Farnworth & Worsley Methodist Circuit (Registered Charity No. 1135135)
ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24
Introduction by the Superintendent Minister, the Rev. Darren Garfield
snapshot of our life together – things that reflect the values of Our Calling and the PrioriEes of the Methodist Church: worship, learning and caring, service and evangelism.
welcome Revd Stuart Smith to our circuit team in September 2024, bringing new insights, energy, and ministry to our shared work. And for myself, aNer many years of service in this circuit, I will be moving on in August 2025. It has been a privilege to journey alongside so many faithful people, through changing seasons and changing faces. Over the years I have seen colleagues come and go, churches adapt and evolve, and our shared ministry conEnually renewed by the Spirit at work among us.
Together, we have navigated some profoundly challenging Emes—not least the lockdowns and disconnecEon of the COVID-19 pandemic, which required great creaEvity and care from all of us. And we certainly stepped up! Our congregaEons are smaller now in many places, and resources oNen stretched, but what remains undiminished is our calling to be a people of hope, of presence, of love.
bringing together five former districts into a new enEty, bringing new possibiliEes. This restructuring has brought its own share of meeEngs, governance processes, and administraEve demands. At Emes, it can feel like our calendar is dominated by systems and structures. But even in the busyness of circuit life, we must never lose sight of our deeper vocaEon: to worship God, to care for one another, to serve our communiEes, and to share the good news of Christ.
We remain commi]ed to seeking fresh expressions of Church, to being shaped by God, and to listening closely to what the Spirit is saying to the Church today. We are not just a collecEon of buildings or commi]ees, but a travelling community of faith. We are thankful for everyone in our circuit, for all the dedicated lay people—stewards, preachers, officers, Sunday school teachers, and more—whose giNs and generosity sustain the life of our churches.
In all that we do, may we conEnue to make space for God and for one another. May we never forget the joy of the journey we share.
“So every day we’re on our way, for we’re a travelling, wandering race called the people of God.”
Take care,
(June 2025)
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Aims and Organisation
The charity objective is to act as a resource provider within the Farnworth & Worsley area for the Methodist Church.
The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Union (1932) the advancement of:
a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and 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 to The Methodist Church
The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non-members alike.
The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups.
The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved.
Taking religious assemblies in local schools.
Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services.
Activities
The Circuit produces a quarterly preaching plan to ensure regular acts of worship take place at each of the eight churches in the Circuit’s geographical area. These were led by the Circuit’s ordained ministers, including a supernumerary presbyter, local preachers or visiting ministers from other Circuits and denominations.
All the Circuit’s ministers are involved in community work, including community cohesion and inter-faith groups and Churches Together groups relevant to the Circuit’s various geographical areas.
Ministers are involved in schools work, including leading assemblies and being governors/chaplains. There are two Methodist primary schools located in the Circuit with which the Circuit has close links.
We employ a part-time Circuit Administrator who manages the Circuit’s administration, including the website and electronic newsletters as well as keeping minutes of meetings.
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In September 2023 members of the Circuit Leadership Team arranged an “awayday” facilitated by the Methodist Church Learning Network to reflect on the Circuit’s priorities for the coming months.
Planning took place during the first months of the year for the Superintendent minister’s three-month sabbatical in March-June 2024.
Whilst the Superintendent continued his work at Bolton Mission and the Bolton & Rochdale District on two days per week, the Supernumerary presbyter resident in our Circuit took pastoral charge of three churches in the Circuit from mid-September 2023 for the remainder of the Connexional year.
Rev. Sarah Knebel was to leave the Circuit at the end of the year, and so we entered into the stationing process with a view to seeking a replacement minister to come into the Circuit from September 2024. We were successfully matched, and the Rev. Stuart Smith was appointed by Methodist Conference in June 2024 to serve in the Circuit for two years.
Members of all the churches in the Circuit took part in a visioning day in July 2024 with the theme of Our lives together in times of change .
Public Benefit
We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Financial
Circuit income is primarily drawn from the assessment paid by the Circuit churches, totalling £160012 out of a total income of £187918. £13201 of the total came in the form of additional funding from the Methodist Connexion channelled through the Bolton & Rochdale District. This was to compensate the Circuit for time spent by the Superintendent as Deputy Chair of the District and superintendent of the Bolton Mission (two days per week in total). This money was used to fund a part-time role for a Supernumerary minister (1/3 time) and additional hours for our Circuit administrator. The balance was carried forward into 2024/25 to fund additional administrative support.
