2023-08-31-accounts - Temple Methodist Church

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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 01/09/2022 – 31/08/2023 Temple Methodist Church, Taunton

1134048

Objectives and activities

The purposes of the Methodist Church are the advancement of:

a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The Methodist Church;
b) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit. local or other organisation of The Methodist Church;
c) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church;
d) Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church.

Our aims:

To be a church that welcomes all, celebrates God’s love, offers opportunities to explore the Christian faith, seeks to serve in the world and to challenge injustice through ‘Intentional Hospitality’. We assess our work and mission through the aspects of Our Calling: Worship, Learning and Caring, Service and Evangelism, and A Methodist Way of Life

The Church fulfils its objectives by offering worship every Sunday morning, with Holy Communion approximately once a month, including an additional monthly early Sunday morning Holy Communion service, a short service every Wednesday lunch-time and a conversation group monthly on Sunday evenings. On other Sunday evenings, worship is offered elsewhere in the Circuit, the grouping of which we are a part.

The Church supports a wide range of groups, offering both social activities and events to encourage the spiritual development of the congregation. Members support each other by the offering of mutual pastoral care, including Home Communions for members who are house-bound or in care.

Temple Methodist Church has an informal partnership with the local United Reformed Church, and St John the Evangelist, and holds united services and opportunities for spiritual development, such as short courses.

In August 2022, Temple Methodist Church registered for same-sex marriages in accordance with the majority vote of the Church Council, following a wider consultation among its members.

Achievements and Performance

The trustees have taken note of the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and in particular their guidance on charities for the advancement of religion, when planning their activities. The actions taken by the church meet the requirement for there to be an identifiable public benefit or benefits and that such benefit is to the public or a section of the public.

During the period of this report, we have welcomed several new attenders to services and events, and bookings for use of the premises increased on the previous year. The provision of online services, fellowship and worship provides a connection for those who are no longer able to attend in-person worship.

Worship has continued to be offered through a weekly recorded Circuit Service uploaded to the Youtube page of one of our Circuit churches. We also offer a fortnightly Circuit evening service over zoom, and a Prayer/Bible Study group which meets weekly on zoom.
The church continued to nurture its relationship with its partner churches, and maintain its profile among the wider town church networks.
Pastoral care continued through the distribution of notices, letters from the minister and treasurer, and distribution of the monthly magazine through email, and delivery by members of the congregation. A sense of care and fellowship was maintained through phone calls, visits, and home Communion.
Opportunities for social interaction for elderly and vulnerable people are held, including weekly sessions of ‘Pop-In’, and the job club, Work-Wise, which we support with a manager and volunteers.
Our Church and Community Worker continues to work with hirers of the premises in line with our commitment to an inclusive hospitality and welcome, thus generating important income. Music exams, book launches, and concerts have been held throughout the year. Interest groups, such as a variety of U3A groups, SLN and 2BU are regular weekly events.
The congregation has continued to support various charitable activities through envelope collections and events.
The church continues to offer seasonal craft and activity half days for families connected to church, Circuit and community.
We have links through our Minister to a local school for ‘special’ assemblies.
We continue, with the Circuit, to be involved as a founder member of Citizens Somerset, involving ourselves in the local campaigns and actions.

During 2022, the Trustees had begun the planning and funding-raising for a significant repair to part of the roof, incorporating the installation of solar panels which will improve the carbon footprint and allow a certain amount of eco energy to be generated. The congregation continued throughout the year ending 31 August 2023 to support this project through pledges, and fundraising activities, and the Church has been successful in securing some welcome grant funding. Users of the building have also been very supportive and have offered donations towards the work.

Mitigation of Risks

These are considered by the Resources Committee who oversee the day to day running of the charity and report to the Church Council. Professional advice is taken as required.

There is a regular review process carried out by the Church Council to ensure that the Charity is fulfilling its objectives.

The Circuit, the umbrella body which oversees the Church, has adopted a Safeguarding Policy – covering both children and vulnerable adults – and has taken a lead in ensuring that all its local Churches adopt similar policies. A local Church Safeguarding policy is in place overseen by a local Safeguarding Officer, and is reviewed annually. The Circuit is also working to ensure that Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training is up to date in its church and circuit officers and preachers.

Financial review

During the year the Church had total receipts of £161k (2021-22 £131k) and dispersed £120k (202122 £113k).

The employment of a worker at the Church has produced additional income from the letting of the premises and this is building.

The trustees of the Church oversee the income and expenditure of the church and monitor the contribution made to the Circuit budget.

Trustees do not foresee any factors that will significantly affect the financial performance or position in the next year or two. The projected spend in terms of the Roof renovation is being managed through grant applications, congregation pledges and fund-raising.

The Church has the following principal sources of funds:

Offerings of the Congregation – either via the collection plate or by Standing order
Rents from groups making use of the premises
A regular gift day (although this is suspended for 2022-23 with pledges towards the Roof project being invited instead
Interest on investments

These sums are used to pay the Circuit assessment, to maintain the large historical building, employ a Church and Community Worker, and a Cleaner, and engage organists for Sunday services, weddings, and funerals.

