ST MATTHEW'S CHURCH IWOLVERHAMPTON •o•o APCM Reports 2025
CONTENTS
The VISION ………………………………………… 3 Being Transformed By Jesus Gathered Worship ………………………… 4 Discipleship ………………………………… 4 Doing Life Together ……………………….. 5 JAM …………………………………………… 6 Youth …………………………………………. 7 Bringing Transformation in our Community Mission opportunities ……………………… 8 Baby & Toddler Group ……………………. 9 Family Pilot Scheme ……………………….. 9 Place of Welcome & Pop-In ……………… 10 Friday Family Fun ………………………….. 10 Schools ………………………………………. 10 Partnerships …………………………………. 11 Curate’s Report ……………………………………. 12 Treasurer’s Report …………………………………. 12 Churchwardens’ Fabric Report …………………. 13 Safeguarding Report ……………………………… 14 Deanery Synod Report …………………………… 15 Vicar’s Report ………………………………………. 15 Vicar’s Sabbatical …………………………………. 16
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The VISION
Being Transformed by Jesus
Raising GENERATIONS of Spirit-filled disciples, who are
COMMITTED to practising spiritual disciplines
Becoming CONFIDENT in knowing & applying the Bible
Increasingly READY to encounter God
& be led by Holy Spirit in gathered worship
Doing life TOGETHER as we follow the way of Jesus
Bringing Transformation in our community
Being visibly at the HEART of life in the community
Seeing every interaction as an INTRODUCTION to Jesus
Bringing life to FAMILIES by
BREAKING CYCLES by supporting healthy relationships, encouraging good parenting and walking alongside the isolated.
Being fathers to the fatherless, and family to those without family
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Being Transformed By Jesus
Gathered Worship
Our Sunday gatherings for worship continue to be a source of joy and encouragement. The 9am service of Holy Communion has a small, but regular, congregation of around half a dozen. This includes those who cannot attend at 10.30am and, occasionally, some who are serving on team at the later service and want the opportunity to worship and hear the teaching. The 10.30am service has continued to be Holy Communion roughly half the time, and Morning Worship for the other half, seeing an average of 58 adults and 37 children. This is just a little down on the previous year, but it was been wonderful to welcome some new people in recent months. One shift that we’ve noticed over recent years is that very few people are consistently attending worship week-in week-out. We recognise that holidays and illness are a factor, but want to encourage members to see Sunday worship as a spiritual discipline to prioritise just as much as prayer or scripture.
Our monthly Encounter evenings have steadily grown over the year, beginning to feel like a regular congregation including some who do not otherwise attend church. As part of our gathered worship we have completed several teaching series. In the Summer term we looked at the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting. In the Autumn we journeyed through the story of Joshua, and then at the beginning of this year we did some church training sessions on welcome, prayer ministry and serving, before looking at the discipline of scripture.
Looking ahead, our teaching series during Easter season will be Gospel Transformation exploring the difference Jesus makes in our lives. We kick off on Easter Sunday with ‘Gospel Transformation: from death to life’. After Easter we will be training a prayer ministry team, so that this can be made available every week.
Revd Matt Hird
Discipleship
The first half of our church vision is about Being Transformed by Jesus , and this was a major focus of our teaching in the Summer term of 2024. The main vehicle for discipleship at St Matthew’s is the Life Groups which provide a space for members to grow deeper in their relationships with God and with one another. These groups meet each week to share life together, offer support and encouragement, study God’s word, and pray for each other.
This year has seen two new Life Groups start. The first came out of a Freedom in Christ course, where members had enjoyed sharing together and chose to continue meeting as a Life Group. Then, in the autumn, another new Life Group was formed with a couple of new members plus a couple transferring
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from a larger group. This means we currently have 5 Life Groups running, made up of 34 people. I am immensely grateful to our wonderful Life Group leaders, who do a fantastic job of looking after these groups.
A regular focus through the year has been exploring some spiritual disciplines . We have used the resources from Practising the Way to consider the disciplines of Prayer, Fasting and, most recently, Scripture. Fasting was the least familiar of these and therefore the hardest for some to get started with. However, it’s been encouraging to hear how people are still incorporating the disciplines of fasting and prayer nearly a year on.
In time we will explore more spiritual disciplines, gradually building up a selection of practices that will help us become increasingly open to the transformation Jesus wants to bring to our lives.
Revd Matt Hird
Doing Life Together
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2: 42-47)
Here at St Matthew's we believe that church isn't simply a meeting once a week on a Sunday but rather a family of disciples of Jesus who are learning to do the whole of life together. This brings with it many joys and also some struggles as we learn to prioritise these relationships and to share vulnerably with one another. It means choosing to love one another, choosing to turn up and choosing to work through difficult seasons. It means speaking honestly, not gossiping, dealing with conflict well and having grace and forgiveness for one another. Spending time together worshipping, praying, studying and socialising (and eating) is key to developing these kinds of relationships and so we seek to create as many opportunities as possible to do this in Sunday services, mid week groups and one off events. One key way we encourage everyone to 'do life together' is as part of a life group; a small group who meet weekly to study scripture and share life. As well as life groups and youth groups each week we also gather with church family, and our wider community, at the Pop In, Place of Welcome, Baby and Toddlers and the new Fortnightly Family games night.
One-off events this year have included another Crafternoon, a women's day in Telford, a men's night at the Merrys, the New Wine summer festival and of course our famous slow cooker Sundays. A highlight
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this year was 'Mary' and 'Joseph' touring our homes over advent, giving anyone who wanted to join in an opportunity to host and be hosted over advent (thanks to Deb Blakemore for co-ordinating this). We want to create more spaces in the coming year for gathering socially, with a picnic in the park and another Crafternoon already scheduled for the coming term. There are so many opportunities to come and be with church family! Of course, doing life together can't be limited to organised events and it is great when we hear about friendships developing as people choose to spend time with each other looking after kids, going for a coffee, having a pint down the pub, playing board games, walking in the park and especially hosting each other in our homes.
Jess Hird
JAM
Over the past year, JAM (Jesus and Me) has continued to provide a fun and engaging space for our young people to experience church in age-appropriate and exciting ways. Throughout the year, we've seen God speaking to our young people. We've noticed a real responsiveness to God and His voice, especially among our youngest members, as well as a growing confidence across all the groups in using the Bible and sharing what they believe it means for them.
Each group’s identity has developed further this year. SparkleTots and Flames have restructured, both in terms of the space in the hall and the session formats, to encourage engagement despite fluctuating group sizes and to meet specific needs for accessibility. Glow, the oldest group meeting in the lounge, has grown and still just about fits in the lounge. They dive deep into the Bible each week, considering thoughtful applications of scripture and creating an environment where young people can ask questions and explore their faith more deeply.
This year, we’ve specifically covered topics such as: Play through the Bible, the Old Testament and how it fits into the Big Story of God, and diving into God’s promises leading into the Christmas season. We started 2025 more closely aligned with church-wide teaching, following the lectionary and Hands at Work service. We are now joining the rest of the church in the scripture practice, exploring ways to open this up to all ages.
We've also had a few opportunities to try new things. We’ve incorporated technology to support sessions in the hall with multimedia resources and trialed bridge videos to better communicate teaching to parents, encouraging family discipleship. Jack kindly created a new resource template to support our sessions as well.
One of our challenges last year, and something we’re actively exploring how to improve this year, is supporting young people transitioning from Glow into main church once they’ve outgrown the group. Page of 6 18
We want to ease that transition and help them continue growing in that new space. One limitation in how we can respond to this challenge is the number of leaders we have.
We know that having more leaders gives us greater flexibility in addressing these challenges and provides better support to the entire team. If you’d like to get involved in JAM (I’m confident our team has the most fun in church!), we’d love for you to join us for a session and see what we’re all about. It’s a great opportunity to be inspired by our young people, grow in your own faith, and have a blast while supporting the next generation.
No JAM sessions would happen without our incredible team already helping, so I want to take this chance to say a MASSIVE thank you to our top-tier JAM team: Ann, Chioma, Chisa, Dipa, Gail, Lynne, Ruth, Manesha, Maureen, Martin, Rachel, Steph, Stacey, Jess, and Jack. Their contributions make JAM a safe, engaging, and joyful space for children to grow in their faith, and I am so grateful for their servant-heartedness and the enthusiasm they bring to every JAM session.
Helen Foster
Youth
Friday Night Youth
This year the Friday night youth sessions have changed slightly from the old youth group, with more sessions involving group settings specific to different topics, but still with the aim for meeting and socialising. The youth have taken to this with great energy and enthusiasm, and so far, have really enjoyed the sessions.
Also, this year we have had Lynne step down as a youth leaders and we would like to say thanks for her years of help. I would also like to say thanks to Deb for her help setting up the new look Friday night youth group. I would also like to greet Jay and Gail as they join the team as new youth leaders.
We will still be doing activities like the 24/7 prayer week sleepover but have added more socialising events like a countryside walk for both parents and youth, and a cinema trip put into the pipeline of events to come. Big moments from this year have been the focus areas, specifically values and behaviours, ownership and belonging, and solution circles. My personal favourite does have to be the ad hoc paper plane making and flying completion.