Proposed assessments figures are prepared in consultation with the treasurers of the Circuit churches prior to approval by the Circuit Meeting.
Expenditure comprised principally stipends and expenses for the Circuit staff (two Presbyters) and their accommodation and running costs, together with the salary and expenses of the part-time administrator.
£39366 (22%) of the total expenditure of £179966 was the Circuit’s contribution to the District and Connexion, which helps fund the work of the wider Methodist Church.
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Expenditure on stipends increases annually in line with changes approved by the Methodist Conference. Other budget elements are adjusted to take account of anticipated expenditure needs and cost increases.
Overall, there was a surplus of £7952 overall in the year, compared with £17730 in 2022/23.
Balances, including Restricted Funds, totalled £149710 at year end. The Circuit’s policy is to hold a minimum of six months normal expenditure in reserve to meet any unforeseen items of necessary expenditure or the inability to raise the full assessment from the churches.
Safeguarding
Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of all in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s recreation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.
Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles:
• The care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults
• The safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
• The establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.
• We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes.
• We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation.
• We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
• We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
• In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice
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The Farnworth & Worsley Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy; government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches.
The Farnworth & Worsley Circuit commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable.
Structure, Governance and Management
The governing document for the circuit is the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976).
Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD).
Day to day management of the activities of the circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership team along with the Local Preachers meeting and property and finance meetings with representatives of the Circuit churches.
The Circuit is part of the Bolton & Rochdale Methodist District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The Bolton & Rochdale District will form part of the new North West England District from September 2024.
The following churches are linked to the Circuit:-
Boothstown Methodist Church Christ Church, Little Lever (Methodist URC/LEP) Kearsley Mount Methodist Church St. Catherine’s, Highfield (Anglican/Methodist LEP) Trinity Church, Farnworth Walkden Methodist Church Wharton & Clegg’s Lane Church and Community Centre, Little Hulton (Methodist/URC LEP)
Worsley Road North Methodist Church, Walkden
Basis of preparation and legal framework
The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 102. Accounts are submitted using the Methodist Church’s Standard Form of Accounts.
Full Name of Charity: Farnworth & Worsley Methodist Circuit
Registration Charity Number: 1135135
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Date of registration: 24 March 2010
Main communication address: 16 Arkholme, Worsley, Manchester M28 1ZJ
The members of the Farnworth & Worsley Methodist Circuit meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of circuit office holders, ministers and representatives appointed by the local churches.
Full membership is shown as Appendix A to this report.
Circuit Ministers and officers
Active Circuit Ministers Rev Darren Garfield Rev Sarah Knebel (to August 2024) Circuit Stewards Helen Bolton (to April 2024) Peter Irwin Gillian Dascombe Sharon Smith (from January 2024) Ian Lord Administrator: Ruth Dawson
Name of treasurer acted as the principal officer overseeing the day-to-day financial management and accounting for the circuit during the year: Ian Lord
Independent examiner: Keith Higson FCA Investment Bankers Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church purposes Day-to-day banking Royal Bank of Scotland
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Appendix A
Names of Trustees of the Charity
| Rev Darren Garfield | Superintendent Minister |
|---|---|
| Rev Sarah Knebel | Presbyter Minister |
| Rev Neville Markham | Chaplain Bolton Royal |
| Deacon Debbie Harkness | Deacon |
| Rev Pat Brown | Supernumerary Minister |
| Peter Irwin | Circuit Steward / Property Steward |
| Ian Lord | Circuit Steward / Circuit Treasurer |
| Sharon Smith | Circuit Steward |
| Graham Bone | Local Preachers Secretary |
| Alan Nuttall | Local Preachers Rep |
| Joan Marshall | Circuit Rep to Connexion Funds |
| Lee O’Neill | JMA Secretary |
