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← Church Of Our Saviour

2023-12-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT AND 2023 ACCOUNTS

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Bible verse for 2023

The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

2 T H E S S A L O N I A N S 5 : 2 4

Contents

Ministers report

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6 Purpose and Vision

10 Church Officers’ report

13 Homegroups

14 Building Management Committee

16 Church groups

26 Mission support

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Annual Accounts

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Ministers Report

Another year has flown past here at Church of Our Saviour and it only feels like yesterday I was writing to you about 2022!

Early on in the year the Lent course for 2023 was delivered across home groups, as well as on a Thursday afternoon in the Church. We looked at the material featured in the book ‘Life Balance: a course on work, rest and play’, which explored that theme from a Christian perspective. This was a great course, and the group that attended those sessions continues to meet as a home group on Thursdays to study and pray together.

The King’s Coronation was an event that was celebrated up and down the country, and despite the weather not quite playing ball, we were not going to miss out here in Chelmer Village! A few of us braved the rain to light the barbecue and reward those who were present with a tasty treat as we gathered to watch this momentous occasion. There is not likely to be a big royal affair in 2024, but we will look to put on another event in the summer to bless the community.

A few of us made a comparatively short trip across the QE2 Bridge to attend New Wine this year, which was in Kent. It was wonderful to gather and spend some time together, to learn and to worship with thousands of others. 2024 will see the event return to Shepton Mallet in Somerset, and if you would like to come to camp with us, please do speak to one of the leadership team!

In the autumn we ran the prayer course in collaboration with our partner churches in Baddow, and this was well attended and seemed to be really well received by those present.

It has been wonderful to reconnect with our local schools more fully following the pandemic. Not only am I going into the schools themselves, but they often come to our premises for some of their assemblies. The parents are invited to come into our building on these occasions, and at Christmas we welcomed in over 180 parents, plus 90 children to celebrate the coming of Christ. It was wonderful to see the church beaming with that much excitement!

Speaking of the festive season, this year we expanded the Christmas Tree Festival to include some thematic stalls, and the event was a great success. The Mayor of Chelmsford was in attendance and loved being with us on the day.

Another development over this period was the introduction of ‘Messy Church’, which was well received not just within the regular community, but within our wider neighbours too.

We are looking to develop this into 2024 as we seek to foster new relationships with those around us.

In 2023, we waved goodbye to Judy and Stuart Woosnam as they moved to pastures new in Basingstoke. They have been wonderful and faithful servants of this community for a number of years and we wish them well in their new endeavours – and hopefully lots of fun as grandparents!

Sadly, over the year we lost three precious members of our community. Claude Bearman, Eileen Trory and David Lazenby all made the final journey from this world and into the care of God. We celebrated their lives as a community well, and they shall be sorely missed by all who knew and loved them.

I really look forward to what lies ahead in 2024 and all that God has in store for us as his community in this patch of Chelmsford. We do face some challenges ahead, especially in relation to our finances, but with perseverance and faith I am sure that God will continue to bless us. It continues to be both a joy and a privilege to be with you in these times.

A big thank you to everyone who helped with the things mentioned above. The Church is the people of God, and you are a wonderful group of that wider people!

With every blessing

Andy

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Purpose and Vision

‘We exist to enable God’s people in this area to meet together to worship and have fellowship with Jesus and each other and to advance Christ’s Kingdom here on earth.

We are attempting to achieve our purpose by creating a united, ecumenical, worshipping community within a caring fellowship, which accepts the authority of the Bible and is open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.’

Committee Structure

The local Church Council (as the Trustees) has the responsibility of sharing ministry with the appointed Anglican and Free Church Ministers in the whole mission of the Church to make known the Good News of Jesus Christ in word and deed throughout the parish of East Springfield. This parish area covers Chelmer Village, Chancellor Park and the wider area of East Springfield. It has a population of around 10,000.

Membership of the Church Council

Ministers

Revd Andrew Greaves-Brown - Priest in Charge (Church of England) Revd Mandy Hewson – Priest Associate Minister (Church of England)

Elected Church Officers

The current statements of vision are:

To CELEBRATE the life of God among us: in our worship, our relationships and our daily walk with Christ.

To CARE for one another in Christ: to learn to love with the unconditional love with which Jesus loves us and to put into practice Jesus` command to love our neighbours as we love ourselves.

To CULTIVATE personal growth in Christ: the personal agenda for all believers to grow in love of Jesus and to see that growth bear fruit in our personal lives.

To COMMUNICATE Christ to our community: to be obedient to the command of Jesus to go into all the world beginning right where we are!

Denise Somers – Anglican Church Warden from 2022

James Cottis – Anglican Church Warden from October 2020 Ruth Hughes – URC Secretary, URC Partnership from 2022

Elected Members

Gwilym Morris Deanery Synod

Claire Musselwhite – Children’s and Community Outreach worker – term completed October 2020, remains on Church Council as an honorary member.

Gary Clayton from 2020

David Miles from 2022 Owen Edwards from 2023

Sophie Edwards from 2020 - co-opted

The Church Council met 6 times during the year for business and prayer and there has been two Church Members Meetings, and the Annual Church Meeting. Matters of finance, planned giving and fundraising are dealt with by the Treasurer in consultation with Church Officers and Elected members of the Church Council and when necessary by the Church Members’ Meeting.

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Treasurers Team

The Treasurers Team is under the leadership of the Church Officers and Marilyn Belyavin as our Bookkeeper along with handling the banking of cash and cheques. Samuel Gnanamani handles payments and online banking and Michelle Cottis manages our Gift Aid.

Other appointments

The Bishop’s School Governor – Vacancy (offered back to DBE) Membership/Electoral Roll Officer / GDPR - Lois Rimmer / Revd Mandy Hewson DBS Officer, Safeguarding and Training Co-Ordinator - Valerie Whitehead Building Management Committee Chair – Denise Somers

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone, so that we can keep one another and our visitors safe; whatever their age.

We adopted the House of Bishops Safeguarding policy in 2018 (CofE), and the changes of procedure are now embedded in the way safeguarding is managed at Church of Our Saviour. Where this is required, all those working with vulnerable adults and children have a current DBS check and yearly reviews of Activity/Health and Safety documentation takes place. Ongoing training is also an important element, and efforts will be made this year to update as necessary.

Statistics and the Electoral Roll

Denominational Responsibilities

Michelle Cottis is an Anglican Authorised Local Preacher and currently an Ordinand studying at St Mellitus College in Chelmsford. Claire Musselwhite is also an Anglican Authorised Local Preacher.

