High Street Methodist Church Witney ANNUAL REPORT Year Ended 31st August 2020 HIGH STREEII METHODISTS ## **MISSION STATEMENT FOR HIGH STREET METHODIST CHURCH** 2 Apri12021 Dear Church, It's an odd thing to be writing an annual report when forthe majority of the year our'normal, business has not been happening. As such this annual reportwill be a shorterver5ion than we are used to. However, I hope that within the report you will be able to see green shoots of growth as we continue to be led by the Holy Spirit and be the church that Christ calls us to be. Our biggest challenge this year has of course been pastoral, but the pastoral team deserve our deepest thanks for the work they have been doing to ensure we remain a body that cares. Of course, pastoral care is not j ust the work of the minister or pastoral visitors, for pastoral care is the responsibility forthe whole body of Christ in the commandment to love one another. I mention this as in addition to the thanks due to the pastoral team, that same congratulations should be extended to each and every one of you who has demonstrated love this past year. Of course, there arefartoo manyto thank in such a shortspace, but particularthanks should be given to Jane Davies Iprayersl, Rev Hilary Ewing Ireflectionsl, David Lim mer (Senior steward) Anne and Keith Crawford (pastoral and property), the stewards, leadership team and to Richard Lock, lan Prince, Guy James and Mike Buckle for the amazing work they have done each week in producing our worship services. I would also l ike to thank Ann-marie for her continued work through lockdown to keep us organised, with a special mention for her work drawing together and organising our weekly service sheets, prayers and reflections to those not online. Strategically one of our biggest challengesthis year has been the unknown. Plans have had to be written, edited and ultimately discarded in the constant shift of ci rcumstance. l expect thatthis challenge is not one that is going to go away in the nearfuture. We can either bemoan this challenge and be frustrated by it, or we can choose to see it as a blessing and an opportunity. The wind blows where it wills. One of the opportunities we must meet in the coming years is an ability to adapt and to ensure that we are relevantto the world outside of us, whilst remaining trueto our identity in Christ and theteachings given to us in the bible. As we draw an end to a turbulent 12 months, let us recognise and give thanks for the silver lining that God has once again demonstrated to usthat we already have this abilityto adapt and overcome. Let us allowthe Holy Spiritto continueto be our guide in these months ahead, and we passionately renew our commitment to loving God, loving each other, and loving our neighbours. Blessings Jason (Rev Jason Cooke) Covid-19 and Lockdown In March 2020 the church was required to close in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. The shutdown not only limited worship in the past year but also greatly reduced rental income and has closed the coffee bar. The church has, however, maintained its pastoral work, albeit mostly by phone, and found other ways of bringing worship to the congregation, and further afield, through Youtube videos, weekly prayer emails and service sheets delivered to those who do not have access to email. A great deal of thanks needs to go to all of those who have given time and effort to make all of this happen. The period has, however, also given the church time to develop other sides to its work. A new website, social media presence on Instagram and Facebook and the Youtube channel have all been developed during this time. Alongside this has been the need to think about the church branding and how the church is seen in all these new spaces. Again we give thanks to those who have worked on this. Church Life Membership Four people have transferred their membership to High Street., two have become members of High Street., ten members have transferred to other churches or ceased to meet,. eleven members have sadly died. Total Membership is now 182. Pastoral Worker and Pastoral Visitors 2020-2021 has been a difficult year with pastoral