## **Mothers’ Union – Bath & Wells - Financial Report for 2023** The beginning of 2023 seems so very far away and a lot of water has passed under the MU bridge since then, however here is what the Income and Payouts were from our General Funding Account. We started the year with £29,692 in the bank, made up of just under £11,500 restricted funds and £15,221 of operating funds from 2022. During the year, the subscriptions from 640 branch and diocesan members brought in £17,407. Gift aid reclaimed on the 2022 subs and donations amounted to £2,429, the MUe grant paid in £950, additional donations towards running costs came to £2,692, which along with Retreat contributions of £1,425 and bank interest of £528 amounted to and unrestricted income of £25,431.72. Our restricted income came from AFIA donations of £4,486.84, a cashed in Rowena Merson Fund policy of £5,000 and £64.87 interest on the other policy still invested. Diocesan Project donations of £424.31, a WWF donation that came in and went out to the correct account of £50, Child Contact Centre grants of £3,900, donations of £783.71 and interest on their investments of £611.26. Overall £40,842.71 was paid into the account during 2023. Our expenditure during those same 12 months was as follows: From our unrestricted funds our Central subscriptions passed on to MSH amounted to £13,335. The day to day running costs of the Mothers’ Union in this diocese amounted to £16,266.63, which includes administration costs, rent of desks and rooms in Flourish House, postage and photocopying/printing, our DP, Chaplain and MUe/Communication expenses, hire of halls for meetings, Retreat at Ammerdown, licenses, insurance and accountancy fees. From our restricted funds we spent £2,549.75 on AFIA breaks and travel and £1,806.08 on running the 3 Child Contact Centres in Frome and North Somerset (although the one in Frome was only open for the first three months) The total expenditure for 2023 was therefore £33,507.46. Our investments at the moment are: Unrestricted funds £7,000 Restricted funds £18,000 in the Rowena Merson Fund and £30,000 in the Child Contact Centres Fund. Interest on the policies, which are all on One Year Bonds, has increased through 2023 as the bank interest rate has risen. We ended the year with £34.027.46 in the bank, which was better than in 2022, however with the falling number of members and rising costs generally, we did come out of 2023 spending just over £4,000 more on operational costs than we received in, which means we are eating in to our previous credits. The accounts are with our accountants at present and are just awaiting the Annual Report and the completed branch accounts for consolidation. The audit is complete and ready for the Trustees to sign off, so I am very grateful to all those who have helped me compile it especially Trustee Margaret Willmott for her financial expertise. This year the 2023 branch accounts have been much easier with far less needing to be corrected or sent back. I do hope branch treasurers are finding the experience easier as well. Moving forward, I foresee that the 2024 accounts will be presented in much the same way as we are used to and from then on, with the birth of the South West Cluster group, we shall develop a new format with a Group Treasurer helping out and consolidating what come through from the diocesan treasurers. 17 25 JS rpi 79 17• h1MTM¢.T￿YlrbO*I4lts1•b14 VHE MMERS UNION DIOCESE OF BATH'AND WELLS R•*ts Paym•nii Aecwnt forthiy••r•ndln8 Ylst D•tmib•r 2013 Funfl Des¢rtptlons Thls 1$ a Mother's Unlgh hollday $cheme. prlmarlly fvnded by our membersi to 8lve oppDrtunlty of a bwk tothose who may be experfen¢ln8 stfess ordlffi¢ultles In thèlr famlty Ilfe. Funds ralsed can be to.. Help fund part of the cost of a holldyy Cover a fam1￿,5 travel expenses P8y fora whole hollday ora day trlp Oryanlse famlly wéeks tor 6roup5 of famllle$ to havea break wlth actlvltes and outlngs Thts 1$ an Invested le83cy leftto Bath & Wells followln8 the untlmelydeath of a seThlngtrustee. Itwas decbded ty herfellowTrustees at the tkne to Use Itfor relmbursln8 travellolng expehse4s for the famlllts beneffttSn8 from th¢AFIA breaks. Ihe orf8lnal donatlon Is Invested in