Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of the Epiphany, Gipton For the Year Ended 31° December 2024 AJ The Church of the Epiphany is situated in Beech Lane, Gipton. Leeds. It is in the East Leeds Deanery of the Diocese of Leeds within the Church of England. The correspondence address is 227 Beech Lane, Leeds, LS9 6SW. In addition to the Grade I listed church building, the PCC is also responsible for maintsining the church hall. attached to the church. PCC members who have served from May 24 until this report was approved a. th Priest-in-charge: The Reverend Gemma Fleury (licensed 12 September 2024) Wardens: No Church wardens were elected Ex-officio Members: No Deanery Synod representatives were elected. NB: All seNe for 3 years with one third retiring each year (retirees are eligible for -eleCtIOn> Jan Ali (Licensed Lay Minister) Jlll Cavasi (Safeguarding Officer) Jill Ryan (Vice Chair) Chris Muir Batanai Rinhomota Marjorie Bell Mandy Ruddiman John Mee (until APCM 2026) (Until APCM 2025) (Until APCM 2025) (Until APCM 2026) Iuntil APCM 2026) (Until APCM 2027) (Until APCM 2027) (Until APCM 2027) Christine Brett continued as the appointed treasurer and has regularly attended PCC meetings in a non-voting capacity. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure as amended and Church representation rules that came into force on 2 January 1957 and is registered with the Charity Commission {No.1157658). PCC members are Trustees. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the pcc.
41 The Epiphany PCC has a responsibility of co-operating with the Priest-in-charge, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church. pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our Church, and to be introduced to and explore the Christian faith. Our life as a church community is grounded in prayer, Scripture, and receiving the Sacraments. We try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our church community, through: Worship and prayer; Opportunities for learning and developing their knowledge about the Christian faith; Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish; and Mission and outreach work. To facilitate this work. it IS Vital that we maintain the fabric of both the Church and the Hall. It has been such a joy to join the worshipping community at the Church of the Epiphany. We have a beautiful church building, a functional church hall, and a warm community spirit. There are so many generous people in the church giving their time and talents, both in service to the Lord and to their neighbours. l am looking forward to seein8 where we can together develop and grow the church over the next year. Conversations throughout November, following our Vision Day. included many good and achievable su88estions. It was evident that many would like to see provision for children and youth in the church, as well as support given for new believers and enquirers. To PLtrsue more avenues of singing and giving seNice to the local community was also a priority. Plans are in place to try and develop these ideas. Christmas brought many- both youn8 and old- into contact with the church. We had a very well attended carol service, with choirs from both Wykebeck Primary and St Nicholas, Catholic Primary Schools, as well as an enjoyable Crib Service. Plans are in place for learning and worship throughout Lent and Easter. We are further looking forward to some baptisms. Sunday services have continued on the same pattern from before l arrived, with Holy Communion being conducted most Sundays. and a Service of the Word taking place on most third Sundays of the month. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Jan for all that she does to serve and lead our community in worship. The church hall continues to be a great asset. with uniformed organisations meeting on Mondays and Tuesdays, Zest Men's group on a Wednesday, and a new youth group being led on a Thursday by Leeds Youth Service. We are awaiting news on whether Space2 can continue its Thursday gardening group. The Pantomime this year was another great success, with many laughs to be had !
The Foodbank continues its important work every Tuesday morning, with a few more volunteers joining. Sadly, numbers of people needing this service are increasing, so any and every contribution is greatly appreciated. I pray that we at the Church of the Epiphany will continue to grow in faith and fellowship, learning and hospitality, that we may be faithful witnesses to the wider community. The Reverend Gemma Fleury Priest-in-charge Awaiting report. There were 3 meetings of the East Leeds Deanery Synod in 2024. All meetin8s begin with worship and include an introduction about the host church, news of appointments and elections and Deanery roundup where Synod representatives can Bive news from their church. The treasurer reported that as all parishes had paid the £10 subscription requested in 2023 by the Deanery, there would not need to be another subscription levied until 2025. Speaker: Rev. Jude Smith. Diocesan Director of Church Revitalization and Diocesan lead for Barnabas. 'Encoura8ing Confidence. Summary of presentation:_ Barnabas initiative for missional initiatr'ves, buildings. equipping clergy and lalty, leadership trainin8 Society is changing, so the church needs to change its availability to meet this- for instance service times. Think outside the box, no need to be afraid of change . What stops us, what hinders us?- all have something to give, we have more to offer than we think, examples of churches and their outreach into community and other groups. We need as a church to be authentic. What can help. - prayer, being intentional, using the diagnostic tool (available from Diocesan web site) encouraging personal growth and leadership. Courses are available to enable this Diocesan web site has information and a building fund is shortly to be available for church repair. Guest Speaker- Bishop Arun 'East Leeds Revival, The Church of God doesn't so much have a mission as the mission of God has a church, Steven Bevan Newbiggin lecture 2018 The Diocesan Strap line-'Confident Christians, Growing churches. Transfoming communities, Bishop Arun spoke of the great revivals on the Isle of Lewis and in Wales and then went on to speak of the ambition for revival in the churches in the East of Leeds. There has been a significant decline in church attendance, certainly since the Covid pandemic. Three interim priests are to be appointed to parishes in East Leeds- one already in post. St George's Church looking to undertake a church plant in East Leeds in 2025.
