## **Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of**
# **St Matthew, Perry Beeches, Birmingham**
## **Trustees’ Annual Report for year ended 31 December 2023**
## **Reference and Administrative Information**
St Matthew’s Church and Centre is situated at the corner of Aldridge Road and Birdbrook Road, in the Great Barr area of Birmingham.
The office address is:
St Matthew’s Parish Office, Birdbrook Rd, Birmingham, B44 8RA.
The Revd Trevor Thurston-Smith is the Incumbent
and his address is: St Matthew’s Vicarage, 313 Beeches Road, Birmingham, B42 2QR
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a body corporate (PCC powers measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2022) and is registered with the Charities Commission, Registered Charity No. 1164756.
## **Bankers:**
Barclays Bank plc.
## **Independent Examiner:**
Data Developments First Floor The Chubb Buildings Fryer Street Wolverhampton West Midlands WB11HT
The Parish is part of Handsworth and Central Deanery, in the Church of England Diocese of Birmingham.
The PCC is responsible for working with the Incumbent to promote the whole mission of the Church - pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical - in the Parish of Perry Beeches. This includes the life of the Parish Church of St Matthew, including the church centre complex comprising the large hall,
Page 1
lounge and family room, and grounds, and the general and restricted funds required for the operation of the church and centre, and for the mission of the Parish.
Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected annually by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. The ministers licensed to the Parish and Churchwardens are members by virtue of their office. Deanery Synod representatives are elected at the APCM and hold office for three years. Other members of the PCC are elected at the APCM. Up to two additional members can be co-opted by the PCC.
## **The membership of the PCC in 2023 was as follows:**
## **‘Ex officio’ members:**
Revd Trevor Thurston-Smith _Vicar_ Revd Thomas William Ruston _Assistant Curate (until 18/6/23)_ Revd Br Martin John Price SSF _Assistant Curate (from 25/6/23)_ Peter Conabeer _Lay Minister (until 20/2/23)_ Tim Bartlett _Churchwarden_ Janet Cook _Churchwarden_ Paul Phipps _Lay Minister and Deanery Synod Rep._ John Hope _Deanery Synod Rep (until 21/5/23)_ Carolyn Phipps _Deanery Synod Rep (from 21/5/23)*_ Ann Harrison _Deanery Synod Rep. Parish Administrator/Treasurer & Electoral Roll officer_
## **Elected members:**
Adrian Deverell _PCC Secretary_ Judith Deverell _Safeguarding Officer_ David Gadd Laura Harrison ( _until 17/10/23)_ Susan Kyte Vera Lawrence Andrew Mitchell Robert Moulds Carolyn Phipps _(until 21/5/23)*_ Rodney Williams _Vice-Chair_
## **Electoral Roll**
In April 2023, there were 59 names on the Electoral Roll. Three names have been removed during the course of the year due to death; no new names have been added.
Page 2
## **Usual Sunday Attendance**
Our main act of worship on a Sunday is the 10.00am Parish Mass. During 2023, the average attendance at this service was 29 adults, 3 children under 16 and 30 communicants.
## **Usual weekday attendance.**
Throughout 2023 we maintained 3 weekday celebrations of the Mass: Monday 7.00pm Average Communicants: 3 Thursday 10.00am Average communicants: 7 Friday 10.00am Average communicants : 2
## **Other services:**
We have maintained a weekly ‘phone-in’ service for those who are no longer able to physically attend ‘in person’ worship. Average ‘attendance’ at these services is between 13.
Morning and Evening Prayer is said at fixed times on most weekdays either in person (average attendance 1) or on ‘Zoom’ (average attendance 3).
On Wednesdays Evening Prayer is said in person by clergy and lay representatives of the four parishes of our ‘Oversight Group’ and rotates around the parish churches of St Bernard Hamstead, St John Perry Barr and St Paul Hamstead along with St Matthew’s, with an average attendance of 7.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The PCC makes all decisions corporately, except that the Standing Committee has delegated powers to make decisions between PCC meetings, subject to keeping the PCC fully informed.
The PCC is responsible for all parish finance, its management and control, including the appointment of the treasurer. The work of the PCC is supported by its committees, which meet between full meetings of the PCC. These are:
**Standing Committee** – Consisting of the Vicar, Churchwardens, Parish Treasurer, Vice Chairperson, PCC Secretary, and one other member of the PCC elected by the PCC. They have power to transact the business of the PCC between PCC meetings, reporting to the full PCC as appropriate.
Page 3
**Fabric and Finance Committee** – Including the Parish Treasurer, the Churchwardens, the Vicar, other PCC members as appointed, to ensure adequate skills and representation and other invited members with appropriate knowledge and skills regarding our buildings and their maintenance. They are responsible for the production of reports and recommendations for the PCC.
**Church Growth Group** – established after the PCC’s annual review in 2016, this Includes the Vicar, another member of the PCC, the Clerk for Baptisms & Marriages, and other appointed members with appropriate knowledge and skills. During 2023 this group was effectively temporarily superseded by:
**The ‘Diamond Jubilee Planning Group’** whose role is to plan various services, events and missional opportunities to be held throughout 2024 in celebration of the 60[th] anniversary of the Dedication of the current church building.
## **Objectives and Activities**
Mindful of its responsibility for the mission of the Church in Perry Beeches Parish, the PCC seeks to provide a welcoming spiritual home and community resource for all in the neighbourhood. Our worship is firmly rooted in a modern and inclusive Catholic tradition centred on the Eucharist, but we recognise that God’s love and saving grace are not limited to the confines of the church building and its institutional life. St Matthew’s bears witness to this through its on-site life, where the sacred space sits side-byside with the hall which draws in many people from the wider community.
Our specific aims and objectives are:
- The provision of Regular public worship open to all.
- The provision of sacred space for personal prayer and contemplation.
- Celebration of the ‘Occasional Offices’ (Baptism, Marriage, Funerals)
- Pastoral work, including visiting the sick and bereaved
- Teaching Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups
- Leading Collective Worship (Assembly) in schools and welcoming schools on church visits and for specific services (e.g. Easter and Christmas)
- Promoting Christianity through the staging of events and meetings, the distribution of literature and the use of Social Media.
- Promoting the whole mission of the church through provision of activities for people of all ages and abilities.
- Encouraging and enabling individuals to be faithful and effective disciples of Jesus Christ.
Page 4
- Organising and/or hosting Community Events
- Making our buildings available as a resource to local Community Groups.
## **PCC Secretary’s report 2023**
The PCC met on eight occasions during 2023 with an 87.5% attendance of its membership recorded.
The APCM held in May, saw the election of three new Deanery Synod members who were each appointed to serve for a three-year term.
Following an initiative by the Diocese, our new curate Br Martin John who joined us in June, was appointed as our Parish Environmental Contact.
Apart from routine matters, the PCC agreed to the setting up of a working group to plan and organise events to mark the existing church’s sixtieth anniversary in 2024 and agreement was reached to search for and appoint a new Independent Examiner in 2024 to succeed Wychbury Lee.
It was with sadness that we recorded the death during the year of Peter Conabeer, who was a long standing and committed member of the PCC. His passing was marked with a Requiem Mass, in recognition and celebration of his significant contribution to church life. _**Adrian Deverell PCC Secretary**_
## **Children and Families Worker:**
We appointed Rosalind Hardy in September 2020 and she continued to work, along with volunteers, with the Children in the benefices of St. Matthew’s and Newtown and Lozells until funding for the post expired in September 2023.
We have maintained a Sunday School on most Sundays, coinciding with the Parish Mass, but attendance is poor. We also run a ‘Messy Church’ session in all school holidays, with 5 sessions during the long summer holiday, with an average attendance of 20 children and 15 adults. We are currently short of volunteers to help run both the Sunday School and Messy Church.
We have gradually re-established relations with local schools, most notably Glenmead and Greenholm Primary Schools, having hosted church visits, School Services for Christmas and Easter and taken part in Assemblies, and we plan to extend this work to other schools in the area.
Page 5
We hope to be able to appoint a full-time Youth, Children and Families Ministry Leader in the course of 2024, subject to funding, whose role will be to expand existing projects, to develop new initiatives, and to recruit, train and supervise volunteers to assist.
## **Prayer & Spiritual Development.**
The spiritual life of the parish centres on the **Daily Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer** which are said according to the following pattern:
Sunday: 9.15 in person (Chapel) Monday: 9.00 on ‘Zoom’ and 17.00 on ‘Zoom’ Tuesday: Said in private Wednesday: 9.00 on ‘Zoom’ and 16.00 in person (rotating venue in ‘Oversight Area’) Thursday: 9.00 in person (Chapel) 17.00 on ’Zoom’ Friday: 9.00 in person (Chapel) 17.00 on ‘Zoom’ Saturday: Said in private The celebration of **The Eucharist** is also at the heart our tradition and takes place at the following times: Sunday: 10.00 Monday: 19.00 Thursday: 10.00 Friday: 10.00
A **Julian Group** meets for contemplative prayer once a month.
