2022-08-31-accounts - The Peterborough Circuit Of The Methodist Church

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The Peterborough Circuit of Churches

Annual Report of the Trustees of the Peterborough Methodist Circuit for the church year 1st Sept 2021 to 31st August 2022

(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 seek 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.

As a Methodist Circuit, we put into action the different elements of our Methodist Calling in our Worship, our Learning and Caring, our Service and our Evangelism, always striving to put Jesus first.

We have a heart for nurturing and shaping disciples. We are deeply committed to evangelism and social outreach. We have seen great things by working in partnership with other denominations

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’

Trustees during the year	Trustees during the year
Revd Langley Mackrell-Hey (Chair)	Jo Marshall-Sully
Giles Armstrong	Valerie Octon
George Barber	Revd David Parkes
Sarah Bereznyckyj	Janet Rich
Heather Black	Cathy Ruffles
Anne Brown	Margaret Smith
Margaret Brown	Revd Vivienne Smith
Stephen Brown	Revd Douglas Stevens
Sue Gage	Simon Stewart
Michael Goodman	Monica Sturgess
Revd Sarah Gower	Revd Graham Tooth
Susan Halford	Denise Watson
John Hewitson	Elizabeth White
Sue Holmes	David Whiting
Trevor Howlett	Nicky Ward
Sue Keeney	Peter Williams
Christine Kell
Sarah Kelly
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 five times during the year: In September and November 2021 and in March, June and August 2022. Our Circuit Meeting Devotions were very inspiring and thoughtprovoking, and were led by: Our District Mission Enabler, Matt Forsyth, on ‘ Embracing Sankofa'; our Superintendent Minister, Revd Langley, on God’s faithfulness and our mission; Revd Viv Smith on ‘Kindness and Humility’; and Ian Price on ‘Following The Herd’ (The Herd’ is at Oundle - a joint project in collaboration with Oundle and a local youth group. Ian has really helped us to recognise how we can be involved in supporting others that we do not have an immediate connection with).
1.3 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. All of our churches have reopened, but smaller churches such as Elton, Westgate New Church and Yaxley have taken more time to get back to normal due to the shape of their buildings in terms of mitigating risk and the availability of people.

Revd Langley 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 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 and 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.

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.

1.4 Circuit Strategy

It soon become apparent, in discussions with Revds. Langley and Viv and the CLT last year that the oversight of the churches and Circuit responsibilities being undertaken was not equal. Therefore, our September 2021 Circuit Meeting included 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).

Revd Langley shared how enthused and excited he was at the prospect of extending his time with the Circuit, with a change in how the churches are shared between Revd Viv and himself, a new way of working in the form of co-superintendency, and a different focus across the Circuit. Circuit Meeting members were sent a paper laying out the proposal and explaining what co-superintendency is, its advantages and how it will work within our circuit.

Our churches are currently divided as follows:

Revd Viv – Ailsworth, Dogsthorpe, Orton Waterville, Southside, Yaxley

Revd Langley – Brookside, Crowland, Elton, Oundle, WNC, Whittlesey and Yarwell, and livestream

To give a fairer balance, it was proposed that Elton and Brookside come under Rev Viv’s oversight and pastoral charge. This was unanimously agreed.

Both Revs Viv and Langley have enthusiasm for co-superintendency and how it can work. They work well together and their different skills and competencies and sharing these around the Circuit rather than within their sections, will really benefit the whole Circuit and all the churches in the Circuit. Everyone voted in favour that there is co-superintendency in this circuit.

Revd Viv had said she could do with an assistant to help her so the thought of a Lay Pastoral Assistant (LPA) came to mind. This person will not take over the pastoral leader responsibilities, but will be an assistant to the presbyter. The LPA will have an involvement in the life of the Church and take on roles specific to a church’s needs, i.e., regularly attend parent and toddler groups, visit families being baptised. It is about having someone to directly assist the minister and to follow up on baptisms and funerals and looking at groups which can be offered something more. The March Circuit Meeting agreed to recruit for a two-year fixed position with the possibility to extend, and we started the recruitment process.

1.4.1 There were changes to our Ministry Plan for 2021-2022. After much thought and prayer, Revd Viv Smith decided she needed more time to support her family, so her appointment was curtailed in summer 2021. There was a process we had to follow to go through the curtailment. The Circuit Invitation Committee agreed the wording of the curtailment: “Following discussions with the presbyter and District Chair, the Circuit was advised that the Revd Vivienne Smith wishes to curtail her appointment in the summer for personal reasons and for her desire to assist her daughter’s ministerial training. It is with great sadness that we accept this curtailment. Vivienne has made a very positive impact on the Circuit so far and we will miss her greatly.”

In a packed Dogsthorpe, Revd Viv’s Leaving Service took place on 24[th] July 2022, and she left in August 2022. We are extremely grateful to Revd Viv for her ministry and all she brought to the Circuit.

1.4.2 Looking at the options for the future, the Circuit Invitation Committee decided that we would go straight for a stationing appointment starting from September 2022. We were obviously aware that the stationing process had already started and the stationing matching group had met quite a few times. However, with a stationing matching group happening in April 2022, and encouraged by our District Chair, we got to work on applying for a new minister, and entered the stationing process at this later stage. We put together a profile to submit to the April stationing matching group to see if there was a match for us. We were fortunate to have a match. Following a visit to the Circuit and meeting with church representatives and the Circuit Invitation Committee, Revd Janet Titterton accepted the invitation to serve in Peterborough from September 2022.

