OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator. This document is also available as Markdown.

← Gracious Street Methodist Church

2023-08-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT 2024 Gracious Street Methodist Church KNARESBOROUGH IP y 111,,11 "I. 4..pf THS SATWI - BTQRY TRAIL -- East•r Story Trall i'l

==> picture [273 x 75] intentionally omitted <==

‘Your church for your whole week’

The Annual Report

of

Gracious Street Methodist Church (Knaresborough) Published April 2024

Registered name: Gracious Street Methodist Church Registered Charity Number: 1133967 Address: Gracious Street, Knaresborough, HG5 8DS Office Telephone: 01423 860166 Email address: graciousstreetmc@gmail.com Website: https://graciousstreetmethodist.org.uk

If you would like to know more about the church and our activities, please contact:

Rev Gordon Hay Tel: 01423 863298 / 07852 817475 Email: gordon.hay@methodist.org.uk

INTRODUCTION and MISSION STATEMENT

Gracious Street Methodist Church is one of fourteen churches in the Nidd Valley Methodist Circuit

GRACIOUS STREET METHODIST CHURCH

A growing church with a friendly welcome in the centre of Knaresborough

Believing that God has shown his love for all in

Jesus Christ we seek to be a:

MINISTER: CONTACT STEWARD: CHURCH NOTICES: BOOKINGS: LEADERSHIP TEAM:

Rev Gordon Hay 01423 863298 Deacon Rosemary Coggrave 01423 861607 Mrs Hilary Wilkinson 01423 865545 Ms Jackie Daysh 01423 860166 Mrs Eleanor Borkett 01423 862345 Mrs Libby Cook 01423 867077 Mrs Jeanette Mowat 01423 867511 Mr Graham Taylor 01423 541870 Mr David Rochester 01423 865816 Mr Bill Rodham (Treasurer) 01423 865846 Miss Sue Walkington 01423 547086

MINISTER’S REFLECTIONS

Dear Friends,

During Lent Gracious Street read the Gospel of John and I have been meditating on the words of Jesus. At the Last Supper he said, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you… Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15: 1-17). This selfgiving love of Jesus that liberated, forgave and restored people is to be the beating heart of Gracious Street Methodist Church.

So we begin this report by holding in our minds our friends who have sadly died, who have become housebound and are struggling with difficult situations. We pray for your comfort, strength and wisdom to be upon our community. We also pray for new friends who have joined Gracious Street and those who have started new beginnings.

As we read the report, we celebrate the many ways Gracious Street lives the self-giving love of Jesus. Yet let us also acknowledge when we struggle to love our neighbours (Luke 10: 25-37) and the need to tame our tongues (James 3: 9- 10), so that we may grow in the self-giving love of Jesus.

Now as we meditate on “Love each other as I have loved you” we welcome Jackie and Nick to the respective roles of Centre Manager and Pioneer Pastor. At the Last Supper Jesus served his friends with the self-giving act of washing their feet. Jackie (Centre Manager) is ministering with us as we serve Knaresborough through the café and church premises. Nick (Pioneer Pastor) is ministering with us as we serve the people on the margins.

While the role of Centre Manager is funded by Gracious Street, the role of Pioneer Pastor is funded by the Nidd Valley Circuit. This should serve as a reminder that Gracious Street Methodist Church is not an independent community but is part of a Methodist Circuit. So as we meditate on “Love each other as I have loved you” we must consider our Connexion to the Nidd Valley Circuit.

Earlier this year the Nidd Valley Circuit had an away day where it reflected on the changing nature of volunteering, the burden of governance and financial

challenges. This has led the Circuit to consider new ways of being circuit that will help us fulfil our calling to celebrate the love of God through worship, learning, caring, mission and evangelism. These potential new ways of Connexion will impact Gracious Street and the other churches in the circuit. So as we reflect on potential new ways of being circuit we will need to meditate on the self-giving love of Jesus.

Our Connexion in the Nidd Valley Circuit has meant we have received the joy of Moses and Kim’s ministry. It was wonderful to celebrate the admission and commissioning of Kim as a local preacher on 28[th] April 2024. Sadly, Moses has been stationed as a minister in the Haverhill Circuit in East Anglia. So Moses, Kim and their family will be leaving the Nidd Valley Circuit in August 2024. However, we will be able to express our love and thanks for their ministry at their leaving service on 21[st] July 2024.

Though we will be sad to say goodbye to Moses and Kim we will have the joy of welcoming Ian Byron who has been stationed as a probationer minister in the Nidd Valley Circuit. We will look forward to welcoming Ian on 8[th] September 2024.

In two years Ian Byron will complete his probation and be ordained as a Methodist Minister at the annual Methodist Conference. This year the Methodist Conference will meet in Leeds and the Wesley Chapel in Harrogate will be a venue for the ordination service. This will be a great opportunity to meditate on the self-giving love of Jesus and celebrate with the ordinands. Please use the link below if you would like to attend the ordination service at Wesley Chapel on 30[th] June 2024.

Now as I continue to meditate on the self-giving love of Jesus I am reminded about the importance of developing holy habits that will root us deeper in the love of Jesus. Though we could state more, I would suggest meditating on scripture, prayer and friendship that holds each other accountable in love are important habits to develop.

So I am pleased that Gracious Street in the last year has meditated upon the Gospel of Luke and Acts, Philippians and the Gospel of John. I look forward to our summer meditation on the book of Psalms. While we need to continue to meditate on scripture, we must also consider how we can further develop a community of prayer and how we can facilitate friendships that hold each other accountable in love.

The Grand Weekend Away in Malham was a good way that we meditated on Jesus’ words “Love each other as I have loved you.” Through cooking and eating together, caring for one another, walking in the Yorkshire Dales and prayer a love for one another was deepened. So we hope to build upon the success of a Grand Weekend Away with further opportunities in the near future.

Finally our meditation on the self-giving love of Jesus should also lead us to reflect upon our relationship with the planet. For several years Gracious Street has been considering how we care for God’s earth in our local area. This has led Gracious Street to be part of the A Rocha scheme and we recently achieved the bronze aware for being an Eco Church. So massive thanks for all the hard work from David Rochester and Bill Rodham.

A final thanks goes to everyone who is part of Gracious Street because each one of us makes the community.

So I pray, with St Paul, “that we, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all God’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3: 17-19).

Peace be with you. Reverend Gordon Hay

WORSHIP

The Church exists to increase awareness of God’s presence and to celebrate God’s love

WORSHIP

There is great joy in the worship and ministry of Gracious Street as we celebrate the love of God. At the heart of Gracious Street is an openness to explore different ways of worshipping God. This is reflected in our morning and evening services, Messy Church, Taize services and Pause for Thought. There are also emerging plans for a mini summer festival to worship God and celebrate our community.

At Harvest, Christmas and Easter we have had special services with the children, families and staff of Noah’s Ark and Playbox. In addition to these wonderful services we have also welcomed Aspin Primary School for seasonal services.

So I would like to offer my thanks for the ministry of our worship leaders, local preachers, worship and welcome stewards, musicians, screen operators, Sunday Club and crèche leaders, refreshments team and everyone who participates in our services. The ministry of each individual is an act of worship and we are deeply thankful for you.