a 2 Year ond whi¢h can be ¢aSh￿ In and reln¥ests¢ as theTrustses deem necessary. Untll now the Inte￿t reeèlved has tK¢eeded expendltur Th15 was created in 2021 follovAn8 a generous fvneral collectlon from the MU Bath & Wells of • formerTrustee. Itwas desl8nated forthe use of members who wished to deepen thelr I￿eS spirltually by attendlng elthèr onè day rotsrses or the Annual RetreaL It contrlbute5 to thelr overall èxpense5 accordin8 to thdr means. The fvnds are topped up from tlme to tlme bythe vAdowerand members are free to raise addltlonal funds If thtyso wlsh. These ar¢ Invested fund5, orl8lnal]y 8lven a5 8rant5 or donatlons, t+)wird5 the runnln& by the Mothe¢s In Bath & Welb. ofvoluntsrlly or8Anised Chlkl Contsrt Centres in Frome, Nallsta and Ctevedon. All are afflllaEed to the Natlonal Assoclatlon of Chold Contart Centres, strlctty monftored, and examlned by thelrstaff, Todate. ntronels pald forthelr Iolp, buieath Centr• has a hlBhlytiblned caordlnotorwho reports ba¢k to the dloce5an MU CCC Commlttee twlee yeartyi ofwhlch oneTrufftè Is A Committee member. At presentthefv#ds ngt needed arè Invested In $￿eral 2 year b)nd5. Member5 acrots the dlo¢ese also talse lunds tv support thls valuable cause. Thls ¢oveTS more locally inspired projects that members can be Involved In such gs knittln8 hats for use by the Seamen Misslon. clothln8 for premature bablt5, trauma or Chrt5tlnelnB teddles, sevAn8'ongd potkets. lor stlll blrths, ¢hlldren's actlvlty bags for chur¢hes,"flddle blankets. for those dementba etc. Bath Deanery support an onllne Student Cookbook whlch Is advtrtlsed to all new students at Fre5hers Week In the two alh unlversitles. These pr¢le¢ts comè and80 a¢cordln8 tothe need ot lo¢al ¢ommunltle5, and unless members Indl(¥te thÈ speclfic need. money ralsed 80és Into thls fund for prolert expenses. lil Expenses Include se¢retsry's remuneration, rent, kn5urdn¢e, accouhtsnt's fe'•$. ¢opyrf8ht afid dita protectlon I1¢eh￿s, Postage and prlntln8 ￿sts indudè some costs for 202112 as well. Or behalf of the Board ofTrustees, we approve the fte¢elpts and Paymentsp£count for the year ¢ndlr4 3tst December 2023 as pre5eftted to a mg•tlni otthe Poard on..... iJJ_ illl. Mad¢Une Mdi￿r-￿TrX￿n Pre51dent h 8ult-Tre?yJrnr&S•i ￿￿￿aret￿MM￿tt.GeAeraITn1#ee X123 Safes 11172] 9426 -1074 In 46 -1074 In Kpthtsllw on Sales be1*￿Iktthe Bo8￿01Tntslees. we the MrAkn Unb)n E•tsW IPAUel Tradlng Yllj, l 10/. Donations fi>r Ge￿ra[ Fund and varlous projeets for Emeffgency Rellef Fund 7374 8102 Donations not dedared in prevb)us year Bank lrtwest 7418 8109 Transferred to Motherfs unlo￿ P4lary Sumner House, forthe ¥ark)tss funds a5 donated 97(Kl -2577 7475 -1591 Balan¢e 7475 d,L Ul_ £akLW. q B, Lfr l to the tn&ees on my examinat1¢￿ ol theattthmts ofTheMrthus ilnkn of 8ath and Wells {the JI December 2023. I rewrt in fe5pertofffly ev￿lInatkn of Ihechaflty's acwmts rarriedoutw#lws 145 rfthe 2011 Act (i) A(C￿￿ti￿ rec(xdswe *ept in respe¢tof thecharfty as rewlred lrysertion 130 of the P&*am Turrell 4 Kln8Stywe TA6 IVF 2023 Annual Report presented 2024 Vision Our Vision is of a world where God's love is shown through Lovingi Respectful & Flourishing Relationships. This is not a vague hope but a goal we actively pursue by Prayingi Campaigning and Enabling. Mothers, Christian care for f amilles r)iocese ot" IIEIIZZJ Bath & Wells Mission We aim to show our Christian faith by the transformation of communities worldwide. We can do this through supporting strong relationships within the family and promoting reconciliation at all levels. In 2023 We had 639 Members in the diocese 496 Branch members Found in 27 Branches and 143 Diocesan Members either as Lone Members or part of 21 Groups and 18 IMPC members Our Aims and Objectives are: To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and seniice.. To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children: To help those whose family life ha5 met with adversity: To promote and support married life: To encourage parents in their role to develop the faith of their children: mu@bathwells.anglican.org https://mubathxndwells.org 2023 Annual Report presented 2024 How we work towards achieving the following Objective Maintaining a Worldwide