Revd Janet’s Welcome Service was held at Brookside Methodist Church on 27[th] August 2022. Revd Langley presided and the preacher was the Revd Canon Helen Cameron. The Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress (Cllr Nick Sandford and Alderman Bella Saltmarsh), were in attendance. People shared fellowship over refreshments after the service.

1.4.3 Revd Janet will have the oversight of the Methodist churches at Brookside, Dogsthorpe, Elton, Orton Waterville, Southside and Yaxley. In this section of churches, there are a lot of different activities and needs and Revd Viv had already expressed that it was probably too much for one person, as it is difficult to work on a regular basis with the many and varied organisations that meet in the premises, and suggested we realise this when looking at our restructuring.

Revd Viv had said she could do with an assistant to help her so the thought of a Lay Pastoral Assistant (LPA) came to mind. This person will not take over the pastoral leader responsibilities, but will be an assistant to the presbyter. The LPA will have an involvement in the life of the Church and take on roles specific to a church’s needs, i.e. regularly attend parent and toddler groups, visit families being baptised. It is about having someone to directly assist the minister and to follow up on baptisms and funerals and looking at groups which can be offered something more. The March Circuit Meeting

agreed to recruit for a two-year fixed position with the possibility to extend, and we started the recruitment process.

1.5 The Circuit Invitation Committee met last year to discuss Revd Langley’s reinvitation to remain in the Circuit. Revd Langley and his wife had offered three more years and the Circuit Invitation Committee considered the offer and accepted it. The Circuit Invitation Committee met over a period of time to go through the invitation process and it believed the Reasoned Statement was an accurate reflection of the discussions that took place during that consultation period. Our District Chair presided at our September 2021 Circuit Meeting and members voted that Revd Langley be re-invited as Superintendent Minister for a further three years. As well as being Superintendent, Revd Langley is also involved in Evangelism, Digital Mission and is the New Places for New People lead within God for All.
1.6 Despite unprecedented challenges (not least being superintendent and the sole Methodist minister in t the Circuit for a year, and his current load of six churches, a further congregation, and our livestream presence, we have retained effective oversight of the Circuit wherein ministerial support for individuals and groups is available to those who request it, and worship and preaching has been more accessible in person, in print, and online. Revd Langley acknowledged the tremendous support provided by our supernumerary ministers, the wise counsel of Revd Sarah Gower, and the invaluable support of Sue Moore, and her excellent co-ordination as our Circuit administrator.
1.7 In terms of Circuit staffing, with the lockdown easing, our CLT is making significant progress with leaders from Whittlesey in creating a lay worker post. This will be a Children, Family and Community Worker and the funding for this is in place for Whittlesey.
1.8 North Westgate Development
David Buttery at Joliffe-Daking is now working on our behalf looking at suitable alternative sites for the
Westgate New Church congregation to move to. One site was mentioned as being available, but it did not fit in with the requested ‘two buildings, one site’ strategy.
1.9 Westgate New Church put the final touches together for their recruitment campaign for our Back of Beyond (Bob) Project Co-ordinator for their Friendship and outreach project, with a view to advertising this in September 2022. BoB is already up and running as a drop-in and everyone is welcome, but we need someone with experience to help, to advertise what is happening and help us to make connections in the community. This will be an important part of Westgate’s mission to the city centre.

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 and ongoing concerns about Covid:

2.1.1 Despite the lockdowns, we continued to run and support Foodbanks at Crowland, Dogsthorpe, Oundle and Westgate New Church. The number of users was very high 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, Light Project Peterborough has set up some homelessness pods outside a few churches in Peterborough and one of these is at Southside, in their church car park. Church members provide a meal for the guest on a rota basis and provide support, as needed.

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 Covid-related difficulties. However, individual churches did raise money for particular charities in need of support including the MHA, and some churches kept MHA Sunday on 12[th] June.

much time, energy and love was spent in knitting blankets, hats and other items for people in need.

George Barber from Brookside cycled a very impressive 63 miles in one day for the Brookside roof fund, raising £1400. He appeared in the ‘Peterborough Evening Telegraph’.

charities involved, allocated as follows: Property £1500.00; Presbyters and Deacons £544.00; LWPT £797.00; MHA £982.00; MRDF £1229.00; Ministers’ Housing £880.00. We are grateful to Sue Keeney, Our Connexional Funds Officer for organising and administering this.

Last year, the Missions and Ministries Team took a beneficial fresh look at how the team operates. The team reviewed its purpose and it was relaunched with the arrival of Revd Viv and, although the team has not met latterly because of health issues, much of what was focused on has been happening, for example:

The value of ‘Morning Prayers’ online is being affirmed.

We have been finding ways in which to engage with those who work – having worship material available for them as and when they have time.

We have started a “Share Jesus” course to encourage the sharing of faith in our everyday lives. (We started to hold small group meetings for those who feel it would work best for them. Nicky Ward and Revd Langley are running this).

We are affirming the value of Circuit Services – online and face to face.

We are continuing to ask the whole Circuit to hold all youth work in their prayers.

Reflecting on what has happened, a lot of work has been done. In the Circuit, there are three spaces where new ideas and wisdom are instilled, apart from the Circuit meeting of course, and they are: The Local Preachers’ Meeting, the Pioneer Hub, and, the Missions and Ministries Team where ideas are filtered down. We hold these three together and are working on how we feed in ideas from one to the other. (Ideas filter their way down from the Pioneer Hub and, during the lockdowns when the Pioneer Hub met online, new things were started because of discussions at those meetings and existing things developed significantly).

