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2023-12-31-accounts

Charity Registration Number 1201334 ST PETER’S CHURCH, NORTON THE ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PETER, NORTON JUXTA MALTON FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023

Incumbent: Reverend Jenny Buckler Independent Examiner: Mr Andrew Richardson 1-3 Wheelgate Malton YO17 7HT

___St Peter’s Church, Norton ____

Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Norton Juxta Malton for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Contents

Page
PCC / Ministry Reports 3
Independent Examiner’s Report 16
Receipts and Payments account 17
Analysis of Receipts and Payments 18
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 20
Notes to the Accounts 21

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St Peter’s Church, Norton - Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Aim and Purposes:

St Peter’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has responsibilities for the Church Hall which is within the church grounds.

Structure, Governance and Management:

St Peter’s Church is situated in Norton juxta Malton Parish and is part of the Diocese of York within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Parish Office, Church House, Langton Road, Norton, Malton, YO17 9AE. The PCC is a corporate body (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006). The PCC registered with the Charity Commission in 2022 under the name ‘The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Norton Juxta Malton’ with a working name ‘St Peter’s Church, Norton’. The charity number is 1201334. PCC members who have served from 1 January 2023 (including those who stepped down in April 2023) until the date this report was approved are:

Incumbent: Revd. Jenny Buckler Elected Wardens : Neal Cullis Sarah Wright (until 23[rd] April 2023) Ron Wilson (from 23[rd] April 2023) Elected members : Rita Charvill (Electoral Roll Officer, Lay Chair until April 2023) Mererid Hunt (Secretary) Judy Barker (Treasurer) Paul Tate-Smith Joshua Vale Graeme Wright Fiona Dean (until 23[rd] April 2023) Gill Plues (until 23[rd] April 2023) Steve Waterworth (until 23[rd] April 2023) Ellen Eagles (from 23[rd] April 2023) Matthew Burrows (from 23[rd] April 2023) Bunmi Lana (from 23[rd] April 2023) Representatives on the Deanery Synod : Cate Tate-Smith (until May 2023) Joshua Vale Sarah Wright (until May 2023) Neal Cullis (from May 2023)

Deputy Churchwardens: Heather Towse, Jacqui Yard, Paul Buckle.

Church Warden Team/ Sidespersons: Matt Burrows, Rita Charvill, Paul Tate-Smith, Josh Vale.

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St Peter’s the membership consists of the incumbent (our vicar), church wardens and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral role of the church. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. Given its wide responsibilities the PCC has a number of committees / groups each dealing with a particular aspect of parish life. This includes a Church House committee which is responsible to the PCC and reports back to it regularly with the minutes of decisions being received by the full PCC and discussed as necessary.

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Public Benefit

The members of the PCC are aware of the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit in “The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit” and have had regard to it in their administration of the PCC. The PCC believes that by promoting the work of the Church of England in the parish of Norton-juxta-Malton it provides a benefit to the public by:

Church Attendance

There are 104 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll, 31 of whom are not resident within the parish. The average weekly attendance, counted during October was 76 adults and 14 children.

PCC Meetings

The PCC met 10 times during the year and standing items on the agenda included Conflicts of Interest, Finance, Safeguarding, Churchwardens’ and Incumbent’s reports. In addition, topical and relevant items were discussed, which this year included planning for the King’s coronation, QI progress, on-going problems with the new boiler, installing up to date AV equipment, Deanery & Faculty updates, Lay ministry and prayer leading updates. The possibility of a new website was put on hold until 2024. The minutes are always posted at the back of church on the PCC notice board. If parishioners have questions or comments, they are encouraged to talk to any member of the PCC.

The PCC also took an additional day away at Brandsby Hall in February 2023 to explore the bible’s teaching about sexual ethics and to appreciate the imperative need and challenge of enabling everyone to feel welcome and included within the holiness and truth of God’s love.

Mererid Hunt (Secretary) and Revd Jenny Buckler

The Vicar’s Overview of the Year

The year 2023 has seemed like a threshold-crossing year, a time of shifting from one era into the next and this sense has been reinforced on several fronts. The new King was crowned, Kingdom Explorers was envisioned and launched in partnership with Elim Southern Ryedale Church, my three-year interim Priest-in-Charge licence was collated to make me Vicar of St Peter’s. We have been preparing the ground for exploring our corporate identity for the last year or so, particularly through exploring “our Peter’s” letters in the New Testament and this crossed a threshold to a new stage during our Discernment Day in December. Revd David Woollard, who continues to be a good-humoured sounding-board in ministry, felt called to lay-down his support ministry in Sunday services and to invest more fully in discipleship through scripture based contemplative prayer. The Holy Spirit has been anointing this ministry and it has been a joy to witness the fruitfulness that has flowed from it. God lavishly answered my feeble prayers for provision of support in ministry and through the year we welcomed new members including Revd Mike Talbot who is called to assist in teaching and priestly ministry at St Peter’s alongside his wife, Jan.

Through the year, I have been holding-on to the truth in the quote attributed to the missionary, Hudson Taylor: ‘God’s work, done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.’ It has reinforced the importance of Apostle Peter’s teaching in his first letter to ‘stand firm in the faith’ and not be enticed to compromise with the culture of society or human constructed institutions. Time and again, we have testimony of God’s gracious provision in all its forms being released as we have chosen the simple, humble and bold path in PCC decisions and in ministry.

I have been so well supported and encouraged by our Churchwarden team and the inspirational servanthearted, prayerful Treasurer, which has made all the difference in the challenges and joys of ministry. During the year we established a Pastoral Care team, which as we grow in confidence and clarity, will become the bedrock of kingdom-like pattern of care for one-another. Whilst the institution of the Church of England has

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been rocked by the way the question of how we live in love and faith has been navigated, we have remained steady and steadfast in the peace of Christ, and on the rock of truth through this year.

Early in 2023 we hosted Archbishop Stephen on his tour of the Diocese to share the ‘Living Christ’s Story’ Diocesan vision. I felt so impressed with how our church hosted with such genuine heart of welcome and grace, despite the shockwaves that had been reverberating from General Synod a week prior.

We welcomed ordinand Janet Burrows on a term’s placement from St Hild College, during which she most competently set-up and led the ‘Be Still’ course, particularly making it accessible to parents with young children. It is with joyful anticipation that we prepare to welcome Janet afresh following her ordination to Deacon at Petertide 2024.