Amanda Dolan-Harrison is a URC nationally accredited Lay Preacher and regularly leads worship in local URC Churches. Prior to their move Ian Chamberlain was involved in The URC Dunamis Fellowship, leads worship and takes services in local Methodist and URC churches and is part of the 3:16 band and the Celebrate Jesus ministry team.

Also prior to his move Stuart Woosnam was an Anglican Authorised Local Preacher and a Trustee of Romans 1:11, a Christian Mission Charity that supports Churches, Pastor Training, and ministry and Church Schools in Uganda.

Goals and Objectives

Continue to build, strengthen, and develop the life and witness of our church.

To find ways to enable all of us to share our faith in our lives and the community effectively.

Continue to support and encourage Church Officers, Church Council Members and leaders of existing groups and teams to exercise effective Christian ministry in the church and community. To encourage training and development of faith and understanding of the Bible.

Work with the Archdeacon and the Area Dean to form a Mission and Ministry Unit to include Church of Our Saviour, possibly to work with Trinity and the Great Baddow Churches.

To support the Building Management team to increase the maintenance, repair and development of all the church buildings.

The latest statistics and records on attendance and electoral roll can be found on the

following link - https://www.churchoos.org.uk/stats.pdf

Preaching Team

We have a team of lay members who share in the preaching ministry. These are Michelle Cottis, Amanda Dolan-Harrison, Chris Lonsdale and Claire Musselwhite.

To work towards becoming an eco-church and implement changes to care for our world.

This Annual Report has been prepared collaboratively by the Officers and members of the Church Council in line with the terms of the Charities Acts 1993. We hope it gives a clear picture of the life of the church and the way in which the Church Council have administered the task placed on them as trustees of Church of Our Saviour.

On behalf of the Church Council:

Revd Andrew Greaves-Brown and Revd Mandy Hewson

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Church Officers’ Report

We started the year with Easter when we were able to gather together for a traditional Maundy Thursday Supper. On Good Friday we enjoyed a breakfast at the church and the Walk of Witness into town and we were truly blessed with a glorious warm sunny day. This month we also celebrated the 1st Communion of two of our young people with a wonderful lunch afterwards for all of us to share and enjoy fellowship together.

We have continued with our outreach to the community with our Wiggles for young people on Thursday and Friday morning and the Good Companions Wednesday lunches on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday, with coffee mornings on alternate weeks. Whilst the team had a break from the lunches in the summer holidays we continued the coffee mornings to ensure our older members still had somewhere to go and meet others. We have small numbers at the coffee morning compared to the lunches but for all those that do attend it is a valued service and helps encourage companionship and the opportunity to chat in small groups.

We continue to support the team with the Little Free Pantry and the numbers using it have dramatically increased with us filling the cupboard twice a day on some days. The effects of the increased prices on all goods and the huge increase in energy costs have resulted in many families struggling and some families are totally relying on us. We are hugely grateful to Valerie Whitehead and Gary Clayton who have sourced generous grants and purchased food items in bulk.

We are also thankful to the many members of the church who have stored the items in their garages to ensure we have a plentiful supply. The clothes rail for school uniform also fills a need for families in our community to enable their children to have the correct uniform. This also enables us to help clothes be recycled and reduces landfill. In September we ran a CAP Money Course so that we could support those attending to make wise decisions with the management of their finances.

In May we celebrated the coronation of King Charles. We hosted a community barbecue and fun afternoon which was open for all the local community. Sadly it was a rainy day so the barbecue was under an awning and activities held inside.

In July we had another barbecue for the church family and also to say good bye to Judy and Stuart Woosnam. It was an enjoyable afternoon for all.

In December we had a very busy month with a very successful Tree festival for the community to attend. We had some lovely decorated trees and a variety of music and dance to enjoy. This year we also added some stalls to encourage more people to stay for longer and increase our funds. The Carols on the Green was not well attended due to the weather and will be reviewed for future years. We had our usual Christmas services and our popular Carols by Candlelight. We also ran a Blue Christmas service for those who would be finding Christmas difficult to celebrate for whatever reason and this was very beneficial for those who attended.

We were sorry to lose Judy and Stuart Woosnam as they moved to Basingstoke and to Alison and Ian Chamberlain who moved to Colchester. Both couples have moved away to be nearer their children. Both have been members of the church for many years and given enormously to the work and life of this church. We will miss both couples but wish them well in their new homes. During the year we have welcomed many new people to our church.

We have also been encouraged to broaden our knowledge of the Bible and enrich our faith. In the summer a group of us went camping in Kent to attend the New Wine Summer conference and some attended the Big Church Weekend. These always gives us much encouragement in our worship, theological knowledge and prayer life. It also gives us time to spend with each other and enjoy the wonderful celebrations in the marquees.

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The ministers and church officers had a meeting with the URC Moderator and the Pastoral Committee convenor in February at which we were informed we would not be having a CRCW to replace Maria and they outlined the proposals for the way ahead for the URC Eastern Synod. We continue to work alongside the URC church sharing notices of upcoming events in the local area.

This March we are hosting a Lent course jointly with the churches in Great Baddow. This year we are working through Pete Greig’s book ‘God on Mute’ and looking at unanswered prayer. We also continue to work with the Baddow churches for our young people. Home groups continue on two evening’s and a Thursday afternoon.

Denise and James as Church Wardens are also involved with the Buildings Management Committee which can be read in a separate report. Our church continues to be popular for lettings and those locally hiring for events.

In January we were delighted to be able to offer a regular hire to the Cubs and Scouts who were looking for a new venue and they are looking forward to being able to participate in events, especially community activities at the church and they have already generously supported our pantry. Rev Andy has been able to invite the local schools to the church for services and to be invited for assemblies at the schools.

I am sure there have been other activities that we have missed but we have had a busy year with so many opportunities to deepen our Christian faith, work with the community and encourage friendships. Thank you to everyone who has given so much support to us as church officers.

Monday Evening Homegroup

The Monday evening Homegroup was formed during Lent 2023 and has continued to meet regularly on a fortnightly basis at the Clayton’s home. We have eight regular attendees and have followed a variety of Bible studies over the past year. This has included: Sabbath rest, the Beatitudes, ‘Be Still’ (by 24/7 Prayer), ‘Generosity, Gift and Grace’ and we are currently looking at ‘Joy starts here’.

We have also enjoyed fellowship together throughout the seasons with a summer BBQ and Christmas mulled wine and mince pies. The group is always open to new members. If you’d like to join us, please contact Michelle Cottis.

