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2023-12-31-accounts

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE PCC OF CHRIST’S CHURCH, HARWOOD FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023

This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31[st] December 2023, which are attached, is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 (“the Regulations”) and s.145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“The Act”)

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144(2) of the Act), and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of this report

My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act and to be found in the Church guidance, 2006 edition. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.

Independent examiner's statement

In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that:

  2. proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with section 130 of the Act); and

  3. accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act; or

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

Signed:

John A Curtis BA, MBA, FHEA

14 Ashbourne Ave Bolton BL2 1LS

Date 4[th] February 2024

.

Receipts and Payments Accounts Year Ending 31 December 2023

Independent Examiner: John Curtis

FINAL ACCOUNTS 2023 SUMMARY

PARISH SHARE

Total for the year was £75,556.34 we paid £15,000.00 20% of the total

This was due to the ongoing cost of repairs to the fabric of the church and the increase in heating of the church and lounge.

We are aware of the importance of the parish share but when overall income of £99,000 is offset by expenses of £76,000 (both figures rounded up) it is clear this sum is utterly unachievable.

REGULAR GIVING

Collection plate £6,596.93 almost a 30% increase on 2022

Envelopes (gift-aid) £2,690.60 31% less than 2022 this would explain the slight reduction (5%) in gift aid

Envelopes (non-gift aid) £879.20 32% increase on 2022

Standing Orders £33,591.00 2% increase on 2022

Overall giving £43,757.73 almost a 3% increase on 2022

LOUNGE CAFE

As always our wonderful volunteers ensured the cafe goes from strength to strength. As well as raising funds for MacMillan in September donating £500 and doing a special cafe at Christmas the overall profit was £7,713.30 an almost 30% increase on last year. But a profit cannot be put above the community that has been built up since it opened in June 2018

SPECIAL EVENTS

Our events were very successful as they always are. There is something for everyone throughout the year and I hope you agree they draw the community together. Overall, they brought in a total of £5,503.20 into church funds very similar to last year.

LOUNGE

Below are the funds we receive from the various groups that use the Church Lounge;

Craft Group £857.20
Art Group £651.10
Mother’s Union £100.00
Flower Club £200.00
Band £30.00
Harwood Ladies £40.00
Total £1878.30

If anyone has any questions I am unable to attend the APCM, so please contact me by email or mobile.

