The **Peterborough** Circuit of Churches ## **Annual Report of the Trustees of the Peterborough Methodist Circuit for the church year 1st Sept 2020 to 31st August 2021** (Registered Charity No 1135613) Produced by the Peterborough Circuit of the Methodist Church Circuit Office, Brookside Methodist Church, Gunthorpe Road, Peterborough PE4 7TG Email: pborocircuitoffice@gmail.com Tel: (01733) 328192 - **Our Mission Statement** - “The Peterborough Methodist Circuit aims to be the people of God within our communities, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and showing God’s love through worship, witness and service.” We seek to discover the needs of contemporary society and respond to it; working with our ecumenical partners towards creating relationships within the communities and sharing the word of God with those around us. We are seeking to utilise and ensure the abilities and skills of lay people fully in the Circuit and encourage others to explore and offer themselves for service at all levels as equal partners in our work. **Our vision statement for our children’s and young people’s ministry** ‘Providing loving and caring ministries that children and young people may come to know Jesus Christ’ 1 |**Trustees during the year**|**Trustees during the year**| |---|---| |Revd Langley Mackrell-Hey (Chair)|Jo Marshall-Sully| |Giles Armstrong|Laura Martin| |Philip Assensoh|Valerie Octon| |George Barber|Revd David Parkes| |Sarah Bereznyckyj|Janet Rich| |Heather Black|Cathy Ruffles| |Sue Gage|Margaret Smith| |Elizabeth Gee|Revd Vivienne Smith| |Michael Goodman|Revd Douglas Stevens| |Revd Sarah Gower|Simon Stewart| |Susan Halford|Monica Sturgess| |John Hewitson|Ann Tooth| |Sue Holmes|Revd Graham Tooth| |Trevor Howlett|Denise Watson| |Paul Hutchings|Elizabeth White| |Sue Keeney|David Whiting| |Christine Kell|Nicky Ward| |Sarah Kelly|Peter Williams| |Nigel Lightfoot|| ## **1 Our Circuit** - 1.1 Encompassing the heart of Peterborough and extending into three counties – Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire - we minister in the city, in towns, and in villages. There are 13 churches in the Peterborough Circuit and one of these churches (Yarwell), is an Anglican Church, and Methodist ministers or Local Preachers lead the service there once a month. The Yarwell congregation is a class of Elton and receives support from the congregation there. Three of the churches: Whittlesey, Westgate New Church and Christ Church are Local Ecumenical Partnership’s (LEPs). We have seen great things by working in partnership with other denominations. We have a heart for nurturing and shaping disciples. We are deeply committed to evangelism and social outreach. - 1.2 Trustees of the Circuit Meeting met four times during the year: In September 2020 and in January, April and June 2021. Our Circuit Meeting Devotions are a great source of inspiration and learning and, this year, they were led by: Our Superintendent Minister, Revd Langley, using prayers from the Iona Community; and by three Local Preachers on ‘Unity’, on ‘Mental Health’ and on _‘_ Climate Awareness’. Three of these meetings were held via Zoom due to the Covid-19 safety regulations. 2 ## **New Ways of working** The Coronavirus still being present has forced us to continue to work differently as a Circuit. We have again responded well to the many challenges we have encountered and our report shows how we have adapted our ways of working, and put on new and different services and activities in a variety of creative ways. Everyone has stepped up, learned new skills and embraced all kinds of technology, often surprising themselves, and gaining confidence along the way. Although most of our churches reopened by Easter Sunday, Westgate New Church (WNC) and Yaxley opened later in the year. These churches have a particular struggle due to the shape of the building in terms of mitigating risk and the availability of people. In the second lockdown, many preachers, quite rightly, said they did not feel confident in going out or felt more comfortable to remain local, and some had ill health. This did present some challenges in covering appointments on the Preaching Plan, but some of the churches eased out of lockdown through alternate weeks and that worked well. As preachers felt more secure and as the vaccine rolled out, some preachers were able to offer more. Our emphasis on the Plan was in encouraging the churches to retain a link with the local preachers as this is very much part of our tradition. Revd Langley started leading livestream worship with WNC once a month and he encouraged churches to see livestream as a congregation in its own right. Some churches showed the livestream whilst they gathered, accessing YouTube or Facebook and the monthly podcasts which Revd Viv produced, with people able to comment on them with someone in the background. We also started to offer recorded worship once Revd Langley was back leading worship in churches. These options have proved helpful to smaller gatherings. We have endeavoured to strike the right balance, mindful that we do not want to lose people from our regular online communities, but also wanting to encourage people back to church. Revd Langley put together the ‘Peterborough Online Church’ document and asked people to send in their comments. It gave people reassurances about the balance we are trying to achieve between providing services in person and online services. We are still providing Circuit online worship every Sunday morning and online ‘Morning Prayers’ four times a week, having built up a thriving online community, many of whom contribute to the services via live chat, sharing prayer concerns and supporting one another. The advantage of livestreams is that we can put prayers on straightaway, and this has been a great comfort to people who have felt surrounded in prayer at a really difficult time, including friends and neighbours of our church members who have been heartened by our prayers and presence on social media. Sharing live means people build in community together and feel able to share in this way. We have been blessed also with people in the background who have been able to respond to posts and prayer requests through their natural discipleship - thanks go to Simon Stewart and to Helen Stewart for their work in this regard. As we felt our way out of lockdown, our policy was to be adaptable and flexible. We have had a mixhybrid Church (an idea which originated in the Pioneer Hub) and services in person where churches felt safe to have these. As we looked at the new things that have happened since the pandemic, we have reviewed the increase and scope of our pastoral care. Reviewing our livestream, we need to be doing it as it enables us to connect in all sorts of ways and we encouraged our local churches with the capacity of Zoom to connect with people via worship or livestream or whatever. This means we are still connecting with people who are not connecting with the local church because they are some distance away or because they struggle to connect or because they are caring for others or doing shift work. We are trying to ensure that none are lost. Some churches, because they could not come together or did not feel comfortable doing so, made their principal service a Zoom service. These were added to the Plan and church stewards liaised with the local preachers, juggling together all their different gifts and skills in providing content and relaying it. We are delighted that some people, having worshipped firstly with us online, are now attending church in person within the Circuit. Dogsthorpe Methodist have welcomed a number of new people 3 since they reopened -a mum and dad and four children, another family, and another mother with her daughter. They are attending enthusiastically. Dogsthorpe realizes the importance of listening to these families and listening to what they bring. Brookside have three people - two had come independently, and one had come in relation to a Messy Church. They have a new person associated with Boys’ Brigade who wants to become part of the church. A new person has joined the congregation at Orton Waterville. ## **Circuit Strategy** - 1.1.1 There were changes to our Ministry Plan for 2020-2021. Unfortunately, Revd Shameela JameeleeSamuel suffered a period of ill-health from April through to the end of August 2020, and the Circuit curtailed her appointment in September 2020. The decision to curtail was mutual. That same month we quickly began work on applying for a new minister, and entered the stationing process as a priority. We were delighted that Revd Vivienne Smith started with us on 19th April 2021, after her Welcome Service, via Zoom, the previous day. We are extremely grateful to Revd Viv and her previous