## **1[st] September 2023- 31[st] August 2024 Annual Report for the Charity Commission Neath Port Talbot Methodist Circuit** **Registered 23[rd] September 2009 Registered Number: 1131776** ## **Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document** a) The Christian Faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church. b) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any connexional, district, circuit, local or other organisation of the Methodist Church. c) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution being a society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church. d) Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church. The Neath Port Talbot Methodist Circuit acts as an umbrella body and resource provider for the nine Methodist Churches and their people of which it is comprised. ## **Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)** The adopted mission statement is in line with the Methodist Church’s statement of ‘Our Calling’ and ‘Priorities for the Methodist Church’. ## **Mission Statement** The Calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the Gospel of God’s love in Christ and to work out its discipleship in worship and mission. The Circuit exists, therefore, to enable the local churches to: - Increase awareness of the presence of God – Father, Son & Holy Spirit – and to celebrate God’s love. - Help people to learn and grow as Christians, through teaching and mutual support / care. - Become good neighbours and to challenge injustice and need. - Make more followers of Jesus Christ. ## **Aims and Strategy Objectives** ## **Aim 1) To ensure worship takes place through the communities of the Circuit.** - To ensure regular worship in the churches of the Circuit. - To make worship effective and relevant through the best use of the resources available, adapted to the local needs and context. ## **Aim 2) To expand fellowship within each church, its community and the circuit.** - To pursue within the churches the means to grow as Christians. - To take initiatives to support and care for the community. ## **Aim 3) To encourage and nurture caring relationships with each other within the churches and people in the local and world community.** - Develop pastoral communication links between each church and its members. - Develop pastoral links with other care agencies in the local community. - Widen and encourage involvement in local ecumenical activities. - Learn, pray about and respond, in whatever way we can, to the needs of the unjust world we share. ## **Aim 4) To bring people to an awareness of Christ through word and example.** - To invite and encourage people to discover and relate to Christ. - To encourage church members to share their faith with others through word and deed. - To raise awareness of Christ outside the church. - To encourage greater prayer ministry. - Sharing good ideas of outreach and ministry between the churches. ## **Principles** In implementing the Policy we shall: - Make effective use of resources. - Work with other Circuits and ecumenical partners wherever possible. The Trustees have had due regard to the Charities Act 2006 in relation to public benefit guidance. ## **Review of activities : 1[st] September 2023- 31[st] August 2024** ## **1) Circuit Staffing** In September 2023, Rev’d Dr Gareth Edwards took over from Rev’d Rosemary Davies as Superintendent Minister. He serves with the support from one part-time Circuit Pastoral Worker, Mr Robin Sherwood. Robin also has lay authorisation to preside at Holy Communion in the circuit. Rev’d Rachel Wheeler, a minister without appointment living in Bridgend offered help with preaching appointments and other events in our circuit and this has been of great benefit. Rev’d Gordon Sollis, a supernumerary minister residing in the circuit continues to have pastoral charge of North Cornelly Church and also takes services in the Circuit. All the Circuit staff work together to provide pastoral care in partnership with the pastoral visitors in individual churches. Mr Clem Raymond, despite ill-health, continues in a voluntary capacity as a Circuit Support Worker organising the prayer chain and helping with plan-making. Clem also has lay authorisation to preside at Holy Communion throughout the Circuit. Mrs Rachel Freeman continues in her contract of three hours per week to provide any administrative help when needed by the Circuit Superintendent. The staff team meet regularly and every two months they are joined by members of the Circuit Leadership Team which includes the Circuit Stewards, Treasurer, and Church Representatives. ## **2) Circuit services and events** A number of Circuit Services and other events were held during the year, enhancing our sense of fellowship together. Some are held on-line via Zoom. ## _**Service of Remembering**_ The annual service to remember those who have died over the last year was held on 1[st] November 2024. The service was held at Skewen church and livestreamed. The service was well supported by friends from