2024-08-31-accounts - The Avenue Church

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June 2025 Annual Report of the Avenue Church (Registered Charity 1137080)

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 connection 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 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 two 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 styles. 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 3-10 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 Avenue Church Family Worker was appointed Sept 2024. The role supports children and families through pastoral contact, Tea & Tots Group, Mini Messy Church and engagement through local schools. Safeguarding policies are fully in place.

Other activities

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.

The Avenue Church hosted a pantomime again in Feb 2025 after a couple of years break. It was directed by and starred many members of the church and friends.

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)
‘Carrots’ support group (Tuesdays 10:30-12:00, fortnightly)
Northumbria Morning Prayer & Praise (Wednesdays 8:00-8:30am on Zoom)
Straight Talk Homegroup (normally 3[rd] Wednesday 7:30-9:30pm, September to June)
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)
Youth Nights (for 11-16year olds last Friday of month 7:30-9:00pm)
Kidz n Coffee (3[rd] Saturday of month 10:00-11:30am)
Men’s Breakfast (1[st] Saturday of month 8:15-9:30am at “Our Pavilion” in Forde Park)
Sunday Club (2[nd] Sunday each month 10:15-11:30am)
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 2023 to August 2024 showed a net receipt versus payments of minus £120,889 (Receipts being £118,282 while payments were £239,171). The deficit was due mainly to expenditure for the upstairs toilet project totalling £128,245.

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 2024 had funds of £139,746. 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 2023/24 financial year.

Administrative Information

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-officio/ Co-opted members

Rev. Gill Daniel - Chairperson/Methodist Minister

Sarah Wood – Children and Family Worker

Elected Trustees

Sheila Bendall – Worship and Hospitality

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

Margaret Fisher - Secretary

Jean Francis – Children, Youth & Communication

Kathryn Garnett – Joint Pastoral Co-ordinator

Duncan Knight- Treasurer

Linda Ranjit - Welcome

Gill Sinden – Joint Pastoral Co-ordinator

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS THE AVENUE CHURCH Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 TEIGNBRIDGE Clrcult Clrcult no. 24128 Reg18tered Charity - Charlty Reglstratlon number If not a registered charity HIS Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Ald number (The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used lo give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepled from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242) 1137080 Minister., Rev G Daniel Church Trustees.. Sheila Bendall Kay Fice Margaret Fisher Jean Francis Kathryn Garnett Linda Ranjit Gill Sinden Treasurer.. Duncan Knight Final church-receipls-and-payments-2024.xls 1 of5

THE AVENUE CHURCH ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Church Unrestrlcted Restricted Totals this Funds Funds year Totsls last year SECTION A RECEIPTS Note a2 Offerin s and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 66.842 66,842 68,224 a3 11,035 6,910 14,856 99,643 11,035 6,910 33,495 118,282 11,089 10,847 93,302 183,462 Lettin Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 18,639 18,639 a6 {a7) SECTION B b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circuit Asse55ment or Share 64,736 64,736 100 71.040 400 b3 Donations 100 b4 Re airs and Maintenance Utilities Ilnsurances. water char es, heatin htin 12.019 12,019 b5 12,850 12,850 13,223 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 53,259 142,964 96,207 96,207 149,466 239,171 19,380 114,758 b8 (b9) SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR a6-b8 43,321 77,568 120.889 68,704 Total funds brought forward from last year 93.677 166,958 260,635 c6 191,931 Sub total cl+c2 50,356 89,390 139,746 260,635 c4 Transfers and ad, ustments 19,500 19,500 c7 c5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR {¢3+c41 69,866 69,890 139,746 Ic81 260,635 Ic6 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (these amounts are not to be included In total recelptslpayments fl ure8 above) d1 Balance brou ht fotward from last ear 142 d2 Offerin sIGifts - received for external or anisations 1,422 1,337 d3 Offerin9sIGifts passed lo external organisalions 1,422 1,479 d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1 +d2-d31 10) Final Ch(Irch-rLceipis-(il)d-payii)eiiis-2024.kls

