STRICKLANDGATE METHODIST CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT
1 SEPTEMBER 2023 TO 31 AUGUST 2024
The Aims and Objectives of our mission continue to be
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to encourage a personal faith
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to share a life of fellowship and mutual support
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to reach out to the community in Christian service
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to co-operate with other Christian churches
These are in line with the Methodist Church nationally which seeks to respond to the
’ Gospel of God s love in Christ.
During the year being reported on, members have been encouraged to follow the Methodist Way of Life which encompasses the following areas:
Worship & Prayer
All public acts of worship at Stricklandgate Methodist Church are open to members of the Church and non-members alike. The same applies to the teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups. A variety of preaching styles are offered by our minister, supernumeraries and local preachers. We have also sought to encourage members to participate by reading, leading prayers, playing instruments. Increasing age and infirmity of members has affected attendance at Sunday worship – is now around 45 .
There continues to be a prayer space at the front of the church for people to use and a prayer chain that offers prayer on behalf of people in need. The Thursday afternoon meditation service, offering a quiet space, continues to attract a regular following of 1520-25, drawn from several different denominations (and none).
Over the year we’ve continued to develop relationships with our sister church in Sandylands, sharing a joint newsletter and regular united services, plus a number of members have helped at Messy Church.
Learning & Caring
This year has been a difficult one, as several people have died, become more frail or full-time carers. Membership at the end of this year (Aug 2024) was 95 members, a loss of 10. There were another 29 people on our community roll, plus 4 retired (supernumerary) ministers were part of our fellowship.
Stricklandgate Annual Report 2023-2024
Our pastoral co-ordinator has developed home worship sheets for people who can no longer attend worship physically and a communion service has been held in Wainwright Court, a supported living complex near the church.
In June 2024 we were delighted to re-appoint our pastoral worker. The role has been a huge success and many have expressed appreciation of her ministry, It has been a particular blessing as so many have died/been unwell.
There are 3 housegroups available where members meet in private houses to share faith and support each other on a weekly/monthly basis.
During the early part of the year, some members joined friends at Sandylands and Anglican friends to look together at the Romans Course. It was challenging but all agreed worth looking at a similar course for 2025.
Other groups that meet are
Friendship Group (fortnightly on a Thursday afternoon, with a variety of speakers and a regular attendance of over 40, both church and non-church members)
Stitchers (a space where church and non- church members can meet to share their crafting skills).
Service & Evangelism
Throughout the year, the church has continued to support various charities around the world e.g. Karibuni Trust (from Marmalade Sale) and Tear Fund by twinning our toilets The church premises continue to be well used by community groups.
There are active Rainbows, Brownies and Guides troops plus several choirs, a singing group for mums and babies meet on a weekly basis.
Child Contact use the premises on alternate Saturdays to enable parents and children to maintain their relationships. The Well Community meets 2 mornings a week, supporting people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. The Church also provides accommodation for the South Lakes Talking Newspaper Association and a studio for a local artist.
Stricklandgate is one of six Kendal churches that help fund a CAP (Christians Against Poverty) debt centre to provide drop-in advice and support for families struggling to manage in these hard economic times. We’ve been pleased to have the debt centre manager update the congregation on progress and ongoing challenges
Stricklandgate Annual Report 2023-2024
Stewardship & Giving
Each year the church raises funds during Advent for good causes. During Advent 2023, £629 was sent to the Chernobyl Project.
In December 2023, church members and others made up, and sent approximately 100 shoeboxes to be distributed by the International Aid Trust to children who would otherwise not receive any gifts.
Along with other Churches in Kendal we continued to support the local food bank and CAP (see above).
Ecumenical Relationships
Throughout the year we continued to work with other Churches in Kendal to look at ways we could come together within a Mission Community. Ministers in Kendal and District have met regularly to share good practice and discuss how we can work better together in the future, sharing gifts and skills. This has resulted in Good Friday Walk of Witness and Easter Sunday Morning service at Kendal Castle. This year there was also an ecumenical Pentecost Praise event. Discussions are ongoing about closer working as part of the 3 Mission Communities, covering Kendal and surrounding villages.
Property & Finance
The property continues to be well maintained. The quinquennial review has taken place and all matters that need to be are in hand. Work is continuing to address a recent fire risk assessment and look at how to meet the challenges of the Methodist Church pledge to reduce its Carbon Footprint.
We continue to successfully rent out our former caretakers’ cottage.
During the year we’ve had a legacy left which helped fund our pastoral worker (see above).