| Rosemary Young | MWiB Rep |
| Edna Sate | Boothstown MC Church Steward |
| Joe Sate | Boothstown MC Church Steward |
| Wynn Nuttall | Christ Church Elder |
| Alan Hartley | Christ Church Treasurer |
| Susan Beswick | Christ Church Rep |
| Dorothy Holland | Christ Church Rep |
| Ann Stephenson | Christ Church Rep |
| Sheila Briggs | KMMC Steward |
| Wendy Witts | KMMC Rep |
| Andrew Gibbons | St Catherine’s Church Warden / Treasurer |
| Joy Fairbrother | St Catherine’s Rep |
| Christine Hotchkiss | Trinity MC Treasurer |
| David Coucill | Trinity MC Rep |
| Lorraine Price | Walkden MC Steward |
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| Margaret O’Neill | Walkden MC Treasurer |
|---|---|
| Anne Bennett | Walkden MC Rep |
| Val Hancox | Walkden MC Rep |
| Keith Mann | W&CL Treasurer |
| Joan Adams | W&CL Steward |
| Margaret Rothwell | W&CL Rep |
| Susan Taylor | Worsley Road North Steward |
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CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS
Farnworth & Worsley
Circuit
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024
| District Bolton & Rochdale |
Circuit no | 6/3 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Charity - Charity Registration number | ||
| 1135135 |
If not a registered charity His Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number
(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242 )
Ministers:
Rev. Darren Garfield
Rev. Sarah Knebel
Circuit Stewards:
Peter Irwin
Gillian Dascombe Sharon Smith Ian Lord
Treasurer:
Ian Lord
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| ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 | ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 | ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 | ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 | ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 | ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 | Farnworth & Worsley | Farnworth & Worsley | Farnworth & Worsley | Circuit | Circuit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SECTION A | £ £ Un - restricted Funds Circuit Model Trust Fund |
£ Restricted Funds |
£ 160,012 4,121 13,201 10,584 Totals this year |
£ Totals last year |
||||||
| a1 | RECEIPTS | Note | ||||||||
| a2 | Assessment/Share | 160,012 | 160,012 | 183,289 | ||||||
| a3 | Capital receipts | |||||||||
| a4 | Bank and CFB interest and Investment income |
3,209 | 912 | 4,121 | 2,486 | |||||
| a5 | Grants | 13,201 | 13,201 | 13,318 | ||||||
| a6 | Other receipts | 10,534 | 50 | 10,584 | 5,236 | |||||
| a7 | TOTAL RECEIPTS | 186,956 | 912 | 50 | **187,918 ** | (a8) | 204,329 | |||
| SECTION B | 96,055 15,676 18,529 39,336 1,258 9,112 |
|||||||||
| b1 | PAYMENTS | |||||||||
| b2 | Stipends, salaries, NIC, Pension and travel costs |
96,055 | 96,055 | 113,202 | ||||||
| b3 | Manse Costs | 15,676 | 15,676 | 16,035 | ||||||
| b4 | Administration etc | 18,529 | 18,529 | 10,512 | ||||||
| b5 | District Assessment | 39,336 | 39,336 | 37,368 | ||||||
| b6 | Grants & donations | 1,258 | 1,258 | 806 | ||||||
| b7 | ||||||||||
| b8 | Otherpayments | 8,488 | 624 | 9,112 | 8,676 | |||||
| b9 | TOTAL PAYMENTS | 179,342 | 624 | **179,966 ** | (b9) | 186,599 | ||||
| 7,952 | ||||||||||
| SECTION C | ||||||||||
| c1 | NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR |
(a7-b9) | 7,614 | 288 | 50 | 7,952 | ||||
| c2 | Total funds brought forward from lastyear | 113,621 | 17,279 | 10,857 | 141,758 | (c6) | 124,028 | |||
| 149,710 | ||||||||||
| c3 | Sub total (c1+c2) |
121,235 | 17,568 | 10,907 | 149,710 | |||||
| c4 | Transfers and adjustments | (c7) | ||||||||
| c5 | TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4) |
121,235 | 17,568 | 10,907 | **149,710 ** | (c8) | **141,758 ** | (c6) |
| SECTION D | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| d | FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (these amounts should not be included in total receipts/payments above) Offerings/Gifts -passed to external organisations BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1 + d2 - d3) Offerings/Gifts - received for external organisations Balance brought forward from lastyear |
||
| d1 | Balance brought forward from lastyear | ||
| d2 | Offerings/Gifts - received for external organisations | ||
| d3 | Offerings/Gifts -passed to external organisations | ||
| d4 | BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1 + d2 - d3) |
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Farnworth & Worsley
Circuit
SUMMARY OF CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATION REPORTING TO THE CIRCUIT MEETING
SECTION E Please follow the Guidance Notes to complete this page Summary of the Circuit accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Circuit Meeting. Note that the funds of an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be completed to arrive at the gross receipts and payments totals of the Circuit. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold of £250,000, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the Circuit and connected Circuit Organisations.
