## **Annual report 1.9.2021 – 31.8.2022** ## **ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** This report relates to Nexus Methodist Church to 31.8.2022, registered with the Charity Commission under Charity Number 1134062. Nexus Methodist Church merged with Beechen Cliff, Weston and Horizon Methodist Churches on 1.9.2022 to form Bath Methodist Church. All correspondence for the church should be addressed to: Mrs Sharon Keevill – Church Administrator Bath Methodist Church Nelson Place East Bath BA1 5DA Telephone: 01225 461509 Email: admin@bathmethodists.org.uk Further and latest information is available on our website: bathmethodists.org.uk The membership of Nexus Methodist Church stood at 67 members as of August 31st 2022 ## **The Managing Trustees for the year 2021 -22 were** : Revd Simon Topping (Superintendent Minister/Chair) Revd Jan Tate (additional minister) Mike Ainsworth (Treasurer to 28 February 2022)….. Karen Power - (Lead Steward) Trevor Purches (Treasurer from 1 March 2022) Trevor Purches (property) Sharon Keevill – (Administrator) Marc Horobin (property) Pete Keevill – (Property chair) Elspeth Rolls – (Circuit Rep) Claire Phillips – (Secretary) Mike Renton (safeguarding) -------------stewards -----------------------Congregation representatives--Hazel Roch Pete Keevill Sylvia Armstrong Jenny Lewis Ben Sykes Pete Keevill Jenny Lewis Gwen Essam Hetty de Rooij Tricia Mills Decisions concerning the activities of Nexus Methodist Church and the appointment of its Trustees are made at Church Council meetings of which there are a minimum of three each year. 1 ## **AIMS AND ORGANISATION** The aims of Nexus Methodist Church are as defined in the Methodist Church Act 1976 namely: The advancement of - a) the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church. - b) any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, district, circuit, local or other organisation of the Methodist Church. - c) any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church. - d) any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary of the Methodist church. ## **This is achieved by:-** - a) Holding regular acts of public worship open to members and public alike. - b) providing pastoral care for members of our community visiting sick and bereaved. - c) teaching Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups – both in person and online. - d) Promoting Christianity through events and services. - e) Provision of activities and clubs to support need in the community such as lunch clubs /foodcycle for elderly and homeless. - f) Letting premises for community organisations - for example local choirs , pre-schools, health and wellbeing classes. - g) Supporting other charities with finance and prayer in accordance with Christian values to promote Christian mission and by addressing poverty and social need in both UK and the World. ## **Review of activities, progress and achievements (September 2021 – August 2022)** ## **Worship** The pattern of worship varied through the year in response to changing Covid restrictions and infection rates. Worship via Zoom was introduced in 2020 for the Bath Mission Area Methodist Churches (Bathampton, Beechen Cliff, Box, Horizon, Nexus and Weston) and this continued weekly at first, then fortnightly. The frequency of inperson services at Nexus increased from monthly to fortnightly, then weekly with the introduction of morning prayers followed by a breakfast. During this time, we started to discuss how Nexus, Beechen Cliff, Horizon and Weston Methodist Churches could work together more closely, building on the links that were strengthened by meeting on Zoom in the pandemic and held united services monthly in each of the churches. ## **Sept – Nov 2021** Monthly in-person, weekly Zoom ## **Dec 2021 – Feb 2022** In-person twice a month, weekly Zoom Bath Mission Area United service 31 Jan 2022 ## **March – May 2022** In-person Sunday Worship 1[st] & 3[rd] Sundays 2[nd] & 4[th] – Zoom and new 9am in-person morning prayers followed by breakfast Bath Mission Area United service 31 May ## **Jun – Aug 2022** In-person Sunday Worship 1[st] & 3[rd] 2 2[nd] & 4[th] – Zoom and 9am in-person morning prayers followed by breakfast Bath Mission Area United services on 4[th] and 5[th] Sundays We continued to offer paper worship resource for those unable to attend in-person services or to join online. We also provided a Wednesday contemplation /bible study session and a Friday prayers group both via zoom. Advent and Lent Studies were offered both via Zoom and in-person. ## **Working towards the launch of Bath Methodist Church** Following the United Service on Sunday 31[st] January, there was a meeting