Happy reading

Parochial Church Council of Christ's Church, Harwood

INCOME ACCOUNT

For the year ending 31 December 2023

Note
RECEIPTS
GIVING
Envelopes - Gift Aid
2023
Unrestricted
Funds
£
2023
Restricted
Funds
£
TOTAL
2023
£
TOTAL
2022
£
Change
From
Previous
Year
2,690.60
2,690.60
3,903.20
-1,212.60
Envelopes - Non-Gift Aid 879.20
879.20
663.95
215.25
StandingOrders - Gift Aid 33,591.00
33,591.00
32,837.00
754.00
Tax Recoved 0.00
9,034.95
9,034.95
9,558.79
-523.84
Collection Plate 6,596.93
6,596.93
5,079.73
1,517.20
Spire fund - Gift Aid 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Spire fund - Non-Gift Aid 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
TOTAL GIVING RECEIPTS
SPECIAL EVENTS
43,757.73
9,034.95
52,792.68
52,042.67
750.01
Bingo night 19th May 346.39
346.39
0.00
346.39
Christmas Fair 1,506.90
1,506.90
1,960.52
-453.62
Christmas Market 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Dinner Dance 18th Nov 1,830.20
1,830.20
2,021.50
-191.30
Afternoon Tea 28th Feb 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Clothes Swap8th Sep23/23rd Sep22 296.10
296.10
298.00
-1.90
Cream Tea 4th Sep 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Craft Fair 28th May 0.00
0.00
170.50
-170.50
Summer Cafe&Mini Mkt 29th Jul/Jubliee Afternoon
1
805.61
0.00
805.61
439.60
366.01
Poinsettias 265.00
265.00
225.00
40.00
Quiz Night 21st Apr/13th Oct 453.00
453.00
221.00
232.00
Summer Fair 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Wreath-making3rd Dec 0.00
0.00
70.00
-70.00
TOTAL SPECIAL EVENTS RECEIPTS
OTHER INCOME
Birth,Weddings,Funerals collections
5,503.20
0.00
5,503.20
5,406.12
97.08
967.65
967.65
1,214.20
-246.55
Cafe
2
8,531.77
155.00
8,686.77
7,140.31
1,546.46
Baptisms to Charity 509.23
509.23
1,178.31
-669.08
Candle Box(Lomax Chapel) 0.00
0.00
11.90
-11.90
Cards(Sales from Craftgroup) 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Churchyard Maintenance 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Vicar 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Fees 3,050.00
3,050.00
4,204.00
-1,154.00
Flowers 890.00
890.00
952.00
-62.00
Gardeningteam(Thursdays) 0.00
50.00
50.00
1,310.00
-1,260.00
HistoryBooks 0.00
5.00
5.00
10.00
-5.00
Interest Business Acct 0.00
0.00
43.69
-43.69
Interest Curr Acct 70.86
70.86
73.70
-2.84
Lounge,Hire of 370.00
370.00
295.00
75.00
Magazine 993.18
993.18
1,060.42
-67.24
Mugs 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Scripture Union/Bible Readingnotes 171.30
171.30
251.96
-80.66
Sound 0.00
230.00
230.00
520.00
-290.00
Tea/coffee monies 628.20
628.20
229.29
398.91
Transfer from Reserve Acct for spire repairs & others 0.00
12,777.57
12,777.57
7,384.80
5,392.77
YoungPeople'sgroups 0.00
0.00
0.00
35.50
-35.50
Misc donations 4,643.03
5,807.20
10,450.23
10,465.47
-15.24
TOTAL OTHER INCOME RECEIPTS
20,825.22
19,024.77
39,849.99
36,380.55
3,469.44

MISSIONS

MISSIONS
Barnabas 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Bible Society 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Christmas Dinner on Jesus 0.00
0.00
0.00
50.00
-50.00
Christian Aid 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Children in Need(Dinner Dance) 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Donation for charity 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Families in Need 0.00
0.00
0.00
70.00
-70.00
MacMillan 30th Sep 0.00
0.00
0.00
301.00
-301.00
Mission Aviation Fellowship 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Open Doors 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Pakistani Flood 0.00
0.00
0.00
93.22
-93.22
Afghan Refugees in Bolton 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Gaza-Save the Children 0.00
58.00
58.00
0.00
58.00
Toilet Twinning 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Tearfund(Christmas card 2022) 0.00
154.52
154.52
177.58
-23.06
Tearfund 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal World Vision 260.10
260.10
260.10
Ukraine 0.00
0.00
0.00
848.30
-848.30
TOTAL MISSIONS INCOME
Cheques not yet cashed
Collection end Dec prev year
Cancelled cheques
TOTAL INCOME
0.00
472.62
472.62
1,540.10
-1,067.48
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
70,086.15
28,532.34
98,618.49
95,369.44
3,249.05