Reserves policies

General Funds (currently £16k)

The long term aim is to hold a General Reserve of 50% of annual expenditure as a contingency fund to meet the unexpected demands of a 200 year old Listed building.

Restricted funds (currently £97k)

Restricted funds are expended on the objectives for which the money was donated as soon as is practical. This includes a project to repair the roof, improve insulation and install solar panels and the work was planned to be carried out in Autumn 2023.

Endowment funds (currently £210k)

The annual income from our older endowments is £94 per year and is credited to the General Fund. Recent legacies received and held by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes have the annual

income accumulated with the Trust. Endowments totalling £50,368 have been designated for support of the Church and Community worker. Other endowments are held against the possibility of major expenditure on the building including support for our financial position while fundraising takes place towards the cost of work on the roof.

Structure governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document Methodist Church Deed Of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976) How the charity is constituted Act of Parliament

Trustee selection methods

Elected by the annual meeting of Church members. Ministers are automatically trustees

Additional governance issues

None

Induction/Training

Range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion.

Leaflet ‘The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church’ is given to each trustee.

Structure

Temple Methodist Church is part of the Taunton Deane and South Sedgemoor Methodist Circuit, which is itself part of the Plymouth and Exeter Methodist District. Accountable to the Methodist Conference. Related Parties None

Reference and administration details

Charity Name Temple Methodist Church Registered Charity Number 1134048 Charity’s Principal Address Temple Methodist Church, Upper High Street, Taunton TA1 3PY

Names of the Charity Trustees who manage the charity .

The Charity Trustees are the members of the Church Council of the Temple Methodist Church. This comprised during the year of this report.

Chair: Revd Deborah Kirk Church Stewards: Paul Turner Liz Hartley Lynda Kazer Diana Atkinson Anne Jordan Hazel Jordan Sheila Robertson Treasurer: Graham Dickinson Pastoral Secretary: Anne Jordan

Circuit Steward: Carol Stowe Church Council Secretary: Diana Atkinson Representatives from Church Life: Lynda Kazer Resourcing: Margaret Sweet Property: George Adams Safeguarding officer: Kathryn Turner Representatives appointed by General Church Meeting: Joanna Rossiter, Church and Community Worker Ian Rossiter Anne Broadley Ron Jordan Tony Bell Chris Mitchell Kevin Rigg Colin Robertson Conrad Marks Doreen Marks Custodian trustees Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Manchester

Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Deborah Kirk Diana Atkinson Position Chair Secretary Date 29.06.24 29.06.24

Appended to this report is the Standard Form of Accounts for 2022-23 at year end.

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Temple Methodist FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2023 Taunton Deane and South Sedgemoor Circuft Circuit no. 24116 Ragistered Charlty- Charlty Registratlon number If not a registered charity H•r Majesty's Revenue and Cu8toms Glft Aid number IThe HMRC number is equivalent lo a registered charity number in temis of evidence ol charitable stalus and may b& used to give to donors or grant funder8 wishing lo see evidence of the organisalion's charitable status Methodist charits'es in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Stalulory Instrument 2014 No.2421 1134048 Minister.. Rev Deborah Kirk Church Stewards.. Paul Tumer Hazel Jordan Diana Atkinson Lynda Kazer Sheila Robertson Llz Hartley Ani)L Jordtsi) Treasurer. Grah8m Dickinson Standard Fomi ofAccounts 2023 1ofS

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023 Temple Methodist Church SECTION A UnTrstri¢ted R•5triGled T<)tals th18 Fund Fund# y•ar Totsl8 lagt RECEIPTS Nots a2 Offerin s and Tax recOVe¢Y Bank and CFB interest and Invéstrnent ineome Lettin 49.599 49.599 46,430 a3 2,538 24,453 13,807 90.397 2.538 24.453 85.182 161,772 150 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 18.633 66,279 131.492 71,375 71,375 la7) SECTION B PAYMENTS Circutt Assessment or Share Donations 45,313 45,313 3,805 5,285 46,667 3,805 Re airs and Maintenance Ulililies Ilnsurances. water charg95, healing & lighlin ) 6.692 5,285 S,$42 19,440 13.338 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 37,837 107.875 8,337 12,142 46.174 120.017 40,729 112.968 {b91 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR 46-b8 17,478 S9,233 41,755 18.524 Total funds brought forward from last year 25,239 45,748 c6 32,463 Sub totsl c1+c2 7,761 104,981 112.742 50.987 Transfers and ad'uslments c7 20,000 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR IG3+c4) 7.761 104,981 112,742 Ic81 70,987 Ic6} SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS 1th¢9e amounts arn not to be included in total r•celptslpaJThents figures above) Balance brou hl forward from last ear 20 Offerin s/Gifts- received for external or anisatsons 1,852 3.486 OfferIngGiftS - passed lo extemal organisations 1,852 3,506 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID Id1+d2-d3} Siandatd l.onTrof AccounL% 2023