care largely being carried out via telephone, email and door-step visits where appropriate. Our grateful thanks and appreciation for the diligence of the Pastoral Visitors Team who have kept in touch regularly with those on their lists. Online communication has been a wonderful help but hard copies of church notices and summaries ofsunday YouTube services have been delivered to 30 members every week who don't have access to the technology. Prayer An email chain for requests for prayer and telephone messages for those who do not receive emails.This has proved to be an invaluable means of communication during the Covid restrictions ofthe pastyear and gives important communication of comfort and healing. Other prayer opportunities have happened over zoom or email to maintain this important part of the church's Church Leadership As mentioned in my opening remarks, I want to thank all those that have contributed to leadership team forthe work and guidance this year. I think as a team we have learned a lot, and we have had ourdifficulties,. an away daythat didn't really get off the ground, numerous plans written only to be outdated within a few days, opportunities sought only to come to nothing, etc. Despite all the challenges the team has met often with great frequency and do so with cheer and delight in serving the church. When I came to Witney one of the f irst changes, I made was to instruct the leadership team to focus on the vision of the church. One of the things the team has achieved this year is to get a good balance between work that needs to be done operational ly, whi 1st stil I maintaining an eye on its purpose. The beginning of this year saw the leadershi p team focussing on two aspects of church life.. disci pleship and worship. Over the next 6 months or so these plans will be slowly implemented, and we can look forward to sharing in the fruit of this work. I hope you spotted the reminder above thatthe leadership team serves the church and for me one of the greatest models of leadership is seen in Jesus washing the d isciples, feet. The leadersh ip team is not an elite group that seek to gain power, i nstead we are servants who wish to help guidethis church into a vibrant and fruitful future. If you everwish to bring anything to the leadership team then please do speak to any ofthe team for we are all one body. Worship When Covid 19 closed the church we were forced to work out the best alternative to maintain worship. The decision to go to recorded Youtube services has been greatly supported by our singers record ing music, the team doing the sound and video editing and the preachers and others who have taken time to record their elements so that it can be put together. The Youtube sepJices have both enable High Street to continue worshipping but have also been available and seen regularly by people across the country. Limited Sundayworship was possible in the autumn and then again from mid May alongside some midweek groups meeting in the garden. Children and Young People Overthe past year Junior Church has continued to meet every Sunday, not in person, but virtually using Zoom, led by Debbie, Janet, Linda and Helen. We have been meeting at 11.30am with 7 children joining regularly with mums and dadstaking parttoo. Our work with children and young people has been supported by a lay worker employed by the circuit. During the last year this has largely been through social media with Facebook, Instagram and Youtube offering differing ways of keeping in contact with families. Breathe and Christmas Experience Breathe was the name given to the prayer stations that we opened last summer as a space to reflect on the first lockdown. The church was completely removed of chairs and the church was transformed into a space with four prayer stations and a pool of remembrance. Each 'station' had a different theme but with the common th read of breath. Th is included Creation, #l can't breathe, Covid-19 and the breath of new creation at Pentecost. In the middle the dais was transformed into a pool of remembrance which allowed people to remember loss during the pandemic. We opened again at Christmas with the Christmas