_(Nine Lessons & Carols Service 2024)_
## **Annual Parochial Church Reports 2024**
Charity Number 1155185
## **Annual Vestry & Parochial Church Meeting to be held in Church on 6[th] April 2025 from 11.30am**
## **Agenda**
|**Annual Vestry Meeting**|||
|---|---|---|
|Minutes of Annual Vestry Meeting 2024|P|4|
|…………………………………………………….…...........|||
|Election of Churchwardens (2)|P|4|
|…………………………………………………………………………………|||
|**Annual Parochial Church Meeting**|||
|Apologies|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|4|
|………………………|||
|Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting 2024|P|4|
|……………………………………………|||
|Matters arising|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|4|
|………………|||
|Electoral Roll - accept new Roll 121|||
|Reports:|||
|Vicar|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|6|
|…………….………………..|||
|Pastoral|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|7|
|…………….…………..|||
|Wardens|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|p|7|
|………………………..|||
|Parish Office|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|8|
|…….……………|||
|Safeguarding|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|9|
|………………….|||
|Mission, Evangelism and Discipleship|P|9|
|……………………………………………………………………….|||
|Coffee Mornings, St John’s Café & Games and Abstract Art Group|P|10|
|…………………………..|||
|Choir|P|11|
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|||
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|……………………………..|||
|---|---|---|
|Ladies Ministry|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|11|
|………………|||
|Youth|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|12|
|…………………………….|||
|Children|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|12|
|…………………………|||
|Toddler Time|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|12|
|………………..|||
|cots2tots|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|13|
|……………………….|||
|The Parish Hub|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|13|
|………………|||
|Building Team|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|14|
|………………..|||
|Social Events|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|p|15|
|………………….|||
|Mission Partners|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|15|
|……………|||
|Deanery Synod|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|16|
|………………|||
|Legal Documentation|||
|…………………………………………………………………………………………|P|18|
|…….|||
|Trustees Annual Report and Financial Report|P|19|
|…………………………………………………………..|||
## Questions arising from the Reports
## Appointment of Treasurer & Secretary
## Appointment of Safeguarding Officer
## Election of PCC members
(at Copthorne, for the sake of continuity, if not otherwise elected, the PCC Secretary & Treasurer are coopted positions)
## Appointment of Sidespersons
## Appointment of Independent Examiner
Any Other Business
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## **Copy of the record of the Minutes of The Annual Vestry Meeting held in the Church at 7.30pm Tuesday 19[th] March 2024**
The meeting was conducted by Alex Wheeler (Associate Vicar) in the presence of 23 parishioners. Alex explained that Wim (Vicar) apologised for being absent as he was on retreat for the week.
The Minutes of the Vestry Meeting of Tuesday 28[th] March 2023 were unanimously approved. Proposer: Mike Livesey, Seconder: Jenny Wharton.
Mr David Hornsby (proposed by Andy Harpham and seconded by Sandra Cramp) and Mrs Gillian Hodsdon (proposed by Lesley Dawson and seconded by Paul Simmons) were unanimously elected as there were no other nominations and duly appointed wardens for the coming year. Gillian informed everyone that this would be her last year as warden.
Alex thanked David and Gillian for all their hard work and support over the past year.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 7.45pm. _Cathy Sexton, PCC Secretary, 17[th] April 2024_
## **Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting Held on Tuesday 19th March 2024 At 7.45pm in the Church**
## **Attendance:**
The meeting was conducted by Alex Wheeler (Associate Vicar) and attended by 23 parishioners.
## **Apologies:**
Received from: Fi Coldicott, David and Wendy Colville, Elizabeth Comber, Doreen Croft, Ann and Piers De Legh, John and Val Edwards, Andy Harpham, Wim Mauritz, Monica and Richard Polley, Maggie Prior, Chris Wheatley
## **MINUTES:**
## **Formal business:**
Apologies as noted were accepted.
**Proposal:** That the Minutes of the APCM 2023 be accepted. **Proposed:** Kerry Scott **Seconded** : Mary Smith Unanimously agreed.
There were no matters arising from the 2023 minutes.
**Electoral Roll** – It was unanimously agreed that we accept the Roll of 131 members. **Proposed:** Nigel Cramp **Seconded** : Jenny Wharton
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## **REPORTS:**
## **Financial Reports and Accounts:**
Kerry stated there may be a few changes to the Trustees Report following the independent examiner review as the accounts have moved to a cloud based system and the Hub accounts have been separated from the Church accounts to show the income from the Hub separately. The Hub assets have been boosted this year with the addition of air conditioning. Kerry thanked Nigel for all his hard work throughout the year. The current examiner, Fionna Thomson, is moving from the village and a replacement has been found. Mike asked how much money in the Annex Fund would need to be repaid to the donors and Kerry explained that it was about £4,000 but there were still a few days for people to request their money so the final figure was not yet available. Mike asked what the Parish Share for this year would be and Kerry said it would be about £81,000. Mike asked about the Faith Arnold Fund. It is a restricted fund so he wished to know what it could be spent on. Kerry explained there was no specific definition but the funds were paid into the Fabric fund and spent on maintenance. Mike pointed out that the Parish magazine costs were £3,000 higher than the advertising revenue and asked if this was sustainable. Kerry said it was not sustainable long term but would need to be looked at by the PCC. Nigel said that the largest cost was the paper and that this could be reduced. Sharon asked if it could be put online but Carol felt that it would then not be looked at and Kerry thought that this would not get the advertisers who currently know the magazine is distributed to a certain number of houses.
## **Annual Report 2024**
It was unanimously agreed that all reports – Trustees Annual Report; Financial Report and Accounts; Vicar; Pastoral; Wardens; Parish Office; Safeguarding; Mission, Evangelism and Discipleship; Coffee Mornings, St John’s Café & Games and Abstract Art Group; Choir; Youth; Children and Forest Church; The Parish Hub; Building Team – Solar Panels; Social Events; Mission Partners; Deanery Synod; and Legal Documentation – as previously circulated, were accepted. **Proposed** : Jenny Wharton **Seconded** : Janet Scott
## **Elections**
## **PCC**
Nigel Cramp (proposed by David Hornsby and seconded by Gillian Hodsdon) and Jon Brueton (proposed by David Hornsby and seconded by Gillian Hodsdon) were unanimously re-elected to the PCC. Liz Logan, who had been co-opted onto the PCC during the year, (proposed by Paul Simmons and seconded by Monica Polley) and Margaret Jones (proposed by David Hornsby and seconded by Sue Williams) were unanimously elected to the PCC.
## **Appointment of Treasurer and PCC Secretary**
It was unanimously agreed that Kerry Scott be appointed **Treasurer** It was unanimously agreed that Maralyn Smith be appointed **PCC Secretary** It was unanimously agreed that Eric Trevett be appointed **Safeguarding Officer** .
## **Appointment of Verdant Accountants as Independent Examiner**
Proposed by Kerry Scott Seconded by David Hornsby
## **Any Other Business**
Sandra thanked the clergy, PCC and everyone involved for making the church run smoothly. She asked when the list of names for the memorial garden would be completed and it was explained that once the re-formatted design had been returned, the names would be updated.
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Mary asked if the APCM could be moved to take place on a Sunday after a joint service to encourage younger members of the congregation to attend. This will be discussed and decided upon.
Mike explained that once trained, servers should be invisible and therefore wanted to thank them for their contribution to the services.
Mike said that some parishioners were disquieted that the Good Friday service was described as a ‘fun’ service as it was felt that this was more appropriate for Easter Sunday and that the service on Good Friday should be a solemn service. Alex acknowledged the change was very different to previous years but that there would be a time for quiet reflection in the afternoon instead of the morning. Sharon felt that this quiet reflection should be in the morning rather than the afternoon and asked if the cross was to be taken to the Green. David said he believed this would be happening but did not know at what time. Gillian pointed out that the Good Friday service used to be a Family Service with children’s activities and a solemn reflective service in the afternoon so not a ‘fun’ service but a child orientated service.
David thanked Nigel for all his hard work over the years as he retires from working in the office and Cathy as she stands down as secretary.
There being no further business, the meeting closed with the saying of the Grace at 8.45pm.
_Cathy Sexton, PCC Secretary_
## **From the Vicar:**
_“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”. (John 13 v 34-35, NIVUK)_
2024 was another remarkable year for our church community. We continued to be a very multicultural church relevant to all people of our local community. A healthy identity of a church is when it is recognised by outsiders in its love for one another. It has been our vision for the past five years to grow in love for God and each other. Looking back, I do believe that God in His mercy has given us this growth in love. In the past years I have been asking many people what attracted them to come and worship at our church. Most responses that I got back were along the lines of, “the love, acceptance and gentleness given to them when we joined the church for the first time”. This deep sense of acceptance, love and kindness are powerful gifts of the Holy Spirit. God is in us and at work among us when we demonstrate this genuine love for Him and for each other. This then becomes a testimony to others of a genuine discipleship of Jesus Christ. My prayer is may we continue in humility to grow in this love for the people around us.
This past year we continued to flourish in our mission and evangelism events. We again ran three different Alpha courses, a Marriage prep course, five Baptism and Confirmation classes and again a Bereavement course. Many people gave generously of their time and resources so that much of our social activities could again take place at our premises. We continued with our weekly church services, Café sessions, Toddler Time, Coffee mornings as well as regular church lunches and suppers. We had again our annual Jazz on the Green, Carnival Teas at the Hub, our Harvest Festival and Quiz nights. In February we had a visit from The Oddments Theatre Company. Their performance of ‘The Hiding Place’ was very well attended and very moving. In the Autumn we set up a new English Language Class. This runs weekly on a Tuesday and a Thursday and is well attended by refugees. Monthly we motivated each other again to join in with the working party, looking after our churchyard and planted our new church orchard besides the Parish Hub. None of these events and activities would have been possible without the joyful and faithful commitments of the many staff and volunteers; people who, with great dedication carry out our admin, cleaning, flower, music, coffee, AV rotas, etc. It is the commitment and support of so many of us coming together as one to love and
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care that makes this ministry an exciting church to be part of. I am incredibly grateful and want to express a huge thank you to all of you at St John’s who are involved in our local expression of this oneness. Thanks again to all of you for demonstrating a genuine desire of, ‘Growing in love for God and each other.’
_Wim Mauritz_
## **Pastoral**
Over the past year we have continued to develop our pastoral work to meet the needs of the church community and beyond.
The Bereavement Group continues to meet each month in the South Room at the Parish Hub. Numbers vary according to need and we have continued to welcome village as well as church members. New members join from the groups formed in our bereavement courses. **The Bereavement Journey** was run twice this year (one daytime one evening), with funding kindly provided by Worth Parish Council. This has helped us to fulfil our objective to reach out more widely outside the church. One to one bereavement support is provided if required and the Associate Vicar continues to follow up the newly bereaved as needed. Those who have been bereaved during the year were invited to our ‘All Souls’ Service in November.
Clergy and lay team members make regular visits to those who can no longer attend church services due to poor health. This service is very much appreciated. We also offer opportunities for prayer for healing with laying on of hands and anointing with oil.
