Mothers’ Union Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Year ended 31st December 2023
Registered Charity No. 249726
Mothers’ Union - Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich (249726) CONTENTS 31[st] December 2023
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ Report | 1 |
| Diocesan Receipts Account | 3 |
| Diocesan Payments Account | 4 |
| Branch & Deanery Summary | 5 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 6 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 7 |
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ending 31[st] December 2023
An overview of how the year unfolded, and the opportunities and challenges which arose during 2023. Changes at all levels in the organisation were inevitable, and with zoom well-established, new ways of working, and Mary Sumner House adapting, the pressures and volume of work increased substantially. The year started cautiously post-covid with a Trustees and Officers Tea Party at the Station House in Campsea Ashe – only the DP was late because the jam and cream had been left at home on the kitchen table. After a promotional Power-Point presentation, and the singing of Mary Sumner’s prayer to the tune of Ode to Joy, the penultimate year of the triennium had begun. A few days later I represented the MU at the annual Plough Sunday service in the Cathedral and in the same week, a Trustees meeting via zoom. At the end of the month, I went to London for a Metamorphosis Conference at Mary Sumner House only to find it had been cancelled the night before due to lack of numbers attending. It was rescheduled for zoom three days later. Then another zoom meeting with Amanda to talk finance, a face-to-face meeting with Beryl re the Constitution, and then with Jeanette to organise a display at the Cathedral for the forthcoming Coronation and also an opportunity to go through the AGM report together. Diocesan Synod at Stowmarket and Lady Day celebrations happened in the same week, and two weeks later the MU AGM – it was a very busy first quarter of the year.
Spring heralded new beginnings, and it was a real privilege to attend the Licensing Services of three new clergy and welcome them to their parishes on behalf of the Mothers’ Union assuring them of our support and prayers. We were invited, for the first time, to attend and have a stall at the Annual Vocation Fair in the Cloisters, and the following day I attended the Vocation Day service in the Cathedral. With cutbacks in staff at MSH and new ways of working, a DP all-day zoom conference was organised three days before the Coronation of King Charles III. Representing the MU again, I also attended the Licensing Service for our new Archdeacon (Archdeacon Rich) and immediately left for the DP Residential Conference at High Leigh in Hertfordshire.
Summertime brought its ups and downs. The Suffolk Show was difficult having been “squeezed” in and feeling superfluous to proceedings, but two days later it was a real joy to be able to speak at the MU Branch at Whitton. I flirted with a 3-minute “AI talk” to see how it would be received (and felt a certain amount of guilt!) – it went down well, but the remainder of the talk was properly prepared and carefully thought through. The week ended with a much-enjoyed Annual Strawberry Tea fundraiser run by the Cathedral branch. Also in June, together with Clare, we were invited to the Martlesham Branch to help them as they pondered their future. Trustees met at Westerfield, and a week later we held a really successful Discovery Day at the new venue in Shepherds Drive Baptist Church Ipswich. Diocesan Synod again followed the next day, and two days later the North Suffolk Area Quiet Day took place at Holton where we learned much about iconography. At the beginning of July, I attended the Bishops’ Garden Party which had been reinstated post-covid and provided a useful opportunity for networking and raising the MU profile. As usual, Janice had prepared the Wave of Prayer for our linked dioceses of Byumba, Jalingo, Lake Malawi and Lucknow providing us with information for our branch services.
As the weather warmed up the Wickham Market Fellowship Group had a Strawberry Tea Party in Westleton for the Summer of Hope campaign, and then there was the local MU branch group meeting, more zoom sessions, the Fressingfield Garden Party, celebrations for Mary Sumner Day at St Mary Stoke, a Cream Tea at Farthings (Yoxford), and coffee with Amanda to talk about her health issues and seek a way forward. It was an exciting and fun time meeting members and their friends.
Over the summer nominations for the next DP had been received, and it was a pleasure to announce that Jeanette Appleton would be my successor. September started with another Trustee Meeting when the way forward was discussed. It was a joy to be invited to welcome two new members to the St Mary Stoke branch and give them their badges and certificates. Our Cluster group met on zoom, the following day it was the North Suffolk Area morning at Hoxne, and two days
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later we were up in York for the Annual Gathering. St Eds and Ips was well represented with seven members attending and staying in two separate hotels. Sue and I, under Amanda’s tuition, concentrated on perfecting the art of crocheting woollen hearts for the latest MU campaign. On returning home I was invited to attend the local Christians Against Poverty (CAP) course in order to understand better their aims and objectives should any of our members need help struggling with the cost of living crisis.
