Vicar’s Annual Parochial Church Meeting Report – 2021
Lately, I have mentioned Revelations 3[8] several times in our services: ‘ Look, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut .’ 4 years ago, when John and Ian, interviewed me they were looking for an incumbent with vision. The new incumbent needed to see what the Lord required to take this parish and its churches forward. When the risen Lord Jesus Christ says: ‘ Look, I have set before you an open door ’ he is testing our vision, our spiritual eye-sight. The word look is a command. Look, marks a change of scene and God is asking us to see the new thing in front of us. This new door pairs up with our 2017 motto verse from Isaiah 43:18-19 ‘ Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it .’ See , is the same word as look. Like sentinels on the watchtower of the city walls peering into the distance, we are called to look, to see, to behold and to catch the vision of God’s new thing. So what new things, what door stands open before us that none can shut?
Last week the PCC and I wrote a comprehensive letter to the church to bring you up to date with the recent changes to service structure and church life. While that letter introduces some of these new things its focus is naturally on why we are making a break from the former things. To glimpse something new please look to your left: a fabulous art exhibition by two Christian artists. The exhibition will be open after the APCM. After lots of prompting by the Spirit of God, Petra approached me to offer herself as the artist in residence here at St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles. The PCC was excited to agree to this. We look forward to how we can integrate artwork that responds and corresponds to our acts of worship for display round the church. Petra suggested that art may become a therapeutic for those struggling with their mental health, which will complement the Kintsugi groups Jake and Hannah will run and Arleen’s mental health pastoral work. Artwork is literally something we look at and see . This new thing will complement our support of the arts with the literary festival: Books by the Beach that is happening from 11 -13 June, and the flower festival that we have rescheduled for the end of August.
I am now starting my fourth year as the mayor’s chaplain. Despite the pandemic there have been some moments of real privilege ministering into the hardship that the Leader of the Council and Mayor have encountered. Last year, the Mayor asked me for pastoral support and last Thursday at the Mayor-making ceremony, she made it clear before the council chamber how the church had helped her. The Leader of the Council and I have made plans to integrate the cultural significance of our Church’s faith history with the rest of the town. Soon the town digitisation will be extended here. Visitors will learn how the faith of people from this church so deeply rooted in the life of Scarborough has and continues to influence the well-being of the town. The Leader of the Council and Chief Exec have shown an interest in helping us develop our ruins. That will directly affect our outdoor worship and mission. These relationships are very important to the Lord. Through them he extends his concern for those in leadership that they may lead aright, and at the same time, through those relationships the kingdom starts to influence the structural changes needed here. At the Mayor-making held in the Spa on Thursday, I had the opportunity to speak with councillors taking the lead on the City of Sanctuary initiative which is something that CTIS is advocating formally. Our PCC is taking a lead by managing the funding and overseeing the town-wide programme for ESOL programme: that is English for Speakers of Other Languages. At the moment we have 10 Syrians on our books and we expect that to expand to Somalis, Iraqis and perhaps even Cantonese refugees in the future.
Isaiah 58 makes it clear that our worship includes sharing “ our bread with the hungry, and bringing the homeless poor in your house .”
The Rainbow Centre has worked tirelessly over the pandemic to answer the call from Isaiah 58:7 and I have to say that I am staggered to hear of the huge commitment Trish and the team have made over this time. We are justifiably proud of the team for receiving a commendation from the Mayor last Tuesday as part of the Civic Awards for going above and beyond during the pandemic. A new thing that we have perceived from the Lord is to create a Rainbow Chaplaincy and I am going to ask John to speak about this now.
As I look and see what needs to be accomplished in this new season it quickly becomes clear that there are large gaps between where we need to be and the resources required for that. Discipleship is the key to this. On 10 July, we are holding a church conference led by Ven Sam Rushton, the Archdeacon of York who is a specialist in Christian Discipleship. Please put that in your diary, because the teaching and experience coming from this day will feed into our life as a church for the next few years. The foundation to our discipleship will be the new homegroups that I would like to come on stream in the autumn. They will connect with the themes and teaching from Sunday morning. We would like to think that everyone would join a homegroup. I am thoroughly thankful to our church members who work so hard. But our ministry here is held by relatively few and the challenge to us now is to grow our discipleship. Following the Lord Jesus Christ is the most rewarding thing, but being a disciple is always sacrificial. Will you commit to asking God where he wants to plant you in the new things he is creating?