Circuit that she was able to join us early, which was an immense help for Revd Langley (our Superintendent Minister) and for the Circuit as a whole. - 1.1.2 It soon become apparent, in discussions with Revds Langley and Viv and the CLT that the oversight of the churches and Circuit responsibilities being undertaken was not equal. Therefore, we planned our agenda for the September 2022 Circuit Meeting to include a proposal to reorganise the pastoral oversight of the churches, as well as a proposal that we have a co-superintendency in the Circuit (Revd Viv bringing invaluable experience as Superintendent in her previous Circuit). The Circuit Invitation Committee met this year to discuss Revd Langley’s reinvitation to remain in the Circuit. All churches in the Circuit were consulted over June and July. Revd Langley and his wife offered three more years and the Circuit Invitation Committee considered the offer and accepted it. Our District Chair will preside at that September 2021 Circuit Meeting when his proposed reinvitation as Superintendent Minister for a further three years will be decided _._ - 1.1.3 We have continued discussions this year on the needs of the churches and how the Circuit can help. And, regarding Westgate New Church (WNC), more progress has been made in building relationships with other local agencies and with the United Reformed Church as the proposed move is discussed. The North Westgate Development has again affected our plans in moving forward. We continued discussions and negotiation with the developers regarding a site for a new church building as part of this new development. The trustees are looking for a one site, two buildings option within the city of Peterborough. We are always mindful in our discussions that we also seek a platform for the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church for mission in the city of Peterborough. We now have property representatives of the URC East Midlands Synod and Northamptonshire Circuit taking an active interest and providing advice. Our ‘Mission Statement and Action Plan’ demonstrates how the church sees itself, and its vision for the city centre. We see the potential for WNC as a base for pioneer work, community work and mission. The BOB project - 'Back of Beyond' - has received funding from both denominations and we are looking for volunteers to co-ordinate the running of this at WNC. The funding is going towards a part time paid Support Worker. The council and developers have signed an agreement for work to commence, however this will take years. Westgate New Church has been identified as one of only two churches in the District to take part in some national schemes: ‘New Places, New People’ and ‘Church on the Margins’. This gives additional resources to the church to meet missional needs in the city. This is still early days and only at the vision stage but it is an exciting prospect for the church and the area. We had three meetings with the other directors, who are the main tenants, and have reached a 4 really significant point and there is now a consensus to work together. WNC have appointed David Buttery to assist them in the sale and in negotiation with the developer. He is a quantity surveyor who will be able to push the negotiations forward, and do the discussions with the developer on our behalf. He will know the legalities of the situation, and hopefully knows areas of Peterborough City Centre that might be suitable locations for a new church building. WNC see themselves as a city centre church and they want to be part of the new development and in the city centre. They want a venue ideal for making new disciples and new Christians. ## **2 Mission and Outreach** This section includes different mission activities happening in the Circuit, and some examples of specific mission in individual churches. - 2.1 _Mission in our Circuit_ This has obviously been affected greatly by the pandemic but here are some examples of what we have been able to do, despite the restrictions: - 2.1.1 Despite the lockdowns, we continued to run and support Foodbanks at Crowland, Dogsthorpe, Oundle and Westgate New Church. (In the heart of lockdown Dogsthorpe became the Foodbank host for the whole of Peterborough). The number of users rose dramatically so we are thankful to all concerned for their commitment to feed and support the many hungry and poor individuals and families in our communities. - 2.2.2 Due to the Government regulations concerning Covid-19, the local Winter Night Shelter for the homeless, led by local charity Light Project Peterborough, was again unable to take place. However, our Southside, Brookside, Crowland and Dogsthorpe churches, who were host churches for the project in previous years are hoping regulations will change as the pandemic eases. In the meantime, church members have been involved in initial discussions regarding homelessness pods which Light Project Peterborough wish to set up at different venues in and around the city. Several church members sit on the Light Project Peterborough Steering group (‘Peterborough Christians for Social Action’), attending meetings and highlighting and contributing to local needs. Some Circuit members volunteer for the “The Garden House”, which is a drop-in day centre for the project; this continued to open throughout the lockdowns with strict safety measures in place. The Government awarded funds for rough sleepers to be put into hotel accommodation and the staff and volunteers facilitated this and gave support. - 2.2.3 Our Missions and Ministries Team normally has an annual Mission focus. Unfortunately this did not happen due to the difficulties of the Covid pandemic. However, individual churches did raise money for particular charities in need of support including the MHA, and some churches kept MHA Sunday on 13[th] June. Churches engaged in various forms of charitable giving, i.e. at the Orton Waterville ‘Stitches’ group, much time, energy and love was spent in knitting blankets, hats and many other items for people in need. Stitches continued with its activities during lockdown, meeting via a Zoom forum once a month from March 2021 (thanks to Helen Crofts) to stay in touch and up to date with needs. Items were gathered and sent to Sands (bereavement charity), Knit for Peace (charity working at home and abroad), and Knit for Nowt (charity supplying counsellors with resources). Local nursing homes were pleased to receive items once restrictions could be eased. - 2.2.4 As ever, the churches responded generously to Connexional Funds. £6,160 was sent to the charities involved. Sue Keeney became our Connexional Funds Officer in September 2020. - 2.2.5 The Missions and Ministries Team meetings have been rather disjointed over the last eighteen months, so they felt it would be beneficial to take a fresh look at how this team operates. They had produced a more clear-cut remit for the team and that was ratified by the Circuit Meeting in June 2019, but it had not been implemented in the intervening time. The team encouraged all the churches to send a representative to the meeting in April 2021 when the team reviewed its purpose. The team was relaunched with the arrival of Revd Viv at a very positive meeting in May 2021, with a blank canvas and much enthusiasm, with the chair feeding directly back to the CLT. The following 5 was discussed: - The value of ‘Morning Prayers’ online should be affirmed. - Finding a way in which to engage with those who work – having worship material available for them as and when they have time. - Exploring ways to encourage worship at work and evangelism in the workplace. - Possibility of “Share Jesus” course to encourage sharing of faith in our everyday lives. - Affirm the value of Zoom sessions for families – worship and meetings. - Hard look at our midweek ministry – letting some things go so we can take other things to a deeper level. - Releasing some from administration duties to centre focus on pastoral connections and individual needs for worship. - Affirm the value of Circuit Services – online and face to face. - Explore the possibility July of an open air Circuit meal and Holy Communion. - The value of telephone ministry should be affirmed. Out of those thoughts have come three projects: **Open Air Service** - planned for July. During a time of worship, we would eat together – and share in Holy Communion as part of that eating. A time to pause and consider. ## **Talking Jesus course to encourage us in our confidence when talking about faith in everyday situations** The material for Talking Jesus is available in the Circuit so we use what we have for this. We envisage this happening in the late autumn – possibly September. It is a six-week course, and material will be made available to at least