| SECTION E | SECTION E | SECTION E | SECTION E | SECTION E | SECTION E | SECTION E | SECTION E | SECTION E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary of the Circuit accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Circuit Meeting. Note that the funds of an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be completed to arrive at the gross receipts and payments totals of the Circuit. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold of £250,000, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the Circuit and connected Circuit Organisations. |
|||||||||
| INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS |
Net Receipts/ Payments |
Adjustments | Opening balances |
Closingbalances | |||||
| e1 | |||||||||
| e2 | |||||||||
| e3 | |||||||||
| e4 | |||||||||
| e5 | |||||||||
| e6 | |||||||||
| e7 | |||||||||
| e8 | Sub total of Internal Organisations funds |
(e11) | (e12) | ||||||
| e9 | Circuit accounts (totals brought forward from page 2 - totals column) |
7,952 | (c7) | 141,758 | (c6) | 149,710 | (c8) | ||
| e10 | TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CIRCUIT |
7,952 | **141,758 ** | (x) | **149,710 ** | (y) | |||
| SECTION F |
SECTION F
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| SECTION F STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES |
SECTION F STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIRCUIT - CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 August 2024 | OPENING BALANCES |
CLOSING BALANCES |
||||
| f1 | Cash in hand | |||||
| f2 | BankCurrentAccount | 62,653 | 56,243 | |||
| f3 | Bank DepositAccount | |||||
| f4 | Central FinanceBoard | 11,802 | 23,173 | |||
| f5 | Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes | 67,302 | 70,294 | |||
| f6 | Other funds | |||||
| f7 | SUB TOTAL | **141,758 ** | (c6) | 149,710 | (c8) | |
| f8 | Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing balance totals above) (e12) |
(e11) | (e12) | |||
| f9 | TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CIRCUIT | **141,758 ** | (x) | 149,710 | (y) | |
| SECTION G | At | At | ||||
| OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES Loan(s)-showamount outstanding at yearend Land andBuildings (seenotesreInsurancevalue) Other Assets Other Liabilities Investments (includeEndowments) |
1 September 2023 1,021,850 |
31 August 2024 1,061,548 |
||||
| g1 | Investments (includeEndowments) | |||||
| g2 | Land andBuildings (seenotesreInsurancevalue) | 1,021,850 | 1,061,548 | |||
| g3 | Other Assets | |||||
| g4 | Loan(s)-showamount outstanding at yearend | |||||
| g5 | Other Liabilities |
f4 Include only Funds held at the Central Finance Board
f5 Include only CFB Funds held at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
g1 Include any other investments (not the cash element of TMCP trust accounts this is inserted in line f5)
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Name of Circuit …Farnworth & Worsley No 6/3
Declarations and Scrutiny
I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2024 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit meeting.
Signature of treasurer ……I.C.Lord……………………………………… Date 25 February 2025
Name and address of treasurer Ian Lord
…………………………………………………………………………………. Post Code
Presentation to the Circuit meeting
I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 were ~~/will be*~~
presented to the Circuit meeting held on 10 March 2025
Signature of the Chair of the meeting ……D.Garfield…………………………………………
Name of the Chair of the meeting Rev Darren Garfield Date 10 March 2025
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the
Farnworth & Worsley Circuit
Charity Number 1135135
Responsibilities and basis of report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Farnworth & Worsleyt Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2024 set out on pages 2 to 3. As the Circuit’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Circuit’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
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Name of Circuit Farnworth & Worsley No 6/3
Independent Examiner’s Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below*) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
I have/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.
Signature of independent examiner ……K.Higson……………………………………………….
Name of independent examiner ………Keith Higson………………………………………………….
Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner ……FCA-ICAEW…………
Name of firm (where appropriate) ………………………………………………………………………
Address …………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………….. Post Code ………………
Date …19 May 2025………………………………………
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