As we move forward, we would love the group to grow bigger and now have a big enough team to create a safe and enjoyable space for our youth.
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Finally, I would like to thank the parents and youth for their help and feedback at the start of the year which has now shaped the group.
Chet Patel
Sunday Night Youth
Sunday Night Youth continues to meet on Sunday evenings at the Vicarage. Helen has started leading alongside Jess, and we welcome a regular group of five young people each week.
Each session, we dig into the Bible together and take a closer look at the teaching from the morning church service, exploring its meaning and how it applies to life at school, at home, and beyond. We also have fun playing board games to connect before diving into the teaching. A recent highlight was seeing Brandon, one of our young people, lead a session with real insight, sharing his reflections on scripture with the rest of the group.
We’re always open to new members and would love to welcome any young people in school years 9– 13 who are eager to explore the Bible and dig deeper into their faith.
Helen Foster & Jess Hird
Bringing Transformation in our Community
Mission Opportunities
St Matthew’s outward-looking mission focus is captured in the second part of the vision: bringing transformation in our community. The three ways that we are seeking to do that are by being visibly at the heart of the community, seeing every interaction as an interaction to Jesus and bringing life to families.
A number of activities ran during 2024 that focussed on bringing life to families. The long-established Baby & Toddler Group continued to run twice a week during term time. In addition to this, two other projects were trialled: a families project and a family fun night. These were well received as the reports that follow will demonstrate. Excitingly, both of the ideas for the trials were suggested by people who had ‘caught’ the church vision. We hope to be able to run these initiatives again in 2025. Place of Welcome and Pop-In continued to provide opportunities to engage with our community. Both provide a valuable space for those who might otherwise become isolated.
Alongside regular church-run events and one-offs like the Easter Fun Day and Beer & Carols, members of St Matthew’s were involved in other aspects of community life. Matt, our vicar, continued to chair the
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Partnership Board for Eastfield Family Hub. Both our clergy have been involved in the local schools. Many others will have been involved in mission within the community during the year in less formal ways. Bringing transformation in our community is an important aspect of our discipleship which follows out of the transformation that we experience in our own encounter with the risen Lord Jesus.
Revd Gareth Manser
Baby & Toddler Group
St Matthew’s Baby and Toddler group is now in its twelfth year and still remains popular with parents and carers in our community. Though this year has been quieter than the previous year, due to the fact that we lost several of our long-standing attendees when their children moved on to nursery in September, we are still welcoming new members on a weekly basis. Meeting for two mornings a week on Mondays and Wednesdays we offer a friendly, safe space for pre-schoolers to engage in free play, crafts and singing, whilst parents and carers relax and chat over a cup of tea or coffee.
It has been wonderful to see a core number of our church family attending the sessions and this has been a great opportunity to form friendships and have good conversations with members of our community, helping towards fulfilling our vision of being visible at the heart of our community.
The group would not be possible were it not for a dedicated team of leaders and helpers (including two new members this year) and a grateful thanks goes to them for their hard work and commitment.
Ann Macmanomy
Family Pilot Scheme
The family pilot scheme was put in place to cover specific needs, within a structured time, over an 8 week period, to find out what families want and need. We worked in partnership with East Park Academy and met every Friday 3.15pm straight from the school run until 5.30ish. We covered mental health and wellbeing through crafts, activities and creating a space of belonging. We also provided learning support, by helping parents/carers to come alongside their children with homework using the resources provided. In addition we supported fostering healthy relationships by playing board games and sitting around the table when it came to meal times with conversation prompts. We provided a healthy low budget meal for families to eat together and the recipe to take home. The scheme was led by Debbie Blakemore with a committed team drawn from the church family. The project was funded by the city council through Eastfield Family Hub.
Six families registered through East Park Academy and two families with children at East Park registered through our toddler group. A very diverse group attended, who enriched the group with
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their different cultures and life experiences. We had children attending as young as one year old up to ten years old.
Feedback from the scheme was good and many of those attending expressed a desire for something similar to be repeated. The PCC agreed that the scheme was something that St Matthew’s should do again, but it was unclear who would be in a position to lead it going forwards. Consideration has been given to employing somebody to take this on.
Place of Welcome & Pop-In
Place of Welcome ran weekly on Monday mornings throughout 2024. It provides a space for people who would like to meet with others for conversation and refreshments. Numbers varied throughout the year, but there was a core group of regular attendees using the service. Most of these are not regular members of the congregation. The relationships that have been built mean that many topics of conversation are covered, including questions about faith and life. We are grateful to Roger and Lynne for their dedicated service to the Place of Welcome.
Similarly, Pop-In ran throughout the year. Again, Roger and Lynne, along with Janet, enabled this to happen. Attendance was generally high, with extra chairs sometimes being added to the tables. Two meals took place at the Merry Boys. As well as the good conversation, a regular highlight was the weekly quiz, often written by Lynne’s husband, Dave. An important aspect of Pop-In is the celebration of birthdays, so there was often singing to be heard too. This was a valuable community space, highlighted by the occasional visits from councillors seeking to engage with local residents.
Friday Family Fun
This started 28th February and is run on a fortnightly basis and is becoming increasingly popular for all ages. It gives all a safe, secure, fun, inclusive, quality place/time to enable families and friends to gather for a chat and team fun alongside light bites and refreshments. It has been encouraging to see a group of regulars attending and we are confident that these number will grow in the upcoming year.
Gail Coley
Schools
This year St Matthew’s has continued to be involved in the life of Eastfield and East Park primaries and St Matthias secondary schools.
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Eastfield attended church for Easter, Harvest and Christmas as well as their summer concert. These events offered an opportunity to share God’s story with students, staff and parents. Matt is also involved in school life as a governor. East Park celebrated Easter, Harvest and Christmas and we were invited to be a part of those services. The family pilot scheme was a good opportunity to work with the school to highlight families who might benefit from the support on offer.
Once again, St Matthias brought year 7 to visit the prayer room for Thy Kingdom Come and hear more about what happens in church. This was very well received by the staff and students. They are keen to come again. Gareth has been visiting the school weekly at lunchtime on Wednesdays to be available for any students and staff who would like a conversation. This has provided an opportunity to connect regularly with certain students, particularly those who visited in May, and to have many conversations about Christian faith and the church. There have also been opportunities to contribute to RE lessons in year 9 and at GCSE. The school seem to be interested in the Worth It programme from Engage Trust, our local partnership.
Revd Gareth Manser
Partnerships
St Matthew’s has three main mission partnerships, locally with Engage Trust, nationally with New Wine and internationally with Hands at Work.
Engage Trust work with schools in Wolverhampton and the West Midlands, running a programme called Worth It, aimed at helping young people to build self-esteem and self-worth. They work with the schools to identify students who would most benefit from the programme and are motivated by their Christian values.
New Wine has a vision to equip the local Church to release confident, Spirit-filled followers of Jesus. They have developed a new strategy to help achieve this and renewed their focus on this investment in the local church. They also ran the United event during the summer which some of our church family attended.
Our international partnership with Hands at Work Africa means that we are linked with the Malakota community in Zambia. 150 children are currently supported by 29 care workers. During the year, there were opportunities to hear updates from the community and the work of the charity.
Revd Gareth Manser
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Curate’s Report
In 2024, I entered my third year of curacy. As well as the things that I have been involved with at St Matthew’s and in the community, this year has involved the completion of reports to assess my curacy and whether I would be ready to be signed off in early 2025. This has now all been completed, and subject to completing the last bits of my training programme, Bishop Tim has informed me that I am able to look for a position as incumbent. My license to minister at St Matthew’s will end in June 2026, so I will need to move before then.
I have also been working towards the BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission at the Queen’s Foundation. My dissertation is due in June 2025, then I will have completed all of the work for that degree. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to complete this study alongside my curacy.
This year has also seen big changes for our family as we welcomed Mai. Thank you to everyone who has supported us through this period. We have appreciated all of the prayers, kind words and gifts that we have received. This support has been invaluable and without it things could have been much harder.
Please pray for us as we seek to discern what might be next for us and know that we are very glad to have been serving alongside you all in Eastfield and East Park.
Revd Gareth Manser
Treasurer’s Report
The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Church
Accounting Regulations 2016 using the Receipts and Payments basis and have been scrutinised by an external Independent Examiner.
Our PCC Treasurer is Rebi Hedger who started in the role March 2023.
The key headlines for the year ending 31st December 2024 are:
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Our full year income amounted to £66,851 (2023: £70,561)
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Our expenditure in the year was £61,187 (2023: £51,028)
We therefore had an excess of receipts over payments of £5,664.
Year end funds available amounted to £67,968 (2023: £62,304).
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Some headlines :
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Income was a little lower than last year - however the main difference is that we did not receive our Gift Aid payment which is normally around £5000.
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Our income from the hall saw an increase of £3000.
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The contactless card machine continues to bring in one-off giving on a Sunday as well as donations for special events such as Christmas.
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We received over £2,400 in one-off gifts and grants, covering the Easter Community event and Family Pilot Scheme.
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Overall expenditure was up on last year - this was notably due to the increase in the Parish Share and committing to spend money on the maintenance of the building.
