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2020-12-31-accounts

GREENSIDE PARISH

ST JOHN’S, GREENSIDE HOLY SPIRIT, CRAWCROOK

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Aim and Purposes

Greenside Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the Vicar, the Revd Tom Brazier, in promoting in the whole mission of Greenside Church. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of church buildings that is Church of the Holy Spirit Crawcrook, St John's Greenside and St John's Hall.

Structure, Governance and Management

The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The PCC is a Registered Charity. PCC member are appointed as set out in the Church Representation Rules. The PCC is responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish church including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. The full PCC meets around 9 times a year, and a sub-set of the PCC, the Standing Committee,

meets in the intervening months to carry out the business of the PCC. St John's hall is managed by a subcommittee which is responsible to and operates under the supervision of the PCC.

Administrative Information

Greenside Parish is situated in Gateshead West. It is part of the Diocese of Durham within the Church of England. The correspondence address is Church Office, Main Street, Crawcrook, Ryton, NE40 4NB.

PCC membership following APCM 20[th] September 2020:

Churchwardens: Janet Bertola Ex-officio Beth Gascoigne Ex-officio Co-warden: David Smith Ex-officio Deanery Synod: Doreen Drake Ex-officio Paul Hobbs Ex-officio Elected members: Berni Bertola 3 years to serve Simon Longshaw 3 years to serve (Treasurer) Ben Thomas 2 years to serve Dawn Wallace 2 years to serve Simon Spencer 1 year to serve

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Objectives and Activities

Our strapline is "To grow God's Kingdom by knowing Jesus and making Him known".

This means the PCC is wholly for the mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing of people in and around Greenside, Crawrook, Clara Vale because that reflects God's kingdom and it is what Jesus is calling us to work towards. We seek to meet this calling in our weekly pattern of worship, our home groups, our healing ministry and our wedding, funeral and baptism ministries. Another important outpouring of the love of God is found in our social activities (such as Footprints toddler group and work in schools). We deliberately make our halls (particularly St John's hall) available to groups in the wider community and for events such as children's parties. Finally, with our eyes looking beyond the immediate community in Gateshead West, we have connections with life-giving work across the world and, especially, in Africa.

Risk Management

Our primary risk management strategy is to trust God. However, the PCC recognises that God has given us brains to figure some things out ourselves. We actively review safeguarding risks every time we meet. We carry out health and safety risk assessments whenever appropriate. Financial risk is primarily managed through our reserves policy. Everything is guided by prayer.

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Achievements and Performance

Vicar’s Report

My 2019 vicar’s report discussed how we had given God permission to sweep as a flood through our church life and change everything. I ended by saying “I think God’s flood is not yet complete and we are seeing a great upheaval in the whole understanding of what it means to be the church across our region, both within the Church of England and beyond.”

Little did any of us know that the following year, 2020, would be so tumultuous with COVID-19. I think we can fairly say that all our assumptions about what it means to be church have been sifted and tested in 2020. Reflecting on what remained when all else was stripped away, it seems to me we were left with these three essentials:

We are not alone in this. Most churches in our nation had the same experience during 2020. As we now, hopefully, approach the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, I think we need to reflect carefully on these three essentials. Throughout the pandemic we have often said we do not wish to “go back to normal”. Do these three ways of connecting form a core prophetic message from God to the churches in this nation for the 2020s and beyond?

It will take time for us to see how these things play out, but already, as a watchman on the walls, I think I see a significant shift away from the significance of church buildings in our life. And I see in our diocese a corresponding challenge around church income, which has so often been linked to buildings. This challenge is drawing us back to core questions about what it means to be disciples of Jesus and to be his church.

Another wide-scale social movement in 2020 was Black Lives Matter, which inspired our 2021 diocesan Lent course. I sincerely hope this movement will carry us into a more just future where there is less inequality in the world. At the same time, 2020 was a year of disappointment over world governments failing to meet people’s hopes and expectations. We have seen this with COVID-19, Brexit and the frightening political unrest in the USA.

Increasingly, I believe that the church has so much to offer a world which is struggling. Let us keep praying that we have the opportunities to be the good news

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people God made us to be, who carry the news that Jesus is the true hope of all the nations.

More locally to our church, 2020 saw Rosemary Hendry ordained as deacon and Mike Hendry licensed as Reader, and Simon Spencer has been hard at work training for ordination. These are signs that God is moving in our church, growing us in our journeys of discipleship. And whilst ordained and licensed roles might place a spotlight on particular individuals, the most important aspect of that spotlight is that it highlights that we are all on a journey of growth as disciples of Jesus. So we rightly celebrate these events as signs of the life that continues to grow in all of us.

Also more locally, St John’s Chopwell became vacant in 2020 and so, according to our deanery plan, I have been moving into the role of leading them. I am very thankful that Greenside Parish has so much lay involvement. So I am able to do this without being overwhelmed. People sometimes wonder what happens to Sunday worship at Greenside when I am leading worship at Chopwell. My answer is always, “Oh we have people for that”. And this is a very good sign.