At the same time it is important to acknowledge that many of our teams are stretched and in a few services we have had no musicians to help lead the worship. Our services are a collaborative ministry and I would be deeply grateful if you could consider whether you might be able to assist with the music, organisation, refreshments or any other aspect of the services. In this last year we have also had the Feast services which centred around food, discussion and prayer. Unfortunately this service has ended due to logistics but I am aware there is some interest for the Feast to be resurrected.

This year has also seen the development of ecumenical services through the concept of Worship Local. This is an opportunity for the people of Knaresborough to worship God, reflect on Knaresborough and pray for the town. The next Worship Local will be at URC on Pentecost Sunday. Reverend Gordon Hay

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT AND PRAYER

‘Pause for thought and prayer’ is our Church’s mid-week worship. It is held in the church. During a half hour of worship one person shares a 5 – 10 minute reflection on a Bible verse or verses followed by a time of prayer in which everyone is invited to share. Prayers can be spoken out but also said in the quietness of our hearts. We meet weekly and Holy Communion is shared once a month. Numbers vary from week to week but there are quite regularly 12 and occasionally 15 attend. All are welcome.

Deacon Rosemary Coggrave

PRAYER CHAIN

There are about 100 people on the Prayer Chain. The majority receive requests via email and a handful get messages by phone.

We continue to receive one or two requests most weeks for various people and situations both near and far and we are always pleased to get updates even when situations are ongoing and become long term concerns. Please keep sending prayer requests for yourselves and others (with their permission) keeping details to a minimum and respecting confidentiality.

We are pleased to report that Lynda Cooper is now also sending out prayer emails so please feel free to send requests to her at any time - silvermuffin.cooper47@gmail.com.

We would be glad to add new people to the email or telephone Prayer Chain.

Joyce Hoare (joycehoare@sky.com)

Alan Middleton 01423 863780

Lynda Cooper ( silvermuffin.cooper47@gmail.com)

STEWARDS TEAM

Currently there are 5 Worship Stewards – Morag Ross, Jeanette Mowat, Rod Moxley, Anna Cooley and I. Iain King had to drop out due to work commitments. There are 4 Welcome Stewards – Brenda Paul, Carol Squires, Shirley Shepherd, Janet Smith helped by Christine Baker.

The Team meets together 3 or 4 times a year at least and throughout the year keep regular contact. We seek to ensure each member of the congregation is

suitably welcomed and we make sure any challenging issues before, during and after the service are addressed.

Deacon Rosemary Coggrave

LEARNING & CARING

The Church exists to help people to grow and learn as Christians, through mutual support and care.

PASTORAL REPORT

The predominant aim of the Pastoral team is to ensure that we witness our faith by supporting those who worship at our church, whether they be full members or occasional visitors. Whilst some support is supplied through the regular worship services and social events, membership of a Home Group or establishing a relationship with a Pastoral Visitor is desirable to complement these activities and help people remain connected to the church. During the last year a pastoral review has been completed to ensure that as many people as possible are supported by a Pastoral Visitor or a Home Group. We currently have 9 active Home Groups and 6 dedicated Pastoral Visitors. There do remain, however, over 30 people who are currently unsupported and we are addressing this shortfall through the ongoing recruitment of Pastoral Visitors. Although I will continue to monitor those who may not be receiving an adequate level of support, we must remain particularly vigilant about members of our congregation who may be at extreme risk and require an extra level of care. I am therefore appreciative of any communication informing me of people who may be struggling at a specific time, particularly if they are vulnerable, alone or housebound. I would like to thank Gordon for his support, as well as all the Home Group leaders and existing Pastoral Visitors for their hard work in supplying pastoral care to the majority of people in our congregation. Rod Moxley

Pastoral Secretary

PIONEER PASTOR

The role of the Pioneer Pastor started in February. The purpose is to show God’s love to vulnerable people in Knaresborough who are not already in our church family. Currently the focus is to be alongside unpaid carers, those experiencing insecure housing and refugees and people seeking asylum. A carer support group has been set up and several people and families are being supported. Here is a message we have received from an unpaid carer:

“Hi Nick. I just wanted to thank you for taking the time out to see me … I can’t say how thankful and grateful I am for your hugely kind support with my parents. This really helps me lower my levels of anxiety … You’re a star! Andy.”

The prayers and encouragement from members of the church has sustained me – thank you. This role is funded through our Circuit. Nick Garrett

SAFEGUARDING

The members of the Safeguarding team are Reverend Gordon Hay, Anne Thickett and Jackie Daysh. We work with the Circuit Safeguarding Officer Reverend Ron Hicks and the District Safeguarding team led by Jane Masterman. Aim of the group is to promote a safe culture where all can meet for worship, work and social activities, following the Policies and Guidelines of the Methodist Church. We work with Team leaders to ensure all volunteers are recruited in line with the Methodist Church Safer Recruitment Policy and appropriate DBS checks and training courses are carried out. For long standing volunteers we communicate to check that they are kept up to date with courses and DBS checks. Information is stored on a Circuit database for each Church with dates of DBS and Safeguarding Training recorded. Compliance with DBS checks is above 90% but less for Safeguarding Training but further information is needed to ensure that all our volunteers are appropriately recorded. We meet monthly to discuss safeguarding issues and review the database.

Anne Thickett

Gracious Street Safeguarding Office

FLOWER TEAM

Gracious Street Methodist Church is very fortunate to have a dedicated team of flower arrangers and flower distributors. We also have a community that is

generous in its financial giving which means there are always flowers in church to enhance our worship and always flowers to be distributed. These flowers go to people who are celebrating (big birthdays and anniversaries), people who are ill, housebound or bereaved and to people to say ‘thank you.’ Since the last Annual Report the Flower Team has distributed an amazing 167 bunches of flowers. A great deal of love has been shown through these gifts of flowers.

I would personally like to give my thanks to every member of the flower team and to everyone in the church family for their financial support. Without them the ministry of flowers would not exist. Thank you all. Rachel Watson

SUNDAY CLUB

Sunday Club has continued to meet every Sunday morning in the Castle Room for 4 – 11 year olds and enables families to come to church together. Everyone worships together in church for about the first 15 minutes before the children leave for their own group where they can learn and have fun in a way that’s appropriate for them with a Bible story, prayer, crafts and games. It has been lovely to welcome new children over the past year and we now have about 20 children on the register with most attending fairly regularly so they have been able to make good friends in the group and feel part of the church family. Sunday Club enjoyed being involved in the Christingle service in November and the service in February where we looked at the time capsule from 2015. The wide age range continues to be a challenge but the older children help the younger ones and we have a range of activities to suit different ages. Our biggest challenge, however, continues to be a shortage of helpers. We operate with only the bare minimum of leaders and helpers. In particular we need people who would be prepared to help occasionally – no preparation is needed – just come along and join in. However, despite the challenges, Sunday Club is going well and is helping the children to grow up learning about Jesus, developing their own faith and playing their part in the church community.