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We are still responding to the needs of the Quinquennial inspection - work was signed on in 2024 for the roof repairs (roughly £35,000 spent) but the work wasn’t finished before the year end, so this spend will be seen in 2025.
Rebi Hedger
Churchwarden’s Fabric Report
It has been amazing to see our building continue to be used enormously again this past year, not only by us as a church family, but by our local community and other outside organisations. We see on a weekly basis two toddler group sessions, place of welcome, pop in, walking fitness club and two tabletop gamer sessions to name a few.
Our building has also continued to host the communities PACT meetings, and we have numerous church hall hire booking requests for parties and events, as well as a learn play scheme during half terms and school holidays.
This past year has seen both planned maintenance and emergency works carried out to both the external building but inside to.
Planned maintenance:
- New soffits, facias and guttering to the main church building
Emergency works:
- Heating system pump replaced
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Zone isolation valve for church heating system installed
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Electrical work carried out in the church hall to repair water damaged sockets
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The replacement of a broken toilet in the ladies toilet
We are now in the process of sourcing quotes for the other works highlighted by the Quinquennial inspection, the highest priority repairs highlighted by the inspection and agreed by the PCC are:
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Replacement of the three sets of double doors to the main church entrance, church hall entrance and to the church hall itself
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Church & chapel lighting – including all LED’s that require replacement/ upgrades
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Filling in and blocking off the no longer used skylight openings in the chapel and hallway between main church and the church hall
The Wardens would like to again take this opportunity to thank all who volunteer their time and skills to our church with special thanks to Rebi Hedger for all the hard work and time put into her role as treasurer, to Rachel Reid our PCC secretary and safeguarding officer, to Chet Patel for his role looking after gift aid claims, to Lynne Lawrence as our electoral roll officer, to Roger Spruce and Lynne Lawrence for their faithful and continued volunteering to count the offerings, and to all those who help to keep our building a clean, tidy and welcoming space
Jay Coley & Matt Reid
Safeguarding Report
Since our last APCM, Safeguarding has remained an important aspect of the Church. We have provided Safeguarding training to new and existing Children and Youth leaders as well as those members that volunteered to do the Family Pilot Scheme that took place May 2024. We have safely recruited 6 new members to help with the Children’s and Youth groups, with the appropriate DBS checks etc being completed. We continue to utilize outside agencies where necessary and signposting the most vulnerable to the right help and support to ensure their needs are met safely. We remain as a church to be proactive in ensuring that the safety and well-being of all our members is top priority and act accordingly.
I will be handing over the Role as Parish Safeguarding Officer to Doug Foster for the coming year.
Rachel Reid
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Deanery Synod Report
Deanery Synod met three times during 2024. The main focus of the February meeting was the purpose and role of the deanery. The June meeting featured an update from the Chaplaincy at the University of Wolverhampton. The October meeting was centred around feedback on the Diocesan Strategic Framework which sets out the Diocesan priorities for the next six years and what this could mean at deanery and parish level. Members of our PCC had been invited to an evening where the strategic framework was introduced. This was subsequently discussed at a PCC meeting and the feedback shared at the October synod.
Revd Gareth Manser
Vicar’s Report
Every time I come to write this report I am amazed at all the wonderful things God is doing here at St Matthew’s. We have so much to be thankful for. I want to begin by thanking each and every one of you for being part of the family, and for the many ways you serve as part of the team. I am particularly grateful for the privilege of serving alongside so many gifted and dedicated leaders.
There have been many highlights through the year, of which these are just a few. In April 2024 there were 5 members of St Matthew’s confirmed by Bishop Michael in a special service held at St Martin’s Bradley. That same week was the Clergy Conference for Lichfield Diocese, held at Swanwick convention centre, where I was involved in leading some of the sung worship.
One of the most significant new things to happen this year was the Family Pilot Scheme, led by Deb Blakemore and a dedicated team of volunteers, which started in May and ran through to the Summer break. This was an important development in our vision for bringing life to families , as reported below.
The Summer term also included the prayer room, as part of Thy Kingdom Come global prayer initiative, and a special service marking the life of local hero Harry Parke Temple in which a gravestone was finally laid on his grave in Bilston Cemetery.
From June to August I had the incredible privilege of taking my first ever 3-month sabbatical, and am immensely grateful to Revd Gareth and the many others who stepped up and enabled this to happen. See below for a separate report on my time away.
In the Autumn I was involved in running a 2-day retreat with the Diocesan Renewal Group, and it was great to be joined by several members of our midweek teams for this at Trentham Parish church. Bishop Tim Wambunya arrived as the new bishop of Wolverhampton in October and was welcomed at a special service in St Matthew’s Walsall. He has recently called the churches across his episcopal area
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to pray for renewal and growth, and a number of us joined the first of these prayer drives at Holy Trinity Heath Town.
In January this year I was invited to a gathering for leaders of ‘larger’ churches across the diocese (those with at least 90 worshippers on an average Sunday). This was an encouraging meeting, looking at the opportunities and challenges for further growth, especially in light of the diocesan goal to see every worshipping community double in numbers over the coming years - for us that would mean growing to a church of 200. Sounds both exciting and daunting, but all it would take is for each of us to bring one friend to faith!
Over the year, and on behalf of St Matthew’s, I have continued to play a part in the life of the wider community through chairing the partnership board of the local family hub, serving as a governor at Eastfield Primary and a member of the Parent & Community Advisory Forum for East Park Academy. Beyond the parish I have served as a Bishops’ Advisor in the national discernment process, become cochair of the Diocesan Renewal Group, attended meetings of the Lichfield Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship, and become Training Incumbent responsible for supervising Revd Nick Smith at Pennfields Parish after his incumbent retired. I receive pastoral supervision monthly from a wise and wonderful leader in another part of the diocese.
As we look forward to the coming year there is lots to be excited about. After Easter the new Vision Leadership Team will take up their role in sharing day-to-day leadership with me, championing the vision across everything we do. We are currently in the process of appointing a part-time Family Worker to enable us to run the Family Project again, hoping to welcome one cohort of families before the Summer and another in the Autumn. During the Summer we will be following up the many responses we received through the ‘serving at St Matthew’s’ forms, with an initial focus on training teams for welcome and for prayer ministry. Next year we will also be hosting the Life Exhibition again and welcoming local primary schools to come and explore the life of Jesus.
Revd Matt Hird
Vicar’s Sabbatical
Thank you all again for releasing me to take a sabbatical over the Summer. It was a really helpful time to step back from the normal patterns of life and ministry, and to seek God without the usual constraints of my diary. As I attempt to summarise my time away I’m realising that 3 months is a really long time to cover! So these are just the main themes and highlights…
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The main focus I’d identified beforehand was to read and think about how we make disciples in a culture that is rapidly moving away from traditional Christian values. For the majority of my sabbatical I stayed in a static caravan in the Peak District, enjoying the double blessing of beautiful surroundings and no internet. One of the best things was having such an extended time of silence and solitude, which helped me to see just how many other influences we are usually bombarded by and how easily God’s voice can be lost in the noise.
A number of people have asked me what I actually did with the time. Well, it was really restful! A typical day included several hours of reading, a long walk or run, learning to cook something new, and exploring a range of spiritual disciplines.
Reading
Starting with Practising the Way - John Mark Comer I explored a number of books on spiritual formation, and am more convinced than ever that we need to rediscover the spiritual disciplines in order to be transformed by Jesus in a world that works against Christian discipleship. This led me to develop a new rule of life - a set of practices I’m now committing to as part of my spiritual training and ongoing discipleship.
I also read some books unpacking the challenges presented by the surrounding culture. Strange New World by Carl Trueman was the stand-out here, tracing the development of our culture’s idolisation of the self. Another one was Love Thy Body by Nancy Pearcey, which explores our cultures hostility towards the body and how this plays out in the various contentious issues of our day. For me, these have highlighted the need to recover a Christian vision for what it means to be human, to have a body, and to live in community.
Spiritual Disciplines
I signed up to run the Ashbourne Half Marathon, which was happening on the 4th weekend of my sabbatical. After signing up I realised that I had only managed to go running twice this year so far! Sure, I have done lots of running previously, but I was essentially doing couch to 13-miles in 4 weeks.
It quickly became clear that my preparation and training for the half marathon was a picture for my spiritual formation too. God seemed to speak to me through every aspect - my need to start somewhere, to take a breather when necessary, to keep showing up for my training runs, to gradually increase speed and distance, to allow time to heal from injuries, to assess the course and identify the challenging sections, to make sure I was training for the challenges and not just the easy bits, to run my own race. All of these elements of physical training were echoed in my spiritual training.
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As I reflected on my own apprenticeship to Jesus I was confronted, once again, with my sin - my tendency to try and do things my own way apart from God - like a disease that prevents me from living wholeheartedly for God. I began by spending time in confession, naming my symptoms and agreeing with God’s diagnosis of my disease. As the days went by I sensed God assuring me of his willingness and ability to perform surgery - to deal with the root problem of my disease and bring healing. Having named my symptoms, accepted my diagnosis, and received a measure of healing, my focus turned towards a plan for ongoing treatment and future health - a training plan, if you like.
