2021-08-31-accounts - Saltash Wesley Methodist Church

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Saltash Wesley Methodist Church Annual Church Meeting

Annual Reports 2021 – 2022

Sunday 13[th] March 2022, 4 PM

Introduction from the Minister

Once again, it is a pleasure as your minister to write an introduction to the reports of our Annual Church Meeting. Despite still having to contend with Covid restrictions and lack of face-to-face services through much of 2021, as you will see from the reports there has been much going on at Wesley in and around the church and congregation. I want to thank Anne Melling who as well as writing a wonderful summary in her report below has led the stewards so ably this year. I thank the whole steward’s group too for working so effectively together on the wide range of things that have cropped up or needed attention. Adapting to the need for Covid-safe carols by candlelight is just one of innumerable examples I could give of this.

The general level of activity maintained has shown once again the commitment of our members and volunteers to do good in God’s name and shown how God has continued to take that offering of service and bless it.

As Anne says, it is sad to be saying goodbye to Chris Clark soon. It is impossible to really put into words what Chris has achieved in his role as Children and Families’ worker over the past ten years and we will miss him very much. Chris’ last Sunday with us will be Easter Day, and so we will say more then, but we know he will be a great blessing to those he works with in his new post in the South Lakes.

Please take the time to read through the reports; thank you to those who have written about one or more aspects of our church life and thank you to all who have been part of these activities too. Let’s look for even more in our next year’s reports and pray that we might see more coming into our fellowship and joining in the work and worship in the Lord’s name.

With my thanks and prayers for you,

Revd Jonathan Budd

Senior Church Steward Report

As I near the end of my time of being Senior Church Steward I’d like to thank all the church community who have supported us in the difficult times of coming out of Covid restrictions. There have been some difficult decisions to make but I hope you feel we have kept you safe during this time. As normal worship was resumed it has been good to see our congregation numbers slowly rising, with Zooming, thanks to our talented tech team, allowing participation by those not able to attend Wesley Sunday by Sunday. Over the next few months we will have fewer people to lead our services with the Revd Iris and Chris Clark leaving us and several local preachers not taking appointments so we need to think carefully and prayerfully about the way ahead.

It is wonderful to see our church social activities starting again, allowing friendships to be rekindled and new ones formed. Sadly, Tuesday Circle has disbanded after 65 years. At the other end of the spectrum it has been rewarding to be a small part of Little Fishes, our newish parent and toddler group. This has grown from strength to strength with parents and grandparents attending with their children and grandchildren, with a record number of children this week: 16. Many friendships have been built and it’s fantastic to see the children playing, eating, and singing to Jonathan’s ukulele and the parents chatting to each other each week. Things very much missed during the pandemic.

My thanks go to the Management Committee who keeps an eye on the upkeep of our church building week by week. The new lighting has brightened our lives and we await the arrival of our new cooker, allowing us to satisfy our hunger at social events and our defibrillator which will be available to the whole community! These two examples are only a few of the maintenance tasks that are continually being monitored. We are indebted to those who continue to clean our building week by week.

Pastoral care has been paramount during Covid. We thank our ministers and other leaders and pastoral leads for their diligence in ensuring that everyone is kept connected to our church life. These times have made unusual demands on us all and I especially thank the Revd Jonathan for his ongoing commitment to the life of this church, our Administrator, Joanna, for her help and kindness, and our Treasurer, Anita, for coping capably with the financial challenges. We are very sad that Chris Clark is leaving us to pastures new. His outreach to the children and families in our community has certainly grown, putting Wesley on the map during his time with us. We wish him all the best in his new venture. Our loss will be the Lakes’ gain. As we put the pandemic behind us, it is my hope that Wesley continues to thrive and move on with new initiatives. I pray that God will lead and guide, along this path over the next few years.

Unfortunately, I shall not be at the Annual Church Meeting as I arranged my holiday to avoid the original date of March 6th but the meeting then moved to March 13th.

I wish you a good meeting. With every blessing,

Anne Melling

Chris Clark: Report to Annual Church Meeting

This report is a little different to previous years, in that it will be my final report in post. The report concludes with a summary impact assessment of the overall project since September 2010, but first, here is a look at the work over this past year.

Sowing (events which aim to make links and prick interest):

Online Children’s Clubs & Holiday Club:

Our online children’s clubs, which arose in 2020 as a response to Covid lockdowns, continued in the early part of 2021, attracting around 18-20 children plus 10 parents and guardians per time through until June, when there was a lower attendance as a result of restrictions easing. Hybrid in-person/online clubs were then held in October at Wesley and Landrake (with this latter club being our Circuit ‘light-party’ style October 31st event). Sadly, the planned Christmas clubs could not take place because of the Delta wave, but a move took place to in-person clubs in February half term 2022. These were tremendously popular and trialled a new, versatile model involving lots of different people leading various sections, which will hopefully form the basis of holiday clubs in the future.

Schoolswork:

In 2021, schoolswork continued online and latterly in person, restrictions permitting. Activities last academic year were largely limited to virtual assemblies, taking place via Zoom, pre-recording or Google Meet, but in the latter part of 2021 and into 2022 some RE lessons have been able to take place at two schools, including a yeargroup visit to Wesley itself. These are wonderful opportunities to tell our own story well, while schools are subsequently keen to promote us and our events. It is hoped that the Open the Book team may begin to meet in some form in the near future, too, with previous efforts stalled by Covid, but assemblies and Prayer Spaces in Schools are now both being requested. More members are needed for the team – please do let me know if you’d be interested in exploring this opportunity.

2021 also saw the retirement of Sue Green, headteacher of Bishop Cornish and an excellent friend to the churches in Saltash. We continue to wish her a very happy retirement, while offering a very warm welcome to the new headteacher, Tracey Fletcher, who is a Christian and is full of enthusiasm. Even amidst the circumstances of the pandemic, she has been able to make a wonderfully positive start, both at Bishop Cornish and in the wider community.

