Page l of 4
Inde
endent Wesle
an Church Hi
Rushden Northants
Trustees, Re
ort for the
ear ended Oct 31" 2024
The Trustees present their Annual Rewrt and accounts for the 12-month period up to Oct 31" 2024.
Charitable Object
The charity is governed by a constitution. This was amended in May 1984, and again in June 2008
and September 2009. The Objects of the Church are:
To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Confession of Faith in such ways and
in such parts of the United Kingdom (or the world in the case of Mission works) as the
Trustees (acting according to the will of God as discerned by the Church Members) from
time to time may think fit.
To relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the
provision of funds, gyoods or services of any kind, including through the provision of advice
and support in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Trustees (acting as
aforesaid) from time to time may think fit.
To advance Christian education and pursue and promote general charitsble purposes
consistent with the Christian faith in such ways and in such parts of th¢ United Kingdom as
the Trustees (acting as afor¢said) from time to time may think fit,
The Church occupies premises which are held by the Propety Holdingy Trustees and the Trust is
entirely compatible with the above Objects.
Public Benefit
The Truste¢s Consider that the activities of the Charity are carried out for the public benefit. In
particular, two of the charitable puryx)ses as set out by the Charity Commission in its general
guidance on public benefit are met:
The advancement of education and
The advancement of religion
An explanation of these activities is given below in the section "Objectives and Activities"
Throughout the year, our Minister (Rev Phillip Hearson) and his family have again worked hard to
lead our Church-life. Services hav¢ again been recorded and put on YouTube' we understand that a
number of people outside of our Church Circle have continued to tune in to watch these. We are
indebted to Phil, his wife Anne and their son Matyn for their work on this and so many other
aspects of our Church-life. they have worked hard as usual on behalf of our Membership.
anisational Structure and deeision-makin
rocesses
Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with our Constitution, which requires them to
sincerely express their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, and to give evidence
of such faith by their life and conduct. During the year covered by this rewrt. no new adult was
accepted into membership, although we have welcomed a number of new people to our services.
hopefully some of these may consider membership in the coming years.

Page 2 of 4
The Members, Meeting normally takes place four times per year and has the respx)nsibility for the
overall policy of the Church. In accordance with the Constitution, the Members apwint up to 15
Leaders (Elders) who will concentrate on the spiritual side of Church life, and up to 8 Officers
(Deacons) who will concentrate on the administrative and financial aspects of the Church (acting
under the authority of the Trustees).
Our membership remained unchanged at 39 as at Oct 31" 2024.
All Members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved
in the furtherance of the charitable objective.
Relevant matters may be submitted to the Church Members meeting by the Trustees for guidance,
or may be raised by Members for consideration. The Constitution permits decisions to be made at
Members, meetings by appropriate majorities.
The Church, although independent. is attached to the Wesleyan Reforn] Union of Churches.
Objectives and Activitie8
In order to achieve the principal objective which is set out above, the Church provides a variety of
activities both to its membership and to the community generally. The aim is to show the love of
Jesus Christ in both word and deed and to bring people into a closer relationship with Him as
Living Lord. Our Mission Statement is "Seeking to love God, each other, and the wider community
through worship, discipleship, fellowship. service, and outreach"
Central to the woik and witness of the Church is the provision of regular public services of
Christian worship. These take place each Sunday at l 0.45am. There are also occasional services at
other times which are advertised both in the Church and online.
The Church has a website at www.weschurchrushden.org.uk. A children's programme operates
during the morning services. The Church seeks to be a friendly and welcoming community and
anybody is free to attend any of these services.
ular Churcb - based meetin
A men's home-group meeting to plan events for men of all a&yes and study the Bible on alternate
Sunday evenings. During the year these meetings have also focused on topical discussions and
checking what The Bible says about big questions that all pKople ar¢ asking.
Zoom Prayer Meeting has continued on alternate Monday evenings. This was introduced as a way
to increase our church, s reliance on prayer with our Lord God through our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. Numbers have fluctuated but it has been good to pray more regularly. including with some
Memb¢rs who are unable to attend our Tuesday morning prayer group due to their work.
The Tuesday morning prayer group - where Members join together in one of three homes to pray
for the work of th¢ Church, and for situations & people in particular need - has been running for
many years now and is a valuable vehicle for praying for those in need, both locally and in the
world as a whole. Regular attendance is up to eight.
A house group meets on Wednesday evenings and this seeks to encourage Members to explore
together how to live a Biblically-based Christian life. and to spend time in prayer together.
The Church also runs the following activities: _
A short-mat bowls group meets on Tuesday afternoons.
A youth club on Thursday evenings (school years 7 to I l ). These have a faithful core attendanc¢,
with the young people joining in discussion times about the Christian faith during their evening and
as a break in the games played.
Coffee mornings on Saturdays

