Trustees, Annual Report Amersham Methodist Circuit Year Ending 31. August 2025 Registered Charity No. 1132354 Overview INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Trustees, Annual Report of the Amersham Methodist Circuit. The Circuit is the primary unit in which Local Methodist Churches ¢xpr¢ss and experience their interconnexion as the bod), of Chrisl. for purposes of mission. mutual encouragement, and h¢lp. It is in the Circuit that presbyters. deacons and probationers are slationed and local preachers trained and admitt¢d and exercise their calling. The PUTPOSCS of the Circuit include the e(Yeciive deployment of the resources of ministry, which include people, property end finance, as they relate tu the Methodist churchcs in the Circuil, io churches of other dcnominations and to participation in the life of thc communities s¢rv¢d by the Circuil, including Iocdl schools and colleges, and in ecumenical work in the area. The Amersham M¢thodisi Circuii lies within the Chilterns. Buckin8hamshire, in an area of outstanding natural beauty and cncompasses several medium-si/.ed. towns and rural villages. It forn15 the southcrnmost part of the Northampton District and extends northwards from Gerrards Cross Lo Prestwood and Chesham. The Circuit has just under 200 memb¢rs and compriscs 6 churches at 31, Augusi 2025. onc being a Local Ecumenical Pann¢rship (LEP) with the ljnitcd Refomed Church (URC). Th¢ circuit Sta￿ consists of two full-time presbyters who arc supported by an administrator and the ircuit stewards. The Circuit funds the provision of the two p[e5b￿ers, supplies and mainlains ÉheiT accommodation (manses) and covers their legitimate expenscs. Th¢ Circuit arranges prot"essional Quinquennial Inspections of the Circuit churches and circuit prop¢rti¢s. Each of the circuit churches has a pastoral support $Y￿eM led by pastoral leaders or th¢ Church Council. There are active Churches Together groups throughout the area and ecumenical relationships are on the whole 800d. The Circuit M¢¢ting (CM) of the Amersham Methodist Circuit is the principal meeting respL)nsible for the affairs of th¢ Circuit and the development of circuit policy. The CM. with the Superintendcnt Minisler and with the guidance of the CircuiE Leadership Team (CLT), ¢xercises that rombination of spiritual l¢ad¢rship and administrative etTiciency which will enable the Circuit to fulfil its purposes as set out in Standing Orders. The CM acts as the focal poinl of the working fellowship of the churchcs in the CircuiL overseeing theirpastoral, training and evangelistic work. The CM meets quarterly. AMC Annyal Report and AC￿Unts for 2024-2J CIRCUIT MISSION STATEMEwr The ciwuit's policy on mission and ministry. is to support all its churches in their efforts to reach out with the Gospel message in their local communities. The circuit iecognises and encourages the diversity ofapproaches to mission and worship among its churches and seeks io make resources available to enablc them to carry out their ministries. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith in our Circuit through: worship and prayer. learning about and developing knowledge of and trust tn Jesus. and via mission and Out￿aCh work. When planning our activities for the year. the sU￿rintendent and CM considered ihe Charity Comrnission's guidance on public benefil and, in particular. the specific guidance on charities lor the advancement of religion. REVIEW OF THF. YEAR The Iruste¢s are committed to reaching oul lo as many people as possible in the Circuit's geographical area through regular worship al the member churches which provide pastoral care and community activities &8 part of their outreach. The Circuit produces a quarterly preaching plan to ensute that regular acts of worship take place at each of the six