2.3 Mission in our Churches

We are pleased that more events happened in our churches and they did so with the proper Covid safety measures in place. Some things continued to be held online.

2.3.1 A wide range of regular groups met in our churches, and these included:

, the Knit and Natter group met regularly. ‘Orton Friends’ (a drop-in for the retired) started on Mondays. Eighteen people turned up. The Stitches Group partnered with Barnardo's and helped them to supply clothing and blankets etc. to families who are struggling in all manner of situations. They are supplying directly through Barnardo’s to those in need. The ladies also knitted Separation Blankets, which go to women who are about to go to prison and be separated from their babies. The idea is that, when they have the baby, the baby will have been wrapped in the blanket for a couple of hours and the baby is taken into care and the blanket goes to the mother in prison. Many of these children will be fostered or may go back to their mothers eventually.

At Brookside During the year, regular activities were gradually resumed, appropriate risk assessments having been made. Social distancing remained in place in the Sanctuary, hand sanitising and masks were available, but otherwise visitors were not required to undertake special measures. Weekly Morning Worship, and monthly Messy Church and Café Worship took place through the year. New Direction, an online bible study group, meet weekly over Zoom. There is also now a regular mid-week communion held on a monthly basis on a Tuesday afternoon, which began in February 2022.

Pastoral care of church members and contacts is undertaken by volunteers who meet regularly for mutual support. To enhance this work, a member has been commissioned as Pastoral Assistant to the Minister, responding to requests for visits to the long-term sick and housebound and to those in extra need, doing hospital visits, taking Home Communion and having a prayer ministry. Two members have been commissioned for Bereavement Support and Baptism Support.

Requests for prayer will be met by appropriate individuals or groups, or included in worship services. A drop-in Wellbeing Coffee Morning has started once a fortnight to offer conversation, quiet activities and prayer, and this is for anyone in the local community.

Since March 2020, a weekly Church Newsletter has been circulated to members and friends online, or by post for those without computer access.

Fellowship Refreshments are served after each morning service to enable the congregation to meet informally. A programme of activities to promote fellowship is organised throughout the year. Brookside Men's Group meets monthly and a new monthly Brookside Ladies Group was formed in October 2021. Both groups meet together to enjoy a variety of activities and build friendships and support networks. They are open to all and both have members who do not attend church. The Tuesday Fellowship meets fortnightly and provides opportunities for outreach and fellowship. Other events organised by our Events Committee and other groups included a band concert, Acapella choir and afternoon tea, a Big Brekkie (profit to Christian Aid), and a church family picnic. Brookside Church Council runs a pre-school, which is open thirty hours weekly, 8.30am to 2.30pm. It is managed by a Committee of elected Church Council members and has a graduate manager and qualified staff. The pre-school has the use of the main hall, two classrooms and a large, secure outdoor space, plus toilet and kitchen facilities.

The Youth Club, which meets weekly, restarted in October 2021 with five young people at present. The Boys Brigade meets weekly in the church building. It has sixteen regular attendees. They are managed by members of the church.

Girl Guiding provides Rainbows, Brownies and Guides weekly in term time. In addition to the church groups and activities the premises are regularly used by groups such as Gamblers Anonymous, Slimming World, art groups, sewing groups and music examination boards. The church is used as a Polling Station.

An effort is made annually to raise money for Christian Aid through events such as Big Brekkie. Money is raised for Action for Children, particularly at Christmas time. Groups and individuals are encouraged to take turns to provide after church refreshments to raise money for their group or different charities. A group of people continues to provide cakes for the homeless on a fortnightly rota.

At Oundle , they continued with their bi-monthly “Gatherings” (times of fellowship, teaching and prayer), with eight local preachers and ministers invited to give reflections on a rota basis). Oundle are now meeting on alternate Sundays and are really feeling very fulfilled by having a weekday gathering.

Their Food Bank is growing so much that it is becoming difficult to house all the users in it.

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). They also restarted Messy Church. They have set up a project called ‘Who Let the Dads Out’, which is focused on trying to improve the relationships between children and their fathers. It is under the umbrella of a charity called Care for the Family. It can be difficult talking about men and fatherhood in our current climate, but there is work to be done to encourage positive relationships.

At Westgate New Church , they continued to alternate on the Preaching plan with having a C4

service, which is a café-style service and then a service led by a preacher on the alternate week. People feel really uplifted by this pattern.

Langley started to attend Churches Together in Central Peterborough meetings as Westgate is now under his oversight.

At Whittlesey , during Lockdown, they set up a WhatApp group to provide connection and pastoral care across a variety of age groups. Members have continued to use this forum as a means to support one another and to request and provide prayers for one another at this time. Its effectiveness includes connecting people who can no longer attend church and to provide instant connectivity when needed. During Lockdown, they also used Skype as a virtual forum to invite church members to gather together on a Sunday when there was no church meeting together. This provided an opportunity to connect with church family, request prayer support and guard again isolation. IT literate church members set up others’ online tablets and laptops to access and use these mediums.