I hope you can see our Rule of Life working out in all that I have mentioned above. I think it is worth quoting the rule again and pausing to reflect on it:

We are all on a journey. We are following in the Way behind our founder Jesus Christ. For a time our paths run together. During this time, we choose to travel together. We choose to be safe companions, we choose to love, we choose to reach outwards to others, we choose to reach inwards towards Jesus, we choose to share:

we share each other’s joys and burdens

we share each other’s gifts and needs we share each other’s food and company we share each other’s stories

When our paths part, we will part well, knowing that one day we will all live together with Jesus for ever.

Finally, looking forward, I want to tell you about Living in Love and Faith (LLF), which will be a major focus in the Church of England over the years to come. This is the title of a book published after several years of exploration and research by a large and diverse group within the Church of England. The book explores where our present thinking is in regards to questions around identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. I am presently reading LLF and I find it to be carefully written, thorough and engaging. It does not prejudge any questions and it tries very hard to represent the differing and, often, conflicting views of committed Christians across the Church of England. It makes challenging reading for any Christian. But it also, encouragingly, reveals that all of us have an immense amount in common, most particularly in our commitment to the Bible as our primary means of discerning what God is saying to his people.

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You will hear more about Living in Love and Faith as we discern the way forward together. For now, I highly commend the book to you. You can also learn more on the LLF website https://www.churchofengland.org/llf. The main thing I wish to highlight for the present is that as a local church we have known for some time that we need to have conversations in this area. And we know that our Rule of Life is a very important common commitment which will help us as we do so.

Normally I end by saying what I think our priorities are for the next year. Last year they were seeking the Father’s heart and growth, especially amongst young families. I think these remain our priorities for the present. We were to have a weekend away this year where we explored the Father heart of God. This weekend has now been postponed to 2021, but the focus of the weekend will remain the same.

Tom Brazier

Electoral Roll Report

The Greenside Parish Church electoral roll is a register of all those qualified to attend the Annual Parochial Church meeting and to vote in elections to the Parochial Church Council plus the Deanery Synod. Enrolment onto the electoral roll means that becoming a voting member of the Church of England. It helps to ensure that all the synodical councils of the Church; the PCC, Gateshead West Deanery Synod, the Durham Diocesan Synod and the General Synod are fully representative of its members.

There was no revision of the roll in 2020 due to Covid 19.

Set out below are the numbers for 2021 and the last five years

March Members Female Male Resident Non
Resident
2021 72 49 (68%) 23 (38%) 40 (56%) 32 (44%)
2020
2019 73 48 (66%) 25 (34%) 43 (55%) 30 (45%)
2018 103 72 (70%) 31 (30%) 64 (62%) 39 (38%)
2017 106 76 (72%) 30 (28%) 66 (62% 40 (38%)
2016 96 69 (72%) 27 (28%) 63 (66%) 33 (34%)

As at mid-March this year there were 72 people on the roll of which: 49 are female, 40 male, 40 are resident in the parish and 32 live outside. Four people were removed and three added.

Paddy Gascoigne – Electoral Roll Officer

Wardens’ Report

This year has been very eventful to say the least. Although it was dominated by the pandemic, the wonders of modern technology allowed our church family to worship together and even have fellowship at the end of services. Our thanks go to

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all those involved in preparing the services and especially those on the technical side. Let us hope that we shall soon be able to meet in person at Holy Spirit and St John’s.

The maintenance and fabric of our churches poses a major challenge. The quinquennial inspection of St John’s by our architect, Chris Blackburn, highlighted that the roof and antiquated boiler needed replacing. The cost of replacement is estimated at £100,000 and led to a debate about whether we should continue to worship at two churches. The slate fascia at Holy Spirit is coming away from the brick work and poses a health and safety risk. At the time of writing this report, the PCC is looking at options, assisted by Chris, for modernising the front of the building.

On a brighter note, the hall floor at Holy Spirit has been replaced. The PCC is also exploring, with the local councillor, whether the land to the rear of Holy Spirit can be transformed into a sensory garden for the benefit of the community. This would entail submitting a claim under the rules of adverse possession for part of the land and the remainder being gifted by the council.

During the year, we entered into partnership with Chopwell following the retirement of their vicar, Father Paul. Tom is now responsible for covering the two parishes under the Deanery Development Plan. Whilst we are two distinct churches in terms of worship, the partnership offers opportunities for joint working.

We are now blessed with a curate, Rosemary, and a reader, Mike, who were licensed earlier in the year. Given the partnership with Chopwell, they are a welcome addition to the team and are assisting Tom with his duties by taking funerals and on other matters.

The challenges for the next year are already emerging in the form of the maintenance and fabric of the church estate. Work will have to be done on the fascia at Holy Spirit and this will have to entail generous giving by church members. There is also a quinquennial inspection of Holy Spirit which may highlight further issues.

We would like to conclude by thanking Tom for his excellent stewardship and leadership. Our thanks are also extended to those individuals who contribute towards Greenside Parish being a vibrant community.

Janet Bertola and Beth Gascoigne

Proceedings of the PCC

The PCC continued to meet during the lockdowns via zoom. There were no meetings of the Standing Committee. As the PCC now produces a regular newsletter about its discussions, this report will not go into detail. The main issues considered were as follows

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at the time, it opted for zoom only services or sometimes ‘hybrid’ services which combined live streaming with in person attendance.