churches. Worship is open to all people without charge. The Circuit continues to provide on-line worship each week with occasional streamed liv¢ services. The Circuit accounts for the year 2023-24 were produced by Mrs Lucinda CJigg, our Circuit Administrator/Bookk¢¢p¢r. The production of infonnation to enable better financial scrutiny was appreciated by the church trcasur¢rs. When setting ils budgei for 2024-25. the Circuit resolved to continue to support the income of thc Churches as they recovercd from the pandemic. The Circuit ucknowlLdged that this situation could not conlinue on a pemanent b￿ls. Funds were raised for ihe World Mission Fund of the Methodisi Church in Britain and Ireland. Collections w¢re also made for Methodist Homes for ihe Aged. Chrislian Aid and Action for Children. The Circuit Continues to support Pace. a local children's charity working with children with neuro disabilities. The Circuit resolved lo also support ihe World Mission Fund of the Methodist Church io represent an overseas &spect to our charitable giving. Chur¢h¢s in the Circuit continucd to reflect on th¢ Circuit Vision Day and how thcir mission may be develnped. Gerrards Cross Methodist Church created the post of Artractional Mission Pastor. The p05t will be supported by monies from the Circuit and the Northampton District. Inierviews took placc in July 2025 so thai the appointment could commence in Seplember 2025, The Circuit cunlinue5, alongsidc ihe Northampton District to financially support the Church 2 Community worker at Lhesham Methodist Church. The Rev James Patterson continued to Work primarily with the churches in Amersham, Chesham and Prestwood. Following his ordination, he adjusted quickly to no longer having a dedicated study day and to preaching on a few more Sundays during thc y¢ar. James attended the Methodist Conlerence in Telford in 2025. The Circuit compl¢t¢d the process of applying for pern]ission in principle for Winchmore Hill and Lee Common Churches for change of use. so that they could be sold with a view to them bccoming dwellings. En September 2024 perniission in principl¢ lor change of use was declined for both churches. The Circuit attempted to obtsin more evidenc¢ lo support a further application for Winchmore Hill including having a second ecological survey. Following the national publicity generated by the refusal for change of for Lee Common. th¢ Circuit w&$ contacted by Hope Romanian Baptist Church a view lo purchasing the Church at L¢¢ Common and leasing the AMC Annual RerA)rt and Accounts for 2024-25 graveyard. To ihis end the Circuit began exploring the possibility of a sale at below market ra under the tern]s of Model Trnst 20 of the Methodist Church. INCOME TRENDS Circuit income is drawn primarily from the assessment paid by the circuit churches. The Circuit Meeting, on the recommendation of the Church Tre&surers Meeting. resolved to continue to subsidise the assessment asked of the churches. The manse located at 41 Codmore Crescent continues to be let and is Providing some income. EXPENDITURE TRENDS The single largest expenses are Ihosc rclating to church ministers. including stipends. pensions contributions, expenses and ihe provision of manses. Stipend expenditure is incre&sed each financial year in line with Conference approved increases. The cost of the Circuit Adminislrator was budgeted for in thc budget for 2024-25. The other expenditure includes costs in respect of the maintenance work on the manses and the payment of church quinquennial inspections. PLANS FOR 2025126 The Circuit will continue to follow up the work of ihe Vision Day and work within thc scope of its Mibsiun Plan. The Cir¢uil will continue the proccss of selling Ihc fornicr ChU￿h¢S ai Lce Common and Winchmore Hill. Th¢ Circuit will continu¢ to explore ncw lay