THE GROVE METHODIST CHURCH – Annual Report Ending 31st August 2021
ANNUAL REPORT Year ending 31 August 2021
THE GROVE METHODIST CHURCH HORSFORTH, LEEDS Registered Charity No. 1129305
THE GROVE METHODIST CHURCH- Annual Report Ending 31st August 2021
THE GROVE METHODIST CHURCH – Annual Report Ending 31st August 2021
Welcome to our annual report for the year from September 2020 to August 2021. Last year, of course, we suffered the outbreak of Covid 19 and the subsequent lockdown. All our normal activities were cancelled and our user groups were all suspended. Over this last year we have been through both lockdowns and periods that have moved closer to a relative normality. Some of our activities resumed over the spring and summer which has brought relief and comfort for many.
We have continued to offer worship on zoom throughout the year and we are grateful to all those who have made that possible. Numbers on zoom have gradually reduced as more have returned to in-person worship but it has enabled those who are taking especial care to participate in services. We have offered worship in church at those times when it has been allowed though for most of the year we were not allowed to sing and communion posed particular problems. It was good that in the summer we were allowed to sing once more after more than a year without doing so. As hymn singing has always been such a central part of Methodist worship that has been a particular hardship for us.
Some of our church groups have resumed meeting already though others are waiting until the autumn. Those that have restarted have been greatly valued by those who have been lacking much human contact for a lengthy period. Important activities like Tots and Tykes, Luncheon Club and Messy Church are all due to restart in the autumn.Some user groups resumed when allowed and it is good that we have some new groups starting as well. The Grove Centre will be as busy as ever if not busier. The effect of the pandemic on our church finances has been significant but not as severe as it could have been. The loss of rental income from the Grove Centre has been a great concern but congregational giving has benefitted from those who have moved to direct giving. We are grateful to all those who have made that change. This has meant that the financial loss due to the pandemic, though considerable, is not as great as it might have been.
Over this last year we have made great efforts to maintain contact with folk even when we have been unable to meet up. We have done this principally through zoom, phone calls, regular email messages and postal mailings to those not on email. Many have been very glad of this regular contact and my thanks to all those who have assisted with that. As always we have been greatly helped by those who have given freely of their time and energy to assist with the work of the church.
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I’m sure we all hope that over the next year we will continue to recover from the effects of this pandemic and life will feel more normal once again.
With best wishes, Mark (Rev. Mark Godfrey)
AIMS AND ORGANISATION
The aims of the church are set out in its Mission Statement as follows:
The Grove Methodist Church is called to respond to the Gospel of love in Jesus Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship, service and mission.
In seeking to live out our mission statement we are committed to :
Worship - which takes into account the needs of the whole church family, preserving all that is good from the past while being open to the new.
Fellowship - which seeks to make all welcome, builds up our faith and enables us to care for one another.
Spirituality - believing that Bible Study, Prayer, Worship, Giving and Service are vital, we seek to order our lives on the pattern of Jesus.
Serving God in the World – by seeking to live out our faith where we work and live, witnessing by word and deed in the local community, fostering interest in world affairs, engaging in world-wide mission and seeking to enhance the lives of those in our neighbourhood.
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Working together committed to the whole Church of God and seeking greater awareness of, and co-operation with, other faiths and denominations within our community.
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Evangelism sharing our faith in Jesus Christ with others and bringing them into fellowship.
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- Secure Foundations ensuring that we have a sound working base, ce since our commitment to worship, fellowship, spirituality and servi requires us to provide premises that are structurally sound, well maintained and underpinned by effective finance.
The church seeks to carry out its stated aims and objectives through:
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Sunday services and other acts of worship.
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Various meetings for prayer, fellowship, Bible study and outreach.
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Membership of 'Leeds (South & West) Circuit (16/01)'
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Membership of Horsforth Churches Together and support of its activities.
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The Church Council and its appointed Committees, which act under its direction.
Review of progress and achievements
In July 2021, at the opening of his address to the presbyterial session of Conference, the Rev'd Richard Teale, as outgoing President, concluded that this had been 'a very different year'. “ COVID-19”, he said, “has changed our lives considerably.” He was not wrong. Across this year COVID-19 has pushed an estimated 88 million more people into poverty and created a 'new poor', accelerated a global economic downturn, deeply impacted business and jobs, highlighted the need for effective, accessible and affordable healthcare and, at its height, mandated some form of school closure for 1.5 billion children and youth (World Bank Group Response to Covid-19). The effects of COVID-19 have impacted upon individuals, families, groups, organisations and whole countries. And amongst these is The Grove Church.