Pastoral home visiting is mainly carried out by the clergy- currently the Associate Vicar supports the incumbent in this work. A couple of members of the congregation also follow up with particular people in need, either by visits or regular telephone calls. Our pastoral work continues to be linked in closely with our prayer circle, led by Monica Polley, so that those asking for prayer from within the church family also receive pastoral follow up as appropriate.
Our prayer ministry team continues to offer individual prayer during Communion each Sunday at 9.30am and monthly at 11.00am.
The clergy offer support for those at the end of their life and their families, as requested.
Our curate, Revd Deacon Fiona Coldicott, has maintained our ministry to Heatherley Cheshire Home, supported by two members of the church on a fortnightly basis to offer a short service with Holy Communion. The residents very much enjoyed their Christmas carol service this year.
Our curate has begun to trial a chaplaincy service on a fortnightly basis in Copthorne Hotel to establish a listening ministry for asylum seekers and refugees. A pastoral ministry is also offered to those from the hotel attending St John’s Church, led by the incumbent and supported by other members of the team.
_Revd Alexandra Wheeler, Associate Vicar_
## **Church Wardens**
As we come around to another APCM, it gives us time to reflect that we continue to be a busy, vibrant and diverse community of God here in Copthorne. Whilst, at times, this can be tiring (bordering on exhausting) for all involved in the day to day running of our Church, it remains
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rewarding and satisfying to touch so many lives and to deliver the Good News in so many different ways… truly meeting people where they are on their Christian journeys.
## **Church Services**
All our core Church services continue to be well attended and supported. All of them have their own distinct feel but all provide space to explore, learn, grow and worship God in faith. Whether it be one of our Sunday services or our Wednesday communion, we have seen steady or increasing numbers in all areas throughout the year.
When our congregations come together for special services, our Church can feel full to bursting and our annual Remembrance Service is so big we now are forced to hold it outside, as numbers have outgrown the Church building. This is absolutely the right problem to have!
Our Christmas services are always a highlight of the year, and this year saw numbers increase across all services. From the Christingle, again supported by the Copthorne Silver Band, to the lively and chaotic atmosphere in the Crib Service or the quieter moments during the Nine Lessons or Midnight Services all bring that truly special message to our community and beyond.
## **Other weekly activities**
As well as our formal services the vibrant life of our Church is always enhanced by the many other activities that are hosted in our Church. There is very rarely any day of the week when there is not a form of other ministry happening in our Church. Programmes have included Prayer, Alpha and bereavement courses; parent and toddler groups; weekly games and social time; English language classes to support our friends in the hotel; exploring faith through abstract art, and screening The Chosen (a series telling the story of Jesus through film).
All our activities, whilst not formal worship, are bringing the Good News to our community in one way or another. I would encourage everyone during this year (if not already doing so) to try and go along to one or more of these activities and to try something new. You will always receive a warm welcome!
## **Social events, working parties and coffee mornings**
From quizzes to lunches, the annual village carnival to our own Flower and Produce Show/Harvest Fair weekend, throughout the year there is a wide range of social activities within our Church. Every one of these is an opportunity to join together in fellowship (whether that be sitting eating lunch or putting up tents and tables or washing up for carnival). It also offers an outreach to our community and especially to those who “don’t do Church”. Thanks, must be given to all who get involved in organising these events and especially to the Social team who co-ordinate and plan both the programme and the execution of these events so well.
Our monthly working party and coffee morning continues to help keep our Church yard and Church in good order. We want to say a massive thank you to all those who faithfully support our working parties - it never ceases to amaze how much is achieved in just one morning, even when sometimes we have just a few people there! As always, we welcome new members to the team and there are tasks inside and outside which can be skilled/unskilled and involve varying levels of physical exertion.
## **2025 a new vision or rather the same vision but refreshed…**
During the early part of 2025 we will be looking to refresh our vision and focus at St John’s for the next few years. Watch this space for more details, but our aim of ‘Growing in love for God and each other’ continues to be at the heart of all we do at St. John’s…
## **Thank you**
Firstly, a big thank you to all who contribute in any way to the life of our Church, whether it be financially or through volunteering or just simply by being at one of our services or events. We particularly want to thank the office staff and anyone who is on one of our rotas, be that flowers, cleaning, serving, prayer ministry, coffee, AV support, children’s/youth work or welcoming. All these roles are vital to support our ministry here at St Johns. If you feel you could join one (or another one) of our rotas at any point do talk to us or the office, as help is always needed and appreciated.
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Furthermore, we would like to thank Wim and our ever-dedicated clergy team; the choir, organists and other musicians; leaders and readers who bring variety and life to our worship and services. Finally, as Gillian comes to the end of her term as Churchwarden, I would like to personally thank her for all the support and the huge dedication she has shown in an often-demanding role. Much of what Gillian does is unseen but all of it has been massively appreciated!
_David Hornsby and Gillian Hodsdon, Churchwardens_
## **Parish Office**
There were a couple of changes in 2024 seeing Nigel retire and Jo leave for pastures new. The office is now staffed by the Church Manager Maralyn Smith, and new Church Administrator Laura Li.
The church office is very busy supporting the community who worship and gather here, including: our regular worshipping communities on Wednesday and Sunday services, residents from the Copthorne Hotel, and English Language classes. We are also the first point of contact for baptisms, weddings, funerals, and interment of ashes.
ChurchSuite continues to be the main way we organize and manage the administration of our church activities including bookings, event management and communications. We send out a weekly newsletter to around 400 people.
Since Nigel’s departure we have taken over responsibility for managing the Parish Magazine distribution and invoicing. It is published every two months and provides a gentle rhythm throughout the year.
A big part of our work is helping residents from the hotel deal with the Home Office and access support around education and housing.
_Maralyn Smith, Church Manager_
I joined St John the Evangelist in June 2024 working on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I have come from Churches in the City of London so some of what we do here was familiar to me and some of it was very new. I have already experienced some of the issues that come along with having an open churchyard!
Everybody has been very welcoming, and I found it easy to settle in although only working 2 days a week it has taken some time to fully get to grips with all the tasks. At the time of writing, I am just starting to support the work of the PCC more directly by taking minutes at PCC meetings.
Maralyn, of course, has been wonderful at showing me the ropes and answering my many questions. A big thank you also goes to Nigel who spent a lot of his own time teaching me particular aspects of the job.
_Laura Li, Church Administrator_
## **Safeguarding**
## **Casework:**
No cases of concern, or otherwise requiring action from the Safeguarding Officer, have been identified in the period since the last APCM.
## **Training:**
Safeguarding training, at the appropriate level, has been undertaken as required.
## **DBS:**
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As the year progressed, all those new to roles that require a DBS have been identified, and certificates obtained. Renewals are monitored, actioned as required and are up to date.
_Eric Trevett and Monica Polley_
## **Mission, Evangelism and Discipleship**
In 2024 we had three Alpha Courses, one each term (Jan-Mar, May-Jul & Sept-Nov). Alpha is for anyone who's curious. The talks are designed to encourage conversation and explore the basics of the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal environment. No question is out of bounds and people are free to discuss as much or as little as they wish. Alpha runs in our church building. Each session starts with a short video and a discussion in a small group where you can share your thoughts.
We have seen several people coming to faith in Jesus Christ and this has continued to be a great joy to our church community. We held five Baptism and Confirmation preparation classes, had candidates baptised (35 adults and 13 children) and a further 45 candidates were confirmed in services in May at Worth Abbey led by the Bishop of Chichester and in November at our own church by the Bishop of Horsham. In 2024 we organized another Marriage preparation course for 5 couples who got married at St John’s in the months following.
We also held regular assemblies at Copthorne Junior School and invited St John’s Sunshine PreSchool, Fairway Infant School and the Junior School back into church to hold special church services for the school children. We held several events for the young and old of our local uniformed organisations in which they learned about the Christian faith or participated in church services. All this has been a great encouragement, and we have seen lives transformed by the Good News of Jesus Christ and the generosity and kindness of our church community.
_Wim Mauritz_
## **Coffee Bar, St John’s Café & Games and Abstract Art Group**
**The Coffee Bar** has been running for two years and meets outside the Church on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 8.30 – 9.00am.
There is a regular group of people who have formed close friendships and chat about everything and anything! Many are dog walkers as well as parents passing by on their way to take children to school or pre-school.
So…. if you are free, or at a loose end, please come along and join us for a nice cup of tea (or coffee) and a chat too! We would love to see you!
_Jennifer Wharton_
**Games Night** has continued to run at St John’s church each Wednesday from 4:30-6:00pm since it was started in May 2023. It is primarily offered as a way of connecting with the asylum seeker and refugee community in Copthorne, offering them a safe and welcoming place to come together in the community and to practice their English with local villagers.
We offer an informal games evening where people of all ages and nationalities are invited to play games, have the opportunity for English conversation and share refreshments. The Games Night is popular with families, whose children particularly enjoy the chance to win small prizes in bingo whilst practising their numbers in English. There is a St John’s Café and Games WhatsApp Group that is used to communicate information regarding the Games Night and is regularly updated with reminders that it is running and notification of the occasional time that it has not been possible to run this. There are 70 members currently in the group and new attendees are offered the chance to join this group so that they can be updated on Games Night and other village events. Members are left to remove themselves from the group when they move on from Copthorne or no longer wish to receive updates and the group is moderated by church leaders.
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Most recently, the evening has been attended primarily by Farsi and Persian speakers, although we have had a wide range of nationalities speaking many languages attend sessions. I usually bring my 10 year old daughter and her friend and they enjoy helping out with the group and helping to set up refreshments and run the games. When younger children attend, toys are put out alongside the tables so that youngsters too young to take part in games have an activity to occupy them.
Please do come along and say hello on a Wednesday afternoon – we would welcome any extra attendees and supporters.
_Aelwen Lavictoire_
**The Abstract Art Group** meets in Church on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 10am – 12 noon. All art materials are supplied including canvases, acrylic paints, watercolours and pastels.
Painting is a wonderful form of relaxation which focuses the mind. You don’t have to be an artist either, but you will be surprised at what you can do using a technique of canvas, tape and three favourite colours – you will produce a work of art!
The Group is open to everyone inside and outside the church and all abilities are invited. You can expect a cuppa and a very warm welcome too!
_Jennifer Wharton_
## **Choir**
The choir have been involved in leading the sung worship at the usual 9.30 am services, along with some of the more major events in the church year. These include the Agape service on Maundy Thursday, Easter Day and our traditional Nine Lessons and Carols service which was well attended and followed by some festive mulled wine and mince pies.
The choir have also been requested to sing at a number of weddings, wedding blessings and funerals throughout the year.
Our thanks go to our wonderful team of organists Ann, Carol and David who have ably supported us throughout the year, but who have also sung as part of the choir. Sadly, this year saw the passing of Derek Pinfield, who was a much loved member of our choir and who is greatly missed.
We welcome Kevin who is our newest choir member, and we would love to hear from anyone who would be interested in coming to join us.
Thanks go to the Copthorne Silver Band who have played for us to lead the music for the Remembrance Service, and also the Christingle Service which was followed by a concert of Christmas music.
My personal thanks go to all of those who have dutifully attended monthly practices, turning out in all weathers (and temperatures!) and we look forward to bringing you much more music in 2025.
