC at 31st December in respect of church fees and suppliers of goods or services to the 31st December for which accounts have not been received. They include unfulfilled commitments made by the PCC in respect of Christmas and outward giving.

Page 19

5.4 Incoming Resources

Church Hall Lettings - Returnable Deposit
Contactless Payment - Services/Coffee
Sundry Donations - Community Café
Sundry Donations - Study Groups
Tax recoverable on Gift Aid
Sundry Donations - Little Lambs
Gift Aid planned giving
Chapel Arts
Chapel Kids
Chapels Share of Project Managers Costs
Loose plate collections
Other planned giving - Envelopes
Donations appeals etc
Incoming resources from charitable activities
Investment income
Dividends
Bank and building society interest
Total incoming resources
Activities for generating funds
Quiz Nights
Non-recurring one-off grants
GASDS
Voluntary income
Gift Aid - Bank
Gift Aid - Envelopes
Other planned giving
Bookstall sales to promote objectives
One-off Gift Aid gifts
Church hall lettings - fund raising
Magazine income - advertising
Other incoming resources
Utilities Refund
Thursday Cafe
Sundry Donations - Babies Support Group
General Fund Raising
Sunday Coffee Money
Fees for weddings and funerals		 549
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
19,227
51
168
5,570
—
5,570
5,570
—
51
—
—
—
215
—
—
160
—
160
75
—
17,546
11,520
3,345
—
—
1,850
100
215
—
1,080
—
12,584
11,424
—
549
—
408
89
—
—
614
8,949
—
10,029
8
1,850
—
—
614
—
—
339
1,850
1,164
602
—
—
22,572
—
33,044
—
—
33,044
767
47
350
TOTAL
2022
£
51,484
—
4,644
—
56,128
44,374
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Designated
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Endowment
Funds
£
TOTAL
2023
£
—
590
—
—
—
485
339
205
6,617
—
120
—
6,737
—
—
11,772
—
10,083
—
21,855
23,463
—
—
—
—
—
66,316
—
131,061
160,877
94,514
47
—
800
—
—
800
—
747
—
—
—
747
—
478
130
42
160
189
10,756
1,020
764
—
—
—
764
16,249
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
189
—
—
478
—
16,249
—
—
—
—
—
481
—
539
—
284
11,372
20,247
—
539
2,470
17,238
876
17
810
—
—
810
—
14
13
15
—
42
825
—
852
14
13
893
—
—
—
—
59
519
—
—
12
59
—
—
531
59
59
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
690
690
—
—
—
—
—
144,547
97,057
17,298
67,680
—
182,035