COVID-19 has had the great majority of organisations, whether at national or local level, facing up to a context of extreme uncertainty. As part of this the Church has been operating within a precarious and unpredictable situation of variable lockdowns and premises openings. The Grove would seem to sit neatly within the survey responses of Christian worshippers to the pandemic, as found by researchers at York St John University. They noted that whilst more than half of Methodists asked agreed that their denomination at the national level responded well to the crisis, the proportion fell to two-fifths amongst some other
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close churches for worship and overall Methodists were less committed to bricks and mortar than other worshippers. Very often over the difficult times of the last year churches, like The Grove, have been marked by faithful disciples doing their utmost to maintain contact across the breadth of their church membership whilst eventually starting to look outwards by finding creative ways of supporting local communities and showing that the church is more than an empty building. As this year's report shows, this is the background in which The Grove has found itself throughout 2020 – 2021 and against which it has sought to live out its discipleship and mission in showing the love of Jesus Christ to the World.
The July Methodist Conference addressed the consequences of a continuing decline in the denomination's numbers by accepting the report, 'Reaffirming Our Calling: Oversight and Trusteeship'. With the same focus as The Grove Mission Statement this report highlights the church's need to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and does so by emphasising the intention to live out discipleship in worship,
learning and caring, service and evangelism. Since Conference saw this as 'the primary strategic driver for the Church's work' and as its key foci appropriately subsume the aims of The Grove Church as set out in its Mission Statement (page 2) the Annual Report of The Grove Church for 2020 - 2021 is structured around these themes, namely, Worship, Learning and Caring, Service and Evangelism.
Peter Mawson Church Council Secretary
Worship (Grove objectives: Worship, Spirituality)
The Church exists to increase awareness of God's presence and to celebrate God's love.
This is underpinned by God-centred worship, prayer and spirituality and this has continued to be at the forefront of how The Grove has responded to the pandemic situation. With the closure of the church building on occasions throughout the year and limited services for the rest, an important part of this has been supporting people who have been at home
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to participate in communal worship, as well as developing their spirituality. By the end of the year numbers attending worship in the church building had built up to an average of 60 whilst additional zoom worshippers were around 12 – 15.
To achieve these ends the church has:
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Encouraged people to find ways for regular weekly worship, prayer, reflection and study. Whilst gradually exploring gathered worship The Grove has followed guidance concerning those with underlying health conditions , and those who might be considered particularly vulnerable in any other way and who are advised to stay at home, by not expecting anyone who is over 70 or who has underlying conditions to undertake any task related to communal worship. This has resulted in the offer of alternative worship opportunities when needed. As a new venture, video calling has been encouraged for those able to access this way of communication. As a free download App, Zoom has been used to engender a sense of communal worship through entry to weekly Zoom services as well as offering opportunities for fellowship on the lines of coffee mornings and church quiz evening.
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Provided materials for regular worship and personal reflection. Families and children have been included in Junior Church through introductory information, activity sheets, colouring sheets and pictures for reflection. To support video access to weekly worship, adults have been offered, by email and post, weekly service scripts, Biblical reflections, a Minister's letter and extracts from the Circuit Prayer Diary. Feedback indicates that the weekly documentation is much appreciated and allows readers to reflect at length on the service content.
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Maintained the structural rhythm of annual worship. At key times the church has brought together individual devotion around shared special service opportunities. On Good Friday, carrying the cross between the churches of Horsforth, its use as a place for private prayer and a short livestreamed service, proved invaluable as did Easter Day celebrations and the provision of resources to encourage a focus upon the festival, 'The Things He Said', reflections in 10 parts. At other times the church has supported inter-church worship such as the Civic Service in June. For Bible Month there has also
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Mark throughout each Sunday in June.
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The regular pattern of worship included Christmas Eve service at Central and Christmas morning service, face-to-face and on zoom. Worship has been complemented by occasional services at special times such as All Saints' Day, and by provision of special resources such as the recorded mini-Christingle sent into all primary schools and churches in the area.
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Supplemented virtual worship material - The church has made available information on pre-recorded and live services across the country including: Wesley's Chapel, London; Swan Bank Methodist Church, Burslem; Sthie ("At home"), the Isle of Man; and resources in the neighbouring circuits of Leeds North and East and Nidd Valley.
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Sought ways of providing a 'communion' experience for those accessing worship on zoom. The trustees discussed the role of 'Spiritual Communion' and an opportunity was provided for zoom worshippers to think about this during the September communion service alongside the distribution of elements within the church building.