And so, about two weeks in to my sabbatical, I began to read and explore around the spiritual disciplines. Throughout my time away I immersed myself in Mark’s gospel and tried to spend a significant part of each day in prayer - praying from the scriptures in the mornings, for the world in the afternoon, and reviewing the day with God in the evening. I had intended to memorise some chunks of scripture but God kept me on just one verse the whole time, from Galatians 2:20 - “I have been crucified with Christ, so it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me”.
One surprise was that I didn’t listen to any worship music for 3 months (except at New Wine) and only played my guitar a couple of times. For worship I started learning to pray the psalms instead. On one memorable walk I set myself the challenge of only praying ‘blessing’ prayers - blessing God for the things I could see around me, and for his goodness in my life and my family. During sabbatical I tried to have a go at practising a whole range of different disciplines including fasting, confession, submission, and generosity.
Sabbatical was quite a strange time for the rest of my family, and I am so thankful to them for juggling everything so that I could have this time away. Jess and the kids joined me every weekend and we explored the practice of sabbath together, developing some routines that have (mostly) stayed with us since. We were so blessed to end my sabbatical with some time travelling together to various historical sites around Italy and Athens.
All of this led me to develop a new ‘rule of life’ - a set of practices - that I am now attempting to use as a framework for my ongoing spiritual training plan.
Revd Matt Hird
Page 18 of 18
Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew
For the year ended 31[st] December 2024 Charity registration number: 1183263
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 Charity registration number: 1183263
Objectives and Activities
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew (the PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Reverend Matt Hird, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also spiritually responsible for the maintenance of the church.
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 Matthew. 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, scripture, music, and sacrament. Also, through nonsacramental activities of hospitality and fellowship we aim to reach non churched members of the community.
Public Benefit
The trustees of the PCC are aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit and have had regard to it in their administration of the Charity. The trustees believe that, by promoting the work of the Church of England in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Wolverhampton St Matthew it helps to promote the whole mission of the Church (pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical) more effectively, within the Ecclesiastical Parish, and that in doing so it provides a benefit to the public by:
-
Providing facilities for public worship, pastoral care and spiritual, moral and intellectual development, both for its members and for anyone who wishes to benefit from what the Church offers; and
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Promoting Christian values and service by members of the Church in and to their communities, to the benefit of individuals and society as a whole.
Reserves Policy
St Matthews reserve policy was reviewed at the PCC meeting held on 22nd November 2021.The reserve fund was set at £13,000 based on the equivalent of 2 months general running at £8,000 with an additional £5,000 to cover emergency building maintenance. This amount is held in a separate designated fund. Other free reserves at 31 December 2024 were £14,205 (2023: £41,157). This looks significantly less due to a rearrange of the designated funds, where a significant amount was transferred to the Building & Maintenance Fund to allow for better budgeting.
Safeguarding
The PCC believe they have fulfilled their duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).
Reporting Serious Incidents
A Serious Incident is an adverse event, whether actual or alleged, which results in or risks significant harm to the charity’s beneficiaries, employees, office holders, volunteers or to others who come into contact with the charity through its work, loss of the charity’s money or assets, damage to the charity’s property or harm to the charity’s work or reputation.
The trustees are not aware of any Serious Incidents in the last year.
Fundraising
The PCC takes its fundraising responsibilities seriously and is very grateful to all donors – whether regular or occasional – for their support of the church and church events. PCC supporters are never taken for granted. The PCC take full responsibility for fundraising and do not use commercial organisations or professional fundraisers. All money raised is either by donations, fundraising events, special appeals or legacies for which the PCC are most grateful.
Risk Management
The Church Wardens carry out regular Health and Safety Reviews and regularly inspect premises for potential hazards. We have safeguarding policies in place for child protection and for work with vulnerable adults, including rigorous DBS checking of staff and volunteers. Our insurances are reviewed annually to ensure adequate cover. An informal review of any new risks which may impact the work of the Church in the Parish is ongoing.
Structure, Governance and Management
The PCC is a Body Corporate established by the Church of England and is a Charity registered with the Charity Commission. The PCC is governed by the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure (1956) as amended that came into effect on 2[nd] January 1957, and the Church Representation Rules (contained in Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969 as amended).
The method of appointment of the PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. The Council comprises the Incumbent, the Churchwardens, a representative of the Readers, those elected to the Deanery Synod, and other members who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, by those on the Electoral Roll. The PCC members receive training from courses run by the Diocese. Members of the congregation are always urged to join the Electoral Roll, and to stand for election to the PCC.
The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance in the parish, and for all financial matters. The PCC usually meet 7 times a year. Given its responsibilities, the PCC delegates the implementation of our vision statement to the Ministry Leadership Team, who share responsibility for dayto-day leadership with the Incumbent and report back to each PCC meeting.
Related Parties
Remuneration paid to Trustees
None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from employment with the PCC
Expenses paid to Trustees
2 Trustees were reimbursed £1,247 (2023: £1,731) for travel, subsistence and telephone during the year.
Reference and Administrative details
The Church is situated in East Park Way, Wolverhampton, WV1 2DN and is part of the Deanery of Wolverhampton, in the Diocese of Lichfield. The correspondence address is the Vicarage, 14 Sydenham Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV1 2NY. Registered charity number 1183263.
Our website address is: https://www.stmatthewswolves.com/
PCC members who have served from 1[st] January 2024 until the date this report was approved were:
Ex Officio Members
The Incumbent The Reverend Matt Hird (Chair) Curate The Reverend Gareth Manser Churchwardens Lee Blakemore from 31/03/2019 Jay Coley from 26/05/2021 Deanery Synod Reps Rebecca Hedger from 16/04/23 Jack Hedger from 16/04/23 Charlotte Taft from 16/04/23 Elected Members Rachel Reid secretary - elected member from 26/05/2021 Chetan Patel from 16/04/23 Chioma Okafor from 24/04/2022 Lynne Lawrence from 24/04/2022 Jo Corkery from 24/04/22 Ann Macmanomy from 14/04/24 Helen Foster from 14/4/2024
Independent Examiner’s report to the trustees/members of The PCC of
Wolverhampton St Matthew. Registered charity number: 1183263
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 which are set out on the following pages.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility
-
to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement
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 charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair” view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or
the accounts do not accord with the with the accounting records
I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: …………………………………..……. Date: …………………………
Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance, St Marys House, Lichfield WS13 7LD
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
Accounting Policies
The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the Receipts and Payments basis. There may be minor discrepancies in the totals as the pence are not being shown.
Fixed Assets
Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts by s.10(2)(a)&(C) of the Charities Act 2011.
Moveable church furnishings held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property, listed in the Church’s 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.
Description of Funds
Unrestricted funds are income funds of the PCC that are available for spending on the general purposes of the PCC, including amounts designated by the PCC for fixed assets for its own use or for spending on a future project and which are therefore not included in its "free reserves" as disclosed in the trustees' annual report.
Restricted funds comprise of two elements:
a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest
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 end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The PCC does not usually invest separately for each fund.
Where there is no separate investment, interest is apportioned to individual funds on an average balance basis.
Endowment funds are restricted funds that must be retained as trust capital either permanently or subject to a discretionary power to spend capital as income, and where the use of any income or other benefit derived from the capital may be restricted or unrestricted. Full details of all their restrictions are shown in the notes to the accounts.
