## **Rustington Methodist Church** ## **Trustees Report for the year ending 31[st] August 2023** ## **1.0 Aims and Purposes** Our mission is to affirm God’s presence, proclaim God’s love and demonstrate God’s action. We aim to achieve this by developing worship, social outreach activities that currently exist, and by seeking new ways to extend the fellowship of the Church family. We endorse the understanding of the Methodist Church in Great Britain that the church exists for: - **Worship:** to increase awareness of God’s presence and to celebrate God’s love. - **Learning and Caring** : to help people to learn and grow as Christians, through mutual support and care. - **Service** : to be a good neighbour to people in need and challenge injustice. - **Evangelism** : to make more followers of Jesus Christ. ## **2.0 Objectives and activities** In partnership with others wherever possible, Rustington Methodist Church will concentrate its prayers, resources, imagination and commitments on this priority: To proclaim and affirm its conviction of God’s love in Christ, for us and for all the world; and renew confidence in God’s presence and action in the world and in the Church. In setting our objectives and planning our activities the Church Council meets at least four times a year under the leadership of the presbyter in pastoral charge. The work of the Church Council is delegated to a variety of teams and working parties including the Church Stewards, Resources (Property and Finance) Committee, Pastoral Committee and Safeguarding . ## **3.0 Achievements and performance** The Church funds and grants made to other bodies are all detailed in the Church accounts. In the course of the year Rustington Methodist Church has provided regular acts of public worship on Sundays and other significant days of the Christian year, and joined with Rustington Churches Together to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Lent and a walk of witness on Good Friday. It has joined with other churches in the West Sussex (Coast and Downs) Circuit to bid farewell to ministers, and to celebrate other Christian festivals. The Church makes its premises available to the wider community, and community groups meet on the premises on a weekly basis. Worship services have been held at 9.30 and 10.45. On most Sundays one of the services was live streamed/available as a recording online. The Church Preschool has continued to operate throughout. The church has a system of Pastoral Care based on a team of volunteer Pastoral Visitors, and both formal and informal pastoral networks operate effectively. The Link magazine has been published at intervals throughout the year. It has also been available online. ## **3.1 Plans for future years** Rustington Methodist Church is part of the West Sussex (Coast and Downs) Circuit. The Church Council - Encourages initiatives for mission in the community Supports Churches Together in Rustington Ensures that all those required to do so attend appropriate safeguarding and EDI training. ## **4.0 Financial Review** Please see the accompanying accounts. There were no significant events. The Managing Trustees have every reason to believe that the Church is a going concern. Trustees do not foresee any factors that will significantly affect the financial performance or position in the next year or two. The church holds no freehold property. The church’s principal sources of funds are from the free-will gifts of the members of the congregation, lettings and donations from groups and from fund-raising events. ## **4.1 Investment policy and performance** To comply with Methodist Standing Orders, monies for long-term investment are lodged with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP). These sums are invested in unitised investments or held on deposit. The investment returns are close to tracking the movements on the FTSE100 index. The deposit mirrors the deposit rates