Our team of **Lay Pastoral Assistants** regularly visit the sick and housebound members of the parish, and assist in taking Communion to those unable to attend Mass.
Paul Phipps, our Reader in training, is a valued member of our Lay Minister team. Sadly, Peter Conabeer, a Licensed Reader of many years standing, died in March 2023.
The council has complied with its duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 to have due regard to House of Bishop’s guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
Thanks to the people of St. Matthew’s we were able to deliver Cards at Easter and Christmas to all of the parish.
In 2023 there were 3 **Baptisms** . Baptism is offered either as part of the 10.00am Mass or as a separate stand-alone service, usually at 12.00pm.
Page 6
Most **funerals** take place at Perry Barr Crematorium. In 2023 6 funerals took place in church and 10 at a Crematorium or Cemetery Chapel. There was 1 **wedding** in church.
A Fun Day marking the Coronation of King Charles III was held in May and an annual Christmas Fayre in December, both of which were well supported and most appreciated by the people of the parish.
Regular Coffee mornings were held on Fridays during Advent and were well attended by both church members and members of the wider community, and it is planned to continue with this initiative during and beyond Lent 2024.
**Church Fabric** Our grade 2 listed church building (Murray & Maguire, 1964) provides an exceptionally user-friendly space for prayer and worship. It is also potentially an excellent space for concerts and other events, but has been currently underused in this regard as there were issues of lighting and sound that needed to be addressed. These issues are now partly resolved, and a number of concerts and other events are being planned for the 2024 Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
**Church cleaning, flower arranging, and gardening** are carried out by volunteers. The Parish is very conscious of the value of all the volunteer hours that we depend on every day.
## **Partnership with other Christians**
St Matthew’s participates fully in the life of the Diocese and Deanery. Our Parish enjoys a friendly informal partnership with the neighbouring Parishes of St John’s, Perry Barr and St Paul’s and St. Bernard’s, Hamstead. This partnership is set to become more formalised as an ‘Oversight Area’ under the diocesan initiative ‘People and Places’.
There is an established ecumenical relationship with Beeches Evangelical Church and Perry Beeches Baptist Church, with the ministers meeting together regularly for discussion, prayer and mutual support. Sadly, joint services and pulpit exchanges are currently on hold due to significant differences regarding St Matthew’s firm commitment to inclusivity, specifically on LGBTQ+ issues, reflecting tensions on this matter in the wider church. The Ministers, however, are all committed to working together despite their differing views, and are keen to re-establish a regular pattern of joint services if and when the appropriate authorities in the churches concerned give their consent. In the meantime, it is a cause of great sadness to St Matthew’s that this one area of disagreement has been allowed to result in the temporary discontinuation of ecumenical projects. We look
Page 7
forward to the matter being resolved and being able to work once again with our ecumenical neighbours in sharing God’s love unconditionally with the whole community.
## **Julian Group Report**
We have met on the first Monday of the month throughout the year to spend some quiet time in prayer .
We start with a reading then spend thirty minutes in silence, we then have our intercession prayers, and end with a reading from Julian of Norwich. Then we have tea and cakes and friendship,
I am so pleased to report that this year we have had three new people join us from various parts of Birmingham, as last year our numbers were slowly dropping due to people unable to join us anymore through various reasons. Anyone is very welcome to join us. It is a time spent with God in quietness . The feeling afterwards is one of joy and peace within yourself . _**Anne Gadd**_
## **‘Phone In’ Services**
Throughout the year we continued to hold a weekly Phone-In Service (as developed during the Covid lockdown) and have now entered the fourth year of ‘Phone -Ins’ with a weekly attendance of between 12 and 15 loyal attendees. The fellowship is split approximately 50% who also attend our weekly Sunday Morning church Mass, and 50 % who in the main are either no longer able bodied and housebound or have moved out of the area. In the service we endeavour to stay in line with the Lectionary readings and Collects and we observe the Principle Feasts of the CofE calendar where possible.
We cannot overstate the benefit to the wellbeing both spiritually and mentally for the housebound isolated former congregation members who join in fellowship with others in Worship. It does remain a life line to St Matthews for them. Many of them call early so they can enjoy a pre worship chat with likeminded fellow Parishioners.
_**Paul Phipps**_
## **Financial Review**
We rely on St Martin’s Trust to pay our Vicar’s stipend, our administrator, our organist, and (until September 2023) our Children and Families worker. They also assist with office expenses and contributed to the housing costs of the previous Curate (until June 2023) and now contribute to the travelling expenses of our new Curate.
Page 8
St. Matthew’s regular charities, Malawi and ‘Embrace the Middle East’ have still been supported this year through our online giving scheme, albeit with a reduced contribution.
Our common fund payment in 2023 was £23,600 (£1778 short of our requested total of £25,378).
We must acknowledge the generosity of our congregation. Many of them contribute to the Church via the Parish Giving scheme, standing orders and envelope contributions, as well as plate donations at services in Church.
**Hall hire** during 2023 has seen an increased number of regular groups hiring during the week. This has been profitable for the PCC. Although the hall was also opened up in 2022 for private party hire, this has not proved as profitable as we had hoped. Damage caused during a private party has resulted in a PCC resolution to host Children’s Parties only.
## **Church wardens Reports**
The Terrier, listing land belonging to the church, and the inventory of items belonging to the church have been checked and all items are accounted for. All Church’s insurances are in place and up to date.
Our car park kept getting flooded causing us to have to have a portion of it dug up to find the cause which was a broken pipe. This has now been repaired.
Thanks to grants we were able to purchase a new cooker and kitchen equipment which has been of great benefit to all.
We have had additional spotlights fitted in the Church which has helped with the lighting in the sanctuary. Unfortunately, we have not been able to get our sound system upgraded yet.
Thanks to an anonymous donation a new set of sanctuary bells have been purchased and are in use.
As we came to the end 2023, we started planning for our Diamond Jubilee year and plans are well underway to put on many events to celebrate this occasion.
## _**Janet Cook Tim Bartlett**_
Page 9
## **Social Activities and Entertainment**
During 2023 we had a number of social events and days out.
In March we had a Skittle evening and in May we had a fun day for the King’s coronation where we again had a bouncy castle in Church as well as crafts and games and a splendid tea in the Church Hall. In June we had a book sale.
In September ten members of the congregation went to Obhan for a week’s holiday. While we were there, we had many days out and also made the bus journey to Lochgilphead to visit Father Simon Mackenzie, a previous vicar at St. Matthew’s. Despite our homeward train been cancelled due to the Scottish weather we all got home safely and enjoyed the companionship of our time away.
In September we had a Macmillan coffee morning and then during Advent two of the congregation ran a coffee morning every Friday, and these were well attended. We now have a small band of volunteers, and Friday Coffee mornings are set to continue weekly throughout the year.
2024 is our Jubilee year, when we will be celebrating 85 years of a Church at Perry Beeches and 60 years of the present Church building. We have great plans for this year, including another fun day, photo exhibitions, concerts, and services.
With the help of the congregation, we continue to deliver 6,500 Christmas and Easter Cards to all the houses in the Parish. On the cards we give details of the services and special events as well as all our regular services. _**Janet Cook**_
## **SAFEGUARDING REPORT**
Each year we are required to review the following key tasks in relation to our work with children and young people and vulnerable adults.
- To ensure that copies of the latest policies and the Pocket Guide to Safeguarding are made available to volunteers.
- To ensure that volunteers undergo safeguarding training, including instruction on what to do if they receive information or have concerns about possible abuse. This should be renewed and updated as required.
Page 10
- To ensure that volunteers and staff are aware of the expectations upon them, particularly in relation to social media and the use of text messaging with those under 18.
- To complete and update risk assessments for activities and to ensure that adequate insurance is in place for them.
- To clarify our first aid needs and to train volunteers as appropriate.
- To continue to ensure that consent forms for under 18s and contact details for volunteers are in place and up to date.
- To be sure that confidential details are kept securely and where they need to be shared are done so according to correct procedure and are GDPR compliant.
We use the Church of England Birmingham Safeguarding dashboard to constantly monitor our progress in all of these areas.
## **Safeguarding Officer Report 2023**
During the year, the Safeguarding, Domestic Abuse and Recruitment of Exoffender policies were reviewed along with the Safeguarding Action Plan.
As a result of the requirement for DBS checks to be conducted every 3 years as opposed to 5 previously, an ongoing programme has been implemented in order to bring these up to date.
In December, the Safeguarding Officer underwent training to enable them to conduct training as and when required within the church environment. _**Judith Deverell Safeguarding Officer**_
## **Vicar’s Report 2023**
Like most years, 2023 proved to be an interesting mix of ‘Highs’ and ‘Lows’.
Amongst the significant ‘Highs’ were two Parish Pilgrimages – first, a day Pilgrimage to St Albans for the marvellous annual commemoration of Britain’s first Christian Martyr – and second, a five-day Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. Both provided welcome opportunities for spiritual refreshment and were much enjoyed by all who took part.
