The Church of Scotland
Strathbrock Parish Church of Scotland, Uphall
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2024
Congregation No: 020159
Seottish Ch¥drity No: SC006336

Referenee 2nd Administrative Inforniation
Charity Name..
StTathbro¢k Parish Church of scot13n￿ Uphall
Charity Registration Numbcr:
SC006336
Congregation Ref¢rence No..
020159
Contact Address:
Trnstees
PrAIICi
al Offi¢e-beareTS
Independent ExamiDer
Bankers
Bank of Scotland
The Direct Business
PO Box 1000
BX2 ILB
Th¢ A9 Pth-rsliip Ltd
Abcrcom School
Newion
EH52 6PZ
Royal Bank of Scotland
30 Old Liston Road
Nethridge
Page I

Trusteesg Annual Report
Year ended 31st December 2024
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
The Church is administered in accordance with the *rn]s of the Unitsry Deed of Constitution.
Re¢ruitment and Appointment of Trustees
Members of the Kirk Session are the cljarity Irustees. The Kirk s￿S2on consists of the minister. or
Interim Moderator. and th¢ elders. The minister is ¢ieded by the congregation and inducted by the
Presbytery. The elder5 are chosen from those members of the church who are considered to have the
appropriate gifts and skills.
Or£&ntsYdtional Strnclure
The Kirk Session is mod¢rated by the Minister, and is responsible for ail affairs within the church.
Certain responsibilities are delegated to workgroups listed as followa Stewardship and Finance,
Property, Worship, Pastoral Care and Mission Team and reports are submitted to Session as
appropriate.
The Kirk Session meets monthly .
ObSectives and Aetlvlties
Th¢ Church of Scotland is I'rinitsrian in doctrine, Rcforn]ed in tradition and PrcsbytCTian in polity.
It exists to glorify Cjod and to work for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom throughout th¢ world.
As a national Church. it acknowledges a distinctive call and duty to bring the ordinances of religion
to the people in every parish of Scotland throu8h a territorial ministry. It c￿Operat¢S with oth¢r
Churches in various ecumeni¢al bodies in Scotland and beyond.
In its Mission StatemenL Strathbrock Parish Church of Scotland commits to 'Sprcading the Good
News of Jesus Christ in our Parish,, i.e. within the village of Uphall and to Eccle5machan. It
provides centres of worship for the community and looks at ways to meet the needs of the
community, welcoming all to its buildings and events.
Pag¢ 2

Trustees, Annual Report {eonL)
Year ended 31st December 2024
2024 w&s a year where the congregation of Strathbrock Parish Church continued to meet together
in either of the church buildings to worship or carry on with the usuaj activities. Weekly 8¢rvices
have been recorded and are available on You I"ubc, Facebook or copies are sent w those who
r¢quested them and do not have access to these ways of viewing. Weekly services were held in one
of the church buildings with the opportunity to socialise before or after the services with te&s and
coffees being offered at some of the services.
Strathbrock Parish Church continues to develop its rnission amongst the community. Church
organisations such as the Girls and Boys Brigades met in Uphall South ChuKh Hall.
Strnlhbr()Lk Church ¢ontinue5 to work together well with tts neighlKTruring churches. holding joint
service5 al times throughout the year and supportilJ8 their activities. Much of this is possible through
belonging to the local Council of Churches.
There are also close links with the local schools. EM)th PTirnary and secondary. Whilst school
services have not been held in si Nicholas for the end of term services a number ot the classes have
visited the church and close coniact through Hanneke has continued .Following the summer break
Light Club continued in Uphall Primary SUp￿rted by members of the 3 ¢hurches in Broxbwn and
lJphall.
The early mornin8 inler8enerational service continud with Uphall South Church. These
8¢rvices were held 819.30 in the halls of Uphall South Church and were led by members of Uphall
South & Strathbrock congregations.
Through our church buildings in Ecclesmachan and Uphall we aim to be a Christian wilness to
th0￿ in the local communitic5.
Strathbrock Chuwh communicates well with its mernt￿rs and with the wider local community
through w¢¢kly Intimations shc¢ts, website and Facebook page.
Achievements anil Yerfomance
Worship
Whilst we no longer hav¢ a ChU￿h hall activities have taken place using other facilities available in
the community. Worship is held in alternate months in St Machan and Si Nichol&s churche& with
worship services starting at 10.30 am.
Page 3

