HOLY TRINITY & STJUDE'S ANNUAL REPORT 2023 20
| Vicar’s Report | 3 |
|---|---|
| Churchwardens’ Report | 7 |
| Electoral Roll | 8 |
| PCC | 9 |
| Finance | 9 |
| Christian Stewardship | 10 |
| Safeguarding | 11 |
| Gift Aid | 12 |
| Buildings and Maintenance | 13 |
| Events | 13 |
| Charitable Giving | 14 |
| Children and Young People | 14 |
| Choir | 15 |
| Magazine | 15 |
| Super Wednesday | 16 |
| Rainbows | 16 |
| Brownies | 17 |
| Guides | 17 |
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Walked to Tesco – to complete part of our Saver badge, understanding the cost of ingredients when planning meals.
Made aprons and painted personalised motifs on the them for Father’s Day.
Decorated Pebbles and entered them in the Halifax show handicrafts section (and had 2 winners)
Decorated a church window ‘under the Sea” theme.
Fearless Fun – We camped at Waddow Hall Clitheroe in Sept for 2 nights – taking part along with hundreds of Brownies and Guides from the North of England including our Brownies which was very special. We took part in Bushcraft- made a fire and emergency shelter, climbed up Jacobs ladder, raced on an inflatable obstacle course, grass sledged, caved, learnt various dances and sung our hearts out at a very energetic campfire.
Under the careful instruction of a Bush craft expert completed the Whittling badge, girls made a tent peg out of wood.
Held a games stall at the Church Christmas Fayre.
Painted glass jars for Christmas then filled with ingredients to make Krispie squares. We tested making the Krispie squares the week before, and of course this required tasting them … bake off style.
For our Christmas treat we went snowtubing at Ploughcroft … a busy year
Thank you to all concerned for providing a bright, warm, clean, spacious hall.
Not forgetting thanks to our committed and fun loving Guiders, Joanne, Lesley, Lucy and Chloe.
Vicar’s Report
Reflection on the year
The annual report is always a good point to pause and consider where we have come over this last twelve months. When you are engrossed in daily church life it can be difficult to see the wood for the trees. Like all areas of life there have been ups and down, challenges that have thrown us off course, and opportunities that have taken us down roads we didn’t expect. Sometimes we get lost in the fog of the things that have disappointed us or gone against our own desires, but stepping back, there has been lots to celebrate and give thanks for. One key question to ask is have deepened our life together and forged closer links with those around us. I hope we would respond positively on both counts, however marginal you may consider that progress to be.
Challenges
Our biggest challenge over the last year has been the pace that things have been changing around church and parish life. With our link with St. Augustine’s church we brought the time of the Sunday service forward to 9:45am to allow time to travel between the two churches, we said thank you to Margaret Seed as she stepped down as our director of Music and we have been learning to worship with recorded music, we passed over responsibility for maintaining the churchyard to a professional gardener, learning to let go of some of our regular tasks, we have reverted back to the normal administration of Holy Communion which has come with some anxiety, we have been blessed with the first full year of Mark Young’s ministry as he works towards becoming a LLM with the encouragement we have joyfully given him and we have worked through the plans for the new Nave Dais and table with the apprehension that comes with any changes to the building. All in all, our challenge this year has been change! In is no small achievement that we arrived at the end of the year as one family, ready for the challenges of 2024 (which I hope will be more to do with people and mission, rather than buildings and management).
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Opportunities
But in the midst of all this background stuff, we have seen our Little Saints group flourish, and Super Wednesday continue to expand which both bring opportunities to share our faith. We are still searching for a new Director of Music with the hope that we can continue to develop our worship with fresh whilst building on our strong music traditions. Our nee Nave Dais presents opportunities to hold concerts and invite the community along. We have already booked the Hebden Bridge Brass Band and the Halifax Gilbert and Sullivan Society to perform for us. Our work with schools received a boost this year as we worked with four of our local school and invited them into church to explore. Our church hall continues to thrive and we have a full diary from regular bookings. If you haven’t been to any of these groups then please do take a look at what is on offer, these sessions provide a wonderful opportunity to get alongside people from our community and form friendships.
Buildings
Trampolined and played in the soft paly area at Airtime for our Christmas treat.
Thank you to all concerned for the use of the lovely hall, and to our leaders, Alison, Helen, Sarah, Sian, Hollie, Tilly, Jessica and Caitlin.
Julie Murphy
St Jude’s Brownies
The Brownies continue to meet in the church hall on Wednesday evenings to enjoy many and varied activities under the watchful eyes of their dedicated leaders.
“But vicar, look at the flaking paint”, “what’s happening about the exposed brick work in the Lady Chapel”, “Why is there water coming in on the vestry steps”, “Did you know the clock is 3 minutes fast?”
St. Jude’s church is 134 years old, it is in that stage of its life where there are lots of things that need to be done with it, principally just to maintain it but also to develop it. This year we have had to consider both those challenges - maintenance and development. We work closely with our architect and the diocese to programme our work, needing both appropriate approvals and finance to do so. These unfortunately take time to organise and we are conscious of the work that needs to be done. This last year and been spend getting all these things sorted so that next year we can begin to see some physical developments. One area e did sort out, thanks to the churchwardens is the churchyard and all the work has been completed.
Pastoral
Our pastoral work still remains an area we need to spend time developing. Thanks to Cathy Page and the small team we try our best to keep on top of who is struggling, whether at home or in hospital. The addition of the click button on the newsletter has been a boost to help us do this and I would encourage using this as a quick and timely way to access the pastoral team wither for yourself of someone you may be concerned about.
St Jude’s Guides – 2023
2023 - We have an average of 20 girls attending throughout the year.