around the circuit, as well as by families who were particularly invited because funerals for relatives had been taken by members of the circuit staff team during the year. This has proved to be a worthwhile initiative, indicating our continuing pastoral care for those who have been bereaved. ## _**Advent & Christmas**_ To provide a united focus during Advent, a liturgy was produced as in recent years for use in all the churches on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas and on Christmas Day itself. For each week there was a Bible passage, prayer and song, together with the traditional lighting of a candle on the Advent ring. Christmas carol services were arranged in churches throughout the circuit. A late-night Circuit Christmas Eve Service was held online until after midnight. Christmas Day services were held in a number of churches. ## _**Covenant service**_ The united annual Methodist covenant service was held in Sandfields for all the churches on 7[th] January 2023. ## _**Lent and Easter**_ A liturgy to help us focus on Christ’s journey to the cross was used on every Sunday in Lent. We held a Circuit Communion service at Skewen on Maundy Thursday. Services took place in churches on Good Friday. The early morning Easter service on Aberavon seafront was led by members of staff. There was an 8am communion service at Sandfields church followed by breakfast. ## **3. Mission & outreach** Churches continued to support the Foodbanks in Neath and Port Talbot by giving food and money to support hungry people in these communities. ## _**Website / social media**_ The Circuit website (www.neathporttalbotmethodist.org.uk) was revamped and relaunched in September. WhatsApp and Facebook pages are additionally used to publicise circuit events and services. Several churches operate WhatsApp groups to exchange local information and to support one another in prayer. A weekly circuit bulletin to keep people informed and the weekly ‘Vine at Home’ worship resource published by ‘Twelve Baskets organisation’ continues to be widely emailed and has been appreciated. ## _**Work with children, young people and families**_ Sadly, this aspect of our work has still not recovered after the pandemic and our congregations are mainly elderly. However, we have some children coming to our Sunday services at Skewen and when they attend Sunday school activities are provided. ## **4. Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults** The Methodist Church requires a number of different office holders at church and circuit level to attend appropriate training. A record is also kept and updated of all those who need to have DBS disclosures. ## **5. Property** The Sandfields & Taibach manses have continued to be let on a short-term lease in order to provide income for the Circuit. ## **6. Finance** We have been fortunate in receiving regular income from the letting of two former Manses in the circuit. The Circuit Treasurer has been keeping an eye on the finances and we have been able to help individual churches by keeping the assessment at a manageable level. ## **7. Christian discipleship & fellowship** ## _**Bible Studies and Prayer Meetings**_ Weekly studies and prayer meetings have been taking place online and have provided opportunities for people to meet ‘on screen’ and share in discussion and prayer. This has brought the Circuit churches closer together. ## _**Circuit Men’s group**_ Our Circuit Men’s group meets regularly throughout the year (once every month or two months). ## _**Oasis group**_ This group for women on the periphery of the church has been relaunched and has an active membership, meeting regularly. Individuals also keep in touch with each other by ‘phone or social media. ## **8. Worship** The circuit remains incredibly grateful to all our Local Preachers and Worship Leaders. Worship Leaders and Local Preachers meet together on a regular basis for mutual support, fellowship and training. The circuit held a Gymanfa Ganu service in Skewen church on 7[th] April 2024. Various people from the churches introduced the hymns and there was a mixture of English/Welsh singing. The service was also livestreamed. ## **9. Local Church news** ## _**Cymmer**_ The Charity Shop run by a small band of volunteers continues to provide low-cost items to the community as well as supporting several local and national charities. ## _**Glyncorrwg**_ The arrangement of meeting with the Nebo congregation at the Centre on Sunday afternoons at 3pm continues. The Nebo congregation organise the last Sunday in each month when hymns are sung in Welsh. On other Sundays, it is customary to sing one Welsh hymn per week. ## _**Glynneath**_ The sanctuary has been redecorated. A number of the congregation come from many miles away in order to attend Sunday services at the chapel. ## _**Jersey Marine**_ The local primary school has used the church to hold carol services, Easter and Harvest services. The church has been used as a polling station for local elections. ‘Friends of Jersey Marine’ is a group