Special events:

As town events resumed post-Covid in 2021, a presence was established at them, with a team of helpers running a stall at SaltFest and a Wesley Youth & Children’s entry to the cardboard boat race. The stall was hugely popular, offering the chance to ‘make your own goody bag’ of Bible crafts and treats, then guess the number of Lego bricks in a box, for which we had a tie and two winners. Our much-loved and muchremarked-upon cardboard boat ‘Beakie’ (was it a duck? Or maybe a swan?) was terribly unsuccessful from a nautical perspective, sinking instantly, yet still managed to finish third having been swum round the course instead. People have enquired about and attended our events as a result of both the stall and the boat.

Christmas on Fore Street included a successful outreach stall from Wesley, at which we gave away over 250 leaflets, made over 80 snowmen crafts and gave out 40-odd children’s Christmas story books; we also took part in the lantern parade and Window Wanderland, meeting or having

conversations with many people who know of our events but for whom lockdown has meant less recent contact.

2021 ended with another New Year’s Eve party, moved online due to the virus, but attended by around 25 of all ages.

Toddlers – ‘Little Fishes’:

This group began to meet before summer 2021 on a Tuesday morning, somewhat tentatively, after an urgent request for help from the Council and with their support to open in a Covid-safe manner. At first, the group had a handful of families per session. This was helpful while we developed our new Covidfriendly routines and navigated new good-practice guidelines, but it was wonderful to suddenly and vastly increase to dozens of attendees per session since the start of the new academic year in September. Some families have had contact with us in the past, but many are coming onto our premises for the first time, having seen advertising on Facebook, at town events, or having heard about the group via friends. Sessions have a friendly and supportive atmosphere, sometimes including an interactive retelling of a Bible story and song, with nursery rhymes sung to finish. The team have done a fantastic job with the group and we are constantly in prayer giving thanks to God for what He is doing among us.

Landrake toddlers (‘Little Giraffes’) and children’s & youth clubs (‘Monday Gang’):

In order to safely restart groups at Landrake during 2021, a large amount of work was undertaken, with the research and administration for Wesley’s ‘Little Fishes’ providing a good foundation. There was an urgency to this work, with the groups keen to get back on the map post-Covid as village life began to reopen. ‘Little Giraffes’, the toddler group, saw slow attendance initially but has built a good core group, with others showing interest. ‘Monday Gang’, which operates both a junior- and senior-aged club and offers a hot dinner, is very popular within the village and has a large effect on village life; the group gives a positive and safe space for young people to gather while having the opportunity to explore Christianity, and there is a strong partnership with Foodbank and other groups to help support the families and the wider community.

Shell and Youth Leader role:

It is with sadness that 2021 saw the conclusion of the paid Shell and Youth Leader role – this has been a long journey for our much-loved worker and for the church and we have seen God at work even in this very difficult time. We very much celebrate Russ’ long and fruitful service in the role, for which he asks no thanks – but it is offered! It has been a joy personally to work alongside him, and most of all to witness his pure heart for the work and his joy in the Lord. Covid-19 has reshaped much already, including this part of our life together, with doubtless more to come, but it is wonderful that Russ and his family will very much still be part of the Wesley family. Please do continue to pray for them, and for the future, as God leads us all into a new and different season.

Other developments:

It is worth noting that some activities have not yet resumed in their pre-Covid form, including Shell & Youth Club. We are regularly asked about these, and continue to pray about the right steps and the way ahead for each – please do join us in these prayers.

Reaping (events which allow for deeper exploration of faith):

Another event which has been on pause since March 2020 is Messy Church, which has been a key families’ outreach since 2011. Plans are currently afoot for ‘Messy Church goes wild’, with trial

events hoped to take place before the summer. This will retain a focus on unpacking a Bible story and will embrace more activities around nature and outdoor adventures, with a strong ecological emphasis, speaking to major current concerns held by children and young people. The idea has gone down well in discussions with previous Messy Church families and this should provide a sustainable footing for Messy Church to develop in future.

Keeping (events which facilitate Christian worship and discipleship):

Junior Church:

In the first part of 2020, as with other activities, Junior Church moved online, attracting regular attendances of 6-8 youngsters and including a one-sheet simple origami craft each session alongside a Bible story, discussion and time of prayer. This proved such a vital time during lockdown, that adults began to join in with their children, leading to weekly Fresh Ground services. Junior Church provision is still maintained weekly for the 10.30 service, seeing an occasional attendance, and larger numbers at Christenings and special occasions.

Fresh Ground:

For the latter part of 2020 and all through 2021, Fresh Ground met weekly online, with an all-age focus each time. Many of the attendees commented on how a regular pattern of weekly worship following a series and with a consistent approach proved to be helpful for them in their faith. At the start of 2022, Fresh Ground moved back to in-person meetings while maintaining a weekly pattern of worship: the services remain live-streamed, with a handful of individuals joining via Zoom. There is a simpler breakfast at present in order to make best use of available personnel and resources, being especially mindful of the need for Covid cleaning between the services up until the last few weeks. We have sadly seen some families move away this past year, but are delighted to have welcomed new faces too; we are also overjoyed to be looking to arrange two baptisms in the coming months at this service.

Downderry ‘Church on the Beach’:

In order to provide in-person fellowship safely for our families, we had an open-air event at Downderry, taking Bible stories and prayers onto the beach in June 2021 and enjoying time together for the first time since lockdown. This event has now happened another four times, most recently Sunday 13th March, and has seen the addition of breakfast and an all-age service indoors in the chapel (also streamed via Zoom), before the time on the beach. Such has been the demand for this event that it even took place in December, with giant Christmas trees built in the sand. The format has been useful in enabling people to ‘drop in’ for the parts they can make, yet it also gives the chance of a full morning together with lots of things to do, people to meet, and a wonderful, worshipful atmosphere throughout. We have had Fresh Grounders, local chapel members, the wider Wesley family, and the local parish church all in attendance, and managed a live link-up with the 10.30 service at Wesley to pray for one another and sing a hymn together as a family across the Circuit, led by the National Methodist Choir of Great Britain.

