THE PARISH OF ST. JOHN'S, STONEYFORD Charity registration number: NIC101441 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED ST 31 December 2023 Rector- Rev. John Farr li J¥J Rertorfs Churchwarden Mr Desmond Mccourt Peoples, Churchwarden Mrs Annie McDonald Honorary Secretary Mrs Jennifer Kennedy Honorary Treasurer Mrjason Mccourt
STONEYFORD PARISH ST JOHN'S CHURCH 9" April 2024 Dear Parishioners, Last summer Angela and I were at a Johnny Cash Tribute Concert at the Sheddings, Glenarm (My Birthday present). During his introduction the main act was saying how good it was to be back performing after being off for 2 years. Angela whispered, '1 wonder why he was off for 2 years?. 999 '.Èrm Hello. everybody was off for 2 years! Covid 1119 It is easy to forget however, Lockdowns, Social distancing9 Masks, Travel and activity restrictions, working from home are more or less gone. Hand sanitizers, lie empty and unused. Covid seems like a long-forgotten nightmare. Unless of course you have been badly affected by or lost a loved one to the virus. Or indeed you are a Church who has seen Congregations, numbers and income failing to recover from the lockdowns. While Stonyford's finances are holding firm our weekly Sunday attendances have dropped especially with regard to the Sunday School. This does not bode well for the long-term future of Stoneyford Parish. Plans and actions are underway to connect with and encourage involvement of Parishioners who have become disconnected from the Church and indeed wider members of the Community. We are certainly not alone in this i)henomenon in St Johns, and it is a worry for many Parishes. On a more positive note, we do have good numbers tuning into our services online, a valuable resource for those unable to get to Church for Sunday services, Funerals and Weddings. I would like to thank all those who have made this continuing ministry possible, in particular, Jason, Jennifer, Laura, Lyndseyg Sarah, Claire, Dessie and Rebecca for their time and talents. We are open to more Volunteers for these jobs, so if 11 anyone is availableg please let me know. We welcome new members Jakob, Rose and Hugo to the Church by Holy Baptism in the past year. We also celebrated the Marriage of Stephen Mccarrigher and Rachel Berry.
On a sadder note, the Stevenson family have been particularly hard hit in the past year with the loss of Gary and Nell. Their families are still very much in our thoughts and prayers. We also remember the Mccourt family as both George and Tilly were interred in the Churchyard last year. I would like to thank the congregation for your continuing support over the past year as Priest-in-charge of St John's. I would especially like to thank the wardens, Zelda, Annie, Terence and Dessie9 Treasurer Jason, Secretary Jennifer and all the members of the Select Vestry who have been instrumental in building and sustaining the Church here in Stoneyford and our Organist Rosemary for leading us in our Praise. We welcome Lucy Steele to support Rosemary in this Ministry going forward. Lucy will be completing her Organ Scholarship next year. The 'Lawn Rangers, headed up by Vicar's Glebe Warden Zelda and her team of volunteers have continued the maintenance of the Church grounds for the past year. A fantastic Ministry which all can appreciate and an opportunity for everyone to get involved in serving in the church. St John's continues to work with Mission Partners Christian Aid, CEF, Crosslinks and CMS to share in the wider work of Christ's church incarnate here on earth. I would like to thank the Sunday school teachers, Abbie, Nichola, Jenny and Molly for all their hard work in what has been a difficult year for the Sunday School. It just leaves me to wish you all a blessed year to come in St John's, Stoneyford. Jesus said 'upon this mck I will build my church," and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16vl 8 Yours in Christ, Reverend John Farr, 60 Belfast Road, Glenavy, Co. Antrim, BT29 4HR J20far hotmail.com Tel.: 07808 399579
The Parish of St John Stoneyford Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 December 2023 NOTE 2,023 INCOME Freewill Offering Weekly Plate Collection Tax Refund- Gift Aid Tax Refund- Gift Aid Small donations Easter Gift Day Childrens Day Harvest Thanksgiving Investment income dividends Use of Church Hall Gift Aid envelope Rent of Rectory Appeals Graveya rd Terence Smyth- Glebe Rent Fundraising Misc. Income 34,386 958 6,032 1,960 612 437 1,174 1,495 8,351 3,026 180 600 234 59,444
The Parish of St John Stoneyford Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 December 2023 NOTE 2,023 EXPENDITURE Stipend, etc Clerical Stipend £ 32,148 Diocesan Support- Clergy Pension Fund Visiting Clergy 4,414 270 £ 36,832 Organist(s) Fee Organist(s) Fee 2,440 Diocesan Levy (ies) Diocesan General Fund 4,757 Rectory Costs Rectory Expenses 4,035 Premises etc Insurances Light & Heat Church Expenses Church Hall Expenses Church Activities General Expenses Presents Donations 2,195 1,486 2,384 130 290 387 100 5,665 £ 12,637 Miscellaneous Accountancy Fee Stationery and Postage Sunday School Bank Fees 230 547 340 1,118 TOTAL EXPENDITURE £ 61,819 SURPLUS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR 2,375
The Parish of St John Stoneyford Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2023 2022 2023 INVESTMENTS St James Place Wealth Management £ 79,611 £ 85,602 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors & Prepayments Ulster Bank Ltd Ulster Bank Ltd - Big Account Cash on hand £ 25,333 13 £ 25,346 CURRENT LIABILITIES Accruals Diocesan General Fund 600 NEf CURRENT ASSEtS / LIABILITIES £ 24,746 NEf ASSErrs £ 24,746 REVENUE RESERVE Brought forward Surplus/deficit for year £ 27,121 2,375 FUNDS EMPLOYED £ 24,746 These Financial statements on pages 1-4, were approved at a meeting of the Select Vestry held on 9th April 2024 and where signed on its behalf by:_ Mr, J. Mccourt Honorary Treasurer Rev. John arr Chairman