Badges gained:
Confectioner, Express Myself, Vlogging, Live smart 4, Saver, Communicate 3, Meditation, Mixology, Fitness, whittling, Reflect 3,
Gold awards gained by Hannah, Olivia, Maryam and Amber – a wonderful achievement.
Actvites:
In January we went to trampolining at Airtime in Halifax.
Glass craft – we made hanging glass ornaments or Mother’s Day.
Made and ate pancakes.
Had an evening walk via scar bottom woods to king cross for chips, then and sleepover in the hall.
Hosted a Coronation party with All Saints Guides where we decorated biscuits, made coronation outfits fit for a king out of newspaper, played Captains coming and King beetle.
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Super Wednesday
The popular Super Wednesday group continue to meet in the church hall between 10am and noon.
Activities such as board games, crafts, jigsaws, and painting are enjoyed by all the group with plenty of opportunity to chat along the way.
If you are interested in joining the group, please see Margaret Lord or Margaret Ainley.
St Jude’s Rainbows report
We have increased the numbers of Rainbows and helpers during the year. We started the year with 12 Rainbows and finished with 20, 3 girls moved up to Brownies during the year and we now have a healthy waiting list.
Rainbows can join when they are 4 years old and have started school.
Badges
Nature, Live smart 1, Construction badge, Camp1, First Aid 1, Reflect 1, Fruit and Veg, Family tree.
Actvites
Rainbows love to play games favourites are duck, duck, goose, what time is it Mr Wolf? and steal the Queens treasure.
We held an Easter egg hunt, made tents from material and put them up inside and then enjoyed stories while snuggled up in a guide tent on the lawn. Made fruit smoothies, after cutting up fruit as part of the fruit and veg badge.
We learnt to sign our opening song, which the girls have become proficient at.
Held a summer meeting at Manor Heath Park where we had a picnic and played on the swings and slides.
Crafs
Constructed local landmarks from recycled materials, made paper daffodils, Mother’s day cards, Father’s day cards , Candi cane reindeer, and a fruit tree for the church window at Harvest.
Had a party with the Brownies to celebrate the Kings Coronation.
Celebrated Diwali with stories and coloured in cards.
Mission
Mission is an interesting work. It assumes we are doing something towards sharing our faith, whether that is by talking explicitly about it or implied through what we do for those who live in the parish. Either way I think this year has been a lean year for mission. We did say that this year we would work on the second part of our vision to “make Christ known”. I think this remains a challenge for us and will require a change in our thinking, which, like many others parishes has become quite insular since the pandemic as we have looked to regroup and take stock in this changed landscape we find ourselves in.
Generosity Week
This year for the first time in quite a while we had an appeal during the harvest generosity week to donate towards the nave dais project and to review our regular giving. The PCC set the challenge of raising £10,000 and increase giving by £100 per month. This seemed like a huge leap of faith, yet, if we trust that God will provide if it’s the right thing to do, we shouldn’t be surprised when, after all the pledges and gifts were received we actually raised £10,390 (before including Gift Aid) and increased giving by £141 per month. A generous legacy received during the week meant that the work on the nave dais could go ahead without the need to use any of our investments. As they say, “God is Good!”
Weddings/baptisms/funerals
After the backlog of the pandemic, this year has been unusually quite for weddings and baptisms, with just 4 children being baptised – Violet Hayes, Evelyn Hayes, Hunter Luis-Parry and Cian Lynch, and 3 weddings – Luke and Samantha Fisher, Georgia and Shawn Drake, and David and Margaret Lord. Sadly we had 11 funerals including some dear members of our congregation – Jack Moore, Sylvia Hiley, Mary Thomas, Francis Archer, Donald Haigh, Paul Bottomley, Gordon Normanton, John Taylor, Maise Riley, Christine Thorpe and June Rourke.
Volunteers
I am always grateful for the army of members who give up their time to volunteer across the activities at church; Super Wednesday, Children’s Church, Little Saints, our bible readers, intercessors, choir members, Eucharistic Assistants, Coffee & Chat team, PCC members, our Safeguarding officer, Treasurer, PCC Secretary, Electoral Roll officer, musicians, magazine team, churchwardens, gardeners, AV operators, home group leaders and I apologise if I have missed out anyone! We do however continue to be limited in our work which remains a frustration, especially in our children’s and young people’s ministry. We need to continue to pray for progress in this work.
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Looking forward
Looking ahead to the coming year, taking stock of all that I have said above, we need to create space for ourselves to both grow in our own faith and in our confidence to open ourselves up to the community both socially and spiritually. We are a beacon in the area, holding a prime position overlooking the moors and surrounded by a large population.
We are a very visible part of the community and we need to consider how we can make the most of this wonderful opportunity. This means both taking on some new habits and ideas, and having the courage and faith to let go where “what we have always done” no longer fits into today’s world.
We still have challenges to our buildings and we cannot shy away from them, but we cannot allow them to dominate all we do either. We must always look through the lens of what impact does our actions have on the people in our parish, this is the reason we are here, learning to step back from our own wants and interests is what will make a different in our understanding of mission and discipleship.
In short, we need to get our ducks in line, to turn around, face our community and ask how we can serve those we have been called to witness to.
Attendance Trends
I have included the chart below principally to highlight that we have steadied the ship on normal church attendance, which although not at pre-pandemic levels it is solid and, if everyone came together on the same Sunday would actually be a good third more again, lifestyle changes however do pull on many people’s time in a way not seen before the pandemic. So, please be encouraged and make the most of the time we do spend together in worship and socially to build each other up.