_Lesley Dawson_
## **Ladies Ministry**
A special ladies’ event was hosted by Juliet Searle and Rev Fi Coldicott on 11[th] May 2024, helped by volunteers. A buffet breakfast was provided. The theme was: Discover How to Reconnect: an opportunity to reconnect with God, each other and ourselves, based on the ‘Putting Pieces Together’ material by Loving Christ Ministries. We spent time exploring the premise that competing priorities lead to disconnectedness and emptiness - we feel disconnected to God and even ourselves.
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We used teaching material, short activities, worship and prayer stations to engage with the theme. We were encouraged to be intentional about our spiritual life, and hand over the control, submitting to what God, as a good Father, wants for us.
27 ladies attended the event, with positive feedback such as:
_‘I got an opportunity to stop and reconnect with myself, but also to reflect on my life and purpose.’_
_‘Loved having the bible readings to ponder and then something physical to put our thoughts down… the post-its, floating flowers, candles etc. Great to also have the brunch and time to connect with friends.’_
Later in the year, Kirsty Mauritz hosted a creative event on Saturday 12[th] October. The theme was ‘Discover Mindful Creativity’: an autumn leaves ‘art by accident’ workshop with worship and prayer. A buffet breakfast was provided, and ladies were encouraged to make leaf prints with ink, following a series of mindful processes, and to connect with others.
22 ladies attended the event, which was greatly appreciated by all who came. More ‘Discover’ ladies’ events will be offered in the future! With thanks to Juliet and Kirsty, and all our volunteers who helped to make these events so special.
_Fi Coldicott_
## **Youth**
The youth group meet during the 11am service. Catering for year 6 and above, we spend time chatting, reading the bible and praying. Once a term we have a games morning and love to play rounders.
This year we have explored our identity in Christ using a series called “I am…” Towards the end of the year we followed the sermon series on the parables, having our own discussion times, during the sermon.
As a social event, we enjoyed a movie night, cooking sausages on an open fire in the churchyard, followed by a classic 1980’s film in the church.
We look forward to 2025.
The Youth Team
## **Children**
I took on the oversight of this group in the summer of 2024. There is a committed and enthusiastic team of five leaders and four helpers who work with the children of primary school age. The children meet in the Hub, and have a group session three weeks out of four in term time, with the first Sunday being an all-age baptism service. Last year when Brick Church was running they also attended this service once a month.
Until January 2025 the group were following the same theme as the adults in the services. The animated videos in the services were working well as an introduction to the theme for the day. The children enjoy the activities of a Bible story, usually with a video clip, singing and a chat. They play games and have an age-appropriate writing/colouring craft activity.
In October they joined with the young people’s group to have a joint games morning session led by Kirsty and her team. They met outside in the church grounds, which they really enjoyed.
In January 2025 Lizzie Jakeman took oversight of the group. Lizzie is getting to know the team and the children in the group. This year the leaders and helpers will be using material from the Jesus Story Book Bible, which also engages the children with video clips and activity sheets on the Bible passage.
This year Janina needed to step down from her role as a helper in the group. With thanks to Janina for her work in the group, to Lizzie for taking on the leadership oversight role, and to all our
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volunteers who minister to our children with care, respect and enthusiasm week by week. You are greatly appreciated!
_Fi Coldicott_
## **Toddler Time**
Toddler Time started in September 2023 in response to a local need discerned during the ‘Summer at St John’s’ events. This is a regular term-time activity for those with babies and toddlers, with parents and other carers bringing along children aged 0 to 5. The entry fee remains at £1 per family, to cover the cost of refreshments and materials.
We meet between 10.30-12noon every Monday morning in term time, with older siblings welcomed on inset days.
There are currently 12 people on the volunteer team, whose roles have become more clearly defined – to include an excellent craft team that supports our enthusiastic story tellers, who share a Bible story each week; other volunteers run activities that promote fun and learning, between carer and child. Increasingly popular is the new home corner and the singing time, which includes a wide variety of action songs, nursery rhymes and simple Christian songs that are sung with gusto, and recently we have introduced short prayers.
We endeavour to promote friendships and share Christian love, to offer support and a listening ear.
The average attendance fluctuates, with anything around 15 adults and 20 children. It is good to see many friendships being formed, and families returning week by week to enthusiastically engage in what we do.
We continue to look for ways to enable this group to engage more deeply with the church at other times, however we are mindful that for many families, this has become their “church.”.
I am hugely grateful to the dedication to our entire team, who work so hard to prepare beforehand, and make each session happen; also to Fi who continues to support us when able. Thank you to those volunteers who have helped set up tables and equipment, and welcome parents, and to Maralyn, whose ongoing publicity has helped to swell the numbers.
There are times when the helper team numbers can seem low - mainly because family attendance is high. If you would like to get involved, please speak to me or Monica. It is a wonderful ministry to be a part of, with the workload shared by a fantastic team
We praise God for his work in our midst as we endeavour to follow the instruction of Psalm 78, “to teach the children of the next generation of the mighty acts of God, that they in turn, would one day tell their children of the wonderful deeds of God.”
_Liz Logan_
## **cots2tots**
We are a free parent/grandparent/child group meeting in the Church. I run the group and set up and put away the play items and mats. I offer coffee and tea and squash and biscuits to children and adults, checking for allergies each time. The point of the group is to offer support and play to all without cost or a booking being needed. I advertise in the " Copthorne Magazine". Usually we are between 7 and 11 families each week. Dads often come too.
cots2tots has been running for 17 years, initially in the Church hall then the Parish Hub and now in the Church. We are fully supported by the Vicar and all the office staff.
_Annabelle Askew_
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## **The Parish Hub**
The popularity of The Parish Hub continues with casual lettings increasing significantly from those in 2023 with party lettings almost 90% higher. I would like to thank all those villagers who held their parties and celebration events in the Hub, supporting this community asset for the benefit of all.
Following the departure of Sunshine Pre-School at the end of 2023 it took a few months before our regular lettings hours recovered the Sunshine loss, so that over the whole year regular lettings hours were 17% lower than in 2023. However, for the second half of the year the regular lettings hours were the same as they had been in 2023. Over the whole year, therefore, because Sunshine had been enjoying a significant discount in their hire rate, actual lettings income from regular hires was 7% higher than in 2023. Springfit took up much of the time left by Sunshine's departure and we thank them for that.
Thank you to our main Regular hirers (Springfit, Fire Fitness, Apple Tree Yoga and Sadowski Latin Dance) for their continued support. In the last quarter, we welcomed four further regulars (Little Kickers, Move It or Lose It, Susana Crespo Yoga and Clubbercise). We hope that our residents will continue to support all our regular hirers.
With the significant increase in energy costs, we were obliged to increase our hire rates for 2024 but they remain very competitive and the Hub is the only hall in the village equipped with A/V systems and fully air-conditioned. We have not increased our regular hire rates for 2025.
There are still a few weekday slots available for clubs or organisations looking for an ideal location for their weekday sessions, both in the main hall and the first floor South Room. Local voluntary and not-for-profit organisations have also found it ideal for seminars and training days and it continues to provide a magnificent venue for church events from Harvest and Christmas lunches to quiz evenings, all of which attract churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike as well as helping to raise funds for the church.
Although there is limited parking at the Hub, an agreement with the Copthorne Sports Association, who run the Copthorne Jubilee Pavilion, means we can offer parking at that location for larger events, opening the Hub to a wider clientele.
Lettings of the main hall in 2024 generated £35,400 of income with operating expenses for the period of £27,200. The income from the lease of the first floor South Room to Worth Parish Council generated £7,500 in the year. The recharges to Worth Parish Council for shared service charges and utilities generated a further £5,000 of income in the year.
Vandalism was less than in 2023, although the deliberate destruction of a bollard light cost over £500 to replace. Electricity and Gas costs were 52% higher than in 2023.
Improvements included the resurfacing of the car parking spaces in April 2024 with an eco-friendly “grasscrete” surface, which was paid for by grant funds released by Mid Sussex District Council. Thanks go to our Hub Co-ordinator, Tracey Price, who deals so competently with all our bookings; to Richard Polley, in his role as hardware facilities manager, for dealing most efficiently with a variety of plumbing and electrical glitches and other “mechanical” upsets; to Ian Woodcock in his role as caretaker; to Maralyn Smith, church manager, for her “back office” support and, last but not least, to our wonderful cleaner, Veronica Frederick, who keeps this facility in tip-top condition as a superb asset for the village.
_Mike Livesey_
## **Building Team**
## **The buildings team has met frequently in the past year**
The team has eight members – seven of which are members of the PCC. Our brief has been to look at options for reordering the church so that it will be better fitted to today’s style of services and meetings, whilst also providing the flexibility to accommodate varying configurations. To provide background information, members of the team have visited seven other churches which have already been reordered – both within the Diocese of Chichester and other dioceses. These
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visits have enabled us to amass a great deal of useful information and as a result we have found what we believe is a viable approach to reorder St John’s.
The team members cover a broad spectrum of strengths, in the areas of civil; mechanical; electrical and financial skills. This enables us to seek out the right suppliers and to ask the right questions.
## **Reducing our carbon emissions**
One of the key drivers behind reordering the church is to reduce our carbon emissions. We need to use less energy whilst still keeping the building comfortable at all times of use. We have studied the options and have concluded that we need to improve insulation; improve draught control and find a cheaper source of green energy.
One major source of heat loss is the church floor. Beneath the thin carpeting and floorboards there is a massive well-ventilated space – effectively at outdoor ambient temperature. Through relaying the floor with thick insulation and underfloor heating (UFH) we will achieve two things at the same time: reduction in heat loss and a reordered level floor. Removal of most of the pews and replacing them with stackable seating will go a long way towards Phase 1 of our reordering plan.
We propose providing energy from an air source heat pump to transfer hot water to circulate in the UFH system. An air source heat pump effectively reduces the cost of electricity by up to three times.
The church will also have been surveyed by an energy auditor by the time of this APCM.
## **An architectural competition**
The PCC allowed us to organise a competition, with the objective of finding the ideal architect with whom we could work. We selected three likely candidates – all of whom are on the DAC list of approved inspecting architects, and offered them the chance to participate in return for an honorarium of £1,500. All three agreed and were given outline briefs of our problems; the items we thought should be improved, and of our current ways of working. We took care not to be too prescriptive – we were looking for capability and imagination rather than final ideas.
Having analysed all three of the concept documents delivered by the practices we have ultimately agreed to work with Jonathan Cerowski – a local award winning architect, very used to working with historic buildings. Our reordering project has therefore already cost St John’s £4,500 as agreed and should prove a sensible investment.
We have yet to take the next steps, because from now on, whatever we do with our architect will be invoiceable.
## **Appealing against the MSDC planning refusal for solar array – DM/24/1742**
We have so far failed to get approval for affixing a temporary solar photovoltaic array to the church roof. This solar array could become a key component in our carbon reduction work. We are appealing to the Secretary of State. A written appeal is completely free of charge, There is a deadline for appealing – 20[th] March. We will submit our appeal in good time, but it has proved more complex and time consuming than expected. After taking (free of charge) advice from two planning consultants, a professional electrical engineer, and an architect we have had to justify why we believe every objection by the Local Planning Authority is unreasonable or incorrect – line by line.