The administration of Church House was burdensome through 2023. With Ann retiring from her devoted service with no established succession plan, Alice graciously supported the transition of procedures, but then with nobody being called to serve, the role fell to me for a year until finally in the summer of 2023 we were able to employ Anna to take-on the Church House administration, working remotely and remarkably efficiently. This became such a relief to me and availed more time than I had realised was absorbed by it.

In the spring I attended the annual New Wine Leaders’ Conference, which edified me in my faith and challenged me in my ministry. I try to meet regularly with other local leaders in the New Wine network for fellowship and mutual encouragement. In the autumn I was invited to attend my first ministerial review with Archdeacon Sam, who was affirming and encouraging of the way the church was responding to God’s call and the vision to work toward living Christ’s story.

During the year Bishop John and Archdeacon Sam requested St Peter’s sign-up to a two-year programme borne out of a Diocesan initiative called ‘Revitalise’. Trusting that blessing follows obedience, we embarked on this programme in September 2023. A more detailed report will be shared once we’re further in the process and have gained more substance and clarity to share. Revd Jenny Buckler

The Church Wardens’ Report:

Fabric, Goods and Ornaments of the Church:

The following routine inspection and maintenance activities have been carried out this year, including:

The following incidental tasks were actioned during the course of the year:

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approve the revised proposal following concerns raised about safe access to install the original solution. A further four, smaller, television screens and associated wired infrastructure were installed on 10[th] November following approval of an additional faculty.

Other issues:

Philippians 4v6 tells us in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to

God . Looking into the next year, we would be grateful if you would join us in praying specifically for:

The Churchwardens would like to thank the Churchwarden Team, two of whom stepped forward to serve at this year’s APCM, for its diligence, dedication and resilient good humour in their invaluable contribution to the service of our church and its people.

Neal Cullis and Ron Wilson

Safeguarding Report

Currently all those who require a DBS check are up-to-date and those who require the Basic and/or Foundation training are also up-to-date. We have 4 people who have recently offered their time to either Youth Work or Children’s activities who will be added to the list in the New Year.

St Peter’s Church was registered for the Parish Dashboard System (PDS) back in November 2022 but we started to use the system in earnest in 2023. The System highlights (and where appropriate updates any links) the actions needed to implement Safeguarding in a church, enabling the user to map progress.

We were notified in February that there would be Safeguarding Audit in May and the PDS proved to be invaluable – on 7[th] June we reached Level 3 thus fulfilling the Audit requirements and continue to make progress.

I am very grateful to all those who quickly responded, back in May, to the Audit requests for various documents needed to ensure the safety of our children.

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My prayer for 2024 is that we will be able to make further progress, especially where we need to have documentation in place to ensure the safety of our children and other vulnerable people, so that our current congregation, visitors and new worshippers can feel safe here at St Peter’s Church. Lynn Cullis

Gift Aid

Figures for Gift Aided Giving for 2023 (together with the comparative figures for 2022) are as follows:-

lows:-
PLANNED GIVING 2023 2022
Number of people giving by Standing Order 29 34
Amountgiven £45,767 £44,690
No ofpeoplegivingbyWeeklyColoured Envelopes 6 8
Amountgiven £ 4,512 £ 5,582
OTHER GIVING FOR COLLECTIONS
Amountgiven in White Envelopes £ 1,888 £ 3,297
Contactless Giving £ 417 £ 436
TOTAL GIVEN AS COLLECTIONS £52,584 £54,005
TAX RECOVERABLE on Collections £13,146 £13,501
Other Gift Aided Miscellaneous Giving £ 6,115 £ 3,236
TAX RECOVERABLE on Other Income £ 1,529 £ 809

It is great to see that the trend for our giving overall is up and this has been particularly marked in the second half of 2023 which bodes well for the coming year. There are still a significant number of gifts that have remained the same for a number of years and it would be good to see more prayerful review of giving. I am very aware that while it would be great to see all gifts reviewed upwards annually there are times when no increase is possible and a reduction in giving is seen to be the right thing to do. This is where anyone who feels they can increase their gift can balance out the genuine struggle of others. We have been blessed recently with the news that the Diocesan leadership have shown confidence in us by making Revd. Jenny’s position permanent, but we still need to match our generosity to theirs!

One plea I make which would be so very helpful to the process of these claims would be that those of you who are regular givers by white envelope might consider swapping to standing order. The administrative burden is hugely reduced by this simple change however, there is genuinely no pressure if it works for you.

HM Revenue & Customs are continuing to allow the reclaim of tax on non-gift aided cash donations up to a limit of £8,000 (ie £2,000 tax reclaim) in any given tax year. For the calendar year 2023 we were able to claim £2,241.88 (on anonymous cash donations of £8,967.52). This clearly is too much according to what I wrote above but as our financial year that I am reporting on crosses 2 tax years, I suspect that in March I may not be able to claim all of what we collect.

If anyone would like to gift-aid their giving, by monthly standing order, or would like further information on other ways of giving, please have a word with either Judy Barker - Treasurer, or myself. Gift-aiding increases giving by 25% at no extra cost to the donor, providing you are paying the tax to cover it.

2 Corinthians 9:11-12 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Cate Tate-Smith

Achievements and Performance

Prayer

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Thy Kingdom Come 2023

Between Easter and Pentecost, we delved deeper into prayer during our Sunday morning services. Instead of allowing ourselves to be led by someone’s prepared prayers of intercession, we reminded ourselves that prayer is active and the responsibility of each of us and so during an extended prayer time in these services we moved from our seat, demonstrating prayer being active not passive, and selected one of four styles of praying with decrees from scripture: contemplative prayer, praying in tongues, creative prayer, extemporary prayer aloud. Generally, people seemed to surprise themselves with how much deeper they felt they were praying and although different, it was refreshing to have a change of format. Since then those who lead us in intercessory prayer have been encouraged to make space for the congregation to be active in praying. Then at Pentecost we prayed through the night, inviting people to commit to a watch of the night, or an hour within that watch.

Since then we have explored various different ways of engaging in different forms of prayer. Compline on zoom for a short while, but more enduring a monthly praying in tongues for half an hour together. This has been joined by a couple of folk from other parishes, so it is good that we can minister and encourage beyond our boundaries.