Choir Report
The choir has continued to proudly lead the singing at St Jude’s throughout the year. However, there is always room for more people to join their happy throng. As ever thanks go to Margaret Lord who has, after many years, retired as organist and musical director, but continues to lead and sing with the choir each week.
Magazine Report 2023
The church printer has now been moved to what I hope is its permanent home in the Vicar’s vestry. This is where I now print each edition.
During 2023 the collating team, Susan Cox, Margaret O’Neill, Christina Whitworth and I, met each month in the Church Hall to fold, staple and name the subscription copies. I am very grateful for their help and was pleased to welcome Christina to join us.
We continue to have a group of helpers, who again deserve many thanks, who take on the monthly task of delivering the magazines by hand to those subscribers who are unable to attend church for any reason. 10 copies are also posted out to those living further afield.
During the year the magazine circulation was to 95 subscribers with a few spare copies always available at the back of church, costing £1 each. Just 105 copies were printed each month during 2023.
Marilyn Barraclough
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Churchwardens’ Report
Charitable Giving
2023 charity allocations
| 2023 charity allocatons | |
|---|---|
| USPG | £1000 |
| CMS (Church Mission Society) | £1000 |
| Christan Initatve in Calderdale Schools | £ 300 |
| Leeds DBF (Buhemba Parish, Mara) | £ 500 |
| St Augustne’s Centre | £ 750 |
| Mission Aviaton Fellowship | £ 300 |
| Christan African Relief Trust | £ 300 |
| Leprosy Mission | £ 500 |
| Reach Beyond | £ 300 |
| Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary | £ 250 |
| Water Aid | £ 800 |
Life at Holy Trinity and St Jude’s continues to be busy. Over the last 12 months in addition to our usual services we have opened our doors to several local schools for educational visits. The Gleddings held both their leavers and Christmas services here at St Jude’s, and Holy Trinity Primary school celebrated their end of year service with us, unfortunately the weather was against them “crocodile walking” the whole school community to church for their annual Harvest and Christmas services, we relocated to the school hall to help them celebrate.
Lawrence funeral home held their annual memorial service here at church, it was a most moving but comforting service, and we hope they choose to come here again in the future.
We have hosted several concerts over the year, these include The Orion Choir, The Gilbert and Sullivan Society, All Souls A.O.S and The Senior Citizens Orchestra. We already have bookings for the coming year and hope that the addition of the Dias will enhance the concert experience for both the performers and audiences. Keep your eye out on our social media and church magazine for further details of these events.
Sadly, once again we have had a number of funerals and memorial services in Church. We have lost several of our dear friends who we will miss tremendously but remember with love, also several funerals have been held from the wider community.
On a happier note, we have welcomed a number people who share worship and fellowship with us on a regular basis, several families have brought their children for baptism and we have celebrated three weddings in the last year.
Children & Young People
The number of children attending church remains stable between 4 and 12. The Roots programme provides a variety of activities for all ages enabling our young people to grow in faith through understanding and discussion. A big thankyou to our dedicated team for all the time and effort they take to ensure Children's Church is fun.
Super Wednesday continues to thrive and grow, providing fantastic outreach into the community with art, sewing, board games, chat, and friendship with of course coffee and refreshments,
In February 2023 “Little Saints” a drop-in group for babies and toddlers with their carers began, it is a relatively small but expanding group with resources and experiences for preschool children. Once again, we thank the people who give their time and expertise to run these groups.
We continue to open church on a Saturday morning for coffee and chat, we welcome both church family members and the wider community.
Over the year the PCC have organised several social, community and fundraising events. We cannot express how grateful we are to everyone involved in whatever capacity for your time and support, we have several events in the planning stages for throughout the coming year.
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The Church hall continues to be busy with the uniformed organisations and our Church run groups plus numerous other community organisations who use the hall for their various classes, groups and meetings. Thanks Julie and Darrell for all your work coordinating the hall bookings.
We would like to thank Tracy for keeping our Church and hall spotlessly clean, Howard for coordinating the gardening along with Emma the gardener who we employed to help Howard with this never-ending task. We have had some tree maintenance this year with trees pruned and diseased trees felled, thanks to Nick for all the hours spent preparing the faculty applications for this work.
We would like to give a special thank you to Stephen Normanton for his dedication over many, many years climbing the tower and being responsible for winding the clock, weekly before its electrification. After then he has climbed the tower several times a year to change the clock seasonally and make fine adjustments when needed.
He has finally decided that the time has come to hand over this job to someone else. If anyone would like to take on this role, please see either myself or Nick.
We would also like to thank the magazine team for their work each month, I know the magazine is enjoyed not only by Church members but has postal subscribers around the country.
We continue to collect for the local food bank, thanks for your contributions, also to Audrey for delivering it to them.
We rely on and appreciate your planned giving, either through the envelope scheme, direct debit, or the weekly plate, especially in these difficult challenging economic times, we ask you to continue to support us throughout the year.
Finally, Holy Trinity and St Jude’s wouldn’t be what it is without every one of us working, worshipping, and committing ourselves in whatever capacity large or small, sorry if we’ve not mentioned you personally but we would like to thank each and every one who contributes to our Church family.
Building and maintenance report 2022/23
As I write this report The Church building is undergoing a transformation with the installation of the new dais. It will be a great addition for the worship and community use of the building.
Work on the Lady Chapel has been delayed until the better weather of spring and summer, if it ever arrives. This will be a major undertaking.
The grounds are looking as good as ever thanks to the hard work of Howard and Emma the gardener.
We have a large number of trees in the Church grounds and sadly a small number have had to be removed.
2024 also brings round the quinquennial inspection which is sure to highlight areas requiring further work.
Events
2023 was again a busy year with a number of concerts by organisations such as The Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Overgate Hospice Choir and The Senior Citizen’s Orchestra held in church.
