2023-08-31-accounts - The Avenue Church

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June 2024 Annual Report of the Avenue Church (Registered Charity 1137080)

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The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot TQ12 2BY Minister: Rev. Gill Daniel

Mission Statement:

The Avenue Church exists to glorify God, share the gospel and to help people become disciples of Jesus Christ. We aim to achieve this by being a Christ-centred, Caring, Connected Community:

Caring: We aspire to be Christ-centred in our approach to individuals within and without the church - welcoming, nurturing, valuing differences and upholding each other in prayer.

Connected: We seek to deepen our connect i on with God and to support one another in our spiritual journeys through worship, prayer, Bible study and wider opportunities.

Community: We strive to serve God by serving the community - actively engaging with local churches, charities and lay groups;promoting social justice and developing our stewardship of the earth.

The Church and Its Services

The Avenue Church is a Local Ecumenical Project made up of people from the Methodist and United Reformed Churches, but people from various Christian traditions are regular worshippers with us. The LEP came into being in the year 2000, following an informal sharing agreement which ran for over 15 years. The Avenue Church is the largest of 14 churches in the Teignbridge Methodist Circuit.

The church building was erected in 1966, on the site of the Queen Street Methodist Church, when people from that church and Courtenay Street Methodist Church joined together to form the new congregation. The accommodation is designed on simple, straightforward lines, airy and centrally heated. In the sanctuary there is a gallery, a good pipe organ and a well-used coffee area. For the hard of hearing, an effective sound amplification/loop system is in place. A computer is used to project the words of hymns, readings, and other PowerPoint presentations onto a large ‘TV’ screen, but hymn books and songbooks are still available for those members of the congregation who prefer to use them. For those who are unable to attend Sunday Worship in person, the service is available through YouTube streaming and recordings. For the housebound or those without technology, District ‘Worship at home’ service sheets, Ministers’ ‘Thoughts’ and the most recent weekly diary is distributed fortnightly.

Worship

The Avenue is a friendly church and covers a wide range of worship. The weekly Sunday Morning Service at 10:30am has an average attendance of 50-75 adults. On the first Sunday of the month, there is a 9.30 am Worship and Discussion service, with an average attendance of 20 people. On the second Sunday, those under 18 attend Sunday Club, with a typical attendance of 3-7 children. On the fourth Sunday there is an All-Age Worship service, usually accompanied by the Worship Band.

Children and young people are welcome to all our services. There are generally art and craft activities available at the back of the Sanctuary, along with suitable books.

Holy Communion is shared approximately once per month; all are welcome to partake. The bread and wine are brought to the congregation to allow all to share equally. For hygiene purposes, individual glasses are used. Gluten free wafers are available, and the wine is non-alcoholic.

Other Worship opportunities include WhatsApp prayer, Sunday morning pre-service prayer, Prayer tree, Prayer and Praise via Zoom on Wednesday mornings and a range of Bible studies/ Housegroups. The Avenue also conducts a number of baptisms, marriages, and funerals. We are authorised for both heterosexual and same-sex marriages.

Children and Family Support

The children and family worker role is currently vacant and a suitable candidate will hopefully be appointed soon. The role supports children and families through pastoral contact, Tea & Tots Group, Mini Messy Church and engagement through local schools. In the meantime, children’s activities continue through the support of volunteers. Safeguarding policies are fully in place.

Other actvites

The Avenue Church actively supports Christian Aid (e.g. hosting the ‘Big Brekkie’), Action for Children, Homeless in Teignbridge Support (HITS), and “Our Pavilion” café in Forde Park which provides employment opportunities for adults with different needs. The Avenue Church participates fully in Christians Together in Newton Abbot and District.

The Avenue has established a sharing agreement with a local health and well-being charity called KingsCare which uses the church facilities several times a week for some of its activities.

As a Church, we are committed to World Justice issues and promote Fairtrade. We are also actively reducing use of plastic, aiming for zero plastic status.

Rooms are offered externally for lettings.

