ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 ## ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 **ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH, CHILCOMPTON** THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CHILCOMPTON CHARITY NO 1178808 1 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 ## Contacts ## **Parish Office** 01761 502068 office@stvigorstjohn.church St John's Church, Coach Lane, Chilcompton, Radstock BA3 4HP Facebook: StJohnTheBaptistChurchChilcompton Sermons available on the church website: www.stvigorstjohn.church ## **Rector** Revd. Esther Smith 01761 233401 rector@stvigorstjohn.church 2 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 ## Contents |Rector’s Report|3| |---|---| |Curate’s Report|5| |Music and Worship|6| |ThursdayMorningCommunion|6| |Discipleship|6| |Contemplative Prayer|7| |MessyChurch|7| |Tea & Toast|9| |School Report|9| |Mission|10| |Lunch Club|10| |Root Connections CookeryClub|10| |The WednesdayMens’ Club|12| |Safeguarding|12| |Fabric Report|12| |Churchwardens’ Report|13| |PCC Report|13| |Sidespersons Report|14| |DeanerySynod|14| |Bellringers|15| |Electoral Roll Report|16| |Treasurer’s Report|16| _With grateful thanks to Chris and Tina Collins for the photos of Messy Church and to Rachel Grant for the photos of the Root Connections Cookery Club_ ## Rector’s Report ‘Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith.’ Hebrews 12: 2 As I read through the annual report this afternoon, I am struck by what a busy year 2023 was and how many different activities we continue to engage in. I am delighted that in spite of considerable challenges, we continue to operate a theology of generous hospitality as we greet significant numbers of people weekly in Jesus’ name. In addition to our services of worship it is a joy to see young families encountering Jesus through the ministry of Messy Church and the Teddy Bear’s Picnic; for our doors to be open to the local community, building relationship in Jesus’ name through Monday Tea, Tea & Toast and Lunch Club, and to see the huge success of Cookery Club, two Quiz Nights for fundraising and the Christmas Craft Evening. God has been good to us this year and we have much to be grateful for. 3 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 In positive changes, the chancel floor has been beautifully polished up, and after much delay, the new sound system has been fitted and is working well. I am told that even those with imperfect hearing find it a great improvement and operationally it is very easy to get to grips with. If you feel inclined to receive some training you might like to join the small group of volunteers who take turns to help monitor it on a Sunday. (If your Rector can be taught to manage it single handed in an emergency, then it can’t be that hard!) Stage 2 of this project is only waiting for a Faculty to be granted and then we hope for a similar improvement in the visuals. Please hold this in your prayers. Thank you to the small army of people who have worked so very hard to maintain and even improve our premises. The way we keep God’s house speaks to all of the honour in which we hold Him, and I am so grateful of your support in this practical sphere. In a year of change for the nation, we saw the pomp and ceremony of the coronation of our new King, Charles III. Closer to home, April saw a wonderful service of celebration bringing to a close 800 years of worship and ministry at St Vigor’s Church in Stratton on the Fosse. It was with heavy hearts that we closed the doors for the final time but I am happy to say this brave decision has breathed new life into the community enjoyed by the congregation at the early service at St John’s (9am) where we celebrate Holy Communion in traditional language every week. If you like the idea of a quiet and more reflective start to Sunday, why not come along and join us? Services for the wider community are also thriving: School Services have had standing room only for parents and the Carol Service was a delight with every seat taken. God is at work! It has been a year with an unusually high number of funerals in our Benefice with a significant number of dear friends being called home to glory. In addition to services for the wider community we have bid farewell to Brian White, Alan Denham, Dick and Sylvia Burge, Lyn Jansen, Audrey Strawbridge, Rob Beck and Arthur Moon. They will be greatly missed. The staff team has worked hard this year with Steve taking an extended placement in America before coming back to complete his final year of training. He and Jenn have enriched our church family life so much over the last 3 years and we must now support them by praying for God to reveal the right next step for their next appointment at some point later in 2024. Ali Mayes joined us in October as Part -time Administrative Assistant and has begun to grapple with