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Encouraged the use of resources for reflection: the updated leaflet ‘Grove Methodist Church: Praying for each other’ with the aim of providing a daily prayer focus, opportunities for private reflection and study through-out the year, individual use of prayer materials, particularly the Methodist Prayer Handbook and the Leeds Lent Prayer Diary, individual use of daily Bible notes obtained from the International Bible Reading Association or Scripture Union, and the sale of spiritual magazines such as Magnet, the Christian publication nurturing faith in thoughtful, challenging ways.
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Provided a range of prayer initiatives. These have included participation in the regular national prayer meeting on Tuesdays at 12.45pm, as well as circuit prayer activities: prayer walk bingo, indoor prayer, outdoor prayer, house of prayer, night prayer, Lay Pastor's prayer meetings. In November the church was opened on the Saturday before Remembrance Sunday for private prayer and in December mid-week, again for private prayer. During Lent, Holy Week and Easter the resource 'Seven days without prayer make One Weak', produced by the Iona community (1998), was made available.
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Kept in touch – Early in lockdown The Grove recognised that keeping in touch would be essential but could be difficult. Consequently, pastoral visitors were the starting point for contact procedures that have involved all those with church links. To meet considerable pastoral needs amongst all members and adherents use has been made of telephone, social media, letters and cards. In addition, groups such as Thursday Bible Fellowship, Ladies Group and Uniformed Organisations have created systems for weekly links to members.
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Despite COVID restrictions, throughout the year the church has provided a point of spiritual contact for those in the neighbourhood who have identified their own personal or family needs. In this connection there have been conducted 1 baptism and 13 funerals.
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Explored ways of gradually opening the building within the restrictions of Covid-19 rulings for personal and communal use.
Learning and Caring (Grove objectives: Fellowship, Spirituality) The Church exists to help people to grow and learn as Christians, through mutual support and care. Actions this year include:
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In September, on Education Sunday the Circuit worship script emphasising that education is not just about learning and taking in knowledge but about teaching and sharing this knowledge with others through the guidance of God.
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Publicising the opportunity to join in circuit zoom meetings across advent for the study of the Methodist Way of Life in the context of the watching, waiting and making ready of the advent season.
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At different times in the year maintaining contact opportunities by organising zoom coffee mornings and zoom quizzes.
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Minds being stimulated by the distribution of palm crosses and during Holy Week a discipleship group using the BBC series 'The Passion' to share thoughts.
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In order to secure a safe environment for all premises users the Trustees have continued to take a keen interest in safeguarding matters, receiving feedback on the Annual Risk Assessment and Check List and reviewing the Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy. Updated training has been accessed by appropriate office holders. In addition trustees agreed to access and
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environmental audits.
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telephone chats and occasional garden coffee meetings.
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Thursday Walking Group, at 24 years old, the youngest of the two groups based at the church, has long had the reputation of being the
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'harder, more adventurous' of the two, due to restriction rules care for members has been through very local walks that have been repeated to accommodate all who wish to attend.
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Communication across church has been aided by the continued provision of the church magazine, Grove Vine. This has been made available on line to all those able to access the material including Uniformed Organisations and has been supplemented by a small number of printed editions for church visitors and those unable to access the online version.
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The bond of fellowship and caring is encouraged by organising members into pastoral groups, each led by a Church Visitor. Their watchful oversight of individual welfare is also extended to regular adherents.
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Mindful of individual rights, the Church Data Protection Officer keeps the Trustees fully informed about General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and so an agreed GDPR Statement, Policy and Privacy Notice are displayed on noticeboards throughout the premises.
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In order to foster close links to church members and adherents the Data Base Secretary maintains and updates contact details regularly. This has been particularly important during the second half of the year.
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The Trustees have continued to take a keen interest in safeguarding matters, receiving feedback on the Annual Risk assessment and Check List and reviewing the Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy. Updated training has been accessed by appropriate office holders.
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A Circuit Lay Worker with an interest in pastoral work amongst older members has given some time to working alongside the church minister in recognition of the latter's heavy workload in the Circuit. He retained pastoral oversight whilst the church presbyter was on sabbatical.
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Service : (Grove objective: Serving God in the World)
The church exists to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice. The church has worked hard in the COVID context by:
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Making a donation at the end of September from carboy collections of £29.37 to the RNLI and in March Morecambe branch of RNLI sent grateful thanks to Grove members for a donation of £82.97.
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At Christmas printed seasonal greetings replaced the giving of Christmas cards for those who made individual donations to 52 favourite charities in lieu of the expense of sending cards.
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In February individuals were challenged to raise funds for Action for Children, the Methodist UK children's charity, by responding to the project 'Count your Blessings'.