Church Groups and Regular Events

Monday Club – social group for ladies (alternate Mondays 2:30 pm)
Bible Chat group (Tuesdays 2:00-3:30pm)
Fern Road Housegroup (alternate Wednesdays at 7:30pm September to April; likely to be held monthly from September 2024, continuing through to June. The name may also change as it no longer reflects its location.)
Northumbria Morning Prayer & Praise (Wednesdays 8:00-8:30am on Zoom)
The Avenue Church Coffee Morning (Wednesdays 10:30–noon)
Walking Group (first Thursday of the month, meeting at 9:45am)
Creative Crafters (2[nd] and 4[th] Thursdays 2:00–4:00pm)
Badminton Club (Thursdays 7:30pm)
Tea & Tots Group (Fridays 9:30-11:00am term time only)
Men’s Breakfast (1[st] Saturday of month 8:15-9:30am at “Our Pavilion” in Forde Park)
Lydia’s Link friendship & fellowship group for women (approx. monthly, no fixed date and time)

Pastoral Care and Outreach

All members of the church family come under the care of the ministerial team and the dedicated team of pastoral visitors under the leadership of the Pastoral Care Coordinators. Most members and some adherents now have an allocated Pastoral Friend, but many groups within the church also look after each other in that group.

Outreach is very important to The Avenue Church. Many of the church’s activities benefit not only its members but others, giving the church an opportunity to deliver the Christian message.

Financial Review

The financial accounts for the year September 2022 to August 2023 showed a net receipts versus payments of £68,642 (Receipts being £185,072 while payments were £116,430). The surplus was due mainly to grants received for the upstairs toilet project totalling £58,800 plus fundraising of £16,994. The main WC project expenditure will appear in the financial accounts in the year to August 2024.

Reserves Policy

The current Reserves policy of the church aims to have available general funds which equate to six months of revenue expenditure. The church achieved this target throughout the year and at August 2023 had funds of £261,390. The funds which are not already designated to projects or held by Internal Organisations are kept for the maintenance and replacement of church buildings and assets.

Structure, Governance and Management

In 2010 a new ecumenical constitution was agreed. The church was granted charity status, registration number 1137080. The Church Trustees, formerly the Church Council, are responsible for the day to day running of the charity. They must report to the congregational meeting concerning their activities twice a year. The church manages its affairs through the Trustees, most of whom are responsible for an identified area of church life. The trustees meet regularly under the chairmanship of the minister and report to the wider Church Meeting. There were no serious incidents during 2022/23 financial year.

Administratve Informaton

The Avenue Church is situated in the centre of Newton Abbot. The correspondence address is:

Address: The Avenue, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2BY

Telephone: 01626 360 400

E-mail: office@theavenuechurch.co.uk

Website: www.theavenuechurch.co.uk.

Trustees

EX-ofcio members

Rev. Gill Daniel - Chairperson/Methodist Minister

Elected members

Sheila Bendall – Hospitality

Kay Fice – Property (Kay is also employed by The Avenue and Teignbridge Methodist Circuit as Office Administrator)

Margaret Fisher - Secretary

Jean Francis - Worship & Communication

Kathryn Garnett – Joint Pastoral Co-ordinator

Duncan Knight- Treasurer

Linda Ranjit - Welcome

Gill Sinden – Joint Pastoral Co-ordinator

Vacant - Children and Youth

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS THE AVENUE CHURCH NEwfoN ABBOT Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2023 TEIGNBRIDGE Clr¢ult Clrcult no. 24128 Roglstsred Charlty- Charity Rfjgistration number 1137080 If not a registered charity Her Majesty'8 Revenue and Custom% GIftAld nurnr (The HMRC number rs equNalent to 8 registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to grrfe to donors or grant funders wishing io see evKJ8nce of the organi$8tton's charitable ststus. Methodist charilies in England and WaS that are rl registered charitws are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242) Mnister. Rev Gll Dani81 Chureh Stewards: Sheila Bendall Sara Crouch Kay Fice Margaret Fisher Jean Franrys Kathryn Gamett Duncan Knhjht Gil Sinden Treasurer. Duncan Knvjht Church R12023 lof5