Other positive developments included the steady deepening of our relationship with two local schools – Glenmead Primary and Greenholm Primary - through class visits to Church, School Assemblies and Church
Page 11
services for Easter and Christmas, and with James Watt College through our involvement in an interfaith presentation on Food and Religious Customs and plans to engage with the College as part of a Franciscan Mission in 2024.
Plans for the recruitment of an Anglo-Catholic Missioner (funded by the Church Commissioners) to work in a five-year pilot project with St Matthew’s and four other Anglo-Catholic parishes came to fruition with the appointment of Mother Charlotte Gibson, who will take up her new role in April 2024. We look forward to welcoming Mthr Charlotte and working with her.
Church of England Birmingham’s ‘People and Places’ initiative also progressed well over the year, and our new Oversight Area, comprising St John’s Perry Barr and St Paul’s and St Bernard’s Hamstead as well as St Matthew’s, will be formally launched early in 2024. We look forward to exploring how best our parishes can support one another and work together.
In May, we marked the coronation of Charles III with a free Community Fun day which was well supported and much appreciated. Once again, the bouncy castle in church was particularly well received!
During Advent, successful Coffee Mornings were held weekly on Fridays, and there are plans to repeat this during and beyond Lent 2024, with the hope that in due course, if suitable partnerships can be forged, this may develop into a Community Café.
So much for the ‘Highs’.
The ‘Lows’ included three significant farewells.
Peter Conabeer who had faithfully served St Matthew’s for many years as a Licensed Reader and PCC member died on 20[th] February and his funeral took place on 4[th] April. A Memorial Requiem Mass was also held on 22[nd] May and this was an opportunity for the parish and diocese to give thanks for Peter’s long and distinguished ministry here.
Our Curate, Fr Tom Ruston left us in July in order to continue his Curacy in the diocese of Chester and to marry his fiancée Amy. Whilst we’re sorry that his time with us was so brief, it was nevertheless good to have him around, and we wish him and Amy every blessing in their respective ministries.
Funding for our Children and Families Worker, Ros Hardy, ended in September. Ros had faced a number of challenges after coming into post in 2020 – first Covid and Lockdown, then an interregnum in both the benefices
Page 12
in which she was based - here at St Matthews and at St George’s Newtown and Saints Paul and Silas, Lozells. Working between these very different churches was in itself a significant challenge. Ros nevertheless managed to maintain our Sunday School and Messy Church (mainly during school holidays) and supported the Noah’s Ark Mothers and Toddlers Group as well as working alongside the Clergy in developing our ministry to schools. Whilst we were sorry to see Ros leave, we are grateful for all that she did in her time with us, and we wish her well in her new post. We are delighted that husband Tim and daughter Anwen – and indeed Ros herself when her present duties permit – still worship with us on a regular basis.
The ending of the Children and Families Worker post has created the need to further review our ministry to young people – which is an area of weakness at the moment - and as a result, funding is now being sought, and has been partly secured, for a full-time Youth, Children and Families Ministry Leader whose three-year role will be more developmental and missionfocussed. We hope that this project will be up and running by September 2024.
It was a particular sadness for me that a sudden retinal detachment, which resulted in my having emergency surgery and then being off sick for three weeks, meant that I was not around to say farewell to Fr Tom, nor to be present for the ordination of our new Curate – Brother Martin John SSF.
Br Martin showed what I now know to be characteristic humility and patience as he waited for his Curacy to begin, but once he arrived, it felt as if he had always been here! Although he is only with us on Sundays and (usually) two other days a week, Br Martin has quickly proved to be a great asset to the parish. I know that many people value his quiet and gentle spirituality, and I’m delighted to have him as a colleague. Having a Religious working in the parish is a new experience for all of us, and both Br Martin and I are keen to see how this might develop in the future. In the meantime we look forward very much to his ordination as Priest in July 2024.
Most importantly of all, throughout all of these ‘Highs and Lows’ we have maintained our pattern of worship which focusses firmly on The Mass. We have held to our principles of genuine inclusivity and our ‘Modern Catholic’ tradition; the Parish Mass on Sunday remains at the core of our life and work, and this year we once again observed a full Holy Week, with all the appropriate liturgies.
I wish to express my particular thanks to those who contribute to our worship in any way, whether it’s by preparing beforehand in the sacristy, serving, reading, flower-arranging, running the Sunday School, or contributing to the
Page 13
music. Thanks are also due to Paul Phipps, our Licensed Reader, for his contribution to our Sunday worship and his leading of the weekly Telephone Service for those unable to attend church, and to Anne Gadd for running the monthly Julian Group meetings.
Throughout the year we have continued to accommodate many Community groups in our Church Hall and other rooms. We have also reached out into the local community by hosting occasional Community events and by developing the weekly Coffee Morning. This is an important part of our Christian service to the local community, and I wish to record my thanks to all those who volunteer to support this aspect of our life.
It would be a particular joy if some of those who come to St Matthew’s for coffee and cake would also come to receive the bread and wine of the eucharist and join our church family in worship. I believe our services are every bit as friendly and welcoming as our social events, and we all have a role to play in inviting and encouraging people to experience, and give thanks for, the love of God in worship. For those who may be unable to attend on Sunday, our Friday Mass is a brief and simple service held just before the Coffee Morning starts, and it would be good to see it better supported.
Whether we like it or not, running a Parish nowadays involves everincreasing managerial and administrative responsibilities and legal obligations. I wish to record my profound thanks to all those who share and lighten this burden in any way – to Ann our administrator, and to those who give of their time and energy voluntarily – especially our Churchwardens Janet and Tim and all members of our PCC. All that you do – and the good grace with which you do it – is greatly appreciated.
We are also very grateful to our patrons, The St Martin’s Trust for their continuing financial support.
The coming year is, of course, our Diamond Jubilee, as we celebrate sixty years of the current Church building and eighty-five years of an Anglican Church occupying this site. Many varied events are being planned to mark this celebration and it will be a very busy year. Nevertheless, it will present us with several new opportunities for Mission, and it promises to be a very exciting and memorable time in the life of St Matthew’s.
So, as we look back over the last year with thanks, let us also look forward to the coming year in expectation and with a readiness to seize the many opportunities and enjoy the various ‘Highs’ that it will hopefully present. _**Fr Trevor**_
Page 14
Page 15
## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Matthew, Perry Beeches, Birmingham**
I report on the accounts of the church for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 02 to 14.
## **Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner**
The church’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The church’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
- Examine the accounts (under scetion145 of the 2011 Act);
- To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145 (5) (b) of the 2011 Act); and
- To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis on Independent Examiner’s Report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all of the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements • To keep accounting records in accordance with section130 of the 2011 Act; and
- To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met: or
2. To which, in my opinion, attention should have been drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Stephen Hendy Date 18[th] March 2024
Data Developments, First Floor, Chubb Buildings, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV1 IHT
_Page 1_
## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MATTHEW, PERRY BEECHES, BIRMINGHAM
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31 December 2023**
||**Unrestricted Designated**
**Restricted Endowment**
**Total**
**Prior year**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**total funds**|
|---|---|
|**Income and endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
Income from charitable activities
Other trading activities
Investments
Other income
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Expenditure on charitable activities
**Total expenditure**
**Net income / (expenditure) resources before**
**transfer**
**Transfers**
Gross transfers between funds - in
Gross transfers between funds - out
**Other recognized gains / losses**
**Net movement in funds**
**Total funds brought forward**
**Total funds carried forward**|34,852
3,795
31,045
—
69,692
81,537
4,647
23,113
—
—
27,760
28,510
—
606
—
—
606
—
95
137
—
—
232
(41)
889
123
3,609
—
4,621
4,332|
||**40,482**
**27,774**
**34,654**
**—**
**102,910**
**114,339**
40,561
20,510
34,219
—
95,289
102,281|
||**40,561**
**20,510**
**34,219**
**—**
**95,289**
**102,281**|
||**(79)**
**7,264**
**436**
**—**
**7,621**
**12,057**
228
1,845
1,395
—
3,468
8,995
(828)
(2,640)
—
—
(3,468)
(8,995)|
||**(679)**
**6,469**
**1,831**
**—**
**7,621**
**12,057**|
||**11,248**
**40,020**
**12,399**
**—**
**63,668**
**51,610**|
||**10,569**
**46,489**
**14,229**
**—**
**71,288**
**63,668**|
_Page 2_
## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MATTHEW, PERRY BEECHES, BIRMINGHAM
## **Balance sheet at 31 December 2023**
|**Class and code**
**Description**|**This year**
**Last year**|
|---|---|
|**Current assets**
CBFFUND
CBF CoE Fixed Interest Securities Fund
CHSAVER
Church Saving Accounts
CHURCHCURR
Church Current Account
HALLCURR
Hall Current Account
Z05
Accounts Receivable
**Total Current assets**
**Liabilities**
6699
Agency collections
Z04
Accounts Payable
**Total Liabilities**
**Net Asset surplus(deficit)**
**Reserves**
Excess / (deficit) to date
Z01
Starting balances
**Total Reserves**
**Represented by funds**
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
**Total**|356
356
25,496
19,229
23,016
22,985
25,014
16,781
1,319
5,789|
||**75,201**
**65,142**
293
1,474
3,620
—|
||**3,913**
**1,474**|
||**71,288**
**63,668**|
||7,621
12,057
63,668
51,610|
||**71,288**
**63,668**
10,569
11,248
46,489
40,020
14,229
12,399
—
—|
||**71,288**
**63,668**|
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on
and signed on its behalf by:-
The Revd Trevor Thurston-Smith (PCC chairman)
The notes on pages 04 to 15 form part of these accounts
**As the charity’s income is than £500,000 during the year a cash flow statement is not required.**
_Page 3_
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MATTHEW, PERRY BEECHES, BIRMINGHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31[st] December 2023 (continued)
## **1 Accounting policies**
The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCC’s, and within the Regulations’ “true and fair” provisions.