Questions asked by Deanery: . What funding available from the National Church? . How can the Diocese be more proactive to obtain the funding. The Diocese has so far received up to 30 million from National Church and further funding will be available but the bids must ensure that there is the intentional desire by churches to grow. Parishes will be listened to for their needs. Rob Street recently appointed to Visit parishes to research need. Criteria for funding: . Where is the greatest opportunity to establish and younger more diverse church How to live out our calling as mi55ionary disciples? . Establishment of a mixed economy and adding new churches Rev Gemma Fleury, licensed on 12th September 2024 as Priest in Charge of Epiphany Church was welcomed by the Area Dean to her first East Leeds Deanery Synod meeting. A focus on the following questions:_ . What is great about your parish? Answers: the people, multicultural, outreach, community in village, a lot happening, permission to spread the gospel, missional opportunities. . How could it be better? Answers: more pre-school work, how we use volunteer5, intentional about mission, reaching out to the community, re-engaging with the community, bigger churth bell. . What could it look like in 10 years time? Answers.. BCP prayer book choral service every week, no pews, change of culture, reaching out, keeping church open, change in Diocesan deployment of clergy. churches working together, partnerships. Guest Speaker: Revd. Canon Paul Maybury. Coordinator for Spirituality in Leeds Episcopal Area and Rector of Leeds Minster. Spoke on Spiritual Direction and the importance and place of praypr in our churches. There were also 2 meetings of the Leeds Episcopal Area Forum (where the Deaneries meet together) held centrally at St. George's Church, Leeds Saving Creation Saving Creation Starting your church's journey. Jemima Parker Environment Officer for the Diocese of Leeds How is climate change affecting your congregation and community now? What does the gospel look like in the context of a climate and ecological emergency? . Becoming an Eco Church Part one: Encouraging Lay Ministry Helen Collings, Lay Training Team Leader .Stuart Ward (lay chair South Leeds deanery; Lay Pastoral Miriister and Occasional Preacher) 20.45 Part two: Developing Deployment- vacancy reviews (Archdeacon Paul) A similar programme of 3 East Leeds Deanery Meetings and 2 Area Forums are planned for 2025. In addition, the East Leeds Deanery is planning a Deanery Service. Christine Brett East Leeds Deanery Synod Representative
This year we have worked towards achieving the standards on the Church of England Safeguardin8 Dashboard. Sever31 members of the Church have competed Basic and Foundation Safeguarding training independently and we held a group session attended by 3 members of the congregation. We have worked alongside the Parish Safeguarding Team as reqUId over the past year. Jill Cavasi Parish Safeguarding Officer CCTV cameras have been fitted covering the main entrance and car park as well as the North West side of the Church near the boiler room. The Church and hall have now got intruder alarms. Thanks are due to Jan Ali for applying for the fundin8 and liaising Wlth the contractors. Following last years vandalism the lower windows around the east end are still boarded until fundin8 and agreement as to their replacement is in place. The decision to replace the main doors 15 still on hold until funds are available. All the exterior doors are in poor condition. Internally the east wall of St Nicholas's Chapel still needs attention. All the fire extinguishers and some maintained emergency lights were checked and replaced as necessary. The gas boiler was checked and serviced The main hall fluorescent lights by the stage were replaced with LED lights and a quote was obtained to replace the remaining lights in the future. Faulty lights in the kitchen and toilets were replaced. The main heater by the door into the hall was repaired. As previously noted, the main hall fire doors at the rear are in a poor condition. Outside a tree was cut down as it was damagin8 the fence and obstructing the path. Richard Naylor Property