Page 3 of 4
The Wednesday morning activity "Take a Break" still meets and numbers - whilst varying week-
on-week, have maintained overall numbers. New friendships between our Members and those
outside of our Church have continued to IK forn]ed.
The Church operates systems to ensure that all Ftoplc working with children and vulnerable people
are appropriately vetted with regard to the Disclosure and Barring Service and Safeguarding
Agencies.
Achievements and Performance
The Church does not seek to measure its success solely by headcounts of those attending, nor by
financial perfonnance. but also in less tangible areas such as fellowship and encouragement. It is
appreciated that these are ditTicult to measure, but the Trustees consider that 2023124 was another
positive period as far as the life of the Church is concerned.
In addition to our Minister continuing to play a key part in leading and guiding the Church through
the year, he has also been involved in taking assemblies at local primary schools on a regular basis..
The Trustees consider the Church very fortunate to have had such a caring and hard-working person
as our spiritual leader since 2006. We look fotward to the years ahead with him still serving as our
Minister.
Harvest celebrations took place in September 2024, and gifts of produce from this day were given
to The Rushden Food Bank, with monetsry gifts to The Leprosy Mission.
The Church has active Overseas and Horne Missions funds - this money being made available by
allocating 50/0 of church collections to each of these. Gifts from these funds have been sent to
various deserving causes during the year, including - from Home Missions
a number of local
people who were findingv the cost-of-living situation particularly ditTicult.
A church Away-Day was held during September. with a good attendance of Members and friends.
This will be repeated next summer (June 2025)
Financial Review
The Church continues to raise the funds which it needs to carry out its activities from within its own
membership and congregation. No wider public appeal was made for funds during the year.
The financial results for the year. together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted, are
set out in the accompanying statementslaccounts.
Income
Overall income increased to £93.047 compared to the previous year (£76,019).
Weekly offerings averaged £767 compared to £674 last year.
Income from hiring out our hall to a number of local groups incre&sed from £14.500 in 2222/23 to
£16,464 in 2023124, ieflecting the growth of regular daytime hirers
£2500.00 was received from the deposit paid by the prospective purchasers of the church, when the
sale failed to materialise. as agreed.
The Investment Fund again contributed £2,160 this year towards the Minister's stipend.

Page 4 of 4
Exceptional Items of Expenditure
There were a number of items of exceptional items of expenditure this year, including re-laying the
slabbed walkway. new fencing and aSs￿lated works at the Minister's house. This amounted to
£8,076.00. Gas costs of £2,494 and Electricity of £1,785 reflected the large increases in energy
costs during the yeai. but with a milder winter. so keeping gas costs in check.
From July 2024 the church has employed a part-time cleaner (approx. 5 hours each week).
Financial Reserves Policy
The Church currently has no Reserves Policy.
Sale of Church building l Future Hall Extension Plans
The Trustees and Officers have continued to meet to discuss the sale of the church building. The
company who made the accepted offer (as included in the Trustee Annual Report for the last two
years) were unable to obtain planning pemission for their proposed conversion of our church
building and this sale accordingly has had to be abandoned. However. another local body have
expressed an interest in purchasing the old Church building and discussions/negotiations a
ongoing.
The scheme to change and extend the church hall to provide additional meeting rooms and storage
space has not yet been put into action due to a lack of finance to pay for the work.
The Year Ahead - Although the earlier Church Sale agreement ultimately came to nothing, we are
hopeful of the current prospective purchasers confirnling their intentions to buy soon.
A number of buffet meals in our hall have been held during the year, with a good majority of the
membership attending. A full year of activities is planned for 2024125.
Contacts with the surrounding population is dIff￿ult with our premises now being off the High
Street, but ideas on overcoming this
probably with banners on the church building frontage are
urrently being planned.