## **ASSETS**
## **Consecrated and benefice property**
In so far as consecrated and benefice property of any kind is excluded from the statutory definition of “charity” by Section 10(2) (a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011 such assets are not capitalised in the financial statements.
## **Moveable Church Furnishings**
These are capitalised at cost and depreciated over their useful economic life other than where insufficient cost information is available. In this case the item is not capitalised, but all items are included in the Church’s inventory in any case.
## **Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity**
These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £1,000. They are valued at cost or else, for gifts-in-kind, at a reasonable estimate of their open market valuation on receipt.
Depreciation is calculated to write off the capitalised cost of fixed assets less their currently anticipated residual fair value over their estimated useful lives as follows:
- Land Nil • Fixtures & Fittings 20 years
- • Computers 3 years
No depreciation is provided on buildings as the currently estimated residual value of the properties is not less than their carrying value and the remaining useful life of these assets currently exceeds 50 years. So that any depreciation charges would be immaterial.
An impairment review is carried out at each year-end and any resultant loss identified is included in expenditure for the year.
## **Investments**
Investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange or whose value derives from them are valued at market value at the year end. Other investment assets are included at PCC’s best estimate of value.
_Page 4_
## **Short term deposits**
These are the cash held on deposit with CCLA or at the bank.
## **FUNDS**
## **Unrestricted Funds**
These represent the remaining income funds of the PCC that are available for spending on the general purposes of the PCC, including amounts designated by the PCC for fixed assets for its own use or for spending on a future project and which are there for not included in its ‘free reserves’ as disclosed in the trustees’ report.
## **Restricted Funds**
These are income funds that must be spent on restricted purposes and details of the funds held and restrictions provided are shown in the notes to the accounts.
## **Endowment Funds**
These are restricted funds which must be retained as trust capital either permanently or subject to a discretionary power to spend capital as income, and where the use of any income or other benefit derived from the capital may be restricted or unrestricted. Full details of all of their restrictions are shown in the notes to the accounts.
_Page 5_
## PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MATTHEW, PERRY BEECHES, BIRMINGHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31[st] December 2023 (continued)
## **2 INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
||**Unrestricted**|**Designated**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**This year**
**Last year**
20,960
—
—
—
20,960
19,469
709
—
—
—
709
951
1,740
—
—
—
1,740
1,936
108
—
—
—
108
211
4,043
—
—
—
4,043
2,961
514
150
—
—
664
1,381
118
—
—
—
118
113
4,852
—
—
—
4,852
4,510
1,808
—
—
—
1,808
1,329
—
795
30,695
—
31,490
35,124
—
2,850
—
—
2,850
13,554
—
—
350
—
350
—|
|---|---|---|
|||4,647
23,113
—
—
27,760
28,510
—
606
—
—
606
—|
|||—
606
—
—
606
—
95
137
—
—
232
29
—
—
—
—
—
(70)|
|||95
137
—
—
232
(41)
—
—
215
—
215
191
—
—
—
—
—
700
75
—
—
—
75
75
770
—
—
—
770
714
—
—
—
—
—
2,652
43
123
3,394
—
3,560
—|
|||889
123
3,609
—
4,621
4,332|
||**INCOME TOTAL**|40,482
27,774
34,654
—
102,910
114,339|
_Page 6_
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MATTHEW, PERRY BEECHES, BIRMINGHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31[st] December 2023 (continued)
## **3 EXPENDITURE**
## **Expenditure on charitable activities**
|Office Stationery, Hall etc.
Office Phone and Broadband
Photocopying
Office Stationery Church etc
Church Hall Electricity
Church Hall Gas
Church Hall Maintenance
Church Hall Cleaning
Church Hall Boiler
Church Hall Capital Projects
Noah's Ark
Sacristy Services and Equipment
Common Fund
Organist Fees
Relief Vicars Expenses
Church Electricity
Church Maintenance
Church Capital Projects
Garden Maintenance
Lounge and Servery Maintenance
Centre Hygiene
Centre Maintenance
Centre Insurance
Water Bill
Insurance Excess
Marketing costs
IT Costs
Refreshments for Church Events
Administrator Wages
Children and Families Worker Wages
Children and Families Worker
Expenses
Parish Party Costs
Trips and outings
Christmas Fair Expenses
Flowers
Embrace the Middle east
Bowls club Expenses
One-off charity Donations
Vicar's Expenses
Vicarage Expenses
Curates Accommodation Costs
Curates Expenses
Miscellaneous - Church
Miscellaneous - Church Hall
Sundry Donations
Cheques paid to Church Hall Account
Governance costs - examination/audit
Total|—
309
—
—
309
336
—
389
—
—
389
402
—
858
—
—
858
758
—
27
—
—
27
295
—
1,115
—
—
1,115
701
—
3,518
—
—
3,518
2,558
—
334
—
—
334
863
—
4,582
—
—
4,582
4,409
—
454
—
—
454
523
—
1,964
—
—
1,964
10,996
—
403
—
—
403
317
943
—
332
—
1,275
2,035
23,600
—
—
—
23,600
23,100
—
—
3,300
—
3,300
2,979
139
—
—
—
139
253
7,120
—
—
—
7,120
5,405
—
—
—
—
—
2,122
1,176
—
—
—
1,176
—
40
—
—
—
40
53
25
—
—
—
25
—
—
593
—
—
593
—
—
3,753
—
—
3,753
1,957
3,763
—
—
—
3,763
3,454
—
155
—
—
155
84
—
—
—
—
—
250
318
306
—
—
624
600
—
—
—
—
—
70
652
—
—
—
652
716
—
—
15,372
—
15,372
14,719
—
—
9,824
—
9,824
13,941
—
466
—
—
466
275
214
—
—
—
214
343
225
—
—
—
225
—
—
499
—
—
499
231
—
—
414
—
414
175
—
—
240
—
240
180
—
150
—
—
150
150
210
—
—
—
210
—
266
—
—
—
266
—
928
—
—
—
928
—
—
—
4,599
—
4,599
6,430
266
—
138
—
404
6
100
—
—
—
100
203
—
30
—
—
30
388
76
—
—
—
76
—
—
606
—
—
606
—
500
—
—
—
500
—|
|---|---|
||40,561
20,510
34,219
—
95,289
102,281|
|**EXPENDITURE TOTAL**|40,561
20,510
34,219
—
95,289
102,281|
|||
|**GRAND TOTAL**|(79)
7,264
436
—
7,621
12,057|
_Page 7_
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MATTHEW, PERRY BEECHES, BIRMINGHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31[st] December 2023 (continued)
## **INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
## **4 ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE INCLUDING ALLOCATION OF SUPPORT COSTS**
||Direct||Support|TOTAL|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||costs||costs|Charitable Expenditure|
||£||£|£|
|Charitable expenditure|78,643||16,646|95,289|
|excluding support costs|||||
|**5 STAFF COSTS**|||||
|||2023||2022|
|Wages and salaries||£25,916||£28,660|
|Average number of employees||2||2|
## **5(a) RELATED PARTIES**
A small immaterial portion of the expenses paid to the incumbent may have been related to his services as chairman of the PCC.
No other payments or expenses were paid to any other PCC member, persons closely connected to them or related parties.
Donations from related parties (PCC members)during 2023 were £6,760.
## **6 ANALYSIS OF TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS**
£3,628 was transferred between funds during 2023. This was in respect of transfers to the Vicarage Decoration Fund, to the Fabric Fund transfers from St Martins Initiative Fund and St Martins Capital Fund.
## **7 FIXED ASSETS**
7(a) The charity has no tangible fixed assets
- 7 (b) The charity has no investments
_Page 8_
## **8 CURRENT ASSETS**
8(a) The charity has £356 invested in CBF Fixed Interest Securities. The amount has not changed from 31/12/2022.