Revd Jenny Buckler

Women’s World Day of Prayer 2023

Representatives from approximately 9 churches in Malton and Norton (including St. Peter’s) form the committee who organise the yearly service which is held on the first Friday of March for the World Day of Prayer. The service for 2023 was put together by the women of Taiwan and entitled ‘I have heard about your faith’. It was held at the Salvation Army Hall, Norton.

We also organise a Bible Study each year about a month before the service and also a coffee morning once a year and send some money to WDP charities. Mary Coldbeck

Weekly Thursday Intercession 2023

Thursday Night Prayers for the Church and for the World is an opportunity for us to meet in heartfelt and communal prayer for the mission and ministry of St. Peter’s and of the worldwide Church, for suffering fellow Christians, and for God’s World. We meet every Thursday (with a few, pre-advertised exceptions). We seek first to humble ourselves and exalt the Lord with prayers (and even songs and hymns) of praise, and a prayer of confession, before lifting to Him the needs of Church and World. The latter can entail prayer for Governments, for public professions (emergency services, teachers, social services, etc.), for world peace, for public health and environment, and for people in the world affected by physical or mental ill health or any other type of challenge. From Easter 2024 we intend to devote the last part of the hour to praying for one theme in particular—a different theme each week—of which everyone will be notified in the previous Sunday service’s notices. No one has to pray out loud. No-one has to sing out loud. No-one has to attend for the whole hour or every week. But Jesus declared His Presence whenever “two or three” are gathered together in prayer, so we can be confident that any time we give to this event will be good both for our own prayer life and for the Church that He so loves and the World that He died to redeem.

Can a relatively small number of people gathered in one parish church’s side chapel on a cold and wet Thursday evening really make a scrap of difference to physically beaten Christians overseas, war-mongering dictators and terminally ill or desperate people whom we’ll never even meet? Well, unless we believe that prayer only works in packed-out stadia, or that it doesn’t work at all, then the answer is an emphatic: “YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Keith Edghill

Worship

Services

The fortnightly 8am BCP HC service continues to be a steadfast sanctuary and communion with the Holy Lord. The weekly 10am Common Worship services have continued in the church building in the warmer months, and Church House through the winter. This year God has raised-up Vicky to lead the 8am service and offer reflections on scripture in that service. Fiona has begun to explore service leading at the 10am. During 2023 we had a sermon series on Apostle Peter’s first letter during Lent, then Peter’s second letter during the autumn, whilst most other Sundays following the Lectionary.

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In addition to the traditional additional seasonal services, we were honoured to host the Royal Airforce Association (RAFA) Battle of Britain Memorial Service at St Peter’s Church and to strengthen that link. We are thankful for the renewed licenses and ministry from Peter Laverick (Lay Reader) and Revd David Woollard (Priest) and the new addition to the team: Revd Mike Talbot (Priest). We were honoured to welcome visiting ministers to preach or lead us in worship this year, including Sara Abbey from Elim Ryedale Church, recently retired Revd John Bramhall and Paul Wedgewood from the local branch of the Christian Motorcyclist’s Association. Revd Jenny Buckler

Prayer Ministry

Where possible we have been developing opportunity for the Holy Spirit to minister to people’s hearts during some services. Sarah has kindly continued to coordinate prayer ministers to offer a confidential, safe space for the Holy Spirit to minister deeper still after each service should anyone wish to seek Him. Revd Jenny Buckler

Worship Group

The Worship Group has consolidated through the course of this year. We have continued to deepen and stretch ourselves during our monthly Worship Discipleship evenings, using these as an opportunity to grow as a group and explore different ways to worship and cultivate a relationship with Christ. This has allowed us to explore combining music and singing with other elements in the service and provided a platform for things we have tried on Sunday mornings.

Aside from the usual weekly services, many of the Worship Group have been involved in other worship events such as informal evening worship and the recent discernment day. We have finished overhauling our visual equipment and along with the tech team have successfully managed the logistics of worshiping in Church House. We have tried to ensure that members of the group take time to be led in worship and not just lead and are really focused on developing this further.

Over the coming year, we will be pressing into where God wants to develop and lead us, and will endeavour to be open to his nurturing, stretching and deepening. We continue to look for opportunities to grow the group both in numbers and spirit and are excited to see what the Lord has in store for us in this next season. Graeme Wright

Discipleship

Whole Church Discipleship

Whilst we delved into Apostle Peter’s first and second letters, the whole church was encouraged to read his letters in full for themselves at home and many people did so. During the summer the whole church was encouraged to fast from one meal and pray for Kingdom Explorers that was being launched in the summer. Then, as the children were working through Mark’s account of the Gospel with Christianity Explored material, the whole church was encouraged to read all of Mark over the summer and our sermon series tracked with the children’s curriculum. The whole church was invited to engage with the advent devotional: ‘Comfort and Joy’ by Matt Searles, which drew comfort and joy from Isaiah’s prophesies of the coming Messiah. Revd Jenny Buckler

Fellowship Groups

The Monday afternoon fellowship group continued faithfully through 2023, ably led by Susan Smith and providing comfort, challenge and encouragement to the group. Manpower has grown in number and in depth of discipleship throughout 2023. The two groups that were configured in 2022 have deepened and strengthened in fellowship led by Sue Evans and Sarah Wright. Through Lent, all the groups were invited to convene as we engaged with The Blessings Course from Roy Godwin ministries. It was well attended and for some people proved to be transformative discipleship as we stepped more fully into our purpose as the priesthood of all believers. Revd Jenny Buckler

Deeper Through Prayer Jesus said, “This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God”. Jn 17:3. God longs to reveal himself to us, yearns that we know not just about him but know him personally. Know him not just in our heads but in our hearts, not just through knowledge but through experiencing him in our innermost beings, indwelling us, filling us with his overflowing love and hope. He is a God who promises that if we seek with all our heart we will find him (Mt 7:7) if we draw near to him he will draw near to us (James 4:8). 9

It is promises such as these and others that undergird the Deeper Through Prayer meditations we have been following through Advent for the past two years and have extended into fellowship group courses that are a mix of bible study and meditation. First studying the Word then, through meditation, allowing it to penetrate deeper into our hearts so truly experiencing its transforming power within us.