The PCC acts as a cohesive body which looks to manage the affairs of the church and promote its rule of life as an open group of people following Jesus.

Paddy Gascoigne – PCC Secretary

Safeguarding

Staff in the diocese spent time last year updating the Diocesan Safeguarding Procedures and these were approved at the Synod meeting in December. The updated policy now has a section on social media, guidance on parish website and has a whole new section on photography/images and video recording. To comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulations we should never be taking pictures of a person without their consent or a parent’s consent for a child under 13. There is new clear guidance on the taking of and storage of images and videos. The changes reflect changes in government policies as well as changes within the church.

There is a copy of the new Diocesan Policy on our website and both church notice boards. At the present time I am updating our church policy to reflect these changes.

We have renewed DBS’s for people in the church who needed to renew their certificates this year. The Church of England moved to an online renewing system a couple of years ago which is very efficient so confirmation that a check has been complete has in some case come back in a few days. No one is yet due to update the Child Protection Training.

As most of you know I work within the Early Help Team which is part of Children’s Services within Northumberland. Our team has seen many families this year that we would never expect to need help and support and there has been an increase in abuse. We are not going to really know the extent to which people have been affected by abuse until we are fully out of lockdown and young and old alike have

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the opportunity to speak out. So, I feel in 2021 that we need to watch out for people around us and speak out for those who do not have a voice. Keeping ourselves and other’s safe is everyone’s responsibility. Please be vigilant and pray.

If you have any concerns please speak to Tom, myself, or if you need to speak to someone independent of the church leadership contact Beth Miller, the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer.

Denise Clayson

Deanery Synod

We wish to acknowledge the support of Susan Marshall, Lay Chair of Deanery Synod in providing much of this information, as Rosemary was still on placement for a few months in the early part of last year. Due to Coronavirus, Deanery Synod met in person on only one occasion, in February, when Jen Vickers gave a presentation on ‘The Recovery Course and Support Programme’. The May meeting was cancelled and the October meeting was held via Zoom.

Lockdown restrictions affected the Deanery Lent course being held at Holy Trinity Swalwell in regard to ‘Exploring God’s Mercy’, led each week by members from different parishes. After the third session, the course was interrupted and an enforced break ensued. Similarly, lockdown thwarted the plans that had started for the Deanery Pilgrimage to Durham Cathedral in early summer, following one of the new Pilgrimage routes.

However, lockdown did not prevent Holy Trinity Swalwell who compiled a ‘virtual Prayer Room’ for the Deanery in May. Greenside Parish also reported to Deanery Synod their gradual developments of using Zoom for a mixture of Sunday Morning Services, Children’s Club, Evening Prayer, Compline, Bible Study, ‘Singalong’, Home Groups, Corporate Prayer, Sunday Songs. Live streaming was instituted for Morning Prayer Mondays to Fridays. In addition, the Open the Book team produced videos which it offered to members of Synod for use in their schools. Some other parishes have similarly blossomed, despite lockdown restrictions.

Staffing changes included welcoming Revd Alison Stewart-Smith in February, who was licensed as Priest in Charge to the Parishes of Ryton and Winlaton. Revd Lyn Jamieson retired early in the year as Chaplain to the MetroCentre and Revd Paul Murray retired in August from St John's, Chopwell. Towards the end of the year, we learned that Revd Diane Ryan had been appointed as Priest in Charge to the Parishes of Blaydon and High Spen & Rowlands Gill. Diane was licensed on 21 March 2021; Revd Rosemary Hendry was ordained and began her curacy at Greenside Parish and both Mike Hendry from Greenside Parish and Bill Arkless from High Spen and Rowlands Gill Parish completed their training as Readers (Licensed Lay Ministers).

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The Deanery Development Plan continued to unfold with the creation of the Parish of Blaydon and the Parish of Swalwell, as of 1 Jan 2021. The Benefice of Blaydon will be held in plurality with Benefice of HS&RG by Revd Diane Ryan, and the Benefice of Swalwell is now held in plurality with Benefice of Whickham by Revd Barry Abbott.

Towards the end of the year, a new triennium of Deanery Synod began, with a number of new members being elected onto Synod, including Doreen Drake from Greenside Parish.

Revd Rosemary Hendry, Paul Hobbs and Doreen Drake, Deanery Synod Representatives

Intercessors Group

Soon after I wrote the report last year, Covid struck, and things changed! When it became obvious that this was going to be long term, I sent a “Coronavirus Prayer” list to everyone on the Parish email list, three times over five months. After this, I asked everyone if they would like to join the Intercessors Group. Three people joined us after that, bringing the numbers of members now to 33. Most members receive the Prayer List by email, and print their own copies, or just use their devices when praying. We have two members without access to email, who get a paper copy. When I asked via email how people used their list, I received several encouraging replies.

Another aspect of the Intercessors Group is that I also email Group members with emergency prayer requests that come to me from others. I am always encouraged when people respond so quickly to say they are praying. We have seen some great answers to prayer, and improvements in ongoing situations. One thing we always stress is that all prayer requests must be kept completely confidential. This can be difficult as generally members aren't aware of everyone who is a member of the group. We are careful before sharing anything and especially in Zoom meetings where often we cannot see everyone who is in the meeting.

