Ofington Park Methodist Church Trustees Report for the year ending 31 August 2025 ## 1. Objectives and activities In setting our objectives and planning our activities the Church Council meets at least three times a year under the leadership of the presbyter in Pastoral Charge. Our mission is to be a powerful spiritual influence in the community and a visible expression of God’s inclusive love. We aim to achieve this by developing the worship, social and outreach activities that currently exist, and by seeking new ways to extend to others the fellowship of the Church family. ## 2. Achievements and performance The Church funds are detailed in the Church accounts. In the course of the year Offington Park Methodist Church has provided regular acts of public worship on Sundays and other significant days of the Christian year. Worship has been enhanced by introducing café worship each month which, along with breakfast church, messy church and fun church, enables families to access worship regularly. A monthly midweek service of Holy Communion is celebrated on the third Wednesday of each month and every second Sunday in the month during the 10.30am service. All services are accessible from screens within the church and all Sunday services are now live-streamed with a growing number of our elderly congregation joining on line. We are grateful to our Lay Worker, who, as part of his pastoral responsibilities helps those who need it with equipment set up advice. Our worship is further enhanced by the variety of music offered using our band, the organ and videos on screen. All Christian festivals are marked and the community attendance at these is very popular, especially Christingle. In the course of the year the Church has held a number of fund-raising and social events to which members of the wider community have been invited. The Church has offered hospitality to the wider community by hosting a weekly Luncheon Club for around 50 elderly people, some from the congregation and others from Guild Care. The Church provides opportunities for Christian education through its regular Bible Study Group and three house-groups. The Church makes its premises available to the wider community, through Zach’s café ( a free drop-in held in the church space for all ages ) which is increasingly well supported as it is open from Monday to Thursday all year round (excluding Easter and Christmas). The Lighthouse Soft Play has been more popular than we could ever have imagined and is run by a full time Community Development Worker and a part time Deputy Community Development Worker. It also encourages our older young people to volunteer and teaches them transferrable life skills. Schools and colleges have approached us to host work experience students and those studying for their Duke of Edinburgh award. The Church hosts several social groups including Knit ‘n’ Natter, Cameo and Offington Bells, a handbell ringing group. We also host a local church that has no physical building in which to meet. A yoga group and Women’s Choir also meet regularly. Two Rainbow units, two Brownie units and a Guide pack currently meet on the premises each week during term time. The Cubs and Scouts, which used to meet on the premises, outgrew the space available to them and have now found another venue. Regular Parade services are held three times a year to which all these are invited. The Church is always looking at ways to be good stewards of God’s creation and has installed automatic lighting in most of its room and automatic handwashing in all of its refurbished toilets. Lighting is being replaced by LED’s on a rolling basis as it wears out. The new kitchen in September 2024 was fitted with Eco-efficient equipment. ## 2.1 Plans for future years A full time Pioneer and part time Children’s and Families Worker have been funded, initially for three years, by a very generous grant from the District and Connexion and the posts have been advertised. With the support of the Church family these posts will encourage growth in faith sharing in a new and accessible way to future generations. The Allan Fletcher Hall, toilets and kitchen are scheduled to be upgraded and refurbished to ensure the building is fit for purpose and to better serve future generations. The Church will continue to ensure that all those required to do so attend training appropriate to their role and we will continue to promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) across the church