appoinlm¢nts and otTer support to churches considering such appointments, such as the Atlrdclional Mission Pastor appointment for Gerrards Cross and the Church 2 Community worker ai Chesham. FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE BASIS OF PREPARATION AND LEGAL fRAMEWORK The Charity's atlnual report and a￿OUnts for the year ¢ndcd 31 August 2025 have been prepared in aLcordtU]Le with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charitie5: Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting Stsndard (FRSSE) 2015. The members of the Amersham Methodist Circuit mething are the Charity Trusiees. rnembership being made up of circuit office holders. ministers and r¢pr¢s¢ntstives appointed by the local churches or COwOPted by the meeting. Full m¢mbvship is shown as Appendix A io Ihis report. The Trustees for Methodist Church PuryK)ses (TMCP) are the Custodian Trustee of Circuit Properties. CIRCUIT MINISTERS AND OFFICERS ACTIVE CIRCUII, MINIS I'LRS.. The Rev'd E Adam We115 The Rev'd James Pallcrson AMC Annual Report and Accowits for 202￿25 CIRCUIT STEWARDS Mr David Hill&s Mrs Pam Sitford Mr Rohan Navaratnam INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mr Martin Hunt, Amersham Accountancy 3A Station Roa¢ Amer5ham, Bucks HP7 OBQ TREASURER Mrs Lu Gigg BANKING AN'D INVESTMENTS CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling. Kent ME19 4JQ Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church, 9 Bonhill Street, London EC2A 4PE Trustees for Methodist Church Pury)oses Central Buildings, Oldham Strccl. Manchester MI IJQ SOI.ICITORS Sintons LLP The c.ub¥ Barrack Road Newcastle upon Tyn¢ NE4 6DB AIMS AND ORGANISATION Charity objective is to act as a Resource provider within the area around Am¢rsham for the Methodist Church: The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall ￿ deemed io have been since the Date of Union the advancement of.. a) The Christian faith in accordanc¢ with the doctrinal Standards and discipline of The Methodist Church. b) Any charitable PUr￿se for the time being of any Conncxional. District, Circuit. local or other organisalion of The Methodisi Church. ¢) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or inslitulion subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church. d) Any purpose for the time being of any charily being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist ChU￿h. e) The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non- members alike. The I¢￿h1ng of Christianity through serni0￿ courses and small groups. AMC Annual Report and Accounts for 2024-25 g) The resourcing of pastoral WO￿ including visiting the sick and bereaved. h) Taking religious assemblies in local schools. i) Promotion of ChristLanity through the staging of events and services. j) Provision of chaplaincy service5 to the local university and other instilutions. PUBLIC BENEFIT We confim the trustees have h&J regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. STRUCTIJRE, GOVERNANCF. and MANAGEMENT The governing docum¢nl for th¢ circuit is the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976) Detailed governance arrang¢m¢nts are outlined within the Constitutional Praclice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference {CPD). Day to day management of the circuit 18 undertaken by the Superintendeni Minister. the Circuit Leadership Team along with the Local Preachers. meeting, and the Circuit Stewards, Meeling. A range of guidance produced by Meihodist Connexion to support th¢ effective running of the circuit, specifically the leaflet, 'Th¢ Role of a Trustee in The Methodisi Church,, is 8iven to all new Circuit meeting members as induction io their role as t￿sleeS. RELATED PARTIES The Circuit Is part of the Northampton District and is also accouDtablc to the Methodist