Trusteesg Annual Report (eont.)
Year ended 31st December 2024
Communion is shared on the first Sunday of the tnonth. A Dedication service was held for the Guild
in September 2024 in St Nicholas church. Dedication services We￿ also held reS￿tiVelY for the
GB'S & BB'S during the time of one of their evening mcclings.
We shared worship with other local congrcgations through the Council of chU￿h¢S at Christmas,
East¢r and Harvest Thanksgiving.
Regular services in the local nut5ing homes have taken place suppor*d by members of the
con8re8ation.
A rL'mLmbran¢¢ service in November was held in St Nicholas church.
Fellowship and Communlty
There a￿ several church or8anisations which provide fellowship and re&¢h out to the community.
The Guild meet twice in the month and provlde a wide range of speakers: the group also enjoy
fellowship over meals together al times during ihe year. They support the Guild projects, inviting
spcakers and donating to the Guild causes. The mcctin8s arc held in the 0￿ft Door in Uphall.
I louse groups, for prayer and study, also provide fellowship together. 3 House groups met in the
homes of members of the congregation.
Pastoral care is an important part of the life of our congre8ation includin8 the flower ministry and a
team of visitors who do house visits. Cards 8re sent on anniversaries of b¢r¢avement and times of
illncss.
Many ChU￿h members have strong links with the community, being mcmbers of the Community
Council and Community Centre Management Group.
Sehooly and Young People
There are strong links with the local primary and secondary schools and also the BUSY project for
young people.
During the year of 2024 the Council of Churches for Uphall and Broxburn sponsored a booklet
titlcd, 'It's your move, to all the primary schools in this area. "I"hese booklets werc well received by
staff and pupils.
Page 4

Trustees, Annual Report (cont.)
Year ended 31st December 2024
Stewardship
Annually Strathbrock Church begin th¢ year encouraging the giving of time. talent and money ,
through the work of the s￿la1 and Fundrdising Group. This group exists lo encourdge the
congregation to participate in a variety of events with emph&sis eithcr on social gathering or on
fundraising. The group arranged a highly successful Celebration of 850 years of St Machan church
in August 2024 supported by the nci8hbourin8 churches. A highly successful concert was also held
in St Machan Church at the end of August. A joint Christmas fair with Uphall South w&$ also held
in November 2024 in Uphall South Church. Thes¢ events allowed the congregation and community
to come together.
Over the course of the year. fijrther discussions with members of the congregation have taken plac¢
asking them to consider moving to standing order for their regular offerings. This has resulted in an
further increase in individuals giving this way . This h&$ brought benefits in providing a more stable
income base, and in reducing the time spent on the weekly free will offering count.
The congregation's stewardship focus this year however, h&s been on the use of the two church
buildings. Going fonvard Strathbrock Parish will enter into a union with Broxburn Parish Church
effective from l March 2025 and regrettably ￿ this time St Machan Church will be put up for sale.
Thank You
The activity described in this annual report was the result of a great deal of time and effort on the
part of ihose who planned and organised, and its success depended on the willingness of many to
support and participate. The church is deeply grateful to all offJ¢e bearers, members and 5UPWrters
for th¢ir commitment to the continuing work of th¢ local, and wider, Church.
Financial Review
Overall, the financial position for Strdthbrock Parish Church represented in these accounts, shows a
deficit of £1,877 for the year 2024.
Alongside this deficit funds are held on behalf of Strathbrock Parish Church by the Church of
Scotland General Truslecs (Consolidated Fabric Fund} being amounts of £16.722.12 held in th¢
revenue account and £135,229.72 held in the Capital account (Individually invested in the Growth
Fund, Incotne Fund and Deposit Fund.)
Ineome
The church's totsj income for the year was £90,441. a 9.50/0 InCr￿e over the previous year.
The main source of income for strdthbr￿k Parish Church was regular giving by chU￿h members
through standing orders, weekly freewill off¢ring envelopes and other voluntary donations. In 2024
this irtcome tolalled £58.195 a 6.5 /• decrease over the previous year.
This year's income included £10,589 of tax recovered through Gift Aid.
The SUTn of £28,844 was transferred in fn)rn funds held on our behalf by the Church of Swtland
G¢n¢ral Trustees.
Page 5