groups. ## 3. Financial Review Please see the accompanying accounts. There were no significant events during the year. The Managing Trustees have every reason to believe that the Church is a going concern. Trustees do not foresee any factors that will significantly affect the financial performance or position in the next year or two. The church holds no freehold property. The church’s principal sources of funds are from the free-will gifts of the members of the congregation and from fund-raising events. ## 3.1 Investment policy and performance To comply with Methodist Standing Orders, monies for long-term investment are lodged with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP). These sums are invested in unitised investments or held on deposit. The investment returns are close to tracking the movements on the FTSE100 index. The deposit mirrors the deposit rates available elsewhere. The Managing Trustees’ investment policy is aligned with that of the CFB and TMCP because these organisations take into consideration the social, environmental and ethical considerations, both negatively and positively, that make investments suitable for the Methodist Church. Short term deposits are lodged directly with the Central Finance Board (CFB) and attract good rates of interest. ## 3.2 Reserves Level and policy Please see the accompanying Reserves Policy agreed by the Church Council. Reserve levels are clearly stated in the church accounts. ## 4. Trustees’ Responsibilities For each financial year ending on 31 August the Managing Trustees are required to prepare financial statements that give a true and fair view of the Church’s financial activities during the year, and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing these financial statements the Managing Trustees must: - Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently - Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent - Follow applicable accounting standards - Prepare accounts using The Methodist Church Standard Form of Accounts The Managing Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the church and enables them to ensure that financial statements comply with the law. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. ## 4.1 Risk The Church is largely risk averse. ## 1. Structure, governance and management The Church is governed by the Methodist Church Act (1976) and the Deed of Union (1932). ## 1.1 Structure Offington Park Methodist Church is part of the West Sussex (Coast and Downs) Circuit. As such it is represented on the Circuit Meeting which meets four times a year. The Methodist Conference meets once each year as the supreme denominational body for all Methodist Churches. 1. Overall regulatory authority rests with the Methodist Conference. 2. The Connexional Office implements decisions made by the Conference and is responsible for the stationing of presbyters and deacons (collectively known as ministers) in individual Circuits within the District. 3. Connexional decisions are passed to the Chair of the District and the appropriate officers of the District for implementation. 4. The District passes down to Circuit level for implementation by the Superintendent Minister, ministerial staff and Circuit Stewards, and authority is delegated to the Circuit Meeting for certain matters. 5. The Circuit Meeting passes regulatory control down to Church Councils for local implementation by the presbyter, the Church Stewards, and other officers, and this regulatory control is then exercised by the Church Councils as Managing Trustees of their charity. ## 5.2 Purpose of the Church The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the date of union the advancement of: - a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church, and - b) Any charitable purposes for the time being of any connexional, District, Circuit, local or other organisation of the Methodist Church, and, - c) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society, or institution subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church, and - d) Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a subsidiary or ancillary of the Methodist Church. The primary purpose of Offington Park Methodist Church is to advance the Christian faith by providing opportunities for worship, Christian nurture and fellowship within the wider West Sussex Community. ## 5.3 Governance The Church operates within a statutory framework of regulation and seeks to ensure