_John Wells_
## **Social Events**
Thank you to everyone who supported our social events during 2024. Once again we were blessed with lovely weather for our annual Jazz on the Green which is very popular and a wonderful atmosphere. We served our usual 'cream teas' at the Carnival and were inspired by all the entries for the Flower and Produce Show which were displayed at the Harvest Fair. Our Christmas lunch and popular quizzes were enjoyed by many.
We are also very grateful for all the help, cake making etc for our events which couldn't happen without sharing the load.
We hope you are able to continue joining in with our social fellowship during the coming year.
_The Social Team_
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## **Mission Partners (home and overseas)**
## **Crawley Open House & Easter Team (Love Your Neighbour)**
We are a food and clothing collection point for the Crawley Open house and the Crawley Easter Team, to help local people in crisis as well as homeless people to feel accepted, cared for and valued by providing food and support.
## **Christian Aid**
Last year we joined in again with Christian Aid Week. This is an annual door-to-door fundraising drive by the charity Christian Aid. The drive is held each year in Britain during the second week of May, when volunteers post red collection envelopes to households around Copthorne village, joining with thousands of others doing the same around the country. Christian Aid works with 700 local organisations across 50 developing countries.
## **Tearfund**
In October 2024 we organised another Tearfund Quiz, a fundraising event where the proceeds of the evening are donated to Tearfund. Tearfund is an international Christian relief and development agency based in Teddington, UK. It currently works in around 50 countries, with a primary focus on supporting those in poverty and providing disaster relief for disadvantaged communities.
## **Royal British Legion**
Our annual Remembrance Sunday is our busiest church service of the year. In the past 3 years we have held this service outdoors since we are not able to fit all attendees inside our church building. This year, as is custom with previous years we raised funds for the Royal British Legion, a charity providing financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependants.
## **Compassion**
Compassion is an international children’s charity that through sponsorship provides children and young people the opportunity to thrive and reach their God-given potential both now and into the future. As church we sponsor Ivan in Uganda by paying for his school fees. Ivan writes with his thanks for his education, his letters inspire us with his expressions of his faith in Jesus.
## **CMS**
The amazing work of Heather Johnstone, St John's Mission Partner at the Rehema Centre in Mara, Tanzania, continues to alleviate the hardship and struggles of many families, and to empower women. The aim is to meet their everyday needs of food, clothing, shelter and education, alongside training in how to become self-sufficient and to care for their families. Income from the Centre comes from a food outlet, cafe with delicious food, and craft shop, with items skilfully made.
Heather's visit to St. John's, whilst on her fund raising tour, happened earlier than usual last year, which meant she could be present as guest of Honour at our planned Craft Team Autumn Tea, in November. She gave an enlightening and very moving talk on her work, and on her achievements, which were helped by the kindness and generosity of our congregation, and community. She was able to display and sell her range of colourful crafted items and received around £400 raised by the Event itself, plus further direct donations. Our work this year has provided approximately £2,000 and our total to date Is over £7,000. Plans are going well for another Afternoon Tea party in March, to support her further.
Heather keeps us updated with regular News Letters, detailing Praise/Prayer points, and with emails, all with information and pictures, highlighting examples of hardship and vulnerability, but with so much news of happy fun times, Church involvement and special Services. This gives us a
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window into the world of a life in poverty but also shows how the empowerment and training helps provide a voice for these local women, in Mara.
We always think of Heather in our Church Services, where we pray for her strength and continued success.
The Craft Team are truly thankful for the kindness, good wishes, and huge support received from our Church family, Congregation and Village.
_Mary Smith, Sandra Godfrey & Wim Mauritz_
## **Deanery Synod**
The Parish of St John’s Copthorne is part of the East Grinstead Deanery, which along with other Parishes, covers an area from Cowden (Kent) in the east to Bewbush (Crawley) in the west and from Copthorne in the north to Ashurst Wood in the south, and includes all of the Crawley area. The East Grinstead Deanery in turn forms part of the Diocese of Chichester. At St John’s we currently have two elected Lay Deanery Synod Representatives who represent our Parish at Deanery Synod Meetings for a three-year term. Three meetings were held in this one-year period chaired alternately by the Rural Dean Revd Richard Poole and the elected Lay Chairman Mr Robert Pudney. The purpose of these meetings is to provide a two way communication channel from the General Synod through the Diocese and Deanery to the Parishes. This being an important platform to discuss and share ideas as we seek to promote the Gospel in our ever changing communities.
The information presented below is only a summary of the meetings which have taken place over the year. Excellent meeting minutes are available through the Deanery Secretary, **Rob Pudney** .
**The first meeting** of the Deanery Synod was held in March at St Mary’s Church East Grinstead. Following a short PowerPoint presentation, the Revd Richard Poole led us into the main topic of **Building the Deanery** . The meeting membership split into groups and Richard challenged both laity and clergy by asking us to consider the following questions: -
1. What pressures do you feel as a lay person or as clergy in your parish?
2. What kind of things “bother” you in your church/parish?
3. Do you feel you have a voice?
Separate feedback was collected from both the laity and the clergy groups. The laity felt that there were fewer people doing more tasks and that although laity has a voice, sometimes nothing is done with the feedback and that the Diocese can seem remote. It is getting increasingly difficult to engage young people with church. Also, there is a misperception in communities that the church is financially sound. Nevertheless, the clergy are genuinely appreciated by all. The clergy group expressed the feeling of frustration of having to be “all things” and do “all things” with management of time, resources and money being a continual challenge. There is often little time for personal reflection or for future visioning for our churches. Clergy would appreciate training to help them deal with the various pressures they are under.
A finance update was then presented with the positive message that for 2023 pledges of £637k had been made to the Diocese – a shortfall of only £30k, which was a great effort. Nevertheless, 2024 pledges are currently less than those for 2023. Although this is understood, it is somewhat disappointing.
Finally, the meeting reflected on the clergy and laity relationship. There are 34 clergy and 34 laity vacancies on Diocesan Synod and 31 laity vacancies in the East Grinstead Deanery. In conclusion a motion was proposed as follows: -
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## **“That this Deanery Synod considers that the concept of clergy and laity working together for the good of the Church under the synodical Government Measures of 1970 has lost its way.”**
We discussed the need for a framework, with suggested next steps within the Motion with a set of recommendations behind this. It can’t ostracize the laity in their roles.
**The second meeting** was held in June at our Church, St John the Evangelist. The opening prayers were followed by a welcome to new Deanery Synod members. The Revd Wim Mauritz introduced the main topic of **Mission Update Work with Refugees** and introduced several refugees who were based in Copthorne Hotels and attended services and ministry from St Johns. Each gave short personal testimonies of their experiences which were very moving and evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work. Wim and the team use AI translators to provide translated resources (into Farsi) for services and alpha courses.
The meeting then broke into groups of different Churches to discuss “How welcoming is your Church to the next generation of believers”. Many interesting examples of outreach were shared in a feedback session including the importance of vision, welcoming and how to reach children and young families. An important point made was that 75% of people convert from birth to 18 years old – it’s so important to focus on our youth.
Following on work from the last Deanery Synod meeting, we asked **“How can a Deanery bring about a positive influence upon the diocese?”** Some frustrations were expressed about the Diocesan Synod which sometimes appears to be a one-way information session rather than a two way discussion where Synod members are part of a decision making process.
**The third meeting** was held in October at St Andrews Church, Furnace Green. Following the welcome and opening prayers an introduction was given by Archdeacon Angela with a thank you to the Parishes for their team effort for us all to be part of and how the parishes are the frontline for Mission. She introduced **Lesley Lyn (Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance)** and later **John Preston (Diocesan Secretary).**
Lesley thanked all for their efforts to meet their Parish Share in these difficult times - 80% of Diocese income is from this voluntary contribution from Parishes. Church House has achieved cost savings of £400k this year to try to tackle the financial position but the 2025 budget will still run a deficit. Ministry was the next item discussed as, in the longer term, we do need to look at how we resource ministry in Sussex and inflation will always mean we want to pay Clergy more, and we should pay them more, if at all possible, including Curates and Stipends. Lesley asked that parishes keep forecasted 2025 contributions under review to see if there could be an increase over time, if at all possible.
John Preston presented a useful one page review of Diocese finances for PCC’s. Essentially, the plan for 2025 is to hold Parish Ministry costs to about the same levels as last year. However an increase in Parish Share of about 3% would be welcomed and we were all asked to prayerfully consider this by keeping the Parish Share under review through the coming year.
Before closing, the meeting looked forward to 2025, which is a special anniversary for the Deanery! _Andy Harpham and Ian Hornsby_
## **Legal Documentation Relating to the Parish Hub (updated December 2024)**
The documentation is filed in a box file in the Parish Office. In summary:
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Worth Parish Council have been granted a 25 year lease on the use of the North Rooms under the following arrangement
- The Lease runs for 25 years, from 1[st] January 2015 to 31[st] December 2040.
- For the first 15 years the rent payable is £1 pa.
- On 1[st] January 2030 (15[th] Anniversary of the Lease) a premium rent of £10,000 is payable and the annual rent (payable quarterly) increases to 50 percent of the then market rent.
- On 1[st] January 2035 a full market rent becomes payable.
- Worth Parish Council are responsible for 23 percent of all Shared Service Costs as defined in Clause 8.2. (This is based on the respective floor areas.) St John’s PCC’s obligations in providing services are detailed in Clause 8.3.
- St John’s PCC are obliged to provide Quarterly Accounts to Worth Parish Council.
A Section 119 Report was submitted in fulfilment of the Charities Act 2011 in support of the above arrangements.
Worth Parish Council have an annual renewable lease on the South Room. The annual rent (currently £7,500) is reviewable every three years from 2015. The 2021 review resulted in the agreed annual rent as above and was effective from May 2022. The next review took place in September 2024 to be effective from May 2025. In addition, Worth Parish Council pays a Proportionate Share (13%) of the Shared Service Costs as defined in the North Room Lease dated 10[th] June 2015. (Note that this is in addition to Worth Parish Council’s share of the Shared Service Costs provided for under the North Room Lease Agreement.) Worth Parish Council has the option of converting the lease into a longer lease.
St John’s PCC has granted a lease to the Trustees of the Copthorne Village Millennium Group (CVMG) for use of the Archive Room on the First Floor and access to storage in the loft for 15 years from January 1[st] 2015 at £1pa. The Millennium Group undertakes to pay 10 percent of annual income excluding restricted funds towards the upkeep of the Parish Hub and to offset cost of publication of the work in the Copthorne Magazine. The Incumbent of St John’s is a member of the CVMG Committee if s/he so wishes.
Service Agreements have been entered into for:
Lift LOLER inspection; Lift Annual Service; Boiler annual service; Security annual checks; Water annual checks; Wiring and fire alarm annual checks; Portable Appliance Testing; Fire extinguishers; Air-conditioning.
## **Other Legal Agreements and Matters**
The Incumbent of St John the Evangelist is a Trustee of the Delmar-Morgan Hall and of St John’s Sunshine Pre-School.
The Incumbent is also a Foundation Governor of Copthorne CE Junior School.
