Registered Charity No SC 023272
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH INVERNESS
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH, INVERNESS
Accounts for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative information | 1 |
| Vestry report | 2-4 |
| Independent Examiner's report | 5 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 6 |
| Statement of Balances | 7 |
| Notestotheaccounts | 8-10 |
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH, INVERNESS Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2025
| Reference and Administrative Information | Reference and Administrative Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Charity No | SC 023272 | |||
| Church Address | St John the Evangelist, Southside Road, Inverness | |||
| Principal Address | 33 Tarradale Place, Inverness | |||
| Charity Trustees | Reverend Grace Siromony (appointed Sept | 2024) | Chair | |
| (Vestry Members) | Ms Fiona Newton | Treasurer | ||
| Mr D Porter | Secretary | |||
| Mrs P Mackay | Lay | Representative | ||
| MrG Mackay | Warden | |||
| MrC Clinton | ||||
| Mr D Coghill | PVG officer | |||
| Ms F Ducker | ||||
| Resignations | BishopMarkStrange(ResignedSept2024) |
| Bankers | Bank of Scotland | |
|---|---|---|
| 2—6 Eastgate | ||
| Inverness | ||
| Independent | Examiner | Rhona Wilson, BA, FCCA |
| MacKenzie Kerr Limited | ||
| Chartered Accountants | ||
| Redwood | ||
| 19 Culduthel Road | ||
| Inverness | ||
| IV24AA |
1
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH, INVERNESS Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2025
Annual Report of the Members of the Vestry
As the Charity Trustees of St John the Evangelist, the vestry presents the annual accounts for the year ended 30 September 2025.
Structure, governance and management
St John’s church is an unincorporated association. As amember congregation of the Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness in the Scottish Episcopal Church, it is governed by the Canon Law of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The management team of the Church is known as the Vestry. For the purpose of charities law, the members of the Vestry are the Charity Trusteesof the church. Details of the Vestry members are given on page 1.
Apart from the Rector, ordinary Vestry members are elected by the Congregation in annual meeting. Vestry members usually serve for a term of 3 years and may serve for a maximum of 2 consecutive terms. One Vestry member (the rector’s warden) is appointed by the Rector and one Vestry member (the people’s warden) is appointed by the Congregation. The Vestry secretary and the treasurer are appointed by the Vestry. The Rector is appointed by the Vestry and the Bishop of the Diocese. There is no formal induction programme but ongoing guidance is given to ensure Vestry members are familiar with the Church’s values, aims and responsibilities as the designated trustees of the charity.
Charitable objectives, activities and achievements
We are a small, friendly congregation whose objective is to advance the mission of the Christian Church (which is the building of the kingdom of heaven) through worship, service and prayer gatherings and encouraging new members.
These annual accounts present a summary of our financial activities during the year and give an overview of the general activities which have taken place in the life of our church in the past year.
Services have continued in the church building on each Sunday.
Appointed clergy regularly visits care homes and house-bound members of the congregation providing pastoral support and the Sacrament to them and are also in contact with a number of people associated with the church.
Rev'd Grace Siromony has been appointed as priest with charge to oversee continuing worship and vestry meetings at St Johns.
2
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH, INVERNESS Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2025
Annual Report of the Members of the Vestry (continued)
Financial review
All of the members of St John’s have this year, as in past years, proved to be generous. The church has contributed its full share of Quota in the year.
The Quinquennial report prepared previously highlighted a number of works and repairs to be carried out on the fabric of both the church and the church hall. Most of this work has still to be carried out. Upgrading and installation of new lighting throughout the church and vestry has been carried out plus installation of a new audio system and speakers.
Income
St John’s Church relies heavily on the generosity of its congregation for most of its day to day funding. Additionally, amounts are generated by fundraising activities such as fetes, donations for the use of the hall, rectory rental and from investment income.
Reserves
St John’s Church reserves fall into the category of unrestricted, restricted and endowment funds. Unrestricted funds can be spent on any relevant activity; restricted funds can only be spent on a defined activity (e.g. refurbishment appeals, etc). The endowment fund was the capital initially used to set up the church and was invested in the Rectory.