Tr 2024 was my third year as Treasurer for Epiphany Church and again I have to thank the team who share the load and help ensure the financial arrangements run smoothly. This was particularlv valuable while the church was in vacancy until Rev Gemma Fleury was licensed on 12 September 2024. Flnancial Reports l. The Ststement of Assets and Liablllt5es Report This Report shows: a) the two places where the Church's money is Stored: the Bank Current Account (Virgin Money); the savings account {CCLA- CBF deposit account); The bank current account at the end of December 2024 was comparable with the previous year but only because £5000 was transferred from the savings account in April 2024 to ensure the church could meet its monthly expenditure. b) Llabilities. These are monies held by or collected by the church, that belong to other agencies (effectively the church acts as Agents for them). At the end of 2024 this account held £22 for Diocesan fees. c) a breakdown of the money held by the church. This year you can see that there was a further reduttion from £9,649 to £6.213 unrestricted funding (money that can be used for the day-to-day work), at the end of the financial year. 2. The Recelpts and Payments account (Statement of Financial Activities) provides: a) a breakdown of the money that was received and paid out in 2024. It shows that £30,595 was received and £34,628 spent this year. The shortfall in income of nearly £4,000 was considerablv less than in 2023 but still concerning that the church was relying on dwindling reseries for its day- to-day expenditure. b) the transfer of fund between accounts. This year £4,100 was transferred from the unrestricted funds to the Designated funds for Church and Hall repair costs. This together with £914.94 carried forward in this fund from 2023 meant that routine repairs and replacements could be financed. £69.20 was transferred from the designated Legacy fund to the unrestricted General fund. The transfer was agreed by the PCC on20th November 2024 because this fund was no longer required. Analysis of the Receipts and Payments Account - which breaks the report down into more detail - will be available on request at any time. Income in 2024: My thanks go to everyone at Epiphany for your continuing commitment to Stewardship and the giving of your time and talents to keep the church running in 2024. Stewardship was encouraging with a 6% increase in income including cash collections for which gift aid can be claimed. Gift aid receipts amounting to £5,431 were double those in 2023 but they did include some from 2023 and up to 31° August 2024 A generous and very welcome donation of £1,500 was received from Metro Goldwyn Gipton ticket sales for their pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
However, the income from hall rents reduced by 8%. Although £1,165 income for the use of the hall in 2024 was outstanding at the Year End, it is usual for bills for the last quarter to be paid early in the following year. Whilst there were variations in individual categories overall income was in line with the budget agreed at the beginning of the year. 3 restricted one-off grants were received in 2024 £2000 from the Diocese of Leeds Church Building fund towards the replacement of the church ha15 windows vandalised in November 2023. £200 MICE grant from local Councillor Salma Arif towards the cost of the donkeys at the Gipton Get Together at Epiphany on 29" June 2024. £250 from South Leeds and East Foodbank towards heating costs. Expendlture In 2024 A major priority for the PCC and congregation is payin8 Its Parish Share to the Diocese. In 2023 it was paid in full. In 2024 it increased to £21.744. It is by far the largest call on the church's finances and the only expenditure that can be flexed. Therefore in 2024 £13,790 amounting to 63% of the Share request was paid. Epiphany is not by any means the worst payer in the Deanery or the Diocese. Grant fundin8 for CCTV on the on the church was agreed in 2023 and the instsllation was completed in 2024. Replacement windows in the church hall were instslled with additional protection from polycarbonate and security grilles. A £2000 grant from the Diocese and £1,865 from the Insurance Company did not however cover the full costs. Furthermore, the replacement of several fire extinguishers plus improvements to the sound system at a combined cost of £1700 placed further pressure on the church's financial position. utility Costs increased by 40% compared with 2023. Hence it was necessary to transfer £5,000 from the investment account to the General Fund in May in order to maintain a reasonable balance to ensure day to day running costs could be pald. Maintenance contracts with various companies were continued in order to ensure that the church and hall were well looked after. Replacement of the church main doors was again deferred due to the difficulties in find an approved manufacturer and fitter for the grade I listed building. The PCC agreed that the charitsble givin8 for 2023 should be to Christian Aid so donations amounting to £210and held in Agency funds £210 was paid in 2024. For 2025: The PCC agreed that the collection from the Carol Service and donations in lieu of Christmas cards in December 2024 should be earmarked in 2025 for contributions towards the Foodbank and Parish Pantry at Epiphany to be spent at the discretion of the Vicar. At I" January 2025 the church had unrestricted reserves in the General Fund of £6,213.89 compared with £9649.87 at 1° January 2024. Whilst this decline is not a good start, there are 13 regular standing orders and another 3 regular givers through the envelope scheme. If giving