Tuesday Evening Homegroup

The seven members have continued to meet on Tuesday evenings at our home, although there have been some gaps in the fortnightly get togethers due to other commitments, illness, holidays etc. We have, however, continued with close bonds and friendship.

After so many years of belonging, we were very sorry to lose Alison and Ian from the group when they moved away in February. They will be very much missed!

We enjoyed following the Sabbath course, making a resolution, as a group, to try to set aside a portion of our Sundays for Bible reading and study.

We look forward to many more fellowship meetings in the year ahead.

Denise, James and Ruth

Anne and Jeffrey Mushens

Thursday Afternoon Homegroup

This is a relatively new homegroup, we started meeting in the Annexe in April 2023, on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.

We have looked at a variety of different topics, including the Beatitudes, The Miracles of Jesus, Be still prayers, and Listening to God. There are usually about 8 of us and we enjoy some really good discussions. We also like to celebrate summer, Christmas and Easter with cakes, coffee, tea and lots of chats and laughter. We would be delighted if you wanted to join us!

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Building Management Committee (BMC) report

The Building Management Committee is a very small group who meet once a month and is made up of Denise Somers (Chair), James Cottis, Gary Clayton, Gary Standing and Sue Johnson. As a group we use our individual strengths and skills to ensure the church building looks nice, is safe and repairs and improvements are made as required.

We continue to contract out our cleaning to LoveClean. We contract out some work to PJR services who cut the grass, clean the outside windows, keep the shrubs tidy, clear weeds and generally ensure the front and back of the church are tidy. This last year we had to contract out the cutting of the grass on our land behind Asda and the Youth Hall.

This was previously cut for free by the council but now with their contracted-out services and reviewing of their costs we are required to pay. They have given us an exceptionally good rate because they want easy access for their tractors from the church car park

We have to ensure the building is safe and conforms to all regulations. We have contracts with Flameguard who check our fire extinguishers and fire detectors. As a group we test our fire alarms weekly and regularly check emergency lighting. We have a lightning conductor using the cross on the church and that is serviced by Bacon Lightning Protection.

We have a contract with Discreet Pest management who ensure we are kept free of rodents. PAT testing on portable church appliances is competed by our own Gary Clayton and we are very grateful for him giving his time to do this. The gas boiler is serviced each year and we ensure our gas safety certificates are up to date. This year our electrical safety certificate is due and we are currently reviewing quotes for this to be completed.

Over the year we have had plumbers out four times. Twice to replace taps in the portacabin toilets, to replace a broken nut on the tap in the disabled toilet and faults with the boiler. We have had a drain company called out to look at the drains for the toilets to the portacabin and the men’s urinal. The fridge has been replaced in the main kitchen.

The gates in the garden and the outside door near the pantry have had to have work done on them by a carpenter, due to damage in storms and heavy rain. Tree surgeons have been used to prune the tree in the rear garden near the portacabin. The BMC team have repainted some of the lines in the church car park. New ‘No Parking’ signs have been put up near the Annexe entrance.

We contract out our waste collection to CSH Environmental and the waste is collected fortnightly. We continue to use the council for any garden waste for flowers and any shrubs we cut back. (PRJ services take their waste with them). The food waste and glass items we take home between us for disposal as this is so minimal. The sanitary waste is removed by 365Direct.

We continue to be aware of our very high energy costs and we have reduced our thermostat settings and keeping heating off when not required. We are continuing with British Gas as they currently are the most competitive for us and use renewable energy.

The cleaning company supply their own cleaning products for cleaning the church but any further items required for the kitchens and hand soaps are purchased by us. We also purchase toilet rolls and paper towels. All of our purchases are from the Amazon Business account or the local supermarkets, whichever give us the best prices.

Over the year we have had two work days where we have completed tasks such as cleaning tables, chairs, blinds, kitchen cupboards and ovens, painted the back wall of the church, pantry door, and painted replaced fence panels. The back of the sheds were cleared and the inside of the sheds were tidied. The shrubs and trees at the front of the church have been pruned. Many other smaller tasks were completed. These days are well supported and enable us to achieve so much work with the only cost being the materials.

The BMC team work very hard during the year and their skills with DIY save the church a huge amount of money by reducing our need to call out commercial companies.

Denise Somers

Church Officer, Chair of the BMC

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Good Companions

We meet on Wednesday mornings – on 1st and 3rd of the month for coffee/activities/lunch and on 2nd and 4th (and 5th) of the month for coffee, biscuits and conversation.

We have a number of regulars, who all seem to enjoy coming, but we are always happy to welcome new members to our friendly group.

In July 2023 we sadly said farewell to our regular team members Judy and Stuart Woosnam – Judy had been one of the original team, perfecting many of our menus and providing a lot of the equipment needed for catering for large numbers, and Stuart was very helpful offering lifts and doing the sound. We miss them but wish them well in their new home.

Our current team of helpers for lunches is usually Marilyn, Lizz, Helen, Claire and Valerie, and for coffee is Denise, Marilyn and Sue. We are grateful for all the help given by other church members when we are short; and, of course, to Andy, and sometimes Mandy, who lead the activities, and to Gwilym and Ruth who help lead the hymn singing which usually ends our lunch sessions.

We enjoy the opportunity to get to know our members better and share special occasions with them, like the Coronation in July and our traditional Christmas lunch in December. Please do tell us if you know any older members of our community who might like to join us on Wednesdays for friendship and conversation.

The Little Free Pantry

We have been able to keep the Pantry stocked for another year, thanks to the amazing generosity of our congregation and our community, and also to a large grant from the Essex Association of Local Councils, awarded to us for the second year running.

Our links with the community also led to bags of donations from Barnes Farm School and the local cub pack, and the organisation ‘Street Food’, which continues to bring leftover items from supermarkets, so that we can also offer fresh bread and vegetables.

As in previous years, the pantry is emptied practically every day by those who need help to feed themselves and their families. We do not ask for proof of need or the identities of those we have helped, but we do get notes of thanks, and individual testimony from those who have benefitted from the pantry in the past, and who now donate when they are in a position to do so.

Thank you to the Pantry Team (Gary Clayton, Helen Reffell, Sophie Edwards, David Haines and Denise Somers) for all your help with maintenance, shopping and keeping the pantry stocked.

We continue to keep a plastic box in the lobby of the church for anyone to make a donation to the pantry.

Valerie Whitehead

Valerie Whitehead on behalf of the team.

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Over the past year Wiggles has continued to run on Thursday and Friday mornings during term time with anywhere between 40-65 children, along with their carers, at each session.