You don’t need neon lights to announce some special calling from God. As you will see we are not prioritising any area of ministry above another. You could minister to our older folk with Not-Home-Alone alongside Jan and the team on a Tuesday lunchtime. Or, you could help Elaine and Keith with our children’s ministry on a Sunday, which is short of teachers. We are still need technical help to form a Sunday rota and we will properly train our team to provide video, sound and projection for the 10:30am service. Equally, Jake and Hannah are planning a young people’s fellowship and they want to grow leaders and helpers for that ministry. We will need people to minister alongside us in the HTB marriage course for our wedding couples, or the Start course for baptismal families. We support a number of foreign mission initiatives from CMS, to Kenya and Burundi and we are looking for people to advocate these within the church, to pray for our partners overseas and help form a team to distribute the PCC tithe to these. These are practical things that you can come and help with.
In 1785 John Wesley fell out with Revd John Kirk, the new vicar of Scarborough. He and therefore the church were not interested in mission. As a result they cut themselves out of a potential deal with Wesley. Wesley was confined to preach on the church steps but he brought many people from this parish into a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The Methodist Church was formed. Thankfully, our Methodist sisters and brothers remain our dear friends in Christ. That we are still here to worship from this building I believe is testament that the Spirit of God is giving us another chance where previously we failed. One of the most important lessons that this pandemic has taught us is that while we meet in a church with very thick walls, we must become a church without walls. In other words, while the Lord has gifted us with one of the largest signposts in town, we must take the opportunity it affords to make visible our Christian witness. Like Wesley on the church steps, this last year we have met outdoors across the bank holidays, for carol singing, at Easter and Pentecost, with fun afternoons and
candle-lit memorial services. Over a hundred non-churched folk joined us for Christmas carols, just by word of mouth and Facebook. So simple!
I conclude with the words of the scripture we received from Isaiah 61:4 “ they shall build the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations ” that is our vision. We will use our ruins and look at how we can develop them. For instance, we are in negotiations with Riding Lights Theatre Company to have an outdoor production hopefully over the August bank holiday weekend. Hosting outdoor services is the ultimate open door that no-one can shut, because it has no doors. It is completely visible and you can see even from the little we have done how it excites the interest of the parish and passers-by. John will provide a formal vote of thanks in a moment, however I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone here in the generous way that you have given financially and through your time to keep the church going under such difficult circumstances. We are now entering a season for building those ancient ruins, it is utterly urgent and will require everyone to apply themselves afresh to a personal discipleship. We do it because Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations , in the power of the Spirit and to the glory of God the Father.