Youth Alpha:

This year, 2 group members have left for university while another 3 have joined, meaning group attendance has been a regular 9 youngsters, with a further 3 who attend when they can. Sessions have taken place weekly online (including through school holidays) from the first lockdown in 2020 through until October 2021, then moving back to the regular term-time, in-person meetings. An option to join the group via Zoom is being maintained as there are a few young people who would

struggle to attend regularly without it. The group has worked through some of the newly-revised Youth Alpha material in light of several new attendees joining the group since it was last covered; we have also

looked at a Bible overview and at various core Christian themes. We have seen two firm faith commitments we know about during the group this year, and it has been wonderful to experience much deepening in faith for both adults and young people at the group.

The group recently met for a ‘Staycation’ day at Wesley, with a weekend away not having been possible since 2020. This allowed for deeper fellowship and discussions, along with more relaxation time together, and was very much appreciated by the young people. We are looking to run another ‘Staycation’ day before Easter, hosted by Landrake chapel.

Book Giveaway:

Our annual giveaway took place in June 2021, with 36 books being given out to attendees of our online children’s clubs, Fresh Ground, and Youth Alpha. Some families we know well and continue to be in contact with from Messy Church in the past also received books. Youth Alpha, for example, all received a 365-day two-minute teen devotional book which we can do together; the books given out are all age-appropriate Christian publications aiming to support and nurture faith in the various individuals who have received them. A selection of books is also kept in stock throughout the year, with 8-10 being given out on average between the annual giveaways as new contacts are made and young people and families enquire about faith. Please do continue to pray for the fruit of this work.

Back of shop (activities in support of the rest of the work):

Since last year, more of the usual back-of-shop activities have also been taking place in support of the project, including attendance at training for religious inspections in schools; for new outreach initiatives; and attendance at the 2021 Methodist Conference. Wider District responsibilities have continued, too, including taking on the lay employment advisory role for an interim period. Much of the District work is done in a voluntary capacity.

We have also begun to connect to the Cornwall Council Voluntary Sector Forum, which is a supportive gathering for community organisations. It gives an opportunity to explore the Council’s strategies in relation to children, young people and families and to offer corporate input to help shape them.

Locally, we have been updating Paediatric First Aid training and Food Hygiene training for several helpers, with a further first aid to be offered in the wider Circuit later in the year.

Several of the Children’s work helpers recently attended a Mental Health first aid training session offered by Young People Cornwall, finding it extremely helpful. It focused on how to help children aged 7-11, especially when affected by trauma or adverse childhood experiences, and offered key guidance on how to respond well in difficult circumstances.

Various meetings regularly take place both internally and externally in support of the work, such as the weekly succession planning meetings and discussions about the future at the Children’s Action Group, which keeps a regular overview of the project. There is very much a time of change approaching in Circuit life and much thought is being given to enabling core events and activities to continue to flourish throughout the coming year and beyond.

Project impact report – September 2010 to April 2022

It is difficult to give an overall impression of the work since September 2010, and we will likely each have different aspects from this time together which have been significant to us. I have found the

loving and supportive fellowship of the people of the Saltash Circuit to be a particular blessing, enabling me in my own Christian growth and meaning the area truly feels like home to me. It has been a privilege to be with you for this time, and to serve the wider community together.

Looking back through the diary, here is a snapshot of some of the events undertaken and the people the project has connected with since September 2010 (the figures are worked out as closely as possible):

Sowing (events which aim to make links and prick interest):

Shell and Youth Club: over 1500 youngsters have attended

Toddlers: Over 200 families

Holiday Club: over 600 children

Virtual kids clubs (Circuit-wide, held during lockdown): over 60 children

Special events:

Film nights: Over 960 attendees and over 150 desserts

Alternative Hallowe’en parties at Wesley and Landrake (in 2010 and then four events more recently): Over 220 attendees

Stalls held at Christmas on Fore Street, Mission Youth (May Day), SaltFest, Kalan Gwav and other events: Over 2500 people reached

Lantern parade: Over 45 lanterns carried

Cardboard boat race: 2 boats sunk

Schoolswork (at the 4 Saltash primaries, Secondary school, and St Mellion):

Assemblies: Over 300 taken

Open the Book assemblies: Over 120 taken, covering over 25 different stories

RE lessons: Over 70 taken

School educational visits to Wesley and Burraton chapels: Over 20 taken

Prayer spaces weeks: 7

Christian Union at Secondary School, with Baptist Church (2012-2015): Over 100 sessions

Total children and young people reached through schoolswork: Over 6100

Port Eliot (2016-2019): Over 1000 people directly engaged, with many more seeing the stall and activities

Monday Gang: Over 20 youngsters since September 2021 (restarting post-Covid)

Reaping (events which allow for deeper exploration of faith):

Messy Church: 101 sessions; Over 60 families; Over 200 adults and children attended

Sunday evening Bible Study (2015-2018): 4 young adults attended

Sunday Fun Day / Third Sunday (2012-2018): Over 15 families attended

Treasure hunters (Sunday evening junior-age Bible group, 2017-2019): Over 30 youngsters attended

Keeping (events which facilitate Christian worship and discipleship):

Services at Wesley and around the Circuit, including Sunday worship, Fresh Ground / Big Breakfast, Church on the Beach and FGB on tour: Over 230 taken

Junior Church: Attendances of between 1 and 40 – over 150 children in total

Youth Alpha – we have just passed the 9th anniversary of the first session:

Over 360 clubs have been held since then, plus 5 weekends away and 3 ‘Staycation’ events

Over 40 youngsters have been involved over the years, looking to deepen their Christian faith

Book giveaways:

Across Youth Alpha, Junior Church and Fresh Ground: Over 450 books given

Messy Church: Over 125 books given

Back of shop (activities in support of the rest of the work):

Training sessions delivered: Over 20

Training sessions attended: Over 160

District / Connexional retreats attended: 8

Meetings attended: (I did initially try to count this!)