Autumn came all too quickly and October was a really busy month with MU activities and engagements happening nearly every day, beginning with the I-Chameleon Pop-Up shop in Halesworth, another Cluster meeting via zoom, the Healing Service in the Cathedral, Metamorphosis in our local branch, and the Retired Clergy Conference - again in the Cathedral. The admin from Mary Sumner House was increasing with new staff and new initiatives which in turn meant more emails and key messages, policies and documents, newsletters and reflections, MU Live data and stats - all of which needed to be read through carefully, and where appropriate circulated to members.
I attended two more Licensing Services in Ipswich, had a formal coffee session with the new Archdeacon to “re-introduce” him to Mothers’ Union in our diocese, enjoyed a very happy occasion arranged by Sandra for the Ipswich Area Coffee Morning at Martlesham, the 16 Days of Activism campaign and the Autumn Council Meeting at Coddenham which afforded the pleasurable opportunity of announcing that Jeanette would be our next Diocesan President. The weather was atrocious – with snow and flooding – and numbers attending were somewhat down. Christmas arrangements began in earnest with many branches having been involved in making Christmas cards for the prisoners at Highpoint, in Yoxmere a new travelling crib was being taken around families with children in the benefice, and I learned of other Branches too who were decorating their churches, promoting the Blue Christmas service arranged by Rev Catherine, and purchasing MUe gifts, Christmas cards and calendars, etc. The year finished on a high with the Rushmere Branch Christmas Party where we were entertained by a Ukelele band and wonderful afternoon tea, and the last event of the year was the local Mothers’ Union branch meeting in my home for a wonderful seasonal service and afternoon tea – our normal venue at the church was just too cold!
It's been a real privilege to serve the Mothers’ Union in 2023 as we emerged from the covid pandemic and confidence in coming together once more enabled us to meet up face to face. Over the year, several new members joined Mothers’ Union, but sadly the loss of members was greater. To all those who are grieving we send our condolences. Branches changed and amalgamated, Fellowship Groups started up and Diocesan Membership increased. Looking back we can see how much has changed; how in 2023 we tried to put into practice the pledges we made in 2022 to Mary Sumner House; how our ABC structures guided the programmes of AFIA, Befriending and support for the Clewer Initiative. We have an amazing team of Trustees, Officers, Community of Interest Leads and STARs – all with very different gifts and abilities - but each one playing a really important and significant role in helping the Mothers’ Union to flourish and thrive. My sincere thanks to each one of you as we now embark on this final year of the triennium, confident in the knowledge that we have a Heavenly Father who knows, and sees and cares very much for us as we seek to serve Him in the places where He has called us to live. Again, we praise God, rejoice and give thanks for his faithfulness, goodness and provision for us, leading us forward according to His plan and purpose.