Libby Cook

MESSY CHURCH

Messy Church takes place on the third Saturday of every month (except August) at 4pm and is church on a Saturday where families can learn about the Christian faith in a very relaxed way. Messy church during March celebrated Palm Sunday.

Each session starts with a time of craft in the Castle Room and on this occasion we made palm branches, donkeys, decorated crosses and even delicious Palm sundaes! Then into the church for a time of worship including acting out the story of Palm Sunday and thinking ahead to Easter before enjoying a meal together. Messy church continues to go well although numbers have dropped slightly so we need to consider how we can encourage more families to come along.

Libby Cook

NOAH’S ARK PRE-SCHOOL

For the long-term wellbeing of community and society little can be more important than the early nurture of our children in a safe and stimulating environment. One that offers encouragement and support to families. All within the Christian context of love and care. Echoing the story of love seen in the life and ministry of Jesus who welcomed and affirmed children.

“Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”

And at Gracious Street that has been done as part of our ministry and outreach since just a few years after our first building in 1815 opened its doors.

Noah’s Ark Preschool continues that ministry today in its dedicated space indoor and outdoor with the addition of a Sensory Den in this last year. For that we are grateful to Rotary in our town.

We are grateful for the support of the church, in so many ways. Funding is always a challenge for families and ourselves.

We are immensely grateful to our dedicated staff who work tirelessly with our children and volunteer committee who oversee the work on behalf of the Church Council.

This is an important piece of mission and pastoral care. Please pray for our work. Doreen Whittaker

PLAYBOX

Playbox Toddler Group continues to meet every Friday during term-time in the church hall run by Sheila Bradley-Smith, Helen Carass and Vicki Taylor. The aim of Playbox is to provide parents, carers and grandparents with a place to meet new people and have fun with the children, have a coffee, share problems and provide a Christian outreach into the community. We hold short child-centred

services for Easter, Harvest, Christmas and summer for our families and the children at Noah's Ark. We currently have around 32 families with places at Playbox although we only usually have between 15 and 20 at each session.

Every week we have a physical activity, a book corner, dressing up, an art activity, a small world area, some home play (or shop), an area for babies, some construction play and a sensory activity. We celebrate Christmas with a party and Father Christmas, our anniversary with a party and a bouncy castle, and once a year we have a messy play day when the whole session is messy and tactile. We also include other events in our programme, eg selling cakes for Comic Relief or making daffodil pictures for St David’s Day. We use a Facebook page and a WhatsApp group to keep in touch with families and every week during singing time we share what is going on in the church that week and next (eg coffee mornings, messy church, film nights and WLTDO) so that families feel part of the church community.

We are working alongside Resurrected Bites to share resources. They make our hot drinks and dishwash our cups as we only have access to a small kitchen area now and we put out chairs and tables in the hall after Playbox so that families from our group and Thula Mama can enjoy the café as the Bridge gets so busy. Our aim for the future is to keep doing what we are doing, to provide a welcome place for families with young children to experience church. Vicki Taylor

CHILDREN’S EASTER CLUB

To quote a famous song: ‘Life is a Rollercoaster’, which all of us can identify with, given the various highs and lows we experience in life. At the ‘Christians Together in Knaresborough’ Easter Club this year we used this thought in connection with Joseph, as we explored the dramatic ups and downs of his life. Over 60 children of primary school age met at Gracious Street on the mornings of Wednesday 27[th] April and Thursday 28[th] April. Representatives of all the churches in Knaresborough made up an incredible team of leaders, with a host of skills and talents but above all a desire to share with the children that God makes a difference in our lives if we love and trust Him. There were so many silent jobs undertaken, such as being on door duty, setting out, sweeping up, washing up and so many more, all of which ensured the two mornings flowed. Thank you to all those who contributed in any way.

This year, we encouraged our young teenage leaders to actively take part and we were very impressed by their enthusiasm and energy. Will and Sophia accepted the challenge to be the up-front leaders and showed great confidence and presence in that role. Josh, with little notice, zealously entered the world of role play, becoming an Egyptian slave as he led groups of children into Ancient Egypt to meet Joseph.

Children also solved hieroglyphic clues and had a short stay in Joseph’s prison as they learnt about Joseph’s story. There were many activities to enjoy, including exciting parachute games, songs, videos and crafts of decorating a coat shaped biscuit with ‘many colours’, (probably with even more colours than Joseph’s original one!) and decorating a wooden eggcup, which was a reminder of the cup ‘stolen’ from Joseph by his brother Benjamin.

One of our earworm songs(!) spoke of God as the King of faithfulness who, through every high and every low, never breaks his promises, and our memory verse from Romans 8 v28 complemented this by reminding us that, “In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him.” What an exhausting two days but what a privilege! Debbie King

GSYG

Gracious Street Youth Group has continued to thrive in this connexional year. The group meets fortnightly on a Monday evening. We play games, eat pizza and discuss both contemporary and biblical topics. During Holy Week we reflected on the death and resurrection of Jesus and the young people related the story Israel-Palestine.

Many of the young people helped at Easter Club taking on roles as up-front leaders and group leaders. They were invaluable to the success of Easter Club and we are exploring how we can further support our young leaders.

We have been part of District events, such as Sleep Out for Homelessness and Flourish. In July we join Venture which is a residential weekend for young people across the District.

While there is much to celebrate about GSYG we recognise our limitations. This has led to an exciting ecumenical conversation of how Christians in Knaresborough can work together to support the young people of Knaresborough.

Please contact me for more information about the GSYG. Reverend Gordon Hay

CAMEO

We have again had a very good year at CAMEO with new people coming to join us. The meetings have been varied with different speakers, both from within the Gracious Street family and from the local community. We have covered topics covering epilepsy, the River Nidd, the Suez Canal, card making and ‘peculiar sayings’. This was a members’ evening which brought forth many unfamiliar sayings as many of us come from outside Yorkshire! And, of course, we have parties! – one before Christmas and one to end our CAMEO year.

Do come and join us for a very relaxed evening during term time. We meet every other Monday from 7pm in The Bridge. Refreshments are provided. There is a fortnightly subscription of £1. At the end of the CAMEO year (AGM) the members decide where the money should go. Some goes to the church; the remainder goes to charities chosen by the meeting. Rachel Watson

MEN’S BREAKFAST

The Men’s Breakfast meets in the Castle Room at Gracious Street Methodist Church on the first Saturday of each month from 08.45-10.15. Men of all ages and from any church or none are most welcome to join us for a cooked breakfast and fellowship followed by a talk. We continue to be ably supported by our Chef Robert Aspin in the kitchen and speaker finder Brian Hoare who has engaged a wide variety of speakers for the coming year. With around 24 attending each month the surplus from donations to the cost of breakfast allows us to make occasional donations to the Church and a variety of other charities.

For further information contact Peter Wilson (01423 862553) Email: pnw6@sky.com

Peter Wilson

HOME GROUPS

Alpha Plus

The Alpha Plus Group meets monthly on Wednesday evenings in the Forest Room at Church which provides a homely space for our group. We have 12 members with a regular attendance of around 8 to 10.