Other local organisations networked with: Over 40

District roles undertaken, in support of local work and across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly: 7

Local volunteers directly involved in the work: Over 150, with many more supporting in prayer and other ways

Youth President visits hosted in the Circuit: 2

Prayer partners across Britain who have prayed for every single hour and event we have shared together: 6

Official hours tally (40 hours a week, 606.5 calendar weeks): 24,260

There will be various other church and Circuit activities which are not reflected above, including, for example, pastoral work, personal responses to faith, the hosting of youth groups from elsewhere in Cornwall in their visits to Saltash, and one-off events such as the Walk Cornwall 2 mission and the

handover of the Olympic prayer torch on the Tamar Bridge in 2012. As we think about the time behind us and the season ahead, we know we serve a glorious God, who has called, encouraged, sustained and provided for us along the way and who alone sees all the developments and accomplishments of this time we have been given together. In the coming season, we pray that God will continue to ‘establish the work of our hands.’

When I leave post at the end of April, I do not expect my connection with Saltash will end, and it is with gratitude in my heart I will remember you all before God and will think of my time here. I do hope you will continue to pray for me, as I will continue to pray for you.

Points for prayer:

Many specific prayer points have been mentioned already, but here are some in summary:

Give thanks for all those the project has connected with, and continue to pray that God would be at work in all lives and households, by His Spirit.
Psalm 46 has been a recurring Bible passage this last year, speaking of how God is master over chaos and yet favours the still, small voice of personal contact. As a new season approaches for the Circuit, and as the world faces an unsettled time, may we be a people who live and reach out with this peace in our hearts.
Pray that the Lord would continue to bring us all into His new season for us, helping us to navigate challenges and decisions along the way.

My thanks must go to the wonderful team of helpers who have made all this work possible – it very much has been, and will continue to be, a team effort! Also to Jonathan, for wise and insightful spiritual guidance, and to the wider church and Circuit for prayers and support. ‘Now to Him who is

able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever.’ (Eph.3:2021.)

With every blessing,

Chris Clark

Little Fishes – Baby & Toddler Outreach Group

Tuesday mornings 9:15 – 10:45 AM. The picture below shows the sports hall set up for Little Fishes.

Enjoying some sensory play exploring the texture of autumn leaves.

Little Fishes currently have a weekly team of helpers from Wesley. The sessions have a time of relaxed free play, with a messy or creative activity running alongside. They share in a snack time together before finishing off with a circle time of singing (often with Rev. Jonathans ukulele). Several of our Little Fishes families joined us for our most recent holiday club held in February half term.

Making connections and building up relationships with families from our local community.

Playing with Playdough is always a popular activity!

Pastoral Report

The membership figure reported to the Methodist Church for their statistical report as of 1st November 2021 stood at 121. However, since that date we have lost a further 3 members, so our current membership is 118. Since our 2021 ACM was held (via Zoom), it has been another very difficult year due to the Covid pandemic. However, our band of faithful Pastoral Links has risen to the occasion and we have continued to keep in regular contact with the members and adherents in our pastoral groups. At times when we have been unable to meet up in person or visit others in their homes, we have kept in touch via telephone calls, emails and other social media such as WhatsApp groups and Facebook. We are very aware that some of our more elderly members are unable to access modern technology and hence have been unable to join in with our Sunday worship via Zoom.

Since we have been able to return to worship to Wesley last September, the number of worshippers has been steadily increasing as people have begun to feel more comfortable with meeting up in person once again. Our Annual Membership Tickets were distributed in mid-January, together with Presidential Year 2021/2022 Prayer Cards. Our Pastoral Links were encouraged to have conversations with those on their lists who, for whatever reason, still feel unable to return to worship at Wesley. These folk continue to need additional support in order for them to still feel a part of our church fellowship. Rev Jonathan and I wish once again to record our thanks for the wonderful network of pastoral care within our church which remains more important than ever in these uncertain times.

Jo Lambourne

Pastoral Secretary

Mbare/Saltash Partnership Report

Even though we have been through some difficult times recently, this is nothing to what our partners in Mbare are experiencing. I'm pleased to report that we have managed through 'Lockdown' to still send money! This may seem a small thing in some ways, as it falls far short of Mary & Will Sheaffs original aims for the Partnership. However, the situation has deteriorated severely over the last two years. Schools and churches were shut due to COVID and are only allowed to re-open if the people are all vaccinated. This is a problem for many due to escalating costs.

We have continued to raise funds and to send money for the various areas we support, not least the Matthew Rusike Children's Home, Mbare school fees (nothing is free!) and the Methodist Church Relief Fund. This is not the place to go into more detail,but just to give you an idea of the total amount raised up until August last year, it was the sum of £11,364.16.

We thank the Church for this generous support, and realise that many of our individual situations are not improving at this time, but our problems seem small when compared to what the people of Mbare and Zimbwe are facing. So the committee would like to say a BIG thankyou to all who have supported us in the past and ask that you will continue to do so in the future. God Bless from the Team

Marguerite Smith

Further details are available from Bob & Ruth Mahy

Wednesday Morning Prayers

Prayer Breakfast was suspended during the lockdowns, but 9 of us agreed to pray at home every Wednesday morning between 8.30 and 9.00 (or as near to that time as we could) and this has continued to the present. Every Tuesday an email is circulated suggesting prayer topics, starting with Wesley and the Circuit, going on to national and international situations, and ending with names of individuals in particular need of our prayers. If you would like to join us please let me know, and if you would like us to pray for you or someone else please contact me.

Bob Mahy

Café Church

Café Church had to be suspended in the first lockdown, but in October 2020 we resumed our 2nd Sunday in the month sessions, but on zoom. This remained the case until July 2021 and enabled us to have speakers from far afield. We also had a large audience each time, again from well beyond Saltash.

In October Rev Jane Willcock spoke about her ministry in the Isles of Scilly. Then in November Hilary Evans, the National President of Methodist Women in Britain, informed us about modern slavery and human trafficking in Britain. In January we were privileged to have Rachel Lampard, a former Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, and at that time coordinator of the Joint Public Issues Team of three denominations. February was a local event with Pat Cooper and Marie Poole telling us about their faith journeys. Rev Cathy Arscott, the Cornwall District President of MWIB, joined us in March to speak about young carers. Steve Wild was the guest in April, and in May we had Rev. Gina Radford, former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England and currently Team Vicar in South Brent. Chris Clark updated us on all his work with young people and families in June, and, finally, in July we had Jo Crocker who told us about Winchester Action on Climate Change. Since September 2021 we have resumed Café Church sessions live at Wesley and everyone is welcome to join us.