Their church magazine started during Lockdown as a means to maintain contact with the church family. Tony Wright is the editor and he had them printed at their local college and distributed via the pastoral visitors whilst the church was closed. On the occasions when the college was closed he used a local print shop. Now they are available at the start of each month and the name of the magazine has been changed to "Fresh Horizons" to reflect the new shoots of growth in numbers and initiatives, including their search for a Children, Family and Community Worker. Film Evenings were started by Tony four or five winters ago, chiefly to provide a cinema facility for their town, with movies being screened fortnightly through the months of October to April. Rhod and Claire Eaton now alternate with Lyn and Tony Wright, with refreshments served during the intervals. No actual charge is made for admission. Voluntary donations provide income for the Church. They average around fifty folk each time and, of course, give outsiders a view of their buildings and, hopefully, they may decide to worship with them in the future!

A Ukraine family attends the church. They are living with a church family. Whittlesey has started a Ukraine Hub for Ukraine families within Whittlesey. It meets on Thursdays from 11.30am to 130pm. They have coffee and talk to each other and they are learning to speak English. It is going very well. People in the Circuit were informed about the information from Churches Together in England about Ukraine, and on the work being done and how we are able to help. Revd Langley encouraged every church in the Circuit to register online with Sanctuary The work might involve picking up refugees from the airport, providing transport for them to vital services or providing a space for them.

At Elton , there is good and bad news: The Chapel building is Grade 11 Listed, in a Conservation Area. They are great in faith but small in numbers, with a declining congregation through age, ill health or members moving away. Therefore, to comply with both Methodist requirements and Charity Commission rules, they have realised that they may have to apply to ‘cease to meet’ and form a Fellowship instead. Discussions are ongoing with the CLT.

Whether or not they had a preacher, they continued to meet each Sunday once Covid rules were lifted. A long-standing ‘Knit & Natter’ group continued to meet on Tuesday afternoons in the chapel. They had a concert with the group ‘Frumenty’ in September 2021, which was very enjoyable. They invited Elton villagers to join them for a most enjoyable ‘Cod and Carols’ Christmas meal. The biggest event of the year was a free Bird Festival on Saturday 23 April 2022 in the Chapel, with world-class speakers and experts. Day-long refreshments were provided and they raised money for building repairs identified in the Quinquennial report. They had a write up in the Peterborough Evening Telegraph.

They were happy to host the All Saints’ church congregation for the five weeks that the Parish Church was out of commission for electrical work. Ironically, urgent repairs to their own Chapel, to be paid for by funds raised through activities and donations, were not carried out. Outstanding work includes the sills to the stained glass windows which risk deteriorating to the point where the glass could fall out on to passers-by. The Chapel directly abuts Chapel Lane. As their Treasurer has moved north, they have appointed a member of the congregation with a local book-keeper paid to handle the recording of accounts. They have approximately £11,000 in the bank, to go towards the

required building repairs, which could amount to £14,000.

Elton resident and Chapel adherent, Robin Ackroyd, is paid a nominal sum for cleaning the chapel weekly. The organist deemed the organ did not require its annual tuning, but this may be required towards the end of 2023. The annual fire extinguisher and electrical equipment checks were carried out on time. A fridge was kindly gifted to the chapel by the family of a deceased member. Church Steward Anne Brown took part in two Safeguarding seminars organised by the Circuit, so was appointed Church Safeguarding Officer. With regret, they accepted the resignation of longstanding steward Pat Bourne who moved house. Future plans, regardless of any new status from 2023, include a quiz for villagers in October 2022, participation in the 2023 Elton May Day festivities and a joint indoor Boot Sale with the Parish Church to raise funds.

At Southside, their ‘Church 4 All’ group meets on Tuesday afternoons. This group is aimed for families with school age children, although they do have families come with younger children, and sometimes they have people come from their Sunday congregation, so this is a Church for all, and all are welcome.

2.3.2 At Dogsthorpe, the Mums and Tots group has begun on a Monday Morning and is proving successful, and a link has been formed with the school next door and a representative attends the Monday Morning group. There is continued outreach through the Food Bank two mornings a week. Citizens Advice and Care Zone attend on a Friday Morning. They have the U3A ‘Sing Something Simple’ choir which meets on a Monday Afternoon. U3A ‘Rhythmaires Choir’ meets on Tuesday Mornings. ‘Rhapsody Choir’ meets on a Tuesday Evening. The U3A ‘Singing Songs of Praise’ meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the mornings. A Big Band meet on a Thursday Evening. The church holds a "Family Night" on a Friday Evening. There is also a Craft Meeting which meets one evening a week. A very successful Pre-School meets every week day. All of these events contain outreach contacts and engage with the community.

2.3.3 At Christ Church , they have continued to ‘go into school’ via recordings and messages throughout the lockdowns and have had a service with the school every Thursday. They restarted their Toddler group in May 2022 and it is lovely to be back.
2.3.4 At Yaxley, Coffee Mornings have successfully re started every other month on the second Saturday of the month at 10am.

The very successful baby support group (the ‘Busy Bees Baby Group’) continued.

Yaxley also have a thriving Facebook page and has regularly watched the Circuit online worship.
2.3.5 The Circuit Meeting continue to address 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. Revd Langley did a Discipleship Course in July 2022.
2.3.6 As a Circuit, we continued to review our Mission Plan. Revd Langley continued to work closely with Crowland and Whittlesey in developing their mission plans and it has been a very rewarding time.
2.3.7 Revd Langley and Nicky Ward, in conjunction with ‘Good News for Everyone’ ran an Evangelism course at Westgate New Church during March and April 2022.
2.3.8 Evangelising online, last year, Revd Langley did two e-drops which went out as part of his ‘Monthly Bulletins’; one was done by him and one by Revd Viv. The first one was on gentle evangelism and invitation. The second one was on inviting people to church and growing our church communities. This year, in November 2021, he did some e-drops and podcasts and some Evangelism Shorts.