Experience. The layout was the same, but this time we focused on the Christmas story,. the prophets, Mary, Shepherds, Kings and then in the centre the manger under the star amongst rubbish, signifying Christ being born into the messiness of our l ives. Thanks to the hel p of Rupert Welply we were also able to add lighting which greatly enhanced the experience. We were pleased to welcome visitors from outside the church and many left prayers on our tree. Witney Town Band also came and played Christmas carols Ithanks to Helen James) outside which did much to attract passers-by. On another occasion we were able to carol sing outside which was enjoyed as much by those singing as well as those passing by. Christmas Shoeboxes We were able to continue to organise the collection, checking and packing of shoeboxes to be transported to countries li ke Romania, Belarus and Bosnia where some of the chi Id ren are living in desperate circumstances. The boxes are fi Iled with toys, toiletries, writing materials, games and sweets to delight the children, most of whom have no possessions at all. The team tries to involve as many people from our community as possible in this activity and promote a warm and friendly atmosphere in which to check the boxes. 1286 boxes were checked before they were collected by Teams4U to transport and distribute where needed. Church Premises During the past twelve months, activities on our premises have been severely curtailed by the Covid restrictions and our paid premises staff have been placed on furlough. Work has been done to make the premises Covid-secure for the few community users that remained throughout- Volunteer Link-up and Witney Community Fridge- and for other organisations (mostly youth/educationall that were allowed by the rules to return for a period of time. We have also taken advantage of the break to carry out the next stage of our refurbishment project - the downsta irs toilets. Messrs Hill and Haines have done a very pleasing job, for much less than the price that was originally quoted by others for a somewhat different specification. We have taken the opportunity to fit automatic energy-saving lights and d ual-flush cisterns to boost our green credentials, and the former exclusively children's toilet has been altered to make it more widely useful. Harrisons have also returned to replace the final two lof five) air reseploirs in the organ - a major feat of handling requiring 5 men, as the reservoirs are cumbersome and in a difficult position. This completes this project (entirely funded by a separate appeal). We intend to hold a recital to celebrate this achievement as soon as possible. Staff and Volunteers The operations of the Church are only possible with the support of our small paid staff and the around 175 volunteers who put in many hours acrossthe year. Safeguarding Safeguarding is an important aspect of our church life. It is essential that policies and procedures are in place to ensure that everybody in the church and those that use our premises are kept safe from any sort of harm and to prevent, as far as possible, incidents from arising and, if they do, to ensure that they are efficiently and appropriately dealt with. The following is taken from Hig h Street's safeguarding pol icy: 'High Street Methodist Church strives to ensure that its safeguarding policy...are brought to the attention of everyone and applied to everyone...This is notthe same as treating each person as though they were under suspicion. It is more a matter of taking sensible measures to protect chi Idren, young people and vulnerable adults, and recognising that it is the responsibility of us A robust safeguarding policy, if followed, also serves to protect those who work with ch ildren, young people and vulnerable adults who may inadvertently place themselves in a vulnerable position... Malicious accusations can also wreck the lives of those against whom they are directed. 'We are concerned with the wholeness of each individual within God's purpose for their lives, the life of the community and the life of the world. We seek to safeguard all members of this church community, irrespective of whether they are Church members, adherents or visitors, and irrespective of their age. 