## **NEW CROSS COMMUNITY** ## **CHURCH** ## **The Annual Report of the Local Ecumenical Partnership** **For the period November 2021- October 2022** 1 ## _**MISSION STATEMENT**_ _New Cross Community Church is called to respond in worship, discipleship, mission and service to the good news of God’s love in Christ_ ## **DISTINCTIVE VALUES** - We recognise that Jesus Christ is the “Head of the Church” and that as the “Body of Christ” the church exists for a purpose. - We continue to value our Anglican and Methodist heritage and seek to further promote our Ecumenical Partnership. - Everyone who belongs to the church has a vital contribution to make. - We accept that the church has to adapt to the challenges and the needs of an ever-changing world. - Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world and the message of “good news” that the church proclaims is the means by which people of all ages come into life-changing relationship with God. - The Christian life is a life of right relationships, with God, with ourselves, with others and with the world. - The Bible is the authoritative standard for Christian living and practice. 2 - Prayer is the necessary activity of every Christian. - We believe that the “pictures” given in the New Testament of the church as an assembly, a body, a bride, a temple, a family and an army are intended to shape the life of the church today. - Worship Ministry, Nurture and Pastoral Care Evangelism Serving the Local Community Stewardship World Mission ## **INTRODUCTION & HOW WE ARE STRUCTURED CURRENTLY** New Cross Community Church is an LEP (local ecumenical partnership) between the Church of England and Methodist church. However, we have a smattering of other parts of the Christian family engaging in worship and witness in the New Cross area of Sutton- in Ashfield where the church is based. We came together in 2000 at a time when the two congregations felt that God was moving them to join together to further the kingdom. Ministerial leadership is given by Rev. Peter Taylor from the Methodist Church, Rev. Julie Cotterill from the Church of England until May, when Rev Julie moved onto another parish. Rev Pat Hemstock (Area Dean) took an over seeing role. The Church Council, elected at the AGM are responsible for all aspects of the church, and is comprised of 9 members, Joanne Parr, Fiona Hodgson, Michelle Chadwick, Lee Fletcher, Kevin Freer, Adrian Self, Methodist Circuit representative Margaret Lee and the afore mentioned Ministers. The council meets approximately 6 times a year. Fiona Hodgson, Lee Fletcher and Kevin Freer resigned from the EEC later in the year for various reasons. We are looking for more people to volunteer to be on the ECC to help the leadership team to move the church forwards. 3 In the background are many people who do many things that allow the church to exist and continue to fulfil the vision of when the LEP came into existence. An advance THANK YOU to all who do so much. ## **OUR MEMBERSHIP & CHURCH ATTENDANCE** The membership of the church has an interesting levelling effect. We meet together as a worshipping community and the distinctions of the parental churches are blurred to give New Cross a unique way in which it operates and worships. We have two services on a Sunday at 9.30am and 11.00am. We also have some outreach “services “at the local schools, led by Rev Julie Cotterill and a hard working and dedicated team. We also have extra services at times in the year when appropriate. Church attendance has slowly started to increase since the pandemic but has not reached it’s pre pandemic numbers. ## **OUR SERVICES** Unfortunately, since the covid pandemic, some of our members have not returned to Sunday Worship but we are so thankful for those members, who in spite of not being able to attend, still kindly support the work of the church financially. We remember and miss all those members of the congregation who are no longer with us. Thanks to all who have played a part over the last year in making it so the church can function with all of its worship and activities especially Rev Peter Taylor, Rev Julie Cotterill, Hilary, Joanne, Michelle, Adrian and Kevin. Thanks also to the Rev Angie Smyth for stepping in covering the Anglican services. 