In December 2021, he did a series of Christmas Shorts online including on Facebook: On 18th Dec: 90 seconds on the truth of Christmas.

On 20th Dec: During ‘Morning Prayers’. ‘Psalm 96; Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord; for He is coming. Praying through the BBC headlines’.

On 22nd Dec, during ‘Morning Prayers’. ‘Isaiah 9:2-7; The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Praying through the Sky News headlines’.

On 23rd Dec, during ‘Morning Prayers’: ‘Livestream Prayer: Titus 2:11-14; For the grace of God has

appeared. ITV news headlines’.

On Christmas Eve, he did a Nativity Service online at 4pm: 'We’ve Lost Jesus’ – aimed at children. Also on Christmas Eve at 8pm, he did a ‘Carol Service online: Carols and Reflections’ for everyone.

We had Christmas Poetry online on Christmas Day – written and read by poets in the Circuit.

On 31st December, we had ‘Grateful Heart – an invitation for anyone to post prayers of Thanksgiving on Facebook’

On 1[st] January 2022, we had ‘New Year, New Resolution – and invitation for anyone to share and ask for prayer support with their New Year’s resolution on Facebook’.

2.3.9 Revd Langley shared his future vision of evangelism and growing disciples: By 2023, What do we need to let go of so we can take other stuff on?; by 2024, focus on more of the things that are intentional, encouraging people in their faith; and by 2025. We need to think where’s our journey and where are we heading?

2.4 Worship, Services and Prayer

2.4.1 Some churches took part in the national ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ initiative from 26 May to 7 June 2022. 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 or when preachers were unavailable because of illness etc. 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 Our Pioneer Hub Café worship has continued, meeting via Zoom every month. Our thanks to Revd Dale Sherriff for leading and enabling these.
2.4.4 Revd Dale Sherriff spoke at our Circuit Meeting about the Pioneer Hub and the Small Group Network. The Hub is back to meeting face to face, in person. They continued meeting via Zoom through both lockdowns and they had some really useful and
helpful conversations, and continued to look at things whilst lockdowns were on. We are now in a place where the pioneer hub is taking some interest and involvement in what It is happening with small groups and small teams across the Circuit.

This also links with the initiative that the District is undertaking – New People for New Places (NPNP), and what we are trying to do in this circuit is something that may be a model that the District can then build on that we can offer them. The Pioneer Hub in the Circuit is held in very high regard by our district and is seen as quite a forward thinking group. Our work with the churches and finding out about their small groups is tremendously useful work, and there is great potential, not just for us, but going beyond the Circuit.

One such small group is Whittlesey, where they are having a wonderful Café Church on a Sunday afternoon, which is really well attended. It is about three times the size of some of our churches that meet on a Sunday morning. It is a wonderful occasion and a great atmosphere and people are being ministered to wonderfully.

Small groups are also important because they can become praying places. They are the key to growth.

2.4.5 Thanks go to Revd Dale Sherriff, Matt Forsyth and Revd Langley who continued to lead Circuit Livestream worship and ‘Morning Prayers’. Also to Nicky Ward, who started to lead Circuit online worship once a month from 5[th] Sept 2021. Thanks also to Sandra Hughes who now leads online Reflections on Friday mornings. There is something provided every week day.

Matt Forsyth continued as our Digital Livestream Producer.

A faithful number of people value being part of our online livestream community, supporting and being supported by others every day through our live ‘Morning Prayers’. As these are also recorded, people can also catch-up later if this works better for them. Meanwhile, if people want to know more about where they can find their closest Methodist Church in the Peterborough area, they are directed to our Circuit website.

2.4.6 A Circuit Service was held at Crowland on 13[th] February. This was also Crowland’s Church Anniversary and our District Chair, Revd Helen Cameron, was the preacher. Due to concerns still about Covid safety, this was a hybrid service – some people attended in person and some via Zoom. After much hard work and preparation, we were delighted and relieved that the live Zoom technology worked extremely well!

We had good feedback about the service. Crowland is not known for its mobile reception so we are pleased it was a success. The CLT would like to see these services continue so we are looking to see how we put these into the Plan.

A ‘Revive’ Circuit Service was held at Dogsthorpe on 27[th] March at 4pm. It was a time for people to come and have a space to worship and receive ministry and a time of prayer, where we allowed the Holy Spirit to come. Tim and Tope Pearson from ‘Good News for Everyone’ (formerly Gideons UK) are working with us via ’Equipping the Saints’, and they gave their testimony.

2.5 Our Focus as a Circuit

2.5.1 Online worship has been a significant success and that is why we are continuing our Circuit worship on Sunday mornings. This is now pre-recorded as Revd Langley and the preachers who lead have to be present in the churches, but preachers and church stewards and church members contribute via reflections and readings.
2.5.2 The January Circuit Meeting formally adopted the Connexional Equality, Diversity and Inclusion report. This helps to prevent things like unconscious bias.
2.5.3 Having concern for our planet, we set up a Circuit Climate Awareness group last year to keep everyone aware and informed of climate issues. Churches were encouraged to 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.

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.
3.1.1 Sue Keeney, Nigel Lightfoot, Mick Goodman and Nicky Ward continued as our representatives to District Synod.

3.1.2 Marion Mahan continued as Chaplain to our local MHA (Methodist Homes Association) retirement living scheme, The Maples. The residents are also supported by visits from two of our ministers and several Circuit members.