Page 20

5.5 Resources Expended

Administration
Social Events
Home mission
Equipment Depreciation
Governance costs
Governance costs examination/audit fee
Equipment Write Off
Hall running - gas
Hall running - water
Hall running - insurance
Hall running - maintenance
Magazine expenses
Uganda
Chapel
Hall running - electricity
Transport Costs
Audio Visual
Computer Equipment / Consumables
Church running - insurance
Pastoral
Food Parcels
Food & Prescriptions
Burger Budget
Vicar's telephone
Health & Safety
Outreach
Youth & Families Work
Salary of Project Manager
Holiday Hunger
Giving - relief and development agencies
Charitable activities
Giving to missionary societies
Costs of fetes & other events
Cost of generating voluntary income
Fundraising trading cost of goods sold and othe
Sunday Coffee Money
Cost of generating funds
Secular charities
Salary of parish administrator
Ministry parish share etc
Church maintenance
Messy Church
Upkeep of services
Organ & Choir
Flowers
Table Church
Little Lambs
Study Groups
Magazine Advertising Refunds
Haselmere Costs
Chapel - Community Fridge
Bookstall costs
Hall running - return of deposit
Hall Running - Boiler
Hall Running - Supplies
Parish training and mission
Hire of Chapel
Presentations
Visiting Speakers / locums
Church running - electric
Church running - water
Church running - gas
Church Running - Boiler		 r TOTAL
2022
£
Endowment
Funds
£
Designated
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
714
—
60
—
774
259
Unrestricted
Funds
£
TOTAL
2023
£
—
60
774
—
714
259
costs
275
—
—
—
275
109
275
—
—
—
275
109
770
—
—
14
100
—
—
2,446
261
192
2,439
1,473
105
—
46
—
92
—
—
81
100
—
2,732
8,976
1,047
—
—
1,473
—
78
90
—
90
3,000
—
500
97
80
978
—
—
—
81
—
—
—
18,762
—
18,762
783
—
783
—
978
—
92
100
—
—
2,270
—
715
3,793
—
82
—
—
400
—
3,061
—
—
—
—
11,048
36
—
10,400
5,075
—
5,075
780
—
—
—
—
—
—
807
149
—
—
—
—
—
779
—
145
—
—
5,345
4,725
—
481
—
—
481
233
—
—
233
449
1,105
—
—
97
—
2,033
53
—
2,086
978
—
—
—
—
—
—
10,400
—
1,735
—
1,735
—
978
—
—
—
1,123
—
—
—
—
—
—
548
—
750
—
—
—
—
13,671
—
105
—
—
—
—
—
120
—
2,220
—
—
—
2,190
—
2,985
2,762
2,190
—
—
—
—
50
2,762
77,060
—
1,000
222
—
475
—
—
—
192
2,056
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
105
—
2,220
1,960
1,960
2,916
308
178
2,496
1,915
126
20
2,520
13,671
473
306
261
764
78,060
548
(54)
105
1,123
76,521
576
12,240
7,898
—
—
—
50
638
—
—
—
—
120
—
—
—
—
889
—
—
—
119
100
638
—
—
—
525
—
—
3
—
—
—
—
2,070
—
—
—
46
—
—
—
—
—
978
20
—
—
—
100
101
—
—
—
—
—
255
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
811
—
—
811
—
5,345
—
—
826
—
—
807
—
50
—
—
210
—
—
—
210
490
—
—
—
—
978
—
145
—
233
—
—
233
—
2,033
—
—
2,033
1,094
—
—
95,394
15,277
54,500
—
165,171
159,673
810
—
—
—
810
1,280
—
—
—
810
810
1,280
Total resources expended 54,560
—
167,030
97,193
161,321
15,277

Page 21

5.6 Staff Costs

5.6 Staff Costs
Wages and salaries
Pension
Social Security costs
Total staff costs		 2023
2022
£
£
19,869
22,928
11,513
1,730
162
132
21,535
24,790

5.7 Transfers Between Funds

During 2023 there were no transfers between restricted and unrestricted funds.

5.8 Fixed Assets

Investments

Income shares held with the CBF Church of England Investment Fund

Market value as at 1st January
Acquisitions at cost (reinvested dividends)
Net unrealised gain / (loss)
Sale of Shares (Transfer to funds)
Market value as at 31st December		 Unrestricted
Funds
2023
£
—
—
—
—
—		 Restricted
Funds
2023
£
26,810
810
2,559
—
30,179		 Total
2023
£
26,810
810
2,559
—
30,179		 Total
2022
£
43,899
876
(4,966)
(13,000)
26,810

Original value of the investment was £20,000. The market value quoted includes the revaluation of shares an ~~d d~~ ividends reinvested at the year end

5.9 Current Assents

5.9.1 Debtors

Tax recoverable
GASDS
Paid in advance
Hall Hire
Utilities refund
Sundry debtors		 Unrestricted
Funds
2023
£
5,063
544
—
669
500
57
6,833		 Restricted
Funds
2023
£
1,249
292
—
—
—
171
1,712		 Total
2023
£
6,312
836
—
669
500
228
8,545		 Total
2022
£
4,111
491
(170)
—
500
759
5,691