11 Alive have met trying different ways to engage families. Two weeks in the month we go deeper with teaching, two other weeks we spend more time in worship and prayer and an activity, for instance making banners. We are looking into ideas to replace 11 Alive as numbers have fallen and doesn’t seem to be reaching people as it did. ## **REPORTS FROM OUR MINISTERS REV PETER TAYLOR AND REV ANGIE SMYTHE.** ## **“THE CHURCH AS A DESERT LANDSCAPE?”** Dear New Cross friends, As I write we are well underway with the calendar year, 2023 and in the church calendar I write this message on Ash Wednesday, the start of LENT. I wonder as we move from one month to another, what changes may come this year individually and together as New Cross Community LEP Church? Last year was one of quite a bit of change and turbulence for us as a church. Julie moved onto pastures new down the road at St. Mary Magdalene. Some members left the church, some have not returned for all sorts of reasons. I am sure like me, you are wondering what the Diocese may or may not do in terms of ordained, shared input? I hope we may have some clarity on this soon. _“See a king will reign in righteousness..like streams of water in the DESERT.” (Isaiah 32:1-_ _2)_ Ann Lewin puts it like this in her poem on Lent: 4 _“Lent is a time to learn to travel. Light to clear the clutter form our crowded lives, and find a space, a desert._ _Deserts are bleak: no creature comforts, only a vast expense of stillness, sharpening awareness of ourselves and God._ _Uncomfortable places, deserts. Most of the time we’re tempted to avoid them, finding good reasons to live lives of ease.. to stave of fear._ _But if we dare to trust the silence, to strip away our false security, God can begin to grow his wholeness in us, Fill up his emptiness, destroy our fears. Give us new vision, courage for the journey, And make our desert blossom like a tree.”_ Perhaps we as church can feel like a desert. Moses and others wandered in the desert for years. Deserts are perhaps not natural places for us to go to, but the early church people, often known as the Desert Fathers & mothers sought to go and learn from such places. Rowan Williams wrote: “ _What is to be learned in the desert is to be a means of reconciliation and healing for others. You flee to the desert not to escape neighbours (or issues) but to grasp more fully what the neighbour is- the way to life for you, to the degree that you put yourself at their disposal in connecting them with God.” (Silence & Honey cakes-the wisdom of the desert, 2003)_ _‘Uncomfortable places’_ writes Ann Lewin in her poem (above). Perhaps we have some _uncomfortable questions, concerns (and answers)_ about our church community? We have to acknowledge such questions. How is the church going to work in the future? Are we working as well as we can as an Ecumenical Partnership? One rather pragmatic and practical question to YOU is this: Will you consider coming onto the Church Council? We really do need a few more people to be on the ECC. This is so that we can be viable and that we have a good range of people- with different feelings & gifts- to represent the church. Please, will you think and pray about this. Soon (Thursday 11[th] May, 7.30pm) this church will meet with the Circuit Leadership team for a conversation and sharing time. I ask you all to come along to this. I also hope that soon Archdeacon Tors will meet with us as a church. Such gatherings need a Spirit of openness, a willingness to speak up and freely, not to grumble in quiet after the event. It might feel uncomfortable, but Christian discipleship is not easy or clear. Sometimes it is uncomfortable and hard, but if we dare to trust God, then God will give us vision and ‘courage for the journey.’ We have much to be thankful for. There are things being done practically and spiritually- be it general repairs, sorting out rotas, or an Alpha course, or encouraging people to grow Spiritually. Sunday Worship numbers have picked up slightly, although we do need to ponder and ask where are some of our members? **If the church feels in an** _**uncomfortable (desert like) place**_ **, perhaps each of us could ask ourselves, What can I dare to BE, SAY & DO for this Church?