## 8(b) Debtors (Designated Funds)
The charity was owed £1,319 for unpaid room hire invoices at 31/12/2023 (31/12/2022 £5,789)
## **9 CURRENT LIABILITIES**
|||2023||2022|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||£|£|£|£|£|£|
||General|Designated|Total|General|Designated|Total|
|Parish share|2,000||2,000|-||-|
|Electricity|1,000|120|1,120|-|-|-|
|Independent|500||500|-||-|
|Examination|||||||
|Fee|||||||
|Total|3,500|120|3,620|-|-|-|
## **10 FUNDS**
|**Fund name**|**Fund type**|**Purpose of Fund**|
|---|---|---|
|Church General fund|Unrestricted|The Church's General Fund|
|Church Hall General Fund|Unrestricted|The Church Hall's general fund.|
|CoE Investments|Unrestricted|Investments|
|||Noah's ark is a mothers and toddler's organisation set|
|Noah's Ark|Unrestricted|up by the church. They meet one a week and pay no|
|||rent.|
|Unallocated funds in the Saving Account|Unrestricted|Money in the savings account not allocated to specific
funds|
|Christmas Fair Set up Fund|Designated|A fund set up to cover the set costs of the annual
Christmas fair|
|Friday Cafe|Designated|Funds remaining from a Café that we ran before the
pandemic.|
|||We received a payout from our Insurance company for|
|Insurance Claim for water leak|Designated|damage caused by a water leak. The damage is now
repaired and balance of this fund transferred to PCC|
|||Fabric Fund.|
|Messy Church|Designated|Income/expenditure generated by the Messy church
events|
|PCC Fabric Fund|Designated|Fund to pay for improvements and repairs of the
Church and Church Hall|
|RIP Sheila Rooke|Designated|A donation in memory of an ex-Sunday school teacher
and member of the congregation|
|St. Martind 2023 Capital fund|Designated|A one off donation in 2023 to purchase replacement IT
equipment.|
|St. Martind 2023 Revenue fund|Designated|An Annual donation from St,Martins to cover Office
operating costs.|
|St. Martins initiative fund|Designated|A one off donation from St. Martins trust to use
however the PCC decide|
|Vicarage Decoration Fund|Designated|A fund set up to meet the cost of redecorating/repair of
the Vicarage at a chage of incombant|
|Vicar's Charity fund|Designated|A donation to the previous vicar for charitable purposes
before he left the parish.|
|Altar Cloth 2023|Restricted|A anonymous donation for the specific purpose of
aquiring a new Altar Cloth|
_Page 9_
BDBF Energy Extra Costs Restricted A donation from the Diocese to help with increasing energy costs. This is actually a combination of two funds Wages and Childrens and Family Worker Fund Restricted Expences. It is awaiting the employment of a new Children and Families worker, hopefully later this year. Church Floor Grouting Restricted A grant torrepair the grouting between the brick floor of the Church. Curates Accomodation Restricted Set up to cover accommodation costs of Curate. A charity to which various members of the Embrace the Middle East Restricted congrehation donate on an ad hoc basis and we pay a regular monthly amount, Flowers Restricted Church Flowers Furniture - Lord Austin 2022 Restricted a fund for the purchase of new furniture for the lounge Kitchen Equipment - Harlow 2022 Restricted A fund to purchase new equipment for the Kitchen An old grant for improving the entrance garden and Slabbing amd Church Windows from 2017 Grants Restricted inspecting the Church windows. We have never had enough funds to commence this work. This is for our Admin Assistant wages, a regular grant St. Martins Admin Wages Restricted is set up, but can vary by small amounts from actual wage costs. St. Martins Music Funds Restricted Employment of the Church Organist This really should be an agency fund. The bowler club Thursday Bowlers Club Restricted are a group of the congregation who meet weekly in the hall, pay rent and save in the Church Account for a Christmas meal.
_Page 10_
## **11 SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS**
|**Opening**|**Incoming Outgoing TransfersGains/lossesJournals Closing **
—
150
—
—
—
—
150
**—**
**150**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**150**
2,652
—
1,310
(1,342)
—
—
—
**2,652**
**—**
**1,310**
**(1,342)**
**—**
**—**
**—**
—
2,025
—
600
—
—
2,625
**—**
**2,025**
**—**
**600**
**—**
**—**
**2,625**
2,634
—
—
—
—
—
2,634
**2,634**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**2,634**
3,064
606
2,570
—
—
—
1,101
**3,064**
**606**
**2,570**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**1,101**
1,000
—
—
—
—
—
1,000
**1,000**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**1,000**
11,248
40,482
40,561
(600)
—
—
10,569
**11,248**
**40,482**
**40,561**
**(600)**
**—**
**—**
**10,569**
16,636
22,118
13,542
—
—
—
25,211
**16,636**
**22,118**
**13,542**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**25,211**
7,702
137
—
—
—
—
7,839
**7,702**
**137**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**7,839**
356
—
—
—
—
—
356
**356**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**356**
—
123
466
—
—
—
(343)
**—**
**123**
**466**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**(343)**
5,147
6,705
9,824
795
—
—
2,824
**5,147**
**6,705**
**9,824**
**795**
**—**
**—**
**2,824**
(8)
15,600
15,372
—
—
—
220
**(8)**
**15,600**
**15,372**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**220**
2,528
3,200
3,632
—
—
—
2,095
**2,528**
**3,200**
**3,632**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**2,095**
500
—
—
—
—
—
500
**500**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**500**
—
1,075
—
(225)
—
—
850
**—**
**1,075**
**—**
**(225)**
**—**
**—**
**850**
—
2,570
1,570
(570)
—
—
430
**—**
**2,570**
**1,570**
**(570)**
**—**
**—**
**430**|
|---|---|
|**Altarclth - Altar Cloth 2023**
Designated
**Sub-total for Altarclth**
**VaterLeak - Insurance Claim for**
Designated
**Sub-total for VaterLeak**
**Vicarage - Vicarage Decoration**
Restricted
**Sub-total for Vicarage**
**BDBF-Elect - BDBF Energy Extra Co**
Designated
**Sub-total for BDBF-Elect**
**Kitch - Kitchen Equipment -**
Designated
**Sub-total for Kitch**
**Furniture - Furniture - Lord Aus**
Designated
**Sub-total for Furniture**
**General - Church General fund**
Unrestricted
**Sub-total for General**
**CHGeneral - Church Hall General**
Designated
**Sub-total for CHGeneral**
**SavGeneral - Unallocated funds in**
Designated
**Sub-total for SavGeneral**
**Investment - CoE Investments**
Restricted
**Sub-total for Investment**
**CFW-Exp - Childrens and Family**
Designated
**Sub-total for CFW-Exp**
**CFW-Wages - Childrens and Family**
Restricted
**Sub-total for CFW-Wages**
**StM-Admin - St. Martins Admin Wa**
Restricted
**Sub-total for StM-Admin**
**StM-Music - St. Martins Music Fu**
Restricted
**Sub-total for StM-Music**
**STM-IF - St. Martins initiati**
Designated
**Sub-total for STM-IF**
**STM-23Cap - St Martins Capital F**
Designated
**Sub-total for STM-23Cap**
**STM-23Rev - St.Martins 2023 Reve**
Designated
**Sub-total for STM-23Rev**||
_Page 11_
|**Cur-Accom - Curates Accomodation**
Restricted
**Sub-total for Cur-Accom**
**Flowers - Flowers**
Restricted
**Sub-total for Flowers**
**PCCfees - PCC Fees**
Designated
**Sub-total for PCCfees**
**Verger - Verger Fees**
Designated
**Sub-total for Verger**
**XmasFair - Christmas Fair Set u**
Designated
**Sub-total for XmasFair**
**HeatingFee - Heating fees from Fu**
Designated
**Sub-total for HeatingFee**
**Noahsark - Noah's Ark**
Designated
**Sub-total for Noahsark**
**Messy-Ch - Messy Church**
Designated
**Sub-total for Messy-Ch**
**Cafe - Friday Cafe**
Designated
**Sub-total for Cafe**
**Bowlers - Thursday Bowlers Clu**
Designated
**Sub-total for Bowlers**
**Gp-Outings - Outings and Trips**
Designated
**Sub-total for Gp-Outings**
**EME - Embrace the Middle E**
Restricted
**Sub-total for EME**
**FabricFund - PCC Fabric Fund**
Designated
**Sub-total for FabricFund**
**HBR - Hall Boiler replacem**
Restricted
**Sub-total for HBR**
**VicarsFnd - Vicar's Charity fund**
Designated
**Sub-total for VicarsFnd**
**S-Rooke - RIP Sheila Rooke**
Designated
**Sub-total for S-Rooke**
**LNGE-ROOF - Replace roof over Lo**
Restricted
**Sub-total for LNGE-ROOF**
**HeatRefub - Church Heating Re-fu**
Restricted
**Sub-total for HeatRefub**
**Slabing - Slabbing amd Church**
Restricted|(1,279)
6,558
4,737
—
—
—
543|
|---|---|
||**(1,279)**
**6,558**
**4,737**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**543**
226
350
414
—
—
—
162|
||**226**
**350**
**414**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**162**
—
—
—
—
—
—
—|
||**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
—
—
—
—
—
—
—|
||**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
69
—
499
—
—
—
(430)|
||**69**
**—**
**499**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**(430)**
—
—
—
—
—
—
—|
||**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
559
800
403
—
—
—
956|
||**559**
**800**
**403**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**956**
43
45
—
—
—
—
88|
||**43**
**45**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**88**
459
—
—
—
—
—
459|
||**459**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**459**
300
150
150
—
—
—
300|
||**300**
**150**
**150**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**300**
—
—
—
—
—
—
—|
||**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
199
215
240
—
—