Trustees, Annual Report (cont.)
Year ended 3 1st December 2024
Whilst we did not have a hall we had a limited number of Events Plann￿ and organised by the
Social and Fundraising Group and this shown in the amount of incomc raised from previous year.
Thc monthly church shop a joint venture with Uphall South Church resumed and w&5 a succcss in
raising funds but more imwrtantly providing an outreach to the Ioc21 comTnunity. An open
weekend and a concert was held in St Machan Church and was well supported by the congregation
and wider community. Funds raised at the highty successful Christmas fair were donated to our
Christmas charities.
Expenditure
'I'he church's total expenditure for the year was £92,318, an inCre￿e of150/0 over the previous year.
The most significant expenditure incurred over the year was £44.354. repRsenting our contribution
to the Church of Scotland Ministries and Mlssion costs. 860/0 of this cost went to the Ministries
Council and was this church's contribution to the cost of parish ministers and those in other partsh
posts which ar¢ in Presbytery plans. The remaining 140/0 was used for the work of other councils,
committees and departments of the Church of Scotland and gave our congregation a financial slake
in all the national and international work of the Church. .
A totsl of £25,537 was spent on the Costs of repairs and maintenance of our three church properties .
two listed church buildings and the manse. Full renovation of both bathrooms were completed in the
manse. redecoration carried out in St Nicholas and a tree was removed at St Machan &q there was a
danger it would fall onto surrounding buildings.
'I'h¢ r¢maining property expenditurc w&s on mutinc maintenance including n)of repairs and gutter
cleaning, servicing of central heating and fire alann systems.
The cost of heating and lighting ihe church buildings came to a total of £3232. This is an increase
on previous the previous year partly due to St Nicholas being used more and ways to try and reduce
these costs will be considered.
The Council for the manse amounted to £3241.
A total of £4032 was paid in respect of staff Costs to the church secretary . I'his is a decT¢a8e on
2023 and is due to the fact that the cleaner resi8ned in July 2023 and as we decided not to
employee a new cleaner the only employee in 2024 was the church secretary.
Printing and photocopying costs came lo £1.359 for the year. a slight Incre￿ on l&st year we were
advised by our supplier that we should have been charga a minimum fee for copying costs. Whilst
they have not backed dated this will continuc for the remaining terni of th¢ contract due to expire in
Fcbruary 2026. Wc continue to monitor and keep printing to a minimum where cvcr possible. The
rental and printin8 costs will bc reviewed following the Union with Broxburn Parish.
Page 6

Trustees, Annual Report (conL)
Year ended 3 Isl December 2024
It 1.8 th¢ Truste&q' ￿lleY to hold reserves of approximately six montlLS expenditure including
designatcd funds. Thi5 figure would b¢ £46,519.
At the year end the Church aclually held Unrestrict￿ fimds of £57,599 tncluding investments held
with the Church of Scotland Envestors Tn￿.
Statemenl of Trustees, Responsibilities
The m¢mbers of the Kirk Session must prepare firwKial staiernents which give sufficient detail to
enable an appreciation of the transaction5 of the Church during the fIn￿]￿l yegr.
The members of ihe Kirk Session are responsille for kccping proper a¢counting records M'hich must
reflect the financial position of the Church at any given time. This must he dane to ensure that the
financial statements comply with the Charities and TnLSte¢ Inv¢stmcnt (Scotland) Act 2005, the
Chariti¢s Accounts (Scotland) R¢gulutiun5 2006 and the current regulations for Con8regational
Finance as approved by the Gener￿ Assemblv of the Church of Scotlarnl. They ate also responsible
for safeguarding the &ssets of the Church arn4 must tske reasonable steps for the prevention and
detectifin of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by th¢ Trustees and Si￿￿1 on th¢ir behalf,
Pagc 7