Mel Wallis & Bob Mahy

Early Morning Prayers

From an idea that came from the Children’s Action Group, over the past year a small group of people has been using the wonders of technology to pray first thing in the morning. Twice each week, we have seen proof that 6:30am is not at all an ‘ungodly hour’, but quite the opposite. Meeting on the Zoom platform from our homes, we have maintained shared prayer for 15 minutes on Monday and Thursday. The slots have been led by a variety of people and covered many themes as well as praying for Saltash Wesley, its people and its work. Not everyone can manage such an early hour in the day, but if you would like to join in and you have Zoom installed on

your phone or computer, just follow the link in the weekly emails. Alternatively, if you would like to start another meeting at a different time that might be worth exploring and do have a chat with me about that if that is you.

Revd Jonathan

PALS Report

Last year we held most of our meetings on Zoom, but in the Autumn, following a barbecue held in Cathy and Peter Noakes’s garden, we made the decision to recommence our meetings at the Church. To allow for social distancing, if we were a small group we met in the vestibule but for talks we used the church itself. Speakers so far have included Bob Austin on the building of the Tamar Bridge and Julian Langston on Methodist crockery (it was interesting to learn that so many chapels and societies in Cornwall once used their own embossed cups and saucers!) There was also an evening where members of our group were able to recount a memorable time in their lives. A more energetic evening was held recently when table tennis was played in the small hall and carpet bowls in the church – the only difficulty with that being the fact that some runaway bowls ended up under the chairs! We have a varied programme planned for the rest of the year including our usual treasure hunt, croquet and garden safari during the summer months.

Jackie Austin

S.T.A.R.T Ecumenical Men’s Group

We are an ecumenical group of Saltash Christian Men who meet on a social basis. Our membership at the end of 2021 was 25, with an average monthly attendance of around 18. We have very diverse set of faiths amongst us which always make for a good conversation piece during our times together.

Unfortunately, since our last report (Jan 2019) Covid struck and we have not met until our Christmas lunch at the Buller’s Arms at Landrake in December where 14 of us managed to have lunch together.

During the winter months, we tend to meet for inside events such as museums, talks and most importantly “eating out”. The summer months we go out and about. We then finished off the year with a Christmas meal.

My thanks to all those who arranged these visits – it is our ploy for members to arrange twelve meetings per year between them. We had our AGM in January where the 2022 meetings were arranged, and our programme is as follows: -

2022

Jan 21 AGM

Feb 18 Cancelled due to bad weather Mar 18 “What’s my Line”?

Apr 22 The Box May 20 Buckland Abbey Jun 17 Burrator Jul 19 Antony House Aug 9 Waterside tour (Saltash) Sep 16 Bodmin Jail Oct 21 Bruce Hunt (Heritage) Nov 18 “What’s my line 2” Dec 16 Christmas Meal

We always meet on the 3rd Friday of the month and usually start with a meal in the closest hostelry to our meeting place and anyone who is interested in joining us please call me on 01752 844666 you will be most welcome.

Bob Austin (Chair)

Management Team Report

We have been working very hard during the year. A defibrillator has been purchased by a very kind member of the congregation. We are waiting for the protection box to arrive and it will then be fitted. We have a new electric cooker on order now that the cables etc. have been organised by Bernard Melling and Paul Hambly. The coffee bar downstairs has been repaired and refurbished by the Management team. We are grateful to the members who regularly have kept the church and the toilets clean. My thanks must go to Anita Thompson who works tirelessly keeping us and the accounts in order, and to Craig King for the time he spends upgrading the internet etc.

Also, Roger Thompson for taking the reins while I was unwell, and for arranging the cleaning rota etc. Thank you to the people who have helped on work days, but we need more help please.

Steve Tait

Wesley Table Tennis

After a long period of lockdown it was great to return to our table tennis club again in September 2021, although at much reduced fitness levels! The table tennis club is now in its 7[th] year and we meet every Monday in the Sports Hall from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm. We break for refreshments and a chat and all are welcome to attend. The club has four tables with an average of 8 people attending each week, so there is very little time waiting for a game. Why not come and improve your own fitness – we are only amateurs and it would be wonderful to see you.

Roger Thompson

Wesley Coffee Shop

It was wonderful to re-open our Wesley Coffee Shop again on 20 September 2021 after an 18 month enforced INDIGO closure during the Covid pandemic. We open weekly Monday to Friday from 10.00 am to 12 noon. The coffee shop is run by a loyal band of volunteers and if you would be able to spare 2½ hours of your time once a month to help you would be most welcome.

It is important we continue to provide this opportunity to reach out to our own congregation and also to our wider community so your continued support would be much appreciated. Since re-opening we have had visitors and regulars attending from Plymouth, Liskeard, Callington and Launceston. We use Fair Trade products and Indigo Valley filter coffee which is ethically sourced and carbon neutral. Why not come along and enjoy a great coffee experience – we would love to see you.

Roger Thompson

Table Top Sale

Our monthly Table Top sales have re-started, on the last Saturday of each month. With our usual Saturday Coffee Morning running alongside, serving hot drinks and delicious baked items. Do come along and support us.

Many thanks,

Joy Amies

Traidcraft

Traidcraft Trading continued during the pandemic due to ordering via emails, working from home and the treasurer keeping track of it all.

Traidcraft wants to facilitate a conscious lifestyle by providing the very finest fair trade, ethical, organic, recycled, reusable and socially conscious goods.

Many thanks to the regular customers that have supported Traidcraft through the last two years.