two churches to hold small group meetings for those who feel it would work best for them. Nicky Ward is willing to head up this course on Zoom for those who would prefer that format. ## **Working with Young People** We asked the whole Circuit to hold all youth work in their prayers. We plan to instigate research into what the young people want/need, and to look at potential leaders and their requirements in training or guidance. This will then be fed to CLT and plans made to accommodate as much as possible. This fresh start has injected new energy into the team. The team is a simple way of being aware of what each church is already doing, what works and why it works, what doesn’t and why but, also to come together and celebrate that God is working His purposes out. It is a good way of circulating information down, including things from Conference etc. and it gives people a chance to speak, and discuss reports that come from Conference and it keeps people up-to-date with mission initiatives. It enables us to hear what the churches need in the way of training and resources to help them minister to their own churches and to reach out into the communities. It continues to be a valuable group. Primarily, it has been a Circuit focus on mission here and overseas, and that is what it was originally embedded in, and the remit has broadened. The group is another way for the CLT and the Circuit to get a feel of the thoughts of those in the churches, for example, the ‘Peterborough Online Church’ document which goes to the CLT and the Local Preachers’ Meeting, but it would ordinarily go to the Missions and Ministries Team too to get a barometer of people’s thinking. Also, you are trying to communicate down this desire for equity, livestream, paper worship etc., and the team is another group of people from different churches to hear that. The team’s remit is: - To be stepping stones between Conference, Circuit Meeting and local churches. - To encourage local churches to join in with God in Mission. - To provide a Circuit Mission focus annually and facilitate a Circuit Mission Service. - To signpost resources for Mission and Ministry. - To identify and facilitate training courses requisite within the Circuit such as Stewarding, 6 Safeguarding, Property and Pastoral Care. - To share and consider Circuit matters of Ministry such as configuration and pastoral cover. - To provide an overview on the shape/need of Ministry across the Circuit. - To helpfully engage with reports from Methodist Conference or other bodies requiring a Circuit consensus response and to make recommendations to the Circuit Meeting. - To keep notes of meetings etc., and make available to CLT. This team has achieved a lot over the years, getting down to a lot of fundamental issues relating to the two remits of mission and ministry. Ministry is evolving very quickly to serve the present age our calling to fulfil (Wesley’s remit), and it behoves us to draw in the new aspects of ministry. Great ministry is being done through the telephone and through Royal Mail etc. - 2.3 _Mission in our Churches_ Most of our churches reopened on Easter Sunday, with a slow return of church members following lockdown, but there was an understandable wariness about meeting together and holding social gatherings and events. Events that did happen did so with the proper Covid safety measures in place. Some things continued to be held online: - 2.3.1 Before the pandemic hit, a wide range of regular groups met in our churches, and these included: _At Orton Waterville_ , Knit and Natter; _At Brookside_ : Tuesday Fellowship; Messy Church; PE4 ecumenical events; Brookside pre-school; Toddlers group; Word Alive; Keys; Youth club, Boys’ Brigade, Men’s group, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides meet on the premises and have close contact with the church. _At Oundle_ , Bible Study group; Clergy Prayers. _At Crowland_ : Explorers; Toddlers group, Saturday morning coffee sessions with book stalls; Small fellowship / study groups: Wesley`s Wayfarers; Stepping Stones (A study group for young people). _At Westgate New Church_ , Circuit Intercessions. _At Whittlesey_ , Network Group, Little Fishes. _At Elton,_ the ‘Cheeky Monkeys’ toddlers’ group, including forging links with the mums and encouraging them in the Christian faith. - 2.3.2 At Dogsthorpe, although it is very much a team effort, thanks go to Sue and Alan Gage for all the work they have done in enabling people to join in worship from home via Zoom, enabling the preacher to be seen and be heard and the congregation to be together, but apart. With the service taking place in person and also being streamed, it has been great for preachers and people to be there and part of the congregation, but knowing that it was far bigger than they could see. In being done in house and out of house at the same time, preachers have finally mastered the art of being in two places at once! - 2.3.3 At Brookside, the thriving pre-school has restarted. Revd Langley went back to Boys’ Brigade and to the Air Cadets in Orton Waterville. The support from Boys’ Brigade has been brilliant, including online resources. The senior group were having an organised debate and learning skills about how to share a point of view, and argue a point, and how to debate and listen. - 2.3.4 Once we realised that we were still going to be having lockdowns, some groups continued to meet via Zoom or Facebook, including Zoom study groups and WhatsApp groups. These included: ‘New Direction’ (the Brookside Bible study group) which changed to meeting via Zoom at 10.30am on Thursdays. A warm welcome was given to anyone. At Dogsthorpe, the Thursday House group met weekly via Zoom from 7.30 to 9pm. At Whittlesey, they started a weekly Zoom meet-up, 4pm on alternate Sundays for sharing, fellowship and prayer and a WhatsApp group for sharing and encouragement. Dogsthorpe carried on serving the community in a number of ways: They held a Foodbank distribution point on a Friday and Saturday. They had Blood Donor Sessions, The Pre-School continued to meet during second lockdown rulings. They had Worship Services via Zoom, a Saturday Morning Zoom Lent course, and a Wednesday Morning Zoom Prayer Group. Occasional Church meetings were held via Zoom, there was a twice monthly Saturday Morning Bible Study via Zoom when not in Lent. Regular contact has been made via link leaders with members of the church family, making sure nobody was left feeling isolated. The Wednesday morning Prayer Group tried a hybrid for those wanting to meet face-to-face. They tried to gently encourage those who have been shielding and who may want to come and meet face to face in the open. They met outside Dogsthorpe Methodist Church and they were able to link up 7 through the Wi-Fi on Zoom for those who were not able to join them. It was a really good, prayerful time, and they planned to do this once a month as a hybrid and keep their Wednesday morning as Zoom for the time being. - 2.3.5 Christ Church have continued to ‘go into school’ via recordings and messages throughout the lockdowns and have had a service with the school every Thursday. - 2.3.6 There have been quite a lot of developments in Crowland with people moving in, so the chapel put together a mission statement and a postcard which was included in May’s Crowland magazine so that everybody in the town knows they are there. Importantly, it states that: ‘Everyone is welcome, whether a person of faith or of none. There is no discrimination, whether on the basis of gender, race, sexual orientation or social class. Jesus bids you welcome and we will never turn you away’. Many people do not know where the chapel is, so this is putting it on the map. Normally in Crowland, they have a big occasion of carol singing around the bridge at Christmas. They were not able to do that, of course, but six of them went out carol singing a couple of times in the town and they had a very good reaction from people waiting in the queue at the baker’s shop, saying how nice it was to hear some cheerful carol singing. They also went to the Abbey Gate residential home where they sang to the residents through an open door. They felt they had to get out there and sing. There have been some very inventive examples, one was car park carols that took place at Waitrose in Oundle. Churches have found ways to be safe and inventive. We have realised the importance as churches of reflecting on what we have learnt through the lockdowns, and how we have engaged with new people. As churches are naturally places of compassion, we have engaged with more people via paper or online and we are seeing the threads of the key questions like, how do we emerge from the lockdown? How do we invite people back to church and capitalise