ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS For the year ended 31 August 2022 Wesley Methodist Church, Readlng Basingstoke and Reading Circuit Charity reglstration number. 1134691 Minlster.. Reverend David Shaw Church Trnasur•r: Kenneth Fordjour Church Trustees lat May 2022}: Rev. David Shaw (Minister) Kenneth Fordiour (Treasurer) Patricia Brown (Secretsry) Julie Marsh (Pastoral c{rdinatOr) Vicky Fordjour (Junior Church superintendent) Mary Ludlow (Lay pastordl worker) Peter Frank (Chaim)an, Propety group) Jonathan Brown (Chaimian, whIp team} Anita Abbey-Quaye {church steward) Fredua Agyeman (church steward) Anna Ghelli {church steward) Sohini Shama (church steward) Chris Preetharn (Church steward) Tirivashe Manhera (church steward) Evelyn Coffie (churth steward) Stephen Appiah (church representative) Peter Chapman (church representative) John Clarkson (church repres8nLqtrve) Brenda de Souza (church preSenL1tr¥o} Alan Langford (church representative) Richard Langford (church representatNe) Angela Mar]oram (church representstiva) Terry Rowell (church rewesenL2tive) The Church's statutory particulars a as follows: Full name. SleY Methodist Church Main c<)mmunication address.. Wesley Methrmlist Church, Queen's Road, Reading RG1 4BW Chanty registered number. 1134691 Date of registration as Charity: 8 March 2010 Independent examiner. Mrs Christs'ne Holland, 9 Ellerton Close, Theale, Reading RG7 5QN Banker5'. HSBC Bank plc. including an account through the Central Finan Board of the Methodist Church. The Church is part of the Basingstoke & Reading Circurt. vthich is part of the Southampton District and is also accountsble to the Methodist Conferen.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Wesley Methodist Church has been at the centre of the Gommunity since rts establishment in 1873. We are a thriving congregation representitYJ a wide range of ages, backgrounds and ethnicities, commttted to worshipping tC*3ether serving our communittes in the best way we can. Our core purpose is the furtheran of the Christian fatth through the provision of regular public acts of worship which are open to members arKI non4nembers alike. INe do this through a lively and suppjrtive programme of w(Yship on Sundays and at other times of the week, through sem)ons, courses of Bible study, music and singing. prayer and srnall group fellowships for pèople of all ages arwj backgrounds. We support our members and those who see us as their spirtlual home through pastoral work and prayer. Practical manrfestations of this include extending friendship to those who come to us. and visiting and praying for member5 of the congregation. We also MmIt to supporting other groups who use our building and to maknng links with others, both in our local area and intemationally. We do this by providing space for groups, and by providing financial support to other charits'es. Our membership is aboui 150, and various other people visit the church r8gularly. The followlng Is our vision and purpose: We believe in a loving God who came into our world in the person of Jesus Christ to bring us to himself. In his lrfe and teaching Jesus showed us the best way to live. On the cross he died in our place. offering us the fre6 grft of forgiveness and a new start. By rising from the dèad he assures us of etemal lrfe. In his daity presen wtlh us through the Holy Spirit he gives meaning and direction to our lives. The Trustees confirm that the Church is a public benefft entty. Achievements and wforniance: During 2021-2022 we have carried oul the followng activities: Continued our family worship on Sundays throughout the year in church, including Junior Church. Congregational numbers have recovered from lockdown and even gained new worshippers. Continued to provide online worship for those who are unable to meet in person in hurch. The numbers engaging with these Servi make Èt worthwhile to do this. Continued to use the gifts of our congregation lo lead and support worship in church and online through music and other means. Continued our ecumen11 links with our neighbouring thur¢h StAndr8ws URC, including the distribution of Easter eggs and Easter leaflets around the neighbourhood. and pijtting on a Street Aftemoon Tea for the Platinum Jubilee. Taken our responsibilities towards the environment seriously by developing policies in keeping with being an Ec¢TrChurch. achieving a Bronze Award. Supported our children and young people in Junior Church by continuing lo hold in- church sessions. A group of chiklren and young FEopie was taken to the 3Generate conference in Binningham in October 2021 Completed Phase 1 (assible ground-flcyjr toilets) of the major refurbishment project of the adjoining fomier manse building (known as 84 Queens Road). to create more usaEAe space for the church, the chartties that occupy the buikling, and the communty. Dravm up speofications and tender documents for Phase 2 (a kitchen
and café area. arKI accessible extemal ramp). Funds were raised from grants, the Methodist Circuit and District, and the Wesley congregation. Supported a network of other voluntary groups then F#)ssible through the provision of space, induding a number of support groups for people with addictions. Re-started our serbices for parents and babies through the Spokes parent and toddler session. The future: As part of the developing work of the church we are looking at how best we Can use resources and skills of the congregation. the gift of the buildings and the space they offer. together wth the financial resources of the church, and to identfy what else we should develop to meet our objectives as a church and a key part of the community. Plans for 202212023 include: Submission of further aFWications for grant fijnding for development of the former manse for church and community us, and complets'on of Phase 2. Joint communty outreach with St Andrevls URC. to distribute free Easter eggs with leaflets around the neighbourhood, to hold a VIalki Nativrty, and to offer a free Street Aftemoon Tea for the King's Coronation. Continuing to support other churth communtties through the use of our buildings. Supporting other communty service [oIeCts as well as continuing existing ones. Begin to plan for the church's 150th anniversary in 2023. FINANCIAL REVIEW Income and oxpenditure: Church income is primarily drawn from the Sunday collections paid by the coThJregation plus the related Gfft Aid tax credits, and lettings income paid by local communty groups using the premises. Owing to lockdown. collections and tax credit fell by £538 