## **South-West Cumbria United Area Trustees’ Annual Report (September 2020 – August 2021)** If 2019-20 was ‘a year of two halves’ (pre-Covid / Covid, normal life / lockdown life), 2020 – 21 has been far more fragmented. Some congregations were very happy to return to church in September 2020, but it wasn’t long before we were back at home on a Sunday morning due to the ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown. Services started again in December, but we were plunged into a longer lockdown by the end of the month and didn’t escape until early April. While some had the blessing of celebrating Christmas in church, by Easter most congregations – if not all members – were back. Throughout it all, we have been sustained by the home worship sheets, the United Area letters and the various online worship and prayer opportunities provided by our ministers and lay preachers, along with the newsletters, email and phone contacts within our own church communities. In many ways, it feels as though we have drawn closer. Staffing has been a major theme throughout the year. In preparation for Jennet’s retirement, the Stationing Committee submitted a profile of the United Area for the Methodist Stationing process in September, only for a candidate for the URC’s ‘opportunity for ministry’ finally to present themselves! It was obvious that there could be no stationing visits this year and that all meetings with candidates would have to take place over Zoom, something that was challenging for them and for us. While it became clear that the URC candidate could not fullfil our needs, our meetings with Rev Dr Helen Hooley in November went extremely well, culminating in her acceptance of our invitation to become our Superintendent. Having happily filled one vacancy, another emerged in January with Zena’s decision to curtail here and seek an appointment in the south closer to her family. As stationing was not a feasible option, a more creative solution was sought. It took some time to put together what will hopefully be a successful plan in which we draw on the considerable experience of two Methodist colleagues, as well as that of an ecumenical partner. Our old friend Rev David Edmondson has kindly agreed to return to look after Dalton and Askam and to contribute to the preaching plan, while Rev Les Hann will join us on one day a week in Millom, plus preaching commitments. Les is well known across the District and has continued to preach post-retirement and to serve as an agricultural chaplain. Our Anglican colleague, Rev Stephen Tudway, with whom we are already working on the Broughton project, has agreed to provide pastoral care to the folk at Kirkby, and he is looking forward to developing new ecumenical activities. Sophie, with her contract as Families and Community Worker coming to an end, decided to candidate for presbyteral ministry alongside Hayley Edmondson. Although ultimately Sophie wasn’t successful, she has moved on to an interesting lay post in Kent; whereas Hayley begins her ministerial training in Birmingham this September on the basis of ‘extremely limited availability for stationing’. In the meantime, the URC still hopes to be able to station a minister in South-West Cumbria in the future. To support our staff, the Trustees appointed an administrative assistant in August, initially on a very parttime basis, though the role may be expanded. Jen Cox, who already has experience of this type of work, will start in September, with one of her first tasks being the creation of the next preaching plan. Tim, our final staff member, has worked tirelessly throughout the year. Despite the charity shop being closed during the lockdowns, he managed to do an impressive amount of trading online, while helping Sophie with the Hartington Street Hub. He also started a very successful fruit and veg delivery service based at Trinity Church Centre, initially to help people who couldn’t go out shopping because they were shielding, but which now continues to provide high quality produce to a growing number of people. Tim’s role became officially full-time in November, reflecting all he contributes at the shop and elsewhere. _Let us hold all our staff members in our prayers as they start the new church year._ With regards to property, it was again mainly about manses. Following the successful sale of the property on Park Drive last year, it was agreed to sell the Millom manse. After many viewings, a mini bidding war culminated in a surprisingly high price … which, following the surveyor’s report, dropped unsurprisingly to a figure nearer to, but still above, the asking price. The completion of the sale dragged on rather longer than expected and again our thanks go to Lynne Pearce for her patience and diligence in dealing with the estate agent, surveyor and solicitor. The other manse which received attention this year was Carlton Avenue, to get it ready for the arrival of Helen and her husband David. It’s always quite a challenge to complete necessary work between the departure of one minister and the arrival of their successor, so our thanks go to Charlie Mills for managing it all so punctually. After Zena’s departure, the URC plans to sell the Dalton manse, with the idea of purchasing a new property should a URC presbyter come to the United Area, thus