Rev Melanie Greenall Jan 2025
Stricklandgate Annual Report 2023-2024
| Stricklandgate Methodist Church, Kendal | 31-Aug-24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts | 23/24 | 22/23 | |
| £ | £ | ||
| Regular Giving :Envelope oferings | 1535 | 2365 | |
| Cash oferings | 6273 | 6594 | |
| Standing Orders | 38181 | 41299 | |
| Tax Recovery | 10020 | 12482 | |
| Donations & Legacies | 30159 | 21477 | |
| Bank Interest and TMCP investment income | 8445 | 5415 | |
| General fundraising | 122 | 11 | |
| Property - Rent / Lettings | 28383 | 25306 | |
| Contributions from internal Church organisations | 1150 | 803 | |
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| Church Admin | 1710 | ||
| Sundry Income | 488 | 0 | |
| Grants | 0 | ||
| Gifts | 0 | ||
| Insurance Claims | 0 | ||
| Benevolent Fund | 0 | ||
| Total Receipts (as Standard Form of Accounts) | 124756 | 117462 | |
| Special Collections (see notes) | 2132 | 2739 | |
| OVERALL TOTAL RECEIPTS | 126888 | 120201 | |
| Surplus income over exp per std form acs ( ignoring | spec colls) | 14258 | 16744 |
| Stricklandgate Methodist Church, Kendal | Stricklandgate Methodist Church, Kendal | 31-Aug-24 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payments | 23/24 | 22/23 | |
| £ | £ | ||
| Circuit Assessment | 61357 | 58725 | |
| Music & Worship | 912 | 830 | |
| Church Admin | Photocopier | 158 | 284 |
| Publicity, Newsletter, Post,etc | 1185 | 918 | |
| Accountancy, Payroll Fees | 413 | 425 | |
| Phone & Internet | 543 | 385 | |
| Bank Charges | 131 | 130 | |
| Pastoral Worker, payroll plus expenses | 11528 | 7409 | |
| Caretaking | Caretaker Wages, Tax, NI | 9150 | 8580 |
| Cleaning materials, etc | 0 | 160 | |
| Property RepairsMajor repairs/improvements | 1680 | 4833 | |
| Servicing & Maintenance | 10229 | 3498 | |
| Equipment | 670 | 100 | |
| Garden | 0 | ||
| Utilities | Gas | 2699 | 2251 |
| Electricity | 2246 | 3409 | |
| Water | 468 | 394 | |
| Trade Waste charge | 0 | 0 | |
| Church Insurance | 4383 | 4630 | |
| Connexional Subscriptions | 1000 | 1000 | |
| Donations | 780 | 750 | |
| Gifts | 0 | 25 | |
| Benevolent Fund: restricted funds | 0 | 0 | |
| TMCP charges | 327 | 332 | |
| Miscellaneous & | rounding | 639 | 1650 |
| Total Payments (as Std Form of Accounts) | 110498 | 100718 | |
| Special Donations (see notes) | 2132 | 2739 | |
| OVERALL TOTAL | PAYMENTS | 112630 | 103457 |
CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Strieklandgate Methodigt Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 Circuit Circuit no. 0913 Reglstered Charlty - Charlty Reglstratlon number 1126952 If not a registered chanty HIS Majestys Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number {The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in temis 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 charrties in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instwmenl 2014 No.242) Minister. Rev Melanle Greenall Church Stewards.. Christine Thomas Anna Bonnett Janet Kttchlng Susanna Mycock Treasurer. David Brian Bames SFA church-receipts-and-payments-2024.xls 1of5
ACCOUNTS FOR ThE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Stricklandgate Methodlst Church Church Tfjtsls last SECTION A Fun¢ts Funds a1 RECEIPTS Not• a2 Offerings and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 56,009 62,740 a3 5,415 25,306 24,001 117,462 a4 Lettings Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 28,383 31,919 124.756 as a6 la7) SECTION b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 61,357 58,725 b3 Donations 1,780 1,750 b4 Repairs and Maintenance Utilities IlnsuTrnces, water charges, heatsng & lightsngl 12.579 8.431 b5 9.796 10.685 TMCP admin charge Other p8yments TOTAL PAYMENTS 327 332 b7 24.669 110.498 20,795 b8 {b9) 100,718 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR {a6481 14,258 16,744 Total funds brought forward from lasl year 178.456 373 178.829 Ic61 162,085 Sub total (¢1+c2 178.456 373 193.087 178,829 TTan#fers and adjugtmenlg ¢7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR I+¢4) 178.456 373 193.087 (t81 178.829 Ic6) SECTION D FOR INFORMAnoN ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (those amounts ar• not to b• Includ•d in tolal rgceiptslpayments figures •l>ovo d1 Balance brought forward from last year d2 OfferingslGrfts- received for extemal organisabon$ 2,132 2,739 d3 Off8r¢ngGrfts - passed to external OrganktlonS 2,132 2,739 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1+d2-d3) 2of5
