2023-12-31-accounts

2023 Reports & Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of the Parish Church of St Luke & St Peter

	Page
Annual Report	1
Statement of Financial Activities	7
Balance Sheet	8
Accounting Policies	9
Notes to the Accounts	11
Charitable Giving	17
Report of the Independent Examiner	18

Charity no: 1178416

Parochial Church Council of St Luke & St Peter

Annual Report

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) presents its report for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Aim and purposes

The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Reverend Annie McCabe, 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 maintenance of the Church Centre complex of St. Luke's, Greetham Street, Portsmouth.

Objectives and activities

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at St Luke’s. 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, we have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:

• Worship and prayer; learning about the gospel; developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus

• Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish

• Missionary and outreach work.

To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the church of St Luke’s and the Church Centre complex.

Achievements and performance

2023 has been a year of renewal and growth in diversity.

The successful community celebration of the summer and Christmas Community Fair plus other social events strengthened relationships both within the church family and with the wider community of which we

are a part. One particular change has been the growth of our work and relationships with our local schools, particularly with Ark Charter.

It has been a year to welcome. The Archbishop of Canterbury and Community Leaders came to lunch. Those with no previous experience of church have come and stayed. We have continued to reflect and pray as we move forward on the three priorities that we believe God is calling us to focus on in the coming three years.

Priorities: 2023-2025

By the end of 2025

St Luke’s will be a community who love Jesus and each other more

What will have changed?

• Time invested in rebuilding our existing church family relationships

• More participation in discipleship and prayer opportunities

• Worship that equips and inspires to live our faith in the week

• Language that is accessible, simple but not superficial

• Worship times and style that fit our local community better

• A stronger more stable base of Christian believers

St Luke’s will be community with local families and young adults participating

What will have changed?

• Families will have come to St Luke’s primarily through Just Sing community choir, tots in tow and

• messy church

• Families will be living their faith at home and sharing it with others

• Local parents will be more involved in leading

• Bridgeway and Host will remain the focus of young adults’ mission work.

St Luke’s will be a community with an inviting campus, distinct in the inner city that will speak more clearly of the welcome, acceptance and deep hospitality of St Luke’s and attract those who don’t usually enter a church to come and see

What will have changed?

• The space outside the front of church.

• The garden

• The main hall outside and in (with a new missional community café)

• The front door

The resilience, prayerfulness, and willingness of the church to continue to embrace change with courage, humility and prayerfulness has continued. This has meant we end 2023 with a shared vision, lived values, and explicit priorities as a worshipping community.

All are welcome to attend our regular services in person or online. This has been possible by recording Wednesday Communion to stream on Sundays. This is hugely due to the work of Nigel Wheatly and the AV team.

1. Build deeper sustainable missional relationships

This has come in part through:

● Serving the community with our food larder, supermarket vouchers and offering Warm Space with homemade soup on Wednesdays.

● Partnering with Portsmouth City of Sanctuary to offer a welcoming space to refugees and asylum seekers.

● The Bridgeway Project and the Host, two SDF funded missional projects have built new relationships with young adults and relevant local agencies in the community. The Bridgeway Youth Hub continues to be led by a dedicated team from the church family and university students.

● Plans are in place to launch an urban community café in the main hall in early 2024 that will provide training for young adults looking to gain hospitality and barista skills. A new Café Development Manager was recruited this year.

● The Host continues to open Monday to Thursday and has a small but committed community of coworkers.

● Reaching our local and wider community continues to bear fruit. This has been through the creation of a monthly “Community and Cake” morning each month, offering an open welcoming and warm church throughout the week, thoughtful use of social media, developing the potential of the church as a music venue, building trusted relationships with local people and agencies. We have been particularly grateful for the visible support of our local councillors and the Hive.

● Taking the opportunity to consolidate worship services to 10am and 5 pm and see a revitalised Midweek Lunchtime Communion. The Rooted Service has settled well into the schedule

● Engaging local families again through Just Sing Community Choir, Tots in tow and Messy Church on a bimonthly basis.

• Offering effective community mission events again such as “Bingo and Hot Dogs”,

● Revitalised relationships with local primary schools including visits, leading assembly and hosting School Christmas Concerts

● Building closer ties with the new leadership team a Charter School including involvement as a School Governor with focus on developing the Christian ethos through SIAMS implementation and offering pastoral support on a weekly basis to the Chaplain and other staff

● Continuing effective bespoke ministry to older members of the community including craft days and the offer of Home Communion.