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In support of Christian Aid the church worked in partnership with the District to give thanks for COVID-19 vaccinations by providing an opportunity for individuals to help others across the world in COVID crisis by making a donation. During Christian Aid Week 9-16 May 2021 coronavirus prevented house-to-house collections, but in its place the congregation was encouraged to put envelopes through doors, not to collect but to encourage recipients to return the donations themselves. In total £3,325.00 was raised of which The Grove collected £1,057.00.
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Support continued for the Foodbank through donations of toiletries and other shortage items, as well as gifts of money (£170.00) in lieu of food donations. Prior to lockdown foodbanks showed a 30% increase in requests and two new centres were opened. In lockdown food was delivered to clients in need, supplemented by a signposting service over the phone.
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Without the provision of an Easter Offering Service from which donations are used to support many overseas church partnerships and projects, Methodist Women in Britain raised a total of £206.25 for distribution by All We Can, requesting individual donations be sent direct to the church treasurer.
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The Scouting sections have been keeping in touch with Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and District Tenzing Explorers through Facebook and zoom meetings. Fun and interesting activities have included quizzes, virtual camps, bingo, scavenger hunts, cooking and animal 9
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As a result outdoor activities were offered until October half term to make the most of the better weather and light. Risk assessments have been developed to help make meetings COVID secure.
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One regular service that has been available during lockdown is
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the Scout Group Bulb Sale 2021, selling bulbs for Spring 2022 in order to support young peoples' activities.
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Grove Rainbows have remained busy in lockdown with on-line Facebook meetings that included work on First Aid badges and joke sessions.
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Over the year Guiding groups have had to assess how they were able to continue. There have been email challenges with everything from colouring to scavenger hunts and all within the themes and challenges of the new guide programme. Along with this there have been zoom meetings and meetings on line with quizzes, baking and modelling. Whilst having to cancel the trip to Switzerland, Guiders are now planning Switzerland 2022.
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Support for the work of Leprosy Mission, an international Christian organisation aimed at transforming the lives of people affected by leprosy through their diagnosis, treatment, specialist care and rehabilitation, has long been a church focus. This year people were encouraged to support their 'Unconditional' Appeal whereby any donations (up to £2 million) would be doubled by HM Government.
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Liaison - Much service has generally been through welcoming on site a range of premises users. Keeping in touch with community groups that met regularly has been a valuable part of church outreach. By the end of June the Booking Secretary was receiving enquiries about use of the premises on reopening. Work carried out, as required by government and Connexional requirements, to
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prepare the building for this includes risk assessments and actions to ensure safe return. This involves provision of sanitization stations, marking of restricted access and highlighting one-way walkways as required by government and Connexional rulings.
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Having agreed to a request from West Yorkshire Ambulance Service, a defibrillator for neighbourhood use is now sited on the outside of the premises and awareness training was provided by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service for anyone expressing interest.
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Evangelism (Grove objectives: Working Together, Evangelism)
The Church exists to make more followers of Jesus Christ. Ever mindful of this priority across the year the church has:
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Upheld the wider Methodist Connexion and its outreach by making
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donations to the Methodist Fund for Church Property, the Fund for Support of Presbyters and Deacons, the Methodist Ministers’ Housing Society and Junior Missionary Association.
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Strengthened inter-church links and mission by accessing Circuit zoom evening services to enable on line users to worship with others across circuit churches. There have also been cross-church links through zoom prayer and study groups.
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As an active member of Horsforth Churches Together (HCT), part of the national ecumenical instrument for mission with other Christian churches to present a united faith,The Grove is one of 10 churches and a chaplaincy that has retained contact through joint community events, notably at Christmas and Easter, through support of common projects such as distribution of Christmas Greeting cards, 'Open the Book', Horsforth Community Aid Project and Horsforth Chaplaincy newsletters.
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This successful involvement with churches in the neighbourhood has involved distribution of 8,500 Churches Together Christmas Cards, support for the award winning Horsforth Farmers' Market (2017 Market of the Year), zoom prayer services during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, involvement in Horsforth Food Bank, and 'Open the Book', a school programme aimed at bringing the Bible to children and young people of school age, explaining the implications of Christian festivals to children.
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At Christmas a recorded Nativity Rhyme and Christingle Service was delivered to each local primary school and aimed at bringing the Bible to children and young people of school age, highlighting the implications of Christian festivals to children. This was much appreciated by schools. In addition, the web page 'In Search of Christmas' received 1,399 hits as children clicked on nativity characters to hear their stories. Another initiative saw life sized facsimiles of nativity characters used to create a journey to the crib throughout the local community in the 2 weeks prior to a culminating tableau on Christmas Eve at the bottom of the church drive.