the surprising amount of paperwork involved in running a church family. We thank Ali for her hard work and also those who have given financially to make this crucial role possible this year. After a couple of years as our Parish Nurse, Sarah Crosse decided at the end of the year, to step back from the role. I am sure you will join me in thanking her for the hours of care she has shown around the parish in Jesus’ name. As 2023 drew to a close we became aware of the significant financial challenges that face us in 2024. In addition to this, so much of our worship and ministry depends of our buildings and they are showing their age. The financial situation, as you will read, is very challenging and yet I believe we have cause for hope. The verse which we committed to memory in 2023 holds true. We see God at work in so many ways and He has a plan. Our key verse for 2024 encourages us that God says: ‘See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.’ Isaiah 43: 19 Let us with thankful hearts continue to look to God alone for His answers to our problems and be grateful for the New Life he has promised us. Thank you for your continued commitment to prayer 4 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 for our future and practical support in so many ways, not least giving sacrificially in terms of both time and money to the life of our church family. May I commend the attached reports to you with many thanks for the part each of you plays in our wonderful church family. Every blessing, Revd. Esther Smith Rector ## Curate’s Report 2023 has been in my view something of a year of mixed emotions in the benefice, the final service at St Vigor’s church was a really poignant moment, a deep sadness, but also a moment of being able to reflect on the goodness of God and the ministry that had happened in that place. I found it amazing to see how many people travelled from afar to come to the final service and celebrate how special St Vigor’s had been to them in their faith journey. Whilst there has been the sadness in the drawing to an end of one ministry, I have also rejoiced and given thanks for the new things that God has been doing in our benefice. We have seen 40+ people engage with the church through Monday night tea who had no engagement with the Church prior to 2023 and this has increased as we have gone into 2024. I have been really encouraged to continue to see that the relationship with the school is flourishing and that the children and staff love coming to the Church for their services at Harvest, Christmas, and Easter, but they have also really enjoyed using the premises for school lessons as well. People ended up having to return home at Christmas because there was just no space to even get into the building for the school Christmas service! It has been really encouraging to see how Tea and Toast has continued to go from strength to strength and that not only are relationships being made between volunteers and children and their parents but there are some really exciting conversations going on both during sessions and behind the scenes which show that people really are seeking relationship with something far greater than what the world can offer and this has continued as older children have left, we have seen an influx of new children and new relationships go deeper. From a personal perspective, 2023 was the year that I finished my curacy and have had to learn a lot of new skills especially around buildings. Me and Jenny have very much valued everyone’s prayers throughout our ministry here as we have started out and we know those prayers will carry on, especially as we discern what the future holds. My prayer for us as a Church this year, is that all of us whether we are weekly attenders, monthly attenders or people who just come to church sporadically, my prayer is that each of us would be able to see that God is doing something new and exciting in this benefice and the best is yet to come. Revd. Stephen D Miles 5 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 ## Music and Worship **Music Group:** By summer 2023 those able to commit to regular attendance at practices and on a Sunday had diminished for various individual reasons. Therefore, it was sadly decided the Group was no longer viable to lead at services on a regular basis. However, a few of us continue to meet to enjoy singing some worship music; usually on the last Friday of each month at 12.15-1.30pm in the Church Hall. Please feel free to join us, either as a one-off or more regularly; but check the date / time with Linda as this could alter. **Worship Group:** Roberta Adams and I (Linda Van Peborgh) continue to prepare suggestions for hymns and songs to the Leadership Team, based on the Scripture Readings / Themes of the Services. Linda Van Peborgh ## Thursday Mornings Communion and Coffee A shortened form of Holy Communion taken from the