The format of our weekly sessions remains unchanged, we gave all the children a small Easter gift and at the end of the summer term we gave each child about to start Infant School a Bible as a leaving present. We even had mini-milk ice-creams during our final session before the summer holidays!

Our Christmas parties were sold out once again and were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. We had a bouncy castle, boxes full of party food (thank you to Marilyn for her help in preparing these) and even a visit and presents from Santa (and thank you to Marilyn and Chris for their wrapping skills).

CAP (Christians Against Poverty)

The new Money Coaching course was run in September, 2023 and because it is very different from the old CAP Money Course Sue ran the short two-week course while she got to the grips with it.

The new videos, which cover similar topics, are a big improvement on the old very dated videos. A three-week session Money Coaching course is planned for April 2024.

The Chelmsford CAP Debt Centre is run out of Danbury Mission Church, and at the moment Zoe is covering for Anna who is on Maternity Leave. Zoe continues to help clients who are in debt.

The CAP course started again at Chelmsford Prison at the beginning of October 2023, and is run mostly once a month. It now comes under the auspices of Resettlement, which is a good move, as the prison authorities are keen to give prisoners a variety of skills to lessen re-offending.

The prisoners who have been through the course have been very appreciative of the work done in the course.

Sue Johnson

As always I would like to say a huge thank you to Chris Gordon who has continued to make and serve the drinks on a weekly basis.

The Clothes Rail

Finally we thank God for the way in which he has blessed us and for the positive connections we have made with so many families and pray that he will continue to guide us in the coming year.

Claire Musselwhite

The Clothes Rail has continued to run during 2023, although on a more limited basis.

On the mornings Wiggles was running, parents were able to come and access The Clothes Rail should they need any items of uniform. During a couple of the holiday periods, The Clothes Rail was open on given days. During this time we received further donations of uniform and parents were able to come and choose anything they needed.

Thank you to all those people who have helped with the running of this scheme.

Claire Musselwhite

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone, so that we can keep one another and our visitors safe, whatever their age.

Earlier this year the Church of England introduced new National Safeguarding Standards which as a parish we have agreed to adopt/work towards.

Do not be anxious about anything,

but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

P H I L I P P I A N S 4 : 6

These standards cover the following:

1. Culture, Leadership and Capacity

2. Prevention

Saturday Morning Prayers

  1. Recognising, Assessing and Managing Risk

4. Victims and Survivors

5. Learning, Supervision and Support

In addition, the Church of England is encouraging parishes to get more members of the church DBS checked (Basic rather than Extended checks). They have published a list of public facing roles which we should be considering for DBS checks, and as a parish we will be discussing this and taking this forward in the coming year.

As is normal in any parish, there have been a small number of safeguarding concerns which were brought to our attention over the past year; we have discussed all concerns with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team and their advice has been followed in all cases.

Everyone who needs to do online safeguarding training (which has to be renewed every 3 years) will be sent reminders by email and it would be really helpful if you would let me know when you complete any training, so that the parish records can be kept up to date.

The Saturday Morning Prayer group comes together weekly to pray for the needs of our church, community and beyond, as led by the Holy Spirit. We have 11 committed attendees who come together to pray as a group and continue in personal prayer throughout the week.

We meet in-person on the first Saturday of the month, and via Zoom for the remaining weeks.

If you have any prayer requests, please continue to raise them via email: prayercircle@churchoos.org.uk. They will be circulated to our Prayer Circle and included on Saturday mornings. All prayers requests are treated with the strictest confidence.

If you would like to join the Saturday Morning Prayer Group, please contact Michelle Cottis, michelle@churchoos.org.uk for further details.

Michelle Cottis

Valerie Whitehead

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Worship Group

As a group we endeavour to lead the congregation in sung worship in a way that is pleasing to God and draws people into His presence.

We meet on Thursday evenings to pray, rehearse for the upcoming Sunday service and enjoy fellowship together.

We are committed to using both contemporary worship songs as well as traditional hymns that have stood the test of time. Music is carefully picked for each service to reflect the theme and readings as well as the type of service.

Sunday Children’s & Youth Ministry

2023 was a fun year for our children and young people, and it’s been wonderful to see them grow in their relationship with Jesus and build friendships with one another.

Highlights of the last year include: going along to the Solid Festival for a day of worship and adventurous activities, and celebrating with 2 of our children who completed their Communion classes and were able to take the bread and wine at Communion for the first time. We also held our first Messy Church in Advent, with a great turn-out from the local community! We have 6 children aged 0-11 coming to church regularly, with more coming along occasionally. We also have 6 young people aged 12-17 involved in the life of our church.

Due to low leadership numbers we have settled on the follow pattern each month:

Last year we said a fond farewell to Judy Woosnam who had been a Worship Group member for many years.

We are always open to welcoming new members to the team; if you are interested in joining us, please contact Michelle for further details.

Michelle Cottis

1st Sunday - crafts at the back of Church/Annexe

2nd Sunday - Adventurers in the Garden Room

3rd Sunday - All-Age Activate service

4th Sunday - Children’s and Youth (CandY) service with the Great Baddow Team Ministry

5th Sunday - crafts at the back of Church/Annexe

Our Adventurers session and craft activities follow the same theme and Bible readings as in the main service, with Adventurers exploring the Bible passage with fun games, thought provoking activities, interactive prayer and more! By focusing on the same Bible passages, we hope that families are able to discuss what they’ve learnt with one another at home afterwards.

Some of our teenagers continue to take part in Adventurers activities while others have been staying with the adults. However the majority of our young people are also involved in serving at church services by being on the rotas for AV, Bible readings, refreshments and the worship team.

Our CandY services for 0-18’s continue to go well, with an average of 20 children and young people taking part each month. It’s a great opportunity for the children to meet with other kids from local churches and have fun together learning about God.

Lastly, I’d like to say a BIG thank you to Mandy, Sue, Jenny and all of the other people who help us run Sunday morning activities for our children and young people! Thank you all so much - we wouldn’t be able to do this without you!

Sophie Edwards

Sunday Children & Youth Leader

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Flowers at COS

Calling all potential flower arrangers!

We would be delighted to welcome more flower arrangers to join us in keeping the Church adorned with floral arrangements.

We aim to have a pedestal arrangement in church on most Sundays, outside Advent and Lent, and we like to make a special statement at Easter and Harvest to showcase the wonders of God’s creation through the colours and textures of flowers and greenery.

Unfortunately we have had to resort to using silk flowers at various points during the year when no-one has been available to freshen up the arrangements of fresh flowers, weekby-week, so we would be delighted if others would join us to keep this work going.