We begin at 7.30 by chatting and catching up over refreshments followed by a time of sharing, study and discussion based on the Bible and Christian teaching for daily life. We finish with prayer and usually end between 9.00 and 9.30.

Our focus this year has been character studies on Women of the Old Testament using one of the Life Builder books. We’ve been fascinated and challenged by the stories of some well-known as well as some lesser known women and in awe of the ways God worked in their lives, setting us examples to follow.

Nearly 20 of us (members plus guests) enjoyed a very pleasant meal together at the Two Brothers in July followed by an extended summer break.

We keep in touch in various ways between meetings and look forward to our monthly sessions together, valuing our fellowship and friendship. Joyce Hoare and Alan Middleton

Bakers Dozen

Bakers Dozen has 13 members (of course - a Baker’s dozen). Although two of them are not able to attend meetings they are still very much a part of our group. We meet fortnightly and have this year discussed various topics, including the one written by Brian Hoare who kindly came to lead two of the six sessions. We don’t have one particular person to lead our meetings - someone usually volunteers! We are blessed that Ron and Diane Hicks are part of Bakers Dozen with their wisdom and encouragement.

During 2023/24 we have felt called to hold events to raise awareness and funds for the Harrogate Homeless Project, and we do thank everyone for the support we have been given. There is one more event coming up on 11th May here at

Gracious Street. This is a concert by the Silver Band and we hope that will again be well supported as the money raised is again for the Homeless Project. Christine Baker

Charlie’s Angels

As our group now comprises thirteen regular members we have outgrown our various homes and so meet upstairs at church in the Forest Room. We only meet on a monthly basis, which makes following a series of studies more protracted, but during the past year we have followed two main topics. The first was ‘A Methodist Way of Life’ using material provided by the Methodist Church, and then since September 2023 we have been using the Bible Society’s 10-session course on St Paul’s letter to the Romans which will take us right through to June of this year. This is a video-based course led by the Rev Dr Andrew Ollerton (who also produced the excellent ‘Bible’ course) with most of the sessions actually filmed in Rome. Some of the details of the course have certainly stretched us, but it has proved very valuable in giving us an overview of this important letter in the New Testament.

Some close bonds have been formed within the group, helped not only by the study and fellowship we share but by occasional social events also. Brian & Joyce Hoare

3 Dogs and the Pilgrims

3 dogs and the Pilgrims is a new-ish house group which started in January 2022. We meet every Thursday at 8pm during term time (as most of us have children). Our group was started to encourage families to join a house group as there were not many families in groups. We have 10 members and a few people whom we have invited who may join later. This year we have joined Gordon’s pop-up house group to study both Philippians and John’s gospel, which has worked really well. Previously we looked at the Bible course by the Bible Society which we all learnt something from.

Our evening starts with a drink and cake and a chat to make sure everyone is ok (which gives people the chance to get there after work or putting children to bed) and then we read the Bible, ask questions, support each other, learn together and end in prayer.

The aim of the group is to make sure the members can support each other in all areas and grow in their faith.

Vicki Taylor

Learning Curve

We remain a group of twelve meeting in three different homes which is much appreciated by everyone. There have been periods of illness through the year when we have sought to be supportive of one another. Altogether we share friendship and enjoy each other’s company.

We studied ‘Whole life for Christ’ from LICC (London Institute Contemporary Christianity) and so were most interested when Ken Benjamin, came to lead Sunday worship giving more understanding of LICC.

Currently we are just getting underway with Brian Hoare’s book ‘By the way…...6 studies in incidental evangelism’.

We continue to meet for social occasions as in past years.

Deacon Rosemary Coggrave

New Shoots

New Shoots is a home group, and we meet every month in various homes for fellowship, encouragement and study and twice a year have a social get together, sharing food and fun.

We have sadly lost some of our members this year for differing reasons and they are greatly missed, but we have gained new members and welcome back former members to join us once more!

Previously we had been looking at the DVD Jesus the Game Changer season 2 ‘To the ends of the earth’ which follows the movement of Christianity around the world, telling some of the great stories of vision, faith and sacrifice.

We have also been using two study books – one entitled ‘Heaven our true home’ and ‘Angels’ which has led to some very varied discussions.

During Lent we had one session on the daily reading from John’s gospel.

We hope to continue our friendship and fellowship and be open to new ways, supporting each other as we deepen our Christian faith, and we would welcome anyone to join us as we learn and laugh alongside each other.

I think we showed that we work well together as a team when we organised a Quiz night which was very well-attended – and fun! Sue Whalley

Open Doors

We meet at Shirley Shepherd’s home monthly on Monday afternoons. We start all meetings with prayer and either listening to or singing two worship songs/hymns. During the year we studied the Bible Reading Fellowship ‘Holy Habits’ course and Proverbs and Parables. We plan to study John’s Gospel next using the Cover to Cover Bible study booklet.

We still have eight full time members, with one new one and one having left. Two others were due to join us but have been unable to attend due to ill health. We also have seven pastoral care members, with all of whom we have regular contact. We usually have one meal out together with family and friends. Alan Middleton

COGS CREATIVE WRITERS

Cogs Creative Writers meet roughly every two months. We listen, share, pray & write. Recently our poems were shared in the Maundy Thursday service. We are open to commissions & challenges as well as working on individual projects, including a novel, poems on service themes & a travel journal. Happy to have new people join us, whether regular writers or those wanting to try! Hilary Hughes

SERVICE & EVANGELISM

The Church exists to be a good neighbour to people in need, to challenge injustice and to make more followers of Jesus

ALL WE CAN

Our world is a place of wonder and delight but it can also be a place of suffering and pain. We see and hear that every day. Wars, famine, floods, changing climate, lack of basic resources to sustain life.

The Biblical call for justice, peace, harmony and fair shares has always motivated Christians to care for people and the planet.

The Churches of the New Testament had collections for those in need. Charitable works were always central to faith.

In our Methodist tradition we have always expected faith to issue in works. Love demands that we care and share.

John Wesley said “do all the good you can, by all the means you can.”

“All We Can” is the latest in a line of relief and development charities that has belonged to our church. Gracious Street supports “All We Can.”

It works with partners getting closer to the people on the ground encouraging their involvement in projects that benefit community life.

“All We Can” – the Methodist Development Charity. – Let’s ensure we continue to support – and “do all the good we can.”

Doreen Whittaker

FAMILY EVENTS

Family Film Nights

Family Film Nights are held on Saturdays at 5pm from autumn through to spring and we have had four film nights this season including most recently ‘Trolls Band Together.’ They continue to be very popular and everyone enjoys hot dogs, drinks and popcorn before the film which is shown in the church. It is also usually shown in the Bridge where we have a few toys and this is really appreciated by families with young children who can opt in and out. Film nights are free but we have a donations box which more than covers our costs.

Who Let The Dads Out (WLTDO)

WLTDO is a stay-and-play session for dads/grandads/male carers and their children. We have toys, crafts and refreshments, finishing with a story-time. The aim of the group is to reach out to dads, particularly those with no other church contact, and to help them have fun with their children, to provide a support network and to introduce them to other aspects of the GS community, such as Messy Church. We generally meet on the second Saturday of each month from

10-11:30am in the Castle room, although in the summer we move the sessions outside – either to Conyngham Hall Games Kiosk or the Community Festival.

