## **The Parish of the Ascension** ## **Annual Report 2024-25** The Parish of the Ascension Cambridge Church at Castle ecumenical partnership ## www.churchatcastle.org Parish of the Ascension Office, The Old School, Harvey Goodwin Avenue, Cambridge CB4 3EU ## **The Parish of the Ascension** **The Parish of the Ascension** is a single benefice comprising four church buildings around Castle Hill and beyond (north of the river, as far as Gilbert Road, West Road, Histon Road and Madingley Road, beyond the M11). They form a family of community-serving churches. Resident numbers in the parish are increasing rapidly due to Cambridge's ever growing population as well as from new housing on sites such as the University's Eddington development and Darwin Green (see map). In Cambridge, the population size has increased by 17.6%, from around 123,900 in 2011 to 145,700 in 2021. This is higher than the overall increase for England (6.6%) and higher than the increase for the East of England (8.3%). https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censuspopulationchange/E07000008/ **St Augustine's** was built in 1898 as a multi-purpose building; a primary school and social space during the week and a church on Sundays. It continues to be very much at the heart of its community as it celebrates in 2023 its 125th anniversary of its founding and consecration _._ **St Giles'** parish dates back to 1092. Open daily, the church is a quiet city centre space for prayer and meditation. At other times it welcomes people for the musical events, concerts, talks, celebrations and commemorations. The garden, a green space in a busy city, is used for lively fun days, garden parties and picnics as well as being cared for with the environment in mind. **St Luke's Church** is a local ecumenical partnership between the United Reformed Church and the Church of England. The halls and church rooms, called St Luke's Church Centre, area venue for a wide variety of groups and activities including COPE (Cambridgeshire Older People's Enterprise) and a Montessori nursery. **St Peter's Church** is located just across the road from St Giles' Church. Christians have been worshipping there for well over a thousand years. Day to day care of the church is shared with The Churches Conservation Trust. The building is open as a place of prayer and is sometimes used for exhibitions. Throughout the year special festivals are celebrated at St. Peter's and it is a quiet, sacred space for all to use. 1 ## **ChurchatCastle - an Ecumenical Group** Together with the United Reformed Church at St Luke's, Castle Street Methodist Church and the Romanian Orthodox congregation of St John the Evangelist, who worship in St Giles' Church, the churches offer an ecumenical witness in this northern area of the City of Cambridge. The umbrella name of 'ChurchatCastle' is used to describe the ecumenical character and activities of the churches and is reflected in the website, www.churchatcastle.org ## **Social profile** The social profile of the parish's population is as diverse as the city of which it forms a part. The Centre for Cities report 'Cities Outlook 2018' reported Cambridge as being the least equal city in England and Wales. The evolving new housing developments in the parish will see many international students, scholars and their families coming to live in the University of Cambridge's Eddington development with an equally diverse population moving into Darwin Green with its 40% affordable housing. A 2023 report states that 13.3% of households claimed benefits (‘Mapping Poverty 2023’, Cambridge City Council). ## **Representation** ## **Parochial Church Council Terms of Reference** The PCC is the legally constituted body for the area with ultimate responsibility for all the activities of the churches in the parish. It may delegate some of its responsibilities to the Ecumenical Church Council (ECC) for St Luke's and District Church Councils (DCCs) for St Giles' and St Augustine's as it sees fit. The Parish of the Ascension is committed to safeguarding in all its churches those who attend the worship and other activities that we offer. Safeguarding promotes the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and includes all actions to protect them from harm. Our Safeguarding Officer is Angela Gibbs. - The Parish of the Ascension follows recommended safeguarding practice in recruiting, training and supporting our ordained and lay ministers, our employees and our volunteers. - We follow the House of Bishops’ Policy statement, ‘Promoting a safer church‘ (2017) and guidelines from the Diocese of Ely. The PCC assumes particular responsibility for the Parish's contractual obligations in respect of the Parish Room and the Burial Ground, and in respect of the Parish Administrator and any other person that may be employed by or contracted to it. It will as a result draw up and agree a budget annually reflecting these responsibilities. It will also determine the level of financial support provided to the different churches in respect of their responsibilities for meeting some of the central administrative costs and parish share. The PCC will act as the final authority in respect of any dispute between the churches in the Parish, whether these are of a financial or other nature and in so far as it is within their jurisdiction. Members of the PCC will be elected annually by members listed on the Electoral Roll. ## **St Luke's Ecumenical Church Council (ECC)** St Luke's Ecumenical Church Council (ECC) is a partnership between the United Reformed Church and the Church of England. Authority is delegated to this body within a sharing agreement between the PCC of the Parish of the Ascension and the congregational meeting of the United Reformed Church in all matters pertaining to the management of St Luke's Church. The ECC meets bi-monthly, normally on the first Tuesdays of the month, except in August. Anyone in the congregation may ask for an item to be put on the agenda. Membership of the ECC consists of twelve lay members who are each elected for a period of three years, the URC minister and the Rector. 2 Congregational Meetings take place every other month after the morning service; they are the forum for debate and open to everyone in the congregation (although only those on the Common Roll may vote). The Annual General Meeting takes place in March-May, when reports from the various organisations and activities are presented and elections are held. ## **Electoral Roll** In accordance with the Church Representation Rules (2025 edition), following the six year cycle, a completely new roll has been prepared in advance of the annual parochial church meeting. The number of members is reduced to 83 since the last year. A roll of this size allows for nine elected lay representative members of the PCC and two elected representatives to the Deanery Synod. I am grateful to churchwardens for their assistance with the preparation of this new roll. Sheila Rozeik, Electoral Roll Officer May 2025 ## **Elected members of the Parochial Church Council (post APCM 2024)** ## **Churchwardens ex-officio on PCC** (elected annually) **St Augustine’s** Norma Davies, Gillian Mead **St Giles’** Oliver Coates **St Luke’s** Paul Gibbs, Frances Klein ## **Deanery Synod representatives 2023-2026** ex officio on PCC **St Augustine’s** Gillian Mead **St Giles’** Oliver Coates **St Luke’s** Jane Holmes 3 ## **Parochial Church Council** **St Augustine’s** 2022-2025 Patricia McGuire, Secretary 2023-2026 Antony Rix 2024-2027 vacancy **St Giles’** 2022-2025 Luis Jimenez Pina 2023-2026 Stella Cross 2024-2027 Richard Catchpole **St Luke’s** 2022-2025 May Block 2023-2026 Gill Ambrose 2024-2027 Joan Jeans **Parish Treasurer** Richard Footitt **Safeguarding Officer** Angela Gibbs ## **District Church Councils** **St Augustine’s** 2023-2026 Lisa Evans 2023-2026 vacancy 2024-2027 vacancy **St Giles’** 2022-2025 Helen Kinsey 2023-2026 Arthur Hibble 2024-2027 Luis Jimenez Pina ## **Ecumenical Church Council** **St Luke’s Ecumenical Church Council: as from the Annual Congregational Meeting 28 April 2024:** May Block, Margaret Cooper, Judith Crowe,Lib Hallam, Jane Holmes, Joan Jeans, Frances Klein, Ken Smith, Doreen Ullinger **as from Annual Congregational Meeting 23 March 2025:** May Block, Margaret Cooper, Judith Crowe/ Sarah Herring, Isobel Fox, Angela Gibbs, Paul Gibbs, Lib Hallam, Brian Harrison, Jane Holmes, Frances Klein. **St Luke’s Joint Council: as from the Annual Congregational Meeting 28 April 2024** Anglican: Margaret Cooper, Judith Crowe, Frances Klein, Alison Taylor URC: May Block, Isobel Fox, Paul Gibbs, Brian Harrison **as from Annual Congregational Meeting 23 March 2025:** Anglican: Margaret Cooper, Judith Crowe, Frances Klein, Alison Taylor URC: May Block, Isobel Fox, Angela Gibbs, Brian Harrison 4 ## **Ministry team (ex officio on the PCC)** **Team Rector** Philipa King **Team Vicar** Janet Bunker **URC Minister** Deborah McVey (interim) **Assistant Priest** Tom Ambrose **Retired Priest** Owen Spencer Thomas **Licensed Lay Minister** Margaret Cooper **Authorised Lay Minister for children** Gill Ambrose ## **Administrative information** **Parish of the Ascension** , The Old School, Harvey Goodwin Avenue, Cambridge, CB4 3EU Official correspondence to the Parish Administrator’s Office at the above address. ## **Bankers:** Co-operative Bank plc ## **Legal advisers** : Diocesan Registrar; Barr Ellison, 39 Parkside, Cambridge, CB1 1PN ## **Independent Examiner:** Julian Day FMAAT ACA BFP ACCA , Day Accountants Ltd., Quern House, Mill Court, Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire CB22 5LD ## **Architect:** Nigel Walter, Archangel Architects, 3 Doctor’s Close, Impington, Cambridge CB24 9ND **Bookkeeper:** Day Accountants Ltd. ## **Parish Administrator:** Sheila Rozeik The sky on Easter Sunday 2025 over the parish 5 ## **REPORTS** ## **North Cambridge Deanery Report 2024-25** Since the last APCM, North Cambridge Deanery Synod has met 3 times; Joint Deanery Synod with S. Cambridge May 21[st] at St Andrew’s Chesterton; October 15[th] at St Matthew’s and Joint Deanery Synod May 13[th] 2025 at St John’s, Hills Road. **21 May 2024:** Chaired by Rev James Shakespeare, Rural Dean of Cambridge South and Lindsay Davies, Lay Chair of Cambridge North. Guest Speaker: Rev Mark Rodel (Diocese of Ely, Development Officer for Learning) spoke about Open Christian Learning. Open Christian Learning seeks to use blended learning or a flipped-classroom model which has own-time learning (at your own pace, in your own time) combined with live sessions either inperson or online with a group (social spaces to bring learning together and test out our understanding with one-another). This model seeks to move from needing to be centralised to a greater range of local groups. OCL uses Moodle learning platform, https://ely.learn.anglican.org/ Mark left the diocese in July 2024 and his work is being covered by Peter Leech, Director of Mission and Ministry. The Bishop’s Officer for Homelessness, Ely Diocese – Revd Kristian Hewitt (who couldn’t attend in person) outlined his role at Cambridge Churches Homeless Project in a written summary. Lay and clerical nominations to Diocesan Synod were encouraged. **15 October 2024:** Canon Francis Burkitt gave a talk about the ministry of Ely Cathedral as a lay canon and member of Grantchester Parish Church. Recently many new members of the Cathedral Chapter have been appointed and there is a desire among the members to improve the bonds between the Chapter and the Diocese at large. Typically 300 people attend services on a Sunday morning, 30 at weekday Evensongs, 30,000 visitors over Holy Week and Easter and 25,000 during Advent. 450 volunteers are on call to improve the visitor experience. ## _Finding a new Bishop of Ely:_ Christopher Townsend, a member of the Crown Nomination Commission (CNC) for Ely, gave a report. He stated that the members of the CNC are sworn to a high level of confidentiality. However, he was able to confirm that they had been unable to reach a consensus last July. ## _Diocesan Synod elections:_ Nick Moir said some who had been elected to the Diocesan Synod are present this evening. It was the first contested election for many years. Most of those elected from North Cambridge were unhappy with the LLF process. He expressed his personal opinion that the outcome of the election was not representative of the Deanery as a whole. The voting system (first past the post) had been chosen by the Diocesan Synod. ## _General Synod (July 2024 meeting):_ Nick Moir reported that one of the major items was safeguarding. There had been heated discussion about this matter. There was pressure, for example, to have an independent investigation into Mike Pilavachi, the founder of ‘Soul Survivor’. The main issue of contention was whether there should be safeguarding officers who are independent of the church. The present safeguarding officers are against this. Chris Townsend then reported on the LLF votes. The motion had several parts (for details https://lawandreligionuk.com/2024/07/08/general-synod-support-for-same-sex-relationships/ The results were as follows: Bishops 22 for, 12 against, 5 abstained. Clergy: 99 for, 88 against, 2 abstained. Laity: 95 for, 91 against, 2 abstained. 6 ## _Diocesan Budget 2025:_ Nick Moir said that the Diocesan budget had been published rather later in the year than normal. He has pressed for the budget to be published in future in the Summer. One issue is that the Diocesan Secretary is on long-term sick leave. He stated that the figures for ‘wider ministry costs’ are not accurate. Ministry share: Nick Moir gave an outline of the calculation: Dioceses have resources from former Glebe land. These subsidise parish ministry. Other money comes from Ministry Share. As a guideline, the direct cost of 1 stipendiary clergy person will be £55k in 2025. Wider costs: investing in the future e.g. curates (£12k); legal, archdeacons, safeguarding, DAC (£25k). So the full cost per clergy post is about £93k. All ‘investing in the future’ costs are covered by historic assets. One third of ‘wider ministry costs’ are also subsidised by historic assets. ## _Election of Standing Committee and Pastoral Committee:_ Nick Moir said the Standing Committee can carry out the business of the Synod between meetings. The Pastoral Committee is the official body in a deanery that has to be consulted about changes to church provision in the deanery. Please let him or Lindsay Davies know if you wish to be on these committees. ## **13 May 2025:** Joint Deanery Synod Iain Osborne, Senior Chaplain and Strategy Advisor to the Acting Bishop of Ely, gave a realistic presentation on the current challenges to the diocese's strategy, missional priorities and finances. One piece of good news is that there is growth in the total worshipping community across the diocese, up 2.5% (2022-23) and up 4.2% in usual Sunday attendance; this is being seen across dioceses - (https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/research/quiet revival) ## Issues divided into, Feeding the soil: Build trust, support key leaders and smallest churches, partnerships for growth and supporting churches in organisation. Sowing seeds: Priorities over the next 2 years - outreach to new housing/communities; parish operations i.e. admin, finance; schools, children/youth/families work; leaders; social justice Current challenges are recruiting for a new Diocesan Secretary (interviews in July) and appointing Diocesan Bishop (early Nov). Finance: looking at diocese in deficit of c.£370k in 2025 mostly due to rise in NI and fall in ministry share. No plans for large scale bids to the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board before a bishop is appointed, except some funding for specialist curates i.e. pioneering and rural. There was a report back from General Synod representatives on the February meeting which was dominated by safeguarding discussions. No one was available to give feedback on Diocesan Synod. AOB: a call from Lindsay Davies for more participation in the long running Cambridge/Heidelberg Ecumenical group (Janet is meeting with them in September). Thanks to Oliver Coates, Gill Mead and Jane Holmes for attending meetings. Janet Bunker 7 ## **Report from the PCC** Report on activities of the PCC in 2024-25 The PCC had four ordinary meetings (28 May, 15 August, and 16 October 2024, and 20 February 2025) and one extraordinary meeting (18 November 2024) this year. Janet Bunker continued as Chair, Patricia McGuire as secretary, Richard Footitt as Treasurer and Paul Gibbs as Lay Chair. _Parish Room_ : There were no tenants in place until early autumn, when Escapology Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu took up a tenancy. Extensive and sometimes costly repairs and surveys were required. _Darwin Green_ : Janet continued to follow progress on Darwin Green, which included that the community rooms became available for hire but the trigger occupancy level had not yet been reached for the library to be fitted out. _Ministry_ : Negotiations with parties including the Cambridgeshire Ecumenical Council and the URC Eastern Synod, about the constitution of our ECC partnership and plans for ministry, are ongoing. The Church of England ministry provision is also under consideration within the diocese. At the extraordinary meeting it was decided to increase our ministry share payments to 1.5 FTE, which was felt to be a wise decision, by Nick Moir, the Rural Dean for North Cambridge Deanery when he attended the February 20, 2025 meeting of the PCC, particularly when considering Janet’s expected retirement in November. _Parish Day of Wellbeing_ : St Luke’s hosted a parish Wellbeing event over the weekend beginning 18th October including a visit from St Luke’s School on Friday, with Saturday being a free-of-charge Day of Wellbeing for the whole local community. _Burial Ground_ : The Commonwealth War Graves Commission erected a plaque at the entrance gate indicating the presence of war graves in the Ascension Parish Burial Ground. An art installation explored plant communication, with non-harmful electrodes inserted into the trees and the electrical signals turned into sounds. The Burial Ground and the parish were very saddened by the death of the tenant stone-carver Eric Marland, after a prolonged illness. _Office and management_ : The website, which had been managed by the Parish Administrator, is being better supported now by the web host. All of the parish policies were reviewed, updated as necessary and approved. _St Luke’s School_ : The Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methods Schools (SIAMS) visit was undertaken on October 4, to assess the relationship between the church and its school, and how well the Christian ethos is maintained at the school. See the school report, below. _Authorised Lay Minister:_ Gill Mead was approved to train for an Authorised Lay Ministry in Worship and Music. Patricia McGuire, PCC Secretary 8 ## **Churchwardens' Reports** ## **St Augustine's Church** St Augustine’s continues to provide its community with high quality musical and other events of great variety. On New Years Day, St Augustine’s was full to bursting for a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore by Cambridge Light Opera Group and the St Augustine’s Singers. The St Augustine's Singers (now conducted by Paul Jackson) also took part in the popular Good Friday reflections and at the Easter Day service. The eclectic Friday Night at St Augustine’s talks continue to attract large and engaged audiences. We have had experts talking on topics from dancing to drains and water quality! The monthly Sunday Community lunches (now in their 50[th] year) continue to thrive with over 50 people regularly attending and the twice weekly Cafe@99 is popular with locals, hall users and dogs alike! Additional helpers for both these valued community events are always welcome. The Richmond Road Residents’ Association annual Quiz Night proved as popular as ever and continues to bring people together in fun and frustration as well as raising vital funds for the RRRA. We are conscious of our commitments as a member of the Inclusive Church network, holding a ‘Love is Love’ weekend to coincide with Cambridge Pride which included a concert by St Augustine's Singers who gave rousing renditions of ‘All You Need is Love’ and Dame Ethel Smythe's ‘March of the Women’. The priest, psychiatrist, writer and theologian Rev Dr Charlie Bell gave a witty and thought-provoking talk on Queer Holiness and we acknowledged Black History Month with a talk on Unconscious Racism and a jam-packed concert by local steel band, The Steel Invaders. The church community mourned the loss of two long-term members, holding the funerals of David Wilson and Charmian Westwood and supporting those who mourned their passing. We are a small but loyal congregation who strive to look outward to the needs of our wider community as much as possible with regular food collections for Cambridge Sustainable Food and many local groups using our upgraded facilities. Gill Mead, Churchwarden ## **St Giles' Church** Liturgical activities continue to include separate CofE and Romanian Orthodox services on Sundays, weekdays and festivals. Community activities continue with weekly hospitality, regular cake sales and occasional fetes. The church is open every day and, being close to the city centre, receives a steady flow of appreciative visitors. The building is being damaged over time by rainwater, so it is very important to make sure the it keeps a ‘dry hat and boots’. We were fortunate in securing a £216,667 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £3,000 from the Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust, for gutter, window and masonry renovation. So scaffolding is necessary outside and inside the south wall, and then the north wall. Completion will coincide with the building's sesquicentennial. Sufficiency of the grant cover is challenged by rising costs and a government decision to charge VAT on repairs to listed places of worship, but managing the site and involving the community is by volunteers, and completion is underwritten by reserves of St Giles' Church, the Friends of St Giles’ Church and the parish. The main grant also supports restoration to public view of two historic banners in accordance with faculty granted in 2018. These banners will be available for reviewing by the general public in specially lit display cases at a later stage in the project. 9 Significant developments have been made in attempting to research, safeguard, and interpret the historical fabric of the church. These include the identification of a potentially significant painting within the church, and the commissioning of initial guidance on testing and dating of this work. Additionally, contextual information regarding the work has been gathered via research at the county Records Office in Ely, as well as at the University Library and online. A second and more recent focus of this work has been the Carre Memorial in the Lady Chapel, which is pending structural assessment for future restoration. Efforts have been made to provide interpretation for the monument, which is of considerable importance for its connection to Tudor Cambridge. St Giles has received the papers of the late Sylvia Pick, including her history of St Giles and other research materials, and, more recently, Margaret Waring has kindly donated her research notes about the fabric of the church to the parish archive. Discussions are in process to secure the transferal of the church’s archive to the County Records Office in Ely. Oliver Coates, Churchwarden **St Luke’s Church** (United Reformed and Anglican Local Ecumenical Partnership, LEP) ( _edited from Reports to the Annual Congregational Meeting, March 2025_ ) St Luke’s Common Roll update at the end of 2024 showed a total membership of 31. The average Sunday morning church attendance is 24, children seldom attend. There was one wedding, one baptism and four funerals. During 2024 we were deeply saddened by the deaths of Jane Hodgart, Beryl Steggall and Heather Taplin, our Church Centre Supervisor and Bookings Clerk. Both denominations in St Luke’s Local Ecumenical Partnership (Church of England with United Reformed Church) are still struggling with a shortage of ordained ministers. Revd Philipa King, Team Rector of Ascension Parish, is on long term sick leave and Revd Janet Bunker, Team Vicar, is providing parish leadership. We still have no stipendiary URC ministry, but we are very fortunate to have Revd Deborah McVey as our Interim Moderator of the Vacancy until a more permanent solution is worked out. We are very grateful to those who assist Janet, particularly Margaret Cooper, Tom Ambrose and Gill Ambrose. United Reformed Church ministers (generally retired) lead fourth Sundays, as ‘pulpit supply’ and the Communion elements are distributed in the URC style. Deborah has led many of these services, and we have also enjoyed ministry from Revds David Thompson, Lance Stone and David Tatem. Looking to future URC ministry in St Luke’s, URC Eastern Synod has agreed to implement the principle of ‘Mission Partnerships’ where groups of churches will be linked together for mutual support with one ordained minister between them. Much has yet to be worked out, but it is likely that St Luke’s will be in partnership with Downing Place URC, Fulbourn URC, and Stetchworth and Cheveley congregations (the latter two are very small) while still remaining part of the Parish of the Ascension. We are grateful to Philip Mead and Jo Blakeman who now play for most of the services and others who can give occasional help. The major social event of the year was the 150[th] Anniversary weekend on 19[th] /20[th] October. The Saturday was billed as a day of well-being for the community, when everyone was welcomed to a very well-supported afternoon of free refreshments, performances and displays by all the groups who regularly hire the building, including CSD Brass, Acroyoga and many more. An historical photographic display was mounted and The Old School was also open with displays from today’s pupils of St Luke’s School. The church looked beautiful, thanks to the flower arrangers, Mavis Willis, May Block, Isobel Fox, Angela Gibb, Joan Jeans and Lib Hallam. Heather Richardson wrote a fully illustrated booklet for the occasion. ‘St Luke’s in the community, 1874-2024’, which is still available for sale at £5 for church funds. A huge success thanks to everybody, particularly Margaret Cooper as the mastermind. The church continues to host an art group, exhibitions, a knitting group, ‘Breathing Space’ – a prayer group, and many other local groups. 10 **Fundraising:** This continued with the popular Winter travel talks with supper; Tom and Gill Ambrose on ‘Hidden Spain’ and Angela and Paul Gibbs on South Korea. Christian Aid week collection in May was organized as usual by Frances Klein and supported by a small group delivering gift envelopes to local streets. St Luke’s was open on Saturday 17[th] September for the annual Historic Churches ‘Ride and Stride’, when the annual ‘Spring clean’ of the building was undertaken by a small group of willing helpers. Quarterly charity collections continued throughout the year; Red Hen, Salvation Army, Commitment for Life and Toilet Twinning during 2024, and Arthur Rank Hospice, RNIB, Commitment for Life and Embrace the Middle East were chosen for 2025. **Joint Church Council (JCC):** Joint Council is composed of members of both the Anglican and the United Reformed denominations. There are staff shortages of both sides of the Partnership. Along with the Anglicans there is a shortage of ordained ministry and finance to support those in post. It is proving difficult to find ordained URC ministers (retired or otherwise) to take the ‘pulpit’ on the fourth Sunday of the month. We are grateful for the support from Margaret Cooper and Gill and Tom Ambrose to help out on a regular basis. Currently there are talks ongoing about Mission Partnerships and the sharing of people and skills. Mark Burleigh is the new County Ecumenical Officer. **Safeguarding:** There were no safeguarding concerns reported at St Luke’s within the past year. The focus for the Safeguarding Officer (Angela Gibbs) is therefore compliance with DBS checks and safeguarding training for all members of ECC. All members of ECC have up-to-date DBS checks but there is still outstanding basic and foundation training to be completed for some. In-person training sessions will be run for the whole parish once the new ECC and PCC have been elected, and there is an expectation that all those who have been unable to complete courses up until now, will attend. **St Luke’s Church Centre 2024** : Sadly, the Centre’s manager, Heather Taplin, died on 23[rd] November 2024 and although much has been done to pick up the work she did, this has taken time and is still not completely achieved. It is intended to appoint a new Centre Manager in the spring. Meanwhile the Centre has continued to be extensively used. Smith’s Nursery and COPE remain our major licensees. As the Steinway Grand Piano has been refurbished there have been more musical events and we have received more requests through the Church at Castle Website. The use of the Worship Area has increased from just local and national elections to conferences, large meetings, physical activities requiring high ceilings and musical performances, practices and rehearsals. The Old School has also been used for art classes and exhibitions, formal meetings, story-telling, elections, and parties. More use will be possible there when there is a resolution to the heating problem. A second cleaner has been employed to look after the worship area and the Old School. Thanks are due to Caroline and Gordon for keeping the building clean and safe this year. Illegal Car Parking still presents a problem. We are grateful to ABIB and Hibbitts who rent car parking space and plans for control of the parking await the appointment of a new Centre Manager. Maintenance of the building has been limited to general servicing and repairs which are required every year; Fire Safety, Boiler Servicing, Gutter Cleaning, Lift Servicing, Lightning Conductor and testing, Organ and Piano tuning and PAT testing. The Belfry was cleaned and woodworm protection applied, and the South Porch woodwork was oiled to prevent further weather damage. Many thanks are due for the hard work that Frances Klein does on the church buildings and their bookings. Janet Bunker 11 ## **Finance and Accounts:** St Luke’s Church Centre and St Luke’s Anglican Accounts are part of the Ascension Parochial Church Accounts. Basic unaudited accounts of the income and expenditure of the Church Centre and St Luke’s Anglican in 2024 were presented at St Luke’s Annual General Meeting in March 2025. The Ascension PCC is a charity and the combined Parish Accounts are published with the Annual Report of the Parish of the Ascension. _St Luke’s Church Centre:_ This was a difficult year for the Centre and it was not possible for all transactions to be finalised during the calendar year. Some invoices for 2024 rents have not yet been put through and some expenditure has not been claimed. It is likely that the deficit recorded will be greater than reported although we are still awaiting the settlement of our insurance claim against the burglary in 2022. Rents were less than in 2023 and most of our outgoings increased. 2025 will show further increases as we now have two cleaning contracts and there will be an increase in the cost of Centre Management as well as expenditure on office equipment. We will continue to do maintenance in line with the 2024 Quinquennial Review. The Old School needs better heating and other improvements, and has incurred a new cost, that of Council Tax which we are challenging. All this means that we need to increase our number of renters and consider increasing our rental charges above the level of inflation. The review of our energy installations and costs remains a priority. _St Luke’s Anglican Accounts:_ Our planned giving and church collections did not quite cover the cost of the Parish Share this year. Our other costs were very small. We need to increase our giving if we are to be able to cover the increased Parish Share in 2025. Thank you to all who contribute regularly to the church. Planned Giving Envelopes are available for anyone who would like to contribute regularly. Another way is by standing order. If you are able to gift aid your contributions this can increase the value to the church by twenty five percent Frances Klein, Paul Gibbs- Churchwardens ## **Safeguarding Report** Our safeguarding policy is reviewed and updated annually in February. My main job as safeguarding officer has been overseeing DBS checks and safeguarding training in the parish. These are required for all members of ECC and PCC. We continue to make slow progress in completing this task. Some members are very diligent and are up to date, other have not started. Training records are held on the parish safeguarding hub, enabling us to keep up to date with requirements. Throughout the parish, there was one complaint of safeguarding concern over the past year. This concerned offence taken to a conversation during a regular community social event. As a result of this, an apology was issued and an action plan was implemented. This consisted of a policy of only meeting in the open church rather than the vestry, only meeting when suitable people are able to supervise the meeting and the compilation of a contact list. Many thanks to Sheila Rozeik and Jane Bunker for their support. Angela Gibbs ## **St Luke's (VA) Church of England Primary School** St Luke’s Primary School is on French’s Road, not far from St Luke’s Church, on a site to which the school moved in the 1960s, from a set of buildings that surrounded the church building itself. The original site, and its diverse buildings, reflected the school’s foundations in the nineteenth century as several small educational establishments started with different purposes (e.g. one was an ‘industrial school’ for boys) and supported by a university-led charity, The Old Schools of Cambridge, to educate the growing population of needy 12 children from the newly developing industrial neighbourhood. The present extensive and beautiful site is still owned by The Old Schools Trust, and thus safe from development, representing a delightful and attractive green space for the children to enjoy. After a period of turbulence, the school, led by Headteacher Mrs Ireland-Curtis, though much smaller in numbers than hitherto, is a stable and happy establishment. Staffing is stable and last year’s validated KS2 results were well above the national average (which is 61%), with 82% of Year 6 children achieving the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths. The school still has a diverse and transient population, reflecting the nature of the area, with the families of visiting university scholars and families in local temporary accommodation joining those who will spend the whole of their primary education at St Luke’s. This is both enriching and challenging but, as any visitor will note, the school is a happy place, supporting confident children and now boldly celebrating its church foundation. This was recognised by a recent SIAMS inspection which recorded that ‘Secure in their “environment of encouragement and compassion” the school community is inspired to take responsibility for others and the world. This leads to an outward-looking culture and builds concern for those within the school, in the city and beyond.’ St Luke’s School is now part of the Diocese of Ely’s academy trust, DEMAT, and it is also supported by the charity which succeeded The Old Schools Trust, the Church Schools of Cambridge. Janet Bunker, the Team Vicar, and Gill Ambrose are both members of the School’s local governing body and are trustees of the CSOC Trust. Janet and Gill take it in turns to lead collective worship in the school each Thursday. The school also worships in St Luke’s Church at the end of each term and held a special service last October to mark the Church’s 150[th] anniversary. Gill Ambrose, ALM ## **Parish of the Ascension Burial Ground** The closed burial ground continues to be a place for quiet walks and contemplation by its’ surrounding community. The Friends of the Burial Ground hold regular working parties in conjunction with the City Council's team who now have legal responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of this precious community and wildlife asset. ## **Friends of the Ascension Burial Ground 2024** The Friends of the Parish of the Ascension Burial Ground met for 11 work parties, and AGM and Christmas party, and lead tours to all who requested. Grass has been cut and raked throughout the year, ensuring that flowers could grow and gravestones were visible. A major project was mending and re-erecting 10 gravestones which otherwise were becoming invisible. Alison Taylor Copies of this report are available online at https://www.churchatcastle.org/about 13 Repairs to monuments at the Ascension Burial Ground St Luke’s 150[th] Anniversary Service Story Quilt made by St Luke’s School **----- Start of picture text -----**
xee SSNe a. RSSSS SSS OS
38 oo [a]
— ge Se
**----- End of picture text -----**
Lighting the Paschal Candle for baptism Services and community activities continued at St Giles’ New Year’s Day at St Augustine’s 14 THE PARISH OF THE ASCENSION CAMBRIDGE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Registered Charity number 1172822 PARISH OFTHEASCENSION, CAMBRIDGE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER2024 Contents Pages Annual Report Independent Examinerfs ReF)Ort Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Statement of Cashflows Notes to the Financial Statements PARISH OF THE ASCENSION, CAMBRIDGE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 This is the annual report of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Benefice of the Ascension, Cambridge (St Giles with St Peter, St Luke and St Augustinel, known as the Parish of the Ascension, Cambridge for the year ended 31 December 2024. Background The Parish of the Ascension, Cambridge is the largest in the Diocese of Ely, covering an area in Cambridge bounded by Queens Road, Madingley Road, Hunlingdon Road and Gilbert Road. The Parochial Church Council {"PCC"} of the parish has the responsibility of Co-operating with the Ministry Team in promoting in the Parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for Sl Luke's Church, The Old School, Sl Giles, Church, St Augustine's Church and the Parish Room ISI Giles, Hall). In addition we work with the Romanian Orthodox ChLtrch who share the building at St. Giles,. It is a registered charity, no. 1172822, address As￿nsion Parish Office, The Old School, Harvey Goodwin Avenue, Cambridge CB4 3EU. Structure, governance and management The goveming document is the Parochial Church Council Power3 Measure119561 as amended and Church Representation Rules that came into for￿ on 2 January 1957., the latest edition of these rules, 2022, is available online https'.Ilwww.churchofengl8nd.orglabouVleadership-and-goveman(*llegal-reSour￿sjchurCh-repreSentatlon- rules The PCC oversees the working of the parish through its regular meetings and through District Church Councils at St Augustine's and St Giles, and an Ecumenical Church Counul at Sl Luke's Local Ecumenical Partnership. Members of the PCC a￿ those outlined as eligible under the Church Representation Rules 2022 Isection B.. M15). During the year and to the time at which these accounts are approved, the following served as members of the pcc. Rector The Revd Canon Philipa lQ"ng lon long temi sickness absen￿) The Revd Dr Janet Bunker The Revd Dr Tom Ambrose The Revd Deborah Mcvey linleriml The Revd Canon Dr Owen Spencer Thomas Margaret Cooper Gill Ambrose Team Vicar Assl. Priest URC Minister Retired Priest LI￿nSed Lay MiTr￿ter Authorised Lay Minister for Children Churchwardens Nomia Davies Gillian Mead Oliver Coates Paul Gibbs Frances KSein Deanery Synod representslives Jane Holmes Gillian Mead Oliver Coates Treasurer Richard Footitt Elected Members, also secretary Patricia McGuire, also Secretary Antony Rix Luis Jimenez Pina stella Cross Richard Calchpole May Block Gill Ambrose Joan Jeans Parish Safeguarding Officer Angela Gibbs PARISH OF THE ASCENSION, CAMBRIDGE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Objectives and actlvlties The key function of the charity is through its aclivities to promote in the Parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. In setb.ng and reviewing the objectives and activities the T¥ustees have had due regard to the publiG benefrt guidan￿ issued by the Charity Commission. A¢hlevements and Perfomi¥n¢e The Parish also looks to ￿spOnd creatively to the Di0￿8an Vision prayer thal we should be generoLSS and visible people of Jesus Christ. 2024 has been another Challenging year for all parishes as they recover and adapt to a post-covid environment and with the continuing long tem sickness absence of the Rector. Our main sour￿$ of income remain those re￿iVed from the hire of our buildings to community gr0￿pS and organisations, especially the rental of the Partsh Room, planned giving from our congregations and events where donations are made. The completion of the refvrbishment of The Old School al St Luke's has also enabled us to offer this space for rental lo local organisations as a community assel. There Seems to have been pent up demand for meeting spa￿ as not only have most of our long term users tumed, but also many new groups and users have sotsghl to hire Spa￿ in our churches. This is welcome but also puts extra pressure on the buildings and their man8gemenL the latter mostly undertaken by volunteers. We colltinue to collaborate with those working for the eommon good and human ftourishing wthin the parish and wider crty especially looking to meet the needs of those experiencing the cost of living crisis. Each church has responded appropriately considering its resources, human and financial. So for example Sl Augustine's has supported financially the local authority's Akeman CommLtnily Centre Warm Space initiative working with and through one of the local residents, associations, and Sl Giles, has extended its weekly Tea@Three lo include a simple soup lunch which c￿mplements the moming offering of hospitslily from our neighbours Castle Sl Methodists. Each church supports a variety of local, national and intemalional charit￿s. The year ahead looks no less challenging wlh anticipated changes in the deployment of clergy and ministers due to ill health, retirement and reduced capability of central church organisations lo employ ministers. Employing good admin staff in Cambridge also presents challenges. With continuing financial pressures on local authority services and community facilitses and in such a diverse, busy and eVer-grO￿ng pla￿ such as Cambridge where inequalities of opportunity can be very stat1(, we look to continue to use all our reSoUr￿s, physical. human and spiritual, to offer generous hospitality and an open welcome to those seeking rest, recreation, feftection, friendship and Christian fellowship. We conlinue lo hold firm lo God's promise in our Saviour Jesus Christ that he will be with us until the end of the age and lo use all we are and have for the benefit and building up of our communities. PARISH OF THE ASCENSION. CAMBRIDGE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Financial Review of the year The principal funding sou￿$ are through regular giving, collections at Servi￿9, donations, and income from investments and rents. Hall hire and rental inujmes increased in the year, as did planned giving and donations for which we remain very gratefvl. Our overall income however fell sl(ghUy, reflecting the Comp￿tion of wotk was grant funded in 2023. Day to day funning costs increased on a broad front in line w7th inflation and the need lo keep each church In good repair whilst maintaining our mission outreach. The change of tenants al Sl Giles's Hall Ilhe Parish Room) Was also a contributory factor, with the inevitable additional repairs and legal costs. Even so, the Parish was able lo maintain the commitment to infftase its Parish Share year-on-year. So overall, 2024 rec￿rded a shortfall of c£2101)O in respect of day to day activities. By contrast, non-propety investments held in CBF Church of England Funds generated a gain of nearly £16 000 in 2024. Pollcy on Reserves Unrestricted funds are used by the PCC to pay for everyday expenses, including the upkeep and maintenance of the churches, and at their discretion for furthering the mission and ministry of the Churth. These amounted lo £962 000 al the end of the year as against £990 000 al the end of 2023. Restricted funds are principally available for the caprtal development of the churches, totaling £273,754 for the year to 31 December 2024 up c£2 000 Dn the p￿VIouS year end. Much of the income from Endowment funds is available only for the upkeep of the bL¢rsal ground, often for sperific graves, but ¥Mth a Small sum available for more general purposes at the digcretion of the PCC. These funds al the end of 2024 stood at c£63 000 as against (£61000 at the start of the year. On behalf of the PCC: Date.. 291512025 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE PARISH OF THE ASCENSION, CAMBRIDGE I report ori the accounts of Parochial Ch*Jrch Council of the Parish of the Ascension, Carnbridge I'the PCC") for Ilie year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 5 to 11. Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner The members of the Parochial Church Council are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider than an audit is not required for this year Lsnder section 144{2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed. 11 is my responsibility lo: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act-, lo follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145{5llbl of the Act., and to slate whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's opinion My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of ar7y unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do nol provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequenlly no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below. Independent examinerfs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come lo my altention-. lal which gives me reasonable cause to believe Ihal in any material respect the requirements.. lo keep accounting records in accordance with seclion 130 of the Act.. and to prepare aGcounts which accord with the accounting records and lo comply with the accounting requirements of the Act. Ibl to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Julian Day FMAAT ACA 8FP ACCA Day Accounlanls Quern House Mill Court Great Shelford Cambridgeshire C822 5LD Dale 29 May 2025 PARISH OF THE ASCENSION, CAMBRIDGE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Unrestricted Restrlctsd Endowm8nt Funds Funds Funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Nots Inc(wne Donations & l*Jaaes Charitsble activi(K?S Investments 2181 2{bl 21cl 48,188 209,417 6,179 48,188 2()9,417 6,179 69,538 205,164 3,777 Total Income 263,784 3,784 278,479 Expenditure Raising funds Charrtable ActNiÉies'. Parish Share Ministerial costs Costs of church activities 31a) 4,826 4,826 31b} 31¢) 31d) 78,136 8,713 179,366 78,136 8,713 179,366 73,290 5,970 113,226 Governanc6 Costs 31el 13,667 13,667 8,356 Totsl Expendfturn 284.708 284,708 204. 146 Net Incomel{Expenditurel Bgfore Transfe 120,9241 120,924) 74,333 Transfer Betsveen Funds.. Transfer Ilo)Ifrom Restricted Funds Net IncomellExpenditure} for the year {20,9241 120,9241 74,333 Other recognlsed gains and (losses) Unrealised gainslllossesl on investment assets 8,879 5,114 1,032 15,025 33,560 Net Movoment in Funds Reconciliation of Funds.. 112,045) 5,114 15,899) 107,893 Fund balances blfwd at 1 January 2023 Fund Balances clfwd at 31 December 2024 1,059,275 1,047.230 201,060 2￿,174 61,160 62,192 1,321,495 1,315,5 1,213,602 1,321,495 Incc*n8 and exFenditLsre is derived solely frcm continuing operations The notes on pages 8 - 11 form part of these financial statement$ PARISH OF THE ASCENSION, CAMBRIDGE BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 2024 2023 Note FIXED ASSETS Investments 1,074,118 1,058,437 CURRENT ASSETS Deblors Cash al Bank and In Hand 15,718 233 996 249,714 21,436 245188 266,624 CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors - Amounts Falling Due Within One Year NET CURRENT ASSETS 241,478 241,478 263,058 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,315,596 1,321,495 Creditors- Amounts Falling Due After More Than One Year NET ASSETS 1 315596 1 321 495 .FUNDS Unreslricled Funds Reslricled Funds Endowment Funds Total Funds 1,047,230 206,174 1,059,275 201,060 61.160 1.321 .495 10 1 315 596 Approved by Churc17 Meeting held on and signed on its behalf The notes on pages 8 - 11 form part of these financial slalements PARISH OF THEASCENSION, CAMBRIDGE STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS ASAT31 DECEMBER2024 2024 2023 Note (below) Cash flow from operating activities: Net cash provided by operating activities (16,715) 47,672 Cash flow from investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period {11,192) 50,262 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting perlod 245 188 194 926 233 996 245188 Notes to the statement of cash flow A) Reconciliation of net income to net cashflow from operating activities Net incomel(expenditurel forthe reporting period as per the statement of financial activites Gainl{Loss} on investments Investment income {Increase)IDeGrease in debtors {Decrease)Ilncrease in creditors Net cash provided by operating activities (5,899) (15,025) (6,179) 5,718 107,893 (33,560) (3,777) (19,218) B) Cashflow from investing activites Investment income Investment additions Investment disposals 6,179 (656) 3,777 (2,180) 992 C) Analysis of cash and cash equivalents Cash at bank and in hand 233 996 245 188 PARISH OF THE ASCENSION, CAMBRIDGE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 1 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared in accordan￿ with the Statement of Re￿rnMended Practice applicable to charities preparing accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the UK and the Republic of Ireland ISORP FRS1021 and the Charil*es Act 2011. The charity is a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial Statements are Prepared on a going con￿rn basis under the historical u)st convention modified to include ￿rtain items at fair value. Significant accounting poliGies are set out below. These policies have been applied consistently lo all years unless othemise staled. Fund accounting Unrestricted funds are available to use at the discretion of the church in furtherance of its charitable objectives. They are not subject to any restrictions regarding their LESe. Designated funds are funds which have been set aside for specific purposes, bul which can be returned lo general funds al any time, with the approval of the Church Meeting,. there are no fijnds falling into this category in the year or prior year. Restricted fijnds are subject to restridions on their expenditure imposed by the donor, or contained in the terms of the grant. Endowment funds are fvnds where the capital given is not available to be spent or is only available to be spent under ￿rtain rCumstan￿s. Fixed as$ets and capital expenditu Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts in alLOrdan￿ wrth the Charities Acl 2011. Nor is any value induded for moveable church fijmishings held by the d)ur¢h wardens on special trust ftir the PCC Sin￿ the PCC conS￿erS this to be inalienable property. All expenditure on consecrated or beneficed buildings and moveable church furnishings, whether maintenance or improvement, is written off as repairs and improvement expenditure in the Statement of Financial Activities. Where deemed material expenditure on other fixtures, fittings and equipment is capitalised and depreciated over ils estimated useftjl life,. no such assets are included in these fir*anryal statements. Expenditure on such items not deemed material is written off as incurred. Investments and Investment Properties Inveslrrents are included at their fair value on the balance sheet date. With the exception of property the PCC only has investments in the Central Board of Finance of the Church of England Deposit and Investment Funds for which quoted market value is available which is taken as fair value. Deposit investments are not for fixed lemis and deposit value is laken as fair value. Property investments are included at their estimated market value. No fomial valuation has been carried oijt and value given for the property is, in the opinion of the PCC, a reasonable representation of market value. Changes in valualion of investment and investment properties over the year are recognised in the Slalement of Financtal Activities. Income All voluntary giving is included in the financial ststements for the period in which it is re￿ived. Donations under Gift Aid plus the associated tax recovery are ￿COgniSed as income when the donation is received. Legacies are accounted for when their receipt is ￿rtain and can be properly quantified. All other income is generally recognised wtten it is re￿1Vable. Expendlture Expenditure is recognised in the period in which rt is incurred and includes attributable VAT which cannot be recovered. It is allocated lo the particular activity to which it relates on an actual attributable basis. G0Vem8n￿ costs represent direct expenditure on the govemance of the chur¢h, induding the production and independent scrutiny of lttese financial statements. As most of the management and activity of the church is carried out by volunteers, Ihss intsngible cost is not included in the financial statements as this voluntary contribution to the life of the Church is incalculable. PARISH OF THE ASCENSION, CAM8RIDGE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THEY&4R ENDED 310ECEMBER 2024 2 INCOME Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Endowment Total Funds Funds 2024 Totsl Funds 2023 la) Donations & 19gacies: Planned giving - under gift Tax Recoverable Other planned gNing Collections in service Grants Sundry don8tions Legac￿5 29,706 29,706 28,342 750 101 3,665 13.966 750 101 3,665 13,966 2,008 27,305 11,283 48,188 48,188 69,538 {bl Charitable activities Fundraising l events Fees Hall and ie181ed rents Children. Social events.Publicalions,RetTeal 1,611 1,578 204,604 1,611 1,578 204.604 1,856 2,323 198,861 1.623 209,417 2,124 205,164 209,417 Icl Investments.. Bank interest & dividends Rents and similar income 6,179 6,179 6,179 6,179 ,777 Total Income 263.784 263,784 278,479 3 EXPENDITURE Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Endowment Total Funds Funds 2024 Totsl Funds 2023 lal Raising Funds Cost of fund raising events 4826 4,826 4.826 4,826 3,304 3,304 Ibl Parish sharg 78,136 78,136 The church contributes lo the central Diocese costs of training and provtding ministers linduding the centralised payment of stipends, pension contributions and other benefits for minisletsl, running the denomination, and the wider mission of the national church. 73,290 Icl Minssterlal Costs Ministers expenses Worship resources Musical lrfe of the church 1,060 7,653 8,713 8.713 ,970 Id) Costs of Church Actlvities Premises running costs.. Rates and utilities Insuran Repairs and maintenance Major buildin9 expendrtuie Caretaker and cleaning Legal and professional 28,085 15,029 71,346 28,085 15,029 71,346 25,710 9,075 18,130 21,568 21,568 775 136,803 19,867 136.803 72,832 Administration costs offi￿ costs Staff costs 11,684 11,684 30,879 10,510 27,872 38,382 42,563 PARISH OF THE ASCENSION. CAMBRIDGE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 3 RESOURCES EXPENDED Icontlnuedl Un￿stricted Funds Restricted Funds Endowment Total Funds Funds 2024 Totsl Funds 2023 Mission Outreach: Other outreach CA)sts Don*ions 2,011 2,011 179366 179,366 113,225 lal Govemance Costs Accountsncy and Bookkeeping 667 13,667 13,667 13,667 8,356 8,356 Totsl Resourc9s Expended 284,708 204,145 4 STAFF COSTS 2024 2023 Wages and Salaries 30,879 27,872 No Trustee received remuneration OT Other benefit in the year. Covid19 Furlough grants received are recorded in grant income. S FIXED ASSErs For the reasons stated in Accounting Policy note 1. the church buildings are not tsngible fjxed asse15 of the church. The principal operational asset apart from consecrated and benefK*d propety is the building known as the Old School House. No value is included in these aceounls as no details are available gs to original cost and it is not practicable lo assTgn a meaningful valye in usè yet. 6 INVESTMENTS 2024 2023 Fair value brought forward Additions Disposals Net unrealised gainslllossesl Fair value at 31 December 2024 1,058,436 1,023,688 2,180 19921 33,560 15,026 4,17 Made up as follows.. Central Board of Finan￿ of the Church of England". Deposit Fund Investment Fund Investrnent Property - Parish Room 74,036 362,243 637,838 72,084 348,514 637,838 7 DE8TORS 2024 2023 Tax recoverab Other debtors 15,718 21,436 8 CREDITORS: amgunls falling due within one year. 2023 Other Credito 8,236 3,566 10 PARISH OF THE ASCENSION. CAMBRIDGE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 9 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS 2024 2023 13,150 St Augustine'$ Income Account St Augustine's Capital Ac£ount Sl Giles Income AcLount St Luke's Capfial Acuunl St Luke's Church Centfe Income A￿Unt PCC Income Acknount Parish Room Parish Room Repairs Mason Fund (residual legacy) Old Junior School Income Fund 10.946 9,776 1,159 10,846 132,333 637,838 8,143 170,938 5,994 10,685 1,159 13,062 94.186 637,838 8,143 179,664 6,028 10 RESTRICTED FUNDS 2024 2023 St Augustine's Mason Legacy Sl Giles Fabric Fund St Giles Legacies Fund St Giles Organ Fund Lewis Bequest Grave Trust Fitzpatrid( Grave Trust Sl Luke's Church Centre Fabric Fund St Luke's Income Account St Luke's Le9ac4es Sl Luke's Belinda Parham legacy st Luke's E￿on Legacy PCC Capital Fund PCC Graves Mainfrnan¢ Crisp Legacy 2,247 24,370 2,129 3,704 2,104 2,937 9C6 88,592 33,887 6,869 327 95,836 6,848 2,997 2,247 24,370 2,129 3,704 2,057 2,871 9C6 68,248 33,887 6,523 327 91,181 5,516 2,997 11 ENDOWMENT FUNDS 2024 2023 2,758 9,992 14,448 20,074 4,947 9,061 Slretten Ave Sale Proceeds FC Shove GTave Trust Bfaybrooke Grave Trust Blackman Grave Trust Mss FM Kent Bequest Old Jnr School 2,821 10.220 14,645 20,533 5,098 9,650 12 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS Unrestricted funds Rgstrictgd funds Endowment funds Totsl Investments Current Assets Liabilities falling due within one year Fund Balan 832,837 137,115 178,313 95,440 62,967 1,074,117 232,556 961 718 1298 437 13 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS There are no related paty transactions requiring disc105ure. 11 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE PARISH OF THE ASCENSION, CAMBRIDGE I report ori the accounts of Parochial Ch*Jrch Council of the Parish of the Ascension, Carnbridge I'the PCC") for Ilie year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 5 to 11. Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner The members of the Parochial Church Council are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider than an audit is not required for this year Lsnder section 144{2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed. 11 is my responsibility lo: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act-, lo follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145{5llbl of the Act., and to slate whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's opinion My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of ar7y unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do nol provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequenlly no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below. Independent examinerfs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come lo my altention-. lal which gives me reasonable cause to believe Ihal in any material respect the requirements.. lo keep accounting records in accordance with seclion 130 of the Act.. and to prepare aGcounts which accord with the accounting records and lo comply with the accounting requirements of the Act. Ibl to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Julian Day FMAAT ACA 8FP ACCA Day Accounlanls Quern House Mill Court Great Shelford Cambridgeshire C822 5LD Dale 29 May 2025