Valerie Whitehead

MEN at COS

During the past year, we enjoyed three more Men’s Breakfasts at Mulberry House; the total attendance there is usually at least 50 men from various Essex churches.

On Friday 7h July 2023, four men from COS heard an inspiring talk from Rev’d Ian Moore (the editor of Living Light) entitled Untrodden Paths.

On Friday 6th October 2023, there were two of us from COS. The talk by Phil Knox was on The Best of Friends (the title of one of his books). His other book, Story Bearer – How to share your faith with your friends was also on sale; this book is essential, yet encouraging, reading for Christians.

Reverting to Saturdays, on 27th January 2024, the speaker was Grant Smith, a trustee of the charity Hand in Hand and a trained quantity surveyor: Trusting God no matter what. His book, The Accidental Social Entrepreneur, tells how he obtained funding for a business and a charity to help some of the downtrodden people in Africa, in particular Kenya. As a Christian, he refused to give bribes to local government officials.

We have had breakfasts at Mulberry House for some decades and we look forward to more of them. As always, we ask what additional activities the MEN@COS would like to participate in. Constructive suggestions please!

Brian Beer, Simon Hewson and Geoff Wilkinson

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Mission support at home and abroad

As a church we support the following mission agencies with prayer, donations from our church tithe and special offerings.

SVP (Society of St. Vincent de Paul)

In 2023, we welcomed our first member of staff who works part time (12 hours per week) as an administrator taking all phone calls and messages regarding collections and deliveries. This has been a great help taking what was becoming an unmanageable load away from a single volunteer.

We have noticed a slight change in the needs, as we see more households impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, we have had more requests to replace items and less requests to full furnish an empty social housing property.

Supporting Christians in Uganda through Mutual Encouragement

The Romans 1:11 Trust exists to build the Kingdom of God through support for African pastors and their churches, and through theological and ministry-based teaching, including the provision of Spiritual Life Centres as training and equipping bases.

The work originated with Rev. Dr John Hall a (now retired) minister of the United Reformed Church, and has grown to involve various URC churches and ministers throughout the UK. Through exchange visits between pastors and churches, now mainly from Uganda and Zambia, British and African churches mutually encourage each other in ministry and shared fellowship.

The work has grown to include the overseeing of schemes to sponsor children, many of them orphans, enabling them to be housed, fed, clothed and educated. Some pastors are also sponsored and the Trust provides the mechanism for individuals and churches in the UK to help fund specific development project in Africa.

However demand has stayed pretty much in line with 2022, in that we made 472 deliveries to families. These could be a small delivery of curtains or a van full of items to make an empty property a home. As part of these deliveries we have provided 120 large electrical appliances (fridge/freezers, cookers, washing machines, tumble dryers), many were new items where we didn’t have sufficient donated. This accounts for over £12,000 worth of funding directly purchased, either new appliances or carpets.

Alongside this work, we have provided 169 beds to those in need. We continue in addition to these larger items to provide a wide range of essential furniture from TVs to Dining tables, Chests of drawers to Toasters. We are really grateful for the 394 collections of items as well as the many items delivered to us.

Many thanks for your support! Jenny Clayton.

Fellowship Afloat Charitable Trust. Tollesbury, Essex

Fellowship Afloat is a Christian Centre based in in Tollesbury on the Trinity House Lightship that has been refitted to provide accommodation, catering, classroom activities, and it also serves the fleet of sailing dinghies and motor boats. It’s an ideal activity venue for many organisations and groups, and they offer a huge variety of activities, including on the water sailing, kayaking and rafting, and on the land high ropes, archery, climbing and a wide range of team building exercises.

During 2023 COS has had one of its Chelmer Village neighbours, Katie Hosking, working as an Instructor at Fellowship Afloat, enjoying her time on the water, up a climbing wall or on the centre’s high ropes platforms.

For more info www.fact.org.uk or go to the Church Notice board.

www.romans111.org.uk

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MAF - Mission Aviation Fellowship

The highlight of the past year was the visit (23rd July 2023) of Fraser and Tracy Norbury who gave a fascinating presentation on MAF and, in particular their own life in Papua New Guinea where Fraser is MAF’s Head of Finance and Tracy is a Staff Trainer. It was wonderful to meet them at last. We enjoyed lunch with them provided by Peter and Sally Dilley who are also MAF supporters and are former members of COS.

MAF operates in several countries around the world and PNG is MAF International’s largest operation, currently flying 10 light aircraft to and from more than 200 remote locations, acting as a taxi service for missionary and medical charities. However, MAF are principally bringers of the Gospel and this includes encouraging peace and reconciliation in remote communities and families where gender-based violence is a recurring problem.

There was concern earlier in 2024 when a PNG computer glitch deducted money from the pay of police and other government employees. In the capital, Port Moresby, the security services went on strike in protest, the result being looting of the shops and arson. However, we were thankful to hear that in Mount Hagen, MAF’s base, the police and army actually came out onto the streets to reassure the community that they were not on strike and that they were there for everybody’s protection. A real answer to prayer!

We support the Bethany Children’s Trust with a donation from our tithe. BCT partners church-led, community-based projects, to reach vulnerable children in Africa and other countries, helping to restore the lives of some of the world’s most marginalised children.

BCT works with their project partners by running workshops, giving support and collaboration, to help children and their families to achieve safe and productive lives.

www.bethanychildrenstrust.org.uk

Chelmsford Foodbank has been operating in Chelmsford since 2012, it is part of a nationwide network of 428 foodbanks that are supported by The Trussell Trust.

The Chelmsford branch is is a project of the The River Church, Chelmsford, with volunteers drawn from many churches and individuals from across the region. Supporting the foodbank can be done in a number of ways, by donating food, money and or time and of course with prayer.

www.chelmsford.foodbank.org.uk

Fraser and Tracy’s children, Oliver and Rosie are at school in PNG. However, last year, they went to a UK school for two weeks.

The Norburys regularly up-date their Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/Norbs-Abroad-101216621683318

They also ask you to pray for strength, wisdom and good sleep as they seek to serve and follow Jesus together, and they thank you for your love and prayers.

We regularly receive their newsletters. Please ask us if you would like to receive them. If you would like to support the Norbury family please ask us for details or visit https://www.maf-uk.org/staff/norbury-fraser-and-tracy

Brian & Elizabeth (Liz) Beer

We continue to support the important work of Made for More with their work in schools in Chelmsford through our tithe. Their mission statement is: To challenge the next generation about the truth of Christianity.