on all of those new areas? It is also a realisation that we cannot keep fishing for people in the same pool to do jobs. So, evangelism and good evangelism in the gentlest of ways is coming to the fore. Through baptism, wedding and funeral services, people have started to see how open and flexible we are as a Church. We always try to include what is meaningful for each family, having listened to their stories. It is important to make those connections as the purpose in life is to love and be loved, and the purpose of life is to experience love, and God yearns to be with us and, to be able to make links between that and connections with the Gospel is absolutely profound. It reminds us as churches to look at how we are making those connections as we all work together. - 2.3.7 Once the lockdowns eased, Sarah Clarke started a very successful baby support group at Yaxley (the ‘Busy Bees Baby Group’) This is the first new group they have had in the chapel for a very long time. Yaxley also have a thriving Facebook page and have regularly watched the Circuit livestream worship. - 2.3.8 The Circuit meeting discussed the ‘God for All’ strategy, which is significant both financially and in terms of mission strategy in the next decade to twenty years in the life of the Church. It was launched at Conference this year but obviously the launch was somewhat subdued because of the lockdowns. We focused for the first section of our prayers in livestream last year on the elements of the God for All strategy. Its three foundational features are: 1) Centring ourselves on God 2) The Methodist Way of Life, which is built on Our Calling and what we are going to do, but wedded together with what we are going to do in small groups. Smaller small groups work in encouraging people to form prayer triplets and encouraging journaling and helping people to spiritually reflect, and encouraging people in acts of hospitality, and reframing everything we are doing or thinking about it in the light of The Methodist Way of Life. This is something we need to do but at our own pace. 3) Leadership and particularly transactional leadership which is a style of leadership that 8 looks to generate leaders within their own contexts. It expects great things but is open perhaps to things happening that we did not expect that are great i.e., you try something new and that does not work, but it leads you on to something else that is hugely successful. - 2.3.9 As a Circuit, we have a Mission Statement and we have targets and objectives and so we made a start at reviewing our Mission Plan. For this, we need to know what the churches are doing, and so the churches started to look at their mission statements and work out their mission plans. To help churches with this, Revd Langley introduced some mission planning material including the ‘Mission Planning Workbook’, which includes an eight-step process for mission planning: Decide on a process, do a community audit, conduct a church review, dream together, choose priorities, identify actions, consider the fruit, set a date for a review. He and Revd Viv encouraged the churches to gain an understanding of our core vision. We need our effort to be in what our priorities should be and in how we move forward. Revd Langley is working with two churches on their mission plans – Crowland and Whittlesey - and it is proving to be a very fruitful and uplifting exercise. The community survey and Dreams and Visions aspects of the Mission Action Plan process are being woven into Crowland’s ecumenical partnership with Crowland Abbey. ## **2.4 Worship, Services and Prayer** - 2.4.1 Some churches took part in the national ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ initiative from 13th to 23rd May. Our thanks to our County Ecumenical Officer, Caroline Hutchings, for always keeping us informed of ecumenical initiatives, events and services in the local area. - 2.4.2 The Circuit continued its subscription to The Vine’s ‘Twelvebaskets’ (set services for Own Arrangements), and this has again been a real Godsend for the churches when they had to close during the lockdowns. Some churches have based their services on these materials and invited preachers to email weekly reflections to be included in these services, so enabling preachers to still contribute, and congregations to continue to have contact with preachers and benefit from a variety of preaching. Church stewards and contacts faithfully worked to make The Vine material available to people in their churches. Although we have streamed our services online and held services via Zoom and Facebook, we have not wanted older people or anyone to feel left out because they do not have a computer so, churches have used ‘The Vine’ resources and made this available to their congregations. Some churches have printed and delivered hard copies of their church magazines and newsletters to keep everyone in the loop. Pastoral visitors have printed material for those they visit. - 2.4.3 During lockdown, the pandemic saw local church leaders set up processes to look after and maintain contact with those that could not join worship online, i.e. at Orton Waterville, the church stewards were phoning people on their pastoral lists and chatting about the next week’s reading, and so the depth of engagement which people were receiving was huge. Once the Covid regulations allowed, the congregation at Orton Waterville were able to meet in the local village hall for their Sunday services as the church was not spacious enough to meet. Their services were led by two dedicated Local Preachers, with additional reflections sent from other Local Preachers and ministers. - 2.4.4 Oundle continued with its bi-monthly “Gatherings” (times of fellowship, teaching and prayer), with local preachers and ministers invited to give reflections). - 2.4.5 At Southside, on every second Friday of the month, they had Zoom 7pm ‘Sing to God’, every Saturday Morning, they had a Zoom Prayer Meeting at 10am, and every Sunday morning, a Facebook 9.15am ‘Think’ service. Thanks go to Janet Rich as what she has been doing and enabling has been fantastic. She has enabled Zoom Church on Sunday mornings and enabled preachers to play out their ministry. She also enabled the leadership at Dogsthorpe. - 2.4.6 Our Pioneer Hub Café worship has continued, meeting via Zoom every month. Our thanks to Revd Dale Sherriff for leading and enabling these. 9 In the Pioneer Hub we discussed how we share our faith and how we talk positively about church and the idea of ‘Me, Jesus and the Church’ came from this. These are conversations with people within our Circuit, i.e. local preachers, and what they say is so honest, rich and touching. They went out online on Fridays and Saturdays. Folks have been really moved by these conversations and the depth of experience that is in people. They talk about difficult experiences they have been through and are able to talk positively about how their faith has helped them, and also how the Church has supported them with reference to their personal experience of their local church, and it has been extremely moving. One of the things that the Pioneer Hub was keen to stress was the need to encourage people to see Church positively and to see the connection with the local church positively, and that is why ‘Me, Jesus and the Church’ works out well. Revd Langley had some good and positive conversations on the run up to Christmas with key leaders in the Church - Revd Helen Cameron, and Geoffrey Clarke from the URC Synod. He had a good conversation with Steven Pettican (from Light Project Peterborough), and all of these were available online. There was some positive feedback from these interviews. - 2.4.7 Huge thanks go to Revd Dale Sherriff and Matt Forsyth and Revd Langley who continued to lead Circuit Livestream worship and ‘Morning Prayers’. We are also always conscious of those who do not have access to the online worship and how we are supporting them as well as those who watch. We aim to make it as accessible as possible, so you do not have to be a member of Facebook to view the Circuit page. ## **2.5 Our Focus as a Circuit** - 2.5.1 Revd Langley asked the preachers to give an account of how they have been able to live out their calling. Obviously, pulpits have not been open to them in quite the same way but preachers have lived out their calling in preaching and teaching within churches, and in supporting churches, and this has happened in an incredibly diverse way. Via the Plan requests, we tried to ask the churches what things were happening in their local church. Preachers can give us an impression of what life looks like in the churches as they adjust. Online worship has been a significant success and that is why we are continuing our Circuit worship – on Sunday mornings. Sometimes now this is pre-recorded as Revd Langley has to be present in his churches, but preachers and church stewards and church members contribute via reflections and readings. - 2.5.2 _God in Love Unites Us -_ we have had local conversations on this. The January Circuit Meeting was given the Synod Voting Paper to give a focus on what the resolutions are. Members were invited to feed their reflections through to our Synod reps, along with any queries or questions or written statements ahead of the autumn Synod vote. - 2.5.3 The January Circuit Meeting formally adopted the Connexional Equality, Diversity and Inclusion report. This helps to prevent things like unconscious bias. - 2.5.4 Having concern for our planet, a Circuit Climate Awareness group was set up to keep everyone aware and informed of climate issues. Churches were encouraged to keep Climate Awareness Day on 13[th] July and Climate Sunday on 5[th] September. Circuit members were emailed resources, news and events and Revd Langley included climate issues in his ‘Weekly Bulletins’. Climate documents were added to our Circuit web site, with direct links from the Homepage, including to the ‘Climate Action Briefing paper’. People were encouraged to click on ‘Climate Action Methodist Church’ with its commitment to climate action including ‘Worship’, ‘Commit’ and ‘Speak up’, and lots of wider advice. Climate Sunday is not just one day, so individuals, churches, local communities and families were encouraged to think about what they can do and action and to think about what, as a church, locally we can do to encourage our communities and our churches to be involved in climate change. 10 - 2.5.5 Churches Together in England and Churches Together in Britain and declared Sunday 4[th] July as ‘National Thank You Day’. Churches were encouraged to get involved. It was about saying Thank you to those who have helped us and got us through the pandemic. ## **3 Staffing and Appointments, Stewards and Ministries** - 3.1 Simon Stewart, Sue Keeney, Christine Kell and Sue Holmes all continued as Circuit Stewards for this year. All these stewards were re-elected to the Circuit Stewarding Team at our June Circuit Meeting. Ann Tooth decided to step down and was thanked for her wisdom and spiritual input. - 3.1.1 Sue Keeney, Nigel Lightfoot, Mick Goodman and Nicky Ward continued as our representatives to District Synod. Ann Tooth stepped down and was thanked for her service. - 3.1.2 Marion Mahan became Chaplain to our local Methodist Home, The Maples. The residents are also supported by visits from two of our ministers and several Circuit members. - 3.1.3 From a local preaching training perspective, Matt Forsyth continued on trial and was still committed to his local preaching. In June 2021, in addition to this, Matt was appointed as the new District Mission Enabler, and we congratulated him on his success. - 3.2 Grace Sherriff continued as our Circuit Social Media Enabler. Grace helped produced videos to inspire young people and all in the Circuit, and liaised with young people as best she could during the lockdown. She helped improve our social media presence. She also helped with putting together Circuit livestream worship. Grace works three hours a week. She produces material and is known as an approachable, friendly face. She helps us work out what we can do online. We had a meeting with youth leaders across the Circuit, which was mixed in its response. A lot of our young people would rather just gather round and eat pizza, but they were stuck behind screens because of the lockdowns. Grace explored the possibility of some kind of online zoom group, particularly at Whittlesey. Our thanks to Christine Kell who supports Revd Langley in Grace’s line management and the support meetings. Grace is raising the profile of young people with her very existence and willingness to share online and the scheme is working both in terms of her mentoring and in terms of what she is giving to us. It is disappointing that Grace has not been able to engage in face to face due to Covid because, although we might think social media enabling does not need that, in fact she feels it is important to make contact with people first and then feed them into social media. Grace feels that is the only way forward – until we actually talk face to face with the young people, nothing is really developing. - 3.3 As we reflected on the growth of livestream and on the need to release Revd Langley and others to serve face to face across the Circuit, we created the voluntary post of Circuit Digital Livestream Producer. We recognised that, as we develop livestream more, there needs to be more delegation across the Circuit because, as things expand, there are more and more things that need attending to. The more we can have the livestream or recorded services scheduled, the more Revd Langley can be released across the Circuit, and we are able to release others too. We were pleased that Matt Forsyth took this on, bringing much experience to this role. - 3.4 Laura Martin stepped down in August from the roles of Local Preachers’ Meeting rep and MHA rep as she would start her ministerial training in September. Laura thanked the numerous people in the Circuit who have supported her on her journey. - 3.5 Not seeing one another has made communication difficult. However, Revd Langley has been keeping everyone abreast of what is happening through what were ‘Weekly Bulletins’, now ‘Monthly Bulletins’. Via these, he has regularly provided guidance for the churches following the different regulations and Covid-19 guidance that were issued by the Government and the Methodist Church, as well as providing thoughts and reflections. People appreciate the bulletins in terms of finding a 11 sense of connection. As a Circuit, Revd Langley thinks we should recognise that we have responded well through the lockdowns and adjusted well, and that bodes well when we think about how we adapt ourselves for mission. We have reshaped things to achieve our mission in different ways even though we have not been able to meet. We have responded to the challenges brought by the pandemic really well. There are always things we can do better but, when we look back, it is amazing how our churches have responded, both in paper and online, in the scope of pastoral care and the deepening of the pastoral relationships between people. Our thanks to all who have provided up to date information and assistance to those in their churches, including those who have produced paper copies, church newsletters and written reflections from preachers to those not on email. Brookside faithfully produced a magazine all through this period and continue to do so. It was a magazine and is now a newsletter and is an extremely important tool for keeping people informed and involved in the life of the church. Our thanks also to the pastoral carers who have supported those isolated by the pandemic. During the lockdowns, local preachers continued to support the churches by providing typed reflections for circulation. This has been a great encouragement and support to those smaller churches who were not able to re-open for a long time. Some preachers also continued to provide recorded reflections for inclusion in our Circuit online worship (livestream and recorded). This is still continuing and is much appreciated, especially by those unable to get to church for various reasons. ## **4 Safeguarding** - 4.1 Philip Assensoh stood down as Circuit Safeguarding Officer and thanked for his service. David Whiting was appointed to this role at our June Circuit Meeting. - 4.1.2 District has stopped the Safeguarding Refresher training course so we now have only the Safeguarding Foundation training courses to do within the Circuit. The new Safeguarding Foundation training incorporates some of the Refresher topics. District organised a Safeguarding training in November for Safeguarding officers in the Circuits, to be done via Zoom. This training incorporated Safeguarding Refresher and Foundation. After the November training, we started planning Safeguarding training in the Peterborough Circuit. These took place after February 2021 when there were less Covid-19 issues and restrictions. - 4.1.3 The District Safeguarding Team is setting up Online Advanced training. The Foundation training is now being offered online. They hoped to do face-to-face Advanced training by the Spring or Summer of 2021. The Circuit Safeguarding Team decided to conduct Zoom foundation training if the Covid-19 restrictions continue after the New Year. The District Safeguarding team trained Safeguarding training trainers on how to conduct online Safeguarding training. The Circuit Safeguarding Co-ordinators and Circuit Safeguarding Officer checked the DBS certificates are up to date for people in positions in churches. The Safeguarding Co-ordinators checked members in new positions in churches have up to date DBS certificates. - 4.1.4 Particular thanks go to Janet Rich as, during lockdown, we had to move on safeguarding training with some quite specific needs. Groups were wanting to provide support, particularly regarding signposting for mental health and, without Janet’s support when we were working through the training that could not have happened. Revd Viv held the mantle for the Safeguarding Team. We were able to call on those involved for their expertise but there were a lot of needs as we emerged out of lockdown, including training. Everyone across the Connexion needed some form of retraining, and we have looked at that in this circuit and seen what the position is, including our DBS, with Revd Viv taking on the responsibility for these. Revd Langley and Philip Assensoh are still part of the Safeguarding Team in the Circuit. Viv, Janet Rich and Connie Hunt attended a ‘Training the Trainers’ meeting in July, so they are now able to deliver the Foundation training and can be Online Safeguarding trainers in the Circuit. 