ANNUAL RepoRT AND ACCOUNTS For the year ended 31 August 2023 Wesley Mathodlst Church, Roadlng Basingstoko and Reading Circuit Charlty registratlon number: 1134691 Mlnlster: Reverend Davld Shaw luntll 31 July 2023), Rev&rerKI Martin Beukes (frcrfn 1 August 2023) Church Treasurar: Kenneth Fordlour ChurGh Trustees lat 31 August 2023): Rev. Martin Beukes (Minister) Kenneth Fordjour (Treasurer) Patricia Brown {Secretary) Julie Marsh (Pastoral CO¥ordSnator) Vicky Fordjour (Junior Church superintendent) Mary Ludlow {Lay pastoral worker) Peler Frank {Chalrman, Propety group) Jonathan Brown (Chairman, Worship team) Anita Abbey-Quay8 l¢hurGh steward) Anna GhellS (church steward) Chris Preelham {¢hurch steward) ririvashe Manhera (Church steward) Evelyn Coffie IchurGh steward) Vishal Singh (church steward) Bathany Finnegan (church steward) stephen Appl8h (Church representallve) Peter Chapman l¢hurch representative) John Clarkson (church represenlativel Brenda de Souza (church representative) Aan Langford (church representative) Rlchard Langford (church representative) Angela M8rloram (Church representatlvel Terry Rowell (church represenlatlv8} The Church's slatutory particulars are as follows: Full name.. Wesley Methodist Church Maln communication address.. Wesley Melhodlst Church. Queen's Road, Readlng RG1 4BW Charity registered number: 1134691 Dale ot registration as Charity.. 8 March 2010 Independent examiner: Mrs Christine Holland, 9 Ellerton Close, Theale, Reading RG7 5QN Bankers: HSBC Bank plc. including an account through the Central Flnance Board of the Methodlst Church. The Church is part of the Basingstoke & Reading Circuit, which is part of the Southampton District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Wesley Melhodisl Church has been at the centre of the community since its establishment in 1873. We are a thriving congregation represenling a wide range of ages, background5 and ethnicities. committed to worshipping tC*3ether and serving our communities in the best way we can. Our core purpose Is th8 furtherance of the Christian faith through the provision of regular public acts of worship which are open to members 8nd non-membeT$ alike. We do this through a lively and supportlve programme of worship on Sundays and at other times of the week. through sermons, courses of Bible study, music and singing, prayer and small group fellowships for people of all ages and backgrounds. We supp)rt our members and those who see us as th8lr splritual home through pasloral work and prayer. Practical manifeslations of Ihls Include extendlng friendship lo those who come to us, and vlsiling and praylng for members of the congregation. We also commlt to 8UPPOrting other groups who use our building and to maklng links with others. both in our lo¢al area and internatlonally. We do this by providing space for groups, and by providing financial support to other charllies. Our membershlp is about 150. and various other peo8 vlslt the church regu18dy. Tho followlng 1$ our vl8lon and purpo80: We lieVe In a lovlng God who came into our wortd in the person of Jesus Christ to bring us lo himself. In hi$ life and teaching Jesus showèd us the best way to live. On the cross he died in our place, offering us Ihe free gift of forgiveness and a new slart. By rising from the dead, he assures us of eternal life. In his daily presence with us through Ihe Holy Spirit he glves meaning and direction lo our1Sves. The Trustees conflrm that the Church Is a publlc benefit entty. Achlovoments and porforniance: During 2022-2023 we have carried out the following activities.. Contlnued our famlly worshlp on Sundays throughout the year In church. Including Junlor Church. The congregatlon has grown over the past year. Continued lo provide online worship for those who are unable to meet in person in church. The numbers engaging wtlh these services still make it worihwhile to do this. Planned and carried out a programme lo celebrate the 150th anniversary of the church's found8tion, lasting from December 2022 to October 2023, induding.. Publication of a history of the church Photographlc and art exhibitions o An open day as part of the town's Herltage Weekend (planned for September 20231 Invitations to previous ministers and preachers to take services. Visit of the Wice-President of the Methodist Conference In February 2023 Celebralion meal$ The making of a banner to commemorate the anniversary. Continued to use the gifts of our congregation to lead and support worshlp in church and online through music and other means. Continued our ecumenical links wth our neighbouring church StAndrews URC. including the distribuli¢)n of Easter eggs and Easter leaflets around th6 neighbouthood. and puiknng on a StreetAftamoon Tea for the Coronation.