Book of Common Prayer is celebrated on a Thursday morning in Church at 11am. From January 2024 the service is being held in the hall for the time being. A time to pause in our busy lives to be in God’s presence and reflect on the gospel for the day. The service is followed by tea and coffee and time to socialise. Margaret Holcombe ## Discipleship Our home groups have continued meeting faithfully throughout the year and I would as ever like to thank all those who make this possible, either by offering their homes for groups to meet in or by being prepared to lead the group. Most meetings are now in person except where members are less able to get out when Zoom still plays its part. Judy Churley who both hosted and led a home group for a number of years has now moved up to London following the death of her husband Vic and the members of that group have joined others. This has led to a couple of groups being very full and I would be delighted to talk to anyone who feels called to lead a group so we can offer people a wider choice. We have had new people who have joined the church joining a home group and that is a real joy. As I have said before, the groups are clearly valued and provide a key resource not just in discipleship but also in pastoral care as relationships build between the members. I believe the home groups are the heart of the church where God can speak to us and where we can be encouraged, supported and inspired. For the Lent Course in 2023 we based our studies on The Return of Mary Poppins, using Lucy Berry’s book “Where the Lost Things Go”, starting with a fish and chip supper to watch the film and then meeting weekly on a Wednesday evening in the Church Hall. The questions were as ever thought provoking and it was good to mix with people from other home groups and get new perspectives on our shared faith. Having followed the Lectionary readings up until Pentecost we then spent some time looking at the minor prophets through the summer term. The series was entitled Hope in Dark Times and reminded us that God is always at work even when things seem to be running out of control. Over 6 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 the school summer holidays we looked at the “I Am…” sayings of Jesus before spending some time focussing on the Book of Psalms. We then again followed the Lectionary readings and our usual pattern for looking at the application of God’s word to our lives helped by questions provided by the preacher. I would encourage all those who do not currently belong to a home group to consider joining one. You would be very welcome and you can always come on a trial basis to see if you like it. Kristin Marshall ## Contemplative Prayer I continue to circulate a monthly resource by email to around 15 church members and 15 others who live further afield, for their own times of silent contemplation. Do let me know if you would like to be added to that circulation. For those who live nearer we meet on the 4th Tues of each month at 2.30-4pm in the Church Hall. Please feel free to join us, either as a one-off or more regularly; but check the date / time with Linda as this could alter. Linda Van Peborgh ## Messy Church Messy Church continued to meet monthly throughout the year. Each session was full of fun and laughter and the feedback was positive. We had a very encouraging year in terms of growth, with 55 families on our register. Last year we saw 59 different children attend from 34 different families. We are now seeing some families becoming more integrated into church life. With some attending on Sunday mornings and others involved in the Monday evening Tea at St John’s. Our theme for 2023 was “The I am statements” of Jesus. We also explored the Easter story and Advent. We need a large team, of 20 plus people each month, for Messy church to happen. Last year we had 27 different volunteers, 23 helping out on Sunday afternoons and others helping with cutting out and admin tasks at home. All being passionate about Messy Church and keen to support in any way they can. The team consists mainly of members of the church congregation and some parents and grandparents of the children attending. Illness and absence impacted on us several times in 2023 so prayers are needed for new team members. In the summer we joined with Tea and Toast and had a picnic with games and fun afternoon. The windy weather meant the church was transformed and a bouncy castle took over the chancel. A good time was had by all. 7 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 In December Caroline Emery and Val Austin enabled us to host a ladies Christmas craft evening with mince pies and Christmas music for the mums and the ladies on the team. This was a huge success with numbers having to be capped at 40 in order for us to cope! Many thanks to Caroline, Val and the kitchen team for this. Instead of the usual