From a local preaching training perspective, In January 2021, Nigel Lightfoot took on the role of Local Preachers’ Secretary. We are very grateful to Susan Halford who previously and excellently fulfilled this role for seven years.

Matt Forsyth continued on trial and was still committed to his local preaching. Matt also continued as District Mission Enabler, and has been very helpful and supportive towards the Circuit this year. Maddie Whiting is in training to be a Worship Leader at Brookside. Laura Martin continues her studies as she journeys the road to ordination.

One of our Local Preachers’ and Worship Leaders’ Meetings this year was addressed by Marion Mahan. Several of our preachers visit The Maples periodically to lead a time of fellowship with some of the residents. Marion expressed her gratitude on behalf of herself and the residents as this proves to be a positive connection appreciated by residents who attend.

The Circuit Plan continues challenging, owing to the fact that a number of our preachers are no longer as active as they once were. We remain grateful for those who appear on our visiting preachers list. Some churches have invited local visiting preachers to preach or give their testimony. We have asked people in the Circuit to remain prayerfully aware for anyone in their churches who may feel called to investigate a possible calling to this ministry, either as a Worship Leader or a Local Preacher.

Revd Langley and Viv had pastoral conversations to journey with those preachers to see where they are. Between them, they have visited and shared with every local preacher this year. Sandra Hughes, for example, has mobility issues and a conversation with her led us to see how she could be part of our online ministry, and because she already commits to a facebook group in Whittlesey, she will be offering some thoughts and reflections online on Fridays. We would like preachers to be in churches and leading worship, but actually they can still minister and function in other settings.

3.2 The Young Leaders’ Scheme, organised by the District came to an end. Revd Langley and Christine Kell met with our Circuit Social Media Enabler, Grace Sherriff, over the past year every four weeks, just to keep in touch with how things were going and to discuss and plan her next steps. As it was a new experience for her, she valued the direction. They had their final meeting on 17[th] August 2021 and this was some of the feedback from Grace:

She felt she had not accomplished what she wanted to do due to lockdown, and was a little disappointed that she was unable to meet face to face with any young people during the period of the scheme.

Being able to talk and interview different people gave her an overview of the Church as a whole. One of her quotes was “It was good to be able to contribute when I belong to a church that is not Methodist.”

She did feel valued in the role, and especially welcomed the feedback from individuals in the churches. She also felt appreciated, and it was helpful to see the value that people put on young people.

Grace’s recommendations for any future schemes: Lockdown was a hindrance and perhaps this was not a good time to be starting something new. However, she could see advantages to the scheme, especially for someone who is rooted in one of the Circuit churches being part of the role.

We thanked Grace for all she has done.

3.3 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

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.

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 We welcomed David Whiting as our Circuit Safeguarding Officer. Thanks to all the Safeguarding Team, and especially to Phillip Assensoh, for their help, guidance, and patience as David settled into the role.
4.1.2 Connie Hunt, Janet Rich and Revd Viv all did the ‘Training the Trainers’ training so they can train people to do the Foundation course.

People in the Circuit did the Foundation training or the Advanced training, as appropriate.

Twenty-one people from the Peterborough Circuit completed the online version of ‘Creating Safer Spaces’ Advanced Module (CSSAM), with a further person signed up for the course currently being offered in May.

Twenty-two people signed up for the February face-to face CSSFM Safeguarding Foundation course at Dogsthorpe, Eleven people from the Circuit completed the Zoom version of the course in February.

4.1.3 A Circuit-wide record of DBS checks was compiled.
4.1.4 The Circuit Safeguarding Policy for 2022 was amended and updated and agreed at our march Circuit meeting.
4.1.5 The Circuit continues to abide by the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations) and keeps contacts and posters accurate and up-to-date.

5 Finance

5.1 The accounts for the year ended 31[st] August 2022 were audited and approved.
5.2 Income for the year was £194,072. This included a £50,000 legacy for Whittlesey that came through the Circuit accounts. The expenditure for the year was £141,741, giving us a £2,331 surplus to reserves (the £50,000 legacy being ring-fenced for the Whittlesey layworker).
5.3 The Circuit policy on reserves, at 6 months, was unchanged. With the Russia and Ukraine situation, we expect more adverse effects and quite a significant reduction in the value of our reserve funds. We are mindful that 'Circuit Reserves Policy' needs to be updated and the CLT agreed to bring an updated Reserves Policy to the autumn 2022 Circuit Meeting.
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 Our treasurer (Giles Armstrong) and Book keeper (Mark Bedford) put together a helpful five-year plan: ‘Five-year projections: Projected Costings for 2021 – 2026’. This is proving to be extremely helpful as we look ahead to what we can afford in the future with regards to staffing and to applying for grant applications which require matched funding. One of the requirements when applying for grant applications, as we have done this year, is to include a copy of our Circuit Mission Policy and Circuit Strategy, which we have updated. There was a positive discussion at one of Revd Langley’s Superintendents’ meetings about how the Mission Policy actually sets our culture.
5.8 We are exceedingly grateful to Giles and Mark for all their hard work throughout the year.

6 Property

6.1 Mick Goodman continued on the Property Team. Our Property Team Co-ordinator, Paul Hutchings, had resigned on 19[th] August last year after a very busy year. He was thanked for his sterling work, and we are still looking for someone else to take on this role.
6.2 Two property schemes were registered – one at Whittlesey for improvement to its front entrance and improved access, and one at Brookside to fit a new roof because of longstanding leaks. Brookside requested a £5000 loan from the Circuit and applied for grants and raised a lot of money themselves
6.3 We continued to let the Dogsthorpe manse in Birchtree Avenue and the income from this was all ring-fenced for the Welland project. We had new tenants.