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew
Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2024
| Prior | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Designated |
Restricted |
Endowment | Total | year | |
| funds | funds | funds |
funds | funds | total | |
| funds | ||||||
| Receipts | ||||||
| Donations and legacies | 48,528 | 690 | 2,400 | - | 51,618 | 57,511 |
| Income from charitable activities | 1,267 | - | - | - | 1,267 | 2,246 |
| Other trading activities | 13,085 | - | - | - | 13,085 | 10,383 |
| Investments | 723 | - | - | - | 723 | 421 |
| Total Receipts | 63,603 | 690 | 2,400 | - | 66,693 | 70,561 |
| Payments | ||||||
| Raising funds | 1,263 | 898 | 3,319 | - | 5,481 | 2,714 |
| Expenditure on charitable activities |
50,895 | 3,408 | 1,121 | - | 55,423 | 48,213 |
| Other expenditure | 119 | 164 | - | - | 283 | 102 |
| Total Payments | 52,277 | 4,470 | 4,439 | - | 61,187 | 51,028 |
| Excess of receipts over payments before transfer |
11,326 | (3,780) | (2,039) | - | 5,506 | 19,533 |
| Transfers: | ||||||
| Gross transfers between funds - in | - | 38,278 | - | - | 38,278 | 10,636 |
| Gross transfers between funds - out |
(38,278) | - | - | - | (38,278) | (10,636) |
| Excess of receipts over payments before other gains |
(26,952) | 34,498 | (2,039) | - | 5,506 | 19,533 |
| Net movement in funds | (26,952) | 34,498 | (2,039) | - | 5,506 | 19,533 |
| Reconciliation of funds | ||||||
| Excess of receipts over | ||||||
| payments at beginning of the | 41,157 | 18,739 | 2,408 | - | 62,304 | 42,771 |
| year | ||||||
| Excess of receipts over payments for the year |
14,205 | 53,237 | 368 | - | 67,810 | 62,304 |
Represented by
| Unrestricted | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General fund | 14,205 | - | - | - | 14,205 | 41,157 |
| Designated | ||||||
| Building & Maintenance | - | 38,991 | - | - | 38,991 | 4,121 |
| Discretionary Fund | - | 1,230 | - | - | 1,230 | 1,394 |
| Pop In Group Ministry | - | 16 | - | - | 16 | 224 |
| Reserve Fund | - | 13,000 | - | - | 13,000 | 13,000 |
| Community Events 2023 | - | - | - | - | - | 319 |
| Easter Event 2024 | - | - | - | - | - | 1,600 |
| POW Restricted fund | - | - | 36 | - | 36 | 156 |
| Storeroom Renovation | - | - | 333 | - | 333 | 333 |
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (by code) as at 31 December 2024
Class and nominal code[General Designated Restricted][Endowment] Total Last year
| Fixed Asset - Tangible Assets 6430: Sample fixed asset Total Current Asset - Cash At Bank And In 6501: Lloyds Current Account 6505: Lloyds Savings Account 6590: Cash in hand Total Liability - Agency Accounts 6699: Agency collections Total Net total assets Represented by General (Unrestricted) Designated - Building Designated - DIscretionary Fund Designated - PopInGroup Designated - Reserve Restricted - Community Events 2023 Restricted - Easter Event 2024 Restricted - POWRES Restricted - Store room renovation Total |
(38,278) 38,278 - - - - |
|---|---|
| (38,278) 38,278 - - - - Hand 17,982 805 (14,815) - 3,972 1,022 34,387 14,153 17,539 - 66,079 62,192 115 - - - 115 115 |
|
| 52,483 14,959 2,725 - 70,167 63,330 - - 2,356 - 2,356 1,026 |
|
| - - 2,356 - 2,356 1,026 |
|
| 14,205 53,237 368 - 67,810 62,304 |
|
| 14,205 - - - 14,205 41,157 - 38,991 - - 38,991 4,121 - 1,230 - - 1,230 1,394 - 16 - - 16 224 - 13,000 - - 13,000 13,000 - - - - - 319 - - - - - 1,600 - - 36 - 36 156 - - 333 - 333 333 |
|
| 14,205 53,237 368 - 67,810 62,304 |
Approved by the PCC on ………………………. 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
…………………………………..
………………………………..
Reverend Matt Hird (Chairman)
Rachel Reid (Secretary)
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (by code) - 2023
Class and nominal code[General] Designated Restricted Endowment Total Last year
| Current Asset - Cash At Bank And | In Hand | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6501: Lloyds Current Account | 6,916 | 4,586 | (10,479) | - | 1,022 | 4,661 |
| 6505: Lloyds Savings Account | 34,126 | 14,153 | 13,912 | - | 62,192 | 40,703 |
| 6590: Cash in hand | 115 | - | - | - | 115 | 115 |
| **Total ** | 41,157 | 18,739 | 3,434 | **- ** | 63,330 | 45,479 |
| Liability - Agency Accounts | ||||||
| 6699: Agency collections | - | - | 1,026 | - | 1,026 | 2,708 |
| **Total ** | - | - | 1,026 | - | 1,026 | 2,708 |
| **Net total assets ** | 41,157 | 18,739 | 2,408 | **- ** | 62,304 | 42,771 |
Fund movement summary - 2024
Fund[Opening][Incoming][Outgoing Transfers] Gains/Losses Journals Closing
| FundO | pening Inc | **oming O ** | utgoing T | ransfers Gains |
/Losses Jou | **rnals ** | Closing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building | ||||||||
| Designated | 4,121 | - | 3,408 | 38,278 | - | - | 38,991 | |
| Sub-totals | 4,121 | - | 3,408 | 38,278 | - | - | 38,991 | |
| Community Events 2023 | ||||||||
| Restricted | 319 | - | 319 | - | - | - | - | |
| Sub-totals | 319 | - | 319 | - | - | - | - | |
| DIscretionary Fund | ||||||||
| Designated | 1,394 | - | 164 | - | - | - | 1,230 | |
| Sub-totals | 1,394 | - | 164 | - | - | - | 1,230 | |
| Easter Event | 2024 | |||||||
| Restricted | 1,600 | - | 1,600 | - | - | - | - | |
| Sub-totals | 1,600 | - | 1,600 | - | - | - | - |
FPScheme
| Restricted | - | 1,400 | 1,400 | - | - | - | - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-totals | - | 1,400 | 1,400 | - | - | - | - |
| PopInGroup | |||||||
| Designated | 224 | 690 | 898 | - | - | - | 16 |
| Sub-totals | 224 | 690 | 898 | - | - | - | 16 |
| POWRES | |||||||
| Restricted | 156 | - | 121 | - | - | - | 36 |
| Sub-totals | 156 | - | 121 | - | - | - | 36 |
| Reserve | |||||||
| Designated | 13,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 13,000 |
| Sub-totals | 13,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 13,000 |
| Store room renovation | |||||||
| Restricted | 333 | - | - | - | - | - | 333 |
| Sub-totals | 333 | - | - | - | - | - | 333 |
| Warm Welcome Energy | Grant | ||||||
| Restricted | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | - | - |
| Sub-totals | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | - | - |
| General | |||||||
| Unrestricted | 41,157 | 63,603 | 52,277 | (38,278) | - | - | 14,205 |
| Sub-totals | 41,157 | 63,603 | 52,277 | (38,278) | - | - | 14,205 |
| Totals | 62,304 | 66,693 | 61,187 | - | - | - | 67,810 |
Fund movement summary - 2023
Fund[Opening][Incoming][Outgoing Transfers] Gains/Losses Journals Closing
Building
| Designated | 5,205 | - | 1,084 | - | - | - | 4,121 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-totals | 5,205 | - | 1,084 | - | - | - | 4,121 | |
| Community Events 2023 | ||||||||
| Restricted | - | 2,000 | 1,681 | - | - | - | 319 | |
| Sub-totals | - | 2,000 | 1,681 | - | - | - | 319 | |
| DIscretionary Fund | ||||||||
| Designated | 1,518 | - | 124 | - | - | - | 1,394 | |
| Sub-totals | 1,518 | - | 124 | - | - | - | 1,394 | |
| Easter event | ||||||||
| Restricted | 48 | - | 48 | - | - | - | - | |
| Sub-totals | 48 | - | 48 | - | - | - | - | |
| Easter Event | 2024 | |||||||
| Restricted | - | 1,600 | - | - | - | - | 1,600 | |
| Sub-totals | - | 1,600 | - | - | - | - | 1,600 | |
| Parish Energy Fund | ||||||||
| Restricted | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | - | - | |
| Sub-totals | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | - | - | |
| Pop in Christmas meal | ||||||||
| Restricted | - | 500 | 500 | - | - | - | - | |
| Sub-totals | - | 500 | 500 | - | - | - | - | |
| PopInGroup | ||||||||
| Designated | 93 | 966 | 334 | (500) | - | - | 224 | |
| Sub-totals | 93 | 966 | 334 | (500) | - | - | 224 | |
| PoW | ||||||||
| Designated | 19 | - | - | (19) | - | - | - | |
| Sub-totals | 19 | - | - | (19) | - | - | - |
POWRES
| Restricted | 156 | - | - | - | - | - | 156 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-totals | 156 | - | - | - | - | - | 156 |
| Projects | |||||||
| Designated | 872 | - | - | (872) | - | - | - |
| Sub-totals | 872 | - | - | (872) | - | - | - |
| Reserve | |||||||
| Designated | 13,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 13,000 |
| Sub-totals | 13,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 13,000 |
| Store room renovation | |||||||
| Restricted | 520 | - | 187 | - | - | - | 333 |
| Sub-totals | 520 | - | 187 | - | - | - | 333 |
| Toddlers | |||||||
| Designated | 288 | - | - | (288) | - | - | - |
| Sub-totals | 288 | - | - | (288) | - | - | - |
| Warm Welcome Energy | Grant | ||||||
| Restricted | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | - | - |
| Sub-totals | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | - | - |
| General | |||||||
| Unrestricted | 21,053 | 63,495 | 45,069 | 1,678 | - | - | 41,157 |
| Sub-totals | 21,053 | 63,495 | 45,069 | 1,678 | - | - | 41,157 |
| Totals | 42,771 | 70,561 | 51,028 | - | - | - | 62,304 |
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew
Analysis of income and expenditure for the year ended 31 December 2024
| Total | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This | Last | |||||
| **Unrestricted ** | Designated | Restricted | Endowment | |||
| year | year | |||||
| RECEIPTS | ||||||
| Donations and legacies | ||||||
| 0101 - Gift Aid - Bank | 20,338 | - | - | - | 20,338 | 23,231 |
| 0110 - Gift Aid - Envelopes | 550 | - | - | - | 550 | 900 |
| 0201 - Other planned giving | 18,227 | - | - | - | 18,227 | 16,112 |
| 0301 - Loose plate collections | 3,370 | - | - | - | 3,370 | 2,688 |
| 0430 - Toddler Group Donations | 750 | - | - | - | 750 | 665 |
| 0440 - Pop In Group Donations | 531 | 690 | - | - | 1,221 | 835 |
| 0450 - Place Of Welcome Donations |
122 | - | - | - | 122 | 119 |
| 0550 - Donations appeals etc | 3,788 | - | - | - | 3,788 | 317 |
| 0601 - Tax recoverable on Gift Aid | - | - | - | - | - | 5,645 |