over the previous year to £73944, and lettings by £13857. The major expense is the assessment paid to Basingstoke & Reading Circuit. The assessment this year was £70203 compared wth £68728 the previous year. The assessment pays for the ministerfs salary, employer pension, Nl contributions. travelling expenses and manse running costs,. Circuit administration." and contributions towards denominational central costs. The other main expense is Church running costs. including heating and lighting, Insuran and utilittes, maintenance and improvements, which amounted to £43067 this year. We were able to prepare for Phase 1 of the refuthshment of the ground floor of the old manse (84 Queen's Road) during this current financial year. Reserves policy: General funds: It is the Church's policy to have in hand sufficient to cover at least three months assessment, plus a further amount to cover any emergencies which occur in the short temi and other one off payments which may arise. and to this end Ét will endeavour to have £27,OCQ readily available to cover these payments. General funds held at YE 31/02021 £10271. Restrictsd funds: No funds have been draTr from the TMCP Investments during the last financial year. It is intended to cary out work lo the ground floor of 84 Queens Road for which consents have now been obtained. It is anticipated that some of these funds will be
used for this purpose. but it is our intention to keep some funds in reseNe for any major works that arise to our Victorian buildings which are now ovèr 140 years old. Restrrcted funds held at y 3110812021: £24,186. Review of the yèar 2020-2021: The year got off to a good start, wrih healthy giving and c>th8r income. From March 2020 income from lettings and other sources dropped by more than 75%. In sptte of the unprecedented circumstances and the financial chalEenges that we have encountered, we have managed to meet most of our expenses, mainly due to generous giving of our members. As the financial year 2021-2022 began, it looked as though we could continue to hold our own. Outline of Wesley Methodist Accounts {at 31108121): TMCP Account £56,394 CFB Deposit fund account £32,212 Current aGGount balance £9,325 STRUCTURE. GOVERNANCE AND IIANAGEMENT Wesley Methodist Church is a Christian organisation that is govemed by the Methodist Church Act 1976. Detailed govemance arrangements are outlined in the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church ICPD) by order of the annual Conferen. Day-t¢>day management of the Church is undertaken by the Church stewards along with the Minister under the authority of the Church Counal. who are the Trustees. The Trustees are appointed at the Annual General Meeting of the Churth. Mr Kenneth Fordjour {one of the managing trustees) as Treasurer oversees the day-to4ay financial managemerrt and accounts'ng for the Church during the year, supported by a Property & Finan group chaired by Mr Peter Frank A range of guidance produced by the Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the church and the role of the Trustees is given to the Church Trustees at various meetings andlor training sessions. Risk management The major risks have been identified and reccthd by the Trustees with professional advice taken as required. A regular annual review process is undertaken as required. Income and expenditure is reviewed and monrtored against tyjdget on a quarterty basis as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. Safeguarding The Methodist Church, along wth the whole Christian communty, believes that each person has a value and dignty vthich comes directly from God's creation in God's own image and likeness. Christians see this as fulfilled by Gt)d's re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things, this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and ther8fore to protect them from harni. Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles..
The care and nurture of. and resFethl pastoral ministy wtih, all children, young people and adulis. The safeguarding and protection of all children, yOUf¥J people and adults when they are vulnerable. Establishing safe, caring communtlies whi¢h provide a loving environment where there is infomed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse. Carefvlly selecting and training all those wtth any resFrf)nsibilty within the Church, in line with Safer Recruthient prinoples, induding ts use of criminal records disdosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes. Responding without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have harmed, CcoPeratiThj wth the poli and local authority in any investigation. Seeking to challenge any abuse of power, espeually by anyone in a pltion of trust. Seeking to offer pastoral care and support. including supeNision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our Church communty known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adu In all these principles following legislation, guidance and recognised good practicé. Wesley Methodist Churth commits itseff to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy. govemment legislation, guidance and safe practice in the Circuit and in the churches. Vvesley Methodist Church also commtts itselfto the provision of support. advi and trainir for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and pThnoting the welfare of thildren and adults who may be vulnerable. Approved by the Tru$t8es on 210E IAay 2023 and signed on their behalf by Sign. Rev. David Shaw Date.. 211t May 2023 Accounting rnsponsibilitsos Charity law requires trustees to prepare annual accourts that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs to the Church at the year eTrJ and of its finanaal adrvities during the period. The Trustees are required to: Select suitable accounting polieS arKI apply them prudently Make judgements and estimates that are asonable and prudent Prepare accounts on a going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Church will continue in operation. Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounttng record5 that disdose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Church, so that the accounts comply with the charity accounting SORP 2015. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and hence for taking reasonable steps for the wevention of fraud and other irregularities. The Church is entttled to exemption from audit urKler the CharTties Act bui is required to have an independent examination of its a¢¢ounts' the Church has theref¢xe taken advantage of this exemption.