Page 22

5.9.2 Cash in Band and in Hand

CCLA Deposit Accounts (4)
Co-op Current Account
Lloyds Current Account
Lloyds Community Centre Account
Lloyds Refugee Project Account
Lloyds Bookstall Account
Cash in hand
General
Food Parcels
Project Manager
Bookstall
Admin Float		 259
200
—
—
—		 Total
2023
£
1,366
32,618
26,215
958
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
459
61,616		 Total
2022
£
1,324
38,737
16,799
914
189
—
—
57,963

5.10 Liabilities

Creditors: Amounts Falling Due in One Year

5.10 Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts Falling Due in One		 Year
Annual outward giving (current year)
Outward Giving 2020
Outward Giving 2021
Outward Giving 2022
British Gas
Refugee Xmas Gifts
Mission / Hospitality
Chapel Project
Uganda Project
Returnable Deposits
Food Parcels Project		 Unrestricted
Funds
2023
£
6,570
-
1,081
1,960
763
-
-
-
-
50
-		 Restricted
Funds
2023
£
-
-
-
-
-
752
-
781
-
-
3,994		 Total
Total
2023
2022
£
£
6,570
5,880
-
2,020
1,081
4,240
1,960
-
763
711
752
-
-
1,915
781
-
-
2,537
50
173
3,994
7,000
Other creditors 1,367
11,791		 25
5,552		 1,392
555
17,343
25,031

Page 23

5.11 Funds

5.11.1 Designated funds

Designated funds are funds held by the PCC to capture the cost of specific activities and, with the exception of the Community Development Fund, and the Emergency Relief, their net surpluses/deficits transferred back to the general fund at year end.

5.11.2 Restricted funds

The main restricted funds are:

The other restricted funds are normally raised for their specific purposes and expended during the same year with the exception of the Memorial Fund which was set up to support local churches in need.

Page 24

5.11.3 Movement in Funds

Unrestricted
General fund
Designated
Community Development Fund
Community Centre Fund
Emergency Relief Fund
Thursday cafe
Total (non restricted funds)
Restricted
ChangeX Grant Funding
Chapel Fund
Children's Society
Community Fridge Grant
Emergency Relief Fund
Flood Forum
Food Parcels Project
Maintenance Fund
PCC Investment Fund
PCC Memorial Fund		 Balances as
at 1st
January 2023
Incoming
Resources
Outgoing
Resources
Transfers
Gains and
Losses
Balances as at
31st December
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
3,288
97,057
97,194
2,021
—
5,173
3,288
97,057
97,194
2,021
—
5,173
423
—
—
—
—
423
—
17,062
15,277
(1,785)
—
—
1,250
—
—
—
1,250
—
236
—
(236)
—
—
1,673
17,298
15,277
(2,021)
—
1,673
4,961
114,355
112,470
—
—
6,846
—
210
210
—
—
—
222
9,651
10,418
(222)
—
(767)
290
595
716
—
—
169
—
3,000
1,735
—
—
1,265
1,605
—
750
—
—
855
40
—
—
—
—
40
16,350
32,759
19,395
—
—
29,713
150
—
—
—
—
150
26,812
1,810
1,000
—
2,559
30,181
476
15
—
—
—
491
Picnic & Play - Holiday Hunger
Postcode Community Trust Fund
Project Manager
Refugee Projects
Roof Appeal
Special Collections
Uganda Project
Warm Hubs Fund
Youth & Families Work
Sub total		 (222)
639
639
222
—
—
3,350
—
—
—
—
3,350
5,290
11,800
11,259
—
—
5,831
185
982
898
—
—
269
359
150
400
—
—
109
1,050
1,250
50
—
—
2,250
4,031
2,360
5,080
—
—
1,311
484
2,340
1,890
—
—
934
—
119
119
—
—
—
60,472
67,680
54,560
—
2,559
76,151
Total funds
65,433
182,035
167,030
—
2,559
82,997

Page 25