Trustees report for year 2024-2025
St. John's Methodist Church BloxwiCh WS3 3HS www. stjohnsbloxwich. co.uk
Minister: Rev. Jem Hawkins 29 Victoria Avenue, Bloxwich WS3 3HS.
Trustees Annual Report —Y/E 31 August 2025
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31[st] . Aug 2025. As a Christian church we, as you would expect, are focused on people and their needs. Like many similar organisations our church struggled with getting back to normal after the various restrictions brought about by the Covid19 pandemic. Although Covid is well behind us its effect has cast a long shadow. Sunday worship attracts about half the numbers than was the case in 2019-20. However our core attendance seems solid and we draw encouragement from the fact that we have newcomers, junior church has regular support. Six, eight or sometimes more join in and are looked after in accordance with current safeguarding rules. It is a joy to know that people have hope in the future.
A major concern in recent years has been the vulnerability of our financial position. In the spring of 2025 however we received an unexpected legacy. The one off receipt of £185000.00 made a big difference to our situation. The Property and Finance Committee set about planning as to how best to use this gift.
As for the Revive Cafe area which is our major new outreach project four lunchtimes each week serves meals and drinks. We look forward to this being an important link in our witness. All that we attempt to do is focused on outreach, we see ourselves as being rooted in the local community. On occasions when it has been practicable we have joined with other denominations to celebrate major festivals, a Good Friday Walk of Witness for example.
As reported last year our church is being integrated into a newly formed and extended “Methodist Circuit” Our minister Jem, has been heavily involved in working to bring this about, there is a very great deal to be attended to. From the point of view of St. John’s a new outlook is needed and we look to engaging with the new possibilities.
During the year we prepared for Jem’s departure, at the end of July we had a special farewell service and celebration to wish him well. On the 31[st] . August we held a welcome service for Rev Dr. G. Hall who is to be Circuit superintendent as well as looking after the congregation here. That’s the Methodist way, we change our leadership every five years or so. We look forward to taking advantage of yet more possibilities to come.
On behalf of The Trustees.
Peter Box, Church Council Secretary.
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