Taken our responsibilities towards the environment seriousty by developing pdicitis in keeplng with being an Eco-church. Supported our children and young people in Junior Church by Continuing to hold in- church sessions. A group of 17 children and young people was taken to the 3Generate conference In Bimiingham in October 2022 Continued wtth the development of the 84 Queen's Road project. Phase 2 was completed Idining-room, kitchen. and asSIble ramp to maln entrance). Phase 3 (creating one main room out of 0} was started. Supported a netsvork of other voluntary groups when possible, through the provision of space, including a number of support groups for people with addictions. Continued our soNice$ for parents and babies through the Spokes parent and toddler se5s10n. Tho futuro: As part of Ihe developing work of the church we are looking at how best we can use the resources and skills of the congregation, the glft of the buildings linduding the completed 84 Queen's Road project) and the space they offer, together with th8 financial resources of the church, and to identlfy what else we should davelop to meet our objoctives as a church and key part of the community. Plans for 202312024 includo: Bringing 84 Queen's Road into full operation. Continuing joint community outreach with St Andrew's URC. Continuing to Support olher Ghurch communlties Ihraugh the use of our buildings. Supportlng othèr communlty servlee projects as well 88 conlSnulng exlstlng on8S. Including engaging with Cltizens UK. Complete the celebrations for the church's 150th anniversary. culminatirKJ in October 2023. Further develop work wlth young peotAe, includlng employing a youth mlnlster. FINANCIAL REVIEW Income and expondlturo: Church income 1$ primarily drawn from the Sunday collectlons paid by the Congregation plus the related Gift Aid tax credits, and lettlngs income paid by local communlty groups using Ihe premises. Collections and tax credlt Increased by £23201 over the prevlous yèar lo £91924 and lettings by £2176. The major expense is the assessment paid to Basingstoke & Reading Circuit. The assessment this year was £70727 compared with £68661 the previous year. The asse$$ment pays for the minlster's salary, employer p8nslon. Nl Contributions. travelling expenses and manse runnlng costs; Clr¢ult sdmlnlstratlon: and ¢ontribulions toward$ denomlnational cenlral costs. The other maln expense Is Church running costs, includlng heating and lighting. insurance and ulililies, malntenance. and Improvements. whlch amounted to £43913 this year. We were able to almost wmplete Ihe refiJrblshment of the work in 84 Queens Road during finandal year, wlth only one or two minor Items needing lo be cornpleted for tha Project to finished. Reserves policy: General funds: It is the Church's policy to have in hand sufficient to wver at least three months assessment, plus a further amount lo cover any emergencies which occur in the
short tem and other one-off payments which may arise. and to this end li will endeavour to have £32000 readily available to cover these payments General fvnds held at YE 3110812021 £119472. ReStrfet funds: No funds have been drawn from the TMCP Investrnents during the last financial year. It Is intended to Garry out work to the ground floor of 84 Queens Road for which consents have now b8en obtained. It is anticipaled that some of these funds will be used for this purpose. but it is our intention lo keep some funds in reserve for any major works that arise lo our Vtciorfan buildings which are now over 140 years old. Restrlcted funds held ot YIE 3110812021: £13666. Rovl&w of tho yoar 2022 - 2023 Overall. the year has proved very satisfactory fr¢Jm a financial point of view. Our income has increased. and we have been able to contsin expenditure to wlthln manageable Ilmlts. so that the Church is in a sound finandal position. Outllne of Wesloy Methodlst Accounts (at 31108123): TMCPA¢count £58151 CFB Deposit fund account £24028 Current a¢count balance £50959 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Wesley Melhodisl Church is a Christian organisation that is governed by the Methodlst Church Act 1976. Dotailed governan¢e arrangements are outlined in the Conslitulional