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
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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