Finally, thank you to all Group members for your faithfulness in prayer, and to everyone who has entrusted us with prayer requests. Our God loves to answer our prayers, to Him be the glory.

Helen Hardisty

Sunday Club

As with everyone else we have had a strange year in Sunday Club. We continued with our normal activities till mid-March and then moved to Zoom. We also welcomed Tori, Emmeline with Mum Caroline, Liberty with Mum Elisabeth and Finley with Mum Louise to our merry band of Jess, Henry, Dylan, Adam and Abigail.

We have had an interesting few months. We have made a lot of craft activities including: bird feeders, origami, toilet roll houses, science experiments, a bug hotel and various cards for special occasions. We now have a budding group of cake

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and biscuit makers after making: a variety of scones, brownies, cookies, fairy cakes, cinder toffee and stained glass Christmas decorations. We also competed in the Zoom Olympic Games.

I hope you all enjoyed this year’s Nativity in six parts that spread over parts of November, December and the last part was shown in January. A big Thank You to all who took part and a special Thank You to camera operator Rosemary, editor Rachel and our narrator, who was involved in every scene, Jess. With thanks to Simon Longshaw we also had a wonderful Zoom Christmas party.

It seems a very long time ago going back to March when Jess and Henry, along with Eric, joined up with a group from Darlington for an outdoor adventure weekend involving a midnight walk down a very wet hillside to see the night sky, climbing walls, climbing a telegraph pole before throwing yourself off towards a trapeze, abseiling, two rope slides, an aerial and then a mud obstacle course including three tunnel crawls!!! It must have been good as they all wanted to go again in 2021. If only!!!

A big thank you to our Sunday Club team: Allen, Dawn W, Dennis, Doreen, Fiona, Gloria, Jackie, Pam, Rachel, Rosemary, Tricia and Val for their help and support in nurturing the children in our church.

Eric Hardisty

Open the Book Team

So much has changed in the way we go about our lives in the last 12 months due to the pandemic. The ‘Open the Book’ Team has had to find new ways of engaging with our local schools due to the fact that we have not been able to visit schools since February last year. The good news is that our wonderful God has led us from the ordinary way of doing things into the extraordinary.

One of the many blessings we have had is that since September, the Team has been joined by Cath Jones and Norma Todd who are now trained, formally registered and very involved as ‘Open the Book’ storytellers. In total we are now a team of 11 storytellers. We have had Mike Hendry working with the team on several occasions. His involvement and enthusiasm as a storyteller has always been very much appreciated.

We have also ventured into the world of film production in order to keep in touch with our local schoolchildren. Tom initially had the idea back in September/October to try recording videos on Zoom of the stories to send to our schools. Since then, all the team have been involved on a regular basis rehearsing and recording from our individual homes on Zoom. As well as acting and presenting, we have also made exceptionally good use of costumes, backdrops, props graphics and sound to great effect, not to mention the humour. We are supported by our wonderful technical team members. Between them Rosemary Hendry and Eric Hardisty advise, direct and record us, whilst Rachael Spencer is our expert in editing. We follow all the guidelines as set out In the Open the Book Code of Practice.

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I am delighted to report that over the last few months our completed videos have been sent out regularly to Emmaville and Greenside primary schools. To our delight a third school St Agnes Primary School, which we have not visited previously, asked if they could also have the recorded videos too. The feedback from all 3 Primary schools has been fantastic, positive and very encouraging.

We also had the privilege of delivering copies of Bob Hartman’s Nativity Rhyme beautifully illustrated booklet ‘It Begins in Bethlehem’ to our 3 primary schools. A copy was made available for every child to take home.

It is a blessing to be a member of an enthusiastic and caring team as we continue to adapt to the present situation using our God given talents in new ways.

Hallelujah!!

Pam Jackson

Pastoral Report

Irrespective of the current restrictions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Pastoral Care Ministry continues serving the Church fellowship in a slightly different format. Despite the situation, the group, on behalf of the church, still offer support and encouragement, helping in practical ways, financially, supporting through bereavement and sending cards of encouragement. It is always a joy to present flowers (keeping at a safe distance!) for special celebrations as well as at sad times.

Sadly, we are unable to make our regular visits taking Home Communion to those who are unable to attend church together with our monthly visits to Addison Court and Lindisfarne residential care homes. The team miss this important part of pastoral ministry.

The team follow the Government guidelines and good practice in respect of safeguarding. We will continue to serve in love.

Currently, Coffee Stop has been suspended but members look forward to serving church family and the community once again in the near future.

Blessings from the Coffee Stop & Pastoral Team Members

Prayer Ministry Team

‘I cried to you for help, O Lord God and you healed me’ Psalm 30.2.

2020 was not the year anyone expected to have. Covid 19 brought us many challenges both personally and as a Church body. We have had to adapt to lockdown restrictions and look for new ways to support and reach out to each other. The need for prayer and intercessions was even more vital at this dark time. The team have had to look to new and creative ways to pray together to bring the message of hope in Jesus to a now largely online Church community. Zoom has

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been the method of choice; the Team has been trained to use this safely and securely. In this way prayer could still be offered after Sunday online services.