Conference. RISK MANAGEMENT The Amersham Mcthodist Circuit: discuss aT]d regularly review by the Circuit StalTIStewards and Circuit Meeting. takes professional advice as and when rcquired. follows procedures and guidelines issued by Ihe Meihi)disl Church lo mitigate risks. adopts and implemenls the Meihodist Church's robusi safeguarding polici¢s and procedures in the Circuit and the local churches. Thw¢ conlinue5 to be a stcady dcclinc in membership which reflects the increasingly elderly profile of the majority of the local congregations. SAFEGUARDING Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of huTnankind in God's own image and likenes5. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God's re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as beaTing the image of God and therefore to protect th¢m from harni. AMC Annual Re￿rt and Accowrts for 2024-25 Methodist Connexional prnctice outlines commitment to the following principles: the care and nurtur¢ of. and respectful pastoral ministy with, all children, young people and adults the safeguarding and protection of all children. young people and adults when they are vulnerable the eslablishing of safe. caring communities Ththich provide a loving environment where there is infornied vigilance as lo ih¢ dangers of abuse. We will care￿IlY select and train all ihose with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration ￿llth the relevant vetting and barring schemes. We will resrrf)nd without delay to every complaini made which suggests thal an adult, child or young person may have been harnied. cooperating with the police and local auihority in any investigation. We will seek to work with anyone who h&s suffered ab￿e. developing with them an appropriate ministry of infomed p&8toral care. We will seek io challenge any Thert$ m¥d• Credttors ShDW amounts owin9 to lh• Crcul arry •mounts accrwd as f¢trhmg J*at ThrcvitAnnua k£ounts PagE4 d 9 Loans If ￿.e Cli￿0 has tAifi£y*d any rn￿ey. w8ase 5eLkn Lo>is ni* to&rcuits t•cthfo*tyai MJV te li*ol ntere5l It 15 Wt neLesW ¢ffifthti￿.ty yyJrce5 tsse In￿￿￿5. It ￿10￿￿te En41owm•nt Fur*ds Wnere the CIiLLIrt holds ¥JThich OJI must te ret•r*t135 GaDthi mmey ￿ assths10 te Id)InLf are knLwn as an Funo The snouklt¢HbCILth1 4n the t* resinct* uniestri¢ted WnJn9 iigth the turns ul ihe endo*Trwt Net curr¢nt assgt• Iliabilltle•l D&JJ¢i CretstU5 Ir(m TL%a Cuirtyit Totsl A**•ts IM• n•t euir•nt liab511lle• Ded￿cl net CuTi¢nl ￿¥¢I51.1atsk'.rtjl iu* ol as*s Net a5S815 tc&5 must FLfft4shehl 4 Payment to Trultws Thi• y••r Re¢Yrd m*Jetotruslee5 Icy Ser￿ ryCWrt1edloitte theCrcJi rt t 9 8 trusiee 15 atsoa rlL'rntrw wthtzrriesuA 00￿ inchth Slwds 4r¢. théy aTe T￿Ne0 11 of ine SOFA tuty C4WS asew•t iotne xttsjnis Il 3728.86 4619.89 Thls ¥VlFI InciuJe SI,￿ThIS Numbei of tiysiees who ￿re Pa￿ •¥gnM8 Naiure of ihe o*penses Tra￿1 erynae5 el rninisvs ￿b￿￿￿er9 t￿5r¢S8. lVftwsern￿. i 01￿1* eJpenv5 901 rn•nx M•inie￿n Total am¢thi pah 5 F••* for ex*mlnation or audit ol th• accounts Independeftl •y•mir*r's Of audrtors, f•os far reporfjry oft the accuMt8 3.726 86 481989 631 26 602 3S Oth•1 1118 leg. 8thc*. 4¢countarcy s•fytisl pa•J lo tr* eyarnw*r￿ aiK#doi 000 S Pald •mpl•y••8 Stslf Cojts p•ld durln9 th• y••i w•rn: Gro55 W>#. S•￿IleS Ind benefrt$ 82 448 52 78 419 67 EmpW*r"$ N81*)thal Irffjuraoc• cos15 5ZO 40 6,930 19 Pension rmis 15.821 20 Total 51aff c051s *DJ 56 Aver•g• numb•r of lull.tsn• •guivl•rf •m9￿y￿¥ in th• y•ir W•f•". 7 Capital Commlkn•nts 4Th1 Contin9•nl Llabllltl If the Circurt has any ctmrnrtmtsT*S Dr hats1th￿s I1￿￿e $￿Uly be d*ch)sed oNryenl h•bifte$ amount•d I cFICLdtAnnU￿ P•g*5 rl 9 AIAERSHAM METHODIST CIICUIT fan9lbl• Fixed Assets C06t or valwb"r P•yfflertts o Fixtur•5. 