that it follows Methodist Standing Orders. It relies on the Connexional Office at 25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR to provide guidance on changes that could affect the Church. The members of the Church Council are appointed under the terms of S.O. 610(2). The Superintendent is ex officio chair of the Church Council but may delegate this task to other presbyters in the Circuit. The Church Council normally meets three times per year and deals with routine and exceptional matters. It oversees the work of other groups within the life of the Church. ## 5.4 Responsibilities of the Church Council The responsibilities of the Church Council and other committees are set out in Standing Orders 603 – 604 of the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church. ## 6. Reference and Administrative Details ## 6.1 Name of the Church Offington Park Methodist Church ## 6.2 Charity Registration number 1127681 ## 6.3 Superintendent Minister The Rev Rosemarie Clarke 6.4 Presbyter in Pastoral Charge The Rev Dawn Carn ## 6.5 Names of Managing Trustees Rev Rosemarie Clarke Rev Dawn Carn Mike Powell Gill Powell Joy Barnes John Bishop Kevin Harmer Roz Merrick Karen Clayton Terry Edmondson Adam Cook Bridget Quint Michele Funnell Alison Wright Catherine Burgess Carolyn Williams Pam Frost Emily Wilson Nick Skinner Hilary Colbourn Tanya Griffith 6.6 Independent Examiner Mr Keith Thacker ## **OFFINGTON PARK METHODIST CHURCH** ## **STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025** |**Income**
Offerings
Circuit Assessment Rebate
Gift Aid on Offerings
Gift Day Receipts
Donations (General)
Lettings (Use of Premises)
Weddings and Funerals
Church Activities (Fundraising)
Spotlight Sales
Photocopier Income
Transport Receipts
Church Flowers
Solar Panel Income
Interest on Investments
Miscellaneous Income
Zach's Café
Tuesday Lunches
Our Calling (Worship)
Our Calling (Learning & Caring)
Our Calling (Service)
Our Calling (Evangelism)
Cleaning Receipts
Grants & Legacies
Lighthouse Soft Play Session Income
Lighthouse Party Income
Lighthouse Café Income
Lighthouse Other Income
**_Total Income_**
_General Fund receipts due to CFB funds_|**£**
77,057.23
4,423.00
21,022.29
13,802.43
2,365.14
14,946.50
1,199.00
5,498.50
661.20
127.12
517.56
67.50
2,580.85
2,998.67
5,122.23
18,488.80
9,032.00
180.10
2,605.00
0.00
0.00
330.00
26,364.05
53,140.59
6,742.50
43,005.01
878.01| |---|---| ||**313,155.28**| ||_22,245.60_| ## **OFFINGTON PARK METHODIST CHURCH** ## **STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025** |**Expenditure**
Circuit Assessment
Salaries & Wages (excluding Lighthouse)
Insurance Premiums
Administration
Property Account
Gas Charges
Electricity Charges
Water Rates/Commercial Waste
Telecom inc Broadband
Cost of Fundraising
Photocopier Expenditure
Transport Expenses
Church Flowers
Fees & Charges
Miscellaneous Expenses
Digital Media
Wedding and Funeral Costs
Zach's Café Expenses
Tuesday Lunch Expenses
Organ & Piano Costs
Cleaning Expenses
Our Calling (Worship)
Leasing Charges
Our Calling (Learning & Caring)
Our Calling (Service)
Our Calling (Evangelism)
Lighthouse General Expenses
Lighthouse Party Expenses
Lighthouse Café Expenses
Lighthouse Other Expenses (Salaries)
**_Total expenditure_**
_Other fund expenses through bank_
**_Net Surplus/Deficit(-)_**|92,020.00
18,149.86
4,759.61
420.16
25,996.43
5,677.08
7,627.18
3,372.41
1,915.18
1,510.19
1,940.04
1,111.78
197.96
746.14
1,398.65
2,198.59
508.00
5,727.42
2,235.24
393.49
2,226.49
829.70
8,058.14
2,899.55
0.00
0.00
17,033.14
1,321.41
23,968.84
41,681.34| |---|---| ||**275,924.02**| ||_27,292.16_| ||**37,231.26**| ||| |_B/F Balance Others_
_Collections on behalf of Others_
_Payments on behalf of others_
_Net C/F Balance Others_|0.00
676.80
676.80
0.00| |**Total Funds B/F**
Net Surplus/Deficit(-)
Unrealised Gain/Loss on TMCP Unit Revaluations|**99,082.88**
329.09
37,231.26| ## **OFFINGTON PARK METHODIST CHURCH** ## **STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025** |**Total Funds C/F**
Net 'Other Fund' Movements (Internal CFB Transfers)|5,046.56| |---|---| ||**130,938.49**| ## **OFFINGTON PARK METHODIST CHURCH** ## **STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025** ## **STATEMENT OF FUNDS** |**Current Assets**
Bank
Central Finance Board
In Hand (Floats)
**Cash Assets**
**Current Liabilities**
_Creditors (<1-year Loans)_
_Funds Collected for Others (Box 1)_
**Liabilities**
**Net Assets Held Locally**
**Reserve General Funds Held at TMCP Manchester**
TMCP Trustee's Interest Fund