In May we held a Coronation Tea followed by Hymns in church, led by Margaret Lord and the Choir, to celebrate King Charles III coronation, raising £55.50.
The Harvest Supper in October was well attended, enjoyed by all and raised £173.74.
The annual Christmas Fayre was as usual a busy event and raised £1,503.
Thanks go to all volunteers for helping to make all our events so memorable and profitable.
Angela and Nick
Electoral Roll
The number on the current Electoral Roll for the parish of Holy Trinity and St Jude in March 2024 is 127.
Unfortunately, there have been some deaths of members of the congregation, but there have been some new members enrolling. 2025 will be a full renewal of the Electoral Role.
Felicity Hales. (Electoral Roll Officer)
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All Safeguarding Training has been online via the Church of England Training Portal over the past year for Basic and Foundation Safeguarding Training and has now been updated to include the Domestic Abuse (see below), Safer Recruitment and People Management, and Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking training. Leadership training courses are currently by invitation of the Diocese.
Concerns Raised
There haven’t been any issues raised this year.
Next Steps
Going forward, the areas of safeguarding St Jude’s will be focusing on will be maintaining the parish safeguarding dashboard and putting action plans in place so that everything is up to date for a possible visit to check our safeguarding status at any time.
Gift Aid Report 2022/23
Gift Aid continues to be a major contributor to our Church income.
If you make regular donations to Church you should have completed a Gift Aid Form. It is important that this is kept up
to date. If you move house or you no longer pay tax on your income it is important that you let me know so the records can be updated.
I can also claim gift aid on small cash donations put into the donation plate provided that these are in cash and are less than £30.00. So even if you are no longer a taxpayer we can still increase your giving by using this scheme.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to have a chat with me.
Nick Page
PCC
Membership since the APCM in March
Revd Stuart Stobart (chair), Angela Greenwood (churchwarden), Nick Page (churchwarden), Julie Hudson (secretary), Darrell Hudson (treasurer), Revd Martin Parrott, Elaine Kidd, Felicity Hales, Margaret Medhurst, Mark Young, Becky Hill, Hilary Felton, Bill Kneebone, Sarah Mitchell, Audrey Heap and Grem McIntyre.
Deanery Synod Reps.: Hilary Felton and Mark Young.
The PCC met on 8 occasions with an average attendance of 11.
Finance Summary
2023 has, financially, been a year of mixed news for Holy Trinity and St Jude’s. We have been protected from the majority of the impact of the high fuel prices by managing to secure fixed price deals before the rising prices hit their peak. We were also fortunate that the cost of the tree maintenance in the church yard was far less than budgeted. We also received a boost from the kindness of our parishioners in their response to our Generosity Week appeal and received four bequests during the year. These kind gifts will help us with the improvements to the church which we are planning which have proved to be more expensive than expected.
Unfortunately, our income is falling. In spite of the increases in regular giving promised during generosity week. income from voluntary receipts was down by approximately 5% on 2022 continuing a trend seen over the past 2 or 3 years. We will also see income from our telecom’s leases fall significantly in 2024 as new legislation means rentals will fall considerably, in our case over 50%.
Coupled with falling income we have seen our costs rising plus new expenses for employing a gardener and a new Director of Music meaning that 2024 will be the first year we will have to dip into reserves in order to cover our day to day running costs.
We have taken steps to mitigate this by swapping some investments around to attempt to gain a higher income but it is clear that 2024 will be a challenging year which will require careful management.
Darrell Hudson - Treasurer
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Christian Stewardship Report
Christian Stewardship is the means whereby members of the congregation commit to giving weekly or monthly amounts to support our church. The money is either transferred directly to the church`s bank account, card payments or given via the collection plate in the form of cash or stewardship envelopes. These contributions enable the Treasurer to know that there is a constant and reliable stream of income coming in to support the operational costs and maintenance of the buildings and allowing us to increase our mission in the wider community.
This October we launched our Generosity Week Harvest campaign. In which we asked friends, electoral roll members and congregation to consider if they were able to increase their regular giving or make a one-off donation. This was to help us develop our building with a new Nave Dais and Table which will support our ministry in the future.
At the start of 2023 we began with 47 contributors; but now we have a slight increase to 48 for the coming year. This is because of the death of one of our members and the addition of 2 new regular givers.
The year began with 5 Christian Stewardship envelope boxes being issued but ended with 6 contributing producing an income total £5,760.50.
Similarly, 2023 began with 42 standing order subscribers but by the end of the year we had increased to 43, donating a total of £31,084.
Some of our congregation prefer to donate electronically by using the [sum up] card payment method in Church and this has given us a further £1,457.07.
Also, we have received £2,427.39 from the offertory plate collections.
Overall, all of these funds are gratefully received and will enable our Church to move forward into the future, growing in Christ and making him known.
Elaine Kidd
Safeguarding
After the beginning of last year’s success of getting a lot of the safeguarding training completed, (many thanks to those who made this possible), momentum has however lapsed a little bit towards the end of the year. So, some essential training still needs to be done so the safeguarding dashboard can be completed.
This year sees the start of a five-year project by the Church of England to come and assess each church, that their safeguarding policies are up to date and in place. The aim is to be as transparent as possible as a church and that we have all areas of safeguarding covered correctly for the safety of our parish and wider community.
Safeguarding Policy, Guidance and Information
The Church of England safeguarding handbook, “Parish Safeguarding Handbook - Promoting a Safer Church” is easily available on the noticeboard at the back of St Jude’s Church. Large posters giving safeguarding information and where to find help and whom to contact at St Jude’s and at Church House are also prominently displayed in the Church and Church Hall.