God’s says to each one of us, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” Jer 33:3

Revd David Woollard

Residential Homes

A monthly rhythm of visiting and celebrating Holy Communion at Rivermead Care Home, Beechwood Place Nursing Home and Deansfield Court Housing continued through 2023, providing opportunity to encourage our brothers and sisters in their faith whilst they are unable to attend church services. Rita has been assisting at Rivermead, and Ron and Neal assisting at Deansfield where Mary kindly also comes to play the piano for us in the service.

Revd Jenny Buckler

Monthly Newsletter

The monthly (2 sided A4) newsletter is a hardcopy newsletter aimed at giving people who do not use the internet, access to up-to-date news and views from the church.

Each month, a different person from the church, is asked to provide a reflection for the month, helping us to get to know one another and deepen the sense of “belonging”. This has proved to be popular with readers and I think some of the "authors" have enjoyed the experience too. The second side includes key contact information, a prayer section and a "What's on" section and any useful bits of general information.

It is mainly hand-delivered around Norton by a small team of hardy souls (including 2 dogs) and a very small number in Malton are posted. During the second half of 2023 Jenny started to attach a pdf version to one of the weekly email updates so everyone can enjoy it and pass on to broader audience still if they wish.

My prayer is that circulation continues to increase and maybe we get some more volunteers to deliver the hard copies (once a month). Lynn Cullis

Children and Young People

Toddlers

Toddlers continues to be very popular with families and provides us an opportunity to show God’s love to the children and by being interested in the whole family and listening to the many problems some of them have. We can have up to 30 children on a morning but afternoons maybe only 12 children. We continue to pray that they will want to know more about God and always tell them what is happening at the Church.

Ann Brown, Felicity, Val & George Lealman continue to help, and Beth (one of the Toddler Mums) sets up each week and at the end of the afternoon session one of the dads helps to put the large equipment away since Robert is not able to do this anymore.

Everyone is welcome to join us, and it would be great if more church members could come and chat to the families.

Sunday School

We continue to have Sunday School each Sunday morning apart from the third Sunday which is a Family Service. The most children we have is 7 and they are aged between 4 and 11 and from church families. Susan Preston takes the younger ones and I take the older children and we use the material from Scripture Union.

Friday Night Club

Our numbers have grown this year partly due to us keeping the children who would normally have moved up to the next youth club with us, currently we have 17 children on the register. Ann Brown continues to help and Felicity, one of the mothers, stays to help each week.

The programme is games, worksheets/ craft to accompany the Bible story and we all enjoy lots of fun each week. Some of the children who come to youth club would not hear of Jesus’ love for them without coming to the group.

Susan Smith

YOOF

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YOOF is our St Peter’s Youth Club, ministering to young people of secondary school age. We meet every other Friday during term time. The number of young people attending in 2023 has stayed stable at around 15 to 20 young people every week. It has been lovely to welcome a couple of new members in September. Each week we try to provide activities for all including sports, crafts, games and general silliness. This year we have been using resources created by ‘Youth For Christ’, which includes videos, games and ideas around a specific theme. Themes this year have included Bullying, Fruits of the Spirit, Generosity, Loneliness and many more. It has been really interesting to explore these topics together and consider how God feels about them. Each week we also give the young people a light supper, being aware that some of our children come from low-income families. We would like to take this opportunity to thank those that provide this.

This summer, we were delighted to be able to offer two trips during the summer holidays. We spent a wonderful evening at Scarborough North Bay, playing and paddling. We were even blessed by the company of a seal that came to investigate all the noise. Bags of chips and hot chocolate were a delicious way to finish a fun filled evening. Thanks to the Vale family for use of their chalet.

Our second trip was to Helmsley outdoor pool and the rain certainly didn’t dampen their spirits. The young people had a fabulous time and were a lot braver than most of the helpers when it came to taking the plunge. Pick and Mix and another warming hot chocolate finished the trip.

It is a real honour to be able to partner with God in this ministry, offering a safe place and a listening ear to young people in our community. We are a small team of volunteers, who find that God blesses the time that we give, and we enjoy it as much as the young people do. Please continue to pray for this ministry, particularly for more volunteers to come forward so that we can make YOOF a weekly event. Sarah Wright

Kingdom Explorers

This is our holiday outreach to primary school aged children. It is a joyous joint partnership with Elim church. We met every Tuesday in August and spent the mornings learning about Jesus through stories, crafts and activities. Our memory verse was Mark 10.45, through which we were exploring God’s love, who Jesus is and the gift of salvation he offers us. The afternoons were split into a theme based activity and prayer. Each week had a different theme ranging from sports to eco to loving and serving others, allowing for God’s love in us to overflow into those around us and the environment. The afternoons also explored what prayer is; a two way conversation between God and us. Around the church there were different prayer stations giving children the opportunity to encounter Jesus and learning there’s no one way to pray.

On Tuesday of October half-term, Kingdom Explorers held a light party. It was an opportunity for the children to bring their families along, have fun with crafts and snacks whilst learning about Jesus being the light of the world.

Throughout all of Kingdom Explorers there have been so many answered prayers! It’s been encouraging witnessing the helpers bless and be blessed by the activities and the children. A joy watching people’s faith grow and those who had never heard of Jesus before encounter him! As volunteers we have made new friends across the churches. Thank you to everyone involved! Please continue to pray for the children, that they know the fullness of how deeply God loves them and seeds sown may in time bear fruit. Ellen Eagles

Norton Primary School

During 2023 we have welcomed Year 1 into the church building as part of their curriculum to explore sacred spaces and they left with a palm cross each. We have hosted the whole school and their parents for their leavers’ service and Christmas service. Since the autumn term, as part of ‘Churches Together Southern Ryedale’ (CTSR) we have been delivering ‘Open the Book’ into the Grove Road site assembly (Y1-4), which has been warmly welcomed and popular with the pupils. Revd Jenny Buckler

Mission and Outreach

Plan for Growth

If 2023 was a threshold crossing year, then I envisage 2024 being a year of preparing some potentially significant changes ready for new ventures in 2025. We will be exploring investment into provision for ministry and mission amongst the children and families. There are already such deeply relational connections established with families ready to be encouraged and invested for the coming season. We are also at the stage of understanding better who God has called us as a church to be, and to embody His purposes in Southern

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Ryedale and so this year will involve forming, testing and stepping-into that discernment, which will guide our ministry and mission for growth in the coming years. There is also a stirring to be asking how we can develop and future-proof the buildings in our care that they may serve and enable us to fulfil God’s call on us as a church. We trust that although these areas pose enormous challenge, God will guide, provide and use change as a means for growth.