They aim to help schools provide a broad, rich curriculum especially in the areas of social, physical, emotional and spiritual health. They deliver lessons, offer mentoring and support the Christian Unions.

www.madeformorechelmsford.com

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CHURCH OF OLIR SAVIOUR ANNUAL FINANCE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR 2023 30

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF EAST SPRINGFIELD, DIOCESE OF CHELMSFORD, CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR, CHELMER VILLAGE

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

(Charity Registration No. 1169685)

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Church of Our Saviour became a registered charity on 14 October 2016 having adopted its constitution on 22 May 2016

Charity Number: 1169685 Principal Office: Church of Our Saviour Ashton Place, Chelmer Village Chelmsford Essex CM2 6ST

Independent Examiner David Belbin CHC Accountancy Ltd T/A Clemence Hoar Cummings Riverside House 1-5 Como Street Romford RM7 7DN Bankers HSBC Bank plc 99 High Street Chelmsford CM1 1EQ

PCC members who have served from 1st January 2023 until the date of this report was approved are:

Priest in Charge Rev Andrew Greaves-Brown Associate Minister Revd. Mandy Hewson Elected Members James Cottis Claire Musselwhite Denise Somers David Miles Ruth Hughes Gwilym Morris Gary Clayton Sophie Edwards Owen Edwards

Continue to build, strengthen, and develop the life and witness of our church.

To find ways to enable all of us to share our faith in our lives and the community effectively.

Continue to support and encourage Church Officers, Church Council Members and leaders of existing groups and teams to exercise effective Christian ministry in the church and community. To encourage training and development of faith and understanding of the Bible.

Work with the Archdeacon and the Area Dean to form a Mission and Ministry Unit to include Church of Our Saviour, possibly to work with Trinity and the Great Baddow Churches.

To support the Building Management team to increase the maintenance, repair and development of all the church buildings.

To work towards becoming an eco-church and implement changes to care for our world.

Background information

We are a united congregation which is Christ centred, with an evangelical approach to Christian belief and practice and open to the work of the Holy Spirit. We seek to offer worship which is vibrant but relaxed, relevant and accessible to all.

Members come from many different Christian backgrounds and our services incorporate patterns of worship from both the Church of England and United Reformed Church.

Mission statement

To CELEBRATE the life of God among us: in our worship, our relationships and our daily walk with Christ.

To CARE for one another in Christ: to learn to love with the unconditional love with which Jesus loves us and to put into practice Jesus` command to love our neighbours as we love ourselves.

To CULTIVATE personal growth in Christ: the personal agenda for all believers to grow in love of Jesus and to see that growth bear fruit in our personal lives.

To COMMUNICATE Christ to our community: to be obedient to the command of Jesus to go into all the world beginning right where we are!

ACHIEVEMENTS, PERFORMANCE AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Church attendance

A usual Sunday service during 2023 saw on average 46 people attending the church which is similar to the previous year.

With the groups that take place during the week we see on average 163 people with the majority of people aged between 18-69.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Review of church council and church meeting business during the year.

The church is governed by the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure (1956) as amended and by church representation rules. The church is a charity, registered with the Charity Commission. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

The Church Council met 6 times during the year for business and prayer and there have been two Church Members Meetings, and the Annual Church Meeting. Matters of finance, planned giving and fundraising are dealt with by the Treasurer in consultation with Church Officers and Elected members of the Church Council and when necessary by the Church Members’ Meeting.

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33

FINANCIAL REVIEW The headline figures are:

Expenditure rose significantly by 23.5% to £103,725 (2022- £83,929). This was mainly due to an increase in Parish Share and the loss of contributions from the Catholic community to support the building running costs.

Charitable giving

It is the policy of the Church Council to make donations to charitable organisations equal to 10% of the income for the year, excluding rental income. Accordingly, provision has been made in the accounts for donations of £5,425.

Christian ministry

£58,385 was spent to provide Christian Ministry from Church of Our Saviour. That sum includes a contribution of £43,122 (2022 - £28,152) to the Parish Share. Our contribution to the URC Ministry and Mission fund is also included within the Parish Share during 2023. The contribution goes largely towards providing for stipends, salaries, pensions and housing for the clergy.

Building Fund

There was a surplus on the Building Fund of £637. As agreed at the November 2022 open church meeting the Building Fund is being used to finance the maintenance and upkeep of the building.

Running costs of the church

Expenditure for the running costs of the Church totalled £27,868. Church rents increased by £2,471 due to new regular hirers. Energy costs remained high, increasing by £1K on the previous year but we received a utilities grant from the URC church of £3,153 which helped reduce our costs. We also received a refund of £2,697 after being overcharged VAT during the period 2020 – 2022.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF EAST SPRINGFIELD, DIOCESE OF CHELMSFORD, CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR, CHELMER VILLAGE

(Charity Registration No. 1169685)

This report on the Accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 1 to 11 inclusive, is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the Accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 3(3) of the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to issue this report on those Accounts in accordance with the terms of the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008.

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act and to be found in the guidance from the CBF. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the Accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the Accounts and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the Accounts.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In accordance with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:

RESERVES POLICY

In order to provide a contingency against unforeseen events, the Church aims to have reserves of 40% of previous year’s expenditure. Reserves (of £21,981) amount to 21% of expenditure.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PCC

The Members of the PCC are responsible for the preparation of a Statement of Financial Activities and Balance Sheet for each financial year, which comply with Section 130 of the Charities Act 2011 following the guidance for accounting for smaller charities issued by the Charities Commission.

In preparing the Statement of Financial Activities and Balance Sheet we are required to:

have not been met, or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the Accounts to be reached.

Riverside House David Belbin 1-5 Como Street Independent Examiner Romford Clemence Hoar Cummings Essex Chartered Accountants RM7 7DN ………………………….2024

Our responsibilities as members of the PCC include keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the Accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011. We are also responsible for safeguarding the Church's Assets and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and breaches of law and regulations.

Address:

Church of Our Saviour ……………………………………. Ashton Place, Chelmer Village 25 March Chelmsford ……………….. 2024 Essex CM2 6ST

…………………………………….