Safeguarding Learning and Development
DBS checks are carried out through THIRTYONEEIGHT provider, and we are nearly at 100% completion for all relevant members. DBS checks will continue as and when required with renewal of existing positions or new volunteers.
Safer Recruitment and People Management
Safeguarding Training has been very much in focus. We observed the Safeguarding Sunday with a talk about the importance and necessity of training for those working with children and vulnerable adults. It was a chance to raise awareness that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and to work together as a Church.
Safeguarding is an item on the PCC agenda every meeting even if there is nothing to report.
A review of safeguarding training has been undertaken as it is now required that the highest level of training is updated every three years. Everyone who needs an update will be reminded.
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HOLY TRINITY & STJUDE HALIFAX Annual Report and Financial Statement of the Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity and St Jude, Halifax For the year ended 31" December 2023 Priest In Charge Rev Stuart Stobart Treasurer Darrell Hudson Independent Examiner Joanne Royle
HOLY TIINIIY & 5Titsr)I The Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity and St Jude's Church, Halifax Contents Financial Review..............................................................................................-............................... Income Analysis............ BequestS.........................-...................................................................... Expenditure Analysis.................. Assets- Stocks and Shares.............................. Trusts held by The Wakefield Diocesan Church Organisation Society.................................... Charitable Contributions........................................................... Outlook...............................................................-............................................................................ Financial Statements for the Year Ending 31, December 2023...................................................... Receipts and Payments Accounts ................ Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Notes to the Accounts................................................................................ Further Analysis of Receipts and Payments Accounts.................................................................. io ReceiptS................................-.............................................. .10 Payments..................................................................................................................... ......... li Glossary......................................................................................................................................... 13 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Holy Trinity and St Jude's Church Halifax 14 io.
& 5T JUDE Financial Review 2023 has, financially, been a year of mixed news for Holy Trinity and St Jude's. We have been protected from the majority of the impact of the high fuel prices by managing to secure fixed price deals before the rising prices hit their peak. We were also fortunate that the cost of the tree maintenance in the church yard was far less than budgeted. We a150 received a boost from the kindness of our parishioners in their response to our Generosity Week appeal. Unfortunately, the cost of repairs to the Lady Chapel roof and the cost of the Dias and Nave Table are far higher than expected. We will also See income from our telecom's leases fall significantly in 2024 as new legislation means rentals will fall considerably, in our case over 50%. Coupled with falling income we have seen our costs rising plus new expenses for employing a gardener and a new Director of Music meaning that 2024 will be the first year we will have to dip into reserves in order to cover our day to day running costs. Income Analysis Voluntary receipts from our usual sources was down by approximately 5% on 2022 with donations and planned giving being lower than last year whilst collections at services have risen slightly. However, income was boosted from legacies received during the year, some of which we have been able to add to general funds. Our Social events have continued to provide welcome additional funds during the year. Our ever-popular Christmas Fayre, plus sales of Tea and Coffee after our Sunday Services were this year supplemented by a Coronation Tea and Hymns event, a Harvest Supper and a concert by the Halifax Gilbert and Sullivan Society. We did have an excellent response to our Generosity Week appeal which raised £6,500 although thi5 has been earmarked for the new Alter Table on the Dias alterations. Income from investments has been almost identical to 2022 but income from Bank Interest has grown significantly as we benefit from the continued rise in interest rates. We have continued to receive a steady income from the telecom5 leases in the Church tower which will contribute approximately £15,000 this year. As in previous years this has been split equally between General Funds, the Fabric Fund and the Grant5 Fund with £5060 being credited to each of them. As mentioned above, these leases are expiring and the new leases will see this income falling to £8,000 per annum during 2024. The Church Hall has continued to prove popular with income from lettings being up by over 250h from 2022. Of course the increased occupancy has resulted in an increase in running
HOLY IRIP¢ITY &si UDF costs but the hall is still more than covering it's running costs and generated a surplus of £7,700 for the year. The Church Magazine is also still proving popular although sales are slightly lower than last year. Rising costs of paper. printing and postage have meant that The Magazine suffered a deficit of approximately £250 this year but this is considered a Small price to pay for such a valuable resource. As always, we must praise the team who produce and deliver this highly regarded service. Bequests We have received four bequests during the year from the estates of Murial Littlefield, James Farrar, Gordon Normanton and Selwyn Crabtree. These kind gifts will help us to push forward with the improvements to the Church we have been planning. Expenditure Analysis Aside from the Parish Share, the majority of the expenditure shown in the accounts 1£24,9581 relates to Church and Vicarage with a lower amount1£13.3081 being required to run the Church Hall. Both figures include Insurance cost5, which, although for some time, has covered all of our property in one policy, has been split between the Church and Church Hall in the same proportions as when two separate policies were held. Overall church running costs have been approximately 8% higher in 2023 than in 2022. Although the predicted increase in utility costs have contributed to this increase the majority of the additional costs relate to the costs of employing a gardener to help with the day-to-day grounds upkeep and the cost of the tree felling and general tree maintenance. We expect this level of expenditure to rise considerably in 2024 mainly due to the additional costs of employing the gardener and the probability of appointing a new Director of Music following Margaret Lord's retirement earlier this year.