Fellowship of Christians United in Prayer, Worship & Service The MU Chapel - Cathedral Prayers - The Lady Chapel Cathedral Prayers: This is a f/2 hour Service held in Wells Cathedral on the 3rd Thursday morning of each month. Each month the service is written and led by a different Branch/Deanery, following the guidelines written by the former Faith Trustee, to fit in with the Annual Theme produced by the Worldwide Trustee Board. It includes the Wave of Prayer, when every MU member prays for the members and work in 4 or 5 designated dioceses across the world, following the format found in the central Prayer Diary. Wave of Prayer Wave of Prayer Servlce 2023 Transformatlon Now! Wave of Prayer Servlce: This service, written by a former MU Chaplain and our Link Dioceses Project Officer, who forwards the Service to our Link Dioceses - Umuahia and Ijebu in Nigeria: Shinyanga, in Tanzania: False Bay in South Africa: and Vellore Church of South India. The Service is used by the branches in all the Diocese celebrating our links together over 3 days. Again this year we were able to hold 3 services in Wells Cathedral in The Mothers, Union Chapel. We were delighted to see on Social Media, that members from our Llnk Dlocese, In particular by South Africa & India, were using the form of service sent to them. A5YIt Prnwr & ￿¥￿s￿o. kn Lo￿* &SprOce. Pray loi ryui Urtk DiWt5e Child ol Gad rtt¢wiD9 hls L•we Branch/Group Prayers: Due to the expansion of the Central Prayer Diary, our own leaflet is no longer required. In several Parishes where there is no longer a Branch, many Diocesan Members often meet for a Coffee, Natter & Prayer. G¢d s L¢vt mu@bathwells.angllcan.org https"./lmubathandwells.org 2023 Annual Report presented 2024 How we work towards achieving the following Objective - cont Maintaining a Worldwide Fellowship of Christians United in Prayer, Worship & Service Prayer Chain: Parish/Branch Thi5 has been revived with a Eucharists/Prayers: dedicated email address - A range of these worship prayerchain@mubathandwells.org - , tlmes occur in a variety of and uses Mailchimp. The aim is format5 and venues across to have a Monthly Prayer letter, the dlocese, from churches & short requests when needed. to garden centres. How we work towards achieving this Objective To help those whose family life has met with adversity: AFIA: 2023 was a busy year. 6 families had a holiday, 2 were able to unite with their wider family. 3 fami- lies beneflted wlth special "Days-out" experiences. Period Poverty: This continues to be offered to 2 schools in Bath. CRAFr: Members continue to knit, supplying all our regular places. Sewing continues especlally for the Refuges. Student Support/Cookbook: In 2023 new postcards promoting 'MU Family Cookbook, online were given free to 4,000 Bath University students & 250 to Bath Spa University in Freshers week. Free hard copies of MU Family Cookbook, were given to families affected by rising living costs ('eating or heating.) through various churches, refuges, other charities and food-pantries. Chlld Contact Centres: We started 2023 with 3 Centres". one centre in Clevedon and one in Nailsea, both operating since 2004: and one in Frome, a mlllennlum project. Over the years, offers to volunteer are not as numerous as they Inltially were. Sadlyi Fmme could not find a co-ordinator when the current person retired and the centre was closed. Mothers, Union is now down to 2 centre5. They too are advertising for coordinators. Families needing their Service never seem to go away. https'.//mubathandwells.org Retreat: As usual this took place over 3 days in October, being held at Ammerdown Conference Centre lead by Rev Julie Simms on "Meeting God Where You Are". Quiet Days.. These were held by Branches in their own parishes. WDrt¢wldt pvw￿￿rt Special Services: Some deaneries had Festival Services, one was combined with a Mary Sumner Day Service. As usual there was a Eucharistic Service before the Annual Meeting, when the new Diocesan Bishop, Bishop Michael Beasley preached. Com Igsioning He was also able 2 Trustee5 ' to Commission the 2 Trustees, who were unwell at last year's Commisslonlng Servlce Accrèdft•d con ac IIATIONII ASSOCIATION OF cItILD