nativity, we organised the Christmas Eve Crib Service. This was the first time Messy Church had held an event on Christmas Eve. It was disappointing in terms of the numbers of Messy church families attending and proved difficult for some team members to attend. However, it was good to see some families from the community that we had never met before, coming along and joining in. Tina Collins 8 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 ## Tea & Toast Our Thursday Morning Toddler Group continues to thrive, commonly welcoming 15-20 children and their parents and carers weekly in term time making the hall buzz with chatter and laughter. A small but dedicated team of helpers make sure there is a constant supply of toast and jam with tea or coffee for the grown-ups to keep everyone happy whilst they play and chat. Through this simple format, a strong and happy community has built up amongst these families who feel at home and often bring along new friends to join us. It is a privilege to be able to share their journey, to pray for the concerns of everyday life with the parents and carers and occasionally to welcome them also to Messy Church or Sunday Worship and Baptism. The Teddy Bear’s Picnic in July offered a wonderful opportunity for all young families associated with our church to gather and join in the fun, and the Crib Service allowed us to act out together the Christmas Story on Christmas Eve. Thank you to all those who go to such lengths to show such hospitality to the young families of our community in Jesus’ name. Esther Smith ## School Report - “That they may have life, life in all its fullness” John 10:10 St Vigor and St John Church School has continued to provide an enriching learning environment, still focussing on the four key principles of - Being adventurous - Being unique - Being connected - Being ethical The school, in combination with The Mill Nursery, provides an integrated setting providing for children from 6 months to 11 years old. The church is represented on the Local Governing Body (LGB) by Esther Smith, Stephen Miles, Tom Mayes and Dan Owen with the LGB being chaired by Zac Cambourne. Since the successful OFSTED inspection in October 2022, the school continues to pursue an ambitious curriculum and is seen as a leading example within the Bath & Wells Multi Academy Trust (MAT). As a result of this, Chris Chorley was asked to take on the role of Executive Headteacher of both St Vigor and St John and St Aldhelm’s schools as St Aldhelm’s joins the Bath & Well MAT 9 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 from the start of 2024. Leah Sheppard will take on the role of Head of School at St Vigor and St John and will continue to work closely with Chris in their new roles. Chris, Leah, the leadership team, teachers and support staff continue to show exceptional commitment to providing as rich a learning environment as possible. We give thanks for their energy and enthusiasm as they continue to work tirelessly and we pray for the continued health and development of the pupils. Tom Mayes ## Mission **Leprosy Mission:** The Annual Diary, Quarterly Prayer Updates and New Day Magazines continue to be available at the back of the church. Whilst I am still in email contact with TLM and the local Rep (currently Gabby North) there has been no other TLM-focussed activity. I know individuals support various world-wide Missions, but any regular St John’s church-wide Mission-focus (prayer and deputation visits etc.) has been lacking in recent years. Linda Van Peborgh ## Lunch Club Lunch Club continues to meet on the third Thursday of the month (except for August). The meal through the Autumn, Winter and Spring months is soup and a roll with cake or a pudding followed by tea or coffee. During the Summer months we have quiche and salad and a ploughmans lunch. In December we had our usual Christmas meal of turkey with all the trimmings and a glass of wine or fruit juice followed by Christmas pudding and minced pies all topped with cream. We are very grateful to Mitchards butchers who cook the turkey crowns for us. We would also like to thank Hannah and David Smith for doing the clearing up in the kitchen after the meal. A group of children from St Vigor and St Johns School entertained us after the meal with Christmas songs which was enjoyed by all. Grateful thanks to the loyal people who each month help at Lunch Club. For further information please contact me, details are posted on the church website. Margaret Holcombe ## Root Connections Cookery Club Roots Cookery Club welcomes cooks from their 30s to their 80s on the 4th Monday of the month to develop vegetable-based recipes and to enjoy lunch together. The club has now trialled over 50 different recipes which are currently being prepared as recipe cards to sit alongside the Root Connections veg boxes. 