In June 2024, Janet Burrows is due to be ordained Deacon in the Church of England at York Minster and then will be licensed to serve her part-time, non-stipendiary curacy with us at St Peter’s. The church family knows and loves Janet already and so we see how God can bless and build-up the church family through her ministry added to the mix in the coming years. As we deepen our discipleship, become braver and more devoted in prayer and increasingly dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit, we anticipate growth within the family and growth of God’s kingdom. We pray for continued protection and blessing on our unity within St Peter’s and amongst Churches Together, through which we will continue to discern and engage in mission such as Alpha, Easter witness and Open the Book. Revd Jenny Buckler

CTSR Alpha

During 2023 Churches Together delivered the second round of the Alpha Course based at the Salvation Army Citadel and the Holy Spirit Away Day once again at Brandsby Hall. The delightful setting of Brandsby Hall provides an idyllic base for sharing more about the Holy Spirit and enables space for reflection. Working together with Christians from other churches has been an absolute blessing, privilege and joy. Sharing the responsibility for outreach through Alpha has created an opportunity for existing church folk to attend Alpha and grow stronger in faith as well as welcoming those enquiring.

The focus has been about sharing the love of Christ with others and extending God's kingdom in Southern Ryedale. Sue and Jonathan Evans

Pop-Up Cafe - St Peters Church House

Again we have had a very encouraging year with a greater number of visitors supporting Pop-Up. There is a good mix of age groups and conversations with each group flourishes. It is also good to see the young mums still supporting us after school drop off, where they can catch up with each other for an hourly chat. Lynn incorporated the craft stalls at several pop-up sessions and they were very popular and successful. Ann Scurry has continued to support us with her stall selling her lovely jams etc and raising money for St Peters church funds throughout the year.

Rita Charvill

St Peter’s Church House: community use

Thanks to God’s Ministry in providing us with Church House we have been able to continue sharing our wonderful space with a wide number of people from Norton and the wider community of Ryedale during 2023. The activities include toddler group sessions, Pop up Café, Youth Clubs and Prayer sessions. This great space has also been hired for Karate sessions and numerous children’s parties. During the winter months, in an effort to reduce our overall carbon footprint, Church House was also used for our Sunday morning worship.

Sadly, our building is showing its age and there were a few issues regarding leaking roofs and other structural problems which arose during the year. I was delighted when Jonathan Evans came forward to oversee these projects and coordinate the repairs with the builders.

The administration of all the booking was made easier during 2023 with the appointment of Anna Barker and this certainly made life a little easier for Rev Jenny. Paul Tate-Smith

Social Media

The Facebook page has shown significant growth with a 24.4% increase in reach year-over-year (to 6.4k) and a 36.7% rise in the number of posts.

The Children's Summer Club poster reached the most people probably due to parents sharing it and the “What’s your favourite Christmas carol” post got the most engagement.

The Facebook page audience primarily comprises 610 followers, predominantly women (82%), with a notable presence in the 35-44 age range (32.6%) and a majority located in the Malton area (60.7%). This information can guide future content strategies to further engage and expand St Peter’s online community and drive awareness of upcoming events.

Rachael Deegam

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Website

Whilst our own website has been dormant until it is redesigned and updated, St Peter’s has maintained our platform on ‘A Church Near You’ page averaging just over 1000 page views per month. It has been effective in maintaining a link with the wider community and a point of access for enquirers. Revd Jenny Buckler

Occasional Offices

During 2023 we celebrated 4 infant baptisms, 1 thanksgiving and blessing of a child, 4 weddings, one renewal of marriage vows, 21 funerals in church, supported by Margaret and Julie as Vergers. Revd Jenny Buckler

Bellringing

We have been ringing regularly during 2023 and have consolidated the learning of our ringing team, (currently 12 members) with 2 joining us most weeks from Kirkbymoorside.

Our ringers continue to be active in the Scarborough and District Branch (S&DB) of the Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers (YACR) where we regularly have members attending meetings at different towers around the District and we have run several meetings at Norton tower. Steve Waterworth represents the S&D Branch on the YACR Education Committee. We have shared our practice night on several occasions with All Saints, Hovingham, as they also ring on Thursday evenings.

Regular training mornings have been very beneficial to our new ringers, enabling them to ring more proficiently in a shorter time. Steven Waterworth attended an Association of Ringing Teachers (ART) course at Bubwith near York in the early part of the year to improve the level of teaching we can offer. To encourage the newest ringers we start our practice night 30 minutes early to give specific training on tied bells.

The YACR organized a weekend of training based at Ilkey, w Yorkshire, which 6 of our members attended. Accommodation had to be individually organized and many towers in the area were used by different groups over the weekend. The courses offered gave opportunities to develop specific skills as well as networking opportunities. The highlight was ringing in Bradford Cathedral on Saturday evening, while 4 of us, from Norton, were able to ring at Oxenhope for Sunday morning service.

Our annual meal was held in January when we ate at the Wentworth Arms, Old Malton. It started with a half hour of ringing at St Peter’s and several partners also joined us for the meal - the company and food were both excellent.

Paul Buckle and Steve Waterworth have recorded several successful quarter peal attempts during 2023 and it is our intention to complete a quarter peal at St Peter’s using our new tower ringers. We rang a quarter peal before the first concert of the Ryedale Festival in July which took place in St Peters and with help from around the S&D Branch, rang a quarter peal to celebrate the collation of the Rev Jenny Buckler on the 4[th] December. Our tower joined the nation in ringing bells to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles 3[rd] when 12 of us rang rounds and call changes which was recorded on Bell Board, the national record of ringing achievements. A full replacement set of eight bell ropes with claret red sallies were fitted during the year and these are now well worn in and are giving good service. We intend to do some work of painting the bell frame during 2024. We continue to try to develop the capabilities of all our ringers and are always happy to welcome new faces who would like to give bell ringing a try.

