## **Alne Parochial Church Council** Registered Charity: 1184626 **Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2024** 1 ## Alne Parochial Church Council Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 ## Aims and purposes The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the priest-in-charge in promoting within the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. ## Objectives and Activities The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our churches and to become part of our parish community. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through: - Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus. - Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish. - Missionary and outreach work. To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the three churches within the parish; St. Mary’s Alne, St. Stephen’s Aldwark and St. Michael’s Tollerton. ## Achievements and Performance ## Worship and Prayer The PCC is keen to offer a range of Sunday services across the three churches over the course of the year that offers worship that is both accessible for all in our communities and worship that serves to deepen personal discipleship and living out Christ’s story. Services are led by a team of ordained and experienced lay leaders. Services at St. Stephens and St. Mary’s are more traditional with specific family-friendly services in Alne on special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Harvest and Christingle whereas at St. Michaels, services are generally more expressive and less formal, with a worship group (of guitars, and sometimes keyboard and flute), that leads more contemporary worship songs. All three churches aim to have a service of Holy Communion at least once a month and we aim to hold a service of Holy Communion every week within the parish. All are welcome to attend our regular services. Our activities are posted on the church’s Facebook Page and advertised in the Parish Magazine, which is hand delivered. We also publish services on our St Michael’s website and ‘a church near you’ webpages for all three churches. At present there are 84 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll, the same as last year. 2024 saw a continuation of the service pattern we have followed post-COVID, with one service per month at St. Stephens, two services each month at St. Mary’s and a service every Sunday at St. Michael’s. Following the decision taken the previous year to join with Skelton, Shipton and Newton, which enabled us to advertise for a full time Priest-in-Charge, we were delighted that Revd Lucy Brencher applied and was successful in her application, being duly Licenced on 24/09/24. Until that time, we continued to rely on local retired clergy to take services of Holy Communion and members of our own congregation to take services of Morning Worship. St Mary’s and St Stephen’s have continued to be open for private prayer and for general visitors each day There is a strong relationship with the primary school in Alne, who use St Mary’s for end of term services and on other occasions, resulting in a very full church of children and their parents several times per year. In addition, 2 ## Alne Parochial Church Council Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued) the school helps with rehearsals to prepare children participating in songs and readings at the family-friendly services. Since starting in role, Rev’d Lucy goes into Alne Primary School each month to take an assembly. There is also a steady stream of visitors to view things of historic significance in St Mary’s, and to the graveyard, both of which people find very tranquil and welcoming. As well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of life, in marriage public vows are exchanged with God’s blessing and through funeral services friends and family express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and to commend the person into God’s keeping. In total four marriages were conducted in the parish in 2024 (all at St. Stephen’s). 9 funerals took place (7 of which were at St. Mary’s and 2 at St. Michael’s) and 7 baptisms (4 at St. Stephens and 2 at St. Mary’s and 1 at St. Michael’s). ## Deanery Synod Two members of the PCC sit on the deanery synod. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the church. The particular focus in 2024 has been to share knowledge and experience of some of the practical ways we might implement our plans for “Living Christ’s Story”. Presentations on deepening discipleship, with an additional development day focussing on Discipleship, celebrating Eco-Church and “Growing the Church Younger” were the highlights. ## Pastoral Care Prior to the Licensing of a Priest-in-Charge, our pastoral care had been sadly lacking. Our local retired clergy have helped greatly in taking funerals and providing care for the bereaved family members. Now that Revd Lucy is in post, the situation has improved greatly. In December Rev’d Lucy led a memorial service in the Ministry Unit for those who perhaps struggle with Christmas because of personal loss and bereavement. ## Mission and Evangelism St. Michael’s Tollerton donates 10% of its income to local, national or international Christian Missionary charities. St. Mary’s donates to the Children’s Society following the Christingle service and to the Royal British Legion following the Remembrance Service. Our parish magazine is distributed monthly to all parishioners freely. The magazine keeps our parishioners informed of the important matters affecting our Church and articles that help develop knowledge and trust in Jesus. It also includes local community news. We were able to conduct our door-to-door deliveries once more this year. It was gratifying that several local organisations including the parish