available elsewhere. The Managing Trustees’ investment policy is aligned with that of the CFB and TMCP because these organisations take into consideration the social, environmental and ethical considerations, both negatively and positively, that make investments suitable for the Methodist Church. Short term deposits are lodged directly with the Central Finance Board (CFB) and attract the normal current rate of interest. ## **4.2 Reserves Level and policy** Please see the accompanying Reserves level and policy agreed by the Church Council. ## **5.0 Trustees’ Responsibilities** For each financial year ending on 31st August the Managing Trustees are required to prepare financial statements that give a true and fair view of the Church’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing these financial statements the Managing Trustees must: Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent Follow applicable accounting standards Prepare accounts to Charity Commission standards using The Methodist Church Standard Form of Accounts The Managing Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the church and enables them to ensure that financial statements comply with the law. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. ## **5.1 Risk** The Church is largely risk averse. ## **6.0 Structure, governance and management** The Church is governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976, the Deed of Union and the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church. ## **6.1 Structure** Rustington Methodist Church is part of the West Sussex (Coast and Downs) Circuit. As such it is represented on the Circuit Meeting which meets four times a year. The Methodist Conference meets once each year as the supreme denominational body for all Methodist Churches. 1. Overall regulatory authority rests with the Methodist Conference. 2. The Connexional Office implements decisions made by the Conference and is responsible for the stationing of presbyters and deacons (collectively known as ministers) in individual Circuits within the District. 3. Connexional decisions are passed to the Chair of the District and the appropriate officers of the District for implementation. 4. The District passes these down to the Circuit Meeting for implementation by the Superintendent Minister, ministerial staff and Circuit Stewards, and authority is delegated to Circuit Meeting for certain matters. 5. The Circuit Meeting passes regulatory control down to Church Councils for local implementation by the presbyter, the Church Stewards, and other officers, and this regulatory control is then exercised by the Church Councils as Managing Trustees of their charity. ## 6.2 Purpose of the Church The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the date of union the advancement of: a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church, and b) Any charitable purposes for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit, local or other organisation of the Methodist Church, and, c) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society, or institution subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church, and d) Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a subsidiary or ancillary of the Methodist Church. The primary purpose of Rustington Methodist Church is to advance the Christian faith by providing opportunities for worship, Christian nurture and fellowship within the wider Rustington Community. ## 6.3 Governance The Church operates within a statutory framework of regulation and seeks to ensure that it follows Methodist Standing Orders. It relies on the Connexional Office at 25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR to provide guidance on changes that could affect the Church. The members of the Church Council are appointed under the terms of S.O. 610(2). The Superintendent is ex officio chair of the Church Council but may delegate this task to other presbyters in the Circuit. The Church Council normally meets four times per year and deals with routine and exceptional matters. It oversees the work of other groups within the life of the Church. ## 6.4 Responsibilities of the Church Council The responsibilities of the Church Council and other committees are set out in Standing Orders 603 – 604 of the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church. 