Steve Waterworth (Tower contact)

Charities

The PCC spent time reflecting on God’s word in relation to stewarding our financial resources. In 2022 we developed the policy to share first fruits with only Kingdom related charities and ventures, no longer with good but not Kingdom-based charities. In 2023 we took this a step further and have moved away from the inherited notion of tithing 10% of our income, but instead toward developing Mission Partnerships with whom we plan to engender a meaningful relationship, partnering in understanding of wider mission, prayer and financial aid. We recognise we a Kingdom people called to fulfil Jesus’ commission and teaching and yet we have limitations, for example we cannot minister directly to our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for their faith in our Lord Jesus. We therefore as a church family choose to partner with expressions of the wider church that can fulfil the areas where we are weaker, such as partnering with ‘Open Doors’. At the end of 2023 we released approximately 10% of our planned giving income (£5700) toward ministry and mission to our developing Mission Partners across local, national and international Kingdom building work. These include Christian Motorcyclists Association, Christian Police Association, Bible Society, Open Doors, Barnabas Aid, Mercy Ships, with a view to develop Mission Partnership with Christians Against Poverty in the coming year. 13

We have dedicated the income from specific services/ collections to related charities:

Easter Chickens and Christmas Sales

Another year of knitting and “popping-up” raised a few pounds totalling £250 on the table, with £545 for Easter chickens.

I think jumpers, hats & scarves are the way forward for 2024 so keep praying for cold weather this back-end and a hot summer to warm up the hands in an effort to keep the old arthritis at bay – so we can keep knitting a tad longer.

Ann Scurry (Group Leader)

The pop-up craft stall “popped-up” at the Pop-up café and at church during November and December and raised a total of £652.30, a very pleasing increase on £416.25 in 2022. Lynn Cullis (Group Leader)

Ecumenical Relations

Southern Ryedale Deanery

Your Deanery Reps are Neal Cullis and Josh Vale. Revd Nicky Allison (Area Dean), Mrs Sue Teal (Lay Dean). In addition to Southern Ryedale Deanery meeting for formal Synod, Deanery Gatherings continued for the first half of 2023, and then took a break for a time of reflection and re-evaluation as attendance had waned considerably. The Gatherings had hosted speakers from the central Diocesan team to explore discipleship, mission. This year I began serving as one of the Deanery clergy reps on Diocesan Synod. Revd Jenny Buckler

Churches Together Southern Ryedale (CTSR)

Revd Glyn Diggins was elected Chair of CTSR in 2023, but subsequently needed to undergo medical treatment and so I stepped in as acting Chair for CTSR. I have been pleased with the developments that have occurred during this year including a deepening unity through worship and heart for mission. There is an openness to explore how ministry and mission may need to be different in the post-covid era.

In the summer 2023, Sid Taylor stepped-down from leading the CTSR ‘Open the Book’ mission to local schools. No new volunteers stepped forward and so I have taken-on the role for the year. We have grown the team of volunteers and have been delivering assemblies in Norton Primary School: five per half term. Revd Jenny Buckler

Financial Review

Total receipts on unrestricted funds for 2023 were £115,639.66 which is up very slightly on 2022 (£114,953.32). We have also received restricted income of £532.66 leading to a total income for 2023 of £116.172.32.

The main source of unrestricted income was planned giving (monthly standing orders and the envelope scheme) which totalled £58,969, up £4,841.20 (9%) versus 2022. This increase was primarily from new church member giving. We have also continued to hire out the church and church hall and this has generated £11,455 (down £2,887.50, 20% versus 2022). The other main sources of income were cash and contactless collections, wedding and funeral fees and collections, general donations and gift aid tax refunds. A more detailed breakdown of these is available in the accounts at the end of the report.

We were very grateful to receive a very generous £6,000 donation from two congregation members which is currently being held in the General Fund. Discussions are ongoing for best use of these funds.

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£117,386.24 was spent from unrestricted funds to provide the Christian ministry from St Peter’s Church and includes the running of Church House. This is up by £18,380.33 (19%) versus 2022. The main driver of this increase is the £11,694.20 Church House roof and French door repair costs. Utility costs for both church and church house are also up this year. Within the unrestricted expenditure is also the contribution to the diocese (which largely provides the stipends and housing for the clergy). This is up by £1,000 (2%) versus 2022.

We have an overall decrease in our restricted funds of £1,813 which was driven by expenditure on the visual installation project. This project is now complete with the final payment due to be paid in Jan 24.

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Ind•p•nd•nt Ex•mln•rf• R•port to th• Tnwt•M of 81 P•tsrf• Church, Norton I rep￿1 to the tru$lo08 my oxomwialK￿ of the ac£ount• of St Chwch, fty the yew 8rthd 31# December 2023. R••pon￿bIlItl•$ and ba￿# ol Roport As the charity trustees ol the Trust, you are reswisiblo weparakn d Ihg gCCLuts in acCtyd￿ the requirémént8 ol the Ch•rilits Act 2011 fthe Act'}. I report in re8P•Ct of my examinati¢)n of the TnMI'# aCt￿ntS carried oth under •ecion 145 of 2011 Act ar#J In carrying out my examlnatlon I have fcAhyAd 811 the ap[Al￿ts￿ ￿'reCI1￿￿ given by the Charity Commm under sedlon 145151(b) ol the A(1. Ind•pondont Ex•mln•rf• Slat•m I hove completed my examination. l ojnfinn th8t ￿ malerial mattern have ￿￿8 to my attenb￿ in wllh the examInatI￿ gSvSng mo cause lo bali8vè Ihat in Ony malerial r8specL 1. a¢￿untIng recYJrd8 were rnt kerl in resFea Lrf the Tnffjt as requtrxl ty 8ockn 130 0ftheA￿. ( 2. the aCCr￿nts do not accord with tho80 roLYts', 3. tha accounts do not compty wth the 8Wkable (xmmhy lh8 lum and c¥%rtont crf &xwrt8 881 out in the Charities (A￿)Unts arn1 R8FKylsl RtyulailLTh 2c￿8 fv than any requirement that the account$ gwe 8 1rue and fair view whth is n¢X a matter &J)SM1ered as part of an IrthpeThJent examinat￿. I have no concerns and have com8 I(x￿ no Lrthor matter¥ Nl t¥)nn•K￿ ¥&ith tho examination to attonts should bg drawn In thi8 report ￿ ordw lo enawe 8 uThlw8tandiThJ of the ac&￿n(S to be reactthl. Slgned: Nsme: Relevant proletsslon81 qualificatiw ￿ memb#rst￿P of yofessknnal bc¥Jtes [rfany): 4•4 e* Y•17 ihr Oa¢e: 16