made up of residents who use the church premises for events. The chair of the group is a committed member of Jersey Marine church and this has enabled the relationship between the church and village to be strengthened. ## _**Neath**_ The church continues to host many events which are well supported, including Luncheon Clubs, Quizzes, and Concerts. ## _**North Cornelly**_ The church is celebrated its Centenary this year. Several events were held, chiefly a celebration event and buffet held on 11[th] May 2024, attended by many dignitaries, including the President of the Methodist Conference. ## _**Sandfields**_ The hall has been well-used by outside groups which is very pleasing. The Women’s Fellowship re-started their programme and are doing well. The Church Craft Group have been productive and well-supported. ## _**Skewen**_ The church has continued to play a key role in the livestreaming of worship in the circuit. We’re grateful to the technical team at Skewen for managing this. The Women’s Fellowship hold their meetings on a Thursday afternoon. A Quiz is held once a month on a Friday evening which is well supported. The Saturday coffee morning is well attended and is a good outreach into the community. ## _**Taibach**_ The church continues to enjoy good ecumenical relationships and its hall continues to be used by groups such as a local choir and the neighbouring school. ## **Journeying Onwards** We give thanks that God has been faithful to our circuit in the past year and we trust Him to lead and guide us into the future as we journey onwards. As the churches seek to negotiate a rapidly changing landscape, they are being challenged to reimagine what mission and outreach look like in today’s world— balancing the call to serve their communities with the very real and pressing demands of building maintenance and financial sustainability. This moment calls for both faithful innovation and practical stewardship as churches navigate their future witness and presence in society. **Neath Port Talbot Methodist Circuit Financial Statement 1st September 2023 - 31st August 2024** ## **Income** ## **Expenditure** |balance b/f|£||| |---|---|---|---| |CFB|142,793.85||| |Lloyds|18,585.97||| |Coed Darcy - Lloyds|77.20||| |Lloyds Bond|25,000.00||| |||Stipends|32,125.50| |||Super Ann|7,677.78| |**Assessment**||NI|3,204.82| |Cymmer|2,808.10|Apprenticeship Levy|161.62| |Glyncorrwg|3,515.51|Computer Allowance|194.00| |Glynneath|3,628.00||| |Jersey Marine|2,892.24|Pastoral Work|4,692.43| |Neath|16,701.96||| |North Cornelly|6,103.52|Postage|8.85| |Sandfields|28,584.72|Telephone/Broadband|697.15| |Skewen|18,307.20|Wales Synod Cymru|1,476.00| |Taibach|14,783.40|Methodist Central Fund|10,792.00| |||Supernumeraries|3,963.79| |Prayer Books|126.50|Local Preachers|440.55| |BT Refund|2.02|Manse Expenses|7,194.60| |||Manse Insurance|2,201.52| |Rent ( Sandfields Manse)|6,798.40|NPTCBC|2,203.40| |Rent (Taibach Manse)|5,821.23|NPTCBC - Environment|94.06| |||Dwr Cymru|216.00| |||Circuit Assistant|774.61| |||Printing|80.99| |||Stationery|4.75| |||Resources|82.00| |||Auxillary Fund|700.00| |||Property Fund|800.00| |||Audit Fee|50.00| |||Removal Costs|2,085.60| |||Training|1,182.00| |||Licensing|117.60| |Retirement Gift|50.00|Retirement Gift|50.00| |||Vine At Home|100.00| |Route 16|1,200.00|Route 16|1,700.00| |||Coed Darcy|77.20| |Lloyds Bond|25,000.00|Lloyds Bond|25,000.00| |MNDA|2,039.60|**SUB TOTAL**|110,148.82| |CFB Interest|7,891.30|CFB|169,975.78| |Lloyds Bond Interest|12.57|Lloyds|25,559.09| |||MNDA|2,039.60| |||Coed Darcy - Lloyds|0.00| |||Lloyds Bond|25,000.00| |TOTAL|332,723.29|TOTAL|332,723.29| CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Neath Port Talbot Methodlst Circuil FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 Wales Synod C mru District Cirouft no 02118 Reglstered Charity - Charlty Registration nurn￿r 11317T6 If not a registered charily His Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid numbtr he HMRC number is equivalent to a registered chaiity number In terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from regIst￿tIon under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242) Ministers: Rev Etr Ga￿th Edwards Rev Gordon SoFlis_ .eMU￿ry._....-.-...__..-...-.-._.....-._.._._.._...---._.._._- Rev Alf Williams. Su￿.1*Ume_ry...._.-...-__..-._._..._--.__-...--.-...._._-..-.- Rev Ditys Brace - Su Rev Rachel Wheeler_ Minister WFthout A￿￿0..Intment Clem Raymo..nd - Su Robln Shèrwood - Pastoral Worker Circuit Stewards: ._G￿_n. Aubrex.- Senior Steward & PrO￿e_ty.._._..-..._._.....-..-.-.._._-...-.__...._._._..- Michelle Amesbu.ry._._.._-....._._.-..~-..-..-..--...-._......-..-..-......_..-..-.--... Brian Curtis Peter Davies Lesle￿.Hary_.._.._........_._.__..._._....._.._._.._._....... ._........._.._..._._...... Robin Sherwood Barbara 8￿thard Jan Griffiths- Secretary._....-._._._..-.-_...-..-.-...-.-._......-_....._._...--..