Linda Ginn Diocesan President 19[th] March 2024
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Mothers' Union - Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich 249726
Diocesan Receipts Account for year ending 31st December 2023
| Total | Total |
|---|---|
| Funds | Funds |
| 2023 | 2022 |
| £ | £ |
| For Mary Sumner House(MSH) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Literacy& Financial Education(Designated) | 1,522 | 925 |
| Britain & Ireland Development(Designated) | 794 | 630 |
| Overseas Relief Work(Designated) | 465 | 912 |
| Overseas Development(Designated) | 1,457 | 1,040 |
| Provident(Designated) | 495 | 495 |
| Mothers' DayAppeal | 153 | 0 |
| Summer of Hope Appeal | 1,940 | 1,049 |
| Christmas Appeal | 0 | 90 |
| Subscriptions 2024 | 5,911 | 0 |
| Subscriptions 2023 | 5,054 | 6,741 |
| Subscriptions 2022 | 0 | 7,026 |
| Subscriptions 2021 | 0 | 100 |
| Subscriptions 2020 | 0 | 15 |
| General Funds | 16 | 407 |
| Sub Total | 17,807 | 19,430 |
| For Diocesan MU | ||
| EasyFundingfor AFIA(Designated) | 223 | 166 |
| AFIA(Designated) | 520 | 209 |
| Parenting (Designated) | 728 | 0 |
| Womens' Refuge(Designated) | 300 | 40 |
| Prisoners' Cards(Designated) | 231 | 211 |
| Indoor Members(Designated) | 940 | 400 |
| Diocesan Members(Designated) | 580 | 220 |
| Over 90s Members(Designated) | 195 | 100 |
| Ipswich Area(Designated) | 519 | 590 |
| North Suffolk Area(NSA) (Designated) | 1,896 | 1,615 |
| Gift Aid | 0 | 0 |
| Subscriptions 2024 | 1,028 | 0 |
| Subscriptions 2023 | 843 | 1,124 |
| Subscriptions 2022 | 0 | 1,055 |
| Subscriptions 2021 | 0 | 16 |
| Subscriptions 2020 | 0 | 7 |
| Donations | 149 | 0 |
| General Fund | 239 | 1,486 |
| Hire of Hall | 59 | 0 |
| Church Services | 152 | 239 |
| Interest | 579 | 333 |
| Sundries | 9 | 143 |
| MUe Dividend | 968 | 889 |
| Sub Total | 10,158 | 8,843 |
| Sub Total MSH and Diocese Deduct receipts from Branches (page 5) Sub Total Petty Cash Receipts Branch Receipts (page 5) MUe Sales Grand Total |
27,965 16,476 11,489 0 23,725 10,437 45,651 |
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Mothers' Union - Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich 249726
Diocese Payments Account for year ending 31st December 2023
| Total Funds 2023 Total Funds 2022 £ £ To Mary Sumner House(MSH) |
Total Funds 2023 Total Funds 2022 £ £ To Mary Sumner House(MSH) |
Total Funds 2023 Total Funds 2022 £ £ To Mary Sumner House(MSH) |
|---|---|---|
| Literacy& Financial Education(Designated) | 592 | 925 |
| Britain & Ireland Development(Designated) | 389 | 530 |
| Overseas Relief Work(Designated) | 600 | 767 |
| Overseas Development(Designated) | 985 | 710 |
| Provident Fund(Designated) | 245 | 300 |
| Mothers' DayAppeal | 153 | 0 |
| Summer of Hope Appeal | 1,833 | 1,049 |
| Christmas Appeal | 90 | 0 |
| Subscriptions 2024 | 897 | 0 |
| Subscriptions 2023 | 8,487 | 3,129 |
| Subscriptions 2022 | 40 | 6,986 |
| Subscriptions 2021 | 0 | 100 |
| Subscriptions 2020 | 0 | 15 |
| General Funds | 16 | 407 |
| Sub Total | 14,327 | 14,918 |
| Diocesan Payments | ||
|---|---|---|
| EasyFundingfor AFIA(Designated) | 0 | 0 |
| AFIA(Designated) | 954 | 797 |
| Parenting (Designated) | 0 | 0 |
| Womens' Refuge(Designated) | 314 | 0 |
| Prisoners' Cards(Designated) | 150 | 204 |
| Indoor Members(Designated) | 738 | 592 |
| Diocesan Members(Designated) | 361 | 299 |
| Over 90s Members(Designated) | 38 | 66 |
| Ipswich Area(Designated) | 1,126 | 670 |
| North Suffolk Area(NSA) (Designated) | 1,840 | 1,517 |
| Gift Aid | 0 | 0 |
| Keith Foulds Retirement Gift | 0 | 61 |
| Outings | 0 | 0 |
| Retreat &Quiet Day | 0 | 0 |
| Reserves for Distribution | 149 | 0 |
| General Fund | 19 | 100 |
| Trustees / Officers Expenses | 93 | 253 |
| Conferences | 134 | 317 |
| Re-imagining/ DiscoveryDay | 279 | 0 |
| Purchase of feather flags | 288 | 0 |
| Hire of Hall | 231 | 120 |
| DBS Checks | 145 | 206 |
| Insurance | 450 | 450 |
| Postage | 15 | 19 |
| Printing& Stationery | 154 | 182 |
| Purchase of Leaflets | 0 | 13 |
| Website | 56 | 42 |
| Zoom Subscription | 144 | 144 |
| Bank Charge | 60 | 96 |
| Sundries | 210 | 665 |
| MUe Dividend | 0 | 0 |
| Transfer to Designated Funds from General Fund | 850 | 500 |
| Sub Total | 8,798 | 7,313 |