Investments
Monies which are not needed to fund day to day expenditure are invested in the Scottish Episcopal Church Unit Trust Pool (UTP), administered by Baillie Gifford. The investment policy of the UTP, which accords with that of the vestry, is to earn a return on the assets, over the long term, sufficient at least to maintain the real value of the distribution to unit holders.
The UTP has developed an ethical investment policy. No investments will be made in companies who derive more than 15% of their revenue from tobacco, armaments or gambling. The majority of the UTP is invested in UK equities.
3
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH, INVERNESS Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2025
Annual Report of the Members of the Vestry (continued)
Relationship with Diocese and Province
St John’s is supported by the Diocese and the Province through the pastoral oversight of the Bishop, and central support functions provided at Diocesan level. The church is represented at Diocesan level by the Rector and the Lay Representative. As a member of the SEC, St John’s has an obligation to contribute to the costs of the Diocese and the Province through the payment of an annual ‘quota’.
Plans for future periods
The Vestry intends to renovate and refurbish the church and the church hall into friendly, warm and usable spaces and thereby increase its support of the community in Crown.
Statement of responsibilities of members of the Vestry
The members of the Vestry must prepare financial statement that give sufficient detail to enable an appreciation of the transactions of the church and of its results for that period.
The members of the Vestry are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the church and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the relevant legislation. The members of the Vestry are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the church and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Conclusion
The members of the Vestry would like to thank all those who contribute their time, energy and money so generously to ensure the continuation and development of St John’s church as a centre of worship and focus for the community.
By order of the Vestry
Mrs P Mackay
veoh 3.)2G..........Date
4
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Vestry Members of St John the Evangelist Scottish Episcopal Church, Inverness
| report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2025 which are set out on pages6 to 10.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. 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 seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters.
The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently | do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
e to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
-
e to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations,
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.
Rhona Wilson, BA, FCCA MacKenzie Kerr Limited Chartered Accountants Redwood
19 Culduthel Road Inverness, IV2 4AA
JS AQ 2ery Date
5
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH, INVERNESS
Receipts and Payments Account for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
==> picture [471 x 495] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrest-|Rest-|Endow-|Total|Total|
|Notes|ricted|ricteed|ments|Funds|Funds|
|2025|2024|
|Receipts|£|£|£|£|£|
|Donations|2|22,203|281|-|22,484|30,712|
|Receipts|from|fundraising|activities|3|2,632|-|-|2,632|420|
|Receipts|from|investments|other|
|than|land|and|buildings|4|15,739|-|-|15,739|819|
|Income|from|land|and|buildings|-|-|18,607|18,607|19,133|
|Gross|receipts|from|other|charitable|
|activities|-|-|-|-|30|
|Total|receipts|40,574|281|18,607|59,462|51,114|
|Payments|
|Payments|relating|to|charitable|activities|
|Clergy and|ministry|costs|18,936|-|-|18,936|11,211|
|Quota|10,791|-|-|10,791|8,520|
|Property expenses|5|32,919|-|-|32,919|39,884|
|Administrative|expenses|415|-|-|415|767|
|Charitable|expenses|240|281|-|521|180|
|Legal|and|professional|fees|-|-|-|-|443|
|Accountancy|fees|1,580|-|-|1,580|2,070|
|Other expenses|1,142|-|-|1,142|745|
|Total|payments for charitable|activities|66,023|281|-|_66,304|63,820|
|Governance|costs|
|Independent examiner's fee|700|-|-|700|684|
|Total|payments|66,723|281|-|_67,004|64,504|
|(Deficit)/Surplus|for the year|(26,149)|-|18,607|(7,542)|(13,390)|
----- End of picture text -----
The notes on pages 8 to 10 form part of these accounts.