12 - 4.1.5 The Circuit Safeguarding Policy for 2021 was amended and updated and agreed at our January Circuit meeting. - 4.1.6 The Circuit continues to abide by the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations) and keeps contacts and posters accurate and up-to-date. - 4.1.7 Two Circuit Stewards and Revd Shameela attended a seminar in Market Harborough last year on Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity in the Methodist Church. It was a very interesting day where the challenges facing the church were discussed. The District were keen for this to be discussed in the Circuits and it has been discussed this year in our circuit. The January 2021 Circuit Meeting adopted the Statement on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and our churches continue to review their EDI processes to ensure best practices. ## **5 Finance** - 5.1 The accounts for the year ended 31[st] August 2021 were audited and approved. - 5.2 Income for the year was £170,373 including a grant of £9,000; the expenditure for the year was (£134,400) giving us a surplus of £35, 973 adding to our Circuit reserves. - 5.3 The Circuit policy on reserves, at 6 months, was unchanged. - 5.4 We have benefitted from regular income from the rental of the Birchtree venue manse, and not too much in terms of associated costs. - 5.6 We continue to look at how to improve the income from Circuit churches and how best to replace the current method of meeting costs of running the Circuit. We have relied too long on Circuit reserves and this needs addressing. A steep rise in costs from the District is impacting our circuit and our churches, and we are putting plans in place as to how we meet these costs in the most effective way, and in a way that is manageable for each of our churches. Obviously, some of the churches have been hit quite hard through the Covid-19 crisis. We started to get an overview of churches’ positions so we can see what next year might look like, and then update our budget accordingly. We asked the churches in January what they think their financial concerns will be. - 5.7 The CLT started looking at proposals to move away from the current ‘share’ method of contributing to Circuit funding to one based on the way that the District assesses how much Circuits pay. We will be looking to implement this in the next Connexional year, commencing September 2021. ## **6 Property** - 6.1 Paul Hutchings and Mick Goodman continued on the Property Team. We set up a small working party (Circuit Stewards, the CLT and a Property rep) to re-evaluate what the responsibilities of the Circuit Meeting are, and how we can best meet them in relation to the future for management/responsibility of Circuit property. It was felt we need to reassess how we deal with these responsibilities which are ever increasing, and the legal aspects which are now quite onerous. CLT and the Property Team Coordinator came together to review the Circuit Property Portfolio and how best to use buildings for the furtherance of Christ’s work in Peterborough. - 6.2 Conscious of the energy performance of our properties, Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) were obtained for two manses. - 6.3 Annual Inspections of all circuit property were completed and checklists distributed to the Circuit Meeting. - 6.4 We continued to let the Dogsthorpe manse and the income from this was all ring-fenced for the Welland project. A new tenancy started in December 2020. A Domestic Electrical Installation Condition Inspection and Asbestos Management Survey were undertaken whilst the property was unoccupied. Due to the recruitment freeze in the Connexion, we were not able to progress the Welland Pioneer Worker vacancy, but we still see Welland as a very important part of our work. We are looking at 13 staffing overall as a circuit and whether or not we can make this a full-time role with other responsibilities; it may end up with two people in part-time posts if we cannot find the person with all the right skills. We used this time to reflect on all this and consider what would work best for an individual in that post and for the Circuit. - 6.5 The Connexional Property Strategy 2018-20 (adopted by the Methodist Council in October 2018) sets out areas of work as being necessary and urgent during the Connexional year and, working with our mission plans and property development plans, we completed this work. A Church Property Plan was added to the Methodist Property web pages in the form of an Excel spreadsheet. This consists of two worksheets (Church Profile and Church Attendance & Use) to assist local churches in getting an overview of their local area and how the building can best serve the local mission. The Connexional Property Strategy encourages all local churches to complete this Property Plan alongside a local mission plan and the churches used these this year. This strategy is designed to get churches thinking about their missional opportunities over the next five to ten years. It gives us a better understanding and a fuller picture of where we are around the Circuit, and what our churches’ desires and needs are as they look at how they manage their properties for missional purposes. Paul Hutchings and Simon Stewart attended a seminar run by the District looking at the Connexional Property Strategy, and some of the projects that churches have undergone to better provide mission to the area in which they serve. It was very interesting to see some of the projects that some circuits and churches have done. It gave food for thought. Paul attended one of the Connexional Property roadshows which was helpful and interesting. Paul and Simon met to review the Circuit Property Portfolio and how best to use buildings for the furtherance of Christ’s work in Peterborough. The Methodist Conference is looking into the area of trusteeship, and one of the roles of trusteeship is overseeing property, and the statutory regulation including safeguarding and finance. - 6.6 - Quinquennials were carried out at Elton, Orton Waterville and Oundle, and at three manses. - 6.7 Discussions took place regarding whether or not to let or sell the manse associated with Westgate New Church and Whittlesey. - 6.8 Three years ago, the Circuit took over from Ailsworth Church Council the trusteeship of the property and finance, with periodic reviews. It was agreed at the June Circuit Meeting, with heavy hearts, that Ailsworth would cease to worship. Unfortunately, after much searching, we were unable to find officers to fulfil the necessary roles. Revs Viv and Langley are providing pastoral support to the faithful members of that church community. All their hard work was acknowledged. Thanks go to the CLT for their trusteeship of Ailsworth. It has continually supported them, including through the lockdowns. The CLT has spent a lot of time with the people at Ailsworth looking at how we can use the building for missional purposes. We have used it in many successful missional ways including Messy Play, and Coffee and Chat, and a lot of time and effort has been put into that, but the worship at the church has not really happened. The lockdowns have really impacted all that work. At our Circuit Meeting in June, we realized that we had reached the point at which we have done what we can at Ailsworth, and liaised with the people but that it is now time to move on, and recognise that God has other plans for the people at Ailsworth and for the building. So, the Circuit Meeting was asked to consider that Ailsworth ceases to meet. This is the first part of the process for closing the church – something which the members of Ailsworth have agreed. The membership is below six. They are not meeting for worship regularly. The work that was done needs more support, which we do not feel is forthcoming. Revd Vivienne has promised them that, as we go along the journey, she will walk with them through that. The meeting unanimously agreed to approve the cease to meet for worship. 