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Support was provided for the Horsforth Christmas Walk of Art with the church decorating and lighting windows.
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The church has collaborated with other local churches by submitting information towards the updated Churches Together website and creating links to The Grove's own website.
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The church contributed to the work of Horsforth Chaplaincy Project by providing finance for a co-ordinator. The Chaplaincy aims at working with churches to express 'God's heart and encourage the local community of Horsforth to flourish in every sphere from schools to High Street'. It has encouraged growth of the 'Church footprint' throughout the neighbourhood as more and more people have felt the
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impact of Churches Together events and activities.
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Supporting the Bible Society in the translation and distribution of Scripture through members joining the Bible-a-Month Club and by individual direct giving.
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Outdoor activities included:
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During lockdown, a display on the church noticeboard for Mothering Sunday to draw the community's attention to mothers across the world.
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Transforming an empty outdoor cross on Easter Day to reflect the Easter message, by careful placing of flowers along its beams. The transfigured cross, that had been a desolate shell marking the season of Lent, was open to view by everyone who used Town Street, the main road fronting the church. In addition members were invited to display an Easter Hope poster 'He is Risen' in their windows on Easter Day.
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Maintaining the contact and presence of the church in August through Picnic in the Park with friends from The Grove.
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The Church participated in discussions on the Connexional document 'Marriage and Relationships' that was accepted at this year's Conference and awaits distribution of follow-up resources.
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Fortunately, the church has reorganised its web site to enable wider public access to opportunities for worship and also to provide information about meetings and activities that might be of more general interest. The Annual Report, Church Magazine and weekly notice bulletins are also accessible on the site. Connections are also made to the web site created by the 9[th] Airedale Scout Group.
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In efforts to provide information on church activities for the immediate 12
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neighbourhood a volunteer Publicity Co-ordinator ensures church events are promoted in the local press.
Secure foundations
The church needs a sound base from which to operate and so, during the year:
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The church has been enabled to weather the current crisis through careful oversight of church finances and by making use of capital which was planned expenditure for the activity room roof in the Centre. Access has been successful to the Government furlough scheme and people have supported with generous donations.
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The church has continued to sustain income levels (as outlined below, page 23 ) that has enabled it to cover running costs
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and undertake events and activities in line with its stated Mission Statement (page 2).
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Once again, savings have enabled the church to produce sufficient finances to undertake necessary improvements, and, together with its organisations, to make donations to outside charitable bodies as noted above (see, for example, page 11, point 1).
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In accordance with Charity Commission regulations, Trustees are
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mindful of best value when it comes to premises use and so have maintained fees in line with market expectations for cars parked on church property that belonged to private firms.
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As from 1[st] April 2016 and in pursuance of the Government's pension auto-enrolment legislation, the Premises Manager has been
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transferred as an employee from The Grove Church to Leeds South and West Circuit so as to benefit from the Circuit's pension scheme arrangements. Under his agreed Statement of Terms and Conditions of Service he remains based at The Grove and with no break in his duties and commitments to the church.
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To take account of the church's changing financial needs and ensure that there are sufficient financial resources for future major maintenance projects, the Reserve Fund was maintained at the equivalent of six months expenditure despite the impact of COVID on the use of the building.
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In order to comply with Methodist Insurance requirements a detailed inventory of all church equipment has been maintained. As part of 13
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safety regulations the Trustees accepted a Working at Height Policy along with the Annual Risk Assessment and Check List.
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submission of the Annual Return formerly known as Schedule A with accompanying notes and the Health and Safety Return as well as through regular reports from the Property Committee to Church Council.
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In ensuring that the building provides the safe and secure base that is needed for furthering the Mission Statement and working in the community, regular maintenance and improvements are made. This includes the annual cleaning, washing down and restoration of the whole premises at the end of the year.
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Other improvements throughout the year include repair of tree damage to the Scout Stores, servicing boilers and completion of environmental and access audits, as well as minor repairs to parts of the building.
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Having experienced leaks from a small expanse of flat roof ineffectively relaid at the time of the refurbishment of the Community Centre, the church has continued to spend much time and energy seeking a solution to the problems so as to ensure the premises remain sound and secure.
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The church organ is 83 years old and, recognising that in recent years, there has been a number of organ failures, the church undertook restoration work at a cost of £15,000 but is aware that at some point in the future full restoration incorporating modern day standards might be needed. The expense is estimated at between £60,000 and £100,000.
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To aid on-line security for all adherents the church highlighted the necessity of being alert to scams involving fraudulent use of the minister's email and text accounts.
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A data protection review has been undertaken to update the church data map.