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## **Trustees Annual Report and Financial Report**
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of
## **St. John the Evangelist, Copthorne St. John’s Church, Church Road, Copthorne, West Sussex RH10 3RD**
Registered Charity no: 1155185 **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **CONTENTS**
**Statement of Financial Activities …………………………………Page 28**
**Balance Sheet …………………………………………………………… Page 30**
**Independent Examiners Report …………………………………..Page 31**
**Notes to the Accounts………………………………………………… Page 32**
_Website: www.copthornechurch.org_
_Incumbent:_ The Reverend Willem Mauritz,
The Vicarage, Church Road, Copthorne, RH10 3RU
_Associate Vicar:_ Reverend Alexandra Wheeler
_Assistant Curate:_ Reverend Fiona Coldicott
_Independent Examiner:_ Chaweevan Williams FCCA, Verdant Accountants Limited
_Bankers:_ The Co-operative Bank plc PO Box 250, Delf House, Southway, Skelmersdale, WN8 6WT,
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## **Trustees Annual Report for 2024**
## For
## **The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St. John the Evangelist, Copthorne**
## **Our aims and purposes as a charity**
St John the Evangelist is part of the Diocese of Chichester and the Church of England. As the parish church in Copthorne, we believe that our core purpose is to be a Christian presence in our local community and to pro-actively play our part in God’s mission, reaching out in sharing God’s love to all.
The PCC of St John’s is responsible for the upkeep of the charity’s assets such as the main church building, the Parish Hub, offices, vestry and churchyard for the benefit of all parishioners. The PCC is a team made up of members of clergy and lay members of the church. Together they are responsible for the overall wellbeing, practical as well as spiritual, of St John’s church, the church members, and the church buildings. The PCC also has a duty to promote the mission of the church within the wider community. Our mission statement “GROWING IN LOVE for God & each other” is rooted in the Christian calling to love God and your neighbour as yourself.
## **What we planned to do to achieve our charitable objectives**
When planning our activities for the year, the PCC considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and the specific guidance on ‘charities for the advancement of religion’. The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, fully recognising its duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. Our charitable objectives are to drive our key priorities for the coming years. As a local church in Copthorne, we are passionate about sharing the Gospel with everyone and nurturing one another as followers of Jesus Christ. We are committed to demonstrating generosity to those in need, raising awareness of injustice, and taking action to care for God's creation both locally and globally. In all that we do, we pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Our mission to grow in love for God and each other is expressed through five key priorities:
_1. Sharing the GOOD NEWS_
_2. Teaching and NURTURE_
_3. Acts of GENEROSITY_
_4. Speaking up for JUSTICE_
_5. Care for CREATION_
## **What we achieved and how we affected beneficiaries’ lives**
## _**Sharing the GOOD NEWS**_
Our mission priority of sharing the Good News is not just alone focus; it underpins and connects with all our other priorities. At its core, it’s about proclaiming the Gospel reaching out to others by sharing God’s message of love. foundation for everything we do and is key to growing strengthening our worshipping community. The most frequent way we share the Good News is through our seasonal church services. We have become much more as a church since we welcomed and supported many
a standmission and It forms the and obvious and weekly and multicultural refugees
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and asylum seekers who have arrived in our village since 2021. The current number of people who are on the electoral roll is 131 and on average, our weekly services attract between 100-150 people, with seasonal and special services drawing even larger crowds—sometimes doubling that number. For larger services we’ve expanded to use our churchyard to accommodate everyone.
We are also committed to nurturing future generations through our children’s and youth programs, led by dedicated volunteers. On Sundays, these groups meet during the 11am service to explore the Bible, discuss life, and pray together. Our leadership teams carefully plan each session, sharing God’s love with the young people. Through our partnerships with local schools, we can also share the Good News with pupils, inviting them to seasonal services and bringing Bible stories into school assemblies. Additionally, we regularly engage with local uniformed groups, introducing them to the Christian faith.
Our church continues to be appreciated by many as a location where life events are celebrated with joy and thanksgiving. Our public worship activities have been of benefit to the wider community. We continue to do our key seasonal services such as Mothering Sunday, Easter, Harvest, Remembrance and Christmas which were very well attended. Our ‘All Souls’ Service was a particularly poignant, and very much appreciated, occasion where those who have lost loved ones joined for worship and the sharing of memories – this was held in Church but also available online for those unable to be in Church.
Our Remembrance Sunday Service was supported by the local uniformed organisations who participated through readings and prayers to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflict. In 2024 we saw again many people of the wider village attending.
At this service as well as at our Christingle service and Harvest Festival we were able to partner again with the Copthorne Silver Band. These events were another opportunity to bring the village people to well organised church events and gave opportunities to engage with those who may otherwise not have had any opportunity for religious encounter over the Christmas period.
> Our church building is generally open & fa 2 Re 3 during daylight hours on most days either for Sa for anyone to use for moments of quiet i” FEar 5
> and a place of peace. Throughout the a 9 = week, church hosts a variety of outreach including community groups, toddler ya S ee = Alpha courses, language classes, social events, and quiet reflection times. Over the past three years, we’ve realized that our current space can no longer accommodate all these groups and activities. In the last two years, we’ve been considering how to re-order our main church building to better serve our mission.
during services or reflection week, the activities, sessions, events, three worship these years,
## _**Teaching and NURTURE**_
Our mission to teach and nurture followers of Christ is rooted in Jesus' Great Commission: _"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"_ (Matthew 28:19, NIV-UK). We believe our calling is to reach out to others with Jesus' message of hope. The process of making disciples naturally happens when newer believers are nurtured by more experienced disciples. Our focus on teaching and nurturing seeks to help new Christians experience God’s love and receive the power of the Holy Spirit to become more like Christ.
In 2024, we’ve again seen a growing number of people come to faith, get baptised, and engage in our prayer gatherings, children’s, youth, music, and Bible study groups. Throughout the year, we ran three Alpha courses (one per term), four baptism preparation classes (once a
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quarter), and two confirmation classes (in spring and autumn). We also organised a marriage preparation course for couples getting married at our church. We have held another bereavement course and continued to sustain the existing support and prayer groups. All these smaller groups have proven to be a primary space for pastoral care, Christian discipleship, friendship, and the building of meaningful relationships. Our aim remains for them to be large enough to encourage missional activities and small enough to ensure that everyone is cared for.
Our children and youth groups meet on a Sunday. Children meet during the 11am service. The Y6-Y9 group continue to bible, talk about life and pray together. This year we have another new year 6 cohort, and the group is settled and enthusiastically in the activities. The leadership team is and generous, planning each session and sharing God’s love young people.
We have a Pastoral Ministry Team that actively maintains with, and visits, those who are sick or lonely in our parish. This provides pastoral care before, during, and after regular church
and youth explore the welcomed engages committed with the contact team also services.
Additionally, we provide care in several local community homes within the parish, where residents and caregivers can attend services or receive home visits when possible.
Our church website and social media platforms help keep both our church members and the wider community informed about events, courses, and opportunities to get involved. To ensure accessibility, we also produce and distribute the Copthorne Magazine, which is delivered by volunteers to all village residents, keeping them informed about all our activities. Our WhatsApp prayer group has become a valued part of our church life, offering a space for people to connect and pray together, including those who are housebound. We also publish a weekly online newsletter to keep everyone up to date with life at St. John’s, and for those who are unable to access digital content, we print and deliver it.
## _**Acts of GENEROSITY**_
Generosity is at the heart of our vision for growing in love. We believe that God calls us to be generous with what He has given us. Generosity is a sign of trust in God’s provision, knowing that there will be enough for everyone to share. We are mindful that giving should come willingly and joyfully, not out of pressure or obligation. As St. Paul writes in his second letter to the Corinthians: _“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”_ (2 Corinthians 9:7, NRSVA).
To encourage generous financial giving, we’ve recently promoted the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) for our regular givers. The PGS is a simple and secure way for people to contribute and helps the church receive income more efficiently, reducing the administrative burden on our treasurer, staff, and volunteers. Alongside PGS, we offer several other ways to give, such as cash, card payments, and QR code donations. We also aim to emphasize the importance of generosity and stewardship through sermons and teachings.
Generosity isn’t just about money. We also focus on how we can support the work of the church in practical ways, such as volunteering our time. All church members are encouraged to use their gifts of ministry at services - leading, welcoming, serving, reading lessons and leading prayers. We are very grateful to the musicians and singers and AV technicians who freely give of their expertise at church services. We were again very grateful for our social teams that organised many of our different social events.
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In 2024, we continued our international café – offering for some an opportunity for integration, for some the learning of the English language and for some purely the opportunity of a coffee, board games and some company. Each café incorporates Christian learning as well as additional resources (such as bibles) in several mother tongues.
This year we again donated children’s bibles to all the year 3’s at Copthorne Junior School and Youth Bibles to the Year 6’s at their leavers’ service.
Social events are a key point of our ministry to the village, enabling church members to invite others to join us. We were delighted to be able to continue these events during 2024. Our Social team work hard planning events throughout the year which are well attended by both church members and the village and wider community. Highlights of 2024sw included:
- Weekly coffee mornings outside at the coffee bars and at the I-Café
- Monthly coffee mornings in church during the working parties
- Various quiz nights - including a Tearfund themed quiz raising both the profile and funds for
- the work of Tearfund
- Jazz on the Green
- Teas and refreshments at the annual Copthorne Carnival.
- The Flower and Produce Show / Harvest Fair
In addition to these local efforts, we remain committed to generous giving to charities and mission organisations beyond our village. We support both local and global causes, including Crawley Open House, The Children’s Society, The Royal British Legion, the Church Mission Society (Heather Johnstone's Rehema Project in Tanzania), Tearfund, and Compassion. We also participate in Christian Aid Week, where we distribute envelopes and organise central collection points throughout the village.
Most of our events are advertised around the village and in our local Copthorne Magazine. The printing and delivery of the bi-monthly Copthorne Magazine is co-ordinated by the church and supported by local advertising. It contains news, events and reports on church and local activities with the 2800 copies being delivered free to every home in Copthorne by a team of village and church volunteers.
## _**Speaking up for JUSTICE**_
This priority that helps us to engage with global justice issues. The Bible teaches that all people are created in God’s image and are equally valuable. Christians believe that God is a God of justice, and as His image-bearers, we are called to pursue justice, particularly for the poor, oppressed, and vulnerable in society. Our mission to speak up for justice is inspired by the last chapter of Proverbs. King Lemuel’s mother offers this wisdom: _“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy”_ (Proverbs 31:8-9, NIV-UK).
Advocating for justice is not easy, but it is an essential part of our Christian calling. As a church, we continue to support organizations such as Christian Aid, Tearfund and Welcome Churches addressing both global and local injustices. These agencies work to speak out against injustice and build safe communities, protecting people from violence and modern-day slavery.
As Christians, we are called to love and welcome the stranger, regardless of their cultural background. Since 2021, we have had the privilege of caring for refugees and asylum seekers. In
Page : 24
2024, we have been able to speak on behalf of local refugees and asylum seekers in our village community. We regularly collaborate with local authorities and the Home Office, helping refugees understand their legal rights and access to education and housing, while also advocating for them with our local MP.
## _**Care for CREATION**_
As Christians, we have a scriptural mandate to care for all of God’s creation. This responsibility is a core part of our mission and influences how we treat our land, buildings, investments, and other assets.
As a church, we want to play our part in protecting and enhancing the diversity and abundance of life in our local area, especially our churchyard, while also working with others to restore and sustain the health of our wider planet. We believe that when we adopt a proper relationship with creation, others may be drawn into a deeper, life-giving relationship with our Creator God. We worship a God who loves the Earth He created and calls us to care for it. Caring for creation is an essential part of our worship and witness, as we respond to a creation that is groaning (Romans 8:22).