| 08A1 - Non-recurring one-off grants | - | - | 2,400 | - | 2,400 | 6,100 |
| 0901 - Other funds generated | 853 | - | - | - | 853 | 900 |
| Donations and legacies Totals | 48,528 | 690 | 2,400 | - | 51,618 | 57,511 |
| Income from charitable activities | ||||||
| 1101 - Fees for weddings and funerals |
1,267 | - | - | - | 1,267 | 2,246 |
| Income from charitable activities Totals |
1,267 |
- | - | - | 1,267 | 2,246 |
| Other trading activities | ||||||
| 0460 - Hub for Grub | - | - | - | - | - | 40 |
| 1240 - Church hall lettings - fund raising |
13,085 | - | - | - | 13,085 | 10,343 |
| Other trading activities Totals | 13,085 | - | - | - | 13,085 | 10,383 |
| Investments | ||||||
| 1020 - Bank and building society interest |
723 | - | - | - | 723 | 421 |
| Investments Totals | 723 | - | - | - | 723 | 421 |
| Receipts Grand totals | 63,603 | 690 | 2,400 | - | 66,693 | 70,561 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAYMENTS | ||||||
| Raising funds | ||||||
| 1730 - Costs of fetes & other events |
1,263 | 898 | 3,319 | - | 5,481 | 2,714 |
| Raising funds Totals | 1,263 | 898 | 3,319 | - | 5,481 | 2,714 |
| Expenditure on charitable activities | ||||||
| 1801 - Giving to missionary societies |
6,447 | - | - | - | 6,447 | 6,372 |
| 1910 - Ministry parish share etc | 28,810 | - | - | - | 28,810 | 21,072 |
| 2101 - Working expenses of incumbent |
120 | - | - | - | 120 | 283 |
| 2110 - Working expenses of curate | 910 | - | - | - | 910 | 1,080 |
| 2150 - Vicar's telephone | 217 | - | - | - | 217 | 368 |
| 2170 - Education | - | - | - | - | - | 72 |
| 2301 - Church running - insurance | 1,699 | - | - | - | 1,699 | 1,653 |
| 2311 - Church office - photocopier | 727 | - | - | - | 727 | 678 |
| 2313 - Church - Broadband | 795 | - | - | - | 795 | 630 |
| 2330 - Church maintenance | - | 3,408 | - | - | 3,408 | 1,271 |
| 2331 - Church cleaning | 1,033 | - | - | - | 1,033 | 752 |
| 2380 - Church service supplies | 1,724 | - | - | - | 1,724 | 1,358 |
| 2381 - Toddler group supplies | 200 | - | - | - | 200 | 78 |
| 2382 - Refreshment supplies | - | - | 121 | - | 121 | 204 |
| 2390 - Church equipment | 1,193 | - | - | - | 1,193 | 1,050 |
| 2395 - Church communications | 238 | - | - | - | 238 | 776 |
| 2401 - Church running - electric | 2,720 | - | - | - | 2,720 | 3,110 |
| 2410 - Church running - gas | 3,678 | - | 1,000 | - | 4,678 | 7,053 |
| 2420 - Church running - water | 208 | - | - | - | 208 | 181 |
| 2601 - Governance costs examination/audit fee |
175 | - | - | - | 175 | 174 |
| Expenditure on charitable activities Totals |
50,895 | 3,408 | 1,121 | - | 55,423 | 48,213 |
| Other expenditure | ||||||
| 9901 - Other outgoing resources / payments |
119 | 164 | - | - | 283 | 102 |
| Other expenditure Totals | 119 | 164 | - | - | 283 | 102 |
Payments Grand totals
52,277
4,470
4,439 61,187 51,028
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew
Prior Year SOFA – 31 December 2023
| Unrestricted funds Designated funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Prior year total funds |
|
|---|---|
| Receipts Donations and legacies Income from charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Other income Total income Payments Raising funds Expenditure on charitable activities Other expenditure Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in Gross transfers between funds - out Other recognised gains / losses Gains/losses on investment assets Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's own use Net movement in funds |
50,445 966 6,100 - 57,511 53,870 2,246 - - - 2,246 3,162 10,383 - - - 10,383 10,828 421 - - - 421 17 - - - - - 1,000 |
| 63,495 966 6,100 - 70,561 68,876 150 334 2,229 - 2,714 4,231 44,817 1,209 2,187 - 48,213 50,360 102 - - - 102 36 |
|
| 45,069 1,543 4,416 - 51,028 54,627 |
|
| 18,426 (577) 1,684 - 19,533 14,249 6,157 950 3,529 - 10,636 1,673 (4,479) (2,628) (3,529) - (10,636) (1,673) - - - - - - - - - - - - |
|
| 20,104 (2,255) 1,684 - 19,533 14,249 |
| Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
|
|---|---|
| 21,053 20,994 724 - 42,771 28,522 |
|
| 41,157 18,739 2,408 - 62,304 42,771 |
Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew
For the year ended 31[st] December 2024 Charity registration number: 1183263
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 Charity registration number: 1183263
Objectives and Activities
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew (the PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Reverend Matt Hird, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also spiritually responsible for the maintenance of the church.
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 Matthew. 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, scripture, music, and sacrament. Also, through nonsacramental activities of hospitality and fellowship we aim to reach non churched members of the community.
Public Benefit
The trustees of the PCC are aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit and have had regard to it in their administration of the Charity. The trustees believe that, by promoting the work of the Church of England in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Wolverhampton St Matthew it helps to promote the whole mission of the Church (pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical) more effectively, within the Ecclesiastical Parish, and that in doing so it provides a benefit to the public by:
-
Providing facilities for public worship, pastoral care and spiritual, moral and intellectual development, both for its members and for anyone who wishes to benefit from what the Church offers; and
-
Promoting Christian values and service by members of the Church in and to their communities, to the benefit of individuals and society as a whole.
Reserves Policy
St Matthews reserve policy was reviewed at the PCC meeting held on 22nd November 2021.The reserve fund was set at £13,000 based on the equivalent of 2 months general running at £8,000 with an additional £5,000 to cover emergency building maintenance. This amount is held in a separate designated fund. Other free reserves at 31 December 2024 were £14,205 (2023: £41,157). This looks significantly less due to a rearrange of the designated funds, where a significant amount was transferred to the Building & Maintenance Fund to allow for better budgeting.
Safeguarding
The PCC believe they have fulfilled their duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).
Reporting Serious Incidents
A Serious Incident is an adverse event, whether actual or alleged, which results in or risks significant harm to the charity’s beneficiaries, employees, office holders, volunteers or to others who come into contact with the charity through its work, loss of the charity’s money or assets, damage to the charity’s property or harm to the charity’s work or reputation.
The trustees are not aware of any Serious Incidents in the last year.
Fundraising
The PCC takes its fundraising responsibilities seriously and is very grateful to all donors – whether regular or occasional – for their support of the church and church events. PCC supporters are never taken for granted. The PCC take full responsibility for fundraising and do not use commercial organisations or professional fundraisers. All money raised is either by donations, fundraising events, special appeals or legacies for which the PCC are most grateful.
Risk Management
The Church Wardens carry out regular Health and Safety Reviews and regularly inspect premises for potential hazards. We have safeguarding policies in place for child protection and for work with vulnerable adults, including rigorous DBS checking of staff and volunteers. Our insurances are reviewed annually to ensure adequate cover. An informal review of any new risks which may impact the work of the Church in the Parish is ongoing.
Structure, Governance and Management
The PCC is a Body Corporate established by the Church of England and is a Charity registered with the Charity Commission. The PCC is governed by the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure (1956) as amended that came into effect on 2[nd] January 1957, and the Church Representation Rules (contained in Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969 as amended).
The method of appointment of the PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. The Council comprises the Incumbent, the Churchwardens, a representative of the Readers, those elected to the Deanery Synod, and other members who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, by those on the Electoral Roll. The PCC members receive training from courses run by the Diocese. Members of the congregation are always urged to join the Electoral Roll, and to stand for election to the PCC.
The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance in the parish, and for all financial matters. The PCC usually meet 7 times a year. Given its responsibilities, the PCC delegates the implementation of our vision statement to the Ministry Leadership Team, who share responsibility for dayto-day leadership with the Incumbent and report back to each PCC meeting.
Related Parties
Remuneration paid to Trustees
None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from employment with the PCC
Expenses paid to Trustees
2 Trustees were reimbursed £1,247 (2023: £1,731) for travel, subsistence and telephone during the year.
Reference and Administrative details
The Church is situated in East Park Way, Wolverhampton, WV1 2DN and is part of the Deanery of Wolverhampton, in the Diocese of Lichfield. The correspondence address is the Vicarage, 14 Sydenham Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV1 2NY. Registered charity number 1183263.