** My thanks go to the Leadership team, and to all who help this church in so many ways. Thank you for being part of New Cross. God Bless you this year, Rev. Pete (Methodist & Ecumenical minister) 5 Report to AGM of New Cross Church by Revd Angie Smythe I think it was about a year ago I first came to New Cross this time round and I have been coming ever since once a month except for Holidays and I also come for Remembrance Day. I also have been invited to the ECC. All the time I am learning. It is my pleasure to come to New Cross and to meet up with the Brothers and Sisters. New Cross a hidden community to those outside; the church being in a key place. When are we going to start shaking hands or even hugging? I suppose my role is one of encouragement and to hold up the Anglican end of things. We all realize that this is some sort of irony, we are playing out, as very few people 20 years on seem to be distinctively Methodist or Anglican. More Anglidists or Methicans. Maybe it’s, more thinking about where we came from. But there are those too who have grown out of the ecumenical church who are the new originals. Revd Peter Taylor is the lead minister at present until the church of England and us find someone for him to co-lead with again. This is a good time for us to thank Peter for that lead and also all the pulling together he does and also the practical organisation. This is very much appreciated. ## We realize we are one church in six! Being ecumenical from what I can see, can be very complicated with different forms and criteria and similar roles called different things but what’s so good is everyone deals with this very well and moves on to what’s important; that loving Jesus and trying to love each other and being an outside in Church. During this year I have seen people becoming more confident in their roles as an organization and speaking to authority. I hope this is accompanied by a growing personal faith and a stepping out one? Only you can answer that! You lovely people. ## **DIOCESE DEANERY CIRCUIT AND DISTRICT** ## Newstead Deanery Synod Methodist Circuit Joanne Parr and Michelle Chadwick are your Methodist Circuit representatives and they have attended meetings around the circuit representing New Cross. We meet every 3 months to discuss matters concerning the Methodist Churches in our circuit. They report back to the ECC what had been discussed. Matters raised included finance, property, safeguarding and special announcements. Newstead Deanery Synod meets around 4 times a year. Joanne Parr and Michelle Chadwick are our Deanery Reps. 6 ## **THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH** During this year there have been things to celebrate ## **LLM ( Licensed Lay Ministry)** Congratulation to Joanne Parr who was accepted for LLM training with the Southwell Diocese. ## **Hall bookings** This year the Academy Transformation Trust Further Education have hired the building for some of its courses. We also continue to hire it as a polling station. ## **Safeguarding** Gemma Self is the named safeguarding representative, the policy has been updated. A reminder safeguarding training takes place at times during the year through the circuit and Rev Peter Taylor does the DBS ## **Prayer chain** The prayer chain has been a valuable source of prayer especially through this time of the pandemic. They commit to praying, confidentially, for 48 hours and longer if needed. There have been many answered prayers and our faith is ever increased. Thank you for all those on our prayer chain for this valuable gift. **Giggles** -Girls in God Growing Loving Eating and Sharing A group comprising of 29-30 women. We meet monthly for prayer, a meal, friendship and activities. We have speakers and theme nights. All women are welcome. ## **Tuesday’s at 2** A group of 20-30 ladies and gentlemen that love to get together for bingo and a good chat. This group is always busy. ## **Toddlers** Toddler group has 20-25 plus parents attend the group on a Monday morning. The children enjoy their routine and know when it is time to tidy up. A lot of new children attend and some that will be soon leaving us. The group is run by Joanne and Vanessa. ## **Choir** 10-14 people meet on Tuesday evenings. They enjoy singing and learning songs old and new. The choir performed along with the Parish Players for their Christmas play. ## **Food Hygiene Course** The course was taken by 7 volunteers, they all passed. ## **Community Work** A group of people visit Sutton Day Care Centre, we told the Christmas story and sang carols. The visit was well received and it is hoped that the visits will continue. 7 ## **Disco/Bingo** These evenings are very well attended of 50 plus people. It happens on a monthly basis they enjoy both Christian ans secular music with games and food. Mens Group A small group of men meet up monthly. We enjoy meeting for food, friendship and a chat. 8 ## New Cross LEP Church Accounts 1st November 2021 - 31st October 2022 |INCOME
Offering (including Gift Aid & special services)