IndepeTrdent Examiner's Report to the Trustses of Strathbrock Parish Cburcb, Uphall
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year 3 1st December 2024. which set out on
pages 9 to 15.
Re5pectivt responsibilities of trnslees and examiner
The charitv's tn￿leeS are responsible for the prepat7tion of the accounts in accordance with the ternls or
the Charities and Trustee Ini'estment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Aceounts (Scotland)
Regulations 2006.
The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the A(rounts
Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accoullts &$ ￿9￿1￿4 und¢r s¢¢tion
44(1) (c) of the Acl and to s&ie ￿h¢ther panicular marters have come to my attention.
Basis of indcptndent examintr's statement
An examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation I l of the Charities Accounts (Scotland)
Rcgulations 2006. An examAnation incl￿1¢5 a review of the accounting records kept by the cliarity and
a comparison of the accounts presented with those recorth. It a]so includes consideration ot any
nusua] items or disclosures in the account% and seeks explan￿lOn3 from the trustees concerning any
such n￿tterS. The pmcedures ullde￿en do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an
audiL attd consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner's st*t¢ment
In the course of my examinatio￿ no matter has come ￿ m). attention
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to k¢¢p accounting r￿ordS in accordance Vlith Sedion 44 {IXa) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4
of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
lo prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of
the 2006 Accounts Regulations have not been meL or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in ordcr to cnablc a proper understanding of
the accounts to be Teached.
Addr¢ss:
Th¢ A9 Partn¢rship Limited
Abercorn School
Newton
Broxburn
Page 8

Slrathbrock Parish Chureh of Seotlgnd U hall
Recei
ts aDd Pa
ments Account
Year ended 31st December 2024
unres¢ritI￿ Reslricted Endowmrnt
ds
FU￿￿5
U￿d5
2024
Total
2024
Totsl
2023
2024
2024
Recei
Donations
Legacies
A¢tivities for Generating Fun&8
Gift day
Bank & DetM)st¢ interes¢
Investm¢ni incom¢
No
58,192
58.192
62285
1.043
1,043
343
968
60,546
343
968
00,546
176
860
63 J21
weddtngs & funerals
Rec¢ipts from General Tn
RecoY¢ry of Pulpit Supply ftts
Oth¢r Receipts
250
28,844
250
28,844
1.740
13.797
2(
801
1.014
Total Re¢¢1
90.241
2r
90,441
81,871
ments
C(Jstq of generating fuDd$
Charitable activitie•
Governanee Costs
91,918
300
92,218
80.124
100
Tota
ments
2.018
31)0
92.318
80.224
Excess of Receipts over Payments
for the year before transferj
-1,877
1.647
Transfers
Exce&8 of Receipts over Payments
for the year
.777
-1,877
1,647
Page 9

Strathbrock Parish Chureh of Scotland U hall
ststement of Balances
At 31st December 2024
iIDrestrirted RÈrtrirted Enthwment
Fund¥
F￿ndS
Totsl
Tol#l
2024
2024
2024
2024
2023
Bgnk & De
it Balances
Bwbk & deposit balan¢e$
brousht fonp4#té
14.045
318
14.363
12.716
MDv¢ment in yur:
Execss ot'Re¢eit*s ovet Poynxnts for th¢ ye
-1.777
-100
-1.877
1.647
Bank & deposit balanc¢$
¢airi•d fornv￿lI
12.268
218
12,486
14.363
Inv¢stment8 at ¢￿t Vglue
19,999
Note . the ￿￿Tke( value of the JDV¢Jtrnerts at 31st Derxrnbtt 2024 was £45,731 (3Y23 - £41,789.44)
19.999
19.999
Assets
Gift Aid Receivable
2.548
2.818
2.S48
1548
2.118
ljiahilitie
The accounts were approvcd by th¢ Kirk Session on . 'L>
For And on b¥lidl r i)r Ihc Kirk %essinn
Pagc 10

