ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS For the year ondod 31 August 2025 Wosley Methodlst ChuKh. RdIng B•rk•hlr• and Hampshlrn Bordors Methodist Circuit Charfty rnglstratlon numb•r: 1134691 Mlnlst•r: Reverend Martln Beuke8 Church Treasurer. Ken[th F¢xdjour Church Tru•tW8 (at 31 Augu•t 2024):w Rev. Martin Beukes {Minister) Kenn8th Fordjour (Treasurer) Patricia Brown (Secretary) Julie Marsh IPastoral Coaordinator) Vicky Fordjour (Junior Church superintendent) Peter Frank (Chaimian, ProFerty group) Jonathan 8rown (Chaiman. Worship team) Anita Abbey-Quoye (church steward) Chris Preetham {churth steward) Tlrivashe Manhera (church steward) Vishal Singh (church steward) Bethany Finnegan (thurch steward) Serwah Mensah (church steward) Nicholas Klingaman (church steward) Stephen Appiah (church represerrtative untll December 2024) Peter Chapman (church representative) Brenda de Souza (Church repr88entatNe} Alan Langford (d)urch representative) Richard Langford {church representative) Mary Ludlow (church repre8entative) Angela Marjoram (church repffjsentative) Terry Rowell (church repreSen&1ve) The Church's statutory particulars are as follows: Full name.. Wesley Methodist Church Maln Gommunication addre88.' Wesley Methodi8t Church, Quoon'8 Road, Reading RG1 4BW Charity registered numter. 1134691 Date of registration as Charty: 8 March 2010 Independent examlner. Mrs Christine Holland. 9 Ellerton Close. Theale, Reading RG7 SQN Bankers.. HSBC Bank ¢, induding an account tlyough ts Central Finan(x Board of the Methodist Church. The Churth is part of the Berkshire and Hampshire Borders Methodigt Circuit. which is part of the Southampton District arKI is also accountable to the Methodist ConferenR.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Vlesley Methodist Church has been at the centre of the community since tts establishment in 1873. INe are a thriving congregation representing a wide range of ages, backgrounds and ethnicities, committed to worshipping together and serving our communities in the best way we can. Our core purpose is the furtherance of the Christlan faith through the provision of regular public acts of worship which are open to members and non-members alik8. We do this through a lively and supp)rtive programme of worship on Sundays and at other times of the week, through semions, courses of Bible Study, music and 8inging, prayer and small group follohipS for people of all age8 and backgrounds. We support our members and those who see us as their spirltual home through pastoral work and prayer. Pradical manifestations of this include extending fnendship to those who come to us, and visiting and praying for members of the congr8gation. We 8180 COMM to 8UPPOrting other groups who uvj our buildlng and to maklng links wlth others, both in our lo¢al area and internationally. We do this by providing space for group8. and by providing financial support to other charities. Our mambership is al)out 150, and various other people v181t the church regularfy. Th• followlng l• our vlglon and purpo80: We believe in a loving God who came into our world in the per80n of Je8ug Chrfst to bring us to himself. In his life and teaching Jesu8 showed us the best way to live. On thè cr088 he died in our place, offering us the free gift of forgiven899 and a new start. By rising from the dead he assures u3 of eternal life. In hi8 daily pr888nce wrth u6 through the Holy Spirit he give8 meaning and diredion to our live8. The Tru8tees confimi that the Church 18 a public benèfft entity. Achlovemants and p•rfomiance: During 2024-2025 we have carried out the following activrtl68.' Continued our family worship on Sundays throughoLrt thè year in church, Includlng Junior Church. The congregation continues to attract visitor8. Continued to provide online worship for those who ara unable to meet In person in church. The numbers engaging with these 8eTvices still make it worthwhile to do thi8. Continued to use the gtfts of our congregation to lead and support worship in church and online through music and other means. Supported our childr8n and young p80ple in Junior Church by continuing to hold in- church sessions. A group of children and young people was taken to the 3Generate conference in Binningham in October 2024. Taken our responsibilities towards the environment seriously by deVelong policie8 in k88ping with being an Eco£hurch. Continued our ServIS for parents and babies through the weekly pa nt and toddler $e$sion. Continued to serve our local community, thi8 year with a free Aftemoon Tea to celebrat8 the 80th anniversary of VENJ day in July 2025. Supported Churches Together in Reading by taking part in the Bed ForA Night project, which provides evening meal, bed and breakfast to homeles8 people during the wintèr months.
