Bucksburn Stoneywood Parish Church of Scotland 19 Old Meldrum Road Bucksburn ABERDEEN AB21 9AD ANNUAL ACCOUNTS (RECEIPTS and PA

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Bucksburn Stoneywood Parish Church of Scotland 19 Old Meldrum Road Bucksburn ABERDEEN AB21 9AD

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS (RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS) Year ending 31st December 2019 Budget 2020

Congregational Reference Number 311886

Congregational Ref No 311886 Page 1 Scottish Charity Number SC017404

Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2019

Structure Government and Management

Governing Document

The Church is administered in accordance with the terms of the Model Deed of Constitution

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

Members of the Kirk Session and the Congregational Board are the charity trustees. The Kirk Session members are the elders of the church and are chosen from those members of the church who are considered to have the appropriate gifts and skills. The minister, who is a member of the Kirk Session, is elected by the congregation and inducted by Presbytery. The Congregational Board is appointed from within the congregation and members of the congregation are invited to nominate individuals who are believed to have the skills and commitment to contribute to the management affairs of the Church, to become members of the Board. Board Members are then appointed at the Stated Annual Meeting and serve for a period of three years after which they must seek re-election at the next Stated Annual Meeting.

Organisational Structure

The Congregational Board is chaired by the minister and meets six times in a year. The Kirk Ses- sion which meets six times a year is responsible for spiritual affairs within the church.

Objectives and Activities

The Church of Scotland is Trinitarian in doctrine, Reformed in tradition and Presbyterian in polity. It exists to glorify God and to work for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom throughout the 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 through a territorial ministry. It co-operates with other Churches in various ecumenical bodies in Scotland and beyond.

Regular activities Sundays 10.30am Worship services Tuesdays The Dyce branch of the Guild meets monthly between Dyce and Bucksburn Stoneywood Church Wednesday 1.30pm Scottish country dancing (October-March) Thursdays Fortnightly: The welcome cuppa 10-11.30am Occasional fellowship and teaching meetings 7.30pm Fridays Parent and Toddler group 9.15-11am (from August) The hall is also used extensively by external groups such as: Jazzercise; Slimming world; Canine training; Yoga.

Congregational Ref No 311886 Page 3 Scottish Charity Number SC017404 Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2019 (cont)

Achievements and Performance At 31st December 2019 there were 380 members, there were two weddings and two baptisms in the year. There were 17 funerals. Communion was celebrated 4 times in the year and in 2019 there was a joint communion service on Maundy Thursday at Dyce Church, with Newhills church.

In 2019, the church continued to move forward with the agenda set by the Local Church Review (LCR).

Much effort was also spent on carrying forward the recommendations of the Quinquennial property Survey. Guttering was replaced and a new emergency lighting system installed. The main hall was repainted. However all further work was brought to a halt by a moratorium imposed on all but the most urgent and necessary building work in the church. This was intended to allow a thoroughgo- ing review of church resources (both of ministers and of buildings) as instructed by the General Assembly. While the building moratorium had been anticipated as lasting until May 2019 it is now going to last until at least May 2020.

In connection with this review, at the end of the year a draft presbytery plan was published. This called for the long term uniting of Newhills, Dyce and Bucksburn Stoneywood Churches and the retention of Newhills church building. Dyce and Bucksburn Stoneywood Church buildings would be replaced by a ‘new build’ church. The church leadership is engaging thoughtfully and constructive- ly with the report, given the local and national situation.

The regular life of the congregation continued with the Guild in its partnership with Dyce and the Parent and Toddlers’ group continuing.

Special events included the Lent study course based on the film ‘The Greatest Showman’. The congregation also focussed on the ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ praying initiative between Ascension and Pentecost.

18th August 2019 was the 25th anniversary of the ordination and induction of the minister, Rev Dr Nigel Parker. There was a congregational meal marking the occasion in September and there was a generously subscribed gift given. The minister deeply appreciated the gesture.

The Board organised a number of regular fundraising events through the year: soupnsweet lunch- es; strawberry tea; autumn coffee morning; St Andrewstide event.

The Welcome cuppa continued to be a source of strength. There were special collections for Christian agencies and missions. There was community fund-raising for a local defibrillator. The food bank of the Instant Neighbour Trust continued to receive good support. Shoe boxes were sent abroad through Blythswood

In February 2019 the Minister became interim moderator at Dyce church, covering for their minister’s long term sickness. This was an opportunity to strengthen the relationships between the churches at a time when closer cooperation is being sought. As well as the joint Maundy Thursday service, and the regular Good Friday service, there was a joint evening celebration to mark Pentecost.

