**VICTORIA METHODIST CHURCH BRISTOL** 1A Whiteladies Rd, Bristol BS8 1NU Registered Charity number 1135776 ## Trustees Annual Report _Reporting Period: 1[st] September 2020 to 31[st] August 2021_ ## **Objectives and Activities** The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Union the advancement of: - a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The Methodist Church; - b) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit, local or other organisation of The Methodist Church; - c) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church; - d) Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church. ## **Mission** The **Mission** of Victoria Methodist Church is to respond to God's Love in Christ and to live out that love in God's world. As a Methodist Church, members and non-members alike are welcome to attend worship and activities. The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on Public Benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance for charities for the advancement of religion. In pursuit of its mission, the church has adopted a statement of its **Vision** to be ‘a Methodist Church which seeks to share the Gospel through encouraging lifelong learning and engaging with and through media and the creative arts’. ## **Overview of the year** Last Spring, we reviewed the life of our church and laid out some priorities according to the four ‘C’s, which is a template for the life of our church offered by ‘Heartedge’ that we have found helpful. This overview of the year is presented with the findings of the review in mind: ## **Congregation:** The restrictions of sustained lockdown have called forth a deeper mutual commitment to pastoral care and have forced us to develop new ways of being a congregation. The midweek worship is here to stay, it seems, and Sunday morning worship will continue to be offered ‘in person’ and online. We’ve successfully shifted from Messy Church to an experience of being ‘All Together’ for worship once a quarter. The list of hymns and songs we’ve recorded now runs to four pages, and hundreds of churches have made use of them. We commissioned a researcher to review and recommend a pattern for our support of and outreach to students. The Junior Church and Den have continued to meet, and found ways of contributing to our journey towards becoming an Eco Church. Small groups have moved ~ 1 ~ Version 1.1 **VICTORIA METHODIST CHURCH BRISTOL** 1A Whiteladies Rd, Bristol BS8 1NU Registered Charity number 1135776 online, and significant numbers of people have made journeys through the Psalms, Romans and the Acts of the Apostles. ## **Compassion :** For all people – under the banner of ‘Inclusive Church’ – and for all creation – expressed through Eco Church. We’ve begun to engage with what it will take for us to be more inclusive of those with nonbinary sexualities. During this last year we have registered on the arocha website to start the journey to accreditation as an eco-church. The areas covered are: worship and teaching, property, land, community and global engagement, lifestyle. The climate crisis and our response now regularly features in worship and there have been articles related to eco-church in every magazine and many of the weekly notices. We have engaged a large proportion of the congregation in responding to the climate emergency; in prayer and worship, property and garden, lifestyle and lobbying. An important step on our journey was the Eco Fair and Climate Sunday worship held in July. At the same time, we have sustained our commitment to a range of ministries addressing issues of poverty and social inclusion; more money was raised through the ‘Giving Tree’ project than ever, parcels were packed for those in prison as usual, support for those with poor mental health moved onto the telephone, and we are now offering a base to Bristol Street Pastors. A “Listening Bench” project was trialled, as part of our Calm, Create, Community initiative, for an hour each Wednesday lunchtime when anyone can sit and talk with whoever is on the bench and ask for a prayer if they want this. Before the pandemic, volunteers running the Thursday Mental Health Group were very aware that the group was an under-used resource. Various efforts had failed to identify an effective channel for referrals. We were aware that a few other local churches also offered individual and group support to people facing mental health issues and it was decided that it would be worthwhile to explore whether we could work together more to support individuals struggling with mental health issues. In November a useful video conference was held, hosted by Vic. Representatives from five of the local churches in the Whiteladies Road/Pembroke Road areas attended. We mapped the various mental health resources provided, or planned for the future, by local churches. This demonstrated that, prepandemic, a number of people had been accessing support through a variety of activities in the local churches. We were also joined by the local Social Prescribing Link Worker who shared information about some of the needs and themes in the area. Increased isolation has been a pressing issue during Covid. Telephone befriending schemes had been an important resource. He highlighted that churches are one of the key community assets in the area. ## **Culture :** Much of our planned programme of creative arts was cancelled (Refugee Art Exhibition, West Bristol Art Trail, Lunchtime Concerts, Come and Sing, and Passion Play); however, we were able to open the ‘Searching for Home’ Refugee Art Exhibition for 2 weeks in September as all the