## **NEW CROSS COMMUNITY** 

## **CHURCH** 

## **The Annual Report of the Local Ecumenical Partnership** 

**For the period November 2023- October 2024** 

1 



## _**MISSION STATEMENT**_ 

## _**‘**_ **New Cross Church** _**A Community of FAITH, HOPE & LOVE to ALL.’**_ 

**We are located in the New Cross area of the town of Sutton in Ashfield, North Nottinghamshire. We meet as ONE Church with two distinct strands; New Cross Community Church is a partnership of The Methodist Church & The Church of England-known as a Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP) The LEP has been in place since 2000.** 

**As a Community of FAITH, HOPE & LOVE, we strive to BE, SAY & DO all of this (M&V Statement) in Worship, Discipleship, Mission & Service. We are committed to share the good news of God’s love in Christ, in this part of town. We seek to be SALT & LIGHT for and with New Cross.** 

**We want to encourage each other and all people to learn more about the Christian way; to follow Jesus Christ in FAITH- to have the HOPE that Jesus brings; to LOVE others as Jesus loves us and all. We want- in the power of God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit- to be a Community that grows in FAITH, HOPE & LOVE”** 

## **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, there is oversight given by the Church of England. The Church Council, elected at the AGM are responsible for all aspects of the church, and is comprised of 7 members, Joanne Parr, Saralee Parr, Michelle Chadwick, Vanessa Keeling, Lynne Sykes, Gemma Self and Adrian Self, Methodist Circuit representative Margaret Lee and the afore mentioned Minister. The council meets approximately 4 times a year. 

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. 

2 



## **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 one service on a Sunday at 10.00 a.m. We also have begun to hold a Messy Church once a month with the option to make it more regular if it is well received. We also have extra services at times in the year when appropriate. 

Church attendance is stable averaging between 16 and 20 per week. 

## **OUR SERVICES** 

Our services continue to reflect the unique nature of the LEP. We have two services per month reflecting the Anglican style of worship and two reflecting the Methodist style of worship. 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, Adam, Joanne, Michelle, Adrian. 

## **REPORT FROM OUR MINISTER REV PETER TAYLOR.** 

## **Costly times & comfort times?** 

_**“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”**_ **Mark 8:34** 

## Dear New Cross Church, 

As Jesus reminded his disciples (above) Christian faith and discipleship can be hard and costly. Another year passes by in the life of New Cross Local Ecumenical Partnership/LEP Church. Last Autumn we had an interesting and challenging meeting as we and representatives from our partner churches shared thoughts and feelings. Whilst it may have felt a bit tense, I do think it helped us to keep thinking and helped us to be open and honest with each other. Our partner denominations do need to think: **What is the purpose of the LEP in this place? And, Is it working?** 

**Remember, YOU and I on the ground at New Cross, need to keep grappling with those questions** (and other questions) also. 

I write as we are at the mid-point of **Lent.** Lent reminds us that Christian faith is not about being comfortable. Christian service is about God, it is not about us. Church life is not about making us comfortable. Don’t misunderstand me, our support for each other and God’s love and compassion bring us comfort at those points when we need to lean in hard to the love and power of God- The Father, The Son & The Holy Spirit. 

I give my **Thanks** to all those who serve this church in a variety of ways. Thank you to our Ecumenical wardens, Joanne & Michelle for all they do for the church here and across both denominations. Thank you to Adrian and Jayne for their support and for the ways they serve the church in worship and governance. Thankyou to everyone who is committed to our worship week by week. Thank you to those ministers, preachers and musicians across 

3 



our partner denominations who serve and help us. And Thank you to ALL who help with events across the week in this place. 

In my monthly role as a Chaplain to the staff at Idlewells, I was asked last year by the centre manager to do some **‘inspirational quotes’** for each month. These are displayed around the centre. I share a few here with you, so that they may encourage you. The first one is a short one that I have used in the centre. The other two I have used in prayers and worship are a bit longer and a bit more ‘churchy’, but I hope they encourage you. 

_**“Without darkness, nothing comes to birth, As without light, nothing flowers.” (**_ **May Sarton, Poet)** 

_**May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."**_ **(St. Teresa of Avila)** 

_**All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well"**_ **(Mother Julian of Norwich)** 

Finally, we move on towards **Easter** and beyond, we hold onto these inspirational words from the Bible: _**“I am the Resurrection & the Life.”**_ **John11:25** 

In the **costly times and the comfort times** , may **God Bless you this year** , Revd. Peter Taylor (Methodist & Ecumenical Minister) 

## **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. They meet every 3 months to discuss matters concerning the Methodist Churches in our circuit. They report back to the ECC what has 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. 

