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UPDATE FROM OUR TREASURER

Summer 2024

We have just closed off accounts to end of June, so we have a first insight into our “mid-year” position.  We are thanking God for His grace & provision and the generosity of “All the Saints” in fuelling with prayer and gifts of time & treasure, the many activities across our growing community. 

The headlines:

2024 started with a small surplus in the General Fund, thanks to a wonderful response to the Gift Week held at the end of 2023.

Our budget for 2024, as is often the case, is a challenge of faith. The PCC want to encourage all that we see God doing in us and through us as a church and yet we have to also balance this with practical stewardship and the need for provision to address increased costs and the reduction in our Resourcing Church grant as it tapers-off over 2024 & 2025.

General Income has grown by 12% when compared with the same period in 2023, but this is still behind our overall target budget for the year, lower by around 11%, but this figure sits in the context of rising costs and an increased demand for resources, as we continue to grow ministry and mission as a Resource Church and as our grant reduces by a third this year. Please pray, God has a plan!

Expenditure is lower than PCC had budgeted. This is welcome in terms of cashflow, however, much of the underspend is timing of spending through the year, so I am anticipating that this position will change as we enter the Autumn term. One area of saving has been the Youth Worker role, but hey! we would much prefer someone shaping the faith of our young people, rather than a saving on budget, so please pray specifically for God to bring the right person at the right time!

I should mention our Places and Spaces, we have wonderful church buildings, a blessing as we gather but also a challenge to run and maintain. Following the re-ordering work in St Helen’s, the PCC continue to assess priorities and are now looking at works needed in All Saints, namely, lighting and electrical work (yes, there are also the cabins, heating system, decoration, to name just some on the list!) We are preparing plans for electrical works and exploring grant and other funding options which may help us with the costs, it is early days, but please pray for wisdom and provision as plans develop over the coming months.

Lastly, I would like to highlight the Foodbank, this expression of love & care for the people of Worcester and beyond is continuing to grow in impact and scope. As Trustees the PCC oversees funds which are “restricted” for Foodbank and we thank God for His favour and provision – it is truly amazing to see the practical compassion from across the wider church & community, local businesses and many individuals who generously give their time, money and resources.  Please, pray for the team as they serve Worcester in this way.

We are working through the summer on the mid-year analysis and a revised forecast, I hope to follow up with further communication on actual numbers & infographics as part of a wider “All Saints storytelling”, in the Autumn.  If anyone has any specific questions, please contact me by email:  treasurer@allsaintsworcester.org.uk

I hope this update serves as a heartfelt thanks for your generous support and a prompt to join in thanks and prayers for God’s continued blessing and provision. Our God is good, and He loves us very much!

Steve Chase