ACCOUNTS FOR YE1 ENDED 31 MIGUST 2023 THE AVENUE CHURCH NEWTON ABBOT Chur¢h Ihngtrid¢d Restiid•d Tot•15 thi5 Funts Funds Totals l•st yo•r SECTION A 81 RECEIPT3 a2 Oflerf 8 and Tax recoved Bank and CFB int¢r¢¥t •rKI Investment income 68224 72.800 83 11.089 10,847 10.796 11)0.956 5.667 11.gso 68,507 158.924 Léttl 85 Other reeol 82.507 82.$07 93,302 183,462 a6 TOTAL RECEIPTS {a7} secTION B b1 PAYMENTS b2 Clrcult Assessmwrt or Share 71.040 70,402 b3 Donat•M8 400 alrn and Mainten8nce U141ities {Insur8nces. water 8. he8Un & lighlin 10.715 12.083 13223 13 b7 (Thr paymonts TOTAL PAYMENTS 12.677 101.055 6,704 0.704 19.381 114.758 24.844 117.732 {b•l SECTKIM C NET RECEIPT8IPAYINTS FOR THE YEA 75.803 41.192 Tot81 funds brought lovwgrd last year 89.053 102079 191931 150.739 Sub total c1+G2 178.682 191.931 Transfers and 8d'u8trnents 11.723 11.723 c7 TOTAL FIA40S AT END OF YEAR {c3+¢4) 93.677 166.958 260.635 {ce) 191.931 {c6} SECTION D FOR INFOFIMATIOP4 0Y. AIONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGAMISATIONS ures above) d1 Balance bro hl fcrfward from last 142 d2 Offerin 8IGifts- reL*i¥od for •xtemal o 1.337 2,208 d3 Offering8lGffts . to extemal 1.479 2.066 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAKI d1+d2-d3 142 Church R2 2023 2of5

SE¢TKbllE 14 470 136 130 149 816 755 -totskn colwol 1147J• 7•4 l¢TI 635 BY CWJRC TOT gEeTh)N F CLOSMO YURCII.CASH FPMS WDtll 12 710 41 78 142 7S5 TOTAL C•AIIBJIKIS TrLo8Ye•AIRCH 192747.55 31 IAWt) d&&1 ChwchR32023 3ds

TFIC kv6JUé CHLMICH Nam8ofChurch..................................................................... Declarations and Scrutiny I ccfillm that those ReIpl aTrJ Pawn8nt baJ aclwts for th8 to 31 knJust 20fJ have been prgp4red fmm tho records ofthe Churth d Ihat th8y h¢byJe all urthr lh8 contrLI oflhe Church tnjstees. Slunatuft of treasurer .............. 12/5/2 Name 8nd adthass ol treasiwer.. To12 1 Hfvj Pr•8•ntstlon lo th• Clwrch tru8te¢• I confirm that the amual report and accounts for the Jwr ended 31 August 2023pF•lwA bg" presèrtsd to the m88tlng ol the Churth trust88s hekl on .2&/.S1.zq- SSgnalure ol the Chak crflhg me8tirwJ .. Namo ofthe Chatrofth8 ...... . Independent Examiner• Report to the Trustso• of tho AL) ..Church , Ch•ry NumbÈr./IA.705D R•#poMlbllttles and ba•1• ( rwport I report lo the trusteas myexamination ofthe ac4))unts of for th8 r ended 31 August 2023 set on pag8s.l. to .... iILJ......Church, s the Churth's trusto8s, 8re rè5ponsble for Ihg weparaknn ofthe accowts kn a(YAwdance 1hg tequknents of the Chwlies Act 20111'tho Acl,). I report h re5P8Ct of my exeftin81kn ofthg Chwth's a(¥)ts rnthed clrt ¥Jer sethon 145 of thè A and, in carrywig out my exomination. I have fdhjwl all the apFAhb& Dkeckns given by Ihe Charity commis0 ulr secti(¥b 145{5Xbl of the ACL ' delets or ¢Jrck as appmwigte 4d5

Name of Church..................... //3 7oSts. Independont Examknovs Statement I h8ve completed my examination. I nfirrn that no material matters have ccrtne to my attentbn In connection thith the examinalK)n (other than Ihat dtsclosed bek)) give me caus8 lo believe that in, any material respect: the 8ccounting records were not kepl accordance with sectK)n 130 of the Act. or the accounts do not accord the accounlry records. I have no concemg and have come across no other matters in connection 1th the examination to which attention should be drawn in reFort in order to enable a proper underslandkng of the accounts to be reached. Ib•vaave nor obtained independent verification of all investments wth the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or hekj in othér trusts, bank balan and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Meth(wJigt Church bthich are individualty in excess of £10.000 (ten thOUsar Pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of indeperKlent examiner Name of independent examlner Relevant professional qualtfutionofwtdependentexamner .......... .................................. Name of (where appropriate) 6LA4o/v Lry Address Date delete or cwde as appropriate Chur¢h R5 2023 5of5