Tem le Methodi$t ¢hurch UM uItCH AC UNT NA ANISA NSR RM CH COLWCI SEcnoN E Pka follow Guldan l¢tethi SummaryofthÈ ChuIch•xcnts fLYtheyEarended 31 August2023and kniema OtuaThs4bQThS toIheChu CowAIICknJr¢h Rlethnq. NOLP ihattr lu an Iniemal Owgantsabond nonn811y be Restyi¢w fvnds unlessll tr£1 shm Ihai theycould be u8ed loi ary¢I$l purpose. This must be compkf£d IOWriV6 aithe 9ross irmmeand exrnthiuR 1$01th? ¢huTth IlyroBs Irtompexceeus the Accruals throsh0. then LTheA(uua15 e(jra{Un ANDA DIFFERENT FORM musi be used toieporttheacc¢unts1seg lIstb51tel. nease reki lolh¢ 9uhSart notes r8garowo ansfer$ DgMEenthe Di$kncl connec Str1th OFganlsation5. INTERNAL ORGANISAnoNS Recei et Recdp ents Openln ala stmonts Ck)Sth banc8S Tliursd• Gro 63 491 1074 ub toiAloF anlsBYons fundts 554 83 401 .11 Church •¢¢ounl• Itots brnugbl lOWfroM 2- lOtals¢olufflnl iei,7Y2 a71 120,017 b91 41.755 70,987 112.742 BY CHURCH 161326 120.08Q Z46 Coniinue on a warale 6Npei il neces$ary4rf brfng11 lothls fonvard 114 307 TOTAL REceipTS TOTAL PAYMENTS $ECTION F MEN OF CWLIRCH- WHFUNDS HELO •t31 Au OPENING BALleE$ CLOSING BALANCÈS Cash In hwd 40 è•nk CurieniAccouN 4047 C4ntr81 FInan Bovd Tne25 f¢ymeth0d Chufth PurpD OIMrfundi SU8 TOTAL. Chur¢h•¢¢wn Total funoB h0 ty kntomal OpJanSiptioMIthEfwr ban10tH1 Trom aLve) le121 70.987 f12742 1.074 1,565 TOTAL CASH FUND5 HELD QY CHLIRCH 72.061 114,307 SECTION G Al OThER ASSETS ind LIA8ILITIEY 37 Avyust2023 Jde 167.824 209 976 L8nd & B1& sea noies w In6urtyncovalu 8 274 428 8915170 OHA$s• -5hrMArnwntLWtsndin reTrS Other UabilrtYè5 14 IonIY FundshcPJ the Centrw Finante Board IS Inude orlyFunds hE ar Tru5tee$lDT MeihJdL41 Chuich Purpose8 01 Inude anyolher Inolthera¥helernerfofTMCPththauJ)JntsthslJ*KlLd In Sne IS 3of5

Name of Church .. Temple Methodist Church Declarations and Scrutiny I confim) that these Reipt and Payment based accounts for the year lo 31 Augusl 2023 have been prepared from the records of the CAh and Ihat they include all fund5 under the control of the Churc trustees. Signature of treasurer ...... 11-11-23 Name and address of treasurer........ Graham Dickinson 13 Parkfield Drive, Taunton, Somerset, TA158X Presentstlon to the Church tru$tse8 I confirm that the annual report and 8ccounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 were presented lo the meeting of the Church tJuslees held on . .30th October 2023............. Slgn81ure of Ihe Chalr of the meeting Name of the Chalr ofthe meetlng . Rev Deborah Kirk Independent Examinerfs Report to tho Trustees ot the Temple Methodist Church Charlty Number. 24115 Responslbilrtles and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examlnatlon of tho accounts of the Temple Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2023 sel out on pages 110 5. As the Church's Iruslees, you are resDOll5ible lor me preparation of the accounts in accordance %Mlh the requirements of tha Charitles Act 20111.the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the Church's gccounts carried Olrt under section 145 of the AGI and. in carrying out my examin81ion. I have followed all the applicable Dlrectlons given by the Charity Commission under section 1451511bl of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate tF¢YM0tWKcX%lO23 4of5

Name of Church .. Temple Methodist No 24115 Indopendent Examinerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have com8 to my attention in connection with Ihe examination which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act.. or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have Come across no other matters in connection with the examinalion to which attention should be drawn in this report in ord8r lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be r8a¢hed. I have not obtained independent verification of all investments wlth the Twstees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten Ihousand pounds) at the balance sh68t date. Signature of independeni examiner Name of ind8pendent examiner Mr Roy Vautier Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner Name of firm (where appropriate) Address ............ 6 Highgrove, Taunton. TA13RG Date 16 Standard Ffffm ol Accounts 2023 5of5