The Team continue to provide a safe, non-judgemental, loving prayer space full of the presence of the Holy Spirit. We remain expectant that God will continue to meet with His people, bringing healing, comfort, peace, freedom, encouragement and changing lives.

We encourage everyone to come forward for prayer. Prayer is vital it is how we involve God in every detail of our lives He longs for intimacy with us and we have witnessed the power of prayer changing people’s lives on many occasions. God will listen and He will act. ‘When you call me and come pray to me, I will listen to you’ Jeremiah 29:12.

The team ministry follow the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy. Confidentiality is diligently observed.

I thank the Team for their continued commitment to this Ministry, for their faithfulness, integrity and Christ centred approach. We look forward to the time when our Church buildings re-open and we can again deliver prayer and the laying on of hands in person.

Come forward for prayer and be blessed!

Dawn Wallace

Hope for South Africa’s Children

Income in our 2019/20 financial year was £56,008 and we made grants totalling £55,314. Expenses were zero.

Our main focus remains Rehoboth Children’s village for children orphaned/abandoned and HIV Positive. We provided £28,293 to support the operational and education needs of the village. Our sponsor programme remains the largest contributor; we now have sixty plus sponsors for the eighty children resident in the village. More children are returning home as the Government policy is changing, children will be expected to be returned home or fostered/ adopted within two years.

Following the decision to place all unrestricted income in an “Outreach” fund, including Gift Aid, we have been able to increase our giving to rural projects which we have personally identified and are known to have good governance. An anonymous grant of £8800 was part of the reason for the increase. This has allowed us to make grants totaling £27,021 to 7 projects working with children in the rural areas of South Africa, more than double the year before. The additional income went to support feeding programmes in rural crèches who were closed due to the pandemic and unable to provide meals for the children. We also launched an education fund for young people who have moved into higher education or need support to further their work prospects. Three applications were approved.

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The church’s generous support as part of its Mission giving fund will continue to be allocated to our Outreach Fund, we really appreciate the church’s continued support as part of this programme.

David Smith – Secretary/Trustee

Christian Aid

Coronavirus restrictions meant that Christian Aid Week in May 2020 was a virtual event, keeping alive the spirit of a week that’s been running nationally since 1957. E-envelopes enabled those who wished to donate, to support the charity’s aim of transforming the lives of people, through its partner organisations, around the world. They also campaign for action on climate change, fair trade and tax justice.

The annual Christian Aid/CAFOD Advent Service, which provides an opportunity for all denominations in the local area to come together, could not take place this year. Christian Aid’s ‘Love Builds Hope’ Christmas message seems particularly pertinent for communities near and far as a new year unfolds.

Many thanks, as ever, to all within our parish who continue to support the work of Christian Aid. More information about their programmes can be found on the - Christian Aid website -christianaid.org.uk/our work/programmes

Christine Brown (St. John’s Rep) and Caroline Kelly (Holy Spirit Rep)

Outreach Report.

Fairfields Manor

The intention was to welcome people to the area by offering them an Easter egg. This was postponed due to Covid. The intention was to go round in September/October with the eggs as a belated welcome. This was also not possible. In the end we went around with advent calendars. Covid again got in the way and we gave them out Thurs 3[rd] Dec. Twelve of us went out in pairs. For many people this was a totally new experience for them. Because of Covid many people were in and we decided not to go out on Friday as planned. We went out on the Saturday. All the houses were contacted apart from a few. We visited about 90 houses. The response was positive.

This leaves some houses, not yet built, for a future time, as does the new houses on Valley Rise. There may be opportunity once Covid is over to organize a barbeque as a celebratory event to mark the end of Covid. There may also be the opportunity to organize a concert perhaps at the working men’s club as a way of making establishing good relations with the people in the area.

Berni Bertola

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Financial Review

COVID-19 Pandemic

It is safe to say this year has been like no other in living memory for church finances generally.

Last year we moved most of the regular giving to Parish Giving and our Bank account to one with an online platform, these two actions have allowed the church to weather the Pandemic much better than it could have otherwise done. We have still had a significant reduction in income primarily due to us not being able to collect any normal income from collections at services or hall lets.

We have had to use some reserves this year but have managed to pay the agreed increase in our Parish Share, our Mission Giving, and done improvements and repairs to the building including the new Hall floor, Roof Repairs, and Electrical Work in Holy Spirit Church and Lightning Protection remedial works in St Johns.

Income

Total unrestricted income was £86,526. This is down £9,310 from last year. This has been accounted for due to the pandemic. Having said that our parish has done well due to the generosity of received from contributions received mainly via regular giving via Parish Giving.

Giving

If you would like more information on how to give, I have created a new area on the website. Please look at www.greensideparish.org.uk/donations.htm for more information.

Expenditure

Total unrestricted expenditure was £102,154. This is slightly down by £1,145. Some on the PCC expected a greater reduction as we were not carrying out normal services so normal utilities would be reduced. But this saving was wiped out by other required expenditure during the year including building improvements and repairs.

Reserves Policy

We are approximately £8,000 down in our unrestricted reserves which stand at £13,089 at the end of the year. It has been acknowledged by the PCC we could manage another year with this kind of loss and then would need to look at making substantial savings.