Independent Examiner's Report
to the
Trustees and members of Rushden Independent Weslyan Church
This report on the accounts for the year ended 31 October 2024, which are set out on the attached pages.
Respective responsibilities of tTUStees and examiner
As trustees of the Church Council you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees
consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities
Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to
examine the accounts under scction 145 of the Charities Act:
follow the proccdurcs laid duwn in the Gcncrdl Direction.s given by the Charity Commission
(under section 145(5)(b) of the Chiwities Act) and
state whether particular matters come to my attention.
Ba51s of Independent Examlner's Report
My examlnation was carricd out in accordance with the general directions given by thc Charity Commission.
That examination includcs a review of the accounting records kept by the Church Council and a compdrison
of the ¢iccounts with thos¢ r¢cords. It also includes considering any unusual itcms or disclosur¢s in the
accounts and seeking explanations fmm you concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not
provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit
opinion on the accounts.
Independent examlner's statement
In conncction with my examination. no mattcrs havc com¢ to my attention:
( l ) which gives me reasonable caus¢ to believe that in any material respect the requirements
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
to prcparc accounts which accord with the accounting r¢cords and comply with the requirements
of thc Charitics Act have not been mct: or
(2) to which. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the
accounts to be reaclied.
H R Rawlings
Denton Tavard Ltd
61a High Street South
Rushden
Northants
NNIO ORA
20 January 2025

Rushden Hi
h St Inde
endent Wesle
an Church
tsandPa
ments Account for the
ear endin
31st October 2024
Recei
RECEIPTS
Offerings
Thankofferings - Church
Thankofferings - Illuminate
39,865.30
2,865.00
40.00
Weekly avge £767.00
42,770.30
Donations:
Funeral
General donations
114.00
444.60
558.60
Legacies & Memorials
120.00
From Investment Fund
Stip6nd
S.Sch. Prizeslcosts
Audit Fee
2,160.00
106.32
72.00
2,338.32
Hall income
16,464.35
Sundry receipts
27.15
Take a Break donations
160.02
Easyfundraising
0.00
Gift Aid
Church
Hall E￿enSiOn Fund
16,028.86
1,191.12
17,219.98
Interest - Redwood Bank
Church
Hall Extension Fund
1,925.26
978.00
2,903.26
3rd Party receipts
Mind
Christingle (Children's Society)
ENCCS
Whitefriars Church
206.20
104.05
117.17
55.47
482.89
Donations to Hall Exin Fund
206.71
Deposit retumed from failed church sale
2,500.00
Pantomime ticket sales
705.50
Overseas Missions receipts
Home Missions re￿iptS
Kitchen Fund receipts
My Christmas Wish receipts
Bowls Club receipts
2,512.70
2,217.37
1,185.00
555.50
120.00
Total Receipts
93,047.65