4 



## **THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH** 

We also continue to hire the building 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 is still active. This is a small group of people who, when contacted, hold people up in prayer. All information regarding people who want prayer is confidential. 

**Giggles** -Girls in God Growing Loving Eating and Sharing 

Giggles is still a popular group, meeting monthly on a Friday night to share a meal, activities, speakers and often a testimony. Some of the meetings have been based on a theme. Thanks are extended to all ho help to run the group. 

## **New Cross Community Bingo** 

A group of 20-30 ladies and gentlemen meet between 1.00 and 3.00 p.m. on a Tuesday to play bingo for small prizes and a good chat. This group is always busy. 

## **Toddlers** 

The toddler group is a popular group with families the group meets on Monday mornings between 9.30 and 11.00 a.m. The children enjoy snacks, Christian activities, a safe environment in which to play and singing. 

## **Choir** 

A group of 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. 

## **Children’s Disco** 

Children and families enjoy the discos. 

## **Holiday Club** 

Holiday club runs during some of the school holidays, the families are offered breakfast, craft activities and a time of fun. 

The church and hall is hired to various groups and individuals during the year either for birthday parties of groups who hire the hall on a regular basis. 

## **Thanks are extended to all who have contributed to the running of this church and its endeavors to reach out to the people of New Cross.** 

5 



CHURCH
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS
ACCOUNTS
THE METHODIST CHURCH
STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS
New Cross Communi
Church LEP
Church
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 August 2023
Borders Mission
Circult
Clrcuit no.
22113
Registered Charity - Charity Registration number
If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and
Customs Gift Aid number
(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status
and may be used to 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
excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242)
Minister..
Peter Ta
lor
Methodist Presb ter
& In Vacanc
An
lican
Church Stewards..
Joanne Parr & Michelle Chadwick
Treasurer..
Michelle Chadwick
SFA frjmi
1 of5

New Cross
Community Church
LEP
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
Church
SECTION A
Unresfficted Rostrictèd Totals this
Funds
Funds
year
Totals last
year
RECEIPTS
Note
a2
Offerin
s and Tax recovered
Bank and CFB inter8St and
Investment income
6,901
6,901
9,332
a3
38
38
a4
Lettin
4,670
10,055
21,664
4.670
11.960
23,669
10,835
7,395
27,562
a5
Other receipts
TOTAL RECEIPTS
1,905
1,905
a8
(a7>
SECTION B
b1
PAYMENTS
b2
Circuit Assessment or Share
15,736
15.736
17,283
b3
Donations
b4
Re
airs and Maintenance
Utilities (Insurances, water
charges, heatin
& lightin
20,888
20.888
1,463
b5
4,106
4,106
3,693
b7
Other payments
TOTAL PAYMENTS
5,398
46,128
365
5,763
46,493
6,127
28,566
b8
365
(b9)
SECTION C
NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS
FOR THE YEAR
c1
a6-b8
24,464
1,540
22,924
1,004
Total funds brought forward from
last year
c2
34,170
22,557
56.727
c6
57,731
c3
Sub total
c1+¢2
9,708
24,097
33.803
56,727
Transfers and ad'ustments
c7
c5
TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR
(c3+c4)
9,706
24,097
33,803
(c8)
56.727
(c6)
SECTION D
FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS
{these amounts are not to be Included in total recelptslpa
ments figures above)
d1
Balance brou
ht forward from last
ear
d2
Offerin
sIGifts- re¢eived for extemal or
anisations
d3
OfferFngslGifts passed to external organisations
d4
BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID
(d1 +d2-d3
2of5
SFA fom)

