Sisters of Jesus Way Annual Report For the year ended 31% Aug 2025
Aims and Purposes
We endeavour to enable the love of God in Christ to reach out and touch all those with whom we come in contact. We teach the Christian faith.
Guest Ministry
We currently provide six guest rooms (three twin and three single), all with en-suite bathrooms or equivalent. Four of these have exceptional views out over the Dee Estuary. One is an accessible room on the ground floor with a wetroom opposite. A further accessible room can be made available if needed. We have continued our policy of being open to receive overnight guests from a Thursday afternoon to a Tuesday morning for most weeks of the year. We also provide three day rooms for individuals or small groups. The house has continued to attract both returning and new guests, with several especially busy periods during the year. Many guests express gratitude for the rest and spiritual refreshment they experience here. In addition to our advertised programme, 14 day groups booked in during the year, six of which were led or part-led by the Community. In July, we had the privilege of hosting a Ukrainian group for the first time, through a local contact.
As usual, we put on a programme of organised events throughout the year. The first of these was a Harvest Weekend in September 2024, when we were able to give thanks for all the practical ways in which the Heavenly Father cares for us. This was followed by two Advent Weekends in December when we looked at the theme: ‘Name above all Names’. Our New Year Retreat was again popular and followed our well-established pattern of reflection on the past year, renewal of our Covenant with the Lord, and a delicious celebration dinner. In March we offered a Lent Quiet Day on the theme of the ‘Lamb of God’. We were fully booked over Easter, with our guests joining us in our spiritual journey from Gethsemane to the Empty Tomb. The regular Praise & Walking Weekend in May is sadly becoming unsustainable as several in the Community and also several regular attenders now have some long-term health conditions. In June, we held our first Heaven Day for a number of years, and this was well attended. Such days, when we seek to enter into Heaven in heart and mind through scripture, song and readings, are always meaningful and moving, and the Lord graciously drew close with His Presence. The Chapel was decorated beautifully. Our Quiet Day in July proved particularly popular. There is always a need for quiet moments in our busy world. Our programme concluded with a well-attended Summer Barbecue in our marquee ending with a joyous time of praise and worship together.
During the year a number of our visitors turned to us for informal pastoral support. We also received many personal prayer requests by telephone, letter or email.
Cancer Support Group
The Cancer Friends Together group does not meet regularly but continues to come together occasionally for special events. We again hosted and led a Christmas Dinner in mid-December, a small Pancake Party in February, a Cream Tea in June (in the marquee), and a Barbecue in August (also in the marquee). All of these involved times of worship together as well as shared food.
Training and Compliance
Like many organisations, we are continually working to improve our Safeguarding precautions and training, and are grateful for the help we get with this, particularly from Chris Allen, our Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP). In February, Lynn Everton, the Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, came to see us to outline the updated guidance for Anglican Religious Communities issued by the National Safeguarding Team and to help us completea self-assessment. In April and May, a number of us completed the C of E Domestic Abuse Awareness training module online. In June, our lead Sister and our DSP attended the Diocesan Safeguarding Service at Chester Cathedral. In July, Sister Hazel and Sister Louise completed the Safer Recruitment module online. DBS checks for the Community and certain Followers of the Lamb were updated during the year.
In September, a Fire Risk Assessment was conducted; both houses were evaluated as Low Risk.
Houses and Grounds
In the house, a number of items have needed replacing or upgrading, including Bethany cooker and two Instanta water heaters. We are in the process of replacing several computers, which have served us for a good number of years but are becoming obsolete as Windows 10 is discontinued. We are so thankful that the Heavenly Father has provided for us in advance to be able to make these necessary changes, and has led us to reliable people with suitable expertise. Outside, the overgrown trees and shrubs at the front of the house were cut back by tree surgeons just before Easter, and an unhealthy eucalyptus tree and beech tree were taken down. A large old garden shed is currently undergoing some major repairs, and a new wood store has been constructed, both with the help of a faithful volunteer. We have had a bumper apple harvest. At the Hermitage, the parking area has been resurfaced.
Community
In October, we were delighted to receive a visit from Bishop Mark, our Bishop Guardian, and his Chaplain, Rachel.
Two of us took part in a Vocations Day for the Diocese in June, for people beginning to explore different areas of ministry.