—
174|
||**199**
**215**
**240**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**174**
3,679
—
—
1,342
—
—
5,021|
||**3,679**
**—**
**—**
**1,342**
**—**
**—**
**5,021**
—
—
—
—
—
—
—|
||**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
250
—
—
—
—
—
250|
||**250**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**250**
475
—
—
—
—
—
475|
||**475**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**475**
—
—
—
—
—
—
—|
||**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
—
—
—
—
—
—
—|
||**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
4,030
—
—
—
—
—
4,030|
_Page 12_
|**Sub-total for Slabing**
**GroutFloor - Church Floor Groutin**
Restricted
**Sub-total for GroutFloor**
**Grand total**|**4,030**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**4,030**
1,200
—
—
—
—
—
1,200|
|---|---|
||**1,200**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**1,200**|
||**63,668**
**102,910**
**95,289**
**—**
**—**
**—**
**71,288**|
## **12 SUMMARY OF ASSETS BY FUND TYPE**
|**General**|**Designated**
**Restricted Endowment**
**This year**
**Last year**|
|---|---|
|**Current assets - Cash at bank and in hand**
Church Saving Accounts -
Church Saving Accounts -
Church Current Account -
Hall Current Account -
**Totals**
**Current assets - Debtors**
Accounts Receivable -
**Totals**
**Current assets - Investments**
CBF CoE Fixed Interest Securities Fund -
**Totals**
**Liabilities - Agency accounts**
Agency collections -
**Totals**
**Liabilities - Creditors: Amounts falling due in**
**one year**
Accounts Payable -
**Totals**
**Grand total**|(4,891)
19,095
11,305
—
25,509
19,243
—
—
(13)
—
(13)
(13)
18,968
1,174
2,874
—
23,016
22,985
(7)
25,021
—
—
25,014
16,781|
||**14,070**
**45,290**
**14,166**
**—**
**73,526**
**58,996**
—
1,319
—
—
1,319
5,789|
||**—**
**1,319**
**—**
**—**
**1,319**
**5,789**
0
0
356
—
356
356|
||**0**
**0**
**356**
**—**
**356**
**356**
—
—
293
—
293
1,474|
||**—**
**—**
**293**
**—**
**293**
**1,474**
3,500
120
—
—
3,620
—|
||**3,500**
**120**
**—**
**—**
**3,620**
**—**|
||**10,569**
**46,489**
**14,229**
**—**
**71,288**
**63,668**|
_Page 13_
## **13 PRIOR PERIOD COMPATIVE SOFA**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31 December 2022**
_Page 14_
## **Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of**
# **St Matthew, Perry Beeches, Birmingham**
## **Trustees’ Annual Report for year ended 31 December 2023**
## **Reference and Administrative Information**
St Matthew’s Church and Centre is situated at the corner of Aldridge Road and Birdbrook Road, in the Great Barr area of Birmingham.
The office address is:
St Matthew’s Parish Office, Birdbrook Rd, Birmingham, B44 8RA.
The Revd Trevor Thurston-Smith is the Incumbent
and his address is: St Matthew’s Vicarage, 313 Beeches Road, Birmingham, B42 2QR
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a body corporate (PCC powers measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2022) and is registered with the Charities Commission, Registered Charity No. 1164756.
## **Bankers:**
Barclays Bank plc.
## **Independent Examiner:**
Data Developments First Floor The Chubb Buildings Fryer Street Wolverhampton West Midlands WB11HT
The Parish is part of Handsworth and Central Deanery, in the Church of England Diocese of Birmingham.
The PCC is responsible for working with the Incumbent to promote the whole mission of the Church - pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical - in the Parish of Perry Beeches. This includes the life of the Parish Church of St Matthew, including the church centre complex comprising the large hall,
Page 1
lounge and family room, and grounds, and the general and restricted funds required for the operation of the church and centre, and for the mission of the Parish.
Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected annually by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. The ministers licensed to the Parish and Churchwardens are members by virtue of their office. Deanery Synod representatives are elected at the APCM and hold office for three years. Other members of the PCC are elected at the APCM. Up to two additional members can be co-opted by the PCC.
## **The membership of the PCC in 2023 was as follows:**
## **‘Ex officio’ members:**
Revd Trevor Thurston-Smith _Vicar_ Revd Thomas William Ruston _Assistant Curate (until 18/6/23)_ Revd Br Martin John Price SSF _Assistant Curate (from 25/6/23)_ Peter Conabeer _Lay Minister (until 20/2/23)_ Tim Bartlett _Churchwarden_ Janet Cook _Churchwarden_ Paul Phipps _Lay Minister and Deanery Synod Rep._ John Hope _Deanery Synod Rep (until 21/5/23)_ Carolyn Phipps _Deanery Synod Rep (from 21/5/23)*_ Ann Harrison _Deanery Synod Rep. Parish Administrator/Treasurer & Electoral Roll officer_
## **Elected members:**
Adrian Deverell _PCC Secretary_ Judith Deverell _Safeguarding Officer_ David Gadd Laura Harrison ( _until 17/10/23)_ Susan Kyte Vera Lawrence Andrew Mitchell Robert Moulds Carolyn Phipps _(until 21/5/23)*_ Rodney Williams _Vice-Chair_
## **Electoral Roll**
In April 2023, there were 59 names on the Electoral Roll. Three names have been removed during the course of the year due to death; no new names have been added.
Page 2
## **Usual Sunday Attendance**
Our main act of worship on a Sunday is the 10.00am Parish Mass. During 2023, the average attendance at this service was 29 adults, 3 children under 16 and 30 communicants.
## **Usual weekday attendance.**
Throughout 2023 we maintained 3 weekday celebrations of the Mass: Monday 7.00pm Average Communicants: 3 Thursday 10.00am Average communicants: 7 Friday 10.00am Average communicants : 2
## **Other services:**
We have maintained a weekly ‘phone-in’ service for those who are no longer able to physically attend ‘in person’ worship. Average ‘attendance’ at these services is between 13.
Morning and Evening Prayer is said at fixed times on most weekdays either in person (average attendance 1) or on ‘Zoom’ (average attendance 3).
On Wednesdays Evening Prayer is said in person by clergy and lay representatives of the four parishes of our ‘Oversight Group’ and rotates around the parish churches of St Bernard Hamstead, St John Perry Barr and St Paul Hamstead along with St Matthew’s, with an average attendance of 7.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The PCC makes all decisions corporately, except that the Standing Committee has delegated powers to make decisions between PCC meetings, subject to keeping the PCC fully informed.
The PCC is responsible for all parish finance, its management and control, including the appointment of the treasurer. The work of the PCC is supported by its committees, which meet between full meetings of the PCC. These are:
**Standing Committee** – Consisting of the Vicar, Churchwardens, Parish Treasurer, Vice Chairperson, PCC Secretary, and one other member of the PCC elected by the PCC. They have power to transact the business of the PCC between PCC meetings, reporting to the full PCC as appropriate.
Page 3
**Fabric and Finance Committee** – Including the Parish Treasurer, the Churchwardens, the Vicar, other PCC members as appointed, to ensure adequate skills and representation and other invited members with appropriate knowledge and skills regarding our buildings and their maintenance. They are responsible for the production of reports and recommendations for the PCC.
**Church Growth Group** – established after the PCC’s annual review in 2016, this Includes the Vicar, another member of the PCC, the Clerk for Baptisms & Marriages, and other appointed members with appropriate knowledge and skills. During 2023 this group was effectively temporarily superseded by:
**The ‘Diamond Jubilee Planning Group’** whose role is to plan various services, events and missional opportunities to be held throughout 2024 in celebration of the 60[th] anniversary of the Dedication of the current church building.
## **Objectives and Activities**
Mindful of its responsibility for the mission of the Church in Perry Beeches Parish, the PCC seeks to provide a welcoming spiritual home and community resource for all in the neighbourhood. Our worship is firmly rooted in a modern and inclusive Catholic tradition centred on the Eucharist, but we recognise that God’s love and saving grace are not limited to the confines of the church building and its institutional life. St Matthew’s bears witness to this through its on-site life, where the sacred space sits side-byside with the hall which draws in many people from the wider community.
Our specific aims and objectives are:
- The provision of Regular public worship open to all.
- The provision of sacred space for personal prayer and contemplation.
- Celebration of the ‘Occasional Offices’ (Baptism, Marriage, Funerals)
- Pastoral work, including visiting the sick and bereaved
- Teaching Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups
- Leading Collective Worship (Assembly) in schools and welcoming schools on church visits and for specific services (e.g. Easter and Christmas)
- Promoting Christianity through the staging of events and meetings, the distribution of literature and the use of Social Media.
- Promoting the whole mission of the church through provision of activities for people of all ages and abilities.