Due to the recruitment freeze in the Connexion, we were not able to progress the Welland Pioneer Worker vacancy, but we have been looking at staffing overall as a circuit and whether or not we can make this a full-time role with other responsibilities. However, it has become clear that other organisations have been meeting the needs of the in Welland and, with the passing of time, the CLT believe that there is no need to recruit to the role, but rather seek to offer assistance where it is required and work in partnership with the churches working in Welland. This year, the CLT requested that rental income from the Manse is now to be used for work in the Circuit, in this case the Lay Pastoral Assistant role, and that this takes effect from when Anita Gordon’s time in the role ended.

6.5 Quinquennials were carried out at Ailsworth, Whittlesey and Yaxley.
6.6 Elton is struggling to afford the amounts needed for necessary building costs and, although there is a real heart and faithfulness there, they are struggling to find officers to fulfil essential church roles. The CLT is walking with them at this difficult time and doing all it can to help.

6.7 The District Executive has given permission for Ailsworth to cease to meet. At our November meeting, members reluctantly and unanimously gave their permission for Ailsworth to be sold. It is a requirement of the Charity Commission that we have to sell a building to the highest bidder. Work has commenced on reviewing the sale options for the chapel. Although they are in agreement with the closure, this whole process has deliberately taken place slowly in order to allow the faithful Ailsworth members to process what is happening. Revd Viv has been alongside them at this difficult time.

In conclusion

We believe we have kept the Church alive and active throughout the continued Covid-19 difficulties, and we have again done so 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 what has been another challenging year. We have seen the flowering of some of the seeds that were planted and we move forward with renewed hope and enthusiasm, and with thanksgiving.

We continue to give thanks for many blessings:

The increase in the scope and depth of our pastoral care.

Our ability to recognise where there is need, discern where God is leading us and to respond well, often with results that we could have never envisaged.

The continuance of our online ministry that has reached those who cannot connect with Church easily because they are unwell, care for others or work shifts.

Our District and the wider Connexion in all their resourcing of us.

We continue to pray:

For our focus on the themes within God For All, especially small groups, evangelism, digital mission, and New Places for New People.

For our thoughts on how we can make the best use of our resources.

That our churches see the benefits of purposeful meetings and mission planning.

It has been another year of joys and sadnesses but, we end with some of the joys:

Meeting again in person as a big congregation to worship together at our Circuit Services.

Seeing new people come to church (in person and online), and witnessing existing members growing in their faith and learning new skills.

New groups and new initiatives being set up in our churches.

We think it fitting to end with the following prayer, which we submitted to the ‘Methodist Prayer Diary’ this year:

God of all,

By the power of Your Spirit, give us a hope that will drive us forward, believing that we can make a difference. Give us the hope and faith that we need to entertain new ways of working. Give us the boldness we need to overcome our anxieties.

Above all, help us to be attentive to how even the smallest changes in our own thinking and our gestures can set in motion a great outpouring of Your presence and purpose in the lives of others. Amen

Signed: L Mackrell-Hey

Revd Dr Langley Mackrell-Hey Chair and Superintendent of the Methodist Circuit:

The Peterborough Methodist Circuit of Churches

Date: 29[th] March, 2023

CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS PETERBOROUGH FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 Dlstrict CircLsIt no 23121 Registered Charity- Charity Registration number 1135613 If not a registered charity Her MaJe$Vs Revenue and Customs Glft Aid number (The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in tEttns of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give lo donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable ststus. hilethodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are expted from registration undei Ststutory Inslrumeril 2014 Nts.2421 Ministers.. REVD OR LANGLEY MACKRELL-HEY REVD VWIENNE SMITH REVD SARAH GOWER Circuit Stewards: MRS SUE KEENEY MRS CHRISTINE KELL MR SIMON STEWART MRS S HOLMES Treasurer.. MR GILF& IRMSTRONG

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 PETERBOROUGH Ircult Un- re5triGted ¢lrcuiÉ Model RestriGted Funds Trust Fund Funds Tt>tsl¥ thl year Totals last year SECTION A RECEIPTS Note Assessrnentlsha 135595 127 383 a3 Ca itsl rec1 Bank and CF8 interest and Inve5ttnent income 10,943 10,943 2,175 4,257 6.432 4,418 a5 Grants Other reiptS TOTAL RECEIPTS 62.988 62,988 194,072 11,557 200,75B 8,686 la81 170,373 SECTION B b1 b2 PAYMENTS Stipends, salaries, NIC, Pension and travel costs 90.930 90,930 9,114 68.745 bs Manse Costs 9.114 b4 Administration etc 4,300 4,300 7,045 30,853 b5 District Assessment 17.556 17,556 b8 b7 Grants & donation5 b8 Other p8ymenls TOTAL PAYMENTS 13,530 6.311 19,841 141,741 15.701 b9 135,430 6,311 b9 934.400 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS POR THE YEAR c1 a7-b9 12.997 Total funds brou ht forward from last ear 71.243 179.988 251,231 215,25B Sub lotal c1+c2 136571 166 991 303 562 261231 Transfers and ad"ustments e7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c41 136,571 166,991 303,562 (¢81 251,231 Ic61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS these arnounts should not be Sncluded in totsl re¢ei tsi yments abov&l dl Balance brou ht forward from last ear d2 Offerin sIGifts received for exl8rn810 anisations d3 OfferingslGifts- passed to e&tnal organisations BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID d1+d2-d3 d4 2015circuilR PJL 2ofS