8quipm*rt TOLII BaLgno brought frThaid 2,140 1)W 24 3S5 08 2.164 366 08 Addiluxs Revalu*ions l+l-I 1.1 Tran5ters ' l+l-I BaK4nce carr•J loiviara 2 140.000 (K) 24.366 OB 000 2,164 386.08 ndatod dopr•¢latlon "'Bas SLryR8 SLryR8 SLtyR8 SLcrfP8 sL￿Rts 3.4or Ioyrs 18.267 91 000 18.287 91 nepreciaion ¢harge Iw year l-l 9712 971 20 Revalual￿5 (•.'.) 0￿posal$ l-l Tist￿fer5. i+l-I 85k4nc• l¢JvJard 19.239.11 000 19,239.11 Pl•t book val Bioughl forward 2.140.OW (l) 6.098 17 000 2.146.098 17 C•rr•J forw¥¢ 2.140 ryJO (Kt 51269T 2 145.12697 ' DYL4lt¢ilgmi RD tr Irf•9hl lot om• Irom •rl•t at inv•strn•rt• lor y•ar InvKtmern &sMts Imig8tm•rt pro￿nI•S ANtyil* ol inveJtm•fits Inve51rr*nis lis￿ tyi a reco)nts￿ Slttk Exchryp (K hekj n mvejiwi fi•)ds. open en￿1 n¥esfrr•ii 0rTrpan￿. unil IfUSlS Ot Olh8r v)vesiment Sehemes Secur¢*s not 11sied Sttxk ExrThang0 Cash hekt 05 pam ofthe IfY4egtmni ￿18 Olher In¥e51n￿nt$. InYeslrybEni FuThls Heky Tot•1 Clwry• 4Tr Irfft40stmert val￿5 Catiying i￿10[ke1> vautr at of y2 3ttdrtions lo Invesimen15 81 COSI L•s*.' LtisposaL8 at eaifylrtg Addl(thd￿tl'. nel ga￿11￿55} on tev*Jblith IThts should agie* w*h 28JD tf* SOFA) Carrying (r￿￿kot) value a end ol Circuit Annul kcounts Page 6 dg 11111 1111 1111 1111 11 11 11 Illlll 11 DECLARATIONS Treasurer I con11rrr. that I have prepareé acctxjnts Irom Ihe records of the Circuit and that they Include all funds under the C￿trol ot the Circuil Signature of Treasurer Oale I,, ILS. Name Mrs Lu G199 Addre55 cjo Lillle Chalfont Melhodist Chucch. Challonl Avenue. Little Chaffonl. 8ucks HP6 6RD Presentstion to the 'Clrcuit Meeting for approval. I confimi that the A¢¢tyJnls havt béen pYesent8d to the Cirajrt Meeling on and weie approved. Signature ol the Chair ol ihe meelin9 Norn¢ of the Chair of the meetin9 ¢)t126 R•vd Adam Datè itrjoilz Independ•nt Examlner's Report to the Tnratees of the AMERSHAM METHODIST c￿cU 2025 This Report Is on Itte Cireuit Accounts lor the year endthj 31 AugustE Respectlve responsibilitle3 01 Trustees and Examiner charity's Iruslees are responsible lor Ihe prepaialion ol the aceounts. The chanty's truMeÈs congder Ihai an audit is not required for this year urKler seclion 144 of the Charities Act 2011 Ithe Charilies A¢ll artd that an indeFendenl examtnalion is needed It Is my responsibility lo.. Examine the acco(￿￿ under Seclion 145 d the Charilies Act lo follow the procedures lad In Ibe general DiTectK)ns given by the Charity Commission (under Section 1451511b} of the Ch8nlies Acll. and to state whelher partKular mallers have come to my altention. CIFCIAI AccM15 P*￿8 019 84si$ of Ind•p•nd•nt Exwn5rt•r's R•port My examination was cafr*d out In accordance wilh gereral Directs"on$ given by Ihe Charily COMM1￿On An examina?￿n includes a review ol the accounting records kept by the GhaTty and a comparison of the accounts wesented ￿th those records 11 al￿ include5 considÈr3tion of any unusual items or d5sclosures In the ￿cOunts. and seeking explanalions frorn the Iruslees eoncerning any such mailers The procedures unfkrtaken do not provide all Ihe evidence that would be required in an audil. and wisequently no O￿nIOn is given as to whether the accounts presenl a lyue and lair. view 8nd the report IS limited to those matters set out in the statement below Indgpendent Examiner's SLitement In ￿nnect￿n with my examination. no matter has come to my allentson" whith 9ives me reasonable eause to bel￿e that In ary malerial respect the requirements. . to keep xcounlirg rttryds In xcordance wlh sKlion 130 01 the Chanlie¥ . lo prepare xcounls which accofd hith the xcountin9 re¢ryd$ and comply with Ihe aecour¢ling requiremenls OF Ihe Charitie$ A¢1 have not ￿en mel 121 lo which. in my tjpinion. attention should be drawn sn order 10 enable a proFer understanding of the accounts 10 be Name Signalu Relevant Prof•ssir)n•l qualrfication or bo Address 3h STAf lp tsAD LKS Hei D Date CITCUrtAnnu* A¢cthmis Page9 of 9