The minister continued as chaplain to 102 (Aberdeen Airport) ATC Squadron and was padre to an Easter camp at RAF Lossiemouth and a summer camp at RAF Aldergrove in Ulster. continued as Safeguarding trainer in the presbytery.

Congregational Ref No 311886 Page 4 Scottish Charity Number SC017404 Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2019 (cont)

Financial Review

As mentioned above there was some £15000 spending associated with the quinquennial report. This was funded by the Duncan Watt legacy.

When these exceptions are stripped out it is regretted that the congregation was unable to pay for its regular expenditure out of its regular income. This was because of a larger than anticipated gas bill and the substantial cost of redecorating the hall. However it should be noted that the regular costs of maintaining the church buildings (heating, lighting, insurance, cleaning, maintenance and equipment) were covered by the rental income generated by the building.

The largest source of income continues to be the giving of the congregation. In an age of declining attendances the donations of members continued to meet budget expectations. During the year a number of folks changed their mode of giving from WFO envelopes to bank standing order. This is shown in the changing proportion in the respective figures. This has also made a big reduction on the cost of envelopes.

It had been hoped to reclaim a backlog of tax through the Gift Aid scheme. Presbytery has offered help but other activities have delayed the process. The Gift Day again exceeded its budget expectations and it forms a critical part of the financial health of the congregation.

The welcome cuppa continues to taintain its contribution to the financial and social life of the congregation. However the income from social committee events was down.

We continue to note that the cost for a full time minister is clearly a lot more than what the congregation pays to Mission and Ministry funds. We are not a self sufficient congregation. Our largest expenditure was the M&M contribution . We are grateful to be able to meet all our dues and more. However, we are supported by other congregations with their own financial issues.

The overall assets of the congregation had declined by £15805.02 to £117,740.05 at year’s end. This was due principally to the capital work on guttering and emergency lighting.

It is usual practice to include a copy of a budget for 2020 with the Annual Accounts. At the time of writing (March 2020) the effect of the corona virus has led to the suspension of worship, all hall lets and other fundraising activities. In such a context, a budget is not a useful tool and has been omitted.

Congregational Ref No 311886 Page 5 Scottish Charity Number SC017404

Bucksburn Stoneywood Parish Church of Scotland Receipts and Payments accounts - notes (continued) Year ended 31st December 2019

Purpose of Designated Funds

General Fund: This deals with all general expenditure and income to maintain the day to day tun- ing of the church. It is also used as a means of paying special collections.

Leslie Legacy: This was from the estates of the late Sidney and Sarah Leslie. It is given for the general purposes of the congregation. It has been used to fund special ventures at the decision of the Trustees. The income from the legacy is paid to the General fund, since it (the income, not the capital) is assessed for Ministry and Missions contribution.

Guild Fund: This fund dealt with all matters relating to Guild finance. In 2018 the Bucksburn Stoneywood branch of the Guild came to an end. With the agreement of the Board, remaining funds were distributed or transferred to the Dyce branch of the Guild and the account closed.

Purpose of Restricted Funds Most of these have been set up in a historical period of time and the intention of the donors has been for the purpose described.

Parent and Toddler group: This charges £1.50 for each family group who comes. After inciden- tals the money is banked in the church General Fund and for OSCR purposes is under the purview of the Trustees. The money is administered by a small working group drawn from the par- ents.

Change Fund: This was money given from public funds to make improvements to the buildings. This would allow wider community access. The small amount left is accruing interest.

Flower Fund: This provides flowers for display during services of worship and other events. These are then distributed around the members, particularly those in need or marking a life event. Income is by cash donations and reimbursed expenses. In 2018, a donation was made of silk flowers changed monthly.

Youth Fellowship fund: This fund held historical resources gathered to support a youth fellowship. It is held in the General Fund account.

Duncan Watt Legacy: This is “to be used for young people if possible.” The money is held in the Deposit fund of the Investors Trust . The interest is returned to the Legacy. The funds have and are being used for capital improvement of the buildings, providing well maintained facilities for young people, their carers and others. Some funds are held in the General Fund account.

Mission and Benevolent Fund: This has two uses - to provide benevolence to the people of the parish in need and to support Mission work. While accounted for separately, all payments and receipts are made through the General Fund bank account. In 2019 a ‘mortification’ of £240 was re- ceived specifically for those in need. This means that there is £466.67 for Benevolence and £129.80 for mission.

Congregational Ref No 311886 Page 16 Scottish Charity Number SC017404