pgrERBOROUG NAL ORGANBATION REPO SECTK>N E Pka¥gfollowtho Guldancg Not8S to com sUNary01 tho QrcurtsoxilS I( year end 31 Au9USI 2022 ano Iniwnal Oigani$8tDn$ieporlng to the ClrGuit m&eto. Ntrle Ihallhe fund50f a Organi$ith would nor[R1¥ b8 Resthcked funds unless11 Cou t¢ ¢lear shtswnlhaiihey Ul0 b& Used foi y MelhowJi&l purpe. This¥e¢Non nwsthecotnpIed lo arllve at the glos5 recepis and paym&4ttsioiaL% Df the GirtxxL 11 ur055 illctwne eXEd5 theAcctuals thres 01£250,(W)O, uai5 Meth olaccounlfu AND A DIFFERENT FORM mst uséo to [grt theaIxntS mptI1stWeb5ll2). Please refer ID lhegu1dee [eS rewding Ir£ngferg belween Ihe Clrcuil anu connected CKcuit Ooanisabons. INTERNAL oRGANISATNs Ngt Rec81 ia OpeDlng ments Ad.imP13 QrgaThsaUons tund5 CIrcultCount9 ItotBI broughtttsrIva Ifo p4go2-tDt41B ioiumnl 194 72 aB 141,741 b9 S2.331 2S1,23 c6 303,562 HELD BYCIR¢UIT t94,072 Idl.741 51331 281,231 303,562 Conllnueon a $gP3(8 sheeirfftwxsryan tho lolats fo2 TOTAL RFceipTS TOTAL PAYFAENTS SEeTDN F BIL OPENING BALANCES CLOSING BALAP4CES ¢IR¢urr- CASH FUNDS HELD at31 Au USI 2022 Ca$h h tr&nd B?TrkCutr8nl Accounl t20 600 De osttArCOU C8nki FarIt&s00rd Te&lorMethodcttU[Ch Pv Dxes 182.987 169,OQO Otherlunds SUB TOTAL 2S1,231 301562 Total lunds I14d by I)310r91$aIknn$11he cbsing lo1815 abowel lefj21 TOTALCASH FUNOS HELO BYCIRCU 251.231 303,582 SECTDNG At OTHERASSETS andLL4BILITIES 12 31A knvesimenls Ld and 807 000 878 820 OltsrAyspts LoÈh - &low afflourntastad *rnd f5 IndudeonlyCFB Funds held atTtU51ee5 loi Meimdlsichurcb Pvry>oses gi Inthoeanyoihor Inve?Imenl&1Troie 2MentorTM¢p &t?DinIstr tslnsattd kn In9fS1

DECLARATIONS Treasurer l confirm that I have prepared the accounts from the r8¢ords of the Circuft and that they include all funds under the Gonlrol of the Circuit Signature of Treasurer Dale i7.10.L Name MR. GILES ARMSTRONG Address 1, EATHVVAITE GREEN, PETERBOROUGH PE4 6SZ Presentatlon to the "Clrcuit Meeting for approval. I confirm that the AccoLtnls have bgen presented lo the Circuit Meeting on and were approved. Signature of the Chair of the meeting iaio.ZL Name of the Chair of the meeting Dale 13.10.2L Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Pe4p Cir¢ult This Report is on the Circuit Accounts for the year ended 31" August 2022 Respective responsibllltles of Trustees and Examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charty'5 Iruslees considÉ audit is not required for this year under section 144 of tho Charities Act 2011 Ilhe Ch8ritie$ Act) and IhÉ independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility lo.. Examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charf(ies Aet lo follow the predureS laid down in th8 general Directions given by the Charity Cornmission (undgr Section 145{51(bl of the Charities Acll, and lo stale whether particular matters have come to my attention. 201S Circuit R and P.xls 4of5

Basls of Indèpgndent Examlnels Report examination was C8Tried out in accordance with general Directlons glven by the Charity Commi8slon. An examination includ8s a review of the accounting iecoids kept by the charlly and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records.11 also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the Irusloes ¢onceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do llol provide all the evidence that would b0 required In an audit, alld consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts pi8s8nt a'tiue and fair, view and the report Is liThited to those matters sel out in the statement below. Independent Examin¢fs Ststement In ¢onnecNon with my examinaton. no matter has come lo my attention (other than that disclosed belo).. which gives me roasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirettients". to keep accounting records in accordance with se¢lion 130 of the Charities Act; to prepare accounts which accord with the accounts.ng records and compty with the accountlng requirements of the Ch8rities Act have not been mel., or 121 to lCh. IN rny oplnk)n, attention should be drawn in order to enable a piopef understanding of the accounts to be reached. ' Pleas8 d&l&te the woftls in the braGkels if they do not apply 8ppropnate 131 I b8¥élhave not. obtsined independent verification of all Investments with the Trustees for Molhodist Church Purposes I'TMCP") or held in other Trusts. Bank balanTrs and Funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church I'CFB'J, which are individually in eXsS of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet dale. . Please circle as appropriat9 Name Signaluie Relevant Piofèssional qualification or body I C,?@LJ Address Date 7Y Of 2015 Circul R an P.xk8 $015