We continue to have informal contact with Melanesian Anglicans, especially the religious communities. In November, Bishop Sam (Stockport) brought two Melanesian bishops to visit us. Several of us were able to attend an online meeting in June with the Sisters of Melanesia and their UK Associates. In August a curate in our Diocese brought three Melanesian Sisters of the Church
to see us.
Some of us continue to have a concern for particular family members, and sadly two of us lost elderly relatives over the course of the year. We continue to provide 24-hour care for our disabled Sister. We have been especially grateful for the regular help of a Follower of the Lamb in this regard; much of the care is also given directly by the Sisters. Agency night carers come in four times per week. A number of additional health needs have arisen within the Community and we endeavour to support each other in these on a day-to-day basis.
Finance
See separate Financial Report & Accounts for more detail.
We began the year with a cash and bank balance of £294,150. Total income for the year, including a large gift and a bequest, came to £157,329. Day-to-day running costs amounted to £104,681 and other expenditure came to £10,974 giving a total expenditure of £115,654.
We finished the year with a healthy cash and bank balance of £335,824 (2024: £294,150). We again record our thanks to our loving Heavenly Father and to all who have supported us throughout the year. We also wish to express particular thanks to Mr Tim Pugh for acting as our Independent Examiner.
Website
Our website received 9,688 hits over the year. Many enquiries now come via our web contact form.
Followers of the Lamb
As usual, we held two weekend retreats for the Followers of the Lamb to meet together, in November 2024 and April 2025. These were led by Sister Florence and Sister Hazel.
We are grateful for all the faithful assistance we receive from the Followers. Two Followers come and give considerable practical help on 3 or 4 days most weeks. Another Follower regularly gives a morning’s help. Two other Followers stay from time to time for a long weekend and help then. All nine Followers support us in prayer and several give financial support.
Structure & Governance
The Annual General Meeting was held on 1° February 2025 and the following appointments were confirmed:
Charity Trustees: Sisters Sylvia, Hazel, Florence and Louise as the appointed Trustees Property Trustees: Sisters Sylvia, Hazel, Florence and Louise as the appointed Trustees Little Sister (Leader & Chair): Sister Hazel (appointed from 1st Sep. 2022, term ending Aug. 2025) Companion Sister (Asst. Ldr}: Sister Louise (appointed from 1st Sep. 2022, term ending Aug. 2025) Secretary: (position vacant) a Bridal Sister is appointed meeting-by-meeting Treasurer: Sister Louise (reappointed at this AGM, review annually) Assistant Treasurer: Sister Florence (reappointed at this AGM, review annually)
Bishop Guardian:
Rt Revd Mark Tanner (appointed 19th May 2021, term ends May 2026).
An Extraordinary Meeting was then held on 26" June 2025 to appoint leaders for the term of office commencing September 2025. After a period of reflection, discernment and discussion, it was agreed that Sister Hazel should continue as Little Sister (Leader and Chair) for a second term and that Sister Louise should continue as Companion Sister (Assistant Leader). The second term of office runs from 1st September 2025 and continues for 5 years, unless illness, infirmity or some other good reason prevents this. Following this decision, we spent some time together in prayers of thanksgiving for the past three years and in prayers of trust for the future.
Future Projects
-
e Completion of the upgrade to our computers currently underway. e Replacement of our obsolete NEC on-site telephone system with a Cloud-based system. e Replacement of carpets in several guest bedrooms and two day rooms in Redacre. e First Aid training.
-
e Renewal of Senior Leadership Safeguarding training.
-
e Further compilation work on the Household Book.
-
e Further landscaping.
-
e Updating of our website (preliminary work underway).
-
e Reviewing care needs and provision within the Community.
-
e We continue to pray for the further growth of our Community as the Lord leads.
Signed: Hl ‘ Rose
Date: olS| l ab
Little Sister (Community Leader) & Chair of Trustees
Sisters of Jesus Way
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the 12 month period to 31 August 2025 Registered Charity No. 509284
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SISTERS OF JESUS WAY
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the 12 month period to 31 August 2025
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SISTERS OF JESUS WAY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the 12 month period to 31 August 2025
The trustees present their report and financial statements of the Sisters of Jesus Way for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Trust
The Sisters of Jesus Way was established on the 6th November 1979, its registered charity number is 509284.