Treasurer’s Report

Accounts year ended 31 August 2021

The Saltash Wesley Church General accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021 were presented to the Church Council Meeting in October 2021 and the accounts subsequently combined with those for the internal organisations were presented at the February 2022 meeting and have been agreed by Church Council. The accounting records and the combined Standard Form of Accounts have now been audited by David Trill and agreed. Again my thanks to David for his speedy but thorough review of the records and also my thanks to all those who have checked the accounts of the internal organisations.

As mentioned in my report last year, the majority of the internal organisation figures are shown as designated accounts on the Standard Form of Accounts in order to reflect accurate total income and expenditure figures. The accounts for the Saltash/Mbare Partnership and the Music Foundation which are restricted funds have remained outside these figures and have been shown in the restricted organisations summary.

Going through the main sources of income, I am pleased to report that Offerings emerged at £39,910 compared to £38,386 in the previous year, an increase of £1,524 . In fact the offerings were only down by £666 on the figure of £40,576 received in the year ended 31 August 2019, which is amazing when taking into account the number of weeks over the last 2 years when it was not possible to hold services at Wesley.

The other main source of income, being hiring of our premises only amounted to £7,204 compared to £14,561 in the previous year, i.e. a fall of £7,357. This was of course owing to government restrictions relating to the categories of organisations which were mainly medical or educational related, which were able to meet during the periods of complete or partial lockdown in both years. The income during the last 2 years was considerably below that received in 2018 and 2019 which amounted to £18,836 and £15,649 respectively. However groups have begun to return and new bookings have been received in the last few months so it is hoped that our hiring income will again return to the level received in 2018.

It was necessary to delay our Gift Day in May 2020 until October 2020. A further Gift Day was then held in July 2021 so that in 2022 we should be able to return to the normal spring date. An amount of £5,241 was received from individuals in October and £5,840 in July, a total of £11,081 during the financial year. In 2019 the amount received from individuals was £5,332 so my grateful thanks to all who have contributed so generously. The amount received from organisations over the two years amounted to £3,796 (2019 - £5,016) because most internal organisations have not met for over 18 months and reduced their balances to minimal amounts on the October Gift Day. The enforced lockdowns will also have a knock on effect to the amount which internal organisations will be able to contribute to general funds in May 2022.

Sundry donations amounted to £1,640 compared to £9,215 in 2020 and the amount received from funerals and bequests was also down from £6,994 in 2020 to £105 in 2021. In addition owing to the pandemic it was not possible to hold any table top sales, week day coffee mornings or craft fairs which resulted in losses of income of £900 , £4,064 and £438 compared to that achieved in 2019 when we were fully open.

Income from investments was down by £702 and amounted to £4,879 during the year with £4,637 being received from investments via Brewin Dolphin, £239 from TMCP and £3 bank interest. The drop in income being mainly because of reduced interest rates and dividend distributions in the last financial year.

The Gift Aid Tax reclaim was down by £2,514 and amounted to £13,282 . This is mainly because the amounts receivable of £1,990 under the Gift Aid Small Donations scheme for each of the years ended 5 April 2019 and 2020 was received during the year ended 31 August 2020. The amount for the year ended 5

April 2021 was received in October 2021, but only amounted to £160 owing to the amount received in cash collections or donations qualifying under GASDS over the year was minimal compared to the previous year.

The solar power pay-back received amounted to £3,996 and was down by £1,193 on the previous year. This was however mainly owing to the meter reading in August 2019 being submitted late in November 2019 thus increasing the rebate disclosed in the accounts last year.

A total of £27,155 was received towards our Children’s and Families Worker project with £20,000 received in grants and £7,155 from church members. This compares to £28,050 in 2020 when income from the jacket potato lunches contributed towards the total.

Total income for the year including that of the internal organisations amounted to £116,380 compared to £139,951 in the previous year.

Turning to expenses, our major expense was the Circuit assessment which amounted to £57,652 which was slightly down owing to a catch up figure of £431 due in August 2019 being paid in November 2019. Otherwise the assessment has remained the same for the last 2 years. It was not been possible for the Circuit Treasurer to revise the assessment figures owing to the fact that there was no attendance count in October 2020 on which part of the assessment is normally based.

Insurance and utilities totalled only £5,152, (2020 - £7,648) being insurance £3,650 (2020 £3,648), water rates £175 (2020 - £909), electricity £582 (2020 - £1,805) and gas £745 (2020 - £1,286) overall a decrease of £2,496, once again as a result of the Church premises being shut and also negotiation with our electricity supplier as a result of the electricity meter being faulty. The total cost of insurance and utilities in 2019 was £8,566 . Fortunately we have fixed rate contracts in place until 31 July 2022 for electricity and until March 2023 for gas, so we have been cushioned against the exorbitant increases in fuel charges. Obviously we will need to carefully monitor our electricity and gas consumption in the coming months.

Building maintenance totalled only £1,173 compared to £7,475 in 2020. Unfortunately despite intensive efforts and negotiations it has still not been possible to access Bostraze, the adjacent property, in order to complete the re-rendering of the Sports Hall wall although we have been assured that this work will commence within the next month.

Equipment additions and repairs totalled £6,240 (£2,847 – 2020). The major items included in the expenditure were £2,241 on the stairs and coffee bar carpet and fitting, £890 boiler service and repairs, £1,118 for the new water heater and £1,374 for cameras and live streaming equipment via Zoom.

Telephone costs emerged at £1,427 for the year an increase of £146 on 2020 and £481 compared to the 2019 figure. This is mainly because we were out of contract with BT whilst awaiting the change to Virgin Media, which was necessary to increase the internet speeds required for live streaming and faster wi-fi connection.

Cleaning and consumables amounted £888 mainly for the purchase of Covid related equipment and consumables with £854 having been expended in the previous year on similar items.

The cost of our Shell and Youth Club leader totalled £5,231 which included a redundancy payment. However a total of £2,321 was received from the government Job Retention Scheme to offset against this expense.

We are grateful to Phil Taylor, our organist for not claiming any organist fees during the 18 month period when we were unable to fully open. It was not necessary to have the organ and the piano in the church tuned until we re-opened for services, thus total costs of tuning were reduced from £1,080 in 2020 to £526 in the last financial year.