- Encouraging and enabling individuals to be faithful and effective disciples of Jesus Christ.
Page 4
- Organising and/or hosting Community Events
- Making our buildings available as a resource to local Community Groups.
## **PCC Secretary’s report 2023**
The PCC met on eight occasions during 2023 with an 87.5% attendance of its membership recorded.
The APCM held in May, saw the election of three new Deanery Synod members who were each appointed to serve for a three-year term.
Following an initiative by the Diocese, our new curate Br Martin John who joined us in June, was appointed as our Parish Environmental Contact.
Apart from routine matters, the PCC agreed to the setting up of a working group to plan and organise events to mark the existing church’s sixtieth anniversary in 2024 and agreement was reached to search for and appoint a new Independent Examiner in 2024 to succeed Wychbury Lee.
It was with sadness that we recorded the death during the year of Peter Conabeer, who was a long standing and committed member of the PCC. His passing was marked with a Requiem Mass, in recognition and celebration of his significant contribution to church life. _**Adrian Deverell PCC Secretary**_
## **Children and Families Worker:**
We appointed Rosalind Hardy in September 2020 and she continued to work, along with volunteers, with the Children in the benefices of St. Matthew’s and Newtown and Lozells until funding for the post expired in September 2023.
We have maintained a Sunday School on most Sundays, coinciding with the Parish Mass, but attendance is poor. We also run a ‘Messy Church’ session in all school holidays, with 5 sessions during the long summer holiday, with an average attendance of 20 children and 15 adults. We are currently short of volunteers to help run both the Sunday School and Messy Church.
We have gradually re-established relations with local schools, most notably Glenmead and Greenholm Primary Schools, having hosted church visits, School Services for Christmas and Easter and taken part in Assemblies, and we plan to extend this work to other schools in the area.
Page 5
We hope to be able to appoint a full-time Youth, Children and Families Ministry Leader in the course of 2024, subject to funding, whose role will be to expand existing projects, to develop new initiatives, and to recruit, train and supervise volunteers to assist.
## **Prayer & Spiritual Development.**
The spiritual life of the parish centres on the **Daily Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer** which are said according to the following pattern:
Sunday: 9.15 in person (Chapel) Monday: 9.00 on ‘Zoom’ and 17.00 on ‘Zoom’ Tuesday: Said in private Wednesday: 9.00 on ‘Zoom’ and 16.00 in person (rotating venue in ‘Oversight Area’) Thursday: 9.00 in person (Chapel) 17.00 on ’Zoom’ Friday: 9.00 in person (Chapel) 17.00 on ‘Zoom’ Saturday: Said in private The celebration of **The Eucharist** is also at the heart our tradition and takes place at the following times: Sunday: 10.00 Monday: 19.00 Thursday: 10.00 Friday: 10.00
A **Julian Group** meets for contemplative prayer once a month.
Our team of **Lay Pastoral Assistants** regularly visit the sick and housebound members of the parish, and assist in taking Communion to those unable to attend Mass.
Paul Phipps, our Reader in training, is a valued member of our Lay Minister team. Sadly, Peter Conabeer, a Licensed Reader of many years standing, died in March 2023.
The council has complied with its duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 to have due regard to House of Bishop’s guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
Thanks to the people of St. Matthew’s we were able to deliver Cards at Easter and Christmas to all of the parish.
In 2023 there were 3 **Baptisms** . Baptism is offered either as part of the 10.00am Mass or as a separate stand-alone service, usually at 12.00pm.
Page 6
Most **funerals** take place at Perry Barr Crematorium. In 2023 6 funerals took place in church and 10 at a Crematorium or Cemetery Chapel. There was 1 **wedding** in church.
A Fun Day marking the Coronation of King Charles III was held in May and an annual Christmas Fayre in December, both of which were well supported and most appreciated by the people of the parish.
Regular Coffee mornings were held on Fridays during Advent and were well attended by both church members and members of the wider community, and it is planned to continue with this initiative during and beyond Lent 2024.
**Church Fabric** Our grade 2 listed church building (Murray & Maguire, 1964) provides an exceptionally user-friendly space for prayer and worship. It is also potentially an excellent space for concerts and other events, but has been currently underused in this regard as there were issues of lighting and sound that needed to be addressed. These issues are now partly resolved, and a number of concerts and other events are being planned for the 2024 Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
**Church cleaning, flower arranging, and gardening** are carried out by volunteers. The Parish is very conscious of the value of all the volunteer hours that we depend on every day.
## **Partnership with other Christians**
St Matthew’s participates fully in the life of the Diocese and Deanery. Our Parish enjoys a friendly informal partnership with the neighbouring Parishes of St John’s, Perry Barr and St Paul’s and St. Bernard’s, Hamstead. This partnership is set to become more formalised as an ‘Oversight Area’ under the diocesan initiative ‘People and Places’.
There is an established ecumenical relationship with Beeches Evangelical Church and Perry Beeches Baptist Church, with the ministers meeting together regularly for discussion, prayer and mutual support. Sadly, joint services and pulpit exchanges are currently on hold due to significant differences regarding St Matthew’s firm commitment to inclusivity, specifically on LGBTQ+ issues, reflecting tensions on this matter in the wider church. The Ministers, however, are all committed to working together despite their differing views, and are keen to re-establish a regular pattern of joint services if and when the appropriate authorities in the churches concerned give their consent. In the meantime, it is a cause of great sadness to St Matthew’s that this one area of disagreement has been allowed to result in the temporary discontinuation of ecumenical projects. We look
Page 7
forward to the matter being resolved and being able to work once again with our ecumenical neighbours in sharing God’s love unconditionally with the whole community.
## **Julian Group Report**
We have met on the first Monday of the month throughout the year to spend some quiet time in prayer .
We start with a reading then spend thirty minutes in silence, we then have our intercession prayers, and end with a reading from Julian of Norwich. Then we have tea and cakes and friendship,
I am so pleased to report that this year we have had three new people join us from various parts of Birmingham, as last year our numbers were slowly dropping due to people unable to join us anymore through various reasons. Anyone is very welcome to join us. It is a time spent with God in quietness . The feeling afterwards is one of joy and peace within yourself . _**Anne Gadd**_
## **‘Phone In’ Services**
Throughout the year we continued to hold a weekly Phone-In Service (as developed during the Covid lockdown) and have now entered the fourth year of ‘Phone -Ins’ with a weekly attendance of between 12 and 15 loyal attendees. The fellowship is split approximately 50% who also attend our weekly Sunday Morning church Mass, and 50 % who in the main are either no longer able bodied and housebound or have moved out of the area. In the service we endeavour to stay in line with the Lectionary readings and Collects and we observe the Principle Feasts of the CofE calendar where possible.
We cannot overstate the benefit to the wellbeing both spiritually and mentally for the housebound isolated former congregation members who join in fellowship with others in Worship. It does remain a life line to St Matthews for them. Many of them call early so they can enjoy a pre worship chat with likeminded fellow Parishioners.
_**Paul Phipps**_
## **Financial Review**
We rely on St Martin’s Trust to pay our Vicar’s stipend, our administrator, our organist, and (until September 2023) our Children and Families worker. They also assist with office expenses and contributed to the housing costs of the previous Curate (until June 2023) and now contribute to the travelling expenses of our new Curate.
Page 8
St. Matthew’s regular charities, Malawi and ‘Embrace the Middle East’ have still been supported this year through our online giving scheme, albeit with a reduced contribution.
Our common fund payment in 2023 was £23,600 (£1778 short of our requested total of £25,378).
We must acknowledge the generosity of our congregation. Many of them contribute to the Church via the Parish Giving scheme, standing orders and envelope contributions, as well as plate donations at services in Church.
**Hall hire** during 2023 has seen an increased number of regular groups hiring during the week. This has been profitable for the PCC. Although the hall was also opened up in 2022 for private party hire, this has not proved as profitable as we had hoped. Damage caused during a private party has resulted in a PCC resolution to host Children’s Parties only.
## **Church wardens Reports**
The Terrier, listing land belonging to the church, and the inventory of items belonging to the church have been checked and all items are accounted for. All Church’s insurances are in place and up to date.
Our car park kept getting flooded causing us to have to have a portion of it dug up to find the cause which was a broken pipe. This has now been repaired.
Thanks to grants we were able to purchase a new cooker and kitchen equipment which has been of great benefit to all.
We have had additional spotlights fitted in the Church which has helped with the lighting in the sanctuary. Unfortunately, we have not been able to get our sound system upgraded yet.
Thanks to an anonymous donation a new set of sanctuary bells have been purchased and are in use.
As we came to the end 2023, we started planning for our Diamond Jubilee year and plans are well underway to put on many events to celebrate this occasion.
## _**Janet Cook Tim Bartlett**_
Page 9
## **Social Activities and Entertainment**
During 2023 we had a number of social events and days out.
In March we had a Skittle evening and in May we had a fun day for the King’s coronation where we again had a bouncy castle in Church as well as crafts and games and a splendid tea in the Church Hall. In June we had a book sale.
