2023-08-31-accounts

ANNUAL TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE SQUARE METHODIST CHURCH

September 2022 - August 2023

Name of Church: The Square Methodist Church, Dunstable

Address: Ashton Square, High St South, Dunstable LU6 3SN

Correspondence address: as above

Name of person to whom correspondence should be addressed:

Rev Claudia Lupi

Names of those who have served as managing trustees in the year (Church Council):

Rev Claudia Lupi [Minister]

[Church stewards]

Debbie Mitchelmore Wendy Armiger Jenny Smith Rachel Bond Pierre Ricco

Maria Simon [Treasurer] Vacant post [Pastoral committee secretary] Bridget Gavanga [Council secretary]

[Council members elected by the AGM]

Sharon Andrew Bridget Calvert Barrie Wells Jenny Smith Pearl Mathieson Stephen Parkinson Linda Berry

[representatives from areas of church life]

Ian Ellis [Property team] Carole Pratt [S Club] Stephen Turner [Musical Director] Debbie Mitchelmore [Safeguarding Officer] Ivor Mitchelmore [Worship Leader] Wendy Armiger [Worship Leader] Terry Sissons [Circuit Steward]

Structure

The Square is part of the South Bedfordshire Methodist Circuit. The decision-making body is the Church Council, but all members are involved in the running of the church and setting its strategy at the General Church Meeting.

Aims and Mission

Our church mission statement: We are a town centre church aiming to radiate God’s love, as revealed in Jesus Christ, for the local community and the wider world. We seek to help people in their search for God through our worship, prayer and action.

Review of the year (September 2022 – August 2023)

Sunday worship services

In addition to our traditional services, we run a Cafe Church twice a month, an informal service that is very well attended by church members and people of our community. The atmosphere is very warm, and this time of worship is very popular.

Other forms of mission or ‘church’ (e.g. church-led community groups, etc.)

A number of different groups/clubs run by members of the church family operate within the church:

• Pastoral care is offered by the minister, Reverend Claudia Lupi, to the housebound members of the church, but also to anyone in need who requests support and practical help.

• ‘ House groups ’ - We have three ‘ house groups ’ which take place regularly, according to the Methodist tradition. The groups meet in each other’s homes to share bible studies and prayers with joy and fellowship.

• Prayer Meeting – There is a monthly prayer meeting that meets on the first Monday of each month to share private and shared prayers for the church, our local community and the wider world.

• ‘Ladies Thursday Club ’, where some of the older ladies meet and have the opportunity to share refreshments, develop friendship and listen to speakers on various issues. This activity is shared with the community and members of other denominations.

• Armchair exercise group is a time to do exercise, to meet, to find company and friendship, to share similar problems due to the age and also a time of laughter about your vulnerability, as described by one of them.

• The drama group is a multi-generational group much appreciated by those living in and around Dunstable for the high level of performances.

• Meeting Point is a Bible study and fellowship group attended by a faithful group of members. The group meet once a fortnight and is led once a month by our minister. The group finds these few hours very uplifting.

• The Gather Round group meet once a month when they enjoy fellowship and provide support for each other.

• Our Garden Project has continued with the development of the south side of the church. Old shrubs have been removed and areas have been planted with lavender, rose bushes, herbs and flowers in tubs, and two apple trees. A memorial seat has been added to this area in memory of a member of our congregation. A small group of volunteers meet on Wednesday lunchtimes to water, weed, litter pick, prune and plant. Working outside on the gardens has proved to be an excellent way to engage with the community passing by and has enhanced our relationships with local shop keepers, market stall holders, Dunstable Town Council, and brought at least one new person into the Church. Dunstable Town Council have provided help and support and enabled us to access various grants. As we are in the town’s Heritage Action Zone, support has been provided via Dunstable Town Council and as such our garden was part of the town’s entry to both Anglia in Bloom and Britain in Bloom resulting in a Certificate of Recognition in the Anglia in Bloom Campaign and a Level 4 – Thriving Neighbourhood Award from The Royal Horticultural Society and Anglian in Bloom.

• The Living Room takes place on Fridays. This is a drop-in time which offers a warm space, sharing soup, toast, a cup of tea or coffee with a cake. The living room is open to church members, but also to the community, including refugees living in the local hotel, people who appreciate company and vulnerable of different needs. Everybody is welcome! It is always very well attended. People can play table games and do craft activities. The volunteers are ready to serve food, but also to listen to the heart of people.