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35

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF EAST SPRINGFIELD, DIOCESE OF CHELMSFORD, CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR, CHELMER VILLAGE (Charity Registration No. 1169685)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 31st December 2023

notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Voluntary Income
2a
Activities for Generating Funds
2b
Investment Income
2c
(Reduction)/Increase in Value of
Fixed Asset Investments
Income from Church Activities
2d
Other Income
2e
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE
Church Activities
3a
Church Extension Build Costs
Transfer to Fixed Assets
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET INCOME/ (EXPENDITURE)
Bought Forward
BALANCES AT 31 DECEMBER 2023		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
54,029
18,564
-
(506)
1,786
-
73,873
93,225
93,225
(19,352)
41,333
21,981		 Restricted
Funds
£
10,800
-
763
(427)
1
-
11,137
10,500
-
0
10,500
637
331,816
332,453		 2023
2022
£
£
64,829
58,298
18,564
15,070
763
741
(933)
(654)
1,787
1,091
-
-
85,010
74,546
103,725
83,929
-
3,696
0
(3,696)
103,725
83,929
(18,715)
(9,383)
373,149
382,532
354,434
373,149
TOTAL FUNDS		 2023
2022
£
£
64,829
58,298
18,564
15,070
763
741
(933)
(654)
1,787
1,091
-
-
85,010
74,546
103,725
83,929
-
3,696
0
(3,696)
103,725
83,929
(18,715)
(9,383)
373,149
382,532
354,434
373,149
TOTAL FUNDS
74,546
83,929
3,696
(3,696)
83,929
(9,383)
382,532
373,149

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF EAST SPRINGFIELD, DIOCESE OF CHELMSFORD, CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR, CHELMER VILLAGE (Charity Registration No. 1169685)

BALANCE SHEET 31ST DECEMBER 2023

notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible Assets
4
Investment Assets
5
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
6
Cash at Bank and in hand
CREDITORS
falling due within one year
7
NET ASSETS / (LIABILITIES)
FUNDS
Unrestricted
9
Restricted
8
TOTAL FUNDS		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
18,422
-
22,699
9,950
32,649
14,090
36,981
21,981
-
21,981		 Restricted
Funds
£
290,513
12,800
2,063
12,077
14,140
317,453
-
332,453
332,453		 2023
2022
£
£
308,935
321,357
12,800
13,733
24,762
21,518
22,027
28,623
46,789
50,141
14,090
12,082
354,434
373,149
21,981
41,333
332,453
331,816
354,434
373,149
TOTAL FUNDS		 2023
2022
£
£
308,935
321,357
12,800
13,733
24,762
21,518
22,027
28,623
46,789
50,141
14,090
12,082
354,434
373,149
21,981
41,333
332,453
331,816
354,434
373,149
TOTAL FUNDS
50,141
12,082
373,149
41,333
331,816
373,149

25 March

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on ………………………….. 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
………………………………………… Church Officer
………………………………………… Church Officer
………………………………………… Treasurer
----- End of picture text -----

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF EAST SPRINGFIELD, DIOCESE OF CHELMSFORD, CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR, CHELMER VILLAGE (Charity Registration No. 1169685)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2023

a) Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with United Kingdom Genarally Accepted Accounting Practice (FRS 102), and the Charities Act 2011 .

b) Funds

Restricted funds represent donations or fundraising income invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund.

Where funds received have been restricted for the purchase of fixed assets, the value of the specific object is transferred at the purchase date from the restricted fund to the general fund in the Statement of Financial Activities.

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

c) Income and Endowments

All income and endowments are included in the statement of financial activities when the Church is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

d) Expenditure

Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of running fundraising events.

The costs of governance which include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the Independent Examination fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity are included as support costs for our charitable activities.

UNRESTRICTED
Note
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
General
Fund
£
2a
Voluntary Income
Planned Giving
36,100
Card Machine
1,172
Open Plate Collections
1,714
Open Plate Collections GC
1,512
Donations
2,714
Tax recoverable on above
10,307
Grants
510
Legacies
54,029
2b
Activities for Generating Funds
Fund Raising Events
Use of Church Hall
9,932
Use of Portacabin
8,632
Use of Annex
-
18,564
2c
Investment Income
Interest
-
Impairment of investments and
(Decrease)/Increase in Market
Value of Fixed Asset
Investments
(506)
2d
Income from Church Activities
Fees
397
Miscellaneous Income
1,389
1,786
2e
Other Income
Income from insurance
TOTAL INCOME
73,873
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
93,225
(19,352)
Brought Forward
41,333
Carried Forward
21,981		 Building
Fund
£
8,640
2,160
10,800
-
-
763
(427)
-
1
1
-
11,137
10,500
637
331,816
332,453
RESTRICTED		 2023
2022
£
£
44,740
37,911
1,172
1,714
1,014
1,512
2,714
7,527
12,467
11,846
510
-
64,829
58,298
-
-
9,932
7,461
8,632
7,609
-
-
18,564
15,070
763
741
(933)
(654)
397
238
1,390
853
-
0
1,787
1,091
-
85,010
74,546
103,725
83,929
(18,715)
(9,383)
373,149
382,532
354,434
373,149
TOTAL FUNDS		 2023
2022
£
£
44,740
37,911
1,172
1,714
1,014
1,512
2,714
7,527
12,467
11,846
510
-
64,829
58,298
-
-
9,932
7,461
8,632
7,609
-
-
18,564
15,070
763
741
(933)
(654)
397
238
1,390
853
-
0
1,787
1,091
-
85,010
74,546
103,725
83,929
(18,715)
(9,383)
373,149
382,532
354,434
373,149
TOTAL FUNDS
58,298
-
7,461
7,609
-
15,070
741
(654)
238
853
0
1,091
74,546
83,929
(9,383)
382,532
373,149

39

38

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF EAST SPRINGFIELD, DIOCESE OF CHELMSFORD, CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR, CHELMER VILLAGE (Charity Registration No. 1169685)

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31st December 2023

UNRESTRICTED
Note
General
3
EXPENDITURE
Fund
£
3a
Church Activities
Missionary & Charitable Giving (note 11)
7,632
Ministry: - Parish Share
43,122
Ministers Expenses
1,078
Discretionary Gifts
333
Church Event Good Companions
1,061
Church Upkeep (note 13)
27,868
Upkeep of services
1,258
Bible Study & Teaching (inc Youth Ministry)
3,900
Independent Examination
540
Church Management and Administration
4,002
Depreciation
2,431
Fund Raising Costs
93,225
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
93,225		 Building
Fund
£
60
10,440
10,500
10,500
RESTRICTED		 2023
2022
£
£
7,632
10,431
43,122
28,152
1,078
2,377
333
-
1,061
-
27,868
18,697
1,258
6,089
3,900
3,900
540
540
4,062
663
12,871
12,705
-
375
103,725
83,929
103,725
83,929
TOTAL FUNDS		 2023
2022
£
£
7,632
10,431
43,122
28,152
1,078
2,377
333
-
1,061
-
27,868
18,697
1,258
6,089
3,900
3,900
540
540
4,062
663
12,871
12,705
-
375
103,725
83,929
103,725
83,929
TOTAL FUNDS
83,929
83,929