10 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 Root Connections is in the parish in Stratton on the Fosse and alongside the Dairy House homeless hostel aims to be part of the solution to ending rural homelessness in Somerset and is a mission partner of the church. Cooks come from a wide geographical area. For some this is additional to other volunteer activities they do with Root Connections; for others this is their main connection with the project. In addition to the recipe cards, we have prepared cakes and savoury refreshments for the Easter and Christmas markets which have happened at Root Connections and for the 2 open days. All have brought in positive comments and financial support to Root Connections. Everyone joins in and chops, cooks and helps tidy away whilst chatting and getting to know people from all walks of life. Everyone is valued for the part they play in making the club go so well. With such a wide age range we can find jobs for everyone but take into account any physical limitations. _I enjoy cookery club because it’s a very different way of cooking to me. I enjoy the company being on my own and meeting other ladies and getting new ideas. It’s never too late to change._ _It’s a friendly group of people with interesting ideas and fresh ideas about how to cook vegetables._ _There is something good about preparing a meal together and then sharing it whilst chatting and getting to know new people._ _I have found friendship and laughter and somewhere to look forward to going to each month._ 11 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 _I enjoy making and tasting new recipes (which I can use with the veg from the Roots veg box). I enjoy meeting new people (as I am new to the village) I like hearing their comments._ Rachel Grant ## The Wednesday Men's Group The Group, a small number of retired men, join together on most Wednesday mornings at St John's to undertake small repair or general maintenance jobs. This we do in order to offer something back during our retirement and to keep the Church and Hall looking and being cared for. We have a break for coffee, which may be short or more likely a longish one because then we have our conversations on topics many and various. A little more work is done before returning to the bosom of our families at around 12.00 - 12.30. One of our highlights is when Steve, our Curate and honorary member of the Group makes bacon or sausage baps for us. We are a very informal Group with no particular structure and welcome any who feels he would like to join for the fun, the banter and a certain amount of DIY work! Q - How many Wednesday Men does it take to change a light bulb? A - Depends if breakfast is on offer or not! Fred Corp ## Safeguarding There have been no reports or incidents that have required further investigation during the past year. All DBS checks are up to date and will last for three years. The Diocese is now using another company call Thirty-One Eight to administer DBS checks and this can give the applicant to the opportunity to submit their ID documents digitally which is probably more convenient for those who can do this. The new system also speeds up the application. Training continues for all new volunteers. Sunday 29th November was National Safeguarding Sunday and a short overview of safeguarding was given in the ‘Learning Together’ section of the usual 10.30am service. Connie Moore Safeguarding Officer 12 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 ## Churchwardens’ Report With thanks to the ‘Wardens’ Team’ (Fred Corp, Rachel Grant, Margaret Holcombe, David Jones and Tony Pook), who have supported Tom Mayes and me in making the everyday running of church activities possible. We meet by Zoom for a short catch-up and check-in every 2-3 months. Please chat to any of us if you’d like to consider joining this team effort. A special thanks must be recorded to the Men’s Group, who come regularly on a Wed morning to attend to pressing maintenance and other jobs. Also, thanks to those who prepare rotas for both church and hall activities and to those who serve us all on those rotas; with thanks again to the ‘Sides Persons’ who readily volunteered for ‘extra duties’ over the busy 2023 Christmas Weekend. We couldn’t do it without all of you! There have been some taxing problems in 2023; replacing damaged roof tiles and applying ‘Smart Water’ to the church, flooding in the church and boiler room (mainly due to a rise in the water-table, so not easily resolved), ‘Zoom-meeting’ with Ecclesiastical Insurers to make sure we have fulfilled their stringent criteria, various annual safety checks and completing the ‘Statistics for Mission’ documents required by the Diocese. However, as you are aware our full attention in 2024, is to make the Church Hall roof and guttering weather-proof and sourcing a cost-effective and flexible heating system for both the Church and the Hall. Please pray