Parochial Church Council of Christ's Church, Harwood

EXPENSES ACCOUNT

For the year ending 31 December 2023

Note
PAYMENTS
CLERGY
Vicar
Unrestricte
d
Funds
£
2023
Restricted
Funds
£
TOTAL
2023
£
TOTAL
2022
£
Change
From
Previous
Year
0.00
0.00
417.42
-417.42
Assistant Clergy 468.40
468.40
848.88
-380.48
TOTAL CLERGY EXPENSES
UTILITIES/INSURANCE
468.40
0.00
468.40
1,266.30
-797.90
Gas Church heating0223 5,738.02
5,738.02
1,972.34
3,765.68
Electric meter Church 7104(changed to SSE Sep) 0.00
0.00
622.88
-622.88
Electric meter 1 Lounge 7220(combined into 1 meter SS
0.00
0.00
88.24
-88.24
Electric meter 2 Lounge 7176(combined into 1 meter SS
0.00
0.00
4,440.94
-4,440.94
SSE 726369651 Electric meter 2 Lounge 7176(Prev BG
2,178.99
2,178.99
74.34
2,104.65
SSE 909341751/Church Elec(Prev BG 7104) 1,070.53
1,070.53
356.00
714.53
Water Plus(Church) 188.31
188.31
39.42
148.89
Water Rates Vicarage 55.70
55.70
405.48
-349.78
UtilityWarehouse Vicaragegas/elec Jun/Jul 174.69
174.69
102.36
72.33
Insurance Church Lounge 642.64
642.64
784.21
-141.57
Insurance Church 3,081.31
3,081.31
2,829.46
251.85
Refuse collection 414.00
414.00
380.00
34.00
Council Tax Vicarage 0.00
0.00
1,554.89
-1,554.89
TOTAL UTILITIES EXPENSES
UPKEEP OF CHURCH
Church Service supplies
13,544.19
0.00
13,544.19
13,650.56
-106.37
1,337.60
1,337.60
1,331.76
5.84
Maintenance 3,717.60
3,717.60
9,148.12
-5,430.52
Repairs/Fixtures/Fittings 10,105.45
10,105.45
1,348.86
8,756.59
Lounge cleaning 625.00
625.00
675.00
-50.00
Organ Maintenance/fund 2,035.00
2,035.00
180.00
1,855.00
TOTAL UPKEEP EXPENSES
Other Expenditure
17,820.65
0.00
17,820.65
12,683.74
5,136.91
Flowers 712.20
712.20
936.48
-224.28
Baptisms to Charity 509.23
509.23
1,178.31
-669.08
Gardeningteam(Thursdays) 42.45
42.45
342.03
-299.58
Gifts 0.00
0.00
234.96
-234.96
Magazine 1,686.75
1,686.75
1,596.25
90.50
Office supplies 1,205.58
1,205.58
1,339.04
-133.46
Cafe 1,490.47
1,490.47
637.91
852.56
Parish Share 15,000.00
15,000.00
33,747.00
-18,747.00
Scripture Union/Bible Readingnotes 267.04
267.04
308.49
-41.45
Sound 48.78
48.78
2,315.00
-2,266.22
Tea/coffee 0.00
0.00
106.00
-106.00
Transfer to Reserve account 0.00
12,692.62
12,692.62
11,302.04
1,390.58
YoungPeople'sgroups 172.38
172.38
207.22
-34.84
Misc. Expenses
1
5,443.60
20.00
5,463.60
2,351.37
3,112.23
TOTAL OTHER EXPENDITURE
26,578.48
12,712.62
39,291.10
56,602.10
-17,311.00
SPECIAL EVENTS
Christmas Fair 27th Nov 0.00
0.00
680.00
-680.00
Christmas Market 26th Nov 2020 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Chocolate Evening13th Nov 2020 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Clothes Swap24th Sep 0.00
0.00
116.43
-116.43
Craft Fair 28th May 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Dinner Dance 19th Nov 1,057.50
1,057.50
1,472.35
-414.85
Jubliee Afternoon Tea 5th Jun 0.00
0.00
0.00
439.60
-439.60
King's Club 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Quiz Night 21st Apr/13th Oct 20.49
20.49
20.49
Summer Cafe&Mini Mkt 29th Jul 92.62
92.62
92.62
Wreath-making28th Nov 0.00
0.00
50.00
-50.00
Poinsettias 163.80
163.80
121.99
41.81
Afternoon Tea 28th Feb 0.00
0.00
296.00
-296.00
Cream Tea 4th Sep 0.00
0.00
48.73
-48.73
Summer Fair 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
TOTAL SPECIAL EVENTS EXPENSES
MISSIONS
Afghan Appeal Urban Outreach
1,334.41
0.00
1,334.41
3,225.10
-1,890.69
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Barnabas 540.00
540.00
540.00
0.00
Bible Society 540.00
540.00
540.00
0.00
Christmas Dinner on Jesus 0.00
0.00
50.00
-50.00
Families in Need 0.00
0.00
70.00
-70.00
Gaza-Save the Children 100.00
100.00
0.00
100.00
MacMillan 30th Sep 0.00
0.00
300.00
-300.00
Mission Aviation Fellowship 540.00
540.00
540.00
0.00
Open Doors 540.00
540.00
540.00
0.00
Pakistani Flood 0.00
0.00
150.00
-150.00
Tearfund 540.00
540.00
540.00
0.00
Tearfund Chirstmas card 2022 155.00
155.00
200.00
-45.00
Toilet Twinning 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal World Vision 300.00
300.00
300.00
Ukraine 0.00
0.00
850.00
-850.00
Urban Outreach 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
TOTAL MISSIONS EXPENSES
Cheques cashed from prev year
Collection from prev year
TOTAL EXPENSES
3,255.00
0.00
3,255.00
4,320.00
-1,065.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
63,001.13
12,712.62
75,713.75
91,747.80
-16,034.05