Continued to run a weekty Food Pantry in 84 Queen's Road in partnership wilh the Roading-based homeless charty. FAITH. Supported a network of other voluntary groups WIHI possible through th8 provision of space. including a number of support groups for people wilh addictions. Supported other local Christian organi&"ons with financial contributions. The future: As part of the developing work of the church V are looking at how best W8 can use the resources and skn.lls of the congregats"on, the gift of the buildings (induding 84 Queen'$ Road) and the space they offer, together wth the financial resou$ of the church. and to identify what else Y should develop to meet our obiecve8 as a church and a key part of the community. Plans for 2025r2026 indude: Continuing to tKing 84 Queen'8 Road into full operation. Continuing to support other church communities through the u8e of our bulldlngs. Supporting other communty Servi wojects. FINANCIAL REVIEW Income and expenditurn: Church incom? is primarily drawn from the Sunday ¢olledion8 PaKI by the congregats'on plus the related Grft Ald tax credit8, and letting8 income paKI by local communrty group8 Using tha pr•mis88. Ovor the past year, collections and tax credrt8 decreased by £12766 over the previous year to £83657. and letb'ng8 showed a small decr8a88 of £179 to £39868. Th8 major expense 18 the assessment Paid to Basingstoke & Reading Circuit. The a8se88ment thi8 year was £79524 compared wth £76653 the prewou8 y8ar. The assessment pays for the mini8ter'8 salary, employer pon8ion. Nl contribution8, travelling expenses and manse running costs,. Circurt admini8trats'on', and contribution8 towards denomlnational central costs. The other main expen is Church Nnning costs, including heating and ligming. Insurance and utilities, maintenance and improvements, which amounted to £63702. on ovarall increase of £25674. Re••rvM pollcy: Ggnoral fund•: It is tho Church's policy to have in hand sufficient to cover at least three monlh8 assessment, plu6 a further amount to cover any emergencie8 whith occur in the 8hort tenn and other one-off payments whth may arise. and to this end it will endeavour to have £35,000 readily available to cover th68e payments. General funds held at YE 3110025 £74731. RestriGtsd funds: No funds have been drawn from the TMCP Inv8strnerrt8 during th8 la8t financial year. It our intention to keep in reserwe for any major works Ihal arise to our Victorian buildings whith are nw4 150 years old. Restricted funds held at YE 3110&f2024: £8386. Review of tho year 202025. The year has been a good year for the Church. with incc*ne being maintained to cover our regular outgoings and to have certain funds available to be ab to maintain our vorIan listed building.
Oulline of Wosley MethodlstAccounts (at 311081261: TMCP Account £71096 CFB DeF)OSbt fund a¢count £21466 Current account balance £70380 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Wesley MethodiBt Church is a Chrtstian organisats.on that is gov1 by the Methodist Church Act 1976. Detailed govemance arrang8m8nts are ouuined in the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Meth¢)dist ChurGh (CPD) by order of the annual Conferenc8. Day-ttrday management of the Church is undertaken by th8 Church stewards along with the Minister under the authority of the Church Council, who are the Trustees. The Trust888 are appointed at the Annual General Meeting of the Church. Mr Kenneth Fordjour (one of the managing trustee$) as Treasurer over8ee8 the day-to4ay financial management and accounting for the Church during the year, supported by a Property & Finance group Ghaired by Mr Peter Frank. A rang8 of guidance produced by the MethcJist Connexion to support the effective running of the church and the role of the Trustees is given to the Church Trugtees at various meetings andlor training se8slon8. Risk manag•m•nt The major rfsks have been identlfied and recorded by the Tru8t888 With wofe88ional advice taken as required. A regular annual review process Is undertaken as required. Income and expenditure is reviewed and monit¢xed against 1Xet on a quarterly basis as part of the ri8k management proce88 to avoid unfor88een calls on re8erm. Saf•gu•rdlng The Methodi6t Church, along with the wholé Christian communty. t)elieves that each person has a value and dignity which comes directly from God's creation in God's own imag8 and likenes8. Christians see this a8 fuffilled by God's re<reation of us in Christ. Among other things, this implies a duty to value all people 88 bearirvJ the image of God and therefore to protect them from ham). Methodist Connexional practi fxffjines commitment to follty¥ing principle8.' The care and nurture of. and resp8cttul pastrxal minmty wlth. all chiklren, young people and adulis. The safeguarding and proteGtion of all Ghiklren. young people and adutts when they are vulnerable. Establishing safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is infornied vigilance as to th8 daNJers of abuse. Carefully selecting and training all those with any responsibilty within th8 Chureh, in line with Safer Recruitnient wnrjples. induding the use of criminal record8 disdosur88 and registration with th8 relevant vetting arKJ barring schemes. Responding wthout delay to every Complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been ham)ed. ctropering with the police and local authority in any investigation.
Seeking to ¢halleng8 any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust. Seeking to i)ffer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authoritias. to any member of our Church community known to have offended against a chlld, young person or vulnerable adutt. In all these principles following18gislation, guidance and recognised good practice. Wesley Methodist Church commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy, govemment legislation, guidance and safe practice in the Gircurt and in the churches. Wesley Methodist Church also commtts itself to the provision of support, advlce and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure péople are clear and confident about their role8 and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and gdults who may b8 vulnerable. Approved by the Twstees on f June 2026 and slgnod on thelr behaff by Slgned.. Rov. Martl 8•uk•• D8t8.' 7th June 2026 Accountlng re•pon•lblllll•• Charity law r8quir88 truBtee8 to prepare annual accounts that give a true and fair view of the State of affairs to the Church at the year end and of rts financial activiti88 during the p8riod. The Trustees are required to.. Select sultable accountlng pollcles and apply them prudently Mak8 judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent Prepare account8 on a going concem basis unEe88 it is inappropriate to presume thal the Church wlll contlnue in operation. Tru$t8e8 ara responsible for keeping prop8r accounting r8cord8 that disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Church, so that the account8 comply with the charity accounting SORP 201 S. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and hence for taking r8a80nable steps for the prevention of fraud and other irr8gularitie8. The Church 18 entilled to exemptlon from audrt under the Charitie8 Ad but is required to have an ind8P8ndent examination of Its accounts,. the Church has therefore taken advantsge of this exemption.