PAYMENTS
Minister
Stipend
Expenses
Sundry costs (MPS)
Pension costs
22,466.61
1,446.00
12.00
1,625.24
25,549.85
Manse costs
Council Tax
Water
Insurance
Window repairs
Boiler service & safety check
Replacement radiator valves
Outside property repairs
Tap repairs
2,719.11
659.55
336.04
290.40
102.00
750.crfj
8,076.00
60.00
12,993.10
Hall & Church Property Costs
Gas
Electricity
Water
Insurance
Heating repair
Boiler servicing and repairs
Outside works
Skip hire
GLrtter cleaning
Fire extinguisher service
Roiowash contract
Rolowash spares
Cleaner salary
Cleaning materials etc.
Waste disposal
2,494.33
1,785.45
627.12
2,778.81
116.00
270.00
356.97
240.00
80.00
103.80
119.40
11.03
876.00
183.00
86.70
10,128.61
New hall curtains
2,337.00
Wesleyan Refom Union costs
Assessment
Conference f8e
1,119.25
210.00
1,329.25
Visiting Ministers
325.00
Donations from church funds
Wesleyan R6fomi Union
Illuminate
428.00
2,088.15
2,516.15
3rd Party payments
Mind
Whitefriars Church
WRU Pension
81.50
55.47
370.64
507.61
Sundry items
Misc Sundry
Good News papers
Away Day
Zionworx fee
Christmas banners
Software costs
Audit fee
CCLI
Mics, headset and aerial
400.71
285.00
105.CK)
114.(K)
105.79
328.10
240.00
384.72
409.55
2,372.87

Sale of church costs
1,248.00
Catering & food costs..
388.37
50kn Offerings to Home Missions
5% Offerings to Overseas Missions
1,993.37
1,993.37
3,986.74
Pantomime ticket purchases
812.50
Sunday SchcK>I costs
1(￿.32
Kitchen Fund withdrawals
Home Missions fund withdrawals
Overseas Missions fund withdrawals
Youth Club fund withdrawals
My Christmas Wish withdrawals
911.60
3,372.37
2,011.00
219.64
248.01
Total Payments
71,363.99
Total Receipts
Total Payments
Excess of Income
93,047.65
71,363.99
21,683.66

Excess of income
21,683.66
Balan￿S Brought Fopward..
Nat West
Rethood Bank
17,290.93
75,001.00
92,291.93
Timing Difference in Pymt made to HMRC
-10.10
113,965.49
Balances @ 31 st October 2024
Nat West
Redwood Bank
28,964.49
85,001.00
113,965.49
Bank Balances as above
Curtains to be refunded from Inv Fund
Unpaid Invoices @ 31st October 2024
Due from WRU
WRU Assessment due
Due to MIND
Due to ENCCS
Due to Children's Society (Christingle)
Due to HMRC
113,965.49
2,337.00
2,003.50
370.64
-360.75
-124.70
-117.17
-104.05
-234.17
117,735.79
Main Church Account
Legacies & Memorials Fund
Hall Development Fund
Home Missions Fund
Overseas Missions Fund
Bowls Club
Kitchen Fund
Youth Club Fund
My Christmas Wish
Benevolent Fund (dosed during the year)
Grand total funds
68,674.26
14,253.17
31,130.23
469.83
501.70
720.00
872.14
8(￿.97
307.49
0.00
117,735.79
Increase of £13,579.89
Increase of £120.00
Increase of £4700.83
Decrease of £318.21
Increase of £501 .70
Increase of £120.00
Increase of £273.40
Decrease of £219.64
Increase of £307.49
Decrease of £836.79
Increase of £18228.67
Church, Funds
Department Funds
114,057.66
3,678.13
117,735.79
Increase of £18400.72
Decrease of £172.05

Rushden Independent Wesleyan Church
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31st October 2024
Bank Balances
Nat West Bank
Redwood Bank
28,964.49
85 001.00
113,965.49
Debtors Unpaid invoices
Curtains to be refunded by Investment Fund
Pension due from Wesleyan Reform Union
2003.50
2337.00
370.64
4 711.14
118,676.63
Creditors HMRC
Assessment due to Wesleyan Reform Union
MIND
ENCCS
The Children's Society (Christingle)
234.17
360.75
124.70
117.17
104.05
940.84
General Church Fund5
Legacies & Memorial Fund
Hall Development Fund
Home Missions Fund
Overseas Missions Funds
Bowls Club Funds
Kitchen Fund
Youth Club Fund
My Christmas Wish FunLI
68,674.26
14,253.17
31,130.43
469.83
501.70
720.00
872.14
806.97
307.49
Other Assets
Church Investment Fund {Accounts shown separately)
Pro
er
Church & Church Hall- High Street and Queen Street Rushden, Northants
Manse- 11 South Park, Rushden, Northants
ui
Church organ
Electric piano
Loop system
PA system in the church
Portable PA system
Portable & wall-mounted screens
Projectors
Folding tables and chairs
Upholstered chairs
Dishwasher
Cooker
Rotowash floor cleaner