Our church has always been a place where we celebrate significant life events with joy and gratitude. We take great care in maintaining our churchyard, which is much appreciated by the village. Most of the routine maintenance of the church and churchyard is done by volunteers from the church and the wider village community. In 2019, we received our Bronze Eco Church Award. Eco Church, launched by the charity A Rocha in 2016, has grown into a community of churches working together to care for God’s Earth. At the heart of the Eco Church initiative is an online survey that helps churches assess how they are caring for the environment in various areas of church life. Our responses to this survey earned us this Bronze award.
The Parish Hub, opened in 2015, is proving of great benefit to church and community alike. It hosts an array of clubs and activities such as art groups, social clubs, various sporting activities and exercise classes for all ages. The presence of the Parish Hub has increased the footfall through the churchyard with many villagers enjoying the attractive space. The Parish Hub has a management team which ensures the smooth running of bookings, financial security and a high standard of upkeep. In addition to our volunteers, the church employs a caretaker and assistant and a Hub co-ordinator – who manages marketing, bookings and some of the day-to-day issues that arise.
In recent years, we have made several steps toward sustainability, including switching to environmentally responsible utility providers. We’ve also created a "wildflower meadow" and in 2024 we added a small "community orchard" in our churchyard to help nature thrive. Each year, especially during our Harvest Festival, we focus on themes that highlight our commitment to caring for creation. However, we believe there’s more we can do in the future. We recognize, along with A Rocha and many other churches, businesses, and organizations, that we are in the midst of a climate emergency. In response, we are committed to a process of continuous improvement to meet the highest possible Eco Church standards.
## **Parish Ministry Costs**
We continued to fulfil our contribution to our Parish Ministry costs for 2024 making a payment of £81,169 to Chichester Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF). We thank all donors to St John’s church
Page : 25
who have enabled us to do this again for another year. For 2025 we have committed to meet the increased parish share request of £84,416.
The PCC expresses a heartfelt thank you to all who give up their time in running different ministries, providing hospitality, care and outreach and to those looking after our premises. The hard work of each and every one is much appreciated.
## **Financial Review**
The total receipts on general unrestricted funds were £193,711 (2023 £174,328) and are detailed in the Financial Report. Expenditure also increased to £181,621 which resulted in a surplus on Unrestricted Funds of £12,090.
Including in the income, on an exceptional basis, we received grants totalling £31,005 from Mid Sussex District Council towards the full installation of the Air Conditioning in the Hub and improvements to the Hub Car Park. Without those grants, our unrestricted income would have been over £18,000 below our expenditure.
The value of our Fixed Assets at the end of 2024 can be seen in Note 11.
Each year the Church’s invested Endowment Funds are revalued and at 31[st] December they totalled £101,263; £3,240 higher than the previous year. See Note 10.
Total Funds of the Church at the 31[st] December 2024 were £800,278 (compared with £779,862 at the end of 2023).
## **Other highlights of the financial year:**
The Hub contributed over £23,600 including rental income from the Parish Council for the South Room, towards Church Funds with income from lettings increasing significantly over 2023. This is despite Sunshine Pre-school moving to a different venue. The Hub team has contributed magnificently to achieve this result.
Unfortunately, during 2024, one of our most generous regular donors passed away and, despite many of our regular donors switching to the Parish Giving Scheme, the income received from regular donors and the Giftaid received thereon was down nearly 10%. Therefore, it has become clear in recent years that we need to increase the proportion of our funding that arises from ad hoc donations. We have responded by providing a number of innovative new ways of donating that take advantage of the latest technology. One of our most productive schemes involves using the PGS system for one-off donations by scanning a QR Code in a leaflet or on the screen.
The Church has taken over the leadership of the group that is preserving and restoring the Lychgate. A dedicated Restricted Fund has been established for this purpose and additional fundraising has started.
The Church Outreach has been strong in 2024, not only with Asylum Seekers and those recently granted leave to remain but also with the bereaved. The Toddler Group, started in 2023, has gone from strength to strength.
## **Reserves Policy**
It is the PCC’s policy:
- To maintain a Net asset balance on the general unrestricted funds (excluding property) which equates to approximately three months’ worth of unrestricted payments as contingency against unforeseen situations. The closing balance of £68,912 achieves this Policy.
Page : 26
- To invest legacies restricted as to their objects with the churches, charities and local authorities financial provider, CCLA, until such time that suitable beneficiaries are identified by the PCC.
## **Structure, Governance and Management.**
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is registered with the Charity Commission as required by the Charities Act 2011. Its governing document is the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956.
During the year the following served as members of the Parochial Church Council:
|ExOfciomembers:|||
|---|---|---|
|Incumbent:|TheRev’dWillem Mauritz||
|AssociateVicar:|TheRev’dAlexandraWheeler||
|Assistant Curate:|The Rev’d Deacon Fiona
Coldicott||
|Wardens:|Mr DavidHornsby||
||Mrs Gillian Hodsdon||
||||
|ElectedMembers:|MrJonathan Brueton|Until 2027|
||Mr NigelCramp|Until 2027|
||MrsLesleyDawson|Until 2025|
||MrsAnitaFindon|Until 2025|
||MrsMargaretJones|Until 2027|
||Mrs Jan Leftley|Until 2025|
||Mr Michael Livesey|Until 2026|
||TheRev’dElizabeth Logan|Until 2026|
||MrJohn Wells|Until 2025|
||Mrs Jennifer Wharton|Until 2025|
||Mrs Susan Williams|Until 2025|
||||
|AppointedMembers:|Mr Kerry Scott|Treasurer|
||MrsMaralynSmith|Secretary|
||MsLauraLi|MinuteTaker|
||Mr EricTrevett|Safeguarding Ofcer|
||||
|Deanery Synod:|Mr Andrew Harpham|Until 2026|
||Mr Ian Hornsby|Until 2026|
Eric Trevett is the church’s Safeguarding Officer, who ensures he is up-to-date with Diocesan Safeguarding Policies and that the PCC is advised of any changes. In addition, Monica Polley maintains the DBS register of those working with children and vulnerable adults or in leadership roles at St. John’s. We have recruited more youth workers, leaders and adult carers this year. We are enrolled on the Simple Quality Protects system with the diocese to maintain best practice.
Page : 27
Membership of the PCC is determined under the Church Representation Rules and consists of certain ex-officio members (the incumbent, curate, readers licensed to officiate in the church, the Churchwardens), members of the Deanery, Diocesan or General synods and 11 members of the church who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). Church members are warmly encouraged to stand for election to the PCC and we try to ensure a balance of skills and experience where possible.
This Trustee’s Annual Report was approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by Rev’d W Mauritz.
Signed
Date 18 March 2025
Page : 28
## **Statement of Financial Activities**
For the year ended 31 December 2024
|**Unrestricted Restricted Endowment**
**Total**
**Prior year**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**total funds**
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
91,858
3,166
0
95,024
99,435
Other trading activities
48,229
0
0
48,229
43,603
Investments
7,798
5,018
0
12,816
12,694
Income from charitable
activities
14,327
190
0
14,517
10,021
Other income
31,499
1,000
0
32,499
12,576|**Unrestricted Restricted Endowment**
**Total**
**Prior year**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**total funds**
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
91,858
3,166
0
95,024
99,435
Other trading activities
48,229
0
0
48,229
43,603
Investments
7,798
5,018
0
12,816
12,694
Income from charitable
activities
14,327
190
0
14,517
10,021
Other income
31,499
1,000
0
32,499
12,576|**Unrestricted Restricted Endowment**
**Total**
**Prior year**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**total funds**
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
91,858
3,166
0
95,024
99,435
Other trading activities
48,229
0
0
48,229
43,603
Investments
7,798
5,018
0
12,816
12,694
Income from charitable
activities
14,327
190
0
14,517
10,021
Other income
31,499
1,000
0
32,499
12,576|**Unrestricted Restricted Endowment**
**Total**
**Prior year**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**total funds**
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
91,858
3,166
0
95,024
99,435
Other trading activities
48,229
0
0
48,229
43,603
Investments
7,798
5,018
0
12,816
12,694
Income from charitable
activities
14,327
190
0
14,517
10,021
Other income
31,499
1,000
0
32,499
12,576|**Unrestricted Restricted Endowment**
**Total**
**Prior year**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**total funds**
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
91,858
3,166
0
95,024
99,435
Other trading activities
48,229
0
0
48,229
43,603
Investments
7,798
5,018
0
12,816
12,694
Income from charitable
activities
14,327
190
0
14,517
10,021
Other income
31,499
1,000
0
32,499
12,576|**Unrestricted Restricted Endowment**
**Total**
**Prior year**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**total funds**
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
91,858
3,166
0
95,024
99,435
Other trading activities
48,229
0
0
48,229
43,603
Investments
7,798
5,018
0
12,816
12,694
Income from charitable
activities
14,327
190
0
14,517
10,021
Other income
31,499
1,000
0
32,499
12,576|**Notes**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Total income**|193,711|9,373|0|203,085|178,328|2|
|Expenditure on:
Raising funds
3,654
562
0
250
469
Exp. on charitable
activities
137,735
3,725
0 145,425
143,201
Other expenditure
7,861
0
0
7,861
0
Trading activities
32,371
0
0
32,371
35,061|||||||
|**Total expenditure**|181,621|4,287|0|185,908|178,731|3|
||||||||
|**Transfers between funds**|48,935|(48,935)|0|0|0|9|
|**Other recognised gains / losses**
Gains/losses on investment
assets
0
0
3,240
3,240
8,403
Net movement in funds
61,025
(43,849)
3,240
20,416
8,000||||||10|
|**Reconciliation of funds**|||||||
|Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward|465,241
526,266|216,598
172,749|98,023
101,263|779,862
800,278|771,861
779,862||
Page : 29
**Balance Sheet** As at 31 December 2024
|Tangible assets
Endowed investments
~~ee~~|**Total**
**Funds**
**2024**
~~ee~~|**Total**
**Funds**
**2023**
~~ee~~|**_Note_**
~~ee~~|
|---|---|---|---|
||**£**
~~ee~~|**£**
~~ee~~|~~ee~~|
||**629,562**
~~ee~~|**606,418**
~~ee~~|_11_
~~ee~~|
||**101,263**
~~ee~~|**98,023**
~~ee~~|_10_
~~ee~~|
|**Total fixed assets**
~~ee~~|**730,825**
~~ee~~|**704,441**
~~ee~~|~~ee~~|
|Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
~~ES~~|**7,039**
~~ES~~|**8,582**
~~ES~~|_13_
~~ES~~|
||**70,195**
~~ES~~|**72,485**
~~ES~~|~~ES~~|
|**Total current assets**
~~ES~~
~~a~~|**77,234**
~~ES~~
~~a~~
~~oe~~|**81,067**
~~ES~~
~~a~~|~~ES~~
~~a~~|
|Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
~~a~~
~~———~~|**(7,781)**
~~a~~
~~———~~
~~oe~~|**(5,647)**
~~a~~
~~———~~|_14_
~~a~~
~~———~~|
|**Net current assets or (liabilities)**
~~———~~|**69,453**
~~———~~
~~oe~~|**75,420**
~~———~~|~~———~~|
|**Total assets less current liabilities**
~~———~~|**800,278**
~~———~~
~~oe~~|**779,862**
~~———~~|~~———~~|
|Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
Provisions for liabilities
~~———~~
~~EE~~|~~———~~
~~oe~~
~~EE~~|~~———~~
~~EE~~|~~———~~
~~EE~~|
||~~EE~~|~~EE~~|~~EE~~|
|**Total net assets or (liabilities)**
~~EE~~
~~i~~|**800,278**
~~EE~~
~~i~~|**779,862**
~~EE~~
~~i~~|~~EE~~
~~i~~|
|**The funds of the charity:**
~~i~~|~~i~~|~~i~~|~~i~~|
|Endowment funds
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
Revaluation reserve
~~i~~
~~==~~|**101,263**
~~i~~
~~==~~|**98,023**
~~i~~
~~==~~|~~i~~
~~==~~|
||**172.749**
~~i~~
~~==~~|**216,597**
~~i~~
~~==~~|~~i~~
~~==~~|
||**526,266**
~~==~~|**465,242**
~~==~~|~~==~~|
||~~==~~|~~==~~|~~==~~|
||~~==~~|~~==~~|~~==~~|
|**Total charity funds**|**800,278**|**779,862**|12,16|
This Financial Report for the year ended 31st December 2024, including the notes following, was approved by the PCC and signed on its behalf by The Revd. Willem Mauritz.