We’ve been encouraged recently by growing numbers; March 2024 was our busiest session to date and over 30 families have attended sessions over the last year. Building relationships is key – both with and amongst the dads. To this end, we have just started a WLTDO WhatsApp group. Although it’s wonderful when the families come along to other things at church, WLTDO is a fresh expression of church in its own right – we share food, fellowship and God’s word (through interactive Bible stories) in a culturally and age appropriate way.

In addition to our regular helpers, Ed and Eliza Walton and Gordon Hay, I’m also grateful to Kathryn Eckford and David Rochester who also help with refreshments when needed. Our next session will be at St John’s School on the 20[th] April, at the Community festival. Liz Rochester

Thula Mama

Thula Mama is a weekly informal singing group for mums and their babes in arms. It takes place every Friday morning in the Dales Room. The mums have an opportunity to chat over cake and hot drinks before learning and singing beautiful songs and lullabies from around the world in a-capella harmony. The aim is to nurture and empower mums, find new ways to bond with and soothe their babies and celebrate motherhood together. The group also provides mutual support and many new friendships have been made with some of the mums staying for lunch in The Bridge and also joining in a parents’ group to explore faith, which Gordon runs after lunch. Jenny Cook

LUNCH LINK

Our numbers of attendees has continued to increase but we still have room for a few more folk who live on their own in Knaresborough and are over 65 years old and would like a good cooked meal including pudding and drink for £5.

The teams supporting this has changed a bit over the past year. We are still looking for a leader for one of our Teams which work on a five week rota. We

want to thank Margaret Forshaw, Christine Baker and Paul Skeels who all retired last year after many years of service. We want to thank all the Teams for all their hard work and care of our attendees and each other.

If anyone wants any more information or knows of someone who would like to come to lunch link please let me know.

Eleanor Borkett (862345)

MEMORY LANE CAFÉ KNARESBOROUGH

Last year we decided that we would open the Memory Lane Café to a wider range of people, to include retired or semi-retired people looking for friendship, entertainment and a warm space. We of course remain dementia friendly and support those with the condition and those who care for them, but we are keen to be as inclusive as possible. We would be happy to welcome new comers from all backgrounds.

Chrissy & I are grateful for the support of Ann, Laura, and Clare in running the group and recently we have welcomed new volunteers Deborah and Verona.

We have had some wonderful sessions this year, including “First Responders”, Poetry led by Hilary Hughes, Watercolours by Shirley Vine, Flower Arranging with Rachel Watson as well as crafts, singalongs and cake and a cuppa.

One of the highlights was a coach trip to Scarborough, kindly sponsored by Knaresborough Rotary Club. We enjoyed travelling together, eating together and some great entertainment on the coach – a truly “Grand Day Out”

The Memory Lane Café, Knaresborough is on Facebook, if you would like to follow us at Memory Lane Cafe.

Dot Rodham

FUN AND GAMES FOR SENIORS

The group has evolved from what used to be the ’Silver Bowlers’ group and we get anything between a dozen and twenty people every Monday morning. It comprises mostly people who are not members at Gracious Street, a few from other churches and some with no church affiliation at all, thus providing a valuable form of social outreach for the church. We meet for coffee in The

Bridge from 10.30am onwards, served by students and staff from UBU, and then move upstairs to the Dales Room for an hour from 11..00am to 12 noon.

Games include table games such as dominoes (probably the most popular), bagatelle, shove ha’penny, road pairs (a card memory game), table skittles, magnetic chess and a couple of more active games - throwing bean bags into a target and indoor rubber bowls. There is always a good deal of hilarity and members tell us it’s a really good way to start the week.

It would be very helpful to have one or two more of our own church members to help prepare for and run the activities and if anyone is interested please have a chat with us about what is involved.

Brian & Joyce Hoare

GRACIOUS STREET BOOK CLUB

The Thursday Book Club meets in The Priory Room from10.30 to 11.30 on the fourth Thursday each month during term time. We actually have 27 names on our list although 8 or 9 are sadly unable to come along to meetings at present. About 12 have been attending regularly although having recently gathered 4 or 5 new members this has now risen to about 15.

We are rather different from most book clubs in that rather than all reading the same book each month, we each chat briefly about a book we’ve recently read. We then make a list of all the titles and authors which is circulated to all 27 members. This gives us a chance to read books which are recommended by our group but which we might not normally choose for ourselves.

We either borrow books from the library (printed or digital), buy them on Kindle or from charity shops, supermarkets, etc. or sometimes swap them between ourselves, making a small donation to the Ukraine Appeal.

We meet over coffee and are a friendly, welcoming and informal group – always happy to welcome new members or visitors. If you are interested please contact me or just come along.

Joyce Hoare – 01423 860750

PROJECT BOB

Project Bob is a mental health group that meets weekly at Gracious Street. The purpose of the group is to discover empowerment through listening to one another’s stories. Project Bob currently has four leaders, Diane Connolly, Jack Borkett, Chris Rawson and Gordon Hay. We have witnessed the positive impact of sharing stories and are looking to grow the group.

Please contact me for more information about Project Bob. Reverend Gordon Hay

SPEAK UP

Speak up continues to meet in the Forest room. The ladies’ confidence in speaking English has grown & we have had some varied activities . Attendance is very unpredictable but we are used to that. We have had two new Afghan families this year. I’m grateful for a fabulous rota of helpers who engage well with the refugees: Chris, Dot, Morag, Anne, Sue & Emma. Hilary Hughes

LEADERSHIP, PROPERTY & FINANCE

LEADERSHIP TEAM

The Leadership Team has changed significantly over the past year. We employed a Centre Manager about twelve months ago, which was a learning experience for all of us. Whilst this unfortunately did not work out, it did highlight some areas where we could improve the way that we work ourselves. A key decision that we made was to bring the previous Leadership and Management Teams together; a change which was approved by Council.

As a result, the current members of the Leadership Team are Eleanor Borkett, Libby Cook, Gordon Hay, Jeanette Mowat, David Rochester, Bill Rodham, Graham Taylor & Susan Walkington.

In addition, we have recently employed a new Centre Manager, Jackie Daysh and also we have a new Pioneer Pastor, Nick Garrett. We welcome Jackie & Nick

to their new roles! Both also attend LT meetings. We're happy with the new setup and it is enabling us to make clearer and quicker decisions.

We're pleased with the progress of GS over the past twelve months: services have really got that "Gracious Street Joy" back after the tricky Covid years; we've been awarded Eco Church status; we're providing practical love to our community in many ways; and our families & youth work is going very well. Many challenges lie ahead of us, most notably financial; however, we are in a good place to meet those issues as they arise.

I provide a brief update on LT meetings in the Notices - I hope that people find these helpful & insightful. I'm always happy to talk: please speak to me about LT if you wish.