Parochial Church Council of Christ's Church, Harwood

PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

For the year ending 31 December 2023

Note
ASSETS
Current Account
Business Account
Total Assets
CAPITAL
Balance Bought Forward
Add Total Income
Add Account Transfers
Less Account Transfers
Less Total Expenditure
Total Capital
SUNDRY ACCOUNTS
For the year ending 31 December 2023
SUNDRY BALANCES
Burial Ground Account 12321981
Opening Balance
Bank Interest
Closing Balance
Nicholson Bequest 13779264
Opening Balance
Bank Interest
Closing Balance
Parker Grave 12322007
Opening Balance
Bank Interest
Closing Balance
Dr. Snape's Grave RBS unable to locate
Opening Balance
Bank Interest
Closing Balance
2023
Unrestricted
Funds
£
2023
Restricted
Funds
£
TOTAL
2023
£
TOTAL
2022
£
Change
From
Previous
Year
32,144.16
0.00
32,144.16
9,239.42
22,904.74
36,443.44
0.00
36,443.44
36,143.51
299.93
68,587.60
0.00
68,587.60
45,382.93
23,204.67
45,382.93
0.00
45,382.93
55,561.42
-10,178.49
70,086.15
28,532.34
98,618.49
188,210.54
-89,592.05
384.88
12,692.62
13,077.50
54,574.47
-41,496.97
115,853.96
28,532.34
157,078.92
298,346.43
-99,770.54
0.00
12,777.57
12,777.57
65,411.21
63,001.13
12,712.62
75,713.75
195,670.85-119,957.10
52,852.83
15,819.72
68,587.60
37,264.37
20,186.56
2023
Unrestricted
Funds
£
2023
Restricted
Funds
£
TOTAL
2023
£
TOTAL
2022
£
Change
From
Previous
Year
61.80
61.80
61.63
0.17
0.73
0.73
0.02
0.71
62.53
62.53
61.65
0.88
162.68
162.34
162.31
0.03
1.96
1.96
0.03
1.93
164.64
164.30
162.34
1.96
745.44
745.44
743.70
1.74
9.02
9.02
0.12
8.90
754.46
754.46
743.82
10.64
205.78
205.78
205.78
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
205.78
205.78
205.78
0.00

Parochial Church Council of Christ's Church, Harwood

RESERVE ACCOUNT

For the year ending 31 December 2023

Note
Opening balance
Income
Business Account Interest
2023
Unrestricted
Funds
£
2023
Restricted
Funds
£
TOTAL
2023
£
TOTAL
2022
£
Change
From
Previous
Year
5,927.69
30,215.82
36,143.51
36,143.51
0.00
384.88
0.00
384.88
43.68
341.20
Transfer fm Current Acct 12,692.62
12,692.62
11,302.04
1,390.58
Total Income to Reserve Account
Expenses
Transfer to Current Acct
384.88
12,692.62
13,077.50
11,345.72
1,731.78
12,777.57
12,777.57
7,384.80
5,392.77
Total Expenses from Reserve Account
Closing balance
0.00
12,777.57
12,777.57
7,384.80
5,392.77
6,312.57
30,130.87
36,443.44
40,104.43
-3,660.99

PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

For the year ending 31 December 2023

Note
TOTAL RECEIPTS
TOTAL PAYMENTS
Surplus before outstanding cheques are cashed
Collection end of prev. year
PROFIT/LOSS
Bank balances b/fwd 1-1-2023
Collection from prev. year
Bank balances c/fwd 31-12-2023
2023
Unrestricted
Funds
£
2023
Restricted
Funds
£
TOTAL
2023
£
TOTAL
2022
£
Change
From
Previous
Year
70,086.15
28,532.34
98,618.49
188,194.82
-89,576.33
63,001.13
12,712.62
75,713.75
195,670.85
-119,957.10
7,085.02
15,819.72
22,904.74
-7,476.03
30,380.77
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
7,085.02
15,819.72
22,904.74
-7,476.03
30,380.77
5,081.78
0.00
5,081.78
12,557.81
-7,476.03
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
9,239.42
9,239.42
5,081.78
4,157.64
Date Reason Misc.
Jan - Dec Art Group £651.10
Jan - Dec Congregational donations £2,267.00
Jan - Dec Craft Group £857.20
18. Dec Donation for drums £100.00
Jan - Dec Easyfund raising £151.03
16. Jan ElectricityNW £2.70
29. Nov Floats Christmas Fair/Dinner Dance £380.00
Jan - Dec QR code donations £234.00
07. Nov Refund of VAT for buildingworks £920.00
02. May Refund of VAT for buildingworks £1,237.67
Jan - Dec Donations for roof repairs NOW T/F TO RES £2,420.00
11. Dec Donation for Christmas on Jesus £10.00
06. Sep Donation forpurchase of writingslope £75.00
29. Mar Donation from Manchester Diocese Finance for utilitybi £330.00
09. Aug Refund from British Gas re error Lounge heatingbill £752.99
24. Apr Donations for Ecumenical Lent course materials £40.00
16. Feb Refund ofpayment of invoice claimed incorrectly £21.54
TOTAL £10,450.23

MISC DONATIONS

1 All funds restricted

Miscellaneous Expenses

Date Reason Amount 1
1
2
2
16. Jan Outside tree lights Sue Wood £25.00
24. Jan BishopMark retirement £25.00
16. Mar Heritage Conservationgutter mtn/cleaningof tower re b £1,680.00
16. Mar Heritage Conservation release 2.5% retention monies £1,426.64
19. May Lounge arrg/Baptisms/Paper/Ink Gail Spence £100.00
22. May Scoutsplants for church £14.60
23. Jul Hazard tape Dave Wood £13.00
14. Aug Clergymeal Baci's £190.00
20. Aug Ashes Byron Latham-Holt still birth no fee £30.00
06. Sep Writingslope David Horrocks £75.00
23. Oct Floats for Christmas Fair/Dinner dance £425.00
08. Nov Cemetaryflags £15.00
16. Nov ClergyChristmas card Adrienne Morgan £90.00
12. Dec Outdoor Christmas tree/lights/batteries Sue Wood £46.36
16. Dec Indoor Christmas tree Dave Wood £40.00
24. Dec Flowers Ingram/Wood Pam Cliff £16.00
24. Dec Toyservice to Fortalice £10.00
18-Dec Urban Outreach donation for Christmas on Jesus £10.00
2. Oct Gift Aid from HMRC T/F TO RES £9,034.95
2. Oct Refund of VAT for buildingworks £1,237.67
03. Oct Vicarage lock D.Horrocks £72.00
12. Dec Forrest GardeningclearingVicaragegarden £1,160.00
Jan - Dec Donations for roof repairs T/F TO RES £2,420.00
TOTAL £18,156.22

MISC EXPENSES

1 Charitable donations T/F to relevant charities

2 Repairs to vicarage to be claimed from Diocese when new vicar appointed.

Business Res Acct Income

Business Res Acct Income
Date Reason Amt
30. Aug Donation forgeneral buildingworks £500.00
13. Sep Donation for roof repairs £1,000.00
01. Oct Gift Aid HMRC Jul 22-Jun 23 & Collplate £10,272.62
02. Oct Donation for roof repairs £400.00
16. Dec Donation for roof repairs £520.00
TOTAL £12,692.62

Business Res Acct Expenses

Date Reason Amount
27. Mar Parish Share £5,277.57
02. Nov ARG Roofing £4,600.00
16. Nov ARG Roofing £2,600.00
16. Dec Organ repair donations in 2017/18 £300.00
TOTAL £12,777.57