In normal times the PCC agreed reserves policy is to maintain a target balance of unrestricted reserves which equates to approximately three months' unrestricted payments based upon the previous year’s expenditure. This is currently set at approximately 3 months general expenditure which is around 20k.

Mission Giving

We once again gave 10% of our income to the following charities as decided by the PCC.

Charity Portion
Christian Aid 10%
Christian SolidarityWorldwide 10%
Hope for SA children 10%
Junction 42 10%
Open Doors UK 10%
Open the Book 10%
The People’s Kitchen 10%
The Shirley Community Chaplaincy (North
East)		 10%
Wycliffe Bible Translators 10%
Rainforest Alliance 10%

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Ongoing Concerns

COVID-19

After making appropriate enquiries, the Members of the PCC have a reasonable expectation that the PCC has sufficient resources. In making their assessment the Members have taken into consideration the disruption to Church life caused by the coronavirus pandemic and consider that the PCC has sufficient reserves to allow it to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, the Members continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Holy Spirit Front Fascia

Repairing the Fascia has now become a two-phase project, where we first remove the tiles and make the surface safe and then later replace them with something new that is still to be fully explored. The first phase will use up a significant fraction of our remaining reserves and the second phase is beyond our reserves. To fund these the PCC will need to explore holding one or more gift days.

Future Developments

As noted in last year I felt I was not able to carry on as Treasurer due to extra family commitments and increased workload. This has not happened as no one suitable and willing has been found as a replacement. Currently the workload has been greatly reduced due to the pandemic and I have been able to keep the important aspects going. We are now looking at delegation with me being the Treasurer but handing off a lot of the day-today work to others within the church family. This will mean changing some processes and moving to a online version of our accounts system to allow multi-users to input. If you feel called to take the Treasurer role or support me in aspects of the role, please get in touch with myself or Tom.

Thanks

Thank you to you all for your support to me in the role of treasurer. Special Thanks to John Clayson in his role as assistant treasurer, Beth Gascoigne for her support with aspects of the treasurer role and all those that help with the administration of the church finances including all those in the counting team, banking team, and payment authorisers.

Conclusion

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing contribution financially and otherwise to our Church. I hope you find the following accounts enlightening and useful to understand how our church uses the money you give it. The finances of the Parish of Greenside are in a good place to allow us to carry on our good work in the coming year.

Simon Longshaw, Treasurer

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Independent Examiners Report Greenside Parish

Independent Examiner's Report to the Members of the PCC

I report to the PCC members on my examination of the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the PCC’s members you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the PCC’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the PCC as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

This report is made solely to the PCC's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the PCC's members those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the PCC and the PCC's members as a body, for my work or for this report.

Nigel Wyrley-Birch

Ryton Grange Ryton Tyne & Wear NE40 3UN

April 2021

16

Notes to the Financial Statements

1. Accounting Policies

1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The PCC of Greenside constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

1.2 Fund Accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the PCC and which have not been designated for other purposes. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the PCC for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

1.3 Income

All income is recognised once the PCC has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the PCC is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the PCC has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the PCC, or the PCC is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Donated services or facilities are recognised when the PCC has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use of the PCC of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the PCC which is the amount the PCC would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation. Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.

1.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in each undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

17

Greenside Parish Accounts 2020

Statement of Financial Activities

reenside Parish Accounts 2020
tatement of Financial Activities		 reenside Parish Accounts 2020
tatement of Financial Activities
Unrestricted
Designated		 Restricted Total Prior year
funds funds funds funds total funds
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Planned giving 61,131 —
—		 61,131 60,568
Collections 6,062 —
—		 6,062 6,113
Income tax recovered 14,417 —
—		 14,417 15,444
Other voluntary income 1,265 —
27		 1,292 3,783
Income from charitable activities 894 —
—		 894 3,022
Other trading activities 140 1,469
—		 1,609 5,516
Other income 999 — 120 1,119 1,387
Total income 84,910 1,469
147		 86,526 95,836
Expenditure on:
Expenditure on charitable activities
Charitable giving — 9,070
—		 9,070 10,169
Ministry 63,178 —
—		 63,178 60,777
Church running costs 14,187 —
—		 14,187 14,427
Other running costs and repairs 11,100 3,974
642		 15,718 17,823
Other expenditure — — — — 101
Total expenditure 88,466 13,045
642		 102,154 103,299
Net income / (expenditure) resources before (3,556) (11,575)
(495)		 (15,627) (7,462)
transfer
Transfers
Gross transfers between funds - in — 8,538
15		 8,553 10,005
Gross transfers between funds - out (8,553) —
—		 (8,553) (10,005)
Other recognised gains / losses
Net movement in funds (12,110) (3,036)
(480)		 (15,627) (7,462)
Total funds brought forward 22,692 5,544
10,662		 38,899 46,361
Total funds carried forward 10,582 2,507
10,181		 23,272 38,899
Represented by
Unrestricted
General fund 10,582 —
—		 10,582 22,692
Designated
Footprints — 153
—		 153 153
Parish Weekend 2019 — 926
—		 926 926
Pastoral-Coffee Stop — 844
—		 844 1,155
SJHall — 583
—		 583 3,308
Restricted
Footprints — —
36		 36 36
Sunday Club — —
—		 — (15)
Youth Work — —
6,777		 6,777 7,273
Youth Worker — —
3,367		 3,367 3,367

Designated Funds Descriptions

Footprints – Money collected by Footprints that can be used for other church matters.