continues at this level then Stewardship income should be £20(K) higher than in 2024 and this means that there will be more Gift Aid claimed. The church is facing increased costs in both the running of the church and hall. Therefore, the PCC agreed a IO% increase to the rates for hiring the church hall and an increase in heating charges for weddings and funerals in the church in winter. However current income only meets routine expenditure if the Parish Share request of £20,804 for 2025 is not paid in full. The Quinquennial survey at an anticipated cost of £1,110 is due in 2025. The outcome of this will undoubtedly have expenditure implications. The main doors to the church need to be replaced. A le8acy of £6500 is held in designated (but not restricted) reseryes for this purpose. The small church windows will be replaced (boarded up since the vandalism in November 2023 whilst awaiting a specialist handmade glass supplier). The Insurance Company will pay £4,692- the cost of the replacement glass. The protective polycarbonate window coverings will cost £3,228 and it is hoped a Diocesan building 8rant will cover this. If not, then the PCC agreed it would be covered from the restricted building fund. There are plans to apply to claim back the VAT amountin8 to £1,320. In order to support a healthy cash flow balance, especially whilst window works are undertaken {there will be a time la8 between expenditure and grant/insurance income), the PCC agreed to a small monthly Parish Share payment from January 2025. This payment will be reviewed at PCC meeting5 in 2025 and payments increased if possible. It IS the intention to pay as much Parish Share as possible. Applications for grants to improve the facilities offered by Epiphany church will also be actively explored so that the hall 15 an attractive venue for church outreach activities and for potential Users. More use of the church hall by external groups would generate income and ease the pressure on the church's finances. The PCC and Finance Team will be carefully overseeing the cash flow of the Church to ensure it remains financially solvent and not at risk of being unable to meet its obligations Accounting Policy: The Accounts have been prepared on a 'Receipts and Payments, basis, which means that transactions are accounted for as money is received or spent, rather than accruals accounting. Funds: The accounts are separated into various pots of money, for general. designated or restricted use; General funds are for the day-to-day running of the Church and Hall. Designated funds are those pots of money that are set aside from the general funds, to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are those which must be used for a very specific purpose, for example grants or donations for specific things.
The following table explains what the various funds are: Type of fund Name of fund Purpose Unrestricted Designated General BF-Des Day-to-day running costs £200 each month is saved in this account to put towards Repairs. Sometimes this needs to be increased if there is additional expenditure required. Buildings Special Appeal, where donations from the congregation towards the new boiler were saved and the balance reseNed to use for further building projects. Rev Nouwen's legacy of £6500 towards the replacement of the church external doors was added to this fund in 2022. Money left in legacy. For the replacement of the items used in Communion. Necessary purchases were made and the balance remained here until the PCC agreed it was no longer required so the money was transferred to the General Fund. This is where Grant money for large building works is held. Currently it has a small balance of VAT reclaimed. This is where small one-off grants received during the year are held. Designated BSA-Des Designated Legacy Restricted BF-Res Restricted One-off grants Reserves Policy: The PCC aims to keep between 3 and 6 months running costs in the bank at all times. This is a minimum of £8,000 and a maximum of £18.000, in the general funds. This ensures that the Church Is able to meet its running costs for 3 months. The total free reserves at the year-end were £16.411.52 comprisin8 6,213.89 in the unrestricted General Fund and £10,197.63 which has been designated towards a variety of purposes as set out in the table below. Movement of funds: This table shows the movement of money between the funds Fund and type Fund balances brought forward from 2023 9,649.87 Incomlng resources Outgoing resources Transfer5 Fund balances carried forward to 2025 6,213.89 Unrestricted - General Fund Designated - Building Fund Designated - 28.135.78 27,540.96 (4,100.(K)I 69.20 4,100.00 914.94 0.00 4635.31 379.63 9.818.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 9.818.00