`

FEES

Income and Expenditure Accounts Year Ending 31[st] December 2023

BANK ACCOUNT

BANK ACCOUNT
2022
376.00
£
Brought Forward
10,242.00
£
Total Income
10,618.00
£
10,498.00
£
Less Total Expenditure
120.00
£
Current Balance
813.00
£
End of Year Bank Balance
220.00
£
Cash On Hand
913.00
£
Uncashed Payments
120.00
£
Cash & Bank Balance Total
2023
120.00
£
7,874.00
£
7,994.00
£
7,934.00
£
60.00
£
1,860.00
£
454.00
£
2,254.00
£
60.00
£

Prepared by Robert Molloy

INCOME

2022
326.00
£
Deighans Funerals
957.00
£
Bromleys FuneralServices
492.00
£
Silletts FuneralServices
206.00
£
Howarths funeral services
2,796.00
£
Funeral Services
618.00
£
Havencare
533.00
£
J Child & Son Memorials
229.00
£
Kennedy Sculptures
79.00
£
Angels In Stone
2,212.00
£
Private Cheques
1,130.00
£
Private O/L
664.00
£
Private Cash
10,242.00
£
Total Income
2022
1,716.00
£
Weddings, Banns etc
7,685.00
£
Funerals, Interments etc
841.00
£
Monuments
-
£
Donations
10,242.00
£
Total Income
INCOME by EVENT
2023
-
£
2,302.00
£
-
£
451.00
£
-
£
361.00
£
537.00
£
84.00
£
-
£
670.00
£
2,164.00
£
1,305.00
£
7,874.00
£
2023
1,386.00
£
5,780.00
£
695.00
£
13.00
£
7,874.00
£
2022
4,382.00
£
Manchester Diocesan Board of Finance
4,503.00
£
PCC
240.00
£
Organist
180.00
£
Verger
210.00
£
Verger (PCC)
50.00
£
Sound
460.00
£
Sound (PCC)
30.00
£
Bell Ringer
390.00
£
Grave Digger
53.00
£
Donations (PCC)
10,498.00
£
Total Expenditure
EXPENDITURE
2023
2,884.00
£
3,832.00
£
175.00
£
120.00
£
180.00
£
80.00
£
380.00
£
-
£
210.00
£
73.00
£
7,934.00
£

Annual Report 2023

2023 was another challenging year for Christ’s Church Harwood, as we were still without an incumbent due to delays within the Diocese in advertising the post. Following the appointment of a new Arch Deacon halfway through the year, things have taken a more positive approach and we are thankful for their input.

After the APCM meeting in April 2023, we were fortunate to have a member of the congregation volunteer as Church Warden, so we now have two Church Wardens who are both doing a marvellous job in helping to keep our Church running smoothly. We also cannot thank enough, our volunteer Ministry Team who have been presiding over our weekly services and taking on a huge amount of work. We continue to pray that the right person will be called to take over the leadership of our Church in due course.

Our Quinquennial took place in January 2023. Immediate issues were identified with the guttering all around the Church, and especially over the Lomax Chapel – these were cleaned out. Also, the bell tower was inhabited by birds who had started to nest and this was duly cleaned and new mesh frames replaced. A new lightening conductor was bought to replace the previous one and a new smoke alarm was fitted in Church. Several other urgent to long term issues identified – all at substantial cost.

We still have dedicated teams of people who help out as sides people, sound team, cleaning, gardening, church flowers, after service refreshments, as well as our Lounge Café Team on a Friday – ALL these people are volunteers and we are thankful for their time and continued support. As always, we welcome new volunteers so that the same people are not responsible for everything and hope to continue all of the above on a regular basis.

In 2023 we held 15 baptisms, 13 funerals conducted by clergy either at church or at the crematorium, 1 burial in the churchyard and 8 internments of ashes, in addition we had 2 Weddings.

We are thankful that our Church has continued to grow with new members and younger families and our FISH (Sunday School) group continues to thrive.

We look forward to more positive news regarding an Incumbent in 2024.