HoiYTpINirv Assets- Stocks and Shares There have been no changes to investment5 during the year. However, the turmoil in the financial markets following the Russian invasion of Ukraine have inevitably had an effect. The value of our investments has risen from ££357,611.44 at the end of 2022 to £391,256.82, although the share price is not quite at it5 peak it is still a growth of £118,368. The investments will continue to be monitored going forwards to ensure they continue to meet our requirements but we should also bear in mind that the investments we have chosen are primarily designed to provide income so capital growth may not be as high as with some other investments. A Breakdown of the Book Value and Current Value of the three Share Accounts is provided below. Account CBF Share Account i C8F Share Account 2 CBF sha A¢¢ount 3 Bojk Val No Shares Price 31112123 2260.53(X) 2260.53 2260.53LKI Current Value 90.675.96 237.416.68 63.164 18 391,256.82 ProfitlL05S 30, 132.69 58,233 68 32,001 40 118.367.Tl 60,543.27 181,183C 31.16278 272,889.05 4011.270 10502.700 2794.220 4.1. Trusts held by The Wakefield Diocesan Church Organisation Society There is a small fund which is managed by the Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance with the funds being invested in a CCLA, CBF Church of England Deposit Account. Interest is paid to this CCLA account. The capital arose from the sale of the land and property of the old school site (Savile Hall Halifaxl and were received in November 1987. The initial capital amount was 14,717.49 after costs of sale. The current balance in the account 15 £16,174.60. The understanding is that only the income from this fund can be accessed and it is for the general running expenses of the church meaning there is currently £1,457.11 available for use. Charitable Contributions Typically, the PCC and members of the congregation would have given support to a number of charitable causes during the year by way of retiring collectiorbs. Although not as numerous as before the COVID pandemic collections took place in August for the Leprosy Mission and, in January, a payment was made to the Childrens Society representing money collected for them in addition to the traditional Christingle boxes and an additional donation
HOLY1RIlTy &ST UDE from the Church. In October the retiring collection following the wedding of Margaret Seed and David Lord was sent to the Anthony Nolan Trust and, although we did not have an official Poppy Day collection box this year we did have a collection which was passed to them. The PCC have also continued to support variou5 charities from PCC funds, with two rounds of donations being made this year. The first round represented donations from the funds available from 2022 and the second round being funds available from this year. These charities are listed separately in section 8.2 of these accounts. Outlook 2024 will be a challen8ing year. As mentioned above, income in 2023 was down on 2022 and is likely to fall further as the new Telecoms lease5 begin at much lower rates that we have enjoyed in the past. We have also seen additional costs as we have now employed a gardener to help with the upkeep of the churchyard and we are hunting for a new Director of Music following Magaret Lord's retirement. We are also due to have the Quinquennial inspection in 2024 which is a further expense. The result is, for the first time in many years our income may not cover our operating expenses. Of course, when preparing this forecast we have used our usual policy of taking a conservative view of income and a pessimistic view of expenditure and we will, as usual, look for opportunities to reduce outgoings but the signs are that over the next few years income will continue to fall and expenditure continue to increase. We do have significant expenditure planned for 2024 in the form of the Nave Dias and Alter Table alterations and the repairs to the Lady Chapel roof but these have been covered *rom reserves earmarked for the purpose. We must, however, be aware that the Quinquennial inspection may highlight issues which will require significant funds to resolve. Darrell Hudson Honorary Treasurer