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF EAST SPRINGFIELD, DIOCESE OF CHELMSFORD, CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR, CHELMER VILLAGE (Charity Registration No. 1169685)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2023

4 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Additions
Charge for Year
Gross Book Value
1 January 2023
31 December 2023
Depreciation
1 January 2023
Write Back of Provision
31 December 2023
Net Book Value
31 December 2023
31 December 2022		 Church
Equipment
31,572
450
32,022
11,169
2,431
13,600
18,422
20,402		 Building
Fund
337,139
337,139
36,186
10,440
46,626
290,513
300,954		 Total
368,711
450
0
369,161
47,355
12,871
60,226
308,935
321,356
5
Investment Assets
Unlisted Investments - at Cost Trade Craft
506
Impairment due to Administration
(506)
-
Building Fund
Listed Investments - at Market Value
M&G Charifund Shares
13,227
(427)
12,800
2023
£
6
STAFF COSTS
Wages and Salaries
4,380
-
4,380
7
DEBTORS
Income Tax Recoverable
General Fund
7,224
Building Fund
1,080
Rental income
General Fund
-
URC share of expenses
General Fund
761
Insurance Claim
General Fund
-
Catholic Community
General Fund
10,425
Other Debtors
Building Fund
983
Other Debtors
General Fund
4,289
24,762
8
Cash at Bank and in Hand
Cash Held
General Fund
175
Cash held at Bank
General Fund
9,775
Cash held at Bank
Building Fund
12,077
22,027
The Church employed a part time Children's and Community Worker and a part time Admin Assistant
1 January 2023
31 December 2023
Decrease in Value		 5
Investment Assets
Unlisted Investments - at Cost Trade Craft
506
Impairment due to Administration
(506)
-
Building Fund
Listed Investments - at Market Value
M&G Charifund Shares
13,227
(427)
12,800
2023
£
6
STAFF COSTS
Wages and Salaries
4,380
-
4,380
7
DEBTORS
Income Tax Recoverable
General Fund
7,224
Building Fund
1,080
Rental income
General Fund
-
URC share of expenses
General Fund
761
Insurance Claim
General Fund
-
Catholic Community
General Fund
10,425
Other Debtors
Building Fund
983
Other Debtors
General Fund
4,289
24,762
8
Cash at Bank and in Hand
Cash Held
General Fund
175
Cash held at Bank
General Fund
9,775
Cash held at Bank
Building Fund
12,077
22,027
The Church employed a part time Children's and Community Worker and a part time Admin Assistant
1 January 2023
31 December 2023
Decrease in Value		 2022
£
3,900
-
3,900
7,565
1,694
-
750
-
10,425
-
1,084
24,762 21,518
175
9,775
12,077
22,027		 -
12,682
15,941
28,623

40

41

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF EAST SPRINGFIELD, DIOCESE OF CHELMSFORD, CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR, CHELMER VILLAGE (Charity Registration No. 1169685)

9
CREDITORS
Missionary Giving
General Fund
Accrued Expenses
General Fund
Building Retensions and
Building Fund
Contracts Outstanding
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31st December 2		 2023
5,875
7,232
983
14,090

023		 2022
10,467
1,615
-
12,082

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF EAST SPRINGFIELD, DIOCESE OF CHELMSFORD, CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR, CHELMER VILLAGE (Charity Registration No. 1169685)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2023

12 PAYMENTS TO TRUSTEES AND RELATED PARTIES

The Trustees received reimbursement of expenses (see note 3a). During the year £3,900 was paid to Claire Musselwhite for services as our Children's and Community Outreach Worker. (2022 £3,900). Claire was in post when the parish became an independent charity.

13 RUNNING COSTS OF CHURCH BUILDING SHARED WITH THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

10 RESTRICTED FUNDS

The Building Fund was set up with the intention of extending the Church. Work commenced in the summer of 2018 on the building of an annexe. Repairs, improvements and refurbishments to the church following the fire in 2018 have been funded through the restricted fund net of associated insurance claim monies during 2019.

11 MISSIONARY and other GRANTS

The amount set aside in this year's accounts and included in creditors is £5,875 (2022 £10,466) Payments in the year (net of direct contributions from members)and provisionscomprised the following:-

Christians Against Poverty
Society of St Vincent de Paul
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Bethany Children's Trust
Prison Fellowship
Open Doors
CHESS
Romans 1-11
Chelmsford Food Bank
Christian Aid
Fellowship Afloat/FACT
SYM/Made for More
The Children's Society
Total
Additional giving in Year
Little Pantry/Picnic/Christmas Bags
LMDC
URC
CADEF
CAP (CTF)
Christian Aid (CTF)
FACT
CAP regular
Alzheimer Society
Sarcoidosis Society
Tearfund Turkey/Syria Appeal
MAF
Total		 Overseas
Overseas
Home
Mission
Relief
Total
£
£
£
£
500
500
500
500
500
500
300
300
150
150
400
400
400
400
500
500
300
300
400
400
100
100
400
400
300
300
3,950
500
300
4,750
287
287
-
-
-
-
90
90
225
225
225
225
-
-
1,200
1,200
20
20
20
20
105
105
-
35
35
2,172
35
-
2,207		 2022
£
734
528
581
300
158
400
634
400
400
400
200
200
300
5,235
2,558
138
150
360
240
240
794
1,200
-
-
-
-
5,680
Church Rents Received (included in income)
Less
Heat and Light
Utilities Grant from URC
Cleaning
Water
Upkeep and Repairs
Letting Management
Insurance
Running Costs of Church
Shared Depreciation (included in charge for year)
(Deficit)/Surplus of Income over Expenditure
Amount due to/(from) Catholic Community
(Deficit)/Surplus to Anglican and Free Church Community
Running Costs per accounts
Total Running Costs
(Deficit)/Surplus payable (from)/to Catholic Community		 2023
9,932
12,388
(3,153)
10,751
872
5,569
1,441
27,868
2,431
30,299
(20,367)
27,868
0
27,868		 2022
7,461
11,300
8,069
758
6,238
1,348
27,713
2,288
30,001
(22,540)
(9,016)
(13,524)
27,713
(9,016)
18,697

Heat & Light costs have been reduced by £2,697 being overcharged VAT during 2020-2022 Credit received for 2023 and reflected above was £1,278

The amount shown in the accounts is £7,632.30. This comprises the amounts shown above as additional giving plus the provision of £5,425 in this year's accounts. The provision for 2022 was paid in 2023

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