Support
If you have any problems, please do not hesitate to us at ku.gr1759856463o.coi1759856463dsolg1759856463@snru1759856463terhs1759856463irap1759856463 for assistance. If you are unable to submit your returns using the Online Parish Returns System, you can send your return to us using the forms below and we will enter the data for you.
Forms
Each year parish officers are asked to complete a series of returns asking for information ranging from attendance and membership figures, weddings, funerals and other activities, to parish finances and the energy used within the church buildings.
By submitting your responses, it gives both the diocesan team and National Church the opportunity to explore what is happening in your parish, and how various aspects have changed over the last few years. Please see below for information on the various returns.
We are grateful to the many people involved in collating the returns and making sure the returns are accurate and returned on time.
Online Parish Returns System (OPRS)
The Church of England provide the OPRS which allows parishes to submit their responses for the Statistics for Mission, Annual Return of Parish Finance and Energy Footprint Tool easily online. The OPRS can be accessed directly at parishreturns.churchofengland.org or via the Church of England portal at cofeportal.org, where you can find access to many other Church of England websites and resources.
If you already have an account but need a reminder of your username or password, please use the ‘forgotten password’ tool or email ku.gr1759856463o.coi1759856463dsolg1759856463@snru1759856463terhs1759856463irap1759856463.
If you do not have an account, please email ku.gr1759856463o.coi1759856463dsolg1759856463@snru1759856463terhs1759856463irap1759856463 and a new account will be set up for you.
If you are unable to complete your responses online, you can complete the Word or Excel versions of the forms (see below) and return them to ku.gr1759856463o.coi1759856463dsolg1759856463@snru1759856463terhs1759856463irap1759856463 or to Parish Returns, Church House, College Green, Gloucester, GL1 2LY.
Statistics for Mission
The Statistics for Mission form for 2025 is available now to allow you to start adding information ahead of the year end. This includes your electoral roll figure, Easter attendance services and the October count.
The form follows the same pattern of questions as in previous years, however following a unanimous request from General Synod, there is a new question relating to the number of confirmations held in your church during the year, and the return of the social action question which was last included in 2022.
The deadline for submitting your 2025 Statistics for Mission is 31 January 2026.
Did you know that if you use the Online Services Register, some of the information requested will be pre-populated onto the OPRS.
Return of Parish Finance
This Return provides a valuable snapshot of the financial strength of your parish at the year end, with the details being pulled from your annual accounts.
If you use the Diocesan Cashbook from our website, the final tab of the Excel workbook is the same as the Return, therefore automatically pulling together the information you need to submit via the OPRS.
Access to the Return for 2025 is not yet available. The deadline for the Return to be completed will be 28 June 2026.
In addition to completing the Return of Parish Finance, and as stated in the Church Representation Rules (part 9 M5 (8) parishes should forward a copy of their annual report and financial statements to the GDBF within 28 days of approval. These can be emailed to the Finance Team at ku.gr1759856463o.coi1759856463dsolg1759856463@maet1759856463ecnan1759856463if1759856463 or posted to Church House.
Energy Footprint Tool
Access to the Tool for your 2025 information will open in 2026.
Parish Dashboards
The Online Parish Returns System allows you to download a single page Statistics for Mission Dashboard which provides charts and information of the change in attendance, electoral roll, baptisms, marriages and funerals and worshipping community over the previous ten years. There is also a Finance Dashboard providing charts and information on the income, expenditure, gift aid and other analysis for the previous ten years.
The dashboards with information including your 2024 data are now available.
To access your dashboard, sign into the OPRS and click on the ‘View Data’ button at the top. If you would like this emailed to you, please request this at ku.gr1759856463o.coi1759856463dsolg1759856463@snru1759856463terhs1759856463irap1759856463.