| Sub Total Petty Cash Payments Branch Payments (page 5) MUe Purchases Grand Total Note: The branch payments exclude members' subscriptions and donations which are accounted for in the above analysis. |
23,125 40 7,828 10,911 41,904 |
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Mothers' Union - Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich 249726
Branch & Deanery Summary to 31st December 2023
| £ Receipts Members' Subscriptions 9,071 Refreshments 2,012 Collections 1,562 Fundraising 4,665 Donations 2,170 MUe Materials 189 Outings 2,495 Other income 1,561 Total Receipts 23,725 Payments Payments to Diocese £ Payments to Diocese Members' Subscriptions 9,340 Donations 7,136 Other Payments Mue Materials MSH (paid direct) Speaker Expenses Postage & Stationery Hall Hire Refreshments Outings Other expenses Total Payments 24,304 16,476 Net Payments 579 FUND MOVEMENT SUMMARY Monetary Resources at 1 January 2023 (Held by 28 Branches & 1 Deanery) Net Payments Monetary Resources at 31 December 2023 (Held by 25 Branches & 1 Deanery) |
£ 9,071 2,012 1,562 4,665 2,170 189 2,495 1,561 23,725 Payments to Diocese £ 9,340 7,136 |
Other Payments £ 565 1,188 1,103 158 729 57 2,344 1,684 |
|---|---|---|
| 24,304 16,476 |
7,828 | |
| 9,576 579 |
||
| 8,997 | ||
Note: During 2023 Felixstowe St John's, Halesworth and Martlesham Branches became Fellowship Groups and closed their bank accounts.
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Mothers' Union - Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich 249726
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31st December 2023
| Diocesan Fund Balances at 31 December 2023 Branch & Deanery Balances at 31 December 2023 MU Enterprises Assets at 31 December 2023 Consolidated Balances Represented by: CBF Church of England Investment Fund CBF Church of England Deposit Account CAF Bank Current Account CAF Bank Gold Saver Account Petty Cash Held by Branches & Deanery MU Enterprises Stock & Bank Account Consolidated Balances Liabilities owed to Mary Sumner House at 31 December 2023 Subscriptions For 2023 179 For 2024 5,014 Donations For MSH Designated Funds 2,692 For MSH Appeals 107 Total Literature Account (MU Enterprises) Stock at 31 December 2023 Bank Balance Cash Total Assets |
Diocesan Fund Balances at 31 December 2023 Branch & Deanery Balances at 31 December 2023 MU Enterprises Assets at 31 December 2023 Consolidated Balances Represented by: CBF Church of England Investment Fund CBF Church of England Deposit Account CAF Bank Current Account CAF Bank Gold Saver Account Petty Cash Held by Branches & Deanery MU Enterprises Stock & Bank Account Consolidated Balances Liabilities owed to Mary Sumner House at 31 December 2023 Subscriptions For 2023 179 For 2024 5,014 Donations For MSH Designated Funds 2,692 For MSH Appeals 107 Total Literature Account (MU Enterprises) Stock at 31 December 2023 Bank Balance Cash Total Assets |
£ 49,752 8,984 5,282 |
|---|---|---|
| 64,018 | ||
| 9,990 4,796 19,763 15,181 22 8,984 5,282 |
||
| 64,018 | ||
| 5,193 2,799 |
||
| 2,692 107 |
||
| 7,992 | ||
| 4,855 427 0 |
||
| 5,282 |
Mothers' Union Diocesan Consolidated Accounts prepared and presented by Amanda Langan, Diocesan Treasurer On 10th October 2024
Approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 10th October 2024
Linda Ginn Diocesan President & Chair of Trustees
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Report to the Trustees of the Mothers Union of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich
Charity no: 249726
I report on the Accounts of the Mothers Union of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 3 to 6.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“The Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of The Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of The Act.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out below.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination and confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of The Act; or
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(2) the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with my examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Martin Favell, FCA Mayfields, Holton St Mary, Suffolk CO7 6NL
11 October 2024
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