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When able to open, considerable time and effort has been put into planning and preparation of the church by stewards and Premises manager who have deciphered and instituted COVID-19 instructions
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During the year groups including First Aid classes and COVID from a Safety Training Company that were covered for essential working staff were allowed to meet in the Centre.
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Progress on any special projects
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Good neighbours: The Circuit, having negotiated the sale on leasehold of Grove House, the old Grove Manse, across the year the Trustees have continued to maintain working relationships with the new owners as the church's nearest on-site neighbours. In a sense of goodwill, permission has been given to the owners on matters of parking and on the erection of a notice-board advertising the firm's business throughout the year.
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Ground upkeep: The Trustees are also keen to bear in mind the needs of neighbours by taking great care to cultivate and trim shrubs on church grounds alongside the borders of their property and by permitting the immediate neighbours to access church land in order to repair their building.
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Dementia Friendly Church: Despite covid restrictions the church's awareness of Dementia Week, 17 – 25 May, made use of information sessions, on-line performance, and a dementia friendly walk.
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Horsforth Live at Home Scheme: This has been a special project
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that has been running for over twenty-two years. It is aimed at decreasing social isolation and loneliness by supporting the independence of elderly people in their own homes. Currently it supports 630 members and has 75 volunteers. This year the church has given £450.00 in financial support as well as voluntary help.
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In October attention was focussed on the Tearfund project 'Put a lid on it', a bin-twinning campaign to stop waste-product collection in Haiti, Pakistan and Uganda and reduce our waste footprint.
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Horsforth Community Aid Project – The church supported this multi agency response to Horsforth that sought to support people with shopping, food parcels, regular phone calls, prescription pick ups and cook along clubs for children on free school meals.
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Harvest: On the Saturday prior to the Harvest service food was collected at the bottom of the church drive for the local food bank, outreach that resulted in passers-by also contributing donations. Fellowship was encouraged with an on-line Beetle-Drive in the evening. There was also the opportunity to make a financial donation that amounted to £125.00 also for the food bank.
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Action for Children: The Grove usually gives donations from the Christmas services (Christingle and Christmas Day) to this Methodist 15
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charity supporting children, young people and their families. Since this was not possible this year the congregation's attention was drawn to the need for personal giving through the charity's postal address.
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Christmas: Across the Christmas season the church supported several special projects including:
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The gift of toys and games collected during November and early December in place of the annual Toy Service for distribution to needy families in Leeds. Thanks were expressed from St George's Church, Leeds Martin House Charity Shop, Neruka's soup Kitchen, Harehills Baby bank, St .
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John's Centre, and Leeds Revive Charity Shop
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In addition, MHA Live at Home sent thanks for the donation of adult jigsaws and box games.
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The erection of a Churches Together 'Bethlehem 2020', a
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full-size nativity display in the church drive, as part of 'In Search of Christmas' Horsforth trail.
Church’s response to important events
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The major event that has impacted upon global life has been the spread of coronavirus as described throughout this report. The church's response has been particularly noted above in the Review of Progress and Achievements.
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Aware of the acute needs of Afghan citizens following the fall of their government, at the end of August the church responded immediately by requesting donations in support of the Save the Children Afghan Appeal.
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Environment and Climate Change: The church was made aware of the need to support the full time Methodist presence in Leeds City Centre by making knitted, crocheted, embroidered or origami green hearts to raise awareness of the International climate Conference to be held in Glasgow in November (COP26). Members and adherent were also reminded of the small contributions that each of us can make locally including minimising packaging, purchasing local flowers, recycling and wise use of energy and water.
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Having been awarded Fairtrade status, the church has been mindful
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of specific world economic situations and throughout the year has
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continued to emphasise its commitment to serve Fairtrade goods at all church meetings, with a choice of other products on request.
Value of the church not in monetary terms
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The range of activities and services outlined above is evidence of
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the church’s particular impact on its immediate locality and its residents, whether they are Methodist members and adherents or non-church neighbours. This outline of the scope of the church’s
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interest and support also indicates a positive, if less direct, influence at national and international levels in a wide number of areas.
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The church continues to offer a welcome place of traditional and
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varied worship, geographically placed at the heart of Horsforth. COVID permitting, our well-maintained and attractive premises are
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extensively used by church groups and the wider community throughout each week whenever possible.
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The church community continues to provide the opportunity for
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spiritual growth to young and old alike, pastoral care to one another and those outside the church and continues to explore new ways to reach out in mission.
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Above all it seeks to provide a pattern for living that responds to the gospel of God’s love in Jesus Christ by following a life of
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discipleship through worship, service and mission.