for Fred Corp and the ‘Task Force’ as they seek solutions, submit Grant Applications and obtain DAC Faculty approval for these vital and major church property upgrades. This leaves outstanding the matters of disabled access to the church from the car park and repair to the North boundary wall, which sadly will almost certainly have to wait for yet another year. Linda Van Peborgh Churchwarden ## PCC Report The PCC met five times during the year and the decisions were conveyed to the Congregation via PCC Jottings, available on the website. At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in April, Fred Corp and Leisa Thorne were re-elected as Laity Reps. Leisa Thorne was re-elected as Deanery Synod Rep and Tom Mayes and Linda Van Peborgh were re-elected as Churchwardens. The PCC is made up as follows: ||| |---|---| |**St John’s PCC**|**Term of Office**| ||| ||| |**Ex officio**|| ||| ||| |Rector - Esther Smith|| ||| ||| |Curate - Steve Miles|| ||| ||| |**Churchwardens - 2 wardens, elected annually, 6 years max.**|| ||| 13 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 ||| |---|---| |Tom Mayes|2018-2024| ||| ||| |Linda Van Peborgh|2022-2028| ||| ||| |**Laity Reps - 6 reps, 3 year term, a third retire each year**|| ||| ||| |Tony Pook – resigned November 2023|2021-Nov 2023| ||| ||| |Chris Collins|2021-2024| ||| ||| |Leisa Thorne|2023-2026| ||| ||| |Fred Corp|2023-2026| ||| ||| |Tina Collins|2022-2025| ||| ||| |David Aldridge|2022-2025| ||| ||| |**Deanery Synod Reps - 2 reps elected for 3 year term**|| ||| ||| |Leisa Thorne|2023-2026| ||| ||| |Tony Chivers|2022-2026| ||| Lesley Close PCC Secretary ## Sidespersons We are grateful to a small group of people willing to welcome people to Church on a Sunday morning. If anyone would like to join this rota please speak to me. The current Sidespeople are :- - Elaine & Fred Corp - Judy & David Jones - Gill & Mike Bushill - Robin Singh - Connie Moore & Det Saunders - Margaret & Geoff Holcombe Geoff Holcombe ## Deanery Synod During 2023 the Midsomer Norton Deanery Synod met on three occasions at St. John’s Midsomer Norton, Peasedown St John, and Chilcompton. The meetings commence with a time of worship and prayer followed by a “what’s going on “ report by one of the member churches. ## MSN Deanery Deployment Plan 2023-2028 As required by the Diocese a review of clergy posts in the MSN Deanery was undertaken. Using data from the 2011 Census, Number of Churches, Population Estimates and Membership numbers as of 14 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 2022, it was shown that the numbers of clergy be reduced by one half post in the next five years. Consequently, following the retirement of present incumbent of East Mendip Trinity, a new benefice of Chilcompton with East Mendip Trinity will be formed. To assist a “House for Duty” post will be located Coleford Rectory. ## Somervalley Food Bank Now in its 10 th year the Food Bank has seen a huge increase in the number of vouchers, consequently more food is required. They have introduced a Fuelbank Foundation providing fuel vouchers and a Community Wellbeing Hub. They have also been nominated Charity of the Year by Thatcher and Hallam which will provide some of the extra funds needed. ## Bishops Autum Visit The Bishop visited the Deanery in November 2023. All clergy and Church Wardens were invited to attend. ## Ministry to Children Rev Steve Miles shared some of his experiences of encouraging churches to work together to support the youth in Yeovil and challenged synod to think of ways to reach out to our young people. To assist in this each parish was asked to list all their youth activities. ## Working Together The aim is to assist each other by sharing resources and our experiences and providing help where possible. An example is helping Kilmersdon with their treasurer’s task. ## Possible Linking MSN and Frome Deaneries Ongoing discussions are taking place to explore the potential of joining the MSN and Frome Deaneries together. ## Finance The treasurer reported that the current deanery funds stood at around £6,000. ## Bellringers Ringing at Chilcompton continues in a regular pattern over the past year with ringing for Sunday services and practices on a Monday night as well as regular quarter peal and peal attempts. Members of the band also assist with service ringing at St John the Baptist Midsomer Norton and with training learners there. Chilcompton again entered a team in the 2023 National 12-Bell Striking Competition, travelling to Cheltenham to take part in an eliminator. Although not progressing to the final, the team produced a very creditable performance. A team was also entered into the South West 12-Bell competition held in Trowbridge. The 2024 final of the National 12-Bell Striking Competition will be held at Chilcompton in June. Organisation is ongoing for this significant event, with hundreds of