Our website address is: https://www.stmatthewswolves.com/
PCC members who have served from 1[st] January 2024 until the date this report was approved were:
Ex Officio Members
The Incumbent The Reverend Matt Hird (Chair) Curate The Reverend Gareth Manser Churchwardens Lee Blakemore from 31/03/2019 Jay Coley from 26/05/2021 Deanery Synod Reps Rebecca Hedger from 16/04/23 Jack Hedger from 16/04/23 Charlotte Taft from 16/04/23 Elected Members Rachel Reid secretary - elected member from 26/05/2021 Chetan Patel from 16/04/23 Chioma Okafor from 24/04/2022 Lynne Lawrence from 24/04/2022 Jo Corkery from 24/04/22 Ann Macmanomy from 14/04/24 Helen Foster from 14/4/2024
Independent Examiner’s report to the trustees/members of The PCC of
Wolverhampton St Matthew. Registered charity number: 1183263
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 which are set out on the following pages.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility
-
to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement
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 charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair” view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or
the accounts do not accord with the with the accounting records
I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: …………………………………..……. Date: …………………………
Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance, St Marys House, Lichfield WS13 7LD
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
Accounting Policies
The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the Receipts and Payments basis. There may be minor discrepancies in the totals as the pence are not being shown.
Fixed Assets
Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts by s.10(2)(a)&(C) of the Charities Act 2011.
Moveable church furnishings held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property, listed in the Church’s 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.
Description of Funds
Unrestricted funds are income funds of the PCC that are available for spending on the general purposes of the PCC, including amounts designated by the PCC for fixed assets for its own use or for spending on a future project and which are therefore not included in its "free reserves" as disclosed in the trustees' annual report.
Restricted funds comprise of two elements:
a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest
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 end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The PCC does not usually invest separately for each fund.
Where there is no separate investment, interest is apportioned to individual funds on an average balance basis.
Endowment funds are restricted funds that must be retained as trust capital either permanently or subject to a discretionary power to spend capital as income, and where the use of any income or other benefit derived from the capital may be restricted or unrestricted. Full details of all their restrictions are shown in the notes to the accounts.
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew
Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2024
| Prior | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Designated |
Restricted |
Endowment | Total | year | |
| funds | funds | funds |
funds | funds | total | |
| funds | ||||||
| Receipts | ||||||
| Donations and legacies | 48,528 | 690 | 2,400 | - | 51,618 | 57,511 |
| Income from charitable activities | 1,267 | - | - | - | 1,267 | 2,246 |
| Other trading activities | 13,085 | - | - | - | 13,085 | 10,383 |
| Investments | 723 | - | - | - | 723 | 421 |
| Total Receipts | 63,603 | 690 | 2,400 | - | 66,693 | 70,561 |
| Payments | ||||||
| Raising funds | 1,263 | 898 | 3,319 | - | 5,481 | 2,714 |
| Expenditure on charitable activities |
50,895 | 3,408 | 1,121 | - | 55,423 | 48,213 |
| Other expenditure | 119 | 164 | - | - | 283 | 102 |
| Total Payments | 52,277 | 4,470 | 4,439 | - | 61,187 | 51,028 |
| Excess of receipts over payments before transfer |
11,326 | (3,780) | (2,039) | - | 5,506 | 19,533 |
| Transfers: | ||||||
| Gross transfers between funds - in | - | 38,278 | - | - | 38,278 | 10,636 |
| Gross transfers between funds - out |
(38,278) | - | - | - | (38,278) | (10,636) |
| Excess of receipts over payments before other gains |
(26,952) | 34,498 | (2,039) | - | 5,506 | 19,533 |
| Net movement in funds | (26,952) | 34,498 | (2,039) | - | 5,506 | 19,533 |
| Reconciliation of funds | ||||||
| Excess of receipts over | ||||||
| payments at beginning of the | 41,157 | 18,739 | 2,408 | - | 62,304 | 42,771 |
| year | ||||||
| Excess of receipts over payments for the year |
14,205 | 53,237 | 368 | - | 67,810 | 62,304 |
Represented by
| Unrestricted | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General fund | 14,205 | - | - | - | 14,205 | 41,157 |
| Designated | ||||||
| Building & Maintenance | - | 38,991 | - | - | 38,991 | 4,121 |
| Discretionary Fund | - | 1,230 | - | - | 1,230 | 1,394 |
| Pop In Group Ministry | - | 16 | - | - | 16 | 224 |
| Reserve Fund | - | 13,000 | - | - | 13,000 | 13,000 |
| Community Events 2023 | - | - | - | - | - | 319 |
| Easter Event 2024 | - | - | - | - | - | 1,600 |
| POW Restricted fund | - | - | 36 | - | 36 | 156 |
| Storeroom Renovation | - | - | 333 | - | 333 | 333 |
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (by code) as at 31 December 2024
Class and nominal code[General Designated Restricted][Endowment] Total Last year
| Fixed Asset - Tangible Assets 6430: Sample fixed asset Total Current Asset - Cash At Bank And In 6501: Lloyds Current Account 6505: Lloyds Savings Account 6590: Cash in hand Total Liability - Agency Accounts 6699: Agency collections Total Net total assets Represented by General (Unrestricted) Designated - Building Designated - DIscretionary Fund Designated - PopInGroup Designated - Reserve Restricted - Community Events 2023 Restricted - Easter Event 2024 Restricted - POWRES Restricted - Store room renovation Total |
(38,278) 38,278 - - - - |
|---|---|
| (38,278) 38,278 - - - - Hand 17,982 805 (14,815) - 3,972 1,022 34,387 14,153 17,539 - 66,079 62,192 115 - - - 115 115 |
|
| 52,483 14,959 2,725 - 70,167 63,330 - - 2,356 - 2,356 1,026 |
|
| - - 2,356 - 2,356 1,026 |
|
| 14,205 53,237 368 - 67,810 62,304 |
|
| 14,205 - - - 14,205 41,157 - 38,991 - - 38,991 4,121 - 1,230 - - 1,230 1,394 - 16 - - 16 224 - 13,000 - - 13,000 13,000 - - - - - 319 - - - - - 1,600 - - 36 - 36 156 - - 333 - 333 333 |
|
| 14,205 53,237 368 - 67,810 62,304 |
Approved by the PCC on ………………………. 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
…………………………………..
………………………………..
Reverend Matt Hird (Chairman)
Rachel Reid (Secretary)
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (by code) - 2023
Class and nominal code[General] Designated Restricted Endowment Total Last year
| Current Asset - Cash At Bank And | In Hand | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6501: Lloyds Current Account | 6,916 | 4,586 | (10,479) | - | 1,022 | 4,661 |
| 6505: Lloyds Savings Account | 34,126 | 14,153 | 13,912 | - | 62,192 | 40,703 |
| 6590: Cash in hand | 115 | - | - | - | 115 | 115 |
| **Total ** | 41,157 | 18,739 | 3,434 | **- ** | 63,330 | 45,479 |
| Liability - Agency Accounts | ||||||
| 6699: Agency collections | - | - | 1,026 | - | 1,026 | 2,708 |
| **Total ** | - | - | 1,026 | - | 1,026 | 2,708 |
| **Net total assets ** | 41,157 | 18,739 | 2,408 | **- ** | 62,304 | 42,771 |
Fund movement summary - 2024
Fund[Opening][Incoming][Outgoing Transfers] Gains/Losses Journals Closing
| FundO | pening Inc | **oming O ** | utgoing T | ransfers Gains |
/Losses Jou | **rnals ** | Closing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building | ||||||||
| Designated | 4,121 | - | 3,408 | 38,278 | - | - | 38,991 | |
| Sub-totals | 4,121 | - | 3,408 | 38,278 | - | - | 38,991 | |
| Community Events 2023 | ||||||||
| Restricted | 319 | - | 319 | - | - | - | - | |
| Sub-totals | 319 | - | 319 | - | - | - | - | |
| DIscretionary Fund | ||||||||
| Designated | 1,394 | - | 164 | - | - | - | 1,230 | |
| Sub-totals | 1,394 | - | 164 | - | - | - | 1,230 | |
| Easter Event | 2024 | |||||||
| Restricted | 1,600 | - | 1,600 | - | - | - | - | |
| Sub-totals | 1,600 | - | 1,600 | - | - | - | - |
FPScheme
| Restricted | - | 1,400 | 1,400 | - | - | - | - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-totals | - | 1,400 | 1,400 | - | - | - | - |
| PopInGroup | |||||||
