## **Treasurer’s Report 2023** 

We give thanks to Almighty God for his goodness to us throughout 2023.  The closing balance in December 2023 was more or less the same as the  opening balance in January 2023.   Despite a difficult cost of living crisis, we have been able to broadly maintain our level of giving over the full year.   Free Will Offering giving amounted to £78,900.  The Rector and Select Vestry would like to thank parishioners for their continued support of the parish. 

The Select Vestry remains committed to the biblical principle of giving at least a tenth of our charitable income to the work of mission and charity.   In 2023, this resulted in 15% of FWO being given to Gospel mission and other charitable causes.  With your help, we will continue to support Christian and charitable work at home and abroad. Our outgoings continue to be demanding, for example: Power NI £9.7k and Heating Oil £4.6k. Other key costs included stipend, pension costs, insurance and the Diocesan Assessment.  These and other such costs will continue to increase year by year ,and to keep pace, so will our giving. 

As you can imagine Parish running costs are considerable and we are grateful for contributions from other sources such as Kilmood Playgroup, Killinchy After School Club, the Music Club, Craft Class and Mums and Tots group.  Significant income was also received from HMRC by way of gift aid and from RCB. 

During the course of 2023 Kilmood carpark was completely resurfaced at a cost of £36k, this major expenditure covered entirely by a kind donation which was greatly appreciated. 

As a parish, we continue to meet challenging financial commitments against a backdrop of ongoing inflationary pressures and we continue to seek your prayerful financial support in building the Kingdom of God.   2 Corinthians 9:7 

_Mr Roger Bradley_ , Honorary Treasurer