THE AVENUE CHURCH Church MMARY O URCH A¢ NTSAND TERNAL OR NISATION REPORTIN TOTHEC RCH CO SECTION E Ple follow the Guldance Notes to corn lete thls Summary ol the Church accounls foi the year ended 31 Augusl 2024 Intern81 Organisalions reportlng to the Churth Counclvchureh Meeting. Note that the lunds of Internal Or9anisalion VIOU normalty be Resliiciei5 fund5 unless It could be clearly shown Ihal Ihey could be used any Methodlsl purpose. This sectlon musl be cornpleled to arrive al the gross Income and expendituie iotsls of the Church If gr055 Incorne exceeds IheAcciuals Ihresh(Ad. then the Accruals method ol ac{9 AND A DIFFERENT FORM musl be used 10 report the accwnt5158e Melhodlst websilel. Please reler to the guidance Mle5 regar¢ing transfers beee the Th51ricl an(5 connected Distr1 OrganisalioTh5. INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS Nel Receipts1 Pa ments Opening ba¢an¢e$ Is Pa m8nls Ad u$tmen15 Closin balafi¢es Flower Fund 523 63 470 407 Nèwtork MWI8 136 136 13e e.1 Monda Club 1.737 108 149 257 ¢7 uts lolal of Internal anisalion$ fun¢Js ¢8 755 011 664 •12 church accounts Itoto15 brought forward from page 2 1otsl$ ¢olumnl 118,282 239,171 Ib91 1120,8891 le71 260,635 139,746 c8 BY CHURCH 120,$87 241,667 1120,9801 261,390 140,410 Continue on a 8ep8iale she81 il necessary and bring the ioials lo81 TOTAL PAYMENTS TOTAL RECEIPTS SECTION F NDLI OPENING BALANCES CLOSING BALANCES CHURCH. CASH FUNDS HELD al 31 A U$1 2024 Cash in 379 Bgnk Cuffenl Account 8ank De Sll Account 184550 r4 Central Finance Board Tw6lees for Mèihodlsl Church Pur oses 41,478 43,599 Olher fund$ SUB TOTAL- Chureh accounti Totsl lund5 held by Iniemal Organi801ty)n$ Ilhe ciosln9 bala iOtsI Ir¢m above) le121 260,635 139746 c8 755 611 e121 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH 261.390 140,410 ly SECTION G Al 1 September 2023 Al 31 Au9U812024 OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES Investments include Endowmen15 Land & 8uildin see notes re Insuiance value Other As5els 198.114 Loan show amount ou151andin al ear end Other L¢abil¢li?s 14 Includè only Fun4$ held al the Cenlral Finance Boaid rs Include only Funds held al Trusie8s lor Methodisl Church PurFQ¥eS 91 Include any other invèstments Inoi the cash elemenl of TMCP trusts accounts this is indwJg(J in line 15 3015

Name of Church . .The Avenue Church................. No . .24128... Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination { ) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act. or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examinalion to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I Fmvglhave not. obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner Name of firm (where appropriate) Address Post Code Date delete or circle as appropriate Form Re•0d Final church-receipls-and-payments-2024.xls 5of5

Name of Church .The Avenue Church No...24128.. Declarations and Scrutiny I confimi that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2024 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees. Signature of treasurer Name and address of treasurer Post Code.... Pre8entatlon to the Church trustees I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 werelwill be. presented lo the meeting of the Church trustees he5d on Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting li+ Independent Examlner's Report to the Trustees of the .The Avenue............ ..Church Charity Number . .1137080........... ResponslbllitieB and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of" The Avenue Church" for the year ended 31 August 2024 sel out on pages to As the Church's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the account5 in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the Church's accounts carried oul under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Dlrections given by the Charity Commission under section 145(51{bl of the Act. delete or circle as appropriale Final Clwrch-reCPls•and-p8Y8n1>2O24 xls 4of5