In September ten members of the congregation went to Obhan for a week’s holiday. While we were there, we had many days out and also made the bus journey to Lochgilphead to visit Father Simon Mackenzie, a previous vicar at St. Matthew’s. Despite our homeward train been cancelled due to the Scottish weather we all got home safely and enjoyed the companionship of our time away.
In September we had a Macmillan coffee morning and then during Advent two of the congregation ran a coffee morning every Friday, and these were well attended. We now have a small band of volunteers, and Friday Coffee mornings are set to continue weekly throughout the year.
2024 is our Jubilee year, when we will be celebrating 85 years of a Church at Perry Beeches and 60 years of the present Church building. We have great plans for this year, including another fun day, photo exhibitions, concerts, and services.
With the help of the congregation, we continue to deliver 6,500 Christmas and Easter Cards to all the houses in the Parish. On the cards we give details of the services and special events as well as all our regular services. _**Janet Cook**_
## **SAFEGUARDING REPORT**
Each year we are required to review the following key tasks in relation to our work with children and young people and vulnerable adults.
- To ensure that copies of the latest policies and the Pocket Guide to Safeguarding are made available to volunteers.
- To ensure that volunteers undergo safeguarding training, including instruction on what to do if they receive information or have concerns about possible abuse. This should be renewed and updated as required.
Page 10
- To ensure that volunteers and staff are aware of the expectations upon them, particularly in relation to social media and the use of text messaging with those under 18.
- To complete and update risk assessments for activities and to ensure that adequate insurance is in place for them.
- To clarify our first aid needs and to train volunteers as appropriate.
- To continue to ensure that consent forms for under 18s and contact details for volunteers are in place and up to date.
- To be sure that confidential details are kept securely and where they need to be shared are done so according to correct procedure and are GDPR compliant.
We use the Church of England Birmingham Safeguarding dashboard to constantly monitor our progress in all of these areas.
## **Safeguarding Officer Report 2023**
During the year, the Safeguarding, Domestic Abuse and Recruitment of Exoffender policies were reviewed along with the Safeguarding Action Plan.
As a result of the requirement for DBS checks to be conducted every 3 years as opposed to 5 previously, an ongoing programme has been implemented in order to bring these up to date.
In December, the Safeguarding Officer underwent training to enable them to conduct training as and when required within the church environment. _**Judith Deverell Safeguarding Officer**_
## **Vicar’s Report 2023**
Like most years, 2023 proved to be an interesting mix of ‘Highs’ and ‘Lows’.
Amongst the significant ‘Highs’ were two Parish Pilgrimages – first, a day Pilgrimage to St Albans for the marvellous annual commemoration of Britain’s first Christian Martyr – and second, a five-day Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. Both provided welcome opportunities for spiritual refreshment and were much enjoyed by all who took part.
Other positive developments included the steady deepening of our relationship with two local schools – Glenmead Primary and Greenholm Primary - through class visits to Church, School Assemblies and Church
Page 11
services for Easter and Christmas, and with James Watt College through our involvement in an interfaith presentation on Food and Religious Customs and plans to engage with the College as part of a Franciscan Mission in 2024.
Plans for the recruitment of an Anglo-Catholic Missioner (funded by the Church Commissioners) to work in a five-year pilot project with St Matthew’s and four other Anglo-Catholic parishes came to fruition with the appointment of Mother Charlotte Gibson, who will take up her new role in April 2024. We look forward to welcoming Mthr Charlotte and working with her.
Church of England Birmingham’s ‘People and Places’ initiative also progressed well over the year, and our new Oversight Area, comprising St John’s Perry Barr and St Paul’s and St Bernard’s Hamstead as well as St Matthew’s, will be formally launched early in 2024. We look forward to exploring how best our parishes can support one another and work together.
In May, we marked the coronation of Charles III with a free Community Fun day which was well supported and much appreciated. Once again, the bouncy castle in church was particularly well received!
During Advent, successful Coffee Mornings were held weekly on Fridays, and there are plans to repeat this during and beyond Lent 2024, with the hope that in due course, if suitable partnerships can be forged, this may develop into a Community Café.
So much for the ‘Highs’.
The ‘Lows’ included three significant farewells.
Peter Conabeer who had faithfully served St Matthew’s for many years as a Licensed Reader and PCC member died on 20[th] February and his funeral took place on 4[th] April. A Memorial Requiem Mass was also held on 22[nd] May and this was an opportunity for the parish and diocese to give thanks for Peter’s long and distinguished ministry here.
Our Curate, Fr Tom Ruston left us in July in order to continue his Curacy in the diocese of Chester and to marry his fiancée Amy. Whilst we’re sorry that his time with us was so brief, it was nevertheless good to have him around, and we wish him and Amy every blessing in their respective ministries.
Funding for our Children and Families Worker, Ros Hardy, ended in September. Ros had faced a number of challenges after coming into post in 2020 – first Covid and Lockdown, then an interregnum in both the benefices
Page 12
in which she was based - here at St Matthews and at St George’s Newtown and Saints Paul and Silas, Lozells. Working between these very different churches was in itself a significant challenge. Ros nevertheless managed to maintain our Sunday School and Messy Church (mainly during school holidays) and supported the Noah’s Ark Mothers and Toddlers Group as well as working alongside the Clergy in developing our ministry to schools. Whilst we were sorry to see Ros leave, we are grateful for all that she did in her time with us, and we wish her well in her new post. We are delighted that husband Tim and daughter Anwen – and indeed Ros herself when her present duties permit – still worship with us on a regular basis.
The ending of the Children and Families Worker post has created the need to further review our ministry to young people – which is an area of weakness at the moment - and as a result, funding is now being sought, and has been partly secured, for a full-time Youth, Children and Families Ministry Leader whose three-year role will be more developmental and missionfocussed. We hope that this project will be up and running by September 2024.
It was a particular sadness for me that a sudden retinal detachment, which resulted in my having emergency surgery and then being off sick for three weeks, meant that I was not around to say farewell to Fr Tom, nor to be present for the ordination of our new Curate – Brother Martin John SSF.
Br Martin showed what I now know to be characteristic humility and patience as he waited for his Curacy to begin, but once he arrived, it felt as if he had always been here! Although he is only with us on Sundays and (usually) two other days a week, Br Martin has quickly proved to be a great asset to the parish. I know that many people value his quiet and gentle spirituality, and I’m delighted to have him as a colleague. Having a Religious working in the parish is a new experience for all of us, and both Br Martin and I are keen to see how this might develop in the future. In the meantime we look forward very much to his ordination as Priest in July 2024.
Most importantly of all, throughout all of these ‘Highs and Lows’ we have maintained our pattern of worship which focusses firmly on The Mass. We have held to our principles of genuine inclusivity and our ‘Modern Catholic’ tradition; the Parish Mass on Sunday remains at the core of our life and work, and this year we once again observed a full Holy Week, with all the appropriate liturgies.
I wish to express my particular thanks to those who contribute to our worship in any way, whether it’s by preparing beforehand in the sacristy, serving, reading, flower-arranging, running the Sunday School, or contributing to the
Page 13
music. Thanks are also due to Paul Phipps, our Licensed Reader, for his contribution to our Sunday worship and his leading of the weekly Telephone Service for those unable to attend church, and to Anne Gadd for running the monthly Julian Group meetings.
Throughout the year we have continued to accommodate many Community groups in our Church Hall and other rooms. We have also reached out into the local community by hosting occasional Community events and by developing the weekly Coffee Morning. This is an important part of our Christian service to the local community, and I wish to record my thanks to all those who volunteer to support this aspect of our life.
It would be a particular joy if some of those who come to St Matthew’s for coffee and cake would also come to receive the bread and wine of the eucharist and join our church family in worship. I believe our services are every bit as friendly and welcoming as our social events, and we all have a role to play in inviting and encouraging people to experience, and give thanks for, the love of God in worship. For those who may be unable to attend on Sunday, our Friday Mass is a brief and simple service held just before the Coffee Morning starts, and it would be good to see it better supported.
Whether we like it or not, running a Parish nowadays involves everincreasing managerial and administrative responsibilities and legal obligations. I wish to record my profound thanks to all those who share and lighten this burden in any way – to Ann our administrator, and to those who give of their time and energy voluntarily – especially our Churchwardens Janet and Tim and all members of our PCC. All that you do – and the good grace with which you do it – is greatly appreciated.
We are also very grateful to our patrons, The St Martin’s Trust for their continuing financial support.
The coming year is, of course, our Diamond Jubilee, as we celebrate sixty years of the current Church building and eighty-five years of an Anglican Church occupying this site. Many varied events are being planned to mark this celebration and it will be a very busy year. Nevertheless, it will present us with several new opportunities for Mission, and it promises to be a very exciting and memorable time in the life of St Matthew’s.
So, as we look back over the last year with thanks, let us also look forward to the coming year in expectation and with a readiness to seize the many opportunities and enjoy the various ‘Highs’ that it will hopefully present. _**Fr Trevor**_
Page 14
Page 15