Independent Examiner's Report
to the
Trustees and members of Rushden Independent Westyan Church
This rep)rt on the accounts of the Investment Fund for the year ended 31 October 2024. which are set out on
the attached pages.
Respective responsibilities of trnstees And examiner
As trustees of the Church Council you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees
consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities
Act) and that an independent examination is ne¢d¢d.
It is my responsibility to
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act:
follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission
(under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act) and
state whether particular matters come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examlner's Report
My ¢xamination was carried out in accordanc¢ with the general directions gAven by the Charity Commission.
That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Church Council and a comparison
of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the
accounts and seeking explanations from you concerning any such matters. Th¢ procedures undertaken do not
provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit
opinion on the accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examinatio￿ no matters have come to my attention:
(l ) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act: or
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirements
of the Charities Act have not been meL or
(2) to whicl in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper undeTStanding of th¢
accounts to be reached.
H R Rawlings
Denton Tavara Ltd
61 a High Street South
Rushden
Northants
NNIO ORA
20 January 2025

Church Investment Fund as at 31st October 2024
Nominal
Market
Value £
Value £
24404.39 24482.30
16555.90 16484.43
732.04
727.87
1207.77 1208.13
42900.10 42902.73
7155.45 7155.45
50055.55 50058.18
Investments held .
Short-term
Medium-term
Long-term
Lilian Freeman Trust fund (all short-term)
Total Stock
Cash at Bank
At Cost £
29599.03
18420.37
987.36
1466.67
50473.43
7155.45
57628.88
Com
risin
Donations (incl Gift-Aid) - prior years
this year (Incl Grft-Aid refund)
Total
16034.71
16034.71
Olstrfbutlon of Interest dlvidends and In
Interest I dividends received (incl £60.38 L.F.Fund)
Gainsllosses on maturity of investments
Interest Purchased
Contributs'ons to ministerfs stipend
Auditor
Sunday School expenditure
Undistributed this year
NB - All undistrlbuted losses thls year to be absorbed by the malnlgeneral Fund
ostme
ear
2266.81
-2160.00
-72.00
-133.47 (_79.17+(-27.15t))
Investments matured I
urcha8ed I sold
roceeds £
Cost £
ainlLoss
0.00
No stock matured during the year
0.00
0.00
Purchased
No stock was purchased during the year
0.00
0.00
0.00
Note 1 for below . . L. F.Fund costs include duplicate spend on S.School books
(i.e.cost of "-£54.30', refund of +27.15 included in Income - (Investment gainlloss))
Note 2 for below"
"Less Interest Purchased" at end of year 2022123 included -£87.06 in final column in error;
this should not have been shown as a cost balance at year end.
The 1111123 start balance has been amended to correct this.
NBI Creditor - new hall curtains - £2,337 to be repaid to Church AIC on maturfty of 5% Treasury Stock 2025
Allocatlon of Fund8:
Start of Yr Donations, Gift- Investment Interest PaYn￿nts End of yr
111112023 Ald etc received
ain
receive
made
3111012024
45267.77
0.00
0.00 2179.28 -2232.00 45215.05
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
-133.47 8155.05
0.00
3928.12
0.00
0.00
0.00
504.78
27.15 2239.66 -2365.47 57803.00
General Fund
Less Interest Purchased
Lilian Freeman Fund (Notes 1 & 2 above)
Special Purposes Fund
Youth Holiday Fund
Totals
82W.99
3928.12
504.78
57901.66
27.15
0.00
0.00