6
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH, INVERNESS
Statement of Balances as at 30 September 2025
==> picture [458 x 418] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrest-|Rest-|Endow-|Total|Total|
|ricted|ricted|ments|Funds|—|Funds|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|£|£|£|
|Cash|at bank and in|hand|
|Balance|at|beginning|of year|13,955|17,000|-|30,955|44,345|
|(Deficit)/Surplus|for year|(7,542)|-|-__|(7,542)|(13,390)|
|Total Cash Funds|at end of year|6,413|17,000|-|23,413|30,955|
|Investments (SEC|Unit|Trust|Pool)|
|Balance|at|beginning|of year|28,706|-|-|28,706|24,909|
|Disposal|in|year|(14,277)|-|-|(14,277)|-|
|Unrealised|gain/(loss)|in|year|1,328|-|-|1,328|3,797|
|Market|Value|at end|of|year|15,757|-|-|15,757|28,706|
|Fund Balances|(Cash and|
|Investments)|
|At|beginning|of year|42,661|17,000|-|59,661|69,254|
|Cash|(deficit)|/|surplus|for|
|year|(26,149)|-|18,607|(7,542)|(13,390)|
|Movements|in|investments|(12,949)|-|-|(12,949)|3,797|
|Transfers|18,607|-|(18,607)|-|-|
|At end|of year|22,170|17,000|-|39,170|59,661|
----- End of picture text -----
Approved by the Vestry on ..4. 44. Mores202 and signed on their behalf by Mg F Newton . Vestry Treasurer
The notes on pages 8 to 10 form part of these accounts.
7
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH, INVERNESS
Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
1. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation of the accounts
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. They consist of a summary of all monies received and paid via the bank and in cash by the church during the financial year, along with a statement of balances. No adjustments have been made for any income due but not received, nor for any expenses incurred but not yet paid at the year end. Except for investments, fixed assets are not capitalised.
Funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the Vestry’s discretion in furtherance of the church’s objectives such as outreach into the community; restricted funds are those given for specific purposes. Restricted funds represent monies donated towards the cost of replacing the heating in the church hall and donations towards required major repairs to the fabric of the Church and its Hall.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds that have been allocated for a specific purpose by the Vestry.
The endowment fund was the capital initially used to set up the church and was invested in the rectory. Rental income from the buildings held in endowment is of an unrestricted nature and may be used for any purpose.
Church Buildings
The church, the hall and the rectory are held in Trust separate from the church’s funds and are not shown in the statement of balances. The Vestry believes that it is not possible to place a market value on them. The valuation of the church, hall and rectory buildings for insurance purposes is £9,980,000.
Special Collections
In some years, the church makes special collections for charities. These funds are banked and the total paid over to the relevant charity before the end of the calendar year.
8
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH, INVERNESS
Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)
2. Donations
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds | £ | £ | |
| Congregational | |||
| giving Gift Aid on congregational |
17,511 | 18,491 | |
| giving | 4,184 | 4,591 | |
| Otherdonations | 508 | 2,554 | |
| 22,203 | 25,636 | ||
| Restricted funds | |||
| Grants | - | 5,076 | |
| Special collections | 281 | - | |
| 281 | ___5,076_ | ||
| Total | 22,484 | 30,712 | |
| 3. | Receipts from fundraising activities | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | £ | £ | |
| Fetes & Events | 2,632 | 420 | |
| 2,632. | 420. |
4. Receipts from investments other than land and buildings
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds | £ | £ |
| SEC Unit Trust dividends | 721 | 819 |
| Sale ofSEC Trust units | 15,018 | - |
| 15,739 | 819 |
9
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH, INVERNESS
Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)
5. Property expenses
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds | £ | £ | |
| Routine repairs and upkeep | 3,266 | 849 | |
| Window restoration | - | 8,724 | |
| Lighting replacement | 12,367 | - | |
| Sound system | 6,672 | - | |
| Insurance | 3,491 | 3,475 | |
| Heat and light | 3,723 | 15,719 | |
| Rates and water | 1,593 | 1,759 | |
| Rectory costs | 1,807 | 4,112 | |
| Cleaning | - | 170 | |
| 32,919 | 34,808 | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Restricted funds | £ | £ | |
| Window restoration | - | 5,076 | |
| - | 5,076 | ||
| Total | 32,919 | 39,884 | |
| 6. | Remuneration and expenses paid tovestry members | ||
| Costs of£17,372 were paid to the Diocese as ourshare ofthe Stipend costs. | |||
| None ofthe Vestry members receive any remuneration orexpenses relating to their | |||
| position as Vestry members. | |||
| 7. | Restricted Funds | 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ | ||
| Repairs Fund Heating Fund |
13,000 4,000 |
13,000 4,000 |
|
| 17,000 | 17,000 |
6. Remuneration and expenses paid to vestry members
10