Stralhbrock Parish Church of Seotland U h211
Year ended 31st December 2024
Noteq tn the Aecounts
l. Trustee Remunergtion and Related Pgrty Transgctions
t)uring the yea
Travel
Council Tax
Telephone
Mvtur expenKs
Church computer virus PTOtection
ncurred the following expenw..
£237
£3,284
£463
£720
£35
A further 2 tn￿tteS received reimbursemenl of expenw Incu￿ totalling £206.64
2. Movements In Funds
AtlJ*n
2024
At 31 D¢¢
2024
R¢¢elpts
Payrnellts
TrnDsfers
Unrestricted fundyl
Qenuai Fund
14,(M5
14.045
Y)241
241
92.018
92.Q18
12,268
12.268
Restricted fund8
FloMEr Fund
Life and Work
314
214
318
300
218
TotAI eash fund.9
14J63
,441
92.318
12,486
Pagell

Notes to the Accounts
cont
oses of Restricted Funds
Flower Fund is to provide Flowers for the church buildings for serviees.
3. Analysis of DoDation$
Umrestrirted R¢stritted
2024
2024
Endowment
2024
2024
2023
Gift Aid tk)nations
WFO Scheme (non Gift Aid)
Ordinary Off¢rings Iopen Pla1¢)
Other OtT¢rin8s. Don*ions d¢
Tax Recovered on Gift Aid Donatioiis
42 J56
1373
2,032
642
42.356
2J73
2,032
642
44,720
3.393
1.902
1.090
11.180
10.589
10.389
58.192
58.192
62.285
Page 12

Notes to the Accounts
eont
4. Anatysi5 of Payments
21124
2024
21124
2024
2023
Costs of genernting funds
Investment Mana8¢rs'
Offcring ¢nv¢lopes
Other fundraising wsts
Charitable actlvltles
Ministries & Mission allocation
44.354
44,354
897
45.571
Pres￿ery dues
Minister's expenses
Pulpit supply
Oth¢r sthffing costs
Fabri¢ repairs & maintenm¢e
Council Tax
1.420
554
1,420
534
4.032
25,538
3.284
3,233
4,004
50
2.108
759
4,837
10.753
2,199
2.353
3.730
465
4,032
25.538
3.284
3.233
4,004
50
Hvdt and light
Insurance
Other buildin8 costs
Church offic¢ ¢xp¢ns¢s
Printing costs
Organ & music
Bank Charges
her expenses
898
1.097
919
1,360
1.360
85
891
3,360
80.124
91.918
300
92.218
Governance eosts
Independent examiner's fees
100
80,224
Total payments
2,018
3(W)
92.318
5. Minlster's Stipend
All Church of Scotland congregations contribute to the National Stipend Fund which bears the ¢osts of
all ministers, stipends and employefs contributions for national insurance, pension and housing and
loan fund. Ministers, stipends are paid in accordance with the national stipend scale, which is related to
years of service. For the year under review the minimum stipend was £31,642 and the M￿lMuM
stipend (in the fifth and subsequent years of service) £38.884.
Page 13

Notes to the Accounts
cont
6. Connections with Other Charities
Nlti.ne nf .,hc tn]sl¢es have an> councction with any other charity.
eaSUr￿ served on the management ￿MIttee ofthc BLS¥ PrvJ¥
sion Clcrk and
7. Collections - Tbird Party
2024
21123
Tearfimd
Oxfam
Unicef Gaza
Steps to Hope
254.40
263.60
649.41
649.42
Christian Aid turkcy apF¢a
christian aid
920.00
868.40
381.17
381.18
971.00
1681.35
SMILE
Broxbum Nursing Hom¢
walding Gift
Sunndach
1816.83
5203.10
Page 14

APPENDIX
FUNDS HELD ON BEHALF OF THE CONGREGATION
BY THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND GENERAL TRUSTEES
2024
2023
CONSOLIDATED FAB]UC FUND . REVENUE ACCO
Credit Balance at 31 December 2024
16.772
21,505
OLIDA TED FABRIC FUNlk CAPITAL ACCOUIVT
Credit Balance at 31 December 2024 al cost
Mark¢t Value of balanccs as at 31 De¢cmber 2024
135.229.00
140.537.00
156.815.00
161.307.00
payments were made fr()m the Capitsl Fabric Fund to cover wsts of maintenancc of the 3 properties.
This Included the upgrading of both bathrooms in the mans¢.
Page 15