Financial information
In addition to the financial activities carried out by the church outlined in the financial accounts, response has been made by the church and its associated groups to appeals and charities across the year, listed throughout the report
The accounts provide details of major transactions for the year 2020 – 2021. These include the Circuit Assessment for the church, which was £57,469.00. This is a major and ongoing expenditure for sustaining and supporting the ministry and work of the Leeds South and West Circuit of which The Grove is one of twenty-three constituent churches.
This Annual Report outlines the widespread range of events and activities that the church has provided across the year 2020 – 2021.
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THE GROVE METHODIST CHURCH – Annual Report Ending 31st August 2021
These would not have been possible without the very many hours of dedicated service and voluntary help that have been given by members and adherents. The Trustees would like to thank all volunteers for their interest, time and energy, particularly given the constraints of COVID and lockdowns, that has enabled the church to respond in such a positive way to the gospel of God’s love in Jesus Christ within this community.
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2021 Administrative information:
The Grove Methodist Church, Horsforth, is a registered charity number 1129305. It is governed by the Methodist Church constitution set up by Act of Parliament and by the Constitutional Practice and Discipline (CPD) of the Church as amended from time to time by the Methodist Conference.
Correspondence for The Grove Methodist Church should be addressed to the Rev. Mark Godfrey, The Grove Methodist Church, 7 Fraser Avenue, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 5EA.
The Managing Trustees are the unpaid members of the Church Council and for the year ending 31st August 2021 those who have served on Church Council are as follows:
Carole Abel, Philip Abel, Kath Ashby, Ann Bailey, Kay Bassett, Anne Blackburn, Barbara Buckley, David Buckley, Kirsty Butler (Circuit Representative), Judith Chaplin, Alan Firth, Rev. Mark Godfrey (Chair), Cynthia Hatton (to 31[st] April), Carol Hoyle, Graham Hoyle, Gill Jewell, Gill Marley, Christine Mathers, Philip Maud, Janette Mawson, Peter Mawson (Secretary), Anthony Orton, Jean Orton, Sylvia Parker, Margaret Shingler, Margaret Simmons, Paul Thompson, Caroline Turner, Andy Walker, Michael Wallis, Helena Watkins, Bryan Whitham (Treasurer), Keith Whitham, Trish Whitham, Sally Wolfe.
Independent Examiner: Rachael Richardson
Bankers: Yorkshire Bank plc, Horsforth
As at 8[th] October 2020 there were 156 church members. Details of a further 120 people are placed on the church data base and altogether 526 on the community roll.
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THE GROVE METHODIST CHURCH – Annual Report Ending 31st August 2021
Membership numbers continue to fluctuate as new members and adherents are offset by bereavements, house moves and a scrupulous scrutiny of membership names.
Objectives and Activities These are set out in detail on pages 2 to the top of page 19.
Financial Review by The Church Treasurer
Uncertainty has dominated our lives this past year, restrictions and closures have affected everything. We are all aware of problems generated by the pandemic and financial uncertainty and the church has not been immune to this. Restrictions applied to both the church and the centre have inevitably affected income; room hire from the centre has always been our main source of income. However, whether open or closed, both the church and the centre require expenditure such as safety checks and inspections, insurance, gas, water, electric and general upkeep and maintenance. As we have returned back to near normality, the centre has gradually been able to re-open, with old customers returning and new ones taking over gaps from those not returning.
The lack of income over the last 12 months, along with the necessary expenditure that has needed to continue has reduced church funds to a worrying level. We continue to closely monitor all expenditure, with restrictions having been put into place wherever possible. We want to be able to continue the work that the church does and close and careful monitoring and justification of expense will allow us to do this. We certainly would not be in a position to be able to continue to operate without the understanding and generosity of the congregation, church members and loyal customers of the centre. I would like to express my thanks and that of Trustees to everyone who has made donations and kept some money coming in over the period of the pandemic.
The full balance sheet and statement of financial activities up to 31[st] August 2021 can be found on the following pages.
Bryan Whitham. Treasurer
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THE GROVE METHODIST CHURCH – Annual Report Ending 31st August 2021
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of
The Grove Methodist Church, Horsforth
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Grove Methodist Church (the Church) for the year ended 31 August 2021.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Church, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Church’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination, giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Church as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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The accounts do not accord with those records; or
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The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a “true and fair view” which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Rachael Richardson CIMA Adv Dip MA Dated: 31 December 2021 Independent Examiner 8 Airedale Drive Horsforth Leeds LS18 5ED
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THE GROVE METHODIST CHURCH – Annual Report Ending 31st August 2021
Reserves Policy
The General Fund comprises the unrestricted reserves of the Church. It aims to accumulate the equivalent of six months potential expenditure, currently estimated as between £60,000 to £65,000. The General Fund can satisfy that requirement at the lower level, at the present time.