'We are committed to.. the care and nurture of, and respecrful pastoral ministry with, al I children, young people and adults the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable the establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse. The safeguarding reference group is made up of the minister, centre manager, senior steward, safeguardi ng officer, minister's PA, a church member involved with chi Idren and famil ies, a Newland representative, the pastoral secretary and a property representative. When a health and safety officer is appointed, they will also attend. With the building closed it is tempting to suppose that were no potential safeguardi ng risks. However, some meetings, social interaction etc moved online and operated on various plarforms which brings its own potential risks. Recognising this, the West Oxfordshire Circuit ratified a Ci rcuit Website and Social Media Safeguarding Policy to ensure and give guidance as to best practice Ruth Lapworth- Safeguarding Officer Treasurer's Report Summary The accounts of the church have been prepared and are presented as required by the Charities Commission. These present the full picture of the activities of the church and combine both the normal church operation and the funds for the building projects. The accounts show an overall deficit of £16,71712019'. surplus of £6,287) with unrestricted funds showi ng a deficit of £21,81412019.' surplus of £7,542) and restricted funds (mainly the organ fund showing a surplus of £5,09712019.. deficitof £1,255). The shutting of the church in March 2020 because of Covid has obviously had a significant impact on the yearfs figures. Lettings are up by 40°k. However, regular giving (offerings and tax cred it51 and donation5 have held up and are the same as the prior year. Whi 1st many costs are fixed, e.g. circuit assessment, we were able to reduce costs by 13Q/o Wlth staff furloughed and general costs in the church minimised. The situation was helped by a £10,000 rate relief grant. Overall church funds have decreased signif icantly over last year with the amount in unrestricted funds at £33,905 12019.. £56,473) which represents 16% of our reduced expenditure and 14¥. of normal expenditure12019: 23Y.. This is very low and our focus is now on ensuring we have enough cash over the coming months. The restricted funds of £22,302 are primarily the funds raised to support the work needed on the organ. Reserve Policy for High Street Methodist Church for the year end 31 st August 2020 In 2007 Church Council agreed a Fund target of six months average expenditure lapprox £119k in a normal yearl. With the impact of Covid shutting our building we are, significantly belowthis level and are currently more concerned with controlling cash on a day to day basis. When we are able to get back to normal running we will need to review both our policy and implement plans to rebuild reserves over the coming years. Policy for Restricted Funds We have identified restricted funds relating to the Organ Fund, The Benevolent Fund, The Cream Tea Fund and the Shoe Boxes. Monies held relating tothese fundstotalled £22,302 at the 31" August 2020. The monies are held within the general church funds but identified separately within the monthly accounts reporting with income and expenditure allocated accordingly and the outstandi ng value protected. lan Prince, ACMA Treasurer Church Accruals Accounts 2019-2020 THE METHODIST CHURCH REPORT AND ACCOUNTS (ACCRUALS BASIS) for the year ended 31 August 2020 High Street Methodist Church, Witney Church R•gl¥t•rnd Charfty. R•glstratlon number (If applkth) 1129034 W5tney & Faringdon Circult No 2303 Ministor Chwch Stewards Davpj Linxner Brenda Edwards Healh TM ￿Trffir￿r Ea¥_est Rosi8 Jones Church Treasurer Hlsh Str•et Methodkn Ctwrch. WItMy NumlJ•r 1129)34 siatement of Flnanclal Activltles ISOFAI lor the year ended 31 Au8USt 2020 Section A Statement of financial activities R*stri¢ted Recommènded clttiwiès by actmty Prior year funds funds fvnds Total funds kncoming resowces {Nots 3) Income and •ndowm•nts Irrm: F01 F02 F03 F04 F05 Do￿t￿n5 and 