Holy TRINIFY Financial Statements for the Year Ending 31st December 2023 Receipts and Payments Accounts Re¢¢1 Unrort¢19 D•9n•tsd Tolal App•al•an Coll•ction¥ Fund Totsl 1022 Vtsluntsry R•colPty Funds £35.B44. o. £6.456 36 ÈJ6.È44 50 £6.456 36 rknt83 03- collect5 al SgNces 04- &ft Days. DDnaliDn5. Ctuch Boxés Q6- Aid Recowed 07- Lega¢ies OB- Gtanls £3.884 46 E227 29 £000 £OQD È80 OCK) DD E3.177 77 E9.522 28 £83.250 00 £3.fyM 25 £9.532 3B E2.250 00 È. 00 £$6.87•.11 £67.114.45 £227.2 £14oao.88 E¥211.77 ou)orFund Aclvltl•B 09- Fund Raising- F0$. Ctylee E3.633 35 £).6)5 E3.633 35 £3.¢33.35 £3.081 94 É3,O51.94 Incorn• From Invpsbnnts Note 4 tl.981.93 ESO.694 73 ¢1,801 59 £10.694 73 £549 99 tooo 1Q- Rent fiDm Land and Buil<hngs Ne5 £17,187.19 £10,310.71 7.527.93 t21,)75.57 chh AcU¥ltlè& 11 - Fee$. wedding5. Funerals. El,538 £00 t21 040 00 £1,538 00 £21.040 00 £.l2. £16.679 £1.USO 70 É1•.791.7Q 12- Church Magazino Salg5 £989 50 £2.027.SO £21,Q40.•0 E23.567.50 0thorRocg1 13- Other El.773 69 £1,773.09 EI.BB7 10 £1.8ts7.1tr tt13.41 £2.333.13 Totsl Incom• UO.140.06 £120.321.49 £20Q,696.74 Pa Lèifiirfrt•d D•9n•t&d Total DOgnat•d Funds Ro#ricts Appp41¥and Tothl 2022 Fund Co<>f Gonoratt9 Fund$ 17- Cost OT Ra151Dg AGliiilies £634 69 t634.69 534 69 34.6• ÉO.DO £318.17 ChUh Ac¥111 18- MI$$1 tsiing 19- Thacesan Sh¥e 21 ExpensBs £227 E45.279 £6B3 48 US,962.dB £000 £000 £12,128.6B £45,279 t) E6B3 48 ESIJ1B.45 £47.662 E7U9 57 É9).628.32 Church ExpÈrt*ts 22- P$ Educat and Twnin9 23- Cnurch ftunnbAy Expen5ES 23. Chutch Insrance £0 £13.544 S4 E6.326 14 £4.4(B 56 £000 £QD ED £13,544 54 ¢oth) £11.725 £5.817 £4,761 eo £10.966 13 tOQD È13.207 99 £000 E4.403 98 t13.307 99 El.242 47 £54 94 £JU.89D.06 2$. MagaziThe and Books exp8ns 26. AvthlikndeFnet Examination Costs £1.242 47 t94 É13.JOf.g8 ¢34,358.36 Major C4pltsl Exp•ndllurn 27. Mapr ReParlD¢¢(11nO. Chuth NDte6 28. Mapr RepairsltTrocoraling- Ha 29- NÈw8uil¢itsS W( £0 £0 £5.87990 EOOO tS,679 90 £0 E488 40 Eu £0 £3,710.70 £5.679.90 £9.Jg0.8fy Othèr Expenoify 99- Puhae olFlxed A$$eis tsehuh pupJ8e 9ty- oin¥ptymefit5 £0 Eta e63.OQ Eooo Éooo El.29& lQ £1.29S.10 E75 59 É1.647 65 É1.723.24 £1.233.10 Totsl Ex ndiwirfy £75,952. 2.349.67 £227.29 £101,52J.90 £87,51
& SIJUDE Statement of Assets and Liabilities C88h FuTvJs Cash Lloyds Unrestricted Funds Re51ricled Fu% [k5)nated Funds 139.54 Total 2023 139.54 9.204.89 23.965 19 138.392 94 272.889.05 9,204.89 lo,.41 39,518.96 26S.635 21 13,058.78 98.873 96 7.253.84 CCLA Dèposit Account Inteslmenl Accounts Sub Total 324265.47 119,326.14 444S91.61 Othor Moneta Attets Gift Aid Reco*rdble Hall Hire InKoices fol December 2021 Church Clock SeN¢t. Prepayment 10.825.00 10.825 00 1.(b6 00 720.00 1.066.LK) 720 (M) Tot815 3,810.47 1ZO,392.t4 457.22.61 Notes to the Accounts l) Accounting Policles The financial statements of the Parochial Church Council IPCCI have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting regulations 2006 using the Receipts and Payments basis. The accounts combine the funds under the control of the PCC. In line with Statement of Recommended Practice IAccounting and Reporting by Charities) ISORPI, all funds have been allocated to the following categories: Unrestricted - Funds which the PCC may use at its discretion and which are available for the general purposes of the PCC. Designated - Unrestricted funds which the PCC has set aside specifically. These funds can be moved to other f unds Iredesignatedl if the PCC decides. Restricted - Funds which are subject to restrictions over their use, including collections held for paying over to specific organisations. 2) Investments Investments are stated at cost in the accounts. Their market value at the year-end is shown in Section 4 above. 3) Other Planned Giving The sum of £6,456.36 was raised during the Generosity Week Campaign in October.
& STIUDF The fund5 have been allocated to the Fabric Fund and earmarked for the construction of the new Altar Table and Altar Rails in the Nave Dias alterations. 4) Interest and Dividend5 from Investments. Interest of 1601.59 was received from monies deposited with the Central Board of Finance ICBFI with a further £1,489.61 due at the end of December credited to the account on the 3 January 2024. It is tradition that some of this interest is allocated to the Choir Members fund and the Organ fund. based on the average interest rate received and the balance on that fund. It was elected to allocate interest at a simple nterest rate of 5% of the opening balance to that fund at the start of the year. £176.02 wa5 allocated to the Organ Fund and £43.64 to the Choir Members fund. 51 Rent from Land and Buildings There was a Small income of £50 from Queens Sports Club for the advertising sign in the church grounds on the corner of Free School Lane and Moorland5 View. This was posted to General Funds. The majority of the income from land and buildings is from the Telecoms Leases for the communications masts on the Church Tower. The income in 2023 from this source was 15,181.61. This is allocated evenly between General Funds, Fabric Fund and Grants Fund. 61 Major Repairs/Decorating- Church Further repairs will be required to the roof and timbers in the Lady Chapel. Interim work wa5 carried out to make the roof watertight over the Winter of 2022123 and the architects fee5 relating to the main work are shown here. It is expected that the contractors will be on site to complete the work in early Spring as the weather improve5.