14 Regarding the disposal of the building, the Meeting delegated authority to the CLT and Paul Hutchings for the future of the building. There are possibilities for alternative use of buildings but they require somebody to run them. And we have tried to look for an alternative use within the current structure which we have operated, because we have transferred trusteeship. The Meeting agreed it was happy to delegate authority to the CLT and Paul Hutchings (as Property Team Coordinator), for the future of the building with a clear understanding that a sale is most likely to be the outcome. There were no objections, so this was unanimously carried. - 6.9 Our thanks to Paul Hutchings for his thorough work on church property reporting this year. Paul stepped down on 19[th] August, after a very busy year, from the role of Property Team Co-ordinator. He was thanked for his sterling work, and we are looking for someone else to take on this role. ## **In conclusion** We believe we have kept the Church alive and active throughout the difficulties of the Covid-19, and we have done it through working and learning together, and supporting and encouraging each other, and in reaching out to those in our communities – in person and virtually/online. The Circuit Leadership Team is grateful to everyone for all their contributions and support in another difficult year. ## _We continue to give thanks for many blessings:_ The scope of our pastoral care, and our ability to 'see need' and adapt. Our confidence and trust in each other as we discern where God is leading us and 'do the right thing'. Our online, on-site, and on-paper worship that has reached those who would otherwise have been socially isolated. Our District and the wider Connexion for their support during challenging times. ## _We continue to pray for:_ Our Circuit, as we focus on the themes within God For All, especially New Places for New People. Our Circuit as we consider how we can make the best use of our resources. Our churches as they review and develop their mission plans. The remaining work to be done in our churches, in light of ‘God in Love Unites Us’. It has been another year of joys and sadnesses but, we end with some of the joys: Meeting again in person to worship together Receiving Communion for the first time since March 2020 Seeing new people come to church (in person and online), and witnessing existing members growing in their faith and learning new skills We think it fitting to end with the following prayer, which we submitted to the ‘Methodist Prayer Diary’ this year: God of all, In all our dealings, may we see Jesus carved into the woodwork, and the wine glass of fellowship and joy 15 instead of faces in opposition. Keep us courageous as we accept difference but commit to living in unity. Amen ## Signed: _L Mackrell-Hey_ _Revd Dr Langley Mackrell-Hey Chair and Superintendent of the Methodist Circuit: The Peterborough Methodist Circuit of Churches_ _Date:_ 16[th] June, 2022 16 CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS PETERBOROUGH FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 District Circuit no 23121 Registered Charity- Charity Re9iStration number 1135613 If not 8 registered cha￿ty Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number (The HMRC number is eq￿r￿alent lo a registered charity number in leims of eviden￿ of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of thè org8nis8tion's charitable slatsjs. Methodist chanlies in England and Wales ihat are not registered Charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Inslrument 2014 No.2421 Ministers= REVD DR LANGLEY MACKRELL-HEY REVD VIVIENNE SMITH REVD SARAH GOWER Circuit Slowards-. MRS SUE KEENEY MRS CHRISTINE KELL MRS ANN TOOTH MR. SIMON STEWART MRS. S HOLMES TreasLJrer'. ltRalldP￿ MR GILE RMSTRONG ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUQU8T 2021 PETER80ROUOH Circuit Testrictéd Clrcult Model Restricted Funds Trust FLtTrt Funds Totals this year Tota15 last SECTION A 81 RECEIPTS Notg a2 Ass8ssmenUShare 127.383 127,383 27,015 158.131 2,642 Capital receipts Bank CF8 interest and InvÈslmÈnt inrome 27.015 a4 1.685 2.733 4,418 4,954 a5 Grants 9.000 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 11.557 11,557 14.218 140,625 29,748 170,373 la8 183,661 SECTION B b1 b2 PAYMENTS SIip8nds. s3￿r￿. NIC. Pension and Ir8vel cos15 66,745 66,745 96.715 b3 Mans& Costs 14.056 14,056 7,045 13,309 5,289 Aominisiralion etc 7,045 b5 DistAd Assessment 30.853 30.853 31.507 b6 b7 Gr8nts & donations Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 11,007 129,706 4.694 15,701 134,400 4.694 Ibgl 160,989 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ¢1 a7￿9 10.919 25.054 35,973 22,672 Tol81 hAnds bfou ht forward from last year 60.324 154.934 215.258 192,586 Sub total c14¢2 71,243 179,988 2S1,231 215,258 Tr8n5fers and ad"ustments 13,0001 3,000 Ic7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c41 68,243 182,Y88 251,231 Ic81 215,258 IG61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY- MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS these amounts should not be includtd in total reGei ayments above) d1 B21ance brought fotW2rd from last ye3r d2 Offerin sIGrfls - received for extern81 or 8nisations d3 OfferingslGifts- passed lo external organisalio BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID d1+d2-d3 2015¢¥¢￿1 R and P 2of5 PETERBOROUGH Clreu# UMMèRYOF CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS AND IP4TÈRIIALORG*J41SATION REP RTIN TO SEcnoN E follwlheouldantè No com lÈt•th15 SiiMm3ry of the Circuit 3CCDunls lor Iheye3i ended 31 A￿JUSt 2021 Ind Inlemal OrganisatioTh> rcpts￿￿9 lo ￿ Circuil Mooling. Noto ihal thefunds ofa Inlwnal 01ganisat￿n WOU￿ normallybe Resiiicied lundg un19SS 11 could be deartyshown thatih@y￿U1d b8 uséd IDrany m8th0d￿t wrp05E. Th1$59ci musl be completed lo 3tllp 9ros5 receipis and paymsnls toiaL40* ihe Circuit.11 gio*g h￿me exceeds thèAccfusL4 ln￿8￿￿0f f2*.000. th8 Ac4]Ua￿ mglht)Y of accouniino ANDA DI*FEREW FORM musk b& usod to rèportthe ¥e¢tyunE4 l&ÉÈ mÈthod￿tVle￿￿ItéI. p￿2$* rÈ*¢r w the noie5 regardi￿ trarders telween C1￿￿rt and conn8¢ied CwJit Or9anisatiDTrs. IMTEftI4AL ORGWIISATX)NS Op¢nmg oakn¢es Re Pa enL% bakB￿Ces Organ6èlion5 hJDd5 accounts (Ivtst5 broughtforwardfrom pag4 2- totsk 170.373 1Y,400 35,973 215,258 2SI.231 HELD 8Ycntcurr tJ4AQD 35,973 215.258 251.231 Conllnuo on 3 sÈ¥r• gheetrffjecessaryand bw thèt0ts￿ f¢tw4rd TofAL RÉCEIPTS TOTAL PAYMEMf5 SÉCTION F TEMENT OF ASSET AND ILtr OPENING 8ALANCES CLOSING BAL￿CES cIRcU￿-CA8H FUNDS HELD31 34 *￿￿5t2021 Cash In hand k OeposrtAccount Cents¥A Finbnce Board 16,708 13,410 T￿5￿5 K*thodL8tChUtch Pu oses 154.932 182.987 0￿1 lunds SUB TOTAL 215,258 251,231 Totalfunds hgklby lrtteMalOi9a¥mSa1￿ThS IiIE 03*n¢e Ioi¥ts aLwl leI21 e12 TOTALCASH FUNOS HELD 8YCRCUFt 21S,2SB 251,231 $E¢TKIN 6 At OTHERASSET5 LL4BLt 31* $12020 31Au uB12021 Endowments Lwnu atwj Budth s8ewtes re InsDrdnce vakn• 899,939 OlherAs5els -skow amouThtautslaTrd rÉ￿ olhvrL￿b11ts5 T4 |Thr￿jde oDty Funds atthe c8nl13lFin4￿e Board f5 onty CF8 Fuffld$ atTIDstees ChuT¢h Pbw5e5 Jof5 DECLARATIONS Treasurer I confirm that I have prepared the accounts from the records of CircLtit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit signatu￿ of Treasurer Dale 2f Name MR. GILES ARMSTRONG Address 1, EATHWAITE GREEN. PETERBOROUGH PE4 6SZ Presentation to the 'Circuit Meeting for approval. I confirm that the A¢¢ounts have been presented to the Circuit Meeting on and were approved. ygiii Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of Ihe Chair of the meeting Date Iq IL)S Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Circuit This Report is on the Circuit Accounts for the year ended 31, August 2021 Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the ac¢ounts. The ¢harills Ituslees ¢onsidÉ audit is not required for this year undei section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Acl} and th- independènt examination is n8Bded. It Is my responsibilty lo.. Examine the accounts under Seclion 145 of the Charities Act lo follow the prO￿d￿re5 laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission lullder Section 145{51{b} of the Charities Acll, and lo stale whether particular matters have come lo my attention. 