avoiding the IT and broadband problems faced by Zena. As the Covid situation lasted longer than initially thought, most of our churches have felt the pinch as income from collections and lettings has been severely depleted, with some having to break into their reserves to pay the bills. Hopefully, the financial situation will now start to improve. Members seem keen to restart many of the abandoned activities and invite outside users back into our buildings and, now that we know how to keep ourselves safe and are ‘double jabbed’, September could herald the return of fellowship groups, coffee mornings and other pleasurable activities, albeit in a moderated format. On the positive side financially, the sale of manses has given the United Area funds to use for mission in the future. The year culminated in three special services: two farewells and a welcome. On 3[rd] July, over 50 of us met at Trinity to thank Jennet (and Neil!) and to wish them a happy retirement in Yorkshire; then on 25[th] July, over 60 celebrated Zena’s time with us at Beacon Hill. To make them possible and keep everyone safe, both events were regimented to a degree unheard of in previous years: masks on, distancing, sanitising, designated seating, food only prepared in-house. No communal singing was allowed for Jennet, but how we enjoyed the thrill of sitting down for tea and cake with a hall full of other people! At Zena’s service, the joy was finally being allowed to sing again, which we did with gusto. The doors were all open on that very hot weekend and the beautiful singing was carried outside and remarked upon later by neighbours who’d been in their garden. Helen’s arrival, along with David’s return, was celebrated on 29[th] August by over 70 people, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Barrow, the Chair of District and a range of ecumenical partners, and seemed to herald the start of a new era with the potential for exciting and interesting possibilities. What might they be? As Trustees we have, for example, had conversations this year about what we might wish to carry forward from the alternative ways to worship introduced over the last year and about how we might develop outreach opportunities at the charity shop. We are very open to finding better ways to meet the needs of our members, as well as becoming more involved in crossdenominational working and developing new missional opportunities. Potentially, some changes may be prompted by external sources, with discussions about possible boundary changes across the ‘southern belt’ of the Cumbria District. Similarly, individual congregations will want to consider how they envisage the future. Even if that conversation is prompted by worries about falling numbers and finances, we have learned over the past 18 months of Covid that we don’t just need to cling to the ways of the past but can step out boldly and embrace new things. With this in mind, let’s finish with some verses from one of the series of readings from the Iona Community used at Zena’s farewell service. This reflection is called ‘ _A Temple Not Made With Hands’_ and the second and fifth verses are as follows: Lord Jesus, you are before us – directing. We believe it. That is what gives us courage to go on. New challenges already beckon and again we sometimes dither. But it is you that directs. It is you that beckons. So we dedicate ourselves – and we bless you … _We_ are your temple not made with hands. _We_ are your body. If every wall should crumble and every church decay, _We_ are your habitation. Nearer are you than breathing, closer than hands and feet. Ours are the eyes with which you, in mystery, Look out in compassion on the world. **Amen** CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS South West Cumbria United Area Circuit FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 Cumbria District Circuit no 09116 Registered Charity- Charity Registration number 1141404 If not a registered charity Her Majestys Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number (The HMRC numbei is equivalent to a registered charity number in temis of evidence of charitable status and may be used lo give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisalion's oharitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered eharities are excepted from registration under Stalutory Instrument 2014 No.2421 Ministers.. Rev Jennet McLeod Rev Zena Smilh Circuit Stewards: -Jnne Pearr Kathw_Aldred Janet Ladds Ka￿ n Edmondson Challe Mills Treasurer.. ne Pearce 2015 c1￿11t R ald PJL 1 of1 South West Cumbria United Arèa ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 Circuit Circuit restri¢ted Model Trust Restri¢ted Funds Fund Funds Total8 this yèar Totals la8t SECTION A a1 RECEIPTS Note a2 Asse55menVShare 119,303 110938 a3 Ca ital recei Is Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 223.898 223.898 223,703 128 599 727 726 Grants 11,175 2.778 13,952 18,000 23,287 26 Other receipt$ TOTAL RECEIPTS 24.732 24,732 a7 155.338 224.496 2.778 382,612 la81 376,654 SECTION B b1 b2 PAYMENTS Stipends, salaries, NIC. Pension and travel costs 104.020 2.778 106,798 113,178 b3 Manse Costs 15.779 15,779 12.226 Administration etc 4.711 335 5,045 5.012 bs District Assessment 29.016 9.218 38,234 30,991 1.s70 Grants & donations