Cleaner costs emerged at £546 (2020 - £1,571 ), down following the retirement of our cleaner from paid employment in December 2021. We however are very grateful to Carolyn Statton for continuing many of her cleaning duties on a voluntary basis. Thank you also to those members of our congregation and the

lock-up teams who have made it possible to clean and keep our premises Covid safe over the last two years. Most of the other expenses emerged as anticipated and were in line with the previous years.

Total income disclosed by the Standard form of Account is therefore £116,380 (2020 – 139,951) and expenses £125,039 (2020 - £135,800). It was fortunate that we managed to reduce our expenditure by almost £10,800 during this difficult time. Thus the net excess of expenditure over income for the year amounted to £8,659 compared to the surplus in the previous year of £4,151 . Taking into account the unprecedented events over the last 2 years I am actually quite hearted that the net deficit over the two accounting years covered by the pandemic was only just over £4,500 .

As at 31 August 2021 the bank and cash balances held locally in the general account amounted to £35,507 compared to £ 40,515 at the end of the previous accounting period. In addition internal organisations held a total of £3,748 (2020- £7,398), (excluding Mbare and the Music Foundation).

On 31 August 2021 the valuation of the Henwood bequest amounted to £246,048 compared to £205,774 at the end of the previous accounting date, an increase of £40,274.

The amount held by the Trustees for Methodist Church purposes as at 31 August 2021 amounted to £40,168 (2020 - £37,831) of which £25,748 (2020 - £25,741) related to Model Trust Funds and £14,420 (2020 - £12,090) to Permanent Endowment Funds. Therefore total funds (excluding bank and cash balances in restricted funds as at 31 August 2021 amounted to £325,469 compared to £291,517 in 2020, an increase of £33,952. This comprises £8,659 deficit of income for the year and unrealised gains on investments of £42,611 unrealised gains in the value of investments.

The Church Council has agreed a reserves policy of 40% of the expenditure from General Funds for the previous financial year excluding those items of expenditure which were simply passed on through the funds. The amount available in general funds as at 31 August 2021 represented 50.9% of the total general funds expenditure. This is temporarily above our reserves level because of reduced expenditure in the last financial year.

Separately I have prepared a schedule of donations made to various charities during the year ended 31 August 2021 which totalled £11,954 , including those made to our partner church in Mbare. This was not unsurprisingly down on the previous year when total charitable donations reached £13,289 as it was impossible to hold many of our usual fund raising events. In addition £737 was raised towards the proposed visit by members of our partner church in Mbare.

Current position

I have recently prepared a draft income and expenditure account for the six months to 28 February 2022. Total income received amounted to £59,003 compared to £61,618 in the same period in the previous year. The decrease is mainly because of the Gift Day which was delayed from the spring of 2020 to October 2020 when income of £8,376 was received. However to offset this our hiring income emerged at £9,151 , an increase of £6,131 compared to the same period in the previous year. Offerings amounted to £ 19,336 (2021 - £19,191).

Total expenditure in the 6 months amounted to £69,761 with the main expense being the circuit assessment amounting to £28,826 . It has also been necessary to purchase a new electric cooker at a cost of £4,017 including installation materials which was less expensive that the additional gas works which

would be required to ensure that the existing gas oven and extraction system complied with current health and safety legislation. In addition we have upgraded the church tech computer, screens and wiring at a cost of £1,763 and we thank Craig King and Paul Melling for all their expertise in completing this task.

We are very grateful to a generous member of our congregation who has financed the cost of a defibrillator and container box which we expect to be installed outside our premises within the next 4 weeks.

We have donated £1,000 to the deficit which has arisen on the ministers’ pension reserve fund following an appeal by the Connexion.

Separately we have also paid £648 for 5 members of our congregation to complete a first aid training course and 8 members have successfully obtained food hygiene certificates.

From the above figures you will note that there is a deficit of income amounting to £10,757 in the first six months of the current financial year compared to £2,439 in the same period last year. However our financial position at the end of February annually is often the worst for the year. I trust the position will be reversed by funds received at our annual Gift Day in May or June and the Gift Aid tax refund before 31 August 2022.

Finally, I would like to sincerely thank all our Church family not only for their tremendous generosity and commitment both spiritually, practically and financially to the continuing work at Wesley, in our town community and the wider Circuit but also for their ongoing financial assistance to the charities supported each year.

Anita Thompson - Church Treasurer .

SALTASH WESLEY mHoDIST CHURCH 001i4TIONS TO CHARITIES YEAR ENOED 31 AUGUST %>21 180.00 Tueyw Qtde 264.28 Boxes 20.00 Personal 1,477.50 Chtha5 G 205. Bwjd wak 15.00 Bld Wak &34.39 Gfft A¥J 634.39 Gffl Ak1 40.00 Café c[Ch 26. Tuegw Qrcle Pals A(11 ts Clikjren Christian Axl Mbare MethDJist chth Rf FuThJ Mtwe Methc¥J& Chwth Rel Fund Matt1 Rusl(e ChtrenS Methcxl& Chwth Relf Fuj Mbare Schod Fees MelL51 Wcrtl IALsyon Mbare MethLxJ Churth Relf FuThJ EIE Mbare Methrxl& Church Relf Fund frAb¥e Schod Fees matth Rusl(e Chtren's Hrxne Mbare MethcxJ& Church Rdf Fund frAb¥e Schod Fees Sallash FrKxJtrAnk 2,088.75 Per5(ThI 262. Plarrt S 262.50 Plarrt s 525.00 Reb"ring Cdlecbon 50.00 Café Churth 240.00 TraKluaft 2C(I.00 TraNJcTrft 250.00 TraKlrx3ft 1.00 Wes Cmstmas C strp the Traffik Mbwe Methcxl& Chwth Fu1 Mbare Schod Fees frAatthe RusA(e ChthnS H(¥ne TOTAL £11,9S4.31