CONIACT CENfNE5 mu@bathwells.anglican.org 2023 Annual Report presented 2024 How we work towards achleving this Objective To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children 16 Days of Actlvlsm: As well as branches supporting the 16 Days with Prayer, we were able to host an exhlbition in Wells Cathedral. our thanks to the Chapter and Acting Dean. The exhibition had earlier been opened to the public by 2 branches plus MU. How we work towards achieving this Objertive To encourage parents in their role to develop the faith of their children By showing God's Love to their children, parents learn about God's Love via our actions. Children in Church: Many Branches have children's Play Bags with biblical story books, colouring and soft figures for use during services. Where branches have closed, these are maintained by Diocesan members. Some branches followed The Mothers Union Suggestlon for a Lent Calendar. Baptlsms: Many Branches give somethlng to the child or parents on the occasion of their Baptism.. a Baptism Teddy, Card, Bible, or Prayer Book. In one branch, the teddies have a personal Sleeping Bag. Another branch gives the Godparents a set of tiny Booties. Again, Dms are continuing with this outreach when branches close. Local Schools: Several branches run or help with After-school Clubs, Local Communlty: Mother & pre-school children groups are supported by branches across the diocese; By regular contact parents get to know these MU members and trust them. MU members are frequently part of teams offering the "Open The Book" and "Messy Church" (in its various forms). Branches regularly give gifts on Mothering Sunday, arrange the church Easter Hunt. Similarly the MU branches regularly create Christingles. Lentcalenttar Day I Support for those using the Refuges: Vouchers continue to be steadily donated. All 3 Refuges are asked what they need and this year several branches made wash bags and then fllled them. Modern Day Slavery and Prison Week: These Projects continue to be held in prayer. The use of crafted Chain Links advertises the need for Prayer and Action How we work towards achieving this Objective To promote and support married life Some branches work with the Priest by providing refreshments durlng Marriage Preparation sessions. Several branches give Couples MU Wedding Cards mu@bathwells.anglican.org https".//mllbAthandwells.org 2023 Annual Report presented 2024 How We Work Towards Alerting Parishloners and Visltors to the Work of The Mothers Union li WELCOME to MU Bath & Wells t Branches keep their incumbent and PCC informed of the work that lay they do. t Most parlshes have a Notice Board with a display of current MU activity. t Our Communication's Officer dellvers extra display boards & leaflets when a parish has a special function. t Visitor5 to the Cathedral are invited to stop and join in our monthly Cathedral Prayers service. t We were delighted to see that the MU kneeler from the Mothers, Union Chapel became part of the Cathedral Crib Scene. t Our Facebook page continues although not as active as during Lockdowns; especially as the Controllers regularly change the systems! * Regular contact with the Diocesan Personnel contlnues with our Diocesan President speaking at the Autumn Diocesan Synod. t Our Diocesan p￿sIdent also spoke at a SOUPI Sesslon in Wells, resultlng in a £100 donation. t Contact is made with the Ordinands and Training Incumbents when possible. t The Diocesan President, the Communlcations Lead and the Treasurer attend Diocesan Synod and their local deanery Synods when possible. www.youtube.comlchannellUCB- a2ek2KJj39BR-ackJbw Facebook: https.'//www.facebook.com/ MUBathWells Instagram: Bath&Wells MU kj Yeovil Branch Mothers. Union Staplegrove Branch Just-a-Bite Group Taunton Minster What's It all zbout? A warm Welcome to other new members C4kiJ NIthN mu@bathwells.anglican.org https://mubathandwells.org 2023 Annual Report presented 2024 J+i.tsTri p.4LENr Mothers, ILCIIIIWNI(>N Christian care for families Diocese of Bath & Wells SIAPI st Dt)P)n's stopLeEpoue mott2eRS' nion I￿41 oby TRINI fy .Gieved Annual Report 2023 Af WAILSE o)u Registered Charity No. 250180 mu@bathwells.anglican.org https.'/lmubathandwells.org