visitors from around the country 15 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 expected. As the time of the competition comes closer, please look out for requests for volunteers to assist. In December, we were deeply saddened by the death of Robert Beck. As ringer, groundskeeper and valued member of our church family Rob is greatly missed by all. Bellringing is a very social affair, once learned it is an opening to bell towers wherever you go. Bellringers are always happy to welcome visitors to their church and often enjoy a social time afterwards. Here at Chilcompton we regularly welcome visiting groups and run training sessions for ringers at all stages in the learning process. There is no age limit to learning and we would welcome anyone interested in taking up this hobby. We do lose a lot of local ringers to universities etc. so we are always looking to augment our numbers. Just come along on any Monday at 7pm and have a go – there is obviously no obligation but you might find you enjoy it. Just ring Adrian Beck on 01761 41590 if you would like more information. We give thanks for the regular prayers in support of the band, their continued commitment, and particularly to Adrian Beck, for ensuring that the bells of Chilcompton continue to sound. Tom Mayes ## Electoral Roll Report Following the closure of St Vigor’s Church, Stratton-on-the Fosse during 2023, we have recruited a number of additional Electoral Roll members. We currently have 84 members on roll, 56 female and 28 male. During the past twelve months we have bid farewell to Audrey Strawbridge, Lyn Jansen, Brian White and Rob Beck who have passed from this world to the next, but we continue to sign new members which has kept our overall numbers in good stead. It is never too late to add your name to the Electoral Roll and Forms are readily available from the Church Wardens or myself should you wish to take this next step. Once registered you are eligible to vote at the Annual Church Meeting and/or stand for election to the Parochial Church Council (PCC). Richard Moon Electoral Roll Officer 07831 522100 ## Treasurer’s Report year ended 31[st] December 2023 During the year the balance on the unrestricted (day to day running) account has dropped from £2,496 to -£235, despite a transfer from reserves of £7,710 due to a deficit of £10,441 This was principally due to: 1. Utility costs increased by £9,151 to £14,044 2. Planned Giving has continued to fall, and has reduced by £2,785 to £39,958 3. Gift Aid recovered has fallen by £533 to £10,858 and will fall again because of the reduction in Planned Giving and Cash collections. 16 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 As flagged up last year, these levels of losses cannot be sustained. We have used up more than 56% of our reserves and without significant changes we will run out of money in 2024. In 2024 the Parish Share will increase by 10% TO £51,507. This is based upon our church membership being 55 regular worshippers. This equates to £18.00 per person per week (£78 per month) or £36.00 per week for a couple (£156 per month). In addition to the Parish Share must be added the utility costs, insurance, and the running costs to provide the various activities and outreach that happen week in week out. In 2023 this totalled a further £29,908 For the church to continue as it is, it is vital that all of us look to our own financial commitments, the above figures are an average, some can afford more and others less, but this gives a ball park figure for the scale of the challenge. During the year a start was made on the upgrade to the audio video systems in the church. The sound system was upgraded at the end of the year, and the visuals will be upgraded once the faculty is finally approved. The PCC made charitable donation during the year to support our various charitable partners of £1,277 reducing the designated account to £236. In addition, specific collections/events raised a further £539 for charity. Unfortunately, we are again unable to top up the designated funds from our general fund. ## Reserves The balance carried forward at the 31st December on unrestricted funds totalled £5,621 of which £236 has been designated for Mission & Charitable purposes. The restricted funds total £13,195 of which the Fabric account stands at £10,622 Chris Collins Treasurer, PCC of Chilcompton with Downside 17 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 Independent Examiner's Certificate for the PCC Accounts Reportto the Ims*608 of.. Chllcomptt)n Downsld• Parochlal Church Councll On a￿ntS lor the yearended.. 