artworks/sculptures stayed in the Sanctuary throughout the first lockdown. This was appreciated by visitors who were pleased to have an opportunity to have time to reflect and be stimulated by such different images. We have been able to continue to develop our partnerships with the RWA (Royal Western Academy of Art) and Bristol School of Art (SGS College). We looked forward to hosting an exhibition of the RWA’s permanent collection and their Drawing School in the Autumn. A small group is now planning in earnest towards an exhibition of the Methodist Modern Art Collection in the Spring of 2023. We were delighted once again to have our minds broadened and stretched through the excellent Lent Conversations organised by Churches Together in Clifton, Cotham and Redland. ~ 2 ~ Version 1.1 **VICTORIA METHODIST CHURCH BRISTOL** 1A Whiteladies Rd, Bristol BS8 1NU Registered Charity number 1135776 ## **Commerce :** The pandemic has resulted in a significant reduction in our Lettings income and in the delay of our plans to appoint a Centre Manager. However, we have a beautiful Lounge and Portland Coffee Bar, and now all the ground floor is fit for purpose. The next steps for our ‘Faith in the Future’ Project will be to improve the acoustics in the sanctuary and refurbish the Large Hall downstairs. Underneath all of this activity and change lie countless hours and prayers of God’s faithful people here at Victoria. ## **Members of the Council** |Minister|REV RICHARD SHARPLES| |---|---| |Circuit Minister|Rev Patrick Stonehewer| |Church Secretary|MARY HILL| ||| |Co-ordinators|| |Worship|DAVID PLEASANTS, JOY
MORISON| |Learning|HUGH LLOYD JONES,
CHRISTINE STONES| |Outreach|JANE STACEY,TIM MELLING| |Faith in the Future|JOHN BARNETT| |Property|KEVIN CORNELIUS| |Events|HELEN HARRISON| |Safeguarding|JANET GEORGE,Jill James(YP)| |Communication|SHINGAI MANYIWA| |Church Treasurer|ONKHOPOTSE MOENG| |Circuit Steward|Mike Culshaw| ||| |Other Representatives to
Church Council|Ruth Hudson (Pastoral
Secretary)
David Ball (Property)
Sarah Ball
Sheelagh Hiley
Sheila Lang
Dora Alderson
Robert Harrison
Diana Casey
Ian Campion Smith
Helen Davies
Chris Morison| **CAPITALS denotes member of Leadership Team (Also listed as Church Stewards)** ~ 3 ~ Version 1.1 THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS ia Methodist Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2021 Bristol & South Gloucestershi Circuit Circuit no 0702 R¢gistergd Chaffty. Ch•rity Re9lslrnlitin If not a Tegistered charity Her Mapsty's Revenue and Customs GiftAid nUM￿r 1135776 (rhe HMRC number is equNaknt to a regiStere(F charity number in tenns of evMleThx of charitsble status and fflay be used to gi￿ to (lonors or grant fvThlers wisFung to see evpjeno of the organi5alJon's charitable stattjs. Methodr* Instrument 2014 No.242) Minister. Rithard Sha Churth Ste￿d5. John Barnett ShiThJai Manywa Kevin Comelius Meifing Janet George Helen Harrison Dav•J Pleasants Mary Hill Jane Skny Hugh Lloyd-Jones Chiistine Stor*s Treasurw. On tse Moen Victoria Methodist Church Church no:07102 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these accruals-based accounts for the year to 31 August 2021 have been prepared from the record5 of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustee5. Signature of treasurer.......-... Date..22 JUNE 2022....... Name and address of treasurer ONKHOPOTSE MOENG CA{SA)...................................................... 29 CLARK DRIVE, YATE, BRISTOL......................................._................ Post Code ..BS37 7EH.. Presentation to the Churth trustees I confirm thatthe annual report and accounts forthe year ended 31 August 2021 were presented to the meeting of the Church trustees held on...... 0K(SM- Signature of the Chair of the meeting ......... ............................. rt.v. gMhieL Name of the Chair of the meeting................................................... Date.............. ....... . Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of the Wictoria Methodist Church Charity Number: 1135776 Responsibilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Wirtoria Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2021 set out on pages 3 to 6. As the Church's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Att 2011 {'the ACV). I report in respect of my examination of the Church'5 accounts carried out under sertion 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515)(b) of the Art. Victoria Methodist Church no:07102 Independent Examinerfs Statement The Church's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of SOUTH AFRICA INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS {SAICAI.............................................................................. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination vthich give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with sertion 130 of the Att; or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts do not comply wsth the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination the trustees, annual report is not consistent with the accounts I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in orderto enable a proper understandingof the accounts to be reached. I have obtained independent verification of all investments wtth the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in othertrusts. bank balances and funds at the Central Finan￿ B03rd of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £lO.(M)O (ten thousand pounds) at the balance Sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner NOMPUMELELO TABUDI CAISA)......................................................._..................._.... Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT CA{SA) Name of firm (where appropriatel N/A........-.............-........-_........................................... Address 25 CARAVEL HOUSE. I REGALIA CLOSE...................................................................................................-............. P05t Code E16 2TA.................. Date 22 JUNE 2022 ......................-......................... Victoria Methodtst Church Church No 0702 Statement of Finanaal ALtivftles (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2021 Totsl 2011>21 F4Jnds f￿d5 101￿10 Income l Offerlnes 2 Don*ions 3 Tax redairn5 4 Interest ènd investment Incorne 5 Income from r￿ential properties 6 Internal Di8anwtions 7 Othercharikble it)CDme 8Totsi inrome Expenditure 9 Citcurt a&sessmenl orshare 10 Grants and donations 11 Property malnteTra*)ce 12 Insuranw utilitiesetc 13 Dep￿ciatIon I40ffi￿ expenses 15 Other expenditu 16 lrternal or8anisations 17 Total charfiabletspenditure 18Gainslllossesl on monetsrylnb 19 Gains/llossesl on investmeTrt WOF*rties 20 Net IT￿Orne/{e￿￿1iurel 21 Transfers between funds 22 Other eainsllkssesl 23 Net moVem￿l￿￿1ndS 24Totsl funds broughtforwald 25 Totsl funds carried fon¥ard 40.616 40￿ 159,838 71.9 579 61162 31,306 2.529 lo￿5? 49J 17.855 17,855 4.961 14159 4.961 195.756 U04 156.599 51486 Si486 2500 291.566 17,398 63,256 27.388 17398 265.178 io 1807 li 7.541 io.c*i 7,541 081 6A95 7,487 114J55 265,178 381573 157388 li 8VI7 - 16 2Aii 16 789 307,527 375.791 372J2Z 16 373.111 371322 62J85 Wictoria Metlw)di5tChuFth (hurth No 0702 OebtOLS and Loans bYthe(hurches InYe5tmentswthTMCP Ents 55 65.251 2D5.011 4.718 325,79S 41.754 371322 Cè5h ètBankandinh￿￿ IB.210 ¢urr•iiliabU￿¢ credrtot51du2￿ ￿￿j￿1¥Ea1) 1977 32Z GelleTal [Unre5tr￿ed) FundslUnrerrirted> 372 285,505 185.505 37132Z 371321 Chur(hTreasvr Jctoria Methodtstchurch thurch No 0702 Notes tothe Accounts l Basis of Accounting The financial statements have been prepared in accordancewith SORPIFR51021 as updated, being the CUTrentversion of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Ststement of Recommended Prattice, and the Charitie5 Act 2011. 2 Funds The funds held constitute: General Funds held for any puwp05e of the churth which are unrestrtrted. Resbicted fuEtd5 which are held for a narrower purpose including those for rntemal Orga￿t￿ort￿ There are no Endowmentfunds. Detsils of eath material fund are disclosed in note 16. Funds are represented by cash and cash equivalents. 3 Atcounting Policies Basis of Preparatlon Other than Investment5 whith are shown at their marketydlue at the end of the year. these accounts have been prepared on the accruals basis applying the historicèl c05t. The Trustees have consideied the consequences of COVIO 19 and other events and c£Jndition5 aFbd have detemiined that they do not create a material uncertainty that casts 5tgnifi¢3nt doubt upon the church'5 abiltty to continue as a goinE concern. The accounts present a tiue and fairmew of the financial p05tlion and activtbe5 of the church during the year. The accountinÈ policies adopted ale outlined below. Income Income is iftduded in the Ststement of Financial ActNities ISOFAI when the church becomes entttled to the re50urce5. and the trustees are reasonably certain they w511 re￿1ve the resources: and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Expendlture Expenses are recognised when a liability is incurred. or a constrLKtr¥e obltgation arise5, that results in the payment being unavoidable. abillties are recognised as soon Bs an ouffiow of ecortomrc benefft is considered more likety than not under the legal or constructive obligation cc*nmittingthe church to pay out rest)Ur￿. VAT Since the church is not VAT registered. all input VAT is tharged w¥th the expenses to whith it ￿er$. Investments Investments are valued in the balance sheet at market walue at the year end. Investment ino)me Is intluded in the accounts when ceivable and aF)y gains or losses on revaluation at the year ertd areshown in the SOF Residential Property Income The church's residential property is partly letto Ydrious community groups. schools and othermxial organisatlons to genernte rentral income. Changes in Accounting Policy The prior pertod accounts were prepared under the cash basis as the income of the church was belowthe threshold as stipulated bv the Charttie5 Comm￿S￿On. In 2021, the church's gross income exceeded the £250.CIJ)threshold stipulated by the Charities CornmtS5ion. as surh the accounts were prepared by applying the accru31 bB515 of accountÉng. The income and expenses of the church in its nom31 course mostly alrgn to its receipts and payments, therefore result of this change has had no impact on Lwth the current and prior period fJgure5. ountSng Estimates The church does not make use of accounting e51imates. Material Prior Period Error5 No material prior year errors have been identified in the reporting period. Victoria Methodist Church Church No 0702 oireritpp rertoeknt En 39.107 35,207 681 349 40.616 Gener I7￿90 435n Redthn5 26238 45.668 26.238 45.668 5.478 24.828 33W6 7.Otherln(om• ndryln(Drne IntsTr5tlnrome 2317 1917 579 2,204 2.529 4733 514B6 Redevelop￿tht 265,178 27.388 265.178 27.388 18,6n 412( Inskjfan 7.ni 9ffl 17 7.721 7.711 Ii,IFA) 14870 ani 7541 7WI fj.895 Oryani5t3nrtctKMr Leader 5532 5532 trea(h (>aTrts rrffte5forMethodtstChui(h PutP(ITes C￿tEntACcw￿1hdd￿4th53n&t￿j 65251 t82 65.2SI 18.210 205.￿1 4.n8 4L754 37 P41A 55 55 91 L727 147 L013 ClEan￿g 147 I&F GpnerJl 90.512 283A97 64,796 1,781 EtheridEE End0vrtr￿ Lni L781 37