Lettings - Room Hire
Other Receipts:
Funerals and Banns
£977
Charity Collections (Open Plate, Brown Box)
£353
Church Events
£648
Messy Church
£0
Toddlers
£599
Giggles
£352
Bingo
£1,242
Choir
£655
Funding (Restricted)
£2,025
Salary - Furlough
£0
Interest
£12
Donations
£533
EXPENDITURE
Circuit Assessment and Parish Share
Donations
Repairs and Maintenance
Utilities
Restricted Funds
Other Payments:
Stationery/cleaning/maintenace items
£412
Funeral Costs Diocese
£344
Salaries + Admin charge
£3,212
Bank Account Fee
£88
Choir
£55
Donation Envelopes
£0
Craft items
£0
Gifts & Cards
£253
CCLI
£368
Training
£245
Independent Examiner
£100
Broadband
£472
Opening Bank Balances
£27,800
Closing Bank Balances
£26,796||2020-2021
£15,969
£6,655
£2,069
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£0
£550
£1,293
£0
£12,913
**£39,450**
£15,461
£0
£205
£2,621
£550
£58
£1,132
£3,214
£95
£0
£76
£45
£297
£326
£225
£100
£432
**£24,837**| |---|---|---| ||£9,332|| ||£10,835|| ||£7,395|| ||**£27,562**|| ||£17,283
£0
£1,463
£3,693
£579
£5,548
**£28,566**|| |||| Balance sheet as at year ending 31st October 2022 |Opening Balance CAF Bank
Opening balance Lloyds
Receipts into CAF Bank
Receipts into Lloyds
Purchases through CAF bank
Balance shown as at 31st October 2021
CAF bank
Lloyds
Unrestricted Funds CAF bank
Restricted cash Caf Bank
Restricted Funds Southwell
Unrestricted Funds Southwell
Interest
Endowment
Interest
Balance Sheet 31/10/22
Cash in Banks etc
Represented by
Revenue Balance
Endowment Restricted Funds|£26,566
£230
£26,796
£27,562
£0
£27,562
£28,566
£26,566
£230
£230
£26,796
£24,570
£24,570
£1,996
£1,996
£18,925
£11,006
£29,931
£394
£3,348
£1,053
£61,522
£61,522
£57,121
£4,402
£61,522|£26,566
£230| |---|---|---| |||£26,796| |||£27,562
£0| |||£27,562| |||| |||£61,522| |||£61,522
£57,121
£4,402| |||£61,522| CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS New Cross Commun LEP Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 October 2022 Border8 Mlssion Circuit Clrcult no. 22113 Reglstered Charlty- Charty R•gistratlon number If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Glft Ald number (The HMRC number is equivalent to a ￿gIStered charity number in terms of eviden￿ of charitable status and may be used lo give to donors or grant funders ￿shIng lo see evidenee of the organisation's cha171able status. Methodist charrties in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242} Minister.. Peter Ta lor Methodist Presb & In Vacanc lican Joanne Parr Church Stewards: MicFielie Chadwici( Treasurer.. Michelle Chadwick Clxr* R aNJ P a)15.￿5 1015 ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2022 New Cross Community LEP Church SECTION A Unr•strictsd Ro8trictod Total8 th19 Fund8 Funds yèar Totals last year a1 RECEIFrs Noto a2 Offerin s and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Inve81menl income Lettin 9,332 9.332 14,563 a3 131 10,835 5,370 25.537 10.835 7,395 27.562 a5 other rec8ipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 6,655 18,101 39,450 2,025 2,025 a6 {a71 SECTION B PAYMENTS b1 b2 Circuit Assessment or Share Donations 17,283 17.283 b3 1 5,461 Re aiTS and Maintenance Ulililies Ilnsurances. water charges, heating & lightin91 1,463 1,463 2CE b5 b6 2,621 b7 Other paymgnts TOTAL PAYMENTS 5,548 27.987 579 b8 6.127 28.566 6,549 24,837 679 Ib91 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR a6-b8 2,450 1,446 11,IJ04 14,e13 Total funds brought forward from last year 36,620 21,111 57,731 c6 43,118 c3 Sub total el+c2 34,170 22.557 57.731 Transfers and ad'ustments c7 c5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c4 34,170 22,557 56,727 (e8) 67,731 (¢61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED ANO PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS {thosè amounts ar• not to be Includod in total recelptslpa ments figu￿ above) d1 Balance brou ht forward from last ar d2 Offerin slGifts - received for extemal or anisations d3 Offerings/Gifts - passed lo extemal organisalions BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID {d1+d2_d3 Chur¢h R aryj P2015.xL% 2of5 New Cross Communil LEP ECHU Church YOFC URCH ND IP4TE ON EPO NG SECTJON E Pleasfyfot 8Gul to com SummaryofthÈ Church aruunts forlheye8reNdeJ 31 Ottober2022 Inlemai Org8ni8thns repxtiny to trechurth ¢0￿C4￿Chur￿ M*ting. Note thatthe funds ofan kni*Tnal organ￿￿o￿V￿V￿ noFmally be Resth¢ted fund5 unle55 it￿j￿ be dearty sho￿ thatlhry could be u8ed forany M￿t￿lItPlKIX)se. This secih)n musl be mmplèted to arrivtralthe9r￿iDC￿8￿d ex[*￿￿￿2 totsl$ ortnechvrcn. IrgfOS8jncomee￿e￿StheAcctu*5￿r*$h0Jd, I￿Al¥xUa￿ method of arL¥)unbng AND A DIFFERENT FORM mu¥1 ￿ used to reth tho a[￿￿nts {8ee melhcNjlst￿b￿tel. Hea*relerlotheguhyanw notes regarding transfers beiy Dislnct and ￿n￿￿d DIBthc* Organisè￿ns. INTERNAL ORGANISAnONS Net R￿iPts1 nts owi DaL4nc8S strnonis C1051n e3 ¢5 ¢7 ub lotrdl 0 al anisaidDnsfvnds 012 Chur¢h a£cts￿nts (tot&L brotsgm rorwjrd from pagè 2-totals Cojumnl 27,%2 24566 {1￿04 Ic7) If6 56.72Y 1¢8 ÈYCHUReH 27,562 11,004 Cthbnuecn a ¥epar￿e theet r￿esSaryand tiring the tOkl8foward 57.731 $6.727 TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAThIEP4rs SECTION F OF CHURCFI. CASH FLINDS HELDat 31 A OPEPIING BALAPICE8 ¥t 2022 CLOSING bALA14CES Ca$n ha 8ank CuttentA￿urt 8ank De 14 Central Finance B08rd TN518eSfaf ￿￿￿[x11st Churth Pu Oihwfunds 78,925 18.925 $118 TOTAi-Chureh a¢coum8 Totsi tunds he￿ by Internal Organwllon8 (theehmn bal4￿&t0L4Tr trom abDvel {e121 56,727 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELO BY CHLIRCII 57,731 Ix) 58.727 SECTtON G Al 1 14ovembor2W21 OThERASSETS ￿ UABIUTIES 31 Odober2022 Investments l4L￿￿En(*Awrn8Thts Land & s￿￿0t@S re Ingur8rtce valué 1319787 1732 283 OihwA55ets end f4 I￿U￿0Th￿ Funds w *thO Central FI￿nce eowd 15 onlyFunds atTtU6W tOrMeiwtstChulCh PLYOOSes gi anythnerinvesknents Inotlhe c*8h el$m6ntofTMCP tyu*8 wuNs this is1nckld￿ In Il￿f& 3￿5 Nameofchurch........ Declarations and Scrutiny I confimi that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 Octoter 2022 have been prepa￿d from the records of the Church and Ihat they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees. Signatureoftreasurer....................... Name and address of treasurer .. Post Code... Presentatlon to the Church trustees I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 A¥9￿2022 werthill be" presented to the meeting of the Church trustees held on ........ Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meetFng fe. r.oR...TqYLQ..£.... Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of tha ....arc£fi...th(ncnQf)., ..Church Charity Number.............. Responsibllltles and basis of report I report to the trustees on m for the year ended 31 expmlnation of the accounts of the . b22 set out on pages ... As the Church's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charitios Act 2011 I'the Act,). 2015 cMr¢h R and P.xK 4of6 Name of Church ...￿.4O...crcos...￿.mWAl Independent Examinar's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material mattèrs have come to my 8ttentioi onnection with the examination (other than that disclosed belo￿) which give me cause to beli in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordanc8 with section 130 of the Act., or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. [th& [the I have no conorns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination which attention should b8 drawn in this report in order to enab18 a proper understanding of the to be roached. Iba4Elhave not" obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Met Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finan￿ Boar( Methodist Church which are individualty in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the bal.. sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner 3.oAp4￿É tXLHestrq..................................... Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner Name of firm (where appropriatel Address Post Code Date delete or circle as appropriate Sep-22 20tS ¢hurch R and P.￿$ 5of5 iin eve that Ito accounts iodist of the an 2015 R and P.Jds 5of5