to discuss how the churches could work together in future. The meeting agreed unanimously that the relevant Church Councils should vote on the proposal that the four churches of Beechen Cliff, Horizon, Nexus and Weston should become one Methodist Society with one Church Council/managing trustees group. All four subsequently voted in favour of forming a single Methodist Society, to be known as Bath Methodist Church, to take effect from 1[st] September 2022. Three working groups were set up to bring proposals to a meeting of the Bath Mission Area churches on July 31[st ] on the following areas: - Working group one - to produce a “vision statement” for the new Beechen Cliff/Horizon/Nexus/Weston Methodist Society - Working group two – to conduct an audit of the four church sites considering their respective strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats - Working group three – to consider “big ideas” - new and perhaps radical ways of using some or all of the church sites In the meeting on Sunday 31[st] July, a draft mission statement was presented, as proposed by working group one: The mission of the Bath Methodist Society is to promote and practise ‘A Methodist Way of Life’. We will seek to live out this mission by sustaining and nurturing both our Christian journey inwards and our Christian journey outwards. The inner journey: - daily prayer - keeping connected to each other through prayer groups and prayer times - worshipping together – Sundays and during the week - pastoral care of members and adherents - small groups – for fellowship, prayer and bible study/learning - discipleship formation – stepping stones to discipleship - from enquirers’ events to fully committed participation in the Methodist Way of Life - building up our fellowship through social activities ## The journey outwards: - outreach to the local community (hospitality and generosity) - commitment to social justice - care for creation - practising an inclusive welcome to all - outreach to University students/Chapel House Community - commitment to the Southdown Church and Community Project - sharing the faith – actively seeking ways to tell the Christian story 3 Church Council members for Bath Methodist Church were appointed, to take effect from 1[st] September 2022. ## **Pastoral Care** Our pastoral visitors have remained in contact with those on their lists and have continued to support members of the congregation. ## **Junior Church** Our young people resumed their meetings on an informal basis on Sundays. ## **Church groups** ‘Tea & Cake’ was introduced in October 2021, meeting weekly in the Concourse (and church garden weatherpermitting). This was both an opportunity for people to meet socially as they had not been able to do earlier in the pandemic and for the main church doors to be open to anyone passing by. As mentioned in the Worship section, an early morning Sunday prayer service was introduced twice a month in March 2022. It was decided to follow this with a simple breakfast to provide another opportunity for those who had been isolated to meet together. ## **Social justice** We organised webinars as part of the Methodist Church ‘Walking with Micah’ initiative looking at social justices issues and what we as a church can do. ## **Church and community events:** Our church centre has rooms available for hire and were used by several community groups: - FoodCycle continue to use our premises to package and serve food parcels made up from surplus food from supermarkets and local shops and to serve community meals (subject to Covid regulations. Community Meals restarted in Jul 2022 offering company as well as serving hot meals. - ‘Christmas for CAMHAS’ used the hall to pack gift boxes for children with mental health issues who were to spend Christmas in hospital - Bath Child Contact Centre moved their base to Nexus during August. We were able to offer use of the hall on a regular basis and storage of their equipment. They provide a safe space for children whose parents have separated to meet their absent parent. - Julian House Day Centre – used our rooms for a series of sessions from July 2022 Other community groups have resumed on a regular basis – ‘Pixies’ Steiner Playgroup, Pilates classes and The Bath Minerva Choir. ## **Church Administrator:** The church administrator is responsible for producing the weekly notice sheets and monthly magazines, updating the website, dealing with telephone and email enquiries, producing publicity material for church events and activities and dealing with room hire. The administrator keeps church members informed via weekly emails or by distributing printed resources to those without internet access _._ _Sharon Keevill (church administrator)_ 4 ## **EcoChurch** This scheme encourages churches to commit to care for the environment in worship and teaching, management of church buildings and land, community and global engagement and the lifestyle of church members. Nexus received the Bronze EcoChurch Award in March 2020 and we have continued to follow the scheme. A plan was put forward to make the garden in front of the church more wildlife-friendly, with the help of Avon Wildlife Trust and BathScape. Due to the pandemic, these plans were not able to go ahead. However we took part in ‘No-Mow May’. ## **Stewards** The team of Stewards are responsible for the smooth running of the church, ensuring services and other events are organised properly plus keeping an oversight over the various committees/church groups and indeed the overall life of the church. ## **Chapel House** We continue to remain in close contact with the Christian community of students renting the church property at Chapel House, which is maintained by Nexus. ## **Risk Management /Safeguarding** In accordance with best practice the Church Council reviews on an ongoing basis the major risks to which the Church may be exposed, and procedures have been established to monitor and manage those risks. The last 2 years the covid pandemic had significant impact on our risk management as referenced elsewhere. Mike Renton is our Nexus Church Safeguarding Officer (responsible to the Minister and Church Council) to support and advise the Minister and Stewards on safeguarding issues and to promote best practice. Nexus Church safeguarding Officer is also supported by NE Somerset and Bath Methodist church Circuit safeguarding team. ## **Property -** Nexus continues to be Managing Trustees for 2 buildings which have varied use. Walcot church is our main worship space as well as having large communities rooms, which are used by various groups. Like all buildings we maintain them to be fit for purpose according to the recommendations of the 5-year independent inspections. ## **Roof Truss Repairs** The Quinqunnial Inspection in January 2021 highlighted a major problem with the roof trusses. Repairs entailed the strengthening of ends of two central beams and trusses by removing earlier strengthening, removing rotten wood and replacing with steel members. Support scaffolding was installed to support the weight of the roof and the ceiling reinstated with period lath and lime plaster. In order to support the roof, scaffolding was required throughout the whole height of the building for several months. The majority of this was in the sanctuary area but worship continued during this time in the hall below. There was also some scaffolding in the hall but all external groups using the hall were able to continue their activities. Funding was achieved with tremendous support from local membership and circuit donation. Our fund raisers also attracted smaller grants from various trusts. Around £10,000 was drawn from reserves. A grant was applied for from the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (£16,000 was granted in March 2023). 5 ## **THE CHURCH’S BANKERS** The Church has accounts with the following banks: ## **Central Finance Board** 9 Bonhill Street London EC2A 4PE **HSBC plc** Milsom Street Bath BA1 1DU **CAF Bank** 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ ## **Treasurer’s Report 2021-22 financial year** Please see full set of accounts with examiner’s report enclosed. _Trevor Purches: treasurer_ 6 CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS NEXUS MEfHODIST Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2022 NE Somorset and Bath Clrcult Clrcult no. 7113 Regl8tèred Charlty - Charlty Reglstratlon numb•r If not a registered charity Hor MaJo8ty'S R•v•nue and Custom8 Glft Ald numb•r {The HMRC number is equNalent to a registered charity number in temis of evidencA of charitabl8 Statu5 and may be used to give to donor8 or grant funders wishing to See evKlence of the organisation'3 charstable Status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered dlarities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242) 1134062 Minister: Revd Slmon To Church Stewards: Karen Power Gvrnn Essam Hetty de Rooij Pete Keevill Sharon Keevill Elizabeth Kenyon Patricia Mills Treasurer. Dr Mike Ainsworth to March and Trevor Purches (current) Church R and P 2015.xb 1rf5 ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 NEXUS METHODIST Church Tt>tal$ last SECTION A Fund¥ Funds y•ar a1 RECEIPTS Note Offering$ and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 81110.00 81,110 55,323 a3 59 72 a4 Lettings Other r8¢eipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 