TMCP Managed Fixed Int Fund
TMCP Managed Mixed Int Fund
**Net Reserves**
**TOTAL OPMC FUNDS**|24,674.43
68,889.94
315.00
**93,879.37**
10,000.00
0.00| |---|---| ||**10,000.00**| ||**83,879.37**| ||845.41
16,522.59
29,691.12
**47,059.12**| ||**130,938.49**| ||| |**ANALYSIS OF FUNDS HELD LOCALLY**|| |**CAF Bank Current Accounts**
General Fund
Lighthouse Fund
**Central Finance Board**
General Fund
Unrestricted
Lighthouse Reserve Account
Designated
Eco Fund
Designated
COP Project Fund
Restricted
Dunning Bequest (Junior Youth)
Restricted
OPYP Fund (Senior Youth)
Restricted
**Total Central Finance Board**
**Total Locally Held Funds**|| ||10,219.69| ||14,769.74| ||**24,989.43**| ||| ||43,150.93| ||21,771.24
327.93
0.00
2,944.57
695.27| ||**68,889.94**| ||| ||**93,879.37**| ||| |**ANALYSIS OF RESERVES**|| |**Reserves**
Unallocated Reserves
**Total Reserves**|47,059.12| ||**47,059.12**| ||| |**ANALYSIS OF CREDITORS**|| |1-year Rolling Loan
**Total Creditors**|10,000.00| ||**10,000.00**| ## **OFFINGTON PARK METHODIST CHURCH** ## **STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025** |**TOTAL OPMC Funds**||**130,938.49**| |---|---|---| |||| |**ANALYSIS OF GENERAL FUND HOLDINGS**|**2023-24**|**2024-25**| |Central Finance Board (General Fund)
Central Finance Board (Lighthouse Fund)
Current Accounts
TMCP
General Creditors|8,470.78
0.00
27,283.04
47,388.21
30,000.00|43,150.93
21,771.24
24,989.43
47,059.12
10,000.00| |Total General Fund|**53,142.03**|**126,970.72**| |Other CFB Funds (Restricted and Designated)
**TOTAL OPMC FUNDS**|30,591.04|3,967.77| ||**83,733.07**|**130,938.49**| CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Offington Park Methodist Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 West Sussex (Coast & Downs} Circuit Circuit no 36108 Registered Charity- Charity Registration number 1127681 If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number {The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms Df evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing lo see evidence of the organisalion's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Slalulory Instrument 2014 No.242} Minister- Rev Dawn Carn Church Stewards: Roz Merrick Hilary Colbourn Joy Barnes Kevin Harmer Gillian Powell John Bishop Barry Spooner Terry Edmondson Treasurer.. Michael Powell Chur¢h R and P 2015.￿5 1 of 5 ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Offington Park Methodist Church Unrestricted Restrictèd Funds Funds Totals this year Totals last SECTION A year a1 RECEIPTS Note a2 Offerin s and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Inve51menl income 98.D80 98,080 97,492 a3 2,999 14,946 196,922 312,947 2,999 14,946 197,130 313,155 4,243 20,456 55,239 177,430 Lellin a5 Other reGeipls TOTAL RECEIPTS 208 a6 208 la71 SECTION b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 92,020 92.020 89,512 b3 Donations b4 Repairs and Maintenan Itililies Ilnsurances, water char es healin htin 26,390 26,390 23,306 b5 23,351 23,351 18,814 b6 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 133.208 274,969 955 134,163 275,924 37,185 168,817 b8 955 {b91 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS c1 a6-b8 37,978 747 37,231 8,613 Total funds brought forward from last year 83,733 83,733 Ic61 122,567 c3 Sub total c1 +¢2 121,711 747 120,964 131,180 ¢4 Transfers and ad'ustmenls inveslThenl revaluation 9,974 9,974 c7 47,447 4 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c4} 131,685 17471 130,938 Ic81 83,733 Ic61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY.. MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS {these arnounts aro not to be included in total receiptslpa ents flgures above d1 Balance brou ht forward from last ear 60 d2 Offerin sIGifls - re￿iVed for external or anisalions 677 1,236 d3 OfferingslGifls passed lo external organisalions 677 1,296 d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID Id1 +d2-d31 thutch R artd P 2015.xls 2015 Off1n ton Park Melhodisl Church UMMARY OF CHURCH ACCO NT AND INTERNAL ANI RnN NCIL SECTION E Please follow the Guldance Notes to com Summary olthe Church aDcDun15 lor the yea-. ended 31 August 2020 and In￿rnal Or9aryisalions reporting 10 the Church Councillchurch Meebng Note thai ihe lund5 018n 1n￿rnal Or9anisaiitsn would normally be Resintied funds unles5 Ilcould bB clg3rly shown Ih31 ¢ould be used forany LleIho￿r5r purpose This section Must be completed io arrive at