Parish Weekend 2019 – Money left over from Parish Weekend 2019 this can be used for next Parish Weekend or other church matters.

Pastoral-Coffee Stop – Money collected by Coffee Stop that is earmarked for Pastoral spending but can be used for other church matters.

SJHall – Money collected by St Johns Hall lets that is used for the Hall but can be used for other church matters.

Restricted Funds Descriptions

Footprints – Money donated for Footprints that must be used for Footprints. Sunday Club – Money donated for Sunday Club that must be used for Sunday Club. Youth Work – Money donated for other Youth Work that must be used for Youth Work. Youth Worker – Money donated for a Youth Worker that must be used for a Youth Worker.

18

Balance Sheet

Class and code

Description

This year Last year

Fixed assets
6430
Sample fixed asset
Total Fixed assets
Current assets
6520
Bank Account
6590
Cash in hand
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		 —
—
—
—
32,726
42,529
20
22
1,499
2,430
34,246
44,982
1,005
523
9,968
5,559
10,974
6,082
23,272
38,899
(15,627)
(9,396)
38,899
48,296
23,272
38,899
10,582
22,692
2,507
5,544
10,181
10,662
—
—
23,272
38,899

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

General
Designated
Restricted
This year
Last year
15,239
6,300
11,186
32,726
42,529
20
—
—
20
22
15,260
6,300
11,186
32,747
42,551
1,085
413
—
1,499
2,430
1,085
413
—
1,499
2,430
—
—
1,005
1,005
523
—
—
1,005
1,005
523
5,763
4,205
—
9,968
5,559
5,763
4,205
—
9,968
5,559
10,582
2,507
10,181
23,272
38,899
Current assets - Cash at bank and in hand
Bank Account -
Cash in hand -
Totals
Current assets - Debtors
Accounts Receivable -
Totals
Liabilities - Agency accounts
Agency collections -
Totals
Liabilities - Creditors: Amounts falling due in
one year
Accounts Payable -
Totals
Grand total

19

Fund Movement by Type

Opening
Incoming
Outgoing
Transfers Gains/losses
Closing
Bldng - Building
Restricted
Sub-total for Bldng
CFair - Crawcrook Fair
Restricted
Sub-total for CFair
Compassion - Compassion
Restricted
Sub-total for Compassion
Footprint - Footprints
Designated
Restricted
Sub-total for Footprint
Mission - Mission
Designated
Sub-total for Mission
PA - Parish Admin Donation
Restricted
Sub-total for PA
PW2019 - Parish Weekend 2019
Designated
Sub-total for PW2019
Pstrl-CS - Pastoral-Coffee Stop
Designated
Sub-total for Pstrl-CS
SClub - Sunday Club
Restricted
Sub-total for SClub
SJH - SJHall
Designated
Sub-total for SJH
SNB - School Nativity Book
Restricted
Sub-total for SNB
YW - Youth Work
Restricted
Sub-total for YW
YWkr - Youth Worker
Restricted
Sub-total for YWkr
General - General fund
Unrestricted
Sub-total for General
Grand total		 —
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
153
—
—
—
—
153
36
—
—
—
—
36
189
—
—
—
—
189
—
—
8,538
8,538
—
—
—
—
8,538
8,538
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
926
—
—
—
—
926
926
—
—
—
—
926
1,155
220
531
—
—
844
1,155
220
531
—
—
844
(15)
—
—
15
—
—
(15)
—
—
15
—
—
3,308
1,249
3,974
—
—
583
3,308
1,249
3,974
—
—
583
—
147
147
—
—
—
—
147
147
—
—
—
7,273
—
495
—
—
6,777
7,273
—
495
—
—
6,777
3,367
—
—
—
—
3,367
3,367
—
—
—
—
3,367
22,692
84,910
88,466
(8,553)
—
10,582
22,692
84,910
88,466
(8,553)
—
10,582
38,899
86,526
102,154
—
—
23,272

20

Analysis of Income and Expenditure

Unrestricted
Income and Endowments
Donations and legacies - Planned giving
0101 - Gift Aid - Bank
730
0110 - Gift Aid - Envelopes
210
0120 - Gift Aid - PGS
53,253
0201 - Non Gift Aid - Bank
3,385
0210 - Non Gift Aid - Envelopes
1,166
0220 - Non Gift Aid - PGS
2,386
Total
61,131
Donations and legacies - Collections
0301 - Collections
6,062
Total
6,062
Donations and legacies - Income tax recovered
0601 - Tax recoverable on Gift Aid
14,417
Total
14,417
Donations and legacies - Other voluntary income
0302 - Collection - Funeral
256
0303 - Collection - Wedding
—
0304 - Collection - Baptism
—
0550 - Donations appeals etc
1,008
0552 - Youth Work
—
Total
1,265
Income from charitable activities
0553 - Footprint
—
0905 - Photocopying donation
—
1101 - PCC Fees for weddings and
funerals
894
Total
894
Other trading activities
0950 - Bank refund/credit
140
1210 - Coffee Stop
Donations/Pastoral Donations
—
1225 - Bible notes
—
1230 - HS Church Hall lettings
—
1240 - SJ Hall lettings
—
Total
140
Other income
08A1 - Non-recurring one-off grants
—
0901 - Other funds generated
—
0915 - Parish Admin Donations
—
1040 - Area Dean Expenditure
Contribution
999
Total
999		 Unrestricted Total
Designated
Restricted
This year
Last year		 Total
Designated
Restricted
This year
Last year		 Total
Designated
Restricted
This year
Last year

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

730
16,187
210
3,871
53,253
33,096
3,385
4,068
1,166
2,026
2,386
1,319
61,131
60,568
6,062
6,113
6,062
6,113
14,417
15,444
14,417
15,444
256
499
—
32
—
331
1,035
2,910
—
10
1,292
3,783
—
11
—
2
894
3,009
894
3,022
360
0
—
557
—
15
—
204
1,249
4,740
1,609
5,516
120
—
—
304
—
916
999
166
1,119
1,387
86,526
95,836
—
—		 —
—
—
—		 —
—
—

—
—
—
—
—		 —
—
—
—
27
—
1,265
—
—
894		 —
—
—
—		 27
—
—
—
894
140
—
—
—
—		 —
220
—
—
—
1,249		 —
—
—
—
—
—
140
—
—
—
999		 1,469
—
—
—
—		 —
120
—
—
—
999 — 120
INCOME TOTAL 84,910 1,469 147

21

Expenditure

Expenditure Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities - Charitable giving
1801 - Charitable giving — — — — 250
1850 - Mission giving — 8,538 — 8,538 9,078
2205 - Pastoral giving — 531 — 531 841
Total — 9,070 — 9,070 10,169
Expenditure on charitable activities - Ministry
1910 - Ministry Parish Share 56,892 — — 56,892 54,180
1911 - Ministry Deanery Share 140 — — 140 140
2050 - Salary of parish administrator 2,599 — — 2,599 2,560
2060 - Salary of parish pa 2,584 — — 2,584 2,697
2101 - Working expenses of 595 — — 595 772
incumbent
2140 - Water rates - vicarage 367 — — 367 428
Total 63,178 — — 63,178 60,777
Expenditure on charitable activities - Church running costs
2301 - HS church running - insurance 1,480 — — 1,480 1,514
2302 - SJ church running - insurance 2,369 — — 2,369 2,465
2330 - Church 4,006 — — 4,006 1,994
maintenance/Quinquennial
2340 - Upkeep of services/New 567 — — 567 931
equipment
2350 - Upkeep of churchyard/garden 213 — — 213 274
2401 - HS church running - electric 428 — — 428 452
2402 - SJ church running - electricity 573 — — 573 334
2410 - HS church running - gas 2,489 — — 2,489 3,725
2411 - SJ church running - gas 1,152 — — 1,152 1,239
2420 - HS church running - water 99 — — 99 170
2421 - SJ church running - water 121 — — 121 165
2430 - HS running - cleaning 685 — — 685 1,158
Total 14,187 — — 14,187 14,427
Expenditure on charitable activities - Other running costs and repairs
2170 - Education — — — — 23
2202 - Youth Work — — 642 642 103
2203 - Sunday Club 245 — — 245 562
2210 - Outreach 2 — — 2 247
2212 - Events — — — — 3,979
2214 - Leaflets/Cards/Signs 625 — — 625 1,156
2215 - Teaching Materials — — — — 53
2310 - HS church office - telephone 381 — — 381 438
2360 - Administration — — — — 230
2361 - Photocopier 269 — — 269 607
2362 - Stationery 100 — — 100 292
2363 - Web site/Music licenses 861 — — 861 1,010
2364 - CRB /First Aid 49 — — 49 73
certificates/Data protect
2365 - IT costs — — — — 379
2366 - Sundries 325 — — 325 830
2370 - Visiting speakers / locums 250 — — 250 —
2701 - Church major repairs - 3,870 — — 3,870 —
structure
2710 - Church major repairs - 4,065 — — 4,065 —
installation
2720 - Church interior and exterior 32 — — 32 —
decorating
2800 - New equipment 22 — — 22 330
3010 - SJ Hall Electricity — 200 — 200 584
3020 - SJ Hall Gas — 1,780 — 1,780 1,118
3030 - SJ Hall Water — 112 — 112 123
3040 - SJ Hall Insurance — 1,007 — 1,007 858
3050 - SJ Hall Maintenance — 264 — 264 3,498

22

3060 - SJ Hall Cleaning
3070 - SJ Hall Decorating
Total
Other expenditure
2900 - Other expenditure
Total		 —
—		 610
—		 —
—		 610
1,183
—
135
11,100
—		 3,974
—		 642
—		 15,718
17,823
—
101
— — — —
101
EXPENDITURE TOTAL 88,466 13,045 642 102,154
103,299
GRAND TOTAL (3,556) (11,575) (495) (15,627)
(7,462)

Conclusion

All figures are rounded to the nearest pound. Registered Charity Number for Greenside Parish is 1171547. This report is dated: Tuesday, 15 April 2021 Approved by the PCC Name Signature Date PCC Chairman Rev Tom Brazier PCC Treasurer Simon Longshaw

23