7.0 Reference and Administrative Details 7.1 Name of the Church: Rustington Methodist Church 7.2 Charity Registration number: Our charity registration number is 1134885 7.3 Superintendent Minister The Revd Rosemarie E G Clarke Presbyter in Pastoral Charge The Revd Rosemarie E G Clarke 7.4 Names of Managing Trustees (in y/e 31/8/23) Mrs Brigette Alexander _(from 26/10/22)_ Mrs Dorothy Benison _(from 23/4/23)_ Mrs Sue Bingham Mr John Bishop Mrs Marian Clacher _(from 23/4/23)_ Mr Alan Clarke _(until 27/6/23)_ Mrs Christine Clarke. Revd Rosemarie E G Clarke Mrs Sue Cooper Mr Colin Fraser Mrs Ruth Fraser _(until 23/4/23)_ Mr Patrick Khoo _(until 23/4/23)_ Mrs Mary Lax _(from 23/4/23)_ Mr Ken Marshall Rev Frank Okai-Sam Ms Carole Pickworth Mrs Mollie Priest _(until 11/7/23)_ Dr Rebecca Richards Mr Simon Richards Mrs Joan Salmon Mrs Karen Scrivens _(from 26/10/22)_ Mr Robert Slatter Mrs Elizabeth Slatter Mrs Verena Thrift Mrs Paula Trahern Mrs Pam Warren _(until 23/4/23)_ Mrs Ann Waters 7 **.** 5 Independent Examiner Mr Steven R Trigg ACMA, CGMA of Trigg Accountancy _March 2024_ CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Rustington Melhlxlist Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2023 West Sussex (Coast & Downsl Circuit Circuit no. 3618 Registered Charity - Charity Registration number 11348885 If not a registered charity Her Majestys Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number (rhe HMRC number is equivalent to a wistered chanty number in terms of evidence of charitable status and rnay be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in Engtand and Wales that are not registered chanties are excepted from registratson under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242) Minister.. Rev Rosemarie aaine Ga e Clarke Church Stewards.. Mrs Elizabeth Slatter Mfs Susan Bingham Mrs Christine Clarke Mrs Susan Coop Mr Patrick Kh(x) MTS Pamela Warren Treasurer.. Mr Robert Slatter SOFA Part Compleated 2023 1&11-23 1 of5 ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGLIST 2023 Rustington Methodist Church Unl￿triCted Restricted Totals th5$ FuTrJ5 Funds Totals last SECTION A 81 RECEIPTS Note a2 Offerin s and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investment incom8 68,762 68,762 72,805 a3 5.359 6.953 30.594 111.668 377 84 Lettin 6,953 30.594 111,668 2,965 35,527 111,674 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS a6 {a7) SECTION b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circurt Assessment or Share 74.685 74,685 2,650 16,334 76,093 3.900 Donations 2.650 Re airs and Maintenance UtiITtes Ilnsurances, watef charges, heating & Ivjhting) 16.334 5,774 8.855 8055 7,090 b7 Other paymerits TOTAL PAYMENTS 30.721 133,245 30.721 133.245 38,185 131,042 Ib91 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMETrThS FOR THE YEAR c1 a64>8 21,57 21A77 19,368 Total funds brought fO￿ard from last year 210,006 210,006 ¢6 229,374 c3 Sub tolal c1+c2 188,429 188.429 210,006 c4 Transfers and ad"ustments c7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c41 188,429 188.429 (¢81 210,006 Ic61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND p￿SsED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (these amounts afo not to be included in totsl reeeiptslpayments r￿ur¢S above d1 Balance bTOU hl for¥vard from last ar d2 Offerin sIGrfts- received for external or anrsalions 1.982 2,735 d3 Off8ringslGifts - pa55ed to extemal OTgonwti"ons 1.982 2,735 d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID {d1+d2-d3> 2ofS SOFA 2V22-Ll PriWSi￿ll￿ 29-1-24 Rustin on Methodist Churth TSA DINTERNALORGAMSATlC￿ R SEGTION E Pl•aie Idlr•wthe da thi SurnmaryofthvChur(* acc[￿￿18 forthp fftr Enitfd 31 AugUSt202J and Int￿31 (kganisakn r¥￿￿￿to1heChurCkn vrttir¥J Nfrtè thatthofutmts of IntsFnal (￿ris8￿0n *wld ncrmaly be Re5trKted funds itryxdd ih*llwGryJd ysod for Wvjdlstww section rnu5t bo com￿•￿010 aiiive *thè gross inc(Knè and @xpenditure torais ￿tree￿jrC￿. WgrOssY￿0MeexC¢ed5thè￿uua1sthresho￿J, thw theAccruals mBttui accountillgAND A￿FFERENT FORM nu5t be used Fl*asè refertrJth&guidance rntes fe4arding transkr5 between tr¢ Lhsl%t•nd ¢Mnthd Cistrict Organ￿at￿)￿S. INTERNAL ORGANLSATK)NS Nei R¥wM5J b*ion¢ Cknsi balwK95 Rascals Pre4chod Oiou 82J73 13.923 83.181 .258 Mod Mums 1228 1.375 14 1A31 Ste Slones 2.19S Subtotsl ofinterThal nisabonsfrjnds 86.561 1C¥).I 13.574 88.511 •11 71937 ¢12 Church xcounts Itoials brought forward Irom paoe 2-totals colurnn} 111.688 {a71 133246 Ib91 ZI0.006 188.429 el Y CHUItCH 198.22> 233.380 136.1511 298.S17 281A66 Continue on a separats 5he£t rf ￿￿ryt￿ bringtr* TOTAL RECEIPT5 TOTAL PAYPIENTS SECTION F LLIBILITIES OPE141 CLOSINO NGES RGH_GASH FIN4D$ MELOa131 August2023 Cash In hand 110 Bonk Current Account 13.767 11.870 Bank D6 ItA¢coMt 4.782 t4 Cantr¥l Financ8 PA￿rd 458 TTus*èsfoT PlÈtW¢i Church 188.9X) 171,409 Clhtyi fvnd5 SVB TOTAL- h ¥counts 0.006 (¢6) 188,429 1¢8 Totsllur￿s held by Intotn* Oroantsatyor6 (tho ￿l￿n5&tO￿l from abovo)10121 a6.511 72,937 0121 TOTALCASH FUNDS HELO BY CHURCH 296,517 261,366 SECTItJY G 31 Augu5t21r23 OTHERA5SETS ¥nd LIAWLm£S In￿40 Land & BullthrvJs Iste rnt8 21,57 21A77 19,368 Total funds brought fO￿ard from last year 210,006 210,006 ¢6 229,374 c3 Sub tolal c1+c2 188,429 188.429 210,006 c4 Transfers and ad"ustments c7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c41 188,429 188.429 (¢81 210,006 Ic61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND p￿SsED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (these amounts afo not to be included in totsl reeeiptslpayments r￿ur¢S above d1 Balance bTOU hl for¥vard from last ar d2 Offerin sIGrfts- received for external or anrsalions 1.982 2,735 d3 Off8ringslGifts - pa55ed to extemal OTgonwti"ons 1.982 2,735 d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID {d1+d2-d3> 2ofS SOFA 2V22-Ll PriWSi￿ll￿ 29-1-24 Rustin on Methodist Churth TSA DINTERNALORGAMSATlC￿ R SEGTION E Pl•aie Idlr•wthe da thi SurnmaryofthvChur(* acc[￿￿18 forthp fftr Enitfd 31 AugUSt202J and Int￿31 (kganisakn r¥￿￿￿to1heChurCkn vrttir¥J Nfrtè thatthofutmts of IntsFnal (￿ris8￿0n *wld ncrmaly be Re5trKted funds itryxdd ih*llwGryJd ysod for Wvjdlstww section rnu5t bo com￿•￿010 aiiive *thè gross inc(Knè and @xpenditure torais ￿tree￿jrC￿. WgrOssY￿0MeexC¢ed5thè￿uua1sthresho￿J, thw theAccruals mBttui accountillgAND A￿FFERENT FORM nu5t be used Fl*asè refertrJth&guidance rntes fe4arding transkr5 between tr¢ Lhsl%t•nd ¢Mnthd Cistrict Organ￿at￿)￿S. INTERNAL ORGANLSATK)NS Nei R¥wM5J b*ion¢ Cknsi balwK95 Rascals Pre4chod Oiou 82J73 13.923 83.181 .258 Mod Mums 1228 1.375 14 1A31 Ste Slones 2.19S Subtotsl ofinterThal nisabonsfrjnds 86.561 1C¥).I 13.574 88.511 •11 71937 ¢12 Church xcounts Itoials brought forward Irom paoe 2-totals colurnn} 111.688 {a71 133246 Ib91 ZI0.006 188.429 el Y CHUItCH 198.22> 233.380 136.1511 298.S17 281A66 Continue on a separats 5he£t rf ￿￿ryt￿ bringtr* TOTAL RECEIPT5 TOTAL PAYPIENTS SECTION F LLIBILITIES OPE141 CLOSINO NGES RGH_GASH FIN4D$ MELOa131 August2023 Cash In hand 110 Bonk Current Account 13.767 11.870 Bank D6 ItA¢coMt 4.782 t4 Cantr¥l Financ8 PA￿rd 458 TTus*èsfoT PlÈtW¢i Church 188.9X) 171,409 Clhtyi fvnd5 SVB TOTAL- h ¥counts 0.006 (¢6) 188,429 1¢8 Totsllur￿s held by Intotn* Oroantsatyor6 (tho ￿l￿n5&tO￿l from abovo)10121 a6.511 72,937 0121 TOTALCASH FUNDS HELO BY CHURCH 296,517 261,366 SECTItJY G 31 Augu5t21r23 OTHERA5SETS ¥nd LIAWLm£S In￿40 Land & BullthrvJs Iste rnt