-.. Treasurer. Karen Sherwood St8ndard Fom) of AcceuN• a)23-24c1￿xth Éxe ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 Neath Port Talbot Methodist Cir¢ult Un- Clrcu restrlcted Model Trnst Restricled Funds Fund Funds SECTION A Totsls this Totals last 81 RECEIPTS Assessm&nVShare 97,325 97,325 96,309 a3 a4 Ca ital recei 15 Bank and CFB interest and Investmenl income 7,904 1.734 9,637 5,549 a5 Grants a6 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 12,748 12,748 18,127 117.977 1.734 119,710 (a8) 119,985 SECTION B b1 b2 PAYMENTS stip&nds, salaries. NIC, Pension and travel costs 47,701 47,701 11,816 46,257 b3 Manse Costs 11.816 7,649 3.768 b4 Administration etc 1,648 915 2,563 12,268 b5 District Assessment 12,268 18.965 Grants & donations b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 9,789 9.789 12,535 b9 83,222 915 84.136 (b9 89,175 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 a7-b9 34,755 819 30,810 Tolal fvnds brou hl forward from last ar 30,696 114 30,810 Sub total e1+c2 65,451 933 66,384 30,810 Transfers and ad'uslments c7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR {c3+¢4) 65,451 933 66,384 (c8) 30,810 (c6) SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS these amounts should not be included irt total recei yments abovo) Balance brou ht fomard from last ear Offerin slGifts - received for extemal o anisations OfferingslGifts - passed lo extemal organisations BALANCE STILL TO BE PAIO dl+d2-d3 d1 d2 3.29) 1,927 915 d3 1,650 d4 1,362 735 Standard Fomi ofknoLml$ 202>24 cir￿*t E￿1 1 of 1 Neath Port Talljot Methodlst Clr¢u Ir COUNT8 INTE LOA M$AT IIE14JRTI1￿ TO E ¢￿ulT nNG SECTr(￿ E lease lol the Guldance N thfis ummary ofthe Cwuf( accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 Intemal OrganE8*ons report'ng to the Circuf( Mee*'ng. Nots thatthe fvnds of 8n temal OrgatW68tion would normalty b• R8thsted bjnds unless it¢ould be dearlyshown that Ihey Could be for any Methodlst purpose. This s￿￿tin mLtSt be compldeil to arrive atth• gross receipts 8nd paymentslotsb of the Ifgross w)come exceeds the AccruaLs thr8$hold of£250,000, th?n the mekn¢J of aecounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to reportthè Isee Methodi%t w•bsitg1. Ple8$8 refer to the g(1da￿e notes regarding tr•rEfers betsveen the Circuit an¢Y conngcted CIr￿rt INTeRP4AL Nd Rwt Openi nGb8 qnts Subfola ofintemgl Organ&abonB funds le111 1è121 Ctr¢Uka￿QUnts Itotsls broughl fovward frc paye2.t(*t*ls colum￿) 119.710 84.13B 35.574 71 35.￿1 ¢10 •IELD8Y CIRCUIT 119.710 84,128 35,574 a sÈparale sheat1rn￿8ary brfng 35.574 TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAYMENTS ASSETS AND L UTIES CIRCUIT-CASH FUNDS HELD at31 AW 2024 OPENING 8AL4N¢ES CLOSING BALANCES C&8h Bonk Curr8nt 18.586 27 599 Bank De 25 000 25 000 co71￿ FirK8T￿ B(*rd 142 794 169 976 TA￿ for M8th¢tht Chwch PUr￿eS 32,839 33.658 Otherfund• SUB TOTAL 219.219 258,2J3 Total held ty IrAen*l OrganlBations bts&nce totaRg atxxl (ef21 e11 IZ TOTAL CASH FUND$ HELD BY CIRcurr 219.219 256,233 E•r2D23 Burf 1-str￿ omount Outth￿1n 8t 14 I￿)j￿& ¢nty Funds held atthty CerATrl Fknance 8o¥d f5 In¢ludeonty CFB Funds he￿ at Tr￿ for Mdhotht Ch￿ch Purposes gl In¢Judeany olher Investrtpnts lrnttt* ¢a5hel¥￿ ol TMCPtrL¥tac¢ounts th* Irwted h fLn•fSI Name of Circuit Neath Port Talbot Methodist No 02118 Declarations and Scrutiny I confinn that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2024 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they indude all funds under the control of the Circuit meeting. Signatureoftreasurer.....h: c, £A...................................... Date 19th September 2024 Name and address of treasurer Karen Sherwood 14 Parkfield, Tonna, Neath, Neath Port Talbot Post Code SA113JN Pre8entatlon to the Clrcuit meeting I Confi￿ that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 were presented to the Circuit meeting held on19th Septmmber 2024 Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Rev Dr Gareth Edwards Date 19th September 2024 Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustses of the Neath Port Talbot Methodist Circuit Charlty Number 1131776 Responsiblllties and basis of report l ￿POrt to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the . Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2024 set out on pages . to. As the Circuivs trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Circuit's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applieable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate Stsnd8rd FO￿ olAe¢gunts 202>24 CIre¢J￿£xC￿ 1 of 1 Name of Circuit Neath Port Talbot Methodist Circuit No 02118 Independent ExamineVs Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disdosed below.) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act: or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to w*hich attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I havelhave not. obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Relevant professional qualrfication of independent examiner Name of firm (where appropriate) Address Post Code f£lii JLI Date ¥/*&lJ*t delete or circle as appropriate Standard Fomi ofAccounts 20ts24 Circuit Excd 1011