Parochial Church Council of St Ma with Hol A ostles Scarborou Inde endent Examiners Re rt Year Ended 31 December 2020 The Parochial Church Council is responsible for the preparation of the account5. The PCC consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 43121 of the charities act 1993 (the Artl and that an independent examination is needed. Asquith & Co Accountarbts Limited have conducted an independent examination of the financial records and statements of the Parochial Church Council of St Mary with Holy Apostles, for the year ended 31 December 2020. Our examination was carried out in accordance with the general dirertions given by the Charity Commissioner. The examination included a review of the accountancy records kept by the church and a comparison of the figures presented with the records provided. The examination also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the PCC members concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opirbion on the accounts. No matters have come to our attention that 8ive us cause to believe that in any material aspect accouting records have not been kept in accordance with Section 41 of the Charities Act 1993 and the church accounting regulations. or that the accounts do not accord with those records. There were no exceptional items to mention during the year. There are no other material matters which have come to our attention in connection with the examination to which attention should be to drawn, to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Approv Chris Mattinson FC Date
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Parochial Church Council of St Mary with Holy Apostles Statement of financial activities
For the year ending 31st December 2020
| Note Incoming Resources Voluntary income 2a Activities for generating funds 2b Income from investments 2c Income from Church Activities 2d Other incoming Resources 2e 2020 Syrian Refugee fund 8b TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES Resources Expended Fund Raising costs 3b Church Activities 3a Staf Costs 4 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED NET INCOMING RESOURCES BEFORE OTHER RECOGNISED GAINS & LOSSES Transfers Between funds NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD 1 JANUARY 2020 BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD 31 DECEMBER 2020 |
Total Funds 2019 £ £ £ £ Unrestricted funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 2020 |
Total Funds 2019 £ £ £ £ Unrestricted funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 2020 |
Total Funds 2019 £ £ £ £ Unrestricted funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99,984 13,347 113,331 103,813 19,688 0 19,688 39,076 178 178 234 17,920 0 17,920 20,342 2,580 0 2,580 1,713 3,200 3,200 |
|||
| 140,350 | 16,547 | 156,897 165,178 |
|
| 276 0 276 3,133 111,714 18,106 129,820 125,783 16,957 0 16,957 19,848 |
|||
| 128,946 18,106 147,052 0 148,764 |
|||
| 11,404 (1,559) 9,845 0 16,414 (5,760) 5,760 0 |
|||
| 5,644 4,201 9,845 16,414 107,348 22,023 129,371 112,957 |
|||
| 112,992 26,224 139,216 129,371 |
2 INCOMING RESOURCES
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| 2a Voluntary income Planned giving: Donations Tax Recoverable Other Collections (open plate) Gifts Legacies Grants 2b Activities for generating funds Hospitality & sales stand Car Parking Other 2c Income from investments Dividends & Interest 2d Income from Church Activities Property income Fees 2e Other incoming Resources 8b Syrian refugee fund TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES |
Unrestricted funds £ £ £ Restricted Funds Total Funds 2020 |
Total funds 2019 £ |
|---|---|---|
| 63,023 798 63,821 14,359 14,359 0 6,124 6,124 3,728 12,549 16,277 10,250 10,250 2,500 2,500 |
61,864 17,102 15,232 9,615 0 0 |
|
| 99,984 13,347 113,331 |
103,813 | |
| 357 357 19,332 19,332 0 |
12,584 26,492 0 |
|
| 19,688 0 19,688 |
39,076 | |
| 178 178 |
234 | |
| 178 178 |
234 | |
| 15,277 15,277 2,643 2,643 |
11,133 9,209 |
|
| 17,920 0 17,920 |
20,342 | |
| 2,580 2,580 |
1,713 | |
| 3,200 3,200 |
||
| 140,350 16,547 156,897 |
165,178 |
| 3 RESOURCES EXPENDED 3a Church Activities Overseas missions Free Will Giving Fees (income is net in 2020) Other Ministry Costs Church Running & Maintenance Parish House running costs Costs of Curates house Ofce Costs Telephone, broadband, IT Other expenses Bank and Financial Charges 3b Fund Raising costs Refreshments Car Parking Other 4Staf Costs Wages & Salaries TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED |
Unrestricted funds 2020 £ £ £ Restricted Funds |
2019 £ |
|---|---|---|
| 0 5,500 5,500 62,500 62,500 0 5,756 1,056 6,812 18,804 11,549 30,353 15,289 0 15,289 1,763 1,763 1,766 1,766 1,345 1,345 4,044 4,044 448 448 |
12,428 60,000 3,355 5,550 19,270 13,613 6,557 2,570 2,250 0 189 |
|
| 111,714 18,106 129,820 |
125,783 | |