2. Grow and nurture disciples including

● The evidence of deepening discipleship through Connect groups at different times and venues in the week. Both in person and online, this initiative has broadened the number of people engaging in small group discipleship at St Luke’s.

● A renewed sense of prayerfulness with the help pf prayer line, prayer sheets and Listening to God sessions.

● Welcoming Christians from other nations at the beginning of this year has been a delight and added depth and stability in discipleship. The diversity of community was demonstrated at Pentecost this year when 17 different people prayed for the coming of the Holy Spirit in their first language.

● The contribution of ministry team now serving in the parish has changed during this year. Rev Jan Fuller joined St Luke’s as Curate. The ministry team at the end of 2023 is Rev Annie McCabe (Vicar), Rev Bryan Stephenson (Associate Priest), Rev Jan Fuller (Curate), Rev Philippa Mills (PTO) and Rev Dom Jones (PTO).

● Buffy Langdown, Jenn Camirand, Jan Fuller were all ordained in 2023. Buffy and Jenn have left St Luke’s to complete their curacies in other parishes. Paul Pope remains an Ordinand in training in the parish. Sandra Rampton is training as a Licenced Reader on the Pathway.

• Regular pastoral support has continued this year, particularly with the elderly and infirm.

Highlights of the year were:

• The Lord’s provision, protection, and patience with us throughout this year

• The joy of the church family living together in faith and diversity.

• Practical development of the building and the response of the church family to change

• The welcome of new seekers and worshippers in the community

• The signs of vocations bearing fruit. It was a joy to see three people from St Luke’s being ordained.

• The character of the Church community in coping with challenging circumstances and change

• We are still standing and by God’s grace growing again!!!

Financial review

The PCC is responsible for all parish finance, its management and control. Whilst accounting duties are delegated to the Treasurer, this does not remove its legal responsibilities.

The total incoming resources for 2023 report a minimal decrease because of reduced grants received balanced by additional income regenerated and paid by Portsmouth Diocese for Bridgeway & Co-Worker projects.

Hall partnerships remained stable, however, car park income decreased and this is currently under review to improve this income stream. Overall, the incoming resources totalled £257,695.

The total resources expended for 2023 report an increase because of the CILS grant for the café set up; Bridgeway & Co-Worker increased comparative to income and the light and heat charges rose considerably. This is currently under review.

Parish share payments to contribute to Clergy stipends, pensions and living accommodation for 2023 to Portsmouth Diocese were paid.

At the financial year-end, the church had total bank and deposit balances of £187,766. This compares to previous year of £190,770.

The accounts for 2023 report a deficit of £48,778. This includes income & expenditure for The Bridgeway & the Host projects & 2023; the costs of the Quinquennial work; including balance of roof, Architects fees and works required on repairs to the building totalled £36.9k

The PCC agreed a budget for 2024 that continues to support the proactive strategy towards ministry and mission and yet is aware of the financial challenges of increased costs.

Reserves policy

It is the policy of St Luke’s to hold in reserves the equivalent of three months general running costs. It is the policy of St Luke’s to donate 10% of non-reserved income to charitable causes.

Volunteers

The PCC thanks all volunteers who, collectively, have worked hard throughout the year to make our church a lively, vibrant and growing community.

Structure, governance and management

The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England and operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure.

The PCC is a registered charity: registration number: 1178416

Charity name: THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST LUKE AND ST PETER.

The method of appointing PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules.

The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are spent.

The full PCC met 6 times during the year with an average attendance of 86%.

Administrative information

St Luke’s Church, situated in Somerstown is part of the Diocese of Portsmouth within the Church of England. The correspondence address is St Luke’s Church, Greetham Street, Southsea PO5 4LH. The PCC Is a Registered Charity no 1178416

Parochial Church Council of St Luke & St Peter

PCC members who have served at any time from 1 January 2023 until the date this report was approved are:

Ex Officio members
Incumbent:	Reverend Annie McCabe
Interim Associate Priest:	Reverend Wendy May Jacobs (until 13/8/2023)
Associate Priest:	Reverend Bryan Stephenson
Curate:	Reverend Jan Fuller (from 24/6/2023)
Permission to Officiate:	Reverend Dom Jones (2017 onwards)
	Reverend Philippa Mills (2023 onwards)
Churchwardens:	Mrs Paula Thomas (from 22/4/2018)
	Mrs Lorraine Hepburn (from 24/3/2022)
Deanery Synod	Mrs Paula Thomas (24/04/2022)
Representatives:	Ms Christine Redgrave (24/04/2022)
Representatives:	Mrs Vicki Barnes (until 23 April 2023)
	Miss Alexandra Daeth (until 23 April 2023)
	Mr Samuel Payne (until 23 April 2023)
	Ms Annie Bevis (2021-2024)
	Mrs Jennifer Albuery (2022-2025)
	Mr Paul Pope (2022-2025)
	Mrs Tracy Holmes (2023-2026)
	Ms Vicky Bell (2023-2026)
	Ms Penny Simpson (2023-2026)
	Ms Zoe Ramsbottom (2023-2026)
PCC Secretary:	Ms Jennifer Camirand (Until May 2023)
	Rev Annie McCabe (from May 2023)
PCC Treasurer	Dr Christina Boldwidt (until March 2023)
	Paula Thomas (from April 2023)

Parochial Church Council of St Luke & St Peter

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31st December 2023

There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not shown.

Parochial Church council of St Luke & St Peter

There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not shown.

Parochial Church council of St Luke & St Peter

1. Accounting policies

Basis of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared under the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Statements of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005).

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Fund accounting

Endowment funds are funds, the capital of which must be maintained; only income arising from investment of the endowment may be used either as restricted or unrestricted funds depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was established.

Restricted funds represent (a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest, and (b) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the yearend must be carried forward as a balance on that fund.

Unrestricted funds are general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes.

Designated funds are general funds set aside by the PCC for use in the future. Project funds are designated for particular projects for administration purposes only. Funds designated as invested in fixed assets for the PCC’s own use are abated in line with assets’ annual depreciation charges in the SOFA. Designated funds remain unrestricted and the PCC will move any surplus to general funds.

Risk Management

Reserves are held by the Church to provide for future activities and initiatives which cannot be funded from income in a single year. They are also required to cover unforeseen expenditure. The PCC reviewed the level of reserves during the year.

Incoming resources

Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due. Dividends are accounted for when receivable. All other income is recognised when it is receivable. All incoming resources are accounted for gross.

Resources expended

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish share is accountable for when due. Amounts received specifically for mission are dealt with as restricted funds. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross.

Fixed assets

Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts in accordance with s.96 (2) (a) of the

Charities Act 1993.

Movable church furnishings held by the vicar and church wardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property, listed in the church inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). For anything acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements.

Investments are valued at market value at 31 December 2023.

Current assets

Short term deposits include cash held on deposit at the bank.

Financial risks

Believing in God’s care and provision for his people, the PCC has undertaken no further financial risk assessments.

Parochial Church council of St Luke & St Peter

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2023

There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not shown.

Parochial Church council of St Luke & St Peter

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2023

Parochial Church council of St Luke & St Peter

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2023

There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not shown.

Parochial Church council of St Luke & St Peter

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2023

There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not shown

Parochial Church council of St Luke & St Peter

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2023

There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not shown

Parochial Church council of St Luke & St Peter

Notes to the accounts

For the year ended 31st December 2023

There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not shown

Parochial Church Council of St Luke & St Peter

For the year ended December 2023 – Charitable Giving

The allocation will be paid during 2024 following the APCM to the following:

	2023	2022
Local	£	£
Street Pastors	1,300	1,063
Southern Domestic Abuse	1,300	1,062
The Roberts Centre	1,300	1,063
Portsmouth Mediation		1,062
	3,900	4,250
National & International
Tearfund	1,325	1,062
Hope in Action	1,325
Mary’s Meals	1,325	1,063
Shelter UK	1,325	1,062
Christians Against
Poverty		1,063
	5,300	4,250
Total	9,200	8,500

Independent examiners report to the PCC of St Luke & St Peter

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023

Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner

The PCC consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to

• examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;

• follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity

Commissioners section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act; and

• State whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of this report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission.

An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accountants.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

• (1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect requirements.

• To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

• To prepare financial statements, which accord with the accounting records have not been met; or

• (2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.