• English lessons are held once a week at the Holiday Inn hotel, where a great number of asylum seekers live. Some volunteers (a young person from our youth group included) teach English to the asylum seekers. We run several classes at different levels of knowledge. We have the opportunity to reach out, listen and offer practical help.

Activities aimed at young people

• ‘ S Club’ is run by a group of enthusiastic teachers for the children and young people. We have a good number of children and young people who come along to S Club although numbers attending fluctuates from week to week.

• ‘ Youth Club’ takes place on the last Friday of each month , when the young people meet to talk about spiritual issues. This club is also a space for the young people to build relationships and to have fun through games organised by its leaders. Dinner is also provided.

• Uniformed groups include Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Squirrels, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows. These groups are very popular and well attended. The Uniformed groups take part in our All Age services.

Resources

Our church, attached halls and rooms are available to hire to the local community, and we have regular bookings with Slimming World and U3A groups, plus numerous shortterm lets for parties, etc. The central location within the town with access to plentiful parking make the venue ideal for many users. The church itself has a large capacity and has hosted concerts by Vauxhall Male Voice Choir, Shambles band, drama productions (‘Troy’ and a Jazz- based musical) amongst others.

The church reached out to the local town by holding a Festival of Carols, inside the church, coinciding with the Town Council Christmas markets. Many visitors were drawn into the church to see the displays, share refreshment, wonder at the building, listen to and sing carols, join in with children’s craft activities.

A small group of church members are involved with running multiple activities within the church and an ever-aging group of people carry out work and maintenance within the church.

Looking forward

The Square Methodist Church is a very active community church despite the ageing congregation.

We are a large church, but very united. The church has a big heart for those in need, within the congregation and beyond. We will endeavour to continue to sustain the groups and maintenance within the church.

We firmly believe in Mission and we will continue to work with enthusiasm trying to be the hand and the word of God in the church and in the community.

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS THE SQUARE METHODIST CHURCH DUNSTABLE Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2023 SOUTH BEDFORDSHIRE Clrcult Clrcuit no. 34104 Reglstered Charity - Charity Registration number 1126936 If not a registered char5ty Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number (The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charilies in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Slatutory Instrument 2014 No.2421 Mini8ter_' REV. CLAUDIA LUPI Church Stewards: Rachel Bond Debbie Mitchelmore Wendy Armiger Jenny Smith Abel Bunu Pierre Ric¢0 Treasurer.. DR MARIA SIMON SFA_The Square 2023.xls 1of5

THE SQUARE METHODIST CHURCH DUNSTABLE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023 Church Unrestrfcted Re8trictsd Totsls thls Fund¥ Funds year Totals last SECTION A year a1 RECEIPTS Note a2 Offerings and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 63,051 63,051 63.974 83 949 92 a4 Lettings Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 18,862 9,566 92,428 18,862 14,235 97,097 11,195 85 4,689 4.669 15.326 90.587 a6 la71 SECTION b1 PAYMENTS b2 Cir¢uit A$sessment or Share 57,550 57,550 56,386 Donations 324 324 751 Repairs and Mainlenanco Ulililies Ilnsurances, water Charges, healing & lighlingl 6,472 6,472 5,856 b5 18,185 18,185 15.319 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 4,836 87,367 3,621 3,621 8,457 90.988 3,409 81.721 b8 Ib91 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 la6-b81 5,061 1.048 6,109 13.314 Totsl funds brought forward from last year c2 54,431 7,788 62,219 Ic61 50,315 c3 Sub total c1+c2} 59,492 8,838 68,328 63.629 Transfers and adjustments 11,146} 839 13081 Ic71 11,4101 c5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+¢4 58,346 9,675 68,020 Ic81 62.219 Ic6> SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY; MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (these amounts are not to be included In total recelptslpayments figures above) d1 Balance brought forward from last year 318 3,158 d2 OfferingslGifts- received for extemal organisations 833 1,619 d3 OfferingslGifts - passefl lo external org8nisalions 1,141 4,459 d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID {d1+d2-d3} 10 318 2of5 SFA The Squar¢ 2023.%I5