New Cross Communi
TO THE CHURCH C
Church LEP Church
SUMMARY
F CHURCH
cc
SAND
NTERNA
ORGAN
ATION
EPORTI
UNCIL
SECTION E
Ploase followth Guidan
e Notss
com
thls
Summary of the Churth awunts for the yeai ended 31 August 2023 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Church Coun¢illChurch Meeting. Note that the funds of
an Intemal Organisation would norn￿llY be Restricted lunds unle5$ It coukl be clearfy shown that they ¢x)uld b8 used forany Methodist purpose. Thi5 section musl be
eompleted to arrive at the gross income and expenditure totals ofthe Churrh If gr05s income exceeds th￿A￿r￿arS ttl￿ShoId, then theAc¢wals method of accounting
D A DIFFEREKf FORM must be used to report the a¢¢ounts Isee Methodist website). Please referto the guSdance notes regarfling translers betsyeen the District
and connected Dislrict Organisal'ons.
INTERNAL
ORGANISATIONS
R8
Net Re￿Ipts1
P8
ents
Pa
ents
Opening
balan￿$
ustfflents
Cbsin balances
Sub tot8
of Internal
ani$8tions funds
e8
e12
Church account8 (total$
brnuyht forwar(l frorn pa9e
2. totals column)
23,569
la71
46,493
Ib91
122.9241
Ic71
56.727
33.803
Ic8
elo
BY CHURCH
23.569
46,493
122,9241
56,727
Ixl
33.803
Continue on a separate shèet
ifnècessary and bring the
totals forwarrj
TOTAL RECEIPTS
TOTAL
PAYMENTS
SECTION F
TEMENT
ASSET
AND LIA81
IES
CHURCH- CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 Au u8t 2023
OPENING
8AL4NCES
CLOSING
BAL4NCES
Cash in hand
Bank CurrentAccount
Bank De
itAcownt
f4
Centr81 Finarrce Board
Trth%lees for Meth¢￿151 Church Pu
oses
other funds
18,925
18,925
SUB TOTAL. Church accounts
Totsl funds held by Int6mal Organisations lthe dosing
balance totsl from above} le121
33.803
18111
le121
TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH
56,727
Ixl
33,803
lyl
SECTION G
At
I Novern￿r 2022
At
31 August 2023
OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES
Investments
include Endthvrnents
Land & 8uildin
8•9 notes ￿ Insurance value
1 732 283
1732 283
OtherAs$8ts
- show arnount outstandi
al
renu
other LiabSlltFes
14 Indude only Fund$ hdd at thè Central Finance Board
fs Indude only Funds held at Trustees for Method15t Church Purposes
91 Include any other wvestrnents (not the cash elernent of TMCP trusts a¢xounts th18 is included In lire fs
SFA frMm
3of5

Name of Church
Declarations and Scrutiny
I confimi that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2023 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...
Presentation to the Church trustees
I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 werelwill be"
presented to the meeting of the Church trust8es held on
Signature of the Chair of the meeting
Name of the Chair of the meeting
Date .
Independent Examlnerfs Report to the Trustees of the
..Church
Charlty Number..............
Responsibilities and basis of report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the
Church
for the year ended 31 August 2023 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 Charities Act
2011 ('the Act,).
I report in respect of my examination of the Church's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act
and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the 8pplicable Directions given by the Charity
Commission under section 145(5}(b) of the Act.
delete or circle as appropriate
SFA fomi
4of5

Name ofchurch. .NewCross Communitychurch................................. No.............
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 (other than that disclosed below.) 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 examination to
which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the
accounts to be reached.
I havelhave 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
FCLA
Name of firm (where appropriate)
Address
. LftPL!IDftLE .CLLy.Se,
)￿￿1 TrJo(2k4f¥ffjo
Date
delete or circle as appropriate
Form Revi•w
MayQ3
SFA form.xls
5of5

CHURCH
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS
ACCOUNTS
THE METHODIST CHURCH
STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS
New Cross Communi
Church LEP
Church
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 August 2023
Borders Mission
Circult
Clrcuit no.
22113
Registered Charity - Charity Registration number
If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and
Customs Gift Aid number
(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status
and may be used to 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
excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242)
Minister..
Peter Ta
lor
Methodist Presb ter
& In Vacanc
An
lican
Church Stewards..
Joanne Parr & Michelle Chadwick
Treasurer..
Michelle Chadwick
SFA frjmi
1 of5

New Cross
Community Church
LEP
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
Church
SECTION A
Unresfficted Rostrictèd Totals this
Funds
Funds
year
Totals last
year
RECEIPTS
Note
a2
Offerin
s and Tax recovered
Bank and CFB inter8St and
Investment income
6,901
6,901
9,332
a3
38
38
a4
Lettin
4,670
10,055
21,664
4.670
11.960
23,669
10,835
7,395
27,562
a5
Other receipts
TOTAL RECEIPTS
1,905
1,905
a8
(a7>
SECTION B
b1
PAYMENTS
b2
Circuit Assessment or Share
15,736
15.736
17,283
b3
Donations
b4
Re
airs and Maintenance
Utilities (Insurances, water
charges, heatin
& lightin
20,888
20.888
1,463
b5
4,106
4,106
3,693
b7
Other payments
TOTAL PAYMENTS
5,398
46,128
365
5,763
46,493
6,127
28,566
b8
365
(b9)
SECTION C
NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS
FOR THE YEAR
c1
a6-b8
24,464
1,540
22,924
1,004
Total funds brought forward from
last year
c2
34,170
22,557
56.727
c6
57,731
c3
Sub total
c1+¢2
9,708
24,097
33.803
56,727
Transfers and ad'ustments
c7
c5
TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR
(c3+c4)
9,706
24,097
33,803
(c8)
56.727
(c6)
SECTION D
FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS
{these amounts are not to be Included in total recelptslpa
ments figures above)
d1
Balance brou
ht forward from last
ear
d2
Offerin
sIGifts- re¢eived for extemal or
anisations
d3
OfferFngslGifts passed to external organisations
d4
BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID
(d1 +d2-d3
2of5
SFA fom)