Objectives
We endeavour to enable the love of God in Christ to reach out and touch all those with whom we come in contact. The consequence of this is that spiritual refreshment is brought to those who are in need of rest and renewal, encouragement is given to the discouraged and comfort is brought to the distressed.
The Christian faith is taught enabling others to enter into, or deepen their trust in God, thus effecting a strengthening of Christian values in society.
Activities
We receive guests into our house for times of quiet and refreshment. We lead bible studies for small groups and lead quiet days. Small groups use the house to be together for planning, prayer and a time to be together away. We lead days and weekends with various themes such as Quiet Days, a Summer Barbecue and retreats at Advent and New Year. We are able to offer 6 guest rooms, receiving guests for up to five days as well as day guests and groups. This is more fully detailed in the Annual Report.
Financial Review
We have appreciated the help that has been given us this last year by many friends. This has been both practical and monetary. We are given many gifts in kind, especially from our visitors and are grateful to all those who have helped us in any way.
We began the year with a cash and bank balance of £294,150 (2024: £292,019). We received a bequest of £10,000 in the third quarter and one exceptional gift of £15,284 in the first quarter (2024: E£nil).
Regular giving and smaller one-off donations came to £86,614, a significant increase on the previous year (2024: £71,184). Bank interest brought in £13,500 (2024: £14,531), a slight fall from the last year largely owing to a small reduction in the base rate. We were able to claim Gift Aid totalling £4,363, up from the last year (2024: £3,837). The amount claimed from solar energy totalled £3,007 (2024: £2,212) reflecting a dry spring and summer. Our electricity Direct Debit had been set too high for some time and we were able to receive a refund of £3,000. Smaller refunds are included under Other Income. We continue to provide care for a disabled Sister, and received £19,980 of gifts earmarked for this (2024: £17,580).
Total receipts for the year came to £157,329 (2024: £132,810), an increase of £25,519. If the care money is excluded, the total received was £137,349 (2024: £115,230), an increase of £22,119.
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SISTERS OF JESUS WAY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the 12 month period to 31 August 2025
Review continued
Day-to-day running costs increased by £1,579 to £104,681 (2024: £103,102). The general household expenditure was slightly higher than last year, at £20,626 (2024: £19,606). The amount paid for Utilities, however, fell by £6,747 to £19,662 (2024: £26,409). This was due to a reduction in the previously high electricity Direct Debit and the using up of a credit balance in the second quarter. The car running costs, at £9,382, were similar to the last year (2024: £9,520). There was a large increase in repair and servicing costs (2025: £5,064 versus 2024: £2,777), partly due to a number of plumbing issues during the year.
General insurance (2025: £5,120; 2024: £4,741) and Council Tax (2025: £4,261; 2024: £4,055) both saw small increases. Care costs rose significantly (2025: £25,732; 2024: £19,080). This year we did not pay for a maintenance contract on our telephone equipment, so the Post/Telephone/Internet costs fell (2025: £3,599 versus 2024: £4,190). Some of the smaller categories also came to less than last year.
Overall, running costs evened out at broadly the same level as last year, totalling £104,681 (£103,102).
As usual, we also paid out some exceptional expenditure. Various items of equipment were purchased, totalling £3,548, of which the main items were two Instanta water boilers, a fridge, a domestic gas cooker, a log splitter, an easy chair and a pressure washer (2024: Household Works & Equipment £14,982). In the first quarter, we made two exceptional donations out of the Wheeler legacy totalling £2,000. These went to CAP UK and CAP Wirral and are consistent with our charitable aims. The parking area at the Hermitage was resurfaced with concrete at a cost of £2,000. IT equipment came to £1,621 (2024: £3,063, mainly mobiles that year). This year’s equipment included three new Windows 11 laptops as the first phase of upgrading our computers, in preparation for the discontinuing of Windows 10 in October 2025. The £1,189 of Garden expenditure was largely to cover the trimming back of the trees and shrubbery at the front of the property, and the felling of two larger unhealthy trees. In total, exceptional expenditure came to £10,974 (2024: £27,577).
Overall, receipts exceeded payments by £41,674 (2024: £2,131).
The year ended with a cash and bank balance of £335,824 (2024: £294,150).
We give thanks to the Heavenly Father, and to all who have supported us, that we have finished the year in a healthy financial position.