councils at Alne and Tollerton, agreed to contribute to the cost of producing the parish magazine to cover something of the additional costs incurred resulting from the increased community news. Since October we have a shared weekly email with a ‘Thought for the weekend’. This communication holds together all the 6 churches in the wider West Galtres Ministry Unit. It helps the churches to pray together and support one another in mission and ministry, and share ideas and resources. The written reflection enables us to think together on an aspect of life with God, either from the news or from our cycle of lectionary readings. All three churches actively seek to engage with the village communities. We have continued our focus to reach out to the villagers and raise the profile of the church within the community. These activities plant the seeds, not just developing improved relationships between the church and the village, but enabling us to demonstrate the love of Christ to the parishioners. These initiatives also offer opportunities for us to share our personal faith with people. 3 ## Alne Parochial Church Council Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued) At St Stephen’s these initiatives have been: - Hosting the village Christmas Fayre event in the church, which was really successful - Keeping church open as a place of prayer. St Stephen’s is on the rambler’s route and we know from the visitor’s book that people come into church fairly regularly and enjoy its peace. - At St. Mary’s these initiatives have been: - Participation in the annual Street Fayre, at which we hosted ‘Alne, past and & present’, and refreshments accompanied by organ recitals plus plant stalls and children’s competitions, which attracted a good number of both adults and children. - Holding the major festival services (Remembrance Day, a Harvest Festival for Children and the Christingle service). At St. Michaels’s these initiatives have been: - Continued distribution of a “welcome to Tollerton” booklet to all new residents on moving in. - Carol singing in the village hall this year at the ‘lights switch-on event’ - Hot Spot which ran in the Spring and Autumn. This has continued to be popular with a good number (of different people) attending each session. This has improved the visibility and use of the church within the life of the village. We had to reduce the sessions from weekly to fortnightly through lack of people resources. - Discipleship Groups that meet in homes are life giving because of the fellowship and Bible study that attendees enjoy. - Prayer Groups – once a week a group meets for prayer, being intentional about praying for God’s blessing on all three villages, growth in our churches and for those in need of prayer. St. Stephen’s, in addition to their wedding and baptism ministry, held their annual Carol Service, which again attracted many parishioners who would not otherwise attend church services. All three churches again contributed to a “Christmas Tree Angel’ appeal, by which toys were purchased as gifts for disadvantaged children in York, arranged through the Salvation Army. A great number of parishioners contributed to this initiative and it was very effective at raising the profile of the 3 churches in a positive way. In addition, St. Mary’s held a shoe-box appeal which resulted in many boxes being donated to the Samaritan’s Purse appeal for missionary work with children throughout the world in challenged countries. ## New Things in 2025 St. Michael’s has initiated plans to run a Stay and Play Toddler Group and also a Youth Drop-in Café on weekly basis in term-time. At St. Mary’s the plan is to re-start the morning coffee morning, though earlier in the morning with a focus on inviting parents who have just dropped their children off at the school. The service pattern has also been changed, so that on the first Sunday of each month we come together for a parish family Communion at St. Stephen’s, with a “Sunday at 6” contemporary worship service at St. Michael’s. In addition, a Celtic style worship for the West Galtres Churches is held at St. Stephen’s on the 3[rd] Sunday each month ## Reserves policy It is PCC policy to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds which equates to at least six months unrestricted payments. It is held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and to meet emergencies. This was achieved by the PCC in 2024. 4 ## Alne Parochial Church Council Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued) ## Safeguarding The PCC has complied with the duty to have ‘due regard’ for the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance. GodZone (the ‘Sunday School’ at St. Michael’s Tollerton, was held on three Sundays each month during 2024). Safeguarding considerations were also taken into account regarding those activities which gave rise to contact with potentially vulnerable adults, principally Hot Spot. ## Building Maintenance and Development At St. Mary’s major work was needed to repair the beams and flooring in the tower following rot and associated insect attack. Various woodwork repairs were also carried out within the church. The plan to redevelop the inner porch at the main entrance is, therefore, back on the list of improvements to be made to complete better insulation, improved accessibility and a more welcoming entrance. There is a re-worked plan of how it can be done with further fundraising now being necessary. At St. Michael’s the church roof was extensively repaired to address sagging and leaking issue. The car park was re-gravelled and enlarged. All three churches have a list of prioritised work identified in their quinquennial inspections (or for St. Michael’s its 5-year surveyors report) and plans to action the most important points. Both