| Designated | 224 | 690 | 898 | - | - | - | 16 |
| Sub-totals | 224 | 690 | 898 | - | - | - | 16 |
| POWRES | |||||||
| Restricted | 156 | - | 121 | - | - | - | 36 |
| Sub-totals | 156 | - | 121 | - | - | - | 36 |
| Reserve | |||||||
| Designated | 13,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 13,000 |
| Sub-totals | 13,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 13,000 |
| Store room renovation | |||||||
| Restricted | 333 | - | - | - | - | - | 333 |
| Sub-totals | 333 | - | - | - | - | - | 333 |
| Warm Welcome Energy | Grant | ||||||
| Restricted | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | - | - |
| Sub-totals | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | - | - |
| General | |||||||
| Unrestricted | 41,157 | 63,603 | 52,277 | (38,278) | - | - | 14,205 |
| Sub-totals | 41,157 | 63,603 | 52,277 | (38,278) | - | - | 14,205 |
| Totals | 62,304 | 66,693 | 61,187 | - | - | - | 67,810 |
Fund movement summary - 2023
Fund[Opening][Incoming][Outgoing Transfers] Gains/Losses Journals Closing
Building
| Designated | 5,205 | - | 1,084 | - | - | - | 4,121 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-totals | 5,205 | - | 1,084 | - | - | - | 4,121 | |
| Community Events 2023 | ||||||||
| Restricted | - | 2,000 | 1,681 | - | - | - | 319 | |
| Sub-totals | - | 2,000 | 1,681 | - | - | - | 319 | |
| DIscretionary Fund | ||||||||
| Designated | 1,518 | - | 124 | - | - | - | 1,394 | |
| Sub-totals | 1,518 | - | 124 | - | - | - | 1,394 | |
| Easter event | ||||||||
| Restricted | 48 | - | 48 | - | - | - | - | |
| Sub-totals | 48 | - | 48 | - | - | - | - | |
| Easter Event | 2024 | |||||||
| Restricted | - | 1,600 | - | - | - | - | 1,600 | |
| Sub-totals | - | 1,600 | - | - | - | - | 1,600 | |
| Parish Energy Fund | ||||||||
| Restricted | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | - | - | |
| Sub-totals | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | - | - | |
| Pop in Christmas meal | ||||||||
| Restricted | - | 500 | 500 | - | - | - | - | |
| Sub-totals | - | 500 | 500 | - | - | - | - | |
| PopInGroup | ||||||||
| Designated | 93 | 966 | 334 | (500) | - | - | 224 | |
| Sub-totals | 93 | 966 | 334 | (500) | - | - | 224 | |
| PoW | ||||||||
| Designated | 19 | - | - | (19) | - | - | - | |
| Sub-totals | 19 | - | - | (19) | - | - | - |
POWRES
| Restricted | 156 | - | - | - | - | - | 156 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-totals | 156 | - | - | - | - | - | 156 |
| Projects | |||||||
| Designated | 872 | - | - | (872) | - | - | - |
| Sub-totals | 872 | - | - | (872) | - | - | - |
| Reserve | |||||||
| Designated | 13,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 13,000 |
| Sub-totals | 13,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 13,000 |
| Store room renovation | |||||||
| Restricted | 520 | - | 187 | - | - | - | 333 |
| Sub-totals | 520 | - | 187 | - | - | - | 333 |
| Toddlers | |||||||
| Designated | 288 | - | - | (288) | - | - | - |
| Sub-totals | 288 | - | - | (288) | - | - | - |
| Warm Welcome Energy | Grant | ||||||
| Restricted | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | - | - |
| Sub-totals | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | - | - |
| General | |||||||
| Unrestricted | 21,053 | 63,495 | 45,069 | 1,678 | - | - | 41,157 |
| Sub-totals | 21,053 | 63,495 | 45,069 | 1,678 | - | - | 41,157 |
| Totals | 42,771 | 70,561 | 51,028 | - | - | - | 62,304 |
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew
Analysis of income and expenditure for the year ended 31 December 2024
| Total | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This | Last | |||||
| **Unrestricted ** | Designated | Restricted | Endowment | |||
| year | year | |||||
| RECEIPTS | ||||||
| Donations and legacies | ||||||
| 0101 - Gift Aid - Bank | 20,338 | - | - | - | 20,338 | 23,231 |
| 0110 - Gift Aid - Envelopes | 550 | - | - | - | 550 | 900 |
| 0201 - Other planned giving | 18,227 | - | - | - | 18,227 | 16,112 |
| 0301 - Loose plate collections | 3,370 | - | - | - | 3,370 | 2,688 |
| 0430 - Toddler Group Donations | 750 | - | - | - | 750 | 665 |
| 0440 - Pop In Group Donations | 531 | 690 | - | - | 1,221 | 835 |
| 0450 - Place Of Welcome Donations |
122 | - | - | - | 122 | 119 |
| 0550 - Donations appeals etc | 3,788 | - | - | - | 3,788 | 317 |
| 0601 - Tax recoverable on Gift Aid | - | - | - | - | - | 5,645 |
| 08A1 - Non-recurring one-off grants | - | - | 2,400 | - | 2,400 | 6,100 |
| 0901 - Other funds generated | 853 | - | - | - | 853 | 900 |
| Donations and legacies Totals | 48,528 | 690 | 2,400 | - | 51,618 | 57,511 |
| Income from charitable activities | ||||||
| 1101 - Fees for weddings and funerals |
1,267 | - | - | - | 1,267 | 2,246 |
| Income from charitable activities Totals |
1,267 |
- | - | - | 1,267 | 2,246 |
| Other trading activities | ||||||
| 0460 - Hub for Grub | - | - | - | - | - | 40 |
| 1240 - Church hall lettings - fund raising |
13,085 | - | - | - | 13,085 | 10,343 |
| Other trading activities Totals | 13,085 | - | - | - | 13,085 | 10,383 |
| Investments | ||||||
| 1020 - Bank and building society interest |
723 | - | - | - | 723 | 421 |
| Investments Totals | 723 | - | - | - | 723 | 421 |
| Receipts Grand totals | 63,603 | 690 | 2,400 | - | 66,693 | 70,561 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAYMENTS | ||||||
| Raising funds | ||||||
| 1730 - Costs of fetes & other events |
1,263 | 898 | 3,319 | - | 5,481 | 2,714 |
| Raising funds Totals | 1,263 | 898 | 3,319 | - | 5,481 | 2,714 |
| Expenditure on charitable activities | ||||||
| 1801 - Giving to missionary societies |
6,447 | - | - | - | 6,447 | 6,372 |
| 1910 - Ministry parish share etc | 28,810 | - | - | - | 28,810 | 21,072 |
| 2101 - Working expenses of incumbent |
120 | - | - | - | 120 | 283 |
| 2110 - Working expenses of curate | 910 | - | - | - | 910 | 1,080 |
| 2150 - Vicar's telephone | 217 | - | - | - | 217 | 368 |
| 2170 - Education | - | - | - | - | - | 72 |
| 2301 - Church running - insurance | 1,699 | - | - | - | 1,699 | 1,653 |
| 2311 - Church office - photocopier | 727 | - | - | - | 727 | 678 |
| 2313 - Church - Broadband | 795 | - | - | - | 795 | 630 |
| 2330 - Church maintenance | - | 3,408 | - | - | 3,408 | 1,271 |
| 2331 - Church cleaning | 1,033 | - | - | - | 1,033 | 752 |
| 2380 - Church service supplies | 1,724 | - | - | - | 1,724 | 1,358 |
| 2381 - Toddler group supplies | 200 | - | - | - | 200 | 78 |
| 2382 - Refreshment supplies | - | - | 121 | - | 121 | 204 |
| 2390 - Church equipment | 1,193 | - | - | - | 1,193 | 1,050 |
| 2395 - Church communications | 238 | - | - | - | 238 | 776 |
| 2401 - Church running - electric | 2,720 | - | - | - | 2,720 | 3,110 |
| 2410 - Church running - gas | 3,678 | - | 1,000 | - | 4,678 | 7,053 |
| 2420 - Church running - water | 208 | - | - | - | 208 | 181 |
| 2601 - Governance costs examination/audit fee |
175 | - | - | - | 175 | 174 |
| Expenditure on charitable activities Totals |
50,895 | 3,408 | 1,121 | - | 55,423 | 48,213 |
| Other expenditure | ||||||
| 9901 - Other outgoing resources / payments |
119 | 164 | - | - | 283 | 102 |
| Other expenditure Totals | 119 | 164 | - | - | 283 | 102 |
Payments Grand totals
52,277
4,470
4,439 61,187 51,028
The Parochial Church Council of Wolverhampton St Matthew
Prior Year SOFA – 31 December 2023
| Unrestricted funds Designated funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Prior year total funds |
|
|---|---|
| Receipts Donations and legacies Income from charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Other income Total income Payments Raising funds Expenditure on charitable activities Other expenditure Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in Gross transfers between funds - out Other recognised gains / losses Gains/losses on investment assets Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's own use Net movement in funds |
50,445 966 6,100 - 57,511 53,870 2,246 - - - 2,246 3,162 10,383 - - - 10,383 10,828 421 - - - 421 17 - - - - - 1,000 |
| 63,495 966 6,100 - 70,561 68,876 150 334 2,229 - 2,714 4,231 44,817 1,209 2,187 - 48,213 50,360 102 - - - 102 36 |
|
| 45,069 1,543 4,416 - 51,028 54,627 |
|
| 18,426 (577) 1,684 - 19,533 14,249 6,157 950 3,529 - 10,636 1,673 (4,479) (2,628) (3,529) - (10,636) (1,673) - - - - - - - - - - - - |
|
| 20,104 (2,255) 1,684 - 19,533 14,249 |
| Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
|
|---|---|
| 21,053 20,994 724 - 42,771 28,522 |
|
| 41,157 18,739 2,408 - 62,304 42,771 |