The Future
Our projects for this coming year include:
- ee completionreplacementofof the ourupgrade obsoletetoNECour computerstelephone system with. a Cloud based system e replacement of carpets in guest bedrooms and day rooms e first aid training and safeguarding training e further landscaping e updating website e reviewing care needs and provision within the Community
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SISTERS OF JESUS WAY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the 12 month period to 31 August 2025
Trustees
We are grateful to our Trustees who have served during the course of the year:-
Sister Sylvia Macey
Sister Hazel Ross Sister Florence Berger Sister Louise Coward
Accountability
We are an Anglican Community.
Bishop Mark Tanner, Diocesan Bishop of Chester is the Bishop Guardian.
PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND CONTACT
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Sisters|of Jesus|Way|
|CAF|Bank|Ltd|Contact|Address|
|25|Kings|Hill|Avenue,|Sister|Hazel|Ross|
|Kings|Hill,|24|Abbey|Road|
|West|Malling,|Wirral|
|Kent ME19 4JQ|CH48|7EP|
|Central|Board|of|Finance|Church|of|
|England|
|Senator|House,|
|85 Queen|Victoria|Street,|
|London|EC1A|9BD|
|pO|eb|site: www.redacre.org.uk|
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Sister Hazel Ross it k
Date 7+, April 2026
Trustee
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SISTERS OF JESUS WAY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the 12 month period to 31 August 2025
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2024/25|2023/24|
|£|£|
|Income|
|Gifts|86,615|71,184|
|Gifts|-|restricted|19,980|106,595|17,580|88,764|
|Exceptional|gift|15,284|-|
|Bequest|10,000|22,262|
|131,879|111,026|
|Tax|refund|4,363|3,837|
|Solar energy|3,007|2,212|
|Booklets|and|cards|101|124|
|CDs|165|163|
|Books|200|265|
|Other|income|1,114|652|
|Utility|Provider|refund|3,000|-|
|Interest|receivable|13,500|14,531|
|Total|income|157,329|132,810|
|Expenditure|
|Household|costs|20,626|19,606|
|Travel and Accommodation|857|1,141|
|Donations|2,393|2,241|
|Office and|Ministry|1,328|1,646|
|Car|Insurance|and|running|costs|9,382|9,520|
|Repairs,|servicing,|decoration|5,064|2,777|
|Helpers’|expenses|1,302|1,855|
|Council|Tax|4,261|4,055|
|Post,|telephone|and|internet|3,599|4,190|
|Utilities|19,662|26,409|
|Building|and|Other|Insurance|5,120|4,742|
|Annual|Fees|Hermitage|5,289|5,768|
|Care|Costs|for|Sister|25,732|19,080|
|Bank|charges|66|72|
|Total|running|costs|of houses|104,681|103,102|
|Other expenditure|
|Concreting|Hermitage|2,000|-|
|Outside|Painting|and|Reglazing|-|340|
|Household|works,|furnishing|and|equipment|3,548|14,982|
|CCTV|Installation|-|8,634|
|Fire|Precaution|616|-|
|Telephone|system|upgrade|and|IT equipment|1,621|3,063|
|One|off donations|2,000|-|
|Garden|landscaping|1,189|558|
|10,974|27,577|
|Total|expenditure|115,655|130,679|
|Excess|of Income|/ (Expenditure)|41,674|2,131|
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Sister Hazel Ross H. Ross Trustee
Tt April 2026
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SISTERS OF JESUS WAY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the 12 month period to 31 August 2025
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|---|---|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Balance|Sheet|
|Cash and|Bank|335,824|294,150|
|335,824|294,150|
|Creditors|— Accruals|-|-|
|Net assets|335,824|294,150|
|Reserves:|
|General|fund|b/fwd|294,150|292,019|
|Movement|during|year|41,674|2,131|
|General fund|c/fwd|335,824|294,150|
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Sister HazelRoss Trustee
tt. Koss
“7 April 2026
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SISTERS OF JESUS WAY
Registered Charity No. 509284
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT.
My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements e to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act; and
- e to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act
have not been met; or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Name: ...~7 1 jm4o~w KY Si GA Relevant professional qualification or body: CR ARTEIR ey) Bid sincssan MSTA RISC (fe recsSs ) Signature: oe nity Oy Mesa Date A Eee,A oie eee PO2 6 * Signed copies held by charity
Sisters of Jesus Way Redacre 24 Abbey Road West Kirby Wirral CH48 7EP.