Approved by The Grove Church Council on 22[nd] February 2022 and signed on its behalf by Peter Mawson, Secretary to the Church Council.
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THE GROVE METHODIST CHURCH – Annual Report Ending 31st August 2021
THE GROVE METHODIST CHURCH HORSFORTH
SUMMARY FINANCIAL STATEMENT for the YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2021
The Annual Report of the Trustees comprises pages 1 to 23 of this booklet. This Financial Information is a summary of the Independently Examined Annual Accounts which are available from the Treasurer. The Independent Examiner's Report is unqualified.
Approved by The Grove Church Council on Signed on it's behalf by
Trustee
Trustee
| FINANCIAL POSITION AT | 31ST AUGUST 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||
| ASSETS | |||
| Church property and organ at insurance value | 6,420,000 | 6,225,884 | |
| Bank accounts | 61,749 | 70,690 | |
| Debtors | 18,605 | 16,900 | |
| ---------------- | -------------- | ||
| 6,500,354 | 6,313,474 | ||
| LIABILITIES | |||
| Creditors | -3,817 | -2,593 | |
| ---------------- | -------------- | ||
| TOTAL NET ASSETS | 6,496,537 | 6,310,881 | |
| ---------------- | -------------- | ||
| FUNDED | |||
| BY | |||
| Restricted Funds: | Property valuation reserve | 6,420,000 | 6,225,884 |
| Benevolent fund | 888 | 928 | |
| ---------------- | --------------- | ||
| 6,420,888 | 6,226,812 | ||
| Trustees for Methodist Church | |||
| Designated Funds: | Purposes | 1,980 | 1,977 |
| Organ fund | 1,267 | 1,267 | |
| Property fund | 13,746 | 13,746 | |
| Projects for young people | 3,440 | 3,440 | |
| Unrestricted Funds: | General fund | 55,216 | 63,639 |
| ---------------- | --------------- | ||
| 6,496,537 | 6,310,881 | ||
| ---------------- | --------------- |
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THE GROVE METHODIST CHURCH – Annual Report Ending 31st August 2021
THE GROVE METHODIST CHURCH HORSFORTH SUMMARY FINANCIAL STATEMENT for the YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2021
RESULTS FOR THE YEAR
| RESULTS FOR THE YEAR | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| INCOME | ||
| Collections & Gift Aid tax refunds | 59,409 | 59,773 |
| Hire of rooms, car park & use by Church | ||
| organistions | 19,292 | 28,216 |
| Donations | 11,664 | 13,445 |
| Bank interest & other income | 716 | 1,518 |
| Fundraising events | 692 | 716 |
| -------------- | -------------- | |
| 91,773 | 103,668 | |
| Restricted & Designated | ||
| Funds | 7 | 149 |
| -------------- | -------------- | |
| Total Income | 91,780 | 103,817 |
| -------------- | -------------- | |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Circuit assessment | 57,469 | 54,216 |
| Maintenance of the Church, repairs, heating, insurance etc | 14,250 | 18,039 |
| Maintenance of the Centre, repairs, heating, cleaning etc | 8,384 | 12,915 |
| Premises manager salary and | ||
| accommodation | 13,179 | 17,295 |
| Planned maintenance | 120 | 120 |
| Administration, photocopier, | ||
| stationery | 1,536 | 1,703 |
| Other expenses, organ & | ||
| music | 2,062 | 3,545 |
| Outreach | 2,250 | 2,490 |
| Subscriptions & donations | 946 | 2,146 |
| -------------- | -------------- | |
| 100,196 | 112,469 | |
| Restricted & Designated | ||
| Funds | 44 | 264 |
| -------------- | -------------- | |
| Total expenses | 100,240 | 112,733 |
| -------------- | -------------- | |
| SURPLUS/ (DEFICIT) for the | ||
| year | -8,460 | -8,916 |
| Unrealised revaluation property gains for | ||
| the year | 194,116 | 145,988 |
| -------------- | -------------- | |
| Net movement in funds | 185,656 | 137,072 |
| Funds at the beginning of the year | 6,310,881 | 6,173,809 |
| -------------- | -------------- | |
| FUNDS AT THE END OF THE YEAR | 6,496,537 | 6,310,881 |
| -------------- | -------------- |
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THE GROVE METHODIST CHURCH – Annual Report Ending 31st August 2021
Grove Methodist Church, Horsforth, Leeds Horsforth Grove Methodist Church - Grove Methodist Church (chessck.co.uk)