PraGUGe and Disclpllne of the Methodisl Church (CPD) by order of the annual Conference. Day-ldaY management of th8 Church Is undertaken by the Church stewards along with the Mlnlster under the authorlty of the Church Councll, who 8re the Trustees. The Trustees are appointed al the Annual General Meeting of the Church. Mr Kenneth Fordjour lone of the managing tTUStees) as Treasurer overse85 the day-to-day financial management and accounting for the chUh during the year. supported by a Propgrty & Finance 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 al various meetings andlor training sessions. Rlsk managomgnt The major risks have been identified and recorded by the Trustees with professional advice taken as required. A regular annual review process is undertaken as required. Income and expenditure is reviewed and monitored against budget on a quarterly basts as part of the risk manag8ment process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. Safeguardlng The Methodist Church, along with the whole Christian community, believes that each person has a value and di9nity which comes direcuy from God's ¢reaUon in God's own image and likeness. Christians see th1$ as fuffilled by God's re-creatlon of us In Christ. Among olher
things. this implie5 a duty to value all people as bearing the Image of God and therefore to protect them from harm. Methodist Connexional pra¢lice ouuines commitrnent to the following principles: The care and nurture of. and respectful pastoral ministy with, all chlldren, young people and adults. The safeguarding and protection of all children. young people and adults when they are vulnerable. Establishing safe, caring ¢ommunilies which provide a loving environment where there Is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse. Carefully selecttng and training all those with any responsiblllty within the Chur¢h. In line with Safer Recruitment Pfinciples, including the use of criminol records disclosUS and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes. Responding without delay to every Complaint made which suggests Ihal an adult, child or young person may have been hanned, COThoperaling viith the police and local authority In any investigation. Seeking lo challenge any abuse of power. espedally by anyone in 8 posltlon of trust. Seeklng to offer pastoral care and suppor( Including supervislon and referral to the proper authorities. to any member of Cmjr Church community known to have offended against a child, young person. or vulnerable adult. In all these principles following leglslation, guidance and re¢ognl$ed good practlce. Wesley Methodl81 Church commlt8 Itself to ensuring the implementatlon of Connexional Safeguarding Pollcy. government legislation. guidance, and safe practice in the Circutt and in the churches. Wesley Methodist Church also commits itself lo the provision of supwrt. advlce 8nd trainlng for lay and ordained people that w511 ensure people are clear and confldent about their roles and rèsponslbllltles In 88f6guardlng and promotlng the welfarn of chlldren and adults who may vulnerable. Approved by the Truslees on 16th J 2024 and signed on their b8half by Slgnod: Rov. Martln Boukos Dat8 Jun• 2024 A¢countlng responslbllltles Charity law requires truslees lo prepare annual accounts that give a twe and fair view of tho $tat8 of affairyJ to the Church at thè year end and of Its financlal 8dvltle8 durlng the perlod. The Trusteès are required lo: Select suilable accounting policies and apply them prudently Make judgements and estimate5 thal are reasonable and prudenl Prepare accounts on a going concern basls unless it is Inapprorxiate to presume that th8 Church wlll ntinUe in operation. Trustees are responsible for keeplng proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial F*)SitiOTb of the Church. so that the accounts comply with the charity awounling SORP 2015. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and hen taking reasonable steps for the prevention of fraud and other irregularftles.
The Church is eDtirfed to exemption from audll under the Charities Act but is required to have an independent examination of its accounts., the Church ha5 therefore taken advantage of this exemption.