Date 18 March 2025
Page : 30
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
IndeFEndent examinerfs report to The PCC of St Jthn Evangelist Copthome (Charity no 1155185) on
the financial slaterr£nts of the charity f( Ihe year ended 31 Drnber 2024 which comprise the
slatement of Finana al Activities. the Bala Sheet a1 the related notes.
Responsibilities and basis of report
The charity's trustees are resporBible f(x Ihe Fxeparation of the acCntS in acccrdance with the
Charities Act 2011 {'Ihe Act,). The Charity's trustees consider that an audit is not requir1 for ttrNs >ear
under Sects'( 144 of the Act and that an irKlependent examinats'on is needed.
ft is my responsibility to exanine the accounts Lmder tIOn 145 of the Charities Act. follow the
applicable Directions given by the Ch¥ity Commission undw Secti( 145(5Xb) of the Act. and sta
WIther partiCLlar mattws have corrE to my atterrtion.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my exarrination. I c(mfirm that:
(1)
In Connecti¢ with ry examination, no material matter5 have to my attention whith give
me se to believe that. in any material respect
Ihe aCcotIng records were Th)t kept in acoydance with Secti 130 of the C harities
Ihe nUnts did mt accord with aco)untirvJ rrds. or
Ihe a(Lounts did rK)t comply with the applicaNe rjU1rnents COrrnI rYJ ttr fom and
content of the &counts set out in the Charits'e5 (Accounts arKI Report) RUlab.0n
2008 other than any requirement that the acojunts give a 'true and fair, view whith is
rK)t a matter (x)nsided as p&t of an indendent exami nation.
(2)
I have no concems have ccyne 0s5 no other matter5 in CCnection with the
examination to which atÈntion should be drn in Ihis report in der to enable a woper
understalIng of the accwnts to be reached.
Chaweevan Williams FCCA
Chartered Certified Accountants
Verfant Accountants Limita
20-22 Wenlock Road
London
Date- 25 April 2025
NI 7GU
Page: 31
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Basis of preparation**
The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and the Church Accounting Regulations 2006, in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the current Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities, (SORP (FRS 102)).
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the inclusion of investments 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 accounts of church groups that owe their affiliation to another body, nor those which are informal gatherings of church members.
## **Funds accounting**
Funds held by the PCC are:
_Unrestricted funds_ - general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes.
_Designated funds_ - monies set aside by the PCC out of unrestricted funds for specific future purposes or projects.
_Restricted funds_ - a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest; b) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of the year is carried forward as a balance on that fund.
_Endowment funds_ - funds for which the capital must be maintained; only income arising from the investment of the endowment may be used, either as restricted or unrestricted funds, depending on the purpose set out in the terms of the original endowment.
## **Income and endowments**
All income and endowments, accounted for without deduction for any costs of receivability, are recognised when there is evidence of entitlement, receipt is probable, and the amount can be measured reliably.
## **Donations and legacies**
_Collections_ are recognised when received.
_Planned giving receivable_ is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement, receipt is probable, and the amount accords with the Gift Aid declaration or other record of intention to donate.
_Gift aid recovered_ is recognised when the income to which it is attached is recognised.
_Grants and legacies_ are recognised when the formal offer in writing of the funding, is received by the PCC.
## **Charitable activities**
Page : 32
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
Statutory fees for weddings and funerals are recognised when the office occurs. Rental fees are recognised in accordance with the rental agreement, when receipt is probable.
## **Other trading activities**
Trading activities are where income is receivable in return for selling goods or providing services. Income from trading is recognised either: a - when received, or b - in the case of concerts: for the year in which the event occurs, irrespective of date of receipt. Advance bookings are included in creditors until the concert has taken place.
Magazine advertising income is recognised when the magazine is published.
Rents from property are recognised in accordance with the rental agreements, when receipt is probable.
## **Investment income**
Dividends are accounted for when due and payable. Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue.
## **All other income**
All other income is recognised in accordance with the above overall policy.
## **Gains and losses on investments**
Realised gains are recognised when the investments are sold. Unrealised gains and losses are accounted for on revaluation at 31 December.
Page : 33
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
## **Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement, payment is probable, and the amount can be measured reliably.
## **Grants**
Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded where the award creates a binding obligation on the PCC.
## **Church activities**
The diocesan parish contribution is accounted for on an annual basis, reflecting the allocation set by our Deanery.
## **Fixed assets**
## _Tangible fixed assets_
Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the accounts by s.10(2) of the Charities Act 2011.
Movable church furnishing held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the church's inventory which can be inspected but are not included in the financial statements. For other property acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore the cost of such assets is not stated in the financial statements.
All expenditure on consecrated or beneficed buildings and individual items costing under £2000 are written off in the year they were incurred.
## _Depreciation_
Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost of tangible fixed assets, excluding freehold properties, over their expected useful lives. The rates generally applicable are:
|ies, over their expected useful lives.|The rat|
|---|---|
|Land and buildings|Nil|
|Fixtures and fttings|25%|
|Audio visual equipment|25%|
|Ofice equipment|33%|
|Air Conditioning in the Hub|10%|
No depreciation is provided on freehold buildings as the useful economic life of these assets exceeds 50 years and residual values so high that potential depreciation would be immaterial. It is the PCC's policy to maintain these assets in a continual state of sound repair. Resulting from regular impairment reviews, provision will be made if there has been any permanent diminution in value.
## **Investments**
Investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date.
## **Current Assets**
Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown a debtors, less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectable.
Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Church of England Funds, or at the bank.
Page : 34
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
## **2. Analysis of income and endowments**
||**General**|**Designated **|**Unrestricted **|**Restricted**|**Total**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Fund**|**Fund/s**|**Funds –**
**Total**|**Funds**|**Funds**
**2024**|**Funds**
**2023**|
||£|£||£|£|**£**|
|Planned giving|60,273|2,375|62,648|0|62,648|60,196|
|Loose cash collections|4,579|0|4,579|0|4,579|5,450|
|Other special appeals|4,272|0|4,272|3,166|7,437|5,564|
|Gift Aid recoverable|15,579|0|15,579|0|15,579|24,495|
|Legacies|2,000|0|2,000|0|2,000|0|
|Other Funds Generated|2,557|224|2,781|0|2,781|3,730|
||||||||
|**Donations and**
**legacies**|**89,259**|**2,599**|**91,858**|**3,166**|**95,024**|**99,435**|
||||||||
|Weddings &funeral fees|7,664|0|7,664|190|7,854|4,906|
|Fundraising|6,649|14|6,663|0|6,663|5,115|
||||||||
|**Charitable activities**|**14,313**|**14**|**14,327**|**190**|**14,517**|**10,021**|
||||||||
||||||||
|Parish hub hiring fees||37,295|37,295||37,295|32,804|
|Magazine advertising
fees|10,934||10,934||10,934|10,798|
||||||||
|**Other trading**
**activities**|**10,934**|**37,295**|**48,229**|**0**|**48,229**|**43,603**|
||||||||
|Interest Income|298||298|5,018|5,316|5,194|
|Rent for South Room|0|7,500|7,500|0|7,500|7,500|
||||||||
|**Investments**|**298**|**7,500**|**7,798**|**5,018**|**12,816**|**12,694**|
||||||||
|Other Income–Grants|475|31,024|31,499|1,000|32,499|**12,576**|
||||||||
|**Total income**|**115,279**|**78,432**|**193,711**|**9,373 **|**203,085**|**178,328**|
Page : 35
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
## **3. Analysis of expenditure**
||**General**|**General**|**Designated**|**Designated**||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Restricted**|**Total Funds**|**Total Funds**|**Total Funds**|**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Fund**||**Funds**||**Total Funds**||**Fund/s**||**2024**||**2023**|
|||£||||||£||**£**||**£**|
|Fundraising costs||3,654||0||3,654||562||4,216||**3,769**|
|**Cost of raising funds**||**3,654**||**0**||**3,654**||**562**||**4,216**||**3,769**|
||||||||||||||
|Grants andDonations||3,317||0||3,317||0||1,786||**1,786**|
|Mission& evangelismcosts||1,489||0||1,489||0||1,489||**1,003**|
|Diocesanparishshare||81,169||0||81,169||0||81,169||**78,587**|
|Clergy expenses||4,690||0||4,690||0||4,690||**2,684**|
|Salaries andhonorariainclNI||19,681||0||19,681||0||19,681||**18,235**|
|Upkeep ofservices||5,840||0||5,840||0||5,840||**8,886**|
|Church running costs||10,523||0||10,523||0||10,523||**9,871**|
|Church maintenance andrepair||724||0||724||0||724||**3,932**|
|Upkeep ofchurchyard||0||0||0||3,260||3,260||**4,181**|
|Wedding &funeral fees & costs||1,768||0||1,768||464||2,232||**805**|
|Parsonage costs||3,109||0||3,109||0||3,109||**3,592**|
|Refund of AnnexeDonations||||||282|||||||
|Governance||925||0||925||0||925||**275**|
|**Cost of charitable activities**||**133,234**||**0**||**133,516**||**3,725**||**135,429**||**133,836**|
||||||||||||||
|**Depreciation**||6,065||1,796||**7,861**||0||**7,861**||**6,065**|
|Parish hubrunning costs||0||21,127||21,127||0||21,127||**21,660**|
|Parish magazine costs||11,245||0||11,245||0||11,245||**13,401**|
|Loan interest||0||0||0||0||0||**0**|
|**Cost of other trading activities**||**11,245**||**21,127**||**32,371**||**0**||**32,371**||**35,061**|
||||||||||||||
|Church Building Costs||0||4,500||**4,500**||0||**4,500**|||
|**Total expended on all funds**||**154,199**||**27,423**||**181,621**||**4,287**||**185,908**||**178,731**|
## **4. Missionary and charitable giving**
||**Total**
**Funds**|**Total**
**Funds**|**Total**
**Funds**|**Total**
**Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**2024**||**2023**|
|||£||**£**|
|Church Mission Society -
Rehema||1191||648|
|Donations of Bibles||1775||1286|
|CompassionUK||384||336|
|Bereavement Support||435||85|
|Othercharities||1021||1054|
|**Total**||**4807**||**3409**|
Page : 36
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
## **5. Staff costs**
||**Unrestricted **|**Unrestricted **|**Restricted**|**Restricted**|**Total Funds**|**Total Funds**|**Total Funds**|**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Funds**||**Fund/s**||**2024**||**2023**|
|||£||£||£||**£**|
|**Remuneration**|||||||||
|_Wages, salaries, tax, NI and_
_pension costs_||**33,097**||**1,978**||**35,075**||**35,324**|
No person received remuneration in excess of £60,000.