104.891 74.574 373 4.984 184,822 93.354 198.245 74.574 373 130,030 127.507 214 6.007 Total RosoUr￿5 expended (Note 51 Exp•ndlture on: Church 156.095 37.868 12.673 250 87.493 514 156,345 125.361 13.187 174.532 64.014 18.925 Pft)yrty Total Nel Incomellexpendlture) before Investsnent galnslllosses) Nel g￿n￿l￿$s8810￿ Net In¢omel(exp8ndlture) Extraordinary items Transfers between funds Other racognised gainsl{10858s): 21.814 16,717 6.287 21,814 5,097 16,717 6.287 754 754 Olhergakn&l(kn$88$1 Net nKwement In funds 22.568 5,851 16.717 6,287 Re¢oncilialion of lunds.. lotsllund$broughlk4ward Total ftinds carrieal ftirward 56.473 33.9)5 16,451 22.302 72,924 56.207 66,637 72.924 Hlgh Street Methodist Churth. Vfrtney Number 1129034 Balante Sheet as at 31 Augutt 2020 Section B Balance sheet Restrlcted Unrestrl¢W Income ENltyMnent Toial th1$ funds Total last Flxed assets Tangible assets FOI F02 F03 F04 FOS 2.304 2.304 (Nots 8) rotal Ilxedass Current assets Debtor8 (Note 9) Cash at bank and In hand (Note 10) Total current assets 1,270 1,270 4,138 71,242 75.380 B10 Credltors: amounts falllng duo wlthln one year (Note 11) 611 3212 3,212 4,760 Net current assetrfikbiiiths) e12 Tolal assets less current liabllities 813 72,924 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year (Note 11) Provisions for liabllities 815 Total net assets or Ilath"Ilties Funds of the Charity Endowmont fun4 816 33.￿5 22.302 56.207 72,924 817 Restricted Income funds 818 22,302 22.302 33.905 16,451 56,473 Unrestricted funds Revaluatlon retsrve 819 Total fvnds 821 72,924 Stgned by one or trustees on behaNof all the Irusltres Dats of approval ddlm nalu Print Narne Rev Jason Cooko 0310412021 lan Pr4nc6 0310412021 s;0 Ly- Number 1129034 Bal•fto Shea a5 at 31 Augu# 2Q20 Section B Balaiice sheet Flxed assets TangN• a880ts F04 FOS (Noi• 8) Curront assets D•btors {Nol• 91 Cash at bank and In hand (Not• 10) 1.270 4,138 71.242 75. Cradltorn: amounts falHng due wlthln ono year INrte 14) 811 3212 1212 4,760 812 72.924 Credttors: ￿0￿fits falllnq Hhhs of Trustees and Examlmr "he Church's IrusteK ar• respmtk Ihattr* anrMMI rerxffl aThJ for the >wrto 31 W 2017 ir85enta trne and falr of the Churchs and extwthiro frx Ihe WNI oflts 88$0ts aTh1 &abllUos at the , is my resP￿￿￿mY kn: 145(51(b) of Itb2 ¢￿trIties art aTrl Hl8h Stre•t M•thodlst Chur¢h. Wltney Number 112￿34 808ls ol Indopend¢nt Exam￿• Report indudo$ a revi￿ oftho Ter￿d5 kspt iry the r**rity a comparison cl thg 8ccounts pr•sented th0¥0 rd5. 11 ￿s0 indudes C￿SI￿ratIOn ￿anY li￿. In naturn LY %BIB. or dbsdowreg In thè *xounts. s••kino oxptanptions fr￿￿ ￿ Twste8s ¢oncemTThJ such mattérs. The proc8dLWVS undertAkèn do not pro¥idg 911 ts e¥td8ncè thal bj bè réqui￿1 In an Auithl aThJ. ￿•s￿qu￿1￿ M cgnon is gr*4n lo TA*th the •x(NJnts pres￿1 a true and fgw ￿8W. My wort is liTh¥ted to thos• m#tt•Fs sot slatement tJ•low. IrKlependent Examln¢rfs Statomefit In ¢onn&tion wilh my eX￿￿￿tion. M m81ter tBs come to myaltenlm {1) whith gives me reas(￿th C￿88 to bel*ve Ihal #i ￿ m*iaf respect th8 rw4urement8.' . to keep accountin9 reccyds in acc¥*dance *ilh Seclk)n 130 of the char￿8S A¢t 2011. . to prepare a(X￿￿ts 7*hKh accord ¥Ath the ￿￿OUntry recThds and ia)mFty with the accounting requiremwts crf the Ch*ities Act have not been mel: or {2) to *t￿h. in my owuon. altenlth SIK￿ b8 dra*m ui c*der to eld￿8 a prow underst8nthng of t unts to be reached. (31 I have obtair￿d K￿nt of all investments ￿4th Trustees for Mdh¢)di5t ch￿ch PLKposes w held in other Irvsts. ba￿ balances furKls al th8 Centr* FI￿r￿a Board of the Methodist Church v•tKh are indNidu• in exces5 of£10,(m (ten lhr#Jsa￿1 p￿$) at th¢ b￿ance sheet date. Name of indep8ndent examiner So LLi AccJtLL'f*.rf&L . SMJnature of Independwl examin Rejeyanl Pn)fe8shinal ualrftstion or rfac61 T¢9* Name of firm (where appropriate) Address Zozi Church Accruals Accounts 2019-2020 THE METHODIST CHURCH REPORT AND ACCOUNTS (ACCRUALS BASIS) for the year ended 31 August 2020 High Street Methodist Church, Witney Church R•gl¥t•rnd Charfty. R•glstratlon number (If applkth) 1129034 W5tney & Faringdon Circult No 2303 Ministor Chwch Stewards Davpj Linxner Brenda Edwards Healh TM ￿Trffir￿r Ea¥_est Rosi8 Jones