ST. PETEifs CHLRCFi KIRTON Recelpts and Payments P£count For the perk￿ from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 IfiJM )ffj1&77 1￿40 .0) )18U) 161 91.1￿ 77 X]Y2 19974$ 1&6e4 1Z J79 76 3W12 1,170 8JM312 1Q645 IOlm12 1175J34 .795 38 TLi•ir•¥ 11&1Ta32 121mg Cc6ts01gwwafrvJLTh 14&14 5.FiorKJ 82.8790Z 28.361 148.14 63.1 8.orKirK 6.010f I13.5￿ 76 I￿.?66 o •.73&16 28M1m 1349 I19.731￿ 1COM3BJIS 13.15196 114AW4) IIIIJM 13550¥ 14))OS4 3.7rllD) &7r•Jr•J P.7r•Jr•Ji ￿.7￿j 8.15J% 19.W511 (1013￿1 .15198 11JIJIffj 12.4DJ.ri) 15289.31 112AW.WI I1&2￿.31> IJ.559581 14a)0 54 14WOJ4 8x76 Ain.16 1•M21AS a&49837 71>SA3 J•of rK•lpl$ovJrpaym•rt•al th•s•aw •Dd 16AX72 48271m 172WAS 85AgSJ7 17

sr. PETEifs CHURCH. N(IiT(J4 AnatysisofR￿e1ltsand Paynwts Total General Do5i9naiod R•striGt•d EndoTmnl Thv6 yoar Last >Tar Roeolpts Volurtèry In¢•m• GMry-QTtAded18n￿j LlMry.&IAd￿{5ab} 0￿￿[SC￿l 4.4400J 4W7tsJ &7.1)J 1JJO) 1.7120J 4.440. 46W7.L¥J 6￿7 lJ25fA) 1.712 2559.31 5,581 44,6WOO 2,Wn3 92127 CathColl•cbcm-aftlidAd ?A14.00 2,&5328 176A$ 4,943.02 1.202.68 3,27975 4,632WI CtthC0ll•cbO￿-Ckn1r ¥th￿Ing &FLrgral ColqcLr¢MIqo (Wlno &FLFfAI Cr￿￿0&8& Donatirm JJ)9 Gmffal D￿&00r￿.GftAd•d nwal DoiaOorA.ther HddayV T8Xr&￿nd￿d(￿)Gft1Ithd￿￿￿ &10 77& 6.038.10 l.J21.91 1&48$49 16.4B549 IS.W86 ?,￿00 J,xooo L•gad•s Qants. NC￿.￿￿￿IrlJ Voluntsry In¢•m• T•t•l• 90,118.77 495.00 91,163.77 95,379.78 £liV￿•• foi g•n•rttino fund• I￿59 JA)M. 318CO 3,074.12 18B.OD FUnth81￿wf0￿￿nd￿YS£￿￿ 318fy1 foi g•n•rrtlng lund• Toi•l• 1,565AO 1A39.58 31fj. 3,322.98 3,282.12 Incomo from Inv••tr•nt• Bar & otr y&A￿s & 43713 l.L4&1 1.170. 161 1.772. 377.73 1.22460 In¢tsmB from Inv•tstmnt Totl# 1.661.83 1.170.96 1Me6 2,997AS 1,fA)2.33 Church ￿I¥1t1•S tydding aF￿T￿l F•e6éwtr)PCC Rèfrèsttm￿ts 7ZX112 72)3.12 5,989nO 119.95 32820 Hirecthy LuT¥Club 10ffj45tsJ 11.455. 14,342 50 1573 Church PLtl¥ltl•• Tots 8.04J.IZ 10.•45.00 18,088.12 20,795,36 Receipts Grand Tots15 101W9.12 13.7SO.$4 $32.66 11Q172J2 121.039.$9 Payrnents Colts of 9onoratin4 fundi En￿(￿lOrY￿￿bjY￿￿￿l I 14&14 146 14 63J15 18

Totsl Genoral Desi9natod Restricted EndovAmnt Thi5 >Tar Last year CO￿ of gènèratsng funds Tota 146.14 146.14 63.05 Charitablè Ètiviti•i SuN)rfDcmatyMs-(Wseas suwiD(￿atyty7S-HrMè Msc rpCrtlD[￿Sl(￿)9-S￿￿ Ha 1.910. 4.5ro 29) harltablA pth1v1￿q$ Tots 5.710.00 6.W).00 6,010. Chuieh Ltiviti•• FrèNII CllorftVJ Cleaner 4G3fs s4,(￿.co 2,288. VJ,OW.Lh) 2,1C6.th) 761.76 rniniGtraknY So 1.7. 54S61 1.5Y21 S,3￿.25 1n8uran¢opr6n￿L1￿I$ ReppAFN &ronthYal8- Fknc &r•nthYa18. I￿111a￿ar0 4A76 s,rJ7.$2 12,402.3) 12.05420 274 2,7Z7.24 111.38 MScdl8nw￿ M￿ri￿p￿T& HèaMh&Saf 4097 2))J4 475 1284 1&3.03 3,17T.49 2,￿.68 1,677.82 613.46 gaTh&pi￿￿n0 1￿7￿2 JJJA1 1O>J40 4,943.21 tar 141.46 10584 127.co 16564 110.LK) 1￿.37 elc 127 79 3125 C￿Tc￿ SwMc08 bbcrfplona 31.25 4017 127.14 2YJ.L 389.45 1Yd.02 23&70 15 RofreBhrnents MarAIanr￿B 312SJ Lo89rm brds &t8AcdngddB CfilthÉn'8 &WOn 174A9 9&10 273.1 7075 1￿.6$ 145.34 5025.41 Ituthclub ofEqWn￿I Tr￿Thn$ &EdupAIc Csrèl*9 w8oBg 1.429NJ 11ts) 3.718 2.n8 3.4S5 33527 Chuieh kiiviti•ts Tota e2.879.02 2.345.66 113.5B5.76 100.760. Payments (kand Totals 88.735.16 28.651.08 2.345.66 119.731.￿ 1￿￿39.05 19