Ihe 9ross income and expenditure ioials tsf Ihè Churth If gtoss Income exceeds the A¢¢ruals threshold. then rhe A¢¢wa15 method ol accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM ￿￿5[ be used 10 reportthe accountslsee Methodi5lwebsitel P'.ease relei io the guidance nolp5 fEgarding Ir8nsfprs ihe District and INTERNAL ORGANISATIOXS Pa ents Pa Ènts Ad uslmenis Op8ni balanc&s Benevolence 357 357 The Ll hthouse Soft Pla 15.390 15.350 15,350 ub toial o 15.350 15.350 15.707 357 è12 Church accounts (tota15 t>roUyhtfo￿9rd Irom p399 2- totals column) 113,155 a7 27S.924 37.231 9.974 03.733 c6 130,958 BY CHURCH 313.155 291.274 9.974 99,440 Coniinue on a separate sheei If necessary and bring the lolalsforw¥rd TOTAL REGEIPTS TOTAL PAYMENTS SECTION F TATEFAENT ET AND LIABIL1TIE OPENINC BALANCES CLOSING ALANCE5 CHURCH- CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 Au uSt2026 Cash In hand 32S 325 Bank CurreniAccounL 27.298 24,664 bank 08posil Account f4 C8niral Board 39,061 68.890 Trugte¥ foi kl¥ih¢disi Chu¥ch Pu osès 47.388 47.059 Olher lunds 110,owi SUB TOTAL- Church accounts 83.723 c6 130.938 c8 balance ioial Ifom a￿Ve) le121 15.707 35- TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD 8Y CHURCH 99 440 SECTION G Al 0110912024 Al 31108Q025 OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIE9 InvgslmEnts Include EndowmFnls see note5 re Insurance value £7.10m £7.25m OtherAssets £318k £400k Losn show amount Outstandi arend 10K 14 Include only Funds ￿ld at Ihe Centr31 Finartt Board f5 Include only Funds held atTrustees lor Methodist Church Purposes g1 InclLrde anyotheT Investments (not ihe Gasb elemeni of TMCP trusts accounts ihis IS hncluded In Ilne 15 2&15C￿￿￿R￿￿P415 3Df5 DECLARATIONS Treasurer I confirm that I have prepared the accounts from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control ol the Fh Council Signature of Treasurer Dale 121, 125 Narne MICHAEL POWELL Address 20 Sl Lawrence Avenue Worthing BN14 7JF Prosentation lo the 'Church Council for approval. I confirm that the Accounts have been presented to the Church Council on 0411112025 and were approved. iignaluo of th& Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Rev Dawn Carn Dale Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Offlngton Park Methodist Church This Report is on the Church Accounts for the yaar ended 31, August 2025 Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner .e charity's Iruslees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's Iruslees consider that an audit is not required lor this year under sectlDn 144 01 the Charities Act 2011 Ilhe Charities Acll and that an independent examination is needed. 11 is my responsibility lo.. Examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act lo follow the proceduras laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 14515llbl of the Charities Acll, and to slate whether particular rllatters have corne lo my attention. 2015 thurch R and P.xls 4of5 Basls of Independent Exarniner's Report My examination was carried out in accordance wlh general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records.11 also includes consideration of any unusual items Dr disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such mallers. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be rèquired in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as lo whether the accounts present a 'lrue and fair, view and Ihe report is limited lo thosè matters sel out in the slalemenl below. Indapendent Examiner's Statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention I which gives me reasonable cause lo believe that in any material respect the requirements.. lo keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., lo prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been mel", or 121 lo which, in my opinion, allenlion should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. . Pl&as8 dglele the words in the brackets if they do not apply appropriate 131 I havelh8bE* obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Melhodisl Church Purposes I'TMCP l or held in other Trusts, Bank balances and Funds al the Central Finance Board of the Melhodisl Church I'CFB'I, which are individually in excess of £10,000 Ilen thousand poundsl al the balance sheet dale. Please cirGle as appropriate Name Keith Thacker Signature Relevant Professional qualrficalion or body hj c-w /71 006 C LJ niKLIL4-o Address Dale 92/J IL 2015 church R and P.xls Sof 5