2015 Cirtuit R and P.xls 4ofS Basis of Indepentlent Examinees Report My examinatk)n was carried out in accordan¢e with general Dire¢tlODS given by the Charity Cotnmission. An examination include5 8 review of the accounting records k8Pt by the charity and 8 comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or dischsures in the accounts, and seèking explanations frotn the trustees conceming any such matters. The prttedures underiaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion Is given as lo whether th8 accounts present a Irue and faif view and the report 15 limited to Ihose rnalters set out in the st8t8ment below. Independent Examirber's Slat8ment In connection with my examinath"on. no matter has Gotne to rny attention lother than that di8closed below"): which gives me reasonable cause to b81i&ve that in any tnaierial respect th8 requirements". . to keep acwunting records In accordance with section 130 of the Ch8rth8s Ad,. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records a+)d comptywith the accounting requirernents of th8 Chanties Act hav8 not been tnet, or 121 to which, In my opinion, allenlion should be drawn in order to enable a proper undeTsiandirig of Ihe accounts to be reached. ' Pleas6 dol8t8 the words In the l)rBck8ts rfth8y do not 8pply appropriate 131 I havelhave not- obtained independent verificats'on of all Investments ￿th the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes I'TMCP'I or held in other Trusts, 8ank baLances 8nd Funds at the Central Finance 8oard of the Methodist Church I'CFB"). which are indwidually In excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. . Please circ18 as appropriate Name Signature Relevant Professional qualification or body AddEss ae-g w Ca btr2 Date of /?1 2015 CircuitR and P.xls 50f5 CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS PETERBOROUGH FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 District Circuit no 23121 Registered Charity- Charity Re9iStration number 1135613 If not 8 registered cha￿ty Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number (The HMRC number is eq￿r￿alent lo a registered charity number in leims of eviden￿ of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of thè org8nis8tion's charitable slatsjs. Methodist chanlies in England and Wales ihat are not registered Charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Inslrument 2014 No.2421 Ministers= REVD DR LANGLEY MACKRELL-HEY REVD VIVIENNE SMITH REVD SARAH GOWER Circuit Slowards-. MRS SUE KEENEY MRS CHRISTINE KELL MRS ANN TOOTH MR. SIMON STEWART MRS. S HOLMES TreasLJrer'. ltRalldP￿ MR GILE RMSTRONG ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUQU8T 2021 PETER80ROUOH Circuit Testrictéd Clrcult Model Restricted Funds Trust FLtTrt Funds Totals this year Tota15 last SECTION A 81 RECEIPTS Notg a2 Ass8ssmenUShare 127.383 127,383 27,015 158.131 2,642 Capital receipts Bank CF8 interest and InvÈslmÈnt inrome 27.015 a4 1.685 2.733 4,418 4,954 a5 Grants 9.000 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 11.557 11,557 14.218 140,625 29,748 170,373 la8 183,661 SECTION B b1 b2 PAYMENTS SIip8nds. s3￿r￿. NIC. Pension and Ir8vel cos15 66,745 66,745 96.715 b3 Mans& Costs 14.056 14,056 7,045 13,309 5,289 Aominisiralion etc 7,045 b5 DistAd Assessment 30.853 30.853 31.507 b6 b7 Gr8nts & donations Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 11,007 129,706 4.694 15,701 134,400 4.694 Ibgl 160,989 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ¢1 a7￿9 10.919 25.054 35,973 22,672 Tol81 hAnds bfou ht forward from last year 60.324 154.934 215.258 192,586 Sub total c14¢2 71,243 179,988 2S1,231 215,258 Tr8n5fers and ad"ustments 13,0001 3,000 Ic7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c41 68,243 182,Y88 251,231 Ic81 215,258 IG61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY- MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS these amounts should not be includtd in total reGei ayments above) d1 B21ance brought fotW2rd from last ye3r d2 Offerin sIGrfls - received for extern81 or 8nisations d3 OfferingslGifts- passed lo external organisalio BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID d1+d2-d3 2015¢¥¢￿1 R and P 2of5 PETERBOROUGH Clreu# UMMèRYOF CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS AND IP4TÈRIIALORG*J41SATION REP RTIN TO SEcnoN E follwlheouldantè No com lÈt•th15 SiiMm3ry of the Circuit 3CCDunls lor Iheye3i ended 31 A￿JUSt 2021 Ind Inlemal OrganisatioTh> rcpts￿￿9 lo ￿ Circuil Mooling. Noto ihal thefunds ofa Inlwnal 01ganisat￿n WOU￿ normallybe Resiiicied lundg un19SS 11 could be deartyshown thatih@y￿U1d b8 uséd IDrany m8th0d￿t wrp05E. Th1$59ci musl be completed lo 3tllp 9ros5 receipis and paymsnls toiaL40* ihe Circuit.11 gio*g h￿me exceeds thèAccfusL4 ln￿8￿￿0f f2*.000. th8 Ac4]Ua￿ mglht)Y of accouniino ANDA DI*FEREW FORM musk b& usod to rèportthe ¥e¢tyunE4 l&ÉÈ mÈthod￿tVle￿￿ItéI. p￿2$* rÈ*¢r w the noie5 regardi￿ trarders telween C1￿￿rt and conn8¢ied CwJit Or9anisatiDTrs. IMTEftI4AL ORGWIISATX)NS Op¢nmg oakn¢es Re Pa enL% bakB￿Ces Organ6èlion5 hJDd5 accounts (Ivtst5 broughtforwardfrom pag4 2- totsk 170.373 1Y,400 35,973 215,258 2SI.231 HELD 8Ycntcurr tJ4AQD 35,973 215.258 251.231 Conllnuo on 3 sÈ¥r• gheetrffjecessaryand bw thèt0ts￿ f¢tw4rd TofAL RÉCEIPTS TOTAL PAYMEMf5 SÉCTION F TEMENT OF ASSET AND ILtr OPENING 8ALANCES CLOSING BAL￿CES cIRcU￿-CA8H FUNDS HELD31 34 *￿￿5t2021 Cash In hand k OeposrtAccount Cents¥A Finbnce Board 16,708 13,410 T￿5￿5 K*thodL8tChUtch Pu oses 154.932 182.987 0￿1 lunds SUB TOTAL 215,258 251,231 Totalfunds hgklby lrtteMalOi9a¥mSa1￿ThS IiIE 03*n¢e Ioi¥ts aLwl leI21 e12 TOTALCASH FUNOS HELD 8YCRCUFt 21S,2SB 251,231 $E¢TKIN 6 At OTHERASSET5 LL4BLt 31* $12020 31Au uB12021 Endowments Lwnu atwj Budth s8ewtes re InsDrdnce vakn• 899,939 OlherAs5els -skow amouThtautslaTrd rÉ￿ olhvrL￿b11ts5 T4 |Thr￿jde oDty Funds atthe c8nl13lFin4￿e Board f5 onty CF8 Fuffld$ atTIDstees ChuT¢h Pbw5e5 Jof5 DECLARATIONS Treasurer I confirm that I have prepared the accounts from the records of CircLtit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit signatu￿ of Treasurer Dale 2f Name MR. GILES ARMSTRONG Address 1, EATHWAITE GREEN. PETERBOROUGH PE4 6SZ Presentation to the 'Circuit Meeting for approval. I confirm that the A¢¢ounts have been presented to the Circuit Meeting on and were approved. ygiii Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of Ihe Chair of the meeting Date Iq IL)S Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Circuit This Report is on the Circuit Accounts for the year ended 31, August 2021 Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the ac¢ounts. The ¢harills Ituslees ¢onsidÉ audit is not required for this year undei section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Acl} and th- independènt examination is n8Bded. It Is my responsibilty lo.. Examine the accounts under Seclion 145 of the Charities Act lo follow the prO￿d￿re5 laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission lullder Section 145{51{b} of the Charities Acll, and lo stale whether particular matters have come lo my attention. 2015 Cirtuit R and P.xls 4ofS Basis of Indepentlent Examinees Report My examinatk)n was carried out in accordan¢e with general Dire¢tlODS given by the Charity Cotnmission. An examination include5 8 review of the accounting records k8Pt by the charity and 8 comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or dischsures in the accounts, and seèking explanations frotn the trustees conceming any such matters. The prttedures underiaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion Is given as lo whether th8 accounts present a Irue and faif view and the report 15 limited to Ihose rnalters set out in the st8t8ment below. Independent Examirber's Slat8ment In connection with my examinath"on. no matter has Gotne to rny attention lother than that di8closed below"): which gives me reasonable cause to b81i&ve that in any tnaierial respect th8 requirements". . to keep acwunting records In accordance with section 130 of the Ch8rth8s Ad,. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records a+)d comptywith the accounting requirernents of th8 Chanties Act hav8 not been tnet, or 121 to which, In my opinion, allenlion should be drawn in order to enable a proper undeTsiandirig of Ihe accounts to be reached. ' Pleas6 dol8t8 the words In the l)rBck8ts rfth8y do not 8pply appropriate 131 I havelhave not- obtained independent verificats'on of all Investments ￿th the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes I'TMCP'I or held in other Trusts, 8ank baLances 8nd Funds at the Central Finance 8oard of the Methodist Church I'CFB"). which are indwidually In excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. . Please circ18 as appropriate Name Signature Relevant Professional qualification or body AddEss ae-g w Ca btr2 Date of /?1 2015 CircuitR and P.xls 50f5