| 276 276 0 0 |
3,133 | |
| 276 0 276 |
3,133 | |
| 16,957 16,957 |
19,848 | |
| 16,957 0 16,957 |
19,848 | |
| 128,946 18,106 147,052 |
148,764 |
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The PCC has 4 (all part time) paid employees, an organist, church cleaner, verger, administrator
The PCC also contribute to the costs of the cleaner at Parish House - included in Parish House running costs
5 Fixed Assets
The freehold and buildings comprise the curate's house at 13 Woodall Avenue, Scarborough. It is believed to be worth considerably more than the Balance sheet valuation of £55,000 and is not being depreciated in the accounts. It is insured for £204,759
The PCC also owns St Mary's Parish House which is not shown in the accounts as the PCC has never paid anything for it. It is insured for £2,019,408
| 6Debtors Debtors Prepayments and accrued income 7Liabilites Amounts falling due in one year Creditors Accruals and deferred income PAYE & NI Contributions |
2020 2019 0 13,741 18,306 18,306 |
|---|---|
| 18,306 0 18,306 13,741 |
|
| 8,956 8,956 10,801 |
|
| 8,956 0 8,956 10,801 |
8 Funds
8a The restricted funds operating during the year are as follows:
| Childrens & Youth Worker Mission HA disabled toilet 20s to 40s ministry NW tower repair Camera 2020 Syrian Refugee Fund |
Balance 31/12/19 Transfers Incoming Resources Expended Resources |
Balance 31/12/20 |
|---|---|---|
| 19,923 690 688 476 5,500 5,760 625 1,000 108 369 11,549 11,549 1,000 3,200 |
19,925 736 625 739 0 1,000 3,200 |
|
| 22,024 16,547 18,106 5,760 |
26,225 |
8b The following fund is managed by St Mary’s on behalf of Churches Together in Scarborough – CTIS. This is a council initiative to support the teaching of English to Syrian refugees. NYCC provided a grant for this purpose. This money is held in St Mary’s Mission Account, but does not belong to St Mary’s. The balance is included within the cash at bank figure at the year end and within restricted funds. There has been no expenditure, because of Covid restrictions.
| 2020 Syrian Refugee Fund 9Analysis of Net Assets By fund Tangible Fixed Assets Current Assets Liabilities |
Incoming Resources Expended Resources |
Balance 31/12/20 |
Balance 31/12/20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,200 0 |
3,200 | ||
| 3,200 0 |
3,200 | ||
| Unrestricted funds Restricted Funds |
Total Funds 2020 |
Total Funds 2019 | |
| 55,000 66,947 26,225 (8,956) |
55,000 93,172 (8,956) |
55,000 85,172 (10,801) |
|
| 112,991 26,225 |
139,216 | 129,371 |
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Parochial Church Council of St Mary with Holy Apostles Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2020
| Parochial Church Council of St Mary with Holy Apostles Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2020 |
|
|---|---|
| Notes FIXED ASSETS 13 Woodall Ave 5a CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 6 Cash at bank & in hand LIABILITIES Creditors - amounts falling due in 1 year 7 NET CURRENT ASSETS Total assets less current liabilities TOTAL NET ASSETS PARISH FUNDS Unrestricted Restricted 9 |
2020 2019 £ £ |
| 55,000 55,000 |
|
| 55,000 55,000 |
|
| 18,306 13,741 74,866 71,431 |
|
| 93,172 85,172 |
|
| 8,956 10,801 |
|
| 139,216 129,371 |
|
| 139,216 129,371 |
|
| 112,991 107,347 26,225 22,024 |
|
| 139,216 129,371 |
Parochial Church Council of St Ma with Hol A ostles Scarborou Inde endent Examiners Re rt Year Ended 31 December 2020 The Parochial Church Council is responsible for the preparation of the account5. The PCC consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 43121 of the charities act 1993 (the Artl and that an independent examination is needed. Asquith & Co Accountarbts Limited have conducted an independent examination of the financial records and statements of the Parochial Church Council of St Mary with Holy Apostles, for the year ended 31 December 2020. Our examination was carried out in accordance with the general dirertions given by the Charity Commissioner. The examination included a review of the accountancy records kept by the church and a comparison of the figures presented with the records provided. The examination also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the PCC members concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opirbion on the accounts. No matters have come to our attention that 8ive us cause to believe that in any material aspect accouting records have not been kept in accordance with Section 41 of the Charities Act 1993 and the church accounting regulations. or that the accounts do not accord with those records. There were no exceptional items to mention during the year. There are no other material matters which have come to our attention in connection with the examination to which attention should be to drawn, to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Approv Chris Mattinson FC Date