DUNSTABLE church CH ACC NT AND INTER SA CH COUNCI SECTION E h GuldAnc• Not•9 toeom lètè thls Summ8ry of Ihe Church a¢counis forihe year ended 31 August 2023 and Inlemal OrgaThisalions repDrting lo the Chwch Cobnciuchurch Meebn9. Note Ihaiihe ￿n￿${ an InterTh31 Organi$abOnwou￿ norm8lly be Resinthd funds vn1es$ Il ￿ld be ¢learty shown th81 they ￿Ul0 be for any Meihodisi pu￿05¢ This 3È¢bon be completed lo afflve al thegius8 inc0￿e and expendrfure IDtsls ol ￿eChurCh.1￿ gross irtomè exGeed$ IhèA¢crLJa1¥ thre¥hO￿j. then the AcLYLJals meihod of aGcounti ANDA OIFFERENT FORM musl be used to repDrtlhe aGc4Junts Isee Melbodist Web￿le) Hea5e referto the gu￿anCe noles fegardin9 transfers bemeen the District and wnne¢ttd Distn¢i Orwisallon$. INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS Net Receip181 PaymeTrt5 OppDlll9 b31ances RecdplB Payments Adjusbmen15 Closiry b81ar SQUAIIE DRAPIA CIRCLE 2,286 1.771 495 5.532 6.027 LAOIES THURSDAYGROUP 1,027 1.025 713 716 S CLUB 62 485 719 SQUARE FC 113 é7 ema OrgAniS8tionsfundS 3.355 J,281 74 7.077 7,152 iurch accounts (totals fought fowward Imm pa e¥ 97,097 90.988 6,109 13081 62,219 68.020 BY CKURCH 100.452 9<269 $,183 13071 69,296 76,172 ConVnu8 ￿ 8 s8paYale il net*$saty and bnny tho tola15 fo￿Vard TOYAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAYPIENTS SECTION F STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OPENING BALANCES LOSING BALANCES ¢HURCH- CASH FUNDS HELDat 31 Auyust202J Cash in band 8ankCLYrenlAccounl 38.829 40,223 Bank DewiA¢o)wl Certhl Finan￿ Board 25.390 27,797 Trustee5 for Melhodisl Church Purposes SUB TOTAL-Church account6 62,219 Ic61 68,020 Ic8} Total funds held by Intern31 Organisat￿ThS (fftedo￿￿g balan￿ lolal from above) le121 7,077 7,152 TOTAL CASH FUNDS WELD BY CHURCH 89,296 76,172 SECTION G At 1 September2022 OTHERASSETS and UABILITIES 31 Awu$t2023 Invo$b￿nIg Iln¢lud8 Enaowments} Land a Buildin95 (see note5 re Insura￿•valUe1 8,873,321 9,897,035 OtherAs6ets 155,136 197,941

4

Loan{¥l- ¥howaMoLwlouistsndirrfJ al yearend Ot￿r knabilibes f4 Irtlud$ onw Futhd$ ¥tlhè Central Finance Boar ts Include only Funds he￿ atTtU51eesfor MeihodistChur¢h Purpose$ 91 lncJL￿e any other kive51ments Inollhe¢ash elemeniof TMCPlW$lS a¢¢￿￿￿ ￿15 is I￿￿ded in linef5 SFA lQ!Jxls 3of5

No ... 1126936

Name of Church ...... The Methodist Church, The Square

Declarations and Scrutiny

I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2023 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees.

S• Igna ure o reasurer ........ v t f t �L-?� Date ...... 06.10.23 ....... .

Name and address of treasurer ............ Dr Maria Simon

... 34 Claridge Close, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire

Post Code ... LU7 4TW

Presentation to the Church trustees

I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 will be presented to the meeting of the Church trustees held on ...18.01.24.... .

Signature of the Chair of the meeting ......... � Date ...... 06.10.23 ........ . !ajz· Name of the Chair of the meeting ...... Reverend Claudia Lupi Date ...... 06.10.23 ........... .

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the

......... The Methodist Church, The S[q] uare .......... .

Charity Number ... 1126936 .....

Responsibilities and basis of report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the The Methodist Church, The Square for the year ended 31 August 2023 set out on pages 1 to 3 As the Church's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Church's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

• delete or circle as appropriate

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SFA_ The Square_2023.xls

Name of Church . .The Methodistchurch, The Square............ No......1126936....... Independent Examinerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below.) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act- or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. ( ' have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I havelhave not. obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner t7elevant professional qualification of independent examiner Name of firm (where appropriate) Address ¥S... S.!wl Post Code LUJ L* Nt% Date delete or circle as appropriate SFA_The Square 2023.xls 5of5