b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 18,680 69.539 88.219 101,591 264,568 b9 172,205 79,092 2,778 2S4,07S Ib91 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYPélENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 {a7-b9) 116,867) 145.404 128,537 112,086 Total funds brou hl forward from last year 172.003 165.981 337.984 Ic61 229,224 Sub total {cl+c21 1S5.136 311.385 466,521 341,311 Transfers and ad"iJ5tments (¢71 13.3271 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c41 155.136 311.385 466,521 Ic81 337,984 Ic6 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS the$& amounts Should not be included in total recei tslpaym•nts abov•) d1 Balance brought forward from last Offerin sIGifts - received for exlemal o ear d2 anisaitons 11,428 9,383 9,921 9,921 d3 OfferingslGifts - passed to extemal organisations BALANCE STILL TO BE PMD Id1 + d2- d3 d4 2,046 2015 cl￿vIl R and P.￿S Souih West Cumbrfa Unltod Area cireu E CIRC SECTION E t•f•lNs Summaryoftre Cw¢uit8ccounts forlhe yEarended 31 2021 and Intem* Orgari5atiorts reptyty tothe CiTcuII Meeting Notethallhefunds of en Iniemal OrganisaibJnvKwA ￿rrnaty be Re5tricbY lunts Lm*ss bede*yshtym ￿ait￿￿K# ￿ used Methodk8twrpose This 8ecbDD tny&l becDmpkled to?￿1ve?% Ihe9rw recepts aTrY pawYnL% ￿L$￿the Cu¢uit IIpD$S Inwmeex¢eeds thèA¢Gru¥s threshold ol £250.000. then IheAcgwals rnew ofac¢wNYgANOA DIFFERENT FORM mLL51 toRpyt ty*accttsits (see M2lhDd151 website). Please lerlo the9vidancer￿*S regarding Irdn5fer5 bet*Een theCifcL¥I andconnected CiroJit(hganuknc(*S. INTERNAL ORGANISATKY4S Opgmg Closkn b*an¢É% Nelw(Kk ¢2 SthIDWot Inthrn OtuanlSthsfL¥￿s broughtf¢ThMrd frorn g*2-totals ¢OJumni 382A12 2¥075 128,537 337.984 IL6} 466.521 MELD BY CIRCVtT 302.612 2XQ75 128,$37 337.984 466.521 CL¥htinu8 on 4 sep¥at• sh84lrfnqcossaryand Irbe IDlats foiward TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAYMENTS SECTkYI F TATEMÈNfoFASSETS ANDLIA￿LMÉS OPENING BALANCES CLOSJNG 8ALANces CIRcillT-CASH FUNDS MELD al 31 Awian1 Cash 60.247 32.247 cen￿41 FinatKEBwd .756 107.889 165.981 311.385 15.000 15.000 SU8 TOIAL 337.984 466.521 Tolal h￿J% TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CIRcurr 33Y,984 466.521 SECTTh G OTH2RA55ETS LLd&UllES 1.420 1.681 Land 677.955 315.348 0￿￿rA￿S1tS 11.713 11.7fj3 0thgruab￿*S 15 CFB aiTtUsLg•st¢rMWThOff￿tCrI￿th DECLARATIONS Treasurer I confimi that I have prepared the a¢¢ounts from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit Signature of Treasurer Date 2410912021 Name Lynne Pearce MAAT Address 60 Steel StreeL Askam-in•Furne5s, Cumbria. LA16 7BP Presentation to the 'Circuit Meeting for approval. I confirm that the Account5 have been presented to the Circuit Meeting on 2910912021 and were approved. Signature of the Chair of the meeting .VI LLOal Name of the Chair of the meeting Rev Dr Helen Hooley Date 2910912021 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the South West Cumbrla United Area Circuit This Report is on the Circuit Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021 Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner The chartys trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charitls Iruslees conside is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charrties Act 2011 {the Charities Act) and that an ir examination is needed. 11 15 my responsibility lo.. Examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charibes Act to folknv the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the ChaTity Commission (under Seclitin 14515)(b) of the Charities Act), and to stale whether particular matters have come to my attention. 2015 Circuit R and P.xL% 1 of1 8asls of Independent Examinrfs Rep¢xt My 8x8mination was carried out in ￿Cl￿dan￿ Vlith genefal 01￿Clic￿ ￿Ven by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a of the accounting ¥ecords kept by tr* charity and 8 ￿)MparIS¢￿ of the accounts presented wth Ihose record5. It also includes consKleralI￿ of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking expl8nati¢)ns from the trustees corsceming any SLK* rratters. The prO￿dureS undertaken do not provide all the gvidanc8 that would be required in an audit. and cOr￿￿￿1JY no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true aTrJ fairf view and the report is limrted to tIw)s8 matt8rs Set in the statem8nt b81ow. Ind•p•ndent Examin0￿8 Statafflent In ts)nnoctbn wrth my examinati￿, no matter ho8 0)m8 to my attenucffl.. whkh gives m r¢awable Cau￿ to b8lav8 that in any matèrial r8sp8Ct the r8qLtirements.' . to keep accounllThJ rec(¥ds in ac(x)rfan¢t wlth 130 of the Cherllw Act: . to pr6p8re acc￿nts vAth the a￿)Unting rec4Yd$ and o)mFly vthh th8 accounting rgqulfaments of th8 Ch*ibe$ Act have rb)t met: 121 to whith. in my op4nlon. alt•ntthi ts￿)￿d b¢ dro￿ In ordw to •nabh a proper understandirg ol the accounts lo be ￿8¢he￿. 131 I have nol obtslned Indep￿dent verrftcation ol 81 irN¢8knwts the Trustees for Methtsdlst Chur¢h Purp058s IYMCP'I Of held in othw Trusts. 88nk baa￿$ and Funds 81 the Central Fin8nce Bo8rd of the Method151 Church IfFB'}, 7Athkh ar• Ind￿ldY•1Y In of £tO.OLYJ {t•n thw8and pounds) at th8 balan¢* sh8el dale. Nam& MT David A Holis Signature aA HaLL R*lovanl Prol•sBion81 qualificatk￿ ty b¢xly F￿T Addr88S 119 BIrch￿￿ Drfve. Ufvwston. Currtrfia.LA12 9NY Dale Blh February 2022 2015 ClroA R and P.NJ8