31¥ 0￿mber 2023 Chaniy Numb&r lrfapp￿blel'. Sl 1996 No. 180 Set0￿ on pagqB I to4 Re•pe¢th rnspon8lbllltle$ ol rhe thanty's IN8lees are re6ponwbltr for the preParat￿n oflho a¢couni¥ Th8 ¢h8dty'8 tru¥tou and oxamlnor trustees cons*lerthal an audil is not required fw this yea[ un(ter s￿10￿144 of Ihe ChatitEs AGI 2011 Ilhe Cha[1t￿5 AGtI and that an inthpendent examination 15 needed 15 rny responsibility to- examine the accourts undersecknn 145 ofthe Charibes Art lo Ihe procedure? laid down in the general Diredions gNen by tho Chatty commissi￿ lunder seciion 14515llbl ol the Chafllies Art, and 10 St￿e whBlh* m*iern have CL¥￿tr lo my 8tt8ntson. Bas18 of Independont My examinallm was out aiyxjrdanct wth Diection8 g4vell by it 0xaM￿¥T,￿ it¥t0wn•nt ChaTiiy CommL%Sion An examination iTbclud@5 a Tevthv Df the 3ccounliry record k9Pt by the charity a ¢ompanson of the ¥£counts presented wilh those tecords. 11 £150 ifidudes GonswleralioD ol any unusual items or di8dDsures In the *COLmls. aTrd seeking @xplanaliDllS frL¥n Ihe Iru6tees (LnCEming any s￿h matters. The pracedure5 uTrdert3keD do nol PlDvlde all Ihe ewdeno Ih81 would be re4ulred In a audrt. and consequently no opinN)Tr is given as lo whetherlhe Èccounis wÈseni a iiue and fair, anrl tho repoN ts Ilmrted to those maii818 $81 OLrt In th8 slaiemant below lrtdeperthntexamlnErfs In GonneGtionwith my eXam￿atrOn. no tnatter ha5 GOI1￿ to tny attention l(*hetth •latArngllt that disck>sed bg1(A¥-I which glvos rne rgasonable c3Us0 lo believo that In, any mglerial respect. a#ounbng re¢ryd$ wwe Mt k•t in vrth séction 130 oflhe Char￿8¥ Act or the aucounis do not accoid with the ac[X￿n￿ng records I h8ve co1￿ across no oth£r matters In connestKn wrfh Ihe examinalign lo which attènthDll sho￿￿ be dra￿Tr in urder lo e￿a￿e a PlDper understa￿11[49 of ihe to be rpached . Please dslele th8 in Ihg ￿CkelS iflh9y(lo fiot Slgntd.. li ioi Ilame.. Rele￿￿tprO1e8s10nal quaUfie*knl•l or budy Ilf nyl.. Addros•.' Ivy tsJ(AL 18 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 PCC Chil¢gmptoTrwith Dwm5ide Recelpts and PaymenlsAeeountsfor perfod Lstjanuaryto 3tst December 2023 De5¥nate Re5tiKted Totol Totol Fwd 111- 3V12 111-31112 2QiJ 2Q21 R•ceipts Valuntsry Ree*lpts Planned Giwng Collection at Se￿￿5 All other gI￿ng Grft Ad Recovered Legacies Recewed Grants 39,958 2.694 1,933 10.858 6,325 419 911 45,283 3,113 44,418 3.030 12,(132 14.374 2,873 500 13.731 500 500 55.943 11,028 66,971 76,523 Artlvltlesfatgeneratlng funds Inv•stm•nt Incom Church Artniities Other Ineame Total R•￿1P*s 1,382 461 119 1,501 461 95 5.257 1,127 6.253 2,113 66,152 &253 2,118 11,147 P¥mettts Cost OF generatlngfunds Church Artivities Parish Share C￿rgY and staff expense5 Salaries snd wage5 M155ion and Charitab￿ Church Expenses Church utility kn115 Churth runvlng￿peTrses MI￿10n and e¥ange115m costs 46.685 3,081 46.685 3,081 715 45.769 4017 715 1277 539 IA16 14,044 10.037 2,746 76,593 14.044 12.485 2,746 81,572 ,893 12.425 1,614 73.918 1.277 3,702 Major Rep31rsto the ¢hurch Mijor R•pairn to th• hill 2,402 1,610 Total payrrtents EX¢¥￿ 01 r•¢•ipts over payments Transfer between funds 1,277 ts,Ctr)2 -10,441 7,710 4,855 -16.573 7,710 5,072 C05h ot bank * 1st january Cash èt bank at 3tst December 2,496 -235 1,513 236 .050 13,195 22.059 13,196 16.987 22,059 19 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 UnEesttitted r*￿nated hpfrfYlM￿swJTr 14 Re5bKted Total Total Fund F￿d 2QZJ Futwj Receipts I ChUrChArt￿l￿1 Church Hall Fee5 ft>rweddings and funerals 1,215 5,038 6,253 1,215 5,Q38 6,253 1,1 5,257 Payments 2 Mlsslon eharhable Christian CMS Tearfund RoDt Connection5/Dairy Hous MSN Food Bank 119 135 119 135 1,073 Leprosy MIS￿On Bl￿eSfor ￿h(X)I 202 202 285 395 285 Barnabos Fund DEC Ukraine Other 657 75 75 1.277 75 1.816 539 5.2 3 Chur¢h utilitybills OettricIIV Gas WatÈr 9,412 4492 140 9A12 4A92 140 3,632 1.051 210 14044 14.044 4,893 4 Churnh runnin¥exper Insurance Maintenance PhOt(￿0p1@r& Printing Costs Software, Web￿te & Copyright IKen Youth church Churchyard Otherexpen5e5 2,337 1,901 1,527 I,(Aii 571 2,337 4,024 1,527 2,038 1,8 797 652 236 2,123 571 1,155 1,545 10,037 325 6,020 1,545 12,485 12,425 S Mlsslon and evangellsm ¢osts Me55y Church Parbh Nurse Other 494 595 595 595 1.567 2,746 1.567 2,746 525 1,614 20 ANNUAL REVIEW 2023 temert of Assets and Lkbll Unresithied Dttyted Restrkted F￿nd Totsl 2023 Total 2022 Fund Cash Fund5 Bank Current Account Reserves Deposlt Fund -235 236 13,195 13,196 22,059 13.710 oiher Monet2ryAssets PCC Feesto be recelved oiher Monetsry ￿a￿lItIeS B&WDBofF- Statuiory Fee to pay Non Pccfeesto pay .L3 5,385 236 13,195 18,816 34,409 Not l Thefin8ncial stèternents of the Pcchave been prepared in aCC￿danCe withtheChurchAccountin8 Re8uLation5 2006 ￿ingthe Receipts & Payr￿nts ba515. 2 The movernents in d85i8Thgtd and restricted fund durin8 theyear were.. Bal. Blfwd Receipts PaymEnt5 Clfwd Restricted Fabric (Frlendsl Barnabas Fund R￿t HDUS 18J)37 14,423 10,622 135 135 Crisi5 Tearfund CMS 119 119 35 35 Administrator Downside churchyard 715 2.7 -915 325 18,050 li,M6 16,(K)2 13,195 Design?ted Charitable Gi¥lne 1,513 1277 Deslgnated fund represents sum55et aslde from Voluntsry RecelptsfLY charltsble pursx)ses. 21