David Rochester

CENTRE MANAGER

Jackie Daysh started as Centre Manager in late January 2024. Her primary responsibilities include taking care of user groups, facilitating room bookings and providing administration care to the building. On starting she was awestruck by the amount and diversity of activities and impressed by the volunteers who keep everything running. With the support of several dedicated volunteers and church leadership she has taken on many of the administrative tasks that are needed. In the months to come she hopes to continue supporting user groups and engage in new partnerships promoting Gracious Street, helping the community and demonstrating the Methodist ethos of helping others. She wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been so encouraging.

TASK FORCE

The aim is to help keep the church buildings’ maintenance bills to a minimum by being a ‘first port of call’ for any problems before professionals are called out if required.

The group consists of myself, Alan Shankster and Hugh Mowat with additional help from my friend Ian Willis and Ian Booth from Res Bites.

In the year up to April 2024 we have attended to 62 ‘incidents’ ranging from replacing light bulbs to finding the source of flooding in the kitchen. Details of these are available in the Task Force Notebook.

Although I tried to resign from this role last year because I found the format of regular meetings inconvenient, I saw there was a continuing need for somebody to undertake small maintenance tasks and I am happy to stay in that role with help from others as required.

My thanks to team members and for support from the Management Team. Phil Mason

TREASURER’S REPORT

The accounts for 2022/23 were signed off by the independent examiner in December and were agreed by Church Council at the February 24 meeting. Across our general funds we made a small surplus of just over £1,000 for the connexional year 2023/24. Our opening position is set out in table 1. Our current position as at 31[st] March is set out in table 2 and shows that to date we have a deficit of just over £4,000. The breakdown of our spend to date is given in the pie charts below.

Table 1: Opening Position 01-Sep-
23		 Table 2: Position at 31st
Mar 2024		 31-Mar-
24
Virgin Money £11,518 Virgin Money £9,009
Trustees for Methodist
Purposes		 £912 Trustees for Methodist
Purposes		 £3,425
Central Finance Board £70,114 Central Finance Board £68,116
Schofield Foundation £4,900 Schofield Foundation £2,450
Cash £354 Cash £354
Total in General Fund £87,798 Total in General Fund £83,355

Summary of Income & Expenditure to date

==> picture [229 x 140] intentionally omitted <==

==> picture [233 x 140] intentionally omitted <==

In the second half of the financial year we will continue to see high costs due to utility bills, insurance and the cost of employing the centre manager who will have been in post from January. We also need to allow for the treatment of damp in 10 Gracious Street and the upgrading of our intruder alarm. I am therefore forecasting that we will make a deficit of £10,000 - £15,000 by the end of the financial year.

As a Church we operate or host a wide variety of activities which are having a very real and positive impact on people’s lives. It is important that we build our finances to continue this great work. Whilst recognising the impact of the cost of living on many families I would urge members to review their giving if you are able, particularly if it is a while since you did this. For example, if 100 people were to increase their giving by £10 per month, the equivalent of say a weekly cup of coffee in a coffee shop, this would make a significant impact on our regular income. I am of course extremely grateful for all the financial support we currently receive. On a positive note I am pleased to say that we have received a legacy of £2,500 from the estate of the late Harry & Pauline Murray and I have just been informed that we are to receive a legacy of £1,000 from the late Joyce Bates.

I would encourage all who contribute regularly to church funds to consider paying by standing order which brings more certainty to our financial planning. I would further ask all who are eligible, to gift aid their donations, which brings in additional income totalling around £17,000 per year. I am pleased to say that Max Brougham has agreed to take up the role of Gift Aid secretary stepping into Ed Walton’s shoes.

I would once again like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in looking after the Church finances - Jeanette Mowat, Alan Middleton, Dot Rodham and our latest recruit Hazel Clark who bank the money week by week. Bill Rodham Church Treasurer 4[th] April 2024

Church Council Membership & Managing Trustees at April 2024

Office holders

The Superintendent Reverend Ben Clowes The Minister Reverend Gordon Hay Circuit Representative Tony Pearson Church Council Secretary Hilary Wilkinson Church Finance Officer Bill Rodham Pastoral Secretary Rod Moxley Safeguarding Officer Anne Thickett

Leadership Team

Eleanor Borkett (Property Secretary) Bill Rodham Jeanette Mowat Libby Cook David Rochester Bill Rodham Graham Taylor Sue Walkington

Church Meeting Elected Representatives

Michael Borkett Morag Ross Rosemary Coggrave Alan Shankster John Cook Tim Webster Mike Hughes Sue Whalley Simon Pringle

Church Council Appointed

CAMEO Rachel Watson Home Groups tba Lunch Link tba Men’s Breakfast Alan Middleton Mission Team Reverend Peter Whitaker Noah’s Ark/All We Can Doreen Whittaker Noah’s Ark Vickie Wrigglesworth Playbox Vicki Taylor Who Let the Dads Out Liz Rochester

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS

THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS

Gracious Street Methodist

==> picture [35 x 8] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Church
----- End of picture text -----

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 August 2022

Circuit
Circuit no
Nidd Valley
Registered Charity - Charity Registration number		 29/26
1133967

If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number

(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity 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 registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242)

==> picture [464 x 281] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Minister:
Rev Gordon Hay
Church Stewards:
James Wright
Sue Walkington
Libby Cook
Graham Taylor
David Rochester
Colin William Rodham
Nick Garrett
Treasurer:
Mr Colin William Rodham
----- End of picture text -----

1 of 5

2022 church R and P.xls

==> picture [508 x 520] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Gracious Street
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 Church
Methodist
Unrestricted Restricted Totals this Totals last
SECTION A Funds Funds year year
£ £ £ £
a1 RECEIPTS Note
a2 Offerings and Tax recovered 91,002 0 91,002 94,433
Bank and CFB interest and
a3 Investment income 293 0 293 111
a4 Lettings 34,045 0 34,045 33,477
a5 Other receipts 23,625 71,652 95,277 83,802
a6 TOTAL RECEIPTS 148,964 71,652 220,616 (a7) 211,823
SECTION B
b1 PAYMENTS
b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 83,693 0 83,693 76,888
b3 Donations 10,087 0 10,087 355
b4 Repairs and Maintenance 30,468 0 30,468 15,419
Utilities (Insurances, water
b5 charges, heating & lighting) 16,697 0 16,697 13,861
b6 0 0 0 0
b7 Other payments 45,117 64,144 109,261 83,210
b8 TOTAL PAYMENTS 186,062 64,144 250,206 (b9) 189,734
SECTION C
NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS
c1 FOR THE YEAR (a6-b8) -37,098 7,508 -29,590 22,090
Total funds brought forward from
last year
c2 105,979 52,983.34 158,962 (c6) 136,782
c3 Sub total (c1+c2) 68,881 60,491 129,372 158,872
c4 Transfers and adjustments 11,980 -12,134 -154 (c7) 90
c5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4) 80,861 48,357 129,218 (c8) 158,962 (c6)
SECTION D
----- End of picture text -----

SECTION D SECTION D
d1
d2
d3
d4
d		 £
-156
4,695
5,677
-1,137
BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID(d1+d2-d3)
Balance brought forward from last year
Offerings/Gifts - received for external organisations
Offerings/Gifts - passed to external organisations
(these amounts are not to be included in total receipts/payments figures
FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS		 £
-179
2,101
2,078
-156
-156
4,695
5,677
-1,137

FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS

2 of 5

2022 church R and P.xls

Gracious Street Methodist Church

SUMMARY OF CHURCH ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTING TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL

==> picture [482 x 320] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
SECTION E Please follow the Guidance Notes to complete this page
Summary of the Church accounts for the year ended 31 August 2022 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Church Council/Church Meeting. Note that the funds of
an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be
completed to arrive at the gross income and expenditure totals of the Church. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold, then the Accruals method of accounting
AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the District and
connected District Organisations.
INTERNAL Net Receipts/ Opening Closing
ORGANISATIONS Receipts Payments Payments Adjustments balances balances
e1 Noahs Ark 70,872 63,738 7,134 (8,154) 39,573 38,553
e2 Playbox 780 406 374 (0) 649 1,023
e3 Schofield Foundation 0 0 0 (4,000) 10,400 6,400
e4 Project Bob 0 0 0 20 2,361 2,381
e5
e6 0
e7 0
e8 0
Sub total of Internal
e8 Organisations funds 71,652 64,144 7,508 -12,134 52,983 (e11) 48,357 (e12)
Church accounts (totals
brought forward from page
e9 2 - totals column) 148,964 (a7) 186,062 (b9) -37,098 11,980 (c7) 105,979 (c6) 80,861 (c8)
TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD
e10 BY CHURCH 220,616 250,206 -29,590 -154 158,962 (x) 129,217.54 (y)
Continue on a separate sheet TOTAL
if necessary and bring the TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS
totals forward
SECTION F
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
----- End of picture text -----

f1
f2
f3
f4
f5
f6
f7
f8
f9
g1
g2
g3
g4
g5		 CHURCH - CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 August 2022
SECTION G
OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES
Other Assets
Cash in hand
Bank Deposit Account
Land & Buildings (see notes re Insurance value)
SUB TOTAL - Church accounts
TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH
Bank Current Account
Central Finance Board
Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
Other funds
Other Liabilities
Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing
balance total from above) (e12)
Investments (include Endowments)
Loan(s) - show amount outstanding at year end		 OPENING
BALANCES
354
8,380
0
109,122
884
118,740
(c6)
40,222 (e11)
158,962
(x)
At
01 Sept 2021
0
4,347,340
237,998
0
0		 CLOSING
BALANCES
354
17,213
0
71,189
886
89,642
(c8)
39,576 (e12)
129,217.58
(y)
At
31 August 2022
0
4,821,144
270,757
0
0

f4 Include only Funds held at the Central Finance Board

f5 Include only Funds held at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes

3 of 5

2022 church R and P.xls

DECLARATIONS

Treasurer

I confirm that I have prepared the accounts from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church Council

==> picture [425 x 105] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Signature of Treasurer Date 05/12/2022
Name C W Rodham
Address 58 Aspin Park Raod
Knaresborough
HG5 8HG
----- End of picture text -----

Presentation to the *Church Council for approval.

I confirm that the Accounts will be presented to the Church Council at a future meeting

==> picture [356 x 98] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Signature of the Chair of the meeting
Name of the Chair of the meeting
Date
_______________
----- End of picture text -----

Gracious Street Methodist Church

This Report is on the Church Accounts for the year ended 31[st] August

==> picture [22 x 8] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
2022
----- End of picture text -----

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's 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.

R A Davill of Bulmer & CO

It is my responsibility to:

Examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act

to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act), and

to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

4 of 5

2022 church R and P.xls

B4$18 of trmlew￿nt Examln•rfs R•wl My •xamin8tion was Carried out in X¢0￿Ce genef81 ["r￿rts Lw•n bylh• Ch•ity Commion. An exanynab'on include$ a reMew of the acci¥Jnting r￿Orts kept by Ihe chaty and a cOmpw$￿ ofth¢ wiunts presentsd with Ihose records. h aso indudes conder"on of unuwjd items cf dBdosure$ in thg a￿9unts, and seekn'ng expl￿a￿on$ from Ihe trjstees c¢)nceming èny wch matter5 The pr¢￿e￿re$ undertaken do not pro￿de 011 the ￿idenCe that w￿lj be rewired In an autht. ¢th)sewenty no ownion Is g￿en as to wheth•r the xcounts pr¢5ent a Iwe fT' wew anij the report ts limited to lJ)¢)s• mattots set out in the ststgm¢nl below. Independant ExaminaVs Statem•nt In come¢ti￿ with my ￿aMInatIon. no m4lter h•s com• to my att•nb"on {oth•r than that a￿1¢>58￿ bel￿.. whkh gN86 m• r•¥son)le to that in any maknial respect the requirements.. . to ke￿ &eounth)a r￿OrdS kn ¢ord0n￿ 130 of the Char￿.8$ . to prepare ￿wJnts whKh wth th• xwjnting r¢wds and compty the K¢aunbng rewwemenls of the Char￿￿$ kt h•vts not ￿1n m•t or 121 to ¥thKh, In my opinlon, attgnyon should b• ordfK to •n*Ae a pr¢Jper underSt￿ding ol Ihe counts to b8 r•&h•d. "Pltr8s• dd•te lh• WL¥d¥ the iYa¢k4¢8 rflhey do nd aKprop7at• 131 I hov obtained independentvenfic•Oon of •ll nv¢stments th• Tnjst•￿ for Methodv6t Church Purp MC￿} or held in clher Trusts, 8￿￿ b￿￿CeS Funds at the Centr4 Finance Bowd of the Mglhodist Clwrch I'CFB'I. vthich In of£10,WO thO￿and poundsl at the b•l•ne• sh••t dat•. aven ' Hea8e circle 88 appr￿t• Name ftL41id Tr)(4￿ L LL Signatyre Relevant Profossional qualffic•tiM ty boty Addross PAIIAD 4¥LRo Q2P 102 2022 Px Sof5

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS

THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS

Gracious Street Methodist

==> picture [35 x 8] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Church
----- End of picture text -----

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 August 2022

Circuit
Circuit no
Nidd Valley
Registered Charity - Charity Registration number		 29/26
1133967

If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number

(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity 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 registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242)

==> picture [464 x 281] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Minister:
Rev Gordon Hay
Church Stewards:
James Wright
Sue Walkington
Libby Cook
Graham Taylor
David Rochester
Colin William Rodham
Nick Garrett
Treasurer:
Mr Colin William Rodham
----- End of picture text -----