ST. PETER'SCHURCH. N¢JIT( stale￿OfA85ets and Liabi15 (byfund) As at: 31 Decenknw2023 8alanco PrBvkU balan¢• Cash A Bank In Hand 1= Natvkst Curr•nl kcount (Church) (Hail FLYKIF lo.4￿57 1832822 279.81 214.5S H￿￿rvJH￿￿l 4.718.36 2.084.$9 2.747 6.66805 127M} 47.457.69 4.￿ 75 154 $8 ryrASI•Lr 7.256.94 3: CBF DA￿lt P£c 001D IChur¢hFUnv••trl¢¢ Lvth HL¥Aq IHII FLryJF 6D14.68 34.662 18 2.C6146 4.314 11.G87 6.329.74 1515927 kWrAnyFiJ Ma$ithQwtsyty S8,740.48 22,181.01 31: ¢••h In h•nd 50.00 S: CBF D•p￿lI Èe 002D IChut¢hl- R••tri¢i F￿￿0 4.424.54 2.4￿ 83 ZIO 81 4.32543 1.6n71 7,128.78 ,907.40 C••h A 8ank knd In Hand 73.176.20 76,55410 Inv•#tmBnt 17.. CBF Invg•tr•nl Fun41 ISynd•y¥¢hooll 8.915.27 8915.27 .91S.27 ,915.27 Inv••tm•nt• .915.27 .915.27 4•ncyk¢ounii 6699= 4on¢y ¢oll•ctlon* 15168 {27M} 127.001 154.68 154.68 127.001 Gr•nd Total 81.936.79 85.496.37 20

Notes to the Accounts

  1. Basis of preparation of the accounts

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the Receipts and Payments basis.

2. Funds Maintained:

Title
Church General Fund
Contingency/Fabric Fund
Church House (Hall)
Sunday School & Youth
Work
Development Projects
Mission Opportunity Fund
Restricted Donations
Helping Hand		 Purpose
routine transactions
contngency/quinquennial/fabric maintenance
routine transactions
all relevant transactions
youth and mission
missional work
donations for specific items
grants for those in need		 Type
Balance
unrestricted
£
16,456.72
designated
34,941.79
designated
6,453.57
restricted
11,914.57
restricted
214.55
unrestricted
4,814.80
restricted
5,079.33
designated
2,061.46

2.1 Church General Fund (Unrestricted)

This year has seen a welcome increase in the General Fund income with an overall increase of £7,954.72 (8.5%). Of note, planned giving (standing orders and envelope scheme) were up by £4,814.20 (9%) and a generous one off donation of £6,000 was received. Gift Aid tax refunds were also up by £1,254.53 (8%). These were offset by slight reductions in cash / contactless giving, wedding and funeral income, fundraising and external hire charges.

Overall our costs are in line with last year (£88,735.16 versus £88,631.12 in 2022). At the end of 2022 PCC agreed to increase our 2023 Freewill Offer by £1,000 to £64,000. It was also agreed by PCC to give £5,700 (representing approximately 10% in forecast planned giving) in year end missional partner giving. This has been allocated between six local, national and international Christian organisations. Utility costs have increased versus 2022 by £2,863.08 driven by an increase in both fixed and variable rates. This additional cost has been offset however by lower maintenance and health and safety costs. During the year a transfer of £6,000 was made from the General Fund to the Church House Fund to help cover the costs of the roof and french window repairs.

Overall, the fund shows a surplus of receipts over payments for the year of £8,153.96. The allocation of these funds will be discussed by PCC in January 2024.

2.2 Contingency / Fabric Reserve

This fund currently sits at £34,941.79. Of this, £22,000 (approximately 3 months church running costs) is held onto for emergency use and £10,000 has been set aside for Quinquennial / fabric maintenance (in line with the Reserves Policy). Additionally last year a legacy of £2,500 was received which is being held in this fund and set aside for organ related expenditure.

2.3 Church House (Hall) Funds (Designated)

There is a deficit on the Church House Fund this year due to the roof and french window repairs which were carried out towards the end of the year. Additionally, Church House income is down by £4,432.09 versus 2022 primarily driven by a reduction in lettings income in 2023 (down £2,257.50) and the receipt

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of £2,700 in grant funding and £1,200 in general donations in 2022. Offsetting this reduction is the income of £1,439.58 from the very successful Manpower Quiz fundraising event and several kind donations towards the church house roof repairs. Costs have been up versus 2022 driven by expenditure on the roof and french door repairs (£11,694.20) and higher utility costs. We also started employing a church house bookings administrator in September 2022. A transfer of £5,000 was made from the General Fund to help cover some of the roof repair costs and to ensure a sufficient balance on the fund to cover approximately three months of church house running costs (in accordance with the Reserves Policy) and the forecast deficit for 2024.

2.4 Sunday School and Youth Work Fund (Restricted)

This fund has seen a slight increase of income over expenditure this year. The main driver for the increase is income received from match funding from a charity walk in 2022 received in 2023. The balance on this fund was £11,914.57 at the year end.

2.5 Development Projects Fund (Restricted)

The balance on this fund is money which has been given specifically for evangelism and youth work. This year £743.53 has been spent on three main projects / activities – the Alpha Course, Yoof outings and the Blessings Course. The fund closed the year with a balance of £214.55. Once this balance has been spent, future mission and evangelism costs will be met from the Mission Opportunity Fund (see below).

2.6 Mission Opportunity Fund (Designated)

This fund was set up at the start of 2022 for future missional work. Interest has been added to it during the year and the fund now stands at £4,814.80.

This fund has been directed at the upgrade to the visual installation in the church which has now been completed. £1,429.80 was spent on it this year leaving a year end balance on the fund of £5,079.33. The final bill will paid in early January 2024 which will leave the balance at zero. The total cost of the installation after this final payment is paid will be as budgeted however we have benefitted from a better installation than originally anticipated due to a change in the scope of the project.

2.8 Helping Hand (Designated)

This is a fund set up to offer help to those in the parish who need a bit of a “helping hand”. The decision to award grants lies with the incumbent in conjunction with the PCC. Two grants have been awarded this year. The balance of the fund at the year-end was £2,061.46.

3.

Trustee payments / Related party transactions. Trustee payments – the following payments were made to PCC members in 2023: Paul Tate Smith provision of communion wine £67.78, Neal Cullis provision of audio-visual services at funerals £180, Mererid Hunt and Steve Waterworth provision of bell ringing services £60. Related party transaction payments in 2023 - Margaret Wilson provision of verger services £516, Julie Waterworth provision of verger services £430, Anna Barker Church House Bookings administrator £585.

  1. Investments. Our policy is not to revalue investments. If revalued, the CBF Fund would have a value of £9,109.52 as at 31/12/2023.

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