St. Michael’s and St. Mary’s are nearing the time to have their next inspections carried out. We still await the report from the latest quinquennial inspection that has taken place at St. Stephen’s. ## Volunteers We would like to thank all the volunteers who work so hard to make our parish the lively and vibrant community it is. ## Structure, governance and management The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. The membership of the PCC consists of the Priest-in-Charge (our vicar), churchwardens and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. All those who are members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. The PCC members are responsible for supervising the decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. The full PCC met 4 times during the year in addition to the APCM which was held in April. Each of the three individual churches are managed by their own church councils. ## Administrative information The Parish of Alne is part of the Diocese of York within the Church of England. The correspondence address is Church Office, St. Michael’s Church, Newton Road Tollerton York YO61 1QX. The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2011) and a charity currently registered with the Charity Commission. 5 ## Alne Parochial Church Council Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued) PCC members who have served at any time from 1st January 2024 until the date of this report were: Ex Officio members: Priest-in-Charge: Revd Lucy Brencher (from 24/09/24) Warden: vacancy Warden: vacancy Deputy-warden Mrs Alison Dowson (warden of St. Michael’s, Tollerton) Deputy-warden Mr Richard Swan (warden of St. Michael’s, Tollerton) Elected members: Mr Arthur Harland (Lay Chair and Deanery Synod representative) Mr Bill Ormerod (until 26/09/24) Mrs Carol Watson (Parish Safeguarding Officer) Mrs Vivienne Bird Mr Ian Scott from 23/04/24 elected Treasurer at the APCM Mrs Maggie Bond Lady Sharon Oliver Mr Peter Cove (Deanery Synod representative) ## Financial review In 2024 Alne PCC continued to be the single body under which the finances of all three churches were managed. At the PCC held on 29/10/24 the PCC delegated the authority to St. Michael’s District Church Council (DCC) to manage its church income and expenditure and to prepare a separate church-specific set of accounts. The responsibility for the control of all the finances of the parish remains with the PCC. This amendment allowed St. Michael’s to operate according to the Deed of Trust which governs how it must operate whilst at the same time ensuring the PCC retained its legal responsibilities. The PCC has adopted a Receipts and Payments basis for the preparation of the financial statements, as in prior years. Unrestricted funds for the year showed a net deficit of £8,609 (2023: surplus of £9,919) largely arising due to the timing of running costs and utility charges and necessary expenditure on maintenance and repair works. Planned giving increased by 2% to £35,330 (2023: £34,654) but total receipts reduced by 3.7% to £56,208 (2023: £58,369) due to lower one-off receipts and a lower amount of fees for wedding and funerals in the year. Restricted Funds for the year benefited from the receipt of legacies totalling £15,000, with significant expenditure incurred in the year on repair works at St Mary’s, Alne. Restricted Funds for the year showed a net deficit of £1,178 (2023: deficit of £31,887). At 31 December 2024 Unrestricted Funds amounted to £62,465 (2023: £71,074) and Restricted Funds amounted to £72,553 (2023: £73,731). At 31 December 2024 the PCC has unclaimed Gift Aid relating to donations received by 31 December 2024 of: Unrestricted Funds £8,133 and Restricted Funds £731. Once claimed and received, these amounts will increase the Unrestricted Funds and Restricted Funds accordingly. Approved by the PCC on Tuesday 22[nd] April and signed on its behalf by Arthur Harland, Lay Chair of the PCC. Signature ………… ……………….. 6 ## Independent examiner’s report to Alne Parochial Church Council (“PCC”) I report to the PCC on my examination of the combined accounts of the churches of St Mary’s Alne, St Stephen’s Aldwark and St Michael’s Tollerton which constitute the Ecclesiastical Parish of Alne for the year ended 31 December 2024. ## **Responsibilities and basis of the report** The members of the PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”) and the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 (“the Regulations”). I report in respect of my examination of the PCC’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. This report, including my statement, has been prepared for and only for the members of the PCC as a body. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the members of the PCC those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the members of the PCC as a body for my examination work, for this report, or for the statements I have made. ## **Basis of this report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as members of the PCC 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** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: - accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or - the accounts do not accord with the accounting records or do not comply with the Regulations other than in respect of the requirement for a true and fair view. I confirm that there are no matters in connection with the examination to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Paul Brencher The Rectory Church Lane Skelton York YO30 1XT 7 ## Alne Parochial Church Council Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 ## Receipts and Payment account 8 Alne Parochial Church Council Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 ## Statement of Assets and Liabilities 9