SttiGkland ate Methc#Jist Church Chllr¢h RCH C¢JXIL CH RC 8ECT1014 E Summaryoftr Chwch aCrrtS fOry0j 31 W2024 •KI chu CtsJNiVChurth MbrKJ. Wthatthe fwdsof an Inlemal Ofg8nigaty"onruhJ nlnaty t¢ Restrth#frJnd#uThss t¢ (leaty le&S1¢¢ MethtrJL8twrpcee. This must bg ANDA DIFFERENT FORM rfVAlbe rer(rtthe£tsJrts ple gUhfje rEwdKvJtrBntsyt¢taEen the Dth¢t INTERNAL ORGANISATKJIIS ton Fri•nd•hlp Group 1.182 742 ¢2 5T5 72 Und9r Grou 1.216 1.12 87 1.700 1.787 e4 è7 ¢8 OrgonlsotYJns lund8 2.?86 187 2,601 012 ¢hu¥eh accounts It(4 broughtfcrtv•rd ITOM wg• 2-tot•li ¢oJumnl 09 IX7 11Oh98 17&829 193.1187 BY CHURCH 127.7> 113,284 181,243 196.688 Ifn8téAWy •hd bDwlh• 19181$ foM• TOTAL AÉCEtPTS TOTAL PAYMeNTS 8ECTION F CLOSIPKI ALAMCE8 CHURCH- CASH FUNDS IL0 •1 Ji t 2024 Ca$h In hand Bank Curr•nlAcwJnt 2S,022 8.153 2.141 cen Fhanr PAwd 52.•)2 02.159 74,416 103,765 SUB TQTAL-¢hurthxcounts 178.829 (( 193.087 Tolal lur8 hdd ty Intemol thL bslrte tcAd fromml le121 2,414 2,601 TOTAL CASH FUNOS HELD BY CHURC 181,243 195,688 SECTII)N G OTHERA5SET8 LiABLFIIES 31 AwJwt2024 40,224 43,336 Land & 11816eoThX 4,443.448 5.276.915 L<81.$MWTht0Ut Other UaWIUes f4 Indje0r Funds heid althe Cenlrnl ts InciL¥orly Fundg heid atTrUSt forMehtChJrth p[< 91 In(audp any Qlher In¥e6bMnb Irb*thecAsh dw1MPtr1L•xir&IJ0¥$yJEd 3ofS
Name of chUh .. Strleklandg8t8 Methodlst Church 0913 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirn th* these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year lo 31 August 2024 have been prepared from the records ol the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees. Signature of treasurer Name 8nd addre88 of Ireasur•r Post C¢xle...Lh b.?.AL Pm•ntatl¢n to tlia Church tru•t••• I confi'm that the 8nnual rew)rt and accounts for the year ende presented to the me8llng of the Church trustees held on . 31 August 2024 w8relJM Sign8luTe of the Chair of the meeting N8me of the Chalr of the meollng 4¢ LO.A{.{............................ f.&.. ! J....Z c> L Date... Independent Examlner's Report to th• Tru8te88 of tho . 8trfcklandgat• M•thcrfll•t Church Charlty Numb•r..!124.9£ R•8pon8lbllltlo• and ba•1• of report I report to the Iruslees on my examination of the accoun18 of the .stri¢klandgate methl$t ....... Chufch for the year ended 31 August 2024 sel out on pages l.. lo q. As the Church's trustees, you a responsible for the preparation of th8 accounts in aGGordance with the requirements of th$ Charitie8 Act 20111'the Act'l. 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 Commi88ion under section 145(5llbl of the Act. . delete or circle as appropriate SFA ClurhrKoltrxrtpllyrnerltr2024A5 4ofS
Name of Church .. Strlcklandgate IA•thodi¥t Church Independent Examinerfs Statwnent I have completed my èxaminakn'on. I confinn that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which givè m8 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 wth the a¢countsng records. I have no concéms and have come across no other matters In connection with th8 examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I havelha¥Met" obtsined Independent verification of all investmants with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purpos85 or held in other trusts. bank balan 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 indoFendent examiner Name of independent examiner 1 Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner Name of firm (where appropriate) ..eC.....8oQ..-...i..... Address . P08t Code S£pJ Date i.p.lJ.7-11........................ delete or circle as appropriate SFA ChurdFrè¢eIpts-and-Yrnen2O24.>s 5of5