Building Special Appeal Fund Designated - Legacy Restricted- Building Fund 69.20 0.00 (69.20) 3,551.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 3551.25 Restricted - One-off grants TOTALS 0.00 2,450.00 2,450.00 0.00 24.003.26 30,585.78 34.626.27 19.962.77 Whilst the PCC remains committed to paying what Parish Share it can and in 2025 is working towards paying it in full, this is not a legal obligation and therefore, the trustees are confident that, if necessary, they can flex the amount of Parish Share paid over the next 12 months to ensure the charity remains a Going Concern. th This report and the accounts were approved by the PCC on 12 March 2025 Appendix l Receipts and Payment Account (Statement of Financial Activities) for the period 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 Appendix 2 Statement of Assets and Liabilities as 31 December 2024 Appendix 3 Independent Examiner's Report 21.03 2025
Church 01 The Eplphany Statement of Flnanclal Actlvltles For Ihe perlod from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 Totsl ygor Planned ¥lIv 11cli0n9 aNI (thr &Irg Otlwr volun¢Ary rgcg Glll Ald recov Other recdpts Adv5 lor genwa ftn ImieslThnt kncryne &75951 1.871.78 t.Tb).CrfJ 5.43124 1ffiS.CQ 655.17 75951 IW71.76 1.720.00 5.431.24 8.061.01 2.763.16 5,474.50 2,470.24 2,450JXJ 655.17 626.75 710.95 7198.40 O.N8.10 6W.10 Told rne•lpl• 4IX7• P•ym•nt• CO of generaory IwKts Mlsslonary ChArlt49 GbAr¥J PArlsh Sharo Clergy aTrJ StallhvJ co918 Chureh FmIre Expwwoj Hall Runnlng Cosis 157.70 21.132.00 13,750.00 96.76 7.928.45 12261.06 6.1a15 7,179.L15 125.lJ) 2.12SILI 9,147.06 8J1S.55 2.&57.01 39Mn 111,493.721 TrnnAf•rn 2.(6920 1&11XIX#)) 8,18920 1&169.3)1 N•t IncomlThJ l outgohw bkn I Io•M• {4040A9) {11AgITdl Oth•r r•coqnl$•d g•lM /Io•M• 14OlQ4•1 111,43.72) R•concl111 ol funds Tot•1 fvnd* h1 forw• V4•J7 IOm14 $5llS Tol•l Awrknd fonm S21 IIX197A3 &55125 19Jtt7T 24,00326 2103 2025 . (6 F&>ruary 2025 Page 1
Church Of The Eplphany stateMt of Assets and Uabllltles (by code) As at: 31 December 2024 Clau •nd nomlnAI codo Tol•l Currenl u¥•l¥ . CuThonl a¥¥•ts 6501 .' Bank rren1 accounl 6510 '. CCLA IC8F) doposil at¢wnl 6590.. Cash In harKI 6591 .. Mustard Seed . Cash Account 3.571.39 2,642.50 31.&3 10,166.CKI 2,t32.01 1,297.24 5W5.03 14,105.74 S,949.02 18,220.74 1Q1•7 19.940.TT 24.189.78 Ll•bllltlu- Ll&bllltl•• 6601 '. Loans receNed 6699 .. Poerty colk8cllon8 l&(K)) 122.001 166.50 Tol•l• 18&50 Repregwtod by Unrèslrictod - Gon8ral Dg5ignal8d . 8F-Des Dè8ionatod- BSA.Do8 Desionaled - Dyna 08signat•d - Leoacy D&signal&d- Spwal R&sirictthJ- Arts Reslrkted- BF-Res 621189 6213.89 379.69 9,649.87 914.94 379.&3 9.81&CKI 9.818.LKI 9.818.00 3,55125 3.551.25 3,551.25 Restted- CT ReStted - DEG Roslrled - Heal Rostted- MU Rostted - MYP Reslrled- e011-Re% Toknl8 10.197. 1.25 19,98177 24 21.03 2025 . 06 Fetxuary a)25 Paoo 1
The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Independent examinorfs report to the trustees of The Parnchlal Church Council Of The Ecclosiastical Parish Of Th• Epiphany Gipton, Leeds I report to the charty trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the sear ended 31 December 2024. Responslbllllles and basls of rewt As the charity trustees you are reswsible for the preparatKY) of the &courrts n accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Acr). I report in respect of my examinatN)n of the chanws acc(yJnts as c21r (xrt Lnder section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examinatK)n I have followed all ttr arffj)Ir2b Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515)(b) of the Ad. Independent examinerfs 3lat6monl I have compleled my examination. I nfrn Ihat rK) material matters have cc#ne to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material resF*d: 1 accountiro records were rnt kept in respect of the charty as required by section 130 of the Charities Act; 2 the accounts do not acclyd with those records. I have no cOrmS artd have come across Tr) oltrer matters in with thè examination to which attention $frUld be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understandir¥a of the accounts to be reached. Signed.. Name: Simon BostrcKn FCIE 211312025 West Yorkshlre Communlty Accountancy Servlce CIO Stringer Hcse 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW