2022 Report and accounts for the DAMASCUS Parochial Church Council
St Peter’s, D rayton St Peter & St Paul’s, A ppleford St Blaise, M ilton All Saints’, S utton C ourtenay St Michael & All Angels’, S teventon
Nurturing faith, bringing hope, and sharing love
Registered charity number 1175551
Introduction to the DAMASCUS Parish
The DAMASCUS Parish is a single parish, formed from the five, growing, semi-rural villages of Drayton, Appleford, Milton, Sutton Courtenay and Steventon. The five parishes had been working together for over twenty years as a Group Ministry prior to the formation of the single parish in July 2017. We are continuing to build on growing together.
The Parish is situated between Abingdon and Didcot with boundaries abutting both towns. There are considerable numbers of professional people in the area, with Oxford University, Oxford Brookes University, Harwell, Culham, Didcot Power Station and Milton Park Enterprise Zone all in the locality. The easy access to Didcot Parkway Station means that many parishioners commute to London, Oxford, Reading, Swindon and beyond.
Aim and Purposes
The DAMASCUS Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Helen Kendrick, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the churches of St Peter’s Drayton, St Peter and St Paul’s Appleford, St Blaise Milton, All Saints’ Sutton Courtenay and St Michael and All Angels’ Steventon and St Michael’s Hall Steventon.
Our Vision and Mission
Our vision is to be a living Christian presence at the heart of our communities nurturing faith, bringing hope, and sharing love.
Through:
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Reaching out to our existing communities and the influx of new residents.
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Building a new community of faith within the Milton Heights development.
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Re-invigorating our existing traditional churches to support mission and outreach.
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Enabling outreach within our Schools to flourish and grow.
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Developing a spirit of generosity and giving, where all the churches support mission where it is most needed.
The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our churches and to become part of our parish community. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music, and sacrament.
When planning our activities for the year, the incumbent and the PCC have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:
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Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus.
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Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish.
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Missionary and outreach work.
To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the five churches in the parish.
It should be noted that Reverend Meg Heywood retired in October 2022 and the House for Duty post will not be replaced.
Achievements and Performance
Worship and prayer
Throughout 2022 our churches continued to recover from the impact of the Global Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020/21. The number of regular worshippers across the Parish has not yet returned to pre-2020 numbers – although the smaller churches of Appleford and Milton have recovered faster than the larger congregations. The PCC remain committed to offering a range of services during the week and over the course of the year, so the service pattern and tradition in the five churches offer variety across the Parish as a whole and enables the reduced clergy team to cover services in all five churches. The Ministry team and PCC will continue to review the pattern of services to ensure it is sustainable. Through 2022 we were still able to hold at least one service in each church every Sunday, except for the fifth Sunday when there is a DAMASCUS Parish service in one of the five churches. Mid-week services are held in two churches on different days of the week. All five churches are open during the day every day for our local community and visitors to enjoy and use for private prayer.
All Saints’, Sutton Courtenay continue to offer live-streaming of the main Sunday services and other special services. Only one or two housebound worshippers participated on a regular basis.
The Ministry team continued to provide service sheets for people to worship at home where requested (five people still engaged with this).
During 2022 there were 197 people on the Parish Electoral Roll.
As well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey of life. Throughout 2022 the requests for live-streaming of funerals continued to increase and live-streaming of weddings, particularly in All Saints’, Sutton Courtenay was made available when requested. In the DAMASCUS parish we have celebrated 41 baptisms; 11 weddings and 33 funeral services in church during 2022.
Remembrance Sunday Services were held inside our church buildings in 2022 and they were well supported – with attendance similar to pre-COVID years.
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We would like to thank our Rector, Reverend Helen Kendrick, our Associate Ministers Reverend Phil Sutton, Reverend Meg Heywood (retired October 2022), Reverend Rosie Bruce and Reverend Dr Phillip Tovey (retired PTO) and all the Licensed Lay Ministers for their hard work leading, nurturing, inspiring and teaching us during this year.
The following paragraphs present points about worship and ministry specific to each of the five churches in the parish.
Drayton
After Reverend Meg Heywood announced her retirement in the autumn of 2021, St Peter’s started preparing for increased lay leadership. A new Drayton Team was set up; the team met monthly from January until October and followed a training programme which was led by David Heywood. The congregation were asked to choose who they would like to lead worship in St Peter’s. Towards the end of our training two new teams were set up. The Worship Team and the Comms Team.
The Worship Team
The purpose of the team is to plan the shape of worship within the St Peter’s community and ensure its continuity, by listening to God and to the congregation and being prepared to innovate. The team consists of five lay members of the congregation and Reverend Rosie Bruce (to provide priestly support). Within their individual roles the team sets out the format and content of the lay-led services (as scheduled in the DAMASCUS service rota), arranges musicians to provide appropriate accompaniment and sets the hymns and songs to match the service content. Special services e.g. Remembrance and Christmas are also the team’s responsibility. Four team members have also been trained to deliver communion by extension when this is required.
Worship in Church
As Covid restrictions were lifted we were able to worship in church as normal. The Thursday morning service started again at the back of church or in the church room to save on heating costs, alternating between Holy Communion and Celtic Morning Prayer. The latter is lay led by David Hale.
Prayer meeting
We continued to have weekly virtual prayer meetings in our homes for the first three Mondays of the month. On the fourth Monday of the month we met up in the church room and in the autumn we started meeting at John Stevens home to avoid heating the church room. Being able to do this has encouraged us to have prayer as part of the church’s life together.
The Comms Team
This team was set up in August 2022 and its aim is to connect St Peter’s to the village community with God’s love through different forms of media. Since then, a St Peter’s Facebook page has been set up, and has advertised numerous services and events, including the All Souls’ service, Remembrance Day service and Christmas events and services. These have been cross posted to the Families in Drayton Facebook page. It has an increasing number of followers. Church events are also advertised on the Drayton Pebbles Facebook
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page, encouraging families to come along. Terry Mason kindly sanded down the outside noticeboard, ready to re-varnish in the spring. The noticeboard is regularly updated, advertising church services, events and contact details by Sue Icke who continues to put together the church page in the Drayton Chronicle each month.
Pebbles – Is a group for parents and carers with babies and toddlers. It is well attended and Is a group for parents and carers with babies and toddlers and some pre school children who join us. We have a wide age range to cater for. It is well attended and much appreciated by the families who come along. It is a friendly, welcoming, supportive group. It still takes place on Wednesday mornings, from 10-11.30 am during term time. The families enjoy singing, stories, including Bible stories, crafts and free play. We use the area at the back of church and the church room, due to growing numbers. Our Pebbles Nativity in December, was a joyful, happy time, followed by a fun party. Each child was given a book telling the Christmas story. ‘Drayton Pebbles’ Facebook page works well for communicating with families and advertising services and events. There is a small, dedicated team of helpers. Sue Icke leads the group; Cheryl Jarvis and Ali Bone provide weekly help and support.
First Tuesday Connections – The January and February meetings were cancelled due to Covid restrictions. Our meetings restarted in March. In April, exercises from the chair were offered, which proved popular. Our June meeting included a talk by the Oxford Museum staff on Bygone Days, mainly from 70 years ago which stirred many memories. A cream tea was served at our summer party. The September, October and November meetings were the usual coffee/tea and biscuits with the members chatting and catching up with each other. The Christmas party included music and singing, ending with us all singing carols.
The Care Team – Continue to visit people who need a listening ear and to share a cup of tea and a chat. Phone calls are often made to check that people not seen for a while are keeping well. Cards sent on the anniversary of a bereavement are much appreciated. Baptism and wedding anniversaries are also sent cards.
Healing Team – Healing Ministry continues to be well supported in St Peter’s. The team meet up on the Saturday evening for a Preparation Service in The Lady Chapel. At this service prayer requests and cards left on the prayer board in St Peter’s are offered for healing prayers. During the service the following morning after communion the congregation are invited to receive healing prayer by the laying on of hands.
Discipleship Group – The group met regularly until August 2022. Discussions continued as before on fund-raising, special services, and courses. St Peter’s offered to help with the celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee but eventually this was all organised by the Parish Council. The group last met in August when all the members became part of the new Worship Team. However, the group continues to initiate any fund-raising events and can be re-convened to plan courses at St Peter’s if necessary.
A shortened version of the course “Saints Alive” was held in September and October before Reverend Meg Heywood retired.
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Appleford
During 2022 the congregations numbers have stabilised to pre-Covid 19 levels with continued growth in the Breakfast Church congregation. Breakfast Church is held on the first Sunday of every month with refreshments being served before the service starts and then a short, informal all age liturgy being followed. This continues to be well-supported by families and the WhatsApp group continues to be a useful method of promotion and communication as well as the parish Facebook page.
For Mothering Sunday flowers and prayer cards and for Easter, greeting cards and seeds, were distributed to every home in the village. These were very well received and helped to remind people that the church community was still active and praying for the wider community.
The Street Nativity was extremely well attended and once again a donkey (Diane) was supplied by The Donkey Sanctuary. The Appleford Community Project paid for the donkey and provided refreshments in the farmyard at the end which was much appreciated by all who attended.
Several people helped to knit stars which were then distributed around the village by the church families, for people to find and bring to church to decorate the tree. The carol service was well attended with children and adults all playing a part and the annual carol singing evening at a private home was very well supported and raised several hundred pounds for Oxfordshire MIND.
Milton
The typical attendance at the main Sunday service is 10 adults, but for family services typical attendance is 15 adults and seven children. One Sunday each month we have had a lay led service, Faith Conversations, this is a café style service and has been led by a variety of members of the congregation and a wide range of topics have been discussed. It has also been an opportunity to hear from a representative of our Lent charity. This service has been well supported. Our Family services have been particularly well supported and the young people have been very willing contributors.
We have resumed some joint services with Milton Methodists, the Palm Sunday procession began at St Blaise and walked to Milton Methodist church for the service. We were pleased to welcome some members of Milton Methodists to the service on Remembrance Sunday and on Christmas Eve.
Our Lent charity was Anti-slavery Oxford (ASIOX) and a representative from the charity talked with us about modern slavery in Oxfordshire and how ASIOX helps support the victims of such slavery.
At Easter many members of the congregation contributed to the paper and knitted daffodils that decorated a huge cross. A lovely focus for our Easter service. A celebration Songs of Praise held during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend was very well attended and much enjoyed by the Milton community and our recently arrived Ukrainian visitors. For Remembrance Sunday, a knitted poppy cascade was fixed around the porch entrance and in
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church there was a display of information about those whose names appear on our war memorial, this was much appreciated by the Milton community.
We had a successful Christingle service, and the children (and adults!) enjoyed making their Christingles during this service. The crib service included a star hunt nativity play performed by the young people and very much enjoyed by the rest of the congregation. After the success of the carol service in 2021 we again held a Christmas Eve carol service by candlelight with a mix of traditional and contemporary readings and music. This year congregational singing was enhanced by the support of the Milton AHA Choir. The church was beautifully decorated and very full; everyone appreciated this beautiful service.
The difficulties of transporting children from Milton School to St Blaise Church have meant that Milton School have been unable to have services at St Blaise church this year, but we maintain links with the school and look forward to welcoming them to church in the future.
Sutton Courtenay
Overall congregation numbers were beginning to rise as we got further out of the pandemic. Apart from the regular pattern of services the major festivals are back with larger congregations.
Palm Sunday was the first service in 3 years with the donkey and procession through the village to the church. In Holy Week we held a reflective Tenebrae service and Maundy Thursday service with supper returned (although held in the River Room after the communion service rather than as an integral part of the service). It was well-supported by people from Sutton Courtenay and Drayton. Good Friday had the Family Hot Cross Bun service followed by Holy Hour. The Easter Sunday service was one of the highest attended services for several years.
The Platinum Jubilee Service with Abbey Brass accompanying the music, was held on the village green and was followed by a church organised community event. Harvest Festival was followed by a Harvest Lunch in The River Room which was enjoyed by all ages. Remembrance Sunday – this year we made the decision to suspend the Communion service to enable Helen to lead a service in Appleford so just had the silence at the memorial followed by a civic service the church. A good number attended the 2-minute silence but fewer came into the church for the service afterwards.
Christmas services all ran as usual thanks to Alex Landsbert, Tim Budd, Paul and Julia James and Phillip Tovey as Reverend Helen Kendrick was unable to take them due to illness.
Steventon
The numbers in the congregation are holding up and we have welcomed some new members from people newly arrived in the village, this includes a family with children. The midweek communion, early Sunday communion and Evening Prayer continue to be well supported and there has been an increase in numbers.
The Remembrance service was well attended as was the service on All Hallows. The church
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was completely full for the crib service, midnight mass numbers remain steady, but the Christmas morning service has an increased attendance. The Christingle service was very well attended.
Social and fund raising
Social and fund-raising activities have increased in 2022 and almost returned to pre-COVID levels of activity. Many of the social activities provide outreach and mission opportunities within the village communities. Thanks to grant support we were able to offer a warm space and free activities and refreshments in some of our churches in November and December for a few hours each week. This has helped many who are struggling with heating and eating.
Drayton
It was decided at the beginning of the year to have a themed fund-raising event each month. These were a beetle drive, plant sales, cream teas, sales of homemade produce and cards and a Christmas Cracker weekend.
Appleford
The Coffee Mornings restarted in 2022 on a monthly basis and these continue to be very well supported by people from across the village – mainly retired and those at home during the day. It provides an invaluable point of social contact and is much appreciated. A Winter Warmer supper and quiz was held in the Village Hall, raising some much needed funds. Again, this was well-supported and the catering team, as usual, provided a delicious meal enjoyed by people of all ages.
Milton
Our twice monthly tea and chat afternoons offer an opportunity for companionship particularly for older villagers and these have run regularly through the year. We incorporated our craft group sessions into the Tea and Chat afternoons, and these became a hub of activity as we worked towards preparing daffodils for the Easter cross and then to making items for the craft fair.
On Shrove Tuesday we held a pancake event with many of pancakes and a variety of competitions and races. The young people had a great time and were probably surprised at how competitive parent races can be! Lots of pancakes were tossed and consumed.
In May we held the Milton Duck race for the first time since 2019. It was a lovely sunny day and lots of villagers turned up to support their duck and to share tea and cake in the church after the racing. We raised over £1000 for church funds and it was lovely to get this popular event restarted after a two year COVID interruption.
Working in partnership with the church, MICE (Miltonians in Community Events) have led in the promotion of a 100 Club and other events from which the ‘church’ benefitted, both financially and socially. In July MICE joined the church in running a food stall at TRUCK over a very hot weekend. They sold out and raised over £1000 for church funds.
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The craft and jigsaw fair in November was well supported raised over £500 for the church funds and got our Advent and Christmas season off to an enjoyable and profitable start.
We ran monthly film nights from January to April although the number of people attending was small, these were then paused for the summer, but have not restarted for the time being. We will reconsider running film nights during 2023.
Our Lent Charity was Anti-slavery Oxford (ASIOX) and at Christmas we supported the Assisted Reading for Children in Oxfordshire (Arch).
There was good support for Oxford Historic Churches Ride and Stride – with three families visiting churches and all well sponsored. We also had welcomers at St Blaise all day, who did a grand job tidying the churchyard and cleaning the church during quiet periods!
Sutton Courtenay
Community Cafe has continued to flourish. Apart from raising money for the Fabric and River Room Funds we have raised money for a number of charities including Downs Oxford, Macmillan Cancer, as well as emergency funding for Ukraine. During November and December the Community Café was promoted as part of the ‘Warm Space’ initiative and this drew in some new faces.
Numbers attending the monthly Movie Matinee on the last Saturday of the month continued to grow slowly. During 2022 the idea of ‘themed’ refreshments to tie in with the subject of the film was born and this has proved very popular. During November and December the Movie Matinees were offered as a ‘’Warm Space’ and this attracted some more people.
A Murder Mystery Evening was held in Village Hall as a joint fund raiser for the church and village hall funds. The English Music Festival was well attended, and the teas contributed to church funds.
A church organised community lunch on the village green for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee including a best decorated cake competition and fancy hat competition. Fun was had by all.
The annual Orwell weekend at the end of June once again drew many visitors to the church for the act of commemoration around the grave. We also had a small range of craft and bric a brac stalls and served cream teas and hosted a talk from Richard Blair (George Orwell’s son).
For the third year in a row we sold Cream Teas from the River Room every Sunday in July / August – this is growing in popularity thanks to delicious food served by the catering team and wider publicity.
The Jumble sale in November plus further sales on ebay raised over £1000. The 200 Club continued to be run, raising ongoing funds for the River Room.
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In addition, a ‘WeCare2’ Group is run by church volunteers twice a month in the River Room to offer support to people suffering from dementia and their carers. This is slowly growing in popularity and is a lifeline for those who come. We also launched a Knit and Natter Group in the afternoons and ‘Together in Stitches’ in the evenings on a monthly basis as social outreach to those suffering from social isolation and/or wanting to meet up with people interested in craft. Support for these is growing slowly.
Steventon
The Lent lunches, were well supported and over £1000 passed onto Christian Aid. We had a plant sale, a concert and a book sale. Two pasty parties and sale of cream teas proved popular and lucrative fund raising events.
Two exhibitions were put on by the History society in the church, one for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and one about the local people who died in the first World War. Donations were kindly given to the church. An Everest climbing event was a special fund-raising event for the 60[th] anniversary of the first successful ascent of Everest.
The church fete was very successful and this year able to run in the usual format. TRUCK also returned this year and with good weather welcomed thousands of people and the food stalls we ran were very busy making a generous contribution to church funds.
The church was instrumental in starting organising the events to celebrate the Jubilee with some financial help from the Friends of St Michaels. These included a beacon on the hill above the village with hot drinks and bacon butties and a concert on the green. The walk up to the beacon from the village was very successful.
The outdoor crib was installed in the school playground as term ended and was a great attraction. Further figures were put up in the church as part of the Christmas celebrations.
Music
There are choirs Steventon and Sutton Courtenay. Singers from Drayton, Appleford and Sutton Courtenay regularly combine forces for weddings and we strive to combine singers from across the parish for shared DAMASCUS Services.
Drayton
The former members of the choir have been supporting our singing in worship as part of the congregation this year. They have joined with those who sing in other DAMASCUS church choirs for joint services on particular occasions. Thank you to the rota of organists that come and play for the Sunday services at St Peter’s and to Kay Davies for her help and support at the Praise services over the year.
Appleford
Iris Ramkisson continues to choose and upload the hymns to the church iPod and the sound system is used to good effect. Organist support is provided for special services (Christmas Carols and Midnight Mass)
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Milton
We do not have a regular organist, so we have effectively used music from CDs. Through the year we have continued to experiment with using some of the less well-known hymns in our hymn book with the support of choirs from around the world via YouTube.
Sutton Courtenay
The Church Choir (the ‘Singing Saints’) continue to practise on Tuesday evenings, and to support the worship in Church. They are delighted to join with singers from the other churches for joint services and special occasions and were able to muster a choir of 20 for the Carol Service. They are very grateful to John Napper for playing the organ and to Barbara Vellacott for playing the piano for choir practices and some services. New members are welcomed with open arms. A Whats App group keeps the Singing Saints in touch with one another and enables efficient communication. They have proved to be great cake bakers and support the church in a variety of ways.
Steventon
There is a small church choir. Helen Pearce continues to serve as organist and Steventon Choral Society sings at weddings.
Bells
The bells in Drayton, Milton, Sutton Courtenay, and Steventon have all rung regularly for services during 2022. Practices have been held most weeks at Drayton and Milton and occasionally at Steventon and Sutton Courtenay. The bells at Appleford remain unringable.
In addition to services and weddings the bells have been rung for local and national events. This year there has been ringing for several royal events. In February Milton and Steventon rang the bells to mark the 70[th] anniversary of the Queen’s ascension to the throne. There was also ringing over the Platinum Jubilee weekend in June. All the towers tolled a bell in September to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and there was further tolling and chiming at Steventon on the day of the Queen’s funeral. In November there was ringing at all the churches for Remembrance celebrations in our villages. At Steventon in March the bells were chimed in an Eastern European Style as a convoy of goods from Oxfordshire arrived in Ukraine.
We are pleased to report that we have recruited some learners at Drayton, Milton and Steventon and all have been making good progress. All four of our ringable towers have been pleased to again be able to welcome visiting bands and to host branch practices for ringers from the local area. During 2022 there were two peals rung at Drayton and twenty peals at Milton. Two quarter peals were rung at Steventon.
The quarter peal at Steventon in May was rung to mark Jack Jarvis’s 75 years of membership of the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers. Jack rang in the quarter peal, it was his first quarter on an inside bell as well as a first quarter peal for two other Steventon ringers.
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Routine checks and maintenance of the bells has been carried out by the bellringers at each tower during the year. New bell muffles for Steventon and arrived in February 2022 and have been well used this year. Milton had an inspection by Whites of Appleton to check over the installation 20 years after the new bells were installed. Apart from a couple of worn pulleys that were replaced all is in good order. Sutton Courtenay bells are very loud in the ringing room as the scrap carpet under the bells had to be removed as part of the clear up when the pigeons got into the tower. Some sound insulation that meets fire regulations and that can be cleaned if pigeons get in again needs to be installed during next year to make ringing at Sutton Courtenay a safer and more enjoyable experience.
Flowers
All the churches in the Parish are decorated for festivals and special occasions. We thank the many volunteer flower arrangers and those who organise flower rotas for all their efforts to make our churches look so beautiful.
Drayton
Sally Dixon and Val Cross decorate the church for the festivals, Easter, Harvest and Christmas, they will also do a pedestal arrangement for St Peter’s Day, our patronal festival, and for Remembrance Day. We do not do a pedestal arrangement on a regular basis but will do an arrangement if requested by a member of the congregation in memory of a loved one.
Appleford
A small, but very dedicated and talented team keep the church decorated throughout the year. The Christmas arrangements were particularly beautiful. We are grateful to Richard Mathews who maintains the two tubs outside the church door with all year around blooms.
Milton
Whilst there is no flower arranging group at St Blaise, a variety of volunteers organised decoration of the church for Easter, Harvest, Remembrance Day and Christmas.
Sutton Courtenay
The Flower arranging team, under the leadership of Ann White, have continued to provide a dedicated service, with most providing the flowers at their own expense despite their being funds available to compensate them. We are grateful to Richard Mathews who maintains the two tubs outside the church door with all year around blooms. The Easter Lilies continue to be very popular and a number of people support their purchase to dedicate lilies in memory of loved ones who have died.
Steventon
Steventon Church Flower Arrangers continue to work to provide flowers for all main festivals. There is a good group of volunteers and these prove pleasant social activities. There were fewer weddings at Steventon this year, but the services of the flower arrangers were called on by others, including Ardington church.
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Schools
Within the DAMASCUS Parish there are four primary schools of which the three in Milton, Sutton Courtenay and Steventon are Church of England schools. The clergy and lay people are actively involved in a variety of ways – as governors, taking assemblies, helping to deliver the RE curriculum, Open the Book , and as reading volunteers.
Drayton
Drayton Community School
Revd Meg Heywood was a governor at the school and attended governors’ meetings until her retirement in October. She was also invited to lead school assemblies and the children were attentive in learning about their Christian heritage.
Sue Icke and Linda Johnson welcomed Puffins year one class to St Peter’s in June and the children were very interested in looking at and finding out about the font, the pulpit and the stained glass windows in church, as well as the outside of the church building. It is a valuable way of strengthening our links with the school.
Milton
Links with Milton School are strong. Reverend Phil Sutton is a Governor of St Blaise School, he has been going into school regularly leading assemblies and other activity sessions. Class visits to the church have taken place during the year, but it has not been possible to hold School services in the church due to the complications of transporting the children to the church. Phil Sutton is continuing to work with the Headteacher and staff to use the church on a more regular basis as part its curriculum and community-based activities.
Sutton Courtenay
The weekly Open the Book assemblies have continued with the help of a team of 4 and involvement from the children. In the lead up to Easter the year 6 class came to church for the Holy week experience. This was followed by a Post Easter experience and a Pentecost experience allowing the children time to reflect at each stage. The end of term services have continued with the Christmas service being for KS2 only and taking the form of nine lessons and carols. The year finished with all 4 KS2 classes taking part in the Christmas Journey where they reflected on the Christmas story. Reverend Helen Kendrick, Rita Atkinson and Bryony Landsbert continue to serve as Foundation Governors.
Steventon
The church continues to maintain close links with the school. Reverend Phil Sutton continues to offer support and advice to the school and takes weekly assemblies. Open the book continues on a regular basis. There are two church nominated governors and the school has held services in the church during the year.
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Fabric
In all five churches routine maintenance has taken place, including clearance of drains and gutters and servicing of boilers, fire extinguishers, lightning conductors, roof alarms, CCTV, clocks, and organs. Quinquennial inspections have taken place at Appleford and Milton during this year. For each church other specific activity related to maintaining the building and churchyard is given in the following paragraphs.
Drayton
There was a problem with the clock chimes and repair work was carried out to correct them.
There was storm damage in March, to the south boundary wall and 5 lengths of guttering came down off the church roof. A claim against Ecclesiastical was made. The Insurance Assessor’s assessment was that the wall was already in a weak state and that the storm contributed, but was not the main factor, so the insurance company would not pay for the repair, so the work is still outstanding. The insurance claim for the guttering is still pending.
There is still some work to be done to the tower, which is outstanding from the Quinquennial report, but this is in hand.
Appleford
The churchyard continues to be maintained by Mr Field and voluntary helpers. Jacob Shepherd has initiated informal work parties on Sunday mornings after Breakfast Church and these are attempting to bring the undergrowth under control. No major work was carried out in 2022 to the building.
Milton
The church building and its interior are in good condition following the major projects in recent years, so no major work has been necessary in 2022. The quinquennial inspection identified that some work should be undertaken to the stonework and glass in the West window in the tower and that some repointing work should be untaken on the high churchyard wall on the north side of the church. The five year electrical inspection recommended some minor modifications which will be undertaken during 2023. Further work has been clearing ivy from the churchyard walls and brambles from the north corner of the churchyard. We would like to record our thanks to Paul Browning for the many tasks he has ably and enthusiastically carried out to maintain the church; to Alfie for cutting the hedge; to all those involved in cutting the churchyard grass and in the working group that has done so much to keep the churchyard tidy.
Sutton Courtenay
Thanks to Brian Blakeman, Clerk of Works for keeping the regular maintenance and servicing under control. The flagpole was finally replaced and sited on the side of the tower following the storm the previous year. A Tree Survey was completed in April and subsequent work including a fallen limb off one of the Yew Trees was removed in early summer. John Napper continues to offer faithful service as our Groundsman and keeps the churchyard beautifully.
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Steventon
Nothing to report except some gutter cleaning and minor repairs to downpipes.
Deanery Synod
Deanery Synod met in March and September of last year and November and February of this year. The key event was at the September meeting when Bishop Gavin attended the start of the meeting in St Peter’s Wootton to thank The Reverend Helen Kendrick for her nearly five years in post as area Dean, congratulate her on her appointment as temporary Acting Assistant Archdeacon. Sue Scott, Synod lay chairperson, added her thanks noting Helen’s particular role in nurturing bonds between laity and clergy during her time in office. Bishop Gavin then presided over the licencing of The Reverend Keith Dunnett and The Reverend Rob Glenny as Area Dean and Associate Area Dean, noting how much he had enjoyed his own time as Rural Dean.
Keith continued Helen’s leadership of the synod on a mission focussed path this year. We enjoyed a presentation by the Diocesan Director of Ministry and Mission Andrew AndersonGear, synod breakout groups exchanging their thoughts and experiences of mission (particularly during covid). Synod received a presentation on Mission Action Plans, particularly the workings of a supporting wire diagram, and all parishes have been encouraged to populate a mission summary spreadsheet with their mission activities ongoing and planned. It is intended that this will encourage cross-parish support and encouragement by means of sharing of ideas and experiences.
As ever, along with safeguarding, financial matters played a major role in synodial discussions, and it was enormously pleasing for Synod to hear that Abingdon was one of the five deaneries in the Archdeaconry area who had paid their parish share in full for 2022. This meant that we again qualified for our rebate, and we have been able to set aside a Parish Support fund to support parishes that may encounter occasional financial difficulty. Synod was also reminded of the mission grants fund that is available for parish applications for small scale support to initiatives such as Bibles for primary school leavers, and welcome packs for residents of new houses.
Volunteers
We would like to thank all the volunteers who work so hard to make our five churches lively and vibrant communities. Particularly we thank welcomers, sidespeople, readers, intercessors, junior church leaders, refreshment providers and all those who assist with the financial processes, and all those who work behind the scenes who make for an efficient operation and ensuring we have well-presented buildings and churchyards.
14
Financial review
This financial review covers the period 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022. Income has exceeded £250,000 so we continue to prepare and present the accounts using the accruals method. Income and expenditure are therefore recognised as soon as entitlement is established, e.g., gift aid must be recognised when the income is received even though the actual claim may be received in the subsequent year.
Accruals accounts consist of a SOFA (Statement of Financial Activities), a balance sheet, a cash flow statement, and further explanatory notes. The SOFA is on page 20, the balance sheet is on page 21, the cash flow statement is on page 22 and the notes on pages 23-33.
Total unrestricted income during 2022 was £176,052 an increase on the previous year's income of £158,554 due partly to easing of COVID restrictions allowing better fund-raising opportunities, partly improved interest rates and because of the changed basis for the statutory fee return as a lump sum (appearing under other income) rather than as a monthly reduction in the parish share payment. Unrestricted expenditure rose from £151,090 to £166,343; this is mainly due to increased utility costs and an increase in Parish Share due mostly to the changed way in which return of statutory fees was handled in 2022 mentioned previously. This increase in unrestricted expenditure is less than the improvement in unrestricted income in 2022 and has led to a small net gain in unrestricted funds of £9,015. Consequently, the unrestricted funds carried forward to 2023 are £54,554. During 2022 two designated funds were established to handle short term grants for warm spaces projects, these funds will be spent during 2023 on their designated purpose.
The increase in unrestricted funds means we have a small cushion above the limit set by our reserves policy (see below). With anticipated further increases in energy costs and a possible reduction in voluntary giving during the cost of living crisis it is unfortunately likely we will see our unrestricted funds decrease during 2023.
Some of the restricted funds end the year with balances that will be too low for the anticipated 2023 expenditure, and fund raising for some church fabric funds is essential to allow for building repair work.
The River Room has been financed from restricted funds. A generous donation and successful fund raising and letting income means that the River Room fund which began the year with a negative balance now has a healthy balance of £11,161. The largest of the four loans taken to complete the building project has been fully repaid during 2022 and by the end of 2022 there was £19,000 of loan finance still to be repaid.
Investment funds, which are all endowment funds, reduced in value from £693,036 to £631,097. For most of these funds only interest or dividends may be spent.
In summary, we have successfully raised sufficient finance to meet the cost of the River Room and bring that fund into credit well within the period of the loans which are now being repaid. However, with increasing utility costs and high inflationary increases in other
15
costs we must continue to pay close attention to the level of unrestricted funds and to the five church fabric funds.
Reserves Policy
It is PCC policy to maintain a balance on free reserves (net current assets) which equates to at least two months unrestricted payments. This is equivalent to £30,000. It is held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and to meet emergencies. It is our policy to invest short term balances with the CCLA Church of England Deposit Fund and longer-term reserves in the CCLA Church of England Investment fund.
Structure, governance, and management
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. In the DAMASCUS Parish the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent, other members of the clergy team, churchwardens, licensed lay ministers and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the parish. All those who are members of the congregations are encouraged to register on the electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. The PCC met eight times during the year - a mixture of remote zoom meeting and in-person meetings in the River Room. The Local Church Committees (LCC), with responsibility for considering local activity and provide local church feedback to the PCC and who act as a forum for the PCC to consult with the congregations of each of the five churches continued to meet in the alternative months to the PCC. Again, a mixture of in-person and zoom meetings. Each of the five LCCs provide a report to every PCC meeting. For each church ProWardens, elected at the APCM, carry out roles ensuring the smooth running of their church and maintain order in the church and grounds.
A Standing Committee consisting of the incumbent, the churchwardens, the PCC Secretary, the PCC Treasurer and two other members of the PCC meet bi-monthly (in the months between PCC meetings) to transact business delegated to them by the PCC.
16
Administrative information
The Ministry team
Clergy
Parish Rector – The Reverend Helen Kendrick Associate Priest (Half-Time Stipendiary) – The Reverend Phil Sutton Associate Priest (House for Duty) – The Reverend Meg Heywood (until Oct 2022) Associate Priest (SSM) - The Reverend Rosie Bruce Retired PTO – The Reverend Canon Dr Phillip Tovey PTO – The Reverend Geoff Morgan
Licensed Lay Ministers
Dr Tim Budd (PTO) Mr Jack Jarvis (PTO) Mrs Alex Landsbert (PTO)
Authorised Preacher
Mr Paul James
The DAMASCUS Parish is part of the Abingdon Deanery within the Diocese of Oxford within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Parish Office, All Saints Church, The Green, Sutton Courtenay, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4AE. The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and a charity registered with the Charity Commission, with registered charity number 1175551.
PCC members who have served at any time from 1 January 2022 until the date this report was approved are:
Ex Officio members:
Incumbent: The Reverend Helen Kendrick (Chairman) Associate Minister: The Reverend Meg Heywood (until October 2022) Associate Minister: The Reverend Phil Sutton Associate Priest: The Reverend Rosie Bruce Licensed Lay Minister: Mr Jack Jarvis Licenced Lay Minister: Mrs Alex Landsbert Churchwarden: Dr Hilary Otterburn Mr Anton King representative in Deanery Synod Mr Michael Murray representative in Deanery Synod
Elected members:
Mrs Valerie Cross Mrs Linda Johnson Mrs Nicola Turner (Hon. Treasurer) Dr Elaine Maxwell Mrs Alison Budd Professor David King Mrs Caroline Miller Mr Tony Sloggett
17
Non-voting members
Mrs Sue Harris, Secretary
Mrs Sue Jenkins, Safeguarding Officer
Local Church Committee members who have served at any time from 1 January 2022 until the date this report was approved are:
Appleford LCC: Elizabeth Duffield, William Finch, Sue Helby, Linda Payne, Iris Ramkissoon, Jacob Shepherd, Vicky Shepherd and the Reverend Helen Kendrick. There are currently no pro-wardens in Appleford.
Drayton LCC: Valerie Cross (Pro-Warden), Gareth Davies, Sally Dixon, Sue Harris, Sue Icke, Linda Johnson (Pro-Warden), Anton King and the Reverend Meg Heywood (until Oct 2022). Milton LCC: Mike Blanch, Pat Capuzzimati, Elaine Maxwell (Pro-Warden), Janet Money, Janet Taylor, Nicola Turner (Pro-Warden) and the Reverend Helen Kendrick.
Sutton Courtenay: Brian Blakeman (Clerk of Works); Alison Budd (Pro-Warden), James Bye (until March 2022), Sue Jenkins, David King, Alex Landsbert, Vivienne Maunders, Malcolm Ross; Phil Stubley, Mary Warrington and the Reverend Helen Kendrick.
Steventon: Alan Binning (Pro-Warden), Diana Bowder, Doreen Goddard, Jack Jarvis, Andrew Loutit, Caroline Miller; Mike Murray; Hilary Otterburn (Pro-Warden), Terry Pearce; David Sandford, Tony Sloggett, and the Reverend Phil Sutton.
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DAMASCUS PARISH INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF DAMASCUS I report to the charitytrustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity Ithe Trust'l for the year ended 31 December 2022. Responsibilities and basls of report As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Att,). I report in respect of my examination of the Trusys accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Att and in carrying Out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under settion 145151{b) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I confirm that l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member of CIPFA, which is one of the listed bodies. 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: accountin8 records were not kept in respect of the charity 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 connertion 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. Signed Nlcholas Clarke CPFA l Lockton Barns, Church Lane Harwell, Didcot OXII OEZ Date: 19
DAMASCUS PARISH STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
For the year ending 31 December 2022
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS 2a Activities for generating funds 2b Church activities 2c Dividends, interest, income from property etc. 2d Other incoming resources 2e TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE Church activities 3a Church expenses 3b Costs of generating income 3c Major capital expenditure 3d Other expenditure 3e TOTAL EXPENDITURE NET INCOME/EXPENDITURE BEFORE INVESTMENT GAINS NET GAINS ON INVESTMENTS NET INCOME/EXPENDITURE TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Total funds brought forward Total fund carried forward Voluntary income |
Unrestricted funds £ 129,504 20,080 13,735 2,555 10,178 176,052 133,567 30,171 1,820 - 785 166,343 9,709 9,709 - 694 9,015 45,539 54,554 |
Designated funds £ 8,909 - - - - 8,909 - 260 - - - 260 8,649 8,649 - 8,649 - 8,649 |
Restricted funds £ 40,048 15,579 5,483 14,746 2,938 78,794 2,595 27,617 1,630 - 3,352 35,194 43,600 43,600 694 44,294 109,065 153,359 |
Endowment funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 61,939 - 61,939 - - 61,939 693,036 631,097 |
Total 2022 £ 178,461 35,659 19,218 17,301 13,116 263,755 136,162 58,048 3,450 - 4,137 201,797 61,958 - 61,939 19 - 19 847,640 847,659 |
Total 2021 £ 182,602 20,966 18,897 13,541 2,375 238,381 129,995 42,913 1,093 33,470 2,520 209,991 28,390 66,631 95,021 - 95,021 752,619 847,640 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20
DAMASCUS PARISH BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2022 2022 Total 2021 Total Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible Investments 203 631,097 631,3LKJ 40S 693,036 693,441 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors and prepayments Short-term deposits Cash at bank and in hand 11.511 99,018 131,994 242.523 21,097 89,160 93,666 203,923 LIABILITIES Creditors- amounts falling due in one year 10.164 15,724 NET CURRENT ASSEfs/iLIABILITIESI 232,359 188,199 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors- amounts falling due after one year 863,659 881.640 io 16,0 34,000 TOTAL ASSETS 847,659 847,640 PARISH FUND5 Ursrestricted Restricted Endowment li 12 63,203 153,359 631,097 45,539 109.065 693,036 847.659 847,640 Approved by the Parothial Church Council on and signed on its behalf by: The Revd Helen Kendrick Ichairl Nicola Turner (Treasurer) 21
DAMASCUS PARISH
CASH FLOW STATEMENT AT 31 DECEMBER 2022
| 2022 | 2021 | 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Net cash from operating activities | 11,885 | - | 34,813 |
||
| Cash flows from investing activities | |||||
| Dividends, interest and rent from investments | 17,301 | 13,541 | |||
| Interest paid | - | - | |||
| Proceeds from sale of: | |||||
| Tangible fixed assets | - | - | |||
| Tangible fixed investments | - | - | |||
| Purchase of: | |||||
| Tangible fixed assets for the use of the PCC | - | - | |||
| Fixed asset investments | - | - | |||
| Cash flows from financing activities | |||||
| Loans (outstanding balances) | 19,000 | 43,000 | |||
| Net cash provided by/ (used in) investing activities | 36,301 | 56,541 | |||
| Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period | 48,186 | 21,728 | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January | 182,826 | 161,098 | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December | 231,012 | 182,826 | |||
| Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) before investment | gains | ||||
| Net income before investment gains 31 December | 61,958 | 28,390 | |||
| Adjustment for: | |||||
| Depreciation charges | 203 | 203 | |||
| Dividends, interest and rent from investments | 17,301 - |
- | 13,541 |
||
| Decrease/(increase) in debtors | 9,587 | 1,655 | |||
| (Decrease)/Increase in creditors | 42,562 - |
- | 51,520 |
||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities | 11,885 | - | 34,813 |
||
| Analysis of cash and cash equivalents | |||||
| Cash in hand | 131,994 | 93,666 | |||
| Notice deposits (less than 3 months) | 99,018 | 89,160 | |||
| 231,012 | 182,826 |
22
DAMASCUS PARISH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Parish is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared under The Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and with the Regulations "true and fair view" provisions, together with FRS102 as the applicable accounting standard and the 2019 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP (FRS102). The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown as fair value.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis. There are no material uncertainties in respect of the charities ability to continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future.
ASSETS
Consecrated and benefice property
Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the accounts by s.10(2) of the Charities Act 2011. All expenditure incurred during the year on such property is written off as expenditure in the SOFA and separately disclosed
Moveable church furnishings
These are capitalised at cost and depreciated over their useful economic life (normally 20 years) other than when insufficient cost information is available. In this case the item is not capitalised, but all items are included in the Church's inventory in any case.
Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity
These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £1,000. The Parish computer comes within this scope and has been depreciated over 5 years.
FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds
These represent the remaining income funds of the PCC available for spending on general purposes of the PCC. They include designated funds that have been set aside by the PCC for specific purposes.
Restricted Funds
These are income funds that must be spent on restricted purposes and details of funds held and restrictions provided are shown in the notes to the accounts.
Endowment Funds
These are restricted funds that must be retained as trust capital either permanently or subject to a discretionary power to spend capital as income.
INCOME
Collections and planned giving are recognised when received by or on behalf of the Parish. Income tax recoverable on covenants or gift aid donations is recognised when the income is recognised. Grants and legacies to the church are accounted for as soon as the Parish is notified of its legal entitlement and the amount due. Funds raised by fundraising events are accounted for as gross. Sales of books and magazines are accounted for gross.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest on bank balances is accounted for on an accruals basis with interest recognised in the period to which the interest relates.
Dividend income is recognised on the date the share interest becomes ex-dividend or when the right to the dividend can be established.
EXPENDITURE AND LIABILITIES
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal and constructive obligation and settlement is probable and quantifiable.
23
DAMASCUS PARISH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
2 INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
| Unrestricted funds £ 2(a) Voluntary income All other giving and voluntary receipts, including Special Appeals (recurring and one-off) 6,772 Collections at services 14,811 Collections at services for charity 3,170 Gift Aid recovered 21,811 Grants (include recurring and one-off) 7,235 Other planned giving 1,880 Legacies received (capital value) - Tax efficient planned giving 73,825 129,504 2(b) Activities for generating funds Gross income from fundraising activities 20,080 20,080 2(c) Church activities Additional wedding and funeral fees 1,968 Gross income from trading (e.g. hall lettings, magazine, bookstall). NOT fundraising. 2,752 Statutory fees retained by the PCC (weddings, funerals etc) 9,015 13,735 2(d) Dividends, interest, income from property etc. Dividends, interest, income from property etc. 2,555 2,555 2(e) Other incoming resources Other incoming resources 10,178 10,178 TOTAL INCOME 176,052 |
Designated funds £ - - - - 8,909 - - - 8,909 - - - - - - - - - - 8,909 |
Restricted funds £ 24,413 1,599 - 5,209 5,877 - - 2,950 40,048 15,579 15,579 - 5,483 - 5,483 14,746 14,746 2,938 2,938 78,794 |
Endowment funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total 2022 £ 31,185 16,410 3,170 27,020 22,021 1,880 - 76,775 178,461 35,659 35,659 1,968 8,235 9,015 19,218 17,301 17,301 13,116 13,116 263,755 |
Total 2021 £ 45,633 15,174 1,557 27,005 17,397 1,973 1,000 72,863 182,602 20,966 20,966 2,422 4,226 12,249 18,897 13,541 13,541 2,375 2,375 238,381 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
24
DAMASCUS PARISH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
3 EXPENDITURE
| 3(a) Church activities Clergy and staff expenses Diocesan parish share contribution Mission giving and donations Salaries, wages and honoraria 3(b) Church expenses Mission and evangelism costs Church running expenses Church utility bills Costs of trading Independent examiner's costs Depreciation on church equipment 3(c) Costs of generating income Costs of fundraising activities 3(d) Major capital expenditure Major repairs to the church building New building work 3(e) Other expenditure Other outgoing resources/ payments Governance costs TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED |
Unrestricted funds Designated funds £ 4,113 - 115,117 - 9,311 - 5,026 - 133,567 - - 260 16,440 - 13,528 - - - - - 203 - 30,171 260 1,820 - 1,820 - - - - - - - 750 - 35 - 785 - 166,343 260 |
Restricted funds £ 200 - - 2,395 2,595 4,221 20,523 2,873 - - - 27,617 1,630 1,630 - - - 3,352 - 3,352 35,194 |
Endowment funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total 2022 £ 4,313 115,117 9,311 7,421 136,162 4,481 36,963 16,401 - - 203 58,048 3,450 3,450 - - - 4,102 35 4,137 201,797 |
Total 2021 £ 4,263 107,093 8,527 10,112 129,995 6,327 26,351 9,132 - 900 203 42,913 1,093 1,093 4,839 28,631 33,470 2,485 35 2,520 209,991 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
25
DAMASCUS PARISH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
4 STAFF COSTS
| Parish administrator Cleaner Groundsman Gravedigger Organist Vergers Bell ringers |
2022 £ 4,876 630 615 - 1,150 30 120 7,421 |
2021 £ 4,992 1,557 1,230 210 1,913 210 - 10,112 |
|---|---|---|
Note: All staff above are self-employed
The number of individuals in receipt of staff payments was as follows:
| Parish administrator | 1 | 1 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaner | 2 | 3 | ||
| Groundsman | 1 | 1 | ||
| Gravedigger | - | 2 | ||
| Organist | 4 | 5 | ||
| Vergers | 1 | 4 | ||
| Bellringers | 6 | - |
None of the Trustees received any remuneration or employee benefits during the year. The lay trustees, where applicable, who acted as agents to the PCC in making approved payments on its behalf, were reimbursed for these expenses on presentation of suitable documentary evidence.
Clergy working expenses were reimbursed in accordance with Church of England guidelines.
There were no related party transactions.
26
DAMASCUS PARISH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
5 TRANSFER OF FUNDS
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Apportionment of deposit fund interest | - 664 | 664 | - |
| Wedding money held in General Fund | |||
| from 2020 until wedding took place in | |||
| 2022 | -30 | 30 | - |
27
DAMASCUS PARISH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
6 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Cost of valuation At 1 January 2022 Additions Disposals At 31 December 2022 Depreciation At 1 January 2022 Charge for the year At 31 December 2022 Net book value at 31 December 2022 Net book value at 31 December 2021 |
Office equipment £ 406 - - 406 - 203 203 203 406 |
Total £ 406 - - 406 - 203 203 203 406 |
|---|---|---|
28
DAMASCUS PARISH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
7 INVESTMENTS
| Milton Milton - Church Lands Drayton Bradfield Trust Drayton Clerk's Piece Drayton Miss Emma Hyde for maintenance of church fabric Drayton Hyde's charity for psalmody Steventon 627485002S - ENDOWMENT FUND Steventon 627485001 S - N01 INVESTMENT FUND DAMASCUS PCC 627101001S * |
Market value at 31st December 2021 £ 616,930 10,988 967 2,694 925 35,564 24,968 - 693,036 |
Additions £ - - - - - - - - - |
Disposals £ - - - - - - - - - |
Market value at 31st December 2022 £ 563,949 9,695 854 2,381 818 31,377 22,012 11 631,097 |
Change in value Jan 1 to Dec 31 2022 £ - 52,981 - 1,293 - 113 - 313 - 107 - 4,187 - 2,956 11 - 61,939 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- This investment was purchased for £10.00 on 21 Aug 2018 by a parishioner for the Parish but was omitted from the investment list in 2018 to 2021 inclusive, however the valuation in 2021 should have been £13.35
29
DAMASCUS PARISH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
| 8 DEBTORS HMRC Gift Aid Gift aid acrued in 2020 not yet received Statutory fees due Collections to be banked Fund raising to be banked Parish share rebate Grants from Oxford Diocese Miscellaneous debtors TOTAL 9 CREDITORS falling due within one year Accounts examination costs Diocesan Loan repayment Individual 1 loan Individual 2 loan Individual 3 loan Mission and evangelism costs Clergy expenses Church running expenses Mission giving Parish Administrator Organist Miscellaneous creditors TOTAL 10 CREDITORS falling due after one year Diocesan Loan repayment Individual 1 loan Individual 2 loan Individual 3 loan TOTAL |
2022 £ 5,485 - - 697 1,187 2,864 1,070 208 11,511 2022 £ - - 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,212 192 1,234 3,226 560 150 590 10,164 2022 £ - 7,000 7,000 2,000 16,000 |
2021 £ 13,317 368 15 1,771 1,074 2,164 1,034 1,354 21,097 2021 £ 900 6,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 942 72 583 2,035 - 175 2,017 15,724 2021 £ 15,000 8,000 8,000 3,000 34,000 |
|---|---|---|
30
DAMASCUS PARISH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
11 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
| General funds Designated funds DAMASCUS Warm Spaces Steventon Roots and Shoots TOTAL Unrestricted Funds UNRESTRICTED FUNDS IN 2021 General funds Designated funds Drayton pew removal River room (designated) TOTAL Unrestricted Funds |
Brought Forward £ 45,539 - - - 45,539 Brought Forward £ 38,094 6,664 705 7,369 45,463 |
Income £ 176,052 8,130 779 8,909 184,961 Income £ 158,554 - - - 158,554 |
Expenditure £ 166,343 96 164 260 166,603 Expenditure £ 151,090 - 705 705 151,795 |
Transfer £ - 694 - - - - 694 Transfer £ - 19 - 6,664 - - 6,664 - 6,683 |
Carried forward £ 54,554 8,034 615 8,649 63,203 Carried forward £ 45,539 - - - 45,539 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
31
DAMASCUS PARISH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
12 RESTRICTED FUNDS
| Drayton fabric Drayton Carpenters legacy Drayton Bells Drayton Clerk's Piece Drayton Hydes for Psalmody Appleford fabric fund Milton bells Milton building Milton Church Lands Sutton Courtenay Fabric Sutton Courtenay River Room Sutton Courtenay Ringers Sutton Courtenay Fun Day Steventon Fabric Steventon Churchyard Steventon Tower Steventon Church Repair |
Brought Forward £ 11,364 1,269 2,871 373 641 11,089 12,799 10,199 45,241 4,553 - 20,688 357 10,859 695 14,641 2,847 - 45 109,065 |
Income £ 3,521 - 355 25 24 999 943 2,968 14,300 8,048 34,660 345 2,783 9,563 230 30 0 78,794 |
Expenditure £ 5,628 - - - - 1,652 593 455 5,745 9,775 2,811 - 4,964 3,333 - 238 - 35,194 |
Transfer £ 60 - 18 - - 62 75 67 288 21 - 3 54 - - 46 - 694 |
Carried forward £ 9,317 1,269 3,244 398 665 10,498 13,224 12,779 54,084 2,847 11,161 705 8,732 6,925 14,871 2,685 - 45 153,359 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RESTRICTED FUNDS IN 2021
| Drayton fabric Drayton Carpenters legacy Drayton Bells Drayton Clerk's Piece Drayton Hydes for Psalmody Appleford fabric fund Milton bells Milton building Milton Church Lands Sutton Courtenay Fabric Sutton Courtenay River Room Sutton Courtenay Ringers Sutton Courtenay Fun Day Steventon Fabric Steventon Churchyard Steventon Tower Steventon Church Repair |
Brought Forward £ 4,296 1,269 2,870 348 617 8,759 12,320 8,914 37,648 5,701 - 32,282 2,528 7,580 3,105 14,632 2,492 - 46 80,751 |
Income £ 4,705 - - 25 24 3,661 675 1,557 11,509 3,117 41,709 457 9,512 2,511 9 355 1 79,827 |
Expenditure £ 4,302 - - - - 1,333 198 274 3,924 4,266 30,115 2,628 6,235 4,921 - - - 58,196 |
Transfer £ 6,665 - 1 - - 2 2 2 8 1 - - 2 - - - - 6,683 |
Carried forward £ 11,364 1,269 2,871 373 641 11,089 12,799 10,199 45,241 4,553 - 20,688 357 10,859 695 14,641 2,847 - 45 109,065 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
32
DAMASCUS PARISH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
SUMMARY OF ASSETS BY FUND
| Tangible fixed assets Investment fixed assets Current assets Liabilities Amounts falling due in one year Amounts falling due after one year |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds TOTAL 2022 £ £ £ £ 203 - - 203 - - 631,097 631,097 89,164 153,359 - 242,523 - 10,164 - - - 10,164 - 16,000 - - - 16,000 63,203 153,359 631,097 847,659 |
|---|---|
33