1 of 5

2022 church R and P.xls

==> picture [508 x 520] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Gracious Street
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 Church
Methodist
Unrestricted Restricted Totals this Totals last
SECTION A Funds Funds year year
£ £ £ £
a1 RECEIPTS Note
a2 Offerings and Tax recovered 91,002 0 91,002 94,433
Bank and CFB interest and
a3 Investment income 293 0 293 111
a4 Lettings 34,045 0 34,045 33,477
a5 Other receipts 23,625 71,652 95,277 83,802
a6 TOTAL RECEIPTS 148,964 71,652 220,616 (a7) 211,823
SECTION B
b1 PAYMENTS
b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 83,693 0 83,693 76,888
b3 Donations 10,087 0 10,087 355
b4 Repairs and Maintenance 30,468 0 30,468 15,419
Utilities (Insurances, water
b5 charges, heating & lighting) 16,697 0 16,697 13,861
b6 0 0 0 0
b7 Other payments 45,117 64,144 109,261 83,210
b8 TOTAL PAYMENTS 186,062 64,144 250,206 (b9) 189,734
SECTION C
NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS
c1 FOR THE YEAR (a6-b8) -37,098 7,508 -29,590 22,090
Total funds brought forward from
last year
c2 105,979 52,983.34 158,962 (c6) 136,782
c3 Sub total (c1+c2) 68,881 60,491 129,372 158,872
c4 Transfers and adjustments 11,980 -12,134 -154 (c7) 90
c5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4) 80,861 48,357 129,218 (c8) 158,962 (c6)
SECTION D
----- End of picture text -----

SECTION D SECTION D
d1
d2
d3
d4
d		 £
-156
4,695
5,677
-1,137
BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID(d1+d2-d3)
Balance brought forward from last year
Offerings/Gifts - received for external organisations
Offerings/Gifts - passed to external organisations
(these amounts are not to be included in total receipts/payments figures
FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS		 £
-179
2,101
2,078
-156
-156
4,695
5,677
-1,137

FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS

2 of 5

2022 church R and P.xls

Gracious Street Methodist Church

SUMMARY OF CHURCH ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTING TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL

==> picture [482 x 320] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
SECTION E Please follow the Guidance Notes to complete this page
Summary of the Church accounts for the year ended 31 August 2022 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Church Council/Church Meeting. Note that the funds of
an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be
completed to arrive at the gross income and expenditure totals of the Church. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold, then the Accruals method of accounting
AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the District and
connected District Organisations.
INTERNAL Net Receipts/ Opening Closing
ORGANISATIONS Receipts Payments Payments Adjustments balances balances
e1 Noahs Ark 70,872 63,738 7,134 (8,154) 39,573 38,553
e2 Playbox 780 406 374 (0) 649 1,023
e3 Schofield Foundation 0 0 0 (4,000) 10,400 6,400
e4 Project Bob 0 0 0 20 2,361 2,381
e5
e6 0
e7 0
e8 0
Sub total of Internal
e8 Organisations funds 71,652 64,144 7,508 -12,134 52,983 (e11) 48,357 (e12)
Church accounts (totals
brought forward from page
e9 2 - totals column) 148,964 (a7) 186,062 (b9) -37,098 11,980 (c7) 105,979 (c6) 80,861 (c8)
TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD
e10 BY CHURCH 220,616 250,206 -29,590 -154 158,962 (x) 129,217.54 (y)
Continue on a separate sheet TOTAL
if necessary and bring the TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS
totals forward
SECTION F
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
----- End of picture text -----

f1
f2
f3
f4
f5
f6
f7
f8
f9
g1
g2
g3
g4
g5		 CHURCH - CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 August 2022
SECTION G
OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES
Other Assets
Cash in hand
Bank Deposit Account
Land & Buildings (see notes re Insurance value)
SUB TOTAL - Church accounts
TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH
Bank Current Account
Central Finance Board
Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
Other funds
Other Liabilities
Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing
balance total from above) (e12)
Investments (include Endowments)
Loan(s) - show amount outstanding at year end		 OPENING
BALANCES
354
8,380
0
109,122
884
118,740
(c6)
40,222 (e11)
158,962
(x)
At
01 Sept 2021
0
4,347,340
237,998
0
0		 CLOSING
BALANCES
354
17,213
0
71,189
886
89,642
(c8)
39,576 (e12)
129,217.58
(y)
At
31 August 2022
0
4,821,144
270,757
0
0

f4 Include only Funds held at the Central Finance Board

f5 Include only Funds held at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes

3 of 5

2022 church R and P.xls

DECLARATIONS

Treasurer

I confirm that I have prepared the accounts from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church Council

==> picture [425 x 105] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Signature of Treasurer Date 05/12/2022
Name C W Rodham
Address 58 Aspin Park Raod
Knaresborough
HG5 8HG
----- End of picture text -----

Presentation to the *Church Council for approval.

I confirm that the Accounts will be presented to the Church Council at a future meeting

==> picture [356 x 98] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Signature of the Chair of the meeting
Name of the Chair of the meeting
Date
_______________
----- End of picture text -----

Gracious Street Methodist Church

This Report is on the Church Accounts for the year ended 31[st] August

==> picture [22 x 8] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
2022
----- End of picture text -----

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's 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.

R A Davill of Bulmer & CO

It is my responsibility to:

Examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act

to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act), and

to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

4 of 5

2022 church R and P.xls

B4$18 of trmlew￿nt Examln•rfs R•wl My •xamin8tion was Carried out in X¢0￿Ce genef81 ["r￿rts Lw•n bylh• Ch•ity Commion. An exanynab'on include$ a reMew of the acci¥Jnting r￿Orts kept by Ihe chaty and a cOmpw$￿ ofth¢ wiunts presentsd with Ihose records. h aso indudes conder"on of unuwjd items cf dBdosure$ in thg a￿9unts, and seekn'ng expl￿a￿on$ from Ihe trjstees c¢)nceming èny wch matter5 The pr¢￿e￿re$ undertaken do not pro￿de 011 the ￿idenCe that w￿lj be rewired In an autht. ¢th)sewenty no ownion Is g￿en as to wheth•r the xcounts pr¢5ent a Iwe fT' wew anij the report ts limited to lJ)¢)s• mattots set out in the ststgm¢nl below. Independant ExaminaVs Statem•nt In come¢ti￿ with my ￿aMInatIon. no m4lter h•s com• to my att•nb"on {oth•r than that a￿1¢>58￿ bel￿.. whkh gN86 m• r•¥son)le to that in any maknial respect the requirements.. . to ke￿ &eounth)a r￿OrdS kn ¢ord0n￿ 130 of the Char￿.8$ . to prepare ￿wJnts whKh wth th• xwjnting r¢wds and compty the K¢aunbng rewwemenls of the Char￿￿$ kt h•vts not ￿1n m•t or 121 to ¥thKh, In my opinlon, attgnyon should b• ordfK to •n*Ae a pr¢Jper underSt￿ding ol Ihe counts to b8 r•&h•d. "Pltr8s• dd•te lh• WL¥d¥ the iYa¢k4¢8 rflhey do nd aKprop7at• 131 I hov obtained independentvenfic•Oon of •ll nv¢stments th• Tnjst•￿ for Methodv6t Church Purp MC￿} or held in clher Trusts, 8￿￿ b￿￿CeS Funds at the Centr4 Finance Bowd of the Mglhodist Clwrch I'CFB'I. vthich In of£10,WO thO￿and poundsl at the b•l•ne• sh••t dat•. aven ' Hea8e circle 88 appr￿t• Name ftL41id Tr)(4￿ L LL Signatyre Relevant Profossional qualffic•tiM ty boty Addross PAIIAD 4¥LRo Q2P 102 2022 Px Sof5