## **6. Payments to PCC members**
Salary payments totalling £16,370 were made to three members of staff listed below who are also members of the PCC.
Mrs M Smith, the Church Manager
Mr N Cramp, a Church employee
Mrs L Dawson, a Verger at Weddings and Funerals
Other payments were made to PCC members in the year for reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of the PCC:
Clergy support costs: Council tax £2,900, water rates £209, travel and other miscellaneous expenses £4,690.
## **7. Transactions with related charities**
St John’s Sunshine Pre School stopped its activities at the Hub at the end of 2023. There were no transactions with related charities in 2024.
## **8. Governance**
||**Total £ 2024**|**Total £ 2023**|
|---|---|---|
|Independent Examination|630|**600**|
## **9. Transfers between funds**
After consultation with the original donors, the Annexe Fund was closed during 2024 and its balance transferred to the Designated Building and Restricted Churchyard Funds. A few donors requested return of their donations not required for the Annexe development.
Page : 37
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
||**Increase/**
**(Decrease)**
**Unrestricted**|**Increase/**
**(Decrease)**
**Unrestricted**|**Increase/**
**(Decrease)**
**Restricted**|**Increase/**
**(Decrease)**
**Restricted**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Funds £**||**Fund/s £**|
|Transfer to close the Annex Fund||49,701||(49,701)|
|Transfer to subsidise the Churchyard
Fund||(766)||766|
|**Total**||**48,935**||**(48,935)**|
Page : 38
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
## **10. Fixed assets – Investments**
||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowed**|**Endowed**|**Total**
**Funds**|**Total**
**Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Funds**||**Funds**||**Funds**||**2024**|
|||£||£||£||**£**|
|Market value 1January2024|||||**98,023**||**98,023**||
|Disposals at carryingvalue|||||||||
|Purchases at cost|||||||||
|Netgains and revaluation|||||**3,240**||**3,240**||
|**Market value 31 December 2024**|||||||**101,263**||
## **11. Tangible fixed assets**
|||**Freehold**
**land**|**Audio visual**|**Audio visual**|**Hub**|**Total fxed**|**Total fxed**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**and**
**buildings**||**equipment**|**Air**
**Conditioning**||**assets**|
|||£||£|||**£**|
|**Original cost or**
**valuation**||||||||
|At1January2024||588,777||24,261|11,576||**624,614**|
|Additions||24,622|||6,383||**31,005**|
|Disposals||||||||
|Revaluation||||||||
|||||||||
|At 31 December
2024||613,399||24,261|17,959||**655,619**|
|||||||||
|**Charge for**
**impairment**||||||||
|At1January2024||-||18,196|||**18,196**|
|Charge for
Impairment||-||6,065|1,796||**7,861**|
|Disposals||-||||||
|Revaluation||-||||||
|||||||-||
|At 31 December
2024||-||24,261|1,796||**26,057**|
|||||||||
|**Net book amounts**||||||||
|**At 31 December**
**2024**||613,399||0|16,163||**629,562**|
|||||||||
|_At 31 December_
_2023_||**588,777**||**6,065**|**11,576**||**606,418**|
Page : 39
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
The freehold land and buildings comprise the Parish Hub building. The historical cost of this property was £588,777. In the opinion of the PCC its current market value is estimated to be in excess of the historical cost.
Page : 40
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
## **12. Net assets by fund**
||**Unrestricted **|**Unrestricted **|**Restricted **|**Restricted **|**Endowed**|**Endowed**|**Total**
**Funds**|**Total**
**Funds**|**Total**
**Funds**|**Total**
**Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Funds**||**Fund/s**||**Fund/s**||**2024**||**2023**|
|||£||£||£||**£**||**£**|
|Fixed assets for church
use||451,097||178,465||||**629,562**||**606,419**|
|Investmentfxed assets||||||101,263||**101,263**||**98,023**|
|Current assets (except
cash)||6,498||542||||**7,040**||**7,127**|
|Cash, at bank and on
deposit||61,074||9,120||||**70,194**||**72,484**|
|Current liabilities||(6,117)||(1,664)||||**(7,781)**||**(4,191)**|
|Long term liabilities||||||||**0**|||
|**Total**||**512,552**||**186,463**||**101,263**||**800,278**||**779,862**|
## **13. Debtors**
|**Debtors**|**Unrestrict**
**ed**|**Unrestrict**
**ed**|**Restricte**
**d**|**Restricte**
**d**|**Total**
**Funds**|**Total**
**Funds**|**Total Funds**|**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Funds**||**Fund/s**||**2024**||**2023**|
|||£||£||**£**||**£**|
|Octopus Deposits
refundable||611||||**611**|**3,264**||
|Giftaid Due||2,870|||**2,870**||**1,648**||
|HubLettingInvoices due|||||**0**||**194**||
|Hub recharges due||1,302|||**1,302**||**1,366**||
|Magazine Advert Fees
Due||168|||**168**||**489**||
|Interest Income||3||542|**545**||**616**||
|ChristmasPeriodIncome||1,543|||**1,543**||**1,005**||
|**Total**||**6,497**||**542**|**7,039**||**8,582**||
Page : 41
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
## **14. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
|**Creditors**|**Unrestricted **|**Unrestricted **|**Restricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**
**Funds**|**Total**
**Funds**|**Total Funds**|**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Funds**||**Fund/s**||**2024**||**2023**|
|||£||£||**£**|||
|Prepayments for
Weddings and Funerals||100||||**100**||728|
|HubDepositsheld||2,400|||**2,400**|||2,600|
|Clergy Expenses Due||443|||**443**||||
|CopthorneVillage||||32|**32**|||32|
|HMRC PAYE due||862||25|**887**||||
|Diocesan FeesDue||||971|**971**|||461|
|Architect Fee||1,500|||**1,500**||||
|Sundry Creditors||1,448||0|**1,447**|||1,826|
|||**6,753**||**1,028**|**7,781**||**5,647**||
Page : 42
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
## **15. 2023 Comparatives for the statement of financial activities**
||**Unrestric**
**ted**|**Unrestric**
**ted**|**Restrict**
**ed**|**Restrict**
**ed**|**Endowed**|**Endowed**|**Total Funds**|**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Fund**||**Fund/s**||**Fund/s**||**2023**|
|||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**|
|**Income and**
**endowments from:**|||||||||
|Donations and legacies|94,939|||1,235|||**96,174**||
|Charitable activities|20,208||||||**20,208**||
|Other tradingactivities|45,549||||||**45,549**||
|Investments|7,426|||2,656|||**10,082**||
|Other receipts|6,715||||||**6,715**||
||||||||||
|**Total income**|**174,837**|||**3,891**||**0**|**178,728**||
||||||||||
|**Expenditure on:**|||||||||
|Raisingfunds|2,830||||||**2,830**||
|Charitable activities|138,110|||2,593|||**140,703**||
|Other tradingactivities|21,457||||||**21,457**||
|Other expenditure|1,499||||||**1,499**||
|Parish Magazine|12,606||||||**12,606**||
|**Total expenditure**|**176,502**|||**2,593**||**0**|**179,095**||
|Net gains (or losses) on
investments|||||**(11,917)**||**(11,917)**||
|**Net income or (net**
**expenditure)**|**(1,665)**|||**1,298**|**(11,917)**||**(12,284)**||
|**Transfers between**
**funds**|**(638)**|||**638**|**0**||**0**||
|**Net movement in funds**|**(2,303)**|||**1,936**|**(11,917)**||**(12,284)**||
|Total funds brought
forward|469,393||213,216||101,536||**784,145**||
|**Total funds carried**
**forward**|**467,090**||**215,152**||**89,619**||**771,861**||
Page : 43
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
## **16. Statement of funds**
Fund income and expenditure and final balances are as follows:
||**Balances**|**Income**|**Expenditure**|**Transfers or**
**Revaluations**|**Balances**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||1st January
2024||||31st December
2024|
||**£**|||||
|Faith Arnold trust|**53,529**|||2,225|55,754|
|Paynegrave fund|**300**|||0|300|
|Churchyard trust|**44,194**|||1,015|45,209|
|**Total of all endowed**
**funds**|**98,023**|||3,240|101,263|
|Fabric fund|**6,943**|3,249||0|10,192|
|Annex fund|**51,770**||2,069|(49,701)|0|
|Buildingfund|**157,885**|||0|157,885|
|Lychgate Fund|**0**|4,673|||4,673|
|Churchyard fund|**0**|2,959|3,725|766|0|
|**Total of all**
**restricted funds**|**216,598**|10,881|5,794|(48,935)|172,750|
|General fund|**36,596**|115,279|154,199|21,367|19,043|
|Hub Fund|**11,576**|76,057|22,923|(22,683)|42,027|
|Designated building
fund|**412,195**|2,375|4,500|50,251|460,321|
|Legacyfund|**4,874**|0|0|0|4,874|
|**Total of all**
**unrestricted funds**|**465,241**|193,711|181,621|48,935|526,265|
|**Total funds**|**779,861**|204,592|187,415|3,240|800,278|
## **Explanation of funds**
_**Endowed funds** are required by the donors to be invested and the income spent on specific objectives_
The Faith Arnold trust is a permanent endowment, invested in CBF Investment Fund shares, which requires the income to be spent on the maintenance and improvement of the church building.
The Payne grave fund is a permanent endowment, invested in CBF Investment Fund shares, which requires the income to be spent on the maintenance of the churchyard.
The Churchyard trust is a permanent endowment, invested in CBF Investment Fund shares, which requires the income to be spent on the churchyard and outdoor areas.
## _**Restricted funds** are not invested permanently but are to be spent within reasonable timescales._
The Annex fund is restricted to the _Link_ project to extend the church building, increase the space available for worship and provide a more flexible and functional space. This Fund was extinguished in 2024 after the donors agreed that its funds could be used for for any building or fabric development for the Church.
The Building fund is restricted and was used to fund the development of the church office.
The Fabric Fund is restricted to the maintenance and improvement of the church building.
The Churchyard Fund is restricted to the maintenance of the churchyard and outdoor areas.
The Lychgate Fund was established in 2024 following the transfer of responsibility to the Church for maintaining and restoring the Lychgate.
## _**Unrestricted funds** are not subject to any donor restrictions and can be spent as the PCC decides._
The unrestricted fund includes amounts designated for the building of the Parish Hub, and also an unrestricted legacy which has been set aside for specific uses to be determined by the PCC.
Page : 44