New Cross Communi
TO THE CHURCH C
Church LEP Church
SUMMARY
F CHURCH
cc
SAND
NTERNA
ORGAN
ATION
EPORTI
UNCIL
SECTION E
Ploase followth Guidan
e Notss
com
thls
Summary of the Churth awunts for the yeai ended 31 August 2023 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Church Coun¢illChurch Meeting. Note that the funds of
an Intemal Organisation would norn￿llY be Restricted lunds unle5$ It coukl be clearfy shown that they ¢x)uld b8 used forany Methodist purpose. Thi5 section musl be
eompleted to arrive at the gross income and expenditure totals ofthe Churrh If gr05s income exceeds th￿A￿r￿arS ttl￿ShoId, then theAc¢wals method of accounting
D A DIFFEREKf FORM must be used to report the a¢¢ounts Isee Methodist website). Please referto the guSdance notes regarfling translers betsyeen the District
and connected Dislrict Organisal'ons.
INTERNAL
ORGANISATIONS
R8
Net Re￿Ipts1
P8
ents
Pa
ents
Opening
balan￿$
ustfflents
Cbsin balances
Sub tot8
of Internal
ani$8tions funds
e8
e12
Church account8 (total$
brnuyht forwar(l frorn pa9e
2. totals column)
23,569
la71
46,493
Ib91
122.9241
Ic71
56.727
33.803
Ic8
elo
BY CHURCH
23.569
46,493
122,9241
56,727
Ixl
33.803
Continue on a separate shèet
ifnècessary and bring the
totals forwarrj
TOTAL RECEIPTS
TOTAL
PAYMENTS
SECTION F
TEMENT
ASSET
AND LIA81
IES
CHURCH- CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 Au u8t 2023
OPENING
8AL4NCES
CLOSING
BAL4NCES
Cash in hand
Bank CurrentAccount
Bank De
itAcownt
f4
Centr81 Finarrce Board
Trth%lees for Meth¢￿151 Church Pu
oses
other funds
18,925
18,925
SUB TOTAL. Church accounts
Totsl funds held by Int6mal Organisations lthe dosing
balance totsl from above} le121
33.803
18111
le121
TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH
56,727
Ixl
33,803
lyl
SECTION G
At
I Novern￿r 2022
At
31 August 2023
OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES
Investments
include Endthvrnents
Land & 8uildin
8•9 notes ￿ Insurance value
1 732 283
1732 283
OtherAs$8ts
- show arnount outstandi
al
renu
other LiabSlltFes
14 Indude only Fund$ hdd at thè Central Finance Board
fs Indude only Funds held at Trustees for Method15t Church Purposes
91 Include any other wvestrnents (not the cash elernent of TMCP trusts a¢xounts th18 is included In lire fs
SFA frMm
3of5

Name of Church
Declarations and Scrutiny
I confimi that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2023 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...
Presentation to the Church trustees
I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 werelwill be"
presented to the meeting of the Church trust8es held on
Signature of the Chair of the meeting
Name of the Chair of the meeting
Date .
Independent Examlnerfs Report to the Trustees of the
..Church
Charlty Number..............
Responsibilities and basis of report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the
Church
for the year ended 31 August 2023 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 Charities Act
2011 ('the Act,).
I report in respect of my examination of the Church's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act
and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the 8pplicable Directions given by the Charity
Commission under section 145(5}(b) of the Act.
delete or circle as appropriate
SFA fomi
4of5

Name ofchurch. .NewCross Communitychurch................................. No.............
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 (other than that disclosed below.) 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 examination to
which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the
accounts to be reached.
I havelhave 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
FCLA
Name of firm (where appropriate)
Address
. LftPL!IDftLE .CLLy.Se,
)￿￿1 TrJo(2k4f¥ffjo
Date
delete or circle as appropriate
Form Revi•w
MayQ3
SFA form.xls
5of5