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS SALTASH WESLEY METHODIST Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2021 SALTASH Circuit Clrcult no 12122 Reglstered Charlty - Charlty Reglstratjon number 1127542 If not a registered chanty Her Majesty's Revonuo and Customs Gift Ald numbef (The HMRC number is equiVanI to a registered charity number in temis of evidence of charrtable status and may USed to give to donors or granl funders wshing to see evidence of the organisalion'$ charitable status. Methc4Jist charrties in England and Wales that are not registered charrties are excepted from gistratIon under StalLrtory Instrument 2014 No.242) Minister.. Revend Jonathan Budd Church Stewards.. Mrs. Anne Melling Mr. Christopher Gittins Mrs.Caroline Hambly Retired 30 April 2021 Professor Noel Morgan Retired 30 November 2020 Mr. Derek Holley Miss Elspeth Nicolls Mrs. Rosemary Wrtts Appointed 1 May 2021 Treasurer. Mrs. Antta Thompson ChLrch R and P 2015J* l of5

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 SALTASH WESLEY METHODIST Church Totals last SECTION A FLmds a1 RECEIPTS Note a2 Offerin s and Tax recovered 8ank and CFB interest and Investment income Lellin 53,193 53,193 54,183 31 4.847 4.878 7,204 51.105 116,380 5,581 14,561 65,626 139,951 a4 a5 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 19.781 4.169 4,169 27,155 32,002 a6 la71 SECTION B b1 PAYMENTS Circuit Assessment or Share b2 57,652 67,652 1,005 7,939 58,084 890 b3 Oonalions 1,C05 b4 Re airs ana Maintenance Ulililies Ilnsurane6s. walor 7,767 172 11,403 bs 5,152 3.043 14.728 5.152 30.198 23,093 126.039 7,648 29,992 27 783 b6 Children's and Families Worker 27.155 4,675 32.002 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 3690 b8 88,342 4,695 Ib91 135,800 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 •64)8 8.133 526 8.659 4,151 Total funds brought I08rd from last yeai 86.2 7.358 40 73,6S4 ¢6 69.484 Sub total ¢1+c2 58.123 6.832 40 64.996 73,635 Transfers and ad"uslmenls 3.131 3.084 40 c7 19 ¢5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c4} 61.254 3,748 66,002 Ic81 73,654 le61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS these amourts are not to be Included In total rncel ures abovè d1 Balaneè brou hl forward from last e 4,579 7,664 Offenn sIGrfts - received fof extemal o n1$atn$ 15,2 18,328 OfferingslGrfts - pa$$ed to extemal organisatsons 12.651 21,413 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID Id1 +d2-d31 7.830 4.579 P2015. 2015

SALTASH WESLEY METHODIST CNv¢h RCM CCNJFKIL SECTK)N E Inlwn r¢rrr•ly b• rt cAdd be LEB•J fty Trd sthn rrrtjsl be Mu•k Four•10 740 3481 4,21$ Church •c¢ount• IbJW• 2. totslb 118.380 125,039 Ic71 73,154 65,002 BY CHURCH 117,12CI 125,042 77.136 09,220 TOTAL f¢ECEI TOTNL PAYIIEfiT• SECT F CLOSIIIG 8ALANCE8 CHVRCM. CAOH FUNDS HELD•t 31 bt20 1.ni 37 169 25,711 25.748 6.015 3191 SUB TOTAL. Chwth xeoun TotAI nd W by Intwrd ltrLvq Iwn ATrTI1•121 TOTAL CASH FVND8 HeLD eYeMvRCH 69,220 3ECTION G At 31 12021 OTHER ET3 UABfLmE8 217883 J&B 3 877 183 932 355 987.079 f4 FLrfA W tr• Certy 8wd Jo15

Namo ofChur¢h SALTASH WESLEY METHODtsT CHURCH -........- .................No...22112 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these RecApl and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2021 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that ttw indude all furKls under the control of Ihe Church trustees. Signature of Iasurer ..... Name and address of treasurer Mrs. Anita Thompson 26 Long Park Road. Saltash. Comwall PL12 4A Presentatlon to the Church trustees I confirn that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 NgUSt 2021 werelwll be presented lo the meeting of the Church trustees hek1 on 1 Fetsru 2022 Signature of the Chair of the meelino 1. 3.22. Name of the Chair of the meeting Dale 1.3.22. Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of the SALTASH WESLEY METHODIST CHURCH Charlty Number 1127542 Responslbllltlo$ and basis of report I report lo the trustees on my examinatth of the acctyjnts of the Saltash we5Y Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2021 sel out on pages 1.. 10 3.... As the Church's trustees, you are sponsible for the pparatiOn of the accounts in acconjance with the requ1leffnts of the Charities Act 20111'lhe Act'}. I report in respect of my examination of the Church's accounts carried (xrt uThJer section 145 of the Act and. in carrwng out my examination, I have followed all the apFlicae Directions given by the Charity Commission under secbon 145{5}Ibl of the A£t. ' delete or arde as appropriate 15thr¢*RJP 4ofS

Name of Churth. SALTASH WESLEY METhODIST CHURCH 1V22 Independent Examlnef s Stalemenl I have cornpleted my examinatiw. l Confirm that rK) m*enal matters have come lo my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below'l vknich give me cause lo believe that in. any material respect. the accounting records were not kept in ac£ordance wlh section 130 of the Act,. or the accounts do not aCCd with accounting rec¢yds. Ilhe Ilhe I have no concems and have come across no other matters in conneclion wilh the examination lo which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo bg reach8d. I have10blnOd independent verification of all inv8slmenls with the Trustees for Melhodisl Church Purposes or held In othèr trust$. bank balances and funds al the Central Finance Board of th8 Melhodisl Church v#hich ar8 Ij1viduallY In excess of £10.¢XKI {ten thousand pourKlsl al the balance sheet dale. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner David Trill R81ovanl prof$$sional qualrfi¢alion of IndeFonI 6xaminer ACIB Name of fim Iwhere appropriatel Address 4 Fonitn Park Sallash, Comwall PL126DQ Post Code Dale delete or circle as appropriate ?J15ctrth R Pth Sd5