## **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 be￿ee
the Th51ricl an(5 connected Distr￿1 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 lo￿81￿
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-reC￿Pls•and-p8Y￿￿8n1>2O24 xls
4of5

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 be￿ee
the Th51ricl an(5 connected Distr￿1 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 lo￿81￿
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-reC￿Pls•and-p8Y￿￿8n1>2O24 xls
4of5