HOiYTRINIT¥ 7} Movements in Designated and Restricted Funds During the Year Openrng Balance Inrome Payments Clong Balance Grants Fund Nots S. 8.2 b 7.S96.42 5.060.54 12,128.68 528.28 Fabric Fund Notg 6, 8.1 c. 8.2 è 12,318.88 92,235.00 5.679.90 98,873.98 Oryan Fund Nots4 3.520.36 176.02 3.6%.38 Choir Membtrr¥ Note 4 872.84 916.48 Childrens Reserve Fund 16.14 16.14 D8gnatsd Super Wedne*Jay Club Nots 8.1 e. 8.2 f Choir Children Advancernent Fund 614.97 1,773.69 1,233.10 1.155.56 545.00 Youth Group Fund 43.00 43.00 Choir Robes Fund 353.IKI 353.00 Chrth Hall Nots 8.2 d 5,326.77 21,040.00 13,307.99 13,0S8.78 Restrictsd Appea15 and Collections Fund Note 8.1 a. B.2b 227.29 227.29
- Further Analysis of Receipts and Payments Accounts Receipts 8.1 a Collections at Sorvices Unrostrf¢ted Funds Restricted Funds Designated Fund¥ Carol Senrice Collection Childrens Society Retiring Collection Christingle Collection Leprosy Mission Plate Collection Retiring Collection Sum-up Payments Grand Total £133 26 £63.21 £71.32 £20.76 £2,294. 13 £72.00 £1.457.07 £3,884.46 £227.29 £0.00 8.1 b Colle¢tions at Services Unrestricted Funds Rearicted Funds De8lgnatsd Funds Donations Grand Total £3.17777 £3,177.Tl £0.00 £0.00 8.1 c Legacies Unrestricted Funds Reicted Funds Designatsd Funds t)onalions Grand Totsl £3,250 00 £3.250.00 £80,000 00 £80.000.00 £o.(x) 8.1 d Collgctions at Services UnreBtricted Funds Rostrfctod Funds D¢signatsd Fund8 Coffee Mornings Coronation Tea and Hymns Gilbert & Sullin Concert Harnesl Supper Proceeds Christmas Fayre Grand Totsl £957.DO £215.13 £424.85 £173. 74 £1,862.63 £3,633.35 £0.00 £0.00 8.1 e Oth•r Income Unrestrictad Funds Roicted Funds Designated Funds Amazon Smile Sale of unused Psalters Super Wednesday Grand Total £13.41 £100.00 £1,773.69 £1,773.69 £113.41 £0.00 io
HOIY T41NITV Payments 8.2 a Co& of Fund Rain9 Adlvitie Unre*l¢tsd Funds Rostrictsd Funds Designatsd Funds Gilbert & Sullin Concert Coronation Tea Christmas Fayre Grand Total £238. 10 £159.63 £236 96 £634.69 £0.00 £0.00 8.2 b MÉ$8ion Giving Unrestricted Funds Re&rict•d Funds Deslgnated Funds Anthony Nolan Trust Bible So¢iely Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary Children's Society (Christinglel Childrens Society Retiring Collection Ichrislinglel Christian Afncan Relief Tnjst Christians in Calderdale Schools Christians Together Calderdale Gathering Place l Food Bank CMS IChur¢h Mission Society) Leeds DBF IBuhemba Parish, Maral Leprosy Mission Leprosy Mission Mission Amalion Fellowship Reach Beyond Roayal British Legion Poppy Appeal Sl Augustine's Cenlre USPG Water Aid Grand Total £35.00 £300.00 £500 00 £128.68 £134.53 £600.00 £600.00 £500.00 £2,000.00 £1,000.00 £1.000.00 £20.76 £600.00 £600.00 £37.00 £1,500 00 £2,000 00 £800.00 £12.128.68 £0.00 £227.29 8.2 c Church Running Expenses Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Designatsd Funds Church Cleaning Church TelephonelBroadband Organ Piano Maintenance Other Church Expenses Altar Expenses Choir and Music Licences Printing P051age and Stationery Upkeep of chuhy8rd Grand Total £2,464.00 £210.04 £379 60 £2,848.61 £583.57 £216.00 £361.83 £6,480.89 £13.544.54 £D.(K) £0.00 li
8.2 d Hall Running Expensos Unrestricted Funds Reithd Funds Designated Funds Hall Cleaning Hall Insurance Hall Running Costs - Other Hall Running Gas. Electricity and Water Hall Telephonel8roadband Grand Total £6.942.62 £2.460 16 £988.76 £2.661.47 £254.98 £13.307.99 £0.00 £0.00 8.2 • Ma5or R¢palrslN¢w Building Work Church Unrestricted Funds Reicted Funds Dgsignated Funds Ar¢hilecls fees re Lady Chapel Roof Repairs Temporary Repairs to Lady Chapel Roof Architects Fees re Chancel Steps alleralions Grand Total £3.714.30 £1.*5 60 £3,710.70 £3.710.70 £0.00 £5.679.90 8.2 f Other Payments Unr•#rfct•d Fund$ R•strSctsd Funds Designated Funds Sundry Expenses Super Wednesday Club Running Expenses Grand Total £63.00 £1.233. 10 £1,233.10 £63.00 £0.00 12
HOLY TRINirY &STI¢JD£ Glossary Abbreviation Meaning Central Board of Finance (See CCLAI Churches Charities and Local Authoritie5 lorganisation investing funds on behalf of these 3 sectors) Christian Copyright Licencing International Ltd Diocesan Board of Finance CBF CCLA CCLI DBF HMRC Her Majesties Revenue and Customs Parochial Church Council pcc RPF Returns of Parish Finance SOFA Statement of Financial Activities Statement of Recommended Practice (Accounting and Reporting by Charitie51 SORP Approved by the PCC of Sf47ee£6 202 Treasurer Chair 13
& STIUDE 10. Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Holy Trinity and St Jude's Church Halifax st This is my report on the accounts of the Church for the year ended 31 December 2023 as set out on pages 6 to 13. Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner. The Church's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Church's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: ExamirTre the accounts lunder section 145 of the 2011 Attl; To follow procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners lunder section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act); and To state whether any particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent Examiner's 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 charity and a comparison of the account presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all of the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts preseryt a 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examiners Statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: l. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect to the requirements a. To keep accountin8 records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 act,. and b. To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and complv with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met: or 2. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 66 Beechwood Avenue Flanshaw Wakefield WF2 9JY Joanne Royle ACA Date ill LIZ* 14
& STIUDE 10. Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Holy Trinity and St Jude's Church Halifax st This is my report on the accounts of the Church for the year ended 31 December 2023 as set out on pages 6 to 13. Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner. The Church's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Church's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: ExamirTre the accounts lunder section 145 of the 2011 Attl; To follow procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners lunder section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act); and To state whether any particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent Examiner's 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 charity and a comparison of the account presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all of the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts preseryt a 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examiners Statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: l. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect to the requirements a. To keep accountin8 records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 act,. and b. To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and complv with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met: or 2. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 66 Beechwood Avenue Flanshaw Wakefield WF2 9JY Joanne Royle ACA Date ill LIZ* 14