Church Treasurer Hlsh Str•et Methodkn Ctwrch. WItMy NumlJ•r 1129)34 siatement of Flnanclal Activltles ISOFAI lor the year ended 31 Au8USt 2020 Section A Statement of financial activities R*stri¢ted Recommènded clttiwiès by actmty Prior year funds funds fvnds Total funds kncoming resowces {Nots 3) Income and •ndowm•nts Irrm: F01 F02 F03 F04 F05 Do￿t￿n5 and 104.891 74.574 373 4.984 184,822 93.354 198.245 74.574 373 130,030 127.507 214 6.007 Total RosoUr￿5 expended (Note 51 Exp•ndlture on: Church 156.095 37.868 12.673 250 87.493 514 156,345 125.361 13.187 174.532 64.014 18.925 Pft)yrty Total Nel Incomellexpendlture) before Investsnent galnslllosses) Nel g￿n￿l￿$s8810￿ Net In¢omel(exp8ndlture) Extraordinary items Transfers between funds Other racognised gainsl{10858s): 21.814 16,717 6.287 21,814 5,097 16,717 6.287 754 754 Olhergakn&l(kn$88$1 Net nKwement In funds 22.568 5,851 16.717 6,287 Re¢oncilialion of lunds.. lotsllund$broughlk4ward Total ftinds carrieal ftirward 56.473 33.9)5 16,451 22.302 72,924 56.207 66,637 72.924 Hlgh Street Methodist Churth. Vfrtney Number 1129034 Balante Sheet as at 31 Augutt 2020 Section B Balance sheet Restrlcted Unrestrl¢W Income ENltyMnent Toial th1$ funds Total last Flxed assets Tangible assets FOI F02 F03 F04 FOS 2.304 2.304 (Nots 8) rotal Ilxedass Current assets Debtor8 (Note 9) Cash at bank and In hand (Note 10) Total current assets 1,270 1,270 4,138 71,242 75.380 B10 Credltors: amounts falllng duo wlthln one year (Note 11) 611 3212 3,212 4,760 Net current assetrfikbiiiths) e12 Tolal assets less current liabllities 813 72,924 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year (Note 11) Provisions for liabllities 815 Total net assets or Ilath"Ilties Funds of the Charity Endowmont fun4 816 33.￿5 22.302 56.207 72,924 817 Restricted Income funds 818 22,302 22.302 33.905 16,451 56,473 Unrestricted funds Revaluatlon retsrve 819 Total fvnds 821 72,924 Stgned by one or trustees on behaNof all the Irusltres Dats of approval ddlm nalu Print Narne Rev Jason Cooko 0310412021 lan Pr4nc6 0310412021 s;0 Ly- Number 1129034 Bal•fto Shea a5 at 31 Augu# 2Q20 Section B Balaiice sheet Flxed assets TangN• a880ts F04 FOS (Noi• 8) Curront assets D•btors {Nol• 91 Cash at bank and In hand (Not• 10) 1.270 4,138 71.242 75. Cradltorn: amounts falHng due wlthln ono year INrte 14) 811 3212 1212 4,760 812 72.924 Credttors: ￿0￿fits falllnq Hhhs of Trustees and Examlmr "he Church's IrusteK ar• respmtk Ihattr* anrMMI rerxffl aThJ for the >wrto 31 W 2017 ir85enta trne and falr of the Churchs and extwthiro frx Ihe WNI oflts 88$0ts aTh1 &abllUos at the , is my resP￿￿￿mY kn: 145(51(b) of Itb2 ¢￿trIties art aTrl Hl8h Stre•t M•thodlst Chur¢h. Wltney Number 112￿34 808ls ol Indopend¢nt Exam￿• Report indudo$ a revi￿ oftho Ter￿d5 kspt iry the r**rity a comparison cl thg 8ccounts pr•sented th0¥0 rd5. 11 ￿s0 indudes C￿SI￿ratIOn ￿anY li￿. In naturn LY %BIB. or dbsdowreg In thè *xounts. s••kino oxptanptions fr￿￿ ￿ Twste8s ¢oncemTThJ such mattérs. The proc8dLWVS undertAkèn do not pro¥idg 911 ts e¥td8ncè thal bj bè réqui￿1 In an Auithl aThJ. ￿•s￿qu￿1￿ M cgnon is gr*4n lo TA*th the •x(NJnts pres￿1 a true and fgw ￿8W. My wort is liTh¥ted to thos• m#tt•Fs sot slatement tJ•low. IrKlependent Examln¢rfs Statomefit In ¢onn&tion wilh my eX￿￿￿tion. M m81ter tBs come to myaltenlm {1) whith gives me reas(￿th C￿88 to bel*ve Ihal #i ￿ m*iaf respect th8 rw4urement8.' . to keep accountin9 reccyds in acc¥*dance *ilh Seclk)n 130 of the char￿8S A¢t 2011. . to prepare a(X￿￿ts 7*hKh accord ¥Ath the ￿￿OUntry recThds and ia)mFty with the accounting requiremwts crf the Ch*ities Act have not been mel: or {2) to *t￿h. in my owuon. altenlth SIK￿ b8 dra*m ui c*der to eld￿8 a prow underst8nthng of t unts to be reached. (31 I have obtair￿d K￿nt of all investments ￿4th Trustees for Mdh¢)di5t ch￿ch PLKposes w held in other Irvsts. ba￿ balances furKls al th8 Centr* FI￿r￿a Board of the Methodist Church v•tKh are indNidu• in exces5 of£10,(m (ten lhr#Jsa￿1 p￿$) at th¢ b￿ance sheet date. Name of indep8ndent examiner So LLi AccJtLL'f*.rf&L . SMJnature of Independwl examin Rejeyanl Pn)fe8shinal ualrftstion or rfac61 T¢9* Name of firm (where appropriate) Address Zozi