39.292 1.622 122.083 39.292 39,599 37,039 132,033 a5 71,932 71,932 73,554 194.015 {a7) SEclloN b1 PAYMENTS b2 Cir¢uit A$sessm8nl or Share 50.000 47.708 b3 Donation8 586 Repairs and Maintenance Ulblllles {Insurances. ￿dter charges. healing & lighting) 100.633 100.633 40,380 b5 19.707 19,707 12,561 b7 Other payment8 TOTAL PAYMENTS 8,774 179,700 8,774 179.700 13,807 110.442 b8 Ib91 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYPAENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 las￿) (57,8161 71.932 14,318 16,591 Total funds brought forward frc la81 year 67.817 19,453 87,270 Ic81 70,679 Sub totsl c1+c21 10.201 91.385 101,586 87,270 Transfers and ad'uslments {c7) TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (¢3rt4) 10,201 91,385 101,586 Ic8} 87,270 {c6) SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: IAONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO ExfERNAL ORGANISATIONS 1th080 amount• are not lo b• Includ•d In totsl r•colpt•lpaymonts 11guw•• abovol d1 Balan￿ brought lovmard from last year 172 d2 offering￿Glfts- receivod for exlemal o anisations 255 d3 Offering81Gifts - passed to extemal organisab'ons 549 255 d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID {d1+d2-d3) 227 172 Chtythk a￿1 P2015.x15 2015 NEXUS METHODIST Church SECTION E Summ8ryofth? Chuth ￿￿Unts ts they ondod 31 2022 ano ChLYth N*8iThJ. NLtsthatthe fundB rl an Intemal OrganisatitinwNA¢ rorrnally t* Resirtthj fuNJs un*sts itt￿￿j becw Ihaity t*{*￿10ra￿Y Mell￿d￿1PurFrt￿Se. ThL% rnust be NDA OLFFERENT FORM must be used ts) rOWrtthe￿C(YjrnaI8O? rtyardirvtr￿￿fers b&*en the tX8trkt and LWfigCted tX8trkX organlg8lc￿8 INTepNAL ORGANI8AmON8 0￿rIng Ck41ng Wnc ¢7 OrganI••u￿4lUn Chur¢h •¢count• trot• brO￿ht1￿￿1d Irom w9• 2-tot•l• column IW18 In,700 14318 Icn 87,270 101,680 tlo ¢HUR¢H 179,700 14316 87,270 101,686 Conllnue on a •ry *thY TOTAL RECEWS TOTAL pArnNrs totsls $iCfC*4 OPENNIO CLOSIMQ WNCE$ CHURCH.CA•H FIM408 HELD •tJl C••hhh Curr•nt*uctht HSBC 4.7Se 31.281 8ank DO CAF 22286 40.940 19.36$ 10,CX)) Oth•rfiJndi SU8TOTAL. Church •ccourts 07370 Ic81 101,68• Totgl he￿ by Intorr4 Org8r4MknI ba*nceioid from al￿￿)10121 7OTALCA8H FUND8 HELD BYCHURCH 87370 xl 101,588 8ECmOM G At 31 Auwt2022 OTHÈR A8SETgwd L￿B￿rn Inv•th•nts Ondud• Endwwn¢•l land & Buiklnp I¥•eTh￿ re 8.049.875 138.360 Lo8nlsI.8hw8rwttyJtsts￿ at>w￿l Other Lkgtdlth88 r4 Indud8 only Fund&hekJ aith&Ceniial 15 Indude onty Fund& heklatTrusteesknr kWhc1l￿t ChLvch PLVFW 3ofS Name of Church NEXUS METHODIST No 7113 Declarations and Scrutiny I cOnfi￿n that these Re￿Ipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2022 have been prepared from th6 records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees. Signature of treasurer . Date.... . 03￿8p-22 Name and addre88 of treasurer TREVOR PURCHES 6 Christchurch Rd, Bradford-on-Avon. Post CLK &415 1T8 Presentstlon to th• Church trusts I confirm that the annual report and accounts for Ihe year ended 31 August 2022 will be presented to the meeting of the Church trustees held on Monday 1 Oth October 2022 Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Revd Independent Examlnerfs Report to the Trustees of the NEXUS METHODIST CHURCH Charlty Number 1162034 Re8ponslbllltles and basls of rnport I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the . Church for the year ended 31 August 2022 set out on pages . to As the Church's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charfties Act 2011 ('the Acr). I report in respect of my examlnation of the Church's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carying out my examination, I have followpd all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. . delete or circle as appropriats 2015 cmjrth R 8TrJ P.)JJ 4015 Name of Church NEXUS m￿HoDIST CHURCH No 7113 Indepondent Examiner's Ststsment I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination, which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accountj'ng records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Act; or the accounts do not accord wrth the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examinatlon to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I have not obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts. bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10.000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Slgnature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner . Alexander M du Pré Relevant professional qualification of independent exarninef ..CEng Name of fim (where appropriate) .NIA Address 15 Mitchell Walk. Bridgeyate. Bristol Post Code BS30 5XY Date . ￿0¢t.22 delete or cirde as appropriate 2015 Ch￿￿h R and P.¥Js 5015